THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI

Volume XLVII Number 471 Spring 1980 25p LIMITED EDITION SIGNED PRINTS COMMEMORATING A GREAT BRITISH TRADITION H.M.S. ARK ROYAL AND MORNING CLOUD

ery few limited edition prints V have received as much praise and aroused such interest as these splendid examples of man's endurance against the sea. Not only is each of the prints shown signed and numbered by the artist, but in order to create collectors' items of lasting importance and historical significance, we arranged in each case for the ships 'master' to individually counter-sign each print. The last captain to command the 'Ark Royal', Rear Admiral E. R. Anson, and the Rt. Hon. Edward Heath, MBE, MP, the first British Prime Minister ever to captain a British team in an International Sporting Event. -rlll. . „. .w-, . , 0 , , ., ,,.-,, w-» XT Image site: 25.3 in \ l~m- E ADMIRALS CUP 1971 by Robert Taylor o,,™// ,I:, is.sin > x.7Sin. (Prims £50. i ntramed) ^ limited edition of 850 prints, signed by the artist and individually counter-signed by the Rl. Hon. EDWARD HEATH, MBE, MP. The Admirals Cup, first presented in 1957, has become in the course of just over twenty years, the foremost sailing contest in the world. Consisting of the Channel Race during the first weekend of Cowes Week, originally two but now three races round the Solent and concluding with the Fastnet Race, it provides the most testing competition anywhere for ocean racing yachts and their crews. This painting depicts the second Morning Cloud, one of the three boats in the British Admirals Cup team which I captained in 1971, racing during the series. The team was successful in recapturing the Cup from the Americans after some exciting racing ^— s h_A_-s_ involving the teams of sixteen other countries.

HMSARK ROYAL •STKAMIM, INK) WIMV (top left) is an outstanding To order these prints, just fill in and post the coupon. painting by Roben Taylor of ihe best known and lined I nl rained punts will arnxe within 14 days, and framed ship to serxe with the Renal Naxy since the Hood. This or deis will attixc within 21 28 daxs, ready to hang in the powcrtul picture show- HMS Ark Royal in a force ti\c. eiegant aluminium frame illustrated. launching her Buccaneers ot S09 Squadron. Ul KPIIOM- OKDKKS Credit Card holders I he second print 'PHANTOM I.Al NCH' is a stunning nun telephone (05INI 21 3"8~ 2ISI2I and place painting o! a Phantom on the waist catapult just a few their order without completing the coupon seconds before take-off — an appropriate subject as the \eiy List h\ed wing aircraft to be launched by catapult I To:THl Qt.'ORN 1 INI ART CO 46C HIRC HC.ATl . I mm I he deck ot HMS Ark Royal was Phantom 012 ol I OL t.HHOROl C,H. l.tlCS. I til IUE Ss>2 Squadron. Both prims haxe been published as Please send me the following pnnt(s): limited editions of 850 copies, each one signed and numbered by the artisi and counter-signed b> Reat "The -\dmiralsC up I9"l" .... unlramed print(s)at Admiral I K -\nson, the last captain to command t50.00each .... framed pnnilslal 182. 50 each HMS Ark Royal at sea. The image area of each print measures 18m \ I2in "Steaming Into Wind" .... unframed pnnltsi at whilst overall si/eot each print is 2?in \ 18in. t2~

Spring 1980

Contents *«**<* **Q»«« 3 Prototypes of a new Fast Slipway Lifeboat 4

\7r\l|lfT"|p Y^T \/TT Princess Margaret names Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No. 38), Margate . 5

Nlimber 471 Lifeboat Services 6

Lifeboat stations of the Isle of Man, by Joan Davies 13

Chairman: Prototype of the experimental RNLI Medina 35 Lifeboat 18 THE DUKE OF ATHOLL Patrick Howarth: RNLI Public Relations Officer for more than a quarter of Director and Secretary: a century 20 REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI London International Boat Show 1980 22

Lifeboat Appeals 24

Lifeboat People 24

Some Ways of Raising Money 25

Editor: Letters 28 JOAN DAVIES Shoreline 29

Headquarters: ... Awards to Coxswains, Crews and Shore Helpers 30 Royal National Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Offshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1979 ... 33 Telex: 41328 , , „,.„ Inshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1979 .... 34 London Office: Royal National Life-boat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW Index to Advertisers 36 (Telephone 01-928 4236). Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to COVER PICTURE tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box 9, to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal Godalming, Surrey (Telephone Dusk recovery: Minehead Atlantic 21 ILB, National Life-boat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). returning from exercise, is caught by the Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ arrester net rigged on her trolley. She is (Telephone Poole 71133). Photographs manned by Helmsman Chris Kundle, Crew intended for return should be accom- Subscription: A year's subcription of Member Peter Smythe (to starboard) and panied by a stamped and addressed four issues costs £1.40, including post- Crew Member Peter McGregor, who is also envelope. age, but those who are entitled to a helmsman (to port). The Atlantic 21's receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge drive-off trolley forms a mobile dock by will continue to do so. Overseas sub- means of which she can be launched from scriptions depend on the cost of an exposed beach in any sea condition to the limit of her operational ability and re- postage to the country concerned. covered safely; the arrester net halts the Next issue: the summer issue of THE Write to RNLI, West Quay Road, returning boat in the correct position as she LIFEBOAT will appear in July and news Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. is driven into her trolley. items should be sent by the end of The photograph was taken by Crew Member April. News items for the autumn issue Printers: The Friary Press, Grove Trad- Dr Bryan Stoner. should be sent in by the end of July. ing Estate, Dorchester, Dorset.

1 The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL An analysis of the weather in the US Coast Guard tragedy area of the capsizes on that November The RNLI learned with deep regret night showed that the winds were gust- that six United States coast guards died ing to violent storm and hurricane, and 17 were missing following the colli- force 11 to 12; the significant height of sion between the Coast Guard cutter the waves was around 30 feet, with a 10 Blackthorn and a tanker in January. A per cent chance of encountering a sea message of sympathy from the Institu- of 60 feet. These seas were described tion was sent to US Coast Guard head- by the investigator as 'diabolical' and quarters in Washington. the coxswain of Islay lifeboat stated Captain William West, Commander, that the weather was as bad as he had US Coast Guard Activities, Europe, experienced in 17 years in the lifeboat replied in a letter to John Atterton, service. In such conditions capsize will deputy director of the RNLI: always threaten relatively small boats. 'When tragedy struck and we lost By providing a self-righting capability coast guardsmen in a fine old ship, CGC and safety gear such as lifejackets, Blackthorn, who was the first to call with bump caps and personal safety sympathy? Why you and the Royal lanyards, the RNLI is striving to National Life-boat Institution, of minimise the risks to lifeboat crews. course. With friends and colleagues like this we can weather a disaster even of NOTES OF this magnitude. Thank you and your Following the capsizes of the two associates in the RNLI for rushing to our THE QUARTER Scottish lifeboats, messages were aid when times are difficult. Thoughtful- ness such as this strengthens the bonds received from Her Majesty The Queen of friendship between our organisations and from the Prime Minister. Sir Philip THE RNLI INQUIRY into the capsizes of and this makes me happy even in a tragic Moore, private secretary to the Queen, Barra Island and Islay lifeboats off the moment.' wrote to Rear Admiral Wilfred west coast of Scotland last November, Graham, director of the RNLI: reported on page 6, has concluded that Into the 1980s both lifeboats were overwhelmed by 'The Queen was very impressed The start of the 1980s provides a heavy breaking seas in violent storm recently to hear thai both the Islay and good opportunity to review the past ten conditions and that the lifeboats were Barra lifeboats had turned turtle and years. The RNLI started the 1970s with both righted successfully by their self-righted themselves in a gale off the the tragic capsize of the Fraserburgh respective righting methods. west of Scotland. Lord Margadale, who lifeboat, less than a year after the The Barra Island 52ft Barnett is president of the Islay lifeboat, wrote to Longhope lifeboat had capsized. A lifeboat is fitted with an air bag which Her Majesty about this and reported that total of 13 men were lost in the two it was a remarkable performance. automatically inflates on capsize while capsizes, both of which involved non 'I should be grateful therefore if you self-righting lifeboats. Following these the Islay 50ft Thames lifeboat, with her would convey The Queen's congratula- watertight superstructure, is inherently tions to the crews of both lifeboats on two tragedies the Committee of Man- self-righting. It was the first time that a their remarkable efforts. Once again the agement introduced a policy to make lifeboat of either of these classes had Royal National Life-boat Institution has virtually the whole offshore fleet self- been capsized on service and the given that outstanding service which has righting by the 1980s. This programme inquiry found that there was no failure been so typical of all its history.' is now nearing completion and it is to of the lifeboats or their equipment the credit of the technical officers of Mrs Margaret Thatcher, who visited which contributed to the capsizes. the Institution that the problems of giv- Islay last year, wrote to Alastair Barra Island lifeboat was built in ing some of the older lifeboats a self- Macrae, chairman of Islay station 1957 and later fitted with a righting air righting capability has been solved. branch Committee: bag as part of the Committee of The policy has certainly been vindi- Management's policy that all offshore '/ was very concerned to learn over the cated. It is a cause for both heartfelt lifeboats, up to 54 feet in length, should weekend of the terrible experience of the thankfulness and pride that, since 1970, have a righting capability. The Islay Islay lifeboat crew in the recent storms only three of our lifeboats have been lifeboat is the first modern fast afloat off the west coast. capsized, that all three righted them- lifeboat to be capsized on service. It is 'However, I was a/so glad to hear that selves and that only one of our noteworthy that these two lifeboats all the crew were safe. It is on occasions courageous lifeboatmen lost his life on built to very different designs, whose such as this, and more particularly since service—although indeed even one is my visit to your station in the summer, righting methods had previously only too many. that the dangers these brave men face so Four new lifeboat designs entered been tested by controlled trials, both selflessly are understood. performed exactly as was expected of 'Please convey to the crew and their the fleet in the 1970s: the Arun, them and that there were only minor families my best wishes and thanks for Thames and Rother offshore lifeboats injuries to the crews. all thev do.' and the Atlantic 21 ILB. Each has shown that she can do what was asked of her—and often more. With the pro- When HM The Queen visited The totypes of the new RNLI Medina 35 Marine Society on December 5, and Lochin 33 intermediate lifeboats 1979, to open its new offices, the just starting their operational evalua- RNLI was represented by Vice- Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a tion trials and the prototypes of a new deputy chairman of the Institu- fast slipway lifeboat soon to go on the tion, (c.) and John Atterton, stocks (see page 4) the Institution can deputy director, RNLI (I.). They look forward with confidence to con- were presented to the Queen by tinued technical progress. Baroness Phillips, Lord Lieuten- Because of the national and interna- ant of Greater London, who was tional inflation of the 1970s the cost of accompanied by Dr R. S. Hope, running the lifeboat service rose director of The Marine Society. dramatically from just over £2 million The RNLI's London office moved to The Marine Society's premises in 1970 to approaching £10 million in at 202 Lambeth Road, SE1, in 1979, but. undeterred, our financial January. continued on page 4 world and possibly to commercial Prototypes of a new boats. Because of this more general applica- tion and because of the new ground broken by this work and its safety aspects, the Government's Ship and Fast Slipway Lifeboat Marine Technology Requirements Board (SMTRB) has taken great interest in the project and has expres- sed its willingness to give practical WITH THE TIME APPROACHING when work. A start was made possible help. A design programme of this the RNLI's 46ft 9in and 47ft Watson because, in fact, some of the necessary nature, entailing the building of pro- class housed lifeboats will reach the fundamental research was already totypes for the intensive trails to which end of their station lives, preparations being done by the National Maritime any new class of lifeboat must be have been going ahead over the past Institute as part of its basic research subjected before boats can be sent to few years for their replacement by a programme and the Institute very station, places a very heavy financial new fast slipway boat. The requirement kindly undertook to provide the RNLI burden on the RNLI over and above its approved by the Committee of with a lines plan for a fast slipway normal commitments. So, as there is Management for this new boat was lifeboat with propeller tunnels. mutual interest, it was decided that the that, while retaining those characteris- The next stage was an exhaustive work should be regarded as a joint pro- tics which make possible housing programme of model testing. First ject between the RNLI and the ashore and rescue work in shoal wat- there were tank tests at the National SMTRB from which both would ers—shallow draught, a long straight Maritime Institute to establish resis- benefit. keel and protected propellers—she tance, flow and powering data; then, RNLI Trading Ltd and the SMTRB should have the added advantage of with the co-operation of the British have therefore entered into an Agree- higher speeds than the boats she would Hovercraft Company, trials of a radio- ment under which the SMTRB will supersede. In effect, a way had to be controlled model were run at sea to contribute to the cost of the design and found of reconciling in one boat what obtain information about the proposed development of the fast slipway had previously been regarded as two hull's manoeuvering, sea keeping and lifeboat. Two prototypes will be built conflicting design features. Up till now course keeping capabilities. which will be the property of the it has only been the afloat lifeboats Progressive tests and development RNLI, but the industrial property which have been able to reach speeds produced results which were suffi- rights for the design will belong to the in the regions of 15 to 18 knots; the ciently encouraging to allow detail SMTRB, to whom royalties will be paid traditional slipway boats have been drawing for the design by the Institu- for any boats built other than lifeboats limited by their very nature to 8 to tion's staff to begin last year, and the for the RNLI or overseas lifeboat 9 knots. work has now reached the point where societies; one important provision of Further requirements for the new building full size can start. Interested the Agreement is that overseas lifeboat boat were that she should have a self- yards have been invited to submit ten- societies will only be absolved from righting capability and that her dimen- ders so that a decision on building the paying a royalty if the lifeboat is built in sions and weight should be such that new fast slipway lifeboat can be made a British yard. she would fit into existing boathouses by the Committee of Management. Much good will has been shown to and could be launched from existing From the work so far done it would the Institution by the Ship and Marine slipways. appear that this new design will make Technology Requirements Board in the Here was a challenging project cal- possible an increase of speed in a slip- drawing up of this Agreement which, as ling for an entirely new line of thought way lifeboat from the traditional we approach the twenty-first century, in small boat design, and in 1977 a 9 knots maximum to something over will help the lifeboat service to keep steering group was formed under the 15 knots. So, a breakthrough has been pace with the future and which it is chairmanship of Mr P. Denham Christ- made of great importance, not only to hoped will bring revenue to the ie, a vice-president of the RNLI, to the RNLI's future fleet but also to Government and welcome overseas undertake the necessary development lifeboat services in other parts of the orders to British boatbuilders.

