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

VOL. XXIV.—No. 276.] MAY, 1922. [PRICE Gd.

Annual Meeting. THE Ninety-eighth Annual General taries), and Lieut.-Colonel A. S. Murray, Meeting of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- O.B.E. (District Organising Secretary BOAT INSTITUTION was held at Caxton for Greater London). Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday, 29th The CHAIRMAN : Lord Waldegrave, ladies March, 1922, at 3 P.M., the Right Hon and gentlemen, in presenting to you the Stanley Baldwin, M.P., President of Annual Report of THE ROYAL NATIONAL the Board of Trade, in the Chair LIFE-Bo AT INSTITUTION, I assume we may Among those present were :—The Ear take that Report as read ; but, in accordance with custom, it is my duty to say a few words Waldegrave, P.O. (Chairman of. the on the adoption of that Report, as an intro- Committee of Management), Sir God- duction to the proceedings to-day. frey Baring, Bt. (Deputy-Chairman oi I think it is one of the few agreeable facts in the Committee of Management), and the life of a public man that he is on occasion allowed to be present at a meeting of this kind, Lady Baring, the Right Hon. Sir Donald and to support, however inadequately, one Maclean, K.B.E., M.P., Admiral the of the most noble and self-sacrificing works Hon. Sir Stanley Colville, G.C.B., that are carried on in the country. I do not G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., Lieut. T. W. Moore, suppose you could have chosen one who has less first-hand knowledge of the subject, but, C.B.B., F.R.G.S., R.N.R. (Secretary of on the other hand, I am convinced that you the Imperial Merchant Service Guild), could have chosen no one to whom your Commander Sir Harry Mainwaring, Bt., appeal comes with a greater seriousness. R.N.V.R., the American Consul-General, I do not propose to talk to you to-day about your own Institution, because you know far the Mayor and Mayoress of Paddington, more about it than I. But I do want to say the Mayor and Mayoress of Wimbledon, something to encourage you to go on with the Mayor and Mayoress of Bermondsey, your work and to encourage the people of this Major Sir Maurice Cameron, K.C.M.G., country to support that work as they ought to do. the Hon. George Colville, Sir John G. There are certain facts connected with Life- Gumming, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Mr. Thomas boat work that ought to make your work easy. B. Gabriel, Engineer Vice-Admiral Sir In the first place, wherever an Englishman George G. Goodwin, K.C.B., Mr. Harry lives, whether on the coast or inland, some knowledge and a real love of the sea enter Hargood, O.B.E., Sir Woodburn Kirby, into his very being. I notice to-day a letter Brigadier-General Noel M. Lake, C.B., in one of the popular daily papers, in which a, Mr. John F. Lamb, Mr. Herbert F. man writes to explain the interest which Lancashire, Colonel Sir A. Henry Mc- people take in the Boat Race as arising from the fact that we are a nation to whom any- Mahon, G.C.M.G, G.C.V.O, K.C.I.E., thing connected with water appeals. In the C.S.I., Commander Francis Fitzpatrick same way, if you can imagine such a thing as Tower, R.N.V.R., Mr. W. Fortescue the literature of our country from the earliest Barratt (Hon. Secretary of the Civil time; from which all reference to the sea was taken, our literature would sink from being Service Life-boat Fund), Miss Alice the greatest in the world to one of the most Marshall (Hon. Secretary, Oxford poverty-stricken. You have only to consider Branch), Commander Thomas Holmes, just for a moment how the very language of R.N. (late Chief Inspector of Life-boats), the sea has become part and parcel of our mother tongue. There is not one among us Mr. George F. Shee, M.A. (Secretary who does not use maritime phrases in his daily of the Institution), Captain Howard F. ife, without for a moment thinking that to be J. Rowley, C.B.E., R.N. (Chief Inspector the case. Take the work that my friend of Life-boats), Commander Stopford Sir Donald Maclean and I do, and just think For a moment; did any Government ever come C. Douglas, R.N. (Deputy Chief In- into power in this country save under the spector of Life-boats), Mr. P. W. Gidney nfluence of a fair wind ? When Ministers and Mr. Charles Vince (Assistant Secre- irst come in they are apt to be free and easy 266 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. —another nautical phrase—but if they do not things ; but I am sure that the heart of Eng- attend to their work, they may be taken aback land recognises that there was no courage —another seafaring phrase—and such Ministers shown in the war superior to that shown by very soon find themselves in deep water. those men who went out to sea again and again What Government has ever been in power and again to bring this country her food, the more than a few months before it begins to means of carrying on the war, and who went tack ? It tacks again and again until it gets out to clear the seas for those who were per- into heavy seas, and ultimately, whether I or forming those functions. The mere recollec- Sir Donald Maclean belong to the Government, tion of those days ought to make all who sur- the ultimate fate of that Government is a vived that awful time only too thankful that wreck — with no Life-boat to save it! they have an opportunity given to them to (laughter). show their gratitude in a practical form. Now, not only have you got this inbred love Now, such being the ground in which you of the people for the sea to ground your appeal have to work, and such being the material on, but you have another thing connected very with which you have to deal, there ought to closely with our national character. That is, be no difficulty in this country, even in these that your system is a voluntary system. Deep times of depression, in your succeeding in down in the very fibres of our being we are getting all that you require, not only for the individualists and voluutaryists, and that is preservation of your service, but for the equip- why our people in some ways are hard to ment of that service with the very best boats govern. I always think the basis of that obtainable at the present day. grumbling which goes on year in and year out For that purpose you have an organisa- against any Government which exists in this tion which I imagine covers most of the country arises from the fact that there is no country. I know that in a town near where I individual man or woman in England or live at home, in the heart of England, the Scotland but feels that he or she could govern collection goes on steadily and well, under the the country a great deal better than those who auspices of the Mayor, for the Life-boat Insti- are in office. tution ; and there ought to be no town in All the best work that is done in our country England where such collections are not held. is either voluntary or not done for money. I am glad to see, too, that you have enlisted The great life-saving services of the country, in your support the Women's Committees, whether they be the services rendered by the which I hope may cover the country, because Life-boats or the services rendered by the that is work for which they are peculiarly Hospitals, are founded mainly on a voluntary fitted, and their work ought to bring in a rich basis. The greatest professions that help our reward. country in all departments do not look to Before leaving this subject, there is just one pecuniary rewards for their remuneration. thing I should like to say, and that is this : There is no profession which renders such ! that I have been very much struck, in looking service to humanity as the medical, and how through your Report and Accounts, to see how much of that is rendered free of charge ! As meagre the support is which you receive from to the services that are rendered to this country the shipping trade in this country. I feel con- (such as they are) by our public men, whatever vinced that there must be some reason for the ambitions may be that move them, they this. The shipping trade is a great trade and are not ambitions to make a fortune. The a generous trade, and has never been behind last kind of service by which a man in England the other great trades in this country in sup- (and it is fortunate that it is so) could make a porting charitable objects, and, in particular, fortune is by rendering public service, whether in lending magnificent help to the charities it is of a national or of a local kind. And so connected with shipping. I feel convinced it is that the spirit which animates your that it only requires, shall I say, some better Institution and those who work for it, finds co-ordination between them and ourselves to itself in the closest consonance with the very achieve the result desired, and a result which best spirit that actuates the best life, both ought to be attained. I feel convinced that in spiritual, political and civil, in our country. some way the needs of this Institution have There is one more thing I think we must not been brought home to them, or they could have regard to, and that is that when people j not fail to respond to the appeal in a manner come to consider the kind of services which the j worthy of their great traditions. I, as a lands- Life-boats on our coasts render, we cannot but: man, have always been brought up to believe be struck with the quality of the lives which i in what is termed the brotherhood of the sea, they go out to save. They represent very , and it seems to me that if ever there was a case largely the lives of some of the very best ele- ! in which that brotherhood might be mani- ments of our civilisation. The men who sail fested practically it is in a case like this. our mercantile fleets and the men who pursue Where those who are responsible for this great their own avocations, such as fishing in deep trade, where those who are in this great trade, waters, those are the men who rallied to the are successful, it seems to me that they only support of our country during the great war need the realisation of their duty, to do it; and and performed services day by day and night I hope very much that the officers of your by night of a valour which will always be held Institution, and the representatives of that in remembrance (cheers). industry, may succeed in coming to some It is not possible, nor would it be desirable understanding together that will be of great if it were possible, to compare courage and and lasting benefit to both. bravery. You can make no common de- j I do not propose at this moment to say nominator by which you can compare these | anything of the valiant deeds which have been MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 267

performed during the last year, and which are Major Sir Maurice Cameron, K.C.M.G. going to be recognised at this meeting before Captain Charles J. P. Cave. we part, because our Secretary, by and by, Sir August B. T. Cayzer, Bt. will make us fully acquainted with their Colonel Lord William Cecil, C.V.O. details ; but I should like to say, as a note to Kenneth M. Clark, Esq. what I said in my opening remarks, that ] Harold D. Clayton, Esq. think it is a great privilege to be allowed to The Hon. George Colville. represent you here to-day in offering your Sir William Corry, Bt. right hand of fellowship to those who have Sir John G. Gumming, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. performed these gallant deeds, and to offer to Captain the Viscount Curzou, R.N.V.R., M.P. them, on your behalf, the formal recognition Henry R. Fargus, Esq. which you keep for the most conspicuous acts John Bevill Fortescue, Esq. of sacrifice and courage that come under your Thomas B. Gabriel, Esq. notice during the course of the year (cheers). R. H. Gillespie, Esq. It only remains for me, ladies and gentle- Major Ralph Glyn, M.C., M.P. men, to thank you sincerely for the welcome Engineer Vice-Admiral Sir George G. Goodwin, you have given me here to-day, and for having K.C.B. listened to these few remarks of mine. If any- Rear-Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, K.C.M.G., thing that I have said may help you in any K.C.V.O., C.B. way, in the course of the year we have now The Earl of Hardwicke. entered upon, to make a still more success- Harry Hargood, Esq., O.B.E. ful appeal to the people of this country, ] T. W. H. Inskip, Esq., C.B.E., K.C., M.P. shall be more than repaid (cheers). Vice-Admiral Sir Colin Keppel, K.C.I.E., I will now call upon the Secretary to reac K.C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O. the list of those nominated for the various Sir Woodburn Kirby. offices of the Institution. Brigadier-General Noel M. Lake, C.B. (The Secretary read the list of nominations of John F. Lamb, Esq. Officers for the ensuing year.) Herbert F. Lancashire, Esq. Colonel Sir A. Henry McMahon, G.C.M.G., President. G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., C.S.I. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, K.G. Commander Sir Harry Mainwaring, Bt., R.N.V.R. V'ice-Presidents. General Sir Charles Monro, Bt., G.C.M.G., His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., A.D.C. GENERAL. G.C.V.O. Captain George B. Preston. His Grace the Duke of Leeds. Engineer Rear-Admiral Charles Rudd. His Grace the Duke of Portland, K.G., P.O., The Right Hon. Walter Runcimau. G.C.V.O. Major-General the Right Hon. John E. HisGrace the Duke of Northumberland,C.B.E., Bernard Seely, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.P. M.V.O. Rear-Admiral Hector B. Stewart. The Most Hon. the Marquis of Ailsa. Commander Francis Fitzpatrick Tower, The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby, K.G., R.N.V.R. P.C., G.C.B., G.C.V.O. The Lord Tredegar, O.B.E. The Right Hon. the Earl of Rosebery, K.G., Commodore Sir Richard Henry Williams- K.T., P.O. Bulkefey, Bt., K.C.B., R.N.R. The Right Hon. the Earl Waldegrave, P.C. The Lord Mayor of London. The Ear] of Lonsdale. The Admiral Commanding Coast-Guard and The Right Hon. the Earl of Plymouth, P.C., Reserves (Vice-Admiral Sir Morgan Singer, G.B.E., C.B. K.C.V.O., C.B.). Admiral of the Fleet the Viscount Jellicoe of The Deputy Master of the Trinity House Scapa, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O. (Captain Sir Herbert Acton Blake, K.C.M.G., The Right Hon. the Lord Strathclyde, P.C., K.C.V.O.). G.B.E. The Hydrographer of the Admiralty (Rear- Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt. Admiral Frederick C. Learmouth, C.B., Noel E. Peck, Esq. C.B.E.). The Chairman of Lloyd's. Treasurer. Auditors. The Earl of Harrowby. Messrs. Price, Waterhouse & Co. Committee of The CHAIRMAN : I will ask Sir Godfrey The President. Baring to say a few words. The Vice-Presidents. The Treasurer. Sir GODFREY BAKING : Ladies and gentle- The Right Hon. the Earl Waldegrave, P.O., men, this business of the re-election of the Vice- Chairman. Presidents and the Committee of Management Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Deputy-Chairman. generally goes through with a rapidity and a The Earl of Albemarle, K.C.V.O., C.B., unanimity exceedingly satisfactory to those of A.D.C. us who have to be re-elected. But I just Frederick Cavendish Bentinck, Esq. wanted to say one word to call the attention of Admiral Sir Frederick E. E. Brock, K.C.M.G., the Governors present to the fact that a new C.B. name has been added to the list of Vice- 268 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922.

Presidents in the person of Mr. Noel Peck. of the Institution, assembled here in their The Governors will recollect that there has Annual Meeting, will consider that that i? an been an ambition of the Committee of Manage- appropriate close to an incident which is a ment for the last three or four years to extend very valuable, very instructive and very very largely, and to complete if possible, the helpful incident in the long and glorious history provision of a scheme of placing Motor Life- of the Life-Boat Institution (cheers). boats all round the coasts, and we have The CHAIRMAN : I now declare the noblemen appealed to the generous public to assist us to and gentlemen whose names have been read secure a sum approximating to half a million out duly elected. pounds in order to provide these Motor Life- I will ask the Secretary to read the account boats. The Committee of Management felt of the services for which Medals have been that, before they went on with such a large awarded. scheme as that, which made a very great demand on the organising power of the (The Secretary read the Report of Services.) Institution and on our financial resources, it would be well if they were fortified with the Holy Island. best technical and expert advice as to the A Bar to his Silver Medal is awarded to organisation of the Institution with regard to George Cromarty, the Coxswain, and the boat building. We applied to Lord Inchcape Bronze Medal to William Wilson, the Second in this matter, and, owing to Lord Inchcape's Coxswain, and to Thomas A. Stevenson, the kindness, we were put in touch with Mr. Noel Bowman of the Holy Island Life-boat, for the Peck, who is the Managing Director of Messrs. following service. A special Letter of Thanks Barclay, Curie & Co., one of the great building was also sent to the women of Holy Island, and firms on the River Clyde. Lord Inchcape told a Letter of Thanks to the Honorary Secretary, us that Mr. Peck was a very busy man ; he was Mr. Fred Hollingsworth. engaged in very big business enterprises, and On Sunday evening, the 15th January, 1922, Lord Inchcape was very doubtful whether we the trawler James B. Graham, of Hartlepool, should secure his services. I was able, on with nine men on board, went ashore on the behalf of the Committee of Management, to rocks of False Emmanuel Head on the north have an interview with Mr. Peck. Mr. Peck side of Holy Island off the Northumberland not only agreed most readily to do the work, coast, during a strong S.E. gale, heavy sea and but he added a stipulation, which I am sure snow-storms. She burnt flares of distress, you will find extraordinarily generous on his and these were seen at the Life-boat Station on part; he said he would only undertake the the other side of the island. It was then eight work on one condition, and that was that the o'clock. The crews of the Life-boat and of the work was done without any payment or Coastguard's Life-saving Apparatus were remuneration of any sort or kind. That is an summoned, and the apparatus was hurried example of the voluntary work which has been across the island. The trawler was found lying eulogised by our Chairman to-day. That in a very perilous position, with a heavy list, offer, I need hardly say, was gratefully and the seas breaking along her decks. The accepted by the Committee of Management apparatus was taken as near as possible, but it (cheers). was too far away by a hundred yards. No Mr. Noel Peck made a thorough review of rocket could reach the vessel. Meanwhile the the whole organisation of the Institution. He whole of the village, men and women, had was occupied two days a week for a period turned out in the dark and snow to launch the extending to over three months. He supplied No. 1 Life-boat. The tide was low and the us with a most able and a most valuable report. wheels of the carriage sank deep into the mud. I should like to say that in the forefront of that It was only with extreme difficulty, and by the report he says that, after careful investigation gallant efforts of sixty helpers, that the Boat and inquiry, he considers that there can be no was launched. Undeterred by the bitter cold, institution in England which is served with the women waded out waist-deep into the sea, greater efficiency, with greater zeal, and with and just forty minutes after the alarm had been greater discretion than the Life-Boat Institu- given the Boat was afloat. The distance tion is served by its staff, from the highest round the island to False Emmanuel Head was official to the lowest. nearly four miles, and it was close on ten The Committee of Management already knew o'clock before the Life-boat reached the that, but we very heartily welcome the tes- stranded vessel. She lay surrounded by timony of a distinguished expert in a matter dangerous rocks and by the iron remnants of of this kind. The detailed recommendations an old wreck. Among these the Life-boat made by Mr. Peck, with which I need not would have to make her way, in the pitch dark- trouble you on this occasion, have been adopted ness and the blinding snow-squalls, if she was by the Committee of Management, and I am to rescue the crew. The Coxswain made the sure they will be most valuable to our working. attempt, but, owing to the rocks, he was com- We then had to consider how we could show pelled to pull out again. The Life-boat then our gratitude for the great and noble services lay off for two hours waiting while the tide which Mr. Noel Peck had rendered in this way, rose. The Coxswain then tried to approach and we came to the conclusion that the only the wreck from the other side. Again he had. way in which we could show our gratitude was to pull out. The rocks were too dangerous. by conferring on Mr. Peck the highest honour He waited another hour, and then, with his which it is in our power to bestow—that of anchor dropped, veered the Boat slowly and appointing him to be a Vice-President of the cautiously down towards the vessel, and in Institution, and we hope that the Governors between two rocks, before he could reach her. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 269

