From Berwick-upon-Tweed to Aldeburgh, discover the digitisation of Beken plate negatives.
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Calm Before the Storm exhibition
Calm Before the Storm: The Art of Photographing Lifeboats marks the digitisation of 850 glass plate negatives of lifeboats. It celebrates significant moments in the life of individual lifeboats and their volunteer crews, from starting service to saving lives at sea.
Read the stories behind the lifeboats
Explore the story
Langham Lifeboat
Langham launched 61 times and saved 62 lives. She was sold out of service in 1950.
Bembridge
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Explore the story
Greater London Lifeboat
Greater London launched 278 times and saved 240 lives. She went on to save more lives in South America.
Southend-on-Sea
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Explore the story
The Duchess of Kent lifeboat
The Duchess of Kent launched 23 times and saved 13 lives. She was lost in a tragic rescue to Danish fishing vessel Opal in 1970.
Fraserburgh
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Explore the story
Helen Blake Lifeboat
Helen Blake launched 13 times and saved 5 lives serving at Poolbeg, Dublin.
Poolbeg
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Explore the story
H.F Bailey lifeboat
H.F Bailey launched 160 times and saved 344 lives. She was last stationed at RNLI Southend and RNLI Dover in the 1940s.
Cromer
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The Beken family have been photographing maritime life in Cowes for generations, creating a stunning visual record of Isle of Wight industry and RNLI lifeboats.
With the support of both The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Christopher Andreae and The Scorpion Trust, this unique collection of glass plate negatives has been preserved and digitised.
A part of this remarkable collection was showcased in an exhibition - Calm Before the Storm: The Art of Photographing Lifeboats – in 2019 at Poole Museum.
Here are some unique images from the Beken collection for you to enjoy online.
Explore the collection
From Kirkcudbright to Anstruther, discover the digitisation of Beken plate negatives.
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From Margate to Selsey, discover the digitisation of Beken plate negatives.
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From Clovelly to Swanage, discover the digitisation of Beken plate negatives.
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From the coast of Wales to the Isle of Man, discover the digitisation of Beken plate negatives.
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From Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, discover the digitisation of Beken plate negatives.
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Discover lifeboat stories from the Calm Before the Storm exhibition
Read stories
For generations, the Beken family in Cowes, Isle of Wight, have photographed yachting and maritime activity in the area, creating a fascinating record of lifeboats and lifeboat building.
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