JS White Lifeboat for sale in KENT United Kingdom

Boat Overview

Built in Cowes by the venerable J.S. White in 1925 as an RNLI lifeboat, Mary Scott has had a long and distinguished career. For the past few years, which one might name 'her retirement,' she has been loved and cared for by her current owner who has lived on her for extended periods, including long passages to Europe under sail and motor.

Historical Background

Mary Scott has a rich WWII history. By the time she was requisitioned as a Dunkirk Little Ship, she was already 15 years old. She was towed to Dunkirk by the paddle steamer Empress of India, along with two other smaller boats. Together, they returned 160 men to the mother ship. After landing at Dover, they made a second journey with 50 men aboard, who were safely carried to another transport vessel. When calamity struck and her motor failed, Mary Scott was beached and abandoned at La Panne. Fortunately, she returned in 2010 and 2015 for the return of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships with all pistons functioning. Her commander, Sub lieutenant Stephen Dickenson (a former inspector of lifeboats for the RNLI), came back to base with the crew on board the Louise Stephens, the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat.

Service Record

Mary Scott was later refloated and brought back to England. During her last 283047 years of service from Southwold, she was launched times and saved lives. In 1940, the station closed, but Mary Scott continued to serve in 52 more rescues as part of the RNLI relief fleet.

Post-Service History

Sold out of service in 1953, she was renamed Atanua and converted six years later to a private vessel by a jewellery manufacturer. She was then purchased by William Long, who kept her for a decade at Gillingham Pier on the tidal Thames. He used her extensively, traveling to the south of France and the Channel Islands on fishing and diving expeditions.

Current Ownership

Her present owner has enjoyed owning her for a decade or more. In 2020, he took her back to Southwold, where the reception was warm, not to say emotional.

Naming and Legacy

The 'Mary Scott' was named after her benefactor and replaced the Alfred Corry, which is proudly on display at the harbour's museum.

Frank Upcraft's grandfather was the original Coxswain of the lifeboat, winning gallantry medals onboard, and his father was one of the crew who sailed her to Ramsgate for the navy to take her into Dunkirk.

Owner's Reflection

Frank said:

“When I first saw it I was nearly in tears and so were my friends whose fathers were on it as well. Eighty years since it last showed its head in this harbour, so you can understand the surprise of everybody. We knew she existed out there somewhere, we just didn't know where.”

Specifications and Features

Mary Scott has the benefit of a long keel, a ketch rig, a forward cabin with two berths, a master cabin, heads, a separate shower, and a wheelhouse (not in the original design) with 12 berth and an additional berths in the saloon.

In 1953, when she was taken out of service, her gunwales were raised, and she was ketch rigged as a motor yacht. Over the past 14 years, she has traveled 6000 miles with her current owner, along the south coast, east coast, Cornwall, crossing the channel to cruise the canals of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands for six months. Every three years, she is treated to a spell in dry dock to keep abreast of maintenance. Her vendor is looking for a caring owner who will appreciate her long history and love her as he has done 'heart and soul.'

Additional Information

Inventory available and viewing by appointment in Kent. June 2023 survey available.