THE LIFEBOAT. The Journal of the Royal National Life-boat Institution. jl VOL. XXVL—No. 286.] MARCH, 1926. [PRICE 6^. i

An International Life-boat Organization. By George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. IT will be remembered that at the Inter- It so happened that this Sub-Com- national Life-boat Conference, held in mittee was holding its meetings in London on 1st and 2nd July, 1924, in London from the 21st to 24th July, 1924, which representatives of nine nations and that they therefore received the took part, a resolution was proposed, at! resolution too late for it to become a sub- the suggestion of Count Yoshii, Presi-1 ject of discussion at their meetings. The dent of the Imperial Japanese Life-boat Sub-Committee, therefore, decided to Institution, in favour of the establish-1 postpone any action in the matter until rnent of an International Life-boat j their next meeting, which was due to be Organization, on the lines of the Red (held in 1925. Meanwhile, the Secretary Cross Society, with all the national Life- j of the Advisory and Technical Corn- boat services, whether maintained by j mittee for Communications and Transit private Institutions or by the State, as J asked the Institution to prepare a state- its members.* : ment with regard to the actual condition This resolution was unanimously ap-} of the Life-boat services of the world, so proved, and, at the direction of the Con- j that the Sub-Committee might be better ference, the Institution brought it to ) able to envisage the resolution in favour the notice of all countries with a sea-' of an International Life-boat Organiza- board through their Ambassadors or tion when it came before them, other chief representatives in London, j A. Memorandum was accordingly pre- It was also sent to the League of i pared by the Institution and forwarded Nations Union at Greneva and to the i to the League of Nations. This was cir- International Federation oi the League j ciliated by the Secretary of the Snb- of Nations Societies at Brussels, -with a i Committee on Ports and Maritime Navi- request that the Federation would for-1 gation to all the nations represented on ward it to the individual societies. I tkat Sub-Committee. Subsequently, the Finally, a copy was sent to the Under- i Institution was asked to send a repre- Secretary of State for Foreign. Affairs, i sentative to attend a meeting of the Sub- with a request that it might be brought, Committee for Ports and Maritime Navi- officially to the notice of the League of' gation to be held in Paris on the 28th Nations Council by the British Govern-1 No vember, 1925, in order to assist ment. I the Sub-Committee in its deliberations, Thus everything was done to ensure' and the Committee of Management the widest publicity and consideration j authorised me, as the Secretary of the for the proposal, and I am very glad to | Institution, to attend as their represen- be able to record that it has now bee/iftative. given the general support of the League j At this meeting I was asked to intro- of Nations. It was referred by the; duce the subject. In doing so I described League to its Advisory Technical Com- '• the circumstances in which the resolu- mittee for Communications and Transit, j tion came to be passed at the Interna- which, in turn, referred it to its Sub- i tional Conference ; pointed out that the Committee on Ports and Maritime object of the International Organization Navigation. would be both to improve the existing Life-boat Services by facilitating the * See The Lifeboat for November, 1924. exchange of experience, ideas, and 170 THE LIFEBOAT. [MABCH, 1926. technical designs, and to induce those ! It will be seen that, while the resolu- countries with a seaboard which have' tion does not in itself carry the estab- uot yet established a Life-boat Service i lishme»t of an International Life-boat to do so. I also pointed out that some j Organization any further, it does con- Life-boat Services were voluntarily main- j form to the spirit of Count Ybshii's tained ; some were voluntarily main- j resolution, in that the League of Nations tained, but with the help of grants from j will itself draw the attention of the the State ; while a few were entirely , Governments of those States which have maintained by the State ; and suggested j no organized Life-boat Service to the that this difference in the method of desirability of creating such services; control might possibly make it difficult and the second part of the resolution to unite ail the services in the same carried with it a further request to International Organization. Government" ,s t.o induc• -, e thei.,.„.r Nationa. l After a full discussion, lasting the Organizations, whether voluntary or greater part of the day, the following official, to keep in constant touch with resolution was eventually adopted : each other, and to decide from time to " The Sub-Committee suggests that time on the best policy with a view to the League of Nations should draw the improving an existing Service and attention of the Governments of those obtaining the establishment of new Ser- States which have no organized Life-boat vices. This part of the resolution, would Service to the work done in many coun- seem to suggest the desirability of hold- tries, either by voluntary or State ing International Conferences from time organizations, in saving those ship- to time on the lines of the one held in wrecked on their coasts. The Sub- July, 1924. Committee lays great stress on the Finally, the League of Nations Sub- need for the creation of such services Committee expresses its readiness to in countries where they do not already further the general purposes of the exist. original resolution by placing the ser- " The Sub-Committee is of opinion vices of its Sub-Committee and its that the best means to encourage the Secretariat at the disposal of existing promotion, of Life-boat Services is to ask Life-boat Organizations, the Governments to induce their national) This promise is, I feel, of very real organizations (voluntary or official) to i value, for even though no International keep in constant touch with each other, Life-boat Organization properly so-called and to decide from time to time on the is yet established, we have, in fact, in this best policy to follow for improving Sub-Committee of the League of Nations existing services and for obtaining the and its Secretariat, a permanent body establishment of new services. which, we may hope, will come to fulfil " This Sub-Committee and its Secre- the same function and to be the inter- tariat will be willing to assist in realizing I national organ and " clearing house " of these aims." the Life-boat Services of the world. The late Queen Alexandra. BY the death of Queen Alexandra on ' with the Prince and Princess of Wales. 20th November, 1925, the Institution,'In 1913 she became a Patron, with the loses one of its three Royal Patrons, j King and Queen, who had become Patrons Queen Alexandra had been associated on their accession to the throne, with the work of the Institution for! Her sympathy with the work of the forty-two years, It was in 1883, as : Service was shown early in the War when, Princess of Wales, that she became Vice- j with reference to the service to the Patroness of the Institution, Queen! Hospital ship Rohilla in October, 1914, Victoria being Patroness, and the Prince 1 she wrote personally to the Chairman of of Wales and his brother, the Duke of: the Committee of Management, sending Edinburgh, Vice-Patrons. On his ac- a special donation to the Institution, and cession to the throne King Edward VII. j expressing her "utmost sympathy for became Patron, and Queen Alexandra j its great work " and her " deep admira- continued to be Vice-Patron, together[ tion " for its crews ;! MAKCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 171

The Record of 1925.

Terrible Winter Storms. fact that services were rendered to nine THE year 1925 was, until November, foreign vessels, three of them being unusually calm, and this fact is reflected French, two German, one Dutch, one in the number of lives rescued, 383, as Belgian, one Swedish, and one Spanish. compared with 454 in 1924. la the last From these vessels over a hundred lives nine weeks of the year, however, there were rescued, that is to say, more than a were frequent gales, of unusual severity, quarter of the total. By the end of the all round the coast, and nearly a third year the number of lives for whose of the lives for the whole year were rescue the Institution had given rewards rescued during these nine weeks, the since 1824 was 60,358. During 1925 weekly average being thirteen lives. The twenty boats and vessels were saved or gales were at their worst on the East helped to safety as compared with Coast, where they were reported as the seventeen in 1924, severest ever known, or the worst for many years. Some idea of their severity New Motor Life-boats. may be gathered from the fact that at In other ways 1925 was an active Flamborough Head, on 25th November, year. Five Motor Life-boats were com- the waves were estimated to be 30 and pleted and sent to their Stations at Mar- 40 feet high, and the spray was flying gate, Kent; Dunmore East, Co. Water- to the top of the cliffs, 200 feet above ford ; Southwold, Suffolk; Holy Island, the sea. Further south, at Aldeburgh, Northumberland ; and Kamsgate, Kent, in Suffolk, on the same day, the high the last of these being the first of a new tide and the northerly gale combined type, described elsewhere in this issue. flooded the marshes. Flares were seen The Motor Life-boat for Porthdinllaen going tip from a house early in the was also completed, but did not go to evening, and two fishing boats were aer Station, as at the end of the year dragged through the town and launched she was being thoroughly overhauled on the marshes. When they reached after having been at Life-boat House at the house, they found that its rooms the British Empire Exhibition during the were flooded and that the greater part summer. of it had- collapsed. The seven people At the end of the year there were living in it were rescued and brought fifty-six Motor Life-boats on the coast safely " ashore." It was on this day of in a total fleet of 217, and eight more, in exceptionally violent weather that two addition to the Porthdinllaen Boat, were gallant services (described elsewhere under construction, some of which will in this issue) were performed by the reach, their stations early in 1926. It Life-boats at Donna Nook and the is hoped by 1934 to have more than Humber. doubled the number of Motor Life-boats. Not only did the year see the com- Services to Foreign Vessels. pletion of the first of a new type of Life- Of the 383 lives rescued, 294 were boat, but much attention was given rescued by Life-boats, and the re- during the year to the design of an maining eighty-nine by shore-boats improved type of Motor Life-boat for and in other ways, the rescuers in each launching from a carriage, and also to case being rewarded by the Institu- the design of a Transporting and tion. Launching Carriage, to be driven by The majority of the lives were British, its own motor, in place of the present but the international character and value Launching Tractor, which draws the of the Service was again shown by the j Life-boat on an ordinary carriage.

Bl 172 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

Photograph by] [A. Wyman, London. A LAUNCH.

THE PORTHDINLLAEN PULLING AND SAILING LIFE-BOAT, "BARBARA FLEMING." Now replaced by a Motor Life-boat after 24 years' service, on her road-journey of over 250 miles from her Station to the Reserve Fleet at the Institution's Storeyard in London. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 173

Atlantic Storms. " So long as men shall continue to of 31st January, and reached her shortly navigate the ocean, and the tempests : before noon of the following day—to shall hold their course over its surface, j find her with engines stopped and the disasters by sea, shipwreck and peril to seas making a clean breach over her. human life must inevitably take place." One of her hatches was open, the deck —SIR WILLIAM HILLARY, Bt. was split, all her life-boats were smashed, and the water in her stokehold had put The terrible storms which swept over I out the fires. the Atlantic in December and January The Westphalia stood by her that day recall these words of the Institution's and the following night, and next morn- founder. They were the most violent ing succeeded in sending a boat to her storms experienced for many years, and which took off her entire crew of twenty- in writing of them in The Times, Sir seven men. Napier Shaw, the late Director of the In the case of the Lariston it was Meteorological Office, pointed out that again a German vessel which went to the they bore a very close resemblance to rescue, the Bremen, of the North German the gales of the winter 1898-99, which Lloyd line. She picked up the signal were so violent that " a special inquiry in the afternoon of 25th January, and was ordered." at 4.30 the next morning reached the The climax, he wrote, was reached Lariston. It was impossible to man a when the various disturbances " were boat in the high seas, but a line was got co-ordinated in one vast cyclonic circula- across to the Lariston, and was fastened tion some 2000 miles across, covering the to a boat which her crew had succeeded North Atlantic from the north of Green- in launching. Seven of the Lariston's land to the Azores, and from Nova Scotia crew got into this boat, but were swept to the English Channel, and providing a overboard. The remaining six were got westerly or south-westerly air current safely to the Bremen. fully 1000 miles wide." What such a More ropes were fired to the Lariston disturbance means is most graphically and two got across, but when night came shown when he says that it" involved, or no more of her crew had attempted to perhaps was caused by the removal of leave her. The Bremen stood by all nearly two million tons of air from the night, and when day broke the Lariston area between 40 degrees and 60 degrees had disappeared, with twenty-three of North and between 10 degrees and 60 her crew. degrees West " ; and Sir Napier Shaw In these two services German vessels concluded his article with an echo of rescued thirty-three Englishmen and Sir William Hillary's words, " We must Dutchmen. Two months earlier, Eng- expect still to find the Atlantic the scene lish, Irish and Belgian Life-boats (as of wrecks and their almost countervail- recounted elsewhere in this issue) had ing heroism unless we can develop still rescued eighty German lives. Could further our capacity to build invul- there be a better epitome than that of nerable ships." the spirit of comradeship of the sea ? During these gales three vessels were The third of these three steamers, the lost in the Atlantic ; but in each case Antinoe, found her rescuer in the their wireless calls were answered and American liner President Roosevelt. other vessels went to their help. Two This was a longer and still fiercer of the three were British vessels, the struggle, and will certainly be remem- s.s. Antinoe, of Leith, of 3748 tons, and bered as one of the epic stories of the sea. the s.s. Lariston, of Newcastle, of 4293 It was on 24th January that the tons. The third vessel was Dutch, the | President Roosevelt reached the Antinoe, s.s. Alkaid, of Rotterdam, of 3028 tons. which lay disabled, with a list of 10 The German liner, Westphalia, of the degrees, and was shipping heavy seas. Hamburg-Amerika line, picked up the The struggle to rescue her crew lasted Alkaid's signals in the early morning for nearly four days. During that time 174 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. the President Roosevelt lost six life-boats to their relatives of the medals that and used all her small ropes; and, would have been awarded to the two unfortunately, she lost two of her gallant gallant men who gave their lives. crew, at the first attempt at rescue, when " On behalf of the Government I have the life-boat was flung back against the to ask you, whom duty kept on the ship's side and all her crew were spilt bridge, to accept a special token of their into the water. When at last the Presi- recognition of the fine seamanship, dent Roosevelt's boat got alongside and humanity, and courageous resource the twenty-five men of the Antinoe were which, throughout these nights and days, able to jump aboard her they were characterized your every action." " exhausted from loss of sleep and Captain Fried has also been decorated nourishment and exposure to the snow." by the President of the United States The Antinoe herself had a list of 40 with the Navy Cross. degrees, her lee bridge deck rail was level The following telegram was sent to with the water; the sea was washing Captain Fried from the Institution, over continuously, and at any moment signed, by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., she might have gone down or capsized. Chairman of the Committee of Manage- Such is, in brief, the story of this great ment, and by Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., rescue. Secretary of the Institution :— The crew of the Antinoe were landed " The Eoyal National Life-boat Insti- at Plymouth, and when the President tution wishes to convey to you and the Roosevelt touched at Southampton from officers and crew of the President Bremen, a few days later on her return Roosevelt, its warm appreciation for the voyage to New York, she was met by courage, tenacity and humanityd is- the President of the Board of Trade, Sir Philip Cunlifle-Lister, who thanked played by them in their splendid efforts to rescue the crew of the Antinoe, to Captain Fried and his crew, in the name congratulate them on their complete of the King, and made presentations to success, and to express sympathy with him, his officers and the men who had the loss of two gallant men. This manned the President Roosevelt's life- Institution, a voluntary society, which boats, in recognition of their great for 100 years has provided and main- gallantry. In making these presenta- tained the Life-boat Service on the coasts tions Sir Philip Cunlifle-Lister said :— of the British Isles, recognizes in the "It is the wish of the King that I action of the rescuers the qualities of should present to the officers and men the typical Life-boatman, exercised in who manned the boats the Foreign the spirit of the COMRADESHIP OF THE Service Gold Medal for Saving Life at Sea, and that I should place in your SEA." keeping, Captain Fried, the presentation 2nd February, 1926. Life-boat Service in Ireland. The Governor-General of the Irish Free State and the Governor of Northern Ireland as Patrons. THE first Life-boat Station was estab- i ment with the status of a Dominion. At lished in Ireland, at Arklow, in 1826, two | the express wish of this Government the years after the foundation of the Institu- ! Institution is continuing to maintain the tion itself, and since then the Institution j Service in the Free State as well as in has continued to maintain the Life-boats j Northern Ireland. The Governor-Gene- on the Irish coast, where it has now ral of the Free State, Mr. T. M. Healy, twenty-four Stations, of which eight are : K.C., and the Governor of Northern Ire- equipped with Motor Life-boats, while ; land, the Duke of Abercorn, K.P., have another Motor Life-boat is under con- accepted the Institution's invitation to struction and another four will shortly : become Patrons of the Irish Free State be laid down. ! District and the Northern Ireland District This work in Ireland has not been respectively, and both have issued ap- affected by the political changes and the peals to the Irish people to give the Life- setting up of an Irish Free State Govern- boat Service whole-hearted support. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 175

Three Medal Services. Donna Nook, Lincolnshire ; Humber, Yorkshire; Gorleslon, Suffolk. ON 25th November, just before eight but were so exhausted by their struggle o'clock in the morning, the Donna Nook that he would not let them go, and the Life-boat went out in answer to signals Humber Life-boat was launched at 9.30. of distress. The conditions could not i She found the Whinstone at anchor, after have been worse. A whole gale was I having run aground on the sands, and blowing from the seas were the north. A breaking over tremendous sea her. By means was running, of the breeches and there were buoy, with heavy squalls great difficulty, of snow. This the six men of was the day, as her crew were recorded else- hauled into the where, on Life-boat. The which the Dis- Life-boat her- trict Inspector self was buried reported that a in the breaking very severe seas nearly the gale, with ter- whole time, and rific squalls, the Coxswain was sweeping reported that the whole of it was the this coast, and worst weather that the spray he had known at F 1 a m- during twenty- borough Head three years in was flying 200 the Life-boat feet high. The Service. Life-boat In recogni- pulled within tion of the skill hail of the and courage vessel, and shown by found her to be both Crews in the s.s. Whin- weather of stone, of Pres- exceptional ton, on her way severity, the from Hull to Institution Berwick. She awarded to was in need of Coxswain a tug, but not, COXSWAIN ROBERT CROSS, OF THE HUMBER, ROBERT CROSS, at the moment, SILVER AND BRONZE MEDALLIST. of the Humber of the Life- Motor Life- boat's help, so the Life-boat re-; boat, a bar to his Silver Medal; to turned. The Honorary Secretary, how- Coxswain JOHN T. DOBSON, of Donna ever, kept the Whinstone under ob- Nook, the Bronze Medal; to GEORGE servation, as he was confident that W. HUMBERSTONE, Second Coxswain, of sooner or later she would need help, Donna Nook, and FRED. WILSON, and he advised the Motor Life-boat at! Bowman, the Thanks of the Institution Spurn Head, on the other side of the j inscribed on Vellum. The Coxswains mouth of the Humber, to stand by. His j and Crews of both Life-boats also own Crew were ready to put out again, received extra monetary awards. 176 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

