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

VOL. XXXI. OCTOBER, 1939. No. 339.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET Motor Life-boats, 144 :: Pulling & Sailing Life-boats, 16 LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Institution in 1824 to 31st October, 1939 ... - 66,604

The Life-boat Service and the War. By LIEUT.-CoL. C. R. SATTERTHWAITE, O.B.E., Secretary of the Royal National Life-boat Institution. THOSE who remember the last war will These services were carried out in remember that the life-boat service face of many difficulties. Long before was of inestimable value to the nation. the end of the war the last of the young Its brief record for those years is men of the life-boat crews had gone to that between the outbreak of war on serve in the mine-sweepers, trawlers the 4th August, 1914, and the signing and drifters. The life-boat service was of peace on the 28th June, 1919, life- manned by men over fifty. Even men boats were launched 1,808 times; 5,322 of over seventy took a place in the lives were rescued from shipwreck boats. round the shores of Great Britain and I have recalled that splendid record Ireland; 186 boats and vessels were of a quarter of a century ago, because saved from destruction. it is the best promise that the life-boat Many of these rescues were from the will carry on in the struggle in which ordinary perils of the sea, but life- our whole people are now engaged. boats were launched 552 times to the help of ships and aircraft of the navy, 213 Lives Rescued in Two Months. or to merchant vessels wrecked or in Already, in the first two months of distress on account of the war. In the the war, that promise has been splen- great majority of cases they had been didly fulfilled. Life-boats have been disabled by torpedoes or mines. launched on service 156 times. They have rescued 213 lives. In the same Thousands of Tons of Shipping Saved. two months last year, they were To estimate the full value of these launched 77 times, and rescued 69 services it must be remembered that lives. These figures give the measure nearly all the lives rescued were of of the difference which war has made men, and women, engaged in essential to the importance of the service. war services, and that the vessels saved When the Institution was founded represented thousands of tons of it was laid down "that the subjects of shipping for the transport of food and all nations be equally objects of the materials during the critical time when Institution as well in war as in peace." there was danger that the supplies of In that spirit the life-boat service has the. Allies might fail before the attack worked for 115 years. In that spirit of the Gcnnan submarines. it worked during the last war, earning 130 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939. the gratitude of neutral nations for ized in 1940; and that branch subscrip- the lives of their seamen whom it tion lists may be maintained and even saved. In that spirit it is carrying on increased. now. War conditions will profoundly affect Life-boat News that may help the Enemy the work of the life-boat crews, as they There is one great difficulty with affect the lives of all of us. Rescues which we shall have to contend. We will be carried out in circumstances of may expect many more calls to be greater difficulty and of increased dan- made on the service, but the public ger. But the transition from peace to will hear much less about them. It is war will probably change the life-boat impossible for the full particulars, or service less than most other essential even for the names of the life-boat services. For the life-boats are never stations, to be published in the Press. at peace; however settled the inter- In our own Journal I shall hope to be national situation may be the life-boat able to give the names of the stations, crews are on active service; their since here the accounts will be appear- enemy, the gales and the rocks and ing some time after the event, but even sandbanks that surround our coasts; here it will not be possible to tell the and their object the rescue rather than full stories until the war is over. the destruction of lives, whether they The Institution, however, will con- be friend, neutral or foe. tinue to send to the Press, at the end of each month, the month's record of The Work of the Branches. launches and lives rescued. These In another respect war will not brief figures will, I hope, help to remind change the life-boat service. As in all life-boat workers, and the public, peace time it will be financed by the that, however little they may hear of free gifts of the people. There will be it, the life-boat service is at work. no government subsidy and no direct government control, though co-opera- Life-boat Officials in the Fighting Services. tion with the Royal Navy, the Coast- There is one, more personal, thing to guard and the Royal Air Force is add. Commander Vaux, the chief already complete and effective. More inspector of life-boats, Captain Hamer, than ever the service will depend on the deputy chief inspector, and some the work of its branches, on the coast of the district inspectors have been and inland. The large majority of its recalled to the Navy. Colonel Burnett honorary workers are carrying on; those Brown, the deputy secretary, and other who have had to resign on account of members of the staff are with the army. war duties have, in nearly every case, Yet others have left to take their places found others to take their place; many in civil defence. We are carrying on are continuing their life-boat work our work with a diminished staff; but together with other work of national I am very glad that—as I went off the importance. Some forms of appeal Army's reserve of officers early this may have to be discontinued, but I year under the age limit—I am free have great hopes that life-boat days to continue, for the present, my will continue and will be widely organ- work as the secretary of the Institution.

68 Years in the Life-boat Service. THE Institution has awarded a certifi- in charge of the dinghy which took the cate of service to Joseph Rourke, of crew out to the life-boat. He served Howth, co. Dublin, and has also made as dinghy man for two years. He was him a compassionate grant. He was then 84 years old, still keen and will- born in 1854 and became a member of ing, but his age compelled him to the Howth crew in 1870,-at the age of retire. sixteen. He served as a member of He had been 68 years in the life- the crew until 1936. He was then put boat service. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 131

A Silver Medal Service at Cloughey. ON 9th May, 1939, the s.s. Arantzazu- thrown, and down this line the salvage Mendi, of Bilbao, went aground on men dropped, one or two at a time, Butter Paddy shoals, outside Kearney into the life-boat. Point, Co. Down. Efforts were made It took three-quarters of an hour to salve her, and there was a salvage for the eleven men to get aboard her. party on board on 17th June. A Each wave flung the life-boat ten or strong S.S.W. wind was blowing that twelve yards away from the steamer, day with a very heavy sea on the and the coxswain had to go full shoals, and at 9.30 in the evening the speed ahead to prevent her being salvage party sent up distress signals. caught broadside on by the waves. They were seen by the coastguard, and Then he had to work her back close at 10 P.M. the Cloughey motor life-boat, enough to the wreck for the men to William Maynard, was launched. She slide down the rope into her. Again and reached the wreck an hour later having again this manoeuvre was repeated. All had to drive into a head sea all the way. the time waves were breaking in the life- Seas fifteen feet high were breaking boat, and the mechanic, kneeling under over the steamer from abreast of the the canopy at his controls, was up to bridge and were sweeping clean over his chest in water. her after part, from which everything About 11.45 P.M. the last of the men movable had already been washed had been rescued, and half an hour later away. The eleven men were on the the life-boat landed them. fore-deck, knee deep in water. The coxswain handled the life-boat As the steamer was taking the seas with unerring skill. Any mistake on head on there was no lee for the life-boat his part might well have meant disaster. to get under; so the coxswain anchored AH his crew ably supported him in a 150 yards ahead of her and veered fine piece of seamanship and the down on his cable stern first. As he motor mechanic in particular managed did so a heavy sea broke right on top his engines very smartly in very trying of the life-boat. All her crew were conditions. The Institution has made knocked down; the anchor began to the following awards: drag; and if the coxswain had not at To Coxswain ROBERT YOUNG, the once gone full speed ahead on his silver medal for gallantry, accom- engines, the life-boat herself might panied by a copy of the vote inscribed have been wrecked. The anchor held on vellum. after it had dragged about 40 yards; To GEORGE YOUNG, the motor- the life-boat veered down again; a line mechanic, the bronze medal for gallan- was thrown to her from the steamer; try, accompanied by a copy of the vote but a wave flung the life-boat away inscribed on vellum. and the line snapped. A second line To the coxswain and each of the was thrown, and snapped. A third seven members of the crew a reward of line was thrown. This held, and the £2 in addition to the ordinary scale life-boat was pulled alongside the reward of £1 5*. Standard rewards, steamer. Then a fourth line was £13 17s. 6d.; total rewards, £31 Is. 6d.

Increase in Widows' Pensions BY a fleet order dated 15th June, 1939, service the same pensions as are paid the Admiralty increased the pensions in the Navy, Army and Air Force. It of the widows of naval ratings as from has therefore raised its pensions to the 1st June. The Institution pays widows by the same amount as the to the widows and other dependents Navy, and this increase will be made of life-boatmen who lose their lives on as from 1st June last. 132 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOKEU. 1939

Life-boat Calendar and Christmas Card.

THE LIFE-BOAT Christmas card and the will not be possible to print in calendar for 1939 will have the above names and addresses for the Irish picture reproduced on them in colours. Free State. The picture shows a modern motor As in previous years, the calendar will life-boat of the Watson type being have the record of lives saved printed launched down a slipway. It has been on the front and other particulars on specially painted for the Institution by the back. Mr. L. F. Gilding, a member of its staff. It will be llj inches long by 9 inches The card will be an eight-page card wide, and can be obtained from the with the Institution's crest embossed Institution in any quantity, post free, on the outside; and inside, Christmas Is. each, or 10s. a dozen, this price and New Year greetings. The price including an envelope with each calen- will be 4d. each with envelope. If dar. It will weigh, in the envelope, twenty-five or more are ordered, the just under four ounces, so that it can name and address can be printed under be sent through the post, with the the greetings. The price with the envelope open, for Id. name and address printed will be Qd. Those who wish to order calendars each for quantities from twenty-five to and cards can do so at once. Orders fifty. If fifty or more are ordered, no should be sent to the Secretary, Royal charge will be made for printing the National Life-boat Institution, 42, name and address. Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I, Owing to the customs duties, it and postal orders or stamps enclosed.

Naming Ceremonies. DURING this year naming ceremonies Scotland, and one in Wales. Accounts of eleven new motor life-boats have of these ceremonies will appear in the been held, seven in England, three in next issue of The Life-boat. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 133

A New Life-boat Depot. IN 1882 the Institution opened a store- urgently needed for the manufacture, yard at Poplar, on the Thames. Until repair and testing of life-boat engines about five years before that time its as well as for the rigging and equipment Iife-boats4iad all been fitted at the boat- of the boats. builders' yards, ropes and gear for The question of modernizing the each boat being separately ordered storeyard at Poplar was first considered, from the manufacturers. But with a but it was found that this would cost fleet of 272 life-boats to equip and a very large sum. It was decided that maintain, the Institution felt that it would be more economical, as well "the time had come to establish a as more satisfactory in other ways, to storeyard of its own, placed under the build a new storeyard elsewhere, and charge of a responsible officer as a to sell the lease at Poplar. storekeeper, with resident riggers, whose It was no longer necessary to have a undivided time and attention should be storeyard near the Thames. The Insti- devoted to its work." tution was now sending damaged life- boats to the coastal ship-building yards, The Storeyard on the Thames. instead of bringing them to Poplar for Premises were found at Poplar which, repair; and instead of keeping a reserve "with the outlay of a few hundred fleet at Poplar it had been found more pounds," were made suitable for the effective to keep the reserve boats at Institution's needs. They can be seen strategic points round the coast. in the engraving at the top of page 135. On the left is a boat shed to house The Stone Laying and Opening. seven life-boats and their carriages; on A site was chosen outside London, the right a rigging loft, storeroom and where there were excellent facilities for the riggers' cottages; at the far end on road transport. Here the foundation the right is another shed to house stone of the new depot (as it had been six boats; at the far end on the left is decided to call it) was laid on 6th Janu- a crane for hoisting life-boats into and ary, 1939, by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., out of the cut which connected with chairman of the Institution, in the the Thames.* presence of members of the committee The storeyard remained much as it of management, officials of the Institu- then was for just over thirty years. In tion, the architect, and representatives 1915 another boat shed was built with a of the builders and of the estate. Mr. graving dock in it. It can be seen at the E. L. Lester, of Messrs. Moss & Sons, bottom of page 135. Then in 1919,1920, Ltd., the builders, presented to Sir 1921 and 1922 the storeyard was largely Godfrey Baring, a mallet and trowel rebuilt to meet the needs of a fleet with which he laid the stone. which was being rapidly mechanized. Beneath the stone was buried a glass A new boat shed was put up. The jar in which was a parchment with the cottages were pulled down; new store- following record: rooms and offices, with residential flats "This Depot was built for the Royal above, took their place. The photo- National Life-boat Institution in 1939 graphs on pages 137 and 138 show the to replace the Storeyard -at Poplar storeyard as it was after this rebuilding. which had been occupied since 1882. "Chairman of the Sub-Committee: The Growth of the Motor Fleet. Captain Guy Fanshawe, R..N. When this was finished in 1922 there "Secretary of the Sub-Committee: were 39 motor life-boats and 197 Lieut.-Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, pulling and sailing life-boats in the M.C., T.D. (Deputy Secretary of the Institution's fleet. Fifteen years later, Institution). by the end of 1937, these figures had " Architect: Herbert Kenchington, changed to 138 motor life-boats and Esq., F.R.I.B.A." 29 pulling and sailing. Larger and The depot was completed six months more modern workshops were again later, and on 13th July it was formally * See The Hfe-boat for February, 1883. opened by Mrs. Guy Fanshawe. Sir 134 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

Godfrey Baring, Bt., presided supported An Acre and a Quarter of Floor Space. by members of the committee of The depot has been designed and management, officers of the Institution, equipped on the most modern lines, with chairmen of the local councils, the archi- ample space, air and light. It has tect, and representatives of the estate. workshops and stores covering a floor- Message from the Duke of Kent. area of nearly an acre and a quarter. Sir Godfrey Baring read a message One of the storerooms is for the Insti- from H.R.H.'The Duke of Kent, K.G.: tution's supplies for appealing to the "As President of the Royal National public. In it are stored the 40,000 Life-boat Institution, I much regret collecting boxes, in the form of life- that I am not able to be present at the boats, and the nine million paper flags opening ceremony of the new depdt which the Institution uses each year to-day. on life-boat flag days. • " I know how well this depot will fill There are canteens and recreation a much needed want, and I hope that rooms for the staff, and three cottages I may have an opportunity of visiting for the depot foreman, the storehouse- it before I leave to take up my duties man, the deputy storehouseman and as Governor-General of Australia." their families. Sir Godfrey Baring also read a Above the main entrance is the message from the Duke of Portland, stone figure of a life-boatman, life- K.G., P.C., G.C.V.O., the senior vice- size, the work of Mr. A. J. J. Ayres. president of the Institution, who had consented to act as President during The Cost. the Duke of Kent's absence in Australia, and who regretted that he was not The new depot has cost £60,000. able to be present. Had it been decided to keep the store- Captain Guy Fanshawe, R.N., des- yard at Poplar, the work of modernizing cribed the new dep6t, and Mr. Herbert it would have cost over £22,000. The Kenchington, the architect, presented lease of the storeyard has been sold for a key to Mrs. Fanshawe. over £24,000. The extra cost, some A vote of thanks was proposed by £14,000, of building the depot will in the Hon. George Colville, deputy-chair- the end, it is expected, be more than man of the Institution and seconded balanced by an annual saving in the by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry cost of maintenance. Francis Oliver, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., The change means greater efficiency M.V.O., a member of the committee of and speed, but there must be regret management. that, after nearly sixty years, the Mrs. Fanshawe then opened the centre of the life-boat fleet will no building. longer be in the Port of London.

Portrait on the Cover. THE portrait on the cover is of Cox- engaged in mine sweeping, and returned swain GEORGE PERRIN, of Skegness. to the life-boat in 1919. In 1932 he He joined the life-boat crew in 1913. was appointed coxswain. Since 193o For three years during the war of 1914 his son Wilfred Perrin has been second- to 1918, he served as mate on drifters coxswain.

A Rescue at Gibraltar. WHILE H.M.S. Wishart was at Gibraltar had capsized. The rescued men gave last June one of her boats' crews their rescuers ten shillings, and they picked up the crew of a yacht which sent it to the Institution. OCTOBER, 1939.J THE LIFE-BOAT. 185

THE OLD STOREYARD.

THE STOREYARD AT POPLAR IN 1882.

THE NORTH BOATSHED AND DOCK: BUILT IN 1915. 136 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

THE NEW DEPOT.

By courtesy of] [The Architect & Building Review THE FRONT OF THE DEPOT.

By courtesy of The Architect & Building Review By courtesy of The Architect & Building Review THE MAIN ENTRANCE. CENTRAL PASSAGE. Stairs leading up to the offices Workshops on right, store rooms on left. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 137

THE OLD STOREYARD.

THE WEST BOAT SHED: BUILT IN 1920.

By courtesy of] [Sport and General By courtesy of] [Sport and General HOISTING A LIFE-BOAT FROM LIFE-BOATS OF THE RESERVE THE CUT TO ITS CARRIAGE. FLEET. 138 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

THE OLD STOREYARD.

By courtesy of] [Sport and General MAKING A BOW PUDDING.

By courtesy of} [Sport and General PACKING LIFE-BOAT COLLECTING BOXES. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 139

Services of the Life-boats. Reported to the April, May, June and July Meetings of the Committee of Management. Launches 124. Lives rescued 106.

