THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI

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Volume XLIV Number 452 Summer 1975 •AIRFLOW COAT JACKET LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS ARE WATERPROOF OUTER CUOTHir FREE FROIVI CONDENSATION (3 Z Rtlph Lee. Technical Editor letter at 26 February 1974 Camping A Caravanning' from Assistant Superintendent f Stores) . the finest outdoor garments Royal National Lite butt Institution * I have ever seen ... not iust £ Your company s protective good matetial and well made It clothing has now been on is the amount of thought that has extensive evaluation for over two gone into the design that delights years and I am pleased to advise me . . . I give this * that the crews of our offshore 6 firm top marks boats have found the clothing warm, comfortable and a considerable improvement The issue of your clothing is being extended to all of ou' Bill Buddy in 'Motor Sport' offshore life boats as • A really top-class replacements are required •" conscientiously made product the Rolls Royce of bad-weather, keep warm clothing clearly the best possible for outdoor • work and play .

Extracts from Report on Functional Clothing Derek Agnew. Editor of 'En Route' by Bill March, a very Magazine of the Caravan Club experienced British I have been giving an Mountain Guide extensive wear trial to JACKET 'Airflow m t outdoor clothing made by Dunloptufe coated nylon Functional of Manchester . with internal Foamlmer All I can say is that one £ ... There is no motoring magazine's description doubt that the of Functional as the Rolls-Royce air flow principle in of outdoor clothing is thoroughly this jacket is very s111 accurate If there was a better successful in a epithet I would use it alleviating the perspiration/ I have sat fishing without condensation/dampening moving in torrential rain for six syndrome which bedevils all hours. I have been all day in the current makes of middle of windswept lakes and mountaineering waterproof o I have never experienced the clothing.... In winter slightest discomfort There are the jacket functioned pockets galore, really strong perfectly in all conditions zips wherever they are needed and ram and wind could COLD WEATHER be non existent for all JACKET m Borg deep pile the effect they have on you Worn in conjunction with the Functional outer jacket For the caravanner who with one liner was adequate for wants only the best I thoroughly the coldest and wettest conditions recommend this range You found m a Scottish winter cannot buy it retail, but only • direct from the manufacturer. . Since acquiring the iacket conventional insulation clothing and down jackets have not • been necessary

Chris Bonington in 'Annapurna South Face' 1971 Functional JACKET(S) ^ designed and manufactured specially for the expedition were Weather Clothing Vetglis m 'Motoring News' completely waterproof with . . . to Lapland for the foamhner(s) . giving up to * Tuntunralli. protected seven layers of air. This insulation from the icy effect of the Arctic meant that there was no in ihe world cold by garments made in precipitation of ice from Manchester by Functional condensation on the inside of the snug and warm in temperatures jacket and ensured great often as low as minus 40"C warmth the material never ^ The outer iacket makes froze up or became over stiff - most rally jackets look like towelling wraps all weather is designed made and jold only by protection in seconds 4k

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Summer 1975 Contents *•—-*•« 3 Lifeboat Services 4 VolumTT , e XLI-vr-r-rTVT Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards 9 NumbeXT 1 r 452 Central Appeals Committee 16 Naming Ceremony: Augustine Courtauld, Poole 16

Operation Lifeboat 17

Family Profile by Joan Davies 18 Chairman: COMMANDER F. R. H. SWANN, CBE, RNVR Safety at Sea 22 Director and Secretary: CAPTAIN NIGEL DixoN, RN Lifeboat People 22

Rescued? by A. G. L. Hardy 23

I give and bequeath 23

Shoreline 24

Some Ways of Raising Money 25

Book Reviews 28

Letters 30

£,. Offshore Lifeboat Services for December 1974, January and February 1975 33

PATRICK HOWARTH Inshore Lifeboat Services for December 1974, January and February 1975 ... 34 Assistant Editor: JOANDAVIES Index to Advertisers 36

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- the Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal National bury 6966). Life-Boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ (Telephone A year's subscription of four issues Poole 71133). Photographs intended for costs £1.40, including postage, but those COVER PICTURE return should be accompanied by a who are entitled to receive THE LIFEBOAT Coxswain Albert Bird (right) and Motor stamped and addressed envelope. free of charge will continue to do so. Mechanic Ian Jack of Aberdeen were Overseas subscriptions depend on the awarded silver medals for gallantry (see page 11) for the rescue on April 13, 1974, of cost of postage to the country concerned. the crew of 12 from the trawler Netta Croan All advertising enquiries should be which was on fire and circling out of addressed to Dyson Advertising Services, The next issue of THE LIFEBOAT will control at over 9 knots. The photograph PO Box 9, Godalming, Surrey (Tele- appear in October and news items should was taken by Margaret Murray. phone Godalming (04868) 23675). be sent by the end of July.

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J. H. MINET LIFE & PENSIONS LTD MINET HOUSE, 66 PRESCOT ST., LONDON E1 8BU Licensed Dealers in Securities—Incorporated Life Assurance Brokers Name Address Tel. No.., Capital for Investment £. Top Tax Rate., (Not applicable to Eire) RNLI Later in the meeting attention was the sources from which the RNLI called to the fund-raising efforts of the benefits. young when representatives of the On my desk recently two letters ap- Scout Association presented a cheque peared which illustrate this. One was for more than £91,000, the outcome from a man in Hillingdon, Middlesex, of the remarkable 'Operation Lifeboat' who enclosed a donation which had in which many thousands of Scouts took come from the former chief engineer of part. One of the first sights to catch the the German battle cruiser Scharnlwrxt. eye of those coming to the Royal At his funeral the German engineer had Festival Hall for the meeting was the stipulated that no flowers were to be Atlantic 21 lifeboat produced by the given but that donations might be made efforts of Girl Guides. either to the German lifeboat service or to the RNLI. Committee Lib The other letter came from the author History was made at the annual of a book on the provision of lifeboats general meeting when it was announced by freemasonry. The proceeds of his that two women had been voted on to book are being split between the RNLI the Committee of Management. This and the Royal Masonic Hospital. recognition of equality in a service in Dorking Lodge, having recently made a whose annals Grace Darling played such donation to the hospital, instructed him NOTES OF an important part is not perhaps as to send all the money received from belated as it may appear. There have purchases by its members to the RNLI. THE QUARTER been women honorary secretaries of 'Your contribution from the sale of lifeboat stations, a girl coxswain of an the book', he wrote, 'should be in excess ILB and women doctors who have gone of £1,000'. out on service. In fund-raising, women by the Editor over the years have played a much more Tax concessions important part than men, and for some The Institution is still very dependent, time now women have served on the in carrying out its work, on the help of central fund-raising committee. those people who are able to make large THE PRESENTATION of no fewer than 23 gifts to the lifeboat service either during medals for gallantry, an exceptionally The two new members of the Com- mittee of Management, Lady Norton their lifetime, or in the form of legacies. high number for any one year, provided Concessions to charities in the recent the central feature of this year's annual and Mrs Georgina Keen, both have exceptional records as fund-raisers. Finance Bill have greatly improved the general meeting and served as a reminder position. Gifts to the Institution and to the large number of supporters pre- Lady Norton as chairman of the Central London women's committee and Mrs. other charities are now entirely free of sent of the complexity of the task of Capital Transfer Tax except where lifesaving at sea. Among the feats of Keen as chairman of the Kidderminster guild. these are made within a year before skill and courage described were the death, when they are exempt up to an action of the Hastings doctor, Peter accumulative sum of £100.000. Legacies Davy, who broke seven ribs while being Journal changes Inflation has had the same disastrous are similarly free of tax for the first lifted into a helicopter from the lifeboat £100,000. and carried on with helping the injured; effect on the cost of THE LIFEBOAT as it the outstanding seamanship showed by has had on most other contemporary On page 23 of this issue the reader will the Clovelly staff coxswain, Stafford activities. A detailed examination of find suggested clauses covering be- Houchen, who had to bring the 70' costs and of how to save money was quests to the Institution which may be of lifeboat alongside a trawler three times therefore instituted a few months ago help to their solicitors in preparing their in a violent storm force wind; and the and certain decisions have been reached. wills, should they wish to remember the rescue by the Tynemouth inshore life- These include raising the price of the RNLI in this wav. boat in a gale force wind when she was journal to those who pay for it to 25p in imminent danger of being driven per copy, increasing the advertising under a tug whose crew she rescued. rates, using a lighter-weight paper and In the House of Lords on May 8, 1975, Silver medals were presented to the limiting the number of pages to 36. the Duke of Atholl in a written question Aberdeen and Dungeness coxswains, The proposals were adopted after asked Her Majesty's Government Albert Bird and T. R. 'Ben' Tart. The examination by the Institution's public whether they would convey to the Royal two stations are linked in a remarkable relations committee, which includes, in National Lifeboat Institution the con- way. One of the greatest rescues in the addition to members of the Committee of Management, Lord Cudlipp, gratulations of the House on the history of the Dungeness station was completion of its 150th Anniversary. from the motor vessel Teeswood'm 1956. Raymond Baxter, Wynford Vaughan- One of Teeswood's crew was the present Thomas and Bernard Hayman, editor Lord Bcswick: Yes, my Lords. I should Aberdeen coxswain, Albert Bird, and it of Yachting World. These distinguished be delighted to convey to the RNLI on was his experience on that day which public figures all, of course, give their behalf of the whole House, if it agrees, was largely responsible for making him services voluntarily, an example of the our congratulations on the occasion of volunteer for lifeboat service. quality and range of expert advice on a the 150th Anniversary of the Institution. wide range of subjects, including naval I should like to add our tribute, and I am Exploits of the Young architecture, engineering, medicine, sure that of the nation, to the dedication Ways in which teenagers and children finance and administration, which is and valour of the crews of the lifeboats, are maintaining the RNLl's traditions made freely available to the RNLI. who so frequently and willingly en- were also made manifest at the annual counter great perils and sometimes general meeting. Jayne Edmunds, a Variety of Support tragedy in their work of rescue of life at 13-year-old girl, and Eric Jones, the Anyone who has been an official of sea. The nation owes much to these 14-year-old son of the Porthdinllaen the RNLI for any length of time must crews and indeed their families who coxswain, were both presented with have been struck periodically, not only share with them both their trials and inscribed wristwatches for the courage, by the ingenuity and energy which its tribulations. coolness and discipline they showed in active supporters show in raising funds, A motion in similar terms was carried lifesaving operations at sea. but also by the extraordinary variety of in the House of Commons. r r enough. On attempting to lift the anchor Hook. The height was estimated at it was found that the hydraulics were 16-18', which forced the lifeboat to unable to lift in the heavy swell and the reduce speed drastically. windlass was put into hand operation. A course of 205°M was set for the last As the lifeboat lifted on a large breaking reported position of Michael. Later swell the sudden weight on the anchor reports of her position were received wire bent the windlass stopping-catch from the German vessel Bell Venture. shaft, and the windlass spun back, the At 2345 the lifeboat made contact with handle catching Crew Member James Michael on RT and the master was Flett and breaking his arm. At 0745 the asked to fire a flare. The lifeboat sighted anchor had been rehoused and Strom- the flare at 2355 and the coaster's lights ness lifeboat returned to base with 15 minutes later; she then fired a flare the injured man, as there was then no which Michael acknowledged by RT. need for two lifeboats to be on the scene. At 0030 the lifeboat came up with At 0815 a Whirlwind helicopter crew Michael and twelve minutes later a from RAF Lossiemouth, after dropping message was passed to Coningbeg two Coastguards on the cliff top, Light Vessel for Fishguard Coastguard Scotland North Division surveyed the scene and decided that reporting that the lifeboat was approach- they could rescue the survivors. They ing the casualty and preparation was lifted off the survivors from the bows of being made to pick up the crew. Cliff face helicopter lift Lans in four sorties, lowering them on Michaelmas lying stopped in the water to Longhope lifeboat on each occasion. with a list to port 6 miles off Tramore, The lift was completed by 0910. LONOHOPE honorary secretary was in- drifting ashore at about 3 knots. Her The cliffs at this point overhang and ship's head was about 090°T and formed by the Coastguard at 2352 on the helicopter was working with her December 20, 1974, that the Belgian she was rolling and pitching heavily. The rotors only feet from the cliff face. The wind was still south south west force 11 trawler Lans was ashore on the north nearness of the lifeboat meant that the side of Tor Ness and required immediate gusting 12, but the sea was more regular whole operation was possible without than it had been off the Hook, with a assistance. Longhope lifeboat, 48' 6" refuelling; this might not have been so David and Elizabeth King and E.B., long swell and heavy sea. The tide was if the survivors had had to be lifted to setting westerly but weakly. launched at 0015 (December 21), setting the cliff top. Longhope lifeboat then course westwards towards the casualty After approaching the casualty from weighed anchor and sailed for Stromness the east the lifeboat turned and lay area. with the survivors. It was two hours before high water; astern for about 20 minutes, then to the For this service, Flight Lieut. David port side, astern again and finally the wind was south-westerly force 2 with Cosby, the helicopter pilot, and Master a very heavy south-westerly swell. ahead. By this time it was about 0145 Ah- Loadmaster Peter Barwell, who was and Coxswain Stephen Whittle asked As the wreck position was not definite lowered to the deck of the trawler nine and there were nine men on board the the master of Michael for his intentions, times, were both awarded the Air Force and whether the crew were going to trawler, Stromness honorary secretary Cross. Flight Lieut. Charles Taylor, who was also informed at 0045 and decided abandon ship; she was drifting at about operated the winch, received the Queen's 3 knots towards a dangerous coast, and to launch. At 0100 Stromness lifeboat, Commendation for Valuable Service in 52' Barnett class Archibald and to try to make contact direct would have the Air. A personal letter of apprecia- been extremely difficult in the prevailing Alexander M. Paterson, slipped her tion signed by the Director of the Institu- moorings and sailed for the casualty conditions. tion, Captain Nigel Dixon, was sent to The master of Michael decided to area. Squadron Leader I. H. R. Robins, Longhope lifeboat found Lans at abandon ship. He was instructed to Officer Commanding 202 Squadron, make sure that his crew were warmly 0105; she was under Berry Head, Hoy, RAF. broadside on to the sea, hard against dressed and wearing lifejackets before the 600' cliff face and inside the reefs. taking to the liferaft. When in the life- Her radio was not working but a torch raft they were to veer down from was seen to be flashing on board. Ireland Division Michael on a light line and would be The lifeboat dropped her anchor and picked up by the lifeboat. This the tried to veer down on Lans in the very master agreed to do. heavy swell, but even veering right up to Force 11 gusting12 The liferaft was launched from the the heavy breakers over the reef she was port quarter and secured alongside head still well outside breeches buoy distance. HEARING FROM Fishguard Coastguard at and stern. It was about 0200 and the Coxswain John Leslie decided that the 2200 on Monday, January 13, that lifeboat had moved to a position about men on board were in no immediate Michael of Famagusta, whose engine one cable off the port side of Michael, peril and shortened up his anchor to had broken down, was drifting about 18 illuminating the liferaft with her search- wait for daylight. He asked that the miles off the entrance to Waterford, light. Each of the crew was counted into Stromness lifeboat should still come as Dunmore East honorary secretary gave the liferaft. it was thought that some of the survivors instructions for the maroons to be fired. There was now a delay of some 15-20 might have taken to a liferaft and would As the crew were assembling a new minutes during which time the lifeboat have been swept north. The continuous position for the casualty was received: crew discovered by signs that there was spray made counting of the survivors on 11 miles 115°T from Mine Head. no knife in the liferaft. Coxswain board impossible. Euphrosyne Kendal, a 52' Barnett Whittle was just going to attempt to go At 0230 Stromness lifeboat reached lifeboat, slipped her moorings and alongside when the master found a the area and at 0645, with the northerly cleared harbour at 2220. small pair of scissors and the painter stream easing, made a further attempt to The weather was extremely bad: wind was successfully cut. veer down on Lans from a different south south west force 11 gusting 12— As the lifcraft was swept rapidly to angle, but she was unable to get close visibility about half a mile in rain and leeward Coxswain Whittle manoeuvred otherwise 3 to 4 miles but, with a low the lifeboat to take the raft amidships on height of eye, much reduced by spray. the starboard side. The crew of the life- Lans in the grip of the sea: as she lay aground It was four hours after high water and boat held the raft, the lifeboat went under the cliffs of Hoy her crew of nine were the wind against the strong ebb resulted slow astern to keep the raft against her lifted by helicopter to Longhope lifeboat. in a very heavy short steep sea off the side, and in about five minutes all seven members of Michael's crew had Lowestoft lifeboat should divert to the drifting south south east. By 0600 the been helped on board. inshore casualty north of Gorleston and flood tide was running southerly at 1.5 Owing to the extremely bad condi- Gorleston's lifeboat, Khami, should go knots and the ship was located in tions the liferaft had to be abandoned, to the assistance of Biscaya, some 45 position 52°16.5'N 02°58'E. The barge, and at 0220 the lifeboat started her miles east south east of Gorleston. having parted her tow at 0407, was some return passage to Dunmore East, keep- Khami, a 44' Waveney class lifeboat, 9 miles south south east of this position ing about three miles off the coast by slipped her moorings at 0154. The wind with the French tug in attendance. radar. At 0445 she entered Dunmore was north north west, severe gale force 9 Khami came up on Biscaya at 0630 East, landing the survivors at about gusting storm force 10, with heavy and found the ship listed slightly and 0500. Michael subsequently went ashore breaking seas of 20' running against an stopped in the water with pumps work- at Tramore beach, probably at about ebbing tide. Predicted high water at ing on the forward compartments where 0600. Yarmouth Roads had been at 2111, damage had been sustained by striking For this service the thanks of the December 12. It was cloudy with the barge towline and the 475' barge. Institution inscribed on vellum were showers; visibility six miles. Biscaya''s steering gear was out of action; accorded to Coxswain Stephen Whittle. Coxswain/Mechanic John Bryan set her stern had swung into the barge after Vellum service certificates were pre- course 112°M from Gorton Light Buoy the collision. The five-man crew were sented to Second Coxswain John Walsh, at 0225, making good a speed of 12 safely on board and the master thought Motor Mechanic John Curtin, Assistant knots in quartering seas. Some 12 miles that the vessel would be saved. Salvage Mechanic Sean Kearns and Crew clear of the land the swell lengthened, tug Titan was on her way from Ijmuiden Members Brendan Glody, Joseph causing Khami to surf frequently until and was expected to arrive at 1030, so Murphy and John R. Tod. on two occasions the swell carried the Coxswain Bryan said he would stand boat into the trough with bows awash by until Biscaya was safely in tow of the and she slewed to port, her guard rails tug. Swedish cargo vessel Hans Oscar under water. Second Coxswain David had remained standing by since 0245, Bennington kept a lookout aft to warn but continued her passage when the Eastern Division Coxswain Bryan of approaching large lifeboat arrived. swells, estimated at 25', and the The weather remained severe, with coxswain had to work continually at the wind north north west force 9 and a Biscaya sinks helm to maintain course. heavy north north west swell; the tide At 0500 the lifeboat asked Biscaya to was flooding southward, so the seas AT 0144 on December 13, 1974, Great fire flares, but they were not sighted. moderated slightly. Yarmouth and Gorleston honorary sec- However, at 0515 a Nimrod aircraft, Titan arrived at 1034 and a portable retary was informed by Gorleston Coast- which had taken off from St Mawgan at pump, attended by a tug crew member, guard that the 493 ton motor vessel 0304, arrived at Khami's position after was placed aboard Biscaya whose own Biscaya had been in collision with a locating the casualty. The aircraft pumps had ceased working at 0859. The French tug and tow in position 52°24'N directed the lifeboat to alter course to pump, however, could not adequately 02°55'E. Lowestoft lifeboat had already 145°M and at 0546 flares were seen. Due be man-handled into position and was been launched and Gorleston lifeboat to the height of the seas Biscaya was not not operated, and at 1045 Biscaya's list crew were assembling to attend another detected on radar until within a range increased to 45°. Three of her crew took casualty to the north; after consultation of three miles. to a liferaft and were immediately picked between the Coastguard and the two For some hours before the ebb tide up by Khami. The master, chief engineer honorary secretaries, it was agreed that slackened at 0530 Biscaya had been and the tug crew member remained on Service to Biscaya. long before the children started to get into difficulties. Two of the youngsters managed to reach the shore and both ran towards Withernsea to alert the Coastguard. Very distressed, they reached a small cafe opposite the ILB boathouse and told the owner, 'Our Sinking of Biscaya: friends are drifting out to sea!' four photographs taken An immediate telephone call to the in her last five police was received just as Police minutes. One minute Constable Ben Usher, a crew member, after the first photo- was signing off duty. He went directly graph was taken (left} to the boathouse, arriving at 1402. It was three men were clear that the situation was critical, so, snatched from Biscaya, including the Dutch deciding that further delay would be crew member from unacceptable, he asked a colleague to salvage tug Titan. inform the Coastguard and honorary

