Volume XLIX Number 491 The Lifeboat Journal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Spring 1985 30p

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i. . • Invest in one of this country's Top Performing Unit Trusts and help to pay for a new R.N.L.I. Lifeboat. PROFESSIONAL 3, 5 and 7 yearst among all U.K. FUND MANAGERS WITH A THE FUND HAS ACHIEVED General Trusts and has earned it PROVEN TRACK RECORD AN AVERAGE ANNUAL the confidence of professionals, Investing in M.L.A. General Trust GROWTH RATE IN THE both investors and advisers. means you will be able to enjoy the VALUE OF UNITS OF 33.3%* OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS support of one of this country's top HELP IMPROVE YOUR investment fund management EXISTING INVESTMENT teams and M.L.A. will contribute to STRATEGY the R.N.L.I, funds every time any You too could benefit from their memberor supporter ofthe R.N.L.I. success by investing as little as decides to invest. £500 or as much as you like. And £10,000 HAS GROWN TO to complement your existing £131,530 portfolio, a regular income with- £10,000 invested with these drawal plan is now also available. Managers in June 1976, when they Ring for details. launched this highly successful Investment in unit trusts should M.L.A. General Trust, had grown in Managers'freedom within the be regarded as long term and you value to a staggering £131,530 by terms of the Trust Deed to invest are reminded that the price of units 8th January 1985, including wherever they consider they will and the income from them can go re-invested income.This represents obtain the maximum growth for down as well as up. an increase of 1215% on thatoriginal investors in terms of capital and investment. income growth. This freedom is Price and Yield ofM.LA. General Trust THE AIM OF highlighted by the team's as at 28.2.85 THE FUND MANAGERS achievement in putting M.L.A. in Offer Price: 2 72.9p** This success is due to the Fund the top position over a period of Yield: 2.05%

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MANAGERS M L A Unit Trust Management Ltd part of the Municipal Mutual Insurance Group The initial purchase is £500; thereafter units may be bought in multiples of £100. Units are bought whose assets exceed £500 million. 22 Old Queen Street. London SW1H 9JC. back at not less than the bid price calculated in accordance with the formula approved by the TRUSTEE: Midland Bank Trust Company Ltd.. ! 19 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1AQ Department of Trade and Industry A cheque in settlement will normally be sent within seven working days of receipt by the Managers of GENERAL INFORMATION: An initial charge of 5% is included in the offer price and a half-yearly the renounced unit certificate. charge of % of one percentum (plus VAT) of the capital value of the fund is deducted from gross income to meet the expenses of the Managers. Net income is distributed on 31st January and Contract Notes will be issued and unit certificates will be provided within six weete of payment. Unit 31st July together with a tax credit certificate and a half-yearly report. The trust is authorised by the trusts are not subject to capital gains tax. Department of Trade and Industry and is constituted by a Trust Deed dated 11th May 1976 The fund Moreoever unttholders will also be exempt from paying this tax unless their total realised gains many is valued daily and the price is quoted in the FT and Daily Telegraph. Units will be dealt in daily tax year exceed £5.600. Any orders received will be dealt with at the price ruling on the first work-ing day following the date of The information in this advertisement is based on our present understanding of Inland Revenue receipt of instructions. practiceand current tax legislation, February 1985.

Application Form for readers of The Lifeboat. To: M.L.A. Unit Trust Management Ltd., Freepost, Westminster, SW1H 9BR. Telephone: 01 -222 031 I/We would like to buy M.LA. General Units to the value of £ (min. £500) at the price ruling on the date of receipt of these instructions. A cheque payable to M.L.A. Unit Trust Management Ltd. is enclosed. I/We declare that I air /we are over 18. SUPPORTING THE LIFEBOATS Surname (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Title)(Bi_ocK LETTERS, PLEASE) First name(s) in full : Add ress Post Code. Signature(s) (Joint applicants should all sign and attach addresses separately) Registered in England No 1242681 Not available in the Republic of Ireland. LB 4 85 I THE Royal National Lifeboat LIFEBOAT Institution Spring 1985 Contents RNLI News. 146

Lifeboat Services 149 Volume XLIX Number 491 Sheringham's Retiring Coxswain (left) by Edward Wake-Walker. 156

Chairman: Cornish Correspondent THE DUKE OF ATHOLL by John Corin 160 Director and Secretary: REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI Shoreline. 163

Books. 163

Editor: People and places. 164 EDWARD WAKE-WALKER

Boat Shows. 166 Headquarters: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone Poole (0202) 671133). Letters 167 Telex: 41328. London Offices: RNLIKE CRAZY (left) Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW by Sally Wilson 168 (Telephone 01-928 4236). The Lifeboat Service— Advertisement Manager: past and present 169 COLIN PEGLEY Jackson-Rudd & Associates, Oldebourne House, 46-47 Chancery Lane, London The Fund Raisers . 170 WC2A 1JB (Telephone 01-405 3611/2 and 01-405 2860). Lifeboat Services, August, September and October 1984. 176 Printers: The Friary Press, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset. Awards to coxswains, crews and shorehelpers , 178

Subscription: A year's subscription of April. News items for the Autumn issue four issues costs £3.00, including should be sent in by the end of July. postage, but those who are entitled to receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge will Editorial: All material submitted for continue to do so. Overseas consideration with a view to publication subscriptions depend on the cost of in the journal should be addressed to postage to the country concerned. the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal COVER PICTURE Write to RNLI, West Quay Road, National Lifeboat Institution, West Bembridge lifeboat, Jack Shayler and the Lees, at full speed. She is a 48ft 6in Solent Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ class lifeboat, built in 1969. She has a steel (Telephone Poole (0202) 671133). hull and is launched down a slipway from her Next issue: the Summer issue of THE Photographs intended for return should boathouse. The photograph was taken by LIFEBOAT will appear in July and news be accompanied by a stamped and David Trotter. items should be sent by the end of addressed envelope. 145 * • • * • *

Falmouth's 52ft Arun class lifeboat, Eli- zabeth Ann, photographed during a service to the French trawler, St Simeon on February 15, 1985. Penlee and Plymouth lifeboats were also involved in the service, a full account of which will appear in the next issue of THE LIFEBOAT. Photograph of courtesy of David Brenchley, Cornish Photonews

Storm Force Richard Baker at Awards Readers from Eire, please note Storm Force, the new RNLI member- Presentation All the prices quoted in THE LIFEBOAT, ship scheme for everybody under 16, The well-known broadcaster, Richard both in advertisements and editorial, was launched at the London Boat Show Baker, OBE RD, will be guest speaker are pound sterling. It is important on January 2 by Erkan Mustafa who at the Annual Presentation of Awards therefore, due to the difference in value plays Roland Browning and Simone ceremony which takes place in the between the British pound and the Irish Nylander who plays Janet St Clair of Royal Festival Hall at the new time punt, that all payments should be made BBC Television's Grange Hill. of 2.30 pm on Tuesday May 21, 1985. in sterling, or its equivalent current Already hundreds of children have The AGM of the RNLI takes place at value in Irish punts. joined—or been enrolled by their par- 11.30 am on the morning of May 21 in ents or grandparents. Several clubs the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Cup of kindness have become group members and are Once again, the generous American, planning fund raising projects. So many Hydrographer appointment Mr J. P. Young from San Francisco, letters are being received from young Rear Admiral R. Morris has suc- distributed bottles of White Horse whis- members that it has been decided to ceeded Rear Admiral Sir David Haslam ky to RNLI lifeboatmen in December. print prize-winning star and runners-up as Hydrographer of the Navy and will It is his way of showing admiration for letters in subsequent Storm Force serve as an ex-officio member of the their work and last Christmas it was the newsletters. RNLI Committee of Management. turn of lifeboat crews from the Scot- 146 land North Division to benefit. It scarcely needs saying just how well the gift went down in that part of the world. THE LIFEBOAT editor retires Joan Davies, who has just retired after 11 years with the RNLI, was only the third editor of THE LIFEBOAT during the last sixty years. The other two were Charles Vince and Patrick Howarth, who points out that before Charles Vince's appointment as publicity secre- tary in 1931, THE LIFEBOAT was really

Prince Edward at the helm: Prince Edward paid a private visit to Hunstanton lifeboat station on January 7, while on holiday at Sandringham. The Prince, who is training to be an officer in the Royal Marines, took the helm of the station's Atlantic 21, Spirit of America, and during the exercise, visibility was reduced to almost nil by a blizzard. When the snowstorm had passed, crew members simulated a rescue by jumping into the sea, to show the Prince how survivors are recovered. He spent about two hours at Hunstanton altogether, taking time to meet all the station's crew and committee while coffee was served by Mrs Smith and Mrs Clarke of the ladies' guild. A few days later, the station received a letter from Prince Edward, saying that he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit.

Joan Davies. service, retired as technical services only a compilation made by members of controller; Harold Dowle who retired staff under the general direction of the as chief draughtsman/machinery after 20 Secretary of the Institution. years' service; Trevor Evans who spent The high standards set by Joan have 17 years with the Institution and retired been acknowledged by many readers, as overseer/inshore lifeboats at Cowes and also by Paul Titterington of Friary Base and James Simpson who retired, Press, the printers of THE LIFEBOAT, who after ten years' service, as electronics wrote, on her retirement: engineer. 'Joan is one of those very rare people who knew exactly what both the printer NEWS POINT and the reader required. Her dedication to the job was paramount, and the presen- NOT JUST BOOTS tation of copy was always of the highest The recent advertising campaign '£5 order.' buys him a pair of boots' has highlighted Patrick Howarth writes: the costs of kitting out a lifeboatman. 'THE LIFEBOAT has always contained The protective clothing, boots, bump material of interest because of the very cap, lifejacket and lifeline cost £167. It's nature of the service whose doings it a small price to pay to keep our crews as reports. But it was only under Joan warm, dry—and safe—as possible. Davies's editorship that it became a maga- But the lifeboatman's gear is only a zine of evident high quality and absorbing general interest. small part of the equipment needed in 'She is one of the most modest people it the lifeboat service. Radios, radars, has been my pleasure to know and one anchors, stretchers, boathooks, fen- with the least concern for material re- ders, flares . . . there are over 13,000 wards. I hope it will give her some different items in the RNLI stores. They satisfaction in her retirement to feel, as she are needed to keep the fleet of 350 life- has every right to feel, that she was the boats in top condition, and in a state of outstanding editor of a magazine whose permanent readiness. Every piece of history goes back 133 years.' equipment is specially selected for its Other retirements quality and reliability. It is necessarily The end of 1984 saw the departure of an expensive business, as the high stan- service this year will be over £20 million, the following long-serving members of dards of our crews must be matched in 76 per cent of which will go directly on staff: the boats and gear they use. It helps to building and maintaining the lifeboat George Maton who, after 37 years of explain why the net cost of the lifeboat fleet. 147 Free wheelers The lifeboat at Walton is moored afloat off the end of the pier, about three-quarters of a mile from the boath- ouse. When the crew are called out, they have to collect their gear and run along the pier with lifejacket straps flying in the wind. The Walton and Frinton ladies' guild, ever inventive, came up with the answer; postman's bicycles. With its wide tyres and large carrier on the front, this special bicycle would be ideal for the kilometre dash. So the guild wrote to the Post Office asking if they could buy some second- hand bicycles. The reply was: 'We have considered the nature of this request and, bearing in mind the importance of the work carried out by the RNLI, I am pleased to inform you that these items will be given free of charge'. First class service.

Round the World—by lifeboat David Cowper, the first person to have sailed around the world single- handed both ways via Cape Horn, Cycles at the ready: I to r, postman, Mr Semple, Jim Berry, Walton and Frinton lifeboat mechanic, Keith Richardson, assistant mechanic, Coxswain Dennis Finch and chairman of the ladies' guild, abandoned sail last year to attempt the Mrs Robertson. first single-handed circumnavigation under power. He chose the former Dungeness Watson class lifeboat, Mabel E. Holland, for his trip and, leaving Plymouth on April 16, 1984, set off for the Azores. The longest single leg of the trip was 4,650 miles from Panama to Tahiti, for which he had to carry 1,000 gallons of fuel. Bad weather was encountered on this leg, but the lifeboat behaved well apart from prob- lems with propeller shaft seals. Mr Cowper reached Australia by August, spent Christmas Day on passage be- tween St Helena and Ascension Island, and finally arrived back in Plymouth to the welcome of cannon fire from the Royal Western Yacht Club on February 2, 1985.

David Cowper reaches Plymouth. Photograph by courtesy of Motor Boat and Yachting Anniversaries station branch and it was accepted by The 150th anniversary of the Berwick- Coxswain John Walsh. upon-Tweed station was celebrated by a thanksgiving service on February 3 at Tweedmouth Parish Church, attended On Station by Captain T. A. C. Keay, a member of The following lifeboats have taken up the Committee of Management. Mayor station duty: Andrew Easton was present along with Padstow, Cornwall: 47ft Tyne class Sheriff of Berwick, The Reverend lifeboat ON 1094 (47-003), James Arthur Wiltshire; local MP, Alan Beith; Burrough, December 28, 1984. representatives from HM Coastguard, Southwold, Suffolk: Atlantic 21 rigid HM Customs, the Ambulance Service, inflatable lifeboat B562, The Quiver, Police, neighbouring lifeboat stations January 12, 1985. and the Royal Order of Buffaloes who Pools, Dorset: 20ft Boston Whaler Out- funded the present Berwick lifeboat. rage A513, January, 21, 1985. The thanksgiving was followed by a Lochinver, Sutherland: 48ft 6in Solent service of re-dedication at the class lifeboat ON 1007 (48-004), boathouse. George Urie Scott (previously sta- The centenary of the Dunmore East tioned at Rosslare), February 13, station was celebrated on November 24 1985. Captain Keay presents a commemorative with a commemorative service at Killea Arranmore, Co Donegal: 52ft Barnett vellum to Berwick-upon-Tweed branch chair- Parish Church, attended by Ronald class lifeboat ON 924, Archibald and man, Ian Moore. The Reverend Arthur Delaney, a member of the Committee Alexander M. Paterson (previously Wiltshire, Sheriff of Berwick, is in the back- of Management. A marble plaque was stationed at Stromness), March 1, ground. presented by the ladies' guild to the 1985. 148 South West Division water who, if still alive, were in most urgent need of rescuing. The wind was Trapped under sea now force 4 and to cope with the extraordinary confused sea, he had to wall use the full range of the two engines' power and direction. A man and a AT 1852 on Tuesday September 11, woman's body were pulled aboard by 1984, Lyme Regis honorary secretary the crew members and the lifeboat drew was informed by Portland Coastguard clear of the scene. that some people had been cut off by The two bodies appeared to be the tide at Black Beach groynes, some lifeless, but Robert Irish and James six cables to the north east of Lyme Thomas immediately began to adminis- Regis Cobb, and that bodies could be ter first aid and resuscitation. Helms- seen in the water. man Hodder then decided that the three By 1900, the relief Atlantic 21 rigid people on the head of the groyne should inflatable lifeboat on temporary duty at at once be lifted off as the tide was Lyme Regis, was launched and heading rising and they were in danger of being for the reported position. Her crew swept off by the confused sea. He were Helmsman John Hodder and approached the groyne, again using the Crew Members Robert Irish, James full range of power and direction of his Thomas and Paul Wason. A force 3 to 4 engines to position the stern of the breeze was blowing from the north west, lifeboat firmly into the angle between visibility was clear, the sea slight with a the head of the groyne and the stone three foot swell and it was some two steps. hours before high water. The two men who were stranded John Hodder drove the lifeboat at full seemed to be suffering from exhaustion speed, parallel with the coast towards and the woman indicated with some the groynes, then, on nearing the scene, despair that she would not leave the dog he altered course to the north west to behind. But the policeman above man- head inshore. At 1908 the lifeboat stood aged to grasp the dog's leash and hauled off the groynes, where, due to their the dog (a full grown Alsatian) by the poor state of repair, a confused sea was neck up the sea wall. While he was sweeping in through the groynes to- doing this, the three casualties were wards the shore, with waves between grasped, one by one, and heaved eight and ten feet high. aboard the lifeboat by Crew Member Two men, a woman and a dog could Paul Wason. It had been impossible to be seen stranded at the head of a groyne hold the stern of the lifeboat in position on some stone steps below the sea wall. for more than two or three seconds at a and a quarter miles east north east of Two bodies could also be seen floating time and John Hodder needed to make Hartlepool Heugh. A further message about twenty feet away from the sea eight different approaches. from the fishing vessel revealed that she wall, both were motionless. All three people were wrapped in had now suffered total engine failure Although the three people on the survivors' sheets and the crew attemp- and the weather was worsening. stone steps were apparently alive and ted to warm them. The crew had also, The relief 47ft Watson class lifeboat, well, they could not move from the throughout the rescue, tried to revive Laura Moncur, on temporary duty at steps. The water was too deep and they the two picked out of the water with Teesmouth, launched at 1335 into a were unable to climb the ten foot sea mouth to mouth resuscitation. The life- westerly gale force 8, gusting to force 9, wall behind them. A policeman was boat returned to harbour where it was and a rough sea with 15ft swell. Cox- above them on the sea wall but could met by an ambulance and the station's swain William Carter, at the helm, neither climb down nor pull the people honorary medical adviser. The two made full speed for the last known up because the wall was too high. people from the water were pronounced position of Ronleo, now about seven John Hodder manoeuvred the life- dead and the other three, all of whom miles off Hartlepool. boat towards the two people in the had to be carried ashore, were suffering At 1400 Tyne Tees Coastguard up- from exposure. Minor damage had been dated the position of the casualty and sustained to the lifeboat's bow, which Coxswain Carter altered course accord- was later repaired with a patch. She was ingly to steer 081 degrees. A police rehoused, ready again for service at launch, Northumbria, was also at sea 1930. and approaching Ronleo's position but For this service the thanks of the she reported that the weather was so Institution, inscribed on vellum, have severe, with waves up to 30 feet, that been awarded to Helmsman John L. she doubted a visual location would be Hodder. Letters of appreciation, signed possible. Radar performance aboard by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, direc- Teesmouth lifeboat was also poor be- tor of the RNLI, were sent to Crew cause of the conditions. When North- Members Robert Irish, James R. Tho- umbria arrived at the fishing vessel's mas and Paul Wason. last known position she reported that Ronleo could not be seen. The Coastguard asked the police East Division launch to fire a red parachute flare which was spotted by the lifeboat crew Engine failure in gale about a mile to the north west of them. Coxswain Carter decided to continue on THE CREW OF Teesmouth lifeboat assem- the course he was steering and at 1445, bled at the boathouse on the afternoon Ronleo appeared dead ahead, rolling of Saturday October 20, 1984, after a heavily and disappearing frequently in fishing vessel, Ronleo, had reported the spray. VHP communication was Helmsman John Hodder. that she was in need of assistance, six established on channel 16 and the 149 fishing boat's skipper was advised, on Ribble because of the weather. She ran seaward. The yacht, which had been receiving the tow rope, to make it fast aground on the bar and having taken a developing a list to starboard, remained before letting his anchor cable away. pounding, her skipper, afraid she might aground but in a safer attitude. The lifeboat circled the casualty twice break up, had been firing distress flares Meanwhile a 32ft fishing vessel, and at the first attempt, the towing at intervals. Swandancer, skippered by Gerald cable was passed and made fast. Be- The lifeboat came alongside the yacht Thompson's brother David and crewed cause of the conditions, two heavy lines which was now anchored in shallow by Darrel Foster, had just finished had been joined to give a long tow rope, water. Crew Member David Topping hauling her gear in the lee of St Mary's and at the join a heavy rope fender was was put on board Orari to help pump Island. The wife of Swandancer's skip- attached to prevent the line from the yacht out as she had been taking per, who had been watching Surprise, snatching. water, and to try to weigh the anchor, called her husband on a private radio The homeward passage began at something her crew had been unable to frequency to tell him what was happe- 1510. The lifeboat was punching into do. Eventually a tow rope was passed ning. David Thompson left the fishing heavy weather and speed had to be when the anchor chain broke, but the ground and steamed towards Forth restricted because of the large amounts yacht was now filling with water, so her Mellon Beach. of water going aboard the fishing boat. crew and David Topping were taken On arrival, about 15 minutes later, For the first half hour an estimated aboard the lifeboat. A tow was then Swandancer took over the towline from speed of four knots was maintained but attempted to pull the sinking yacht to a Surprise. While attempting to pass a as the wind increased to severe gale position where she could be salvaged. longer and stronger line, the end aboard force 9, gusting to force 10, progress However, this was unsuccessful and she the yacht was lost overboard. The two slowed to about two knots. sank, becoming a total loss. brothers decided more hands were Although extremely uncomfortable, The lifeboat returned to her moorings needed aboard Swandancer, so Surprise the two men aboard Ronleo reported and the three survivors were brought was secured to the nearby quay and her that they were well and the tow con- ashore at Lytham at 2220. crew taken aboard the fishing vessel. tinued, straight into wind and weather, She then returned to the scene where towards Hartlepool. At 1715 Ronleo she secured a headline to the Customs radioed that her bilge pump had failed buoy so that she could be veered down and her skipper was very concerned South West Division to the casualty. After several attempts a about the amount of water in the engine towline was floated down to the yacht room. The tow was stopped to enable a Rescue by fishermen using two fenders, and secured. man aboard Ronleo to go forward and With a headline secured to the Cus- assess the situation but he soon re- A NORTH-EASTERLY NEAR GALE, force 7, toms buoy, her engine turning ahead ported that the tow should continue at gusting to force 8 was blowing and the and the towline on her hauling winch, best possible speed for Hartlepool. sea in St Mary's Harbour, Isles of Scilly, the fishing vessel was able to maintain The harbour entrance was reached at was rough when at about 1625 on the tension on the towline. The yacht was 1800 and the fishing vessel was lashed afternoon of Tuesday May 22, 1984, the kept head to sea until, at about 1830, alongside the lifeboat so that she could joint services training yacht Kukri she floated free on the rising tide. be berthed in the fish dock. Teesmouth parted her mooring. There were 11 men The yacht was secured to the quay lifeboat then returned to station and on board as she began to drift towards and once they had established that was rehoused, ready again for service at Forth Mellon beach. Her engine was no-one was injured on board, the res- 1920 after nearly six hours at sea. started but no headway could be made cuers returned home at 1930. After an in the rough sea and despite her anchor inspection of her keel by a diver the being rapidly deployed, the yacht, next morning, Kukri sailed for Ports- West Division which had a ten foot draft, dragged on mouth, apparently none the worse for to the beach where she grounded, the incident. Aground on the bar broadside to the sea. For this rescue, a letter of appre- Only a few minutes earlier St Mary's ciation, signed by the director, Rear ON THE EVENING OF Wednesday July 11, lifeboat had been called away to search Admiral W. J. Graham, was sent to 1984, a yacht, in difficulties in the for the yacht Zingana, many miles north David Thompson, Gerald Thompson, estuary of the River Ribble, fired a red of St Mary's. However, the passenger Darrel Foster and George Mudge. flare. She could be seen by the auxiliary launch, Surprise, had just finished dis- coastguard at Lytham at anchor, and embarking passengers at the quay. Her pounding in heavy seas. skipper, Gerald Thompson, and his Ireland Division At 2040 Lytham St Anne's 47ft Wat- crewman, George Mudge, saw Kukri's son class lifeboat, City of Bradford III, predicament and cast off immediately, with Coxswain Arthur Wignall in com- negotiating a way towards the yacht Broken rudder mand, left her mooring and headed for through numerous store-pot markers. A YACHT in trouble to the south of the The tide was falling, about 30 minutes Calf Islands, off the southern Irish before low water, as they attempted to coast, was firing red flares. They were pass a tow line. sighted and reported to the honorary Surprise, with her three foot draft, secretary of Baltimore lifeboat station at high bow and forward wheel shelter, 1320 on the afternoon of Friday approached the yacht bow first, her September 21, 1984. He ordered an stern to windward; this was the attitude she naturally adopts when allowed to drift. The launch rolled violently in the r RNLB City of Bradford III. Photograph by short breaking swell and her crew were courtesy of Manchester Evening News soaked as the seas swept over her, but the yacht. The weather was fair and they succeeded in passing a line. Her there was a westerly moderate breeze, skipper attempted to tow stern first, but force 4, blowing as the lifeboat her two engines could not develop approached the casualty, 35 minutes enough power. So the towline was later. She was the 23ft Orari with three passed to the stern of the launch, and people on board. She had been on although the yacht could not be towed passage from Piel Island to Hoylake but clear. Surprise was able to turn the had decided to make a detour up the yacht so that her bows pointed to RNLB Charles Hem 150 immediate launch of the lifeboat, know- unsuccessful because of restricted marooned on an offshore platform ing that the very strong wind would be manoeuvrability. which forms part of Sizewell nuclear blowing the casualty on to the danger- Despite the rough conditions, the power station. ous Toorane rocks. lifeboat was able to pass a tow and the At 1402 Aldeburgh's 37ft 6in Rother Ten minutes later Baltimore's 48ft 6in yacht was taken into the safety of class lifeboat, James Cable, launched Oakley class lifeboat, Charles Henry, Baltimore Harbour. Back at her station from the beach with Coxswain William was launched with Coxswain Cristie at 1530, the lifeboat was rehoused, Burrell in command. The weather had Collins in command. Although visibility ready again for service at 1600. been deteriorating all day and at the was good, there was a north-westerly time of launch the wind was a southerly near gale, force 7, blowing and the sea near gale, force 7, and there was a was rough. At 1358 the lifeboat crew East Division moderate to rough sea with moderate sighted the yacht; she was to the west of swell; it was overcast with occasional Sherkin Island and drifting towards the Marooned on platform rain and visibility was moderate to poor. rocks, her anchor was not holding. She The lifeboat headed north at full had five people on board and had been THAMES COASTGUARD contacted Aide- speed and arrived at the platform at sailing between the Calf Islands in burgh lifeboat station's honorary sec- about 1425. An inflatable dinghy could company with another yacht when her retary on the afternoon of Wednesday be seen, made fast to the structure, but rudder had broken. The other yacht October 24, 1984 and requested a submerged. Coxswain Burrell steered attempted to tow her clear but was launch to 12 maintenance men to the east of the platform, then swung