Photograph by] [W. Mason, Great Yarmouth. THE "HENRIETTA," OF COOLE, WRECKED AT GORLESTON, DECEMBER 22nd, 1925

f-notoyrap/i oy] [W. Mason, Great Yarmouth. THE CREW OF THE "HENRIETTA" with Coxswain W. G. Fleming (left) and the Motor Mechanic of the Gorleston Motor Life-boat (right). MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 177 The Silver Medal which Coxswain boat was launched with a full gale Cross already holds was awarded to him blowing from the N.E. and a very in December, 1915, for his personal heavy sea, which had got up very gallantry in jumping overboard from suddenly about eleven o'clock. The the Life-boat in the breaking water on ketch Henrietta, of Goole, was lying in a sandbank in order to get a line to a the Yarmouth Roads with two anchors stranded ship. He also holds the Bronzs down, but the cables had parted, and Medal for a gallant attempt to rescue she was being carried towards the shore. the crew of an unknown ship in October, The Life-boat was launched at 11.45, 1922, all the and reached members of the the Henrietta Crew on that when she was occasion re- already on the ceiving the edge of the Thanks of the breakers, Institution swept by heavy inscribed o n seas and in Vellum. great danger. The Cox- The first at- swain and each tempt at rescue member of the failed, the Life- Crew of Donna b o a t getting Nook had pre- under the viously re- Henrietta's lee, ceived the but being Thanks of the swept away Institution in- immediately scribed on by the seas. Vellum for the At the second rescue of the attempt she crew of a got near Danish fishing enough for the vessel in De- four men of cember, 1921, the crew to when the Life- jump aboard boat capsized, her. The Hen- but righted rietta later went herself, with- ashore and be- out loss of life. came a total The courage wreck. In re- and skill cognition o f shown by the the promptness Donna Nook and gallantry Coxswain and with which this Crew are the COXSWAIN JOHN T. DOBSON, OF DONNA service was more remark- NOOK, BRONZE MEDALLIST. carried out, able since they and the great are most of them farm labourers, who risk incurred, the Committee awarded only go to sea on service in the Life-boat the Bronzeltfedal to Coxswain WILLIAM and for the quarterly exercises. G. FLEMING, and extra monetary awards The owners of the Whinstone, Messrs. | to the Crew. Coxswain Fleming already Thornley Binders, Ltd., who are already holds the Gold Medal, awarded to subscribers to the Stromness Branch, him for the very gallant service to the made a special donation in gratitude Hopelyn in 1922. He was one of the for this service. eight Gold Medallists decorated by the A month later, on the night of 22nd King in 1924 with the Medal of the December, the Gorleston Motor Life-1 Order of the British Empire. 178 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. :j"

Life-boat as Ambulance. ON the evening of Christmas Day the This is by no means the first time Life-boat at St. Ives was launched in that a Life-boat has performed such a response to signals from the Godrevy service. In December, 1914, the Girvan Lighthouse. The Boat was launched Life-boat took a doctor across to see a over the soft sand with considerable sick man on Ailsa Craig, and twice in difficulty, some of the seventy-five 1923 the Motor Life-boat at St. Mary's launchers going into the sea up to their was called out to help in cases of illness. necks. She reached the lighthouse and In March of that year she brought found that one of the light-keepers was ashore one of the light-keepers of the dangerously ill. A W.S.W. gale was Bishop Rock Lighthouse, who had been blowing, with a very heavy sea, and it taken ill, and who was got aboard the was a perilous task getting the sick man Life-boat, with the help of a line, in a on board the Life-boat, but the Coxswain heavy swell. In November the same handled her very skilfully, and the man Life-boat took a sick man, on whom an was embarked and brought to St. Ives immediate operation was necessary, without mishap. There is little doubt from St. Mary's to Penzance, as the that the Life-boat saved his life, for in I regular communication between the no other way could he have been got islands and the mainland had broken ashore. I down. Extra monetary rewards were given It is also of interest to mention that to the Coxswain, Crew and helpers, and the Institution has an arrangement with the Trinity House made a special the War Office by which the Humber donation of £50 towards the cost of Life-boat can be called out in case of the launch as a mark of their apprecia- any illness or injury at the forts at the tion of the service. Humber mouth.

Eighty German Lives Saved. ON the afternoon of 29th October, a a large number of apprentices. Three steamer arriving at Kingstown, on the weeks later she was got off the sands and south side of Dublin Bay, reported that towed into Dublin. Her owners, Messrs. a ship had gone ashore. A southerly Hans Heinrich Schmidt, sent the Insti- gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea. tution ten guineas "in sincere appre- The Motor Life-boat was launched, and ciation of its merits." when she got out of the harbour, a ship This service to the Hamburg was was seen being driven towards the north quickly followed by a service to another shore of the Bay. She was the German sailing ship, also of Hamburg, sailing ship Hamburg, of Hamburg, a the four-masted pole-rigged ship Paul, vessel of nearly 2000 tons, which had This service took place the following day left Australia with a cargo of wheat on Jon the Welsh coast. The ship, which 29th May, on her way to Cork. She had was on her way from Halifax, Nova put into Falmouth, and on leaving there I Scotia, to Milford Haven, had been set had met with very heavy weather, with i to the eastward, and as a result of this south-westerly winds, had been driven j and the thick weather, she stranded near northwards, and made for Dublin. Ferryside, in Carmarthen Bay. The When the Life-boat reached her she was Ferryside Life-boat was launched shortly aground, so the Coxswain brought the before 8.30, and reached the vessel an Life-boat alongside, and the 46 men on j hour later. A strong breeze was blowing board, and the ship's cat, were taken off. ! with a rough sea and heavy rain. She The Hamburg is a training ship for the i found that one of the ship's boats had Mercantile Marine, and, besides her got away with 11 people on board. complement of officers and crew, carried i They were transferred to the Life-boat, MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 179 which then took the Captain and the heavy sea. In the afternoon of that day remaining four men off the Paul herself, the Ostend tug went out and escorted a bringing them safely to Ferryside two Dutch vessel into safety. Then at five hours later. The vessel became a total in the morning on the following day the wreck. tug towed out the Life-boat to a German It is of interest also to record that the three-masted barque, the Obotrita, which returns of service of the Belgian Life- had lost her two anchors and had run boat Service for 1925, which we have aground. The gale, the darkness of the received from its Director-General, night, and the continual squalls of sleet records a fine service to a German sailing made the rescue very difficult, but in ship by the Ostend Life-boat, only a the end the Life-boat succeeded in month after these two services on our taking off the 18 men of the Obotrita's own coasts. crew. On 25th November, a violent gale Thus, in four weeks, 80 German lives from the north had sprung up on the were saved on our own and the Belgian Belgian coast, with hail and a very coasts.

A Disaster at Arbroath. EAELY on 30th November last, two the shore. There were five men In the fishing yawls, the Restless Ocean and the yawl, and two of them, the skippsr and Dutiful, put out from Arbroath, the his son, jumped for the breakwater, but they failed to get on to it, and evidently weather being fine and the sea smooth. ! were seriously injured, for both were About seven in the morning the wind drowned. shifted, and by 9.30 it was blowing a Between the end of the breakwater strong gale, with a heavy sea on the and the shore there is always a strong harbour bar. At 10 o'clock the Life-boat eddy into the harbour, but not enough was launched and went out to escort water to float a boat. But when the the yawls in to safety. The Restless Life-boat and the yawl reached the end Ocean crossed the Bar without mishap, of it, instead of grounding they were and the Life-boat then put to sea again both miraculously carried round the end to stand by the Dutiful. The Coxswain of the breakwater into the harbour by of the Life-boat passed three life-belts heavy seas which struck them and lifted on board the yawl, and told her skipper them in just at the right moment. that the Life-boat would go well ahead, Crowds were waiting in the harbour, and so that she might be in position in case did what they could to help. Both the of accident. The weather had become Life-boat and the yawl were carried on worse, with a very heavy sea, and the to the beach, and the Life-boat's Crew danger of the Bar was increased by the at once jumped overboard to go to the state of the tide, which was at- three- help of the two men who had jumped quarter ebb, and by a heavy spate of for the breakwater and, like the boats, water from the river. had been washed round the end of it into As soon as the Life-boat had crossed the harbour. The Pilot Motor-boat was the Bar she hove to. The yawl followed also sent off to help, and picked up the her, but as she was crossing she shipped body of the yawl's skipper, but her a sea which stopped her engine, and she motor broke down, and she, too, was fell rapidly to leeward. The Life-boat driven ashore and damaged. went alongside and passed her a rope Although events showed that it was to take her in tow. It was this attempt an error to try to take the yawl in tow, to save the fishing-boat, as well as her instead of taking off the crew, the crew, which led to disaster. Both Coxswain and Crew of the Life-boat did Life-boat and yawl drifted towards the everthing possible under the circum- breakwater. The tow-line was cut, but stances, and the Institution has made immediately afterwards, first the Life- special monetary awards to them as boat and then the yawl struck the break- well as to the two men who manned water, and were carried along it towards the Pilot-boat. Both the two men 180 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

SERVICE TO THE BARGE "MARY BRIDGE," WRECKED IN WHITBY HARBOUR, DECEMBER 22nd, 1925.

The Whitby Pulling and Sailing Life-boat leaving the barge after rescuing the crew of four. The Whitby Motor Life-boat is at the entrance to the harbour.

The "Mary Bridge" shortly after her Crew had been taken off. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 181 who were drowned, the skipper of and forepart on and below the water the yawl and his son, were members of line had almost disappeared, and all the the Life-boat's Crew. planking forward was opened up. The Life-boat herself was damaged Another Life-boat was sent out at once beyond repair. The keel was started to the Station from the Reserve Fleet and twisted fore and aft. The stem at the storeyard at Poplar.

The Women of Boulmer. Seven Hours on Duty in a December Night's Blizzard. ON 20th December, 1925, a blizzard was where the Life-boat had to pass through blowing on the north-east coast, one of a maze off rocks anand posts over the severest for many years. The s.s. which heavy seas were breaking. Amble, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, a collier It was only the excellent seaman-

Phoforimph by} [R- Sell Bolion, A mble. THE WOMEN LAUNCHERS AT BOULMER, NORTHUMBERLAND. which loads at Amble, was riding ship of Coxswain R. Stephenson and at anchor in Alnmouth Bay, but during the cool and skilful direction of the night the cable parted, and she was the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Hugh carried on to the rocks. Her signals Stephenson, which enabled the Boat to were seen just before three in the morn- be launched without mishap. She was ing. The Boulmer Life-boat was called ultimately got away at seven in the out, being dragged along by hand to the morning, two hours after leaving her scene of the wreck, a mile and a quarter Boathouse, and made repeated attempts away, and the Alnmouth Life-boat, jto reach the Amble, but each time she which is also manned by Boulmer men, | was swept back by the waves. The was got out and launched. The launch efforts continued, however, for two hours was most difficult and perilous, being until, with the falling tide, the water made over very treacherous ground became so shallow that the Life-boat 182 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. had to give up the attempt. By that The Boat was not actually launched, time also it was evident that the crew of but the launchers stood by, keeping her the Amble would be able to get ashore at in position for launching, until the low tide, and this they did with the help Alnmouth Life-boat returned to shore of the Board of Trade's Life-saving at nine o'clock. They had been out Apparatus. and on duty in the height of this Meanwhile the Boulmer Life-boat gale on a December night for over six had also been got to the scene of the hours. wreck. It was not only blowing very The village of Boulmer consists of less hard, but the weather was very cold, than fifty houses and has a population

Photograph by] [R Bell Bolton, Amble. THE LIFE-BOAT COLLECTING BOX RESCUED FROM THE WRECK OF THE S.S. "AMBLE." (On the left is the Rev. T. N. Dunscombe, Hon. Secretary of the Hauxley Branch, and on the right Captain Young, the Amble Pilot.)

with hail, snow and sleet. So fierce and of about 150 people. On this night this bitter was it that the horse drawing little place manned both the Life-boats— the cart containing stores and lowering the Alnmouth, with a crew of 14, and gear refused to go on, and a motor the Boulmer, with a crew of 13—provided had to be obtained. In face of this the launching party of 61 for the Boul- blizzard, the sixty-one launchers, of mer Boat, and manned the Life-saving whom thirty-five were women, dragged Apparatus with a crew of 27. Thus the Life-boat for a mile and a.quarter, four-fifths of the people of Boulmer were along a road so narrow that the wheels engaged that night in efforts to rescue were continually sinking in the ditches, the Amble's crew. and it was only with the utmost diffi- In recognition of the magnificent culty that the Boat and her Carriage, courage and endurance of the women- weighing altogether nearly 11 tons, launchers the Institution has awarded were got along at all. them its Thanks inscribed on Vellum. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 183

This is the second time recently that the ness in directing the operations, made women of Boulmer have been specially possible a launch in circumstances of thanked. On 24th March, 1924, they exceptional peril. all took part in launching the Life-boat Last year the Boulmer Station cele- in a very heavy sea in order to stand by brated its centenary .f It has begun its seven fishing boats. With the breaking second century in a way thoroughly sea and the spring tide at low water, the worthy of its long and distinguished launch was extremely difficult, and the record. women went into the mud up to their The Amble was later got off the rocks knees, and many of them into the water and taken to Tynemouth, but it was up to their waists. The Boat was even- expected, at first, that she would become tually launched, but two of the women a total wreck, and the Life-boat collect- had to be carried home, overcome with ing box on board her was taken off and cold and exhaustion.* sent to the Hauxley Station. It is The Institution also specially thanked shown in the picture, with its contents. the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Hugh On one side of it is the Rev. F. H. Stephenson, who was on duty from Dunscombe. of Amble, who is the 2.30 in the morning until the Life-boats Honorary Secretary at Hauxley, and had been housed again and were ready on the other, Captain Young, the Amble for service, which was not until the after- Pilot, who puts Life-boat Collecting noon, and by his example and cool- Boxes on all the colliers. * See The Lifeboat for November, 1924. t See The Lifeboat for November, 1925.

A Challenge to Branches. The Record of the Poole and Bournemouth Committee. IN the article in the last issue of The Committee since 1896 (30 years) ; Mr. Lifeboat on the Life-boat Station at George Me William since 1898 (28 years) ; : Appledore, which celebrated its cen- Mr. E. Whitely-Baker since 1901 (25 ! tenary last summer, was given the re- years) ; Mr. F. J. Bacon since 1906 (20 I markable record of the present Com- years). | mittee. The Chairman, Captain Pri- In view of the fact that we have ! deaux-Brune, had served on it for 29 entered on another year since the Apple- - years ; the President, the Rev. J. W. dore challenge was made, it is only fair, I White, for 28 years; the Honorary for the purpose of comparison, to take j Secretary, Mr. H. C. Whitehead, for 24 off one year in each case. That gives a \ \ years ; Captain Mead for 24 years ; and total for the five members, up to last i I Dr. W. A. Valentine for 23 years. That year, of 131 years, and an average of 26 is a total of 128 years' service for five years. If we take the three members members, with an average of 25J years ; with longest service the total is 88 years while the President, Chairman and and the average is 29 years. Honorary Secretary had a total service Mr. Burden writes : "I claim from of 81 years, with an average of 27 years. our respected contemporary ' a win.' " Appledore is justly proud of this Mr. Burden is right. Poole and Bourne- record, and on its behalf we challenged mouth just has it. Does any other other Branches to beat it if they could. Branch now take up Poole and Bourne- We hardly expected any Branch to mouth's challenge ? take up the challenge, but Poole and Mr. Burden also points out, with justi- Bournemouth has done so, and its fiable pride, that since the Station was Chairman, Mr. Burden, has sent in the established in 1865 the Poole and following record : He himself has served Bournemouth Life-boats have rescued since 1893 (33 years); Mr. Harrie Shave, 175 lives, and that in the fifteen years who was Honorary Secretary at Poole from 1911 to 1925 inclusive the Branch from 1905 to 1922, has served on the collected over £8,651. 184 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. Saved for a Third Time. IN the last issue of The Lifeboat an Fishery Protection Gunboat, which account was given of services in which towed her into Harwich, the Life-boat four different vessels had twice, within keeping with her until she was in safety. a short time, been helped by the same Twenty years ago, in the early morn- Life-boat. ing of 15th January, 1905, the Margate Since then a vessel has been twice No. 1 Life-boat went out in a S.E. gale helped within four months, though not io a vessel ashore on the sand, twenty- by the same Life-boat, after having three miles away, at the mouth of the been saved 20 years ago. This vessel Thames, and found the ketch Malvoisin, is the ketch Malvoisin, of London, of London, bound from Gravelines to which had anchored in the Downs about Goole. She had lost her rudder, her midnight on 9th November last in a bulwarks were smashed, her sails blown N.N.E. gale with very heavy seas while away, and the seas were making a clean on her way, in ballast, from Whitstable breach • over her. With the greatest to Calais, and made distress signals. difficulty the Life-boat got alongside and The Deal Life-boat went out and her crew rescued the crew of four, who were all of four were rescued. The ketch herself utterly exhausted. The Life-boat was was left still riding at anchor, and, later out over ten hours in the height of the on, was brought into safety. gale, and the Institution awarded the Then on the night of March 5th of Acting-Coxswain, S. Clayson, its Silver this year one of the two Life-boats at Medal for gallantry in saving life. Two Aldeburgh, in Suffolk, went out in days later the Life-boatmen, with the answer to flares of distress, and found help of a tug, succeeded in bringing the ketch Malvoisin, on her way from the battered ketch herself into harbour. Hull to Woolwich Arsenal with a cargo The ketch was then over twenty years of timber. All her sails had been old, having been built in 1883, and she blown away, and the Life-boat stood by has lived another twenty years to be her all night until, in the morning, she helped twice more by the Life-boat was taken in tow by H.M.S. Dee, the Service. The Appledore Station. Recollections of Sir William Reardon Smith, Bt. IN the last number of The Lifeboat a The correct name of this man is Owen history was published of the Appledore Nile Reardon Smith, and he was born Station, which was established in 1825, on H.M.S. Romulus during the battle of its Centenary celebrations, and an of the Nile. account was given of the service to the " With reference to the report of Austrian barque Pace in December, the Appledore Life-boat and the ser- 1869, when the Life-boat, after rescuing vices rendered by it in 1869, the writer eight of the crew, went out a second time, remembers everything about this as if although she was rudderless and the it occurred yesterday and is certain Coxswain had been injured, and was that the other ship, Leopard, of capsized, fortunately without loss of life. London, struck nearer Westward Ho ! Sir William Eeardon Smith, Bt., the and the Pace, of Fiume, struck further Cardiff shipowner, who was born at up the Bay. The Coxes, father and Appledore, and was at one time a son, were well known to the writer, master mariner, wrote with reference to and the father of Cox was Superin- this history of the station as follows :— tendent of the Baptist Sunday School " I was interested to read of the for 40 to 50 years, and was a very fine celebration of the Appledore, Devon, type of seaman. Centenary. On reading this report, I " I enclose cheque for £5, further notice the name of Owen Smith, one [ subscription towards the funds of of the first Appledore Life-boatmen the Royal National Life-boat Institu- to receive a silver medal in 1829. tion." MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 185 I

