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

VOL. XXXIII AUTUMN, 1950 No. 355

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 153 Motor Life-boats 1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to October 31st, 1950 - 77,074

The Danger of Rubber Dinghies EVERY year life-boats are called out to cases of people in danger through lack rescue people from rubber dinghies of a proper regard for their own ele- which have got out of control and mentary safety, some publication of drifted dangerously out to sea. Before them is perhaps necessary. the war the number was not large; The particular danger in rubber but since the war it has increased and dinghies is that so many children use is going on increasing, as the popularity them; and if they get carried out—or of these dinghies as a seaside toy indeed paddle out deliberately—some spreads. Many of the dinghies were way from the shore, are usually not formerly R.A.F. equipment, used legiti- strong enough to curb an ebbing tide, mately by airmen baling out over the or battle against strong currents and a sea: now they are adopted by holiday wind-stirred sea. The rubber dinghy is makers on the coast as pleasure paddle- obviously a very agreeable seaside beats, usually while bathing. They pleasure-craft, but it should be plied take up to six people, although they only in the shallows, especially if there are of ten'operated solo; -and children is an off-shore wind or when the tide is form a fair proportion of their crews. running out; and if children or any The sole purpose of the Life-boat young people are in charge of one, it Service is to save life at sea: it does not would be more expedient to attach a concern itself with the fitness or other- line to the dinghy from the shore. wise of those who put to sea, to navi- The rubber dinghy—except for airmen gate the craft they go in. —is not a deep water fish, and is best However, there is no doubt that its left to play among the in-shore shrimps. task would be eased if more care were Here is a list of the services performed taken by those using rubber dinghies. this year, between April and September, The normal hazards of the sea and its by life-boats to rubber dinghies. Of travellers are great enough: when the eighteen lives saved, five were there are added to them these constant children and three women.

Date Station Craft Service April 9th St. Abbs Rubber Dinghy Rescued 1' May 13th Holyhead Rubber Dinghy Rescued 3 June 6th New Brighton No. 1 Rubber Dinghy Rescued 8 78 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950 Date Station Craft Service June llth Appledore Rubber Dinghy Rescued 2 ?> 12th Appledore Rubber Dinghy Rescued 2 ?j 28th Rhyl Rubber Dinghy Saved Dinghy ,, 28th Skegness Rubber Dinghy Saved Dinghy and rescued 6 Julv 17th Skegness Rubber Dinghy and tyre Rescued 2 ., 18th Dungeness Rubber float Rescued 8 Aug. 9th Bhvl Rubber Dinghy Rescued 2 from sandbank

Total number of Launches 10 ,, ,, Lives Rescued 18 ( 4 boys Children \ 1 girl

Women 3 Men 10 18 There were also two shore-boat rescues of rubber dinghies. Date Place Craft Service June 28th Rhyl Rubber Dinghy Rescued 6 August llth Scarborough Girl on rubber tyre Rescued 1

This account is of the most outstanding rescue from a rubber dinghy during this summer. A Dramatic Rescue at Rhyl ON the afternoon of the 9th of August Police through the Rhyl coastguard last, a father and his two small sons brought out the life-boat. The two took out their six-seater rubber dinghy children had been seen off Point of Ayr at Rhyl, in North Wales. John Mullins lighthouse. The life-boat, Antony and his wife were on holiday there Robert Marshall, in charge of the with David, aged ten, and his six-year- second coxswain, searched the area old brother John; and this was one of without avail; and then, calculating their favourite pastimes. the direction the dinghy may have This day there was a south-westerly drifted in the prevailing wind, made breeze, and as it freshened, the sea off for West Hoyle Bank. grew rough. The dinghy drifted away Suddenly, at 6.10 in the evening, from the beach. When it was about they saw two black dots above the seventy yards out, Mr. Mullins jumped sea's surface. They were the heads into the sea and, carrying the lifeline, of the two small boys, who had aban- struck out for shore. But in the heavy doned their dinghy, and were on the sea he was soon in difficulties, and only submerged sandbank. The life-boat with the help of Mrs. Mullins, watching set off towards them with all speed ; from the sands, did he reach land. but when still 200 yards away grounded She dropped her baby and dashed in shoal water. The second mechanic into the water to drag him out. Mean- and the bowman thereupon volun- while, the lifeline had been lost and the teered to wade to the children. With dinghy, with its two small occupants, a lifeline they moved through the drifted farther out to sea. corrugated banks, crossed by deep At 4.35 a call from the Prestatyn gulleys, until they reached David and AUTUMX, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT John. They were only just in time. doctor sent them both to hospital. The sea was already up to David's But they had had a narrow escape. chin, and he was holding up his Only the elder boy's presence of mind small brother, who was out of his and his almost unbelievable courage depth. He could hardly have held and nerve saved them both from on more than a couple of minutes drowning. longer. This rescue, which was so nearly The life-boatmen took the two little tragedy, serves as an example of the boys on board, and by eight o'clock perils of putting to sea in a rubber they were back in Rhyl, where a dinghy.

Two Ex-Coxswains Drowned ON the 25th of May a fishing coble, the John's son was twenty-five. Both Ricia, from Cloughey, Co. Down, went Andrew and John had spent manv years out lobster-fishing. She had three men in the Cloughey life-boat crew. John on board, Andrew Young, his brother, was coxswain from 1919 until 1927, John Young, and John's son, Andrew when he gave it up on going to sea. Young, junior. They were expected Andrew, who had then been second back before dark, but they did not coxswain for nearly four years, suc- return. The life-boat coxswain, George ceeded him and served as coxswain Young, a nephew of Andrew and John, until 1935, when he retired at the age who was also out fishing, had seen the of 64. He in his turn was succeeded Ricia coming across towards the North by another Young, Robert, who served Rock in the afternoon, and when he until August, 1949, when the present came home himself, just after seven, coxswain, George Young, took his he thought that she was already home. place. When he heard at nine o'clock that she In 1924 Andrew Young, while a had not returned, he went out again. member of the crew, won the Institu- He found nothing, came back, and tion's bronze medal for gallantry. arranged with the honorary secretary John was then coxswain, and another of the life-boat station to take out the brother, Robert, was second coxswain. life-boat. An easterly wind was blow- On the night of the llth of January the ing and the sea was rough. life-boat was called out to the help of a The life-boat was launched just before sailing ship that had sunk among the 11.30 and searched for the rest of the rocks. John was away from the sta- night, but it was not until about four tion, Robert was dying. Andrew took next morning, when day was breaking, command. A strong gale was blowing, that her crew saw something on the with heavy seas and showers of sleet water. They pulled it up and with it and hail. Handling the life-boat most came the sail of the Ricia. Still pulling skilfully, he rescued the crew of the they drew the boat towards the sur- ship, clinging exhausted to the rigging. face. Mast and sail came away and He brought the life-boat back to the boat sank again, but they had been Cloughey at nine next morning to find able to see that there were no bodies that Robert had died two hours after on board her. the life-boat has been launched. By this time some fishing boats had Andrew received his medal from the come up, and with their he'p the life- Prince of Wales at the centenary meet- boatmen raised the Ricia again and ing of the Institution held in the towed her to Portavogie harbour. It Mansion House with the Lord Mayor was not until just before seven next of London presiding. morning that the life-boat returned to It adds the final touch to his gallantry her station. Next day and the'day that this man who had been an officer after the bodies of the two Andrews of the life-boat for over twelve years, were found. who died while fishing at nearly eighty, Andrew Young was in his eightieth had been lame from birth, and for many year. His brother John was 75; and years had used a wheeled chair. 80 THE LIFE-BOAT [ AUTUMX, 1950

The Birthplace of Life-boats Tins year South Shields, where the for mariners. In this work we were first life-boat was built in 1789, cele- supported originally by the whole area, brated its centenary as a county and we have lived to see Tyneside ideas borough. As part of the celebrations in this respect, adopted by the whole the Mayor and Mayoress, and members world." of the Council, went out in the Tyne- The I,oi-d Mayor Newcastle replied: mouth life-boat Tynesider. "Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your \\1iile they were at sea the Mayor kind greeting on this historic occasion. spoke through the life-boat's radio As you say, the river Tyne was the telephone (by special arrangement with birthplace of the Life-boat Service, and the Cullercoats Radio Station) to the the fact that I am able to. speak to Lord Mayor of Newcastle. He said: you by radio-telephone from my room "As the chief citizen of one of the at the Town Hall to the Tynesider out younger members of the community of at sea is evidence of the tremendous boroughs which make Tyneside, I progress made in the service, keeping would like to send a message of pace with scientific development. greeting to you, Sir, as the chief "May I take this opportunity, as citizen of the City of Newcastle- Lord Mayor, of congratulating your upon-Tyne. town on the centenary of its incorpora- " I am speaking from the Tynesider— tion as a county borough, of the cele- three miles off the harbour entrance— bration of which our conversation is a the Tynesider being, as you are •well part." aware, our life-boat in the full implica- The Mayor of South Shields also sent tion of the term, in that she represents messages to the Shields Gazette and the the whole Port of Tyne. Newcastle-on-Tyne Evening Chronicle, "I have been invited to sea on this which they published, on the part occasion, together with my Council, which South Shields had played in the as part of the celebrations of the Life-boat Service. He concluded: "I centenary of South Shields as a county send my warmest greetings to this borough, particularly, as we, in the noble and humane Institution, together down-river area, were the first in the with my admiration of its magnificent world to develop a life-saving service work. May it long continue1."

A Yachtsman's Gratitude THE following letter comes from a " It is nice to know that there are Cornish yachtsman. still men like these who are willing to "On the 16th of this month, I re- serve voluntarily in such a risky and ceived assistance from the Cloughey uncomfortable job. life-boat, which had been sent out to "Please accept this small cheque as stand by me by the coastguard. a token of my gratitude. I am sorry " It was a great comfort to have them it is not more. near bv on such a night and I was very grateful to have a tow into Ardglass. "If you would send me a banker's "I cannot speak too highly of their order form, I will subscribe as long as efficiency and of their kindness to me. I am able to do so."

A Day's Leave Collecting A NAVAL seaman was on leave in Staines day for the Life-boat Service. He spent for a day. It happened to be the flag- it collecting and got over six pounds. AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 81

Swedish Journey THIS is the story of a cruise among the Eventually nineteen people formed islands of the West Coast of Sweden in the party. The group scoutmaster August, 1950, by the ex Royal National had two assistant scoutmasters with life-boat Henry Frederick Swan, and him, aged twenty years, and the others her crew of Sea Scouts. ranged from fifteen to eighteen. Henry Frederick Sivan, which is a They set off from Newcastle, and 40 foot self-righting boat built in 1917 crossed the North Sea in just over two and originally stationed at Tynemouth, days. was presented by the Royal National During the cruise they visited Goth- Life-boat Institution to the 3rd Tyne enburg, Langedrag, Oekero, and Salo Sea Scouts. She has a small galley Fjord, passing the Halles Islands; and built against the fore end box, her sail by Lango Island to the Albkektssunds area has been increased by about 100 Kanal. Thence they went to Mar- square feet without altering the rig, strand, and past Berlin Island and and she is provided with a sleeping tent Gullholmen to Lysekil and Smogen, to fit over the well, but otherwise there and — through the Maid canal — to is little change in her original appear- Kungsviken. After lingering in HP.V- ance. Her engine, which ran well all stens Fjord, they called at Stillingson, the trip, is the original Tyler engine, Sparreviken, Ljungskile0, and once and her displacement during the trip, more at Marstrand. Finally, via with crew of nine and nineteen kits' as Ockero, Branno and Langedrag, they well as tents for shore camping aboard, returned to Gothenburg. So back to was about 14|- tons. England. The whole cruise took just The first idea of the cruise came in over a fortnight. 1949 when a week's stormy weather They had an interesting and exciting, on the inhospitable North-East Coast though sometimes strenuous trip, punc- ruined the attempts at a cruise to Scot- tuated by bathing expeditions, and land, but the whole scheme was only visits to different Swedish towns they made possible by the enthusiastic help called at en route. of the Swedish Lloyd Line, who not A great deal of complicated and skil- only offered to carry the boat to Sweden ful navigation was needed. Just north and back, free of charge, but also took of Berlin Island they gave too wide a the greatest interest in the cruise itself. berth to a rock with a prominent top The Gothenburg Sea Scouts made all mark, and in doing so hit another just contacts and helped to plan and run below the surface. By that time they the trip, while they had a great send-off were doing about 7 knots under sail and from the Tynemouth Life-boat Station. power. There was a crash, the bow So many of the senior troop wished rose into the air, and they passed to go that it was decided to take three right over the rock and back into watches of five in addition to the cox- the water, undamaged. It was a nar- swain, navigator and engineer, and to row escape. No boat—their chronicler arrange for one watch to run Henry said—but an R.N.L.I. boat, could have Frederick Swan each day and for the stood it. others to travel by steamer, bus or on It is gratifying to know that an old foot. Thus everybody would get a life-boat like the Henry Frederick Swan fair share of boatwork, and at the same is able to do such a prolonged and diffi- time would have a good chance of seeing cult trip, and to give practice in sea- the Swedish countryside. manship to a number of Britain's youth.

