CAPITÁN CHRISTIANSEN lifeboat

[aukepalmhof]

Chile in 1975 issued a block of four stamps to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Valparaiso Voluntary Lifeboat Service.
One of these stamps depicts the lifeboat CAPITÁN CHRISTIANSEN; on her way for the cargo ship TEOTOPOULIS. (I can not find any ship under that name, so I believe that name is wrong.)

She was built in 1928 by Messrs. J.S. White & Co., Ltd., for the Royal National Lifeboat Service’ named EMED.
Tonnage 16 ¾ tons, dim.14.5 x 3.95 x 1.20m.
Fitted out with 2 – 40 hp petrol engines, twin screws, speed 8.3 knots.
She had a shallow draught for working the sands off the east coast of England.
Crew 8 and could take 70 persons.
Building cost £8,700.
After completing based at Walton and Frinton lifeboat station.

In 1939 and 1941 she rescued the crew of the barges ESTEREL and MARTHA.
1945 Rescued the crew of a naval fishing vessel.
1947 Rescued the crew of a barge the WILL EVERARD.
She was one of the ships used in the Dunkirk evacuation, at that time she was under naval personnel, and ferried troops from the harbour to the ships waiting outside on 1 and 2 June 1940.
While alongside one of these waiting ships, a shell exploded, mortally wounding the RNVR Lieutenant in command.
Thereafter she returned to Ramsgate with on board 142 troops.
She was launched on services 185 times and rescued 243 lives.
1953 Out of service.
1953 till 1955 in the reserve fleet.

1955 Was she bought by Capt. Olaf Christiansen Lund, a Dane who had served in sail and steam prior to joining the Chilean Merchant Marine in 1922. He organized the Chilean Corps of Volunteer Lifeboatmen.
27 April 1957 renamed CAPITÁN CHRISTIANSEN, christened by Mrs. Karen Christiansen Christofersen

Mr Hogan states, he has seen de boat moored in Valparaiso harbour but the name on her was CAP CHRISTENSEN, I also have seen her a few times there but can not remember what name was on her.

She is now retired and rest on the Muelle Baron Valparaiso.

Chile 1975 150e sg745, scott460c.

Sources: Log Book and Watercraft Philately. Mr Hogan. B.E.F. Ships before, at and after Dunkirk by Johan S. de Winser. http://www.waltonfrintonlifeboat.co.uk/ ... _2004.html Daily Collection of Maritime Press Clippings 2010-043.