THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI

Volume XLIV Number 453 Autumn 1975 'AIRFLOW' COAT JACKET LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS ARE WATERPROOF OUTER CLOTHING FREE FROM COMDEIMSATIOIM 0

Ralph Let. Technical Editor Letter ol 28 february 1374 'Camping A Caravanning' from Assistant Superintendent I Stores} the finest outdoor garments Royal National Lite-boat Institution * I have ever seen . . . not just ' Your company's protective u good material and well made It clothing has now been on is the amount of thought that has extensive evaluation for over two gone into the design that delights years and I am pleased to advise me I give this • that the crews of our offshore firm top marks boats have found the clothing warm, comfortable and a s considerable improvement The issue of your clothing is u being extended to all of our II Bill Baddy in 'Motor Span' offshore life boats as • ... A really top-class replacements are required -^ conscientiously made product the Rolls Royce of 3 bad-weather, keep-warm a clothing clearly the best possible for outdoor • a work and play a Extracts from Report on Functional Clothing Derek Agnew. Editor of 'En Route' by Bill March, a very z Mtgenne ol the Caravan Club experienced British I have been giving an Mountain Guide extensive wear trial to JACKET 'Airflow m b outdoor clothing made by Dunloprufe coated nylon Functional of Manchester with internal Foamlmer m All I can say is that one £ . . . There is no motoring magazine's description doubt that the ui of Functional as the Rolls-Royce air flow principle in u of outdoor clothing is thoroughly this jacket is very accurate If there was a better successful in epithet I would use it alleviating the perspiration/ I have sat fishing without condensation/dampening moving in torrential rain for six syndrome which bedevils all hours. I have been all day in the current makes ol middle of windswept lakes and mountaineering waterproof I have never experienced the clothing In winter slightest discomfort There are the jacket functioned pockets galore, really strong perfectly in all conditions zips wherever they are needed and rain and wind could COLD WEATHER be non existent for all JACKET m Rotq deep pile the effect they have on you Worn in conjunction with the Functional outer jacket For the caravanner who THE FUNCTIONAL SEAGOING OVERTROUSER with one Imei was adequate for wants only the best I thoroughly the coldest and wettest conditions recommend this range You \ found in a Scottish winter cannot buy it retail, but only m direct from the manufacturer Since acquiring the jacket conventional insulation clothing and down jackets have not • been necessary

Chris Bonington in i 'Annapurna South face' 1971 Functional JACKET(S) * designed and manufactured specially for the expedition were IVeather Clothing Veto/as in 'Motoring He*s completely waterproof with . . . to Lapland lor the foamlmer(s) giving up to Tunturiralli. protected seven layers of air This insulation from the icy effect ol the Arctic meant that there was no in -the world cold by garments made in precipitation of ice from Manchester by Functional condensation on the inside of the snug and warm in temperatures < jacket and ensured great often as low as minus 40°C warmth the material never ^. The outer jacket makes froze up or became over stiff - most rally jackets look like a towelling wraps all weather 1$ designed made and «>W only by protection m seconds • I

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Autumn 1975 Contents **>«***— » Swanage Centenary 41

Lifeboat Services 42 Volume XLIV Annual Awards 1974 46

4 JO Twelfth International Lifeboat Conference by Patrick Howarth 48

Scottish Lifeboat Council Annual General Meeting 49 Chairman: MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB The Phoenix was Inflatable by Joan Davies 50

Director and Secretary: RNLI Medals and The Royal Mint by Oliver Warner 53 CAPTAIN NIGEL DIXON, RN Royal Summer 54

Air Bag Installation 58

Some Ways of Raising Money 60

PATRICK HOWARTH Lifeboat People 62

Assistant Editor: Shoreline 63 JOAN DAVIES Letters 64

Headquarters: Inshore Lifeboats 66 Royal National Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 Book Reviews 67 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). An Eye for Detail in Lifeboat Design 67 London Office: Royal National Life-boat Institution, 21 Offshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1975 69 Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD (Telephone 01-730 0031). Inshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1975 70

COVER PICTURE Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising en- After naming the new lifeboat, White consideration with a view to publication quiries should be addressed to Dyson Rose of Yorkshire, on May 21, HRH the in the journal should be addressed to the Advertising Services, PO Box 9, Godal- Duchess of Kent went aboard to meet the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal National ming, Surrey (Telephone Godalming crew. (1. to r.) Lieut.-Commander H. F. Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, (04868) 23675). Teare, RD RNR, divisional inspector of Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone lifeboats north east, Coxswain Robert Allen, Poole 71133). Photographs intended for the Duchess of Kent talking to Captain return should be accompanied by a Subscription: A year's subscription of David Stevenson, Whitby honorary secre- stamped and addressed envelope. four issues costs £1.40, including tary, and Crew Members Dennis Carrick, Alfred Headlam and Howard Bedford. postage, but those who are entitled to Facing Her Royal Highness on right, ILB Next issue: The winter issue of THE receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge will Senior Helmsman Mike Coates and Crew LIFEBOAT will appear in January and continue to do so. Overseas subscrip- Member Barry Mason. The photograph was news items should be sent by the end of tions depend on the cost of postage to taken by T. M. Carter. October. the country concerned.

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38 saved since the RNLI began to keep lifeboat Grace Paterson Ritchie, which detailed records of operational activities is normally stationed at Kirkwall, paid in the 1850s. The helmsman of the New a brief visit to the Faroes with the new Brighton ILB on this occasion was Bev Deputy Chairman, Lieut.-Commander Brown, who was recently awarded the P. E. C. Pickles, MBE, JP, RNVR, on board. RNLI's silver medal for gallantry; the All expenses were met by the Faroese crew member was Tony Steen. Government. How many of the 100,000 lives saved In May a lifeboat from Western have been those of foreign nationals has Germany paid a visit to the Scilly Isles not been established, but the figure is to commemorate the 100th anniversary certainly a high one. With increased of the wreck of the German vessel activity in British coastal waters by Schiller. Another welcome visitor from vessels of all nations the number is Germany was a former airman, Rudolf steadily growing, and the international Graf, who was rescued during the last role of the RNLI is becoming more and war by the Clovelly lifeboat after his more important. As will be seen in the Heinkel bomber had been shot down report of the 12th International Life- over the . He came back boat Conference held at Helsinki, which to thank the former Clovelly coxswain, appears on page 48, the delegates George Lamey. A New Zealander, unanimously expressed the wish that the William Hewlett of Auckland, also NOTES OF RNLI should continue to provide the recently recognised a service by an central secretariat for lifeboat organisa- RNLI lifeboat during the last war by THE QUARTER tions everywhere. sending a donation. Recent visitors to the Institution's International activities Headquarters at Poole have included a The international nature of the service Swedish Government Search and Rescue has been emphasised by many events delegation headed by Bjorn Bergh; by the Editor taking place in the last few months. In Admiral Sargent of the US Coast Guard; June it was agreed that the Arun life- T. Nishida, representing the Japanese boat stationed at St Peter Port, lifeboat Institution; N. Lishman, Guernsey, should stand in for the founder of the Bermuda Search and HM COASTGUARD are to move their head- French lifeboat stationed at Goury la Rescue Committee; and Dr Nexih H. quarters from London to Poole follow- Hague and act for her while she was Neyzi, Director-General of the Turkish ing the move already made by the undergoing survey. In July the 70' Maritime Bank, which finances and RNLI. A new central search and rescue information room will be established at the new Coastguard headquarters. These Visit to Clovelly: Rudolf moves were announced at a press con- Graf meets once again members of the crew who ference given by Stanley Clinton Davis, rescued him from the Bristol Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Channel after his Heinkel for Shipping. He also announced that bomber had been shot the Ministry of Defence had agreed to down. (I. to r.) Ex- allocate Sea King helicopters of the Mechanic Charles Shack- Royal Navy, based at Culdrose and son, ex-Bowman Oscar Prestwick, for search and rescue duties. Abbott, ex-German Airman These helicopters, which can rescue up Rudolf Graf and ex-Cox- to 12 people at a time and can hover swain George Lamey. at night under computer control, have Visit to the Faroes: Grace hitherto had other priority tasks. These Paterson Ritchie, the 70' tasks they will continue to fulfil but Clyde lifeboat normally they are being put on stand-by for search stationed at Kirkwall, and rescue duties for 24 hours a day lying in Sand Harbour. and seven days a week. These changes are, of course, warmly welcomed by the RNLI as further examples of the increasing co-operation between the different bodies concerned with search and rescue at sea, all of which maintain their independence but work in growing harmony. Mr Clinton Davis also announced the publication of an excellent booklet published by the Department of Trade entitled Marine Search and Rescue Organisation 1975 (HMSO £1.50). This explains the part played by the different organisations in search and rescue with admirable clarity.

100,000th life saved On May 28, 1975, Stuart Nixon, a 13-year-old boy from Liverpool, was rescued by the New Brighton inshore lifeboat after he had drifted out to sea in a small rubber dinghy in a force 4 to 5 wind. His was the 100,000th life to be

39 should be named Ralph and Joy Swann. , generally known as Atlantic The new Chairman is Major-General College, where the pupils have operated R. H. Farrant, CB, who has been a a rescue service, including an ILB, for Deputy Chairman of the Institution some years. The Prince of Wales also since 1972. He has much practical know- paid a warm tribute to the work of the ledge of small boat design and has been RNLI generally, adding: particularly involved in the develop- ment of the RNLI's new fast lifeboats. 'I urge on them the importance of Among the posts he has held has been involving as many young people as that of Chairman of the Royal Yachting possible in their work to capture their Association's Olympic Committee. enthusiasm and sense of adventure.' Lieut.-Commander P. E. C. Pickles joins the Duke of Atholl as one of the Life savings for the RNLI two Deputy Chairmen. He has long An elderly lady recently called at the experience of voluntary work for the Ebury Street Offices of the RNLI with RNLI and was Chairman of its Scar- £100 in cash. She asked for her name Major-General Ralph Farrant, borough branch for many years. not to be disclosed and then explained new Chairman of the Institution. that the sum represented the life savings Prince of Wales's tribute of her husband and herself. Her husband controls the lifeboat service in Turkey. Much interest was aroused by the was now bedridden and she herself With the exception of Admiral Sargent, Prince of Wales's speech in the House of could hardly see. They would, she said, who was visiting this country in con- Lords on June 25, when he made a soon be 'accommodated by the State'. nection with his election as an honorary spirited and eloquent plea for more The couple had spent their last holiday life governor, all the other delegates opportunities for the young to be in Cromer, where they had been so were interested in obtaining advice and involved in voluntary work. An out- impressed by the selflessness of the crew information concerning the RNLI. standingly successful example of this and the speed at which they put to sea To mark the 35th anniversary of the which he cited was the United World to save life that they wanted all their evacuation from Dunkirk a lifeboat of College at St Donat's Castle in South savings to go to the RNLI. the Waveney class formed part of the flotilla which visited Dunkirk from May 23 to 25. The opportunity was taken to Bull Point , familiarise members of the Ramsgate Bristol Channel, was opened by Captain crew with a boat of this class, one of David Tibbitts, ssc RN, which will shortly be stationed there. Deputy Master and Chairman of Trinity The new Chairman House and an ex-officio Leading the RNLI's delegation to the member of our Com- 12th International Lifeboat Conference mittee of Management. was one of the last tasks undertaken by Designed by a Trinity Commander F. R. H. Swann, CBE, House team headed by RNVR, as Chairman of the RNLI, In Ian Clingan, the new Bull Point Lighthouse recognition of the outstanding services replaces the first light- which he has rendered since joining the house at , Committee of Management in 1953 it established in 1879 and was decided that the new Waveney destroyed by a cliff lifeboat to be stationed at Ramsgate landslide in 1972.

CAPSIZE OF tow. The wind was north west force 4 to Suzanna were not answered by the DUTCH LIFEBOAT 5. Reaching the position at 2300 they daughter-boat. found the German yacht Hasco HI, on Helicopters were called out and WITH GREAT REGRET we have to report passage from Ijmuiden to Helgoland, rescued Hasco Ill's crew of seven and that the Royal North and South Holland stranded on the wreckage of Friesenland, A. van Duivenbooden; swept by strong Lifeboat Institution lifeboat Christiaen sunk in 1965, on the Noorderhaaks currents, he had been stranded un- Huygens of Den Helder capsized on Sands. conscious on the sands and managed to March 26, 1975. Two of her crew of Suzanna could not get closer to the reach the yacht. It was then learnt that three lost their lives. yacht than a mile because of the shallow Christiaen Huygens had broached and At about 2145 red flares were sighted water and low tide, so Christiaen been capsized by an exceptionally high by the Coastguard at Kykduin. It Huygens set out with J. Post, C. van der wave. The search continued, but the seemed that a yacht was in danger. At Oord and A. van Duivenbooden as other two crew members, J. Post and 2200 Suzanna left harbour with Chris- crew. Soon after she left at 2330 radio C. van der Oord, were dead when they tiaen Huygens, her daughter-boat, in contact was lost, and flares from were found.

SERVICES AND LIVES SAVED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS January 1, 1975 to June 30,1975: Services 561 lives saved 199

THE STATION FLEET (as at 30/6/75) 135 station lifeboats 122 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer LIVES RESCUED 100,088 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to June, 30, 1975

40 have no doubt the National Lifeboat Institution will be quite prepared to SWANAGE CENTENARY organize a Lifeboat Station at Swanage should it be found desirable and practicable to carry out your suggestion.' 1875- 1975 It was found desirable and practicable, and the lifeboat Charlotte Mary was on One hundred years of being station at Swanage the following September. Moreover, erected a lighthouse on Anvil Point in needed—and being there 1881. Since then, as Major-General R. H. Farrant, chairman of the Committee of Management, recalled when presenting the centenary vellum to Captain D. A. N. 'When we're needed—we're needed! housed at the Library in Dorchester. Aldridge, honorary secretary of the And when we're needed, we'll be there!' station, the Swanage lifeboat has 'Swanage has hitherto had no lifeboat,' launched nearly 500 times and rescued THESE WORDS of a Swanage coxswain, he wrote, 'but after this morning's work 327 lives. logged in the station history, are a we shall supply that want.' In the 100 years there had only been promise this little Dorset town has been one tragedy to a Swanage crew. Cox- Mr Robinson describes how Coast- swain William Brown was lost overboard proud to fulfil. Opening the com- guards took out two boats and used memoration celebrations of the centen- on January 12,1895. His daughter, Miss rocket-firing apparatus, but how the Janet Brown, was at the centenary ary of the station at Stone Quay on boats could not get near enough; how a Sunday, July 27, the chairman of the celebrations. So was Robert Charles telegram was sent to Poole; how, at Brown, who, as assistant motor branch, M. C. Hillier, paid tribute to daylight. . . the loyalty of the sons of the Swanage mechanic in 1934 was awarded the families; for 100 years nearly all mem- '. . . five dark sodden bundles, rather bronze medal for going overboard and bers of the lifeboat crews have been than living creatures were seen, all rescuing an unconscious man from the Swanage born and bred. clustered together, clinging to a mass of yacht Halley Lise, and who was cox- Sunday, July 27, was a day of tangled rigging, at the highest part of swain from 1941 to 1966; and the present shimmering heat; the beach crowded the ship's hull.' coxswain, Ronald J. Hardy, who was with families on holiday; the bay awarded the bronze medal in 1970 for Coastguard boats were manned again, rescuing a youth washed off the rocks populated with bathers and small boats; and nine men went out with Chief and on the horizon a mirage of cliffs into a cave. Officer Lose. The wind mo'derated and Receiving the centenary vellum, and sails closed the gap between shifted a point or two. Hengistbury Head and the Isle of Wight. Captain Aldridge said: As lifeboat people gathered for the 'Soon we see a coil of rope thrown 'We are often asked why the lifeboat service of thanksgiving and blessing, to from the largest boat and caught by one service is voluntary—well no govern- be conducted by the Rev. David Bailey, of the living "bundles" on the ship's hull, ment could afford the cost of the danger, Rector of Swanage, R.L.P., the present and in a few minutes (thanks be to discomfort and unsocial hours. Judged Heaven!) all five—one a very small one, by commercial standards lifeboatmen lifeboat, and Gilt, the ex-Runswick a poor little benumbed lad of 10 or 11 Liverpool lifeboat now owned by Paul are beyond price. But there are always (who had been washed off once and volunteers ready and willing to come Neate, deputy launching authority, caught again by the 'scruff' of the neck forward and give their time, and if Poole, came to anchor off the quay. A like a drowning dog) were safely stowed necessary their lives, in the service of maroon was fired from R.L.P. It took in the boat.' others. This vellum marks a hundred its course right over Peveril Point. years of service by such men and In the disaster which precipitated the Soon after 0700 the Poole boat honours them. It inspires others to come setting up of the Swanage station, arrived; before 1000 Wild Wave was a forward and give another century of Peveril Point and Poole lifeboat had thing of the past. selfless service.' both played a part, the one in the wreck, 'Now, Sir, I have written this account Swanage will be going forward into the other in the rescue. On January 23, less to record the excellent discipline, her next hundred years with a new life- 1875, the brigantine Wild Wave of efficiency, and gallantry of the Swanage boat, for she will soon be taking delivery Exeter was wrecked on Peveril Ledge Coastguard, than to call attention to the urgent needs of the district and the of a 37' 6" Rother class boat, /. in a southerly gale. At 0500 when Reginald Corah. rockets were fired she was on her beam adjacent coast. It will scarcely be ends. After tremendous efforts, made believed that along all the line of the coast of Dorset and Hants, from Port- in the dark hours before a winter dawn, land to Hurst Castle, there is not a four men and a boy were rescued by single lighthouse nor a single harbour of AGM 1976 Coastguards in four-oared open boats. refuge!' The next annual meeting of the Chief Officer John Lose was awarded Mr Robinson was prepared to take governors of the Institution and the the RNLI silver medal for gallantry for presentation of awards will take place this rescue. direct action himself. Both he and G. Burt, of Purbeck House, at the scene at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on A telegram had been sent to Poole, Wednesday, April 14, 1976. whose lifeboat Daylight was towed of the wreck proposed to present £20 round by the tug steamer Royal Albert, each towards a lifeboat. But on the same but they had seven miles to struggle day that Mr Robinson's letter appeared We regret that in the report of the through the gale and when they arrived in The Times, Richard Lewis, RNLI 1975 AGM, published in the summer the survivors had just been taken off. secretary, wrote to him: issue of THE LIFEBOAT, the word 'hand' J. C. Robinson, of Newton Manor, was omitted from the end of the third 'With reference to your letter in The was on the shore, and he was a man of Times of today, describing the wreck of line of the second verse of the poem action. That same day he wrote a letter the brigantine Wild Wave off Swanage on written in honour of the RNH's 150th to The Times; it was published on Saturday Morning last, and speaking of Anniversary by Michael Burn. Copies January 26. This letter he preserved the formation of a Lifeboat Establish- of the corrected poem are available from with other papers in a scrapbook now ment at that place, I beg to say that I RNLI Headquarters, Poole, on request.