Humber: The 100-year-old, 86ft gaff-rigged ketch, William McCann, used to help connect a tow rope. Unfortunately, the ketch's propeller had run aground at Donna Nook on the night of Saturday November became fouled with the tow rope and the attempt had to be abandoned 17, 1984. Her II passengers were lifted off during the night by on that tide. The next da\ the lifeboat and boarding boat again were at helicopter while Humber's 54ft Arun class lifeboat. City of Bradford the scene and this time a tow rope was successfully connected. William IV, stood by. The eight crew members of William McCann decided to McCann began to come off, then her stern hit another sand bank and stay aboard to see if the ketch could be refloated at high tide. The the tow parted. With the use of the boarding boat the line was following day the lifeboat, with Superintendent Coxswain Brian Sevan re-connected and the casualty towed clear. She wax making water in command, launched at 1208 to help while re-floating was attempted. down aft, but a portable pump was keeping the water level down. The The crew of eight were still aboard, the vessel was making some water ketch was towed to Grimsbv and berthed in the fish dock at 1656. At in the stern and there was heavy surf. As this photograph shows, the 1700 the lifeboat left Grimsbv on another service. station's boarding boat, an I8ft6in McLachlan class lifeboat, was also Photograph by courtesy of Grimsbv Evening Telegraph

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151 round to head south into the wind and tide for an approach on the west side of the platform, where there was a walkway. The wind was now fluctuating be- tween south and south west, force 7 to 8, and there was a rough confused sea with six to eight foot swell. It soon became clear that it would not be possible to lay the lifeboat alongside as there were six steel projections jutting out from the walkway. These were thought to have supported wooden fendering in the past. Instead, the coxswain was forced to make a series of runs in to take off the 12 men. On the first, one man was successfully embarked but on a second attempt the high wind and rough sea made it necessary to steam abruptly full astern to avoid damage to the lifeboat's hull. For the third run in the coxswain approached the rig at an angle of about 40°, his port bow well fendered, and, using helm and engines, held the life- boat in a position so that two men were able to jump onto the foredeck. Just afterwards, the seas lifted the lifeboat some six to eight feet, forcing her bow under one of the projections and caus- ing some damage to the port pulpit rail and end box. On the next run in eight men were able to jump aboard the lifeboat. Un- fortunately one of them landed heavily and suffered a broken ankle. Weston-super-Mare: On Wednesday July 25, 1984, the station's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable On the final run in it took much lifeboat, Weston Centenary, was on stand-by for the town's air day. She was waiting to carry out persuasion to get the last man to jump a helicopter lift demonstration when a crew member at the boathouse spotted a small open boat, but eventually he was pulled aboard and drifting towards Sand Bay, the three people on board waving lifejackets. The lifeboat, manned the lifeboat headed for home at full by Helmsman Julian Morris and Crew Members Richard Spindler and Nicholas White, was speed. informed and headed for the motor boat. Her three occupants were taken aboard the lifeboat and All those who had been taken off she was towed to Knightstone Harbour. were in the wheelhouse, except the Photograph by courtesy of Simon White, West Air Photography injured man. The first aiders in the crew continue the service on her port engine, South West Division though special caution was needed cros- sing the bar. Cabin cruiser swamped The casualty by now had drifted back out into the bay, having suffered engine ONE OF APPLEDORE lifeboat station's failure after being swamped. She had shore helpers, Mr P. Ford, was out also lost her dinghy and when the fishing in his own boat on the afternoon lifeboat came alongside her occupants of Saturday September 29, 1984, when were bailing out. The lifeboat con- he saw an 18ft cabin cruiser trying to nected a tow and pulled the cabin negotiate the harbour bar, two hours cruiser further out to sea, away from the before low water. Although the weather worst of the swell near the bar. was fine with a light westerly breeze, Helmsman Edwards realised that it RNLB James Cable. the swell on the bar was some ten feet would be some hours before the tide considered, under the circumstances, it high and the cabin cruiser was frequent- turned and the sea moderated enough was better not to try and move him. ly lost to sight. Then he saw that she had over the bar to attempt a tow back to Instead, all the lifeboat's crew, except been turned broadside on and was harbour. However, with the risk of the the coxswain and wireless operator, listing at 90 degrees on the side of a two survivors becoming hypothermic sheltered and protected the man on the wave. At one point, while the boat was and because he still only had use of one foredeck with their own bodies, blank- on her beam ends, one of her two engine, he decided to ask for the station's ets and spare oilskins. During most of occupants fell from the top to the 47ft Watson class lifeboat, Louisa Anne the 30 minute passage back to station, bottom of the boat. Hawker, to launch. At 1504 she left her the lifeboat was heading into wind and Immediately he alerted the nearby mooring, and on reaching the bar, sea and being swept overall. fishing vessel, Walker, which was able Acting Coxswain John Pavitt, at the At 1510 the lifeboat was beached and to radio Hartland Coastguard for assis- helm, had to pick his moment to cross the maintenance men landed. The in- tance. At 1438 Appledore's Atlantic 21 and even then, the lifeboat lightly jured man was examined by a local rigid inflatable lifeboat, Wildenrath touched the bottom in the troughs. The doctor and then taken to Ipswich Hospi- Wizzer, was launched, manned by tow was transferred to the larger life- tal by ambulance. Helmsman Clifford Edwards and Crew boat when she arrived at the casualty. Following this service a letter of Members Richard Miller and Roy There would be one hour and three appreciation, signed by Cdr Bruce Harkness. Almost immediately after quarters to wait, however, before the Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to launching, the Atlantic 21's starboard tide turned and there was enough water Coxswain William Burrell and his crew. engine seized, but she was still able to over the bar to tow the cabin cruiser 152 safely back into harbour. One of the temporary duty at Largs, was launched. boy, some 50 feet up the cliff. The survivors was beginning to suffer from She was manned by Helmsman David Chapelporth lifeguard who was also on hypothermia and the acting coxswain Hewitt and Crew Members Bernard the scene, informed the lifeboat helms- asked for a helicopter to stand by to lift Andrews and Neil Harrison. man that he had been told by the boy him off. The man was unwilling to be It was raining heavily, there was a that there was another boy who had last taken off, so instead the lifeboat crew southerly breeze, force 3, and when the been seen in the vicinity of a large cave, took all necessary precautions to keep lifeboat located the yacht, at 2238, she to the south of Chapelporth. By this him and his companion warm. was found to be burning fiercely in an time a search and rescue helicopter At 1710 the lifeboat began the tow area of shoal water and underlying from RNAS Culdrose had arrived and into harbour accompanied by the Atlan- obstructions. Visibility was impaired by while the boy was being hauled up the tic 21 and without further incident the the smoke but the lifeboat crew could cliff, Helmsman Bliss steered the life- cabin cruiser was returned safely to her just discern a faint light 10 to 15 yards boat through the breaking surf towards mooring at Braunton. north east of the yacht. The light was the cave to look for the second boy. After this service a letter of appre- from a small inflatable dinghy which When they reached the cave, half a mile ciation, signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, had four adults and three young chil- away, its floor and entrance were com- chief of operations, was sent to Shore dren on board. At the same time cries pletely covered by the rising tide and all Attendant P. Ford for his prompt initia- for help were coming from somewhere access was therefore impossible. tive in raising the alarm. in the water but, because the dinghy The lifeboat crews continued to was in imminent danger of being swam- search the immediate coastline for any East Division ped, Helmsman Hewitt decided it was sign of the second boy. The area be- important to take the occupants on tween St Agnes Head and Gullyn Rock board as soon as possible. This was was vigorously patrolled, the lifeboat Girl swimmer quickly carried out while the two people returning to the cave on several occa- in the water were located and kept in sions. Finally, at 2050, the search was MABLETHORPE LIFEBOAT CREW were asked view by using the searchlight. Then called off and the lifeboat returned to to stand by on the afternoon of Sunday they, too, were picked out of the water station where she was refuelled and August 26, 1984, after Humber coast- and the helmsman headed back to Largs ready for service at 2115. guard reported that there were a num- lifeboat station with all nine survivors, The body of the second boy was ber of bathers near Tunnel Run outfall in varying states of shock and exposure. eventually recovered from the cave at where, with the making tide, heavy surf They were examined by the honorary 2300 by the Coastguard. He was was breaking. The weather was clear medical adviser back at the station, drowned after having been cut off by the and the wind easterly, force 2 to 3. given dry clothes and taken by ambu- rising tide. At 1602 the station's 15ft 6in D class lance to Inverclyde Hospital. The life- Following this service, a letter, signed inflatable lifeboat launched, manned by boat was refuelled, rehoused and ready by the chief of operations, Cdr Bruce Helmsman Bernard Tuplin and Crew again for service at 0015. Cairns, was sent to the crew of St Agnes Members Thomas Freeman and The accident had come about when lifeboat, thanking them for their dedica- Raymond Mayfield. A girl swimmer the yacht ran aground, broadcast a ton and determination in searching in was in difficulty floating near the out- MAYDAY and was set ablaze while firing a breaking surf for over three hours. fall. The lifeboat was run in as close as distress flare. The crew were then possible and Crew Member Raymond forced to abandon ship. Mayfield rolled off the sponson into the For this service, a letter signed by South East Division water. Heavy surf threw him against the Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director, concrete outfall, injuring his shoulder was sent to Largs station honorary and the fingers on his left hand. Despite Seven aboard liferaft secretary, passing on appreciation to all these injuries, Raymond Mayfield was the crew and shore helpers who took AT 0115 in the early hours of Saturday, able to bring the girl to the side of the part. October 20, 1984, red flares were sight- lifeboat where Thomas Freeman pulled ed in the Bramble Bank area of the her aboard. Solent. By 0136, Calshot's 40ft Keith Three large seas broke over the South West Division Nelson lifeboat, Ernest William and lifeboat before it was eventually possi- Elizabeth Ellen Hinde, under the com- ble to get Crew Member Mayfield back Search for missing mand of Coxswain John Horton, was on on board. The lifeboat then headed her way to begin a search at West back to the beach where the girl was boys Bramble buoy. taken to a first aid post. THE DEPUTY LAUNCHING AUTHORITY at St The wind was west-south-westerly Wayne Docking took Raymond Mayfield's place in the crew when the Agnes was informed by Falmouth force 6 to 7 and the sea was rough as the Coastguard at 1746 on Tuesday August lifeboat passed Calshot light vessel. Just lifeboat was called out again to look for 28, 1984, that a youth was cut off by the then, a red hand flare was sighted. another girl who was missing. However, tide at Chapelporth. Maroons were Immediately the coxswain altered she was later found to be safe ashore immediately fired and by 1750 St course to investigate and as the lifeboat and the lifeboat returned to station at Agnes' 15ft 6in D class inflatable life- came nearer, her searchlight beam pick- 1649. boat, manned by Helmsman Peter Bliss ed up an inflatable liferaft with seven For this service a letter of appre- and Crew Members John Stephens and people on board. They were quickly ciation, signed by the chief of oper- Paul Gamble, was launched and head- hauled aboard the lifeboat and treated ations, Cdr Bruce Cairns, was sent to ing at full speed for the casualty. for exposure. Although all seemed to be Crew Member Raymond A. Mayfield. It was an hour and a half before high unharmed, one was suffering from sea water, there was a westerly wind, force sickness. Scotland South Division 4 to 5, a moderate sea and a five foot The seven survivors had been sailing ground swell. The lifeboat rounded St a 36ft yacht from Southampton to Yacht ablaze Agnes Head and at 1758 hove to off Cowes. The yacht had hit the Bramble Chapelporth. The swell was now six feet Bank after a navigational error and had AT 2225 ON THE NIGHT OF Saturday in height and the breaking surf close lost her keel. September 8, 1984, Clyde coastguard inshore was reaching eight to ten feet. On arrival back at the station at 0202, reported a yacht aground, north of Visibility was good and the Coast- the survivors were checked out by the Hunterston power station. Three mi- guard cliff rescue team could be seen assistant honorary medical adviser be- nutes later the relief Atlantic 21 rigid indicating to the lifeboat that they fore being taken to Southampton in the inflatable lifeboat, William Yeo, on intended to lift the casualty, a small harbour patrol launch. The lifeboat was 153 back on her mooring, ready for service first to reach the yacht which was lying South East Division at 0230. with her bow under water in a position close to Platte Rock. The ferry's boat- Sick man aboard ferry man passed a line aboard La Boussole South West Division and towed her towards Corblets Bay. AT 1300 on the afternoon of Thursday At 2243 the lifeboat arrived. She had October 4, 1984, Poole's 33ft Brede Sail board to the rescue fired three white parachute flares to class lifeboat. Inner Wheel, launched on locate the two boats and this revealed service after the cross channel ferry, that the yacht, under tow, was in danger MR KEITH WORTHINGTON and his family, Purbeck, reported she had a man of rolling over and sinking, taking the holidaying at Boswinger, Cornwall, aboard with severe abdominal pains. ferry and occupants with her. Coxswain Frank Ide was at the helm were spending Tuesday August 7, 1984, The lifeboat took off the only crew on the beach at Hemmick Bay. At of the lifeboat and the station's honor- member aboard the yacht and one of about midday, he saw his 9-year-old ary medical adviser, Dr M. S. Taylor, the passengers from the ferry which daughter with a two-year-old boy being was on board. The wind was east-south- blown out to sea in a small plastic easterly, near gale force 7, there were dinghy by an offshore, north easterly, rain showers and the sea was rough force 2 to 3 wind. when the lifeboat drew alongside the The sea was slight with no swell and ferry at 1330. Dr Taylor was unaccus- Mr Worthington plunged into the water tomed to mounting pilot ladders but and tried to swim after the dinghy. despite this and the rough sea, he Unfortunately he could not swim fast succeeded in getting aboard Purbeck. enough to catch up with the two child- There he attended the sick man and ren. Mrs Worthington, meanwhile, had decided to stay on board the ferry with begun scrambling along the rocky shore his patient until she berthed in Poole. in an attempt to get ahead of the dinghy The man was then taken to hospital. so that she could swim out and intercept Meanwhile, the lifeboat returned to it. station and was once again ready for Mr David White, also with his family service at 1415. Following this service a on the beach, quickly appreciated what RNLB Foresters Future. letter of appreciation, signed by Cdr was happening and ran to the water's Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, was then left for Braye Harbour with her sent to Dr Taylor. edge, launched his sailboard and remaining passenger. At 2305 the life- headed for the dinghy. By the time he boat abandoned the yacht, which was reached the children, they had been now sinking, and headed for Braye West Division blown for half a mile and were about 30 Harbour. The two men were landed and yards away from some rocks. He told at 2325 the lifeboat was refuelled and the children to lie in the bottom of the ready for service once more at her Sails jammed dinghy so that it would not capsize. mooring. Using a line which he carries in his A MAYDAY MESSAGE from the yacht, Nell buoyancy aid, he rigged a tow line from Gwyn, in distress off Amlwch, was the dinghy to one of the foot straps on received by Holyhead coastguard on the his board and began to tow them back East Division morning of Monday October 8, 1984. to the beach. Mr White is an accom- At 1127 Moelfre's lifeboat, the 37ft 6in plished board sailor and had practised Rother class, Horace Clarkson, was this form of towing before. He had to Engine failure launched with Coxswain William tack back against the offshore breeze Roberts in command. THERE WAS A northerly near gale, force and arrived at the beach with the Visibility was good, but there was a 7, blowing and a rough sea when the children at about 1230. strong breeze, force 6, to near gale, relief 47ft Watson class lifeboat, After this rescue a letter, signed by T.G.B., on temporary duty at Lowes- Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director toft, left her mooring at 1832 on the of the RNLI, was sent to Mr David evening of Friday October 5, 1984. She White expressing the Institution's was under the command of Coxswain appreciative thanks for his efforts. John Catchpole and had launched to the motor cruiser, Hasty Lady, which had reported recurring trouble with one of South West Division her engines six miles south of Lowes- toft. She could make no headway and Sinking yacht was drifting steadily southwards with two men on board. JERSEY RADIO received a MAYDAY relay It took an hour for the lifeboat to call at 2215 on the night of Sunday reach the motor cruiser, by which time August 5, 1984. The 25ft French sloop, the wind had backed and strengthened La Boussole, had hit a rock north of to a north-north-easterly storm force RNLB Horace Clarkson. Photograph by Alderney and was sinking. Alderney 10. The sea had become very rough and courtesy of Anthony E. Reynolds lifeboat station was notified and at 2233 the swell was six feet high. At 1934 the force 7, blowing and there was heavy the 33ft Brede class lifeboat, Foresters lifeboat was taken along the port side of sea and swell. The lifeboat made for the Future, on 12 month's evaluation at the casualty and a tow rope was success- casualty's reported position and at 1210, Alderney, was launched and heading fully passed and secured. having located the yacht, came along- for the casualty. Coxswain Stephen Coxswain Catchpole then set a course side. On board there was a husband and Shaw was in command; the weather was for Lowestoft and at 2111 the two boats wife, the man had suspected heart fine and there was a gentle south west entered Lowestoft Harbour where, with trouble with pains across his chest and by southerly breeze blowing. the help of the lifeboat crew. Hasty arms and his wife was in a state of A small local ferry, Mainbrayce Taxi, Lady was safely moored. shock. had heard the distress call and, still The lifeboat returned to her mooring The yacht's sails had jammed and carrying two passengers, also went to and at 2127, was once again ready for there was a rope round her propeller. the yacht's assistance. The ferry was service. Despite the heavy seas, lifeboat crew

154 member Elfed Jones managed to board Nell Gwyn and take down the sails. A tow rope was then attached and she was towed to Amlwch where, at 1249, the survivors were taken to hospital for a check-up. The lifeboat returned to Moelfre and was refuelled, rehoused and ready once more for service at 1445.

