Volume XLVII Number 477 The

LifeboaJournal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Autumn 198t1 25p The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL THE LIFEBOAT

Autumn 1981

Contents «?—«.<*-*. *» Lifeboat Services 221

Portrush: pulling and sailing to fast afloat Arun, by Joan Davies 227

477 Experimentalfloatin g stretchers 231

Hyannis, Massachusetts, to Rockland, Maine, by M. G. K. Pennell 232 Chairman: THE DUKE OF ATHOLL Around the Coast 234

Director and Secretary: Stephen Whittle, coxswain of Dunmore East lifeboat, by Ray Kipling 236 REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI Here and There 238

Building the Fast Slipway Lifeboat—Part V: behind the scenes 239

Books 240

Obituaries 241 Editor: JOAN DAVIES Letters 242

Headquarters: Shoreline 243 Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 Some Ways of Raising Money 244 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Telex: 41328. Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1981 248 London Office: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW Index to Advertisers 252 (Telephone 01-928 4236). Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to COVER PICTURE tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box Sunset watch for the Margate lifeboatman, a to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal 9, Godalming, Surrey (Telephone memorial to nine men who lost their lives in National Lifeboat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). the early morning of December 2, 1897, when Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ Margate town surf boat Friend of All Nations (Telephone Poole 71133). Photographs Subscription: A year's subscription of capsized on her way to help the ship Persian intended for return should be accom- Empire of West Hartlepool. A strong gale four issues costs £1.40, including post- panied by a stamped and addressed was blowing from the north north east and age, but those who are entitled to there were very heavy seas accompanied by envelope. receive THE LIFEBOAT free' of charge rain and snow. The nine men were: Coxswain will continue to do so. Overseas sub- William Philpott Cook, Snr, Crew Members scriptions depend on the cost of postage Henry Richard Brockman, Robert Ernest Next issue: the winter issue of THE Cook, William Philpott Cook, Jnr, Edward to the country concerned. Write to Robert Crunden, John Benjamin Dike, Wil- LIFEBOAT will appear in January and RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset liam Richard Gill and George Robert William news items should be sent by the end of BH15 1HZ. Ladd, and Charles E. Troughton, superinten- October. News items for the spring dent of Margate Ambulance Corps. The issue should be sent in by the end of Printers: The Friary Press, Grove Trad- photograph was taken by Frank Mathews. January. ing Estate, Dorchester, Dorset. 217 Leicester Investors are everywhere.

