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

VOL. XXXII DECEMBER, 1947 No. 344

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET Motor Life-boats, 154 :: Pulling and Sailing Life-boats, 2 LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to December 31st, 1947 75,690

H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent's Presidential Address" THE meeting to-day has a twofold The record of the Institution in 1946 purpose; to hear about the work of the was an impressive one, and it is remark- Institution during 1946; and to pay able that, in spite of all inventions to our tribute to the gallant self-sacrifice help navigation, and to make travel of The Mumbles life-boat crew, for by sea safe, there were more calls for whose families we all have the deepest life-boat assistance than ever before in sympathy. a year of peace. Two years ago I presented a gold We are very glad that the boats were medal on your behalf to the coxswain able to rescue 234 lives from the ships of that crew, William Gammon, for of other countries than our own, and conspicuous gallantry and seamanship in the long record of service to. foreign during the war. nations there is not a country in the You will remember hearing the won- world that does not pwe the lives of derful story of his achievements, and some of its seamen to British life-boats. of other coxswains who received medals, To the crews we express our gratitude and -you will, I know, share with me and admiration; some of them, I am the pride of being connected with the glad to be able to say, I have had the Royal National Life-boat Institution, opportunity of meeting during the last which can produce such men, -who in two years, when I visited various sta- war and peace are always prepared tions in the British Isles, and I was to face dangers to rescue lives from the greatly impressed with these splendid sea. and cheerful men. Our hopes and It has been a sad duty to me to pre- prayers are with them for the future. sent to the families of these men of The In conclusion, may I add my sincere Mumbles life-boat certificates record- thanks to all who have given their help ing the heroism of their deaths this in many ways during the past year, year, but in so doing, with a heavy and and to the generous British public, on understanding heart, I pray that they whose support we depend. may be comforted by the world-wide Everyone connected with the Institu- tributes paid to their menfolk, tributes tion, as well as. the public, must feel which we in the Institution so sin- proud that they have a share in the cerely share. We shall not forget achievements of the Life-boat Service, them, or their relatives. in which I take such a deep interest. » Bead at the Annual ifeeting on the 24th ol October, 1M7. (Bee page 88.) A 82 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947

The Fifth International Life-boat Conference By COMMODORE THE DUKE OF MONTROSE, K.T., C.B., C.V.O., V.D., LL.D., R.N.V.R., Treasurer of the Royal National Life-boat Institution and Chair- man of the Scottish Life-boat Council. THIS has been a great event in the life- different coasts present them with boat history of the world* the Inter- entirely different problems in carrying national Conference held at Oslo from it out. July 5th to July 12th, 1947; for it was It is not only in the exchange of plans the first occasion since the war on which and ideas that the different services it has been possible to gather together can work together. The greater range delegates from a number of nations to of present-day life-boats, and the possi- consider the most effective way of bility of the use of helicopters (although saving life from shipwreck, and to that is still in the air in both senses) compare all that had been done, learnt opened up the question of different life- and discovered since the last conference boat services, in such an area for held in Gothenburg eleven years before. instance as the North Sea, actually co- We had delegations from eleven operating in the work of rescue, and we countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, discussed whether an agreed plan of France, Great Britain, Holland, Iceland, intelligence and action could be drawn Norway, Sweden, Turkey and the up. United States of America. Each country had the opportunity, in Life'boats in War the papers and in the discussions which Among the larger questions we dis- followed each paper, of putting before cussed was whether the' rules of the the Conference its latest designs and Hague Convention of 1907 afforded life- developments. Prominence was given boats adequate protection in time of to the new inventions made during and war. It was felt in some quarters that since the war, and the Conference was the rules might be strengthened, and particularly interested in the American that life-boats should be respected and paper on its use of "ducks" and heli- protected by all belligerent nations in copters, working in co-operation, with the same way as the Red Cross. The life-boats. question was raised by the Dutch Ser- vice in their paper which described the Wireless and Twin-Screws struggle which it had with the German It was clear that radio telephony, the occupiers of its country to prevent its use of which has been for long much boats from being used in belligerent restricted in life-boat work, principally activities, and a paper on the same because of the difficulties of protecting subject was read by a French delegate. the apparatus from the sea, is now The feeling was that the position needed coming into full use. close examination and the conference The papers of the British Service put passed a resolution which has been forward twin-screws, which are now brought to the notice of the Govern- used by it in all boats large and small, ments concerned. It was, however, as the most important development in appreciated that the question is a design which we have made. We complicated one and there are many found that some other Services were points to be considered. doing the same, but some were not. The old controversy between wood Voluntary or State and steel as the best material for life- We discussed too the question boats was again debated and, as at whether life-boat services should be previous conferences, Great Britain maintained by voluntary effort, or by stood firmly by wood, and Holland as the governments. The service in the firmly by steel. The most impressive United States is and always has been fact in these discussions was that though maintained by the government, and all Life-boat Services are united in the is part of the coastguard service, but purpose and spirit of their work the the general feeling was that voluntary DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 83

THE OSLO CONFERENCE

THE DELEGATES

NORWEGIAN LIFE-BOATS AT HVALSTRAND

From photograph oy Captain E. W. Swan, C.B.E., V.D., D.L, R.N.y.R., a member of the Committee of Management and Chairman gj the Tynemouth Branch. 84 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 effort was still best, being much more the most striking features of the whole flexible than working to government conference was the mobilization of rules and schedule. It was recognized, eleven Norwegian life-boats, in which I think, by the Conference that British we were taken down the beautiful Oslo life-boat experience was not only Fjord. On the way we were treajted older, but larger than any other, that to- a life-saving demonstration with our boats were among the best, and rockets, line-throwing guns, coloured our practical experience in administra-- flares, and even men in the water with tion. second to none. But each nation life-buoys, life-saving jackets,. Verey felt that it must work in the way it lights and sea torches, whom, we saw found to suit its own circumstances best, rescued. These Norwegian boats are though I think also that each of us felt an example of the great.diversity in the that it was of immense value to under- work of the different life-boat services. stand the problems, and their solutions, They keep at sea during the winter, of other services, even if their problems moving with the fishing fleets,.have full were quite different from our own. cabin accommodation for their crews, and are maintained like yachts, all A Royal W»lfome beautifully clean and bright. Norway Qiir Conference-wa» welcomed on the now- has under construction one 'big first day by His Majesly King-Haakon cruising life-boat, larger than anything in person, who addressed us in a splen- that we have on the coasts of Great did speech. Then the. Mayor of Oslo Britain.. She is to be" employed, on entertained us to a sumptuous Civic special winter service in the Spitzbergen Banquet, at which the Crown Prince waters. Olaf attended. The Mayor, in perfect English (learnt at Oxford University), Magnificent: Hospitality and the Crown Prince gave Us two more We shall remember with special splendid addresses. Our meetings were pleasure and gratitude the magnificent held in the palatial quarters of the Nor- hospitality shown to us on all sides, wegian Shipowners Association, and hospitality in many cases not only to we elected Mr. Dagfinn Paust, a ship- the delegates but to their wives and owner of Oslo and the president of the daughters. It was a generous act, so Norwegian Life-boat Institution, as our soon after the war and all that Norway chairman. He fulfilled the office greatly had suffered, and the good spirit and to the satisfaction and pleasure, and in- friendship were marvellous. Many of deed admiration, of us all. The whole us had never seen one another before, business of the Conference, it is worthy and knew very little about each other, of note, was conducted in English. but we parted the best of friends, and When we were not in conference we found ourselves singing on the last had much to do and much to see. We evening, hand in hand, "The Banks of were entertained by the Royal Oslo Loch Lomond " and " Auld Lang Syne." Yacht Club in its most beautiful club- Just before that final meeting the house, and were taken to see the famous news reached Norway of the royal Viking ships and the From of Nansen's engagement, and that assembly of arctic exploration. These vessels were eleven nations most heartily drank to most interesting, and magnificently the health and happiness of our Princess preserved in special buildings. One of Elizabeth and her future husband.

The Bravest Life-boat Deed of 1947 TilE annual award for the bravest life- adrift from her tugs while on her way boat deed of 1947, known as the "Miss to the shipbreaker's yard and gone Maud Smith's reward for courage,, in ashore. It was Coxswain Madron's first memory of John, 7th Earl of Hard- service as coxswain. He. had already wicke," has been made to Coxswain been awarded the Institution's silver Edwin F. Madron,' of Penlee, for the medal for this service, of which a full rescue on the 23rd of April of eight men account was1 published in the Sep- from H.M.S. Warspite, wliich had got 1 tember number of The Life-boat. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 85

A Rescue from a Fort in the Mersey ON the afternoon of the 22nd of coxswain could only hold the life-boat September, a south-westerly gale was in position by working his engines, and blowing in the mouth of the Mersey the second-coxswain had to manoeuvre with rain squalls and breaking seas the life-boat alongside the piles afresh twenty feet high. In those heavy for each of the men to jump into her. seas the military authorities were At times the life-boat was more than afraid for the safety of -one of the twenty feet below the fort, but on the forts, Queen's Fort, built out in the top of a big wave the men on her fore- estuary, and asked the New Brighton deck were in danger of being crushed life-boat station to take off the under the massive superstructure. The crew. An attempt had already been actual rescue took forty minutes. No made, without success, by a launch of one was injured, but the life-boat the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. damaged her stem. The motor life-boat, William and Kate The second-coxswain handled the Johnston, left her .moorings at 2.45 in boat with great skill in a series of dan- the afternoon under Second-Coxswain gerous manoeuvres, and the Institution W. S. Jones. It was the first time he made the following awards: had been in command on service. To SECOND-COXSWAIN W. S. JONES, The fort consists of a group of towers the bronze medal for gallantry, a copy each on four tubular piles leaning in- of the vote of the medal inscribed on wards. The towers themselves project vellum, and a reward of £1 9s. in addi- beyond the piles. The life-boat came tion to the ordinary reward of £l 11s. up on the lee side of the lee tower, but To the motor mechanic, W. MC- the piles, of course, gave her no shelter DONALD, who was single-handed at his from the gale; and with the piles lean- engines, the thanks of the Institution ing inwards, and the towers projecting, inscribed on vellum and £1 10s.; it was peculiarly difficult to get and To each of the six members of the keep the life-boat in position for the crew £1 9s., in addition to the ordinary rescue. A line was thrown to the fort, scale reward of £l lls.; but as it was almost straight upwards, Standard rewards, £12 18s.; addi- it was of little use, and the second- tional, £11 13s.; total rewards, £24 lls.

A Single-handed Rescue by a Skye Fisherman THE Institution has awarded its bronze men followed in a larger rowing boat. medal for gallantry to Mr. Kenneth Mr. Macleod had two miles to pull, and Macleod, a fisherman of Pooltiel, Isle in that sea it was a feat needing extra- of Skye, for rescuing single-handed in ordinary strength. Only a very power- a small rowing boat three fishermen ful and active man—he is 6 ft. 7 ins. tall whose boat had been wrecked. On the —could have done it. The larger boat afternoon of the 14th of October the could not get close to the rocks, but three men were out lobster fishing in the Mr. Macleod signalled to the three men motor fishing boat Village Bell when a to climb to a projecting rock and three rope fouled their propeller. They were times he backed his boat to it, taking then at the entrjince to Loch Pooltiel. the men off one by one and rowing A strong wind was blowing, with a them out to the other boat. He ran moderately rough sea, and though the great risks, for he was right in the men anchored, the anchor chain car- broken water and the backwash of the ried away, and the boat was thrown seas. The rescuers had a hard pull to on to the rocks. The three men were get back, and they were out altogether able to scramble on to them, but for three and a half hours. Besides the they were at the foot of unclimbable bronze medal-—and with it a copy of cliffs. the vote inscribed on vellum—to Mr. Their danger was seen, and Mr. Macleod, the Institution awarded ten Macleod put out at once. Six other guineas to him and the other six men. A* 86 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947

Henry Blogg, G.C., B.E.M., of Cromer HENRY GEORGE BLOGG, coxswain of the Netherlands, and twelve silver watches Cromer life-boat, retired at the end of were presented.to his crew. last September, at the age of 71, after In 1932 he won the silver medal for serving for over fifty-three years as a the first time for the rescue of thirty life-boatman. His record is unequalled men from the Italian steamer Monte in the 124 years of the Life-boat Ser- Nevoso. He also rescued a dog from vice and his name is known far beyond the steamer, and was awarded the the British Isles. silver medal of the Canine Defence Henry Blogg became a member of the League. Cromer life-boat crew.in January, 1894, In 1933 he won a clasp to his silver at the age of 18. He was appointed medal for the rescue of the two men of second coxswain in 1902 and coxswain the barge Sepoy, of Dover. in December, 1909, so that he served In 1939 he won a second clasp to his in command of the boat for thirty-eight silver medal for the rescue of the crew years. During his fifty-three years the of twenty-nine of the Greek steamer Cromer life-boats went out on service Mount Ida. This was the first life- 387 times and rescued 873 lives. boat medal to be awarded in the war of 1939-45. Three Gold, Four SUver Med*ls In September, 1941, he won a second No life-boatman has won so many clasp to his gold medal for rescuing medals -for gallantry. He won the 88 lives from six steamers of a convoy gold medal of the Institution, given which had been wrecked on the Hais- only 'for conspicuous gallantry, three borough Sands. For this service he times. No other man, except Lieut.- was also awarded the British Empire Colonel Sir William Hillary, Bt., the Medal. Institution's founder, has won three gold medals. Henry Blogg also won Washed Orerbourd the Institution's silver medal four In October, 1941, he vron a third times, was awarded by the King the clasp to his silver medal for the rescue George Cross and the British Empire of the crew of forty-four men of the Medal, and was presented with a gold steamer English Trader wrecked' on watch by the Queen of Holland. For Hammond Knoll. In the course of the services in which he won these this service Coxswain Blogg and four medals his crew won three silver and of his crew were washed overboard. forty-one bronze medals. As soon as he had been hauled back Here are the details of his many into the boat he again took command. awards: Such is the brief record of a great In 1917 he won the gold medal for career. the first time for the rescue of eleven Coxswain Blogg's portrait was men of the crew of the Swedish steamer painted for the Institution by Mr. T. C. Fernebo. Dugdale, R.A., and exhibited at the In 1924, the year in which the Institu- Royal Academy Summer Exhibition tion celebrated its centenary, he, and in 1942. It now hangs in the offices the seven other living gold medallists, of the Institution. Mr. Dugdale is were awarded the Empire Gallantry painting a copy and the Institution Medal which they received in person will present it to Coxswain Blogg. It from the King at Buckingham Palace. has also awarded him an annuity and In October, 1941, Blogg received the a certificate of service. George Cross, which had been instituted The Viscount Templewood, president the year before, in place of his Empire of the Cromer Branch, and a committee Gallantry Medal. of Cromer people, have opened a testi- In 1927 he won a clasp to his gold monial fund, and contributions to it medal for the rescue of fifteen men should be sent to Barclays Bank from the Dutch oil-tanker Georgia. For Limited, Cromer, Norfolk. The fund this service he was also presented with will be put to such purposes as Cox- a gold watch by the Queen of The swain Blogg himself shall decide. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 87

