THE LIFE-BOAT,

JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

VOL. IV.—No. 41.] JULY IST, 1861. PRICE 2p.

shipwreck. 2nd. As to the means for pro- AN IMPORTANT NATIONAL viding for the safety of vessels' crews on QUESTION. board their vessels.' WE have frequently had occasion to allude On the first head it is evident that, what- to the feet—to the astounding fact—that ever means are gdopted, must be supplied an annual average of more than 700 either by the Government, "or by associa- human beings suffer death by drowning, tions supported by the voluntary contribu- from shipwreck or collision, on the shores tions of the public. On the second head, and in the waters of the United Kingdom it is as evident that such means can only alone. We call it an astounding fact, and be provided by the owners of ships them- we regard it as such in more senses than selves, in their own vessels. Again, the one. It is so from its altogether exceptional means to be provided,'whether on shore or character, flighthouses, beacons, and buoys. human progress, when the value of human 2nd. The placing of life-boats round the life is so much more highly appreciated coast, wherever wrecks are frequent and than it was in bygone times, so large a there are men to be found ready to work sacrifice of lives, and so great a drain on our them. - maritime resources, should be thus quietly 3rd. To provide at places where life- acquiesced in without any serious national boats cannot be made available, the rocket inquiry as to the practicability of reducing and mortar life-saving apparatus. * its amount. With regard to the improvement and In considering this important question, we construction of harbours, opinion is some- will briefly state what has been and is being what divided as to the parties on whom done to reduce this great amount of loss of their expense should fall. Many think that, life, and suggest in what manner we believe being solely.-for the use and benefit of it may be further reduced. shipping, their cost should be altogether The subject naturally fells under two defrayed by the owners of shipping; and heads: 1st. As to the means to be pro- that it would be a misuse of *he public vided on(the shore for affording rescue to funds to appropriate any portion of them to shipwrecked persons, and for preventing works which are for the especial benefit of

LIFE-BOAT JOUBNAL.—Voi* IV.—No. 41. 466 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1861. a class only. We hold a different opinion. sent century. In the year 1851 they had Undoubtedly the improvement and enlarge- increased in number nominally to about 90, ment of harbours and of docks, &c., for but of these not more than half were in an purely* commercial convenience, should be effective s^tate. The greater number were and always will be readily underteken by maintained at trading pprtSj chiefly from the the local shipping interests; but great proceeds of voluntary tolls, paid by the works, such as harbours of refuge and the owners of vessels frequenting the ports, and extensive improvement of harbours for the superintended by local committees. Others promotion of safety only, must generally be on the open coast were supplied and main- quite bejond &§ means of the" local ghip- taJBe*} fey county or loea} associations, sup- owners, whilst the coasts and safety har- ported by voluntary contributions, some of bours of a great commercial and maritime them being aided by the then National In- country, which are frequently undergoing stitution for the Preservation of Life from changes and deterioration from natural Shipwreck, now the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT causes, appear to be so essentially a national INSTITUTION. Many of these local bodies property, and contribute so greatly to the had, however, relaxed their exertions, and, national welfare, as to indicate that they as above intimated, their boats had fallen properly should be maintained at the public into disuse and become ineffective, and cost. The principal work§ of this character indeed in many cases altogether unsea- which have teen or are being executed at worthy. the public expense, are the Plymouth Break- In the year 1850, however, the DUKE OF water, and the harbours of Holyhead, Dover, NORTHUMBERLAND offered a prize of 100Z. Alderney, and Portland. As we have signified for the best model of a life-boat, and in the in a former Paper,, we think their number following year became the President of the might with advantage be added to, and im- above-named Institution, which shortly after provement made in other existing harbours. set resolutely to work to place efficient life- As regards the provision of life-boats, boats on the coast, undertaking |heir direct difference of opinion also exists to some superintendence with the aid of local com- extent, as it is considered by many that they mittees formed in each locality. Suitable also should be provided by Government regulations for their management were from the public funds. From this opinion drawn up; a liberal scale of payment to we likewise dissent, as the present system their crews established, and their quarterly of providing and working life-boats from exercise in their boats arranged for. The funds raised by voluntary contributions, title of the Society was afterwards changed aided to a certain extent by the Govern- to that of the " ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT ment, is found to be fully adequate to the INSTITUTION," and a new era of its existence performance of this most important work; commenced. It was also at that time ar- and as we believe that the men who alone ranged with the Board of Trade that the can be depended on to manage the boats, Society should confine its exertions to the viz., the local coast boatmen, pan be more establishment of life-boats, and the bestowal readily brought to co-operate in the work of honorary and pecuniary rewards for all *with the general public, under the immediate services to shipwrecked persons; and that superintendence of local honorary committees the duty of providing the coast with the of respectable inhabitants in their own mortar and rocket life-saving apparatus, neighbourhoods, than they would under the which had always been managed by the direction of officers of the coast-guard or coast-guard service, should be left to the other Government functionaries. ? Board of Trade. The first life-boats were built between Since then so successful have been the ihe years 1790 and 1800, and placed at exertions of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT IN- Shields and one or two other ports on the STITUTION, that it has placed on the coast east coast of England: they may therefore upwards of 100 «ew life-boats, with trans- be considered to be coeval with the pre- porting carriages, and substantial houses for JXTLT 1,1861.] THE USE-BOAT, 467 their due safety and preservation, at an be devised as jn the provisipa pf means from average cost of not Jess than 4QQZ. for each the shore j for whereas in the latter case, establishment; and it now possesses np there are. but twq sources «f supply, yi? fewer than H3 life-:t>Qats, all is, a compete the Qavernment, and the. state of eflS^efley, buttons P/ the public, chiefly & There are now i«v all 173 life-boats aro.un.d through the I^TIONA: the coasts of the United Kingdpm, and pro- TIQS; there are, pn th,g contrajy, in the. bably tha,t number wjll not require ^ be former case, 33 many suppliers as ships, for very greatly added to,. each vessel }s. as much its. owner's castle With regard to the supply pf mprtar and as is his house, in the usual aepeptance of rocket apparatus, fqr effecting communica- the term.; and he is. at full liberty to equip tion with wrecked vessels from the shore, it in every way as he may think fit, except as before stated, that work is now altogether in the case o/ certain passenger-shipg, Yfijere undertaken by the Board of Trade, and is the law^ of the poetry i perform^ %pjigh, the instrtupup^lity p/ the coast-guard force, which,, being entire^ TQ a, mbm extent, except in the composed of sailors, of the. rp.ya] navy, all Qf of vessels which are insurtfd to their full whorg have been, instructed, ja the use pf value, pr to rnqre than their value, an owne* fire-arms, of every description, are the fittest has a pecuniary interest in making his. persons tp c(p the work. This apparatus, vessel safe to those on board her; since the has been in successful use through the same precautions which will tend to the greater part of the present century, and wa^ safety of his property will tend to the safety formerly supplied by the Board pf CustQm6,j of those who are intrusted with its trans- but on the "Merchant Shipping Act" o| port. We will suppose, therefore, that as 1854 becoming the law, which Act aji- a general rule o#r mercha.pt-vesseb are thorized the Board pf Trade to aid in the aftd safely built, wejl rigge4 a«d work of rescuing shipwrecked perspris, the, fo^pd with all useful or, §t least, all whole of tibe existing apparatus was trans- necessary gear; especiallj with strong an4 ferred to that Board, which has since m,ade tested anchors and cables, and that they are it much more ajmplete. in- equipment, hag also well wanned and weH commanded. All added greatly to the number of station^ these things a. shipQ^ne¥ i$ int^rfiti^tfid v& has established a system pf peripdic exercise prpviding, sq far as he is uncovered by ii»- in its use, and alto§e,thgr grea$y increpgd, anrajBqe, a»4 in thereby adding *Q the fiftfety its efficiency. of the seamen in his employ. * As regards, th.en,, the ftrst head of oju- But preventive measures alone are, not subject. viz.,-T—the. provision pf means fqr sufficient, fof eren if all vessels were, well aiding shipwrecked persons from the land, found and well commanded, numfireug and for' preventing shipwreck,—it way be. wrecks, and, co^isjpns would stip occur* on considered that, with ttie exceptipn of the. our coa^t, aji^ in the crowded further improvement of sqrne, exjgtigg tyy;- foes around, it. Remedial bours and the formaljpn of new qnes; &l\ ^ such a£ will teqd to the safety of crews being done, that can be dop. JB trflthj $* after tbeir vessels are wrecked. 4jp$t ^ere^ nation maj justly b^ proud pf wha,t Jh^s fp$^, Qecessary, svff\ these at o^& 00919* been done? for no such complete system fpr under another category; iftasmueh %p that the rescue pf the helpless castaway exists, oj: the sh^T^wnejr cannot ^e^y^ h^ peci^Uu? ever has existed in any other cpuntry. interest in ^opting them, but, on the con- There remains tp be. considered, the second trary, must incur an additional expense; head viz.^—the means to be, provided on their provision then, ijnlefis. required by. the board ajl vessels to add to the safety of law, can only proceed from his humanity, eg their own crews. pf duty. We will proceed- to Unfortunately no such simple mpde of D^eans may t»e a^vantageousjly i meeting the demand with the, supply cap, on, board merchant-vessels for the safety of 468 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1861. their crews, in the event of wreck or other effecting a communication [with the shore accident, and will afterwards discuss the on which the ^safety of a crew might de- question as to whether the provision of the pend. same may be safely left to the spontaneous Bockets and mortars have been proposed sympathy of the shipowner, by whom alone to be placed on board merchant-vessels for tiey can be provided ; or whether the law, the same purpose, and also kites for flying which often interferes to secure the safety to the shore with a small line attached. We of land-transport, as in the case of railways, doubt, however, if either of these appli- ;• should interpose in behalf of our merchant- ances would be sufficiently taken care of, seamen, and require the owners of all vessels or in readiness for use, or be so efficiently to provide them with such means of safety worked by the crews of ordinary coasting- as shall be decided to be necessary. y^essels as to make it likely that they would In addition to the preventive measures often prove serviceable. above referred to, there are three modes by HI. Life-belts.1—Lastly, by providing a which the safety of vessels' crews may be good life-belt for the master and each of the provided for after accident has occurred:— crew, their lives would be much less 1. By the supply of a life-boat of suf- seriously endangered in cases of wreck, or ficient size to receive on board the whole collision, or landing in their boats through crew. ; a surf, than they now are : indeed so much • 2. By providing some simple floating value do we attach to this means alone that apparatus for conveying a line to the shore, we fully believe if every merchant-vessel and thus effect a communication with it. were so provided, not half the loss of life 3. By the provision of an efficient life- which now takes place on our coasts would belt for eacb of the crew. • , then occur, even if the two previous pro- I. Life-boats.—As many merchant-sea- visions were neglected. men are drowned every year by the swamp- We will give our reasons for thus con- ing or upsetting of their boats, when at- cluding :— tempting to land through a surfj after being In the majority of cases of accident from compelled to desert their craft, it follows collision, or landing in boats, and even of that the providing'every vessel with a safer vessels stranding, all that is required is, description of boat, which should be insub- that men who cannot swim, and in heavy mergible, and more difficult to upset than surfs those who can swim, should be sup- an ordinary boat, would, in many cases, be ported on the surface for a short time, until the means dF saving their crews. We do help can be brought to them—in cases of not mean to say that they would invariably collision, until a boat can be lowered, or in be soj or that, if in the neighbourhood of cases of stranding, or of upsetting of boats a shore life-boat, it would not be more pru- in a surf, until lines can be thrown from dehVfor a vessel's crew, in a gale of wind the shore or the life-boat put off to the and heavy surf, to wait and allow her to rescue. As a person with a good belt on, take them ashore ; but there are many cases even if drowned, cannot sink, it follows of collision, and of vessels springing- leaks that, unless in the coldest weather when when;their crews have to leave them and to death might ensue from cold, he might be land on an open coast where no shore life- kept alive for a considerable length of time, boats are at hand, and in which cases their and thus have many more chances of being lives might depend on their being in a boat rescued than if drawn down with the sink- which would not sink from under them if ing vessel, or overwhelmed by a surf with- filled by a surf. in a short distance of the shore. II. Floating apparatus.—A light buoy or As proof that our opinion on this point cask with a long, small Manilla line, say is not theoretical only, we could name 200 fathoms, attached to it, if kept always many instances where a good life-belt has Beady on deck, might, in the event of a been the means of saving whole crews of vessel's stranding; often be the means of life-boats which have been upset when JULY 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 468 engaged on their perilous service. We will when discharged from one vessel, they- quote two striking cases:— would «ot be* likely to take care ^f *Jiem On the 27th of February, 1858, the until shipped again in another. Southwold life-boat, when out for practice, To be really serviceable, therefore, it was upset by " broaching-to," within would be indispensable that they shoujd form a part of every ship's furniture, and be short distance of the*shore. The whole of all kept under lock and key in a chest stowed her crew, 15 in number, having on efficient before the foremast, or other convenient life-belts, were saved, although some of place on the upper deck. them were floating about for twenty minutes And, after all, their supply would entail in a broken sea before they were picked up no serious expense on a shipowner, for such by a boat from the shore. Three gentle- belts could be provided for 10s. or 10s. 6d. men, amateurs, who had gone off in the each, and they would last for twenty years without repair; so that their first cost boat and had declined to put on life-belts, would be almost nothing spread over that were drowned. Again, on the 27th Feb- long period. Indeed, if a shipowner were ruary, 1861, the Whitby life-boat was up- to appeal to his crew to pay a shilling an- set when going efi to a wreck: of the 12 nually towards the cost of life-belts for their men who formed her crew, one man was protection, we believe that it would be furnished with an efficient life-belt, of the nearly always cheerfully given, which same kind as those worn by the crew of the would in a few years pay for the belts and Southwold boat, on the occasion above nar- the chest to preserve them. In conclusion, we come to the question: rated, and similar to those worn by the crews " Whether the provision of means for the of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION; safety of ships' crews may be safely left to the remainder had on belts of a very in- the shipowner, or whether the same should ferior character. In this case the only be defined and required by law ?" ' man saved was the. one who had on the We are of opinion that where the lives good belt, the remaining 11 were drowned, of large numbers of individuals are at stake, although the accident occurred within fifty whether ashore or afloat, all proper precau- yards of the shore. tionary measures for their protection should be guaranteed by public authority, unless , The conclusion we cannot but arrive at, the pecuniary interest of the employer lies from these and other similar cases, is, that in the same direction. But in the case in as the majority of persons are thrown into point it is known that shipowners - object to the water from the stranding of ships, incurring additional expense. They urgi? and the upsetting of boats in surfs, under that the now unprotected shipping interest nearly similar circumstances to these life- is scarcely able as it is to compete with boats' crews, there is every reason to believe foreign shipping, and that as foreign vessels that, if provided with similar life-belts, the are not required to incur the expense of pro- lives of the majority of them would be saved. viding life-boats and life-belts for their crews, Indeed, of the three modes above de- they would, with these additional expenses, scribed, of providing on board ships for the be placed at a still further disadvantage. safety of wrecked persons, we do not hesi- We should admit the "force of this reason-; tate to give precedence to the. life-belt as ing in any matter where life was not at stake. that which would probably be instrumental And even as it is, we admit that no expense in saving the greatest number of lives. not indispensably necessary should be re- But it has been said, that if sailors wish quired—thai ships should not be required for the protection of life-belts, they should to carry life-boats of a very expensive cha- provide them for themselves. We con- racter—and that in the matter of life-belts, tend, however, that they cannot do so. • In the crews of vessels might be called on to the first place, from then- generally im- contribute a small annual sum towards their provident character, in most cases they supply. But, we contend, that the/annual would not do so; they would also be liable loss, of seven or eight hundred lives by to procure belts of an inferior description, drowning, chiefly of seamen, is too serious which would be of no real service; they an evil—nay, serious public calamity—to be would not have room, in the small berths allowed to continue. allotted to them, to stow them away; and 470 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1861.

