Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Lifeboat Launch
This film look takes us back to endless summer holidays - with messing about on the water, kayaking and a lifeboat's maiden launch
From the collection of:
Overview
This nostalgic film begins with guests staying at Arcadia, kayaking, followed by crowds attending the launch of Selsey's latest lifeboat. The dedication service, witnessed by local dignitaries, comes before Canadian Pacific 2 slides away from the lifeboat station and splashes into the sea. She does a few passes for the crowds before we return to the folks at Arcadia. Once more we see them in kayaks, launches, sailboats as well as a rowing boat with the local harbour master.
The lifeboat featured in this film was called Canadian Pacific and was the second Selsey lifeboat to bear that name. The previous boat of the same name was destroyed by fire in 1937 and her replacement was the lifeboat we see sliding down the slipway, before a large crowd of onlookers, the following year. Canadian Pacific 2 was a Watson 46 Class lifeboat built by Alexander Robertson & Sons, in Sandbanks near Poole. During WW2, she was launched 50 times and rescued many downed RAF pilots. Remaining in service until 1969, Canadian Pacific went on 286 missions and is credited with saving 157 lives throughout her time at Selsey.
Related
Watch for free
Selsey Lifeboat Selsey Lifeboat
Amateur film 1968 10 mins Silent Location: Selsey Bill
Crowds witness the dedication and launch of Selsey's latest lifeboat in this fascinating film from 1968 - and an actual sea rescue ends the day.
Watch for free
Arcadian Follies at Selsey Arcadian Follies at Selsey
Amateur film 1936 6 mins Silent Location: Selsey Bill
Long lazy summers feature in this evocative film from 1936 – with seaside antics, tennis and a look at some unusual homes peculiar to the area
Watch for free
Typical Budget. West Sussex News Items Typical Budget. West Sussex News Items
Amateur film 1931 7 mins Silent Location: Arun Valley, The
Harry Guermonprez’ amateur newsreel captures a Bognor battered by winter storms, silly season antics off the pier, flooding and a shipwreck
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.