How would you fancy wearing one of these tatty-looking life jackets in the choppy waters of a stormy Deal night? They might not look great now but they once saved lives!
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) approved its first life jacket in 1854. It was designed by RNLI Inspector, Captain John Ward. You can see an example of it in the glass cabinet opposite the timeline.
This life jacket was made from several narrow blocks of cork sewn onto a canvas and made in two sizes. Not only did they allow sailors to float but they were designed to allow ease of movement when rowing or swimming and gave some protection when the sea became rough.
In the Stable Building at the far end of the Boatyard, look for a photograph of Coxswain John Roberts wearing one.
Later versions of the life jackets had cork or kapok held in canvas pockets.