William Osborne (1880–1931) was a British boat builder and the founder of ''William Osborne Ltd'', a shipyard based in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Established in 1919, the Osborne yard became known for its high-quality motor yachts, speedboats, and later for building lifeboats for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Osborne-built vessels played significant roles during the Second World War – including participation in the Dunkirk evacuation – and the company’s post-war output included pioneering RNLI lifeboats such as the Arun-class.

History

Early years

William Osborne senior initially worked in the motor industry, building bespoke car bodies in London from 1912. After the First World War, he established the Arun Shipyard in 1919. Early yachts such as ''Ma Joie'' (40 ft) and ''Ma Joie II'' (60 ft) launched Osborne’s reputation for craftsmanship, particularly the "Osborne Finish" of hand-varnished mahogany woodwork.

Second World War

The yard contributed significantly to the war effort. It built Air-Sea Rescue craft, Fairmile D motor gunboats, and converted yachts for Royal Navy Patrol Service use. Vessels such as ''

Gerfalcon ''Gerfalcon'' is a historic motor vessel built in 1937 by William Osbourne, Littlehampton. Notably, she participated in the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II, where she played a role as one of the " Little Ships." Today, Gerfalcon is pres ...

'', ''Naiad Errant'', ''Aquabelle'', and ''Helinda'' were requisitioned for Operation Dynamo.

Post-war and RNLI boats

After the war, the yard became a major RNLI contractor. It built the majority of the Oakley-class lifeboats and the first two Arun-class boats: '' RNLB Arun (ON 1018)'' and '' RNLB Sir William Arnold (ON 1022)''.

Bird-Class motor cruisers

From the 1930s to 1960s, Osborne built production cruisers named after birds: * Swallow & Swallow Senior – fast semi-displacement launches * Falcon – 32–36 ft raised deckhouse cruisers * Swift & Swift Junior – compact hard-chine coastal cruisers * Kestrel – 28–30 ft cruisers, timber or GRP * Martlet, Osprey, Eagle & Sea Eagle – mid- to large-size displacement and semi-planing yachts These vessels were known for their fine joinery and seaworthiness.

Fire and closure

A major fire in the early 1980s destroyed many drawings and moulds. Though some operations resumed, the company ceased trading later that decade.

Notable vessels

* ''

'' (1937) – National Historic Ships register, ADLS-listed * '' Aquabelle'' (1939) – Dunkirk Little Ship * ''Naiad Errant'' (1939) – Swallow Senior prototype, ADLS-listed * ''Helinda'' (1939) – patrol service yacht * HMS ''Medusa'' – refit at Osborne yard, 1945 * RNLB ''Arun'' (ON 1018) – first Arun-class lifeboat * RNLB ''Sir William Arnold'' (ON 1022) – famous Guernsey lifeboat

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Osbourne, William 1880 births 1931 deaths English shipbuilders Shipbuilding companies of England Defunct shipbuilding companies of the United Kingdom People from Littlehampton