A Sacred Duty " H.R.H. The Princess Marie Louise, it sounds so patronising. It is both a presiding at a meeting in London, privilege and a sacred duty to support said: "I dislike the word charity, as the Life-boat Service." THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

Life-boat Christinas Card

The picture above is for the Life-boat for each additional dozen or part of a Christmas card, 1950. It is a famous dozen. rescue of seventy years ago. The The pocket calendar has a black and Ramsgate life-boat is going out to the white picture on the front of a life-boat help of the barque Indian Chief, going out to a distant wreck, and the wrecked on the Long Sand on January Institution's crest on the back. It 5th, 1881. can only be supplied in dozens, and the The card will be of eight pages with price is 2s. for the first dozen and 1*. Qd. the Institution's crest embossed on for each additional dozen. the outside. Inside, besides the pic- There will also be a hanging calendar ture, are Christmas greetings. with a picture in colours of the Sennen The price, with envelope, is one Cove life-boat coming into Newlyn shilling, and name and address can be harbour, but owing to the high purchase printed in, if not fewer than a dozen tax which would have to be paid on cards are ordered, at an added cost of all calendars printed, if any were sold, 13s. 6d for the first two dozen and 9d. these will not be for sale.

Mr. John Bayes, M.B.E. MB. JOHN WILLIAM BAYES, who has Order of the British Empire in the been honorary secretary of the Flam- Birthday Honours List, in recogni- borough life-boat station for thirty tion of his distinguished life-boat years, was made a Member of the services.

They Have Now Been Warned Two men have been fined £2 each at 3rd of January. The rocket was taken Tobermory for firing a rocket "for for a distress signal and the Barra fun" over the Island of Tiree, in the Island life-boat was out searching for Inner Hebrides, on the night of the five and a half hours. AtTTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 83

Poster Stamps of the Life-boat Service ON page 100 there is reproduced a set album has a cover in life-boat blue, of nine poster stamps, which repre- and is made of durable card. sents in brief pictorial form the history The stamps may be bought singly, Of the Life-boat Service of Great or in sets. A full set, with the album, Britain. These stamps are not for use is 3/- post free. on letters through the post but as a Poster stamps are a means of pre- Commemorative record of a great serving an informative record of an national and voluntary service. important institution or topic, in an Each stamp is printed in eight attractive and picturesque form. This different colours —• red, green, blue, set of Life-boat Poster stamps will, it is brown, grey, purple, magenta and hoped, prove an effective method of leaf. Each costs threepence, with the making known the work of Great exception of the Founder Stamp, which Britain's Life-boat Service, and at the is sixpence; and a set may be had same time an acceptable kind of in all eight colours or in any one present, as well as a valuable addition colour. to the archives of collectors. The descriptive matter beneath the The poster stamps may be had from stamps, with other information on the the Secretary, Royal National Life- Life-boat Service, is printed in a small boat Institution 42, Grosvenor Gar- album (also costing 3d.) containing a dens, London, W.2., or through local separate space for each stamp. This branches of the Institution.

Vellum for Cloughey IN the last number of The Life-boat a tution made money awards amounting full account was given of the rescue to £126 155. 6d to the coxswain and by the Cloughey life-boat of the seven crew. It has also awarded its thanks men of the South Rock Lightvessel inscribed on vellum to Coxswain George which was adrift in a gale. The Insti- Young.

Spring Cleaning Time THE Institution has just received a a small news agency. There are no pound from one of its regular con- returns allowed, so any newspapers left tributors, a post-master, who describes over I sell at spring-cleaning rime in how he made it. return for a contribution to the life- "This is collected by me. I keep boat fund."

Gold for the Life-boat Service THE Institution has received an anony- sovereigns, packed in cotton wool, mous parcel containing twenty-nine many of them with Queen Victoria's gold sovereigns and twenty-four half- head". THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

Services of the Life-boats in June, July and August, 1950 66 Lives Rescued

DURING June life-boats went out on Rewards, 1st Service, £8 3*.: 2nd service 47 times and rescued 12 lives. Service, Property Salvage Case. Re- wards, 9*. MOTOR CRUISER TOWED PROPELLER FOULED Moelfre, Anglesey.—At 8.45 in the evening, on the 1st of June, 1950, dis- Montrose, Angus.—About 5.20 in the tress signals were seen about three evening, on the 5th of June, 1950, the miles south-east of Moelfre Island. At Usan coastguard telephoned that the nine the life-boat G.W. was launched. local motor fishing vessel Mizpah was The sea was smooth, with a northerly overdue. At 5.35 the life-boat The breeze blowing. She found the motor Good Hope was launched, in charge of cruiser Sora, of Llandudno, with the the second coxswain, in a choppy sea owner on board, and her engine had with a light south-easterly breeze broken down; and towed her to the blowing. She found the Mizpah, with shore. She then returned to her sta- a crew of three, about eight miles south- tion, arriving at 10.40 that night. east of Scurdyness lighthouse, with a The owner made a donation to the fouled propeller. The life-boat towed funds of the Institution.—Rewards, her in and reached her station again at 8.5.—Rewards, £13 10s.

ON THE BRAKE SANDS LONG HOURS OF SEARCHING Ramsgate, Kent.—At 6.45 in the Great' Yarmouth and Gorleston, and evening, on the 4th of June, 1950, the Caister, Norfolk; and Lowestoft, and coastguard telephoned that the North Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—About 6.30 in the Goodwin Lightvessel had reported a evening, on the 7th of June, 1950, an motor cruiser apparently aground near American Superfortress aeroplane Goodwin Knoll buoy. At 6.55 the crashed eight miles north-north-east of life-boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty Smith's Knoll lightvessel. Eight men at the station, was launched in calm ba'ed out of her. The trawler Warren weather. She found the motor cruiser picked up two survivors and one body Lady Leila broken down, but not eighteen miles north-north-east of the aground. A yacht took her in tow. lightvessel and at 8.47 wirelessed this On her way back to her station, the news to North Foreland radio station. life-t>oat came up with the auxiliary At 9.10 she informed the radio station yacht, Dawk Eeang, of London, which about the men who had baled out. was on the Brake Sands with seven At 9.30 this report reached the Great people aboard. The Mary Scott put Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat two of its crew aboard her, took off three authorities, through the coastguard. men and three women and landed Accordingly, at 9.46 the life-boat them, and reached her station again Louise Stephens was launched in a at 8.50. Meanwhile, the yacht was slight sea with a light south-westerly heeling badly, and so at 9.23, the life- breeze blowing. She searched with boat again put out and two more life- other vessels for nearly eighteen hours, boatmen boarded the yacht. The life- but found nothing. Fuel and food ran boat then returned to her station for low. more rope and food. When she got So she made for her station; but when back she connected up to the Dawk she reached harbour about 9.50 the Eeang and anchored, holding her firm next night, the Gorleston coastguard during the rising tide. Finally she reported that a raft had been seen nine refloated her and moored her in the miles north-east by north of Caister. harbour at 12.40 next morning.—• She put to sea again at once. The AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 85 Great Yarmouth coastguard had tele- RUBBER DINGHY COLLAPSES phoned the Caister life-boat authorities Appledore, Devon.—Just before noon at 9.40 and at 9.47 the life-boat Jose on the 12th of June, 1950, the Northam Neville was launched. But neither Burrows coastguard reported a rubber life-boat found anything and they dinghy drifting to sea with two men returned to their stations. Great Yar- aboard. At 12.5 the life-boat Violet mouth and Gorleston arrived at 2.30 Armstrong was launched in a slight in the morning of the 9th and Caister sea with an easterly breeze and pro- at 6.20. ceeded into Bideford Bay. About two Then an American aeroplane reported miles west of Westward Ho! she found a raft thirty-eight miles east of Aide- the men struggling in the sea. The burgh, and at 1.15 that afternoon the dinghy had collapsed. The men were Aldeburgh coastguard telephoned the picked up and given attention in the Aldeburgh life-boat authorities. At life-boat, which reached her station 1.27 the No. 2 life-boat Lucy Lovers was again at 1.20. The men made a gift launched and searched the area exten- to the Institution.—Rewards, £8 4*. sively. About five the Southwold police, through the coastguard, re- SEAPLANE ESCORTED ported a parachute in the sea to the Lowestoft life-boat authorities. They Padstow, Cornwall.—At 3.32 in the gave its position as one and a half miles afternoon of the 17th of June, 1950, the from Southwold. Five minutes later coastguard telephoned that a naval the life-boat Michael Stephens left her Sea Otter seaplane had made a forced moorings; but found nothing and landing in Porthcothan Bay, and was reached Lowestoft again at 9.30 that attempting to taxi to Padstow. At night. 4.15 the No. 1 life-boat Princess Mary The Aldeburgh life-boat found no was launched in a slight sea, with a trace of the raft, and returned to her moderate west-north-west breeze blow- station at 1.30 the next morning, the ing. She escorted the seaplane to 10th. However, at 12.48 that after- moorings in Hawkers Cove, and reached noon the Aldeburgh coastguard re- her station again at 5.10.—Rewards, ported that a raft had been seen four- £3 15s. teen miles off Orfordness; and at 12.50 the Lucy Lovers was launched again. NEEDING HOSPITAL TREATMENT But a searching aeroplane reported that Cromer, Norfolk.—At 9.15 on the there was no one on the raft; so the night of the 17th of June, 1950, the life-boat returned to her station, arriv- coastguard reported that the motor ing at 2.40.—Rewards, Great Yarmouth vessel Glamis, of Dundee, four miles to and Gorleston, £67 18*. 6d.; Caister, the northward, had wirelessed for a £23 15s. 6d; Lowestoft, £13 2s._; Alde- doctor. At 9.32, with the honorary burgh, 1st service, £42 5,9. Qd., 2nd secretary, Major E. Peter Hansell and service, £27 155. 6d. a doctor on board the No. 2 life-boat Harriot Dixon was launched in a slight NON-SWIMMERS swell with a light westerly breeze Appledore, Devon.—At 3.20 in the blowing. She came up with the vessel afternoon on the llth of June, 1950, one mile north of Cromer. The doctor the Westward Ho! coastguard tele- boarded her and found a sick man phoned that a raft, with two men needing hospital treatment. The life- aboard who could not swim, was adrift boat therefore landed the patient, and and being carried out to sea. Twenty reached her station again at 10.40.— minutes later the life-boat Violet Arm- Rewards, £14 15s. strong was launched in a smooth sea, but with a moderately strong south- THE REAL MACCOY? south-east wind blowing. The life- Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 5.45 in the boat overtook the raft when she was evening of the 21st of June, 1950, the three miles west of Northam Burrows Porthscatho coastguard telephoned that coastguard look-out, rescued the two the local motor pleasure boat MacCoy men, and arrived back at her station needed help. A quarter of an hour at half past four.—Rewards, £7 8*. later the life-boat John and Mary 86 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950 Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary her engines had broken down, and only duty at the station, was launched. The one had been got going again. The sea was rough with a strong north- life-boat escorted the yacht to Rams- westerly breeze blowing. She found gate, and arrived back at her station the MacCoy, with thirteen people on at 5.30 that evening.—Rewards, board, off Porthscatho, having lost £19 95. 6d. her rudder off Gull Rock. The life- boat towed her to Falmouth, reaching THREE PEOPLE RESCUED her station again at 8.30.—Property Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—At 11.43 Salvage Case. on the morning of the 28th of June, 1950, the harbour master called the A FATAL EXPLOSION mechanic ashore from the life- boat Dun- Plymouth, Devon.—On the after- leary II, and told him that a sailing noon of the 24th of June, 1950, an boat had capsized. Seven minutes explosion, believed to have been caused later the life-boat put out in a light by an oil stove, set fire to the yacht southerly wind with a smooth sea. Edford, of Dartmouth, oft Blackstone She found the sailing boat Delphus, of Point. A man and .his wife were on Dun Laoghaire, capsized one mile east board. The woman disappeared over- of the East Pier, with three people board, and her husband, badly burned, clinging to the bottom. The life-boat manned the yacht's dinghy and reached picked them up and landed them and the shore. Here, two auxiliary coast - then returned to the Delphus. She guardmen took it over and put to sea found her in tow of a motor boat, again. Two hundred yards out, they and therefore returned to her moorings, found the woman; and one of them arriving at 12.20 in the afternoon.— jumped in the sea and supported her. Rewards, £6 10*. At 4.49 the Yealm coastguard had tele- phoned the life-boat station of the ANOTHER RUBBER DINGHY explosion, and at 5.10 the life-boat IN TROUBLE Robert and Marcella Beck was launched Rhyl, Flintshire.—At 4.7 in the after- with Mr. A. S. Hicks, the honorary noon, on the 28th of June, 1950, the secretary, on board. The sea was coastguard telephoned a report received moderate with a south-westerly breeze from a holiday camp at Towyn that blowing. She found the two coast- three men and boys in a rubber dinghy guards exhausted and took them and needed help off the camp. At 4.30 the woman on board, where the life- the life-boat Joseph Braithzvaite, on boatmen applied artificial respiration on temporary duty at the station, was the woman. Then the lifeboat wire- launched in heavy surf with a moderate lessed for a doctor and ambulance, and south-westerly gale blowing. She landed all three people at Plymouth found the dinghy empty opposite the about eight o'clock. The woman, life-boat house, and picked it up. however, was found to be dead when Then she searched, unsuccessfully, for she reached hospital.—Rewards, £6 135. the men and boys. They were eventu- ally reported to have swum ashore, MERCURE WITHOUT WINGS so the life-boat was recalled to her Margate, Kent.—At 3.5 in the after- station. She arrived at 5.50 that noon, on the 26th of June, 1950, the evening.—Rewards, £10 10s. coastguard telephoned that a motor yacht, which appeared to have broken YET ANOTHER down, was drifting four miles north- Skegness, Lincolnshire.—At 5.8 in the east by east of the pier. At 3.13 the evening, on the 28th of June, 1950, the life-boat The Lord Southborough, Civil coastguard telephoned that a rubber Service No. 1, was launched, in a rough dinghy was in distress off North Shore. sea with a fresh west-south-west breeze At 5.34 the life-boat Anne Allen was blowing. She found the motor yacht launched in a choppy sea with a strong Mercure, of Burnham-on-Crouch, with south-westerly breeze blowing. She a crew of four, making very slowly for found three women, a young girl and Ramsgate. Her skipper said that both two men in the dinghy, one and a half AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 87 miles north-east of the pier. Rescuing Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—June 18th. them, she took their dinghy in tow and —Rewards, £10 6s. reached her station again at 6.30. The Hastings, Sussex.—June 22nd.—Re- rescued made a gift to the funds of the wards, £30 19s. Institution.—Rewards, £10 15s. Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—June 24th.—Rewards, £17 6s. HELP BY SEARCHLIGHT Dungeness, Kent.—June 24th.—Re- Skegness, Lincolnshire.—At 9.58 in wards, £23 16s. the night, on the 29th of June, 1950, Newbiggin, Northumberland. — June the coastguard telephoned a report that 24th.—Rewards, £13 9s. a sailing boat was drifting out to sea Blyth, Northumberland.—June 24th. two miles in an easterly direction from —Rewards, £6 Is. Chapel Point coastguard station, but Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—June 25th. that no distress signals had been seen. —Rewards, £9 6s. At 10.30 the life-boat Anne Allen was Newhaven, Sussex.—June 28th.—Re- launched in a smooth sea, with a light wards, £6. westerly breeze blowing. She found the Walmer, Kent.—June 29th. — Re- boat, with a crew of two, off Ingold- wards, £20 12s. 6d. mells Point. Her outboard engine Dover, Kent.—June 29th.—Rewards, had broken down, but was now working £7 17s. again. The life-boat escorted her to Holyhead, Anglesey.—June 29th.— Skegness and, using her searchlight, Rewards, £9 6s. helped her to beach. The crew of the Margate, Kent.—June 29th. — Re- boat thanked the life-boatmen and wards, £23 12s. made a gift to the funds of the Institu- Eastbourne, Sussex. — June 30th.— tion.—Rewards, £11 I3s. Rewards, £35 5s.