South West Division Night tow The course of The Duke of Cornwall on the night of October 21, 1984. how to secure the nylon tow line, half tide period. Under the slight lee of AT 2033 on Sunday October 21, 1984, pointing out the precautions needed to Stepper Point, speed was eased while the honorary secretary of Padstow life- prevent chafing. Wega provided a lee the tow line was shortened. At about boat station was contacted by Falmouth for the two boats as the lifeboat 0150, Acting Coxswain Hughes safely Coastguard and told that a yacht, Tala- steamed slowly past the lee side of the negotiated the bar and entered Padstow hinna, had reported engine and rigging yacht and a heaving line was passed. Harbour where the yacht was secured failure, some five to ten miles north east Towing began at 2248. alongside. of Trevose Head. A course of 090°M was set and speed At 0230 the lifeboat left Padstow The coxswain was away from station kept to three knots. Even at this speed Harbour and returned to her station at at the time and Deputy Coxswain the yacht lay off the starboard quarter Trevose Head. She was rehoused, re- Christopher Hughes was in command of the lifeboat, sheering and snatching fuelled and weas ready once again for when the relief 52ft Barnett class life- at the tow line. The tow was stopped service at 0400 on Monday October 22. boat, The Duke of Cornwall, on tem- while two heavy coir fenders were Following this service a letter, signed porary duty at Padstow, launched from attached to the mid-point of the tow by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, direc- her slipway at 2053. line. With two crewmen attending the tor, was sent to Deputy Coxswain On clearing the slipway, the lifeboat line, towing was resumed and speed Christopher Hughes, expressing appre- turned to port, rounding the protective increased to four to five knots. ciation of his seamanship and boat arm of rock which shelters the station, At 0117 the acting coxswain re- handling. Letters of thanks were also and met the full force of the south- quested the Coastguards to fire a white sent to the district controller of Fal- westerly near gale, force 7, gusting to parachute flare over Doom Bar. They mouth Coastguard and to the owners of gale force 8 at times. Heavy rain had were then able to tell him that the seas the coaster Wega for the part her captain reduced visibility to about 1,000 yards, were not breaking over the bar at this played in the service. the rough sea was of regular form with long ground swell and the tide was turning slack. Stranraer: The station's 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboat was on exercise on the morning of As soon as communications were set Sunday September 9, 1984, when it became clear to the crew that a specially converted Volkswagen up on VHP channel 16, Falmouth Coast- Beetle needed towing to safety after it had entered the water in Loch Ryan. Its occupants were guard corrected the position of the attempting to 'drive' the car across the Irish Sea to Larne for a television programme Duncan casualty to ten miles north west of Dares. The weather was cold and wet and there was a fresh north-westerly breeze, force 5, Trevose Head. Acting Coxswain blowing. On entering the water the Volkswagen's engine failed and the car began to drift towards Hughes set his course to pass south of a moored yacht. The lifeboat, manned by Helmsman Terry Simpson and Crew Members Eric the Quies Rocks which were breaking McCune and Glyn Jones, came alongside and, with two crew members entering the water, a tow rope was attached. The car was brought safely back to Wig Bay slipway. Another attempt at the very badly. At 2105 at German ship, crossing was made in the afternoon with the same result, the lifeboat having to tow the car back to Wega, ten miles to the west of Trevose the shore. Photograph by courtesy of F. H. McCarlie Head, reported seeing a distress flare from the casualty. The lifeboat im- mediately altered course to 275°M. At the acting coxswain's request the German coaster switched on all her deck lights and fired a parachute flare, the lights and flare could be seen from the lifeboat. The coaster also gave the relative position of the casualty from him. Between the heavy rain squalls, visibility was three to four miles. At 2234 the lifeboat fired a parachute flare and the ten metre yacht could be seen, lying beam on to the wind and sea, rolling heavily, and seas were occa- sionally breaking over her. There were no sails hoisted but the rigging appeared to be intact. Two men were seen in the cockpit. Acting Coxswain Hughes approached the lee side of the yacht and by using a loudhailer, established that there were six people on board. All were well; they would not consider being taken off and wished to be taken in tow. Chris Hughes passed specific instructions on 155 Sheringham's

x Retiring Coxswain by Edward Wake-Walker

which ran crab and lobster boats and Henry 'Joyful' West, BEM, retired as coxswain of Sheringham which, thanks to loans from the Up- lifeboat at the end of 1984 after a long and distinguished career. He is chers, progressed to the larger herring a man who would rather talk about the achievements of others than luggers for which Sheringham and Cromer were famous in the late 19th his own, but the 'Joyful' era is well worth recording. century. Augusta, Sheringham's first lifeboat, WHAT is IT ABOUT Norfolk fishermen Today's 'Joyful' West joined the crew provided by the Hon. Mrs Charlotte and lifeboatmen that they give each in 1946; it was just after the war when Upcher, and named after her youngest other nicknames which often become Sheringham lifeboat, along with all the daughter, who died of tuberculosis better known than the names with other east coast lifeboats, had been when she was twenty, saw many years which they were christened? Like Spit- busier than at any other time in their successful service. She was run private- fire pilots in war comics, a peculiar history, launching to ditched aircraft ly, outside the auspices of the RNLI, noun or adjective is squeezed between and airmen who had bailed out over the but in 1867 the Institution decided to Christian and surname, always begging sea. Although many lives were saved it introduce its own pulling lifeboat, an anecdotal explanation. At Shering- was often a depressing job; so many Duncan, at Sheringham to operate in ham lifeboat station there have been, in planes and survivors vanished beneath addition to the fishermen's lifeboat. At succession. Coxswain John 'Sparrow' the waves before a lifeboat could reach some stations this would have fired Hardingham, Coxswain Henry 'Down- them. The people of Sheringham were intense rivalry between the crews, but it tide' West and, most recently, Cox- made constantly aware of the war and seems that Sheringham men were not swain Henry 'Joyful' West. one of Henry West's more vivid memor- prone to pettiness and the strong reli- Behind Henry 'Joyful' West's nick- ies as a young man at Sheringham was gious influence that pervaded the town name lies a colourful explanation giving looking out to sea and seeing flashes possibly helped them to love their clues to the strong family traditions at from the guns of German 'E' boats as neighbour better than controversy. It Sheringham and to the type of men you they attacked allied convoys. was only in 1935, when the Augusta's will find at the station. After no fewer After the war, Sheringham lifeboat private lifeboat successor, Henry than 38 years on the lifeboat, the last 21 reverted to the services for which a Ramey Upcher, was withdrawn from of which he spent as coxswain, 'Joyful' lifeboat had originally been stationed service that the RNLI had sole lifeboat- has just retired. And, despite a career there, as far back as 1838; those of ing interest at Sheringham. (Henry that could have earned him any number escorting local fishing boats to safety in Ramey Upcher is now preserved and on of respectful sobriquets, the 'Joyful' treacherous weather and launching to public display in the town.) turns out to have been handed down rescue the crews of larger ships driven Nowadays, Henry West will tell you from his great-grandfather. A metho- ashore by gales. The town of Shering- that Sheringham is a very happy station dist and great singer, the original ham itself was born of fishing and it was with lifeboatmen as good as ever they 'Joyful' West gloried in the 100th Psalm a natural step for the local fishermen to were. There is still a hint of sadness in which begins 'Oh be joyful in the Lord decide, in 1838, to run their own his kind, clear eyes when he thinks all ye lands . . .'. He became famous for lifeboat. The Upcher family who owned about his retirement, but no resentment his rendition of these lines and the name the Sheringham estate, fostered the that the time has come to hand over the stuck—for generations. interests of the fishing community coxswain's cap to a younger man—after A launch of the private lifeboat, Henry Ramey Upcher, near the end of her active life. all, it is not moving far away—only to his younger brother Jacko, the man with whom he has been fishing all his life aboard their crab boat, Our Boys. Are there any differences, then, apart from the lifeboat herself, from the time Henry West joined the crew? The only noticeable change is that in 1946 every crew member was a fisherman except the emergency mechanic; today only 12 out of the crew list of 20 are fishermen. A nationwide symptom of the wasting fishing industry. But the crew's will to help is just as strong, 'Joyful' insists. Moreover, the station's traditional links with the church are still plain to see and the lifeboat's infectiously amiable mechanic, Brian Pegg, is a tuba player and deputy bandmaster with Shering- ham Salvation Army band. It is sometimes difficult to imagine how as gentle a man as 'Joyful' West, could have taken on and survived the ravages of a North Sea gale, time and time again throughout his life. There cannot be many lifeboat coxswains whose spare time passion is ballroom dancing, but 'Joyful and his wife Betty have won many prizes for their prowess on the dance floor. The record of 149 launches and 102 lives saved by the lifeboat at Sheringham since Henry West joined the crew proves his strength, however. It was aboard the 35ft 6in Liverpool class single-engined lifeboat, Foresters' Centenary, that he began his career. She was the station's first motor lifeboat for which a new lifeboathouse had been built. Still used today, the boathouse sits huddled be- neath a cliff on the promenade to the west of the town. Limited space means that it has been built parallel to the shore with a turntable in front of the main doors so that the lifeboat can be pulled on her carriage by tractor out of the boathouse and turned to face the sea. By 1951 Henry West had shown his worth to the extent that he was made second coxswain at the young age of 27. His vast experience was built on occa- sions such as the night in May 1955 when the lifeboat launched to assist the Turkish steamer, Zor. Another ship had already taken off the captain's wife and four men and neighbouring Wells lifeboat had rescued a further five. Four men had stayed aboard Zor to see if she could be saved by connecting a tow, but as the ship listed more and more, Coxswain 'Downtide' West drove his lifeboat alongside the steamer, her keel plainly visible to the lifeboat crew, who pulled the four survivors to safety. Minutes later Zor keeled over and sank. 'Downtide' was awarded the thanks of the RNLI, inscribed on vellum for this rescue. Surprisingly, Henry 'Downtide' West and Henry 'Joyful' West are not re- lated, or not directly enough for the lineage to be easily traced. There have been many different Wests at Shering- ham over the years, it is one of the recurring local surnames, along with Littles, Peggs, Coopers and Craskes— 157 all good lifeboating families. So many people sharing the same surname in a small community goes some of the way to explaining such a profusion of iden- tifying nicknames. Apart from the same name, the coxswain and second coxswain also had in common membership of the Man- chester Unity of Odd Fellows, a friendly society. It had long been an ambition of 'Downtide's' that the society should fund the new lifeboat at Sheringham and in 1961 his wish came true when the 37ft self-righting, twin-engined Oakley class, The Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows, arrived at the station. Very soon after she arrived, on Aug- ust 15, 1961, she was launched into a short steep sea and a strong and squally north-westerly breeze. A smoke distress flare had been set off by a motor yacht, five miles out to sea. When the lifeboat reached the casualty, a 35ft converted ship's lifeboat, Lucy, she was found to A photograph taken in 1966 of some of Sheringham's retired lifeboatmen. Left to right: Teddy be making water, with her engine out of 'Fiddy' West, Bob 'Joyful' West (father of today's 'Joyful'), Jimmy 'Paris' West, Henry 'Joyful' action. There were two men, one West (uncle of today's 'Joyful'), Walter 'Pongo' Little and Henry 'Pinny' Little. woman and a boy on board. Photograph by courtesy of North Norfolk News Coxswain 'Downtide' West ran in on So, on January 1, 1963, Henry vices in his time as coxswain. There was her port side and the lifeboat's 'Joyful' West began his long term as the occasion when a cabin cruiser, out coxswain. In the time between then and of control and circling furiously at full now he has witnessed the change in speed, had to be stopped by a control- emphasis in the type of service carried led collision with the lifeboat, to see if out by Sheringham lifeboat and indeed anyone was aboard. No one was, and lifeboats everywhere. More and more the cabin cruiser sank soon afterwards calls are to pleasure sailors and holi- from the effects of the collision. daymakers, less and less to fishermen. Another memory which brings a But for those fishermen who remain, smile to 'Joyful's' face is the day in the lifeboat is as ready as ever to launch November 1976 when he launched after when crab boats or herring boats are the fishing boat, Restless Wave, had out in a dangerous sea. fired a red flare. For a reason they 'Joyful' has seen some strange ser- would firmly not divulge, the local Henry 'Joyful' West (second from r) helps to carry the woman survivor from Lucy ashore. He was awarded the RNLI's thanks on vellum for his part in this rescue. Photograph by courtesy of Eastern Daily Press

Henry 'Downtide' West. bowman, Arthur Scotter, jumped on board. On a second run in, Second Coxswain Henry 'Joyful' West and Sig- nalman Eric Wink also succeeded in boarding Lucy. They found the woman unconscious and it was clear that she would have to be taken aboard the lifeboat. Two more difficult runs in and the woman was safely transferred, together with the boy and Lucy's own- er. A tow was then attempted but the line parted immediately and as the Lucy was now full of water and threatening to capsize in the short steep seas, the remaining crew member and the three lifeboatmen had to be taken off. In a scramble the four men were pulled aboard the lifeboat, but not before Bowman Scotter narrowly escaped being crushed between the two boats. This service brought the thanks of the Institution on vellum to Coxswain 'Downtide' West as well as to Second Coxswain 'Joyful' West, Bowman Scot- ter and Signalman Wink. 'Downtide' remained coxswain until the end of the following year which saw, in June, the official naming of The Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows by Princess Marina.

158 police were also showing undue interest The mysterious Restless in the boat and her crew. Just as he had Wave (above) is towed in to been one of the willing volunteers to Great Yarmouth. leap aboard when the crew of Lucy Photograph by courtesy of were rescued, so on this occasion, two Great Yarmouth Press Agency of his crew enthusiastically prepared to board the casualty to help make a tow line fast. As the lifeboat drew alongside the fishing boat, whose engine had failed, 'Joyful' was surprised to see his two crew members freeze at the guar- drails with what appeared to be an uncharacteristic attack of the jitters. Then he saw the two men on the deck of the casualty; Captain Hook and Long John Silver would have paled to insig- The Manchester Unity of nificance beside them and one of them Odd Fellows how she even had a lethal knife strapped to his appeared in her early days side. Deeming discretion to be the (above right) and (below), better part of valour, a tow rope was how she looks today with passed politely aboard the fishing boat, cockpit shelter and radar leaving the crew in residence to make it mast. fast. The casualty was towed to Great protection and warmth to the entire fellow'), devised the prototype cockpit Yarmouth where policemen eagerly crew in bad weather. shelter. awaited their arrival. To this day, Sheringham were pioneers of this So it is at a station with a strange 'Joyful' and his crew have never disco- shelter which is now being fitted to all combination of innovation and tradition vered what the police were after. 37ft Oakleys. The need for one became that Henry 'Joyful' West relinquishes Henry West is very attached to his very obvious after a horrendous service the helm of the lifeboat. His experience lifeboat; the day he took her to sea for carried out by their neighbours at Wells and helpfulness will undoubtedly bols- the last time must have been a sad in February 1979 when their lifeboat, ter the station and its loyal fund raisers occasion. He can continue to help the Ernest Tom Nethercoat, also an open well into the future. He has huge station and remain close to the crew 37ft Oakley class, was out for 11 hours admiration for the people who provide after retirement, but no coxswain can in a violent north-easterly storm and the back-up; for his honorary secretary, avoid a feeling of severance from the continuous blizzard to stand by the Lt Cdr Martin Swindells, who has held lifeboat when he retires. The Manches- disabled Romanian freighter, Savinesti. the position for ten years and who is ter Unity of Odd Fellows has been on On their return to harbour the lifeboat's headmaster of the nearby Beeston Hall station for longer even than 'JoyfulY 21 crew, some of them with frostbite, were School; for the committee who run the years as coxswain. And although there unable to walk when they came ashore station and particularly for the hard- have been some changes to her—and all because of the effects of the bitter cold working fund raisers of the branch and 37ft Oakley class lifeboats—over the in an open boat. ladies guild who, through their efforts, years, she is still the same trusty boat. Sheringham, one of the most neigh- bring in thousands of pounds of support Like her sister 37ft Oakleys in the RNLI bourly of lifeboat stations, keeping in every year. In June 1982, when Henry fleet, Sheringham lifeboat has now been regular radio contact with other stations West was awarded the British Empire fitted with a radar mast forward. More up and down the east and north east Medal, the whole community felt recently she has had more powerful coast, were listening to all the events of proud. It was a worthy tribute to a Thorneycroft 52hp engines installed, that day, suffering deeply for the mem- modest man who has shared the history and, perhaps the most noticeable bers of the Wells lifeboat crew. They of Sheringham lifeboat for 38 years and adaptation of all, she has a shelter realised the need to keep crew members who, without a doubt, has contributed which completely covers the steering warm and with the help of their district hugely to a station which provides position and transforms her from an hull surveyor, Paul Johnson, (whom friendly, caring and highly effective open boat to one which can provide Henry West describes as 'a clinking service. 159 CORNISH CORRESPONDENT

Honorary secretaries of today's lifeboat stations who sometimes find themselves buried in paperwork will be interested to see how one of their predecessors of a century ago had to cope with the minutiae as well as the more important issues of the day. John Corin, public relations officer of Penlee and Penzance station branch, looks at the correspondence from 1886 to 1889 of Colonel Tom Cornish who became honorary secretary of both Penzance and Sennen Cove lifeboat stations 99 years ago.