41 Severe gale: Faithful Forester, Dover's 44' Waveney lifeboat, on exercise last September in winds of Force 9.

waves was estimated as 4 to 5'. It was demanded exceptional seamanship and two hours after high water Larne. shiphandling. The dinghy was fairly close inshore, For this service a letter of appreciation and Police Sergeant McCutcheon, using signed by Commander F. R. H. Swann the police car loud hailer, told the man CBE, RNVR, chairman of the Institution, to hold on and stay down in the boat. was sent to Thomas Mahood, Master of Larne Harbour was informed of the Dunosprey. William H. Kyle, mate, situation and, at 1215, sent out a message Malcolm Hall, chief engineer, Derek on channel 16 to motor tug Dunosprey, McKnight, second engineer, and deck Master Thomas Mahood. hands John Richmond and Gavin Dunosprey turned for Ballgalley Head McMurray received letters of apprecia- at full speed, driving into a very con- tion signed by the director, Captain fused sea; with the tug rolling and Nigel Dixon, RN. pitching very heavily and taking a lot of water, the crew faced considerable danger. Ireland Division At 1230 Dunosprey sighted the dinghy North Eastern Division and by 1240 had recovered both man and dinghy. She had difficulty in Harbour tug to the recovering the man as on the first On fire approach it was thought that he could A GLASS FIBRE cabin cruiser, Stella, was rescue help himself; he was, however, very cruising in Bridlington Bay on July 14, AT ABOUT NOON on Saturday, January lightly clad and because of the cold had 1974, about half a mile from the shore, 12,1974, the Royal Ulster Constabulary lost the power of his hands. Dunosprey when, at 1100, the passenger saw flames were told that a small dinghy was in backed off and then came right along- around the outboard engine and shouted difficulties off Ballgalley Head. Police side the dinghy, when it took the com- a warning to the owner, whose back was Sergeant D. McCutcheon drove out to bined efforts of four of her crew to lift to the engine. They could not get at the the Head and found that a man had set the man inboard. The tug backed off fire extinguisher and attempts to scoop off from shore in a 12' GRP dinghy to again, then came alongside to recover water on to the flames proved ineffective; pick up a friend's boat. He was now clear the dinghy. By 1310 Dunosprey had so, having jettisoned the spare cans of of the lee of the land, had lost at least arrived at Larne and landed the sur- petrol, they both of them slipped into one oar and the boat was being blown vivor and his dinghy. the water and clung to the side of the seaward. There is no doubt that to take a burning boat. The wind was west south west force 9 harbour tug alongside a small dinghy Richard and Reginald Tempest, two to 10 gusting 12 against the tide, causing and to lift the occupant out without brothers, were out in their water- a very confused sea; the height of the injury in the conditions prevailing skiing boat when they saw the pall of

42 Photographs by courtesy of Ray Warner. smoke in the distance; realising what it owner had just been recovered from the wind. It was after dark, overcast and meant, they set off at full speed to help. water when her petrol tank exploded, very cold. Two other young men, David Head and throwing burning debris over a wide The ILB headed towards Inchcolm John Winstanley, were preparing to area. The two speedboats were only and despite continued nursing of the launch their speedboat at Fraisthorpe about 8 yards away. throttles buried her head into the sea; when they also saw the fire; they Both boats made for South Beach at at times she was completely swamped. immediately got under way and headed full speed and the Tempest brothers, Near Inchcolm a particularly heavy sea for the casualty. who had their car close by, took the hit her, carrying away the mast and There was a light variable breeze; the survivors, each with burns, to Lloyd shorting out the navigation lights and weather was fine and the sea smooth. Hospital, Bridlington, for treatment. radio. When the Tempest brothers arrived, For this service framed letters of At about 1720 the ILB arrived off just ahead of the other rescue boat, appreciation, signed by Commander Inchcolm and, on hailing someone on Stella was ablaze from stem to stern F. R. H. Swann, CBE, RNVR, chairman shore, the crew were advised to close and both survivors were still clinging of the Committee of Management, were Swallow Craig rock. They fired a para- to her side. The heat was intense and sent to Richard Harold Tempest, chute flare and saw a man on the rock the rescuers realised that there was a Reginald Wesley Tempest, David Head with the dinghy washed up at the base. grave risk of the petrol tank exploding and John Winstanley. Despite the lee of the rock, Helmsman at any time. The Tempest brothers took Ranald Mackay had some difficulty in their boat straight in to the casualty and closing. As he put the bow in, the two the passenger, letting go the side of the Scotland South Division crew members, Gordon McAlpine and burning boat, was lifted clear of the James Smith, jumped ashore with the water. painter, which was secured round a rock. The owner, who apparently could not Dinghy adrift off While Ranald Mackay fended off they swim, was reluctant to let go, even Inchcolm helped the man into the ILB and then though he was receiving severe burns to pulled the dinghy up above high water his arms and hands. The young men in AT 1644 on the afternoon of December mark. the second boat, which had now reached 8, 1974, Queensferry honorary treasurer, The survivor, the Inchcolm boatman the scene, shouted to him to let go. Then who was deputising for the honorary who had put out in the dinghy to tend a trailing ski tow rope from the first secretary, was informed by the Coast- his boat and then lost an oar, was put boat caught him and he let go of Stella guard that a man was in difficulty in a ashore at the landing on Inchcolm at and clung to the rope. Reginald Tempest small dinghy off Inchcolm. The crew about 1740. Luckily he was suffering jumped into the water to help him, but was assembled and Atlantic 21 6505 nothing more than minor exposure and the men in the second boat called out launched at 1700. lacerations of the hands. that they would pull him clear; which The wind was south west force 6 to 7 By now it had started to hail, and on they did. with a short, steep, breaking sea. The her way back to Queensferry the ILB Stella was now a blazing inferno. Her tide was one hour flood and against the was continually awash and swept by

43 The 46' 9" Watson lifeboat City of Bradford HI was launched ten minutes later in a strong north by west wind and flood tide. While on the way to Anina it was learnt that her skipper was suffering from chest pains. One of her crew made a link call via Humber Radio to a doctor, who diagnosed a heart attack and said the skipper needed hospital treatment. As Anina had too much rigging and was rolling too heavily in the deep swell for a helicopter lift, and a tow would take some 5 or 6 hours, Coxwain Brian Bevan decided to take the skipper aboard the lifeboat and request a helicopter. This operation was carried out in very difficult conditions because the fishing boat had trawl doors slung on both her quarters and loose net and wires floating at her stern. She was laid broadside to the wind and was rolling heavily. The lifeboat approached on her Decks awash in a near gale, Padstow's 48' 6" Oakley lifeboat, James and Catherine Macfarlane, port side and the sick man was trans- tows home the 90' beam fishing trawler, Elizabeth Ann Webster, which had broken down off ferred. Tintagel Head. Photograph by courtesy of C. Hughes. The lifeboat then set a north west course to rendezvous with the heli- spray until some lee was obtained off Ireland Division copter; it was now 1825. At 1915 the St David's. She returned to station at sick man was safely lifted by helicopter 1845. and the lifeboat was put about to go to For this service framed letters of Fire on the water the help of the drifting boat and her two thanks signed by Major-General Ralph THE GARDAI telephoned Howth honorary remaining crew. H. Farrant, CB, chairman of the In- secretary at 2325 on Monday, June 9, Anina had drifted before the strong stitution, were accorded to Helmsman to say a patrol car at Malahide had wind and flood tide some 5 miles south Ranald Durness Mackay and Crew reported what appeared to be something of her first position. She was taken in Members James Crichton Smith and burning at sea off the High Rock tow at 1948 but headway of only 2 or 3 Gordon Joseph McAlpine. between Portmarnock and Malahide. knots was possible against wind and The honorary secretary looked out in tide. After a tow taking some 7£ hours that direction but saw nothing unusual. Anina and her crew of two were brought South Western Division It was a flat calm night and he safely to Grimsby at 0322. The lifeboat telephoned Motor Mechanic F. Hendy, set out again at 0500, after taking on Anchors dragging who said that a net fishing boat was some fuel, arrived back on station at sometimes in the vicinity at night. at 0547 and was rehoused and ON MONDAY MORNING, April 7, the The honorary secretary telephoned ready for service at 0818. Coastguard informed Padstow honorary the Gardai again to report and while secretary that a 90' beam fishing trawler, they were speaking the Malahide patrol Elizabeth Ann Webster of 112 tons car confirmed the fire and the request to Ireland Division carrying a crew of six, had broken down investigate. The maroons were fired at with gear box trouble 17| nautical miles 2347 and the 47' Watson lifeboat Standing by from the station on a bearing of 045°M. A.M.T. slipped her moorings at seven It was feared that her anchors would minutes past midnight. When she arrived ON TUESDAY, January 14, at 0345, not hold in the deteriorating weather in the area the Gardai patrol car Rosslare Harbour honorary secretary and that she would be driven ashore by flashing light showed the position, but received a telephone message from a south-west gale which was imminent. there was no sign of anything which Rosslare Pier that MV Timber Skipper of The 48' 6" Oakley lifeboat James and might have caused the fire. London, carrying a crew of seven, had Catherine Macfarlane was launched at After a thorough search for an hour gone aground in very high seas 4 1111 to stand by the trawler on a flood- and a half the honorary secretary nautical miles off Cahore Point. ing tide in poor weather; visibility was instructed Coxswain G. McLoughlin to Visibility was poor and a violent storm limited to between one and seven miles. return. The lifeboat was back on station force wind was blowing from the south The sea was rough and the gale was by at 0220. south west. Difficulty was experienced then blowing from the north west. in establishing lucid telephonic com- The trawler was reached by 1312. She munication with the informant because was 1\ nautical miles off shore. Her of the gale. anchors were not holding and she was North Eastern Division The 48' 6" Solent lifeboat R. Hope being driven by an inshore wind of up Roberts was launched at 0500 on a to force 7. Net in propeller flooding tide in a very heavy swell. After consultation with her skipper, Timber Skipper's position was still it was decided to tow Elizabeth Ann AT 1640 on Friday, May 30, Humber uncertain, but the actual location was Webster back to Padstow Harbour. It Superintendent Coxwain B. W. Bevan finally identified as Blackwater Bank. was a tough tow with James and heard from the Coastguard that the The casualty was reached by 0620 Catherine Macfarlane having to pull a fishing boat Anina of Grimsby was and the lifeboat was by then 14 miles vessel three times her own weight. drifting with a net in her propeller 11| north east by north of the station. An Padstow Harbour was reached safely miles south east of Spurn lighthouse. No examination of the bank from all sides by 1838. The lifeboat returned to her other boats were in the area and there showed that heavy surf extended for at station and was rehoused by 1915. was a heavy swell. least half a mile from Timber Skipper,

44 but that she was in no immediate danger South Eastern Division harbour and berthed at Kingston Wharf. as the shallow water was breaking the The ILB returned to station at 1637. swell before it reached her. After Dinghy and motorboat The owner of the sailing dinghy made veering down on the vessel, the lifeboat a donation to the Institution's funds. anchored in the surf and stood by to SHOREHAM HARBOUR ILB launched at await daylight, when it was proposed 1519 on Tuesday, May 27, two minutes North Eastern Division to airlift the crew of Timber Skipper to after the honorary secretary had been safety by helicopter. informed by the Coastguard that a Capsized rowing boat The lift began about 0840, and the dinghy had capsized one mile off helicopter crew asked R. Hope Roberts Lancing. The sea was smooth with TWO FISHERMEN of Newbiggin launched to stand by while the seven crew mem- strong north-east-by-northerly winds. their ferrier rowing boat to go out to bers of Timber Skipper were transferred On arrival a sailing dinghy was found their keep-box moored offshore at about to Blackwater Beach. The air operation righted but with her mainsail parted. 1115 on Friday, January 31, 1975. was completed by 0930, the weather The helmsman was transferred to the When only a short distance from the having already moderated at dawn. The ILB and landed with his dinghy. shore, some 50 to 60 yards, the rowing lifeboat then returned to station, arriving Meanwhile, another message reported boat, hit by two successive large waves, at 1150. red flares about 2J miles south east of the was driven under stern first and cap- For this service a letter of appreciation harbour. The ILB setting out again sized, throwing the men into the water. signed by the Director of the Institution, found the motorboat Buccaneer with a The incident was seen by Coxswain Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, was sent to fishing vessel Sea Quest standing by. George Dawson, Motor Mechanic Coxswain William Stafford and to the Buccaneer was taken in tow to the Clifford Hancox and other fishermen. crew: Second Coxswain M. O'Brien, Motor Mechanic M. Wickham, Assistant Motor Mechanic S. Martley Crew Members L. McCormack, S. McCormack and J. Pitt, and Deputy Launching Authority B. Miller. North Western Division Knockaloe Beg, Isle of Man, Cliff Rescue showing position of Peel ILB and route by which casualty was rescued PEEL, ISLE OF MAN, honorary secretary by Auxiliary Coastguard H. was alerted at 2130 on Tuesday, June 3, Phillips and Coastguard P. Molden. by the Coastguard. A man was trapped on the cliff face 1J miles south east of Peel. He had slipped while on a bird watching expedition and slithered down to about 20 or 30' from the bottom of the cliff. His companion had fortunately been able to clamber back up and raise the alarm. The coastguard said the cliff (Below) Weymouth lifeboat, the rescue team would attempt to rescue the 52' Barnett Frank Spiller Locke, man but the help of the 18' 6" leaving harbour at 1507 on Thurs- McLachlan ILB might be needed. day, June 12, to help four canoeists At 2220 this help was definitely re- reported in difficulty off Bowleaze quested and the ILB launched at 2230 Cove. The wind was gale force north-north-easterly, the sea rough in south-westerly light airs and a smooth with a flooding tide. The lifeboat sea. The tide was ebbing. She arrived sighted and picked up three people at the scene at 2250, where a search and four canoes. The fourth was being made from the top of the canoeist was rescued by helicopter cliffs and the bottom, but without and winched down to the lifeboat. success. A parachute flare fired from Photograph by courtesy of the ILB illuminated the area, and her J. H. Lucking. crew spotted the man about 100 yards from the original cliff working position. Cliff gear was moved to the new position and Auxiliary Coastguard H. Phillips (who is also a Peel ILB crew member) was lowered to the casualty. After several unsuccessful attempts to lower the man to the ILB, this course was abandoned and Coastguard P. Molden was lowered down the cliff to help haul the casualty to the cliff top. The man was eventually recovered at 0050 with only minor cuts and bruises, but suffering from cold and slight shock. At 0100 the ILB left the scene of the incident and returned to station. The Coastguard recorded that her help had been invaluable, both in com- munications and because her crew had been able to light the cliff face with an Aldis lamp. Knockaloe Beg, the scene " iVie rescue, is shown to the right.

