Restoration
of
LADY OF MANN
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Lady of Mann
Standard Board of Trade, Ship’s Lifeboat from the 1930 Isle of Man Steam Packet ship, RMS Lady of Mann (No 8 of 10)
BOAT NAME: Lady of Mann
BOAT TYPE: Lifeboat
BOAT LENGTH: 27ft 6ins
BOAT BEAM: 8ft 5ins
BOAT DRAFT: 2ft 6ins
BOAT DISPLACEMENT: Dry weight 4.9Tons
BOAT CONSTRUCTION: Clinker – Mahogany Planking on Oak Frames (Iroko Cabin - 2017)
BOAT BUILDER: Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness
BOAT YEAR: 1930
PRESERVATION
LOM was fortunate enough to fall into the hands of the Cain Family in 2009, classic boat enthusiasts connected by a strong family legacy to the Isle of Man, she found her perfect owners.
RESTORING HERITAGE
in 2014 after several years of trying to restore LOM themselves , she founded and the decision was made to hire our services to take on a full restoration instructing us to redesign the cabin and to try and replicate the 1930s pomp of the Lady of Mann mother ship
From glory her days alongside her mother ship , her history through to her at her most vunerable and then back to the glorious little ship she is now
FIND OUT MORE
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History
LADY OF MANN:
LIFE BOAT 8
1930's STEAM PACKET SHIP
Established in 1830 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is the world’s oldest passenger shipping line still in operation.
The involvement of the company’s men and its ships during the Dunkirk evacuation is a source of huge pride to the Manx people. Eight company ships – including the Lady of Mann – took part in the mission and between them rescued 24,699 British troops – one in 13 of those evacuated from Dunkirk.
The 27-foot Lady of Mann was lifeboat No 8 on the Isle of Man Steam Packet ship of the same name. Her mother ship was broken up in 1971 on the Clyde, lifeboat No 8 was saved and converted into a fishing boat/cabin cruiser.
Restoration
LOM IN THE MAKING
2015 I 2016
Lady of Mann spent a year in our yard under restoration. Though the original hull was still sound, the marine ply cabin (built-in 1972) needed a complete rebuild, we were instructed by the Cain family to come up with a design that was sympathetic with her history and 'to try and replicate the 1930s pomp of the Lady of Mann mother ship'.
Taking direct inspiration from the beautiful lines which formed RMS Lady of Mann cabins, the unique cabin on top of LOM started to take shape.
Restored
LIFEBOAT 8 :
LADY OF MANN
2016 I PRESENT DAY
We could not be happier with the results of LOM restoration, she is a testament to her Mother ship and we could not be prouder that we have had the opportunity to restore the only floating survivor of the Isle of Mann Packet fleet which so courageously saved so many thousands of lives during the war, her transformation from lifeboat to family boat means this craft lives on whilst her soul remains intact.
THE CLIENTS
JOURNEY
Lady of Mann
TESTIMONIAL
"The Lady of Mann foundered at her mooring in Old Windsor during the great floods of February 2014. Due to her heritage there was never any question of salvaging her and my father and I embarked upon our own amateur restoration programme. After two years of hard toil but very little reward we reached the stark realisation that expert help was required, and she was taken to Dennetts. It quickly became apparent that although the original hull was still sound, the cabin constructed of marine ply in 1972 was not salvageable and a complete rebuild was required. Rather than a setback, this presented a unique opportunity to create something a little bit special. The mothership, RMS Lady of Mann, was famed for her elegant, stately appearance and luxurious interiors. Along with her sister ships, she was often referred to as the finest 'short-sea tonnage' in the world. If the rebuild could in some small way pay homage to this, we would be extremely happy.
Under the expert eye and flair for design of Stephen Dennett, the boatyard delivered spectacularly. What emerged was beyond our wildest expectations. Her curved, beautifully finished iroko cabin and cathedral roof perfectly capture the style of those very handsome 'Baby Liners' of that 1930s Manx fleet. As well as her own history the little lifeboat has an important role: She is the only floating representation remaining of any of the Isle of Man Steam Packet ships that were present at Dunkirk during the evacuation. There were 8 ships collectively rescuing 24,699 Allied troops – one in fourteen of those evacuated from Dunkirk. Three ships and many crew were sadly lost. Following the lifeboat's restoration, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company have been very generous in their recognition, support and praise.
I cannot thank Stephen and the team enough for their work transforming the little lifeboat. They totally understood what we were trying to achieve. They struck the perfect balance between pandering to a customer’s very emotionally charged requirements and gentle professional guidance! Ultimately, you have transformed not only the lifeboat but a significant part of our lives too.
Finally the former 2nd officer of the RMS Lady of Mann in the later stages of her career, Ken Crellin writes, 'To see this little lifeboat beautifully restored as she has been , brings a tear to my eye - we are eternally grateful to you for keeping such an important piece of our Island's history alive and in such wonderful care.' There can be no higher accolade. "
Matt Cain- Owner Lady of Mann