HENRY BLOGG, G.C., B.E.M., OF CROMER

From the painting by Mr, T Cs Dugdale, R.A. 88 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947

The Annual Meeting THE Annual Meeting was held at the there should be any who thought that, with Central Hall, Westminster, on the 24th the end of the war, our Life-boat Service would be less needed, this report gives them of October, 1947. Sir Godfrey Baring, the answer. Bt., chairman of the Committee of Not only does our work go on, but its Management, presided, supported by dangers remain. Just six months ago we the Mayor and Mayoress of West- lost our life-boat at The Mumbles with the whole of her crew. You will hear shortly an minster, Lady Nathan, Chairman of account of that disaster, but there is one the London County Council, the Mayors thing that I should like to say now. Within and Mayoresses of over thirty Metro- two months another life-boat was at the politan Boroughs, the Mayor of Swan- station, and another crew had volunteered, all of them men of The Mumbles. (Ap- sea, the Duke of Montrose, a vice-* plause.) Although the dangers remain, so president and honorary treasurer of does the spirit of the Life-boat Service. the Institution, the Duchess of Mont- That disaster brought us one of the greatest rose, a vice-president of the Ladies' proofs that we have ever had of the interest and pride which the British people take in Life-boat Guild, The Earl Howe, a our work. To supplement the pensions given vice-president of the Institution and by the Institution to the wives, children and deputy chairman of the Committee of mothers of those eight men, the Mayor of Management, the Countess Howe, Lady Swansea opened a fund. Over £90,000 has been, subscribed to it. I am very glad that Baring, and other members of the Com- the Mayor of Swansea is with us, and that I mittee of Management. am able, on behalf of you all, to thank him personally and, through him, all who re- H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent sponded to his appeal. We have with us, too, the Mayors and Mayoresses of many of The Duchess of Kent, President of the London Boroughs. It was in the City the Institution, was to have presented of London that the Institution was founded the awards for gallantry, but was 128 years ago, and their presence here is proof of the unfailing interest which the prevented by illness and the following people of the whole of London take in the telegram from her was read by the Service. chairman: I welcome also the speakers to our main "I am terribly disappointed that I resolution—Colonel John Astor, the chair- man of The Times, and Commander Douglas cannot be with you all this afternoon Marshall, M.P., who represents in the House but I have been forbidden to go out of Commons one of the divisions of Cornwall, for the next few days. Please tell all a county with a very great life-boat record. those to whom I was to have presented medals and certificates, and in particular Report and Accounts, and Elections the families of The Mumbles life-boat The report and accounts for 1946 were crew, how sorry I am I cannot be adopted, the president, vice-presidents, trea- surer and other members of the Committee present but I shall be thinking of them. of Management and the auditors were I hope you will have a very successful elected. meeting and'I trust I shall be with you next year." The Wreck of The Mumbles Life-boat A telegram of sympathy, thanks and COLONEL A. D. BURNETT BBOWN, M.C.r good wishes was sent to the Duchess by T.D., M.A., the secretary of the Institution, read an account of the wreck of the life-boat the meeting. at The Mumbles on the 24th of April, and the A telegram was also read from the MAYORESS OP WESTMINSTER (the HON. MRS. Countess Mountbatten of Burma, C.I., GREVILI.E HOWARD), presented to the widows G.B.E., D.C.V.O., President of the of six of the eight men who lost their lives, and a sister of another man, the certificates, Ladies' Life-boat Guild, from Delhi: recording the men's devotion to duty and "My thoughts and good wishes are the supreme sacrifice which they had made. with you all on the twenty-fourth." The widow of the eighth man had been pre- vented from coming by illness. The Chairman'* Address I have the honour and privilege to present Medals for Penlee and Fowey to the governors of the Institution this after- The secretary read the accounts of services. noon the report of the work of the Life-boat by the Penlee and Fowey life-boats for which Service in the first full year of peace. That medals had been awarded, and the medals year, 1946, was the busiest which our life- were presented by the Mayoress of West- boats have ever had in time of peace. If minster. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 89 To COXSWAIN EDWIN MADRON, of PENLEE, parliament for St. Ives, for the great courage CORNWALL, the silver medal for rescuing eight and gallantry of his constituents off Penlee. men from H.M.S. Warspite when she was I think it is right and proper to realize the wrecked in a gale on the 23rd of April last. vitalness of this Service and of all those who To JOHN DREW, the motor mechanic, of serve in it. It is right to try to find proper PENLEE, CORNWALL, the bronze medal for the and fitting words to describe it, but they same service. are very difficult to find. But if we take To COXSWAIN JOHN WATTEBS, of FOWEY, note that the patrons of this Service are His CORNWALL, the bronze medal for rescuing Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Queen, seven men from the London motor vessel and Her Majesty The Queen Mother, and the Empire Cantamar in a gale on the 22nd of president is Her Royal Highness The Duchess March last, after his life-boat had been of Kent, there, indeed, in brief, we have damaged. the reason why this Service is so vital. (Applause.) The President's Address I have always felt very deeply the import- ance of our small ships, and their maintenance, The secretary then read the President's and the importance of our fishing industry, address, which is on page 81. and I see in reading through the report that the main strength of the life-boat crews is Colonel the Hon. J. ]. Astor drawn from that fishing industry. It must I am proud, as anybody would be, to pro- have been a great comfort in this year of pose a resolution expressing our admiration 1946 that the Life-boat Service itself has 134 for and gratitude to the coxswains and crews times gone to the rescue of fishing vessels of the Institution's life-boats, and our deep and saved from them 93 lives. (Applause.) obligation to the honorary officers and mem- Not only 93 lives, but let us think as well of bers of local committees, of station and what that means to the next-of-kin and the financial branches, and the Ladies' Life-boat beloved of those who are saved. Guild. England's Life-boat Service has led At the same time as we have heard the the world in the work of rescue and life- stories of gallantry this afternoon, we have saving at sea for a century and a quarter. been reminded how tragedy can play its Throughout it has set a high example in part. As a representative of South-East devotion and gallantry and in efficient Cornwall, which, as you know, is Celt, perhaps administration. We are all proud of the I might be allowed to dwell upon this point Institution's achievements! Every success- that some believe that the word "Cornwall" ful rescue thrills us. We are sometimes apt was, in fact, derived from " Corn-Welsh," to forget the other occasions, and there are and perhaps I might humbly suggest that at many, when the life-boats put out, it may be, the same time one can pay that compliment on some unnecessary call; it may be on some in the same way to that great Celtic race of hopeless quest. We almost take these things Wales, for we have seen this afternoon how for granted until some tragedy wrings the great tragedy occurred there. nation's heart, and one incident in this after- In conclusion I would like to say this: noon's proceedings was a sad reminder of the We all know that great anxiety is in the most recent of these. hearts of our great nation to-day, but while We salute the men who of their own free men of the spiritual and martial qualities will are ever ready to face storm and danger. that we have seen to-day still live amongst They deserve, and must have, the finest boats us, we can survive any turbulent storm. and equipment and support of every kind. (Applause.) They have the finest of hearts, and that the The resolution was then carried: public conscience is keenly alive to the debt "That this Meeting, fully recognizing the it owes to them is shown by its response important services 'of the Royal National to the rising needs and costs of the Service. Life-boat Institution, in its national work Life-boats, I believe, used to cost a few of life-saving, desires to record its hearty hundred pounds; they now cost from £10,000 appreciation of the gallantry of the Cox- to £20,000. This Institution neither asks swains and Crews of the Institution's life- nor receives any financial help from the State; boats, and its deep obligation to the Local it is a voluntary organisation and, as such, Committees, Honorary Secretaries, and it is an outstanding instance of the people Honorary Treasurers of all Station Branches, themselves assuming a great national duty and to the Honorary Officers and hundreds and discharging it with success and every of Voluntary Members of the Financial credit year by year in peace and war. We Branches and of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild here would warmly thank all who play their in the work of raising funds to maintain the part in this service to mankind. (Applause.) Service." Comdr. D. M. Marshall, R.N.V.R., M.P. Presentations to Honorary Workers You have seen fit to ask me this afternoon Since the last annual meeting four honorary to second this resolution, and I realize the workers had been appointed honorary life great honour that you have paid to South- governors of the Institution, and the Mayoress East Cornwall in so doing. At the same of Westminster presented the vellums, signed time, as we have a motto in Cornwall which by the president, recording their appoint- is "One and All," I would like to couple ment to: with that the great pride that I know will ALDERMAN SIR CHARLES McREA, J.P., of be felt by Mr. Alec Beechman, member of the CITY OF LONDON. 90 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947

By courtesy of] [Fox Photos THE WOMEN OF THE MUMBLES

By courtesy of} [Fox Photos SILVER AND BRONZE MEDALLISTS Coxswain Edwin Madron, of Penlee, and John Drew, the motor mechanic DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 91

rnvtv o nton IN MEMORY OF COXSWAIN GAMMON, OF THE MUMBLES The Mayoress of Westminster presents a Certificate to his widow

By courtesy of] [Sport and General RAPT ATTENTION Coxswain Madron, John Drew, and Coxswain Walters of Fowey D2 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER,

MBS. R. BEVAN JOHN, of LLANELLY. MRS. MARSDEN, of HUDDERSFIELD. MR. C. E. FIELDING, of MANCHESTER. EX-BAILIE THOMAS BIMSON, of IRVINE. LADY FRANCIS GODOLPHIN OSBORNE, of Miss H. COTTON, of KIDDERMINSTER. BERWICK-ON-TWEED, was not able to be MRS. D. J. WlLKES, Of L/LANDUDNO. present. Miss W. F. SHAND, of LYMM.

By courtesy of} [Fox Photos COXSWAIN JOHN WAITERS, OF FOWEY

The gold badge had been awarded to the ARCHDEACON HAROLD S. WILLIAMS, of Institution's Consulting Naval Architect and THE MUMBLES. ten honorary workers, of whom eight were MRS. STANLEY BELL, of WIGAN. present to receive their badges. The Mayoress of Westminster presented them to: A vote of thanks to the Mayoress of West- MR. J. R. BARNETT, O.B.E., M.I.N.A., of minster was proposed by Admiral of the GLASGOW, CONSULTING NAVAL ARCHITECT Fleet the Earl of Cork and Orrery, G.C.B.. for the past forty years. G.C.V.O., and Mr. H. S. H. Burdett-Coutts. CAPTAIN HERBERT'TURNBULL, M.B.E., of members of the Committee of Manage- GRIMSBY. ment.

Life-boat Stamp Bureau Miss MARGARET POWER, of Mount and foreign stamps from readers of Royal, Old Common, Cobham, Surrey, The Life-boat and their friends. All founder of the Life-boat Stamp Bureau, the proceeds of the Stamp Bureau go to will be very glad of gifts of colonial help the Life-boat Service. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 98