Notes of the Quarter Decca Radar man of the Government Search and Rescue Committee; and Captain Colin from page 3 The radar for the RNLI Medina 35 prototype was the hundredth supplied Keay, chairman of Dundee branch. by Decca Radar Ltd to be fitted to a Mr Viggers, who was trained as an branch and guild members have met lifeboat, and, to mark this milestone, RAF pilot, is an underwriting member the challenge with their usual Decca gave the radar as a contribution of Lloyds and, like Mr Newman, is a enthusiasm, sheer hard work—and to the Mountbatten of Burma appeal. yachtsman. success. This generous gesture was followed Mr Newman was elected to the Bal- Perhaps the most important statistic by yet another. After Barra Island and tic Exchange in 1947, was director in of all is the number of lives rescued in Islay lifeboats had been capsized last 1967, vice chairman from 1975 to 1977 the past ten years: almost 12,500. That November, engineers of Decca's ser- and chairman from 1977 to 1979. is the true measure of the remarkable vice division made immediate Mr Archer was Under Secretary of achievements of our lifeboat crews, for arrangements to repair the damaged the Marine Division of the Department whom no praise is too high, and of our radars. Out of respect for the lifeboats' of Trade from 1972 to 1979 and chaired fund raisers who have unfailing pro- 'gallant crews', however, the company the Government Search and Rescue vided them with the 'tools to do the waived all labour charges for the work. Committee, of which the RNLI is a job'. The traditions of the service have member. never been more finely upheld and the Cot M Captain Keay served in the RNVR RNLI's standing in the eyes of the gen- Four new members have been during the last war and was mentioned eral public has never been more firmly elected to the Committee of Manage- in despatches. He is chairman of the established. With that knowledge, ment: Peter Viggers, MP for Gosport Dundee Sea Cadets and area chairman lifeboat people can enter the 1980s and (Hampshire); Graham Newman, of the Northern Area Sea Cadets. He is meet the challenges ahead with former chairman of the Baltic former managing director of T. Keay confidence. Exchange; John Archer, former chair- Ltd, an engineering firm. mood, a chill blanket of fog delaying the arrival of the Princess; however, thanks to foot-tapping music from the Kent County Constabulary police band the large crowd of spectators remained warm and expectantly happy. They watched as the lifeboat cox- swain and crew were presented to Princess Margaret on her way towards the rostrum where the naming cere- mony and service of dedication was to be conducted. After the greeting by Frederick Howland, chairman of Mar- gate branch, Mr D. E. Roberts, Manag- ing Director, Posts, addressed the assembly on behalf of the Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat Fund, which had provided the money for the new Rother lifeboat. He then handed her over to the RNLI with encouraging promises of continuing support from the Civil Service and Post Office, whose members are numbered among the lifeboat service's most loyal friends. His Grace The Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institution, in accept- Princess Margaret names ing the lifeboat thanked Mr Roberts for the 'magnificent gift' and then formally delivered her to Margate lifeboat sta- Silver Jubilee tion. The honorary secretary, Alan Wear, in his speech of acceptance, (Civil Service No. 38) spoke of his pride in receiving the boat on behalf of Margate and mentioned MARGATE: NOVEMBER 21, 1979 that already she had been launched on service ten times rescuing 18 people ON WEDNESDAY November 21, 1979, sea-front. Princess Margaret had hon- and one dog. 22 months after January storms drama- oured the Institution by undertaking The service of dedication was led by tically isolated Margate's lifeboathouse this her first RNLI engagement at very the Reverend Norman Baldock, vicar by destroying the town's pier on which short notice because a minor indisposi- of St John's Church, with the assis- it stood, the 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat tion had prevented HRH Princess Alex- tance of Father Corcoran, the priest at Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No. 38) andra from coming to Margate Margate Roman Catholic Church and was named by HRH The Princess Mar- On the day of the ceremony the Major R. W. Bait of the Salvation garet outside the new boathouse on the weather once again was in contrary Army. (Above) Margate's new 37ft Princess Margaret was then invited 6in Rother lifeboat Silver to name the boat; she began by convey- Jubilee (Civil Service No. ing Princess Alexandra's disappoint- 38) on the day of her ment that she had been prevented from naming. naming the lifeboat herself and said that her cousin sent her good wishes to the crew, together with their wives and The crew of Margate families. She reminded the crowd that lifeboat are presented to it had been Princess Marina who had Princess Margaret by Alan Wear (r.), station honorary named the previous Margate lifeboat, secretary, before the service North Foreland (Civil Service No. II), of dedication: (I. to r.) Crew 28 years earlier. Member Kenneth Sandwell, Her Royal Highness then named the Motor Mechanic Alfred boat Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No. Lacey, Second Coxswain 38) with the traditional explosion of David Lacey and Coxswain champagne. The crew led three cheers Alfred Manning. to the Princess and the boat from that moment on became unquestionably a part of Margate. After being shown round Silver At tea, Princess Margaret cuts the ceremonial cake Jubilee by Mr Wear and Commander made and decorated by Cairns, chief of operations RNLI, Crew Member Bert Adding- Princess Margaret was entertained to a ton (r.). With them is Alan tea for which Bert Addington, a Mar- Wear, station honorary gate master baker and also a lifeboat secretary. crew member, had made a superbly decorated cake. The Princess's final duty was to unveil a plaque to com- memorate her visit before her car bore photographs by courtesy of her away into the rapidly thickening 'Isle of Thanet Gazette' fog. E.W.-W. was changed to west by north to pass windscreen wipers were unserviceable, three miles south west of Oronsay making visual navigation almost before heading north for Skerryvore. impossible. Having one engine out of On approaching the shallower water action, no radar and very little vision, between Oronsay and Islay speed was and knowing that Barra Island lifeboat reduced to 10 knots because of severe was on her way to the casualty. Cox- pounding in the heavy south-westerly swain Campbell decided to return to swell and very rough, confused seas. station to effect repairs before continu- The tide was now setting east north ing with the service. An easterly course east at 2 knots. was set, to give Post Rocks a wide At 0130 Islay lifeboat drove through berth, and a moderate speed a particularly large sea, falling about 25 maintained. feet into the following trough. Crew At 0212 Coxswain Campbell Member Iain Spears, who was standing reported that the steering had jammed and bracing himself in the after port with 20 degrees of port helm on. Motor Scotland South Division corner of the wheelhouse, landed heav- Mechanic Archie Campbell and Assis- ily on his right foot, twisting his ankle; tant Mechanic Norman Campbell went Two lifeboats capsize it was found when he came ashore that aft through the engine room emergency the ankle was in fact broken. Shortly hatch and found that the locking bar for and right after this incident the seas eased the oil drum stowage in the tiller flat A DANISH CARGO VESSEL, Lone Diinia, slightly and, once Oronsay was abaft had worked loose and jammed the in distress six miles north west of the starboard beam, Coxswain Camp- steering in way of the port rudder Skerryvore Lighthouse was reported bell was able to increase speed to 12 crosshead. The bar was resecured and by HM Coastguard to the honorary sec- knots. the coxswain informed by intercom retary of Barra Island lifeboat station at Islay lifeboat was three miles south from the after cabin. Course was then 2355 on Saturday November 17, 1979, west of Oronsay when, at 0143, Cox- resumed to clear Rubha A'Mhail before and to the honorary secretary of Islay swain Campbell momentarily saw a turning south into Islay Sound at 0255. lifeboat station at 0015 on Sunday very steep breaking sea, about 30 feet Although the seas eased considerably November 18. Lone Dania's cargo of high, on the starboard bow. The sea once the lifeboat was under the lee of marble chips had shifted causing a was at right angles to the general run of Islay, frequent heavy rain squalls, heavy list. Islay's 50ft Thames lifeboat the seas (it was thought that it could sometimes reducing visibility to a few Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit, under have rebounded from the reef lying 1 '/2 yards, made the passage up the sound the command of Coxswain Alastair miles south west of Oronsay) and it laid slow and difficult. Campbell, slipped her moorings at 0035 the lifeboat over 45 degrees to port. Islay lifeboat reberthed alongside the and Barra's 52ft Barnett lifeboat R. A. The lifeboat momentarily hung in this new ferry pier at Port Askaig at 0355 Colby Cubbin No. 3, under the command position and then slid down the face of and, while Assistant Mechanic Norman of Coxswain/Mechanic John Macneil, the approaching wave into a deep Campbell and Crew Member Iain slipped her moorings at 0058. The trough. The wave then broke aboard on Spears received medical attention. weather at Castlebay, Barra, was so the starboard side capsizing the lifeboat Coxswain Campbell and the other crew severe that two separate trips had to be to port. The lifeboat 'settled' upside members began preparing the lifeboat made in the boarding boat to embark down for about five seconds before for service again. It was then that the the crew of eight. righting port side first. Afterwards, full damage sustained during the cap- The wind was predominantly from crew members commented on the size was found, and it was also dis- the south west, veering to north west gentleness of the capsize and righting covered that the liferaft was missing. during the frequent heavy rain squalls motions and apart from Assistant Meanwhile Barra lifeboat, which had which reduced visibility to no more Mechanic Norman Campbell, who suf- set out at 0058, cleared Castlebay and than 15 to 20 yards. The wind strength fered some bruising, there were no then set course for Lone Dania, 37 varied from strong gale, force 9, to injuries. Once righted, the lifeboat miles away. Although the bearing was violent storm and hurricane, force 11 to cleared herself of water and the engines south by east. Coxswain Macneil 12, in the squalls; gusts of up to 59 were found in gear but idling; the steered south by west to make good his knots were recorded at the solenoid capsize 'switches' had oper- course, so that the wind was on the meteorological office at Tiree Airport ated correctly. starboard beam while the sea and swell and of up to 65 knots at Benbecula Air- Coxswain Campbell immediately tended to be more on the starboard port. The swell was very high and the checked that all crew members were quarter. He expected to reach the sea very rough and confused. Cox- safe and Motor Mechanic Archibald casualty sometime after 0500. During swain Macneil of Barra has said that Campbell returned both throttles to idl- the frequent heavy squalls the the weather was as bad as he had ing before operating the capsize cancel lifeboat's speed was reduced but at experienced in 17 years in the lifeboat switch to restore wheelhouse control. other times her full speed of about 9 service and previously as a merchant Coxswain Campbell then altered knots was maintained. seaman and deck officer sailing those course to starboard to bring the wind At about 0346 Barra lifeboat was 11 same waters off the west coast of and sea astern while the lifeboat was miles south east of Barra Head Light- Scotland. given an internal inspection for dam- house, almost on the 100 fathom line Once clear of her berth, Islay lifeboat age; he decided against sending any which marks the eastern edge of one of made full speed on a northerly course one on deck in the prevailing condi- the deep 'trenches' which exist in this to clear the Sound of Islay. The tide tions to make an external inspection. area; it is an area where unusually was two hours flood and running north Only superficial internal damage was heavy seas can be experienced. There through the sound at 4 knots. On revealed. was, however, a comparative lull be- approaching Rubha A'Mhail Light- It was at this time that the port throt- tween squalls at this time and the house Coxswain Campbell left the tle was found to be unresponsive and, lifeboat was at full speed. upper conning position, checked that although Motor Mechanic Archie Coxswain Macneil had just lowered all equipment and hatches were secure Campbell and Assistant Mechanic the port wheelhouse door window to and took the helm in the wheelhouse. Norman Campbell immediately went have a look around and see if Skerry- The full force of the very rough seas, below to investigate, the violent motion vore Light was visible over the port storm force winds and heavy rain and conditions in the engine room made bow, when, while his head was still out squalls was met as soon as the lifeboat it impossible for them to rectify the of the window, the lifeboat seemed cleared the lee of Islay. At 0058 course fault. It was also found that the radar and suddenly to pitch down by the bow and Barra Island lifeboat, the 52ft Burnett R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 3, her emergency air bag inlfated, after she had been capsized and had righted. ? photograph by courtesy of HMS Gannet The Sea of the Hebrides: Produced from a portion of BA Chart 2 with the sanction of the Controller HM Stationery Office and the Hydrographer of the Navy. start rolling to port all in the same instant, the whole port bow back to the anchor stowage dipping under the sea. Glancing back over the starboard quar- ter he saw a breaking sea of between 30 to 40 feet towering over the boat. It seemed to present a vertical face of water. Before he could shout a warning the lifeboat slewed violently to star- board, broached and rolled over to port. There was an immediate inrush of water into the wheelhouse and cabin. The Barnett's emergency air-bag inflated, and the effect of the bag infla- ting together with the power engen- dered by the breaking sea rolled the boat straight through 360 degrees with- out pause, so that she righted almost instantly. Water almost filled the wheelhouse and after cabin, but it board engine. The propellers had been mizzen mast was damaged and the MF escaped relatively quickly. fouled by the drogue with its ropes and aerials had been carried away, but a Once the lifeboat had righted Cox- securing line which had all been swept six-inch stub of the VHP aerial swain Macneil's first recollection was overboard, the synthetic drogue rope remained and the coxswain had no dif- of seeing the entire port side hinged becoming compacted round the shafts. ficulty in reporting to the Coastguard. window with its clear-view screen Coxswain Macneil first made sure He then organised his crew into broken and forced outwards. Then, that all his crew were safe; slight head watches of two men who were detailed almost immediately, the port engine injuries had been suffered by four crew to try to free the ropes around the stalled followed closely by the star- members, who were given first aid. The propellers. Although the boat remained lying comparatively comfortably head nett lifeboat was placed on restricted North Western Division to wind and weather, with the air-bag service at 1800 on Wednesday acting rather like a steadying sail, the November 21 and on full service at Catamaran caught out constant movement made working in 1530 on Thursday November 22. the after cockpit extremely difficult and Both crews have expressed praise they were unable to clear the for the performance of their lifeboats. A BOAT SIGHTED in exceptionally heavy propellers. seas on the south west part of West The coaster Sapphire, which was Hoyle Bank and needing help was making for Lone Dania, was diverted Ireland, South Western and reported to the honorary secretary of to help Barra lifeboat and HMS Herald, Western Divisions Hoylake lifeboat station at 0845 on a survey vessel, and an RN helicopter Thursday September 20, 1979, by Cox- from Prestwick were asked to stand by. Fastnet storm swain T. H. 'Harry' Jones. Maroons At about 0730 Barra lifeboat fired a were fired, a message passed to Liver- red flare to help Sapphire to find her THIRTEEN LIFEBOATS took part in the pool Coastguard and at 0900 the 37ft and, with the aid of a cross-bearing combined SAR operation to yachts of Oakley relief lifeboat The Will and from an Esso tanker in the area, the the Fastnet Race fleet between August Fanny Kirby, on temporary duty at lifeboat's position was established as 13 and 16, 1979, a report of which Hoylake, left the boathouse on her car- 16 miles bearing 117° from Barra Head appeared in the winter issue of the riage. She was towed across the East Lighthouse. Sapphire arrived alongside journal. The fleet of 303 yachts was Hoyle Bank to a position just north of at 0840 and after considerable difficulty strung out across the south Irish Sea Hilbre Island and was launched at a tow was connected. HMS Herald when a depression, deepening un- 0926. came up with Sapphire and her tow at expectedly rapidly, swept into the The wind was westerly strong gale 1030 and stood by until their arrival at south western approaches bringing force 9, gusting to storm force 10. The Barra. At 1107 Coxswain Macneil with it storm force winds gusting up to sea was very rough and broken, with decided that four of his crew should be hurricane force and treacherously high waves estimated to be 10 feet high. It sent ashore in the Sea King helicopter. and confused seas. Fifteen yachtsmen was two hours before high water and They were landed safely at Castlebay lost their lives during the storm. the flood stream was setting southerly and examined by Barra honorary medi- Between them, the 13 lifeboats were into the River Dee at about 2 knots. cal adviser before being sent home. on service for nearly 187 hours, rescu- The sky was cloudy and visibility good. The helicopter then returned to Prest- ing 60 people and towing in or escorting The rough seas made launching wick after refuelling at Tiree. 20 yachts. extremely difficult. Solid water was The tow parted at about 1200 but was For these services a special framed breaking over the boat and tractor and successfully reconnected about three- certificate signed by the Duke of at times the boat and carriage were quarters of an hour later. At 1430 the Atholl, chairman of the Institution, has being lifted from the sea bed. Just Castlebay fishing boat Notre Dame met been awarded to each of the following before launching all that could be seen up with the tow off Barra. Because of stations: Angle, Ballycotton, Balti- of the tractor from the boat were the the severe weather a landfall was made more, Clovelly, Courtmacsherry Har- air vents, exhaust pipes and the driver to the north and east of Castlebay and it bour, Dunmore East, Falmouth, The and his assistant. The driving cab had was decided that the lifeboat should go Lizard-Cadgwith, Padstow, Penlee, St completely filled with water. direct to a convenient fish factory pier Ives, St Mary's and Sennen Cove. Once into the comparatively deep at North Bay, about nine miles north of Castlebay. Notre Dame took over the Hoylake: Produced from a portion of BA Chart 1978 with the sanction of the Controller HM tow just outside the entrance to North Stationery Office and the Hydrographer of the Navy. Bay and, while Sapphire and HMS Herald returned to their respective passages, brought the lifeboat safely to a berth alongside the pier at 1540. The remaining four members of the crew were taken by car to Castlebay where they were also checked by the HMA before returning home. ^lf^/^'^ A }, ,*\*^, The casualty, Lone Dania, which had refused help from a helicopter, 7/^1 .7 * B A N K '** S^ ' o,t^\ Pa.nd ^.^r returned to Barra under escort of i .. 4, !! _ / ^s ^\\ / ^-^ another Danish coaster just after 1100. A generous donation to the RNLI was later received from her underwriters and owners. Immediately following the return to station of Islay and Barra lifeboats the divisional inspector for lifeboats for -fxi ""^^r* , 'v^l'" South Scotland and his coast officials Sj ^y^pst^M^ went to Islay, while the staff officer K operations from HQ Poole, together tl^te'V^lTI,*z+, . f*N c»W X^PiCL-. ' , \oi--A| with the district engineer and district :ik5^5r3^C""s " surveyor of lifeboats for North Scot- °'°<^ ^^" Si^%^ land and the electronics engineer (maintenance), went to Barra. With the able help of the lifeboatmen them- selves, other branch members and local people, both lifeboats were repaired at ""'(! \ ;o/,;v,;-^ station. Islay's 50ft Thames class lifeboat was back on restricted serviced by 1906 on Sunday November 18 and was placed on full service at 2100 on Friday November 23. Barra's 52ft Bar- water of Hilbre Swash the lifeboat was Coxswain McDermott found that the Ormrod and Gordon J. Bird. Framed able to make full speed leaving HE 5 crew were too exhausted to be trans- letters of thanks signed by the Duke of Buoy to starboard and keeping close to ferred safely in the very rough seas, Atholl, the chairman of the Institution, the eastern edge of West Hoyle Bank and so, realising that, if her anchor were sent to Acting Tractor Driver for protection. Welshman Buoy was cables parted, the boat would be blown Jeffrey W. Kernigham and Acting left to port as Coxswain Jones took the at great speed into the huge seas on the Assistant Tractor Driver Helper Jesse lifeboat across the south-east corner of high part of the bank and wrecked, S. Bird. the bank, entering Welshman's Gut at Coxswain Jones agreed to take her in about 0940. At 0958, when just over tow. half way between SE Hoyle Buoy and While the lifeboat was manoeuvred South Western Division Dee Buoy, the masts of the casualty into position on the port side of Truga- were sighted about one mile on the nini, Second Coxswain McDermott and Five saved starboard bow; she was on West Hoyle Crew Member Dodd buoyed the Bank half a mile north of Dee Buoy. At anchor ropes and made ready for slip- RED FLARES fired by a yacht off Beer the same time a very weak mayday ping, both men hanging on as best they Head were reported by HM Coastguard signal was picked up on 2182 kHz but could as solid water crashed over the to the honorary secretary of Lyme the callsign could not be identified. foredecks where they were working. Regis ILB station at 1942 on Monday As the lifeboat approached, the The tow line was passed by heaving August 13, 1979. Five minutes later, casualty was seen to be a white hulled, line and the lifeboat moved up wind on Lyme Regis Atlantic 21 ILB was ketch rigged catamaran about 40 feet in the port bow. The anchor ropes were launched manned by Helmsman John length. She was anchored, bows west, slipped and the tow line secured at the Hodder with Crew Members Paul but rolling, pitching and veering vio- same time with both men lying flat on Wason, Graham Turner and Colin lently and taking solid water over her the decks, the seas breaking over them. Jones; the additional crew member was bows. The sails were furled and lashed On starting the tow, Coxswain Jones taken to give extra weight in the heavy and there was no sign of damage. No found that the lifeboat did not have weather. one could be seen on deck. enough power to drive up wind so he A strong breeze to near gale, force 6 The wind was still westerly force 9, allowed the bow to pay off to port and to 7, was blowing from the south west gusting force 10, and the seas around headed across the sea towards Welsh and the tide was in the third hour of the casualty, Truganini, were esti- Channel and Mostyn Harbour. It was flood, setting west south west at about mated to be 15 feet high; because the now 1030. 0.7 knots. With the wind against tide water was shallow the waves were con- On entering Welsh Channel course the seas were short and steep, about 8 fused and broken. Further to the east, was directed towards Mostyn Deep, to 11 feet in height. It was raining heav- huge waves could be seen breaking bringing the weather round on to the ily and visibility was about half a mile. over the higher part of West Hoyle starboard quarter. Great difficulty was As the ILB set course west south west Bank. The tidal stream was now setting experienced in maintaining the tow for the yacht, Crew Members Wason to the south east at about two knots. because the catamaran was continu- and Jones went as far forward as pos- By 1005 the lifeboat was within ously surfing down wind and overta- sible to keep the bows down, but after a 60 feet of Truganini's port quarter and king the lifeboat to starboard. A plastic little while bruising forced them to attempts were made to attract attention dustbin, carried aboard the sailing boat retreat further aft. Speed then had to be with loud hailer and horn. There was as a rope stowage, was streamed astern reduced to less than 12 knots. no response, however, so Coxswain as a drogue and a heavy shackle was The yacht. White Kitten, was sighted Jones manoeuvred his boat slowly placed on the tow line to weigh it down about half a mile ahead at 2015; her ahead until she was abreast of the and form a spring. The temporary mainsail was set and she was lying at catamaran's port beam, then turned in drogue reduced speed enough to allow anchor, head to wind. Two men, two a circle to port until he was lying off her the lifeboat to get down wind and to women and a five-year-old boy were on port quarter once more. There was still starboard and, before it carried away, board. After leaving Torquay 51 hours no sign of life and it was decided to try the 'drogue' had lasted just long previously they had crossed the Chan- to put Second Coxswain John McDer- enough for the protective lee of the nel twice in thick fog and, not having mott aboard to search. As the lifeboat Point of Air to be reached. slept, they were all exhausted. They was closing the casualty a man Keeping along the edge of Mostyn did not realise that their anchor was appeared on deck from the starboard Bank to get as much shelter as pos- dragging and that they would soon be cabin and shouted across, asking that sible, SE Air, NE Mostyn and Mostyn aground on a lee shore. his two women crew members be taken Buoys were all left to port. Mostyn Helmsman Hodder decided that the aboard the lifeboat and that the Harbour was reached at 1055 and the two women and the boy, who were catamaran be taken in tow; he also said catamaran secured alongside the west very cold and wet, must be taken off that he would be unable to recover his wall at 1100. immediately; they were taken on board anchors. Having satisfied himself that Truga- the ILB and wrapped in polythene Coxswain Jones told the skipper that nini s crew needed no further help, sheeting. The men were reluctant to it might prove too rough for towing and Coxswain Jones sailed from Mostyn at leave their yacht so Crew Member that he was going to try to take off the 1115 for Hoylake via Salisbury Deep, Jones, who is a sailing instructor, whole crew. Second Coxswain Hilbre Swash, East Hoyle Spit and joined them on board White Kitten to McDermott and Crew Member David Spencers Spit. The 12 miles to Hoylake sail her to Lyme Regis. He reefed the Dodd were detailed off to board the took !3/4 hours through the very rough, mainsail, started the engine, cut the casualty and help with the transfer. The storm-driven seas. The lifeboat was anchor chain, hoisted the jib and set the violent movement of the anchored beached at 1300 and recarriaged; she yawl on a south-easterly course to gain catamaran made going alongside both was ready for service at 1330. an offing before running for Lyme, thus difficult and dangerous, so the lifeboat For this service the bronze medal clearing the broken water which was lay off the port side and the second was awarded to Coxswain Thomas H. extending nearly a mile from shore. coxswain succeeded in getting aboard 'Harry' Jones and the thanks of the Having satisfied himself that all was as the two vessels came together. The Institution inscribed on vellum to Sec- under control on board the yacht, boats quickly separated and the ond Coxswain John McDermott and Helmsman Hodder set out for Lyme. lifeboat came astern to clear the Crew Member David A. Dodd. Medal By now the weather was deteriora- danger. The manoeuvre was repeated service certificates were awarded to ting rapidly, with the wind increasing to and David Dodd managed to get Acting Motor Mechanic Peter J. Jones, gale force 8 gusting to storm force 10. aboard. The time was 1017. Acting Assistant Mechanic Alan R. Despite the difficult passage, however, Once aboard the catamaran Second Tolley and Crew Members Geoffrey the Atlantic 21 managed to make good about 17 knots with the sea on her star- board quarter and the two women and the boy were landed safely at Lyme. They were given hot tea and dry clothes and cared for by Mrs Brian Mil- ler, a qualified nurse and the wife of a crew member. At 2050, as soon as the survivors were safely disembarked. Helmsman Hodder put to sea again to find the yawl and escort her to harbour. It was now dark, so the ILB carried an Aldis lamp as well as powerful hand lamps and torches. Crew Member Jones had lost sight of land almost immediately after setting course south east. The waves were becoming very high and he was thrown off the tiller several times. When he reckoned he had made good about two miles, the reefed mainsail was lowered and course altered to east north east on jib and engine only. Meanwhile, the ILB was meeting head seas of 15 to 20 feet with breaking Lowestoft: At 0625 on Tuesday August 14, 1979, the morning of the Fastnet Storm, tops. In the darkness these very large Lowestoft's 47ft Watson lifeboat Frederick Edward Crick launched on service to escort the waves could often not be seen until Dutch yacht Lutjewald, in difficulties in rough seas and a south-westerly strong breeze, force they were too close for avoiding action 6, gusting to gale force 8. Finding the yacht's engine had broken down, the lifeboat took her in tow to Lowestoft. photograph by courtesy of Michael Richford to be taken and the crew found them- selves falling off the crests. Speed often by the ILB and the yawl when they ficulties and unable to keep his head had to be reduced to the minimum for were about three-quarters of a mile off clear of the water. He shouted for help steerage way, so that only about 4'/2 the harbour entrance. to people on the sea wall, but the wall is knots could be made good on the As soon as the lights of Lyme could sheer and some 50ft high with no steps, south-westerly course Helmsman be seen by White Kitten, Helmsman ladders or breaks. It curves outwards Hodder calculated would intercept the Hodder took station on her bow and at the bottom causing waves to turn yacht. used the ILB searchlights to illuminate back on themselves and the sea close to In fact White Kitten was making the numerous lobster pots which had to the wall is confused. A line with a bi- good a slightly more easterly course be avoided on the way in. Just as she cycle wheel attached was lowered than had been thought and when the was being brought alongside the yawl down the wall, but Stephen was unable ILB sighted her masthead light at about failed to respond to her helm as the two to reach it. 2145 she was about half a mile to the bolts securing her pintles sheared; she At this point the attention of Simon south. Having taken more than an hour was berthed safely, however, with the Hall, a 16-year-old boy, was called to to gain the two miles to seaward, the help of the ILB. The two men were the incident. He ran down the slipway yawl was now making up to 7 knots landed, given first aid treatment and and started launching a flat-bottomed before the wind on jib only and a falter- reunited with the women and the boy. 8ft pram dinghy through the breaking ing engine. She was shipping a great Following the rescue White Kitten's seas. A man tried to get into the tiny deal of water. people gave donations and wrote to dinghy with him. but Simon told him to When Crew Member Jones sighted praise the bravery and skill of the ILB get out as the boat was too small to the ILB's lights he shone his Aldis crew. carry them both safely. lamp to guide her in. Helmsman Hod- For this service a bar to his bronze Simon rowed the intervening 80 der, who had himself been out of sight medal was awarded to Helmsman John yards and then, handling the dinghy of land for 50 minutes, estimated that L. Hodder and the bronze medal to with great skill, put her head to sea and they were now almost four miles south Crew Member Colin I. Jones. Medal back-watered down to the boy in the west of Lyme and heading too far to the service certificates were presented to water; had he gone in bows first he east. As soon as he could bring the ILB Crew Members Paul Wason and would without doubt have broached to within hailing distance he therefore told Graham C. A. Turner. and might well have been smashed into Colin Jones to steer north east. He then the wall. Stephen was able to grab the tried to keep station abeam of the casu- North Eastern Division handholds at the stern of the dinghy alty to be ready to help immediately if and then Simon pulled hard through the she were overwhelmed. backwash and incoming waves towards The ILB herself was as vulnerable as Home made raft some small fishing boats at moorings. the yacht to the high and breaking fol- TWO YOUTHS, aged 15 and 17 launched Once in less confused water Simon pul- lowing seas and passing course in- a home made raft from the slipway at led the exhausted and shivering structions was extremely difficult, so Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire, Stephen into the dinghy. He then pul- Helmsman Hodder stationed himself at about 1510 on Sunday June 10. 1979. led alongside a fishing boat and both ahead of the yawl to lead her in until It was nearly high water and a moder- boys climbed into it. Simon took off his the shore lights became visible. ate breeze was blowing from the south sweater and gave it to Stephen and they Back at Lyme Regis, Crew Member east. Breaking seas, sweeping across both put on oilskins they found on Brian Miller and two auxiliary coast- with considerable force, washed the board. guards had gone along outside the raft off the slipway and very quickly Whitby ILB was informed of the harbour wall to places from where, round towards Gunney Hole, and the incident at 1610 and launched at 1630. although very exposed and repeatedly raft, made of drums and a cargo pallet, While waiting for the ILB to make her covered by spray, they could shine started to break up. passage, Stephen kept nodding off, but hand lamps to guide in the two boats. The younger of the two boys. Simon insisted on talking to him to Brian Miller fired two parachute flares Stephen, jumped into the sea and tried keep him awake. The ILB came along- which were seen with great gratitude to swim to safety but was soon in dif- side the moored coble at 1650. took off