SERVICES OF LIFE.BOATS. fishermen, a gentleman named JOHN RODERICK taking a vacant oar ; the surf was stated to LTHE REGIS, DORSET.— On the 14th No- have been very heavy at the time, and great Tembw, 1860, the smack EUxabdh Ann, credit was attached to those whd manned the of Lyme Regis, culm lade*, was driven life-boat : all their efforts, however, to reach ashore at the back of the Northern harbour the vessel failed, the boat filling with the Surfs, wall, the Wind blowing & haf d gale' from the bat quickly relieving herself again of them. S.W. at the time, and the night being very The crew of the wrecked vessel then veered dark. The Lyme Regis life-boat was quickly « small boat to the shore by a imej which, branched, and proceeded to the aid of her although it swamped when near the shore, crew, three in number, who were taken off, yet was carried near enough to it to enable sod landed in safety, although with some the persons on the beach to reach it by wad- difficulty and risk, owing to her position" on ing into the surf. Thereupon the coxswain the rocks and die intense darkness of the of the life-boat, finding they tottki not pro- bight. ThS behaviour of the life-boat was gress tmdet oargj returned tb th« shore, and much praised on the occasion. the line froin the vessel being made fast to the boW of the life-boat arid a rocket line to , JtoRTmrHBEELAND.'— At day- her stern; she was hauled off to the wreck bj break on the iJ3rd November, a schooner, the the creW of the latter. Seven of the crew Susan and Isabella, of Dundee, laden with were got into her with difficulty, there being potatoes, was observed ttnder Coquet Island, a fearful sea breaking over her, which risked wfth * signal t>f distress flying, Her cfflrgo the destruction of the boat against her sides, having shifted daring the bight. The wind when the rope being cut, She was hauled to was blowing hard from the east at the the shore by the persotis on the beach, land- 'time, with a heavy sea on. The Hauxley ing the unfortunate men in safety. One of life-boat was immediately launched, and took the vessel's crew, in the confusion, was left off her crew of five men, landing them in on board the wreck ; but the vessel being driven nearer to the beach by the rising tide, On the 1st Jtntnays 1861, another he presently threw himself into the sea, with dchot«er, th* Prospeet, of Berwick-on- a small raft, on which he managed to retain f weed, laden with colds; wifll ft crew of Sii Md until driven tear enough to the Sse'fi, wta observed at anfeiof & the' Cio^uet beftcfo to be grappled bj parties going into Roads, apparently in a sinking state* and close tine SurfWi his aid* to the broken water on the Fan bread Rocks, her crew being in her long-boat, fast to her i CpiorwAUi.— On the night of stem. Tie Hanxley life-boat was quickly the 31st Dec, last the brigantine tfuggtt, Umncfaed through a high *trrf,«md succeeded of Bideford, was driven from her anchors, in taking ttf«K oh board, arid landing them and stranded on the " Doomed " bar, in in safety, which could not Have been ef- Padstow harbour, a Heavy westerly gale fected in their owfi boat. MtDDLEtCu H. blowing at the time. The crew, five in pAirts Esq., and Captain HIPPLEWHITE, number,- took to their own boat, bat were harbour master at Amble, members of the speedily carried by the force of wind and local committee of management, went off in tide intd a- very dttagerous position n«*r the the life-boat harbour^ mouth, where they let go' their anchor , to prevent their being swept round AKDMORE, IRELAND.—-O n the 26th De- the point to inevitable destruction. In this cember, 1860, the brigantine -Owit^ of position they were seen from the Shore, when Fredeficfcshamn, from Bordeaux, laden wtft the Padstotr life-boat, which had already wteat and brandy, struck on a reef of fockd boarded their vessel, proceeded to their as- in Ardmore Bay, the wind blowing & gale sistance, and took thein off m safety, just from S.E. The Ardmore life-boat was soon before d heavy sea filled and Sunk then- manned by a crew of Coastguard-men and boat. JDLT 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 471

CULLEROOATS, NOKrHOM.BERI.A8D. — Ott stove in on the rocks; she, however, landed the 1st January, 1861, the brig Lovely them safely, but the master, who had had his Netty, of Seaham, was driven ashore on leg broken, died shortly after being landed, Whitley Sands, two miles from Cullercoats, and three miles north of the Tyne. A strong SEATON CAREW, DURHAM.—On the 10th gale was blowing from E.S.E., with a February, in the fearful gale from the east heavy sea and showers of snow and sleet. which caused stteh destruction to shipping The Cullercoats life-boat was promptly and terrible loss of life on our east coast, the drawn on her carriage to the spot, and brig Providence, of Shields, coal laden, was launched through a high surf, when she driven on the Long Scarr Rocksj between the succeeded in taking off six of the crew, and mouth of the Tees and Hartiepool. The landed them in safety. A boy was unfor- Seaton Carew life-boat was quickly launched, tunately drowned, as before he could be got and proceeding to her assistance through a into the boat the mainmast fell, and entan- high snrff took off her crew, eight in num- gled him in its rigging. The vessel almost ber, and landed them in safety. She had immediately afterwards broke tip. The life- scarcely done so when she was again called boat was reported to hare behaved remark- to the aid of the brig Mayflower, of New- ably well, and her coxswain and crew to castle, also coal laden, which had gone ashore have acted in the most prompt and energetic on the East Gare Sand, off the Tees mouth. manner; indeed, bad they not done so the The life-boat also took off her crew of eight vessel would have broken up, and the crew men, and safely landed them. have been drowned, before the arrival of the On the previous day this boat had, in con- life-boat to their aid. junction with the West Hartiepool life-boat, endeavoured to save the crews of the brig . — On the 6th Januaty Alliance of Guernsey, and schooner Warns- the brig Arefhuaa, of Myth, wfcnt ashore on beck of Shields, which were wrecked on the the Gross Sand, near Grest Yarmouth. The Long Scarr Rocks, but although every effort Caister life-boat was immediately launched, was made, they were unsuccessful, owing and proceeded, under sail, to the rescue of to the difficult position into which the vessels her Crew, eight in number, whom she suc- had driven on these dangerous rocks. As ceeded in taking on board and landing in it was, the boat was herself injured and safety at Caister. As the life-boat had to partially disabled thereby^ The Honorary cross the Barber Sands, on which there was Secretary to the Seaton Cai£W Branch of a very heavy surf breaking, and to take the this Institution thus writes on this case:— wrecked crew off in a very heavy broken sea " Persevering efforts were made for

BOULMKE, NORTHUMBERLAND.—On the Rhyl life-boat, on 9th Feb., saved 5 men from night of the 27th March the schooner Hor- the schooner William, of Liverpool. Wicklow life-boat, on 9th Feb., saved 8 men tensia, of Hanover, drove ashore on the from the brig New Draper, of Whitebaven. North Steel Eocks, near Boulmer. The Holyhead life-boat, on 19th Feb., put off and Boulmer life-boat was soon launched through rendered assistance to the schooner Fumette a high surf, and proceeded to the rescue of. Miner, of Barrow; Also, on 6th March, saved 4 men from the her crew, which they succeeded in effecting schooner Elizabeth, of Bridgwater. with some difficulty, and after being three Aldborough life-boat, on 2nd March, saved 6 times foiled in the attempt. The master, men from the brig La Jeune Maria Therese, of Labourne, and took off 5 men from the barque however, who was in a state of intoxication Perseverance, of Scarborough, which vessels had at the time, resolutely refused to leave his been in collision. vessel, and was shortly afterwards washed Portmadoc life-boat, on 6th March, saved 17 overboard and drowned. The wreck soon men from the ship Danube, of Belfast. after broke up.

ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND NEW The above cases are all that we have space LIFE-BOATS.* for under our usual heading of " Life-boat THURSO, SCOTLAND.—A life-boat station Services." The following is a list of other has been recently established at Thurso in services performed by the life-boats of the connection with the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION during INSTITUTION, and a single-banked, self- the last winter months :— righting life-bqat, 30 feet long, and row- Appledore life-boat, on 9th Oct., 1860, saved 5 men from the schooner Druid, of Aberystwyth. ing six oars, has been placed there, together Fleetwood life-boat, on 20th Oct., saved 16 men with a transporting-carriage and complete from the barque Vermont, of Halifax. equipment. The whole were conveyed to Filey life-boat on 10th Nov., saved 5 men from the brig Flying Fish, of Whitby; Thurso in October last. Also, on 30th Dec., saved 7 men from the brig The position of Thurso on the south Gloucester, of South Shields. shore of the Pentland Frith, through which Yarmouth life-boat, on 18th Nov., saved 6 men dangerous channel numberless vessels pass from the schooner Admiral Hood, of Rochester. Newbiggin life-boat, on 28th Nov., saved 3 men every year, makes it a very desirable station from the schooner Rose, of Lynn. for a life-boat. The cost (1801) of this Middlesborough life-boat, on 2nd Dec,, saved boat was presented to the Institution by 11 men from the brig Prodroma, of Stockton; Also, on 7th April, 1861, saved 4 men from the A. W. JAFFRAT, Esq., of London, who had schooner Oregon, of Stonehaven. also given the cost of the St. Andrew's and Seaton Carew life-boat, on 16th Dec., saved 7 Whitby life-boats to the-.Institution. men from the brig Eliza, of Middlesborough. Bosslare (Co. Wexford) life-boat, on 21st Dec., saved 6 men from the Danish brigantine Freia, of BUCKIE, SCOTLAND.—A life-boat station Konigsberg. has been established at the important fish- Lossiemouth life-boat, on 1st Jan., 1861, saved ing-village of Buckie, on the coast of Banff- 3 men from the schooner Thomas and Jane, of Dundee. shire, by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- Whitburn life-boat, on 5th Jan., saved 4 men TUTION. A similar boat to that sent to from a fishing-boat. Thurso was forwarded there in October last, Cardigan life-boat, on 21st Jan., saved 8 men with a transporting-carriage. The cost from the schooner Demi Wyn, of Portmadoc. Penmen life-boat, on 25th Jan., saved 2 men (180Z.) of this life-boat was also presented from the flat Cymraei, of Beaumaris; Also, on 10th Feb. saved 4 men from the schooner * The life-boats hereafter named, were, as usual, liberally conveyed to their several stations, free of charge, by the Village Maid, of Fleetwood. following Railway and Steam Packet Companies:—viz., Castletown life-boat, on 9th Feb., saved 3 men Railway Companies—Great Western; London and North- Western; Great Northern; London, Brighton, and South- from the lugger Nimrod, of Castletown. Coast; South Wales; Chester and Holyhead; North-East- Arklow life-boat, on 9th Feb., saved 5 men from era; North British; Glasgow and South-Western; Scottish the schooner William, of Morecambe. North-Eastera; Great North of Scotland; Banff and Port- soy. Steam Packet Companies—General Steam Naviga- Redcar life-boat, on 9th Feb., saved 10 men from tion; London and Belfast; Aberdeen, Iftith, and Clyde; the brig Roman Empress, of Shields. Londonderry and Belfast.