Life-boat Services in August, September, October and November. During August, life-boats went out Southampton, bound for Newhaven on service 64 times and rescued 20 from Littlehampton with a party of lives. five on board, with her engine broken down, and towed her to Newhaven, A FAMILY BARGE IN PERIL arriving at four o'clock.—Rewards, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 8.7 in £10 6*. 6d. the morning of the 2nd of August, 1947, the coastguard reported that a sailing Dungeness, Kent.—At 4.40 ill the barge was in difficulties and had asked afternoon of the 3rd of August, 1947, for help three to four miles east-north- Lloyd's Signal Station reported that a east of Strumblc Head. At about 8.20 motor yacht was in distress and drag- 'she flashed the SOS. signal and at ging her anchor one hundred yards off 8.30 the motor life-boat White Star the station. The motor life-boat was launched, in a fresh to strong south- Charles Cooper Henderson was launched south-east breeze with a choppy sea. at 4.55 in a strong south-westerly She found the sailing barge Gladys, of breeze and rough sea, and found the London, bound for the Clyde with the motor yacht Mabruki, bound for Dover owner, his wife, three men and two with a crew of five, half a mile west-by- children on board. The barge had south of the life-boat station, and only been converted into a house-boat and fifty yards off shore. Her engine had litted with a small motor. Her sails broken down. At the skipper's re- had been blown away and she was quest the life-boat towed her to Dover, making heavy weather. At the owner's and arrived back at her station at request the life-boat towed her to 12.30 the following morning.—Property Fishguard, and arrived back at her Salvage Case. station at 1.30 in the afternoon.— Property Salvage Case. EXHAUSTED ROWERS Wicklow.—At 6.35 in the evening of CUT OFF BY THE TIDE the 10th of August, 1947, a telephone Ramsgate, Kent.—At 12.25 in the message was received from the light- afternoon of the 3rd of August, 1947, keeper at Wicklow Head that two the police reported that two men had rowing boats were in difficulties south of been cut off by the rising tide on a rock Wicklow Head in a very strong ebb tide. off the western undercliff. The motor The motor life-boat Lady Kylsant was life-boat Prudential left her moorings at launched at 6.50 in a south-easterly 12.33, with a rowing boat in tow, in breeze and a calm sea. She came up a light south-westerly breeze, but with the two boats half a mile south of heavy ground swell, and found the two the head. Their crews were exhausted. men on a rock about one mile from the She took them on board and, with the harbour entrance. Neither could swim. boats in tow, reached her station again The life-boatmen took them off in the at 7.55 that evening.—-Rewards, £8. 7s. rowing boat, -and rowed them to the life-boat which arrived back at her SKIPPER'S BROKEN ARM station at 1.25.—Rewards, £6 13s. Ramsey, Isle of Man.—At 3.45 on the morning of the 14th of August, 1947, TWO MOTOR YACHTS BROKEN DOWN the coastguard reported that a red flare Newhaven, Sussex.—At 1.55 in the had been seen about two miles east- afternoon of the 3rd of August, 1947, north-east of Queen's Pier, and the the coastguard reported a motor yacht motor life-boat Lady Harrison was in difficulties off Pcacehavcn, and the launched at 4.25 in a dead calm. She motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott found the motor fishing boat Capella, was launched at 2.5 in a light south- with two men on board, three miles westerly wind with a slight sea. She east of the life-boat station. The found the motor yacht Lady Betty, of skipper had broken his arm and the THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 other man could not start the engine. calm sea and found that the aerop ane, The life-boat towed the Capella to the an Auster Autocrat, had crashed into pier, and when the injured man had the sea off Gull Rock. The two men been landed the life-boat's mechanic had climbed on the rock. The pas- re-started the fishing boat's engine. senger swam to the life-boat and was She escorted her to the harbour and hauled aboard exhausted. The life- returned to her station at 5.35.— boat then took the pilot off the rock Rewards, £22 17s. and returned to her station, arriving at 10.40 that night.—Rewards, £8 4*. LOBSTER FISHERS ADRIFT ALL NIGHT St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At 6.40 STEAMERS IN COLLISION IN FOG on the morning .of the 14th of August, The Humber, Yorkshire.—At about 9.25 1947, information was received that in the morning of the 16th of August, two men, who had left Solva in their 1947, the Mablethorpe coastguard re- motor fishing boat Don to attend to ported that the.S.S. Keila, of Glasgow, their lobster pots, were about twelve had been in collision in a fog with the hours overdue. The coastguard had S.S. Lady Anstruther, also of Glasgow, seen nothing of them. The motor life- of 527 tons bound for Sunderland, boat Civil Service No. 6, was launched about twenty-two miles east-north-east at 8 o'clock in a light south-easterly of Spurn Point, and that the Lady breeze and a calm sea, and found the Anstruther was sinking. The motor Don off Carreg-y-Rhosson. Her en- life-boat City of Bradford II was gine had broken down and she had been launched at 9.50 in a light north- drifting all night. The life-boat gave easterly breeze and moderate sea, but the two men cocoa and towed the received a wireless message that fishing boat to Forth Stinnan. She she was not needed and returned, arrived back at her station at 9.30.— anchoring off her station at 11 o'clock. Rewards, £6 14s. At 3.15 in the afternoon the Filey coastguard asked her to take off the ASHORE IN A THICK FOG Lady Anstruther's crew from the Keila, North Sunderland, Northumberland.— which had picked them up, and she At 7.20 on the morning of the 15th left her anchorage at 8.35. The Keila of August, 1947, the Seahouses coast- was then eleven miles east-north-east guard reported that a tug was ashore of Spurn Point. The fog was still dense, on Bush Rock, and that three women but the life-boat found her, went along- and two boys had been taken off by a side, took on board the Lady Anstru- fishing boat, but that seven members of ther's crew of fourteen and her captain, her crew were still aboard. The motor who was badly injured, and gave them life-boat W.R.A. was launched at 10.10 rum and biscuits. She then made for in a very thick fog, with a slight south- Grimsby where she landed the men at south-east breeze and a calm sea. She 8.30 in the evening. It was too foggy found the tug Alexandra, of Queens- for the life-boat to return to her station ferry, two miles north-north-east of so she remained in Grimsby until day- the harbour, stood by until she re- break and arrived back at her station floated, and escorted her to the harbour, at 6.45 the following morning.—Per- arriving back at her station at 12.30 in manent Paid Crew. the afternoon.—Rewards, £25 15s. A LONG SEARCH IN FOG A PRIVATE AEROPLANE CRASHES Filey, and Flamborough, Yorkshire.— St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At 8.15 At 8.35 in the evening of the 17th of on the night of the 15th of August, 1947, August, 1947, the Filey coastguard a resident telephoned that her husband reported that a sailing dinghy, in which had taken off in his aeroplane, with the two men had put out fishing at 2.0 in life-boat's assistant motor mechanic as the afternoon, should have returned a passenger, but the aeroplane had been and had not. There was a thick fog. lost to sight. The motor life-boat The Filey motor life-boat The Cuttle Civil Service No. 6 was launched at 8.40, was launched at 9.0 in a light north- in a light north-easterly breeze with a westerly breeze. The sea was smooth, DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 95