the other hand he is recorded as having owned a smart little sailing yacht and to have been ready to pull an oar in the lifeboat Dora in a summer gale in 1886, Colonel T. H. Cornish. in company with the honorary treasurer, when most of the usual crew were away at sea. After that rescue he TO BE HONORARY SECRETARY of 3 can be deduced and the reliance on wrote rather quaintly to Charles Dib- lifeboat station for 44 years is perhaps headquarters in London for very minor din, secretary of the RNLI, not a record. To be concurrently honor- matters is sometimes remarkable. On 'Although I have claimed 101- (50p) for ary secretary of a second, neighbouring, the other hand the divisional inspector T. H. Cornish I hear from him that he will station for 27 of those years must surely does not figure very much in relation to give that as a donation to the Institution.' make Colonel T. H. Cornish's service to Sennen and the honorary secretary the Institution one for the record book. seems to have been responsible for We can also imagine him perhaps He was honorary secretary of Sennen periodical exercises and the quarterly writing the letter for Henry Bates, who Cove from 1886 to 1930, the year he inspections. had retired as second coxswain, for died, aged 67, and honorary secretary Tom Cornish, as some would have Bates to sign, thanking the Committee of Penzance from 1886 until 1913, the been able to refer to him but fewer for a gratuity. year the lifeboathouse at Penlee Point allowed to address him, was very much Many of the letters written by the was opened. a product of his time. He was a practis- colonel are naturally concerned with Sennen Cove and Penzance are sepa- ing solicitor in Parade Street, Penzance, maintenance and minor building works rated by some nine miles of road where the firm of Cornish and Birtill at the boathouse. All letters to the including the long hill at Tregonebris still have their offices. In 1890 he RNLI in London are addressed to the and the steep descent of 1 in 6 down to succeeded his father as Town Clerk of secretary in accordance with Victorian the cove. It could not have been too the ancient Borough of Penzance. In business custom of a vertical structure easy a journey by mail coach or carriage those days the functions of local govern- of command. In May 1888 there was and pair. In the 1880s the advantages of ment did not permeate most facets of trouble over work carried out on the motor transport and telephone connec- our lives in a town as they do today and slip at Sennen: tions were still some way off. The the office of Town Clerk was a part time Chas Dibdin, Esq. colonel's home and office were in Pen- post. A relic of this arrangement per- 'The Rev. R. ]. Roe is questioning our zance and he must have relied heavily, sisted until comparatively recently in right to have interfered with the slip at all and especially what right we had to build a and confidently, on next day delivery of that Town Council employees had a wall between "A. B. and D." without first any letter he posted to Sennen, or day's holiday for Madron Feast, the obtaining his consent. We here were under London. Patronal Festival of the mother church the impression that the slip belonged to the Thanks to Mr Tony Pawlyn, who of Penzance, when solicitors' offices Institution and therefore we have not hails from Newlyn, we have a photo- closed. exceeded our power. Roe is a rum chap copy of his typescript of the good With the clerkship of Penzance went but I think with a little discreet manage- colonel's outward letter book from 1886 clerkships to several other bodies, such ment he can be put right, but don't trouble to 1889. What is contained in those as the Borough Magistrates, and also about it yet.' letters is only occasional reference to the post of representative of the Board No doubt many honorary secretaries the wreck and rescue dramas which of Trade on the Cornwall Sea Fisheries of today will testify that there are still would have figured in the RNLI's jour- Committee. The colonelship was the rum chaps about who may nevertheless nal, but there are many intimate side- rank of lieutenant colonel in the Devon succumb to discreet management! lights on the work of an honorary and Cornwall Rifle Volunteers, the Concerning Penzance lifeboathouse, secretary in those days. Relations with Territorials of the day, but Colonel then in Wharf Road and still standing, the coxswains and crew and local people Cornish did not see active service. On local relationships were rather more 160 favourable. On the occasions in 1888 when there was trouble with subsidence affecting the boathouse and also an unevenness in the adjacent municipal slip, used for launching, the honorary secretary was able to write to his father, as Town Clerk, to seek some action. As they lived in the same house and worked in the same office, communica- tion was not difficult. There was also correspondence with the Lord St Levan regarding a collecting box at St Michael's Mount, referring to 'the great interest your Lordship takes in this Humane Institution', an interest maintained by his present Lordship. At a somewhat different level there is a letter of January 1889 to a Miss Dingley: 7 return your box. The contents amounted to 8d. (3.3p). Will you kindly have it fastened to your stair case.' Launch of Sennen Cove lifeboat, Ann Newbon (on station 1893-1922). Colonel Cornish, in As launching authority the honorary white collar, is standing on the beach. secretary had a rather more onerous task than asking the coxswain to slip the small a sum, telling me that for night that time the RNLI provided them for moorings or launch down a slipway by service he is entitled to £1 per horse. The knocking a pin out. Horses had to be fishing craft and coastal vessels at subsi- late Secretary is away from home and dised price . . . found to haul the lifeboat carriage, and nobody seems to know how much he is paid for. 'Will you kindly send me an Aneroid entitled to. So please pardon me for Barometer for Stephen Downing of December 14th, 1886, to the Secretary of troubling you . . . I think his demand Church Town, Newlyn, Captain of a the RNL1: exorbitant.' fishing lugger . . .' 7 return the receipt paper. In making Some of the correspondence addres- out the total amount required I inserted 51- The cost was 13/- (65p). sed to the secretary of the RNLI would Signalling was confined to (25p) per head for horses. The job master seem to us now to concern very minor has seen me today and refuses to accept so pyrotechnics and a set of private signals matters . . . between the Longships Lighthouse and 'Will you also kindly send me a key for Sennen Cove. Captain Tregarthen of the Penzance Boat House as one of mine Trinity House was asked to have a set of is broken and is now quite useless.' signal rules placed 'in some conspicuous There was also endless correspond- place in the lighthouse . . .' and to the ence about the whereabouts of a Very coxswain at Sennen, pistol. Navigational aids do not figure 'The signalling rules pasted on the very largely, except for barometers. At board are to be hung up in the Boat

> Contemporary of Colonel Cornish: Thomas i • Henry Nicholas, coxswain at Sennen, 1911- 1920. Penzance lifeboat, Elizabeth and Blanche (1900-1908) leaving Penzance Harbour. 161 coped with the 1 in 5 gradient down to the Penberth valley, with its hairpin bend, on the way to Treen. However, by September the new pillar boxes were reported to 'have done better than the most sanguine could have hoped'. Unfortunately disaster soon struck. On the next January 6 the colonel was ordering a carriage and pair from the supplier of the lifeboat horses to take him and the honorary treasurer, Cap- tain Marrack, to Logan Rock, Land's End and Gurnard's Head, where the pillar boxes were installed. 'Weather permitting' was specified. On the Sun- day morning they set out on what would have been a rather bleak journey, unless it was one of those mild days lent from summer which occasionally grace the West Cornwall winter. Anyone hearing of a large lifeboat box being robbed today will doubtless A pillar collecting box on the cliffs at Sennen. Longships lighthouse is in the distance. ascribe such a crime to the degenerate nature of our present society and say House, and I think one spare one, you getting the box out to Treen, a few that such a thing would never happen in had better ask the Landlord of the Public miles to the westward. Today a friendly days gone by. Not so. On the night of to hang somewhere in his house.' lorry owner might do it for the honorary that month a telegram was being sent to which was a realistic idea. secretary in about 20 minutes from the secretary of the RNLI saying that Not all the correspondence was Penzance. It was not so easy for the the box at the Logan Rock had been parochial. On December 22, 1886, the colonel. broken into and the locks destroyed. colonel wrote to the secretary of the To J. Nicholls, Esq., Balswidden, St. Subsequent correspondence showed RNLI, Just. 7th June 1887. that the County Police did not have 7 am glad that for once a Board of 7 have a small box ofScwt Iqtr which I much luck in tracing 'the scoundrel who Trade Inquiry has resulted in something wish to send to the Logan Rock Village. Is did it'. satisfactory and the reason of those South- it possible to send it by your Traction What manner of man was Colonel sea Boats remaining upside down is Engine, and if so will you kindly tell me Cornish? Very much a man of his time, known. Will the Institution issue any order what your charges are, and when you can as a photograph of this Victorian gentle- relating thereto, so that we can place them take it.' man shows, with an air of self-assurance in our Boat Houses?' This was probably an engine used for common to that era. It did not take him Fund raising was confined to sub- towing and working thrashing machines long to find his feet as an honorary scriptions and collecting boxes. There from farm to farm, which in wet West secretary, and he had to exercise a good are still some pillar collecting boxes in Cornwall was done as soon as possible deal of local technical judgement in West Penwith and it was decided to after harvest. maintenance matters where today he place one on the way to the Logan There seems to have been some delay would have prompt assistance from the Rock, a favourite place for tourists of in getting two of these boxes trans- RNLI's divisional officers. The cox- the day. The landlord, Sir Vyell Vyv- ported as about two months later the swain had to be trusted to make a yan, agreed and was offered an acknow- Victoria Iron Foundry in Birmingham temporary repair and Charles Dibdin ledgement of one penny a year. The was getting impatient for the return of consulted on the proper way. local mason was engaged to set the box the packing cases. One wonders how It might be asked why an honorary up, but there was the little matter of the traction engine from Balswidden secretary for Sennen had to be found as far away as Penzance. The answer is Dora, the colonel's 'pretty' lifeboat saving the crew of Jeune Hortense in 1888. that there was probably no man of Photograph bv courtesy of F. E. Gibson business anywhere near Sennen in those days suitable for the task. Indeed the secretary for Sennen was found in Penzance until about 30 years ago. Like all honorary secretaries, Colonel Cornish was not happy while his station boat was away: To Captain The Hon. H. W. Chetwynd, RN. 7 trust you will not keep the Dora long as the boat we have in her place is nothing near as pretty as she is.' The year after he took up his appoint- ment, Tom Cornish had occasion to write to Charles Dibdin, 7 desire to thank you very much for your kind letter. I feel with your Commit- tee that the cause is a great one and a blessing to our Country. And I can but hope that I may long be spared to have the honour of being associated with such a noble Institution.' It is a sentiment which we can all echo today without any qualification. 162 The weather was such that the life- boat remained moored in Arbroath until the following day, when she could safely be hauled up her slipway and Books . . . rehoused. Another service by Shoreline which Shoreline took place in December last year, will • The early years of the Dungeness also be of interest to Shoreline mem- lifeboat station were ones of uncertain- bers. On the afternoon of Sunday ty. The station opened in 1826, just two Section December 16, 1984, Shoreline, under years after the RNLI was founded, and the command of Coxswain Douglas in the next 48 years was closed twice Services by RNLB Shoreline Matthewson, launched after it was re- and moved up and down the coast to The 37ft 6in Rother class lifeboat, ported that the motor fishing vessel different locations. In 1874 the station Shoreline, stationed at Arbroath in Shalamar was approaching Arbroath re-opened at Dungeness and remains Scotland and paid for out of the pro- Harbour in a moderate breeze, force 5 operational to this day. Dungeness Life- ceeds of a special appeal to recruit new and an eight to nine foot swell. Condi- boats, by Mr T. James, is a small, but Shoreline members, carried out a note- tions for entering the harbour were well researched history, illustrated with worthy service in November. In rough difficult and the weather was worsen- several pages of black and white photo- seas and strong winds she launched to a ing. The lifeboat stood by the fishing graphs. The booklet is available from 47ft motor vessel with engine failure vessel outside the harbour until the tide the lifeboat station, price 50 pence, or which was drifting into dangerous wa- rose to give enough water through the from the author T. C. James, 8 Copper- ters with two men on board. Despite the entrance. It was dark by this time but fields, Lydd, Kent, price 75 pence ten foot swell and worsening weather, Shalamar was successfully escorted over including postage and packing.—S.J.G. the lifeboat's acting coxswain, Brian the bar and into the safety of harbour. Bruce, managed to get a line on board • Reluctantly, I have had to stop and towed the casualty safely back to reading Bows Amidships by Bill Beavis New Shoreline pullovers (Adlard Coles Ltd, Granada, £1.95) in Arbroath. A new pure wool sleeveless V neck It was at 1418 on the afternoon of the office - my merriment was distract- pullover embroidered with the ing my colleagues. The thing about Mr Sunday November 11, 1984, that Shoreline insignia, is now on offer to Arbroath lifeboat launched after Forth Beavis' book is that you can't help Shoreline members. It is available in laughing out loud, and the stories seem Coastguard had informed the station two colours, burgundy and cream, and that the motor vessel Gaynor had highly plausible in an improbable kind in chest sizes 36in to 45in. Its price is of way. The book is a collection of broken down with a crew of two and a £14.25. fishing party of eight others on board, stories, historical facts and cartoons, three and a half miles south west of most of which first appeared in Yachting Membership count World and Motor Boat and Yachting. Arbroath. At the time of going to press, there Visibility was good but there was a Of them all, my favourite is the re- are 112,881 members of Shoreline. writing of the story of Noah's Ark which fresh south-easterly breeze force 5, and Keep up the recruiting! the sea was rough with ten foot swell. has Noah complaining about the Nearing the casualty at 1450, Second amount of money he spent on charts Coxswain Brian Bruce, acting coxswain l ' only to find them useless when the Nf world is totally flooded. Mrs Noah for this service, was informed by the InstitutioLifeboat-n mutuS l coastguard that the eight anglers had complains about the number of fleas on been winched off by an RAF helicopter board but does not dare to swat any- but that her crew of two were still thing for fear of wiping out an entire aboard. species. The forecast was for deteriorating Another amusing tale is of the mis- weather and already the wind was drawn Spanish bowline which ties in gusting to a strong breeze, force 6. nicely with another book that Bill Because of the weather and because Beavis is bound up with, Knots in Use the ebb tide had by now set, the acting (Adlard Coles Ltd, Granada, £2.95). It coxswain decided to tow Gaynor into is written by Colin Jarman and illus- Arbroath before it became dark. The trated by Bill Beavis. Concentrating tow line was made fast and the two Leeds Shoreline branch have a portable stall, mainly on the use of synthetic fibre boats made for Arbroath. Ten minutes enclosed on three sides and roofed, which will ropes, the book is divided into three later the line parted but was successfully fit into a small trailer. The sign above it was sections, knots, bends and hitches; re-established after a few minutes. painted by one of their members, Paul whippings; splicings. The drawn illus- Thompson, and at a traction engine rally held trations are complemented with black To enter harbour it was necessary to at Harewood House, Leeds, many people shorten the towing warp and at 1600 the and white photographs of the knot in were attracted to the souvenirs displayed on use, and clear instructions on how to tie lifeboat and Gaynor were safely the stall. In the face of considerable competi- moored in the waters of Arbroath tion from many other charity stalls, the day's it and its various uses. Over 40 knots, harbour. takings came to a satisfactory £260. whippings and splicings are described in the book which should see any sailor To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. out of all manner of knotty problems. I I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as an: can only hope that Mr Beavis has drawn Annual Member £5.00 (minimum) D the Spanish bowline correctly this Annual Family Membership £7.50 (minimum) D time.—S.J.G. Annual Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D • A course in basic astro navigation Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy. D for yachtsmen is available for £12 in- cluding postage and packing. The Name course has been compiled by Air Com- Address modore J. B. Voyce and comprises a booklet and cassette. It can be ordered from N. J. Voyce, Maranello, 81 Haven More than 111,000 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service. Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset BH13 7LN. 163 New RNLI film OBITUARIES THE BBC TV series, Lifeboat, shown during January to March 1984 and IT is with deep regret that we record the repeated on BBC2 recently, has been following deaths: condensed into two thirty minute films February, 1984 by John Gau Productions. Edgar William Garrad, formerly PEOPLE The two films outline the life of the chief draughtsman, who retired in 1964 full-time lifeboatmen at Spurn Point after 39 years service. AND and their work on the Humber lifeboat. PLACES They feature real life rescues, varying October, 1984 from fighting a fire on a fishing boat to Mr R. H. Jones, honorary secretary New Year Honours the saving of four teenagers and a baby of Conwy lifeboat station since 1967. from an inflatable dinghy. Plenty of He was awarded binoculars in 1978. Among the awards announced in the rough seas plus shots of other classes of December, 1984 New Year Honours list were: lifeboat make these films well worth Dr William D. Bell, MRCS LRCP, hon- seeing. There is a good commentary orary secretary of St Mary's, Isles of Knights Bachelor throughout and interviews with Cox- Rear Admiral Morgan Morgan Giles, Scilly lifeboat station from 1964 to 1972. swain Brian Bevan and other members W. R. (Rob) Corran, coxswain of the DSO QBE GM. For political service. Admi- of the crew. Both 16mm films and VHS ral Sir Morgan Morgan Giles has been a Douglas, Isle of Man, lifeboat from videos are available for group showings 1970 to 1974. Mr Corran joined the member of the Committee of Manage- through Viscom, the film lending lib- ment since 1971. crew in 1932, serving as second cox- rary, Park Hall Trading Estate, London swain from 1940 to 1970. David Robinson. For charitable ser- SE2 8EL. Telephone 01-761 3035. vices. He funded the Penlee lifeboat, Norman Edmond, QBE, served on the Mabel Alice, and the Buckie lifeboat, committee of Aberdeen branch for over Charles Brown. 30 years and was chairman of the The Right Honourable Edward du committee from 1973 to 1974. Cann, MP. For political and public January, 1985 service. Sir Edward is chairman of the LONG SERVICE AWARDS Mrs Connie Elston, who was honor- Wellington branch. ary secretary of Hoylake ladies' guild Fergus Montgomery, MP. For political THE LONG SERVICE BADGE for crew mem- for 17 years, having previously served as service. Sir Fergus is the president of bers and shore helpers who have given assistant honorary secretary. Mrs El- the Altrincham and Bowden branch. active service for 20 years or more has ston was awarded the silver badge in been awarded to: MBE 1979. John Malcolm Freswick Groat, hon- Appledore Mr John Stockley, a founder member orary secretary of the Longhope life- Second Coxswain J. W. Pavitt of the Stockport Crew of Lifeboat boat station since 1962. He was Assistant Mechanic B. E. Williams Auxiliaries, and a long-serving member awarded a stauette in 1969 and binocu- Cromer of the Manchester Executive commit- lars in 1977. Shore Helper L. B. Harrison tee. Mr Stockley joined Stockport branch in 1938 and the Stockport 'Crew' BEM Dungeness Nigel A. Saint, motor mechanic of in 1948, he served as chairman and Motor Mechanic/Second Coxswain P. J. secretary of the branch from 1946 to the Aldeburgh lifeboat. Mr Saint joined Richardson the lifeboat crew in 1961 as reserve 1953 and as treasurer of the 'Crew' from Great Yarmouth and Gorleston 1957 to 1974. Mr Stockley was awarded mechanic and was appointed mechanic Coxswain/Mechanic R. J. Hawkins later that year. He was awarded the a gold badge in 1972 and the bar to the thanks of the Institution on vellum in Whitstable gold badge in 1982. 1972 and a long service badge in 1982. Crew Member M. Judge February, 1985 Peter Jones, assistant motor mecha- Shore Helper P. Kemp John Henry Brenton, aged 81 years. nic of Hoylake lifeboat. For service to In the last quarter's list of long service Mr Brenton served at the Padstow the gas industry. Mr Jones joined the awards the entry under Rhyl should lifeboat station for over 40 years as crew lifeboat crew in 1953 and was appointed have read Emergency Mechanic D. member, shore signalman and as box assistant mechanic in 1975. He was Phillipson and not Shore Helper D. officer. awarded a long service badge in 1983. Phillipson. Mrs I. Halliday, honorary secretary of the Vale of Leven branch from 1955 to 1983, she was awarded, a statuette in Odd man out: the new 20ft Boston Whaler Outrage, recently stationed at Poole and replacing a 1966 and a gold badge in 1981. 17ft Dell Quay Dory. She is the only boat of this type in the RNLI fleet; she has a crew of three, a Coxswain Frederick James Palmer, maximum speed of 30 knots and an endurance at full speed of six hours. who joined the Weymouth lifeboat crew in 1926, serving as second coxswain from 1931 to 1940, and as coxswain from 1946 to 1962. He was awarded the bronze medal in 1948 and the silver medal in 1949. Sidney C. Saunders who was a com- mittee member of Witham and District branch from 1962 to 1972, chairman and honorary secretary from 1972 to 1983 and chairman from 1983 to 1985. He was awarded a statuette in 1977 and the silver badge in 1983. March 1985 Coxswain Hughie Jones of Beaumaris. He joined the crew in 1936, served as second coxswain from 1946 to 1953 and as coxswain from 1953 to 1966. 164 Handing over ceremony: Caterham and District branch handed over a 15ft 6in D class inflatable Buttons and cards: sorting through a few of lifeboat to Newhaven lifeboat station at Timber Hill recreation ground, Caterham on Saturday the hundreds of thousands of buttons and December 29, 1984. The lifeboat was funded out of contributions from the residents of Caterham postcards that were sent in by viewers of BBC and handed over by Mrs Marion Wood, honorary secretary of the branch. Captain John TVs Blue Peter are one of the programme's Leworthy, a member of the committee of management, received the lifeboat on behalf of the presenters, Janet Ellis, and Duncan Chilcott RNLl and members of Newhaven lifeboat crew and their wives were present to witness the event. of Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers. The appeal An outdoor service of dedication was held and the choir from St John's Church led the singing. reached its target of 800,000 envelopes and Hundreds of people attended, amongst them the Sea Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Brownies, local four new Blue Peter lifeboats will soon be on councillors, Rotarians, Probus club members, the Women's Institute, the Police and St John station at St Agnes, Litllehampton, Beau- Ambulance Brigade. mans and North Berwick as a result.

Small scale: Terence Amey (I) holds the model he made of Dover's 50ft Thames class lifeboat, Rotary Service, standing on the foredeck of the real thing. Since he Optic illusion: it's difficult to ignore the lifeboat collecting box completed his fine model, Mr Amey has been able to send some £500 to the RNLl at the Nautilus Hotel in Benllech, North Wales. Wil and Jean from contributions received when it has been on public display. Also shown in Owen built their Lifeboat Bar after moving from Moelfre two this picture, taken during lifeboat week in Dover, is (r) a model of the station's years ago and have obviously taken some of the lifeboating old 44ft Waveney class lifeboat, Faithful Forester, now in the relief fleet, and traditions of that village with them. Sheerness lifeboat, Helen Turnbull, another 44ft Waveney. Photograph by courtesy of North Wales Newspapers

Views across a century With an eye and ear for history, (I) Paul Reed, Fred Hills and Richard Ovenden, crew members of Littlestone- on-Sea's Atlantic 21 lifeboat posed for a photograph which has a not altogether coin- cidental resemblance to the famous 1890's tableau, Heroes of the Goodwin Sands, depicting three Kent- ish coxswains, James Laming of Kingsdown, Richard Roberts of North Deal and John Mackins of Walmer.