X 3 474 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1861. to the Institution by the same benevolent together with a transporting-carriage, in lady who gave the cost of the St. Ives, lieu of the unfortunate boat which upset Newquay, and Tyrella life-boats. there and drowned all her crew except one man in February last. The cost (2001.) of POKTRUSH, IRELAND.—A branch of the this boat was likewise presented to the Institution has been formed at Portrush, on Institution by A. W. JAFFRAY, Esq. She the north coast of Ireland, and a 30-feet was, in April last, conveyed gratuitously to single-banked boat was placed there, with a her station by the several railway companies transporting-carriage, &c., in December last. between London and Whitby. A lady (M. A. C. S."> presented 1801 to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, to IRVINE, SCOTLAND.—This life-boat station pay the cost of this life-boat. She also has been transferred to the management of the gave a similar amount for the Porthcawl NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which life-boat. has sent there a new 30-feet single-banked, 6-oared life-boat and transporting-carriage. LLANDUDNO, NORTH WALES.—A branch Some lamentable wrecks have occurred on of the Institution has been formed at Llan- this part of the west coast of Scotland. dudno, and a 32-feet double-banked life- The cost of the life-boat (180Z.) was boat and transporting-carriage have been generously presented to the Institution by placed there. The cost of this boat (200?.) Miss PRINGLE KIDD, of Lasswade Bank. was presented to the Institution by two The life-boat, transporting-carriage, and ladies, resident at Liverpool, in memory of stores were forwarded to Irvine, in May a deceased sister, and she has accordingly last. been appropriately named The Sisters' Memorial. She was conveyed, with her SELSEY. — The NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT transporting-carriage and stores, to her INSTITUTION has recently placed a life-boat station in January last. This boat com- at Selsey, in Sussex, for the protection of pletes the series of life-boat stations on the the crews of vessels which get stranded on north coast of Wales, for the protection of the Ower's Banks, and other shoals in the the immense shipping trade sailing to and neighbourhood of Selsey Bill. Selsey being from the great port of Liverpool. only a poor fishing-village, a branch of the Institution has been formed at Chichester, PENARTH, SOUTH WALES.—A life-boat to aid in supporting this establishment, station, in connection with the NATIONAL with the title of the Chichester and West LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, has been esta- Sussex Branch of the National Life-boat blished 'at Penarth, on the northern shore Institution. A double-banked life-boat, of the Bristol Channel, where vessels fre- 35 feet long, and rowing 12 oars, was for- quently get stranded on the shoals of the warded to Chichester, together with a trans- neighbourhood, and lives are sometimes porting-carriage, on the 5th of June, lost. A single-banked life-boat, 30 feet whence, after a public exhibition of some long, with transporting-carriage, &c., has of her properties, she was drawn to her been supplied to the station, and was for- station on her own carriage. The cost warded to it hi January last. The cost (180Z.) of this boat was presented to the (200Z.) of this life-boat was given by Institution by some members of the Society GEORGE GAY, Esq., of Cotham Park. of Friends.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE. —• The Whitby At each of the above stations substantial Life-boat Society have recently joined the boat-houses have been built for the protec- NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and tion of the several boats, and local com- become one of its branches, and a 32-feet mittees of management have been organized double-banked life-boat, on the Institution's in accordance with the custom and rules of self-righting plan, has been placed there, the Institution. JULY 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 475

and chains to supply them; others made for the THE RAMSGATE LIFE-BOAT: harbour,—you almost shuddered as ypu looked A NIGHT ON THE GOODWIN SANDS. down upon them from the pier, and saw them in the grasp of the sea, rolling and plunging, with BX THE BET. J. G1LMOEE, H.A.* the waves surging over their bows. Another moment's battle with the tide;—you heard the CHAPTER I. orders shouted out, you saw the men rushing to THE GOODWIN SANDS. obey them,—the pilot steady at the wheel,—and " GOD have mercy upon the poor fellows at sea!" you could scarce forbear a cheer as ship after ship Household words, these, in English homes, however shot by the pier-head, and found refuge in the far inland they may be, and although near them harbour. Altogether it was a wild, exciting scene, the blue sea may have no better representative and you cannot shake off the effect; you shut than a sedge-choked river or canal, along which your book, and listen to the storm. The wind slow barges urge a lazy way. When the storm- rushes and moans by; a minute before it was wreck darkens the sky, and gales are abroad, sea- raging over the sea. The muffled roaring sound ward fly the sympathies of English hearts, and you hear is that of the waves breaking at the base the prayer is uttered, with, perhaps, a special of the cliff. You get restless, and go to the reference to some loved and absent sailor. It is window, peer out into the dark night, and watch those, however, who live on the sea-coast, and with anxious, it may be nervous, thoughts the watch the struggle going on in all its terrible bright lights of the light-vessels, which guard reality—now welcoming ashore, as wrested from the Goodwin Sands—sands so fatal that, when death, some rescued sailor—now mourning over the graves give up their dead, few churchyards those who have found a sudden grave almost shall render such an account as theirs in number, within call of land—that learn truly to realise the and also that they entomb the brave and strong— fearfulness of the strife, and to find an answer to men who a few hours before were reckless and the meanings of the gale in the prayer, " God merry, ready to laugh at the thoughts of death— have mercy upon the poor fellows at sea !" who, if homeward bound, were full of joy, as they This lesson is perhaps more fully learnt at Rams- seemed already to stand upon the thresholds of gate than at any other part of the coast. Four- their homes; or by whom, if outward hound, the fifths of the whole shipping-trade of London pass kisses of their wives, which seemed still" to linger within two or three miles of the place; between on their cheeks, and the soft clasping arms of fifty and a hundred sail are often in sight at their little ones, which still seemed to hang about once,—pretty picture enough on a sunny day, or their necks, were only to be forgotten in the few when a good wholesome breeze is bowling along; hours of terrible life-struggle with the storm, and but anxious, withal, when the clouds are gather- then keenly again remembered in the last gasping ing, and you see the fleet making the best of its moments, ere the Goodwin Sands should find them way to find shelter in the Downs, and a south- a grave almost within the shadows of their homes! westerly gale moans up, and the last of the fleet Saddened with these thoughts, you turn again to are caught by it, and have to anchor in exposed your book, but scarcely to read. A sudden noise places, and you watch them riding heavily, brings you to your feet! What was it ? An open making bad weather of it—the seas, every now shutter or door, caught and banged to by the and then, flying over them. If it is winter-time, wind; er the report of a gun ? It sounded woe- and the weather stormy, the harbour fills with fully like the latter! You hurry to the window, vessels; tide after tide brings them in, till they and anxiously watch the light-vessels. Suddenly may number two or three hundred,—many of from one of them up shoots a stream of light. them brought in disabled, bulwarks washed away, They have fired a rocket; and the gun, and ths masts over the side, bows stove in, or leaky, rocket, five minutes after, form the signal that having been in collision, touched the ground, or a vessel is on the Sands, and in need of immediate been struck by a sea. The harbour is then an assistance. You remember watching the breakers irresistible attraction to the residents; the veriest on the Sands during the day, as they rose and fell landsmen grow excited, and make daily pilgrimages like fitful volumes of white eddying smoke, break- to the piers, to see how the vessels under repairs ing up the clear line of the horizon, and tracing are getting on, or what new disasters have oc- the Sands in broken, leaping, broad outlines of curred. foam. And you realise the sad fact that, amid But it is at night-time especially that one's those terrible breakers, somewhere out in the thoughts take a more solemn and anxious turn. darkness, within four or five miles of you, near As you settle down by the fireside for a quiet that bright light, there are twenty or fifty—you evening, you remember the ugly appearance the know not how many—of your fellow-creatures, sky had some two or three hours before, when you struggling for their lives. "Ah!"1 you say, as were at the end of the pier. You felt that mis- the storm-blast rushes by, "if this gale lasts a chief was brewing; gusts of wind swept by; and few hours, and there is no rescue, the morning you looked down upon a white raging sea. The may be calm, and the sea then smooth as a lake; Downs anchorage was full of shipping; some few but nothing of eithe* ship or crew shall we see." vessels had parted their cables, and had to run for But, thank God! there will be a rescue. You1 it, while a lugger or two staggered out with anchors know that already brave hearts have determined * Reprinted from XacmiOan's Magazine, with the kind to attempt it; that strong, ready hands are event permission ot the Author and the Publishers. now at work, in cool, quick preparation; thai 476 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1861. almost before you could battle your way against gale; but they bravely set to their work, and the tempe/rt down to the Pier Head, the steamer gradually made head-way. They steered for the and life-boat will have fought their way out into Goodwin, and, having got as near to the breakers the storm and darkness upon their errand of as they dared take the steamer, worked their way mercy. " God have mercy upon the poor fellows through a heavy head-sea along the edge of the at sea—upon the shipwrecked, upon the brave Sands, on the lookout for the vessel in distress. rescuers!" is the prayer that finds a deep utter- At last they make her out in the darkness, and, ance from your heart during the wakeful minutes as they approach, find two Broadstairs luggers, of the anxious night; and, as you fall asleep, the Dreadnought and Petrel, riding at anchor out- visions of the scenes going on so near, mingle side the sand. These had heard the signal, and, with your dreams, and startle you again to watch- the strong easterly gale being in their favour, had fulness and prayer. soon run down to the neighbourhood of the wreck. We go back to the 26th of November, 1857, and On making to the vessel, the new comers find her select the events of that night for our narrative, to be a fine-looking brig, almost high and dry on because, perhaps, never before or since did men the sands. Her masts and rigging are all right; and boat live through such perils as the Ramsgate the moon, which has broken through the clouds, life-boat crew then encountered; and because, shines upon her clean new copper; and, so far, moreover, they seem well to illustrate the dangers she seems to have received but little damage. connected with the life-boat service on the Good- Efforts have already been made for her relief. win Sands. The Dreadnought lugger had brought with her The day in question had been very threatening a small twenty-feet life-boat. The " little" throughout; it was blowing very fresh, with occa- Dreadnought and this boat, with her crew of five sional squalls from the east-north-east, and a hands, has succeeded in getting alongside the heavy sea running. At high tide the sea broke brig. over the East Pier. As the waves beat upon it, The steamer slips the hawser of the life-boat, and dashed over in clouds of foam, it looked from and anchors almost abreast of the vessel, with the cliff like a heavy battery of guns in full play. about sixty fathom of chain out. There is a The boatmen had been on the look-out all day, heavy rolling sea—but much less than there has but there were no signs of their services being been, as the tide has gone down considerably. > —required. Still they hung about the pier till long The life-boat makes in for the brig; carries on after dark. At last many were straggling, home, through the surf and breakers; and, when within- leaving only those who were to watch during the about forty fathoms of the vessel, lowers her sails, night, when suddenly some thought they saw a throws the anchor overboard, and veers alongside.* flash of light. A few seconds of doubt, and the The captain and some of the men remain in the boom of the gun decided the point. At once boat, to fend her off from the sides of the vessel; there was a rush for the life-boat. She was for the tide, although it is shallow water, runs moored in the stream about thirty yards from the like a sluice, and it requires great care to prevent pier. In a few minutes she was alongside. Her the boat getting he* sides stove in against the crew was already more than made up. Some had vessel. The rest of her crew climb on board the put off to her in wherries; others had sprung in brig. Her captain had, until then, hoped te get when she was within jumping distance of the her off at the next tide, and had refused the steps. She was over-manned; and the £wo last assistance of the Broadstairg men. But now he on board had to turn out. In the meantime a begins to realise the danger of his position, and is rocket had been fired from the light-vessel. very glad to accept the assistance offered. One Many had been on the look-out for it, that they of his crew speaks a little English; and, through might decide beyond all doubt which of the three him, he employs the crew of the life-boat, and the light-vessels it was that had signalled. It proved others, to try and get his vessel off the Sands. to be the North Sand Head vessel. The cork The Goodwin is a quicksand, and, as such, ter- jackets were thrown into the boat; the men were ribly fatal to vessels that get upon it. At low tide in their places, and all ready for a start in a com- a large portion of it is dry, and is then hard and paratively few minutes. They had not been less firm, and can be walked upon for four or five active in the steamer, the Aid. Immediately miles; but, as the water flows over any portion of upon the first signal her shrill steam-whistle it, that part becomes, as the sailors say, all alive- resounded through the harbour, calling on board soft, and quick, and ready to suck in anything those of her crew who were on shore; and her that lodges upon it. Suppose the vessel to run steam, which is always kept up, was got to its full bow on, with a falling tide, and where the sand power, and in less than half an hour from the shelves, or is steep. The water leaves the bow, firing of the gun, she steamed gallantly out of the and the sand there gets hard; the water still harbour, with^he life-boat in tow. As she went flows under the stern, and there the sand remains out, a rocket streamed up from the Pier Head. soft; down the stern sinks, lower and lower; the It was the answer to the light-vessel, and told vessel soon breaks her back, or works herself that the assistance demanded was on its way. almost upright on her stern; as the tide flows she Off they went, ploughing their way through a * The J»fATrOHAL IXIK-VOAI Inerrnrrmx is indebted for heavy cross sea, which often swept completely the annexed beautiful sketch of the services of theBamsgate life-boat, on this particular occasion, to the distinguished over the boat. The tide was running strongly, marine painter, E. W. COOKB, ESQ., A.K.A., who has for and the wind in their teeth; it was hard work some years past taken considerable interest in the success breasting both sea and wind in such a tide and of the important operations of the Life-boat Institution. ifeh

