THE YEAR OF THE LIFEBOAT
Volume XLIII Number 447 Spring 1974 15p durability THE LIFEBOAT
Spring 1974 Contents Notes of the Quarter by the Editor ...... 117 The Modern Lifeboat Exhibition ...... 118 Volume XLIII Birthday and New Year Honours ...... 118 The Past—On Call by Commander Paul C. Chapman, QBE, RN, DSO, Number 447 DSC 119
Price 15p Douglas, Isle of Man—Birthplace of the RNLI by Joan Davies .. 120
Lifeboat International by Commander Peter D. Sturdee, OBE, RN .. 126 Chairman: COMMANDER F. R. H. SWANN, CBE, RNVR Profiles 128
Director and Secretary: International Boat Show 1974 129 CAPTAIN NIGEL D1XON, RN New Equipment—from the Boat Show ...... 130
Lifeboat Services ...... 132 THE YEAR Book Reviews ...... , 138 Central Appeals Committee ...... 139
OF THE Some Ways of Making Money ...... 140 LIFEBOAT Lifeboat People 142 Letters 143 1824-1974 Shoreline Section ...... 144 Lives Saved: Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer ...... 145 Awards to Coxswains and Crews ...... 146 98,500 Lifeboat Launches ...... 149 ILB Launches 150
All editorial material submitted for Shoreline Organising Secretary: G. R. consideration with a view to publication (Bob) Walton, 29a Castle Street, in the journal should be addressed to Salisbury, Wiltshire (Telephone Salis- Editor: the Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal National bury 6966). Life-Boat Institution, West Quay Road, PATRICK HOWARTH Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ (Telephone A year's subscription of four issues Assistant Editor: Poole71133). costs 88p, including postage, but those Photographs intended for return should who are entitled to receive THE LIFEBOAT JOAN DAVIES be accompanied by a stamped and free of charge will continue to do so. addressed envelope. All advertising enquiries should be The next issue of THE LIFEBOAT will addressed to Dyson Advertising Services, appear in July and news items should PO Box 9, Godalming, Surrey (Tele- be sent by the end of April. phone Godalming (04868) 23675). 113 International Yacht Paints Stand up to the sea
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116 in the grounds of Buckingham Palace Exmouth on September 14, from which on July 16. Invitations will be sent out the RNLI is expected to benefit sub- towards the end of May. The intention stantially. is that lifeboat crews, members of station and financial branches and of ladies' lifeboat guilds should be as fairly and fully represented as possible. Support from Banks Priority in the issue of invitations will be A central feature of the RNLI's accorded only to a very limited section plans for 'The Year of the Lifeboat' is an of RNLI supporters such as life vice- appeal to the public to contribute presidents and honorary life governors, generously towards meeting the cost of donors of lifeboats, holders of the gold the huge boat building programme medal for gallantry and widows and which is now under way In this respect orphans of men who have given their the RNLI is receiving valuable help lives in the service. from the clearing and trustee savings banks. Throughout the period from Monday, April 29, to Friday, May 24, Sporting Events anyone who enters a bank will be Two important sporting events have provided with paying-in facilities for now been arranged as part of the cele- making a direct contribution to the NOTES OF brations of 'The Year of the Lifeboat'. RNLI. Posters appealing to the public One is a pro-am golf tournament which to contribute will also appear in the THE QUARTER will take place at the Notts Golf Club, banks. Such facilities are rarely provided Hollinwell, near Nottingham, on Wed- and the offer has been made as a tribute nesday, May 29. The sponsors of this to the work of the RNLI over the past event, Associated Tyre Specialists, are 150 years. by the Editor putting up substantial prize money, and During roughly the same period the all the leading golf professionals on the RNLI will be provided with 2,000 sites British circuit are expected to take part. for posters, free of charge, by the The amateur entry will be an unusual British Poster Advertising Association. one. Every amateur taking part is being THE YEAR 1974 began in an atmosphere asked to make a donation of £100 for of gloom and anxiety with industry the privilege of playing with the limited to a three-day week and restric- New Headquarters professionals. This will entitle him to By the time this number of THE tions on lighting recalling wartime be a life governor of the Institution and blackouts. LIFEBOAT appears the headquarters of to the use of various insignia such as the RNLI will have been established at The first month of the year was also ties and car badges. It is hoped that this one in which there were gales of excep- Poole. In the next issue of THE LIFEBOAT competition will attract leading figures there will be a review of Oliver Warner's tional severity. In some areas sea con- in industry, finance, show business and ditions were reported to have been as new official history of the RNLI. In other walks of life to make an appro- this he gives details of the moves of the bad as any in living memory. Accounts priate contribution to the RNLI in 'The of some of the services carried out by RNLI's headquarters which have taken Year of the Lifeboat' and, at the same place over the years, from the City of lifeboats in these conditions will appear time, have an enjoyable outing. Anyone in later numbers. London to Charing Cross Road and whose handicap is not more than 18 is then to Grosvenor Gardens. During the All this followed a year in which eligible to play. more people were saved from death at last war the head office was transferred It is hoped, too, that a number of to the Boreham Wood depot, but apart sea by lifeboats of the RNLI than in any visitors from overseas will take part as other year in time of peace in the 150- from that emergency the major head amateurs. In a recent report in The office has always, until now, been in year history of the Institution. The total Times it was stated that some Japanese number of lives saved last year was London. The transfer to Poole has been firms have been prepared to spend up carried out with remarkable smoothness 1,823, a striking increase on the figure to £50,000 to enable leading executives in 1972 of 1,452. and a gratifying absence of disruption of to join a suitable golf club. By that administrative work. yardstick £100 to play in a unique This number of THE LIFEBOAT will be Royal Garden Party RNLI pro-am tournament does not the first to be edited from Poole, the The Queen, who is Patron of the seem a large amount. new assistant editor, Joan Davies, RNLI, is to pay her tribute to the life- The other event is a cricket match to having taken over from Christopher boat service by holding a garden party be played by Whitbread Wanderers at Elliott, who after eight years with the RNLI has taken up an appointment with the Royal British Legion. It was during Mr Elliott's term of office that the presentation of THE LIFEBOAT changed COVER PICTURE more strikingly than in any other period of its history. Our cover photograph for the spring issue The hull is Hat-hottomcd for benching, and. was taken by David Parker, one of the having her own special launching trolley, the four people to whom, at the Boat Show, the Atlantic 21 can be launched successfully Duke of Atholl presented statuettes of from exposed beaches. Annual General Meeting lifchoatmen for their outstanding service to At the after end of the hull a roll bar is The Annual General Meeting of the the RNLI in the field of public relations. The now fitted. Should the boat be turned over in Institution will take place at the Royal photograph is of the latest type of ILB, the shoal water or among rocks it would protect Festival Hall on May 21. The guest Atlantic 21, developed at Atlantic College, the crew from being crushed; and it carries speaker this year will be Coxswain Derek St Donat's Castle, Glamorganshire. She a deflated buoyancy bag so that, if she carries a crew of three. capsizes, the crew, by pulling a cord, can Scott, BEM,of the Mumbles. After a winter The construction of the Atlantic 21 ILB is inflate the bag with ( () gas and, within 18 of such prolonged and severe gales there composite, incorporating a wood or grp seconds, the boat will right herself. will not surprisingly, be an exceptionally bottom, subdivided into watertight compart- The Atlantic 21 carries navigation lights large number of lifeboatmen present to ments, to which is attached an inflatable tube. for night work and also a VHF radio. receive medals for gallantry. 117 THE MODERN LIFEBOAT EXHIBITION
SCIENCE MUSEUM, SOUTH KENSINGTON
FEBRUARY 21-APRIL 21
OPEN: WEEKDAYS, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. SUNDAYS, 2.30 p.m.-6 p.m.
FOR TWO MONTHS in the spring of its 'Year of the Lifeboat' the RNLI is staging an exhibition at the Science Museum, South Kensington, designed to show something of the great advances made in recent years in the design of lifeboats and their equipment—and who could have been more appropriate to open such an exhibition than Raymond Baxter, so widely known for his work on the BBC programme 'Tomorrow's Raymond Baxter, who opened ' The Modern Lifeboat' exhibition, studying crew position and World'? He very kindly stepped into VHP radio of the Atlantic 21 with Miss Margaret Weston, Director of the Science Museum. the breach at the last moment when (Below) Commander F. R. H. Swann, CUE, Chairman of the Management Committee, Norman St John Stevas was prevented describes steering position details to Alderman F. W. Marshall, Mayor of the Royal Borough from coming by election commitments. of Kensington and Chelsea, and the Lady Mayoress. Raymond Baxter is himself a tireless photographs by courtesy of the Science Museum worker for the RNLI, and in his very happy opening speech he also admitted having once found himself in difficulties when his steering gear failed among the shallows of the Thames Estuary; as was only to be expected, two lifeboatmen appeared ('in an inflated hot-water bottle') and quietly and calmly did all that was necessary. Mr Baxter added that in his experience lifeboat people were without exception 'very gentle gentlemen'. The central exhibit of 'The Modern Lifeboat' is a Blue Peter Atlantic 21 ILB, and there is also a mock-up of a 52' Arun Class wheelhouse, as well as photographs of all the other modern self-righting lifeboats. Displays of equip- ment include engines, electronics, first aid, survival food and clothing. The designer of the exhibition was Frank McNichol, and the project officer Jack Sims.
MBI: BIRTHDAY AND NEW YEAR J. G. Groves, who joined the RNLI in 1945 and is now Resident Engineer HONOURS at Littlehampton. Mrs E. M. McMaster, Assistant CB 1953, became a Vice-President in 1962, District Organising Secretary for Rear-Admiral I. G. W. Robertson, Deputy Chairman in 1964 and Chairman Northern Ireland, who joined the DSC, RN, Admiral Commanding Reserves in 1972. He has been Chairman of the RNLI in 1940 and has continued her and an ex-officio member of the Com- Boat and Construction, Helicopter and work on its behalf unremittingly, despite mittee of Management. Operations Sub-Committees, as well as the troubles of the past years in Northern serving on a number of others. Ireland. CBE Commander F. R. H. Swann, RNVR, The Marquis of Normanby, a member BEM Chairman of the Committee of Manage- of the Committee of Management since W. H. Kellam, who has been with ment. Commander Swann was co-opted 1972 and also the President of the the RNLI since 1926 and is now Chief on to the Committee of Management in Whitby Lifeboat Station. Examiner of Stores. 118 THE PAST - ON CALL Computer Analysis of Rescue Records by Commander Paul C. Chapman, QBE, RN, DSO, DSC
ONE OF THE PEOPLE upon whom honorary the output programmes devised by England, Wales and finally Eire. Within life governorship was bestowed at the Professor Flexner, plus ad hoc supple- a station the records are in date order. 1973 annual meeting of the RNLI was mentary instructions prepared by the This is convenient for many, but not all, Professor William W. Flexner, pho, in computer section. requirements. Recently, to meet a recognition of the very valuable help All the information as shown below particular need, it was preferable to which he has given to the lifeboat service can be retrieved (obviously, or there have the records (then about 8,000) in the application of computer tech- would be no point in putting it there) in arranged differently. In layman's nology to the analysis of service records. tabular form. Also we have a programme language, we wanted the parade to It was the Professor, a United States which can indicate coast lines, and feat- dismiss, and then fall in again in 31 citizen resident in London, who in 1971 ures such as RNLI stations, together with companies according to the cause of initiated the Computer Analysis of the positions of casualties attended by service, such as stranding, collision, Rescue Records (CARR), volunteering the RNLI. Both tabular and geographic swamping, capsize, fire, machinery his services as an unpaid consultant to programmes can cover any area, and failure, fouled propeller, or recovery of the RNLI. 'Consultant' is an inexact any period of years, months, or days as body. So we asked the computer please description of his work, since he has had may be selected. The largest scale for to do this. It "did so, and added, 'The to supply all the know-how, and in the the geographic programme is 'squares' time taken was 88 seconds, and the early stages all the hard work, because of one minute of latitude by one minute charge, please, is 80p'. no one else was qualified to do it. of longitude. A new and better geo- Not all operations are so startlingly The essence of the CARR system is graphic programme, based on digitised cheap. An average sized tabular record that services by lifeboats and inshore charts provided by the Hydrographer of for three years for a coast review area lifeboats are recorded on magnetic tape, the Navy, is being prepared by Professor costs about £10, and the associated and in rather more detail than was, and Flexner. maps about £20. for the time being still is, noted in the Reference has been made above to The point of the story is, however, service registers and service books. This flexibility. The more than 11,000 records that, with CARR, we are able to address, means that each return of service is already on tape are arranged in order with what passes for a smile, questions processed by the computer section into of years, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and which would have been ruled out of code acceptable to the computer. The 1974. Within a year they are arranged by court if measured in man/months. But services are then from time to time added stations, starting in Ulster, thence to remember, please, that CARR data to the tape record in batches of from 100 North West England, Scotland, start in 1970. to 500. As in the past, therefore, the return of service is the all-important document; also, it not being practicable to record DESCRIPTION OF TAPE RECORD all the detail even with a computer system, later reference to the return of Weather Launching method (12 codes) service may be required to supplement Visibility Number in crew computer information. A description is Darkness or daylight given below of the computer tape record State of sea at station of each lifeboat or inshore lifeboat Description of Mission State of sea at casualty Mission duration service. Wind force Time spent at casualty The magnetic tapes used are about the Wind direction Co-ordination of service (6 codes) size of a reel of film. Each could record Station and Boat Co-operating services (32 codes) about ten years of RNLI activity, but Station code (each station has its own four Use of RT (9 codes) for practical reasons we shall probably figure code) Use of swimmers (9 codes) settle for about five years per tape. At Lifeboat or ILB Presence of medical personnel (6 codes) present the tape record contains the Vehicle number (official number) First aid by RNLI crew (9 codes) whole of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and Vehicle class Defect in lifeboat/ILB (6 codes) Damage to lifeboat/ILB (8 codes) 1974 to date. Casualty The tape record is more compact Flag of casualty (48 codes) than the heavy brass-bound volumes Type of casualty (32 codes) Outcome of Mission hitherto used, more detailed, and Cause of service (31 codes) Assessment of outcome (28 codes) infinitely more flexible. At the same Distance from lifeboat/ILB station Feasibility of other rescue methods (7 codes) time it is far more vulnerable; it could Latitude of casualty Vehicle-hours at sea easily be corrupted, burnt, lost or Longitude of casualty Crew-man hours at sea Number rescued damaged. For this reason we have at Launch Number landed least two computer-based lines of Year of launch Boats saved defence on which to fall back, should the Month and day Value of property saved (7 codes) master tape be lost or damaged. The Time Property salvage claimed tape record cannot, of course, be Account of launching (9 codes) Number injured examined as can a book; to get informa- Delay in launching Non-RNLI lives lost tion it must be decoded. This is done by
119 1824-1974 DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN
Birthplace of the Royal National Life-boat Institution
by Joan Davies
JUST AS at a time of family celebration, wherever its members may be, their > thoughts will turn to home, so in the spring of 1974 the thoughts of the RNLI )()(•!•• I,AS Ii.\i- *• and its friends must inevitably turn to KKOt V Douglas; the little seaport on the Isle If IIfir- . of Man from whence, 150 years ago, • came the beginnings of a service which KVII.I.IAM HII.I.AKV BAK t through years of persistent and loyal hard work, highlighted by moments of — 1,'fHi unbelievable tenacity and courage, has won world-wide respect and affection. But why, with the whole of the British Isles to choose from, did the Institution find its genesis in a little bay on one of our smallest islands, away up in the Irish Sea? Why Douglas? Presumably, before any great movement can be born, a number of elements must meet; the time, the place, the man, must all be right. What, then, was the background to the events of 1824? Perhaps the most important factor was that in the 19th century there was an enormous expan- sion of sea trade under sail. It was to build up to the great days of the clippers and deep sea sailing ships, before they in their turn were superseded by steam; but in the early part of the century it was the day of the little ship. Roads were generally bad and the railways had not yet been built. As well as such basic cargoes as coal and grain, the little ships were often the most convenient carriers of all the small odds and ends that the human race grows to need: everything from masonry to private parcels. Often, too, they were the most convenient way of travel. Perhaps the nearest parallel we have today is the fleet of little mail ships which daily ply up and down the west coast of Norway, calling in at remote fishing villages which would
1826 Plan of Douglas Bay and Harbour clearly shows hazardous rocks. Improve- ments to harbour works, running out from Douglas Head and St Mary's Rock, proposed by Sir William Hillary, are hatched. by courtesy of the Manx Museum, Douglas 120 Douglas Head and Harbour, 1974. Note lifeboat boathouse and slip in outer harbour, or Crough; Fort Anne, above inner harbour; and Si Mary's Rock with its Tower of Refuge at bottom right of picture. photograph by courtesy of Manx Technical Publications
Douglas Bay as Sir William Hillary would have known it: 1823 print shows St Mary's Rock before Tower of Refuge was built. by courtesy of the Manx Museum
121 otherwise be completely isolated, bring- offered half the prize money, but his have a lifeboat. Of the bay the modern ing letters, vegetables, goods of all ideas were incorporated in Henry Admiralty Pilot says: kinds in small quantities and taking the Greathead's 'Original' pulling lifeboat place of the local bus or suburban train. launched in 1790; more than 30 of these 'Douglas bay is entered between Douglas head and Banks Howe, Alongside the trading ships, of course, boats were to be built, and by 1824 there 2J miles north-eastward. The shore is there would also have been the fishing were 39 lifeboats stationed at various formed by precipitous cliffs which, at fleets. places round the coast of the British the southern end, extend inland from Describing the crowded seas and the Isles. Douglas head backed by the slopes of clustering of small ships in the ports It is some indication of the situation Carnane.... The bay is open eastward, in Douglas that, in 1802, the fourth and the holding ground in most parts Duke of Atholl, Governor of the Isle of is indifferent. . . .' Man, presented the town with one of The inner harbour, long and narrow, Greathead's 'Original' lifeboats, though it appears to have been swept away and running inland at the south western corner of the bay, dries out; how often lost in about 1814. must a ship have come in for shelter To look at Douglas Bay is to appreci- from a south west gale, anchored off ate why it was among the first ports to and then been caught on a lee shore when the wind backed to south east or east? Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLl To starboard of the harbour mouth and triple gold-medallist, himself saved more when entering port, and about three- than 300 people from drowning. quarters of a mile from the shore, lies St Mary's (or Conister) Rock; an uncovered plateau at low water but covered by as much as 3' at high water springs. To increase the danger, a long Isaac Vondy, Sir William's coxswain, was reef of rampant slate, 'The Flakes', runs awarded three silver medals for gallantry. out from the rock into the bay. How illustration by courtesy of the Manx often, beating in to harbour at night or Museum in bad visibility, must sailing ships have
and havens of the 19th century, Michael Bouquet, in his fine book No Gallant Ship, writes:
'If some mariner of the mid-19th century could return today, I think that what would strike him most would be the emptiness of our coastal waters.'