The following life-boats went out on JULY service but could find no ships in dis- tress, were not needed, or could do During July, life-boats went out on nothing. service 68 times and rescued 20 lives. Dover, Kent.—June 1st.—Rewards, £5 10*. MISSING BATHER Girvan, Ayrshire.-—June 4th.—Re- St. Ives, Cornwall.—At 4.35 in the wards, £7 1*. Gd. afternoon, on the 2nd of July, 1950, the New Brighton, Cheshire.—June 6th. Hayle police reported a man outside Rewards, £12 15*. the breakers off Gwithian beach, a Humber, Yorkshire.—June llth.— bather, missing. At 4.58 the life-boat Paid Permanent Crew. Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva Child Skegness, Lincolnshire.—June llth. was launched, accompanied by ambu- Rewards, £13 0*. 6d. lance men. She made for the position Eastbourne, Sussex.—June llth.— in a smooth sea with a light easterly Rewards, £22 8s. breeze blowing, and found a youth in St. Ives, Cornwall.—June llth.—Re- about four feet of water. With the wards. £16 17s. Qd. help of another boat, they got him into Cromer, Norfolk.—June 12th.—Re- the life-boat, where the ambulance men wards, £24 15s. applied artificial respiration, but un- Lytham-St.-Annes, Lancashire.—June successfully. The life-boat landed the 12th.—Rewards, £16 4s. body at her station at 6.7 that evening. Filey, Yorkshire.—June 14th.—Re- —Rewards, £11 9s. wards, £12 19s. Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—June 14th —Rewards, £6 15s. 6d. PILOT BOAT BROKEN DOWN Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—June Margate, Kent.—At 12.50 in the after- 15th.—Rewards, £5 15s. noon, on the 3rd of July, 1950, the Fenit, Co. Kerry.—June 17th.—Re- coastguard telephoned that the local wards, £14 14s. pilot boat Walker II had broken down Workington, Cumberland.—June 17th. and was drifting on to the Nayland —Rewards, £9 3s. Rocks. Two motor boats had gone to 88 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950 her help, but could not get near her. Grimsby. Later on she put the Danish At 12.55, therefore, the life-boat The skipper aboard his vessel, and arrived Lord Southborough, Civil Service No. 1, back at her station at 9.40.—Paid Per- Mras launched. The sea was rough with manent Crew. a strong south-easterly breeze blowing. She found the pilot boat anchored in a TOWING YACHTS dangerous position outside Margate Harbour, and passed a towline to her. Ilfracombe, Devon.—At one in the Her crew of two then slipped the anchor early morning of the 7th of July, 1950, and the life-boat towed her in, reaching the coastguard transmitted a radio harbour at 1.30.—Property Salvage message received from the steamer Case. Kocquaine. She was off Lundy in company with the motor yacht Ebb FISHING BOAT DISABLED Tide, disabled by an engine breakdown while on passage from Milford Haven Holyhead. Anglesey,—At 12.35 in the for Ilfracombe. The Rocquaine was afternoon, on the 4th of July, 1950, the going to tow the yacht towards Ilfra- coastguard reported that red rockets combe and wanted the life-boat to were being fired by a fishing vessel off meet them. At 1.20 the motor life- Rhoscolyn. A light easterly breeze boat Richard Silver Oliver was launched was blowing and the sea was smooth. in calm weather, and coming up with At 12.46 the life-boat A.E.D. left her the vessels about six miles north-west moorings. She found the fishing boat of Bull Point, took over the tow. Forward, of Holyhead, one and a half Against the ebbing tide progress was miles west of Rhoscolyn Head, dis- slow, but the yacht, with her crew of abled by an engine breakdown and five, was brought into Ilfraeombe drifting. The life-boat took her in Harbour at 4.50.—Rewards, £18 4,v. 6d. tow and brought her to Holyhead by ten minutes past four.—-Rewards, £6 185. Caister, Norfolk.—At two in the afternoon, on the 8th of July, 1950, the life-boat Jose Neville was launched COBLE BROKEN DOWN for exercise. On her way back to her Flamborough, Yorkshire.—At 1.30 in station, about an hour later, she saw the afternoon of the 5th of July, 1950, a yacht in difficulties off the north end the f.shtng coble Pioneer, with a crew of Caister Patch. It was the motor of three, was reported missing. Later yacht Starshine, disabled by an engine on she was seen by the coxswain about breakdown. The sea was very choppy, three miles north of the life-boat station, with a moderate southerly breeze apparently broken down. At 2.15 the blowing. The sole man on board the life-boat Howard D. was launched in a yacht asked to be towed to Great Yar- ground swell with a fresh easterly mouth. The life-boat took him in tow, breeze blowing. She towed the coble but at 3.20 received a wireless message to the North Landing and reached her that a canoe had capsized off Britannia station again at 3.5.—Rewards, pier and that a man was in the sea. £14 7s. 6d. She therefore left the Starshine and made for the canoeist. He, however, MAN WITH INJURED FOOT had got ashore. The life-boat accord- Humber, Yorkshire.—At 4.45 in the ingly returned to the yacht and towed morning, on the 6th of July, 1950, the her to harbour, returning to her station Spurn Point coastguard telephoned a by 5.20 that evening. The yachtsman report from the Bull lightvessel that made a gift to the funds of the Institu- she had an inju ed man needing help. tion.—Rewards, £14 8s. At 5.5 the life-boat City of Bradford 11 was launched in a smooth sea with a Dover, Kent.—At 8.35 in the evening, light north-north-west breeze blowing. on the 9th of July, 1950, the Sandgate She found the man, who had hurt his coastguai'd telephoned that a sailing foot badly, aboard the motor fishing ship seemed to be in difficulties east of vessel Kutter, of Denmark, lying along- Dover. At 8.50 the life-boat Southern side the lightvessel, and took him to Africa left her moorings. The sea was AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 89 smooth with a fresh south-south-west White Star was launched in a moderate breeze blowing. She found the sailing sea with a strong southerly breeze and yacht Heartsease, of London, with a heavy rain. She picked up the two youth on board, two and a half miles men and towed the rowing boat to east-south-east of South Foreland light. Cwmyreglwys, returning to her station He was bound for Littlchampton from at ten minutes past one in the after- London. The life-boat towed him to noon.—Rewards, £8 2*. Dover harbour and reached her station again at 10.55 that night. The youth's CAPSIZED YACHT mother thanked the life-boatmen.— Margate, Kent.—At 5.26 on the after- Rewards, £7 17.?. noon of the 15th of July, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that the West- NO SWAN gate Safety Boatman had reported a Filey, Yorkshire.—At 8.40 oil the small sailing yacht capsized about half evening of the 10th of July, 1950, a a mile off shore at Birchington. A man report was received that the sailing was swimming in the sea. At 5.36 the dinghy Cygnet was in a dangerous life-boat The Lord Southborough, Civil position, with two people on board Service No. 1 was launched in a light waving for help. Sixteen minutes south-westerly wind and a smooth sea. later the life-boat The Cuttle was Half an hour later she found the yacht, launched in a slight sea with a light but no man. A small boat then came west-south-westerly wind blowing. She out from the shore and told the life-boat came up with the dinghy off Filey that the owner had got ashore and no Brig, and took on board the boat and one was missing. The Lord South- her crew. She reached her station borough towed the upturned boat to again at ten o'clock.—Rewards, £12 2s. Westgate Bay, and returned to her station by seven o'clock.—Rewards, IN DANGER OF GROUNDING £8 165. Ramsgate, Kent.—Between noon and one in the afternoon of the llth of TRANSFERRING A CREW July, 1950, the coastguard reported a Penlee, Cornwall.—About 1.15 in the sailing yacht apparently in danger of afternoon, on the 15th of July, 1950, going aground. She was originally on the Penzance coastguard telephoned a northerly course, but later headed that the trawler Barnet was drifting south. He thought she needed help. ashore about a mile east of Penzance At 1.25 the life-boat Prudential left lighthouse. She was engaged in the her moorings, in a rough sea, with a refloating operations of the Warspite, strong west-north-west breeze blowing. which had been ashore at Prussia Cove She found the sailing yacht Maggie May, since April, 1947. At two o'clock the of Erith, with a man and a woman on life-boat M.O.Y.E., on temporary duty board, on the East Goodwin Sands, and at the station, was launched in a strong in danger of grounding with the ebbing south-westerly breeze with a moder- tide. The life-boat put a man on board ately rough sea. She found no body on with a tow line, and towing the Maggie board the Barnet, as everyone had May clear, took her to Dover. She already been taken off by the tug reached her station again at 7.30 that Freebooter; but at her captain's request evening. The rescued people thanked she picked up the five men belonging the life-boatmen.—Rewards, £9 10s. 6d. to the Barnet, and landed them at Newlyn at 3.40. The M.O.Y.E. was ROWING BOAT TOWED returned to her station on the 17th of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—On the July.—Rewards, £14 6*. morning of the 15th of July, 1950, two men from Cwmyreglwys were out in a ACCIDENT IN THE ENGINE-ROOM rowing boat attending to their lobster Peel, Isle of Man.—At 10.25 on the pots. At ten o'clock the coastguard morning of the 16th of July, 1950, the reported them well overdue, and later coastguard reported a signal from the said they were on the rocks near R.F.A. Wave Baron, an oil tanker of Dinas Head. At 11.10 the life-boat London. There had been an accident THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950 in the engine-room and a doctor and broken down and her mast had been ambulance were needed. The ship was carried away. The life-boat towed her about three miles north-west of Stack to Harwich and returned to her station, Point. At eleven o'clock the life-boat arriving at four o'clock in the after- Helen Sutton was launched in a south- noon :—Rewards £36 9*. 6d. erly bieeze. As the sea was rough, the doctor decided not to lower the injured second engineer into the life-boat but RACING TROUBLE tow him ashore in the ship's boat. Bridlington, Yorkshire.—At 12.45 in This was done, and an ambulance was the afternoon, on Sunday the 16th of waiting at Peel Breakwater. The life- July, 1950, the honorary secretary boat then towed the boat back to the telephoned the coastguard about several Wave Ear on and returned to her station yachts racing in the bay. As the by 2.15 in the afternoon. The Com- weather was bad and the probability manding Officer sent a letter expressing of some of them getting into difficulties, thanks.—Rewards, £18 8s. it was decided to send out the life-boat. At 1.25, therefore, the Tillie Morrison, MORNING MIST: EVENING, FOUND Sheffield, was launched in a moderate Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—About four in southerly gale with a heavy swell. the afternoon of the 16th of July, 1950, She stood by the yachts and then the coastguard telephoned that a yacht escorted them into harbour, reaching was in difficulties half a mile west of her station again at 3.15. The Royal Whitaker Beacon. At 4.15 the life- Yorkshire Yacht Club expressed their boat Edward Z. Dresden was launched thanks, and made a gift to the funds in a strong south-westerly breeze with a of the Institution.—Rewards, £11 19s. very rough sea. She found the auxiliary cutter Myrtle, of Falmouth, bound for RESCUES FROM RUBBER DINGHIES Burnham with a crew of three. She had Skegness, Lincolnshire.—At 1.40 in been in difficulties but had since recov- the afternoon, on the 17th of July, 1950, ered enough to go on her way. The the Skegness police reported two rubber life-boat therefore escorted her to the dinghies adrift off Huttoft. At two entrance to Burnham river, before o'clock the life-boat Anne Allen was returning to her station at 7.15. launched in a strong south-south-west When she got back the coastguard breeze and smooth sea. At 3.20 she told her of another yacht one mile to picked up a boy in a rubber dinghy the east-north-east of the pier. So out two miles off shore. He said that his she went again. She came up with father and brother were adrift on an the sloop Morning Mist with a crew of inflated motor tyre. Half an hour four, one and a half miles off shore at later the life-boat found the father on Holland Gap, and needing help because the tyre, exhausted. Then news was of the heavy weather. The life-boat received by wireless that the other boy towed her to Brightlingsea, and stayed was safe ashore. The life-boat there- there for the night.—Rewards: 1st fore made for Chapel, and landed the service, £9 13s. 9d.; 2nd service, rescued, returning to Skegness by 5.15. Property Salvage Case. The sister of the rescued man sent a letter of thanks and made a donation. DOROTHY DISTRESSED —Rewards, £13 11s. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—At 7.32 on the morning of the 16th of July, 1950, the coastguard pasted on a message from FISHING BOAT TOWED a steamer that the yacht Dorothy, of Tynemouth, Northumberland. — At Colchester, was in need of help, two 4.25 on the afternoon of the 17th of miles east of the South-west Bawdsey July, 1950, Lloyds Hailing Station, buoy. At 7.53 the No. 2 life-boat North Shields, reported that a steamer Lucy Lavers was launched in a fresh had informed Cullcrcoats Radio that a south-south-westerly breeze with a small fishing vessel one mile east of Tyne rough sea. She found the yacht and North Pier, was showing distress sig- her crew of three, three miles south of nals. Two minutes later the coast- Mid-Bawdsey buoy. Her engine had guard confirmed this. At 4.47 the AUTUMX, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 91 life-boat Tynesider was launched in a SAILING BOAT TOWED light westerly breeze with a slight swell. Fal mouth, Cornwall.—At 9.45 on the The steam drifter Animate had the night of the 18th of July, 1950, the fishing vessel Irene, of South Shields, police reported that a small boat, with in tow, but cast off when the life-boat three men aboard, needed help in Fal- arrived. The life-boat picked up the mouth Bay. At ten o'clock the life- Irene's crew of two and towed their boat John- and Mary Meiklam of boat to .South Shields. She then re- Gladswood, on temporary duty at the turned to her station, arriving at station, was launched.in a smooth sea two minutes past six. •—• Rewards, with a light northerly wind; but found £7 16s. that help was not required. However, on the way back to her station she RESCUE OF BIRD WATCHERS picked up a small sailing boat with a Kilmore, Wexford.—At 12.30 on the man and two children aboard, which afternoon of Monday the 17th of July, needed towing in. Taking the three 1950, signal flares were observed on people aboard, the life-boat returned to the Great Saltee Island. A bird her station with the boat in tow. She watcher with his wife and two children arrived at one o'clock in the morning. aged eight and two were known to be •—Rewards, £7 1*. 6d. on the island together with another man. They would have returned on PICKING UP SOME YOUTHS the previous Saturday, but the weather Ramsgate, Kent.—At 1.39 in the had been too bad. At twenty past one afternoon, on the 18th of July, 1950, the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was the coastguard telephoned that an launched in a moderate west-south- Anson aeroplane had come down in westerly gale with a rough sea. The the sea twenty miles distant in a north- honorary secretary, Mr. C. M. Clifford easterly direction from Ramsgate. At Gibbons, went with the crew, and a 1.51 the life-boat Prudential left her small boat was taken in tow. Reaching moorings in a south-westerly breeze the island, the life-boat anchored. with a rough sea. The Margate life- Two of her crew rowed the small boat boat was launched too. But later on ashore, taking a line with them, so that it was learnt that all the people from they could be hauled back through the aeroplane had been picked up by a the surf. They took the marooned steamer; so the life-boats changed course people off safely and landed them. The for their stations. When the Ramsgate life-boat reached her station at five life-boat was off the North Foreland she past three. The party expressed their noticed two youths in a paddle canoe, thanks, and made a gift.—Rewards, being driven in a north-easterly direc- £14 3s. 6d. tion. She therefore took the youths and their canoe aboard, and reached SICK MAN LANDED Ramsgate at five o'clock.—Rewards, Selsey, Sussex.—At 10.55 on the night £11 Is. of the 17th of July, 1950, the coast- guard received a message from the FISHING BOAT TOWED .Superintendent, Trinity House, Cowes, Dungeness, Kent.—At half past five that the master of the Owers light- in the evening, on the 18th of July, vessel was ill with suspected appendi- 1950, the life-boat Charles Cooper citis. At 11.25 the life-boat Canadian Henderson put to sea in a strong south- Pacific was launched in a moderate sea westerly wind with a choppy sea. She and southerly breeze, with a doctor was going to help a fishing vessel, which aboard. He examined the master and the coxswain had seen flying a distress decided to bring him ashore. An signal. Coming up with her about one ambulance was waiting and he was and a half miles north-east of the taken to the West Sussex Hospital. station the life-boat found she was the The life-boat returned to her moorings Golden Spray, of Faversham, with a At half-past two in the morning.— crew of three. Her engine had broken Hewards, £13 4s. 6d. Repaid to the down. At the request of her skipper Institution by the Trinity House. the life-boat towed her ashore, arriving THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950 back at her station at six o'clock.—• by her as she was dismasted with wires Rewards, £20 10*. foul of the propeller. At the request of the Corinne's owner, the life-boat DINGHY TOWED took the yacht in tow and brought her, Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—At and her crew of four, into Yarmouth 11.47 in the morning, on the 18th of harbour at ten o'clock.—Rewards, July, 1950, the coastguard reported £20 1*. 6d. that a sailing dinghy had capsized one and a quarter miles off Nevin Point. SICK MAN LANDED Thirteen minutes later the life-boat Barrow, Lancashire.—At 8.45 on the Charles Henry Ashley was launched in a evening of the 23rd of July, 1950, the fresh west-south-westerly breeze with Port Medical Officer advised the life- a smooth sea. When she arrived, she boat coxswain that the cargo vessel S.S. found that the motor boat Lotus had Sea Minstrel, of Dover, was expected already picked up the crew of two men off the port at one o'clock the following and was landing them. The life-boat morning. She had a very sick man on therefore took the dinghy—the Sark— board and the doctor thought it un- in tow and returned to her station, wise for him to be left aboard until arriving at 1.35. A letter was received the vessel could dock at six o'clock. from Lloyd's Agent at Porthdinllaen At 11.45 the life-boat N.T. was commending the life-boat crew on their launched in a moderate west-north- prompt turn-out.—Rewards, £6 14*. westerly breeze with a smooth sea running. She came up with the Sea LISTING HEAVILY Minstrel two miles west of Lightning Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At 8.15 on Knoll Buoy. As the doctor had de- the morning of the 21st of July, 1950, cided that the man should be trans- the Wick coastguard reported that the ferred to hospital, he was taken aboard S.S. Basilisk, of Swansea, a ship of the life-boat and landed at 2.30.— 7,000 tons laden with grain from Rewards, £10 1*. Canada, was in need of help. She was listing heavily. Seventeen minutes JUMPING FOR IT later the life-boat H.C.J. was launched in a light south-south-westerly breeze New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 4.15 on and smooth sea, but thick fog. She the afternoon of the 23rd of July, 1950, found the Basilisk three miles off the Wallasey Police reported that two Dunnet Head, and escorted her to people on a yacht at the foot of the Scrabster, where she was beached in sea wall were calling for help. At 4.45 the harbour. At the master's request the No. 2 life-boat Edmund and Mary the life-boat stood by the steamer until Robinson put out in a north-westerly noon the following day, returning to breeze with a moderate sea and found her station at one o'clock.—Property the yacht Jupiter, of West Kirby, near Salvage Case. Harrison Drive. As the life-boat ap- proached, she warned the two people aboard the yacht, by loud-hailer, to YACHT DISMASTED be prepared to jump. Then she went Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 10.45 alongside and they dragged them on the night of the 21st of July, 1950, aboard. The life-boat reached her the Ventnor coastguard passed on a station again at 5.30, and the yacht was message from the steamer Stability that brought in later by a motor boat. the yacht Corinne, of Glasgow, was dis- The owner made a donation to the funds abled and in need of help. Half an of the Institution.—Rewards, £5 15*. hour later the life-boat Langham, on temporary service at the station, was launched in a moderate westerly wind YACHTS IN DISTRESS and smooth sea. She came up with Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 11.47 the yacht at 5.30 next morning about on the morning of the 23rd of July, eight miles south-east from St. Cather- 1950, while racing was in progress, the ine's Point. Pending the arrival of coastguard transmitted a message re- the life-boat, a vessel had been standing ceived from the Cork lightvessel. A AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 93

