Princess Mary

Former Padstow Lifeboat "Princess Mary" found in France

A member of the MCA marine survey team from Belfast, Keith Patterson, when recently out in France carrying out some work in a French
Shipyard, spotted the unmistakeable shape of a British Lifeboat in an adjoining shed. On investigation she turned out to be the former
Padstow 61 foot Barnett class boat "Princess Mary". Knowing this would be of interest to our members, he kindly took some pictures.

The boat was undergoing some re-furbishment including a new stempost and the engines were out.

The "Princess Mary" was built in 1929 as the last of the 4 in her class and has been in private hands since 1952.

In her original condition she made a round trip crossing of the Atlantic in 1954 under the command of Capt C.H.Harcourt Smith RN, her first
private owner. The boat is now owned out in France and is in almost original outward appearance, including the highly varnished deck canopy.
She cruises extensively within the Mediterranean and obviously gives her owner much pleasure as he has not altered the layout over the years
with any deckhouse additions. Perhaps someday, we may see her back in the UK