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

VOL. XXVL—No. 287.] SEPTEMBER, 1926.

[This number of The Lifeboat is really the June number. It was almost ready to be printed when, towards the end of June, afire at the works of the Whitefriars Press, Tonbridge, destroyed nearly the whole of the type. The Committee of Management greatly regret the unavoidable delay thus caused. The next number will be published, as usual, in November.] Annual Meeting. THE Hundred and Second Annual Carte, Mrs. Meredith Hardy and General Meeting of the Governors of Miss Silvester ; The Duchess of North- the Institution was held at Caxton Hall, umberland, Lady Louisa Cecil, Lady Westminster, on Wednesday, the 14th Laird Clowes, Lady Meiklejohn, Lady April, at 3 o'clock p.m., the Right Hon. Clinton-Baker, Lady Edith Drum- the Lord Porster of Lepe, G.C.M.G., in j mond, Lady William Cecil, Lady de the Chair. The speakers were His Excel- i Robeck, Mr. W. Fortescue Barratt lency the Norwegian Minister (Mr. P. B. j (Honorary Secretary of the Civil Service Vogt), His Grace the Duke of Northum- I Life-boat Fund), Commander H. S. berland, K.G., C.B.E., M.V.O., Admiral Denny, D.S.O., R.N. (Secretary of the of the Fleet Sir John de Robeck, G.C.B., Navy League), Captain Colin Nicholson, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., Sir Godfrey Baring, R.D., R.N.R. (Deputy Secretary, the Bt. (Chairman of the Committee of Mercantile Marine Service Association), Management), Sir William Priestley, Captain Rashleigh, R.N. (Board of J.P., Chairman ot the Bradford Branch, Trade), Miss Alice Marshall, Honorary and Mrs. Hilton Phihpson, M.P. Among Secretary of the Oxford Branch, Mrs. those present were the French, German, Astley Roberts, President of the Ladies' Swedish and Yugo-Slavian Consuls- Life-boat Guild, Eastbourne, Mr, George General, the Mayor and Mayoress of F. Shee, M.A. (Secretary of the Institu- Lambeth.; the following Members of tion), Captain Howard F. J. Rowley, the Committee of Management: The C.B.E., R.N. (Chief Inspector of Life- Hon. George Colville (Deputy Chair- boats), and Major C. R. Satterthwaite, man), Mr. H. Arthur Baker, Major Sir O.B.E., R.E. (Deputy Secretary). Maurice Cameron, K.C.M.G., Captain Lord Forster. Charles J. P. Cave, Colonel Lord William The CHAIRMAN : Since the last Annual Meet- Cecil, C.V.O., Sir John G. Gumming, ing the Institution has suffered a very great K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Mr. Harry Hargood, loss by the death of Her Majesty Queen Alex- andra. Her late Majesty was not only a Royal O.B.E.,J.P.,D.L.,CaptamG.C.Holloway, Patron but a sincere friend who was always O.B.E., Brigadier-General Noel M. Lake, deeply interested in the welfare and work of C.B., Mr. J. F. Lamb, Engineer-Rear- the Institution, and it is both as a friend and Admiral Charles Rudd, The Lord South- as a Queen that we mourn her loss. We rejoice to know that our President, borough, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., H.B.H. the Prince of , is on the high K.C.S.I., Commander F. F. Tower (late road to complete recovery, and we trust that R.N.V.R.), the Admiral Commanding he may be fully restored to his customary Reserves (Vice-AdmiralSir Lewis Clinton- activity in the near future. (Hear, hear.) The Royal Family have always taken a deep Baker, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.), the Hydro- interest in the Royal National Life-boat grapher of the Navy (Captain H. P. Institution, and H.R.H. Prince Henry has Douglas, C.M.G., R.N.); the following very kindly promised to visit some of the Members of the London Women's Depots in Greater London on Life-boat Day, 4th May (applause), a graceful act which has Committee : Lady Florence Pery been performed by the Prince of Wales, the (Vice-Chairman), Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Duke of York, and Princess Louise on previous 222 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. occasions. I am sure His Royal Highness will swains, Bowmen, and Signalmen receive Re- have a very warm welcome on that occasion. taining Fees as Officers of the Boat, and every It gives me very great pleasure to come here Motor Boat has to be provided with a full-time to-day and to present the Annual Report, Motor Mechanic and a part-time Assistant because the occasion gives one an opportunity Motor Mechanic. The Institution rewards the of saying a few words about the Institution crews for their services, remunerates them for and the great work that it does. their exercises, compensates them for injury When an organization has been in existence sustained in the Service, and pensions the for over a hundred years we are sometimes apt widows and orphans of those who may lose to take it for granted, without asking why it their lives in it. The Institution's fleet guards exists, what exactly are its functions, or how it a coast line of some 5,000 miles and guards it carries on its work. I think no better example with extraordinary efficiency and success. of this tendency could be found than the Royal A service of that kind cannot be carried on National Life-boat Institution. For over a unless it has very substantial national support. hundred years (and I may remind you that It cannot be done without great cost, and I this is the one hundred and second Annual think it is a most remarkable fact that the Life- Meeting) it has provided, maintained, and boat Institution is able to carry out this service administered the Life-boat Service of the at a cost of something less than £250,000 a year, British Isles. The pages of its history are full which includes all capital expenditure, such as I of the splendid records of courage, devotion, and ;he construction of Slipways, new Motor Life- self-sacrifice of British Life*boatmen, and, as teats, etc., etc. And, speaking as someone we are reminded to-day, of their wives and quite fresh to the subject, I consider that a most daughters. (Applause.) We may say that the extraordinary achievement, and one of which Life-boatman has become almost a proverbial the Institution, may well be pioud. (Applause.) type of all that is best in our maritime popula- As I have said before, the Institution has tion, so full of courage, endurance, and done its work so well, its record of lives saved humanity. These are qualities we always take —nearly 60,500—is so remarkable, that people for granted in the men who man the Institution's have come to take it for granted, and even boats. And we are fully justified in so doing. among those who come to know the facts there But these very facts make it well worth while is an extraordinary misconception of the posi- for us, from time to time, to look at the whole tion. Some people imagine that the Life-boat thing afresh. The Annual Report which I am Service is " run " by the Government. Others presenting to you to-day enables us to do so. imagine that it is run by the Navy, and some What do we find ? We find an organization, people have been found to believe that it is national in the broadest sense of the word, provided and administered by that admirable which provides and administers a fleet of 217 body the , who have, of course, Life-boats, placed at every principal danger- nothing to do with it, although they provide point on the coasts of the . that most important preventative Life-saving Fifty-six of these Boats are Motor Life-boats, Service of the and Light Vessels the rest being Boats of varied types, developed round our coasts. The fact is, of course, that according to the requirements of the coast and the Institution is a voluntary Society, adminis- in the light of the experience of a hundred years tered by a voluntary Committee, with a, small of Life-boat work. These Boats are built to the administrative and technical staff, and assisted designs of the Institution, the material and by hundreds of local Committees, Honorary workmanship, of course, being of the very Secretaries, Honorary Treasurers, and Ladies' highest that Britain can supply, that is to say, Life-boat Guilds in the 888 Branches through- the best in the world. In addition to the Boats, out the United Kingdom. It does not ask for, there are ferro-concrete Slipways, built to defy and does not receive, any subsidy whatever the utmost violence of the waves, so that the from the State. It is now, as it has been for Boats can be launched at any state of tide and a hundred years, the outcome of the spirit of our in any weather without danger to themselves maritime people, finding expression in its most or to the Crews. In many places the horses active, courageous, and humane aspect. which used to be such a valuable and pic- (Applause.) turesque aid to the Life-boat Service have been These are remarkable facts. But the -work replaced by Caterpillar Tractors. Powerful of the Institution, though primarily national, electric winches are constantly needed to draw is more than national in its scope and influence. up the heavy boats on their return to the Slip- I am glad to see here to-day His Excellency ways. These Boathouses and Slipways must the Norwegian Minister, who will, no doubt, also be of the very highest quality. To supply tell you something of the influence which the the requirements of the coast there is a Store- Institution has exercised in the international yard at Poplar, which is a miniature dockyard, sphere. For me, who have recently retired with a reserve fleet of some twenty-two Life- from the position of Governor-General of the boats ready at any moment to be despatched Commonwealth of Australia, it is a matter of to the coast, and a complete store of every item special interest to note how often, and with of equipment, masts and sails, life-belts, how much value and efficiency, the Institution engines' spare parts, etc., etc. So that you has assisted our Overseas Dominions in the see the Institution is ready to make good at development, organization, and the technical once any loss which may suddenly overtake it. The Life-boat fleets are manned by some 4,000 aspects of their Life-boat Services. men, volunteers from the fishing population of I n the last three or four years, to go back our shores. The Coxswains, Second Cox- no farther, advice and every possible help have SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 223 been given to Newfoundland, to Canada, South not only to the pride but to the interests of Africa, and to the Governments of South Aus- every British man and woman, and to the tralia and Victoria. In connexion with the imagination of all those who are alive to an I last two I can bear personal tribute to the very activity so characteristic of our race, should great value of the servi ce which this Institution fail to give generously if they are made fully has rendered to our kinsmen in the Land of aware of the position. ! the Southern Cross. (Applause.) I do not think the Institution is to blame We who have had the honour of being asso- for the ignorance about its work which still i ciated with the Overseas Dominions must feel prevails to a considerable extent. I think that j particular pride in the knowledge that this its organizers and administrators do their great Institution has done so much not only utmost to bring the work of the Institution and for the Life-boat Service of this country, and its claims constantly before the public. But, for the seafarers who pass these shores, but for as I have pointed out, the very excellence of those who visit the shores of our far-flung the Life-boat Service causes it largely to be j Dominions, while we also rejoice in knowing taken for granted, and the Institution cannot that the initiative and example of the Institu- compete in the public interest with those other tion has led to the establishment of Life-boat admirable organizations whose work is more Services in most countries which have a sea general—more general because the subjects of coast, and that the International Life-boat it are constantly under the eye of the public. Conference, which was called by the Institu- Those societies, for instance, which deal with tion in 19^4, has already resulted in a further the welfare of children or the protection of stimulation and development of the Life-boat animals, instantly appeal to all humane people, Service in every part of the world. These are because, fortunately, we see children and legitimate causes for rej oicing and thanksgiving. animals every day of our lives. But the work of But, retaining for the moment the attitude the Life-boatmen is carried out on wild and of one who has come to the work of the Insti- desolate stretches of the coast, often in the dark- tution with a fresh mind, I cannot help being ness of a winter's night, when most of us are struck by the fact that, with this great history safely tucked away in bed, and the only echo behind it, with these splendid traditions, and of some heroic service often consists of a few with an actual standard of performance which lines in the daily paper recording the fact that is, perhaps, unique in the sphere of National the crew of a steam trawler or a tramp steamer Services managed and administered by a volun- were rescued just before their ship sank. tary private Society: with all this, the Institu- I wonder how many of you have seen a Life- tion does not receive the full and generous boat s ave life at sea. I had the good fortune to measure of support which it deserves, and see it twice in two days. Not that I stood in any which it needs, in order to carry on its work need of assistance myself, for I was safely on free from anxiety. There are many people shore. But on the East Coast of Scotland some who contribute. There are many more who years ago we had a gale of exceptional violence, do not. I am not criticizing in any way those and in the afternoon of one day I saw the Life- who support this Institution; I am only sug- boat go out, in circumstances of great difficulty, esting a word of criticism to those who do not. and bring ashore the crew of a small coastal ft is a little difficult that I should have to sailing boat. There was only three men, but make a criticism of those who do not in the they hadn't been taken off ten minutes before presence of those who do, but I am sure you their boat drove ashore and was smashed to will understand that I am hoping to address a splinters, and I haven't the slightest doubt wider public than that which is gathered here whatever that those lives would have been to-day. I have pointed out that the whole of lost but for the action of the Life-boat. The the work of the Institution, including capital day following I saw a ship—and it happened, expenditure, is carried out at a cost of less by a strange coincidence, to be a Norwegian than £250,000 a year—a very small fraction ship—drift ashore on some of the most cruel of the cost of a modern battleship. Yet I see rocks that surround our coast, and we and the that, in order to meet last year's expenditure, people in the neighbourhood were able to nearly £30,000 had to be taken from legacies stand in safety and comfort, under the lee of and other special Trust Funds in order to cover a stout wall, and watch the whole operation. the deficit on the year's income. In other I cannot imagine anything more thrilling any- words, the public, including all that great Mer- where in the world than to see, first of all, a cantile Community whose strength and pros- ship that was a picture hastening to her doom ; perity depend so largely upon our oversea to see and assist as far as one could in the pre- trade and upon the shipping which carries it, parations that were made to launch the Life- cannot be said fully to have recognized the boat—the tide being low made this a work of claims of this Institution to an adequate great difficulty—and then to see the Life-boat, support. (Hear, hear.) having the rescued crew on board, herself in I cannot help thinking that this state of the greatest peril from the violence of the sea things is due solely to ignorance of what the breaking on the rocks. I cannot describe to Institution is, what it has done for this nation you the feeling of admiration for the bravery of and the seafarers of the world for a hundred the Crew and relief for the preservation of their years past, and what its position is to-day. lives when the Coxswain, with great skill, got For our people are so generous in response to clear of the danger and brought his Boat, his all truly great causes that it is simply incredible j Crew and the rescued safely ashore. If the that this Cause, which, of all others, appeals I general public could only see the Life-boat-men 224 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. at work; if their deeds of heroism could Treasurer. be filmed, then, I think, the Life-boat Institu- The Earl of Harrowby. tion would not have to make so strong an appeal for public support. (Applause.) Other Members of the Committee of Manage- ment :— While speaking in commendation of the appeal for funds, I want to make a very earnest Mr. Charles G. Ammon, M.P. appeal to all the women here to-day to do their Mr. H. Arthur Baker. utmost to assist the Institution on Tuesday, Rear-Admiral T. P. H. Beamish, M.P. the 4th May, when Life-boat Day is held Mr. Frederick Cavendish Bentinck. throughout Greater London. There are, I The Lord Brownlow. believe, a considerable number of members Major Sir Maurice Cameron. of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild present here Captain Charles J. P. Cave. to-day, and I hope that as a result of Colonel Lord William Cecil. our Meeting this number may be increased. Mr. Kenneth M. Clark. But my appeal is not only to them but to all Mr. Harold D. Clayton. the women of London, and especially the The Hon. George Colville. younger generation, to come forward gene- Mr. J. J. Crosfield. rously with a little personal service for a few Sir John G. Gumming. hours on that day. I know that the work of Captain The Viscount Curzon, R.N.V.R., M.P. collecting in the streets for any charitable Commander Herbert G. Evans, R.N.R. society, however worthy, is disagreeable, even Commander Guy Fanshawe, R.N., M.P. when it is carried out for a great charitable Mr. Henry R. Fargus. Society like this. But I do suggest to the Mr. J. B. Fortescue. younger women, to whom the life of to-day Mr. T. B. Gabriel. offers so much pleasure, so much sport, and so Mr. B. A. Glanvill. much opportunity of spending their leisure in Vice-Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey. a variety of pleasant ways, that they might, The Earl of Hardwicke. and indeed they should, for a few hours on The Hon. Esmond C. Harmsworth, M.P. Life-boat Day make it a matter of pride and Captain G. C. Holloway, R.N.R. honour to emulate the spirit of self-sacrifice Admiral Sir Thos. H. M. Jerram. which has animated the Life-boat Crews and Sir Woodburn Kirby. their women folk in the storm and stress of the Brigadier-General Noel M. Lake. Life-boat Service for a hundred years past. Mr. J. F. Lamb. (Applause.) Mr. Herbert F. Lancashire. The Rt. Hon. Ian Macpherson, M.P. I now have the honour to present the Report. ; Colonel Sir A. Henry McMahon. If any one has any observations to make on i Commander Sir Harry Mainwaring, Bt., matters arising out of it, now would be the R.N.V.R. appropriate opportunity. General Sir Charles Monro, Bt. (The Secretary then read the list of those nomi- 1 Mr. Gervaise S. C. Rentoul, M.P. nated as President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, j The Rt. Hon. F. O. Roberts, M.P. and other Members of the Committee of Manage- Engineer-Rear-Admiral Charles Rudd. ment, and as Auditors for the ensuing year.) The Rt. Hon. Walter Runciman, M.P. : Major-General The Rt. Hon. John E. B. Seely. President. • The Lord Southborough. H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, K.G. , Commander F. F. Tower, late R.N.V.R. i Lord Tredegar. V'ice-Presidents. And Ex-yfficio. The Archbishop of Canterbury. The Lord Mayor of London. The Duke of Leeds. ; The Admiral Commanding Reserves. The Duke of Athol. : The Deputy Master of the Trinity House. The Duke of Montrose. The Hydrographer of the Navy. The Duke of Portland. The Chairman of Lloyd's. The Duke of Northumberland. The Marquis of Ailsa. The CHAIRMAN : I have the pleasure to The Marquis of Aberdeen and Temair. declare that these gentlemen have been duly The Earl of Derby. elected in accordance with the Bye-laws of the The Earl of Albemarle. Institution. I now call upon the Secretary to The Earl of Rosebery. read the account of the services for which The Earl Waldegrave. Medals and other Awards have been given. The Earl of Lonsdale. The SECRETARY : The three outstanding Admiral of the Meet The Earl Jellicoe of Scapa. services of 1925 were all performed by Life- The Viscount Burnham. boats of the East Coast—by the Motor Life- The Lord Strathclyde. boat at Point, on the , in York- Commodore Sir Richard Henry Williams-Bul- shire, the Pulling and Sailing Life-boat at keley, Bt., R.N.R. Donna Nook, in Lincolnshire, and the Motor Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt. Life-boat at Gorleston, in Suffolk. Sir William Priestley. Sir William Milligan. Humber and Donna Nook. Mr. Harry Hargood. These two services took place on the same Mr. Noel E. Peck. day, 25th November, 1925, and were to the SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 225 same vessel, the s.s. Whinstone, of Preston, on diately by the seas. At the second attempt she her way from Hull to Berwick. Just before got near enough for the four men of the crew 8 o'clock that morning the Donna Nook Life- to jump aboard her. The Henrietta later went boat went out to her help in conditions which ashore and became a total wreck. In recogni- could hardly have been worse. A whole gale tion of the promptness and gallantry with was blowing from the north. A tremendous which this service was carried out, and the sea was running, and there were heavy squalls I great risk incurred, the Committee have of snow. She pulled within hail of the vessel, awarded the Bronze Medal to Coxswain Wil- but found that, though she wanted a tug, she liam G. Fleming, and extra monetary awards was not at the moment in need of the Life- to him and the Crew. Coxswain Fleming boat's help. The Life-boat therefore returned ! already holds the Gold Medal, awarded to him to her Station, but the Honorary Secretary for the gallant service to the Hopelyn in 1922, kept the Whinstone under observation, as he was and in 1924 he and the other Gold Medallists confident that sooner or later she would need I of the Institution were personally decorated help, and he advised the Motor Life-boat at i by the King with the Medal of the Order of the Spurn Head, on the other side of the mouth of \ British Empire. (Applause.) the Humber, to stand by. His own Crew were ; (The Chairman then presented the Medals to ready to put out again, but were so exhausted Coxswain Cross of the Humber, Coxswain by their struggle that he would not let them Dobson of Donna Nook, and Coxswain Fleming go, and the Humber Life-boat was launched at of Gorleston amid applause.) 9.30. She found the Whinstone at anchor, after having run aground on the sands, and the seas Bonlmer, Northumberland. were breaking over her. By means of the In addition to these awards to Coxswains breeches buoy the six men of her crew were, ! and Crews, the Committee have also made a with great difficulty, hauled into the Life-boat. [- special award, in the form of the Thanks of the The Life-boat herself was buried in the break- ! Institution inscribed on Vellum, to the women ing seas nearly the whole time, and the Cox- launchers of Boulmer, for their courage and swain reported that it was the worst weather endurance in the early morning of 20th Decem- he had known during twenty-three years in ' her, when the Boulmer and Alnmouth Life- the Life-boat Service. ; boats were both called out to the s.s. Amble, of In recognition of the skill and courage shown Newcastle-on-Tyne, which had been carried by both Crews in weather of such exceptional on to the rocks. A blizzard was blowing, one severity the Institution has awarded to Cox- of the severest for many years, with rain, snow swain Robert Cross, of the Humber Motor and hail. The Alnmouth Life-boat was Life-boat, a bar to his Silver Medal, and to i launched with great difficulty, over very Coxswain John T. Dobson, of Donna Nook, the ' treacherous ground, with a heavy sea and Bronze Medal. It has also awarded the Thanks i submerged rocks, and but for the courage and of the Institution inscribed on Vellum to the ! discipline of the Crew; and the skilful direction Second Coxswain and Bowman of Donna Nook, I of the Honorary Secretary, the attempt might and the Coxswains and Crews of both Life- have ended in disaster. Once launched, the boats have received extra monetary awards. Alnmouth Life-boat made repeated attempts (Applause.) to reach the wreck. Each time she was swept away by the heavy seas, but the struggle went The Silver Medal which Coxswain Cross on until, with the falling tide, it was clear that already holds was awarded to him in Decem- the crew would be able to get ashore them- ber, 1915, for his personal gallantry in jumping selves, which they did with the help of the overboard from the Life-boat in the breaking ; Board of Trade Life-Saving Apparatus. Mean- water on a sand-bank in order to get a line to a while the Bonlmer Life-boat, with the help of stranded ship. He also holds the Bronze Medal \ sixty-one launchers, among them thirty-five for a gallant attempt to rescue the crew of an women, had been dragged a mile and a quarter unknown ship in October, 1922, all the mem- in the face of the blizzard, which was so violent bers of the Crew on that occasion receiving the that the horse, with the cart containing stores Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. and lowering gear, refused to go on, and a The courage and skill shown by the Donna motor had to be obtained. The Boat was not Nook Coxswain and Crew are the more remark- launched, but the launchers stood by in readi- able since they are most of them farm labourers, ness until it was reported that the Alnmouth and only go to sea on service in the Life-boat ; Boat had safely returned. They were on duty and for quarterly exercises. from a quarter to three in the morning until Gorleston. nine o'clock. (Cheers.) The service of the Gorleston Motor Life-boat The village of Boulmer consists of less than took place a month later, on the night of 22nd fifty houses and has a population of about 150 December, 1925. A full gale was blowing from people. On this night this little place manned the N.E., with a very heavy sea. The ketch both the Alnmouth and Boulmer Life-boats, Henrietta, of , was lying in the Yarmouth provided the launching party of sixty-one for Roads with two anchors down, but the cables the Boulmer Boat, and manned the Life- parted, and she was carried towards the shore. Saving Apparatus with a crew of twenty-seven. When the Life-boat reached her she was already Thus four-fifths of the people of Boulmer were on the edge of the breakers, swept by heavy engaged that night in efforts to rescue the seas, and in great danger. The first attempt Amble's crew. (Cheers.) at rescue failed, the Life-boat getting under the The Institution has specially thanked the Henrietta's lee, but being swept away imme- Honorary Secretary, Mr. Hugh Stephenson, 226 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. who was on duty from 2.30 in the morning imany years he raised each year the record sum until the Life-boats had been housed again and ] obtained by means of a collecting box. His were ready for service, which was not until the j own record was £62 in 1924, the Centenary afternoon, and who, by his example and cool- i Year of the Institution, and in twenty-five ness in directing the operations, made possible a j years he collected over £400. launch in circumstances of exceptional peril. The day after the award was made the Insti- Miss Stephenson, the daughter of the Boul- tution learnt that Mr. Brown had died a few mer Coxswain, and Mrs. Stanton, the wife of the days before, but Mrs. Brown is here to receive Second Coxswain, have been chosen to receive ; this mark of the Institution's gratitude. the Vellum of Thanks awarded to the thirty- j (The Chairman then presented the awards to five Boulmer women, on behalf of themselves j Mrs. Wittiims, Mr. Hookham, Mr. Cozkshott and their fellow-launchers. (Loud cheers.) and Mrs. Brovtn.) (The Chairman then presented the Vellum.) The Norwegian Minister. Awards to Honorary Workers. His EXCELLENCY THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER The SECRETARY : The Gold Pendant or i (Mr. P. B. Vogt): I rise to move the following Gold Brooch is presented only to those who, i resolution :— as honorary workers, have given the Life-boat " That this Meeting, fully recognizing the j Cause valuable and distinguished service. \ important services of the ROYAL NATIONAL j LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION in its national work • Last year eleven pendants and brooches were ; of Life-saving, desires to record its hearty j awarded, and three of the recipients are pre- i appreciation of the gallantry of the Cox- sent at this meeting to receive them. I will i swains and Crews of the Institution's Life- read out first the names of those who are not '• boats, and gratefully to acknowledge the present. The awards were made for the fol- valuable help rendered to the Cause by the lowing services:— Local Committees, Honorary Secretaries, and To LADY BARING, in recognition of her valu- Honorary Treasurers." able work in the organization of the London Life-boat Bazaar in 1925. It is a privilege to move such a resolution, and I feel it particularly as the representative of an To Miss SILVESTER, in recognition of her I old seafaring country which has been associated valuable services as Honorary Secretary of the ! with the high seas from times immemorial, far St. Albans Branch, and also in connexion with [ back beyond known history when the Norse- the London Life-boat Bazaar in 1925. men first came to this country. Some of them, To MAJOR-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM FRY, I regret to say, would scarcely find the unani- K.C.V.O., C.B., Lieutenant-Governor of the mous approval of, let me say, the League of Isle of Man, in recognition of his valuable Nations Council to-day! (Laughter.) Anyhow, co-operation. j you may rest assured that in my country, as in To LADY FRY, in recognition of her valuable !every seafaring country in the world, there is a co-operation in the Isle of Man. deep sense of gratitude to this Institution. And To MR. L. T. WFLKINS, of Southampton, in if you will allow me to commit a breach of what recognition of his valuable help in organizing I think is called the Trade Marks Act, I should collections during the past nine years on the like to call this Institution for a moment not steamers of the Southampton, Isle of Wight the National Life-boat Institution but the and South of Royal Mail Steam International Life-boat Institution. There i Packet Company. are living on the shores of many lands wives ; and children who, deep in their hearts, have a To MR. A. E. BARTLETT, in recognition of his j profound sense of gratitude to this Institution valuable work in organizing a Theatrical Per- I because their fathers and husbands are still j formance in aid of the Institution at Bath. alive. We also owe you our gratitude for the i To MRS. WILLIAM BROWN, wife of the Cox- ]example you have given to a good many lands, j swain at Cresswell, Northumberland, in recogni- j who are taking a leaf out of the English book and '• tion of her forty years' service as a launcher i creating similar Institutions on your pattern, j and of her help as an honorary worker in col-1 (Applause.) I had the good luck thirty-five lecting money. i years ago to be present when we founded a To those who are present this afternoon, similar Institution in Norway. We had to work awards were made for the following services :— i on somewhat different lines on account of the To MRS. W. B. WILLIAMS, Vice-President of ! natural structure of our coasts. Our National the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Cardiff and Pen- • Institution helps sea-going boats in bad weather and our annual saving is 3,000 lives. But you arth Branch, in recognition of her valuable must remember that a very great part of the co-operation for many years. Norwegian population is living daily on the To MR. MARK HOOKHAM, in recognition of; sea. Five hundred people are drowned every his valuable co-operation at Eastbourne during year in Norway. the past forty years. You have also given us a good example in To MR. GEORGE COCKSHOTT, Honorary Secre- the way that you build your Institution tary of the Southport Branch, in recognition of j entirely on voluntary subscriptions, which, to his long services in connexion with the Life-boat! my mind, is the heart of the work. (Hear, Station at Southport,which hasnow been closed, i hear.) When we read of the heroic deeds per- A Gold Pendant was also awarded to the formed by the Coxswains and Crews, I for one LATE MR. F. 0. BROWN, of Bedford Park, ! am sometimes tempted to think that they have London, in recognition of the fact that for : made the motto of their lives an old Bulgarian SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 227 saying : " Try to find out what you cannot do fit and ready, your nerves steady, your eyes and then go and do it." Sailors of all nations • keen, and know what it is to face a south-west feel akin to you. After all, sailors are all tarred gale under the worst conditions. We have with the same brush. I understand that on an seen up here one or two representatives of average one-third of the lives saved each year Life-boat Crews, and probably if you could get are foreigners, and even if we admit the truth, them to tell you, the only time they have been which you will not expect me to admit, of what j nervous in the last twenty years was not while was said, I think, by Samuel Johnson, that j manning the Life-boat but when they came up foreigners are mostly fools (laughter), their on this platform. (Laughter.) lives are certainly worth being saved. Looking to the future I think there is this to I will finish where I began, by expressing pro- be thought of. As each year goes the field for found gratitude to you, Mr. Chairman, and, j recruiting the Life-boat Crews gets less, and it through you, to the whole Institution—grati- j cannot be helped. The men in the past have tude for all your magnificent work and for the ! come largely from our local fishermen, and fine example you have given. In saying this j these fishermen, owing, we'll say, to the changes I am fully aware that I say a very obvious in steam trawlers and drifters, go farther afield thing, and you will know that it is sometimes j and are less at home. The Life-boatmen of dangerous to say things which are self-evident.! the future may not be the same material. They You may know the story of the captain who | may not have been brought up to have the had to write in the log-book, and he put down,! sense of the sea like, perhaps, those of the " The mate was drunk." The mate didn't like present day, who went to sea with their fathers that and he protested violently. The Captain \ in a little boat and have the sea in their said, " Weren't you drunk ? " " Well, just a i blood. But, wherever they came from, we little tipsy, but nothing to put in the log-book," ! may remember that, at sea as elsewhere, replied the mate. " If you were drunk it has practice makes perfect. I will give you an to be in the log-book," was the Captain's instance of that from the war. Up in the retort. Next day the mate wrote the log-book North Atlantic, between Iceland and Shet- and he finished up by putting down, " The land, we had a Cruiser Squadron, and from Captain was sober." Then it was the Captain's j what I am told—I was not there myself—they turn to be angry. The mate very seriously j had to lower boats for boarding officers to go said, "Weren't you sober?" "Yes," an-; on board and inspect foreign ships coming over, swered the Captain. " Well, if you were sober ! It was very difficult to begin with owing to the it has to be in the log-book." (Laughter.) 11 extraordinarily bad weather which exists up hope that is the kind of feeling you have there in the winter time, but, by constant towards me in saying these self-evident things practice, towards the end of the war they in favour of your Institution in moving this thought nothing of lowering the boats and resolution. (Applause.) boarding and bringing the officers back from ships, and they were big ocean liners. The Admiral of the Fleet Sir John de Robeck. men who were doing this work were almost Admiral of the Fleet Sir JOHN DE ROBEOK, entirely Royal Naval Reserves, the same men Bt., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O.: I feel it a j wno man the Life-boats. Well the time must great honour to come here as an old sailor and i come when the present-day crews pass, and it a representative of the Navy to bear testi- is your duty to train men so that we may mony to the Life-boat Institution and to the always have numerous volunteers who have Life-boat Crews of this country. Here we have had the same opportunities of training for the a Society that has existed a little over a hundred duties of Life-boatmen. years, which has a history full of brave deeds i What could be finer> thfm the gcene when gallant work and great traditions. One would j the old Coxswain gives over the ohMge of his have thought that in these days with better 5 Life.boat to a younger man, after many years of powered ships and with new aids to naviga-1 splendid service, To him humility and modesty tion, the Life-boat would hardly be necessary.j a£e everytning. If you went to his village or But we have only to pick up the paper j 8maii fe^ you wouldn't find him in gold lace or in the morning in winter time, when there is j in cocked hat But when wanf him he ig a south-westerly gale blowing, and we see:read to lead his men Veil, Ladies and that the Life-boats have been out doing fine | Gen&,menr try and £eep up the standard. workwri . j Keep up the traditions so that when the old We have heard the most interesting state- Coxswain gives over there is a man worthy to ments made here to-day by the distinguished take his place. Wish him well and all hap- representative of the people of Norway. And piness ? And we may truly say— if I may add something to them, I would say, " Yea, let all good things await first of all, as a Naval Officer, that I feel that the Him who cares not to be great, Life-boat Institution and my Service are sister But as he saves or serves the State." Services. But there is one great difference. The Life-boatman's duty is to save life, whereas, (Applause). unfortunately, that of my Service is, when (The Resolution was put to the Meeting and ordered, to do our best to destroy it. But there carried unanimously.) is one thing we both have to be, and that is The DEPUTY SECRETARY then read a state- always ready. A man never knows, as a member ment on the results obtained by the Branches of the Life-boat Crew, what hour or what day he which collected the largest sums per head of will be called out to man the Life-boat. And to the population during 1925. This statement be an efficient member of the Crew you must be is published on another page. 228 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER; 1926.

