A much-loved Barrow lifeboat has arrived at Windermere Jetty Museum for vital conservation work, bringing together the expertise of two of Cumbria’s maritime heritage collections.
Herbert Leigh served at Barrow’s RNLI station for 30 years, from 1951 to 1982. During that time, she was launched 136 times and helped save 71 lives.
She made the journey from Barrow’s Maritime Dock Museum to Windermere Jetty Museum on 8 September and is now at the museum’s specialist conservation workshop, where the Boat Conservation team will carry out essential work to protect the historic vessel for future generations.
Visitors can currently see Herbert Leigh outside the workshop, providing a rare opportunity to see this remarkable piece of Barrow’s maritime history up close.
Built at the J. Samuel White & Co. shipyard in East Cowes, Herbert Leigh was one of the RNLI’s most modern lifeboats when completed and went on to become Barrow’s longest-serving lifeboat. Her service included many challenging rescues, including the dramatic rescue of two men from the yacht Faithful in heavy surf in 1952. Coxswain Roland Moore was later awarded the RNLI’s Thanks on Vellum for his skill and courage.
After leaving active service in 1982, Herbert Leigh was placed into reserve before returning to Barrow in 1990, when she became part of the Dock Museum collection. Major conservation work was carried out in 2005, supported by the Furness Maritime Trust and Barrow Borough Council.
Now, more than 30 years after entering the Dock Museum collection, Herbert Leigh is making another important journey across Cumbria.
Her arrival at Windermere Jetty Museum demonstrates the specialist conservation skills within the county and the importance of collaboration in caring for Cumbria’s maritime heritage.
Stephen Beresford, Senior Conservation Boatbuilder at Windermere Jetty Museum stated: “This is a special project because it brings together two of Cumbria’s best-loved museums and highlights the conservation skills needed to care for historic vessels. We are privileged to support the preservation of Herbert Leigh and help ensure this important part of Barrow’s maritime history can be protected for future generations.”
The work will help preserve Herbert Leigh not only as a historic vessel, but as a lasting reminder of the Barrow crews who went to sea to help others – and the 71 lives they helped save.
