Several years before the foundation of the RNLI, Richard Hall Gower had been addressing the special problems of lifeboat design.
Bayleys at Ipswich built one to his design, being paid for by public subscription initiated by Admiral Page.
Fourteen copper-clad water-tight cases, five on each side and four down the mid line provided buoyancy.
Oars and two foul-weather sprit-sails provided propulsion and there was provision for self-draining when she was fully waterlogged.
Gower remarked very emphatically that a coxswain should be in constant charge of her; for without such an experienced man, she would be almost useless.