In 28 pictures: Final journey of historic Hastings lifeboats

The boats, The Priscilla MacBean, on the bottom of Old London Road, and the Cyril and Lilian Bishop, opposite All Saints Church, have been moved to the Shipwreck Museum at Rock-a-Nore Road, where they will be better protected from the weather.

The big operation to move the two boats got underway at 5am on Monday morning but suffered a major set-back due to two car drivers ignoring no parking signs and blocking the area where the transporter lorry needed to be.

Tim McDonald, who runs the Shipwreck Museum, said: “It was utter chaos for a while and caused a considerable delay as rush hour traffic built up. Eventually the two cars were moved by their owners.”

When it finally got underway there was a hairy moment when the hull of the Priscilla cracked under the strain of being lifted. Thankfully the damage was slight and can be repaired.

A crowd gathered at the bottom of Harold Road later in the morning when it was the Cyril and Lilian Bishop’s turn to be hoisted high in the air by crane and gently lowered onto a transported lorry.

The boat has an illustrious history, saving many lives at sea as well as being requisitioned as a Dunkirk small ship and playing a key role in rescuing dozens of stranded troops from the war-torn beaches of France.

It was an emotional moment for onlooker Kevin Boorman, who took some of these pictures, as his great uncle was cox of the Cyril and Lilian Bishop and took the boat to Dover in 1940, where it was taken on to Dunkirk by a Royal Navy crew.

On the scene was Tush Hamilton, who with Dee Day White, played a key role in bringing the two boats back to Hastings and restoring them to their former glory.

Dee Day White said: “The wheel has finally spun full circle. Twelve years ago the Priscilla MacBean was found and rescued. She then went on display at the gateway to Hastings Old Town. But alas at

103 years old she became more than we could handle.

"Even more so when we were told about the Hastings lifeboat the Cyril and Lilian Bishop who was in a boatyard the other side of Paris. So with the best will in the world we went to see her. With the help of Skinners Sheds who financed her purchase and transport back to Hastings. It was a rollercoaster ride for us.

“Our aim has always been to preserve these two old lifeboats with the importance being on the Hastings one 1931-1950. With various schemes we managed to keep one step ahead of dry rot, wet rot and up to 103 year old timber being outside in sun, wind and rain on donations only.

“Three of our backbone volunteers have passed away, also John and I have been under the doctors for our age old ailments, so we felt if we can't do it well we won't do it at all.

“We thank you all for your support over the years and can continue to watch further work in progress by others at the Shipwreck Heritage in Rock-A-Nore Road. Bon Voyage.”

Tim McDonald, of the Shipwreck Museum, said: “The lifeboats will go on display, beside a third boat - The Primrose - the last surviving Rye built barge. The museum is free to visit with donations invited.

"We were delighted to be able to take these two historic boats. This will enable more people to see the boats in a position closer to the sea and we have full disabled access.”

The heavy lifting on the day was carried out by Bexhill based Coussens Cranes.

Pictures by Kevin Boorman and Andrew Clifton.

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