THE LIFE-BOAT The Journal of the Royal National Life-boat Institution

VOL. XXXIV MARCH 1955 No. 371

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 155 Motor Life-boats 1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to 31st December, 1954 79,058

Notes of the Quarter THE year 1954 lias been one on which TRAGEDY AT SCARBOROUGH the Life-boat Service can look back The loss of three fine men of the with pride and deep satisfaction. It Scarborough crew, including the cox- is now 131 years since the Institution swain and second coxswain, followed was founded, yet never before in with tragic suddenness upon the splen- peace-time had life-boats been launched did achievements of the Service in on service as often as they were in November. A tribute to those who 1954. Life-boats went out to the lost their lives and to the Life-boat rescue 668 times, a figure exceeded Service as a whole was paid by the only in the years 19.30, 1940 and 1941. Archbishop of York. This is given in 495 lives were rescued. full on page 12. The year was a busy one through- Scarborough is one of the oldest out. More lives were rescued in the life-boat stations in the country, hav- first nine months of 1954 than in the ing been founded in 1801. Since 1850 whole of 195.'5, and the demands on Scarborough life-boats have been the life-boat crews in the tremendous launched on service 382 times and gales which swept across the country have rescued 396 lives. at the end of November were pro- A major disaster occurred in 1822, digious. A table showing- what the when the second life-boat capsized life-boats did in five days is given on with the loss of ten of her crew, but page 13. The hardships and danger until the recent accident occurred the experienced by the crews, and the last occasion on which a Scarborough responsibilities which fell upon hono- life-boat capsized was in 1862. On rary secretaries and others connected that occasion no lives were lost. For with the stations, were met in the such a busy station this is a splendid best traditions of the Service. 71 record. lives were rescued by life-boats in In spite of the exceptional demands those five days, and the rescue from made on the Service, the three mem- the World Concord, a full account of bers of the Scarborough crew were the which is given on page 2, showed only life-boatmen to lose their lives conclusively that in certain weather on service in 1954. Not a single boat conditions, no matter how many ves- was lost, and no life-boat was out of sels may be near the casualty, a rescue service as a result of damage done at can be effected only by a life-boat. sea for more than 48 hours. THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 AN AMERICAN DISTINCTION Royal National Life-boat Institution was naturally aroused by the rescue by CAPTAIN CURTIS E. PARKINS, of Roy- helicopter carried out by Captain alton, Minnesota, who receives a Parkins and his crew, but there have silver medal for a service described in also been other gratifying examples of full on page 6, is the first pilot of an close association between people resi- aircraft ever to receive a medal for dent in the United States and the gallantry from the Institution. He is Life-boat Service of these islands. A also the first United States citizen to magnificent gift, which will enable a receive a life-boat medal for more than new life-boat to be built and sent to a a hundred years. Three gold medals Scottish station, has recently been were awarded in the past to masters received from Miss Margaret Patter- of American ships: to John Collins in son, who lives in St. Petersburg, 1840; to John Britton in 1845; and to Florida. Miss Patterson has given the Isaac Ludlow in 1854. The nation- life-boat in memory of her brothers ality of these three winners of gold Arch and Alex Patterson, of her uncle, medals cannot be clearly established, Neil Munro, and of her grandfather, but it may be assumed that they were Hugh Graham, who was drowned in United States citizens. the Cook Straits in 1868. Evidence of the truly international A long article on the Life-boat Ser- nature of the Life-boat Service is vice recently appeared in the New York shown year after year, when seamen Times, and a launch of the Dungeness of ships of all nationalities are rescued life-boat was filmed in colour for the by life-boat crews. It is particularly Columbia Broadcasting System. It gratifying to the Institution to be able was intended to show this in Colum- to give such well deserved recognition bia's first coloured television newsreel to the gallant rescue of the life of a to be sent out on the 12th of January, young Englishman by an American but it was eventually shown on the 13th pilot. of January on the C.B.S. network and American interest in the work of the later on many other networks.

Forty-Two Men were Saved EARLY on the morning of the 27th of The news that the tanker had broken November, 1954, the 20,125-ton Li- in half reached Dr. Soar at 6.30 and, berian tanker World Concord, which after discussing the matter with the was in ballast and bound from Liver- coastguard station officer, he ordered pool to Syria, broke in two during maroons to be fired at 6.48. He then storms of exceptional violence in the received conflicting messages, one indi- Irish Sea. cating that the life-boat was needed By a lucky accident none of the and one that it was not, but at 7.55 a members of the crew was near the message from H.M.S. Illustrious asked point where the break took place. for the life-boat, and five minutes later Seven men, including the master, were this request was confirmed by the in the fore part when it broke adrift. Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth. 35 men were in the after part. Launch in Gale The first ship to answer the World The St. David's life-boat, Civil Ser- Concord's S.O.S. was the aircraft vice No. 6, was launched at 8.28. A carrier H.M.S. Illustrious. At 5.58 in moderate gale was then blowing from the morning the St. David's coastguard the west and the sea was rough. There sent an anticipatory message to the were fierce rain squalls and an over- honorary secretary of the St. David's cast sky. Visibility was about one life-boat station, Dr. Joseph Soar, that mile. the two ships were then some ten At 9.15 the Illustrious signalled the miles north-west-by-west from the life-boat that the World Concord was Smalls Lighthouse. fifteen miles north-north-west of the MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT South Bishop Lighthouse. The life- the survivors could not be landed for boat reached the after part of the more than a quarter of an hour. tanker at 11.45. Meanwhile, the fore part of the World Concord had continued to drift Tanker Rolling Heavily with seven men on board. At 1.30 By this time a fresh gale was blowing on the afternoon of the 27th of No- from the south, and there was con- vember the honorary secretary of the tinuous heavy rain. The sea was very Rosslare Harbour station, Mr. Eugene rough, with waves reaching 15-20 McCarthy, was asked if the life-boat feet in height, and there was a long could be launched to go to her help. and powerful swell. The tanker was rolling heavily, her propellers turning Worst Seas for Years all the time. A severe south-easterly gale had The coxswain, Captain William been blowing in St. George's Channel Watts Williams, decided to make a since the day before. The seas had dummy run in on the starboard to been so heavy that the Fishguard- discover the best way of taking the Rosslare mail steamer had taken six men off the stern half of the tanker, hours instead of the scheduled three which then lay athwart wind. After hours and fifteen minutes for the making this run he asked for the crossing. People familiar with weather Jacob's Ladder to be shifted to the conditions in the southern Irish sea well deck forward of the break of the stated that they were the worst for poop. In this way a shorter length many years. of ladder would be needed and the The Rosslare Harbour life-boat, confused water around the stern could Douglas Hyde, was launched at 3.50. be more easily avoided. The task of finding the drifting part of The coxswain stationed five men the tanker in the prevailing conditions forward in the life-boat and came was not an easy one, but at 5.50 the alongside the Jacob's ladder, which searchlight from H.M.S. Illustrious was had been re-rigged as he had asked. sighted on the port bow. After getting He took off the first survivor, and the further information from the tug Tur- life-boat went slowly ahead and then moil the life-boat reached the tanker's astern until she was abreast of the position at 7.10. tanker's propellers. This manoeuvre Coxswain Richard Walsh then had had to be repeated 34 times, one sur- to decide whether to try to take the vivor being embarked each time. The survivors off at once or to wait until rescue took fifty minutes and the sur- I daylight. It seemed that the fore vivors, who were 34 Greeks and one j part of the tanker was in no immediate Egyptian, none of whom could speak danger, and he decided that the risk English, were all taken on board would be greater if he tried to take without injury. the survivors off in darkness. His decision meant that the life-boat Mechanics' Part would have to stand by for twelve All this time the mechanic, George hours in terrible conditions. During Jordan, and the assistant mechanic, the long wait Coxswain Walsh shared Gwillym Davies, had handled the the wheel with Second Coxswain engines with the greatest skill and William Duggan. It was also ex- determination. tremely difficult to keep sight of the The life-boat left the World Concord tanker. She showed no lights and about 12.30. The weather had grown j was drifting northwards at about 3J steadily worse. Visibility had de- • knots. About midnight the wind creased to half a mile, and a whole reached full gale force from the west- gale was now blowing from the south. south-west. Through heavy seas the coxswain brought the life-boat through the Broken and Protruding Parts northern entrance of Ramsey Sound The next morning, at 8.30, Coxswain and reached the slipway about three Walsh decided that the time had come o'clock. The seas were such that re- to take off the seven survivors. The housing was a difficult operation and tanker's fore part was then running THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 before the wind and sea. She was cluding one from Mrs. Sean O'Kelly listing about five degrees to port. who had christened the life-boat There was a heavy swell and seas Douglas Hyde. sometimes reaching 25 feet in height. For the services to the World Con- Coxswain Walsh made two dummy cord the following awards were made: runs to the south on the starboard side of what remained of the World Silver Medal. Concord. Then he came alongside Coxswain William Watts Williams, about half way, keeping the life-boat of St. David's, and Coxswain Richard clear of broken and protruding parts Walsh, of Rosslare Harbour. of the tanker. Bronze Medal. By manoeuvring the engines he kept Motor Mechanic George Jordan and the life-boat alongside the 25-feet jump- Assistant Motor Mechanic Gwillym ing ladder. In fifteen minutes the Davies, of St. David's, and Second remaining seven men, including the Coxswain William Duggan and Motor master, had been taken on board the ! Mechanic Richard Hickey, of Rosslare life-boat, which suffered only slight ) Harbour. damage. Thanks of the Institution inscribed on The coxswain believed himself to be Vellum. rather further south than he was, but Assistant Motor Mechanic John he later altered course and at two Wickham, Bowman James Walsh, o'clock in the afternoon an aircraft Life-boatman Richard Duggan, Life- chartered for press purposes indicated boatman John Duggan, of Rosslare. the course to Holy head. About three Second Coxswain David Lewis, Act- o'clock the life-boat met the Holyhead ing Bowman William Rowlands, Life- life-boat which had been launched boatman William Morris, Life-boatman shortly before, and the two boats re- Howell Roberts, Life-boatman Richard turned to Holyhead at 3.30 in the Chisholm, of St. Davids. afternoon. By that time the Rosslare Scale rewards to the St. David's Harbour life-boat had been nearly 26 crew and helpers, £21 12s. Additional hours at sea. rewards to the crew, £24. Total re- wards, £45 12s. Scale rewards to the Rosslare Harbour crew and helpers, Brass Bands Playing £66 7s. Additional rewards to the When the crew returned to Rosslare crew, £21. Total rewards, £87 7s. more than one thousand people with Scale rewards to the Holyhead crew brass bands playing were there to and helpers, £18 4s. 6d. greet them. Numerous messages of The owners of the tanker made congratulations were read out, in- gifts to the life-boat crews.

Awards for Two Mechanics ?.!R. HF.XRY PEGG, motor mechanic of ship's life jackets. Mr. Cook followed the Dover (Kent) life-boat, and Mr. close behind, and between them they Wilfred Cook, travelling mechanic of brought the man ashore. the Institution, were awarded testi- Mr. Cook has had twentv-three years monials on parchment by the Royal service with the Institution and was Humane Society for rescuing a man himself motor mechanic at Dover who had fallen into the sea at Dover from 1930 to 1946, during part of on the 30th of May, 1954. which time Mr. Pegg was his assistant. Mr. Pegg heard a cry for help early Mr. Pegg has had eighteen years that morning and saw a man in the service as motor mechanic and assis- sea who had fallen off the jetty. He tant motor mechanic at Dover and rushed out of his house with two old Sheringham (Norfolk). MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT

Rescue by American Helicopter Ix the early hours of the morning of the Dover life-boat put to sea at 2.50 the 27th of November, 1954, the and was soon inside the Goodwins, South Goodwin lightvessel began to where she searched for the drifting drift. The first man on shore to have lightvessel. any suspicion that something might "The United States Air Force 66th be amiss with the lightvessel was the Air Rescue Squadron based at Manston Deal coastguard, who noticed that he had also been warned by the coast- could not see her light. guard that the lightvessel was adrift, He telephoned the Ramsgate coast- but at that hour of the night there guard, and at 1.9 on the 27th of No- was little which could immediately be vember the Ramsgate coastguard done. passed this message on to Coxswain By 2.20 the Ramsgate life-boat had Arthur Verrion of the Ramsgate life- left her moorings and went to the pier- boat, Michael and Lily Davis, as the head, and at 2.42 she put out to sea Ramsgate honorary secretary could with a full crew. A full south-south- not immediately be contacted. The west gale was blowing, the sea was Ramsgate coastguard by that time breaking heavily on the sand banks, was unable to see either the South and the tide was half ebb. The Goodwin or East Goodwin lights be- Ramsgate life-boat went round the cause misty rain made visibility ex- north end of the Goodwin Sands and tremely bad. steered towards the East Goodwin Gales of exceptional force had been lightvessel. She then searched along blowing for some days, and it seemed the outside of the sands during the likely that the South Goodwin light- remaining hours of darkness, but vessel might be drifting. This sus- found nothing. picion was confirmed at 1.27, when the East Goodwin lightvessel reported by Lightvessel Located radio telephone that the drifting Off the north end of the sands the lightvessel was bearing north-west- Dover life-boat spoke the Ramsgate by-west from her. At Ramsgate the life-boat, and it was decided that life-boat maroons were fired imme- Ramsgate should search to the south diately, and the coxswain, all the while Dover searched to the north- boat's officers and the mechanic went east. As the two life-boats were both to the life-boat. They boarded her in the area, it was decided to hold the and had the engines running at 1.40. Walmer life-boat in reserve. The wind was blowing so fiercely that Shortly before seven o'clock the the maroons could not be heard by Dover life-boat, which was then near the other men who normally form part the South Knock buoy, learnt by radio of the crew, and the assistant mechanic telephone that the lightvessel had been went on his motor bicycle to knock located. them up. The coming of daylight had also meant that the position of the South Search Inside Goodwins Goodwin lightvessel could be seen 3Icanwhile the Walmer life-boat. from the shore at Walmer. She was Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2), lying on her beam ends on the Good- had also been warned at 1.52. Maroons wins, the white letters on her side were fired and the crew assembled, pointing to the sky. The Walmer but the sea had been running so life-boat was immediately launched at heavily that a steep bank of fine 7.30, and made for the Kellet Gut in shingle had been built up in front of order to approach the lightvessel from the launching platform. The crew the west. The Walmer life-boat closed shovelled away the shingle as fast as to within some 200-300 yards of the they could, but it was an hour before wreck, but no sign of life could be seen the life-boat was ready for launching. on board her. The Ramsgate life- At 2.20 the coastguard asked if the boat also found the South Goodwin Dover life-boat Southern Africa, could lightvessel at daybreak and came as also be launched. This was done, and close as she could, but the heavy 6 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 breaking seas on the sands made it scene, but all rescue attempts had to impossible for her to come nearer be abandoned. than 150 yards. The Dover life-boat The Ramsgate life-boat returned to reached the position about 11 o'clock. her station at 6.40 in the evening. The Walmer life-boat, which had stood by all afternoon, returned at 6.30, and Aircraft Reconnaissance the Dover life-boat eventually reached At 7.30, although the seas were as her station at 1.45 early on the morning heavy as ever, the wind dropped of the 28th. slightly, and at the United States Air The Trinity House vessel Vestal Rescue Squadron it was decided that had also been standing by, and after an aircraft could be despatched to landing the survivor the helicopter make a reconaissance. This was a took off again and dropped diving SA-16 Albatross piloted by Captain apparatus and oxy-acetylene equip- Howard L. Richard. The aircraft ment to one of the Vestal's boats, but made low passes over the lightvessel, no use could be made of this equip- but no sign of survivors could be seen. ment until the next day. By nine o'clock the wind, which in On the 28th of November and again the early hours of the morning had next day, naval frogmen went on been blowing at 60 knots, had sub- board the lightship at low water but sided to about 35 knots, and it was failed to find any trace of survivors. decided to make a further reconnais- The Ramsgate life-boat stood by the sance with a helicopter. This was salvage vessels the whole time. piloted by Captain Curtis E. Parkins. The crew of the helicopter spotted a Medal for Pilot man huddled among the twisted On the 3rd of December, when the wreckage, but strong, gusty surface storms had abated, a memorial service winds and the tremendous seas made for the seven men of the lightship who hovering extremely difficult. had lost their lives was held near the The man who had been spotted from Goodwin Sands, on board the Walmer the aircraft was Mr. Ronald Murton, and Ramsgate life-boats. a 22-year-old bird-watcher of the For the gallant rescue of the sole Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. survivor Captain Curtis E. Parkins, Dressed only in pyjamas, a cardigan U.S.A.F., was awarded the silver and an overcoat and with bare feet, medal of the Institution. The thanks he had made his way, when the light- of the Institution inscribed on vellum vessel began to drift, to the deck rail were accorded to the three other about 1.30 in the morning. There he members of the helicopter crew, Major had managed to hang on among Paul L. Park, Captain Willis R. Kusy twisted pipes and girders. Heli- and Airman 1st Class Elmer H. copters do not normally operate less Vollman. than 50 feet above the object, but the Letters of thanks for their help and pilot brought his machine down to co-operation, not only on this but on 30 feet, and in spite of the wreckage many previous occasions, were sent to and spray the crew succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel W. P. Gordon, Jnr., means of the hoist in picking Mr. commanding No. 66 Air Rescue Squad- Murton up. ron, and Major C. S. Lowe, Operations Officer No. 66 Air Rescue Squadron. Sole Survivor Scale rewards to the Ramsgate crew and helpers, £73 15s. Additional re- This remarkable rescue had been wards to the crew, £18. Total rewards possible because the sole survivor had £91 15s. Scale rewards to the Dover made his way on to the deck, but in the crew, £42 5s. Additional rewards, prevailing conditions it was impossible £14. Total rewards, £56 5s. Scale to do anything for the remaining seven rewards to the WTalmer crew and men. The Ramsgate life-boat stayed helpers, £85 165. Additional rewards close to the wrecked lightvessel until to the crew, £20. Total rewards. she had to return to refuel. After £105 16s. Rewards paid amounted to doing so she returned again to the £253 16,9. MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT

Breeches Buoy Rescue in Whole Gale AT 4.40 on the afternoon of the 26th of ning. Her head was to the south- November, 1954, the honorary sec- east, she had a list to port of 20-30 retary of the Newhaven (Sussex) life- degrees, and she was rolling her lee boat station, Mr. R. K. Sayer, was rails under. told by the coastguard that the Danish She was rigged as a three-masted auxiliary schooner Vega was making schooner, and her booms were swing- water and might need help. The ing wildly with the motion of the ship. schooner was then 25 miles south- Her deck cargo of timber was adrift. south-west of Beachy Head. Coxswain Harvey circled round the The honorary secretary immediately Vega twice and then approached her gave orders for the crew to assemble, from the lee quarter. He tried to but further reports then came in from bring the life-boat close enough for other ships in the neighbourhood and the crew of the Vega to jump aboard, from the Vega which indicated that but the angle of the list, the deck the life-boat might not be needed. cargo and the motion of the schooner At 9.30 in the evening this view was made this impossible. confirmed when the Vega signalled He decided that all the life-boat that she was no longer in distress. crew could do would be to pass a line The Dutch tug Humber was standing and take the crew off the Vega by by her, while the destroyer Vigo and breeches buoy. As he brought the the ships Rangitito and Mosoil were life-boat into position, a member of also near at hand. The life-boat crew the crew of the Vega jumped into the were then dismissed. sea with a line round his waist. He was hauled aboard, using the scram- Situation Changed bling net, and the breeches buoy was By 4.30 the next morning the situa- bent on the line. tion had changed. A message was Eight Men Rescued then received from H.M.S. Vigo, which Coxswain Harvey manoeuvred the ran: "We think a life-boat will be life-boat carefully up to the Vega's necessary. We cannot turn round to port quarter. The Vega's crew approach the Vega." The Newhaven climbed into the buoy and were hauled life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was into the life-boat one after another. launched at 4.50. Some barely touched the water at all, A whole gale was blowing from the the scrambling net being- of the great- south-south-west, and conditions in est help. The rescue operations were the harbour entrance were extremely completed in .twenty minutes, eight bad. Steep seas were breaking right men in all being taken aboard. across, and there were violent squalls The return to Newhaven, which of wind and rain. The tide, which lasted more than three and a half was five hours ebb, was running hours in heavy seas and a flood tide, strongly against the wind. was a most arduous one. The life- Coxswain \Villiam Harvey safely boat returned at reduced speed and negotiated the harbour entrance, and only with difficulty negotiated the once the life-boat was clear of the high breaking seas at the harbour broken water he set a course to the entrance. One particularly heavy sea south-east towards the last reported broke across not more than a boat's position of the Vega. This course length astern. The life-boat reached brought the sea nearly on the beam. her station at 12.40 in the afternoon. A message was sent to the tug All the survivors were suffering from Humber asking her to show a flare, and exposure, and some were slightly in- at 7.25 the life-boat reached the posi- jured. They were given hot drinks on tion indicated. board the life-boat, and when they reached shore the local agent of the List to Port Shipwrecked Mariners Society aranged The Vega was lying in the trough of for them to be provided with food and the tremendous seas which were run- clothing. 8 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 For this service the Institution Mockford, Life-boatman Jack awarded the silver medal to Cox- Shinn. swain William Harvey. Letters of thanks were sent to the Vellums for Grew Danish seaman who jumped into the It also awarded the thanks of the j sea and whose name was Jespersen. Institution inscribed on vellum to each | and to another member of the crew of the other six members of the crew: of the Vega, Karl Bylow. Second Coxswain Edgar Moore, Motor Scale rewards to the Xewhaven crew Mechanic Alexander Fletcher, Bow- and helpers, £25 17s. Additional re- man Harold Moore, R/T Operator, wards to the crew, £21. Total re- Harold Hills, Life-boatman Albert wards. £46 17,9.

Four Attempts to Reach Life-boat AT 7.15 on the evening of the 26th of crew of the trawler were in no imme- November, 1954, the honorary secre- diate danger as it was low water. tary of the Valentia (Co. Kerry) At 1.30 early on the morning of the life-boat station, Mr. Kieran O'Driscoll, 27th the life-boat returned to harbour was informed by Valentia Radio that and picked up a 40-gallon drum. On the motor trawler Ros Airgead was reaching the trawler she anchored and aground on White Horse Rocks, south veered the drum down on 60 fathoms of Cahirciveen River, and needed help of line. The line was secured by the urgently. The maroons were fired at trawler's crew, who passed a rope back 7.20, and at 7.30 a full crew mustered to the life-boat. at the life-boat store. A whole gale was blowing from the Line Fast to Trawler north-west, with heavy squalls. The sea was rough and it was very dark. Some two hours later the fishing The tide was half ebb. The Valentia boat Ros Muc also got a line fast to life-boat, A.E.D., which is moored the trawler, but the two boats to- in the harbour, is normally reached gether failed to float her. The cox- either by the Institution's pulling swain of the life-boat, Jeremiah boat or by a motor boat which is O'Connell. laid out two anchors to hired. Conditions were such that the prevent the Hot, Airgead from being owner of the motor boat would not driven further ashore, and the life- allow it to be used that evening, and boat stood by until with the ebbing the crew went out in the pulling boat. tide the trawler's crew were again out of danger. Blown Back Ashore The trawler's crew came ashore at They made four separate attempts low water and landed some gear and to reach the life-boat. Three times ballast and then returned to their ship. they came within twenty yards and The life-boat had gone out to the were blown back ashore, but at the trawler again, reaching her at two fourth attempt they succeeded, and o'clock in the afternoon, and at six at 9.30 the life-boat put out. o'clock, with a strong gale blowing The life-boat reached the White from the south-west and in a rough Horse Rocks at ten o'clock and began sea, the life-boat and the Ros Muc to search, but at 1.27 Valentia Radio succeeded in towing the Ros Airgead reported that the Ros Airgead was in clear. Lough Kay. For this service the thanks of the The life-boat found the trawler at Institution inscribed on vellum were eleven o'clock aground on a sandy accorded to Coxswain Jeremiah bottom on a dead lee shore. It was O'Connell. not possible to bring the life-boat near Scale rewards to the crew and enough to fire a line across, but the helpers, £45 4s. MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT

Launch to a Dutch Ship Ox the night of the 26th-27th of No- It was, therefore, agreed to attempt vember, 1954, storms were raging all to launch at daylight and to search for over the country, and at the Lizard survivors with the help of aircraft. most of the telephones were out of The life-boat was launched at 8.25 action and the village was without in appalling weather conditions. The lighting. Among those whose tele- wind had slightly eased but was still phones could not be used was the blowing a full gale; a heavy confused honorary secretary of the Lizard life- breaking sea was running; and the tide boat station, Mr. F. G. Chapman, but was half ebb. the telephone of the vice-chairman of the local committee, Mr. A. J. Grecn- sladc. was fortunately in order. Con- Search with Aircraft sequently he was able to receive a call The life-boat Duke of York made for at 6.9 on the morning of the 27th. the point where the vessel was believed A message was passed on to him to have sunk and carried out a search from the S.S. Casino which, during the in co-operation with aircraft. Visi- night, had sighted a small unidentified bility was poor and nothing was found. vessel sinking 17 miles south-west of The search was finally abandoned, the Lizard. The Casino had left the and as it would have been impossible wreck as she was unable to give any to rehouse the life-boat at her station, help, but she reported that survivors she made for Falmouth, which was had been seen drifting about. The reached at 4.50 in the afternoon. sinking ship was later identified as the The District Inspector who investi- M.V. Carpo, of Rotterdam. gated the service fully confirmed the view taken by Mr. Chapman that the Hurricane Blowing life-boat could not have been launched Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Chapman, Cox- earlier and that any attempt to launch swain George Mitchell and Motor her before daylight would almost Mechanic M. W. Stephens went to the certainly have ended in disaster. life-boat station at once. Launching For the courage and seamanship conditions were abnormally bad. A which he showed in launching the life- south-west wind of hurricane force boat at all and successfully taking her was blowing; a very heavy and danger- out to sea, Coxswain George E. ous sea was breaking over the slipway Mitchell was accorded the thanks of and the rocks were near it; it had been the Institution inscribed on vellum. an intensely dark night; and Mr. Scale rewards to the crew and Chapman decided that the life-boat helpers, £39 3s. Sd. Additional re- could not be launched before daylight wards to the crew, £16. Total rewards with a reasonable chance of survival. £55 3s. 8d.

Scarborough Tragedy ON the morning of the 8th of Decem- Ten other fishing boats were known ber, 1954, the weather worsened while to be to the northward, and the life- Scarborough fishing boats were at sea, boat put off again at once. She es- and at 11.40 the Scarborough life-boat corted in the cobles Premier, Betty E.C.J.R., a 35-feet 6-inches self- Sheader, Betty and three others. righting boat, was launched to escort By 3.20 in the afternoon all the them in. boats, except the Rosemary, Courage, Off Cayton Bay she sighted the and Pilot Me II, had been safely es- fishing boat Venture, which had one corted into harbour. These three man on board, and towed her to the boats were still unaccounted for, and harbour. A full gale was blowing the life-boat began to search for them. from the south-east and a very heavy It was later learnt by radio telephone sea was running. that the Courage and Pilot Me II had 10 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 been safely escorted into Whitby men still aboard managed to haul two harbour by the Whitby No. 1 life-boat, other members of the crew back to Mary Ann Hepworth, and that the safety. They were Ernest Eves and Rosemary had also reached Whitby. Jack Crawford. They also tried to grasp the second coxswain, John Steep Breaking Seas Cammish, but the seas swept him A whole south-east gale, blowing away. The coxswain and the signal- against the ebbing tide from the har- man, Francis Bayes, had already been bour, caused steep breaking seas, swept out of reach. which sometimes reached 15 feet in The five men on board managed to height. There was heavy cloud and bring the life-boat safely into harbour driving sleet. on one engine. Coxswain Sheader and The life-boat made for the harbour Second Coxswain Cammish were on a north-westerly course, with the washed ashore within twelve minutes wind and sea astern and her drogue of the capsize. Many people came to streamed at full length. The cox- their help and they were taken to a swain, John Sheader, and another hospital only 100 yards away, but man were at the wheel. The engines there they both died. The body of were eased as heavy seas from astern Francis Bayes, who had received a approached the life-boat, and then blow on the forehead, was not recov- run at half-speed. In this way the ered for more than two and a half life-boat was worked back towards the hours. harbour for the eighth time. The drogue was holding the boat well. Machinery Undamaged About 4.45, when the life-boat was Officials of the Institution immedi- approaching the eastern pier, only ately went to Scarborough to investi- about 200 yards from safety, an enor- gate the causes of the accident. They mous sea overtook the boat and com- found the drogue missing, for both the pletely overwhelmed her. The life- drogue rope and tripping line had boat was then in three fathoms of been cut by the port propeller when water. the port engine had been restarted. Coxswain Sheader saw this sea com- There is little doubt that the sea had ing, put the engines in neutral and overwhelmed the boat, picked up the shouted to everyone to hold on. The drogue and flung it against her stern. life-boat then seems to have run almost The reason why the starboard engine completely submerged for about 30 could not be restarted was that the yards without altering course and with drogue rope had fouled the propeller. her engines in neutral. Then she The life-boat suffered no more than broke surface. She sheered to port, superficial damage from the capsize probably out of control and was struck and the machinery and radio telephone by another sea on the port quarter continued in perfect order. while she was still in an unstable On the 20th of December an inquest condition through not yet having emp- was held by Mr. C. R. Royal, the Scar- tied herself of water. As she did so borough Coroner. A verdict of acci- she turned right over and immediately dental death was returned, and the righted herself. The engines, as they Coroner paid a tribute to the gallantry were designed to do, cut out at once. of the three men who had lost their o ' lives. Three Remained Aboard Within 48 hours of the capsize the Three members of the crew managed crew, including the five survivors, had to remain aboard. They were the been reformed, and on the afternoon motor mechanic, Allen Rennard, the of the llth of December, after a satis- bowman. William Sheader, and Tom factory exercise afloat, the life-boat Scales. The other five members of was again ready for service. the crew had been flung into the sea. The motor mechanic started the Coxswain for Ten Years port engine at once, but the starboard Coxswain Sheader, who was awarded engine could not be restarted. The the bronze medal of the Institution bowman took the wheel, and the three in January 1952 for a service in MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 11 December 1951 to the Dutch motor received pensions from the date of vessel Westkust, was aged 63 and had the men's death. These pensions, been a member of the crew for 42 which are irrespective of any State years. He had been coxswain of the awards, are based on the Navy scale. Scarborough life-boat for ten years. The Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor Second Coxswain Cammish, aged Miles Bird, launched a memorial 55, had been second coxswain also fund. for ten years and had served in Filey At a funeral service held at St. and Scarborough life-boats for 37 Mary's Parish Church on 13th De- years. cember, the Archbishop of York Signalman Bayes was aged 29 and preached the sermon. The full text was a regular member of the crew. of this is given on page 12. As in all cases in which members of Scale rewards to the crew and life-boat crews lose their lives on helpers £41 15s. Additional rewards, service, the widows and dependents £80. Total rewards, £121 15s.

Parliamentary Question on Helicopters ME. NORMAN N. DODDS, Member of places around the coast. While these Parliament for Dartford, asked the are provided in the first instance to Minister of Transport and Civil Avia- meet Service requirements, they form tion on the 8th of December, 1954, an integral part of the rescue facilities "if, in view of the rescue by a United available to assist any casualty at sea, States helicopter from the South and Her Majesty's Coastguard do not Goodwin lightship when all other hesitate to call on them whenever they means were ineffective because of the can help. Those of the United States bad weather conditions, he will give Air Force also help, as they did so effec- consideration to the provision by the tively in the present case. I am Government of a helicopter service informed that the Royal Air Force are for the saving of life at sea." planning to increase substantially the Mr. J. Boyd Carpenter replied: number of their helicopters on the "Her Majesty's Government already coast. The answer to the hon. Mem- provide a helicopter service for search ber's Question is, therefore, that a and rescue at sea. The Royal Navy service such as he has in mind is and the Royal Air Force have a num- already in being and is to be further ber of helicopters stationed at various extended."