165 BOAT SHOWS Thanks to the generous free space allocated by the organisers, the RNLI was able, for the second year running, to display a lifeboat at the 1985 London International Boat Show. She was the 33ft Brede class, Safeway, destined for Calshot and funded by the successful appeal run by Safeway Foodstores Ltd. The untiring efforts of volunteers allowed new records to be set in cash takings, and a further 928 Shoreline members were recruited together with 76 youngsters joining Storm Force. Proceeds from the sale of lottery tickets rocketed from £1,712 in 1984 to £3,800 this year and although many people worked hard at selling them, Councillor Edward Trevor's phenomenal efforts were the main cause of the increase. The RNLI stand at Earls Court. RNLI public relations awards were of the film, How do you Say Thank presented by Raymond Baxter, You? and Dugal Nisbet-Smith, director chairman of the public relations of the Newspaper Society, following the committee to Fontana Publishers, after local newspaper week lifeboat appeal. the success of the book, All at Sea, In addition to the cheque which has raised over £10,000 for the presentations shown on this page, RNLI, (Libby Purves, editor of the Monsieur Jean Marc Charles Heidsieck, book, received her award at a later owner of the champagne firm that date), John Bird, former honorary sponsored Tim Batstone's round Britain curator of the Grace Darling Museum, board sail, handed over £12,700 to Brian Green, Channel Islands Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a photographer, Mallory Maltby, maker deputy chairman of the RNLI. Captain John Leworthy of the committee of management receives £18,000 from Andrew Maclean, chief general manager of the Municipal Mutual Insurance Group, the first proceeds from a joint promotion. (Below) Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston is handed £20,000 by Terry Spratt, chairman of Safe- ways, following a special Christmas appeal.

At the presentation of the PR awards: (I to r) Dugal Nisbet-Smith, John Bird, Raymond Baxter, Mallory Maltby, Brian Green and Helen Fraser of Fontana. Photograph by courtesy of David Trotter. The 1985 Boat and Caravan Show, Birmingham Fund raisers from the Mid- lands manned the RNLI stand at the National Exhibition Centre; 123 Shoreline and 36 Storm Force members were enrolled and takings amounted to an impressive £8,521. The main RNLI exhibit was the new St Agnes D class inflat- able lifeboat, Blue Peter IV, one of the replacement life- boats funded by the recent Blue Peter BBC television appeal. The photograph (r) shows television and radio per- sonality Rosie, of the pro- gramme The Barmaid's Arms, enlisting her son Stephen to Storm Force. Also pictured is Holyhead's Coxswain Will Bert Spurdin, Chelsea Pensioner and Jones and (1) David Clifford, champion collector at Earls Court. For the a ten-year-old branch mem- second year running he brought in over £1,000. ber from Erdington. Photograph by courtesy of Ted Edwards

166 Life lines Unmistakable touch I wrote this poem after my uncle had May I add my appreciation of the been rescued by a lifeboat. I hope you sterling work, over the last eleven Letters... like it: years, of your predecessor, Miss Joan Davies, MA. The Lifeboat As editor of Yachting World, when Bitter sweet home-coming The red light flashes, Joan worked on my staff, I came to In September of last year my The lifeboat splashes, admire her integrity, loyalty, reliability boyfriend and I were returning home Help is on its way to save a life today. and, above all, her outstanding ability. after cruising abroad for almost two Help is needed She was practical too. With the aid of years. Unfortunately we were in Help is pleaded her father she built her own racing collision with another vessel (I need not To save that life today. dinghy. go into the details of the incident here) Under her editorship, to my and our small yacht, Primrose, was The crew men dash, satisfaction, the tone of THE LIFEBOAT dismasted. This all happened in You hear a splash, steadily improved. Although her name Morecambe Bay, just some twenty miles Help is on its way to save a life today. seldom appeared, her touch was from home—such an irony after five The lifeboat's coming, unmistakable. thousand miles of sailing! The engine's humming, The article on Aberystwyth lifeboats It would not be an understatement to Help is on its way to save that life today. in the current issue is an example of her say that our spirits were low, very low. careful research, historical and BUT THEN. . . As the light grows dim technical accuracy and faultless prose. out came the Fleetwood lifeboat to our A man starts to swim, The first paragraph about the Romans rescue. I simply cannot express our Help is on its way to a save a life today. is characteristic. It immediately rivets gratitude to these wonderful men who He sees the lifeboat coming the reader's attention. give their services voluntarily, and so And hears the engine humming, She leaves THE LIFEBOAT with a job cheerily too, despite the fact that all Help is on its way to save that life today. well done and a circulation soaring were missing a day's work. above the 120 thousand mark.—GROUP I should like, if possible, to send a The man starts to shout, CAPTAIN E. F. HAYLOCK, London, W14. very big THANK YOU to the Fleetwood The crewmen lift him out, crew via your magazine, also best Help is on its way to save a life today. Inspired to give wishes for 1985. I thank you for this The man starts to moan, As a member of Shoreline I regularly opportunity of being able to send As they head back for home receive THE LIFEBOAT, and in one copy I greetings to these wonderful men. But they saved that life today. noted your intention of acquiring a —JACQUELINE HARRINGTON and MR N. J. ARIANNE COULSON (Aged 11), Braintree, Tyne class lifeboat, to be named, City of STARKEY, Lancaster. Essex Edinburgh, to cover the area around Fraserburgh. Service after service In a subsequent issue I was much Of interest in the winter edition of impressed by the attempt of a group of THE LIFEBOAT under Lifeboat People, young school children to raise money was the photograph of wreaths being for the boat, and for my part I would cast on the water over the wreck of the like to donate £20 to the appeal. Rohilla. I know it only represents a small drop I happen to know that one of the six lifeboats that rescued survivors was the in the ocean, but I suspect you have Henry Vernon which at the time had plenty of well-wishers contributing to the fund, so I'm sure it won't be too sails and a motor. I know this because long before you reach your goal. All the she was subsequently owned by an best.—R. A. BARNES, D Wing, HM uncle of mine who renamed her, Prison, Wakefield. Rohilla. At the beginning of the 1939-45 war she was requisitioned by whatever ministry, and as far as I know, went to Dunkirk. After the war the ministry offered to sell her back to my uncle, but he Veteran of the Rohilla rescue, Henry Vernon, renamed, Rohilla, and photographed in declined, and I think arranged that she 1935 when she was privately owned. should be used by an organisation for young people like the Sea Scouts. Some time later she was presumed lost at sea with all hands. I only know about this because I read a small piece in a newspaper which said a lifebelt bearing the name Rohilla had been washed ashore in the Bay of Biscay. I sailed in this boat before the war and have a photograph of her (right) which may perhaps be of interest to some of your readers.—A. j. K. TAWSE, Grubbs Farm, Staffhurst Wood, Edenbridge, Kent. Editorial note: Henry Vernon, stationed at Tynemouth, was one of the RNLI's earliest motor lifeboats. In the Rohilla rescue, when she took off 50 survivors, she proved how effective was motor power compared to the oars of the other five lifeboats involved. 167 venue to train towards. You're in the thick of it with a task to do and no-one RNLIKE is going to stop you. Mile 1—in the showground in front of family and friends, you're feeling good CRAZY! (even though it's now in the 80s). Mile 2—you start passing a few of by Sally Wilson those who set out to impress the crowds at a cracking pace, which in this heat is suicidal. Anyone who has recently completed a Mile 3—Heaven! A feeding and sponge station, much needed by all. marathon or is training for one, possibly Miles 4 and 5—Into the rhythm of the their first ever, will be grateful to Sally race now. Time to pass pleasantries Wilson for putting the experience into with a few competitors. words. The RNLI is receiving ever- Mile 6—A nasty looking hill which increasing support from sponsored common sense tells you it is only feasible to walk up unless you want to marathon runners—could this article overheat and expire. Over the hill and inspire still more to raise money in this another watering station. The officials way? give up trying to keep any semblance of order among the mass of runners arriv- WHY is IT only when you're in the middle mins 'easily'. How can that length of ing at the station. A sadistic official of a gale force 8, with nil visibility, your time possibly be easy? directs a hose full blast at the runners lifejacket in the forepeak, your harness The enthusiasm needs bolstering so and everyone gets absolutely drenched. hanging in the heads, too much sail up you mention the training to friends; Mile 7—Is it worth it? and your skipper shouting obscenities now you really can't back out. The Mile 8—Husband takes photos of a enough to frighten the fish that you ladies think you ought to be in the rather tired wife and administers the remember you only gave that nice lady mental hospital—not working for it. garden spray and a jug of cold water. So outside Woolworths lOp on Lifeboat The men are all for the venture but only a 45 second stop and we're off again, Day? if you'll agree to wear sexy shorts. Oh although at a reduced speed. You arrive home full of enthusiasm well, it's all for a good cause. Mile 9—I hope the RNLI awards me for putting this matter right and quelling your conscience. But what, of a practi- cal nature, can you do? You have only catering skills, and a sausage pie or quiche lorraine as a donation are hardly adequate. Perhaps a sponsored run. Every other person seems to be pound- ing the pavements each evening—why not you? The thought is there but is the will power, or rather the leg power? Just as the idea flags, a friend drops a sheet through your door: Novice to half marathon in 14 weeks. Well, novice is correct, the rest we shall see. So the training begins and you learn rapidly about calf muscles, achilles ten- Illustrations by Georgette Purches. dons, stitches, knee joints and chest The sponsorship forms arrive with a a medal posthumously. pains. Weeks one to four are no prob- good luck note from the RNLI in Poole. Mile 10—Second wind, a delicate lem (or not noticeably so). Now, sud- Little do they know how much that's breeze and the legs move up a gear. denly you are expected to be out going to be needed. Week 14—you Mile 11—Husband miraculously running five nights a week and not four, can't believe you've got to the end, appears to aid what should be a flagging on top of which you are supposed to jog neither can any part of your anatomy, competitor—but I'm well and truly 'easily' for one hour—all very nice on nor your husband who has patiently determined to get to the end and my paper I'm sure. It gets worse. You just tolerated 14 weeks of agony listening to legs are all in favour. make it to week ten and you're barely blow by blow accounts of each run, five Mile 12—I must have sweated off two alive. Week 11—jog one hour and 20 nights a week. stone, but not even dehydration is going The day of reckoning arrives. 9 am to stop me now. The showground is in and already the sun is hot and there isn't view, the family are shouting them- a cloud to be seen. The weather man selves hoarse with encouraging re- cheerfully announces that it is likely to marks. Unfortunately you still have be the hottest day of the year so far. another mile to run in the grounds to Despondency settles over the house- get to the elusive finishing post. 100 hold—none of the training has been yards to go and a final sprint for the done in conditions like these. The stuffy photographers . . . car journey to Ipswich is in silence. We YOU'VE MADE IT! arrive. 12.30: time to start drinking You receive your finishing medal, water. 1 pm: change into running kit. drink four pints of water, take the strain 1.30 pm: meet up with equally glum off your leg muscles which have instant- looking friends. 1.45 pm line up and ly seized up and ask to be taken home. loosen up. 2 pm: we're off! Sorry, did someone mention the Lon- Suddenly your feet start moving and don Marathon? Absolutely not. Never. the excitement of the spectators and the I'll be certified first. Not even for other runners draws you into the event charity. and no longer is it a distant date and Well, maybe I'll think about it ... 168 THE LIFEBOAT SERVICE— Past and Present

50 Years Ago Today's Lifeboatmen

The following two items were first published in THE LIFEBOAT of February, 1935.

Stories of a Life-boat Day. ST. ALBANS, Hertfordshire, has the part, silver on the white end-boxes distinction of the help of many of its and life-lines. Its crew continued on ex-mayors and ex-mayoresses on its duty until late in the evening, when, life-boat day. Last autumn no fewer wet through, they were forcibly de- than six mayors and six mayoresses prived of their life-boat. took part in the appeal. It also had Another feature of the St. Albans among its collectors two who were over day, which helps the hospital as well eighty years old. One of them was as the life-boat service, is the " goose very lame, and could only get about from an egg " scheme. Eggs, which with the help of two sticks, but dressed are given to the branch, are on sale, in life-boatman's cap and jersey, he but the purchasers instead of taking gallantly went on with his collecting them away, write their names on them until the rain compelled him to stop. and put them in an incubator. At the The rain was heavy, but it could not end of the day an egg is taken out and damp the ardour of the collectors. At the goose (also a gift to the branch) the produce stall in the market place is given to the purchaser whose name one worker went home to change three is on it. The eggs then go to the times during the day. hospital. This year the goose was won The " crew " of the " life-boat," by a man who was out of work and which is a feature of the St. Albans who had never before tasted goose. day, showed themselves as indifferent Another man was invited to look at to bad weather as a real life-boat the things on the produce stall. He crew. This life-boat, about five feet said that he was out of work and had long, is painted on oilcloth, and the no money to buy anything—but he public are asked to put their con- had bought and was wearing his life- tributions on it—copper on the blue boat flag.

In Memory of Grace Darling. THE motor life-boat Herbert Joy, the Merchant Navy. The tree was an oak gift of Mr. Alexander O. Joy, of from Northumberland, presented by Coxswain John Connell of Amble, Northumberland. He joined London, which was at one time sta- the Lord Lieutenant of the county, the lifeboat crew in April 1953, became bowman in February 1962, tioned at Scarborough, and is now in Sir Charles Trevelyan, and was planted the Institution's-reserve fleet at Poplar, by Commander Strong, Captain second coxswain in February 1967 and coxswain in August 1972. went up the Thames on 24th November Carver and Lighthouse-keeper Mills, He was awarded the thanks of the RNLI, inscribed on vellum, for to take part in the planting on the of Chatham. his part in the rescue of a man from a capsized pinnace on foreshore of Battersea Park of a tree in The ceremony had been arranged by memory of Grace .Darling and her the Grace Darling League and the September 29, 1969. In 1982 he received the Institution's long father, William Darling, keeper of the Green Cross Society, and was the first service badge. John Connell is a fisherman; he holds a second Longstone Lighthouse. Captain E. S. of a number of such ceremonies which hand's certificate and fishes for shrimp and cod in his boat, Coquet Carver, R.D., R.N.R., the superinten- are to take place all round the coast Vale. He has one son and a daughter. His son, 'young John', is a dent of stores, and a silver medallist of during the next three years in anticipa- the Institution, was in charge of the tion of the celebrations in 1938 of the member of both the station's D class inflatable lifeboat and the 37ft life-boat. Commander Henry Strong, centenary of the rescue by Grace 6in Rother class, Harold Salvesen. R.D., R.N.R., a member of the com- Darling and her father of the survivors mittee of management, represented the of the Forfarshire. Facts and Figures In 1984 the RNLFs lifeboats launched 3,536 times (an average of nearly ten times each day) and saved 1,307 lives (an average of over three people rescued each day). Over 35 per cent of all services carried out by lifeboats in 1984 were in winds of force 5 or above. Thirty-three per cent of all services took place in darkness. Fifty-seven per cent of all services were to pleasure craft. There are 256 lifeboats on station and a further 91 in the RNLI relief fleet. 111,769 lives have been saved since 1824, when the RNLI was founded. The net cost of running the RNLI in 1985 will be over £20 million. Current costs of building lifeboats are as follows: 16ft D class inflatable £7,750 17ft 6in C class inflatable £9,750 November 24, 1934: an oak tree from Northumberland is planted in 21ft Atlantic rigid inflatable £29,000 Battersea Park, London, in memory of Grace Darling. [The editor would 47ft Tyne £445,000 be interested to know if the tree still thrives in 1985.1 52ft Arun £390,000 169 £

THE FUND

RAISERS Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive, along with £950. Paul Graham, pictured (r) with his wife Susan, organised a luncheon at his pub, the James King at Pease Pottage in Sussex to celebrate the 1984 vintage and to support the RNLI. Among his guests were Coxswain Len Patten of Newhaven who is seen here testing the wine with disc jockey Ed Stewart of Radio Mercury. Photograph by courtesy of Mid-Sussex Times

flowers and plants outside her home, Tottenham Hotspur's! Not so for two collecting the proceeds in a large bottle; hours last November when Spurs foot- Concerted efforts the total raised to date is £1,084. Mrs ball club very generously lent the cup to Worcester guild has a particular tal- Dorothy Fender who lives on the 'off the branch during their annual winter ent for turning musical notes into pound island' of Bryher, not only collects from fayre. Despite unfavourable weather notes. In May 1984 a concert given by the 60 inhabitants on flag day, she rows the fayre raised £1,038.65 with many Scottish baritone, Peter Morrison, in out to visiting yachts moored in the people taking the opportunity of having conjunction with the Hereford Police channel and asks them to contribute! their photograph taken with the cup at Choir, raised £362.25, while in Decem- Her efforts for the year, which included 75 pence a time. ber last year a performance by Moira a coffee morning and souvenir sales, More help from a football club, this Anderson made a further £1,024. Both brought in £1,887. time Nottingham Forest, came when concerts were held at the College Hall, Beeston and Chilwell branch were Worcester. Making a meal of it allowed to make a collection at their Two musical events of a slightly All aboard for breakfast! A captain's ground which amounted to £115. The different tone helped Shefford and Dis- breakfast on board the Sealink flagship, branch was only formed in May 1983 trict guild have a successful year in St Nicholas, was organised last Novem- but has already raised over £2,500 from 1984. A musical evening in February ber to raise funds for Harwich branch. many varied events; their 1984 flag day and an Old Tyme Music Hall in Novem- Roy Thompson is a steward on board St and house to house collection made ber, together with coffee mornings, Nicholas and during the breakfast his £756 and a jumble sale in November fetes and their flag day, raised £985. wife Christine presented a cheque for 1984 brought in a further £170 for The pupils of Nutfield Priory School £80 to branch president Jim Davis. Mrs branch funds. for Deaf Children decided to make the Thompson had raised the money by RNLI their Christmas charity by giving running in the London marathon, spon- Travelling salesmen a carol concert and showing lifeboat sored by her husband's colleagues. Lewisham branch's mobile souvenir films. The head boy and girl were able Harwich ladies guild have also been shop is fast becoming a well known sight to hand over £100 as a result to Reigate cooking up profits with a Christmas in the area. Since the branch first used it and Redhill branch president, Carl Sea- supper for over 100 people. Their hard during the 1984 London lifeboat week, ger. £1,500 of the total branch income work preparing and serving the food over £1,632 worth of souvenirs have of £10,000 for 1984 has come from local was rewarded with an impressive £426. been sold. Its last port of call was at schools. A luncheon, which was organised by Catford during the five performances of Carmarthen and Ferryside guild to pre- the South London Gang Show where a Scilly season sent Coxswain Derek Scott of The new song The Lifeboatmen', written by Some very original ways of raising Mumbles with a cheque for £1,000 for Colin Hume, had its premiere. money were reported at the 1984 AGM the station's lifeboat appeal, itself Long Eaton branch bought the ex- of The Isles of Scilly ladies' lifeboat raised £545. The £1,000 was made at a Porthcawl D class lifeboat from a local guild. There was the plate sale run by spring supper at the Iscoed Home sub aqua club, and since restoring it, the Mrs Helga Williams who had collected a Farm, home of Mr and Mrs John branch have taken it to various events varied selection of wall plates including Davies. The luncheon was held at Dr to display alongside a souvenir stall. In one donated by the guild's president, and Mrs Henry Maliphant's house. the last year £3,270 was sent to Poole Lady Wilson, which had been specially headquarters. The branch's Christmas designed for her when she lived at No Football supporters sale raised over £300 which included 10, Downing Street. The sale made Loughton and District branch, hold- money from the raffle of a cake baked £277. Mrs Williams also sells bulbs, ers of the UEFA Cup? Surely it's continued on page 172 170 Two of the drivers. Peter Marlow (I) and Paul Selway (r), who took part in a sponsored drive around the lifeboat stations of the South West, organised by Pill branch, Bristol, last September. They are seen here outside the South West district office in Bristol with their Ford Orion car, kindly loaned by UBM Ford. The 695.6 mile drive took them from Bristol, around the Cornish, Devon and Dorset coast to Poole and finally back to Say no more! Words fail Derek Ball o/Gnosall branch, Staffordshire, as his wife Bristol. The distance covered was guessed correctly by Alan Lynda gently persuades him to make yet another contribution to their lifeboat James of Portishead who won a weekend in Paris, donated by swear box. It has had more than £30 off him to date. Thomas Cook, and the branch made £1,100 out of the venture. Photograph by courtesy of Express and Star

