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

VOL. XXXVII MARCH, 1963 No. 403

Notes of the Quarter THE disaster at Seaham Harbour, in will yet be free from the dangers of which 5 members of the life-boat crew capsizing in all conditions of wind and and 4 people who had been taken off a tide. The improvement of the design fishing boat by the life-boat all lost their and construction of life-boats is a con- lives, shocked and distressed the nation. tinuous process. New types of life-boat The life-boat capsized at what is so often are under construction and new proto- the most dangerous moment, when she types planned, details of which will be was about to enter the harbour. Here given in the next number of this journal, she was hit by successive waves from but one inescapable fact remains: heavy seas when broadside to the wind danger can never be wholly eliminated. and tide. The confused broken water The task confronting those who design was aggravated by the backwash and life-boats remains what it has always undertow from the breakwaters. There been, that of providing the most sea- can be no doubt whatever that the worthy and effective craft which skill decision to launch the life-boat was a and experience, money and materials correct one. She did indeed succeed in can provide. reaching the fishing vessel and taking off 5 people; nor, as the verdict at the Coroner's inquest emphatically stated, YEAR OF OUTSTANDING can any blame be attached to the cox- ACHIEVEMENT swain and crew. A most thorough in- The year 1962 as a whole was one of vestigation was carried out by the outstanding achievement on the part Institution's officials, from which em- of life-boat crews. They saved the lives of erged clearly that both the hull and 422 people. This was a slightly higher machinery of the life-boat were in first figure than in 1961, when life-boats were class condition. Even after the severe called out on service more often than pounding she received after the capsize in any other year in time of peace. the life-boat was pronounced seaworthy, The conditions in which so many of the and it is significant that twelve days after rescues were effected was such that no the capsize the engines, when tested at fewer than 14 medals for gallantry were the depot at Boreham Wood, started awarded. This is an exceptionally high almost at once. Indeed such is the figure. Some of the services which led condition of the boat that she is being to the award of medals are recorded in put into service in the reserve fleet. this number. On the day following the Because life-boats are known to be Seaham disaster an outstanding service unsinkable confusion tends to arise in reported on page 402 was carried out the minds of many people when a life- by the Blyth life-boat, the coxswain boat disaster occurs, for there is a ten- receiving the silver medal and the bow- dency to assume that "unsinkable" and man the bronze medal; during the same "uncapsizeable" are synonymous. The period the Appledore and Clovelly life- practical fact is that they are very far boats put out in appalling conditions, from being the same. How to construct the Appledore coxswain receiving the a boat in such a way that she will not silver medal. A service of a most unusual sink even if she is repeatedly holed is kind was also performed by the South- something which has been known and end crew, a striking example of team put into practice for many years; no work leading to the unusual award of man has yet designed a boat which can the collective thanks of the Institution be of practical use as a life-boat and inscribed on vellum. 402 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 EXTENSION OF SHORE BOAT VISIT TO GERMANY AND THE SCHEME NETHERLANDS The Institution has decided to extend The Chairman of the Boat and Con- during 1963 the experimental scheme struction Committee, Commander F. R. launched in conjunction with the Minis- H. Swann, accompanied by the Chief try of Transport to make more effective Inspector, Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. use of the services of boat owners, details Dutton, and the Surveyor of Life-boats, of which were given in the December, Mr. R. A. Oakley, visited life-boat 1962, number of the Life-boat on page stations and building yards in the 341. The experimental scheme, although Netherlands and Germany from the 12th adopted only towards the end of the to the 20th October. Among the summer of 1962, was a proved success. places they visited were: Amsterdam, At least 22 calls were made on the boat Enkhuizen, den Helder, Ijmuiden, Wijk- owners who had agreed to co-operate in aan-Zee, Hook of Holland, Bremer- the scheme. These resulted in the rescue haven and Cuxhaven. or landing of 11 people, and there is no The visit was an example of the co- doubt that other calls were answered by operation between life-boat societies in the boat owners on the list who, largely different countries. On a number of because they did not seek any rewards, occasions in recent years officials from did not report the incidents. In 1963 the life-boat societies overseas have come scheme will be extended to include the to this country to study our methods and whole coastal area from Berwick-upon- recent developments, and the benefits Tweed to Weymouth. At the same time derived from these exchanges of views first steps will be taken to set up the are considerable. Fuller opportunities necessary organization along the south- of learning from the experiences of west and west coasts of England and different countries in the task of increas- Wales, and it is hoped before long to ing the efficiency of life-boat services have the scheme in operation wherever will, of course be provided when the it can be expected to be of practical ninth international life-boat conference value. takes place in June, 1963.

Crew rescued after vessel strikes life-boat AT 2.1 on the afternoon of 18th Novem- was lying broached to inside the Fair- ber, 1962, the honorary secretary of the way buoy in about five fathoms of water. Blyth life-boat station, Captain H. Her cargo of lime had shifted, and she Rowe, was informed by the coastguard had a list of 35 degrees to port. that a small coaster was in difficulties off Coxswain Thomas Fawcus first Blyth Fairway buoy. Two minutes later steamed round the vessel to weigh up the maroons were fired. A near gale was the situation, and he then decided to blowing from the north increasing in approach her under the partial lee strength, and there was a rough sea afforded by her starboard side in spite with a heavy swell. It was low water. of the fact that the bilge keel was out of The Blyth life-boat Winston Churchill the water. (Civil Service No. 8), which is one of the 46-foot 9-inch Watson type, was laun- Jumped from Bilge Keel ched at 2.19. She encountered very The master of the Paullgate asked him heavy seas when leaving harbour, and to take off the two members of his crew, people watching, who saw her disappear and Coxswain Fawcus ran in just for- from sight repeatedly when she crossed ward of midships on the vessel's star- the bar, thought she must have been board side. As he did so the Paullgate overwhelmed. It was the day after the rolled to starboard. Her bilge keel disaster to the Seaham life-boat. struck the stem and fender of the life- boat, causing some damage, and the cox- Cargo of Lime Shifted swain had to go full astern to get clear. The vessel in difficulty was the 200- Coxswain Fawcus decided to circle ton motor vessel Paullgate of Hull. She the casualty once again, and he then MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 403 made another attempt to close her. This risk of bringing her under the port time the two men who were to be taken quarter. At great risk to himself Bow- off managed to clamber down the star- man John Kerr succeeded in scrambling board side and jump from the bilge keel aboard. He secured a line from the life- into the life-boat. The life-boat was not boat, and the Paullgate was kept clear damaged. of the beach until a tug arrived. Signal- The master of the Paul/gate, who now man C. Hurst was then put aboard the remained alone on board, said he inten- Paullgate to help the bowman. ded to enter the Tyne, but asked the The Tynemouth life-boat Tynesider coxswain to give him a close escort as he was launched at 4.15 in the afternoon feared his vessel might capsize. and stood by. The sea was breaking heavily both on the bar and inside the Took Calculated Risk harbour entrance. The Blyth life-boat The Paullgate ran out of fuel at the returned to her station at seven o'clock entrance to the Tyne, and not being and the Tynemouth life-boat at 5.5 p.m. under command she drifted through the For this service the silver medal for piers into the harbour with the help of gallantry was awarded to Coxswain the flood tide. There was a clear danger Thomas Fawcus. The bronze medal was that she would be driven ashore, and awarded to Bowman John Kerr. The Coxswain Fawcus decided the only way thanks of the Institution on vellum were to prevent this was to put a member of accorded to other members of the Blyth his own crew aboard to help the master, crew: Second Coxswain Samuel Craw- who was now exhausted. ford; Motor Mechanic J. Skinner; It was no longer possible to board the Assistant Motor Mechanic William Paullgate on her starboard side, and Henry; Crew members J. Skinner, Jnr., Coxswain Fawcus took the calculated J. Henderson and C. Hurst.

Service to a Tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary AT 3.40 on the afternoon of 17th eventually drifted ashore near Long November, 1962 the honorary secre- Peak beach three miles south of Hart- tary of the Clovelly life-boat station, land Point. Mr. J. C. Hilton, learnt from the coast- When the Clovelly life-boat was guard that a tug was firing red flares three miles off Hartland, Coxswain three miles north-west of Hartland William Braund suggested that another Point. Five minutes later the maroons life-boat should be sent out to help, and were fired. A gale was blowing from the at 5.12 the Hartland coastguard advised north-west, the sea was very rough and the honorary secretary of the Appledore the weather was overcast with rain station, Captain P. Brennan, to launch. squalls. It was low water. The Appledore life-boat, which is one of the 47-foot Watson type, put out at 5.84 and had cleared the bar by about 6.25. Launch in Onshore Gale The northerly gale had increased in The Clovelly life-boat, William Can- strength to force 10, and conditions on trell Ashley, which is one of the 35-foot the bar, two hours after low water, were 6-inch Liverpool type, was launched at extremely bad. 4.15. The launch was a difficult one Once clear of the Bideford fairway because of the onshore gale and the buoy Coxswain Sidney Cann set a fact that it was low water. course for Hartland Point. In spite of The vessel in distress was a tanker of the very rough conditions in the race off the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Green Ranger, Hartland the life-boat rounded the which had been in tow of the tug point about 7.45. Caswell and was bound from Plymouth Once he knew that the larger life-boat to Cardiff. The towline had parted off from Appledore was approaching the Hartland Point, and the Green Ranger casualty, Coxswain Braund decided that 404 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 it would be unwise to round Hartland from the loud hailer, but there was no Point, and the life-boat returned to her response from the tanker's crew. For station, which she reached at 9.20. fifteen minutes the life-boat backed and The Appledore life-boat searched filled alongside the tanker, but still close inshore as far as Knap Head, but there was no sign of anybody aboard, in the appalling conditions with frequent and Coxswain Cann then weighed squalls of sleet and hail no sign of the anchor, and the life-boat and H.M.S. casualty could be seen. Coxswain Cann Agincourt both stood by. then turned north again. H.M.S. Agin- court reached the scene about ten o'clock and with the help of her power- Hazardous Crossing ful searchlight the Green Ranger was At 3.15 in the morning the warship located about an hour later. passed a message to the life-boat that The tanker was lying on the rocks all the survivors from the Green Ranger under the cliff near Long Peak beach. had already been landed by breeches She was heading about west-north-west buoy. The life-boat then made for Apple- with her starboard side awash and seas dore at half speed. The crossing of the breaking over her forecastle and fore bar was again extremely hazardous and well-deck. She had a slight list to port. seven gallons of storm oil were used. The bar was crossed at 7.45, and an hour later the life-boat reached her Intended to Grapple Rail station. Coxswain Cann decided to run down For this attempted service the silver as close as he could and get in under the medal for gallantry has been awarded port bow of the tanker, which afforded to Coxswain Sidney Cann. The thanks some slight lee. The time was then about of the Institution inscribed on vellum 11.25. He let go his anchor ahead of the have been accorded to the other mem- casualty and using his engines man- bers of the crew: Second Coxswain John. oeuvred his life-boat towards her, his Richard Bowden, Bowman William intention being to grapple the rail of the Cann, Mechanic L. G. W. Richards, tanker abaft the break of her forecastle. Assistant Mechanic Thomas Jewell, A number of rocks were jutting out on W. Evans, S. Bowden and C. Cox. the port bow of the Green Ranger, and A collective letter of appreciation this left a space of not more than three or signed by the Chairman of the Com- four boat lengths in which to manoeuvre. mittee of Management was sent to the The searchlight was played on to the crew and helpers at the Clovelly station. tanker and instructions were called Extra monetary rewards were made.

Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of Coxswain coxswain since 1946. During his service John Tallon of Clogher Head. He was as a boat's officer Clogher Head life- appointed bowman in 1933, became boats have been launched 43 times on second coxswain in 1938 and has been service and have rescued 26 lives.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 150 Life-boats LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to 31st December, 1962 - 84,006 MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 405 Oxygen given to Man Trapped in Port-hole AT 1.3 on the afternoon of 8th Decem- swain Gilson and Motor Mechanic J. ber, 1962, the honorary secretary of the Polkinghorn administered oxygen each Southend-on-Sea life-boat station, Mr. time the life-boat came up on a wave. P. G. Garon, learnt from the coast- They were hindered by smoke and could guard that the Dutch motor vessel only give the oxygen for a few seconds Temar of 198 tons was on fire. She was at a time as the life-boat rose and fell in at anchor near the no. 2 Seareach buoy. the swell. It was then decided to cut A strong breeze was blowing from the away the deck of the Temar to allow south-south-west, and the sea was very the man, who was now in a very dis- rough. The weather was overcast, visi- tressed condition, to be pulled out. This bility being moderate. It was one hour was done with equipment on one of before low water. the tugs. As the deck was cut above the The Southend-on-Sea life-boat Greater cabin a jet of water was played on to the London II(Civil Service No. 30), which is man to protect him from the effects of one of the 46-foot 9-inch Watson type, the molten metal falling on his back. was launched at 1.20. The tanker, Mobil When the deck had been cut away the Enterprise, two tugs and a local boat chief engineer of the Mobil Enterprise, had gone to the help of the Temar, and Mr. Harris, dressed in the asbestos suit, the Temar reported that she did not need pulled the man out from the cabin. He the assistance of a life-boat. Neverthe- was then taken aboard the life-boat, less, Coxswain P. G. Gilson took the which landed him at Southend pier, decision to make for the motor vessel as where a doctor and an ambulance were he believed lives might be in danger. waiting. During the return journey he was given first aid by Bowman Martin, whose skill in bandaging was later com- Head Seen Sticking Out mended by the doctor and the hospital Coxswain Gilson circled the Temar, staff. and as he did so a man's head could be seen. He was jammed in a cabin port- Lifted Ashore on Blanket hole on the starboard quarter. The time When the life-boat reached the pier was then 1.52. A ship's boat from the the doctor administered morphia on Mobil Enterprise had already put aboard board the boat, and the survivor was the tanker's chief engineer, her second then lifted ashore on a blanket, which officer and a deck hand with an asbestos was held at the four corners to prevent suit and oxygen breathing apparatus, pressure on his burns. but they could not reach the man's head The life-boat put out once more to either from the deck of the motor vessel the Mobil Enterprise, from which she or from the ship's boat. picked up two men, two women and At this time the wind had increased to two children. They were all survivors a near gale and one of the tugs had a line from the Temar, who had been put aboard the Temar. Coxswain Gilson aboard the tanker by a pilot cutter. asked the tug master to hold the casualty These six survivors were put ashore at in a position which enabled her to afford Sheerness and the life-boat was re- a Jee, and he then secured the life-boat housed at 8.15 in the evening. under her starboard quarter. All hands For this service the Institution made aboard the Temar were then mustered on the unusual award of its collective deck to man the head and stern warps. thanks on vellum to Coxswain Peter Gilson and the other members of the crew: Bowman Aubrey Frederick Mar- Oxygen Administered from Life-boat tin, Motor Mechanic John Robert Two members of the life-boat crew, Polkinghorn, Assistant Motor Mech- Bowman A, Martin and F. Emery, anic R. H. Sanders, Crew members F. boarded the Temar and took turns at Emery and J. Polkinghorn. keeping the man's head out of the port- Additional monetary awards were hole by pulling on his ears, while Cox- made to all members of the crew. 406 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 The Seaham Disaster At 3.55 on the afternoon of 17th witness when the life-boat was first seen November, 1962, the honorary secretary about 600 yards south-south-east of a of the Seaham life-boat station, Captain fixed red light on the south breakwater. R. Hudson, was informed by the coast- The life-boat was apparently making guard that, according to a report from a good headway on a course about local fisherman, a small boat was still magnetic north when her lights were out and weather conditions were grow- temporarily obscured by the drum end ing rapidly worse. Captain Hudson of the south pier. Captain Tait saw the immediately gave orders for the assem- red port light and the white mast head- bly signal to be made. The maroons light just clear of the end of the south were fired at four o'clock, and at 4.10 pier. He then saw her green starboard the Seaham life-boat George Elmy, one light and her white mast headlight fol- of the 35-foot 6-inch Liverpool class, lowed by the red port light and the white was launched. She had a crew of five mast headlight. From this it was clear aboard. They were: Coxswain John that she had taken a turn to port fol- Miller, Second Coxswain Frederick lowed by a quick turn back to starboard. Gippert, Bowman James Farrington, Thirty Feet from Pier Motor Mechanic Arthur Leonard Then the life-boat was seen to capsize Brown, and Arthur Brown. to port. The time was 5.15 and the life- When the life-boat left the harbour a boat's position about 30 feet off the end north-by-east wind of force 6 was of the south pier at the entrance to the blowing, but this rapidly increased to harbour. force 8 and there were gusts of storm When the life-boat capsized one man, force. There was a rough sea, with a con- Donald Burrell, managed to hang on to fused swell, and the weather was over- a propeller shaft with one hand and put cast with showers. Visibility was about his other hand through one of the ruffle two to three miles. It was two hours be- holes on the keel. The life-boat grounded fore high water, and the tide was setting to the north of the Liddle Stack, and he south-by-west at about 1£ knots. let go at once and managed to scramble Twelve-foot Waves ashore. Outside the harbour the height of the The five members of the crew and the waves was estimated at about 12 feet, other four people who had been taken and there were some 22 feet of water on off the fishing vessel all lost their lives. the bar—i.e. between the breakwaters The Sunderland and Hartlepool life- of Seaham harbour. boats were launched at six o'clock and The life-boat reached the casualty, 6.20 respectively to search for survivors which was the fishing vessel Economy, in from the capsized life-boat, and the about ten minutes. The position was off crews gave their rewards for these Dawdon Colliery to the south of Seaham. services to the local fund for the depen- Coxswain Miller had to bring the life- dents of the men who lost their lives. boat alongside three times before the Coroner's Verdict crew of five could be taken off the fishing On 19th December, 1962, a coroner's vessel. At 4.51 the life-boat reported inquest was held at Seaham, at which a that she had the crew of the Economy verdict of "accidental death by asphyxia on board and that the Economy was caused by drowning" was returned. The drifting two miles east of Easington. coroner said that in his opinion the life- Five people were taken off the fishing boat was justified in setting out, the vessel. They were: Joseph Kennedy, coxswain was thoroughly competent George Firth, Gordon Burrell, Donald and the life-boat seaworthy, and that he Burrell and his son, David Burrell, aged was satisfied that no blame should be at- nine. tached to the coxswain for the loss of life. Captain Hudson was standing on the The Institution carried out its own quay near the inner lock gates with a investigation, after which the following pilot, Captain R. S. Tait, and another report was issued: MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 407 "The life-boat was hit by successive (/)Some deck hatches on the port side waves from heavy seas when broadside had been forced from their rebates. to wind and tide in the confused broken (g) Steering shaft bent and support water at the entrance to the harbour. bracket with binnacle attached had These conditions were further aggra- been torn away from the deck. vated by the backwash and undertow (H) Drogue rope and tripping line ends from the breakwaters. were still fast to the eyeplates. The drogue hoop had been crushed and Decision to Launch Correct was broken at two places opposite "The decision to launch the life-boat each other on the diameter. The four to the help of the fishing coble Economy drogue strops had been torn from was correct. The condition of the hull their seizings and the tripping line and machinery of the life-boat at the had six turns round the strops which time of launching was in all respects all lead from the tripping line end of first class. The crew were experienced the drogue." and had complete confidence in the life- boat and in the coxswain. Weather Superintendent Engineer's Report conditions deteriorated rapidly after the The Superintendent Engineer, Com- life-boat had been launched. mander R. A. Gould, carried out an "In spite of being severely pounded examination of the boat's machinery on rocks after the capsize the life-boat is installation after her arrival at the Depot still seaworthy and will not therefore be and reported as follows: destroyed." "(o) Engines—Both engines are undam- Surveyor's Report aged and can be turned by hand. The Institution's Surveyor of Life- Each cylinder has its proper com- boats, Mr. R. A. Oakley, travelled to pression and there is no stiffness, Seaham on the night of 17th November noise or other unusual circumstance. and examined the life-boat the next day. (b) Lubricating Oil—The dry sump His report stated: lubricating oil tanks were sounded "The boat was reached at 1.30 p.m. and there is about 1^ in. of black oil on 18th November, i.e. about low water. in each, but no water. She was lying bottom up, with her head (c) Fuel—The petrol tanks can be to the north alongside some old piles to pumped to 3 Ib. per square inch and which she had been lashed on the hold this pressure. previous tide. The major damage was (d) Header Tank—Empty, but no dam- as follows: age and the fresh water system is (a) Skin planking on the port side severe- intact down to the coolers. ly damaged over a length of 12-14 feet (e) Coolers—These are intact and the from the gunwale to deck shelf, and main inlet and discharge is clear and also for about 3 feet in length below undamaged. the deck shelf. The gunwale is broken (/) Gear Box—Gears can be engaged in a number of places and many of ahead and astern freely. the scuppers are badly distorted. (g) Propellers and Shafts—These are (b) Shelter has been broken away and is free and undamaged—they can be completely missing from the instru- turned by hand and there appears to ment board bulkhead aft and the top be no damage to the 'A' brackets. is also stove in forward of the bulk- (/;) Electrics—All switches are in work- head. Engine room hatch was found ing condition. in the open position. (/) Batteries—The four batteries appear (c) Locker seats torn away. to be sound except for loss of acid. (d) All guard stanchions forced off the There was no water in the battery gunwales, but some were held on box which was properly secured. the starboard guard chain. (j) Radio Telephone Equipment—Both (e) Side batten seats damaged more the port and starboard lockers were extensively on the port side from flooded. which a number of the deck air (k) V.H.F.—This is situated in the engine cases were missing. room and the installation was flooded. 408 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 (/) Conclusions—From the foregoing inspector both reached Seaham that and detailed examination of the same evening and spent the night on the auxiliaries, control rods, etc., noth- beaches and in the harbour ready to ing was found to indicate that these assist in any rescue that might be engines were not functioning norm- possible. The surveyor of life-boats, the ally at the time of the capsize." assistant accountant and a senior clerk Twelve days after the capsize the reached Seahani from London at 6.30 life-boat's engines were tested at the a.m. on Sunday. depot at Boreham Wood and after the batteries had been recharged and Immediate Needs of Families the machinery had been cleaned up the The immediate tasks of the inspectors engines started at once. and the surveyor were to investigate the disaster and to make the station opera- Messages of Sympathy tional again as soon as was reasonably Among many messages of sympathy possible. The duties of the assistant received was a telegram from the accountant and the senior clerk were to Institution's President, H.R.H. Princess look after the immediate needs of the Marina, Duchess of Kent. The Chair- families of the life-boatmen who had man of the Seaham Urban District given their lives. Council launched an appeal for a fund All these officials hardly left the to help the dependents of those who had station during the next few days and lost their lives. Contributions to this they pursued their duties with great fund exceeded £45,000. devotion. In answer to a question by private The bereaved families of the life-boat- notice by Mr. W. R. Blyton, M.P. for men were visited on the Sunday, and by Houghton-le-Spring, the Minister of Monday morning each family had Transport, Mr. Ernest Marples, gave received £20 from the Institution's funds an account of the disaster and stated to cover immediate needs. A radio tele- that he was sure the House would wish gram was sent to the late coxswain's son, him to express its deepest sympathy to who was on board a vessel bound for the families of all the brave men who South Africa, and he was flown home in lost their lives. In answer to a supple- time for his father's funeral. Telegrams mentary question by Mr. Greville and other messages of sympathy were Howard, M.P. for St. Ives, Mr. Marples recorded and passed on. said: "I am sure that the whole House will agree that the Royal National Life- Pensions to Families boat Institution acted very speedily and Within hours of the chairman of very efficiently and, I think, in the Seaham District Council opening a circumstances, extremely generously." disaster fund a donation of £500 was received from the Institution. Letter to the Press The accountant and clerk visited the On 7th January a letter was published bereaved families again to discuss their in the Daily Telegraph and a number of wishes in connection with the funerals, other newspapers from Mr. H. C. C. and then made the necessary arrange- Wilson, Managing Director of the ments. All funeral expenses were paid Seaham Harbour Dock Company, who by the Institution, including the cost of wrote: relaying the memorial service to the Sir, nearby church hall for the overflow Having been closely linked with the congregation. Wreaths, R.N.L.I, flags recent life-boat disaster at Seaham, I for flying and draping on the coffins, and should like to pay a warm tribute to the uniform caps were provided. work of the Royal National Life-boat The R.N.L.I. automatically pensions Institution. the families of those who lose their lives The life-boat capsized in the late on service at the rate payable to a chief afternoon of Saturday, November 17th. petty officer in the Royal Navy. It also The deputy chief inspector of the makes provision for children of the Institution and the central district deceased during the continuance of their MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 409 education; these arrangements were any legal matters that may arise as a explained to the families. result of the disaster. Provision was also made for the full- The memorial service on 25th Novem- time mechanic's wages and the retaining ber was attended by the chairman of the fees for the part-time members of the committee of management and by two crew to be paid up to the end of the year. other members of the committee, and by the other officials of the Institution Memorial Service who were still in the area at the time. On 22nd November the Secretary of R.N.L.I. officials also called on the the Institution and the district organiz- bereaved families of the fishermen who ing secretary also visited the families and were lost and attended the funerals. they, together with the chief inspector The prompt and humanitarian way and the chairman of the boat and con- in which the officials applied themselves structional committee as well as other to comforting the distressed, and in officials in the area, attended the providing for their future, makes one funerals. realize that the Royal National Life- Instructions were given to solicitors boat Institution does something much to attend the inquests on behalf of the more than to provide and maintain families, and to act on their behalf in life-boats around our treacherous coasts.

Children rescued from cabin cruiser ON the afternoon of 16th September, capsized boat. The other five children 1962, Mr. Kenneth Johnson and his were trapped in the cabin. They were brother, Mr. Frank Johnson, with six under water but were able to breathe of their children aged between two and because of a pocket of air. twelve, went on board Mr. Kenneth As soon as they saw what had hap- Johnson's cabin cruiser, which was one pened Mr. G. G. Wright and Mr. L. S. of the Dolphin class and was moored Bettison launched a 12-foot fibre glass to head and stern anchors off Morfa dinghy, which was driven by a 40 h.p. beach in the Conway river. outboard engine. When they reached A fresh to strong south-south-wes- the cabin cruiser they found her near terly breeze was blowing and it was the mouth of the estuary. They went raining heavily. The spring tide was alongside and hove a line, but this ebbing at about 4 knots, and there were fouled their own boat's propeller, put- choppy seas and a confused swell in ting her engine out of action. the estuary. It was about an hour after high water. The weather was growing Two Girls Unconscious steadily worse. Mr. Wright and Mr. Bettison were One of the anchors started to drag able partially to right the upturned after the family had gone on board, and cabin cruiser and to expose the cabin as the boat swung to the stern anchor door. One young girl floated clear and the cockpit filled over the transom. was grabbed by her father, who was still clinging to the upturned boat. Children put into Cockpit While Mr. Wright held open the cabin The two men put five of the children door one of the other children, a ten- into the cockpit for safety and then year-old boy named Michael Johnson, tried to weigh the stern anchor in an pulled out two girls who were uncon- attempt to ride to the bower anchor. scious. Another boy and another girl The yacht dragged rapidly into mid- were then rescued, and an unsuccessful stream and then capsized. She was attempt was made to start the dinghy's swept rapidly out to sea by the strong outboard engine, although it was still ebb tide. fouled by a rope. Meanwhile, Mr. The two men and the eldest boy, Wright applied artificial respiration to Frank Johnson, who was aged twelve, two of the young children. were thrown into the water, but they A number of other boats attempted to managed to hang on to the keel of the put out, but nearly all were forced to 410 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 turn back in the heavy broken water. R. H. Jones and P.C. T. J. Edwards, who One of the boats was a 12-foot dinghy had been summoned by a 999 call. All manned by Mr. & Mrs. H. Rowley, both the children and one of the two men who of whom are in their fifties. They per- had been in the water were transferred sisted in their efforts and finally reached from the fibre glass dinghy to the the cabin cruiser. They made three launch, and artificial respiration con- attempts to rescue Mr. Johnson and his tinued to be applied to the two-year-old daughter although their boat was swam- girl who was still unconscious. The ped repeatedly. At the third attempt rescued people, after being landed, they managed to bring the bow close were taken to Llandudno hospital, enough for Mr. Johnson to grab the where they all recovered. dinghy and to thrust his daughter on For this service the thanks of the Insti- board before rolling in on top of her tution, inscribed on vellum, were-accor- just as the dinghy was washed clear. ded to Mr. G. G. Wright, Mr. L. S. Betti- Almost immediately afterwards the son, and to Mr. and Mrs. H. Rowley. cabin cruiser sank. Inscribed wrist watches were awarded to The launch Satellite also succeeded in Michael and Lizette Johnson. Framed putting out. This was manned by four letters of appreciation were sent to men: two of them were local boatmen, Sergeant R. H. Jones and P.C. T. J. Mr. J. D. Craven and Mr. T. Hughes, Edwardsandmonetaryawardsweremade and two were police officers, Sergeant to Mr. H. D. Craven and Mr. T. Hughes.

Life-boat Postage Stamps THE General Post Office is issuing a should send a remittance of 3s. 6d. to 42, set of postage stamps to mark the ninth Grosvenor Gardens, London S.W.1> to international life-boat conference being arrive not later than 15th May. The held in Edinburgh in June 1963. The name and address to which the envelope stamps will be in the denominations of is to be posted should be clearly stated. 2|d., 4d. and Is. 6d. and will be on sale Alternatively the souvenir envelopes generally during the month of June. without stamps can be supplied for 6d. The Institution has purchased several each provided not less than one dozen thousand souvenir envelopes of an are ordered. attractive kind, which will certainly Special franking of the stamps with a appeal to keen philatelists. Anyone life-boat design is also being done at wishing to obtain one of these with a post offices in a number of the larger full set of stamps franked in Edinburgh cities in Great Britain and in Northern and posted on the first day of issue Ireland.

New Assistant Secretary Appointed MR. J. R. ATTERTON, has been who retired at the end of 1962 after more appointed Assistant Secretary of the than forty years in the service of the Institution. Institution. He had held the post of Mr. Atterton, who is aged 44, first Assistant Secretary since September, joined the Institution's staff in 1936 and 1961. Two other members of the Insti- worked in the Chief Inspector's depart- tution's staff who had also given more ment, and subsequently in various than forty years' service retired at the departments in the Secretary's general same time. One was Mr. F. W. Stevens, office. He became a principal clerk and who joined the staff in 1919 and held the in recent months has been assisting the post of principal clerk. The other was Secretary. During the war he served Mr. R. A. W. Scott, who joined in 1921, with the Royal Corps of Signals, when at first as motor mechanic at Lowestoft. for a period he was employed at the After serving at Holyhead and for eight War Office in London. years as a travelling mechanic, he was Mr. Atterton succeeds Mr. D. H. Roff, appointed district engineer in 1939. MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 411 Award to Dublin Boat Owner ABOUT 2.45 on the afternoon of the the water to grasp and the other used llth August, 1962, the yacht Lorelei, his weight to the best advantage to trim which was one of the Mermaid class, the dinghy while the three people were capsized shortly after leaving Rush hauled on board. Harbour, Co. Dublin. Several people The three rescued men were very saw the incident and raised the alarm. exhausted, and Mr. Doyle had to handle A near gale was blowing from the south- his small craft with considerable care west, the sea was choppy, and the sky now that there were six people on board was overcast. It was low water, and the to prevent her from being swamped. tidal stream was setting northwards at Meanwhile two fishermen from Rush, the rate of half a knot. Mr. John Price and Mr. Thomas Shortly after three o'clock Mr. Mackey, had put out in an 18-foot William Doyle put out in his 14-foot lobster boat. When they reached the home-built dinghy with two friends, dinghy the three survivors and one of Mr. Derek Horner and Mr. Gerald the dinghy's crew were transferred to Kenny. The dinghy had a small out- the lobster boat, and both boats made board motor, and with this and the use for Rush Harbour, which they reached of oars they set a course to take advan- about four o'clock. tage of the lee of the land as far as pos- For this service the thanks of the sible. They then altered course through Institution inscribed on vellum were rougher water to make for the yachr. accorded to Mr. William Doyle. Framed Held Out an Oar to Grasp letters of thanks were sent and mone- They reached the yacht, which had tary awards made to Mr. Derek Horner, not yet been righted, about 3.30 and Mr. Gerald Kenny, Mr. John Price and found her crew of three clinging to her. Mr. Thomas Mackey. Comairle na Mr. Doyle brought the dinghy as close Mire Gaile also awarded certificates for in as possible, while one of his com- bravery to Mr. Doyle, Mr. Horner and panions held out an oar for the men in Mr. Price.

