The Massachusetts Humane Society established the first Life Saving Station in 1786
The Federal government did not accept responsibility for safety of life at sea until 1872
Surfboats
Surfboats were used for near shore rescues
They were kept at Life Saving Stations along the coasts
They were on trailers and were hand hauled from the boat house to the water
Some stations had horses to draw the trailers
Later, some even had tractors
The original boats were modified whale boats
Each area of the country developed their own design of surfboat
Eventually the Life Saving Service standardized the boats as much as possible
The surfboats were originally powered by manned oars
They were originally not self-bailing or self-righting
These features were gradually introduced, as were gasoline engines
The surfboat was the main rescue device well into the late 1800s
| Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pictures | Model |
| 30′ Raymond Nantucket Whaleboat |
1791 | The first lifesaving station in the US Operated by the Massachusetts Humane Society at Cohasset Designed by William Raymond Manned by 12 men and capable of carrying 20 survivors |
Yes | Yes | |
| Jersey Type Pulling Surfboat |
1871 | First “standard” pulling surfboat adopted by the USLSS From 25′ to 27′ with 6 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Clinker built – No sailing rig Based on square sterned fishing boats in use along the Jersey coast Neither self-righting nor self-bailing Versions included the “Squan” and “Long Branch” |
Yes | ||
| 26′ Monomoy Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat |
Originated on Monomoy Island off Cape Cod Either 23′ or 26′ with 4 thwarts for 8 oars, double banked Clinker built – Sprit sailing rig with jib and mainsail Neither self-righting nor self-bailing Capable of holding 14 survivors Note that 26′ Monomoy surfboat was built with a carvel hull and used as the standard cutter boat |
Yes | |||
| 24’6″ Race Point Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat |
Originated at Race Point, Cape Cod 24’6″ with 5 thwarts for 5 oars, single banked (alternating sides) Clinker built – Sprit sailing rig with jib and mainsail Neither self-righting nor self-bailing Capable of holding 10 survivors |
Yes | |||
| 27′ Higgins and Gifford Pulling Surfboat |
Designed and built at Higgins and Gifford Boatyard in Gloucester 27′ with 5 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Carvel built Neither self-bailing nor self-righting |
Yes | |||
| 27′ Beebe Type Pulling Surfboat |
Designed by Frederick Beebe 27’4″ with 5 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Clinker built – No sailing rig Neither self-righting nor self-bailing |
Yes | |||
| 26′ Beebe-McLellan Type Pulling/Sailing Surfboat |
Designed by LT McLellan, USRM, and Frederick Beebe Replaced all previous designs 26′ with 3 or 4 thwarts for 6 or 8 oars, double banked Clinker built – Sprit sailing rig with jib and sprit sail Self bailing but not self-righting |
Yes | |||
| 27′ Beebe Type Motor Surfboat |
27′ Beebe pulling boats converted by adding a 12 hp gasoline engine Capable of about 8 knots |
Yes | |||
| 26′ Beebe-McLellan Type Motor Surfboat |
One 26′ pulling boat was converted as an experiment Almost all others were built new with the engine |
Yes |
Lifeboats
Lifeboats were the companions to the surfboats
They were self-bailable and self-rightable and much heavier
They were generally kept in the water so they were faster to launch
But they were not easily used on large sandy beaches where piers could not be built
The original boat was a borrowed British boat
Soon US designs evolved and the LSS quickly standardized them
Lifeboats are still in use today
| Class | Number | Year | Comments | Pictures | Model |
| English Lifeboat | 1873 | Evaluated by the LSS and used throughout the country until US-built boats were available |
|||
| 26′ Merryman Type Pulling/Sailing Lifeboat |
Designed by Capt. J.H. Merryman, USRM 26’8″ with 4 thwarts for 8 oars, double banked Standing lug or sprit sailing rig |
Yes | |||
| Dobbins Type Pulling Lifeboat |
1878 | Designed by David Dobbins, Superintendent, 9th LSS District 24′ to 32′ with 4 thwarts for 8 oars, double banked – no sailing rig |
Yes | ||
| 34′ Merryman Type Pulling/Sailing Lifeboat |
1890 | Larger version of the 26′ Merryman with 5 thwarts for 10 oars, double banked Two masted sailing rig with jib, spritsail, and mainsail |
Yes | ||
| 34′ Converted Merryman Type Motor Lifeboat |
26 | 1899 | LT McLellan fitted a gasoline engine in the stern of a Lake Superior Merryman lifeboat Capable of about 7 knots and a range of 275 nautical miles Retained the oars and sailing rig Experiment was successful and 25 more boats were converted New boats currently in design/production were redesigned to incorporate the motor |
Yes | |
| 36′ McLellan Type E Motor Lifeboat |
46 | 1908 | First US lifeboat designed from the beginning to incorporate a motor in the stern Designed by now-CAPT McLellan, USRM Capable of about 10 knots Not capable of being rowed but retained the two sailing masts for emergency use The boats were named in addition to numbered – the only MLBs so honored Remained the standard motor lifeboat until replaced by the Type H in 1919 |