Rotarians celebrate: the nine Rotary clubs of West Glamorgan came together for a presentation Richard Hattrell of the Osborne Hotel, Swan- dinner at University College, Swansea, after they had raised a remarkable £25,050 for The sea, is an expert in devising new cocktail Mumbles lifeboat appeal in a grand prize draw. Cliff Morgan, former Welsh rugbv star and now concoctions. This one, a mixture of brandy, head of BBC outside broadcasting, was guest speaker at the dinner. He was made to work hard blue curacao, lemon juice and egg white, that evening; he drew the 16 winning tickets, first and second prize a Vauxhall Nova car. he called Life Saver, earns a donation for the presented the cheque for the money raised to Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a depulv RNLl every time it is ordered by a guest in chairman of the RNLI, and, as the picture shows, he delivered an amusing speech. Chairman of need of revival. Photograph by courtesy of the Rotary appeal, Jim Paterson, who devised the draw, was naturally delighted with the result. Western Mail & Echo Photograph by courtesy of Peter Knowles

Meet Clifton Close Harmony whose successful fortnight's tour of Torbay last Who's chicken? Definitely not (I to r) Philip Reiley, Ronnie summer netted £1,357 for the RNLI. The octet, made up from Anthony Newman, White, Miles Lindsay, Graham Hardy nor Alan Lindsay, teacher at Clifton College, and seven pupils, most still recovering from 'O' and winners of the 1984 Hen Island Challenge Race for home-built 'A' level exams, toured local hotels giving no fewer than 36 mini concerts. craft. The team, all connected with the RNLI at Bangor. Audiences were regaled with barber shop and close harmony numbers such as Northern Ireland, are photographed with their winning design 'Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye' and 'Java Jive'. The group also did their share of and appropriate trophv. A cheque for the proceeds, a magnifi- busking, sometimes in as unlikely places as on a steam train, aboard the cent £5,750, took the form of a hard-boiled egg and was cashed Dartmouth ferry, on a pedalo (to a crowded beach) and even in a public at the bank by Fiona McCleery, honorary secretary of Comber convenience. branch. Photograph by courtesy of Colin Watson

171 a variety of functions and in a year he nised for the purchasers to race their and his regular customers raised £1,140. ducks on the Garavogue River. There A darts mini marathon, which lasted was a very large number of spectators just one hour, was held at the Wise Man and the event raised £1,000. Inn, West Stafford near Dorchester, in Tamworth ladies' guild borrowed a July 1984. Two teams took part, one different kind of rubber duck, an Atlan- team made up from regulars to the Wise tic 21 lifeboat, to display at a fiesta Man, the other consisting of officers, afternoon and barbecue held at the NCOs and soldiers from the nearby Tamworth Cruising Club base in June. Bovington Army Camp. The two teams With support from the Mayor and were sponsored for every 1,000 points Mayoress and many others, £180 was scored as a team during the hour. The made at this land-locked event. mini marathon raised £723, shared equally between Weymouth lifeboat Arduous exercises station and the MacMillan Cancer Rel- Over 200 people took part in an ief Fund. A bottle on the bar of the pub 18-mile sponsored walk over beach and yielded a further £103 for the RNLI marsh (not the easiest of terrains for when the darts money was handed over. walking) along the coastline from Sher- Customers of the Duke of Wellington ingham to neighbouring lifeboat station, pub in Whidborne Street, London Wells-next-the-Sea. Wells ladies' guild WC1, were not surprised to see barmaid provided tea for all the walkers who Bet Lynch serving drinks on New raised £3,782 for Sheringham branch Year's Eve. It was not, however, Julie funds. Pupils from Beeston Hall School, Goodyear who plays the character in whose headmaster is honorary secretary ITV's Coronation Street, but actually of Sheringham station, raised a stagger- landlord Roy Oliver. Mr Oliver dressed ing £2,785 towards the total. up as Bet Lynch following a bet and The last six years have seen pupils of raised £215; £130 of this was donated West Hove Middle School taking part in to the RNLI, the remainder going to the six sponsored swims. The 1984 swim Winnie the Pooh invented Pooh sticks many Licensed Victualler Appeal. raised £389, bringing their grand total to years ago, but Days Lock Island branch in Raffles in two Newquay, Cornwall, £1,583, all of which has been presented Oxfordshire have recently adopted the dis- covery of the bear of very little brain to make hotels during the 1984 summer season to Hove and Portslade branch. money for the RNLI. No fewer than 120 made £1,800 to buy equipment and Twenty-two crews from Guide and competitors took part in the branch's cham- clothing for Padstow and Newquay Scout groups in Northampton took part pionships, held last December, dropping their lifeboat crew members. John in a 24-hour rowing relay on the River sticks from Days Lock footbridge over the Fairclough, bar manager at the Marina Nene last October. The crews rowed 55 Thames at Little Wittenham. Chloe Wilson Hotel, sold raffle tickets for a weekly miles, 1,065 yards in total and a com- fought her way through the qualifying heats to draw throughout the summer and petition to guess the distance covered take home the winner's sash and teddy bear £1,100 was raised as a result. Mr made £248 which was divided equally prize. The minimum entry was 25p, there Fairclough got the idea from John between the RNLI and the Guide and were hot dogs, soup and a raffle to keep everyone happy and the branch were £100 Plumb, who works at the nearby Tol- Scout boat fund. In 1983 the boys and better off when it was all over. carne Hotel; he raised £1,400 for New- girls rowed from Northampton to Peter- Illustration by E. H. Shepard reproduced by quay lifeboat over the last two years, borough, bearing greetings from the kind permission of Curtis Brown Ltd. the 1984 raffle making £700. Mayor of Northampton to his opposite In just over a year, visitors to the number in Peterborough. That row and iced in the form of an RNLI house Observatory Hotel, Birkenhead, have raised £92 for the RNLI. flag. helped raise over £1,000 for Oxton and Mevagissey branch members man a Claughton branch. To achieve this sub- Learning the trade souvenir shop throughout the summer stantial sum the staff of the small hotel Just before the end of each summer months and in 1984 the bulk of their have run regular raffles and filled col- term, the 80 children aged between five £11,000 remittance to Poole headquar- lecting bottles and boxes. and 11 in the care of Mr G. Wall, ters came from the sale of souvenirs. Camberley branch's, annual spon- headmaster of Meavy Primary School The branch's flag week raised £614 and sored pub crawl was very well sup- near Yelverton, Devon, mount a sale of proceeds from a water carnival held in ported in 1984; participants, dressed as RNLI souvenirs. Two senior pupils are Portmellon Cove for both local resi- cops and robbers, raised a total of put in charge of the stocks provided by dents and visitors, which were divided £1,800. Tavistock branch. Proper book-keeping equally between two charities, brought and accounting systems are adhered to in a further £464. Pin-ups put on pounds and in 1984 a computer was used for the Noticing an article in the Daily Mail first time to keep stock records up to Inn keeping with lifeboat tradition offering a coveted Pirelli calendar to continued on page 174 Landlords and customers of public those quick enough in sending off a houses are among the most inventive request, Alan Butler of Southend sta- Facing page: St Catherine's Quay, the mari- time area of Blackgang Chine Fantasy Theme and faithful fund raisers for the RNLI. tion branch acquired one and, with the Park, on the Isle of Wight, has proved a huge John Hueston, landord of The Plough, help of Roger Whistler, a fellow com- success since it opened at Easter 1984, both as Downside, was recently presented with mittee member, organised a special a public attraction and as a money maker for an RNLI plaque for raising over £500 in raffle. It proved very popular and £657 the RNLI. The ex-Flamborough lifeboat, the last two years. Mr Hueston has was made - all for the initial outlay of a Friendly Forester, (r) forms the centre-piece organised a Beaujolais Nouveau sweep- 13p stamp. of this section of the Park. The Dabell family, stake, Christmas draws, a firework which has had the park open to the public evening and football matches to raise A town gone quackers since 1843, are staunch lifeboat supporters funds for the lifeboat service. What could be more natural than to and have collected money for the RNLI for many years. But the opening of St Catherine's To help meet the cost of a new run a rubber duck race for the lifeboat Quay has meant that between April and direction finding VHP set for Flambor- service? Having sold no fewer than September last year, a magnificent £3,076 was ough lifeboat, The Will and Fanny 1,500 toy ducks, Sligo branch, in the raised. Kirby, Barry Crosby, landlord of the Republic of Ireland, together with the Photograph by courtesy of the Royal Dog and Duck Hotel, organised Junior Chamber of Commerce, orga- Isle of Wight County Press 172 Heirloom or jumble? James Rylands (r), a valuer at Sotheby's, appraises a 19th century child's mahogany armchair belonging to Mrs Di Chick (centre). The valuation took place at Wilton branch's annual supper partv held at the restaurant at Wilton House last October. 130 people enjoyed the evening Present arms! Father Christmas is about to open his sack for the 100 children who were at Penrith which made £392. Father of the valuer is Lt ladies' lifeboat guild's annual Christmas party. There were games, a home made tea provided by Cdr David Rylands II), chairman of the the committee and then Willane, the conjuror. Apart from all the fun and games, over £200 was branch. raised for the RNLI. Photograph by courtesy of Frederick C. Wilson Photograph by courtesy of Peter Coburn

The toaster on the left - the one with RNLI on it - won the golden toaster award (the more conventional one on the right) in Noel Edmonds' Late Late Breakfast Show on BBC TV. The country's most powerful toaster, capable of shooting a slice of bread 39 feet into the air, was designed by Chris Handscombe Sherry and mince pies are a recipe for success, as the ladies of Reigate and Redhill (r), landlord of the Royal Oak at Langstone, near Havant, guild proved when they made them the object of a partv held in Reigate Town and five of his customers. Regulars sponsored the toaster's Hall last November. It look no more than two hours to raise £825 from the achievements and raised £200 for the RNLI. A further £300 was considerable number of people who were drawn to the event. Members of the made when Swan Housewares Ltd gave 12 toasters to be raffled guild are seen here toasting their success. and the resulting cheque is here being handed over to Photograph by courtesy of Surrey Mirror round-the-world sailor. Sir Alec Rose, president of Havant branch, by David Shutte, of Whitbread Solent Inns. Jim Cadman (I), managing director of Swan Housewares, also donated a further £500 worth of goods for future fund-raising.

Waterloo station, of a sort. Dalton and Waterloo branch, newly formed, took advantage of the fact that one of their members. Mr M. Hollyhead, is secretarv of the Huddersfie/d Society of Model Engineers. Last summer, in the local park a festival was staged over five Saturdays and the Society, who run miniature locomotives there, gave rides to children in return for money for the RNLI. Members of the branch, seen here, also ran a souvenir stall and were delighted with the £220 that was raised.

173 date. Cakes and sweets made and sold finish the course. Robert Hesselden ran was very well supported with 40 teams by the children supplement the total in such a race in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia in from various parts of South East and over £600 has been raised since the December and raised a magnificent England taking part. An award for the exercise began. £850 in sponsorship for the RNLI. team raising the most sponsorship money While Mr Hesselden was in England in was won by the Fuzzafloat team—the Unflagging January he handed over his cheque to raft manned by the local police force, With a little help from a Pearly Anthony Oliver, appeals secretary. who raised £869. Proceeds from the Queen anything can happen. During Regular customers of the Rose and race amounted to £4,000. Other events flag week in Letchworth in September Crown pub, Godalming, ran in a spon- by the branch, including a summer fair last year, Mrs Turgoose, who is a Pearly sored fun run for charity and raised on the seafront with a simulated rescue Queen, sold lifeboat emblems to pas- £376. As most of the runners have by a search and rescue helicopter from sers-by and to many children fascinated sailing as a hobby it was decided that RAF Mansion, a Christmas fair and by her pearly outfit. All together the the money should go to the RNLI and a souvenir sales, helped the branch to flag day and lifeboat week raised £1,000, cheque was duly handed over to John raise over £10,000 in the last financial to which was added £200 from the sale Drudge, secretary of Godalming year. of souvenirs. branch, by Terry Agar, landlord of the Mrs M. Hood, a committee member Rose and Crown. Coffee shops of Holyhead ladies' guild, collected over In just three hours of a coffee morn- £200 in her collecting box during three Floating funds ing and luncheon, by selling souvenirs days of Holyhead lifeboat week. Mrs Summer is the raft race season and and bric-a-brac, Kensington branch Hood stood with her box for a total 1984 saw three highly successful races. were able to raise a remarkable £784.50. of 12'/2 hours, and averaged approxi- York branch held their raft race in The branch committee organised the mately £16 per hour. glorious July sunshine. A local firm, event in October 1984 to start off their Camerons Breweries, sponsored the new financial year. Pavement pounds event and when all the proceeds had Although only formed in 1983, Two bus drivers from the London been counted up, they amounted to Strathendrick branch are showing that Country Bus Company at Dartford, £3,767.74. they are not novices at fund raising. strayed from their normal routes to take The ladies of Millport guild, Isle of Their Balfron coffee morning held in part in the Epsom and Ewell half October made £515. marathon in September last year. Nir- Earby guild also held a coffee morn- mal Singh and James Himsworth both ing, which included a tombola, raffle ran on behalf of Dartford and District and various stalls. It was the first event branch and collected £147.10 in spon- organised since their secretary, Mrs sorship money. It was Mr Himsworth's Sylvia Dick, recovered from illness and first attempt at running in a half revived the guild. At the end of the marathon and after only six weeks of morning the guild were richer by £256. training he finished the 13 miles in under two hours. Nirmal Singh is a Reliable sources regular marathon runner and raised Dymchurch branch organised many £137 for Dartford branch when he ran extra events in 1984 to celebrate the in the 1983 Dartford half marathon. RNLI's 160th anniversary. They in- Weston-super-Mare is probably the Millport ladies guild, ahoy! cluded three foot-tapping barn dances, only branch to organise its own marathon Cumbrae, are obviously made of strong a valuation afternoon, 'snowball' coffee as a fund raising event. Two hundred and stuff, for not only did they finish fourth mornings and a pie and punch party. twenty runners and four walkers took out of 25 teams who entered a raft race The branch also shared the proceeds part in 1984 and the fast, flat course organised by the local Masonic Lodge, from a fete held in Noel Coward's produced a record finishing time of two but they also survived the hazard of former home, Goldenhurst, at which hours, 30 minutes, 47 seconds. All run- flour bombs thrown at them by specta- over 1,500 people were present. Total ners are encouraged to find sponsors tors on the harbour side and in pleasure monies raised in 1984 were over £4,500. with the money divided equally be- boats. The £165 donated to the branch Hampstead Garden Suburb branch tween the RNLI and their own by the Lodge after the raft race helped organised a bring and buy and food favourite charity. In 1984, £1,600 was the ladies to raise over £4,870 in 1984. fayre in November 1984.' Over 200 raised for the Institution and over £500 Godalming branch's race was also people attended the fayre which netted for other charities. held in July with 29 teams taking part, £385 for the branch. Running in a half marathon is hard some even finished the race! Over Busy fingers and artistic talent helped enough in itself, but add to the 13 miles £1,000 was raised from sponsorship and Burnham-on-Crouch ladies' guild raise the heat of Saudi Arabia and it is the sale of refreshments and souvenirs. over £2,000 in 1984. The Burnham difficult to imagine how anyone could Herne Bay branch's annual raft race ladies knitted jumpers and toys, made

Runners prepare at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Goods on offer at Burnham-on-Crouch craft fair.

174 jam, cushions, shopping bags, pin members collected on behalf of the Six guilds from the Midlands region cushions and dried flower arrangements local RNLI guild during Mexborough's faithfully manned a souvenir stall at the to sell at a craft fair run by the guild. lifeboat week which realised £1,062. Royal Show last July despite weather Other events organised by the ladies Appledore station threw open its doors, which would make a lifeboatman's hair included cookery and flower arranging or the shoreline at least, for an open day curl. Coventry, Stratford-on-Avon and demonstrations, held in the Royal in July 1984. With help from a Royal Air Warwick guilds, and Gnosall, Leaming- Corinthian Yacht Club, a plant sale in Force helicopter taking part in an SAR ton Spa, Rugby and Redditch branches May and the guild's garden lunch which demonstration with the Appledore life- manfully stayed at their posts despite took place in July. boats, and the local fire brigade who gave torrential rain during two of the show's In 1969 the Mexborough Retired Per- a fire fighting display, the day made four days, and raised £1,674. sons Group was formed and each year £1,000 for Appledore branch funds. The united efforts of Broadstairs since then the group has raised funds for The annual Seahouses harbour fete, branch and ladies' guild produced the Institution. In October last year the the culmination of North Sunderland £12,076 last year. Champion souvenir group held its annual craft fayre which guild's activities for the year, broke all sellers among their ranks accounted for made £996. The fayre was not, records in 1984 by raising £6,941.92. some £4,000. The town's flag day however, the group's only fund raising Young people from Seahouses collected brought in a record £1,718 and coffee event on behalf of the RNLI and in 1984 £641.07 during the day and the guild's mornings raised over £1,000. they raised a total of £2,239. To this souvenir stall at the boathouse during At their annual noggin 'n natter, the amount can be added the money group the summer weekends sold £1,684 Pirates Cruising Club of Epsom raffled worth of souvenirs, with a further all but their parrots to raise £156 for Readers digest?- Or is it the currant issue of the £546.39 being sold on lifeboat fete day. Yarmouth lifeboat, loW. journal? This appetising and skilfully iced cake was the prize in a raffle organised by the newly formed Harrow branch when they were asked to take part in an open-air fund raising event run by the Irish Society. Despite pour- ing rain, the event was a huge success and Harrow branch were given £645 at the end of Shifting sands: who needs oil the day, exactly half the proceeds. In their first when you can make £400 year Harrow have raised a grand total of selling sand? These arabs, £2,016 for the RNLI. more usually members of Port Talbot Rotoract Club, were undeterred when they could not obtain a licence to collect in the street for The Mumbles lifeboat appeal. Given permission to sell something, they ordered five tons of sand and sold it in children's buckets to passers- by for unspecified amounts. Purchasers deposited their AND BUY merchandise into the back of SAND a lorry and by the end of the ^ *FROM THE ARABS. day the sand bank had pro- duced a tidy profit.