Sir Godfrey Baring. men bought a flag. (Applause.) Can it be pretended that there would be any other Sir GODFREY BAKING, Bt.: The resolution means of reaching those men who bought flags ? which I have the honour to move is couched in the following terms :— I quite agree that Flag Days can be over- done. You can have too much of a good thing. " That this Meeting desires to record its But I should like to put in an earnest plea sense of the deep obligation of the Institu with the authorities that, whoever else is not tion to the Ladies' Life-boat Guild and its allowed a Day, the Royal National Life-boat many hundreds of voluntary workers for the Institution should always be on the list. I Life-boat Cause, and its conviction of the think we have every right to call ourselves a increasing importance of the part which the national and, as we have been told to-day, an Guild is destined to play in educating public international organization, and we have a opinion with regard to the value of the Life- right to preferential treatment in this way. boat Service, and in raising funds therefor." (Hear, hear.) This resolution is a novelty in the agenda of the Annual Meeting of the Life-boat Institu- Ladies can also help us by organizing meet- ings of every kind and by getting up Whist tion. But the Committee of Management •i->_- <-• i_ -nti— . of considered that it was time that a resolution Drives, Concerts, Fetes was moved—and I am sure it wiE be entertainments. enthusiastically adopted—expressing the deep I want to allude to something which the sense of obligation which the Committee feel Chairman said in his speech, but before doing to the ladies who form the Ladies' Life- so may I say, on behalf of my colleagues on boat Guild, for their really wonderful ser- the Committee and myself how much we vice to the Life-boat Cause. The Guild was welcome our Chairman's presence to-day. formed five years ago. The Committee rather Many long years ago I was a boy at Eton, hesitated before they formed it because they during our Chairman's last half at that school, thought we had quite enough Guilds and when he was a member of the Eleven, and I Leagues in this country, and some, I think we regarded him then with indescribable feelings could well dispense with. But we thought of awe and admiration. Some time after that I that it was time the ladies who are kind had the honour of being in the House of enough to work so well were asked to organize Commons, sitting opposite to him, and with the themselves, and I am glad to think that the long passage of time my admiration for our Guild has been enormously successful, We Chairman's character, ability, and conspicuous have thousands of members all over the public service has only grown every year, and country, and fresh Branches of the Guild are we are delighted and honoured to think he is being continually formed. I am quite certain presiding over us to-day. (Applause.) that in the future, as in the past, the ladies' work on behalf of the Guild will be of the I come now to what the Chairman said, and greatest and most vital value to the welfare what also, in another connexion, the Prime of the Institution. (Applause.) Minister said, a few days ago. We are apt in May I just say what the ladies can do to -th-is Countl7 to take evei7thing for granted. help. They know it very well, but let me We press a button and we expect the natural repeat it. They can help us enormously, first result to take place, and we do not know how it of all, by getting up Flag Days, and, secondly, is brought about. For instance, people know by arranging all the details necessary to make when a gun is fired out goes the Life-boat, but the Flag Day successful. I cannot understand they little realize how great is the expense in keeping up the Service, how many details have thosi'Liyjo^e ladieit^vncso ati^iand gentlemet:^ri»ncuidni whn n\jo cfciareo ijujtoLaA^imistakeni , v- ,^ ij.j. j i f i enough to object to Flag Days. I think it was *° be thought out and how many Crews have the Life-boat Institution which first inaugu- to ^ p?>v* ^ We °We an 1DTenSe d*bt °f rated that splendid system which, I am s£e, g™titude, to the women who work for us finan- rejoices yovu- hearts almost every week in cially- As you have seen, we owe an even London. (Laughter and applause.) I personally grater debt of gratitude to the women a 1 am a keen and earnest supporter of Flag Days. ™und the coast, who helP,the ™*-k»* work No Flag Day takes place without my purchasing !b y tbe'r example, inspiration, and encourage- a badgt. You see I am wearing one now. If me"t', bu* that Part °,f. th.e ,work, wl11 be dealt you look round at my colleagues on the w,lth by * I ^T"^ n^7 rePr<*?nts platform there is not a single member who has t*£? Berwiok-on-Tweed Division in seconding thls R e WOI S purchaser d a badg°e to-day' ! (Laughter.° )' !roun d, ,th, e coasfti toi^ helLp th Tfe Life-boatmeS T n ^to do I am quite sure that these Days make an i their work, and, after all, let us never forget that appeal to people to whom otherwise you | the whole of our Institution depends on our could not appeal. Let me give my experi- i Life-boatmen. Without the gallantry and ence in the city of Leicester two years ago. j devotion and self-sacrifice of these men, all our It was a day in April, and it w:s blowing very ! Committees, Sub-Committees and Guilds would hard indeed and raining, and there were not j be a hollow mockery. For over a hundred years very many people about the streets. I stationed j these men have never failed, and, please God, myself outside one of the large works just j they never will fail. They only ask to be before the people came out for the mid-day j allowed to do their duty, and not once or twice break. We had two or three sellers. A hundred | in the history of our Island home the path of workmen came out, and eighty-three of these ! duty has been the way to glory. (Applause.) SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 229 Mrs. Hilton Philipson. I ask you to thank all the members of the Mrs. HILTON PHILIPSON, M.P.: It is a great Ladies' Life-boat Guild for their great ser- honour to me to second this Resolution be- vices, and the best way in which all women cause it is one of gratitude to the hundreds of can help is by joining the Guild themselves. women workers throughout the country who It is very easy to join the Guild. Any woman give their time and energy in helping this here, or in any part of the country, who is Institution to carry on its great and noble willing to work for the Institution in any way, work. We have heard to-day of what women can become a member by paying the small are ready to do and endure for the Life-boat sum of 2s. 6d. She will then receive the very Service. I am specially proud to-day, as you charming Badge, which I am proud to wear, can understand, for the women of Boulmer and a Membership Card to remind her of her come from one of the fishing villages in the undertaking. The Secretary of the Institution constituency which I have the honour to would be very pleased to provide Badges and represent. In that constituency the first Life- j Cards for any who may wish to join here boat was established, and along that his- to-day, and they may be obtained at the door. torical coast some wonderful and splendid So I hope if there are any here who are not rescues have been carried out. And there,' members of the Guild that they will join and above all, the men and the women of the fishing persuade their friends to do the same. villages have always been conspicuous for their As members of the Guild we shall find courage, bravery, and devotion to Life-boat friends in every part of the country, and the work. It seems to me to need the highest wearing of the Badge will enable us women to courage to do what the women of Boulmer did recognize those who belong to the large and on that terrible December night. (Applause.) growing number of the Guild, which takes as It needs high courage to face and fight a its model that splendid and gracious figure terrible storm, to labour for long hours until " Grace Darling." (Applause.) you are exhausted. But it needs still higher courage to do this in order to launch your The Duke of Northumberland. husbands, your fathers and your sons on a His Grace the DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, perilous journey, perhaps never to return. K.G., C.B.E., M.V.O.: I have now much (Applause.) pleasure in moving a very hearty vote of thanks to our Chairman, the Bight Hon. the These women to-day are still upholding the Lord Forster of Lepe, G.C.M.G., for presiding great tradition of another wonderful Northum- over this the Hundred and Second Annual brian whose name is famous throughout the General Meeting of the BOYAL NATIONAL LIFE- world, Grace Darling. I believe this is the BOAT INSTITUTION. second occasion on which the women have been I feel sure you will agree with me that we thanked in this way for their bravery and owe Lord Forster a very deep debt of gratitude, devotion in Life-boat work, and on that other not only for having presided with great ability occasion it was the women of Holy Island— over this meeting, but also because he has another place in my constituency. You can given us a most excellent, most interesting well understand my pride in representing a and most instructive address. (Hear, hear.) constituency where such courage is typical of During the course of that address he remarked the people. (Applause.) that he was speaking to a much larger audience But there are others, I know, who work than he saw before him in this hall, and I hope for the Life-boat service. They work in a that remark went home to the gentlemen below different way by helping to collect its funds. me who were reporting his words. I certainly Without these hundreds of women workers hope, we all hope, that his words will reach that throughout the country the Institution could wider audience, and for two reasons. In the never hope to continue as a voluntary service. first place, if anybody wishes to know what the That work seems to me also to require courage Life-boat Institution is, and the work which and endurance. Think what it means in these it is doing, he cannot do better than study very difficult times to waylay the workmen as Lord Forster's address this afternoon, because they go to and fro, and ask them to give to he will find everything there that he requires the funds ; or to face the members of the Stock to know explained in the clearest possible way Exchange, even though we know they are and in the smallest possible compass. The always generous, and demand more money; second reason is that it is a reflection on the or even, as I am told is the case to waylay British public that the Life-boat Service does Members of Parliament. (Laughter.) not meet with more financial support than it We have shown to-day our gratitude and receives at present. We all know the great de- esteem for the women of the coast, but we owe mands which are made at the present time, an equal gratitude to all women who work for but when we think how much money is wasted the Cause. Those who collect as well as those on objects of comparatively little importance who launch the Boats are helping to save lives. it does seem strange that the Life-boat Insti- I am told, and I am very proud to hear it, tution does not make an even wider appeal that no women give more generous help on than it does at present to the generosity of the Life-boat Days than those of the profession to public. (Hear, hear.) which I once belonged. I beg these members Lord Forster has occupied many great posts to help this year to make our Life-boat Day and has performed many signal services for on 4th May a record. I can promise the Secre- this country and the British Empire. Among tary I will do my best to help, and spare no these may be mentioned the Governor-General- efforts to ask others to help too. (Applause.) ship of Australia, from which he has only 230 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. recently returned. But I am sure he will not true what the Duke of Northumberland said. mind if I say that it is not the least of the ser- Lord Forster has taken an active part in the vices which he has rendered to the country affairs of the country and Empire during the and the Empire that he has come here to-day last few years. I sat with him in the House of to put before the public the claims of the Life- Commons for years. I watched how he worked boat Institution. (Applause.) hard and conscientiously. I next saw him in Melbourne. He was there doing his duty and Sir William Priestley. working hard for the Empire. On the third Sir WTT.T.TAM PRIESTLEY, J.P.: It is my public occasion I see him here this afternoon great pleasure to second this vote of thanks taking the chair at this meeting of, I believe, to Lord Forster, but before I do so I would like the largest and most important voluntary to say a few words about this great Institu- Institution in this country. A man who fills tion. I represent Bradford and District, and up his life by working in the way Lord Forster there we work very hard for the Institution and has done is an example of loyalty, and so long raise a good deal of money. I want to tell as we have such men in our midst giving of you how we do it. It is not mere man that their best in the public service we need have does it; it is the women of our district and no fear about the future of the Empire. our city, and the consistent work they have I have great pleasure in seconding this put in for this Institution during my Presi- Resolution. (Applause.) dency, now some fifteen years, has been simply wonderful. And when I look round (The Resolution was then put and carried with this audience and see a mere sprinkling of acclamation.) ordinary male beings I say to myself, " Who The CHAIRMAN : I am very much obliged to are keeping this Institution going ? " And I you for the kind vote of thanks and answer, " It is the women of the country." It for the all too flattering terms in which it is their finer feelings and their fuller recognition has been proposed and seconded. I can only of their duty, and the excellent work that they say that as a great lover of the sea and a great do for this Institution that makes it a success. admirer of seamen and their womenfolk, it I always see, when I go to my Committee and has been a very real pleasure to me to come ask them to get up a Bazaar, one solitary here to-day, and if one could have contributed, male individual in the presence of thirty or even in a small degree, to the support of this forty ladies, and it is because of that that I Institution then one has been abundantly say that the Ladies' Guild is the thing that rewarded. I can only hope that there is an ought to be supported, and as long as the increasingly fruitful future before THE ROYAL ladies work as they do to-day this Institution NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and that need never be anything but voluntary, i it will meet the most generous support from (Applause.) the public which it so richly deserves. But that is not what I have to speak about. (Applause.) I have to second this Resolution. It is quite (The Meeting then terminated.)

The Boulmer Women. THE thirty-five women launchers of Cross, Coxswain Dobson and Coxswain Boulmer were represented at the Annual Fleming, they were the guests of Sir Meeting by Miss N. Stephenson, the Oswald Stoll at the Coliseum, where, daughter of the Coxswain, and Mrs. B. each year for a number of years, the Stanton, the wife of the Second Coxswains and Life-boatmen attending Coxswain. During their stay in London the Annual Meeting to be decorated they were the guests of the Duke and have been entertained. Duchess of Northumberland at their The previous evening Coxswain Cross house in Prince's Gate. and Coxswain Dobson were entertained On the morning of the day of the at the Polytechnic, where they saw meeting, they went to the Cenotaph and Major Court Treatt's film " Cape to laid a wreath there with the inscription, Cairo." " In memory of the men of Boulmer Neither of the two Boulmer women who fell in the Great War. From the had previously been further south than inhabitants of Boulmer, Northumber- the Tyne. What they had most looked land." forward to, they said, was their visit to After the meeting they were taken by the Cenotaph, and one of the things Mrs. Hilton Philipson, M.P., for Ber- which most impressed them was the wick, in whose constituency Boulmer crowd of pressmen and photographers lies, to see the House of Commons, and waiting to meet them when they arrived in the evening, together with Coxswain in London. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 231

At the Alnwick Annual Meeting. castle Daily Journal thus described the Before the two representatives of the visit:— Boulmer women attended the Annual " Naturally, the first question to be Meeting, all the women were present at asked by any inquiring mind with some the Annual Meeting of the Alnwick knowledge of Boulmer would be how Branch, at which Mr. Arthur Schole- many Stephensons and how many field, Chairman of the Alnmouth and Stantons were in the visiting team ? Boulmer Branch, presided, and the Duke There were nine and eight respectively, of Northumberland, a Vice-President of and the number was made up with the Institution, and President of the Hollands, Gairs, Strakers, etc. Their

By permission of} [Central Press. ON THE WAY TO THE CENOTAPH. Taken outside Life-boat House, Charing Cross Road, London. Left to right: Coxswain Cross (Humber), Miss Stcphenson and Mrs. Slanton (Boulmer), Coxswain Fleming (Gorleston). and Coxswain Dobson (Donna Nook). In the background on the right. Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution.

Alnwick and Newcastle - on - Tyne ages ranged from 16 to 65, and their Branches, presented them with the raiment from the sober black of middle Vellum of Thanks, and paid a tribute age—65 counts as middle age in Boulmer to their " splendid gallantry and endur- —to the plum-coloured, fur-collared ance." The Vellum was received by coats of youth, with silk stockings and Mrs. John Stanton, the senior member patent-leather shoes to match. Gathered of the body of women launchers. Before in the old Market Place of Alnwick, the meeting, which was largely attended, these matrons and maidens presented they were entertained to tea by the a very comely picture of healthy, Alnwick Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and Northumbrian femininity, yet it was a after it attended a film entertainment little difficult, as one looked approvingly specially arranged for them. The Sew- at the fresh bloom on the faces of the 232 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. grey-eyed younger generation, to picture land, in 1835, when the Institution was them on that wild and bitter December only eleven years old. She sent a con- night hauling the Boulmer Life-boat tribution to the funds of the Institution, from its house to the launching place. and with it this tribute of pride and " Nothing could have been more affection to the women of her old county appropriate than the presentation of the which she left many years ago :— Royal National Life-boat Institution's " I read with the greatest interest the tribute at the annual meeting of the account in the Morning Post of the 35 Alnwick Branch. It infused a spirit oil women at Boulmer who got out the adventurous realism into what might i Life-boat on a December night, and

By permission of] [Central Press. LORD FORSTER PRESENTING THE VELLUM TO MISS STEPHENSON, OF BOULMER. Beside Miss Stephenson is Mrs. Stanton. Behind her from the front of the platform to the back are: Coxswain Cross (Humber), Coxswain Dobson (Donna Nook), and Coxswain Fleming (Gorleston). On the front row of the platform from left to right are: Sir John de Robeck, Mr. Vogt (the Norwegian Minister), Sir Godfrey Baring, Lord Forster, Mr. George F. Shee (Secretary of the Institution), the Hon. George Colville, the Duke of Northumberland and Mrs. Hilton Philipson, M.P. otherwise have been a rather prosaic that you are going to express your business meeting, and it certainly appreciation of their bravery. I am a brought home to an inland populace a Northumbrian woman, born two years knowledge of how their donations and before our beloved Queen Victoria came subscriptions are being devoted to the to the throne. I lived there (in North- saving of life." umberland) for nearly 40 years, and still keep the memory of the good An Old Northumbrian's Tribute. brave women I knew in those days, After the Annual Meeting, the Institu- and am so glad there are still some like tion received a letter from a lady, them. ninety-one years old, who is now living " I remember seeing the Life-boats in Surrey, but was born in Northumber- and rockets in use at before SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 233 the North and South Piers were built, and other claims prevent this, but and once, unhappily, saw a vessel with enclosed mite will just show that, all on board lost in one of the rough N.E. although far away, my dear old county seas—so you will understand why I is still remembered. If you have an always read about Northumberland and opportunity to privately tell your two the Life-boats. I have seen Hamburgh "visitors how I have thought of them I and Grace Darling's home, and Alnwick, will be glad. Wishing your Society that of the Duchess of Northumberland, great success. who is taking an interest also in this " P.S.—You can either let the money case. help to entertain them here or go to " I wish I could send you a donation the funds of the Society as you think for each of the 35, but reduced income best. Excuse my shaky writing."

The Record of the Branches. LAST year, it will be remembered, a lisl ampton and Bristol, which year by year was published in The lifeboat of the contribute—some of them—several twenty Branches which had sent in the thousands of pounds. For the smaller largest aggregate contributions, and a the population the easier it is to get a list of eleven Branches selected from high collection per head. those with large contributions per heac (3) A third difficulty was found when of the population. This year the same the tables came to be compiled. Station calculations have been made, but more Branches, and also many Financial systematically, four lists being prepared, Branches on the coast, have large which are given below, one showing the temporary populations during the sum- twenty Branches with the highest mer. They therefore organize their collections, and the other three the main appeals in the summer. A con- Branches which have contributed most siderable proportion of what they per head of their population, arranged collect is obtained from visitors, and a in grades of population, the first being calculation based on the number of Financial Branches, the second Station their permanent population would give Branches, and the third Pleasure and them an unfair advantage over inland Health Resorts (other than Station Branches. For this reason they have Branches), which, like them, have a been put in separate lists. fluctuating population. In this way the Committee feel that These fists were distributed at the they have been able, without unfairness Annual Meeting, and the following to any Branch, to call attention to those statement was read : The Committee which have given the Life-boat Service have decided to publish these lists for the most generous support during the the honour of the Branches concerned past year. and for the emulation of other Branches, The Committee would like to call and their reasons for publishing them attention to the following salient facts in four separate lists are as follows :—• in the lists. (1) To publish only the names of the The City of London Branch comes Branches with the largest collections first with a total collection of £9,729. would obviously be unfair to those But the City, with its enormous floating Branches which do magnificent work population, stands quite apart from the in places with small populations, rest. Next comes Liverpool with although their collections are small. £4,424, and the Committee would like (2) On the other hand, to publish only to offer to the City of Liverpool their a list of the leading Branches according warmest congratulations and thanks. to the contribution per head of the Third comes Manchester and Salford population would be equally unfair to with £4,234. the great cities like Liverpool, Man- Last year the same three cities headed chester, Bradford, Birmingham, Glasgow, ;he list, but in a different order—Man- Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, South- chester and Salford, the City of London 234 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

THE 20 BRANCHES WITH THE HIGHEST COLLECTIONS, 1924-25.