So, there were ships in plenty; and there is no doubt that they were much more vulnerable to wind and sea than the merchant ships of today. How often, however long her story, the end of it for a sailing ship was foundering, breaking up on rocks or being lost without trace, overwhelmed by the storms round our shores ? The problem must have been only too apparent to seaboard communities; they saw the ships wrecked and it was they who tried to save the sailors, often their own menfolk, from the sea. As early as 1786 a lifeboat had been stationed at Bamburgh; it was a pulling coble which Lionel Lukin had made 'unimmergible', with a projecting cork gunwale and built-in watertight com- partments to give her buoyancy, and an iron false-keel to keep her upright. In 1789, after the wreck of Adventure at the mouth of the Tyne, the Gentlemen of the Lawe House offered a prize of two guineas for the best design for a lifeboat. Outstanding among the entries was William Wouldhave's model boat embodying a self-righting principle he had learnt from playing, at first idly, with an old woman's curved wooden water dipper. In fact, he was only 122 When the wind blows up in Douglas Bay: Monas Queen, car ferry from Liverpool, ploughing in through this year's January gales. . . . photograph by courtesy of W, S. Basnett
. . . and Manx steamer Ben Veg meeting a force 8 gale as she left harbour in January 1966. At times during this winter's gales, seas were breaking over road and jetties right up to the head of the inner harbour. photograph by courtesy of W. S. Basnett
of Eclipse in North Bay, reported in the Manx Advertiser on January 19, 1830: 'From the great surf over the bar of Douglas harbour, and the tide being low, it had become almost impossible to get any boat out, at all events much valuable time must have been lost in the attempt; but the new Life-Boat intended for Ramsey . . . being just finished, though the air-tight cases by which the buoyant qualities of the life boat are produced, unfortunately were not sufficiently complete to be made use of, and were not put on board. Sir Wm. Hillary however resolved, even in her present state, on making the attempt in her, to save the people from the wreck—and by the prompt aid of several gentlemen, and every other description of people present, the new boat was launched for the first time, on the beach near to the Baths, when Sir William instantly put stood in too far to landward or have cating a number of reforms or inno- off in her, accompanied by his cox- failed to gather way quickly enough on vations; he had made geographical swain, Isaac Vondy, and a volunteer the new tack and foundered on this explorations in small boats round Sicily crew of twelve men. . .. unmarked, unlit hazard? Even if the and Malta; and, such was the man that, 'The attempt was successful, and the crew managed to scramble on to the at the age of 70 he could still launch a wreck gained; when by passing under her lee bow the people were rescued;— rock, in gale conditions the chance that pulling boat single-handed from the but on their return, when off the north anyone could reach them before they beach through heavy swell. end of St. Mary's rock, they encoun- were swept away was extremely slim. It was in 1808 that Sir William tered so tremendous a sea that they It was to provide shipwrecked sailors Hillary came to live in Fort Anne, were nearly overwhelmed by a suc- with a safe shelter until the storm had standing above the southern shore of cession of those heavy waves which at passed that Sir William Hillary, in 1832, Douglas Bay. From there he had an intervals occur in a storm, by which instigated the building of the famous uninterrupted view across the harbour the boat was filled to the thwarts, and Tower of Refuge on St Mary's Rock. mouth to St Mary's Rock—and he just the space left for the large air-tight In fact, he must have done a much couldn't stand by. Time and time again case in the bow, full of water which added a dead weight of nearly half a greater service to shipping by crowning he was personally involved in saving ton, and greatly increased the danger... this lurking hazard with a solid, visible life. There is a ring of timeless seaman- 'After great efforts she reached the and unmistakable mark. ship about the account in the Manx Sun beach, upon which she was run, nearly So, the time was ripe for the national of December 12, 1827. of his rescue of full of water. . . .' conscience to be moved on behalf of the crew and pilots from Fortrondet, drag- seafarer; the climate of public opinion ging her anchor on to St Mary's: But this is going too far ahead. It was was right; it just wanted the right man following a winter of unusually severe to come forward—and it so happened 'It was first attempted by means of gales in 1822, during which Sir William that that man lived in Douglas with the hausers to bring the vessel into port, himself helped in the rescue of more than problem spread out in the bay before but on her striking on the rocks and 200 sailors in Douglas Bay, that he bilging this was given up, and the him: Sir William Hillary—a man surely Life-boat, by letting go her anchor to wrote his 'Appeal to the British Nation, born to change the course of public windward and veering down upon the on the Humanity and Policy of forming events, being quite incapable of standing wreck, was enabled to take all the a National Institution for the Preser- by, inactive, in the face of need. During people and most of their personal vation of Lives and Property from the Napoleonic Wars he obtained a ge from her lee bow. . . .' Shipwreck'. As a result of his campaign, commission in the army and raised, at a meeting was held on March 4, 1824, his own expense, the first Essex Legion Sir William's refusal to be deterred in the City of London Tavern, at which of Infantry and Cavalry, about 1,400 by circumstance is well illustrated by it was resolved to form the body now men; he was to write pamphlets advo- the account of the rescue from the wreck known as the Royal National Life-boat 123 Institution. The time, the place and the with the men that have followed them frightened of the elements as anyone man had come together, and a great right down to the present day. There else; they go out because help is wanted movement was started. would be full understanding, for and because there is no other course Between 1824 and 1841 five gold and instance, between them and Billy possible. I may be wrong, but that, to 15 silver medals were awarded to Swindlehurst, retired now, but whose my mind, is what bravery is all about. Douglas, three of the gold to Sir William sharpest memory is of the first time he Billy Swindlehurst, like the majority himself and three of the silver to went out, at the age of 13 or 14, in the of Douglas lifeboatmen, is a fisherman. Coxswain Vondy—who died in 1835, second Civil Service No. 6, a pulling Douglas may have grown into a holiday aged 73. This great man it was who, and sailing lifeboat; he still remembers town round the bay, but down round after saving Sir William's life during a vividly the south west gale, the 21' flood the harbour there is still the indefinable rescue, refused a gift of land from him, tide—and how hard the new sheets in atmosphere of a small fishing port; the saying, 'he didn't save life for gain'. the boat were to the hand. Lifeboatmen, catch is escallops. At one time all the Of such stuff were the giants of the Mr Swindlehurst is at pains to explain, crew lived close round the harbour, and past; but they would have been at one are not brave; they may well be just as although some have now moved further into the town, the harbour is still the centre of their lives. 'You'll find them all down on the quay', the visitor is told. There is a strong family tradition in Douglas lifeboat station. The present coxswain, Bob Corran, joined the crew in 1938, became second coxswain in 1940, and coxswain in 1970, when Bobby Lee, BEM, coxswain since 1950, retired; Bobby Lee's grandfather was bowman until he was lost at sea while fishing, his father, Dickie Lee, had also been coxswain in his time, his son Richard is assistant mechanic in the present crew. Coxswain Corran is commonly known as 'Fish', to dif- ferentiate him from Bob 'Eats' Corran, his cousin, and Robert, his son, both crew members. Billy Ash is another fisherman crew member; his brother, Robert, who works with a steamship company, is the launcher; their father, Ready , Bobby Ash, retired in 1970 after 33 years' service, 17 of them as bowman ('We none of us can swim—but the devil takes care of his own!'); their grandfather, another Bobby Ash, served in the crew for 45 years, some of that time in Civil Service No. 6. Second Coxswain Jack Griffiths, Alfie Moore
Away! Launch practice for life- boat R.A. Colby Cubbin No. 1. Upper photograph by courtesy of Manx Press Pictures; lower photograph by courtesy of W. S. Basnett
124 and Reg Jackson are all fishermen; the full-time mechanic is Bernie Sayle; Harry Martland, the station adminis- trative officer, is a civil servant and ' '*" • "" yachtsman, and First Aider Don t.. • Bookless is a retired engineer and III! 1 I II another keen yachtsman. (III I I In so many cumulative years of service there are bound to be many memories. There was the night the Douglas lifeboat was called out to Teazle, off the north point of the island. It was wartime, blackout, with a north north east gale so severe that it
Coxswain Bob Corran (I. above) aboard his fishing vessel Manx Maid, with Bernie Sayle, loved by her crew, who have great Mechanic, and Harry Martland, station confidence in her. When the honorary Administrative officer. secretary (the present office-holder is photograph by courtesy of W. S. Basnett Captain F. N. Curphey, MM) orders the maroons to be fired, telephone calls are Bobby Lee, BEM, coxswain of the Douglas already going round and the crew lifeboat from 1950 to 1970. On one of his making for the boathouse, anyone first services as coxswain, in April 1950, Bobby running along the quay being picked Lee rescued ten men from Mary Heely. up by passing cars. Inside the boathouse everything is ready; a row of seaboots (with a stool set beside them); then up the steps on to the boarding platform; lifejackets on a row of pegs; oilskins hung from a rack; first seven on board are the crew; engines started; doors opened; launching pin struck out and they are away down the slipway into the Crough, the outer harbour; the lower the tide, the bigger the splash. Re-housing at the end of a service, when the crew is cold, wet and tired, is a much longer business. Like so many other towns, Douglas decided to celebrate the 150th anni- versary of the RNLI with an inter- denominational service on March 10; but at Douglas it was held in St George's Church, where Sir William Hillary, the founder, is buried. The Lieutenant- Governor, Sir John Paul, GCMC, OBE, MC, was at the service with Lady Paul, and R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 1 a 46' 9" midship steering Watson lifeboat. laid a wreath on Sir William's grave. photograph by courtesy of Beken and Son The Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas attended, as well as the Chairmen of the was impossible to read the compass as 12, 23J and then 25 miles from town and village districts and repre- and navigation had to be by the feel of Douglas Head. The lifeboat followed sentatives from the Coastguard and wind and waves. Bobby Lee, Bob for 36 miles, continuing her search but Harbour Board. Crew, branch and Corran and Billy Swindlehurst were all without sighting the ship, until it was ladies' guild members from Ramsey, in the crew that night. Then there was learned that Holyhead lifeboat had Port St Mary, Port Erin and Peel as well the launch which Bobby Lee remembers made contact; then the Douglas boat as Douglas were there, and members of most when, as coxswain, he took the returned to base. In the end 15 men the non-operational branches of Lonan Douglas lifeboat out on the morning were saved by the Holyhead and Moelfre and Laxey, Marown and District, and of December 2, 1966, to search for the lifeboats; two gold and fifteen other the Castletown ladies' guild. Lifeboat Greek ship Nafsiporos, first reported medals were awarded to members of those people from the whole of the Isle of eight miles off Douglas Head. The wind two crews. Man met together in this 'Year of the was north westerly, force 10 gusting 11, Since 1861, Douglas Station has saved Lifeboat' to remember Sir William and Nafsiporos, sailing light ship, was 237 lives. The present lifeboat is Hillary and all the men and women who being blown off towards the coast of R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 1, a 46' 9" have followed. The people may change, Wales. Later reports gave her position midship steering Watson boat much but the sea does not: it is always there. 125 LIFEBOAT INTERNATIONAL is the slogan FIRST EVER chosen for the International Lifeboat Exhibition which is to be held in West Hoe Park, Plymouth, from July 19 to August 17. It is to be one of the major LIFEBOAT INTERNATIONAL events in The Year of the Lifeboat'. The people of Plymouth are very EXHIBITION proud that their port and city has been chosen for the exhibition, and are showing their pleasure in a number of PLYMOUTH: JULY 19 - AUGUST 17 practical ways: a site has been provided free, some financial support has been by Commander Peter D. Sturdee, QBE, RN promised, and a wealth of advice based on local knowledge has been put at our disposal. The exhibition area will extend over about four acres and it will be housed under special framed tents. As well as Wiatr, rescue and salvage displays depicting the history and vessel, will be coming to development of the RNLI, five overseas Plymouth from Poland. lifeboat services are taking stands: LOA 21.02 m, beam 5.68m, Canada, France, German Federal with twin Wola-Henschel N6A engines developing Republic, the Netherlands and the 210 bhp at 1,600 rpm, she USA. Other UK services engaged in has a range of 600 miles. search and rescue operations will also be represented: the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, HM Coastguard, the Post Office and Trinity House will all be there. Finally, some of the firms associated with the building, mainten- ance and supply of equipment, materials and stores for the RNLI's fleet will have their own stands. Souvenirs will be on sale and there will be refreshment facilities. -W 40 IB itt No exhibition would be complete 126 without the boats themselves, and the patrolling steel lifeboat from Sweden, Special attractions will include search RNLI plans to have at Plymouth a new from July 19-August 5. and rescue demonstrations in Plymouth lifeboat from each of the following The US Coast Guard may be sending Sound by RN and RAF helicopters, classes: 70'Clyde, 52' Arun, 50'Thames, one of their Coast Guard cutters on a HM Coastguards and lifeboats. The 44' Waveney and 37' Rother—all self- short visit to Plymouth during the Royal Marines will perform the cere- righting boats. These will be joined by exhibition period. mony of Beat Retreat on Plymouth Hoe, five foreign lifeboats. One, from France, On display inside the exhibition it is there will be a firework display and life- will be there the whole time, but the hoped to have the RNLI's last pulling boats will be present at some of the others will make visits of varying length lifeboat from Whitby, and, if a suitably major local yachting and waterborne during the exhibition. A lifeboat from generous sponsor can be found to cover events. Norway is expected, although the the transportation costs, an 1873 RNLI A yacht rally at Plymouth is being dates of her visit are not yet known; standard 30' self-righting double-banked arranged over the opening weekend, and Arwed Emmingham, a 26.6 m rescue lifeboat on loan from the Mariners with races, receptions and visits to the cruiser with daughter boat from the Museum, Newport News, USA. Out- exhibition and lifeboats it should prove German Federal Republic, will be in side the tented area it is intended to have a most enjoyable gathering. Ex-lifeboats Plymouth from the opening for four a 'Liverpool' lifeboat on her carriage: a will also be welcome. days; Wiatr, a 21.02m rescue cruiser boat which is expected to become a The two Dutch lifeboat societies also from Poland, will be there from July permanent exhibit at the Exeter Mari- celebrate their 150th anniversaries in 19-30; and Sigurd Golje, a 23.8 m time Museum after she leaves Plymouth. 1974 and they wish to show parts of the Plymouth exhibition at their own inter- Sigurd Golje, one of Sweden's latest rescue cruisers, will be visiting Plymouth in July. In national lifeboat exhibition being held January she was breaking ice in the Bothnian Gulf. in Amsterdam later in the year. It is hoped that the Lord Mayor of Plymouth and Burgomaster of Amsterdam will each pay official visits to the other's city and exhibition. Response to requests for volunteers to help at the exhibition has been wonder- ful. The manning of the large souvenir stall is now assured for the whole period, but other jobs, such as wardens, sellers of programmes, membership, admission and draw tickets, as well as jobs in the office and at the enquiries desk, are still available. Anyone willing to help should get in touch with me, Commander P. D. Sturdee, QBE, RN, RNLI Exhibition Office, 30 George Place, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 3NY, telephone 69124. We are looking for support for this unique exhibition from all friends of i the RNLI and hope that as many people as possible will visit Plymouth while it | is on. You may have to wait 150 years t for the next one! CADABRA: Sandhursts' floating showroom