JULY 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 477 fills with water, works deeper and deeper into the sand, until at high tide she is completely buried, CHAPTER II. or only her topmasts are to be seen above water. THE WRECK ABANDONED, AND THE LIFE-BOAT Other vessels, if the sea is b^avy, begin to beat DESPAIRED OF. heavily, and soon break up. Lifted up on the THE boatmen, as soon as they get on board the swell of a huge wave, as it breaks and flies from brig, find her in a very perilous position, but have under them in surf, they crash down with their hopes of getting her off; at all events, they will whole weight upon the Sands, and are soon in try hard for it. She is a fine, new, and strongly- pieces ; or the broken hull fills with water, rolls, built Portuguese brig, belonging to Lisbon, and and lifts, and works, until it has made a deep bed bound from Newcastle to Kio, with coals and in the Sands, in which it is soon buried—so that iron. Her crew consists of the captain, the mate, many vessels have run upon the Sands in the early ten men, and a boy. night, and scarcely a vestige of them was to be She is head on to the sand; but the sand does seen in the morning. By way of illustration, let not shelve much, and her keel is pretty even. me tell what happened one dark stormy night in The wind is blowing still very strong, and right January, 1857, a few months before the events astern; the tide is on the turn, and will flow now being related. quickly. There is no time to be lost; the first The harbour steam-tug Aid, and the life-boat, effort must be to prevent her driving further had been out early in the day, trying to get to the on the sand. With this object the boatmen get Northern Belle, a fine American barque, which an anchor out astern as quickly as possible; they was ashore not far from Kingsgate; but the force rig out tackles on the foreyard, and hoist the of the gale "and tide was so tremendous that they bower-anchor on deck, slew the yard round, and could not make way, and were driven back to get the anchor as far aft as they can; they then Bamsgate, there to wait until the tide turned, or shift the tackles to the main-yard, and lift the the wind moderated. About two in the morning, anchor well to the stern, shackle the chain-cable while getting ready for another attempt to reach on, get it all clear for running out, try the pumps the Northern Belle, rockets were fired from one of to see that they work, and then wait until the the Goodwin light-vessels, showing that some tide makes sufficiently to enable the steamer, ship was in distress there. They hastened at which draws sis feet, to approach nearer. They once to afford assistance, and got to the edge of hope the steamer will be able to back close the Sands shortly after three. Up and down they enough to them to get a rope fastened to the-flaes cruised, but could see no signs of any vessel. of the anchor, and then drag the anchor out, and They waited till morning's light, and then saw drop it about one hundred fathoms astern of the the one mast of a steamer standing out of the vessel. All hands will then go to the windlass, water. They made towards it; but there were no keep a strain upon the cable, and heave with a signs of life, and 110 wreck to which a human will each time the brig lifts—the steamer towing being could cling. Almost immediately upon hard all the time with a hundred and twenty striking, the vessel, as they concluded, must have fathoms of nine-inch cable out. By these means broken up, sunk, and become buried in the quick- they expect to work the brig gradually off the sand. Away, then, for the Northern Belle! Sands. Scarcely is the word given, when the captain of But they soon lose all hope of doing this. It is the Aid sees a large life-buoy floating near. about one o'clock in the morning; the moon has " Ease her," he cries; and the way of the steamer gone down; heavy showers of rain fall; it is slacks. " God knows but what that, buoy may be pitch dark, and very squally; the gale is evidently of use to some of us." The helmsman steers for freshening up again; a heavy swell comes up it. A man makes a hasty dart at it with a boat- before the wind, and, as the tide flows under the hook, misses it, and starts back appalled from a brig, she begins to work very much. She lifts vision of staring eyes, and matted hair, and and thumps down upon the sands with shocks that wildly-tossed arms. They shout to the life-boat make the masts tremble and the decks gape open. crew, and they in turn steer for the life-buoy; The boatmen begin to fear the worst. The life- the bowman grasps at it, catches it, but cannot boat is alongside, seven hands in her. She is> lift it in. His cry of horror brings others to help afloat in the basin the brig has worked in the him; they lift the buoy and bring to the surface sands, and it requires all the efforts of the men on three dead bodies that are tied to it by spun yarn board to prevent her getting stove in. The tide round their waists. Slowly and carefully, one by still Sows, the wind still rising, and the brig one, the crew lift them on board and lay them out working with increased violence. As she rolls under the sail. and careers over on her bilge, she threatens The Violet passenger steamer had left Ostend to fall upon and crush the life-boat. The • captain about eleven at night; about two in the morning of the boat hails the men on deck to come on she got on the Goodwin Sands; a little after three board the boat, and get away from the side of there was no one left on board to answer the the vessel. The boatmen try and explain the signals of the steam-boat and show their position; danger to the Portuguese; but they will not at seven, there was nothing to be seen of her but understand. Hail after hail comes from the boat, the one mast, the life-buoy, and the three corpses for every moment increases the peril; but the sleeping their long, last sleep under the life-boat Portuguese captain still refuses to leave his vessel. sail. Such are the Goodwin Sands! Any moment may be too late; the boatmen are almost ready to try and force the Portuguese over the side, but cannot persuade them to stir; and 478 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1861.

so, as they will not desert them, they also wait on. insupportable. Through the thick darkness the Suddenly a loud, sharp crack, like a blast ol bright light of the Gull light-vessel shines out like thunder, peals through the ship. The boatmen a star. With a faint hope they wrestle their way jump on the gunwale, ready to spring for the life- through the storm,and speak the vessel. " Have boat—for the brig may be breaking in half. No; you seen anything of the life-boat?" they shout but one of her large timbers has snapt like a out. "Nothing, nothing," is the answer; it pipe-stem, and others will soon follow. The Portu- seems to confirm all their fears. Back now they guese crew make a rush to get what things they hasten to their old cruising-ground; they will not can on deck ; altogether they fill eight chests with slack their exertions, nor lose a chance of render- their traps. These are quickly lowered into the ing their assistance. It is still darkness, and life-boat- Her captain does not much like having silence, but for the rage of the gale; the hours her hampered with so much baggage, but cannot creep on. How they long for the light! All refuse the poor fellows at least a chance of saving hands still on the watch; and, as the first gray their kit. The surf flies over the brig, and boils dawn of morning comes, it is with straining eye- up all around her. The life-boat is deluged with balls that they seek to penetrate the twilight. spray, and her lights are washed out; the vessel It is almost light before they can even find the lifts and thumps, and rolls with the force of wind place where the wreck lay. With all speed, but and sea. Time after time the sound of her little hope, they make for it; and then indeed all breaking timbers is heard; at each heave she their great dread seems realized. The brig had wrenches and groans, and cracks in all directions; completely broken up, and was all to pieces. she is breaking up fast. Quick, my men, quick ! They can see great masses of timber and tangled for your lives, quick 1 The boy is handed into rigging, but no signs of life. Nearer and nearer the boat; the Portuguese sailors follow; the boat- they go, and wait till it is fairly light; but still men spring in after them; and the brig is aban- nothing is to be seen but shattered pieces of doned. wreck, moored fast by the matted cordage to the We have said that it was about one o'clock in half-buried ruins of the hull, and tossing and the morning when the squalls came on, with heavy heaving in the surf. Some think they see mingled • Tain and thick darkness. The steamer was still at with the wreck pieces of the life-boat; but, anchor, waiting for water to enable her to get whether they are or not, the end seems the same; ..nearer the brig. But, as the gale freshens, there and, after one last careful but vain look around to islrSangerous broken sea, and the steamer begins see whether there are any signs of the life-boat to pitch very heavily. She paddles gently ahead to elsewhere on the Sands, sadly they turn the ease her cable ; but it is soon evident that, if they steamer's head and make for the harbour. They are to get their anchor up at all, they must make grieve for brave comrades tried in many scenes haste about it. They heave it up and lay-to for of danger, and think with faint hearts of the the life-boat. The sea comes on so quickly that melancholy report they have to give; and it is the Dreadnought lugger is almost swamped at her but little consolation to them, in the face of so anchor, and has to cut her cable without attempting great a loss, that they, at all events, have done to get it in, and make before the gale for Rams- their best. gate. The Petrel lugger springs her mast, which is secured with difficulty; and she, too, makes the best of her way for the harbour. The wind CHAPTER III. increases; the gale is again at its height, and a BEATING OVER THE SANDS. fearful sea running. Wave after wave breaks AM, hands have deserted the brig. There are in over the steamer and sweeps her deck; but she thelife-boat thirteen Portuguese sailors, five Broad- is a splendid boat, strongly built and powerful; stairs boatmen, and the thirteen Ramsgate boat- and her captain and crew are well used to rough men who form her crew—a precious freight of work. Head to wind, and steaming half-power thirty-one souls. The small Dreadnought life-boat she holds her own against the wind, and keeps, as has been swung against the brig by the force of far as they can judge, still in the neighbourhood the tide, and damaged; and none dare venture in of the wreck. Of it, and the life-boat, they can her. see nothing. Time passes on, and they get The tide is rising fast, the gale coming on again anxious. The wreck must have been abandoned in all its force, the surf running very high and before this! Is the boat swamped, or stove, and breaking over the brig, so that the life-boat, ail lost? They signalize to it again and again, which is under her lee, is deluged with a constant but in vain; they cruise up and down upon the torrent of spray. The vessel is rolling very very edge of the sand, hoping to fall in with it. heavily; she has worked a bed in the sand; and Now they make in one direction, and now in this the run of the tide has enlarged. The life- another, as the roaring of the storm now and boat is afloat within the circle of this bed; the again shapes itself into cries of distress to their brig threatens to roll it over. " Shove and haul straining senses, or a darker shadow on the sea off; quick: shove off," are the orders. Some with deludes them into the hope that at last they have oars shoving against the brig, others hauling might found the lost boat. All hands are on the look- and main upon the boat's hawser, they manage to out, and greatly excited. The storm is terrible pull the life-boat two or three yards up to her in the extreme; but they forget their own peril anchor, and to thrust her a little from the side of and hardships in their great, great fears for the the brig. Now she grounds heavily upon the safety of their comrades. The anxiety becomes edge of the basin worked in. the sand by the brig. JULY 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 479