Branch. fountv Population of r-.n.ii«. *•«.« Amount Branch area. | Collection. i ^ head. £ d. 1. City of London * . London — 9,729 — 2. Liverpool & District . Lanes. 955,000 4,424 Ml 3. Manchester & Salford . Lanes. 1,258,854 4,234 -80 4. Birmingham & District . . Warwickshire ; 919,438 3,174 -80 5. Glasgow . Lanark. 1,060,000 i 2,659 : -60 6. Bradford & District . Yorks. i 394,700 ! 2,526 1-53 7. Edinburgh, Leith & Granton . . Edinburgh 512,000 i ,573 -73 8. Leeds & District . Yorks. 600,000 ! ,303 -52 9. Southampton & District . . Hants 220,000 i ,119 1-22 10. Bristol . . Glos. 377,061 ! ,095 -60 11. Oxford & District . Oxon. 100,000 ,063 2-55 12. Eastbourne * . . ; Sussex — ,052 — 13. Belfast Lough . Antrim 515,000 961 i -44 14. Dublin . . Dublin - 431,000 937 -52 15. Isle of Wight * Hants — i 868 — 16. Douglas * Isle of Man : — 847 — 17. Hull & District . Yorks. 325,000 714 1 -52 18. Poole, Bournemouth, etc.* Dorset — 713 ! — 19. Sheffield . . Yorks. 492,724 613 -29 20. Aberdeen . Aberdeen 182,453 602 -73 * Fluctuating population, so that no calculation per head is possible. BRANCHES WITH THE HIGHEST COLLECTION PER HEAD OF THE POPULATION, ARRANGED IN GRADES OF POPULATION. 1. FINANCIAL BRANCHES. Conntv Population of Grade of Popu:ation. Branch. : Lounty. Bianch area. ">"ection. j £%& ' £ d. 2,500 to 5,000 Cullompton Devonshire 3,000 > 79 6-35 5,000 to 10,000 Henley & Oxon. 8,500 184 | 5-21 Shiplake ! | Highgate London 12,385 132 2-57 10,000 to 20,000 \ Clitheroe & ( District Lanes. 15,000 '• 151 2-45 t Salisbury & 20,000 to 40,000 J District Wiltshire 37,000 332 2-16 1 Alloa Clackmannan 32,543 237 1-75 f Oxford & 40,000 to 100,000 \ District Oxon. 100,000 ; 1,063 . 2-55 [ Luton Beds. ; 57,077 451 1-89 100,000 to 250,000 . Southampton District Hants 220,000 1,119 1-22 250,000 & upwards . Bradford & District Yorks. 394,700 2,526 1-53 2. STATION BRANCHES. £ s. d. Up to 1,000 Porthoustock ! 100 ; 59 11 9i 1,000 to 2,500 Alnmouth & Northumber- Boulmer land 1,200 581 9 8J 2,500 to 10,000 Cromer Norfolk 5,435 '• 405 i 16 10,000 to 30,000 Douglas Isle of Man 26,000 ! 900 i 8-31 30,000 & upwards . Eastbourne Sussex 60,032 1,052 4-07 3. PLEASURE AND HEALTH RESORTS (OTHER THAN STATION BRANCHES) WHICH HAVE A FLUCTUATING POPULATION. £ d. 2,500 to 5,000 Bude Cornwall 3,962 121 '7-34 5,000 to 15,000 Seaford Sussex 6,991 120 4-12 15,000 to 25,000 Colwyn Bay Denbighshire 18,770 i 331 4-23 Southport Lanes. 76,644 ', 540 1-60 25,000 & upwards | Cheltenham Glos. 48,444 i 269 1-33 SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 235 and Liverpool. Manchester and Salford to congratulate among the Financial was then first, by over £5,000, with the Branches Cullompton, with nearly 6|d. magnificent contribution of nearly per head, and Henley and Shiplake with £16,000, of which over £10,000 was a over 5d.; among the Pleasure and special Centenary Gift, raised in three Health Eesorts, Bude with over Id., days. and Seaford and Colwyn Bay with Of the twenty names in this first over id. each; among the Station list all, except the two last, Sheffield Branches, Porthoustock with nearly and Aberdeen, were among the first 12s., Alnmouth and Boulmer with twenty last year. over 9s. Sd., and Cromer with Is. Qd. When we turn to the lists showing the per head. contributions per head of population, Finally, the Committee desire to point we find that four of the twenty in the out that England, Scotland, Ireland and list of highest collections also have— Wales are all represented in these four each in its own grade—the best collec- lists, and that they show how wide- tion per head of population—namely, spread as well as how generous is the Bradford, Southampton, Oxford and support which the people of Great Eastbourne. Britain and Ireland give to the Life-boat The Committee would like particularly Service.

The Wreck of Two Welsh Trawlers. Six Awards for Gallant Service. IN the early morning of 14th February, her. What happened then is known with a heavy sea running, a Welsh only from the story of one survivor. steam-trawler, the Tenby Castle, went After the ship struck, so his story goes, ashore on the rocks in Clifden Bay, Con- the ship's boat was launched, but like nemara, on the west of Ireland, a coast the boat of the Tenby Castle, she broke where there are many rocky islands, the loose. He jumped overboard and swam great majority uninhabited. Her Cap- towards her. As he was swimming, he tain sent out a wireless message that he struck against the Captain's dog, and was abandoning ship, and asked for taking its hair in his teeth, he swam on immediate help. The message, was and reached the boat. He found two picked up, and four other steam-traw- buckets and a shovel on board, and after lers, all of which had wireless, went in he had baled her out, he used the shovel search of the crew. as a paddle. He could find no sign of The Tenby Castle was rapidly sinking, the trawler nor any other member of and her ship's boat was launched, but it the crew. In the end, when completely was swept away. At once one of the fire- exhausted, he was rescued by three men men, T. L. Cloudsdale, dived into the in a curragh who towed him to Clare sea, swam after it and clung to it until Island, where he was picked up by one a line was thrown to him. The line of the other trawlers. wound itself round his neck, but, Although he had seen no sign of any although suffering intense pain, and in other members of the crew, it was hoped danger of being strangled, he clung to for some time that others had got safely the boat, and was hauled back to the to some island, and the search was con- trawler. The whole crew got aboard tinued, the three steam trawlers, the the boat, and succeeded in reaching the Irish Free State Fishery Protection inhabited island of Inishturk. Cruiser, Muirchu, and, later, aero- The four trawlers, meanwhile, had planes from Dublin taking part in it. continued their search, and during the The Cardigan Castle had struck just after night one of them, the Cardigan Castle, midnight on the Sunday. On the follow- also struck a rock somewhere in the ing Wednesday, 17th February, a piece same neighbourhood, but exactly where of packing-case was picked up with is not known. Her Captain sent out "No. 258740," on it, and a message a wireless call that the ship was sink- written in indelible pencil: " We three ing, and that he was about to abandon on a place called High Island, ship- 236 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

MR. T. L, CLOUDSDALE, LIEUT-COMMANDER P. E. VAUX, D.S.C., R.N. Fireman of the Trawler, Tea by Castle. Inspector of Life-boats for the Irish District. Silver Medallist. Bronze Medallist.

SERGEANT F J. TOBIN, OF THE IRISH SUPERINTENDENT E. McQUILLAN, OF FREt STATE CIVIC GUARD. THE COAST LIFE-SAVING SERVICE. Awarded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. Awarded a Pair of Binoculars. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 237 wrecked at the entrance of Clifden the islands, and a landing was made Saturday night, at 7 p.m." too bad for flying,, and by this time it As soon as the news of this discovery was everyone's opinion that the mes- was received, the Institution wired to on the piece of packing case the Government of the Irish Free State, a hoax. There was a number placing at its disposal the Life-boat at itamped on the board, but this, it had Fenit, further south on the coast of >een found, did not belong to any of the Kerry. As the trawlers and the Muir- •rawlers, and the board was not weather chu were endeavouring to land on High worn. Island, the services of the Life-boat were The Monday was also too rough for not thought to be needed. The Insti- flying, and though the Muirchu went tution's District Inspector in Ireland, out to another island, called Croagh, the Lieut.-Commander P. E. Vaux, D.S.C., sea was too rough to attempt a landing. R.N., then went to Galway, arriving late By the afternoon the wind had gone on the night of the 19th, and when he down a good deal, and Lieut.-Com- reached Aughrisbeg, the nearest point mander Vaux got a crew of six men to to High Island, found that so far the only row him out in a pulling boat to Croagh, island which had been landed on was an island all rocks, very steep, and even Friar Island, which had been visited on wilder than High Island. He thoroughly the Monday by Sergeant F. J. Tobin, of searched it, but found nothing. The the Civic Guard. So far, the Muirchu, same day he motored to another part although she had been round High of the coast, went out in a curragh and Island, had not succeeded in making a searched two more islands, Crump landing on account of the heavy sea. Island and Ballybeg, but without result. Meanwhile Superintendent E. McQuillan Searching the Islands. of the Coast Life-saving Service, who Next day, the 20th, Lieut.-Commander had organized the search on shore, had Vaux got a volunteer crew of three men gone by mailboat to Inishbofim in order the same who had already taken Ser- to search Davilaun. He searched this geant Tobin to Friar Island, to take island and another, and was stranded on him in a curragh (a boat made of can- one of them for two days. vas, stretched over a wooden frame) to After this the search was abandoned. High Island. The weather was rough Two bodies, those of the wireless opera- the sea was running very high, and the tor and the second engineer, had already island steep and rocky, but Lieut.-Com- been washed up, and there was no hope mander Vaux succeeded in jumping off left of finding any of the crew of the on to a projecting rock. The landing Cardigan Castle alive. The Welsh was made at considerable risk, for trawlers had returned to Swansea on the any mistake in handling the boat, or Sunday, and now both the Muirchu and a false step in landing, would hav the aeroplanes were recalled. had serious results. He searched th< In recognition of these services the whole island, which is about 80 acres in Institution has made the following extent, but found nothing except "sheep awards :— about thirty seals, a stone Celtic cross To T. L. Cloudsdale, of the Tenby ruined monastery, and shepherd's hut Castle, but for whose prompt and shaft of old mine." Nobody, he re courageous action the whole crew of ported, could have been cast up on tha that vessel would have lost their lives, island without being ground to pulp. the Silver Medal. On his return to the mainland, he saw To Lieut.-Commander P. E. Vaux, an aeroplane flying over the islands, i D.S.C., R.N., for his initiative, leader- It was one of five which had arrived j ship and courage, the Bronze Medal, from Dublin, and it had taken food to ] To Sergeant F. J. Tobin, of the Civic drop on High Island. Guard, who was untiring in his efforts, The next day, Sunday, the Muirchu, and who, at considerable risk, searched with the Colonel of the Irish Free one of the islands, its Thanks inscribed State Air Corps on board, cruised round on Vellum.

F-! 238 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. To Superintendent E. McQuillan, ot to the mast of their boat. The Insti- the Coast Life-saving Service, in recog- tution has awarded both James Shea nition of Ms action in searching the two and his son its Thanks inscribed on islands, and of his valuable co-operation Vellum and a monetary reward. with Lieut.-Commander Vaux, a Pair ol On the night of 16th September, 1925, Binoculars. Mr. McQuillan is an ex- further up the west coast of Ireland, off Naval man, and was at one time Donegal, Mr. John Buchan, of Mulroy member of the Crew of the Life-boat at Bay, launched a boat with his son and Howth, Dublin. two other men, as they thought they The Institution has also made mone- heard cries for help. A gale was blowing tary awards to the three men who with a rough sea. They pulled out some rowed Commander Vaux to High Island distance, and found a boat nearly full of and Sergeant Tobin to Friar Island, and water, and on board her the Reverend to the four men who brought ashore Father Logue nearly unconscious. With the sole survivor from the Cardigan *reat difficulty they got him into their Castle. joat. It appeared that he had gone out with a young man, Patrick Logue, to Two Shore Boat Services on the West ;est an outboard motor. Patrick Logue Coast of Ireland. iad fallen overboard, and Father Logue, Two days before the Teriby Castle n rushing to help him, had capsized the was wrecked, a small boat was capsized )oat. They clung to the keel for some in Tralee Bay, further south. She had ime, and then Patrick Logue dropped two men on board who were dredging off, exhausted, and was drowned. Father for oysters. A gale was blowing with a liogue had then managed to right the rough sea, but a fisherman, James Shea, >oat and get aboard her, but his rescuers and his son, a boy of sixteen, who had arrived only just in time to save his just returned from dredging, put out ife. The Institution sent a special again, although their boat was half-full jetter of Thanks to Mr. Buchan, and of water, and at great risk succeeded in monetary awards to him and his fellow- rescuing the two men who were clinging | escuers. The Help of Shipowners. IN The Lifeboat for June, 1923, a list I ticularly in those cases where, at present, was published of launches of Life-boats they do not subscribe." and assemblies of Crews during the The names of those who responded to first four months of that year, with the this letter were published in The Lifeboat for February, May, and November, 1925, names of the vessels in question and of with accounts of the services. To these their owners, and the amount of the have now to be added four more names subscriptions, if any, which the owners of owners to whose vessels services were made to the Institution. In June, 1924, rendered in the autumn and winter of at the suggestion of a prominent ship- last year. owner, it was decided that in future a 1925. letter should be sent to owners notifying September 26. New Brighton (Birkenhead) them when the crews of their vessels Motor Life-boat rescued 5 from the motor vessel had been rescued, and putting before Innisinver, of London. them the work and services of the Owners: Messrs. Mitrovich Institution. Bros. & Co. £1 Is. " There is not, and never can be," so October 29. Kingstown Motor Life-boat rescued 46 from the sailing we wrote in The Lifeboat for February, ship Hamburg, of Hamburg. 1925, " any question of the Institution Owners: Messrs. Hans asking for payment for its services to Heinrich Schmidt. £10 10s. those whose lives it rescues from ship- December 22. No. 2 Life-boat res- cued 4 from the barge Mary wreck, but it is thought that the owners Bridge, of Hull. Owners : of the ships may like to take the oppor- Messrs. H. Leetham & Sons, tunity of showing their gratitude, par- Ltd., of York. £5 5*. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 239

December 25. Humber Motor Life-boat res- where lives have been rescued or help has cued 6 from the s.s. Whin- been given, with the names of vessels and stone, of Preston. Owners : Messrs. Thornley Binders the subscriptions or special donations Ltd., of London and Strom- received from their owners. The list ness. £5. (Messrs. Thornley will not include any services where Binders had previously sub- salvage has been paid to the Crew. The scribed to the Stromness Branch.) letter to owners, it should be added, is only sent when lives have actually been This completes the list of those who rescued, and even then it is not sent have responded to the letter, since it in those cases — as, for example, small was first issued in 1924, up to the end fishing boats — where the owners are of 1925. It has now been decided to presumably poor men. The follow- publish, as from the beginning of 1926, ing list is for the first four months of a complete list of effective services 1926 :—

Subscrip- Contribu- tions or tions Donations received in Date. Lile-boat. Vessel. Owner. received gratitude before for the Service. Service.

1926. £ s. d. £ s. d. Jan. 6 Lowestoft . Fishing smack Ivan, W. H. Podd, Lowes- * — (Motor). of Lowestoft. toft. 12 Wexford | S.S. Valdura, of Gow, Harrison & Co., 10 10 0 ~ (Motor). [ Glasgow. 8 Gordon Street, 12 Kilmore ) Glasgow. 14 Gourdon Six fishing boats of Gourdon. Comrades . C. Moir and others . 050 Rapid J. Middleton and others . — — Joy . P. and J. Johnstone — — Norseman. A. Gove .... — — Ghrissie Criggie J. Criggie and others — — Reliance . James Gibb — — 14 Johnshaven Three fishing boats No information — — of Gourdon. „ 15 Scarborough Coble Golden Gate, of James Douglas — — (Motor). Filey. „ 27 Filey . Four motor fishing No information — — cobles of Filey —. „ 27 Arbroath . Four fishing boats t — of Arbroath. Pioneer . Alex. Tevendale — Guiding Star . David Smith — Queen of the Fleet David Seattle — Secret David Shepherd — „ 28 Aranmore . S.S. Eleftherios M. E. Tricoglou, Andros, — — Tricoglom, ofAndros. Greece. — ! Feb. 3 Berwick-on- Four fishing boats of No information — — Tweed. Berwick-on-Tweed. 5 Filey . Nine motor fishing No information — — cobles of Filey. 5 Scarborough Two motor cobles (Motor). of Scarborough — Ebenezer . Reuben Scotter . — — Golden Gate James Douglas — — i .. 5 Whitby Five motor fishing No information — — (Motor) boats of Whitby.

(Subscriptions or Donations are for 1924.) * Four Lowestoft insurance companies subscribe to the Institution. f The Fishermen's Committee and the Men's Own Brotherhood of Arbroatheach contribute £10. 240 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

Subscrip- Contribu- tions or tions )onations eceived in Date. Life-boat. Vessel. Owner. received ;ratitude before for the Service. Service. <

1926. £ s. d. £ 3. d. Feb. 5 Eyemouth Fishing boats of Eye- No information — — mouth. 6 Southwold . Fishing smack Meum Runacres Bros. * — (Motor). et Tuum, of Lowes- toft. 9 The Humber Steam trawler Beeley & Sleight, Ltd., 1 1 0 — (Motor). Dinorah, of Grims- Fish Dock Road, by- . „ 14 The Humber S.S. Tabora,oi Car- Lewis Steamship Co., — — (Motor). diff. Ltd., Rothesay Cham- bers, Cardiff. 15 Yarmouth, S.S. Urkiola Mendi, Compania Nav. Sota y 21 0 0 — I. of W. of Bilbao. Aznar (Apartado No. ! (Motor). 13), Ibanez de Bilbao, Bilbao. Hope Cove . „ 15 ) S.S. Liberia,, of Societa Anonima di Navi- „ 15 Torbay gazione Unione, Via (Motor). f Genoa. San Luca, 15/10, Genoa, Italy. „ 16 Blyth. Motor boat Lily, of Wm. Coulthard, 87, — — (Motor). Blyth. Union Street, Blyth. 17 Torbay S.S. Izvor, of Dubrov- Atlantska Plovidba Ivo — — (Motor). nik. Bacic Akcjonarno drustvo, Zagreb, Jugo-Slavia. 17 Poole and Fishing boats of No information — — Bournemouth Poole. 22 Peel . Fishing boat Genesta, John Wilson . — — of Peel. I Ketch Alpha, of W. Chambers, Kilkeel, — — Mar. 4 Moelfre 1 Newry. Co. Down. 1 Ketch Excel, of A. Robinson, AnnaJong, — — ; 1 Poole. Co. Down. 4 Ayr . S.S. Nugget, of Wm. Robertson, Gres- 220 — Glasgow. ham Chambers, 45, West Nile Street, Glasgow, C. 1. ! „ 5 Scarborough Motor fishing cobles (Motor). Morning Star and T. Scales — — Pelican, of Scar- H. Cammish . — — borough. 9 Wexford . Fishing smack Tip- No information — — (Motor). perary Lass, of Wexford. „ 10 Whitby Motor fishing boat Pilot J. Storr — — (Motor). Me, of Whitby. 13 Peterhead S.S. Bragi, of Stettin. Otto A. Muller, Ham- — — No. 2 burg. (Motor). „ 20 Sennen Cove Schooner Ada, of Geo. Kearon, King's Hill, — — (Motor). Barrow. Arklow, Co. Wicklow. ,. 22 Whitby Seven motor fishing No information — — (Motor). boats of Whitby. — „ 23 The Humber Steam trawler Sal- The Boston Deep Sea t 1 (Motor). monby, of Boston. Fishing and Ice Co., Ltd., Derby Chambers, Wyre Dock, Fleetwood. (Subscriptions or Donations are for 1924). * Four Lowestoft insurance companies subscribe to the Institution. t Contribute through the Fleetwood Fishing Vessel Owners' Association which subscribes ! £10 10s. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 241

Subscrip- Contribu- tions or tions Date. Life-boat. Vessel. Owner. Donations received in before for the Service. Service.

£ s. d. £ s. d. April 6 Folkestone . S.S. Duce, of Genoa La Platense Societa — — i Anonima Marittima, Genoa, Italy. 7 The Humber A small boat . W. Croft — — (Motor). „ 15 Yarmouth, Boat of s.s. Hash- The Southern Railway, 31 10 0* — I. of W. mere, of South- Waterloo Station, (Motor). ampton. London, S.E. 1. „ 20 Sennen Cove S.S. Deansway, of Williams Bros. (Cardiff), — (Motor). Cardiff. Pacific House, Mount — Stuart Square, Cardiff. „ 25 Yarmouth, Yacht Alektor, of Captain W. H. A. Whit- — I. of W. Shoreham. worth, M.C., Lancing — (Motor). College, Shoreham, Sussex. i „ 28 Newbiggin Steam trawler George, George R. Purdy, 11, — B. Purdy, of North Horsley Terrace, Tyne- — Shields. mouth. „ 28 Whitby Motor fishing coble D. Harland . — (Motor). Gratitude, of Whit- — 29 Berwick-on- Steam trawler Eye- Robert Cowe, 21, Albert t on-Tweed. dale, of Eyemouth. Road, Eyemouth. — 30 Boulmer Motor drifter True David Marr . — Vine, of St. Monance.

(Subscriptions or Donations are for 1924.) * The Southern Railway made a donation of 100 guineas when the Newhaven Life-boat rescued the crew of its tug Richmere on 27th November, 1924. f A Letter of Appreciation was received.

It will thus be seen that during the so far as can be traced, were already con- first four months of this year there tributors, directly or indirectly, to the were forty-two effective launches, in Institution, and none has since made which over eighty boats or vessels were any contribution to the Institution in involved . Of their owners only thirteen , gratitude for its services.

Gifts from Crews. THE Institution has received the follow- On 15th November, 1925, the ing gifts from its Crews : — Life-boat at Sheringham, Norfolk, On 23rd July, 1925, the Life-boat at helped to refloat the four-masted Boulmer, Northumberland, went out to motor schooner Ingeborg, of Helsing- the s.s. Sojourner, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, borg, Sweden, and stood by her until which had gone ashore in a dense fog. she was taken safely into Yarmouth. With the help of the Life-boat the steamer was got afloat, and out of the Out of the money awarded them for money awarded them for salvage the salvage the Sheringham Crew have Boulmer Crew have made a donation of made a donation of £2 12s. to the £10 to the Institution. Institution. 242 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. Douglas Bay, Isle of Man.

FORT ANNE, THE HOUSE OF SIR WILLIAM HILLARY, BT., FOUNDER OF THE INSTITUTION, AS IT WAS IN HIS DAY. From a print in the possession of Mr. Forrester, owner of the house, which is now the Fort Anne Hotel.

DOUGLAS BAY TO-DAY. The Life-boat House, and, beyond it, the Fort Anne Hotel. SEPTEMBER, 1926.J THE LIFEBOAT. 243

First Aid for the Shipwrecked. Scheme of Co-operation between the Institution, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the British Red Cross and St. Andrew's Ambulance Association. By GEORGE F. SHEE, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. WHEN the Institution was founded on As soon as the Institution receives of the duties which it undertook was th complete information with names, ad- care of the shipwrecked after they ha( dresses and telephone numbers of been rescued. The third resolution, a the local Divisions of the Brigade and the inaugural meeting in 1824, propose the Red Cross Society, and of the St. by the Bishop of London, was " Tha Andrew's Ambulance Association in such immediate assistance be afiorde Scotland, it is proposed to write to the to persons rescued as their necessitie Honorary Secretary of every Life-boat may require." This duty the Institution Station concerned, giving him this continued to perform until 1854, when i information, asking him to get into was taken off by the Shipwrecked Fisher touch with the local representative of men and Mariners' Royal Benevolen; the Brigade, Society or Association, as Society, by which it is still performed. the case may be, and asking him also, as There still remains, however, one gap a matter of routine, whenever the Life- small but important, in the chain o boat is called out on service or exercise, care for those in peril of shipwreck to notify this representative at the round our coasts, from the momenl iarliest possible moment, so that its when their distress is seen by the Coasl ambulance and trained workers, all of G-uard to the moment when, rescued by whom are volunteers, may be assembled, the Life-boat, they are taken charge oJ and remain on duty, ready to give by the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society irst-aid to any who may be injured, It not infrequently happens that some dther during the Launch or immediately of the rescued have sustained injuries, ;he Life-boat returns ashore. It is more or less serious, or are so exhausted loped also that Honorary Secretaries by exposure as to need instant medical will encourage members of the Life- attention. Up to the present moment soat Crews, where possible, to attend there has been no completely organised ,sses in first-aid themselves. That, system for giving first - aid to those, however, is an addition on which the whether among the rescued or Lifeboat- success of the main scheme in no way men themselves, who come ashore in j ured. depends. This gap it is hoped soon to fill. For The scheme has been put forward some time past the Institution has with the greatest cordiality by the been in consultation with the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and John Ambulance Brigade in England eceived with equal cordiality by St. and Wales, with whom the idea Andrew's Ambulance Association and the originated, with St. Andrew's Ambulance kitish Red Cross Society. All three Association in Scotland, and with the ocieties have, in fact, shown the British Red Cross Society. In some greatest desire to see the scheme put ports, such as Plymouth, there has been nto practice. It has, I need hardly in the past a close liaison between the ay, been taken up very warmly by the Life-boat Station and the local Division nstitution, for the Committee of of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. lanagement are convinced that through This liaison it is hoped to extend to the he co-operation of these Societies, and majority of Stations. In England and if our own Honorary Secretaries at Wales the liaison will be with the St. itations, this scheme may do much to John Ambulance Brigade, and at elieve the suffering of the shipwrecked, Stations where there is no Division of nd, apart altogether from that imme- the Brigade, with the British Red Cross iate and practical aim, cannot but have Society. In Scotland it will be with ;s value in bringing together different St. Andrew's Ambulance Association. odies all working for the common ideal Later on it is hoped to extend the co- f diminishing human suffering. operation to Ireland. An advance proof of this article was 244 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. sent to the British Red Cross Society that the Life-boat is called out, members and appeared in its Journal for July. of the Detachment should proceed to a To it was added the following very pre-arranged First Aid Station near the hearty endorsement of the scheme, Life-boat slip, which station of course with instructions to the Society's should contain at all times, blankets, Detachments how to act. first-aid equipment and equipment for " The British Red Cross Society the preparation of hot drinks. Mem- greatly hopes that the scheme of co-operation with the Royal National bers should be standing by to render Life-boat Institution will be warmly first aid and general assistance, both adopted by Detachments in towns to the Crew of the Life-boat and to the possessing Life-boats and that Detach- shipwrecked persons until the Life- ments will organize a definite service, boat returns and it is known whether that is to say, when it becomes known their services are needed or not."