A New Type of Life-boat. FOLLOWING on the Barnett Twin-Screw always been the choice of the Life- Life-boat, and the Watson Cabin Life- boatmen whose work is carried out boat, both Life-boats specially designed among the sandbanks off the coasts of to be able to carry out services at a Norfolk and Suffolk. With the stationing of a Motor Life- considerable distance from their Stations, boat at Kamsgate ends that long and the Institution has now designed another gallant co-operation between the Rams- new type, which will be known as the gate Life-boats and the Board of Trade Kamsgate Life-boat, since the first of tugs, which has been the means of

FIRST OF A NEW TYPE. THE RAMSGATE MOTOR LIFE-BOAT, " PRUDENTIAL." the type has been sent to that Station. rescuing so many lives. From 1863, It is 48 ft. by 13 ft., with a 76 h.p. engine, when the Institution placed its first and will carry a crew of nine. It Life-boat at Ramsgate, until 1922, the combines features of both the Watson Station was managed jointly by the and the Norfolk and Suffolk types, and Institution and the Board of Trade, the has been designed for the special condi- Institution supplying and maintaining tions of the Goodwin Sands. These the Life-boats, while the Board of Trade special conditions are that the Ramsgate bore the cost of maintaining the Station Life-boat often has to travel considerable and rewarding the Coxswain and Crew, distances on service, and at the same and placed a tug at the disposal of the time to work over sands, and the Life-boat for towing her out to vessels combination is between a cruising type in distress. In March, 1922, the Institu- and the shallow draft type which has tion, at the request of the Board of 186 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. Trade, took over full financial responsi- to supply the tug. So, after sixty-three bility for the Station, but the Ministry years, the alliance for life - saving of Transport, which at the same time between the Ramsgate Life-boats and relieved the Board of Trade of its other Ramsgate tugs has now come to an end. duties in connexion with Harbours, In these sixty-three years nearly 1300 continued until December 31st, 1925, lives have been saved.

Life-boat Essay Competition. Presentation of the Prizes in the London District. LAST year, for the first time, the pre-1 at Chatham, who commanded the Vin- sentation of the prizes won in this com- dictive at Zeebrugge. petition in the London area (consisting Supporting the Mayor on the plat-

Phologmph by] [L.X.A. CAPTAIN CARPENTER, V.C., PRESENTING THE CHALLENGE SHIELD IN THE LIFE-BOAT ESSAY COMPETITION (LONDON DISTRICT) TO W.'NEAL, OF FULHAM CENTRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS. of the schools under the London County form were Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt. Council) took place at one meeting, (Chairman of the Committee of Manage- instead of at the different schools. The ment), Lady Bertie of Thame (Chairman meeting was held at the Caxton Hall, j of the London Women's Committee), Westminster, on 10th December. The Mr. 0. W. Nicholson, M.P. for the Abbey Mayor of the City of Westminster Division of Westminster, the Mayor of (Mr. George H. Heilbuth, J.P.) presided, Fulham (Alderman W. J. Waldron), a and the presentations were made by school in whose borough won the Captain A. F. B. Carpenter, V.C., R.N., Challenge Shield, and Mr. George F. Captain of the Dockyard, Deputy Super- Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. intendent and King's Harbour Master There were also present (several MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 187 members of the Committee of Manage- of Westminster, Mr. 0. W. Nicholson. We have Lady Bertie of Thame, the Chairman of ment, the London Women's Committee the London Women's Life-boat Committee, and the Education Committee of the and other members of her Committee. We L.C.C., and the ceremony included a have also members of the Education Com- short programme of sea songs sung by mittee of the London County Council. We have His Worship the Mayor of Fulham (Alder- Mr. Arthur Cranmer, accompanied by man W. J. Waldron), who, I know, is very Miss Isabel Hirstfield. proud, extremely proud, that a Fulham school After Mr. Cranmer had sung " Drake's has won the Challenge Shield, because he has Drum," " Cheer'ly Men," and " Rolling personally done so much for the Life-boat Down to Rio," the Mayor of West- cause in his borough, and upon that we can minster said :— congratulate them. Finally, we have Captain Carpenter, who Of all Institutions in this country none commanded the Vindictive at Zeebrugge. appeals more to the hearts and the imagination (Cheers.) I think you thirty-five boys and of the people, whether old or young, than the girls should feel it a very great honour that Royal National Life-boat Institution. The you are to receive your prizes from an officer men who man the Life-boats are all heroes and who not only fought in such a famous action, are ready at all times to risk their lives for the but won that very great distinction, the benefit of humanity. Victoria Cross. I will now call on Captain We have met this evening to present the Carpenter to present the prizes. prizes won by London schools in the Duke of Northumberland's Life-boat Essay Competi- Captain Carpenter. tion, which each year is held by the Royal Before presenting the prizes Captain National Life-boat Institution. CARPENTER said : I should like to commence by saying what a great honour it is for me, as a I should like to remind you that this com- mere sailor, to be asked to present the prizes petition was founded by the late Duke of and speak in connexion with what I call Public Northumberland, who was at that time the Welfare. President of the Institution. This is the fifth year in which it has been held, and boys and I feel that it is a very great privilege, because girls from the elementary schools all over in speaking here at all I am speaking very Great Britain and Northern Ireland have taken largely to the younger generation. I and my part in it. generation will soon pass away, and when we have gone it will be for you younger people to The country is divided into six districts. In take over the responsibilities which have been each district the school which sends in the upon our shoulders to a certain degree. You best essay has the honour of holding the will, of course, do much better than we have Challenge Shield for the next year, and in each done. We, I hope, have done our best, but district thirty-six individual prizes are also your standard will be a higher one than ours. awarded. Over nine hundred and forty schools Where we have failed you will succeed. Where took part in the competition this year, and we have succeeded your success will, I hope, be one hundred and sixty of them were London greater than ours. schools. Now before I present the prizes I will say a Only the two best essays are sent in from word or two in connexion with the Life-boat each school. That means that you boys and work. To begin with, who are these men who girls to whom prizes have been awarded have carry out this work of life-saving ? They are won them in competition with hundreds of all volunteers. No question of material reward boys and girls in other schools as well as your enters into it, and if any reward does enter own. I think you should feel very proud of into it, it is the reward which is to be gained that fact. by the satisfaction of knowing that they have The Challenge Shield this year has been won done their utmost to succour shipwrecked for the Fulham Central School for Boys by mariners. Often when the chances of saving W. Neal, whose essay is not only the best in life are, one might say, infinitesimal, the satis- London, but one of the six best in the whole of faction is still there, and possibly all the Great Britain and Ireland. This is a very greater when they can feel assured that they great distinction, and I think that W. Neal and have done their utmost to bring off a million his school will feel that it is a still greater dis- to one chance. It is what we might call true tinction when I tell them that this is the first sportsmanship. It is the traditional sports- time, in the five years, that the London manship of Great Britain, and it is the sports- Challenge Shield has been won by a school manship which is so well exemplified by the north of the Thames, and the first time that it President of this great Institution, the Prince has been won by a boys' school! of Wales. No wretched calculation of the I feel that all the prize winners should be degree of danger or discomfort enters into the proud of the way in which the prizes are to be matter when a Life-boatman is called out, and presented to them. We have here this evening there is no other thought in their minds but to Sir Godfrey Baring, the Chairman of the Com- do their utmost, each for each, you might say, mittee of Management of the Institution, and to accomplish the object that they set out to members of his Committee. We have the do. In fact, the work of each for weal of all Member of Parliament for the Abbey Division would undoubtedly be a fitting motto.

E 3 188 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. Now what are the special qualities that are one of our battleships was steaming through necessary for these Life-boatmen ? Firstly, I the Pentland Firth one day in very heavy would put courage. Practically all their work, weather. A very heavy gale was blowing from I should think probably ninety-nine per cent, the westward and the very strong currents of it, is carried out in the face of great personal which there are in that locality were running danger. It requires a certain amount of diametrically in the opposite direction, which courage to face and do well in danger, but in always causes a very fast and heavy sea. About this particular case it requires, I would venture midnight this great battleship was suddenly to suggest, a very great moral courage to induce struck by a tremendous wave, and this wave a man who is in a position of perfect safety to smashed up the whole of the woodwork of the volunteer to go out and place himself in a bridges to matchwood and broke up all the position of the greatest peril. It requires great ironwork of the bridges out of all recognition. moral courage to do that, and, having done it, Every soul on the bridges was swept overboard when he is in the position of considerable except one. The captain of the ship was swept danger, it requires great physical courage to overboard, and you can imagine the thoughts enable him to endure the strain, which is often that were in his mind at that moment. How- very prolonged. ever, instinctively, I suppose, he struck out, Another dominating factor is that of a sense and a moment later, very much to his astonish- of duty. I do not of course refer to the sense ment, he touched bottom, and the bottom he of duty merely between employer and em- touched was the upper deck of his own ship, ployee, but the sense of duty to the dictates because he had been washed back on board by of humanity, the sense of duty to those who another wave. are in actual danger. It is the spirit of self- abnegation regardless of sacrifice and also Eleven-Inch Armour Crushed. regardless, I might add, of the admiration of The navigation officer, the only other sur- the public. It does not matter one jot whether vivor, was found down at the other end of the shipwrecked mariner is a Britisher or a the ship under all the wreckage of the bridges Chinaman, a Buddhist or a Roman Catholic, a with a large piece of iron sticking into his Tory or a Bolshevist. Lives are in danger, body. The steersman was in the conning and that is the be-all and end-all of the con- tower at the wheel. This is a circular tower sideration that comes into the mind of a Life- made of very thick armour, as far as I remem- boatman when he is called out to duty. ber about eleven-inch armour, and so strong is it, to give you an illustration, that if six Women and the Life-boats. motor lorries charged it at the same time, I should doubt whether any of the essays ;oing as hard as they could, all that would have referred to the women in connexion with lappen would be that the lorries would smash this subject. We used to say that it was not themselves up, the paint would be slightly the man behind the gun who was all im- scratched and the armour would remain in portant, but that it was the woman behind the exactly the same shape as it was before. But man behind the gun. And with regard to the the wave that struck this ship was of such late war, the Great War, it was often stated terrific force that it broke that armoured that the women who had to stay at home conning tower just as if it has been made of had to play the hardest part. That was brown paper. The man at the wheel was killed true. They had to play the very, very hard outright, and they reckon that over 2000 tons part of waiting, waiting anxiously against of water found its way into the ship between the day when that almost inevitable telegram decks. And even up in the fighting top, would come to tell them that their dear ones seventy feet about the sea level, they found had been shot down. But those women were the whole place full of water after they had at home and were removed fairly far from the gone through this experience. Any other class dangers that beset their menfolk. Now the of ship would have simply disappeared alto- women of the Life-boatmen are practically in ;ether, but this great battleship struggled into the fighting line. They themselves see the larbour next morning and actually put on tremendous struggles taking place with the record these facts which I have been telling elements, and as often as not they lend a hand you. Had not the ship survived and so been so far as they are able to do. We are all able to put them on record, I should feel in- familiar with the heroic deeds of Grace clined to say that this little account of the Darling, and we all know that there are other strength of the sea would have been looked women who have emulated that heroine. But upon as a fairy tale. I do say this, that these women of the Life- boatmen are in a position of very great anxiety, The Institution as Employer. anxiety very largely concerned with the ques- I have dealt with the Life-boatmen and the tion as to whether the Life-boats and the other spirit in which they volunteer for the work, apparatus which their men have to use is the and some of the qualities they require. They very best that can be had. And, putting all are the employees of this Institution. But else aside, I would suggest that we should what about the employers ? Who are the em- remember the anxieties of these women and ployers ? Not the Government, but the do all we can to give their men the very best British public. Now what sort of employers apparatus so as to reduce that anxiety. are we ? Do we, by some knavery, trick these I would say a word here about the force of men into serving us so as to avoid starvation ? the sea in heavy weather. During the War Most certainly not. Do we force them in any MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 189 way to take on this work, or do we make them ing a few words in that connexion, and it suspicious of our actions in any way ? Most rather astonished me when I found that the certainly we do not. And do the Committee officials of the institution were actually dis- of Management refuse to listen to advice or appointed with the result, because the result take the advice of their employees ? Most of this drive in that particular year was that certainly they do not refuse. They welcome they got no less than twenty-two and a half the advice of the men who do the work for us. million people to join at a dollar subscription And so, therefore, as far as that goes, we are a time. Twenty-two and a half million dollars model employers. But are we model em- were forthcoming, over five and a half million ployers altogether ? Do we provide these men pounds, for the Ked Cross in a single year. I with the very best possible apparatus that can mention this to show what can be done when be had for carrying out their work ? I suppose you get a great community like that all realizing it might be true to say that from this point of the absolute necessity for, and the value of, view we are not absolutely one hundred per the particular organization which has been cent, perfect employers, because it is very hard brought before their notice. to make people realize the fact that you cannot provide all this apparatus, Life-boats, etc., We are not inferior to Americans. We can unless the money is forthcoming. do just what they do, as good as they do, and Now, I naturally do not suggest that the better, but we cannot do this sort of thing. schools ought to produce the money. Nothing We cannot get so much money from the public is further from my thoughts, because the for this Institution as will free us from anxieties money must obviously come from those who until the public fully realize the absolute have it by good luck and those who have it by necessity for it. Now I come to the chief good management, or in other words, those point. Who is going to make them realize it ? who work. It is from the capitalists, if you Why surely it is the rising generation who have like that word, and the wage-earners that the been given an interest in this particular sub- money must come, not from schools. But the ject, who have worked it up to enable them to public, that portion of the public which can, write their essays. They are interested in it. undoubtedly, lessen the Institution's anxieties They know, better perhaps than many of the in this respect, are perhaps a little tiny bit older people, the necessity for supporting this lethargical. It is very hard for them, living Institution. And it is for them as they grow far inland, to realize that the work is done for up, you young people as you grow up, to them as well as for anybody else. Only a very nudge their brothers and sisters and elders as few years ago I happened to be in another soon as they are in a position to help this country where they have an organization into Institution, and suggest to them that it would which they try and bring as many of the people be a very good thing to do. as possible. I am referring to the United States, and every year they have what they (Captain Carpenter then presented the Shield call a membership drive. It lasts about a fort- and other Prizes, after which Mr. Arthur night, during which they have lectures and Cranmer sang " Sea Fever " and " Hearts of speeches all over the country and try to get Oak.") Sir Godfrey Baring proposed and Mr. as many people to join the Ked Cross as pos- 0. W. Nicholson seconded a vote of thanks to the sible. It just so happened that I was able to Mayor and Captain Carpenter, and after they give them a little humble assistance by address- had responded the. National Anthem was sung.

Long-lived Life-boatmen. LIFE-BOATMEN are well known to be Eichard William Roberts, of North long-lived men; moreover, they continue Deal, celebrated his diamond wedding to go out on service up to a great age. in February. He is eighty-seven years But even for Life-boatmen we think it old and his wife is eighty-six. He was must be a record that two should have Second Coxswain from 1865 to 1885, and celebrated their diamond weddings and Coxswain from 1885 to 1907, and he one his golden wedding within a few holds the Silver Medal with two Clasps months of one another. for long and gallant services. George Day, of Lowestoft, who for Wyrill Crawford, of Scarborough, many years was a member of the Lowes- celebrated his golden wedding last toft Life-boat Crew, celebrated his November. Both he and his wife are diamond wedding in January of this seventy-three years old. For many year. He is eighty-two years old, and years he was a member of the Life-boat his wife is eighty. They have had crew, and is now caretaker at the Boat- fourteen children, and there are forty- house. His eldest son has been Bowman two grandchildren and nineteen great- of the Scarborough Life-boat since grandchildren. 1916. 190 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. Life-boat House Wembley. LIFE-BOAT HOUSE at the British Empire at the beginning of 1925, being replaced Exhibition at Wembley was kept open by the boat which has since gone to during the Exhibition's second year with Porthdinllaen, in Carnarvonshire.