10 the two boys and landed them shore in assured themselves that no small boats navigation and radio communications the lee at Gunney Hole where coast- were in any possible danger, the ILB with Acting Second Coxswain Richard guards helped them up the cliff. The returned to station, arriving at 1910. Downes at the helm. The injured second boy on the raft had managed to She was refuelled and once again ready lifeboatman was later taken off by swim ashore safely. for service at 1925. In the two hours helicopter and flown to hospital. For this service the bronze medal and ten minutes she had been on ser- Yarmouth lifeboat reported sighting was awarded to Simon Peter Hall, to vice in severe gale force winds gusting a slick of what looked like diesel oil at whom an inscribed wrist watch will to 50 knots and steep seas of up to 12 0908 and HMS Cardiff shifted the search also be presented. feet, she had given help to about ten to seven miles south of St Catherine's. boats. At 0932 the Netherlands warship HNMS Eastern Division For this service the thanks of the Amsterdam and MV Navajo sighted a Institution inscribed on vellum were body and an upturned ship's lifeboat in Ten small boats accorded to Helmsman James A. the water. Cardiff had just reported Clarke and Crew Member Jonathan P. picking up two bodies, at 0955, when a WEST MERSEA deputy launching author- French. A vellum service certificate helicopter spotted two survivors 12 ity was informed by HM Coastguard at was presented to Crew Member miles south east by east of St 1652 on Saturday May 26, 1979, that an Graham M. Knott. Catherine's; they were lifted to safety upturned sailing dinghy had been and flown straight to hospital. sighted l'/2 miles east of Shinglehead Although the search was continued Point. Maroons were fired and at 1700 South Eastern Division all day, only being called off when West Mersea Atlantic 21 ILB launched darkness fell, no more survivors were on service manned by Helmsman Capsized coaster found. The two lifeboats returned to James Clarke and Crew Members their stations, arriving at about 1845, Jonathan French and Graham Knott. IN THE EARLY MORNING of Tuesday after being at sea for more than 12 It was a fine, clear evening but a November 6, 1979, Niton Radio, Isle of hours. strong gale, force 9, was blowing from Wight received a mayday call from the For this service letters signed by the south. It was two hours before low coaster Pool Fisher: 'We are going John Atterton, deputy director, water springs. The sea was only slight over, position south west of St expressing the Institution's thanks to at the launching position and the ILB Catherine's Point'. Nothing more was Coxswain Peter Smith, BEM, and Act- set out at full speed for the casualty, heard. The mayday was broadcast ing Coxswain David Lemonius were l'/2 miles from the station. As soon as immediately, at 0549, and a major sent to Arthur P. Weaver, BEM, honor- the shelter of Cobmarsh Island was search was set in operation in which ary secretary of Bembridge lifeboat cleared, however, she met the full force naval ships from Great Britain and the station, and L. W. Noton, honorary of the winds and steep, breaking seas of Netherlands, merchant ships, RN secretary of Yarmouth lifeboat station. eight to ten feet. Continuous blown Wessex and Sea King helicopters and spray reduced visibility. RNLI lifeboats all took part. The wind The ILB and Bradwell Coastguard was north westerly, near gale force 7 to South Western Division GP boat reached the capsized dinghy at strong gale force 9 and the seas very the same time, 1710. No survivors rough. Visibility was fair. could be seen in the water and Crew Solent Coastguard telephoned the Ex pilot cutter Member French went overside and honorary secretary of Yarmouth HARTLAND COASTGUARD received a under the upturned hull to see if anyone lifeboat station at 1553 and Yarmouth's message from the British coaster Can- were trapped inside. No one was 52ft Arun Joy and John Wade slipped dourity at 0255 on Monday September found, the dinghy was righted and then, her mooring 15 minutes later under the 3, 1979, reporting the sighting of a red with great difficulty, Crew Member command of Second Coxswain David flare and a flashing light from a yacht French was brought back on board. J. Lemonius, the coxswain being on some 13 miles north by east of Trevose A search was started for the missing leave. The Needles were passed at 0635 Head. The wind was westerly, near dinghy sailors, the ILB heading down and the search area, four miles south gale force 7, and the sea rough with a tide and the Coastguard boat heading west of St Catherine's, reached at 0718; moderate swell. The night was overcast down wind. Meanwhile an RAF the lifeboat was asked to continue to 15 with heavy showers. helicopter had been scrambled from miles south west of the point. Padstow lifeboat was alerted and at Mansion. Meanwhile, Solent Coastguard had 0319 came a message that Candourity At 1718 it was confirmed that the two telephoned the honorary secretary of had now reached the yacht, Peggy, an missing men had swum ashore and Bembridge lifeboat station at 0620 and ex Bristol Channel pilot cutter. Wreck- were safe, and the ILB escorted the the 48ft 6in Solent HfeboatJacA: Shayler age of the yacht's bowsprit, topmast, Coastguard boat to the lee of Bradwell, and the Lees launched at 0635 under rigging and sails were over her star- arriving at 1728. the commander of Coxswain Peter board side; two inflatable dinghies West Mersea ILB, joined by the Smith and was also on her way. were over her port side and the people helicopter, then continued searching HMS Cardiff was designated on scene on board were waving. Candourity was for, checking and escorting the many commander at 0720 and started unable to go alongside but she was small boats in the area caught out by assembling the various craft for a co- standing by. the bad weather. At 1740 Stone Sailing ordinated search of the area. The Padstow lifeboat, the 48ft 6in Oakley Club rescue boat was in trouble with search was made more difficult by the James and Catherine Macfarlane, one of her crew in the water off Thirslet great amount of wreckage in the area launched at 0355 under the command of Spit; the ILB stood by while the man from the Aeolian Sky, which had Coxswain Trevor England and headed was lifted by helicopter and flown to foundered three days previously. It for the casualty. By 0448 she could see Southend Hospital. was learnt that Pool Fisher had been on Candourity ahead and by 0535 she was The task of shepherding was con- passage from Hamburg to Merseyside alongside Peggy. There, were nine peo- tinued and at 1807 Crew Member Knott with a cargo of potash; there were 15 ple on board. With considerable diffi- was landed near Mill Creek to check a people on board. culty in the rough seas and swell an casualty on the mud flats. After warn- At 0730 Crew Member Keith Hop- injured women and four children were ing the boat's single-handed crew not kins, who was navigating on board transferred to the lifeboat; three men to try to launch again, he was lifted Yarmouth lifeboat, was thrown across and a woman remained on board the back on to the ILB by the helicopter. the wheelhouse and knocked uncon- yacht. At 1835 the helicopter returned to scious for a little while. From that time It appeared that Peggy had collided base and at 1850, after the crew had Acting Coxswain Lemonius took over with a radar buoy. She was taking 11 water and her pumps were out of action flood tide of 4 to 5 knots. The anchor to try to launch the ILB with the casu- so, during what proved to be a very was let go but failed to hold. The crew alty on board through the heavy surf slow tow, the four people on board radioed for helicopter help but could running on to the beach. The crew, formed a bucket chain to bail. get no response from the radio because therefore carried him up the rocks and Arrangements were made for medical they were so close under the 100ft to an ambulance about three-quarters assistance to be available on arrival at cliffs. They shouted to an auxiliary of a mile away. Padstow and for a pump to be brought coastguard on the cliff top, but in fact a As the weather continued to out to meet the two boats at Stepper Royal Naval helicopter which had been deteriorate the ILB was recovered by Point. in the area was already on her way to tractor and trailer along the shingle Anchorage under Stepper Point was help. beach. She was back at station and reached at 0751. The pump was put As the boat was carried into a gully. rehoused at 1610. aboard and, after the survivors were Crew Member Stokes jumped out on to For this service a letter signed by landed into the care of those ashore, a rock taking one girl with him. Crew Cdr Bruce Cairns expressing the the yacht was put in tow again at 1203 Member Burt threw him a painter, but Institution's appreciation to Helmsman and moored safely at the station by as soon as Robert Stokes had made it James Owen and Crew Members Grif- 1305. The lifeboat was rehoused and fast to a rock a heavy sea broke fith D. Owen and George Povey was ready for service at 1600. A large dona- through the boat, tearing out the sent to Glyn Humphreys, Criccieth tion to the Institution's funds was painter and that portion of the bow fab- honorary secretary. received from Peggy's crew. ric to which it was secured. For this service a letter signed by The ILB was carried up to the top of South Eastern Division Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, the boulder strewn gully. Crew expressing the Institution's apprecia- Member Burt and Helmsman Bailey Skipper taken ill tion to Coxswain Trevor England and both got out to steady the boat, but his crew, was sent to Lt-Cdr J. W. they were washed from one side of the THE YACHT Minuet, crossing the Chan- Hamilton. Padstow station honorary gully to the other before they managed nel from France with a crew of four on secretary. to get the remaining girl on to a reef of board on Thursday August 23, 1979, rocks and eventually out to a position was making heavy weather and sent South Western Division from which she could be lifted off by out a distress call; she was about eight helicopter. miles east by north of Dover. HM The helicopter arrived within Coastguard informed the deputy Trapped by tide minutes and lifted both girls to the launching authority of Dover lifeboat A LIFEGUARD telephoned the deputy safety of the cliff top. Crew Member station of the situation at 1247 and launching authority of Newquay, Stokes tried to work his way along the within eight minutes the 44ft Waveney Cornwall, ILB station at 1555 on Wed- ledge to reach the ILB. now being bat- lifeboat Faithful Forester was on her nesday August 8, 1979, to tell him that tered against rocks, but it was impos- way. two girls were trapped by the tide at sible, so the ILB had to be abandoned It was an overcast day and the Lamorna Cove. The ILB, manned by and the three men lifted to the cliff top weather was deteriorating. A strong Helmsman Norman Bailey and Crew by helicopter. breeze, force 6, gusting to gale force 8 Members Martin Burt and Robert The crew later joined a salvage party was blowing from the south west and Stokes, was launched within five of 19 volunteers organised by the hon- the sea was becoming very rough. It minutes. A moderate north-westerly orary secretary. Leaving the boathouse was one hour before high water. wind was blowing on shore so that at 2230 with the trailer and lights they Minuet was found about two miles waves of four to five feet were breaking eventually managed to recover the east of her original position. Her skip- along the shoreline. It was 2'/2 hours boat, her engine and radio and returned per, who was himself unwell and whose before high water. with them to the boathouse. A crew were suffering from sea sickness, Arriving off the cove, the crew could replacement boat was sent to the sta- was having great difficulty in handling see the two girls on rocks at its head. tion while repairs were made. the yacht, so, at 1335, two members of Although the girls could climb clear of It was subsequently found that Crew the lifeboat crew were put aboard. The the waves, it was apparent that they Member Burt had broken his wrist on yacht was taken in tow and. in view of would be trapped for at least six hours, this service and Helmsman Bailey had the deteriorating weather. Coxswain by which time darkness would have fal- cuts and abrasions on both feet. Hawkins decided to cross the Goodwin len, so Helmsman Bailey decided to go For this service letters of apprecia- Sands and approach Dover under the straight into the cove and take them tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. shelter of the cliffs. off. Graham, director of the Institution, After about an hour Minuet's skipper Newquay ILB is frequently called to were sent to Helmsman Norman Bailey became so seriously ill that, as there Lamorna Cove, so the crew know it and Crew Members Martin Burt and was helicopter assistance at hand, it well and did not expect any great diffi- Robert Stokes. was decided he should be lifted off and culty, even though there is no beach taken straight to hospital. In those but only the boulder strewn cove. Once Western Division rough seas, however, it was decided he disembarked, however, it proved very should first be transferred to the hard to turn the boat head to sea for Injured boy lifeboat so that the lift would be less relaunching while standing among the A MESSAGE from a doctor was received hazardous. The transfer and lift were boulders with the seas, more difficult by Criccieth ILB station at 1135 on accomplished safely and the tow was than had been thought, breaking over Tuesday July 31, 1979. asking that a then resumed to Dover. boat and crew. 12-year-old boy, injured when he fell Before harbour was reached, just As soon as the two girls were from the rocks at Black Rock, should after 1600. the south-westerly wind had embarked the engine was restarted, but be taken off by inshore lifeboat. risen to gale force 8 gusting to strong when gear was engaged it was dis- A fresh to strong breeze was blowing gale force 9. Once at Dover, the three covered that the drive pin had sheared. from the south west; it was high water remaining crew were landed and the The crew rowed the boat away from and the sea was rough. yacht moored. Faithful Forester was the shore while the helmsman tried to Criccieth D class ILB launched at refuelled and back on her own moor- fit a new shear pin, but, when clear of 1146 and beached at Black Rock ings at 1631. the cove, the starboard oar, being pul- through heavy surf at 1151. The boy For this service letters of apprecia- led by a particularly strong man. broke was found to have a suspected broken tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. and immediately carried away. The leg. He was placed in a stretcher but it Graham, director of the Institution. ILB was swept along the shoreline by a was decided that it would be dangerous continued on page 33

12 Lifeboat stations of The Isle of Man

DOUGLAS, PEEL, RAMSEY, PORT ERIN and PORT ST MARY by Joan Davies

VERY CLOSE TO THE SEA are people of rescue of shipwrecked sailors. Since grapher, a coach driver, a hairdresser, the Isle of Man. Set in the Irish Sea RNLI records began more than 1,300 a supermarket manager, a factory man- almost equidistant between England people have been saved from the seas ager, a company director and a land- and Ireland, with Scotland to the north around Man by lifeboat, and it is scape gardener. And so it goes on ... and Wales to the south, not only is the known that there were many earlier Everyone cannot go to sea, but the island itself dependent on sea trade but rescues. whole community backs the crews with is lies close to busy lanes of passing Many of the Isle of Man's sons are its financial support. Speak to anyone coasters, ferries and foreign-going fishermen; many go into the merchant at a lifeboat station and they will tell ships. Man's bays offer shelter from service. None of her people live more you of the wonderful work done by the storm in the midst of a proverbially than a handful of miles from the sea and ladies' guilds and the branch fund rough sea, but if the wind should go even those who are essentially lands- raisers; in the last year alone they round, what was at first a safe haven men are often concerned in shipping. It raised £24,751 for the lifeboat service. can all too quickly become a dangerous is interesting, for instance, to read the Indeed, the salt water runs deep into lee shore. Manx people are, therefore, names of the original subscribers of the the island's life; but then much of its no strangers to disaster at sea and, Ramsey Steamship Company which, heritage came from over the sea, through the years, have shown enor- since 1913, has run a small fleet of brought by the Celt and Norseman. mous courage and determination in the coastal freighters plying to and from The Celts had already been living on the island: as well as two corn mer- the island for many hundreds of years chants and a coal merchant, there was when, in the shadowy days of the ninth a retired farmer, a grocer, and advocate century, marauding Viking longboats ISLE OF MAN and a bank agent. In just the same way, appeared over the horizon. Warriors nowadays, a cross section of the com- were followed by settlers, Norsemen munity is to be found in the crews of who stayed and intermarried and made the island's five lifeboat stations. Take their homes on the island, so that Manx Port St Mary: as well as fishermen, the culture has both Celtic and Nordic crew includes a hotelier, two roots. The Vikings were to rule the Isle engineers, a schoolteacher, a butcher, of Man for 300 years and it was they a shipwright, a joiner, a student and an who set up the Tynwald, the open-air estate agent—and nearly all of them are assembly of freemen which has sur- active members of the local yacht club. vived as Man's parliament for a Or Peel: fishermen, engineers, a photo- thousand years. A proud millennium N has been reached which was worthily P?R^OCASTLE16WN (Below) The Irish Sea: Produced from a por- celebrated throughout last year, 1979. tion ofBA Chart No. 2 with the sanction of o the Controller HM Stationery Office and the CdfofMan Hydrographer of the Navy. A beginning If the Isle of Man can justly be proud of its claim to be the second oldest democracy in the world, it can with equal justice take pride in its contribu- tion to the growth of a voluntary lifeboat service embracing the entire coastlines of Great Britain and Ireland. In the latter part of the eighteenth cen- tury and the early nineteenth century an enormous expansion of sea trade went hand in hand with Britain's rapid industrial growth. And the Isle of Man was in the thick of it. Those were the days when the Irish Sea would have been alive, as never before or since, with boats; mostly small, and very vul- nerable, sailing carriers. It was, therefore, no chance, but an indication of real need, that as early as 1802 a pulling lifeboat was brought to Douglas. She was one of the first boats specifically designed for lifesaving by Henry Greathead of South Shields and she was given to the port by the fourth Duke of Atholl, the Island's Governor, whose forebears, in the previous cen- tury, had been the Lords of Man. The people of Man were doing their