but the fog was getting thicker. The COLLISION IN A FOG life-boat searched, but found nothing Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At 5.5 in and returned twice for news. On her the afternoon of the 20th of August, second return it was decided that she 1947, the coastguard received a mes- should lie off her station until daylight sage from a vessel five miles north-east and then renew the search, but a radar of Rattray Head that she was sinking report said that the dinghy was off after collision with a trawler. The Flamborough, and as the fog had lifted motor life-boat Julia Park Barry, of slightly the life-boat put out for the Glasgow was launched at 5.15 in a third time. She still found nothing, dense fog, with a light north-easterly and about 6 o'clock next morning she breeze -blowing and a calm sea. She was recalled to investigate what was received a wireless message that the believed to be an overturned boat. A vessel was making for the beach and fishing coble also put out, but fog ham- found her ashore three and a half pered their search, and after finding miles south of Rattray. She was the nothing they arrived back at about S.S. Wilh. Colding, of Copenhagen, of 8 o'clock. Aeroplanes were also search- 2,500 tons, bound for Greenland with ing, and when the life-boat had refuelled a crew of 20. Her engine-room and about 10.45 she again put out. boiler-room were flooded and she was The coastguard also informed the lying bows on to the beach. The life- Flamborough life-boat station at 10.40 boat helped her to run out an anchor in the morning of the 18th, and the from her stern to prevent her swinging motor life-boat Elizabeth and Albino, and stood by her for twelve.hours. She Whitley was launched at 11.10 in a then returned to her station for food. light northerly breeze and choppy sea. The following morning she put out again There was still a dense fog and although at 8.30 and stood by for another ten an extensive search was made by both hours until a salvage vessel arrived. life-boats no trace of the dinghy or her As she was no longer needed she re- crew was found. After a search turned to her station, arriving at 7.10 lasting for over nineteen hours the Filey in the evening of the 21st.—Property life-boat arrived back at her station Salvage Case. at 4.20 in the afternoon of the 18th. Finally a report was received that the A FOUR HOURS' SEARCH dinghy had been found upturned by a pleasure steamer three miles south of Swanage, Dorset.—At 5.24 in the Scarborough, and the Flamborough life- morning of the 21st of August, 1947, boat also returned to her station, arriv- the coastguard reported distress signals ing at 7 o'clock in the evening. A letter about five miles south-by-west of the of appreciation and a donation to the station. The motor life-boat Thomas funds of the Institution were received Markby was launched at 5.45 in an from the relatives of one of the men lost. east-north-east breeze and a slight sea —Rewards, Filey, £53 5s. Qd.; Flam- and made a wide search. She found no borough, £34 5s. 6d. vessel in distress but came upon the motor launch Marlene Dorlores, broken down and anchored east of Pevril Ledge GULLS MISTAKEN FOR GIRL Buoy. The launch did not require Appledore, Devon.—At 9.27 in the immediate help, but after the life-boat morning of the 18th of August, 1947, had continued her search and still found the Westward Ho coastguard reported nothing, she towed the launch to a girl adrift on a raft in Croyde Swanage Bay, arriving back at her Bay, and the motor life-boat Violet station at 10 o'clock.—Rewards, Armstrong was launched at 9,37 in a £12 14s. light westerly breeze and calm sea. A later message to the station said that A TRAWLER ASHORE no girl was missing from Croyde, and Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At 9.0 that what had been seen was gulls on in the morning of the 21st of August, floating wreckage. The life-boat was 1947, a vessel was reported ashore at recalled and arrived back at her station Lackie Head, near Kinnaird Head, and at 10.30.--Rewards, £7 16s. the motor life-boat John and Charles 96 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 194T Kennedy was launched two minutes crew of three had been without food later. There was neither wind nor for twelve hours. The life-boat passed sea, but the weather was foggy. The her a rope, and when her crew had life-boat found the steam drifter Ex- weighed the anchor they were taken on chequer, of Banff, aground with a heavy board the life-boat and given cocoa, list to port, and the skipper asked her chocolate and biscuits. Then, with to stand by while the tide was making. the yawl in tow, the life-boat made for She first put back to harbour, brought Helvick Head and anchored off her out a surveyor, then put him ashore station at 4.25 that afternoon.—Re- again, and then, returning, stood by wards, £10 Ss. until the trawler refloated and escorted her into harbour, where she arrived TWO BOATS TOWED IN A ROUGH SEA at 1.10 in the afternoon.-—Property Ramsgate, Kent.—At 9.45 on the night Salvage Case. of the 21st of August, 1947» the coast- guard telephoned that flares had been ANOTHER STEAMER ASHORE IN FOG seen three-quarters of a mile east-south- Newburgb, Aberdeenshire.—At 9.18 in east of Kingsgate look-out, and the the morning of the 21st of August, motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam 1947, the Collieston coastguard re- of Gladswood, on temporary duty at ported a vessel ashore near Hackley the station, was launched at 9.53. A Bay Head in thick fog. The motor fresh north-easterly breeze was blowing, life-boat John Rybwn was launched at with a rough sea. The life-boat found 10.35, in a light easterly breeze and two boats at anchor, but dragging slight sea, and found trie S.S. Holder- towards the shore, the motor boat nook, of Hull, a coaster of 900 tons Gondolier Princess, and the motor bound for Londonderry loaded with fishing boat Flying Fish; with a crew oilcake, on the rocks three miles north of three. The Flying Fish had towed of the River Ytham. She took off the other boat from Scotland, and was two passengers, landed them at Collies- making for the Thames when her engine ton, returned to the Holdernook and failed. Life-boatmen boarded the Gon- took off nine of her crew. After she dolier Princess and slipped her anchor. had put them ashore she returned to Then the life-boat took both boats in the Holdernook and, at the request of tow. Twice the tow-rope parted, but her captain, stood by until high water. eventually the boats reached Ramsgate The captain and three of the crew still twenty-five minutes after midnight.— f leitmd to stay aboard, but the life- Property Salvage Ca'se. Rewards, 14s. boat took off the chief engineer, landed him at Collieston, and arrived back at INJURED MAN BROUGHT ASHORE her station at 7 o'clock in the evening.— Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—Just before Rewards, £23 13s. noon on the 23rd of August, 1947, the coastguard reported a message from MORE LOBSTER FISHERS IN DISTRESS the S.S. Wilh. Colding, of Copenhagen, Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—At which three days previously had been about 1.15 in the afternoon of the 21st in collision and had been beached three of August, 1947, the civic guard reported and a half miles south of Rattray. that the salmon yawl Morning Star, of The message was that one of her men Helvick, which had been lobster fishing, had been badly injured. With a doctor was in difficulties in Ardmore Bay, and on board, the motor life-boat Julia Park drifting towards rocky cliffs. Accom- Barry, of Glasgow, was launched at 12.5 in panied by Mr. P. J. Morrissey, the a dense fog, with a light easterly breeze honorary secretary, the motor life-boat blowing and a calm sea. She brought H. F. Bailey was launched at 1.25 in the injured man. ashore and returned to a strong east-south-east breeze and her station just after one o'clock in the dtoppy sea. She found the yawl at afternoon.—Rewards, £7 10». 6d. Glencorran, only about twenty yards off a lee shore. One of her oars and LIFE-BOATS SMOTHERED IN OIL two rowlock pi»s had been broken, Stromnest, and Longbope, Orkneys.— and she had two anchors down. Her At 7.34 in the morning of the 24th of DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 97 August, 1947, the Kirkwall coastguard MEN AND CHILDREN ON THE ROCKS telephoned to the Stromness life-boat Port Erin, Isle of Man.—At 10.35 on station that the Norwegian tanker the night of the 29th of August, 1947, Gundine, of Arendal, was ashore at it was reported that a rowing boat, Berry Head, Hoye Island, and the which had left at 6.30 with two men motor life-boat J.J.K.S.W. was and two children on board, had not launched at 7.55 in a light north-west- returned, and later a message came erly wind, with a smooth sea. At 8.28 from the Cregneish wireless station that the coastguard rang up the Longhope a rowing boat had been seen at 9.30 station. The motor life-boat Thomas near Chicken Rock Lighthouse, but McCunn was launched two minutes had been lost to sight in the dusk. At later, and found the Gundine at 9.30. 11.25 the motor life-boat Matthew She had a crew of 43, was bound for Simpson was launched in calm weather, Copenhagen from Philadelphia, and had searched for the boat and found the run ashore in a fog. The Stromness two men and two children ashore on life-boat arrived immediately after the the rocks of Calf Island. She took Longhope boat, and both stood by. them on board and, with their boat in The Gundine pumped 2,000 tons of crude tow, arrived back at her station at oil overboard, and the life-boats were 2.45 the following morning.—Rewards, smothered with it. The Stromness boat left at 10.45 and arrived back at her £11 Ss. station at 1.15 in the afternoon, where IN DISTRESS ON A PLEASURE TRIP the National Fire Service lent a pump to help to clean her of the oil. The Long- Swanage, Dorset.—At 2.25 in the hope boat stood by until the Gundine morning of the 30th of August, 1947, refloated, about 5 o'clock, escorted her the coastguard reported a small boat to Lyness, and returned to her station, flashing the SOS signal in Durlston arriving there at 7 o'clock that evening. Bay, and the motor life-boat Thomas —Rewards, Stromness, £15 11s.; Long- Markby was launched at 2.50 in a light hope, £32 3s. 6d. east-north-east breeze with a swell. She found an ex-naval whaler, bound for DRIFTING FOR TWO DAYS Lulworth on a pleasure trip, with three on board. She had anchored but was Margate, Kent.—In the morning of dragging towards the shore. The life- the 28th of August, 1947, information boat towed her to an anchorage in came from the British Steamer Hill- Swanage Bay and arrived back at her crest Park through the North Foreland station at 3.30.—Rewards, £9 12s. Radio and the coastguard that the motor cabin cruiser Aloha, of Lowestoft, During August the following 37 was at anchor in distress three-quarters life-boats went out on service, but of a mile south of Tongue Sand Tower. could find no ship in distress or were She was said to be without drinking not needed. The figures in brackets •water and to have been, drifting for are the rewards given, to the crews: two days. No tug was available at Aldeburgh (£32 4s. 6d.); Eastbourne Ramsgate and at 9.25 the Margate (£28 7s. 6d.); Girvan (£10 3s.); Selsey motor life-boat The Lord Southborough (£10 4s. 6d.); Port Ellen (£17 15s. 6d.); —Civil Service No. 1 was launched. Weston-super-Mare (£15 8s.); Caister Mr. A. C. Robinson, the honorary (£14 16s.); Skegness (£15 Is.); Torbay secretary, went with her. A moderate (£4 13s.); Berwick-on-Tweed (£7g4s.); north-easterly wind was blowing with Sennen Cove (£10 7s.); Eastbourne a moderate sea. The life-boat reached (£15 4s.); Newhaven (£12 10s.' 6d.); the Aloha, which had a crew of six, to Caister (£12 10s. 6d.); Newburgh find that a naval launch had come out (£9 Is.); Salcombe (£6 16s.); Dunbar from Sheerness. The launch stood by (£5 5s.); Appledore (£9 7s. 6d.); Sennen -while members of the life-boat crew Cove (£16 18s. 6d.); Sennen -Cove boarded the Aloha and then the life- (£12 13s.); Dunbar (£8 Is.); Ramsgate boat took her in tow. She arrived back (£8 5s. 6d.); Port Ellen (£24 8s. 6d.); at Margate at 12.15 that afternoon.— Stromness (£5 9s.); Yarmouth Property Salvage Case. (£5 lls. 6d.); St. Ives (£14 11s.); 98 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 Weston-super-Mare (£14 19s.); Culler- launched at 4.24 in a moderate south- coats (£21 13s.); Bembridge (£10 lls.); easterly breeze with a moderate sea, Sennen Cove (£10 8s.); Aldeburgh and found the steamer about a mile oft (£33 6s. 6sloop ENGINE FAILED, SAIL CARRIED AWAY Mignonette, of Southampton, with a Walmer, Kent.—At 8.17 on the night crew of four, in a very rough confused of the 9th of September, 1947, the Deal sea about two miles south-east of Pevril coastguard telephoned that the auxili- Point. While bound for Swanage she ary yacht Amulet needed a tow one had been carried over Pevril Ledge by mile east of St. Margarets Bay. The the strong ebb tide and was in consider- motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil able danger. The life-boat towed her Service No. 2) was launched at 8.25 into Swanage Bay, arriving at 4.30.-— in a moderate south-west breeze, with Rewards, £7 12s. a moderate sea, and found the yacht with her main sail carried away and YACHT TOWED IN her engine broken down. She had a Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. crew of two and was bound from Ply- •—At 4.15 in the afternoon of the 7th mouth to Rochester. Two life-boat- of September, 1947, the coastguard men went on board the Amulet and the reported the steamer St. Abbs Head, life-boat towed her into Ramsgate. with a wherry yacht in tow. signalling She arrived back at her station half for help outside the harbour. The an hour 'after midnight.—Property motor life-boat Louise Stephens was Salvage Case. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 99 EXPLOSION ON TRIAL RUN 1947, a vessel was reported apparently Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At 6.5 in the ashore on Sheringham Shoal, about six evening of the llth of September, 1947, miles south-east of the town. She was a message came that the S.S. Reina del kept under observation, and at 2.32 Pacifico, of Liverpool, running trials the motor life-boat Foresters Centenary about twelve miles north of the Cope- was launched. The sea was smooth, land Islands, after being refitted by but a moderate south-westerly wind Messrs. Harland & Welff, had reported was blowing. An American oil-tanker an explosion in her engine-room, injur- —the S.S. El Morro, of Portland, ing about sixty persons, and was asking Oregon—was found aground. She was for doctors. With two doctors on a vessel of 10,000 tons and bound for board, the motor life-boat Civil Service Newcastle from the Dutch East Indies. No. 6 left her moorings at 6.25 in a Life-boatmen boarded the steamer, but light westerly breeze, but heavy ground she did not need help. The life-boat- swell, and found the steamer sixteen stood by until, when the tide turned, miles north of the islands. She put the El Morro refloated, and then made, the doctors aboard, and other doctors, for her station, arriving at 5.45 p.m.—• stretchers and medical supplies were Rewards, £28 15s. brought out by tugs which then took the steamer in tow. The life-boat YACHT AGROUND escorted her to Belfast Lough and Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 5.15 in returned to her station, arriving at the evening of the 14th of September, midnight. It was learnt later thit 1947, the Lymington police telephoned twenty-four persons had been killed, that a yacht was in distress near and thirty-four injured by the ex- Warren Beach, and the motor life-boat plosion.—Rewards, £11 125. Hearts of Oak, on temporary duty at Messrs. Harland & Wolff sent a letter the station, was launched at 5.45 in a of thanks to the Institution and £50 fresh south-westerly breeze and choppy to the Donaghadee Station, and the sea, and found the cutter yacht Tigris, Pacific Steam Navigation Company also stranded at Beaulieu Spit. Her crew sent £50. of four were waving flags and shouting, but they would not leave her, and asked SPEEDBOAT BROKEN DOWN IN HEAVY to be towed off. A life-boatmin SWELL boarded the yacht to help in slipping Newhaven, Sussex.—At 12.50 in the the anchor cable, and the life-boat afternoon of the 14th of September, towed- her into deeper water. The 1947, the coastguard reported that a yacht then set sail for Hamble and the small boat appeared to be in difficulties life-boat returned to her station, arriv- off Saltdean and that persons aboard ing at 8.20.—Rewards, £7 Is. 6d. were waving. The motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched ONE MAN IN A BOAT at 1 o'clock, in a south-westerly breeze Eastbourne, Sussex.—At about 10.20 and choppy sea, and found the speed- on the night of the 14th of September, boat Firefly II, of Newhaven, with a 1947, the coastguard reported that a skipper and two passengers aboard. small sailing boat was in danger, She was four miles west of Newhaven, dragging her anchor off Beachy Head, off a rocky coast, a heavy swell was and the motor life-boat Jane Holland running and her engine had broken was launched at 10.47. The weather down. The life-boat hauled her clear, was fine, and the sea smooth. The took the passengers on board, and life-boat found one man, the owner, in towed the speedboat and her skipper the boat, took him on board and his into Newhaven, arriving back at her boat in tow, and reached her station station at 3 o'clock.—Rewards, again at 12.25 next morning.—Rewards, £9 7s. 6d. £14 4*. 10,000-TON STEAMER AGROUND YACHT'S ENGINE FAILED Sheringham, Norfolk.—At 1.15 in the Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 3.38 in the afternoon of the 14th of September, afternoon of the 16th of September, 100 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 1947, the coastguard reported that a boat with another in tow could be small motor yacht was in difficulties, seen east of Jersey. There she found drifting towards the Inner Shoal, and the Cormorant, with a crew of fourteen, the motor life-boat Michael Stephens in tow of another French fishing vessel, was launched at 3.48. A strong and^ escorted them to the harbour, southerly wind was blowing, with a arriving back at her station at 1.10 in rough sea. The life-boat found the the afternoon of the 17th.—Rewards, motor cruiser Elsquir, with a crew of £26 14s. three aboard. She had shipped a sea which stopped her engine, but her crew CRASHED AEROPLANE had got it working again by the time Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset.—At the life-boat arrived. The life-boat es- 11.20 in the morning of the 17th of corted her over the harbour-bar, and September, 1947, the Swanage coast- returned to her station at 4.30. The guard reported that an aeroplane had crew of the yacht expressed their crashed into the sea off Bournemouth, thanks.—Rewards, £4 17*. 6d. and the motor life-boat Thomas Kirk Wright was launched at 11.25. in a R.A.F. DESERTERS RESCUED south-westerly breeze and calm sea. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 4.35 in A hundred yards south of Bournemouth the afternoon of the 16th of September, pier the life-boat found a part of the 1947, the coastguard at Warden Point aeroplane's engine, but that was all. reported a small yacht, with her engine She gave it to a R.A.F. launch and broken down, drifting near forts on the returned to her station, arriving at Shivering Sands, and the motor life-boat 2.45 in the afternoon. The aeroplane, Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was a Spitfire, had dived into the sea while launched at 4.55 in a strong south-west doing a victory roll.-—Rewards, £8 5*. wind, with a rough sea. On reaching Shivering Sands the life-boat found that FISHING BOAT ADRIFT the yacht—the Bellbo, of Upnor—had Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.-—During fouled the piles of the forts, and the the afternoon of the 17th of September, men on the forts had rescued the 1947, the pilot on watch reported that two men in the yacht, who were the local motor fishing boat St. Joseph deserters from the R.A.F. The yacht was being carried out to sea by the was full of water and had to be aban- easterly wind and ebbing tide. The doned, but the life-boat brought the motor life-boat Annie Blanche Smith two airmen ashore, handed them over was launched at 4.40 in a calm sea. to the police and returned to her She found the fishing boat six miles station at 10 o'clock.—Rewards, £16 2s. south-east of Dunmore East with her tail-shaft broken and her small sail FRENCH FISHING BOAT IN PERIL useless for sailing to windward. The St. Helier, Jersey.—At 8.10 in the life-boat towed her back to Dunmore evening of the 16th of September, 1947, East, arriving at 6.30 that evening.— a message was received from the har- Rewards, £5 5s. bour office that two men had rowed ashore at La Rocque from the fishing YACHT ADRIFT IN ROUGH SEA boat Cormorant, of Dinan, France, and Margate, Kent.—At 10.46 in the morn- had reported that the Cormorant was in of the 20th of September, 1947, the anchored with her engine broken down coastguard telephoned that a Nor- and her sails blown away one mile wegian steamer had reported through south of Icho Tower. The motor life- the North Foreland Radio Station that boat Howard D. was launched at 8.25 three men were adrift in a disabled in a moderate south-westerly breeze, yacht inside Knock John Buoy. The with a slight swell. She made a wide motor life-boat Milburn, on temporary search, found nothing, and was recalled duty at the station, was launched at to her station. At 9 o'clock next 11.10 in a fresh south-easterly wind morning she renewed the search, and with a rough sea. She went to the posi- while she was out she received a wire- tion given, about fourteen miles from less message from her station that a Margate, and found a small outboard DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 101 motor boat, with three men on board. The motor life-boat Field Marshal and They had no petrol and had been at sea Mrs. Smuts was launched at 1.45 and, all night. The life-boat took them on in a rough sea, rescued the two men board, and with the small boat in tow, who were nearly exhausted. She returned to Margate, arriving at 3.50 landed them and their boat at Gallows in the afternoon. While the life-boat Point, and, owing to the weather, was out, information was received that remained there herself until the fol- a steamer was putting three naval men lowing day, arriving back at her ashore at Gravesend. They, too, had station at 2.45 that afternoon.—Re- been picked up near the Knock John wards £7 18s. 6d. Buoy, and it was not known which of the two casualties was the 'one reported HELPLESS IN A HEAVY SEA by the Norwegian steamer.—Rewards, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At 6.40 £18 18s. in the evening of the 22nd of September, A CAREFUL WATCH 1947, the fishing boat Victoria was seen Sheringham, Norfolk. — During the approaching harbour with the seine-net early morning of the 21st of September, motor fishing boat Atomic Star in tow. 1947, a motor ketch left Yarmouth for A fresh north-westerly gale was blowing, Wisbech, in fine weather, but the wind with a heavy sea. A quarter of an got up, and when, about 10 o'clock, she hour later the coastguard telephoned was off Sheringham, she was kept to the life-boat station that the tow- under observation. She continued on rope had parted, the Victoria was her way, but at one o'clock in the after- making for harbour alone and the noon the Cley coastguard reported that Atomic Star had anchored, but the her engine appeared to have broken anchor was dragging. Five minutes down for she had anchored about two later the motor life-boat John and hundred yards off shore. The anchor Charles Kennedy put out and found was dragging but he thought that the Atomic Star, which was firing red there was no immediate danger. How- Very lights, five miles east of Fraser- ever, the weather got worse and at burgh. She took the boat in tow, but 2.17 the motor life-boat Foresters the tow parted. Again the tow was Centenary was launched. A strong fixed, but the life-boat could make little north-west breeze was then blowing, headway against the gale so she cast with a very rough sea. The life-boat off the tow and at 10.30 returned to found the ketch—Livre, of Burnham- harbour to get help. Four minutes on-Crouch, with a crew of two— after midnight she again put out with six miles off Salthouse. She was the steam drifter Crannock, and they about two hundred yards from the brought the Atomic Star and her crew shore. The life-boat took her in tow, of four into harbour. The life-boat and made for Wells. The tow-rope arrived back at her station at 5.14 in parted twice, but she arrived off Wells the morning.—Rewards, £23 4s. at 5.10 in the evening. There she had to wait, as it was low water, but JUST IN TIME at 7.10, when the tide had flowed Weymouth, Dorset.—At 8.30 in the sufficiently, she towed the Livre to morning of the 26th of September, the harbour entrance, put her in charge 1947, the Grove Point coastguard re- of the harbour pilot, and returned to ported that a motor boat had broken her station, arriving at 9.30.—Rewards, down, and that signals were being £36 16s. made by the people on board. The motor life-boat William and Clara COCKLE-GATHERERS IN PERIL Ryland left her moorings at 8.40 in a Beaumaris, Anglesey.—Early in the strong north-easterly wind with a morning of the 22nd of September, rough sea, and found the motor boat 1947, two men put out in a rowing boat Tarka, with two persons aboard, only to gather cockles, but a strong south- twenty yards from the shore to the west wind blew up and at one o'clock in north-east of Grove Point. She towed the afternoon the men were seen to be the Tarka into Weymouth, arriving at in difficulties on the Lavan Bank. 10.30.—Rewards, £5 5s. 102 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 YACHT TOWED IN Cunard was launched at 11 o'clock. Dover, Kent.—At 2.49 in the afternoon A moderate south-easterly breeze was of the 28th of September, 1947, the blowing, with a moderate sea. The Sandgate coastguard reported that a life-boat found the S.S. Radstock, of yacht was making distress signals one Bridgwater—a vessel of one hundred mile south of Folkestone. The motor tons, with a crew of seven—out of life-boat J. B. Proudfoot was launched control with a broken cylinder head, at 3.20 in a light south-westerly breeze and towed her in, arriving back at her with a moderate sea. She found the station at 2.15 the following morning.— motor yacht Arosita broadside to the Property Salvage Case. sea and rolling heavily. Her engines had broken down. Another motor AGROUND IN DENSE FOG vessel was standing by her. She had Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 1.47 in the two men on board. The life-boat took morning of the 7th of October, 1947, her in tow, and after she had seen her the coastguard reported a steam moored in the harbour, returned to her trawler aground near the end of the station, arriving at 5.10.—Property North Pier. There was a dense fog Salvage Case. with a light westerly wind and a calm sea. The life-boat coxswain went to During September the following 31 see the position of the vessel and life-boats went out -on service, but learned from the skipper that he could find no ship in distress or were needed a tug. The trawler was the not needed. The figures in brackets Ireland's Eye, of Lowestoft. Later it are the rewards given to the crews: was decided to send out the life-boat Dover (£2 10s.); Margate (£20 17*.); and the Michael Stephens was launched St. Helier (£2614s.); Ramsgate (£918s.); about 3 o'clock, and ran out an Hartlepool (£5 14s.); Portrush(£l89s.); anchor from the trawler. After she Baltimore (£9 17s.); Margate (No had stood by for a time the skipper rewards granted); Ramsgate (£6 13s.); said that he needed no further help, Sunderland (£17 7s.); Peel (£20 2s. 6d.); so she returned to her station at 5.10.— Walton and Frinton (£13 9s.); Yar- Rewards, £10. mouth (Isle of Wight), (£6 2s. 6d.); Angle (£10 4s.); Ramsgate (£1110s. 6d.); Rosslare Harbour (Partly paid per- LONG SEARCH IN A FOG manent crew, £2 Is.); Margate Margate, Kent.—At 9.32 on the night (£16 19s.); Bembridge (£8 15s. 6d.); of the 12th of October, 1947, the coast- Valentia (£13 13s.); Arbroath (£6 9s.); guard reported that a boy who had Kingstown (£7); Montrose (£43 2s.); gone fishing in a dinghy off the Ness at Skegness (£9 6s.); Clacton-on-Sea 8 o'clock that morning, had not been (£16 13s. 6dL); Great Yarmouth and seen since. The motor life-boat Mil- Gorleston (£2316s.); Lowestoft (£615s.); burn, on temporary duty at the station, Caister (£21 7s.); Torbay (£6 4s.); was launched at 9.45. The weather Hoylake (£1812s.); Ramsgate (£1112s.); was calm, but there was fog. The Weymouth (£16 9s.). life-boat found nothing and returned to her station at midnight for news. October At 2.55 the following morning she went out again, but again found nothing, During October life-boats put out and it was decided to discontinue the to the rescue 33 times, and rescued search until daylight. When the life- 7 lives. boat put out for the third time it was still foggy. Again she found nothing, STEAMER TOWED IN and she was recalled, arriving back at St. Mary'*, Scilly Islands.—At about her station at 10 o'clock. It was 10.40 on the night of the 4th of October, learnt later that the boy and his dinghy 1947, the Round Island Lighthouse had been picked up by a steamer. wirelessed that a vessel was firing dis- The boy gave £10 to the Life-boat tress signals about two miles north of Service—the amount for which he sold the island, and the motor life-boat the dinghy.—Rewards, £37 7s. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 103

