Nomadic Lifeboat No2

Current boat name

Nomadic Lifeboat No2

Boat class

7489

Function

Service

Type

Length (m / ft)

6.2 / 20ft 4in

Beam (m / ft)

1.68 / 5ft 6in

Leeward

Keel

Propulsion

Oar

Designer

Chisholm R

Design date

1906

Date of build

1911

Place of build

Belfast

Present use

Store

Built by Harland and Wolff in1911 as No 2 of two lifeboats for the White Star Line tender SS NOMADIC which was based in Cherbourg where she ferried 1st and 2nd class passengers to and from the liners, including in 1912 the TITANIC. The NOMADIC served in this role until 1934 when extensions to the port rendered tenders unecessary. Sold to a French salvage company she served in a variety of roles until in 1974 she was fitted out as a floating restaurant in Paris. On the death of her owner the NOMADIC was auctioned in 2006 and was purchased by Department of Social Development (Northern Ireland) and returned to Belfast on a barge. In 2007 the NOMADIC and her one remaining lifeboat No2 were acquired by the Nomadic Preservation Society. Lifeboat No 2, which is believed to be the last White Star Line lifeboat in existence, was surveyed in May 2009 and was found to be in a very bad state of repair having been in the open for more than 30 years. The prime significance of Lifeboat No 2 is that it was fitted to the SS NOMADIC, now a Core Collection vessel in the National Historic Fleet, throughout her long and varied life. GH Aug 2009 Reference SS NOMADIC Cert 2053 National Register of Historic Vessels