April Meeting. should again be launched in the morning when another attempt to re- Blyth, and Newbiggin, Northumberland. float the machine at high water would —On the 23rd December, 1938, the be made. The life-boat put out again Blyth motor life-boat rescued three of at 7.20 A.M. She stood by while the the crew of the s.s. Skaru, of Sunderland. stranded seaplane was refloated at The Newbiggin motor life-boat was also Ballytrent and then escorted her to called out.—Rewards: Bronze medal, Wexford Harbour, returning to her framed letters of thanks, and additional station at 1.30 P.M.—Rewards: Ross- monetary awards to the Blyth crew; lare Harbour, Permanent paid crew, 1st Blyth, £38 10s.; Newbiggin £54 8s. launch, £2 6s. 6d; 2nd launch, £2 6s. 6d; (A full account of this service was given 3rd launch, £l 3s. Qd.; Kilmore, in the June issue of The Life-boat.) £33 3s. 9d. Rosslare Harbour, and Kilmore, Co. Wex- ford.—A message was received at Ross- Girvan, Ayrshire.-—-On the morning lare at 4.55 P.M. on the 3rd March, 1939, of 8th March, 1939, a strong W.N.W. that an Irish Air Force seaplane had wind was blowing, with a rough sea, come down in the sea off Carnsore Point. and the fresh water from the flooded A S.S.E. wind was blowing, with a river Girvan was making the harbour moderately rough sea. At 5.15 P.M. the bar extremely dangerous. Five fishing Rosslare Harbour motor life-boat boats from Girvan and two from Aroch, K.E.C.F. was launched. She found the Moray Firth, were fishing on the seaplane ashore at Ballytrent Strand, Ballantrae Banks, and about ten in the and signalled the officers on board who morning the harbour-master reported replied that they were no longer in that they were expected to return to danger. The life-boat returned to her Girvan. The life-boat Lily Glen— station at 6.48 P.M. Meanwhile the in- Glasgow, was launched at 10.20 and formation had also reached Kilmore, went outside the harbour. As each and at 6 P.M. the motor life-boat Ann boat approached she escorted her in. Isabella Pyemont put out. She damaged She returned to her station at 11.55 A.M. her rudder in launching and after calling —Rewards, £6 13s. at the Barrells Light-vessel and Tuskar without getting information, put into New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 11.38 Rosslare. Here she learned that her A.M. on the 8th March, 1939, the Mersey services were not needed, but as her Docks and Harbour Board reported rudder was damaged she waited for the that the Crosby Lightship was adrift. tide, and returned to her station again A heavy W.N.W. gale was blowing, with at 7.30 A.M. on the following morning. a very rough sea and rain squalls. The On the 5th March information was No. 1 motor life-boat William and Kate received at Rosslare Harbour from the Johnston left her moorings at 11.55 A.M. Coast Life-saving Service that the and reached the lightship at 1.10 P.M. Ministry of Defence wished the life-boat By that time she had anchored near the to be launched to stand by while Formby shore. The crew of five sig- attempts were made to refloat the sea- nalled for help, but it was only after plane. The motor life-boat K.E.C.F. several attempts that the life-boat got was launched at 5.15 P.M., but it was alongside and rescued the men. In found that the surf on the beach was doing so she was damaged. Alter re- too heavy for anything to be done at porting the rescue to the Dock's Board that time. The life-boat returned to vessel Vigilant, she landed the rescued her station at 7 P.M. During the night men at New Brighton at 3 P.M. The a request was received from an officer life-boat had then to be taken off ser- of the Irish Air Force that the life-boat vice for repairs. It was an arduous 140 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939. service, carried out in very rough the boat had been beached at Aln- weather, and the Institution granted an mouth. The life-boat returned to her increase of £1 in the usual money station at 10.45 A.M.—Rewards, £3. award on the standard scale of 19s. to each member of the crew.—Standard Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning rewards to crew, £5 14s.; additional of the 15th March, 1939, five Whitby rewards to crew, £8. Total rewards, fishing vessels put to sea at 5 A.M. A £15 14s. 4dL strong N.N.E. wind was blowing, with a heavy broken sea. The sea increased Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. — On the and at 10 A.M. the No. 1 motor life-boat llth March, 1939, the life-boat motor Mary Ann Hepworth was launched. mechanic saw a sailing yacht which She found the Venus outside the Rock appeared to be in difficulties about Buoy and escorted her back to harbour. three miles S.E. of the life-boathouse. Putting off again she escorted the A moderate N.N.W. gale was blowing, Gallilee, Success, Pilot Me and Provider with a moderate sea and rain squalls. separately into harbour. The life-boat The motor life-boat William Mac- returned to her station at 2.15 P.M.— pherson was launched at 4.45 P.M. She Rewards, £8 5s. 6d. found the sailing yacht Minnie II, of Pwllheli, with three R.A.F. officers on Eyemouth, Berwickshire. — On the board. The yacht's head sails had been morning of the 15th March, 1939, carried away in a squall and she was several fishing vessels were returning to unmanageable. The life-boat took her harbour. A heavy sea was running in in tow and brought her safely into the bay, and the motor life-boat Frank Pwllheli Harbour at 5.25 P.M. A letter and William Oates was launched at of thanks and a donation were received 9.45 A.M. in readiness to help if needed. from one of the rescued.—Rewards, She stood by at the pier until the £11 14s. 9d. vessels had discharged their catches and left again, and returned ashore at Douglas, Isle of Man.—During the 12.30 P.M.—Rewards, £10 16s. afternoon of the llth March, 1939, a strong N.W. gale sprang up, with a Ramsgate, Kent.—At 6.12 A.M. on heavy sea. Anxiety was felt for the the 15th March, 1939, a message was local fishing smacks Useful and Manmn, received from the coastguard that two which were at sea, and the motor life- barges were in need of help to the east boat Manchester and Salford was of the coastguard station. A moderate launched at 4 P.M. She found the N.E. gale was blowing, with a rough Useful at 4.30 P.M. making for harbour sea. The motor life-boat Prudential under her own power. From her the was launched at 6.26 A.M., and found coxswain got the position of the the barge Cabby, of Rochester, laden Mannin, went in search, found her at with portland stone and carrying a 5 P.M., and towed her into Douglas, crew of two. She had lost her anchor. arriving at 6 P.M.—Rewards, £1113s. 3d. The life-boat towed her into harbour. The other barge, the Colluna, of Amble, Northumberland.—The motor London, was towed in by the motor life-boat Frederick and Emma, which boat Salvor II. The life-boat returned was placed at Amble when that life- at 7.55 A.M.—Rewards, lls. 9d.; boat station was reopened at the be- Property Salvage Case. ginning of 1939, received her first ser- vice call at 8.30 A.M. on the 15th March. Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 7.50 A.M. 1939. She put out to the help of the on the 17th March, 1939, the life-boat fishing cobles Providence and Children's coxswain noticed that the local motor Friend, of Amble, which had been seen fishing boat Hyperion, which was to be in difficulties. A moderate making for harbour, did not dare northerly wind was blowing, with a attempt to get in. A strong N.E. gale heavy swell. The life-boat went first was blowing, with a very rough sea. to the Providence and escorted her into The motor life-boat Herbert Joy II was harbour. She then put out again to launched at 8 A.M., reached the the Children's Friend, but found that Hyperion about one and a half miles to OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 141 the N.E. and escorted her to harbour.— and a very strong N.W. wind was Rewards, £19 5s. Qd. blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat City of Edinburgh was launched Cromer, Norfolk.—A wireless message at noon, escorted to safety two small sent out by the motor vessel Fosna, of fishing boats of Wick, and returned to Bergen, that she wished to land a sick her station at 2 P.M.—Rewards, £6 13s. man at Cromer at 3 P.M., was passed to the life-boat station, through Mable- Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.34 P.M. thorpe and the coastguards, at 1.55 P.M. on the 20th March, 1939, the R.N. on the 20th March, 1939. The motor Shore Signal Station reported that life-boat Harriot Dixon was launched at rockets had been seen at Warden Point, 2.55 P.M. in a smooth sea with a coming from the Nore and Mouse Light- moderate W.N.W. wind. Commander vessels. The sea was rough, with a J. M. Upton, the district inspector, Mr. strong squally W.N.W. breeze. The E. P. Hansell, the honorary secretary, motor life-boat Greater London (Civil Dr. D. Vaughan, and an ambulance Service No. 3) was launched at 8.55 P.M., man went out. The life-boat reached and found the barge British Oak, of the Fosna at about 3.15 P.M., and found Rochester, with a crew of two and that the man was able to get aboard laden with sand, about a mile N.E. her without help. He was landed at of the Mouse Light-vessel. She was in 3.40 P.M., and taken to the hospital. a dangerous position with her mast The owners gave a donation of £14.— broken and all gear overboard. With Rewards, £13 17s. great difficulty the life-boat towed the North Sunderland, Northumberland.— barge into the fairway, and helped to During the morning of the 20th March, get her gear aboard. She then put 1939, a message was received from the back to her station to report and refuel Seahouses coastguard that seven fishing at about 5 A.M. ; returned to the British boats of Beadnell were outside the Oak, and towed her to a safe anchorage harbour, but unable to enter owing to at Sheerness. As she set out for the very heavy swell. A westerly wind Southend again, she saw signals from was blowing. At 10 A.M. the motor Sheerness Pier and found the yacht life-boat W.R.A. was launched. She Don Pat, of Sheerness, with two people stood by at the harbour entrance until on board, in danger of being broken up five of the boats had entered and then against the pier. She towed the Don went out and escorted in the other two Pat to safety and returned to her boats, each in turn. The life-boat re- station at 12.10 P.M. on the 21st March. turned to her station at 12.15 P.M.—- —-Barge British Oak: Property Salvage Rewards, £13. Case. Yacht Don Pat: Rewards, £9 17s. Douglas, Isle of Man.—On the after- Holy Island, Northumberland. — At noon of the 20th March, 1939, a whole 1.10 P.M. on the 22nd March, 1939, a gale sprang up from the N.W., bringing steamer was reported ashore on the with it a heavy sea. A watch was kept Plough Reef, one mile east of Holy for the local fishing smack Mannin, Island. The weather was fine but cold, which was at sea. As nothing had been with a W.N.W. breeze and a choppy seen of her by 3 P.M., the motor life-boat sea. The motor life-boat Milburn was Manchester and Salford was launched at launched at 1.20 P.M., and found the 3.30 P.M. She found the Mannin six s.s. Sphene, of Glasgow. She had a miles S.E. by S. from Douglas. As the crew of eleven men on board and was seas were very heavy, the life-boat bound for Dublin with a cargo of coal towed her to Douglas, arriving at from Blyth. The steamer was leaking 6.30 P.M.—Rewards, £11 13s. 3d. badly and the captain asked the cox- swain to stand by. This the life-boat Wick, Caithness-shire.— Shortly be- did until the vessel refloated at fore midday on the 20th March, 1939, 2.50 P.M., and the steamer managed to the life-boat coxswain reported that reach Holy Island Harbour under her several small fishing boats beating in own power with the life-boat escorting towards the bay were in danger. The her. The life-boat returned at 3.50 P.M. weather was squally, with hail showers, —Rewards, £8 14s. 6d. 142 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — On the daylight came the life-boat continued morning of the 24th March, 1939, a slowly along the land and at 4.50 A.M. heavy sea was rising, with a strong and found the steamer on Coal Rocks. She increasing south-easterly wind. Two took oft eighty-four passengers and small fishing boats were out and shortly landed them at Holyhead at 6.45 A.M. before noon it was reported that one At 7.15 A.M. she returned and brought of them was showing a distress signal. ashore six other passengers and a The motor life-boat Duke of Connaught quantity of luggage, reaching Holyhead was launched at 12.5 P.M., and escorted again at 10.55 A.M. The life-boat was both boats to harbour, returning to placed at moorings at 12.40 P.M. The her station at 1.15 P.M.—Rewards, Hilary refloated at the next high tide £6 17s. 6d. and made port. One of the passengers made a donation and sent a letter of Filey, Yorkshire.—At~7.30 A.M. on thanks—Rewards, £11 5s. the 25th March, 1939, the life-boat coxswain reported that three fishing Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. cobles were out north of the Brig. The —At 9.35 A.M. on the 12th April, 1939, weather was bad, with heavy snow and the coastguard reported that the St. showers, and it was decided to keep a Nicholas Light-vessel was firing guns look-out. Later the weather became and flying signals indicating that a worse and at 8.50 A.M. the pulling and vessel was in distress to the E.N.E. sailing life-boat Thomas Masterman A light S.S.W. breeze was blowing with Hardy was launched. A rough sea was a swell on the sands, and the weather then running, with a strong N.E. wind. was foggy. The motor life-boat John The life-boat escorted the boats to and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood was safety and returned to her station at launched at 9.50 A.M., and found the 12.15 P.M.—Rewards, £16 25. s.s. Zeester, of Kamlen, Holland, on the east side of Scroby Sands. She had Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At 6.15 A.M. been aground but had just refloated on the 28th March, 1939, a message was with the rising tide. As the Zeester received from the Anstruther coast- was in a dangerous position the life- guard that there was a heavy swell boat escorted her clear of the sands at the harbour entrance and that the and as far as the Cockle Light-vessel. fishing fleet was returning. A moderate She then returned to her station at E.N.E. gale was blowing. The motor 12.10 P.M.—Rewards, £7 3s. life-boat Nellie and Charlie was launched at 6.40 A.M. She stood by at the The following life-boats were harbour mouth while two steam drifters launched, but no services were rendered and five motor boats entered. The for the reasons given: life-boat then went to another boat, about a mile off shore, and escorted her Anstruther, Fifeshire. — 1st March, in, returning to her station at 8.15 A.M. 1939. A fishing boat had caught —Rewards, £12 13s. 3d. fire, but her crew were taken aboard another fishing boat.—Rewards, Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 1.22 in the £11 7s. 6d. morning of 9th April, 1939, the coast- guard reported that the 7,000-tons s.s. Walton and Frinton, Essex. — 6th Hilary, of Liverpool, was ashore at March, 1939. The crew of the fishing Carmel Head. She was homeward boat Marie Suzanne, of Ostend, had bound from Brazil to Liverpool with abandoned their sinking vessel in a general cargo and over 300 people small boat, but they were picked up on board. A slight south-westerly by the Dutch motor vessel Jutland and breeze was blowing and the sea was landed at Dover.—Rewards, £35 6s. 6d. smooth, but there was a dense fog. The motor life-boat A.E.D. was Lerwick, Shetland*.—6th March, 1939. launched at 1.45 A.M., and began her A trawler was in distress and her crew search, but the fog was so thick that had landed on the uninhabited island the coxswain could not see a boat's of Hascosay, but they were taken off by length. He decided to anchor. When another trawler.—Rewards, £13 6s. 6d. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 148

Baltimore, Co. Cork. — 8th March, The Humber, Yorkshire.—26th March, 1939. A trawler's engine had broken 1939. Rockets had been reported seven down, but she had put it right and miles N.E. of Mablethorpe on the went on her way without help.—Re- Lincolnshire coast, but nothing could wards, £21 Is. be found.—Permanent paid crew: Re- wards, 9s. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—10th March, 1939. A barge had sunk, but her crew Ferryside, Carmarthenshire. — 1st had already been saved when the life- April, 1939. A schooner had been boat arrived.—Rewards, £16 19*. reported in a dangerous position near the Pembery Sands, but no trace of Anstruther, Fifeshire.—10th March, any vessel in need of help could be 1939. A fishing boat had gone ashore, found—Rewards, £12 10s. 6d. but she refloated unaided.—Rewards, £17 105. Shoreham, Sussex.—2nd April, 1939. Ramsey, Isle of Man.—llth March, A boat burning flares had been reported 1939. A small rowing boat had been off Brighton, but nothing could be reported drifting out to sea, but she found.—Rewards, £7 15s. 6d, succeeded in reaching land without help.—Rewards, £30 16s. Qd. Salcombe, Devon.—5th April, 1939. A small sailing boat was out in rough Whitby, Yorkshire. — 16th March, weather, but did not need help.— 1939. A coble had made a signal for Rewards, £4 10s. 6d. help, but she was taken in tow by another coble.—Rewards, £3 6s. St. Helier, Jersey.—6th April, 1939. A French military seaplane had been Courtmacsherry 'Harbour, Co. Cork.— forced down in the sea, but she was 18th March, 1939. A motor boat had helped by a French fishing boat. been reported in distress off the Old Letters of thanks were received from the Head of Kinsale, but she made safety French Navy and the French Consul- while the life-boat was searching for General.—Rewards, £9 14s. her.—Rewards, £13 11s. 6d. Ramsgate, Kent.—9th April, 1939. Amble, Northumberland. — 20th A Dutch motor vessel had been re- March, 1939. Signals had been re- ported near the Goodwins, but she ported to the S.E. of Coquet Island, could not be found.—Rewards, £5 8s. but nothing could be found.—Rewards, £15. Donaghadee, Co. Down.—12th April, Whitehills, Banffshire, and Fraserburgh, 1939. A raft had got adrift with a boy Aberdeenshire.—20th March, 1939. A aboard, but before help came he was motor salmon-coble was reported over- drowned.—Rewards, £8 18s. 6d. due, but she was picked up and towed to safety by a motor boat.—Rewards: Whitehills, £9 7s. 9d; Fraserburgh, May Meeting. £7 6s. 6d. Peel, Isle of Man.—At 8.55 P.M. on Exmouth, Devon.—22nd March, 1939. the 18th April, 1939, a message was An aeroplane had come down in the received from the coastguard stating sea, but her crew were saved by a small that flares had been seen four miles off boat from the shore.—Rewards, £2615s. Orrisdale Head. A light southerly (See "Shoreboat Services," Sidmouth.) breeze was blowing with a calm sea. The motor life-boat Helen Sutton was The Humber, Yorkshire.—22nd March, launched at 9.25 P.M. and found the 1939. A steamer had collided with a motor fishing boat Cicely, of Castle- trawler seventeen miles N.N.E. of the town, with a crew of four. Her engine Humber. She was badly damaged and had broken down. The life-boat towed began to sink, but her crew were her into harbour and returned to her rescued by the trawler.—Permanent station at 1.15 A.M. the following paid crew: Rewards, 18s. morning.—-Rewards, £15 3.s_6d. 144 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