board until 1125 when the vessel began to settle as the list increased to 65°. Coxswain Bryan took Khami into the lee of Biscaya, close to the port bilge keel, and called for the three remaining men to abandon ship. The angle of the ship's hull and the heavy swell made it very difficult for them to scramble over the side into the lifeboat. The master injured his shoulder, wrenching it as he hung from the guardrails over the near- Photographs by cour- horizontal ship's side. During the tesy of H. E. Appleton transfer Biscaya's hull could be felt surging against the underside of the lifeboat and only the coxswain's expert seamanship ensured the safety of the survivors; they were recovered only three minutes before the ship finally sank at 1145. medal was awarded to Coxswain/ secretary while he opened the boathouse. The tug crew was returned to Titan Mechanic John Bryan. Medal service Then he asked Terry Dawson, who was and Khami set course west by north to certificates were presented to Second present, to put on a lifejacket and go close the coast as soon as possible; Coxswain David Bennington and Crew with him as crew. Coxswain Bryan was concerned about Members Brian Coleman and Herbert The ILB was launched at 1405. It was fuel shortage, but a speed of 11 knots Appleton. A letter of appreciation was three hours to high water with the wind was made good into the head seas. The sent to the honorary secretary, DrR. Cox. east north east force 4 to 5. The sea was wind moderated slowly to north north rough with heavy surf on the beach at west force 6 in the two hours after the launching site. leaving Biscaya. At first the ILB was thrown broad- Khami closed the coast at Sizewell at North Eastern Division side up the beach but the crew per- 1545 and altered course northward in severed and they succeeded in negotiat- moderate north-north-west winds and ing the heavy surf to reach the relatively slight seas. She arrived at Gorleston at Search in breaking seas calmer water beyond. Course was set 1825 and was refuelled, ready for for the reported search area, about a service, at 1919. The survivors were met ON THE AFTERNOON of Friday, August mile to the south, and by about 1410 by the ship's owners and the lifeboat 30, 1974, four young children were the ILB was off Golden Sands Chalet station's honorary medical adviser, and swimming in the sea off Golden Sands Park. Here the beach has a gentler slope then taken to the Missions to Seamen Chalet Park about one mile south of so that the seas were breaking further hostel. Withernsea ILB station. The wind was out, making a search more difficult and For this service a bar to his bronze fresh and the sea rough and it was not hazardous. In order to cover as much ground as possible as fast as possible, transit to the ship. The coxswain was hour and twenty minutes examining the Ben Usher conducted his search by requested to steer into wind at full condition of Robert from all sides; her running in with the surf at an angle of speed. The lifeboat prepared for the lift master was convinced she would capsize 45° and coming away from the shore and the coxswain briefed his crew. at any moment. At 1310 Charles H. directly into the seas. Some of these seas The second crewman from the heli- Barrett returned to her anchorage, about were 8 or 9' and breaking. Considerable copter was lowered to the lifeboat and, 220 yards away. skill and judgement were required to Between 1830 and 1845 the lifeboat avoid the ever-present risk of capsize. moved more into the shelter of Lundy This saw-tooth search pattern was Island and by 1900 three of Robert's continued until 1420, when a police crew were transferred to MV Polar Bear, officer on the cliff sighted a child and making for Ilfracombe. Robert's master indicated that the boat should search remained on board the lifeboat and further south and to seaward. Ben Usher between 1915 and 1950 he made two followed these directions and after a brief visits to the stricken vessel. further short search saw a girl rise on a By 1115 the following morning, crest and slide into a trough. He took Wednesday January 22, the list had in- the ILB straight to the position, but at creased to 70°. Robert had dragged her the last minute a sea threw the boat anchor during the night and the lifeboat away from the child. closed on her position. She finally sank Conditions were such that a fresh run at 1140: 1 -fa nautical miles from Lundy in was needed. It was clear that the girl South Light on a bearing of 205°M and was in very poor shape and might slip -fa nautical miles from Tibbett's Point. under the waves at any time, so Ben After reporting the outcome to Dr Peter Davy Usher told Terry Dawson to enter the Hartland Coastguard at 1145, Charles water and support her until he had made Photograph by courtesy of H. Barrett sailed for Ilfracombe where a second approach. George E. Gregory. the master was landed by 1340. Leaving Without hesitation or thought for his Ilfracombe again at 1530, the lifeboat own safety, Terry Dawson jumped over after several attempts, landed on board. returned to her station by 1730. the side, grabbed the young girl and While he was putting Dr Davy into the supported her until the ILB came other strop the helicopter lost contact with the lifeboat. Both men were alongside. She was lifted into the boat Eastern Division and Ben Usher immediately started dragged off the deck with a pendulum artificial respiration, continuing for motion, smashing back into the lifeboat some minutes until a positive response stern before being separated in the water; MFV standing into was observed. He then helped Terry Dr Davy drifted away. The helicopter Dawson back into the boat and they ran was re-positioned, Dr Davy was recov- danger ered and taken on to Candida de Lasala. straight in to the beach where an SHEERNESS deputy launching authority ambulance had been seen, continuing The injured men were tended and one transferred by helicopter to hospital heard from Warden Point Coastguard artificial respiration as they went. at 2200 on March 22,1974, that a boat On reaching the beach the ambulance with the doctor in company. On arrival, and only after ensuring three-quarters of a mile east north east men administered oxygen while awaiting of the Coastguard lookout was exhibit- a helicopter to take the girl to Hull that the injured man was being cared for, Dr Davy allowed himself to be ing red hand flares and was apparently Infirmary. It was learnt that the fourth in difficulty. The Coastguard had swimmer had not drifted out more than examined by another doctor. He was found to have seven broken ribs and signalled the boat at 2150 that she was 30 yards and had been recovered by men standing into danger, but no apparent wading out from the beach. must have been in great pain throughout the service. action had been taken despite the The ILB returned to station at 1435 Coastguard illuminating the adjacent and was ready for service at 1455. For this service the silver medal for gallantry was awarded to Dr Peter Davy. cliffs with parachute flares. For this service the thanks of the In- The DLA gave instructions for the stitution incribed on vellum were maroons to be fired and the lifeboat, the accorded to Crew Members Ben Usher 46' Watson Gertrude built in 1946, and Terence Malcolm Dawson. South Western Division cleared her mooring in Sheerness Harbour at 2210. The wind was north Coal cargo shifts east force 5 to 6 with moderate seas. South Eastern Division THE CREW of Clovelly lifeboat, the 71' The night was overcast and high water at Clyde Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service Sheerness was predicted for 0106. Despite injury No. 35), at anchor in Lundy Roads Gertrude set course at full speed for a at 1125 on Tuesday, January 21, position received from Warden Point FAIRLIGHT COASTGUARD informed the sighted MV Robert and saw that she had Coastguard north of the Southern Hastings deputy launching authority at a 30° list to starboard. As she ap- Boom, in an attempt to reach the 1120 on December 23, 1974, that there proached she asked the lifeboat to take casualty before she was driven by wind had been an explosion on board the off her crew of four. Robert was a two and tide among the wreckage of old Argentinian warship Candida de Lasala hatch coaster registered in Panama, of barges and boulders of the wartime and medical help was needed. Maroons about 350 gross tons; her list was due to boom. were fired and Jane Hay, a 37' Oakley her cargo of coal having shifted. At 2240 the Coastguard alerted the class lifeboat on temporary duty at The lifeboat's ILB was despatched Coast Rescue Company to go to the Hastings, was launched with the station immediately. By 1148 Robert had put shoreward end of the boom, just as honorary medical adviser, Dr Peter down her anchor and Charles H. Barrett Gertrude reached the sectored light at Davy, on board. closed the casualty. the boom's seaward limit. Realising that There was a south-by-easterly fresh There was a gale force 8 to 9 westerly the casualty would be among the foul breeze force 5 and a moderate sea. After wind blowing in the lee of Lundy ground before Gertrude could reach her, making good 1.5 miles towards Candida Island; the sea was rough to moderate, Coxswain Charles Bowry turned the de Lasala, Jane Hay was joined by rescue the day cloudy with good visibility. lifeboat and, on a southerly course, helicopter 41 and Dr Davy was asked to After taking on board the captain and made for the westward side of the boom. transfer to the helicopter for quicker crew at 1150 the lifeboat crew spent an continued on page 33 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and presentation of awards

'1974 —A YEAR OF TRIUMPH' — His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, President RNLI

THE WORD WHICH SEEMS to have been incorporated in the new Headquarters at brought the Institution to the notice of most readily used by people describing Poole to improve operational control; everyone in Great Britain and the the RNLI's annual general meeting in and of the appointment of a training Republic of Ireland and had caused 1975 was 'moving'. On page 30 we officer and the establishment of a mobile great enthusiasm among RNLI sup- publish a letter in which the writer training caravan to provide more porters; he also paid tribule to the debt describes how she, 'a case-hardened advanced training for lifeboat crews. owed to the press, radio and television journalist', was moved 'quite genuinely He continued: whose reporting of the RNLI had been to tears'. To anyone of any sensibility 'We had several serious accidents to extensive and scrupulously fair. the occasion must have been moving, lifeboats during the year but I am glad Revenue from branches and guilds with the reading of matter-of-fact, to say that no lifeboatman lost his life. had increased in 1974 by over 30%. unvarnished accounts of the bravery of The first Arun class boat built of Legacy income at just under £2 million ordinary men and women and the GRP is commissioning and will be shown was much the same as for the previous recognition of the voluntary help given, at the International Lifeboat Conference at Helsinki in June. This class can be year. The total increase in revenue was without hope or thought of reward, by just over £800,000. Unfortunately costs children, by the old and the frail and considered a well tried one by now and a great success. We have two further GRP had increased by the same amount so by active people in the prime of life. boats of the class on order. The Atlantic that the income and expenditure ac- The day started at the Royal Festival 21 is also a great success and we have a counts were practically in balance. The Hall with the gathering of medallists and number building. We have also given surplus of £275,000 shown in the their families on the forecourt, over- a self-righting capability to a considerable accounts represented the increased looking the River Thames, while the number of old lifeboats, either by amount transferred from restricted funds governors of the RNLI met inside for structural alterations or by fitting them as compared with the previous year. their annual general meeting; it con- with air bags, so that we-are only about Commander Swann continued: tinued after lunch with the presentations 30 boats short of our target of a virtually of awards, before a 'full house' audience, self-righting fleet.' 'I have often pointed out the inade- by the President of the RNLI, His Royal Reviewing shore works, Commander quacy of our free reserves. It now costs Highness The Duke of Kent; and ended about £5 million per annum to run the Swann reported that the pen for a 44' RNLI, rising all the time, whilst our free with tea, when the President joined in Waveney lifeboat at Whitby was com- reserves, now about £1J million, tend the throngs of lifeboat people talking plete, that Fleetwood was making slow to decline.' in the Festival Hall's foyer. progress due to engineering difficulties, Each year, this is a day of reunions, but that the new houses for the crew at Turning to the current year, Com- and perhaps the happiest meeting of Spurn Point were coming along well. mander Swann spoke of the good 1975 was that between two coxswains No further major shore works were headway being made by the membership awarded the silver medal for gallantry contemplated at present. scheme: there are now 2,800 governors in 1974, Coxswain Albert Bird of Commander Swann then turned to and a total of 23,000 members, bringing Aberdeen and Coxswain 'Ben' Tart of fund raising, commenting that 'The in an annual revenue of £132,000. The Dungeness; their story is told on page 3. Year of the Lifeboat' had without doubt new Head Office building at Poole Presenting his report of 1974, 'The Year of the Lifeboat', to the governors The afternoon ended with tea in the foyer: The Duke of Kent, President, with Commander Ralph at the morning meeting, Commander Swann, Chairman, talks with bronze medallists Trevor Fryer and Frederick Arkley ofTynemouth. F. R. H. Swann, CBE RNVR, Chairman Photograph by courtesy of Peter Bradley. of the Committee of Management, said: 'It was a record year operationally with over 2,800 launches on service. We claim to have saved nearly 1,400 lives and our lifeboats rendered assistance, mostly by towing, to nearly a thousand small craft. It was a very arduous year with exceptionally bad weather in the late summer and autumn. During the great gale on the second Saturday in September we had 25 lifeboats at sea at the same time between Harwich and the Isle of Wight. Many of them were called out two or three times that day. During the year 23 medals were awarded for gallantry. Commander Swann went on to speak of the part played by the Institution as an important member of the Government Search and Rescue Committee and its close co-operation with HM Coastguard; of the operations room which will be should be ready next October, but be- should be given careful consideration. of the Committee of Management 22 cause of the present financial situation, a Mr M. L. Thomas (Langley) asked years ago: modified and less expensive scheme will whether the names of governors and 'The report which was then presented have to be considered for the Depot site. members were passed to branches, as to the annual general meeting told a very Commander Swann concluded: nobody had contacted him or asked for different story from that of 1974. The help. In reply, Captain Nigel Dixon, cost of the lifeboat service was still 'The RNLI is in good repute in Great Director RNLI, said that there are a under £J million. Of the active fleet of Britain and in Ireland. Morale is high, large number of governors and members more than 150 lifeboats not one had a the main problem is financial. We are who are prepared to support the Institu- speed of more than 9 knots, and the affected by economic circumstances over report said that "as an experiment" which we have no control. The current tion but who wish to preserve their direction rinding apparatus had been high rate of inflation is causing our costs anonymity; however, a new form of fitted to two lifeboats. The Waveney, to rise dramatically whilst the effect on application for membership would be Arun and Rother lifeboats did not exist, our income is uncertain. And this at a devised so worded that those people the first Oakley self-righting lifeboat had time when our free reserves are only willing to be contacted by local branches not yet been built, and there was no such equivalent to a few weeks' expenditure. can indicate that this is their wish. Exis- thing as an inflatable ILB, nor indeed It is a worrying situation. ting governors and members would have the Atlantic 21 such as the one given us 'Finally I must thank the staff of the to be circularised. by the Girl Guides Association which is Institution for their loyal support and There being no other business the on display outside this hall. splendid efforts in "The Year of the 'I think, therefore, we can truthfully Lifeboat". It has been a very busy time meeting was concluded. say that during these last two decades for everyone, with many very memorable there have been greater advances in occasions.' lifeboat technology and design than in any other comparable period in the The report and accounts for the year The Festival Hall was crowded for the RNLI's long history. Matching this 1974 were adopted almost without afternoon presentation of awards, to be progress has been the tremendous comment. made by the President, HRH The Duke growth in the support which the RNLI of Kent, and, as the seats filled up, it was has received from the public as a whole The Duke of Kent was then re-elected particularly pleasing to see, among the and from its voluntary workers in as president, the vice-presidents elected lifeboat people, representatives of such particular. Last year the cost of the and the Duke of Northumberland re- good friends as the Chelsea Pensioners, service was not far short of £5 million, elected as treasurer: all unanimously. the Scouts and the Girl Guides. Nine yet we managed to achieve a surplus. In the reappointment of the auditors, Members of Parliament, from maritime At the meeting 22 years ago, when the Price Waterhouse and Co., particular towns whence came some of the medal- cost was under £J million, there was in thanks were expressed to Mr C. H. lists, were there, too, in support of their fact a deficit.' Bailey for the great personal interest he constituents, including the Rt. Hon. Commander Swann spoke of the close takes in RNLI affairs and his invaluable Jeremy Thorpe (Clovelly lifeboat sta- co-operation and friendly working rela- advice. tion) and the Rt. Hon. James Prior tions which the RNLI, a voluntary body, In general discussion at the end of the (Lowestoft lifeboat station). enjoyed with governmental and other meeting there were a number of sugges- Commander Swann welcomed the bodies engaged in the task of search and tions made from the floor: That meet- Duke of Kent, saying how particularly rescue at sea, and greeted Mr Peter ings should be held, perhaps biennially, delighted the Institution was that he had Shore, Secretary of State for the Depart- of operational honorary secretaries, and honoured it with his presence at a ment of Trade, and Lieut. Commander also that there should be a chain of com- meeting when the RNLI was looking John Douglas, Chief Inspector of mand at inshore lifeboat stations (Dr I .T. back not only on the history of one year Coastguard, both of whom would be McLachlan, Eastney); and that a life- but also the history of 150 years. making presentations to the RNLI. boat due to be sold out of the service Commander Swann said that he himself Referring to current events, Com- should first spend a year on fund raising felt proud and honoured to have been mander Swann welcomed the two ladies projects up and down the Thames chairman during the great year of 'The elected that morning to the Committee (Mr Brightwell, Reading, seconded by Year of the Lifboat', and he paused to of Management. Both had worked very Mr Gothard, Henley-on-Thames). It consider some of the changes that had hard for the Institution: Lady Norton was agreed that all the ideas put forward occurred since he had become a member as chairman of the Central London women's committee and Mrs Keen as chairman of Kidderminster branch and Silver medallists 1974: (/. to r.) Motor Mechanic Barry Pike (Torbay); Coxswain Ben Tart vice-chairman of the central appeals (Dungeness); Coxswain Albert Bird and Motor Mechanic Ian Jack (Aberdeen); Helmsman committee. He then announced that the Edward Brown and Crew Member Robin Middleton (New Brighton); Coxswain/Mechanic John central appeals committee would be Martin and Dr Peter Davy (Hastings). holding its final meeting later that afternoon. It had been formed at the suggestion of Mr Norman Crumbie after the Institution had incurred a deficit of nearly £i million in 1967; since then the committee had raised a total of £250,000. It was due to its initiative that the Scout and Girl Guide Associations undertook projects to raise funds to pay for new lifeboats. The Girl Guides, with an initial target of £5,000, finally presented the Institution with a cheque in excess of £25,000; the Scouts raised nearly £100,000. Finally, Commander Swann announced that the 'Lifeboat Service Memorial Book', prepared at the inspiration of Lord Saltoun and an anonymous benefactor, and containing the names of members of lifeboat crews and others who had lost their lives whilst going to the help of