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NOTES OF THE QUARTER (Above) The last of the RNLfs pulling lifeboats, Robert and Ellen Robson, goes afloat again at Whitby: TO MARK the Royal Wedding in July a During lifeboat day demon- telegram of congratulations was sent to strations the combined ages of HRH The Prince of Wales on behalf of her 12-man crew came to 742 the RNLI by its chairman, the Duke of years. Atholl: 'The Committee of Management, life- (Right) New York Harbor boat crews, voluntary workers and staff of Festival 1982: A team of New- the Royal National Lifeboat Institution quay, Cornwall, lifeboatmen send loyal greetings and best wishes on the lead the way in the first heat occasion of your wedding.' of the International Lifeboat In reply came the following gracious Races on Independence Day, telegram: July 4. ' The Prince and Princess of Wales send won the race and retained the trophy Ambassador John J. Louis, Jnr, who you their most heartfelt thanks for your which an RNLI team from Teesbay won has accepted an invitation to become extremely kind message.' last year. The Newquay team was flown president of the branch. In commemoration of the wedding an to New York by Pan Am and crew appeal to raise £100,000 towards a new members raised funds locally to provide Pulling boats lifeboat for Wales has been launched. their own blazers, trousers and track Former crew members of the last £16,000 has already been promised and suits. pulling lifeboat in service with the the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor In the first heat of the races, orga- RNLI, Robert and Ellen Robson of Ronald F. Watkiss, has shown his sup- nised by the Maritime Association of Whitby, re-lived the days of oar power port by agreeing to be president of the the Port of New York and rowed on on August 1 when they rowed the life- appeal committee; the committee is July 4, Independence Day, the RNLI boat in Whitby Harbour as part of the chaired by Raymond Cory, a member crew beat two American teams and lifeboat day demonstrations. The com- of the Committee of Management. The went on to beat a crew from a Dutch bined ages of the 12-man crew came to appeal aims to reach every town coun- NATO ship in the final race. At the 742 years and former lifeboat inspector cil, business organisation, sporting and prize presentation in the New York Cdr Leslie Hill went out with them. The sailing club in Wales to help reach the Playboy Club the lifeboatmen received following day the present Whitby life- target. individual cups presented by the Metro- boat crew rowed the lifeboat from politan Government of Tokyo. The Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay and spon- RNLI men presented the race organis- sorship money already collected has New York Rowing Race ers with a model of a traditional New- passed the four figure mark. Generous sponsorship has made it quay rowing gig. The crew of Aberystwyth lifeboat res- possible for an RNLI team to compete * * * cued the occupants of a broken down in the International Lifeboat Races in The American branch of the Institu- motorboat on August 12 when they New York for the third year running, tion, which is based in London, has were out in a replica of an old-fashioned and the team from Newquay, Cornwall, been honoured by United States pulling lifeboat. The replica had been built to raise money for the RNLI and the crew were at sea practising for a ANNUAL MEETINGS 1982 sponsored row when they found the South Bank, London, Tuesday May 11 motorboat in trouble. They towed her safely back into Aberystwyth. Annual General Meeting of Governors: 11.30 am in the National Film Theatre, adjacent to Royal Festival Hall. Chilean lifeboat It was reported in the last edition of Annual Presentation of Awards: 3.00 pm in the main auditorium, THE LIFEBOAT, that an ex-RNLI lifeboat, Royal Festival Hall. ON 860, had been sold to the Chilean Lifeboat Society. She was re-named Further details will be circulated with the winter edition o/THE LIFEBOAT. Valparaiso III at a very happy ceremony at Valparaiso on June 20 when the bonds between the Botes Salvavidas de 219 Valparaiso and the RNLI, described by the Chilean organisation as 'our spir- itual mother', were stressed. The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Peter Coles, has chosen the lifeboat service as the charity for his year of Loss at sea office, giving it his personal, and \ The Department of Trade has just very active support. He is seen here published its statistical analysis of Uni- with the Mayoress, Mrs Coles, at a ted Kingdom shipping casualties and buffet dance at Poole Arts Centre accidents'at sea for 1979, and it is good last July during which Kim Ather- to see that the figures for merchant den won the title of Miss Poole in a beauty contest; the evening raised shipping were lower than for the pre- £1,000 for the RNLI. A few weeks vious year. The number of vessels lost later Councillor Coles started a fell to ten, well below the annual aver- sponsored mini-marathon on Can- age for the past ten years and showing a ford Heath, organised in aid of the marked reduction in gross tonnage of lifeboat service by International merchant vessels lost compared with Stores. 1978. The total number of lives lost was well down, too; 126 compared with 170 Cof M Belfast Academical Institution, vice- in 1978. Richard Barclay, senior local director president of the Royal Ulster Agricul- The statistics for fishing vessels, on of Barclay's Bank, Southampton dis- tural Society and a past president of the the other hand, show that losses over trict, John Clay, deputy chairman of Institute of Bankers in Ireland. the period 1975 to 1979 were higher Hambros Bank and director of the Lord Stanley of Alderley is a retired than in the two previous corresponding Bank of England, John Cox, senior captain of the Coldstream Guards; he periods. general manager of Midland Bank and farms both in Oxfordshire and in The publication Casualties to Vessels chairman of Access, Wilson Ervin, Anglesey and is president of Holyhead and Accidents to Men—Vessels Reg- group managing director of Northern RNLI branch. Sailing is also one of his istered in the United Kingdom—Returns Ireland's Northern Bank Ltd, and Lord pastimes. for 1979 is available from Her Majesty's Stanley of Alderley, a tenant farmer of Birthday Honours Stationery Office, price £4. New College, Oxford, have all been voted new members of the RNLFs In the Birthday Honours List: Committee of Management. The Most Noble Hugh Algernon, Tiger moth rescue Duke of Northumberland, KG TD, was Lowestoft lifeboatmen carried out an Mr Barclay is also director of the appointed to be a Knight Grand Cross unusual rescue as they were preparing National Provident Institution (a life in- of the Royal Victorian Order., The for a demonstration on lifeboat day. A surance company), Barclaytrust Inter- Duke of Northumberland is the Treas- large tiger moth was seen fluttering on national Ltd, Barclays Bank Finance urer and also a vice-president of the the water in the yacht basin. The life- Company (Jersey) Ltd and Barclays RNLI. boatmen scooped it out and put it in the Bank Finance Company (Guernsey) lifeboat cabin where it dried out and it Ltd. Dinghy sailing is among his Frederick William Brooks was was eventually able to fly away. A Nor- recreations. awarded the MBE for services to the wich couple read of the rescue and sent Both Mr Clay, who is a member of community in Hampshire. Among his a £2 cheque to the station 'on behalf of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, and Mr other work for the community, Mr the moth'. Cox, who is a fellow of the Institute of Brooks has been president of Hayling Lowestoft lifeboat day raised £2,283, Bankers, enjoy sailing. Island financial branch since 1980, after beating the previous year's total by over Mr Ervin is chairman of the Belfast serving as chairman for ten years; he is £100. RNLI branch, governor of the Royal also chairman of Hayling Island station branch. Lifeboats on station are usually solitary craft, but every now and again circumstances brings a David James Cox, coxswain of Wells group of them together. On the night of June 4 and 5, five lifeboats gathered in Brixham lifeboat, was awarded the BEM. Mr Harbour. Torbay's own Arun, Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37), was preparing to go for Cox joined Wells lifeboat crew in 1943 survey and her relief, the Arun Sir Max Aitken, had arrived to replace her temporarily on station; and was appointed coxswain in 1960; the new Arun Robert Edgar had come for the night while on trials; the 46ft 9in Watson North he was awarded the thanks of the Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) had called in on passage from Angle to Poole; and Torbay's 18ft Institution inscribed on vellum in 1964 din McLachlan was, of course, on station. A few days later the photograph below was taken of new and old lifeboats at Poole depot: (I. to r.) Robert Edgar, back at Poole before going to her and 1973 and the silver medal in 1979. station, Si Mary's, Scilly Islands; Calshot's 40ft Keith Nelson Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde, on trials after survey; North Foreland, arrived at Poole ready to be hauled out; Changes of address three old lifeboats waiting to be sold out of the service, the 46ft Watsons The Good Hope and The Welsh District Office vacated its Jessie Lumb and the 42ft Beach lifeboat The Alfred and Patience Gottwald; and the 41ft Watson premises at The Exchange, Mount Susan Ashley waiting to be taken by road to the National Lifeboat Museum at Bristol. There was Stuart Square, Cardiff, at the end of still another lifeboat, a McLachlan, on the quay but out of sight. June and moved to: Aberdare House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff. The tele- phone numbers remain the same as be- fore: Cardiff (0222) 31831 and 29005. From September the storage and dis- tribution of fund-raising stores, pre- viously undertaken by the Barry Dock store, were also transferred to Aber- dare House. The North London District Office va- cated its premises at 553a High Road Wembley, at the end of September, the lease having expired, and moved to: 10- 12 St Albans Road, Barnet, Hertford- shire. The telephone number had not been allocated at the time of going to press. 220 from the north east, but in the shallow proved dramatically although the gale water near the yacht the seas were continued unabated and the sea did not broken and confused and about 12 feet lessen until the shelter of Menai Straits high. was reached. After approaching the casualty, at No further problems were experi- 0930, Coxswain Roberts decided to put enced down the straits and the yacht Second Coxswain John Thomas aboard. was left at her moorings near Menai The lifeboat came up astern of the yacht Bridge. Having satisfied himself that and with skilful seamanship Coxswain her crew needed no more help, Cox- Roberts managed to put her bow swain Roberts, at 1335, put his lifeboat against the yacht long enough for the on moorings at Beaumaris. Moelfre life- second coxswain to jump aboard, taking boat returned to station the next day, a towline with him. The lifeboat then arriving at 1115, having rescued two drew off seaward and took station off children being blown out to sea in an July Morn's port bow. inflatable dinghy on the way. On board the yacht Second Coxswain For this service framed letters of West Division Thomas made the towline fast, passing thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, it through a fairlead forward. Coxswain chairman of the Institution, were pre- Broken rudder Roberts then headed east towards sented to Coxswain William J. Roberts Puffin Sound and the shelter of the and Second Coxswain John M. Thomas. Menai Straits. The fairlead, however, A letter of appreciation signed by Rear THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Moelfre had .sharp edges and frayed the tow Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the lifeboat station was informed by Holy- rope. Despite the use of a towing sleeve Institution, was sent to Motor Mechanic head Coastguard at 0845 on Sunday and towels from the yacht, the tow rope Evan O. Jones. September 21, 1980, that the yacht July parted 11 times in the 3'/2 miles from the Morn had reported that she was in diffi- start of the tow until the two boats final- culties, her rudder broken, 100 yards off ly passed through Puffin Sound. It took Llanddona Beach in Red Wharf Bay. three hours to cover this distance during South Western Division Maroons were fired at 0850 and then which time Second Coxswain Thomas minutes later Moelfre's 37ft 6in Rother was constantly exposed to the full force Gale search lifeboat Horace Clarkson launched on of the sea; several times he was nearly service under the command of Cox- swept overboard. Each time the tow A 999 CALL was received by Hartland swain William Roberts. parted a high degree of seamanship was Coastguard at 2125 on Saturday April The wind was north easterly, gale demanded in manoeuvring the lifeboat 25 from the owner and skipper of the force 8, and the sea was rough with a to pass it again. For the final difficult leg 55ft auxiliary ketch Springtide. He told medium to heavy swell. It was half an through Puffin Sound Coxswain them that the yacht had been moored in hour after high water and the ebb Roberts ordered a second line to be an exposed position in Ilfracombe Har- stream was setting westerly at about passed, a decision which was to prove bour; preparing to move her to a posi- half a knot. Visibility was poor, less vital because the main tow parted yet tion more sheltered from the force 8 to than 500 yards for most of the service. again in those confined waters. 9 northerly gale, he had jumped ashore After launching, Coxswain Will During the course of the morning the to let go the mooring lines; the yacht Roberts set course south east by south sun had appeared and visibility im- had been blown clear of the quay and he and headed towards Red Wharf Bay. Despite repeated attempts, no direct radio communication was established ANNUAL AWARDS Members Trevor Pearce and Graham between the lifeboat and the yacht, Wickham of Hayling Island. On De- although Holyhead Coastguard, via 1980 cember 14 they rescued four men in a Anglesey Coastguard mobile and Pen- south-westerly gale, a very rough sea mon lookout, was able to communicate The Maud Smith Award for the most and poor visibility in driving spray and with both boats. Using the Coastguard pouring rain; their yacht's rudder had to relay messages, the lifeboat asked the outstanding act of lifesaving during 1980 has been made to Coxswain/ Mechanic broken off a lee shore. After two unsuc- yacht for her position and the depth of cessful attempts to take the Atlantic 21 water in her vicinity. July Morn gave Malcolm Macdonald of Stornoway for the rescue of 29 men from the trawler rigid inflatable lifeboat alongside- the her position as two miles off Red Wharf yacht, Fitz Flyer, in huge seas, two of Bay and the depth of water as. 35 feet. Junella on September 29. In a strong southerly gale and heavy breaking seas the crew were taken off on the third run Shortly after, at 0922, the lifeboat in; it took four more attempts to snatch picked the yacht up on her radar, at half Coxswain Macdonald took the lifeboat alongside the fishing vessel, which had a third man. A further run in was a mile range, and then, a few minutes needed to take off the yacht's skipper. later, July Morn was sighted a quarter run aground among dangerous rocks, and held her there for 40 minutes while For this service Helmsman Frank Dun- of a mile away. ster was awarded the bronze medal As the lifeboat approached, the yacht Junella's crew were hauled to safety from a pilot ladder. It was a black night and Crew Members Trevor Pearce and was seen to be a 33ft ketch. She was Graham Wickham were awarded the almost a mile west by south of Careg and the operation- was made most dangerous by the rise and fall of the life- thanks of the Institution inscribed on Onnen Quarry, her bows pointing east. vellum. Apparently she had hit a sandbank boat in breaking seas and heavy swell. about half a mile off Trwyn Dwlban Altogether the lifeboat was at sea for more than eight hours. For this service Head, damaging her rudder, and she The James Michael Bower Fund awards had then headed east across Red Wharf Coxswain Macdonald was awarded the silver medal. for 1980 have been made to Coxswain/ Bay, using her engine and the wind Mechanic Malcolm Macdonald of to steer. Waves were breaking over Stornoway, Coxswain/Mechanic Charles the yacht and she was barely under The Ralph Glister Award for the most Bowry of Sheerness, Coxswain/Mech- control. meritorious service carried out in 1980 anic Ian Johnson of Troon, and Cox- Coxswain Roberts decided to try to by the crew of a lifeboat under 10 swain/Mechanic Kenneth Voice of tow July Morn rather than take off her metres in length has been made to Shoreham Harbour, who each received crew, a man and a woman, who were Helmsman Frank Dunster and Crew the silver medal. exhausted. The gale was still blowing 221 Launch into south-westerly strong gale, force 9, Sunday March 22: Three progressive photographs of Eastbourne lifeboat, the 37ft 6in Rather Duke of Kent, taken by 16-year- old Matthew Hancock as (left) she launched down her slipway into (below) very heavy breaking seas and (right) cleared out to sea. Duke of Kent, under the command of Cox- swain/Mechanic Ronald Wheeler, launched at 1215 to help search for two people swept into the sea at Cooden. A man and a boy had been trying to strengthen sea defences at the back of their garden when they were engulfed by a wave and carried out by the undertow. At 1338 a message was received that the man had managed to clamber ashore but that the boy had been drowned; his body was recovered from the surf by coastguards. The lifeboat re- turned to station, was safely recovered despite the very rough conditions and was once more ready for service at 1615. had been unable to get back on board her. The yacht, with three people on board, a 20-year-old man, a girl of 16 and a boy of 12, had then steamed out to sea to ride out the gale. The owner was confident that the young man on board had the experience and ability to handle the boat, but he asked the Coastguard to establish radio contact with the yacht to find out her intentions. Radio contact was never established. At 2150 the owner was told that the yacht was not replying to radio calls but she could be seen by a Coastguard auxiliary. At 2205 the Coastguard telephoned the honorary secretary of Ilfracombe lifeboat station, but he was ill in bed. At the same time, however, the deputy launching authority arrived at the pier having seen the Coastguard Landrover pass. Seeing the yacht offshore he im- the north north east; it was gusting to coming aboard and Coxswain Clemence mediately arranged for the crew to be strong gale force 9. Coxswain David was almost washed from the wheel on called by runner. Clemence ordered every man to attach several occasions. Great concentration At 2220 the yacht disappeared from himself to the boat by his lifeline. Five was needed to take the lifeboat across the sight of those watching on the pier. minutes after launching the lifeboat was the breaking seas while searching very She had run ashore at Capstone Point in on the scene and, with an RAF Whirl- close in to the very rocky lee shore. the vicinity of Forty Steps. The DLA wind helicopter from Chivenor, sear- Despite the efforts of the lifeboat was asked to launched the lifeboat and ching the sea and rocks around Cap- crew, the helicopter crew (back taking maroons were fired immediately. The stone Point. part in the search by 0038) two Coast- crew and shore helpers were already The helicopter could not lower a man guard cliff rescue companies searching assembled and the lifeboat, the 37ft on to the stranded ketch because of the the foreshore and two Fire Brigade Oakley Lloyds II, was hauled out of her height of her mast and rigging, and as units providing additional lighting, boathouse at 2222. the yacht had been carried over a large neither the young man nor the boy from Heard Lane Slipway, down which rock, she was inaccessible from the the yacht was found. The search con- Ilfracombe lifeboat is normally laun- lifeboat. tinued until 0240, when the lifeboat re- ched, could not be used because it was A girl was recovered by the helicop- turned to harbour. She arrived at 0315 undergoing structural alterations as part ter from the sea slightly west of the and was recovered, rehoused, refuelled of harbour works. The lifeboat was casualty at 2320; she was injured and so and ready for service at 0435. therefore taken on her carriage to the was flown ashore to an ambulance. At For this service a framed letter of old slipway at the Brittania Hotel which 2347 the helicopter returned to base to thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, was being used temporarily during this refuel while the lifeboat continued to chairman of the Institution, was pre- period. Despite having difficulty in search the area to the west of the casual- sented to Coxswain David W. G. negotiation parked vehicles along the ty as the tide was now setting down the Clemence. road to the slipway and having to over- Bristol Channel. come a broken towing-hitch, caused It was learned at 0020 on Sunday when the tractor and carriage jack- April 26 that the girl survivor had said Ireland Division knifed on a bank of soft sand which had that a gas bottle had exploded aboard built up at the foot of the slipway, the the yacht when about half a mile off Standing into danger lifeboat was launched on service at shore. The three people on board had 2252. It was half an hour after high donned lifejackets and then jumped A MOTOR CRUISER, Temple Queen, un- water. overboard. sure of her position in a dangerous area When the lifeboat steamed clear of The crew of the lifeboat endured con- just north of the entrance to Strangford the harbour pier she met very rough siderable discomfort during the search. Lough was reported to Portaferry life- seas thrown up by the gale blowing from The cockpit was often swamped by seas boat station by Belfast Coastguard at 222 1900 on Sunday May 17. It was a fair Needles. Yarmouth's 52ft Arun lifeboat Siriolla. A search pattern was made and evening but a strong breeze, force 6, Joy and John Wade slipped her moor- the search was continued until 1600 but, was blowing from the south and the seas ings at 1305 under the command of although wreckage was found from were rough. Coxswain David Kennett. Schesaplana, there was no sign of the Portaferry's Mark IV Zodiac inflat- A gale, gusting up to force 8, was missing man. able lifeboat was launched at 1910 blowing from the south west, with inter- The lifeboat was back on her moor- manned by Helmsman J. Desmond mittent rain, and the sea was choppy; ing, ready for service at 1620. Rogers and Crew Members O. John high water was at 1532. It was later Sadly, the woman who had been Murray and William Reid. When, ten learned that the motor cruiser Schesa- rescued by the helicopter later died. minutes later, the motor cruiser was plana had been on passage from Poole For this service a letter of apprecia- reached it was found that her crew were to the Solent. She was crossing the tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. exhausted and that she was standing Shingles Bank when, while turning, she Graham, director of the Institution, was into danger. Giving command of the met three large waves and capsized. sent to Mr F. Northgraves. A letter lifeboat to Crew Member Murray, The helicopter arrived overhead at signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of Helmsman Rogers himself boarded 1316, recovered a man and woman from operations, expressing appreciation to Temple Queen and piloted her in to Por- the water and flew them to Haslar Hos- Crew Members Mark Rushton and taferry, escorted by the lifeboat. The pital; it was then confirmed that there Clive Smith was sent to Yarmouth two boats arrived alongside the quay at had been four people on board. station honorary secretary, Mr D. B. 1935. "Meanwhile Yarmouth lifeboat had Huff am. The lifeboat was rehoused and once arrived on scene. She found that a again ready for service at 1945. member of MY Pippiri's crew, Mr F. Scotland (South) Division For this service a letter of apprecia- Northgraves of Fareham, had gone over tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. the side and, clinging to the stern of the Graham, director of the Institution, was motor yacht, was supporting one of Flooding tide Schesaplana's crew, a woman. Judging sent to Helmsman J. Desmond Rogers. A PARTY of four wildfowlers, caravan- ning at Burnfoot on the Nith Estuary, on the north side of the Solway Firth, set off shooting at about 0730 on Mon- day January 19. It was about two hours after low water. Two of the party set off across the sandbanks which were dried at the time while the other two men stayed on shore. At 0900 the two men on shore real- ised that the tide was flooding fast and that their two colleagues on the sand- banks would soon be cut off. They tried to attract their attention by firing their guns in the air, but without success. By 0930 one of the wildfowlers out in the estuary was seen to be up to his waist in water; the other, further away, was still on a sandbank showing above the water. One of the men on shore, Stephen Latham of Melton Mowbray, ran to a cottage near the caravan and called Ramsey Coastguard by tele- South Eastern Division it inadvisable for the Arun to approach, phone. Then he inflated a very small Coxswain Kennett ordered away the Y inflatable dinghy—little more than a Capsized motor cruiser class inflatable dinghy carried on board toy, but the only boat available—and to recover both people. The dinghy was set out towards the wildfowler in the launched and, manned by Crew Mem- deeper water. He was prevented from THE DUTY COASTGUARD on watch in the bers Mark Rushton and Clive Smith, reaching this man, however, by the lookout of Solent MRSC on the spring successfully picked up the woman and moderate to fresh west-north-westerly bankholiday Monday, May 25, re- Mr Northgraves and transferred them breeze which, in the squalls of rain, ported at 1256 that a vessel had capsized to the lifeboat; in the gale force winds gusted up to gale force, and by the in the vicinity of the Shingles Bank and rough water it was a difficult opera- strong flooding tide which was setting to Elbow Buoy at the western approaches tion. The woman was then taken below the north. Wind and tide eventually set to the Solent; two people were then and given first aid. him towards the second man. spotted in the water. An RN helicopter One man was still missing and for the At 1030, while Mr Latham was trying from HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent, was search which followed Coxswain Ken- to get this man aboard, the dinghy cap- immediately scrambled, the honorary nett acted as 'on scene commander', sized so that both men were now in the secretary of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, except for a short break when the water but both were able to keep a hold lifeboat station was informed and a PAN woman, whose condition began to give on the dinghy. Meanwhile a Sea King broadcast made to attract the attention cause for concern, was landed at Yar- helicopter had been scrambled from of yachts in the area. One yacht without mouth to be taken to hospital by ambu- RN Prestwick. She was overhead at radio saw the capsized boat and turned lance; during that period Arco Tyne co- 1055 and within minutes had winched to try to help; unable to do so, she made ordinated the surface search. By now these two men to safety. red smoke to attract attention. the helicopter had returned and a num- The remaining man, last seen with Pippin II, a fast cabin cruiser from ber of other boats had joined the the water up to his waist, had by this Yarmouth, responded to the broadcast search; they included Lymington's time disappeared. The helicopter con- and set out at 30 knots at 1301, followed Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat, MY tinued to search and at 1250 the honor- shortly afterwards by the dredger Arco Pippiri II, the Needles pilot launch, ary secretary of Silloth lifeboat station Tyne which was working just outside Lepe Red rescue boat, FV Rowella and was informed that a man was missing in the Bridge reef, running west from the several yachts, among them Riga and Nith Estuary. Silloth's Atlantic 21 rigid 223 Cliff rescue: Just as Torbay lifeboat crew, together with the honorary the command of Coxswain Arthur Curnow and had reached Berry secretary, were embarking on the 54ft Arun lifeboat Edward Bridges Head by 1500. It was found that an 11-year-old boy had slipped 50ft (Civil Service No. 37), at 1445 on Sunday May 24, for exercise and to down a 180ft cliff and, with head and arm injuries, was trapped on a take part in the annual Blessing of the Sea at Brixham, a message came ledge. Ambulance men were with him but, as it was impossible to lift that someone had fallen from Berry Head cliffs, three miles from the him up the cliff, it was decided to lower him to the lifeboat. The Y'class station. The lifeboat slipped her moorings almost immediately, under inflatable dinghy was launched with Crew Member Derek Rundle as inflatable lifeboat was launched at 1310 the heavy surf, saw the club boat being patrol, Bradwell Coastguard boat under the command of Helmsman Colin washed ashore. A little while later two (CGB) saw, at 1120, several dinghies Akitt and made for Borron Point at the men who had struggled to safety capsize. Most were soon righted by mouth of the River Nith. Keeping in through the surf were also seen on the their crews, only one needing help; the contact with Drumore Coastguard beach, but it was thought that there CGB recovered the two dinghy sailors, mobile, she searched up the channel to- might be other people still in the water. righted their boat and took her in tow wards Glencaple. The lifeboat continued the search in the for Stone. Within minutes, however, Just after 1330 the body of the mis- heavy surf, therefore, until the Coast- more dinghies had capsized, so the sing wildfowler was found and recov- guard mobile was able to confirm that CGB anchored the dinghy she had in ered by the helicopter. The lifeboat was there had only been the two crew in the tow and went to help club rescue boats released at 1350 and she was once again club boat and no one else was missing. while Bradwell Coastguard requested rehoused and ready for service at 1435. The Atlantic 21 then returned to station lifeboat assistance. For this service a letter of apprecia- and she was once again rehoused and West Mersea Atlantic 21 rigid inflat- tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Gra- ready for service at 1547. able lifeboat had just arrived back on ham, director of the Institution, was For this service a letter signed by Cdr station from exercise during which she sent to Stephen E. Latham. Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, ex- had already been helping a club rescue pressing the Institution's appreciation boat with capsized dinghies. Crew to the lifeboat crew, was sent to-Mr J. Member Simon Broadhurst had in fact North East Division C. James, Staithes and Runswick sta- gone overboard to help dinghy sailors in tion honorary secretary. Runswick Bay the water with their boat. Search in surf Yacht Club makes a considerable con- The Atlantic 21 set off again im- tribution to local branch funds each mediately manned by Helmsman James A REPORT that Runswick Bay Yacht Club year. Clarke and Crew Members Leonard safety boat had capsized on the east side Broadhurst and Charles R. Taylor. She of the bay came to Staithes and Runs- joined the other rescue boats helping to wick lifeboat station from HM Coast- Eastern Division right capsized dinghies and tow them to guard at 1444 on Sunday June 21. shelter with their crews. Some dinghy Although it was a fine day with only sailors were taken off lee shores and the light variable winds, there was a heavy Racing dinghies lifeboat helped check that those people swell which was breaking inshore. who had had to abandon their boats Members of the lifeboat crew were ON AN OVERCAST Sunday morning, May were safe. already at the boathouse and the Atlan- 3, dinghies from several sailing clubs By 1150 the Police launch Alert II was tic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat was on the River Blackwater had started on her way from Brightlingsea at full launched in four minutes manned by racing when they were overtaken by speed to help. By 1220 it was still not Helmsman Iain Baxter and Crew deteriorating weather; soon after 1100 possible for the clubs to confirm that Members Sean Baxter and Martin the strong westerly breeze was already everyone was accounted for because of Hopkinson. gusting up to near gale, force 7, with a the number of boats now abandoned The lifeboat reached the area of the forecast of worse to come. whose crews were ashore in different casualty at 1500 and, going in through While heading up river on a routine places. So Thames Coastguard re- 224 helmsman; Crew Members John Ashford, Brian Gaunter and Derek crew members held her off adjacent rocks with boathooks, the boy was Winning were taken ashore together with a bucket stretcher (itself on lowered on board and taken to Torquay Harbour at full speed. First trial) and an Ashford first aid pack. The best ledge from which to intimation that the boy was in trouble had come from a young man, embark the boy was 35ft above the sea, but the motion of the inflatable Nicholas Berry, who had risked his own life climbing the cliffs to raise dinghy was too lively for her to receive the boy safely; so Coxswain the alarm. Curnow nosed the lifeboat's bow in to the face of the ledge and, while photographs by courtesy of Mr A. Hall quested that an RAF helicopter from low so she returned to station, arriving Members Paul Walker and Dale Par- Mansion should scramble to make a at 1345. By 1400 the Police, Coastguard ker, to go to the help of a catamaran, general search of the Blackwater. Start- and club boats had all returned to their being sailed single handed, which had ing at Sales Point in the river estuary, stations. capsized off Southbourne. A fresh the helicopter 'hopped' from one boat For this service a letter signed by Cdr breeze, force 5, was blowing from the to another, cross checking the descrip- Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, ex- west and the sea was choppy; the tide tion of apparently abandoned boats pressing the Institution's appreciation was ebbing. with the CGB and the lifeboat. to the lifeboat crew, was sent to Lt-Cdr When the lifeboat reached the cata- At 1251 it was reported that one 505 Maurice W. Bond, West Mersea station maran at 1329 Crew Member Parker dinghy and one GP14 dinghy, each with honorary secretary. transferred to the upturned boat and a crew of two, were unaccounted for. helped to right her. The catamaran Within minutes the lifeboat was able to South Western Division started to sail back but had soon cap- confirm that she had the missing GP14 sized again; her helmsman was then in tow and that the crew of the 505 had Dinghy and catamaran taken on board the lifeboat. Crew been rescued. Member Parker boarded the catamaran By 1300 the helicopter had checked A TELEPHONE MESSAGE from HM CoaSt- and righted her once more, this time all craft within the river and reported guard at 1410 on Saturday March 28 in- taking the sails down and making all that all appeared in hand except for a formed Mudeford lifeboat station that a fast. Then the lifeboat towed her back speedboat with two people on board sailing dinghy had capsized on Mude- to the beach where her owner had a which had broken down north of Osea ford sand bar; her mast was broken and trailer. The lifeboat returned to station Island. By the time the CGB reached she was in difficulties. A moderate at 1410 and was rehoused and once her, however, her engine had been re- breeze, force 4, was blowing from the again ready for service at 1428. paired and she was making her way to south west and the sea was choppy. Maldon. Within minutes Mudeford's Mark IV On returning to Bradwell marina, Zodiac inflatable lifeboat had been Scotland (North) Division towing abandoned boats, the CGB and launched with Helmsman David Sweet- Alert II learned of a small swamped man and Crew Member John Sutton as Two fishing vessels pram dinghy which had drifted out of her crew. the creek. They checked round the The lifeboat reached the capsized A MOTOR FISHING VESSEL sinking off moorings and found that the pram had dinghy at 1420 and helped her crew of Sarclett Head on her way back from overturned while alongside a yacht two cut away the damaged rigging. The fishing grounds was reported to the unloading. A woman and a boy had boat was then taken in tow back to honorary secretary of Wick lifeboat already boarded the yacht; a man Mudeford, arriving at 1455. By 1500 the station at 0135 on Thursday May 21 by had been thrown into the water but had lifeboat was rehoused and once again HM Coastguard. The lifeboat crew were been hauled safely aboard the yacht. ready for service. assembled and Wick's 48ft 6in Oakley After taking the GP14 to Stone and A few weeks later, on Thursday April Princess Marina launched at 0145 under landing her crew, the lifeboat helped 30, Mudeford's D class inflatable life- the command of Coxswain Donald another capsized dinghy in Lawling boat launched at 1315, manned by McKay. A gentle to moderate breeze, Creek. By then her fuel was running Helmsman Brian Stride and Crew force 3i to 4, was blowing from the south 225 east, the sea was slight but it was a hazy from the south. The sea was rough and night and visibility was poor. It was it was an hour after low water. When you have read almost high water. James Ball Ritchie launched at 0439 While the lifeboat was on her way to under the command of Coxswain THE LIFEBOAT the stricken fishing boat, five miles Gawne and reached the auxiliary yacht south of Wick, the Coastguard received Shaula at 0455. As the lifeboat came please pass it on. radio messages from MFV Restless Wave within hailing distance she was told that and MFV Maid of Honour saying that the yacht could not make any progress After landing the two people at 1605, they were also steaming for the last in the southerly gale and her propeller the lifeboat returned to Mary with the known position of the casualty. was fouled; there were three men on idea of taking her in tow again, but she When, at about 0220, the lifeboat board. A tow rope was passed and had taken in much more water and it arrived off Sarclett Head she sighted the lifeboat towed the yacht into more was decided to leave her and return to flares which guided her to a liferaft in sheltered waters to wait the tide into station. The Atlantic 21 was back at the which were the four crew of MFV Ramsey Harbour; she was safely slip at 1705 and was washed down, re- Andreas, which had now sunk. The four berthed in harbour at 0600. fuelled and ready for service at 1745. By men and the liferaft were taken on The lifeboat remained moored afloat now Mary, which had been on passage board the lifeboat, which returned to in harbour for the time being as there from the Isle of Man to Birkenhead, station and landed the survivors at Wick were other yachts still sheltering from was under water with only her mast Harbour at 0310. the gale in Ramsey Bay, but she was visible and she was later found to have A fortnight later, on Thursday June once again rehoused by 0815. broken in two. 4, the fishing vessel Scottish Maid on For this service, a letter signed by Cdr passage from Wick to Kirkwall went West Division Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, ex- ashore half a mile south of Noss Head pressing appreciation to Helmsman Ian Light; there were three men on board. Broken in two M. Campbell and his crew was sent to It was a fine night with variable light the station Honorary Secretary, Cap- breezes, a slight sea and good visibility. A MESSAGE from HM Coastguard was re- tain J. A. Billington. A message came to the honorary sec- ceived by New Brighton lifeboat station retary from the Coastguard at 0035 and at 1438 on Saturday July 11 to say that a at 0050 Princess Marina launched, once motorboat, Mary, was in trouble off Eastern Division again under the command of Coxswain New Brighton bathing pool; she was McKay. It was high water. taking in water. Two dogs At 0105 Coxswain McKay was in- The lifeboat crew were already at the formed by radio that Scottish Maid's boathouse making ready for the dedica- TWO CERTIFICATES OF MERIT have been crew were in a liferaft astern of their tion ceremony the next week of their awarded by the Royal Society for the boat. Five minutes later the lifeboat new Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to reached the stranded vessel and the best Maroons were fired at 1440 and the life- lifeboatmen of Great Yarmouth and means of approach was planned, taking boat was launched from Portland Slip at Gorleston; one to the crew of the 44ft into account the rocky coastline. The 1445 under the command of Helmsman Waveney lifeboat Barham who rescued master was asked to join his crew in the Ian Campbell; with him were Crew a dog on August 31, 1980, and one to liferaft, which was then taken alongside Members Anthony Jones, Michael the crew of the Atlantic 21 rigid inflat- the lifeboat. The three fishermen were Jones and Robert Robertson. able lifeboat who launched to help taken on board and with the liferaft in another dog on January 4, 1981. tow Princess Marina returned to It was a fine afternoon, but a fresh breeze, force 5, was blowing from the Barham was out on exercise on Sun- station. She arrived at 0145 and was west north west and the sea was very day morning, August 31, when a mes- rehoused and ready for service at 0200. rough. It was just after low water. sage was received from the Coastguard The lifeboat first made for the posi- that a dog was in the water near the West Division tion she had been given off the bathing Links Hotel, two miles south west of the pool, where there were a number of pier heads, and a man was trying to Two calls pleasure boats. Seeing one boat with a swim out to rescue it. A moderate to fishing party on board which appeared fresh breeze was blowing from north A SURF BOARD sailor, sitting on his board to be lying low by the stern, Helmsman north east and the sea was very rough. trying without success to paddle back to Campbell went alongside, but it was not The lifeboat made for the position and shore against an offshore breeze was re- this vessel which needed help. sighted the dog about 50 yards offshore. ported to the deputy launching author- At this point, Helmsman Campbell To reach him Coxswain Richard Haw- ity of Ramsey lifeboat station by HM decided that Mary must be further out kins had to manoeuvre between groynes Coastguard at 1530 on Friday June 5. to sea and further to the west, so he set with less than four feet of water under The Coastguard had been unable to find off in that direction at full speed. While the boat. Then Second Coxswain a shore boat which could help. on the way, he received information Michael Brown, wearing his lifejacket Ramsey's 37ft Oakley James Ball from the coastguard that Mary, a 30ft and secured with a line, went over the Ritchie launched at 1544 under the com- ex-ship's lifeboat, was lying between side and recovered the dog. The owner, mand of Coxswain Lawrence Gawne Askew Spit and Little Burbo Bank, six who had made his own way back to the and headed for the surf board, IVz miles miles north north west, and she was shore, collected his dog from the life- south east of the station. It was a fine being pounded by heavy surf; there boat station and made a contribution to afternoon with a gentle to moderate were two people on board. branch funds. After this service a num- south-westerly breeze and a slight sea. The Atlantic 21 found Mary at 1522. ber of other dog lovers also came up to The tide had been ebbing for an hour The owner's wife was taken on board the lifeboat pen to make appreciative and a half. The man, by this time ex- the lifeboat and an attempt made to tow donations. hausted, was taken on board the life- the casualty into calmer water. Very lit- On Sunday January 4 the Coastguard boat at 1556 and put ashore at Ramsey tle headway could be made, however, sighted a dog in the river about a at 1604. He was taken 'home by the as the boat was still taking water and quarter of a mile from the harbour Coastguard. her pumps could not clear it. Helmsman mouth; once again, the owner was On Saturday June 13, at 0420, red Campbell decided that Mary should trying to rescue it. The afternoon was flares were sighted east of the station by drop anchor and the owner be taken overcast and wintry, with a fresh to Ramsey Coastguard. It was an overcast off. On the way back to station a re- strong breeze blowing from the north morning with a gale force 8 blowing quest was made for an ambulance. continued on page 248 226 Portrush