Two New Vice-Presidents LORD SEMPILL and the Marquess Cam- Institution of Production Engineers, den have been elected vice-presidents the Institute of the Motor Industry of the Royal National Life-boat Insti- and the British Gliding Association, tution. Lord Sempill has served on and is a Vice-President of the London the Committee of Management of the Chamber of Commerce. Institution since 1927 and the Mar- The Marquess Camden, who is a quess Camden since 1930. Each has Younger Brother of Trinity House, is been, in turn, vice-chairman of the a Trustee and Vice-Commodore of the Boat and Construction Committee, Royal Yacht Squadron and president Lord Sempill from 1929 to 1937 and or patron of a large number of societies. the Marquess Camden from 1949 to particularly in the south-east of Eng- 1953. land, concerned with yachting, motor- Lord Sempill, who served his time car racing, agriculture, the theatre, with Rolls Royce, Derby, in 1910-13, sport and various charitable activities. joined the Royal Flying Corps in He is a Justice of the Peace for the August, 1914. He has been President county of Kent and a director of a of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the number of companies. 12 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 A Service of which the Nation is Proud The following address was given by the Archbishop of York at the funeral of three members of the Scarborough life-boat on \3th December, 1951. WE have assembled this afternoon to representatives. We are thankful for pay a tribute of honour to the three all they have done to rescue those in brave members of the Scarborough peril from storm and wind. We are life-boat who last week lost their lives proud of their courage and endurance, in the great storm which lashed the and when, therefore, lives are lost in this sea into fury. It is not only you who service we have a sense of personal loss. live in Scarborough who felt deeply But with sorrow there is admiration, moved when the news of this tragedy for they died in the service of others. was made known; all over England We admire our life-boatmen for their there was an expression of sympathy purpose is to help and to rescue those with the men of our life-boat service. in danger, and to do this they must be It is a service of which the nation prepared to face great risks, and, if is proud. As islanders we know well need be, to lay down their lives. There how the sea is a great highway for is nothing greater than this, "that a traffic, and how in its days of calm man lay down his life for his friends/' and quiet it can bring comfort and recreation to the tired in body and Tribute of Honour the troubled in mind. But we also So today we pay this tribute of know that in certain moods the sea honour to the men of your Scarborough is still untamed and challenges man life-boat who faced the storms of last to control it. Much has been done in week, and who are prepared to face recent years to make for the greater them again when need should come, safety of those who cross the seas, or for your life-boat is again ready for whose work takes them upon its service. We honour especially the waters. But the sea has not yet been three who lost their lives—Jack tamed, and in its wilder moods life is Sheader aged 63, coxswain of the imperilled by it. Scarborough life-boat for ten years, and who had been serving in life-boat We who are Landsmen crews for forty years; Jack Cammish, We who are landsmen, however aged 55, had been second coxswain great our sympathy may be with those for ten years; and Frank Bayes, a whose work is on the seas, are unable younger man, had been a member of to help them in their hour of great the crew for two and a half years. danger. But the Life-boat Service With their families we have pro- does this for us and is a practical found sympathy in their great loss. expression of our responsibility for We pray that God may comfort them. those who risk their lives on the seas, We commend the souls of those who in crossing them for our benefit, or in lost their lives to the keeping of their toiling to reap from them their harvest Father in Heaven, and we pray that for our food. Thus it is natural that there ever may be found a succession we should look upon the Life-boat of men who here and elsewhere will Service as a national organisation, and be ready to risk their lives to serve those who serve in it are acting1 as our their fellows.

Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of Cox- in March, 1951. He was awarded swain Harold Bradford of Exmouth. the bronze medal for a rescue from Coxswain Bradford first joined the the cabin cruiser Nicky on the 19th Exmouth crew in 1925. He was bow- of September, 1954. An account man from January 1939 to August of this service appeared in the 1943, when he became second cox- December, 1954, number of the swain. He was appointed coxswain Life-boat. November Gales LAUNCHES OF LIFE-BOATS 26th—30th NOVEMBER, 1954 Hours Lives Services Life-boat Casualty at sea rescued rendered Special Awards Friday 26th Lerwick S.S. Granfoss ' 23 Escorted vessel A collective letter of appreciation to the coxswain and crew for this ser- vice and the service of 24th Novem- ber, 1954. Aldeburgh Trawler Pinguin 12 None Filey 8 fishing boats 3 — Escorted boats — Yarmouth, I.o.W. S.S. Ocean Coast 2 —_ Took out doctor —. Valemia F.V. Ros Airgead 13 5 Assisted to save The thanks of the Institution inscribed vessel and rescued on vellum to Coxswain Jeremiah 5 O'Connell. Saturday 27th Fishguard M.V. Gramsbergen 8 11 Rescued 11 — Southend-on-Sea S.S. Olivia 4 — Took out doctor — Lizard Coaster Carpo 9 None The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum to Coxswain George E. Mitchell. Newhaven M.V. Vega 8 ; 8 Rescued 8 Silver medal to Coxswain William J. Harvey and the thanks of the In- stitution inscribed on vellum to each of the six other members of the crew. St. David's Tanker World Concord 8 35 Rescued 35 Silver medal to Coxswain William W. Williams, bronze medal to Motor Mechanic George G. Jordan, bronze second-service clasp to Assistant Motor Mechanic Gwiliym J. Davies, the thanks of the Institution inscribed on veUum to each of the 5 other members of the crew and a letter of appreciation to the head launcher, Ivor Griffiths. Rosslare Harbour Tanker World Concord 26 7 Rescued 7 Silver medal to Coxswain Richard Walsh, bronze medal to Second Cox- swain William Duggan, bronze meda! to Motor Mechanic Richard \ M. Hickey and the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum to each of the four other members of the crew. Walmer \ I South Goodwin 12 ' None \ One man Silver medal to Captain Curtis E. Ramsgate 1 i Lightvessel 18 None rescued by Parkins (Pilot) U.S.A.F., and the Dover > ( do 23 None ' a helicop- thanks of the Institution inscribed on ter of the vellum to Major Paul L. Park, United U.S.A.F., Captain Willis R. Kusy, States Air U.S.A.F., and Airman 1st Class Elmer Force H. Vollman, U.S.A.F,, the crew of the helicopter. Fowey Reported ship's boat 3 None Cromarty Wreckage 9 None — Wick Reported Flares 6 . None — Gorleston Four Polish trawlers 3 Escorted boats — — Sunday 28th Cromarty Wreckage 8 — - None Ramsgate Unknown vessel 1 • None — Holyhead Escorted Rosslare life- — boat. Tanker World Concord 3 Escorted life-boat — Coverack Coaster Carpo 4 . Landed 2 bodies Margate Flares. Replacement — Lightvessel. (South Goodwin) 5 . None — Ramsgate South Goodwin Light- vessel 4 Stood by salvage vessels Monday 29th — Ramsgate South Goodwin Light- _ vessel 6 Stood by salvage vessels St. Peter Port S.S. Gustare 8 None — Swanage do. 5 None — Fowev Wreckage Carpo 5 None — St. Abbs F.V. White Heather 2 5 Saved boat and — rescued 5 — Falmouth Reported flares 4 None — Redcar Man cut off by tide 2 — None — — Tuesday 30th Holyhead M.V. Selborne 2 None .— . — Fishguard S.S. Saint Aidan 5 — None — Cloughey Tanker World Concord 5 None — — Baltimore Trawler Picton Castle 8 Stood by vessel — Weston-super-Mare English and Welsh — Grounds Lightvessel 6 —. Stood by Light- vessel Dunmore East M.V. Tresillian 5 None — —. — Tenby Unknown vessel 5 None — Bembridge Flares 8 None — Angle M.V. Ability 6 —. Stood by vessel Gorleston M.V. Hudson Bay 2 Landed injured — — man — Barra Island [ Fishing boat 9 Gave help — — Total 308 71 SUMMARY.—Many crews of life-boats stood by on shore but were not required. Life-boats were launched 42 times. Lives rescued 71. Money rewards paid amounted to £1,288 9s. 9d. 14 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955

Reorganisation of Districts Ix April 1954 it was decided to make who has been appointed Assistant certain changes in the appointments Chief Inspector, continues to act as of the life-boat district inspectors in district inspector for: view of the impending retirement of Hastings, Eastbourne, Newhaven, the Southern District Inspector. At Shoreham, Selsey, Bembridge, Yar- the same time it was decided to re- mouth, St. Peter Port, St. Heller. organise the districts so that the Commander Wheeler acts as inspec- inspectors could visit their stations tor for: with as little time wasted in travelling Skegness, Wells, Sheringham, as possible. The changes were carried Cromer, Caister, Great Yarmouth and out gradually and the following list Gorleston, Lowestoft, Aldeburgh, shows the stations which now fall into Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton, South- the newly organised districts: end, Margate, Ramsgate, Walmer, Dover, Dungeness. "Northern District: LIEUT. E. D. STOGDON, R.N.V.R. Western District: LIEUT. COMMANDER All stations north of a line joining W. L. G. DUTTON, R.D., R.N.R. the Solway Firth and River Tweed to All stations west of a line between include the Hebrides, Orkneys and Christchurch and Carnarvon Bar. Shetlands. Poole, Swanage, Weymouth, Ex- Eyemouth, St. Abbs, Dunbar, An- mouth, Torbay, Salcombe, Plymouth, struther, Broughty Ferry, Arbroath, Fowey, Falmouth, Coverack, Cadg- Montrose, Gourdon, Aberdeen, New- with, Lizard, Penlee, St. Mary's, burgh, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Sennen Cove, St. Ives, Padstow, Whitehills, Buckie, Cromarty, Wick, Clovelly, Appledore, Ilfracombe, Mine- Stronsay, Lerwick, Aith, Stromness, head, Weston-super-Mare, Barry Dock, Longhope, Thurso, Stornoway, Barra Mumbles, Ferryside, Tenby, Angle, Island, Mallaig, Islay, Campbeltown, St. David's, Fishguard, New Quay, Troon, Girvan, Portpatrick, Kirkcud- Aberystwyth, Barmouth,. Pwllheli, bright. Criccieth, Porthdinllaen. Irish District: LIEUT. COMMANDER Central District: COMMANDER L. F. L. H. H. HARVEY, R.N.V.R. HILL, R.D., R.N.R. All stations in Ireland and Isle of Bounded on the north by a line Man. joining the Solway Firth and River Ramsey, Douglas, Port St. Mary, Tweed and on the south by a line Port Erin, Peel, Donaghadee, Cloughey, joining Carnarvon Bar and the River Newcastle, Clogher Head, Howth, Humber. Poolbeg, Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Berwick-on-Tweed, Holy Island, Arklow, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore, North Sunderland, Boulmer, Amble, Dunmore East, Helvick Head, Newbiggin, Blyth, Cullercoats, Tyne- Youghal, Ballycotton, Courtmacsherry, mouth, Sunderland, Seaham, Hartle- Baltimore, Valentia, Fenit, Galway pool, Teesmouth, Redcar, Runswick, Bay, Arranmore, Portrush. Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, Flam- borough, Bridlington, Humber, Work- Inspector Retires ington, Barrow, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Captain G. R. Cousins, D.S.C., R.N., Lytham, New Brighton, Hoylake, who had been Southern District In- Rhyl, Llandudno, Beaumaris, Moelfre, spector since 1945, retired in 1954. Holy head. Captain Cousins entered the Navy in 1911 and served in destroyers during Eastern District: COMMANDER H. L. the first war, first at Gallipoli and WHEELER, R.N. later with the Grand Fleet and in All stations east of a line between convoy work. In 1917 he was award- River Humber and Christchurch to ed the Distinguished Service Cross for include the Channel Islands. destroying a German submarine off As a temporarv measure Commander Portland. E. W. Middleton, V.R.D., R.N.V.R., He joined the Royal National Life- MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 15 boat Institution as Inspector of Life- from the officers, crews and officials boats for the Western District in 1931. of the ten life-boat stations in Corn- During the war of 1939-1945 he served wall. The gift was presented by Mr. in the Royal Navy, on the staff of the Barrie Bennetts, M.B.E., honorary Commander-in-Chief, Western Ap- secretary, Penlee, at the London proaches, and commanding H.M.S. Hotel, Redruth, on the llth of October, Churchill. 1954. He was presented with a pair On his retirement he was presented of binoculars from the headquarters, with a shooting stick as a parting gift depot and coast staff.

Two Exhibitions Ax exhibition of life-boats through the boat's colours; and the appeal made ages was opened at Life-boat House, to the British nation by Sir William 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I, Hillary in 1823 for the foundation of by Commodore the Earl Howe, deputy a Life-boat Service. chairman of the Institution, on the The opening of the exhibition was 3rd of December, 1954. shown on the B.B.C's television news- The exhibition contains fourteen reel and a report on it made in Radio models of life-boats ranging in period Newsreel. Admission to the exhibi- from 1789 to 1954. The earliest is a tion is free. model of the Original, which was built The Institution also exhibited at the by Henry Greathead, and the latest National Boat Show organised by the is a model of the new St. Peter Port Daily Express at Olympia from the life-boat. Other models on show are 30th of December, 1954, to the 8th of those of a life-boat designed by George January, 1955. Free space was given Palmer in 1826; life-boats sent to for the stand by the Ship and Boat- Rhoscolyn in 1878, New Romney in builders Federation. 1884, Rhyl in 1896, Padstow in 1899, The National Boat Show was form- Walton in 1928, Hastings in 1931, ally opened by Coxswain Harold the Lizard in 1934, Hastings in 1936 Bradford of Exmouth, who was at the and Holy head in 1950. There are time the recipient of the latest medal also models of a Norfolk and Suffolk for gallantry awarded by the Institu- boat made in 1890 and of a Watson tion. Coxswain Bradford was intro- boat made in 1931. duced by the Hon. Max Aitken, vice- Other exhibits include a typescript chairman of Beaverbrook Newspapers. corrected in his own hand of a tribute The National Boat Show was visited to the Life-boat Service by Joseph by 120,851 people. Conrad; a signed photograph of Henry The exhibition at Headquarters was Blogg; a round robin letter signed by temporarily closed while some of the 31 leading British artists in the 1890's exhibits were on show at Olympia, but protesting against the blue in the life- it has since been reopened to the public.

A Norwegian Centenary THE celebration of the centenary of saving purposes, followed by a banquet the establishment of the first life-boat at the Viste Hotel. Colonel A. D. on the Norwegian coast took place at Burnett Brown, Secretary, represented Stavanger on 22nd August, 1954. It the Institution and Mr. E. Selby was held at the time of the Annual Davidson, Honorary Secretary of the General Meeting of the Norwegian Tynemouth branch, was also present. Life-boat Society and included demon- Other nations represented were strations of life-saving rocket appara- Denmark, Finland, Iceland and tus and the use of a DUKW for life- Sweden. 16 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955

New Ways of Raising Money RIDLEY HOUSE, Felixstowe College, A well-known firm of industrial whose interest in the Life-boat Service consultants, which runs training is so great that it has formed a Ladies' courses for business executives, has Life-boat Guild within the House, has chosen as one of the subjects on which staged two competitions for the benefit those attending the course have to of the Service. One is a general know- speak, an appeal for funds for the ledge competition, the other a word Institution. After they have spoken guessing competition. collections arc made. * * * Shepherds who meet regularly in an Mrs. A. Thackeray, of Leyton, pre- inn in a small village on Exmoor have sented the Institution with a number made it a rule that anyone who uses of articles which she had made herself bad language must put a coin in a during a long illness. Life-boat Institution's collecting box. By this means, and by donating the proceeds of their annual sheep dog Mrs. N. Feascy, of Bournemouth, trials, they have contributed more who has long been in the habit of than £250 in the last four years. More giving cups of tea to tradesmen who of this money has came from the trials visit her, now asks them if they would than from the bad language. care to put a penny in the Life-boat * * * collecting box which she keeps at home. A number of branches arranged * * * carol singing in aid of the Life-boat Service last Christmas. The Forest It has not yet been possible to issue Row branch were particularly active to branches the mechanical collecting and collected £74 5s. 6d. To do this box referred to in the March 1954 they went out singing every evening number of the Journal, as consider- from the 17th to the 24th of December able difficulties in design have been inclusive, and travelled more than a encountered. It is hoped that these hundred miles by coach. will soon be overcome.

