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Model of historic Hoylake RNLI lifeboat built to mark 200 years of lifesaving

Lifeboats News Release

The 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been commemorated by a North West model maker, who has built a remarkable model of a historic Wirral lifeboat.

Hoylake RNLI

The replica lifeboat was displayed alongside Hoylake RNLI’s modern equivalent, pulled by Leonberger dogs Amber and Loki

Kevin Gleave, who is also a dedicated RNLI fundraiser, was inspired to create a model of Hoylake RNLI’s Hannah Fawsett Bennett and used the stories and images on display at Hoylake Lifeboat Station to guide the design.

The Hannah Fawsett Bennett was a 38ft Liverpool class non-self-righting lifeboat, stationed at Hoylake for 25 years from 1906 to 1931. Powered by sail or a crew of local RNLI volunteers on oars, the Hannah Fawsett Bennett is recorded as having saved 20 lives during her service on the Wirral coast.

The lifeboat was launched from a carriage, which was hauled to the water’s edge across the soft sand of Hoylake beach by a team of horses.

Kevin began construction of his model in October 2023 and used archive photographs to develop the design over 7 months. It has a fibreglass hull with a wooden deck and carriage, as well as a full set of oars, masts and sails.

The past met the present at Hoylake Lifeboat Station on 27 March when Kevin displayed his model of the Hannah Fawsett Bennett next to the station’s state of the art all-weather Shannon class lifeboat Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood.

In tribute to the horses that would have helped launch the historic lifeboat, Kevin’s specially designed carriage was rigged up to a pair of Leonberger dogs, Amber and Loki. It is hoped that the model can be used as both a static exhibit and a live display to be hauled by a team of giant breed dogs in harnesses, representing the important role played by horses in the RNLI’s history.

There to witness the display was Dave Dodd MBE, Hoylake RNLI Coxswain from 1997 to 1998 and station volunteer for over 50 years. Dave’s grandfather, Thomas Dodd, was Hoylake RNLI Coxswain from 1894 to 1916 and was awarded the RNLI’s silver medal for gallantry for a rescue in 1902. Dave’s uncle, Arthur Dodd, took over as Coxswain in 1916, carrying out the role until 1919. Both Coxswains commanded the Hannah Fawsett Bennett during their service, making the display of the replica Hoylake Lifeboat particularly special.

Later Coxswains of the Hannah Fawsett Bennett were John Sherlock (1919-1929) and Herbert Jones (1929-1946). In modern times, Dave’s son Andy Dodd also served at Hoylake RNLI Coxswain from 2016 to 2021.

Kevin Gleave said: 'It was great to see the replica model of the old Hannah Fawsett Bennett meeting the new Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood at the station as a poignant reminder of the heritage of Hoylake. We were very lucky to meet Dave Dodd, who is a living link to the wonderful history of this remarkable boat and a fountain of knowledge about all aspects of this remarkable period in RNLI history.'

'Dave, along with the rest of the Hoylake RNLI team including current Coxswain Howie Owen, made us very welcome throughout our visit. We really felt the spirit of service and enthusiasm for the RNLI through their warmth.'

Dave Dodd said: 'It was a wonderful gesture by Kevin to build a model lifeboat inspired by the Hannah Fawsett Bennett. All of us at Hoylake RNLI are grateful for his tribute to our lifesaving history. We hope that the model educates people about our station’s past and helps raise funds so we can continue saving lives in the future.'

Media contacts

For more information, please contact:

Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or email [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or email [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

Kevin Gleave

The replica ‘Hannah Fawsett Bennett’ has a fibreglass hull, wooden deck and carriage and features a full set of oars, masts and sails

Hoylake RNLI

The ‘Hannah Fawsett Bennett’ was stationed at Hoylake from 1906 to 1931 and was launched from a carriage pulled by a team of horses

Hoylake RNLI

The ‘Hannah Fawsett Bennett’ saved 20 lives at Hoylake, including a crew of 5 from the steam flat ‘Victoria’ (pictured)

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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