THE LIFE-BOAT EXHIBIT IN THE COURT OF HEROES, GOVERNMENT BUILDING, AT THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION WEMBLEY, 1925. the same exhibit of models, gear, pictures In addition, the Institution lent and relics as in 1924. A Watson Cabin pictures and other exhibits for the Court Motor Life-boat was again the principal of Heroes in the Building of the British feature of the House, the Exhibition Government, in which were represented Boat of 1924, which had gone to Margate not only the Forces of the Crown, MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 191 but other services, like the Life-boats, the sale of souvenirs brought in £1753, which call for high courage and self- a little over half of what was obtained sacrifice. in 1924, shows that the same interest The total attendance at the Exhibition was taken in it. Almost the same was 9,000,000 in 1925, as compared number of Life-boat souvenirs, books

THE LIFE-BOAT EXHIBIT IN THE COURT OF HEROES, GOVERNMENT BUILDING, AT THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION, WEMBLEY, 1925. with 17,000,000 in 1924, a little more and postcards were sold as in 1924, than half; and although no attempt the total for the two years being could be made to keep a record of those 23,207. who visited Life-boat House, the fact Not only the visitors' book but the that the collecting boxes, models, and collecting boxes showed how many 192 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. countries were represented among those last was a more appropriate gift for the who visited the House, and it was a very Life-boat Service than the donor prob- noticeable fact that the most generous ably realised, for it was dated " George contributors from foreign countries were III. 1788," the year, that is, before the the Swedes and Norwegians. first Life-boat was launched on the Coins of over twenty different coun- Tyne. tries were found in the collecting boxes, Thus, during the two summers, tens and there were also a number of old of thousands of men, women and chil- coins and tokens. Among these were a dren, from all over the British Isles, from George III. farthing, two quarter-annas many parts of the Empire and from of the East India Company, several a number of foreign countries, visited tokens of French Chambers of Com- Lifeboat House, Wembley, and not only merce, and a token inscribed " In saw, but went aboard a Life-boat for the Memory of the Good Old Days." This first time in their lives.

The Use of Oil to Reduce Breaking Seas.* IN 1914 supplies of oil were issued to Motor Life-boat was manosuvring, broad- eight Stations with a view to finding side on to the waves, to get under the out the best way of using it to reduce lee of the wreck. breaking seas, and in 1920, as a result Oil was again used with good effect of these experiments, all Stations were off Whitby in a service to the fishing supplied with canvas bags, pierced with boat Pilot Me, on 21st December last. holes, each bag containing a tin of fish- There was a very heavy easterly sea oil with a collapsible head. across the harbour entrance, and a The result of the experiments has been strong run of fresh water out of the to show that the effect of oil is very harbour from the River Esk. To make uncertain. In moderate breakers or the harbour in such conditions would surf, the force of which a Life-boat be extremely dangerous, and the Motor could disregard, the effect is marked and Life-boat put out to sea. As the Pilot beneficial, but in heavier breakers or Me got near, the Life-boat spread oil surf the effect cannot be guaranteed. at the harbour entrance, and then There is no doubt, however, that the waited, head to sea, just inside the har- use of oil was of material help in reducing bour bar. Her further help, however, the seas in the service to the hospital was not needed. The Coxswain reported ship Rohilla, off Whitby, in October, that the one oil-bag used had had a 1914, at the critical moment when the very marked effect ; it was very plain to see where the oil had been spread * See " Report of the International Confer- and where it had not, and the fishing ence on the World's Life-boat Service, 1924." boat got in without accident.

A Record Collecting Box. LAST December the Institution received , distinguished service to the Institution, from Mr. F. 0. Brown, of Bedford Park, for he had had his collecting box for London, a cheque for £28 10s., the twenty-five years; had contributed amount which he had collected during through it to the Institution £40316s. 6d., the year in his Life-boat box. At the and each year, for a number of years, same time, he said that owing to ill- : had raised the record sum for a single health " this last year had been a great box, his own record collection being £62 effort to him," and he would not be able in 1924. The award of the Badge was to collect any more, but that he had voted by the Committee at their meeting handed on his box to an old school friend. on 17th December, but the following The Committee of Management, there- day the Institution learnt, to its great upon, awarded Mr. Brown the Gold regret, that Mr. Brown had died a few Badge, which is given for long and days before. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 193

The Life-boat Services of the World: Portugal. By VICE-ADMIRAL HYPACIO DE BRION, Inspector and Secretary of the Instituto de Soccorros y Naufragos. UNTIL 1892, Portugal, although a mari-j remained unprovided with means to time country, situated on the western l succour the crews of ships in distress, extreme of the European Continent, and:, In 1892 Her Majesty Queen Amelia, I on the route for all ships sailing from the who had already founded several North to Africa, to the Mediterranean institutions for social work, established Sea and to South America, had, on a; the Instituto de Socorros a Naufragos. coast length of 1000 kilometres, only. In this enterprise, Her Majesty was four Life-boat Stations, viz., Povoa de • greatly assisted by Admiral Jose

' J SOCCORROS A NAUFRAGOS

THE LIFE-BOAT STATION AT PORTO DE LEIXOES, ON THE COAST NORTH OF THE RIVER DOURO, PORTUGAL. Varzim, Vianna do Castello, Oporto, and Joajuim Ferreira do Amaral, who was Payo d'Arcos. These Stations were en- the Minister of Marine and Colonies tirely independent of each other. at the time. This clever sailor knew In the year ] 890 the Marquez de I perfectly well that, although the Sabugosa, who was then the Marine generosity and philanthropy of the Minister, proposed to establish a com- Portuguese people are very great, the plete Life-boat Service on the coasts, i first impulse for such an enterprise must not only of Portugal but of the Azores Ibe given by the Government, and that and Madeira Islands as well, and a it was also necessary to create an imme- Commission was formed to consider the diate revenue in order to start so large proposal. This Commission laid before a work of international service. He the Minister a very carefully thought- therefore promulgated the law by which out report, but the proposal did not this Institution is still governed, and go any further, and the coast still Portugal thereupon was able to take 194 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. her place among the other maritime be advisable: private gifts have come countries which were already render- in, and the general scheme for the distri- ing the most important services to bution of the Life-boat Stations has been seamen. worked out. In a short time, within the Owing to the smallness of the limits of our resources and according to revenues; the paucity of men available the importance of the different points on and the difficulties which arise when the coast, fifty Life-saving Stations were

A PORTUGUESE COXSWAIN. a new service has to be organized, founded, with forty-three rowing boats the work did not go forward at and one motor boat and thirty carriages the beginning as quickly as could be for the transport of cables and equip- desired. It is only since the present ment. Two of these carriages are driven Inspector entered the Institution that by motor. it has been possible to develop the Ser- The Boats we now have on service are vice. The original law had to undergo of the following types, the English type, alterations which experience showed to the French " Henry" type provided MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 195 with drop-keels, and the Danish type Organization. built in Copenhagen. After several The Institute de Soccorros a Naufragos experiments it was realized that the has members of honour, donors, bene- Danish type was the one which would factors and subscribers, or ordinary be most suitable to our coasts and our members. It receives gifts and sub- crews. This boat is recommended by scriptions, proceeds of festivals, an its lightness, easy management, little annual subsidy of 400,000 escudos resistance to the wind, and its insub- (about £88,000) from the Government, mersibility. and it collects a small tax when a fisher- Nearly all the Life-boat Stations have man or seaman is signed on, as well as a their own slipways for launching the percentage on fines levied by the marine boats. Among the carriages for trans- authorities. The Institution has com- port of the life-saving apparatus some plete autonomy, and its administration

PORTUGUESE LIFE-SAVING CAR, READY TO GO TO THE RESCUE. are similar to those used on the British is entrusted to a Central Board, to which coast, but some years ago a Portuguese all the local Boards are subordinated. type of carriage was adopted, which The Chairman of every local Board is the had been designed by the present In- harbour-master of the locality. Every- spector of the Service. It is this carriage thing as to personnel, equipment and which is shown in the illustrations. It Boats, must be approved of by the will be seen from these illustrations that Central Board. the weight of the actual carriage is The Inspector is an Admiral or other reduced to a minimum, because the cases naval officer of high rank, and has a are used as seats. All the parts can be seat on the Central Board. Thus no taken out very quickly, and the cables difficulties will ever arise between the and hawsers can be transported on Ministry of Marine and the heads of their reels when they have to be taken to the Life-saving Service. We have no a spot which cannot be reached by the knowledge of any similar Institution carriage. In this way one carriage can controlled in the same way. transport the whole equipment and Every year the Committee of Manage- crew. ment publishes a report, producing at 196 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. the same time a statement of accounts. voluntary fire brigades which are in- In this report a description is given of stalled in the many localities on the all the noteworthy incidents of the coast. These carriages are provided with year, and the report is submitted for all the known life-saving apparatus, the approval of the general meeting of rockets, and not guns, being used for the members. throwing the lines. The fire brigades are instructed by the harbour-masters Personnel. in the management of the apparatus, The Coxswains of the Life-boats have and they do excellent work. a fixed monthly pay. The other On the Portuguese coast the wrecks members of the crew have their pay of sea-going vessels are frequent, but only when they have to be on the alert, wrecks of fishing boats occur much

PORTUGUESE LIFE-SAVING CAR, DISMOUNTED FOR SERVICE. or when the Boat goes out on service. oftener. During the period from 1900 to Certain facilities are granted to the men the end of March. 1926, our life-saving with regard to the military service Stations have rescued 12,996 lives, and which every Portuguese subject is given assistance to 1947 vessels and obliged to perform. Thus the Life-boats small craft. Among the most conspicu- always have their crews complete, and ous services was that to the English there has never been a single case of a steamer Veronese. This happened off boat being prevented from going out the northern coast of Portugal in 1913, through lack of men. and 200 lives were rescued by means All the men of the Coast Guard on of the life-saving apparatus in 52 hours service in the harbours and on the of continuous and strenuous work. The wharves are provided with Brunei lines, ship had stranded at a distance of some the use of which has proved of great 900 yards from the shore, and the work efficacy. The carriages for the transport of rescue was carried out in one of the of the life-saving equipment (cables, etc.), heaviest storms that have ever harassed although under the control of the local our coasts. This service received the high committees, are in the hands of the praise of the Committee of Management MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 197 of THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT Rewards. INSTITUTION, under the patronage of For all rescues rewards are given by His Majesty King George V., as well as Ministerial decree so that they have an of the Spanish, French and Dutch official character. They consist of gold, authorities.* silver, and copper medals, diplomas of honour and pecuniary awards. The * An account of this fine service appeared members of the Institution also are in The Lifeboat for May, 1913, and the follow- entitled to a medal corresponding to ing resolution was passed by the Committee of their class. Management and conveyed to the Portuguese Up to the present the Institute de Institution for Saving the Shipwrecked :— Soccorros a Naufragos has awarded " The Committee of Management, having 24 gold medals, 363 silver medals, and had before them a communication from the Secretary of the Institute de Soccorros a 983 copper medals. Naufragos of Portugal with regard to the From these figures, and the figures circumstances attending the wreck of the already given of lives rescued, it can be s.s. Veronese on the 16th January, two seen that the Portuguese Life-saving miles north of Leixoes, desire to express their sincere admiration of the courage, initiative Institution, although one of the most and endurance of the brave men employed recently-established in Europe, occupies by the Portuguese Society both in connexion one of the first places. with the rocket apparatus and the Life- boats, the former of whom rescued 92 danger, and by dint of exertions carried persons and the latter 110 persons, in cir- out, without interruption, for two days and cumstances of the greatest difficulty and two nights,"

State-maintained Life-boats in Norway. IN nine of the thirteen foreign countries 1855 by the State in the districts of ! which have National Life-boat Services, Jaedeven and Lister, at the southern- the Service is voluntarily maintained most point of Norway on the North Sea ! like our own, though, in some cases, with and Skaggerack. In these years five I grants-in-aid from the State. In the Stations were established, and, later on, remaining five it is maintained by the Stations were established at another five ; State. In four of the countries which places. now have voluntary Services it is Thus there are now ten Life-saving interesting to note that State Services Stations on the coast of these two I were originally established, but that districts, all equipped with rocket i they have since been either replaced or apparatus or line-throwing gun, while supplemented by voluntary Services. three, those at Osthasselstranden in I In two, Germany and Spain, the State Lister, and Kvalbein and Vik in Jaedeven, Service was taken over entirely by a have Life-boats as well. Each district voluntary Society. In the other two, has a superintendent, and each Station a Norway and Sweden, the greater part superintendent and a crew of two men of the work is now done by the voluntary for the rocket apparatus or line-throwing Society, but there are also a few Stations gun. The three Stations with Life-boats independently maintained by the State. have, of course, full boat's crews, and An account of the Norwegian Volun- superintendents and crews are all chosen tary Society, which was founded in 1891, from among the local population. appeared in The Lifeboat in November, With the twenty-seven boats of the 1922, written by Captain Ottar Vogt, voluntary Service, Norway has thus a the Society's Secretary. We have now fleet of thirty Life-boats, but it should received from the Superintendent of be remembered, as Captain Ottar Vogt Lighthouses, by whom the State Life- wrote in his article, that the boats of the boat Stations are administered, the fol- voluntary society are not stationed at lowing particulars about these Stations. one spot to deal with shipwrecks in their The first Norwegian Life-saving immediate area, but are cruising Life- Stations were established in 1854 and boats. " The fleet is working all the 198 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. winter in the open sea in the great movements according to those of the arteries of shipping traffic, or it is moving fishing-fleet." That is the essential from place to place, from ground to difference between our own Service and ground, and is regulating perennially its the Norwegian.

Some Special Gifts. From an Old Carthusian. impressed by ' Bill Adams'' account of ON Trafalgar Day last year the Institu- his work at Deal that I felt I must do a tion received the following letter :— little towards the heroic work." Another " In accordance with an old-estab- contributor sent £5 from Bangor, in the lished custom, I have pleasure in for- north of Ireland, in admiration of the warding, in order to reach you on the splendid work done for humanity by 21st October (Trafalgar Day), the con- the Life-boatmen. tents of the collecting box now standing in my son's name to be allocated to the From the Deaf and Dumb. ' Charterhouse ' Life-boat stationed at At the beginning of this year the Fishguard. The enclosed cheque, Church Institute for the Deaf and Dumb £3 3s. 3d., completes a freight of £200, at Clapham sent the proceeds of one of since 1894, 31 years of ' service,' accord- its collections, because, so the missionary ing to our records, and our Boat is fit of the Institute writes, " The work of for many more years of ' duty' we the Life-boat Service appeals to the hope." imagination of the deaf and dumb in a really wonderful way. If the hymn From a Village Church. ' Eternal Father, strong to save' is Last December came a cheque for £6, given out and signed as part of their which was the offertory at a little church devotions, there are more tokens of in Kent, at which the Vicar spoke about interest and sympathy than in numbers the Life-boat Service. With the cheque of other hymns signed and familiar to he wrote : " I wish it were more, but us all." our parish is only 100, and with one exception all agricultural labourers, so From the Smallest Church in the World. you can't expect much from them. A gift of £5 has been received from They seemed much interested in the the Warden of the Temple of the Brave work of your Society, and we used your at Hedge End, Hampshire. This War charming little Life-boat Collecting Box Memorial Church, which the Warden, for the offertory, which, I told them, Mr. William Adams, claims to be the was ' unsinkable,' so they need not be smallest church in the world, he built afraid to fill her! We shall hope to entirely with his own hands. It was make an annual contribution." dedicated at the end of 1924, and in the first year since it was completed he has From Listeners-In. collected nearly £70 for charities. Mr. Last Autumn William Adams, at one Adams comes of a family who were time Coxswain at North Deal, who holds well-known ship-builders at Buckler's the Institution's Silver Medal for Hard, Beaulieu, Hampshire, in the days gallantry, with two bars, gave a talk of wooden battleships, and the Life-boat about his experiences on the wireless. Eliza Adams, which served for twelve The talk was broadcasted from London, years at Wells on the Norfolk coast was and brought the Institution more than built out of the Penny Reading Life-boat one gift from those who had listened-in. Fund, raised by a member of the same One contributor wrote: " I was so family. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 199

A CAREFUL GIVER

Photographs by] [Kenneth J. Vining, East Sheen. What are you collecting for ? The Life-boats ? That's a Cause I always help. (Photographs taken at the Worthing Boat-house.)

"THE BOYHOOD OF RALEIGH.-—(A Life-boat version of a famous picture.)