RNLI national lottery I JOHN TERRETT, a regular presenter on the Bournemouth based Two Counties Radio, visited RNLI headquarters on January 31, 1985 to make the draw for the 28th national lottery. The lottery had raised over £52,000, a record figure and was £3,500 up on the corresponding lottery in 1984. Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, KCB, a deputy chairman of the RNLI, and Anthony Oliver, appeals secretary, were on hand to witness the draw and to ensure fair play. The prizewinners were:

£2,000: Stephanie Pearson, Droitwich, John Terrell announces a winner. Worcestershire. £500: Anne Hazelton, Petersfield, Hamp- Lynn, Norfolk; D. Crabtree, shire. Doncaster, South Yorkshire; J. M. Brason, Poole, Dorset; G. Lowe. £250: Elizabeth Scamens, Banbury, Oxon. £100: Mrs E. M. Moddrel, Darlington, Co Warsash, Hampshire; Ann Mary Under the bridges of Dublin sailed three Durham; J. Neilson, Chandlers Winters, Kirkcaldy, Fife; D. Cross, students from Trinity College last year. Keith Ford, Hampshire; Margaret Clarke, Kennington, Oxon; P. J. Bearman, Lee, Paddy Benson and Ciaran McGuckian Feltham. Middlesex; R. W. Gam- London N4; John Blackman, Earls braved a temperature of only 2 degrees Court, London; C. Stiff, Camber- mon, Exmouth, Devon; J. D. Mor- centigrade, a 25 knot wind and flour and egg ris, Milford Haven, Dyfed; John ley, Surrey. bombing from fellow students waiting in Dickin, Preston Gubbalds, Salop; ambush on O'Connell Bridge, to complete A. Macdonall, Uig, Isle of Skye; The draw for the 29th national lot- the 12 bridge sponsored board sail down the £50: Mrs Marshall, Gayton-le-Marsh, tery will be made at Poole on Tuesday, Liffey. They survived the trip in style and Lincolnshire; Mrs Potter, Kings April 30, 1985. raised £147 for the RNLI as a result. 175 Blyth, Northumberland and October 27 (four times) 28. 29 (twice). 30. September 2. 18 Lifeboat Services 44ft Waveney: September 24 and Exmouth, South Devon (twice). 21. 25. 26 (twice), October 7, August, September October 27 33ft Brede: August 1 (twice), 4 (twice) 10. 12. 28 and 31 Borth, Dyfed and September 20 Hunstanton, Norfolk and October, 1984 D class inflatable: August 15. 20, 21 D class inflatable: August 4 (twice), 5. Atlantic21: August 6 (twice). 15, 27. (twice) and September 28 20. September 3.14.23. 29 and 29. September 2, 22 (twice). 26 and Bridlington, Humberside October 28 October 13 37ft Oakley: August 28. 31. September Eyemouth, Berwickshire Ilfracombe, North Devon Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire 18. October 1, 15 and 20 (twice) 44ft Waveney: August 4 37ft Oakley: August 1 (twice). 12. 27. 54ft Arun: October 26 and 27 D class inflatable: August 31. Falmouth, Cornwall 30 and September 9 D class inflatable: October 10 September 30 and October 13 52ft Arun: August 18. 20. 25, 31. Invergordon, Ross-shire Aberdovey, Gwynedd Brighton, East Sussex September 8 (twice). 26. 27, October 33ft Brede: August 10 Atlantic21: August 19 (twice). 21. 22. Atlantic21: August 1. 16,27,29. 24 and 31 Islay, Argyllshire 25, 27, 28 (twice) and 30 September 18. 23 (four times). October Relief 18ft 6in McLachlan: August 20 50ft Thames: August 2. 15. 18, 19, Abersoch, Gwynedd 11 and 22 18ft 6in McLachlan: September 17 September 14. 22 (twice) and October Atlanlic21: August 1.4.9,29.31 Buckle, Banffshire (twice), 22 and October 26 24 (twice) and September 2 52ft Arun: August 14 (twice), Filey, North Yorkshire Kilmore, Co Wexford Aberystwyth, Dyfed September 9, 12 and 16 37ft Oakley: August 1(1 and October 5 37ft Oakley: August 15 and September Cclass inflatable: August 1. 18 (twice). Bude, Cornwall D class inflatable: August 6. 17. 28 1 25 (twice), 26 (twice), 30, September D class inflatable: August 15 (twice). 29 (twice). 31. September 8. 9. Kinghorn, Fife 12, 25, 29, October 2, 14, 21 and 28 Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 13, October 5 and 31 D class inflatable: August 6 Aldeburgh, Suffolk D class inflatable: August 21 Fishguard, Dyfed Kippford, Kirkcudbrightshire 37ft 6in Rather: September 17 and Burry Port, Dyfed Relief 52ft Arun: September 8 D class inflatable: August 22, 23. 25. October 24 D class inflatable: August 8. 19, 29 and Flamborough, Humberside September 30 and October 16 D class inflatable: August 1. 11,31. September 30 37ft Oakley: August 5, 24. 28. October Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire September 9 and October 20 (twice) Calshot, Hampshire 1,12. 20 (twice) and 28 37ft Oakley: August 24 and September Alderney, Channel Islands 40ft Keith Nelson: October 20 Fleetwood, Lancashire 4 33ft Brede: August 4.5,15 (three Relief 33ft Brede: August 9, 13, 28. 44ft Waveney: August 4. September 1. Kirkwall, Orkney times), 20, September 1. 30 and September 9 and 14 14, October 13 and 28 (twice) 70ft Clyde: September 15 and 30 October 28 (twice) Campbeltown, Argyllshire D class inflatable: August 12. 18. 21. Largs, Ayrshire Amble, Northumberland 52ft Arun: August 24. September 9 and 27.31 and September 9 Relief Atlantic 21: August 2. 6 (twice). D class inflatable: August 28 11 Flint, Clwyd 21, 29, September 8. 15, 23, 29 and 30 Angle, Dyfed Cardigan, Dyfed D class inflatable: September 8 and Lerwick, Shetland 46ft 9in Watson: August 28. September D class inflatable: August 18, 20, 28 October 27 Relief 52ft Arun: August 6, 20. 21 and 4 and October 15 and September 25 Fowey, Cornwall October 27 Appledore, North Devon Clacton-on-Sea, Essex 33ft Brede: August 1, 20, September 4 Little and Broad Haven, Dyfed 47ft Watson: August 27, September 2, D class inflatable: August 10, 20 and October 20 D class inflatable: August 3, 18, 22, 27 21, 29 and October 22 (twice), 29, September 1 and 30 Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire (three times), 28 and 29 Atlantic21: August 2, 4, 19 (three Clovelly, North Devon 48ft 6in Solent: August 21, September 5 Littlehampton, West Sussex times), 20 (twice). 21, 27 (four times), 70ft Clyde: August 1, 12, 27, and 12 Atlantic 21: August 2, 12, 13, 29, 31 (twice), September 1, 2 (twice). 22, September 4.9,10.11,17, 20.27 and Galway Bay, Co Galway September 8,9, 14. 16 (twice), 30. 28, 29, October 7, 22 and 26 October 24 52ft Barnett: August 19, 21 and October 7, 23 and 27 Arbroath, Angus 70ft Clyde's inflatable: August 16 and September 17 Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent 37ft (tin Rather: October 26 26 Girvan, Ayshire Atlantic 21: August 3, 8, September 1 D class inflatable: August 19 and Conwy, Gwynedd 33ft Brede: September 22 and 29 (twice), 8 and 20 (twice) October 26 D class inflatable: August 13, 21. 22 (twice) The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall Arklow, Co Wicklow and September 27 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, 48ft bin Oakley: August 1, 18 and 42ft Watson: August 3, 13 (twice) and Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co Cork Norfolk September 3 (twice) September 23 47ft Watson: August 5, September 8 44ft Waveney: September 4 and 16 Llandudno (Orme's Head), Gwynedd Arran (I.amlashl, Buteshire and October 9 Atlantic21: August 5,6,9 (three 37ft Oakley: September 22 D class inflatable: September 4 and Craster, Northumberland times). 24, 26. 30 (twice). September 1. D class inflatable: August 3, 4, 10, 17, October 10 D class inflatable: August 27. 3, 9 (twice). 19, 21. 22, 23, 27 and 19 (twice), 30, September 1 (twice), 8 Arranmore, Co Donegal September 22 and 30 October 24 and 22 52ft Burnett: August 4 and September 1 Criccieth, Gwynedd Happisburgh, Norfolk Lowestoft, Suffolk Atlantic College (St Donat's Castle), C class inflatable: August 2, 8, 10. 21 D class inflatable: August 12 and 13 47ft Watson: August 2 South Glamorgan (twice). 26 (twice). 27 (three times). Hartlepool, Cleveland Relief 47ft Watson: October 5 Atlantic2l: September 12 September 1. 5 (twice), 13 and October 44ft Waveney: August 29 and Lyme Regis, Dorset Ballycotton, Co Cork 2 September 22 Relief Atlantic 21: August 4, 26 (twice), Relief 52ft Barnett: August 2, 5. 12. 27 Cromer, Norfolk Atlantic 21: August 2, 28 and 29 27 (twice), 29, 30, September 8,11,13, (twice) and September 6 48ft 6in Oakley: Augut 15 and Harwich, Essex 20 and 25 Baltimore, Co Cork September 4 44ft Waveney: October 6 and 9 Lymington, Hampshire 48ft 6in Oakley: September 21 and D class inflatable: August 3, 15, 18 and Atlantic 21: August 24, 31. September Atlantic 21: August 5. 28. 29. October 11 19 3, 4 and October 14 September 9 (three times), October 18 Barmouth, Gwynedd Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Hastings, East Sussex and 28 37ft 6in Rather: October 16 C class inflatable: August 30 (twice), Relief 37ft Oakley: October 8 and 24 Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire D class inflatable: August 4, 7, 18, 19, September 28, October 2, 14 and 28 D class inflatable: August 4 (twice). 9 46ft 9in Watson: August 3 and 20(thrcc times), 21. 28, 29, September Donaghadee, Co Down (twice), 22. September 9. 22 and September 18 1 and 13 44ft Waveney: August 4. 12. 15 and 26 October 2 D class inflatable: August 5,21 and Barra Island, Inverness-shire (twice) Hayling Island, Hampshire October 7 48ft 6in Solent: August 9 Douglas, Isle of Man Atlantic21: August 2, 4, 21, 27, 31. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Barrow, Cumbria Relief 46ft 9in Watson: August 11 and September 2, 5 (twice), 9, 19. 23 (five D class inflatable: August 6. 13, 46ft 9in Watson: August 5 and 23 times), October 13 (twice) and 28 22 (three times), 26 (twice), 28. September 9 Dover, Kent (twice) 29 (twice). 31 and September 2 D class inflatable: August 3, 27 and 50ft Thames: August 17. 27 (twice). 29 Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire (twice) October 21 (twice). September 4 (twice). 15, Atlantic21: August 3, 5. 10. 15 (twice), Macduff, Banffshire Barry Dock, South Glamorgan October 3 and 28 29, September 2, 21, 22. 28. 30 (twice). 48ft bin Solent: September 3 Relief 44ft Waveney: August 29 Dunbar, East Lothian October 7 and 22 Mallaig, Inverness-shire Beaumaris, Gwynedd 47ft Watson: August 19 Holy head, Gwynedd 52ft Arun: August 3 (twice). 28. 46ft 9in Watson: August 11 D class inflatable: August 19, 44ft Waveney: August 14. 30, September 3. 20, October 2, 15 and 25 Atlantic 21: August 20, 30, September 8 Septembers and 9 September 9. 12 and 24 Margate, Kent and 29 Dungeness, Kent D class inflatable: August 30 (twice) 37ft bin Rather: August 7 and Bembridge, Isle of Wight 37ft bin Rather: August 10 and Horton and Port Eynon, West September 14 48ft 6in Solent: August 25 and October September 2 Glamorgan D class inflatable: August 7 and 9 31 Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin D class inflatable: August 1, 9 (twice), Minehead, Somerset D class inflatable: August 1. 4, 21 and 44ft Waveney: August 30, September 6, 18, 28, September 1 (twice), 9, 14, 19 Relief Atlantic 21: August 10. 18, 27. 29 25 7, 9. 29 and October 11 and 21 (twice). 30. September 17, 18. 30. Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Dunmore East, Co Waterford Howth, Co Dublin October 11 and 21 At/antic 21: August 20 Relief 44ft Waveney: August 4. Relief 46ft 9in Watson: August 3. D class inflatable: August 11. 29 (three Relief Atlantic 21: August 26 (twice) September 10 and October 27 October3 and 13 times). 30 and September 17 and September 9 Eastbourne, East Sussex D class inflatable: August 3. 18, 19. Moelfre, Gwynedd Blackpool, Lancashire 37ftbin Rather: August 21. 27 (twice). October 2. 6 and 13 37ft bin Rather: August 10. 27, 30 and D class inflatable: August 3 (twice), 12. September 9 (twice), 15, 20 (twice), 24 Hoylake, Merseyside October 8 21 (four times). 27, September 2 (three and October 7 37ft 6in Rather: September 3, 9 and 27 D class inflatable: August 1 (twice), 7 times), 20 (four times). October 11 and D class inflatable: August 30. 31. Humber, Humberside (twice), 10. 28 (three times) and 29 27 September 1, 2. 3. 22 (twice). 23. 24 54ft Arun: August 2. 5 (twice). 18, 27, (twice) 176 Montrose, Angus D class inflatable: August 22 (twice), September 9 (twice). 15 and 23 48ft din Solent: August 27 and September 3 and 16 Stromness, Orkney D class inflatable: August 2.4.5. 11. September 6 Queensferry, West Lothian Relief 52ft Barnett: August 13 28. September 23 and October 27 Relief 52ft Burnett: October 29 Atlantic21: September 22. October 2. Sunderland, Tyne and Wear West Mersea, Essex Morecambe, Lancashire 7. 19. 20 and 27 47ft Watson: August 25 (twice). Atlantic21: August 2 (twice). 28. 31. D class inflatable: August 1,12,31 Ramsey, Isle of Man September 9 and October 19 September 1.5.9 (three times). 20 (twice) and September 27 37ft Oakley: August 14, 15 and 23 D class inflatable: August 25 (twice). 26 (twice). 23 (three times). Octobers. 22 Mudeford, Dorset Red Bay, Co Antrim (twice), 28 (three times), 30, 31 and 30 C class inflatable: August 3. 28, 31, D class inflatable: August 4, September (twice), September 9 (twice), October Weston-super-Mare, Avon September 2, 8 (twice), 9 (twice), 22, 2 and 9 6 and 19 D class inflatable: August 12. 13. 16. 23,27, October 3, 6 and 18 Redcar, Cleveland Swanage, Dorset 25. 26. October 1 and 4 The Mumbles, West Glamorgan 37ft Oakley: August 12 and September 37ft 6in Rather: August 3. 4 (three Atlantic21: August 16. 25. 26. October 47ft Watson: September 11 23 times), 5, September 2 and 4 1 and 4 D class inflatable: August 4 (twice). 5, D class inflatable: August 26, Relief 37ft Oakley: September 29. Weymouth, Dorset 17, September 9 (twice) and 14 September 2,23, October 14 (twice) October 2. 7 and 13 54ft Arun: August 8. 17. 21. 26 (twice). Newbiggin, Northumberland and 21 Teesmouth, Cleveland October?. 18 and 28 Atlantic 21: August 14, 19 and 31 Rhyl, Clwyd Relief 47ft Watson: October 20 Whitby, North Yorkshire New Brighton, Merseyside 37ft Oakley: August 11 Tenby, Dyfed 44ft Waveney: August 11. 23. 24. Atlantic21: September 8 (three times) D class inflatable: August 5. 11. 13. 20. 46ft 9in Watson: August 1.12 and 28 September 4. 23 and October 20 Relief Atlantic 21: October 24 (twice) 21 (twice). 27 and 30 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: October 1 D class inflatable: August 25. 27. 28. Newcastle, Co Down Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford D class inflatable: August 1, 2 (three October J9 and 20 37ft Oakley: September 23 52ft Arun: August 1, 28 and September times), 7 (three times), 8, 9, 10, 14. 20, Whitstable, Kent Newhaven, East Sussex 2 22. 26, 28, September 5.6.8.9 (twice). Atlantic 21: August 4. 5, 6. 15. 19.21 44ft Waveney: August 3. 5. 27 (six Rye Harbour, East Sussex 11.22, 23 and October 1 (three times). 23.25. 31. September 3 times), 29 (twice), September 1,3. 9. D class inflatable: August 21 Thurso, Caithness and 4 October 30 and 31. St Abbs, Berwickshire 48ft 6in Solent: September 28 Wick, Caithness Newquay, Cornwall C class inflatable: August 4 and 20 Torbay, South Devon Relief 48ft bin Solent: August 31 C class inflatable: August 5, 9. 10, 12. St Agnes, Cornwall Relief 52ft Arun: August 20 Wicklow, Co Wicklow 13. 15.22, 25.26. September?. 16,28 D class inflatable: August 12. 28 and 18ft 6in McLach/an: September 8.12 Relief 42ft Watson: August 10. 20. 26 and October 23 September 14 and October 29 and September 2 New Quay, Dyfed St Catherine, Channel Islands Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd Withernsea, Humberside D class inflatable: August 14.19. 26. 28 C class inflatable: August 5. September D class inflatable: August 16. 19. 26 D class inflatable: August 13. 26 (three and September 1 Sand October 11 and 30 times). September 3. 16 (twice) and 18 North Berwick, East Lothian St David's, Dyfed Troon, Ayrshire Workington, Cumbria D class inflatable: October 9 47ft Watson: August 9. 27. 28 and 44ft Wavenev: September 1. October 18 47ft Watson: August 14 North Sunderland, Northumberland September 24 and 29 Yarmouth, Isle of Wight D class inflatable: August 5. 9 and 26 St Helier, Channel Islands Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear 52ft Arun: August 22. 27. 28. Oban, Argyllshire Relief 44ft Wavenev: September 4. 6, 52ftArun: August 27 and October9 September 3.4.7. 20. October 3 33ft Brede: August 2, 7 (three times), 11, October 17, 18 (twice) and 22 D class inflatable: August 6 and 14 (twice). 6 and 18 10, 19. 20. 22. 27. 30. September 2, 9 St Ives, Cornwall Valentia, Co Kerry Youghal, Co Cork (twice), 16, 18, 23 and 28 D class inflatable: August 2,4.5.21. 52ft Arun: August 6 and 26 At/antic 21: August 1. 10 and 28 Relief 33ft Brede: October 13, 20 28, 29, September 4.10 and 28 (twice) Relief52ftArun: Septembers. 17. 21. (twice) and 31 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly October 13 and 14 Padstow, Cornwall 52ft Arun: August 26 and 30 Walmer, Kent Relief 52ft Burnett: September 14, Relief 52ft Arun: September 23. 27 and 37ft 6in Rother: August 16 (three times) On Passage October 5,19 and 21 October 20 and September 4 52ft A run ON 1099: September 3 Peel, Isle of Man St Peter Port, Channel Islands D class inflatable: August 15. 52ft Arun ON 1103: September 21 and 24 Relief Atlantic 21: August 17 52ft Arun: August 6. 12. 20. 31. September 1. 4 and 9 (twice) Penarth, South Glamorgan September 6, 19,21 and October 27 Walton and Frinton, Essex D class inflatable: August 1, 22. 25. 28. Scarborough, North Yorkshire 48ft6in Solent: August 4. 5 (twice). 7. 30, September 6. 22 October 7 37ft Oakley: August 2, October 20 and 20. 21.28. September9 (twice). 17. On Trials at Morecambe Penlee, Cornwall 23 October 3 and 26 D class inflatable: August 29 52ft Arun: September 3 (twice) and 9 Selsey, West Sussex Wells, Norfolk Relief Atlantic 21 B514: August 5 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire 47ft Tyne: August 27, 28, September 6. 37ft Oakley: September 9 (twice). 9. 10. 20. 31. September 1 48ft din Solent: August 9 and October 8 7. October 15 (twice). 27 and 31 D class inflatable: August 5 and 19 (twice) and 3 Plymouth, South Devon D class inflatable: August 28, 29, 31, Relief 44ft Waveney: August 17, 27 and September 22 and October 14 September 15 Sheerness, Kent Poole, Dorset 44ft Wavenev: August 4 (twice). 20 33ft Brede: August 1,6,9, September (twice). 21, 24, September 4. 21. 23. 16, October 4 (twice). 24 and 31 27. October 7 (twice). 11. 14. 19.21 Dell Quay Dorv: August 1,8,9 (twice). and 27 27, 31, September 1, 28. October 4, 8 D class inflatable: August 6, 12, 20 and 13 (twice) (twice). 31. September 3. 9 (twice). 12, Portaferry, Co Down 18. 23. 27. October 23 and 27 C class inflatable: August 11 Sheringham, Norfolk Profiles of Lifeboats Port Erin, Isle of Man 37ft Oakley: August 10. 19. September in the RNLI Fleet 37ft 6in Rather: August 30 19 and October 22 Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex 52ft and 54ft Arun D class inflatable: August 8. 22, D class inflatable: August 20, 22. 15ft Sin D class and ,*=- September 1,12 and 22 September 22 (three times). 23 (five 17ft 6in C class inflatable ' Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd times). October 20 and 27 47ft Watson: September 29 Silloth, Cumbria Port Isaac, Cornwall Atlantic21: August 10. Septcmbcr9 D class inflatable: August 10. 15 and 24 and 30 Portpatrick, Wigtownshire Skegness, Lincolnshire 47ft Watson: August 12 (twice). 31 and 37ft Oaklev: September 18 (twice) and September 20 23 (twice) Portrush, Co Antrim D class inflatable: August 13 (twice). 52ft Arun: September 30. October 15 15. 16. 17 (twice). 19. 20. 28 (three and 17 (twice) times). 29, 31 (four times). September

Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), 18 and October 7 48ft 6in Solent 37ft Oakley Hampshire Southend-on-Sea, Essex D class inflatable: August 5, September Atlantic 21: August 4. 5. 20. 26. 28. 3. 9. 10, 23. October 7 and 20 September 2.4.9. October 7. 14 and 24 Atlantic 21: August 7. 12. September 2. D class inflatable: August 16.31 and 48ft 6in Oakley 37ft Bin Rother X 9.23 (twice), October 7,24 and 28 September 3 Port St Mary, Isle of Man Southwold, Suffolk 54ft Arun: August 22 and 26 Atlantic 21: August 3. 23. September 9 D class inflatable: August 2, 7 and 26 and October 3 Port Talbot, West Glamorgan Stornoway (Lewis), Ross-shire 47ft Tyne 44ft Waveney D class inflatable: August 11 52ft Arun: August 21. September 15. 24 Pwllheli, Gwynedd and October 16 37ft Oakley: August 26. 27. October 17 Stranraer, Wigtownshire and 29 D class inflatable: August 22. 25. 47ft Watson 46ft 9in and 47ft Wat*

177 Awards to Coxswains, Crews and Shore Helpers

The following coxswains, members of lifeboat crews and shore helpers were awarded certifi- cates of service on their retirement and, in addition, those entitled to them by the Institu- tion's regulations, were awarded an annuity, gratuity or pension.

Aberdovey: P. A. F. Parker: Crew Member* 10 years. P. 5. Thompson; Crew Member* 15 years.