13 best, as were people in other parts of was resolved to form the body now put out in one of the worst storms ever the British Isles, to tackle the problem known as the Royal National Life-boat experienced on that coast, with a wind of dreadful loss of life from ships driven Institution. Another of Sir William's of almost hurricane force blowing from ashore or foundering among the off- great services to shipping was the the south south east and mountainous lying hazards of inshore waters, using instigation, in 1832, of the building of a seas, to take off the crews of a whatever means were available to Tower of Refuge on St Mary's Rock, schooner and a brigantine dragging them. But it was to be another 20 years thus crowning this treacherous hazard their anchors in the bay . . . before a real start was to be made to with a clearly visible and unmistakable 'In returning ashore some of the ropes draw together into a co-ordinated ser- mark. attached to the drogue broke, in conse- vice the diverse lifesaving efforts of Although more is known about quence of the great strain upon them, local people. And the initiative was Douglas than the other Isle of Man and the lifeboat broached to and was then to come from Douglas. ports in these early years, it is clear filled by an enormous wave; the crew, Caught out in south-westerly gales, that all shared similar problems and however, kept cool; the boat, which was sailing ships could take shelter in Doug- that there would have been many under oars and running with the gale, soon recovered herself, and was landed las Bay; but if the gale backed to rescue attempts that have gone unre- by another great wave high up on the south-east or east the anchored boats corded: Ramsey Bay, sheltered from steep beach, north of Beachmount, were open to the full force of the wind the west but open to the east; Castle- about four miles from the place where with the shore under their lee, and, as town Bay, open to the south and with she had been launched.' the Admiralty Pilot records, 'the hold- confused, though weak, tidal streams; Three years later: November?, 1890. ing ground is indifferent', A further Port Erin Bay, open to the west; Peel Two Sisters launched into a violent gale hazard was presented by St Mary's (or Bay, open to the north west. from the north with a rough cross sea Conister) Rock, a plateau to starboard Quickly on the heels of the founda- and heavy rain squalls to take off 15 of the harbour entrance uncovered at tion of the Institution in 1824 came the men from the steam dredger Walter low water but covered by as much as establishment of four Manx lifeboats: Bibby, at anchor and rolling heavily in 3ft at high water springs. In the early at Douglas in 1825, at Castletown in the bay. The men were landed safely part of the nineteenth century, St 1827, at Peel in 1828 and at Ramsey in about a mile and a half south of Ram- Mary's Rock was unlit and unmarked. 1829. The late Major K. G. Groves, sey, it being impossible to beat back to One way and another, the toll was who was chairman of Ramsey branch the station. For this service and for the heavy. for many years, recorded in his 'Story rescue of three men from the schooner From 1808, Sir William Hillary, who of the Ramsey Lifeboat Station' that Margaret the silver medal was awarded was to become the founder of the between 1821 and 1846, 144 ships were to Coxswain Robert Garrett and to the RNLI, had lived in Forl Anne, over- wrecked on the island and 172 lives station honorary secretary, E.G. Kerr, looking the bay, with all the havoc that lost. But many lives were saved too. It who often went out as one of the crew. could be caused by storm spread out is known that during the years 1824 to Three years later: December 10, 1893. under his eyes. Time and time again he 1851, 91 lives were rescued by Douglas Ramsey lifeboat, now the new Mary was personally involved in lifesaving lifeboat alone. And during those years Isabella, out on service, was engulfed attempts and a climax came in 1822, a of great daring and achievement Sir and six of her crew washed overboard; winter of particularly severe gales, William Hillary himself was awarded fortunately they were all able to regain when he helped in the rescue of more three gold medals for gallantry. the boat. February 7, 1895: so severe than 200 sailors in Douglas Bay. It was was the blizzard that Mary Isabella, after that winter that he wrote his Early services called out to take off the crew of the 'Appeal to the British Nation, on the What was asked of Manx lifeboat- distressed Margaret and Elizabeth, Humanity and Policy of forming a men in the days of pulling and sailing could not be launched from the shore. National Institution for the Preserva- boats can perhaps be best be A passage had to be dug for her through tion of Lives and Property from Ship- appreciated by a look at some of the deep snow from the boathouse to the wreck". As a result of his efforts, a services performed. At Ramsey, for harbour; she was damaged as she was meeting was held on March 4, 1824, in instance. On the morning of November tipped into the harbour from her car- the City of London Tavern, at which it 1, 1887, Ramsey lifeboat, Two-Sisters, riage, but, repaired on the spot, she Douglas lifeboat, the 46ft 9in Watson R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 1, launches on exercise. went on to rescue the two men. photograph by courtesy of the 'Isle of Man Examiner' Castletown lifeboat was also called out on that bitter February morning, to I a vessel in Port St Mary Bay. 'A moderate gale was blowing from the south, with a very heavy sea. The snow having drifted about six feel against the lifeboat house, a large number of men were engaged to cut a way out for the boat, and at 0915 the Hope was launched. On reaching the bay the ss Vigilant of Liverpool, bound from Burryport for Belfast with a cargo of coal, was found stranded on a reef. Six of her crew had been rescued by a shore boat, which had put off from the village to her assistance, and the remain- ing six men had taken refuge in the rig- ging, from which they were taken into the lifeboat in an exhausted condition, and landed at Port St Mary.' Port St Mary was soon to have a lifeboat of its own because of the number of shipwrecks in the area. But to return to Ramsey, the new lifeboat Mary Isabella, with her car- riage and equipment, had been the anonymous gift of 'a friend' through

14 Celebrating the Isle of Man's millennium: Port St Mary pre- pares for the review of the Sail Training fleet by HM King Olaf of Norn-ay, August4, 1979. Port Erin and Port St Mary lifeboats are seen in centre of picture taken from an SAR helicopter from RAF Valley, Anglesey. „ ~ With her crew of Fl Lt Alan Coy, Fl Lt Brian Murdock and Winchman Steve Lynch, the helicopter was based on Man for the weekend, taking part in the review and exercising with all the Manx lifeboats as part of regular combined training.

(Below) Port St Mary's 54ft Arun The Gough Ritchie and Port Erin's 37ft 6in Rather Osman Gabriel, together with Port St Mary's D- class ILB and boarding boat, man ship ready to cheer King Olaf. photograph by courtesy of J. G. Sawtell increased dramatically. On October 19, 1936, Barrow and Maryport lifeboats from the mainland and Ramsey lifeboat from Man were all trying to reach the ss Esbo of Helsingfors, in.ballast for Fin- land, which was dragging her anchors towards Selker Rocks, near Bootle. A hurricane was blowing from the south west and the seas were very heavy. Ramsey's motor lifeboat. Lady Harri- son, launched at 0820 . . . 'When she had gone about 14 miles (she had to cover over 30) conditions were so bad that it was impossible to go further. She was continually swept from stem to stern and nothing could be seen on account of the foam. She made for the lee of the land at Cornah, Isle of Man, and after waiting for three- quarters of an hour, in the hope that the the Manchester branch and she was fleets would fill the island's harbours weather would moderate, set off again. She got about ten miles off but was housed in the new Norbury Boathouse, and, although there was a decline in the again compelled to return ..." the gift of Mr and Mrs Norbury who industry, fishing is now once again lived at Port Lewaigue but who were building up. Many of the herrings When she put into Laxey she was also connected with Manchester caught are packed in barrels of salt to told that Esbo's crew had managed to branch. The entire first floor is a crew be picked up by continental coasters, get to safety by breeches buoy and her and committee room, the window pro- but of course some, cured at Peel, own ship's boats, helped by people viding a fine lookout over the bay and, become the famous Manx kippers. ashore. For their part in the service. when the boathouse was first built, Most of Port Erin's crew members are Coxswain J. T. Lord and his crew there was a second floor above where fishermen, and fishermen still form the were awarded medals by the Finnish the coxswain could live. Mr and Mrs greater part of the Douglas crew. There Government. Norbury still look down benignly from is always an Admiral of the Herring Coxswain John Cornish of Ramsey their portraits in the committee room, Fleet and last year it was Bob Corran; was awarded the bronze medal of the which forms a wonderful natural focal Bob joined Douglas lifeboat crew in Institution for a service in 1941 which point for the station's activities. 1938, was second coxswain from 1940 called for great skill. On a very dark, It was at about this same time, to 1970 and then coxswain until 1974. wet November night the trawler towards the end of the nineteenth cen- Port St Mary was the last of the Strathairlie had run ashore at Skellig tury, that lifeboat activity increased on Manx lifeboat stations to be estab- Bay, about three miles north of Ram- the west and south-west coasts of the lished, in 1896, so that now the rocky sey in a strong onshore wind and heavy island. Port Erin lifeboat station was south-west tip of Man, with its off-lying seas. It was impossible for the lifeboat established in 1883 at the request of the island, Calf of Man. is watched over to to get close enough in the shallow local people, and a lifeboat was re- the west by Port Erin lifeboat and to waters to take off the trawler's crew— established at Peel in 1885, after a lapse the east by Port St Mary. After a motor she herself was reported as 'nearly of some years, to meet the needs of an lifeboat was sent to Port St Mary, the standing on end' in the heavy surf. So increasing fishing population. station at Castletown was closed in Coxswain Cornish anchored and Fishing: Scallops in winter, queenies 1922 and the present-day pattern of dropped down on his cable, managing in summer, with herring fishing build- Manx lifeboat stations was set. to get two lines to the trawler. Then, by ing up as the summer draws to an end, hauling in on the lines just far enough Scottish and Irish trawlers coming to Motor lifeboats for a man to jump aboard when a sea join with the Manx boats in the catch. When motor had replaced manpower had passed, and hauling out again on In the old days the returning herring and sail, the range of lifesaving the cable before the next sea came, all 13

15 of the crew were successfully rescued, Corran, Bob's son, is now coxswain Major Osman B. Gabriel. Osman Gab- one by one. and another Robert Corran, a cousin, is riel is launched down the Institution's Douglas lifeboat, under the com- second Coxswain. Mary Corran, the steepest slipway—and it is a fast mand of Coxswain Bobby Lee, was the coxswain's wife, plays a traditional key launch. Recovery, on the other hand, is first to be called out on December 2, role in the station. When a call comes, correspondingly slow and arduous and, 1966, to Nafsiporos, whose 15 crew Captain P. Evans, the station honorary with the boathouse open to the north were eventually rescued by Holyhead secretary (himself a retired sea pilot) west and the winds that always seem to and Moelfre lifeboats. Nafsiporos was immediately telephones to Mary, who be in the bay, very long warps run out first reported to be 12 miles from Doug- knows exactly which of the crew are via breasting buoys are necessary to las Head; she was disabled and, sailing available and quickly rings round. Bob help position the returning boat. light ship, being blown before a violent Corran still comes down when there is Peel, the original landfall of the Vik- north-westerly storm. The 46ft 9in a launch—ready to go out if needed. ings, is further up Man's west coast. Watson/?. A. Colby Cubbin No. I, one Family links sometimes go across Until 1972 an offshore lifeboat was of four lifeboats provided by a legacy of from one station to another; the chair- stationed there, but Peel now has an the late Mrs E. M. M. G. Cubbin of man of Douglas branch, Alfred Cos- Atlantic 21 ILB, a very versatile Douglas, followed in pursuit of the tain, a silver badge holder, is the cousin lifeboat with a maximum speed of 30 drifting ship, searching, for 36 miles of John Hudson, who has been station knots and an extensive range, yet emi- until it was learned that Holyhead honorary secretary of Port St Mary for nently suitable for inshore work along lifeboat had made contact. ten years. Port St Mary, at which/?. A. the cliffs. She is housed in the old On September 9, 1970, at about 0600, Colby Cubbin No. 2 was stationed until lifeboat house in the harbour and, while Port Erin and Peel lifeboats were both 1976, now has a 54ft Arun lifeboat, The she may be one of the Institution's called out to the coaster Moonlight, Gough Ritchie. She is a fast afloat boat most modern lifeboats, there is a ven- reported to be in trouble five miles and Port St Mary Harbour provides an erable guard at the entrance to her north of Chicken Rock in south- excellent vantage point from which she house: the figurehead of the Norwegian south-westerly gales gusting to storm can speedily go to the help of shipping ship St George which, bound from force and very rough seas. First one in the Irish Sea south of the island, if Greenock to Monte Video laden with empty liferaft was sighted by a needed. With Coxswain/Mechanic coal, pipes and rails, foundered in Shackleton aircraft and then, at about Arthur Quillin and the nucleus of the Fenella Bay on October 6, 1889 ... 1100, Port Erin lifeboat sighted two crew all living within yards of the sta- 'A terrific gale from the north west survivors in another liferaft. It was tion, the boat can put to sea very . . . accompanied by heavy torrents of only with great difficulty that the quickly when a call comes. Family rain. At Peel the full fury of the gale was exhausted men were got aboard, Sec- tradition is strong at Port St Mary. felt with exceptional force. The waves ond Coxswain Peter Woodworth, now Coxswain Quillin's brother and two dashed over and enveloped the break- Port Erin's coxswain, going over the cousins have been in the boat for many water, and swept the Shore Road and side on to the scrambling net to reach years, there is a father and son among Marine Promenade from end to end, and Peel Castle was continually hidden by them. Moonlight's other two crew the number and there has been a the spray. On Monday morning, about members had apparently been washed Kneale in the crew for almost a cen- 10 o'clock, a large full-rigged ship was away and drowned. For this service tury; the present representative is sighted about 10 miles from Feel, with a Coxswain Alfred Maddrell, BEM, of Second Assistant Mechanic Anthony steamer close at hand. As she came Port Erin was awarded the bronze Kneale. The old boathouse is still in closer in, she was seen to be flying sig- medal, and Coxswain William Gorry of use, not only as the crew's shore base, nals of distress, having nothing standing Peel was accorded the thanks of the but also as the house for the station's D but the mizzen-masl and stump of Institution inscribed on vellum. class ILB. mizzen-lopmast. The jibboom and Just over the headland to the west is bowsprit had also gone . . The lifeboat John Monk was quickly launched Today Port Erin, at which is stationed the first . . . When the boat rounded the break- Coasters and fishing boats . . . now- 37ft 6in Rother class lifeboat to enter water, she encountered the full force of adays calls also come from yachts, the RNLI's fleet; that was in 1973. She the terrific north-west gale that was rag- small pleasure boats or other visitors in is Osman Gabriel, the gift of the late ing, and many people on shore felt that it difficulties, for the Isle of Man is a great holiday centre. Being, as it were, Peel's Atlantic 21 in Fenella Bay. photograph by courtesy of Vince Wilson an outpost in the Irish Sea, calls may come to take seriously ill or injured people off passing ferries, or to search for a passenger lost at sea. Port Erin or Peel lifeboats sometimes go to help climbers in trouble on the cliffs of the west coast, which rise to 1,000 feet. In March 1978 Coxswain Peter Wood- worth of Port Erin was accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum for the rescue from the rocks by breeches buoy of three skin divers whose boat had broken down and been blown ashore in a south-southwesterly near gale and rough seas. R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 1 is still on station at Douglas and there is great competition to be in her crew. She has in fact about three crews, with other lads eager to join, and they all meet down at the boathouse on Sunday mornings to 'clean ship', talk and keep up to date with information. Although mostly fishermen, other occupations are represented, and one crew member is a musician. Robert 'Young Robbie' 16 was almost tin impossibility for the lifeboat to get up to the vessel in the teeth of such a wind . . .' Nevertheless, the ship's crew of 21, and her captain's wife and nine- month-old baby were all rescued—the baby coming aboard the lifeboat in the ship's carpenter's bag tied between one of the crew's shoulders. The master later said: 'The Peel lifeboat is a first-class boat. She never shipped a sea, and the men handled her splendidly . . .' The King of Norway presented a medal, and the Bishop of the Isle of Man a Manx Bible, to every member of the lifeboat crew. St George's keel and a few ribs can still be found by divers in Fenella Bay and the rescue has been commemorated by the Manx poet, T. E. Brown. There have been other postscripts, too: a baby born on that same wild day and given St George as his middle name later became a member of Peel lifeboat crew; and Ramsey celebrated its 150th anniversary on June 17, 1979, with a service of thanksgiving and re-dedication of its lifeboat, James Ball Ritchie, and the lifeboathouse. about ten years ago an elderly lady visi- Photograph by courtesy of 'Isle of Man Weekly' ted the station—she was the baby who had been rescued and it had been one resentative being Second Coxswain of her ambitions that one day she James Kinnin. The crews' wives are would come back. also very closely involved with the But to return to the present day. lifeboat herself, as well as organising Peel's enthusiastic young crew take such fund raising activities as dances pride in the fact that, from time to time, and sponsored events. Mrs Hilda they are asked to help with operational Kneale, wife of Motor Mechanic James evaluation of gear and equipment. Kneale, is the grand-daughter of a pre- Their station honorary secretary, vious coxswain. Mrs Vera Gains, who David Hill, a young man too, comes has two of her menfolk in the boat, her from a lifeboat family; he took over the husband and son, while another son is a office of secretary from his father and shore helper has her own particular his mother has played a great part in niche in the organisation; she goes local fund raising. immediately to the boathouse when a Peel lifeboat station's presi- call comes and always has soup waiting dent—and very good friend—is the for the returning crew. Reverend Canon F. M. Cubbon, chap- The late Major Keith Grimble Mrs J. B. Ritchie, president of Ramsey lain to the Manx police and one of the Groves and his family are another branch and ladies' guild and donor of Ram- same family as the donor of the four example of loyalty to the service sey's 37ft Oakley lifeboat James Ball Ritchie and Port St Mary's 54ft Arun The Gough R. A. Colby Cubbin lifeboats. passed on from one generation to the Ritchie, was awarded honorary life govern- Ramsey, on the north east of the next. His grandfather worked for the orship of the Institution in 1978. island, has a housed carriage lifeboat, lifeboats at Southport; his father, Mr photograph by courtesy of Manx Press the 37ft Oak\ey James Ball Ritchie, and J. G. Groves, was honorary treasurer Pictures this is a station where there are very of Manchester and Salford branch until close bonds with the local police. When 1911, when he went to live in the Isle of tion in 1964 and received the MBE in the maroons are fired and the crew are Man and joined Ramsey committee; his 1966 for his services to the RNLI; and making for the boathouse hot foot, the mother worked for the ladies' auxiliary now the honorary secretary is Bernard police come down, too, to make sure after it was formed in 1913 and when it Swales, the Company's present manag- that all is clear for the boat. Police became the ladies' guild in 1926, she ing director; he has been a member of Inspector Alfred Quirk is on the was its president; while his uncle, Wil- Ramsey committee since 1948 and was lifeboat committee and if he helps with liam Grimble Groves, gave a motor honorary treasurer from 1950 to 1965. any of its events the branch knows that lifeboat to the Institution in 1926. President of both Ramsey branch the organisation will be impeccable. Major Groves himself was a member of and its very active ladies' guild is now As at all the island's lifeboat stations, Ramsey branch committee for almost Mrs J. B. Ritchie who has also, with there is a strong family tradition in 40 years, becoming its chairman in 1958 great generosity, made possible the Ramsey and the present coxswain, and later its president. provision of two of the Isle of Man's Lawrence Gawne, is continuing into Now, there is yet another unbroken lifeboats, Ramsey's James Ball Ritchie the future a record of lifeboat service line of service at Ramsey, because, and Port St Mary's The Gough which goes back through four genera- from 1930, the station honorary sec- Ritchie—and who, incidentally, is no tions to the early 1890s. His great- retaries have been directors of Ramsey mean seaman herself. grandfather, William Isaac 'Kenna' Steamship Company; first Mr J. B. The young Ann Gough, as she was Gawne, his grandfather, William Isaac Kee, whose father had been in the mer- then, first came to the Isle of Man to 'Willie' Gawne (who was one of the chant service; then from 1934, Mr J. teach physical education—she had crew on the service to ss Esbo), and his Ramsay and Mr W. R. Edwards served trained in Denmark and had already father, Isaac Gawne, were all members jointly until Mr Ramsay's death in taught for two years in Germany. Orig- of the crew in their time. Then there 1962, after which Mr Edwards con- inally, she expected to be in the island has been a Kinnin in the boat for more tinued on his own until 1967—he was for just four years, but she met and than a hundred years, the present rep- awarded the gold badge of the Institu- continued on page 23 17 Prototype of the experimental RNLI Medina 35