45 Clifford Hancox immediately ran back water about 20 minutes and was very at 1200 and was re-housed and ready to the boathouse for the line throwing exhausted. Bob Dawson gave him for service at 1245. apparatus, as there was a chance that artificial respiration, while John For this service the thanks of the the line could reach the capsized boat. Robinson, because of his concern for the Institution inscribed on vellum were Unfortunately it fell just short and the survivor and sea conditions inshore, accorded to Coxswain George Dawson tide was carrying boat and men away returned to the beach where an am- and Skipper John Robinson. Vellum to westward. bulance was waiting. The survivor service certificates were presented to Coxswain Dawson, realising the was taken to hospital and recovered the crew of Margaret Lisle, George urgency of the situation, fired the satisfactorily. Dawson Robinson, William Twizell maroons at 1124, informing the Coxswain Dawson continued his Dent, Robert Dawson, John Lisle honorary secretary and Coastguard of search further to westward. It was Twizell and George Miller Dent, and his action. Meanwhile, John Robinson, taking him closer inshore, where, with to the crew of the lifeboat Mary Joicey, who had come down to the beach on the shoals, the seas were very rough and Motor Mechanic Clifford Hancox, T. hearing of the accident, launched his breaking continually. On occasions the Martin, W. Smailes, R. Rowe, H. coble Margaret Lisle with the help of lifeboat was seen to be on her beam Hepple and R. Wrigglesworth. other fishermen. ends; she was being swept by breaking We regret to record that some time Mary Joicey, Newbiggin's 37' Oakley seas, was reported to have touched after this service John Twizell was lifeboat, was launched from her carriage bottom twice and in these conditions killed in an accident at sea. at 1132, just after Margaret Lisle had close inshore there was always a risk of entered the water and set off towards capsize. Despite these hazards Coxswain South Western Division the capsized boat, some 150 yards Dawson pressed on with the search with offshore. great skill and courage. It was just turned low water. The wind At 1138 a 'flash of yellow' was seen French Yacht was south west force 3. There was a in the breaking seas. Coxswain Dawson A MESSAGE came from the Coastguard to moderate swell and the sea in the bay managed to bring the lifeboat alongside Salcombe honorary secretary at 1335 was rough and breaking inshore. this object which turned out to be the on Thursday, May 1, to say that the Although the seas on launching did not hood of the other casualty's oilskin. The French yacht Alchuader III was unable cause the lifeboat much trouble, John man was completely submerged. He was to manoeuvre due to the very strong Robinson in Margaret Lisle had to take taken aboard the lifeboat and im- winds and the fact that her steering gear evasive action to avoid broaching. When mediately given artificial respiration. was broken. A French trawler which he arrived at the capsized boat there At 1152 a helicopter from RAF was in the vicinity was unable to take was only one person still holding on to Acklington arrived on the scene, winched the yacht in tow. So, at 1405, the 47' it. the survivor from the lifeboat and took Watson lifeboat The Baltic Exchange To try to break the motion of the him direct to Ashington Hospital, set out to her assistance in a gale force breaking seas while John Robinson and where he was showing signs of breathing. west-south-westerly wind and a rough his crew recovered the survivor, Cox- Unfortunately, however, he did not sea. It was two hours before low water. swain Dawson circled the casualty with respond to further treatment and died. Alchuader HI was drifting in the main the lifeboat. The man had been in the The lifeboat returned to the beach shipping lanes 18 miles south of Prawle Point and her crew were therefore in danger. On reaching the yacht at 1655 ANNUAL AWARDS The Maud Smith Bequest Award for the the lifeboat took her in tow safely bravest act of lifesaving by a member of back to Salcombe, where her crew of a lifeboat crew in 1974 has been four were landed. After completing her '974 awarded to Coxswain Tom Richard service The Baltic Exchange returned to 'Ben' Tart of Dungeness. On February her moorings at 2140. 11 the Dungeness lifeboat under Cox- The French crew were most apprecia- wain Tart's command landed an injured tive and congratulated the crew of man from MV Merc Texco in exception- Salcombe lifeboat on their speed and ally rough seas and winds of hurricane help throughout the incident. force. The lifeboat was launched in the worst conditions ever experienced at South Western Division Dungeness. The Ralph Glister Award for the most Only flare fired meritorious service of 1974 by the crew A RED FLARE fired from a position about Coxswain Tom of an ILB has been made to Helmsman Tart, Dungeness. 7 nautical miles south east of Berry Edward B. 'Bev' Brown and Crew Head was reported to Torbay honorary Member Robin Middleton of New secretary by the Coastguard at 0609 on Brighton, who saved the crew of Helmsman Edward Brown (left) and Crew Wednesday, March 12. The 52' Barnett MFV E.B.H. on June 9. Edward Brown lifeboat Princess Alexandra of Kent set Member Robin Middleton, New Brighton. had to drive the ILB over a groyne on Photograph by courtesy of Brian Stevenson. out to investigate at 0625, at high water, to the deck of the casualty and Robin in overcast weather with visibility of Middleton boarded the vessel to save an 5 nautical miles. The sea was choppy injured man. and a moderate breeze was blowing from the north. The James Michael Bower Fund. Mone- The Coastguard answered the distress tary awards from this fund are being call with white rockets and put out a made to the seven men who received the general call on VHP to any vessels in the RNLI's silver medal for gallantry for immediate vicinity. A local fishing boat services during 1974. In addition to responded and made for the casualty's Coxswain Tart, Helmsman Brown and position, arriving about 6 minutes Crew Member Middleton, these are before the lifeboat, which found the Coxswain Albert Bird and Motor casualty by using her radar. Mechanic Ian Jack of Aberdeen, and The distressed vessel was a 28' cabin Coxswain John H. W. 'Joe' Martin and Dr Peter Davy of Hastings. continued on page 69

46 /.- Tractor driver and helpers back tractor out through shallow water 2:... receive from her crew a heaving line to bring wire through ruffle to meet lifeboat and . . . hole in boat's forefoot.

3: As tractor hauls boat in, shore helpers lay heavy skids over which 4: She is kept on even keel with balancing poles which support her she will be beached. while she is hauled on to . .

5:.. . channel track of little turntable (left) on which she can be swung round to convenient position for mounting on carriage. Tractor moves round carriage . . . (5:... and hauls boat on. Aligning of turntable with carriage is critical. Securing chain is rove through an after ruffle hole to prevent boat over- riding carriage.

7: (Left) Journey home begins over beach and up slipway, with chock at the ready behind carriage track.

8: Home to boathouse along promenade, Coxswain John King in attendance (right).

After she returns to shore . .. A service is not completed when a lifeboat reaches her home port. Before crew and shore helpers can disperse, summer or winter, day or night, boat must be rehoused, refuelled and left ready for next launch. Photographs on this page are from a series taken by Jeff Morris of BrtdUngtou's 37' Oakley housed carriage lifeboat William Henry and Mary King being recovered after a service on May 19.

47 Twelfth International Lifeboat Conference HELSINKI, JUNE 2 - 6 'Most of our problems are common — let us solve them together' by Patrick Howarth

THE CITY OF HELSINKI became associated tion of Shipping and Navigation and Captain F. W. Baskerville and Dr with international conferences in the from the Sea Rescue Institution of Geoffrey Hale, and presented by minds of millions in July of this year Aland. Countries represented at the Captain Baskerville, on the origin and through the great assembly of states- conference for the first time were work of the Medical and Survival Com- men who came together in the interests Bermuda and the German Democratic mittee of the RNLI led to a lively of what it is now fashionable to call Republic. discussion, and the films shown, par- 'detente'. Earlier in the year, at the The Arun class lifeboat Tony ticularly the Ministry of Defence film, beginning of June, another international Vandervell, under the command of Cold Can Kill, impressed many of the conference was held in Helsinki at Captain Roy Harding, made the journey delegates, to whom the extent of the which there was happily no need of to Finland under her own power and RNLl's medical organisation came as deiente. This was the 12th international aroused much interest. The Finnish something of a surprise. The third lifeboat conference. The hosts, the lifeboat from Kotka was also present, paper, which I presented, was based on Finnish lifeboat society, chose as the as were rescue vessels from Norway, the new technical publication Lifeboat conference theme the phrase 'most of Poland and Sweden. International. From the discussion it our problems are common—let us solve The RNLI, whose delegation was became clear that it was the wish of the them together'. led by Commander F. R. H. Swann, conference that this publication should The Finnish lifeboat society proved presented three papers. One of these continue to appear annually. Authority to be ideal hosts in every way, and their was the work of Lieut.-Commander was given to the RNLI to publish at organisation was impeccable. The chair- Gerard Dutton and was a comprehensive intervals of two years, if too few papers man, Mikko Mannio, carried out the review of RNLI lifeboats in the twentieth of interest were received to justify onerous task of managing a conference century. The extraordinary command of annual publication. Lifeboat Inter- in a foreign language with exquisite his subject which Gerard Dutton evinced national will not appear in the years tact and perfect control. The organisa- on this and other international occasions in which an international lifeboat con- tion under the direction of Captain was again recognised by the delegates. ference is held. The thanks of the con- Paul Lammi, general manager of the Gerard Dutton has now retired from ference were conveyed to Grahame Farr Finnish lifeboat society, was flawless. the service of the RNLI. His under- for the excellent work he does in editing This is the fifth international lifeboat standing of lifeboat problems, his this publication in a letter from the conference I have had the privilege of expertise and dedication will be missed, chairman, Mikko Mannio. attending. It yielded to none in organisa- not only throughout the RNLI, but in A film presented by the Japanese tion and charm. the whole international lifeboat com- delegation, which showed the con- Delegations from 19 nations were munity, of which he was for many years sequences of a collision at sea in Novem- present, and there were also observers an outstanding member. ber 1974 between a large Japanese from the Swedish National Administra- A paper prepared jointly by Surgeon tanker carrying liquified petroleum gas and a Liberian freighter, was a vivid Tony Vandervell, the first glass fibre Arun, represented the RNLI lifeboat fleet at Helsinki. She illustration of what such a hazard can will be stationed at Weymouth and is already at home in Portland Race. produce and of the gallantry of the Photograph by courtesy of HMS Osprey rescue services. The Swedish delegation also gave details of a complex sea rescue exercise based on a collision. New types of lifeboat were described in papers presented by the West German, Polish and United States delegations. The German boat was unfortunately prevented from being shown at the con- ference because of trouble with the machinery installation. The United States boat described was the US Coast Guard 41' utility boat. The Polish boat was a combined rescue and salvage vessel. Items of equipment described in- cluded a new Dutch type of scrambling net and a South African night track indicator. Iceland, Italy, Norway, Spain and the USSR were among the coun- tries whose recent lifeboat activities were described in papers, and the dele- gates were also interested to learn of the progress made in Bermuda and the German Democratic Republic. Two resolutions were unanimously agreed by the conference. One expressed thanks for the voluntary efforts of

48 women in support of lifeboat services. the RNLI, whose significance should decor and a finely carved stone altar. An The other proclaimed the readiness of not be minimised. impressive sermon was preached by a all lifeboat organisations represented to On one of the days of the conference Finnish pastor. The hymns included give advice on the provision of facilities the delegates and their ladies were all Abide with me, the Finnish version for rescuing life at sea in other parts accommodated aboard a Finnish ice- being sung rather more vigorously than of the world if called upon to do so by breaker and had the opportunity of the English one. the appropriate national authorities. witnessing a complex exercise in sea The hospitality given by a variety of There was some discussion on a pro- rescue, involving a variety of sea and Finnish organisations, both official and posal put forward by the Norwegian airborne rescue craft. The following day private, was munificent, and the RNLI lifeboat society for an international a service was held in the beautiful delegates were also entertained at a lifeboat secretariat, but the conference Taivallahti Church. This is a new reception by the British Ambassador, decided to ask the RNLI to continue building carved out of rock and circular Mr T. A. K. Elliott. It was agreed by the to act, as it has done hitherto, as the in form. The ceiling is formed of delegates that the 13th international central secretariat body. This was in thousands of strands of copper wire. It lifeboat conference in 1979 should be effect a powerful vote of confidence in is a Lutheran church, with a stark, plain held in the Netherlands.

SCOTTISH LIFEBOAT COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Freemason's Hall, Edinburgh, May 23

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the pleasure at making the awards and Scottish Lifeboat Council was held in referred to the constant inspiration of the The Freemason's Hall, Edinburgh, on spirit of the lifeboat service. May 23 this year. Captain Alexander Later in the meeting Sir Charles Ramsay of Mar, chairman of the McGrigor was nominated as successor Executive Committee of the Council, to the Duke of Atholl as convener of the was in the chair at the beginning of the Scottish Lifeboat Council and was meeting in the absence of the Duke of The Duke of Atholl, former convener of the Scottish Lifeboat Council, with Mrs E. P. Atholl, convener of the Scottish Life- Hill, former secretary of Gourock ladies' boat Council, who was unavoidably guild. Mrs Hill, awarded a gold badge, had prevented from attending. been unable to attend the AGM in London in Captain Ramsay welcomed the un- May to receive her award; it was presented usually large number of delegates from to her by His Grace at a luncheon party given all over Scotland and the Islands and by Mrs Hill for members of her guild. read out a telegram of good wishes from the Duke of Atholl. He then mention of the production of a 'Lifeboat informed the delegates with regret that Map' and a new publicity leaflet for the Duke had reluctantly decided to Scotland, both of which are the work resign as convener owing to pressure of of Dr W. J. Guild, a member of the business which would necessitate His Executive Committee and a senior Grace being in the south more than in lecturer at Edinburgh University. recent years. In her report Miss E. M. Lloyd-Jones, Having served for three years on the organising secretary, Scotland, told an Executive Committee of the Council appreciative audience that the total the delegates from the branches at money raised in Scotland during the Dunbar, Girvan and Stirling retired year 1973/74 was £221,255. She con- and the branches at Banff, Lossiemouth gratulated all who had helped on the and Prestwick were elected to send very hard work which this result repre- delegates in their place. Sir Charles McGrigor, unanimously elected sented. The presentation of awards followed convener of the Scottish Lifeboat Council. The meeting was then thrown open —a ceremony which is always of great for branch discussion, which was interest to all present. T. F. Nutman, elected unanimously. Sir Charles has extremely lively and conducted with divisional inspector (Scotland North) served as a vice-convener of the Council great good humour and enthusiasm. The read the citation for the award of silver for many years and is also a member outstanding efforts of some of the medals for gallantry to Coxswain Albert of the Committee of Management of smaller guilds drew particularly warm Bird and Motor Mechanic Ian Jack of the Institution. applause. Aberdeen. These medals had been Captain Ramsay vacated the chair The meeting concluded in an en- presented to the two men by HRH The which was occupied by Sir Charles for couraging atmosphere of determined Duke of Kent, President of the In- the remainder of the meeting. and continuing effort. stitution, at the AGM in London on W. F. G. Lord, was then elected to After the meeting there was an May 8. Normally the accompanying serve as a vice-convener of the Council opportunity to inspect the Memorial vellums would have been the first in place of Sir Charles McGrigor. Mr Book of the Lifeboat Service com- presentation at the Scottish Meeting Lord has been honorary secretary of the missioned by The Lord Saltoun, MC, but they had been presented in Aberdeen Edinburgh branch for many years and a former convener of the Scottish Life- by special arrangement earlier in the is also a member of the Committee of boat Council. This book is a memorial year. Management. to the lifeboatmen, known and un- The awards were presented by Lady As chairman of the Executive Com- known, who have lost their lives on McGrigor, wife of Sir Charles mittee, Captain Ramsay reported on service or exercise since the inception McGrigor, BT, who expressed her the work of the previous year, including of the Institution in 1824.—E.M. L.-J.