" ,• .:*'•

Photograph by] [Fox Photos. Ex-Coxswain Richard Roberts, of Deal. (See page 189.) 200 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

The Ladies' Life-boat Guild. New President : General Council. AT the personal request of the Prince of i plete the list of Council Members in the Wales, the Duchess of Sutherland has next issue of The Lifeboat. accepted the Presidency of the Ladies' The following are members of .the Life-boat Guild, in succession to the Council ex officio, or by reason of Marchioness of Carisbrooke, and she long and special services to the Institu- inaugurated her Presidency by issuing tion :— an invitation to each Guild to nominate i The Duchess of Sutherland, President two of its members, the Chairman or of the Guild. President, and the Honorary Secretary, The Marchioness of Milford Haven, to become members of the General Vice-President. Council of the Guild, which, as announced \ The Countess Waldegrave, O.B.E, last year, it had been decided to form. for some time President of the original The members of the Guild are already | London Ladies' Committee, and now very busy women, and we wish to make ! President of the Guild for Wells it clear that it is not proposed to ask the (Somerset). General Council to meet, at any rate for The Viscountess Bertie of Thame, the present, as this would entail bringing Chairman of the London Women's members to London from all parts of Committee. the country. Those who accept the The Lady Cynthia Colville, for some invitation to join the Council need not time a member of the original London fear, therefore, that by so doing they Ladies' Committee. will in any way increase the work which The Lady Florence Pery, Vice- they have already undertaken for the Chairman of the London Women's Life-boat Service. At the same time Committee. we feel that the Council will act as yet Lady Baring, for some time Chairman another link in the very real, though of the original London Ladies' Com- informal association, through member- mittee and then of the present London ship of the Guild, of the many hundreds Women's Committee. of women who are engaged in voluntary Miss Alice Marshall, an Honorary work for the Institution. I Life-Governor of the Institution, and It is proposed to publish and distribute Honorary Secretary of the Oxford to all members of the Guild the names Branch. of the General Council, so that, in Mrs. Astley Roberts, an Honorary every part of the country they will find Life-Governor of the Institution, and in the members of the Council those President of the Eastbourne Guild. who will be best able to give help in Mrs. A. G. Anson, for long connected promoting the Guild's work. with the work of the Service in Hastings Meanwhile we publish here the names | and St. Leonards, where she was Chair- of those ladies who have, up to the man of the Guild. present, accepted the Duchess of Suther- The following have been elected to land's invitation, and we hope to com- represent their Guilds on the Council:— North of England District. BRANCH. NAMES OF DELEGATES. Barnsley . THE MAYORESS President. Mrs. C. H. PARKER Honorary Secretary. Blackburn . Mrs. R. Y. AITKEN Chairman. Mrs. R, R. FIELDING Honorary Secretary. Bridlington. . THE MAYORESS President. Mrs. GRAY Honorary Secretary. Chester . THE MAYORESS President. Miss S. E. HEWITT Honorary Secretary. Cullercoats . . Lady GREQO President. Miss W. CUNNINGHAM Honorary Secretary. Darlington . THE MAYORESS President. Mrs. LAMONT Honorary Secretary. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 201

North of England District — continued. BRANCH. NAMES OF DELEGATES. Doncaster . . THE MAYORESS . President. Mrs. BORRILL . . Honorary Secretary. Harrogatc . Lady BAIN (Mayoress) President. Miss BAIN Honorary Secretary . Hyde . Mrs. M. OLDHAM, J.P. . Honorary Treasurer. ; Miss ALLSOP . Honorary Secretary. Lancaster . Mrs. OOLETHORPE President. Mrs. JOHNSON . Honorary Secretary. Liverpool . . Lady RUSHTON. President. Mrs. BILLS Honorary Secretary. i Macclesfield . Miss ETHEL SHELDON Member of Branch Committee. Miss WINIFRED BROWN Honorary Secretary. I Morecambe . Miss HEATON . \ Honorary Secretaries. Miss DEWHIRST . Nantwich . . Miss VERDIN President. Miss MACDONALD Honorary Secretary. Newbiggin . . Mrs. CHARLTON . President. Miss LUNN Honorary Secretary. < Northwich . Mrs. G. H. BROCK Mrs. HARRON i Norton . - . Miss I'ANSON . Honorary Secretary. ; Oldham . THE MAYORESS President. Miss BAYLEY Honorary Secretary 1 (Temp.). i Port Erin . . Mrs. HAMPSON . . President. Miss HANDLEY . Honorary Secretary. i Preston . THE MAYORESS . President. Miss CROSS . Honorary Secretary. Saltburn . Mrs. BAHNETT . President. Mrs. A. ANDERSON GRANGER Honorary Secretary. Sedbergh . . Mrs. WELCH . President. Miss TOMLINSON Honorary Secretary. Tyldesley . . Miss F. BROWN . President. Mrs. J. K. NOWELL . . Honorary Secretary. Tynemoutli . Miss MITCHELL . Chairman. Mrs. A. T. JONES Honorary Secretary. Wakefield . . Mrs. ARTHUR PICKLES . President. Mrs. G. E. JACKSON . . Honorary Treasurer . Wigan . THE MAYORESS President. Mrs. W. H. TYNER . Honorary Secretary. Midlands District. Bristol . Mrs. H. WALKER President. Miss HARTLY HODDER . Honorary Secretary. Cleethorpes . . Miss R. LOCKING President. Miss S. SMITH . . Honorary Secretary. Langwith . Mrs, C. WHITMORE President. Mrs. POOLE Honorary Secretary. London District. Lewisham . . Mrs. SPRATT Miss YEOMAN j Life-boat Workers. Woodford . . Mrs. WALL President. 1 1 Mrs. STEVENS Honorary Secretary. 1 South-East of England District. 1 1 Eastbourne . . The Misses LEWES PITT Honorary Sees. Mrs. BBIGGS Honorary Treasurer. Kessingland . Mrs. H. BROCK . Mrs. WOOLFIELD Honorary Secretary. : Seaford . Miss JANK LEHESCHE . . Assistant Honorary Secretary. Tonbridge . . Miss DESIRES BENNETT . Honorary Secretary. South-West of England District. Banbury . Mrs. MAWLE . Honorary Secretary. Bournemouth . THE MAYORESS President. Mrs. BALL. Honorary Secretary. 202 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926-

South- West of England District — continued. BRANCH. NAMES OF DELEGATES. Brixham .... . Mrs. MATTHEY .... President. Miss SHEARS .... Honorary Secretary. Bude .... . Mrs. STUART NICHOLSON Honorary Secretary. Cowes .... Mrs. LALLOW .... Honorary Secretary. Mrs. E. PERKY. Falmouth .... . Mrs. R. DAVEY .... Mrs. J. ROGERS Fareham .... . Miss SIMMS .... Honorary Secretary. Isle of Wight . The HON. MABEL GOUOH-CAL- THORPE ..... Honorary Secretary. Portsmouth Lady PINK .... President. Miss D. HOLE .... Honorary Secretary. Reading .... . Lady ABRAM .... President. Mrs. SHERWOOD .... Honorary Secretary. Salisbury .... Mrs. HAMILTON FULTOK Honorary Secretary. Mrs. VANRENEN .... Honorary Treasurer. Southampton . Lady EMMA CRICHTON President. Mrs. WALTER .... Vice-President Torquay .... . Mrs. MALCOLM PATTON President. Miss STIRLING COOKSON Honorary Secretary. Ventnor .... . Lady SHANNON President. Miss SAUNDERS .... Honorary Secretary. Wells (Somerset). . Mrs. ALLAN .... Honorary Secretary. Mrs. ALCOCK .... Honorary Secretary. Weymouth . THE COUNTESS OF ILCHESTER President. Mrs. WILLIAMSON Honorary Secretary. Scotland. Dundee .... Mrs. LONGAIH .... President. Miss JENKINS .... Honorary Secretary. Ireland and Wales District (in which are included Herefordshire and Shropshire). Aberdare .... . Miss I. EVANS .... President. Anglesey .... . Mrs. BURTON .... President. Miss M E. LAURIE Honorary Secretary. Knniskillen . Lady MARY CORRY . Honorary Secretary. Ludlow .... . Mrs. WINDSOR CLIVE President. Mrs. E. TYRRELL Honorary Secretary. Newport (Salop) . Miss HEANE .... Temp. Hon. Sec. Shrewsbury Miss A. E. MOSER Honorary Secretary. Whitchurch . Miss WALFOHD .... Honorary Secretary.

Gifts from Crews. THE Institution has received the follow- for salvage the Crew gave a donation of ing gifts from its Crews. £3 5s. to the Institution. On 29th July, 1925, the Clacton-on- On llth November, 1925, the Motor Sea Motor Life-boat saved the schooner Life-boat at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Walkyrie, of Lannion, which had saved the schooner Flying Foam, of stranded on the N.E. Long Sands when Bridgwater, which had gone ashore on bound from France to Aberdeen, and the Warden Ledge, near the Needles, and rescued her captain, the only man found rescued her crew of five. Out of the on board. Out of the money awarded money awarded them for salving the them for salving the vessel the Clacton vessel the Crew have given £5 to the Crew have given a donation of £3 to the Institution. Institution. On 27th December, 1925, the Crew at On 1st November, 1925, the Holy- the Humber Station went out in the head Steam Life-boat helped the boarding-boat and helped to refloat the schooner J. H. Barrow, of Lancaster, steam trawler Editor, of Grimsby, which which was dragging her anchors in a had stranded. Out of the money re- gale. Out of the money awarded them ceived for salving the vessel the Crew MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 203 have given £1 to the Institution, and distress. It was not until 6.30 that her two members of it have anonymously crew were able to return for food and given another £1. dry clothing, and they then stood by On 3rd October, 1923, in a whole until eleven at night in case they should N.N.W. gale with a terrific sea, the again be required. Coxswain W. G. trawlers of Brixham, were in danger in Sanders was awarded the Thanks of the the harbour from a steamer, the Institution inscribed on Vellum, and he Tuscarora, of Sunderland, which had and his crew received additional mone- come into collision with another steamer, tary awards. The pilots of Brixham the TorvaM, of Sweden, and was sent a donation to the Branch, and a drifting on to them. The Torbay Motor Letter of Thanks and a donation to the Life-boat went out at mid-day to their Coxswain and crew were sent by the help, landed men from a number of Brixham Pishing Vessels Insurance them, put pilots on both steamers, and Society. Out of the donation the Cox- finally went to the help of a ketch, some swain and Crew have given £10 to the way out, which was believed to be in Institution.

Summary of the Meetings of the Committee of Management. Thursday, 15th October, 1925. Voted 10s. to JOHN D. MCKELLAR for Sir GODFREY BARING, fit., in the Chair. rescuing two persons, father and son, who were run down by a trawler, while fishing off North Decided that the Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) Berwick, on the afternoon of the 28th August. Life-boat Station be permanently established, McKellar, who was fishing near by, saw the and that the Totland Bay Station be closed. accident and immediately cutting his cable, Paid £18,859 16s. Qd. for sundry charges in went to the rescue. There was a moderate connexion with the maintenance of the various westerly breeze with a moderate sea, and had Life-boat establishments. it not been for his promptitude there might have been loss of life. McKellar was also Voted £41 15s. to pay the expenses of the allowed 20s. for the loss of his anchor and following Life-boat services :— Lives cable. Life-boat. Vessel. rescued. Voted £1 2s. 6d. to JOHN EVANS, Bowman of Clacton-on-Sea . Yacht Dulcebella, of the Abersoch Life-boat, and two other Life- (Motor) Westcliffe. Saved boatmen for rescuing a man whose canoe was yacht and rescued . 2 capsized while he was sailing in Cardigan Bay, New Brighton, Motor vessel Innisinver, on the afternoon of the 13th September. On Birkenhead, of London ... 5 hearing of the accident they at once put off in No. 2 (Motor). a rowing boat and, on reaching the canoe Penlee . . . Steam trawler Rig, of found her occupant entangled in ropes and (Motor) Ramsgate. Saved exhausted. The weather was fine with a fresh S.W. breeze, and after rescuing the man, the Weymouth . . Schooner Duchess, of salvors towed his canoe ashore. (Motor) Chester .... 4 Voted £4 Is. §d. to Coxswain JAMES SCOTT, Also voted £308 14s. to pay the expenses of of the Cullercoats Life-boat, and six other men the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of for rescuing the three occupants of a small crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons on boat, off Cullercoats, on the 15th September. vessels in distress :—Cadgwith, Caister No. 1, The men put off to fish at about 5 P.M. and Clacton-on-Sea (Motor), Fraserburgh (Motor), proceeded in a north-easterly direction, but Hasborough, Hoylake, The Lizard (Motor), they were overtaken by a strong S.E. wind Moelfre, New Brighton (Motor), North Deal, with a rising sea and were unable to get back. Ramsgate, St. Helier, Sennen Cove (Motor), With some difficulty the motor coble Fanny Wells, Whitby (Motor), and Yarmouth, I. of W. Story was launched, the exhausted men were (Motor). taken on board, and their boat was towed into The Palling No. 1 Life-boat was also safety. The sum of 5s. was allowed for the launched. use of the coble and fuel consumed. Granted £125 ^s. 6d. to men for injury in the Voted £5 to five men for rescuing the two Life-boat service at Blackpool, Cardigan, bands of the fishing boat Montipelkr, of Hartlepool and Moelfre. Hoylake, which was in distress off Conway, Voted a compassionate grant of £5 towards on the 15th September. The rescue was the payment of the funeral expenses of Ex- carried out in a southerly gale with a very Coxswain JOHN STOREHOUSE, of Teesmouth, heavy sea, by a motor fishing boat which put whose relatives were very poor. off when it was learned that the MonlipMer was 204 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. in need of help. She was found considerably three; and the Yarmouth, Isle of Wight damaged with her engine broken down and (Motor) Life-boat saved the schooner Flying riding to an anchor in a dangerous position. Foam, of Bridgwater, and rescued her crew of With some difficulty the two men were five. rescued, but the boat had to be left. She Also voted £281 7s. 9d. to pay the expenses was saved next day, although she had dragged of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies half a mile during the night. Also granted £1 of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons for fuel consumed and a boat hook which was on vessels in distress :—Caister, Dunbar, Dun- broken. geness No. 1, Girvan, Gorleston (Motor), Holy- Voted £1 15s. to two men for rescuing three head No. 1 (Steam), Hoylake, Howth, Margate other men whose coble foundered off Dunbar, No. 2 (Motor), Moelfre, New Brighton No. 2 on the night of the 13th September. The (Motor), North Deal, Palling No. 1, Penlee rescuers were pulling home from the fishing (Motor), Peterhead No. 2 (Motor), Bamsgate, grounds when they heard cries for help in the Skerries, Torbay (Motor), and Yarmouth, Isle darkness. Hastening in the direction of the of Wight (Motor). cries they were just in time to pick up the men, who were much exhausted. It was fortunate Granted £11 12s. ftd. to men for injury in the that the night was fine and the rescuers near, Life-boat service at Caister and Winterton. as the boat suddenly and completely dis- Voted a special gratuity of £100 to EDWARD appeared. WICKHAM, on his retirement, from the post of Coxswain of the Wexford Life-boat, on account of ill-health, in recognition of the fact Thursday, 19th November, 1925. that he had been connected with the Life-boat Sir GODFREY BAKING, Bt., in the Chair. for 40 years, during which time he had ren- Reported the receipt of the following special dered good service and been devoted to his contributions :— duty. £ s. d.\ Granted a compassionate allowance of £10 to MRS. C. CANDLEH, in memory of j MICHAEL HANNAGAN, pensioned ex-Coxswain Percy W. Candler . . . 55 - - of the Youghal Life-boat, who was very ill and ANONYMOUS (additional) . . 50 - - very poor. P. W. J 28 - - Voted a compassionate grant of £35 to the —To be thanked— widow of GEORGE COMER, of Ilfracombe, who Paid £17,279 4s. 6d. for sundry charges in was drowned while fishing. Comer had served connexion with the maintenance of the various as Bowman and Second Coxswain of the Life- Life-boat establishments. boat for thirty years. Voted £276 19s. Id. to pay the expenses of Voted £5 to five men for rescuing the two the following Life-boat services :— occupants of the motor fishing boat Try Again, which was in distress at Montrose, on 5th Lives Life-boat. Vessel. rescued. October, 1925. When the "motor-fishing boat Abersoeh Ketch Henrietta, of Annie was entering the Biver Southesk the Goole. Landed 4. Try Again was seen to be in trouble in a rough Dungeness No. 2. Trawler Boy Claud, of sea. Her engine was not working, and she was Lowestoft. Stood by in danger of going on to the rocks. A rope was vessel. passed from the Try Again, but this attempt to Ferryside Sailing ship Paul, of tow her off failed, as the rope parted. At Hamburg 16 considerable risk the salvors again went to her Filey . Motor fishing cobles, of and gave her their own rope. By this means Filey. Stood by she was towed to safety and later to her cobles. moorings in the river. The sum of 5s. was Kingstown . Sailing ship Hamburg, allowed for stores consumed. (Motor) of Hamburg . 46 Voted £3 10s. to the Life-boat Coxswain, at Lowestoft Bowing boat Myra, of Moelfre, and six other men for putting off in (Motor) Lowestoft. . the Life-boat boarding boat and going to the Lowestoft Motor drifter Diligence, schooner John Swing, of Cardigan, on the (Motor) of Fraserburgh. Stood 19th October. The vessel had stranded very by vessel. near the Life-boat slipway, but did not require North Deal . Ketch Malvoisin, of help as the weather was moderate and her London .... crew were able to land in their own boat. Scarborough Fishing boat Friend- Voted £2 to two men for rescuing one of the (Motor) ship, of Scarborough. two occupants of a small fishing boat which Saved boat. and was capsized off Ilfracombe, on the 24th rescued .... October. The two fishermen were George The Cromer (Motor) Life-boat assisted to Comer, the Second Coxswain of the Life-boat, save the barge Scotia, of London, and rescued and his son, who had been towed out to the her three hands; Holyhead No. 1 (Steam) fishing ground and had capsized after casting Life-boat rendered assistance to the schooner off. Their cries were heard by the two salvors J. H. Barrow, of Lancaster; Margate No. 2 who were about half a mile away in a rowing (Motor) Life-boat assisted to save the barge boat. After a hard row—a N.W. gale was Emma, of Maldon, and rescued her crew of blowing and the sea was heavy—they reached MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 205 the spot and rescued the son who was en- Lives Life-boat. Vessel. rescued. tangled in the nets. Unfortunately, George Humber (Motor) S.S. Whinstone, of Pres- Coiner had disappeared. ton 6 Voted £4 10s. to three men for rescuing the Fraserburgh Steam drifter Shepherd three hands of the fishing boat Lyn, which was (Motor) Lad, of Fraserburgh. in difficulties when about two miles north of ] Stood by vessel. Ilfracombe, on the 26th October. A strong Margate No. 2 . Ketch As/coy, of Lon- southerly gale was blowing, and the boat, (Motor) don. Landed 3. although trying to beat back, was being Whitby (Motor). Six fishing boats, of carried out to sea. Her predicament was seen Whitby. Escorted by the crew of another fishing boat—The boats into harbour. Robina—who hauled their nets, left the shelter of the land, and went to her help. They suc- The Caister No. 1 Life-boat rendered assist- ceeded in getting the Lyn into harbour, but it ance to the s.s. Flashlight, of London; and the took them two hours, and the Robina's sails Sheringham Life-boat assisted to save the were damaged. The sum of £2 was granted to motor schooner Ingeborg, of Helsingborg, and cover the damage and petrol consumed. rescued from shipwreck her crew of ten. Voted £24 Is. 6d. to the Life-boat crew at Also voted £371 15s. lid. to pay the expenses Plymouth, who manned a service cutter and of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies proceeded to the schooner St. George, which of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons stranded close to the Life-boat slipway, during on vessels in distress: — Aberystwyth, a strong S.W. gale with a heavy sea on the Arbroath, Blackrock, Blyth (Motor), Buckie night of the 6th November. When the St. (Motor), Caister, Donna Nook, Dunbar, Qeorge was reached it was found that her crew Dungeness, Flamborough No. 1, Flam- were in no immediate danger, and did not wish borough No. 2, Fraserburgh (Motor), Gorleston to leave the vessel, but at the Captain's request (Motor), Hartlepool (Motor), Lowestoft a woman who was on board was taken ashore. (Motor), Newbiggin, North Deal, Redcar, Also granted Qs. to the Life-boat signalman Skerries, Teesmouth (Motor), Torbay (Motor), who was in attendance. Tynemouth (Motor). Granted £11 6s. 6