PULLING AND SAILING TO FAST AFLOAT ARUN

By Joan Davies

AT NOON on Sunday March 1, 1981, a 'The lifeboat has a/so her work on the Ramore Head and Portrush from the air. The new Arun class lifeboat was placed on western or harbour side. Vessels which, old lifeboathouse can be clearly seen on the service at Portrush lifeboat station, and making for the harbour in stormy weather east side of the harbour. yet another page was turned in a story or by night, fall to leeward of it and photograph by courtesy of of lifesaving on the north coast of Ire- among the rocks, or vessels which fail to BKS, Coleraine weather the point of the promontory called land which began in 1860. That was the Ramore Head, and other like instances, helm and was driven on to the sand 50 year in which Portrush, a station which may at any time necessitate the Porlrush yards south west of the south pier; the together with Donaghadee, Campbel- boatmen doing their utmost to save life lifeboat John Whitaker (1876 to 1889) town and Port Patrick guards the estu- with this boat . . .' took hawsers from the vessel to the pier ary of the Clyde and the northern 'The nearest large town from Portrush preventing her from going broadside on approach to the Irish Sea, was first is Coleraine and some few miles to the to the sand and enabling her to get off eastward is the famous Giant's Causeway. established by the RNLI. The new when the tide rose. On April 13, 1909, Arun, 52ft overall with a beam of 17ft The coast scenery generally is wild and grand, while in the before-mentioned bay, ss Hamilton of Stranraer, bound from 6in, has powerful twin diesel engines to Maryport to Portrush with a cargo of help her in her work of lifesaving. The to the east of For/rush, are some beautiful little bits of quieter scenery—sand, rock, coal, was about to enter harbour in a first Portrush lifeboat, Laura, Countess and island . . .' strong westerly gale when she was of Antrim, was 30ft long with a 7ft The beauty and the grandeur are still caught by tide and sea and driven on to beam, pulling ten oars; her setting was rocks; the lifeboat Hopwood (1902 to there for all to see—and the dangers of described thus in the November 1875 1924) rescued four of her crew, the re- edition of THE LIFEBOAT: this lovely coast are still there, too, with off lying rocks and shoals, overfalls and maining three being saved by coast- 'Portrush is a small town and harbour guards with lines from the shore. at the north-east extremity of the bay, of tidal eddies waiting for the unwise or which Inishowen Head is the north-west the unfortunate. Motor fishing vessel or The Skerries Roads extremity, and into which the waters of yacht may have replaced brigantine and Many early lifeboat services were Lough Foyle flow . . . schooner, but Portrush lifeboatmen of to vessels which had sought shelter 'The town is built on a small promon- today will tell you, just as their fore- anchoring to the south of the Skerries tory inclining to the northward. To the bears would have done, that on that only to find themselves in a perilous west side of it is the small harbour, partly part of the coast the wind is at its worst position when gales went round to the natural, but rendered safe by a break- water, and thus made available for a when it blows from the west north west: north west. Then the lifeboat would refuge harbour for coasters and a point of then it is blowing straight off the Atlan- have been hauled on her carriage to be departure for steamers for Scotch and tic with a long ocean fetch to pile seas launched off the sandy beach 'as nearly other ports. up in the bay. Big seas can curl right as may be under the lee of the wreck', 'To the eastward of the town is a wide into the harbour mouth and in an and, with the sand being soft and deep, sandy bay with a fair anchorage, which is onshore gale it must have been no mean it is recorded that both horses and men to a slight extent sheltered from the north feat to launch a pulling lifeboat even were often 'severely taxed'. by islands to seaward of it. To a slight within the harbour. There were hazards in plenty for ves- extent on/v, however, and vessels anchor- When entering or leaving Portrush sels of the last century, trading under ing there with the wind in other directions, which they may do in safety, and caught in strong winds from the west could be sail. But if the dangers are reflected in that position with a northerly gale, often disastrous, even for steam ships. On the reports of lifeboat services, so is the find themselves in great peril either of December 15, 1883, ss Skelligs of Glas- warm humanity of the people of Port- foundering at their anchors, or dragging gow, bound for Liverpool was leaving rush: On October 3, 1873, the wind was or parting their anchors . . .' harbour when she failed to answer her from the north west and the brigantine Amanda of Coleraine was dragging her anchors towards a dangerous lee shore in a heavy gale: 'This was a truly noble service, and tested to the utmost the endurance of the lifeboat's crew . . . at one time it seemed that the effort would fail, as the boat had to drop down under the lee of an island. The crew, however, again returned to the attack: and, after two hours' hard rowing with difficulty got on board the distressed Produced from a por- vessel, and eventually safely landed all tion of H.\ Chart \o. hands, to the great joy of a large crowd of 279$ with the sanction of the inhabitants of Portrush .... the Controller HM .Sta- tionery Office and the March 2, 1891: a gale from west to Hydrographer of the north west and the schooner Ellen Navy. Myvanwy of Beaumaris, bound from

227 Runcorn for Ramelton, Co. Donegal, occupation is represented and Jimmy is place; she is one of the few women to with a cargo of salt anchored in Sker- the only fisherman in the crew. have contributed to the lifeboat service ries Roads and showing signs of dis- Crew Member Louis Craig is the in this way. In 1945, William Knox re- tress. All through that day and the next grandson of Thomas Patton, coxswain turned from the war to continue as hon- the lifeboat Robert and Agnes Blair from 1901 to 1912 and then from 1916 to orary secretary until 1974; he was (34ft self-righter, 1889 to 1902) tried to 1932. It was Thomas Patton who saw awarded the gold badge in 1967 and go to her aid but was time and again through one of the most fundamental honorary life governorship of the In- driven back ashore by the severity of changes at Portrush, because he was stitution in 1974. When William retired the gale, until . . . coxswain of both the station's last pull- it was his son, Joe, who took over the '. . . 4pm when the boat went off splen- ing and sailing boat Hopwood and of its office, the responsibilities of which had didly, her crew toiling manfully at the first motor lifeboat, T.B.B.H., a 45ft been part of the background of his life oars. As soon as practicable sail was set Watson cabin lifeboat, which came on as long as he could remember. He and and in half-an-hour the vessel was reached station in 1924; although a motor life- his brothers were used to helping quick- and her crew of three men taken off. After boat, she still carried auxiliary sails and ly and efficiently with any tasks allotted tacking in the bay under sail the boat ran oars. to them; Portrush lifeboatmen live close in beautifully to the shore, being greeted Robert 'Bobbie' McMullan was down by the harbour and, during the with great cheering by the people on the second coxswain from 1940 to 1963 and war, when a call came, Joe and his land.' then coxswain from 1964 to 1974; his brothers used to act as runners for their For this service silver medals were son, another Robert McMullan, is a mother, knocking up the crew. awarded to Captain Frederick Watt and crew member in the present lifeboat, It goes even deeper than that. Some Coxswain John Hopkins. and Bobbie's grandson, yet another lifeboat people seem to have a sixth Those are just two random examples. Robert, is waiting to join the crew. sense which tells them when a shout is From 1864 for more than a quarter of a Grandfather, father and son. That likely to come. As a small boy, Joe century the honorary secretary was the has also been the pattern for the motor shared a room with his two brothers. Reverend J. Simpson and perhaps it mechanics of Portrush for the past 57 One night he roused from sleep and, was he who has been able to convey so years. Karl Chambers became the sta- still only half awake, started to dress. vividly to us, over the years, the im- tion's first motor mechanic when 'What are you doing?' one of his mediate, lively concern of the commun- T.B.B.H. came on station in 1924 and, brothers asked, seeing Joe pulling on ity. But the same warm spirit is still except for one or two years during the his socks. abroad today. Whatever time of day or war, he remained the motor mechanic 'The lifeboat's needed.' Joe replied. night the maroons are fired, the inhabit- until 1947; Gilbert Chambers served as Just at that moment the telephone ants of Portrush come down to the har- assistant mechanic with his father, Karl, rang. Their father answered the call bour, just as they have always done, to for two years before the war and then and, as he hurried past the boys' room share in the anxiety and the joy of the took over from him as motor mechanic he looked in. lifeboat people. in 1947, serving as second coxswain/ 'The lifeboat's needed,' he said.- mechanic from 1975 until his death in Grandfather, father, son 1978; the mantle then fell on Gilbert's The ladies Lifeboat and town have always been son, Derek Karl . . . Karl was the No one will ever know the magnitude closely knit. Indeed, Samuel Cunning- motor mechanic in Thomas Patton's of the support given year in, year out, ham, who was coxswain from 1946 to crew which, in 1924, brought home by the wives and families of lifeboat- 1963, was the Town Clerk, succeeding T.B.B.H.; Gilbert was the motor men; all that can be said for sure is that his father in that office in 1953. From mechanic in Robert McMullan senior's it is beyond all praise. Portrush is one of father to son. In just the same way the crew which, in 1949, brought home Por- the many lifeboat stations where that lifeboat families themselves have passed trush's next lifeboat, the 46ft 9in Wat- quiet continuous background help is ex- on their commitment from one genera- son Lady Scott (Civil Service No. 4), tended to embrace active fund raising in tion to another. and Derek was the motor mechanic in aid of the lifeboat. It all began one James 'Jimmy' Stewart, who became Jimmy Stewart's crew which this year evening early in 1977 with a discussion coxswain in 1974, is the grandson of brought home the new Arun. between Noel Black, now second cox- John Stewart, coxswain from 1912 to The record of the Knox family is swain, and his wife Maureen after they 1916. Jimmy first joined the crew in much the same, with a tradition of ser- had seen, while on holiday, a souvenir 1949; he served as bowman from 1959 vice spanning nearly half a century. Wil- stall at a Scottish boathouse. Could it be to 1963 and second coxswain from 1964- liam R. Knox first joined the reserve done at Portrush? Why not? 1974 before taking over as coxswain. In crew in 1932 and went on to become Roberta Knox, Joe's wife, called a his grandfather's day, as in the years be- station honorary secretary in 1938. The meeting of crew members' wives and it fore, practically all the lifeboatmen war took him away from home but his was decided to make a start by selling were fishermen. Nowadays a variety of wife, the late Mrs W. R. Knox, filled his souvenirs at the boathouse every sum- mer weekend and on weekday evenings in July and August. They were away. Officers of the guild are Roberta Knox, Fay Scott, the wife of Crew Member John Scott, Maureen Black and Winifred Lee, the wife of William 'Billy' Lee, deputy launching authority and former bowman. Eight other mem- bers include Margaret McMullan, wife of Crew Member Robert McMullan. and Betty McQuilken, the wife of Crew Member Albert McQuilken. Portrush is a holiday resort and right Hopwood (7902 to 1924), from the start the stall at the boathouse a 35ft Liverpool, was Portrush's last pulling and proved popular with the visitors; even sailing lifeboat. Former in the first year £250 was raised. Since coxswain Thomas Patton then it has gone from strength to is at her helm. strength. Fay Scott, the honorary photograph by courtesy treasurer, makes out one big order to be of 'Coleraine Chronicle' delivered in one load and the souvenirs 228 president of the Institution and chair- man of the Search and Rescue Commit- tee; the hymns are hymns of the sea. In 1980 the service was held at St Pat- rick's one summer afternoon. Singing was led by a male voice choir and soloists and a wonderful sermon was preached by Father Hugh Murphy, a former Royal Naval chaplain and pre- viously a member of Belfast branch committee. It was a truly memorable occasion. Later, everyone who had con- tributed to the service was entertained to supper. The children of St Patrick's Church School had played their part, too, tak- ing lifeboats as the subject for a painting project. Every child who entered for a poster competition organised through the parent-teacher association by Mrs Patricia McNally was given a lifeboat The 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat Lady Scott (Civil pencil—and they do not forget! Service No. 4) launches from the boathouse. Now Patricia's husband, John McNal- She was on station from 1949 to 1981. ly, together with John Campbell, runs photograph by courtesy of the Harbour Bar which itself organises Colin Watson regular draws in aid of Portrush branch and sells lifeboat calendars. The Har- bour Bar, right down on the quay, is the accepted meeting place for lifeboatmen and sailing people, and it is not unusual to find a group of the crew there. In- deed they say that one Christmas Eve when a call came, there being the nu- Silver medallist Samuel Cunningham, cox- cleus of a crew in the bar, the launch swain of Portrush lifeboat from 1946 to 1963. was so quick the coastguards couldn't photograph by courtesy of the believe it! 'Daily Mail' Service Other fund-raising projects followed For Portrush, as for so many other Bobbie McMullan (I.), coxswain from 1964 the sale of souvenirs. One jumble sale to 1974, with the present coxswain. Jimmy lifeboat stations, the saving of life has Stewart. was planned, but so many goods were not been achieved without loss. On the ^photograph by courtesy of L'Atelier collected that two sales had to be held morning of November 1, 1889, Robert and the total profit was £150. A spring and Agnes Blair, newly placed on sta- are stored at the Scott's house, opposite fair is arranged each year during Easter tion, was out searching for a schooner; the boathouse. The McQuilkens live week, when the town will be full of visi- she was thought to be in trouble in the just opposite the boathouse, too. Betty tors. Joe Knox himself organises flag Skerries Roads in a north-westerly gale McQuilken looks after the stall every days (Portrush has two, one in July and but in fact had succeeded in getting out afternoon and she and Fay are able to one in August) and the wives are most to sea. Unable to return to Portrush, keep a weather eye on events and call appreciative of their menfolk's help, on the lifeboat ran for Bush Strand . . . up other helpers at any time it looks as which they can always rely in all their though it would be worth while 'open- enterprises. 'They are marvellous', is 'When close in, the sail was lowered, the ing up'. They find that visitors, realising the general verdict. mast taken down and most of the oars got that the stallholders are lifeboatmen's Strong support comes from other out, the port side pulling and the starboard wives, are most interested to stop and sources as well. The local golf club, for backing so as to bring the boat stern to sea, when an exceptionally heavy sea talk; one customer turned out to be the instance, arranges an annual tourna- struck her on the port quarter and cap- daughter of a man rescued by lifeboat ment in aid of Portrush station branch, sized her . . . all the crew being thrown after the car ferry Princess Victoria had for which Ulster Bank has provided out with the exception of one man . . .' sunk on passage from Stranraer to prizes. Each year a substantial cheque is Lame in 1953. handed to the branch. The boat righted, was capsized a It is all very personal, very friendly. second time and righted again, being The same people come back year after Thanksgiving driven towards the beach. Although year. Sometimes they leave an order to One annual event in which everyone most of the crew managed to reach land be posted on later. More often than not takes part, and which is regarded as the safely, three men were tragically lost. they say, 'Keep the change', and if they crown of the year, is the Lifeboat By the 1930s, the majority of services do not want to buy anything, they put a Church Service. An ecumenical occa- were to motor fishing vessels, drifting donation in the lifeboat box. In 1980 sion, it is held in a different church each into danger with broken down engines £1,400 was taken on the stall even time: Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, or fouled propellers. Nowadays there though the boathouse had to be shut for Roman Catholic. The church is deco- are calls to yachts or dinghies as well as a while. rated with lifeboat flags and perhaps to fishing boats, to bathers, skin divers Even the houses of Portrush seem to there is a model lifeboat on display; or people cut off by the tide. Every now have their own lifeboat traditions. branch and guild members are waiting and again, however, when the call out Whenever the lifeboat is called out. Fay outside the church with crew members comes it is still to go to the help of a Scott puts on a pan of soup, warming up to welcome the arriving congregation; merchant ship. ready for the returning crew members— one lesson is read by a crew member On October 19, 1935, violent wester- and the people who lived in the house and one by the station's 'neighbour', ly gales were blowing when, at about before did exactly the same thing. Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Hezlet, a vice- 0200, a collier moored alongside the

229 quay at Portrush broke adrift and went aground near the lifeboat slipway. The lifeboat crew was assembled and stood by until 1030 when, because it was feared the collier might damage her slipway, the 45ft Watson T.B.B.H. was launched, continuing to stand by until, at 2145 that evening, a message came from the Coastguard that a vessel was ashore at Port Ballintrae. down the coast to the east. No trace was ever found of a vessel in distress, but after T.B.B.H. had passed the Skerries she was hit by a big sea which struck Crew Member John Fleming full in the chest, carrying him overboard. Tremendous seas were running and it was dark and raining, but nevertheless, due to the presence of mind and splendid seaman- ship of Coxswain James Martin (cox- swain from 1932 to 1936), the prompt- ness with which Motor Mechanic Karl The 52ft Arun lifeboat Richard Evans at her naming. In background. Galway's 52ft Burnett Chambers carried out his orders and the lifeboat Frank Spiller Locke. photographs by courtesy of Colin Watson coolness and discipline of the crew, which included two brothers of the man Four years later, on November 1, overboard, John Fleming was found 1965, a message came at 0916 that five men had been lost overboard from the and rescued. The thanks of the Institu- tion inscribed on vellum were accorded Norwegian frigate Bergen, twenty miles to Coxswain James Martin and Motor north west of Portrush. A storm, force Mechanic Karl Chambers and a framed 10, was blowing from the north west letter of thanks was presented to Crew and frequent squalls reduced visibility. Member James Fleming who, at the risk It was two hours before high water and of going overboard himself, got a rope the conditions at the harbour entrance round his brother. were described as 'appalling'. It was the worst weather any one can remem- It was October again when, in 1961, ber. Nevertheless, Coxswain Robert Portrush lifeboat, the 46ft 9in Watson Lady Scott (Civil Service No. 4), was McMullan decided to try to take the After the ceremony: Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur lifeboat out. The crew unanimously called out in the early hours of the 22nd Hez/et talks with Richard Evans, former cox- volunteered to go with him and they to go to the help of Greek motor vessel swain of Moelfre lifeboat, and Coxswain were joined by Noble Ruddock, the dis- Argo Delos, ashore on Inishtrahull Is- Jimmy Stewart of Portrush. trict engineer for Ireland from Court- land 24 miles to the north west. In a macsherry who was on duty in the area. Coxswain Richard Evans of Moelfre, north-easterly gale, with very little sea Lady Scott was launched and Cox- holder of two gold medals. room among the rocks and in confused Richard Evans (Civil Service No. 39) seas which carried the lifeboat 15 feet swain McMullan succeeded in taking her safely through the high breaking came to Portrush in February this year, up and down alongside the casualty, calling at Moelfre on the way. For the Coxswain Samuel Cunningham brought seas at the harbour mouth and out to deeper water; people who were watch- last stages of her delivery trip, from Lady Scott in several times to take off Howth to Campbeltown for exercise 14 of Argo Delos's crew before a rope ing said that several times the lifeboat appeared to leave the water and drop with the Arun Walter and Margaret fouled his propeller. The 14 men were bodily into the trough of the sea. Couper and on to Portrush, she was transferred to HMS Leopard, which was joined by Admiral Hezlet and the late standing by. Lady Scott cleared her Although the search continued all day until darkness fell, nothing could be Commodore Peter Kavanagh, Director propeller and then she also stood by of the Irish Navy and an Irish member while 15 more of the casualty's crew found of the five Norwegians. Wind and sea were too bad to return to Portrush, of the Committee of Management. She were lifted off by helicopter. received a great welcome from the peo- Every member of the lifeboat crew- so Lady Scott made for Greencastle, Donegal, at the entrance of Lough ple of Portrush. Lady Scott (Civil Ser- was presented with an engraved silver vice No. 4) came out to meet her and tankard by the captain, officers and Foyle. For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were there was a welcoming banner right ship's company of HMS Leopard, whose across the front of the Harbour Bar. captain wrote in his report: accorded to Coxswain Robert McMul- lan, Second Coxswain James Stewart, The next day a telegram of good wishes 'The handling, ski/1 and bravery of the Bowman William Lee, Motor Mechanic arrived from Mr Humphrey Atkins, crew of this lifeboat were of the highest Gilbert Chambers, Assistant Mechanic then Secretary of State for Northern order and earned the admiration of all on Frederick Williams, Crew Member T. Ireland. She had come home. board Leopard.' O'Neill and Noble Ruddock, district en- It was just a couple of days later, on The silver medal for gallantry was gineer of lifeboats (Ireland). Friday February 27 while Richard awarded to Coxswain Samuel Cunning- Evans was still occupied with crew ham and the bronze medal to Second Fast afloat training before going on station, that Coxswain Robert McMullan, who had The first service of Portrush's new the Danish cargo vessel Erria ran been on the foredeck, slippery with oil 52ft Arun lifeboat was to a Danish car- aground on the Donegal coast in south from the casualty's damaged hull, go vessel. The Arun, like her predeces- easterly gales. Richard Evans slipped throughout the operation. The thanks sor Lady Scott, is the gift of the Civil her moorings at 2230 under the com- of the Institution inscribed on vellum Service and Post Office Lifeboat mand of Coxswain Jimmy Stewart were awarded to Motor Mechanic Gil- Fund—the 39th lifeboat these most assisted by Tony Course, divisional in- bert Chambers, Assistant Mechanic K. loyal friends have donated to the In- spector of lifeboats (Ireland). Reaching McMullan, Bowman James Stewart and stitution. She has been named after the the casualty three quarters of an hour Crew Members J. King and R. McKay. most famous living lifeboatman, former later, she stood by while three of the 230 Danish crew were taken ashore by Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat had contributed to the boat could have breeches buoy. Then, as the captain and Fund, accompanied by Lady Radford, been there. But the celebrations were chief engineer had elected to remain on was there to present the lifeboat to the not yet over. Richard and Nancy Evans board Erria, Richard Evans put into Institution. The Arun was received by were guests of honour at the crew Greencastle for the rest of the night so Admiral Hezlet who in turn handed her dinner held that evening when Richard that she would be nearby should the into the care of Portrush branch, on was presented with an inscribed clock situation deteriorate. The two remain- whose behalf she was accepted by the by Coxswain Jimmy Stewart and Nancy ing Danes were finally taken off the honorary secretary, Joe Knox. A ser- with a piece of Irish cut glass by next day by Foyle pilot boat. vice of dedication followed in which the Winifred Lee, chairman of the guild. Richard Evans (Civil Service No. 39) Reverend Winston Graham, the Re- When at sea as a young man, Richard was placed on station on March 1 and verend M. Roycroft. and Father John Evans had visited many Irish Ports; in on Saturday June 27 lifeboat people Hurson all took part. the speech which he gave after the din- came from all over Northern Ireland to The service ended. Lady Hezlet step- ner he said that now there would always be present at her naming ceremony. It ped on to the dais and named Richard be a little bit of Wales in Ireland. was an ideal day, with brilliant sun- Evans (Civil Service No. 39), pressing a Richard has many times received stand- shine. Galway lifeboat, the 52ft Barnett button to break over the Arun's bow ing ovations, but the warmth of the one Frank Spiller Locke, on passage, was 'the wine of the country', a bottle of Irish with which he was honoured by the life- there in support and among the special whiskey presented for the naming cere- boat people of Portrush is something he guests were Miss Connie Henry, honor- mony by Bushmills, a venerable distil- will surely never forget—just as Port- ary secretary of the Civil Service and lery founded in 1608. After a vote of rush lifeboat people will never forget his Post Office Lifeboat Fund and, of thanks the lifeboat slipped—perhaps words when, at the end of the naming course, former Coxswain Richard the most moving moment of all. ceremony in the afternoon, before call- Evans with his wife, Nancy, and their It "has been a wonderful afternoon, ing for three cheers for the lifeboat and three sons. and, writing later. Miss Henry said she crew he said: 'Take good care of the Sir Ronald Radford. chairman of the only wished more of the people who Richard Evans for me'.

