Full hull design model of a collapsible lifeboat (1914-1918), at a scale of 1:12. The model has a travelling box labelled ‘Courtney and Birkett Builders Southwick Sussex’ on the outside and ‘Class 27/21 A scale model of a folding boat used by the Admiralty before and after the last war (1914-18) for safety precautions. Presented by Major H.V. Allpress RA’ on the inside of the box lid. It was clearly made as a sales model to show prospective ship owners and builders both in the Royal and Merchant navies.

This type of lifeboat was developed by the Rev’d Berthon for the Royal Navy, for use where shipboard stowage space was limited. The wooden frame is hinged at the bow and stern, enabling the rubberised canvas-skinned hull to fold flat, longitudinally. It is also fitted with hinged thwarts and benches enabling them to fold flat. These boats were stowed vertically on deck, and several examples are shown on builder’s models of both Royal and Merchant Navy vessels in the Collection, e.g. SLR0114, ‘Boyne’, and SLR1273, HMS ‘Whiting’.