10 people in distress at sea, was on display surely give us much encouragement for across the beach in the worst conditions in the foyer. He concluded: the future.' ever experienced at the station to land 'Our anniversary year was also a year an injured man from MV Merc Texco. 'I now have the greatest pleasure in of triumph of planning, for which our inviting His Royal Highness The Duke There was a south-south-westerly hurri- staff should, I feel, receive due credit. cane blowing. On reaching Merc Texco of Kent, to address you as your Credit also should be given to your President.' governing body, the Committee of the lifeboat had to manoeuvre alongside Management.' on two occasions before the injured man Seldom can a president, when he rose could be taken off, with the help of to give his address, have been more in The Duke then announced with regret Assistant Mechanic Peter Thomas who accord with his people: that the Chairman, Commander Ralph had volunteered to board Merc Texco. 'For the lifeboat service 1974 was a Swann, would be retiring later this year: year of triumph. I see no point in minc- 'Commander Swann has served the Coxswain Albert Bird, Aberdeen: silver ing words or concealing facts. Although RNLI with a dedication and expertise of medal in our national life as a whole the year which thousands in the service are Motor Mechanic Ian Jack, Aberdeen: was one of much doubt and anxiety, aware and I am happy to be able to silver medal and even a little despondency, yet during announce that as a tribute the Commit- On April 13, 1974, lifeboat Hilton this year the RNLI had a record of tee of Management has decided that a Briggs, on temporary duty at Aberdeen, sustained and brilliant achievement.' new lifeboat shall bear his name . . .' rescued the crew of 12 from the trawler Reviewing the operational record, the The warmth of the applause which Nettct Croon. Netta Croan was circling Duke pointed out that the total number met these words left no doubt of the out of control, burning fiercely over the of people saved from death at sea since general approval and pleasure with entire stern so that her crew could the RNLI began to keep detailed records which they were received . . . neither stop her engines nor steer her. about a century and a quarter ago was Approaching the trawler, Coxswain very nearly 100,000. He continued: 'It is particularly appropriate that this Albert Bird handed the wheel over to boat should be one of the 44' Waveney Motor Mechanic Ian Jack and posi- 'In 1974, as you are all aware, the class, for Commander Swann played Institution celebrated the 150th anni- tioned himself to command both deck such an important part in introducing and helm operations. The lifeboat came versary of its foundation. Sometimes this class of lifeboat into the RNLI people suggest we should not emphasize fleet.' alongside at full speed and the crew were our past over much but rather concen- taken off within a minute. Throughout trate on telling of our modern tech- Speaking of the formidable financial the whole operation the lifeboat was nological progress. I see no contradic- challenges of the future, the Duke ended: under threat of fire, explosion and the tion whatever in emphasizing the possibility of being rammed by the importance of both these factors. The 'In the present climate it is difficult to trawler. history of the lifeboat service is to a regard the immediate future with much considerable extent that of the steady equanimity, but 1974 has shown what can be achieved, particularly by those in Helmsman Edward B. Brown, New progress made in the methods whereby Brighton: silver medal men may combat the forces of nature. the hall today and those whom you This progress takes the form of new represent. For the future the resolve of Crew Member Robin Middleton, New designs, equipment, communications all of us must, I believe, be to ensure Brighton: silver medal and materials. All this is supremely that we maintain the standards we have Shortly after midnight on June 8,1974, important now and will continue to be so set ourselves and that we be worthy of New Brighton ILB launched to the aid of in the future. Nevertheless, it is a fact those who over the last century and a MFV E.B.H. anchored on a sandbank in that you can go out and buy products of half served the RNLI with dedication, a confused sea and a strong westerly advanced technology, but you cannot skill, courage, compassion and, where wind. As the ILB attempted to veer buy 150 years of history and experience.' the occasion demanded it, readiness to give their own lives. I am confident that down to her, the fishing vessel's cable When the immediate applause of with that resolve we shall make 1975 parted and she drifted towards a sub- unanimous agreement had died down, another year of success for our great merged groyne. Helmsman Edward the Duke went on to recall some of the Institution.' Brown drove the ILB over the groyne on to the deck of the listing vessel and outstanding events of 1974, and con- The Chairman then invited the tinued: rescued two of her crew. An injured man President, HRH The Duke of Kent, to still remained, and Crew Member Robin 'In our celebrations of the past we make the presentations for gallantry: Middleton jumped on board to rescue were in a sense also looking ahead by him. Shortly afterwards the fishing using the anniversary year to build up Motor Mechanic Barry Pike, Torbay: vessel broke up. the strength of the service. For this silver medal strength lies in the personal support and participation which it attracts through- On October 5, 1973, Torbay ILB went Coxswain/Mechanic John H. W. Martin, out Britain and Ireland. This is obtained to the aid of a woman in the sea off Hastings: silver medal largely through the dedication of our Meadfoot Beach. Very rough seas and Second Coxswain George Douglas White, lifeboat crews and the efforts of our shoal water prevented the ILB from Hastings: bronze medal voluntary branches and guilds, for closing the casualty's estimated position, On September 27, 1974, lifeboat Jane whose work during The Year of the but Motor Mechanic Barry Pike, Hay on temporary duty at Hastings Lifeboat' no praise can be high enough. sighting the woman's body, immediately rescued the crew of three of MFV Simon '1974 was a year also which called jumped overboard to her rescue. Rough Peter in a violent storm force south- forth almost superhuman achievement seas threw him on to the beach but, in the field of fund raising when a total westerly wind and a very rough sea. The of £4,162,000 was brought in from all although exhausted, he re-entered the lifeboat had to close the vessel twice sources, which represents an increase of sea several times until, in a state of before the rescue could be effected, 20% on the previous year. It would be complete collapse himself, he succeeded Second Coxswain George White having wrong I think to single out the work and in bringing the woman's body ashore; to lean across to the casualty to make generosity of any one branch or in- it was then found she was already dead fast the headrope, risking being crushed dividual, civic authority or organisation, as a result of a severe head injury. as the boats came together in the heavy company or business house, but I feel seas. I must say how pleased I have been Coxswain Tom Richard Tart, Dungeness: personally by the widespread help given silver medal Doctor Peter Davy, Hastings: silver to the RNLI last year by young people, Assistant Mechanic Peter Edward by Scouts, Guides, schools and a great medal many others. The enthusiasm they Thomas, Dungeness: bronze medal On December 23, 1974, lifeboat Jane showed and their understanding of the On February 11, 1974, Dungeness Hay on temporary duty at Hastings nature and needs of the service must lifeboat Mabel E. Holland was launched launched with the station honorary

11 Mervyn Thomas anchored the ILB and then went astern in to the cliffs, first under power and then under oars. The man on the rocks was helped aboard and, as the owner refused to leave the power boat, New Quay lifeboat was called out and towed her to safety.

Crew Member David Eilian Williams, Aberdovey: bronze medal Jayne Edmunds: inscribed wrist watch On August 10, 1974, Aberdovey ILB launched to search for a man reported fallen overboard from a cabin cruiser crossing Dovey Bar in a strong west- north-westerly wind and a rough sea. Found clutching a lifejacket and suffer- ing from shock and exposure, he was the owner of Lady Jane which had subsequently been wrecked on a sand- bank; three children who had been on board were still in the sea, The ILB could not reach them because of the Bronze medallists 1974 in order of presentation, starting on the left with Assistant Mechanic shallow water, so Crew Member David Peter Thomas (Dungeness). Williams waded and swam to the children, and with the help of another medical adviser, Dr Peter Davy, on Crew Member Trevor Fryer, Tynemouth: crew member, brought them ashore. board to go to the help of Argentinian bronze medal It was later learned that the oldest warship Candida de Lasala which had Crew Member Frederick Arkley, child, Jayne Edmunds, aged 11, had suffered an explosion. While being Tynemouth: bronze medal thrown the lifejacket to her father when transferred from the lifeboat to a On March 10, 1974, Tynemouth ILB he fell overboard. She had also fired the helicopter Dr Davy was swung against launched in a gale force easterly wind distress signals, instructed her friends to the stern of the lifeboat and then washed and rough seas to help the tug Northsider put on lifejackets and had supported one into the sea. Despite suffering from driven on to rocks while trying to of them in the water after their boat was seven broken ribs, he refused medical assist a grounded oil exploration vessel; wrecked. attention until he had tended the she was being swept by breaking seas. injured on the warship. A young boy was taken off and trans- ferred to the ILB station. When the ILB returned, escorted by Tynemouth life- Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs, Torbay: boat, she found the tug driven under the bronze medal cliffs and in danger of breaking up. On December 16, 1973, Torbay life- Three attempts were made to go boat Princess Alexandra of Kent rescued alongside the rolling tug before the the sole crew member of Guernsey three crew members were successfully fishing vessel Petit Michel in a west- taken off. north-westerly gale and very rough seas. As it was too dangerous to appioach the vessel from leeward, Coxswain Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas Victor Jayne Edmunds and Erie Jones were each Kenneth Gibbs brought the lifeboat Knott, Lowestoft: bronze medal presented with an inscribed wrist watch. around to the windward side, and a Second Coxswain Peter Gibbons, lifejacket was passed to the casualty. Lowestoft: bronze medal Helmsman Sydney S. R. Thayers, Storm oil was sprayed to reduce the On April 13, 1974, lifeboat Canadian Eastney: bronze medal wave crests, and the survivor was able Pacific on temporary duty at Lowestoft Operational Swimmer William Charles to jump and be pulled aboard the life- launched to help the yacht Sarina which, Hawkins, Eastney: bronze medal boat at the first attempt. with a crew of four on board, was Crew Member Dennis Faro, Eastney: dragging her anchor and aground in bar to his bronze medal heavy surf. The wind was strong to gale After flares had been sighted on Staff Coxswain Michael Stafford with large breaking waves. The lifeboat September 7, 1974, Eastney ILB Houchen, Clovelly: bronze medal grounded twice as she approached, but launched in very difficult conditions On February 6, 1974, Clovelly life- Second Coxswain Peter Gibbons suc- caused by storm force winds and very boat Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service ceeded in jumping aboard the yacht, rough seas. Despite the extreme weather, No. 35) went to the aid of a trawler, which was towed stern first to deeper she made for the casualty at full speed, St Pierre, reported sinking 26 miles from water and then back to harbour. with the help of directions from the Hartland Point. When sighted she did Coastguard, and found it to be a motor not appear to be in immediate danger of cruiser with a man and his 11-year-old sinking and Staff Coxswain Michael Helmsman Mervyn Lloyd Thomas, New son on board, suffering from shock and Houchen felt that it would be best to tow Quay: bronze medal exposure. They were taken on board the her, with the crew aboard, to an On July 30, 1974, New Quay ILB ILB after great difficulty. The return to anchorage off Lundy Island. At the launched to help a small power boat harbour was very slow because of steep third attempt a tow was passed. Two which had broken down and, with her seas and zero visibility. hours later in the steep seas of Lundy owner still on board, was anchored near Race, the trawler's transom was stove dangerous rocks at the foot of cliffs. Coxswain G. J. Jones, Porthdinllaen: in and both vessels were in danger of Two of her crew had swum ashore; one bronze medal broaching. A safe anchorage was was safe on the cliff top but the other was Eric Jones, Porthdinllaen, inscribed reached, the trawler pumped out and stranded, exhausted, on a rock. In a wrist watch she was then towed on to Ilfracombe. strong wind and rough sea, Helmsman On September 20,1974, a report was

12 received that two people were missing Mr F. W. H. Park, MBE Mrs Q. H. Boutwood from a boat. Coxswain Griffiths Jones Honorary secretary of Torbay station Honorary secretary of Stanmore branch was on leave, but he and his 14-year-old since 1948. since 1949. son Eric watched the launch of Porth- Mr Park, well known in the Torbay Mrs Boutwood has been responsible dinllaen lifeboat. Eric then sighted a area, has carried out his job as honorary for running this active branch and has man on an isolated rock and he, his secretary in a reliable and enthusiastic worked unstintingly during the past 25 father and another man, launched and manner. He has given outstanding years. Her drive and enthusiasm resulted manned the station boarding boat. In a service to the RNLI over many years. in the 1974 lifeboat collection being the confused sea, Coxswain Jones had to highest ever. negotiate extremely narrow channels Mr R. K. Sayer, MBE between the rocks to reach the stranded Honorary secretary of Newhaven station Mrs J. S. Goddard man, who, shocked and exhausted, was since 1936. Honorary treasurer of Mottram and pulled into the boarding boat by Eric Mr Sayer has given devoted service to Broadbottom guild since 1945; chairman Jones. the RNLI since 1936, as shown by the since 1973. efficiently run station where he is greatly Mrs Goddard has been a most loyal Coxswain/Mechanic John Bryan, Great respected. and devoted worker who for many years Yarmouth and Gorleston: bar to his has been the main force on the com- bronze medal Mr A. P. Weaver, MBE mittee. It is largely due to her enthusiasm On December 13, 1974, Great Crew member of Bembridge station that the guild has continued to flourish. Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat Khami branch, 1921 to 1936; assistant mechanic, rescued the crew of five of MV Biscaya 1937 to 1951; head launcher, 1952 to The late Mr A. W. Hawkes and a crew member of salvage tug 1956; station honorary secretary since Committee member of Ipswich branch Titan in a north-north-westerly storm 1956. since 1937; branch publicity officer. and very high seas. Biscaya, which had Mr Weaver has dedicated a lifetime of Mr Hawkes had given long and en- been in collision with another vessel, was service to the Institution. His enthusiasm thusiastic service to the Institution, listing with her steering gear out of and devotion to duty hold the respect personally raising many hundreds of action. When the list increased to 45° and admiration of all who come in pounds, giving talks to various organisa- three of the crew took to the liferaft and contact with him, and the Institution tions and also making and selling were picked up by the lifeboat. Ham- owes him a great debt for his invaluable 'novelty boats in bottles', the proceeds pered by the increasing list and heavy work over so many years. of which go into branch funds. swell the remaining crew were taken off by the lifeboat only three minutes before GOLD BADGE Mrs E. P. Hill Biscaya finally sank. Honorary secretary of Gourock guild Miss A. Ainsworth since 1954. Honorary secretary of Darwen branch Since the last annual presentations of Mrs Hill has been the mainstay of the since 1947. Gourock guild since 1954. The guild awards meeting the Committee of Miss Ainsworth is an extremely active Management has awarded five honorary revenue has climbed annually in a most honorary secretary, carrying everyone encouraging manner and, despite poor life governorships and 15 gold badges to along with her enthusiasm. It is largely honorary workers for long and distin- health, Mrs Hill continues to work'as due to her dedication and energy that a hard as ever for the Institution. guished service. Presentations were made steady revenue is maintained in her at the Festival Hall by the Duke of Kent area. to all but Mrs E. P. Hill, who was un- Mr J. Newman fortunately unable to be there, and the Committee member of Hounslow branch late Mr A. W. Hawkes and Mr W. C. Mr K. E. Mooring Aldridge since 1937; appeals secretary since 1967. Prethero. Honorary treasurer of Weymouth station Mr Newman is a most loyal and hard branch, 1940 to 1950; honorary secretary working supporter of the lifeboat service, since 1951. together with his wife, who was present HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR Mr Aldridge has given conscientious to receive the honorary life governors' Mrs H. D. Ford and devoted service to the Institution vellum. Their dedication to the lifeboat Lifeboat day organiser for Margate over very many years. His name is cause is well known. station branch, 1940 to 1955; founded synonymous with lifeboats in the Margate guild, 1955; guild honorary Weymouth community. Mr W. Penry Williams secretary, 1955 to 1972; retired from Auditor of Caernarvon branch since 1939; guild and joined Margate station branch Mr C. F. Baker, JP honorary treasurer since 1940. committee, 1972; branch lifeboat day Joint honorary secretary of Eastbourne Mr Penry Williams has been auditor organiser, 1974. station branch, 1949 to 1953; honorary from the establishment of Caernavon Mrs Ford is wholly dedicated to the secretary since 1953. branch in 1939; the 'father' of this keen lifeboat service, having been actively Mr Baker has given 25 years devoted and energetic branch, he is a much loved involved in fund raising since 1940. She and valuable service to the Institution and respected member. Although not a has recently again taken on the task of and in particular to the Eastbourne young man, he is still firmly in the saddle lifeboat day organiser and attained a new station branch, where he is considered as honorary treasurer. record for the Margate street collection. to be an outstanding honorary secretary. The late Mr W. C. Prethero Mrs G. F. Newman Mr R. W. Berkeley, CBE JP Committee member of Barry station Committee member and lifeboat week Committee member of Belfast branch branch since 1934. organiser ofHounslow branch since 1937; since 1940; chairman of Northern Ireland Mr Prethero had been an 'honorary' chairman since 1967. 1974 committee. member of Barry ladies' guild through- A most enthusiastic and hard working Mr Berkeley has for many years out its existence. He first started to supporter of the lifeboat service, Mrs organised a docks collection; he is also collect for the Institution when he was Newman has held many offices with the a regular subscriber to and supporter of 12, and later became a member of the Hounslow branch since first joining the this successful branch. As chairman of crew of the pulling lifeboat John Wesley. committee in 1937. She continues to the Northern Ireland 1974 committee he Until his death he regularly attended the give magnificent support to the Institu- was personally responsible for a major station branch committee meetings, also tion, the proof being in the continued portion of the effort which went into this helping the guild at all its special efforts rise in revenue in her area. 150th Anniversary appeal. and flag days.

