The historic pulling and sailing lifeboat Charles Henry Ashley ended an epic journey on 10 May when she took to the water again to be rowed around Cemaes Bay on Anglesey after years of work to restore her to her original glory. The former 38ft lifeboat was built in 1907 and served at Cemaes during her service career.
The £90,000 restoration project has involved completely renovating the boat, with the last part of the process seeing new rigging and masts being put installed at the Classic Sailboats boatyard at Caernarfon. The aim was to have Charles Henry Ashley in the same condition as when she was first launched.
Cemaes Bay Harbourmaster and chairman of Cwch Ashley Boat Ltd, Dafydd Williams, said: ‘The boat will be used as a tourist attraction and help teach sea skills to young people. The boat was ready to be burnt when she was found but thankfully she was offered to the Amlwch Heritage Centre. We knew we had to bring the boat back to Cemaes where she belongs.’
After lying neglected for several years, the boat was taken in 2001 to Cemaes, where a committee was formed to raise money to restore it. The rededication ceremony in May saw hundreds of people watching as the restored craft was blessed, with both Holyhead and Moelfre all-weather lifeboats in attendance.