Amble: R. Fulkous; Emergency Mechanic 18 years. Wells, Norfolk. Photograph by courtesy of Campbell MacCallum Anstruther: Howth: Selsey: D. Jack; Crew Member 11 years. Assistant Mecha- W. Hendy; Emergency Mechanic 17'A years. Crew F. R. Wells; Motor Mechanic 24% years. nic 3 years. Member 6 years. Sennen Cove: Arran (Lamlash): Ilfracombe: C. H. Bottere/l; Crew Member 21 years. H. J. R. Walker; Crew Member* 13% years. D. R. Hobman; Head Launcher 6 years. Shore W. J. George; Crew Member 25 years. Helper 18 years. T. B. Matthews; Crew Member 24 years. Baltimore: M. O 'Connell; Motor Mechanic 8% years. Assis- Lowestoft: Sheringham: tant Mechanic 22'/4 years. Crew Member 2 years. N. J. Carter; Crew Member 14 years. Assistant W. A. Williamson; Assistant Tractor Driver 10 J. J. O'Regan; Assistant Mechanic 9 years. Crew Mechanic 1 year. Previously Crew Member at years. Member 9 years. Southend-on-Sea* 1 year. Silloth: Barry Dock: Lytham St Anne's: R. J. Jordan; Crew Member* 11 years. £. G. W. Powell;owe/I; Crew Member i'/5'/z yyearse . J. Brambles; Crew Member 26 years. Coxswain 3 years. Second Coxswain 2Vt years. Skegness: L. K. Dare; Crew Member 10 years. Macduff: J. M. Grunnill; Second Coxswain 33 years. Crew J. Mitchell; Coxswain 9 years. Second Coxswain 1 Member 12 years. Beaiimaris: year. Crew Member 1 year. R. W. Jones; Crew Member 38 years. A. Raffan; Motor Mechanic 9 years. Assistant Stornoway: Mechanic 1 year. G. F. Smith; Assistant Mechanic 12!A years. Crew Bridlington: Member 5 years. D. Atkins; Second Coxswain 8'/4 years. Bowman The Mumbles: J. Mesleard; Crew Member 13 years. 10'/4 years. Crew Member 6'/4 years. A. D. Lewis; Crew Member 27 years. D. A. Palmer; Crew Member 29 years. Swanage: Burnham-on-Crouch: P. J. Dorey; Second Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic J. D. Clowes; Crew Member* 11 years. Newcastle (Co Down): 5 years. Assistant Mechanic 1 year. Crew Member M. McClelland; Emergency Mechanic 5% years. 12% years. Clacton-on-Sea: Crew Member 10 years. Shore Helper 4 years. E. E. Downes; Winchman 23 years. Teesmouth: B. P. Drane; Shore Helper 9 years. Crew Member Newquay (Cornwall): D. Robinson; Motor Mechanic 8'/: years. Assistant 10 years. F. P. Dungey; Crew Member* 15 years. Mechanic 9 years. Emergency Mechanic at Rcdcar A. D. Lewis; Crew Member 27 years. '/t year. P. R. J. Shermun; Assistant Mechanic 2 years. New Quay (Dyfed): Emergency Mechanic 8 years. Crew Member 7 D. W. Evans; Crew Member 11 years. Tenby: years. M. Crockford; Crew Member 27 years. D. 8. Stammers; Crew Member 12 years. Shore Plymouth: Helper 10 years. C. J. G. Andrew; Crew Member* 13 years. Torbay: R. W. Stammers; Head Launcher 21 years. Crew J. N. Duke; Crew Member* 11 years. W. J. Hunkin; Assistant Mechanic 8% years. Crew Member 3 years. Shore Helper 11 years. /. D. Lovering; Crew Member 16 years. Crew Member 41/: years. Crew Member* 9 years. Bronze Member* 16 years. Medal 1976. Clovelly: 5. P. Porter; Joint Second Coxswain 3'/2 years. Porthdinllaen: Walmer: Crew Member Padstow 10 years. M. Massarelli; Crew Member 11 years. Bronze Or A. R. P. Calder; Second Assistant Mechanic 10 Medal 1981. years. Crew Member 1 year. Cromer: F. H. Muirhead; Crew Member* l()'/2 years. Port Isaac: T. J. Beare; Crew Member* 11 years. Wells: Douglas: S. T. Smith; Shore Helper and Head Launcher 43 R. Lee; Assistant Mechanic 24 years. Crew Mem- Rye Harbour: years. ber 10 years. D. Caister; Crew Member* 18 years. R. K. Randall; Tractor Driver 23 years.

Eastbourne: St Helier: Weymouth: R. Wheeler; Coxswain/Mechanic 3 years. Second 5. J. Le Cornu; Shore Helper 10 years. L. F. He/Her; Crew Member 26 years. Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic 8 years. Assistant Mechanic 6 years. Crew Member 6 years. St Ives: Wicklow: G. D. Cole; Emergency Mechanic 13 years. Crew J. Benney; Head Launcher 15 years. Crew Member J. A. Kavanagh; Second Coxswain 7 years. Crew Member 5 years. 20 years. Lightman 3 years. Member 17 years. A. Quinn; Crew Member 27 years. Exmouth: St Mary's: C. Byrne; Crew Member 13 years. B. B. J. Bradford; Motor Mechanic 13 years. E. R. Guy; Second Coxswain 201/: years. Crew J. Byrne; Crew Member 13 years. Assistant Mechanic 14 years. Bowman 4 years. Member 11 years. Bronze Medal 1967, Bar to his Crew Member 7 years. Bronze Medal 1970. Youghal: M. C. Murphy; Second Coxswain 27 years. Crew Hastings: Salcombe: Member 14 years. A. J. Barnard; Crew Member 11 years. J. G. Griffiths; Coxswain 11 years. Crew Member C. Chapman; Crew Member 10 years. 11 years. "Lifeboats under 10 metres. 178 How you can help us Join Shoreline, our membership scheme Join your local branch or guild Help on flag day Buy our gifts, souvenirs and lottery tickets Give a coffee morning Organise a fund raising event Collect stamps and foreign coins Include us in your will

Royal National Contact The Appeals Secretary Lifeboat The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Telephone: Poole 671133 Institution

When you have read THE LIFEBOAT, please pass your copy on . . . LIFEBOAT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISE ISLES OF SCILLY rChurchwooch COMPANY AND CLUB TIES on these pages and reach 120,000 MINCARLO GUEST HOUSE - Superb To Your Own Design position overlooking the harbour at St. Mary's - R.N.L.I. members and their family adjacent the Lifeboat Station. Run by the same local WOVEN IN POLYESTER OR SILK and friends. The cost is £11 a family since 1945. All rooms H&C and heating. Terms PRINTED FROM ONE DOZEN from £12.75 (plus VAT) dairy and BB & EM. column centimetre or £10 if four SPECIAL QUOTATIONS Tel: 0720 22513 or write Colin Duncan Holiday cJn. FOR LARGE QUANTITIES or more insertions are booked. • Quiet country AND EXPORT Contact: setting close to beacn QUOTATIONS AND SKETCHES Karen Heath, FRANKLIN MAGNIFIER • All inclusive price excellent value FREE OF CHARGE Jackson-Rudd & Associates Ltd., —Just the Gift— • Good walking, riding, sailing, fishing OUR ART DEPARTMENT IS and diving • Easy reach Historic Oldebourne House, Highlights just 3 or 4 lines READY TO ASSIST City of Plymouth • Family owned at a time. No focusing! No Also available with your 46-47 Chancery Lane, run with minimum confusion. NO HOLDING motK are: Squares, Car London WC2A1JB. commercialisation. REQUIRED. Lies flat all Badges, wall Plaques, Tel: 01-405 3611,405 2860 across a 5V/' page. Free brochure: Hand and Machined before April 30th for the Summer issue. - Can help you. _ ^ CHURCH WOOD. Embroidered Badges Invaluable WEMBURY. PLYMOUTH. for reading DEVON PL9 001 VICTOR SUMNER Tut (07521 862382 (24 hrs) paperbacks, * CO LTD. newspapers, 47a BEAK STREET directories, etc. Slips easily into FUNDRAISERS (Off Regent St.) London W1R 4BT pocket or handbag. Money Telephone: 01 -437 7961 & 4792 back guarantee. Despatch by return. Have you tried our Best Telex: 24224 Complete with case £2.85 post paid. Seller yet? BRIGSTOWE PRODUCTS Self-catering par excellence Dept. M21 'Broad Park', Trewiston Lane, St. Minver, AA" RAC* The perfect base. Open all year. Nr. Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 6PZ. Children welcome. ELERKEY HOUSE HOTEL VERYAH, NR ST MAWES, TRURO, CORNWALL Superb centrally heated GENUINE 'LE TRICOTEUR' BUY NOW - Free d Exclusive Motet renowned for its comfortable ele- apartments and cottages gance. Located on the Roseland Peninsula amidst GUERNSEY SWEATERS at very PAY LATER to your door national Trust countryside with magnificent coastal for 2-9 in historic walks. Most of the tastefully appointed bedrooms competitive prices; eleven colours Details from have private shower or bath with toilet. Exceptional standards maintained on quality of food, wine and Salkeld Hall in sizes from babies to XXL. S.a.e. LANE & PARTNERS LTD. service. Little Salkeld, Penrith, Cumbria to Rhona Rosier, 45 New Road, 48 Draycott Place, London SW3 Special spring into summer terms available. For Brochure and tariff write or telephone For brochure Tel: 0768 81 618 Guilden Morden, Royston, Herts. Telephone 01-581 3894 TRURO (O872) 5O1261

As a result of the Budget all advertisements are now subject to VAT. 179 LIFEBOAT CLASSIFIED FOR SALE HOTEL WYE VALLEY to Cottage Individual architectural designed for present Lovely Georgian Country House run as a home rather owner. Must be viewed internally to appreciate the than as a hotel. Set in attractive wooded gardens, close For peaceful self-catering holi- many features making this house one off. All main to the River Wye and die Forest of Dean. The hotel rooms have patio doors, facing south. Directly onto offers a quiet, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, days throughout the year try golf course. Offers around £130,000 o.n.o. with meals freshly prepared by die proprietors. Quality our fisherman's cottage com- Tel: South Benfleet 2533. but inexpensive wines from our cellar. Hotel opens fortably furnished for our own April to Mid-October. AA/RAC 2 star. Prices from use. It sleeps 4, is alt-electric, about £20 for the four course dinner, bed and English has colour TV, and in winter, breakfast. Free colour brochure. night storage heating. No pets. SAILING HOLIDAYS PENCRAIG COURT HOTEL (RNLI) For brochure, phone (0273) 721543 RIVER CHARENTE Nr. Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Tel: 098-984-306 Cruising/Camping/Caravans. 2-6 berths cruisers or Canadian scanoes (for 2) BRIDGEFIELD HOUSE plus full camping equipment, or 6-berth Situated In the Southern Lake District In ACTIVE INVESTORS the unspoilt Crake Valley, a Country House caravans, for hire on the unspoilt need looseleaf investment ledgers £10.50. HEBRIDEAN GIFTS Charente in South West France. Inclus- S.A.E. for details to R. D. C. Passey, 40 Hebridean Gift Catalogue. Send Hotel with a growing reputation for superb comfort and extraordinarily good tradi- ive charge covers hire, travel, insurance Belmont Park Avenue, Maidenhead SL6 6JS. stamp for fascinating catalogue tional English fare. — Brochure from: for fully equipped cruiser and/or scanoe of unusual high quality gifts to and camping equipment. Group dis- Hebridean Gifts, (L), Orinsay, Isle of Bridgefield House, Spark Bridge, counts. Write or telephone: POLPERRO, CORNWALL Lewis, Scotland. inversion, Cumbria. Tel. 0229-85-239 Holiday Charente, Comfortably furnished holiday cottage. 30 Wardlngton, Banbury, yards from harbour. Sleeps four. Close to NT. Oxon OX17 ISA (0295 758282). coastal footpath. Rates E60-E115 p.w. "ANTIBAC" Personalty supervised. THE WORLD'S NO. 1 MOST SUCCESSFUL BINOCULAR REPAIR Apply E. Stephens, Sundenc, homeopathic anti-smoking method. The Coombes, Polpeire. Tel: 0503 72720. Free leaflet (s.a.e. Depl R.N.L.I.) SPECIALIST SEABIRD CRUISES Harrison Dean, 37 Highfield Avenue, Mynydd Shoreline Member. Introduction to cruising under sail or Isa. Mold, Clwyd. BETTER BY RESULT power in remote Western Isles of FLEETWOOD SUMMER Realistic prices. Scotland. Scenery, bird watching, his- High quality. Repairs/cleaning/ tory, geology, unique cruising area. SCHOOL re-aligning. Details from Jim Hare, High Minton, A four day residential course lifeboats of the LIZ AND JOHN RANKIN Hillside, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 OHY. Northwest' is offered in this year's programme. The course will provide an enjoyable welcome you to THE OLD HALL ACTION OPTICS opportunity for lifeboat enthusiasts and HOTEL, RUSWARP, WHITBY. 22 Old Hill, Avening, interested persons to study the lifeboat fleet of This comfortable licensed Jacobean Nr. Tetbury, Glos GL8 8NR the Northwest including visits to a number of Hall which is 'Traveller's Britain' BOURNEMOUTH the individual lifeboat stations. Course recommended, borders the glorious S Nailsworth (0453 38) 3738 commences: 28th July - 1st August 1985. Fee The Porkfield is a comfortable, including accommodation (5 nights - half North Yorks Moors and coastline. licensed, family run hotel. Rooms Special summer terms for RNLI and ooard) and transport-£10120. Shoreliners. Also 'Off-Season' en-suire available. Forecourt parking. For brochure and enrolment details write to: Gardens opposite include Public weekends. Brochure: 0947 602801. THE OLD RECTORY, FLEETWOOD SUMMER SCHOOL RHOSCOLYN, NT Holyhead, Tennis Courts, Putting/Bowling Greens. THE NAUTICAL COLLEGE We are close to sea, station and Anglesey. Family-run Guest House in BROADWATER, FLEETWOOD secluded one acre grounds, close to a shops. Also Bargain Mini-Breaks ond LANCASHIRE FY78JZ EASTBOURNE Christmas programme. beautiful south-facing sandy bay. Ideal Teh (03917) 79123 BEACH HOUSE HOTEL for sailing, surfing, golfing and with Phone Pauline and Craig Macfarlane Superb seafront position with excellent sea lovely coastal walks. High standard of for brochure views. Close to carpet gardens, pier, shops and amenities. Family run, open all year; accommodation with good food and (0202 290059) CORNWALL excellent service. or write 56 Frances Rood DH1 3SA. Mousehole and near, cottages sleep B & B or BB & EM. Children welcome, 5/6. Mrs Wootton, 9 Sea Lane, East bargain off season mini-breaks. Write or phone for brochure. Preston, Sussex BN16 ING. Brochure available from Mrs M. Metcalfe, Edna and Dudley Aldred, Trearddur Bay 11 Marine Parade, Eastbourne S (0407) 860214. FILEY S (0323) 35632. North Yorkshire Coast. The Southdown BOURNEMOUTH Hotel. Mid-week - Weekend Bargain Breaks. 10 yards from the sea. Panor- MOUNT LODGE HOTEL, BEAULIEU MINIATURE MODELS OF ROAD. AA Recommended; en-suite LIFEBOAT OIL PAINTINGS amic views across Filey Bay from Filey LIFEBOATS, SAILING Brigg to Flamborough Cliffs. CH in bedrooms available; choice of menu; on canvas board 30" X 20" (all types) bedrooms; CTV, en-suite, etc. Licensed. licensed bar. Ideally situated between £40.00 send cheque with all VESSELS, YACHTS, AND Shoreliners receive 5% discount. Bournemouth and Poole, in the heart information, photos, etc. to: OTHER MARITIME CRAFT Brochure/Tariff — 7/8 The Beach. of Alum Chine, just a few minutes A. J. Lee, Commissioned by maritime museums, Open all year. stroll to the sea and shops. Resident 9 The Esplanade, VVeymouth, Dorset collectors, owners, skippers, RNLI sta- Tel: 0723 513392. proprietors Ray and Amanda Newton Tel: 0305 785960 tions and crews. Each subject indi- offer you friendly and courteous ser- Delivery in six weeks vidually created, by one of the world's vice. Open all year round, full central Satisfaction guaranteed orsendSOp stamps leading ship modellers, to provide ex- heating. and S.A.E. for small sample photograph ceptionally accurate and detailed repli- FLUSHING cas. 'Exquisite perfection in miniature' Cornwall. Comfortably furnished quayside Tel: 0202 761173. - a client. The work includes many holiday cottage, sleeping six in three RNLI lifeboats for naming ceremonies, bedrooms, situated in the centre of this TNIAL REYNOLDS CASSETTES"! retirements and collections. quiet village on beautiful Falmouth har- BAXH Self-catering flats in Relaxation: Sleep: Exercise. i bour. Views across the water to Green- elegant Georgian House. Fully | More recommendations in good ' BRIAN WILLIAMS bank and the Royal Cornwall YC. equipped. AA listed. Tel: 066 62 2612. magazines than any other cassette, i West Rock, The Cleave, • Each supreme in its field. Full ' Phone Mr A. Bromley, I moneyback guarantee. £5.75 each, i Kingsand, Torpoint, Ringwood (04254) 6660 or write. Dr. N. Reynolds, (Dept LT). ' Cornwall PL10 1NF 22 Gravel Lane. Ringwood. Hants BH24 1LN. BRIXHAM I FREEPOST,LOWESTOFTNR330BR | (Tel: 0752 822638) South Devon. Comfortably fur- No stamp needed, details free. nished and fully equipped self- catering HOLIDAY FLATS, each [_ TOANSCASHGTRO201-25S3. _| BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY with colour TV. Superb position RNLI WALL PLAQUES. A new high beside outer harbour, panoramic quality handcrafted item with Television's brightest quiz is looking views of ceaseless harbour activi- TINTAGEL/BOSCASTLE full coloured RNLI houseflag, in for a team of lifeboatmen to ties and Torbay. Near beach, boat Five clean comfortable holiday relief, on a varnished shield 7" x compete in rounds of geography, slipway and pool. Children over 4 cottages accommodating from 8" - E9.50 (P&P £2.25). Many sup- general knowledge and professional years welcome. Resident pro- prietors ensure CLEAN WELL 2-8 persons. Situated in a small plied to Crews, Branches and skills for intriguing travel prizes. Ladies Guilds for presentations Watch the quiz every Tuesday CARED FOR holiday accommoda- hamlet overlooking the cliffs tion. Regret no pets. Stamp please and sea. AA listed. with engraved plates and own at7.30onlTV for brochures. wording £2.50 extra. Send for details to: Brochure from: G. A. Smith Pauline & Ivan Upright, MARINE CRAFTS Busman's Holiday, Harbour Lights, Halgabron House, Halgabron, West Rock, The Cleave, Kingsand, Granada Television, 69 Berry Head Road. Tintagel, N. Cornwall. Nr. Torpoint, Cornwall PL101NF Manchester M60 9EA Tel: 08045 4816 Tel: 0840 770667. S (0752 822638).

180 As a result of the Budget all advertisements are now subject to VAT. P&toJ®*'Getyour summer] \ Fundraising **£ fandraisingofftoa made easy V perfat launch r>J with the biggest To be really successful raising funds this summer, get a copy of my fnw catalogue. Just clip and send this and best range of coupon or ring us on (0202) 4294O4 fundraising ideas Name Organisation. Big selections of Address .. fundraisers geared to .Tel your organisation -large or small ™,~v* «v-- - — ------RIVERSIDE LANE • TUCKTON BOURNEMOUTH • BH63LO -»*j»- >*_i^- TEL 102021 429404 13 LINESI 124 HOUR ORDERING SERVICEI Widest profi*t margins ^_ ^••v ^^— — « ^^B a^^» ^B^ ^^K ^^— ^^— ^^^ ^^™ - £2 to £2,978

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SHORELINE MAKES PERSONAL LOANS PLAIN SAILING.

SHORELINE MAKES If you're not already a member of Shoreline, MARINE LOANS PLAIN SAILING here's your chance to join because Mercantile A new boat? a refit? Or just a little help with Credit will pay your first year's membership when annual expenses? your loan is agreed. You can pick up a Shoreline Whatever your requirements, if you're an Sailing loan leaflet containing full written details RNLI supporter you can apply for a loan at an at your local branch of Mercantile Credit (you will attractive rate of interest from Mercantile Credit find the address in your telephone directory). and budget your way home with regular easy No security is required on loans up to £7,500. payments. HELP THE RNLI AND HELP YOURSELF Shoreline Sailing Ix>ans not only help you but also benefit the RNLI. Because for each loan ^ I Mercantile Credit MenMmilc f'rcdil (iumpany I. muled. granted Mercantile Credit provide a worthwhile I'.O. Ho\ No ~\ 1-li/iihcthan Hcnivc. (iral Queen Sireel, Ixmdon \VC2B 51)1'. donation to the Institution. telephone 111 242 11V». •OVER 100 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE UK. The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL