RNLB City of Sheffield    

ON.1131 (Operational Number 47-023)

RNLB City of Sheffield was a 47’ Tyne Class Lifeboat designed as a ‘Fast Slipway boat’ (FSB) and designed for Slipway launch although in Whitby’s case it was kept afloat.

The funding for the City of Sheffield was from the residents of Sheffield and also from the fund raising efforts of the crew of HMS Sheffield. The final cost of the boat was £566000 to build; this cost was met by gifts & bequests and a large bequest from Mrs Mary Mabel Walker. The boat was of steel construction built by R. Wright & Son at Derby 1988, she was conveyed by road to be finished off at Souter Shipyard, Cowes, IOW.  

The City of Sheffield arrived in Whitby on 12 Dec 1988; the naming ceremony took place on the 28July 1989 and was carried out by HRH The Duchess of Kent.  

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The City of Sheffield served at Whitby from 1988-1996. After Whitby she served at Ramsgate, Hartlepool and Poole, before retiring in 2016. Whilst at Whitby, the Sheffield was launched 239times, saving 88 lives.

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The City of Sheffield is now an exhibit at the Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield.

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