The "Elizabeth Simpson"

I have this vessel in my garden waiting for the finances and someone to help me restore it. I also have an enormous amount of information, photo's books etc.
For her age she is in very good condition!

My uncle owned this boat in the 50s and I spent many summer days on board. At that time the steering position was futher aft than I believe it is now and she was powered by two marine petrol engines. My father was the engineer and she was skippered by an old boy from Lowestoft. They used to run pleasure cruises from Lowestoft bridge. I believe the next owner fitted diesel engines and moved the steering position midships.

Hi there. I worked on the Elizabeth Simpson 1970/71. The skipper was Billy Beales. We used to do three trips to Berney Arms. I think George Elliot, manager director of pleasure steamers, owned her. 

RICHARD, ROY MASTERS WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONTACT HIM - PLEASE CAN YOU UPDATE US WITH YOUR CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS. Many thanks

To Roy Masters. I have a very old post card of the Elizabeth Simpson, probably when she was new, or only a few years old. Is it of any interest to you? If so please let me know.

Regards Keith Gardner

This life boat was my family's lifeboat and was run helmed and crewed by predominatly Woods's. She was also a boat which in her service saved many more souls than Henry Blogg's boat the HF Bailey, but because she was a privatee her amazing record and the story of her life has been lost and wrongly overlooked by the RNLI

My grandfather, Horace William Bowles, was a crew member on the Elizabeth Simpson, probably from the late 1800s to early 1900s.  I have in my possession two medals that he received for rescues.  The first one was for the ship Christean on October 14th 1903.  The second medal says "37 lives saved from the SS War Valley by the Gorleston Lifeboats Elizabeth Simpson in 1919". Both medals carry his name.  What a rescue that must have been in such a small boat with only 'man' power.  I know nothing more about these or other rescues but would be very interested in more details.  If only I had asked questions, but he died when I was a child.

Winterton on Sea have recently rescued the Edward Birkbeck Lifeboat built by Beechings of GY in 1896. Do you have any information that may be of help to us in researching the background of our boat? If so, please email: woslifeboat@gmail.com. Thanks.

My name is Roy Masters and I'm the owner of the Elizabeth Simpson lifeboat.  I wonder if it would be possible to contact a number of the people who have commented on this site about her as I would dearly like to speak with them.  Alternatively they could ring me if they wish; my telephone number is 01328 738910.  Also I would like to extend an invitation to anyone that wishes to see or even go onboard this wonderful lifeboat.  I must stress that anyone wishing to go on board are welcome but would have to climb a secure 8ft ladder.

The picture of LIZ that I submitted can not be 1936, the latest it can be is 1918 as that is when the post office changed the postal rate, the reverse side of the post card has 1/2 Penny inland and 1 penny overseas printed where the stamp should be applied. the 1/2 penny inland post was in force for 50 years prior to 1918. Keith Gardner

Hello there, I would be so very grateful for your help please, I am researching my family (Woods) who are from Gorleston and Great Yarmouth and wonder if it may be possible please to get in touch with Simon Woods who commented above as I wonder if we are maybe from the same family? I am also trying to find out about a steam boat on the river in Yarmouth that was run by a possible Woods family member? My gran remembers going onboard with my grandad and they sailed somewhere but says she admired the view whilst he chatted with his relative, she can't remember the name but says it may of been the early 1950's. I would be so very grateful if anyone has any info, kind regards ozzydog47@btinternet.com

Nice to read about Elizabeth simpson which The skipper was Billy Beale is my Grandfather and I sometime go with him to River Trips in Norfolk Now I miss him and always thought of him working on that boat

It's lovely to be able to read about my dear grandfather Stephen Daniels, and that people still talk about his work and life he dedicated to the Elizabeth Simpson, Gorleston and the RNLI. Some lovely pictures of him in his younger days too.

It's lovely to be able to read about my dear grandfather Stephen Daniels, and that people still talk about his work and life he dedicated to the Elizabeth Simpson, Gorleston and the RNLI. Some lovely pictures of him in his younger days too.

for Marie Smith, if you wish to contact me I may well have more photo's of your grandfather, it was to Stephen I made a promise to save the Elizabeth Simpson. As above its Roy Masters on 01328738910.

In reply to Marie Smith, Hi Marie It was I Roy Masters that made a promise to your Grandfather Stephen that I would do everything I could to preserve The Elizabeth Simpson that I could, when I purchased her she was about to be scuttled and i just could not see all that history disappear. I have owned her for more than a decade now and in that time have collected an enormous amount of information about her, I'm sure amongst my collection I will have more photo's of your grandfather. If you wish you can contact me through this site or on the number above. regards Roy

Roy, my family just visited the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth and saw the small selection of informationand items relating to the Elizabeth Simpson.  I worked on the Elizabeth Simpson in the summer of her centenary year when she was owned by The Pennant Group (Herbert Woods) at Potter Heigham and being used as a trip boat.  I spent a happy summer between high school and college every day on the Elizabeth Simpson enjoying the broads serving refreshments and mooring her up between stops.  Do you still have her in your garden?  I read somewhere on the internet that she is in the Fakenham area.  Is that correct?  Is that where you are?  I live near North Walsham but often come Fakenham way and wondered about popping along to see her.  Joanne Manners

I was given around 40 glass plate negatives as a wedding present 11 years ago.  Having scanned some of them, I find I have a few of the lifeboat Elizabeth Simpson in service and two of Belle Steamers in the Yarmouth River, plus a Yarmouth registered steam drifter.  I would like these 100 year old negs to go to a good home with safe storage.  Who would oblige me?

For Roy. Do you still have the Elizabeth Simpson at Fakenham? and are you still willing for people to visit? Would love to see her again (I done the centenary tour as a child). My Grandfather and Great Grandfather both worked/ volunteered for Gorleston lifeboat. Unfortunately I don't know many details but am hoping to find out more over the coming months.