Throughout 1973 the motor yacht This year Cadabra is repeating the result. Just as before, the branch or Cadabra toured the coasts of Great operation and is already on her way guild concerned at each port of call is Britain on a sales promotion for round the coast; it is hoped that a to be credited with 2J per cent of Sandhurst Marketing Ltd, a firm of cheque approaching £5,000 will be the turnover. stationers. At the end of the tour in January, Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of Cadabra made £2,500 for the RNLI in 1973. the RNLI, went aboard Cadabra at Westminster Pier and was presented with a cheque for £2,500 from Mr Brian Hulme, Managing Director of Sand- hurst Marketing. This money will pay for the compass and navigational equipment in one of the RNLFs latest lifeboats. The sum of £2,500 represents 2| per cent of the turnover achieved by Sand- hurst Marketing salesmen at each port of call and has been credited to the lifeboat branch or guild involved in that port. At no time have RNLI voluntary workers been asked or been expected to act as salesmen for the company. 127 FOR SEVENTY YEARS Mrs Olwyn M. the vice-chairman of the ladies' guild. Lloyd, now in her ninetieth year—just Over the years Mrs Lloyd has raised 60 years younger than the RNLI—has about £760 in her own home, with been concerned with men of the sea. It coffee mornings and other events. Her Mrs Olwyn Lloyd, president of Conway ILB seems fitting, therefore, that she and last effort was a wine and cheese party, Station and an Honorary Life Governor of her husband, Mr R. M. Lloyd, from which came the grand sum of the RNLL celebrated their diamond wedding in £111. 'Now', writes Mrs Lloyd, 'I must 1969 on Trafalgar Day. think of something to raise a little for The very beginning of Mrs Lloyd's the 150th Anniversary.' interest in the sea was in 1904 when she Mrs Lloyd's efforts have not gone Boat Station, she was unanimously went to Dreadnought Seamen's Hos- unappreciated. In 1937 the Committee invited to accept the Presidency. When pital at the RN College, Greenwich; in of Management presented her with a three of the Conway ILB crew were five years' nursing, until her marriage framed record of thanks; in 1948 came a presented with the thanks of the in 1909, she cared for seamen of all lifeboatman statuette; in 1957 she Institution inscribed on vellum after nationalities. From then on, the RNLI received a gold badge and in 1961 Mrs saving the lives of three men off Great was her greatest interest. In 1923 Mrs Lloyd was elected an Honorary Life Orme, it was Mrs Lloyd's pleasant duty Lloyd was a member of the first com- Governor, an honour rarely conferred to express the feelings of her branch: mittee at Menai Bridge, and when she and only for long and very distinguished 'Brian, Trevor and Ronnie, we are all moved to Con way in 1930 she was service. Mrs Lloyd, receiving the vellum so very proud of you. God bless you.' appointed treasurer of the ladies' guild. from the Duchess of Kent, regarded it The last word should be Mrs Lloyd's: It was her job to organise the collection as an honour for her whole branch as 'I have enjoyed every minute of the of annual subscriptions, so she called to well as for herself: 'That day in London work; it has given me great pleasure. see everyone herself to explain the need when the Duchess presented me with I only wish old age did not prevent me for money. Very few people refused to this beautiful vellum, I felt very humble'. from doing more, but I'm nearly 90 and help; at first it would just be 6d. or Is. Perhaps, however, an honour which not out! All the wonderful honours I but gradually the amounts grew. In the must have given Mrs Lloyd as much have received are on behalf of the ladies' early years, Mrs Lloyd collected about pleasure as any was when, in 1966 at the lifeboat guild, for without their wonder- £30, but now Conway alone raises about inaugural meeting of the Civilian Com- ful and loyal help I could have done £200. Later, Mrs Lloyd was to become mittee of the Conway Inshore Rescue nothing.'
ALDERMAN Miss Mary Burton's con- the boat out on practice, until his death Red Cross, Miss Burton used to take hot nection with the RNLI also goes back in 1938. Her mother was the first drinks out to the lifeboat crew when they for 70 years. As so often happens, she president and chairman of the Beau- came in from services, and this she con- was following a family tradition. Her maris ladies' guild, and Miss Burton tinued to do right up until a few years father became honorary secretary at was a member right from the start. On ago when it became possible for the that time of the Penmon Lifeboat her mother's death in 1940, she was honorary secretary to prepare these Station, which was moved to Beaumaris elected president and chairman and still drinks in the ILB boathouse; no wonder in 1914. From the time Miss Burton holds the latter office, although a new the Beaumaris crew presented her with left school, she and her mother would president was elected in 1955. a beautiful model of their lifeboat! go out with her father whenever he took During the war, as a member of the For seven years, from 1953, Miss Burton was honorary secretary of the Beaumaris Station. The service she remembers most from those years was when, on October 27, 1959, the lifeboat Field Marshal and Mrs Smuts went out to stand by the Greek tanker Essar I. The lifeboat was launched at 2 p.m. to steam about 19 miles in four hours into the teeth of a force 10-11 wind against the flood tide. She stood by Essar I, at anchor but with engine trouble and her engine room flooding, until relieved by the Moelfre lifeboat at 9 a.m. next morning. Altogether, the Beaumaris Alderman Miss Mary Burton, Honorary boat was out for 22 hours. Life Governor, with Like Mrs Lloyd, Miss Burton has the model of Beau- received the highest honour the Insti- maris lifeboat given tution can bestow, having been elected to her by the crew. an Honorary Life Governor in 1972. 128 International Boat Show 1974
EARLS COURT, January 2-12
Seaman's Cartoonist extraordinary, Carl DIM - BUT BUOYANT Giles, receiving his lifeboatman statuette for outstanding service to the RNLI in the field of public relations from the Duke of Atholl. DESPITE a background of national Exchequer, Mr Barber. Crew members photograph by courtesy of the 'Daily anxiety, reduced opening hours and and friends from branches and guilds Express' minimum heat and light, the 1974 all over the country came to call, and International Boat Show at Earls Court among the 365 people who signed on instead of 9, had to close at 4 on the was, as always, a buoyant and happy as new members of Shoreline was first Saturday (the day of the bomb) prologue to the new year. The Bahamas Captain Baines of The Onedin Line and did not open at all on Sunday, a theme of the central feature was, per- (Howard Lang in private life). grand total of £3,543.41 was raised. Of haps, a particularly fortunate choice; its As usual, the stand was manned by that amount £202.48 was collected, atmosphere of carefree sunshine, the members of branches and guilds from single-handed, by Sergeant Elverson of lightheartedness of goombay and in and around London. Although the the Royal Chelsea Hospital, with us for calypso rhythms and the simple gaiety Show ended at 7 o'clock each evening the third year running. £1,333.30 came in entries for the 'find the wreck' During the Show, John competition, popular with both helpers Meakes, Managing Direc- and the general public alike. The first tor of J. G. Meakes Ltd, presented a cheque for £105 prize was a Zodiac Cadet inflatable to Captain Nigel Dixon, dinghy presented by University Marine, KN, Director of the RNLI. won by T. R. Franks of London, W6. photograph by courtesy of One of the highlights of the Show the 'Daily Express' came on Wednesday, January 9, when, in a ceremony at the Pool, the Duke of Atholl, Deputy Chairman of the RNLI, Cdr Leslie Hill answers the presented statuettes of lifeboatmen to questions of the Chancellor four people who have given outstanding of the Exchequer, Mr Anthony Barber on the service to the Institution in the field of RNLl's principal exhibit, public relations; the great cartoonist, an Atlantic 21ILB (below). Giles, who has presented many draw- photograph by courtesy of Fox Photos continued on page 131 of its dancers, formed a bright oasis keeping, at least for a little while, the gloom of the world outside at bay. It seemed that business at the stands, both for the home market and overseas, was encouraging, and, as always, for ten days, Earls Court was a magnificent rendezvous for all those who love the sea. Even wanton destruction, although it succeeded in wrecking the boat of one unfortunate exhibitor, could not destroy the spirit of the Show When the bomb warning came at 4 o'clock on the first Saturday afternoon, everyone just walked quietly out; and the next Monday it was business as usual. The RNLI stand, not far from the pool, was always thronged with people and the main exhibit, an Atlantic 21 inshore lifeboat, was a source of interest to everyone, from the schoolboy lifeboat enthusiast who arrived on the pre-view day anxious to help, to such distin- guished visitors as the Prime Minister, Mr Heath, and the Chancellor of the 129 • Every day of the Boat Show, the and Johnsons are not expecting to have displays on the pool ended with a rotary outboard engines for general demonstration of a new simple life- release for some time. saving aid (also on show on the stand That is for the future; for the present, of Simpson-Lawrence). Designed for Johnsons have added a generator to two use in small boats, it is called the Balcan of their smaller conventional outboard Emergency Life Line (BELL), and engines, and an electric charge can now New consists of a hollow bright orange plastic be obtained from both the 9.9 and 15 hp container into which is sealed a models (E. P. Barrus Ltd, 12-16 Brunei mechanically wound head of 132' of Road, Acton, London, W3 7UY). braided floating line. To use, the sealing Equipment cap is pulled off, a short length of the • Safetylink Mk IIIA, a light-weight line with a handle grip is withdrawn portable distress radio telephone, was and the container thrown to the man in to be seen on several stands. Weighing the water. The coil unwinds as the con- 6i Ib and battery operated, it is designed tainer flies through the air, and both for the use of crews of yachts or other line and container will float. There is a small craft up to 60' LOA. It is crystal FROM THE flickstick, which, slipped into the end controlled, tuned to the international of the BELL, makes it possible to throw R/T distress frequency, and it has a BOAT SHOW the head the full 132'; thrown by hand normal transmitting/receiving range of it would not go quite so far. BELL is more than 20 miles—with the right designed as a life line to a man over- atmospheric conditions it could be as board, but it could also be used as a much as 150 miles; there is also an • Very encouraging it was, at a Boat messenger to lead a heavier warp to a automatic alarm available. The case Show just managing to weather a fuel rescue vessel. Being machine wound, (on which working instructions are crisis, to find on display a means of BELL is expendable as emergency printed) is extruded PVC, fitted and generating power relying on neither oil equipment; the line can, however, sealed to an injected moulded cap; it has nor coal. Lucas/C.A.V. Marine were always be hauled in and thrown again a shoulder strap and is buoyant and showing a solar battery charger for by hand in the normal way. The price waterproof. Safetylink has been boats and caravans, developed in con- of a double unit with flickstick and approved in the UK by the Ministry of junction with Solar Power Corporation stowage clips is £6.50, a single unit Post and Telecommunications. Price of America, which, using silicon solar costs £2.95 (each plus VAT) (Simpson- £112 plus VAT (Channel Marine, 49 cells developed for space exploration, Lawrence Ltd, 218-228 Edmiston Drive, Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, Kent). converts solar energy into electrical Glasgow, G51 2YT). power. All that is needed is light; • An imaginative new compass was preferably sunlight, but even with the being shown this year by Henry Browne reduced lighting of Earls Court an and Son: the Sestrel 'Port-hole', designed ammeter recorded a charge. The charger % Another new development in the is a rectangular plate, 18" by 14", con- field of power is the exploration at taining a bank of five rows of seven present being undertaken by Johnsons cells; output is about 12 volts, 0.6 amps. into the possibility of replacing the One or two can be fitted in a convenient cylinder with a rotary unit for outboard place on deck and connected up to the engines; it is based on a principle first battery. That is all there is to it; the evolved by Dr Felix Wankel. Trials in solar charger is apparently unharmed by America suggest that the rotary could salt water or exposure, does not corrode well give a better performance than the and needs no maintenance. The initial reciprocating engine; also, having fewer cost is high—about £200 each charger— moving parts, it is reasonable to expect but at least it is a step in the right that there would be added reliability and direction (J. Lucas, Sales and Service less wear and tear. E. P. Barrus had on Co., Dordrecht Road, Acton, London, display a development model of a four- W3). rotor unit engine, but it is early days yet,
Johnson's experimental rotary unit outboard engine was shown by E. P. Barms.
photographs by courtesy of David Parker
For converting solar energy into electrical power, a solar battery charger made by - Lucas C.A.V. Marine, seen here fitted on cabin top of A. H. Moody's Carbineer 46 motor sailer. A ray of hope—from light—for the future ? 130 to be fitted in the main bulkhead of a yacht, projecting both forward and aft. With a compass so positioned, the helmsman in the cockpit can see the course being steered, and the navigator in the cabin the reciprocal bearing, and there is no need for a separate 'telltale' compass below. The cabin dome is tinted yellow, for easier reading, and the compass is fitted with an edge reading card. Price £32 plus VAT. 'Port-hole' comes complete with either 12 or 24 volt weatherproof lighting, and it will be available in April or May (Henry Brown and Son Ltd, P. and O. Deck, Two views of Henry P. and O. Building, Leadenhall Street, Browne's 'Port-hole' com- London, EC3V 4PU). pass: fitted into main bulk- head, it projects fore and % Decca introduced a new version of aft into cabin and cockpit. their 050 Mini Radar at the Boat Show: Safetylink Mk Ilia, the Super 050. The principal change is made by Channel the doubling of the transmitted power Marine (right). to 3 kW, which gives improved per- formance on all ranges. A magnifier which increases the picture to 8" is now Putting the finishing touch, a thin red line, to one of the ' Year supplied as standard, and the number of of the Lifeboat' commemorative mugs made by Wedgwood. On rings on the £ and 1 £ mile scales has been show at Earls Court, they are available from Wedgwood doubled to improve ranging accuracy by Shop, 249 Oxford Street, London, Wl, price £4.20 helping interpolation between rings. (postage and packing 25p). There is a new anti-rain control which can be switched on when necessary and which also means that echoes from radar Decca were showing a new version of their 050 Mini beacons can be seen or removed at will. Radar, the Super 050. Price from £785 (the same as its pre- Principal impro vement is the decessor) (Decca Radar Ltd, Decca doubling of transmitting House, 9 Albert Embankment, London, power to 3kW. Price re- SE1 7SW). mains the same, from £.785.