On Service in the Pentland Firth THE following description of a service gale, and her master realized that the in the Longhope life-boat appeared in maelstrom in the Pentland Firth would the mid-December 1962 number of be really dangerous. As the short day "Motor Boat and Yachting." This faded well before 3 p.m., several trawlers is reproduced by kind permission of the crept storm-battered into the shelter of editor, Commander Erroll Bruce, R.N., our bay within Scapa Flow, smoke who is himself the author of the article trailing from the funnel tops in hori- and was at one time a member of the zontal lines. Longhope crew: All that winter day I felt vaguely Services Paralysed uneasy. Radio warnings of severe gales The evening radio news reported that in area Fair Isle are common enough in shipping and air services were paralysed any winter, and that particular winter around the north coast of Scotland. there had been more warnings than Soon after that there was a telephone usual—and more gales too. Yet some- call from Fred Johnston, the coxswain how during that February afternoon of our life-boat. there was an increasing sense of appre- "Dirty night," he said slowly. "You'll hension. be at home?" At midday I had heard that the ocean- "Yes, Fred," I answered, "I took a going steamer which ran a regular boat over to Flotta yesterday as no service across to the mainland of Scot- doubt you know. Your wife was at the land had turned back a mile or two concert too." outside Stromness: she had run into the "It's bad tonight. Very bad. You'll be seas stirred up by the 60-mile-an-hour at home then." 412 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 In an isolated gale-swept island, the below. "My God," I gasped. "We can't senses are closely tuned to nature. launch into that, and survive." Somehow we all felt that something was The next few minutes were too busy about to happen, and in our little island for thoughts or worries. Into the life-boat community that something would likely station we hurried, a group of four or be connected with the sea. There had five, some crew, some launchers. Just been previous crises that winter: lives ahead of me was Steve McFayden, had been lost. In some peculiar way that whose wife in her croft nearby had day, the wavelengths of danger vibrated recently shown me prized mementoes of their insistent tune. the service her father gave to the life- boat as coxswain 20 years before. Seven Miles to Station Almost together Steve and I climbed up In winter it was my routine before the ladder to the boat, and began to don going to bed to lay out seagoing clothes, oilskins taken off a rack slung from the and warm up the car; it was seven miles station roof to be within easy reach to the life-boat station, but so long as no from the deck. waves were washing over the road I "Stay in the Cockpit" could reckon on getting there dressed for sea within eleven minutes of a call; There was Fred, the coxswain, already this was as quick as anyone who had to strapping on his life-belt, and his go half a mile on foot. brother, "Engineer" Bob, starting up Perhaps it was 4 a.m. when the tele- the engines; he was soon joined at the phone rang; certainly a time when the engine controls by "Soldier" Bob, wish to jump out of bed and rush forth another Johnston, and there were to sea was at its least. Jimmie and Robbie Johnston in the "It's a trawler on Dunnet Head," crew, both sons of "Soldier" Bob. spoke Fred, "it's a dirty night for 'em "Stay in the cockpit shelter for the there." launch," I was instructed by Dan Kirk- Driving alongside Long Hope Ness, patrick, the second coxswain. "No one sheltered waters by normal reckoning, could keep with her on deck." I had to pull the car speed right down Orders were few, as each man knew from seventy as the spray drove across just what to do after many a launch on the road. "The gale has backed to the service and for practice. The launchers were in position, and south," I thought, "blowing right into their winch engine joined its hum to the life-boat slip." those of the powerful diesels in the boat. Launch Into That? The engine noise gave an impression of steadiness, as counter to the turbulent There was little more than a mile to shriek of the wind which hammered at go when ahead a green fireball burst the walls of the shed, and battered its high in the air. I could feel more than hear the deep rumble of the maroon as way through the opened twin doors over it met the car three or four seconds later. the launching ramp. This was the first life-boat call, so I was Boat Crept Forward in good time. Fred raised a commanding hand of The second maroon followed as I readiness. The winch driver eased in his turned into the muddy track along lever to take the weight of the boat, a Brims Ness. The brilliant light showed slight circling movement of the hand, up a trio of figures ahead, bent low as and the boat crept forward, then stopped. they struggled against the gale. Behind The hand was stilled, and a reverse them was the box-like life-boat house, circling brought the boat up again. perched above jagged rocks on stilts of Something was wrong with the launch- steel, with its ramp running steeply ing gear. down into the sea. Suddenly, in the Fred beckoned for a ladder and green light of the signal even the life- climbed down to look beneath the boat. boat house seemed dwarfed by an It was a minute or so of delay perhaps; explosive plume of spray, as a giant but to me each second seemed a century. Atlantic roller crashed into the ramp With nothing to do but wait, I had MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 413 time to think, and the thoughts were eddy; by the feel of the tide rip he kept terrifying. Oh that I was back in a com- the ebb surging the boat ahead at best fortable warm bed. I looked at my speed. Along a narrow belt the water watch; it was 4.34 a.m. ran faster than a mountain rapid in full The trouble had been cleared, and spate; this belt lay close to where a Fred climbed back to the cockpit; un- contrary eddy swirled against the parent hurriedly he secured the lashing that stream and caused a family brawl of would keep him fast to his tubular steel amazing ferocity. Breaking waves guard. Dead or alive, he was tied to his snarled and struck, but not even a grey post. smear lightened the darkness. They were Battle Was On black demons—not white horses. Next time there was no hitch with the launching gear; she lowered slowly on Feeling of Reassurance the winch, then gave a sudden lurch as We rigged the radio antennae after the whole carriage pivoted to bring her the launch. Words came through as she head down into the slope of the slipway. neared upright, while the message Launchers jumped beneath her to cast blurred when the boat rolled her off the securing chains. whipping aerial nearly down to the All eyes peered from the dimly lit water, or a wave drove right over her. station, out through the open doors into "Wick. This is Longhope life-boat black night. Blank images gave no hint calling. Over." of when a roller was racing up to pound "Longhope life-boat; this is Wick. I across the slipway. can hear you weak and intermittent. Again the raised hand drew attention. Over." There was no need for spoken orders, It gave me a warm feeling of reassur- no call for a warning "Hold tight". Fred ance to hear the words from ashore. Let waited for the next thump as a wave there be no doubt about it, for me at struck home; then his hand dipped. A first fear had been so acute that it might slight jolt and the boat began her skid have been a sharp needle jabbing into towards the sea, accelerating down the my head. There were many more hours steep runway. of darkness before the short winter day The sea met her with a wave that of such northern waters would break; a raked from bow to stern. The battle was secondary depression was following the on. main one, meaning no let up in the gale; Engines full speed ahead. Wheel hard the problems seemed nigh impossible over to starboard to bring her head for an approach to the wreck lying straight into the seas on course out of somewhere unknown at the foot of the the narrow inlet of Aith Hope. She 300-foot-high cliffs. bucked and plunged, half bronco and Dunnet Head is the northernmost half porpoise. point on the mainland of Scotland; it is fully exposed to the wrath of the At- Devil-black obscurity lantic Ocean, it is a gatepost to Pent- The night was black; not just that land Firth, through which the spring velvety blackness that seems mere lack tides race with extraordinary violence. of light; this was a devil-black obscurity Here is an extract from the Admiralty that shocked the mind as rudely as the Sailing Directions which describe the spray-laden gusts bit into the cheeks. No Pentland Firth when only a moderate suspicion of land could be seen, although gale blows against the tidal stream: the cliffs were close each side; nor were "Only personal experience can make the waves visible, but each drenching anyone realize what a seething cauldron punch jarred the boat like a body blow of tide rips, whirlpools and short choppy from a heavyweight boxer. seas the Firth can become." Most prob- Soon the flashing light of Dunnet ably a small steamer of slow speed, or a Head peeped clear of Brims cliff to star- sailing vessel, would never have been board; slowly the boat swung round heard of again. We were setting out in towards it. Fred was skirting the Brims a full gale, with a severe gale expected. 414 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 "Have you news?" was still she, living among the families "Wick, this is Longhope life-boat" of those who man the boat, who would was our next message. "Am past Brims have to shoulder the responsibility for and carrying the ebb for Dunnet. Have some tragedy to their menfolk. you news? Over." The quadruple flash of Dunnet Head We stood on for the middle of the light was much closer. Already the firth. Past the Brims eddy the seas motion was more violent again on the steadied perceptibly, but it was still no fringes of the Dunnet race. The Koorah joy-ride even for the most seasoned could not be far ahead under that boatmen. Up forward two lights, one grim unseen cliff. Where did she red and one green, on each side lit up an lie? How was she pointing? Were the iron staunchion with its lifeline chains. crew still on board? Would the cliff Framed in the gap between a double- provide any lee ? What approach could coloured plume of water rose like a shell be used ? Could I remember every detail burst, then hurtled away green-tinted to of my job for laying out a kedge anchor? starboard. Plume followed plume like For the time a hundred such thoughts rapid-fire salvoes. drove away any fear. Those in the cockpit tensed as a heavy sea struck. Dim lights from the engine Lull of Silence gauges reflected on four thigh-high sea- Again the radio spoke after a lull of boots, firm footed while the water silence. "Crew of Koorah has been swirled around them; dimmer still were picked up. All safe. Life-saving emer- the shapes of "Soldier" Bob and gency over. Out." "Engineer" Bob, above the seaboots; Slowly Fred eased her round to star- each sat fixed at his engine control as board, and the urgency of the engine though part of the boat itself. tone eased. In those seas we could not "This is Wick. I have your message, get back into Aith Hope, so we would Longhope life-boat. Thurso life-boat has make for Scapa Flow. The stream had launched. Coastguards will fire a flare reached its fourth hour of ebb, when a from cliff-top when casualty is located. notorious tide race called the Merry Koorah is preparing to abandon ship. Men of Mey reaches out across the Over." forth, closing the gap to Brims Head. Honorary Secretary Decides Returning, the boat would need to fight Dunnet Head was the normal through this, as well as competing boundary between the areas of the two against the flood tide. life-boats, ours based on an island of "Poor devils," spoke Dan Kirkpat- Orkney and the other on the mainland rick of the Koorah's men. "Thank God of Scotland. As the trawler was reported they are safe." somewhere to the west of the lighthouse, He said it with deep feeling. Yet my she was strictly a Thurso boat casualty, mind was more on the men around me but as she had not been located and she —five Johnstons, Steve McFayden, and might be expected to break up very Dan himself. I realized by then that they quickly on the rocks, the coastguards too had known fear—life-boat men had had asked both life-boats to launch, as lost their lives on service that very for either it would be difficult enough to winter. The brave man is not only he reach the area of the wreck. Life-boat who knows no fear, it is also the man crews are volunteers, and no one can who knows it well, and fully aware of order their boat out on service except the risks, volunteers his service again the committee of local people that and again to rescue others in trouble. administers her. As professional officers A belated dawn had broken, as at last the coastguards advise, but it is the we turned from the Pentland to safe honorary secretary who decides. For us waters inside Cantick Head. Snowflakes this was Minnie Sutherland, whose swept by from astern, green-tinted from father had held the same responsibility the light of the flare held aloft to signal for many years before. The life-boat that we had no casualties on board. Our coxswain works closely with the hon- boat had made no rescue, but it was a orary secretary in such decisions, but it night to remember. MARCH. J963] THE LIFE-BOAT 415 Services of the Life-boats in October, November and December 61 Lives Rescued OCTOBER ber, 1962, a message was received that DURING October life-boats were the freighter Zenit of Leningrad, which launched on service 62 times and was anchored off the Nelson buoy, had a rescued 26 lives. man on board with appendicitis and had asked for a doctor. Owing to the state DOCTOR TAKEN TO DUTCH MOTOR of the tides it would not be possible for VESSEL the Zenit to enter Preston for about five Donaghadee, Co. Down. At 7.20 on days. There was a light south-east the evening of the 1st October, 1962, breeze with a slight sea. At five o'clock the coastguard informed the honorary the life-boat Sarah Townsend Porritt secretary that the Dutch motor vessel was launched on the ebbing tide with a Holweirdre of Delfzijl had asked for a doctor on board. The Zenit was reached doctor for a member of her crew, who and the sick man taken on board. He appeared to be suffering from a severe was brought ashore and taken to hernia. In spite of numerous efforts the hospital. The ship's doctor and navigat- coastguard had not been able to find a ing officer also came ashore in the life- doctor in Bangor who could go out. boat. The sick man needed an operation At 7.35 the life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly immediately. The h'fe-boat returned to put out at low water, after taking on her station at 8.45. board a local doctor. There was a gentle south-west breeze with a moder- TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITH ate sea. The Holweirdre was reached, ENGINE FAILURE and the injured man was taken on Arbroath, Angus. At 4.50 on the after- board the life-boat and brought to noon of the 5th October, 1962, the Bangor, where an ambulance was wait- coastguard informed the honorary sec- ing to take him to hospital. The life-boat retary that the fishing boat Eight Bells returned to her station at 10.5. of Arbroath had engine faiJure off Auchmithie. There was a gentle west- INJURED SEAMAN TAKEN OFF MOTOR south-westerly breeze with a choppy sea. VESSEL At 4.53 the life-boat The Duke of Berwick-upon-Tweed,NorthumberIand. Montrose was launched on the ebbing At eight o'clock on the evening of the tide. She found the Eight Bells about a 1st October, 1962, a message was re- mile off Auchmithie, took her in tow and ceived that the motor vessel Corbrae of brought her into Arbroath harbour. She London was making for Berwick, as a then returned to her station, which she member of her crew had a badly injured reached at six o'clock. leg. There was a light southerly breeze and the sea was smooth. At 9.15 the CABIN CRUISER TAKEN IN TOW life-boat William and Mary Durham was Barrow, Lancashire. At 7.20 on the launched on the ebbing tide. A doctor evening of the 6th October, 1962, the had been taken on board, and the Walney lighthouse keeper informed the Corbrae was met three miles east of honorary secretary that red flares had Berwick-upon-Tweed, as the draught of been seen near the Bar buoy. There was the Corbrae, 3000 tons, was too big to a light easterly breeze with a smooth permit her to enter the dock. The sea. At 7.30 the life-boat Herbert Leigh injured man was taken on board the was launched on the ebbing tide. On life-boat and brought ashore. The life- reaching the position given she found boat returned to her station at 10.30. the cabin cruiser Happy Wanderer with her engine broken down. The life-boat SICK MAN TAKEN OFF RUSSIAN towed the Happy Wanderer to her FREIGHTER moorings at Roa Island and then Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire. At returned to her station, which she 4.30 on the afternoon of the 4th Octo- reached at 8.20. 416 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 GUIDED TO BOAT BY PARAFFIN FLARES honorary secretary that a cabin cruiser Hastings, Sussex. At 8.35 on the appeared to be in need of help in evening of the 6th October, 1962, two Newbiggin Bay, and at 6.15 the life-boat members of the local angling club Richard Ashley was launched. There was reported that the motor boat Mahaba a moderate south-south-east breeze, the was overdue. There was a light north- sea was choppy, and the tide was flood- east breeze with a smooth sea. At 8.55 ing. The life-boat found the 25-foot the life-boat M.T.C. was launched on cabin cruiser Medina, with a crew of the ebbing tide. She put out in the two, off the Pig and Sow rocks, Blyth. direction indicated by the anglers and She was drifting quickly towards the found a motor boat, which was the rocks. The life-boat towed her to Blyth Lady Molly, about two miles south-east and then returned to her station, of Fairlight coastguard station. Her arriving at 8.15. owner had recently changed the boat's name. The coxswain had been helped MOTOR FISHING VESSEL FOUND IN in rinding the Lady Molly by the burning FOG of paraffin flares. The engines of the Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At Lady Molly had broken down, and the 7.15 on the evening of the 9th October, life-boat took her in tow and brought 1962, a customs officer was walking her to Hastings. The life-boat reached along the pier when he saw a flare being her station at 9.58. burnt in the direction of Splaugh rock. He informed the two life-boat motor COXSWAIN PILOTS GREEK VESSEL mechanics, who were also walking along Hartlepool, Co. Durham. At 9.25 on the pier, and then took them by car to the evening of the 6th October, 1962, the watch hut to see the honorary the police informed the honorary sec- secretary. The life-boat H. F. Bailey, on retary that a light had been reported temporary duty at the station, left her flashing a mile eastward of Hartlepool. moorings at 7.45 in a light south- There was a light north-west breeze with easterly breeze and a calm sea. It was a smooth sea. At 9.45 the life-boat The low water and visibility was poor, due to Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) was fog. At 8.30 the life-boat found the motor launched at high water and made for fishing boat Sari Marls of Rosslare with the position given. A light was then seen a crew of three. Her engine had broken flashing two miles north-east of Heugh, down, and the life-boat towed her to and on approaching it the life-boat Rosslare Harbour, reaching her moor- found the Greek vessel Theodore Kasso- ings at 9.10. pulos, which was bound for West Hartlepool. The Theodore Kassopulos FISHING BOAT TOWED AFTER ENGINE had been flashing for a considerable FAILS time trying to contact a shore signal Eyemouth, Berwickshire. At 2.4 on the station, as she needed a pilot. The cap- morning of the 10th October, 1962, the tain, on finding that the coxswain of the coastguard passed on to the motor life-boat was a pilot, asked him to pilot mechanic, in the absence of the honorary his vessel to an anchorage. This was secretary, a message from the fishery done. While the coxswain was on board cruiser Belton that the fishing vessel the Theodore Kassopulos the life-boat in Thor needed help four and a half miles charge of the second coxswain searched north-east of St. Abbs Head. There was the area, but nothing further was seen. a gentle southerly breeze with a mod- A regular pilot eventually went on erate sea. Visibility was deteriorating board the Theodore Kassopulos, and the rapidly. The life-boat Clara and Emily life-boat returned to her station at 11.40. Harwell was launched at 7.15 on an ebbing tide and made for the position TOW FOR CABIN CRUISER DRIFTING given. She came up with the casualty at ON TO ROCKS 4.20 and found that her engines had Newbiggin, Northumberland. At 5.58 broken down and she had no power to on the afternoon of the 7th October, raise her anchor. The Thor slipped her 1962, the coastguard informed the anchor cable at 4.30 and was taken in MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 417 tow by the life-boat, which returned to in calm but misty weather and a smooth Eyemouth, arriving at 7.30. As the sea. She found the motor boat broken Thor's emergency anchor was unable to down near the Gaa sandbanks off hold the vessel, the life-boat stood by Buddon Ness. The life-boat rescued her until the tide had flooded sufficiently to crew, gave them hot cocoa and towed enable the Thor to be towed into Eye- the boat to Tayport. A mussel boat met mouth harbour. The life-boat was the life-boat there and took the motor rehoused at 11.15. boat and her crew to Tayport harbour. The life-boat then returned to her sta- MEN FOUND IN ROWING BOAT tion, arriving at 7.30. The rescued people AFTER SEARCH expressed their thanks. A R.A.F. heli- Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At three copter took off from Leuchars but was o'clock on the morning of the llth not needed. October. 1962. the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that three fisher- SICK PASSENGER TAKEN OFF MOTOR men had set off at eight o'clock the VESSEL morning before to fish in the estuary of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- the Blackwater river and had been folk. At 11.12 on the night of 15th expected to return during the afternoon. October, 1962, the coastguard informed The police had also learnt that the the honorary secretary that the motor fishermen's car was still at West Mersea, vessel Melrose Abbey had a very sick where they had embarked. There was a passenger on board who needed the light north-east breeze with a slight sea. services of a doctor. There was a gentle It was foggy and visibility was very poor. westerly breeze blowing with a slight It was decided to wait until daylight sea. When the Melrose Abbey arrived off before launching the life-boat. At 6.40 Gorleston at 12.27 the life-boat Canard, the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was on temporary duty at the station, was launched on the flooding tide. When she launched on a flood tide with a doctor reached the Blackwater river an exten- on board. Although visibility had closed sive search was made and the motor in to half a mile, contact was made with boat was found with no one on board the vessel and the doctor was trans- half a mile west of Bradwell Power ferred. The doctor decided the patient Station. Further up the river three men should be taken to hospital, and he and were found in a rowing boat making his wife were transferred to the life-boat. little progress against the tide. They had The life-boat returned to her station, left the motor boat and had rowed up arriving at 2.16, and the patient was the Blackwater river and when found by taken by ambulance to hospital. the life-boat were trying to return to their motor boat. They were cold and BARGE FOUND AWASH AND TAKEN IN exhausted. They were taken on board TOW the life-boat and given food and hot Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 9.24 on drinks. The motor boat, whose engine the evening of the 16th October, 1962, had broken down, was taken in tow to the coastguard informed the coxswain West Mersea. The life-boat then re- that the barge Adieu, with a man and a turned to her station, which she reached woman on board, was aground north at 10.45. of the south-east Maplin buoy. She had four and a half feet of water in her MOTOR BOAT FOUND NEAR engine room. The life-boat Greater SANDBANKS London II (Civil Service No. 30) was Broughty Ferry, Angus. At 5.45 on the launched in a light south-easterly breeze afternoon of the 14th October, 1962. the and a smooth sea. The tide was flooding. police reported that a small motor boat, The life-boat found the barge and waited with a crew of three, had been seen until she had refloated and then took d rifting down the river Tay on the strong her in tow to Southend. The life-boat ebb tide and that the crew were waving reached her station at 2.55. The owner and shouting for help. Ten minutes later made a gift to the life-boat crew and a the life-boat The Robert was launched donation to branch funds. 418 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 TOW FOR CABIN CRUISER NEAR ROCKS cruiser Gillian broken down with engine Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 1.32 on trouble. The life-boat took the Gillian in the afternoon of the 17th October, 1962, tow and brought her safely back to the coastguard reported that a small Barry and then returned to her station, cabin cruiser appeared to have broken arriving at six o'clock. down half a mile south of Boddam, and at 1.45 the life-boat Julia Park Barry, of THREE MEN LANDED FROM ROWING Glasgow was launched. There was a BOAT light westerly breeze and a smooth sea, Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. At 4.50 and the tide was flooding. The life-boat on the afternoon of the 21st October, found the 16-foot cabin cruiser Lillian 1962, news was received that a man in a of Aberdeen, with a crew of two, bound canoe had left Llandudno at 9.15 that from Hopeman for Aberdeen. Her morning and had not returned. A fresh engine had broken down and she was south-east wind was blowing with a nearly on the rocks. The life-boat moderate sea. At 5.25 the life-boat rescued the two people and towed the Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest was Lillian to Peterhead harbour, which was launched about high water. An extensive reached at 3.2. search around Great Orme's Head and Conway estuary as far as Deganwy was FISHING BOAT TOWED IN FOG made without result. The coxswain was Newhaven, Sussex. At 8.20 on the then informed that a small boat was in evening of the 17th October, 1962, the difficulties and needed help in Pigeon's coastguard informed the honorary sec- Cave, Orme's Head. On reaching the retary that men working on the sea position, the life-boat found a small defences near the Buckle Inn had heard rowing boat, whose outboard motor cries for help coming from Seaford bay. had failed. Three men were found on At 8.40 the life-boat Kathleen Mary was board. They had managed to row as far launched in thick fog. There were light as Pigeon's Cave in an attempt to find north-east airs and a calm sea. It was some shelter, for they could not have low water. The life-boat searched the rounded the head. The three men were area and found the fishing boat Plover, taken on board the life-boat and their which had been ashore. Her crew of boat was taken in tow. The men were three maintained that they had not landed at the jetty at Llandudno Bay. called for help. Another fishing boat The life-boat was then instructed to Skylark was also thought to be in the remain afloat while further enquiries area, and the coxswain asked people on were made about the canoeist. It was shore through the loud hailer to search established later that the canoe had been the beach, but nothing was found. The seen in the Conway river and had been life-boat then took the Plover in tow to told to land at Deganwy. The life-boat harbour, when it was found that the then returned to her station, arriving Skylark had entered harbour just before at nine o'clock. the life-boat. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 10.45. YACHT FOUND CLOSE INSHORE UNDER CLIFF TOW FOR YACHT IN FOG Hastings, Sussex. At 8.15 on the Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At 3.40 morning of the 22nd October, 1962, a on the afternoon of the 20th October, yacht was seen close inshore under the 1962, the honorary secretary received a cliffs between Hastings and Eccles- message from the coastguard that a bourne Glen. There was a light east- small yacht with one man on board south-east breeze and the sea was appeared in difficulties off St. Marywell choppy. At 8.30 the life-boat M.T.C. Bay, Penarth. There was a gentle east- was launched. She found the crew of the south-easterly breeze with a choppy sea. auxiliary motor yacht My Heart's It was foggy. At 4.5 the life-boat Content effecting engine repairs and Rachel and Mary Evans was launched learnt that they would soon be able to on the ebbing tide. On reaching the get under way. After warning the position, the life-boat found the motor yacht's crew of two that they were in a MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 419 dangerous position the coxswain de- tain was launched as 12.23 in poor cided to stand by until the yacht was visibility. There was a west-south-west clear of the shore and able to proceed gale and a very rough sea, and it was on her way. The life-boat then returned two hours before low water. After to her station, arriving at 9.2. searching, the life-boat found the yacht Taki of Pensarn, with a man and his LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY NORWEGIAN wife on board, five miles north of STEAMER ALL NIGHT Barmouth. A tow line was secured, and Thurso, Caithness-shire. At 7.10 on on reaching the bar the coxswain the evening of the 25th October, 1962, decided to wait just outside, as it was the coastguard informed the honorary low water and there were heavy seas. At secretary that the Norwegian steamer four o'clock in torrential rain and with Karen of Haugesund needed help off visibility almost nil the tow rope parted. Dunnet Head. The life-boat Pent land After great difficulty another rope was (Civil Service No. 31) was launched at made fast to the yacht, but this again 7.25 on a flooding tide. There was a parted and part of the rope fouled the north-by-westerly gale with a very life-boat's propeller. The second coxs- rough sea. The life-boat made for the wain under very difficult conditions position given and came up with the managed to free the propeller, but in the casualty at 8.45. The Karen was about meantime the yacht had been driven to a five miles off shore and drifting rapidly. dangerous position towards Fairbourne The trawler Caesar was standing by and beach. The coxswain persuaded the two attempting to pass a tow line by means people in the yacht to come aboard the of rocket line apparatus. The tow was life-boat. At 5.20 a tow line, which had successfully secured at approximately been made fast again, parted for the eleven o'clock, by which time the third time, and the coxswain decided to steamer was within half a mile of the abandon the yacht and land the two coast and the life-boat was preparing to survivors. This was done, and the life- take off her crew. The Caesar decided boat reached her station at 6.30. to tow the Karen to the shelter of Scapa, and the life-boat continued to stand by FISHING BOAT TOWED THROUGH all night until it was certain there was ROUGH SEA no further danger. The life-boat then St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 3.57 on returned to her station, arriving at two the afternoon of the 27th October, 1962, o'clock on the 26th October. a message was received from Niton radio station that a fishing boat had FIVE FISHING VESSELS ESCORTED IN GALE broken down with engine trouble seven Whitby, Yorkshire. At 12.50 on the miles west of Hanois lighthouse. The afternoon of the 26th October, 1962, it life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal left her was decided to launch the life-boat moorings in a moderate to fresh south- Mary Ann Hepworth to stand by local westerly breeze and a rough sea. The fishing vessels as they entered the tide was flooding. She found the fishing harbour, and at 12.55 she put off in a boat with two men on board and took northerly gale, a very rough sea and a her in tow to St. Peter Port. The life- flooding tide. The life-boat escorted in boat reached her station at 8.25. five fishing vessels, the last of which SIX RESCUED FROM CABIN CRUISER reached the harbour about 3.30, and IN NEAR GALE arrived back at her station at 3.40. The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. At TWO PEOPLE RESCUED FROM YACHT 12.45 on the afternoon of the 28th IN GALE October, 1962, a message was received Barmouth, Merionethshire. At 12.17 from the coastguard that a cabin cruiser on the afternoon of the 27th October, appeared to be in difficulties north-west 1962, the coastguard informed the of Port Talbot pier. A near gale was coxswain that a yacht appeared to be in blowing from the north-west and there difficulties in bad weather west of the was a rough sea. At 12.55 the life-boat Barmouth bar. The iife-boat The Chief- John R. Webb, on temporary duty at the 420 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 station, was launched at low water. She Whitby, Yorkshire.—October llth. found the motor cruiser Larkspur out of Portrush, Co. Antrim.—October 14th. control with her engine broken down Weymouth, Dorset.—October 14th. being buffeted badly and drifting slowly Weymouth, Dorset.—October 16th. ashore. She was also making a great deal Exmouth, Devon.—October 16th. of water and in danger of foundering. Valentia, Co. Kerry.—October 17th. The life-boat rescued six people, who Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—October were on board the Larkspur, and then 18th. took her in tow to Swansea. After Dover, Kent.—October 18th. landing the survivors, the life-boat Walmer, Kent.—October 18th. returned to her station at four o'clock. Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—• October 19th. MOTOR CRUISER TAKEN IN TOW Fowey, Cornwall.—October 19th. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 1.25 on the Newbiggin, Northumberland.—Octo- afternoon of the 28th October, 1962, ber 20th. the coastguard informed the coxswain Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—Octo- that a small boat was burning red flares ber 23rd. three quarters of a mile off Jay wick. The Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—October life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was 23rd. launched at 1.40 in a moderate to fresh Humber, Yorkshire.—October 23rd. westerly wind and a rough sea. It was Cloughey, Co. Down.—October 24th. two hours after high water. The life-boat Buckie, Banffshire.—October 26th. found the motor cruiser Buahari with The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.— five people on board. An oil pipe in the j October 26th. engine had broken and the motor Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—October 27th. cruiser had lost her anchor and cable. Swanage, Dorset.—October 27th. The motor cruiser was taken in tow to New Brighton, Cheshire.—October Brightlingsea. where she was put to a 28th. safe berth, and the life-boat reached her Troon, Ayrshire.—October 28th. station at 10.40. Portrush, Co. Antrim.—October 29th.