Vellums for Sunderland and Whitehaven A VELLUM to mark the 150th anniver- stations at Sunderland. From 1865 sary of the establishment of a life-boat to the time of the presentation of the station at Sunderland was presented vellum Sunderland life-boats had been on the 6th of October, 1954, by Mr. launched on service 154 times and had Arthur G. Everett, a member of the rescued 279 lives. Four silver medals Committee of Management. The have been won by Sunderland life- vellum was received by the Mayor, boatmen. Alderman Mrs. Jane Huggins, who is A vellum was also presented to the president of the Sunderland branch. Whitehaveii branch to mark the A life-boat station was established establishment of a life-boat station in Sunderland in 1800, but only there in 1804. The station was closed recently has definite written evidence in 1925. The vellum was presented of the date of the founding of the by the Secretary of the Institution, station come to light. The station is, Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, on the therefore, the oldest known life-boat 19th of October, 1954, and received by station in England. The station has the president of the branch, Lady been placed at various times on seven Ponsonby. different sites, and between 1873 and Whitehaven life-boats were launched 1887 there were as many as four 25 times and rescued 25 lives. MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 17

Services of the Life-boats in October, November and December, 1954 123 Lives Rescued OCTOBER The life-boat found the fishing boat DURING October life-boats were hard aground, but her crew of five had launched 43 times and rescued 13 lives. been taken ashore by lines. The life- boat returned to her station, which she SICK MAN BROUGHT FROM reached at 10.45. LIGHTVESSEL The fishermen later asked to be put aboard the Fisher Boy again in order Cromer, Norfolk.—At 11.25 on the to try to refloat her. The life-boat morning of the 2nd of October, 1954, embarked them at midnight, but found the Superintendent of Trinity House at that the weather was too bad to Yarmouth asked if the life-boat would transfer them. She therefore took the fetch a very sick man from the Cromer men back to her station, arriving at lightvessel. At 11.40 the No. 1 life- 4.15 on the morning of the 5th. The boat Henry Blogg was launched. There five men then returned to Brimsness was a slight swell and a light south- by road. westerly breeze, and the tide was The life-boat went again to the ebbing. The life-boat took on board Fisher Boy to help get a line on board, the patient, who was suffering from but this time she found that a salvage a perforated duodenal ulcer, and land- vessel was trying to refloat her. By ed him at Cromer at 3.30. He was then the crew had reboarded the Fisher transferred to Cromer hospital at once Boy from the shore, and the life-boat and his life was saved.—Rewards, stood by while the salvage vessel tried £19 6s. Refunded to the Institution to refloat her about 10.30. The by Trinity House. weather deteriorated, and the life-boat re-embarked the men and took them NEW LIFE-BOAT'S FIRST SERVICE back to her station. Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At 1.8 The life-boat later put out a fourth early on the morning of the 3rd of time and stood by again while the October, 1954, the coastguard tele- salvage vessel tried to tow the Fisher phoned that the trawler Dorothy Boy clear. The tow rope parted, and Lambert, of Fleetwood, had wirelessed all attempts to refloat her were aban- that she had gone aground three miles doned, the life-boat finally returning north-west-by-west of Trodday Light, to her station at 3.30 in the afternoon. at the north end of Skye. At 1.35 the The life-boatmen had been on service life-boat The James and Margaret for nearly twenty hours. The Fisher Boyd was launched on service for the Boy became a total wreck.—Rewards, first time. There was a moderate £46 Is. Qd. sea and a strong southerly breeze. The life-boat stood by the trawler until CRAB BOAT TOWED TO CROMER she refloated, and then returned to Cromer, Norfolk.—At 12.30 on the Stornoway, arriving at ten o'clock.— afternoon of the 15th of October, 1954, Rewards, £20 5s. the coastguard rang up to say that a local crab boat was showing a red LIFE-BOAT PUTS OUT FOUR TIMES flag on an oar two and a half miles TO FISHING BOAT east-by-north of the coastguard station. Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At 8.30 on The Why Worry was overdue and at the evening of the 4th of October, 1954, 12.40, at low water, the No. 1 life-boat the Wick coastguard telephoned that Henry Blogg was launched. There was the motor fishing boat Fisher Boy had a moderate swell and a strong south- run ashore at Brimsness. At 8.45, at westerly wind. The life-boat found low water, the life-boat //. C. J. was the Why Worry, with a crew of two, launched. The sea was rough, and a three miles east of Cromer. Her engine south-westerly breeze was blowing. had broken down, and she had shipped 18 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 a lot of water. Her fifty crab pots the motor vessel Feistein, of Stavanger, were transferred to the life-boat, which a fish-carrier bound for Boulogne, in then towed her to Cromer, arriving at the middle of the Goodwin Sands. 2.30.—Rewards, £13 17*. She had been aground twice during the night, but had refloated and had TWO MEN RESCUED FROM FISHING anchored in a dangerous position BOAT between two sandbanks. Two life- Workington, Cumberland.—About 2.30 boatmen boarded her and piloted her on the afternoon of the 15th of October, clear of the sands. She then went on 1954, the coastguard reported that the her way. The life-boat returned to fishing boat Jeanetta, of Annan, was her station, arriving at 6.40.—Pro- overdue. Ten minutes later the life- perty Salvage Case. boat Manchester and Salford XXIX put out. The sea was very rough, a TWO BOATS ESCORTED TO gale was blowing from the south-west, STORNOWAY and it was an hour and a half after Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At 10.20 high water. After a long search in on the night of the 19th of October, poor visibility the life-boat found the 1954, a woman at Sheshader rang up Jeanetta, with a crew of two, anchored to say that a fishing boat had run three and a half miles north-north- ashore off Sheshader. At 10.45 the life- east of Maryport. She had lost her boat The James and Margaret Boyd, propeller and her sails had carried put out. The sea was rough, and a away. The life-boat rescued the men fresh gale was blowing from the south- and took them to Workington, arriv- west. The life-boat made for the ing at 11.30.—Rewards, £21 14s. Qd. position in a flooding tide and found the fishing boat Cineraria, of Peter- GREEK SHIP PILOTED OFF head, which had a crew of nine, being GOODWINS towed clear of the shore by the Storno- way fishing boat Ivy Rose. The Ramsgate, Kent.—At 10.30 on the Cineraria had broken down. The morning of the 16th of October, 1954, life-boat escorted both boats to the coastguard reported that a vessel Stornoway, reaching her station again appeared to be aground in a dangerous at 4.55 on the morning of the 20th.— position near North Goodwin buoy. Rewards, £16 5s. At 10.36 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put out in a rough sea, with a FISHING BOAT AGROUND IN GALE fresh south-westerly breeze blowing. She made for the vessel in a flooding Cromarty.—At four o'clock on the tide and found her to be the S.S. morning of the 20th of October, 1954, Cyclades, of Piraeus. The Cyclades the coastguard telephoned that a refloated, and the life-boat put two fishing boat had run ashore off Arder- men on board to pilot her clear of the sier and needed help. At 5.10 the Goodwin Sands. When they had done life-boat James Macfee put out. The so, the life-boat returned to her station, sea was rough, a gale was blowing from the south-west and the tide was arriving at 12.38.—Rewards, £9 8s. Qd. flooding. The life-boat found the fishing boat Robina, of Inverness, with NORWEGIAN VESSEL AGROUND ON a crew of six, aground off Fort George. GOODWINS She had sprung a leak, but she was in Walmer, Kent.—At 11.56 on the night no immediate danger and the fisher- of the 18th of October, 1954, the men decided to remain on board and Deal coastguard telephoned that a try and refloat her on the next tide. vessel had gone aground two and a The life-boat therefore returned to her half miles east of the coastguard sta- station, arriving at 9.10. At 2.50 tion and had signalled SOS. At she put to sea again and found that 12.10 early on the 19th the life-boat the Robina was still aground. This Charles Dibdin, Civil Service No. 2 was time she refloated her and towed her launched at low water. There was a to Cromarty, reaching her station heavy sea and a strong north-westerly again at 7.25.—Rewards: 1st service, breeze blowing. The life-boat found £6; 2nd service, £8 10s. MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 19

FISHING BOAT REPORTED ON FIRE harbour became dangerous. At 7.45 Fenlt, Co. Kerry.—At 3.30 on the after- the life-boatmen assembled to wait for noon of the 20th of October, 1954, a the boats to return, and at 9.20 the doctor telephoned that a fishing boat, No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth with a crew of four, was on fire in was launched, with an ex-coxswain in inner Tralee Bay. At four o'clock the charge. The sea was rough, a gale life-boat Peter and Sarah Blake put was blowing from the north-west, and out in a calm sea, with a west-north- it was one hour after low water. The west breeze blowing. She made for life-boat escorted several fishing boats the bay in an ebbing tide and found to the harbour, and the regular life- the fishing boat Daisy Picker, of boat coxswain, who had been on board Tralee, with a crew of four. She had the Prosperity, came in and took over been dredging for oysters, but had command of the life-boat. She stood broken down. Her crew had soaked by the bar while other fishing boats some rags in paraffin and lighted them arrived. The fishing boats Endeavour to attract attention. The life-boat and Easter Morn did not attempt to towed her to Fenit and reached her enter the harbour, and the life-boat station again at 5.50.—Rewards, £5 8s. put off and advised them to make for Scarborough. Later the weather im- proved, and the remainder of the fleet FISHING BOAT BREAKS FROM TOW arrived. The life-boat escorted them Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—At 3.25 in and reached her station again at on the afternoon of the 23rd of October, 1.30.—Rewards, £15 13s. 6d. 1954, the Rhyl coastguard reported that the Rhyl fishing boat Anna Rosa, WHITBY BOATS ESCORTED TO which had broken down off Llandudno, SCARBOROUGH had been taken in tow by the fishing Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the boat Ever Ready, of Conway. The morning of the 25th of October, 1954, coastguard later stated that the tow the weather worsened while four local rope had parted, and at 4.40 the life- fishing cobles were at sea, and at 11.15 boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield was the life-boat E.C.J.R. was launched in launched. The sea was very rough, a a flooding tide. The sea was heavy, moderate south-westerly breeze was and a fresh breeze was blowing from blowing, and tide was half flood. The the north-west. The life-boat came life-boat came up with the fishing up with the Hilda II, Rachel, Betty boats one and three quarter miles Sheader, and Rosemary and escorted north-east of Ormes Head lighthouse, them to the harbour. A message was but by this time the Ever Ready had then received from the Cullercoats taken the Anna Rosa in tow again. radio station that the Whitby fishing The life-boat escorted them to the cobles Easter Morn and Endeavour lighthouse, where the fishing boat were making for Scarborough, and the Pendorfa, of Conway, joined them. life-boat put to sea again. She escort- The Pendorfa passed a tow rope to the ed them to Scarborough and reached 'Every Heady, but the Anna Rosa broke her station again at 3.45.—Rewards, adrift again. She was in danger of £16 18s. Qd. running on to rocks, and the life-boat stood by until the Pendorfa took her in tow. The life-boat then escorted EIGHT FILEY BOATS ESCORTED the boats to the Conway river and Filey, Yorkshire.—At eleven o'clock on returned to her station, arriving at the morning of the 25th of October, 9.30.—Rewards, £18. 1954, the life-boat motor mechanic reported that a strong westerly wind was blowing and there was a heavy ESCORT FOR WHITBY FISHING swell. Local fishing boats were at sea, BOATS and at 11.34 the life-boat The Isa & Whitby, Yorkshire. — Early on the Penryn Milsted was launched. She morning of the 25th of October, 1954, escorted eight fishing boats to the shore the weather worsened while the fishing and reached her station again at two fleet were at sea, and conditions at the o'clock.—Rewards, £14 16s. Gd. THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 SCHOONER ESCORTED THROUGH lessed that she would arrive off the GALE harbour about eleven o'clock, and at Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—At 6.15 on the ten o'clock the life-boat Howard D was morning of the 26th of October, 1954, launched to stand by at the bar. The the Cobh Pilots reported that the sea was very rough, a gale was blowing three-masted schooner Winder-mere, of from south-south-east, and it was three Dublin, had hove to with an engine hours after low water. The fishing breakdown, and had asked if the life- boat arrived shortly afterwards, and boat would escort her to Cork. Her the life-boat escorted her to the har- position was given as ten and a half bour, reaching her station again at miles south-south-east of Ballycotton 10.30.—Rewards, £8 2s. Gd. Light. At 6.30 the life-boat Mary Stanford put out. There was a very JACKET BURNT AS FLARE heavy swell, and a fresh gale was Exmouth, Devon.—At 4.18 on the blowing from the south-south-east. morning of the 27th of October, 1954, The life-boat made for the position in the coastguard telephoned that a boat an ebbing tide, rain squalls and fog, was burning a white light about three and came up with the schooner five miles south-east of Orcombe Point. At miles east-by-south of Ballycotton. 4.39 the life-boat Maria Noble was At the master's request the life-boat launched. There was a heavy ground escorted her to Cork, which she reached swell, and a moderate south-south- about 11.45. The life-boat then went west breeze was blowing. The life- on to Crosshaven, where the life-boat- boat made a search in a flooding tide men had a meal, and afterwards and found the cabin cruiser Ruth, of returned to Ballycotton, arriving at Poole, with two men on board, four three o'clock in the afternoon.— miles south-east of Straight Point. Rewards, £24 4*. The Ruth had sprung a leak the pre- vious afternoon, but the men had not YACHT TOWED TO BRIXHAM been able to keep pace with the water, which had eventually swamped their Torbay, Devon.—At 8.59 on the even- engine, and they had soaked a jacket ing of the 26th of October, 1954, the in paraffin and burnt it to attract Brixham coastguard telephoned that attention. The life-boat towed the two red flares had been seen between Ruth to Exmouth, reaching her station three and four miles off Coombe Point. again at 6.35.—Rewards, £14 14s. At 9.25 the life-boat George Shee put out. The sea was heavy, and a strong YACHT TOWED TO NEWHAVEN south-south-west breeze was blowing. Newhaven, Sussex.—At 8.55 on the The life-boat made for the position in morning of the 27th of October, 1954, an ebbing tide and found the 20-feet the coastguard telephoned that a yacht Moon Raker, of Salcombe, with yacht was close inshore at Rotting- the owner, his wife and three-year-old dean, but that she did not appear to son on board, three miles south of be in immediate danger. At 9.15 the Coombe Point. Their auxiliary engine coastguard stated that the yacht was had run out of fuel and they were showing distress signals, and at 9.25 trying to reach Dartmouth under sail, the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott but the yacht was making heavy put out in a flooding tide. The sea weather. With difficulty the life-boat was heavy, and a strong breeze was towed the yacht to Brixham and blowing from the south-west. The reached her station again at 12.45 life-boat found the yacht Gwendoline early on the 27th.—Rewards, £11 8s. half a mile off Rottingdean, with one man on board, towed her to Newhaven FISHING BOAT ESCORTED IN GALE harbour, and reached her station again Arbroath, Angus.—At 8.45 on the at 11.30. —Rewards, £11 Qs. Gd. evening of the 26th of October, 1954, the coastguard telephoned that the TWO RESCUED FROM SAILING fishing boat Floreat II was still at sea, DINGHY and that conditions at the harbour bar Dungeness, Kent.—At 11.50 on the were dangerous. The Floreat II wire- morning of the 27th of October, 1954, MAHUI, 1955J THE LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of] [Associated Press ST. DAVID'S LIFE-BOAT ALONGSIDE THE WORLD CONCORD (se= page 2)

By courtesy of] [Eastern Daily Press A POLISH TRAWLER AGROUND AT SHERINGHAM (see page 31) 22 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 19.55

By courtesy of] [Associated Press THE WRECK OF THE SOUTH GOODWIN LIGHTSHIP (see page 5)

AMERICAN HELICOPTER RESCUERS The crew of the helicopter which rescued the sole survivor from the South Goodwin lightship Left to right; CAPTAIN CURTIS E. PARKINS, MAJOR PAUL L PARK, AIRMAN FIRST CLASS ELMER H. VOLLMAN and CAPTAIN W, R. KUSY MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of] [P. A, Renter MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SOUTH GOODWIN CREW Held on board the Ramsgate and Walmer life-boats (see page 6)

By courtesy of] [Bon Accord THE PETERHEAD LIFE-BOAT THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955

Ily courtesy of] [J. P. Seaman NEW OFFICERS OF THE SCARBOROUGH LIFE-BOAT Second Coxswain William Sheader, Coxswain Tom Mainprize and Bowman Thomas Rowley (see page 10)

By courtesy of] [J. P. Seaman SCARBOROUGH LIFE-BOAT BROUGHT ASHORE FOR INSPECTION (see page 10) MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of] ']]'. Ougliired

SUNDERLAND LIFE-BOAT TOWING HARTLEPOOL YAWL

By courtesy of [II". Oughtmi THE HARTLEPOOL YAWL Hartlepool yawl HL 51 after being towed to safety by Sunderland life-boat. 26 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955

A BEMBRIDGE LIFE-BOATMAN SWIMS TO A YACHT

By courtesy of] [Hull Daily Mail

BRIDLINGTON LIFE-BOAT AFTER ESCORTING IN FISHING BOATS MAKC-IT, 1955] THE LIFE-EOAT 27

By courtesy of] [R. L. Knight LANDING FROM THE CLOVELLY LIFE-BOAT 28 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955

/>'v courtesy of, [Fox Photos COXSWAIN HAROLD BRADFORD OF EXMOUTH OPENS THE NATIONAL BOAT SHOW (see page 1 5)