Operation Completed International Boat Show (from page 129) IN 1971 the decision was taken that all ings to the RNLI, his Christmas cards the camera work for a film about the offshore lifeboats not already fitted, proving particularly popular (350,000 service sponsored by the House of should be equipped with VHP radio in mantelpieces must have been the Martell, and has also taken many addition to the MF equipment which brighter for them last Christmas); photographs of lifeboats and presented has been standard since 1945. The Alan Jones, Secretary and Exhibition them to the RNLI—the cover photo- resulting fitting programme, which Organiser of National Boat Shows, who graph for this issue is his, as are some involved the Institution's electronic has consistently given valuable help to of the pictures taken at the Boat Show. engineers in the installation of VHP in the Institution; J. P. Morris, a most To round off 'The Year of the Life- 64 lifeboats, has now been completed. active member of the Enthusiasts' boat', the theme for the central feature In the same period, 35 VHP sets of out- Society who has given the RNLI many at the next Boat Show, in January 1975, dated type have been replaced by modern photographs and written a number of is to be a lifeboat village, so Earls equipment. All inshore lifeboats have articles on lifeboats; and David Parker, Court, for ten days after Christmas, will carried VHP sets since March 1973. who wrote the script and did much of become the home of the RNLI—J.D. 131 the full force of the wind. With very Flamborough Coastguard, also using heavy following seas breaking on to the D/F, reported that the signals of both boat, Coxswain King ordered the drogue the lifeboat and fishing vessel were on to be streamed and at the same time the same bearing, and at 12.50 White reduced speed to maintain control and Knight was sighted fine on the port bow lessen the hazard to boat and crew. The at a distance of about three cables. wind had increased to force 12 gusting By now the wind had risen to force 13 (later confirmed by HMCG) and 13, north north east. The sea was very visibility was greatly reduced by the rough with a very heavy north-east heavy squalls and spray. swell, and White Knight was lying broad- A suggestion, at 12.12, that the crew side on to the sea heading north north of White Knight intended to abandon west and rolling very heavily. On the ship in their liferaft was strongly dis- advice of Coxswain King, her skipper couraged by Coxswain King; in such an readily agreed that their only hope was abnormal sea he felt that they had a to abandon ship and come aboard the much better chance of survival if they lifeboat. He said he would try to lay stayed with their stricken, but still out a second anchor, which would take floating, ship and awaited the arrival about five minutes. of the lifeboat. He asked the skipper of Coxswain King took the lifeboat to North Eastern Division White Knight to switch on his radar, the south of White King and waited his hoping it would show the position of the chance in the dangerous seas to trip lifeboat in relation to the fishing vessel; his drogue and turn the lifeboat head North Sea Hurricane but the position of the only echo seen to sea. This was safely accomplished FORCE 9-10 north north east wind; rough was discounted and Coxswain King and the drogue recovered. sea with a heavy swell; low water; continued on his course to leeward of With both William Henry and Mary visibility down to about a half to one the last known position. mile on an overcast morning with Decca positions given by White frequent hail and snow squalls; Flam- Knight at 12.20 p.m. and 12.35 showed borough lifeboat already at sea standing her to be some two-and-a-half miles by cobles returning to the landing; the south by west of the lifeboat and lifeboat service and HM Coastguards in drifting rapidly to the south, too close constant liaison. Such was the situation to the beach for comfort. As the position on April 2, 1973, when, at 10.34 a.m., was now serious, Coxswain King made the Bridlington lifeboat, the 37' William for the casualty at full speed, but it was Henry and Mary King, was launched to still essential to stream the drogue. stand by the coble Calaharis reported by Visibility was so poor that the lifeboat the harbour master to be still at sea. could not see the flares fired by White Coxswain John King had just set Knight, nor were her attempts to get a course for the position off Hornsea D/F bearing satisfactory as it proved where it was believed Calaharis had been impossible to get a 'zero'. However, fishing, when it was learnt that another coble, Moss Rose, was also still at sea. Coxswain John King: awarded a silver medal Ten minutes later she was sighted for gallantry after taking off five crew from making heavy weather on her return to White Knight in hurricane force winds. harbour, and, because of her size and Peace after the storm: William Henry and because she was less well equipped for Mary King returning to Bridlington Harbour the severe conditions than Calaharis, with the survivors of White Knight, Coxswain King decided to escort her photographs by courtesy of back to harbour before continuing his Arthur W. Dick search for the other vessel. By now seas were breaking over both lifeboat and coble, and Moss Rose, pumping continuously, was barely mak- ing steerage way. At 11.30, however, she entered harbour safely. In the meantime, at about 10.50, Humber Radio had intercepted a PAN message from the MFV White Knight stating that she had broken down and was at anchor two miles south south east of the South Smithic buoy; although not requiring assistance, she was being pounded by heavy seas. William Henry and Mary King had returned to her search for Calaharis when, at 11.31, the Bridlington honorary secretary, having heard from the Coast- guard that White Knight was dragging her anchor, instructed Coxswain King to go to her assistance. At the same time, Flamborough lifeboat was asked to take over the search for Calaharis. Coxswain King headed his lifeboat towards the position of the new casualty, clearing the relative shelter of the Smithic Shoal (at 11.50) to run into 132 King and White Knight being swept by very heavy water, it was considered both undesirable and highly dangerous for the lifeboat to lie alongside the casualty. At 1.02 the crew of the fishing boat were ready to be taken off. Coxswain King found that he needed almost full speed to maintain reliable way on his boat heading in towards the port side of the casualty. Contact was made by her port bow just forward of the bridge of the MFV, and two of the crew were successfully taken aboard before the lifeboat fell away. Two more men were taken aboard on another run in. Loose gear on the fishing boat fouled the guard rail forward, but this was soon cleared and the skipper was then taken on board. Coxswain King, now certain that everyone was accounted for, took the lifeboat close under the stern of White Knight so as to be heading into the sea when he cleared her comparative lee. Throughout the operation only super- ficial damage to the guard rails and after end box was sustained. No one was injured, and Coxswain King cleared the casualty at 1.06. Once clear, it was not possible to steer a direct course back to Bridlington because of the heavy, breaking seas. Coxswain King had to nurse the boat back, heading the heaviest of them and dodging across as conditions permitted. Progress was extremely slow. By 3 p.m. the wind had moderated to force 9 north by east, but the heavy seas per- sisted and it was not until 3.48 that the lifeboat entered Bridlington Harbour. Throughout this long and arduous service sea conditions were very rough with a very heavy swell. Wind force at OK86S) 'Elizabeth #/>/>**.' no time went below force 9 and during the most exposed periods was frequently gusting to force 12 and 13. The lifeboat was continually buffeted by heavy seas with water breaking into the cockpit 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18, was damaged extensively and holed on and sweeping the decks. It was bitterly 1973; quarter of an hour later the life- the starboard side, water filled her cold with visibility extremely poor in the boat Elizabeth Rippon (a 46' 9" Watson cabin and her freeboard was much heavy hail and snow showers. cabin lifeboat) slipped her moorings with reduced. The crew of six, four men and For this service, a silver medal has a crew of seven. two girls, were clinging to the cabin roof been awarded to Coxswain John King. The wind was west south west force on the port side. The thanks of the Institution inscribed 7-8 with a very rough sea and heavy Coxswain Berry was more than on vellum have been awarded to Second south west swell. The weather was over- aware of the extremely dangerous Coxswain George Traves, Bowman cast with heavy rain squalls, visibility nature of the area, but without regard Denis Atkins, Motor Mechanic was poor and it was the fourth hour of for these dangers he closed Bacchus at Roderick Stott, Acting Assistant the flood, spring/neap tides. slow speed, bent on the rescue of the Mechanic Anthony Ayre, and Crew After a very rough passage of two- survivors. Some 100 yards off the yacht, Members Fred Walkington and Kenneth and-a-half miles, the casualty, a French the lifeboat grounded four times on Bentley. yacht Bacchus, was sighted half a mile submerged rocks before clearing them. ahead, about three cables east of La Recovering from this setback the Sambue rock at 9.08. This area, with its coxswain closed the yacht, removing many outcrops of rock, is notoriously the six survivors at the first attempt and dangerous and requires precision naviga- leaving the partly submerged yacht at South Western Division tion in daylight, to say nothing of anchor at 9.18. navigating at night in reduced visibility The Fire Service Zodiac had launched and gale conditions. Fourteen parachute to assist the yacht from the landing near Rescue from the Rocks flares were expended in the locating of La Motte. The sea conditions, however, the yacht, the subsequent rescue of proved somewhat overhelming for this RED FLARES sighted in a position one survivors and the return passage clear small boat and her crew of three were and a half miles south east of St Helier, of La Sambue. taken aboard the lifeboat and the Jersey, were reported to the deputy Bacchus was at anchor lying head to Zodiac towed astern for the return launching authority of the St Helier wind and sea, lifting heavily to her passage to St Helier. Station by a member of the public at cable and sheering violently about. She Coxswain Berry retraced his track 133 through the narrow passage with the at 12.17 a.m. She appeared to be run- through heavy seas and the harbour was assistance of parachute flares fired from ning south east before the weather under entered at 2.46. the States launch Duchess of Normandy power, but, like the lifeboat, she was For this service, a bronze medal has manned by the harbour master, being continually swept overall. With been awarded to Acting Coxswain honorary secretary Captain Taylor, and her high sides and shallow draft she was Thomas Rowley and medal service three crew members hastily recruited. at the mercy of wind and sea. certificates to Bowman Kenneth Eade, The launch had stood by in the channel Acting Coxswain Rowley took the Motor Mechanic Allen Rennard, Assist- throughout the service to give assistance lifeboat round the casualty, ex-HDML ant Mechanic Dennis Dobson and Crew if needed. Eun Mara an Tar, to assess the situation, Members George Plummer, William The lifeboat Elizabeth Rippon re- and the skipper told him that his steering Elliott and Barry McNally. turned to station at 10.10 under reduced gear had broken down; he had a jury speed. rig—two wrenches on the stocks—but For this service, a silver medal has he could only run before the seas. He been awarded to Coxswain Michael was prepared to abandon ship. Edward Berry, and the thanks of the With the wind north north west, Scotland South Division Institution inscribed on vellum to force 10, with heavy breaking seas and Assistant Mechanic Dennis Aubert and heavy swell, Acting Coxswain Rowley Crew Members Alan Alexandre, David feared risk to life if he tried to take the Blue Peter Aubert, Robin Stevens, David Mills and crew off at that time. Eun Mara an Tar Barry Sallows. still had power, and he considered, TWO MEMBERS of the North Berwick, quite rightly, that the most effective East Lothian, inshore lifeboat crew, way of saving life was by trying to tow Benjamin Pearson and Alexander the vessel. Russell, have both been awarded the Several attempts were made to pass a RNLl's bronze medal for gallantry for North Eastern Division heaving line to the casualty, but without rescuing a man who was in difficulties result. Eventually Acting Coxswain on July 26 last year. A third member Rowley took the lifeboat under the of the crew, James Pearson, has been Broken Steering Gear starboard bow of Eun Mara an Tar and awarded the thanks of the Institution a tow was passed. inscribed on vellum and the boathouse ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1973, Second Cox- Towing began at 12.45. At 1.13 the attendant, Thomas Brown, has received swain Rowley at Scarborough, York- tow line parted. Eun Mara an Tar paid a letter of appreciation signed by the shire (the coxswain being away on off the wind and headed in a south Director of the RNLI, Captain Nigel holiday), was informed at 11.22 p.m. by easterly direction. Thomas Rowley took Dixon, RN. the duty officer of the lighthouse that the lifeboat round with great difficulty The North Berwick inshore lifeboat, red flares had been sighted off the in the heavy seas and re-connected the w hich is known as Blue Peter III because Castle. He immediately telephoned to tow. In the next 30 minutes the tow she was provided by the sale of paper- the deputy launching authority who, in parted three times, each time due to the back books collected by viewers of the turn, consulted the local Coastguard; force of the weather; and each time famous BBC programme, was launched they advised a launch. The maroons Eun Mara an Tar swung round on to a when, at 3 p.m., a lady ran up to were fired and the 37' lifeboat, J. G. south easterly heading requiring the Thomas Brown and told him that Graves of Sheffield, was launched at repetition of the difficult task of passing several bathers were in difficulty in East 11.35. under her bow to re-connect. Bay; this is to the east of North Berwick It was four hours after high water; the At 1.44 Acting Coxswain Rowley Harbour, some 500 yards from the wind was north north west force 8; sea told the skipper that should the tow inshore lifeboat station. The wind was rough with a heavy swell. Acting part again, his crew would have to north easterly force 2; the tide was Coxswain Rowley, keeping in the lee abandon ship. Fortunately it did not three hours ebb and setting in a north of the harbour and Castle Point, set come to this. Slow progress was made north easterly direction; the sea was course towards the area indicated off the Castle, but nothing was seen. By now the lifeboat was well clear of the lee and was feeling the full force of North Berwick ILB Blue Peter III crew meet BBC 'Blue Peter' team when they received their 'Blue Peter' gold badges during the programme on December 20, 1973. (Left to right): Peter the weather. The wind had strengthened Purves, Benjamin Pearson, James Pearson, Alexander Russell, Lesley Judd and John Noakes. to force 9 and the lifeboat was rolling photograph by courtesy of the British Broadcasting Corporation heavily and taking water on deck and in the cockpit. At 11.50 Flumborough Coastguard told the lifeboat that the vessel firing flares was reported to be about one and a half to two miles off Cayton Bay. With this new information, Acting Coxswain Rowley set course to the Cayton Bay area, keeping inshore in the hope of reaching the casualty should she be going ashore. The weather was deteriorating all the time and the wind had reached a good force 10. At 11.56, when almost off Cayton Bay, the lifeboat observed a white flare to the east of the area. The acting coxswain ordered that a parachute flare be fired. It was answered by an amber flare, and the position of the casualty was estimated as some four miles to seaward. Altering course towards this position, the lifeboat saw the lights of the casualty 134 X(SjBq jaaj siq 'ssoB[d u; UIIMS oj pBq UOSJB3J ssuiBf PUB uosjBaj uiuiBfuag an/g 'UMOU>[ jou SBM japjnoqs siq Sq U3A3 pUB '[[BJ ,9 JSAO SI UOSpJBqOI>[ •pauMOjp oj Xjnfui aqj jo juajxa aqj puB pajsnBq qjia)! 