Experimental cushion for a casualty's neck, the all attendant in the water can easily right it; purpose stretcher provides valuable and there is a big enough air pocket floating stretchers shock absorption and some insulation under the stretcher when it is upside- from the cold; a zip-up fly sheet lined down for the casualty to be able to TRIALS ARE AT PRESENT in progress on with heat-reflecting foil further reduces breath. two different possible answers to the heat loss from the casualty. A first aider The second experimental stretcher is same problem: how best to achieve a attendant from the lifeboat crew, sitting a development by Crew Member John stretcher which will float. While flota- astride the stretcher, can easily slide a Ashford of Torbay. who is also an tion is obviously a desirable extra safe- casualty from the water into the stretch- ambulance man, of the basket stretcher guard in any marine situation, there are er. Should the stretcher be capsized, an (seen in use on service in photographs also many occasions when it would have on pages 224 and 225). To the basic the particular advantage of greatly in- stretcher, in which a number of round creasing the chances of recovering a drainage holes have been cut, has been badly injured person either from the added a flotation jacket made from a water or from rocks with as little further modified lifejacket. The jacket is aggravation to the injury as possible. attached to the stretcher by two snap One of the experimental stretchers, hooks on each shoulder strap and clips called the all purpose stretcher (see Figs on each end of an adjustable cross 2 and3), was designed by Brian Powell, strap. So. in effect, the casualty is se- a senior fire officer of Cumbria Fire cured in a lifejacket which has a full Brigade. It is manufactured by MFC length rigid extension to give protection Survival Ltd. Intended primarily for from further injury while the man or mountain rescue work, this stretcher woman is being got aboard a lifeboat. can be carried in a comparatively small At whatever angle the stretcher enters pack. The rigid base is made up of glass the sea the casualty will float with his reinforced plastic panels which are lock- Fig 1 (above): Crew Member John Ashford head above water (see Fig 1). ed in position by light alloy box section demonstrates his modified floating basket Both stretchers are undergoing eval- tubing with spring locking clips. Once .stretcher. uation trials on the coast, with particu- the base has been set up a carefully photograph by courtesy of Nigel Coulton lar attention being given to such vital shaped 'collar' is inflated so that, for details as the lifting attachments. The marine use, the stretcher becomes a Figs 2 and 3 fbelow): The a/I purpose inflat- ideas are there; now they are being fol- small inflatable catamaran. With an in- able stretcher on trials alongside the new Arun lowed through to see what they have to flatable mattress and a vee-shaped lifeboat Robert Edgar. offer to the work of rescue at sea.

231 Hyannis, Massachusetts • V1. ss: \~^ to Rockland, Maine ENVOY WITHOUT PORTFOLIO by M. G. K. Pennell

w " *»Xt-fl •<„';.."" W«p "\.-X -" '..^" - ncita^n py5rfsC^iiji^' :•£<•*?.".!£»,,.'.>;>• .,-VV ,,-3s^ -,.TV'\ T'\ u '""•O'vji/Cv.;; v\\\|"<\ ^f%» V-\, Produced from a por- r^W: ,. ?'•'" tion of BA Chart No. - v\\i\ \*\ *\ 2492 with the sanction of *• \ \,.v \%i\ \\, the Controller HM Sta- V VM"- \ tionery Office and the »;;A\W - ^fe>^' THE OPPORTUNITY to visit overseas life- community. In particular he wanted to boat organisations is usually limited to know more about the Institution's smal- the four-yearly International Lifeboat ler lifeboats such as the rigid inflatable Conference; to be invited, and spon-' Atlantic 21. A number of letters were sored privately, to spend a week in the exchanged and when Cdr Badham United States for what was to prove a visited this country privately in the valuable two-way conversation on life- autumn the problems of the New saving at sea was indeed a rare and ex- England coast became clearer. citing proposition. From a search and rescue point of

•mlSomSrW In June, 1980, correspondence be- view, the Maine coastline is frightening. #>: Ip*~-,,.h -^ tween Cdr Mike Badham, RN (Retd), From one end to the other as the crow now living in Maine, USA, and myself' flies it is about 300 miles, but with hun- began with the familiar questions: dreds of deep inlets the actual coastline "X. 'What is the RNLI?' 'How does it work?' is more like 3,500 miles and there are and 'What is the function of HM Coast- many small islands lying off (see chart, guard?'; not that Cdr Badham was north). The United States Coast Guard, totally uninformed—he had sailed an a government service, has established ex-RNLI lifeboat to the United States four lifeboat stations along this coast, in 1960—but he wanted to be brought with helicopters at Cape Cod, but it up to date in an effort to help solve a cannot provide individual local cover local New England problem involving for the many small and scattered fishing serious loss of life at sea by the fishing communities of Maine. It is a vast prob- lem in a vast and often lonely terrain. Unfortunately the distances involved are inevitably sometimes too great for a quick response to local incidents and • after a series of fatalities in 1980, one small area, East Casco Bay, took the initiative by establishing Maine's first voluntary lifeboat organisation. It was an enterprise which has the full co- 1 operation of the Coast Guard and the support of the area's Congressman, and at present it takes the form of co- operative self help. When information of an overdue fishing vessel is received, Mike Pennell joined the Institution as an assistant inspector of lifeboats in May 1973, to take over as divisional inspector of lifeboats (East) that November. In 1978 he was appointed executive assistant to the director, but he will soon be returning to the coast as divisional inspector (South East). 232 other local boats put to sea as an organi- and their safety problems are similar group commander provided me with sed unit to complement the work of the each side of the Atlantic. I learned that two drawings of modifications they had US Coast Guard lifeboats or greater emphasis is placed on survival made to the hull and rudder which he helicopters. suits in New England than in the old thought might be useful to the RNLI. As we all well know, however, a country, because of the low water During the afternoon time was again voluntary lifesaving organisation costs temperature, but that there is less spent driving around the coast where I money, and there is no state aid avail- emphasis on flares at present, perhaps was shown the degree of isolation of able as yet for East Casco Bay. Cdr because both land and sea are much some of the small fishing communities. Badham and the small group of other more sparsely populated than they are By early evening we were returning supporters of the idea have been putting over here. Radios are in common use, down the coast to the home of my forward their propositions with untiring but the greater distances fished off the English host where I was to spend the energy, but it is uphill work. In an effort American shore have encouraged the night in splendid isolation in my own to give further publicity to the voluntary use of pocket emergency position in- caravan, only yards from the water's approach, Cdr Badham suggested an in- dicator radio beacons for locating survi- edge. Any thoughts of an early night, formal visit to the United States by a vors in the water. however, were soon dispelled by the member of the RNLI who could speak Day three was a slight anticlimax be- arrival of six house guests, all interested with fishermen and extol the virtues cause the planned discussion forum, re- in discussing lifesaving by the RNLI and (and problems) of the proven system lating to a recent fishing vessel loss, had how any good ideas could be incor- which has worked so well in Great Brit- to be curtailed for legal reasons. It did, porated into a voluntary system in that ain and Ireland for more than 150 years. however, give me the chance to show part of the USA. One of the originators of the Maine the RNLI films I had brought with me. On Friday I had the opportunity of lifesaving enterprise, already engaged The technical film on Atlantic 21s, bor- visiting Bob Waddell, the father of two in lecturing on cold water survival, is rowed from Cowes base, caused much young fishermen lost at sea in 1980 and Robert Pratt, a marine biologist at the interest, as did the recently introduced the instigator of the only voluntary life- Darling Center in Walpole, and in late 'Making of a Crew'. The day ended with saving organisation on the Maine coast. February this year he was authorised to an interesting six-hour drive northward Mr Waddell was a model of one of our offer to the RNLI a return air passage through pine forests to the Casco Bay own station honorary secretaries, de- to Boston, funded by the University of area home of my co-host. Bob Pratt. voting much of his time to arranging Maine. Needless to say, 'the man who spoke training for local fishermen in search Having been sadly misinformed as to funny' caused Bob's young family some patterns and survival at sea, and to cam- the likely dress requirement in a New amusement. paigning for the carriage of the right England spring, and greatly concerned Houses in this part of New England equipment to alert the authorities, lest the RNLI films in my overloaded are all built of wood. Both timber and should a boat be in distress. It was a suitcase should be rendered sterile by land are relatively cheap and, away most heartening visit, and Bob's dedica- Heathrow Airport x-ray machines, I from the towns, most householders own tion following great personal and family made my first trans-Atlantic flight on a considerable amount of land which is loss should be a considerable en- March 8. Nor was my time in the air either pine forest or open ground of couragement to others. wasted; in flight I confirmed a fellow fairly poor quality. Planning permission During the day I was also taken to visit passenger as a Shoreline life governor. and building control seem to be apprentice workshops at Bath, Maine Thus encouraged, I landed in Boston. unknown! (see chart, north), where traditional Cdr Badham was there to meet me and, The following day was spent on a visit shipbuilding has been revived; a num- after driving south to Hyannis, Mas- to the US Coast Guard station at South- ber of very old vessels are being re- sachusetts (see chart, south), a pleasant- west Harbor, where I was entertained paired and replicas of past designs con- ly informal first evening was spent in the to a wardroom lunch by the group com- structed using traditional tools and company of a most gracious elderly mander. Each Coast Guard station methods. Unfortunately, time did not lady, a family friend, who knew Eng- operates as a self-contained unit with allow as much detailed inspection of this land well from wartime days. workshops and a full maintenance staff. most interesting industry as I would Day two started with a visit to the All facilities for the 41ft and 44ft classes have wished. Kennedy Memorial before attending of lifeboat are available at the nearest Driving north east to Rockland on the Hyannis Fishermen's Workshop on commercial yard on a similar basis to Saturday to attend the Maine Fisher- Cape Cod. This colourful gathering was that employed by the RNLI. The com- men's Forum we encountered snow for a cross between boat show and trade munications centre at the base is of a the first time. Before the day was over, fair and I was able to sound out opinion high calibre as it has facility to link into however, the weather had returned to from fishermen, coast guards and those national services defence nets, if re- more normal spring temperatures. The commercially promoting safety at sea. quired. Considerable interest was forum had attracted some 700 to 800 As with most conferences, much in- shown by the crews in the fact that the fishermen and their families and it took teresting discussion took place out of RNLI is still building Waveney life- place in three or four conference rooms, hours and by 'lights out' at the Hyannis boats, the 44ft class first introduced each with its own programme of lec- Motel I began to realise that fishermen from the USA in 1964, and the deputy tures, discussion or films. The content varied from fishing methods and new gear to search and rescue, government legislation and other general topics. I was privileged to sit with the local Congressman during luncheon and he was interested to learn that I had been able to undertake the visit since his name had featured in earlier corres- pondence regarding the need for addi- tional search and rescue facilities on the coast. I had an encouragingly large and interested audience for my film session and, when sitting with Coast Guard officers and fishermen on a discussion US Coast Guard 44ft and 4]ft panel, a number of probing questions lifeboats as stationed on the New England coast. continued on page 242 233 \ •Ks - A. '>

The Duke of Ken!. President of the Institution, visited Whitby, Staithes, Redcar and Teesmoulh lifeboat stations on Wednesday July 22. Travelling in a helicopter of the Queen's Flight, he arrived at Whi/bv Abliev where he was received b\ the Marquis of Normanbv, Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and a member of the Committee of Management, who accompanied him throughout his visit, together with Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the RNLI, Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, and Ll Alan Tale, divisional inspector of lifeboats (North East). After going afloat in Whitby's 44ft Waveney lifeboat The White Rose of Yorkshire (right), escorted by the D class inflatable lifeboat, the Duke of Kent flew north to Staithes where he watched a demonstration launch and crash net recovery of the Atlantic 21 lifeboat. After visiting Redcar he went on to Teesmouth to embark in the 47ft Watson Sarah Jane and James Season for an exercise off the mouth of the River Tees in which Redcar's 37ft Oakley and D class lifeboats, and Harllepool's 44ft Waveney and Atlantic 21 lifeboats all took part. At each station the Duke of Kent met members of the crew and branch and other lifeboat people; in the photograph above he is seen being greeted by Staithes guild members in traditional bonnets. photograph by courtesy of 'Whitby Gazette' AROUND THE COAST A LARGE CROWD gathered at Selsey on While St Mary's new Arun was at Poole before sail- April 25 for the handing over and dedi- ing for the Scilly Islands she was visited by her cation of the station's new D class life- donor, Mrs Esme Edgar, who in a small private cere- boat which is the gift of Selsey Lions mony named the lifeboat Robert Edgar. Coxswain Club. The lifeboat was presented by Mr Matthew Lethbridge and some of his crew were there A. E. Ryan, president of Selsey Lions, to meet Mrs Edgar, together with Mr R. Ward, chair- man of St Mary's branch, and Captain T. A. Buck- to Desmond Cockayne, honorary ley, the honorary secretary. After the naming Cox- secretary of Selsey branch, who re- swain Lethbridge led three cheers for Mrs Edgar and ceived her on behalf of the Institution. then showed her over the boat; she was abso/titelv She was named Sealion by Lavinia, delighted with all she saw. The handing over and Duchess of Norfolk, president of the dedication ceremonv which took place in the pres- branch. A service of dedication fol- ence of the Duchess of Kent at St Mary's on Septem- lowed led by the Reverend C. Champ- ber 15, will be reported in the next issue of THE neys Burnham, the Reverend F. R. LIFEBOAT. photograph by courtesy of Dowson and Father Campbell Price; •Bournemouth Evening Echo' then Sealion was launched for a demon- stration together with the station's 48ft 6in Oakley lifeboat Charles Henrv.

The Royal Yachting Association Sea- manship Foundation is offering an annual award for a particularly out- standing act of seamanship. Recom- mendations for the award, to be considered each October, must be made by someone who witnessed the incident and should be endorsed and substanti- ated by a yacht club, by HM Coastguard or by an RNLI station. Information from RYA Seamanship Foundation, Victoria Way, Woking, Surrey. Three weeks after the visit of the Duke of Kent to the north east, Hartlepoois lifeboats, the 44ft Waveney The Scout and the At/antic 21 Guide Friendship III. and Teesmouth life- boat, the 47ft Watson Sarah Jane and James Season, were once again giving a demonstra- tion exercise together with a Sea King helicop- ter from RAF Boulmer. This time it was at Hartlepool as part of the annual lifeboat har- bour fete on August 16. During the day £5,000 was raised for the lifeboats. photograph by courtesy of Reflected Images, Hartlepool The handing over ceremony and service of dedication of the Hayling Mudeford's new lifeboathouse, funded almost entirely by the branch Island Atlantic 21 lifeboat Aldershot took place at Hayling Island with strong local support, was opened on Sunday June 28 by Vice- station on Saturday July 4. Aldershot branch, a bequest from Mrs Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a deputy chairman of the Institution. D. M. Chartres and a gift from Cramer all contributed to the cost of The ceremony followed the dedication of a Zodiac Mk IV inflatable the lifeboat. About a hundred guests were there to see Lt-Cdr J. J. lifeboat which is on extended evaluation trials at Mudeford. The life- Town-Clear, chairman of Aldershot branch, hand over the lifeboat to boat has been funded by a special appeal organised by the Central Lt-Cdr J. Lunch, a member of the Committee of Management and London Committee and Mrs Richard Saunders, chairman of the CLC, president of Hayling Island station branch. The service.of dedication handed her over to Admiral Compston. The service of dedication was was conducted by the Reverend Nigel O'Connor, vicar of Hayling led by the Reverend Basil H. T. Trevor-Morgan, vicar of Christ- Is/and and Soulhsea Salvation Army Band provided the music. church, assisted bv clergy representing other local churches. photograph by courtesy of 'The News". Portsmouth photograph by courtesy of George Armit

After her naming and a service of dedication on Sunday July 19, New At a ceremony at Silloth on Sunday June 7, County Councillor Brighton's new Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat is towed across the J. Ormond Holliday, vice-president of Silloth branch, opened the beach ready for launching. She is one of the Atlantics generously station's new tractor house and then Silloth's new Atlantic 21 rigid provided by Fred Olsen Lines and named after two of its vessels, inflatable lifeboat, principally funded by a bequest of Mrs M. E. A. Blenheim and Black Watch. The service of dedication was conducted Gregory-Armstrong, was officially handed over to Donald K. by-ihe Reverend H. Baguley, vicar of St James New Brighton and Redford, a member of the Committee of Management, who received chaplain of the lifeboat station, assisted by the Reverend P. O'Brien, her on behalf of the Institution. Before the Atlantic was launched to parish priest of SS Peter and Paul and the Reverend K. Nicholson, give a demonstration afloat she was named Amelia Gregory Arm- minister of Si Andrews. Singing was led by the choir of Si James and strong by Mrs Cyril North. music provided by Merseyside Police Band. photograph by courtesy of Cumbrian Newspapers photograph by courtesy of Jeff Morris In Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, on Saturday April 25 the then Lord The re-opening of Penarth lifeboat station and the handing over of the Mayor of the City of Portsmouth, Councillor Miss M. W. Sutcliffe, new D class lifeboat took place on the Esplanade on Saturday August presented to Sir Alec Rose, Freeman of the City of Portsmouth and 8. Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a deputy chairman of the Com- president of Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour) station branch, a mittee of Management, first received the security of tenure and the keys cheque for £18,000 from the Lord Mayor's SOS appeal to fund a new of the boalhouse from the Deputy Mavor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat for the station. The result of the Council/or Mrs Susan Thomas, and then the lifeboat from her donor, appeal was divided between the RNLl and the Salvation Armv, which Guy Pain (right, front). To raise the money. Guy Pain, although a was also presented with a cheque. A service of dedication for the new diabetic, had successfully completed a 550-mile sponsored walk from lifeboat was conducted jointly by the Provost of Portsmouth and chap- Minehead to Poo/e. The lifeboat station and lifeboat were dedicated by lain to the City Council, the Very Reverend Michael Noll, and the the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, The Right Reverend David Reece, Salvation Army Corps Officer, Portsmouth, and honorary chaplain assisted bv Bishop Daniel Mul/ins, the Reverend Hilary Col/ins and RNLI, Major Ewart B. Griffin. Music was by the band of the Salva- the Reverend John Gar/and. tion Army, Portsmouth. photograph by courtesy of the "Western Mail and Echo"

