Built as a Watson Class lifeboat by J.S.White for the R.N.L.I.
Launched under the name JOHN R. WEBB.
Dim.45 x 12.6ft.
Powered by a 6-cyl. Weyburn DE6 petrol engine, 80 hp., speed 8.6 knots.
1923 Completed.
In service first at the Tenby, Wales from August 1923 till 1930.
1931 Renamed in 684 RM and in service at Barra Island, Scotland from 1931 toll 1932.
1934 Her engine was replaced with a Ferry 85 hp. diesel engine, the first lifeboat in which a diesel engine was placed.
Renamed in HEARTS OF OAK and stationed at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight from 1934 till 1938.
From 1935 till 1955 in reserve fleet of the R.N.L.I., during that time she served as relief at a number of stations.
1955 Sold and a wheelhouse added, and used as a work boat under the name WILLIAM BRADLEY.
2007 Was Simon Evans the owner of the boat, he has 19 lifeboats in his collection at a boatyard in Sans, about 80 miles south of Paris.
She is offered by Mr. Evans to Pembrokeshire if the town’s former R.N.L.I. station becomes a museum.
The Jersey stamp bulletin gives by these issues:
In the afternoon of 13 September 1949 the relief lifeboat HEARTS OF OAK sailed out after a report was received that at French military plane was lost, people did see that the plane crashed east of St Helier, and the HEARTS OF OAK had to search for survivors of the crash, after a search of eight hours in bad weather conditions, with high seas, noting was found, almost with a empty oil tank and in the vicinity of St Helier, a message was received that a flickering light was seen between the rocks by La Sambur.
They discovered the yacht MAURICE GEORGES, a cutter of 10 ton with on board four people.
Visibility was bad and every minute it worsened, to find the exact position of the yacht between the rocks was very difficult, and when found it was almost impossible to come alongside, also a strong westerly wind against an already more as a hour going ebb tide made the sea very confused, and in the falling water more and more rocks became visible.
To sail between this rocks was almost the same as to been blindfolded between the jaws of a dragon.
The HEARTS OF OAK only fitted out with one diesel engine, and one propeller, was not the boat they needed to do this rescue, but the Coxswain Thomas King ordered his men to put a search-light on the bow, and by this light they piloted the lifeboat between the rocks and in the breakers, hoping that the hull would be strong enough to resist a collision with a rock or rocks.
He ordered to keep the lug sail ready when anyhow something happened with engine or screw, not thinking that it would be very helpful between the breakers, but when they had reached open water again, maybe needed when they were running out of oil, and had to sail back to port.
During the approach to the yacht the lifeboat was lifted by a high sea and put on her side, in the meantime she was lifted over a rock, after the water flowed back; they could see how lucky they were after seeing the rock they were lifted over.
When nearing the yacht a line was thrown over. To come alongside was too dangerous, and they decided to tow the yacht from between the rocks. Both crafts safely reached open water against all odds.
The complete rescue took only 15 minutes.
During the night at 00.30 she entered St Helier escorted by the pilot-cutter, after nine hours outside with the oil-gauge at zero.
A Gold Medal was awarded for this rescue to Coxswain Thomas King, and his 6 crewmembers received a Bronze Medal.
Jersey 1984 9p sg335, scott331
Source: Mijn Stokpaardje, from an article written by J.Menning. Info received from Mr. Jean-Louis Araignon, Rescue from water.