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anjg, aqj Suunp '£^,61 'QI a3qui333Q 'XBpsjnqx uo 'juaiusAaiqoB SuipuBjsjno joj PJBMB jsaqSiq sji 'aSpBq pjoS 4s4J3jaj an[g, P3AI3D3J M3JO 3qj JO SJ3qUI3UI 33Jqj J[V •UBuijsod B si 'uMOjg SBUioqx 'j sjoqs aqj puB J3SS3Jpjreq B si 'apBjj Xq uauuaqsij qjoq able to touch bottom. Jack Barrett, being shorter, admits to being quite frightened as he struggled across the current. Meanwhile, on board the lifeboat, the end of the second veering line was at hand and a heavy nylon berthing rope had to be made fast to it. The whole line was now being swept in a great bight down tide behind the two rescuers as Keith Richardson reached the speed- boat. He found two men, one of whom had an artificial leg and was already suffering from shock and exposure, as well as two boys and a girl. He decided to stay to reassure and assist them while James Barrett returned to the lifeboat to report the situation to the coxswain. On the return journey, James Barrett had difficulty in holding on to the life- line, as it had now sunk and buried itself in the soft sand. Once again he had to make the precarious journey of over one cable with the very uneven bottom and waves about 3' in height Helmsman Donald Jones (right) has been awarded a bronze medal and Crew Member Paul frequently knocking him off his feet. Frost a medal service certificate for the rescue, in a force 7 gusting 9 wind, of two boys cut off by the tide. photograph by courtesy of Philip Micheu On arriving back at the lifeboat he found she was beginning to lift, and, after hearing James Barrett's report, the coxswain decided that if he could now A508, manned by Helmsman Denis to a waiting ambulance and taken to get off the sand bank he would be able Faro and Crew Member Ronald Needle, hospital. to close the casualty. At that moment was launched within five minutes. A For this service a bronze medal has the port engine throttle control cable south south west force 7 wind against been awarded to Helmsman Denis Faro parted, and so all manoeuvring from the first of the spring ebb tide had and a medal service certificate to Crew then on had to be accomplished on the whipped up heavy, confused seas off Member Ronald Needle. starboard engine only. the harbour entrance and in the vicinity Keith Richardson, meanwhile, was of Langstone bar, and, after becoming laying out the speedboat's anchor to airborne twice on clearing the harbour Scotland South Division windward to prevent the boat being entrance, the ILB had to reduce speed. washed over the sand and sinking in the Having shown Jo of Ryde's position Escort for Lobster Boat deeper swatch beyond. By 11 p.m. the by a smoke marker, the SAR helicopter lifeboat had manoeuvred her way to landed at Hayling Coastguard lookout A LOBSTER FISHING VESSEL, AmiddS of within 5 yards of the casualty and the to conserve fuel; but the ILB lost con- Castleton, was known to be fishing west survivors were taken on board within tact with the casualty, so the helicopter of Islay, Hebrides, with a crew of two five minutes. They were all treated for took off again, re-located the yacht and on Thursday, September 27, 1973. shock and exposure and were finally hovered over her until the ILB came When, at 5.20 p.m., with the westerly landed at Walton by 11.40; from there within sighting distance, at 5.56. wind at storm force, she had not the handicapped survivor was taken to Jo of Ryde was lying bow to sea on a returned to port, the Coastguard alerted hospital and the remainder returned dragging anchor and the ILB approached the honorary secretary of the Islay home. The lifeboat re-secured to her to within 15' astern whilst it was ex- station. Francis W. Wotherspoon of moorings at 12.37 a.m. plained how her crew would be taken Paisley was launched at full flood, with For this service, the bronze medal for off. The first attempt to put the bow of high seas, heavy rain and visibility gallantry has been awarded to Assistant the ILB alongside was unsuccessful, but down to 35 yards. At 6.50 Amidas was Mechanic Keith Richardson and Crew at the second attempt both men were found two miles due west of Rhuvael Member Jack Barrett, and the thanks of safely taken on board. As one of the and escorted back to the safety of Port the Institution inscribed on vellum to men was suffering from a suspected rib Askaig. The lifeboat returned to her Coxswain Frank Bloom. fracture and the other had had his foot station by 8.45. jammed in some of the yacht's gear, it was a manoeuvre of considerable difficulty; nevertheless, it was accom- North Western Division South Eastern Division plished in about seven seconds and the ILB cleared the yacht at 6.01 to return Boys on a Perch Injured Yachtsman to station. By this time the wind was estimated ON HEARING from the Coastguard that SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1973, was overcast to be gusting to force 9 from the south two boys were cut off by the tide and with rain squalls when, at 5.35 p.m., the south west and the sea was very rough were clinging to the perch marking the deputy launching authority of Eastney and confused. Approaching Langstone sewer outfall between Rhyl and Pres- station, Hampshire, was informed by Harbour the ILB partially broached to tatyn (Flintshire), the Rhyl honorary Hayling Island Coastguard that a heli- and shipped a considerable quantity of secretary immediately assembled his copter from the SAR flight, HMS water. In recovering she was pooped, crew. It was 5.46 p.m. on August 7, Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent, attending the but, with skilful handling by her helms- 1973, half an hour before high water. yacht Jo of Ryde three miles south south man and with her well-designed freeing After discussion it was decided to use west of Eastney Point, was unable to ports, the water quickly cleared and she the ILB as the lifeboat would not be lift her two crew clear owing to their was able to negotiate the harbour able to reach the perch at that state of injuries. entrance safely. By 6.20 she was back the tide. The Eastney 18' McLachlan ILB on station. Both survivors were landed Visibility was good, but the wind was 136 west force 7 gusting 9, with broken as the wind was beginning to lift the friendly greeting, and the owner, his cloud. There was heavy surf on the bow. wife and their passenger were becoming beach, estimated up to 5-6' in height, Although the boat could not plane desperate and exhausted. The catamaran and a heavy swell clear of the beach. with so much weight aboard there was was taken in tow at 3.30 and reached the Donald Jones and Paul Frost volun- no difficulty in beaching at 6.17. Five safety of Dover harbour at 4.50. The teered to attempt the rescue in the minutes later the ILB arrived back at the lifeboat returned to her station at 5.41. ILB; if they failed the offshore lifeboat boathouse by road. The two boys were would follow up. none the worse for their experience and were returned to Robin Hood Camp, Launching conditions were extremely South Western Division bad. Immediately the ILB left the drive- Rhyl, also by road. off trolley at 5.58 she was filled with For this service a bronze medal has water and could not get up sufficient been awarded to Helmsman Donald Combined Operation speed to clear the surf quickly. Fearing Jones and a medal service certificate to she would be set back on to the beach, Crew Member Paul Frost. THE DEPUTY LAUNCHING AUTHORITY of the shore crew followed into the water, Appledore, North Devon, was informed but the ILB was just able to make at 3.26 a.m., on Wednesday, September headway to seaward, cleared the surf Eastern Division 19, 1973, that a yacht was in distress 28 and turned down wind. After that she miles to the west of the lifeboat station. had no difficulty in running down to the The weather conditions were severe in Rhyl-Prestatyn border, clearing herself Gear Box Failure the area, with very high seas, squally of water through her self-bailer as she rain and a strong north-westerly gale went. ON SUNDAY, September 16, 1973, a local force wind, occasionally gusting up to Within five minutes of launching the fisherman at Wells, Norfolk, informed 50 knots, as well as a flood tide. Jesse ILB arrived in the vicinity of the perch. the coxswain's wife that the 54' fishing Lumb, on temporary duty at the station, This perch, a post with a cage on top, vessel Graceful Lady, on passage from was launched at 3.45 and the harbour is at the end of a level concrete wall Great Yarmouth to Wells, was stranded bar was crossed without too much extending about 100 yards from shore. on the east side of Wells harbour difficulty. The worst conditions were The height of the concrete at the sea- entrance with three people on board. experienced in the Hartland Point area. ward end is at present about 5', but this The lifeboat, Ernest Tom Neathercoat, The casualty, reached at 7.31, was varies considerably from time to time. was launched at 9.55 p.m. in fine the 35' yacht Chong Peng from The two boys had climbed the post and weather, good visibility and a slight sea Littlehampton, bound from the south were clinging to the cage. The concrete with a north east swell. The ILB was coast to Milford Haven. After requesting was covered but was showing in the also launched to assist in taking a line the MV Dublin, which was standing by trough of the surf; it would have been to the casualty. Chong Peng, to fire a flare, a tow line impossible to walk ashore for another When the lifeboat came up alongside, was put aboard at 7.32. The tow started hour and a half, by which time the boys it was found that Graceful Lady's gear successfully but the line became de- would have been marooned for nearly box had broken down while entering tached at 8.20 and a member of Jesse three hours and Helmsman Jones did harbour; the boat had grounded and Lumb'?, crew was put aboard to make it not think they could hold on that long. started to take in water. The three secure. Finding Chong Peng's two crew fishermen were taken off at 10.09 and both sick and distressed, a helicopter By now it was high water. There was landed ten minutes later. The lifeboat was called to land them. a large area of broken water around the returned to her station at 10.40. The tow was then resumed, but perch and concrete over the sewer. Chong Peng's engine was finally re- About 100 yards to leeward is a started and she was able to motor to groyne. Clear of the broken water the Ilfracombe, under escort, arriving there wave height was 6-8' from trough to South Eastern Division at 1.50 p.m. The lifeboat remained in crest and estimated at about 40' from Ilfracombe until 5.35 to await a suitable trough to trough. Catamaran in Distress flood for crossing the bar, and returned The helmsman decided to put the to her station at 8 p.m. bow of the ILB against the perch to A WELL-REEFED CATAMARAN making For this service the coxswain and pick the boys up; an approach which heavy weather two-and-a-half miles off crew were sent a letter of appreciation allowed the stern of the boat to remain St Margaret's, Kent, was seen by the from the Director, Captain Nigel in deep water clear of the concrete. One Coastguard at 9.10 a.m. on Sunday, Dixon, RN. dummy approach was made from lee- October 21, 1973. Dover lifeboat ward and the ILB then turned for the station was put on alert, but it was not first run. As the bow was brought up until 2.18 p.m. that a Korean trawler to the perch Crew Member Frost pulled reported the catamaran to be in real Western Division the first boy into the boat. The ILB was trouble seven-and-a-half miles from the blown back and when clear turned for station on a bearing of 170°. The lifeboat Stolen Yacht another run. Again the run was perfectly Faithful Forester was launched immedi- timed and the second boy was dragged ately. It was just before low water and A YACHT was seen to be in difficulty just into the boat, just 11 minutes after the sea was rough with a strong to near outside New Quay harbour, Car- launching. gale force north north westerly wind. diganshire, one-and-a-half miles from By this time the ILB was again full of The catamaran, reached at 3.10, was the station on a bearing of 070° on water which, with the weight of the identified as Jeanine of Hamble on Wednesday, September 19, 1973. Within crew and two survivors on board, passage from Hamble to Queenborough ten minutes, at 9.35 a.m., the lifeboat, proved impossible to clear; so the with a crew of three. Her sails had been Birds Eye, was launched in a rough sea honorary secretary instructed the ILB to ripped by the heavy winds of the and flood tide; the wind was strong to beach at Splash Point, about half a mile previous day and night and her engine near gale force north north westerly. west of the perch, where there was some had failed. Unfortunately she carried no When the lifeboat reached her at 9.55, shelter. flares or signal flags to call for assistance the yacht was identified as Susie Wong, The helmsman started back up wind and had been drifting more or less an old-time gaff cutter from Aberyst- with the crew and one boy right for- helplessly for many hours. The crew wyth. The weather was rapidly deterior- ward ; the other boy was brought further had tried to attract the attention of ating. The yacht, although sailing on a aft to get some protection, but he had passing ships, but all to no avail; their to be moved forward again immediately waving anoraks had been taken as a continued on page 149 137 ensure its place on many bookshelves as a work of reference. The general plan of the book is a little uneasy, although the author's line of thought is clear. Possibly a rather more explanatory list of contents would help the browser. From the tremendous achievements of the lone ocean voyagers the text reverts to the (comparatively) humble dinghies and their helmsmen and on to the single-mindedness and expertise of high-speed sailing. REVIEWS The cruising chapters make excellent reading and contain sage advice. Except that the author's remarks on safety at sea leave his meaning somewhat • 'In the lifeboat service people are all difficult to make a choice from the many obscure, as if he nearly went a little important.' With this, the opening outstanding examples of fine seaman- farther but thought better of it. Cer- sentence of his foreword, Patrick ship and courageous endurance in the tainly it will be generally agreed that Howarth sets the pattern of his latest long history of sea rescue. The services safety at sea does not mean liferafts, and most intriguing book on the RNLI, to the Rohilla, fine as they were, might per- lifebelts, flares and other emergency Lifeboats and Lifeboat People (White haps have been omitted on this occasion equipment. These are the last resort. Lion Publishers, £1.95). People come in favour of some lesser known epic. The Safety begins before proceeding to sea, first, and although it would be easy to story of the Indian Chief, however, with seamanlike inspection of gear, suggest that this is merely a mani- insists upon a place. The rescue of 11 careful navigational planning and festation of expertise in public relations, men from the stranded vessel in January thought for the comfort and well-being those who have known the author over 1881 must rank as one of the most of the crew. In fact, the forethought the 20 or more years of his pre-occupa- courageous and determined services which is second nature to the pro- tion with the lifeboat service will testify ever performed and the account pub- fessional seaman but which still needs that his interest is intensely human. lished in The Daily Telegraph at the fostering in the amateur sailor. We begin by meeting an attractive time was an inspired piece of fine The chapter on yachting journals and cross-section of people who are deeply writing. By an unusual navigational journalism will no doubt help to add to involved in lifeboat work and from the error Mr Howarth has put the Indian the reader's interest and enjoyment of details of their lives it is easy to trace Chief on the Goodwin sands; in fact she articles on sea subjects. And for good the ties which bind them all together. stranded on Long Sand head. measure there are some splendid illus- The selection of biographies must have The rescue of the crew of the Greek trations.—E.W.M. been extremely difficult, for the lifeboat vessel Nafsiporos by the Holyhead and service has attracted the allegiance of so Moelfre lifeboats could hardly have • Motor Yachting and Boating, by many intensely interesting people. been excluded on any count. Two gold Peter Heaton (Pelham Books, £5), is a Indeed, for those of us who meet old medals were awarded for this outstand- very comprehensive study of the subject friends here there is no little regret on ing service, Dick Evans, coxswain of and provides a good deal more than dis- reaching the end of Part One. For those the Moelfre boat, gaining a bar to the interested advice to the man or woman to whom 'The people' come as strangers one he won in the service to the Hindlea. with a growing urge to own a motor it will be a happy occasion to meet the In his account of this really remarkable yacht. Peter Heaton has considerable representatives of coxswains, honorary co-operation between two lifeboats Mr experience not only of the yachting secretaries, fund-raisers, RNLI staff Howarth tells the story of the only scene but of writing about it, too. He and boatbuilders, all of whom contri- English-speaking member of the Moelfre has set out to give the uninformed bute an essential part of the work of the crew who remarked on the courtesy of enthusiast all the details necessary to lifeboat service. his Welsh-speaking shipmates who help him make the right decisions and, The lifeboats themselves are briefly confined themselves to English for his having made them, go afloat with a but clearly dealt with in Part Two, which benefit. A former coxswain of Moelfre reasonable chance of avoiding disaster. in some 20 pages reviews the progress of was once describing the rescue of some It would be churlish to complain of design and construction from the foreign seamen and ended with the the book containing too much informa- 'Original' of 1790 to the Arun Class of remark, 'Proper heathens they were; tion or dealing with too many aspects of the 1970s, together with the ubiquitous didn't speak a word of English'! You the endless ramifications of seafaring inshore lifeboats including the new 21' need a sense of humour in lifeboat work. for pleasure but there must be some Atlantic type. The tremendous advances All those enthusiastic supporters of people who will end up by saying, 'It made in the last decade or so are the lifeboat service, ashore and afloat, can't be necessary to know all that!' Of emphasised and there are some very at home and abroad, will certainly get course it is necessary and although the impressive illustrations. much pleasure from reading this book. introduction suggests that it is not Part Three deals with the equipment In this 'Year of the Lifeboat' it is to be essential to use seafaring terms like port of modern lifeboats and here the great hoped that many other people, having and starboard the beginner would be changes that have taken place in recent read it, will become equally enthusiastic well advised to become familiar with the years are even more apparent. From and valuable supporters, too.—E.W.M. terminology of the sea. The Inter- the compass, leadline and drogue with national Regulations for Preventing which crews were content not many Collisions at Sea uses them and a years ago the boats now boast a mass of 0 Boating Britain, by Peter Johnson thorough knowledge of the regulations sophisticated instruments. Hardly the (Nautical Publishing, £4.90) is indeed a is essential for the master of any sea- sort of thing generally associated with highly entertaining, up-to-the-minute going craft. All the literature of the sea horny-handed seamen perhaps, but review of the yachting and boating also uses the same terms. lifeboatmen have taken all the electronic scene and contains a great deal of fact An old—not to say ancient—hand complications in their stride and have and a certain amount of amusing fable. found a great deal of interesting up-to- still kept their traditional hardiness. Even the most knowledgeable of sport- date information, some of which came The final section of the book deals ing seafarers may undoubtedly glean as a surprise. As, for instance, the sort of with the essence of lifeboat work, the much of interest from its pages and the speeds now considered necessary for 'a actual rescues. It must have been very comprehensive index will serve to family cruiser', one version claiming 138 34 mph! It is to be hoped that father her. A prospective owner would do well addition to any sea-library—in spite of does not allow little Willie to take the to explore the possibility of getting a the author's rather pessimistic forecast wheel unless there is plenty of sea room. mooring in a reasonably suitable place of the speed with which books go out of Many attractive vessels are described in before buying a vessel. The exercise may date.—E.VV.M. some detail and the lines of the sturdy well affect his decision. Harbours are Cheverton work-boats will catch many not getting crowded; they have got! Lifeboat Enthusiasts' discerning eyes. Some excellent illustrations together Society January Newsletter Not everyone will agree with the with chapters on every aspect of motor MEMBERS ARE advised that due to pro- suggestion that having bought a boat yachting and boating, including power- duction difficulties distribution has been you proceed to find somewhere to keep boat racing, make this a handsome delayed.