By skilful and daring seamanship this dan- Sir DONALD MACLEAN : Mr. Chairman, gerous manoeuvre succeeded, and all nine men Lord Waldegrave, ladies and gentlemen, I on the trawler were safely taken aboard the think I should like on behalf of all of you in the Life-boat. She was hauled out from among first place to congratulate our three sailor the perilous rocks, and reached her station friends on the remarkably successful way in again at two o'clock in the morning. which they have survived the ordeal which This fine service was only carried through to they have just gone through ; I am quite its successful issue by the promptness, energy : certain it terrified them far more than the and devotion of the launchers and by the cool- , deeds of heroism which we have celebrated ness, daring and good seamanship of the j to-day. Coxswain and crew (cheers). Now, sir, I am accustomed, when I follow The Silver Medal to which the Coxswain, you in speech, as a rule to get up and say that, George Cromarty, now receives a Bar, was much as I appreciate the services of my right awarded to him for a fine service during the hon. friend, I regret that I have to point out war, when, in November, 1916, the Holy the many occasions upon which I think he and Island No. 2 Life-boat rescued fourteen lives his Department have been wanting in duty to from the Swedish barque Jolani. the public. But to-day I am in hearty, uncompromising, absolute agreement with (The Medals were presented by the Chairman him. amid applause.) You, sir, in the course of some delightfully humorous remarks at the commencement of The SECRETARY : I was directed by the your address, made some references to the sea Committee of Management to write to the of troubles which assail any Parliamentary women of Holy Island to express the deep ship of State. I noticed with mitigated grief indebtedness and appreciation of the Com- that you anticipated at no distant date that mittee to the women of Holy Island, who had the vessel with which you are most intimately so long and so often served the Life-boat in the associated at the present moment might find way that has been described ; and the women itself a wreck—without a Life-boat. Well, I of Holy Island have selected from among them- can provide a Life-boat; but under no circum- selves Miss Daisy Cromarty to receive the copy stances will I give her a name ! Whilst you of the letter which I now propose to read. were yet speaking I turned to page 2 of the Annual Report, and I found a very interesting " MESDAMES,—The Committee of Manage- note there : " The Donna Nook Life-boat, ment have entrusted to me the pleasant which, on the 24th December, 1921, was duty of conveying to all those who took part capsized by tremendous seas while she was in the launch of the Life-boat Lizzie Porter, made fast to the wrecked vessel, instantly on January 15th, 1922, to the trawler James righted herself and all her crew, and the rescued B. Graham, their very sincere and cordial crew of the vessel regained the boat in safety." thanks for the fine spirit of humane and Now that is a very remarkable performance, helpful service which the women showed on and I suggest that if the whole of His Majesty's this occasion. Government were to become annual and " Great difficulty was experienced in generous subscribers to this Institution there launching the Boat owing to the soft mud, is no knowing what luck might befall them yet but you, the women of Holy Island, acting (laughter). For myself, I say this : that I have in accordance with the noble traditions of a not hitherto become an annual subscriber to coast which will ever be associated with the this Institution, but I intend to do so from name of Grace Barling, overcame these to-day ; and so far as my limited opportunities difficulties by exerting yourselves to the allow I will do my best for the Institution utmost, many of you entering the water (cheers). waist-deep, and thus shared, to a notable I was moved very much indeed, first of all, extent, in the rescue of the nine hands of by the Report which I have read, and, secondly, the trawler which was in jeopardy. by the speech which the Chairman has made, " It is gratifying to the Committee of and not least of all—indeed, perhaps most of Management to feel that the mothers, wives all—by the very touching ceremony in which and daughters of the Life-boatmen of Holy we have all taken part here to-day. Island are eager to assist in the noble task so Now, sir, there are one or two points which often and so honourably carried out by the I should like briefly to make in connection crew, and they feel that the action of the with the resolution which I have to move. The women of Holy Island reflects infinite credit, resolution is this :— not merely on themselves, but on the women of our maritime race. With honourable greetings, " That this Meeting, fully recognising the " I am, important services of the ROYAL NATIONAL " Yours very faithfully, i LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION in its national work " GEORGE F. SHEE, j of Life-Saving, desires to record its hearty " Secretary." ; appreciation of the gallantry of the Cox- swains and Crews of the Institution's Life- (The Chairman presented a copy of the letter i boats, and gratefully to acknowledge the to Miss Daisy Cromarty, amid applause.) \ valuable help rendered to the cause by the Local Committees, Honorary Secretaries, The CHAIRMAN : I will call on Sir Donald Honorary Treasurers, and the Ladies' Life- Maclean to move a resolution. boat Guild."

K 2 270 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. There are one or two figures which I have and sweeping improvement can be made, not noted in the perusal of the Report which, I am only in the launching of the Life-boat, but in sure you will agree, are very striking. The those very important minutes of getting her work which the Institution has done since its through the surf into deeper water, and after commencement—a work of over ninety-eight that, getting the Life-boat right away down years of splendid record—is one of which any to the vessel which she seeks to save. institution might be proud. They have rescued There is one other point upon which I wish no fewer than 58,364 lives, an average of ten to say just a word before I sit down. That is a week during the whole of that period ; and this. There is not a single penny of the money during the first three years since the war of the State goes into this Institution ; it is finished they have saved no fewer than 1,505 purely voluntarily supported. We live in lives ; and last year, although it was an excep- days when there are great calls upon the tionally fine year as far as the dangers of the national exchequer for all sorts of schemes for seas around our coasts were concerned, they the development and betterment of the com- rescued 410 lives. Now that is a great and munity as a whole. With regard to a large splendid record, one of which, as I have said, portion of that, I sympathise with and support this nation has every right to be proud. But it, but I do hope the day will never come when much more work, I am convinced, can yet be this country will depend too much upon State done. That cannot be done without adequate aid for what men and women ought to do for financial aid ; and I join in the Chairman's themselves. Our Chairman this afternoon, I expression of surprise that the great ship- am sure, will agree with me in this : that you cwiling firms and individual ship owners have may pick the best men, and indeed the best not contributed in a much larger measure to women, who have distinguished themselves the necessary expenses of this noble work. I by initiative, sympathy, foresight and general find that out of the sum which was necessary efficiency in working under voluntary con- to be spent during last year, round about ditions, and if you place them inside the State £300,000, from the ship-owning firms and indi- machine, I do not hesitate for one moment to vidual ship owners came a sum only of under say that 50 per cent, of their efficiency is V2,000. There were only 290 subscribers or nearly always lost. I do not know why. It donors, but 125 foreign ship owners subscribed. is not for me to inquire now why ; but there 1 cannot make out what the reason is. There is the fact, and I am convinced that if this is no lack of generosity on the part of ship Institution had been taken on in the first ten owners or of ship-owning firms, because you or twenty years of its existence, and developed (an take up any list of the great philanthropic and supported within the State, it would not institutions of this country and you will find have done half the work which it has done by that ship owners and ship-owning firms occupy its voluntary aid and by the splendid humani- a leading and an honoured place in all those tarian individual responsibility which has lists. accompanied it. We cannot shift off our I am quite certain that that position of burdens on the State without somebody or affairs ought to be remedied. I emphasise it other dropping out of the fighting line because for this reason : that we have in the Chair to- they think they are not needed there. I do day the President of the Board of Trade, and think that this is one of the chief attractions the Board of Trade has within the ambit of its of this Society : that this splendid and noble duties one of the most important of them, work has been carried out based only upon the namely, the care of all the huge State adminis- sense of the individual responsibility of a trative, and, indeed, legislative, work con- number—a far too small number—of citizens. nected with the Mercantile Marine, and I hope It is so gloriously widespread in its operation. that ere the time comes—and long may it be— These men that we saw here to-day, and this when my Right Hon. friend vacates his office lady who is here, representative of those as President of the Board of Trade—before the splendid women at Holy Island; did they time comes for his promotion to a yet higher consider whether that vessel in distress was office, he may find it within the sphere of his British, or German, or French, or Italian ? pleasures (because I am sure he would so regard They never thought of it for a moment. They it) to see if something cannot be done relative did not know, I venture to say. All they to this. There is no better man. He stands knew was that a vessel was in distress, lives high in the honour and respect of the whole of were in danger, and they risked their own to the community. Everybody trusts him. He save them. is full of tact as well as of ability. I do hope The appeal that this Society makes to you by the time the next Annual Meeting of this and to me is an appeal which is more likely to Institution is held it may be possible to record lift us nationally and internationally (and how a very much more favourable state of things sadly we need it!) on to a higher and better with regard to this matter, which has come plane, in that it works for the nations as a under some perfectly friendly criticism here whole (cheers). to-day. In the expenditure of the Institution, there The CHAIRMAN : I will ask Sir Stanley has been an appreciable sum in connection Colville to second the resolution. with the change over from manual work in Admiral the Hon. Sir STANLEY COLVILLE : connection with Life-boats, to mechanical aid. Mr. Chairman, Lord Waldegrave, ladies and That certainly is a matter in regard to which gentlemen, it is always a very difficult task anybody who knows anything about the sea to second a resolution, because one always finds —and I have lived in a great seaport for quite that the board has been cleared previously. a number of years—knows that a very great We have just heard a most eloquent and inte- MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 271 resting speech from Sir Donald Maclean, and Then the Tynemouth Motor-boat appeared on what pleased me more than anything else, in the scene, and forty-eight hours after the the peaceful atmosphere of Caxton Hall, was Motor-boat was brought alongside the Rohilla to hear two Members of Parliament what you with great skill, and rescued the whole of those may call poking fun at each other. I must fifty men and brought them ashore. say I am very pleased that there is no Admiral Therefore my appeal to you is for more to have a go at me afterwards (laughter). money. What is £9,000 ? Why, the President Sir Donald Maclean said that he lived in a of the Board of Trade could produce that in seaport, or on the beach near a seaport, no five minutes at his office. £9,000 : that is doubt. I have a great advantage over him, what you want for & 31otor Life-boat, arid,

all, with the inmates of hospitals it is not provision for old age for their officers and men, always a case of life and death. It is the case is it not much more desirable that they should with this Institution. In the case of officers contribute to something which preserves the and men cast ashore amidst all the dangers very lives of their people—that is, make a and the terrors of the position so luridly contribution to THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- described by Admiral Colville, when thrown BOAT INSTITUTION ? (cheers). on those rocks, facicg what appears to be not In dealing with the Mercantile Marine I only a certain but a lingering death, the one want, in justice, to include, so to speak, the , gleaming ray of hope which penetrates their rank and file of the officers and men of the hearts is represented by this Institution—the Mercantile Marine. For many years, in the Life-boat. That is the only means of saving office that I hold, I have made myself very them for their wives, their children, and all intimate with the workings of this organisation, they love. and it always has been a puzzle to me why : Let me add, on behalf of all the people that there has been such limited support from the I represent, our measure of gratitude to these active sea-going personnel of the Mercantile j gallant men and women who do such grand Marine. The only thing that I can imagine as work. They are never failing. I know these possibly being a reason for it is that no one | people so well who have been saved. To what more than the sailor takes things for granted. ' do I owe the existence to-day of some of my He sees this Institution and the Life-boats, he best friends ? The Life-boat. I have come, has got his charts and guides and all that sort i in the course of my duties, into personal con- of thing, showing him exactly where he is and tact with these officers and men when, so to where the Life-boat Stations are, and I think speak, the water is hardly dry on their clothes, somehow or other he has got it into his head i and their first expression of thankfulness for that this organisation has some form of State i their lives is inevitably accorded to the Life- aid or something of that kind. I rather think boat. that that is at the back of his mind. There- There is another element about this Institu- fore I think he ought to know more about this tion which I admire, and which, so to speak, grand Institution. gave us a cue and a lesson so far back as the 1 myself, in my own very humble sphere, year 1869, when the Committee of Manage- i would like to be an emissary in the work. We ment of this Institution decided that they ! publish in connection with my organisation a would refuse any further help from money monthly periodical known as The Dolphin, raised by taxation, and that they would in which has a very big circulation. It circulates future rely upon voluntary contributions. amongst, roughly speaking, 12,000 officers of What a pity it is that we have not been able the Mercantile Marine per month, and I have to keep that spirit up in this country all through reason to believe that many of the wives and our different institutions ! That very fact women friends of those officers read with con- makes the claims of this Institution all the siderable interest the pages of that magazine. more undeniable. It is perfectly obvious that I hope in the next issue to give a special report we must, and should, command and demand ' of this meeting. If I can be furnished with voluntary support, and support with a will. 1 it, I shall be glad to have a report for inser- There is nothing that gave me greater pain ; tiou so that those officers of the Mercantile in reading this admirably compiled Annual ; Marine can see what has been said. I should Report than to see the meagre support which like to be practical as far as possible in this emanates from the Mercantile Marine. There case, and, what is more, if the Institution will is some underlying and subtle reason for it, agree to accept it, I should be very pleased to but, again to be nautical, I cannot fathom it. offer it a half-page advertisement in that There ought to be some closer touch, some magazine for twelve months free of charge link connecting intimately the association (cheers). I will leave the Secretary to insert ; of the Mercantile Marine with the Royal whatever form of advertisement he may con- i National Life-Boat Institution. It is not, as has sider appropriate or desirable. i been truly said, from the want of generosity In conclusion, I have the very greatest ! on the part of ship owners. Amongst the ship pleasure in supporting this resolution. I hope I owners of this country have ranked the couu- the united efforts which have been made will | try's greatest philanthropists. Many of them lead to the continued prosperity of the Institu- I to-day, as I know from personal knowledge, tion and will restore the financial position, j are philanthropists, and yet it may be, for all ! which undoubtedly has been rather badly I know, that even they are not subscribers to damaged of late (cheers). this Institution. We see them at their annual meetings declaring dividends ; unfortunately (The resolution was put to the meeting and for me and for the country there is not much carried unanimously.) of that just at present, and it is a shockingly EARL WALDEQKAVE : Ladies and gentle- bad time for everybody concerned; but, men, it is my pleasant duty to propose a hearty nevertheless, there are some of them even to- vote of thanks to Mr. Stanley Baldwin for so day returning dividends, and, probably, sub- kindly coming here to-day. stantial ones. But, even apart from that, as The Committee of Management are very indicating their generosity, we frequently see, gratified at his presence, because it manifests in the case of big companies, that in declaring that close relationship which has always those dividends they recommend that a sub- existed, and must always exist, between the stantial sum shall be put aside for the pur- Board of Trade and this Institution. Mr. poses of superannuation, a most admirable Baldwin, in following the example of his pre- thing to do. Now, if it is desirable to make decessors, has given us hope that the relation. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 273 ship may be even more close than it is now, and also Captain Rowley and his staff of In- and we look forward in the future to great help spectors. Our staff is most energetic, and we from the Board of Trade—though not to that are very thankful to have such a good staff. " £9,000 out of his office," because we do not They work long hours and do their best for the want Government pay. Institution, and I am very glad to take this I am very grateful also to those speakers opportunity of expressing my own and my who touched on the question of the Mercantile colleagues' thanks to them for what they have Marine. I think, from what has been said to- done (cheers). day, particularly in the speech of Lieut. I beg to move : Moore, we may hope for better things in " That the hearty thanks of this Meeting future. be given to the Right Hon. Stanley Baldwin, The financial state of the Institution is that M.P., President of the Board of Trade, for at present our expenses exceed all our sources presiding over this, the Ninety-eighth of income, and we shall have to put our shoul- Annual General Meeting of THE ROYAL ders to the wheel more than ever to try to get more support from the public. The public NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION." never has failed us all through and I am sure I will ask Sir Harry Mainwaring to second it will not fail us now. We must do every- that. thing that we can to obtain its increased help, and I want to second the appeal that has SIR HARRY MAINWARING : Lord Walde- already been made to the ladies of London to grave, ladies and gentlemen, I think I may rally round us and give us all the help they can fairly say that the wind has been completely on the 2nd May, Life-boat Day. I am sure taken out of my sails by everything that the that no lady in London will refuse an appeal able speakers have already said, so I will like that to help such a cause and such an merely say that I have much pleasure in Institution. seconding the vote of thanks. There is one more thing I want to say, for I do not think it has been touched upon. I (The Resolution was put to the meeting and want to say, on behalf of myself and my col- carried unanimously.) leagues on the Committee of Management, how greatly we appreciate the good work of THE CHAIRMAN : Ladies and gentlemen, I the staff of the Institution, Mr. Shee, and thank you very much for your kind vote of those under him in the clerical departments, thanks, and I declare the meeting closed.