Launching Life-boats off Slipways. Results of Tests with regard to Depth of Water, Speed of Launching and Construction. By CAPTAIN HOWARD F. J. ROWLEY, C.B.E., R.N., Chief Inspector of Life-boats. FOR many years past the practice of the toe at low-water at ordinary spring launching Life-boats off Slipways has tides, at others they have been continued been accepted as the best method of until the water submerged the toe to a getting heavy Life-boats into the water. foot or more ; but at exceptional spring In fact, it may be said that the Slipway tides these toes might be so far uncovered has had to be adopted at all places on as to give a vertical drop to the water the coast where adequate protection level of some three feet. This abrupt cannot be found for heavy Boats to lie termination produced a certain amount afloat. of doubt and apprehension in the minds In the beginning of the present of some of the Honorary Officials and century a minimum depth of 2 feet Coxswains. Their fear has been, first, 6 inches of water at the seaward end, that the rudder might not clear the Slip- or toe, of the Slipway was considered way when the Boat dropped off the sufficient, but, in succeeding years, vertical end, although it is triced well owing to the rapid development of the up above the keel level; secondly, that Motor Life-boat and the increase in its the Boat would strike the sea bed if size and weight, this depth has had to travelling down the Slipway at a great be increased to 3 feet, 4 feet, 4 feet speed. 6 inches and 5 feet. In fact, 6 feet has It was generally thought, however, often been required in exposed places that a 45-foot Boat, leaving the Slipway where heavy seas, and a consequent at a moderate speed of 18 feet per second fluctuation in the depth of the water, down a 1 in 5 gradient with a 3-foot are likely to be encountered in heavy vertical drop, would clear. On the other gales. hand, it was felt that the possibility of Obviously this deepening at the toe the rudder striking the keelway would has made it necessary to extend the increase in proportion to the retarding Slipway further seaward, and this again effect of the water at the moment of has added very much to the cost, par- impact. Thus, should the bow of the ticularly for underwater work. Boat be water-borne on the crest of a To avoid this cost, the toes of Slipways wave before the stern post cleared the have, wherever possible, been terminated toe the danger would be greater than with a vertical drop, instead of being when launching in smooth water, and carried down to the sea-bottom, provided, as the water level rose from 3 feet below of course,that the depth of water required | the toe to 3 feet above it (at which point was forthcoming. In some places these' the danger would cease) the risk of Slipways with vertical drops have been j striking would be increased in direct pro- so constructed that the water lapped | portion to the increase in wave motion. SEPTEMBER. 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 245 It was with this problem before them the water half a wave period later, so that the Committee of Management that if the bow of the Boat plunged into approached the National Physical a wave crest in the first experiment, it Laboratory at Teddington in October, entered the water at a wave trough when 1924. As a result, experiments were the experiment was repeated. undertaken by the Laboratory in the In all 160 experiments were made, William Froude National Tank in accurate and continuous records being February of the following year, in kept of the paths taken down the order to trace the paths taken by the Slipway and through the water of both forward and after ends of the keel of a ends of the keel of the model Boat. Life-boat during launching, with a view From these records the exact position of to finding whether damage to the Boat the keel relative to the Slipway or ground, was likely to occur, either through the and also its speed at any desired instant forefoot striking the ground or the heel during the launch, can be obtained. dropping back on to the launching ways, It would be impossible here to describe after prematurely leaving them, before the results in detail, but they have con- the vessel had cleared the Slipway. For clusively shown two important things :— the exhaustive and valuable tests which (1) Provided the front half of the were made the Institution is greatly Boat is fully water-borne before the indebted to the Laboratory. heel leaves the Slipway, there is no The special points studied by the danger of any kind to be anticipated from Laboratory were :— the vertical drop. (1) Declivity of Slipways. (2) So far from the danger of the Boat (2) Speed of launching. striking the ground when entering (3) Depth of water over toe of Slip- shallow water from a steep Slipway ways. being increased by the speed at which (4) Eoughness of water. the Boat travels down the Slipway, the The tank in which these experiments exact opposite was found to be the case. were made had the following dimen- If the depth of water into which the sions :— Boat is being launched is not more than Length . . 64 feet. four feet, the experiments revealed a Breadth . . 5 ,, possible danger of the forefoot striking Depth . . 3 feet 6 inches. the ground ahead of the Slipway, when The model was made from the lines the gradient is steep and the launching and drawings of the 45-foot Cabin speed slow. For instance, where the speed Motor Life-boat, Manchester & Salford at entering the water was a maximum (O.N. 689), stationed at Douglas, in the of 28 feet per second for the actual Isle of Man. The bottom of the tank Boat, the forefoot was found to get was made to correspond with the fall very close to the ground before the bow of the ground at the foot of the Slipway commenced to lift, but where this at Douglas, and the Slipway ibself was maximum speed was increased the bow a scale model of the actual Slipway at lifted sooner, pointing to the desirability that Station, the scale of the Boat and of attaining a high speed of launching at Slipway being one-eighth full size. all times, even for a Low Water launch into During the rough weather tests a a calm sea. wave-maker was used, the waves created The heel of the Boat, it was found, being 13 feet 2 inches long by 10 inches never approached so closely to the high, and 5 feet 1 inch long by 8 inches ground as the forefoot, even when it high. To obtain the corresponding wave dropped off the ways, and the infer- for the full-size Life-boat, these measure- ence drawn was that in smooth water ments must be multiplied by eight, so at low tide the forefoot is more liable that in the first rough water experi- to damage through striking the ground ments the wave motion corresponded than the after-end. to actual seas 105 feet long and 6 feet Very useful information was also 8 inches high. In these rough water obtained with regard to the amount of tests each experiment was repeated in water shipped. None was taken in such a manner that the model entered during any of the experiments in smooth

F 3 246 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. water. In rough water very little was 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet below low water shipped at the highest launching speeds at ordinary spring tides. at lower declivities, but, as was to be (iv.) Provided there is sufficient depth expected, more was taken on board in of water ahead it is not necessary to rough water at the steeper declivities carry the toe of the Slipway right down and at the higher launching speeds. to the sea bed. Water was occasionally taken inboard (v.) A depth of 6 feet of water below low amidships at the steeper declivities and water at ordinary spring tides at 25 feet at the lower launching speeds when the beyond the Slipway toe is desirable. model entered the water at the moment The experiments clearly showed that when a wave crest was at the Slipway there is no danger in launching at low and at amidships relatively to the model water at either Gorleston or Blyth, at simultaneously. which Stations such dangers were first If we translate the general con- feared, provided the maximum speed of clusions into actual figures we get the the Boat down the Slipway is obtained. following instructive results :— Further, generally speaking, at all (i.) A Slipway gradient of 1 in 5, the Stations on the coast the launching standard now usually adopted, is about conditions may be accepted as satis- the most suitable for all conditions of factory, and there is no need for any launching. alteration in the existing Slipways. (ii.) It is advisable that the Boat At Margate and at St. Abb's it has should be launched as high up the Slip- always been an accepted fact that the way as possible, and that rollers should Boat could not be launched at low water be inserted in the keelway above high of exceptional spring tides without water level for gradients of 1 in 5-5 and striking the ground beyond the toe. steeper—and between high water and At Bembridge the rocks have already low water at ordinary spring tides as been trimmed, and the hollows filled well for flatter gradients—in order to up with concrete forming a continuous increase the speed. keelway to a sufficient depth of water. (iii.) For Stations in exposed positions At some Stations the depth over the in the open sea the Slipway toe should be toe and 25 feet beyond is less than the carried down to a depth of 4 feet below depth just given as necessary, but the low water at ordinary spring tides, Life-boats at these Stations are of a but in harbours and other positions smaller type than the 45-foot Cabin where it is not likely that waves more Watson Boat, for which the experi- than 2 feet in height will be encountered ments were made, and the depth at at low water it is not essential that the these Stations is quite adequate for the keelway should be continued beyond size of Boat. The Life-boat Service during the General Strike. By GEORGE F. SHEE, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. THE General Strike started at midnight the reserve Life-boats lie and the on Monday, 3rd May, and all the stores for the whole Service are kept ; regular transport by rail and road and that the District Inspectors and ceased at once. On Wednesday, 12th Surveyors of Machinery could not visit May, shortly after midday, the strike any of the Stations. was called off, but it was not until the During the strike there were four Saturday that normal conditions began Life-boat launches. In the early morning to be restored. of 5th May a French steamer, Montauban I feel that it should be put on record of Nantes, went ashore on the Goodwins. in the Journal that the Life-boat Ser- The North Deal Life-boat was launched, vice carried on during those ten most and with her help and that of three tugs trying days without difficulty and with- the steamer and her crew of thirty-five out mishap, in spite of the fact that all were safely got off the Sands. the Stations were, of course, cut off The Kingsdown Life-boat was also from the Storeyard at Poplar, where launched, and while she was on her way SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 247 out to the Montauban the South Good- Storeyard van from Poplar picked up win Lightship was firing guns to warn a dozen or more members of the Staff another French steamer, the Toulouse, \ who live to the east of London—as well also of Nantes, which was in danger of as giving lifts to other people—and running on the Sands. The Toulouse let brought them in without mishap, go her anchor just in time to avoid going although there was, at the beginning of aground, and for half an hour the Life- the strike, much interference with cars boat stood by, until the steamer hove coming through the East End. Other in her anchor and was able to get away members of the Staff walked or got lifts without help. as best they could, and it is worth On the evening of 8th May the Motor putting on record that one member Life-boat at New Brighton brought in walked twenty miles on each of the first a yacht which she found submerged with two days, and nine miles a day during mast broken and sails over the side. the rest of the strike. At the Storeyard Unfortunately, before the Station was also there was the same regularity, all notified of the accident, the four men on the Staff and employees arriving for board the yacht were drowned. duty, in spite of the fact that some Just after nine in the morning of attempts were made to interfere with 12th March a Bideford cutter, Curlew, them. was seen to be in difficulties between 7 While the work of the Institution and 8 miles off Clovelly Pier. A moderate went on, a number of the Staff, both at gale was blowing with a heavy sea and Headquarters and at the Storeyard, rain and hail squalls. Owing to the from the Chief Inspector to the junior state of the beach, it was found very j clerk, enrolled as special constables, difficult to launch the Life-boat, but while others gave help by driving cars she was got away just after ten o'clock, and in other ways. Four examples of men and women wading out waist-deep, what was done may be given. and a number of visitors, among them The District Organizing Secretary for some Australians, helped with the launch. London, with his car, was a member of The Life-boat reached the cutter an a flying squad of special constables. The hour later, and found her with her Assistant to Chief Inspector for Machinery propeller fouled, her mast and her sails served as engineer on board a tug carried away, quite unmanageable, and working in the Thames with a volun- in great danger of being swamped by teer staff which he trained on board, the heavy seas. Three men were with none of them having any previous difficulty put on the cutter, her mast and experience of machinery or stokehold sails were got on board, and the Life- work. boat took her in tow, she and her crew The Inspector of Life-boats for the of three being brought safely to Clovelly, Northern District, who was on his way which was reached at four o'clock in to enrol as a special constable, was in the afternoon. The Crew, who had the train which was wrecked in the waded out with the launchers, were tunnel just outside Waverley Station, already soaked through when they Edinburgh. He took part in the work started, and were at sea for six hours. of rescue, was made foreman of a break- To them and to the launchers, the down gang, and then worked as fireman Institution made extra monetary awards. on an engine. Thus, during the ten days of the The Deputy Chief Inspector of Life- strike, thirty-eight lives were rescued boats, who enrolled as a special con- from shipwreck round our coasts. stable, was not only promoted sergeant within half an hour of enrolment, but At Headquarters. was attached to the Criminal Investiga- Except that the hours were shorter, tion Department for special detective the work at Headquarters went on work, showing an aptitude for it which almost normally, the staff arriving with aroused among his colleagues the gravest a regularity which, in the circumstances, suspicions as to how and where he deserves high praise. Each day the obtained his knowledge of crime. 248 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

Duke of Northumberland's Prize Life-boat Essay Competition. IT is very pleasant to be able to record district. The figures, as a whole, are that this Competition is growing both very encouraging, and we hope that in popularity and in the extent to which next year we shall see them still further schools in every part of Great Britain increased. are taking part in it. Unfortunately, owing to the political situation, the The Six Winning Essays participation of Ireland, which was fully The survey of the winning essays in secured in 1918, 1919 and 1920, was in each District emphasizes the impression abeyance in 1924. Then, in 1925, already received in regard to the high the North of Ireland again took part, standard attained by the boys and girls but we have not yet succeeded in getting in elementary schools in spelling, punc- into touch with the schools in the Free tuation, hand-writing and general neat- State, although that Government readily ness. On the other hand, there is still accorded us permission to communicate the tendency referred to in our quota- with the schools, a list of which they tion from a report in The Lifeboat of were, however, unable to provide. We November, 1925, to use language beyond have good reason to hope that next the normal scope of a child's own voca- year this difficulty will have disappeared. bulary, and a temptation to indulge, or Meanwhile, the work of attempted to try to indulge, in fine phraseology, so rescue carried out on the Galway that some of the essays rather remind Coast (as described elsewhere in this one of a child dressed in the dis- issue) in close co-operation between the j carded garments of its older brother or j District Inspector of Life-boats for i sister, patched here and there with ! Ireland, officers of the Free State, and j "purple," — and other vivid colours. Irish fishermen and boatmen will, no j At the same time, the winning essays, doubt, lend a special impetus to the as a whole, give evidence of a great deal : interest which the boys and girls of the of thought and obviously sincere ap- Free State schools will take in the Life- preciation of the Life-boat Service, not boat Service. only from a material, but even from a This year 1,508 schools took part in moral, point of view. the competition as compared with 947 In the present instance, the subject last year. Once again, of the six | perhaps lent itself to such treatment districts into which the country was | rather more easily than the subjects given divided, the North of England comes in the past, being " The qualities that j easily first with 502 schools competing, make a good Life-boatman." Such a | as compared with 279, the South of theme has the advantage of enabling the England is again second with 349, as child to think out its opinions instead compared with 210, and the Midlands is of memorising a series of facts. again third with 275, as compared with On the other hand, it might have the 175, while Scotland takes fourth place disadvantage that a child with a quick instead of fifth as last year, with 193, memory might be able easily to absorb as compared with 65—all notable and the address given by the school teacher, most encouraging increases. London and perhaps clothe its ideas in the takes fifth place instead of fourth with teacher's phraseology. As, however, 147, as compared with 160. In the the teacher will, according to the rules North of Ireland 28 schools competed, of the Competition, have given an 1 less than last year, and in Wales, address on the Life-boat Service based which has so far been a disappoint- upon the notes for such an address ment, only 14 as compared with 29. provided in every case, without knowing For the purposes of the competition what the subject of the essay would be, Ireland and Wales are treated as one the danger of a transfer of the teacher's SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 249 own views with regard to the qualities discussion on temperance, still less on that make a model Life-boatman, ex- prohibition ! But it is clear from many pressed in the teacher's own language, of the essays that the advocates of should have been avoided. temperance — or prohibition ! — have made a profound impression on the The Best Essay. minds of the children in the elementary We have selected as the best essay schools. sent in from any part of the United Kingdom that written by Brenda Stern Daughters. Darlington, aged nine years and six One little girl lays down a series months, a pupil of Summerbank Girls' of Rhadamanthine rules which would School, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. This forbid the Life-boatman not only essay was sent in as the best among all the slightest drop of alcoholic refresh- those submitted by the schools in the ment or sustenance, but even the pipe, Midlands, and the very competent judge except on rare occasions, and then only who selected the essay stated that " it if he is a healthy man. The same is considerably the best without allow- essayist lays great stress on the Life- ing anything for the youthfulness of boatman being an industrious and thrifty the author." Allowing for the age of man who belongs to a reliable saving the author, there can be no hesitation in society. We confess that our sympathy awarding the essay the special prize for goes out to " Dad," coming in tired and the best in the whole of the British Isles, perished with cold from his daily war- and we warmly congratulate both ring with the elements, but not daring Brenda Darlington and the Summerbank to take even a drop of beer under Janet's Girls' School on a really notable achieve- stern eye; while if he glances at his ment. It is, however, only fair to tobacco pouch he must first get a Stanley Cocks, aged fifteen, who is at certificate of health from his stern but the head of the Southern District, to loving mentor. We are not quite sure say that his admirable essay would, that her strong approval and admiration without this handicap, have run Brenda of the qualities which make him a good Darlington's very close, if not actually Life-boatman will entirely reconcile him beaten it. to the rigid dietary prescribed by his The winning essay is printed else- anxious and loving daughter. Speaking where, and it may speak for itself. It for ourselves, as strictly moderate in the will be seen that it shows a quality of matter of both alcoholic stimulants and thoughtfulness and a grasp of the tobacco, we confess to a feeling of relief— essentials of the subject which are rare, horribly selfish, it is to be feared—that even among the essays of the older the editorial role lies in a less heroic children, and remarkable in the case of sphere, and that, consequently, we are a child of nine and a half. It is not not called upon to live on the high plane surprising that there are quaint touches which Janet and Brenda and many of here and there, as in the suggestion that their girl competitors would demand of the " Life-boatman's appetite must be the Life-boatman. good to keep his body in good condi- Apart from the general excellence of tion." Physiologists may, perhaps, sug- Brenda Darlington's essay, we note that •gest that this is putting the cart before she makes two points which give proof of the horse, but no doubt the Life- real thoughtfulness with regard to the boatman will agree with Brenda that he subject in hand. While, like all the will certainly think there is something essayists, she lays stress on the readiness radically wrong if his appetite fails. We of the ideal Life-boatman to risk his life j are not quite so sure that all Life- for others, she sees that he must, | boatmen will accept her ruling that nevertheless, be " far-seeing enough not " he must abstain from alcoholic bever- to throw it away unnecessarily." ages so that there is no danger of Again, he must be prepared to act either his strength being even temporarily as leader or as a subordinate, a quality weakened." We are not going to open a which every Life-boatman will recognize 250 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. as involving precisely the type of which the lessons he has taught have character required in members of a been absorbed by Stanley Cocks, as by so Life-boat crew, who must be ready to many thousands of British boys and " pull together " in every sense of the girls. word, and accept the orders of the Space does not allow of any detailed Coxswain with the utmost promptitude reference to the other winning essays. and subordination of self. But we cannot help being impressed with the atmosphere of philosophic thought A Word Maker. which pervades the best essay from north We have already referred to the very of the Tweed. Indeed, we should have attractive essay by Stanley Cocks, aged " placed " this essay as coming from fifteen, of Reedham Orphanage, Purley, Scotland even if we had not been | Surrey. This lad writes with great informed of its origin, from New Milns | vigour and wealth of language. As is Higher Grade School (Ayrshire). In generally the case with youthful writers, ! the course of some experience as an he is a little too fond of the descriptive j educationalist we have always been adjective, and we hear " the whining tem- struck by the way the Scotch boy or girl j pest," see the billows tossing and foaming approaches a subject. There is always around " the littered wreck," ajid are an attitude of philosophic detachment, blinded with " dazzling flashes of light- j finding vent in " wise saws and modern ning." But if our essayist is fond of j instances " before our little philosopher j adjectives he has presented us with one comes to the point, and deals with of the best nouns it has yet been our it faithfully and in strict accordance fortune to meet, and we should like to with logic. The essay in question, by shake hands with the creator of " British the way, that of Jessie Welden, is stickability " as the foremost quality of excellent, and runs those of Brenda the true Life-boatman. We have met Darlington and Stanley Cocks very " stickums " for something that sticks close. well, like glue or seccotine, but " stick- ! We are glad to note in Edward Weller's ability " is wonderful. It is not only j essay, Droop Street, L.C.C. Boys' descriptive of the " bull-dog" grip School, Paddington, W. 10, an apprecia- which Stanley Cocks uses as a synonym tion of a point of view which has not for it. It is onomatopoeic, and calls up been so generally seized by the pupils, not only the tenacity of fletched namely, the impersonal and international teeth, but the impregnable exterior character of the services rendered by the of the fretful porcupine. We would say Life-boat Crews. to Stanley Cocks, " We thank you for " Every man of the crew," writes that word." Nor must we overlook Edward Weller, " must be prepared to another substantive which this essayist sacrifice his life for somebody else's if applies as an adjective when he says: the chance comes. He must not stop " His heart must not fail him, his mind to enquire whether the man or woman must not become haze (sic), his head he is about to save is good or bad, rich must not turn dizzy. No ! He must or poor ... So beside great courage, keep every sinew and muscle alert, a sense of self-sacrifice is needed to always ready to do his duty well and produce a model Life-boatman." willing" ; and he winds up an excellent * essay with the words : A Life-boat Poem. " We may safely summarize the Life- Occasionally competitors illustrate boatman as a capable, strong, confident their essays, and occasionally they are man. No ordinary fellow will do for a moved to rise for a few lines into verse. member of this brave communion of This year, a London boy, L. Johnson, of voluntary fishermen. He must be Essendine Road School, Paddington, a Scout in nature, though not in instead of writing an essay has given us name." a picture of the Life-boatman entirely in We feel sure that Sir Robert Baden- verse. His poem could hardly be judged Powell would rejoice at the way in with the essays, but it is so good that SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 251 we are not only quoting it in full, but Courage, endurance, calmness, skill have decided to award Mm a special n seamanship, knowledge of the coast, certificate. physical strength—upon these qualities most of the writers are agreed. Some The Life-boatmen are big and strong, A sturdy crew indeed, are careful to draw a distinction between They fear not perils of the sea, physical and moral courage, and one Like all true British breed. thoughtful essayist followed this with The British coast is dangerous, an explanation of the difference between Surrounded by black rocks, real and " Dutch " courage. And what is But Lifeboatmen are always born the proof of real courage in the Life- To take life's many knocks. boatman ? A great many, if not the These men are truly hearts of oak, majority of the writers were agreed that To face the mighty deep, But often they are killed and fall the Life-boatman shows it most sig- Into a lasting sleep. nally by his readiness to leave his warm Every person, old or young, bed in the middle of the night. Should spare a moment's thought " These men," as one emphatically To Britain's sturdy Life-boatmen, said, " think noughthing (sic) of getting By whom great deeds are wrought. out of bed in the night," while another Our readers will agree that these referred to this as proof of the fact that verses are a remarkable effort on the " A Life-boatman's life is by no means part of a boy of eleven years of age, honey." Yet another made what seems especially as they must have been to us a very wise comment on courage, written on the spur of the moment while and one often forgotten, when he wrote : sitting in the classroom immediately " The men must be ready to face minor after hearing the title of the essay. We discomforts." are particularly struck by the fact that More than one essayist insists on the this boy shows a real instinct for value of patience. " It takes patience English words. It will be noted that and boldness to rescue stupid people," there is hardly a single word of the four and more than one, again, demands a verses which is even indirectly of Latin spirit of self-sacrifice which, if it animated origin. They are all good, stark, strong the whole Service, would leave us no English nouns, adjectives and verbs. Life-boatmen at all. " The most real We feel that the education authorities in and sensible Boatman saves people's lives Paddington are to be congratulated on and loses his own life," and another : the teaching of English in the Essendine "If a Life-boatman goes with the Koad School. For, even allowing for intention of coming back alive, he is not very considerable poetic talent in the a good Life-boatman." writer of these verses, he must have Unexpected Qualities. absorbed a love and appreciation of our splendid English tongue from those who Some of the qualities demanded are teach in the School. A boy who can, very unexpected. Several essayists at the age of eleven, write of Life- differing from Caesar, who expressed boatmen who his dislike and mistrust of those with " a lean and hungry look," insist on ..." are killed and fall the value of slimness. " They should Into a lasting sleep " be thin! Fat men might crowd or shows that he possesses not only a vivid sink the boat." " The Life-boatman," imagination but a gift of poetic says another, " needs to wear light language which gives promise of con- clothes and be graceful in his gait," siderable achievement in the future. while yet another points out that " a Of the other essays, many deserve person who is afraid of cold water will comment and quotation, if there were not do for a Life-boatman, but must be space for it, but we must content our- fond of a good soaking." Finally, a boy selves with one or two general reflections, who, we fear, must be a sufferer and the quotation of a few of the more himself, begins his essay by saying " A striking ideas and phrases. man who wants to be a good Life-boat- 252 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. man must be brave and not subject to " The Life-boatman must be patient colds," and ends it: " If a man wants to yet firm with those that are drowning." be a Life-boatman he must be a man " He needs great strength when great who does not suffer from throat trouble sharks or such dangerous fish as that or catarrh "—brave boy to face that might bore a hole in the vessel." word ! — and adds : " Life-boatmen " He must think nothing of his own generally have beards to keep their life, but others as precious pearls." throats warm." " If any man goes to get on to the Life-boat before any women he is shot Women and the Life-boats. dead." A number of essayists have evidently " Lastly, I think that a man thus felt (and we heartily sympathize with exposed to such grave danger should live them) that though the subject was the a clean respectable life, for he never qualities of the Life-boatman, it was knows when he may be called away to ungallant and unfair to say nothing a land where Life-boats are un- about the magnificent work of the necessary." women. " In the olden days," so " The Life-boatmen must be courage- writes one London boy, " women were ous because, as the old proverb says, thought fit for nothing but housekeep- ' Faint heart never won fair lady.' " ing. That was a very wrong idea, " At the seaside you would see the although men are superior to women." Life-boatmen and their boats sailing up Our gallant women on the North East and down and keeping an eye on the Coast have evidently succeeded in bathers." winning reluctant admiration from one " The Captains do not pick men who who would otherwise have been a have smartly brushed shoes, and hearty despiser of the " weaker " sex. coloured ties and socks." Another essayist not only refuses to " Crimes have been committed all ignore the women but makes a gallant over the world, but he who scorns or and ingenious attempt to bring them laughs at the gallant work of the men into the strictly masculine limits of the who man the Life-boats is too evil for subject. After giving knowledge, prison." bravery and endurance as the first three " To climb alone a rope fastened qualities required he goes on, " The between the Life-boats and a sinking fourth quality, if one can call it a quality, ship, over a foaming sea is a very trying is a sterling wife, a woman who is as ordeal." plucky and courageous as her husband, The Winning Schools. a woman who will assist him to do his Of the six schools which have won the duty nobly, a woman who will be a help Challenge Shields none has previously and not a hindrance." When the held it, and it is even more remarkable writer of that essay comes to the married that not one of these schools appears at state, may he find such a " fourth all in the lists of last year's winners. In quality " for himself ! London a Paddington school wins the We are loth to leave the subject of Shield for the first time; in the North these entertaining essays, but leave it of England a school wins it we must. We do so with a few quota- for the first time; in the Southern tions from some of the quainter of the District a Surrey school wins it for the many original reflections which we have first time. In the Midlands, as last found:— year, it is a Staffordshire school that " The men who are in the Oxford and heads the list, and it is noteworthy that Cambridge Boat race would not be good this is the fourth time in the six years for Life-boatmen because the Thames is that a Staffordshire school has won the not like Sea." Shield in the Midlands. It is also " On goes the Life-boatman saving noteworthy that on two of these four lives and ships, and would go on occasions (1918 and now 1926) it has for ever if our Lord did not take his been won by a Stoke-on-Trent school, life." each time with an essay—in 1918 by a SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 253 boy, in 1926 by a girl—which was the ful competitors in each district, in order best not only in the Midlands but the of merit, and after the lists Brenda whole country. Darlington's essay. She will be pre- It is very interesting to see what an sented with a certificate recording the even balance is again kept between the fact that her essay was the best in the sexes. Rather more than half of the British Isles, and with a copy of the 210 names on the list are girls, and it is five guinea edition of " Britain's Life- only in Ireland and Wales that there is boats," by Major H. J. Dawson, signed any noticeable preponderance, the girls by the Prince of Wales. Each of the there numbering twenty-one to fourteen other five who head the lists for the boys. Of the six winners of Challenge districts will receive a copy of the Shields, four are boys and two girls, but ordinary edition of " Britain's Life- the girls have restored the balance by boats " and a certificate recording that winning the special prize for the best this was the best essay in the district. essay in the whole country. This The remaining 204 boys and girls in the special prize has now been won three lists will each be presented with a times by girls and three times by boys. certificate. The name of the winner in each Help of the Teachers. district will have his or her name As in previous years it is a pleasure inscribed on the District Challenge to acknowledge the kindness of the Shield, and the school will hold the Education Authorities, who not only shield for the next year. If it is won by gave permission for the competition to the same school three years running it be held, but in a number of cases dis- becomes the property of the school, but tributed the particulars of it to the so far no school has succeeded in doing schools, and most cordially to thank this. As, however, it has been repre- the teachers for their invaluable help. sented that the schools which hold the I hope that next year both Education Challenge Shields would like to have a Authorities and teachers will show the permanent record of their success, it is same generous interest in the competi- proposed to present to each of these six tion. schools a copy of the certificate awarded Below will be found the list of success- to the pupil.

List of Successes in the Essay Competition. LONDON DISTRICT (County Council Area).

Name. Age. School.