COASTER RE-FLOATED ANOTHER FISHING BOAT TOWED IN Caister, Norfolk.—At about 10.30 in New Quay, Cardiganshire.—At 9.45 the morning of the 12th of October, on the night of the 21st of October, 1947, a motor vessel was seen stranded 1947, the coastguard reported a vessel on the west side of Scroby Sands, two burning signals of distress three miles miles east of the life-boat station, and to the north of Aberayron. The pulli ng the motor life-boat Josk Neville was and sailing life-boat William Cantrell launched at 10.47, in a moderate south- Ashley was launched at 10.10 in a easterly breeze and slight sea. She strong south-easterly- breeze with a found the motor coaster Cyprian Coast, choppy sea, and at 11 o'clock found the of Newcastle, a vessel of 508 tons, motor fishing boat Seabreeze, of Aber- bound for London with a crew of nine. ayron, with a crew of two aboard, It was low water and she was hard her engine broken down. She towed aground. The life-boat stood by, and, her into New Quay at 1.15 the follow- as the tide flowed, the coxswain gave ing morning.—Rewards, £31 5*. advice to the captain, and the coaster eventually refloated under her own FLOATS MISTAKEN FOR MEN power. She went on her way, and the Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wezford.—At life-boat returned to her station at 6.10 9.40 in the morning of the 21st of that evening.—Rewards, £26 6s. October, 1947, information was received that what appeared to be a partly sub- DOCTOR TO A SCALDED SEAMAN merged boat with three men clinging to it had been seen in Ballytrent Bay. Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— The motor life-boat Agnes Cross, on At about 7 o'clock in the evening of the temporary duty at the station, was 13th of October, 1947, the coastguard launched at 9.58. A fresh southerly reported that the S.S. Grosvenor, which breeze was blowing and the sea was was lying off the harbour entrance, had rough. The life-boat searched but all signalled for a doctor to attend to a she found was a trawler's dan buoy scalded'man, arid the-motor life-boat with three floats. She arrived back J. and W. was launched with a doctor at her station at 11 o'clock that morn- on board at 7.10 in a light breeze and ing.—Rewards, £2 11s. smooth sea. She put him on the steamer, waited while he had attended FISHING-BOAT REFLOATED to the patient, and brought him ashore, Barrow, Lancashire.—At about 2.45 returning to her station at 8.30.— in the morning of the 22nd of October, Rewards, £11 19s. 1947, the Walney Island coastguard reported flares to the south of Hilpsford PROPELLER FOULED BY FISHING Point, and at 3.10 the motor life-boat NET N.T. was launched. The south-easterly breeze was light, but the sea was Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At mid- choppy. At 3.40 the coastguard re- night on the 17th of October, 1947, it ported that the vessel was the motor was learned that the motor fishing boat fishing boat Eleanor a, of Fleetwood. Watchful had not returned, and at She had gone aground and her crew 9.40 next morning the motor life-boat had been rescued by line from the Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow put out shore. The life-boat was recalled and to look for her in a fresh southerly wind arrived back at her station at 4.30, but with a moderate sea. While she was about noon the master asked the life- searching she received a wireless mes- boat to stand by while the Eleanora sage from the shore giving the position was refloated. The life-boat again put of the missing boat, about eighteen out, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, miles east-south-east of Buchanness. refloated the Eleanora, and, as she There she found her, disabled by a net was leaking, towed her into the har- which had fouled her propeller, and bour, where she was beached. The towed her, and her crew of five, into life-boat arrived back at her station harbour at 3.30 in the afternoon.—• at 7.30 that evening.—Rewards, First Rewards, £16 12s. 6d. service, £10 5s.; Second service, £16 5*. 104 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947

