Lifeboat naming ceremony 1954

Naming ceremony for the new Fraserburgh lifeboat 1954

Year: 1954

Duration: 04:07

Filmed By: JB McDonald

Naming ceremony for the ‘Duchess of Kent’, a Watson class lifeboat built by Groves and Guttridge and stationed in Fraserburgh from 1954. It was built as the replacement for the ‘John and Charles Kennedy’ which was involved in a tragedy the year before where six crewmen lost their lives. While in service, the boat was launched 23 times and saved 13 lives.

The film shows footage of the naming ceremony at Fraserburgh harbour and the crowds that gathered on the day which illustrate the significance of the event and the role of the lifeboat service in the town.