235 tossed in the backwash of surf from the cliffs. Bronze medals for seamanship and courage were awarded to Coxswain Patrick 'Billy' Power, Second Coxswain Stephen Whittle and Assistant Mech- anic John Power. The most difficult service Stephen can remember was in November 1970, when he had been coxswain for four years: 'That was a really vicious night. We damaged the lifeboat just driving into the sea, not by hitting the rocks, even though she was a good boat. It wasn't just an ordinary sea. It was really violent, with cross seas coming out of nowhere. I heard that a boat was about to drive on to Hook Head and I didn't hesitate. I came over to the harbour, went down aboard one of the boats, told the pilot station on RT, drop- ped the receiver and got away. We even Stephen Whittle went short-handed that night, taking a young lad to fill in the gap. He had been fishing all day and part of the night but we COXSWAIN OF DUNMORE EAST LIFEBOAT took him anyway. When we were on the way out the situation was getting so des- perate that I said to the lads, "I'm going to by Ray Kipling turn sharp at the Hook. Hold on." At that Public Relations Officer, RNLI particular moment we got a jolt from a sea and we fell sideways into it. We didn't over the world and he vividly remem- realise at the time but we had damaged the DUNMORE EAST is a fishing port at the bilge keel on the boat. As she toppled mouth of Waterford Harbour in south- bers sailing up African rivers, deep into down and put her shoulder into the sea, eastern Ireland, just off the busy ship- the jungle, to pick up cargoes of pro- she locked the air between the bilge keel ping lanes leading from the Atlantic duce from local tribes. Returning to and the hull and bent part of the bilge keel Ocean up St George's Channel and into Dunmore, he took up fishing again and over. We didn't put out the drogue for the the Irish Sea. The shore sweeps down to joined the lifeboat crew in 1959 as one simple reason that we would have lost Hook Head on the opposite side of the of its most experienced seamen. time. We actually ran half a mile oh one river estuary and a dangerous tidal race By 1964 Stephen had been appointed sea that night, which, without the drogue, there has given Dunmore more than its second coxswain and in March he won was a bit frightening because we could share of shipwrecks. After a heavy rain- his first medal. The Dutch coaster Jan have tipped over.' fall, fresh water pours down the river Brons ran aground in a south-westerly James Bates, coxswain of Kilmore and pushes under the sea and at high gale on Ardnamult Head, a mile north- lifeboat, was skipper of the fishing boat, tide with a southerly gale huge waves east of the harbour. The lifeboat, with Glenmalure, and when the fishermen curl up, threatening to pull small boats her boarding boat in tow, quickly saw the lifeboat's blue flashing light underneath them and drive larger ones reached the ship but Coxswain Billy they fired three flares to give their posi- on to the rocks. Power realised he could not get along- tion. Glenmalure was only about 50 The lifeboat records tell their own side. An attempt was made to use the yards from the rocks and the crew had story. Since the station was established boarding boat but the seas were too taken to their liferaft. The danger now in 1884 Dunmore East lifeboats have rough. The rocket line was fired and the was that trailing ropes and nets could launched 209 times, rescuing 203 peo- breeches buoy gear rigged but because foul the lifeboat's propellers and there ple. The previous coxswain, Patrick of the violent motion of the lifeboat it was no room to go in around the boat to 'Billy' Power, was awarded four bronze was decided to use the boarding boat to pick the men up while heading out to medals while the present coxswain, keep the veering lines spread out. sea again, into the weather. Stephen Stephen Whittle, holds a silver and two Stephen Whittle and John Power, the had to go in head to the shore using only bronze medals. assistant mechanic, volunteered to man one engine; that way, if one propeller As a boy, Stephen had gone fishing the boarding boat which was positioned was fouled the other would still be free with his uncles. Money was scarce and halfway between the lifeboat and the and the second engine, in reserve, could fish helped to supplement the family in- ship. The crew of the freighter were be brought into use. The lifeboat came come. With no sophisticated equipment foreign and did not understand how to alongside the liferaft and had snatched to find the fish, vital knowledge of use the breeches buoy, so the first man, two men off before a sea swept the raft sandy patches, shingle and rocks was instead of sitting in it, put it around his away. Quickly coming astern, the life- passed down by the older men. The shoulders. boat chased the raft and the third man boys would get up very early to put in was saved. four hours' fishing before school and 'When he got down into the surf he was Another fisherman had been swept then be back in their boats for another spun around several times,' Stephen away and the lifeboat searched for two six hours after school. The lifeboat held Whittle recalls. 'He was just on his last hours, but without success. Shortly after gasp when he got to us. We would have a fascination for them and Stephen the survivors were landed a message lost him that morning if there had been no was received that a man had been spot- remembers, when he was twelve, stand- boarding boat: he would have just drop- ing on the cliff tops watching the life- ped over and gone. We had a job to get ted. Another search was made but no- boat escort to safety a steamer which him in. It's not easy to pull a fellow into an thing was found. had run out of coal; her crew were ordinary boat.' Stephen Whittle was awarded the sil- breaking up hatch boards to burn in her ver medal for this rescue. boilers. Luckily, the first man was able to ex- The photograph of Coxswain Stephen Whittle Stephen left Dunmore to join the plain to the rest of the crew how to use at the head of the page was taken by Peter Merchant Navy and spent six years as a the breeches buoy and five more were Hadfield. In the background is Dunmore 'deep sea man'. Like most merchant successfully pulled to the boarding boat East Harbour with the 44ft Waveney lifeboat sailors, he has dozens of stories from all as she and the lifeboat were pitched and St Patrick at her moorings. 236 7 reckon that was the worst service that One characteristic which pervades if a wave picked her up she could surf anybody in Dunmore has been out on. Stephen's stories is a wry sense of right into the rocks. The crew were There were really crazy seas that night. We humour. He was awarded the thanks of lined up on the bows of the lifeboat and wouldn't like to see them again, even in the Institution inscribed on vellum for threw the boy a lifebuoy. He grabbed the new boat.' the rescue of the crew of the motor ves- the ring and was quickly hauled to the The new boat is a 44ft Waveney, St sel Michael on January 13, 1975. lifeboat. As soon as he was safe the life- Patrick, which was paid for by a special Michael's engines had broken down and boat, now only 20 feet from the rocks, appeal in Ireland and sent to Dunmore she was drifting towards the shore. She immediately went astern. A six-hour East in 1975. Previously, the station had was rolling too heavily for the lifeboat search was carried out for the second Watson and Barnett class lifeboats to go alongside so her crew abandoned lad but he had already been swept away which gave a maximum speed of 8 to 9 ship and got into the liferaft, but they and drowned. knots and the idea of a change to a did not cast off. As Stephen said, Stephen was awarded a bar to his totally different, faster boat was treated 'Shouting is not much good when it's bronze medal for this service but, even with caution. blowing a force 11.' more important to him, the rescue had been a real team effort with lookouts in 'A few of the lads said it would not do at The problem aboard the liferaft, the the bows advising him just how far he all. They couldn't get used to a boat like lifeboat crew discovered later, was that was from the rocks. Stephen, in com- that. They thought she was so unstable at the men had nothing with which to cut mon with all lifeboat coxswains, regards low speed. It is only when you get the hang the painter; eventually they used a pair his crew as the best in the service: of what a high-powered boat, like a of nail scissors to hack through the Waveney, is capable of doing, and the way 7 have great respect for the lads. With- she can run ahead of the seas, that you rope, the liferaft drifted free and they were picked up by the lifeboat. Stephen out them you cannot carry on. When they suddenly change your mind. It is big step are with you for a few years, they soon from the old lifeboats. If you see a big recounts with great verve the tale of the know what you are going to do without the following sea, you can go ahead on one nail scissors and tells how the rescued need to put it over to them directly. You engine and astern on the other and actual- captain dried out rolls of foreign notes take it for granted they are going to do the ly turn to look right into the sea, which on radiators, but he fails to mention the right thing for you, without being told.' you didn't have a hope of doing in the old appalling weather conditions and waves boats. The old ones sit there and just bear His satisfaction is that of all cox- of up to 20 feet. swains and crews: the brunt of it.' Many of Dunmore East crew are fishermen, or used to fish but now work 'If you know you have really saved The increased speed of the Waveney them, that those lads were doomed to die changed the pattern of services at Dun- on shore. On July 9, 1976, two local and that there was no other choice for more and the lifeboat now receives calls boys went out fishing in an 18ft open them, it is one good deed you have done. to casualties much further out than be- boat which was driven on to rocks at the It is the actual saving and putting them on fore. The crew are more comfortable base of 100-foot cliffs, right in the area the quay. I don't know whether the man with more shelter. of lobster pots and salmon nets. One above is there to guide you, but there is boy was clinging to his boat and even- certainly someone keeping an eye on you 'In the old boats you perished alive tually, using parachute flares and and telling you those fellows are out there when you were wet, with the oilskins searchlights and helped by directions - and if you don't do the right thing, you round your throat. When you get soaked will be in the drink with them.' now you can go below and get dried shouted by people on the cliff, the life- down. You can have a hot drink, which boat spotted him. The rescue could As a true seaman, Stephen knows was practically impossible in the old boat. hardly have been more difficult. The that, even with years of experience and You had a primus, which was put in a lifeboat's unprotected propellers were the best equipment available, there is - bucket and you lit it and hoped for the especially vulnerable because of the never room for arrogance or com- best. If it capsized you dumped the bucket nets and pots and the only narrow pas- placency: and primus stove all over the side; it was sage was through shallow water strewn ' You always think that you are going to the only safe thing to do. Today we have with large boulders. To make matters an electric geyser.' master the sea, but no, you must always worse, the lifeboat was stern to sea and respect it: it is always the mighty one.' The type of casualty is changing, too, Six men were rescued by breeches buoy from the Dutch coaster Jan Brons which ran aground on for there are now more yachts making Ardnamult Head in south-westerly gales on March II, 1964. Stephen Whittle, then second the crossing from Land's End to Ire- coxswain, and Assistant Mechanic John Power volunteered to man the boarding boat which was land. One problem is that yachtsmen positioned between the lifeboat and the cargo vessel to keep the veering lines spread out. Both are worried that the lifeboat, coming men and Coxswain Patrick Power were awarded the bronze medal. alongside, will damage their boat. With skilful handling this can be avoided but, as the lifeboat rolls towards the yacht's top rail, the concern is quite under- standable. Another difficulty is the anxiety of parents about their children. They often ask for them to be taken off when they might be better left on board while the lifeboat escorts the yacht to safety. Dunmore lifeboat gets her share • - of calls to the inexperienced and fool- ish, like the man who set off down the Waterford River in a dinghy in thick fog and capsized at the harbour entrance. She also, on occasion, has been called out to help very competent yachtsmen caught out in extreme weather, as, for example, during the 1979 Fastnet Race. Stephen was on leave at the time of the Fastnet storm, but his second coxswain, John Murphy, took the lifeboat to sea for over 16 hours, rescuing eight peo- ple, saving one yacht and escorting three others to safety. 237 Here and There

A YACHT RACE which never finished be- cause there was not enough wind has brought five krugerrands, with a value of over £1,000, for the RNLI. Peter de Savary, chairman of the British syndi- cate entering the yacht Victory in the 1983 America's Cup, challenged the Australian yacht Apollo to the race dur- ing Cowes Week and put up £10.000 of krugerrands as the stake. There was not enough wind to finish the race within the time limit, so the stake money could not be claimed by either team. Peter de Savary therefore decided to give the krugerrands to the RNLI, St John's Ambulance, Royal Burnham Yacht Club cadets, and the crew of Victorv. The five RNLI krugerrands were pre- sented to Burnham-on-Crouch branch on Sunday, August 30. Troon lifeboat, the 44ft Waveney Connel Elizabeth Cargill, leaving Portpulrick in deteriorating weather one Julv morning. She had called in on passage to Holyhead for engine overhaul. The 46ft Watson lifeboat Jesse Lumb. photograph by courtesy of Mr T. G. Watson which has just finished 42 years' service, is to become a permanent exhibit at the and John Petit as coxswain and to show and towed in the distressed yacht—and Imperial War Museum's collection at their appreciation for the many years then returned to dinner. Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire. service these two men had given to the Captain John Petit has taken over Jesse Liimb, built in 1939, was stationed RNLI. Soup had just been served when from Captain Wolley both as harbour at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight until a call came; a yacht was in trouble. The master and as station honorary 1970 when she entered the RNLI's re- crew rushed down to the harbour, went secretarv. lief fleet. During her time at Bembridge she launched 294 times, saving 280 With the help of Post Office Tele- lives; 15 of these services were to phone engineers and landowners, casualties during World War II. some thousands of metres of A local publican at Duxford. Bill underground cable have been laid Sawkins, will be delighted to see Jesse to ins/al an emergency telephone on the popular but isolated Cock- Lumb ending her days so near to him. lawburn Beach, two miles south of He was once rescued by this very life- Berwick-upon-Tweed. The tele- boat and has been a keen supporter of phone was inaugurated in early the RNLI ever since. Julv by Dr Doug/as McDonald, chairman of the branch. With him are Chris Pike, honorary treasurer. Dr Nora Allen, who donated the 37ft Inspector Peter Barella, Section Oakley lifeboat The Doctors to the Officer George Wood, HM Coast- RNLI in 1965 in memory of her father guard. Sergeant James Walker and and brothers, celebrated her 100th Bewlev Bainbridge, honorary birthday this summer. The Doctors is secretarv. stationed at Anstruther and among the other presents Dr Allan received on her Wedding of the Coxswain's Daughter To join in with the fun birthday was a photograph of the life- by For 'Toast the Bride' and speeches boat signed by all her crew. One of the Guests had only just begun. Another long standing lifeboat sup- Smiling, all rose to their feet. porter to reach her centenary is Mrs Saturday dawned clear and bright Their cup of happiness complete. A. E. Fakes of Hemsby. Great Yar- When Belinda Marsh was wed. Then suddenly that chap called Llew mouth. She is the daughter of Skipper 'Twill be all right today my lass,' Who, through a window, had a view - William 'Wilks' Larner who, a legend in Her dad. the coxswain, said. Saw with unbelieving eye his own lifetime, was known as the But as the bride walked from the house A boat on fire! He raised the cry Fisher King of Yarmouth. After being a Another chap called Llew, 'MUSTER ALL OF YOU!' From up at Durlston, fired maroons Down with glasses; out the door; member of Winterton Company of To summon up the crew. Through the town; along the shore - Beachmen for many years, Wilks be- Arriving at the boathouse To the Rother once again. came second coxswain of Winterton All 'togged up' in their best, This time into Swanage Bay, lifeboat in 1898. He retired in 1906 be- Plus white carnation button-holes. Each with an anxious heart. cause of ill health after spending five They graphically expressed But a passing yacht had reached her. January days and nights trying to help a Their views on all cliff climbers, Men safely off the craft. stranded steamer. of dinghy sailors, too. Silent, they watched her burn and sink. Of divers, and all other 'stiffs' A hazard then no more - Who haven't got a clue! 'OK lads,' sang out coxswain. Lifeboat 'shouts' can come at any 'OKfor'ard. OK aft. KNOCKOUT!' And they turned towards the shore. time; just before a naming ceremony, And down the slip By this time, as you will have guessed. during a Christmas party—even (see The Rother sped for Peveril Ledge The bride and groom, toasted, and blessed. On yet another trip. right) during a wedding. On May 22 this Had gone upon their way. 'Twas getting on for five pm But Belinda has a special place year St Peter Port crew and their wives The rescue was complete: In the hearts of Swanage crew, held a dinner party to mark the retire- The rescued 'sorted'; Rother housed; As the coxswain's lass who married ments of Captain H. L. Wolley as hon- So crew went up High Street, 'Twixt rescue 'one' and 'two'! orarv secretarv of the station branch Back to the reception IMI. 238 wheelhouse, joiners will be constructing Building the Fast Slipway the chart table, benches to carry the radios and the engine gauges, book- racks and stowages for essential equip- Lifeboat ment. In the after cabin there will be a wooden bench seat for survivors down PART V: BEHIND THE SCENES both sides, and once again each will have a locker underneath. ABOVE AND BELOW DECKS, the first pro- the FSB a noticeable step forward was Many of the hull and the majority of totype of the fast slipway lifeboat (FSB) the fitting of the after cabin superstruc- machinery and electrical items for the is gradually taking shape in Fairey ture (see Figs 2 and 3). Prefabricated of FSB are purchased and supplied by the Marine's yard at Cowes. With some of aluminium alloy, it was lifted on board RNLI through its depot organisation. the work progress is obvious; other jobs and gently lowered into position by There is regular liaison between the involve perhaps weeks of 'behind the crane, fitted to the deck and finally building yard and the RNLI's drawing scenes' work by craftsmen of several rivetted in place to give a completely office in Poole and all the work is car- different trades as each component of watertight joint. ried out in conjunction with RNLI offi- the boat, each system, each fitting is Once the superstructures are in place cials to ensure the highest standards in gradually put in place. The work must the boatbuilders, followed by the join- all respects in the finished boat. be dovetailed together and comply with ers and the electricians, can begin fitting (to be continued) a planned programme so that each job out the wheelhouse, forecabin and after can be tackled in the right order and at cabin. First, there is the insulation to be the time when it can be done best and fitted to the boat's side and all round most easily. the three cabins and the engine room; Take the engines. Before they were then work can begin on the electrics. put in place the stern gear, propellers So, enter the electricians .... and rudders were fitted. Then cranes Switchboards, distribution boards lifted the twin General Motors 8V-71 and junction boxes will all have been marine diesels straight into position in prepared in advance on workbenches the engine room and they were aligned. away from the boat. Now they are put Exact alignment of each engine with the in place and the boat's wiring and the shaft which will transmit its power to fixing of switches, plugs and light fit- the propeller's thrust is of the utmost tings can all go ahead. importance and it is scrutinised by the Meanwhile, the joiners are at work RNLI overseers who maintain a con- on the furniture for the cabins. In the tinuous survey of all the work on the forecabin there will be bench seats for boat as it progresses. eight survivors with lockers under, a Fig 4: Coxswain's instrument console in place at forward end of wheelhouse ready to receive The port engine can be seen in place pyrotechnics and general store locker steering wheel and instruments (left) and in Figure 1. Each engine weighs 1.669 and a minute 'galley'. Platers have radar display unit (right). Seats for coxswain tons (1,700 kg) and is carried by fore already put in the companionways and and navigator will be fitted aft of the console and aft bearers made of fabricated T also the coxswain's instrument console in the lower part of which can be- seen the fool section mild steel. All fuel tanks had in the wheelhouse (Fig 4). Now, for the rests. already been built in. The twin main ' fuel tanks, holding 510 gallons of diesel Fig 1: Port engine has been - lowered into place in engine oil between them, are under the wheel- room by crane. house and there is a reserve tank, hold- ing 102 gallons, between the engine bearers at the forward end of the engine room. Now the engineers are at work in the engine room, in the tiller flat and in the wheelhouse, fitting the associated sys- tems to the engines, the steering gear, the engine controls, the instrumenta- tion, the cabin heating, the demisting Figs 2 and 3 (below): After system, the window washing system, the cabin superstructure, made of wave subduing system . . . and so it aluminium alloy, is also lifted goes on .... on board by crane and gently One recent job which, visually, took lowered into position.