Edward Welter .... 14 Droop Street Boys' School, Paddington, W. 10. C. Jewell 11 Raywood Street School, Battersea, S.W. 8. Lila Marsh .... 12 St. Mary's Girls' School, Newington Butts, S.E. 11. Daisy Ellen Watson . . 14 Salter's Hill Girls' School, West Norwood, S.E. 27. Miranda Harmer . . . j 13 J Bell Street Senior Girls' School, Edgware Road, Maryle- bone, N.W. 1. Ivy Radmall 11 J Park Walk Girls' School, Chelsea. Vera Beatrice Cox ... I 14^ Rosendale Road School, Dulwich, S.E. 21. Barbara Olley .... 13 St. Mary's Girls' School, Newington Butts, S.E. 11. Evelyn Wilkins .... 14J Ellerslie Road School, Shepherd's Bush, W. 12. W. Smith ... . 13 Droop Street Boys' School, Paddington, W. 10. Alfred Clark 13 Amberley Road School, Paddington, W. 9. Marjorie Ramsden ... 13 Glyn Road Girls' School, Clapton, N.E. Leslie Barker .... 12 The " Stockwell " Church of England Mixed School, Lingham Street, Stockwell, S.W. 9. Gladys Deane . . . . ! 14 Christ Church Girls' School, Union Grove, Wandsworth Road, Clapham, S.W. 8. R. Wilson i 10 Flora Gardens School, Hammersmith, W. 6. 254 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. LIST OF SUCCESSES— LONDON DISTRICT— continued.

Name. Age. School.

Irene Polling 14 Credon, Road Girls' School, Rotherhithe New Road, S.E. 16. 13 Ellerslie Road School, Shepherd's Bush, W. 12. 13 St. Thomas' Mixed School, Edwards Mews, Duke Street, W. 1. Rose Kitchener .... 12 Green Coat Girls' School, Camberwell, S.E. 5. Charlotte Hills .... 12 Brewhouse Lane School, Wapping. 13 Royal Hill Boys' School, Greenwich, S.E. 14 Christ Church Girls' School, Union Grove, Wandsworth Road, Clapham, S.W. 8. Cyril Gilder . . 11 Walnut Tree Walk Boys' School, Lambeth, S.E. 11. Ethel Smith 13 Credon Road Girls' School, Rotherhithe New Road, S.E. 16. F Boileau .... 13 The Lavender Hill Boys' School, Amies Street, S.W. 11. 9 Bostall Lane Girls' School, Abbey Wood, S.E. 2. 11 Chisenhale Road Boys' School, Bethnal Green, E. 3. William L. Cardy . . . 12 Fulham Central School for Boys, Childerley Street, Fulham, S.W. 6. H. Eaton 12i The Lavender Hill Boys' School, Amies Street, S.W. 11. Maude Morris .... 11 Green Coat Girls' School, Camberwell, S.E. 5. j G Giddins 13 Archbishop Sumner's Memorial Boys' School, Reed- 1 worth Street, S.E. 11. Charles Shears .... 13 Shelburne Road Boys' Council School, Islington. John Shortland .... 10* Scarsdale Road School, Camberwell, S.E. 5. Herbert Ernest White . 12 Holmes Road Boys' School, Kentish Town, N.W. 5. 13 Kennington Road School, S.E. 11.

NORTH OF ENGLAND.

Name. Age. School.

John McKenzie .... ion Selby Abbey School, Yorks. 14 Westoe Central Girls' School, . John Whittam .... 13 Worsthorne St. John's Church of England School, Lanes. 13 Derker Higher Standard Centre, Oldham. Harry Taggart .... 13 Demesne Road School, Douglas, I.O.M. George Taylor .... 13 Windy Nook Council School, Gateshead. Joyce Fletcher .... 13 Greystones Intermediate School, Ecclesall, Sheffield. Gladys Powell .... 13 Trinity District School, Wavertree, Liverpool. Edith Patterson .... 14 Longmoor Lane Council School, Liverpool. Eric Farley 13 Cherry Grove School, Chester. Alfred Toole 13 Springfield Senior Council School, Sale, Cheshire. Margaret A. Brocklehurst . 13 Bold Heath Church of England School, Widnes. Andrew C. Rutter . 14 North Sunderland Council School, Northumberland. Mary Rigby 13 St. Mark's Church of England School, Scarisbrick. Mary Berryman .... 12 Crank Hill Church of England School, St. Helens, ; Lanes. Dorothy Scott .... 141 Walton Church of England School, Liverpool. John Banks . ... 12" St. Mark's Church of England School, Scarisbrick. Maurice Long .... 12 Sugley Church of England School, Lemington-on-Tyne. Hetty Isbovitch .... 14 Vine Street Wesleyau School, Liverpool. Robert James .... 8ft Western Council School, North Shields. Albert Campbell .... 13 Lower Withington Church of England School, Chelford Cheshire. Ruth Byrom 13 Much Woolton Church of England Girls' School, i Liverpool. Thomas Bickle . . i . 13 New Seaham Council School, County of Durham. Stathy Papageorge . . v 13 Spring Gardens School, North Shields. 13 Western Girls' School, North Shields. Hilda Plumbley .... 12 Witton Girls' School, Northwich. Minnie Hamshaw 13 Church of England Girls' School, Rawmarsh. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 255 LIST OF SUCCESSES—NORTH OF ENGLAND—continued.

Name. Age. School.

Letitia Thorpe 13 Goldthorpe Girls' Council School, Rotherham, Yorks. Noel Rutledge 12 I St. Wilfrid's School, Northwich. Lancelot Whittall 11 Christ Church Upper School, Hulme Street, Salford. Blanche Williams 14 Marlborough Road Council School, Hightown, Salford. Albert Vickers 13 j Oxton School, Birkenhead. R. G. Clough . . 13 ; St. Paul's Church of England School, Adlington, Lanes. Herbert Spencer . 14 Duchess Road Council School, Sheffield. Walter Sutton 13 Abbeydale Council School, Sheffield.

MIDLANDS.

Age.

*Brenda Darlington Summerbank Girls' School, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. Robert Stamp St. John's Boys' School, Great Grimsby. George Hunt . 13 Burmington Church of England School, near Shipston- on-Stour. Albert James 11 Harpfield Boys' School, Stoke-on-Trent. Winifred Hawkins . 13 Chellaston Council School, Derby. Norman Cole . 11 Guns Village Boys' School. West Bromwich. Lewis Tott . . . 12 Montgomery St. Boys' School, Birmingham. Arthur Wilkins . 13 Southam Boys' Council School, Southam. Herbert Spencer . 13 Ironville Boys' School, Nottingham. Kathleen Dewey 11 Bardon Hill Church of England School, Leicester. Leslie Edwards . 13 Bardon Hill Church of England School, Leicester. Jesse Vickers 13 Northwood Church of England School, Hanley, Stoke- on-Trent. Millicent Bromley 12 Florence Council Girls' School, Longton. Frank Thomas Brown 12 Powick School, near Worcester. Alfred Powell. . . 12 Oakley Road School, Birmingham. Reginald Eastwood . 12 Alma Street Council School, Aston, Birmingham. Thomas Young . 13 Far Cotton Council School, Northampton. Wendy Birt . . . 11 Rose Green Senior Mixed School, St. George, Bristol. Phyllis Galbraith 11 Wesleyan School, Goxhill, Lines. Lily Buxton . 14 Church School, Gedling, Nottingham. Phyllis Lanks 13 Horfield Girls' School, Horfield Common, Bristol. Francis Mullen 14' Rose Green Senior Mixed School, St. George, Bristol. Fred Morris . 14 Kidsgrove Boys' Church of England School, Stoke-on- Trent. Annie Gregson . 14 Stanton Church of England School, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Gwen Smith . . . . 13 Netherton Council Girls' School, Dudley. Blanche Terrington . 13 Burlington Street Girls' School, Birmingham. Daisey Padbur}' . 13 Burmington Church of England School, near Shipston- on-Stour. Ronald Maker 12 Temple Colston Boys' School, Victoria Street, Bristol. Marjorie Lyddon 11 North Somercotes School, Lines. Millicent Crumby 9 Surfleet Seas' End School, Spalding. Mary Florence Marshall 13 Church of England School, Diseworth, near Derby. Sydney Lester 13 Endowed School, Stamford. Mabel Jackson 12 Colmore Road Girls' School, King's Heath, Birmingham. George McKenlay 13 Church of England Boys' School, King Street, Melton Mowbray. Fanny Smith 12 Ingoldmells Council School, Skegness.

The beat essay in Great Britain and Ireland. 256 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

LIST OF SUCCESSES— continued. SOUTH OF ENGLAND.

Name. Age. School.

Stanley Cocks 15 Reedham Orphanage School, Purley, Surrey. Philip H. Stoneleigh . . 161 St. Mary's Boys' School, Arragon Road, Twickenham Middlesex. D. Hooper 14 Lordship Lane Boys' School, Wood Green, N. 22. Allan Shaw Wright . . . 11 Heston Mixed School, Heston, Middlesex. Stanley Payne .... 14 Coppermill Road Boys' School, Walthamstow, E. 1. Ruth Robinson .... 15 Girls' Council School, Broadstairs. Winifred M. Bradshaw . 13i Dudden Hill Girls' School, Willesden Green, N.W. 10. 14 Holmesdale British School, Holmesdale Road, Reigate. Fred Money . 15 Winton and Moordown Council Boys' School, Bourne- mouth. Elizabeth O'Regan . 14 Hollywell Council School, Upchurch, near Sittingbourne, Kent. Laurence A. Dunn . 13J Miteham Links Council School, Tooting Junction, S.W. 17. William A. Runnalls 14 Dulverton Church of England School, Dulverton, Somerset. Dorothy Cray .... 13 Portsea Free School, Portsmouth. Henry W. W. Stevens . . 13 Vicarage Lane Boys' School, East Ham, E. 6. Doreen Palmer .... 14 Milton Girls' School, Portsmouth. Cyril Arthur Nice 13 St. Mary's Higher Grade School, Folkestone. V. Wheeler . . . 13 Courthill Mixed School, Courthill Road, Parkstone, Dorset. Harry F. Cripps .... 14* Highland Road Boys' School, Portsmouth. Harry L. Worrell 14 Oldfleld Boys' School, Wells Road, Bath. Freda Hobbs 12J Priory Church Girls' School, Christchurch, Hants. Frederick Cole .... 12 The Catholic School, Chelmsford, Essex. P. E. Linden 13 St. Paul's School, Brentford, Middlesex. Henrietta Joy .... 13« Flitwick Council School, Bedfordshire. Marjorie Fraser .... 14 St. Denys Girls' School, Southampton. Victor Archard .... 15 St. Antony's Boys' School, Khedive Road, Forest Gate, E. 7. Audrey Tipper .... 14 Circus Girls' School, Surrey Street, Landport, Ports- mouth. 13^ Harbledown Church of England Mixed and Infants' School, Canterbury, Kent. Frederick Roberts 14} St. Charles School, Brentwood, Essex. 14 Campsbourne Girls' School, Hornsey, N. 8. William Davis .... lift Islington (Blackpool) School, Newton Abbot, Devon. Philip Woods .... Hf Church Boys' School, , N. Devon. Isobel Rowbotham . 13 St. Anne's School, Bucks Cross, N. Devon. Edna Pope 13 Doddington Council Schools, March, Cambs. Hilda Chapman .... 12 Allen's Green County Council School, Sawbridgeworth, Herts. Doris Claydon .... 12 Holy Trinity School, Selhurst, S.K. 25.

SCOTLAND.

Name. Age. School.

Jessie Welden .... 8 Newmilns Higher Grade School, Newmilns, Ayr- shire. Nellie S. Inkster .... 13 Egilahay Public School, by Kirk wall, Orkney. Robert P. Robertson 124 Ollaberry Mixed Public School, Shetland. 13 Sciennes Central School, Edinburgh. Edith M. Munro .... 12 Foyers Public School, Inverness. Christina Hastings . 13 Comely Park School, Falkirk. 13 East Plean Public School, Stirlingshire. Norman Morrison 15 Skeld School, Reawick, Shetland. Mary J. Georgeson . 11 Laxfirth Public School, Brettabister, Shetland. William Black .... 13 Westside School, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 257

LIST OF SUCCESSES— SCOTLAND— continued.

Name. Age. School.

Leckie Marshall . . . . i 12 Chryston Higher Grade School, Chryston, Lanarkshire. Agnes L. D. Birrell ... 13 Airth Public School, Larbert, Stirlingshire. Florence Bennett ... 13 Bonnington Road Public School, Leith. Richard Cock 14 King's Road Public School, Rosyth. King's Road Public School, Rosyth. William Burns Ritchie . . 13 North Fort Street Public School, Edinburgh. Barbara M. Heddle . . . , 13 So. Walls Public School, Longhope, Orkney. David Dempster . . . . ! 12 West School, Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire. Gladys Scott . . 14 Public School, Kelso, Roxburghshire. Rita Geddes . . . 13J East Plean School, Stirlingshire. Hugh Morrison .... 14 Thrumster Public School, Wick, Caithness. Bertha M. Sandison ... 14 Ollaberry Mixed Public School, Ollaberry, Shetland. Isabella Davidson ... 12 Hay Public School, Hay, Orkney. Thomas F. Arthur . . .14 Laxfirth Public School, Brettabister, Shetland. Helen McGowan . . . 14 West Side School, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. Amelia Button . . . .13 Abbotshall Public School, Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire. Maurice Anderson ... 14£ Mearns Public School, Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire. Bruce A. Chalmers ... 10 Kirkston Primary School (Rural), Hawick, Roxburgh- shire. Thomas Gavin . . . .13 Dunnikier Public School, Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire. Alex. McNaught .... 14 Niddrie Public School, Edinburgh. Ena McKinlay .... 13 Arrochar Public School, Tarbet, Loch Lomond. Catherine Sutherland . . 14 Latheran Public School, Caithness. Darnow Public School, Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire. May Hutcheon .... 13 St. Cyrus Public School, near Montrose. Annie Wallace .... 14 Houston Public School, Houston, Renfrewshire.

IRE.LAND AND WALES.

Name. Age. School.

William J. Sands .14 Donaghcloney P.E. School, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Helene Macalliater . . . 10 Lakefield Road Girls' School, LJanelly. Sadie Scott . .14 Skeogh Public Elementary Girls' School, Dromara, co. Down. Idris Perry 13f Abersychau Vic. Girls' School, Abersychan, Mon. Winifred Neeson ... 13J Dromore Public Elementary Girls' School, Dromore, co. Down. Annie Thayers .... 14 Trostrey, Bettws and Kemeys Church of England School, near Usk. Betty Williams .... 10 Cathedine National Provided School, Bwlch. S.O., Brecs. Mary Callan 14 Belix Public Elementary School, Plumbridge, co. Tyrone. Cecil Silcock . . . 14J M'Quiston Senior Public Elementary School, Donegall Pass, Belfast. William J. Ireland ... 13 Palantine Public Elementary School, Doagh, Antrim. William Jenkins .... 12J Craig-yr-Eos Boys' School, Penygraig. William J. Greer ... 14 Orritor Public Elementary School, Cookstown, co. Tyrone. Lloyd Jenkins .... 13 National School, St. David's, Pembs. Lily Wilkinson .... 14 Belmont Girls' School, Strandtown, Belfast. Nancy McLaughlin . . . 14J Duncrun Public Elementary School, Bellarena, co. Londonderry. Rex Thompson .... 11 Dunbar Memorial School, Banbridge, co. Down. James McClelland ... 14 St. Luke's Public Elementary School, Belfast. Beatrice Adamson ... 10 Windsor Hill Girls' School, Newry, co. Down. Jane Irene Morgan ... 12 Council School, Llanon, Cardigan. Evelyn Smythe .... 13 Duncairn Girls' School, Belfast. Haizle Edwards .... 14 Marloes National Provided School, Milford Haven. David Hogg 12J Ebrington Public Elementary School, Londonderry. Maggie Whyte . . . . | 13 Orritor Public Elementary School, Cookstown, co. Tyrone. 258 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. LIST OF SUCCESSES—IRELAND AND VALES—continued.

Name. Age. School.

Muriel E. Reid . . 13 Grange Public Elementary School, Portadown, co. Armagh. Joseph Devlin 15 Ballylifiord Public Elementary School, Moneymore. Frederick Henderson 15 Dundrod Public Elementary School, Crumlin, Antrim. Harry Hughes 14 Cathedral Boys' School, Londonderry. May Nelson ... 13 Vis. Ban Public Elementary School, Killough. co. Down. Catherine Millican 11 Aghadowey Public Elementary School, Aghadowey, co. Down. Alexa G. Woods . 14 Annaghmore Public Elementary School, Portadown, co. Armagh. Ivy Simpson . 12 Kitchener Road Girls' Council School, Cantor, Cardiff. Sarah E. Williams 13 Girls' Church of England School, Denbigh. Mary J. McKenna 15 Convent High School, Middletown, co. Armagh. Edmund C. Arnold 14 Laurelvale Public Elementary School, Crumlin, co. Antrim. Alexander Quinn. 13H Moyallan Public Elementary School, Portadown, co. Armagh.

The Best Essay in the Competition. By BKENDA DARLINGTON (aged 9J), of Summerbank Girls' School, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. THE QUALITIES THAT MAKE A GOOD use of the quickest routes to and from the LIFE-BOATMAN. shore. Just as a man who enters the profession of a The moral and spiritual qualities are doubt- doctor should have special qualifications and less the most important, for without them tendencies, so should a good Life-boatman, who, great strength of body and mind would be of during his period of service, may be responsible little use. A good Life-boat man must possess for the lives of many people, have qualities a great and everlasting love of the sea, a love which will enable him to carry out successfully which no danger or shock can uproot. He his great work. must be brave, daring, and fearless, not In body, the man must be strong and well- shrinking from any danger or losing courage built, able to endure the hardships caused by however great the peril. He must be pre- rough weather and lack of food and sleep. He pared, even willing, to risk his life for others, must be healthy so that the discomforts of yet far-seeing enough not to throw it away wind and water have little effect upon his unnecessarily. He must be ready at any time physique, and his appetite must be good to keep to leave all he holds dear in order to carry out his body in good condition. He must be his duty, and must put all thoughts of self temperate, and abstain from alcoholic bever- aside. He must allow no personal feeling to ages so that there is no danger of his strength interfere with his great work, no likes or dis- being even temporarily weakened. His eye- likes, or hopes of rewards. sight must be good so that even in the dark he He must be ready to be either a leader or can distinguish objects clearly, and he must subordinate, to give orders or to take them, be an excellent swimmer. He must be quick and although self-reliance is needed, yet a with his hands, and able to get all ready in the deep trust and firm belief in God are more shortest time. important, and will help to carry him through In intellect, the man must be quick-witted the greatest dangers and difficulties. He and ready to learn. He must be able to make must be cheery-faced and able to smile when the most of his training and to have a know- things look darkest and least hopeful, so that ledge of how to render " first aid," especially those who trust in him will find strength and the application of artificial respiration. He courage to do their best too. During the last must be able to read and give signals, and have century the priceless service rendered by an intimate knowledge of the sea and coast Life-boatmen to humanity has proved that in the neighbourhood of his station, and make these qualities are possessed by many. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 259

By permission of] [H. Jenkins, of Lowestoft. A TALE OF THE LIFE-BOAT SERVICE Ned Ellis, a Life-boatman of Lowestoft.

By permission of] REPORTING TO THE COXSWAIN. ["TheBlackpool Gazette Coxswain Henry Parr, of Blackpool. and Herald." 260 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

"Prudential." Naming Ceremony of the new Ramggate Motor Life-boat. THE naming ceremony of this, the first the side of the harbour, which had been of a new type of Motor Life-boat, took decorated with flags, as also had all the place on 14th April last in the Inner vessels lying in it. Harbour at Ramsgate. The full cost of In his opening speech the Mayor said the Boat, nearly £8,500, was borne by that the citizens of Ramsgate were the Prudential Assurance Company, justly proud of the Life-boat Crew, which in making the gift said : " It is which had many times proved their made by us partly to assist your valour, fortitude and self-sacrifice. In Institution in the great efforts being the name of his colleagues on the made in connexion with its Centenary Council and of the whole town he wel- year, and partly as a recognition of the comed the representatives of the Pru- benefit which this Company and its dential Assurance Company and the policy-holders derive when some of the Institution, and thanked them for their latter are rescued from the perils of magnificent gift to Ramsgate. the deep." At the ceremony the Life- Mr. Edgar Home then formally boat was formally presented to the presented the Life-boat to the Institu- Institution by Mr. Edgar Home, the tion. She was received by Mr. Harms- Deputy-Chairman of the Company, while worth, who, in handing her to the Mrs. Home christened her Prudential. Branch, expressed the regret of the The Chair was taken by the Mayor of Institution that Dame Janet Stancomb- Ramsgate (Alderman W. Coleman, J.P.), Wills, D.B.E., the President of the and those present included Sir William Ramsgate Ladies' Life-boat Guild, was Burn, K.B.E., F.I.A., General Manager prevented by illness from being present of the Prudential, and other members to receive the Life-boat on behalf of the of the Company. Ramsgate itself was Branch. fully represented, nearly all the members of the Town Council being present, and Description of the Boat. also Captain Francis S. Symons, the Mrs. Richardson, Dame Janet's sister, Harbour Master and Honorary Secretary expressed the gratitude of the Branch of the Branch. The neighbouring to the Institution and the Prudential Stations of Margate and Deal were Assurance Company, and Captain Row- represented by their Honorary Secre- ley then gave particulars of the Boat. taries and Coxswains, and the Institution She was, he said, the result of 100 years by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of experience in designing Life-boats, of the Committee of Management, the and was the 697th Life-boat which the Hon. Esmond Harmsworth, M.P. for Institution had built. She was also in Thanet and a member of the Committee great part the result of the " obstinacy of Management, Mr. George F. Shee, and conservatism of that well-known M.A., Secretary, and Captain Howard body of men, the Ramsgate Life-boat F. J. Rowley, C.B.E., R.N., Chief Crew." When a Life-boat was first Inspector of Life-boats. offered to Ramsgate the Crew insisted Prominent among the special guests that she should be of the Self-righting were five old and weather-worn Life- type. They were not wholly satisfied boatmen, the youngest of them being with the Watson cruising type of boat, 79 years of age, the survivors of the Rams- nor with the Norfolk and Suffolk type, gate crew which went out to the Indian which was constructed for operations in Chief in 1881, Ramsgate's most famous similar waters to those off Ramsgate. service, and one of the greatest in the The result was that certain features of annals of the Institution. Besides the both the Norfolk and Suffolk type and the guests on the platform and in the special Watson type were combined in another enclosure, thousands of people lined and new type of Boat—the Ramsgate MRS. EDGAR HORNE NAMING THE "PRUDENTIAL"

By permission of] [G. Carr, ftantsgate. "CHARLES & SUSANNA STEVENS": 1905—1925. 289 LIVES RESCUED FROM SHIPWRECK. The old Ramsgate Pulling and Sailing Life-boat going out on her last service, 14th October, 1925. The Five Survivors of the Ramsgate Crew which went out to the " Indian Chief" in January, 1881. From left to right, T. Friend (81 years), T. W. Cooper (79 years), H. Betsey (82 years), C. Verrion (80 years), D. Berry (81 years).

THE RAMSGATE LIFE-BOAT BEING TOWED OUT TO A WRECK BY THE TUG "AID." (From a painting.) SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 261 type, and that was the Boat which had associated themselves would give them now been handed over to the town. more pride than their Life-boat. There She was 48 feet long, with a beam of were no Life-boatmen anywhere on the 13 feet 1 inch, and a draught of only coast who had done greater honour to 3-5 feet—a remarkably shallow draught themselves and to the Service than the for such a heavy Boat. It was, however, Ramsgate Crews. All felt it a great imperative that a Life-boat on this coast honour that there were present at the should have a shallow draught, which, ceremony those few old men, the heroic in conjunction with her line-throwing survivors of that epic service, the rescue gun, with a range of 80 yards, made it of the crew of the Indian Chief, which possible for her to reach any vessel deserved to be recorded in the annals of likely to get upon the Goodwin Sands. the town as the noblest achievement of She was built of East India teak instead Ramsgate men. Some time before the of mahogany, the wood more often Vicar of Ramsgate had suggested that used for Life-boats, because teak would on the tablets of honour at the Town last better in a boat which had to lie Hall should be included the names at afloat. Her total bulk was fifty-five least of the Coxswains of the Life-boat. tons, which, as she weighed twenty There were none who better deserved tons, left her a margin of thirty-five that honour from their fellow-townsmen. tons buoyancy. Her carrying capacity Councillor Mrs. F. Dunn seconded the was 195 persons. That was to say, vote, and both the Mayor and Mr. supposing weather conditions would Home replied, the latter saying that allow that number to be taken on the Prudential Assurance Company board, it would just put her awash. would follow with great interest and pride the future doings of the Ramsgate 116 Water-tight Compartments. Crew. She had a free board of 15 inches, which meant that the 195 persons Hospitality of the Prudential. would just sink the Boat 15 inches. After the ceremony the Prudential She was divided into 116 water-tight Assurance Company entertained the compartments (more than a battle principal guests, about 120 in all, to cruiser had), and one could go on luncheon at the Granville Hotel, among stoving them in as long as one liked, them being the Coxswain and Crew, and and the Boat would not sink. She had the five survivors of the Crew of 1881. i an engine developing 76 horse-power, Mr. Home presided, and in proposing so constructed that the engine-room the toast of the Institution spoke of the could be completely submerged and the dangers and hardships of the Life- engine would go on working. The boatman's work, carried out as it was Boat's speed was 8'16 knots, and with in such weather, and at such times and a fuel storage of 100 gallons .of petrol seasons, that few but the men them- she had a radius of action of sixty miles. selves could know what those dangers The Eev. E. L. A. Hertslet, the Vicar and hardships were. of Kamsgate, standing on the foredeck, Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of then conducted the short service of the Committee of Management, replied dedication, and after the hymn, and, after thanking the Prudential "Eternal Father, strong to save," Assurance Company for their generosity, had been sung, Mrs. Edgar Home said that he hoped that for many christened the Boat with a bottle of years the Life-boat bearing the Com- champagne. A maroon was fired, and pany's name would fulfil her mission of the Life-boat made a short cruise round mercy. the harbour. The toast of the Prudential Assurance In moving a vote of thanks to all Company was proposed by the Mayor who had taken part in the ceremony, and responded to by Sir Joseph Burn, Mr. Shee said that he felt sure that none General Manager of the Company, who of the beneficent works with which the said that in all his experience he could Prudential Assurance Company had not recall any event which had made 262 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. a deeper impression on him than once hardly any other service could thrill when he saw the Eamsgate Life-boat them. In conclusion he said that there return from a wreck with the rescued men were 26,000,000 policy-holders in the on board. That was a sight which Prudential and every one of them would he would never forget. The mere feel some proprietary right in the new mention of a Life-boat thrilled the ! Life-boat which bore the Company's people of our island in a way in which name.