By courtesy of] [J. Smailes & Son, Rhyl RESCUED FROM A RUBBER DINGHY (See page 78)

A TRACTOR LAUNCH AT SKEGNESS Photograph by Frank Mifsud reproduced by courtesy of "The Skegntis News" and of Wratcs, Pier, Skegtuss 94 THE LIFE-BOAT [ AUTUMN. 1950

By courtesy of] [Xational Maritime Museum, Greenwich LIFE-BOAT AND LIFE-SAVING EXHIBITION The old Worthing life-boat at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

VISITORS AT THE EXHIBITION The Mayor and Mayoress of Greenwich, Lady Kinahan, Vice-Admiral Sir Harold Kinahan, Mr. L. C. H. Cave, a member of the Institution's Committee of Management, and Mr. Frank Carr, director of the Museum (See page 109) AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 95

By cotirttsy of] [Edinburgh Evening NfU'S THE MONTROSE LIFE-BOAT: THE GOOD HOPE On her way to Edinburgh for a week's exhibition, in April 1930 96 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

By courtesy of] [Austen Hargreaves, A,I.E.P., Ramsgate, Kent

LONG JOHN SILVER AT RAMSGATE He is with the Mayor and Coxswain Douglas Kirkaldie on Life-boat Day, and has just been rescued by the life-boat AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 97

By courtesy of} [Central Office of Information WOMEN LAUNCHERS AT DUNGENESS

By tourtesy of] [Southern News Service and Evening Argus THE HASTINGS MOTOR MECHANIC HAS A DAY OFF 98 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN. 1950

By courtesy of] \ Isle of Man Examiner ANNUAL LIFE-BOAT RELIGIOUS SERVICE Held in the grounds of Peel Castle, Isle of Man

By courtesy of] [John Tindate, Whilly DANCING FOR THE LIFE-BOATS Goathland Plough Stotts in a Yorkshire village on Plough Monday. They are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their revival AUTUMN-, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 99

By courtesy of\ [East Essex Gazette RESCUED AND RESCUER The baby seal was stranded on the beach at Frinton and was adopted by Coxswain W. J. Oxley, of the Walton and Frinton life-boat 100 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

GRACE DARLING. An SIR WILLIAM HILLARY, Be. The founder A FAMOUS COXSWAIN. early Life-boat heroine. of the Life-boat Service. Born 1771. Coxswain Henry Blogg, In 1838, she and her died 1847. Realising the need of a regular G.C.. B.E.M., of Cromer. father rescued nine Service for the saving of life from ship- A life-boat man for 53 people stranded on a wreck round Britain's coasts, he founded, years, his record is rock, survivors from the in 1824, the Royal National Life-Boat unparalleled. He won wrecked ship For far- Institution. Besides establishing several the Gold Medal three shire, of Dundee. They life-boats on the coast, he took part times, the Silver Medal won Silver Medals. personally in many rescues, helping to four times, and helped (From the painting by save 350 lives, and being awarded the to save 873 lives. (From Thomas Musgrove Joy) Gold Medal of the Institution. In 1836 the painting by Thomas he was made a Chevalier of St. John of Dugdale, R.A.) Jerusalem.