SWEDISH YACHT IN PERIL at 11.55 the motor life-boat Elizabeth Hasting*, Sussex.—On the 22nd of and Albina Whitley was launched in a October, 1947, the Swedish yacht freshening easterly wind and a rough Polstjarnan was alongside the pier sea. She found the coble about three with her engine broken down. At 9.15 miles east-north-east of the life-boat in the morning the coastguard reported station. She had just completed haul- that she was bumping badly against ing her gear. The life-boat escorted the pier. An increasing south-westerly her to the harbour arriving back at her breeze was blowing, with a moderate station at 2.15 in the afternoon.— sea, and a gale was expected, so the Rewards, £16 6*. motor life-boat Cyril and Lilian Bishop was launched at 10 o'clock and towed MOTOR VESSEL REFLOATED the yacht to Rye Harbour, returning Ramsgate, Kent.—At about 7.20 in to her station at 4.10 in the afternoon. the morning of the 27th of October, —Rewards, £44 10.?. 1947, the coastguard reported that the motor vessel Guernsey Coast, of London, CROMER OUT FOR EIGHTEEN HOURS was ashore five miles north-east of Cromer, Norfolk.—At 5.20 in the North Foreland with her steering gear evening of the 26th of October, 1947, damaged, and that she had asked for the Palling coastguard reported that the two tugs. The motor life-boat Pru- motor vessel Gold Gnome, of London, dential was launched at 7.30. A fresh was flying distress signals off Happis- north-easterly gale was blowing, with burgh and the No. 2 motor life-boat a very rough sea. The liferboat found Harriot Dixon was launched at 6.25. A the motor vessel on Margate Sands, strong easterly breeze was blowing, with and the master said that she was now a rough sea. The life-boat found the unmanageable. The tide was flowing vessel, which was bound for Little- and, with the coxswain giving advice, hampton with a crew of seven, anchored her master, was able to manoeuvre her one and a half miles north-east by into safe water and anchor. The life- north of Happisburgh Lighthouse, with boat then stood by until the tugs her engine broken down. The master arrived to tow the Guernsey Coast asked the life-boat to stand by. The to London, and returned to her station, engine was got going again by 9.20. and arriving at 2.53 that afternoon.— with the life-boat in attendance the Property Salvage Case.—Rewards. 16s. Gold Gnome made for Yarmouth. Her engine broke down again at one o'clock MOTOR YACHT WITHOUT FUEL next morning, and in worsening weather Selsey, Sussex.—-At 4.5 in the morning she anchored about three-quarters of a of the 31st of October, 1947, the coast- mile north-east of the coastguard sta- guard reported that a motor yacht, tion. Then the master asked the life- short of fuel and moored to the stern boat to send for a tug, and one arrived of the Owers Light-vessel, needed help, at 10.45. The Gold Gnome's anchors and the- motor life-boat Canadian had been dragging, and by this time Pacific was launched at 4.20 in a fresh she was nearly ashore. The seas were easterly breeze with a choppy sea. heavy, and the life-boat helped the tug She found the motor launch Marita, to pass a tow rope to her. With the bound from Chichester to Rye with a Gold Gnome in tow the tug made for crew of four, and towed her to Shoreham Yarmouth, and the life-boat returned Harbour. She then returned to her to her station arriving at 12.40 in the station, arriving at 5.10 that afternoon. afternoon. She had then been out for —Rewards, £32 Is. 6d. over eighteen hours.—Property Salvage Case. During October the following 17 life-boats went out on service, but TO THE HELP OF A COBLE could find no ship in distress or were Flamborongh, Yorkshire. — On the not needed. The figures in brackets morning of the 27th of October, 1947, are the rewards given to the crews: the weather became bad while the local Galway Hay (£18 Is.); Port Ellen fishing coble Pioneer was at sea, and (£7 18s. 6d.); Peel (£22 14s.); Padstow DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 105 (£4 16*.); Donaghadee (£9 7*.); Hoy- the afternoon of the 2nd of November, lake (£24); Rosslare Harbour (Partly 1947, the Needles Naval Signal Station permanent paid crew, £5 3s.); Thurso reported a motor launch, with the (£12 17s. 6d.); Dover (£21 55.); Aber- yacht Orion in tow, in need of help, deen (£15 10*.); Southend-on-Sea and the motor life-boat S.G.E. was (£12 5*.); Southend-on-Sea (£19 19s.); launched at 2 o'clock in a fresh south- Har.lepool (£3 4s.); Torbay (£5 8s. 6d.); westerly gale with a rough sea running. Margate (£35 5s. 6J.); Dungeness After she had left a message came to (£32 17*.); Sheringham (£34 2*.). her station that there was no one on the yacht Orion but that a motor yacht November was in distress off Lymington River, During November life-boats put out one mile east at Tanners Lake, and at to the rescue 53 times and rescued 28 2.50 this information was passed to her lives. by wireless. She altered course, and found the motor yacht Binge ashore HELPLESS WITH BROKEN RUDDER with a crew of four. Heavy spray was Peterhead, Aberdeenihire.—At about breaking over her. A life-boatman 4.30 in the morning of the 1st of threw the heaving cane with a line November, 1947, the coastguard re- attached, into the yacht, the breeches ported that a vessel was burning flares buoy was rigged and the four men were three miles south-east by east of the hauled into the life-boat. The life- coastguard station, and the motor life- boat landed them at Yarmouth Quay boat Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow, was at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.—Rewards, launched at 4.45 in a strong south- £10 19s. south-east breeze, with a heavy swell. She found the motor fishing boat Mark DESTROYED BY HEAVY SEAS H. Leach, of Inverness, bound for Rhyl, Flintshire.—At 8.53 on the night Aberdeen with a crew of five, two and a of the 2nd of November, 1947, the coast- half miles east by north of Peterhead, guard reported a distress flare seen off with her rudder broken.- With diffi- the harbour and it was thought that culty the life-boat took her in tow and, the motor fishing boat Girl Evelyn, of although the rope parted three times, Deganwy, known to be at sea, needed towed her to the harbour, arriving back help. At 10 o'clock the motor life- at her station at 6.35 that morning.— boat The Gordon Warren was launched Property Salvage Case. in a westerly gale with a very heavy sea. She found the fishing boat on-a sand- BOAT-THIEVES RESCUED Bank about three hundred yards off the W aimer, Kent.—At 10.10 in the morn- promenade, pounded by the seas. The ing of the 1st of November, 1947, a life-boat rescued her crew of two, took wireless message from the South Good- them to Foryd harbour, anchored there win Light-vessel said that she had picked until the next day and returned to up a small boat with two men aboard, her station at 5 o'clock that afternoon. and wanted the life-boat to go out. The fishing boat became a total wreck. At 10.15 the motor life-boat Charles —Rewards, £16 5s. Dibdin, Civil Service No. 2, was launched in a south-westerly breeze VELLUM FOR BALLYCOTTON and moderate sea. She found that the COXSWAIN two rescued men had stolen a rowing Ballycotton, and Courtmacsherry, Co. boat, which belonged to the coxswain Cork.—At 5.40 in the afternoon of the of the life-boat, had lost their oars and 6th of November, 1947, Mrs. M. L. had drifted over the Goodwin Sands. Blake, of Ballycotton picked up a The life-boat brought them and their wireless call from the Milford Haven boat to Walmer, arriving at 12 noon, steam trawler East Coast, that she was and handed the two men over to the foundering, and passed it at once to police.—Rewards, £18 2s. the life-boat station. A further mes- sage gave the 'trawler's position as FOUR RESCUED BY BREECHES BUOY nineteen miles south of Ballycotton Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 1.50 in and the motor life-boat Mary Stanford 108 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 was launched at 5.50. A moderate past three the following morning.— southerly gale was blowing, with a Rewards, Ballycotton, the thanks of confused sea, and it was very dark. the Institution inscribed on vellum to Several other trawlers were going to the Coxswain Patrick Sliney, who already aid of the East Coast, and by means of holds the Institution's gold, silver and their wireless they kept her and the bronze medals, and £39 19s. to him shore informed of the position. At 7.15 and his crew; Courtmacsherry Harbour, the station learnt that a French trawler £20 8s. The Institution also sent had reached the East Coast. On her letters of thanks to Mrs. M. L. Blake, way the life-boat spoke two trawlers and and Skipper Albert Wiseman, of the one, the Caswell, accompanied her in Caswell. order to give her the use of her wireless. Meanwhile, on shore, Mrs. Blake kept HOUSE-BOAT ON THE GOODWINS the life-boat station informed of all Walmer, Kent.-—Early in the morning messages passing between the vessels. of the 9th"of November, 1947, the ex- The life-boat and the Caswell reached Brixham trawler Toreador, towing from the East Coast at 9.15 and found the Brixham to Southend -another Brixham trawler Slebech escorting her as she trawler, the Red Gauntlet, which had steamed slowly towards the land. The been converted into a house-boat, ran life-boat and the Caswell went with into bad weather-off the Kentish coast. them. At 11.15 the captain decided She found that the Red Gauntlet was to abandon his ship, as she seemed about making water and two of her crew of to sink, and the life-boat took off the four launched a dinghy and took off nine men aboard. She was damaged the crew of two of the Red Gauntlet, in doing so. The tenth, and only other one of them the woman owner. In member of the crew, had been taken off order to pick up her dinghy the Toreador by the French trawler, which had then cut the tow, but she failed to get the gone on her way. The East Coast did dinghy, which made for the South not sink, but her lights went out, and as Goodwin Light-vessel. The light-vessel she was a danger to navigation, the life- sent to the coastguard the information boat remained by her. The life-boat- that she had these people aboard. men gave the rescued men stimulants The coastguard passed it to the life- from the life-boat's emergency rations, boat station and at 7.45 the motor and tea was lowered to the life-boat by life-boat Charles Dibdin, Civil Service the trawler Caswell. At about 6 o'clock No. 2, was launched. A strong south- next morning the weather moderated, westerly breeze was then blowing with and an hour and a half later the skipper a very rough sea. On her way to the boarded his trawler. A tow-rope was light-vessel the life-boat passed the passed from the Slebech to the East Coast derelict Red Gauntlet, but after taking and the skipper returned to the life-boat. the people on board the coxswain With her after-deck awash the decided to land them without delay, and trawler was towed to within 500 yards left the derelict to drift. Meanwhile of Ballycotton Pier and there the the Toreador had got into difficulties Slebech let go. The skipper again and was towed to Dover by a motor boarded the East Coast and this time boat. The life-boat got back to her a life-boatman went aboard with him. station at 10.15.—Rewards, £21 16s. They fixed a hawser and returned to the life-boat. The hawser parted, but TWICE AGROUND was again fixed and the life-boat com- pleted the tow to harbour, arriving at Walton and Frinton, Essex.—About 11 o'clock. Ten minutes later the 3.20 in the morning of the 10th of trawler sank. She was salved later. November, 1947, the coastguard tele- The Courtmacsherry Harbour life- phoned that the motor vessel Sodality, of boat Sarah Ward and David William London, had been in collision with No. Crosweller was also launched, leaving 39 Buoy near the Sunk Light-vessel at 7.20 in the evening. She had been and was leaking badly. The motor given a position south of the Old Head life-boat E.M.E.D. left her moorings at of Kinsale, and after an unsuccessful 3.40 in a light south-westerly wind search reached her station again at half with a slight sea and eventually found DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 107 the vessel on the Cork Sands, where Cranborne reported that she was four her master had placed her to save her miles north-east of Hartland Point, from sinking. At his request the life- that the tow-rope had parted and that boat stood by. On the rising tide the she had lost the yacht. This informa- Sodality got off and made for Harwich, tion was sent by the Hartland Point accompanied by the life-boat, only to coastguard to the Clovelly life-boat go agrourd again just outside the har- station, and at ten minutes to one in the bour on Andrews Spit. There she morning of the 12th the motor life boat remained until half-past seven in the City of Nottingham was launched. evening, when she again refloated, On the way down the beaeh—it was got into harbour and was beached. low water—she hit a stone and damaged The Iife-b6at returned to Walton, her bottom. The gale was now blowing arriving at 9.5 that night.—Rewards, strongly from the west and the .sea £47 15*. .was rough. The life-boat spoke the Cranborne and was directed by her to EMPTY YACHT ADRIFT a position between Lundy Island and Hartland Point. The coxswain now Wicklow.—At 10.80 in the morning found that his damaged life-boat was of the 10th of November, 1947, the leaking, and went under the shelter of owner of the sailing yacht Vega, of the land to investigate. He pumped Wicklow, reported that his yacht was out the water and continued his search adrift 5 miles to the east and, as no for the yacht, but the water that had other boat was available, asked for come in had put his wireless out of the life-boat's help. The motor life- action, so he returned to Clovelly for boat Lady Kylsant was launched at information. Here he learned that 10.45 in a north-westerly breeze and the yacht's crew had been rescued by fine weather, and towed the yacht into the Appledore life-boat. harbour, arriving back at her station The information from the Cranborne at 12.50.—-Property Salvage Case. which had been passed to Clovelly by the Hartland Point coastguard had FOUR LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCH OF A been passed also by the Croyde coast- YACHT guard to Appledore, and the motor Padstow, Cornwall, Clovelly, Appledore, life-boat Violet Armstrong had put out and Dfracombe, Devon.—On the llth at 1.12. She made a hazardous, but of November, 1947, the motor yacht successful, crossing of the bar, and just Ocean Spray, with a crew of two men before four o'clock found the yacht, and a woman, ran«into very bad disabled and waterlogged, ten miles weather off the north coast of Cornwall east of Hartland Point. She attempted ' while on passage from Milford to to take the yacht in tow, but the rope Littlehampton. Her engine broke parted. At a second attempt another down off Trevose Head and she sig- rope was lost, and then, with great nalled for help. The signal was seen difficulty, the life-boat rescued the by the Trevose Head coastguard and woman and the two men, and leaving passed to Padstow at 3.40 in the after- the yacht to drift made for Clovelly. noon, and at 4.23 the No. 1 motor life- Here she landed the three rescued boat Princess Mary was launched. pe< pie. Owing to the heavy surf on A strong south-westerly wind was Appledore Bar she waited until after- blowing, with a moderately rough sea. noon before she returned to her station. The life-boat found the yacht with On her way she searched for the Ocean S.S. Cranborne standing by. They Spray, and found her wrecked OP the declined the life-boat's help and the sands at Woolacombe in Morte Bay. Cranborne took the yacht in tow. The She reached her station at 4.30. life-boat then returned to her station, The life-boat station at Ilfracombe arriving at 6 o'clock the same evening. had been kept informed of what was The steamer and the yacht were re- happening and at 2.25 in the morning ported later by the coastguard at the motor life-boat Richard Silver Hartland Point to have passed up Oliver was launched to search the Bull channel at 10.40 bound for Swansea. Point area in case the missing yacht At twenty minutes after midnight the should have drifted there with the flood 108 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 tide and south-westerly wind. When TWICE IN TWO DAYS it was learnt that the crew of the yacht Whitby, Yorkshire.—, Shortly before had been saved the life-boat was recalled mid-day on the 14th of November, and got back to her station at 6.10 1947, the owner of the local fishing in the morning.—Rewards. Padstow, vessel Pilot Me reported that he had £5 16s.; Clovelly, £31 18s.; Appledore, been told by wireless that her engine had £39 10s. 6d.; and Ilfracombe, £29 15s. failed. He had some new bolts being- made for the engine, and they were NEARLY ON THE ROCKS nearly ready. As soon as they were Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 7.30 on the ready the No. 1 motor life-boat Mary night of the llth of November, 1947, Ann Hepworth was launched. It was flares to the north of the harbour were then 12.30 and a fresh west-north-west seen, and the motor life-boat Inbhear wind was blowing with a heavy swell. Mor was launched at 7.40, in a southerly ' The life-boat found the Pilot Me gale with a very rough sea. She found drifting about six miles north-east of a local fishing boat with a crew of four, Skinningrove, transferred the new bolts drifting on to the Porters Rocks. She to her by line and then took her in got a rope to her and towed her into tow while the crew were carrying out harbour, arriving back at her station the repairs. They were done before at 8.45.—Rewards, £9 6s. harbour was reached and the Pilot Me was able to go under her own power, PROPELLER FOULED the life-boat escorting her. They ar- rived at Whitby at 4.45 that afternoon. Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—-At 9.40 in —Rewards, £11 18s. 6d. the evening of the llth of November, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that a Whitby, Yorkshire. — In the early seine-net fishing boat had fouled her morning of the 15th of November, propeller and was signalling for help 1947, several fishing vessels had put to half a mile off Cruden Bay. The sea in moderate weather, but wind motor life-boat Julia Park Barry, of and sea increased, the boats returned, Glasgow, was launched at 9.55, in a and by 7.30 all had got safely into har- freshening south-easterly breeze with bour except the Pilot Me. At 7.40 the a moderate sea, and found the local No. 1 motor life-boat Mary Ann Hep- fishing boat June Rose. Her engine worth was launched. A north-north- could go astern but not ahead, and her west gale was then blowing, with a crew of two were trying to clear the very heavy sea. The life-boat went propeller. The life-boat towed her out to meet the "Pilot Me, and escorted to Cruden Bay and returned to her her through the dangerous seas at the station, arriving at 12.55 the next morn- harbour entrance, returning to her ing.—Rewards, £11 6s. 6d. station at 8.45.—Rewards, £7 4s.

ENGINE FAILED LANDING AN INJURED MAN IN A Sunderland, Co. Durham.—At 8.7 on ROUGH SEA the night of the 13th of November, New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 8.45 in 1947, the coastguard reported a flare the morning of the 15th of November, two miles east of Ryhope. Seaham life- 1947, the Mersey Docks and Harbour boat was unable to launch owing to Board asked for the life-boat to land the lowness of the tide and the Sunder- the mate of the Bar Light-vessel, who land motor life-boat Edward and Isabella had been severely burned. A strong Irwin was launched at 9.30, in a fresh west-north-west breeze was blowing, north-westerly breeze with a slight with a very rough sea, ajid the weather swell. She found the fishing yawl Alex, was too bad,for a Docks Board Boat to of Seaham, with a crew of three, one put out. The No. 2 motor life-boat mile north of Seaham. Her engine Edmund and Mary Robinson left her had broken down. The life-boat towed moorings at 9.10, brought the injured her to Sunderland, arriving back at man ashore, and returned to her moor- her station at one o'clock the next ings at 1.45 in the afternoon.—Rewards, morning.—Rewards, £12 15s. £14 3s. 6d. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 100