The following life-boats went out on NOVEMBER service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do DURING November life-boats were nothing: launched on service 48 times and rescued 31 lives. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—October 1st. SEVENTEEN BOATS ESCORTED OVER Plymouth, Devon.—October 2nd. BAR Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—October Arbroath, Angus. During the morning 3rd. of the 1st November, 1962, a southerly Flamborough, Yorkshire.—October gale sprang up, causing very rough seas 4th at the harbour bar. The Arbroath fish- Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—October ing fleet was at sea, and as the weather 4th. was deteriorating several of the boats Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—October were returning to harbour. The life-boat 5th. The Duke of Montrose was launched at Coverack, Cornwall.—October 6th. 12.10 on a flooding tide. She escorted The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall.— seventeen boats safely over the bar and October 6th. then stood by until it was confirmed that Wick, Caithness-shire.—October 9th. one of the fishing boats unaccounted Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—October 9th. for had made for Aberdeen. The life- Margate, Kent.—October 10th. boat reached her station at 3.50. Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—October 11th. Scarborough, Yorkshire.—October FISHING VESSEL STRIKES PIER IN llth. NEAR GALE Flamborough, Yorkshire.—October Bridlington, Yorkshire. At 2.15 on the llth. afternoon of the 1st November, 1962, MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 421

By courtesy of] [Skegness Standard COXSWAIN PERRIN OF SKEGNESS HANDS OVER CHRISTMAS FARE TO THE LYNN WELLLIGHT VESSEL 422 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963

By courtesy of] [The Times NAVAL AUXILIARY TANKER "GREEN RANGER" ON ROCKS (See page 403)

By courtesy of] [ Western Times ANOTHER VIEW OF THE "GREEN RANGER" MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 423

By courtesy of] ICoopey of Aberdeen SKIPPER OF TRAWLER BEING HELPED ASHORE FROM ABERDEEN LIFE-BOAT 424 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963

2nd Coxswain Frederick Gibberd

By courtesy of} THE FIVE MEN LOST IN THE SEAHAM DISASTER [Mirropic, Daily Mirror (See page 406) MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 425

By courtesy of] [The Sunder land Echo SEAHAM LIFE-BOAT THE NEXT DAY In spite of all the pounding the hull, as can be seen, was little damaged

By courtesy of] [Herts Advertiser SEAHAM LIFE-BOAT AFTER THE DISASTER AT BOREHAM WOOD 426 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963

.

By courtesy of] [A. Recs LAUNCH AT CRICCIETH, CAERNARVONSHIRE

By courtesy of] [The Scotsman ANSTRUTHER LIFE-BOAT RETURNING TO HARBOUR WITH CREW OF COASTER (See page 429) MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 427

By courtesy of] [Evening Gazette, Blackpool SICK RUSSIAN STUDENT BEING PLACED IN AMBULANCE AFTER LANDING FROM LYTHAM LIFE-BOAT (See page 415) 428 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963

By courtesy of] [Daily Express NORTH SUNDERLAND LIFE-BOATMAN BEING LOWERED FROM HELICOPTER (See page 432) MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 429 the harbour master informed the honor- at the life-boat slipway to help the ship's ary secretary that several fishing vessels boat, which had the sick man on board, were at sea in deteriorating weather. At ashore. The ship's boat was due to 3.0 the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield arrive at 11.30. The wind and tide at II was launched in a southerly wind of this time would have made it extremely near gale force and a rough sea. It was difficult for a boat to lie alongside the an hour and a half after low water. Ten steps of the slipway, and it was decided of the fishing vessels were escorted into to offer the services of the life-boat to harbour by the life-boat. The fishing bring the sick man direct from the vessel Express then approached the vessel. The offer was accepted, and at harbour with the life-boat in close ]0.55 the no. 1 life-boat Henry Bloggwas attendance, but as she approached the launched with a doctor on board in a head of the north pier the Express gentle south-westerly breeze and a broached to and ran head on into the choppy sea. It was two hours after high pierhead. Fortunately the next sea water. The doctor went aboard H.M.S. drove her round the pier and into the Scott to examine the patient. A quarter harbour, where she grounded. The of an hour later the patient was trans- services of the life-boat were completed ferred to the life-boat, and after the by 5.30, but it was decided to leave her doctor had been taken on board, the afloat in case she was required again. life-boat returned to her station, arriv- She was not needed and was rehoused ing at 11.45. The patient was taken by at ten o'clock the next day. ambulance to the Cromer hospital.