" Strain every muscle, men; for your lives, pull'." cannot signalize; and, if they could, the steamer —No; she will not stir an inch; she falls over on could not approach them. The sea is breaking her side; the sea and surf sweep over her; the men furiously over them : time after time the boat fills, cling to the thwarts and gunwale; all but her as the surf and waves wash clean over her; but crew give up every hope; but they know the instantly she empties herself again through the capabilities of the boat, and do not lose heart. valves in her bottom. The gale sweeps by more Crash! The brig heaves, and crushes down upon fiercely than ever; the men are almost washed out her bilge; she half lifts upon an even keel, and of the boat; and, worse still, the anchor begins to then rolls and lurches from side to side; each drag. The tide has made a little ; there may be time that she does so, she comes more and more water enough to take them clear of the brig. over, nearer to the boat. They must risk it. " Hoist the foresail; stand by Here is the danger that may well make the to cut the cable." "All clear?" "Ay, ay!" stoutest heart quail. The boat is aground, hope- " Away, then." And the boat, under the power of lessly aground; her crew can see through the dark- the gale and tide, leaps forward, flies along, but ness of the night the masts and yards of the brig only for a few yards, when, with a tremendous swaying over their heads; they toss wildly in the jerk, she grounds upon the Sands. Her crew look air as the brig heaves and rights, and, as she rolls, up, and their hearts almost fail them as they find come beating down over their heads. Each time that they are again within reach of the brig. Her they sweep nearer, and nearer. Let them but top-gallant masts are swaying about, her yards touch the boat, and, in spite of all her strength, swing within a few feet of them, and the sails she must be crushed, and all lost. Desperate which had blown loose, and are fast going to efforts they make to get out of their reach ; but all ribbons, beat and flap like thunder over their in vain. It is a fearful time of suspense, while heads. Their position seems worse than ever; this question of life and death is being decided— but they are not this time kept long in suspense. Which will happen first ? will the tide flow suffi- A huge breaker comes foaming along; its white ciently to float them, or the brig work so much crest gleams out in the darkness; a moment's upon her side as to crush them with her masts and warning, and it swamps them, but all are holding yards ? on; its force drives the boat from the ridge on The men can do nothing more, in the dark, wild which she had grounded. Up it seems to swing night, and terrible danger. Each minute seems them all in its mighty arms, and hurls them for- an hour. They protect themselves as well as they ward. And then again the boat crashes down on can from the rush of spray and fierce wind over the sand as the wave breaks, and grounds with a the boat, and wait on, anxiously watching the brig shock that would have torn every man out of her as she rolls nearer and nearer the boat. Each if they had not been holding on. moment the position becomes more desperate. One great peril has passed. They are safe from There is a stir among the men; they prepare for the wreck of the brig; but at that moment they the last struggle. Some are getting ready to make are threatened with another almost as terrible. a spring for the flying rigging of the brig, hoping The small Dreadnought life-boat has been in tow to be able to climb on board, as the life-boat all this time. As the Ramsgate boat grounds, the crushes. " Stick to the boat, men! stick to the smaller boat comes bow on to her, sweeps round, boat!" the captain shouts out; "the brig must go and gets under her side: the two boats roll and to pieces soon, while we may yet get clear." At crash together; each roll the larger one gives, each this moment the boat trembles beneath them, lifts lift of the sea, she comes heavily down on the a little on the surf, and grounds again. It is like other; the crash and crack of timbers are heard. a word of life to them; and instantly all hands are Which boat is it that is breaking up ? Both must on the alert. They get all their strength on the go soon if this continues. Some of the men seize hawser, and, as the boat lifts again, draw her a the oars and boat-hooks, and thrust and shove for yard or two nearer her cable, but as yet no further very life, trying to free the Dreadnought, which from the brig. Again and again they try; but is thumping under the quarter of the Ramsgate the tide and wind are both setting with all their boat. Again and again they try; it is a terrible force on the sand, and they cannot draw the boat struggle in that boiling sea and with the surf up to her anchor. breaking over them. The boats still crash and Then the captain of the boat sees what is before roll together; one of them is breaking up fast. them even if they get clear of the wreck. There " Oars in !" cries the captain; " over the side, is no hope but to beat right across the sand, and half a dozen of you; take your feet to her," and this in the wild, fearful gale, and pitch dark night; some of the brave fellows spring over, clinging to and what the danger of that is, only those who the gunwale of the Ramsgate boat. Again and know the Goodwin Sands, and the fierce sea that again a fierce struggle; a monster wave heads on; sweeps over them, can at all imagine. the big boat lifts. " Altogether, men!" and with They continue to make desperate efforts to draw a great effort they push the Dreadnought clear. the boat clear of the brig. After many attempts, They scramble, or are dragged into the Ramsgate they succeed, and now ride at anchor in the surf boat; the tow-rope is cut; and the Dreadnought, and breakers, waiting for water to take them over almost a wreck, is swept away by the tide, and the Sands. They see the lights of the steamer lost in the darkness, while the Ramsgate boat is shining in the distance, outside the broken and still mercifully uninjured. shallow water; but there is no hope of assistance A third time are they providentially saved from from her. Their lanterns are washed out,—they what seemed almost certain death ; and yet they 480 THE LIFE-BOAT. [Juwr 1,1861.

have only commenced the beginning of their perhaps my friends were right when they said, ' I troubles—for is there not before them the long hadn't ought to have gone out—that I was too old range of sand with the broken fierce waves, and for that sort of work (he was then about sixty raging surf, and many fragments of wrecks, studded years of age); but, you see, when there is life to here and there like sunken rocks, upon any one of be saved, it makes one feel young again; and I've which, if they strike, it must be death to them always felt I had a call to save life when I could, all? and wasn't going to hold back then; and I stood The boat is still aground upon the ridge of sand. it better than some of them after all. I did my She lifts, and is swept round, and grounds again work on board the brig, and, when she was so near broadside to the sea, which makes a clear breach falling over us, and when the Dreadnought life- over her. The Portuguese are all clinging to- boat seemed knocking our bottom out, as well as gether under the lee of the foresail; and there is any of them; but, when we got to beating and no getting them to move. The crew are holding grubbing over the Sands, swinging round and here and there where they can, sometimes buried round, and grounding every few yards with a in water, often with only their heads out; the jerk that bruised us sadly, and almost tore our captain is standing up in the stern, holding on by arms out of the sockets—no sooner washed off one the mizen mast. Often he can see nothing of the ridge, and beginning to hope the boat was clear, men, as the surf sweeps over them. He orders the than she thumped upon another harder than ever, chests to be thrown overboard; but most of them and all the time the wash of the surf nearly tear- are already washed away. The rest are unlashed ing us out of the boat—it was almost too much for from their fastenings, and lifted as they can get at man to stand. There was a young fellow holding them; and the next ware carried them away. on next to me; his head soon dropt, and I saw he Heavy masses of cloud darken the sky; the rain was giving over; and, when the boat filled with falls in torrents; it is bitterly cold; they can do water, and the waves went over his head, he nothing but hold on; the tide rises gradually; scarcely seemed to care to struggle free. I tried suddenly the boat lifts again, is caught by the to cheer him, and keep his spirits up. He just driving sea, and is flung forward. There is no clung to a thwart like a drowning man. Poor keeping her straight; the water is too broken; fellow, he never did a day's work after that night, her stern frees itself before the bow; and round and died in a few months. Well, I couldn't do she swings, onward a few yards, and grounds anything with him; and I thought it didn't matter again by the stern. Round sweeps the bow; and much, for I felt pretty sure it must soon be all with another jerk she comes broadside on the over,—that the boat would be knocked to pieces: sands again, lurching over on her side with the so I took my life-belt off, that I might have it over raging surf making a clean sweep over her waist. all the quicker; for I did not want to be beating It is a struggle for the men to get their breath; about the Sands, alive or dead, longer than I could the spray beats over them in such clouds. Again help; the sooner I went to the bottom the better, and again this happens. The captain tries to get I thought. When once all chance of life was over the men aft, so that the boat may be lightened in —and that time seemed close upon us every the bow, and thus be more likely to keep straight. minute—some of us kept shouting, just cheering Most of the boatmen come to the stern; nut the one another up as long as we could; but I had to Portuguese will not move, and even one or two of give that up: and I remember hearing the captain the English boatmen are so beaten by the waves, crying out,' We will see Bamsgate again yet, my and exhausted, that they are almost unconscious, men, if we keep clear of old wrecks." And then I and only able to cling on with an iron nervous heard the Portuguese lad crying, and I remember grasp to the sides and thwarts of the boat. As that I began to think it was all a terrible dream, the captain sees the big waves sweep over the and pinched myself to try if I were really awake, boat, time after time he expects to have men and began to feel very strange, and to get insensible. washed out of her; and, although he makes light I didn't feel afraid of death; for you see I hadn't of it, and does what he can to cheer them up, he left it to such times as that to prepare to meet my has in his own heart but small hope of ever seeing God. And, if I ever spent hours in prayer, be sure land again. I spent them in prayer that night. And I just The sands on the sea-shore, if there has been any seemed going off in a swoon, when I should have surf, appear, at low tide, uneven with the ridges been soon washed out of the boat, for I felt very or ripples the waves have left on them. On the dream-like, when I looked up, and the surf seemed Goodwin, where the force of the sea is in every curling up both sides of me. I was going to dip way multiplied, and the waves break, and the tide my head to let the seas beat over my back, and I rushes, with tenfold power, the little sand-ripples should never have lifted it again, when I saw a become ridges, perhaps two or three feet high. bright star. The clouds had broken a little, and It is on these ridges that the life-boat grounds. there was that blessed star shining out. It was She is swept from one to the other as the tide indeed a blessed, beautiful star to me ; it seemed rises, swinging round and round in the twirling to call me back to life again; and I began to have tide, crashing and jerking each time she strand*. a little thought about home, and that I Vasn't AU this was in the midst of darkness, bitter cold, going to be called away just yet; and I kept my aud a raging wind, surf and sea, until the hardship eye upon that star whenever I could ; and I don't and peril were almost too much to be borne, and know how it was, but that seemed just to keep me some of the men felt dying in the boat. One old up, so that, when we got ashore, I was not much boatman thus describes his feelings: " Well, sir, worse than the best of them. But, for seven whole JULY 1,1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 481 days after that, I lost my speech, and lay like a log and a few pounds that they have with them. Soon upon my bed; and I was ill a long time—indeed, it becomes evident what their consultation has have never been quite right since; and I suppose been about. " Captain," one of the boatmen sings I never sBall get over it. But, what is more, I out, " they want to' give us all their money !"• believe that the same may be said of every man " Yes, yes," said their interpreter, in broken that was in the boat. One poor young fellow is English, " you have saved our lives! thank you, dead; another has been subject to fits ever since; thank you! but all we have is yours; it is not and not any of us quite the men we were before; much, but you take it between yon;" and held out and no wonder, when you think what we passed the money. It was about 171. "I, for one, won't through. I cannot Describe it, and you cannot, touch any of it," said the captain of the boat. neither can any one else; but, when you say you've " Nor 1, nor I," others added; " come, put your beat aud grubbed over those sands almost yard by money up." The brave fellows will not tak*e a yard in a fearful storm, on a winter's night, and farthing from brother sailors, and poor fellows live to tell the tale, why, it is the next thing to much like themselves: and in a few words they saying—you've been dead,* and brought to life make them understand this, and how glad they again." are to have saved them. * The captain of the life-boat was chosen for that The life-boat has made good progress, and now position for his fortitude and daring; and well he runs through the Trinity Swatch Way; and, with- sustained his character that night—never for one out further adventure, she reaches the harbour moment losing his presence of mind, and doing his about five o'clock in the morning. The crew of utmost to cheer the men up. The crew consisted the brig were placed under the tfare of the Consul; of hardy, daring fellows, ready to face any danger, and the boatmen went to their homes, to feel for to go out in any storm, and to do battle with the many a long day the effects of the fatigues and wildest seas; but that night was almost too much perils of that terrible nighf. for the most iron nerves. The fierce, freezing All this time the steamer has been cruising up wind, the darkness, the terrible surf and beating and down the edge of the Sands, vainly searching waves, and the men unable to do anything for their for the boat; and, soon after daylight, she made, safety; the boat almost hurled by the force of the us we have already described, for the harbour. waves from sand-ridge to sand-ridge, and appa- Her captain and crew are half broken-hearted, and rently breaking up beneath them each time she scarce know how they shall be able to tell the tale lifted on the surf, and crashed down again upon of the sad calamity that seems so certainly to have the sand, besides the danger of her getting foul of happened. Suddenly, as the mouth of the harbour any old wrecks, when she would have gone to opens to them, they see the life-boat. They stare pieces at once—how all this was lived through with amazement, and can scarcely believe their seems miraculous. Time after time there was a eyes. "Astonished, sir?—that I was; never so cry—" Now she breaks—she can't stand this—all much so in my life as when I stood looking at that over at last—another such a thump and she's boat. I could have shouted and cried for very done for!" and all this lasted for more than two wonder and joy; you might have knocked me hour*, as, almott yard by yard, for about two mile* down with a straw." Thus the captain of the they beat over the Sands. steamer described his feelings. It was the same with all the crew; and, as they shot round the Suddenly the swinging and beating of the boat pter, and heard that all were saved, the good news cease; she is in a very heavy sea, but she answers seemed to more than repay them for all the her helm, and keeps her head straight. At last dangers and anxieties of the night. they have got over the Sands, and into deep water; the danger is past, and they are saved. With new hope comes new life. Some can scarcely realize it, and still keep their firm hold on the boat, Reader, the narrative here simply related is as expecting each second another terrible lurch and far as possible literally true, and really very very jerk upon the sands, and the wash of the sea. far Short of the truth. The facts were obtained No; that is all over, and the boat, in spite of her from four of the men actually engaged in the tremendous knocking about, is sound, and sails rescue. It will do its intended work if it teaches buoyantly and well. The crew quickly get you to realize, to any further extent, the nature further sail upon her, and she makes awdy before and danger of the life-boat service, and to give a the gale to the westward. The Portuguese sailors deeper meaning to the prayer which_ yon are lift their heads. They have been clinging together, tempted to utter as the storm moans and howls and to the boat, crouching down under the lee of over your head, " God have mercy upon the poor the foresail during the time of beating over the fellows at sea!" Especially it will servelts end, Sands; they notice the stir among the boatmen, if it persuades you to gain this consolation—while, and that the deadly jerks and rushes of the sea perhaps, you lie warm and safe in bed listening to over the boat have ceased; and they, too, learn the storms—namely, that you have a part in the that the worst is past, and the danger at an end. work that may even then be going on on some Long since did they despair of life; and their part of the coast. It will serve its end, if, while surprise and joy now know no bounds. Bravely you imagine the wrecked vessels, the drowning on goes the life-boat, making good way to the sailors, and try to fancy the life-boat manned by westward. The Portuguese are very busy in brave fellows, battling out to sea in the storm and earnest consultation: the poor fellows had lost all darkness, speeding upon its errand of mercy, you their kit, and only possessed the things they had on, may be able to feel that it is owing to your exer- 482 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1861.