Sheringham, Norfolk.—On the morn- Leigh-on-Sea, with a crew of two on ing of the 22nd April, 1939, eight of the board. She was near the Swin Bell local fishing boats were at sea. A Buoy and in need of help. The cox- strong N.W. gale was blowing with a swain decided to take her to Harwich. rough sea. The boats were running While the skipper of the Sprite was for the shore, when at 10 A.M. the making the tow-rope fast he was motor life-boat Foresters Centenary was washed overboard by a heavy sea, but launched to stand by. All the boats managed to catch hold of a rope and got in unaided except the Reliance II. was hauled aboard again. Harwich She was about a mile and a half to the was reached at 6.15 P.M. and the life- north. The life-boat escorted her to boat left for home two hours later. On safety and returned to her station at her way home, at a signal from the 10.30 A.M.—Rewards, £17 11*. coastguard, she spoke a small yacht off Walton but no help was needed, and Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 7.30 A.M. on the life-boat got back to Clacton at the 22nd April, 1939, anxiety was being 10.15 P.M. The skipper of the Sprite sent felt for the safety of some of the fishing a letter of thanks and a donation to the cobles, as a very strong N.N.W. wind Institution.—Rewards, £15 ISs. Qd. was blowing, with a rough sea. As Bembridge, Isle of Wight..—Early in both life-boat coxswains, and a number the afternoon of the 22nd April, 1939, of the life-boat crews, were at sea a sailing yacht was seen making towards fishing, an ex-coxswain volunteered to Whitecliffe Bay with her sails damaged. take out the life-boat manned by some She was kept under observation by the of the elder fishermen. The motor coastguard and life-boatmen. A strong life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was N.W. gale was blowing, with a rough launched at 8 A.M. and escorted into sea. At 4.48 P.M. the coastguard the harbour in turn the cobles Ramlah, reported the yacht to be in distress Royal Empire, Sarah, Guide Me and eight miles south-west from Foreland Margaret. She returned to her station Look-out. The motor life-boat Lang- at 10 A.M.—Rewards, £4 16s. 6d. ham was sent to her help, leaving at 5 P.M. She found the yacht Marigold, Flamborough, Yorkshire. — On the with a party of three on board, oft morning of the 22nd April, 1939, a heavy Dunnose Point, and took her to a safe N.N.W. gale sprang up while the anchorage in St. Helens Bay. The fishing fleet was at sea. Several boats life-boat returned to her station at landed with difficulty and it was 8 P.M. The owner sent a letter of decided to send out the motor life-boat thanks and made a gift to the life-boat Elizabeth and Albina Whitley. She put crew.—Rewards, £8. off in a very rough sea at 9.55 A.M. with the second coxswain in charge. The Hoylake, Cheshire.—At 5.30 A.M. on coble Britannia was found about two the 22nd April, 1939, the coastguard miles to the northward and escorted reported that t'u s.s. Mayflower, of back to safety. The life-boat then Liverpool, loaded with stone, on pas- went to Flamborough Head to search sage from Penmaenmawr, North Wales, for the remaining cobles. They were to Liverpool, had gone aground on East not to be seen, so she ran round the Hoyle Bank at 2 A.M., but that she was head and found that they had arrived in no immediate danger. A moderate safely at the south landing. The life- N.W. gale was blowing, 'vith a very boat returned to her station at midday. rough sea. After further investigation —Rewards, £8 13s. it was decided to launch the motor life-boat Oldham, and at 11.30 A.M. she Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — On 22nd went to the Mayflower and stood by. April, 1939, the coastguard kept a yacht An attempt was made by the crew'to under observation for some hours. The refloat their vessel, but it was unsuccess- sea was very heavy, a N.W. gale was ful. The life-boat returned to her blowing, and it was decided to send station at 3.30 P.M. when the tide was out help. At 2.25 P.M. the motor life- ebbing, as at low tide the steamer boat Edward Z. Dresden put out and would be high and dry.—Rewards, /ound the yacht to be the Sprite, of £8 12*. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 145 Port Erin, Isle of Man.—During the launch near to the shore it was decided afternoon of the 25th April, 1989, a to wait and see whether she could get strong N.E. wind was blowing, with a in herself or whether some other boat rough sea. Three fishing boats were would go to her help. At 7.3 P.M. a out and at 5 P.M. the motor life-boat further message was received that Ethel Day Cardwell was launched to the launch was still in difficulties, their help. Two of the boats managed and the motor life-boat S.G.E. was to reach safety unaided. The third launched at 7.12 P.M. She found the was a considerable distance out in launch, with two men on board, off Port Erin Bay. The life-boat escorted Becton Cliffs, towed her in, and returned her into harbour, and returned to to her station at 9.10 P.M.—Rewards, moorings at 6 P.M.—Rewards, £5 6s. £7 16s. Sheringham, Norfolk.—At 8 A.M. On The following life-boats were the 27th April, 1939, a telephone launched, but no services were rendered message was received from the Fishery for the reasons given: Bailiff asking for help for a fishing boat which was at sea off Weybourne three Amble, Northumberland.—16th April, miles away. A strong, increasing N.E. 1939. A sailing yacht had been wind was blowing, with a rough sea. reported in distress, but she went on The motor life-boat Foresters Centenary her way without waiting for help.— was launched at 8.17 A.M., found the Rewards, £5. fishing boat Olive, of Sheringham, and escorted' her safely through the surf. Thurso, Caithness-shire.—17th April, She returned to her station at 9 A.M.— 1939. A fishing boat had not re- Rewards, £16 6*. turned, but was found making her way home without needing help.—Rewards, Cromarty.—At 3 P.M. on the 3rd May, £5 3*. 6d. 1939, a message was received from the Seaforth Highlanders Depot at Fort The Humber, Yorkshire.—20th April, George that the ferry boat Tim, 1939. An aeroplane was thought to running from Fort George to Chanory, have crashed into the sea, but it was with the depot band of twelve men on found that she came down on land.— board, had broken down when half-way Permanent paid crew: Rewards, 6s. across and was drifting towards the Riff Sands. A S.S.W. wind was Tynemouth, Northumberland. — 22nd blowing, with a moderate sea. The April, 1939. The Cullercoats motor motor life-boat James Macfee was life-boat had capsized on exercise, launched at 3.10 P.M., and found the but the Tynemouth life-boat was Tim three miles off her course. She unable to find any of her crew, six of was riding at anchor, but the anchor whom were lost.—Rewards, £9 3s. (A would not have held had the wind full account of this disaster was increased. The ferryman having gone published in The Life-boat for June.) ashore with one of the bandsmen in a dinghy for help, the life-boat landed Selsey, Sussex.—On the evening of the eleven remaining men at Chanory the 22nd April, 1939, the yacht Point. She then put out again and Brionie ran aground two miles W.S.W. towed the boat to anchorage, arriving of Selsey Bill, while on passage from back at her moorings at 6.35 P.M.— Lymington to Newhaven with a crew Rewards, £4 7s. 6d. of three. A N.W. breeze was blowing, with a moderately rough sea. The Yarmouth, Isle of Wight—At 6.16 yacht's distress was reported by the P.M. on the llth May, 1939, a message coastguard and the Selsey motor life- was received from the coastguard at boat Canadian Pacific was launched at Cliff End that a motor launch off 7.50 P.M. Seeing that she would have Barton-on-Sea had broken down, and to make a long detour owing to the that its occupants were waving clothing state of the tide, four men who had to attract attention. As the sea was answered the maroon but were not smooth, the weather fine, and the needed in the life-boat's crew, put off 146 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, X939, in a dinghy with an outboard motor. just as the motor life-boat Mary Ann They made for the Brionie and when Hepworth was about to put out, at about a quarter of a mile from the 10.40 came a message from Staithes wreck they picked up a dinghy with that the fishing vessel Gallilee had the yacht's crew on board. They broken down off Skinningrove and towed the dinghy to the life-boat that another fishing vessel was attempt- station. The life-boat reached the ing to tow her. The life-boat first yacht but found no one on board and escorted in the fishing cobles Royal returned ashore at 10.20 P.M.—Re- Empire and Silver Line. She then wards, Life-boat £11 15*., Shoreboat went in search of the Gallilee and found £2 10*. and 3s. for fuel used. her four miles north of Whitby. The attempt of the other vessel to tow her Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—22nd April, had failed as all her ropes had parted. 1939. A capsized yacht was found off The Gallilee had then managed to get Shoeburyness, but there was no one on her engine started again, but the board.—Rewards, £6 10s. fly-wheel was loose. The life-boat escorted her into Whitby and returned St. Peter Port, Guernsey. — 25th to her station at 12 noon.—Rewards, April, 1939. An aeroplane had been £5 9s. reported missing, but she had landed at Alderney.—Rewards, £4 13s. 6d. Hythe, Kent.—At about 8.15 P.M. on Walmer, Kent. — 26th April, 1939. the 23rd May, 1939, the motor life-boat Red flares had been reported, but a Viscountess Wakefield was off Beachy search revealed nothing.—Rewards, Head on passage from Cowes to her £19 7s. station after overhaul. There she saw the motor cruiser Mary, of Chichester, Beaumaris, Anglesey. — 30th April, with her engine broken down. There 1939. A trawler's engine had broken were two men on board. The sea was down, but another trawler took her in smooth and the weather fine. The tow.—Rewards, £5 6s. Mary was bound for the East Coast and the life-boat towed her to Folke- Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. — 30th stone, arriving at 3.20 A.M., on the 24th April, 1939. A child had drifted away May. She reached her station at from Girvan on a raft, but was drowned 4.30 A.M.—No rewards. Crew paid for before help could arrive.—Rewards, bringing boat from Cowes. £4 10s. 6d. Cloughey, Co. Down.—9th May, 1939. Walmer, Kent.—At 12.10 A.M. on the The Arantzazu Mendi, a steamer of 26th May, 1939, a message was received Bilbao, had stranded, but was in no from the South Goodwin Light-vessel immediate danger.—Rewards, £10 11s. through the Deal coastguard that a 6d. (For another service to this vessel was ashore on the sands to the steamer see pages 131 and 149.) N.E. by E. A N.N.E. breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea. The The Humber, Yorkshire.—9th May, motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil 1939. An aeroplane had crashed into Service No. 3) was launched at 12.44 A.M. the sea off the Lincolnshire coast, but She found the trawler Louci Gougy, of only wreckage was found. Two shore- Dieppe, aground and stood by until boats also took part in the search. 2.10 A.M., when the trawler refloated (See "Shoreboat Services," Mable- with the rising tide. After escorting thorpe.)—Permanent paid crew: Re- her clear of the sands the life-boat wards, 6s. returned to her station at 3 A.M.— Rewards, £19 7s. June Meeting. Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 5.15 Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morn- A.M. on the 28th May, 1939, a message ing of 16th May, 1939, a strong N.E. was received from Gunfleet Lighthouse wind was blowing with a very rough sea. through the coastguard that a vessel About 10.15 it was learnt that two small had gone aground on the Gunfleet fishing boats were returning. Then Sands. A moderate N.N.W. breeze was OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 147 blowing, with a slight sea. The vessel Ninety-nine lives were lost in this the was kept under observation and at biggest submarine disaster of all time.—• 6.25 A.M. red flares were seen. The Rewards, £24 11s. Qd. reserve motor life-boat Mary and John Meiklam of Gladsrvood, on temporary Dover, Kent.—On the morning of duty at the station, was launched at the 3rd June six children belonging to 6.55 A.M. She found the yacht Our the Dover garrison were cut off by the Laddie, of London, with thirteen people tide under Shakespeare Cliff. A on board, four of them women. The moderate N.E. gale was blowing, with yacht was on a pleasure cruise from a rough sea. The motor boarding boat Southend-on-Sea. The life-boat took William Myatt, attached to the Dover all the passengers on board, except two life-boat, put out about midday with a men who stayed with the crew. Two crew of six and a dinghy in tow. Mean- life-boatmen boarded the yacht and while a police sergeant had been lowered the life-boat towed her clear of the down the cliffs to the children. The sands and anchored abreast of Walton dinghy was sent in but the first attempt Pier. There she landed nine of the failed as there was great danger of the passengers, who were exhausted. She dinghy being smashed. The dinghy then towed the yacht to Harwich went in again, with an anchor and cables Harbour and returned to Walton at from the motor boat, and this time 2.20 P.M.—Rewards, £7 11s Qd. she was able to get near enough for the police sergeant to pass the children Lowestoft, Suffolk.—On Whit Monday, to her and then to board her himself. the 29th May, 1939, the life-boat Sergeant and children were got safely coxswain was told by the coastguard from the dinghy to the boarding boat at about 8 P.M. that a motor vessel was and she brought them ashore.—Partly in difficulties about a mile to the S.S.E. permanent crew: Rewards, £2 2s. Qd. The weather was fine, but the sea was rather rough with a fresh N.E. wind. The motor life-boat Agnes Cross put The following life-boats were out at 8.10 P.M. and found the motor launched, but no services were rendered vessel Joy, of Lowestoft, out on a plea- for the reasons given: • sure cruise, with a crew of three and fourteen passengers. Her engines had Wicklow—13th May, 1939. A yacht become overheated and failed, and had run on the rocks, but all attempts there was a danger of fire. She was to refloat her failed.—Rewards, drifting across the Newcombe Sands £5 5s. 6d. where the seas were rough. The life- boat took her in tow and brought her Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — 21st safely into harbour at about 9 P.M.— May, 1939. A rocket and lights had Rewards, £25 2*. 60!. been reported, but nothing could be found.—Rewards, £10 5s. Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—On the 1st June H.M. Submarine Thetis dived, Dover, Kent.—23rd May, 1939. A while on trials in Liverpool Bay about vessel had been reported on fire, but it fifteen miles from Llandudno, and did was found that it was only her funnels not come to the surface. On the sending out dense smoke.—Partly per- following morning four survivors manent paid crew: Rewards, £2 17s. escaped by means of the Davis appara- tus and a request was received from the Hoylake, Cheshire.—27th May, 1939. Hoylake coastguard for a doctor. The Distress signals at sea had been reported weather was fine, with a northerly wind but were found to be fireworks on land. and a moderate sea. At 1 P.M. the —Rewards, £20 lls. Qd. motor life-boat Thomas and Annie Wade Richards put out with Dr. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—29th May, 1939. Maddock Jones on board. She took A yacht had gone ashore in a dangerous him to the destroyer Somali and position but she was refloated without remained alongside for some hours, the life-boat's help. — Rewards, returning to her station at 10.30 P.M. £29 15*. Qd. 148 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

Peel, Isle of Man.—29th May, 1939. Southend-on-Sea.—4th June, 1939. A competitor in the Manx Air Races had A yacht was in distress off Foul- crashed into the sea, but he was picked ness Island, but she was taken in up by a fishing boat.—Rewards, £7 13s. tow by another vessel.—Rewards, £13 6s. Walton and Frinton, Essex. — 30th May, 1939. A yacht had gone ashore July Meeting. on the Buxey Sands, but she got off without help.—Rewards, £14 5s. Margate, Kent.—At about noon on the 10th June, 1939, a yacht was seen Shoreham Harbour, and Worthing, Sussex. by a life-boatman ashore on the —On the afternoon of the 30th May, 1939, Margate Sands. A light S.E. breeze a sailing boat, with a crew of two, father was blowing, the sea was smooth. The and son, capsized about two miles off motor life-boat Lord Southborough (Civil Goring. A moderate N.E. breeze was Service No. 1) was launched at 12.20 blowing, with a moderate sea. P.M. with the honorary secretary, Mr. At the request of the Worthing P. E. W. Gellatly on board. She found Beach Inspector a motor fishing boat the auxiliary yacht Morn, of the put out, rescued the two men and Royal Air Force Yacht' Club, near the landed them. The Shoreham motor North Spit Buoy, with three people on life-boat Rosa Wood and Phyllis Lunn, board. The life-boat towed her clear had also been summoned and put out of the sands into deep water, and at 3.5 P.M. A speed-boat put out from returned to her station at 2 P.M.— Shoreham to tell her that the men had Property Salvage Case. been rescued. Fleet wood, Lancashire.—At 1.30 P.M. Another motor boat, from Ferring, on the llth June, 1939, the lighthouse- had also put out with two men on keeper reported that a small motor boat board. She picked up the derelict was aground on the east side of the boat and took her in tow, receiving Wyre Channel. A strong N.W. breeze help from the life-boat which returned was blowing with a rough sea. Two to her station at 6.5 P.M.—Rewards, other motor boats could be seen attempt- Life-boat, £5 2s. 6d.; Shoreboats, a ing to reach her, but were unable to Letter of Thanks and £1 5s., together do so. The motor life-boat Ann Letitia with 5s. for fuel. Russell was launched at 2.15 P.M. She found the motor boat Roma, of Fleet- The Humber, Yorkshire.—31st May, wood, a converted ship's life-boat, 1939. A motor fishing boat of Bridling- with three people in her, wet and ton had broken down, but was towed exhausted. She took them on board, into Bridlington by a Whitby fishing put a life-boatman in the Roma and boat.—Permanent paid crew: Rewards, towed her to harbour. The life-boat 6s. returned to her station at 3.15 P.M. A letter and a donation were received in Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—1st June, gratitude for this service.—Rewards, 1939. A sailing boat had capsized off £5 5s. 6d. Worthing, but the man on board was rescued by another boat.—Rewards, New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 9.10 P.M. £5 2s. 6d. on the llth June, 1939, a message was received from the police that a motor Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — 1st June, boat was in difficulties off Seacombe 1939. Two girls had been cut off by Stage and needed immediate help. A the tide at Llanelly, but they reached moderate northerly breeze was blowing safety without the life-boat's help.— with a choppy sea. The No. 2 motor Rewards, £2 5s. life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson was launched at 9.26 P.M. and found Selsey, Sussex.—2nd June, 1939. An the motor boat Sally, of Birkenhead, aeroplane had come down in the sea, out fishing, with three men on board. but another boat reached her first and Her rudder and stern post had been picked up two of the crew.—Rewards, broken; she was leaking badly; her £15 13s. 6d. crew were unable to cope with the OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 149 flow of water. The life-boat took the the shore and Lady Isle. A N.W. men on board and towed the Sally to wind was blowing, with a very rough New Brighton, returning to her station sea. The motor life-boat Sir David at 10.30 P.M.—Rewards, £10 5*. Richmond of Glasgow was launched at 11.20 P.M. She found the motor Walton and Frinton, Essex.- At 10.25 pleasure boat Elim, of Troon, with six P.M., on the 14th June, 1939, a message people on board, bound from Lady Isle was received from the Felixstowe to Troon. Her engine had broken eoastguard, through the Walton-on- down. The life-boat towed the Elim Naze coastguard, that a vessel was in into Troon harbour and arrived back at distress one mile east of the Cork Light- her station at 12.35 A.M. the next vessel. A S.W. gale was blowing, with morning.—Rewards, £6 12s. a rough sea. The reserve motor life- boat John and Mary Meiklam of Newhaven, Sussex.—During the morn- Gladswood, on temporary duty at the ing of the 18th June, 1939, four men station, was launched at 10.50 P.M. were cut off by the tide under the Seven She found the motor vessel Kentish Sisters Cliffs, near Seaford. One of Hoy, of Chatham, with a crew of three, them swam to Cuckmere. There the laden with 150 tons of sugar, on passage police informed the Newhaven coast- from Great Yarmouth to Chatham. guard who passed the news to the life- Her engine had broken down. She boat station. A fresh S.W. breeze was was being swept by heavy seas. The blowing, with a moderate sea. The life-boat waited for the seas to ease. motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott She then towed the Kentish Hoy to was launched at 12.13 P.M. and with a Harwich Harbour arriving at 6.30 A.M. small boat in tow she went to Cuckmere the next morning. The life-boat Haven. The men were got into the returned to her station at 9.30 A.M.— small boat and then taken on board Property Salvage Case. the life-boat, which landed them safely at Newhaven. The life-boat returned Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 9.39 P.M. to her station at 2.15 P.M.—Rewards, on the 14th June, 1939, a message was £6 8s. received from the coastguard that the motor yacht Mayflower, of Great Cramer, Norfolk.—During the morn- Yarmouth, was ashore at Jaywick. As ing of the 18th June, 1939, a small boat the yacht was not then in a dangerous with five boys on board was seen two position the life-boat was not launched. miles N.N.E. from the life-boat station. The following morning, at 9.36 A.M., A moderate S.S.W. breeze was blowing, a message was received that the with a choppy sea. The boat was kept Mayflower was flying a distress signal. under observation and at 1.25 P.M. the A moderate S.W. breeze was blowing, coastguard reported that the boys with a rough sea. The motor life-boat appeared to be exhausted. The No. 1 Edward Z. Dresden was launched at motor life-boat H. F. Bailey was 9.50 A.M. and found the Mayflower with launched at 1.30 P.M. She took the five a crew of two aboard. The life-boat boys on board and with the boat in towed the yacht to Brightlingsea, tow arrived back at her station at returning to her station at 3.30 P.M.— 2.15 P.M. —Rewards, £8 14s. Property Salvage Case. Soulhend-on-Sea, Essex.—At about Cloughey, Co. Down.—On the 17th 2.35 P.M. on the 21st June, 1939, a June, 1939, a salvage party, eleven in message was received from the Shoe- number, was rescued from the Spanish buryness Garrison that a small yacht steamer Aranlzaza-Mendi which had appeared to be in difficulties off gone ashore on the 9th May.—Rewards, Shoebury. Then a second message silver and bronze medals and monetary came that the yacht had capsized. A awards amounting to £27 17s. 6d. strong N.E. wind was blowing, with a (For a full account see page 131.) rough sea. The reserve motor 2ife-boat The Brothers, on temporary duty at the Troon, Ayrshire.—At 10.50 P.M. on station, was launched at 2.55 P.M. She the 18th June, 1939, the coxswain's son found the yacht to be the Redshank, of saw a flare in the South Bay, between Shoeburyness. There was no sign of 150 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