GREATHEAD'S ORIGINAL First A LIFE-BOAT UNDER SAIL. A regular life-boat stationed on our pulling and sailing life-boat (about coasts. Built in 1789 by Henry 1850 onwards). Equipped with sails Greathead, of South Shields. She for swifter approach to wrecks; oars had continuous service for 40 years, were used when close in. Typical of latter half of Nineteenth Century. and took part in countless rescues, A NINETEENTH-CENTURY PULLING Many in use until recent times. saving numerous lives. LIFE-BOAT. Stationed at Padstow. This life-boat is typical of those used until about the middle of the Nine- teenth Century. Self-righting, she was propelled by oars. (From a painting by W. L. Wylie. R.A.)

A STEAM LIFE-BOAT. The Duke of THE FIRST DECK CABIN LIFE-BOAT. Northumberland, the first life-boat to The most up-to-date type of life-boat. be equipped with steam. Built in Built in 1948, and stationed at St. 1889, she was stationed at Harwich, Hclier, Jersey. She is 46 ft. 9 in. New Brighton and Holyhead. Alto- long, with two 40 h.p. Diesel engines gether six steam life-boats were built. AN EARLY MOTOR LIFE-BOAT. The (speed 8, knots), wireless, a loud- Sir Fitz-Roy Clayton. Built 1912, by hailer and a searchlight. Thames Ironworks Co., she was stationed at Newhaven until 1933. A motor self- righter, 38 ft. by 9 ft. 9 In., she performed 72 service launches, and rescued 107 lives. POSTER STAMPS OF THE LIFE-BOAT SERVICE (Sec page 83) AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 101 yacht two to three miles to the north- nurse on board and a small boat in east, was in need of help. At noon the tow. She landed the doctor and nurse life-boat E.M.E.D. put out in a rough on a rocky beach. When they had sea with a moderate south-westerly examined the boy, he was taken off, breeze blowing. She found the yacht and the life-boat returned, arriving at Vivetta moving under her own sail, 10.25. The motor fishing boat Pearl and escorted her to the Harwich Har- also went to the scene of the accident. bour entrance. She then went to the —Rewards, £13 12s. aid of a naval cutter of H.M.S. Ganges, in difficulties to the north-east of REFUGE ON A LIGHTVESSEL Bawdsey buoy; taking her in tow, ;he Ramsgate, Kent. — At 7.25 on the brought her into Harwich Harbour. evening of the 30th of July, 1950, the Casting off the cutter, the life-boat coastguard reported a message from spoke another yacht, which had been the East Goodwin Lightvessel. Two partly dismasted, but when the yacht exhausted canoeists were aboard, and declined help the E.M.E.D. made for they wanted the life-boat to land them. Walton, arriving at 7.50. A signal Accordingly sixteen minutes later the thanking the life-boatmen was received Prudential life-boat left her moorings from H.M.S. Ganges.—Rewards, £19. in a slight sea with a light south-south- westerly breeze blowing. She found A DIVERSION two men and their canoe on the light- Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—About 11.50 on vescel. They had sought refuge there the morning of the 23rd of July, 1950, while trying to get from Dover to the coastguard passed on a message France. The life-boat landed both from Woolwich asking for help for a men and canoe at 11.7.—Rewards, naval cutter four miles to the north- £11 Is. east of the Shipwash lightvessel. At five minutes past twelve the No. 2 life- THE INCOMPLEAT ANGLER boat Lucy Lavers was launched in a New Quay, Cardiganshire.—At 6.50 westerly breeze with a choppy sea; but in the evening, on the 31st of July, 1950, as there had been news meanwhile of an the Aberayron police telephoned that open boat in distress firing a red rocket, a motor boat from Aberayron was the Aldeburgh life-boat was diverted to flying distress signals six miles north- it, while the Walton and Frinton life- east of New Quay. At 7.10 the life- boat dealt with the naval cutter. boat St. Albans was launched. There Three miles south-west-by-west of Or- was a rough sea, and a strong breeze fordness, the Aldeburgh life-boat found blowing from the south-south-west. the yacht Skugga, of Rawdsey, with She came up with the motor boat two men aboard. She took her in Kittiwake off Llannon with a school- tow for Bawdsey Haven. While they master on board. He had been fishing, were under way, another yacht was but his engine had broken down. The reported flying a signal six miles south- life-boat rescued him, towed in his boat east of Orfordness Light. However, and reached her station again at 9.30 she did not need help, so the life-boat that night.—Rewards, £11 19s. continued on her way home and arrived at 6.15.—Rewards, £33 11*. 6d. The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in dis- AN INJURED BOY tress, were not needed or could do- Ramsey, Isle of Man.—At 8.35, on nothing : the evening of the 24th of July, 1950, Girvan, Ayrshire.—-July 2nd.—Re- the palice reported that a boy had wards, £7 1*. 6d. fallen over the 400 feet cliffs at Maug- Weymoutb, Dorset.—July 3rd.—Re- hold Head. He was so seriously wards, £5 13*. injured that he could not be carried Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—July up the cliff. The life-boat Thomas 6th.—Partly ptid permanent crew.—- Corbett was therefore launched at 8.45 Rewards, £2 15*. in a smooth sea and a light south- Clpvelly, Devon.—July 8th.—Re- westerly breeze, with a doctor and wards, £24 3*. 102 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN*, 1950

Skegness, Lincolnshire.—July 8th.—• AUGUST Rewards, £14. Weymouth, Dorset.—July 9th.—Re- During August, life-boats went out wards, £6 13*. on service 80 times and rescued 34 Torbay, Devon.—July 9th.—Re- lives. wards, £2 13*. Minehead, Somerset.—July 9th.— OCEAN STAR DOES NOT SHINE Rewards, £9 6*. Valentia, and Fenit, Co. Kerry.—At 4.30 Workington, Cumberland.-—July 9th. in the morning, on the 1st of August, —Rewards, £9 3*. 1950, the Valentia life-boat authorities New Brighton, Cheshire.—July llth. received a telephone message from the —Rewards, £5 15*. Dingle Civic Guard. The local motor Coverack, Cornwall.—July 12th.—Re- fishing vessel Ocean Star, with a crew wards, £8 17*. 6d. of two, was overdue and the other Fowey, Cornwall.—July 15th.—Re- fishing boats could not find her. At wards, £5 5*. 4.56 the life-boat B.A.S.P. left her Newcastle, Co. Down.—July, 15th.— moorings and searched widely in a very Rewards, £25 11*. 6d. rough sea, with a fresh west-south-west Thurso, Caithness-shire.—July 15th.— gale blowing. She spoke two trawlers, Rewards, £14 3*. but they had not seen the Ocean Star. Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—July 16th.— Accordingly, at 8.20, the Valentia life- Rewards, £24 13*. boat authorities telephoned the Fenit Poole, Dorset.—July 16th.—Rewards, life-boat station for help, and at 9.15 £85*. the life-boat City of Bradford I, on St. Abbs, Berwickshire.—July 16th.— temporary duty at the station, was Rewards, £7 6*. launched to search Brandon Bay and Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—July 17th. as far as the Blaskets. But it was the —Rewards, £8 1*. 6d. B.A.S.P. after all who found the Ocean Thurso, Caithness-shire.—July 18th. Star: at 10.30, in Dingle Bay. She —Rewards, £9 19*. 6d. had had an engine breakdown, but it Margate, Kent.—July 18th.—Rewards, was now repaired and she was making £12 7*. for Dingle. The B.A.S.P. escorted Dungeness, Kent.—July 18th.—Re- her to Dingle lighthouse and reached wards, £21 17*. her station again at 12.45 that after- Donaghadee, Co. Down.—July 21st.—- noon. The City of Bradford I arrived Rewards, £7 5*. at Fenit at six in the evening.— Peel, Isle of Man.—July 22nd.—Re- Rewards, Valentia, £14 6*.; Fenit, wards, £25 4*. £12 Is. Cadgwith, Cornwall.—July 23rd.— Rewards, £19. A LUCKY AMULET St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—July 23rd. Salcombe, Devon.—At 8.45 in the —Rewards, £7 5s. evening on the 3rd of August, 1950, Montr ose, Angus.—July 23rd.—Re- a report from Dartmouth announced wards, £13 19*. 6d. a small yacht in difficulties six miles Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire.—July 23rd. south-south-west of Prawle Point. —Rewards, £10 10*. There was an injured man aboard! Penlee, Cornwall—July 26th.—Re- Fifteen minutes later the life-boat wards, £8 9*. Milburn, on temporary duty at the Portrush, Co. Antrim.—July 27th.— station, was launched in a smooth sea Rewards, £10 17*. 6d. with a moderate south-westerly breeze. Dover, Kent.—July 27th.—Rewards, She found the yacht Amulet, of Fal- £6 18*. mouth, with a crew of five "Conway" Howth, Co. Dublin.-^July 30th.— cadets. She had engine trouble. The Rewards, £6. life-boat took the yacht in tow and Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.— arranged by radio for a doctor and an July 30th.—Rewards, £7 10*. ambulance to be ready on her arrival Stornoway," Outer Hebrides.—July at Salcombe, which they' reached at 31st.—Rewards, £6 13*. 12.15. The owner made a donation AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 103 to the funds of the Institution.—• then towed her into deep water. She Rewards, £8 19*. arrived back at her station at half past seven.—Rewards, £6 11s. LANDING THE INJURED St. Peter Port, Guernsey: and Torbay, DISABLED BY A BROKEN SHAFT Devon.—At 5.40 in the evening of the Newhaven, Sussex. — About three 4th of August, 1950, it was reported to o'clock on the afternoon of the 7th of the St. Peter Port life-boat authorities August, 1950, information was received that the S.S. Charlotte Schroder, of that a small motor boat seemed to need Hamburg, had had a boiler explosion, help, one mile off Cuckmere Haven, severely burning several people. She At 3.20 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian was thirty-three miles north-west of Philpott was launched in a calm sea Guernsey. At 6.8 the life-boat Queen and a slight westerly wind. She found Victoria, accompanied by Captain F. the local motor boat Kaylena disabled Nicolle, the honorary secretary, left by a broken shaft. One of her crew her moorings in a slight swell with a of three was transferred to the life-boat, light westerly breeze blowing. Mean- which towed her into harbour, arriving while the s.s. Delfland, of Amsterdam, at twenty minutes to five.—Rewards, had taken off three men; and about £7 16s. eight o'clock a speed-boat, which had put out from Guernsey, with a doctor, REFLOATED WITH DIFFICULTY ambulance men and the life-boat cox- Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 2.15 swain, arrived alongside the Delfland. on the morning of the 9th of August, Eventually the life-boat went along- 1950, the Southend Coastguard reported side too, and the injured men were a small white light at the north end of taken aboard. She then returned to Sheep Island. He thought it might Guernsey with them and two doctors, be a vessel aground. At 2.43 the life- the ambulance men, and a man from boat Manchester and Salford, on tem- the speed-boat; reaching her station porary duty at the station, was launched again at 12.15 the next morning. The in a heavy sea with a southerly breeze Torbay life-boat George Shee, which had blowing. She found the S.S. Rimsdale, been at Dartmouth for a life-boat flag of Glasgow, aground amidships and day on the 4th, was informed of the bumping, and together they tried to explosion by the Brixham coastguard refloat the steamer. But it was not until eight minutes after the St. Peter Port after high water that, with considerable life-boat. She left Dartmouth at 6.15, difficulty, she was refloated and went with a doctor on Iward; but her services on her way. The life-boat then re- were not required and she returned to turned to her station, arriving at 12.10. Dartmouth at 11.8 that night. Here —Rewards, £17 3*. 6d. she landed the doctor, and reached her station again at 12.20 in the morning Rhyl, Flintshire.—9th August. Service of the 5th.—Rewards, St. Peter Port, to a rubber dinghy. Rewards, £13 7s. £13 Is.; Torbay, £9 5s. 6d. The Institution granted additional awards of £2 each to Second Mechanic TOWED INTO DEEP WATER George Povah and Bowman J. Alcock. Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—Just For a full account of this service, before six o'clock on the evening of the see page 78. 6th August, 1950, the yacht Windward, of Helvick, with a crew of three, was ANCHORING A YACHT seen to strike the Dungarvan Harbour Dungeness, Kent.—At 9.40 on the Bar near Ballinacourty Point and heel night of the 10th of August, 1950, the over. At six o'clock the life-boat Lade coastguard reported a small boat H. F. Bailey was launched in a south- in distress off Broome Hill, Camber • westerly breeze and calm sea. She Sands. Ten minutes later the life- found the yacht aground. Some of the boat Charles Cooper Henderson was men in the boarding boat which the launched in a calm sea, with a fresh life-boat had brought with her took a south-westerly breeze. She found the rope to the yacht; and the life-boat yacht Roma II, disabled by an engine 104 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN-, 3950 breakdown, dragging her anchor about blowing; but she found no sign of the fifty yards off shore with four people yacht. It had become submerged at on board. At the request of the owner high tide, and the five people had the life-boat towed the yacht into gone ashore in a dinghy. Th s dinghy deeper water and anchored her, and had then floated away from the shore. then returned to her station, arriving The life-boat found it in the Swash, at 12.50.—Rewards, £25. towed it to Albion beach, and reached her station again at 1.15 the next HALLOWEEN IN AUGUST morning.—Rewards, £11 12*. New Quay, Cardiganshire.—At 4.35 in the afternoon, on the llth of August, REFLOATING A YACHT 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire. — At motor and sailing boat was burning 4.15 in the afternoon, on the 14th of flares two miles east-north-east of August, 1950, the Lytham barge re- New Quay. Fifteen minutes later the ported that a boat from the yacht life-boat St. Albans was launched in a Windlatter, of Preston, had told them rough sea and a strong west-south- the yacht was ashore. At 4.50 the westerly breeze. Half an hour later life-boat Dunleary left her moorings in she came up with the boat Hallorceen, a slight sea with a fresh westerly breeze then five miles east-north-east of New blowing, and found the Windlatter on Quay. She had a crew of two and Salters Bank. The boat had taken off twelve passengers on board. Her en- her crew of five, and so the life-boat gine had broken down, and she was escorted her to the barge. Later on under a small sail, but making leeway they decided to refloat the yacht, and at an alarming speed towards the shore. at seven that evening the life-boat left The life-boat took her in tow and the barge, towed the Windlatter clear, brought her into harbour, arriving at secured her to the barge, and reached 7.10.—Rewards, £11 15s. 6d. her station again at 11.30.—Rewards, £13 17s. CANOEISTS RESCUED Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—At ANCHORED ON A LEE SHORE 8.30 on the evening of the 12th of Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—About August, 1950, some visitors said that a 11.48 on the night of the 15th of August, canvas canoe seemed to be in diffi- 1950, the Kingston-on-Sea Coastguard culties two miles south-east of Dunmore. telephoned that a vessel was in distress A man and a boy of twelve were in the to the cast of Shorcham Harbour. At canoe, and there was a strong ebb tide 12.12 next morning the life-boat Jane and choppy sea. As night was ap- Holland, on temporary duty at the proaching it was decided to launch the station, was launched. The sea was life-boat. Fifteen minutes later the rough, with a strong breeze blowing Annie Blanche Smith put out in a south- from the south-south-west. She found westerly breeze, took the two people the motor yacht Path, with a crew of and their canoe aboard, and returned two, bound for the Medway, anchored to her station, arriving at half past on a lee shore half a mile east of the nine.—Rewards, £3 15s. harbour. Her engine had broken down and she was dragging. The life-boat A DRIFTING DINGHY towed her to harbour and reached her Walton and Frinton, Essex.—About station again at 1.55.—Property Sal- nine hi the night, on the 13th of August, vage Case. 1950, the Walton-on-the-Naze coast- guard telephoned that a resident had A DOCTOR IS TRANSPORTED reported a yacht on the Pye Sands. Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—At 5.25 on Later it was learned that the auxiliary the afternoon of the 15th of August, yacht Norman was overdue with two 1950, a doctor on the island of Eigg women, two children, and a man telephoned that a woman was seriously on board. At 10.20 the life-boat ill on Rhum Island, and that no suit- E.M.E.D. left her moorings in a moder- able boat was available in that weather. ate sea with a moderate easterly breeze In response to his request the life-boat AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 105 Sir Arthur Rose was launched at 5.50 Water Gipsy, of Ipswich, with one in a strong south-westerly wind. She man in her. Her tiller had carried crossed to Eigg, picked up the doctor, away. The Lucy Lasers put two life- and took him to Rhum, arriving back boatmen on board and then towed her at her station at half past twelve in the to South wold. She arrived back at her morning.—Rewards, £12 5s. station at 5.30 that evening.—Rewards, £31 18s. Qd. A MAGNETO FAILURE Peel, Isle of Man.—Shortly after one BEACHING A HOLED YACHT •o'clock on the afternoon of the 15th Douglas, Isle of Man.—At eleven •of August, 1950, the harbour master o'clock on the morning of the 20th of notified the honorary secretary that the August, 1950, the life-boat Elsie, on local fishing yawl Ruby, overdue with a temporary duty at the station, was <^rew of two, had broken down at White launched to help the motor yacht Barra- Strand, two miles north-cast of Peel. cuda, of Belfast. With a crew of four At 1.50 the life-boat Helen Sutton was aboard, shs had been driven on to the launched in a moderate sea with a rocks near the life-boathouse in Douglas •strong south-westerly breeze. She Harbour. The sea was rough with a found the Ruby at anchor, disabled by fresh south-easterly breeze; the yacht a magneto failure, and took her in was badly holed and sinking. How- tow. Then she returned to her station, ever, they got her off the rocks, and arriving at 2.40. The owners thanked the life-boatmen went on baling until the life-boatmen.—Rewards, £13 12s. Qd. high tide. Then they were able to beach her. The life-boat reached her ON A REEF station again at 3.10 in the afternoon. Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — About —Property Salvage Case. •8.45 in the evening, on the 16th of August, 1950, the Southcnd Coast- A DAY OF RESCUES guard telephoned that a small vessel Girvan, Ayrshire.—At 12.30 in the had been reported oil a reef at Arran- afternoon, on the 20th of August, 1950, man's Barrels Buoy, Macharioch. At a resident telephoned that rowing boats 9.13 the life-boat Manchester and Sal- were in difficulties outside the harbour. ford, on temporary duty at the station, At 12.40 the life-boat Lily Glen- left her moorings in a smooth sea with Glasgow, left her moorings. The sea a, light south-westerly breeze. She was rough with a strong south-south- found the motor launch Tor Spray, of east breeze blowing. She found' two Glasgow, with three men on board, boats about one mile out, one with two bound for Ballycastlc. The tide was people and the other with three. The rising and the life-boat stood by until life-boat took them on board, landed the motor launch reiloated. Then, as them, and on getting another message she had no lights, her crew decided to that a rowing boat was making signals make for Campbeltown; so the life- six miles out to sea, put out again. She boat escorted her in, arriving at 11.20 found two men exhausted, rescued that night. The owner made a gift them, and arrived back at three o'clock. to the funds of the Institution.—• —Rewards, £7 Is. Qd. Rewards, £6 15s. 6d. SERVICE TO A MOTOR BARGE JUST A WATER GIPSY Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — At 8.44 on Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—At 12.27 in the the evening of the 24th of August, 1950, afternoon, on the 17th of August, 1950, the coastguard reported a vessel firing the coastguard telephoned that a yacht, distress signals in Spitway. The sea making heavy weather, had lowered was rough and a moderate breeze was her sail and hoisted a flag. So, at 12. .5 blowing from the south-south-west, the No. 2 life-boat Lucy Lovers was when at 8.56 the life-boat Edward Z. launched in a rough sea with a strong Dresden was launched. She found the breeze blowing from the south-south- motor barge Lewes Castle, of London, west. One mile south-west of Sizewell with her skipper and two crew aboardj Bank Buoy she found the sailing yacht anchored west of Swin Bell Buoy. 106 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 195O

