William Wouldhave - Lifeboat Invention

Lifeboat Invention

He did not succeed with the practical application of his invention until 1789, three years after Lukin’s converted coble was presented to Dr Sharpe. In this year a competition was launched to reward any inventor who could provide a craft for the purpose of saving lives from a shipwreck. This following the tragic fate of the doomed Newcastle ship, the Adventure that had gone aground near the coast at the Tyne River inlet. From the shore, although clearly visible, little could be done to save the passengers and crew who were seen to be dropping from the rigging into the sea.