her crew. The life-boat righted the Hour, of New Quay, with a crew of two, yacht and towed her ashore, returning was seen drifting to the east of the to her station at 4.45 P.M. It was harbour. A strong S.W. breeze was learnt later that the Redshank's crew blowing, with a choppy sea. The of two had been picked up by a boat pulling and sailing life-boat William from Shoebury.—Rewards, £6 10s. Cantrell Ashley was launched at 4.15 P.M. She took the two men on board and Montrose, Angus.—At 9.40 A.M. on tried to tow the Idle Hour, but the the 22nd June, 1939, a strong N.E. boat was soon swamped, so she was wind was blowing, the sea was rough lifted into the life-boat. The life-boat and the tide ebbing. It was evident returned to her station at 5.40 P.M.— that two motor fishing boats, Rosa, and Rewards, £11 9s. 6d. Widgeon, which were out would have great difficulty in crossing the bar and Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7 P.M. on the No. 1 motor life-boat, John Russell, the 28th June, 1939J a message was put out at 9.50 A.M. She escorted the received from the coastguard that a two boats into harbour and returned motor yacht two miles to the S.W. to her station at 11 A.M.—Rewards, was drifting, and was flying distress £4 16« 6d. • signals. A fresh S.W. breeze was blow- ing, with a rough sea. The motor life- Redcar, Yorkshire.—At 10.55 P.M. on boat Edward Z. Dresden was launched the 22nd June, 1939, a message was at 7.10 P.M. and found the yacht to be received from the Staithes coastguard the Alanfred, of Benfleet, with four on that a three-masted vessel had fired board. She had run out of fuel and was distress rockets 3| miles to the N.N.W. leaking badly. The life-boat took off A strong N.N.E. breeze was blowing, the four people, towed the yacht to with a heavy sea. The motor life-boat Brightlingsea, and arrived back at her Louisa Polden was launched at 11.30 station at midnight. Gifts were sent P.M. She found the vessel to be the s.s. to the Institution and to the crew in Ernrix, of Hull, loaded with wheat, on gratitude for this service.—Rewards, passage from Hull to Thornaby-on- £11 6*. Tees. She had sprung a leak, and was sinking when the life-boat arrived and Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 7.20 rescued her crew of ten. The life-boat P.M. on the 5th July, 1939, the coast- returned to her station at 3 A.M. Later guard reported two men were in danger the tug Kings Cross attempted to tow on a pile-driver at Milford-on-Sea. A the Ernrix in, but she sank.—Rewards, moderate squally S.S.\V. gale was £12 19*. blowing, with a rough breaking sea. The motor life-boat S.G.E. was launched Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—At 2.30 P.M. at 7.32 A.M. and went to the pile-driver, on the 25th June, 1939, a message was which was then two hundred yards received from the coastguard that the from the shore. The life-boat motor coble Ben My Chree, with two anchored to windward, veered down men on board, was then two and a half and with some difficulty rescued the two miles N.E. of Heugh. With a northerly men. They were given stimulants and breeze blowing and a very heavy sea taken to Yarmouth.—Rewards, £7 16*. anxiety was felt for her safety. A pilot cutter had gone to her help, and at Walmer, Kent.—At 12.50 P.M. on the 3.46 P.M. the two boats were seen to be 6th July, 1939, a message was received returning. As a very heavy sea was from the Deal coastguard that a sailing breaking at the breakwater and bar the boat with five people on board was motor life-boat Elizabeth Newton was flying an oilskin in her rigging near launched at 3.50 P.M. and escorted the Deal Bank Buoy. A strong S.W. wind Ben My Chree to safety. She returned was blowing, with a rough sea. The to her station at 4.30 P.M.—Rewards, motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil £4 165. 6d. Set-vice No. 2) was launched at 1.5 P.M. New Quay, Cardiganshire.—At 4 P.M. She found the sailing boat shipping on the 28th June, 1939, the crew and heavy water, and escorted her to helpers had assembled for an exercise Ramsgate. She returned to her station launch when the small sailing boat Idle at 3.40 P.M.—Rewards, £9 135. 6d. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 151

Caister, Norfolk.—At 7 P.M. on the Walton and Frinton, Essex.—21st June, 10th July, 1939, a yacht was seen to 1939. The Kentish Knock Lightvessel strike the Caister Shoal, near the south had reported that a yacht had carried end of Caister Beach, knock off, and away her mast, but the yacht cleared drift ashore. A slight northerly breeze herself and went on her way.—Rewards, was blowing, with a heavy ground £14 15s. 6d. swell. The pulling and sailing life-boat Shoreha m Harbour, Sussex.—27th June, Charles Burton was launched at 7.25 P.M. 1939. An aeroplane had crashed into She found the yacht Sarah Ann, of the sea, but a fishing boat rescued the Maldon, shipping water, with nobody pilot. The life-boat towed in the on board. Her crew of two had swum aeroplane.—Rewards, £5 2s. 6d. ashore. The life-boat ran out the (For a full account see "Shoreboat Sarah Ann's anchor and left her in Services," Shoreham.) charge of the Great Yarmouth coast- Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—1st July, guard, returning to her station at 1939. A sailing canoe was thought to 9 P.M.—Rewards, £29 5s. have been blown out to sea, but later it was learned that she had returned.— The following life-boats were Rewards, £5 2s. Qd. launched, but no services were rendered for the reasons given: Margate, Kent.—1st July, 1939. Rockets had been reported between Donaghadee, Co. Down.—4th June, Warden Point and the Reculvers, but 1939. An aeroplane had been reported nothing could be found. Mr. P. E. W. to have fallen into the sea, but later Gellatly, the honorary secretary, went news was received that she was safe.— out in the boat.—Rewards, £12 8s. Rewards, £4 10s. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.-—2nd July, Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—6th June, 1939. A rowing boat had got into 1939. Smoke which appeared to come difficulties and a motor boat which went from a burning boat had been reported to her aid broke down, but both boats but nothing could be found. The got in unaided.—Rewards, £10 10s. 6d. honorary secretary, Captain C. T. Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire.—2nd Julv, Keigwin, R.N.R., also put out in a 1939. The Danish schooner Sif, of speed-boat and took part in the search. Marstal, appeared to be in difficulties, —Rewards, £5 2s. 6d. but she was only waiting for a pilot.— Torbay, Devon.—12th June, 1939. Rewards, £5 15s. Qd. A small boat had capsized, but a motor Torbay, Devon.—3rd July, 1939. A boat rescued the crew. A donation small motor yacht had caught fire, but and a letter of thanks were received in another yacht rescued the only person gratitude for the launching of the on board. A donation was received in life-boat.—Rewards, £2 16s. gratitude for the launching of the life- Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—14th June, boat.—Rewards, S.2 Ws. 1939, An aeroplane had been reported Hastings, Sussex.—6th July, 1939. A down in the sea off Barton-on-Sea, but boat had been reported off Bexhill, nothing was found, nor was any aero- partly submerged, but she could not be plane reported missing.—Rewards, found.—Rewards, £31 16s. Qd. £3 18s. Margate, Kent.—17th June, 1939. A Penlee, Cornwall.—6th July, 1939. rowing boat was overdue and believed Flares had been reported and the French motor ketch Ster Vras was to be in difficulties, but later a report was received that the boat had been found, but she did not need help.— found and was safe. Mr. P. E. W. Rewards, £14 15s. Gellatly, the honorary secretary, went out in the life-boat.—Rewards, £9 8s. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—9th July, 1939. An aeroplane had come down in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—18th June, the sea off Milford-on-Sea but no trace 1939. A motor boat had been reported, of her could be found. She is believed showing distress signals, but nothing to have sunk with her pilot.—Rewards, was found.—Rewards, £7 16s. £3 18s. 152 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

Shoreboat Services. For which Rewards were given at the April, May, June and July Meetings of the Committee of Management.

April Meeting. ing with gusts at thirty miles an hour Burra Isle, Shetlands. — While out and sleet showers. The sea was choppy. haddock fishing in a small open boat The Exmouth life-boat, Catherine Harriet from Skeld three men were thrown into Eaton, was launched at 9.25 P.M., but in the sea when their boat was capsized the meantime four men had put out from by a squall. The accident happened at Sidmouth in a 14-feet rowing boat. about 7.30 A.M. on the 16th March, They found the crew of the aeroplane, 1939, when the boat was five miles four in number, on the fuselage, and from Scalloway. A strong northerly rescued them. They could not row wind was blowing and the sea was back to Sidmouth owing to the strong rough. The capsize was seen from the wind and made instead for Salcombe 16-ton motor fishing boat Budding Regis. The life-boat learning at Beer Rose, which at once made for the spot. Head that the men had been rescued With slight risk to themselves her crew returned to her station, arriving at of four rescued the endangered men 2.15 A.M.—Rewards: Shoreboat, a who were clinging to their upturned Framed Letter of Thanks to each of boat and landed them near to their the four rescuers, Messrs. W. J. Smith, homes. The rescuers then made for N. Rickwood, J. Dagworthy, T. Parrot; Scalloway, picking up the small boat Lifeboat, £26 15s. on the way.—Rewards, £2 10s., and 8s. 6d. for fuel used. Firth of Forth.—At about 6.30 P.M. on the 16th April, 1939, two men of May Meeting. the R.A.F. left Inverkeithing for Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At about Aberdour in a motor boat. The tide 8 P.M. on the 19th April, 1939, a small was ebbing and the sea was rough, yawl with a party of five boys on board with a fresh westerly gale blowing. got into difficulties and could not make The boat's engine failed and she was Fraserburgh Harbour. The sea was dashed against the Firth of Forth choppy with a squally increasing S.S.W. Boom and sank, leaving the two men breeze. The honorary secretary of clinging to the boom. Information the life-boat station did not consider of the accident was passed from Aber- it necessary to launch the life-boat, and dour, through the police, to the pilot sent out the motor boat Lily manned station at North Queensferry. Pilot by four men, including the permanent C. Donald and a boatman put out in motor mechanic of the life-boat. She the motor boat Lion and rescued the picked up the yawl about half a mile two men from the Boom.—Rewards, east of Cairnbulg Beacon and brought Letters of Thanks to Pilot C. Donald her in.—Rewards, £1 10s., also 2s. for and to Motorman A. Muir. fuel used. Bacton, near Cromer, Norfolk.—On the Selsey, Sussex.—On the 22nd April, 17th April, 1939, a canoe capsized off 1939, four men put out in a motor boat Bacton. The weather was fine, with a and landed the crew of three of a yacht. strong N.W. by W. wind and a slight —Rewards, £2 10s., and 3s. for fuel sea. The coastguard informed the used. Cromer life-boat, but before she could (For a full account see Selsey, "Ser- be launched news was received that vices of the Life-boats," page 145.) the boy who had been alone in the canoe had swum ashore. The coast- June Meeting. guard had also signalled by whistle to Sidmouth, Devonshire. — At about a motor fishing boat, with two men 8.40 P.M. on the 22nd March, 1939, an on board, off Mundesley, to go to the aeroplane came down in the sea off rescue; their help, too, was not needed. Sidmouth, A westerly wind was blow- —Rewards to the two men, 15s. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 153

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.—At about away and at once went to her. After 11.15 A.M. on the 9th May, 1939, a taking off her crew of two, they got R.A.F. machine crashed into the sea the burning boat in tow, but she sank five miles to the east of Theddlethorpe after they had towed her for about Bombing Range. The weather was four miles.—Rewards, £1 5s. fine and sea smooth. The Humber motor life-boat was sent for, and two Penlee, Cornwall.—At 1.45 A.M. on motor boats also put out at the coast- the 25th May, 1939, the police reported guard's request. Oil and wreckage distress flares between Penlee and were found but a prolonged search failed Newlyn. A fresh N.N.E. wind was to find the sunken plane. Her crew blowing and the sea was choppy. Two of two were drowned.—Rewards: To men put out in a motor boat and found the crew of one boat £l to each of the the motor pleasure boat Jubilee, of two men and 15s. for petrol used; to Penzance, with a party of two men the crew of the other a letter of thanks and three women on board, only to each of the two men. Total rewards, twenty yards from the rocks with her £2 15s. engine broken down. After a little manoeuvring they took the Jubilee Littlehampton, Sussex. — At about in tow and brought her safely into seven in the evening of the llth May, Penzance Harbour.—Rewards, £1 10s., 1939, a canoe, with a boy of 16 and a in addition to a local gift of 9s. girl of 17 on board, capsized about half a mile off Rustington. A light Margate, Kent.—At 1.15 P.M. on the N.E. breeze was blowing and the sea 27th May, 1939, the coastguard reported was calm. Three men put out in a that a boat had turned over about one motor boat from Littlehampton. They mile to the N.N.E. of the watchhouse, found the boy and girl holding on to and that there appeared to be someone the canoe and rescued them. The, clinging to it. The weather was fine boy was unconscious when landed, and and the sea calm, with a slight S.W. died. The girl was revived.—Rewards, breeze. On the life-boat coxswain's £1 10,?., also 10*. for boat used and 5s. instructions the motor boat Fearless for fuel. put out, manned by six men. They found that the boat was, in fact, a piece of wreckage with something Porthcawl, Glamorganshire.—-On the flapping about on the top.—Rewards, morning of the 18th May, 1939, the £1 10s. and 3s. Qd. for fuel used. motor boat Albatross, which had been engaged on night work connected with Teignmouth, Devon.—At 11 A.M. on a new drainage scheme, was seen to the 29th May, 1939, signals for help hoist a distress signal—a pair of were made from a small rowing boat trousers waved on an oar. The wind about 500 yards E.N.E. of Teignmouth was light, and the sea slight. At the Pier. A fresh wind had sprung up coastguard's request two men put out from the S.E. quickly making a short, at 9.10 A.M. in the motor boat Joyce. steep sea. A fisherman put off in his They found the Albatross about a 30-feet motor boat and found on board mile to the W.S.W., with her engine the boat an old man who was a cripple, broken down and her anchor dragging. very exhausted by hard rowing, and two She had three men on board. They small boys. They had been lobster towed her in.—Rewards, 155. and 5*. fishing. Their boat was in danger of for fuel used. being carried into broken water and swamped. The fisherman took her in Padstow, Cornwall.—At 10 A.M. on tow and brought her safely into Teign- the 23rd May, 1939, two men put out in mouth Harbour.—Rewards, 10s., with a 26-feet motor fishing boat to go 3s. for fuel used. fishing in Port Isaac Bay. The weather was fine, with a smooth sea and a light Worthing, Sussex.—On the 30th May westerly wind. When off Kelland a sailing boat capsized off Goring. Head they saw the fishing boat Sweet Several boats went to her aid and the Briar of Padstow, on fire two miles crew of two were rescued.—Rewards: 134, THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

A letter of thanks; £1 5*., with 5s. for Skinningrove, Yorkshire.—Between six fuel used. and seven in the evening of the 9th (For a full account see "Services of June, 1939, a youth who was bathing the Life-boats," Shoreham Harbour, off the west side of the jetty was caught and Worthing, page 148.) by currents and carried out to sea. Herbert Hart, a local boatman, put off July Meeting. in a rowing boat, breaking an oar and losing a rowlock in his hurry, rescued Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At about the now unconscious youth and brought 11.30 P.M. on the 27th May, 1939, it him ashore. Artificial respiration was was reported that the motor boat applied by the police, but he did not Peggy Lynn, of Peterhead, was lying revive.—Rewards, 5s. and 12*. 6d. for one mile east of Cairnbulg, apparently the broken oar and lost rowlock. in need of help. The life-boat's motor mechanic and a fisherman went out to New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 2.30 P.M. her help in the motor boat Jem. They on Sunday the llth June, 1939, the found that the Peggy Lynn had coastguard informed the life-boat anchored, owing to the strong flood station that a small boat had been tide and lack of fuel, and towed her to reported to him in difficulties oft No. Fraserburgh.—Rewards, 15s., also 3s. R.6 buoy. The weather was fine with for fuel used. a choppy sea, fresh W.N.W. breeze, and rising tide. Nothing could be seen Hastings, Sussex.—At about 4 P.M. of the small boat although there were on the 2nd June, 1939, the police told yachts off the Burbo Bank, but the the coastguard that an oar was being life-boat's motor boarding boat put out, waved from the small boat Anne manned by Mr. W. W. Harris, the which was about two miles out. A honorary secretary, the coxswain and moderate N.E. breeze was blowing, the motor mechanic. Nothing was with a choppy sea, and the tide was found, or learned from the yachts, ebbing. Two men put out in the and the boarding boat returned after motor pleasure boat Brittanica. They over an hour's search.—Rewards, found that the small boat had a pleasure Letter of Thanks to Mr. W. W. Harris, party of three on board and that the and 7*. 6d. to the coxswain. engine had broken down. They towed her to safety.—Rewards, 15*., also Is. 6d. for fuel used. Margate, Kent.—At about 12.15 P.M. on the 15th June, 1939, with a fresh Worthing, Sussex.—On the 3rd June, breeze blowing and a choppy sea, the 1939, a small sailing dinghy capsized crew of the motor pilot boat Na.yla.nds, about one and a half miles out. A while at sea, saw the motor fishing boat northerly off-shore wind was blowing O.K. of Margate, with a crew of two, with a moderately rough sea. Mr. showing distress signals. She was George Bashford, a boatman, put off in about half a mile S.W. of the S.E. a rowing boat and rescued the man Margate Buoy; her trawl had fouled from the dinghy.—Reward, letter of her propeller; she was being blown thanks from the institution in addition away to sea. The Naylands towed to £5 from the rescued man. her in.—Rewards £2 5*., also 5*. for fuel used. North Sunderland, Northumberland.—• At 9.45 A.M. on the 8th June, 1939, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.—During the three men, who were at sea in a 35-feet afternoon of the 15th June, 1939, a motor fishing boat, went to the help woman lying on an inflated bed floated of the motor fishing boat Blessing, of out to sea. A strong S.W. wind was Seahouses, which had been disabled blowing, with a rough sea. Two men by a rope fouling her propeller, between put out in a motor boat and rescued the Knavestone and the Longstone, and her when she was a mile out. Rewards, to-wed her in. The sea ^'as rou£>;ll, £1 ; also 4eS- for fuel used and £2 towards •with & southerly wind blowing. the cost of engine roj>airs and loss oi" Rewards, £2 5s., also 4s. for fuel used. business. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 155

A NEW TYPE OF MOTOR LIFE-BOAT.

ON BOARD THE LOUISE STEPHENS. The first of the 46-feet Gorleston type, stationed at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston. The picture shows the wheel and the engine control board. The engine-room hatch is open.

TO MECHANIC!