the list. There is also talk of a balloon covers, which sold like hot cakes! One race. well-known person was heard at Life- Further, and almost the last, on the boat House to say that it was such a very Tesco Green Shield stamp scheme is good idea—really money for old rope! that the north have indeed equalled, Finally, one old item: the national as was hoped, the figure for the south, balloon race final result is £2,587.81— with another million and a quarter how many remember the terrible job of Central blowing up all the balloons those years stamps collected. The national sponsored swim has ago? And one new item: a proposed now reached £19,909: with only one or national darts tournament, details of Appeals two more results to come, shall we reach which will appear in the summer the £20,000? journal if the preliminary investigations The Jimmy Savile project involving show that it is both feasible and money- Committee schools has been a slow starter, but at raising. last some results are coming in—with For those wishing to get in touch with £947 to date. Also getting off the ground the secretary or chairman of the Central 'THE YEAR OF THE LIFEBOAT' is getting is the project mentioned in the January Central Appeals Committee from out- off to an excellent start, if the Central journal being organised by the Guides, side the London area the dialling code Appeals Committee's projects are any- Brownies and Rangers under the good is 0689, the number being 38209. Inside thing to go by—although it was a great auspices of the Guide Friendship Fund: the London area the dialling is 66 38209. disappointment that owing to the fuel their target is £5,000 for an inshore The address is 126a High Street, crisis, the Midnight Matinee at the lifeboat. Orpington, Kent—D.M.R. Victoria Palace planned for March Knit-ins have already raised the had to be postponed indefinitely. The grand sum of £1,477.65, and not all Civic Heads Appeal is receiving very results have yet come in by a long way. good and encouraging support, as is There is still another nine months to go. 'Operation Lifeboat', the national Scout It is one of those projects where, be you project in which it is hoped that 200,000 ever so humble and retiring, a group boys will take part in various ways to can get together and have a jolly good raise the sum of £100,000 for a new life- evening—or even a morning—and not boat. Reports are already coming in of only raise money by being yourself an enthusiastic reception of this event, sponsored, but also by the sale of the with plans being made to run all kinds article made by putting together all the of events. Sponsored cycle rides, either squares or strips knitted. It has been along the coast or, for inland troops, to reported that after one knit-in the strips the nearest point by the sea, are high on knitted were made into dog basket
As a forerunner to 'Operation Lifeboat', Devon Scouts visited Plymouth lifeboat station on December 8, 1973, when they were taken out in Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse for practical demonstrations: on steering (right), with Coxswain John Dare; in seamanship on the after deck (left) with Crew Member John Sheldon; and in electronic equipment (below, right), with Mechanic Cyril Alcock. photographs by courtesy of the Scout Association
139 (Some
Martin and Nigel Lutt raised £.33 for the Leighton branch with their own exhibition of model aircraft and soldiers. photograph by courtesy of the 'Beds, and Bucks. Observer' sold on the verandah, with ice-cream Who would have thought that the stall placed in a vulnerable position Battle of Waterloo would provide funds close by. There were 147 entries for for the RNLI? Given two imaginative the competitions and a cup donated by schoolboys and a sympathetic aunt, Mr Duncan for the open entry was anything is possible. Nigel Lutt, 12, had presented by the chairman of Troon collected and painted enough model lifeboat committee. The amount raised soldiers to reconstruct part of the battle For the past two years, Mrs Patricia for the RNLI: £450. scene, making his own scenery; his Duncan has held hunter trials in her 10-year-old brother, Martin, contributed garden in aid of the RNLI. Her daughter One of the most successful fund- 30 model vintage aircraft he had made; and gardener made the jumps—last raising events held each year in Wales is their aunt allowed herself to be per- year they even achieved a water jump, the Sunday luncheon organised by the suaded into opening her flat to the public as well as different shapes and styles Cardiff ladies' guild. For the last three for three days; and the result was an through the woods, across the lawn years it has taken place at Atlantic exhibition that raised £33 for the and through the paddocks. The local College, St Donat's Castle, overlooking Leighton branch. The boys decorated riding club provided the jump judges, the Bristol Channel, on a Sunday at the the walls of the flat with posters, leaflets starters and time-keepers, and local and end of July or in August. Over the past and books about the historic battle and surrounding riding members turned out six years it has become one of the prepared their own publicity literature, in strength. Well-known firms were principal events in the Cardiff calendar while their aunt provided refreshments asked to sponsor jumps; the tyre jump, and, generally, there is a waiting list for for the visitors. No entry fee was for instance, was sponsored by the any of the 500 tickets that might be charged, visitors were just asked to give motor garage, and the water jump by returned at the last moment. Last year what they liked, and extra money was Tarbert Boatyard. The garage was £650 was raised for lifeboat funds. This raised from the sale of RNLI souvenirs. turned into a snack bar serving hot active guild is also to be congratulated soup, rolls and coffee; there were side on their 1973 street and house collec- shows on the house lawn; and a saddler tion, which proved to be the first in Seahouses lifeboat mechanic recently set up his tent. RNLI souvenirs were Wales to exceed £1,000. received a donation of £19 through the post from as far afield as South Korea. Hunter trials in the garden of Mrs Duncan, president of Troon ladies' guild. Captain Storey, whose ship sails in photograph by courtesy of Douglas Studio those waters, was approached by his crew to accept this contribution before they were paid off and flown home. Captain Storey's home is in the North East of England, and it is reckoned that altogether he has sent Seahouses about £100.
The City Varieties Theatre, Leeds, famous as the home of the BBC's pro- gramme 'The Good Old Days', was full to capacity one Monday night last spring when the Wetherby Round Table took over the entire theatre and the cast appearing there that week for a special evening performance. Lucky souvenir programmes were sold as well, and at the end of the evening a cheque for £500 was presented to the RNLI; a handsome contribution to Yorkshire- based lifeboats in celebration of the 150th anniversary. 140 A sponsored 'toddle' round the school by the infants' class of Danehill Church of England School, Danehill, near Haywards Heath, raised the splendid sum of £6. The children were aged between four and six years.
During its lifetime of 20 years, the Stanmore branch ladies' guild must have raised a hidden 'bonus' of something like £1,000. The guild meets once a fort- night for an afternoon's sewing and knitting, preparing for its annual bazaar. At each meeting a charge is made for tea, and the hostess for the afternoon provides a small prize for a raffle; and so funds mount up while goods are produced for sale. There are Last August Taunton four silver badge-holders in the branch— achieved a total of £227 for Mrs Q. H. Boutwood, Mrs G. H. Brewer, the RNLI with a 'Mile of Mrs J. Church and Mrs D. Haynes—as Money'. First off the mark was the Mayor, hzre seen well as four members who have received laying his coins on the letters of thanks. When, a few years tape . . . ago, sub-standard RNLI tea towels were photograph by courtesy offered for sale, the Stanmore ladies of Jack Beale snapped them up and made them into aprons, with large pockets, which are now worn by the 'crew' at all lifeboat functions.
A most generous cheque for £22.78 has been received from the Shropshire Voluntary Association for the Blind. It represents donations from the blind And another £227—with people and their friends who attend the 75p extra—was collected by association's socials and classes. Mr Swift of The Blue Posts, Newman Street, London, Wl. He raised this A farmer and two of his friends, a magnificent sum since July farm contractor and a farm worker, 1972 by using his lifeboat who walked from John o' Groats to box as a 'swear box' and by Land's End, raised nearly £900 which holding an annual Christ- they presented to John King, coxswain mas raffle. It was received of the Bridlington lifeboat. They are by Mrs Heather Hodges, Christopher Marshall, Robert Dolphin secretary of the central London women's commit- and Colin Robinson, known as 'The tee. Black Swan Walkers'. The Black Swan is their 'local' at Beeford, near Bridling- ton, where the idea for the walk started. From Bridlington they took a bottle of Yorkshire liqueur to the lifeboat station at Wick, where it was handed over in exchange for a bottle of malt whisky. This they carried to Sennen Cove where it was exchanged for a bottle of Cornish mead, which they finally gave to the Bridlington crew: full circle. At their Army Air Day 1973 last July at their base in For the past two years the organisers Middle Wallop, Hampshire, of the Hawarden, Flintshire, harvest the Army Air Corps raised festival have given a donation to the more than £2,000 for the local branch of the RNLI: the total- RNLI. The money is to be file. used at the inshore life- boat station, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. In apprecia- Friday the 13th—unlucky? Not for tion of this tremendous the Portchester branch, Hampshire, effort, Anthony Oliver, because on Friday, July 13, Wicor- Southern District Organis- marine Ball, organised by Christopher ing Secretary, presented a Waddington, raised £700. Chay Blyth plaque to the Commandant Army Air Corps Centre, and his crew of Great Britain H were Middle Wallop, Brigadier guests of honour. During 1972-1973 Maurice Sutcliffe, together the branch fund totalled £1,600; a with a letter of thanks from cheese and wine party in aid of the the Director of the RNLI, Hampshire Rose appeal held ijj Port- Captain Nigel Dixon, RN.
141 In competitions with life- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, as boat themes for children a Westminster resident, sent a handbag; organised by London Co-op, and Mr Edward Heath sent a record, winner of the painting signed, of a recent concert that he had section for children under 11 was Gerald F/ynn, and for conducted. The tombola made a grand the essay section for child- total of £850. ren aged 11-16 Carolyn Williams. Mrs E. A. Mewis, Director and Vice-Chair- As a result of the efforts of staff and man of the Board of pupils of Torrells School, a grand total London Co-op, and John A tier ton, Deputy Director of £210 was raised for the RNLI during of the RNLI, examine the 1973 in Grays, Essex. prize-winning painting. In six months, a collection of Co-op blue stamps has Shrewsbury branch broke all its raised £.392 towards a new previous records during 1972-1973, both ILB. for its flag day, taking £600, and its overall collection for the RNLI, £1,500. There are four serving members of the committee who have received 'lifeboat men' awards: the chairman, Mrs J. Tombling, Mrs Barnwell (secretary for Chester Sailing Club made a profit of The Westminster Chamber of Com- over 20 years and still serving on the £100, and races for pennants organised merce invited the RNLI to run a committee), Mrs Saint and Miss by the Sailing Club itself raised £16. tombola in aid of its funds at their Williams. annual dinner and dance held at The Inn on the Park, Park Lane. As the The grand sum of £109 was raised by chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Having already raised the money for the newly formed ladies' section of the lives in Bracknell, Berkshire, Bracknell a new inshore lifeboat at Tenby, Moreton-in-Marsh and District branch were invited to 'have a go'. The Chamber Pembrokeshire, the Rag Committee at at a coifee morning organised by Miss of Commerce indicated that they hoped Harper Adams Agricultural College, S. M. Brackenbury and held at the to see a stall of about 500 prizes, to Newport, Shropshire, has now given Manor House Hotel by kind permission which a number of their own members another £600 to help towards her of J. R. Blanchard, vice-president. generously contributed. Her Majesty running costs.
SURPLUS CASH deposit, but this is only possible when Coming Events dealing in relatively large amounts. WHENEVER the Institution has any cash Therefore, any honorary treasurers Safe Anchorage: Festival of Flowers to surplus to immediate requirements, it who have cash in the branch bank celebrate RNLI 150th Anniversary, is put on deposit with the London accounts surplus to their immediate Hyde Chapel, Gee Cross, Hyde, money market. The best possible rates needs are requested to remit this to Cheshire, July 12-14. Details from Mrs of interest are obtained by 'shopping Head Office as soon as possible. This E. B. Higginbotham, 104Dowson Road, around' to get the 'best buy' from a will enable the Institution to make the Hyde. (061 368 3318). selected list of reputable City banks and best use (and most money) from any Caithness Sea Angling Association finance houses. surplus cash. Annual Festival, September 19 - 21, Recently interest rates on call and The Institution is very grateful to organised with Thurso ladies' guild. All short-term deposits have been high. those honorary treasurers who have proceeds for local lifeboat. Details Usually these rates are considerably already arranged to remit surplus cash from Jim Mackay (CSAA), 50 Castle- higher than those obtainable on bank to Head Office regularly. green Road, Thurso, Caithness.
WITH deep regret we announce the death Aguilla Wren; his most hazardous time LIFEBOAT PEOPLE on January 24 of Mrs Patricia Rickard. when, in his own fishing coble, he towed Mrs Rickard (left) had worked for the a mine ashore for defusing by the Navy. RNLI since 1961, was a member of the London ladies' bridge committee and David Aubrey, honorary secretary of six years ago founded the Droitwich Port Talbot ILB Station, has been ladies' lifeboat guild. On December 31 awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study she heard she had been awarded a silver inshore rescue methods. He hopes to badge for outstanding service, but was travel to the United States, spending never to receive it personally. Much most of his time there with the US loved for herself, and much valued for Coastguard. her work, she will be greatly missed. In the estate of the late Mrs R. M. Ron Dixon retired as coxswain of Reed, bequeathed to the RNLI, there Redcar lifeboat at the end of 1973 after were premium saving bonds to the value more than 40 years' service. He joined of £1,250 which were being retained the crew in 1932, was assistant motor until March 1974, when they had to be mechanic from 1946 to 1955, and encashed. A note came from the coxswain/mechanic from then until his executor bank last November to say retirement. Of the four lifeboats in that one of these bonds had been drawn which he served, his favourite was for a prize of £50. 142 however tired he may have been. I also remember I got the Institution's permis- * .-'"-^ '•' vr ^f v^* sion to have LIFEBOAT painted on our boat, because of daylight services to *., stricken vessels; there were enemy air- craft about but I always hoped they would leave a lifeboat alone! I believe we had about 150 services during the war; it was said we had more J%%* than any other boat, but at that time, owing to restrictions, I could not have committee meetings to report on services t/rndov nor could I disclose anything to the press, although they used to phone me at all times of the night for details of services. that we had her ship's cat for the rest We had a wonderful crew at that time Thirty-five years back of the commission of our ship, and then and the medals and vellums they found a suitable home for it in a naval received must have been a record.— dockyard where it would get, we were • Reading the winter issue of THE T. H. BALDWIN, Walcot, 60 Norwich Road, assured, VIP treatment as a cat which Cromer, Norfolk. LIFEBOAT brings back memories of, had to our knowledge sacrificed two of incredibly, nearly 35 years ago. Mem- its lives to enemy torpedoes.—D. H. ories of those hectic days may have PEARSON, CDR, RN (RETD), 21 Purbeck RAF Bond become a bit mixed up by the passage Heights, Mount Road, Parkstone, Poole, of time, but I think it was in the autumn Dorset. of 1940 and in the vicinity of Kinnaird's • In the winter issue of THE LIFEBOAT, Head that a southbound convoy was reference is made to the war years, and attacked by enemy aircraft and — we in particular to the rescue of RAF were told by a colleague of the escort — Coxswain Blogg personnel. The bond is still there. The German E-boats. It was almost dark RAFA Barry Branch can boast that and the resulting brawl was more noisy seven of its members form the full crew than effective, but one merchant ship • On seeing the photograph of H. F. of the Barry Dock lifeboat (five mem- was damaged by torpedo. After the Bailey in your last journal it brought bers, ex-RAF, and two Friend members, enemy had withdrawn we were sent back many wartime memories for me RAFA).