13 Mrs H. Slater Vice-Admiral Thomas R. Sargent HI. 'The voluntary basis of the RNLI is Honorary secretary of Ramsbottom USCG (Retd) sometimes questioned. But one has only branch since 1949. For his invaluable influence and to know our coastal towns and villages Mrs Slater is a very hard working and assistance in developing and maintaining to realise how the voluntary spirit commands the loyalty of so many stead- enthusiastic honorary secretary, a posi- the excellent relationship that exists fast and courageous people who are tion she has held for 25 years. She has between the RNLI and the US Coast members of the lifeboat crew. The red devoted a considerable amount of time Guard. letters on the blue sweater are rightly and energy in support of the lifeboat looked upon as a sort of red badge of service. THANKS OF THE INSTITUTION courage. And the lifeboatmen have the INSCRIBED ON VELLUM full support of all the many other Mr T. Taylor voluntary workers all over the country Sir Hugh Wontner, GBE cvo who raise the funds which become ever Honorary secretary of Llandudno station For his help and support during the more essential to support a modern branch since 1948. 150th Anniversary Year (1974) while lifeboat service. Mr Taylor has been honorary secre- Lord Mayor of London. 'And it is increasingly a modern tary of this busy station branch for service: various new types of inshore and 26 years. Apart from carrying out these GOLD BADGE conventional boats are coming into onerous duties he is very active in operation, though more are needed. The Mr R. L. Osborn, MBE desire to help our fellow men is some- raising funds and it is mainly due to his For his long and distinguished service enthusiasm that the revenue of the thing which it is surely right to harness with the Civil Service and Post Office to the cause of saving life at sea.' branch has steadily increased over the Lifeboat Fund, organising the collec- years. tions throughout the Civil Service in Speaking of the need for good co- support of the RNLI. ordination between the RNLI, other Mr A. E. and Mrs M. Turner ships and small craft, helicopters, long- New Romney and Romney Marsh STATUETTE range aircraft and the coast radio Branch. Mrs M. Turner: honorary Sergeant Frank Elverson stations of the Post Office, which is the treasurer, 1953 to 1957; honorary secre- For his considerable practical support job of the Department of Trade, Mr tary since 1957. Mr A. E. Turner: as a collector on London flag days and Shore said: honorary treasurer since 1957. also at the London Internationa! Boat The New Romney and Romney 'Although past performance is for Shows. Marsh branch was formed in 1953 when the most part highly successful and Mrs Turner was appointed honorary praiseworthy, we have, over the past Next followed another of the many year, been reviewing the whole of our treasurer. She held this position until happy events of the day: the presenta- search and rescue services. And, of 1957 when she handed over to Mr tion to the President by Lieut. Comman- course, the representatives of your Turner. Since then this husband and der J. A. Douglas, MBE RN, Chief Institution have played a most valuable wife team have given wonderful service Inspector of HM Coastguard, of an part in this new thinking. to the lifeboat Institution. For the past 'I am not yet in a position to announce inscribed plaque from Her Majesty's the new developments which will follow 18 years Mrs Turner has undertaken Coastguard inscribed: 'Presented to the many speaking engagements to further this review but there is an emphasis on Royal National Life-boat Institution on the Institution's cause. Mr Turner the need for even closer collaboration the occasion of their 150th Anniversary than in the past. A clearer definition has accompanies her at these functions in as a tribute to their splendid record of order to illustrate the talks with his emerged of the nature of the co-ordi- saving life at sea 1824-1974'. nating role of the Coastguard and the lifeboat slides. obligations of all parties in the search Commander Swann then called upon and rescue services. the Right Honourable Peter Shore, 'In particular, we are now examining, in the closest collaboration and accord The Duke of Kent then presented six Secretary of State for the Department of with your Committee and the officials Trade, to propose the resolution. In of the Institution, ways in which the special honorary awards made by the doing so, Mr Shore spoke of the volun- Committee of Management. At the planning and operational functions of tary spirit of the RNLI: Festival Hall to receive the honorary the Coastguard and this Institution can be brought more closely together. The life governors' vellum awarded to the 'It is indeed a great pleasure and a object is to see that all our resources— late Major Osman Gabriel was his privilege for me today to pay tribute to and indeed those of other arms of the daughter, Mrs J. M. Crawshaw. the Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue services—are devel- on behalf of Her Majesty's Government oped and used as effectively as possible. on completion of its 150th year of HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR 'I would emphasize that, as envisaged, splendid service to humanity. these developments would be fully Mr Jack Duvivier 'It may seem superfluous at a gather- consistent with the voluntary basis of ing of this kind to refer to the maritime your Institution. I believe that in this For his valued assistance and advice tradition of this country . . . For during his service of 40 years with country we have a special talent for Britain, the sea has always been—and bringing together our voluntary and Messrs Lewis and Duvivier, the Institu- will continue to be—the great source of tion's consulting engineers. state-financed services in a smooth and national strength and security. Nowa- fully cost-effective way.' days it is more important to us than ever The late Major Osman Gabriel from a commercial and industrial stand- Mr Shore then said it was his pleasant For his generosity in donating the point and more of our people, of course, go to sea for pleasure; so that our need duty to inform the Institution that cost of two Rother class lifeboats for an effective and dedicated search and congratulations had been expressed in stationed at Port Erin (Isle of Man) and rescue service is greater than ever before. both Houses of Parliament to the Hoylake (Cheshire). His late wife, Mary 'It is well known that it is the obliga- Institution on the attainment of its Gabriel, also donated an Atlantic tion of all who are at sea to come to the 150th Anniversary. Then, having moved inshore lifeboat. aid, when required, of those in peril on the resolution: the sea. It is only right that this brother- Sir Alec Rose, Kt hood in adversity should extend to our That this meeting fully recognising the shore-based rescue services whether important services of the Royal National For his valuable help in launching the these are voluntary, as with your Life-boat Institution in its national work Institution's membership scheme, his Institution and the Auxiliary Coast- of life-saving, desires to record its hearty untiring efforts as chairman of the guard, or whether they are publicly appreciation of the gallantry of the Hampshire Rose appeal and his many financed like the regular Coastguard and coxswain and crews of the Institution's other activities in support of the RNLI. the armed services. lifeboats, and its deep obligation to the

14 local committees, honorary secretaries and honorary treasurers of all station branches; to all other voluntary com- mittees and supporters and to the honorary officers and thousands of voluntary members of the financial branches and the ladies' lifeboat guilds in the work of raising funds to maintain the service.' . . . which was received with acclaim, Crews Lifeboats Mr Shore presented to the Duke a Inspectorate Inshore Lifeboats magnificent silver salver inscribed: and 'Presented by Her Majesty's Government Dependents to the Royal National Life-boat Institu- Pensions tion on the occasion of its 150th anniver- sary in recognition of the many and valiant services rendered in saving life at sea, 1824-1974'... with the comment: 'Of all the many awards which have been given over many years for gal- lantry at sea, I am sure there has been none so richly deserved.' continued on page 21

How expenditure 1974 ACCOUNTS SUMMARY was apportioned in 1974 Income £000's General purpose legacies 1,721 AREAS OF (Below) Ten years at a glance. Subscriptions and donations 2,176 KEY EXPENDITURE Miscellaneous 266 Restricted funds 782

4,945 Surplus Technical Capital Expenditure £000's Operational 1,212 Deficit Administration t^5a Operational Technical 953 Fund raising 773 £ million Administration 571 Capital 1,160 5

4,669

Balance transferred to reserve for capital expenditure 276

The Institution's expenditure for the year 1974 is displayed in the pie chart on the right. The diagram enables a com- parison to be made of the volume of expenditure between the four main divisions of capital, operational, tech- nical and administration items. Each of these main divisions has been further sub-divided where necessary to give a more detailed interpretation of expendi- ture. The increasing cost of the lifeboat service over the past ten years is re- vealed in the histogram below. Each column is proportionately split up between the four main areas of ex- penditure and shows a surplus or deficit for each year as appropriate. This year's operating surplus has been transferred to the Institution's reserves for capital expenditure, partially off- setting the realised and unrealised losses on investments caused by the general decline in the Stock Market in 1974. 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 15 active support of branches, guilds and and guilds were fully committed with staff to the absolute minimum. their own events. The Committee of Management ap- The CAC organised or helped to proved that a central appeals committee organise the following events: be formed for the purpose of raising 1971 National sponsored £550,000 of new money over a period of walk, No. 1 £33,949.50 Central five years. The hope was expressed that, National balloon race 2,587.81 through its existing means, on average, Robert Brothers the Institution's accounts could be kept Circus tour, in balance over this period so that, at the collections 1,160.80 Appeals end of five years the financial position 1972 National sponsored would be recovered. walk, No. 2 22,311.60 At the same time, the Committee of Robert Brothers Committee Management also asked the CAC to Circus tour, collections 520.47 assume a fund-raising advisory respon- Tesco/Green Shield sibility apart from the functional work Stamps project, and this responsibility continued until extending into 1973 4,126.60 THE CENTRAL APPEALS COMMITTEE met the formation of the fund raising National sponsored swim, for its final meeting at the Royal committee as a sub-committee of the organised with the Festival Hall on Thursday, May 8, Committee of Management. Amateur Swimming following the annual general meeting. The CAC's area of working comprised Association and The CAC had been formed at a time England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Wales ASA 20,286.50 1973 Schools walks at the when income was not balancing ex- Channel Islands. request of Jimmy penditure. From 1966 to 1968 the Representatives of each fund raising Savile, extending into Institution incurred deficits totalling district in England and Wales were 1974 3,350.65 £550,000. The financial position was nominated, generally by the District Civic heads appeal 31,630.00 therefore serious and an immediate Office, to become members of the com- Robert Brothers change in the financial trend was mittee. Other people were invited for Circus tour, essential. All concerned rallied to give their special connections and skills. The collections 388.10 immediate help but the longer-term Committee of Management was also 1974 International swimmers problem of recovering the deficit represented and the Director became a project sponsored by ASA 596.41 remained. This needed new money. member. Sponsored knit-in 1,956.00 R. Norman Crumbie conceived the Circumstances of working were ex- 'Operation Lifeboat', plan that this new money could be tremely difficult at the outset because Scout Association 93,000.00 raised by mounting centrally organised the Institution's staff was also fully Guides project, the appeals, preferably with the sponsorship engaged in the immediate problem of Guide Friendship of outside bodies but involving the raising additional funds and branches Fund ' 25,326.00 Although the CAC did not raise the full amount of its target the Institution's financial position has, nevertheless, been Augustine Courtauld: Poole restored. Apart from the money raised, the A force 6 to 7 wind was blow- CAC may be said to have also been ing when Poole's new 44' class responsible for pointing the way to lifeboat was named Augustine raising new money through centrally Courtauld after the well-known organised appeals on a national or explorer by his sister Lady district basis; and encouraging branch Rayner at Poole Harbour Y.C. and guild participation in certain events, Marina on Wednesday, May 7; particularly national sponsored walks, caught up by wild gale force thus enabling them to raise larger sums gusts, the words of prayers of money, to which end co-ordination on and hymns were carried away a wider basis materially assisted. to seaward and true point was The committee expressed its apprecia- given to the firing of maroons tion and thanks to the numerous at the start of the ceremony organisations which either sponsored and the slipping of the life- events or gave material help and advice; boat's moorings at the end. the many branches and guilds for their Augustine Courtauld's brother, help, either directly, in organising events, W. P. Courtauld, a member of or in giving support to local committees the Committee of Manage- of national organisations running pro- ment, handed over the lifeboat jects in aid of RNLI funds; the staff of to the RNLI; his son, the the Institution and particularly to Mrs Rev. A. C. C. Courtauld, led E. Magee, the secretary of the committee the interdenominational ser- whose hours of working have far vice of dedication. Commander exceeded the part-time nature of her F. R. H. Swann, CBE RNVR, employment and whose enthusiasm and RNLI chairman, spoke of efficiency have done much towards the Augustine Courtauld as a man success of projects; and to the Com- of quiet manner but great mittee of Management for being given determination; he was a fine the opportunity to be of service. small boat sailor. Poole's new The CAC hopes that the achievements lifeboat is the gift of W. P. and the lessons learned may be of use in Courtauld, the Mayor of the future. It has been a privilege to its Poole's appeal and public members to have played some small subscription. part in helping the Institution's work.

16 Operation Lifeboat

THE SCOUTS' GOOD TURN FOR THE RNLI

ON MAY 8, 1975, at the RNLI annual meeting held in the Royal Festival Hall, London, a cheque for £91,363.72 was handed over by four young members of First Cuffley Scout troop The Scout Association (see page 21) to raised money by building a cover funds raised for the lifeboat paper 'mountain1—15 tons service during one of the largest national of waste paper and card. projects ever undertaken by Scouts. Photograph by courtesy of Money was still coming in and the Hertfordshire Mercury. figure has now passed £93,000. East Reading District Scout Code-named 'Operation Lifeboat', Council organised 'Opera- this money-raising effort involved practi- tion Sealion', a sponsored cally the whole of the United Kingdom's paddle against the clock 200,000-strong Scout section. from Bristol to Reading, The idea for a national Scout 'good along the Kennet and Avon turn' was first discussed in 1972 at the Canal. 120 Scouts, in relays, National Scout Board Conference. [It got their 12' aluminium boat along the 90 miles in had by then been considered by the 46| hours. RNLI's 1974 Working Party at the Photograph by courtesy of suggestion of one of its members, Fotosparks, Reading. Norman Crumbie.—Editor]. The follow- ing spring, at the Assistant County Commissioners' Conference held in craft. A date was set: October 5 and 6, youngsters who intended to take part in Liverpool it was suggested that perhaps 1974. The exact form that the activities sponsored canoe races, litter clearances, some form of activity could be under- should take was left to the discretion of sponsored swims, Scout variety shows... taken to coincide with the RNLI's individual Scout Counties, Districts and and even sponsored silences! 150th Anniversary celebrations due to Groups. The weekend of October 5 and 6 saw take place in 1974. Shortly after this, the Movement's Britain's Scouts out in force. Hundreds From the various proposals put own magazine, Scouting, carried news of Harrow Scouts organised a sponsored forward at this meeting 'Operation of the project and with the help of walk around Harrow Hill in Middlesex Lifeboat' emerged: a weekend of fund- Assistant County and District Com- to raise money for the appeal (inciden- raising activities to be carried out by missioners (Scouts) the story broke tally, a total of £2,500 was gained Scouts, the proceeds of which would through to local level. Everywhere through their particular efforts); Scouts enable the RNLI to purchase a new Scouts responded with tremendous zeal. from the Blackpool District took part in lifeboat to add to its fleet of rescue Soon reports were filtering in of sponsored conservation work in Beacon Fell country park, raising over £1,000 The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, receives the "large" cheque for £91,363.72 from four for the fund. young Scouts representing Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England: it was one of the More than £600 was contributed by a happiest moments at the 1975 Annual General Meeting. group of Scottish Scouts from the Forres and Kinloss District in Moray who towed a salmon cobble from Findhorn to Forres, a journey of some 10 miles; Scouts in Blackburn released 5,500 balloons in a sponsored balloon race held in the town—one balloon soared 1,300 miles to Gibraltar winning first prize in the race for its owner; Scouts from a local Bangor Troop in North Wales took part in a sponsored hill walk, and while a group of Wiltshire Scouts were engaged in a sponsored cleaning session of the Devizes stretch of the Kennett and Avon Canal they recovered a haul of silver-plated cutlery thought to be the proceeds of a burglary —their 'good turn' for the RNLI re- sulted in an additional 'good turn' for local police!—MAUREEN WEST, The Scout Association.

17 Family Profile

THE TARTS AND OILLERS OF DUNGENESS

by Joan Davies

Doris and Ben Tart: the story of the Dungeness lifeboat station is not only the story of their boat—it is the story of their own people. Photograph by courtesy of the Kent Messenger.

THEY CAME FROM FRANCE, the TartS of places we'd never have gone to, met badge (1953) and bar for 60 years Dungeness. They were Huguenots and people we'd never have met . . . and service (1963) presented to Miss Mabel it was in the days before religious taken part in some wonderful occasions'. Tart, Doris's aunt. It is traditional at toleration. So when persecution became 'The service at St Paul's', added Doris, Dungeness for the womenfolk to help too great they took to their boats, being recalling the Year of the Lifeboat. 'And with the arduous, and often hazardous, fishing people, and sailed across the the Guildhall dinner . . . that was the task of launching and recovery of this Channel to England. Some journeyed best day of my life.' To meet Ben and beach-launched lifeboat. on, right inland, but some stayed to Doris Tart is to come face to face with The lifeboat stands high up on the settle that little world of wind and happiness and contentment. shingle headland of Dungeness. She shingle and fishing boats that is At the latter end of the last century starts on her way down a slipway, but Dungeness. In those days their name was both families held positions of respon- the last part of her journey to the sea is written Tarte, but the final 'e' had sibility in the boat. One of Ben's great made over heavy wooden skids so disappeared by the 1850s. uncles, Robin Tart, was second cox- placed that they will be in her pathway They had looked to the sea for refuge, swain, another, Alfred, was in the crew even though she is deflected from her and in their turn, from generation to (he was to take over as second coxswain straight course by the wind. Experience, generation, have made the safety of in 1897), and Ben's grandfather, William good judgment, teamwork and great seafarers in peril on the waters of the 'Uncle Bill' Tart, was head launcher. exertion all play their part. If the boat English Channel their concern. Doris's grandfather, Charles Oilier, cannot get away first time, she may have Side by side with the Tart family have was in the crew too. Those were the days to be hauled back and start again—and stood the Oillers, who came from when the fishermen took over the boat someone will have to enter the breaking Cornwall to join the fishing community from the coastguards. 'They kind of seas and connect the winch wire to the of Dungeness. The story of the two ousted the coastguards', explained Ben, forefoot. On return from service she families and of the lifeboat is inextricably 'and there was actual fighting... you see, will have to be hauled up in the same intermingled; both men and women in those days the fishermen and the way. have given long years of service either coastguards didn't hit it off. It's no Ben remembers what it was like in the in the crew, or as launchers, or in the secret. Everyone knows that years ago days of the sailing lifeboats (before administration of the station. these old fishermen did a lot of smugg- 1933). 'There was no electric winch as 1974, the Institution's 150th anniver- ling . . . but these old people couldn't there is today. It was all done by hand sary, was to be a climax to the story. It have made any money, because our with an old windlass. It took 30 people, was, of course, a year of celebration for family never had any money . . . when and it took you two hours to heave the lifeboat people; it was the year of the I was young, in the '20s, after the first boat up. I can remember many a time silver medal service in hurricane force world war, we had a job to get a loaf of when I was a kid and could hardly winds to MV Merc Texco; and it was the bread reach the bars, walking round and last year for the last Tart in the Dungeness The Dungeness lifeboat still has a round there for a couple of hours, get- boat—Tom Richard 'Ben' Tart. Ben crew of fishermen and, needless to say, ting the boat up, wind and rain. It was had joined the crew in 1938, a young nowadays the relationship between them terrible . . . but we always used to get a man in his early twenties; he and the Coastguard is of the friendliest full quota of helpers in those days, subsequently served as bowman from and co-operation couldn't be better! simply because nobody had got any 1946, as second coxswain from 1947 and Then, to return to the past, there money. The fishing was on the floor ...' as coxswain from 1965. When he was Doris's other grandfather, Isaac From the early 1900s to 1965 the retired on January 5, 1975, it was the Bonguarde Tart (the echo of France greater part of the crew was made up of end of an era. still lingered . . . ), one of the Dungeness Tarts and Oillers. The sailing boat Ben and his wife Doris (an Oilier by lifeboat crew who received medals from needed a crew of 15. In the first motor birth) can recall so much of the history the King of Sweden 'for extraordinary lifeboat, which came into service in of the Dungeness lifeboat station; it is exertions in saving life on the occasion 1933, there was a crew of 10. Now there not only the story of their boat, it is the of the stranding of the Swedish barque is a crew of seven. There were, of course, story of their own people. Reaching Aeolus^ on November 11, 1891. The other men and other families: the father retirement, they can look back down the medal is treasured with other awards of Albert 'Honker' Haines, the present years with peace and pride—and plea- made to the family. coxswain, joined the crew around 1920, sure. 'We've done a service, of course Like the gold badge presented in 1953 for instance, and John Thomas was in we have', said Ben, 'but the RNLI has for 50 years service as a launcher to Mrs. the crew in the '50s and '60s—he is the given us so much, too. We've been to Ellen Tart, Ben's mother; and the gold father of Peter Thomas who was awarded