49 Norman Clark (1902-1920), perhaps one of the best loved of North Berwick's pulling ami sailing life- boats, on winter service (left). Here can be seen something of the wild fury of which the sea is capable on this rockv shore.

Blue Peter III, the present 16' D class inshore lifeboat on summer exercise. Crew members are out on exercise every Sunday morning from the beginning of April until the end of October.

The Phoenix was Inflatable

NORTH BERWICK — OAR TO OUTBOARD

by Joan Davies

UNDER THE NEVER-CEASING INFLUENCE of change. Closed in 1925 after 65 years' westward of the harbour, but once again current and tidal stream, the coastline service, as coastal traffic diminished, it rocks border its far end. Even on a quiet of our islands quietly moulds its con- sprang to life again in 1967 as a busy day the water round the rocks moves tours to the pattern of the sea. Equally, inshore lifeboat station, full of vitality. with the turbulence of restrained energy our seaboard towns and villages reflect North Berwick is a little town only ready to break out in anger once in their industries, population and way half-an-hour's journey from Edinburgh. aroused by rising wind. of life the restless pressure of economic A single-line railway track leading down Down by the harbour, the building and social change. Old ways pass into to it runs between fields and rocky which immediately commands attention reminiscence and dream; new ways cuttings splashed with the yellow of is the East Lothian Yacht Club, housed break upon the scene with all the whin. Hares and grouse move off the in a tall old granary; a memorial to vigour and enthusiasm of youth. line, without overdue haste, out of the past sea trade, it is still very much at To fulfil its purpose, the RNL1 needs path of the infrequent train. the heart of the seaboard life of the to be sensitive to, and ready to meet, the Coming down to the shore, the first town. Commodore of the club, changing patterns of seafaring around impression is of a rugged coastline, Alexander Auld, is one of the 'founder' the coast. There may come a time when with rocks jutting out into little head- members of the ILB crew. Fishing, life- the fire of lifeboat activity may die down lands dividing the harbour entrance boat and sailing people meet in happy in one locality; it may later be rekindled, from East and Milsey Bays; with rocky community in the beamed rooms where but with different fuel. islets offshore overshadowed by the once agricultural commodities waited to Take, for instance, North Berwick impressive white-capped pyramid of be loaded on to small sailing coastal on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. Bass Rock rising out of the sea to the ships; potatoes and grain from the Here is a station which has seen much north east. There is a sweep of beach fertile hinterland (it is said that Crown copyright reserved.

50 Yesterday: Norman Clark launches from her carriage on a bleak day with snow on the ground and dusting 'The Law', rising majestically above the town. Lifeboat crew and shore helpers would have come mostly from fishing families.

Cromwell's troops declared East Lothian coastal shipping and in fishing; there going straight from the old pulling and oats to be the best they had foraged were to be motor lifeboats at Dunbar sailing boats to the modern inflatable, anywhere on their campaigns); guano, and Anstruther able, with their wider and a generation of men. But the tinder too, from Bass Rock. operational range, to watch over the had been kept dry; those men who There was a busy inshore fishing fleet approaches to the Forth. North Berwick would have been the crews in the inter- in those days as well, and it was fisher- station was closed. vening years were there to offer the men who manned the seven pulling and Life went on, and North Berwick knowledge on which the reopened sailing lifeboats stationed at North became more and more popular as a station could be built and the experience Berwick from the time the station was resort for holidays and, in the post- for its administration. established in 1860 until its closure in second world war years, for sailing. The first honorary secretary of the 1925. During those years the lifeboats Now the town's population increases by ILB station was J. A. Stewart, who was launched on service 37 times and saved something like three times in the summer concerned in publishing. He was fol- 64 lives. months, and by even more at the week- lowed by Lieut.-Commander J. D. Standing by the modern ILB whose ends. There are still lobster fishing boats, Tweedie, RNVR, a sheep farmer with maintenance is his pride, Tom Brown but, in addition, there are the boats extensive ranching interests in South will tell you of the Marrs, the Browns, based on the yacht club, fleets of America. The present honorary secre- the Millers, the Thompsons and the dinghies which meet to sail their tary is Findlay Cessford, QBE, whose Thorburns, all fishing families who in the championships on the waters of the old days lived in cottages alongside the Forth, and yachts on passage. There are harbour; he will tell you of how, when bathers, too, and people climbing the the lifeboat was launched from the old rocks, exploring cliffs. boathouse further up the street, the Aware of the new situation, after boat on her carriage was eased down the the introduction of inshore lifeboats slipway by manning drag ropes; of how into its fleet in 1963—a revolution made on one occasion the lifeboat came back possible by the development of in- from service black with tar, so that it flatable boat and outboard engine—the took the womenfolk (who were always RNLI offered to station an ILB at there to help with launching and North Berwick. A meeting was called recovery) nearly two days to clean her, in May 1966 between representatives of using margarine; of how, as a boy, he the Institution and the town to discuss used to collect the lifejackets from the the practical problems involved, and in crew as they came ashore, to take them July 1967 this new station became up to the boathouse. operational. By the 1920's the pattern had changed. There had been a missed generation; There had been a decline in small a generation of boats, with the succession . . . and on her way to the 'casualty' . . . Today: Preparing for exercise. (I. to r.) Senior Helmsman Graham Thorburn, 'Bengie' Pearson, Bob Bryson, Jim Pearson Helpers David Cochrane and Tom Brown (who maintains boat and boathouse in good order) and finally Paddy Hooton. Blue Peter III launched .

51 life has been concerned with the sea. dinghy; or lifting a survivor out of the service on May 26, 1974, when Blue William Dunn, a lobster fisherman, has water. Each week skills are polished, Peter III helped in the helicopter rescue been deputy launching authority since muscles flexed, familiarity with boat of an injured boy who had fallen over a 1967. Backing up on shore are Ben and equipment deepened, so that, when cliff. On that occasion the crew who Miller, Tom Brown and a whole group a call comes, boat and crew are at the took part when John Graham Thorburn, of experienced seamen. peak of preparedness. Since 1967 there James Dixon and James Pearson. On the water, there is a new genera- have been 49 launches on service and When the maroons go up all members tion of boat and man. There have, so 37 lives saved, as well as 12 vessels of the crew make for the boathouse. The far, been two D class ILBs stationed at brought back safely. first two to arrive form the crew for that North Berwick, first a 15' 6" Zodiac Two bronze medals for gallantry were service, the more experienced man followed six years later by a 16' RFD. awarded to North Berwick crew mem- taking command. All are, in fact, Both were provided by the enterprise bers in 1973; Benjamin Pearson and capable of acting as helmsman. At of the young, for their cost came from Alexander Russell. It was for the rescue times, if the nature of the service funds raised by the sale of paperback of a man who had got into difficulties demands it, the boat will be crewed by books collected by viewers of the BBC while trying to help a bather seen to be three. programme 'Blue Peter'. Easy to launch, in trouble in East Bay one July after- Senior helmsman, also taking re- capable, with powerful outboard noon. The thanks of the Institution sponsibility in the administration of the engines, of more than 20 knots, emi- inscribed on vellum were also accorded station, is John Graham Thorburn, a nently seaworthy within their range of to James Pearson who embarked to give plumber by trade. Among the remainder action, manoeuvrable and able to work extra stability and a further pair of of the crew are fishermen, a joiner, an in shoal waters and among rocks, these hands for hauling casualties aboard, electrician, a farmer, an apprentice new rescue boats and all they meant when, having landed the man, the ILB engineer, a driver/serviceman, a teacher, caught the imagination of children all went out a second time to look (un- a marine engineer, a turner and a land- over the country; through 'Blue Peter' fortunately without avail) for two other scape gardener. Between them they can enough money was raised to pay for people who had joined in the original provide all the skills needed to deal with ILBs at four RNLI stations. Each of rescue attempt. It was a service carried day-by-day running repairs of boat and the two North Berwick boats has been out close to rocks in surf and very heavy boathouse; Tom Brown takes responsi- named Blue Peter III. swell reported from on shore to be at bility for the maintenance of the boat, These modern inflatable boats are least 15' from trough to crest. All three and William Dunn for the outboard just the tool for the job they have to do, crew members had served since the engine. but in them the crew are as exposed as reopening of the station in 1967; all There is strong community backing they would have been in the old pulling three are fishermen; and all three were for the station. Not only is the branch and sailing boats, and the stresses awarded 'Blue Peter's' gold badge, its financially self-sufficient but local people imposed by an inflatable driven at high highest award, with which they were also take an active interest. For instance, speed through rough water call for the presented during a transmission of the many houses along the front display resilience of a younger man; for the programme the following December. cards saying that their telephones are ILB crews, therefore, the upper age This medal service was reported in available for 999 calls to the Coast- limit is set at 45. On the first North full in the spring 1974 issue of THE LIFE- guard; this was the result of a safety Berwick TLB crew list in 1967 there was BOAT; in the winter 1974/75 issue a scheme actively pursued by the then a good proportion of men in their early photograph was also published of a Burgh Council, alas, no longer in twenties, and the average age is now existence. During the winter crew about 29. members attend first-aid courses at the North Berwick is a summer station, South of Scotland Fire Service School, a operational from April 1 to the end of few miles away, and the Coastguard October, and every Sunday morning provide facilities for RT exercise in throughout that period the crew are out winter, too. on exercise. A progressive programme is Links are close with the Police, Red planned. Like all RNLI inshore life- Cross and Coastguard. Several members boats, Blue Peter III is fitted with a VHP of the station are Auxiliary Coast- radiotelephone, so there will be practice guards, taking their turn to watch over with Coastguard Fifeness, Divisional their waters from the lookout point on Rescue HQ; then seamanship exercises, Plattcock End, the promontory north of progressing from simple to advanced the harbour. manoeuvres; another week there will In the best tradition of the lifeboat be an exercise with a helicopter; then service, the ILB station is an integral practice in dealing with a capsized part of the life of North Berwick. . . . Blue Peter III reaches the 'casualty', Crew Member Ted Hill who dinghy. The island of Craigleith (locally known as 'The Craig') can be has (uncharacteristically) overturned his dinghy. (Above) Ted, seen in the background. Having checked that all is well with the 'exhausted', is taken aboard the ILB while Graham Thorburn and dinghy for the good-natured (and very wet) Ted Hill to resume his Paddy Hooton, helped by this year's recruit Ian McMinn, right the sailing, Blue Peter III returns to station.

52 RNLI MEDALS and the ROYAL MINT

by Oliver Warner Dies of original RNLI medal for gallantry: Fig, I (left) obverse. Fig. 2 (right) reverse.

FROM ITS FOUNDATION in 1824, until the reign of George V, the Institution's medals were designed by officials of the Royal Mint. By courtesy of the Deputy Master, I am able to illustrate photographs of the original dies (Figs. 1 and 2), specially taken by Mr Mozley of the Mint at the request of the Librarian and Curator. They are Crown copyright, and appear by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Also included are examples in white metal (Figs. 3 and 4). The die bears the name of the designer on the obverse. He was William Wyon (1795-1851) Chief Engraver at the Royal Fig. 3." Impression of obverse Fig. 4: Impression of reverse in Mint. Wyon was the most celebrated of a dynasty of engravers in white metal. white metal. who first came to this country in the train of the Hanoverian kings. Wyon designed the reverse, which is in use today, from a sketch by Henry Howard R.A. (1769-1847), Secretary and later Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy. Legend has it that one of the figures on the left of the reverse was drawn from Wyon himself. Although the fact might have been apparent in the original sketch, the smaller scale of the die robs it of much significance. The wording on the obverse runs: 'Royal National Institu- tion for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. George the Fourth, Patron, 1824'. The motto on the reverse: 'Let not the deep swallow me up' is adapted from the Authorised Version of the Bible: Psalm 69, verse 15: 'Let not the waterflood over- flow me, neither the deep swallow me up'. The first medal, struck in gold and silver, was in use until Fig. 5: Medal of 1862, obverse Fig. 6: Medal of 1862, bronze 1862, when Leonard Charles Wyon (1826-1891), William die. impression from obverse die. Wyon's son, who was a modeller and engraver at the Royal Mint, executed a new design for the obverse. This showed a graceful image of Queen Victoria (Figs. 5 and 6). The change commemorated the Charter which the Queen had granted to the Institution in 1860. This second medal remained in use throughout the rest of the Queen's reign, and the wording on the obverse indicated the change in the Institution's title to: 'Royal National Life- boat Institution. Incorporated 1860. Victoria Patroness'. The designer's name appeared below the Queen's neck. The last and least successful medal to come via the Royal Mint was designed in 1902 by G. W. de Saulles, who had been appointed engraver in 1893. His obverse showed Edward VII as Patron (Fig. 7). The original William Wyon reverse was discarded in favour of an entirely new design (Fig. 8), showing, in the words of the official description: 'The figure of Hope assisting a Coxswain-Superintendent of a Fig. 7: Medal of 1902, obverse. Fig. 8: Medal of 1902, reverse. Lifeboat to buckle on his life-belt, and wishing him and his crew "God speed", with the lifeboat manned in the distance by the Reverend A. G. Wyon (1882-1962), a distant relative ready to launch, and awaiting the instructions of the Coxswain- of the great William Wyon, and an artist of distinction in his Superintendent.' own right. The reason for the change, which may well be The Edward VII medal was current for a comparatively permanent, arose from a ruling by George VI, shortly after short time. In 1912 a head of George V by Sir Bertram his accession, that he wished his effigy to appear only on MacKennel was substituted on the obverse for that of medals for which he had given his sanction as sovereign. Edward VII, and it was the last in the series to show the Since 1857 the medal has been supported by two dolphins, sovereign's head. William Wyon's reverse was restored, and their heads facing, and it is attached to the Garter blue ribbon the only subsequent change in the medal has been the appear- by means of a ball device. The dolphins are well shown in ance, on the obverse, of the head of Sir William Hillaury Figs, 7 and 8, Since 1917 the medal Bias, been awarded in (177 J -1847), niter Institution's Fowidtar.. Tltoe head was designed bronze,, m addit wm to tfoe awards-ra ngo W and silver. Whitby: After naming The White Rose of Yorkshire, the Duchess of Kent puts to sea and. Coxswain Robert Allen by her side, (below), takes a trick at the wheel. (Left) The White Rose of Yorkshire returns to harbour in company with Whitby ILB. Photographs by courtesy of J. P. Morris.

ROYAL SUMMER

CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS, AND THE MEETING OF FRIENDS, WHILE THE SUN SHONE

'THE PLEASURE of your company' is a us members of Cromer ILB look upon phrase so often used that we rarely the Duke of Kent as a friend; he gave listen to the words themselves; but when that impression. We look forward to members of the royal family honour meeting him again. Perhaps he would the lifeboat service with their company join one of our dart nights?' Jersey: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother names Thomas James King (below) and everyone knows the days will not only It was the pleasure of the various (above) meets the 89-year-old gold medallist be memorable but will also be over- stations to give their royal visitors after whom the new St He Her boat takes her flowing with enjoyment. During the impromptu gifts as well as more formal name. summer of 1975 there have been four mementoes: newly published station Photographs by courtesy of (above) Jersey royal naming ceremonies, at Whitby, histories at Barmouth and Jersey; a Evening Post, (below) K. le Scelleur. Jersey, Plymouth and Torbay, as well as visits by the Institution's president, HRH The Duke of Kent, to Birmingham and to stations in Norfolk and Wales. Happy days, all of them, warmed by the gentle smile of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, brightened by the infectious gaiety and charm of HRH The Duchess of Kent, stimulated by the keen personal interest in both people and boats always shown by the Duke of Kent. Here is a president so abounding in enthusiasm that he is always ready for an unscheduled look over a lifeboat or an extended conversation with crew members and their wives, with officials of branch and guild; and he always seems to find time to stop and talk to children, obviously delighting in these encounters as much as do they. Writing after the president's 'walk- about' visit to Norfolk stations on June 4, the honorary secretary of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society, Cromer and District Research Group, Frank Muirhead, said, 'The whole event was very relaxed and informal, and 1 think

54 congratulated them on the great support Birmingham and the surrounding areas give the Institution. It was an informal and most happy ocasion. Next, on May 21, came the naming by the Duchess of Kent of Whitby's new 44' lifeboat The White Rose of Yorkshire. The Marquis of Normanby, president of Whitby station branch, opened the proceedings by inviting the Duchess to present a framed photograph to the donor, Miss G. M. G. Milburn, a Yorkshire resident who up to that time had remained anonymous. The boat, delivered to the Whitby branch by Commander F. R. H. Swann, then chairman of the Institution, was accepted by the honorary secretary, Captain David Stevenson. On May 30, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother named Jersey's new Waveney lifeboat Thomas James King after ex-Coxswain Tommy King, now

basket of lobsters and crabs at Shering- (Above) Leaving Jersey, The Queen ham; an RNLI 150th anniversary mug Mother is cheered on her way by made at nearby Holkham Pottery at the lifeboat crew . . . Wells; and at Plymouth a salmon. Photograph by courtesy of Jersey There were delightful surprise gestures Evening Post. from the Duchess of Kent as well: at . . . and is greeted as she comes Plymouth and Torbay, Debbie Mac- ashore at HMS Vernon (right) by Manus and Susanne Gibbs, the small members of Walmer crew, at daughters of crew members, were each Portsmouth for the handing over given a rose from the bouquets they ceremony of their new Rather had presented to Her Royal Highness. lifeboat, Hampshire Rose. They The summer's royal events began on are introduced by Michael Pennell, May 7 when the Duke of Kent visited divisional inspector of lifeboats, Birmingham, spending half-an-hour eastern division. with the lifeboat people of the city. Accompanied by Philip Clarke, Com- Plymouth: The Duke and Duchess of Kent, mittee of Management, Captain Nigel accompanied by the city's Lord Mayor, Dixon, RN, the director, and Alderman Councillor Ivor Thomas, are welcomed by G. H. W. Griffith, president of Bir- Commander F. R. H. Swann, CBE RNVR, mingham branch, he spoke to a large then chairman of the Institution . . . number of the 160 members present and ... and (left) after the Duchess had named Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse II, she and the Duke are welcomed aboard by Coxswain John Dare and his crew. The new Plymouth boat (below), like those of Whitby and Jersey, is is a 44' Waveney. Photograph by courtesy of Western Morning News.

55 Torbay: Edward Bridges (Civil Service and Post Office No. 37) lies in the outer harbour, Brixham, for her naming ceremony. She is the third Arun class lifeboat.

A bouquet for the Duchess— a rose for a little girl: The Duchess of Kent takes out a rose from her bouquet and hands it back to 5-year-old Susanne Gibbs, daughter of Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs. Photograph by courtesy of Western Morning News

class lifeboat now stationed at Walmer, for which they had raised £67,000. Sir Alec, officials of the appeal committee and members of the lifeboat's crew were presented to Her Majesty. Three days later the Duke of Kent After naming the Torbay was in Norfolk for his visit to Wells, boat, the Duke of Kent, Sheringham, Cromer and Happisburgh. accompanied by the Duchess, At Sheringham the president took went up on her flying bridge everyone by surprise by asking to look for a trip to sea. over the lifeboat, The Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows. There were shouts of 'Joyful!', a ladder was set up and in his ninetieth year; in 1949 he was Jurat R. E. Bailhache, chairman of the Coxswain Henry 'Joyful' West took the awarded the gold medal for gallantry Jersey branch. Duke aboard and showed him round; for the rescue on September 13 of the Returning to Portsmouth in the royal when they came to the engine room, yacht Maurice Georges and her crew of yacht on June 1, The Queen Mother however, 'Joyful' insisted that Motor four; the yacht was being driven on to a disembarked at HMS Vernon, Ports- Mechanic Brian Pegg should take rocky lee shore by gale force winds. The mouth, just as the lifeboat people of charge, as that was his domain. cost of Thomas James King was raised Hampshire were gathering for the On June 17 both the Duke and entirely in Jersey by a special appeal handing over to the RNLI by Sir Alec Duchess of Kent went to the West initiated and personally directed by Rose of Hampshire Rose, the Rother Country, each to perform a naming

56 Barmouth: Crew Member John H. Stockford, Honorary Medical Adviser, and Crew Member Dr Robert Airdrie Haworth and Motor Mechanic Colin Pugh are presented to the Duke of Kent. They were the first ILB silver medallists: the awards were made for a service on June 21, 1971, when they picked up a badly injured woman who had fallen over the cliffs. It was in a south-westerly gale, rough sea and poor visibility and they had to Aberdovey: Lieut-Commander George Cooper, divisional inspector of lifeboats, western division, approach the shore through boulders and introduces the crew to the president. Atlantic 21 Guide Friendship I is stationed at Aberdovey; breaking seas. she is one of the ILBs for which the money was raised by Guides and Brownies. ceremony. First, in the morning, the Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat The Duke of Kent ended his summer's Duchess named Plymouth's new Wave- Fund in 109 years of loyal support. The RNLI engagements on July 21 with a ney lifeboat Thomas Forehead and Mary Torbay boat was named after the late visit to two Welsh ILB stations, Rowse II, gifted by a legacy of Thomas Baron Bridges who had a distinguished Aberdovey and Barmouth, accompanied Field of Liverpool. They then went on career in the Civil Service. His son, by Raymond Cory, Committee of to Brixham for the afternoon, where Lord Bridges, handed over the lifeboat Management, and Captain Dixon. At the Duke named the new Arun class to the RNLI, and the Dowager Lady Aberdovey the station's new Atlantic lifeboat Edward Bridges. She is the 37th Bridges, widow of Baron Bridges, was 21, Guide Friendship I, gave a demon- boat provided and maintained by the also present. stration, and the Duke spoke to representatives of the Guides and Wells: On board Ernest Tom Brownies who, through the Guide Nethercoat Coxswain David Friendship Fund, had defrayed her Cox explains to the president cost. At Barmouth he met the first three the use and working of a ILB crew members to be awarded the drogue. silver medal for gallantry, in 1971, and at both stations there was time for Sheringham: (Below, left) conversation with crew members and Coxswain Henry 'Joyful' West their wives and with the officials of the presents members of his crew branches and guilds. to the Duke. (Right)]'Cromer: Thus, as the days began to draw in, The Duke is shown round the lifeboat people could look back on a museum by its curator, Don wonderful summer; a summer when the Harvey. sun had shone almost every day; and a Photographs by courtesy of summer highlighted with right royal Eastern Counties Newspapers. occasions.

57 Air Bag Installation

Solomon Browne, Penlee's 47' Watson lifeboat, is given self-righting ability while undergoing partial survey at Mashfords yard, Cremyll

BUILT TO SPECIFICATIONS probably not The air bag system has all the merits Fig, 1: Compressed air bottle, with pneumatic exceeded by any ship afloat; subjected of simplicity. If the lifeboat rolls past valve box at end, is lowered on to its mounting to exhaustive commissioning trials; the point of no return, about 120° heel, cradles by British Hovercraft conversion maintained with jealous care by cox- a weighted lever, responding to the crew, Brian Augustus (left) and Leslie Harris. Note new square stretcher hatch into deck swain, mechanic and crew; watched force of gravity, falls. A valve is opened. cabin, and stainless steel plate decking in old over by divisional inspector, district Compressed air is released and, so after-well. surveyor and engineer and submitted quickly that it is almost instantaneous, to regular survey, the RNLI lifeboat inflates a large fore and aft cylindrical Fig, 2: (Below) Securing clamp is bolted into has a long expectation of working life bag secured asymmetrically to the after position. at 100% efficiency. So, when after the cabin top. This 'lopsided' buoyancy, by Longhope disaster in 1969 and the making the capsized boat unstable in Fraserburgh disaster in 1970 it was her unaccustomed inverted position and decided to set 1980 as a target date by by exerting a positive upward push, which time virtually all the RNLI fleet initiates righting. Once the upward roll of conventional boats should have a begins, the reducing negative righting self-righting capability, there were a lever of the boat adds to the momentum number of lifeboats, Watsons and and at about the 120° point the positive Barnetts, still with many years service righting lever takes over and the boat ahead of them; excellent boats, all of returns to her normal trim. them, but non-self-righting. If, however, It takes about 30 seconds to read that a way could be found of providing last paragraph. It takes only half that them with a self-righting ability they time, or less, from the moment the could be absorbed into the plan. gravity lever falls to the time the boat A start was made at once. Working lifts her submerged deck, shaking herself together, British Hovercraft Corporation free of the sea. Some 10 to 15 seconds. by the district surveyor of lifeboats and and the RNLI design team developed an In the past three years 38 Watson checked by a technician from British air bag system, which would give and Barnett lifeboats have been fitted Hovercraft. the 46' 9" Watson, 47' Watson and with air bags. The job is done by British Solomon Browne, Penlee's 47' Watson 52' Barnett boats a 'once only' self- Hovercraft. They have two crews, each lifeboat, was fitted with her self-righting righting ability. Within a year full-scale of two men. First, a crew prepares all air bag system this summer while under- trials had proved the system successful; the components of the kit; then, after going a partial survey at Mashfords within two years the design of the these have been submitted to exhaustive yard, Cremyll. installation had been worked out in workshop tests, the crew takes the kit to Across the Tamar from Plymouth, detail and a kit defined, so that con- a boatyard, which may be in any part built into an old limestone quarry, this version could be made in a matter of of the country, wherever a lifeboat is 200-year-old yard almost seems to grow days, usually while a boat was in a undergoing survey, and completes the out of the rock, merging land and sea. boatyard for survey. conversion. The installation is overseen It is a place of peace and craftsmanship.

Fig. 3: (Left) Radar scanner has been moved to port of after cabin top, and air bag roof channel bolted in posit/on to starboard. Note manifold leading under channel and, at its fore and aft ends, air inlets into bag.

Fig. 5: (Right) Each end of the three securing straps are attached to brackets, bolted to cabin sides, with stainless steel retaining pins. Although brackets make allowance for six possible positions, it is normal to use the second from top holes.

58 Many famous yachts, like the early fitting can easily be removed. AH in a watertight control box sited on the Fastnet contenders or more recent fixings are stainless steel. starboard cabin side (Fig. 6) and con- world-circumnavigating single-handers, The bag for the 47' Watson is 5' 4" nected to the compressed air bottle by have been hauled out there; many diameter by 7' 6" long, and it is made high pressure small diameter hoses. In legendary deep-sea sailors, like Bobby of the same material as is used for this box an anti-bounce device swings Somerset, Sir Francis Chichester, have hovercraft skirts: two layers of neo- with the roll of the boat. Only when the sat in the little yard office, discussing prene sandwiching a reinforcing layer of roll reaches about 120° will a gate in the over mugs of tea their boats and the nylon. The straps are made of a double device allow the lead-weighted gravity sea with the five Mashford brothers thickness of this same material lever to fall, thus opening the valve who have run the yard for the past 40- vulcanised together. In fact, all joints of which in turn opens the flood gates of odd years, backed up now by the next bag and strap are vulcanised by a the compressed air. generation. method perfected by British Hovercraft. So much thought, so much care, so Hauled out in the shed with Solomon When the bag is finally folded down much strength. Yet the working life of Browne were the relief 37' Oakley life- on top of the channel it will be covered the air bag, if it is put to test by storm at boat Jane Hay and the former Plymouth by a lid of curved, glass-fibred marine sea, will be the few seconds between the 52' Barnett boat Thomas Forehead and ply between two semi-circular end time the lifeboat capsizes and the time Mary Rowse, both of which took part in boards. As the bag inflates on capsize, when, as the bag starts to right her, she services for which medals for gallantry this lid would be thrown off and regains positive stability. In those few were awarded last year. The 70' Clyde jettisoned. seconds, control box, air bottle, hose, City of Bristol, which will soon be on A flexible 1" diameter hose, through bag and straps will take tremendous station at Clovelly, was moored in the which the released compressed air will strains; the strains for which they have river. be driven to inflate the bag, is led from been designed. Their performance in that Before installation of Solomon the manifold through a watertight flange fraction of time will justify all the work Browne's air bag could begin, there was in the cabin top, down the after bulk- that has gone into their preparation, preparatory work for Mashfords; deck- head and through to the well compart- for on them may depend the lives of a ing in the after well to make a water- ment, to be attached to the air bottle. crew of seven lifeboatmen, and possibly tight compartment and blanking off its So far so good. The mechanism is also the lives of men and women just relieving scuppers in the topsides (at there. But the brains of the business are saved from the sea.'—J.D. the same time the doors at the aft end of the deck cabin were replaced with a square stretcher hatch); moving the Fig. 6: Brian Augustus inspects anti- radar scanner from centre to the port bounce device in control box. Weighted gravity sensitive lever can be seen in centre, side of the after cabin top to allow room pressure gauge on top left and a tube of for the air bag to inflate; and the silica gel crystals (to ensure there is no blanking off of some deadlights and moisture in this watertight box) top right. ports. Note high pressure hoses connected to The British Hovercraft crew, on this control box (they will be connected occasion Brian Augustus and Leslie through bulkhead to compressed air Harris, then took over, helped where bottle valve), and larger diameter hose which connects air bottle to manifold in necessary by Mashfords' boatbuilders. roof channel. First, in the new after well watertight compartment, they fitted the mounting Fig. 4: John Chadwick, RNLI district cradles on which rests the Chesterfield surveyor of lifeboats, south west, checks compressed air bottle (2,400 Ib with plumb line the distance of centre of pressure); they are sited athwartships, air bag end from centreline of cabin top. butting up against the cabin after bulk- The bag, like hovercraft skirts, is made of head. The heavy bottle was lowered on two layers of neoprene sandwiching a to the cradle (Fig. 1) and secured with reinforcing layer of nylon. bolted top clamps (Fig. 2). Next the roof channel is bolted in place (Fig. 3), the deflated bag already attached to the two inlets through which the air would be driven from the mani- fold which can be seen beneath the channel. This channel's position is critical. Exact specifications vary slightly for the three classes of boat, but for a 47' Watson the position of the channel is such that when the bag is fully inflated (2 Ib pressure) its axis will be 27* ± 2* from the boat's centreline (Fig. 4). Once the bag is in place and inflated, the three straps which span it are spread out and correctly angled. Then the brackets to which they will be attached with retaining pins (Fig. 5) are positioned and bolted to the cabin sides. All external fittings are of alloy which has first been anodised, then etch- primed and finally painted with anti- corrosion paint. Each is bedded down on chromated calico, spread on each side with Evomastic sealing compound which, while waterproofing the joint, remains flexible so that, if necessary, the

59 Some

Mrs Barbara Wentworth, Central London Women's Committee, has given the Mirror dinghy she won at the Lifeboat and Mermaid ball last December to Samuel Lithgow Boys'" Club. At a handing over ceremony in Regents Park last May, the boat was accepted on behalf of the club by Lord Amory. The ball raised over £15,000.

Colin Bower, one of three brothers in The second annual raft race organised Torbay crew list, designed a com- by York branch on the River Ouse memorative plaque for Torbay naming was held on a sunny Saturday in July ceremony on June 17; it depicted and about 40 entries mustered at the Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37), starting point, the Viking Hotel. The the station's new Arun class lifeboat, Lord Mayor of York and Mayoress 54-03. He commissioned a local pottery judged all entries for the most elegant, to make 100 of these plaques and by the and gave the salute on the river. The evening of June 17 had sold them all for winning post was at York Motor Yacht £3 each. Now Colin has presented the Club, which held its annual riverside RNLI with a cheque for £200, being the garden party and barbecue in con- profit on the project. junction with the event, raising £212.17. Volunteers collected along the river Nearly £900 was raised by a new banks and tow paths, and with entry branch formed only last year, Hakin money and sponsorship for rafts the race Point, at its Lifeboat Bazaar in June. So The theme for decoration at Blackburn's Fish raised almost £1,500. On the same day many local clubs, businesses and towns- Market Bi-Centenary in May was the an afternoon tea was held in an ancient people joined in to make the day a RNLI, and collections, amounting to £62, church in the city centre raising £70, resounding success that it is only were given to the lifeboat service. collections were undertaken at the possible here to touch on a fraction of Photograph by courtesy ot North Theatre Royal and, to complete the the day's activities. Angle lifeboat with Western Newspapers weekend, Acaster Malbis Boat Club held Coxswain Rees Holmes in command a sherry morning on board their clubship and the RAF rescue helicopter from demonstrations; there was a parade of Heron the following morning. 22 Squadron, Brawdy, gave lifesaving boats; trips round down the harbour; teas; Milford Haven's Town Band were on parade; and among the goods for sale on the stalls were cooked crabs, kippers, scallop shells, Pembrokeshire 'earlies', home-made cakes, bell-ropes spliced by professional seamen working on the harbour and pottery made by pupils of Milford Haven Central School. The bazaar was opened by Mrs D. A. A sales caravan sited on Poole Rice, MBE, president of Milford Haven Quay during the summer has not branch, who was presented, not with the only provided a test-bed for new traditional bouquet, but with a large souvenir lines, such as T-shirts and dressed local crab! anorak badges, but it is also a popular information bureau for During the morning of Whitby life- lifeboat affairs and local matters. boat day, July 26, a small girl, Diane Managed by Mrs Pritchard, wife Longbottom, walked into the depot, of our appeals secretary, it has been staffed by members of Poole very quietly, and handed over a biscuit ladies' guild and wives of Head tin containing £82 which she had raised Office staff on a voluntary basis. by holding a secondhand clothes sale On some days in the holiday season from her home. Not content with this, more than £50 has been taken. she helped collect another £12 before

60 lunch. Her school, Broadgate Primary School, has run a lifeboat project dur- ing the year, but this was her personal contribution to Whitby station. Nor was it her first effort: last year she raised £20 for the station. At a ceremony on board Calshot life- boat in May, Jim Bailey, a member of the Oxford branch committee, presented Sir Alec Rose with a cheque for £1,022.87 for the Hampshire Rose appeal. Mr Bailey runs Jim Bailey Racing Ltd, Oxford's biggest bookmakers, and it was as a result of his endeavours that a grand charity greyhound race meeting was held at Oxford Stadium on March 7. The 5th Margate (St James) Brownies collected old newspapers and sold them for salvage, thus raising £12 for Margate branch. Fred Pitcher, owner of the Family Guernsey ladies' guild has its own 'lifeboat', a mobile souvenir stall which attracts great interest Fish and Greengrocery Shop, Bridport, wherever she goes. Roger Wood designed Lady Goodwill and built her with the help of other finds that he cannot sell parsley but lifeboat supporters; materials were given or bought at or below cost. Her drawings and measure- that he can give it away. He therefore ments are available from division organiser SW, RNLI, Carl ton Chamber, 25 Baldwin Street, always has some offered free, with an Bristol BS1 IN A. RNLI collecting box alongside; a request is added: 'Please help yourself, but Southwell ladies' guild, Nottingham- house of Trebinshwn near Bwich, the remember to help the lifeboats.' During shire, has recently held a new fund- home of its president, Vice-Admiral Sir the past 12 months he has collected raising venture: an antique valuation Dymock Watson, KCB, CBE. £49.69 for lifeboat funds. evening. Rupert Spencer and Bazil Kemp valued about 80 items; a modest The 'ancient borough of Cowbridge' 'Dad's Army' was on parade at charge related to each item's values was and district, in the Vale of Glamorgan, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, on May 14. made which, with admissions, raised has a population of about 2,000; its Clive Dunn, Ian Lavender, John Le about £300. To add spice to the small, hard-working branch raised no Mesurier and Bill Pertwee made the occasion, a piece of silverware was less than £251 in its recent house-to- passage from Portsmouth in Bembridge discovered to value £2,000. house collection. lifeboat, Jack Shayler and the Lees, under the command of Coxswain Peter Tomatin Distillers have presented a Gainsborough ladies' guild sold nearly Smith. They were met by a crowd of cheque for £250 to the Scottish Lifeboat £200 worth of souvenirs at the two-day about 3,000 and were kept busy signing Council for the maintenance of the life- Lincolnshire Show in June. It was the autographs. Demonstrations by inshore boat station at Mallaig. first time they had taken a stand. When and offshore lifeboats and a helicopter it started to rain they just put on their from HMS Daedalus were also on the Brecon branch raised £170 during oilskins and continued in business. programme. This joint effort by Shank- the summer for RNLI funds with a coffee Eleven-year-old Andrew Sylvester of tin and Bembridge raised over £200. evening held in the historic country Hull, although he suffers from asthma, completed 30 lengths of the baths in A long, hard pull: Tug-of-war between Redcar (seen below), Teesmouth and Runswick Bay Beverley Road on a sponsored swim, lifeboat crews resulted in a win for Runswick Bay and helped raise £637 on Redcar''s lifeboat raising £100 for the RNLI. It was his day. way of saying thank you to the Withern- Photograph by courtesy of Evening Gazette, Middlesbrough sea ILB which, during the summer of 1974, rescued his 13-year-old sister, Debra, from drowning. In June last the pupils of Liscard Primary School, Wallasey, Merseyside, held a sponsored silence and a cheque for £20 was fowarded to the Wallasey ladies' guild. David Willoughby, son of the presi- dent of the Whittle-le-Woods branch, is second officer on board MV Manistee owned by Fyffes Group. In support of a coffee morning being organised by his mother, he persuaded the captain to allow him to make a collection from the crew, which amounted to £31.50. None of the crew gave less than £1. For their part in 'Operation Lifeboat' last October the Scouts of Epsom and Ewell undertook conservation work.

continued on next page

61 Photograph by courtesy of Bristol Evening Post.

Photograph by courtesy of Newbury Weekly News.

There seemed to be no end to the ideas devised for 'Operation Lifeboat', the Scouts' 'Year of the Lifeboat' project to raise H00,000 to pay for an offshore lifeboat. (Top left) Bristol South West District Cubs collected lines of coins in St Catherine's Place, Bedminster. (Above) The 5th Newbury Scout Group undertook a sponsored clean-up of Shaw-cum- Donnington cemetery, earning about 75p per boy. (Left) Kingsbridge, , Sea Scouts made a mould and built six glass-fibre double canoes, then, with a contingent from the newly formed Salcombe Sea Scout Troop, they staged a six-hour sponsored paddle in Salcombe Estuary. £600 was raised.

About 200 Scouts from Ewell took A Sea Scout Troop Barry Scout Group raised a fine £820 part in the Hogsmill clearance, clearing raised £100 by holding a sponsored as their contribution to 'Operation some 15-20 trailer loads of rubbish and canoeing event over a stretch of the Lifeboat'. Their cheque was presented raising £231. About 120 Scouts from Tyne near their riverside headquarters; to Commodore C. A. S. Colburn, Epsom cleared a large part of Epsom over a period of six hours they paddled QBE, MNI, honorary secretary of Swansea, Common of excess scrub, raising £191. a total of about 140 miles. Mumbles and District branch.

MBE It is with deep regret that we announce Lifeboat People Kenneth Hewit Mooring Aldridge, the following deaths: secretary, Weymouth branch. Mr Moor- Birthday Honours ing Aldridge was honorary treasurer of April Knights Bachelor Bournemouth branch from 1927 to 1940, Donald B. Atkinson, Scarborough John Henry Loveridge, CBE, Bailiff of honorary treasurer of Weymouth station honorary secretary from 1956 to 1970 Guernsey. Sir John is vice-president of branch from 1940 to 1950, and honorary and a life vice-president of the branch. the Guernsey branch. secretary from 1951 to 1975; he is still At his express wish, and expense, QBE an officer of the branch. lifeboatmen met for dinner on the Roy Ernest Bailhache, Jurat, Royal Mrs Mary Vera Armstrong. For services evening of his funeral. Court of Jersey. Jurat Bailhache is chair- to the Girl Guides Association. Mrs May man of the Jersey branch. Armstrong is the honorary secretary of Sir Arnet Robinson, who served the the Guide Friendship Fund, which, in RNLI as a member of the Committee of Management from 1948, as a vice- During the visit of a German lifeboat to the 'The Year of the Lifeboat', raised over Isles of Scilly last May, Colonel Sir John £25,000 for the RNLI. president from 1961 and as a life vice- Carew Pole, Bt, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, president from 1972. presented Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge BEM July with the BEM awarded to him in the New Year Gilbert Chambers, motor mechanic, John Campbell, who was coxswain of Honours List 1975. Portrush lifeboat. Mr Chambers served Portpatrick lifeboat from 1930 to 1945. with distinction as assistant mechanic He was awarded the bronze medal for from 1937 to 1939, then, after war gallantry for the service to the 520-ton service, as motor mechanic from 1947. steamer Camlough of Belfast on January He has twice been awarded the thanks 13, 1932. of the Institution inscribed on vellum: * * * for the service to MV Argo Delos on October 22, 1960, and HNorMS frigate In the spring issue of THE LIFEBOAT it Bergen on November 1, 1965. was recorded that C. Harrison had served as a crew member of Runswick * * * lifeboat for 4J years, as assistant Dr Peter Davy of Hastings was mechanic for 12 years and as coxswain awarded a silver medal for his service for 3J years. Mr Harrison, we regret to to injured seamen on December 23, report, died on May 29, 1973, while he 1974. The Council of the British Medical was coxswain, and the certificate was Association has entered his name in the presented posthumously to his widow in Association's Book of Valour. recognition of his service.

62 already a member, to purchase souvenirs HERE AND THERE. . . are very much concerned with safety at sea. They are members of the US Coast Frances Scott, honorary secretary of Guard Auxiliary and the US Power the Bournemouth branch, sailed to Squad, a teaching organisation for those Swanage in his yacht Eulali to attend interested in sailing or cruising. that station's centenary. On the return Apparently there will now be three passage, when entering Poole Harbour, cruisers in Pete's Harbour, Redwood he saw a 14' skiff, Addio, which had City, flying Shoreline flags! capsized, throwing its five occupants, a Shoreline Moreover, one of the gentlemen, who man and four children, into the water. is a director of a company organising He immediately went to the rescue and, canal boating holidays in , has with the assistance of two other boats, offered to give the RNLI as much all five people were saved. Mr Scott Section publicity as possible. landed the four children at Poole. On An exciting event which took place board Eulali were John Abbott, a FEW PEOPLE are fortunate enough to in late June, was the sailing from Poole member of Poole lifeboat crew, his work in offices with such a beautiful Quay of a trimaran named Rumpel- wife and John Atterton, deputy director view as some Head Office staff are stiltskin. A young married couple, of the RNLI. enjoying while in temporary accom- Chris and Geraldine Court, were setting * * * modation at Poole Quay. The harbour sail on a 12-month round-the-world During the summer Newquay, Corn- at Poole, which is said to be the second trip. Geraldine had worked as a graphic wall, ladies' guild started a Saturday largest natural harbour in the world, is designer with a company concerned club for old-time and modern sequence magnificent at all times of the year, but with certain RNLI artwork and, besides dancing, which is proving both popular this summer particularly the sun seems the Shoreline flag flying from the mast and great fun. It is held every Saturday to have shone endlessly and the sea has of Rumpelstiltskin, on board was a evening from 8 p.m. to 10.45 p.m. at the been alive with boats. package of posters and enrolment forms W.I. Hall, Crantock Street, and anyone The few Shoreline staff at Poole have ready for Chris and Geraldine to do a visiting Newquay who would like to naturally been watching for boats little promotional work for us on join in will be made most welcome. flying the Shoreline flags and burgees. opportune occasions! (Latest report Admission for non-members, 25p. These range from the many yachts and received is that they are now sailing * * * cruisers which moor at the quay, to happily along the Spanish coast, the local fishing and pleasure boats. next port of call being Lisbon.) Flares were sighted in the night of An owner of a pleasure boat tested Suffice to say, there are those of us January 10 and the Great Yarmouth one of the current nylon flags by flying who will indeed be reluctant to leave and Gorleston lifeboat crew were called it, in a season far less clement than this this advantageous landmark. However, out for the first time in 30 years during one has been, on daily trips around the perhaps our supporters will continue to their lifeboat ball. An extensive search bay. Only after seven months continual seek us out at our permanent address, revealed nothing and the boat returned use in testing conditions was it decided in West Quay Road—we hope so! to station. that the flag, showing hardly any sign * * * Just before their hasty departure, of wear, was suitable, and an order The main Shoreline office will be Coxswain John Bryan had presented a placed with the manufacturer. transferring from Salisbury to the new personal gift from the crew to Mrs Being in such a good location for Headquarters building at Poole at the Theresa Smellie, president of the local passers-by, the daily routine is, to our end of this year and beginning of next. ladies' guild, in appreciation of her pleasure, frequently being interrupted It will entail the movement of records lifelong work for the lifeboat service; it and equipment and changes in clerical was a ship-shore radio. to enrol new members or sell insignia to * * * existing ones. In past weeks, new staff. While we shall of course make members have been enrolled from every effort to maintain our normal The Alexandra Towing Co. gener- France, Germany, America and the service, we hope that members will ously makes an annual donation of £50 Netherlands. understand if any delay or difficulty to the RNLI in each of the ports where Two American gentlemen, who called arises.—o. R. (BOB) WALTON, Member- it operates: Liverpool, Swansea and recently, one to enrol and the other, ship Secretary. Southampton.

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

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

Total subscription Insignia payment

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

63 go down 3' below the surface, as Coxswain Tart observed, take quite a \$F- few seconds before they can float back up to the surface. While they are Tffi- submerged, the density of the sea in the '•%*I> foamy patch is less than that of ordinary *>^o/>^ sea-water, and so gives less support to a ^ , e' •>,!: !«*«£„,.-»..' »•<"•" vessel ploughing through it. As far as I R' have been able to find out, no-one has been able to measure the actual density of the water-air mixture in these patches, so we cannot say precisely how much air there is, but Coxswain Tart's Safety at sea allowing salt water to contaminate observations suggest that in places there Having just received my summer the rafts and rust the operating heads must be quite a lot below what appears copy of THE LIFEBOAT and read the and CO2 bottles. to be the turbulent surface of the sea. reported speech of John Archer at Containers with their servicing lashings During the last war there was a of 400 Ib nylon cord still round them; proposal to sink heavily-laden enemy University College, London, on 'Safety this will~retard the inflation time con- at Sea', I feel that I cannot let it pass vessels by aerating the water under them, siderably. and so making the water density too without making a few comments on it. Containers completely wrapped in Instead of saying that between the waterproof material. Why, when the low, locally, to allow them to float. This years of 1966 and 1971 lives lost at sea container is waterproof anyway ? is quite possible in principle but it may were between 49 and 140, it would have Containers lashed down to their stow- be of comfort to know that no-one was been better to have stated that at least ages with ¥ wire rope. able to think of a practical way of doing 336 people were lost, likewise with the it; certainly the magnitude of the effect figures for fishermen at least 314 were And Mr Archer claims, 'without seems too small to sink any RNLI lost, a total of 650 (these figures are complacency', that the British marine vessel even in the roughest conditions, arrived at by assuming four years at a safety record matched our great mari- but it undoubtedly contributes to the minimum of 49 and one year of 140 = time tradition and that the organisation wetting of anyone on deck. 336, and seven years at a minimum of was geared to tackle new tasks effectively. Any reports of encounters with 22 plus one year of 44, one year of 80 I wonder? Just think how much better unusual wave conditions would be and one year (Gaul) of 36 == 314). This it might have been. I am afraid that it is appreciated; I am sure that the editor makes the situation worse, but I believe a case of 'tries hard but could do would be pleased to receive them and that if he had quoted the figures for each better'.—BRIAN j. j. AHERN, Ex-RN pass them on to us.—LAURENCE DRAPER, year, the total would be far higher. I MarinejAviation Safety and Survival British Oceanographic Sciences, Brook think that he should have done so. Branch, 36 East field Avenue, Fareham, Road, Wormley, Godalming, Surrey, I agree with Mr Archer that Great Hampshire PO14 1EG. GU8 SUB Britain is engaged in a great deal of re-thinking on safety equipment, but Mr Draper is a member of the RNLI Mr Archer's lecture was in fact illus- Technical Consultative Committee.—THE thinking is not quite enough, real action trated with slides, one of which gave EDITOR. is what is required. year-by-year figures for accidental deaths The only time that safety equipment at sea in British merchant ships and is going to be of use to all seamen is fishing vessels for the years 1964 to Nautical Terms when every seaman knows not only 1973. The total deaths at sea for those I read with interest the feature on what safety equipment is carried, but years was merchant ship crews 855, nautical terms published in the spring fishing vessel crews 314. There was a note 1975 issue of THE LIFEBOAT. Would you how to use it. It is not the slightest use to say that the numbers of seafarers at teaching those who are going through please explain to me the origins of the risk ranged from some 150,000 merchant terms port and starboard in relation for promotion, because what happens seamen in 1964 to some 100,000 in to the rest of the crew if they are in- 1973, while the number of fishermen at to the sides of a ship?—c. ADAM, capacitated in an accident ? risk throughout the period ranged between Airylea, 81 Stevenston Road, Kilwinning, All seamen must be made competent some 20,000 and 25,000.—THE EDITOR. Ayrshire KA13 6LL. in liferafts, lifeboats and all forms of The following explanation was kindly survival equipment/aids and in that Air in the sea prepared for us by Dr. A. P. McGowan, order. Quite a few accidents happen so In the absorbing article by Joan MA PHD, Deputy Keeper of the National fast that the time available just doesn't Davies on the lifeboatmen of Dungeness Maritme Museum.—THE EDITOR. allow the launching of a lifeboat. The in the summer 1975 issue of THE LIFEBOAT Brandenberg (January 1971, Varne Sand- Ben Tart is quoted as saying 'you'd have The terms larboard and starboard can bank) is a very good case. Although the to ask some scientist to tell you whether, be fairly specifically traced to the fact vessel was going down so fast that she when it blows hard, there is much air that it became the convention in early sank within minutes, the crew still tried in the top 3' of the sea'. Perhaps you mediaeval times for the steering oar to launch the lifeboats, and conse- will permit some scientist to offer a few always to be at the right quarter. Thus, quently lives were lost when there was comments. it can be seen that this became known no need; had they gone for the liferafts, When waves are being generated as the steerboard side, a term later they would have had a means of sur- there is sometimes more energy being corrupted, of course, to starboard. vival within 20 seconds or so. injected into the sea than the waves can Similarly, the opposite side, which was The onboard condition of liferafts completely absorb. In effect, the accelera- always placed against the quay in order has got to be improved. Some of the tions required of the particles at the top to avoid damaging the steering oar, and, faults that I have seen over the past four of the wave are greater than that which of course, for easier manoeuvring, was years or so are: the earth's gravity can hold down, and the side of the lade board or loading so the water tends to fly off at the crest. Static lines not attached to a strong board, that is the gangway, lade board point. The fierce wind takes hold of this water later being corrupted to larboard. Sealing strips on containers peeling and hurls it down the front of the wave, Because of the confusion between the away (and in one instance, missing trapping air as it falls back into the sea. sound of the two words, the use of the altogether). The bubbles it forms, which can be an term larboard had already been com- Containers cracked and split open, thus inch or more in diameter and may well monly dropped when the Admiralty