239 ance were well rewarded; no father and generously illustrated with old and up- daughter could ever have been closer to-date photographs, faithfully records than he and his darling Brusey. She the active lives of the 11 lifeboats that Books ... crossed the world to be with him in his have been stationed at Eastbourne over last illness and she kept and treasured the past 160 years. Both this and Gor- all his letters and other papers. They don R. Zeller's The Story of the 'Bolton' • Sailing Years, an autobiography by were handed down to her nephew, Reg- Lifeboats at Kessingland are printed by K. Adlard Coles (Granada Publishing, inald Froom and it is on these writings Jeff Morris and generously sold in aid of £9.95) is .fascinating reading because that Aled Eames has based his book the RNLI, each price 75p plus 25p post- alongside the tales of this well-known Ship Master: the Life and Letters of Cap- age and packing. The Story of the East- sailor there emerges the story of the tain Robert Thomas of Llandwrog and bourne Lifeboats is available from Mr development of sailing and racing Liverpool, 1843-1903 (Gwynedd Archives D. Huggett, c/o The Lifeboat Museum, offshore. I also appreciated the candour Service, price £2.95). Here, mostly in Grand Parade, Eastbourne, East Sus- with which the author, splendid seaman his own words, is a record of the experi- sex; The Story of the 'Bolton' Lifeboats that he is, nevertheless relates his early ences of a Victorian seaman, sailing in is available from the author at 227 mistakes; one learns from one's own slate schooners, in the salt fish trade of Longfield Road, Bolton, Lancashire mistakes but it is less painful to learn Newfoundland and finally as master of BL3 3SY. from those of others! Yachtsmen have full-rigged ships in the Cape Horn and Generosity in fund raising explains always been a very generous race. Far East trades. A book that is good to the title of Gordon Zeller's booklet When reading the book, which I read.—J.D. which gives an intriguing history of how found hard to put down, it is inevitable the people of inland Bolton organised that a sailor will compare his own themselves into raising money for 'one • During the nineteenth and early or more lifeboats'. The unlikely link be- experiences with those recounted, twentieth centuries the ships of the although few of us can go back to those tween the people of Bolton and the tiny Royal Navy were transformed from the Suffolk village of Kessingland was really early days we read about and creaking wood and rigging type of Nel- which so fire the imagination.—E.J. forged when their first lifeboat was sta- son's day to the forerunners of today's tioned there in 1870. In 1893 a second sleek battleships, and they reigned su- 'Bolton' lifeboat replaced the first at • Determined that the long absences preme on the oceans. In his book Rule Kessingland and with the help of some from home inevitable in the life of a Britannia—The Victorian and Edwar- contemporary photographs the author nineteenth-century merchant seaman dian Navy (Routledge and Kegan Paul, describes the design of these two pulling should not estrange him from his young £8.95), Peter Padfield explores the way and sailing lifeboats and relates their children, Captain Robert Thomas, mas- of life in the navy during this time of 31 services at this station. ter of the iron sailing ship Merioneth, change, telling how legends were made, Grahame Farr has produced the sixth set himself the task of writing down all of battles that were won and lost, and in his most valuable series of papers on the main events of his life for his eldest how the men lived and amused them- lifeboat history. His story of The Lin- daughter, Catherine Bruce. It was 1883 selves, often letting the sailors tell the colnshire Coast Shipwreck Association and his 'dear Brusey' was but five years stories in their own words, using ex- 1827-1864 records the activities of the old. tracts from their diaries.—s.c. independent organisation that ran seven '// has often come to mind to give you a lifeboat stations in the county before short history of my life, for as I am so little the RNLI took over in 1864. Thirty- with you, you will know but little of my • Schoonerman by Captain Richard nine services were rendered by the past life . . .' England (Hollis and Carter, £8.95) is association's lifeboats during its history the personal account of the master/ It took Captain Thomas the five and a brief description is given of each owner of the last fully-rigged merchant of these. The booklet is available, price months of a voyage out of Penarth schooner to trade under sail around our Roads to San Francisco to complete his 60p, from Graham Farr, 98 Combe coasts. It brings together in a most read- Avenue, Portishead, Bristol BS20 9JX; 'diary' and this very human, but in no able form both a factual account of the way condescending, document was fol- money should be sent with orders, please. decline in the schooner trade and an in- —E.w.-w. lowed by many letters both to Brusey sight into the dogged determination of a and to his second daughter, Cecilia. family devoted to sail and the sea to ex- There is something both deeply tract a living for themselves and their • The Ship, a series of ten books rep- touching and reassuring when a father crews against insuperable odds. resenting an authoritative short history can bridge the distance, perhaps from Mention is made of a number of of ship development, has been pub- the other side of the world, to teach RNLI rescues, but alas there was no lished by Her Majesty's Stationery such little girls the meaning of nautical opportunity for such assistance to be Office in conjunction with the National terms and to tell them about the coun- available to Nellie Bywater when at Maritime Museum, Greenwich. The tries he visited, about the state of the Christmastide 1951 she was caught in last three volumes, now in print, are: sea, about how icebergs are formed or the same gale as Flying Enterprise, with Rafts, Boats and Ships from Prehistoric about the origin of the Gulf Stream; tragic consequences. One cannot help Times to the Medieval Era, by Sean about loading ship . . . about, in fact, but be moved by the graphic and com- McGrail; Tiller and Whipstaff, the De- whatever formed a part of his life: pelling reading which is well supported velopment of the Sailing Ship 1400-1700, 'My dear child perhaps it will be well for by photographs, plans and a good glos- by Alan McGowan; and The Revolution me to tell you something about sary for those who find it hard to differ- in Merchant Shipping 1950-1980, by quarantine . . .' entiate between a catstopper and a Ewan Corlett. Like the others, these 'Now you must know that to lose a rud- bulldog grip.—R.M.S.P. three volumes are available, price £2.95 der is indeed a sad thing for nothing can each, through booksellers, Government be done with a ship without a rudder ..." 'My darling children, I am now in what bookshops and the National Maritime we call the "doldrums", just between the • Three new booklets each concen- Museum. Clearly written and ably illus- two trade winds ..." trating on a particular part of the coast trated, they trace the development of 'Isuppose my little girl don't know what have recently been published. the ship from raft and sailing to the a log is so I must try and explain ..." Jeff Morris and Dave Hendy have modern fleet of today. 'My little girl must know being such an added to their collection of local station The last volume, written by Ewan old sailor that the way we talk at sea are by histories by recording Eastbourne's Corlett, is a most interesting description flags . . .' story from 1822 to the present day. The of the advance in ship design this cen- Captain Thomas's love and persever- Story of the Eastbourne Lifeboats, tury from the Blue Ribbon liners of the 240 North Atlantic to the container ship and particular interest to yachtsmen. The ance. Colin Mudie is one of those peo- modern car ferry. Those of us who still search and rescue section, in keeping ple who generously put their wisdom at think of the simple propeller and the with the almanac itself, covers both the disposal of the RNLI by acting as a triple expansion steam engine as being sides of the English Channel west of member of its Technical Consultative the basic propulsion are in for a rude Newhaven to Fecamp.—E.J. Committee. shock. Constant speed diesels develop- Geoff Hales, a trans-ocean sailor, de- ing 50,000 shaft horse power, variable • Advanced Sailboat Cruising votes his section of the book to 'a better pitch propellers and bow thrusters have (Nautical, £9.95) pools the considerable cruising style', concentrating on equip- transformed ship handling techniques. experience of three seamen of long ment, seamanship and navigation, while Anyone interested in the sea will find standing to offer guidance to cruising Michael Handford, a former director of these volumes fascinating reading.— yachtsmen who would like to undertake Cranfield Sails and a specialist on sails E.F.P. longer passages than average or who for long distance passage making, dis- would like to be able to embark with cusses the yacht's rig.—J.D. • Next year's almanacs are coming confidence on short passages under out. Reed's Nautical Almanac 1982 more arduous conditions than they • Just out is a new edition of Brown's (Thomas Reed Publications Ltd) has a might previously have considered pos- Pocket-Book for Seamen compiled by waterproof cover, bolder print and is sible. It is written for the skipper who Gerald Forsberg, QBE FNI, Master improved in many other ways, including realises that if his cruising is to be enjoy- Mariner, and published by Brown, Son tidal predictions of high and low water. able it must be well planned on a basis and Ferguson (£10). It will be of par- At £8.95 this must represent for the of sound knowledge. ticular interest to professional seamen same size of book the usual good value. The first part, concerned with choice of all sorts. It would also certainly make Channel West and Solent: A Nautical of boat, is written by Colin Mudie, a a good present to a young man keen to Almanac for Yachtsmen (Channel naval architect and a seaman of un- improve his way of life at sea or to any- Press, £7.95) has expanded its coverage usually wide experience who explains body wishing to have facts, figures, tips, and, as intended, presents in easy form clearly the effects of different design wrinkles and a note of particular refer- information on tides and all aspects of characteristics on a yacht's perform- ence books readily available.—E.J.

Obituaries of establishing an Atlantic 21 station at attended the reception and cocktail Brighton. The second vice-president party given by Princess Marina to mark Reigate and Redhill branch has suf- was Joseph F. Winter, QBE, who, after the Princess's 25 years as President of fered the loss of its president and both working in the RNLI South East Dis- the RNLI. vice-presidents in less than a year: Cdr trict office from 1954 to 1968, gave un- July J. D. Walters, RN, was chairman during stinted voluntary service to the branch. George Lamey, coxswain of Clovelly the 1939 to 1945 war and was subse- It is also with deep regret that we re- lifeboat from 1935 to 1955, having pre- quently president. George A. Hodg- port the following deaths. viously served as a crew member from kins, a vice-president and for a short May 1919 to 1929, as bowman from 1929 to time president of the branch, donated Mrs R. G. Phillips, vice-president of 1932 and as second coxswain from 1932 to the RNLI a D class inflatable lifeboat Tynemouth guild since 1972, after serv- to 1935. Mr Lamey was awarded the which was stationed at Humbermouth ing as chairman from 1952. Mrs Phillips bronze medal in 1954. In recent years for some years and also, with a gener- was awarded the silver badge in 1965 he has collected almost £12,000 for the ous gift, substantially defrayed the cost and the gold badge in 1972. In 1967 she RNLI. Arthur Liddon, coxswain/mechanic of Dover lifeboat from 1967 to 1979, Fourteenth RNLI national lottery having previously served as a crew member from 1950 to 1952, as assistant THE RNU was lucky to have 'two' well- of her many lifeboat friends in Flambor- mechanic from 1952 to 1966 and as known personalities at the draw of the ough, Bridlington and Scarborough. second coxswain from 1966 to 1967. Mr fourteenth national lottery of July 21. The draw was supervised by Vice- Liddon was awarded the silver medal in Before an audience of American Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a deputy 1975 and was accorded the thanks of the Branch committee members, repre- chairman of the RNLI, and Cdr Ted Institution inscribed on vellum in 1977. sentatives of Hilbourne Junior Guild Pritchard, appeals secretary. The lot- William James Gould, coxswain of and staff members from Barclays Inter- tery raised more than £28,000 and the Pwllheli lifeboat from 1943 to 1960, national, impressionist Janet Brown prize winners were: having previously served as a crew pulled out the winning tickets from the member from 1918 to 1934, as bowman drum, and then 'Margaret Thatcher' £1,000: J. A. Looker, Wolverhampton, West from 1934 to 1937 and as second cox- made an impromptu speech and spoke Midlands. swain from 1937 to 1942. £500: K. G. James, Alton, Hampshire. August £250: Mrs A. R. Wright, Fareham, Hamp- Joe Clark, president of Hakin Point shire. £25: B. D. Faunce, Sevenoaks, Kent; N. branch. Mr Clark had been a most dedi- Gooch, Tunbridge Wells, Kent; Mrs J. Sher- cated and active member of the branch wood, Southwold, Suffolk; Barry Stemp, from the time of its formation in 1974. Bognor Regis, Sussex; D. Elliott, London Leonard Rowland Stedman, vice- EC2; Gillian Bricknall, Cowdenbeath, Fife; chairman of Farnham, Surrey, branch N. A. Davies, Weybridge, Surrey; A. C. since 1975 before which he had given Wilkins, Birmingham; J. P. Dodd, Preston, many years of very active support. Lancashire; R. Downes, Bristol, Avon.

The draw for the fifteenth national At the request of Mrs Sylvia Windle, lottery will be on October 30. gifts amounting to £513.74 in memory Miss Brown also drew the winning of her husband, the late Gordon Windle former North Sea Ferries manager for Fourteenth RNLI national lottery draw: as ticket for an American branch raffle, Janet Brown pulls out each winning ticket the prize being a cruise on the P and O Belgium, were donated to the RNLI. Joyce Pearce of the Appeals Department liner Canberra, generously donated by Captain Wally Patch, master of MV Nor- makes an immediate record of name and the cruise line; it was won by Mrs wave, received the cheque on behalf of number. Rogers of Pontefract, West Yorkshire. the Institution. 241 could also buy biscuits, drinks and sweets. We chose to give the money to you because my great great grandfather was a lifeboat coxswain and he was Letters... awarded the RNLI gold medal for brav- ery and skill. He was Coxswain Owen of Lottery—win and share tion lifeboat James Stevens No. 15 at the Holyhead lifeboat. This morning I had numerous bills in wreck of the schooner Mexico on My friends are Robert Kelly, Nathan the first post and was wondering how to Keeragh Rocks. Spencer, Stephen Osmotherly, Daren pay them when I opened your letter of Although decorated by the King of Pickles and Richard Duncan. I hope the July 21 notifying me of my tremendous Norway and awarded RNLI medals, the money helps to save a life; we all think luck in winning £1,000 in the RNLI local people were too poor to com- you are very brave.—ANTHONY national lottery. I thank you very much memorate these lifeboatmen at home. OSMOTHERLEY, 5 Hollin Crescent, Leeds. for your cheque and for your prompt- Now we have collected £1,500 of the Coxswain William Owen was awarded ness. The draw was on July 21 and my £3,500 necessary to do them honour, the gold medal and each of the other ten prize was delivered to me first post on and we are raffling a scale model of members of his crew the silver medal for the service on February 22, 1908, to the July 22. Well done. Erskine Childers' Asgard II, now a Liverpool steamer ss Harold. The steam As an old age pensioner this win, my training vessel for Irish sailors, to help lifeboat Duke of Northumberland went first ever, will come in very useful. the fund. The memorial will consist of a out in a whole gale. She found Harold Being ex-RN (4'/2 years war service) I limestone column surmounted by the anchored not far from the shore close to full understand the vagaries of the sea bronze head of a lifeboatman to repre- the rocks between the headlands known as from calm to really great storms, and sent all the brave men of the service.— the North and South Stacks. A terrible sea therefore appreciate the hazards and w. i. MURPHY, organiser, Drimagh, was running and it was only after two great risks undertaken by the RNLI; so Rosslare, Co. Wexford. hours of the most skilful and hazardous manoeuvring by Coxswain Owen that the I am enclosing a cheque for £30 which I On February 20, 1914, the Norwegian donate to the RNLI . . . Again I say lifeboat was able to get close enough to the schooner Mexico, bound from South steamer for ropes to be thrown and the thank you very much.—j. A. LOOKER, America to Liverpool with a cargo of steamer's crew of nine to be hauled on Wolverhampton. mahogany logs, was driven ashore by board. The lifeboat herself was in great gales on South Keeragh Island. Fethard danger of being flung against the steamer lifeboat was launched but capsized, nine and destroyed.—EDITOR. Many thanks for your letter of July 21 of her crew of 14 being drowned. The re- with the cheque for my lottery prize. maining five gained the island from where HMS Captain Definitely my lucky day since I rarely they helped eight of the crew of Mexico to I just wanted to say 'thank you' for get ashore. Despite efforts by Kilmore, win anything in such events. publishing my letter about HMS Captain I enclose herewith my cheque for £50 Dunmore East and Wexford lifeboats, it was impossible to reach the castaway men (THE LIFEBOAT, Spring 1981). I have-had as a donation to help the good work and so many letters from readers, all of perhaps you would credit this to the until, on February 23, two men were res- cued by Dunmore East lifeboat and ten by them giving information and anecdotes Alton band of helpers to boost their Wexford. One man died on the island. about relatives who were involved, efforts.—K. G. JAMES, Alton, Hants. Among medals awarded, Edward Wick- either in Captain herself or who were in Thank you, Mr Looker and Mr James, ham, coxswain of Wexford lifeboat, re- other ships of the line when the tragedy for so generously sharing your good ceived a bar to his silver medal, and silver occurred. fortune with the lifeboat service. medals were awarded to Crew Members The 'scroll' about which I enquired James Wickham and William Duggan, two men who put off from Wexford life- originally would appear to be in all Memorial boat in a punt veered down to save the probability a press cutting from a maga- A committee of the Burrow Resi- men on South Keeragh Island.—EDITOR. zine or newspaper of September, 1870, dents Association, Rosslare, has de- which my grandmother had framed. cided to erect a suitable memorial to 11 Great great . . . Again very many thanks to you and brave lifeboatmen from the little hamlet I am enclosing a cheque (£1) for you to the readers who wrote to me. I seem who performed deeds of outstanding that my friends and I collected. We to have made many new friends!— heroism over the four days, February 20 made it by getting a badge collection EMMELINE HARDY, Pollards, 9 Durlston to 23, 1914, in the Wexford No. 1 sta- and letting people have a look. They Road, Swanage, Dorset.

Hyannis to Rockland One aspect of the visit which took me volved will eventually lead to a more totally by surprise was the effort made active voluntary lifesaving organisation from page 233 by my English host, wearing his journal- on the New England Coast, but money ist's hat, to trace for me various Pennell and many more dedicated men will be were asked regarding the operation of a namesakes around the small settlement needed. The most surprising thing to voluntary lifeboat service outside Gov- of Pennellville, Maine. Americans seem learn was that most of the rural fire ernment control. The predominantly to place far more importance on lineage brigades in existence in the United shore based role of HM Coastguard was than do we, and I was rather embarras- States already operate in a manner very a fact which many of the audience found sed by my own lack of knowledge. similar to the average RNLI station hard to understand. Thankfully my distant ancestors were branch, with fund-raising events aug- Since the forum was not a trade show, shipbuilders in the eighteenth century, menting the locally levied rates, which as at Hyannis, various commercial in- which at least implied a natural descent. fund the operational unit, yet few peo- terests had established individual trade ple had considered equating this orga- The week was an experience I shall nisation with marine search and rescue displays in their hotel rooms; it is not forget and the hospitality over- apparently a feature of this annual or a lifeboat fleet. whelming—more than seven days event that after conference hours every- would require a full fitness training One last impression of the visit, much one tours the hotels and samples the of which was spent 'on the road': the programme. My suits spent eight days hospitality offered by each firm. cleanliness and cheerful service at all unworn and I was all but forbidden to The evening culminated in a dinner the roadside cafes and restaurants. As a wear a tie—thank goodness for the and dance and I was glad that the fol- DI shortly returning to the coast, I 'woolly pully'! lowing day was spent visiting my host's found this aspect of American life parti- family on the journey south to Boston I hope that the many formal and in- cularly pleasing; I hope that I may find Airport for the return flight to England. formal discussions in which I was in- the like when travelling in the UK! 242 own support and to encourage others to Leeds, Shoreline Club No. 5: Meets ev- join you. ery first Tuesday in the month, at 7.45 * * * pm, at the Victoria Hotel. Information from Ian Moses, Park House, Harehills Mrs Nora Neill has been collecting Park, 92 Coldcotes Avenue, Harehills, Green Shield stamps for Shoreline for Leeds, West Yorkshire. Tel. Leeds. Shoreline some years. This year alone she has 654274. already sent us £650 raised in this way. Basildon, Shoreline Club No. 6: Meets If anyone has odd stamps or books tuck- every second Thursday in the month, at Section ed away they would be a welcome boost 8 pm, at St Martin's Church Hall, Town to the campaign; so please send any you Centre, Basildon. Information from the can spare to Mrs Neill, 95 Fitzroy Ave- honorary treasurer, Mrs Searle, 16 THE COMPETITION for the Renault STL nue, Harborne, Birmingham B17 8RG. Lampit Hill, Corringham, Essex. Tel. car is still progressing well. The draw * * * Stanford-Le-Hope 74592. will be made at the Motor Fair at Earls While Shoreline is essentially an indi- * * * Court on October 28 and the lucky win- vidual approach to lifeboat support, in There are several commercial offers ner will be published in the next issue of from which Shoreline members can THE LIFEBOAT. Your response has been six areas around the country Shoreline benefit. We have special arrangements most encouraging, particularly because members have formed clubs so that people with mutual interest in the life- with the following three organisations: it has helped us to continue our upward Fred Olsen Lines are offering four growth despite the difficult times in boat service can meet together and en- special holidays to our members and which we live. The next peak to be joy each other's society. Regular club their families: scaled, 100,000 members, is now within meetings are arranged and a list of the clubs is given below together with some 1. A week's holiday at the Hotel Pre- our sights, but there is still a hard climb notes about their activities and the luna, Malta, from Sunday December ahead. Only with your help can this name and address of each honorary 6 to Sunday December 13, 1981. magic figure be reached—and passed; secretary. New members are always Price £177 per person. we are confident that, as always, that made most welcome: 2. A weekend coach tour of the Dutch help will be forthcoming. Portsmouth, Shoreline Club No 1: bulb fields, April 1982. Price about Shoreline is just what it says: support Meets every fourth Wednesday in the £90 to £100 per person. from the shore for the lifeboat crews at month, except in July and August, at 3. Two weeks tour of Canada, flying to sea. In effect, each Shoreline member the Tudor Sailing Club, Eastern Road, Vancouver, June 1982. Price about reaches out a hand to the lifeboatman Portsmouth. Information from Ray £650 per person. who is reaching out to grasp the hand in the water. And about 1,000 people are Doran, 5 The Close, Cosham. Tel. 4. A week's cruise on the River Rhine in luxurious vessels. September and rescued from the sea each year because Cosham 374300. the lifeboatman is there to grasp that Southampton, Shoreline Club No 2: October 1982. Price £230 per person. I can assure you, you will be given a hand. Many people help the RNLI in Meets every third Thursday in the many different ways, but the particular month, at 8 pm, at the Golf Pavilion, very good time and the accommodation will be first class. If you are interested value of Shoreline's financial support is Golf Course Road, Southampton. In- that, through subscription, it provides a formation from John Davies, 88 Kings- information can be obtained from Mr regular and growing source of income way, Hiltingbury, Chandlers Ford, D. Cooper, Travel Time, 1 Hanover Street, London, W1R SAP. Tel. 01-408 on which the Institution can count when Hampshire. Future events include: planning for the future. October 15, talk, 'Flying with 609 1886. Mercantile Credit offers special rates As it was announced in the last jour- Squadron'. November 19, talk, 'Royal nal, for the first time since the scheme Naval Reserve'. December 17, Amer- on all loans to our members. Informa- was introduced in 1969, membership ican supper and films. January 21, 1982, tion from Mercantile Credit Co., Ltd., PO Box No. 75, Elizabethan House, subscriptions will increase on Novem- AGM and films. ber 1, 1981: the annual subscription for Southend-on-Sea, Shoreline Club No. 3: Great Queen Street, London, WC2B a member will rise from £3 to £5 and for Meets every second Wednesday in the 5DP. Tel. 01-242 1234. family membership from £5 to £7.50. It month at T.E.A.C., 111 Eastern Espla- Aegis Insurance offers special rates and advice on all insurances to our was thought that the new rates would be nade, Southend-on-Sea. Information generally regarded as reasonable. Here from Mr M. A. Holland, 83 Walsing- members. Information from Aegis In- is the response of one member: ham Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. surance Group Ltd., Aegis House, Cas- Tel. 0702 68794. tle Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Tel. 7 would say the changes are more than Milton Keynes, Shoreline Club No. 4: 0628 23484. reasonable, they are very small. At present Meets every second Wednesday in the Remember, if you support any of I am paying £3 under a deed of covenant— would you please release me from that month at the Wolverton Park Sports these enterprises you are not only get- contract and replace it with a new deed of Association Club House, directly be- ting a good deal yourself but the RNLI covenant for £15 . . .' hind Wolverton station. Information also benefits considerably.—PETER HOL- Welcome, to a new governor! from Denis J. Horgan, 172 Bradwell NESS, membership secretary, RNLI, Of course, if a subscription is coven- Common Boulevard, Milton Keynes, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. anted, the income it brings to the life- Buckinghamshire. Tel. 0908 674900. boat service is considerably increased To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. without extra cost to the subscriber; we I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as an: are only too pleased to send informa- Annual Member £5.00 (minimum) D tion about the way covenants work and Annual Family Membership £7.50 (minimum) D how they can be entered into to those Annual Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D people who would like to make their Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D - help even more effective in this way. Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy. D Shoreline has only grown as it has be- Name cause of the personal support of you, its members. It is your enthusiasm which Address has carried the day when friends, neigh- bours and relatives have been consider- ing adding their weight to the line. We Over 106,500 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service. know that you will continue to give your 243 If the circumference of the Bewl Bridge Reservoir on the borders of Kent and Sussex is 17 miles and if 145 sponsored walkers complete this dis- tance, what is the sum of money they raised for the RNLI? Answer: over £1,000 thanks to the efforts of Cran- brook, Wadhurst and Tenterden branches who organised the event at the iti instigation of Mrs Audrey Reading. Joe Martin, coxswain of Hastings lifeboat, started the walk officially, needless to say in pouring rain.