By courtesy of] [Tfe Motor Boat DETAILS OF THE CONTROL BOARD. The motor mechanic is standing at the top of the ladder leading down to the engine-room. 156 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBEE, 1939. Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. — Just towards the rocks and were in danger. before midnight on the 17th June, 1939, Four men—three of them life-boatmen the police reported that cries for help —put out at 9 P.M. in a 28-feet motor had been heard in Llandudno Bay. boat, rescued the men and put them The sea was smooth, with a westerly aboard their own ship.—Rewards, £3, wind, and the weather was fine. The also 5s. for fuel used. coxswain went at once to the beach and found that two life-boatmen had Shoreham, Sussex.—At 11.13 A.M. on put out in a rowing boat. They found the 27th June, 1939, the aeroplane, that the cries came from two men in a G-ABBW, came down in the sea about small boat. They had no knowledge one and a half miles S.W. of Shoreham of boats and had put off, without beach. A light westerly breeze was permission, in a boat that was unsea- blowing, with a slight sea. Two of worthy. She was being swamped and the regular life-boat crew, who were they were in danger of drowning. The about to go fishing, saw the accident, life-boatmen brought them ashore.—• and immediately launched their small Rewards, £1, also 10*. for damage rowing boat. They found the pilot to clothing and 2s. 6d. to the cox- badly injured and unconscious. They swain. landed him and an ambulance took him to hospital, where he died. Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At about The Shoreham Harbour life-boat 5.30 P.M. on the 18th June, 1939, a was launched and arrived just as the small yacht with one man on board was pilot was being picked up. The life- seen to be in danger of being blown out boat towed the aeroplane to the shore.— to sea. The man was trying with oars Rewards, £1 5*. to keep inshore. A strong N.W. wind was blowing, with a heavy sea. A Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At about 4 fisherman put out in his motor boat P.M. on the afternoon of Sunday, the and towed the yacht to harbour.— 9th July, 1939, a canoe with two youths Rewards, 10s. on board capsized when about three hundred yards off Cellardyke Harbour. Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—On the A light northerly wind was blowing, 27th June, 1939, five of the crew of the with a smooth sea. The motor yawl steamer Ben Vooar came ashore for Day Dawn, manned by six men, put provisions. A southerly gale sprang off and rescued them.—Rewards, £110s., up with a rough sea, and when they with Is. for fuel used and 5s. for attempted to return they were blown damaged clothes.

The Fishwives of Cullercoats. THE fishwives of Cullercoats this year Mrs. Tom Lisle, who was awarded collected £148 9s. 8d. on their life-boat the gold badge this year, was second, day in July, although, with the life-boat with over £27, and Mrs. B. Mattison station temporarily closed since the third, with over £15. wreck of the Cullercoats life-boat last Both Mrs. Donkin and Mrs. Lisle took April, it could not be held as usual part in a descriptive broadcast of when the quarterly road exercise took Cullercoats on 29th October. Mrs. place. This is the eighteenth annual Donkin was interviewed while she was collection, and the fishwives have now knitting for sailors and soldiers as she collected over £2,572. had done in the last war. She sang, Over fifty people took part in the col- recited and showed how the fishwives lection, and Mrs. Polly Donkin, who was cried fish in the old days. awarded the Institution's gold badge in Mrs. Lisle spoke of her two sons, 1931, and is now eighty-two years old, both serving at sea, and of her visit was again easily the most successful, to London in the summer to receive with over £69. The total of her in- her gold brooch from the Duke of dividual collections is now over £875. Kent. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 157

Foreign Life-boat Services. Rescues from British Vessels and Numbers of the Fleets. DURING 1938 foreign life-boats went crew had been rescued by a German out to the help of 53 British vessels; steamer. On 31st August the motor forty-five of these services were by life-boat from Scheveningen helped the the United States, three by Norway, British yacht Rosette, which was in two by Holland, and one each by difficulties when trying to get out of France, Sweden and Iceland. the harbour. A very fine photograph of this life-boat, the Zeemanshoop, Belgium. was published in The Life-boat for There were no services to British December, 1938. vessels. The North and South Holland Life- Belgium has 7 stations, with 3 motor saving Society has 15 motor life-boats, life-boats, 6 pulling and sailing life- 18 pulling and sailing life-boats and boats, and 1 tug. Each station has 19 rocket life-saving apparatus. rocket life-saving apparatus, and one The South Holland Society for Saving station has this apparatus only. the Shipwrecked has a fleet of 8 motor life-boats and 3 pulling and sailing Denmark. life-boats, making a total fleet for There were no services to British Holland of 23 motor life-boats and vessels. 21 pulling and sailing life-boats. Denmark has 61 stations, with a fleet of 23 motor life-boats and 34 Iceland. pulling and sailing life-boats. Twelve The Icelandic patrol boat Aegir of the stations have rocket saving went to the help of the Grimsby apparatus only, travflerLincolnshire which had stranded on the west coast of Iceland on 25th Finland. October, got her afloat, and towed her There were no services to British to Reykjavik, where she was repaired vessels. before sailing for England. Finland has a fleet of 9 motor life- Iceland now has a 60 tons motor boats. life-boat, with a 180 h.-p. engine. France. She is equipped with radio telephony, The French motor life-boat' from a direction-finder and tachometer. She Cairo, near Marseilles, went out to the has a crew of seven men and maintains help of the steamer Hillfern, of New- a constant listening-watch with her castle-on-Tyne. wireless. Iceland also has 9 pulling The French fleet consists of 44 motor and sailing life-boats. life-boats and 63 pulling and sailing life-boats. Norway. Germany. On 19th February a motor life- There were no services to British saving ketch piloted in the British vessels. steamer Glen-Fary, with a crew of 16. Germany has 105 stations, 35 of On 3rd July Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith's them on the North Sea and 70 on the Endeavour, taking part in a race in a Baltic. They are equipped with 36 heavy gale, lost her mast while leading. motor life-boats, 53 pulling and sailing The life-saving ketch Idun was follow- ing the race, with Captain Hans Holter, life-boats and 62 rocket life-saving general secretary of the Norwegian apparatus. Life-boat Institution, in command. The Holland. Endeavour was helpless in the heavy On 4th April the motor life-boat sea, and the Idun towed her in. On from Terschelling, belonging to the 22nd December the same ketch Idun North and South Holland Life-saving piloted in the British Steamer Rardino, Society, put out in a gale to the help with a crew of 30 men. of the British steamer Pegaway, but was The Norwegian fleet consists of 17 recalled by wireless, as the Pegaway's motor life-saving ketches, 7 sailing 158 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939. ketches and 2 pulling life-boats. In The United States of America. addition there are 32 stations with The life-boats of the American Coast- rocket or gun life-saving apparatus guard went out to the help of 45 only- British vessels in distress, rescued 37 lives, and helped 3 other vessels. They Portugal. also went out to the help of 25 Cana- There were no services to British dian vessels in distress and rescued vessels. 37 lives. The Portuguese fleet has 8 motor The United States fleet consists of life-boats and 39 pulling and sailing 2 large self-righting motor life-boats, life-boats. There are also 31 rocket 149 self-righting motor life-boats, 155 life-saving apparatus. motor surf-boats and 251 pulling life- boats, making 306 motor life-boats and Sweden. 251 pulling life-boats, a total fleet of On the night of 16th March a Swedish 557 life-boats. life-boat went out to the help of a steamer aground, believed to be Japan, Latvia, Spain, Roumania, Russia. British. She came off the rocks and No information has been received the life-boat escorted her until she from Japan, Latvia, Spain, Roumania could get a pilot for Gothenburg. or Russia. The Swedish Society for Saving Life from Shipwreck has 3 cruising motor British Services to Foreign Vessels. life-boats, 10 stationary motor life- British life-boats went to the help, boats, and 4 pulling life-boats. Seven during 1938, of 24 foreign vessels, of its 14 stations are also equipped belonging to 11 different countries; with rocket life-saving apparatus and rescued 124 lives from them; and it has three with this apparatus only. saved or helped to save 11 vessels. The Swedish State Service has 11 They were also called out to 19 other pulling life-boats. Seven of these 11 foreign vessels, but their help was not stations have rocket life-saving ap- needed. Of the 24 to which help was paratus, and there are six stations with given six were French, four Dutch, this apparatus only. There is thus a three German, two Danish, two Greek, total Swedish fleet of 3 cruising motor two Finnish, and one each from Nor- life-boats, 10 stationary motor life- way, Sweden, Belgium, Spain and boats, and 15 pulling life-boats. Panama. Thirty-two lives were res- cued from the six French vessels, and Turkey. two of the vessels were saved; 28 lives There were no services to British from one of the two Greek vessels, vessels. and the vessel was saved; 18 lives Turkey has one motor life-boat and from the Panama vessel; and 15 from 17 pulling life-boats. one of the Finnish vessels.

Rescue of a Deer IN the middle of June, 1939, a roe deer they had to tie its legs to prevent it crossed the golf course opposite Aber- from kicking, but not before it had deen harbour, entered the harbour kicked the motor mechanic. They channel, and swam out to sea. Cox- then took the deer up the harbour swain Thomas Sinclair (who has twice channel, and a mile up the river Dee, won the Institution's silver medal for until they came to open country, and gallantry and also its bronze medal) put it ashore. In spite of these un- put out to the rescue in a pilot cutter, happy adventures the deer returned with the life-boat's motor mechanic, to the river the same day. This time Mr. William Simpson, and Mr. James the police took charge of it and released Johnston, a pilot. They caught up it again still further up country. It the deer when it was half a mile out to seems then to have abandoned its sea, and succeeded in lassoing it and determination to go to sea, and dragging it on board the cutter. There appeared no more. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 159

Memories of Sir William Hillary. Manx Memories and Movements, by old. One of them was Sir William Samuel Norris, Isle of Man: The Leece Drinkwater, who had been a Norris Modern Press, Ltd., 12s. 6d. deemster (a judge of the Manx High Court). He wrote to Mr. Norris in MR. NORRIS is an English journalist 1906 that he remembered meeting who, in 1894, when not yet twenty Hillary over eighty years before, when years old, landed in the Isle of Man. he was himself a boy. His memories He has lived there ever since. He is a were what a boy's would be, that distinguished member of the House of Hillary was of middle height and spare, Keys, to which he was elected nearly and that he was kind in manner. He twenty years ago. This book is the drove the boy in his gig and told him record of his life during his forty-four the names of the mountains that they years in the island and of the part he passed. He remembered also seeing has played in the agitations for many him at a street corner in Douglas reforms in its affairs. talking with other men: One chapter will be read with special "There had been a storm on the interest by all connected with the life- previous night, and the life-boat had boat service. Over thirty years ago been damaged, and I understood that Mr. Norris, struck by the "unmarked Sir William was expressing himself as and neglected" state of the grave, in much troubled about it." Douglas, of Lieut.-Col. Sir William Slight as they are, such recollections Hillary, Bt., founder of the Institution, are worth having. set ^himself to collect information about Hillary's life in the island. One Who Worked with Hillary. Hillary had settled there in 1808, at The other man who knew Hillary the age of thirty-seven. There, in was Mr. Samuel Harris, High Bailiff 1823, he issued the appeal which led (stipendiary magistrate) of Douglas. to the founding of the Institution in His recollections are more substantial. the following year. There, before and As a young law-student he had helped after the Institution was founded, he Hillary in his schemes, and he was able helped to rescue hundreds of lives from to give Mr. Norris dates and other shipwreck. There he died in 1847 at particulars about his life. These, Mr. the age of seventy-six, saddened and Norris says, were in "an extract from impoverished by the failure of a bank, a book, evidently a year book, dated of which he was a shareholder. at the top of the first sheet, '1844.'" All that he was able to discover about Mr. Norris was unable to identify the Hillary Mr. Norris published in 1906 authority, but claims that the value and 1907 in a series of articles in the of the book lies in the fact that it was Manx Patriot, a journal which he published in Hillary's life-time. The edited. These articles he very kindly biographical facts which it contains placed at the disposal of the Institution, have already appeared in The Life-boat and the information they contained and Britain's Life-boats. There is, was used in an article on Hillary in however, one new fact of interest. The Life-boat for May, 1921, and in Mr. Norris quotes this contemporary Britain's Life-boats, the history of the book as saying that Hillary " personally Institution, published in 1923. aided in saving 509 lives (the crews of 29 vessels), for which five gold and Men Who Knew Hillary. silver medals were awarded." Mr. Norris has found no new facts Mr. Norris regrets that on the since his original articles appeared over memorial tablet placed by the Institu- thirty years ago, but he claims to be tion on Hillary's tomb in 1921, the the only person alive who has received re- number of lives which he rescued is collections and descriptions of Hillary given as 305, The authority for this is from two men who knew him. Both an article on Hillary in an early issue these men were, at the time (between of The Life-boat. This article in the 1900 and 1906), nearly ninety years fifth number, published on 1st July, 160 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

1852, five years after Hillary's death, mind looked back over the intervening speaks of him as "assisting to save years. Tears welled up into his eyes, 300 lives in Douglas Bay." It may, of and then coursed down his ruddy course, be that these are the lives cheeks as he indicated, rather than rescued by Hillary after the founding described, his memories of Sir William of the Institution in 1824 and do not Hillary. include lives rescued before then. On "He said he was a man of military the other hand the article in The Life- bearing, of more than medium height, boat gives names of vessels and dates with high forehead and features which of eleven rescues in which Hillary took marked him out as a leader of men; part between the years 1825 and 1832, with kindly sympathy shown in every the year, it was believed, of his last lineament of his face and in his eyes. service. In all but two of these services "The memory of the man and the the lives rescued are given. Their tragedy which had overshadowed his total is 196. later years and burial, made the subject The records of the Institution show too painful for quiet reflection." that Hillary was four times awarded Mr. Norris himself says how deeply its gold medal, the first time as its moved he has been by his study of founder and the other three times for Hillary's remarkable career, the tragic gallantry in rescuing life.* circumstances of his last years and of his: More interesting than any biographical death, and the neglect of his memory fact which Mr. Harris was able to give in the Isle of Man. So moved indeed! Mr. Norris, is that, nearly sixty years that he feels, when he writes or speaks after Hillary's death, he could not of him, " as in the presence of a personal speak of him without deep emotion. friend." Mr. Norris writes: The Institution itself, and all .con- "The old man's face took on a nected with it, must always feel a hallowed and pained expression as his lively gratitude to Mr. Norris for ail- that he has done to discover the events * In the extract from Mr. Harris, which Mr, Norris of Hillary's life, to arouse popular inter- quotes, it is not clear if the " five gold and silver medals awarded," for the rescue of 509 lives in which Hillary took est in his career, and to ensure for him? part, are medals awarded to Hillary only, or to Hillary the place which he deserves to hold in and others who shared in the rescues. Whichever is meant, the figure does not agree with the Institution's the history of the Isle of Man and of" list of medals awarded. the whole British Isles.

From Navy, Army and Air Force IN 1938, in response to the Institution's August was not madfe- this year on appeals, the Navy contributed £343, account of the war. the Army, £412, and the Air Force £303. This year the Navy, to which These contributions have come to the appeal is made at the beginning the life-boat service from sailors, sol- of "the year, has contributed £460, and diers and airmen serving in all parts the Army, to which the appeal was of the world, the Mediterranean, Egypt, made in July, has already con- Palestine, Iraq, Jamaica, Bermuda, tributed £226. The Air Force appeal, South Africa, Ceylon, Malaya, Singa- which goes out usually at the end of pore and Hong Kong.

A Rescued Man's Surprise. A MAN in a small boat who got into expected to be told off for causing so difficulties in a heavy ground sea was much trouble. Instead I was treated rescued by a life-boat. Sending his with the greatest kindness by everyone- thanks to the' crew he wrote: "I concerned." OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 161

Centenary of the Sheringham Station. THE life-boat station at Sheringham rescued 88 lives. The present boat is celebrated its centenary this year. It a motor life-boat of the light Liverpool was established in 1838, when a private type. She was built in 1936, and was life-boat was placed there by the Hon. a gift to the Institution from the Mrs. Upcher. This boat was built at Ancient Order of Foresters, in celebra- Sheringham, and was named Augusta. tion of its centenary. She served for 56 years, and is still to On 25th July, Colonel A. D. Burnet be seen on the West Cliff at Shering- Brown, M.C., T.D., deputy secretary ham. No complete record of her of the Institution, presented to Shering- services was kept, but it is claimed for ham a vellum, signed by H.R.H. the her that she rescued several hundred Duke of Kent, K.G., President of the lives. Mr. H. R. Johnson, the honorary Institution, expressing the Institu- secretary of the Institution's Shering- tion's appreciation of the voluntary ham station, in his book, One Hundred work of the officers and committee of Years of Life-boat Service at Shering- the station and of the devotion and ham, puts it at "probably 1,000." courage of the life-boat crew. The When the Augusta was withdrawn in vellum was received by Mr. H. E. S. 1894, she was replaced by another Upcher, J.P., B.A., C.C., president of private life-boat, Henry Ramey Upcher, the branch, and among those present the gift of Mrs. H. R. Upcher, and this at the ceremony were Mr. H. R. Johnson boat has rescued 202 lives. and Mr. H. G. Johnson, A.C.A., joint Meanwhile, in 1867, the Institution, honorary secretaries, and members of with the co-operation of Mr. H. R. the branch committee. Upcher had established a station at Sheringham. This station has had The Institution has now presented altogether four life-boats, and they have 64 centenary vellums.

St. Ives Disaster Fund. SINCE the Mayor of St. Ives's fund for Mr. W. Knuckey, of South Africa, the dependents of the life-boatmen accompanied by Cornish friends who who lost their lives when the life-boat had also been in South Africa. The was wrecked on 23rd January last, was wish of the donors was that an in- closed at the sum of £10,500, a gift of creased payment should be made direct £1,670 9s. 7d. has come from South to the widows, and the Mavor and his Africa. committee for the administration of This gift was presented to the the fund promised that the gift should Mayor of St. Ives on 31st August by be used in this way.

Cullercoats Disaster Fund. THE fund which the Mayor of Tyne- October and trustees were appointed, mouth opened to supplement the two of them being the present Mayor pensions paid by the Institution to the and the borough treasurer of Tyne- dependent relatives of the men who mouth. The fund then amounted to lost their lives when the Cullercoats £2,100 17s. 6d., and it was expected that motor life-boat capsized on exercise on another £10 would be added to it when 22nd April, 1939, was closed on 24th all the collecting boxes had come in. 162 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

South-Western District Conference. A CONFERENCE of branches and guilds mouth, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Sher- from seven counties in the South West borne, Swanage, Weymouth, Reading, of England—Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Oxford, Thame, and Yeovil. Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Oxford- The Mayor and Mayoress of South- shire and East Somerset—was held at ampton welcomed the delegates, and Southampton on the 13th June, 1939. the Mayor presented to Mr. C. J. Sharp Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the vellum, signed by H.R.H'. The Duke the Institution, presided, supported by of Kent, K.G., President of the Insti- Lieut.-Colonel C. R. Satterthwaite, tution, recording his election as an hon- O.B.E., secretary. orary life governor of the Institution on Delegates were present from the his retirement after twenty-three years following branches and Ladies' Life- as chairman of the Southampton branch. boat Guild: After the conference the delegates Andover and Whitchurch, Eastleigh, went for trips in the Yarmouth, Isle Hayling Island, Liss (Petersfield), Ring- of Wight, motor life-boat. Special wood, Cowes, East and West, Calne, buses had been provided free by the Blandford, Poole, Bicester, Bath, Southampton Corporation, and the Bournemouth, Fareham, Fleet, Lym- delegates were admitted to the pier ington, Portsmouth and Havant, without charge by the kindness of the Southampton, Winchester, Ryde, Yar- Harbour Board.