tions, among others in the life-boat cause, that aiding the funds and making the Society more foreign suitors can bear the'noble testimony to generally known. our counta-y -Mitch the captain of a foreign vessel The number of wrecks, So., report^!, amount once did bear, when he said, "Ah! we may to about 4,000 annually! of which, last year, 1,379 always know whether It is upon the English coast vessels were wrecked on the coasts Of the United that we are wrecked, by the. efforts that are ifiade Kingdom. It is a subject for grave consideration for our rescue." that for several years the number of wrecks has *»* This valuable life-boat is the property of steadily increased, and consequently the distress the Ramsgate Royal Harbour Commissioners. and loss bf life among our jeamen and their fa- She was built by MESSRS. BEECHINO and SONS, of milies call for increased exertion. The Society, Grtat Yarmouth, from their model, which gained however, was enabled to relieve last year 11,091 theorize of 1001. given in 1851 by Vice-Admiral shipwrecked persons, or their widows arid or- the DUKE of NORTHUMBERLAND, President of the phans. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. She England being the only maritime nation of any has, since 1852, beenginstrumental in rescuing the consequence that has* no provision in old age for lives of nearly 150 persons from various ship- its merchant seamen, the meeting would learn wrecks on the Goodwin Sands. with great satisfaction that the Committee have had tables cast to ascertain the amount of pen- sion lor a given Subscription which can be In- sured at the age of sixty, or if previously disabled, in order to establish a Pension fund to which SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND seafaring persons of all ranks may subscribe, both MARINERS' .ROYAL BENEVO- for themselves and their widows, and the same LENT SOCIETY. are to be published forthwith; and also it is proposed to bring prominently before the public THE Annilal Meeting of this Institution wag held the subject of an Asylum for Wbrn-out Merchant at Willis's Rooms on the 31st May. His Grace Seamen, similar to that at Greenwich. the DUKE OF MABLBOROUGH, President of the The Committee conclude by confidently appeal- Society, In the Chttjlr; there were also present ing to every Christian and benevolent heart in the ft large number of the friends find supporters of kingdom, to help in a work which has for its tneSbeiety. bbject the care of a body of men, who are Hi* Grace give 8m interesting account of the foremost as the servants and defenders of the rtsfe and progress of the Society, and called upon nation. the Secretary to read tile Report, trhich stated Various Resolutions were moved and seconded that it was impossible but that the terrific storms by Admiral the EARL OF SHREWSBURY, Admiral of the past winter, and their awful effects, as nar- Sir GEORGE F. SEYMOUR, G. A. BROGKAVE, Esq., rated by thfe press, must have told upon the hearts* President of the Bath Auxiliary, JOSEPH PAYNE, of the general public, but more especially on those Esq., MONTAGUE GORE, Esq., Captain EGERTON, whose sympathies are with England's hardy sons, K.N., Mr. T. CLABKSON FINCH, Eev. R. H. BAYNES, who so boldly face tfce perils bf the deep, and who and Captain the Hon. F. MAUDE; and after a ire, under God, her great bulwark; to all. how- cordial vote of thanks to the noble Chairman, the ever, it must be grateful to know, that in the proceedings closed. didst of those unprecedented scenes of distress, on every part of the coast wliere the storm raged, the Honorary Agent of the Society was to be seen, as the genius of Charity, hovering over the spot, THE DROWNED AT SEA.* ministering to the varied needs — clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and visiting the widow NEVER bronze or slab of stone and the fatherless in their affliction—and, where May their sepulchre note; the poor castaway was distant from his home, with O'er their burial-place alone, • all speed despatching him there, to quiet by his Shall the shifting sea-weed float. presence the anxious fears of those dear to him. Not for them the quiet grave The income of the past year amounted to 13,990?., .Underneath the daisied turf; showing an increase of 1,043?. over the previous They rest below the restless wave, year; nevertifttess, tie claims on the bounty of They sleep below the sleepless surf. the Society have risen yet more rapidly, neees- O'er them shall the waters wrestle, sitatinf the sate of 2,5401. stock during the past With the whirlwind from the land, three years. The number of Seamen and Fisher- But their bones will only nestle men subscribing voluntarily 3s. per annum in Closer down into the sand: I860 was 47,197, and the number of vessels carry- And for ever wind and surge, ing its flag was 3,077. Legacies amounting to Loud or low, shall be their dirge; 824?. had been bequeathed. A benevolent lady And each idle wave that breaks had pre&nted the Society with 10002. to carry put Henceforth upon any shore, the intention of her deceased husband. The So- Shall be dearer for their sakes, ciety's Quarterly Magazine, The Shipwrecked Shall be holy evermore. Mariner^ price 6rf., of which 8,000 copies were E. n, o. circulated annually, continued to be a means of > From the Cvn&ftl Ifagnant for March, 1881.1 JULY 1; 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 483 ortsmouth, of tl* 23rd Nbv., forward- SUMMARY OF ing an extract from a newspaper, stating that a Midshipman of the Royal Navy, nftmed Mr. C. V. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. ANSON, having been instructed by film hi the Thursday, 6th December. THOMAS CHAPMAN, method of treating persons apparently dead Esq.j F.R.S., V.P.i in the Chatf. from drowning, according to the rule* 6f tBiS Read ihd approved the Minutes at the previous Institution, on board H. M. S. Brita'iMia, had Meeting, and tnose of the Finance, Correspond- been iristrumentM, oft the coast of Syria, in •, ence, and VTfecfe and Reward Sub-Committees of restoring a FrencfiMiStt who h«id beefc Stfowa but the JtoY.it NATioNAt LIFE-BOA* INSTITUTION. of his boat,, and was apparently dead.— To be Approved df Regulations for the guidance of the dcknbwledged. Committee of Management, Sub-Committees, and Ordered the sale of 1,0007. stock from the funded the Omcers of the institution. capital of th« Institution. Decided to forward, tot the acceptance of the Produced an extract frcflft the will of the late authorities in Denmark, a working drawing of the T. F. HEMINOTOI*, Esq., of tTplyirie, Devon, in life-boat of the Institution. which he gave 100Z. to tile Lyine Regis Branch of Read! letter from S. K. LOTHROP, Esq., Secretary the ROYAL NATIONAL Lrffe-BoAT INSTITUTION. of the Missfeliuseijs (United States of America) WW 1,2SH. i3». 7rf. for *iM»y charges on various Humane Society, of the SSrct Oct., expressing the life-loft eStabBshmeh'ts. thanks of their Committee of Management for the Voted the Second Service CHrsp, the thanks of model Life-boat and various life-boat papers pre- the InsHWtion Inscribed on teltotn, and 194J. for sented by the ROYAL NATIONAL Lire-sbA* IN- various services rendered by th'€ life-boats of the STITUTION to that Society. He slated ."that the Institution, And by shbre bwdts, to several wrecks, trustees of the Massachusetts Humane Society de- the particulars' of which will be found detailed in sired to reciprocate in the most cordial manner the Annual Report of the Society published in the respect and kind feeling bn the part of the April hat. LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and expressed their readi- ness to co-operate with it in all practicable ways, Thursday, 3rd .fan., 1861. THOKAS CHA*MANJ. and especially in the interchange of information Esq., F.B.8., r.P.i 5n the Chait. and suggestion, for the promotion of the humane Read and approved the Minutes of the previous objects common to both Societies. They looked Meeting, ftrid those of the Finance, Correspond- with satisfaction on every event, whether of indi- ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-CommtttfeeS. vidual, social, or international courtesies, which Read loiter from DAVID GRXY, Esq., Hbn. Sec. helped to preserve and strengthen friendly rela- of the Irvine Branch of the 21st Dec.,* stating that tions between the people and Governments of lh« Harbour Trustees had* expressed themselves England and the United States. They had shared satisued with the arrangement of this Institution largely in the universal enthusiasm and kind feel- to form a life-boat establishment there.—Jb be ing, awakened among all classes of their citizens ackntmtttd^ed; by the recent visit to their country of His ROYAL Als6 from Dr. VrtttiSs, of Greek Street, 9bho, HIGHNESS THE PRINCE or WALES, and cherished of Hie 26tfc Nov., calling attention to his rttddel the hope that that event, BO interesting ib itself, Bf6-ix*t— iS be tteknatetedged. was destined to be prominent and beneficent in Also from (Captain KENNEDT, R.N., Deputy- fhe influence it would exert to bind us together fcbiftrbller-Genetftl tif the Cbaat-guard, of the 3Jst in strong, and enduring amity, so that the two Dec,, statRig that his official intercourse with the great nationalities of the Anglo-Saxon race, dis- institution would terminate on that day, and ex- tinct in the forms, but in many respects similar pressing the pleasure he felt in knowing that he had in the spirit of their Institutions, with a com- been of some service in assisting to carry but the mon lineage, language, and*terature, might ever important objects of the RotAL NATIONAJ, LIFE- be one undivided power on the earth, exerted BOAT iNSTITIJTIOlir. always in behalf and for the promotion of the Resolved-^that the thanks 6f the Inslitufibn highest and best interests of mankind."—To be be presented to Captain KENNEDY, R.N., in testi- mony of his long and very valuable services and Also from P. N. LAURIE, Esq., of Park Square, cordial co-operation, in assisting to carry out of the 28th Nov., forwarding a donation, through the important and philanthropic blgects of the THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq.,F.P., Deputy Chairman, Institution. *.*--• In aid of the funds of this Institution, and express- Capt. WASHiNCiTbN. R.N., F.R.S., Jtydfographe* ing his.earnest hope that the success of its opera- to the Admiralty, caBeu the tttentibn of the Com- tibos wonj«l be an abiding reward to, those who, mittee to soniS models of Coast Barometer Indi- like Mr, CHAPMAN, watched over and fostered the cators, prepared by JAMES GLAISHEK, £sq., Society.—To be thanked, F.R.S., THOMAS SOPWITH, Esq., F.R.S., and him- Ordered information to be furnished relative to self, and to the advantages that were likely to the life-boats of Ore Institution, agreeably to their arise to seamen and fishermen from the adoption request, to Messrs. Pnom>rooT and -Co., of Glas- of large Indicators at suitable places on the coast. Decided—That five indicators be prov/ded by gow, for the Commercial Association of Rio K Grande, and to Mr, BEBMPOHI, teacher of Naviga- the Institution; three to be established on the tion at Vegesack, Bremen. NorthumHerland Coast, one at Wide in Scotland, Read letter from Lieut. NABE3,R.N., of H. M. S. and one at Arklow in Ireland. 484' THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1861.