A "LIFE-BOAT" ON THE IRRAWADDI. 274 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922.

Notes and News. By GEORGE F. SHEE, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. LIFE-BOAT DAY was held throughout ton, Richmond, Paddington, Deptford, the area of Greater London on 2nd May, and Bermondsey, Mrs. Hopkinson, and a gross sum of about £2,514 was Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Mount Batten, Mrs. raised. A number of separate Days Webster, and Mrs. Rix, M.B.E. It were held in different parts of London is typical of the spirit in which they in 1920 and 1921, but this is the first worked that one lady was abroad with Greater London Day since 1919. In her box at 3.30 in the morning, in order that year the Day raised a gross sum of to catch the numerous carmen and other £5,901. The difference is great, and the early workers in her district. Another important point to notice is that it collected outside her house, which stands reflects not any failure in the readiness in its own grounds, all the morning. of the public to support the Life-boat When she went in to lunch her butler, Service, nor even the present depression moved by her example, asked to be in trade, but primarily the increasing and allowed to take a tray and box for the serious difficulty of getting Honorary Col- rest of the day. When the Deputy lectors. The number this year, instead of Chairman and I visited this depot, we being 6,000 or 7,000, was only just over were met, therefore, by the unaccus- 1,000. This gives on an average £2 10s. tomed but welcome spectacle of a gentle- per collector, an excellent result, which man in top hat and morning coat carry- entitles us to believe that, if only it had ing out, with great dignity and success, been possible to get an adequate number the beneficent work so often done by of collectors, London would have contri- women. I trust his excellent example buted quite as generously as in previous wi\l be widely foUowed in future. years. * * * * I have dwelt on this point because I As has been the case before, one of the know that in greater or less degree the noticeable features of the Day was the readiness of the poorer classes to give, a same difficulty is found everywhere. It greater readiness in very many cases is, in fact, the crux of the problem. The Institution can undoubtedly get even than was shown by the well-to-do. The latter can be, and are, approached in the increasing revenue which it now requires, each year, if only it can find other ways. To the former the Life- boat Day is their one opportunity of men and women to work for it. It is on this need that I hope all our Honorary contributing. As such they recognise it. and welcome it. Secretaries and other workers will con- centrate. # * * * I was told two stories by collectors which show the way in which the poor The great scarcity of collectors makes give. One working class woman, very the Institution all the more grateful to poorly dressed, gave a shilling, which those ladies who gave it their help—the she could ill afford, saying that her son Ladies' Committee and members of the had been drowned during the war ; and Ladies' Life-boat Guild ; and I should a sailor gave half a crown with the like to take this opportunity of acknow- remark, " I've never been wrecked yet, ledging their generous services. I would but I never know when I shall be," mention in particular the help which we which exactly expresses, in popular received from the following ladies who speech, that feeling to which Sir William organised depots : Mary, Marchioness of Hillary appealed when he said : " From Queensberry, the Dowager Marchioness the calamity of shipwreck no one can of Tweeddale, C.B.E., the Countess of say that he may at all times remain free, Halsbury, the Lady Brownlow, Lady and whilst he is now providing only for Baring, Lady Frank, Lady Laird Clowes, the safety of others, a day may come Lady Forbes, the Mayoresses of Kensing- which will render the cause his own." MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 275 The Institution and the Mercantile Marine. the Life-boat Service, and of their readi- I should like to direct the special ness to give it their support, in the fact attention of readers of these notes to the that the National Sailors and Firemen's ; speech of Mr. T. W. Moore at the Annual Union of Great Britain and Ireland has Meeting. As Secretary of the Imperial most generously offered to help the Merchant Service Guild and Vice- Institution in making its appeals, in Chairman of the Seafarers' Joint Council, every way and in all parts of the coun- he was able to speak both for the officers try. Not a little of this help was given and the men of the Mercantile Marine, with London Life-loat Day, and I ; would take this opportunity of express- and his warm promise of support is 1 very welcome. I should like to take ing the Institution's warmest thanks to this opportunity of acknowledging his the officials of the Union, and especially kindness in giving the Institution im- to Mr. J. Henson, C.B.E., the Union's mediate and very practical help by Assistant General Secretary. promising it a free advertisement for * * * * twelve months in the Guild's monthly In this connexion I certainly think journal, The Dolphin. The first of that much more might be done to make these advertisements appears in the May systematic appeals to officers and men issue, and also a long report of our when they come ashore, and I would Annual Meeting. I will quote one invite the Honorary Secretaries at our passage from the introduction to the branches in ports, both large and small, report, for it seems to me to state with to consider what they can do in this way. admirable point and clearness the claim At one port on the south coast masters of | of the Institution on all those who go to ships are invited at the harbour office sea. * # * * to make a contribution to the Branch funds. At this port there is at present " Every officer and man going to sea no Life-boat, but a station is to be owes a personal debt of gratitude to established there, and when this is done, THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT IN- the harbour authorities themselves pro- STITUTION, but it is only few of them pose to make a voluntary " levy " of one who seem to know that this Institution shilling on every incoming vessel. It is receives no contributions whatever from anticipated that this levy will raise the State, and entirely depends upon the £30 a year. voluntary contributions of people who understand and appreciate the in- * * * * estimable value and importance of the Independently of this, a Life-boat work of the Institution in saving life worker of many years' experience has at sea. We, as acutely as anybody else, suggested that the crews of fishing feel the financial pinch in these days, boats also should be systematically ap- but there are certain things for which proached when and where they are paid, support is indispensable, and what and that, in time, they would come to could be more so than the cause of look upon it as a matter of course on preserving and saving life ? " these occasions to contribute a small coin * # * * as a thank-offering for their own safety. It. would be most appropriate that they I feel sure that, with the appeal of should do so, for no one benefits more the Life-boat Service placed continually directly and more frequently by the Life- before the Mercantile Marine in one of boat Service. Over one-quarter of the their own magazines, and by the help lives saved by the Life-boats each year and with the cordial support of their own are the lives of fishermen. That this Guild, we may hope that its officers and can be done is shown by the example men will contribute as generously and of Berwick-on-Tweed. The Honorary consistently as the officers and men of Secretary of the Life-boat Station there the Royal Navy. writes: "At my instigation every fish- * * * * ing boat hailing from here has agreed to We have additional proof of the warm give 10s. per annum to the funds of the admiration of seafarers for the work of R.N.L.I., most willingly and gladly." 276 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922.

The Loss of the "Brandaris." we would see her coming back, a proud victor. In the February issue of The Life-Boat " We seamen were proud of this boat, I referred to the tragic loss of the Dutch for we could appreciate what she had Motor Life-boat, Brandaris, which went done for our fellow-men, our comrades out on service on October 23rd, 1921, in danger. But oh, how little in Holland and never returned. I have now re- the man ashore appreciates what a ceived from Mr. de Booy, the Secretary sailor does ! In this compare Holland of the North and South Holland Life- with England—and see the difference ! Saving Society, a copy of the April issue Now Brandaris no longer exists. She of De Reddingboot, the Society's monthly has been vanquished at last, but with journal. The first article in it is on honour and glory. The dismay along the Brandaris, and is written by a the coast will be great, but never shall Dutch naval officer, Lieutenant P. S. J. we forget Brandaris and her fine crew ! " de Vries. It seems to me so fine a tribute to Life-boat work (such a tribute An Interesting Ceremony. as can only be paid by those whose An interesting ceremony took place profession is the sea), and it so vividly on May 8th, when the Lord Mayor of describes the dangers of the Life-boat London unveiled at the Royal Exchange Service, that I will quote it in full. a portrait of John Julius Angerstein, who is known as the " Father of Lloyds." * * * * He was born in St. Petersburg in 1735, " The evening journal of Monday being of German descent, came to told us that the Brandaris, the Ters- England at the age of fourteen, and lived chelling Motor Life-boat, was missing. to the age of eighty-eight. He was It is thus possible that this wonderful Chairman of Lloyd's from 1790 to 1796, boat is lost. Many will have read this and, by common consent, is one of the tragic news without being struck by it, leading figures in the history of marine but those who inhabit our islands will insurance. With the advice and help of understand what the loss of this Life- Sir Thomas Lawrence, he made a fine boat, with her able and courageous crew, collection of pictures, and thirty-eight means. No weather so rough, no storm of these, purchased by the Government so heavy, but Brandaris went out. after his death, formed the nucleus of Full of hope and confidence, we saw our National Gallery. the brave boat leave harbour, and we * * * * knew for certain that the endangered crew would be saved. Other Life-boats His claim to our special remembrance on our coast may have saved more men, is that, on May 20th, 1802, at a general but the circumstances under which meeting of Lloyds, he proposed " That Brandaris had to work were more the sum of two thousand pounds sterling difficult than those of other Life-boats. be given out of the funds of this House " Many a time I saw her go out into the hands of a committee for the during the War. From my patrol boat, encouragement of Life-boats being insti- looking for a good lee, I would watch tuted in different parts of the coast of Brandaris go out through Stortemelk the three kingdoms, to be under certain (' Spilt Milk '), though the mouth of this restrictions, such as that the parties channel seemed unapproachable because applying to engage, to man and take of the surf. Right through the heavy care of the boats at the different places breakers she would go, against the do so at their own expense." fierce current which one meets here * * * * when the weather is stormy, buried in Mr. Angerstein has been described the seething water, but always forging as the " originator of the idea of estab- ahead. lishing Life-boats round our coasts." " We would watch her with anxious This is hardly correct, since the first hearts, for she had not only to fight the Life-boat Station had been established elements, but also ran the risk of meeting at Bamburgh, on the Northumbrian a mine. (Think of the G. 11 and the coast, sixteen years before his resolution Frans Narebout.') Then, hours later, was proposed, and this had been MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 277 followed, in 1789, by the establishment Longhope station in the Orkneys, and a of the famous Station at South Shields similar message from Cape Wrath. and, in 1798, by the establishment of a Ten minutes later the Boat was afloat. Station at North Shields. Undoubtedly, The distance to Loch Eriboll was forty- however, Mr. Angerstein did much to five miles, and this was covered under encourage the building of Life-boats in sail in four and a half hours, but no trace the days before this Institution was of the Pretoria could be found, although founded. The Institution has another, the Life-boat cruised about for an hour. and personal, link with him in the fact She then returned to her station, reach- that its present Chief Inspector of Life- ing it at five in the morning. She had boats, Captain Howard Rowley, R.N., is been afloat for thirteen hours and had Mr. Angerstein's great-great-grandson. sailed ninety miles. Both these were not only very fine services, but remarkable Remarkable Feat by Two Life-boats. feats for Pulling and Sailing Life-boats, The very much greater range of action and the Committee of Management have which mechanical power gives is one of shown their appreciation by giving the the chief advantages of the Motor Life- crews of both Boats extra monetary boat, but this does not mean that the awards. Pulling and Sailing Life-boat cannot also cover great distances. It can, and does, A "Lifeboat" on the Irrawaddi. although it is important to emphasise I reproduce on another page a very the fact that it cannot be depended upon interesting photograph which I have to do it with anything like the same received from Mr. H. S. Hunter, the late certainty as a Motor Life-boat. We Honorary Secretary of the Cresswell have just had from the north of Scotland Branch, who, as mentioned in the last striking proof of the sailing powers of a issue, left this country some months ago Life-boat. to take up a post at Rangoon. Mr. * * * # Hunter has not been long in making At four in the afternoon of 15th April Life-boat experiments in Burma, and the Coxswain at Thurso, on the north no doubt he is right in claiming to be coast of Scotland, received a message the first man who has ever fitted air- from the Wick wireless station asking tight cases to a Burmese dug-out. This for help for the s.s. Pretoria, which had is his description of the photograph. broken adrift from two tugs near Whiten * * * * Head, Loch Eriboll, thirty-five miles to " It is a photograph of myself in a the westward of Thurso. A strong ' dug-out' on the Chinese border, 1,000 northerly gale was blowing, with a heavy miles up the Irrawaddi. It tickles my broken sea and heavy rain. The Boat sense of humour to claim that, since the was launched by 4.30, and proceeding Stone Age, I am probably the first man under sail, reached the Pretoria three and to change a ' dug-out' into a Life-boat. a half hours later. She sailed round the I did so, as the photograph shows, by vessel several times, burning flares, but securing two 30-foot bamboo poles along got no response. She then made for the each side. These poles are, of course, entrance of Loch Eriboll, where she made up of air-tight sections about 10 found the two tugs, and learnt that one inches long and 3 inches internal dia- of them had got the crew of the Pretoria meter. I am sorry to say that it was on board. The Life-boat stood by until not very efficient as the bamboo was ten o'clock. The weather had then got green, and, owing to the terrific heat cf very much worse. She returned to her the sun beating on one pole, steam was station, reaching it at 6.30 next morning. generated in one of the sections and it She had been afloat for fourteen hours, burst with a tremendous bang, shatter- and had covered a distance of no less than ing the whole length of the pole." seventy miles. * * * * Sennen Cove and Appledore Motor The same message from the Wick Life-boats. Wireless Station had also been received These two Boats left Cowes to go to just after four in the afternoon, at the theirJStations by sea on April 28th,