SEVEN MEN RESCUED FROM DUTCH TWELVE MEN LOST FROM FRENCH MOTOR VESSEL TRAWLER Anstruther, Fife. At 9.30 on the morn- Sennen Cove, and Penlee, Cornwall. ing of the 2nd November, 1962, the At 5.21 on the morning of the 3rd coastguard informed the honorary sec- November, 1962, the coastguard in- retary that the Netherlands motor formed the coxswain of the Sennen vessel Muskctier of Groningen, was Cove life-boat that a vessel was ashore aground on Balcomie Briggs rocks, and on the Armed Knight Rock off Lands at 9.50 the life-boat James and Ruby End. The life-boat Edmund and Mary Jackson was launched. There was a Robinson, on temporary duty at the moderate south-south-easterly breeze, station, was launched in a moderate the sea was moderate, and the tide south-westerly breeze and a very rough ebbing. The life-boat came as close to sea. It was two hours before high water. the vessel as she could in a heavy swell, At 6.20 the coxswain found the trawler and the crew of seven of the Musket ier Jeanne Gougy of Dieppe on the north then abandoned their ship in two rubber side of Lands End point. A parachute dinghies. These drifted down to the flare was fired and the trawler was seen life-boat, which rescued the seven men, lying on her side on the rocks at the took the dinghies in tow and returned foot of the cliff. There was an excep- to her station, arriving at 12.50. The tionally heavy ground swell, the after- Netherlands Ambassador expressed his math of a storm which had begun to thanks and congratulated the life-boat die down, and it was impossible to take crew. the life-boat closer than a hundred yards from the trawler. SICK MAN TAKEN OFF SURVEY VESSEL A life-saving apparatus team which Cromer, Norfolk. At 9.45 on the had assembled on the cliff fired several evening of the 2nd November, 1962, the lines across the trawler, but her crew coastguard informed the coxswain that were unable to get hold of the lines as H.M.S. Scott, one of the survey vessels the trawler was completely submerged of the Royal Navy, had requested a doc- by the swell. Several men were washed tor and ambulance to be at Cromer pier out of her wheelhouse. At 8.15 a heli- as she had a sick man on board. The copter from the R.A.F. station at coastguard asked the coxswain if he Chivenor arrived, and both the life- and some of the life-boat crew could be boat and helicopter carried out a search 430 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 for the men. The life-boat picked up minutes later the life-boat Lady Scott two men, but they were found to be (Civil Service No. 4) was launched in dead. The helicopter also recovered a a light south-westerly breeze, a ground body. At nine o'clock the helicopter swell and an ebbing tide. She found the left for Penzance to land the body and trawler Ella Hewett of Fleetwood, which later to refuel at the Royal Naval Air had nineteen people on board, aground Station, Culdrose. The coxswain also on the wreck of a warship and stood by decided twenty minutes later to land her. One of the trawler's crew had been the two bodies recovered by the life- injured, and the life-boat intended boat, as it seemed clear there was nobody taking him ashore and wirelessed for a left alive on board the trawler. As it was doctor and an ambulance to meet her impossible to come ashore at Sennen at Ballycastle. However, the skipper Cove, the bodies were landed at New- asked the life-boat to remain with the lyn, which the life-boat reached at vessel until after high water. At 10.40 10.50. The life-boat crew had some food the life-boat embarked the injured man at Newlyn and then returned by road and thirteen of the crew. She landed them to Sennen Cove. at Ballycastle, then returned to the At 11.30 people on the cliff saw signs Ella Hewitt and continued to stand by. of life aboard the Jeanne Gougy, and By this time the trawler had developed the helicopter was recalled. The Penlee a list, which worsened during the after- life-boat Solomon Browne was launched noon. At 4.20 the life-boat rescued the at 12.45, as the crew of the Sennen Cove skipper and four other men. She then life-boat were at that moment on their returned to her station, arriving at way back by road and could not be midnight, having been on service for contacted. By this time four survivors twenty-three hours. Soon after the had been rescued by the life saving life-boat had left the position the apparatus team and two injured men trawler slipped off the wreck and sank. had been lifted by the helicopter in two The owners expressed their thanks to the separate operations. The Penlee life- coxswain and the crew of the life-boat. boat reached the trawler at two o'clock, and as soon as the Sennen Cove life- UGHTVESSEL'S MASTER TAKEN boat crew heard that men were still ASHORE TO HOSPITAL aboard the Jeanne Gougy they immedi- Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- ately returned to Newlyn. The life-boat folk. At 7.57 on the evening of the 3rd put out at 2.15, reaching the trawler at November, 1962, the coastguard in- 3.45. Both life-boats and the helicopter formed the motor mechanic that the carried out a search for any further master of the Smith's Knoll lightvessel survivors but found nothing, and the had had a heart attack and needed a Sennen Cove life-boat reached her doctor. The life-boat Cunard, on tem- station at 4.20 and the life-boat from porary duty at the station, was launched Penlee at 5.30. The trawler had a crew at 8.17 with a doctor on board in a of eighteen on board and twelve of strong south-by-west wind and a mod- these men lost their lives. The French erate sea. It was two hours after low Embassy expressed its appreciation. A water. The life-boat reached the light- lady living in Bristol made gifts to both vessel at 11.49, and the doctor went life-boat crews. aboard for three-quarters of an hour. He then decided to take the man ashore. TWENTY-THREE HOUR SERVICE The man was taken aboard by stretcher, TO TRAWLER and after the doctor had reboarded the Portrush, Co. Antrim. At 12.32 on the life-boat she returned to her station. morning of the 3rd November, 1962, the arriving at 3.35. The sick man was coastguard informed the honorary sec- landed and taken to hospital. retary that a trawler had grounded on a wreck in Church Bay, Rathlin Island, MECHANIC SEES FLARE FROM MOTOR but that she was in no immediate BOAT danger. At 1.9 the coastguard reported Hastings, Sussex. At 5.6 on the that she was making water, and eleven afternoon of the 4th November, 1962, MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 431 the motor mechanic noticed a red flare felt for the safety of local fishing boats four miles south of the life-boat station. which were still at sea, and at 1.20 it was He informed the honorary secretary, decided to launch the life-boat. At 1.30 and at 5.21 the life-boat M.T.C was the Mary Ann Hepworth was launched launched in a moderate southerly breeze in a strong north-easterly breeze and a and a moderate sea. The tide was rough sea. It was high water. The life- ebbing. The life-boat found the motor boat stood by the harbour bar, on which boat Joy, with a crew of four, broken there was a heavy swell, while seven down with engine trouble. She took fishing boats came in. The last boat her in tow to Hastings and reached her arrived at 3.50, and the life-boat then station at 6.12. returned to her station, arriving at four o'clock. TWO MEN RESCUED FROM FISHING BOAT HERRING DRIFTER BREAKS AWAY Blyth, Northumberland. At 3.46 on FROM TUG the afternoon of the 4th November, Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 8.50 on the 1962, the coastguard informed the evening of the 10th November, 1962, honorary secretary that a message had the coastguard informed the honorary been received from the east pier light- secretary that a tug towing the Scottish house keeper that two men in a small herring drifter Silver Wave, which had fishing boat were signalling for help a crew of eight, was sending signals on near Crablow rocks. Nine minutes later her siren. The drifter had broken away the life-boat Winston Churchill (Civil from the tug and was driving toward Service No. 8) was launched. There was rocks outside the harbour. At nine a light southerly breeze and a rough sea, o'clock the life-boat Michael Stephens and the tide was flooding. The life- put to sea. There was a strong east- boat searched and found the local north-east breeze, the sea was rough, fishing boat Linda M., with a crew of and it was high water. The life-boat two, close to the Sow and Pig rocks in a came up with the Silver Wave, which dangerous position. She rescued the had lost her rudder, at the entrance to two men, put a member of her crew on the harbour, but found that another board and towed the boat to Blyth Scottish drifter had taken her in tow. harbour, which was reached at 5.15. The life-boat stood by while both drifters entered the harbour and arrived DOCTOR TAKEN TO FRENCH TANKER back at her station at 9.30. Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 5.40 on the afternoon of the 6th November, 1962, SHIP'S BOAT TAKEN IN TOW the honorary secretary received a tele- Hartlepool, Co. Durham. At 12.15 on gram stating that the 37,000 ton tanker the afternoon of the 16th November, Esso Parentis, of Le Havre, had asked 1962, the coxswain informed the honor- for a doctor. At 6.5 the life-boat ary secretary that a converted ship's Michael Stephens was launched with boat was ashore on the rocks just out- the station honorary medical adviser on side the harbour entrance. The life-boat board. There was a light easterly breeze, The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) the sea was choppy, and the tide was was launched at 12.30 in a moderate ebbing. The life-boat came up with the south-easterly breeze and a slight sea. vessel half a mile south-east of East It was one hour after low water. When Newcombe buoy and put the doctor the life-boat reached the ship's boat a line aboard. The doctor treated the injured was fired and a tow rope was connected. man, who was then taken on board the The ship's boat, which had two people on life-boat. The life-boat reached Lowes- board, was taken in tow to harbour, and toft at 7.30, where an ambulance was the life-boat reached her station at 2.20. waiting. FITTER PUT ABOARD MOTOR SEVEN FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TRAWLER TO HARBOUR Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At Whitby, Yorkshire. On the afternoon nine o'clock on the morning of the of the 9th November, 1962, anxiety was 17th November, 1962, a message was 432 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 received that the motor trawler Heather head for Beadnell, but before they had George, of Swansea, had broken down gone half way it became obvious that and had anchored half a mile to the it would be impossible to enter Beadnell north-west of the life-boat station. She harbour. The two life-boats escorted needed a fitter, and as no other boat was the Faithful back to the shelter of the available the life-boat H. F. Bailey, on Wideopens, where they arrived at four temporary duty at the station, put out at o'clock. 10.15 with the second coxswain in com- The coxswain of the Holy Island life- mand. There was a northerly gale, the boat suggested to the crew of the sea was rough, and it was high water. Faithful that they leave their vessel and The life-boat put a fitter aboard the be landed at Holy Island. This they Heather George at 10-30 and reached her declined to do. The life-boats stood by station again twenty-five minutes later. during the night of the 17th-18th November, although the wind increased LIFE-BOAT CREWS PASS NIGHT ON to storm force with hail and sleet ISLAND showers. Anxiety was felt ashore for a North Sunderland, and Holy Island, member of the crew of the Faithful who Northumberland. At midday on the 17th was suffering from a heart condition November, 1962. the North Sunderland and had gone to sea without the tablets coxswain, in the absence of the honor- which had been prescribed for him. It ary secretary, told the coastguard that was decided that he should be landed he felt anxious about the fishing vessel and that a request should be made for Faithful, which had not returned to food and dry clothing to be dropped to harbour. It was decided to launch the the crews. When a Shackleton aircraft life-boat, and at 12.15 the Grace Darling from Middleton St. George flew over- put out on an ebbing tide. There was a head a flare was fired from the Grace northerly gale with a very rough sea. Darling to indicate the position of the The weather was squally with poor visi- vessels. The first drop was wide, but bility. The coxswain set course for the the aircraft made a perfect second drop, position where it was thought the the line, which linked the canisters con- Faithful had been fishing and located the taining survival rations and a sleeping vessel at 12.33 cruising in the lee of the bag, falling across the aerials of the two Inner Fame Island. Meanwhile the life-boats. In the meantime a Whirlwind honorary secretary, who had returned helicopter of No. 228 Squadron, Ack- to the station in time to see the life-boat lington, was ordered to land the sick launch, realized that in the rapidly man and the crews of the boats. deteriorating weather conditions it The helicopter landed the Acklington would not be possible for the life-boat station medical officer at the North to return to harbour. He decided to ask Sunderland honorary secretary's house, the honorary secretary of the Holy and in the face of strong headwinds Island station to launch his life-boat to and snowstorms flew to the Inner help the Grace Darling with the Fame Island. She picked up the sick Faithful. man and one member of the crew of the The message was relayed by the coast- Faithful and brought them to the main- guard, and at 1.32 the Holy Island life- land, where the station medical officer boat Gertrude, with Mr. R. Wilson in attended them. The helicopter then command in the absence of the cox- returned and picked up the remaining swain and second coxswain, was seventeen men from the three boats and launched on a flooding tide in a very landed them on the Inner Fame Island rough sea. By this time the wind had two or three at a time. The operation veered to the north-east and increased was completed by 4.30 on the 18th to strong gale force. The Gertrude November, and the helicopter returned joined the Grace Darling and the Faith- to the mainland. ful by the Inner Fame Island in the lee The crews recovered the cannisters of the Wideopens, where they were which had been washed ashore after the sheltering. After conferring together by first aircraft drop and then took loud hailer the coxswains decided to shelter in an empty house during the MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 433 night. There were only seven blankets of the motor vessel Paullgate. For this between the seventeen men, and it was service, a full account of which appears difficult to light a fire because the chim- on page 402, Coxswain Thomas Fawcus ney was blocked. Most of the men only was awarded the silver medal and had a catnap as they were keeping watch Bowman John David Kerr was awarded on their boats. Between two and three the bronze medal. o'clock on the afternoon of the 19th a small helicopter chartered by an PILOT TAKEN TO DUTCH VESSEL independent television company landed IN NEAR GALE on the island, and the North Sunder- Criccieth, Caernarvonshire. At eleven land coxswain sent his second cox- o'clock on the morning of the 18th Nov- swain with this helicopter to the main- ember, 1962, the pilot at Portmadoc land to see whether it was possible to rang up the coxswain to say that a enter North Sunderland harbour. The coaster had anchored outside the second coxswain returned by R.A.F. Portmadoc estuary and that he pro- helicopter from Acklington, and it was posed to put off to her by launch. He then decided that the boats should later reported that rough seas had return to North Sunderland. prevented him from reaching the vessel, The wind had decreased, but there and it was agreed that the life-boat would was still a strong breeze blowing from take him out. The pilot went to Criccieth the west-north-west. The helicopter and embarked in the life-boat Robert transferred the crews to their boats, and Lindsay, which was launched at 2.15. at four o'clock they began to return to A wind of near gale force was blowing harbour. The boats entered harbour at from the north-north-east, the sea was 4.40 on the 19th November, the Faithful rough, and the tide was ebbing. The being escorted by the life-boats. The life-boat found the motor vessel Maria second coxswain of the North Sunder- W. of Rotterdam, with a crew of five. land life-boat was on board the Holy The vessel had been damaged by the Island life-boat to give the benefit of his bad weather the night before, and her local knowledge. The crew of the master had tried to reach the shelter of Gertrude remained at North Sunderland Tremadoc Bay with the intention of for the night and returned to Holy taking his ship to Portmadoc for repairs. Island on the 20th November, arriving The vessel was in a dangerous position. at ten o'clock. The wives and families The pilot went aboard her, and the life- of the crews were kept fully informed boat escorted the vessel to a point off of what was going on, and the Lindis- Criccieth Castle, where conditions were farne Company arranged a radio- not so dangerous. Here the life-boat telephone link on Sunday the 18th took two of the vessel's crew ashore to November so that the Holy Island life- buy provisions and to telephone the boat crew could speak to their wives. A ship's agents in Rotterdam. The life- lady living in Bristol made gifts to both boat arrived back at her station at life-boat crews. 