So far Mr Rowson, husband of Wainfleet guild secretary, has made £150 for the lifeboats by making and selling very attractive solitaire games. They are proving so popular throughout Lincolnshire that he is still working hard at them.

In addition to the magnificent £300,000 gift from the Freemasons Two teams of 16 rowers took turns to achieve a 24-hour sponsored row in Plymouth Sound. They came from the Plymouth School of Maritime Studies and organised the strenuous event United Grand Lodge of England earlier themselves under the guidance of the school's head, Captain T. C. Nelson. Their efforts in this this year, the RNLI still receives 32ft cutter brought in £1,300. photograph by courtesy of 'Western Morning News' generous support from individual lodges. Brother A. Gow, Worshipful Wyboston Sailing Club, St Neots, Master of Tracery Lodge No. 4719, is a Cambridge, organised its twelfth spon- shoreline member and he arranged for sored sail for the RNLI on June 20. £72 raised by a raffle at his ladies' even- Over £10,000 had already been raised in ing to be sent to the lifeboats. Earlier in previous years and this year some the year the lodge was able to forward £1,500 was amassed for the lifeboats. £20 to the Port of Liverpool and District Competitors sailed 453.1 sponsored branch of the RNLI. miles and the winners, 'Rank Optimists' (Some of Welwyn Garden City SC, covered Mrs Ann Williams, a member of 41.4 miles in the allotted ten hours. Moelfre ladies' guild, gave a demon- BAC Stevenage, the team who pre- stration of flower arranging at the local sented a paddle as the booby prize for community centre in April. The numer- the race, found that they got it back ous guests were served with coffee and when their boat finished last. biscuits which brought in £51.50 and a further £18.00 was raised when Mrs The children at Weston All Saints' Williams kindly donated the flowers Junior School, Bath, gave a concert in and arrangements for raffle prizes. May with the theme of a Victorian Night Out. Suitably dressed up they Tiverton branch not only raises sang and danced their way to raising £37 money by street and house-to-house for the RNLI. collections and cheese and wine parties; it has been very successful in selling old Petersfield branch held a cocktail par- newspapers and especially in selling ty at Sheet House, the home of Major windfall apples to the local cider fac- General Sir Humphry and Lady Tolle- tory, which this year brought in £120. mache, on June 6. A great many people Other windfalls for the branch were contributed to the success of the even- donations from the Ladies Licenced ing, which raised £1,150 for the life- Victuallers, the Women's Institute and boats, and particular thanks were given the Scouts. to the Sheet Guides who had helped in Lt E. Gough, the RNLI's staff officer many ways. At the garden fete and disco held at (Communications), sent the message the home of Mr and Mrs R. Haszard of Uniform Whisky One (UW1) to the Dunstable branch has raised £5,000 Chapel Leasowe, Milford, Stafford Boys' Brigade at Aigburth, Liverpool, since it was re-formed in 1978 through branch was lent free of charge a mobile after they had raised £36 by mounting bonfire parties, barbecues, flag days generator by Bowmaker Plant for the a display about the sea, doing figure and cheese and wine evenings. In June a lighting and power supply; £249.40 was marching dressed as sailors, playing barbecue and country evening brought raised at this function. A dance was games and singing songs and finally in £620. Icknield Wayfarers Folk Group held a month later making £119 and performing a mime in costume of provided music and entertainment, and during the branch's flag week a total of Jonah and the Whale. Earlier in the there was also a disco for the energetic. £1,091.23 was collected. year Ernie Gough had advised the boys Branch chairman, Dr John Clark, and about signal flags to be used in a dis- his vice-president, Mike Press, spent A very successful coffee morning orga- play. His final signal to them—UW1— much of the time grilling steaks, while nised by Mrs S. Hill of Tonbridge translated read: 'Thank you very much vast quantities of strawberries and branch and held at the home of Mr and for your co-operation. I wish you a cream added to everyone's enjoyment Mrs H. Veall, Gonerils Farm, Five Oak pleasant voyage'. of the evening. Green, raised an impressive £280.02.

244 Coming from as far afield as Ireland and Humberside, 116 entries made the third Great Tweed Raft Race a huge crowd puller with 15,000 people lining the river bank. There were two categories: fancy dress rafts and speedsters, all of which had to complete a seven-mile course from Kelso to Carham. The winner of the fancy dress section was a remarkable one-tenth scale model of HMS Cossack, a 1936 destroyer (above). The famous Hercules the bear was a There was no way of mistaking for which cause this^ Brighton special guest on the day and Liberal Party leader David Steel started the race. sponsored walk was organised. A scaled-down replica of a pull- The whole massive occasion was organised by Round Tables in the Borders ing lifeboat was hauled along the route by some of the walkers. and was sponsored by Matthew Gloag and Son Ltd, makers of Famous Their long, hard pull brought a haul in sponsorship of over Grouse whisky. A staggering £4,250 was eventually handed to the RNL1 as a £1,100. result. photograph by courtesy of Tweeddale Press Group

I I

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Despite force 8 gales which made their stock difficult to keep on thetable, the ladies of Ramsey's, IsleofMan, lifeboat guild made £90"at their street fair stall of souvenirs. Many people were Oban ladies' guild organised its first raft race on May 23. Although it was a attracted towards them by the Viking boat Odin's Raven just chilly Saturday, a large crowd turned out to watch and about £2,500 was behind the stand. A few days before the ladies had raised over raised in sponsorship and other contributions. First place went to—but, of £600 at their coffee morning. photograph by courtesy of course!—First Plaice, entered by Golden Seafood Produce. Don Wilkinson photograph by courtesy of 'The Oban Times' Hazlewood Castle, Tadcaster, the Disc jockey Paul Kay of the Bisquit Plymouth Barbershop Singers very home of the Carmelite Friars, was Club of Selsey survived a 12-hour non- kindly performed at Wembury Peninsu- kindly lent in July for a Glyndebourne- stop marathon road show during which la branch's recent ball, which raised style evening of musical entertainment he played 673 records and raised over £77. under the patronage of the Marquis of £300. A number of Selsey's lifeboat Normanby, a member of the Commit- crew put in an appearance during the As a 'thank you' for generous gifts of tee of Management. Vice-Admiral Sir show including Coxswain Mike Grant; Peter Compston, a deputy chairman of the honorary secretary, Des Cockayne used stamps to help the lifeboat, New- the Institution, and Lady Compston was also present. Racing driver Derek port, Isle of Wight, branch arranged a special evening for three Brownie packs attended this 'Summer Evening' organi- Bell, fresh from his victory at the 24- on June 24. Mr G. H. Baker, the branch sed by Stephen Wood of Leeds and his hour race at Le Mans, also made an friends. A wind octet drawn from the appearance. Paul Kay hopes to raise publicity officer, gave a talk on the work of the RNLI illustrated with slides English Northern Philharmonia per- £3,000 by the end of the holiday season. and Cdr David Webb, chairman of formed a serenade. During the interval Bembridge lifeboat guild, answered the the 200 guests were given a picnic din- Bexhill-on-Sea branch sent £8,000 to many questions asked. The Brownies ner on the lawns and in the orangery. A headquarters at the end of last year and had come armed with another large gift remarkable £2,000 was raised for the among many sources that made up this of used stamps, with a promise of more RNLI as a result. sum were: £536.80 from Bexhill Sailing Club, which has supported the RNLI to come; they also made an on-the-spot collection of £11.48 for the lifeboats. An appreciable amount of money for many years, £13 being from the comes in each year from people who club's younger members' carol singing; regularly collect for the lifeboats. Mr £63.60 as the proceeds of a fashion show The High Level Ranters played the A. Lemar of the Bull Hotel, Abergele, held at Cooden Beach Hotel; £45 from music at a barn dance held at Mr and has sent in two cheques already this a tournament held at Highwoods Golf Mrs John Moor's Glebe Farm, Whit- year for the proceeds of collections and Club; and £47.30 from committee mem- burn. The evening was a great success raffles, both, strangely enough, coming ber Mrs Lawrence who makes and sells both socially and financially with a total to £31. Mrs J. MacFie keeps a collecting peg dolls. The branch has also made a take of £1,500. Mrs Joyce Dixon is box on the counter at Polegate Fisher- great deal of money out of souvenir chairman of Whitburn ladies' guild, the ies; her most recent cheque was for £15. sales at various events. event organisers who provided a 245 An auspicious star! for Nottingham's flag day when the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. Councillor and Mrs John Arnold, are the first two to buv a flag. On the left is Colin Westland-Garnett, chairman of A profitable partnership (for the lifeboats) was entered into when the flag day committee, with Mrs Phyl Westland-Garnett, and on the Esher branch joined forces with a local smallholder to sell fruit and far right William Loxton. Total takings for the day were over £1.300. vegetables as well as RNLI souvenirs at Esher Fair. The entire profit of photograph by courtesy of 'Nottingham Evening Post" over £100 went to the local branch. ploughman's supper for the 560 guests. Les Brown won the top raffle prize, a portable television, and immediately handed it back to be auctioned. At this function Bill Ayton, past president of Seaburn Rotary Club, handed over £250, part of the proceeds from a Swim '80 competition.

The town hall at Airdrie was packed with 850 people when the local lifeboat branch celebrated its golden jubilee. The occasion, compered by the Reverend James Currie, was a Fiddlers' Rally when Ayr and Prestwick Strath- spey and Reel Society performed For a change, the endurance of Second Cox- a wide variety of musical pieces. The swain Peter Leith of Lerwick is being tested other than by hours spent at sea in bad condi- On Great Yarmouth and Gorleston flag day. convenor of the Scottish Lifeboat tions. Here he is seen on the station's open July 15, Danny La Rue, then appearing in his Council. Sir Charles McGrigor, was day during an eight-hour non-stop sponsored summer show at Great Yarmouth, came to the present with Lady McGrigor and during organ playing for which he raised £2,100. market place lifeboat stall and signed photo- the evening he presented Airdrie Standing beside him is Captain Mitchell of graphs of himself, which he donated, and also branch with a certificate to mark its 50 Bristow Helicopters who landed his helicopter lifeboat cards. In little more than an hour he years of fund raising for the lifeboats. alongside the lifeboat and opened it to the had added nearly £50 to the funds. In all, Six-year-old Wendy Anderson had pre- public. £244 was taken on the souvenir stall. viously won a competition for the de- photograph by courtesy of sign of the cover of the programme and During their week of fund raising for Great Yarmouth Press Agency was a special guest for the evening, the RNLI, customers and staff of the which itself raised £1,617. Blue Anchor, Byfleet, gave themselves the opportunity to behave badly when they dressed up as St Trinian's pupils. Carlisle branch has shown how the tried and trusted fund-raising methods £411 was raised throughout the week. are still very profitable. Its house-to- house collection this year produced In appreciation of an enjoyable in- £3,769, an increase of £580 over the structional cruise two Bristol University previous collection. Throughout the students, Brenda and Chris Romans, whole of 1980 the branch brought in presented a woolly kangaroo to RRS £7,390. Challenger, Research Vessel Services. Rather than keep the kangaroo at sea, Maybe Geoffrey Cox's house guests the ship's officers decided to raffle it at were not very pleased when an outsider their main base in Barry and £30 was won the British Open Golf Cham- raised for the RNLI. pionship at Sandwich this year, but the RNLI did all right. Geoffrey Cox is an Mr and Mrs John Cooke of Brereton ardent supporter of Walmer lifeboat Park Farm, Huxley, Cheshire, kindly and his guests who were staying for the lent their farm for a disco supper orga- // lakes a bit of will power to give up vour championship decided to guess the nised by Christleton branch, and John daily bag of crisps at school during Lent but name of the winner at £5 a time. No one Cooke's generosity was rewarded by Robert Crumble, aged six, decided this would got it right so Walmer lifeboat took the winning first prize in the raffle—a be his sacrifice for his school's Lenten collec- tion. The money not spent on crisps he do- winnings—£60. A week earlier, at the Dufor Wing sailboard kindly supplied at nated to the RNLI and here he is seen handing mining village of Aylesham, Kent, child- cost by Chester Sailboard Centre. The over a sum of nearlv £4 to the director. Rear ren from the junior school collected party, which took place in a beautifully Admiral W. J. Graham, outside the London £100 for Walmer prior to a visit to the decorated marquee, altogether raised office in Lambeth. lifeboat station. £1,050 for the lifeboat service. 246 Port Talbot lifeboatmen were invited to an evening in the Rose and Crown, Briton Ferry, West Glamorgan, on the occasion of the smashing of a gallon Six friends of Child-wall whisky bottle full of money collected on (Liverpool) branch raised their behalf. Thanks to hosts Frank and £140 for the RNLI by means Shirley Clarke and Bells Whisky Ltd, of a sponsored climb, laking the food and drinks were free and, part in the Spring Bank Holi- day Welsh Three Thousands. thanks to the pub's regulars, £184 was in They climbed all 14 peaks of the bottle. the course, each more than 3,000 feet high, from Snow- Used stamps collected in bulk can be don to Foel Fras. The climb- turned into money for the lifeboats. A ers: (back row, I. to r.) Peter class of six to seven year olds know this Beckett, Don Williams and at Malvern Link Infants School and be- Les George, (front row) tween September 1980 and July 1981 Stephen Brown, Andrew Wil- they collected (and counted) 61,055 liams and Doug Brown. stamps. Not only does the lifeboat box in the hairdressing salon of Michael James of A Victorian Evening staged in the vil- Gillingham, Kent, do very well indeed, lage of Kilmacolm raised £800 for the but Mr James, a keen fisherman, takes RNLI. Both the concert performers and another box with him on his fishing trips the audience wore clothes from the last and passes it around when the 'catch' is century and the occasion was acclaimed being weighed. After the last fishing a great success. trip there was £19.79'/2 in the box—so it must have been a good 'catch'. Mr M. N. Cowlin was 50 recently and decided to ask friends and relations who Bristol ladies' guild raised more than were going to give him a present to give £4,500 at its summer ball. Held at the a donation to the lifeboats instead. home of Mr and Mrs Michael Kent at Everyone's generosity led to a cheque Chew Magna, it was a splendid evening for £155 going to the RNLI. in every way. Even the weather was good! Lifeboat week in Angmering fol- lowed soon after the sad deaths of both the branch's chairman, Mrs Nell King, Saturday June 20 was Family Funday in April and the honorary secretary, for Wolverhampton branch, when a Miss Frances Ramshaw, in May. The garden fete was held at the home of its community was able to show its appre- president, Tony Guy. More than £2,000 Dr Fergus McKenna visited Skye in the spring ciation of these two ladies' services by was raised from numerous attractions, to give ten different talks about the RNLI to ranging from a football wheel which different audiences on the Island. Thus en- increasing the annual contribution from couraged, Skye branch held an open day at £167 to £242. raised £4.15 to a raffle for Martell bran- dy which brought in almost £1,000. Talisker House which made £450. In front of Talisker House, with Preshal Mhor in the Raising the Titanic, or at least raising background, stand (I. to r.) Laurie Burton, the subject of the Titanic disaster, is Kent Schoolboy Scramble Club held whose idea sparked off the open day, Mr and Miss Eva Hart's special way of raising its first two-day charity meeting at Mrs Mark Wathen, who kindly allowed the money for the RNLI. She is one of the Lydd-on-Sea, Romney Marsh, on July event to take place at their house, Captain Darby George, chairman of the branch, and few people to survive the notorious inci- 11 and 12 and raised the magnificent sum of £625 for Dungeness lifeboat sta- the musically equipped Vice-Admiral Sir dent and because of current public in- Roderick Macdonald. terest in the possibility of raising the tion. More than 120 members, all under wreck from the seabed, she is in hot de- the age of 18, took part in the motor- mand as a speaker to various organi- cycle scrambling. sations. She does not charge a fee but asks that donations go to the lifeboats. Flares were lit to illuminate a bar- Her first cheque to head office was for becue held at Boverton House by £50. Llantwit Major ladies' lifeboat guild. Over 150 people were there to enjoy a Brede in Sussex only has a population skittle alley, hoop-la and disco which of about 1,500, but when Rye and Win- were just some of the attractions. £600 chelsea branch held a coffee morning at was the profit from the evening. this small village it managed to raise £258. The branch is also a very success- Joan and Margaret Collings of Cam- ful seller of RNLI lottery tickets and ex- berley branch held their sixth annual pects to bring in some £50 in this way garden party in June, and by laying on each draw. tea and organising stalls selling cakes, white elephant items and RNLI souve- When Petts Wood branch gave a nirs, raised an impressive £425. The Going, going, gone. A bottle full of coins and spring luncheon in the garden of its Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Mrs notes for the lifeboats comes under the ham- chairman, Michael Reynolds, it invited Joy Reid, was guest of honour. In the mer at the Lord Burleigh, Victoria, London. branch officers and crew members from same month 70 people from Camberley Landlord Fred Bright (r.) is a keen supporter of the RNLI who always has a giant bottle Hastings and Dover, to both of which walked a 3'/2 mile course which hap- filling up. The man with the hammer is Paul stations a donation was made. The £537 pened to take in a grand total of 11 pubs Heiney of BBC TVs 'That's Life', himself a raised included £156 in Shoreline sub- on the route. With suitable refreshment Shoreline member, and on his left is Suzanne scriptions; one life governor and one at each, they completed the course and Knapp, secretary of the Central London member. raised £750 as a result. Committee. This bottle contained £118.25.