ANEW RIGID-INFLATABLE LIFEBOAT

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, the RNLI has Overall length 39ft 6in been exploring the possibilities of Rigid hull length 34ft 6in introducing intermediate lifeboats into Overall beam 14ft 3in its fleet: fast boats of about 35 feet in Rigid hull beam 11 ft 4in length, essentially simple but with out- Static draught (outdrives up) Forward 2ft Sin Aft 1ft11'/2in standing seakeeping qualities, which (outdrives down) Aft 3ft 9in would bridge the operational gap be- Weight with fuel and crew 7.1 tons tween present offshore and inshore Engines 2 x Sabre 212hp Outdrives 2 x Sternpowr unit 83 lifeboats, thus giving greater flexibility Speed 26 knots at 2,450 rpm in the provision of effective cover to all Fuel capacity maximum 156 gallons parts of the coast. It was thought that, Range at full speed for 6 hours 150 nautical miles at a few stations, such an intermediate Height of top of stowed mast structure above base line 11ft 1in boat might well be able to replace a Crew 4 small offshore lifeboat at a lower capi- ment of small boats. The RNLI Medina inshore lifeboat which was also tal cost and still do the job effectively is adding yet another chapter to that developed at the Cowes Base. Where- with the added advantage of greater history. Here is an advanced idea as, however, the Atlantic 21 is driven speed. Equally it was thought that such which offers great and challenging by twin outboard engines, the Medina's a boat could be stationed at places promise; or perhaps it would be truer to power comes from twin inboard diesel where, because of the necessary range say that here is an already proven idea, engines. The design problems are not, of operation or the severity of wind and taken a large step forward; in fact the therefore, the same and so she must be sea which could be expected, a bigger rigid inflatable concept, so successful regarded as a different member of the boat is needed than the Atlantic 21, the in the outboard-engined Atlantic 21, same family rather than as a larger ver- largest of the inshore lifeboats. has now been applied to a 35ft boat sion of the same boat. Two intermediate lifeboats are at with inboard engines. The Medina's hull is sharply veed present being developed, one of which The prototype RNLI Medina 35 has forward for easy riding and good sea- has been designed by the Institution's been developed by the Institution's keeping and includes a bold sheer, own staff. She is the RNLI Medina 35 Cowes Base design team under the while the after body has a 29in flat for and the prototype of this experimental leadership of David Stogdon, MBE; she the last 9 feet. This feature, besides boat was launched at Cowes on the Isle has been built by W. A. Souter and Son assisting planing, provides directional of Wight last autumn. To be named Ltd. The Cowes Base is on the east stability and allows the boat to stay Mountbatten of Burma, she was on bank of the River Medina, opposite upright when beaching. Cold moulded show at the London Boat Show in early Souter's Yard on the west. of four layers of 5mm mahogany with a January. '/2in marine ply deck, the hull is divided Throughout its history the Institution Design and construction into watertight compartments by five has been noted for its pioneering work In essence, the RNLI Medina 35 is longitudinal wooden box girders and in lifeboat design and also for the con- an extension of the ideas embodied in seven transverse watertight bulkheads tribution which its work has made, the Atlantic 21, the Institution's out- between which are additional inter- over the years, to the general develop- standingly successful rigid inflatable costals. The skin is slightly curved throughout for greater strength. The prototype RNLI Medina 35, Mountbatten of Burma, on trials at Cowes. The more people This rigid hull is the 'boat' on which on board, the greater her stability. the Medina runs and which carries her up the back of waves, her sheer giving her considerable reserve buoyancy forward. The sponson, mounted like a vast inflatable gunwale, is designed to be clear of the water under way. An important function of the spon- son is to give the Medina her stability, particularly when she is at rest and when she is heavily loaded. In fact, the more people there are on board, that is, the more the 31 in diameter sponson is pushed down on to the water, the greater will be the stability. The sponson is made by Avon of lloz hypalon/neoprene fabric, a very strong air-retaining material. The 31 in 18 diameter tubes (which taper down to 25in in the bow so that they do not obstruct forward vision) are supported inboard by glass fibre box seatings and are glued to the hull by laminated rein- forcing strips. The tubes are divided into compartments by inner baffles, those in the forward part being so designed that, should the outer skin of The RNLI Medina 35's the sponson be damaged, these baffles rigid hull, on which the will move to take up the shape of either 31in diameter inflatable the bow or the shoulder sections. sponson will be mounted, has a long, fine bow The present aluminium superstruc- which cuts cleanly ture provides the steering position for through the crests of the helmsman and also a basic shelter waves. Her sheer is bold, big enough to take a stretcher and sur- giving her considerable vivors. The helmsman has an uninter- reserve buoyancy. rupted vision all round and can see (Right) the rigid hull is divided into water- almost the entire deck. His position has tight compartments by five longitudinal been so designed that the height of the wooden box girders and seven transverse floor and the fore and aft position of the watertight bulkheads . . . padded backrest can both be adjusted to suit his height and reach. It should (Below) . . . it is sharply veed forward for be emphasized that this is a prototype easy riding and good seakeeping . . . console from which an improved ver- sion will be developed after evaluation (Below, right) . . . flattening out to a plan- trials. ing surface aft. The sponson, which gives A gantry at the after end of the the Medina her stability, is divided into superstructure carries a radar scanner, watertight compartments by inner baffles. navigation and blue flashing lights and the VHP aerial. These can be swung down aft to reduce overall height when the boat is housed. The boat is fitted with a Pye Beaver VHP radio, a Sea- farer III echo sounder and a Decca 060 radar. The radome of the radar, which was donated to the RNLI by Decca Radar Ltd, has been specially strengthened to withstand damage, should the boat be capsized. A roll bar in the stern of the boat carries a deflated buoyancy bag. In the unlikely event of the boat being cap- sized the crew can inflate the bag by pulling a handle on the transom to acti- vate compressed air cylinders and the boat will right. If inverted, the boat will Mountbatten of Burma is float high enough on her sponson to hauled over by crane for leave a good air space between the her capsize and righting deck and the sea and room for her crew trial; she has already to carry out any work necessary to the been hauled over more boat's righting and the safe recovery of than 100 degrees and is survivors and the crew themselves. still stable, the port tube This is a feature unique to rigid inflat- of her sponson support- ables. All these arrangements have ing the weight of the whole boat. -The roll bar been proved in a controlled capsize and in the stern carries her righting trial. deflated buoyancy bag Deck arrangements and the accom- which, activated by the modation in the shelter are at present in crew with a handle on the a skeleton stage and there is still much transom, will inflate and work to be done taking into account right the inverted boat. experience now being gained on sea trials. However, there are already indi- it would be possible to make fast along- Sternpowr outdrive units type 83. On cations of the kind of analytical thought side a vessel with high freeboard with- initial trials the boat has shown that she which will characteristise the whole out chafing on the inflatable sponsons; runs well with very good, smooth deck layout when it is complete: such the generous scuppers in the transom; acceleration and little change of trim. A as the anchor chain made up on flexible the provision of continuous handholds. speed of more than 26 knots at bollards so that, once the anchor is The Medina will be manned by a 2, oO rpm has been reached on meas- dropped over the sponson, the chain helmsman and three crew members all ured mile trials; this means that the can follow freely; the neoprene quick of whom will be provided with secure Medina should have at her command release 'channels' to hold the anchor positions which can be occupied when that extra burst of power which can be warp where it crosses the sponson and the boat is at full speed. used to get her out of trouble in break- the deck so that, on a rough, dark Engines ing seas. night, there is no dangerous loose rope The RNLI Medina 35 is fitted with The engines, housed in a watertight lying on deck; the tubular sampson twin Sabre 212hp diesel engines, their aluminium casing, are modified as are posts fore and aft standing so high that power being transmitted through twin Continued on page 21 19 Patrick Howarth

THE RNLFS PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY

WHEREIN LIES the essence of good pub- 'Baltic and Scandinavian Countries' discursive mood, hearing his readings lic relations? Who better to ask than would never appear. The Second of his second long, reminiscent poem, Patrick Howarth, for more than a quar- World War was to break out over Dan- 'The Four Seasons', which have also ter of a century public relations officer zig and, in those last months, Danzig, been broadcast. of the RNLI? His answer is predictably Gdynia and the whole Polish Corridor But to return to the early 1950s: Pat, clear-cut and to the point: were over-run by journalists from all back in London, in the Civil Service, 'First of all in telling the truth, and over the world . . . with one book published, another being secondly in believing in what you are 'To counter the German propaganda, printed . . .chafing to find a job which doing. Fundamentally, of course, in hav- the Poles, characteristically, had a would use his abilities more fully ... a ing a good product because, unless the very nice chap but he didn't speak worthwhile job which would still allow product is good, no public relations can any English . . . so I really just took him to write. Sheer chance entered do more than paper over the cracks. Of over from him and, as an unofficial, once again; it was to be the last spin of course, with the lifeboat service it is unpaid public relations officer to the the wheel . . . very, very easy because we have such a Polish Government, became their superb product. On top of that we have spokesman . . .' '/ was talking to a very nice man, who was Assistant Secretary at the Ministry so very many voluntary public relations By now, Pat could of course speak officers up and down the country, really of Town and Country Planning, and he doing the job. We are only a small group Polish himself and his war service was said "Oh, my cousin is retiring from of professionals but it is a sustained with the Special Operations Executive being in charge of publicity for the exercise carried out by a great many (SOE) whose task was to foment and RNLI. Do you know of anybody who people'.' support clandestine resistance to the might be able to succeed him?" So I said, "Give me the address" . . .' There it is in a nutshell. The RNLI enemy wherever it could gain a foot- was indeed fortunate that, on the hold. The story of SOE and of many of For Pat, his introduction to the retirement of the much-loved Charles the outstanding men and women who RNLI on February 1, 1953, was pretty Vince in the early 1950s the guidance of served in the organisation are told in dramatic. The day before, in the west, its presentation to the general public the latest of Pat's many books, 'Under- the car ferry Princess Victoria had should have come into such sure cover', which is to be published in gone down in St George's Chan- hands, but then at times life seems to May. nel—the biggest disaster to a merchant go to immense trouble to see that the Peace again, and . . . ship in peace time around our shores right person appears in the right place '. . . / wondered what to do. By sheer for a quarter of a century—and that at the right time, spinning the wheel, if chance I heard that they were looking for same weekend floods were wreaking necessary, a number of times until the a press attache at the Embassy at War- dreadful devastation up and down the desired result is achieved. saw . . . I got the job and returned to east coast. Lifeboats were out every- Poland in September, 1945, to serve where. Immediately, he was in the Patrick Howarth—Pat to his many under a marvellous ambassador, Bill lifeboat friends—came to the RNLI by thick of his work for the lifeboat ser- Cavendish-Bentinck . . . The plane flew vice, but he counted it his great good a circuitous, adventurous route which quite low over the city and I couldn't see had equipped him with unusual but a single roof. It just looked like a pile of fortune that he was introduced to that invaluable experience: A boy, winning rubble . . . We landed in a field—they work by a man like Charles Vince, the poetry prize at Rugby; a student at had to shoo the cows off. . . Warsaw whom he was soon to succeed . . . Oxford, whose work was praised by seemed a terrible place. Desolate. Yet 'He was one of the finest human Siegfried Sassoon and C. S. Lewis; a everywhere there were flower sellers. beings I have ever encountered; a man young man looking for work in the This was Hiroshima with flower sellers of absolute impeccable integrity, huge on every street corner. It was charac- recession of the '30s with the imagina- fun and liked by everybody. The only teristic of Poland's great spirit ..." thing I held against him was that tion to take a chance on the rather What looked like becoming a diplo- wherever I went on RNLI business, the romatic job of editing, in English, for first thing anybody said to me was, the Polish Baltic Institute in Gdynia, an matic career, however, ended when Pat married a wife from behind the Iron "What a pity Mr Vince has retired!" ' erudite quarterly magazine addressed However, Pat was soon to experi- to the peoples of Scandinavia . . . Curtain. That is the briefest of summaries of ence the extremely warm welcome 'In retrospect, I am very grateful that I what were unforgettable years and it is which awaits 'a chap from headquar- had this opportunity because all the arti- perhaps significant that when, in his ters' when he goes to the coast. The cles, which were on highly technical sub- first lifeboat station he visited was jects, were either written by foreigners fifties, Pat's dormant poetic muse was writing in English or they were transla- once more aroused it was to write an Dungeness, always to remain one of his tions. It was my job to put them into autobiography in verse of those early favourites. English English. It really made me think years. Many lifeboat people will have about the accurate and careful use of 7 realised that, just because the RNLI heard extracts from this epic poem, was a voluntary service, I was not (with words which at that age, 23, was a mar- 'Play Back a Lifetime', read by the vellous training . . .' memories of service life) regarded as author, either over the radio or at read- someone from HQ coming to lay down Summer, 1939, and it became obvi- ings in aid of the RNLI. Or they may the law, but was treated as an individual. ous that the next quarterly number of have met him in more reflective and I was accepted on my merits and would

20 be told, without hesitation, if I went have been tragic and difficult times even more important, it was at his wrong. 1 found that very salutary and when, as public relations officer, Pat- instigation that, a few years ago, an very gratifying.' rick Howarth would be in the front line annual international journal was intro- In the quarter of a century that fol- and when the Institution would depend duced to bridge the gap between con- lowed. Pat was a frequent visitor to very much on his wisdom and his stat- ferences and help keep up the steady lifeboat stations (7 certainly wasn't ure. In his term of office, it was the last international exchange of technical going to try to write or talk about Fraserburgh disaster, in 1970, coming information. lifeboats and lifeboat crews unless I as soon as it did after the Longhope 'It is very pleasing to see the tremen- knew what I was talking about.') and to disaster in 1969, which presented the dous standing which the RNLI has the fund-raising branches and guilds. lifeboat service with its greatest prob- among all countries. And I myself have And if it was part of his work, it was lems in terms of public relations . . . made so many friends from the different nations ..." also his pleasure . . . 'We did undoubtedly come in for quite 'It would be difficult to find another a bit of criticism—our boats and every- At the Hague last spring, when job in which you made so many good thing else. And we dealt with it. I had a lifeboat societies from 25 countries friends up and down the country. People long television interview and there were were represented, Patrick Howarth who work for the RNLI whether at a all sorts of criticisms. But I think that was singled out to receive the special lifeboat station or in a financial branch served as a catalyst, you know, and after good wishes of everyone present at the really are broadly speaking the nicest that the criticism stopped. On the whole, dinner—the delegates, the crews and people in that community. If you fit in, we are subjected to very, very little adverse comment. their wives—because it would be the you are accepted as a member of the last International Lifeboat Conference club. And the voluntary workers are so 'The highlight in our professional pub- keen! Their very enthusiasm always lic relations was certainly the way in he would attend—and it was his made me feel very humble.' which we celebrated our 150th anni- birthday . . . versary in 1974. We had a small working On no less than five occasions. Pat '. . . That was really tremendously party of which I was chairman and Ted pleasing . . .' was at a lifeboat station when a service Pritchard was secretary and right from call came . . . the start we made up our minds that After 27 years, Patrick Howarth '/ can't pretend any of them were very nothing was too good for the RNLI and retired from full-time service with the dramatic. The first was certainly the that we should aim at the very best in RNLI last December, although the most colourful. 1 was just finishing lunch everything we did that year. This was Institution will still continue to have when I heard the maroons fired. I accepted as the policy and we started off the benefit of his advice as a consultant dashed down to the lifeboat house and with a service in St Paul's on March 4, for a little while yet. So now, perhaps, found the crew already aboard. The cox- the actual anniversary. The Queen could was the time to take an objective look swain said I could go out; there was an not come because she was abroad but at the running of the Institution from the Queen Mother came, the Archbishop injured seaman on board a ship and they the centre . . . were taking a doctor out. The coxswain of Canterbury preached the sermon, the turned round to me and said, "What do Jewish Chief Rabbi and the Moderator ' You cannot run it as a business. You you think about this for speed?" / told of the Free Church Council took part cannot run it as a service. You have got him I was very impressed. And he said, and Cardinal Heenan would have been to accept that the lifeboat service is "You'll be able to tell them all about that present but for ill health. That set the really a collection of individuals, each when you get back to London, won't tone and we went right through the ' Year contributing something which only he or you?" Anyway, we went down the slip- of the Lifeboat' with one highlight after she has to offer. It has some of the qual- way into the harbour and we were just another.' ities of an armed service; it has to be run clear of the harbour when the coxswain Patrick Howarth's public relations on business-like lines; you need some of turned to me and said, "We've forgotten the skills of the Civil Service. But you work has spread beyond the confines of have got to combine all those to run the the bloody doctor!" our islands, because he has been very 'One of my most memorable visits, or RNLI as it has traditionally been run much concerned with the work of the and as I think it always should be run.' series of visits, was a week I spent on the International Lifeboat Conference, for coast of Wales with Wynford Vaughan And to take a look back at his own which the RNLI provides the sec- Thomas in preparation for a radio pro- term of office . . . retariat and which is growing in impor- gramme he was planning. We went from 'Looking back over a quarter of a cen- one lifeboat station to another by tance all the time. The Conference meets in a different member country tury, I have astonishingly few regrets. I lifeboat. That was a whole week spent have failed occasionally to achieve virtually at sea, meeting a different crew once every four years and Pat has something I wanted to do—it was one of every day and going to a different sta- attended every meeting since the one at my regrets that I never managed to get a tion. It was a marvellous experience. Bremen in 1959; on several occasions film made of the Lynmouth overland Most instructive and most enjoyable.' he has presented a paper to the Confer- launch—but in personal terms I have no Those were the good days, but there ence on behalf of the RNLI. Perhaps regrets at all.'