OPEN-AIR SERVICE AT NEWLYN (see page 47) MAKCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 29 the New Romney police telephoned Walmer, Kent.—October 18th.—Re- that a lady at Littlestone had reported wards, £14 19s. that a sailing dinghy, with a crew of Flamborough, Yorkshire. — October two, was being blown seawards off 18th.—Rewards, £18 12s. Littlestone. At twelve noon the life- boat Charles Cooper Henderson was DESERTED ISLAND SEARCHED FOR launched. The sea was rough, and a PILOT strong westerly breeze was blowing. Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. — At The life-boat made a search in an ebb- 10.35 on the morning of the 21 st of Octo- ing tide and found the dinghy eight ber, 1954, the Barry Island coastguard miles north-east of the life-boat station, reported that a message had been about five miles off Littlestoiie. Her received from the R.A.F. No. 19 Group crew had been unable to hoist their at Plymouth that the pilot of a Javelin sail and had had to depend on a paddle. aircraft, which had crashed, was The life-boat rescued them and towed believed to have baled out between the dinghv to Littlestone, arriving at Cardiff and Sand Bay. At 10.50 the 2.30.—Rewards, £28. life-boat Fiji and Charles was launched in a calm sea, with a light westerly DOCTOR TAKEN TO LONDON breeze blowing. She searched widely STEAMER in a flooding tide and picked up Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 9.20 on the wreckage three miles north of Sand night of the 28th of October, 1954, the Point. But she saw no sign of the coxswain overheard a message from pilot and reached her station again at the Humber radio station to the port 5.30 in the afternoon. At 6.45 the doctor stating that the S.S. Pass of coastguard reported that a fire and Glenogle, of London, needed a doctor Very signal had been seen on Steep- to attend her captain. She expected holm, an uninhabited island off Wes- to reach Whitby about ten o'clock. ton-super-Mare, and it was thought The No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hep- that the pilot might have reached the worth embarked the doctor and put shore there. At 10.30 the life-boat off at 9.40, with the honorary secretary, was launched again and put men on Mr. E. Thomson, on board. There the island equipped with torches. was a calm sea and a light south-west They searched the island while the breeze, and it was low water. Before life-boat searched round it, but the the life-boat could reach the steamer pilot was not found and the life- the captain had died. The life-boat boat reached her station again at embarked his body and landed it at 12.45 early on the 22nd. The Barry Whitby at 10.50—Rewards, £9 is. Dock life-boat was also launched, but found nothing. Rewards: 1st service, The following life-boats went out £17 3s. Qd.; 2nd service, £20 13,?. on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—Octo- nothing: ber 21st.—Rewards, £20 16s. Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—October Moelfre, Anglesey.—October 24th.— 2nd.—Rewards, £8 5s. Rewards, £19 18s. Ilfracombe, Devon.—October 3rd.— St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—October Rewards, £14 16,5. Qd. 24th.—Rewards, £8 4s. Weymouth, Dorset.—October 3rd.— Holyhead, Anglesey.—October 26th. Rewards, £8 15s. —Rewards, £9 18s. Torbay, Devon.—October 5th.—Re- Mallaig, Inverness-shire. — October wards, £6 15.?. 26th.—Rewards, £6. Coverack, Cornwall.—October Gth.— Rewards, £9 125. SEARCH FOR A DUMMY WHALE Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — October Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 3.40 10th.—Rewards, £12 9,9. 3d. on the afternoon of the 28th of October, Longhope, Orkneys.—October llth.— 1954, the film unit at Fishguard mak- Rewards, £22 5.9. 6d. ing the film Moby Dick reported that Port Erin, Isle of Man.—October 12th. a dummy whale being used for the —Rewards, £25 5,9. film had broken away from the tug 30 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 towing it. The film unit asked if the The life-boat passed a rope from the life-boat would search for it. At 4.15 tug to the steamer and about three the life-boat White Star was launched o'clock on the 3rd, at high water, in a rough sea, with a fresh south- efforts were made to refloat her. They westerly breeze blowing. She did not were again unsuccessful, and at six find the whale and reached her station o'clock the life-boat returned to her again at seven o'clock. On the 23rd station for fuel and stores. She put of September the life-boat had saved to sea again at 12.37 and took with her a motor fishing vessel being used by a Lloyd's representative and a member the film company and rescued her of a salvage association who had asked crew of twelve. The film company to be taken to the steamer. A second made a donation to the funds of the tug had put out and the life-boat con- Institution on both occasions.—Re- nected both of them to the steamer. wards, £9 6*. At high water that afternoon the Themsleigh refloated and was towed to Mallaig, Inverness-shire. — October Harwich accompanied by the life- 30th.—Rewards, £6. boat. Harwich was reached at 6.45 Selsey, Sussex.—October 31st.—Re- in the evening and the life-boat then wards, £20 Os. 6d. returned to her station, arriving at Hartlepool, Durham. — October 31st. 8.25.—Property Salvage Case. —Rewards, £13 13s. 6d. SPANISH TRAWLER REFLOATED NOVEMBER Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 8.40 on the DURING November life-boats were evening of the 2nd of November, 1954, launched 84 times and rescued 76 the coxswain noticed distress rockets lives. at the entrance to the harbour. At nine o'clock the life-boat A.E.D. put STEAMER ON SANDS REFLOATED out in an ebbing tide. The sea was Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 2.5 rough and a fresh breeze was blowing early on the morning of the 2nd of No- from the north-west. The life-boat vember 1954, the Walton-on-the-Naze found the trawler Castrelios, of Vigo, coastguard rang up to say that a mes- Spain, with a crew of fourteen, aground sage from the S.S. Themsleigh, of Hull, in a dangerous position. With the stating that she had run aground on help of another Spanish trawler she the Gunfleet Sands near Middle Gun- refloated her. The trawler was not fleet buoy, had been intercepted. At damaged, and the life-boat escorted 2.38 the life-boat Edian Courtauld put her into the harbour, reaching her out. There was a slight sea, a light station again at 11.30. The skipper southerly breeze was blowing, and it of the Castrelios expressed his thanks. was nearly high water. The life-boat —Rewards, £8 2*. made for the sands and at 3.15 found the Themsleigh about a quarter of a MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO mile west-south-west of Middle Gun- SALCOMBE fleet buoy. The Themsleigh had a crew Salcombe, Devon.—At 9.7 on the night of thirteen and carried a cargo of steel of the 4th of November, 1954, the scrap. The coxswain boarded her, Prawle Point coastguard telephoned and her skipper asked if the life-boat that red flares had been seen half a would stand by. The skipper hoped mile south-east of Prawle Point. At to refloat his ship at the next high 9.20 the life-boat Samuel and Marie water, but he asked the life-boat to try Parkhouse put out. There was a slight to do so in the meanwhile. sea and a light north-westerly breeze. The life-boat laid out a kedge anchor The life-boat made for the position in and wire rope, and with the life-boat a flooding tide and found the motor towing her, the Themsleigh tried to boat Tamar, of Exmouth, on passage pull herself clear. She remained fast, to Falmouth, at anchor, with a crew and at 5.30 in the evening the life-boat of two. She had broken down. Her took her mate ashore. The life-boat crew asked for help to weigh the put to sea again at eleven o'clock at anchor, and a life-boatman boarded night and found a tug with the steamer. her. At the crew's request the life- MARCH. 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 31 boat then towed the boat to Salcombe, yards east of Beeston Regis. At 7.15 arriving at 11.20.—Property Salvage the life-boat Forester's Centenary was Case. launched. The sea was calm, a light breeze was blowing and the tide was BELGIAN MOTOR VESSEL TOWED half ebb. The life-boat found the OFF ROCKS trawler Swinoujscie Czajk, of Gdynia, Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 7.45 on the with a crew of seventeen, one mile morning of the 5th of November, 1954, south-east of Sheringham. The second a message was received that a motor coxswain boarded her, but the trawler vessel was drifting towards Trefusis declined the help of the life-boat. Point, in Falmouth Harbour. At The life-boat remained with the eight o'clock the life-boat Crawford trawler and about 9.30 warned her and Constance Conybeare put out. skipper that a bad weather report had The sea was rough and a strong wind been received. The life-boatmen was blowing from the south-south-east. offered to lay out two anchors, but The life-boat made for the position in the skipper still declined help. The a flooding tide and found the motor trawler launched her own boat and vessel El Moroco, of Belgium, with a took a rope to another Polish trawler crew of three, on the rocks. A tug which had arrived. At 2.25 an attempt was standing by, and the life-boat was made to tow the Swinoujscie passed a rope to her from the vessel. Czajk clear, but the attempt failed. The tug towed her clear and took her Another Polish trawler then reached to the harbour, where the life-boat the position and with the help of the berthed her at 9.15.—Property Salvage life-boat tried to tow her clear, but Case. this attempt failed as well. At about five o'clock it was seen that the Polish FISHING BOAT'S ENGINE BREAKS trawler had knocked further ashore, DOWN and as she was high and dry and there Aith, Shetlands.—On the morning of was no hope of refloating her until the the 5th of November, 1954, a man at next high tide, the life-boat returned East Burrafirth saw that a fishing boat to her station, arriving at 5.35. had broken down in the Rona and The weather worsened during the asked the driver of a car to tell the evening and at 10.26 a tug put out in a life-boat station. The motorist de- rough sea with a strong north-easterly livered the message at 9.40, and at breeze blowing. She reached the 9.56 the life-boat The Rankin put out. trawler at three o'clock on the morning The sea was rough and a fresh breeze of the 7th. It was decided to try and was blowing from the west-south-west, refloat the Swinoujscie Czajk at high with squalls of hail. The life-boat water that afternoon. At 12.5 the made for the position in a flooding life-boat was launched again in heavy tide and found the fishing boat Ivylea, seas, with a strong east-north-east of Stromness, with a crew of three. wind blowing. She passed a tow rope She had broken down, and had been from the tug to the trawler. The driven towards the shore, but the tug pulled for three-quarters of an fishermen had restarted the engine. hour, but the trawler remained fast. Thev had then taken their boat clear It was decided to try again the next of the shore and were making for afternoon and the life-boat returned Orkney. The life-boat stood by for to her station, arriving at 5.15. The some time. The Ivylea's engine broke weather turned calm during the night, down again, but her crew started it a and the tug refloated the trawler at second time, and the life-boat escorted four o'clock on the morning of the her to Aith, arriving at 11.55.—Re- 8th.—Both services: Property Salvage wards, £6 10*. Cases.

POLISH TRAWLER RUNS ASHORE FOUR RESCUED BY HELICOPTER Sheringham, Norfolk.—At 6.55 on the Padstow, Cornwall.—About 7.30 on morning of the 6th of November, 1954, the morning of the 6th of November, the life-boat motor mechanic reported 1954, the Trevose Head coastguard tele- that a ship had run ashore two hundred phoned that the Newquay police had 32 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 reported a boat on fire in Watergate ESCORT FOR FISHING BOATS Bay. The No. 1 life-boat Joseph BridUngton, Yorkshire.—On the 10th Hiram Chadmck put out in a calm of November, 1954, the weather worsen- sea with a light north-north-east ed while local fishing boats were at sea, breeze blowing. While at sea she and a heavy sea was running at the learnt that the boat was believed to harbour entrance. At 1.20 in the be not in Watergate but in Fistral Bay. afternoon the life-boat Tillie Morrison, She made for Fistral Bay in a flooding Sheffield II was launched with the tide and found the yacht Dawn Star, of second coxswain in charge. There was Cork. She was not on fire. She had a moderate south-south-west gale and been at anchor following an engine a flooding tide. The life-boat escorted breakdown, but had broken adrift and the boats to the harbour, reaching her had gone ashore. Her crew of four station again at 6.30.—Rewards, had been rescued by a helicopter. Two £16 145. life-boatmen boarded the yacht and the life-boat towed her to Padstow, LIFE-BOAT TO HELP OF SAND- arriving at 1.40.—Property Salvage SUCKER Case. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—At 2.15 LINES FIRED TO MOTOR BOAT on the afternoon of the 10th of Novem- ber, 1954, the Nells Point coastguard Ramsgate, Kent.—At 6.20 on the telephoned that the sandsucker Bow- evening of the 8th of November, 1954, star, of Cardiff, was burning a flare one two fishermen who had just come in and a half miles west of Steep Holme. from sea told the life-boat coxswain At 2.30 the life-boat Rachel and Mary that a motor-boat had a broken rudder Evans was launched. The sea was in Pegwell Bay. At 6.35, in a flooding rough, and a strong breeze was blowing tide, the life-boat Michael and Lily from the north-west. The life-boat Davis put out. The sea was rough, made for the position in a flooding tide and a strong south-south-west breeze and found the Bowstar awash and list- was blowing. The life-boat found the ing. She was in danger of sinking, motor boat Pat IV, of Ramsgate, with but her crew of eight refused to aban- a crew of two, in broken water and don her and the skipper asked the fired lines to her. She took her in life-boat to escort her to Newport tow and brought her to Ramsgate, River. The life-boat did so and arriving at 7.45. The men made gifts returned to her station, arriving at to the life-boatmen.—Rewards, eight o'clock.—Rewards, £16 10s. £7 13s. ARBROATH BOATS ESCORTED TO LEAKING FISHING BOAT TOWED HARBOUR TO WHITBV Arbroath, Angus.—Early on the'morn- Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 1.9 on the ing of the llth of November, 1954, the afternoon of the 10th of November, local fishing fleet put out, but the sea 1954, the coastguard telephoned that became very rough. The boats made a motor fishing vessel was burning for harbour again, but were unable to flares north-north-east of Kettleness. enter because the tide was too low. At 1.19 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann They stood off until ten o'clock, and Heptuorth was launched. The sea was one of the boats then entered the har- calm, and a moderate breeze was blow- bour. At 10.5, with a southerly wind ing from the south-west. The life- blowing, the life-boat Howard D. was boat made a search in an ebbing tide launched. She escorted the remaining and found the local motor fishing vessel boats in and reached her station again Venus, with a crew of five, three at 2.35.—Rewards, £13 13s. Qd. quarters of a mile north-north-east of Kettleness Point. She was leaking badly and had four feet of water in LIFE-BO AT GETS MESSAGE FROM her forward compartments. The life- RESCUE AIRCRAFT boat towed her to Whitby at once and Margate, Kent.—At 12.15 on the after- beached her, arriving at 2.10.—Re- noon of the llth of November, 1954, wards, £8 15s. the coastguard telephoned that a small MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 33 boat with four men in it was in diffi- LIFE-BOAT PUTS OUT TO SAVE culties between one and a half and HEIFER two miles west of Herne Bay pier. Moelfre, Anglesey.—At 3.30 on the At 12.25 the life-boat North Foreland, afternoon of the 13th of November, Civil Service No. II was launched. 1954, the police reported that a The sea was rough, a strong south- message had been received from the westerly breeze was blowing, and it R.S.P.C.A. asking if the life-boat was high water. The life-boat made would put out to a heifer which had for the position, and a United States fallen over a cliff into Dulas Bay. No air-sea rescue aircraft wirelessed that other boat was available, and at 3.45 she had seen the boat about four miles the life-boat G.W. was launched, tak- north-east of Herne Bay, and that ing a small boat with her. There was another boat was trying to tow her a rough sea and a strong westerly ashore. The life-boat eventually found breeze. The life-boat made for the the rowing boat and saw that she and bay in an ebbing tide and found the the boat towing her were making heifer one mile south-west of Lynas. heavy weather. The life-boat escorted The animal was under a cliff in a posi- them to Herne Bay and returned to tion that could not be reached from her station, arriving at 3.35.—Rewards landward. Three life-boatmen went £13 135. inshore in the small boat and secured a line to the heifer, which was then BOATS ESCORTED IN ROUGH SEA made fast alongside the life-boat. The Bridlington, Yorkshire.—On the llth life-boat towed the animal to the near- of November, 1954, the weather worsen- est suitable landing point and then ed while local fishing boats were at sea. returned to her station, arriving at The life-boat Tillic Morrison, Sheffield 6.30. The owner of the heifer made a II was launched at 2.20 in the after- donation to the funds of the Institu- noon. The sea was rough, and a tion.—Rewards, £8 135. strong south-westerly breeze was blow- ing. The tide was flooding. The DOCTOR TAKEN TO FRENCH life-boat escorted the boats to the STEAMER harbour and reached her station again Humber, Yorkshire.—At 7.22 on the at 7.5.—Rewards, £15 4s. evening of the 14th of November, 1954, the Spurn Point coastguard telephoned STAND BY AND SEARCH FOR MAN that the S.S. Caronte, of Rouen, which OVERBOARD was at anchor one and a half miles Angle, Pembrokeshire.—At five o'clock south-cast of Spurn Point, had re- on the afternoon of the 12th of Novem- ported that she had a seriously sick ber, 1954, the St. Govan's coastguard man on board and needed a doctor. rang up to say that the motor vessel At 8.15 in an ebbing tide the life-boat Antigaon, of Antwerp, had broken City of Bradford III was launched, down four miles south-west-by-west of with a doctor on board. She made St. Govan's Head. At 5.30 the life- for the steamer in a calm sea. A boat Elizabeth Elson put out. The sea moderate north-easterly breeze was was rough, and a gale was blowing blowing. The life-boat put the doctor from the north-north-west. The life- aboard, but the man was out of danger boat made for the position in a flooding and the master did not wish him to be tide, and when she reached it, the landed. The doctor re-embarked in master asked the life-boat to stand the life-boat which returned to her by his ship. The life-boat remained station, arriving at 12.30 early on the until the crew of the Antigoon had 15th.—Paid Permanent Crew. repaired their engine, and then made for her station. On the way she FISHING BOATS ESCORTED IN searched for a man who had fallen HEAVY SWELL overboard from H.M.S. Venus, but did Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning not find him. She reached Angle Bay of the 15th of November, 1954, the at 4.30 the next morning. The master weather worsened rapidly, and the of the Antigoon expressed his thanks. ! crew of the motor fishing vessel —Rewards, £38 15*. I Progress, when she returned to the 34 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955

