LIFEBOAT QUEENSCLIFFE

The Lifeboat Queenscliffe (of British Watson Class design) was built in Adelaide and commenced service in Queenscliff in 1926. She was taken out of service in 1976 by the Marine Board of Victoria.  The Public Works Department offered the vessel to the Borough of Queenscliffe for care and display.  On 13 March 1980, “The Queenscliffe Lifeboat Preservation Society” was formed at a public meeting.  The name was changed to the “Queenscliffe Maritime Museum”  in 1998 to more accurately reflect the general nature of the exhibits and displays.  The Lifeboat has been listed on the National Maritime Museum’s Register of Historic Vessels.

Some of the vessels and calls for help the lifeboat attended were:

1931     Hygeia

1932     Casino                         

1940     HMAS Goorangai   (there is an annual Goorangai Day Service - click for details)

1940     Orungal

1949     Time

1949     Merlyn

1960     Army commandos lost in the Rip

1967     The search for the late Prime Minister Harold Holt

1974     The last attendance to a vessel was to the Brisbane Trader which was on fire

A number of views of the Queenscliffe are shown on this page. On the left is a photo of the motor and winch used on the slipway.