MONTAGU GORE, Esq., was thanked by the Com- crew of 6 men of the brig Lovely Nelly, of Seaham, mittee for the lecture he had delivered at Brighton whidi was wrecked on the Whitley Sands, off on the 13th Dec., on Life-boats and the objects of Cullercoats, during a heavy gale of wind on the the Society. 1st Jan. last. Produced an extract from the will of the late Also 92. 8s. to pay the expenses of the Padstow Capt. BOWERBANK, R.N., of Gray's Inn, stating life-boat in going off and saving the crew of 5 men that he had bequeathed 1002. in aid of the funds of of the brigantine Nugget, of Bideford, which was this Institution. Capt. BOWERBANK had been a wrecked during a heavy gale of wind on the liberal subscriber to the Society. Doomed Bar Sand, Padstow, on the 1st Jan. last. Also an extract from the will of the late Mrs. Also 92. 12s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the BARBER, of Warwick, in which she gave 501. to the Hauxley life-boat, in going off and saving the Institution. crew of 6 men of the schooner Prospect, of Ber- Also a copy of the DEAR OP NORWICH'S letter to wick, which had foundered during a heavy gale of the Norfolk newspapers, in which he showed, wind in the Coquet Roads, Northumberland, on the from accounts furnished to him by this Institution, 1st Jan. last. that since the union of the Norfolk Branch with Also 142. to the crew of 7 men of the lugger it, upwards.of 600/. had been expended by the Lively, of Margate, in testimony of their laudable Society on the Norfolk life-boats, beyond what it and persevering conduct in rescuing 4 out of 5 had received from the Branch.— To be thanked. persons from the Dutch galliot HUlechma, which Reported the safe arrival on its station on the had been wrecked on the Kentish Knock Sand, off 26th Dec., of the Portrush life-boat, with trans- Margate, on the 12th Dec. last. porting-carriage and stores. Also 22. 10s. to a boat's crew, for putting off and Also the arrival, on the 23rd Dec., at Filey of the saving the crew of 3 men of the ketch Abbey, of new life-boat transporting-carriage for that station. Bristol, which during a strong gale of wind was A free conveyance had been, as usual, readily wrecked off Tenby on the 26th Dec. last. given to the Portrush life-boat and carriage by Also 552. 16s. to pay the expenses of the Brooke the London and Belfast Steam Packet Company, (Isle of Wight), Padstow, Fowey, and Dungeness /md to the Filey carriage by the Great Northern life-boats, in putting off with the view of render- and North-Eastern Railway Companies.—To be ing assistance to vessels which were observed to thanked. have signals of distress flying; but which, on the Paid 4392. 5*. 9d. for sundry charges on various approach of the life-boats, had either declined or life-boat establishments. had not needed their assistance. Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution to Mr. CHAPMAN was cordially thanked by the Mr. J. S. RODERICK, the Medal and II. each to Committee for his able conduct in the Chair dur- RICHARD HALSE, and WILLIAM STEWART, Coast- ing the past year, and for his continued valuable guard men, and to WILLIAM CORBEHT, Coxswain services to the Institution. of the Ardmore life-boat, and II. each to the Thursday, 7th Feb. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., remainder, of the life-boat's crewv in acknow- ledgment, of their intrepid and persevering F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. services in rescuing, under the most danger- Read and approved the Minutes of the previous ous and adverse circumstances, the crew of 7 Meeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond- men of the schooner Diana, of Frederickshamn, ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees. bound from Bordeaux to Belfast, which, during Read letter from GEORGE MATHIESON, Esq., of a neavy gale of wind, was wrecked in Ardmore Edinburgh, of the 6th Feb., forwarding a draft for Bay on the 26th ult. The Rev. Mr. WALE, Roman 402., being the amount of contributions collected Catholic clergyman, was also presented with the by him in that city in aid of the funds of the thanks of the Institution for the important and ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.— To be valuable services he had rendered on the occasion. thanked. Also 131.10s. to pay the expenses of the Walmer Also from F. G. GARDNER, Esq., Secretary to life-boat for putting off and rendering assistance, Her Majesty's Commissioners of Customs, of the in conjunction with other boats, to the Russian 29th Jan., stating, in reply to the application of barque Ulrica, which had grounded on the Good- this Institution, that the Commissioners would win Sands on the night of the 17th Dec. last. have much pleasure in co-operating with the Also the Silver Medal of the Institution and II. Committee in every practicable way.— To be to THOMAS BROW]*; and 31. to his boat's crew of thanked. 3 men, for putting off in BROWN'S boat, and res- Also from Capt. BARTON, R.N., Hon. Secretary cuing, at considerable risk of life, the crew of 6 of the Southport Branch, of the 12th and 22nd of men of the schooner Juliut, of Alberg, whi ch during Jan., stating that he and JOSIAH STOKES, EDMDND a gale of wind was wrecked on the Broad Carr MACKINLAT, and HENRY FORSHAW, Esqrs., had Rocks, Northumberland, on the 23rd Nor. last. waited on the principal merchants in Liverpool Also 31. to a boat's crew for putting off in a to ask their assistance to pay the cost of build- boat, and rescuing the crew of 10 men of the brig ing the Southport life-boat house; and that they SutcKffe, of Cork, which was wrecked in Arniel had collected about 2002. for that object.—To be Bay, near Ardrossari, during a gale of wind on the severally thaitked. 3rd Octr last. Also from Dr. GILL, of Bow Road, of the 10th Also 122. 0», 6d. to pay the expenses of the Cul- Jan., forwarding, for the acceptance of the Institu- lercoats life-boat in putting off and saving the tion, a valuable Barometer.—'To be than&ed. JTJLT 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 485

Also from Capt. ST. LEGER CANNON, R.N., Hon. A'lso 32.10s. to pay the expenses of the Penmon Secretary of the Walmer and Deal Branch, of the life-boat, in going off and rescuing the crew of 2 25th Jan., suggesting that a larger class of life- men of the-flat Cymraes, of Beaumaris, which was boat might advantageously be supplied to them in found in a disabled state in the Cross Roads off lieu of their present one. She might be occa- Beaumaris, during stormy weather, on the 25th sionally towed to the scene of dangea by one of Jan. last. the steam-tugs which were nearly always to be Also 62. It. 6d. to pay the expenses of the found in the Downs. Lossiemouth life-boat, in putting off and saving ' Decided—That a new life-boat and carriage be the crew of 3 men of the sloop Thomas and Jane supplied accordingly. of Dundee, which was found disabled off Lossie- Reported—That the.Winterton new life-boat mouth, in stormy weather, on the 1st Jan. last. and transporting-carriage had arrived on their Also 501. 6a. 6d. to pay the expenses of tbff station. A free conveyance had as usual been Walmer, Arklow, Tramore, Cahore, Alnmouth, given to the returned boat and carriage by the and Dungeness life-boats, for putting off with the General Steam Navigation Company. view of rendering assistance to vessels wliich were Also the safe arrival on their station of the supposed to be in distress. * Llandudno (Sisters' Memorial) life-boat, transport- Reported the services of the Cullercoats and ing-carriage and stores, on the 14th Jan. A public Newbiggin life-boats, in going off and rendering demonstration had taken place on the occasion of assistance to some* fishing-boats which had been the boat's launch on the following day. A free overtaken by a sudden gale of wind on the 5th conveyance had likewise been given by the London Jan. last. The life-boat crews asked no payment and North-Western Railway-Company to the life- for their services to their fellow-fishermen. boat carriage and stores.— To be thanked. Voted 22. to GEORGE QDAYLE, pilot, for wading Also the transmission of the Penarth life-boat into the surf, and aiding to rescue, at the risk of carriage and stores on the 28th Jan. They also his life, the crew of 3 men of the sloop Dee, of were conveyed, free of charge, by the Great West- Ramsey, which during a gale of wind was wrecked ern and South Wales Railway Companies. off Saxey Beach, Isle of Man, on the 29th Dec. Also that Mrs. B. WOOD had forwarded an last. additional draft for 1502. to the Institution, to pay Also the Silver Medal and 12. each to JOSEPH the cost of a life-boat, which she .wished may be WHITE and WILLIAM FLAME, and 62. to 6 other named The Evelyn Wood.— To te thanked. men, in testimony of their gallant conduct in put- Also that a friend had presented to the Institu- ting off in a boat and rescuing, at the peril of tion 1802. to pay the cost of the Buckie life-boat, their lives, the crew* of 5 men of the schooner being the fourth life-boat she had given to the In- Norml, of Plymouth, which during a gale of wind stitution during the past twelve months. was wrecked near Portland breakwater, on the Paid 1,6602.1>. Id. for sundry charges on various 30th Jan. last. life-boat establishments. , Also 102. to the crew of 5 men of a coast-guard Voted 13?. 8s. to pay the expenses of the Cahore galley for putting off and saving, at considerable life-boat, in putting off and rendering assistance risk of life, 3 men from the smack Pearl, of Camp- to the ship Nova Bella, of Liverpool, which was beltown, which during a gale of wind was wrecked observed to be in distress off Blackwater Head, off Lambay Island, on the 14th Jan. last. on the Irish coast, on the 31st Dec. last. Captain Sir EDWABD PEBBOTT, Bart., V.P., ww Also 52.6>. to pay the expenses of the Porthcawl thanked by the Committee for Ms valuable and life-boat, in going off and bringing safely into port assiduous services as Chairman of the Sub-Com- the schooner Mary Jane, of St.'Ives, which was mittees of the Institution during the past year. found abandoned on the Skerweather Sands off Porthcawl, on the 3rd Jan. last. Thursday, 7th March. Capt. BIB EDWARD Also 292. to pay the expenses of the Caister life- PEBROTT, Bart., V.P., in the Chair. boat in putting off and rescuing, during a gale of Read and approved the Minutes of the previous wind, the crew of 8 men of the brig Aretfmsa, of Meeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond- BIyth, which had sunk on the Cross Sand off Tar- ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees. month, on the 6th Jan. last. * Read letter from Colonel The Hon. SIB CHARLES Reported—The services of the Whitburn life- PHIPPS, K.C.B., of the 13th Feb., stating, in reply boat, in putting off and rescuing 4 fishermen, whose to an application of this Institution, made through boat was in a perilous position off Whitburn, on His Grace THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., the 5th Jan. The crew of the life-boat asked no President, that Her Majesty THE QUEEN had de- payment for saving the lives of their comrades. cided to become an annual subscriber of 502. to Also the services of the Lytham life-boat, in the Institution.—HER MAJESTY'S munificent sub- going off and bringing into port the smack Princess scription had been acknowledged by His Grace Royal, of Preston, during a heavyigale of wind, on THE PRESIDENT. the 9th Jan. last. The owner of the smack paid the Also from His Grace THE PRESIDENT, of the 4th life-boat's crew for their services on the occasion. March, expressing his satisfaction with the draft Voted 52. to pay the expenses of the Cardigan of the Annual Report of the Institution, and with life-boat, in going off and rescuing 8 persons from the great success that had attended its operations. the schooner Demi Wyn, of Portmadoc, which was He regretted tha't he would be unable to take the stranded on Cardigan Bar in a heavy sea, on the Chair at the Annual Meeting. 21st Jan. last. Approved of the draft of the Annual Report, and 486 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY i, iaei. the list of Officers of the Institution for the ensuing ance was as ulual readily given to the Dungeness year, and ordered the same to be laid before the life-boat and carriage ty the South-Eastern Rail- Annual Meeting, which was held at the London way Company. They had also conveyed the Tavern on the 21st March last. Walmer life-boat carriage free of charge, the life- Reported—That on the 9tJ» Feb., during a heavy boat having been sent by water to her station.—. gale of wind, the Whitby life-boat had capsized, To be thanked. when 12 out of 13 of her crew perished. The Pecided—Tha t a set pf twelve life-belts bo pre- , man saved was. the only one who had on an efficient sented to Rear- Admiral SIR B. W. WALKER, Bajft., life-belt, of which the accompanying drawing is a K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the Cape of Good representation :r- Hope and West Coast of Africa Station, on his, departure from England, in acknowledgment of the important services he had rendered to the life- boat cause as Chairman of the. Northumberland Life-boat Committee. Resolved— That a«ew32-feet life-boat, together with a trapsporting-carriage, be built for Tyne- moi4th, Northumberland. It was moved, seconded, and carried unaai- ,— That the Silver Medal of the ROYAL NATIONAL Lira-BOAT IssnrnTiQs, accompanied by a letter of condolence, be presented to Mrs. Born, w.idp~f? of the late Capt. J. M'NEILL BOYD, R.N., of H.M.S. Ajax, |n testimony of its admiration, $ his devoted and intrepid exertions to save the lives of a shipwrecked crew in, Kingetpwjj ^ajlwur' on the 9th Feb., on which occasion 1(6 and several of his gallant crew unhappily, but nobly, perjshed, being swept from the pier by a heavy sea. Also that the Institution's Silver Medal be. gjvej) to JOHN WAum, Esq., Agent for Lloyd's, at Dublin, in acknowledgment of hjs general gallant services, extending over a period of many yeara. in. aiding to save life from shipwreck, and particularly p| his exertions during a gale of wind at JJjpgs-r town, on the 9th Feb., when he received some severe internal injuries whilst laudably engaged in attempting to save life from a wrecked vessel. This belf is on the plan of Capt. WARD, K.N., Paid 344A 17s. 6d. for sundry charges on vapou^ Inspector of Life-boats to the NATIONAL LIFE- life-boat establishments. BOAT INSTITUTION ; and is always worn on every Voted 161. Is. 6d. to pay the expenses pf the occasion of service or exercise of its life-boats Redcar life-boat, in putting off and saving the. by each man forming the crew. crew of 10 men of the brig -&W -S"VFe«, of Resolved—That a grant of 507. be made in aid Shields, which, during a gale pf wind and a. j^a,vy of the Whitby Widow and Orphan Fund. sea, was wrecked, off Redcar, on the 9th Feb. ias(i, Produced several letters from the Whitby Local Also 81. 14s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the, Life-boat Committee, stating that thej had de- Arklow life-boat, in going qff and rescuing thg cided on becoming a branch of this. Institution, crew of 5 men of the schooner William, of More- and to accept the offer that had been made to cambe, which was totally wrecked during a terrific them by the Institution of a first-class self- gale of wiqd off Arklow, on the 9,th Feb. last. righting life-boa^ and transpprting-carriage. AJsp 251. to pay the charges,' on the Seatpn, Reported-Th^t the ins|>ectpr of Life-bpats Carew life-boat, for putting off and rescuing, in had visited Wljitby. on the invitation,'of the Local two trips, the crews, consisting of 16 men, of the Committee, and had made arrangements for the brigs Providence, of Shields, and Mayflower, of complete re-organization of the establishment, Newcastle, which had stranded on the Long Scar Decided-Th;at tj»e 'Whithy life-boat establish Rocks, and East Gase Sandbank, Seaton Carew, ment be, brought into connection with the Institu- during a heavy gale of wind. On the 10th Feb. last. tion ; that a 32-feet 4ouble-baaked Jife-Jl>oa(; be. A}sp J4J. 10«. to pay the expenses of the Sker- completed for the station,- and that she he for- ries life-boat, for going off and rescuing, in two warded, along with a transporting-carriage, as trips, the crews of 8 men of the smack Gipsy, of soon as practicable. Newry, and schSoner Margaret, of frestpij, whicji Reported that the late J. R. JUDEIN, Es^., of were totally wrecked off Skerries on the 9th Feb. Hackney, had left the Institution a legacy of }Q5/. last. H. A. HAMILTON, Esq., Hon. Sec. of the free of legacy-duty. . " Branch, was also thanked for going off on one Also that the Waliner and Dungeness new lifer of the occasions in the life-boat. boats and transporting-carriages had been for- Also 81. to pay the charges on the Wicjklpw warded to their stations, aqd that a. free convey- life-boat, in putting off and rescuing the crew of JULY. 1, 1861.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 487