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen. To EDWAKD WIOKHAM, on his retirement, after To LOWTHER WILSON, on his retirement, on the serving 27 years as Coxswain and previously closing of the Station, after serving 26 years 13 years as Second Coxswain of the Wexford as Signalman to the Whitehaven Life-boat, Life-boat, a Certificate of Service, a Pension, a Pension. and a Special Gratuity. To EDWIN WM. DISTIN, on his retirement, on To STEPHEN CLAYSON, on his retirement, after | the closing of the Station, after serving 9 serving 20J years as Coxswain and previously years as Coxswain of the Salcombe Life-boat, 7 \ years as Second Coxswain of the Margate a Pension. Nos. 1 and 2 Life-boats, a Certificate of To R.C. FOALE, on his retirement, on the closing Service and a Pension. of the Station, after serving 8 years as Second To THOMAS STOBM, on his retirement, after Coxswain of the Salcombe Life-boat, a serving 5 years as Coxswain, 12 years as Gratuity. Second Coxswain and 6 years as Bowman of To GEORGE T. LAMBLE, on his retirement, on the Robin Hood's Bay Life-boat, a Life-boat- j the closing of the Station, after serving 23 . man's Certificate of Service and a Pension. years as Signalman of the Salcombe Life- boat, a Pension. To ALEXANDER THOMSON, on his retirement, after serving 5J years as Coxswain of the To DAVID MAKE, on his retirement, on the Buckie Life-boat, a Gratuity. closing of the Station, after 13 years' service, during which he served as Coxswain, Second To JAMES REDMOND, on his retirement, on the Coxswain, and Bowman of the North Ber- closing of the Station, after serving 19 years wick Life-boat, a Pension. as Coxswain and 8J years as Second Cox- swain of the Courtown Life-boat, a Certificate ! To PATRICK GORRY, on his retirement, after of Service and a Pension. j serving 8 years as Second Coxswain, 7 years as Bowman, and previously 25 years as a To WILLIAM TURNER, on his retirement, on the member of the crew of the Peel Life-boat, a closing of the Station, after serving 19 years Life-boatman's Certificate of Service and a as Second Coxswain of the Courtown Life- Pension. boat, a Pension. To MARTIN THORBURN, on his retirement, on To JOHN STAFFORD, on his retirement, on the the closing of the Station, after serving 13 closing of the Station, after serving 17 \ years years as Signalman to the North Berwick as Bowman of the Courtown Life-boat, a Life-boat, a Pension. Pension. To CHAS. EDWARD WORDINBHAM, on his retire- To ANDREW BYRNE, on his retirement, on the ment, after serving 11J years as Second Cox- closing of the Station, after serving 14 years swain, and 0 years as Bowman of the Wells as Signalman of the Courtowu Life-boat, a Life-boat, a tension. Pension. To GEORGE 1 IOMAS, on his retirement, after serving 36 cars as Second Coxswain, and To WILLIAM LEADBETTER, on his retirement, previously 6 ears as a member of the crew of on the closing of the Station, after serving the Burnham Life-boat, a Life-boatman's i 14 years as Coxswain of the Whitehaven Certificate of Service and a Pension. Life-boat, a Certificate of Service and a Pension. To GEORGE W. AYERS, on his retirement, after serving 15 years as Second Coxswain, and To CHARLES GOODWIN, on his retirement, on the previously 17 years as a member of the crew closing of the Station, after serving 14 years of the Lowestof t Life-boats, a Life-boatman's as Second Coxswain of the Whitehaven Life- Certificate of Service and a Pension. boat, a Pension. To CHARLES PEROHARD, on his retirement, after To WILLIAM HENRY SIMPSON, on his retire- serving 18 years as a member of the crew, ment, on the closing of the Station, after latterly as Bowman of the Penmon and serving 14 years as Bowman of the White- Beaumaris Life-boats, a Life-boatman's haven Life-boat, a Pension. Certificate of Service. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 207 To JOHN SIMMONS, on his retirement, after members of crews who have retired, the serving 9 years as Bowman, and previously figure after their names being their years 23 years as a member of the crew of the Cambois Life-boat, a Life-boatman's Certifi- of service:— cate of Service. JOHN PESTELL (53), Palling. WILLIAM KEBRISON (53), Palling. To JOHN KING, on his retirement, after serving FREDERICK FEATHER (53), Palling. over 30 years as Signalman to the Drogheda JOSEPH THOMAS (46), Burnham. Life-boat, a Pension. WILLIAM RTJTTEK (41), North Sunderland. JOHN STANHOPE (35), Blackpool. To ROBERT J. BOXHALL, on his retirement, JOSEPH PRICE (30), Fleetwood. after serving 35 years as Signalman to the JOSEPH STREET, Senr. (26), Worthing. Sheringham Life-boat, a Pension. TOM LEADBETTER (25), Fleetwood. C. PKAGNELL (20), Totland Bay. LIFE-BOATMEN'S Certificates of Service ERXEST E. COXWAY (20), Totland Bar. have been awarded to the following F. E. CROUCH (20), Totland Bay.

Awards to Honorary Workers. To the Rev. K. H. MACDERMOTT, upon his ( To Major-Gen. Sir WILLIAM FRY, K.C.V.O., retirement after 10 years as Honorary C.B., Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Secretary of the Selsey Branch, the Thanks Man, in recognition of his valuable co-opera- of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. tion, the Gold Pendant and the Record of To the Rev. R. J. HODGES, upon his retirement Thanks. after 10 years as Honorary Secretary of the To Lady FRY, in recognition of her valuable Youghal Branch, the Thanks of the Institu- co-operation in the Isle of Man, the Gold tion inscribed on Vellum. Brooch and the Record of Thanks. To Capt. F. J. EVANS, upon his retirement after To Mr. L. T. WILKINS, of Southampton, in 10 years as Honorary Secretary of the recognition of his valuable help in organizing Ramsey Branch, the Thanks of the Institu- collections during the past 9 years on the tion inscribed on Vellum. steamers of the Southampton, Isle of Wight To Mr. W. B. WILLIAMS, upon his retirement and South of England Royal Mail Steam after 22 years as Honorary Secretary of the Packet Company, the Gold Pendant and the Barry Branch, the Thanks of the Institution Record of Thanks. inscribed on Vellum. To Mrs. W. B. WILLIAMS, Vice-President of the To Mr. F. 0. BROWN, of London, in recognition Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Cardiff and Penarth of the fact that for many years he has raised Branch, in recognition of her valuable co- each year the record sum obtained by means operation for many years, the Gold Brooch of a collecting box, the Gold Pendant. and the Record of Thanks. To Mr. A. E. BABTLETT, in recognition of his To Mr. HEBBEBT E. LOYNES, ia recognition of valuable work in organizing a Theatrical his valuable services as Honorary Secretary, Performance in aid of the Institution, at for the past 30 years, to the Wells Life-boat Bath, the Gold Pendant and the Record of Station, a Mounted Aneroid Barometer. Thanks. To Mr. W. E. MOUNSEV, in recognition of his To Mr. M. WYSE, in recognition of his valuable exceptional services as Honorary Treasurer co-operation in connexion with the Port of to the Port of Liverpool Branch for many Liverpool Branch, a Framed Photograph years, a Mounted Aneroid Barometer. of the Life-boat going out to a vessel in To Mr. G. C. L. POOLS, upon his retirement distress. after 14 years as Honorary Treasurer of the To Miss F. SHEPHEKD, in recognition of her Penzance Branch (Penlee and Sennen Cove valuable help in collecting at Life-boat Stations), a Framed Photograph, of a Life- launches at Rhyl, a Framed Photograph boat going out to a vessel in distress. of the Life-boat going out to a vessel in To Mr. A. J. G. ANSON on his retirement after distress. 9 years as Honorary Secretary of the Hastings and St. Leonards Branch, a To Mr. T. MARKWELL, of Ipswich, inreeognition Framed Photograph of the Life-boat going of his valuable co-operation in organizing out to a vessel in distress. collections on board s.s. Norfolk, an inscribed copy of "Britain's Life-boats." To Mr. 3?. HOLLINQSW ORTH, upon his retire- ment after 6 years as Honorary Secretary of To Mr. N. C. BRYANT, of Ipswich, in recognition the Holy Island Branch, a Framed Photo- of his valuable co-operation in organizing graph of a Life-boat going out to a vessel in collections on board s.s. Suffolk, an inscribed distress. copy of " Britain's Life-boats." 208 THE LIFEBOAT. [MAKCH, 1926.

Obituary. Captain Sir Herbert Acton Blake, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., F.R.G.S., Deputy-Master of Trinity House; Mr. W. J. Oliver, Honorary Secretary of the Sunderland Branch. Captain Sir Herbert Acton Blake. A memorial service was held in WE deeply regret to have to record the London, at which the Institution was death, during March, of two old and very represented by Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., valued friends of the Institution, Captain its Secretary. Sir Herbert Acton Blake, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., J.P., F.R.G.S., Deputy-] Mr. W. J. Oliver. Master of the Trinity House, and Mr. Mr. W. J. Oliver, who died on 4th W. J. Oliver, for many years Honorary March, had been Honorary Secretary of Secretary of the Sunderland Branch. the Sunderland Branch for twenty-five Sir Herbert Acton Blake died at sea years, and for nearly fifty years had on 7th March in his sixty-ninth year. been actively connected with the work Some months ago he had an operation, of saving life from shipwreck. When and was taking a long voyage for his he was appointed in May, 1900, there health. He spent a number of years at were three Pulling and Sailing Life- sea in command of ships of the British boats at the Station (a Motor Life-boat India Steam Navigation Company and was placed there in 1918), and it was no the African Royal Mail Company, and light duty to be responsible for the was a Captain in the Royal Naval efficient maintenance of all three. There Reserve. In 1901 he become an Elder was no more devoted and indefatigable Brother of the Trinity, and in 1910 he Honorary Secretary on the coast. He was appointed Deputy Master of Trinity brought the same ability and enthusiasm House. He was an authority on pilotage, to the work of raising funds as to the and was chairman of the Pilotage work of administration, so that, for a Advisory Committee of the Board of number of years the Branch has not Trade, and it was his special knowledge only maintained the Station, but made of lighthouses which earned him his a substantial contribution each year to knighthood in the Royal Victorian the general funds of the Institution. Order in 1914. He was a member of the But he was much more than a skilful Departmental Committee of the Board administrator. He was also an able and of Trade on the Mercantile Marine and courageous Life-boatman, and proved of the Tonnage Committee ; represented his skill and courage on many services, Trinity House on the Port of London taking part in the rescue of over 300 Authority for a time ; was chairman of lives. the Dock and Harbour Dues Claims He was a man of many activities and Commission, and one of the British great energy—a successful business man delegates in 1913 on the International who found time also for much valuable Committee for Safety of Life at Sea. public service, and he received many In 1915 he became a K.C.M.G. marks of gratitude and esteem. The On his appointment as Deputy Master Board of Trade on several occasions of Trinity House he became ex qfficio a thanked him for his services, and member of the Committee of Manage- presented him with its Long Service ment, so that for fifteen years the I Medal. The Shipwrecked Mariners' Institution has had the benefit of his Society frequently expressed its grati- wide knowledge and experience, both of tude for his care of the shipwrecked, a shipping and of the many problems of work which he organized during the coast protection. He was also an War with great energy and success. ex ojjicio member of the General Com- The Institution also showed, in every mittee of the City Branch, and, when- way that it could, its appreciation ever his duties permitted, was always of his many services. In 1905 he ready to speak, not only at the Annual was awarded a Mounted Aneroid in Meetings of the City Branch, but at recognition of the work which he did other Life-boat meetings in. London and when one of the Sunderland Boat- the provinces. houses caught fire. In 1912 he received MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 209 a Pair of Binoculars ; in 1915 the Gold which the Institution could confer by Pendant, and in 1916 the Institution's being elected one of the first of its Thanks inscribed on Vellum, a very rare Honorary Life Governors. award to an Honorary Secretary still Mr. Oliver had the help of his family in office. In 1920 he was invited to in his work for the Service. In 1909 speak at the Annual General Meeting of Mrs. Oliver was presented with a Framed the Governors in London, and gave a Photograph of a Life-boat rescue, in most interesting account of his experi- recognition of her services, and since ences in life-saving work. Finally, in j 1920 his son, Captain W. J. Oliver, M.C., 1924, he received the highest honour has acted as joint Honorary Secretary.

The Storeyard's Children's Party. i FOR the second year the Staff at the Christmas, whose attendants, carrying Institution's Storeyard at Poplar, with hampers of toys, fruit and sweets, the help of the Staff at Headquarters, were dressed as Life-boatmen. | gave a Christmas Tea and Entertain- Except for Mrs. Shee's violin solos, the ment to about 160 children living in the band, which was kindly lent by Mr. A. C. neighbourhood of the Storeyard. It was Brown, and the performing dog, the given on 19th December, at the Emery entertainment was provided by the Hall. Tea was provided, and later on Staff. in the evening, refreshments ; and the On 22nd December, Captain G. H. entertainment consisted of violin soJos Bevao, O.B.E., E.N., Deputy Chief by Mrs. George F. Shee (accompanied Inspector for Stores, and members of the by Mr. George F. Shee, Secretary Storeyard Staff visited the Piggott Street of the Institution); a band ; a minstrel School for defective children, where about troupe ; magic lantern pictures, some 150 were entertained to tea, fruit and comic, some of Life-boat scenes; sweets were distributed to them, and fairy stories, also with lantern slides ; Captain Bevan talked to them about a performing dog; and finally Father Life-boats.