harbour, said conditions at the harbour HUSBAND TAKEN TO EXPECTANT bar were dangerous. The life-boat- MOTHER men assembled at eleven o'clock as Port Erin, Isle of Man.—At 1.30 on the five fishing boats were still at sea, and afternoon of the 22nd of November, when they were sighted at 1.30, the 1954, the coxswain reported that the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth Warden of the Calf of Man, who had was launched at once. There was a been stranded at Port St. Mary for six heavy swell, a moderate west-north- days by bad weather, was anxious to west breeze was blowing, and the tide return to the island because his wife was flooding. The life-boat escorted was an expectant mother and had no the boats in and arrived back at her one with her. As no other boat was station at four o'clock.—Rewards, available, the life-boat Matthew Simp- £11 Os. 6d. son was launched at 3.30 at low water. There was a heavy swell, and a gale was blowing from the south-west. DOCTOR TAKEN TO PANAMANIAN The life-boat took the warden to a TANKER creek on the leeside of the Calf of Man, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—-At 5.25 on where he was able to jump ashore. the evening of the 18th of November, She then returned to Port St. Mary 1954, the coastguard reported that the because the weather was too bad to tanker Caprella, of Panama, had wire- allow her to be re-housed at Port lessed that she had a sick man on Erin. She arrived at Port St. Mary board and needed a doctor. She was at 5.10 and was taken back to her at anchor three and a half miles east- station the next morning. A helicop- south-east of the life-boat station. ter took the warden's wife off the At six o'clock the life-boat Greater island a week later when her child London, Civil Service No. 3 was was born.—Rewards, £13 16s. launched with a doctor on board. The sea was calm, there was a light westerly breeze, and it was high water. The THIRTEEN HOURS IN FULL GALE life-boat put the doctor aboard and Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 10.18 on the after he had made the patient com- morning of the 24th of November, fortable re-embarked him and took 1954, the coastguard reported that the him back to Southend, arriving at motor schooner Svaerdfisken, of Copen- 8.15.—Rewards, £12 7s. hagen, was in distress seventy-five miles south-east-by-east of Bard Head and was drifting. At 10.50 the life- THREE BOYS TAKEN FROM boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland DRIFTING DINGHY put out. A full south-easterly gale New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 11.15 on was blowing, there was a very heavy the morning of the 21st of November, sea, and there were rain squalls. The 1954, the Customs Water Guard schooner was later reported to be Officer reported that the eight-feet ninety-five miles south-east-by-south dinghy Horace, of New Brighton, was of Bard Head, and it was learnt that drifting in the Rock Channel with three a tug had put out from Kirkwall. At boys on board. At 11.42 the life-boat 4.30 a particularly heavy sea unshipped Norman B. Corlett put out in an ebbing the life-boat's compass, but the crew tide. The sea was moderate, and a repaired it and the life-boat continued fresh breeze was blowing from the her journey. At seven o'clock the south-east. The life-boat made a Svaerdfisken was reported to be one search, and at 12.10 she found the hundred and eight miles south-east of Horace alongside an anchored motor Bard Head, and the life-boat was boat near R.6 buoy. The boys were recalled to her station. She arrived nearly exhausted, but hung on to the at eleven o'clock at night, having been motor boat. The life-boat took them at sea for thirteen hours. The schooner aboard and towed their dinghy to was eventually taken in tow by a New Brighton, arriving at 12.50. The Norwegian tug. The Danish Consul- mother of one of the boys expressed General in Edinburgh made a gift to her thanks.—Rewards, £6 12s. the life-boatmen, and the Danish MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 35 Government expressed their grateful service on the 24th of November, 1954. appreciation.—Rewards, £53 5s. —Rewards, £48 10s.

