The MATTHEW SIMPSON operated as the lifeboat at Berwick between 1903 and 1924. During that time it was launched 53 times and saved 60 lives.
The boat which was gifted by the Misses Simpson of Lancaster in memory of their father, was fifty feet long and had a crew of 15 – twelve oarsmen; coxswain; second coxswain and a bowman.

During most of its service the coxswain was Robert Burgon. The boat was stationed on the Berwick side of the River Tweed but after the First World War, it was transferred to Spittal, on the south side of the Tweed because of the difficulty of finding a full crew. Berwick still has a lifeboat today.