K3 278 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. under the command of Captain Innes, To the Cullercoats Branch, for the the Inspector of Life-boats for the excellent condition of the station. Western District. The weather during To the Kessingland Branch, for a very their voyage was fine. Sennen Cove smart launch on 1st May in connexion was reached on May 1st, and Appledore with the presentation ceremony to the on the following day. Altogether the Honorary Secretary. Sennen Cove Boat covered 226 miles in To the Youghal Branch, for a smart thirty hours, giving an average speed of launch on 25th April. 71 knots ; and the Appledore Boat To the Dunbar Branch, for a smart covered 324 miles at an average speed of launch on 27th April. just under 7J knots. The new Motor Life-boats for Brixham and Selsey have A Life-boat Dance in Ulster. also gone to their Stations ; and those In the issue of The Life-Boat for Novem- for Bembridge, Buckle, Penlee and Barry ber, 1921, I recorded the bravery of our Dock are nearing completion. workers in Dublin who were collecting in the streets when fighting was going The Line-Thro wing Gun. on, and who, even in these difficult and It has been decided to supply the terrible circumstances, actually suc- following stations with the new Line- ceeded in raising a larger sum than in throwing Gun : Broughty Ferry, Sea- the previous year. A somewhat similar ham, Fishguard, Beaumaris, St. story comes to me from an Honorary David's, Fraserburgh, Port Patrick, Secretary of a Branch in the north of Wick, Buckie, St. Abb's, Spurn, Dover, Ireland, where a dance was held in aid Newhaven, Brixham, The Lizard, Sen- of our funds at the beginning of May. nen Cove. He writes : " You cannot realise how difficult times are over here, but when Tractor used for Salvage. I tell you that there was considerable Unexpected uses are already being danger in having a dance at all, you will found for the Motor Caterpillar Tractors realise how splendidly those in charge whose main duty is the launch of Life- responded to my request for help. The boats on flat sandy beaches. At Rhyl police were ready for any emergency, on 14th April a boat, weighing eight but, happily, their aid was not required. tons, went ashore on a sand bank, and However, they were on patrol all night." the Tractor was used to drag her off. The dance raised £40. Another Branch in Ulster recently held a Sale of Work Station Branches. on behalf of the Institution, which I hope in future to record in these realised the substantial sum of £70. notes the special Letters of Thanks and Appreciation which are sent to the An Appeal to the Army. Honorary Secretaries or other officials of It will be remembered that in 1920 the Station Branches, and I have much the Duke of Connaught issued a per- pleasure in saying that, in accordance sonal appeal to all those corps in the with the decisions of the Committee of Army of which he is Colonel or Colonel- Management at its meetings in April and in-Chief asking their officers and men to May, Letters of Appreciation were sent support the Institution. As a result of as follows :— this appeal the Institution received To the Teignmouth Branch, for the altogether nearly £1,000 from units excellent condition of the station. scattered all over the worfd. This To Captain Stephen, Harbour Master, splendid response from only a small pro- of Fraserburgh, for taking charge of the portion of the Army decided the Com- Life-boat on service on 15th March and mittee of Management to make an the 6th April, when the Coxswain was appeal to the whole, and this has now absent owing to illness. been issued. It will, in future, be issued To the Coxswain and Crew of the every year, and it i? hoped that the Army Bembridge Life-boat, in recognition of will take its place with the Navy as one their services in saving the motor barge of the permanent and most generous Clipper and her two hands on 8th March. supporters of the Life-boat Service. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 279

Exhibitions. Sea Fishing Exhibition, which will be Readers of The Life-Boat who live in held at the Royal Agricultural Hall from London, or who are likely to be in Lon- 24th July to 5th August. The Institu- don during July, will, I am sure, be tion is also exhibiting at the Marine interested to know that the Institution and Small Craft Exhibition, which will has taken a stall, and will show Life- be held, also at the Royal Agricultural boat models and equipment, at the Deep Hall, from 14th to 22nd November.

The Life-boat Service and the Shipping Companies. By GEORGE F. SHEE, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. READERS of The Life-Boat will not need and we are certain that now the facts are to be reminded of the efforts which the known it will not look in vain." Institution has made during the last two The Morning Post also drew the years to call attention to the failure of attention of Sir Frederick Lewis, the the shipping community of Great Britain President of the Chamber of Shipping, to give adequate support to the Life-boat to the facts, and Sir Frederick's reply Service, and they will read with especial was that " he knew nothing of the deficit interest in the report of the Annual of the Institution, and he was sure that, General Meeting the remarks on this if the shipping community were fully subject made by the President of the j informed, they would not hesitate to Board of Trade and by all the speakers : show generosity to an organisation of who followed him. The facts before such service to the Mercantile Marine." them were that in 1921 the Institution The Committee of Management most received from British shipping com- heartily welcomed this assurance from panies a sum of less than £2,000 ; that \ so important a member of the shipping this sum was contributed by 290 firms, community, and they felt that an and that 1,610 firms did not contribute immediate appeal, addressed direct to at all. The speakers one and all ex- the head of every shipping firm, would pressed their astonishment at these facts. be the best means of putting before the Their comments were repeated and em- whole shipping community the claims phasised in the Press. The Morning Post upon it of the Life-boat Service and the wrote : " We trust that the shipowners, Institution's present and urgent needs. the trawling companies, the fishing com- The following letter has, therefore, panies, and the shipping trade generally been sent, signed by the Chairman and will consider a method of combining Deputy Chairman, and accompanied by together in a scheme which shall per- a personal request from Sir William manently provide for the adequate Cory, of the Cunard and Commonwealth support of the Life-boat Institution." and Dominion Lines, and from Sir The same paper suggested that shipping . August Cayzer, Chairman of the Clan firms should combine in a number of ! Line, both members of the Committee of groups, each group to provide and endow Management, that it might receive the a Motor Life-boat. The Daily News, \ earnest attention of the directors of all while expressing its opinion in favour of shipping companies. making the Life-boats a State service, " On behalf of the Committee of Manage- pointed out that, unless and until that ment of this Institution we desire to address was done, the chief responsibility rested to your Company a most earnest appeal for its on the shipping community. The j generous support of the Life-boat Service. " For nearly a hundred years the work of Journal of Commerce, the paper which | providing and maintaining the Life-boats represents the shipping community, j round the 5,000 miles of the coasts of the wrote : "An organisation of such ser- United Kingdom ; of rewarding all those who vice to the Mercantile Marine should rescue, or attempt to rescue, life from ship- wreck ; of compensating those who are dis- naturally look to the ship-owning abled in this heroic work, and of pensioning industry for a large measure of support, the dependents of those who lose their lives on 280 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922.

service, has been carried out by this Institu- industry may succeed in coming to some ' tion, which was founded in the City of London understanding together that will be of great | in March, 1824. In performing this great and lasting benefit to both.' j national task the Institution depends for its " These views found expression in several j necessary funds entirely on voluntary con- important organs of the Press, and we enclose i tributions. It receives no State subsidy what- for your perusal a reprint of the leading articles ! ever. which appeared in the Morning Post, the Daily \ " In. addressing those who are intimately Xews and the Journal of Commerce. \ connected with the shipping industry we feel " When the facts were brought to the notice 1 it to be unnecessary to dwell on the vital of Sir Frederick Lewis, the President of the | importance to Great Britain, with her enormous Chamber of Shipping, he said : ' The Chamber maritime interests, of maintaining what she knows nothing of the deficit of the Institution, has at present—the best equipped and most and I am sure that, if the shipping community skilfully manned Life-boat Service in the were fully informed, they would not hesitate world. Nor need we do more than mention to show generosity to an organisation of such the fact, with which you will already be service to the Mercantile Marine.' familiar, that the cost of maintaining the " The Committee of Management are greatly Service, including its equipment with the latest encouraged by this statement, which they have inventions of mechanical science, is now far read with great pleasure. They also feel sure greater than it has been in the past, and is that, when the shipping companies realise the steadily increasing. A Motor Life-boat costs facts, they will respond at once, and on a six or seven times as much as a Pulling and permanent basis, to the Institution's appeal. Sailing Boat did before the War. " We have only to add that the Committee " The fact to which we would ask you to give of Management would ask for your help in your most earnest attention is that the ship- two wa\'s :— ping and trawling companies do not appear to " 1. \Ve would ask your Company to give an have given to the Life-boat Service that annual subscription to the Institution. The support which, surely, it should receive from amount of your contribution we confidently the one section of the community which is leave to your generosity, merely suggesting most directly and personally concerned in the that it should bear some relationship to your maintenance of an efficient service. Company's position in the shipping world, and " The facts for 1921 can be briefly stated. to the truly national character of the Life-boat The Institution spent during the year a sum | Service. of £300,679. It received during the year " 2. We would ask you to allow us, on one £199,339, and the difference has had to be made evening of each voyage, to appeal to your up by drawing upon invested funds. Towards passengers and crews by means of a collecting this revenue of nearly £200,000 the whole of card (supplied by the Institution), and we the shipping community of Great Britain con- would ask you to invite the captains of your tributed under £2,000, less than 1 per cent. ships to make it their special contribution to There are over 1,900 British shipping firms and the Life-boat Service to see that this appeal is shipowners, and of these over 1,600 contri- never omitted. buted nothing. Of the remaining 290 (15 per " The Committee of Management feel that in cent, of the total) only two or three made a this way there would easily be established contribution in any way commensurate with that broad basis of steady support from the the national importance of the Life-boat maritime interests of Britain, i.e., from the Service and the direct interest which the shipping companies, the crews, and the shipping community has in its maintenance. passengers, which all the circumstances of the " These facts were before the Annual Meet- case call for, and without which, we freely ing of the Governors of the Institution at the confess, the efficient maintenance of the end of March, presided over by the President Life-boat Service, upon which this country has of the Board of Trade, and were the subject of always prided itself, must become a matter of comment by all the speakers. the gravest anxiety to the charitable Society " The President of the Board of Trade said : which has managed and administered it for ' I have been very much struck, in looking close on a hundred years." through your Report and Accounts, to see how meagre is the support which you receive from The Committee of Management the shipping trade in this country. It is a ] earnestly trust that this appeal will lay great trade and a generous trade, and has never | the foundations for a permanent and been behind the other great trades in this country in supporting charitable objects, and adequate contribution from the shipping in particular in lending magnificent help to the community to the Institution, and I charities connected with shipping. ... I feel hope that it will be possible in the next convinced that in some way the needs of this issue of The Life-Boat to report that this Institution have not been brought home to it, or it could not fail to respond to the appeal in has been done. Meanwhile it is a a manner worthy of its great traditions. . . . pleasure to be able to announce that, It seems to me that if ever there was a case in before the letter was sent, Sir August which the brotherhood of the sea might be manifested practically it is in a case like this. Cayzer informed the Committee that for ... I hope very much that the officers of your the future the contribution from the Institution and the representatives of that Clan Line would be at the rate of £1 a MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 281 vessel, a basis of contribution which, s.s. Empress Queen (Government it will be remembered, the Institution transport). itself suggested nine years ago. November, 1916 : 54 saved from If any additional incentive were s.s. Sibiria. needed to lead the shipping companies to November, 1916: 118 saved from meet their obligations to the Life-boat s.s. Bessheim. Service in the most generous spirit, it May, 1917 : 53 saved from s.s. Galicia. would surely be found in the tragic loss July, 1917 : 130 saved from s.s. City of the liner Egypt ofi Ushant on 20th May. of Oxford. when she sank in twenty minutes as a December, 1917 : 92 saved from result of a collision in a fog, with a loss of s.s. Peregrine. over ninety lives ; and the wreck of the In those ten services to big ships Wiltshire on the Great Barrier Island, off more lives were saved than during the New Zealand, on 1st June. These two whole of the years 1919, 1920 and 1921, disasters within two weeks of each other although in those three years over 800 bring home the truth that the hand of Life-boat launches took place. fate falls on great ships as well as on Although it is well that these services small, and that if it falls on them more should be remembered, I do not for a rarely, it falls all the more heavily. moment believe that any members of I will recall also, for those who need the great shipping companies would base to be reminded of it, that again and their support to the Life-boat Service again the great liners have owed to on any merely .selfish calculation of the the Life-boats of the Institution the probability of the vessels of their own rescue of scores of lives which were lines being in need of the help of the in peril. Here are some of the ser- Life-boats. I am confident that they vices of this nature performed in recent will recognise that citizenship of our years:— island kingdom carries with it an obliga- March, 1907 : 456 saved from tion to support the Life-boat Service, s.s. Suevic. and that this obligation rests especially March, 1912 : 83 saved from on those whose wealth and power s.s. Oceana. depend solely on our maritime position. June, 1914 : 152 saved from It is most gratifying to be able to s.s. Gothland. announce that, as the Journal go%s to November, 1914 : 85 saved from press, we are beginning to receive from s.s. Rohilla (hospital ship). the shipping companies a very encourag- February, 1916 : 110 saved from ing response to the appeal.

Blyth Motor Life-boat: The Inaugural Ceremony. THE Blyth station is one of the oldest of the Committee of Management, on the coast — it was established in 1826, presented the Boat to the Branch on two years after the Institution itself was behalf of the relatives of the late founded — and the inaugural ceremony Mr. Joseph Adlam, out of whose legacy of the Joseph Adlam, the Motor Life-boat to the Institution the Boat had been which arrived at the station on 4th built. The Right Rev. Dr. Wild, Bishop October last, after a voyage of six days of Newcastle, dedicated the Boat, and from Cowes,* was a function in which the the naming ceremony was performed by whole life of the town was fully repre- Lady Runciman, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. sented. Mr. C. E. Baldwin, J.P., Among those present were Sir Walter presided over the ceremony. The Eight Runciman, Major H. E. Burton, R.E., Honourable Walter Runciman, a member Honorary Superintendent of the Motor Life-boat at Tynemouth, the Rev. A. Tuson, Vicar of Blyth, Mr. John Easton, * This voyage was described by Com- mander Carver, Inspector of Life-boats, in the Mr. J. W. Hogarth, and other members February issue of The Life-Boat. — EDITOK. of the Blyth Committee ; Mr. R. Smith, 282 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. ex-Coxswain of the Tynemouth Life- represented the high-water mark so far boat, and Mr. W. J. Parker, the Hono- reached in Life-boat construction. rary Secretary of the Branch, to whom Blyth was not a large port when com- the Institution is indebted for the pared with the Tyne, but in the course admirable arrangements of the ceremony. of 1920, 2,289 vessels had entered their The function itself was preceded by harbour, with 34,278 persons on board. a procession through the town. This Those figures gave some idea of the was headed by the band and boys from numbers who risked their lives at sea the Wellesley Nautical School. The old and of the need there was to be ready Life-boat Dash, with the crew on board, at all times to render help. and drawn by six horses, followed, and In presenting the Life-boat to the the rest of the procession was made up Branch, Mr. Runciman spoke of the of boy scouts, sea scouts, girl guides, generosity of the late Mr. Joseph Adlam,

Phnlograph by] [Mr. J. H. Cleel, South ShieMs. INAUGURAL CEREMONY, BLYTH. The names of those in front, reading from right to left, are: Mr. C. E. Baldwin, J.P., the Right Hon. Walter Runciman, Major Barton, R.E., Mr. W. J. Parker (Hon. Secretary), Sir Walter Runciman, Lady Runciman, the Lord Bishop of Newcastle, the Rev. A. Tuson, and Mr. John Easton. ambulance brigades, life-saving brigades, after whom the Boat was to be named, friendly societies and the Cowpen in leaving the Institution over £11,000 Colliery band. to be expended as the Committee of After the opening hymn " 0 God our Management thought fit. This new Help in Ages Past " and a prayer by Boat had cost £9,000 and she was the Rev. A. Tuson, Mr. Baldwin recalled replacing a Boat which had cost £1,300. the fine record of the Salford, the Dalmar That difference showed the enormous and the Dash, the three Life-boats which increase in the cost of maintaining the had succeeded one another at Blyth Service, which was the result of the since 1872, and which had saved in all determination of the Institution to over 170 lives. The first Life-boat continue improving the Boats and their House had been shut off from the sea by equipment, and to give the Life-boatmen commercial developments, the second the best that art, science and good was not suitable for a Motor Life-boat, workmanship could provide. and so it had been necessary to build a Mr. Runciman then spoke of the third to house the Joseph'Adlam, which splendid part which the North-east MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 283 Coast had played in the history of the proud of its achievements, and it was no Life-boat service. On that coast the reflection on State ownership to point first Life-boat station had been estab- out that it had always been voluntarily lished, and the Tyne Life-boat, which managed and controlled by a voluntary had served at Tynemouth for forty-eight Committee, manned by volunteer crews, years, still held, with 1,024 lives rescued, and supported by voluntary contribu- the record for life-saving. Good as had tions. He would ask the voluntary been the record of the Boats on the subscribers not to let their generosity North-east Coast it was no better than fail, for he could assure them that what the record of the men, and he was glad they gave would be put to the best use to think that they could secure crews possible. not only from among professional sea- After Mr. John Easton had accepted faring men but from among those who, the Boat on behalf of the Branch, she as yachtsmen, went to sea for their was dedicated by the Bishop of New-