Bradford's Bazaar. Fund for the Life-boat House on the {lumber. As all readers of The Lifeboat know, the of Bradford. On the second day Sir city of Bradford has been conspicuously Hastings Duncan presided, and Major generous in its support of the Life-boat H. E. Burton, O.B.E., R.E., Chairman Service, and nowhere, on the coast or of the Tynemouth Branch, Honorary inland, has the Institution a better Superintendent of the Motor Life-boat organized and more active Branch, or a at Tynemouth, and a Gold Medallist of more zealous body of workers. the Institution, opened the Bazaar. On During the last four years the Branch the third day Councillor Victor Waddi- has contributed a yearly average of love presided, and the Lord Mayor of £2,800 to the general funds of the Bradford opened the Bazaar. On that day Service. In addition to this it raised Robert Cross, the Coxswain of the Humber a special fund of £10,000 to present Motor Life-boat, City of Bradford, was the Institution with the Motor Life- to have attended in order to be pre- boat now stationed on the Humber sented with the Bar to his Silver Medal as a Centenary gift, making a total awarded to him for the rescue of the for the past six years of nearly £27,000. crew of the s.s. Whinsione on the 25th No sooner was the Motor Life-boat fund November, 1925, but owing to bad completed at the end of 1922 than weather on the coast he could not leave another fund was started for the pur- the Station. pose of paying for the Life-boat House In opening the Bazaar on the first day, and Winch on the Humber. It will Lord Barnby, who is eighty-five years of be remembered also that Bradford had age, and has crossed the Atlantic one hun- previously presented three Life-boats to dred times, gave some of his experiences the Institution, all of which were stationed of the sea, including a stormy passage at Ramsgate, the first in 1865. from New York in 1911. " I remember," he said, " that one night the whole of the Over 400 Workers. passengers stayed up. I shall never In aid of the fund for the Boathouse, forget the sight—terrified women in a three-days' Bazaar was held on March tears, serious men in prayer, panic all 10th, llth and 12th, in which the Lord round. Such recollections force on one's Mayor (Alderman J. Stringer, J.P.), the mind the immense usefulness of Life- Lady Mayoress, Sir William Priestley, boats." J.P., Chairman of the Branch, and Lady Priestley took an active part. The Major Burton's Reminiscences. Bazaar was decorated to represent On the second day Major Burton gave Lucerne, there were sixteen stalls, some very interesting reminiscences of including a restaurant and cafe, and his work with the Motor Life-boat at between 400 and 500 ladies gave their Tynemouth. He recalled that when services in organizing it. the McConnell Hussey was sent to Tyne- On the first day Sir William Priestley mouth in 1905, he found the longshore- presided, and the Bazaar was opened men very suspicious of motors, and his by Lord Barnby, supported by Mr. first crew was formed of volunteers from George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of his own company in the Royal Engineers. the Institution, and the Archdeacon He then described some of the services SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 263 in which he had taken part, including President of the Institution, and awarded the Rohilla Service in November, 1914, the Institution's, Gold Badge to Mr. when the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat E. V. Rushworth, the Branch Treasurer, left the wreck with sixty-four people on who acted also as the Treasurer of the board, including her own crew, and with Bazaar, and for many years was Branch '' the deck two inches under water.'' Maj or Honorary Secretary, in recognition of Burton went on: " Next morning a their long and distinguished services to doctor, whose son had been one of the the Institution. A number of other rescued, called to thank me for the' awards made to honorary workers at Brad- safety of his boy and the recovery of his ford will be found in " Awards to Hono- wife, who had been prostrate with rary Workers " elsewhere in this issue. anxiety. I know now what that man's The spirit in which the work was

THE BRADFORD BAZAAR. Left to right: Lord Barnby, Sir-William Priestley and Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. feelings must have been, for in the last done was the secret of the Bazaar's gale this winter my own boy went down great success. In thanking the Com- with his gallant crew, and the only trace mittee of Management for the Record of them that has been found is two life- of Thanks which they presented to her, buoys. It is a great consolation to me Lady Priestley wrote: " We had such to know that at the hour when my lad's a fine band of workers. Such interest ship was sinking I was on duty with oar and hard work I have never seen in Life-boat Crew ready for any call for any bazaar I have ever been associated our help." with. Such good feeling—every one all The Bazaar aimed to raise £5.000, and smiles. We really almost felt sorry the sum actually obtained was over £4,910. when it was all over and we had to The Committee of Management have separate." A bazaar organized in that elected Sir William Priestley a Vice- spirit could hardly fail. 264 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. London Life-boat Day. ON April 21st, in preparation for but presided over the meeting, which Life-boat Day in Greater London, numbered about a hundred Life-boat a meeting of Honorary Secretaries workers. Among them were Lady

By permission of. [L. N. A. LONDON LIFE-BOAT DAY: IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE. Prince Henry greeting Lady Frank. and other Organizers was held at Florence Pery, Vice-Chairman, and the house of Lady Burnham, who other members of the London Women's not only entertained them to tea, I Committee, Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 265 Chairman of the Committee of Manage- it would be better not to hold the Day, ment, and Mr. George F. Shoe, M.A., and in these four it is being held in Sep- Secretary of the Institution. In tember instead. In several others the opening the meeting, Lady Burnham collectors were very reluctant to go out, said: and in a few, owing to the attitude of the " The Life-boat Service is at once the public, it was found advisable to cut the finest memorial of our heroic dead, and appeal short; but in the great majority the most effective safeguard of life at it was made, though everywhere with a sea. When we feel inclined to bemoan greatly diminished number of collectors, and belittle the decline in national many of them being unable to get to hardihood, and power to endure, we their depots at all. In spite of this, a ought always to refresh our spirit and number of districts collected nearly as restore our faith by reading the stories much as last year, and two depots actually of the Life-boats which adorn the raised record sums. annals of this Institution, and which In the West End and one or two other when the call ia made, and the necessity districts there were a number of men col- arises, occur again and again to the lectors wearing oilskins and kapok belts, same accompaniment of indomitable and everywhere they were very successful. courage, and unfailing humanity. It is A number of members of the Institution's sometimes said that this is the age of staff helped in this way, and it deserves negatives, but these achievements are to be recorded that one of them left proof positive of the unchanging char- home at five in the morning, walked acteristics of our British seaside folk. eight miles to Life-boat House, and was Grave troubles are ahead of us, but as collecting the whole day in oilskins and long as our country can produce such men, belt, getting over £10. we need have no fear for the future." Many weeks ahead, the Day had been Effect of the General Strike. fixed for Tuesday, 4th May. On the The strike undoubtedly lost the Insti- Monday morning it was definitely known tution some thousands of pounds, but that the negotiations in the coal industry in the circumstances we have every had failed, and that the General Strike right to be proud of the result. The threatened by the Trade Union Congress Day actually raised over £2,600. When would begin at midnight. All the stores it is remembered that it was held on the for Life-boat Day had been distributed, first and most chaotic day of the strike, the depots were ready, and it was that practically all the regular transport decided on the Monday to carry out the had stopped, that the emergency trans- appeal, as far as possible, as it had been port had not yet been improvised, that arranged. all the streets into London were crowded with weary thousands tramping in, and Piince Henry's Tour. that every one's mind was occupied by Some alterations in the plans were this sudden disaster, such a result is a inevitable. It was found impossible to great tribute to the London Women's get horses to transport from the Store- Committee and all its workers, and to yard at Poplar two Life-boats which it the hold which the Life-boat Service has was intended to station in Brixton and on the interest and affection of the Bermondsey, but the chief event of the people of London. That interest is day took place, and H.R.H. Prince well shown in an anonymous letter Henry—following the example of the which the Institution received after the Prince of Wales in 1923, and the Duke strike. It was signed " A Working and Duchess of York in 1924—visited a Woman," enclosed five shillings, and number of the depots, including Tra- suggested that another Day should be falgar Square, and two of the depots in held, or an appeal broadcast, in order South London. that others might respond who, like In four districts only out of over a herself, were " too worried" on 4th hundred the local organizers decided that May. 266 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

By f emission of] LONDON LIFE-BOAT DAY. [L.K.A. Prince Henry and Sir Godfrey Baring at the Victoria Palace.

LONDON LIFE-BOAT DAY: AT STEPNEY. Mr. Ted Sable (right) and tome of hit helper*. r SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 267

South-Eastern District Conference. A CONFERENCE of Honorary Secretaries Mr. G. Cleveland, the proprietors of the and other Life-boat workers in th St. George's Hotel, who have long been South-Eastern District — Bedfordshire generous supporters of the Branch, and Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire keenly alive to the work of the Institu- Essex, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire tion generally. They and their wives also Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey anc contributed notably to the pleasure of Sussex—was held at Margate on 30th the Conference by their musical talents, April and 1st May. It is hoped thai both on the Friday evening, when the similar Conferences will be held in the delegates arrived, and at the Sunday other districts, and that they will Concert. become a regular feature of the Institu- Annual Subscribers and Life-boat Days. tion's work. They should be of great In opening the Conference, Sir God- value by enabling honorary workers to frey Baring spoke on the policy and exchange ideas with one another and aims of the Institution. He dealt in with the Institution's officials, and by particular with two points in the work increasing among them the feeling that of raising its funds. He emphasized the they belong to a corporate body working importance of getting as large a number for a great Cause. Where it is possible to hold the Conferences at Station as possible of regular annual subscribers, who were the backbone of the Institu- Branches, they will also give the workers tion's finance, and he pointed out that from inland Branches an opportunity of in spite of the unpopularity of street seeing the organization of the actual collections—due to the fact that far too work of life-saving. many were allowed—he had always been A Civic Welcome. a supporter of this method of raising Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of money, not only because Life-boat Days the Committee of Management, presided iontributed a very large part of the at Margate, supported by Mr. George F. Institution's revenue, but because Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. through them tens of thousands of The arrangements were made by the people contributed who would not other- District Organizing Secretary, with the wise have any opportunity of doing so. cordial help of Colonel Skey, J.P., Chair- They were the surest means of approach- man of the Margate Branch, Mr. T. W. ng men and women of all classes on Gomm, its Honorary Secretary, and other behalf of a work which must appeal to members of the Margate Committee. The ivery class. He gave an example from Mayor (Councillor T. D. Wood, J.P.), lis own experience to show how the the Vicar of Margate (the Rev. Andrew Life-boat Cause, presented in this way, B. Eitchie, M.A.), and other prominent appealed to the working man. On one citizens took a personal part in the Life-boat Day he stood outside a big Conference, and gave the Institution's losiery works, where a collector was delegates a very hearty welcome, the stationed, counted 100 workers as they Town Council voting a special sum for iame out, and saw eighty-two of them their entertainment. contribute. Nearly forty Life-boat workers from Sir Godfrey urged upon Honorary different Branches were present, and the Secretaries the importance of empha- Committee would like to put on record sizing at all times—at Branch meetings their appreciation of the fact that these and in conversation—the fact that the busy people not only spared the time to institution neither asked for nor re- attend the two days' meeting, but did received one penny of subsidy from the so at their own expense. State, and that under State control the It is impossible also not to record maintenance of the Service would be with grateful recognition the admirable >oth more expensive and less elastic arrangements made for the comfort of than under the Institution. the delegates by Mr. K. Cleveland and The Mayor spoke of the difficulty with 268 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. which local authorities were faced owing there were only fifteen men who now to the numerous applications for flag got their living solely by fishing. As days. He felt that it was a form of Chairman of the National Association of appeal which was wearing itself out, and Sea Anglers he knew that the pollution that the surest way of obtaining funds of inshore waters had a good deal to do was to have active Branches in every with the decline in fishing and the con- town. sequent difficulty in getting Life-boat Mr. Robertson (Eastbourne) thought Crews. that, in all coastal towns at least, the Mr. Shee appealed to Branches to form authorities should allow one Life-boat Ladies Life-boat Guilds, pointing out Day every year, and Colonel Skey (Mar- the splendid success which had attended gate) thought that it was a form of the efforts of Mrs. Astley Roberts, appeal which would continue for a long President of the Eastbourne Guild, and time. her fellow-members. Miss Silvester, Mr. Shee appealed to the Mayor to Honorary Secretary of the St. Albans include " Life-boat Day " in the limited Branch and a member of the London number of such appeals allowed in Women's Committee, warmly supported Margate, and pointed out that reports this appeal. from all over the country showed that the public, and in particular the working Distinguished Life-boatmen. classes, were not tired of Life-boat Days. At the luncheon at St. George's Hotel Mr. Shee then opened a discussion on which followed the Conference, Sir " Administration and Finance," in which Godfrey Baring presided, supported by he urged two things on honorary workers. the Mayor and Mayoress. Among The first was that they should make those present were ex-Coxswain Albert themselves as fully acquainted as pos- Emptage (1893 to 1905), ex-Coxswain sible with the whole work of the Institu- Stephen Clayson (1905 to 1925), Cox- tion, so that they could deal at once swain A. T. Jones, the four survivors of with any question or criticism. The the Margate surf-boat disaster in 1897, second was that they should make much and the five survivors of the Ramsgate greater use of the Press in giving Crew which went out in 1881 to the publicity to the work of the Branches. rescue of the Indian Chief. These five men had been invited from Ramsgate The Institution and Salvage. as the guests of Messrs. K. and G. In reply to Mr. Kerby Cleveland Cleveland. After the luncheon Sir (Margate), who said that there was a Godfrey Baring presented ex-Coxswain popular belief that the Institution shared Clayson with the Certificate of Service, in salvage, Mr. Shee said that the Insti- which had been awarded him on his tution took no part whatever in salvage. retirement, and was himself presented Its Boats were intended for the sole by Mr. Gomm with photographs of ex- purpose of saving life. In the course of Coxswains Emptage and Clayson. saving life, however, it sometimes .hap- The toast of the Institution was pened that the crews of the Institution proposed by the Mayor, and Mr. Shee saved property also, and much valuable responded. Sir Godfrey Baring pro- work had, in fact, been done in this way posed the health of Messrs. K. and G. by Life-boat crews, particularly during Cleveland, and thanked them for their the war. When they did this, they were many services to the Life-boat Cause. entitled to claim salvage like any one In the afternoon the Margate Motor else who saved property, but of the Life-boat was launched. Many of the money so received the Institution took delegates accepted Sir Godfrey Baring's nothing. invitation to " a rough sea and a strong Mr. Gomm spoke of the serious de- wind at the end of a delightful luncheon" crease in the number of inshore fisher- and went out in her. In the evening the men, with the result that Life-boat Mayor and Mayoress gave a reception crews had to be recruited partly from and dance to the delegates at the Winter men of other occupations. In Margate Gardens. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 269 On the Sunday morning a special Life- j In the evening the Life-boat Concert, boat Service was conducted in the parish j given each year at the St. George's church by the Vicar, and it was attended | Hotel b the proprietorS) was held. Sir by the Mayor and Mayoress and members > n. _ . , , j of the Corporation, as well as by theSGodfre? Barmg made an aPPea1' and members of the Conference. The Vicar j the collection amounted to thirteen preached on "The Virtue of Courage." jpounds.

Alarm given by a Train. JUST after midnight of 28th April, the " On behalf of myself and crew I driver and fireman of a railway train desire to tender to you, and through you entering Berwick-on-Tweed reported to the members of your local Life-boat that they had seen signals of distress Crew, our heartfelt thanks for the close in shore. The railway station rang services rendered to us on the occasion up the Coast Guard, who informed the of the stranding of my s.d. Eyedale, on Life-Boat Station, and at 12.30 the Wednesday night last. Boat was launched. The weather was " No words of mine could convey to very thick, the sea was rough, and you the opinion we hold as to the prompt the wind, which was light to moderate, answer to the call of the signal gun, and was on shore. An hour later the Life- splendid seamanship shown in the hand- boat reached the wreck, and found her ling of the Life-boat when coming along- to be a steam-drifter Eyedale, of Eye- side of us. mouth, in Berwickshire, on her way from " No doubt you will perhaps grasp the fishing ground to Shields. She had what it means to us when we saw the run ashore, and was lying head on to Life-boat making in towards us when I the beach with her stern in broken tell you that our own small boat had water. The Life-boat anchored and been broken to pieces before our eyes dropped down to the wreck. She was just a few minutes before we sighted skilfully manoeuvred in the broken your Life-boat. water, and succeeded in getting along- " I shall be glad if you will be pleased side and taking off the ten men of the to forward to your Head Office, and also drifter's crew without any mishap. to the members of your Crew, the The owner and skipper of the drifter sincere thanks for service rendered to sent the following letter of thanks to the crew of ten of a humble herring Honorary Secretary of the Station :— '• drifter."

Amateur Life-boatman's Gallantry. WHILE the engineers of the Institution i On 24th December, 1925, he formed were engaged in constructing the new one of the Crew of the Porthdinllaen launching Slipway at Porthdinllaen, in Life-boat when she went out in a whole Carnarvonshire, for the Motor Life-boat gale, with a very heavy sea, and helped which was sent to that Station in March to save the s.s. Matje, of Hull, and her last, the foreman in charge of the crew of six. The Matje had anchored, works Mr. T. A. Hooper, twice went but was dragging slowly towards the out and helped to save life from ship- rocks. Some of the Life-boat Crew were wreck. put on board, and with their help the On 4th August, 1925, he and three of steamer was brought safely into Porth- his men manned the Life-boat's boarding dinllaen Bay. boat and saved two men who were in a j In recognition of these two services sinking punt, and but for his prompt the Institution presented Mr. Hooper help would have lost their lives. with an inscribed Aneroid Barometer.

F 5 270 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. Life-boatman's Statuette

THIS statuette is a reproduction (except that the Kapok Life-belt has been substituted for the old Cork Life-belt) of the figure of the Life-boatman which stands on the memorial at Margate to the nine Life-boatmen who were drowned by the capsizing of the surf boat Friend of All Nations, in December, 1897, when going out to the rescue of a ship in distress. A life-size reproduction stands on the side of the building of Life-boat House, London. This reproduction can be obtained in various forms, as follows :— s. d. Nickel-plated Motor Mascot, 5 inches high 10 6 Nickel-plated Motor Mascot, 3J inches high 6 0 Brass ash tray, 4J inches high .... .60 Brass statuette, 5J inches high.... .66 White metal statuette, 6 inches high (painted black) . 2 6 The height, as given, includes the stands. Honorary Secretaries and other workers are asked particularly to note that they can obtain any of these statuettes at a reduced price to sell at Life-boat Bazaars, FStes, etc. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 271

A Challenge to Branches. The Record of North Sunderland and Stromness. IN anarticlein The Lifeboat for November, 1874. In January, 1880, he was 1925, on the centenary of the Appledore appointed Honorary Secretary, and he Station we gave the remarkable record held this office until October, 1887, when of the present Committee, five members he was appointed Chairman. He is of which had then served for a total of still Chairman, thus having a continuous 128 years, with an average of twenty- service of over fifty-two years : six five and a half years, while the President, years as a member of Committee, seven Chairman and Honorary Secretary years Honorary Secretary, and thirty- had a total service of eighty-one years nine years as Chairman. Though over with an average of twenty-seven years. eighty he is as alert and active as On behalf of Appledore we challenged ever and takes the deepest interest in other Branches to beat that record if the Life-boat Service and fishermen they could. Poole and Bournemouth generally. / took up the challenge, and its record was " Dr. J. G. Macaskie was appointed published in The Lifeboat, for March last, a member of Committee in January, the figures being, up to last year, 131 1900, thus having a service of twenty- years, with an average of twenty-six six years. I was appointed Honorary years, and eighty-eight with an average Secretary in December, 1898, so that I of twenty-nine. have served twenty-seven and a half On behalf of Poole and Bournemouth years. The total service of Chairman, we challenged other Branches to beat Dr. J. G. Macaskie, and myself is thus its record, and two have taken up the 105| years for three members, an challenge—Stromness and North Sun- average of over thirty-five years. I derland. Mr. G. L. Thomson, the therefore claim a win from Poole and Honorary Secretary at Stromness, Bournemouth." writes :— Mr. Ross adds : " Since the Station " I have examined the record of was opened in 1865, the Life-boat has service of members of our Life-boat been launched on service 110 times, the Committee, and find that we can beat total number of lives saved being 225." the record of Poole and Bournemouth. This then is how the record now Mr. J. Mackay (Chairman) and Mr. A. B. stands, the figures being up to 1926 : Terras have been members of Com- Total Ser- Total Ser- mittee since 10th February, 1888— vice for 5 vice for 3 Name of Oldest Aver- Oldest Aver- thirty-eight years each. I was appointed Station. Members. age. Members, age. Honorary Secretary on 17th April, 1903 North Sun- —twenty-three years, making a total derland . — — 105| 35 of ninety-nine years, or an average of Stromness . 143 28 J 99 33 thirty-three years' service for three Poole and members. Capt. Cadger and Mr. S. Bournemouth 136 27 91 30 Baikie were appointed on 6th May, 1904, Appledore . 133 26| 84 28 twenty-two years each, making a total of 143 years for five members, or an On behalf of North Sunderland, which average of twenty-eight and a half- has the best record for three members, years." and Stromness, with the best record Mr. Lewis B. Ross, the Honorary for five members, we challenge other Secretary at North Sunderland, writes : Branches. We hope, too, that any " This Branch can easily beat any of Branches which, though they cannot the records mentioned previously. The actually beat these records, can show present Chairman, Lt.-Col. A. Marshall figures of long service will send them to (then Capt. A. Marshall), was appointed the Institution so that they may be a member of Committee in January, published. 272 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The General Council: Appointment of an Honorary Secretary. IT was announced in the last issue of as she feels sure that membership of the The Lifeboat that the Duchess of Suther- Council will be a real help to them in land, President of the Ladies' Life-boat their work of interesting other ladies in Guild, had issued an invitation to each the Life-boat Service. The names of Guild to nominate two of its members, those who have accepted this invitation the President or Chairman and the are also included in the list below. The Honorary Secretary, to become members full list of names is published in the of the General Council of the Guild. A Annual Report. number of Guilds have sent in the names We have also much pleasure in of their representatives since that issue, announcing that the Lady Florence with the list of the Council, appeared, and Pery, who is Vice-Chairman of the these new members are given below. London Women's Committee, has The Duchess has also sent an invita- accepted' the invitation of the Com- tion to join the Council to all ladies who mittee of Management to become the are Honorary Secretaries of Branches, Honorary Secretary of the whole where there are, at present, no Guilds, Guild. North of England District. BRANCH. NAMES OF DELEGATES. Blaydon-on-Tyne . Mrs. DIXON Honorary Treasurer. Mrs. G. TUBNEB . Honorary Secretary. Bradford . . THE LADY MAYORESS . President. Mrs. LOCKWOOD . Honorary Treasurer. Brighouse . THE MAYORESS President. Miss ELLA RAWLINSON . Honorary Secretary. Congleton . The MAYORESS President. Mrs. DAVIS Honorary Secretary. Conisborough . Mrs. FORSTEH President. Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN Honorary Secretary. Crewe . Mrs. WRIGHT Honorary Treasurer. Mrs. PABTINGTON . Honorary Secretary. Dewsbury Mrs. MACEELLAR . Honorary Secretary. Miss FBABNSIDE . Honorary Treasurer. Dinnington Village . Lady REED President. Miss M. BATY Honorary Secretary. . . Mrs. J. A. GOOD . President. Mrs. W. H. BLAKESTON Honorary Secretary. Elland . . Miss HEATON Honorary Secretary. Heywood . The MAYORESS President. Mrs. W. W. WILLIAMS . Honorary Secretary. . . Mrs. J. R. HEDLEY President. Miss HEDLEY Huddersfield . Mrs. MARSDEN Honorary Secretary. Mrs. H. LAYOOOK Honorary Treasurer. Keighley . Mrs. PEBOY CLOUGH Chairman. Mrs. EDMONDSON . Honorary Secretary. Malton . Mrs. NOEL C. FOBSYTH . Honorary Secretary. Mrs. S. H. RUSSELL Honorary Treasurer. Middlewich . Mrs. DUNHINOHAM Honorary Secretary. Middlesbrough . . The MAYOBESS President & Chair- man. Mrs. PETEB STEWABT Honorary Secretary. Patrington . Mrs. COATES President. Mrs. MABTYN-ROBEBTS . Honorary Secretary. Botherham . Mrs. FlELDSEND . President. Mrs. HETHEBINGTON Honorary Secretary. Ryton-on-Tyne . . Mrs. C. HUNTEB . President. Mrs. C. TAYLOR . Honorary Secretary. Selby Mrs. HAT.T. Vice-President. Mrs. DONALD COCHBANE Honorary Secretary. Spennymoor . Mrs. COOK President. Mrs. BABFF Honorary Secretary. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 273 North of England District—continued. BRANCH. NAMES OF DELEGATES. Warrington . Mrs. R. JOHNSON Vice-Chairman. Mrs. C. F. HILL . Honorary Secretary . Mrs. HILDA BROWN Honorary Secretary Mrs. RAMSEY Honorary Treasurer Midlands District. Cheltenham . Miss WANKLYN Honorary Secretary Coalville . . Mrs. E. G. HARCUS Honorary Secretary Mrs. WALTER LINDLEY Coleshill . Miss M. C. UPTON Honorary Secretary, Hinckley Mrs. SHIRLEY ATKINS Honorary Secretary, Lichfield Mrs. ASHPOLE Honorary Secretary. Sutton Coldfield . Miss A. TONES President. Mrs. W. H. EGOINGTON Honorary Secretary London District. Bexley Heath . Mrs. M. KEENE Honorary Secretary Hackney . Mrs. SHERMAN Honorary Secretary Hammersmith . Mrs. RYAN Honorary Secretary. Putney and Roehampton . Miss A. CORBIE Honorary Secretary. Wembley . Miss E. N. PIGOTT Honorary Secretary. South-East of England District. Chelmsford . Mrs. FINCH Honorary Secretary. Chipperfield . Mrs. A. H. LATHBURY . Honorary Secretary. Ely ... Miss V. STONEBRIDGE Honorary Secretary. Leavesden Green . Miss E. E. CLAY . Honorary Secretary. St. Ives (Hunts.) . Miss M. KNIGHTS . Honorary Secretary. Slough and Windsor . Miss M. A. GASKILL Honorary Secretary. Surrey County . . The HON. MRS. NEEDHAM Honorary County Organizer. Tunbridge Wells . Lady HENRY NEVILL President, Miss A. J. PHILLIPS Honorary Secretary Walton-on-Thames . Miss H. B. MAOGREGOR Honorary Secretary. Woodbridge . Miss E. MINTER . Honorary Secretary. South-West of England District. Blandford . Miss N. W. WEBB . Honorary Secretary. Chipping Norton . Mrs. F. ROWELL . Honorary Secretary. Dorchester . Mrs. LODDER Honorary Secretary. Oxford . Mrs. R. W. LEE . Organizer of Life- Mrs. LONEY boat Day. Ryde . Lady DALY President. Miss M. M. CARTER Honorary Secretary. Thame Mrs. PEOOVER Honorary Secretary. Winchester . Mrs. HUGHES Honorary Secretary. Mrs. ROBERTS Committee. Scottish District. Alloa . Mrs. ROBSON Miss M. Ross GRANT SCilsyth . Miss N. LOCKHART Honorary Secretary. Largs . Lady INVEHOLYDE President. Mrs. OSWALD Honorary Secretary. Ireland and Wales District (in which are included Herefordshire and Shropshire). Lisburn ..... Mrs. ADRIAN ROBINSON Honorary Secretary. THE Committee of Management have are already members of the General also decided that the ladies who have Council either by reason of long and been awarded the Gold Brooch, insti- special services or as elected repre- tuted in 1912, for long and distinguished sentatives of the Guilds. service, should be honorary members of Mrs. Harding, of Aberystwyth. the General Council. The following Miss Haldane, of St. Ives, Hunts. Mrs. Fowler Sutton, of Hornsea. adies hold the Brooch, the order being Mrs. J. C. Barnes, of Derby. of the date of the award. Those whose *Miss Alice Marshall, of Oxford. names are marked with an asterisk *Mrs. Astley Roberts, of Eastbourne. 274 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. Mrs. Fox, of Southampton. Miss Fearnside, of Dewsbury. Mrs. Blackwell, of Derby. Mrs. Mackellar, of Dewsbury. Mrs. Kilgour, of Aberdeen. Mrs. Wallace, of Ayr. Mrs. Ringer, of Cheltenham. Mrs. Grainger, of Bradford. Lady Raglan, formerly of the Isle of Mrs. Williams, of Moseley, Birmingham. Man. Miss Edwards, of Howth. Mrs. Anderson, of Grantham. The Lady Sheffield, of Manchester. Mrs. Harold Broderick, of Southport. Mrs. Beamish, of Coventry. Lady Paton, formerly of Southport. Mrs. C. F. Grantham, M.B.E., of Skegness. Miss Brebner, formerly of Dundee. Mrs. M. Armstrong, of Cresswell. Mrs. Gervis, of Hampstead. Mrs. Ellison, of Liverpool. Miss Florence Shee, of London. Mrs. Vernon Sparrow, of London. Mrs. J. Lewis, of Pontypridd. Miss Kerr, of Greenock. Mrs. A. J. Roberts, of Burton-on Trent. Mrs. Lewis Crump, of Birmingham. Mrs. M. E. Goldsmith, of Northampton. Mrs. Parry, of Kidderminster. Miss Elsie Jones, of Aberystwyth. Mrs. Dudley, of Stourbridge. Miss Swallow, of Peterborough. Miss F. Mills, of Bermondsey. Miss Thomson, of St. Abbs. Mrs. Bertha Roe, of Plymouth. Miss A. M. Bayley, of Manchester. Miss Florrie Forde, of London. Lady Bowring, of Liverpool. Lady Milligan, of Manchester. Miss Hughes, of Liverpool. Mrs. H. J. Wilson, of Manchester. Miss Costeker, formerly of Lytham. Lady Martin, of Glasgow. Mrs. Bedell, of Manchester. Mrs. Wm. Brown, of Cresswell. Mrs. Haslewood, of Bridgnorth. Miss Silvester, of St. Albans. Mrs. R. J. Bailey, of Stockport. "Lady Baring, of London. Mrs. Bancroft, of Stockport. Mrs. W. B. Williams, formerly of Cardiff. Mrs. Ralph Johnson, of Warrington. Lady Fry, formerly of the Isle of Man. Mrs. B. J. Kirkham, of New Brighton. Miss H. Denham, of Westminster Hospital.