18 the bronze medal for gallantry on the sudden gust blew the lifeboat right off 107 lives were rescued and 12 other Merc Texco service last year. But Tarts the skids, on to the beach. She was people were landed. and Oillers predominated—at times hauled up again by the windlass, the Dungeness lifeboat launched three they formed 90% of the crew. They skids replaced, and at the second times between noon and midnight on appear as coxswains, second coxswains, attempt, although wet to the skin and Sunday, July 29. The first launch, at bowmen, motor mechanics, signalmen ... hardly able to keep their feet on the 1255, was to motor vessel Teeswood of For the boys of the family their greatest loose stones, the launchers succeeded in Middlesbrough, in distress 4 miles east ambition was to join their fathers and getting her away. of Dungeness. By the time the lifeboat uncles in the crew. Members of the From 1947 to 1965, Geoige Tart, arrived, at 1330, Teeswood had capsized. families also served as honorary secre- Ben's cousin, was coxswain. Those were ss BP Distributor was standing by and taries, and who can say how many the years Ben Tart was second coxswain. had picked up six survivors; the lifeboat added their weight on shore ? Robert Tart, George's son, was in the rescued a further nine. The height of the Doris's father, Douglas Oilier, was crew during this period, and so was waves, together with flying spray and coxswain for 31 years, from 1916 to James Tart, and Arthur, John, Sydney rain, made it extremely difficult to find 1947. He was awarded the bronze medal and Alexander Oilier. the survivors in the water and rescuing in 1929 for his share in the service to the Arthur Oilier was to be one of the the men, none of whom was capable of barge Marie May of Rochester. Three crew in the Merc Texco service in 1974; helping himself, was no easy task. At years later he was accorded the thanks now he is the only one of the two one stage, when the boat was in the of the Institution inscribed on vellum families who is still in the boat. middle of a group of survivors, the when the No. 2 pulling and sailing boat George Tart was coxswain at the time propeller became fouled by wreckage. went to the help of a London barge, of the great Channel gale of 1956, when, Motor Mechanic Alexander Oilier im- Shamrock, in a full gale. The thanks of on the last weekend of July the fury of mediately went down into the engine- the Institution were also accorded to the the wind rose to hurricane force. It was room, uncoupled the shaft and, by women of Dungeness for their gallant the height of the holiday season so that, turning it by hand in the reverse direc- services in helping to launch the lifeboat. as well as commercial shipping, many tion, cleared the obstruction. Thirty-seven launchers, 14 of them yachts and pleasure boats were caught For this service the bronze medal was women, pushed the 42' long boat, one of out; on top of that, the Royal Ocean awarded to Coxswain George Tart and the largest and heaviest in the RNLI Racing Club fleet was at sea on the the thanks of the Institution inscribed fleet, down the skids to the sea. Twelve Channel Race. From late evening of on vellum were accorded to Motor other women, wives and sisters of the Saturday, July 28, the RNLI experienced Mechanic Alexander Oilier and Crew men launchers, helped too. At the first its busiest 24 hours on record: there Member W. Thomas, who for 1^ hours attempt, so violent was the wind, that a were 52 launches from 38 stations: had tried to revive one man with

Father and grandfathers . . . (seated, I. to r.) George 'Wener' Tart (George Tart's father), Jjck Brignall, Alfred Tart, John Pope, Charles Williams, Douglas Oilier (Doris' father); (standing, front row, I. to r.) Charles Oilier (Doris' grandfather), William 'Beefer' Thomas (Peter Thomas' grandfather), Old Jackner Oilier, Jack 'Chokum' Oilier, Tom Richard Tart (Ben's father); (standing, back row, third from left) William 'Uncle Bill' Tart (Ben's grandfather); (fifth, sixth and seventh from left) Fred and Bill Tart (Isaac Tart's sons) and Peter Oilier. Mothers and aunts . . . (seated, I. to r.) Miss Nellie Tart (Doris' mother), Miss Dorothy Tart, Miss Amelia Tart (Doris' aunt); (standing, I. to r.) Miss Lottie Tart, Mrs Deer, Miss Madge Tart (Doris' aunt) many years later to be awarded the gold badge and bar, Mrs Rebbecca Tart (Mrs Serina Fair's mother), Mrs Welfare and Miss Annie Tart.

fFPNDALE DUNCENESS. Telephone: LVDDaSQ

DUNCENESS Telephone LYDD 2M AJROILLER. The ANCHORAGE. T , , DUNGENESS T«l-,Thon«: LYDD 3|Q

No comment I

19 At 1658 on February 11, 1973, Dungeness lifeboat, Mabel E. Swept round broadside on, twice, by the heavy seas . .. Holland, launched on service to Merc Texco in a 70 knot wind.

artificial respiration while he and his had some rough old do's, of course we the water broadside at, I would say, patient were being washed about on have, but never as severe as that. If you about 2 to 3 knots, and of course rolling deck by heavy seas. Also in the crew ask anyone down here they will tell down on us. If you got under her stern were Acting Second Coxswain Albert you that it was the worst weather that when it was coming down it would Haines, Acting Bowman Frederick the Dungeness lifeboat has ever launched smash your boat and kill half your Richardson, Assistant Mechanic Sydney in, in living memory. And I don't fancy crew, perhaps. Sometimes you are Oilier and Crew Members John Thomas, it would have been done in an old 8 or 9' from the vessel and then the next Robert Tart and Arthur Oilier. sailing boat—you just couldn't have got few seconds you are banging up against Ben Tart was appointed coxswain in away from the beach. So it was the her again. When a big sea hits the ship, 1965. It has been his experience that at roughest weather in which a lifeboat and you are on the lee side of her, she Dungeness, standing out as it does into has ever gone out down here ... comes lurching towards you and has the increasingly busy shipping lanes of 'It was uncanny to steer the boat', he the greater speed on impact; this gives the approaches to the Straits of Dover, continued. 'I would say that the top you a shove broadside. Then, of course, almost as many launches are to ships in 3 feet of water were going along with when she rolls back, she doesn't come to collision as to those overtaken by storm. the wind. It was very confused and there the lee so fast... you know, in between Mabel E. Holland, the station's 42' wasn't any weight on the wheel. You the troughs. This is where young Peter Beach boat, cannot be fitted with radar, couldn't feel anything. It was strange. I did such a marvellous job in jumping so, in fog, navigation has to be by dead think there was air in the water. You'd aboard. He had to watch his chance and reckoning. Ben has his own method of have to ask some scientist to tell you when the ship rolled down on us he searching for collision casualties in fog. whether, when it blows hard, there is made a jump and grabbed on to the He stations the crew on lookout, two much air in the top 3 feet of the sea. rails and our boys gave him a push and forward, two amidships and two aft and Because you could actually turn the he was aboard. When the ship rolled tells them not only to use their eyes but wheel over with your little finger . . . right down, her deck came nearly down their noses as well. Where there is a 'Going alongside—that was the to ours; then, when she rolled back collision, oil will have been spilt and the dangerous part, because the ship was again, you got half the bottom up, her smell of it will drift down to leeward. As rolling down right on top of us. She was side right out... soon as anyone smells oil, therefore, stopped, but she was blowing through 'When it came to getting the injured the lifeboat is headed straight up wind and will home in infallibly on the The naming o/Mabel E. Holland, 1957: John Oilier, Fred Richardson, Tom Richard 'Sen' Tart, casualty. It is so obvious—when some- James Tart, Robert Tart, Jack 'Son' Oilier, Ernie Cawdron (RNLI District Engineer), John one has pointed it out! Thomas (Peter Thomas' father), George Tart (Coxswain), Arthur Oilier and Albert 'Honker' It is not possible for Dungeness Haines (the present Coxswain). lifeboat to launch in the hour or two around low water; the exact timing depends on the state of the shingle beach, the formation of which is continually changing with the movement of the sea. Every day of the ten years he was coxswain, Ben Tart kept in his mind the tide changes, and the state of the shifting shingle, so that, should a call come, he would know to the minute whether the boat could launch. There has never, however, been a serious call when the lifeboat hasn't been able to get away. Thinking back to the evening of February 11, 1974, when Mabel E. Holland went out in hurricane force winds to take a badly injured man off Merc Texco, Ben said, 'Strange, isn't it? I've been in that lifeboat all these years, and yet I was in my last year before 1 came to these conditions. We've

20 . . . she had to reverse off the beach. Launchers stood by to re-connect Lifeboat away I It was the roughest weather in which the Dungeness winch wire, should it be necessary. boat has ever been launched. Photographs by courtesy of G. T. Paine. man across, Alec, our mechanic, did Members William Richardson, Colin young . . . the people of Dungeness. The what I asked him with the engines and I Haines and Arthur Oilier. There was yet vellum was received on behalf of the was concentrating on positioning the another presentation: the thanks of the launchers by Mrs Serena Fair, who boat, keeping her as close as I could. Institution to the launchers and shore holds the gold badge for 50 years' The rest of our boys—very good seamen, helpers for their efficiency and dedica- service. all of them—watched their chance and tion to duty in the worst beach condi- It was a happy, family evening, the said when to let the man come. As she tions ever experienced at Dungeness: celebration after a job well done, with a rolled down they all put out their arms, Ronald Oilier (head launcher), Graham table of home baked refreshments down and when he touched they shouted, Hancock (winchman), T. Dominy (assis- the middle of the hall as soon as the "Right! We've got him!" Then Peter tant winchman), Michael Steward (shore presentations were made: and so much jumped aboard when he got a chance. attendent), Ex-Coxswain George Tart to talk about. There were a few im- And this was in the darkness, which (telephone messenger) and shore helpers promptu speeches, too, the last one from made it more difficult. It was a lovely Leonard Oilier, B. Isted, John Thomas Ben Tart: job. It went fine. We were lucky. On the Snr, John Thomas Jnr, Patrick 'When I go up to get my medal, I will way out, one of our crew said to me, Richardson, Ronald Haines, Tony Isted, not feel that it belongs to me more than "You aren't half having some luck, Frederick Voller, Jeremy Oilier, Eric to anyone else in the crew. As I see it, Tart!" It's not only judgement—you've Oilier, Robert E. Oilier, William J. the RNLI has recognised the service got to have some luck when you do Oilier, A. Padgett, David Jones, Mrs we—the whole crew—did that day, by these jobs, or the Lord on your side.' Joan Bates, Mrs Doris Tart, Mrs Janet giving me a silver medal. And therefore, Doris was among the shore helpers: Hancock, Mrs Mai Steward, Miss Kim when I receive this medal, although it is 'When they first came back from there, Bates, Mrs Dilys Oilier, Mrs Pauline mine and it will have my name engraved 1 didn't want them to come ashore. I Fair. Ex-lifeboatmen, wives, fathers, upon it, I shall consider it is for the thought it was too rough. The sea was mothers, girls, boys . . . the old, the whole crew for what they did that day.' tremendous . . . ' Ben took up the story again: 'I said to Honker, our second coxswain, "What do you think about it? Think we can (/row page 15) countries and, in place of a more formal make it? What do you suggest?" "It's AGM speech, he ended with a poem written by up to you", he says. "You do what you his brother, Michael Burn: think." So I says, "Right, if nobody don't mind, then in we're going!" ' At this point four Scouts, representing You without enemies, remember the All the threads of the story of the Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and sea's enmity. Tarts and the Oillers seemed to come England, walked down the centre aisle You who have minds, remember the together on the night of February 13, and up on to the platform to present end/ess mindless 1975, when the lifeboat people of the Duke with a very large cheque— Dawn convulsion of waves. You who Romney Marsh met in the town hall of large in every way, for it measured about want causes, Remember the lee-shore, remember Lydd for the presentation by the Mayor 4' x 3'for a start! It was for £91,363.72, coxswain and crew. of vellum awards for the Merc Texco the greater part of the result of 'Opera- service. Commander F. R. H. Swann, tion Lifeboat', described on page 17; Close to your fires, remember the chairman of the Committee of Manage- the money was, however, still coming in flares in the fog; ment, was there, and Dr. Geoffrey Hale, in a remarkable way, and the total has In bed, the backwash, and under roofs another member of the Committee, now topped £93,000. It represented the the rocks; Commander Bruce Cairns, chief of Scout Association's contribution to Safe in your homes, the shout the operations, Lieut. Alan Tate, divisional 'The Year of the Lifeboat'—almost 50p frozen inspector south east, at that time, per Scout, and is to be used for the Held up to hail the last, the life-boat and other representatives of the RNLI payment for a new offshore lifeboat. A hope. as well as visitors from other stations. wonderful effort. The silver medal for gallantry had To conclude the proceedings of the Remember the keels a hundred and been awarded to Ben Tart and the afternoon, Mr Alan Burn, a member of fifty years Shire horse and tractor have drawn bronze medal to young Peter Thomas. the Committee of Management, pro- down sand, down shingle The thanks of the Institution inscribed posed a vote of thanks. In doing so, he To haul from gales a hundred thousand on vellum were presented to Second pointed out that in 'The Year of the souls. Coxswain Albert Haines, Motor Lifeboat' the Lifeboat service had ren- You who live safe, remember the ones Mechanic Alec Clements and Crew dered services to no less than 29 other who saved them.

21 five per day, though there had been less improvement with crossing traffic. He Safety at Sea expected that when the new international collision rules came into force in 1976, requiring countries to make it com- pulsory for their ships to obey traffic separation schemes, these numbers JOHN ARCHER, Head of the Marine Division, would come down. In the meantime the Department prosecuted British ship Department of Trade, reviews BRITAIN'S RECORD owners who breached the rules, and did their best to follow up the 'rogue' vessels with their owners and overseas governments. Oil spill incidents were showing a SPEAKING AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, fishing vessels from 1964 to 1973 had welcome downward trend; on the London, at a combined meeting with been in the range of 22 to 44 a year, other hand HM Coastguard and the the Greenwich Forum on February 25, though 1968 was a bad year with the search and rescue services had had their John Archer, head of the Department of loss of three trawlers in northern waters busiest year ever in 1974 with the Trade's Marine Division, said that and the death of 80 men. Tragically 1974 number of incidents up 16 per cent on despite the growth in the risks facing was a bad year, with the loss of Gaul and 1973. ships at sea today, the British merchant 36 lives. To improve fishing vessel safety, Recently there had been a major fleet's casualty record was very good by the Department was introducing new review of the organisation of search and international standards. While the UK fishing vessel surveys on a compulsory rescue and the Coastguard itself, and ranked third in world tonnage of basis this year. It would involve the the findings were still under examination. merchant ships after Liberia and Japan, survey of some 2,300 vessels, and would The emphasis was on defining the the average tonnage lost by Britain in require a very big effort by the Coastguard's co-ordination role more relation to tonnage at risk from 1964 to Department's surveyors. Mr Archer was clearly and making it work even more 1973 was the lowest of the seven largest confident, however, that taken together effectively by better integration of the merchant fleets for which comparable with the new radio rules for fishing services. He did not believe our casualty figures were available and over three vessels, there would be a very significant figures for small craft were any larger times better than the world average. advance in fishing vessel safety. in percentage terms than in countries Accidental deaths of crews had Mr Archer also referred to the traffic like the USA and France that had put fluctuated between 140 in 1966 and 49 separation scheme in the Dover Straits more emphasis on regulation and en- in 1971 and showed a considerable and the introduction of the Channel forcement. improvement compared with pre-war Navigation Information Service in 1972 In conclusion, Mr Archer claimed, years. It was necessary tostrive constantly and said there had been a dramatic without complacency, that the British to maintain and improve upon this decline in the number of collisions in marine safety record matched our great casualty record, and safeguard seafarers fog—from ten in 1968 to two in 1974. maritime tradition and that the organisa- against old and new dangers. Britain However, there were still an average of tion was geared to tackle new tasks was engaged in a great deal of rethinking three or four collisions a year in clear effectively. Inevitably, it was the ship- on safety equipment for ships, on devices weather. wreck that hit the headlines while the for alerting and locating missing ships, About 3"50 ships passed through the care and attention paid to good seaman- and on the updating of the training of Dover Straits each day, and the number ship by our mariners and the highly- officers and crews. of 'rogue' vessels going the wrong way professional work of shore-based staff Accidental deaths among crews of down the lanes had halved to about tended to go unnoticed.

It is with deep regret that we announce LIFEBOAT the following deaths: I PEOPLE February: Mrs Annie Fitton who for 25 years was a member of Audenshaw branch, acting as treasurer for 18 years and then as assistant treasurer. April: Cyril Perry, chairman of Clacton- on-Sea station branch since 1971. Mr Perry was assistant honorary secretary from 1953 to 1954 and honorary As a memorial to Motor Mechanic secretary from 1954 to 1961 and 1970 to R. F. 'Bob' Appleby of Filey, who 1971. •• collapsed and died on June 23, ^ij 1974, just as the lifeboat was May: Fergus Dearden, FCA, honorary ,j about to be launched on service, secretary of Lytham-St Anne's station t Filey lifeboatmen are adding a rest room, changing room and look-out branch for 13 years from 1938. to the boathouse. Donations which Mrs Mary Ann Hall, Lady Mayoress have come in, unasked, from all of Bradford, who has supported her parts of the country provided husband, the Lord Mayor, so whole- finance for materials. The crew, heartedly in his lifeboat appeal. ^ff who include a builder, bricklayer, A. W. Hawkes, who worked for the plumber, electrician, two joiners, RNLI since 1947 and had just been a publican and a schoolmaster, are awarded the gold badge (see page 13). doing the work themselves. He received his gold badge from the Photograph by courtesy of Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, the Earl of Paul Hines. Stradbroke, a few days before his death.