Launching of waves before they can take charge RNLI Medina 35 The RNLI Medina 35 is intended, and lift her. At speed, beam on to from page 19 eventually, to be capable of launching heavy breaking seas she is extremely from a slipway or a carriage, as well as stable, riding along level, without rol- all modern lifeboat engines, so that to lie afloat; for the time being, how- ling, while the seas roll away under her. they will continue to operate normally ever, she will lie afloat because a suit- When running, her bow lifts well on the after a capsize. Access is by watertight able carriage or trolley for her 7 ton back of a sea, her weight, as intended, hatches and ample ventilation trunks weight has yet to be developed. being taken by her rigid hull rather than keep the engine room unusually cool; At sea by her sponson. Stopped in rough these trunks go right down to the bot- The RNLI Medina 35 prototype is at water the Medina, with her great beam tom of the engine room so that, were present undergoing sea trials and the of 14 feet, becomes a very stable work- the boat capsized, their open ends good performance this new boat is ing platform. would be above the inverted waterline. showing is very encouraging. She has So a good start has been made, The outdrives can be tilted manually already run trials in winds up to strong although there is still a considerable with a quick, lever action, so that the gale, force 9, with very rough seas, and way to go before the first Medina 35 boat can be beached safely, and as well even in these conditions her hull has will enter service. She represents a new as the normal power assisted hydrauli- proved to be exceptionally dry, no advance in the means of saving life at cally operated steering gear an green water and little spray coming sea and, being a pioneer, will be given emergency tiller designed by the aboard. She drives into the sea well, exhaustive operational trials before a Cowes staff has also been provided. her long bow cutting through the crests boat is sent to her station. 21 London International

Boat Show 1980

EARLS COURT January 3-13 Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bevan of Humber FOR THE FIRST TIME ever the RNLI had lifeboat station opened the two different stands at Earls Court and 1980 London Boat Show. for many of the thousands of visitors there was no doubt that the lifeboats were stars of the show. The spotlight fell on us time and again allowing us to give a vivid impression of our work both in operations and in appeals. Thanks to the generous sponsorship There was a constant of the Midland Bank we were able to stream of visitors to see occupy a position beside the central Mountbatten of Burma, the pool and play a leading role in the prototype RNLI Medina 35 theme for the show: 'Safety at Sea'. lifeboat. Brian Bevan, the Humber lifeboat cox- them to a Sunday school outing com- was first prize in the raffle. swain, who won the gold, silver and pared with the experience of addres- bronze gallantry medals all within a Meanwhile, many presentations took sing the crowds at Earls Court. year, was asked to open the show; in place; with the Fastnet Race storms his speech he mentioned two of his Three times a day different Atlantic still ringing in many yachtsman's ears, medal-winning rescues but likened 21 inshore lifeboat crews from the the Boat Show joint organisers, the south and east of England thrilled the Ship and Boatbuilders National Feder- public with a righting display and then ation, invited Denis Thatcher to pre- took part in a joint exercise with HM sent their newly instituted Golden Coastguard and the Royal Navy, using Anchor Award to the RNLI and other a D class inflatable lifeboat to transfer a organisations involved in the rescue casualty rescued from a cliff to a operations carried out during the ill- helicopter suspended above the pool. fated race; HM Coastguard, the Royal The prototype of the new RNLI Navy and the Royal Air Force. Our Medina 35 class lifeboat, Mountbatten public relations awards were presented of Burma, was on display at our second this year by Raymond Baxter, chair- stand and a constant stream of visitors man of the Public Relations Commit- confirmed the huge interest this craft tee, to Derek Scott, coxswain of The engenders as probably the largest rigid- Mumbles lifeboat, for his successful inflatable boat ever to be built. Branch broadcasts on behalf of the RNLI and Raymond Baxter, chairman of the Public workers from the Southern district to Dr William Guild who has spent Relations Committee, presented PR awards manned the stand and by selling raffle many years as an honorary film maker to (I.) Dr William Guild and (r.) Coxswain tickets and share certificates for the for the Institution and has recently Derek Scott. Mountbatten appeal they raised £5,272. completed the film 'Storm Force Ten'. photograph by courtesy of David Parker Ernie Wise kindly made the draw for Dr Severne Mackenna and William the Bursledon Bug sailing dinghy which Hawthorne, who were unable to be Atlantic 21 righting demonstrations were given three times a day. photographs by courtesy of Peter Hadfield

22 Individually, and as a community, The Isle of Man Man has a remarkably good fundraising from page 17 record. To take just one example of what a comparatively small number of people can do, Port Erin where the sta- tion honorary secretary, Dick Riming- married James Ritchie, whose family ton, himself gives a strong lead, last were the owners of the brewery Heron year raised the equivalent of about two and Brearley, and she has stayed for a pounds per head of population. Hard lifetime. Her present home, not far work and enjoyment go hand in hand, from the boathouse, looks out over each area having its special social Ramsey Bay, and as the years have events—a coffee morning, or perhaps a Robert Glen (I.) of E. P. Barrus presented gone by her interest and her joy has celebration champagne party. A great the cost of a D class ILB to Major-General become the lifeboats and lifeboat deal of planning goes into the island's Ralph Farrant, a vice-president of the people of the island. flag days and lifeboat collections—fol- Institution. Jamesiand Ann Ritchieiboth loved the lowed inevitably by a great deal of sea and in the early 1960s the 54 ton determined effort. Douglas, for motor cruiser Silver Lai was built for instance, includes the ferries and many them at Silver's yard, Rosneath. In her of its pubs in its collections and at Port they cruised extensively, sailing the Erin all the hotels are visited, the col- waters of the Isle of Man and Scotland lectors going round the individual and going as far afield as the Mediter- tables. Port Erin's men's committee, ranean. Some few years later, the keel supported by the local silver band and of another motor cruiser was laid down choir, holds an open air service of for them at McGruer's yard, Clynder. community hymn singing, a Carolare, She was the 56 ton Golden Lai on the first Sunday of June each year, designed by J. A. McLachlan of G. L. coinciding with the start of the Manx Watson and Co, who was also the TT week, and there is always a good The draw for the Burseldon Bug sailing designer of the first prototype hull of collection for the lifeboats. dinghy raffle was made by Ernie Wise. the Arun lifeboat. Mr McLachlan No less than four Manx lifeboat sta- photograph by courtesy of David Trotter introduced Mr and Mrs Ritchie to Stir- tions have already celebrated their present, will also receive PR awards. ling Whorlow, secretary of the RNLI at 150th anniversaries and without doubt, Other presentations took place dur- that time, and it was on hearing that a lifesaving at sea and the support given ing the show; a cheque representing the new lifeboat would soon be needed at by the people on shore is an important Ramsey that a thought which had been cost of a new Zodiac 16ft inflatable strand in the history and heritage of with James Ritchie for many years took Man. So, when the island celebrated its lifeboat and engine was handed over by definite form: '/ would like to put her millennium last year, it was fitting that Robert Glen of E. P. Barrus to Major- there myself.' lifeboat people should take their part. General Ralph Farrant, a vice- Sadly, before he could follow his Two lifeboatmen were chosen to be in president of the RNLI; £50,000 was intention through, James Ritchie was the crew which, early in the summer, given by the Independent Order of Odd rowed the replica Viking longship Fellows; the radar set fitted to Mount- taken fatally ill, and it was his wife, Ann, who made sure that his last Odin's Raven from Trondheim in Nor- batten of Burma was donated by Decca Radar Ltd; a cheque for £2,000 was wishes were translated into the Oakley way to make their landfall at Peel, lifeboat James Ball Ritchie which went retracing the voyages of the Norsemen: presented by Kriter Sparkling Wine; a cheque for the Wavy Line Grocers on station at Ramsey in 1970. As far as David Eames of Peel and Jonathan appeal for a new Rother class lifeboat she is concerned, that lifeboat is the gift Tomlinson of Port St Mary. Then, on a was handed over; and a portrait of Earl of her husband. beautiful Saturday morning in early Mrs Ritchie then made the bold Mountbatten was donated by artist, Mr August, after the Sail Training Associa- decision that she would go to sea E. B. Dredge. tion fleet had raced from Fowey to Shoreline recruited even more new again in Golden Lai. As master, she Man, it took station at Port St Mary to members than last year, a total of 1,153 was determined that, although she be reviewed by King Olaf of Norway. would have a crew, she would know and the souvenir stall on the poolside In company with such famous training how to handle her yacht herself, and stand brought in £11,663 in sales and ships and ocean racers as Winston even went to the length of spending two donations; both of these record figures Churchill, America, Rona, Royalist, hours every evening studying the work- Outlaw and Drumbeat were Port St were achieved thanks to the untiring ings of the marine engines. In the next efforts of voluntary workers.—E.W.-W. Mary's The Gough Ritchie and Port five years Golden Lai cruised to Nor- Erin's Osman Gabriel, with Port St way, France and, of course, Scotland, Mary's D class inflatable lifeboat and but always returning to the Isle of Man boarding boat alongside. The lifeboats where many of the lifeboatmen became manned and cheered ship while over- Mrs Ritchie's friends. Bobby Lee, head, off the pier end, hovered another Douglas coxswain from 1950 to 1970, of their partners in search and rescue, a she remembers with particular helicopter from RAF Valley in Ang- gratitude for his ready help and advice. lesey. Crowds had gathered on the pier In 1976 Mrs Ritchie gave a second and foreshore for the review and they lifeboat to the island, the 54ft Arun The stayed to watch demonstration exer- Cough Ritchie, which is stationed at cises inside the harbour and at sea Port St Mary. Her reward and her given that afternoon by the lifeboats pleasure is in the pride of the lifeboat- and the helicopter. For the RAF crew men themselves in the Ritchie boats that afternoon was the first of a series and the care they bestow on them. of exercises with each of the island's On behalf of the RNLI, Stephen Mearns, Looking back with great happiness, she lifeboats in turn as part of regular coxswain of Courtmacsherry Harbour regards herself as very lucky because mutual training and co-operation. lifeboat, received the SBBNF Golden she has been able to do what she really Landmarks in history may come and Anchor Award from Denis Thatcher. wanted to do: make a positive contribu- go, but for the watch kept by the rescue photograph by courtesy of Picture Power tion to the saving of life at sea. services there is no end . . . 23 Lifeboat Appeals Also still available are some of the decorated plates produced in a limited North East edition to commemorate the Lord A Tyneside lifeboat appeal has been Mayor's appeal, price £15 each. launched in the North East under the The records, cassettes and plates can patronage of Their Graces the Duke all be obtained from the RNLI North and Duchess of Northumberland to West office. Prince's Chambers, 26 Pall contribute towards the cost of the 52ft Mall. Manchester M2 1JR. Cheques Arun lifeboat which has recently gone should be made payable to RNLI 'Lord on station at Tynemouth. Of the total Mayor's Appeal'. capital cost of more than £300.000. South £115,000 has been provided for this The Mountbtitten of Burma appeal, boat by legacies originating in County which is continuing until September, Durham, the Isle of Sark and North- has reached £120,000. Almost £13.000 umberland, and the aim of the Tyneside was raised for the appeal by a competi- appeal is to reduce the balance. tion for a Saab car, which was won by Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham, Director of Any Northern of Geordie 'exiles' Mrs I. Scott of Melksham. Wiltshire. It the RNLI, visited Newcastle lifeboat sta- who would like to be associated with is the third year running that Saab tion during a tour of Ireland lust this appeal and give it their support are (Great Britain) Ltd. has donated a car December. With him lire (I. to r.) Motor warmly invited to write to the RNLI to the RNLI's Southern District for Mechanic Gerald Murphy, Crew Member North East office, or to the treasurer such a competition. Jim Smyth, Second Coxswain Samuel of the appeal, Mr T. G. Kirton, McCulli>ugh. Winchmun Jim Murphy and Lloyds Bank Ltd., Quayside Branch, Lifeboat People Coxswain Michael Leneghan. Photography Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1. by courtesy of 'Mourne Observer' An exciting draw in aid of the appeal Mr D. K. Redford, who is a member is already under way. The prizes are of the Committee of Management, was December 1979 two Getaway American Package Holi- awarded the CBE in the New Year James Carss, coxswain of Boulmer days of about £500 each kindly donated Honours List. lifeboat from 1957 to 1967. He joined by Trans World Airlines, and the draw * * * the crew in 1934 and served as bowman will be made on Independence Day, After double gold medallist Dick from 1946 to 1947 and second coxswain July 4, 1980. Tickets are available from Evans, ex coxswain of Moelfre lifeboat, from 1947 to 1957. the North East office (5()p per book of took part in the BBC television Michael Harold Coyde, coxswain of Torbay five). The Mill, Glasshouses, Harro- Parkinson Show one Saturday night in lifeboat from 1961 to 1970. He joined gate. North Yorkshire HG3 5QH. early March, donations amounting to the crew in 1953 and served as second more than £400 accompanied by letters coxswain from 1960 to 1961. Harold North West mentioning this broadcast were received Coyde was awarded the silver medal in The Lord Mayor of Manchester's at RNLI HQ in Poole. A furcoat valued at 1964. £2,000 has also been donated forauction. lifeboat appeal has now topped £30,000 * * * January 1980 and its most ambitious event so far was Captain J. S. B. (Steve) Caldwell. a It is with deep regret that we a carol concert given by the Halle former Commodore of the Burmah Oil Orchestra and Choir on the Sunday announce the following deaths: Company Line who was a staunch before Christmas. What proved to be May. 1979 member and one-time chairman of an extremely successful evening was Harry Burgess, coxswain of Lowes- Newport (Gwent) branch. Captain generously sponsored by Manchester toft lifeboat from 1947 to 1968. He had Caldwell left a most generous bequest Building Society which is giving great served as bowman from 1931 to 1946 to the Institution. support to the lifeboat service. and as second coxswain in 1947. To help the appeal, a 12in stereo LP March 1980 'Sea of Songs' (see below), featuring November 1979 Mrs A. Mitchell, who served on the Bollington (Cheshire) Festival Duncan Newlands, coxswain of Tynemouth ladies' guild committee for Choir and St Winifred's Primary Campbeltown lifeboat from 1943 to 25 years, 23 years as honorary treas- School Choir, Stockport, is now avail- 1968. He joined the crew in 1922 and urer. able. St Winifred's Choir provided the served as bowman from 1933 to 1938 Mr S. Valentine. MBE BL. who was backing for the record 'Matchstalk and second coxswain from 1939 to Girvan station honorary secretary from Men' and has appeared on television 1943. Duncan Newlands was awarded 1927 to 1970. He was awarded binocu- with Burl Ives, in concert with ABBA the bronze medal in 1942 and a bar to lars in 1938, the gold badge in 1954 the and in ITV's 'Stars on Sunday'. The his bronze medal in 1946. thanks of the Institution inscribed on record costs £3.50 plus 40p postage and William Morris, coxswain of New vellum in 1971 and honorary life gover- packing, or there is a cassette price Brighton lifeboat from 1962 to 1973. norship of the Institution in 1967. £3.75 plus 15p postage and packing. (Right) Burton-on-Trent branch president station, branch or guild funds. Tickets from and a committee member plan to visit all Burton branch honorary secretary, Mrs English mainland lifeboat stations on their Marion Turner, The Cottage. Rough Hayes, BMW motorcycles. They will start from the Needwood. Bitrton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. (*t» A RNLI stand at the Royal Show being held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, leaving on the first morning of the show. June 30, and returning there before the show closes on July 3. Funds will be raised for the lifeboat service by commercial sponsorship and by running a 'guess the mileage' competition for which the first prize will be a new BMW R45 motorcycle generously donated by- BMW (GB) Ltd. Burton-on-Trent branch, which hopes to raise more than £30,000, invites stations, branches and guilds to sup- Sea Of Songs port the venture by selling tickets for the d oo t>«h»«n»IUIetooal Institution competition, all monies being retained for

24 wine party to boost its income to The RNLI always has reason to be £1,500. Jack Puxty, chairman of Herne grateful to those publicans and their Bay branch, organised a sponsored row customers who raise and contribute and contributed £676.36 to his branch's funds; for instance at the Riverside Inn, three month total of £2,181. Finally. Winchester, two long-standing cus- The Chilterns branch succeeded in tomers, Fred Stanger and William Cas- doubling its 1978 result by raising tle, sacrificed their dignity by taking £7,000 in 1979. part in a sponsored 'punk hair-do' and (Some raised £61.50. Three regulars at the Glasgow has contributed more than Gate Inn, Nether Whitacre, Jim Car- one million pounds to the RNLI in the roll, Roger Upton and Danny Wiggin. past five years. On one night last lost 43 pounds in weight between them November the ladies' guild raised £519 and gained £160 in sponsorship while with a bottle stall at the Clyde Cruising Mr Waller, landlord at the Glen Public Club ball held at the Normandy Hotel, House, Glen Parva, Leicester, Renfrew, while on the same evening arranged two film evenings of famous another ball, at the Plaza Ballroom, boxing matches to produce £230 for the Glasgow, brought in £1,325. One Glas- gow couple instructed their friends not to give them silver wedding anniver- sary presents but to give to the lifeboat service instead; £115 was raised as a result. Aberdeen Lifeboat Ball, held at Skean Dhu Hotel, Dyce, on February 1, broke all records by producing £5,330 for branch funds. All tickets were sold within five days of invita- tions going out in the first week in December. £1,057 was raised by an Fund-raising branches and guilds auction, the highest bid, £210, being for throughout the country had very good a citrine pendant in nine carat gold with results last year. Dundee branch matching earrings. The following Sun- increased its total by nearly 50 per cent day Aberdeen branch held its annual to reach £15,800. the ladies' guild con- Lifeboat Service in the West Church of St Nicholas. Dr Who's indispensible mechanical partner tributing £8,000 towards this sum; the has turned his attention towards the RNLI. guild, which was supported by crew During the weeks before Christmas, Alan Dixon, proprietor of Huddersfield's members, their wives and members of the Albion Street branch of the Trustee model centre, has made a full working the Royal Tay Yacht Club, had Savings Bank in Leeds offered coffee replica of K9 and will be sending him out to included in their programme a cocktail fund-raising events to exhort people in his to its customers free of charge, but all familiar voice to support the lifeboat ser- party at Glamis Castle. Sheringham were encouraged to make a donation to ladies' guild raised a fine £9,191, while vice. Mr Dixon raised £500 for the RNLI lust the RNLI. An ILB and pictorial display year with a model display. Dymchurch branch, which held a dif- were stationed in the banking hall and photograph by courtesy of Huddersfield ferent fund-raising event each month, £225 was handed over as a result. Examiner' showed a 60 per cent increase by rais- ing £2,000 from a population of only 2,400. A dance, a coffee morning, a Garry Windehunk—you can regatta day, a hot-dog stall and a only see his legs—is not only supporting a world record souvenir shop all helped Little and number of 76 lyres tit a gar- Broad Haven ladies' guild to amass age in Ramsey, his weight- £2,446. Among other events, Newport lifting feat is also supporting branch in Shropshire held a Thanksgiv- the Mountbatten of Burma ing Service followed by a luncheon lifeboat appeal to the tune of and, later in the year, a cheese and £500 in sponsorship money. While the choir of Grey Court School, Ham, sang carols for an hour at Richmond station, a collection of £114 was taken for the RNLI by the 14th Richmond Sea Scouts (group Shoreline members). Altogether Richmond- with-Kew branch raised £345.22 by carol singing and a Christmas concert, with the Barnes Choir and the John Paul Foundation boys, raised a further £148.71. L«

"MIONAL UK-BOAT USTITUl

25 A pirate invasion of the Trent Navigation Inn was part of the pub's lifeboat day which raised £100. Here, DonClarke, the event's organ- iser, hands over a cheque for the takings to Mr C. G. Pole Carew, High Sheriff of Not- tingham and a local branch committee member. photograph by courtesy of 'Nottingham Evening Post'

Mrs Catherine Patterson, vice-president of Anstruther ladies' guild, and Coxswain A framed record of thanks Peter Murray handover a cheque for £4,700 was presented to Captain to Lord Cough of the Scottish Executive Ian Gibb of P and O ss Can- Council. The money was raised at berra by Lt-Cdr Brian Miles Anstruther's gala day when a sponsored raft (2nd I.), staff officer opera- race brought in £3,000 with the remainder tions RNLI and himself a coming from a children's raft race, stalls, former officer of P and O. teas and donations. A winching demonstra- Since last September £3,000 tion by Anstruther lifeboat, The Doctors, has been collected for the and an RAF Leuchars helicopter, and a lifeboat service during Coastguard breeches buoy rescue, provided cruises when RNLI films further interest. have been shown, white elephant auctions held and other collections made by A single coffee morning organised by the crew and passengers. Rustington and East Preston branch Also present were (I.) raised £400. The chairman and his wife, Franco Tamborini, crew Mr and Mrs H. G. Carter, ran the event fund-raiser, and (r.) Roger which included stalls and a raffle for Lee, cruise director. a beautifully-dressed doll, which RNLI and a similar amount for a local After a New Year's Eve party at attracted £50. children's home. The Ship Inn, Conyer Ballyholme, Northern Ireland, Mr G. Within the three months leading up Quay, Teynham, held its annual com- Crawford of Belfast was persuaded to to last Christmas, Mrs Anne Bennett of petitions on the adjacent mud flats and take an unseasonal swim. His condition Crowborough sold £500 worth of RNLI raised £1,000, twice the amount of its for doing so was that a minimum of £15 Christmas cards and souvenirs. previous 'mud day'. The Houmet be given to the RNLI. He took his dip Tavern, Guernsey, totalled £1,139.43 and £16 was duly raised. A lesson in how to make money last year in its collecting box which make money was given in Stonehaven included proceeds from a sponsored A 'Fruits of Israel' cookery when a competition to guess how much walk and wheelbarrow race. Five years demonstration by Mrs Rosemary had been collected in a gallon whisky has seen more than £1,500 donated Cooke and Mrs Deirdre Bos from Ged- bottle was staged. The bottle contained through the collecting box on the bar of ney, near Spalding, raised £90.90 for £97.79, the guessing competition raised The Swan Inn at Pangbourne, thanks to Cromer lifeboat station. a further £23 and the winner of the the landlord, Charles Spackman. And a prize (a bottle of whisky) returned it for barbecue organised by Mr and Mrs The small but dedicated committee auction to make a further £15. Foxon at the George and Dragon, at Hampstead Garden Suburb raised Stonehaven ladies' guild has raised Graveley, Hertfordshire, brought in £98 at a bring and buy sale at the house £4,000 through the year—a remarkable £220. of Dame Elsie Abbot. sum from a population of only 7,000. Rubbish recovered from the bottom of the River Cam raised £500 in Edward Wilson, better known as Dr Billy Seaton in BBC TV's "When sponsorship, half of which was donated to the RNLI; the sub aqua the Boat Comes In', opened last year's harbour fete at Seahouses on junk hunters were members of Cambridge University's Underwater August Bank Holiday Monday. The money raised at this annual event Exploration Group whose haul included bicycles, bottles and a dozen increases each year and 1979 saw another record gross total of supermarket shopping trolleys. £4,500. photograph by courtesy of 'Cambridge Evening News' photograph by courtesy of George Skipper Photography