5.15. The next day the Maria W. reached Portmadoc with the help of the DISASTER AT SEAHAM pilot. On the 17th of November, 1962, the Seaham life-boat was launched to the SECOND COXSWAIN DROWTSED help of the fishing vessel Economy and WHILE OUT FISHING on returning to her station she capsized Howth, Co. Dublin. At 7.35 on the with the loss of her crew of five and evening of the 22nd November, 1962, four people whom she had taken off the the coxswain informed the honorary Economy. A full account of which secretary that the son of the second appears page 406. coxswain, William McLoughlin, had reported that his father had left the MEDALS FOR BLYTH COXSWAIN harbour at eight o'clock that morning AND BOWMAN to put out his lobster pots and had not On the 18th November, 1962, the returned at his usual time, which was Blyth life-boat rescued two of the crew midday. The life-boat A.M.T. left her 434 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 moorings at 8.3 in a light southerly FISHERMAN SIGHTS CASUALTY FROM breeze and a calm sea. It was one hour TREE TOP before high water. The life-boat carried Swanage, Dorset. At 4.22 on the after- out a search, and at 10.15 the coxswain noon of the 23rd of November, 1962, a sighted in the beam of the life-boat's fisherman reported to the honorary searchlight the bow of the second cox- secretary that he had seen, from the top swain's twelve-foot punt just breaking of a tree, a fishing vessel drifting a mile the surface of the water. When the life- off Durlston Bay. At 4.35 the life-boat boat came alongside it was found that R.L.P. was launched. There was a light twenty lobster pots had gone over the south-westerly breeze, the sea was side in a heap and the punt was moored smooth, and the tide was flooding. The by them. There was no sign of the life-boat found the motor fishing vessel second coxswain. A search was made by Lundy of Jersey, with one man on board, the life-boat without success, and the at anchor one mile south of Peveril punt and pots were brought back to Point. The Lundy was on passage from Howth, the life-boat reaching her station Ventnor to Portland, but her engines at 11.10. During the next two days had broken down because of a blocked further searches were made with mem- fuel pipe. A member of the life-boat bers of the Dublin Sub Aqua Club skin crew boarded her to weigh the anchor, divers on board the life-boat, but the and the life-boat then towed the vessel second coxswain was not found. The to Swanage Bay, arriving back at her life-boat crew refused to accept any station at 5.40. rewards for their services on these two days. The Dun Laoghaire life-boat also MOTOR VESSEL REFLOATS ON FLOOD searched on the 22nd November. TIDE Cromer, Norfolk. At eight o'clock on the morning of the 24th November, LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY ALL NIGHT 1962, the coastguard informed the IN FOG honorary secretary that a small motor Selsey, Sussex. At 9.20 on the evening vessel was thought to be aground be- of the 22nd November, 1962, the coast- tween Mundesley and Bacton. The no. 1 guard passed on to the honorary secre- life-boat Henry Blogg was launched at tary a message from Niton radio station nine o'clock on an ebbing tide. There that the motor vessel Lantyan of Fowey, was a light south-westerly breeze with which had a crew of six, had run a smooth sea. The weather was cloudy aground to the west of Littlehampton. with poor visibility. The life-boat made Seven minutes later the life-boat Can- for the position given, and when she adian Pacific was launched. She made had almost reached Mundesley a small a search in a light north-westerly breeze, fishing vessel returning to Cromer a smooth sea and fog. The tide was advised the coxswain that the casualty ebbing. The Trinity House vessel Siren was aground a mile and a half south of was also searching, and at 10.13 she Mundesley. The life-boat took the wirelessed that she was launching a fishing vessel in tow, and when she carne boat to take off the Lantyarfs crew. The up with the casualty, which was the life-boat reached the position two miles motor vessel Viscount, the coxswain west of Littlehampton at 10.45. The went ashore in the fishing vessel to dis- Siren took off three of the crew and cover whether the captain of the reported that she intended standing by Viscount needed help. The captain had the vessel until seven o'clock the next gone ashore to telephone, but as the morning. The life-boat anchored a coastguard reported that the wind was quarter of a mile from the Lantyan for veering to the north-west, the coxswain the night and soon after eight o'clock decided to stand by during the flood helped to refloat the vessel. The life- tide in case the wind freshened. The boat then escorted her to Littlehampton fishing vessel returned to Cromer. As and returned to her station, arriving at the tide flooded in the afternoon the 11.20 after being out on service for coxswain took the life-boat alongside fourteen hours. to assist in refloating the casualty. The MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 435 casualty's bow anchors had been laid five people in the helicopter, four were astern, and by heaving on these and rescued by other helicopters, including coming astern on her own anchors, and a squadron leader who died later. The with the life-boat towing, the Viscount fifth man, who was Lord Windlesham, was refloated at 3.40. As the Viscount was not found and was presumed to had not suffered serious damage the have drowned. The member of Parlia- life-boat returned to her station, arriv- ment for Pembrokeshire expressed his ing at 5.35. admiration, on behalf of hi s constituents, for the efficient and speedy manner in The following life-boats went out on which the rescue operations were service, but could find no ships in dis- carried out. tress, were not needed, or could do nothing: Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—November 16th. Howth, Co. Dublin.—November 2nd. Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—November Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—November 17th. 3rd. Clovelly, Devon.—November 17th. Penlee, Cornwall.—November 3rd. (See also page 403.) (See also page 429.) Appledore, Devon.—November 17th. Swanage, Dorset.—November 4th. (See also page 403.) Salcombe, Devon.—November 4th. Sunderland, Co. Durham.—November Stronsay, Orkneys.—November 4th. 17th. Weymouth, Dorset.—November 5th. Tynemouth, Northumberland.— Sheringham, Norfolk.—November November 18th. (See also page 432.) 7th. Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—Novem- Wells, Norfolk.—November 10th. ber 22nd. Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—November Howth, Co. Dublin.—November 23rd. llth. Howth, Co. Dublin.—November 24th. Ramsgate, Kent.—November llth. Fowey, Cornwall.—November 12th. DECEMBER Selsey, Sussex.—November 12th. DURING December life-boats were Youghal, Co. Cork.—November 12th. launched on service 31 times and rescued Aberdeen.—November 14th. 4 lives. PEER KILLED WHEN HELICOPTER SICK MAN TAKEN OFF TUG CRASHES Penlee, Cornwall. At 11.30 on the St. David's, Pembrokeshire. At 4.12 night of the 3rd December, 1962, it was on the afternoon of the 16th November, reported that the tug Ocean Bull, which 1962, the coastguard informed the was towing the bow section of a tanker honorary secretary that a report had to Bilbao from Glasgow, was approach- been received from R.N.A.S. Brawdy ing Mounts Bay and had a sick man on that a Whirlwind helicopter had board. Fifteen minutes later the life-boat crashed into the sea near Bishop Rock. Solomon Browne was launched in a A later message stated that another heli- fresh southerly breeze, a rough sea and copter had picked up some survivors an ebbing tide. She embarked a doctor and that the life-boat was not needed. and a stretcher at Newlyn. The life-boat At 4.38 the coastguard reported that then made for the tug. She found her someone was missing, and at five o'clock seven miles west-north-west of Long- the life-boat Swn-y-Mor (Civil Service ships at 2.30 the next morning and put No. 6) was launched. There was a strong the doctor on board. At 2.45 she took on west-north-west breeze, the sea was board the doctor and the patient, who rough, and the tide was flooding. The was thought to be suffering from appen- life-boat searched the area half a mile dicitis, and arrived at Newlyn at 5.5, south-west of South Bishop lighthouse where an ambulance was waiting. The in company with other boats and naval life-boat remained there because of the vessels, but found nothing. She finally weather and was taken back to her reached her station at ten o'clock. Of the station on the 6th. 436 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 LOBSTER YAWL ESCORTED IN vessel Temar. For this service the thanks Longhope, Orkneys. At 3.15 on the of the Institution inscribed on vellum afternoon of the 7th December, 1962, were accorded collectively to the cox- the honorary secretary received a swain and crew. For a full account of message from the bowman of the life- this service see page 405. boat that the local lobster yawl Lion was having difficulty in reaching port DUTCH VESSEL TOWED OFF ROCKS because of the confused seas building IN GALE up with the first hour of the flood tide in Arranmore, Co. Donegal. At 11.45 on the Eddy of Brims. The rapidly deterior- the morning of the 9th December, 1962, ating weather conditions made it most the honorary secretary was informed unlikely that a small boat could shelter that the motor vessel Unitas of Gronin- safely without help, and at 3.27 the life- gen was in difficulties at Kincasslagh boat T.G.B. was launched. There was a Bay. She had drifted on to the rocks and fresh to strong south-easterly wind and her crew of eight had landed. The ves- a choppy sea. The tide was flooding. sel's steering gear had been damaged, The life-boat reached the Lion, which and at 12.30 the life-boat W. M. Tilson had a crew of two, at 3.55 and escorted left her moorings in a north-westerly her safely into Aith Hope. The life-boat gale and a very rough sea. The tide was reached her station at 4.20. flooding. When she reached the position a tow line was connected to the life-boat, FISHING VESSEL AGROUND IN which succeeded in towing the Unitas NEAR GALE clear of the rocks. The vessel was safely Stronsay, Orkneys. At 4.15 on the moored alongside the pier, and the life- afternoon of the 7th December, 1962, boat reached her station at seven the coxswain told the honorary secretary o'clock. that he had been advised by the harbour master that the motor fishing vessel THREE FISHING VESSELS ESCORTED Ben More of Kirkwall was aground at OVER BAR Bea Ness Sanday. As the weather was Whitby, Yorkshire. At 12.48 on the deteriorating the honorary secretary afternoon of the 12th December, 1962, agreed to launch the life-boat. Mean- the coxswain telephoned the honorary while the coastguard called out the life secretary to report that three local saving apparatus team in Sanday to go fishing vessels were still at sea although to Bea Ness. The life-boat The John the weather was rapidly deteriorating. Gellatly Hyndman put out at 4.40 on a The honorary secretary agreed that the flooding tide with a rough sea. There life-boat should launch to escort the was a wind of near gale force blowing vessels over the bar into harbour. At from the south-south-east and the 12.50 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth weather was squally. The life-boat came was launched on a flooding tide. There up with the casualty, which was aground was a gale blowing from the north- in a dangerous position, at 5.10 and north-west with sleet showers. The three found that the life saving apparatus fishing vessels were escorted safely into team had a line on board. The life-boat harbour. One broached to but she was also put a line on board and attempted brought under control again. The life- to tow the Ben More off, but without boat returned to her station, arriving at success. About 7.20 the crew of two 2.30. were taken ashore by breeches buoy, and the life-boat then returned to her ESCORT FOR POLISH VESSEL IN station, arriving at 9.30. NEAR GALE Holyhead, Anglesey. At 9.7 on the COLLECTIVE AWARD TO COXSWAIN morning of the 13th December, 1962, AND CREW the coastguard informed the assistant On the 8th of December, 1962, the honorary secretary that a resident of Southend-on-Sea life-boat rescued one Trearddur Bay had reported a small man and landed two men, two women vessel burning red flares a quarter of a and two children from the Dutch motor mile off Penrhos Point and drifting MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 437 ashore. The life-boat St. Cybi (Civil TWO LIFE-BOATS STAND BY DUTCH Service No. 9) was launched at 9.14 in a MOTOR VESSEL strong north-north-westerly wind of Padstow, Cornwall, and Appledore, near gale force and a very rough sea. It Devon. At 8.47 on the morning of the was two hours before high water. The 15th December, 1962, the coastguard life-boat found the motor vessel Pilica informed the Padstow honorary secre- of Szczecin, Poland, with an engine tary that the motor vessel Nimrod of defect. She escorted her to a safe Groningen had been anchored off Bude anchorage in the bay and reached her with engine trouble since the day before, station at 12.10. A helicopter also took waiting for a tug to take her in tow. The off but was not needed. life-boat crew were alerted, and at 11.24 it was decided to launch the life-boat. TRAWLER TOWED AFTER COLLISION The maroons were fired, and the life- WITH SUBMARINE boat Joseph Hiram Chadwick put out at 11.45 in a west-north-westerly gale and Plymouth, Devon. At 9.29 on the a very rough sea. The tide was ebbing. morning of the 14th December, 1962, The life-boat shipped a considerable the coastguard informed the honorary amount of water on leaving harbour, secretary that a trawler was sinking two which caused a partial failure of the miles west of Rame Head, and at 9.43 radio-telephone. She made for the pos- the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary ition given and found that the Nimrod Rowse put to sea. There was a fresh had dragged her anchors and had west-north-west breeze, the sea was drifted three miles south-west of Higher choppy, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat made a search and found the Sharpnose. Her master was asked if he wished to be taken off, but he trawler Pentille of Plymouth two miles declined, saying he would wait for a south-west of Rame Head. She had been tug. in collision with a submarine of the The life-boat stood by until she was Royal Navy and her crew of seven had relieved at ten o'clock the next day by taken to a raft. An R.A.F. air-sea rescue the Appledore life-boat Louisa Anne launch picked up the trawlermen, and Hawker, which had put out at 5.45. at the request of the launch the life-boat The Padstow life-boat returned to her stood by the trawler, which had been station, arriving at one o'clock. The boarded by the crew of the launch. The Appledore life-boat continued to stand tug Superman took the Pentille in tow by until the motor vessel Milo arrived. and was escorted in by the life-boat, At two o'clock a line was passed from which arrived back at her station at the Milo to the Nimrod, but this parted. 12.50 A helicopter took off from Lines were connected five times, but H.M.S. Bulwark but was not needed. they parted each time. Finally at 3.30 on the morning of the 17th December ELECTRICIANS TAKEN OFF LIGHT the Milo succeeded in taking the Nimrod IN GALE in tow towards Swansea in weather Fleetwood, Lancashire. At 7.30 on the which was by then improving. As soon evening of the 14th December, 1962, the as the Nimrod's master indicated that he motor mechanic was told by the docks no longer required the life-boat to stand manager that two maintenance elec- by, she returned to her station, which tricians were on Wyre light on routine she reached at 8.15. A helicopter took maintenance work. The weather was too off but was unable to help. A letter of rough for the harbour tug to bring them appreciation was received from the ashore and the manager asked for the owners of the Nimrod. help of the life-boat. It was low water, and as no other boats could put out the BARGE'S CREW RESCUED IN HEAVY life-boat Ann Letitia Russell was SEAS launched at 7.40 in a westerly gale and a Humber, Yorkshire. At 6.45 on the rough sea. The life-boat picked up the evening of the 15th December, 1962, the two men and returned to her station, coastguard reported that a red flare had arriving at 8.45. been seen about one mile north-west of 438 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 the coastguard station, and at 6.58 the team had been alerted and they had life-boat City of Bradford III was managed to get a line aboard the coaster launched. There was a strong gale just before she went ashore. At two blowing from the west, the sea was very o'clock it was decided to send the life- rough, and the tide was flooding. The boat R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 3, and she life-boat made a search and found the made for the position in a very rough sailing barge Will Everard of London, sea. It was low water. The life-boat took with a crew of three, a mile and a half a hawser from another vessel in the north-west of Spurn lighthouse. She harbour to the Dutch coaster, which was bound for Hull laden with wheat. was the Eendracht of Katwijk a/Zee. Her steering gear had broken down, and As her help was no longer needed, the as she needed a tug the life-boat called life-boat reached her moorings at 6.30. for one by radio-telephone. The tug The Eendracht refloated at 11.30 with no Guardsman reached the position two apparent damage. hours later but could not come close to the barge because of the shallow water THREE FISHING VESSELS ESCORTED and heavy seas. The wind was increasing IN GALE and the barge soon started to pound the Bridlington, Yorkshire. At 10.50 on seabed. The life-boat approached her the morning of the 20th December, starboard quarter and the crew of the 1962, as the weather was rapidly Will Everard, one of whom was carrying deteriorating, the honorary secretary a dog, jumped aboard. The life-boat asked the harbour master how many took the rescued men to Grimsby, fishing boats were still at sea. He was arriving at six minutes after midnight. advised that three were still out and She remained at Grimsby because of the decided therefore to launch the life-boat. state of weather and was taken back to The life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield If her station on the morning of the 17th. put out at 11.25 to meet the approaching fishing vessels, and the life saving TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITH apparatus team took up position on the PROPELLER FOULED north pier. The sea was very rough with Fleetwood, Lancashire. At 4.30 on the a near gale blowing from the south. Jf afternoon of the 17th December, 1962, was high water. The life-boat escorted the coastguard informed the honorary the fishing vessels safely into harbour secretary that two red flares were being before returning to her station, which burnt near Wyre light. The life-boat she reached at one o'clock. Ann Letitia Russell was launched at 4.40 in a gentle southerly breeze and a THIRTEEN MEN TAKEN OFF BELGIAN slight sea an hour and a half after high TRAWLER water. The life-boat found the motor Stronsay, Orkneys. At 10.10 on the fishing boat Eleanora of Fleetwood with morning of the 22nd December, 1962, her trawl fouling her propeller. Another the coastguard informed the honorary fishing vessel, Wild Rose, was standing by secretary that a Belgian trawler was and attempting to take her in tow. The ashore on rocks between Auskerry and life-boat took over the tow from the Stronsay. The life-boat The John Gellatly Wild Rose, and the Eleanora was taken to Hyndman left her moorings at 10.28 in a Jubilee quay. The life-boat reached her moderate southerly breeze and a mode- station at seven o'clock. rate sea. The life-boat was making for the position when the coastguard DUTCH COASTER AGROUND IN GALE reported that the trawler was ashore on Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. At the Corn Holm, Copinsay. She reached 12.30 early on the morning of the 20th this position at 1.10, but the coxswain December, 1962, the harbour master found that there was too little water to informed the honorary secretary that a reach the vessel. He was ferried ashore Dutch coaster was burning flares and in a dinghy from the lighthouse and was drifting towards the shore in a conferred with the skipper of the southerly gale on the west side of the trawler, which was the Prince de Lieqe of harbour. The life saving apparatus Ostend. As the vessel was hard and fast MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 439 on the rocks, the crew of thirteen were tress, were not needed, or could do taken on board the life-boat after they nothing: had collected some of their possessions, Howth, Co. Dublin.