247 Brighton, East Sussex 12 (twice), 19, 26, May 3, 13, 24, 25 and 30 Lifeboat Services Relief Atlantic 21: March 11, 30, April 16, Hartlepool, Cleveland from page 226 19 and May 9 44ft Waveney: April 3 and May 13 Broughty Ferry, Angus Atlantic 21: April 27, May 3, 8, 13 (twice), and rough seas. At the request of the D class inflatable: March 3 17 and 18 Coastguard, Great Yarmouth and Gor- Buckie, Banffshire Harwich, Essex leston's Atlantic 21 was launched with 47ft Watson: May 23 44ft Waveney: May 28 Helmsman Colin Staples in command. Bude, Cornwall Atlantic 21: April 17 and May 3 However, when the lifeboat arrived on D class inflatable: April 19 and 20 Hastings, East Sussex scene the man had succeeded in res- Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 37ft Oakley: May 3 D class inflatable: April 29, May 2 and 23 D class inflatable: March 4, April 5, 19, May cuing his dog and both were safely on Burry Port, Dyfed 19 and 27 land. D class inflatable: April 11, 30, May 24 and Hayling Island, Hampshire 28 Atlantic 21: March 7, 8 (twice), April 17 and Calshot, Hampshire 20 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: March 8, April 26, Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire Lifeboat Services, May 3, 16 (twice) and 25 Atlantic 21: March 1, 28, April 21, May 2, 7, March, April and Campbeltown, Argyllshire 9, 20 and 31 52ft Arun: May 23 (twice) Holy head, Gwynedd May, 1981 Cardigan, Dyfed 52ft Arun: April 1, 14 and 26 D class inflatable: May 24 D class inflatable: April 30 and May 3 Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (twice) 54ft Arun: April 14 D class inflatable: May 9 and 12 Howth, Co. Dublin D class inflatable: April 7 and 13 Clovelly, North Devon Relief 46ft 9in Watson: May 26 Aberdovey, Gwynedd 70ft Clyde: March 1, 18, April 1, 20, 26, 27, Humber, Humberside Relief Atlantic 21: May 3 May 10 and 25 Relief 52ft Arun: March 7, 29, April 25, 27 Abersoch, Gwynedd Conwy, Gwynedd (twice), May 2 and 5 Atlantic 21: April 19 (twice) D class inflatable: March 1 and May 2 Hunstanton, Norfolk Aberystwyth, Dyfed Criccieth, Gwynedd D class inflatable: April 23, May 3 and 25 Relief D class inflatable: March 1 Relief D class inflatable: April 13 and 19 Ilfracombe, North Devon D class inflatable: April 13 and 14 Cromer, Norfolk 37ft Oakley: April 22 and 25 Aldeburgh, Suffolk D class inflatable: May 1 and 24 Relief 37ft Oakley: May 1 Relief 42ft Watson: March 27 Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Islay, Argyllshire 42ft Beach: May 25 D class inflatable: April 12 50ft Thames: May 14, 20 and 28 D class inflatable: April 20 and May 25 Donaghadee, Co. Down Kinghorn, Fife Amble, Northumberland Relief 44ft Waveney: March 17 and April 12 D class inflatable: May 3 D class inflatable: May 10 44ft Waveney: May 3 and 22 Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire Angle, Dyfed Douglas, Isle of Man Relief 37ft Oakley: March 6 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: April 24 and May 13 46ft 9in Watson: March 19 and May 31 37ft Oakley: April 18, May 13 and 27* Appledore, North Devon Dover, Kent Kirkwall, Orkney 47ft Watson: May 14 Relief 44ft Waveney: March 13, April 15 and 70ft Clyde: May 18 Atlantic 21: April 5, May 10 and 14 17 Largs, Ayrshire Arbroath, Angus 50ft Thames: May 25 Atlantic 21: March 8, April 4, 12 (twice) 16, D class inflatable: May 10 Dungeness, Kent 19, 24 (twice) and May 20 Arklow, Co. Wicklow 37ft 6in Rather: April 15, May 1, 3 and 9 Lerwick, Shetland 42ft Watson: April 6 Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin 52ft Arun: March 27, April 15 (twice), May Arran (Lamlash), Buteshire 44ft Waveney: March 10, 23 and 29 10 and 30 D class inflatable: April 24, May 17 and 24 Dunmore East, Co. Waterford Littlehampton, West Sussex Arranmore, Co. Donegal 44ft Waveney: March 21, April 19, 25 and Atlantic 21: March 10, April 4, 10, 17 52ft Barnett: March 13, 14, 22 and April 22 May 19 (twice), 19, 26 and May 4 (twice) Atlantic College (St Donat's Castle), South Eastbourne, East Sussex Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Glamorgan 37ft 6in Rather: March 18, 19, 22, May 16 Atlantic 21: April 12, 14 (twice), 19, May 1, Atlantic 21: April 18 and 20 25 and 30 Relief Atlantic 21: May 19 and 24 D class inflatable: April 21 and May 4 Ballycotton, Co. Cork Exmouth, South Devon Llandudno (Orme's Head), Gwynedd 52ft Barnett: April 26 D class inflatable: April 10 and May 3 D class inflatable: March 23, May 3, 6, 10, 23 (three times), 24 (three times) and 28 Baltimore, Co. Cork Eyemouth, Berwickshire 47ft Watson: March 24 and May 14 Relief 47ft Watson: May 13 Lochinver, Sutherland Barmouth, Gwynedd Falmouth, Cornwall 52ft Barnett: March 27 Relief D class inflatable: May 10 52ft Arun: April 4, 18, 20 and May 16 Lowestoft, Suffolk Barra Island, Inverness-shire 18ft 6in McLachlan: March 1, 3, April 5, 8, 47ft Watson: April 16, 20, 25 and May 19 52ft Barnett: March 9, April 26 and 28 16 and 17 Lyme Regis, Dorset Barrow, Cumbria Filey, North Yorkshire Atlantic 21: May 4 and 9 D class inflatable: May 16 37ft Oakley: March 29 Lymington, Hampshire Barry Dock, South Glamorgan D class inflatable: April 30 Atlantic 21: March 1, April 18, 29, May 3 52ft Arun: April 6 and 19 Flamborough, Humberside (seven times), 18 and 27 Beaumaris, Gwynedd 35ft 6in Liverpool: May 1, 9, 28 and 31 Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Atlantic 21: May 6 and 8 Fleetwood, Lancashire 46ft 9in Watson: April 21 and May 31 Bembridge, Isle of Wight Relief 46ft 9in Watson: April 6 and 10 Relief D class inflatable: May 31 48ft din Solent: April 8 and 28 D class inflatable: March 7, 8, April 5, 6, 13, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire D class inflatable: April 8, 28 and May 27 26, May 3 and 13 D class inflatable: April 23 and May 3 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Flint, Clwyd Mallaig, Inverness-shire Atlantic 21: May 15 and 16 D class inflatable: May 13 and 31 Relief 52ft Barnett: May 17 Blackpool, Lancashire Fowey, Cornwall Margate, Kent D class inflatables: March 31, April 12, 21 46ft Watson: May 10 Relief 37ft Oakley: April 9 and 18 (twice), 22 and May 31 Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire 37ft oin Rather: May 24 Relief D class inflatable: April 15,21 (twice) 48ft din Solent: May 1 D class inflatable: May 14, 17 and 23 and 22 Galway Bay, Co. Galway Minehead, Somerset Borth, Dyfed Relief 52ft Barnett: March 1, 9, 25, April 5, D class inflatable: April 5, 19 and 29 D class inflatable: April 17, 19, 23 and May 9, 19,25, May 6, 17 and 31 Atlantic 21: April 5, 22, 29 and May 22 21 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Moelfre, Gwynedd Bridlington, Humberside 44ft Waveney: March 21 (twice), April 7, 19, 37ft 6in Rather: April 2 and May 2 37ft Oakley: April 24 25 and May 13 Montrose, Angus D class inflatable: May 27 Atlantic 21: March 12, 21 (twice), April 1, 5, 48ft 6in Solent: May 15 248 manimmsacKn fpSn itieiwow wrthupto£26ormore ,«M;] SHIPWRECKS publisher's PubEdn) VE5957 prices! Knevdopaedia of w/'icr, PuhEdnl Small Craft The Beat-Owners £895/ Practical Q^tH>fta?v ie Maintenance BEKEN | PubEdnl V.E550/ TubEdn) .« 95 7 IPubEdn) £7.95] Navigating Britain's Coastline Navigating Portland to Dover Britain's Coastline LantftEndtoPbrtland Mraoe&ftfcrOM* South England Pilot Volume V Essentials of The Stilly Isles Seaman Maritime Book 11 PubEdnV ,r16\ •^ Society will receive £695/ ifPubEdnl \£895/

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Morecambe, Lancashire D class inflatable: May 8 D class inflatable: April 8 D class inflatable: March 8 (twice), April 22, Pwllheli, Gwynedd Sunderland, Tyne and Wear May 12, 28 and 30 37ft Oakley: April 13 47ft Watson: April 5 and 17 Mudeford, Dorset Queensferry, West Lothian D class inflatable: April 21 and May 16 Relief D class inflatable: March 8, 16 and 28 Atlantic 21: March 8 and 28 Swanage, Dorset D class inflatable: March 28, April 14, 30, Ramsey, Isle of Man 37ft 6in Rather: April 23, May 24 and 25 May 2 (twice), 16 and 18 37ft Oakley: March 3 and May 27 Teesmouth, Cleveland The Mumbles, West Glamorgan Red Bay, Co. Antrim 47ft Watson: March 12 and May 13 (twice) 47ft Watson: March 5 and 28 (twice) D class inflatable: April 19 Tenby, Dyfed D. class inflatable: March 28, April 14, 16, Redcar, Cleveland 46ft 9in Watson: May 9 and 16 24 and May 24 37ft Oakley: March 24 D class inflatable: April 20 and May 23 New biggin, Northumberland Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford Thurso, Caithness Atlantic 21: April 23 48ft 6in Solent: April 8 and May 31 48ft 6in Solent: April 27, May 19 and 27 New Brighton, Merseyside Rye Harbour, East Sussex Tighnabruaich, Argyllshire Atlantic 21: March 8, 9, May 1, 22 and 31 D class inflatable: April 12, May 3 and 24 D class inflatable: April 13, 17 and May 10 Newcastle, Co. Down St Agnes, Cornwall Torbay, South Devon 37ft Oakley: May 2 D class inflatable: April 4, 12, 18 and 19 54ft Arun: March 17, 31, May 3 and 24 Newhaven, East Sussex Relief D class inflatable: May 14 (twice) 44ft Waveney: April 18, 26, May 3, 10, 27 St Bees, Cumbria Relief 52ft Arun: May 26 and 27 and 31 D class inflatable: April 14, 15, May 10 and 18ft 6in McLachlan: April 17, 19, May 1 and Newquay, Cornwall 14 30 D class inflatable: March 20, April 19, 28, St David's, Dyfed Tramore, Co. Waterford May 6, 7 and 14 47ft Watson: May 5 D class inflatable: April 14, 19, May 9 and New Quay, Dyfed St Helier, Channel Islands 19 D class inflatable: April 17 and 19 44ft Waveney: March 31 Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd Oban, Argyllshire Relief 44ft Waveney: April 17 and May 25 D class inflatable: April 1, 14, 15 and May 4 42ft Watson: April 18 and 25 St Ives, Cornwall Troon, Ayrshire 18ft 6in McLachlan: April 18 (twice) and 25 37ft Oakley: March 22, May 16 and 20 44ft Waveney: March 8, 21 and May 12 Peel, Isle of Man D class inflatable: April 25 and May 27 Relief 44ft Waveney: April 16, May 20 and Atlantic 21: April 19, 21 and May 10 St Peter Port, Channel Islands 22 (twice) 52ft Arun: April 24, May 2, 13, 20 and 22 Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Penarth, South Glamorgan Salcombe, South Devon 52ft Arun: March 7, April 21 and May 9 D class inflatable: April 2, 6, 10, 20, 23, 47ft Watson: March 17, 22 and 29 D class inflatable: March 7, 8, May 2 and 14 May 20, 25, 27 and 31 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: April 24 Walmer, Kent Penlee, Cornwall Scarborough, North Yorkshire 37ft 6in Rather: April 15 and May 31 47ft Watson: April 13 37ft Oakley: March 22 (twice) D class inflatable: April 3, 5, 10, 15, May 1, Plymouth, South Devon D class inflatable: May 3 15 and 16 44ft Waveney: April 30 and May 21 Selsey, West Sussex Walton and Frinton, Essex 18ft 6in McLachlan: March 23, April 8, 11, 48ft 6in Oakley: May 29 48ft 6in Oakley: March 1, April 17 and 20 May 9 and 25 D class inflatable: April 17 and May 2 Wells, Norfolk Poole, Dorset (twice) D class inflatable: May 10 (twice) 44ft Waveney: March 24, April 16, 18, May Sennen Cove, Cornwall West Kirby, Merseyside 2, 3 (twice), 24 and 30 37ft 6in Rather: May 3 D class inflatable: May 13 and 31 Dell Quay Dory: March 2, 23 (twice) and 30 Sheringham, Norfolk West Mersea, Essex Relief D class inflatable: March 27, April 16, 37ft Oakley: April 16 Atlantic 21: March 14, 21, 27, April 15, 17, 18, 19, May 2, 3 and 7 Relief 37ft Oakley: May 1 May 3 (five times) and 17 Portaferry, Co. Down Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex Weston-super-Mare, Avon D class inflatable: May 17 42ft Watson: April 4 and May 3 18ft 6in McLachlan: April 17 and 18 Port Erin, Isle of Man D class inflatable: April 5, 6 and 17 (twice) D class inflatable: April 17, 18 and May 7 37ft 6in Rather: May 10 Silloth, Cumbria Weymouth, Dorset Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan Atlantic 21: April 4 and May 3 54ft Arun: March 22, April 10, 19, 20 and D class inflatable: May 4 (twice) and 9 Skegness, Lincolnshire May 2 Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd 37ft Oakley: March 14 and May 25 Whitby, North Yorkshire 47ft Watson: April 15, 18, 25 and May 9 Southend-on-Sea, Essex 44ft Waveney: March 22, May 1 and 26 Port Isaac, Cornwall Atlantic 21: March 21, 26, 27, April 15, 20, Atlantic 21: April 8 and May 6 D class inflatable: April 15 and May 29 23 (twice), 25, May 5, 16 (twice), 17, 19, 22 Whitstable, Kent Portrush, Co. Antrim (three times) and 24 Relief Atlantic 21: April 19 52ft Arun: May 4 and 8 D class inflatable: March 10, April 13, 14, Atlantic 21: May 16 Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), 21, 23 and May 27 Wick, Caithness Hampshire Southwold, Suffolk 48ft 6in Oakley: May 21 Atlantic 21: March 3, 16, April 19, 28, May Atlantic 21: April 25, May 3 (twice) 3, 22 and 30 Relief Atlantic 21: May 25 Wicklow, Co. Wicklow D class inflatable: March 16, April 18, 28, Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire 42ft Watson: May 18 May 3 (three times) and 30 Atlantic 21: March 11, April 18, 24 and May Withernsea, Humberside Port St Mary, Isle of Man 23 D class inflatable: May 6 54ft Arun: March 3, April 20, 30 and May Stonehaven, Kincardineshire Workington, Cumbria 17 D class inflatable: May 15 46ft 9in Watson: March 2, 3 and 31 D class inflatable: April 4 Stornoway (Lewis), Ross-shire Yarmouth, Isle of Wight Port Talbot (Aberavon Beach), West 48ft 6in Solent: April 19 and May 14 52ft Arun: April 13, 26, 29, May 3 (four Glamorgan Stranraer, Wigtownshire times), 23, 25 and 28 (twice)

SERVICES AND LIVES RESCUED BY THE RNLI'S LIFEBOATS January 1, 1981, to July 31, 1981: Services: 1,401; lives saved 489 THE STATION FLEET (as at 31/7/81) 259 lifeboats, of which one Atlantic 21, four 18ft 6in McLachlan and 68 D class inflatable lifeboats operate in summer only LIVES RESCUED 107,045 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to July 31, 1981, including shoreboat services

251 Index to Advertisers Page Adventure Wear Ltd 250 Aegis Insurance Services (Group) Ltd 278 MARITIME ENGLAND Birds Eye Foods Ltd Inside Front Cover Brew Bros Ltd 252 Lifeboat supporters will be welcome to visit RNLI head Leicester Building Society 218 Lifeline Film Service Inside Back Cover office and depot during Maritime Book Society (Readers Union) 249 and 250 LIFEBOAT OPEN DAYS - POOLE HEADQUARTERS Martell Cognac Back Cover Mercantile Credit Inside Back Cover Thursday, Friday and Saturday July 22 to 24,1982 RNLI Kensington Branch 250 Classified Advertisements Further details will be given in the next issue of £5.50 per single column centimetre (minimum THE LIFEBOAT. charge £16.50). NB: The minimum space of 3cm takes about 45 words at 15 words per cm. (£3.75) and other books for ship lovers. Send Lifeboat artist John Lee. Storm and rescue ALL CLASSIFIEDS MUST BE PRE-PAID. for our free catalogue. Tops'l Books, 13 situations a speciality. Ideal for retirement Wise's Firs, Sulhamstead, Berks. RG7 4EH. presentations or Lifeboat Fund raffles. BOOKS Satisfaction guaranteed; Send s.a.e. to 9 SUPPORT THE RNLI by ordering a copy of MEDITERRANEAN VIA CANALS Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset. Tel: (0305) 'Lifeboat: In Danger's Hour' by Patrick EXPERIENCED River and Canal Pilot (44 785960. Howarth. Superbly illustrated in colour and crossings) offers information and advice or black and white. Ideal Christmas present for will undertake delivery. Write: Capt. Ward, MODELS AND KITS RNLI enthusiasts. £7.95 including postage. 4 Graydon Avenue, Chichester PO19 2RF. UNCANNILY ACCURATE MINIATURE Send cheque with name and address to: Phone: 0243 784700. MODELS AND WALL PLAQUES OF Familybooks, Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1 YACHTS, SAILING BARGES, LIFEBOATS 6DX. AND OTHER VESSELS WANTED THE GIFT OR PRESENTATION NEW! MARITIME HERITAGE. The story FOR LIFEBOAT FUND RAISING. Row- WITH A DIFFERENCE! of Britain's preserved and historic vessels ing boat or gig, 18ft, four thwarts, fine lines. COMMISSIONED by Maritime Museums, and where to see them. Produced in co- Replies to Mike Crockford, Tenby Lifeboat collectors Yachts Owners and Clubs. operation with the Maritime Trust. 64 pages, Crew Association, Sheerwater, The Har- RNLI Lifeboats a speciality for enthusiasts 55 historic and new photographs. 34 ships. bour, Tenby, Dyfed. Tel: Tenby 3179. and crew retirements. Price £2.50. Also, 'Sailing Fishermen in Old DETAILS AND PRICES: BRIAN H. Photographs' (£1.95), 'Steam Fishermen in PAINTINGS WILLIAMS Marine Model Artist. "West Old Photographs' (£2.50), 'Provident and LIFEBOAT OIL PAINTINGS on canvas Rock", The Cleave, Kingsand, Near Tor- the Story of Brixham Smacks' (£1.95), The 36" x 28". £65.00 post paid. Arun, Watson. point, Cornwall PL10 INF. (Tel: Driftermen' (£3.75), 'The Trawlermen' Waveney, Oakley, etc, by well-known 0752-822638).

For every car HOW YOU CAN HELP purchased through THE LIFEBOATMEN

this advertisement, JOIN your local branch or guild JOIN Shoreline, the membership well give £20 scheme H E L P on flag days to the R.NJJ. BUY RNLI gifts and souvenirs SELL lottery tickets GI V E a coffee morning COLLECT used stamps or foreign coins

Being Ford main dealers we have a whole range of exciting For further information write to: new Ford models for you to choose from and you need have no warranty or servicing worries either because any Ford dealer in APPEALS SECRETARY, any part of the country is fully able to carry out the work. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION, So buy, lease or contract hire your new Ford, through WEST QUAY ROAD, Brew Bros, and help save lives. Contact John McGough on POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ. 01-373 3333 or write to him at:-

When you have read your copy of THE LIFEBOAT, please Bi*EW for pass it on 1330LDBROMPTONRD. LONDONSW7 MAIN DEALER

252 Sailing loan interest rates reduced for Shoreline members Now, as a Shoreline member, you're in a privileged position when it comes to financing your sailing. Shoreline Sailing Loans are available to members from Mercantile Credit at special interest rates below those charged on their standard marine loans. One of them can FREEPOST provide the cash you need to buy a boat, to refit, or even for major annual expenses like insurance. Then you can spread WE PROMISE the cost over regular instalments and so sail on a budget. ASPEEDY ANSWER Help the R.N.LI. as you help yourself p—^^ Shorelinc -1 i - e Sailinn • i • g Loan¥ s wil-»li provid-ie a valuabliiie B ToTo': MrM r.. L1 . Fraser, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, source of revenue for the R. N.L.I., as well as saving you FREEPOST, P.O. Box 75, London WC2B 5XA. money. Each loan granted will provide a donation to the (No stamp required). Institution, without the deduction of promotion, Name administration or other costs. Address, Non-members can apply for loans and join Shoreline simultaneously, and have their first year's membership paid 149/OCT for them. Mercantile Credit, will make a £5 donation to I wish to borrow £_ .(please state amount if known) Shoreline for each advance made to non-members, I AM/*AM NOT a member of Shoreline (*Delete as applicable). entitling them to family membership for one year. You can pick up a Shoreline Sailing Loan leaflet at your local branch of Mercantile Credit (see your telephone directory for the address). Written quotations are available I Mercantile Credit on request.

ON FILM PROCESSING AND HELP THE Lifeboats Kodacolor LIFELINE FILM SERVICE PRICES ANDOTHER GOOD MAKES ACCEPTED 12 EXPOSURES £1.99 24 EXPOSURES £2.99 ft Normally 48 hours in Laboratory ft Prices include VAT at 15%. No extra 36 EXPOSURES £3.99 charge for post and packing. Offer applies to U.K. only ft Credit for unprintable negatives. NOTE: We accept films on the basis that their value does ft Money refunded if you are not not exceed the cost of the material. CUSTOMER SERVICE 01 -520 8351 completely satisfied. Pack your films in a stout envelope, complete the coupon opposite, enclose cheque/PO payable to 'Lifeline Film Service' and post to: | NAME .... LIFELINE FILM SERVICE I ADDRESS FREEPOST P.O. BOX 304 I

LONDON E17 3JP THIS IS YOUR RETURN LABEL. PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS. Times change but Mar tell never varies

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