26 The Mayor of Ferndown (r.) encounters members of the local branch modelling tea- cosies on sale at their Christmas bazaar. The event raised £354 and included a tombola, beauty corner, k-*'. & stalls and a Father Christmas. photograph by courtesy of 'Salisbury Times and Journal'

Popularity has grown stead- ily for the Petworth clay Great Yarmouth flag day last summer pigeon shoot and in the five achieved a record of over £3,000. Paul years the competition has ^ Daniels, star of 'Summer Magic', at the been held more than £1,500 _ Britannia Pier, helped sell souvenirs non- has been amassed for the stop for two hours, bringing the sale for the RNLI. Vice-Admiral Sir it day to £200. Peter Compston, a deputy photograph by courtesy of Great Yarmouth chairman of the Institution, Press Agency assisted by Captain Butler, During the nine days of the Scottish branch chairman, and Syd- Boat Show at Troon last October the ney Gillingham, ADOS (SE), local branch and ladies' guild raised presents prizes to the 1979 runners up from the Half more than £1,200 by selling souvenirs Moon team, Kirdford—Mr and manning the turnstiles; a percent- S. Goodchild, Mr P. R. Gray age of all entrance money was given and Mr R. Holder. to the RNLI. The show was opened by Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham, Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club pre- director of the Institution. sented a cheque for £1,000 to Harwich lifeboat coxswain, Peter Burwood, Henry Cooper, former British and which was the result of its fund-raising European heavyweight champion, was efforts throughout 1979. Meanwhile, the principal guest at a summer dance Himley Hall Sailing Club, Dudley, held by Stourbridge branch at the organised its annual sponsored sail at Engine House, Tardybigge, where £500 Himley Park and presented £1,800 to was raised. the RNLI; this event has raised over £5,500 for the lifeboats in four years. On January 18 Selsey lifeboat station was presented with a cheque for £ 1,260 Reigate and Redhill branch was able by Mrs Joan Hilton, Chief Ranger, to announce at its AGM that a record of Court Sussex Elm, of the Independent £6,000 had been raised in 1979. A paint- Order of Foresters, after a year of fund ing of the Brighton Atlantic 21 has been raising on behalf of the RNLI. presented by its artist J. D. Reeve, The ship's company of RFA Gold Rover, Brighton Harbour Master, to George commanded by Captain P. T. Taylor, col- The Merchant Navy College branch Hodgkins, Reigate and Redhill presi- lected £234 for Weymouth lifeboat station at Greenhithe, Kent, raised more than dent, who has contributed a very large and the money was presented to Coxswain £1,300 during its first 12 months. The proportion of the cost of establishing Vic Pitman (1.) by Chief Officer J. Carew at branch officials are members of staff Portland last January. With them (I. to r.) this boat at Brighton. are Motor Mechanic Derek Sargent, Mrs and students, and all events, with the E. S. Taylor, chairman of Weymouth ladies' exception of a local house to house col- A small garden party was held at the guild, and Lt-Cdr B. F. Morris, Weymouth lection, were held in the college; they home of J. R. Burt, chairman of Pinner station honorary secretary. included a summer bazaar, a barn branch, during last summer. No entr- photograph by courtesy of HMS Osprey dance and a sponsored knit-in. ance fee was charged but with plough- man's lunches, sideshows and bay station honorary secretary, £50 A sum of £161, was raised by Work- souvenirs £164 was raised. Among the they had raised by a five-mile spon- ington British Railway Staff Associa- competitions was one to see who could sored walk, from Galmpton to Dart- tion Club at a charity show it organised gather the highest number of pegs in mouth via Dittisham, and a beetle on behalf of the RNLI, The Newtones, one hand from a clothes line. drive. The cubs have raised £227 for a local band, gave their services free Torbay lifeboat in the past five years. for this occasion. Richard and Sue Godwin opened up the Overton Hotel, Cheltenham, for a A team was entered from the RNLI The three Rimmer sisters of Prescot New Year's Eve RNLI party, making Cowes Base for Shanklin and District doubled their previous year's donation no charge except for the food at cost Round Table's Christmas cracker race when they raised £200 at an afternoon price and donating all bar profits. After last December. A mixed team of six, tea at their home in September. A bring a super evening, a cheque for £500 was with Chris Powell as cracker captain, and buy stall, a treasure hunt and a raf- presented to Cheltenham branch. carried a 13ft long by 3ft 6in diameter fle helped to swell the total, but the cracker along the 11 kilometres of home-made 'goodies' for which the sis- Twenty-six 13th Torbay (Churston roads and woodland between Shanklin ters are famous were the real attraction Galmpton) Cub Scouts, aged 8 to 11, and Ventnor, raising £25 from their of the afternoon. handed Captain Barry Anderson, Tor- sponsors for the Institution.

27 Letters...

Silver Jubilee We were delighted to read about the present Wells' lifeboat in the winter The Surf lifeboat Royal Silver Jubilee 1910-1935 issue of the journal and also to hear stationed at We/Is 1936 to about the naming by Princess Margaret 1945. last November of Margate's new Rother lifeboat, Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No. 38), commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. her to Wells for the naming ceremony. Women's Work Hearing of these two boats brought A carriage was reserved on the train, In the letter from Jeff Morris pub- back very happy memories for my meals supplied on the outward and lished in the winter issue of THE wife, who was present at the naming of return journey and the day included a LIFEBOAT mention is made of a woman the former 'Silver Jubilee' lifeboat, visit to Sandringham. It is still fresh in volunteer going out in Lowestoft Royal Silver Jubilee 1910-1935. which the memory of my wife, now aged lifeboat. As the writer says, this was on commemorated the Silver Jubilee of 92.—A. RYLES. 43 See/bridge Road. August 28, 1946. when RNLB Michael King George V and Queen Mary and Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Stephens launched under Coxswain which was stationed at Wells. The boat Albert Spurgeon to go to the help of the was named by her donor, Mrs E. W. Royal Silver Jubilee 1910-1935 was a yacht Ziska in a south-east gale. She Montford, JP, on July 13, 1936. 32ft 9in Surf lifeboat with twin Hotchkiss was Mrs A. Gooch of Leicester who Mrs Montford's husband was a drive. She was stationed at Wells-next- was in Lowestoft on holiday.—J. w. direct descendant of Simon de Mont- the-Sea from 1936 to 1945, launching 43 MITCHLEY, chairman, Port of Lowes- fort, the Earl of Leicester of Magna times and rescuing 23 lives. In 1946 she toft Research Society. 50 Kirkley Cliff, went to one of the Netherlands lifeboat Carta fame, and the family were societies. Since the establishment of Lowestoft, Suffolk. associated with our town or manor of Wells lifeboat station in 1869 there has Newcastle-under-Lyme from 1342 until been a close connection with the Cokes. When you have read your copy of Mr Montford's death. Mrs Montford Earls of Leicester, who have by tradition THE LIFEBOAT was patron of our ladies' guild, and she been the patrons and presidents of the invited the committee to accompany branch.—ED. Please pass it on Seventh national lottery postcards for them all. The winners were: THE SEVENTH RNLI national lottery was one of the most successful yet held, £1.000: W. G. Newbery, Worcester. raising £30,000 for the lifeboat service. £500: Donald W. MacRitchie. St It was drawn on Thursday January 31, Catherines, Argyll. by Polly James and Elizabeth Estensen £250: Mrs P. M. Williamson. Netley Abbey. Southampton. of' Liverbirds' fame in the presence of £25: Mrs B. Massam. Hornsea, North Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston. Humberside: P. L. Colvin, Orford. Suffolk: chairman of the Fund Raising Commit- W. C. Caldwell. Altnagelvin. Londonderry: tee, Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham, R. E. Collier. Stoke-on-Trent. Stafford- director of the RNLI, and Cdr Ted shire; M. Smith, Stroud, Gloucestershire; Pritchard, appeals secretary. A party of Mrs Smith. Nuneaton, Warwickshire; Nigel children from Canford Heath Middle Albertini, Norwich, Norfolk; Miss I. D. L. School were among those who watched Don, Chelsea, London; J. K. Leeds. Sutton Stalham, Norfolk; Mrs C. A. Nixon, Wick- the draw, and after it was over Polly ford, Essex. and Elizabeth, who were at that time 'Liverbirds' past and present, Polly James starring in the pantomime 'Babes in the The eighth national lottery will be (I.) and Elizabeth Estensen. took turn to Wood' in Bournemouth, signed lifeboat drawn on April 30. 1980. draw the seventh RNLI lotten winners.

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28 The thousandth member to be signed on at the London Shoreline International Boat Show last January was Mr M. S. Bravery (r.). With him (I. to Section r.) are two of the volunteer enrolling team, Harold Appleton and Ian Taylor, Mrs Bravery and Peter FOR SHORELINE this year's London Holness, membership International Boat Show was the best secretary. ever: through the efforts of the band of photograph by courtesy of voluntary workers who gave up a fort- Peter Hadfield night of their time to help us we signed on 1,153 new members, and I would our work and, as a result, several are available from the NE office, like to thank them most sincerely. We Americans have joined Shoreline. Bridgehead, Glasshouses, Harrogate even had the pleasure of signing on two Since the article appeared there has HG3 5QH, price £1 each, first come visitors from America as life gover- been a steady flow from the States and first served. nors. It was also encouraging to meet we send a warm welcome to every one the many Shoreline members who cal- of them. * * * led at our stand at Earl's Court. Chief Officer Alan Turner of MB Don't forget that Mrs Nora Neill, of Dunelmia, has persuaded all 20 mem- 95 Fitzroy Avenue, Harborne, Birmingham B17 8RG, is still collecting * * * bers of his crew to join Shoreline. The Shoreline Club at Portsmouth is Thank you very much, Alan, and wel- Green Shield stamps for Shoreline and doing well and in January an inaugural come to you all. would welcome any of these stamps you can send her. So far she has raised meeting was held for Shoreline Club Blue Peter Yacht Charters, whose more than £2,700 for the lifeboat ser- No. 2, at Southampton, at which the boats sail out of Lymington, are plan- vice in this way—a splendid chair was taken by Sir Alec Rose. This ning to enrol into Shoreline any chart- meeting was attended by 280 Shoreline erers booking for more than one week contribution. members of whom 135 have joined the who are not already members. Well, new club. We wish it every success for there's another good idea which has the future and would like to thank all our best wishes and our thanks. The Boat Show set 1980 off to an our supporters who took the trouble to excellent start and I am certain that, come along on that evening. The * * * with your help, this year can be the chairman is Bill Rawles of 63 Firgrove Our North East district office has most successful Shoreline has ever Road, Freemantle, Southampton (Tel.: some first day cover envelopes com- had. To our many yachtsman members Southampton 783010) and he will be memorating the naming of the 37ft 6in everywhere we send our best wishes very pleased to hear from anybody liv- Rother class lifeboat RNLI Shoreline at for good sailing this summer and a safe ing in the Southampton area who is Blyth last October. Each cover is return to port.—PETER HOLNESS, interested in becoming a member. autographed by Sir Alec Rose, who membership secretary, RNLI, West If Shoreline members in any other named the boat, and comes complete Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1 HZ areas would like to form clubs, please with a programme of the event. They (Tel. Poole 71133). let us know here at Poole. We shall be happy to make initial inquiries, with the When RNLB Shoreline was co-operation of the RNLI's local dis- due to leave William trict organising secretary, because we Osborne's yard at Little- feel strongly that this is one way in hampton for her station which our ever-growing membership last August her Shoreline can take more part in the work of the flag had not arrived. The 5th Institution and so help our very hard Littlehampton Sea Scout working fund-raising branches and Troop (a group member) was TOHHP guilds in raising the money that is proud to present its flag to needed to keep the lifeboat service the Blyth boat. It was pre- sented by Patrol Leader running. Steve Tester to Motor It was interesting that several branch Mechanic John Scott. With representatives from the Southampton them is Lt Alan Tate, divi- area were present at the inaugural sional inspector of lifeboats meeting of Shoreline Club No. 2 and a

29 Dunbar R. G. Brunton Coxswain 18 years Awards Second Coxswain 8 years Bowman 3 years to Coxswains, Crews Crew Members 4 years. and Shore Helpers A. Wilson Second Coxswain 11'A years. Dungeness The following coxswains, members of lifeboat crews and shore helpers A. O. Haines Coxswain 4 years were awarded certificates of service on their retirement and, in addition, Second Coxswain 9 years Bowman 18 years those entitled to them by the Institution's regulations, were awarded an Crew Member 6 years. annuity, gratuity or pension. Joan Bates Shore Helper 37 years. Aith A. Smith Bowman 14 years Doris Tart Shore Helper 44 years. Crew Member 6 years. C. A. O. Haines Crew Member 13 years. Arklow Serena Fair Shore Helper 56 years. J. Dixon Second Coxswain 13 years Bowman '/3 year Dilys Oilier Shore Helper 13 years. Crew Member 29 years. Mai Steward Shore Helper 10 years. Atlantic College St Donat's Castle D. Sutcliffe ILB Crew Member 11 years. Kim Hobbis Shore Helper 4 years. Barmouth Janet Bates Shore Helper 9 years. C. Pugh Crew Member 13 years including ILB Crew Member 12 years. Pat Copson Shore Helper 13 years. Silver medal 1971. Pauline Fair Shore Helper 10 years. E. D. Jones Coxswain 12 years Judy Richardson Shore Helper 10 years. Second Coxswain 3 years Bowman 3 years Sylvia Oilier Shore Helper 3 years. Crew Member 21 years. Bronze medal 1978. Betty Paine Shore Helper 8 years. Barry Dock Eastbourne J. P. Wells Motor Mechanic 3 '/4 years H. Hewitt Winchman 18 years Assistant Mechanic 1% years Assistant Winchman 4 years Crew Member 20 years. Shore Helper 28 years. Bembridge Filey A. A. Robinson ILB Crew Member 13 years. J. Cunningham ILB Crew Member 12 years. T. Etheridge Bowman 21 years (Retired 1978) Crew Member 3 years. R. Goodson ILB Crew Member 12 years. Blyth (Retired 1978) J. D. Kerr Coxswain 3 years Second Coxswain 12 years Fleetwood Bowman 3 years F. Whitehead ILB Crew Member 12 years. Crew Member 8 years Galway Bay Bronze medal 1962. T. Flaherty, Snr Coxswain 3 years Bridlington Second Coxswain 16 years E. Crawford ILB Crew Member 12 years. Crew Member 22 years Bronze medal 1938. Cloughey/Portavogie J. Donnan Coxswain/Mechanic 23/4 years C. Hernon Coxswain 15 years (Posthumous) Coxswain 11 '/4 years Second Coxswain 9 years Second Coxswain 'h year Bowman 1 year Bowman 6 years Bronze medal 1962. Crew Member 3 years. M. Flaherty Shore Helper 20 years. Conwy (Posthumous) J. K. Roberts ILB Crew Member 13 years. Harwich Criccieth T. Bennett Crew Member and ILB Crew Member 13 R. D. Williams ILB Crew Member 12 years. years.

Cromer Helensburgh A. A. Blythe Crew Member 34 years. J. E. F. Fulton ILB Crew Member 12'Ai years. (Posthumous) W. R. Morrison ILB Crew Member 10 years. A. R. Mayes ILB Crew Member 12 years. G. Hyslop ILB Crew Member 13'/2 years. E. C. J. Luckin ILB Crew Member 12 years. N. McNicol ILB Crew Member 13'/2 years. Cullercoats R. J. Taylor ILB Crew Member 11 years. C. Thompson ILB Crew Member 11 years. (Retired 1976) (Retired 1976) R. Oliver ILB Crew Member 6 years Holy head (Retired 1976) Shore Helper 5 years. R. A. Griffiths Crew Member 32 years.

Dover Howth A. Liddon Coxswain/Mechanic 12 years L. M. Hudson Second Coxswain 11 '/2 years Second Coxswain 1 year Crew Member 34'/2 years. Assistant Mechanic 14 years Crew Member 2 years C. P. Geran ILB Crew Member 10 years. Silver medal 1975. (Retired 1978)

30 P. McLoughlin Crew Member 12 years R. Marsay Second Coxswain 5 years Coxswain 1% years (Retired 1964) Crew Member 5 years. Second Coxswain 23/4 years Crew Member 22 years. W. Evans Crew Member 12 years. (Retired 1978) L. Quigley Crew Member 44 years. St Ives Humber J. Humphries ILB Crew Member 10 years. B. Sayers Motor Mechanic 10'A years Assistant Mechanic 4'/2 years A. G. Thirlby ILB Crew Member 10 years. Crew Member 1 year. Seaham Bronze medal 1979. D. P. Cave Coxswain 3 years Ilf be Tractor Driver 7 years Second Coxswain 6 years B. R. Ley Crew Member 3 years. Assistant Tractor Driver 5 years. R. Riddell Second Coxswain 3 years C. W. Knill Head Launcher 25 years Crew Member 10 years. Shore Helper 3 years. H. R. Sayer Assistant Mechanic 93/4 years KiliYiorc Crew Member 2 years. P. Wickham Shore Helper 24 years. M. Murley Crew Member 10 years. Largs J. F. McGill 1LB Crew Member 14'/4 years. J. Cougle Head Launcher 10 years Shore Helper 1 year. Lerwick G. D. Leith Cox wain 10 years M. Thornton Crew Member 13 years. Bowman 15 years Crew Member 5 years. Shoreham Silver medal 1972. D. Gledhill ILB Crew Member 10 years. Morecambe (Retired 1977) ILB Crew Member 1 1 years. T. F. Gardner Silloth (Retired 1978) W. A. Ray ILB Crew Member 1 1 '/4 years. Newbiggin Sou then d H. W. Hepple Crew Member 13 years. R. L. Chalk ILB Crew Member 14 years. R. Martin Assistant Mechanic 3 years Soutnwold Crew Member 16 years. A. A. Carr ILB Crew Member 15 years. C. T. Main Second Coxswain 4 years Crew Member 10 years. J. R. T. Goldsmith ILB Crew Member 12 years. (Retired 1977) Penlee Stornoway L. F. Brown Second Coxswain 5 years R. I. Maclean Coxswain 7 years Crew Member 9 years. Crew Member 1 1 years. Peterhead Teesmouth A. Birnie Coxswain 13 years D. Elders Crew Member 12 years. Second Coxswain 6 years Walmer Bowman 1 year C. S. Williams ILB Crew Member 15 years. Crew Member 2 years. West Kirby Portpatrick P. J. C. Gatenby ILB Crew Member 12 years. S. Alexander Assistant Mechanic 25 years. (Posthumous) A. C. Palmer Bowman 13'/2 years C. G. Broad ILB Crew Member 13 years. Crew Member 1 year. West Mersea Port St Mary R. Ha ward ILB Crew Member 16 years. D. McCutcheon ILB Crew Member 12 years. Weymouth Port Talbot B. Legge Bowman 16'/2 years N. McNaught ILB Crew Member 13'/2 years. Crew Member 22 '/2 years. Queensferry A. T. Pavey Coxswain 17 years R. D. Mackay ILB Crew Member 10 years. Second Coxswain 3 years (Retired 1978) Crew Member 12 years Rhyl Bronze medal 1972. H. Olive Head Launcher and Shore Helper 12 years. D. S. Laker Crew Member 20 years. (Posthumous) Youghal Bronze medal 1965. P. Adams Assistant Mechanic 13'/2 years J. J. Murphy Motor Mechanic 27 'A years Crew Member 4 years. (Posthumous) Assistant Mechanic 6 years Bowman 6 years Runswick Crew Member 1 year. R. L. Laverick Second Coxswain 3'/2 years (Retired 1968) Bowman 5'/2 years M. P. Hennessy Bowman 203/4 years Crew Member 4 years. Crew Member 1 year. SERVICES AND LIVES RESCUED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS January 1, 1979, to December 31, 1979: Services: 2,546; lives saved 992 THE STATION FLEET (as at 31/1 2/79) 131 offshore lifeboats 1 27 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer 51 inshore lifeboats operating in the winter LIVES RESCUED 105,246 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to December 31, 1979

31 Glanvill Enthoven INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS As specialists in marine insurance for over 75 years, we are extremely proud that our clients include the Royal National Life-boat Institution. Glanvill s marine service covers both hull and cargo insurance as well as their attendant liabilities for shipowners and users of shipping throughout the world. For more information please phone 01-283 4622 or write to Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Limited, 144 Leadenhall Street, London EC3P 3BJ. NECOMARINE THmaE AUTr O PEOPLE RNLI INSHORE CREWS Automatic Pilot USE for our Commercial Craft FOUL WEATHER GARMENTS BRITISH DESIGNED Electronic Capstans BRITISH MADE from Electronic Instruments BRITISH MATERIALS Discount available to Shoreline Members Anchor Windlasses All enquiries, quoting your membership number, to: EVETT SAILWEAR LTD. Dinghy Hoists TIMBER HALL WORKS, THE SQUARE CATERHAM, SURREY, CR3 6QA NECO MARINE LIMITED Tel: Caterham (STD 0883) 44433 & 48704 Walton Road, Eastern Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, England I Tel: Cosham (0705) 372231 Telex: 86149 32 danger of being driven into shoal water Western Division Lifeboat Services and Gavina had asked for lifeboat from page 12 assistance. Two launches Gale force winds rising to strong were sent to Coxswain/Assistant gale, force 9, were blowing from west Mechanic Anthony G. Hawkins, Sec- south west and the seas were very high. THE MUMBLES LIFEBOAT, the 47ft Wat- ond Assistant Mechanic Roy W. It was high water. Although the morn- son Pentland (Civil Service No. 31) Couzens and Crew Members John J. ing was cloudy, visibility was good. launched twice in the storms of August Smith, David Williams, Geoffrey I. Fleetwood's 44ft Waveney lifeboat 14, 1979. The first launch, at 0735, was Buckland and Ernest S. Watson. Lady of Lancashire slipped her moor- to stand by while the tug Hendon ing at 0438 under the command of Cox- brought a yacht manned by two people North Western Division swain David Scott and was standing by through the very heavy seas into the the two vessels by 0540. safety of the River Tawe. The lifeboat Icelandic trawler Despite the severe wind and seas was rehoused by 0950. Gavina was handled extremely well The second launch was at 1103, by AT 0430 ON MONDAY December 12, and a tow was passed. It broke twice which time the westerly winds had 1979, HM Coastguard informed the and the lifeboat spread wave reducing reached hurricane force. A cabin honorary secretary of Fleetwood oil so that Gavina could get close cruiser towing a yacht had been lifeboat station that MV Gavina of enough to heave a line. Lady of Lanca- reported off Newton Beach, Porth- Fleetwood was trying to take in tow an shire then escorted the two boats back cawl. A search was made but nothing Icelandic trawler, Olafur Gisli, west of to Fleetwood, helping by putting a line could be found and it was thought that Shell Wharf. The trawler, with a crew on Olafur Gisli's stern when making the informant had in fact seen a tanker, of eight, had been bound for Iceland in the turn to starboard at Wyre Channel. hull down, with high bow and stern. ballast but had had to put back with The service was completed and the The lifeboat was again rehoused and steering gear trouble. She was in lifeboat back on her moorings by 1100. ready for service by 1730.