Death of Two Scottish Coxswains. Walter Fairbairn, of Dunbar and Skateraw, and John Swanson, of Longhope. THE Institution has lost, in one blowing, with a tremendous sea running. week, two very distinguished Scottish The pulling and sailing life-boat was in coxswains. Ex-Coxswain Walter Fair- grave danger of being dashed on the bairn, of Dunbar and Skateraw, wreck, and Coxswain Fairbairn handled Haddingtonshire, died on 1st October, her with great skill and courage. 1939, at the age of seventy-six, and ex-Coxswain John Swanson, of Long- Coxswain John Swanson. hope, Orkneys, on 5th October, at the Coxswain John Swanson served as age of seventy-three. coxswain at Longhope, Orkneys, for thirty-five years, from 1900 until he Coxswain Walter Fairbairn. retired in 1935. He twice won the Coxswain Walter Fairbairn had been Institution's silver medal for gallantry. a life-boatman for over fifty years. In The first occasion was on 5th January, 1897 he was appointed coxswain at 1930, when he rescued eight lives from Dunbar. Ten years later, when a the steam trawler Braconmoor, of station was established at Skateraw, Aberdeen, and the second on 9th he became coxswain there also. He January, 1932, when he rescued eight served as coxswain at both stations lives from the trawler Dorbie, of Hull. until he retired in 1931. He had then Both services took place in the middle been a coxswain for thirty-four years. of the night, and both trawlers were From 1931 until his death he was lying very dangerously among rocks, caretaker of the Skateraw station. On with a heavy surf breaking over them. his retirement as coxswain the Institu- In both cases it was only by the greatest tion awarded him a certificate of coolness and most skilful seamanship service and a pension. His outstanding that Coxswain Swanson was able to service was on 13th October, 1905, when take the life-boat in to the rescue and he won the Institution's silver medal bring her safely out again. On his for gallantry for the rescue of the crew retirement Coxswain Swanson was of six men of the Swansea steamer, awarded a pension and a certificate King Ja-Ja. A northerly gale was of service. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 163

Obituary. Engineer Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Dixon, On retiring Coxswain Read was awarded K.C.B. a certificate of service and a gratuity, THE committee of management greatly which he chose instead of a pension. regret the death, on 28th July, at the age of 72. of their colleague Engineer Brigadier-General W. S. Swabey, Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Bland Dixon, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E. K.C.B. Sir Robert concluded a dis- BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. S. SWABEY, tinguished career in the navy by C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., who died in serving as engineer-in-chief of the September at the age of 68, had a fleet from 1922 to 1928. He became a distinguished career in the Royal Army member of the committee of manage- Service Corps. During the war of ment in the same year, and until his 1914 to 1918 he was Deputy Director death served not only on the com- of Supplies in France, and Director of mittee of management but on the Supplies and Transport in Italy. He sub-committees for construction and retired from the Army in 1923, and at finance. the end of 1928 he became the Institu- tion's district organizing secretary for Coxswain Thomas Read, of Ramsgate. the North West of England. This BY the death on 18th August, at the post he held until 1935 when he age of 68, of Coxswain Thomas Read, retired. of Ramsgate, the Institution has lost one of its most distinguished coxswains. Second-Coxswain John Roberts, Llandulas. Coxswain Read was appointed second SECOND-COXSWAIN JOHN ROBERTS, of 'coxswain about 1915, when the station Llandulas, who died in May, 1939, at was administered by the Board of the age of 77, was second-coxswain of Trade, and in 1924, two years after the Llandulas life-boat for 27 years, the Institution took over the station, from 1891 to 1918. On his retirement he became coxswain. He served as he was awarded a pension by the Insti- coxswain for nearly twelve years, tution. His outstanding service was a retiring in 1935. During his twenty- rescue in a shoreboat shortly before he one years as an officer of the life-boat was appointed second-coxswain. He over 250 lives were rescued. was one of ten men who put out to the Coxswain Read won the Institution's help of the schooner Ocean Queen, of silver medal for gallantry, as second Padstow, which was wrecked off Llan- coxswain, in the last war, when, in 1916, dulas, on 7th November, 1890, in a the Ramsgate life-boat made persistent, whole N.W. gale, with a very heavy sea. but unsuccessful attempts in a fierce Seven times the boat was launched and gale to rescue the crew of 52 of the was driven back, the crew being fre- American steamer Sibiria, wrecked on quently changed, but undefeated, the the Goodwins. The crew were rescued men launched her an eighth time, and later, when the gale was moderating, this time they succeeded in reaching by the Kingsdown life-boat. He was the wreck and rescuing the crew. John also awarded binoculars by the Presi- Roberts, and four of his comrades in dent of the United States of America this determined rescue, were each for his part, as second coxswain, in the awarded the silver medal. He was service to the American steamer Piave, also awarded the silver medal of the which went ashore on the Goodwins Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane So- in January, 1919, with a crew of 96. ciety for the same rescue.

From a Liverpool School. THE Institution has received a gift of sale of tickets for the last two school £10 5s. from the children of a Liverpool plays, The Merchant of Venice and preparatory school. It came from the The Pied Piper of Hamelin. 164 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

An Anthology on Courage. MR. EDMUND WARDE, of The Red Institution. Admiral of the Fleet Sir House, Lyminge, Folkestone, Kent, Roger Keyes, Bt., has written a fore- has compiled a pocket anthology of word to it in which he says, "The nearly 150 sayings about courage, crews of our life-boats have displayed from Job's "I will put off my sad courage, endurance and contempt of countenance and be of good cheer," death in their devoted efforts to save to Rudyard Kipling's " If." Mr. Warde life, on countless occasions." has himself printed and produced the Copies can be obtained direct from book very attractively. He is very Mr. Warde, at the above address, for kindly giving all the profits to the a shilling each, post free.

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen. Certificates of Service and Pensions. GEORGE JOHNSTON, 6 years bowman, and The COXSWAIN'S CERTIFICATE OF 10| years a member of the crevf of the SERVICE and a PENSION, have been Longhope life-boat. awarded to: RICHARD LEE, 21J years coxswain, 7J years The LIFE-BOATMAN'S CERTIFICATE second coxswain and 3J years bowmam of OF SERVICE has been awarded to: the Douglas life-boat. JOHN E. STANTON, 48 years a member of the THOMAS DAVISON, 26 years coxswain and crews of the Alnmouth and Boulmer life- 2J years bowman of the Sunderland life- boats. boat. GEORGE DAY, 29 years a member of the BARTHOLOMEW S. STANTON, 10 years crew of the North Sunderland life-boat. coxswain and 7J years second coxswain of JAMES WEST, 1GJ years a member of the the Boulmer life-boat, and previously 7£ crew of the Montrose life-boats. years second coxswain of the Alnmouth JAMES ANDERSON, 11 £ years a member of the life-boat. crew of the Montrose life-boats. The LIFE-BOATMAN'S CERTIFICATE JAMES PERT, 10£ years a member of the OF SERVICE and a GRATUITY, have crew of the Montrose life-boats. been awarded to: JOHN M. COULL, 4J years coxswain, 1J years A PENSION has been awarded to: second coxswain, and 1J years bowman of JOHN THOMAS, 15£ years shore signalman the Montrose life-boats. of the Hilbre Island life-boat.

Awards to Honorary Workers. Thanks of the Institution on Vellum. Record of Thanks. The THANKS OF THE INSTITUTION INSCRIBED ON VELLUM has been The RECORD OF THANKS has been awarded to: awarded to: Mr. CHARLES E. TODD, on his retirement after A.R.P. WARDENS, Worley Woods H.2. ten years as honorary secretary of the Division Birmingham, for help on life-boat Tynemouth station branch. day. Mr. H. B. CONSTABLE, honorary treasurer, Gold Badge. Worthing branch. The GOLD BADGE with the RECORD OF THANKS has been awarded to: The Rev. W. DUNLOP, M.A., honorary secre- Mrs. BROOK FLATTEN, honorary secretary, tary, Buckhaven branch. Acton and Chiswick branch. Mr. THOMAS HINDMAKCH, financial honorary secretary, Newbiggin. Life-boat Picture or Statuette of a Life- KING EDWARD'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, Five boat man. Ways, Birmingham, for help on life-boat The STATUETTE OF A LIFE-BOATMAN day. has been awarded to: Mrs. B. A. YOURSTON, worker, Berwick-on- Miss M. L. BASSETT, worker, Fethard. Tweed. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 165

Summary of the Meetings of the Committee of Management. Thursday, 20th April, 1939. Received with regret the resignation from the committee of management of Colonel Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the chair. Lord William Cecil. Reported that His Grace the Duke of Reported the receipt of the following Portland, K.G., had agreed to become acting special contribution:— president of the Institution during the £ s. d. absence in Australia of H.R.H. the Duke of The Salvage Association . 113 10 4 Kent, K.G. Paid £34,588 12s. for the total charges of Reported the resignation of Sir John the Institution during the month, including Dashwood, Bt., from the committee of rewards for services, payments for the con- management. struction of life-boats, life-boathouses and Produced a letter from the Turkish Life- slipways, and the maintenance of life-boat boat Authority (Denizbank, Istanbul) asking stations. whether the Institution could nominate a Among payments which have been made specialist to advise on life-boat work, and were:— resolved that Captain H. G. Innes, R.N. a £112 Ss. to pay the rewards for life-boat retired inspector of life-boats, be asked services; whether he would like his name to be put £82 12s. to pay the rewards for life-boat forward. launches Reported the receipt of the following special (Accounts of these services and launches contributions:— appear on pages 143-146); £ s. d. £13 12s. 6d. for assemblies of crews, etc.; Lloyd's .... 1,527 4 0 £142 12s. 8d. on account of pensions already The late Miss C. Smith—dona- granted to the dependent relatives of men tion from executors . . 200 0 0 who had lost their lives in the life-boat Lady Levy and the trustees of service at Cullercoats, Rye Harbour, and the Albert Levy Benevolent St. Ives; Fund . . . 100 0 0 £45 10s. 6d. to men for injury in the life- The late Mr. C. E. Thorpe, boat service at Porthdinllaen and Whitby. donation from executors . 100 0 0 Reported the capsizing of the Cullercoats Paid £47,801 5s. 9d. for the total charges life-boat on exercise on the 22nd April, 1939, of the Institution during the month, including with the loss of six of the ten people on board, rewards for services, payments for the con- approved the pensions granted to dependents struction of life-boats, life-boathouses and under the Institution's pension scheme, slipways, and the maintenance of life-boat defrayed all funeral expenses, and resolved stations. that awards of silver watches and letters of Among payments which have been made thanks be sent to certain people who helped were: in the work of rescue. £219 Ss Id. to pay the rewards for life-boat (For a full account of the disaster and services; particulars of the awards see the June issue £364 2s. 9d. to pay the rewards for life-boat of The Life-boat, page 75.) launches Voted a compassionate grant of £10 to (Accounts of these services and launches Joseph Rourke, an ex-life-boatman of appear on pages 139-143); Howth, in view of his age and straitened £2 12s. for the assemblies of crews, etc.; circumstances. 7s. for a service previously reported; Voted £4 5s. to pay the rewards for £24 10s. lOd. on account of pensions already shoreboat services at Fraserburgh and granted to the dependent relatives of men Selsey, accounts of which appear on page who had lost their lives in the life-boat 152. service at Rye Harbour; £19 13s. to men and in respect of men injured in the life-boat service at Buckie, Thursday, 8th June, 1939. Flamborough and Lowestoft, and in a shore- boat service at Purton. Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the chair. Voted £,26 on account of additional rewards Resolved that the Duke of Portland be to the crews of the Blyth and New Brighton asked to perform the opening ceremony of life-boats. the new dep6t. Voted £2 18s. 6d. to pay the reward for the Resolved that a letter of congratulation Burra Isle, Shetlands, shoreboat service, be addressed to the Duke and Duchess of account of which appears on page 152. Portland on their golden wedding. Reported the receipt of the following special contributions:— Thursday, 18th May, 1939. £ s. d. Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the chair. Mrs. L. S. Fisher . . . 500 0 0 Resolved that Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., and Miss C. Herald . . . 100 0 0 the Hon. George Colville be re-elected chair- Paid £30,287 11s. 4d. for the total charges man and deputy chairman respectively of of the Institution during the month, including the committee of management. rewards for services, payments for the con- Resolved that Admiral of the Fleet Sir struction of life-boats, "life-boathouses and Henry F. Oliver be appointed a Vice-President slipways, and the maintenance of life-boat of the Institution. stations. 166 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

Among payments which have been made the new depdt the word ' depot ' be were:— substituted for the words ' stores ' OT £84 4s. to pay the rewards for life-boat 'yard' wherever they now occur in the services; titles of officials and staff. £132 8s. to pay the rewards for life-boat Reported that the pensions payable to the launches widows of life-boatmen who have lost their (Accounts of these services and launches lives in the Institution's service have been appear on pages 146-148); adjusted as from the 1st June, 1939, in £499 7s. 9rf. on account of pensions already accordance with the terms of the Admiralty granted to the dependent relatives of men Order of the 15th June, 1939. who had lost their lives in the life-boat Reported the receipt of the following service at Aldeburgh, Caister, Fethard, Filey, special contributions:— Fraserburgh, Holyhead, Johnshaven, The ' £ s. d. Mumbles, New Brighton, Newhaven, Pad- The Civil Service Life-boat stow, Port St. Mary, Ramsgate, Rhoscolyn, Fund .... 3,000 0 0 Runswick, Rye Harbour, St. Andrews, Troon, Miss J. G. Watson . . 300 0 0 St. Ives and Whitby. The Independent Order of £82 17s. 6d. to men for injury in the life- Oddfellows . . . 52 10 0 boat service at Blackpool, Buckie, Caister, The Drapers Company . 50 0 0 Moelfre, Newhaven and Port St. Mary. Paid £48,027 3s. 5d. for the total charges Considered cases in which compassionate of the Institution during the month, including allowances are being paid to ex-life-boatmen rewards for services, payments for the con- and others and decided that the allowances struction of life-boats, life-boathouses and be continued and, in some cases, reviewed slipways, and the maintenance of life-boat in June, 1940; that C. Lacock, ex-coxswain, stations. of Caister, now in receipt of a compassionate Among payments which have been made grant, be granted an allowance of 10s. a week were:— from 1st January, 1940, until he becomes £149 14s. to pay the rewards for life-boat eligible for the old age pension, and that services; Andrew Young, ex-coxswain, of Cloughey, £140 10s. 6rf. to pay the rewards for life- now in receipt of a compassionate grant, be boat launches. granted £4 and an allowance of 5s. a week (Accounts of these services and launches from 1st January, 1940, his case to be appear on pages 148-151); reviewed in June, 1940. £7 9s. 6d. for assemblies of crews; Voted £13 6s. 6d. to pay the rewards for £99 2s. 4rf. on account of pensions already shoreboat services at Bacton, Firth of Forth, granted to the dependent relatives of men Littlehampton, Mablethorpe, Margate, who had lost their lives in the life-boat service Padstow, Penlee, Porthcawl, Sidmouth, at Cullercoats and Rye Harbour; Teignmouth and Worthing, accounts of £63 8s. Sd. to men for injury in the life-boat which appear on page 152 and 153. service at Aberdeen, Cullercoats, and St. Ives. Voted £14 on account of additional Thursday. 13th July, 1939. rewards to the crew of the Cloughey life-boat. Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the chair. (An account of this service appears on page Resolved that the thanks of the committee 131.) of management be conveyed to the central Resolved that an allowance of 10s. a women's committee for their part in the organ- week be made as from 1st July, 1939, to izing of London Life-boat Day on 23rd Garrett Hendrick, a survivor of the Fethard May, 1939. life-boat disaster of 1914, and that his case Resolved that Admiral of the Fleet the be reviewed in June, 1940. Earl of Cork and Orrery, G.C.B., Commander Voted a grant of £5 towards the funeral the Honorable V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N., expenses of W. Cheal, a member of the crew and Captain E. W. Swan, O.B.E., R.N.V.R., of the Hythe life-boat. be co-opted as members of the committee of Voted £19 11s. to pay the rewards for management. shoreboat services at Anstruther, Arranmore. Resolved that the emergency committee Donaghadee, Fraserburgh, Hastings, Llan- shall cease to function on the outbreak of dudno, Mablethorpe, Margate, New Brighton, war and that the quorum of the committee North Sunderland, Shoreham and Skin- of management be then three. ningrove, accounts of which appear on pages Resolved that on the occupation of 154 and 156.