64 Order of November 22, 1844, made the We were all very impressed with the Valentino's history. The name May- use of the term port mandatory aboard service and with the lifeboat herself. flower recorded by Lloyd's was the first warships. However, the use of the term It is carnival time with us again. You name she was given after she was port for the left-hand side of the ship will remember our carnival comimttee converted for private use. When Ellis was itself quite old then, since it appears donated £50 to the RNLI last year. built her she was named Hearts of Oak and she was stationed at Sea Palling in many early 17th-century manuscripts. On carnival day I decorated my on the Norfolk coast. Its origin is obscure, but that which I bicycle with everything to do with the 'Hearts of Oak was a Norfolk and have always favoured is the simple one RNLI that I could lay my hands on. A Suffolk type lifeboat, a class which was that when coming alongside or when yachting friend lent me his outfit, which developed from the East Anglian beach lying alongside, since the starboard side was the right colour, and with RNLI yawls which carried out rescue work was outboard, the inboard side might embroidered across my chest I tried to before the RNLI came into being, and well often have been referred to as the look like a lifeboat man. There were which in turn were the successors of the port side, since it was the side closest about 20 floats, but I was the only Scandinavian 'yols' which raided these to the quay. decorated bicycle so there was no same shores long ago. Valentina is, therefore deep-rooted in history and, as Since this word was already currently competition, which was a pity. she is possibly the last of her line still in understood to mean the same as lar- Adrian Love, son of Geoff Love of active commission, you can see how board it was presumably the obvious BBC fame, was our compere for the pleasing it is to have been able to add a word to use, as it became apparent carnival. He called for me to go to the photograph of her to our collection. that larboard was potentially dangerous. rostrum and asked for £1 notes for the 'Just to round out the story, you may —A. P. MCGOWAN, Deputy Keeper, Head RNLI. I told him he mustn't, but the like to know that when she was on of Department of Ships, National Mari- carnival treasurer said it was all right. station at Palling Hearts of Oak assisted time Museum, Greenwich, London, SEW It was fantastic. £1 notes were handed 13 vessels and saved 190 lives between 9NF. in. Then Adrian Love offered his T- 1893 and 1917 when she was sold.' shirt for £5. At once a £5 note was We maintain Valentina permanently handed over and off came his shirt. He in seagoing order, and usually manage a To fellow members . . . called to his friend to sell his shirt and summer cruise in the Thames Estuary. For the third or fourth time I have another £5 was added, and so it went on She's a wonderful old lady and fully read and thoroughly enjoyed the sum- until £50 was collected. I stood there qualified to wear your flag.—L. j. mer edition of THE LIFEBOAT. As an bewildered by it all. GREENLAND, MY Valentino, Taggs Island, offshore member of Shoreline I receive It was a very hot day and I nearly Hampton, Middlesex. this publication each quarter and it is melted away in that waterproof suit, with deep distress (excuse the pun) that with no ventilation, but I am none the I find that it has become another worse for it now.—PHYLLIS REDDICK, victim of inflation. Burgh of Glasgow Sunnyside, 35 St Lukes Road, Old Glasgow as a Burgh is disappearing Well, I do not want a book with less Windsor, Berkshire SLA 2QL after 800 years and I would like to take pages or 'summat for nowt', as they say, this opportunity of thanking you and and I feel that we members should do something about it. When I renew my This letter was sent to Anthony Oliver, your predecessors for all that you have district organising secretary (Southern). contributed towards the well-being of membership in future I will be including Miss Reddick has been organising lifeboat the city. an extra thirty bob to cover the cost of collections in Old Windsor since 1938.— In particular I wish to thank you for the magazines and also the postage THE EDITOR. all the help you have given to me as which has also gone sky high. Lord Provost. Come on, members. We are a vast Ex-Norfolk and Suffolk Lifeboat I am sure that the good relationship body now. This is what it is all about and I should very much like to join your which has existed in the past will con- what we are here for. An extra three- excellent cause, and become a member tinue with the new authorities.— pence per week cannot anywhere be of Shoreline. WILLIAM GRAY. more deserved or have such high value. Your committee may well be inter- —RAYMOND p. TOPLIS, Shoreline member ested in our permanent home, Valentino, G. E. Paton, secretary of Glasgow 59898, 10 Durham Street, Ilkeston, ex-Mayflower, as she is one of the branch, received this letter last May from Derbyshire. oldest RNLI lifeboats still in commission Sir William Gray, Lord Provost, of and registered at Lloyd's. Her history Glasgow.—THE EDITOR. Thank you, Mr Top/is.—THE EDITOR. from 1893 when she was built to date is proudly exhibited by the Port of Lowestoft Research Society, whose A Box Secretary's Story Lifeboat Bicycle chairman, L. W. Moore, wrote to me: Our committee has now been in First to say how much we enjoyed our existence for one year under a chairman day at Portsmouth for the handing over 'Now I am pleased to be able to add with many years of RNLI fund raising ceremony of Hampshire Rose on June 1, something to your knowledge of behind him. I was elected box secretary and launched in all my innocence. To those who find themselves in similar circumstances perhaps an account of my experiences may be useful. The district is thinly populated over a wide area; it was necessary, therefore, to saturate the 80 square miles with collecting boxes, and a total of 84 were placed, mainly in public houses, during the first six weeks. It soon became apparent that some publicans were dis- illusioned with charities as a whole, since boxes had been left with no name Valentina, an ex-Norfolk and Suffolk lifeboat: when or address, and frequently we found built in 1893 she was that moneys had not been collected for named Hearts of Oak and two or three years. So motivation and stationed at Sea became a prime objective, and to this Palling. end a point was made of labelling each

65 box and entering the name and address hotels and shops; and even one in a Kind as well as courageous in the log book in their presence. I felt dentist's waiting room, where the Recently while on holiday at Cromer, it would encourage enthusiasm if I children prefer the 'launcher', much to Norfolk, I found myself in an awkward called at least four times on everyone our advantage. The few factories here position, only to find myself 'rescued' in the first year, and this was done, so are also proving helpful during flag by the cosxwain and mechanic of the obviating the implied criticism, and the week. Cromer lifeboat. constant attention seems to be increasing All this effort has proved to be well On Tuesday, July 29, I had travelled our take month by month. worthwhile, with a total for the year from Cromer to Gorleston by bus so 'Why not nationalise?' was the oft- from collecting boxes of £801. Our main that I would be able to see the naming of asked question, which I answered with contributor has been C. Spackman, of Gorleston's new Atlantic 21. Awards another question: 'How do you the Swan Hotel, Pangbourne. His for the Biscaya service were presented, nationalise volunteers?' I need hardly never-ending enthusiasm has resulted in and then the Lowestoft lifeboat arrived. say that everywhere I have emphasised donations amounting to £292 since our As the service progressed I noticed that the voluntary service throughout the start, and a grateful committee has now some of the Caister VRS whom I knew RNLI resulting in very low overheads presented him with a plaque to com- were seated in front of me, and, as the and that all, but all, moneys are sent memorate his achievement. —NORMAN service ended they came over and to HQ. CLIVE, honorary box secretary Pang- invited me to visit their boat. Collecting boxes are now perma- bourne branch, 29 Hillside, Whitchurch, After tea, with all the crews, officials nently ensconced in golf clubs, pubs, Pangbourne, Berkshire. and other visitors, they took me off in their car, but we arrived to find the rescue boat at sea off Hemsby. After visiting the house of 'Skipper' Wood- house and waiting for the boat to return, I was taken to the bus stop for my trip home. But, unfortunately, the bus had gone and I was stranded. After a very long walk I found myself about 18 miles from Cromer, in a small village called Ingham at about 2245. I found a telephone box, and to my horror I discovered that I knew only one Cromer telephone number, that of Mr H. T. 'Shrimp' Davies, coxswain of the lifeboat. He told me not to worry and he would see what he could do. At about 0015 he arrived in Mr Ralph Amey's car (Motor Mechanic of the lifeboat), and I returned with the two Photograph by courtesy of George E. Gregory. lifeboatmen, to the relief of my parents. And as my father rightly said that INSHORE LIFEBOATS for Hastings, as well as representatives morning when we met them, not many from Minets and the RNLI. people would have done that, especially AT HASTINGS on May 17 (above) a D A big crowd (below) gathered at at that time of night. class ILB, the cost of which had been Hayling Island on August 2 when the I now know that lifeboatmen are not given by J. H. Minet and Co., was new joint RNLI/HISRrO ILB station just courageous and brave, but also presented to the station by E. G. was opened by Frank Judd, Under kind and considerate, and I would like Denman (left), Managing Director of Secretary for Defence for the Navy. to take this opportunity to thank again the Marine Division of Minets, and Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, Mr Davies and Mr Amey for what they accepted by their honorary secretary, representing the Committee of Manage- did for me on that Tuesday night late in J. J. Adams. The boat was named ment, delivered the new Atlantic 21 to July.—PAUL RUSSELL (aged 16), 24 Minette by Mrs Joy Denman. Taking the care of Hayling Island branch. After Pirton Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire part in the ceremony were the Mayor of a service of dedication, the ILB was SG5 2BD. Hastings and Kenneth Warren, member launched to give a demonstration afloat. Old lifeboat fittings The Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society Cromer and District Research Group has recently acquired a Weyburn petrol engine and the wheelhouse canopy from the old Caister lifeboat Jose Neville, ON 834. These are to be renovated and both mounted on a trailer and used for fund raising on lifeboat days. However, many parts are required to complete the job. The main objects required are instruments, bulkhead door, port light, compass and a lot of brasswork. If anyone can help out with some of these parts I should be glad to hear from them. I would also like to hear from anyone who has old lifeboat parts that they would be willing to pass on for preservation.—FRANK H. MUIR- HEAD, 43 Howards Hill West, Cromer, m Norfolk NR27 9BH. 66 such a confusing field and a resolute one the facts—and disposing of many of the who emerges with a readable and fantasies. informed book. In The Price of Charities Mr Gallagher writes of the RNLI BOOK (Robert Hall, £3.80) J. P. Gallagher has that 'it has been running with supreme gathered plenty of information but efficiency for 150 years and it would be REVIEWS drawn few conclusions. At the same time freely admitted in Whitehall that no he has dispelled many popular fallacies Government in Britain could afford to do —just as most people have a pet charity the job so well'. He also states that • Medical Aid at Accidents, by Roger it seems that also they have a pet 'compared with many charities the Snook, MD (Update Publications, complaint about charity and it is seen RNLI's annual accounts are veritable £5.75) is probably the only compre- that very few of these are valid. models of honesty and clarity'.—R.K. hensive book on the subject and covers The first part of the book deals with all types of incident from under water generalities: what defines a charity, how • Two new most interesting station to mountain top, though naturally the much money is given, where it comes histories, well illustrated and containing accent is on road traffic accidents. from and the involvement of the law detailed records, have been published Though primarily for doctors, it is not and the Charity Commissioners. In the recently: The History of the Barmouth too technical and with the glossary it is second half the author examines a few Lifeboats 1828-1974 by J. P. Morris, within the range of all those involved. charities in depth (including the RNLI) available from Mrs D. M. Forrester- It is full of practical tips and useful and reviews their purpose, funding and Addie, Nantglas, Barmouth, Gwynedd, information, well written and well operation. In a world where controversy price 35p, post 8p; and The History of arranged. thrives it is interesting to see no major Jersey's Lifeboats by Ian G. Moignard, Some of the illustrations are too small criticism in these accounts, perhaps, available from Mr Moignard, 16 Beach to show the detail needed and it is a one hopes, because the charities Crescent, St Clement, Jersey, CI, price pity that more advantage was not taken examined are administered efficiently. 65p, post lOp (cheques should be made of the larger pages, but of course this Nobody really knows how many payable to 'I. G. Moignard re Jersey would have increased the cost. Because charities there are or how much money Lifeboat History'). this subject is advancing so rapidly this they raise, but with over 1,000 new ones book will be out of date fairly soon, but registered every year and many millions it is to be hoped that the publishers will of pounds going their way it is certainly In the spring issue of THE LIFEBOAT live up to their name and produce up- time that everyone knew a little more an article was published on the develop- dated editions in the future.—G.H. about the subject. There are at least ment of the Arun class from which, three separate committees studying unfortunately, the name of the designer • A full analysis of charities would charities and charity law at the moment of the hull was omitted. The prototype probably need a computer to assimilate and it will be interesting to see their was of course designed by J. A. the facts and an encyclopaedia to record conclusions. Meanwhile, Mr Gallagher's McLachlan, FRINA, of G. L. Watson them. It is a brave man who wades into book is a good way of learning some of and Co., Glasgow.

timbers will be two skins of African An eye for detail mahogany planking, laid diagonally at 60° to each other: the inner planking f *, IN LIFEBOAT DESIGN the outer J". Each plank is shaped to a radiused template so that it fits exactly LOOKING AT a lifeboat when housed, The cant, which can be seen coming to the curve of the timbers, and is perhaps the first design detail to catch from the sternpost, forms the outer fastened with clenched copper nails, 3" the eye is the propeller and its tunnel. edge of the tunnel. It has to be shaped centres. Each of the twin propellers is housed in in two planes, the curve running fore a tunnel built into the stern, the and aft as well as vertically; it also has Note the square trunks (centre of principal aims being shallow draft and to be rebated to receive the timbers of photographs) through which a tool can protection for the propellers. Most the tunnel and the boat's planking. This be used to free the propeller should it be lifeboats have tunnels. They vary in cant is shaped, with handsaw and adze, fouled by rope or wreckage during a depth, depending on the class of life- from two solid baulks of African service. Note, too, the strips of calico boat; their construction (seen in the mahogany scarphed together. The curv- laid temporarily along the joints of the photographs of a 48" 6" Oakley lifeboat ed timbers of the tunnel, 2" by li" Eng- deadwood (left); soaked in linseed oil, below) calls for the work of an excep- lish oak, are bent to shape round a jig they will keep the joints tight until the tionally skilled boatbuilder. before being fitted to the boat. Over the time comes to paint the boat.