November 9 and 29 The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall Services by Offshore Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin October 15 September 1 and 25 Llandudno, Gwynedd Lifeboats, September, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford September 6 October and November, September 3 and 25 Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Eastbourne, East Sussex October 8 1979 October 11, 28, November 7 (twice) and 11 Mallaig, Inverness-shire Exmouth, South Devon September 18, October 13 and November Angle, Dyfed November 4 19 September 12 Eyemouth, Berwickshire Margate, Kent Appledore, North Devon September 11, 17, 28 and November 17 September 25, 30, October 28 and 29 September 5 and November 4 Falmouth, Cornwall Newbiggin, Northumberland Arbroath, Angus Septembers, 18 and 21 October 19 November 30 Filey, North Yorkshire Newcastle, Co. Down Arklow, Co. Wicklow November 27 October 8 October 15 Fishguard, Dyfed Newhaven, East Sussex Arranmore, Co. Donegal September /1 September 2, 6, 8, (3, 23, October 2, 12 and September 26 Flamborough, Humberside November 10 Ballycotton, Co. Cork Novembers North Sunderland, Northumberland November 15 Fleetwood, Lancashire October 2 and 5 Baltimore, Co. Cork September 10, 21 and November 3 Oban, Argyllshire October 22 Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire September 16, Novembers and 15 Barra Island, Iverness-shire October 23 Padstow, Cornwall November 18 Galway Bay, Co. Galway September 3 Barrow, Cumbria September 22, 29, 30, October 14, 23 and Penlee, Cornwall September 1 24 (twice) September 1, 4, October 4 and 5 Barry Dock, South Glamorgan Girvan, Ayrshire Peterhead, Aberdeenshire September 29 (twice), November 25 and 26 September 12 and October 5 October 28 (twice) Beaumaris, Gwynedd Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Plymouth, South Devon September 16, October 21 and November September 11, October 24 and 27 September 8 (twice), October 3, 5, 29, 25 Hartlepool, Cleveland November 13 and 18 Bembridge, Isle of Wight October 16 Poole, Dorset November 6 Harwich, Essex November 13 Bridlington, Humberside September 14 and November 3 Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd September 20, October 13, November 18 Hastings, East Sussex October 6 (twice) and 25 September 16 Port pa trick, Wigtownshire Calshot, Hampshire Holyhead, Gwynedd September 2 and 16 September 9, 20, October 8, 22 (twice), 24, October 6 Portrush, Co. Antrim 30, November 3, 17 (twice) and 18 Hoylake, Merseyside September 30 Campbeltown, Argyllshire September 20 Port St Mary, Isle of Man September 11 Howth, Co. Dublin September 16 and October 13 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex September 3 and November 4 Pwllheli, Gwynedd October 28 and November 29 Humber, Humberside November 11 (twice) Clogher Head, Co. Louth September 13, 20, 29, October 11, 16, 22, Ramsey, Isle of Man September 1 and October 6 27, November 4, 15, 22 and 29 September 1,9, October 28, November 4 Clovelly, North Devon Ilfracombe, North Devon and 11 October 5 and 19 November 17 Ramsgate, Kent Donaghadee, Co. Down Islay, Argyllshire September 12, 13, October 10, 24, 27, September 1, 8 and October 7 September 20 and November 18 November 3 (twice) and 7 Dover, Kent Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire Redcar, Cleveland September 9, 14, 22, 29, October 7, 10, 15, September 8 and October 22 September 5 21,30, November 1, II and 19 Kirkwall, Orkney Rhyl, Clwyd Dunbar, East Lothian October 22 September 10 September 16 and 17 Lerwick, Scotland St Helier, Jersey Dungeness, Kent September 3 and October 20 September 8 (twice), 21, October 6 and 13

33 St Ives, Cornwall Barrow, Cumbria September 8, 9 and November 15 October 20 (twice), 26 and 28 September 16, 22 and October 20 (twice) Mudeford, Dorset St Mary's, Sf illy Islands Beaumaris, Gwynedd October 22 September 9 September 5, 16, October 21 and New Brighton, Merseyside St Peter Port, Guernsey November 25 September 2, 9 and October 2 September 8, October 1, November 5 and 9 Bembridge, Isle of Wight New Quay, Dyfed Salcombe, South Devon September 6 September 16 September 7 and October 16 Blackpool, Lancashire Newquay, Cornwall Selsey, Sussex September 7, 8 (twice), 10 and October 26 September 9 and 29 November 11 Bridlington, Humberside North Sunderland, Northumberland Sennen Cove, Cornwall September 9 September 9 October 4 and 26 Brighton, East Sussex Oban, Argyllshire Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex September 27 and October 6 September 16 and October 20 September 9 Broughty Ferry, Angus Plymouth, South Devon Stornoway, Ross-shire September 10 and 17 September 7, 8, 9 and October 20 September 5, November 5 and 16 Burry Port, Dyfed Poole, Dorset Sunderland, Tyne and Wear September 14, 24 and October 7 September 9, October 21 and November 11 November 13 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Port Isaac, Cornwall Swanage, Dorset September 14, 16, 23 and October 21 September 6, 7, 8, 18 and 29 September 22. October 6, 7, 9, 20, 21 and Criccieth, Gwynedd Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), November 25 September 4, 22, 28, 29 and October 8 Hampshire Tenby, Dyfed Cromer, Norfolk September 2 (three times), November 3 September 5 and November 16 September 16, 30 and October 7 (twice) and 4 Torbay, South Devon Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Pwllheli, Gwynedd October. 3, 9, November 7, 20 and 23 October 4 October 1 Troon, Ayrshire Dunbar, East Lothian Ramsgate, Kent October 29 and November 1 September 9 and 17 October 24 Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Eastbourne, East Sussex Redcar, Cleveland September 24 and October 3 September 8, 13 and October 1 September 2, 27 and October 5 Valentia, Co. Kerry Filey, North Yorkshire Rhyl, Clwyd September 4, 7 and 9 September 10 September 16 Walmer, Kent Fleetwood, Lancashire Rye Harbour, East Sussex October 8 and November 9 September 22, October 7 and 8 September 23 Walton and Frinton, Essex Flint, Clwyd St Abbs, Berwickshire September 7, 15, 29 (twice), October 7, September 20, October 23, 24 and September 5 and 7 November 26 and 27 November 21 St Catherine's, Jersey Wells, Norfolk Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk September 21 September 17 September 23, October 1, 23 and St Ives, Cornwall Weymouth, Dorset November 5 September 2 and 7 September 1, 2 (twice), 16, 21. 28, October Hartlepool, Cleveland Scarborough, North Yorkshire 22 and November 6 September 2, 27, October )6, 20, 31, September 2 and 30 Whitby, North Yorkshire November II and 19 Selsey, West Sussex September 13, October 13 and November Harwich, Essex September 8 and 23 10 September 20 and October 24 Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex Wicklow, Co. Wicklow Hastings, East Sussex September 2, October 17 and 20 November 4 September 23, October 14 and November Skegness, Lincolnshire Workington, Cumbria 16 September 4 November 9 Hayling Island, Hampshire Southend-on-Sea, Essex Yarmouth, Isle of Wight September 2, II, 18, October 6, 7, 22 September 2, 16, 17, October 19, 21 (three September 1, 23. 25, October 22, 29 and (twice), November 3, 4 and 11 times), 22, 25, 28 and 31 (twice) November 6 Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire Southwold, Suffolk ON 1003 on passage September 2, 9, 10 (twice), 12, 17, 21,22, Septembers, October 13, 14, November November 7 24 and November 17 11, 24 and 29 Holyhead, Gwynedd Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire September 16 September 9, October 6 and November 13 Hunstanton, Norfolk Stonehaven, Kincardineshire Services by Inshore September 9 September 19 Kinghorn, Fife Stranraer, Wigtownshire Lifeboats, September, September 12, 16 and October 1 September 9, October 14 and 21 Largs, Ayrshire Tenby, Dyfed October and November, September 8, 23, 29 (twice), October 13 and September 5, 6, 7, 11 (twice), 13. 16 1979 22 (twice). 17 and 20 Little and Broad Haven, Dyfed Torbay, South Devon September 3 September 5, 6 and October 28 Abersoch, Gwynedd Littlehampton, West Sussex Tramore, Co. Waterford September 13, October 15 and 25 September 2, 6, 14, 17, 27, November 8 and September 2 Aberystwyth, Dyfed 18 Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd September 1, October 14 and 18 Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent September 13 Aldeburgh, Suffolk September 15 and October 28 Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear September 9 Llandudno, Gwynedd October 2 and November 25 Amble, Northumberland September 6, 16, 30 and October 6 Walmer, Kent September 15 Lyme Regis, Dorset September 16 and October 8 Appledore, North Devon September 2, 14, 29, Novembers and 16 Wells, Norfolk September 2, 5 (three times), 15 and Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire September 15 and 30 November 4 October 8 West Kirby, Merseyside Arbroath, Angus Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire October 21, 23 and October 28 October 21 September 2, 16 and 19 West Mersea, Essex Arran (Lamlash), Buteshire Margate, Kent September 3, 8, 9 (twice), 10, October 22, September 3 and 5 September 5, 14, 16, 23, October 24 and November 23 and 29 Atlantic College, South Glamorgan November 18 Whitby, North Yorkshire September 29 (twice) and October 28 Minehead, Somerset September 2 Bangor, Co. Down September 16 and October 21 Whitstable, Kent October 20 Moelfre, Gwynedd September 12, October 7 and November 3 Barmouth, Gwynedd September 5 Withernsea, Humberside October 19 Morecambe, Lancashire September 16 34 R.N.LI, rely on Mermaid T

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Personal Name Tel. No Temple Insurance details Brokers Ltd., specialist Address Experience Marine Craft Insurance Accident Losses Claims in last 5 years Yes/No Brokers, Members of the (Details on separate sheet) British Insurance Details Name Class/Type Brokers Association, are Of Craft Construction Year Built pleased to offer Length Beam Engines H.P Inboard/Outboard Shoreline Members and Values Hull, Machinery, Equipment £ Special Equipment £ other 'Lifeboat' readers Dinghy Boats £ Outboard Motor £ special terms for their personal Yacht and Trailer £ . . TOTAL Motor Boat insurance. Use In commission from to (inclusive) For a quotation without Moored at obligation, please Laid up from to Inclusive. Ashore/Afloat. Cruising Area complete and post the General (a) Are you entitled to No Claim Discount? years. enquiry form opposite. (b) Do you wish to bear the first part of any claim? Yes/No. No stamp required. If so, state £25: £50: £100. (c) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. Racing Risks, Water-Skiing, OR RING POOLE Road Transit Risks, etc TO FREEPOST, Geoffrey Bere FCII, (02013) TEMPLE INSURANCE BROKERS, 79444 29 High Street, POOLE BH15 1BR 35 Index to Advertisers Page NORTH CORNWALL. Luxury self- MODELS AND PAINTINGS catering cottages in peaceful Cornish Dr Arnison-Newgass 36 countryside, near moor and coast. Beauti- FULLY DETAILED lovely replicas of Birds Eye Foods Ltd 2 fully furnished, colour TV, etc. Reductions individual boats as miniature models or Even Sailwear Ltd 32 two persons out of main season. Also well- framed wall plaques. Many commissioned Glanvill Enthoven & Co Ltd 32 appointed character farmhouse. Excellent for retirements, presentations, trophies and David Jolly (Tiller Master) 28 farmhouse fare, including full English break- mementos. Details: Brian H. Williams, Marine Model Artist, 'West Rock1, The Maritime Books (Liskeard) 36 fast and five-course evening dinner. From £48 per week. Brochure; Tel: 0208 850728, Cleave, Kingsand, Nr Torpoint, Cornwall Mercantile Credit Inside Back Cover PL10 INF. Tel: 0752 822638. Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd 35 Mr and Mrs R. Curtis, Park Farm, Michaels- tow, St Tudy, N. Cornwall. NECO Marine Ltd 32 YOUR LIFEBOAT IN OILS. On canvas Peeks of Bournemouth 36 DORSET, 3 miles Bridport. Furnished holi- 36" x 28". S.a.e. Lee, 9 Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset. The Quorn Fine Art Co day cottage to let. St Anthony, Uploders. Inside Front Cover MEDITERRANEAN VIA CANALS Readers Union (Maritime Book Society) BRIXHAM, DEVON. Beside outer har- ADVICE, information or delivery. Write Outside Back Cover bour, comfortably furnished self-catering Captain Ward, 4 Graydon Avenue, Chiches- Temple Insurance 35 holiday apartments each with lounge/diner, ter. Tel: 0243 784700. C. P. Witter Ltd 28 fridge, television and modern electric facilities for two-six persons (children over FOR SALE six years). Please send stamp for details. VIVACITY 650, full cruising inventory, six Classified Advertisements Resident proprietors, G. A. Smith, "Har- sails, outboard, four-wheel trailer, etc. ACCOMMODATION bour Lights", 69 Berry Head Road, Brix- £3,500. Tel: Camberley 23819. ham, Telephone: (08045) 4816. THE OLD HALL HOTEL, RUSWARP, DESIGNED on traditional trapper canoes WHITBY. Delightful Jacobean Hall border- ILFRACOMBE: for comfort, cuisine, views of Canada. Ideal family canoes for camping ing the glorious North Yorkshire Moors and and close to harbour, visit this Georgian trips. Free coloured brochure: Cavenham beaches. Ideal for fishing, boating, walking house, set in 2'/2 acres of grounds. Children Marine, 15 Abbey Road, Billericay, Essex. or relaxing. Residential proprietors ensure welcome. Ample parking. Easy access all Tel: 54788. warm hospitality and good food. Twenty amenities. Also self-catering lodge avail- MEMORABILIA bedroom family hotel, radio and baby listen- able. Open all year from Easter 1980. ing system, lounge, television lounge, TITANIC and other ocean liner Enquiries to Mrs C. Biggin, Laston House memorabilia wanted. Details to: Robert restaurant, bar. Brochure—Whitby (0947) Hotel, Hillsborough Road, Ilfracombe, N. 2801. Forrest, 165 East 35th Street, New York Devon. Tel: 0271 62627. City 10016 USA, Apt 15C. BOURNEMOUTH. 'Come and talk boats'. NORTH CORNWALL, Rock on Camel Friendly guest house run by Shoreline Estuary between Padstow and Port Isaac. TROPHIES member and boat owner. Home cooking. Comfortable family home with superb views RACE SETS—Mainsails—Dinghies—Cups. Children welcomed. Walk sea and shops. over Estuary. 400 yards, safe sandy beach. W. & E. Astin, 7 Westerly Lane, Shelley, Bed, breakfast, evening meal from £38 Good facilities for golf, sailing, fishing, Huddersfield. Kirkburton 2368. week. Tour the Chandlery shops. 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Already in use as reference material — both ashore and afloat - by HM Coastguard, Ships of the RMAS, and Nimrod aircraft of the RAF. This 112 page book gives all the details (in- cluding pennant numbers) of the ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and Royal Maritime Auxiliary. The largest and smallest ships are all included. Over 100 photographs - 8 pages in superb colour. When you're off to the coast make sure you have a copy handy. ORDER YOUR COPY NOW . . . Money refunded in full if not delighted. FOR SALE. Ex-RNLB 46ft WATSON. ON784 Send your PO or Cheque (£1:75 per copy) to Superb long-range family cruiser conversion 1974. New Mermaid diesels; 6 berths, deck saloon. Maritime Books : Duloe : Liskeard : Cornwall PL14 APE Dr P. Arnison-Newgass, Swanfield House, Alnwick, Northumber- for your copy by return of post. land. Tel: Alnwick (0665) 2353. New! for shoreline members sailing loans at reduced rates Now, as a Shoreline member, you're in a privileged position when it comes to financing your sailing. Shoreline Sailing Loans are now available at special preferential interest rates. One of them can provide the cash you need to buy a boat, to refit, or even for major annual expenses like insurance. Then you can spread the cost over monthly instalments and so sail on a budget. Help the R.N.L.I. as you help yourself. Shoreline Sailing Loans will provide a valuable source of revenue for the R.N.L.I., as well as saving you money. Each loan granted will provide a donation to the Institution, without the deduction of promotion, administration or other costs. Non-members can apply for loans and join Shoreline simultaneously, and have their first year's membership paid for them. Mercantile Credit, who are arranging the loans, will make a £5 donation to Shoreline for each advance made to non-members, entitling them to family membership for one year. You can pick up a Shoreline Sailing Loan leaflet at your local branch of Mercantile Credit [see your telephone directory for the address] or write to Mercantile Credit, [Shoreline Loans), FREEPOST, London WC2B 5DX. No stamp needed.

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Run by sailing enthusiasts on the South Coast the Maritime Book Society secures virtually every significant new sailing book for its members, be it technical (eg Coastal Naviga- tion) practical (Offshore Racer) narrative (Come Wind or Weather) or on classic cruises and circumnavigations. There is bound to be something useful or interesting for your crew or you yourself on every aspect and level of cruising and racing. Members buy their books at a discount of up to 25% (sometimes more) off publishers' prices. They are offered to you every other month and our bulletin tells you what is coming. Your only obligation is to buy four books during your first year of membership.

To: Maritime Book Society, PO Box 6, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2DW I would like to join the Maritime Book Society and claim Challenge for only £1.00 post free (Allow up to 21 days for delivery) I agree to purchase at least 4 books (in addition to the introductory book) during a year's membership and may resign thereafter.

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Signature Maritime Book Society is run by Readers Union lor if under 18. signature of Parent/Guardian I Brunei House, Newton Abbot. SEND NO MONEY ALJ POST TODAY Reg in England No 843946