FAMILY PARTY ADRIFT IN A GALE SEARCHING FOR AIRMEN Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—On the Margate, and Ramsgate, Kent. — morning of the 15th of November, 1947, Shortly after 7.30 on the night of the a north-westerly gale was blowing, with 20th of November, 1947, the R.A.F. at a very rough sea, and at 10.30 the Manston reported to the coastguard coastguard reported a vessel drifting. that a Wellington aeroplane was down At 10.45 the motor life-boat Thomas and in the sea north-east of North Foreland. Annie Wade Richards was launched. The Margate motor life-boat, Lord .She found a converted fishing vessel, Southborough, Civil Service No. 1, was The Witch, three miles out of Abergele, launched at 8.28 with the bowman in with the owner, his wife, their two charge, and the pilot boat, which was children, and two young men on board. at sea, with the life-boat's second cox- Their engines had broken down and swain on board, joined in the search. they had drifted all the previous night. A moderate south-westerly breeze was The owner asked for a tow but this was blowing, with a rough sea. The in- impossible in the heavy seas. With formation had also been given by the great difficulty he, his wife and children coastguard to Ramsgate, and at 8.10 were taken into the life-boat, but the the motor life-boat Prudential had put two young men decided to stay in The out. A second report indicated that Witch and try to reach Llanddulas. the aeroplane might have crashed off The life-boat arrived at her station Birchington, and a wireless message at 2.30 p.m. The two young men later was sent to the Margate life-boat to swam ashore, and The Witch herself cruise in that area. About 9 o'clock was driven ashore at Abergele and she saw red flares near Margate Sands wrecked.—Rewards, £21 7s. Qd. Beacon. Then, by the light of flares dropped by aircraft, she saw men in a ANOTHER ENGINE BROKEN DOWN rubber dinghy. She could not get to Rhyl, Flintshire.—At 10.15 on the night them owing to the shallow water on of the 19th of November, 1947, the the sands, so signalled H.M.S. Franklin coastguard telephoned that flares had to send a small boat. This boat, been seen two miles north-north-east piloted by a life-boatman, and held in iof the pier, and the motor life-boat the beam of the Margate pilot boat's The Gordon Warren was launched at searchlight, rescued four airmen and 11 o'clock in a light south-south- took them to the Franklin. The life- east breeze with a choppy sea. She boat got back to her station at 2.30 the found the local motor fishing vessel following morning. Norcin with her engines broken down In the meantime the Ramsgate and her mast broken. She had two life-boat, having searched and found men on board. The life-boat towed her nothing, spoke the North Goodwin to Foryd and returned to her station Light-vessel and learned of the rescue, arriving at 1.45 the next morning.— but as one 'man was reported still Rewards, £14 Qs. missing she made a further, but fruit- less, search before returning to her LOBSTER BOAT DRIFTING IN A GALE station at 2.10 next morning. A letter Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—During of thanks was sent to the Margate the morning of the 20th of November, coxswain by the Royal Air Force.— 1947, the relatives of two local men who Rewards, Margate, "£26 1*5. 6d.; had put out in a lobster fishing boat, Ramsgate, £18 15*. 6d. reported that they were overdue and as a moderate south-westerly gale was A TOW IN A ROUGH SEA blowing, with a rough sea, anxiety was Girvan, Ayrshire.—About 5 o'clock in felt for their safety. The motor life- the evening of the 26th of November, boat Lloyd's was launched at 2 o'clock 1947, a motor fishing boat was seen one in the afternoon, and found the fishing mile to the westward, apparently boat drifting three miles off Castlebay, broken down. On being signalled she and took the two men aboard. With the replied that she did not need help, but boat in tow she returned to her station about an hour later, in view of the arriving at 5 o'clock.—Rewards, £8 15s. freshening north-west breeze, and the 110 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 rough sea, it was thought advisable 1947, the life-boat coxswain picked up for the motor life-boat to put out, and a message on his wireless from the local the Lily Glen—Glasgow was launched motor fishing vessel Gem, that her at 6.40. She found the motor fishing rudder had been broken, and the No. 1 boat Rose, of Inverness, with a crew of motor life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth seven, one mile west-south-west of the was launched at 11.45. A fresh north- harbour and towed her in, arriving westerly breeze was blowing, with a back at her station at 7.40.—Rewards, rough sea. The life-boat found the £7 7*. 6d. Gem four miles east of Skinningrove in tow of the motor fishing vessels Success WITHOUT SLEEP FOR SEVENTY HOURS and Provider, making for Wbitby. The life-boat accompanied them. One and Ramtgate, and Walmer, Kent.—At 5.56 in th« evening of the 26th of No- a half miles off the harbour she made vember, 1947, the coastguard tele- fast to the Gem, to steer her from phoned that information had been the stern when they went through received from Margate that a barge the rough seas on the harbour bar. with her topmast carried away was Before they reached them the Provider driving towards Ramsgate. She was cast off her tow-rope, but at the-harbour said to be south of Longnose and not entrance the tow-rope from the Success to be carrying any lights. The Rams- parted. The Provider at once went gate motor life-boat Prudential was alongside the Gem, got her in tow again, launched at 6.8 in a westerly breeze, and with the help of the life-boat with a rough sea running. She searched brought her into the harbour. The unsuccessfully for two hours, put back life-boat arrived back at her station at for further information, resumed the 3 o'clock that afternoon.—Rewards, search, but still without result, and £11 17*. returned to her station at 10.10. Whitby, Yorkshire.—At about 9.30 in About 8.45 next morning, the missing the morning of the 29th of November, boat was seen drifting over the southern 1947, the Runswick life-boat station part of the Goodwin Sands, with her telephoned that the motor fishing vessel sails and topmast carried away. She Venus, of Whitby, had broken down oft was the yacht Magnet, of Faversham, a Staithes and needed help. She was converted Thames sailing barge. The reported to be under sail but drifting Walmer motor life-boat Charles Dibdin, to leeward. At 1.55 the No. 1 motor Civil Service No. 2, was launched at life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was 9 o'clock. A moderate westerly breeze launched in a strong north-easterly was then blowing, with a moderate breeze with a rough sea running, and sea. The life-boat came up with the found the Venus off Sandsend in tow of Magnet one mile north of the South the motor fishing vessel Galilee, making Goodwin Light-vessel. She had been for Whitby. The life-boat accompanied blown across the sands during the them. When they were only a hundred night. She had lost her anchor and yards off the harbour the tow-line chain. Her auxiliary motor had been parted. The life-boat immediately went swamped. Her crew of three had gone alongside the Venus, got another rope without sleep for seventy-two hours. to her, and towed her into the harbour. Her skipper asked to be towed to Dover. She arrived back at her station at 1.10 Four life-boatmen then boarded the that afternoon.—-Rewards, £8 4s. yacht to fasten tow-ropes and pump her out. When the life-boat had LANDING A THAMES PILOT berthed her in Dover harbour she re- Ramsgate, Kent.—At 4 o'clock in the turned to her station, arriving at 2.15 morning of the 30th of November, in the afternoon.—Rewards: Ramsgate, 1947, the coxswain received a telephone £12 19s. 6d.; Walmer, Property Salvage call from the Margate coastguard asking Case. for help in landing a Thames pilot from the Norwegian steamer Rolf Jarl, of DIFFICULT TOWS Trondheim. She was due off Margate Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 11.5 in the at 5.30, but no boat was available there morning of the 28th of November, except the life-boat. As at Ramsgate DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT in also no other suitable boat was avail- needed. The figures in brackets are able, the motor life-boat Prudential was the rewards civeii to the crews: launched at 4.45 in a strong northerly Portrush (£8 2s. 6d.); Dover (£7 5s.); breeze with a very rough sea. She St.Mary's(£l26s.);Howth(£l810s.6d.); met the steamer, by arrangement, be- Stornoway (£20); Port Erin (£17 Is.); tween the Elbow and Foreland Buoys, Peel (£22 14s.); Thurso (£10 12s. 6d.); took the pilot on board and returned The Mumbles (£15 14?.); Caister to her station, arriving at 7.15 in the (£17 4s.); The Humber (permanent morning. The pilot sent to the Insti- paid crew); Torbay (£4 8s.); Torbay tution the fee of ten guineas which he (£7 16s.); Campbeltown (£27 19s.); had received from the Rolf Jarl.— Maryport (£14 Is. 6d.); Llandudno Rewards, £7 18*. 6d. (£25" 16s. 6

Naming Ceremonies CADGWITH, HOLY ISLAND, PWLLHELI AND THE MUMBLES Four naming ceremonies of motor of the boathouse. The boat was re- life-boats took place in the summer of ceived by Sir Arthur Reed, J.P., a 1947 at Cadgwith, Holy Island, Pwllheli member of the Committee of Manage- and The Mumbles. ment, and president of the Exeter branch. He in turn presented her to Cadgwith Mr. S. F. Watson, the honorary sec- The Cadgwith life-boat is of the retary of the station. The Bishop of 35-feet 6-inches, light, self-righting Truro (Dr. J. W. Hunkin, O.B.E., M.C., type, weighing under seven tons, for D.D.), assisted by the Rector of St. launching off the open beach, and has Grade with St. Ruan Minor (the Rev. been built out of a gift of £5,000 from G. A. Harper), dedicated the boat, the Girl Guides of the Empire, sub- and Nancy, Lady Vivian, O.B,E., scribed during Empire Week in 1940. County President of Girl Guides, named The boat was just completed in April, her Guide of Dunkirk. A vote of 1940, when the call came for boats to thanks to those taking part was pro- go to Dunkirk to help in bringing off posed by Admiral E. L. S. King, C.B., the British Expeditionary Force, and M.V.O., and seconded b/ the Rev. she was sent straight from the building R. H. Luke, the Methodist Minister at yard in Essex. She returned to the Mullion. building yard for repairs and was sta- tioned at Cadgwith in 1941. When the Holy Island Girl Guides Association heard that their The Holy Island life-boat station is gift was to be used for this boat they one of the oldest on our coasts. It- asked that her name should be Guide of was established in 1802. It has had Dunkirk. altogether ten life-boats, and its first The naming ceremony was held on the motor life-boat went to the station 14th of June and the Rev. G. Birkett in 192-5, a life-boat of the 45-feet Roberts, L.Ph., a former honorary Watson cabin type. This boat was secretary of the station, presided. replaced in 1946 with a 46-feet life- Mrs. Michael Rogers, the County Com- boat, of the same type. She has been missioner of Girl Guides for Cornwall, built out of a legacy from Lady presented the life-boat to the Institu- Struthers, of London, who for many tion on behalf of the Girl Guides Associa- years was an active member of the tion, and also unveiled a plaque record- Central London Women's Committee ing the gift and the boat's share in the of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. evacuation from Dunkirk on the doors The naming ceremony was held on 112 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947

NAMING CEREMONIES

By courtesy of] [Jonathan Roberts, fielUieli MANCHESTER & SALFORD XXIX The new Pwllheli Life-boat after the ceremony

By courtesy of [South Wales Evening Post WILLIAM GAMMON-MANCHESTER & DISTRICT XXX Naming the new life-boat at The Mumbles DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 113

NAMING CEREMONIES

CADGWTTH Unveiling the Plaque on the Boathouse Doors

CADGWITH Launching the Guide of Dunkirk- 114 THE LIFE-BOAT [DKCEMBER, 1947 the 25th of June, Major-General F. L. M. Guild. After the.ceremony Mr. W. E. Grossman, C.B., D.S.O., M.C., R.A., Butlin, M.B.E., entertained some forty presiding. Captain E. W. Swan, of the guests to lunch at his Pwllheli C.B.E., V.D., D.L., R.N.V.R., a mem- Holiday Camp. ber of the Committee of Management of the Institution, presented the life-boat The Mumble* to the branch on behalf of the donor A new life-boat -for The Mumbles. and the Institution. She was received Glamorganshire, was laid down in from him by Mr. James Dawson, 1942, but her building was greatly honorary secretary of the Holy Island delayed by the war. In April, 1947, Branch, and Lady Francis Osborne, when the life-boat stationed at The president of the Berwick-on-Tweed Mumbles was wrecked, with the loss of Branch and Ladies' Life-boat Guild all her crew, the new boat was almost and a life-governor of the Institution, complete, and she went to her station named the boat Gertrude. A vote of in July. She is a 46-feet 9-inches thanks to those taking part was pro- Watson cabin life-boat, and is a gift posed by Captain W. J. Oliver, M.C., to the Institution from its Manchester organiser secretary for the North-East and District Branch. Her name was of England. to have been Manchester and District XXX, but after the wreck of the old Pwllheli boat it was decided to include in the A new motor life-boat went to the new boat's name the name of William Pwllheli station in 1943. She is a Gammon, the coxswain who had lost 46-feet Watson cabin life-boat, and is his life. the twenty-ninth to be given to The naming ceremony was held on the the Institution by Manchester and 20th of September, and was broadcast District. by the B.B.C. in its Home Service pro- The naming ceremony was held on gramme. Mr. P. M. Oliver, C.B.E., the 5th of September, and Captain R. E. honorary secretary of the Manchester Thomas, chairman of the Pwllheli and District Branch, presented the life- branch, presided. Mr. C. E. Fielding, boat to the Institution on behalf of deputy-chairman of the Manchester the branch, and she was received by and District Branch, presented the Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of life-boat to Pwllheli. and she was the Committee of Management. He in received by the Mayor, 'Alderman G. turn presented her to the station. Cornelius Roberts, J.P. The Bishop of She was received by the Venerable Bangor (the Right Rev. David Edwards- Archdeacon Harold S. Williams (Arch- Davies, M.A.), dedicated the life-boat, deacon of Gower, and chairman of assisted by the Rev. D. E. Thomas, The Mumbles Station), and Admiral B.A., and the Rev. Roberts-Jones, D.D. Heneage Vivian, C.B., M.V.O., vice- Councillor Lady Robinson, J.P., hono- chairman of the committee of The rary secretary of the Manchester and Mumbles Station, thanked the Institu- District Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and tion on its behalf. The Bishop of Swan- president of the Stretford branch, then sea and Brecon (the Right Reverend named the boat Manchester and Salford Edward Williamson, D.D.), dedicated XXIX. A vote of thanks to those the life-boat, assisted by the Venerable taking part in the ceremony was pro- Archdeacon Harold S. Williams, the posed by Mrs. W. H. Wynne Finch, Rev. W. D. G. Wilkinson, M.A. (Vicar vice-president of the South Caernar- of Oystermouth), and the Rev. G. vonshire Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and Gwynfa Thomas. Mrs. Harold S. seconded by Mrs. K. M. Robyns Owen, Williams named the boat William B.A., honorary secretary of the South Gammon-—Manchester and District Caernarvonshire Ladies' Life-boat XXX.

From West Africa A NIGERIAN has written to the Institu- save life." He writes from "Take tion: "Please Sir, teach me how to Life Easy Stores/' DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 115

NAMING CEREMONIES

HOLY ISLAND

From a photograph by Capt. E. W. Swan, C.B.E., VD.. D.L.. R.N.V.R.. a member of the Committee 0} Management and Chairman of the Tyr.emouth Branch. 116 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBEB, 1947

Centenary of the Kilmore Station IN 1846 the Institution was asked to five life-boats, including the present provide a life-boat for Kilmore, County motor life-boat. They have been Wexford, and it stationed a boat there launched on service 56 times and have on the 28th of July, 1847. She was put rescued 75 lives. The centenary of the under the care of the coastguard. station was celebrated on the 19th of There is no record of any services by July, 1947, by a public meeting at this boat, and the station appears to Kilmore Quay, at which Admiral of the have lapsed for some years, for in 1884 Fleet the Earl of Cork and Orrery, the Institution was again asked if it G.C.B., G.C.V.O., a member of the Com- would provide a life-boat, and one was mittee of Management of the Institution, sent on the 19th of March of that year. presented to Lieut.-Col. Thomas H. She was a 34-feet ten-oared self-righting Gibbon, O.B.E., the honorary secretary life-boat named John Robert. Since of the station, a centenary • vellum then the work of the station has been signed by the Duchess of Kent, as the •continuous, and it has had altogether Institution's President.

A Broadcast History of the Life-boat Service AN hour's programme on the Life-boat the meeting in 1824 at which the Service was broadcast by the B.B.C. Institution was founded; and Joseph in its Home Service on- Sunday, the Conrad, paying his tribute as a sailor •23rd of November, under the title "On to the life-boat crews. Life-saving Service." It told the story of the Service from the building of the Records from the Coast first life-boats up to the present day, and in introducing the programme the The programme also included a announcer said: "We dedicate this wrecking scene, in the days before life- programme to the coxswains and crews boats ; an account, read by a Welshman, of the Royal National Life-boat Insti- of the service by the Moelfre pulling tution, to the men and women who help and sailing life-boat—for which two gold to launch the life-boats, and to the medals were awarded—to the ketch memory of the countless seamen who Excel in October, 1927; the engineers' have given up their lives on life-saving report of the Margate life-boat's work service." on the Dunkirk beaches in 1940; and The programme was written by Mr. recordings made on the coast during the Martin Chisholm, and produced by summer of 1947. In these recordings Mr. Maurice Brown. The narrator was the listeners heard a foreman-ship- an honorary secretary of a life-boat wright and the Institution's resident station and was played by Mr, Charles assistant surveyor of life-boats at Lefeaux. The other parts in the Cowes examining a partly built life- broadcast were played by Mr. Felix boat; women launching the life-boat at Deebank, Mr. George Bishop, Mr. Jack Newbiggin; a launch by tractor at St. Morrison, Mr. Derek Hart, Mr. Stephen Ives; and the Margate life-boat at sea. Jack, Mr. Victor Platt, Mr. Ian Catford, Of this last recording the narrator said: Mr. Deryck Guyler, Mr. Laidman "You'd like to know what the actual Browne, and Miss Myrtle Rowe. work of rescue is like, wouldn't you, not Among those whose voices were just to hear life-boats launched? We 'heard were Lionel Lukin, describing can't quite give you that. When there how to make a boat buoyant with are lives to be saved there's no room •empty casks; William Wouldhave, at aboard a life-boat for microphones and work on his model of the first self- recording gear. Every inch of space is righting life-boat; Sir William Hillary, needed and every man on board must making his appeal for a life-boat ser- pull his weight. We couldn't go afloat vice; The Archbishop of Canterbury then. But during a practice it is and William Wilberforce speaking at different, and here is just what might DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 117 happen any day or'night when one of umbrian woman speaking Sir William the Institution's life-boats is called out Hillary's words: "From the calamity on1 service." of shipwreck no one can say that he The broadcast ended with a North- may at all times remain free."

