The first lifeboat was the John Ryburn, which had a 40 horsepower engine and could reach speeds of 7.2 knots (in comparison to today’s Severn class lifeboats that have 2 x 1,250 horsepower engines and can reach 25 knots). The slip was built in 1911 but was only used by the lifeboat until 1915, as the crew were serving in the armed forces during World War One. After a long period without cover, a lifeboat was stationed back in Stronsay at moorings between the two piers from 1952. The last lifeboat serving the island was the John Gellatly Hyndman which was launched 116 times and saved 47 lives here before the station closed in 1972 .

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