22 the more urgent business of the day was injured and would survive her ordeal. remembered. She was carried home and housed in a Rescued ? A brownish shapeless bundle was large meat safe, with a meal of raw meat there. I rounded into the wind, the way and fresh water. The next day her came off my boat, and I was alongside. dignity had returned, despite her dis- From the pathetic, bedraggled bundle hevelled and bedraggled appearance. My first survivor Jrom the Sea glared a pair of fierce eyes, with a The day after, preened and with her ferocious determination to ward off the pride restored, she haughtily demanded new threat and daunting my first impulse release. to lift it on board. The door opened—she was gone. by A. G. L. Hardy Grabbing a spare jersey, I dropped it I saw the pair together before I joined over the drowning bird, scooped her up the Royal Navy, to be away from the and laid her on the floor boards, where Isle of Purbeck for the war years. On she remained recovering while I trimmed my return I missed my peregrine falcons, IT WAS THE YEAR I joined the lifeboat the sails and set course back to the and was saddened to learn that the crew, and the second world war was beach. Royal Air Force had found it necessary nearly upon us. It was a bright early Having dried out a little she made a to shoot our native falcons to safeguard summer morning with a brisk breeze and landlubberly scramble into the bow and the messenger pigeons returning home I was sailing my dinghy through wave- dozed off. I recognised her as the hen with their vital messages. lets sparkling with the sun's jewels on of a pair of peregrine falcons which I have not seen a pair of peregrine their crests. nested high on the sheer cliffs west of falcons since, and regret that fate was Such was the day I made my first Anvil Point Lighthouse, and I was not kinder to my first rescued survivor rescue. relieved to see that she was not badly from the sea. Half a mile to leeward, clear against the cloudless blue sky, a dozen herring A.G.L. {Lew) Hardy is a member of the the first motor lifeboat in 1928. Lew Hardy gulls were wheeling, diving and effort- Dorset Hardy family which moved into the himself joined the Swanage crew in 1939. He lessly soaring to plunge again with Purbecks in the 1750'.? and which has been was second coxswain from 1946 to 1952 and triumphant cries. Summoned by their concerned with the Swanage lifeboat station has been the deputy launching authority for clamour and intrigued by their urgent ever since its formation a hundred years ago, about 20 years. His brother R. J. (Ron) endeavour, I put up my helm and bore in 1875. His great, great, uncle, William Hardy took over from him as second Masters, was the first coxswain of Charlotte coxswain and is now the present coxswain. down for the excitement. With my Mary, the first Swanage lifeboat. His great Two uncles and a cousin were also members approach the gulls circled higher, their grandfather, William Masters Hardy, built of the crew for many years. In the old pulling cries dying as they reluctantly aban- the original lifeboat house and slipway and his boat days (15 in the crew) his grandfather doned their determined efforts, but they grandfather, George Hardy, made the altera- was heard to exclaim, 'Ah, begger it\ The stayed to watch for a short time until tions to boathouse and slipway necessary for lifeboat guns\ There goes allmyfirmV

wards the provision of a lifeboat and I declare that the said sum shall be paid free I give and bequeath of duty and tax and that the receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a sufficient discharge therefor. READERS WILL FIND below suggested other expenditure necessary to provide for clauses covering bequests to the Royal the lifeboat service). National Life-boat Institution which Bequest of the residue of an estate may be of assistance to their solicitors I give and bequeath to the Royal National Life-boat Institution for the Preservation of I give the whole of my estate not otherwise in preparing their wills, should they Life from Shipwreck, of West Quay Road, disposed of by this my Will (subject to and decide to remember the Institution in Poole Dorset, BH15 1HZ, Incorporated by after payment of my funeral and testa- this way. Royal Charter, the sum of £ for mentary expenses) to the Royal National The Institution is still very dependent the general purposes of the said Institution, Life-boat Institution for the Preservation of upon such help in carrying out its work, and I declare that the said sum shall be paid Life from Shipwreck, of West Quay Road, and while we hope that any help given free of duty and tax, and that the receipt Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ for the general to us in this way will not materialise for of the Treasurer or other proper officer purposes of the said Institution and I many years, we shall be more than shall be a sufficient discharge therefor. declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or grateful to our friends for their intended other proper officer shall be a sufficient generosity. discharge therefor. The most useful gift to us is a bequest For a lifeboat to be used at the discretion of the RNLI, I give and bequeath to the Royal National Note: but you may also provide that your Life-boat Institution for the Preservation of In case of difficulty and particularly if bequest be used for a new lifeboat Life from Shipwreck, of West Quay Road. you wish to leave a part of your estate (which may be named after you, if you Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, Incorporated by to the Institution or if you wish your wish) or be put towards the cost of a Royal Charter, the sum of £ for bequest to be earmarked for a specific new lifeboat with other bequests if your the provision of a lifeboat to be known as and I declare that the purpose we would recommend you to bequest is not alone sufficient (in consult your own solicitor or write for which case a commemorative plaque said sum shall be paid free of duty and tax, and that the receipt of the Treasurer or further information to the Director, The bearing your name will be mounted in other proper officer shall be a sufficient Royal National Life-boat Institution, the lifeboat). Such bequests are worded discharge therefor. West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, as follows: BH15 1HZ.

Towards a lifeboat General purposes All in the day's work . . . I give and bequeath to the Royal National (i.e. this includes the maintenance of the Life-boat Institution for the Preservation of An advertisement for a fleet mechanic lifeboat fleet and lifeboat stations, research Life from Shipwreck, of West Quay Road, for the RNLI, as it appeared in a and development, service awards to crew Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, Incorporated by Dorset paper, stated that the duties members, pensions to their widows and Royal Charter, the sum of £ to- include: 'maintenance of life-goats.'

23 the P and O line. Mrs Moulin herself They both enjoy sailing when the has travelled with her husband on opportunity arises, and Ann is already several occasions and knows what it is to teaching her pupils something of the be in heavy seas. work of the RNLI. An active member of the New Milton and Barton branch, Hampshire, Mrs MrsL. M. Griffin, Membership No. 56729 Moulin found after her son was born One day, Mrs Griffin stopped to ask she had less time to help with branch a flag seller on lifeboat day how she events; so she decided instead to help by could help the RNLI. This led to her Shoreline becoming a regular subscriber, through introduction to Poole ladies' lifeboat Shoreline. guild and not only has she been an active and enthusiastic member of the Mrs D. Raymond, Membership No. guild ever since, but she also has a Section covenant as a Shoreline member. Even 57135. Mrs Raymond enrolled at Earls as a child in Scotland, Mrs Griffin Court Boat Show some years ago. Her remembers having a soft spot for the SINCE THE VERY START of the lifeboat husband has always been interested in RNLI and can recall the Montrose service, women have played an impor- sailing and regularly competed in lifeboat being pulled by a team of tant part in its existence. If there was national dinghy sailing championships. horses. only one Grace Darling, there were For 17 years he organised a sailing club A far cry indeed from the flotilla of dozens of women who helped to launch at Cheltenham College, where he modern lifeboats from many countries the lifeboats in early days—and there lectured. with which Mrs Griffin became familiar are still those who play this part today. Sharing her husband's interest, Mrs during the month she spent at the As wives, mothers or sisters to lifeboat Raymond felt a responsibility to become Plymouth International Lifeboat Exhi- crews, many know and have known the a regular subscriber to the RNLI, bition last summer, manning the infor- agony of waiting for their loved ones through Shoreline. mation stand. to return from a service in stormy seas. Now enjoying semi-retirement, Mr As a widow, Mrs Griffin could find Hundreds more have helped to form and Mrs Raymond have recently moved life empty and lonely, but instead she branches and guilds consistently raising to a lovely cottage at Wareham, Dorset, devotes her time and energy to helping a large percentage of the funds needed to from where they can look across to their a favourite charity and has found a new maintain the lifeboat service. Westerly Pageant, moored in the interest in life. This year two lady members have been Wareham River. They are members of elected to the Committee of Manage- two local yacht clubs. ment : Lady Norton and Mrs Georgina In closing, we must pay tribute to the Keen. Both have worked for the Life- Miss Ann Marie Bridgetts, BA, Member- New Milton and Kensington branches boat service for many years. ship No. 62481 and many others too numerous to And now over 20 % of new Shoreline Ann, who lives at Didsbury, Lanca- mention who are doing such excellent enrolments are from ladies wanting to shire, is 23 years old and engaged work in recruiting new Shoreline mem- ensure a steady, annual income to to be married. Since qualifying last year bers, and thus boosting their own funds, Institution funds. she has been teaching children with since, naturally, the subscription of any We are happy to introduce here just special problems. new Shoreline member introduced by a four of our lady Shoreline members As a student, Ann travelled exten- branch or guild will be credited to its illustrating the very wide age range of sively—but on a shoestring—and her account. The Salisbury office is always our membership and the great variety trips through Europe and to the United only too pleased to give any help needed of reasons for wanting to support our States convinced her that our voluntary by branches and guilds. cause: lifeboat service was something really We wish all members a good summer outstanding, to be cherished. season.—o. R. (BOB) WALTON, Shoreline Mrs M. Moulin, Membership No. 57660. So Ann filled in one of the Shoreline Organising Secretary (Membership), 29a Mrs Moulin's husband is a chief advertisement coupons in a daily paper Castle Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire officer in the Merchant Navy serving on and persuaded her fiance to do the same. (Tel: Salisbury 6966).

To: SHORELINE, RNLI, WEST QUAY ROAD, POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ. I should like to be a part of such a worthwhile voluntary cause by becoming a SHORELINE member of the lifeboat service and joining the Institution as:

A Life Member and Life Governor: minimum donation £60, Below are the various including journal items you are entitled to A Member and Governor: minimum annual subscription £10, wear or fly as a member including journal of SHORELINE: An Offshore Member: minimum annual subscription £3, Members' tie (Terylene) £1.50 including journal Lady's brooch £0.50 An Associate Member: minimum annual subscription £1.50 Metal car badge £1.55 Pair of cuff-links £1.75 8* hoist flag £1.25 12" hoist flag £2.00 Dinghy burgee £1.25

Total subscription Insignia payment

Shoreline Giro number is 294 7056 NAME ., I enclose P.OI cheque I cash for £ . ADDRESS Date Signature

24 (Some

Ready for the start of Exmouth Carnival Procession last summer, old pulling lifeboat The Bedford, lent by Exeter Maritime Museum for the occasion. She was manned by mem- bers of Exmouth lifeboat crew. Photograph by courtesy of L. W. Aplin.

Southampton Lifeboat Board raised Huddersfield ladies' guild has been no less than £8,293.53 in 1974 for enjoying a very successful venture into headquarters' funds and the Hampshire the realms of small auctions, with which Rose appeal. A tombola at the Polygon they are replacing bring and buy stalls at Hotel dinner dance in April raised £460; coffee mornings. 'Lots' ranging from In December last, the Viscountess the star prize, a cruise for two in Reina- frozen foods, household goods, bric-a- Hawarden was chairman of the Central del-Mar given by Union Castle Mail brac to as good as new clothes, are London Women's Committee 150th Steamship Co., was won by Eric auctioned most successfully. At one anniversary Lifeboat and Mermaid Ball Pearman who elected to put it up for recent function, attended by only 60 at the Dorchester Hotel. The event was auction, thus raising an additional £230. people, about £130 was raised. graced by the presence of the Duke and A wine auction organised by Scrases Duchess of Kent and the evening was a Wines Ltd. at the Royal Southern A record-breaking contribution of tremendous success; not only was it a Yacht Club raised £534; lifeboat week £2,300 to headquarters' funds, equiva- very happy occasion, but to date over and flag day resulted in a record lent to almost £1 per adult head of £15,000 has been received with more £1,292.71; £3,515 was taken at population, was achieved by Islay monies yet to come. At the other end of Southampton Boat Show in September; ladies' guild in 1974. The guild increased the scale, the committee organised a and £276.58 was raised by a raffle (first its membership substantially and ran a children's party in a church hall during prize, an 150th anniversary Stuart wide range of fund raising functions. the Easter holidays, making a profit of Crystal chalice) at a new year's eve wine The main effort, lifeboat week in June, over £50; more than 60 five-to-nine year and cheese party in the Maritime began with an inter-village ladies' olds were entertained by Smartie Artie Museum. football 'mini world cup' followed by a the clown and partook of a hearty tea—• beetle drive, fashion show and garden all home baked by the committee and Exeter branch raised over £1,150 opening and ended with a lifeboat day their friends. during 'The Year of the Lifeboat'. Of at Port Askaig station. this amount, £339 came from a concert Two small children at Horton in given in May in the Great Hall of Lymington branch held an auction Gower carried their cat in a basket Exeter University by the Devon and sale on April 5, and raised £370, in- around the village inviting people to Cornwall Police Choir (Exeter District) cluding donations of £26.50. Auctioneers guess its weight—and they made £4.70 and the band of HM Royal Marines; Michael Henry and Christopher Carr, for the lifeboats. John Lawrenson was guest artist. both of Hewitt and Co., Lymington, sold 176 lots in about two hours, including such nautical items as winches, rope, fenders, paint, compasses and a Watched by Commander marine radio transmitter, as well as E. F. Pritchard, Jack pictures, books, furniture, carpets, gar- Sims and George Mobbs den implements, pot plants, and even a at Twickenham lifeboat ball, the chairman of the toboggan. The top price of £39 was branch, Robert Tough, paid for a handsome silver plated tray, receives donation while the lowest was 5p for a lady's cheques from representa- handbag and a plate rack. tives of the Scout As- sociation (Mr Stevens, Among the 240 guests at Twickenham £850), the Small Boat and District branch's 15th annual Club (Mr Norris, £105) lifeboat ball were BBC television and the Independent personalities Robert Keegan ('Softly Order of Foresters (Mr Carver, £1,500). Softly'), Arthur Lowe ('Dad's Army'), Photograph by cour- Fulton Mackay ('Colditz') and Trevor tesy of The Surrey Bannister ('Are You Getting Enough?'). Comet. Members of Littlehampton lifeboat

25 Inspired by winter gales and accounts of shipwrecks at sea, the children of Whittington Oval Junior School, Stechford, Birmingham, decided to help the RNLI and collected £281 entirely on their own initiative. Ideas included sponsored silences and the sale of eggcups. A triumph in which to rejoice indeed. Photograph by courtesy of Birmingham Evening Mail

As an experiment, Redditch ladies' guild officers and committee re- cently took part in a knit-in. Having successfully raised £110, they plan to include all guild members next time. Photograph by courtesy of Redditch Indicator and Alcester Chronicle crew were there, too, and first prize for Haverfordwest County Secondary branch ladies helped with the checking the raffle, a holiday for two at Torre- School raised £200 for their local branch in and also sold souvenirs. During 1974 molinos, Spain, was won by Crew with a variety concert which included two second-hand stalls set up in Royton Member Michael Coombes. Nearly 600 music, verse, dancing and even fencing. market each produced over £50, and tombola prizes, given by local trades- Several months' hard work went into the £22 was made from the sale of waste people and businessmen, vanished in raising of £120 for the RNLI by paper. half an hour. After an enjoyable evening, Pontllanfraith Grammar Technical the branch profited by over £500. School; one prefect, Greg Murrow, even Last summer, in Cornwall, there were raised £7 by swallowing raw eggs. Yet two sponsored raft races and one Michael Bainton, landlord of the New more help from schools: pupils of sponsored paddle for the RNLI. At Inn, Wilmslow, Cheshire, has taken out Talbot County Combined School pre- Bude, four local men paddled inflatable an insurance policy on his life and given sented £280, raised on a sponsored walk, dinghies down the whole length of the it to the RNLI; it is his tribute to the to the Mayor of Poole for his lifeboat River Tamar and raised £461 for the Bridlington lifeboatmen who saved his appeal fund. Bude branch. The raft race at Truro, life when, at the age of ten, he and a organised by Carey Homes Ltd. with friend capsized a hired rowing boat a Keeping up the good work: children the Truro branch, raised over £76, and mile and a half off shore. of Engayne County School, Upminster, the Buccaneer Inn, Gunnislake, handed clubbed together and raised £48.38 at £361 to the Tavistock branch as a result Hakin Point branch, Milford Haven, their harvest festivals; and Fareham of a sponsored raft race, again on the inaugurated only last September, had County Primary School recently handed River Tamar. by mid December handed over £1,000 Sir Alec Rose £429 for the Hampshire to the Pembrokeshire 1974 RNLI appeal. Rose Appeal—it had been raised by a The new branch takes in a maritime On Easter weekend a four-man crew 'spell-in' for which each child had to from Pewsey Zixex Club, Wiltshire, community lying on the shores of learn 20 words. Britain's busiest oil port and has close rowing a 23' skiff, completed the journey links with the harbour; its members in- from Pewsey Wharf to Pill Ferry, clude many seamen engaged in operating Before Christmas members of Bristol, in 15 hours 11 minutes, thus Cambridge branch, headed by Mrs O. launches, tugs and trawlers. It reached breaking the existing record by 47 its target with a series of events including Peacock, worked a rota system to man minutes. As a result of sponsorship a bazaar at which shellfish given by local the charity card shop in Cambridge, over £260 was raised for RNLI funds, lobster fishermen were on sale at a fish which holds the record in England for bringing the club's total contribution stall, and a gala French night for which the highest proceeds: £12,000. £310.75, from five rows to £750. prizes were donated by, among others, raised for RNLI cards, was handed the French fisheries protection ship over to the Cambridge branch. Anxious to play their full part in L'Agile. raising the cost of a boathouse for the H. Hayward of Portslade, Sussex, station's ILB, Tenby crew, together with Youngest model at a fashion show claims to have the only ladies RNLI the local Round Table, have organised arranged by Newquay ladies guild at its uniform in the country. He first devised a series of aquatic sporting fixtures and local Woolworths was 3-months-old it for a fancy dress party at his local rounders matches to be played against Claire Louise Bailey, daughter of Mr public house and since then, wearing it invited teams in the town's harbour and and Mrs Norman Bailey: her father is a at lifeboat occasions, has collected over on the near-by beach. The first rounders crew member, her mother on the com- £100. match was played on Easter Sunday, mittee. £85 was raised for the funds. when over £30 was collected from Other Newquay events last year in- John Taylor, baths superintendent at enthusiastic spectators who thronged cluded an Old Tyme Dance, picking and Royton, Lancashire, raised £226 for his vantage points to watch an excellent selling daffodils and a police choir branch with a sponsored record-break- game. concert. ing motor cycle ride from Land's End to John O'Groats: 14 hours, 45 minutes. Four ladies in the Bristol area, all Throughout the summer season the Next, in September, he organized a over 80, one of them aged 88, regularly crew of Walton and Frinton lifeboat sponsored swim of children and guest play cards each evening between tea and make a collection every Friday night celebrities, raising a further £300; the supper for modest stakes. Instead of re- at Martell Camp. Last year they gleaned Scouts joined in too, and they made yet taining their winnings they pool them more than ever before—over £290. another £300 for the RNLI. Royton and send them to the RNLI.