DISABLED MOTOR VESSEL TOWED COBLES ESCORTED TO FILEY TO HARBOUR Filey, Yorkshire.—At 1.38 on the after- Walmer, Kent.—At ten o'clock on noon of the 26th of November, 1954, the morning of the 25th of November, the coastguard telephoned that eight 1954, the coxswain noticed that a ship fishing cobles were still at sea in bad in the Downs was showing a flag signi- weather. At 1.50 the life-boat The Isa fying that she was disabled. At 10.40, & Penryn Milsted was launched in a at high water, the life-boat Charles flooding tide. The sea was rough, and Dibdin, Civil Service No. 2 was a strong breeze was blowing from the launched. There was a slight sea, and south. The life-boat escorted the a moderate breeze was blowing from cobles to the shore and reached her the south-west. The life-boat came station again at 3.30.—Rewards, up with the motor vessel Drakedene, £14 16s. of Cardiff, which had a crew of eight. DOCTOR TAKEN TO MASTER OF She had broken down, and the master STEAMER asked the life-boat to tow his ship to Ramsgate. Helped by two motor Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 3.40 on boats, the life-boat took the Drakedene the afternoon of the 26th of November, to Ramsgate and berthed her in the 1954, shipping agents reported that harbour. She then returned to her the master of the S.S. Ocean Coast, of station, arriving at 4.15.—Property Liverpool, which was anchored in Salvage Case. Yarmouth Roads, was seriously ill and needed a doctor. No other boat was available, and at 3.50 the life- TWENTY-THREE HOURS AT SEA boat put out with a doctor. The sea TWO DAYS LATER •was moderate, and a gale was blowing Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 1.6 early on from the south-west. The life-boat the morning of the 26th of November, put the doctor aboard. He examined 1954, the coastguard reported that the master, advised the steamer to the S.S. Granfoss, of Oslo, needed help take him to Southampton and then thirty-five miles south-by-east of Sun- re-boarded the life-boat, which reached burgh Head, about fifty-three miles her station again at 5.15.—Rewards, from Lerwick. At 1.45 the life-boat £7. Lady Jane and Martha Ryland put out. There was a heavy swell and a moder- AWARD FOR VALENTIA COXSWAIN ate gale was blowing from the south- On the 26th of November, 1954, the east. The life-boat came up with the Valentia, Co. Kerry, life-boat put out Granfoss at eight o'clock and found in a whole north-westerly gale to go that she had been taken in tow by a to the help of a motor trawler. The German trawler. A Dutch aircraft next day, with the help of a fishing carrier and a destroyer were standing boat, the life-boat succeeded in towing by. The tow rope parted in the the trawler from the White Horse heavy seas, and the trawler took the Rocks. Granfoss in tow again, but could make For a full account of this service, for only slow progress. About midday a which Coxswain Jeremiah O'Connell British tug arrived and took over the was accorded the thanks of the Insti- tow from the trawler. The tug made tution inscribed on vellum, see page 8. better headway with the Granfoss, and the life-boat escorted them to Lerwick, arriving at 11.30 at night. The life- SIX SWEDISH FISHERMEN boatmen had been at sea for twenty- LANDED three hours. Stromness, Orkneys.—At 7.45 on the The Committee of Management evening of the 26th of November, 1954, ruled that a collective letter of appre- the Kirkwall coastguard rang up to ciation should be sent to the coxswain say that a Swedish tanker had rescued and crew for this service and the the crew of six of the motor fishing 36 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1954 vessel Vestfart, of Gothenburg, which About this time the stern of the had capsized, and wished to transfer Gramsbergen lifted on the rising tide, them. The tanker had stated that she and the vessel moved astern in an would be off Breckness at three o'clock easterly direction to a position where on the morning of the 27th. At mid- the coastguardsmen could not operate. night the life-boat J.J.K.S.W. was The life-boat anchored again, veered launched. There was a moderate sea down to the still drifting wreck, and and a light southerly breeze. The went alongside at 5.45. The eleven life-boat made for the position in an men jumped into her and the life-boat ebbing tide and came up with the left the wreck, but in doing so the tanker between three and four miles life-boat over-ran her own anchor west of North Head at one o'clock. cable and fouled her propellers. Un- The life-boat took the fishermen on successful efforts were made to clear board and landed them at her station them, and at 8.15, in moderating at 2.25.—Rewards, £10 9s. weather, the coxswain wirelessed for the help of the British Railways RESCUE BY HELICOPTER harbour launch. This was an ex- On the night of the 26th-27th R.N.L.I, life-boat, and she towed the November, 1954, the South Goodwin White Star to her station, arriving at lightvessel broke adrift in a gale and 10.15. The owners of the Gramsbergen at daylight was found to be lying on thanked the life-boatmen and made a her beam ends. The Dover, Ramsgate donation to the funds of the Institu- and Walmer life-boats were all launch- tion.—Rewards, £19 18s. ed, but the sole survivor from the lightvessel was rescued by a helicopter SILVER MEDAL FOR NEWHAVEN of the United States Air Forces. On the 27th of November, 1954, the For a full account of this service, for Newhaven, Sussex, life-boat was which Captain Curtis E. Parkins was launched in a full gale to go to the awarded the silver medal, see page 5. help of a Danish auxiliary schooner. The crew of eight were taken off by ELEVEN MEN JUMP ABOARD breeches buoy and rescued. LIFE-BO AT For a full account of this service, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 2.26 for which Coxswain William Harvey early on the morning of the 27th of was awarded the silver medal, see November, 1954, the coastguard tele- page 7. phoned that the motor vessel Grams- bergen, of Holland, had run ashore in RESCUE FROM THE "WORLD Fishguard harbour. At 3.5 the life- CONCORD" boat White Star was launched. The On the 27th of November, 1954, the sea was rough, a south-westerly gale Liberian tanker World Concord broke was blowing, and the tide had just in two in the Irish sea. The St. begun to flood. The life-boat found David's, Pembrokeshire, life-boat the Gramsbergen at 3.30 on the rocks rescued thirty-five men from her fore- at Penrhyn Point and anchored near part, and the Rosslare Harbour, Co. her. The fore-part of the vessel was Wcxford, life-boat rescued the remain- afloat, but her stern was fast on the ing seven members of her crew. The rocks. In the light of the life-boat's Holyhead, Anglesey, life-boat was also searchlight one of the Gramsbergen's launched. crew of twelve was seen to scramble For a full account of this service, for ashore, and a little later the coast- which a number of medals were guard Life-Saving Apparatus Company awarded, see page 2. arrived to try arid rescue the remain- der. The life-boat moved to another POLISH TRAWLERS FOLLOW position near the wreck, anchored LIFE-BOAT again and waited to see if the coast- Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, guardsmen could take the men off. Norfolk.—At 6.57 on the evening of The coxswain decided to take the the 27th of November, 1954, the life-boat alongside as soon as the tide Gorleston coastguard telephoned that allowed and weighed anchor again. he had seen red and green rockets MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 37 between three and four miles south- I and a fresh west-south-west breeze was east of the coastguard station. At 7.5 \ blowing. The life-boat made a search in a flooding tide, the life-boat Louise in an ebbing tide and found two bodies Stephens was launched. The sea was ten miles south-east of Coverack. rough, and a fresh gale was blowing They were from the coaster Carpo, of from south-by-west. Three miles Rotterdam, which had foundered off south-east of Gorleston pier the life- the Lizard early the previous morning. boat found four Polish trawlers. None The life-boat took them on board and of her crews could speak English, but then continued searching, but found the trawlers followed the life-boat nothing else and returned to her wherever she went and it was assumed station, arriving at 4.20.—Rewards, that they wanted to enter harbour. £13 17s. The life-boat escorted them to the harbour and reached her station again at 9.16.—Rewards, £10 17s. 6d. FISHING VESSEL TOWED TO HARBOUR DOCTOR TAKEN TO FINNISH St. Abbs, Berwickshire.—On the after- MASTER noon of the 29th of November, 1954, the Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 3.30 on motor fishing vessel White Heather, the evening of the 27th of November, of Berwick, fouled her propeller off St. 1954, during a fresh south-south-west Abbs. At 3.5 the life-boat W. Ross gale, the coastguard telephoned that a Macarthur of Glasgow was launched. message had been received from the It was one and a half hours before high North Foreland radio station that the water and the sea was choppy. A S.S. Olivia, of Mariehamn, Finland, moderate south-easterly breeze was had reported that her master was ill blowing, but there had been a gale and in need of a doctor. The steamer warning. The life-boat came up with arrived off Southend about eight the White Heather four miles east-by- o'clock and signalled the life-boat north of St. Abbs and found that her station for a doctor. The coxswain crew of five were about to burn flares asked the coastguard to signal the to summon help. The life-boat towed Olivia to go to a calmer position near her to Eyemouth and then returned West Nore Buoy, and at 8.10 the life- to her station, arriving at 4.45.— boat Greater London, Civil Service No. Rewards, £7 7s. 3 was launched with a doctor on board. The sea was very rough, and the tide i LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY TRAWLER was flooding. The life-boat came up IN WHOLE GALE with the Olivia three miles east-south- east of Southend pier and put the Baltimore, Co. Cork.—About midnight doctor on board with difficulty. The on the 29th of November, 1954, the doctor treated the master and then steam trawler Picton Castle, of Swan- re-embarked in the life-boat, which sea, with a crew of ten, entered Balti- returned to her station, arriving at more harbour to shelter from a south- 11.30.—Rewards, £15 18s. easterly gale. The gale veered to the north-north-west, and the trawler ' dragged her anchor. She was in dan- TWO BODIES FROM DUTCH ger of being driven on the rocks near COASTER FOUND Cooney Island at the entrance to the Coverack, Cornwall.—At 12.15 on the harbour, so she burnt flares and made afternoon of the 28th of November, SOS signals. At 12.35 on the 30th 1954, the life-boat motor mechanic the life-boat Sarah Tilson was launched reported that he had heard on his in the teeth of a whole gale, a very private wireless set a message from a rough sea and an ebbing tide. The Dutch ship reporting a body seen in life-boat stood by the trawler until the sea nine miles east of the Lizard. eight o'clock, but the trawler was At 12.30 the Porthoustock coastguard then able to leave the harbour and confirmed the message, and at 12.45 go on her way. The life-boat returned the life-boat William Taj/lor of Oldham to her station, arriving at 8.5.— was launched. The sea was rough, Rewards, £18 10,?. 38 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 LAUNCH TO MOTOR-VESSEL IN He asked if the life-boat would search HURRICANE for her. At 7.10 the life-boat Lloyd's Angle, Pembrokeshire.—At 3.15 on the put out in a rough sea, with a fresh morning of the 30th of November, south-westerly breeze blowing. She 1954, the coastguard reported that a searched groups of islands around vessel east of Milford Docks was drag- Northbay and at 8.45 found the fishing ging her anchors and sounding distress boat at the island of Hamish. The signals on her siren. At 3.50 the life- life-boat towed her to Northbay and boat Elizabeth Elson was launched. A then returned to her station, arriving south-westerly wind of hurricane force at 3.15.—Rewards, £21 3s. was blowing, and there was a very rough sea. The life-boat found that SEAMAN WITH FRACTURED THIGH the motor vessel Ability, of London, LANDED had gone ashore. The master asked the life-boat to stand by, so she Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, remained with the vessel while the Norfolk.—At 9.15 on the night of the coastguard Life-Saving Apparatus 30th of November, 1954, the Gorleston Company took off the crew of eleven. coastguard reported that the S.S. She then returned to Angle Bay, Hudson Bay, of London, had signalled arriving at the jetty at nine o'clock. that a man on board had fractured a She was rehoused the next day.— thigh. She asked for a boat, and at Rewards, £27 10*. 9.38 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched with a doctor on board. LIGHTVESSEL PARTS CABLE There was a moderate swell, and a Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. — At fresh breeze was blowing from south- by west. The life-boat came up with five o'clock on the morning of the 30th of November, 1954, the Walton Bay the steamer half a mile east of Gorles- ton and put the doctor on board. She signal station rang up to say that the then wirelessed for an ambulance to English and Welsh Grounds lightvessel be ready ashore, embarked the injured had parted one of her cables and needed help. Seven minutes later the man and landed him at 10.44.— Nell's Point coastguard telephoned, Rewards, £14. and at 5.35 the life-boat Fifi and Charles was launched. The sea was The following life-boats went out very rough, and a strong gale was blow- on service, but could find no ships in ing from the south-west. The life-boat distress, were not needed, or could do made for the lightvessel in a flooding nothing: tide and found that she had dropped Stromness, Orkneys.—November 1st. another anchor. The lightvessel had —Rewards, £15 Is. drifted a mile to the east of her position Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—November and the life-boat stood by her until the 2nd.—Rewards, £9 55. tide turned and the wind moderated. Swanage, Dorset.—November 3rd.— The master of the lightvessel then Rewards, £16 5s. stated that his ship would be safe until New Brighton, Cheshire.—November the next tide, and the life-boat re- 4th.—Rewards', £12 8s. turned to her station, arriving at Wells, Norfolk.—November 7th.—Re- 11.10. The life-boatmen remained wards, £18 13s. afloat until four o'clock in case they Poole, Dorset.—November 8th.—Re- were needed again, but a tug towed the wards, £10 Os.Gd. lightvessel to Cardiff.—Rewards, Angle, Pembrokeshire. — November £31 17s. 12th.—Rewards, £16 7s. Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—Novem- FISHING BOAT TOWED AFTER ber 12th.—Rewards, £26 5s. SEARCH Hartlepool, Durham. — November Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At 6.20 15th,—Rewards, £13 7s. on the evening of the 30th of Novem- Holyhead, Anglesey .—November 16th. ber, 1954, a man at Northbay tele- —Rewards, £8 10s. phoned that a Northbay fishing boat The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—No- with a crew of two was long overdue. vember 17th.—Rewards, £28 9s. MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 39 Ilfracombe, Devon.—November 17th. SICK MAN TAKEN FROM —Rewards, £27 17s. 6d. LIGHTHOUSE Portrush, Co. Antrim. — November Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 12.45 on the 17th.—Rewards, £11 5s. &d. afternoon of the 1st of December, Caister, Norfolk.—November 18th.— 1954, the Commissioners of Irish Rewards, £12 8s. Lights telephoned that a workman, Ilfracombe, Devon.—November 19th. who had been weather-bound in the —Rewards, £20 19s. 6d. Skelligs Rock lighthouse for a fort- Workington, Cumberland.—November night, had been taken ill and asked if 19th.—Rewards, £9 7s. the life-boat would take him ashore. Newcastle, Co. Down. — November The weather was too bad for the Irish 21st.—Rewards, £15 6s. Qd. Lights vessel to land him, and at one Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—November 26th. o'clock the life-boat A.E.D. put out. —Rewards, £94 6s. 6d. The sea was rough, and a south- The Lizard, Cornwall. — November westerly gale was blowing. The light- 27th.—Rewards, £55 3s. 8d. (For a keeper lowered the man in a sling on full account of this service, for which the lee side of the Rock, and with the coxswain was awarded the thanks difficulty the life-boat took him on of the Institution inscribed on vellum, board. She landed him at her station see page 9.) at 6.45.—Rewards, £15. Refunded to Wick, Caithness-shire. — November the Institution by the Commissioners of 27th.—Rewards, £17 10s. Irish Lights. Cromarty,—Two services—November 27th-28th.—Rewards, £14 15s. and CREWS RESCUED FROM DEVON £15 15s. BARGES Fowey, Cornwall. — Two services — Appledore, Devon.—At 1.5 on the November 27th-29th.—Rewards, £11 afternoon of the 6th of December, 7s. 6d. and £12 5s. 1954, the coxswain reported that the Ramsgate, Kent.—November 28th.— barges Julia Pile and Nellie Ann, of Rewards, £8 12s. 6d. Barnstaple, which each had a crew of Margate, Kent.—November 28th.— two, had got into difficulties off Crow Rewards, £19 Is. 6d. Point while collecting gravel, and had Redcar, Yorkshire.—November 29th. burnt flares. At 1.15 the life-boat —Rewards, £11 11s. Violet Armstrong put out in a rough St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—November, sea, with a strong westerly breeze 29th.—Rewards, £22 17s. blowing, and made for the position in a flooding tide. She found that the Swanage, Dorset.—November 29th. Julia Pile had dragged her anchor, had —Rewards £39 7s. fouled the Nellie Ann, and had sunk. Falmouth, Cornwall. —• November The two men on board had jumped on 29th.—Rewards, £10 10s. to the Nellie Ann. The life-boat Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—Novem- rescued them, and the Nellie Ann then ber 30th.—Rewards, £26 18s. _ tried to make headway, but her en- Holyhead, Anglesey. — November gines stopped. The life-boat rescued 30th.—Rewards, £17 3s. her crew as well, beached her at Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—Novem- Appledore, and reached her station ber 30th.—Rewards, £21 5s. again at 2.20.—Rewards, £6 11s. Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — November 30th.—Rewards, £41. FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TO Cloughey, Co. Down.—November 30th. BRIDLINGTON --Rewards, £34 8s. Bridlington, Yorkshire.—At 8.16 on Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—No- the morning of the 7th of December, vember 30th.—Rewards, £10 10s. 1954, the coastguard telephoned that a fishing coble had run aground at the harbour entrance, and that the coast- DECEMBER guard Life-Saving Apparatus Com- pany had been called out to man the DURING December life-boats were piers. The fishing boat was hauled launched 58 times and rescued 34 lives. into the harbour at 9.45, but by this THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 time the wind had freshened. Other Rewards, 1st Service, £14 14s.; 2nd fishing boats were still at sea, so at Service, £23 45.; 3rd Service, £33 2s. eleven o'clock the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched, FISHING BOAT IN TOW with a scratch crew in command of an ESCORTED ex-coxswain. The sea was rough, and Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At 2.50 on a strong breeze was blowing from the the afternoon of the 7th of December, south-south-east. The life-boat es- 1954, the Wick coastguard telephoned corted all the boats to the harbour in. a that the motor iishing vessel Amber flooding tide and returned to the har- Queen, which had a crew of five, had bour herself at 1.40. She remained wirelessed that she had broken down afloat and was rehoused the next and needed help twelve miles north- morning.—Rewards, £23 105. north-west of Holborn Head. At 3.10 the life-boat H.C.J. was launched. The sea was rough, and a strong- north- THREE TRIPS TO TAKE OFF easterly breeze was blowing. The life- LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER boat made for the position in a flooding Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 1.30 on the tide and found that the motor fishing afternoon of the 6th of December. vessel Sealgair had also answered the 1954, the Commissioners of Irish distress call. The Sealgair took the Lights asked if the life-boat would land Amber Queen in tow and made for a sick man from the Inishtearaght Scrabster, escorted by the life-boat. Rock lighthouse, as the weather was They reached Scrabster at nine o'clock. too bad for the Commissioners' vessel —Rewards, £20 Is. 6d. to take him ashore. The Commis- sioners also asked if the life-boat AMERICAN YACHT TOWED TO would take relief keepers and food to GUERNSEY the Skelligs Rock lighthouse. At two St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 2.46 on o'clock on the afternoon of the 7th the the afternoon of the 7th of December, life-boat A.E.D. put out in a rough 1954, the Ushant radio station broad- sea, with a moderate north-westerly cast that the fishing boat Gordias had breeze blowing. The weather condi- found the sailing yacht Hyacinth, of tions at Inishtearaght were found to be Washington, U.S.A., about twelve too bad for the man to be lowered into miles west-by-north of Hanois. The the life-boat, and she returned to her Hyacinth had a crew of three, and one station, arriving at seven o'clock. On of them, who had been injured, had the morning of the 8th the weather at been taken on board the Gordias. The the lighthouse was reported to be yacht had broken down, but the fishing better, and at eight o'clock the life- boat left her later in the afternoon, boat put out to sea again. She made and at 4.40 the life-boat Euphrosyne for the rock in a north-westerly breeze, Kendal put to sea. The sea was very but the wind suddenly veered to north- rough, a west-north-west wind was east and reached gale force. The life- blowing, and the tide was ebbing. boat sheltered off Begnis Island and The life-boat found that a naval vessel then returned to her station again, had taken the Hyacinth in tow, but the arriving at six o'clock in the evening. life-boat was asked to take the tow On the 9th the weather still prevented over. Two life-boatmen boarded the the sick man from being taken ashore, yacht with difficulty and found that but on the 10th it was reported that the two men were exhausted. The conditions at Inishtearaght were good. life-boat towed the Hyacinth to St. At 8.5 in the morning the life-boat put Peter Port, arriving at 3.10 on the out a third time. The sea had be- morning of the 8th.—Rewards, £25 5s. come moderate, and a moderate north- north-west breeze was blowing. The BROUGHT ASHORE AFTER NINETY life-boat took the man ashore and MINUTES IN SEA landed him at 1.30. She then took the Barrow, Lancashire.—At 8.45 on the relief keepers and stores to the Skelligs morning of the 8th of December, 1954, Rock lighthouse and reached her the harbour master telephoned that a station again at 7.30 in the evening.— man had been seen waist-deep in the MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 41 sea on the training wall on the east side wards, Wicklow, £17 3*.; Arklow, of the Walney channel, The wall was £23 2s. Qd. a quarter of a mile south of Ramsden dock, and a boat had put out from a ELEVEN COBLES ESCORTED IN dredger. The boat had been unable to HURRICANE reach the man because of the weather Filey, Yorkshire.—On the morning of and had made fast to a buoy. At nine the 8th of December, 1954, the weather o'clock the life-boat Herbert Leigh was worsened while local fishing cobles launched. The sea was rough, a fresh were at sea, and at eleven o'clock the gale was blowing from east-by-south, life-boat The Isa and Penryn Milsted and it was high water. The life-boat was launched in a flooding tide with found that the man was standing on the bowman in charge. The sea was his sunken boat, a converted ship's very rough, and a wind of hurricane boat called the David Nancy, and force was blowing from the east-north- approached him from the western side east. The life-boat escorted eleven of the training wall. The man floated cobles to the shore and reached her over the wall with the help of a station again at four o'clock.—Re- buoyancy tank from his boat, and he wards, £20 7s. Qd. was hauled aboard the life-boat. He had been in the sea for an hour and a THREE SCARBOROUGH LIFE- half. The life-boatmen gave him soup BOATMEN LOST and rum, towed the dredger's boat to Ramsden dock, and reached Barrow On the 8th of December, 1954, three again at ten o'clock.—Rewards, members of the crew of the Scar- £8 17s. Qd. borough life-boat lost their lives when the life-boat capsized at the entrance to the harbour. For a full account of TWO LIFE-BOATS LAUNCHED TO this accident see page 9. SWEDISH STEAMER WHITBY LIFE-BOAT ESCORTS Wicklow, and Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—• SCARBOROUGH BOATS At 10.12 on the morning of the 8th of December, 1954, the Wicklow life- Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 2.30 on the boat's motor mechanic heard a mes- afternoon of the 8th of December, sage from the Portpatrick radio 1954, the coastguard telephoned that station that the Swedish steamer the Scarborough fishing boat Pilot Me Heimdal was drifting near Arklow II was bound for Whitby with engine Bank. He telephoned the Arklow life- trouble, and that the Scarborough life- boat station at once. The Wicklow boat was with her. At 2.50 the life-boat Lady Kylsant was launched at Whitby No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann 10.55, and at 11.10 the Arklow life- Hepworth was launched in a rough sea, boat Inbhear Mor put out. The sea with a strong south-easterly gale blow- was very rough, a strong gale was ing. She came up with the Pilot Me blowing from the south-east, and the II and another fishing boat, the tide was ebbing. The Wicklow life- Courage, also of Scarborough, to the boat came up with the Heimdal one east of Whitby harbour. The life- mile north-cast of Arklow Bank and boat escorted them to the harbour and stood by her. The steamer was in reached her station again at 4.20. It danger of drifting on to the sandbank, was when returning to her station after but she got clear and went on her way this service that the Scarborough life- to Dublin. The Wicklow life-boat boat capsized.—Rewards, £9 4s. then returned to her station, arriving at 2.30, and the Arklow life-boat was TWO LIFE-BOATS TOW BARGE recalled. Conditions on the Arklow Sheringham and Wells, Norfolk.—At harbour bar were dangerous, and the 6.20 on the evening of the 8th of Arklow life-boat went to Wicklow, December, 1954, a hotel porter told the arriving at 2.45. She remained there Sheringham life-boat station that he all night and returned to her station had seen red rockets off Weybourne. the next morning. The owners of the Four minutes later the Cromer coast- steamer expressed their thanks.—Re- guard telephoned that the S.S. Rota 42 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 had wirelessed that the motor barge Royal, Civil Service No. 7 was Gold, of Rochester, was making dis- launched. The sea was very rough, a tress signals between Sheringham and whole gale was blowing from the south- Blakeney. The barge had broken east, and the tide was flooding. At down and anchored, but was dragging. 8.55 the South Gare coastguard tele- At 7.20 the Sheringham life-boat phoned the Teesmouth life-boat sta- Foresters Centenary was launched in a tion that the Martje had asked for a rough sea, with a strong south-easterly life-boat to take ashore two injured wind blowing, and made for the posi- men, and at 9.50 the life-boat John and tion in an ebbing tide. The Rota took Lucy Cordingley was launched. She on board the barge's crew of two, and came up with the Martje fourteen at 7.25 she asked for the life-boat. miles east of Hartlepool light and with The life-boat found the Rota four difficulty took on board the injured hundred yards off Weybourne, em- men. She then wirelessed this news to barked the men from the Gold, landed the Hartlepool life-boat and returned them, and arrived back at her station to her station, arriving at 4.30 on the at 8.50. morning of the 9th. The Hartlepool It was later feared that the Gold life-boat returned to her station at would be driven ashore, and at 12.10 four o'clock.—Rewards, Hartlepool, early on the 9th the Sheringham life- £22 16s. 6d.; Teesmouth, £21 14s. boat was launched again in a westerly gale and a rough sea. She came up SICK MAN TAKEN OFF with the barge three hundred yards WESTERN ISLAND north of Weybourne and found that Galway Bay.—At one o'clock on the she was still dragging. The life-boat afternoon of the 10th of December, towed her to deeper water and then 1954, the doctor at Kilronan asked if made for Wells. When the tide the life-boat would take an eighty- turned the life-boat could make no three-year-old man in urgent need of headway with her tow, and at two surgical treatment from Inishmaine o'clock the coxswain asked for the Island to the mainland. At two Wells life-boat. At 3.35 the life-boat o'clock the life-boat Mabel Marion Cecil Paine was launched, and both Thompson put out, taking a nurse with life-boats towed the Gold to a safe an- her. The sea was calm, there was a chorage off Wells. When the tide had light northerly breeze, and the tide risen sufficiently, the life-boats towed was flooding. The life-boat took the her in at 3.30 in the afternoon. The patient on board and landed him at Sheringham life-boat remained there Rossaveal. She then embarked three until six o'clock. The Wells life-boat life-boatmen, who had been stranded then escorted the Foresters Centenary 011 the mainland after taking a rescue clear of Wells harbour and arrived back life-boat to Baltimore, took on board at her station at seven o'clock. The mail and returned to her station, Sheringham life-boat reached her sta- arriving at 7.45.—Rewards, £6 15s. tion again at 8.10.—Rewards, Shering- ham, 1st Service, £26 6s.; 2nd Service, TRAWLER TOWED TO SWANSEA Property Salvage Case; Wells, Pro- perty Salvage Case. Tke Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—At five o'clock on the afternoon of the llth of December, 1954, the coast- INJURED SEAMEN TAKEN OFF IN guard reported that a fishing vessel WHOLE GALE appeared to be in difficulties near Hartlepool, Durham; and Teesmouth, Rhossilly, but later stated that she was Yorkshire.—About eight o'clock on the making way slowly and seemed all evening of the 8th of December, 1954, right. At 8.48 the coastguard reported the Hartlepool coastguard learnt that that the vessel was making SOS the motor vessel Martje, of Groningen, signals off Mumbles Head, so at 9.2 was sending distress signals fifty miles the life-boat William Gammon—Man- east-north-east of Hartlepool. The chester and District XXX was launched. position was later given as ten miles The sea was rough, a moderate gale to the east-north-east. At 9.10 the was blowing from the south, and it Hartlepool life-boat The Princess was two hours after high water. The MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 43 life-boat found the trawler Thyme, ber, 1954, a man at Rosgar telephoned with a crew of three, one mile south of that distress flares could be seen near Mixon Sands. Her steering gear and Skerry Ness, Hoy Sound. At 5.13 the engine had broken down. The life- life-boat J.J.K.S.W. was launched. boatmen fired a line to her and took There was a heavy sea, a whole gale was her in tow. The life-boat then towed blowing from the south-west, and the her to Swansea, arriving at 10.46. She tide was ebbing strongly. The life- remained there until the following boat found the steam trawler Bon- morning.—Rewards, £22 9s. accord, of Aberdeen, with a crew of eleven, ashore at Skerry Xess. She COLLIER HARD ASHORE had a heavy list to port, and at the Newcastle, Co. Down.—On the 8th of request of her skipper the life-boat December, 1954, the S.S. Downshire, stood by. When the tide started to of Belfast, a collier bound for Dundrum flood, the trawler heeled over to star- from Garston, ran hard ashore on the board and pounded the bottom. The sands three quarters of a mile west of life-boat passed a rope to her, and at Dundrum harbour entrance, but the 9.30 a fishing boat arrived and also life-boat was not needed. On the llth took the trawler in tow. The fishing she listed heavily and burnt a flare, boat damaged herself and let go. Half and at 11.45 at night the Kilkeel an hour later the life-boat pulled the coastguard telephoned the life-boat Bonaccord clear, but the trawler again station. At 1.40 early on the 12th grounded. The life-boat towed her the life-boat William and Laura was clear a second time and put her second launched and made for the position coxswain on board to pilot her to in a rough sea and a southerly gale. Stromness. The life-boat then re- The collier's crew of ten were not in turned to her station, arriving at 12.30 immediate danger. The life-boat lay early on the 17th.—Rewards, £19 18s. off while the tide ebbed, and the collier regained an even keel. A tug arrived TWO FISHERMEN RESCUED FROM at ten o'clock, and the life-boat stood SEA by while the tug tried to tow the Downshire clear. The life-boat took Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 1.30 early men from the tug to the collier and on the morning of the 18th of Decem- later put them aboard the tug again. ber, 1954, the Formby coastguard When it was clear the Downshirc could reported that a fishing boat had wire- not be moved, the life-boat returned lessed that she was standing by the to her station, arriving at two o'clock fishing boat Morning Star, of Rothesay, in the afternoon.—Rewards, £40 15s. which had run ashore at the North Wharf. At two o'clock the life-boat Ann Letitia Russell was launched in a BOAT TOWED TO RAMSGATE rough sea. A strong south-westerly Ramsgate, Kent.—At 3.49 on the after- breeze was blowing, and it was three noon of the 14th of December, 1954, hours after low water. The life-boat the coastguard telephoned that the found the Morning Star covered by harbour office had reported a boat in the sea one mile west by south of the need of help off West Cliff lift in Wyre Light. After making two Pegwell Bay. At 3.57 the life-boat attempts, the life-boat rescued her Michael and Lily Davis put out. The crew of two from the water. She then sea was calm, a light breeze was blow- returned to her station, arriving at ing, and the tide was ebbing. The three o'clock. The owner of the life-boat found that the motor boat Morning Star expressed his thanks.— Sandwich, which had a crew of two, Rewards, £11 15s. had broken down. She towed her to Ramsgate, arriving at 4.20.—Rewards, COBLES ESCORTED IN GALE £7 12s. 6d Flamborough, Yorkshire.—At 1.35 on the afternoon of the 18th of December, TRAWLER TOWED CLEAR TWICE 1954, the coastguard telephoned that Stromness, Orkneys.—At five o'clock the weather was deteriorating and that on the afternoon of the 16th of Decem- the local fishing cobles Imperialist and THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 Silver Line were still at sea. At 1.45 anchored to the south-east of the tug, the life-boat Friendly Forester was which had a crew of four, and fired a launched in a rough sea, with a wester- line to her. The barge which had a ly gale blowing and an ebbing tide. crew of three, had anchored closer She came up with the cobles one and a in-shore, but remained in tow of the half miles east of Flamborough Head, tug. The coastguard Life-Saving escorted them to the North Landing, Apparatus Company went to the posi- and reached her station again at 2.55. tion and rescued the three men from —Rewards, £11 12s. the shore. A tow line was made fast between the life-boat and the tug, LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER RELIEVED and the tug's stern was kept into the Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 10.30 on the wind to prevent her from being driven morning of the 19th of December, 1954, further ashore. At 5.5 the tug started a message was received from Mizen to move seawards, and the life-boat Head asking if the life-boat would take towed her well clear of the shore. a relief keeper and stores to the Inish- The tug then made for harbour with tearaght Rock lighthouse. At eleven the barge, and the life-boat returned o'clock the life-boat A.E.D. put out to her station, arriving at 6.10.— with him in a rough sea and an ebbing Property Salvage Case. tide. It was found that the conditions at the Rock were not suitable to LIGHTER TOWED CLEAR OF transfer the man and stores, so the BOOM life-boat lay off until low water. She Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.22 on then transferred the keeper and the the morning of the 22nd of December, stores, took on board a sick keeper, 1954, the coastguard rang up to say and landed him at Valentia at 6.15.— that a barge was driving towards the Rewards, £21 2s. boom defence off Shoeburyness. At 8.50 the life-boat Greater London, Civil FISHING COBLE ESCORTED TO Service No. 3 was launched. The sea FLAMBOROUGH was rough, and a moderate gale was Flamborough, Yorkshire.—-At three blowing from west-north-west. The o'clock on the afternoon of the 20th of life-boat made for the position in a December, 1954, the coxswain reported flooding tide and found the garbage that the local fishing coble Silver Line lighter Gerrard and two D.U.K.W. was still at sea in worsening weather. amphibious craft on the boom a mile At 3.10 the life-boat Friendly Forester from Shoeburyness. Four men who was launched. The sea was rough, a had been in" the D.U.K.W.'s had northerly gale was blowing, and the boarded the lighter, and the life-boat tide was ebbing. The life-boat came towed the lighter and the D.U.K.W.'s up with the coble, which was making clear of the'boom. The D.U.K.W.'s heavy weather, three miles north-east were then taken ashore, and the life- of Flamborough Head, escorted her to boat towed the Gerrard to Shoebury- the North Landing, and reached her ness, reaching her station again at station again at 4.20.—Rewards, £11. 11.45.—Property Salvage Case.

