Poole lifeboat crews says farewell as Tyne heads home to Sheffield

Poole Lifeboat crews said a sad farewell to The City of Sheffield that has served so valiantly in Poole for 15 years as she left to start her journey to a new home today (16 June).

Though no longer at sea, the steel-hulled Tyne-class lifeboat, affectionately known as the ‘City of Steel’ will continue to serve the RNLI by sharing her history and finding a new lease of life on loan to the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield, where she will be displayed for the next five years.

Jonathan Clark, RNLI volunteer coxswain of Poole lifeboat said that since September 2001 when The City of Sheffield arrived on service, she had launched 557 times and the number of people rescued (including lives saved) was 650.

Since HRH The Duchess of Kent named her on 28 July 1989 at Whitby Lifeboat Station, she has also served at Ramsgate, Hartlepool and Sennen Cove before finding her last home at Poole in 2001. The much-photographed lifeboat was retired in 2016 and replaced by a new D-class lifeboat.

Jonathan said, “In 2004, I had the proud honour of taking the wheel and escorting the RNLI’s patron, Her Majesty The Queen, after she had opened the Lifeboat College, and in December 2013 we celebrated The City of Sheffield’s 25th birthday with a special greeting sent by the Worshipful Mayor of Sheffield.” He added there were many more memories and memorable ‘shouts’.

“It was a very sad day when she left us and she will always be a part of our heritage. However, I am very pleased that she will be returning home to South Yorkshire and look forward to visiting her there,” continued Jonathan.

Originally funded by the 1987-88 Sheffield Lifeboat Appeal and a bequest made by Mrs Mary Walker, the lifeboat’s remarkable stories will be shared by the museum with visitors.

Matt Wakefield, CEO of the museum said, “We are delighted to be receiving a modern RNLI lifeboat to display – especially one with such a connection to the city.”