'Literature of The Life-boat" IN October, 1936, Literature of the trated London News and Punch, photo- Life-boat, by Sir John Gumming, graphs from The Times and other K.C.I.E., C.S.I., a vice-president-of the papers,, and portraits of famous cox- Institution, appeared as a supplement swains and others associated with the to; The Life-boat, and. a second part Life-boat Service. appeared a year later. In these two Sir John Gumming has now revised supplements Sir John Gumming gave the bookand brought it right up to date, an account of all books, pamphlets Literature of the Life-boat, 1785-1947. and press articles about life-boats and It has a section on life-boat publica*- the Life-boat Service, which he had been tions during the war, of 1939-45, able to. trace, under four headings: and a new chapter on the Institu- "Design and Equipment," "Organ- tion's medals. It also has an entirely ization and Administration," "Wrecks new set of illustrations, sixty-three in and Rescues," and "Wrecks and all, including reproductions of life-boat Rescues in Verse and Fiction." There pictures hanging at the head office of the were forty-seven illustrations from life- Institution. Copies can be obtained boat books, old drawings, in the Illus- from-the Institution, post free, 5s. each.;

A History of Bridlington Life-boats UNDER the title Men of the Storm, Mr. built by Henry Greathead, before the H.'E. Whittaker, of Bridlington, has Institution was founded, till the present written the history of the Bridlington day, and there is a chapter on the life-boat station. Mr. Whittaker has great gale of 1871, still freshly remem- also produced and published the book bered in Bridlington, when twenty himself and is generously giving all vessels went ashore in the bay and the proceeds to the Bridlington Ladies' over fifty men lost their lives. There Life-boat Guild. Its price is one shilling. are a dozen illustrations, three from Mr. Whittaker has very graphically paintings of the great gale and the rest told the story of the station and its,. from photographs of coxswains and many rescues from its first life-boat, - life-boats.

90-And Still at Work MRS. LOTIXGA SMITH, of Gcdling, Nottingham, as headmistress of a girls' Nottingham, celebrated her ninetieth school, in 1883, and in 1886 started birthday on the K>th of November, 1947. collecting foe the Life-boat Service In spite of her great age, in spite of ill among the schoolchildren, first in far- health and in spite of an accident last things and.then in halfpennies. She has winter when she was knocked down by collected for the Carlton district of the a bus, she is still working for the Life- Nottingham Branch, of which she is boat Service. She was born in North- now in charge, for over forty years. umberland in 1857, the daughter of a During the six years of war, 1939—15, shipowner of North Shields, so that she the district.contributed £3,154, and of comes from the coast where the first that total' Mrs. Lotinga Smith person- Mfe-boats were stationed, and in her ally collected £2,393. In the year youth she saw many wrecks at the 1946-.-47, in spite of her accident, she mouth of the Tyne. She came to collected £597. 118 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 She was awarded the Institution's tablet on them recording that they are gold badge, given only for distinguished her gift. The Duchess of Kent, as honorary service, in 1937, and two the Institution's President, has sent engines in one of the life-boats in the Mrs. Smith her congratulations and new building programme are to have a thanks.

Lord Mottistone ALL who are connected with the Life- Wight in 1894, and in 1933 was ap- boat Service will have heard with great pointed coxswain. • He served as cox- regret of the death on the 7th of swain until 1936, and a few months November, 1947, in his eightieth year, later the station was closed. During of Major-General the Right Hon. Lord those forty-three years the Brooke life- Mottistone, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., P.C. boat was launched on service sixteen (John Edward Bernard Seely). Lord times and rescued forty-one lives. Mottistone had three distinguished Lord Mottistorie wrote six books. careers: as a soldier, as a politician, and The third, published in 1932, was as a member of the Life-boat Service. his book, named Launch, on the Life- He believed that a man should "live boat Service. In his introduction the dangerously," and in 1891 he was Prince of Wales, then President of awarded a gold medal by the French the Institution, wrote: "He recalls Government for gallantry. With a some of the finest feats of the Life- coastguard he took a line out to a boat Service. He writes of what he French ship, which had been smashed knows—of its enormous risks, of the on the rocks near Brooke, and helped courage of its men, of their wonderful the crew ashore. success. In these days it is a heart- - He became a member of the Com- ening thing to remember such achieve- mittee of Management of the Institution ments, and I recommend this book in 1901, and served on it for forty-six to all. I recommend it specially to years until his death. He was ap- ' those who are inclined to lose con- pointed a vice-president in 1930. He fidence in our future. It will put brought to the work of the Committee ' courage into them." Those words are the personal and practical knowledge of a tribute not only to the Life-boat a life-boatman, for he had joined the Service but to Lord Mottistone's own life-boat crew at Brooke in the Isle of gallant life.

A Gift from The Princess Elizabeth H.R.H. the Princess Elizabeth has Kimberley, in South Africa, and it sent the Institution £180. It is the came "with her good wishes and with balance of her wedding present from, those of the people of Kimberley."

From Golf and Bowling Clubs DURING 1947 over forty golf clubs Five bowling clubs also held con> held competitions for the Life-boat petitions which brought £25, a total of Service and these brought it £256. £281.

Portrait on the Cover THE photograph of Coxswain Blogg, of Illustrated in 1940, and is reproduced Cromer, on the cover, was taken by by its very kind permission. DECEMBER, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 119

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen To HENRY G. BLOGG, G.C., B.E.M., on hig after serving for seven years as coxswain retirement, after serving for thirty-seven and and four and a quarter years as second cox- three-quarter years as coxswain and seven swain of the Whitby life-boat, a coxswain's and a quarter years as second coxswain of certificate of service and an annuity. the Cromer life-boats, a coxswain's certifi- To EDWARD RIMMER, on his retirement, cate of service and an annuity. (See page 86.) after serving for six and a half years as cox- To CHARLES W. D. OILLER, on his retire- swain, two and a quarter years as second ment, after serving for thirty and three- coxswain and seven years as bowman of the quarter years as coxswain of the Dungeness Lytham St. Anne's life-boat, a coxswain's life-boat, a coxswain's certificate of service certificate of service and an annuity. and an annuity. To NATHANIEL GEORGE, on his retirement; To FRANK BLEWETT, on his retirement, after serving for three and a quarter years as after serving for twenty-six and a half years coxswain, six months as second coxswain as coxswain, four and a quarter years as and nineteen and a quarter years as bowman second coxswain, and two and a quarter of ths Scnnen Cove life-boat, a coxswain's years as bowman of the Penlee life-boat, a certificate of service and an annuity. coxswain's certificate of service and an To GEORGE R. TAYLOR, on his retirement, annuity. after serving for three years as coxswain, nine To ALBERT SPURGEON, on his retirement, years as second coxswain, one year as bow- after serving for twenty-three and a half man and thirty years as a member of the years as coxswain of the Lowestoft life-boat, crew of the Newbiggin life-boat, a coxswain's a coxswain's certificate of service and an certificate of service and an annuity. annuity. To JOSEPH G. OILLER, on his retirement, To JOHN JAMIESON, on his retirement, after after serving for twenty-one and a half serving for nineteen and three-quarter years years as second coxswain, four years as bow- as coxswain and five and a quarter years as man and seventeen and a quarter years as a •second coxswain of the Eyemouth life-boat, member of the crew of the Dungeness life- a coxswain's certificate of service and an boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service annuity. and an annuity. " ' To PATRICK MURPHY, B.E.M., on his To LEONARD E. MORRISON, on his retire- retirement, after serving for fifteen and three- ment, after serving for sixteen and three- quarter years as coxswain of the Newcastle, quarter years as second coxswain and six Co. Down, life-boat, a coxswain's certificate months as a member of the crew of the of service and an annuity. Falmouth life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate To GEORGE PERRIN, on his retirement, after of service. serving for fifteen and a half years as cox- To FREDERICK D. J. DAVIES, on his retire- swain of the Siiegness life-boat,"a'coxswain's ment, after serving for sixteen and a half certificate of service and an annuity. years as second coxswain and thirty and a To JEFFREY WRIGHT, on his retirement, half years as. a member of the crew of the after serving for fourteen and a quarter years Ferryside life-boat, a life-boatman's certifi- as coxswain and nine and three-quarter years cate of service and an annuity. as bowman of the Fleetwood life-boat, a To HUGH BUIE, on his retirement, after coxswain's certificate of service and an serving for thirteen and a quarter years as annuity. second coxswain of the Port Askaig life-boat, To THEODOR T. L. NEILSEN, M.B.E., on a life-boatman's certificate of service and an his retirement, after serving for fourteen annuity. years as coxswain and seven and three- To CHARLES KEWIN, on his retirement, quarter years as second coxswain of the Wells after serving for seven and a half years as life-boat, a coxswain's certificate of service second coxswain and twenty-two and a half and an annuity. . years as a member of the crew of the Peel To THOMAS C. CAPPLEMAN, on his retire- life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of ment, after serving for eleven and three- service and an annuity. . quarter years as coxswain and sixteen years To ROBERT DAVISON, on his retirement, as bowman of the Filey life-boat, a cox- after serving for six and a. half years, as swain's certificate of service and an annuity. second coxswain, eight years as bowman, To PATRICK MORIARTY, on his retirement, and one and a half years as a member of the after serving for nine years as coxswain and crew of the Sunderland life-boat, a life- eleven years as a member of the crew of the boatman's certificate of service and an Fenit life-boat, a Jife-boatman's certificate annuity. of service and a gratuity. To RICHARD E. CRAWFORD, on his retire- To JAMES CAMPBELL, on his retirement, ment, after serving for five years as second after serving for eight years as coxswain, ten coxswain and ten and a half years as a years as second coxswain and nine months member of the crew' of the Bridlington life- as bowman of the BouJmer life-boat, a cox- boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service. swain's certificate of service and an annuity. To LUTHER OLIVER, on his retirement, after To JOHN T. LORD, who for seven and a half serving for three years as second coxswain, years was coxswain and two and three- nine and a half years as bowman and twenty quarter years bowman of the Ramsey life- years as a member of the crew of the Penlee boat, a coxswain's certificate of service. life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of To HARRY MURFIELD, on his retirement, service and an annuity. 120 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1947 To JOHN H. DAVISON, on his retirement, life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of after serving for nine months as second service. coxswain, six and a half years as bowman To WILLIAM MORRIS, on his retirement, and twenty-two and a half years as a member after serving for twenty-one years as assistant of the crew of the Sunderland life-boat, a motor mechanic of the Buckie life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service and a life-boatman's certificate of service. gratuity. To SAMUEL J. JONES, on his retirement, To Louis C. WATTS, on his retirement, after serving for forty-four and a quarter after serving for six months as second cox- years as a member of the crew of the New swain, two and a quarter years as bowman Brighton life-boats, a life-boatman's certifi- and forty-one and three-quarter years as cate of service. winchman, or a member of the crew, of the To ROBERT ELLIS, on his retirement, after Weston-super-Mare life-boat, a life-boat- serving for forty-two years as a member of man's certificate of service. the crew of the St. Mary's life-boat, a life- To DAVID THOMAS, on his retirement, after boatman's certificate of service. serving for sixteen and a half years as bow- To JAMES COLVEN, on his retirement, after map and thirty and a half years as a member serving for thirty-six years as a member of of the crew of the Ferryside life-boat, a life- the crew of. the St. Abbs life-boat, a life- boatman's certificate of service and an boatman's certificate of service. annuity. To ALEXANDER RAE, on his retirement,, To WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, on his retire- after serving for thirty-six years as a member ment, after serving for nine years as bowman of the crew of the St. Abbs life-boat, a life- and a number of years as a member of the boatman's certificate of service. crew of the .Fishguard life-boat, a life- To THOMAS R. ARTHUR, on his retirement, boatman's certificate of service and a gratuity. after serving for thirty years as a member To JOHN HEMPHILL, on his retirement, of the crew of the Cadgwith life-boat, a life- after serving for five and three-quarter years boatman's certificate of service. as bowman and nine and a half years as a To HERBERT JEFFERS, on his retirement, member of the crew of the Portrush life-boat, after serving for eighteen years as a member a life-boatman's certificate of service. of the crew of the Courtmacsherry life-boat, To THOMAS CORMACK, on his retirement, a life-boatman's certificate of service. after serving for thirty-one years as motor To REGINALD TONKIN, on his retirement, mechanic and one year as assistant motor after serving for seventeen and a quarter mechanic of the St. Abbs life-boat, a gratuity, years as a member of the cievy of. the I'al- pension and a life-boatman's certificate of mouth life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate service. of. service. To PERCY EBAN, on his retirement, after To WILLIAM GALLAGHER, on his retirement, serving for seventeen and a half years as after serving for over sixteen years as, a motor mechanic of the Courtmacsherry life- member of the crew of the Seaham life-boat, boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service. a life-boatman's certificate of service. To JOHN CANN, on his retirement, after To WILLIAM MITCHELL, on his retirement, serving for twenty-four years as assistant after serving for forty years as winchman motor mechanic and three and a half years and a helper to The Lizard life-boat, a life- as a member of the crew of the Appledore boatman's certificate of service.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the .local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the work of the Institution, or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number O/THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in March, 1948.