Belgian Honour for the Institution. THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- to humanity during a hundred years. TUTION has received, through the Belgian The Government of the United States, Ambassador, the Civic Cross of the 1st both the Dutch Life-boat Services and Class, which the King of the Belgians the Spanish and Norwegian Services has conferred on it " In recognition of have decorated it with their Gold valuable services rendered by the Insti- Medals, and the Greek Government tution, and in commemoration of the with its Silver Medal, while special centenary of its foundation." This is Addresses of Thanks have been received the seventh medal awarded to the from the Swedish Government and the Institution in recognition of its services French and Swedish Life-boat Services.

A Village Bazaar. £83 from a Population of 558. A LIFE-BOAT worker who lives in the goods were already sold before the village of Shuttleworth, near Rams- Bazaar opened, and it was not long bottom, in Lancashire, held a Life-boat before everything was sold out. The Bazaar on 8th May. Her party consisted sum raised by the Bazaar was £80. of herself, her two daughters and five That is to say, on an average £10 was working girls. The majority of the obtained by each worker, and, as the goods were made by the eight workers population of Shuttleworth is only 558, themselves, who went round the village and the majority of those who made pur- beforehand taking orders for them, with chases were villagers, this £80 represents the result that a great many of the nearly 3s. a head of the population ! SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 275

Summary of the Meetings of the Committee of Management. Thursday, 21st January, 192S. Lives Life-boat. Vessel. rescued. The Hon. GEORGE COLVILLE, in the Chair. Porthdinllaen . S.S. Malje, of Hull. Reported the resignation of Captain SELWYN Assisted to save H. DAY, C.B., D.S.O., R.N.R., from the vessel and rescued . 6 Committee of Management. PwJlheli . . Schooner Pearl, of Decided to close the Hasborough Life-boat Gloucester. Assisted Station. to save vessel and Reported the receipt of the following special rescued .... 5 contributions :— Ramsey . . Schooner Sen Gullion, of Dumfries ... 3 CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT FUND, St. Ives . . The Light- balance of cost of Margate house. Landed a Motor Life-boat (per Mr. W. sick man. Fortescue Barratt) . . . 4,821 2 - Scarborough . Six fishing cobles of PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE Co., (Motor). Scarborough. Es- LTD., third instalment corted cobles into towards cost of Ramsgate harbour. Motor Life-boat .... 2,000 - - Scarborough . Coble Golden Gate, of KINO GEORGE'S FUND FOR (Motor). Filey. Escorted coble SAILORS (additional dona- into harbour. tion) 1,000 - - Whitby . . Fishing boat Pilot Me, THE LATE MR. F. H. PILLEY, (Motor). of Whitby. Stood CHARITABLE FUND OF (dona- by boat. tion) 500 -> Whitby . . Motor fishing boats MR. DOUGLAS Cow (donation). 100 (Motor). Remembrance, Pilot ANONYMOUS (additional dona- Me and Irene, of tion) 50 - - Whitby. Escorted ANONYMOUS (donation) . . 50 - - boats into harbour. MR. ALFRED BARRETT, J.P. Whitby No. 2 . Barge Mary Bridge, of (additional donation) . . 26 5 - Hull 4 Ms. DUNCAN HENDERSON The Wexford Motor Life-boat saved the (donation) 25 - - I trawler Lailte, and rescued from shipwreck her MB. HERBERT E. CORBETT i crew of three. (donation) 22 - ~- i Also voted £620 4s. 3d. to pay the expenses Miss HALL (donation) ... 20 - ~-j of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies " A DERBETAN" (donation) . 20 ~: of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons WESTMINSTER ABBEY (Collec- I on vessels in distress :—Aberdeen, Alnmouth, tion) 17 8 |1 1Boulmer, Brancaster, Brighton, Caister, "M.H." 15 ICloughey, Cromer (Motor), Donaghadee —To bs thankel. (Motor), Dunbar, Eastbourne (Motor), Hilbre Paid £14,260 6s. Id. for sundry charges, in Island, Holy Island (Motor), The Humber connexion with the maintenance of the various (Motor), Lowestoft (Motor), The Mumbles Life-boat establishments, etc. . ; (Motor), New Brighton (Motor), New Quay »VoteT . d, £42».„_7 16-9,,, . aOff,. ,t o pay iith.e expenses ocf I I(Cardigan) Vr , 6 ',»«•, Newburgh. » ,™ Newcastle n- >T , Coa . DownT> i , hu e followint 11 • g Liffi-boaT -t \, t* Servicee • s :— Ii Newhave .,, . . n~ \(Motor) . y, ,Pallin g& ,,No, . . 2., „Penle ,, e the following Life-boat Services :- (Motor), Peterhead NoT . 2 (Motor), Porth- Lives dinllaen, Port Patrick (Motor), Rhoscolyn, Life-boat. Vessel. rescued. Scarborough (Motor), Sunderland (Motor), Donaghadee. . Fishing yawl Celtic, of Wells, and Whitby. (Motor). Donaghadee. Stood by yawl. Granted £36 5s. Gd. to men for injury in Gorleston . . Ketch Henrietta, of the Life-boat Service at Cardigan, Gorleston, (Motor). Goole 4 Palling, and Wintsrton. Gourdon . . Six motor fishing boats Voted a small compassionate allowance to of Gourdon. Es- THOMAS KEW, a survivor of the Wells Life-boat corted boats into disaster of 1880, who distinguished himself on harbour. that occasion, and who is now old and in very Lowestoft . . Fishing smack Ivan, poor circumstances. (Motor). of Lowestoft. Stood Awarded the Bronze Medal of the Institu- by vessel. tion, together with a copy of the Vots inscribed Newhaven . . S.S. ComtessedeFlandre, on Vellum and framed, to WILLIAM G. FLEMINO, (Motor). of Antwerp. Stood Coxswain of the Gorleston Motor Life-boat, in by vessel. recognition of his highly meritorious service 276 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. when the Life-boat, under his command Voted £1 17s. 6

Granted £5 to FRANCIS J. MAY, Second Thursday, 27th May, 1926. Coxswain at Southwold, who resigned, owing to ill-health, and is in straitened circum- Mr. HENRY E. FAROUS in the Chair. stances, after thirty-nine years' connexion Reported the receipt of the following special with the Boat, during which period he served contributions :— as Second Coxswain for over three years, and £ s. d. as Bowman for over four years. THE PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE Co., Voted a compassionate grant of £6 to the LTD., Final instalment of cost widow of JOHN TERRY, who was left in poor of Ramsgate Motor Life-boat . 2,420 1 7 circumstances. Terry had been Coxswain of LLOYD'S, MEMBERS AND SUB- SCRIBERS OF, Collection . . 1,475 12 - the Helvick Head Life-boat for twenty-five L. M. TOREN, Esq. (additional years, and also supported an imbecile relative. donation) 40 - - Voted a compassionate grant of £3 to the " In Memory of C. D. MoK." widow of RICHARD GOLDSMITH, who is now (donation) 20 - - eighty years of age and nearly blind. Gold- —To be thanked. smith, who was at one time Second Coxswain Paid £16,039 Is. 6d. for sundry charges in of the Bamsgate Life-boat, was one of the crew connexion with the maintenance of the various when the Life-boat went out to the Indian Life-boat establishments. Chief in 1881. Voted £182 3s. 5d. to pay the expenses of the Granted the sum of £5 for division amongst following Life-boat services :—• the permanent crew of the Humber Motor Lives Life-boat in recognition of a good service Life-boat. Vessel. rescued. on the 23rd March, when two men were Berwick-on- Steam drifter Eyedale, rescued from the trawler Salmonby, which Tweed of Eyemouth . . 10 blew up. Boulmer . Motor drifter Trite Vine, Decided that special awards be made in of St. Monance. Stood recognition of the gallantry shown when the by and rendered as- Swansea steam trawlers Tenby Castle and sistance. Cardigan Castle were lost off the coast of Co. Cloughey Schooner Via, of Brix- Galway, Ireland, on the 14th and 15th Feb- ham. Landed 4 ruary respectively. The crew of the Tenby Clovelly . . , Yacht Curlew, of Bide- Castle were saved, but the crew of the Cardigan ford. Saved vessel Castle, which had gone to the help of the other and rescued ... 3 trawler, were lost except for one man. Filey . . . . Motor fishing coble The Silver Medal of the Institution, together Dorothy, of Filey. with a copy of the Vote inscribed on Vellum Stood by vessel. and framed, was awarded to T. L. CLOUDS- Kingsdown . S.S. Toulouse, of Nantes. DALE, fireman on the Tenby Castle, whose Stood by vessel. gallantry saved the crew. Sennen Cove S.S. Deansway, of Car- The Bronze Medal of the Institution, to (Motor) diff. Stood by vessel. gether with a copy of the Vote inscribed on Whitby (Motor) . Motor fishing coble Vellum and framed, was awarded to Lieut. - Gratitude, of Whitby. Commander P. E. Vaux, D.S.C., R.N., District Escorted coble into Inspector of life-boats, in recognition of his harbour. courage, initiative, and tenacious efforts, Yarmouth, I. of Yacht Alektor, of extending over several days and involving at W. (Motor) Shoreham. Saved times considerable personal risk, to trace the vessel and rescued . 3 survivors of the crew of the Cardigan Castle. The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on The Wexford (Motor) Life-boat rescued the Vellum and framed was awarded to Sergeant three hands of the ketch Daisy, of Jersey. F. J. TOBIN, of the Irish Free State Civic The North Deal Life-boat assisted to save Guard, who was untiring in searching for the S.S. Montauban, of Nantes, and thirty-five survivors. persons. A Pair of Binoculars, suitably inscribed, Also voted £169 Os. 4d. to pay the expenses was awarded to Superintendent E. McQuillan, of the following life-boat launches, assemblies of the Irish Free State Coast Life Saving of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons Service, in recognition of his action in searching on vessels in distress:—Blackrock, Brighton, two islands and his valuable co-operation with Clogher Head, Donna Nook, Gorleston (Motor), Lieut.-Commander Vaux. The Humber (Motor), Margate No. 2 (Motor), Monetary rewards were granted to four men New Brighton No. 2 (Motor), Palling No. 1, who rescued the sole survivor of the Cardigan Penlee (Motor), Runswick, St. Abbs (Motor), Castle, and to other men who manned small and Southend-on-Sea. 280 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. Granted £20 10*. to men for injury in the Walter Eves and his mate in the Harkaway Life-boat service at Blakeney and Winterton. went at once to the rescue, throwing overboard Voted a compassionate grant of £3 to PAT as much as they could of their cargo for fear GORMAN, who is now well over seventy and had i that they too would be swamped. One of the acted as Head Launcher at Clogher Head for I two men had already disappeared, but with fourteen years. great difficulty they got the other man into Voted a compassionate grant of £6 to the their boat. widow of GEORGE TART. Tart had been a Voted £6 to six men for rescuing one of the member of the Dungeness Life-boat crew for crew of the Greek steamer Eleftfierios M. twenty years and Second Coxswain for over Tricoglu, which stranded off Aranmore Island nine years, and died after an operation, leaving during thick weather, with a moderate S.E. his widow with three young children in great gale blowing and a heavy sea, on the 28th want. January. The six men put off in a yawl to her Directed that a Letter of Appreciation be help and on reaching her found that one of the addressed to the Clovelly Station in recogni- crew had jumped or fallen overboard. He was tion of a good service on the 12th May, when picked up in an exhausted state. But for the the yacht Curlew, of Bideford, was saved and prompt action of the men he would probably her three occupants rescued. have lost .his life. The yawl landed nine of the crew later. The Aranmore Life-boat was Voted the sum of £5, accompanied by a also launched and stood by the vessel all night Letter of Thanks, to WALTER EVES, and at the request of the Captain. granted the sum of £5 to another man, for their gallantry in saving a drowning man off Voted £2 to two men who went out to the Scarborough on the 4th May. Two cobles, schooner Via, of Brixham, when she stranded . Energy and Harkaway, each with two men on during a strong N. breeze with a rough sea off board, were returning to Scarborough, laden Tara Point, Co. Down, on the 13th May. The with gravel. The sea was fairly rough for such men reached the vessel before the Cloughey small boats, and when they were still four Life-boat, but on account of the high sea the miles out, a heavy sea, breaking over the schooner's crew were not willing to leave until Energy, swamped her, and she sank imme- the Life-boat arrived, when they were landed. diately, leaving the two men in the water. Later on they returned to their ship.

Some Special Gifts. £22,000 from an Anonymous Donor. Collecting Cards which are used by A BANKNOTE for £1,000 sent in a regis- members of the Guild. This card was tered envelope with the message " One returned to her with £9 2s. Qd., which thousand pounds enclosed for the her son had collected on board. National Life-boat Institution," and Gratitude for a Rescue. then, underneath, " Bath," was received in March. This is the sixteenth year, in ON 15th September last year the succession, that this anonymous gift Cullercoats Coxswain and six other men has come in this way. In six of the went out in a motor coble to the rescue sixteen years it has come twice over, so of a small rowing boat with three men that the Institution has now received on board. They had gone out fishing, altogether £22,000, but it has no clue being overtaken by a strong wind and a whatever to the generous donor. rising sea, could not get back, and, when the coble reached them, were From a Steamer of the Prince Line. already exhausted by their efforts. A MEMBER of the Ladies' Life-boat The Coxswain and the other six men Guild at Bridlington sent to her son, were rewarded by the Institution for a who is Chief Officer on board the s.s. shore-boat rescue, and the Institution Persian Prince, of the Prince Line of has now received a donation from one steamers, one of the Prince of Wales's of the three men who were saved. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 281 Obituary. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Eraser, V.D., R.A.M.C. (T.), Honorary Secretary at Berwick-on-Tweed. BY the death of Dr. C. L. Fraser, of at the second attempt a line was got Berwick-on-Tweed, at the end of March, across. At the critical moment it the Institution has lost one of its oldest parted, but the Life-boat was again and most valued Station Honorary manoeuvred until she was alongside the Secretaries. Dr. Fraser, who was a Redhand. The six men of the crew native of Montrose and was sixty-seven were ready, and, as the Life-boat rose years old, had been in practice at Ber- and fell on the enormous seas, waited wick for over forty years, and for twenty- their opportunity and jumped into the five years had been Honorary Secretary Life-boat. " The return voyage proved of the Station. He was one of those one of the bitterest experiences which Honorary Secretaries in whose help the any man in the Boat had ever endured. Institution is particularly fortunate. The cold was intense, the wind cut He was a man of many interests, and like a knife, and the spindrift was held a number of public appointments, like showers of needles on the face." but at the same time brought that The crew, who in their hurry to get active enthusiasm to the work of the away had not waited to put on oil- Station, and that personal interest in skins, were already exhausted when they the men of the Crew, which mean so reached the Bar, and then they had much to the efficiency and moral of a to struggle for over an hour in a position Life-boat Station. It was well said of of great danger, for the Life-boat was him in one of the obituary notices: frequently broadside to the breakers and " His interest in the Crew of the Boat and nearly capsized. Not until another boat the helpers was that of a father, and he came out and passed a line to her, which was never happier than when among the was held by people on the pier, was she hardy fisher folks. . . . He was ready brought into the shelter of the har- for the Life-boat call at any hour of the bour. For this service the Acting Cox- night, and no launch was complete swain, James Jamieson, was awarded without the doctor in charge." the Silver Medal, and Dr. Fraser the Above all he shared the dangers of the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Crew. The chief service in which he Vellum. took part was during the War in the Dr. Fraser was also specially thanked early morning of 10th November, 1915, for his services when he formed one of when the Life-boat went out to the help the Crew which, in circumstances of of a motor patrol boat, Redhand, which great difficulty and peril, rescued was dragging her anchors in a strong the crew of the Norwegian barque northerly gale. It was one of the finest Demetra on 1st June, 1902. The services of the year. The Life-boat was service took place in a northerly gale manned by a scratch crew, the Second with a heavy sea and lasted eleven Coxswain acting as Coxswain, and Dr. hours. He was thanked again for Fraser as Second Coxswain. In spite his services in getting out the Life-boat, of the darkness the Life-boat succeeded in the face of great difficulties, when she in finding the motor-boat, and an went to the help of the Swedish barque attempt was made to keep close to her; Jacob Rauers, which had stranded on but this was impossible, and the Life- the rocks in a heavy sea on 29th March, boat drove to leeward. Tremendous 1914. For this service the Swedish seas were running, and in the darkness Government presented Silver Medals to it would have been very dangerous, if Coxswain Kobert Burton and Second not impossible, to rescue the men on Coxswain Jamieson. Dr. Fraser also board. It was decided to stand by received in 1910 a pair of Binoculars as a until daylight and then make the small mark of the Institution's appre- attempt. As soon as day broke the ciation of the work which he had done Life-boat made for the motor-boat, and for the Berwick Station. 282 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen. To W. J. HANNANT, on his retirement on the Life-boat, a Life-boatman's Certificate of closing of the Station, after serving 11 years Service and a Pension. as Bowman of the Hasborough Life-boat, a To ROBERT BITRGON, Bowman of the Berwick- Pension. on-Tweed Life-boat for 10 years and pre- To CHARLES H. HARVEY, on his retirement on viously a member of the Crew, a Life- the closing of the Station, after serving 21 boatman's Certificate. years as Signalman to the Hasborough Life- boat, a Pension. To ANDREW STANTON, on his retirement after To THOMAS CLOSE, on his retirement, after serving 37 years as a member of the Crew serving 15 years as a member of the Crew and of the Boulmer Life-boat, a Life-boatman's 28 years as Signalman of the Mevagissey Certificate.

Awards to Honorary Workers. Sir WILLIAM E. B. PRIESTLEY, J.P., in recogni- Mrs. J: PEARSON CRAVEN. tion of his many years of distinguished service Lady DUNCAN. as Chairman of the Bradford Branch, and also Mrs. JOHN SHAW. of his work as Chairman of the Bradford Lady PRIESTLEY. Life-boat Bazaar, has been elected a Vice- Mrs. L. SEAL. President of the Institution. Mrs. W. E. COLLINS. The following awards have also been made :—• Mrs. SMITHIES. Mrs. EDWARD CAWTHRON. To the Rev. T. N. DUNSOOMBE, upon his Mrs. YEWDALL GAUNT. retirement after 8 years as Honorary Secretary of the Hauxley Branch, a Framed In recognition of long and valuable co- Photograph of a Life-boat going out to a operation, Binoculars have been awarded to vessel in distress. the following Honorary Secretaries of Life-boat Stations :—• To Miss H. DENHAM, for many years a patient in the High Street (Incurable) Ward of Mr. A. W. GUTCH (Angle). Westminster Hospital, in recognition of The Rev. W. HOLT (Easington). her valuable help in collecting in the Mr. R. N. GUINNESS (City of Dublin). Hospital, the Gold Brooch and the Record Mr. M. L. NIOHOLLS (Fishguard). of Thanks. Mr. R. S. FARRAN (Mevagissey). To Mr. R. V. RUSHWORTH, in recognition of Mr. H. P. THOMAS (Newquay, Cornwall). his valuable co-operation, first as Honorary Mr. GEORGE SAYLE (Peel). Secretary of the Bradford Branch for 16 Dr. E. L. SPRY (Porthoustock). years, and since then as Branch Honorary Captain L. A. VIDLER (Rye Harbour). Treasurer, and also as Honorary Treasurer Mr. J. CAHGILL CANTLEY (St. Andrews). of the Bradford Bazaar, the Gold Pendant Mr. C. J. A. FRENCH (St. Ives, Cornwall). and the Record of Thanks. Mr. JOHN MILLER (Thurso). In recognition of long and valuable co- Mr. J. D. HOWKTNS (Joint Honorary Secre- operation in connexion with the Bradford tary, Hartlepool) has been awarded a Wrist Branch, Framed Photographs of a Life-boat Watch in lieu of Binoculars. going out to a vessel in distress have been In recognition of long and valuable co- awarded to the following :— operation, Framed Photographs of a Life-boat going out to a vessel in distress have been To Mr. H. SUTCLTFFE SMITH, Honorary Secre- awarded to the following Honorary Secretaries tary. of Financial Branches :— To Miss AMY M. DOUGLAS, District President and helper for many years. Mrs. J. W. STRANSOM (Hounslow). To Mrs. ANDREW WHITE and Mrs. L. B. Mr. A. J. KNTLL (Stratford-ou-Avon). LOCKWOOD, for services extending over Mr. H. C. SLADE (Torquay). many years. Mr. J. R. FIDDAMAN (Bury St. Edmunds). Framed Records of Thanks have been Mr. WILLIAM STRAOHAN (Perth) has been awarded to the following, in recognition of awarded an Aneroid Barometer. their services as Stall Holders at the Bradford To Mrs. ELSIE LLOYD-COURTS in recognition Bazaar, and in other ways in connexion with of long and valued co-operation as a member the work of the Bradford Branch :— of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild at Coventry, Mrs. J. STRINGER, The Lady Mayoress. a Framed Record of Thanks. Mrs. G. P. DORNAN. To the Misses HUMPHREYS and DOWLING in Mrs. HUTCHTNSON. recognition of long and valuable co-opera- Mrs. A. K. ACKERNLEY. tion as members of the Ladies' Life-boat Mrs. COULTHUHST. Guild at Coventry, a Framed Record of Mrs. CARTER. Thanks. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 283

News from the Branches. Annual Meetings : Station Branches. E.N., presiding. The report for the year CLACTON.—On 24th February, Mr. ending 30th September, 1925, showed E. J. Gilders presiding. The report for that £108 had been collected as com- the year ending 30th September, 1925, pared with £110 in the previous year. showed that the Motor Life-boat had In moving the adoption of the report, been out on active service eight times, the Chairman pointed out that the and had rescued seven lives and saved Motor Life-boat which was being built two vessels. During the year £291 had for the Station would mean additional been collected, as compared with £199 expense in upkeep, and he appealed to in the previous year. The report the people of Howth to meet this by expressed the hope that the Station increased subscriptions. would continue to be self-supporting. ISLE OF WIGHT.—The Annual Meeting Among the appeals which had been of the Life-boat Board for the island made during the year were the Life-boat was held at Newport on 1st May. Mr. Day, Life-boat Sunday collections, a Charles Dabell, J.P., presided, and paid Life-boat Concert, a cinema collection, a tribute to the work as President for and a Masonic service at St. Paul's many years of the late Sir Charles Seely, Church. The Chairman congratulated Bt. A vote of sympathy with Lady the Branch on a very satisfactory report, Seely was passed. Mr. Dabell spoke of and said he hoped that the number the many years during which members regular subscribers would be increased. of the Seely family had presided over The Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, the Life-boat Service in the island. He Captain W. P. Carroll, was thanked for proposed, and Mr. W. Couldrey, the his services, and the Officers and Com- Honorary Secretary of the Bembridge mittee were re-elected. Station, seconded a motion that Major- DUNDEE.—On 25th February, Ex- General the Right Hon. J. E. B. Seely, Lord Provost Longair, President of C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., be elected Presi- the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and Mrs. dent. The vote was carried unani- Longair, gave a reception to the members mously. of the Guild. About seventy people The reports from the three Life-boat were present, including the Officers of Stations in the island for the year the Dundee Branch. An address on the ending 30th September, 1925, showed work of the Service was given by the that the Brooke Life-boat had been District Organizing Secretary, and Ex- out on service once in the year, and Lord Provost Longair thanked the the Yarmouth Motor Life-boat and the members of the Guild for the valuable Bembridge Boat three times each; and work which they had done. Mr. Nicoll the balance sheet showed that £868 had pointed out that the Guild had collected been collected in the island as compared £283, as compared with £253 "in the with £807 in the previous year. The previous year. Vice-Presidents were re-elected, with the EXMOUTH.—-On 23rd March, Captain addition of Admiral of the Fleet the Hon. Grenfell, R.N., presiding. The report Sir A. Gough-Calthorpe, and the Com- for the year ending 30th September, mittee were re-elected. A vote of thanks 1925, presented by the Honorary Secre- was passed to the Honorary Secretary, tary, Captain W. H. Taylor, R.N., Mr. Aubrey A. H. Wykeham, J.P., the showed that £116 had been collected, as Honorary Treasurer, Mr. P. W. Day, compared with £198 in the previous and the Honorary Auditor, Mr. W. C. year. The report also referred to the Black. fact that the Exmouth Rotary Club KINGSTOWN.—On 26th March, Mr. was going to make an effort on behalf R. H. Tweedie, Chairman of the Branch, of the Branch. presiding. The report for the year HOWTH.—On 23rd March, Commander :nding 30th September, 1925, showed J. C. Gasford St. Lawrence, D.S.O., that the Life-boat had been out on two 284 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926- services, and that £192 had been LYTHAM.—On 26th April, Mr. E. W. collected, as compared with £223 in the Mellor, J.P., presiding. The report for previous year. The Chairman, in moving the year ending 30th September, 1925, the adoption of the report, expressed i showed that £354 had been collected, as his regret that Kingstown was not doing compared with £244 in the previous more financially towards maintaining the year. The report also announced that Life-boat which the Institution had by a small majority the Committee had stationed there. decided that it would prefer to keep LIVERPOOL.—On 25th February, in Lytham as a separate Branch, and not the Town Hall, the Lord Mayor (Coun- amalgamate with St. Ann.es. The stations cillor F. C. Bowring) presiding, sup- at St. Annes to the north of Lytham ported by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., and Southport to the south had been closed, but the Motor Life-boat with ChairmaV/AAdlA llictujn, o\Jif thUA1eC CommitteV/vlllllllUlfCte/ o^Jf- ManageJJAOillCliliC-" 1 • 1 I j 1 ,1 -11 11 ment of the Institution, Sir Arnold J^ch Lytham was to be provided would Rushton and Mr. Charles Livingston,!b® abl^ *° Pr.otect the,sh°re,8, ,011 both Deputy-Chairman. The report for the!sldes ot - estuar7 ot fche Klbb'e- year ending 30th September, 1925, NEWCASTLE (Co. Down).—On 9th showed that £4,324 had been collected, February, the Rev. 0. Woodward, M.A., as compared with £5,113 in the previous Chairman of the Branch, presiding. The year. In moving the adoption of the report for the year ending 30th Septem- report, the Lord Mayor specially con- ber, 1925, showed that the Life-boat had gratulated the Ladies' Life-boat Guild been out on service on three occasions on their work, and pointed out that a during the year, and that £71 had been very large part of the sum collected by collected, as compared with £76 in the the Branch was received through their previous year. The ladies were thanked efforts. Sir Godfrey Baring, in moving!for having collected £36 on Life-boat a resolution of thanks to the Branch, Day. Brigadier-General Ross said that also paid a tribute to the splendid work • he thought the Branch ought to make done by the ladies of Liverpool. The | an effort to be self-supporting, and it Committee and Officers were re-elected, j was decided to ask for the help of Sir Arnold Rushton being added to the [ prominent residents in the neighbour- Committee and Mr. Frank Holt becom- j hood, ing Honorary Secretary in the place of' the late Mr. Jellico. During the meeting j RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—On 12th Sir Godfrey Baring presented to Mr. W.!March' Mr- T- H- Midwood, President, m the chair Tne re ort for fch Wise a framed rphotograp

By permission of] [" The Oxford Journal." THE OXFORD ANNUAL MEETING. In the centre is Miss Alice Marshall, Honorary Secretary. On her right: The Warden of New College (The Right Hon. H. A. L. Fisher, M.P.) and Captain Bourne, M.P. On her left: The Mayor, Admiral Sir Lionel Halse/ and Sir Godfrey Baring.