8 men of the brig New Draper, of ;Whitehaven, bortragh life-boat, for going off and saving 6 men which had gone on shore during a gale of wind from the brig La Jeune Marie Therese, and taking near Wicklow, on the 9th Feb. last. off 5 "men from the barque Perseverance, of Scar- Also 61. 18s. to pay the expenses of the same borough, which had been in collision in Aid- life-boat, in putting off and bringing safely into borough Bay on the 2nd March last. harbour the smack Ariel, of Howth, which was in Also 19J. 16s. 6d. to pay the charges on the a disabled state off Wicklow, during a heavy gale Tramore life-boat, in putting off three times to the of wind, on the 10th Feb. last. brig San Spiridiane, of Galaxide, which was The thanks of the Institution were vqted tq wrecked, d.urin{j a gale of wind, off Tramore, on Capt. G. M. BAWOUR, K.N., inspecting-cbm- the 17th "Feb. On the first attempt the life-boat's mander of the Arklow coast-guard division, for crew begged of the foreigners to thrqw themselves his valuable services in putting off in the Wicklow in the sea, as the boat could not go alongside, life-boat on the above two occasions. but they declined to act on this request, and Also 92. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Rhyl the life-boat afterwards drifted from the wreck, life-boat, in putting off and saving the master, his broached to, and upset; but the crew, having wife, and crew of 3 men from the schooner their cork jackets on, were all saved. The William, of Liverpool, which was stranded near life-boat was afterwards launched a second time, * Rhyl, during a strong gale of wind on the 9th Feb. and attempted to 'reach the wreck, but failed, hist. and returned to. the shore. 9b# jgajgs of the Also 62. 5s. to pay the charges on the Castle- ship now fell, and the shipwrecked Bailors were town life-boat, in going of and rescuing 3 men hurled into the sea. Again the life-boat was from the smack Jfiwrixj, of Cpstletown, which was launched, and this time succeeded in picking up in a perilous position off that place, on the 9th 2 of $he poor foreigners. 2 others we/e jj%yf 4 fcy Feb. last. ' the gallant exertions of JAMES BUDD, Esq., Bon. Also 4/. to pay the expenses of the Penmen life- Pec. pf the Tramore branch, and ALFRED STE- boat, in going off and saving the crew of 4 men PHENS, cpastrguardman, who waded into the from the schooner Village Maid, of Fleetwood, surf to their rescue. WILLIAM M. READE, Esq., which had sunk during a gale of wind on the was in the life-boat when she had upset. R. O. Dutchman's Bank, Beaumaris, on the 10th Feb. JOHNS, coxswain of the life-boat, went off in last. charge of the life-boat on each of the three occa- AIsp 121 6* t.o pay the ehargea on the Tramore sions..— Yote4 the Silver *fecl$ tj> ^q,W4M ¥• life-boat, fp.K going P? ancl saving the crew of READE, Esq., JAMES BUDD, Esq., B. D. Jojws, 8 men of the schooner Voador du Vauya, of and ALFRED STEPHENS. ' Vianna, which was wrecked during a strong gale Also the Silver Medal to HENEY FBEEMAN, in of wjnij off Tram,p|e on the 20th Eeb. last. testimopy of his gallant services in putting efl' ia Also m. \4*. t« P»y the e*penf£S of the Carnsojp tlig ^T^i|b.y Ufe-boat, and aiding to 'rescu^, ty fb§ life-boat, for going off and rescuing, with much peril of i»is li'fe, on fiye different qpc.aijqjn, the difficulty ancj dagger, the crew of 19 men from crew's of five vessels, which were wrecked daring the barque Guyana, of Glasgow, which was, a"'jie#yy gale off Whitby on the 9,th. Fe,l>., o| tiie wrecked on the Carrig Bocks, near Carnsore, last of which services, the whole of his boat-mates, during a heavy gale of wind on the 10th Bet. consisting of ll men, unhappily perished by the Capt, PARTRIDGE, H.N., Inspecting-Commander of capsizing of the life-boat. £$ P>« Si|vpr Medal the "Wexford coaat-guard division; and Mr. JAMES to THOMAS ROBINSON, in testimony of his gallant BARUETT, chief officer of the same service, had conduct in wading into the surf, at the peril of gone off in the life-boat, and had been inde- his life, to the help of 2 men under the said fatigable in their exertions. JOHN WADDV, Esq., life- boat ; on which occasion he had his band per- M.B., Hon. Sec. of the Carnsore branch, apd " ...... ' ..... '' WILLIAM COGHLAN, Esq., Beceiver of "Wrecks at Also 31. to EATBICK MII>O»NELL fpj Wej&rd, had »l«8 rendered important services qp ijjto Jhe surf, at great risk of life, Jo the occasion. — Voted the Silver Medal to Capt. Of a«f the crg^ qfthe schqoner JBlavtfe, PARTRIDGE, R.N., and Mr. BARRETT, and the was wrecked off Arklow, Ireland, QB thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum '' - - ' - • ••- to Dr. WADDF and Mr. COOHLAS. The cost Also the Silver Medal and 2Z. each to (3£KM.) of this life-boat establishment was pre- BEDJJOE and ALBERT FDKLONG, and 21. to 8 other sented about two years ago to the NATIONAL men, for rescuing, at cpasjJeraWe risk of Itfe, b| LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, as a thank-offering, by a ropes and other means, 3 m,en from the sloojj lady, whose life had been saved from drowning. Elizabeth and Mary, of Cardigan, which was Also 1062. 17s. to pay the expenses of the Seaton wrecked, 4«iBg fthssayjf ga}g of w^d, gear Fish- Carew, fiolyhead, Drogheda, Filey, Dundalk, guard, on the Welsh coast, on the 19th Feb. last. Orme'».Head, Portheawl, Wioklow, Tfewghal, St. Andrew's, Fishguard, Arklow, Dnngarvan, and Fadstow life-boats, in putting off with the. yiew of rendering assistance to vessels in distress, but ' got out of their dangerous, nosiiiong, declined the life-boats' services. "' Also 177. 5s. to pay the expenses of the Ald- Royal National Life-Boat Institution ' For tie Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. (Incorporated by Royal Charter.)

FOUNDED IK 1824,—BUFPORTED BY VOLUHTABY CONTRIBUTIONS.

fatnmesi~HES MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN. President—VICE-ADMIRAL His GRACE THE DOSE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., F.K.S. Chairman—THOMAS BASING, ESQ., M.P., F.B.S,, T,p,, Chairman of Lloyd's. Deputy-Chairman—THOMAS CHAFMAN, ESQ., F.RJS., F.P, Chairman of Lloyd's Registry of British and Foreign Shipping Society.

APPEAL. THE COMMITTEE ov MANAGEMENT have to state that, daring the past year, the INSTITUTION has Incurred expenses amounting to 6258{. Is. on the following Life-boat Stations:— . PENZANCE, Cornwall. IRVINE, Ayrshire. ENGLAND. ST. IVES, „ KANTYRE, Argyleshire. NEWBIGGIV, Northumberland. NEWQUAY, „ BUCKIE, Banffshire. SALTBUBN, Yorkshire. PENABTH, Glamorganshire. BANFF, „ FlLET, „ LLANDDWYN, Anglesey. ST. ANDREW'S, Fifeshlre. CAISTOR, Norfolk. LLANDUDNO, Carnarvonshire, NORTH BERWICK, Haddingtonshire. ALDBOBOUGH, Suffolk. SOUTHPOBT, Lancashire. MARGATE, Kent. LYXHAH, „ IRELAND. WALMEB, „ SILLOTH, Cumberland. FOBTRUSH, Antrim. SELSET, West Sussex. TYREUA, Dnndrnm Bay. GBANGE, Isle of Wight SCOTLAND. BBOOKE, ATS, Ayrshire. The Instltntion has also expended on the repairs, stores, alterations, and inspection of Its numerous Life-boats, Boat-houses, and Transportlng-carriages, 3,6328.19*. j and 1,5501. for exercising the Crews of its Life-boats—making alto- gether a total of 11,4411. During the past year the LIFE-BOATS of the Institution have been Instrumental In rescuing the Crews of the following wrecked Vessels:— Schooner Ann Mitchell, of Montrose 1 Brigantine Nancy, of Teignmouth. 9 Steam Dredge, at Newhaven 9 Schooner Jane Safer, of Ulverstone 6 Smack Wonder, of Teignmouth ... 2 Schooner Admiral Rood, of Rochester 6 Brig PaUat, of Shields 3 Brig A'cott'o, ofSnnderland 6 Schooner Susan and Isabella, of Ship Aim Mitchell, of Glasgow 9 Sloop Three Brothers, of Goole .... 5 Dundee 5 Smack John Butt, of Yarmouth ... 5 Sloop Charlotte, of Woodbrldge ... 5 Schooner Rose, of Lynn 3 Schooner Catherine, of Newry .... 4 Brig Ann, of Blyth 8 Brig Prodroma, of Stockton 11 Barque Niagara, of Shields 11 .Sloop Hope, of Dublin 3 Brig Eliza, of Middlesborough .... ? A Barge of Telgnmonth. 2 Schooner Druid, of Aberystwyth.. 6 Brigantine Preia, of Konigsberg... 6 Brig George and Jamet, of London 8 Barque Vermont, of Halifax, U.S. . 16 Brtgantlne Diana, of Fredrlkshamn 7 BrlgZephyr, ofWhltby 6 Schooner Wtttiam Keith, of Car- Brig Gloucester, of SOL th Shields .. 1 Coble Honour, of Cullercoats 3 narvon • 2 Schooner Eliza, of North Shields.. 1 Brig Flying fish, of Whitby ..... 6 Total 210 Barque Oberon, of Liverpool 15 Smack Elizabeth, Ann, of Lyme Regis 3 For these and other Life-boat services the Institution has voted 908Z. 8s. 4

Donations and Annual SvbKriptiont will be thankfully received by Messrs. Willis, PERCTVAL and Co., 76, Lombard Street; Messrs. CODTTS and Co., 69, Strand; Messrs. HEBBTES, FABQUHAR, and Co., 16, St. James's Street, London; by all the London and Country Bankers; by the several Metropolitan Army and Navy Agents j and by the Secretary, RICHABD LEWIS, Esq , at the Office of the Institution, 14, JOHN STREET, ADKLPHI, London, W.C. Payments may be made by Cheques or by Post-office orders (crossed), to Messrs. WILLIS, PIBCTVAL, and Co., or to the Secretary.

LONDON : FEINTED BV WILLIAM CLOWES AND SOXS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.