Photograph fry] \Mj. J. H. Cleet, South Shields. LAUNCH OF THE BLYTH MOTOR LIFE-BOAT, "JOSEPH ADLAM." pleasure, and were ready, when the call castle; the hymn " Eternal Father came, to risk their lives in the Life-boat Strong to Save " was sung, and Com- service. In that connexion he would mander Carver, Inspector of Life-boats remind them of the splendid service, one for the Eastern District, gave particulars of the finest ever performed by a Motor of the Boat. Major Barton then pro- Life-boat, in which Major Barton and posed and Mr. Hogarth, of the Blyth Coxswain Smith took part, winning the Committee, seconded a vote of thanks to Gold Medal of the Institution, when, in Lady Runciman, Mr. Walter Runciman 1914, the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat and the Bishop of Newcastle, and the came to the rescue of the Rohilla off Boat, which had been on the slipway at Whitby. That service not only showed the edge of the water, was hauled up the splendid bravery of men but marked by the motor-winch into the Boat- the great advance made by science in house. Here Lady Runciman performed the work of saving life from shipwreck, the naming ceremony, and to the playing an advance without which many who of the Wellesley Boys' band on the roof had been saved would have been lost. of the Boat House, and the cheering of The Institution, with its record of over the crowd, the Joseph Adlam was 58,000 lives saved, had a right to be launched. 234 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922.

From a drawing by Mr. S. W. Clatmorthy, presented to the Institution by the artist, and reproduced by permission of The Graphic. THE BARNETT (TWIN-SCREW) MOTOR LIFE-BOAT. 60 feet by 15 feet. Fitted with two 75 h.p. motors, giving a speed of 10 knots, and a radius of action of 100 miles. Provided with two cabins; Line-throwing Gun; Searchlight, and Life-saving net. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 285

A New Type of Motor Life-boat. By Captain HOWARD F. ]. ROWLEY, C.B.E., R.N., Chief Inspector of Life-boats. AT the end of last year we began building increased value of the new design of the first of a new type of Motor Life-boat. engine and the greater horse-power. She will be by far the largest and most That value lies in the very great reserve powerful Motor Life-boat in the Institu- of power which it will give, enabling the tion's Fleet, and will, in fact, be the j Life-boat to maintain her maximum largest Motor Life-boat in the world. j speed under conditions of weather which This new type has been designed by j would materially reduce the speed of any Mr. J. R. Barnett, of Messrs. G. L. I other Motor Life-boat. Watson & Co., the Institution's Con- '• The Barnett Boat will be of the non- suiting Naval Architect, in consultation j self-righter type, but she will be prac- with the Institution's officials, and she j tically unsinkable. Built almost entirely will be known as the Barnett Type. [ of a double thickness of teak, with light With a length of 60 feet, a beam of mild-steel bulkheads, she will have nearly 15 feet, and a draught of 4 feet 6 inches, 100 buoyant air cases, each of which her displacement will be about 40 tons, will be virtually a water-tight compart- and she will be fitted with twin screws, ment, so that she will have practically driven by two six-cylinder 75 li.p. as many water-tight compartments as a motors. These engines also are of a new modern battle cruiser. These water-tight type specially designed by the technical j compartments, as I say, will make her staff of the Institution for its Motor j practically unsinkable, but a no less Life-boat Service as the result of an i important feature of the Boat is that each experience which now extends over! motor will be in a separate water-tight fifteen years, and it is intended to use , compartment. It will, in fact, be possible this type of engine in all Motor Life-! for the wing compartments amidships, boats. Mr. A. F. Evans, the Institution's j that is, the compartments next to the Surveyor of Machinery, and the head of motors, to be flooded without any water the department which has designed the reaching the motors themselves. new engine and supervised its construe-1 Mechanical power is to be used on tion, describes it in a separate article. board her wherever possible, and there With these two engines, developing will be auxiliary machinery consisting 150 h.p. the Barnett Boat will have a of an 8 h.p. petrol engine, with an air speed of nine to ten knots, and her compressor and a dynamo. These will radius of action will be 100 miles, or 150 be used for working the bilge pump, at cruising speed. She will not be rigged winch and capstan and for supplying like the other Motor Life-boats, which both a searchlight and the general have a standing jib, standing lug, and lighting of the Boat. usually also a mizzen, but will carry i In addition to the much greater speed, simply a jury rig of one mast with a small power, range and ease of working, which triangular fore-lug and jib. j will be among her advantages over the Compare her dimensions with those other types, the Barnett Boat will also of the largest of the existing Motor Life- have a number of important accessories boats, the one which was completed last which they have not. She will be the autumn, and sent to Lowestoft, and the first British Motor Life-boat to have one now being built for Cromer. Those cabins. Of these there will be two. One, two boats have a length of 46 feet 6 provided with a stove and a lavatory, inches and a beam of 12 feet 9 inches. will be forward of the engine-room, and They are fitted with one 60 h.p. engine. the other abaft. The two cabins will hold Their speed is 8'3 knots and their range between them about fifty people, while of action is fifty miles. These figures the total number able to be taken on partly show the great advance which is board will be 150, as compared with being made with the new Boat. I say ninety in the 46 foot 6 inch Boats. Thus, partly, because the increase of speed from for the first time, it will be possible to 8'3 to 9 or 10 knots gives no idea of the give at once to the rescued—who are 286 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. often in a state of exhaustion or complete The first Barnett Boat is being built for collapse after long exposure—shelter, New Brighton, on the Mersey, where she warmth and warm food. will take the place of the Steam Life-boat Amidships there will be stretched a the Queen. It is a station for which she life-saving net, so that when the Boat is is especially suited, because of the great alongside a vessel high out of the water volume of traffic, the outlying sand- the people on board will be able, by banks to the Mersey, the strong tides jumping, to get into the Life-boat and the long distances which frequently much more quickly and easily than at have to be travelled. It is hoped in the present is possible. future to build Life-boats of this type Like other Motor Life-boats the for other stations, especially those Barnett Boat will carry a line-throwing where it is possible to keep Boats per- gun, and she will have, in addition, the manently at moorings. searchlight already referred to, and a This new Boat marks a very great screen to protect the helmsman. These advance in life-saving work. She will interesting features can be clearly seen be able to go to the succour of vessels in the accompanying drawing, made by far beyond the reach of any existing Mr. Clatworthy of the Graphic, from the Motor Life-boat. But for every such Institution's plans and drawings, in advance in its power to save life the order to show the Boat's internal as Institution has to pay. The New well as external arrangement. The Brighton Life-boat will cost little line-throwing gun is right aft, the search- short of £20,000, that is to say, twice light is by the mast, and the net is under as much as the largest Motor Life- the triangular sail, with the helmsman's boat that up to the present has been shelter just aft of it. built.

A New Life-boat Engine. By Arthur F. Evans, Surveyor of Machinery. THERE is one very important difference ] result is that when, some time ago, our between the designing of a Life-boat growing experience of Motor Life-boat and the designing of her engine. work made it seem advisable to have The requirements of the Institution, a new engine embodying that experience, so far as hulls are concerned, are quite it was considered best for the Institution special. No other small craft are built to design one for itself. which would be in any way suitable for A design was made, and specifications the Life-boat Service. In the case of were drawn out, at the beginning of 1920, the engine, however, this is not the case. and Messrs. J. Tylor & Sons, Ltd., who Any engine that was designed entirely had made practically all the previous to comply with marine conditions as met Life-boat engines, were instructed to with in small open boats would be in build the engine. Unfortunately, before every way suitable for the Life-boat very much progress had been made, Service, provided such engine were they had to discontinue all work of this manufactured in accordance with the kind, and there was nothing for the usual practice appertaining to auto- Institution to do but to take over and mobile engines. complete the work itself. This being so, it is very unfortunate The engine has been constructed on that there does not exist, in the opinion what is termed " the Component of the technical officers of the Institu- system," that is to say, detailed draw- tion, any standardised engine on the ings of the various parts have been market which really meets the require- issued to different firms who make a ments of small open boats and is, there- speciality of them, and contracts placed fore, suitable for Life-boat work. The for their supply. When completed, they MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 287 were delivered to a convenient engineer- uncomfortable and unsatisfactory, and, ing works near Godalming, the Weyburn therefore, every hot part is enclosed in a Engineering Co., Ltd., to which was water jacket. entrusted the work of erecting and Many engines, in themselves excellent, testing the engine. are made without a reverse gear, and The testing of the engine was rather this gear, probably made by another an anxious business. In the first example firm, has to be installed in the Boat in of an entirely new design one might such a manner that it is absolutely in expect to experience some trouble. We line with the engine, although there is were very fortunate in finding nothing no guarantee that the movements of more serious than some faults in the the Boat will not place it out of line. starting motor, which was bought from A marine engine ought to have its an outside firm practically complete, reverse gear as an integral part of the some faulty piston rings, and car- engine both to avoid this serious diffi- burettors which required rather a long culty, and also the necessity of providing time for adjustment. Eventually the a separate oiling system. That is what engine went through the whole of its we have done. tests in a very satisfactory manner. The thrust block is a very vulnerable Unfortunately, while the engine was point in the usual marine engine, and receiving its final coat of enamel in April this block also should be part of the one last, before being sent to Cowes to be system, so that it can share in the installed in a Life-boat for its test at adequate oiling arrangements provided sea, part of the Weyburn Works were for the engine. This is necessary, not burnt down, and the engine was so because a ball-thrust requires much oil, seriously damaged that it will be at least but because, in a marine engine, if there three months before it is in working is a flow of oil, any water which may in- order again. advertently find its way into such a The features which we considered delicate thing as the ball-thrust, will at essential, and which were embodied in once be washed away and removed to the design, are as follows :— the filter. The engine is spray-proof, all working In a marine engine, and especially in parts, ignition details, and other items a Life-boat engine, the control should which can be effected by damp, rust or be as obvious and as easy to operate as dirt, being enclosed in a water-tight are the controls in a motor car, and for cover, and if there are any actual moving this reason inter-connection has been parts, they are supplied with a copious arranged between the throttle and bath of lubricant, the lubricant being control gear so as to leave one operation pumped up from the bottom of the crank only for the driver to attend to. This chamber by a very powerful pump, and, involves a certain amount of mechanical after being filtered and cooled, distri- work which may appear to have com- buted throughout the whole of the plicated the engine, but it has simplified engine. the handling of it. As a matter of fact the only moving It will be realised that there must be part that can be seen or touched is the one definite temperature at which an flange on the thrust shaft at the after engine gives the best results, and also end of the engine, and this passes into that, unless the temperature is regulated, the reverse gear through a substantial it will vary greatly between the extremes gland. For this reason the engine is of the engine running slowly in neutral submersible, the limit of submersibility in the winter, and fully opened out on a being the air intake to the carburettor. hot summer's day. To rely upon hand If for demonstration purposes a hose regulation to rectify this has been were attached to the air intake, the found to be unsatisfactory, and a very engine could be lowered as many feet simple apparatus has been added to this under water as the length of the intake engine which automatically keeps the and the hose, and still continue to run. water in the jackets at the same tem- It is dangerous to have hot pipes or perature by regulating the amount which parts on a marine engine, besides being it allows to pass through. 288 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. Great trouble has been experienced in the whole of the pistons can be removed the past in starting some of our larger from the engine through the crank engines on a cold morning. The new chamber doors, and this has actually engine, therefore, has been fitted with a been done in one hour. starting gear which is not dependent on In order to provide for a thorough outside batteries or bottles of compressed overhaul of the engine at stated intervals air, but which consists of an ordinary without undue expense or trouble as bicycle motor. would be occasioned by removing the It must be realised that a Life-boat whole engine from the Boat, the design engine (in fact any marine engine), must includes a detachable cylinder head, not stop, since there are times when a which contains all the delicate stoppage would mean disaster. To mechanism, such as the valves, ignitors, provide against the possibility of stop- coils, etc., while all pipe-joints for the ping every reasonable precaution has exhaust, water and oil circulations are to be taken, and one of these precautions made on the engine body. This allows has been to design the bearings of the the head to be removed, the valves crankshaft of such ample proportions ground in, and adjustments made that they are not at all likely to give without breaking any joint other than any trouble. the main cylinder head-joint which is a While it is not considered admissible plain soft copper grummet, as it is that any adjustment should be made to called, and the head can be replaced a Life-boat engine while actually running without upsetting the adjustment of the on service, yet there are times when a parts. quick adjustment for examination is The engine is capable of giving essential, and for this reason every 100 h.p., but will be running at some- effort has been made to allow parts where about 80 h.p., and together which require adjustment, examination, with its reverse gear it occupies the or replacement, put in such a position same space as the old type 60-h.p. that they are accessible. For instance, engine.