26 On March 15 ten Optimist dinghies Last December, North British Trust In two days' trading at their 'new and provided by the Irish Yachting Associa- Hotels Ltd. presented a cheque for nearly new shop' in an old butcher's tion and crewed by IYA junior sailors of £5,000 to Lady Melgund (now the shop on the Parade, Sutton Coldfield an average age of nine crossed the line Countess of Minto), president of Hawick ladies' guild made £400, including an at Heuston (Kingsbridge) in a race down ladies' guild. anonymous donation of £100. Customers the river Liffey to O'Connell Bridge. were queueing up and had to be let into The race, won by Mark Lyttle of the George Carpenter, whose pen name the shop in relays. National Y.C. Dun Laoghaire, was is George Windsor, is donating part of sponsored by 11 Irish firms and, as a the income from his novel Nelson Lord— Eddy and Son, Helston, give away result, the RNLI benefited by £1,000. One Of Our Agents to King's Lynn their old wallpaper sample books in Local sailing clubs and chandlers sup- ladies guild. The book is published by return for a donation to their lifeboat plied rescue boats and other necessary Arthur Stockwell and costs £2.50. collecting box of lOp—20p, according to equipment. the size of book. David Andrews of Stonehaven has The ladies' guild of the small town made a lifeboat roundabout ouside his Hoylake branch have received £280 of Borth made over £1,000 in 1974. One house and, over the past three years, has raised by the local Soroptomists Club contribution, of £19, came from an ILB collected £326 for his local ILB station. by a fashion show in November, and crew member, Peter Matthews; on the £323 from the Mersey Docks and counter of his butcher's shop he keeps a After raising £146 with a sponsored Harbour Company's Neptune Swim- lifeboat box for 'bones'. knit-in, the ladies of Stanmore branch ming Club; 30 people took part in a made up the strips (all of one colour) sponsored swim, each swimmer com- Over £1,000 was collected for the into a blanket 80" x 48" which was pleting as many length as possible in RNLI by Folkstone Council with its presented to Southwold ILB station. 15 minutes. 'Year of the Lifeboat' floral display: a magnificent bed had been planted with Last summer Ely (Cambs) Sailing a full colour crest, lifeboat, crossed oars Club held a party to raise money for the and an inscription. RNLI. It coincided with the salvage of a Fenland barge by a group of industrial A ship's captain who decided that he archaeologists from Cambridge Museum ought to reduce his weight at least to of Technology; their leader was John 16 stone persuaded his colleagues each Wilson, a Merchant Navy officer. to sponsor him for lOp per Ib lost; he During the day members were taken has now turned in to the Belfast branch out to see the barge, which was on an the results of his last two trips, £23 and island in the middle of the lake which £17. Belfast branch has also received £25 is their sailing water. £150 was raised. from James Tedford and Co., who have started charging 2p for local tide tables, During last September's gales, Poole previously given away, in aid of the lifeboat towed in auxiliary yacht Rose. RNLI. Her owner, M. J. Pulsford of Scarborough gave her to the RNLI, and At a North Chingford wine and her sale resulted in £430. cheese party shove-halfpenny (using lOp pieces) was played for a bottle of whisky Robert and Maris Dupe of Wenvoe, placed on the dance floor. Cardiff, have raised well over £900 for the RNLI in the past four years. The West Drayton and Uxbridge branch, last cheque they handed over to Barry formed on November 11, 1974, achieved lifeboat station came from a clay pigeon £923.13 in its first lifeboat week. New Mrs Leetnan was one of many helpers who shoot followed by a woodchopping members welcome: write to honorary between them collected £3,500 during competition—a race to cut off the tops secretary, Mrs. B. A. B. Sobey, 486 Belfast lifeboat day on April 25, a remarkable of standing tree trunks; each competitor, Sipson Road, Sipson, West Drayton, increase of £1,000 on last year. It was Mrs armed only with an axe, climbs his Middlesex. Leematfs 85th birthday. 'tree', fitting plank steps as he goes, until he is high enough to start chopping Amanda and Polly Ann Ball and their friends won first prize in the fancy dress competition at the off the top. Greater London Horse Show last year. They sent £2 of their prize money to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat. NEW BRANCHES A new branch was formed in Maidstone, Kent, during March (chair- man B. Birchall and honorary secretary P. Clarke) and it has set itself a target of £1,000 for 1975. Anyone in the area who would like to help will be welcome. Mr Clarke's address is 4 Buckland Lane. The first RNLI junior branch was formed at King Alfred's School, Wantage, in February, and it has already arranged one very successful evening's entertainment to raise funds. Officers: chairman, J. Mackinder (a member of the adult committee); vice- chairman, Peter Bellis; honorary trea- surer, Mark Plyte; honorary secretary, Elizabeth Bower, King Alfred's School.

27 ton there are eight lifeboat stations and with the many fishing communities working their craft in all weathers there can be no doubt about the need for their services. The stories of so many disasters tend to numb the mind into a sense of unreality, but anyone familiar with the scenes of the wrecks will not question the stern reality of the events. Not all the episodes are tragic and sometimes the local inhabitants benefited from the REVIEWS misfortunes of others. As, for instance, when the steamer Kaiser, carrying strawberries and other fruit, ran ashore in Robin Hood's Bay. It is recorded • A new edition of First Aid for powered fast boats of today—a most that for days afterwards there was a Lifeboat Crews has been compiled by comprehensive review of the design fragrant aroma of jam-making for miles the RNLI Medical and Survival Com- changes that have occured in over 400 around. mittee and will be issued this summer by boats since the introduction of engines. Smugglers were as susceptible to the authority of the Committee of Manage- A comparison of the Rhyl tubular dangers of wind and weather as other ment to all lifeboat stations. lifeboat entry for the Duke of Northum- seamen and usually had to depend on This book does not cover the whole berland's prize in 1851 and the modern their own kind for rescue if they got into field of first aid but only deals with inshore lifeboat makes an interesting trouble. Contraband goods were re- subjects which, for lifeboat purposes, exercise. moved from one cutter which went are not described in sufficient detail in On page 28 Mr Fry states that when ashore off Redcar by another smuggler, the St John First Aid Manual. There are J. R. Barnett retired in 1947 he was to the intense indignation of the local chapters on hypothermia, handling and succeeded as consultant naval architect newspaper which accused the revenue transport of injured persons, and the to the RNLI by me. In fact Mr. Barnett officers of inattention to duty. use of morphia in the relief of pain. was succeeded in the post by his partner Wartime casualties add to the melan- Because of the importance of resuscita- in G. L. Watson and Co., W. Smart, choly but gripping tales of heroism and tion the whole chapter on this subject in who continued in that capacity until hardihood in the face of disaster and the St John Manual has been reproduced he retired in 1962, followed for a few there are a number of excellent illustra- and is followed by another chapter years by H. A. Lyndsay. tions to make this little volume very covering the special aspects of resuscita- The description of the double diagonal good value.—E.W.M. tion on lifeboats. system of planking is correct, with the A short chapter on personal health exception that no glue was used between is also included in order to help crew the skins, just calico and three coats of members maintain their alertness and white lead. On one Rother class boat • The Manchester and Salford branch physical efficiency in the tough condi- at present building the cold moulded have produced an interesting booklet, tions sometimes encountered at sea.— system is being employed; three skins well supported by advertisements, to G.H. are being used, with the usual method of mark 'The Year of the Lifeboat', which glue. The first three Arun class lifeboats they are selling for 20p. It summarizes are of three-skin cold moulded construc- the history of Manchester's long associa- • In preparing Life-boat Design and tion. tion with the RNLI, pointing out that Development (David and Charles, £5.50), The drawings of the numerous types the first street collection in aid of the Eric C. Fry has obviously spent a great of boats, covering the 150 year period, Institution was held in Manchester and deal of time on his researches. The have been prepared specifically for this Salford in 1891. It also lists the many result of this arduous task is a most publication. Much care has been taken lifeboats produced by Manchester and absorbing account of a very complicated to show the varying features of each District. These include William Gammon subject, excellently presented. design and the draughtmanship could —Manchester and District XXX, which The accounts of the early efforts prior not be of a higher standard. replaced the lifeboat lost in the Mumbles to the formation of the Institution, and A mass of information is given in a disaster in 1947; she was given the name during the first years of its life, are very very readable form, and the author must of the coxswain who gave his life on that informative and emphasize the amount be congratulated on producing such an occasion.—P.M. of thought and effort that was expended excellent publication.—R. A. OAKLEY, in the endeavour to provide the lifeboat naval architect to RNLI until 1966 and crews with the best craft available. subsequently consultant until 1968. • To the majority of seafarers the The illustrations show an excellent Eddystone is a friendly lighthouse; a cross section of the many and varied fine mark for vessels proceeding up and types of craft which have formed the down channel and a welcome signal Institution's fleet throughout the 150 • Shipwrecks off the Yorkshire Coast for those bound for Plymouth. Perhaps years of its life. Details are given of the by Arthur Godfrey and Peter J. Lassey all lighthouses should be considered early pulling boats and their develop- (Dalesman Books, £1.75 paperback) friendly, for their wheeling beams not ment into the pulling and sailing boats tells the long, bitter story of the in- only warn but reassure the mariner and of which the large fleet mainly consisted credible losses of ships and seamen on happily confirm his position. for so many years. Next comes the first 110 miles of splendid but rocky The Red Rocks of Eddystone, by Fred application of power, with the introduc- shores and sandy beaches. Of the Majdalany (White Lion Publishers, tion of steam lifeboats in the late 19th many lifeboats involved in rescue £2.50) tells the fascinating story of the century, and thence to the early experi- attempts and their hardy, courageous four lighthouses which have been built ments with the internal combustion crews there can be nothing less than by men of vision and determination on engine in the early part of this 20th unstinted admiration. The need for the the dangerous reef which had long century. The development of the full big concentration of rescue craft on the claimed many ships and lives. powered single screw to the twin screw north-east coast is made abundantly The first was Winstanley's pagoda- boats of the various types is shown in clear. In a distance of little more than like wooden structure, swept away in a detail, and continues through to the high 50 miles between the Tees and Bridling- gale of unprecedented violence in 1703,

28 carrying its designer and builder to his an opinion which was shared when she SWANAGE CENTENARY death. The fourth was the present was moved to Gorleston. Swanage centenary celebrations will structure, built by James Douglass and The second Lowestoft lifeboat, take place on Sunday, July 27, at 1530 completed in 1882. Throughout the Frances Ann, was by contrast a marked at Stone Quay, Swanage. If wet the years the Eddystone saga tells movingly success. Mr Mitchley states that she was service will be held in the Parish Church of the courage, skill and endurance of probably the first sailing lifeboat in the at 1830. the men who fought to gain a foothold world, and it was largely because Lionel on the reef. Lukin and his family decided to spend NAMING CEREMONY Neither Winstanley, who built the a holiday in Lowestoft that she came to first tower, nor Rudyerd, who built the be built. Walmer's new Rother class lifeboat second, were engineers or architects, It is to be hoped that the second part will be named Hampshire Rose by Lady which makes their achievement all the of Mr Mitchley's book will follow.— Rose at 1500 on Saturday, September 6. more remarkable. Rudyerd built his P.H. lighthouse like a ship and almost ROYAL ALBERT HALL entirely of wood. It lasted 47 years until FASHION SHOW destroyed by fire. % Fishing, whether it be in a quiet A gala fashion show under the title James Smeaton undertook the third country stream or the cold, grey waters 'The Rescue Operators' is to be staged Eddystone lighthouse and this splendid round Bear Island, seems to exercise at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on engineer built for the rest of time. But some extraordinary fascination on many Wednesday, October 1, in aid of four the sea does not give in easily and it men. It cannot be just the money that societies: St John Ambulance, Royal slowly and relentlessly undermined part induces men to work up to their waists Life Saving Society, RNLI and Peter of the reef below the foundations, so in icy water or handle frozen gear on Fry Rescue Trust. Fashions will be a fourth tower was planned. This, the wildly heaving decks. The money helps, from Marks and Spencer, a Royal present structure, was built on another of course, but it is the great element of Marine Band will provide music and part of the reef by James Douglass, luck, the possibility of all or nothing and beat retreat and there will be other star Engineer-in-Chief of Trinity House, who the elation of a good haul, together with entertainment. Price of tickets: £8, £5, could count the Bishop Rock, Smalls the endless but uncomplicated struggle £3.50, £2, £1 and 50p. Information and and Wolf Rock lighthouses among his with the elements that binds the application for tickets: RNLI London previous successes. The fourth Eddy- fisherman to his calling. office, 21 Ebury Street, SW1W OLD. stone was brilliantly conceived and In his book Yorkshire Fishing Fleets executed and set the seal on a distin- (Dalesman Books, 65p paperback) CADABRA guished career. Arthur Godfrey tells the story of Motor yacht Cadabra, which tours Here is a book for seamen and all Yorkshire's oldest and most dangerous those who constantly explore the love- the coasts of Great Britain on sales industry from the earliest days to the promotion for Sandhurst Marketing hate relationship between man and the present time. One learns that even in the sea. It will almost certainly leave every Ltd., a firm of stationers, has completed 12th century the Icelanders complained her fourth round-Britain trip, and reader with a renewed faith in the future that the English were spoiling their of mankind.—E.W.M. Brian Hulme, Chairman of the company, fishing! has presented a cheque for £2,512.50 to The development of the various types Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of of craft, from open boats through the RNLI; it represents 2|% of the • The Story of Lowestoft Lifeboats, paddle steamers to the present day turnover on the trip. Part 1 1801-1876, by Jack Mitchley trawlers, emphasizes the conservative (Lowestoft Libraries, 40p) contains attitude of the fisherman. Slow to much fascinating information about change he may have been, but once FRANCE the early Lowestoft lifeboats. There is, convinced of the capabilities of a new The Societe Nationale de Sauvetage for instance, an account of the demon- type of vessel he was not slow to make en Mer helped 4,500 people during the stration of the first Lowestoft lifeboat good use of it. The cost of some of the summer of 1974 and saved from certain carried out under the supervision of an early boats seems absurdly low today, death 650. elder brother of Trinity House in 1801. but then so was the price of fish. The The French lifeboat service is much The account reads: 'Twenty-four men cost in men's lives does not seem to have occupied with the modernisation of its jumped into her and when she first made much impact. fleet. St Tropez lifeboat, Le Baillie-de- mounted the waves, the spectators with There are some interesting illustra- Suffren, for instance, was last summer one voice expressed their astonishment.' tions from splendid old photographs equipped with radar and is having two Unfortunately the crew with one voice and a detailed index of fishing boat new engines fitted which will give her a expressed their disapproval of the boat, losses.—E.W.M. speed of 12 knots.

THE ORIGINAL TILLER MASTER TOWING AUTOMATIC STEERING on a COMPASS COURSE BRACKETS For craft 20-45ft. over 100lbs. thrust. Self-contained unit with simple 2-hole installation. Quickly Approved by car manufacturers and issued with disengaged, i amp. average drain. fitting Instructions. Also shock absorbers Ocean proved. £215 ex VAT stabiliser and couplings. Tiller Master will be at the Sole importer : Plymouth and Southampton Please save a little for the people who Boat Shows save a lot—give generously to the DAVID JOLLY R.N.LI. 3 Little Russei, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JD. Tel.: 020 122 2142 C. P. WITTER LTD. CHESTER Tel. 0244-41166

29 is of the last of the pilots being lifted from the sea off Croyde Beach. The exercise was arranged to coincide with our lifeboat week and several members of our committee joined the lifeboat at 1300 on Wednesday, August 7, 1974. *$$fc* Conditions over the bar were extremely •^<^ rough and grew steadily worse. Clovelly lifeboat, the 70' Clyde class Charles H. Barrett (Civil Service No. 35), was waiting for us at Fairways Buoy and both lifeboats sailed to Croyde Beach together, where a large crowd of holiday- makers was gathered; we collected more Annual General Meeting Coastguard and the Police Force. than £70 on the beach that day. A very Thank you for the invitation to As yours is a voluntary service I successful exercise with the RAF made yesterday's presentation of awards and enclose a cheque as a small token of my a fitting end to a long association annual meeting at the Royal Festival gratitude.—NORMAN PILKINGTON, Borth, between the two services.—A.J. GOODWIN, Hall. I found it a most moving occasion. Dyfed. honorary secretary, Braunton, Croyde For years I have lived alongside a and District branch, 2 Cavie Crescent, famous lifeboat and known her succes- Please find enclosed a cheque which Saunton, Braunton, Devon. sive crews well, some of whom have I have been asked to pass on to you. I gained RNLI awards of various kinds, organise male chorus entertainment including the gold medal for gallantry. for private parties, for which a sum is Mutual tradition I know that basically they are ordinary sometimes given to a charity. Such Members of my staff and I have read people who face incredible dangers and cheques will normally be passed to your with great interest the report of Divi- do tremendously brave things, often in society in future, as continued gratitude sional Inspector Pennell concerning the appalling weather and other conditions. for the rescue of my son in June, 1974.— services rendered to MV Biscaya by the The seemingly endless stream of just KENNETH j. wiLMOT, 130 Mount Road, crew of the Great Yarmouth and such men—and that girl, Jayne Perm, Wolverhampton. Gorleston lifeboat station on December Edmunds, who had such presence of 13,1974. mind when it mattered most—reduced Both these letters of thanks were sent While boat design and construction me, a case-hardened journalist, quite to T. A. Morris, honorary secretary of features are important factors in the Borth branch.—THE EDITOR. genuinely to tears, and at the end, accomplishment of rescue missions such having seen also Sir Alec Rose, after as described in this instance, our ex- whom 'my' new boat is named, re- perience has shown that the key warded, I was too emotionally ex- End of a long association ingredients to success are the skill, hausted to cope with tea and small talk. For many years Appledore lifeboat judgement and determination of the I wonder if people always feel like and RAF Chivenor air station have coxswain and his crew. this at your annual event! But thank worked in close co-operation, both on Certainly Coxswain J. Bryan and his you for a most memorable afternoon.— rescue operations and on exercise. The crew have demonstrated this point in URSULA STUART MASON, Public Relations lifeboat has taken out pilots from the highest degree. Their performance is Officer, National Maritime Museum, Chivenor for survival training and, in keeping with the best mutual tradition London SE10 9NF. during the summer months, it has been of our services in the saving of life at possible to make use of these exercises sea.—o. w. SILER, Admiral, US Coast for publicity purposes off Westward Ho Guard Commandant, Washington DC, and Saunton and Croyde beaches. USA. Parents and children Sadly, of course, Chivenor is now Thank you for turning out on Easter closed, apart from the helicopter which Admiral Siler's letter, received by Monday to help my daughter Jane when is to remain for rescue purposes, and Lieut.-Cdr. W. L. G. Dutton, QBE she had fallen on the cliff. We were the RAF exercise no longer takes place RD RNR MNI, refers to a service (reported lucky, she suffered little injury; but we each week. on page 6) carried out by Khami, were also lucky that so many people The photograph taken from Apple- one of the first of the 44' Waveney class were able to help—the RNLI, the dore lifeboat Louisa Anne Hawker lifeboats developed from a US Coast Guard design.—THE EDITOR.