Visits to the Storeyard. OF the many thousands of Londoners invitations were sent to the leading who give their help to the Life-boat London firms which organize collections Service probably very few realize that among their employees. The second was arranged for a party of thirty there is a fleet of Life-boats in London members of the London Society, of itself—the reserve Life-boats of THE which Lord Crawford and Balcarres ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- is President, and Sir Aston Webb TION, which are kept at its Storeyard at Chairman, and the aim of which is Poplar, ready to be sent at a moment's " to stimulate a wider concern for notice to any part of the coasts of Great the beauty of the Capital City, the Britain and Ireland, to replace Life- preservation of its charms, and the boats which may have been damaged, careful consideration of its develop- and, in addition, repair shops, and ments." The party was very much all the stores for our Life-boats round interested by its visit, and contributed 5000 miles of coast. generously to a Life-boat collecting box With the idea of enabling the people which it named the "good ship 'London of London to know a little more Society.'" Several members of the about the Life-boat work which is party have since become subscribers, and being done in London itself, the the Society gave an account of the visit, Institution arranged two visits to the with a short history of the Life-boat Storeyard last autumn. For the first, Service, in its monthly journal. 210 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

News from the Branches. List of New Branches. IT is proposed in future to publish in The following list is of the Branches The Lifeboat lists of new Branches with which have been formed since the the names of their Honorary Secretaries. beginning of 1925 :— NORTHERN DISTRICT. Branch. Honorary Secretary. Abram and Bickershawe J. FALCON, Esq. Barnard Castle .... Mrs. KAYE RAMSDEN. Barnsley ..... Mrs. C. H. PAEKEE. Bishop Auckland. Mrs. KENWOKTHY. Bentley-with-Arksey W. B. JEPSON, Esq., C.R.S.I. Blaydon-on-Tyne Mrs. G. TURNER. Blucher and Walbottle. Mrs. T.WEDDELL. Brighouse . ... Miss ELLA RAWLINSON. Chester-le-Street .... Mrs. BAXTER. Conisborough .... Mrs. H. A. CHAMBERLAIN. Culcheth-with-Kenyon Miss M. HOLDEN. Dinnington Village and District Miss M. BATY. Earsdon and Shiremoor Mrs. GIBBIN. Golborne and Lowton . WM. ECCLESTON, Esq. Heddon-on-the-Wall . Mrs. JORDAN. Hebden Bridge and District Miss W. BARBETT. Hindley ..... Mrs. T. BiTES. Hollingworth and Tintwistle Miss C. BUTCHER. Ince-in-Makerfield F. MIDDLEHURST, Esq. Littleborough .... Miss HOLEOYD. Mexborough, Swinton and District GEORGE SCHOFIELD, Esq., C.C. Morpeth ..... Miss DOWNIE. Mottram and Broadbottom . Mrs. GEORGE SHAW. Middlewich .... Mrs. DUNNINGHAM. Morecambe .... Miss HEATON and Miss DEWHIRST. Nelson ..... Miss JACKSON. Newburn-on-Tyne Mrs. BOOKING. Newsham and New Delaval . Mrs. HAWKES. Ovingham ..... Mrs. 0. WATSON. Penistone ..... Mrs. MARSTON. Pegswood ..... Mrs. H. B. WILSON. Ryton-on-Tyne .... Mrs. C. TAYLOR. Seaton Delaval and District . Mrs. W. MARSHALL. Spennymoor .... Mrs. BARPF. Stamfordham .... Mrs. WELLS. Standish ..... Miss DORIS RICHARDS. Spenborough .... Miss E. DICKINSON. Throckley ...... Mrs. MILLAR. Trawden ..... Miss E. BANNISTER. Whitworth Mrs. FORBES. Wakefield Mrs. DEWS. IRELAND AND WALES DISTRICT. Galway . RICHARD GIBBON, Esq. Lurgan . Commr. C. H. F. FORDE, R.N. (Ret.). Limerick . C. DOWNEY, Esq. Mold . . . . Mrs. G. NORMAN-JONES. Waterford . RICHARD J. FARRELL, Esq. Wrexham and District . A. V. POWELL, Esq. SCOTTISH DISTRICT. Annan . D. W. LAURENCE, Esq. Ballindalloch ALEX. STRATHDEE, Esq. Biggar . JAMES CAIRNS, Esq. Cupar . IAN W. MclNNEs, Esq., M.A., LL.B., W.S. Craigellachie and Aberlour . J. F. McGowAN, Esq. Cullen and Deskford . . SIDNEY STEWART, Esq. Denny and Dunipace . . Miss SHANKS. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 211

SCOTTISH DISTRICT—continued. Branch. Honorary Secretary. Dufftown ..... ALEX. GALL, Esq. Elgin J. DAVIDSON DICKIE, Esq., M.A. Gardenstown and Crovie GEORGE IRONSIDE, Esq. Jedburgh ..... WM. GIBSON, Esq. Keith S. W. MAYER, Esq. Kelso GEORGE P. MILLAR, Esq. Kilsyth Miss LOCKHART. Kilwinning .... Miss JESSIE KJJIL. Lanark ..... Miss HAY. Lockerbie ..... DAVID COBMACK, Esq. Markinch ..... JAMBS STEVEN, Esq., M.A. Moffat JAMES MANSON, Esq. Nairn...... Councillor MACDONELL. Oban JAMES H. BANKS, Esq. Selkirk J. M. JEFFREY, Esq., and JOHN G. GEMMELL, Esq. Stevenston ..... THOS. M. BLACKWOOD, Esq., M.A. Tomintoul ..... D. McHABDY, Esq. SOUTH-WESTERN DISTRICT. Bieester and District ..... WHXMORE TAYLOR, Esq. Bodmin ...... GEORGE BRICKNELL, Esq. Chipping Norton and District . . . Mrs. ROWBLL. Thame and District ..... Mrs. PECKOVER. In connexion with the South-Western District it should be pointed out that the list of new Branches is small because there are very few places in this District in which there is no Branch, LONDON DISTRICT. Barking Mrs. PINE. BexJey Heath and Weliing Mrs. KEEJTE. Croydon Miss MILDRED McLEoo. Mill Hill . Miss H. M. GREATOREX. North wood Mrs. CARR. Southgate . Miss HAYLES. Tottenham Mrs. HEDDLE. Twickenham Mrs. ELLIS. Wembley . Miss D. PIOOTT.

Tynemouth Ladies' Life-boat Guild. mouth Life-boat crew and the members Besides the work which it does in of the Ladies' Guild." raising money, the Ladies' Life-boat There are active Guilds with a good Guild at Tynemouth has found a most membership at other Stations. Possibly they may like to follow Tynemoutn's practical and useful way of helping the example. Crew of the Motor Life-boat. The Organizing Secretary in the North of The New Honorary Secretary at Hastings. England writes :— Commander P. D. R. West, R.N., has " They have a series of ' crews ' with become Honorary Secretary of the a Captain for each, and when there is Hastings Branch, where there has been any possibility of the Life-boat being a Life-boat for nearly seventy years, on wanted, one of the Captains is warned, the retirement of Mr. Anson. Com- and the ' crew' attend at the Watch mander West earned his first distinction House for the purpose of providing over thirty years ago when he was a refreshments. On many occasions, the naval cadet. The fleet was engaged in ladies have been at the Watch House for manoeuvres in the Mediterranean off several hours (midnight and otherwise), Tripoli, and there was a collision between and have provided hot coffee, soup, etc., the Victoria and the Camperdown. etc. In this way, a most excellent After the collision, Admiral of the Fleet feeling has resulted between the Tyne- Lord Jellicoe, who was then a Com- 212 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926- mander, was seen in the water. He had service, and the Pulling and Sailing Life- been suffering from fever and was in a boat once, and that no fewer than fifty- very exhausted state. Naval Cadet eight lives had been rescued, bringing up West swam to his help, and supported the total for Cromer Life-boats to 345. him until they were picked up by a boat! It showed also that £405 had been col- from H.M.S. NiU. For this gallant j lected, as compared with £352 in the action he was awarded the Bronze j previous year. The report expressed Medal of the Royal Humane Society. i the regret of the Committee at the death, on 14th September, of Mr. J. J. Davis, Annual Meetings: Station Branches. who for many years had been Coxswain. | ABERDEEN. — On 10th December, He resigned, owing to ill-health, in 1902, Councillor A. Milne, Vice-President, in but si,nce kihi?s retirement he had on the chair in the absence of the President, Iseveral °c™sions acted as Coxswain. Lord Provost Lewis. The report for the The Station had also lost by death the year ending 30th September, 1925, services of Mr. T. Kirby, one of the showed that £602 had been collected, as oldest" members of the Crew, who had compared with £552 in the previous year. been caretaker of the Motor Life-boat The Honorary Secretary reported that House since its opening. Special refer- by an amicable arrangement with the ence was made by the Chairman to the Harbour Board the Institution had great services of the Honorary Secretary taken over the control of the Station, of the Station, Mr. F. H. Barclay, and and had sent there two Pulling and also to the work of Mr. Blyth, the Care- Sailing Life-boats. One of these, how- taker at ihe old llfe-boa* H'use. ever, is to be replaced at an early date CULLERCOATS.-—On 14th October. The by a 60-foot Twin Screw Motor Life-boat, report for the year ending 30th Sep- the most powerful type in the Institu- tember, 1925, showed that £159 had tion's Fleet. The yearly up-keep of this been collected, as compared with £122 Boat would be about £1,000, and he in the previous year. In making the appealed for generous contributions financial statement the Honorary Secre- from the people of Aberdeen themselves tary, Mr. B. H. Brown, pointed out that towards its maintenance. In moving £122 had been collected by the Fish- the adoption of the report the Chairman wives on the Road Exercise of the Boat, expressed his disappointment at the an increase of over £20 on their previous meagre attendance of the meeting, and record. At the same time the report had hoped that the arrival of the new Motor one disappointing feature, the small Life-boat would stimulate the interest number of annual subscriptions. He of Aberdeen in the Service. appealed for an increase in subscriptions, BMDLINGTON.—On 16th November, these being the backbone of the Institu- Mr. Y. G. Lloyd-Greame presiding. Ihe tion's revenue. report for the year ending 30th Sep- DUNBAR AND SKATERAW.—On 29th tember, 1925, showed that £300 had December, General Sir F. R. Wingate been collected, as compared with £249 presiding. The report for the year in the previous y?ar. Councillor C. H. ending 30th September, 1925, showed Gray, one of the joint Honorary Secre- that £243 had been collected, as com- taries of the Branch, pointed out that pared with £246 in the previous year. the Station was not only self-supporting, The sum raised in 1925 has only twice but had been able to contribute to the been exceeded during the past fifty years. general funds of the Institution, and the FLEET WOOD.—On 13th November, Chairman paid a tribute to the work of Mr. F. J. Thompson, J.P., presiding. the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The report for the year ending 30th CBOMER.—On 6th November, Mr. D. September, 1925, showed that £360 had Davison presiding in the unavoidable been collected, as compared with £277 absence of Lord Suffield. The report in the previous year. Of this sum £127 for the year ending 30th September, had been raised by the Life-boat Day, 1925, showed that the Motor Life-boat an increase of £27 on the previous year, had been launched seven times on On the other hand, the collections at the r MAKCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 213 Life-boat House had fallen from £123 to Yarmouth, but that he hoped, in spite £105. of this, that contributions from the FOLKESTONE.—On 23rd November, Island would be generous enough not Mr. P. Dawson presiding. The report only to pay for the whole maintenance for the year ending 30th September, of their own Stations, but to enable them 1925, showed that the Life-boat had to make a considerable contribution been out on service once during the towards the general expenses of the year, and that £248 had been collected Institution. as compared with £375 in the previous LOWESTOFT.—On 4th December, Mr. year. There had been an increase in F. Spashett, Chairman of the Branch, the annual subscriptions of £8, but, presiding. The report for the year unfortunately, a decrease of nearly £50 ending 30th September, 1925, showed in the boxes at the Life-boat House. that the Boat had been launched on six Special reference was made in the report occasions and had saved nine lives, and to the efforts of Mrs. Shone, who con- that £67 had been collected, as compared tributed £32 as a result of a Bridge with £116 in the previous year. During Tournament. The result of the Life- the year the Branch had also received a boat Day was just under £100, as com- legacy of £2,150. Special reference was pared with over £200 in 1924, but that made by the Chairman to the fact that was because in 1924 the Day had been there had been a decrease in subscrip- held on the occasion of the visit of a tions, which amounted to only £18, and number of Life-boatmen from the he suggested that the salesmen in the Continent, when there had been a big market should be approached and asked procession. Captain G. C. Holloway, to get each fishing boat to contribute 5s. O.B.E., R.D., R.N.R., a member of the to the Branch. If this were done Committee of Management, congratu- between £50 and £60 might be added to lated the Branch on having so efficient the subscriptions. The Chairman's pro- a Crew and a Caretaker at the Boat- posal was adopted by the meeting. The house who spent so much time in showing report referred to the loss which the visitors all the details of the Station's Branch had sustained by the resignation work. of Mr. R. W. Seago, who had been the ILFRACOMBE.—On 26th October, Mr. Honorary Secretary for the past five C. Darbyshire, J.P., presiding. The years, and welcomed the new Honorary report for the year ending 30th Sep- Secretary, Mr. Taylor, who, with the help tember, 1925, showed that £161 had of Mrs. Taylor, proposes to form a been collected, as compared with £137 Ladies' Life-boat Guild in connexion in the previous year. Mr. Darbyshire with the Branch. paid a tribute to the late George Comer, MONTEOSE.—On 20th November, Pro- Second Coxswain of the Life-boat, whom vost W. W. Douglas Johnston presiding. he had known intimately for nearly The report for the year ending 30th forty years and who had been drowned September, 1925, showed that £68 had while out fishing. been collected as compared with £324 ISLE OF WIGHT.—On 19th September, in the previous year, in which year £250 Sir Charles Seely, Bt., J.P., President had been raised by the Centenary of the Branch, presiding. Reports of the celebrations. The Chairman was also Isle of Wight Stations were read by their able to announce that the Branch had Honorary Secretaries, and the financial received a legacy of £200. statement for the year ending 30th September, 1925, showed that £857 had NEWHAVEN.—On 7th December, Mr. been collected, as compared with £807 H. J. Bannister, Chairman of the Branch, in the previous year. In moving the presiding. Ihe report for tbe year adoption of the reports the Chairman ending 30th September, 1925, showed pointed out that the cost of maintaining that £86.had been collected, as com- the Stations on the Island was large, as pared with £101 in the previous year. it was bound to be, now that there were NEWCJUAY (CORNWALL). — On 8th Motor Life-boats at Bembridge and December, Mr. J. Nicholas presiding. The 214 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. report for the year ending 30th Sep- for the year ending 30th September, 1925, tember, 1925, showed that £225 had showed that £257 had been collected, as been collected, as compared with £260 compared with £499 in the previous in the previous year. year. In moving the adoption of the re r PENLEE OnSrdDecem- P° t> Alderman Drinkwater said that ber, Mr. W. H. Lane presiding. The this considerable reduction in the report for the year ending 30th Septem- revenue of the Branch was due in great ber, 1925, showed that the Life-boat had measure to the lack of helpers on Life- been out on two occasions and that £219 boat Day. In thanking those who had had been collected, as compared with taken part in it, he added that he hoped £208 in the previous year. that next year some scheme might be found for greatly increasing their POOLE AND BOURNEMOUTH.—On llth number. December, the Mayor (Alderman H. S. Carter) presiding. The report for the DUNDEE.—Ladies' Life-boat Guild, year ending 30th September, 1925, on 22nd September, ex-Lord Provost showed that £696 had been collected, as Longair, J.P., D.L., presiding. The compared with £633 in the previous report for the year ending 30th Sep- year. tember, 1925, showed that £284 had been collected, as compared with £254 SOVTHEND-ON-SEA.—On 19th Novem- in the previous year. Mr. James Nicholl, ber, Alderman Sir John Francis, J.P., Honorary Treasurer of the Dundee Chairman of the Branch, presiding. The Branch, thanked the Guild and its report presented by the Honorary .Secre- Honorary Secretary (Miss Jenkins) for tary (Alderman F. Britain) showed that their work. during the past year the Life-boat had saved seven lives, on one occasion the DUNDEE.—On 5th November, Mr. Boat being out on continuous duty for B. L. Nairn presiding. The report for thirteen hours; and the Financial the year ending 30th September, 1925, Statement showed that £476 had been showed that £380 had been collected, as collected, as compared with £294 in the compared with £698 in the previous year, previous year. Of this sum the Ladies' Life-boat Guild WEYMOCTH.—On 5th October, Major had raised £284, a sum almost equal to J. H. C. Devenish presiding. The report the record of the previous year. Mr. for the year ending 30th September, Nairn said that he was afraid that those 1925, showed that £250 had been col- who ought to feel that it was their duty lected, as compared with £231 in the to support the Life-boat Service were previous year. The report also showed too much inclined to rely on the work of that the Life-boat had been called out the ladies instead of contributing them- on service six times during the year. selves. The commercial community, merchants and traders, who used the Annual Meetings : Financial Branches and sea services could surely contribute more Guilds. than £72 in such an important port as BATH.—On 17th November, General Dundee, and he made a special appeal E. H, Molesworth presiding. The to them to treble this amount in the report for the year ending 30th Sep- forthcoming year. tember, 1925, showed that £313 had EDINBURGH AND LEITH. — On 27th been collected, as compared with £352 November, the Lord Provost (Sir in the previous year. Special reference William Sleigh) presiding. The report was made to the work of Mrs. Allon for the year ending 30th September, Tucker, Honorary Secretary of the 1925, showed that £1573 had been Ladies' Life-boat Guild, who carried out collected, as compared with £1945 in the Life-boat Day which raised nearly the previous year. Lord Sands, in £100, and to the services of Miss Tyler, moving the adoption of the report, said who had resigned after having collected that though no doubt the Life-boat for the Branch for many years. Service was not so hazardous now, on COVENTRY.—On 2nd March, Alderman account of the mechanical improve- A. H. Drinkwater presiding. The report ments and inventions, it was still a MAKCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 215 dangerous and noble work which they of the Bath Rotary Club at their weekly should all heartily and cordially support. luncheon, the chair being taken by the The Lord Provost delivered an address, Senior Vice-President, Mr. Douglas R. making an urgent appeal for increased Hatt, J.P., and delivered an address on support, and presented prizes which the Life-boat Service. had been won by schools in Edinburgh in the Life-boat Essay Competition. j BRADFORD.—The twenty-sixth annual i Matinee in aid of the Life-boat Service LANCASTER.—Ladies' Life-boat Guild, [ was held at the Alhambra on 18th on 4th December, the Mayor presiding. {November, realising a sum of £370. As The report for the year ending 30th | in previous years, the Matinee was September, 1925, showed that £112 had j arranged by Mr.. Francis Laidler, the been collected, as compared with £272 | Managing Director of the theatre, and in the previous year. In the course of j a number of well-known artistes gave his address the Mayor congratulated the j their services. Among those present in ladies of the Guild in being associated j the audience were the Lord Mayor and with what he considered to be the finest (Lady Mayoress, Sir William Priestley, of all philanthropic Institutions. | Chairman of the Branch, and Lady OLDHAM.—On 3rd December, the j Priestley. Mayor of Oldharn (Councillor F. Pollard) presiding. The report for the year CROYDON.—To inaugurate the new ending 30th September, 1925, showed Croydon Branch Sir Godfrey Baring that £296 had been collected, of which spoke at a meeting of the North End £183 had been raised by tie Ladies' Brotherhood on llth October. This Life-boat Guild, in the work of which was followed by an address by the the Mayoress is taking an active part, District Organizing Secretary for Lon- but that there had, unfortunately, been don at the weekly luncheon of the a falling off in subscriptions. The Croydon Rotary Club, on 13th October, Mayor made a strong appeal for increased in which the speaker pointed out that support. London had Branches thirty and forty years old; one of them, Bermondsey, PERTH.-—On 15th September. The having contributed for the last thirty report for the year ended 30th Septem- years an average annual sum of £250. ber, 1925, showed that £379 had been On 16th October the District Organising collected, as compared with £424 in the Secretary spoke at Toe H, and on 21st previous year. In moving the adoption October a drawing-room meeting was of the report, Vice-Admiral Sir W. H. held,the Rev. Canon W. P. G. McCormick, Cowan, K.C.B., D.S.O., Admiral Superin- D.S.O., presiding, at which an address on tendent of the Rosyth Dockyard, speak- the work of the Life-boat Service was ing as a sailor of over forty years' delivered by Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., experience, said there was no cause so Secretary of tie Institution. A message worthy as the Life-boat Service, and, was read from the Postmaster-General, in his opinion, no form of courage so Sir William Mitchell Thomson, M.P. for high as that which was required for the South Croydon, in which he said: long-drawn-out battle with the wind and " Though we are an inland community sea through the blackness and hopeless- in Croydon, I hope we shall never forget ness of a long winter night. what ships and sailors have meant and ST. IVES (HUNTS.).—On 27th October. mean to England and to us. For our Mrs. J. J. Bryant, President of the comforts, for our clothes, for our daily Branch, presiding. Ihe report for the bread, we are largely dependent upon year ending 30th September, 1925, the safe and regular passage of shipping. showed that £54 had been collected as It is not surely too much to ask us to do compared with £63 in the previous year. what we can for the Life-boat Service—• the first and the best in the world." A Special Meetings. message was also read from Captain BATH.—On 27th October Sir Godfrey ] A. F. B. Carpenter, V.C. A collection Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee amounting to over £20 was made, and of Management, was the guest of honour it was announced that a list of sub- THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926. scriptions had already been received | Reading Rotary Club, Mr. W. R. Howell, amounting to £95. President of the Club, presiding, and This meeting was followed by draw- delivered an address on the work of the ing-room meetings on 9th and 18th Life-boat Service. November, at the houses of Mrs. Berney j THAME.—A meeting of the newly - and Mrs. Walker, a theatrical perform- j formed Branch was held on 19th Octo- ance on 19th January, at which over I ber, at which the chair was taken by £60 was raised, and a Life-boat lecture i Major S. E. Ashton, supported by Mrs. at St. Anselm's School on March 2nd. R. 0. Lee, the President; Mrs. Pecover, The Mayoress has consented to help the Honorary Secretary ; and Mr. L. C. with the organization of Croydon Life- j Lawrence, the Honorary Treasurer, at boat Day, to be held in the summer of ! which Major Sir Maurice Cameron, 1926. K.C.M.G., a member of the Committee EXETER.—On 26th October Sir God- of Management, delivered an address on frey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Com-1 the work of the Service. A vote of mittee of Management, was the guest of thanks was proposed by the Rev. honour at the weekly luncheon of the G. C. Bowring, who appealed to all the Exeter Rotary Club, and delivered an people of lhame to give the new Branch address on the work of the Life-boat their support, and seconded by Dr. Service. Summerhayes, who pointed out that READING.—On 5th October Sir God- though Thame was only a small place frey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Com- :and far from the sea, he knew of six of mittee of Management, was the guest of its boys who had gone to sea since the honour at the weekly luncheon of the ! war, and there must be many others.

