This boat was the last professional lifeboat used by the Newcastle Lifeboat Service which terminated in 1946.This lifeboat was involved in some of the most breathtaking and dangerious sea rescue missions in the maritime history of NSW.
It was craftman designed vessel specific for saving lives and is 39 feet long with a 9 foot beam and weighs approximately 8 tonne. It has a self draining hull and was selfrighting in 11 seconds
The boat was officially christened "Victoria"at Newcastle on the 27th May 1897. The launching took place at around 3.00pm when the doors of the Lifeboat Shed opened and the Lifeboat appeared. Crowds gathered along the foreshore to watch the ceremony.
The history of the Newcastle Lifeboat Service is included in a new book titled "MAN THE LIFEBOAT! Feats of heroism and endurance by Pamela B. Harrisison.