A Father's Advice. A LADY sending a donation from brothers and myself were children: Brighton writes : " Reading your appeal ' Never, never pass a life-boat box in my paper last week made me without putting something in, even it remember words of my late father it is only a penny." He often told us which he often spoke, when my wonders of the life-boatmen." OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 167

News from the Branches. 1st May to 31st July, 1939. Greater London. PECKHAM.—Mr. W. Goldsmith ap- Life-boat day was held throughout Greater pointed honorary secretary. London on May 23rd. The amount raised PENCE.—Address to Rotary Club by was £8,132, an increase of £1,734 on 1938 district organizing secretary. and the largest sum for over twenty years. RICHMOND.—Collection at Q Theatre. Presentation by the Lord Bishop of STREATHAM.—Mrs. Gartell appointed London (the Right Rev. and Right Hon. honorary secretary. A. F. Winnington-Ingram, P.C., K.C.V.O., SURBITON.—Life-boat day helpers' D.D., LL.D.) of the prize for the best essay in meeting. Speaker: The district organizing Great Britain and Ireland, and the challenge secretary. shield for Greater London, both won by TOOTING.—Addresses to the Inner Wheel Rita Daphne Harding of Colville Junior and a women's meeting by Captain Basil Girls' School, Netting Hill, the challenge Hall, R.N. Films shown. shield for the South-East of England, won by Betty Perkins of the Tavistock Senior Girl's School, Croydon, and the individual Outer London. prizes won by Greater London schools. BARNET.—Mr. F. S. Brent appointed The Mayor of Westminster presided, sup- honorary treasurer for New Barnet and East ported by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman Barnet. of the Institution, Mr. J. A. L. Duncan, M.P., for North Kensington, Alderman H. J. BARNEHURST, CRAYFORD.—Mrs. Morland, J.P., chairman of the Croydon Kenna appointed honorary secretary, and education committee, and members of the Mr. H. R. Sidey honorary treasurer. committee of management of the Institution. BEDDINGTON, WALLINGTON AND Mr. Frederick Woodhouse, assisted by a CARSHALTON.—Special meeting at Wal- male-voice chorus, gave a programme of sea lington, the Deputy Mayor presiding. songs. Speakers: The district organizing secretary and Mrs. Roberts, honorary secretary. On 1st July, 1939, Greater London was divided into two districts, Central London BEXLEY HEATH.-Life-boat day helpers' and Outer London, but, on the outbreak of social, with address by the district or- war on the 3rd September this arrangement ganizing secretary. Garden party by the was suspended. kindness of Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Ford Sadler, M.B.E., presiding. Speaker: The district Central London. organizing secretary. Whist drives. Visit to Southend-on-Sea life-boat station. BALHAM.—Bridge drive. BURNT OAK, EDGWARE.—Dancing CENTRAL LONDON.—West End and display by the Janet Gooch School of Danc- City depot-holders' meeting. Speakers: Sir ing, Edgware. Address to the Conservative Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the Insti- Association. tution and the district organizing secretary. I Address to Westminster Mixed Adult School. HACKNEY.—Life-boat day helpers' meet- ing and tea at the Town Hall by the kindness CHISLEHURST.—Garden fete at Scad- of Councillor W. E. Loweth, C.B.E., D.L., bury Park, by kind permission of Mr. and J.P., president. The Mayor, patron, presided Mrs. Marsham Townshend, opened by Lady and distributed the collecting boxes. Speaker: Waldron Smithers. Speakers: Sir Godfrey The district organizing secretary. Addresses Baring, Bt., chairman of the Institution, to North Hackney British Legion and to and Sir Waldron Smithers, M.P. Garden Holy Trinity School, Dalston. fete at St. Mary Cray by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Walder. ILFORD.—Annual meeting on 9th May, the Mayor, president, in the chair. Speakers: CLAPHAM.—Garden fete at Montrose Lord Sandhurst, O.B.E., and the district Court Hotel, by kind permission of Mrs. organizing secretary. Amount collected in Schoneboom, opened by the Lady Florence 1938 £79, an increase of £20 on 1937. Pre- Pery. Address to mothers' meeting by Sir sentation by Lord Sandhurst of statuette of Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the Insti- a life-boatman awarded to Miss Larkin, tution. Bring-and-buy sale. Whist drives. formerly honorary secretary. The Mayor EAST SHEEN.—Mrs. Rowan appointed (Councillor C. A. Farman, J.P.) appointed honorary secretary. chairman in succession to Alderman J. H. Shipman, J.P., and Mrs. John Elbourne EPSOM.—Address to Rotary Club by appointed chairman of the Ladies' Life-boat Captain Basil Hall, R.N. Guild in succession to Mrs. J. H. Shipman. KINGSTON.—The branch has suffered a severe loss by the death of Mrs. Cooper ISLINGTON.—Life-boat day helpers' Turner, who was its honorary secretary for meeting. many years, and this year was awarded the MALDEN & COOMBE.—Address to the Institution's gold badge, which is given only Rotary Club by the district organizing for distinguished honorary services. secretary. 168 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

ROMFORD.—Lectures by Mr. A. A. CHESTER, CHORLEY & CLITHEROE Lamb, honorary secretary. Life-boat films (Whalley).—Life-boat days. shown. CREWE.—Annual meeting on 13th June ST. ALBANS & DISTRICT.—Annual at the house of Mrs. G. Christie-Miller. meeting on 13th July, in the garden of Bank Speaker: The district organizing secretary. House by the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Amount collected in 1938 £70, an increase Etchells. Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, of £16 on 1937. G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., C.B., president Life-boat day. Presentation of prizes won of the branch and a member of the committee in the life-boat essay competition for ele- of management of the Institution, in the mentary schools. chair. Speakers: The Viscountess Davidson, M.P., and the district organizing secretary. CROMPTON & SHAW, COCKERMOUTH Efforts of the past year: Life-boat day, AND CULCHETH-with-KENYON.—Life- dance. Amount collected in 1938 £419, an boat days. increase of £39 on 1937. DARWEN.—Life-boat day. Life-boat day dep6t-holders' meeting. FLEETWOOD.—Naming ceremony of the ST. PANCRAS.—Address to the Rotary new motor Life-boat (a special account will Club by the district organizing secretary, and appear in the next issue). presentation of record of thanks to Mr. E. A. GARSTANG & GOLBORNE.—Life-boat Minter, honorary treasurer. Address to St. days. Pancras Conservative Association. HASLINGDEN, HAYDOCK, HEY- SOUTHEND - ON - SEA & DISTRICT.— WOOD AND HINDLEY.—Life-boat days. Life-boat day in Southend-on-Sea. Enter- tainment by Mr. Norman Watson and his HYDE.—Life-boat days. Baseball match. " cabarettes." Flannel dance, organized by Whist drive. Presentation by the Mayoress Mr. Watson. Launch of the life-boat for of a prize won in the life-boat essay competi- visit of Bexley Heath branch. tion for elementary schools. STOKE NEWINGTON.—Life-boat Day LAKE DISTRICT.—Life-boat day at workers' meeting, the Mayor presiding. Windermere. LEYLAND & LITTLE HULTON.—Life- WELLING.—Whist drives. boat days. WOODFORD & DISTRICT.—Jumble LITTLE LEVER.—Annual house-to- sale. house collection. WOOLWICH.—Life-boat dance. Ad- dresses to West Woolwich Conservative LIVERPOOL.—Presentation of the chal- Association, River N., River S. and Sherard lenge shield for the North-West of England Wards. in the life-boat essay competition for elemen- Lantern and film lecture to Incorporated tary schools, won by Evelyn Robinson of British Institute of Certified Carpenters by Upton Road School, Moreton, Wirral, at Mr. H. Mellon, honorary secretary of Watford which the Mayor and Mayoress of Wallasey, branch. the Director of Education and the Rev. Lectures to Sudbury Women's Institute Canon W. T. Warburton, chairman of the and Sunbury-on-Thames and Golders Green Hoylake branch, were present. Presentation branches of the British Legion. of prizes won in this competition by eleven schools in Birkenhead, Liverpool, Rock North-West of England. Ferry, Scaforth and Wallasey. Life-boat day. Address to ' 1918 ' Club ABRAM, ACCRINGTON (Church, Clay- of Liverpool. ton-le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle), ADHNG- TON & ATHERTON.—Life-boat days. LYTHAM-ST. ANNE'S.—Sunday service at St. John's church, Lytham, with officials BAMBER BRIDGE & WALTON-LE- and workers of the branch and Ladies' Life- DALE.—Annual bowling tournament. Life- boat Guild, and members of the life-boat boat day. crew attending. The service was conducted BARROW & BILLINGE. — Life-boat by the vicar, the Rev. A. R. Allen, M.A., and days. the Blackpool life-boat band accompanied BLACKBURN. — Cinema collections. the procession to the church. Bring-and-buy sale. MACCLESFIELD.—Life-boat day. BLACKPOOL.—Collections on steamer MANCHESTER, SALFORD AND Atalanta. DISTRICT.—Special meeting to meet Mr. BOLLINGTON.—Life-boat day. P. T. Eckersley, J.P., M.P., chairman of BURNLEY.—Life-boat day. Presentation the branch, and Mrs. Eckersley. Speakers: of a prize won in the life-boat essay competi- Alderman Sir William Davy, J.P., Mr. tion for elementary schools. P. M. Oliver, C.B.E., and Mrs. Henry Bronnert. Special meeting of City of Man- BURY.—Special meeting. Speaker: The chester gentlemen's committee. Life-boat district organizing secretary. Life-boat day. days. CARNFORTH.—Annual meeting on 16th ALTRINCHAM.—Special meeting. May, Mrs. R. T. Barnard, vice-president, in the chair. Amount collected in 1938 £81, an CHEADLE HULME.—Whist drive at increase of £26 on 1937. Tea organized by the house of Mrs. Levell, honorary trea- the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. surer. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 169

CHEETHAM HILL.—Special meeting. ROYTON.—Annual meeting on 2nd May. Mr. George Grimshaw elected vice-president. Speaker: The district organizing secretary. CHORLTON - CUM - HARDY.—Special Amount collected in 1938 £35. meeting at the house of the president. Annual house-to-house collection. GORTON.—Special meeting, Mr. E. RUNCORN.—Bridge drive, with address Battman in the chair. Mr. R. H. Skellorn by Commander W. L. Rossiter, R.D., R.N.R. elected honorary secretary in succession to Presentation of a prize won in the life-boat Mr. C. H. Grace. essay competition for elementary schools. PLATTING.—Special meeting. Speaker: ST. HELENS.—Garden party at the Alderman A. James, J.P., chairman of the house of the president. life-boat guild. SANDBACH.—Life-boat day. WHITWORTH PARK & CHORLTON- SILVERDALE.—"Grey Walls" gardens ON-MEDLOCK.—Collections at Messrs. opened to the public. Lomas's, Limited, and at the Manchester SOUTHPORT.—Life-boat day. General Post Office, organized by Miss Amy Robinson, president. STOCKPORT. — Presentation by the Mayoress of a prize won in the life-boat essay WITHINGTON, FALLOWFIELD & competition for elementary schools, at which DISTRICT.—Collections at Dunlop Rub- Mr. G. Holgate, M.A., B.Sc., Director of ber Works' sports, organized by Mr. S. Education, Mrs. B. M. Marsden, honorary Weiser. treasurer of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Mr. MIDDLETON. — Presentation by the R. J. Bailey, honorary treasurer of the Mayor of a prize won in the life-boat essay branch, and Mr. L. Lainton, honorary secre- competition for elementary schools. Life- tary of the branch, were present. boat day. STALYBRIDGE.—Life-boat day. MILLOM.—Annual meeting on 31st May TARPORLEY.—Life-boat day. Address at the house of Mrs. R. Grice, president. to Women's Institute. Speaker: The district organizing secretary. Amount collected in 1938 £49. Annual TINTWHISTLE.—Garden party at Mil- house-to-house collection. brook House and presentation of a prize won in the life-boat essay competition for elemen- MORECAMBE & HEYSHAM.—Concert tary schools. Annual house-to-house collec- by the Morecambe fishermen. Collections on tion. steamers. Presentation of a prize won in the life-boat essay competition for elementary TODMORDEN.—Life-boat days. schools. TOTTINGTON.—Annual house-to-house MOTTRAM & BROADBOTTOM.—An- collection. "Bring-and-buy" sale. nual meeting on 20th July and garden party. TURTON & UPHOLLAND.—Life-boat Speaker: The district organizing secretary. days. Amount collected in 1938 £11. WALLASEY.—Dance recital by the pupils NANTWICH & NEWTON-IN-MAKER- of Miss Hilary Stafford-Burrows. FIELD.—Life-boat days. WARRINGTON.—" Stonecroft" gardens ORRELL.—Life-boat day. Annual golf opened to the public by kind permission of competition by Dean Wood Golf Club, Mr. J. G. Withinshaw. Life-boat day. Ladies' Section. WESTHOUGHTON, WHALEY BRIDGE, PADIHAM.—Annual house-to-house col- WIDNES, & WIGAN.—Life-boat days. lection. WHITEHAVEN.—Presentation by the PEEL.—Annual meeting on 9th May, Right Rev. Father Clayton, chairman of the Captain James Kinley, chairman, presiding. School Managers, of a prize won in the life- Amount collected in 1938 £49. boat essay competition for elementary Presentation of a prize won in the life-boat schools. essay competition for elementary schools. WITHNELL.—Special meeting at Ollerton Annual sacred service. Hall, Mrs. Hal Deakin in the chair. Speaker: PORT ERIN.—Annual sacred service and The district organizing secretary. Ladies' dinner table collection. Life-boat Guild formed. Chairman: Mrs. Hal Deakin; honorary treasurer, Mrs. D. PORT ST. MARY.—Annual sacred service. Bury; honorary secretary, Mrs. A. Reid. PRESTON.—Life-boat day. Presentation of prizes won in the life-boat RADCLIFFE.—Dinner-dance and whist essay competition for elementary schools at drive. Ladies' bowling tournament. Life-boat Castletown, Douglas and Crosby, Egremont day. (Cumberland), Farnworth (Widnes), Sale, NEW BRIGHTON.—The station has Lancaster, Northwich, Oldham, and Wins- suffered a severe loss by the death, at the ford. age of seventy, of Captain B. H. Bullen, its assistant secretary since 1924. North-East of England. RAINFORD & RISHTON.—Life-boat ACKWORTH, BARMBOROUGH (Don- days. caster) & BEVERLEY.—Life-boat days. RAMSBOTTOM.—Annual American tea BISHOP AUCKLAND.—House-to-house organized by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. collection. 170 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBEE, 1939.

BLYTH.—Presentations of awards to Stonehouse. He came of an old life-boat coxswain and crew for their efforts to rescue family, and served from 1930 to 1935 as the crew of the steamer Skaro, of Sunderland, bowman and from 1935 until his death as on 23rd December, 1938. second-coxswain. BRIDLINGTON.—Life-boat day. TYNEMOUTH.—Life-boat day. CARLETON MINIOTT.—Garden fete. CONISBOROUGH & CONSETT.—Life- Midlands. boat days. ALFRETON, ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH, CRESSWELL. — House-to-house collec- ATHERSTONE & BEWDLEY.—Life-boat tion. days. CULLERCOATS & WHITLEY BAY.— BIRMINGHAM.—Life-boat day. Ad- Life-boat days at Cullercoats and Whitley dresses to Ada Road and Leigh Road schools, Bay, and Monkseaton. the British Legion, Handsworth branch, and DARLINGTON.—Bridge drives, life-boat the Deritend Unionists. Ladies' Life-boat Guild meeting, by kind permission of Mrs. day. Visit of Ladies' Life-boat Guild to Birney, at the Y.W.C.A. Life-boat day at Teesmouth and Redcar life-boat stations. Halesowen, Rubery and Rednal, and Shirley. DEWSBTJRY.—House-to-house collection. Special collection at the Handsworth floral DONCASTER.-—Life-boat day. fete. Presentation of prizes won in the life- DRIFFIELD.—Garden fete. boat essay competition for elementary schools. BLACKHEATH AND BLOCKLEY.— DURHAM.—Bridge drive. Life-boat days. GATESHEAD.—Garden fete, Life-boat BOSTON.—Life-boat day. Life-boat film day. "Boats that save life" shown. GOLCAR.—Life-boat day. BRIERLEY HILL.—Life-boat day. GOLDTHORPE.—Beetle and whist drive. BRISTOL.—Annual meeting, the Lord HARROGATE.—Life-boat day. Dancing Mayor, patron, in the chair. Speaker: matinee. Captain Guy Fanshawe, R.N., a member of HARTLEPOOL, HEMSWORTH, AND the committee of management of the Institu- HOLMFIRTH.—Life-boat days. tion. Amount collected in 1938 £1,354, an increase of £121 on 1937. HULL.—Annual meeting on 9th June, Life-boat day. the Lord Mayor presiding. Speaker: The district organizing secretary. Efforts of the BROMSGROVE, BROWNHILLS, BUR- past year: Life-boa.t day. Amount collected TON LATIMER & KETTERING, AND 1938 £509. BURTON-ON-TRENT.—Life-boat days. KEIGHLEY.—Annual meeting on 22nd BUXTON.—House-to-house collection. May, the Mayor, president of the branch, in CANNOCK.—Life-boat day. the chair. Efforts of the past year: Life-boat CHELTENHAM.—Annual meeting, the day, bring-and-buy sale, works appeal. Mayor, president, in the chair. Speaker: Amount collected in 1938 £291. The district organizing secretary. Amount KIRKHEATON.—House-to-house collec- collected in 1938 £180, an increase of £34 tion. on 1937. LEEDS.—Bring-and-buy sale. Life-boat CHESTERFIELD, AND COSELEY & day. SEDGLEY.—Life-boat days. MALTON.—Life-boat day. Exhibition of COVENTRY.—Life-boat day. Lantern needlework. lecture by Captain A. H. Sanders, assistant NEWBIGGIN.—Naming ceremony of new secretary, to Trinity Guild Society. motor life-boat. (A full account will appear DAVENTRY, DERBY (ALVASTON & in the next issue.) BOULTON), DESBOROUGH & DUDLEY, NEWCASTLE.—Bridge drive. Garden EARL SHILTON, ECCLESHALL, EVESHAM, FAIRFORD & LECHLADE, fete. GLOUCESTER, GRIMSBY AND CLEE- NEW MILL.—House-to-house collection. THORPES, HINCKLEY, HORNCASTLE, OSSETT, & OUTWOOD & STANLEY.— ILKESTON, & IRTHLINGBOROUGH.— Life-boat days. Life-boat days. PATRINGTON.—Whist drive. KIDDERMINSTER. — Life-boat day. PRUDHOE, SEAHAM HARBOUR, & Life-boat films shown at Futurist, Grand SHEFFIELD.—Life-boat days. and Empire. LANGWITH.—Sale of work at Scarcliffe STOCKSFIELD.—Garden meeting. House, by kind perrrission of Dr. and Mrs. STOCKTON.—Life-boat day. S. K. Poole, opened by Mrs. Warner-Turner. SUNDERLAND. — Beetle and whist Life-boat day. drives. Life-boat day. LEEK.—Life-boat day. TESSMOUTH.—The station has lost a LOUGHBOROUGH.—Life-boat day. valued member of its crew by the death, at the age of 59, of its second-coxswain, Joseph LOUTH.—House-to-house collection. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 171

MABLETHORPE & SUTTON-ON-SEA. and whist drive arranged by the Ladies' —Life-boat day. Life-boat Guild. Amount collected in 1938, MALVERN.—Special meeting with film £492, an increase of £82 on 1937. display, the Earl Beauchamp, president, in Golf competition. the chair. Speaker: The district organizing CLAYGATE.—Lantern lecture at Esher secretary. by Commander Worsley, R.N.R., "South MANSFIELD.—Garden meeting and with Shackleton." American tea in the grounds of High Oakham DARTFORD.—Garden meeting and House, by kind permission of Mrs. Fenwick. " bring-and-buy" sale, with address by Speaker: The district organizing secretary. Captain Basil Hall, R.N. MARKET HARBOROUGH.—House-to- DORKING.—Life-boat day. Presentation house collection. of prizes won in the life-boat essay competi- MATLOCK, NOTTINGHAM CITY, tion for elementary schools. OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH, RED- EASTBOURNE & DISTRICT.—Annual DITCH, RIPLEY, RUGBY, RUGELEY, meeting of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, the RUSHDEN, SCUNTHORPE, SLEAFORD, Mayor in the chair, supported by Mrs. Astley SPILSBY (CONINGSBY), STAFFORD, Roberts, president. Speaker: The district STOKE-ON-TRENT.—Life-boat days. organizing secretary. STOURBRIDGE.—Address by Mrs. Life-boat days in Eastbourne and country Stratford, honorary secretary of Wolver- districts, arranged by the Ladies' Life-boat hampton branch, to members of Inner Wheel. Guild. Golf competition at Willingdon. STOW-ON-THE-\VOLD, STRATFORD- EAST DEREHAM.—Life-boat day. ON-AVON, STROUD.—Life-boat days. ESHER.—Life-boat day. Life-boat film SUTTON COLDFIELD.—American tea, " Boats that Save Life " shown. at The Rookery, by kind permission of Miss GODALMING.—Tennis tournament. Tonks, president, and Mrs. Moore. Presenta- tion by the Mayoress of the statuettes of a GREAT YARMOUTH & GORLESTON.— life-boatman awarded by the Institution to Life-boat day. Half proceeds of a dance at Mrs. Haines, Miss Vince, Miss Webb, Mrs. Gorleston. Presentation of prizes won in the Gent, Mrs. Dain, Miss Sturmey, Mrs. Harri- life-boat essay competition for elementary son, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Ellison and Mrs. schools. Brookes, and of a framed picture awarded to Mrs. Purslow, all members of the branch HARLOW.—Branch formed, honorary committee. Speakers: The Rev. G. L. H. secretary, Mrs. Stewart. Lecture at Harlow Harvey, Rector of Sutton Coldfield, and the Women's Institute. district organizing secretary. HARPENDEN.—Life-boat film "Boats SUTTON IN ASHFIELD, UPTON ON that Save Life" shown, with collections. SEVERN, UTTOXETER, WALSALL, Presentation of prizes won in the life-boat WEDNESFIELD & WILLENHALL, WEL- essay competition for elementary schools. LINGBOROUGH.—Life-boat days. HARWICH.—Collection on cross-channel WOODHALL SPA.—Life-boat day. steamers. WORCESTER.—Addresses to Callow End HASLEMERE.—Life-boat day, organized Women's Institute and to the Secondary by the Royal Naval Old Comrades' Associa- and King's Schools, Worcester. tion, Haslemere branch. HENFIELD.—Branch formed, honorary South-East of England. secretary, Mr. R. H. Shepherd. Lecture at BEDFORD.—Life-boat day. Henfield Women's Institute. BOGNOR REGIS.—Golf competition. HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS.—"Bless- BURY ST. EDMUNDS, & BYFLEET & ing of the sea" service. PYRFORD.—Life-boat days. HIGH WYCOMBE.—Visit of party to CAISTER-ON-SEA.—Whist drive at Bassetsbury Manor. Ormesby, arranged by the Ladies' Life-boat HOLT & DISTRICT.—Life-boat day. Guild. HUNTINGDON & DISTRICT.—Life-boat CANTERBURY.—Annual meeting, Cap- day. Lecture at Hail Weston Women's tain G. G. P. Hewett, R.N., ret., chairman, Institute. presiding. Efforts of the past year: church and house-to-house collections, golf com- HYTHE & DYMCHURCH.—The branch petition. Amount collected in 1938 £67. has suffered a severe loss through the death of its president, the Right Hon. Sir Philip CATERHAM AND DISTRICT.—Life- Sassoon, Bt., G.B.E., C.M.G., M.P. Sir boat day. Philip was also patron of the Folkestone branch. CHICHESTER.—Whist drive at Slindon. Presentation by the Mayor of the gold CLACTON-ON-SEA.—Annual meeting, badge and the thanks inscribed on vellum Mr. H. J. Grant, president, in the chair. awarded by the Institution to Major H. R. Efforts of the past year: Life-boat Sunday Hildyard on his retirement from the honorary and boathouse collections, and life-boat day secretaryship. 172 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