TUG TOWED TO SHOREHAM TWO RESCUES IN ONE MORNING HARBOUR Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 11.10 on Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 2.35 the morning of the 22nd of December, on the afternoon of the 21st of Decem- 1954, the coastguard reported that ber, 1954, the coastguard telephoned two men in a rowing boat two miles that the tug Harold Broivn, which had a east of the pier were waving a white dumb barge in tow, had run aground rag on an oar. At 11.23 the life-boat about four hundred yards east of Sir Godfrey Raring was launched, with Shoreham Harbour. At 2.58 the life- the honorary secretary, Mr. C. A. boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Limn Perry, on board. There was a moder- was launched. The sea was rough, a ate swell, a fresh west-north-west strong westerly breeze was blowing, breeze was blowing, and it was two and and it was ]ow water. The life-boat a quarter hours after high water. The MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 45 life-boat found that the two men, who board. He had a large cut over one had been on a fishing trip, had lost an of his eyes. The life-boat transferred oar, and that their anchor would not him to the motor vessel and then hold. They were cold and wet. The returned to her station, arriving at life-boatmen rescued them, gave them two o'clock.—Rewards, £9 6s. rum, and towed their boat to the pier. After the men had landed, another DOCTOR TAKEN TO STEAMER man was seen in the sea near the pier berthing arm. The life-boat put off Workington, Cumberland. — On the again at once. She rescued him, and 30th of December, 1954, the S.S. Baron the honorary secretary revived him by Haig, of Ardrossan, which was lying at artificial respiration. The life-boat anchor off the entrance to the harbour, then landed the man at twelve noon. wirelessed that she had a sick man on The men in the rowing boat made board and needed a doctor. At three donations to the funds of the Institu- o'clock in the afternoon the life-boat tion.—Rewards, £10 5,9. 9d. Manchester and Salford XXIX put out with a doctor on board in a calm sea, TWO RESCUED FROM FISHING with a moderate east-south-east breeze BOAT blowing. She put him on board, and he treated the man. He then re- Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—At embarked in the life-boat, which 12.30 on the afternoon of the 22nd of reached her station again at 4.30.— December, 1954, a message was Rewards, £5 11*. received from Passage East that a small fishing boat was in distress between Duncannon and Broom Head. The following life-boats went out At 12.38 the life-boat Annie Blanche on service, but could find no ships in Smith was launched in a rough sea. A distress, were not needed, or could do west-north-west gale was blowing and nothing: the tide was flooding. The life-boat Lytham - St. Annes, Lancashire. — found the fishing boat three quarters December 1st.—Rewards, £7 13s. of a mile south-west of Duncannon. Falmouth, Cornwall.—December 1st. Her sails had carried away, her engine —Rewards, £7. had broken down, and her rudder and Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — December thole pins had broken. She was near 3rd.—Rewards, £17 17s. rocks in shallow water. The life- Angle, Pembrokeshire. — December boatmen fired a line across, pulled her 3rd.—Rewards, £14 17s. clear and rescued her crew of two. The Cromer, Norfolk.—December 4th.— life-boat then towed the boat to Rewards, £7 7s. 6d. Passage and reached her station again Aith, Shetlands.—December 5th.— at 4.30.—Rewards, £10 10s. Rewards, £7. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—December INJURED MAN PUT ON BOARD 5th.—Rewards, £9 4s. DUTCH VESSEL Weymouth, Dorset.—December 6th.— Rewards, £7. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 12.52 on St. Ives, Cornwall.—December 6th.— the afternoon of the 23rd of December, Rewards, £11 10s. 1954, the coastguard telephoned that Plymouth, Devon.—December 7th.— the fishing boat Rolling Wave was Rewards, £8 15s. drifting in the fairway south of Howth, Co. Dublin.—December 8th.— Southend pier. Later he reported that Rewards, £17 15s. she had fouled the anchor cable of the motor vessel Westerdok, of Amster- dam. At 1.15 the life-boat Greater OWNERS' THANKS FOR SEARCH IN London, Civil Service No. 3 was GALE launched in a very rough sea, with a Humber, Yorkshire.—At 3.54 on the moderate west-north-west gale blow- afternoon of the 8th of December, ing. She made for the fishing boat in 1954, the Spurn Point coastguard an ebbing tide and found her lying telephoned that the trawler Stella astern of the Westerdok, half a mile Arcturus, of Hull, had reported that south of the pier, with one man on she had gone ashore on the Binks and 46 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1955 needed a tug. At 4.5 the life-boat Sunderland, Durham. — December City of Bradford III was launched. 13th.—Rewards, £10 7*. The sea was rough, and a strong gale New Brighton, Cheshire.—December was blowing from the south-east. 14th.—Rewards, £18 14s. The life-boat searched widely, but Falmouth, Cornwall.—December 14th. found nothing, and when it was learnt —Rewards, £7. that the trawler was in fact in the Lerwick, Shetlands.—December 14th. river Humber off Sunk Spit buoy, the —Rewards, £6. life-boat returned to her station, Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—December arriving at nine o'clock. The owners 15th.—Rewards, £11 2s. 6d. of the trawler expressed their thanks, St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—December made a gift to the life-boatmen and 17th.—Rewards, £41 9s. made a donation to the funds of the Fowey, Cornwall.—December 20th.— Institution.—Paid Permanent crew. Rewards, £7. —Rewards, £8 15,?. Flamborough, Yorkshire.—Dece mbcr 21st.—Rewards, £12 19*. Walmer, Kent.—December 10th. — Stronsay, Orkneys.—December 23rd. Rewards, £18 10s. —Rewards, £10 19s. Holyhead, Anglesey.—December 11 th. Stronsay, Orkneys.—December 25th. —Rewards, £7 6s. —Rewards, £9 3s. 6d. New Boats for North Sunderland and Exmouth The new North Sunderland life-boat Captain G. R. Cousins, R.N., district was named Grace Darling at the life- inspector of life-boats, described the boat station at Seahouses on the 31st new boat. Sir Arthur Reed, a member of July. Mr. H. E. B. Daniell, chair- of the Committee of Management, man of the North Sunderland branch, handed the boat over to the Exmouth took the chair. Lieut. E. D. Stogdon, branch, Admiral Sir Arthur Peters, R.N.V.R., district inspector of life- president of the branch, accepting boats, described the new boat. her. The Right Rev. Bishop Willis, Colonel the Hon. Harold Robson, a assisted by the Rev. R. F. King, the member of the Committee of Manage- vicar of Littleham-cum-Exmouth, and ment, handed the life-boat over to the the Rev. W. Clarke, a Free Church branch, Mr. Roderick Mackenzie Minister, dedicated the life-boat. Air- accepting her on the branch's behalf. Vice Marshal H. V. Satterly then The Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the named her. A vote of thanks was Ven. Archdeacon T. P. G. Forman, proposed by Mrs. Ratcliffe, chairman dedicated the life-boat. The Countess of the Exmouth Urban District Council, Grey then named her. A vote of and seconded by Mrs. Harrison, presi- thanks was proposed by Miss Runci- dent of the Exmouth Ladies' Life-boat man, chairman of the Ladies' Life- Guild. boat Guild, and was seconded by The new life-boat, which is a 35-feet Major Spickernell, vice-chairman of 6-inches Liverpool type boat, has been the branch committee. A guard of built out of legacies from Mr. Henry honour was provided by the Bam- Noble, Mr. Arthur James West, Mrs. burghshire Local Boy Scouts' Associa- Louisa Andrew and Mr. Ernest Jenkins tion and the singing was led by the Williams. Fishermen's Choir conducted by Mr. J. C. Archbold. The naming ceremony was combined The new life-boat, which is a 35-feet with another ceremony, that of the 6-inches Liverpool type boat, has been presentation of a vellum, by Lady built from the funds of the Institution. Peters, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of a EXMOUTH life-boat station at Exmouth. From The new Exmouth life-boat was the time of the establishment of the named Maria Noble at the life-boat station to the presentation of the station at Exmouth on the 1st of vellum, Exmouth life-boats had been September. Captain R. R. Harrison, launched on service 69 times and had chairman of the branch, took the chair. rescued 57 lives. MARCH, 1955] THE LIFE-BOAT 47 Cornish Open-air Service AN open-air service was held in Newlyn who was assisted by the Rev. G. H. Harbour on the 26th of September, Simpson, Methodist Minister of 1954. The Penlee life-boat W. & S. Newlyn and Mousehole, and Super- was tied up in the harbour and it was intendent J. Stewart of the Ship from the deck of the life-boat that the Institute, Newlyn. Hon. Greville Howard, M.P., a member The congregation numbered more of the Committee of Management, than a thousand and included life- read the lesson. boat crews from Penlee, Sennen Cove The service was conducted by the and St. Ives. It is hoped to hold Rev. R. K. R. Coath, Rector of Sennen, a similar service this vear.

The Winters of Newhaven WHEN Second Coxswain Stanley Winter always a Winter in the Newhaven life- retired from the service in 1954 a boat. Second Coxswain Winter himself family record of 100 years' association served for 13 years, during which he with the Newhaven life-boat was inter- took part in the rescue of 73 people. rupted. In 1854 Second Coxswain He was awarded a bronze medal for the Winter's grandfather became a member part he played in a rescue from H.M. of the crew and until this year there was trawler Atanturine in November, 1943.

New Members of Committee of Management Major Bertram Bell, Mr. Raymond Mr. Russell, who is a chartered Cory, Mr. John Russell, and Mr. Nigel accountant practising in London, \Varrington Smyth, O.B.E., have been served in the R.N.V.R. during the co-opted members of the Committee war. He is a member of the Royal of Management of the Institution. Yacht Squadron. Major Bell, who lives in Fota Island Mr. Warrington Smyth, a solicitor (Co. Cork), has been a Justice of the practising in London, also served in Peace for Wiltshire and is a member the R.N.V.R. during the war, when of the Royal Yacht Squadron. he was awarded the O.B.E. He is a Mr. Cory, who lives in Cardiff and boat-designer and is senior vice-presi- is chairman of the Cardiff branch of dent of the Royal Yachting Associa- the Institution, is a director of a firm tion and on the committee of the Royal of ship-owners and ship-brokers. Cruising Club.

Obituary ADMIRAL SIR WILFRID R. In the last war Admiral Patterson PATTERSON commanded the battleship King George V from 1940 to 1942, and for his ser- ADMIRAL SIR WILFRID R. PATTERSON, vices in the chase and destruction of K.C.B., C.V.O., C.B.E., who died on the Bismarck was appointed C.B. As the 5th of December, 1954, at the age Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Wea- of 61, had been a member of the Com- pons) at the Admiralty he was directly mittee of Management for seven years. concerned with planning the Mulberry He first joined the committee in 1947 harbours. In 1945 he was appointed as an ex-officio member when he was to command a cruiser squadron of the Admiral Commanding Reserves. On East Indies Fleet. He was promoted his retirement from the Royal Navy to Vice-Admiral in 1946 and Admiral in 1949 he was co-opted as a full mem- Commanding Reserves in October ber, and later became Vice-Chairman 1947. of the Boat and Construction Com- Obituary Notices have unfortunately had to be mittee. He was also president of the held over to the June number, of Coxswain Hugh Xelson, John W. Bayes, Henry Robert Johnson, Charles Dartford branch of the Institution. H. Barrett, and Brigadier R. J. P. Wyatt. 48 THE LIFE-BOAT [M AUCH, 1955

56 Days on the Atlantic THE 61-feet former Padstow life-boat tered a 70 miles per hour gale. The Princess Mary, now the converted crossing was made both ways without life-boat Aries, crossed the Atlantic in the use of sail. both directions in 1954. She was The Aries left Kingston-upon- commanded by her owner, Mr. Cecil Thames on the 22nd of May with Harcourt-Smith, and had a crew of four. greeting for Kingston-on-Hudson. The outward journev took 33 days As the Princess Mary the life-boat and the return journey 23 days. was on service at Padstow from 1920 Heavy storms were met both ways, to 1952. During these years she was and 600 miles out from New York on launched on service 63 times and the homeward run the Aries encoun- rescued 48 lives.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, O.K.E., M.C.. T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.ll'.l. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number q/TirE LIFE-BOAT will be published in June, 1953.

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