Cover Picture Before I had even read the name on the stern of Ernest Tom Nethercoat on the cover of the spring issue of THE LIFEBOAT, I had already recognised the scene since I was the navigator of the boat towed in the previous evening. You can just see the blue stern of Corsair on the extreme right border of the picture. Perhaps your readers may be interested in the story behind the picture, told mainly by the extracts from the log of voyage No. 1 given below. Final combined exercise My nephew, who has taken inshore between RAF Chivenor air station and Appledore fishing as his career, had recently bought lifeboat, off Croyde Beach, the 32' ex-naval craft which had been August 1, 1974: the last of converted into a cabin cruiser; we had the pilots is lifted from joined ship the previous weekend to the sea. spend the first five days preparing for

30 the voyage from the Thames Estuary to Wick in Caithness, where the boat was to be re-fitted for fishing. We were later to be rather glad that we had taken care to provide ourselves with a lot of emergency equipment 'just in case'! DONATE A HOUSE? Since she had no name she was chris- tened Corsair and we sailed on the morning of Friday, November 15, 1974. The weather, which had been bad till Seven houses are being built at then, with winds of around force 9, Spurn Head for the Humber was suitable for the passage, if not what lifeboat crews. This is a desolate one would like for pleasure sailing, and spot of land and if the RNLI the forecast was reasonably favourable. did not provide housing there would be no crew for the boat. The first part of the voyage was The total cost is £100,000. uneventful, the boat behaved very well Would any group of supporters and we had settled into a nice rhythm like to name one of these houses of watchkeeping with one man at the by raising £14,000? wheel, one on lookout and the third off watch (but usually busy as well). Despite 28 years on the beach, the navigator There is no mention there, or in THE the accordion, two of the numbers being had not lost the knack and by 0600 on LIFEBOAT, of the enormous assistance of his own composition. Saturday, November 16, was using the the crew gave us after we beached and Members of Looe Players staged two RDF to get a fix off Bacton, there being next day when they returned to see what short plays, which the audience enjoyed nothing visible anywhere in the driving more they could do for us, but we shall for their humour and local dialect. rain. The deck log goes on: Comedy was well represented by Dave never forget their kindness. I am sure I Pengelly, who doubled his BBC news- 0605 2 miles off Bacton. Weather speak for all three of us when I say that reader act with that of stableman to the has turned foul, strong NE our principal memory of the event is of Morris dancers' horse while Beryl Clem- wind and confused sea. Vis. the way the lifeboatmen, the harbour ents and Sheila Rigby showed that this 1—2 miles; less in squalls. master and other people of Wells spared kind of variety is not a male prerogative. Course 364"T. no effort to help us. Accompaniment was ably provided by 0830 Altered course to 264°T. They, if they remember the incident Sheila Rigby, Alan and Jean Dingle, and 1200 Off E. Sheringham Buoy. at all, may like to know that Corsair the show was compered by Nick Nicholas 300°T. who also gave a well-received comedy act 1300 Taking water. Hands to bail. recently completed her refit and, as I of his own. The show ended with a "Black Set course 180°M for nearest write, she is probably seeking the elusive and White Minstrels" act by the River- land at Cley. lobsters off the coast of'Caithness in siders. 1400 approx Running along coast from region of latitude 58°15'N.—G. E. Work on the show was started by Cley towards Blakeney to find SMYTHE, 9 Camborne Road, Button, Valerie Tyndale-Biscoe .... When she suitable place to beach vessel. Surrey. had to go into hospital, Audrey Coote 1530 approx Cooling pump belt, affected by took over the preparations and put on the water and oil due to excess show. The highly successful production bilge water, failed. Engine raised £95 for the RNLI.' overheated and stopped. Not forgotten... Streamed sea anchor 2 cables I am enclosing a cutting from The M. w. TYNDALE-BISCOE, Turnstones, off Blakeney Point. Cornish Times which may interest you, Plaidy, Nr. Looe, Cornwall. 1600 approx Discharged flares. Seen from as the idea was inspired by the rescue of beach. Continuous bailing three members of Looe Sailing Club They say it may become an annual needed to keep water level at from a Hurley Tailwind by Poole event, so good luck to future productions. top of keelson. Drifting east lifeboat in the early morning of April —THE EDITOR. on tide. 14, 1974. 1700 approx Wells lifeboat alongside. I was one of those concerned, and I Taken in tow, all crew re- maining on board. Bailing would just like to let you know that The Plenty Lifeboat continuously. the good efforts of the lifeboat are not A letter relating to Plenty lifeboats 1800 approx Beached in Wells Harbour forgotten. appeared in the winter issue of THE near tide gauge. Reported to 'Packed houses on both nights greeted LIFEBOAT and I thought that perhaps Coastguard and Harbour the Music Hall staged at Looe Public your readers would be interested to Master. Vessel left secured learn that in 1824 William Plenty built a fore and aft. Hall in aid of the RNLI The show opened with a lively chorus new lifeboat for service at Newhaven Crew put up at Crown Hotel from the Riversiders trained by Sheila station. Newhaven was, as I am sure you as guests of Shipwrecked Rigby. This was followed by "The Roaring Mariners' Association. know, the third port in the country to Twenties", a mixture of comedy and music have a lifeboat stationed there for the That is the recorded list of facts, rather by members of Looe Social Club which sole purpose of the saving of life from sketchy as we seemed to have quite brought back nostalgic memories for the shipwreck, a fact of which we are justly older members of the audience. enough to do pumping and bailing out Looe's answer to the Morris dancers, very proud. the major part of the North Sea (it even contributed by the Boscarn darts team The boat was 18' x 6i' x 2i' and got into my deck watch, hence the trained by Audrey Coote, was an up- pulled only four oars. She came on 'approx' after the later times). It says roariously funny interpretation by six station in 1825 and the cost was £90— nothing about the seamanlike way we males and horse. A complete contrast what a change from today. In 1829 she were taken in tow and brought to Wells, was provided by four tiny tots, Susie was repainted and renovated at a total or the fact that Second Coxswain A. T. Grimshaw, Lulu Symons, Claire Nichols cost of £12. She was sent to Cowes in Jordan did more than just come on and Lisa Rawe, who entranced the 1829 where she was, it seems, broken up. board: he bailed continuously all the audience with their Spanish dancing. They were also trained by Audrey Coote. If any of your readers are interested way to Wells so that the two who had Duets were sung by Jim and Betty in early lifeboat history, particularly on borne the brunt of the task earlier in the Currah and Trevor Baker and Peter the south coast, I should be very pleased day could have a rest, of which they Soudy, and Tessa Marshall sang to her own to hear from them.—A. s. PAYNE, 36 were by then in some need. guitar accompaniment. Ken Dingle played Firle Road, Peacehaven, Sussex.

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32 consciousness periodically on the return The prompt action of Robert Chalk Lifeboat Services journey. On landing, father and daugh- in entering the water in gale conditions (from page 8) ter were both admitted to Towyn showed a completely selfless courage; Hospital where they later recovered. he remained in the water for some 20 The ILB returned to station at 1315. minutes, despite considerable physical At 2248, seeing the boat pass through pain, to the point of exhaustion, and it is probably that but for his fitness and the foul area, Coxswain Bowry took Eastern Division Gertrude on to the sand in breaking training as a diver he could well have seas 7 cables from the casualty's lost his own life in this attempt. position. The wind was now north east Jump from pier Robert Leonard Chalk has been force 6 with rough seas and the weather awarded a testimonial on vellum by the SOUTHEND STATION MECHANIC, Robert Royal Humane Society. A letter of remained overcast. Chalk, was walking with two friends, Warden Point Coastguard advised appreciation signed by the Chairman of Frederick Robinson (ILB crew) and the Committee of Management, Com- Coxswain Bowry by VHP radio that the Bernard Barton, near the lifeboathouse casualty was too far from the beach for mander F. R. H. Swann, has been on Southend Pier at 0900 on Monday, sent to Mr Chalk and letters of apprecia- coast rescue equipment to be used and, November 25, 1974, when, looking into as the seas lifted Gertrude, the coxswain tion signed by the Director, Captain the sea on the east side of the main pier, Nigel Dixon, have been sent to Michael drove the boat across the sand and mud he saw a woman in the water. His to a position 4£ cables from the shore Waterman, Bernard Barton, Michael immediate thought was to launch the Ronan and Frederick Robinson. and close against the lee side of the 32' ILB, but seeing the woman raise her MFV Venture on passage from Lowestoft arms, shout and sink beneath the surface, to Gosport with a crew of two men. he slipped out of shoes and coat and Venture's rudder head had broken and jumped the 12 feet into the sea. He her crew were hoping to find a safe thought that if he could reach the Offshore lifeboat anchorage. One of the men had managed woman he would be able to hold her to steer by bracing his foot against the against the pier tie-bars until more help services during the rudder over the stern, but when the came. engines were put ahead, he could not The weather was fine, wind west by months December, exert enough force to steer off the lee north force 6 gusting gale 8, with heavy shore. confused seas around the pier. High 1974, January and By 2305 a towline had been passed water Southend was predicted at 0847. February, 1975 and the two men taken aboard Gertrude The sea water temperature was 48°. for warmth. One of the lifeboat crew Frederick Robinson threw Robert Aith, Shetland tended the towline aboard Venture. Chalk a lifebelt and then ran to a nearby December 10. Coxswain Bowry then towed Venture dinghy. He was not, however, able to get Amble, Northumberland into deeper water and set course for December 9, 19 and January 28. through the heavy seas to the casualty Anstruther, Fife Sheerness where, at 2356, Gertrude area, so made for the lifeboat slipway December 13. arrived at her moorings and Venture was where he and Michael Ronan (station Arbroath, Angus secured in the Great Basin. emergency mechanic and ILB crew) December 22. For this service a framed letter of launched the ILB. Arklow, Co. Wicklow appreciation signed by the Chairman of Meanwhile, Bernard Barton and December 4. the Institution, Commander F. R. H. another man, Michael Waterman, after Arranmore, Co. Donegal Swann, CUE, RNVR, was sent to Coxswain raising the alarm, had climbed down January 7 and 9. Beaumaris, Gwynedd Charles Bowry, who had accomplished the pier and approached Robert Chalk the service with expert seamanship in a December 8 (twice) and January 12. and the woman at sea level across the Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland position five cables inside the drying pier supports. Robert Chalk had reached December 15 and 27. line and in an area known to be foul the woman and towed her, struggling, Bridlington, Humberside with wreckage and boulders. Most against wind and tide, until he could December 11, January 25 and 28. services to which this lifeboat is called reach the pier tie-bars with his legs while Calshot, Hampshire are executed in water of less than 10' holding the woman with both arms. February 20. depth. The ILB reached the scene at the Campbeltown, Argyll December 6. second attempt, but had considerable Clacton-on-Sea, Essex difficulty retaining its position while January 28, 31 and February 24. the woman was brought aboard. Clovelly, North Devon Western Division Frederick Robinson started mouth-to- December 31, January 21, 27, February 4, mouth resuscitation while Robert Chalk 17 and 23. remained in the water, holding the ILB. Cromer, Norfolk GirS caught in Dinghy As the effects of the cold gradually December 13. rigging overcame him, he lost his grip on the Donaghadee, Co. Down ILB and was washed beneath it. The January 5. TWO PEOPLE clinging to a capsized dinghy men under the pier passed a rope to Dover, Kent December 9, 11, January 5, 17 (twice) and one mile offshore, south of Towyn, were Michael Ronan in the ILB to secure February 19. reported to Aberdovey honorary secre- Robert Chalk, who was hauled on to Dunbar, East Lothian tary by the Coastguard at 1220 on the pier deck, unconscious, at about December 1. Friday, April 4. 0920. Dungeness, Kent The ILB launched at 1225. There was The ILB headed for the east slipway, December 3, 10, 11 and February 2. a moderate north-easterly wind, a slight where mouth-to-mouth resuscitation Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin sea and an incoming tide. Visibility was was continued on the woman until the December 10. good. On reaching the dinghy, a man police and first aid assistance arrived; Dunmore East, Co. Waterford was found trying to help his ten-year-old she was then found to be already dead. January 13, 28 and February 7. Exmouth, South Devon daughter who was caught in the rigging. Robert Chalk was taken to hospital January 30. He was pulled aboard the ILB and a and released later the same day; he had Eyemouth, Berwickshire member of the crew dived into the water suffered considerable lacerations to both December 27. to release the girl. Although unconscious legs from the barnacle-encrusted pier Falmouth, Cornwall at the time of rescue, she regained supports. December 17 and 27.

33 Filey, North Yorkshire St Ives, Cornwall Torbay, South Devon December 17. February 25. January 20. Fishguard, Dyfed St Mary's, Scilly Islands Troon, Ayrshire January 19 and February 25. January 25. December 23 and February 23. Flamborough, Humberside St Peter Port, Guernsey Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear January 25. December 26, 27, January 17, 20 and 24. December 15, 23, January 3, 12 and Fleetwood, Lancashire Scarborough, North Yorkshire February 3. February 16. January 25. Walmer, Kent Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Sennen Cove, Cornwall January 11. December 13, January 11, 27, February 1 February 18. Walton and Frinton, Essex and 11. Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex January 28. Harwich, Essex January 6, 19, February 3 and 8. Weymouth, Dorset December 12, January 2 and February 24 Stornoway, Outer Hebrides December 6 (twice), 7, 12, January 18 Hastings, East Sussex January 2, 21, 28 and 29. and 26. December 23 and January 17. Stromness, Orkney Whitby, North Yorkshire Howth, Co. Dublin December 20. December 12, 21, 23, 25, 26 and December 7 and January 12. Sunderland, Tyne and Wear January 12. Hoylake, Merseyside December 12, January 2 and 3. Wick, Caithness February 4. Swanage, Dorset December 4, January 7 and 31. Humber, Humberside December 4, January 1,3, February 1 Wicklow, Co. Wicklow December 17, January 16, February 18 and 4. December 10 and January 12. and 27. Teesmouth, Cleveland Yarmouth, Isle-of-Wight Kirkwall, Orkney December 15. January 23. December 19, 21 and 28 (twice). Tenby, Dyfed Lerwick, Shetland December 28 and January 8. Lifeboats on passage February 1. Thurso, Caithness ON 1025, February 27. Longhope, Orkney December 12 and January 31. ON 1037, February 27. December 21 and January 31. Lowestoft, Suffolk December 8, 13, 29 and January 28. Moelfre, Gwynedd 2, 5 and 15. February 17. ILB services during the Llandudno,Gwynedd Newbiggin, Northumberland January 4 and February 28. January 31. months December, Lyme Regis, Dorset New Quay, Dyfed December 15 and February 2. January 19. 1974, January and Lymington, Hampshire North Sunderland, Northumberland December 6, 8 and 16. January 9. February, 1975 Margate, Kent Padstow, Cornwall February 11. January 31, February 9, 10, 20 and 23. Aberystwyth, Dyfed Minehead, Somerset Penlee, Cornwall January 3. February 28. December 15, January 25, February 4 Atlantic College, South Glamorgan Mudeford, Dorset and 23. February 1 and 2. December 22, January 19 and February 1. Plymouth, South Devon Beaumaris, Gwynedd New Brighton, Merseyside January 15, February 13 and 24. December 8. December 22. Poole, Dorset Broughty Ferry, Angus Newquay, Cornwall February 1. December 2. January 19 and February 23. Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd Eastney, Hampshire Poole, Dorset February 11. December 15, 29 and February 9. January 19 (twice). Portrush, Co. Antrim Flint, Clwyd Queensferry, West Lothian February 3. December 17. December 1, 8, 10, 13, January 20 and Ramsey, Isle-of-Man Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk February 2. December 19 and February 7. February 1 and 15. Southend-on-Sea, Essex Ramsgate, Kent Hartlepool, Cleveland December 1, 29, 31 and January 5. December 1 and February 23. December 24. Southwold, Suffolk Rhyl, Clwyd Harwich, Essex December 3, 8 and January 2. February 4. December 4 and January 16. Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford Hastings, East Sussex December 15, 23, January 3 and 26. January 3 and 14. January 19. West Kirby, Merseyside Runswick, Cleveland Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire February 1. January 17. December 14. West Mersea, Essex St Davids, Dyfed Largs, Ayrshire December 1, 15, 29, 31, January 18, 28 December 19. January 31. and February 16. St Helier, Jersey Littlehampton, West Sussex WhitstabJe, Kent February 12. December 10, 12, January 10, February December 21 and January 11.

SERVICES AND LIVES SAVED BY LIFEBOATS AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS

January 1, 1975 to March 31, 1975: Services 231 lives saved 60

THE STATION FLEET (as at 31/3/75) 135 station lifeboats 122 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer

LIVES RESCUED 99,882 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to March 31, 1975

34 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

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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, Mlddx. needs. In the cut and thrust of racing, Zodiac Tel: 01-573 8311 keep ahead of the rest - particulary in rugged ^...... ,...... j Please send me your full colour brochure and price list describing conditions. | the 1975 r-'nge of Zodiac inflatables. ' NAME ADDRESS

35 Index to Advertisers TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Birds Eye Foods Inside Back Cover Brooke Marine Outside Back Cover Henry Browne & Son Ltd ... 2 When your organisation holds its next fund raising effort at a carnival, fete, donkey derby, boat show or similar activity you John Bushnell Group 2 can make an additional £200 in a few hours by running a Cogswell & Harrison Ltd 32 Teddy Bears Picnic. No financial risk as all stock is supplied at Evett Sailwear Ltd 32 wholesale price on full sale or return, nothing to pay until Functional Clothing Inside Front Cover after the event, then you pay for what you use, return the balance. Send for full details giving Club/Guild name and David Jolly 29 status to: H. Leverton & Co Ltd 36 Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd 35 V. WEBSTER (DEPT LB) J. H. Minet Life and Pensions Ltd 2 BRINELL WAY Neco Marine Ltd 32 HARFREYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE Rentokil 32 GREAT YARMOUTH University Marine Ltd (Zodiac) 35 NORFOLK NR31 OLU V. Webster 36 C. P. Witter Ltd 29

WANTED SMALL VESSEL DELIVERIES CLASSIFIEDS Wanted by collector; items on the Lifeboat TREVOR VINCETT Yacht Deliveries. FUND RAISING Service, e.g. Medals, Postcards, Paper BoT Yachtmaster. Prompt professional Fund raising with 200% PROFIT ON Flags, Figures of Lifeboatmen, Crew's Cap service by sea. SafJ or power. Dartmouth OUTLAY! Send stamp for catalogue of Badges, etc. Rogers, 67 Ranelagh Road, Yacht Services. Mayors Avenue, Dart- imprinted ball-pens and 20 other quick- Ipswich, Suffolk. mouth, Devon. Tel: (080-43) 2035. sellers. Provincial Supplies, I Gardenfield TROPHIES Lane, Berkhampstead, Herts. INSURANCE RACE SETS—MAINSAILS—DINGHYS FOR ALL INSURANCE, Phone, Call or —CUPS. W. & E. Astin, 7 Westerley Lane, Advertising pencils, superb ball pens, combs, Write J. A. Harrison (Brokers) Ltd, Shelley, Huddersfleld. Kirkburton 2368. diaries, each gold stamped Lifeboat name, "Security House", 160-161 Bromsgrove BOAT TRANSPORT etc., raise funds, quickly, easily. Bran Tub Street, Birmingham B5 6NY. Telephone: MUSTANG MARINE (Burnham-on- Toys: samples from, Northern Novelties, 021-692 1245 (10 lines). For keenest rates, Crouch). Reliable road transport up to 38'. Bradford BD1 SHE. service and security. Maldon (Essex) 782362.

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