ISLE OF SHEPPEY.—Life-boat day in TUNBRIDGE WELLS.—Life-boat day. Queenborough and district. House-to-house Life-boat film "The Story of the Life-boat" collection at Sheerness. Lantern lecture to shown. Model life-boat (constructed by the the Ladies' Life-boat Guild by Captain Basil Southborough branch) entered in carnival Hall, R.N. procession. KING'S LYNN.—Joint flag day with WALTON-ON-THAMES.—Life-boat day. Hull Sailors' Orphanage. WEYBRIDGE.—Life-boat day. LEATHERHEAD.—Life-boat day. WINDSOR, ETON

CHIPPING NORTON & CLEVEDON.— PLYMOUTH.—Life-boat day at Plymouth Life-boat day. and Saltash. DAWLISH.—Life-boat day at Dawlish POOLE.—Life-boat day at Wimborne and district. and Poole. EASTLEIGH.—Life-boat day at East- Naming ceremony of new motor life-boat. leigh and Chandlersford. (A special report will appear in the next issue.) EMSWORTH.—Life-boat day. PORTSMOUTH & SOUTHSEA.—Life- EXETER.—Life-boat day. Jumble sale. boat day at Portsmouth, Southsea and American tea at "Redcot." Havant. EXMOUTH.—Life-boat day at Budleigh REDRUTH.—Bridge and whist drive. Salterton. ROMSEY.—Life-boat day at Romsey and FARNBOROUGH & FLEET, FOWEY, surrounding villages. AND FROME.—Life-boat days. SALISBURY.—Life-boat day at Wilton HAYLING ISLAND.—Special meeting of and Amesbury. Whist drive at Figheldean. workers. Speaker: The district organizing secretary. Life-boat day. SEATON.—Life-boat day at Beer. HENLEY.—Life-boat day. SHIPLAKE.—Life-boat day. ILFRACOMBE.—Life-boat day at Ilfra- SIDMOUTH.—Life-boat day at Ottery combe and district. Life-boat film shown. St. Mary. Presentation by Colonel J. E. H. Balfour, C.M.G., D.S.O., J.P., of framed ISLE OF WIGHT.—77th annual meeting letters of thanks awarded by the Institution of the Isle of Wight Life-boat Board, Major- to four rescuers of the crew of an aeroplane General the Right Hon. Lord Mottistone, which made forced landing in the sea on P.C., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., president of the 22nd March, 1939. board and a vice-president of the Institution, in the chair. Efforts of the past year: Life- SOUTHAMPTON .—South-Western Dis- boat day, collections and dance. Amount trict conference. (See special report on collected in 1938 £873, an increase of £40 on page 162.) Life-boat day at Southampton 1937. and in country districts. Whist drives. Presentation of framed life-boat picture SWANAGE.—Annual meeting of Ladies' awarded by the Institution to Mrs. Tomasin Life-boat Guild. Speaker: The district of Ryde. organizing secretary. Mrs. Lloyd-Davies BEMBRIDGE.—Naming ceremony of elected president in succession to Mrs. Field, new motor life-boat. (A special report will and Mrs. Dyke, vice-president. appear in the next issue.) TAVISTOCK.—Life-boat day. COWES.—Annual meeting of Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Mrs. Perry, chairman, THAME.—Life-boat day at Thame and presiding. Watlington. RYDE.—Annual meeting of Ladies' TIVERTON.—Life-boat day at Tiverton, Life-boat Guild. Speaker: The district Bampton and district. organizing secretary. TORQUAY.—Life-boat day. Presentation by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the Institution, of the TOTNES.—House - to - house collection. challenge shield for the South-West of Life-boat day at Buckfastleigh and Stoke England in the life-boat essay competition Gabriel. for elementary schools, won by Norman TRURO.—Life-boat day. Christopher Cooper, of Oakfleld Church of England Boys' School, Ryde. WANTAGE.—Life-boat day at Faringdon. SANDOWN.—Address to the Rotary- WATCHET.—Presentation by the dis- Inner Wheel by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt. trict inspector of life-boats of framed life-boat picture awarded by the Institution to Mrs. LAUNCESTON.—House-to-house collec- Lee, honorary treasurer. Musical programme tion. by the band of the 51st (London) A.A. MALMESBURY.—Life-boat day. Regiment, R.A. (T.A.). MARLBOROUGH.—Life-boat day at WESTBURY.—Life-boat day. Pewsey. WESTON - SUPER - MARE. — Annual MELKSHAM.—Life-boat day. meeting of Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Speaker: MINEHEAD.—Naming ceremony of new The district organizing secretary. Life-boat motor life-boat. (A special report will appear day. in the next issue.) WEYMOUTH.—Annual meeting of Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Speaker: The district OKEHAMPTON.—Life-boat day. organizing secretary. PAIGNTON.—Life-boat day, with visit WINCHESTER.—Life-boat day at Four of Torbay life-boat. Marks. PETERSFIELD.—Life-boat day at Pe- WITNEY.—Life-boat day at Witney and tersfield and Liss. Charlbury. 174 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939.

WOODSTOCK.—Life-boat day at Wood- Open golf meeting at Longniddry, arranged stock and Burford. by Miss E. H. Sawers, a member of the YEOVIL.—Life-boat day at Crewkerne, Edinburgh Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Presen- Martock and surrounding villages of Yeovil. tations by Mr. F. H. Simpson, W.S., secretary of the branch, Mr. Harold Cowie, a member Addresses by Captain Basil Hall, R.N., to of the branch committee, and Dr. King Stadhampton, Kintbury and Purlcy Wo- Gillies, M.A., F.R.S.E., Royal High School, men's Institutes. of prizes won in the life-boat essay compe- tition for elementary schools. Scotland. ELGIN, FORFAR, & GIRVAN.—Life- boat days. Meeting of the Scottish Life-boat Council in Edinburgh on 26th May, the Duke of GLASGOW.—Life-boat day. Golf com- Montrose, C.B., C.V.O., V.D., LL.D., chair- petition at Busby and Clarkston golf course. man of the council and a vice-president of the Institution, in the chair. Speakers: The GRANGEMOUTH.—Life-boat day. Pre- Lord Saltoun, M.C., Harriet, Lady Findlay, sentation by Mrs. J. Wilkie of a prize won D.B.E., and Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, in the life-boat essay competition for elemen- M.C., T.D., deputy-secretary of the Institu- tary schools. tion. At the close of the meeting two life-boat GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY.—Life-boat day. films were shown and a commentary was GREENOCK.—Life-boat day. Presenta- provided by the northern district inspector of tion by Mr. T. S. Murray, honorary secretary life-boats. of the branch, of a prize won in the life-boat ABERDEEN.—Life-boat day. Presenta- essay competition for elementary schools. tion by Bailie Riddell of a prize won in the life-boat essay competition for elementary HAMILTON.—Presentation by Mrs. G. schools. M. Frew, honorary secretary of the Ladies' life-boat Guild, of a prize won in the life-boat ALLOA & DISTRICT.—Life-boat days. essay competition for elementary schools. ANNAN.—Life-boat day. Presentation of a prize won in the life-boat essay compe- HELENSBURGH, & INVERBERVIE.— tition for elementary schools. Life-boat days. ANSTRUTHER.—Life-boat days at An- INVERGORDON.—Annual meeting. struther, Pittenweem, and St. Monance. Efforts of the past year: Life-boat day. Amount collected in 1938 £21. ARBROATH, ARDRISHAIG, ARRAN, & AYTON & BURNMOUTH.—Life-boat INVERKEITHING, IRVINE, ISLE OF days. BUTE, JEDBURGH, AND KEITH.—Life- BANFF, MACDUFF, WHITEHILLS & boat days. GARDENSTOWN.—Dancing displays at KILMARNOCK.—Life-boat day. Dancing Banff, produced by Miss Lexy Wilson. display by the pupils of Miss Jean Inglis, House-to-house collection. Life-boat cruises. Lady Rowallan, president of the Ladles' BO'NESS.—Life-boat day. Life-boat Guild, in the chair. Presentation by Mrs. J. W. Hamilton, joint honorary BONNYBRIDGE.—Golf competition. secretary of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, BRECHIN, & BURNTISLAND.—Life- supported by Miss N. C. Hibbs, the otnet boat days. joint honorary secretary, of a prize won in CAMPBELTOWN.—Golf competitions at the life-boat essay competition for elementary Carradale. schools. CARRONBRIDGE, CARSTAIRS, AND KINGUSSIE, KINROSS, KIRKCALDY, COLDSTREAM.—Life-boat days. KIRKINTILLOCH & LENZIE, LARGS (WEMYSS BAY & SKELMORLIE), LER- CRIEFF.—Life-boat day. Lantern lecture WICK, LEVEN, LOCHGELLY, LOCH- to the Townswomen's Guild. GILPHEAD, LOSSIEMOUTH, MARK- INCH, MAYBOLE, & MONTROSE.—Life- CUPAR, AND DARVEL.—Life-boat days. boat days. DUNDEE.—Life-boat day. Presentation NAIRN.—Presentations by the Provost, of a prize won in the life-boat essay compe- on behalf of the Burgh of Nairn, to Mr. tition for elementary schools. George Ralph, Mr. George Ralph, Junior, DUNFERMLINE.—Presentation by Chief his son, and Mr. George Ralph Grenier, his Magistrate of a prize won in the life-boat grandson, in recognition of their gallantry in essay competition for elementary schools. rescuing three of the crew of the Russian steamer Kingisiepp on 27th January, 1937. EDINBURGH.—Presentation by the Mr. Ralph has already been presented with Duke of Montrose, C.B., C.V.O., V.D., the bronze medal of the Institution and his chairman of the Scottish Life-boat Council son and grandson with its thanks inscribed and a vice-president of the Institution, at on vellum. the Council meeting of the challenge shield for Scotland in the life-boat essay compe- NEWTONMORE, OBAN (BALLACH- tition for elementary schools won by Anne G. ULISH, BENDERLOCH, OBAN AND Notman, of the Flora Stevenson School, EASDALE), PERTH, AND PETERHEAD. Edinburgh. Life-boat days. OCTOBER, 1939.] THE LIFE-BOAT 175

PORT PATRICK.—The branch has suff- of Mr. John Roberts, for many years the ered a severe loss by the death of its chairman, second-coxswain. (See " Obituary.") Mr. John Begg. LUDLOW, & MONMOUTH.—Life-boat Life-boat day and dance. days. ROSEHEARTY.—Life-boat day. NEATH.—Annual meeting on 16th May, ST. ABBS.—Swimming gala, arranged by the Rector of Neath in the chair. Speaker: Mr. David Gibson, a member of the life-boat The district organizing secretary. Efforts of committee. the past year: Appeals for subscriptions, ST. ANDREWS.—Life-boat day. life-boat day, whist drive. Amount collected in 1938 £65, an increase of £21 on 1937. SALTCOATS.—Life-boat day and visit of Presentation to Miss F. M. Poole, honorary Troon motor life-boat. secretary, of the statuette of a life-boatman, SANQUHAR.—Life-boat day. Presenta- awarded to her by the Institution. tion of a prize won in the essay competition Life-boat day. for elementary schools. NEWPORT (MON.).—Annual meeting on STORNOWAY.—Life-boat day. Golf llth May, Captain F. W. Cutcliffe, chairman, competitions. presiding. Speaker: The district organizing secretary. Efforts of the past year: Appeals STRANRAER, TOBERMORY, TROON, for subscriptions, life-boat day, whist drive, AND VALE OF LEVEN.—Life-boat days. dance. Amount collected in 1938 £94. Prizes won in the life-boat essay competi- Life-boat day. tion for elementary schools were also pre- OSWESTRY, & PEN ARTH.—Life-boat sented at Ayr, Burnbank, Crimond, Kinloch- days. leven, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Letham, Mintlaw, Newmains, Paisley, Tarbolton, PEMBREY (CARMARTHENSHIRE).— Tarland, and Stair. Whist drive organized by Mrs. Bevan John, honorary secretary of the Llanelly Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Speaker: The district Wales. organizing seretary. (Including Herefordshire, Monmouthshire PONTYPRIDD, & ROSS-ON-WYE.— and Shropshire.) Life-boat days. ABERGELE, AND ABERTILLERY.— SHREWSBURY.—Annual meeting on 31st Life-boat day. May, Captain Charles G. Robinson, R.N., president, in the chair. Speaker: Lieut-Col. BARRY.—Life-boat day. Presentation by C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the Mrs. T. Rowlands, chairman of the Ladies' Institution. Efforts of the past year: Appeals Life-boat Guild, on behalf of the guild, to for subscriptions, life-boat day, American Miss Margaret Maekay on the occasion of tea. Amount collected in 1938 £178, an her marriage. increase of £40 on 1937. CARDIFF.—Annual meeting on 24th American tea in the grounds of Swan Hill May, the Deputy Lord Mayor in the chair. House, by kind permission of Mrs. Wynne Speaker: Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman Corrie. of the Institution. Efforts of the past year: SWANSEA.—Annual meeting on 24th Appeals for subscriptions, life-boat day, May, the Deputy Mayor in the chair. Speaker: dance. Amount collected in 1938 £406, an Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the increase of £20 on 1037. Institution, Lady William Jenkins elected Bridge drive, organized by Mrs. Frank E. president in place of Mrs. Walker-Heneage- Webber, chairman of the Ladies' Life-boat Vivian, resigned. Amount collected in 1938 Guild. Speaker: The district organizing sec- £124. retary. Life-boat day. CON WAY, FLINT, GORSEINON, TENBY.—Annual meeting on 5th May, GOWERTON, HAVERFORDWEST, LEO- the Mayoress in the chair. Speaker: The MINSTER, & LLANDOVERY.—Life-boat district organizing secretary. Efforts of the days. past year: Appeals for subscriptions, life-boat LLANELLY.—Annual meeting on 23rd day. Amount collected in 1938 £192, an May, the Mayor in the chair. Speaker: Sir increase of £14 on 1937. Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the Insti- WREXHAM.—Musical evening organized tution. Efforts of the past year: Appeals for by Mrs. Arthur Davies, the honorary secre- subscriptions, life-boat day, dance. Amount tary. Speaker: The district organizing collected in 1938 £143, an increase of £18 on secretary. 1937. Presentation to Mrs. Bevan John, honorary secretary, of the record of thanks Presentation of prizes won in the life-boat awarded to her by the Institution. essay competition for elementary schools at Penally, Camrose, Llanfyrnach, Haverford- LLANDUDNO.—The branch has suffered west, Llanelly, Ammanford, Cardiff, Abbey- a severe loss by the death of Mrs. Thorpe, dore, Canon Pyon, Kimbolton, Middleton its honorary treasurer. Priors, Woore, Bridgnorth, Dorrington, Al- LLANDULAS. The branch has lost an berbury, Shifnal, Saltney, Machen, Nantyglo, old member of the life-boat crew by the death Beaufort, Barry, Penderyn, and Ton Pentre. 176 THE LIFE-BOAT. [OCTOBER, 1939

Ireland. ENNIS, FOXROCK, GALWAY, GLEN- GARRIFF, INCHYDONEY, AND KIN- BELFAST, BALLYCOTTON, AND SALE.—Golf competitions. BANGOR (CO. DOWN).—Life-boat days. LARNE.—Annual meeting, the president, BRAY.—Golf competition. Mrs. T. K. E. Johnston in the chair. Amount collected in 1938 £79, an increase of £7 CAVAN.—Life-boat day. on 1937. Life-boat day. COURTOWN.—Golf competition. LONDONDERRY.—Life-boat day. DONAGHADEE, AND DROGHEDA.— MONKSTOWN (CO. CORK).—Golf com- Life-boat days. petition. DUBLIN.—Annual life-boat ball. Life- MULLINGAR, NEWCASTLE (DUN- boat days. DRUM), AND PORTRUSH.—Life-boat days. DUN LAOGHAIRE.—Mr. James V. Steele STRABANE.—Cinema show. appointed honorary secretary in the place of the late Mr. C. S. MeNeill. Golf competition. SUTTON.—Golf competition. DONEGAL, AND MOUNTCHARLES.— WHITEHEAD.—Life-boat day. Life-boat days. WOODENBRIDGE.—Golf competition.

Notice. THE LIFE-BOAT is published quarterly and is sent free to all honorary secretaries of branches and the Ladies'1 Life-boat Guild, to coxswains, honorary workers, subscribers often shillings and over, libraries, the principal hotels, and the Press. It is the current record of the work of the life-boat service, and the chief means by which it keeps its workers, subscribers, and the general public informed of its activities. Unless you are keeping a complete set of the journal you ivill help the Institution if, after reading this number, you will pass it on to a friend. All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about the journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number O/THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in December, 1939.