Centenary of the Institution, 1924. Appeal to Honorary Secretaries. The history of the Institution is now return them eventually. In the case

Honorary Workers of the Institution. No. 6. Mr. William Bertram, J.P., Hon. Secretary of the Dunbar and Skateraw Branch. NOWHERE on the coast of Scotland, or, launched on service forty-six times, and indeed, on the coasts of the British Isles, have saved over 100 lives. has the Institution an Honorary Secre- Mr. Bertram has also done much to tary who has develop the finan- worked harder cial side of the and more success- Branch. The year fully for the cause before he became than Mr. Bertram Honorary Secre- at Dunbar. tary the subscrip- For thirty-five tions to the years he has been Branch amounted associated with to just £10, and the work of the the whole of its Dunbar Station. revenue to £18. The first nine In 1921 it had a years he was the subscription list of Assistant Hono- £44, and raised rary Secretary ; altogether £228. for the past One typical in- twenty-six years stance may be he has been the given of the prac- Honorary Secre- tical energy which tary, and for fif- he has devoted to teen of those his work. He is twenty-six years the son-in-law of he has also been the late Captain Honorary Secre- S. B. Wilkins, for tary of the Skate- many years Fire raw Station, which Mr. WILLIAM BERTRAM, J.P. Master of Edin- was established in burgh, and he him- 1907, as the result of representations self went ^through a course of training which he made to the Institution. He i with the brigade. He studied, in particu- was also responsible for the establishment, lar. the brigade's methods for turning out of the St. Abb's Head Station in 1911.: quickly. The experience thus obtained of which he acted as Joint Honorary he adapted to Life-boat work, and put Secretary for several years, and of which the crew through a course of training, he is still a member of Committee. with the result that the Dunbar Boat can When Mr. Bertram became Honorary now be launched in three and a quarter Secretary at Dunbar the Station was in minutes, while the Skateraw Boat is a far from satisfactory state, and that in the water, on an average, forty-five it is now one of the most efficient on minutes after the firing of the gun, the coast is due in very great measure although, when it is called out, both to his energetic and skilful administra- crew and beachmen have to be taken tion. He never spares himself; he from Dunbar, a distance of four and a gives to the work of both stations his half miles. It should also be mentioned constant and daily attention. Moreover, that Mr. Bertram has further increased on many occasions he has been out in the efficiency of the two Stations by the Life-boat, not only on practice, but having the coxswains, second coxswains on service, and in the course of twenty- and bowmen taught semaphore signal- five years has only missed three of the ling. practice launches. During his Honorary Mr. Bertram is a man of many Secretaryship the two boats have been I activities, and has devoted himself, in 290 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. particular, to the welfare of Scottish Wesleyan Church. He has been a fishermen. In 1888 he became Honorary Justice of the Peace since 1915, and has Central Secretary of the East Coast twice been asked to stand as a parlia- Fisheries Association, and held this post mentary candidate for Scottish fishing until 1918, his work during the war constituencies. These invitations he being specially onerous, as all fishing was compelled, by his many other on the east coast of Scotland was activities, to refuse. suspended by Admiralty order, and Mr. Bertram has received many thousands of fishermen, thrown suddenly presentations and rewards in recognition out of work, had to be drafted into new of his public services. In 1900 the employment—with the fleet, at the Institution presented him with an I dockyards, and even in mines and on Aneroid Barometer, in appreciation of { farms. During the War, as Secretary the help which he gave when the of this Association, Mr. Bertram served Dunbar Life-boat rescued twenty-four on the Food Control Board in London. of the crew of the barque Ecclefechan, In 1919 a new body, the Scottish which had stranded on Skateraw Point, Drift Net and Line Fishermen's Asso- and in 1905 he received a pair of ciation, was formed, into which all Binoculars as a mark of the Institution's I existing fishermen's organisations were gratitude for his " long and valuable j merged, and Mr. Bertram was appointed co-operation " in the work of the Life- its Central Secretary, refusing, however, boat Service. In 1888 he was presented the salary which was offered. He had with a silver salver by the Haddington- given his services for thirty years, and shire Humane Society ; in 1902, at a he preferred to continue to work public dinner in Dunbar, with a marble without reward. clock, by the town ; in 1905 with a silver For many years Mr. Bertram has been cigarette case by the crews of the a representative on the Haddingtonshire Dunbar and Skateraw Life-boats, and and Berwickshire coasts of the Royal in 1913 with a service of gold plate and Humane Society and on the Carnegie an illuminated address by the Dunbar Hero Trust in connexion with the and Skateraw Branch, its Life-boat grant of rewards for rescues from crews, and the fishermen, beachmen and drowning. He is Honorary Agent for coastguard on the Haddingtonshire the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, has coast. Mr. Bertram, who has helped been Chairman of the Institute of to save many lives from drowning apart Journalists for Edinburgh and the East from his Life-boat work, holds the medal of Scotland, and for twenty-two years and diploma of the Royal Life-Saving was an office bearer in the Dunbar Society. Awards to Honorary Workers. To J. WIGNALL HODSON, Esq., upon his retire- more than 10 years as Honorary Treasurer ment after 10 years as Honorary Secretary of of the Bolton Branch, a Framed Photograph. the Fleetwood Branch, the Gold Pendant and a Framed Photograph of a Life-boat The following awards have been made proceeding to a vessel in distress. to Honorary Secretaries on completion To Mrs. E, MAXWELL, upon her retirement of 10 years' service :— after 8 years as Honorary Secretary of the To Lt.-Col. R. A. NEVILI., D.S.O. (Ferryside); Araumore Branch, a Silver Inkstand. ERNEST WOOLFIELD, Esq. (Kessingland); and T. W. GOMM, Esq. (Margate)—Binocu- To Commander D. L. HOWE, R.N.V.R., upon lars. his retirement, after 10 years as Honorary To the Hon. Mrs. JOICEY (Morpeth); C. B. Secretary of the Bristol Branch, the Gold STODDAHT, Esq. (Cardiff); Miss STEPHENS Pendant and Record of Thanks. (Devizes) ; EDWARD COOHKANB, Esq. (Pais- To Mrs. ELLISON, in recognition of her valuable ley) ; J. CURME LIDDLE, Esq. (Bo'ness); co-operation as District President at Liver- J. WALKINSHAW, Esq. (Coatbridge); H. pool for over 20 years, the Gold Brooch and FRYER SMITH, Esq. (Bedford), and W. H. Record of Thanks. ASHMOLE, Esq. (Swansea)—Framed Photo- To W. DOKEY, Esq., on his retirement from the graphs. Honorary Secretaryship of the Clacton-on- To C. H. LEMMON, Esq. (King's Lynn), and Sea Branch, the Gold Pendant and Record STANLEY HAYWAKD, Esq. (Reading)—Gold of Thanks. Pendants and Records of Thanks. To Mrs. ISOBEL HOLBROOK (Derby)—The To J. T. GEE, Esq., on his retirement, after Record of Thanks. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 291

Summary of the Meetings of the Committee of Management. Friday, 27th January, 1922. Lives Life-boat. Vessel. saved. The Right Hon. The EARL WAI.DEGRAVE, P.C., Lowestoft . . Steam trawler Halifax, in the Chair. (Motor) ofGrimsby. Landed Reported the receipt of the following special 10. contn butions . — Lowestoft . . S.S. Tidal,, of Cardiff. j (Motor) Landed 15. TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE OF £ s. d. Moelfre . . . S.S. Convonium, of THE LATE MR. S. H. THOMP- Liverpool. Landed SON, for a Life-boat to be an injured man. named " M. C. Thompson " . 5,000 - -Montrose No. 1. A schooner. Stood by KING GEORGE'S FUND FOR vessel. SAILORS 1,000 - - THE LATE BISHOP CORFE, per and Padstow Saved boat and . 3 Miss E. D. Wilson .... 100 - - Tug. MRS WHITAKER 100 — — -Ksnuscy ... bcn.oon.6r / (j,yif.fi€t of Miss MOSER, Hon. See., Shrews- Bristol. Landed 7. bury Branch 50 - - Scarborough . Motor coble Breadwin- ANONYMOUS 50 - - ner, of Scarborough. ANONYMOUS 50 — — jLScorteoi cooie into j ALFRED BAKRETT, Esq. ... 26 5 - harbour. i F. 0. BROWN, Esq. (contents of Stromness . . Steam trawler Freesia, box) 23 - - /itr j. \ f pT«TT1q}^v. 9 ' — To be thanked. Teesmouth . . Small boat Eva, of Paid £16,006 9*. 9rf. for sundry charges in (Motor) Teesmouth ... 1 connexion with the construction of Life-boats, Wicklow . . Schooner Sannox, of j Life-boat Houses and Slipways, and the main- (Motor) Glasgow .... 6 j tenance of the various Life-boat establish- ments. The Cresswell Life- boat assisted the s.s. Voted £883 11?. to pay the expenses of the Wandla, of Haugesund ; the Filey Life-boat following Life-boat services : — assisted to save the ketch Clymping, of Little- • Lives hampton ; the Holyhead No. 1 (Steam) Life- Life-boat. Vessel. saved. boat assisted the R.M.S. Hibernia, of Dublin ; Barry Dock . . S.S. London, of Dun- the Ilfracombe Life -boat assisted to save the dee ; s.s. Exeter City, s.s. Woolston, of London ; the North Deal Life- of Bristol ; and s.s. boat saved the barge Mocking Bird, of Whit- ; Sea Serpent, of Dover. stable, and her three hands ; the Scarborough Assisted three ves- Life-boat saved the steam trawler Eccleshill, sels. of Scarborough, and her crew of three ; and Bembridge . . S.S. Kingsley, of New- the Spurn (Motor) Life-boat saved the trawler castle. Stood by Xania, of Grimsby, and the trawler Pomona, of • vessel. Hull. Berwick -on- A fishing yawl of Burn- Tweed, mouth .... 3 Also voted £888 9s. Id. to pay the expenses .' of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies Clacton-on-Sca . S.S. Shea/arrow, of New- ! (Motor) castle. Stood b^y of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons vessel. on vessels in distress : —Arklo w (Motor), Cullercoats . . Fishing coble Europe, Brixham, Bridlington, Caister, Campbeltown, of Cullercoats. Saved Cromer, Donna Nook, Dunbar, Easington, • eoble and ... 4 Eyemouth, Flamborough No. 2, Filey, Fraser- Donaghadee . Barquentine Gaelic, of biirgh (Motor), Holyhead No. 1 (Steam), Johns- ' (Motor) Beaumaris. Landed 7. haven, Lyme Regis, Lytham, Margate No. 1, Donaghadee . Ketch New Leader, of Montrose No. 2, North Deal, Padstow No. 2 (Motor) Eamsey. Landed 3. and Padstow Tug, Penlee, Porthleven, Bams- ! Donna Nook . Danish fishing vessel ate, Rhoscolyn, Sennen Cove, Southport, Koivisto .... 4 §heringham, Totland Bay, Wexford (Motor), Eastbourne . . A French trawler. Weymouth, and Wicklow (Motor). (Motor) Stood by vessel. ! Flamborough Two cobles of Flam- The Eamsgate Life-boat was also launched No. 1. borough. Stood by on service. cobles. Granted £32 10s. to men for injury in the Hythe . . . Boat of s.s. WarTamar, Life-boat service at Cardigan, Hilbre Island, of London ... 4 and North Deal. Hastings . . Fishing boat Kathleen, of Hastings. Es- Voted a compassionate grant to the widow corted boat into har- of the late ex-Bowman David McCreadie, of bour. Ballantrae. 292 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922.

Voted a compassionate grant of £10 to the Friday, 17th February, 1922. widow of Second Coxswain George Lowrie, of Eyemouth, who was left in poor circum- The Right Hon. The EARL WALDEOEAVB, P.C., stances. in the Chair. Reported the receipt of the following special Awarded the Bronze Medal of the Institu- contributions :— tion, accompanied by a copy of the Vote in- scribed on Vellum, to WILLIAM JOHNSTON, MAJOR THE HON. J. J. ASTOR, £ s. d. Coxswain of the Stromness Motor Life-boat, (new sub.) 26 5 - in recognition of a very meritorious service on —To be thanked. the 1st January when two of the crew of the Reported that Mr. J. A. GAB.OTNER, Honorary steam trawler Freesia were saved. Secretary of the Campbeltown, Southern! and Also sent a Letter of Appreciation to Mr. Machrihanish Branch, had presented to the G. L. THOMSON, for his valuable co-operation; Institution a Storehouse in its occupation in granted an extra monetary reward to the crew memory of his late Brothers. of the Life-boat and to the Signalman ; and Paid £13,856 16s. 24. for sundry charges in granted monetary rewards to the crews of three connexion with the construction of Life-boats, boats which put off to render help. (A full Life-boat Houses and Slipways, and the main- account of this service appeared in the last tenance of the various Life-boat establish- issue of The Life-boat.) ments. Voted the Thanks of the Institution in- Voted £382 19s. &d. to pay the expenses of scribed on Vellum to JOHN T. DOBSON, Acting the following Life-boat services :— Lives Coxswain, and to the other twelve members Life-boat. Vessel. saved. of the crew of the Donna Nook Life-boat, in Arbroath . . Belgian S.S. Rosa. recognition of a meritorious service on the Saved, by means of 24th December when the crew of four hands lines, 7 of the Danish fishing vessel Koivitto were Broughty Ferry Belgian S.S. flosa. saved. The Life-boat capsized on this service, (Motor) Stood by vessel. happily without loss of life. Clovelly . . . Ketch Gorey Lass, of Also granted a monetary reward to the crew Bideford. Landed 3. of the tug Lynx, which rendered assistance. Filey . . . Two fishing cobles of (A full account of this service appeared in the Filey. Escorted last issue of The Lifeboat.) cobles into harbour. Holy Island Trawler James B. Gra- Decided to send a Letter of Appreciation to No. 1 ham, of Hartlepool . 9 Mr. C. H. GRAY, Honorary Secretary at Lowestoft . . Steam Trawler Elec- Bridlington, and granted extra monetary (Motor) trie, of Lowestoft. rewards to the Life-boat crew and helpers, in Landed 9. recognition of an arduous launch in very severe Pwllheli . . . Fishing smack Norah, weather on the 4th January. of Pwllheli ... 3 Spurn (Motor) . Steam trawler Darracq, Granted an additional monetary reward to of Grimsby. Stood the Teesmouth Motor Life-boat crew in recog- by vessel. nition of their meritorious services in saving Winterton No. 1 Barge Briton, of Lon- the occupant oJ a small boat on 12th January. don. Saved, by Also decided that Letters of Appreciation means of lines . . 1 be sent to Mr. ROBT. GRAY, who arranged for The Bull Bay Life-boat assisted to save the a locomotive to convey the Life-boat crew to ketch Excel, of Poole, and her three hands ; the station, and to the Coast-guards, for their the Spurn (Motor) Life-boat stood by and ren- valuable co-operation. dered assistance to the steam trawler Gozo, of Hull; and the Spurn (Motor) Life-boat also Decided that in connexion with an arduous rendered assistance to the steam trawler assembly at Donna Nook, on the night of the Serapion, of Grimsby. 15th January, in very severe weather, a Letter of Appreciation be sent to the Honorary Also voted £137 12.s. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of Secretary, Mr. WM. ROBINSON, and to all crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons on concerned. vessels in distress :—Angle, Broughty Ferry Voted £6 to three men for bringing ashore (Motor), Blyth, Caister, Crail, Dunbar, Hast- the seven members of the crew of the s.s. ings, Newcastle (Co. Down), New Brighton Flew IV.. of Guernsey, who had taken to the No. 2 (Steam), Newhaven (Motor), North Deal, ship's boat when their vessel struck some sub- Palling No. 1, Porthleven, and The Lij.ard merged wreckage and foundered about nine (Motor). miles W.S.W. of the Royal Sovereign Light The Ramsgate Life-boat was also launched Vessel during foggy weather on the 14th on service. December. Also granted 10-9. to the owner of the motor boat used, to cover the cost of Granted £37 19s. to men for injury in the petrol. The salvors lost some of their fishing Life-boat service at Broughty Ferry, North tackle when they left their fishing to tow the Deal, and Southport. shipwrecked men to Eastbourne. Awarded the Silver Second Service Clasp, MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 293

together with a copy of the Vote inscribed on 1921. These two men and another had gone Vellum, to GEORGE CEOMARTY, Coxswain of out fishing in a canvas canoe, which had been the Holy Island No. 1 Life-boat, in recognition swamped by a breaking sea. One of the three of a fine service on the night of the 15th was drowned and the other two were washed January, when the nine hands of the trawler up on to a ledge of rock. Their perilous posi- James B. Graham,, of Hartlepool, were saved. tion was seen by the rescuers, who were also In connexion with the same service the out fishing in a canvas canoe, and who made at Bronze Medal of the Institution was awarded once for the rocks. In carrying out the rescue to WILLIAM WILSON, Second Coxswain, and to in a boat of this type they themselves ran a THOMAS A. STEVENSOX, Bowman, and an addi- very great risk. tional monetary reward to the Life-boat crew and helpers. A Special Letter of Thanks was also written to the " Women of Holy Island," Friday, 23rd March, 1922. who helped to launch the Life-boat; and a The Right Hon. The EAEL WALDEGRAVE, P.C., Special Letter of Thanks to Mr. F. HOLLINGS- in the Chair. WORTH, the Honorary Secretary. (An account of this service appeared in the last issue of The Reported the resignation from the Com- Life-boat and an account of the presentation of mittee of Management of Lord Airedale. these awards in the report of the Annual Passed a special Vote of Thanks to H.R.H. General Meeting in this issue.) the Duke of York for attending a Ball at the Decided that a Letter of Thanks be sent to Palais de Danse, Hammersmith, on 24th Mr. G. WATERS BECK, Honorary Secretary at February, in aid of the Institution ; and also Winterton, for the personal interest he took to H.R.H. The Princess Beatrice for attending in the welfare of the crew of the barge Briton, a matinee at Oxford on the 22nd February. which was wrecked on 23rd January. Reported the receipt of the following special Granted an extra monetary reward, accom- contributions :— panied by a Letter of Appreciation, to Cox- CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, Zomba, £ s. d. swain PENOILLY, of Clovelly, for his zeal in Nyasaland (collections) ... 4 10 - watching on the night of the 21st January, TRUSTEES OF THE LATE MR WIL- with the result that the crew of three hands of LIAM KIRKHOPE, of Edinburgh the ketch Gorey Lass were landed by the Life- (cash and stock) .... 6,353 10 - boat. D. COATS, Esq. (donation) . . . 100 - - Decided that a Letter of Thanks be sent to —To te thanked. the Arbroath Corporation for supplying horses, Suitably recognised the services of a number free of charge, when the Life-boat was called of ladies and gentlemen for valuable help for service, on the 26th January. extending over many years. (A list of their Decided that Letters of Appreciation be sent names appears under " Awards to Honorary to Mr. A. McGREGOB ELDER, Honorary Secre- Workers.") tary, and to the Coxswain and crew at Crail Paid £18,053 18s. Id. for sundry charges in in connexion with an attempted service under connexion with the construction of Life-boats, severe conditions on the 17th January. Life-boat Houses and Slipways and the main- Granted an extra monetary reward to the tenance of the various Life-boat establish- crew of the Broughty Ferry (Motor) Lifeboat ments. for arduous services performed in severe Voted £169 5.«. 6