—JOHN p. WELLS, 30 St Andrews back to assist the damaged ship, which when I was acting secretary to the Road, Barry, Glamorganshire, S. Wales. we found and towed into port. Cromer branch. I well remember I It was while we were taking this ship used to go round to Coxswain Blogg's in tow that we heard the sound of petrol house in Corner Street, and there we Spurn Point engines, and soon after saw dimly the used to make out the service reports, curiously low silhouette of a small which owing to the number of services seemed to be an almost nightly job. • The article on the Spurn Point vessel. It was positively not a friendly Lifeboat Station in the winter issue of warship, and so could only be a German When we were on petrol coupons I remember we ran out of supplementaries THE LIFEBOAT was of great nostalgic E-boat. interest to me. Almost half a century ago, We were about to act on the principle and were always asking for additional ones, which I believe the Coastguards as the first County Librarian in the East embodied in the saying 'Thrice armed Riding of Yorkshire, I had the pleasur- used to supply. No petrol was allowed is he who gets his blow in first' when our able duty of supplying books to Spurn captain began to have doubts about the to be stored in Cromer and we used to go to a village with two-gallon cans, Point—alas, quite a small number of silhouette, and, as the stranger was not books in those early library days. generally a total of 60 gallons, and Mr in a position to slip a torpedo into us Your photograph of the wind-driven without first making a large change of Blogg never left his boat until she had course and position, he decided instead been re-fuelled and was ready for service, continued on page 144 to take a chance and live up to the name of our ship, HMS Challenger. The reply to our challenge was not the correct RAF Association lifeboatmen of Barry, South Wales: Standing (left to right): John Wells official one, but its nature and the broad (assistant mechanic), Frank Wells and Norman Long (mechanic). Sitting: David Brooks, Scots accent in which it was delivered Melvyn Hobbs (coxswain), Ray Cridland and John Prigg. were even more convincing! photograph by courtesy of Peter Wilson Having established friendly relations with what was an RNLI lifeboat, we went about our tasks of clearing up the mess. I don't think we recorded the identity of the particular lifeboat at the time, but it could well have been the Fraserburgh boat. Whoever it was, the coxswain was taking a devil of a chance in getting involved in an action at sea, which must have been going at full blast when he set out — and the risks were not all from acts of the enemy ! I am sorry to be a bit vague about details, but, as I said earlier, so much happened at that time that events tend to get mixed up. I don't remember the name of the merchant ship involved, or what happened to her crew (did the lifeboat collect them?), but I do know 143 the opening weekend. The Royal RNLI at one of its major 150th anni- Western Yacht Club of England is versary events. Any Shoreline member kindly helping the RNLI in providing who would like to join the rally is the following Programme: asked to write to:
Saturday, July 20: The RNLI Exhibition Office, (i) Finish of any passage races 30 George Place, Stonehouse, arranged by individual clubs to Plymouth PL1 3NY, Plymouth. Devon (Plymouth 69124). Shoreline (ii) Race round Eddystone and per- haps one other mark: start 9 a.m. giving the following information: (iii) Yachts received in Millbay p.m. (iv) Seafaring party late p.m., in- a. Yacht's name, tonnage, length overall. Section b. Owner/Skipper's name \ RNLImem- cluding food and drink. c. Number in crew j bership nos. d. Intended attendance at which events: Sunday, July 21: Clu b PassageRace: Eddystone Race: THE BOAT SHOW at Earls Court in (i) Privileged viewing of Exhibition, Evening Party: Privilege Viewing: January went with a bang this year! (ii) Special lifeboatmen's service a.m. At Home RWYC. First there was the bomb. Luckily no in Millbay, to which yachtsmen one was injured, and the way in which will be welcome. With spring upon us, many of our everyone walked quietly and calmly (iii) Royal Western Y.C. of England members will be fitting out their boats to the exits and cleared the building in a 'At Home' to all yachtsmen 12.00. for the coming season. Please do not matter of minutes was most impressive. 'Pay for your own drinks' basis. forget to check your distress flares and Then there was the succsss of the It is very much hoped that this will replace them if necessary.—G. R. (Bob) Shoreline Stand. 365 people signed on provide the basis for an enjoyable week- Walton, Shoreline Organising Secretary as new members—one for each day of end at Plymouth coincident with (Membership), 29a Castle Street, Salis- the year. I 'signed on' the 365th, Mr yachtsmen lending their support to the bury, Wiltshire (Tel.: Salisbury 6966). Van Tijn, in the train on my way home from London to Salisbury on the last night. We were particularly pleased to welcome aboard Howard Lang, Captain Baines of the BBC television serial 'The Onedin Line', and to hear his com- ments on seafaring; apparently the BBC received congratulatory letters from all over Europe on the high degree of authenticity achieved by this pro- gramme. On the last day of the show, Member No. 165 called at the stand—the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Edward Heath. He was greatly interested in the Atlantic 21 ILB which the RNLI had on display. Elsewhere in this journal details are Heather Deane of the given of 'Lifeboat International', the RNLI Poole Office signs exhibition to be held at Plymouth from on Howard Lang: 'The July 19 to August 17. A special Yacht Onedin Line's' Captain Rally is to be held at Plymouth during Baines. Letters ... Letters ... (from page 143) trolley as the only mechanical means of the youngest of all mentioned, and them. I would be particularly interested conveying anything to the Point from officially closed in 1969; during that if anyone had any photographs which Kilnsey was especially interesting be- period a total of 1,814 lives were saved. they would be prepared to lend me. I cause it was on this vehicle that I had to This was not the end of lifesaving at will, of course, refund the postage and transport my boxes of books. Memory Caister, for since 1969 a volunteer ensure their safe return.—MRS D. s. tells me that there was never any wind service has operated and approximately COOPER, Vine Court, Bowbridge Lane, available on my visits so that I had to 15 more lives have been saved.— Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2JH. push the wretched thing there and back FRANK H. MUIRHEAD, 43 Howards Hill from Kilnsey. Nevertheless, I enjoyed West, Cramer, Norfolk. my visits to the Point and I have happy German Airmen memories of the people there.—H. j. B. % I should be pleased to hear from WOODFIELD, Beckfoot House, Carters readers who may have been involved in Lane, Ilkley, Yorkshire. Newfoundland Dogs the rescue of German airmen around • I am researching for a book on the our coasts during the war years. I would Newfoundland dog and wonder if any also like to see any photographs of these readers of THE LIFEBOAT can help me. incidents, all of which would be Caister record Newfoundlands have a well-earned returned. • From the autumn 'Notes of the reputation as life-savers and there have My brother-in-law, Ken Wakefield, Quarter' I see that Ramsgate had just been many instances of people being hopes to write a book about German air made its 2,000th rescue; congratulations rescued from drowning by these dogs. operations over this country and he is to them. I was, however disappointed to They were also kept by fishermen, to particularly interested in West Country see that Caister was not mentioned help with pulling in nets. incidents. All letters will, of course, be along with Gorleston and Holyhead. If any readers know of any particular answered.—CLIFFORD VINCENT, 6 Cano- The station was established in 1857, stories, I would be very grateful to hear wie Road, Bristol, BS6 7HS. 144 LIFESAVING IN FRANCE
The Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer 1973
NEWS HAS COME from France of the launching by the Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer of a new 15.5 m 'all seasons' lifeboat, Pierre Loti; a boat which cost over £100,000 to build. Three new 'all-weather' boats have been added to the fleet of 50, while rapid vedettes now number 90. The popular Pierre Loti, one of France's latest 'all seasons' lifeboats. and economic inflatable boats have now been increased to 310. During the two summer months last helping 941 people, assisting 481 boats support. He particularly congratulated year, when pleasure boats of all sizes and saving 123 lives. As in 1972, these Britain on the voluntary support given are most numerous, the Jeunes Sauve- young auxiliary lifesavers certainly to the RNLI and hoped his appeal teurs Qualifies (young qualified life- proved their worth. would be heard by the French people. savers) formed by the SNSM gave Statistics show that 2,710 people were Finally, he said that 350,000 pleasure valuable help: 218 were sent to special rescued during 1973: 571 of them from boats were actually afloat and used by places, 63 were added to full-time certain death. Speaking for the Societe, 1,200,000 holiday-makers: just 5 francs stations, 12 on vedettes or small fast Admiral Amman called for larger a boat (50p) would save the SNSM from motorboats. They were responsible for government grants and further public sinking.—G.R.T.
Midnight Matinee Lifeboat Painting 8 mm films The Midnight Matinee which was The well-known artist, Ben Maile, Many small groups of people planned to be held at the Victoria who has been selected as one of Britain's interested to hear about the work of Palace theatre in London on March 8, top ten artists by the Fine Art Guilds the RNLI are only able to provide a and which was announced in the last for the past three years, has painted a projector for an 8 mm film. Unfor- number of THE LIFEBOAT had to be new painting of the St Ives lifeboat at tunately, as the demand is relatively cancelled as a consequence of the sea. An edition limited to 600 of signed small, the Institution cannot use its economic outlook at the beginning of artist's proofs will be sold by Solomon budget for the making of this size of the year. One or two other festivities and Whitehead, Art Publishers, of 5 Ave film. There may well be friends of the planned for 1974 are also likely to be Maria Lane, London, EC4, for £100 RNLI, however, who have a private casualties, but in general the RNLI each, the proceeds to be donated to 8 mm film about the lifeboat service programme of events is being carried the RNLI. From the sale of these and which they would be willing to offer for forward with enthusiasm. of the original picture it is hoped to exhibition purposes. If so, help in this Summer is coming, when many provide funds for the provision of a way would be most welcome, and I stately homes and gardens will be opened new lifeboat. should be interested to hear details of to the public in aid of the RNLI. In such a way can art become reality. any film available.—THE EDITOR.
LAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED BY LIFEBOATS AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS
January 1, 1973 to December 31, 1973: Launches 2,673, lives saved 1,823
THE STATION FLEET (as at 31/1/74) 134 station lifeboats 116 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer
LIVES RESCUED 98,431 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to December 31, 1973
145 Awards to Coxswains and Crews
THE following coxswains and members of lifeboat crews were awarded certificates of service on their retirement and in addition those entitled to them, by the Institution's regulations, were awarded an annuity or a retirement allowance and a gratuity.
Name Station Rank
John Guyan Martin Aberdeen Coxswain 3J years. Second Coxswain 6| years. Motor Mechanic 9| years. Assistant Motor Mechanic 9f years. Joe Watkins Angle Bowman 4 years. Crew Member 10 years. Lawrence Ford Appledore Assistant Motor Mechanic 5J years. Crew Member 5| years. James Fitzgerald Baltimore Coxswain 7 years. Second Coxswain 5J years. Bowman 7 years. Crew Member 13 years. James McLeod Ballycotton Second Coxswain 22J years. Crew Member 28^ years. Roland Moore, BEM Barrow Coxswain 26J years. Second Coxswain 1J years. Assistant Motor Mechanic 1 year. Crew Member 4 years (Bronze Medal 1958), John Robertson Broughty Ferry Bowman 6i years. Crew Member 14f years. Robert W. Barclay Broughty Ferry Crew Member 21 years. Alick MacKay Broughty Ferry Coxswain 9J years. Motor Mechanic, Arbroath 7 years. Reserve Mechanic 1 year. Crew Member, Anstruther 26 years. John Michael Madden Courtmacsherry Assistant Motor Mechanic 7i years. Crew Member 14J years. Vivian John Carey Coverack Coxswain 2 years. Second Coxswain 1 year. Crew Member 10J years. Ben Roskilly Coverack Crew Member 17 years. Michael Rowe Eustice Coverack Motor Mechanic 18£ years. Shore Helper 7J years. Frank Daw Coverack Assistant Motor Mechanic 10J years. Crew Member 21J years. Sam Blackmore Dun Laoghaire Second Coxswain 26J years. Crew Member 4J years. Peter John Croxford Fishguard Acting Second Coxswain 2 years. Bowman 8| years. Crew Member 8J years. Alfred Edward Joy Hastings Bowman 11 years. Crew Member 1J years. Brian James Foster Hastings Motor Mechanic 3 months. Crew Member 11 years. Frederick Somerville Barbeary Ilfracombe Bowman 20J years. Crew Member 6 years. Edward George Williams, BEM Ilfracombe Coxswain 19J years. Second Coxswain 4i years. Crew Member 20J years. James Bates Kilmore Coxswain 6J years. Second Coxswain 11J years. Crew Member 15i years. Philip Redmond Kilmore Head Launcher 22 years. Shore Helper 11 years. James William Lane Margate Bowman 7i years. Crew Member 13£ years. William Sutherland Margate Crew Member 15 years. William John Scott (posthumous) Margate Crew Member 21 years. Charles William Escott Minehead Winchman 24 years. Donald Murley Francis Moelfre Coxswain 2| years. Second Coxswain 15J years. Crew Member 9i years. Bronze Medal 1959. Bronze Second-Service Clasp 1966. Evan Owens Moelfre Reserve Mechanic 3 years. Motor Mechanic 23J years. Crew Member 12£ years. Silver Medal 1959. Silver Second-Service Clasp 1966. Edwin James Nash The Mumbles Crew Member 18 years. Thomas Haydyn Randall The Mumbles Crew Member 18 years. Jack Brenton Padstow Crew Member 37f years. Arthur Permewan Padstow Crew Member 12f years. Sydney Stephens Poole Crew Member 27 years. 146 Twin Mermaid Type 595 TP TURBO-PLUS Marine Diesels now installed in this craft. To be followed by similar installations in new 44 foot Steel Lifeboats
Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd Mermaid THAMES MARINA THAMES DITTON SURREY Telephone: 01-398 6802 and 6159
Name Station Rank Robert William Vowell Pwllheli Coxswain 12J years. David Phillipson Redcar Crew Member 11 years. Head Launcher 5 years. Ivor Griffiths St David's Helper and Crew Member 6 years. Winchman 44 years. Alfred Arthur de Ste Croix St Helier Crew Member 24 years. John Anthony Hart St Ives Launcher 44 years. John Lawry Tanner St Ives Head Launcher 16 years. Launcher 2 years. Launcher and Reserve Crew Member 15 years. John L. Devin Stronsay Shore attendant 21 years. Sydney Miller Swanney Stronsay Motor Mechanic 19J years. Assistant Motor Mechanic 6 months. Archie Reid Stronsay Second Coxswain 2J years. Bowman 121 years. Crew Member Ij years. William Craigie Miller Stronsay Assistant Motor Mechanic 10J years. Crew Member 21 years. John Dennison Stronsay Second Coxswain 12] years. Bowman 6 months. Assistant Motor Mechanic 4 j years. Crew Member 2J years. William Cooper Stronsay Crew Member 16J years. James C. Work Stronsay Assistant Motor Mechanic 4} years. Crew Member 14} years. David H. Rendall Stronsay Crew Member 20j years. John George Maxwell Stronsay Crew Member 20} years. Dudley Stone Torbay Coxswain 2 years. Second Coxswain 9J years. Crew Member 34 J years. William David Burton Walmer Crew Member 12$ years. Henry Charles Brown Walmer Coxswain 7 years. Second Coxswain 41 years. Crew Member 71 years. Reginald Frederick Bailey Walmer Second Coxswain 3 years. Bowman 41 years. Crew Member 31 years.
147 How even a non-swimmer can save someone from drowning
Join Shoreline now. Why Shoreline ? Last year the RNLI saved 1,704 lives. This year we expect to save even more. In order to maintain the service we need £3'Am every year. But as we're a voluntary organisation we have to raise funds for all our work through the generosity of our friends old and new. Flag days, gifts and fund-raising events all help, but they're not enough, nowadays we need a regular source of income. That's why we started Shoreline. Increasingly, Shoreline is going to become more important. In 1974 our 150th anniversary will see the start of the programme to build 49 self-righting lifeboats of the latest design. And that's going to cost a lot of extra money, £6m in fact, which is over and above the £3'/2m. Please help us.
I wish to join Shoreline, enclosed is my cheque for: (Please tick appropriate box) An "Off Shore" Member (annual subscription £3 including journal). A Member and Governor (minimum annual subscription 00 including journal). A Life Member and Life Governor (minimum donation £60 including journal). I enclose P.O./Cheque/Cash for £ Total Annual Subscription [ | Name. Address.