—December 1st. and the life-boat left for Kirkwall, Howth, Co. Dublin.—December 2nd. arriving at 3.50. She then landed the crew of the trawler. The life-boat crew MINISTER OF TRANSPORT EXPRESSES had a meal in Kirkwall, and the life-boat THANKS reached her station at 9.45. Stornoway, Hebrides. At 9.30 on the ESCORT FOR COBLE IN ROUGH SEA evening of the 3rd December, 1962, the Hartlepool, Co. Durham. At one coastguard informed the honorary sec- o'clock on the afternoon of the 26th retary that a mayday distress signal had December, 1962, the harbour master been heard from a vessel and that they informed the coxswain that a local were trying to discover her position. fishing coble, Buena Fortuna, appeared to Five minutes later the coastguard told be in difficulties off Crimdon Dene. The the honorary secretary that the distress life-boat The Princess Royal (Civil signal had been sent by the trawler Service No. 7) was launched at 1.20 in a Boston Heron of Fleetwood, which was strong north-easterly wind and a rough ashore near Glas island. At 10.5 the sea. It was two hours before high water. life-boat The James and Margaret Boyd The life-boat found the coble with a put out in a south-westerly gale and a crew of three two miles north of Hartle- very rough sea. It was low water. The pool and escorted her in deteriorating life-boat found the trawler on an islet a weather to the harbour. The life-boat mile and a half west-south-west of Glas reached her station at 2.20. island. In the meantime the life-saving apparatus team from Tarbet had reached SPANISH TRAWLER AGROUND the position of the trawler, having been IN GALE ferried there by local fishing boats. Baltimore, Co. Cork. At 11.30 on the Three of the trawler's crew who were morning of the 31st December, 1962, on the island, together with two more the harbour master at Bantry reported who had been taken off by breeches that a Spanish trawler had run ashore at buoy set up by the life saving apparatus Adrigole, and at 1.30 the life-boat team, were taken to Scalpay by one of Sarah Tilson was launched. There was a the fishing boats. Three bodies were also north-easterly gale and a very rough sea, picked up and taken ashore. The life- and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat boat searched for any other possible found the trawler Rosario Lopez, which survivors, as the Boston Heron had a had a crew of eight, on the rocks on the crew of twelve. Nothing was found and north side of Bantry Bay. Another at 7.30 the life-boat was asked to go to Spanish trawler was standing by and the assistance of a Dutch vessel ashore waiting for high water, when she at Keboch Head. The vessel, however, pioposed to try to tow the Rosario refloated shortly afterwards, and the Lopez clear. The harbour master was life-boat was recalled at 11.30. aboard the trawler which was standing A question was asked in the House of by, and at his request the life-boat also Commons in connection with the loss stood by. At nine o'clock the Rosario of the trawler Boston Heron. After a Lopez refloated, and the other trawler statement had been made by Mr. Ernest and the life-boat escorted her to Bantry Marples, the Minister of Transport, the quay, which was reached at eleven member for Pembroke who had origi- o'clock. Because of the weather the life- nally raised the question, Mr. Desmond boat remained at Bantry until the next Donnelly, asked if the Minister would morning and left for her station at seven thank the rescue services in the area o'clock, arriving at 1.30. concerned for the gallantry and determi- nation with which they had acted. Mr. Marples said that he would pass Mr. The following life-boats went out on Donnelly's remarks on to those con- service, but could find no ships in dis- cerned. 440 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 Shcringham, Norfolk.—December TWO LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCH FOR 6th. YACHT Minehead, Somerset.—December 6th. Torbay, Devon. On the 27th Septem- Humber, Yorkshire.—December 9th. ber, 1962, an exercise with the Torbay life-boat Princess Alexandra of Kent had Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.—De- been arranged for seven o'clock in the cember 12th. evening, but at 6.41 the coastguard Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—December informed the coxswain that the Sal- 13th. combe life-boat had been launched to Tynemouth, Northumberland.—Dec- go to the assistance of a small yacht, ember 17th. which was in distress three to four miles Torbay, Devon.—December 25th. south-by-east of Prawle Point. The Torbay life-boat put out on exercise as Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—December 29th. arranged and while proceeding seawards The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall.— from Berry Head helped to relay radio- December 29th. telephone messages between the Sal- Padstow, Cornwall.—December 30th. combe life-boat and Niton radio. Shortly afterwards it was learnt that the The following accounts of services yacht had drifted into Start Bay, and the were received too late for inclusion in Torbay coxswain decided to help the the December, 1962, number of the Salcombe coxswain to find the yacht. Life-boat: Close contact with Salcombe life-boat was maintained by radio-telephone. FRENCH CUTTER ESCORTED INTO Eventually the lighthouse keeper at HARBOUR Start Point saw the yacht four miles Ramsgate, Kent. At 9.38 on the east-north-east of the point. The Torbay evening of the 1st September, 1962, the life-boat was then a mile and a half east pier watchman informed the coxs- away, and she made for the position. wain that a yacht was ashore on the The coxswain fired two parachute Brake sands and was firing distress flares and the yacht was found. The two flares. At ten o'clock the life-boat people on board were very exhausted as Michael and Lily Davis left her moorings the yacht had become unmanageable in a light easterly breeze and a moderate in the rough seas. They asked for a tow, sea. It was low water. The life-boat but after a while the yacht became rather found the French cutter Naia with six difficult to tow in the heavy seas. The people on board. She stood by until the yacht's crew then asked to be taken on Naia refloated and then escorted her board the life-boat. They were trans- safely into harbour. The life-boat ferred with some difficulty and the reached her station at 10.40. second coxswain was put aboard the yacht. The life-boat reduced speed and MOTOR YACHT TOWED THROUGH the yacht was eventually taken safely ROUGH SEA into Brixham harbour. The life-boat Ramsgate, Kent. At 3.47 on the reached her station at 11.40. afternoon of the 12th September, 1962, the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis had GERMAN MOTOR VESSEL TOWED just reached her moorings after an CLEAR exercise when the east pier watchman Mallaig, Inverness-shire. At 12.50 on reported that a yacht was burning flares the morning of the 30th September, off Broadstairs pier. The life-boat left 1962, the coastguard was informed by her moorings at 4.10 in a strong west- the Laird of Canna that a small coaster south-westerly wind and a rough sea. It was ashore on the island. The life-boat was almost low water. The life-boat E. M. M. Gordon Cubbin left her moor- found the motor yacht Andy Cap with ings at 1.10 in a strong southerly gale her engine broken down. The yacht, and a very rough sea. It was low water. which had a crew of three, was taken in When she reached the island the Canna tow to Ramsgate, and the life-boat light was found to be out, and the coxs- reached her station at 4.55. wain decided that because of the high MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 441 wind and rain the life-boat should heave life-boat, to Rhum harbour. It was then to off the Isle of Canna. A trawler found that five of the crew of nine on near by gave the coxswain a radio board the Widder had landed on Canna bearing soon afterwards, and the life- before the arrival of the life-boat, and boat then proceeded inshore. The motor she returned to pick up these men and vessel Widder of Bremen was found landed them on Rhum Island. She ashore near the harbour mouth. At high reached her station at three o'clock. water a rope was passed to the vessel, Lowestoft, Suffolk. The life-boat and she was taken in tow to deeper Michael Stephens put out to a capsized water. The tow rope was then dis- dinghy off Southwold harbour on the connected and the Widder proceeded 16th September, 1962, but her services under her own power, escorted by the were not required. New Ways of Raising Money Regular customers at the "Rising The Orpington and District branch Sun" in the City of London are expected organized a chess tournament, the entry to carry with them certain unusual coins fees going to branch funds. which they are known to possess. If they fail to produce them fines are imposed, A supporter of the Bray branch in and in this way the landlord, Mr. F. W. County Wicklow asks his friends to pay Ogden, and his customers have raised market prices for the vegetables he £408 for the Institution in a little under grows, giving the proceeds to branch two years. funds. Members of the Moffat ladies' life- The winchman at the St. David's boat guild are asked to put 3d. in a life-boat station is a farmer, and his collecting box each time they see or hear wife allows visitors to park in one of any mention of any life-boat in the their fields whenever the life-boat is press, on television or on sound radio. called out, making a collection for Each member is also asked to raise 5s. branch funds among the parked cars. by some particular effort in addition to The car park at the "Sailor's Home" their own contributions. at Kessingland is made available in the * * * same way, and one day in September, The operating theatre staff of the 1962, when the collecting box was Torbay hospital decided instead of opened it was found to contain more than £23. giving Christmas presents to each other * * * that they would contribute the normal cost of all presents to the Institution. A London dentist recently received A cheque for £5 2s. 6d. was sent to the instructions from the widow of one of Torbay branch. his former patients to dispose of her * * * husband's gold false teeth. The sum of £3 14s. raised was given to the Insti- The Stanmore branch staged, with tution. success, a variant on a jumble sale * * * known as a "Good as New Sale". A supporter in Eyemouth, Berwick- People were asked to produce articles shire, has his socks darned by a lady who which they did not want but which were donates the proceeds to life-boat funds. virtually new. 2d. in every Is. from the * * * sale prices was given to branch funds, The honorary treasurer of the East- and £28 was raised in two hours. bourne branch, who is a watchmaker, * * * received an anonymous letter with an The Trustees of the Ashgate Gallery enclosure of 15s. The writer of the letter, donated part of the proceeds of an whose watch had been damaged, had exhibition entitled "British Sculpture made a false claim to invoke the guaran- Today" to the Institution. Several tee and had sent the 15s. as conscience branches shared in a total of £86 4s. 6d. money. 442 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 Services of the Life-boats in 1962 Date Station Casualty Service 1962 Jan. 1 Broughty Ferry Abertay lightvessel Landed an injured man. „ 3 Southend-on-Sea M.V. Devonbrook Landed a sick man. „ 4 St. Ives Trawler Gai Florial Saved boat and rescued 9. „ 5 Howth.. Rockabill lighthouse Landed a sick man. „ 6 Galway Bay .. Doctor required on Inishere Island Took a doctor to Inishere Island. „ 6 St. Mary's Sick man Conveyed sick man to the mainland. 8 Barry Dock .. M.V. Candourity Stood by vessel. 8 Walmer S.S. Sabac and M.V. Dorrington Court Landed 7 bodies. 8 Dover .. S.S. Sabac and M.V. Dorrington Court Landed 5 bodies. 9 Wick .. M.V. Jens Emil Gave help. „ 11 Margate Trawler Vert-Rouwen Gave help. „ 11 Scarborough .. Fishing cobles Kingfisher and Premier Escorted boats. „ 11 Ramsgate Trawler Vert-Rouwen Stood by vessel. „ 13 Southend-on-Sea M.V. Tjoba Escorted vessel. „ 14 Stornoway Trawler Massabielle Saved boat and rescued 15. „ 15 Moelfre M.V. Frida Blokzijl Escorted vessel. 15 Plymouth Fishing vessel June Lippit Escorted vessel. „ 15 Arbroath Fishing vessels Bairns Pride and White Rose Stood by vessels. „ 16 Galway Bay .. M.V. June Rescued 8 and a dog. ,, 17 Anstruther Fishing vessel Ocean Herald and M.V. Harvest Reaper Stood by vessels. 17 Filey .. Fishing coble Enterprise Escorted boat. 18 Arklow M.V. Antilla Landed 20. 18 Humber S.S. Ben Cruachan Took out a doctor. 22 Lowestoft Longshore boat Dulcie Doris .. Landed 2. 22 Filey .. Twelve fishing cobles Escorted 12 cobles. „ 23 Newhaven Fishing vessel Dorothy Margaret Escorted vessel. 24 St. Helier M.V. A/me Stood by vessel. 26 Barry Dock .. M.V. Carmen Gave help. „ 27 Barrow S.S. Baron Inverclyde Took out a doctor. 27 Walton & Frinton S.S. Entopan Landed a sick man. „ 29 Cloughey Fishing vessel Marie McClemems Gave help. „ 30 Stornoway M.F.V. Maime Rescued 2. „ 30 Stornoway M.V. Ofelia Landed 11. Feb. 6 Lowestoft M.V. Sommen Landed an injured man. „ 7 Thurso Local fishing fleet Escorted fishing fleet. 7 Rhyl .. Fishing vessel CH.56 Escorted vessel. 8 Aith .. Sick woman on Foula Landed sick woman on mainland. „ 13 Scarborough .. F.V. Margaret Jane Escorted boat. .. 13 Lowestoft Trawler John O'Heugh with sur- vivors from M.V. Fountains Abbey Put doctor on board. „ 16 Humber Yacht Star Song Rescued 2. 18 St. Ives Youths trapped by tide Stood by. „ 20 Galway Bay .. Trawler Men-Hir Gave help. „ 23 Humber Bull lightvessel Landed a sick man. „ 26 Galway Bay .. Sick persons on Inishmaan Brought two sick persons to Island the mainland. 27 Galway Bay .. Sick woman on Inishmaan Brought sick woman to the Island mainland. Mar. 1 Barrow Fishing boat Briar Gave help. „ 1 Eastbourne Royal Sovereign lightvessel Landed a sick man. 2 Whitby M.F.V.sL«K/ Us and Success.. Escorted two vessels „ 3 Workington .. F.V. Two Sisters Gave help. 5 Penlee .. M.V. River A/ton Landed a sick man. „ 7 Clacton-on-Sea Barge Resourceful Rescued 2. „ 7 Cloughey M.V. Frida Blokzijl .. Rescued 5. 7 Filey .. Fishing coble Joan and Barbara Escorted boat. „ 10 Swanage M.V. Sand Dart Rescued 5. - MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 443 Date Station Casualty Service 1962 Mar. 10 Swanage M.V. Sand Dart Gave help. 10 Walmer Motor boat Helena Saved boat and rescued 4. 11 Pwllheli Boy fallen over cliff Rescued 1. „ 11 Newhaven Motor boat Pedro II .. Gave hefp. „ 15 Workington F.V.Ada Gave help. „ 17 Anstruther M.V. Frederick T. Everard Landed two injured men thereby saving their lives. 18 Margate Motor barge Nicola Dawn Gave help. 18 Workington F.V. Grace Cory Gave help. 18 St. David's Three boys cut off by the tide.. Stood by. 19 Llandudno Dinghy Saved boat. 24 Barry Dock Yacht Highlander Escorted boat. 29 Dover .. S.S. Kirsten Skou and M.V. Karpfanger Landed 34. 30 Faimouth Dinghy Gave heip. „ 31 Mumbles Barge Tony Escorted barge. April 1 Aith M.F.V. The Willing Boys Gave help. „ 1 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston .. F.V. Aga Sacke Saved boat and rescued 2. „ 1 Troon Young boy requiring an oper- ation Took 2 doctors to Lamlash. 1 Ramsgate Yacht Ann Young Escorted boat. 2 Rossi are Harbour Blackwater lightvessel Landed 1. 2 Appledore Fishing boat Saved boat and rescued 4. 