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen. To R. D. JONES, on his retirement, after serving borough Life-boat, a Framed Certificate of 21 years as Second Coxswain of the Criccieth Service and a Gratuity. Life-boat, a Certificate of Service and a To ROBERT WATSON, on his retirement, after Pension. serving 18J years as Signalman at Campbel- To JOHN HOWBLLS, on his retirement, after town, a commuted Pension. serving Hi years as Coxswain of the Fish- guard Life-boat, a Framed Certificate of To JAMES CORMACK, on his retirement, after Service and a Pension. serving 21 years as Coxswain of the Banff and Macduff Life-boat, a Pension. To R. HARDING, on his retirement, after serving 15J years as Second Coxswain and To CHARLES OILLER, on his retirement, after 1-1 years as Coxswain of the Ballyeotton Life- serving 25 years as Bowman of the Dunge- boat, a Framed Certificate of Service and a ness No. 2 Life-boat, a Certificate of Service Pension. and a commuted Pension. To WILLIAM SLADE, on his retirement, after To SAMUEL PARRISH, on his retirement, after serving 10 years as Bowman of the Minehead serving 20 years as Coxswain of the Donna Life-boat, a Pension. Nook Life-boat, a Pension. To J. SIMMONDS, after serving 12 years as To WILLIAM McLEOD, on his retirement, after Bowman of the New Romney Life-boat, a serving 9 years as Bowman and 8| years as Pension. Second Coxswain of the Lossiemouth Life- boat, a Pension. To N. MASON, upon his retirement, after serving 4 years as Bowman and 7 years as Second WILLIAM JONES, who had been a member of Coxswain of the Hasborough Life-boat, a the crew of the Cemaes Life-boat for over Pension. 40 years, died recently, and the Committee decided to make a compassionate grant of To JOHN WARD, on his retirement, after £3 to his widow in view of her straitened serving 10 years as Bowman of the Lyn- circumstances. mouth Life-boat, a Pension. GEORGE LOWRIE, who had been a member of To THOMAS MAX, on his retirement, after the crew of the Eyemouth Life-boat for serving 13 years as Bowman of the Little 20 years, and Second Coxswain for 11 years, Haven Life-boat, a Pension. died recently, and the Committee decided To CANNON HARVEY, on his retirement, after to make a compassionate grant to his widow serving 23 years as Coxswain of the Has- in view of her straitened circumstances. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 297

Forthcoming Life-boat Days. THE following is a fairly complete list Aug. 5. Isle of Wight, Borth, Bournemouth, of the Life-boat Days which have Morecambe, Westgate-on-Sea. ,, 7. Aberystwyth, Looe, Ramsgate, already been arranged for the summer. Southwold. The dates, however, are subject to „ 9. Retford. alteration. This list does not include a ,, 10. Barmouth. large number of places where days will ,, 12. Folkestone, Grimsby, Mablethorpe, Sidmouth. be held, but for which no dates have ,, 14. Laugharne, Llandrindod Wells, yet been fixed : — New Quay (Card.). June 2-3. Swansea. „ 15. Youghal. 3. Aberdeen, Barry, Bolsover, Bridg- ,, 16. Newquay. north, Brighton, Edinburgh, Glas- „ 17. Sidmouth Fete. gow, Grangemouth, Newcastle „ 19. Bexhill - on - Sea, Dublin Coast (Staffs.), Smethwick, Stourbridge, Towns, Portrush (Second Day), Warrington. Tenby. 9. Pembroke Dock. „ 21. Skegness. 10. Gloucester, Liverpool, Penarth, „ 22. Hastings and St. Leonards. Sunderlaud, Wisbech. „ 23. Appledore, Bideford, Bognor, Salis- 17. Dover, Neath, South Shields. bury. 20. Lewes. „ 26. Frinton-on-Sea, Halesowen, Pen- 22. Dublin. zance, Walton-on-Naze. 24, Bradford, Coventry, Newcastle-on- Sept. 2. Ayr, Kilmarnock, Nottingham, Tyne, Tunbridge Wells, Rother- Peterborough, Seaton, Southend ham, Warwick. and Leigh-on-Sea. July 1. Bristol, Colchester, Maryport, New- 9. Walsall. haven. „ 16. Coatbridge, Cork, Malvern, Weedon. 7. Chatterfs, Exeter, Faversham. „ 23. High Wycombe. 8. Birmingham, Hull, Portsmouth, Oct. 21. Cheltenham and Oxford. Preston. „ 28. Stoke-on-Trent. 15. Alloa, Chelmsford, Darlington, Nov. 29. Bradford, Alhambra Matinee. Goole, Kirkintilloch, Maidenhead, Margate, Newcastle (Co. Down), Norwich, Port Patrick, Retford, Life-boat Days have already been held Rothesay, Sheffield, Southport, at the following places :— Stirling. 19. Stranraer. Axminster, Banbury, Barrhead, Bath, Belfast, 22. Basingstoke, Canterbury, Chatham, Bromsgrove, Burton-on-Trent, Buxton, Car- Farnham, Gillingham, Gravesend, diff, Chesterfield, Cowbridge, Cradley Heath, Perth, Portrush (First Day), Pres- Derby, Dorchester, Dunbar, Eastleigh, Ely, ton, Rochester. Fordingbridge, Grantham, Greenock, Haver - 26. Romford. fordwest, Henley-in-Arden, Hereford, Kings 29. Gorleston, Gt. Yarmouth, Herue Lynn, Lampeter, Leeds, Lincohi, Llanelly, Bay, Lowestoft, Millport, New- London, Manby, Manchester, Melksham, port (Mon.), West Bromwich. Northampton, Pontypridd, Redditch, Rei- Aug. Oswestry. gate and Redhill, Sleaford, Southampton, Barnstaple, Newbury. Spalding, Swindon, Tamworth, Tonbridge, West Cowes. Weybridge, Wick, Winchester.