Please send me details of Shoreline insignia. Post coupon to The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ
I
14S Dunmore East, Co. VVaterford Port Erin, Isle of Man Lifeboat Services September 5. October 17. (from page 137) Eastbourne, Sussex Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire September 21, October 6. October 1 and November 4. Exmouth, Devon Port St Mary, Isle of Man north easterly course, was making no September 14 and 29. September 26. Falmouth, Cornwall Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire headway and drifting towards the rocks, September 18 (three times) and October 31. September 20. but the three men on board refused help, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire Ramsey, Isle of Man saying that they were on their way to September 20, October 2, 5, 21 and September 20 and October 27. Ireland. November 5. Ramsgate, Kent It was at this point that the Coast- Fleetwood, Lancashire September 4, 6, 30, October 6, November guard received information that Susie September 27 and October 21. 10 and 22. Wong was missing from Aberystwyth Galway Bay, Co. Galway Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford Harbour. The yacht was shipping a great September 2 and 9. September 26. deal of water, her engine had stopped and Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk St David's, Pembrokeshire September 3, 22, 23, October 19 and 21. November 5 and 14. some of her sails had been carried away. Harwich, Essex ' St Helier, Jersey Eventually her occupants agreed to September 12, 25 and 28 (twice). September 3, 18 and October 13. being towed back to harbour, which Hastings, Sussex St Ives, Cornwall wasreachedby 1 l.SO.Thelifeboatreturn- September 1 (three times), 21, October 19 September 12, 18 and 29. ed to her station at 12.00. and November 17 (twice). St Mary's, Scilly Isles Holyhead, Anglesey October 13, 21 and 31. September 6, 19, October 13, November 16 St Peter Port, Guernsey and 17. September 7, 10, 18, 21, 30, October 5, Howth, Co. Dublin November 10, 15 and 26. October 30 and November 17. Scarborough, Yorkshire Hoylake, Cheshire September 19 and November 12. Lifeboat launches on September 28. Seaham, Durham Humber, Yorkshire September 24, 29 and November 11. service during the September 12, 15, 17, 27, 29, October 21 Selsey, Sussex (twice), 25, 28, November 15, 23, 24 September 21, 27, 28 and October 20. months September, and December 3. Sennen Cove, Cornwall Ilfracombe, North Devon November 6. October and November, September 19 and November 1. Sheerness, Kent Islay, Inner Hebrides September 29. 1973 September 27. Sheringham, Norfolk Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall November 7. September 18. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex Aldeburgh, Suffolk Llandudno, Caernarvonshire September 18, 20 and November 4. September 20 and October 7. November 17 and December 13. Skegness, Lincolnshire Angle, Pembrokeshire Lochinver, Sutherland November 20. September 5 and 22. November 16. Southend-on-Sea, Essex Anstruther, Fife Mallaig, Inverness-shire October 21. September 28. September 28 and November 10. Stornoway, Outer Hebrides Arklow, Co. Wicklow Margate, Kent October 9, November 5 and 7. October 20, November 7 and 22. September 1, 17, 22, October 20 and Ballycotton, Co. Cork Stromness, Orkney November 25. October 21. September 29, October 21 and 24. Mumbles, Glamorganshire Baltimore, Co. Cork Sunderland, Northumberland September 8 and November 11. September 27, 29 and November 25. September 2, 11, 22, October 12 and Newbiggin, Northumberland November 1. Swanage, Dorset November 16. September 9, 16, October 4, 16 and 21. Barmouth, Merionethshire Newhaven, Sussex October 13 and 20. September 1,16, 20, 28 and October 8. Teesmouth, Yorkshire September 7, 9, 30 and November 6. Barra Island, Outer Hebrides New Quay, Cardiganshire October 31. September 19 and 23. Tenby, Pembrokeshire Barrow, Lancashire Padstow, Cornwall September 10, 12, 16, 18, 21, 27 (twice), September 3. September 1 and December 7. 29, October 12, November 3 and 5. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire Penlee, Cornwall Torbay, Devon September 15, 30, October 10, 12, 14 and September 1, 8, 18 and October 27. September 13 (twice), 18, October 5, 20 (twice). Plymouth, Devon November 8 and 11. Beaumaris, Anglesey September 18. Tynemouth, Northumberland September 8. Poole, Dorset September 2, 17, November 18 and 23. Bembridge, Isle of Wight September 9, 15, 19, October 12 (twice), Walton and Frinton, Essex September 8, 18 and 19. November 25 and December 1. September 15 and November 6. Bridlington, Yorkshire September 11 and October 26. Calshot, Hampshire September 27 and October 13. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex October 10 and November 3. Clovelly, Devon Cardiff Ship Store Co. Ltd, Ship Stores Division, Britannia Buildings, 126 Bute September 3, 17 and 28. Street, Cardiff, CF1 5TZ. Cromer, Norfolk Salcombe Marine, Island Street, Salcombe, Devon. November 5 and 15. Frank Moore Ltd, Marine Safety Division, William Street, Northam, Southampton, Douglas, Isle of Man Hants. October 3. Castlecraft, 58 Holderness Road, Hull, Yorks. Dover, Kent T. Young & Son (Sailmakers) Ltd, Sundial House, Clive Street, North Shields, September 16, October 21 (twice), Northumberland. November 10, 12 and 17. Sea-Dog Life Saving Appliances (Scotland) Ltd, 4 Constitution Place, Leith Docks, Dungeness, Kent Edinburgh 6. September 10, 22, October 30, Mr William McKenzie, 46 Redmoss Road, Nigg, Aberdeen. November 17 and 29. Liferafts & Inflatables Ltd, 14 Bromborough Road, Bebington, Wirral, Cheshire. Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin P & C Services (The Sailing Scene), 337 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham. October 6, 7 and 31. Cosalt Ltd, Battery Green, Lowestoft, Suffolk. 149 Wells, Norfolk Coverack, Cornwall Mudeford, Hampshire September 12, 16 and October 21. September 16. September 8, 15, 19, 27 and 30. Weymouth, Dorset Criccieth, Caernarvonshire New Brighton, Cheshire September 1, 3, 8, 9, October 3, 5 and 21. September 9, 15, 22 and 23. September 4, 27 and November 16. Whitby, Yorkshire Crimdon Dene, Durham New Quay, Cardiganshire September 9, 16, October 3, 10 and December 4. September 14, 22 and 23. November 10. Cromer, Norfolk Newquay, Cornwall Wick, Caithness September 1, 11 and October 5. October 3. September 30. Cullercoats, Northumberland North Sunderland, Northumberland Wicklow, Co. Wicklow September 11 and October 20. September 1. September 4. Eastbourne, Sussex Oban, Argyll Workington, Cumberland September 16. September 21. September 19. Eastney, Hampshire Pill, Somerset Yarmouth, Isle of Wight September 2, 30 (twice), October 14, 19, September 22. September 18, October 2, 3, 18, 20 and November 15. Poole, Dorset November 5 and 18. Exmouth, Devon September 15, October 6 and 10. Youghal, Co. Cork September 14 and October 21 (twice). Porthcawl, Glamorganshire September 12. Filey, Yorkshire October 14. September 1, 2 and October 21. Port Isaac, Cornwall Fleetwood, Lancashire September 12. ILB launches on service October 21. Port Talbot, Glamorganshire Flint, Flintshire September 9. during the months September 28. Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire Hartlepool, Durham September 23. September, October September 5, 10, 15, 30, October 28 and Queensferry, West Lothian November 23. September 12, November 2 and 4. and November, 1973 Harwich, Essex Red Bay, Co. Antrim September 2, 25, November 11, 12, 21 and September 1 and 2. Aberdovey, Merionethshire 24. Redcar, Yorkshire September 2, 29 (twice) and November 23. Hastings, Sussex October 14 and 23. Abersoch, Caernarvonshire September 1, 27 and November 17 (twice). Rhyl, Flintshire September 14 and 29 (twice). Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire September 3, 10 and 23. Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire September 27, 28 and October 17. Rye Harbour, Sussex September 10, 13, 15 and October 3. Howth, Co. Dublin September 15, 21 and October 18. Amble, Northumberland November 8. St Agnes, Cornwall September 2. Kinghorn, Fife September 15, 27 and October 9. Arran (Lamlash), Buteshire October 13. St Ives, Cornwall October 20 Largs, Ayrshire September 4, October 1 and 2. Atlantic College, Glamorganshire September 4, 12, 15, 18, 22, 24, October 10, Selsey, Sussex September 27 and December 9. 13, 20, November 11 and 12. September 2, 9 and October 1. Bangor, Co. Down Littlehampton, Sussex Sheerness, Kent September 14 and 17. September 1, 2 (twice), 27, 29, 30, October September 2, 15 (twice) and 21. Barrow, Lancashire 2, 9, 22 and December 9. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex September 3, 29, October 6 and 29. Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent September 2, 6, 15, 29, October 7 (twice), Beaumaris, Anglesey September 2, 5, 22 and 28. 26, 28, November 3, 10 and 25. October 10, 18, 31 and December 8. Llandudno, Caernarvonshire Silloth, Cumberland Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland September 4, 16, 23, October 2, 27 and October 10. September 21. November 27. Skegness, Lincolnshire Blackpool, Lancashire Lyme Regis, Dorset September 6 and 29. September 20 and 23 (twice). September 17, 20, 22 and 26. Southend-on-Sea, Essex Borth, Cardiganshire Lymington, Hampshire September 15, 22, 29 and 30. September 6. September 1, 11, 27, October 2 and Southwold, Suffolk Brighton, Sussex November 18 (twice). October 7. September 16. Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire Stonehaven, Kincardine Broughty Ferry, Angus September 9 (three times), October 2 and 15 September 9. September 16 and October 14. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Tenby, Pembrokeshire Bude, Cornwall September 9, 16 and October 8. September 25. September 1, 34 and 29. Torbay, Devon Burry Port, Carmarthenshire Margate, Kent September 3, 8, 10 and 11. September 9 and 10 (twice). September 11, 15, 27, 29, October 20, 22, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex 25 and November 25. Tramore, Co. Waterford September 23, 29, 30 and October 13. Moelfre, Anglesey September 5, 6 and 8. Conway, Caernarvonshire September 4, 7, 9 and 16. Tre-Arddur Bay, Anglesey September 11, 15 (three times), October 6, Morecambe, Lancashire September 12 and 19 20 and 31. September 30. Tynemouth, Northumberland September 2 (twice) and 17. Walmer, Kent September 17. Wells, Norfolk September 6 and 16. SPECIAL OFFER TO SHORELINE MEMBERS FOR West Kirby, Cheshire i September 20, 24, 29, October 28, 30 and SCHERMULY PYROTECHNICS November 11. This coupon entitles a bona-fide Shoreline member to purchase Schermuly Distress West Mersea, Essex I Signals (Dinghy Pack, Offshore Pack, Cruiser Pack) at reduced rates (at least 10 | September 13 (twice), 16, 22, 26 and 29. . per cent) on personal presentation to any one of the dealers listed overleaf. Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset September 26, October 20 (twice) and 21. I Member's Name . I Whitby, Yorkshire 1 September 1 and 29. Address. Whitstable, Kent September 2. Atlantic 21, B500, on evaluation trials at I Membership Number L.B/4/74 Appledore September 9. 150 Zodiac, the best inflatable in the world. Zodiac is Number One. Built by the oldest and As a fast yacht tender, ski-boat, sub-aqua boat or best known inflatable manufacturers in the world, an honest-to-goodness runabout, the Zodiac range Zodiac inflatables confirm their pedigree, as soon from 7' 3" to 19 feet provides all the correct as the going gets tough. answers. Life Saving professionals, explorers in remote UK Concessionaires:—• places and the military turn to Zodiac for their University Marine Ltd., Silverdale Road, HAYES, Middx. needs. In the cut and thrust of racing, Zodiac Tel: 01-573 8311 keep ahead of the rest - particulary in rugged ' Please send me your full colour brochure and price list describing I conditions. the 1974 range of Zodiac inflatables. NAME I ADDRESS
Read. . . SHIP & BOAT INTERNATIONAL the only technical marine journal which covers the small ship market up to SOOOgrt. -the instant communication and Write or 'phone for a specimen copy to: precise navigation equipment that takes the rough with the smooth SHIP & BOAT INTERNATIONAL Coastal Radio Limited, Westway. Thomas Reed Publications Ltd Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3BH. Telephone: (0245) 65533. 36-37 Cock Lane, London EC1A 9BY A Marconi Marine Company Telephone: 01-2487881 Publishers of the famous Reeds Nautical Almanac
SCOTLAND Explore the romantic western isles or the glorious Clyde estuary on one of our 20 Self Sail charter yachts. Choose TOWING THIS from Rivals, Nicholsons, Fishers, Sabres etc, or join an exciting skippered cruise SUMMER and learn the ropes from one of our BRACKETS experienced Yacht Masters.
As a charter firm of 15 years' experience Approved by car manufacturers and Issued with we ensure that all is shipshape and Arden Aid is always at hand. fitting instructions. Also shock absorbers stabiliser and couplings. DETAILED BROCHURE FROM:
Please save a little for the people who save a lot—give generously to the R.N.L.I. 27 EAST KING STREET HELENSBURGH C. P. WITTER LTD. CHESTER Tel: 0244-41166 Tel: Helensburgh2177 There are Index to Advertisers Arden Yachts Ltd 151 Five sides to the Birds Eye ...... Inside Back Cover J. Blake & Co. Ltd 152 Brooke Marine Ltd ...... Outside Back Cover Bldkes story Henry Browne & Son Ltd 114 ^ I.BLAKE&COLTD \ L. J. Bushnell 114 Coastal Radio Ltd 151 Cogswell & Harrison Ltd ...... 115 Decca Radar Ltd 116 Gardner Engines (Sales) Ltd ...... Inside Front Cover International Yacht Paints...... 114 35 Hardman Street, Liverpool Tel: 051-7096622 Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd ...... 147 Brownlow Hill used car Neco Marine Ltd 115 showrooms. Tel: 051-709 9010 RCC Press Ltd 115 Claughton Road, Birkenhead Thomas Reed Publications 151 Tel: 051-6479851 Rentokil 115 Service and Parts Dept:— RNLI Shoreline 148 Hind Street, Birkenhead C. P. Witter Ltd 151 (adjacent to Central Station) University Marine Ltd 151 Sales, Service and Parts: — 152 Milner Road, Heswall Classified Adverts VTel: 051-3426418 BLAKESCAR Children's Christmas Parties supplied. AND VAN HIRE CLASSIFIED ALSO NOW AVAILABLE TO CLUB Brownlow Hill, Liverpool MEMBERS, Lounge, Dining Room, Bed- Tel: 051-7099010 ADVERTISEMENTS room Suites and Carpets. All types of light Lodge Lane, Liverpool FUND RAISING fittings and shades, etc. ALL AT WHOLE- SALE TRADE PRICES. Send for our 64- Tel: 051-727 4501 Fund raising with 200% PROFIT ON page catalogue: SW1NNERTONS OF Hind Street, Birkenhead OUTLAY! Send stamp for catalogue of WALSALL LTD, DEPT. 'L', UNION Tel: 051-647 9851 imprinted ball-pens and 20 other quick- STREET, WALSALL WS1 2HJ. sellers. Provincial Supplies, 1 Gardenfield Milner Road, Heswall Lane, Berkhampstead, Herts. INSURANCE Tel: 051-342 6418 FETES, BAZAARS — ALL FUND FOR ALL INSURANCE, Phone, Call or RAISERS. Fully guaranteed ball pens and Write J. A. Harrison (Brokers) Ltd. BLAKES COMMERCIAL pencils gold die-stamped with your name "Security House", 160-161 Bromsgrove or slogan (Max. 30 letters) standard postage Street, Birmingham B5 6NY Telephone: VEHICLE DEPOT 30p. PENS £2.50 per gross; PENCILS 021-692 1245 (10 lines). For keenest rates, for Sales,Service and Parts £2.10 per gross. Reductions for quantity. service and security. Lodge Lane, Liverpool ALSO Extensive range of TOYS—STA- TIONERY — CHRISTMAS CARDS — Tel: 051-7274501 FOR SALE V DOMESTIC STATIONERY and PRE- Advertising pencils, superb ball pens, combs, SELECTED PARCELS. All at wholesale brushes, each gold stamped Lifeboat name, BLAKES MARINE prices. Carriage extra. Comprehensive price etc., raise funds, quickly, easily. Bran Tub r &LEISURE LTD list from: BAKER ROSS, 2a Handsworth Toys: samples from, Northern Novelties, Road, London N17 6DD. Tel: 01-808 6948. Bradford 2 (BD2 3AF). 45 Hardman Street, Liverpool Tel: 051-709 6620 TROPHIES CRYSTALS. Wide range. State Alternatives. RACE SETS—MAINSAILS—D1NGHYS for an extensive range of (2182—£1.31.) S.A.E. Essential. S.S.B. —CUPS W. & E. Astin, 7 Westerley Lane, 1 Frances Street, Truro. 0872-862575. chandlery for boats of all types, Shelley, Huddersfield. Kirkburton 2368. . Archimedes outboards and large j For all types of Cups, Medals, Medallions, WANTED \stock of sailing clothing. / Shields and Statuettes, Sports Prizes, Fancy Wanted, twobackcopies of Yachting World; Goods, Carnival Hats, Balloons, Novelties, December 1970 and December 1971. Davies, XWESTKIRBY ^ Fund Raisers. All requirements for 7 Mariners Way, Warsash, Southampton. MARINE SERVICES LTD MANUFACTURERS OF THE KELPIE 15. Volvo Penta Sales, Parts and Classified Service. Also parts and service agents for Stuart Turner and Vire Advertisements engines and Archimedes Penta Readers are reminded that THE outboards. LIFEBOAT, with a print run of Carr Lane Industrial Estate, 36,000 copies, is an attractive med- Hoylake, Cheshire ium for classified sales and wants Designed and Printed in Great Britain Jel: 051 -632 3461 advertisements. Classified rates are by Ditchling Press Limited, Ditchling, 15p a word; panels £10 an inch. J. BLAKES, CO. LTD. GROUP Hassocks, Sussex 152 Backbone of the FishingTrade.
This was one that didn't get away. One of a thousand million. A thousand million of the reasons why every day and night men put out to sea in all weathers to earn their living. A thousand million reasons why lifeboatmen are needed as much as they are. We at Birds Eye would like to voice our appreciation of the lifeboatmen. We are proud of our long association with them. Brooke Marine Limited ESTABLISHED 1874 SHIPBUILDERS-ENGINEERS AND CONSULTING NAVAL ARCHITECTS
THAMES CLASS 50-001 Type 50 ft Self-Righting Electronic Equipment Comprises : Length overall 50' 0" Kelvin Hughes Type 17W Radar Beam 14' 6* Kelvin Hughes Falkland M.F. R.T. Displacement 23.5 tons Decca Navigator Mk 21 Fuel Capacity 400 imp, gallons Pye Westminster VHP Twin General Motors 8V-71 Total Power 780 SHP Radio transmitter and receiver Maximum Speed 19 knots Ferrograph Echo Sounder tange at 17 knots — 229 miles Easco Intercom 5-station Ui
Shipyards : Lowestoft - Suffolk - England
DOWSETT COMPANY TELEPHONE: LOWESTOFT 5221 TELEGRAMS: 'BROOKCRAFT'LOWESTOFT TELEX 97145