RS 1 was built in 1893 for the "Norwegian Society for Shipwreck Salvage" at the Colin Archer shipyard in Rekkevig near Larvik.
RS 1 was later named Colin Archer" after its designer and builder. The sharpsterned design of the vessel has given it world-wide reknown.
Roughly 30 boats of this type were built, most of them at the Colin Archer shipyard at Tollerodden in Larvik.