News from the Branches. I Belfast Lough. to the Institution. The report also i The Annual Meeting, which was pointed out that in no part of the British | largely attended, was held on 16th Isles was there a larger proportion of January, the chair being taken by the Motor Life-boats than round the Irish Lord Mayor, Sir William Coates, Bt., coast, and that the upkeep of these boats D.L. The financial statement for the was considerably more than the amount | year ending 30th September, 1921, which Ireland annually contributed to I showed that a sum of £766 had been the funds of the Institution. In moving ! raised, as compared with £776 in 1920, the adoption of the report the Lord and of this sum £678 had been remitted Mayor said that good as was the result 298 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. of the work in 1921, still more might be Cork. done by carefully organised appeals. A meeting was held on 18th January, He referred especially to the great with Mr. A. P. Sharman Crawford as success, in such towns as Manchester and Chairman. Among those present were Birmingham, of the collections among a number of prominent local supporters the employees of works and factories, of the Institution, and Sir Godfrey and appealed to the heads of the works Baring, Bt., Deputy Chairman of the and dockyards in Belfast to give their Committee of Management. The workpeople an opportunity of contri- Honorary Secretary, Mr. Donegan, buting to the Life-boat Cause. This pointed out that while in 1918 the appeal was supported by the Very Rev. Branch had raised a sum of £285 the T. G. Collins, B.D. On the proposal of total sum collected during the following Sir Robert Kennedy, K.C.M.G., seconded three years had only been £52, and the by Mrs. M'Mordie, M.P., the Lord Mayor Chairman said that the failure was due was elected President and the Countess to the terrible conditions prevailing in of Shaftesbury was elected President of Cork. They had not lost their keenness the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. In the for the Cause, but it had been altogether course of his speech the Lord Mayor impossible to carry out the work while expressed the regret of the meeting that they had been living practically in a Sir Godfrey Baring. Bt., Deputy Chair- state of war. He hoped, however, that man of the Committee of Management, there were brighter times ahead, and had been prevented by the bad weather that they would then be able to reor- from attending the meeting. He had ganise the Branch, and give the Life- got as far as Carlisle, but had been boat Service the same help as in the unable to come further. past. They all enormously appreciated the work of the Institution. They looked Dublin. upon it as an international Institution. The Annual Meeting was held on It had saved lives and ships irrespective 17th January, the chair being taken by of nationality, and for that reason Mr. Andrew Jameson, who was supported should be supported by everybody and by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Deputy by all nations. In the course of an Chairman of the Committee of Manage- address on the work of the Service, Sir ment, Sir Maurice Dockrell, M.P., and Godfrey Baring assured the meeting the High Sheriff, Alderman Hubbard that the Irish coast had not been neg- Clarke. The report for the year ending lected by the Institution. Out of its 30th September, 1921, which was pre- twenty-six Life-boats no fewer than six sented to the meeting, showed that the were Motor Boats, and the claims of record amount of £872 had been raised Ireland would be similarly recognised as compared with £813 in 1920. This in the future, for the Institution realised successful result was due to the work of the importance of the Irish coast. He the Special Effort Committee and the appealed to the Branch to revive its Ladies' Committee as well as to the activities and to give the Institution generous support which the Branch had the same generous support as in the past. received from the city merchants. In Mr. G. Crosbie, in supporting a vote of moving the adoption of the report the thanks to Sir Godfrey Baring, pointed Chairman mentioned that the Life-boat out that the Life-Boat Institution spent Day had raised over £500, while sub- more in Ireland than it collected, scriptions amounted to only £300. He and hoped that in the future Ireland made a special appeal for an increased would contribute as much as the Life- number of annual subscribers. Sir boat Service in Ireland cost the Institu- Godfrey Baring, in the course of an tion. Ireland had never collected more address on the work of the Institution, than £3,000 in a year, while the yearly expressed the Committee of Manage- cost of maintaining the Irish Stations ment's earnest and sincere thanks for was about £5,000. In conclusion, a the efforts made on behalf of the Life- special appeal was made by the Chairman boat Service in all parts of Ireland, to the merchants and shipowners of especially in Dublin. Cork who, he thought, did not realise MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 299 the enormous value of the Life-boat Walter Beamish and the members of the Service to the Mercantile Marine. Ladies' Committee. Mr. Liggins, the Honorary Secretary, then made a sur- Banff and Macduff. prise presentation of two silver photo- The Annual Meeting, which was graph frames to Mrs. Drinkwater in largely attended, was held on 20th recognition of all that she had done to January, the chair being taken by the help the work of the Branch. Chairman of the Committee, ex-Provost Walker. The report for the year ending Plymouth. 30th September, 1921, showed that £33 A meeting was hold on 1st February had been raised as compared with £31 for the purpose of forming the Plymouth in 1920. Mr. Findlay, of Whitehills, in Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and the follow- the course of the meeting, handed the ing resolution, proposed by Lady Secretary a cheque for nearly £10, being Albertha Lopes and seconded by Mrs. a contribution to the Branch from the Roe, ' was carried unanimously :— fishermen of Whitehills, and also pro- " That, in agreement with the desires posed that a Life-boat Day should be of the Prince of Wales (President) and of held in the district during the summer. the Royal National Life-boat Institu- Supporting this suggestion, the Chairman tion, this meeting resolves to form a said that whether or not it was decided Plymouth and District Ladies' Life-boat to retain a Life-boat at Banff he hoped Guild, and to do all possible to enrol the people in the district would continue members. Further, it is hoped that the to give the Institution their generous women of this historic seaport will do support. The officers were re-elected, their uttermost to support and show and a number of new names were added their high appreciation of the truly to the Executive Committee. During national and humane work of the Royal the War the Banff and Macduff Station National Life-boat Institution." was closed, owing to the fact that the Admiral Hutchison, the Chairman of majority of the able-bodied fishermen the Branch, gave an account of the were on service with the Fleet, and Institution's work. The Mayoress, Mrs. before the annual meeting, the Execu- J. F. Winnicott was elected Vice-Presi- tive Committee met to discuss the diffi- dent, the Committee was chosen, and Mrs. culty which had existed, since the end Roe undertook the duties of Honorary of the War, in finding a crew. Secretary of the Guild. The Mayor, being unable to be present, sent a message, Coventry. that he would give the Guild all the On 26th January, at a special and support in his power. Among those largely attended meeting of the Branch, present were Lady Browning, Lady presided over by the Deputy Mayor Humphreys, Mrs. Mullins and Mrs. (Councillor J. I. Bates), Alderman A. H. Hutchison, besides many other ladies Drinkwater was presented by Mr. Her- who have already given the Life-boat bert Solomon, the District Organising Service much help by their work on Secretary for the Midlands, on behalf of Life-boat Days. the Committee of Management, with a Oxford. Gold Badge in recognition of his very The Annual Meeting was held on valuable co-operation for many years as 3rd February in Christ Church Hall, the Chairman of the Branch. In making chair being taken by the Earl of Jersey, the presentation Mr. Solomon said that the High Steward of the City of Oxford. a great deal of the success of the Life- Among those present were the Dean of boat Cause in Coventry was due to Christ Church, the Mayor and Mayoress Alderman Drinkwater's personal efforts, of Oxford, the Archdeacon of Oxford, and pointed out that his work for the the Master of Balliol, the Warden of New Institution was only one part of a long College, Admiral Sir Dudley de Chair, career of public service. In reply Alder- Father Austen, S.C., Mr. J. A. R. Mar- man Drinkwater expressed his thanks to riott, M.P., Sir George Dash wood, Bt., the Institution for its recognition of the [and Mr. George F: Shee, the Secretary work done in Coventry, and to Mrs. [ of the Institution. The report for the 300 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. year ending 30th September, 1921, York, K.G., and of H.R.H. Princess which was presented to the meeting by Beatrice, the Princess herself being Miss Alice Marshall, the Honorary present at the performance. Among Secretary, showed that the sum of those present were Sir George and Lady £1,236 had been raised, an increase of Mary Dashwood, Lady Warren, Lady £64 on the previous year. During the Baring, the Mayor and Mayoress of year 140 names of new contributors had Oxford, Miss Minnie Cochrane and Mr. been added to the list. The Branch Victor Corkran, C.V.O. (in attendance on was fortunate in having the services of Princess Beatrice), Colonel S. Waller, 300 honorary workers. Of these 293 C.V.O., Miss Alice Marshall, the Hono- were collectors, by whose efforts the sum rary Secretary of the Oxford Branch, and of £790 had been obtained. In moving Mr. George F. Shee, Secretary of the the adoption of the report Sir Dudley de Institution. The play performed was Chair said that, as Admiral commanding entitled " By Shakespeare's Fireside," the Coast-guard, he had had special and had been specially written for the opportunities of seeing the work of the occasion by Mademoiselle de Bergerac, Life-boat Service, and, from that special who was also responsible for its produc- knowledge, was able to pay a tribute to tion. The long cast included a number the perfection with which the Service of members of the Oxford University was equipped and the ability with which Dramatic Club, the part of Shakespeare it was organised. There were few, even being taken by Mr. Ivan Christopherson of those who knew the sea and its of Worcester College, while Anne Hath- various moods, who realised the difficul- away was played with much charm ties and dangers of the men who manned by Miss Muriel Dashwood. the Life-boats, or of the Coast-guard who kept their lonely watch on the cliffs Bradford. of Great Britain, right from the north of The Annual Meeting of the Branch Scotland to Land's End. The two was held on 7th February, the chair Services worked together for the protec- being taken by the Lord Mayor, Mr. tion of all seafarers, for it was from the Thomas Blythe. The annual report for Coast-guard that the Life-boats most the year ending 30th September, 1921, frequently received the warning that a which was presented to the meeting vessel was in distress. Father Austen, by the Assistant Secretary, Miss Nora in seconding the adoption of the report, Grainger, showed that the sum of £2,288 spoke of the deep interest which, in had been raised, as compared with spite of the fact that it was an inland £2,852 in 1920. To this total the works town, the City of Oxford took in the collections had contributed only £25, work of the Life-boat Service. He and it was felt that this sum was scarcely quoted the saying of a French politician, worthy of the workpeople of Bradford, j " It is a well-known fact that in every Thanks to the excellent help of Lieut.- Englishman's heart there is a ship," and Colonel Gadie and Sir Henry White- ! said that he would adopt and alter that head, the appeal for a special sum of j phrase and say that not only was there £10,000 to build a City of Bradford Life- in every Englishman's heart a ship, but boat, to be stationed at Spurn, had made there was, or ought to be, a Life-boat good progress, and altogether £3,700 of also. Mr. George F. Shee, in moving a it had been raised. In moving the vote of thanks to the Dean and Govern- adoption of the report, the Lord Mayor ing Body of Christ Church for the Hall, said that he thought that, of all the paid a tribute of admiration and respect excellent Institutions in the city, the to the endurance and self-sacrifice with Life-boat Institution was the noblest which the Honorary Secretary of the because of the vastness of the dangers Branch devoted herself to the work of against which it protected human beings. the Institution. In seconding the motion Sir William On 22nd February a matinee in aid Priestley said he hoped that the Branch of the funds of the Branch was held in would not depend on any one particular the Town Hall. The matinee was under form of effort, and trusted that the the patronage of H.R.H. the Duke of list of annual subscriptions would be MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 301 increased. He thought it ought to be the Lord Mayor. The report for the year higher than £268, and he hoped that, ending 30th September, 1921, which was in the course of 1922, the special fund presented to the meeting, showed that for £10,000 would be completed. £4,583 had been raised, as compared with £8,298 in the previous year, this Swansea. latter figure including £3,612 in response The Annual Meeting of the Branch to the special Motor Life-boat Appeal. was held at the Guild Hall on 8th Febru- The adoption of the report was proposed ary, and a special appeal was made for by the Lord Mayor and seconded by Sir contributions to the Glamorgan Fund of Maurice Cameron, K.C.M.G., of the £20,000, which it is hoped to raise in Committee of Management, who grate- order to present to the Prince of Wales fully acknowledged, on behalf of the the two Motor Life-boats now being built Committee, the debt which the Institu- for The Mumbles and Barry Dock. The tion owed to the Liverpool Branch. He appeal for this fund, which was issued pointed out that during the last three by the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Plymouth, years the Branch's contributions had in December, 1920, had, owing to the totalled nearly £20,000, and that was serious state of trade, only raised up tc exclusive of the sum of £8,000 from two the present £2,700. The Mayor of Liverpool donors towards the cost of the Swansea made a special and urgent new Motor Life-boat which was being appeal for the remaining £17,000. He built for New Brighton. Sir Maurice said that he hoped that, for the credit dwelt especially on the need of increasing of the county, it would be possible to the list of annual subscribers, since this raise the whole of the sum during the would increase the assured income of the present year, and that until this had Institution, and, in referring to the been done it would not be possible to meagre support received from the ship- invite the Prince of Wales to come down ping companies, said that in 1920 two- to launch the Boats. thirds of their contributions had come Ciacton-on-Sea. from Liverpool. A special vote of thanks The Annual Meeting was held on to the members of the Ladies' Life-boat 10th February, Dr. J. Coxhead Cook pre- Guild, congratulating them on their siding, in the absence, through serious splendid achievement in collecting illness, of the Chairman, Mr. G. B. Field- £1,600, was moved by Sir Francis gate. The report for the year ending Danson and seconded by Mr. Charles 30th September, 1921, which was pre- Livingston, the President of the New sented to the meeting, showed that a Brighton Committee. much larger sum had been raised in 1921 than in 1920—£426 as compared with City of London. £297. This very gratifying result was The Annual Meeting was held on due to the holding of several special 15th February at the Mansion House, efforts, a whist drive, a dance and a the chair being taken by the Lord Mayor. football match, and also to an increase Among those present were the Lady of over £60 in the subscription list. Mayoress, Mr. J. G. Howell, C.C. (the Special reference was made to the work Chairman of the Executive Committee), of Mrs. Coleman, who very energeti- Lord Avebury (Honorary Treasurer), cally organised the Life-boat Day with Captain Sir Herbert Acton Blake, much success, and also to the work of K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O. (the Deputy Master the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Dorey. of Trinity House), Colonel R. A. The cost of the maintenance of the Johnson, C.B.E. (the Deputy Master of station for the year was £551. The the Mint), and the Hon. George Colville. Officers and Committee were re-elected The annual report for the year ending en bloc, and it was decided to refer to it 30th September, 1921, showed that a sum the selection of a small Executive Com- of £8,284 had been raised as compared mittee. with £8,858 in the previous year. In Port of Liverpool. moving the adoption of the report, The Annual Meeting was held on Mr. Howell said he thought that, in 14th February, the chair being taken by view of the special conditions of the 302 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. times, the Branch could feel, even with Milligan reminded the meeting that the the fall in its income, that it had had Institution would celebrate its Cen- a successful year's work. He made tenary in 1924, and said that he hoped a special appeal to the Shipping Firms, that a great effort would be made during City Guilds, and Business Houses to the next three years to enable the Branch support the Institution, and expressed to increase its contribution in the the hope that the Stock Exchange and Centenary year to £10,000. He knew of the Corn Exchange would replace the no charity which made a deeper appeal two boats which had once borne their than the Life-boat Service, and the names, but which had now been with- responsibility of seeing that it was drawn from the coast as obsolete. The adequately supported was all the greater adoption of the report was seconded by because the only alternative would Sir Herbert Acton Blake, and the involve the surrender of the great prin- honorary officers and the Committee ciple of voluntary administration. The were re-elected. adoption of the report was seconded by Berwick. Mr. H. A. Hailwood, M.P., and a vote of thanks to the officers and other The Annual Meeting was held on workers was proposed by Lady Sheffield. 16th February, the chair being taken by A cordial welcome was extended by the the Mayor. The statement of accounts Branch to Sir E. F. Stockton who had for the year ending 30th September, succeeded the late Sir Edward Broad- 1921, which was submitted by the hurst as Honorary Secretary. Honorary Treasurer, Mr. Younger, showed that the sum of £122 has been B ir mingh am. raised as compared with £123 in 1920. Lieut.-Colonel C. L. Eraser, Honorary The Annual Meeting was held on Secretary, in his general report on the 2nd March, the chair being taken by Sir work of the Station during the year, William Bowater, in the unavoidable made a special appeal for a " back-bone " absence of the Lord Mayor. The report of regular subscribers of 20s., 10s., and for the year ending 30th September, 5s. He also mentioned that it was 1921, showed that the Branch had raised proposed to make a special effort to £1,451, as compared with £2,036 in 1920. increase subscriptions by forming a In moving the adoption of the report Ladies' Life-boat Guild. In view of the Sir William Bowater announced that a difficulty of getting the attendance of Birmingham citizen had presented a sum members at meetings of the Committee of £5,000 to the Institution for the con- some suggestions were made, and these struction of a Motor Life-boat, and were referred to the Committee itself for expressed the hope that this gift would consideration. encourage the generosity of others. The donoi, Mr. H. S. Thomson, explained Manchester. that the gift was made from a family The Annual Meeting was held on fund, of which he was executor, and 21st February, the chair being taken by it had been decided to give this sum the President of the Branch, Sir William to the Institution because the family Milligan. The report for the year ending felt that there was no charity which 30th September, 1921, showed that the better deserved generous support. The record sum of over £5,570 had been Life-boat was to be a gift in memory remitted to Headquarters. Of this sum of his son who died in Palestine on active £1,083 had been contributed by dona- service. The Lord Mayor was elected tions and subscriptions ; £1,530 by the President of the Branch, the Officers Life-boat Day; £1,196 by places of and Committee were re-elected, and the amusement, including a matinee which following officers of the Ladies' Life-boat raised £820 ; and £812 by works collec- Guild were also elected :—The Countess tions. The efforts of the Ladies' Life- of Plymouth, President; the Lady boat Guild raised no less a sum than Mayoress, Lady Bowater. Lady Brooks, £875, and it was hoped to increase this Vice-Presidents ; and Mrs. Lewis Crump amount in future years. In moving the and Mrs. E. Smith, Honorary Secre- adoption of the report Sir William taries. MAY, 1922.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 303

Lytham. generous support which the Institution The Annual Meeting was held on received from Leeds. He also suggested 3rd March, the chair being taken by Mr that the city might possibly follow the E. W. Mellor, J.P., Chairman of the example of Bradford, which was raising Committee. The report for the year a special sum of £10,000 to provide a ending 30th September, 1921, which new Motor Life-boat, to be named after was presented to the meeting by Mr, the city, and placed at the Spurn Station John Pearson, the Honorary Treasurer, on the Yorkshire coast. The officers of the showed that £177 had been raised as Committee were re-elected, and Mrs. compared with £387 in 1920. Speoia Leigh and Mrs. J. Marshall were elected reference was made to the excellent Chairman and Treasurer respectively of work of the Ladies' Committee and also the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. of the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Walton-on-the-Naze. Mr. C. A. Myers. The officers were The Annual Meeting was held on re-elected. 10th March, with Mr. A. F. Fitter, the Torquay. President of the Branch, in the chair. The Annual Meeting was held on The annual report for the year ending 6th March, the chair being taken by the 30th September, 1921, which was pre- President, Commander Milne, R.N. sented to the meeting, showed that the The statement of accounts for the year sum of £206 had been raised as compared ending 30th September, 1921, which with £208 in 1920. The officers were was presented to the meeting by the re-elected, and a number of gentlemen Honorary Secretary, Mr. H. C. Slade, were added to the Committee. The showed that the sum of £296 had been meeting was followed by a dinner, at raised as compared with £342 in 1920. which the President entertained the It was felt that this was a satisfactory members of the Committee, the Crew result, and special mention was made of and other guests, numbering altogether the indebtedness of the Branch to Mrs. nearly sixty. In the course of the even- Towell and other ladies who had helped ing the President presented to Mr. A. B. to collect over £170 on Life-boat Day. Greenwood, Honorary Secretary of the The Honorary Secretary mentioned the Branch, the Binoculars which had been increasing difficulty which was found in awarded to him by the Committee of launching the Boat owing to the removal Management as a slight appreciation of of large stones from the beach, and it his valuable services to the Life-boat was decided that the Committee should Cause for the past ten years. The Presi- meet the Institution's Inspector and dent then presented a silver Cigarette discuss the matter with him. Box and an illuminated Album to Mr. J. F. Graham, on behalf of the Com- Leeds. mittee of the Branch, in recognition of The Annual Meeting was held on 7th bis untiring work as Joint Honorary March, the chair being taken by the Lord Secretary. Mayor (Mr. W. Hodgson), who was sup- Darlington. ported by Commander Sir Harry Main- The Annual Meeting was held on waring, Bt., B.N.V.R., representing the 13th March, the chair being taken by the Committee of Management. The report Mayor, Councillor T. M. Hinde. The for the year ending 30th September, annual report for the year ending 1921, which was presented to the meeting 30th September, 1921, showed that the by Mr. 3. Arthur Batley, the Honorary ium of £137 3s. Wd. had been raised, as Secretary, showed that the Branch had iompared with £212 Os. 2d. in 1920, and raised £1,303 as compared with £2,098 of this sum £120 10s. had been sent to in 1920, the decline being due to the headquarters. The report stated that severe trade depression. There had the miners' strike and the consequent been a decrease in subscriptions of £30. closing of the works in the town seriously The Lord Mayor proposed the adoption nterfered with the work of the Branch. of the report, and Sir Harry Main waring,, The Mayor was elected President, and in seconding, expressed the warm thanks other officers of the Committee were of the Committee of Management for the! re-elected. 304 THE LIFE-BOAT. [MAY, 1922. Swindon. which was presented by the Honorary The Annual Meeting was held on Secretary, Councillor D. Cowser, stated 12th April, the chair being taken by the that a Life-boat week had been held Mayor. The report for the year ending during last summer, which included a 30th September, 1921, which was pre- display of films, collections in all the sented by Madame Dockray, the Hon- cinemas and a carnival. As a result a orary Secretary, showed that a sum of sum of £108 had been raised. In addition £215 had been collected. The report to this special effort an appeal had been was adopted, and thanks accorded to issued by the Mayor which had brought Miss M. E. H. Wright on her resignation a number of annual subscribers to the from the Honorary Treasurership of the Branch, and several Churches and Branch. Chapels had made special collections. Hastings. The report concluded by expressing the grateful thanks of the Branch " for the A Special Meeting was held on 13th whole-hearted support given to it by April, the chair being taken by the every section of the town, both religious Mayor, Alderman W. James Fellowes, and political." J.P., for the purpose of making a special presentation to Mr. James Coleman, a Fishguard. local fisherman, who had rescued two A meeting was held on 21th April, at boys from a dangerous position on the which the Chairman of the Local Com- rocks in 1920 at considerable risk to mittee, Mr. J. C. Bowen, J.P., presided, himself. For this exploit the Institution for the purpose of presenting to Cox- had awarded him £12, and, later on, in swain J. Howells the Certificate of view of the exceptional circumstances Service awarded to him by the Com- of the rescue it was decided also to mittee of Management on his retirement present him with a Barometer. In after eleven and a half years as Coxswain. making the presentation, the Mayor Captain E. Sharp, who had known expressed to Mr. Coleman the gratitude Coxswain Howells for over twenty-two of the town for his fine action. Lieu- years, paid a special tribute to the way tenant Hayes, the District Inspector of in which he had performed his duties. Life-boats, referred to the very efficient He was still one of the most vigorous way in which Coxswain Plumer main- men present, but as he was getting on tained the Boathouse, and expressed in years he had felt that the time had the thanks of the Committee of Manage- come to pass on his duties as Coxswain ment to Mr. J. G. Anson, the Honorary to younger hands. In returning thanks Secretary of the Branch, and to Mrs. Cosxwain Howells recalled that it was Anson for the valuable work which through Captain Sharp that he first they had done for the Life-boat Service became associated with the Life-boat in Hastings. Service. One Sunday afternoon the Boat was going out on service, there was Wigan. no Coxswain available, and Captain In March, 1921, a special meeting was Sharp called on him to take charge of held, at which it was decided to revive her. The Honorary Secretary of the the Wigan Branch, and the report of Branch, Mr. M. L. Nicholls, announced the first year's working was presented that five applications had been received to a meeting which was held on 13th for the post of Coxswain, and, after dis- April last, the chair being taken by Mrs. cussion, it was decided to appoint Cap- J. A. Parkinson in the unavoidable tain Thomas D. Lewis, at present serving absence of the Mayor. The report, as Chief Officer of the s.s. Brighton.

NOTICE. Owing to lack of space reports of many meetings of Branches are held over until the next number of The Life-Boat, which will be published in November, 1922.