67 By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Pot Control & Timber Preservation Services & Products An admittedly FOR MARITIME ORGANISATIONS YACHTSMEN AND HARD WEAR modest our FOUL WEATHER GARMENTS quid pro quo are BRITISH DESIGNED You save lives. We save buildings. Including, we're pleased to say, many BRITISH MADE R.N.L.I. stations. from We are proud to serve you in our small way-just as you, in your big BRITISH MATERIALS way, serve others. and Manufactured in our own Factory EVETT SAILWEAR LTD. TIMBER HALL WORKS BENTOKIL THE SQUARE guards your property CATERHAM, SURREY, CR3 6QA Felcourt, EastGrinstead, Sussex RH19 2JY. Tel: Caterham (STD 0883) 44433 & 48704

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68 rough sea; it was low water. As soon Clovelly, North Devon Lifeboat Services as she rounded Garrison Point the cabin April 27. Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork (from page 46) cruiser was sighted in broken water near the outfall groynes. The lifeboat May 25. Cromer, Norfolk cruiser, carrying a crew of two, on was taken in downwind, just touching March 14. passage from Christchurch to Torquay. bottom, about 30' from the casualty. Donaghadee, Co. Down Her position at the time of interception A line was thrown aboard and her crew March 9. was 7 nautical miles south east by south were told to cut the anchor warp. Helen Dover, Kent of the station on a bearing of 137°. She Turnbull then went astern into deeper May 3, 17, 28 and 29. had been drifting all night with engine water, where the tow was reconnected Dungeness, Kent failure and fired her only flare just to the stern of the lifeboat. The cabin March 31. cruiser, together with her crew of three, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin before dawn as she did not know her April 21, 30, May 20 and 24. exact position off shore. were brought safely to Sheerness at 0829. Eastbourne, Sussex One of the lifeboat's crew was put on May 17 and 23. board the cabin cruiser, a tow-rope was Filey, North Yorkshire secured and she was brought safely back April 5. to Brixham Harbour. The lifeboat North Western Division Fishguard, Dyfed returned to her station by 0830. March 22, 27 and May 26. Flamborough, Humberside Jammed gears March 24 and May 26. Western Division Fleetwood, Lancashire MOELFRE HONORARY SECRETARY W3S March 26. informed by the Coastguard at 1537 on Fowey, Cornwall Exhausted canoeist Sunday, March 30, that a 14' open April 1. speedboat with a 25 hp engine, carrying Hastings, Sussex WHILE ON EXERCISE at 1615 on Friday, a crew of four, had broken down, her April 13. June 20, Port Talbot ILB crew saw gears jammed, 2| nautical miles south Holyhead, Gwynedd May 10, 13 and 27. people on the tip of the breakwater who south east of the station. were indicating that someone was in Howth, Co. Dublin The ILB was launched at 1545 on an April 27. distress in the heavy surf on its seaward ebbing tide in fair weather with good side. There was a fresh south-westerly Humhcr, Humberside visibility. The sea was choppy to rough March 10, 13, 26, 29 and 30. breeze and a moderate sea with heavy and a fresh breeze was blowing from , Devon surf; it was high water. the north. April 1. The ILB found an exhausted canoeist, The speedboat was reached by 1554. Islay, Sfrat/iclyde within feet of the breakwater rocks, While manoeuvring in the surf and May 1. clinging to his capsized canoe with a surf- helping the survivors on board, the ILB Kilmore, Co. Wexford bather trying to support him. He was suffered damage to her buoyancy tank May 8. Kirkcudbright, and Galloway taken aboard the ILB and his canoe but managed to take the four people taken in tow. In a matter of minutes he April 28. safely back to the boathouse, where Kirkwall, Orkney was landed on the lee side of the break- transport home was arranged for them. water and soon recovered after being March 3. Their speedboat was left on a sandbank Lerwick, Shetland given a hot drink at the boathouse. The to be recovered when she refloated. The April 2. ILB then continued on exercise. ILB returned to station by 1605. Lizard Cadgwith, Cornwall March 28. Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Scotland South Division March 5 and April 28. MacdurT, Grampian Services by Offshore April 13 and May 15. Sick Girl Mallaig, Highland Lifeboats, March, March 15 and 21. THE DOCTOR at Armadale asked Mallaig Margate, Kent honorary secretary at 1400 on Friday, April and May, 1975 March 10, 14, April 23 and May 20. March 21, if the lifeboat would take a Moelfre, Gwynedd sick girl from Sleat Point to Armadale Aberdeen, Grampian May 25. Pier. The 52' Barnett lifeboat EMM. March 7. Newcastle, Co. Down Gordon Cubbin slipped her moorings at Aith, Shetland May 10. 1410 in a strong south-westerly breeze, April 23. New Quay, Dyfed Angle, Dyfed April 8. moderate sea and ebbing tide with a May 11 and 14. North Sunderland, Northumberland doctor and nurse on board. Having Baltimore, Co. Cork March 10. successfully completed the service she April 8. Padstow, Cornwall returned to her station at 1700. Barra Island, Western Isles April 7 and 29. March 22 and April 10. Penlee, Cornwall Barry Dock, South Glamorgan March 11, May 24 and June 8. March 8, 30, April 26, 27, May 13, 23, 26 Peterfiead, Grampian Eastern Division and 29. March 9, May 6 and 24. Beaumaris, Gwynedd Plymouth, Devon Engine failure April 27 and May 26. March 29. Bembridge, Isle of Wight Poole, Dorset A MESSAGE came from Warden Point March 14. March 11, April 19, May 17, 23 and 24. Coastguard to Sheerness honorary secre- Bridlington, Humberside Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd tary at 0752 on Monday, May 26, to May 19. May 18. say that a cabin cruiser had broken down Buckie, Grampian Portrush, Co. Antrim near the outfall buoy and groynes half March 6 and April 6. March 9. Calshot, Hampshire Pwllheli, Gwynedd a mile east of Garrison Point. The April 13 and May 26. May5. people on board were waving. Campbeltown, Strathclyde Ramsey, Isle of Man The 44' Waveney lifeboat Helen March 30. March 1 and April 9. Turnbull slipped her moorings at 0804 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Ramsgate, Kent and set out in a force 7 north wind and April 6 and 12. May 12.

69 Redcar, Cleveland Arran (Lamlash), Strathclyde Mudeford, Dorset May 3. May 11, 24 and 31. April 28. Rhyl, Clwyd Atlantic College, South Glarmogan The Mumbles, West Glamorgan March 27. April 20, May 20 and 29. May 6. Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford Bangor, Gwynedd New Brighton, Merseyside May 23. May 19. April 26, May 7, 25, 28, 30 and 31 (twice) Kunswick, Cleveland Barmouth, Gwynedd New Quay, Dyfed March 28 and April 12. April 27, May 27 (twice) and 30. April 16, May 25 and 27 (twice). St Helier, Jersey Barrow, Cumbria Newquay, Cornwall March 22, 29 and 31. March 31, May 26 (twice), 27 and 31. April 19 and 26. St Ives, Cornwall Beaumaris, Gwynedd North Sunderland, Northumberland March 7, 8, 11, 18 and May 18. March 10, 15, May 6, 10 and 25. April 20. St Mary's, Isles of Scilly Berwick-upon-Tweed Oban, Strathclyde March 27. May 31. May 15. St Peter Port, Guernsey Blackpool, Lancashire Peel, Isle of Man March 29, 30, April 6,8,20,21 and May 26. May 20, 27 and 30. May 6. Salcombe, Devon Borth, Dyfed Plymouth, Devon May 1. March 31 and May 8. May 19, 24 and 31. Scarborough, North Yorkshire Bridlington, Humberside Poole, Dorset May 17. March 31, April 15, 27, May 14, 23 and 26. May 7, 11, 17 and 24. Seaham, Co. Durham Broughty Ferry, Tayside Porthcawl, Mid-Glamorgan March 24. March 9. April 25, May 10, 17, 25, 27 and 28. Selsey, Sussex Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex Port Isaac, Cornwall April 8 and 12. May 1, 25 and 26. April 27, 29, May 3 and 20. Sheerness, Kent Burry Port, Dyfed Port St Mary, Isle of Man March 1,2,25, April 8,23, 26, May 5(twice), April 23 and May 6. April 13. 7, 25 and 26. Cardigan, Dyfed Port Talbot, West Glamorgan Shoreham Harbour, Sussex March 31 and April 27. April 6, 20 and 27. March 23. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Pwllheli, Gwynedd Stornoway, Western Isles March 29, April 3 and 27. May 26 and 28. March 6 and 17. Conwy, Gwynedd Queensferry, Forth Stromness, Orkney March 15, 22, 30, May 11, 26 and 28. April 5 (twice), 6 and 17. March 20 and April 8. Craster, Northumberland Ramsgate, Kent Sunderland, Co. Durham April 20. April 13, 27 and May 1. April 12. Criccieth, Gwynedd Redcar, Cleveland Swanage, Dorset April 3, May 7, 24 and 27. April 20 (twice) and 26. March 2,17, 28, April 13, 17, 24, 28, May 1, Eastbourne, Sussex Rhyl, Clwyd 14, 18,26, 30 and 31. April 11, May 26 and 28. April 13. Tenby, Dyfed Eastney, Hampshire St Abbs, Borders May 26 (twice) and 27. March 2, 20, April 6, May 6, 11 and 26 May 19. Thurso, Highland (twice). St Agnes, Cornwall March 9. Filey, North Yorkshire May 25 and 31 Torbay, Devon April 1, May 15, 20 and 25. St Ives, Cornwall March 12, April 4 and 8. Fleetwood, Lancashire April 11, May 18, 24 and 28. Troon, Strathclyde April 3, May 26 and 28. Scarborough, North Yorkshire April 10 and 19. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk April 13 and May 18. , Tyne and Wear March 24, April 9, 21 and 29. Selsey, Sussex April 13. Hartlepool, Cleveland May 11 (twice) and 25. Valentia, Co. Kerry April 26. Sheerness, Kent March 22. , Essex April 12 (twice) and May 12, Walmer, Kent March 5. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex May 7 and 14. Hastings, Sussex March 25, April 14,17, May, 17 24, 26 (four Walton and Frinton, Essex March 23, 28, April 24, May 14 and 26. times) and 27. March 14, 15 and April 28. Hayling Island, Hampshire Silloth, Cumbria Wells, Norfolk March 16, 30, April 5, May 3, 6, 10, 26 March 30, 31 and May 25. May 16. (four times) and 28. Southwold, Suffolk Weymouth, Dorset Kinghorn, Forth April 5 and 24 (twice). April 1, May 7 and 14. April 20 and May 6. Stonehaven, Grampian Whitby, North Yorkshire Kippford, Dumfries and Galloway May 11. March 20, 21, 26, April 4, 13, 14, 26, May April 18. Tenby, Dyfed 14, 21, 22, 29 and 31. Largs, Strathclyde March 29, 30, May 11 and 26 (twice). Wick, Highland March 8, 9, 14, April 2, 7 and May 25. Torbay, Devon April 28 and May 4. Littlehampton, Sussex March 31. Wicklow, Co. Wicklow March 28, April 14, 17, 20, May 12, 16, 18 Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd March 21 and June 2. and 26 (three times). March 31, May 10, 17, 20 and 27. Workington, Cumbria Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear April 6, May 12 and 16. March 1, 31, May 11 and 24. April 13 and May 11. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight Llandudno, Gwynedd Walmer, Kent April 19. April 13, 14, 20 and May 24. March 30 and April 20. Lyme Regis, Dorset Wells, Norfolk March 9, 27, April 10, May 11 (twice), 17 May 26. and 27. West Kirby, Merseyside Services by Inshore Lymington, Hampshire May 30. March 30 (twice). West Mersea, Essex Lifeboats, March, Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire March 15, 30, April 6, 25, 27, May 3, 4 and April 11 and May 10. 26. April and May, 1975 Margate, Kent Weston-super-Mare, Avon March 29, April 12, 29 and May 3. March 28, 29, April 20 and May 15. Aberdovey, Gwynedd Minehead, Somerset Whitstable, Kent March 31, April 2, 4, May 10, 11 and 27. April 5 and May 14 (twice). April 27, May 3 and 15. Abersoch, Gwynedd Moelfre, Gwynedd Withernsea, Humberside April 11, 27 and May 27. March 30 and May 26. May 10 and 11. Aberystwyth, Dyfed Morecambe, Lancashire Yarmouth, Isle of Wight May 31. May 18. April 28.

70 Twin Mermaid Type 595 TP TURBO-PLUS Marine Diesels now installed in this craft. To be followed by similar installations in new 44 foot Steel Lifeboats

Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd Mermaid THAMES MARINA THAMES DITTON SURREY Telephone: 01-398 6802 and 6159

Zodiac, the best inflatable in the world. Zodiac is Number One. Built by the oldest and As a fast yacht tender, ski-boat, sub-aqua boat or best known inflatable manufacturers in the world, an honest-to-goodness runabout, the Zodiac range Zodiac innatables confirm their pedigree, as soon from 7' 3" to 19 feet provides all the correct as the going gets tough. answers. Life Saving professionals., explorers in remote UK Concessionaires:— places and the military turn to Zodiac for their University Marine Ltd., Silverdale Road, HAYES, Middx. needs. In the cut and thrust of racing, Zodiac Tel: 01-573 8311 keep ahead of the rest - particular)- in rugged Please send me your full colour brochure and price list describing \ conditions. the 1975 range of Zodiac inflatable;. NAME ADDRESS L/io

71 Index to Advertisers TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Birds Eye Foods Inside Back Cover Brooke Marine Outside Back Cover When your organisation holds its next fund raising effort at a Chilprufe 68 carnival, fete, donkey derby, boat show or similar activity you Cogswell & Harrison Ltd 72 can make an additional £200 in a few hours by running a Teddy Bears Picnic. No financial risk as all stock is supplied at Gardner Engines 38 wholesale price on full sale or return, nothing to pay until Evett Sailwear Ltd 68 after the event, then you pay for what you use, return the Functional Clothing Inside Front Cover balance. Send for full details giving Club/Guild name and David Jolly 72 status to: Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd 71 V. WEBSTER (DEPT LB) Neco Marine Ltd 68 BRINELL WAY Rentokil 68 HARFREYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE Tiller Master (David Jolly) ... 72 University Marine Ltd (Zodiac) 71 GREAT YARMOUTH V. Webster 72 NORFOLK NR3I OLU C. P. Witter Ltd 72

TROPHIES SMALL VESSEL DELIVERIES CLASSIFIEDS RACE SETS—MAINSAILS—DINGHYS TREVOR VINCETT Yacht Deliveries. FUND RAISING —CUPS. W. & E. Astin, 7 Westerley Lane, BoT Yachtmaster. Prompt professional Shelley, Huddersfield. Kirkburton 2368. Fund raising with 200% PROFIT ON service by sea. Sail or power. Dartmouth OUTLAY! Send stamp for catalogue of For all types of Trophy Cups, Medals, Yacht Services. Mayors Avenue, Dart- imprinted ball-pens and 20 other quick- Medallions, Shields and Statuettes, Sports mouth, Devon. Tel: (080-43) 2035. sellers. Provincial Supplies, 1 Gardenfleld Prizes, Fancy Goods, Carnival Hats, Lane, Berkhampstead, Herts. Balloons, Novelties, Fund-raisers. All Advertising pencils, superb ballpens, combs, requirements for CHILDREN'S CHRIST- MAS PARTIES supplied. ALSO NOW diaries, each gold stamped Lifeboat name, INSURANCE etc., raise funds, quickly, easily. Bran Tub AVAILABLE TO CLUB MEMBERS, Toys: samples from Northern Novelties, Lounge, Dining and Bedroom Suites, FOR ALL INSURANCE, Phone, Call or Bradford BD1 3HE. Carpets. All types of light fittings and shades, etc., ALL AT WHOLESALE Write J. A. Harrison (Brokers) Ltd, BOAT TRANSPORT TRADE PRICES. Send for our 64-page 'Security House', 160-161 Bromsgrove MUSTANG MARINE (Burnham-on- catalogue. SWINNERTONS LTD., Dept. Street, Birmingham B5 6NY. Telephone: Crouch). Reliable road transport up to 38'. LB, UNION STREET, WALSALL WS1 021-692 1245 (10 lines). For keenest rates, Maldon (Essex) 782362. 2HJ. service and security.

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Regretfully £235 as SOLAR and WIND from 1st January 1976 BATTERY CHARGERS AVAILABLE DAVID JOLLY DYNALITE FLASHES 3 Little Russel, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JD. Tel.: 020 122 2142 The world's most powerful flashlight, specially Imported from the U.S.A. This six-cell flashlight is 80,000 candle power made of strong plastic, and unconditionally guaranteed for one year. This is an Ideal outdoor light for every purpose Including signalling. As sold to, and tested by the TOWIN6 Royal National Life-boat Institution. Also ap- proved by the Game Conservancy. Will go to a BRACKETS depth of 30ft and remain 100% waterproof.

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