The life-boat took off her crew, but the children were aboard. A life-boatman skipper had a broken arm; so arrange- was put aboard to help with the pumps ments were made by radio for an and the life-boat then towed her into ambulance to meet the life-boat when harbour, and beached her at eleven she returned to shore. She got there at minutes past one in the morning. Two quarter past ten. Next morning, the men were left to bale until the yacht weather was calmer, and at 6.32 the was safe. The life-boat returned to life-boat was launched again, at the her station and was moored at three request of the skipper, with one of his o'clock.—Rewards, £9 14s. 6d. crew on board. She towed the barge to Brightlingsea, and returned to her A LITTLE SHIRTY station at 10.45.—Rewards, 1st service, Dungeness, Kent.—At 10.20 on the £7 15*.; 2nd service, Property Salvage morning of the 26th of August, 1950, Case. the Sandgate coastguard reported that a fishing boat had broken down one TWO COMMODORES mile west of Sandgate. She was flying St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—About nine a shirt on an oar as a distress signal. o'clock on the night of the 25th of At 10.47 the life-boat Charles Cooper August, 1950, the M.V. Island Commo- Henderson was launched, in a very dore reported that her engine had choppy sea with a strong breeze blow- broken down three miles north-east of ing from the south-south-west. She Platte Fougere Point, but that she did found the fishing boat Our Betty, of not need immediate help. She was Folkestone, with a crew of three, and returning from Alderney with" nineteen towed her to Folkestone Harbour. passengers and a crew of seven. At Then she returned to her station, 9.30, however, she sent a message that arriving at 3.35 in the afternoon.— she was unable to do repairs. Twenty- Rewards, £31 5,9. five minutes later the life-boat Queen Victoria was launched in a calm sea OFF ST. CATHERINE'S POINT with a light breeze blowing from the Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—At 6.8 on south-south-west, followed by a sister the morning of the 26th of August, ship of the Island Commodore, the White 1950, the Foreland Coastguard reported Commodore. The M.V. Winchester had a small yacht in need of help half a been standing by the Island Com- mile south of St. Catherine's Point. At modore, but went or her way when the 6.25 the life-boat Langham, on tem- life-boat arrived. When the White porary duty at the station, was launched Commodore came up she took her sister in a rough sea with a fresh south-south- ship in tow, and the life-boat then westerly breeze. She came up with escorted both vessels to harbour. This the yacht—the Gvcenili—took her in was reached at 1.5 in the morning. tow and brought her, witli her crew of The Agents of the vessels made a four, into Bcmbridge Harbour. While donation.—Rewards, £8 14s. she was there, the coastguard said that a sailing boat seemed to be in diffi- A YACHT IS BEACHED culties; but when the life-boat came Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. up with her she was moving and in no —At 10.45 on the night of the 25th of need of help. The Langham therefore August, 1950, the Gorleston coastguard returned to her station, arriving at passed on a message from the British 10.15. The owners of both boats made ship Cornea. She had the Dutch yacht gifts to the Institution's funds.—• Amy II in tow, disabled by an engine Rewards, £13 8s. 6d. breakdown, and leaking; and needed a life-boat to help the yacht into Har- ASHORE IN THE FOG bour. At 11.10 the life-boat Louise Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — At 5.50 Stephens was launched in a moderate in the morning, on the 27th of August, swell wtih a fresh south-south-westerly 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a breeze. She came up with the yacht vessel was ashore one mile north of three miles east of the Gorton light- Rattray Head. At 6.10 the life-boat vessel; the owner, his wife and three Julia Park Barry, of Glasgoiv, was AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 107 launched. The weather was foggy, fishing vessel Pennan, of Fraserburgh, and there was a ground swell with a was on a rock near the western entrance freshening southerly breeze blowing. to Mallaig harbour. Ten minutes later She found the steam trawler Tesla, of the life-boat Sir Arthur Rose left her Hull, on Kirkton Head four miles moorings in a slight swell and light north by west of Peterhead. The tide south-westerly breeze. She found the was low. The life-boat ran out an Pennan, with a crew of three, almost anchor from the ship's bow and, when high and dry, and pulling her clear, the tide rose, pulled her clear. A tug towed her into harbour, arriving at then escorted her to Aberdeen, and the ten minutes past eleven. The skipper life^boat returned to her station, arriv- of the vessel expressed his thanks.— ing at 12.30 that afternoon. — Property Rewards, £4 10s. Salvage Case. EMPTY BOATS TOWED . AND NOW, A SEA GIPSY Swanage, Dorset.—At 6.5 in the Dover, Kent.— At 11.9 on the morn- evening, on the 29th of August, 1950, ing of the 27th of August, 1950, the the coastguard telephoned a message Sandgate coastguard said that a vessel from the St. Albans Head coastguard at sea had informed him, through Niton that a motor boat was two miles south- Radio, that the motor launch Sea Gipsy, west by west of the Head. There was bound for Dover from Calais, was in no sign of life in her, but it was thought difficulties nine miles south-east of that someone might have fallen over- Dover. At 11 .40 the life-boat Southern board or be in the bottom. At 6.10, Africa was launched in a rough sea the life-boat R.L.P. was launched in and a fresh west-south-westerly breeze. a rough sea with a west-south-west She found the launch leaking, with a breeze blowing. She found the boat defective engine. There was a crew empty, and took her in tow. Then of three aboard. At the request of she noticed an upturned sailing dinghy, the owner the life-boat escorted the righted her and towed both boats to Sea Gipsy into Dover, and after seeing Swanage Bay, reaching her station her safely moored in Wellington Dock again at 8.15.—Property Salvage Case. returned to her station. She reached it at half past one. The owner made TO THE RESCUE OF A COXSWAIN a gift to the life-boatmen.- — Rewards, Newcastle, Co. Down.—About 6.20 in the evening, on the 29th of August, 1950, the Kilkeel coastguard tele- A DOUBLE TOW phoned that a motor launch had broken Newhaven, Sussex. — At 7.5 On the down and was anchored two miles evening of the 28th of August, 1950, south-east of Kilkeel. Her crew were the coastguard reported that a vessel, waving a flag. She was in no immediate with another in tow, had broken down danger, but later on the weather got off Beachy Head lighthouse. Later worse. The life-boat William and reports said that the vessels were Laura was therefore launched at eight drifting. At 8.8 the life-boat Cecil and o'clock, with the honorary secretary, Lilian Philpott was launched in a Mr. J. F. McCartan, on board. The moderate sea and southerly wind, sea was moderate with a swell, and the and came up with the motor boat wind was blowing moderately from Providence, of Dover, with the Molla II the south-south-east, when she came in tow. Both vessels were very close up with the local motor launch Skimmer inshore. The life-boat towed them I. The life-boat coxswain and four and their crew of two to the harbour, others were on board; these four the reaching her station again at one the life-boat rescued. She then put a next morning. —Rewards , £14 2s. man on board to help the coxswain, took the launch in tow, and returned HIGH AND DRY to her station, arriving at 11.50 that Mallaig, Inverness-shire. — At 9.50 on night. The owner made a gift to the the night of the 29th of August, 1950, a funds of the Institution.-—Rewards, message was received that the motor £16 6s. 108 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950 FIVE PEOPLE LANDED Weymouth, Dorset.—-August 7th.—- Islay, Inner Hebrides.—At 8.50, on Rewards, £8 10s. the evening of the 29th of August, Dungeness, Kent.—August 7th.— 1950, it was learned that a small Rewards, £23 12s. pulling boat from Caol Ha Distillery St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—-August had been carried south through the 8th.—Rewards, £10 3s. Sound of Islay and would be unable to Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—August return against the tide. She had five 8th.—Rewards, £6 9s. people, including a woman and a child, Angle, Pembrokeshire.—August 8th. on board. At 9.5, as darkness was —Rewards, £13 18s. approaching, the life-boat Charlotte Portrusb, Co. Antrim.—August 9th. Elizabeth was launched. There was a —Rewards, £6 7s. 6d. calm sea, but an exceptionally fast tide St. Helier, Jersey.— August 9th.— was running through the Sound. She Rewards, £9 18s. 6d. found the small boat about three miles Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—August south of Port Askaig, and taking the llth.—Rewards, £18 3s. 6d. people aboard and the boat in tow, Scarborough, Yorkshire.—August llth she returned to her station by 10.10.—• —Rewards, £12 15s. 6d. Rewards, £5 6s. Margate, Kent.—August 12th.—Re- wards, £6 7s. 6d. ONE MAN AND HIS BOAT Weymouth, Dorset.—August 13th.—• Salcombe, Devon.—About seven in Rewards, £11 6s. 6d. the evening, on the 31st of August, 1950, Blytb, Northumberland.—August 13th the Hope Cove coastguard telephoned —Rewards, £12 17s. that a man in a rowing boat about a Peel, Isle of Man.—August 13th.— mile south of Prawle Point was in Rewards, £22 2s. difficulties. At 7.15 the life-boat Mil- Cullercoats, Northumberland.-—August burn, 011 temporary duty at the station, 14th.—Rewards, £19 3s. was launched, with the honorary sec- Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—August retary, Commander A. C. Roberts, 15th.—Rewards, £14 2s. O.B.E., R.N., on board. The sea was Bridlington, Yorkshire.—August 15th. smooth, with a moderate noith-north- •—Rewards, £6 8s. west breeze blowing. She found a Wicklow.—August 16th. —Rewards, local rowing boat two miles south- £13 7s. south-west of Start Point, and towed Cromer, Norfolk. — August 17th.— her and her occupant to Salcombe. Rewards, £11 7s. She reached her station again at ten Dover, Kent. — August 17th. — Re- that night.—Rewards, £7 10*. wards, £8 Is. The following life-boats went out on Dungeness, Kent. •—• August 17th. — service, but could find no ships in Rewards, £28 17s. distress, were not needed or could do Amble, Northumberland. •— August nothing: 20th.—Rewards, £6. Humber, Yorkshire.—August 2nd.— Margate, Kent.—August 20th.—Re- Paid Permanent Crew. wards, £10 11s. 6d. Walmer, Kent.—-August 2nd. — Re- Great Yarmouth and Gorlcston, Norfolk. wards, £17 18*. —August 22nd.—Rewards, £13 2s. 6d. Holyhead, Anglesey.—August 2nd.— Skegness, Lincolnshire.—August 22nd. Rewards, £4 10s. —Rewards, £11 13s. Fowey, Cornwall. — August 2nd.— Newhaven, Sussex.—August 23rd.—- Rewards, £5 5s. Rewards, £7 16s. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—August 3rd. Arbroatb, Angus. — August 23rd.— —Rewards, £8 19*. Rewards,£8 15s. 6d. Walmer, Kent.—• August 5th. — Re- Montrose, Angus.—August 23rd.—Re- wards, £12 Is. wards, £8 11s. Walmer, Kent.—August 5th.—Re- Sheringham, Norfolk.—August 23rd. wards, £17 9*. —Rewards, £21 5s. St. Ives, Cornwall.—August 6th.— Exmouth, Devon.—August 24th.— Rewards, £12 15s. Rewards, £18 7s. AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 109

Whitehills, Banffshire.—August 24th. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—August 27th. —Rewards, £8 6s. —Rewards, £8 15*. Walmer, Kent.—August 25th.—Re- St. Helier, Jersey.—August 27th.— wards, £20 17s. Rewards, £5 5s. Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—August 25th. Ramsgate, Kent. — August 29th. — •—Rewards, £5 5s. Rewards, £7 7*. Gd. Poolc and Bournemouth, Dorset.— Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—August August 27th.—Rewards, £8 3*. 6d. 30th.—Rewards, £6.

Life-boat Exhibition at Greenwich Last spring the Trustees of the latest type of motor life-boat launched National Maritime Museum at Green- only a few days ago, on 4th May, 1950. wich, and the Museum's director, Mr. Artists' pictures of thrilling rescues, Frank Carr, decided to arrange a special ancient and modern, share with photo- life-boat and life-saving exhibition. graphs the space on the screens; where To the Museum's own models were plans also find a place. There are added seventeen from the Institution's portraits, too, from that of the founder collection. The Institution also sent of the Life-boat Institution, Sir William thirty-one paintings, two-dozen photo- Hillary, to a splendid picture of Cox- graphs, its gold, silver and bronze swain Blogg, of the Cromer boat, the medals, historic manuscripts, and the most famous of modern coxswains. pulling and sailing life-boat, Richard "The manuscripts exhibited include Coleman, which was stationed at Wor- a letter from Sir William Hillary, dated thing from 1901 until 1930, and since November 27th, 1830, containing a the station was closed in 1930 has been thrilling account of the rescue from on exhibition at Worthing. the wreck of the St. George, for which The exhibition cannot be better he won one of his three gold medals described than in the announcement of for gallantry; the signed original of it made by the Maritime Museum the Prince of Wales's introduction to itself: "Britain's Life-boats," published in "The exhibition is unique in show- 1923; and the original of Joseph Con- ing, for the first time, a complete his- rad's foreword to the same book, tory of life-saving at sea, from the signed, and with amendments in his earliest days of organized effort, right own hand. The exhibition also in- up to the present time. cludes some life-saving medals." "With the co-operation of the Royal The exhibition was opened on the National Life-boat Institution, which 16th of May, which was the life-boat has placed the whole of its models, flag day in Greater London, by the pictures and records at the disposal of Mayor of Greenwich, and Vice-Admiral the Museum, and with the help of the Sir Harold Kinahan, C.B., C.B.E., Ministry of Transport and H.M. Coast- the Admiral President of the Royal guard, who have provided and set up Naval College at Greenwich, presided. a full-sized rocket life-saving appara- Mr. L. C. H. Cave, a member of the tus, a comprehensive story is told. Committee of Management, represented " In the Museum grounds a full-sized the Institution and thanked the Mayor pulling-and-sailing life-boat of the old and the Museum. type, on her launching carriage, may The exhibition remained open until be seen; and here also is the rocket the 10th of June. It is not possible to life-saving apparatus of H.M. Coast- say how many people sawlt, but during guard, properly set up and in working those three and a half weeks over 16,000 order. Within the Museum, in the people visited the museum, and in Print Room Gallery, some twenty-five addition a large number came into the scale models show nearly every im- museum grounds, and saw the Worthing portant type of life-boat, from the life-boat and the rocket life-saving first Great head boat of 1789, to the apparatus. 110 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

Ghost Cabinets THE Institution now has two ghost rescued being brought to harbour on cabinets, to show the changes in the board an open pulling and sailing life- equipment of the Life-boat Service. boat, exposed to wind and sea. This They are on the principle of the old scene of exposure changes to the inside "Peppers Ghost," and are worked by of the deck-cabin of the modern life- a penny in the slot. In each cabinet boats, with the rescued sitting in are two models, one of an old scene, shelter and warmth, while a life-boat- the other of a new. By means of a man is at the cabin cooker serving out revolving light and a smoked glass hot drinks. the new scene replaces the old. The first of these cabinets is now In the one cabinet a pulling and in the Kursaal on the front at sailing life-boat is seen lying close to Southend-on-Sea, through the kind- a wreek in a stormy sea, and one of the ness of Mr. C. J. Morehouse, the crew is throwing a line to it by means Kursaal's managing director. The of the leaded cane. This changes to other, after being shown at the Model a motor life-boat, firing its line-throwing Engineer Exhibition, has gone to gun from 80 yards away. In the the Life-boat Museum in the old other cabinet the first scene is of the boat-house at Eastbourne.

Model Engineer Exhibition THE Model Engineer Exhibition very Sheffield branch of the Institution. kindly gave the Institution space for The models were of the Elizabeth a display when it was held this year Rippon, the life-boat at St. Helier, at the Horticultural Hall from August Jersey, a 46 feet 9 inches Watson deck the 9th to the 19th. The Institution cabin life-boat; and of the St. Albans, showed models of the first lifeboat, a of New Quay, Cardigan, Wales, a 35 feet pulling and sailing lifeboat, a motor 6 inches Liverpool type. The Elizabeth life-boat, a launching slipway, and Rippon was a working model, and photographs of life-boats and cox- radio-controlled. swains. It also sent one of its ghost Both boats were beautifully con- cabinets, which attracted much atten- structed, and complete and accurate in tion. Nearly a thousand people put every detail; and they, received an in their pennies to see it. appropriate recognition, for the working AMONG the exhibits were two models model gained a bronze medal and the of modern life-beats made by Lt.- St. Albans a diploma. As this was Colonel Eric Bays and his two sons, Colonel Bays' first attempt at showing aged eight and ten. Colonel Bays is in this exhibition, the result is very a member of the committee of the gratifying, not least to the Institution.

£137 from a Picture Catalogue AN exhibition of Dutch and Flemish exhibition was opened by the Countess pictures was held in his Bond Street Howe, chairman of the Central Lon- gallery, in May and June, by Mr. don Women's Committee of the Insti- Eugene Slatter, and he very kindly tution. The sale of these catalogues gave the money from the sale of the has brought to the Institution over catalogues to the Institution. The £137. AUTUJIN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT in

Spanish Awards: Presentations at Ilfracombe AT the annual meeting, the Duke of chairman of the branch, presided, and San Lucar la Mayor, the Spanish the arrangements were made by Mr. F. G. Charge d'Affaires, announced the awards Reed, J.P., honorary secretary of the which the Spanish Life-boat Society branch. Hundreds of visitors were had made for the rescue of 23 lives from present. the Spanish steamer Monte Gurugu in Commander Martel reminded the the Bristol Channel on the 13th of audience that it was not very far from November, 1919. the waters of the Bristol Channel that Silver prize medals were awarded to the Spanish fleet suffered the greatest Coxswain Cecil Irwin, of Ilfracombe, defeat in its annals. In speaking of Coxswain Sydney Cann, of Appledore, the rescue of the men of the Monte and Coxswain George Lamey, of Gurugu he said, "All Spanish papers Clovelly, and diplomas of merit to the were unanimous in praising the bravery crews of the three life-boats. Medals, of the North Devon life-boat crews, diplomas, and letters of thanks were and I feel confident that Ilfracombe also awarded to those who had helped will occupy a cherished place in Spanish to look after the rescued men. maritime history." On the 30th of June, Lieut.-Com- A vote of thanks to Commander mander Ignacio Martcli the Spanish Martel was proposed by Major Stewart Naval Attache, presented the medals Watson, R.M., deputy secretary of the at Ilfracombe. The ceremony took Institution, and seconded by Rear- place on the pier. Mr. A. Norman, Admiral H. G. C. Franklin.

A Letter from Three Collectors "LAURAINE my cousin, Timothy my 7s. and hope that it will help you save friend, and myself had a show in which more people from drowning. we had on show our colections of buter- "Last time we colected 6/- and are flies, moths, birds egg's cigarette cards, pleased to have colected more. stamps, stons, moss and shells. "Each person had to pay 4d. to enter "Yours sincerley, and see our collections and we are SONJA, TIMOTHY and pleased to say that we have colected LAURAINE."

Life-boat in the Highland Show THE Royal Highland and Agricultural from Miss E. S. Paterson of Paisley, Show day was held in Paisley from the was on view. She attracted a very 20th to the 23rd of June, and the Watson lively interest, and collections arranged cabin life-boat from Portpatrick, the by the Paisley branch and Ladies Jeanie Spiers, a gift to the Institution Life-boat Guild brought in over £265.

A Noted Badge DURING a recent visit to Scotland Yard be changed. The inspector replied to discuss future flag-day arrangements that the previous week a Swedish with the police, the district organising police official had been at the Yard, to secretary for Greater London asked study its methods of controlling street the inspector what he thought of the collections, and the first question that Institution's emblem, as there had he asked was: "What is the Society been suggestions that it might perhaps for which the little boats are sold?" 112 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

Mr. Linton Thorp, K.C. THE Committee of Management have mittee and the Boat and Construction lost a very active member by the sud- Committee. On more than one occa- den death, on the 6th of July, at the sion he gave the Institution valuable age of 66, of Mr. Linton • Thorp, advice and help with complicated legal K.C., LL.B., J.P., Recorder of Saffron matters. Walden and Maldon, and at one time His last service to the Institution, a judge in Egypt and Member of only five weeks before his death, Parliament for Nelson and Colne. Mr. was to represent the Committee of Thorp was co-opted to the Committee Management in the party which went of Management in 1948, served on the in the Margate lifeboat on the pil- General Purposes and Publicity Com- grimage to Dunkirk.

Death of a Launcher ON the afternoon of the 30th of May, severely injured that it had to be ths life-boat at Cullercoats ran an amputated, but he died. His widow engine trial. As she was being re- is his only dependent relative. She placed on her carriage she slipped and has been pensioned by the Institution fell on one of the launchers, a man of as if her husband had been a sailor sixty-seven. One of his legs was so killed in action.

Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of Second pool, who was appointed at the begin- Coxswain Cuthbert Cornall, of Black- ning of 1917.

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen The late HENRY CORKISH. who for 22 To HAROLD K. WATSON, on his retirement, years was coxswain of the Ramsey life-boat, after serving for 271 years as motor mechanic a certificate of service to his daughter. and 5 years as a member of the crew of the Bembridge life-boat, a life-boatman's certifi- To WILLIAM TRACEY, on his retirement, cate of service, gratuity and a retirement after serving for 4 years as coxswain, 10|- allowance. years as second coxswain and 9J- years as To ALFRED A. CHINCHEN, on his retire- bowman of the Seaham life-boat, a coxswain's ment, after serving for 22 years as motor certificate of service and an annuity. mechanic and 16 years as a member of the crew of the Swanage life-boat, a life-boat- To JOHN CRAWFORD, on his retirement, man's certificate of service, gratuity and a after serving for 4] years as second coxswain, retirement allowance. 51 years as bowman and 19 years a.« a mem- ber of the crew1 of the Fraserburgh life-boat, To ARTHUR P. OILLEK, on his retirement, a life-boatman's certificate of service and an after serving for 10 J years as assistant motor annuity. mechanic and 20 years as a member of the crew of the Uungencss life-boat, a life-boat- To PETER RAMSAY, on his retirement, after man's certificate of service and an annuity. serving for 1J years as bowman and 19 J To LESLIF. BEVAN, on his retirement, after years as a member of the crew of the Port- serving for 22 years as a member of the crew patrick life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of the Tenby life-boat, a life-boatman's of service. certificate of service. AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 113

Awards to Honorary Workers

Honorary Life-Governors MRS. J. CARR, vice-president and president, The following have been appointed Honor- Horwich branch. ary Life-Governors of the Institution and are MR. H. ORMSON DIXON, late honorary sec- presented with a copy of the vote inscribed on retary, Bolton branch. Vellum and signed by H.R.H. the Duchess of MRS. J. F. L. FORMBY, president, Liverpool Kent, President of the Institution: Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. L. COI.LINGS-.JONES, in recognition of MRS. K. V. HAWORTII, late honorary sec- the valuable help she has given for over fifty retary, Keswick branch. years, especially as president and honorary MRS. EDGAR JENKINS, honorary secretary secretary of the Smethwick branch. and then president, Pontypridd branch. MR. W. M. FRISKNEY, in recognition of the MRS. W. J. KINSEY, president and then valuable help he has given as honorary sec- retary of the Teesmouth station extending patron, Romiley branch. over a period of twenty-seven years. MRS. NOYCE, honorary secretary, Andover MR. W. E. MOUNSEY, F.C.A., J.P.. in recog- branch. nition of the valuable help he has given as MRS. POPPE, honorary secretary, Isle of honorary treasurer of the Port of Liverpool Sheppey Ladies' Life-boat Guild. branch for over thirty-eight years. MR. GEORGE SCANTLEBURY, M.B.E., in recognition of the valuable help he has given as Statuette of a Life-boatman honorary secretary of the Plymouth station, The Statuette of a Life-boatman has been for twenty-five years. awarded to the following honorary officials MRS. BERTRAM ABEL SMITH, O.B.E., in and workers: recognition of the valuable help she has given as a member and chairman of the Central MRS. BATTYE, Hepworth. London Women's Committee. MR. B. N. BENSON, Portsmouth. Miss D. BRADBEER, Exeter. Thanks of the Institution on Vellum Miss EILEEN CdkROY, Crawley, Worth and The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Three Bridges. Vellum has been awarded to the following THE RT. HON. COUNTESS OF DALIIOUSJE, honorary secretaries of life-boat stations on Brechin. their retirement. MR. W. GARNER, M.B.E., Baling. MR. J. WALDIE GRIFFITHS, of Ferryside. COMMANDER F. R. HOLMSTHOM, O.B.E., COMMANDER W. HIGHFIELD, O.B.K., R.N., R.N. (retd.), Sheffield. of Hastings. MR. W. INGHAM, St. Annes-on-Sea. CAPTAIN F. HOLLINGSWORTH, of Holy MRS. G. E. JACKSON, Wakefield. Island and Newbiggin. MRS. O. KNOWLES, Pocklington. Binocular Glass MRS. LININGTON, Margate. VICE-ADMIRAL F. P. LODER-SYMONDS, The Binocular Glass, with an inscription, C.M.G., J.P., R.N. (retd.), Hereford. has been awarded to: MRS. A. A. LUXMOORE, Durham. MR. H. L. GOODSON, president and chair- MRS. MENSCH, Withington, Manchester. man, Aldeburgh Station. Miss EUNICE MORGAN, Pontypridd. It has also been awarded to the following MR. H. MORGAN, Aberystwyth. honorary secretaries of life-boat stations in Miss M. PEARCE, Birmingham. recognition of valuable services: MRS. PETERS, Berwick-on-Tweed. CAPTAIN F. II. HICKS, St. Ives. MR. ROBERT ROBERTSON, Grangemouth. MR. P. BRUCE LAUBENSON, L.D.S. (EDIN.), Miss O. RUDD, J.P., Exeter. Lerwick. MRS. HEDI.EY SIMONS, Hayle. MR. J. S. LAWRENCE, Minehead. MR. C. STEVENSON, Belper. MR. CRAWFORD MACLEAN, Islay. MRS. ALBERT TAYLOR, Swinton, Man- LIEUTENANT L. N. SANDERSON, R.N. V.R., chester. Scarborough. MRS. THICKPENNY, Shrewsbury. Gold Badge MRS. BRIAN TINKER, Hepworth. The Gold Badge has been awarded to: MR. F. E. F. TOOKF.Y, M.B.E., Isle of MR. C. E. D. ARCHER, chairman, North- Wight. ampton branch. MRS. R. H. URWICK, O.B.E., Shrewsbury. MRS. ASIIPOI.E, honorary secretary, Lich- Miss WEISER, Withington, Manchester. field branch. ENG. COMMANDER II. J. AITCHISON WHITE, MRS. BLAIR, honorary worker, Caterham O.B.E., R.N., Winchester. branch. Miss ELEANOR WILSON, Bannoekburn. 114 THE LIFE-BOAT [AUTUMN, 1950

Record of Thanks Miss H. M. MELLOR, Macclesfleld. MRS. MORSE, Crewe. The Record of Thanks has been awarded to the following honorary officials and Miss MYOTT, Shrewsbury. workers: MRS. POOLE, Northam. MRS. QUALTROUGH, Castletown. Miss CHARLOTTE BILK, Cowes, Isle' of MRS. KEITH RAE, Hamilton. Wight. MR. S. E. G. RILEY, Herne Bay. Miss D. L. BOEGEWITZ, Waterloo, Liver- MRS. ROBERTS, Aigburth, Liverpool. pool. MR. JOHN A. D. Ross, Annan. MRS. E. BUCHANAN, Hightown, Liverpool. MRS. RUTHVEN, Kilsyth. ME. F. BRANSON, Northampton. MRS. E. S. SHARP, Silverdale. Miss E. L. DAVENPORT, Rhyl. Miss E. SLADE, Minehead. MRS. DAVIES, Bedlington. MRS. G. SMITH, Leamington Spa. MRS. H. DUDGEON, Blackrock, Dublin. MRS. DOUGLAS TAYLOR, Gt. Crosby, Liver- Miss EARNSHAW, Kirkburton. pool. MR. G. B. ELPHICK, Chester. MRS. K. THOULD, Leamington Spa. Miss A. E. DA FONSECA, Grange over Miss E. TROUGHTON, WhiteViaven. Sands. MRS. VENNER, Margate. Miss L. F. GIBBONS, Aigburth, Liverpool. MRS. WADDINGTON, Barrow-in-Furness. MRS. AUSTIN GIBSON, Llandudno. MRS. WALKER, Leeds. MR. G. F. GIBSON, Hoylake. Miss WEBBORN, Mumbles. MRS. GORMAN, Saltcoats. LIEUT. W. E. WESTWOOD, M.I.B.E., MRS. RICHARD GRICE, J.P., Millom. R.A.F., Hackney. MRS. HUDSON, Bedlington. MR. AND MRS. ARTHUR WHALLEY, Stock- Miss E. IRVINE, Aigburth, Liverpool. port. MR. R. H. JACK, Kilsyth. Miss WILLIAMS, Kensington. Miss NAN JEFFREY, Kirkintilloch. MRS. HAROLD WOODIIOUSE, Brownhills. MR. A. L. KIRKALDY, M.C., Buckhaven. MRS. DOUGLAS LANE, Westward Ho! The Record of Thanks has also been MRS. LITTLEWOOD, Barrow-in-Furness. awarded to : MRS. T. MAKINSON, Orrell. MB. T. BRANSON, A.R.I.B.A., A.A. MRS. GEOFFREY MANCHESTER, Poynton. honorary secretary, National Day of Magic.

£18 From Photographs THE Crewe Photographic Society held charge was made, but life-boat collecting a two-days exhibition in April. Two boxes were placed in the exhibition. thousand people came to see it. No The sum of £18 10,?. 4d. was put in them.

The Queen Elizabeth in Sand LAST September five boys made a sand from those who stopped to look at it model on the Southwold beach of the and gave them to the Southwold branch Queen Elizabeth, collected seven shillings of the Institution.

2d. a Week A SMALL London firm has a life-boat tion about £10 a year. Each of the em- collecting box which brings the Institu- ployees of the firm puts in 2cl. a week. AUTUMN, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 115

A Balloon Race THE Heston, Isleworth, and Brentford It came down at Boussu-Bois, and Chiswick branch of the Institu- Hainaut, in Belgium, and from there tions has held a very successful bazaar. the tab attached to it was returned One of its attractions was a toy to the branch. The second balloon balloon race, the third which the travelled 200 miles. The first prize branch has arranged. The winning for the race was a chicken, the second balloon travelled 250 miles. a duck.

Notice All contributions for tlie Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the imrk of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number o/TiiE LIFE-BOAT will be the -winter number, 1950. STORM ON THE RELIABLE RADIO WATERS COMMUNICATION WITH THE SHORE IS ESSENTIAL The Story of the Life-boat Service TO THE LIFEBOAT SERVICE in the War of 1939-1945 By CHARLES VINCE Our Equipment now Standard FOR ALL BRITISH LIFEBOATS " Read it, and you will hear the gales roaring; no breeziness here, no mere soldier's wind, but a blow to match RADIO TELEPHONES the courage of the only seafarers who LOUD MAILERS launch their little boats when the seas are roughest."—Observer. DIRECTION FINDERS for LIFEBOATS, FISHING VESSELS HODDER & STOUGHTON CARGO SHIPS and YACHTS 6 - SECOND EDITION NOW REA~Y COASTAL RADIO LTD, Copies can be ordered from 'Grams: "Coastal Edinburgh" 'Phone: 26224/5 RADIO WORKS, HOPE CRESCENT, ROYAL NATIONAL EDINBURGH, 7 LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION Contractors to.— 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, Admiralty, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board, S.W.I Foreign and Colonial Governments

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