Norfolk and Suffolk-class lifeboat

RNLB James Leith (ON 607) in the RNLI Heritage Collection at Chatham Historic Dockyard
Class overview
NameNorfolk and Suffolk-class
BuildersVarious
Operators RNLI and others
Built1807–1925
In service1807–1953
General characteristics - sailing lifeboats
Length30 to 46 ft (9.1 to 14.0 m)
Beam10 to 12 ft (3.0 to 3.7 m)
Crew16–22
General characteristics - motor lifeboats
Displacement14-17 tons
Length46 ft 6 in (14.17 m)
Beam12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Installed power40 bhp to 80 bhp
PropulsionSingle screw
Speedkn (9.2 mph; 15 km/h)
Range~115 nmi (132 mi; 213 km)
Crew13

Norfolk and Suffolk-class lifeboats were a class of lifeboat operated almost exclusively off the coast of East Anglia. The first boats found favour with the various rescue societies, such as the Norfolk Shipwreck Association and the Suffolk Humane Society, as well as companies of Boatmen, such as the Gorleston Rangers, before being adopted and continued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).