6 Southend-on-Sca Reported cries for help Landed 1. 1 Seaham F.V. Trip Gave help. 9 Weston-super-Mare R.M.S. Pilcomayo Put a doctor on board. 10 Newbiggin Fishing coble Mother's Joy Gave help. 12 Eastbourne S.S. Arenella and M.V. Stanchiid Stood by vessels. 13 Filey .. Nine local fishing boats Escorted 9 fishing boats. 13 Whitby Fishing cobles Little Lady and Guide Me Stood by cobles. 16 Margate M.V. Viscount Stood by vessel. 17 Clacton-on-Sea Ex-police launch Marina Gave help. 20 Yarmouth (I.O.W.) Yacht Shenkin Stood by yacht. 20 Margate Dinghy Saved dinghy. 20 Seaham Fishing coble S.D.18 .. Gave help. 21 Caister-on-Sea Tug Danny Saved vessel and rescued 7. 22 Dungeness M.V. Dragor Maersk .. Stood by vessel. 22 Swanage 2 dinghies and 3 canoes Savedadinghy and rescued 2. 22 St. Abbs Motor Yacht Rosehearty Escorted yacht. 22 Skegness Dinghy Stood by dinghy. 23 Weymouth Rowing boats Mercury and Blue Peter Saved 2 boats. 24 Thurso M.F.V. Elsie Gave help. 28 Girvan Sailing dinghy Escorted boat. 28 Arbroath M.F.V.s Earn and Margaret Cargill Escorted boats. „ 29 Runswick Yacht Renetti Gave help. May 3 Padstow Dinghy Landed 2 boys. „ 4 Aberdeen Man fallen from cliff. Gave help. „ 4 Stornoway M.F.V. Enterprise Gave help. „ 5 Penlee .. Tanker Haminella Landed a sick man and an injured man. „ 6 Dungeness Fishing vessel Sea Venture Gave help. „ 9 Sennen Cove .. Man trapped on cliff Landed a body. 11 Holyhead Boy fallen over cliff and 6 men marooned at foot of cliff Gave help. 12 Isiay .. Motor fishing vessel May Gave help. „ 12 Clacton-on-Sea Cabin crusier Fluminense Gave help. 12 Rhyl .. Yacht Gave help. 12 St. David's .. 2 sailing dinghies Rescued 2. „ 12 Humber M.F.V. Monbretia Saved boat. „ 13 Troon .. Motor cruiser Linnet Gave help. „ 14 Lerwick M.F.V. Vesper .. Gave help. 16 Tenby .. 6 canoes Saved a canoe and rescued 1. „ 16 Newhaven Tanker Ben Hebden Gave help. „ 17 Stronsay Fishing vessel Maureen Stood by vessel. „ 18 Tynemouth .. Aircraft Picked up a rubber dinghy. „ 19 Dover Yacht Marie Hendrika Saved boat and rescued 5. 444 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 Date Station Casualty Service 1962 May 19 Weymouth Outboard motor boat Saved boat and rescued 2. „, 20 Hastings Motor boat Bonaventure Saved boat and rescued 2. 20 Torbay Fishing vessel Silver Queen Escorted boat. 23 Humber Yacht Vahalla Escorted boat. 24 Filey Fishing cobles Escorted 6 cobles. 24 Douglas Sailing dinghy Bluebell Saved boat and rescued 3. ,, 25 Mallaig Motor launch Saved boat and rescued 2. „ 28 Porthdinllaen Yacht Scylla Gave help. 29 Filey Fishing cobles Escorted 5 cobles. 29 Cromer Cabin cruiser Mayfly Saved boat and rescued 5. 29 Llandudno Boy fallen over cliff Gave help. 31 Scarborough 5 fishing boats Escorted 5 boats. 31 Clacton-on-Sea Cabin cruiser Amonellc Saved boat and rescued 2. 31 Whitby Motor fishing vessel Pilot Me Stood by vessel. June 1 New Quay, Cardigan- Boy fallen over cliff Rescued 1. shire 2 Lowestoft Tanker Stockholm Landed a sick man. ,. 5 Bridlington Motor boat Fillet Gave help. 6 Eastbourne Motor cruiser Princess Saved boat. 9 Moelfre Yacht Prelude Gave help. 10 North Sunderland Motor dinghy Gave help. 10 Dover Outboard motor boat Saved boat and rescued 2. 10 Wickiow Boy fallen over cliff Landed an injured boy. 10 Portpatrick Cliff accident Landed an injured boy. 12 Scarborough Fishing vessel Avondale Put a doctor on board. 12 Rhyl Fishing vessel Hawa-Ditli Rescued 2. 14 Berwick-upon-Tweed Trawler Marie Elizabeth Landed a sick man. 14 Dungeness Sailing yacht Twilight Gave help. 14 Humber Cabin cruiser Saved boat. 14 Llandudno Sailing dinghy Saved boat. 14 Donaghadee Fishing boat Betsey Saved boat and rescued 11. 16 Mumbles Bathers Landed a body. 17 Plymouth Fishing boat June Lippet Gave help. 18 Dun Laoghaire Canoe Saved boat. 18 Beaumaris Yacht Casquet Saved yacht and rescued 2. 18 Dungeness Sailing dinghy Kim Saved boat and rescued 2. 18 Stronsay Dinghy Saved boat and rescued 1. 19 Fleetwood Yacht Tocosco Saved yacht. 20 Blyth M.F.V. King Fisher .. Gave help. 21 Kircudbright Pilot boat Cumbria Saved boat and rescued 3. 21 Torbay Sailing dinghy Saved boat. 22 Berwick-upon-Tweed M.V. Aptity Landed a sick man. 24 Bridlington Sailing yachts Naive, Salamander and Abigail Escorted yacht. „ 24 Walton and Frinton Rubber dinghy Saved dinghy and landed 1. „ 24 Anstruther Yacht Tomsk Saved boat and rescued 5. 24 Scarborough Yacht Saboo Escorted boat. „ 24 Filey Yachts Saboo and Lygra Saved boat and rescued 6 and gave help. „ 26 RuHswick Fishing coble Golden Crown .. Escorted coble. „ 26 St. Abbs M.F.V. Alison Mary Escorted boat. ,, 26 Clacton-on-Sea Canoe Saved boat. 26 Amble 4 fishing cobles Escorted boats. „ 26 Newbiggin 4 fishing cobles Escorted boats. 29 North Sunderland Pleasure boat Mercury Escorted boat. ,, 30 Troon Cabin cruiser Tonka Gave help. July 1 Broughty Ferry Motor cruiser Escorted boat. ,, 2 Dungeness Catamaran Gave help and landed 2. „ 3 Troon Man requiring surgical treat- Conveyed 2 doctors to ment Lamlash. 3 Whitby 3 fishing boats Stood by boats. ,, 4 Aberdeen Fishing vessel May Gave help. „ 5 Angle Motor boat Maid of Linney Gave help. „ 7 Hartlepool 4 youths stranded on rocks Saved boat and rescued 4. „ 8 Weymouth Swimmer Gave help. „ 8 Margate Motor yacht Lady Molly Saved boat and rescued 6 and a dog. „ 9 Sennen Cove .. Cabin cruiser Eldora Gave help. 9 Selscy Yacht Oriole Saved boat and rescued 2. „ 9 Shevingham .. Converted ship's life-boat Saved boat and rescued 4. MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 445 Date Station Casualty Service 1962 July 10 Clogher Head Motor boat Escorted boat. 11 Amble Fishing vessel Amalthea Gave help. 12 Mumbles Motor cruiser Blakeney Dawn Gave help. 13 Reserve O.N.794 Motor cruiser Gave help. 15 Lizard-Cadgwith Yacht Gweneth Saved boat and rescued 3. 15 Howth Girl at bottom of cliffs. . Gave help. 15 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston 2 sailing dinghies Gave help. 19 Humber Fishing boat Dorothy Saved boat and rescued 6. 20 St. Ives Yacht Liana Saved boat and rescued 3. 21 Appledore Yacht Pat Saved boat and rescued 1. 21 New Brighton Outboard motor dinghy Saved boat and rescued 2. 21 Selsey Yacht Joanna Escorted boat. 21 Weymouth Yacht Ituna Saved boat and rescued 8. 21 Lowestoft Trimaran Nimble Venture Gave help. 21 Lytham-St. Anne's . . Yacht Lone Seeker Saved boat and rescued 4. 23 Rosslare Harbour M.F.V. Sari Maris Gave help. 24 Weymouth M.F.V. Four Girls Gave help. 25 Sunderland M.F.V. Green Plover .. Gave help. 26 Hastings Diving boat Missy Gave help. 28 Sennen Cove Swimmers on rocks Rescued 2. 29 New Brighton Canoe Gave help. 30 Hoylake Yacht Lindy Lou Rescued 4. 31 Bembridge 4 boys cut off by tide Rescued 4. 31 Beaumaris Motor launch Sea Pegasus Saved boat and rescued 6. 31 Weymouth Yacht Themlyay Gave help. Aug. 1 Galway Bay Sick child on Inishmaan Island Brought a sick child to the mainland. 2 Aldeburgh Tanker British Oak Landed an injured man. 3 Bridlington Yacht Kantfo and 2 motor boats Escorted 3 boats. 3 Margate Yacht .; Gave help. 3 Salcombe Yachts Thala and Edla Escorted boats. 4 Rhyl Catamaran Saved boat and rescued 1. 4 Longhope Fishing vessel Daisy Landed 10. 4 Sennen Cove Tug Sally Gave help. 4 Walton and Frinton Yacht Escorted boat. 4 Howth Sailing dinghy Dainty Landed 2. 5 New Brighton Yacht Tricia Saved boat and rescued 6. 5 Moelfre 2 rowing boats Saved 2 boats and rescued 6. 5 Weymouth Dinghy Gave help. 5 Barry Dock Yacht Betty M Escorted yacht. 5 Arbroath Motor yacht Myhaven Saved boat and rescued 5. 6 Walton and Frinton Pram dinghy Saved boat. 6 Salcombe Sailing dinghy Banyan Landed 1. 6 St. Helier Yacht Themis Gave help. 7 Dungeness Catamaran Nimble Eve Rescued 5. 7 Yarmouth (I.O.W.) .. Sloop Robbe Saved boat and rescued 9. 7 Sheringham Fishing boat Sprat Saved boat and rescued 2. 7 Cadgwith Rubber dinghy Gave help. 8 Yarmouth (I.O.W.) .. Cabin cruiser Matoya II Gave help. 9 Llandudno Yacht Hazhad Saved boat, rescued 4, and dog. 9 Lowestoft Trawler Pierre Louis Saved boat. 10 Clacton-on-Sea Sailing boat Oheron Rescued 1. 11 Campbeltown M.F.V. Betima Saved boat and rescued 3. 11 Howth Sailing boat Lorelei Saved boat. 11 Clactpn-on-Sea Yacht Velma Saved boat and rescued 3. 11 Berwick-upon-Tweed Yacht My Lady and 2 trawlers.. Gave help. 11 North Sunderland Fishing vessel Saved boat and rescued 3. 11 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Yacht Come Away Escorted boat. 12 Berwick-upon-Tweed Dinghy Stood by dinghy. 13 Holy head Yacht Troll Gave help. 13 Sunderland Fishing coble Forward Escorted boat. 13 Plymouth Cabin cruiser David Saved boat and rescued 5. 14 St. Peter Port Auxiliary yawl Duet Gave help. 14 Llandudno Man trapped by tide Rescued 1. 14 Beaumaris Motor launch and 6 yachts Stood by. 14 Llandudno Motor launch and 6 yachts Saved boats and rescued 5. 14 North Sunderland .. Yacht Amontillado Gave help. 446 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 Date Station Casualty Service 1962 lug. 14 Poole Yacht Cash low Escorted boat. 14 Skegness Motor boat Gave help. „ w New Quay 2 inflatable dinghies Saved 2 dinghies and res- cued 2. „ 14 New Quay Yacht Ark Saved boat and rescued 2. 14 Troon Cabin cruiser Beaver HI Gave help. 14 Torbay Fishing boat Torbay Belle Escorted boat. 14 Torbay Yacht Mikado Saved boat and rescued 3. 15 Weymouth Boy missing on cliff Gave help. 15 Blyth .. Fishing boat Sea Flower Escorted boat. 15 Galway Bay . . Trawler Paschal Gave help. 16 Exmouth Yacht Caravel 11 Gave help. 16 Torbay Motor boat Escorted boat. 17 Humber Rubber raft Landed 2. 17 Padstow People cut off by tide Stood by. 17 Plymouth Yacht Dainty Stood by yacht. , 17 Reclcar 3 boys cut off by tide Rescued 1. 18 Arklow Codling lightvessel Landed one. 18 Yarmouth (l.O.W.) Dinghy Barbecue Gave help. 18 Buckie Aircraft Gave help. 19 Dun Laoghaire Canoe Escorted boat. 19 Peterhead Yacht Vidette Gave help. , 20 Swanage Sailing dinghy Puffin Gave help. 20 Salcombe Yacht Marola Gave help. 20 llfracombe Yacht Cariad Saved boat and rescued 2. 22 Lytham-St. Anne's Coaster Druid Landed a body. 23 Weymouth Schooner The Garland Saved boat and rescued 9. 23 Clacton-on-Sea Yacht Aslantf Saved boat and rescued 4. „ 23 Donaghadee . . Rowing boat Saved boat and rescued 5. 23 Montrose Fishing boat Rosemary Gave help. 24 Falmouth Dinghy Saved boat. 24 St. Abbs Fishing coble Mary Gave help. 24 Arklow Sailing dinghy Gave help. 25 Dun Laoghaire Motor cruiser Rosalind Saved boat and rescued 5. 25 Holy Island . . Yacht Cuprous Gave help. 25 Sennen Cove . . Girl on rocks Landed a body. 26 Dover Sailing yacht Maralm Landed eleven. 26 Howth Motor boat Ark of Connemara Gave help. 26 Howth Motor yacht Lady Sophie Gave help. 26 St. David's . . Yacht Ceri'^o Gave help. 26 St. Abbs 3 fishing boats Escorted 3 boats. 26 Bridlington 3 fishing boats Escorted 3 boats. 26 Minehead Fishing dinghy Saved boat. 26 Redcar Sailing yacht S11699 .. Saved boat and rescued 3. , 26 Southcnd-on-Sea Yachts Faireaz, Zereda and Panacea Rescued 9. „ 28 Shoreham Harbour Auxiliary ketch Diana Gave help. 30 St. Helier Fishing boat Pinafore Gave help. 31 Valentia Yawl Escorted boat. Sept. 1 Penlee .. Motor vessel Ben Hope. . Landed 2 injured men. „ 1 Ramsgate French cutter Naia Escorted boat. „ 2 llfracombe Rowing boat Saved boat and rescued 1. „ 2 Fowey Yacht Why Escorted boat. ,, 2 Dunmore East Auxiliary sloop Mtirjorie Gaw. . Escorted yacht. „ 3 Sunderland Motor fishing vessel Nessie Gave help. „ 3 Criccieth Sailing boat Scorpion Escorted boat. 4 St. Peter Port Speed boat Jezebel Landed 4. 5 Weymouth Yacht Fair Winds Gave help. „ 6 Tenby .. 2 dinghies Saved 2 boats and rescued 6. „ 6 Hastings Motor vessel La Paloma Gave help. „ 7 Troon .. Cabin cruiser Maureen Saved boat and rescued 1. „ 8 Portpatrick .. Motor yacht Sea Witch Gave help. „ 9 New Brighton Yacht Clueless Saved boat. 9 Howth.. Fishing vessel Runner Saved boat and rescued 13. ,. 9 Fleetwood Yacht Osterling Saved boat and rescued 2. ,', 9 Troon .. Cabin cruiser Thistle Saved boat and rescued 4. „ 9 Fishguard Catamaran Catrina Saved boat and rescued 4. „ 9 Penlee .. M.V. Uskport Landed a sick man. „ 11 Lerwick M.F.V. Eclipse Landed 3. „ 11 Fraserburgh .. U.S. Naval vessel lipshur Landed a sick man. MARCH, 1963] THE LIFE-BOAT 447 Date Station Casualty Service 1962 Sept. 11 Southend-on-Sea Motor cruiser htar and ship's boat Saved 2 boats and landed 2. „ 12 Flamborough Fishing coble Provider Escorted boat. „ 12 Ramsgate Yacht Andy Cap Saved boat and rescued 3. 12 Whitby 5 fishing boats Escorted boats. ;, 12 Torbay Boy marooned on Cradle Rock Landed 1. „ 16 Barry Dock .. Catamaran Landed 2. ,, 16 Newhavcn M.V. Dahlia Gave help. „ 16 Humber Yacht Katheite Saved boat and rescued 2. 16 Ballycotton .. Pleasure boat St. Philomcna .. Saved boat and rescued 6. 17 Rhyl Hovercraft V.A. 3-001 Saved hovercraft and res- cued 3. 19 Wells Motor cruiser Saved boat. „ 21 Humber Drifter Tea Rose Landed a sick man. „ 22 Tcnby Cabin cruiser Gave help. 23 Filey' Dinghy Escorted boat. ,, 23 Cromer No. 1 Yacht Elizabeth A/in Gave help. ,, 23 New Brighton Yacht Saved dinghy. „ 24 F!eetwood F.V. Zvava III Landed 2. ,, 25 Stromncss M.F.V. Wave Sheaf .. Gave help. 27 Torbay Yacht Joanna Saved boat and rescued 2. „ 28 Bembridgc Yawl Elaine Saved boat and rescued 2. „ 28 Walmcr Cabin cruiser Picqi/igny Saved boat and rescued 3. 29 Falmouth Motor launch Saved boat and rescued 1. 29 Weymouth .. Red flashing buoy adrift Recovered buoy. ,, 29 Weymouth Cabin cruiser Medina Saved boat and rescued 2. 29 Poole Yacht Marmara Delia Rescued 2. 29 Angle Yacht Marjorie Gaw Saved boat and rescued 4. , 29 Courtmacsherry Hbr. Motor boat Puffin Stood by vessel. 30 Poole Cabin cruiser Sea Knight Saved boat. 30 Lytham-St. Anne's .. Dinghy Saved boat and rescued 2. 30 Mallaig M.F.V. Widder Gave help. 30 Rhyl Sailing dinghy West Wind&nA a launch Saved 2 boats and rescued 6. Oct. 1 Donaghadee . . M.V. Holweirdre Landed an injured man. „ 1 Berwick-on-Tweed .. M.V. Corbrae Landed an injured man. „ 4 Lytham-St. Anne's .. M.V. Zenit Landed sick man thereby saving his life. „ 5 Arbroath Fishing vessel Eight Bells Gave help. ,, 6 Hartlepool S.S. Theodore N. Vlassopolos . . Gave help. „ 6 Hastings Motor boat Lady Molly Gave help. ., 6 Barrow Cabin cruiser Happy Wanderer Gave help. ,, 7 Ne\vbiggin Cabin cruiser Medina Saved boat and rescued 2. ,, 9 Rosslare Harbour M.F.V. Sari Mar is Gave help. „ 10 Hyemouth M.F.V. 77;w Gave help. ., 11 Clacton-on-Sea Motor boat Saved boat and rescued 3. ,, 14 Broughty Ferry Speed boat Saved boat and rescued 3. ,, 16 Great Yarmouth and Gorlcston . . M.V. Melroxe Abbey Landed 2. „ 16 Southend-on-Sea Motor barge Adieu Saved boat and rescued 2. ,, 17 Newhaven Fishing vessel Plover Gave help. 17 Peterhead Cabin cruiser Lillian Saved boat and rescued 2. 20 Barry Dock Motor cruiser Gillian Gave help. 21 Llandudno Canoe and rowing boat Gave help. 22 Hastings Yacht My Heart's Content Stood by yacht. „ 25 Thurso S.S. Karen Escorted vessel. 26 Whitby 5 local fishing vessels Escorted 5 boats. „ 27 Barmouth Yacht Taki Rescued 2. 27 St. Peter Port Fishing vessel An vae des Plots. . Gave help. 28 The Mumbles Motor cruiser Larkspur Saved boat and rescued 6. 28 Clacton-on-Sea Motor cruiser Buahuri .. Saved boat and rescued 5. Nov. 1 Bridlington 11 fishing boats Escorted 11 boats. ,. 1 Arbroath 17 fishing boats Escorted 17 boats. „ 2 Anstruther M.V. Musketier Saved 2 rubber dinghies and rescued 7. ,, 2 Cromer No. 1 H.M.S. Scott Landed a sick man. „ 3 Sennen Cove . . Trawler Jeanne Goi;;;y Landed 2 bodies. „ 3 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Smith's Knoll Light vessel Landed a sick man thereby saving his life. 448 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1963 1 Date Casualty Service 1962 Nov. 3 Portrush Trawler Ella Hewett Rescued 19. 4 Blyth .. Fishing vessel Linda M Saved boat and rescued 2. 4 Hastings Motor boat Joy Gave help. 6 Lowestoft Injured man on Tanker Esso Parentis Landed an injured man. 9 Whitby Local fishing fleet Stood by boats. 10 Lowestoft Drifter Silver Wave Stood by vessel. 16 Hartlepool Converted ship's boat Gave help. 17 Rosslare Harbour Trawler .. Gave help. 17 North Sunderland F.V. Faithful Escorted vessel. 17 Holy Island .. F.V. Faithful and North Sunder- land life-boat Escorted vessels. 17 Appledore R.F.A. Tanker Green Ranger .. Stood by vessel. 18 Blyth .. M.V. Paullgate Escorted vessel and rescued 2. 18 Criccieth Dutch M.V. Maria W .. Gave help. 22 Selsey M.V. Lantyan Gave help. 22 Howth Fishing punt Saved boat. 23 Swanage M.F.V. Lundy Gave help. 24 Cromer No. 1 M.V. Viscount Gave help. Dec. 3 Penlee Sick man on tug Ocean Bull .. Landed a sick man. 7 Stronsay Fishing boat Ben More Gave help. 7 Longhope Yawl Lion Escorted vessel. 8 Southend-on-Sea M.V. Temar Rescued 1 and landed 6. 9 Arranmore M.V. Unitas Gave help. 12 Whitby Three motor fishing vessels Escorted vessels. 13 Holyhead M.V. filica Escorted vessel. 14 Plymouth Trawler Pentillie. . Escorted vessel. 14 Fleetwood 2 men on the Wyre Light Landed 2. 15 Humber Barge Will Everard Rescued 3. 15 Padstow M.V. Nimrod Stood by vessel. 16 Appledore M.V. Nimrod Stood by vessel. 17 Fleetwood Fishing boat Eleanora Gave help. 20 Barra Island .. M.V. Eendright Gave help. 20 Bridlington .. Fishing boats Ocean Gift, Betty and Liberty Escorted boats. 22 Stronsay Trawler Prince de Liege Landed 13. 26 Hartlepool .. Fishing vessel Buena Fortuna . . Escorted vessel. 31 Baltimore Trawler Rosario Lopez, Stood by vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE YEAR'S WORK Lives rescued by life-boats 422 Lives rescued in other ways for whose rescue the Institution gave rewards 133 Total lives rescued 555 People landed from vessels in which they might have been in danger 169 Boats and vessels which life-boats saved or helped to save 121 Boats and vessels which life-boats stood by, escorted to safety, or helped 311 Total number of launches, including those in which for various reasons no services were rendered 831

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Stirling Whorlow Esq., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number of THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in June, 1963.