Photo bv] Four Generations at Worthing. Reading from left to right: William Blann (the Coxswain), his grandson, his son, Henry Blann (Bowman), and George Newman (Second Coxswain). In front is Thomas Blann, who was Second Coxswain in the Institution's first Life-boat stationed at Worthing in 1865. MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 217

Services of the Life-boats of the Institution during 1925.

Persons Time of rescued from 1925. Launching. shipwreck. Jan. 1. 11.15a.m. Seven fishing cobles, of Newbiggin. Newbiggin Life-boat stood by cobles. „ 1. 5.10p.m. Brigantine La Servanaisse, of St. Malo. Weymouth Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 1. 8.30 p.m. Steam trawler Arctic Prince, of Shields. Tenby Life-boat ... 10 „ 9. 7.30 a.m. Motor fishing boats Pilot Me and Remembrance, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. „ 13. 10. 0 p.m. Ketch Mittom Castle, of Barrow. Abersoch Life-boat 3 „ 14. 2.10 a.m. Schooner Ellen Annie, of Aberystwyth. Holyhead No. 1 Life-boat . 4 „ 20. 7.45 p.m. A yacht. Teignmouth Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 29. 9.20 a.m. S.S. Taunton, of London. Lowestoft Life-boat stood by vessel. ,, 29. 12 noon. Schooner Didinda, of Wexford. Wicklow Life-boat stood by vessel and rendered assistance. „ 31. 5.40 p.m. Barge Albert, of Rochester. Southend-on-Sea Life-boat .... 2 Feb. 8. 12.15 p.m. Ketch Amis Reunis, of Falmonth. Ramsey Life-boat assisted to save vessel and rescued . 5 „ 8. 1.25 p.m. Fishing smack Ebenezer, of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Life-boat ... 5 „ 9. 1. Op.m. Fishing boats Geisha, Kathleen Clare, Maura and Silver Bell, of Wexford. Wexford Life-boat saved four boats and rescued . . 11 „ 9. 4. 0 p.m. Fishing smack'Norah, of Pwllheli. PwllheliLife-boat 3 „ 11. 5.50a.m. Ketch Sosina, of Plymouth. Clacton-on-Sea Life-boat .... 4 ,, 16. 12 noon. Fishing boats Fortuna, Mizpah, Pilot Me, Noel and Remembrance, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. „ 22. 6.40 p.m. Schooner Mary A. Mandall, of Barrow. Holyhead No. 1 Life-boat . 4 „ 22. 8.15 p.m. Schooner Mary A, Mandatt, of Barrow. Holyhead No. 1 Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 24. 2.30 p.m. Fishing boats Jock and Reliance. II., of Scarborough. Scarborough Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. Mar. 2. 12 noon. Five fishing boats, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. „ 5. 8.20 p.m. Schooner Kate, of London. Troon Life-boat 3 8. 9.15a.m. Fishing boats Reliance II. and Our Maggie, of Scarborough. Scar- borough Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. 218 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

Persons Time of rescued from 1925. Launching. shipwreck. Mar. 12. 6.50 p.m. Motor barge Phyllis Hudson, of London. Ramsgate Life-boat . . 5 ! „ 22. 9.25 a.m. Steam trawler Cite de Verdun, of Boulogne. St. Mary's Life-boat . 30 „ 25. 12.15 p.m. Fishing coble Jean and Alice, of Whitby. Whitby No. 2 Life-boat escorted coble into harbour. ; April 1. 10.30 a.m. Motor fishing boats Fortuna and Mizpah, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. j „ 3. 8.10a.m. Yacht Roseen, of Southampton. Weymouth Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 4. 12.48 p.m. Schooner Elizabeth Hyam, of Chester. Ramsey Life-boat ... 4 „ 11. 8.50 p.m. Schooner Liesbet, of Groningen. Dungeness No. 2 Life-boat stood | by vessel. ,, 15. 8.40 a.m. Hopper No. 9, of Liverpool. New Brighton No. 2 Life-boat ... 9 „ 16. 8.15 a.m. Cutter Vision, of Brixham. Southend-on-Sea Life-boat ... 3 „ 16. 10.20 a.m. Barge Hand in Hand, of Rochester. Southend-on-Sea Life-boat . 2 „ 16. 10.30 a.m. Cobles Jock and Morning Star, of Scarborough. Scarborough Life- boat escorted cobles into harbour. „ 16. 9.30 p.m. Coble May, of Burnmouth. Berwick-on-Tweed Life-boat ... 3 ; „ 19. 10.10 a.m. Drifter Couronne, of Lowestoft. Cromer No. 1 Life-boat .... 8 : „ 19. 9. 0 p.m. Sailing vessel Meme Selmer, of Wedel. Whitby No. 2 Life-boat stood by vessel. ; „ 22. 8. 0 p.m. Fishing boat Eliza Anne, of Cardigan. Cardigan Life-boat ... 2 May 1. 11.30 a.m. Motor hopper Mudsucker and fishing smack Pathway, of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Life-boat stood by vessels. j „ 10. 12.55 p.m. S.S. Glenluce, of Glasgow. Fraserburgh Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 16. 6.30 p.m. Steam trawler Abronia, of Grimsby. Peterhead No. 2 Life-boat •.' stood by vessel. i „ 17. 2.20 p.m. Yacht Chione, of Southampton. Clacton-on-Sea Life-boat stood by • vessel. ! „ 19. 6.10 a.m. Longshore fishing boats of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Life-boat stood by ' boats and rendered assistance. „ 27. 7.15 a.m. Small open boat, of Montrose. Montrose No. 1 Life-boat saved boat and rescued ...... 2 „ 27. 9. 0 p.m. A fishing coble, of Donaghadee. Donaghadee Life-boat .... 1 i ! June 3. 10.45 a.m. Fishing boat Mona, of Wexford. Wexford Life-boat saved boat and i rescued 4. „ 5. 2.30 a.m. S.S. McKie, of Quebec. Southend (Cantyre) Life-boat stood by ! i vessel. ,, 6. 5.30 p.m. Yacht White Heather II., of Glasgow. Margate No. 2 Life-boat ! stood by vessel. i „ 12. 6.45 a.m. S.S. Equity, of Goole. Palling No. 2 Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 12. 6.45 a.m. S.S. Equity, of Goole. Cromer No. 1 Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 22. 1.80 a.m. Fishing boat Economy, of Sunderland. Sunderlaud Life-boat. . . 4 „ 27. 3. 5 p.m. Fishing smack Irene, of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Life-boat ... 4 July 17. 11.58 p.m. Yacht Lady Dorothy, of New Brighton. New Brighton No. 1 Life- boat rendered assistance. „ 19. 3.45 p.m. Schooner Matilda, of Arbroath. Wexford Life-boat assisted to save vessel. „ 23. 8. 0 p.m. S.S. Sojourner, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Boulmer Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 24. 6. 0 a.m. S.S. Yewdale, of Glasgow. Holy Island No. 2 Life-boat . . . 9 „ 29. 11.30 a.m. Schooner Walkyrie, oi Lannion. Clacton-on-Sea Life-boat saved vessel and rescued 1 MARCH, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 219

Persons Time o( rescued from 1925. Launching. shipwreck. Aug. 7. 9. Oa.m. S.S. St. Abbs Head, of Leith. Walton-on-the-Naze Lifeboat stood by vessel. „ 14. 3.15 a.m. S.S. Eolo, of Bilbao. Runswick Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 14. 10. 0 p.m. S.S. Eolo, of Bilbao. Runswick Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 21. 3.45 p.m. Steam drifter Viking, of Yarmouth. Gorleston Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 24. 8.30 p.m. Yacht Truant. Bembridge Life-boat 3 „ 25. 9.15 a.m. A motor launch, of Sunderland. Teesmouth Life-boat saved boat and rescued 2 Sept. 10. 7.45 a.m. Motor fishing boat Pilot Me, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat stood by boat. ,, 22. 10.45 p.m. Schooner Duchess, of Chester. Weymouth Life-boat 4 „ 26. 1.15 a.m. Motor vessel Innisinver, of London. New Brighton No. 2 Lifeboat . 5 » 26. 1. 0 p.m. Yacht Dulcabdla, of Westcliffe. Clacton-on-Sea Life-boat saved boat and rescued 2 ,, 29. 9.45 p.m. Steam trawler Rig, of Ramsgate. Penlee Life-boat saved vessel. Oct. Z4. II.40 a.m. Barge Scotia, of London, Cromer No. 1 Life-boat assisted to save vessel and rescued 3 „ 18. 12.10 p.m. Rowing boat Myra, of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Life-boat rescued . . 2 „ 20. 1.30 p.m. Motor drifter Diligence, of Fraserburgh. Lowestoft Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 26. 10.30 a.m. Motor fishing boat Friendship, of Scarborough. Scarborough Life- boat saved boat and rescued 3 „ 26. 10.45 p.m. Barge Emma, of Maldon. Margate No. 2 Life-boat assisted to save vessel and rescue 3 „ 29. 1.30 a.m. Trawler Soy Claud, of Lowestoft. Dungeness No. 2 Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 29. 3.45 p.m. Ship Hamburg, of Hamburg. Kingstown Life-boat rescued ... 46 „ 30. 9.30 a.m. Sailing ship Paul, of Hamburg. Ferryside Life-boat rescued ... 16 Nov. 1. 6.15 p.m. Schooner J. H. Barrou; of Lancaster. Holyhead No. 1 Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 7. 7.45 a.m. Motor fishing cobles, of Filey. Filey Life-boat stood by cobles. „ 7. 10.30 p.m. Ketch Henrietta, of Goole. Abersoch Life-boat landed 4. „ 9. 4.45 a.m. Ketch Malvoisin, of London. North Deal Life-boat rescued ... 4 „ 11. 4. 0 p.m. Schooner Flying Foam, of Bridgwater. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Life-boat saved vessel and rescued 5 15. 3.15 a.m. S.S. Oakgrove, of Glasgow. Donaghadee Life-boat stood by vessel and rendered assistance. 15. 3.55 a.m. S.S. Oakgrom, of Glasgow. Cloughey Life-boat stood by vessel. 15. 7. 0 a.m. Motor schooner Ingeborg, of Helsingborg. Sheringham Life-boat assisted to save vessel and rescued 10 18. 2.45 a.m. S.S. Flashlight, of London. Caister No. 1 Life-boat rendered assist- ance. „ 20. 5.45 p.m. S.S. Sorham, of Blyth. Dunbar Life-boat stood by vessel. . „ 25. 9. 0 a.m. A steam trawler and a steamer. Flamborough No. 2 Life-boat rendered assistance. „ 25. 9.50 a.m. S.S. Whinstone, of Preston. Humber Life-boat 6 „ 25. 12.40p.m. Ketch Aslcoy, of London. Margate No. 2 Life-boat landed 3. „ 28. 11.20 a.m. Steam drifter Shepherd Lad, of Fraserburgh. Fraserburgh Life-boat stood by vessel. „ 30. 11. 0 a.m. Three fishing yawls of Spittal. Berwick-on-Tweed Life-boat stood by yawls. 220 THE LIFEBOAT. [MARCH, 1926.

Persons Time at rescued from 1925. Launching. shipwreck. Dec. 7. 9. 0 p.m. Schooner M ity Watkinsan, of Barrow. Bridlington Life-boat . . 10 „ 9. 10. 0 a.m. Trawler Lallte, oi Wexiord. Wextord Life-boat saved vessel and rescued 3 „ 11. 10.55 a.m. Motor fishing boats Comet, Soel, Kemtmbrance, Diligence, Pilot Me and Irene, o! Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. „ 19. 6.40 a.m. Schooner Ben Gullion, of Dumfries. Ramsey Life-boat .... 3 „ 21. 4. 0 p.m. Motor Fishing boat Pilot Me, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat stood by boat. „ 22. 12.30 p.m. Six motor fishing cobles, of Scarborough. Scarborough Life-boat escorted cobles into harbour. „ 22. 12.4S p.m. Barge Mary Bridge, of Hull. Whitby No. 2 Life-boat 4 „ 22. 12.50 p.m. Motor fishing boats Remembrance, Pilot Me and Irene, of Whitby. Whitby (Motor) Life-boat escorted boats into harbour. „ 22. 11.45 p.m. Ketch Henrietta, of Goole. Gorleston Life-boat 4 „ 24. 8.15 a.m. S.S. jtfatje, of Hull. Porthdinllaen Life-boat assisted to save vessel and rescued (3 „ 24. 11. 0 p.m. Schooner Pearl, of Gloucester. Pwllheli Life-boat assisted to save vessel and rescued 5 „ 25. 6.10 p.m. Godrevy Lighthouse. St. Ives Life-boat landed one sick man. „ 29. 10.20 a.m. Motor fishing yawl Celtic, of Donaghadee. Donaghadee Life-boat stood by yawl. „ 30. 5.45 a.m. S.S. Comtesse de Flandre, of Antwerp. Newhaven Life-boat stood by vessel.

Total lives rescued from shipwreck by the Life-boats in 1925, in addition to which the Life-boats saved, or assisted to save, 20 vessels and boats 294 Life-boats also landed 8 persons, who were brought ashore in the Life-boats as a precautionary measure. Rewards were also granted by the Institution in the same periods for rescuing from shipwreck by means of Fishing and other Boats, etc 89 Total for 1925 383

Notice. The need number of THE LIFEBOAT will be published in JUNE, 1926.

When you have read this number will you kindly pass it on to a friend, unless you are keeping a complete set of the Journal ?