Jiy permission of] [W. & O. Baird, Ltd. The Belfast Annual Meeting. Front Row. left to right: Mr. Robinson (Honorary Secretary), the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, the Duke of Montrpse, the Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff, Viscount Bangor. Back Row : The District Organizing Secretary, the Bishop of Down, Mr. T. Miles, M.P., Minister ol Labour, the Assistant Secretary, Sir Robert Lynn, M.P., General Johnson. 288 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. BELFAST.—On 30th April, in the City Institution's appeal by raising over Hall, the Lord Mayor (Sir William £1,300. In 1925 its contributions were Turner) presiding, supported by the just under £1,000. Good as that was, he Duke of Montrose, K.T., a member of hoped that the number of subscribers the Committee of Management of the would be increased. The burden of the Institution, the Marquess of Dtiflerin and Service on the public was not heavy, for Ava, the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor the whole annual cost represented only and Dromore (the Right Rev. Dr. Ijrf. per head of the population of the Grierson), Viscount Bangor, the High British Isles. That was all that was Sheriff (Alderman Oswald Jamison), Sir asked of the public by an Institution Frederick Moneypenny, C.V.O., C.B.E., than which there was no more deserving Sir Robert Lynn, M.P., the Right Hon. charity in the country. It was a Service Thomas Moles, M.P., and Brigadier- which rested on the people themselves. General T. K. E. Johnston. After He was thankful, in these days when referring to the work of the Institution, people were more and more prone to the Lord Mayor said, " When the lean on the Government, that here was political changes were made in Ireland one form of service which still depended the work of the Institution so impressed on personal freewill. If they lost that the Governments of Northern Ireland spirit in the Service they would sacrifice and the Irish Free State that they one of the greatest characteristics of the invited the Institution to continue it, Irishman and Scotsman. By transfer- and both the Governor of Northern ring the Service to the State he was Ireland and the Governor-General of the certain that a vast amount of the volun- Free State have become Patrons for their tary work that was now done would be respective areas. Politics do not enter lost, that the duties of the Service would into the work of the Life-boats, and be no better performed than at present, Irishmen are not behind in manning the and that it would cost much more to Life-boat and going to the rescue of maintain. those in peril. Ireland has twenty-four BIRMINGHAM.—On 24th February, Life-boats, of which number seven are Alderman C. Combridge presiding in Motor Life-boats, while several more the absence of the Mayor. The report Motor Life-boats are being built for for the year ending 30th September, Irish Stations. This is a larger propor- 1925, showed that the Branch revenue tion of Motor Life-boats than in England, for the year was £1,044, as compared Scotland or Wales", so that it cannot be with £1,088 in the previous year. In said that Ireland has been treated un- moving the adoption of the report the generously by the Institution. What is Chairman pointed out that an inland our response in funds to carry on this ity like Birmingham, which was a splendid work ? I regret to say that the great manufacturing and exporting amount collected last year in the whole centre, should be deeply interested in of Ireland fell far below the sum re- the work of the Service. They should quired to maintain the Irish Life-boats, look on it as an asset to every one even without taking into account the associated with Birmingham's industries. capital cost of Life-boats, Houses and Mr. P. J. H. Hannon, M.P., in seconding, Slipways. I feel that there should be an said that Birmingham had in a remark- increase of at least £3,000 a year from able degree a " sea sense," and spoke of Ireland, and I trust that in a short time ;he Institution as one of the most we shall be able to say that all the money romantic, chivalrous and stimulating of required for the maintenance of the Life- all our national voluntary services. boats on the Irish coast is forthcoming Admiral Sir Montague Browning re- from Ireland." 'erred to the effort which was being The Duke of Montrose reminded the made to present to the Institution a meeting that he last visited the Belfast Motor Life-boat, to be called the City of Branch in the Centenary Year, and he Birmingham, and expressed the hope congratulated it on the splendid response ;hat the balance of the money required which it had made that year to the would very soon be obtained. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 289 BRADFORD.—On 20th January, the as a Life-boat Day could not be held Lord Mayor (Alderman J. Stringer) this year it was necessary to raise as presiding. The Report for the year much as possible in other ways. Mrs. ending 30th September, 1925, showed Talbot-Caddow was re-elected President, that £2,376 had been collected as com- Mr. Cowan, Honorary Treasurer, and the pared with £3,113 in the previous year. meeting unanimously accepted Mrs. In seconding the adoption of the Report, Shepheard-Walwyn's offer to act as which had been moved by the Lord Honorary Secretary. Mayor, Sir William Priestley, J.P., CHESTER.—On 22nd February, the Chairman of the Branch, said that Mayor (Dr. J. Welsh), presiding. The Bradford had every right to be proud report for the year ending 30th Septem- of the place it occupied in the list of the ber, presented by the Honorary Secre- Institution's Branches. He hoped that tary, Mr. Kennedy, showed that £317 the town would never flag in its work had been collected, as compared with for the Life-boat Service, and paid a £89 in the previous year, the increase tribute to the great part taken in it by being in great measure due to the the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, which had forming of a Ladies' Life-boat Guild. collected £136, besides carrying out a Miss Hewitt, Honorary Secretary, pre- Life-boat Day, of which, the proceeds sented the Guild's first annual report, were £1,498. which showed that the Guild had BRIDLINGTON.—The Annual Meeting begun its work by a postal appeal of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild was held to the leading residents of the town, on 15th March in the Town Hall. The signed by the Mayor, that many Mayoress (Mrs. Storr) presided over an members had taken Prince of Wales's attendance of about sixty members. collecting cards, and that the main The report of the various meetings and effort of the year had been a Life-boat entertainments held during the year Day, which had realized £209. The ending 30th September, 1925, showed Guild expressed its thanks to Com- that £301 had been collected as com- mander Cosgrove, who had organized pared with £249 in the previous year. the procession for the day, including a Of this sum over £24 had been obtained decorated boat. The Mayor announced from fifty-five house-collection boxes. that he would shortly issue an appeal Alderman J. V. Mainprize, Chairman of inviting contributions, and Sir Henry the Committee of the Bridlington Butler urged that Chester should endea- Branch, heartily congratulated the ladies vour to raise funds to provide a Motor of the Guild on the work they had done, Life-boat to be named after the city. and said how greatly indebted the CITY OP LONDON.—On 24th Febru- Branch was to their services. He also ary, at the Mansion House, the Lord expressed the great regret of the Branch Mayor presiding over a large attendance. at the illness of the Branch Honorary He was supported on the platform by Secretary, Councillor C. H. Gray. The Mr. Alderman and Sheriff C. A. Batho, Mayoress was elected President of the Mr. Sheriff F. Agar, C.C., Mr. J. G. Guild. Howell, C.C., Chairman of the Executive CARLISLE.—On 15th February, the Committee, Lord Avebury, Honorary Mayor (Mr. G. E. Edmondson) presiding, Treasurer, the Hon. George Colville, supported by the Mayoress and Mrs. Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Talbot-Caddow, President of the Branch. Management of the Institution, and The report for the year ending 30th Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary September, 1925, showed that £220 had of the Institution. The report for the been collected, as compared with £285 year ending 30th September, 1925, in the previous year. Of this sum £123 showed that £9,729 had been collected was raised by the Life-boat Day. Mrs. as compared with £10,366 in the Talbot-Caddow pointed out that a previous year. The sum raised in whist drive, held the previous evening, 1925 was, excepting for 1924, the had realized about £24, and said that Centenary year, a record for the Branch, I 290 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. and this was due in large measure to was being stationed at Howth, which the increased support given by the would mean increased expense. In members of Lloyd's. The Lord Mayor seconding the report, Dr. Denham congratulated the Branch on the success Osborne said that Ireland ought to be of its work, and Mr. J. G. Howell, able to raise enough money to pay for Chairman of the Executive Committee, the maintenance of the Life-boat Stations thanked the Livery Companies, ex- on her own coast without help from Great changes, banks, and great commercial Britain, and Mr. Hewatt, T.D., said that houses for their generous support. in the work of the Service there should COVENTRY.—On 2nd March, the be no boundary between the Free State Mayor, Alderman F. Snape, presiding, and the North of Ireland, for there supported by Alderman A. H. Drink- could be no boundary in any movement water, Chairman of the Branch, Mrs. intended for the relief of distress. A W. Beamish, Honorary Secretary and letter was read from the Governor- General, Mr. Timothy Healy, K.C., in Treasurer of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, which he" accepted the invitation to and Mr. William Liggins, Honorary become Patron of the Free State District Secretary of the Branch. The report of the Institution, heartily commending for the year ending 30th September, its work, and expressing the hope that 1925, showed that £257 had been the whole of the money spent in the collected, as compared with £498 in the Irish Free State would soon be raised previous year. In addition the Ladies' Life-boat Guild had collected £150 as in Ireland. compared with £106 in 1924. The Mayor, HULL.—On 13th April, the Lady in moving the adoption of the report, Mayoress (Mrs. Holland) presiding. The made an appeal for an increased number report for the year ending 30th Septem- of collectors on Life-boat Day, and said ber, 1925, showed that £714 had been that now the number of street appeals collected, as compared with £820 in the was being restricted he hoped that more previous year, and Mr. Herbert Wood, ladies would take up this work for the the Honorary Secretary, held up Brad- Branch. He was certain that the people ford as an example for Hull to follow. of Coventry would give generously if Although an inland town, Bradford had they had the opportunity. He also recently raised £10,000 as a special gift called attention to the very low cost at to provide a Motor Life-boat, and was which the work of the Branch was now raising a second fund to provide carried on. The Officers were re-elected. the Boathouse. Mr. T. G. Milner DUBLIN.—On 22nd March, Mr. David expressed his surprise at the coolness Barry, Vice-Chairman of the Branch, pre- with which the work of the Institution siding. The report for the year ending 30th was received in Hull, which had never September, 1925, showed that £937 had contributed more than £1,000 in one year, in spite of the fact that its inhabi- been collected, as compared with £1,206 in the previous year. Except for the sum tants depended on the sea for a living. raised in 1924, the Centenary year, this was An earnest appeal was made to the citizens of Hull to be more generous in the record sum collected by the Branch. The report also pointed out that there their support. were twenty-four Life-boats on the KEIGHLEY.—On 29th March, Mr. Irish coasts, of which no fewer than Arthur Tillotson, Vice-Chairman, pre- seven were Motor Life-boats, and that siding. The report for the year ending the Life-boats had, in the foregoing year, 30th September, 1925, showed that rescued sixty-four lives from shipwreck £393 had been collected, the same and saved, or helped to save, eight boats amount as in the previous year. The and vessels. Special Effort for the year had taken the In moving the adoption of the report form of a Life-boat Week, which had the Chairman made a strong appeal for been held in Keighley and the adjoining increased contributions, particularly in villages, and had raised the splendid view of the fact that a Motor Life-boat sum of over £191. This sum had been SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 291 mainly obtained by house-to-house Miles Mitchell) presiding, supported by collections and street appeals. The Major-General the Right Hon. J. E. B. Ladies' Life-boat Guild had collected Seely, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., a member nearly £90, a considerable increase on of the Committee of Management of the previous year, the Works appea' the Institution, Lady Sheffield, Honorary had raised over £56, the Mayor's appea] Secretary of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, £21, and over £16 had been obtained the Bishop of Salford and Sir William by a collection at the Picture House, Milligan, M.D., Chairman of the Man- taken while the film " Down to the Sea chester and Salford Branch. The report in Ships " was being shown. Winifred for the year ending 30th September, 1925, Wilkinson, of Oldfield Council School, showed that £4,234 had been collected, as was congratulated on winning a prize compared with £4,854 in the previous in the Life-boat Essay Competition, and year, and of this sum £380 had been the meeting expressed its thanks to the collected in theatres and cinemas. late Mayor, Mr. Robert Calverley, for General Seely said that he had come the interest which he had shown in the to the meeting specially to convey to work of the Branch, and its regret at Manchester and Salford the thanks of losing the services of the Rev. J. Vivian the Institution for the wonderful work Davies. which had been done by the Branch for LEEDS.—On 26th February, the Lord the Life-boat Service. He referred in particular to the services of the Lord Mayor (Mr. John Arnold) presiding, supported by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Mayor and his predecessors, Sir William Milligan, Chairman of the Branch, Sir Chairman of the Committee of Manage- ment of the Institution. The report for Edwin F. Stockton, the Honorary Secre- tary, Lord Colwyn, Honorary Treasurer, the year ending 30th September, 1925, Lady Sheffield and Lady Mabel Crossley. showed that £1,303 had been raised, as General Seely then said he wanted to compared with £1,873 in the previous throw out a challenge to the Branch. year. A matinee given by Moss Empires, In 1924 Manchester headed the list of Limited, realized £160, and a dance and Branches, the City of London Branch whist drive, organized respectively by coming only second and Liverpool third. Mrs. C. B. Leigh and Mrs. Hoyland In 1925 the order was changed, the Smith, had realized £66 and £59. The City of London Branch coming first, gratifying feature of the report was that Liverpool second and Manchester third. annual subscriptions had been increased He ventured to suggest that the meeting from £217 to £295. On the other hand, should formally resolve that Manchester all the other sources of income had should regain her position at the head shown a decrease. The report referred of the list and retain it. The Lord in particular to the indebtedness of the Mayor announced that he would accept Branch to the enthusiastic and self- General Seely's challenge. Manchester denying work of the Ladies' Life-boat was to-day one of the foremost seaports Guild. Sir Godfrey Baring congratu- of the British Empire, and the Branch lated the Leeds Branch on its generous would make every effort to put Man- support of the Life-boat Service, and chester once more at the head of the paid a tribute to the splendid organiza- Institution's Branches. tion of its Chairman, Sir Charles Wilson, M.P. In moving the adoption of the NEWPORT (MoN.).—On 31st March, report, the Lord Mayor said that a Mr. A. J. Phillips presiding. The great city like Leeds, depending largely report for the year ending 30th Septem- on the sea, might be expected to do a ber, 1925, showed that £194 had been great deal more for the Life-boat Ser- collected as compared with £259 in the vice, and he welcomed the determination previous year. It was announced that expressed in the report to bring the fourteen ladies, members of the Newport subscriptions up to £1,000. Navy League Ladies' Committee, had MANCHESTER AND SALFORD.—On 10th agreed to form themselves into a Ladies' April, the Lord Mayor (Councillor E. Life-boat Guild Committee and carry 292 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926.

By permission of] [" The Carlisle Journal " Life-boat Workers at the Carlisle Cafe Chantant wearing aprons with the House Flag of the Institution.

PRINCE ALBERT CONVALESCENT HOME, WORTHING. Some of the patients after taking part in the collection at the practice launch of the Life-boat. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 293 out a Life-boat Day. The thanks of the had been made year after year, and year Branch were expressed to Mis. Reece after year had met with very generous for her kindness in carrying out the and encouraging support. He had to last two Life-boat Days, and it was present a prize awarded in the Life-boat hoped she would continue to organize Essay Competition, and that allowed these appeals. him to say that the object of the com- petition was to enlist the enthusiasm OXFORD.—On 5th February the Right and interest of young people in the work Hon. H. A. L. Fisher, M.P., Warden of of the Life-boats. There could be no New College, presiding. The Mayor more desirable object from an educational (Alderman the Rev. John Carter, M.A.) and national point of view. The Service and the Sheriff (Councillor R. Powell), of the Life-boats was one of the great and other members of the Corporation schools of national heroism, and boys attended in state, and Miss Alice Mar- ought to learn what the Life-boats were shall, Honorary Secretary of the Branch, doing, and what deeds of heroism were was the Mayoress for the occasion. The associated with that Service. speakers were Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, The Chairman then presented a prize G.C.V.O., K.C.M.G., K.C.I.E., C.B., a to Robert H, Johnson, of Cowley Boys' member of the Committee of Manage- School, Oxon., which he had won in the ment, Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chair- Life-boat Essay Competition of 1925. man oi the Committee of Management, Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey said that Captain R. C. Bourne, M.P., and the the Prince of Wales had instructed him Rev. Father Waggett, S.S.J.E. Among to tell the Warden of New College that those present were a number of dis- he trusted the meeting would be very tinguished representatives oLthe Univer- successful, and that Oxford would con- sity and City, including the President of inue the great work which it was doing Magdalen, the President of St. John's, for the Institution. Admiral Halsey the Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, gave an address on the work of the Ser- and Vice-Admiral W. G. E. Ruck-Keene vice, and concluded with an earnest M.V.O. In presenting the report for the appeal that every one should do his or year ending 30th September, 1925, Miss her share towards ensuring that the Marshall said that she had now resigned Life-boat Crews should have the best the Honorary Secretaryship of the Boats and equipment possible, either by extensive district outside Oxford, which becoming anrmal subscribers or by keep- up to then had formed part of the Oxford ng a Life-boat Collecting Box. Branch, and that from the beginning Captain Bourne also urged the value of the new financial year the Oxford of an increased number of annual sub- Branch would consist simply of the scribers, pointing out the importance to University and City of Oxford and a a voluntary Society of having an assured small district outside that area.. The ncome instead of being dependent on report showed that £1,003 had been ntermittent contributions. raised as compared with £1,118 in 1924. Sir Godfrey Baring spoke of the The Chairman said that the Life-boat supreme international value of the Life- Service was one of those valuable insti- boat Service, and the steps which had tutions like the hospitals which, by a been taken since the International Con- singularity characteristic of the British :erence in London in 1924 to form an temperament, was surrendered to the International Life-boat Organization. care and support of private individuals. In a few years he hoped that no country It was, from every point of view, one of n the world with a considerable sea- the most valuable institutions that board would be without a Life-boat could exist in a sea-going country, but, Service. nevertheless, dependent for its support Father Waggett asked the audience to on private effort. He was glad to think oin with him in thanking God that they that in Oxford, although an inland city, had in the Life-boats a cause to enlist that support had not been wanting for their help which was broadly human, a great number of years. The appeal nto which no one could posaibly con- 294 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. trive to introduce the smallest sectarian william. Sir Maurice Cameron gave or sectional feeling, a cause also tangible a short address on the work of the and practical. As they thought of the Service and thanked the Branch for history of life-saving round the coast, its support. At the same time he they thought what a wonderful piece oi pointed out that Peterborough collected work was man, that in presence of the about two-thirds of a penny per head terror of the sea he should make up his of the population, whereas the Service mind, without any self-advertisement, to cost Ijrf. per head of the whole popu- stand by to be ready in the hour of peril lation of the British Isles. to save life. He himself had been tor- PORTSMOUTH.—On llth March, Alder- pedoed, and the sensation of going over man Sir Harold Pink, Chairman of the the side of a ship was almost as bad as Branch, presiding in the absence of the mounting the University pulpit. The Mayor. The report for the year ending young, he said, were again raising their 30th September, 1925, showed that £257 old cry that they must have self-expan- had been collected, as compared with sion and self-expression—and get rid of £460 in the previous year. Of this everything in religion or any other amount only £19 had been raised by teaching which checked them. Their subscriptions. Sir Harold Pink said opinion was that doing what one liked that in a town like Portsmouth, which was self-expansion, and that pleasing had a population of a quarter of a oneself was self-expression. But the million inhabitants and derived its real thing for raising mankind was a life living from the sea. a much greater of generosity and uncalculating courage, interest should be taken in the work of which was silently and secretly lived the Life-boat Service. He pointed out day after day, and was illustrated in that owing to the limitation of Flag men's noble actions. That kind of life Days the Branch instead of having a was lived by the men of the Life-boat Day of its own, which last year raised Service. £235, would now only have a quarter The Mayor proposed a vote of thanks share of a Day, and in view of this he to the speakers, and expressed the hope proposed that workers should undertake that the united force of their message to canvass various districts of the town had gone home. They knew who was in order to increase the number of the soul of the work in the Oxford regular subscribers. Some years ago Branch. Mayors came and mayors went, the Branch had had a much larger but he hoped the Honorary Secretary income from this source, and if the of the Oxford Branch of the Institution work were systematically done there would outlast a good many more was every hope that this side of the mayors. Branch's revenue could be revived. PAISLEY.—On 26th March, Mr. John This proposal was adopted, and it was Ritchie, Vice-Chairman, presiding. The also decided that the Ladies' Life-boat report for the year ending 30th Septem- Juild should hold a Bazaar in the ber, 1925, showed that £359 had been autumn. It was announced that Mr. collected as compared with £394 in the R. J. Clark had become Honorary previous year. Secretary in the place of Mr. E. S. Butler, who had retired on leaving PETERBOROUGH.—On 19th March, Portsmouth. Lady Winfrey, President, in the Chair, supported by Major Sir Maurice Cameron PRESTON.—On 20th April, the Mayor Jl.U.lYl.tjr., a member otf tnthe committeCommittee ^uouncmo[Councillor Wooleywooiey;) presiding.. Th±ne of Management of the Institution. The'report for the year ending 30th Septem- report for the year ending 30th ber, 1925, showed that £436 had been September, 1925, showed that £94 had collected, as compared with £491 in the been collected, as compared with £186'previous year. The report expressed in the previous year. The meeting!the deep gratitude of the Branch to expressed its deep regret at the death Miss Cross, the Honorary Secretary of its President, Mr. G. C. W. Fitz-[ of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 295 SOUTHAMPTON.—On 15th January, was deplorable in a city like York to raise the Mayor (Councillor J. E. Silverman); so small a sum, and he could not under- presiding, supported by Mr. George F. stand why there was in the city such Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution. apathy regarding all things connected The Eeport for the year ending 30th with the sea. Sir William Milligan, in September, 1925, showed that £1,119 moving the adoption of the report, said had been collected as compared with that he had evidently been called to £1,372 in the previous year. Mr. Shee York in a professional capacity, and he delivered an address on the work of the diagnosed the complaint as sleepy sick- Service, in the course of which he ness. He strongly appealed for greater said that the Institution was deeply interest in the work of the Branch, indebted to Southampton. No other pointing out that no one knew when he place in the south of England was so might not himself need the services of a well organized and gave such generous Life-boat, and he suggested that the help to the Life-boat Cause. It was one City should celebrate the birth of a of the most satisfactory features of the daughter to the Duchess of York by Branch Report that of the sum of £1,119 endeavouring to raise the money to which had been raised in 1925, nearly present the Institution with a Motor £500 came from subscriptions. Life-boat to bear the baby's name.

TORQUAY.—On 7th April. The report Special Meetings. for the year ending 30th September, 1925, showed that £128 had been collected, as BIRMINGHAM.—A meeting of the compared with £239 in the previous year. Ladies' Life-boat Guild was held at The District Organizing Secretary pre- Castle Bromwich Hall, the house of the sented to Mr. H. C. Slade, J.P., the Dowager Countess of Bradford. Lady Honorary Secretary of the Branch, the Davis presided, in the absence of the Framed Photograph of a Life-boat going Dowager Countess of Plymouth, who to the rescue of a vessel in distress which was unable to be present owing to the had been awarded to him by the Institu- illness of Lord Plymouth. Lady Davis, tion in recognition of his services. the Dowager Countess of Bradford, Major W. Shaw, D.S.O., the Honorary WAEKINGTON.—On 19th March, the Secretary of the Birmingham Branch, Mayor (Alderman Arthur Barnett) pre- and Mr. S. E. Short, J.P., made earnest siding. Mrs. Ralph Johnson, Vice-Chair- appeals for more workers, who were as man, spoke of the loss which the Branch much needed as money. The Dowager had sustained by the death of its Countess of Plymouth was elected Chairman, Mr. Henry Greenall. The President of the Guild, the Lady report for the year ending 30th Septem- Mayoress (Mrs. Percival Bower), Lady ber, 1925, showed that £136 had been Bowater, O.B.E., Lady Brooks, C.B.E., collected, as compared with £166 in the J.P., and Lady Davis, Vice-Presidents, previous year. The Mayor made an and Mrs. Lewis Crump and Mrs. George appeal for increased support. Perry, Honorary Secretaries. YORK.—On 22nd April, Colonel W. A. DURHAM.—A special meeting was held White presiding in the absence of the on 23rd February, the Mayoress pre- Lord Mayor, supported by Sir William siding, supported by the Right Reverend Milligan, M.D., a Vice-President of the Bishop Welldon, the Mayor of Durham, Institution, and Chairman of the Man- Canon Lillingston and Canon Bothamley. chester Branch. The report for the year The object of the meeting was to revive ending 30th September, 1925, showed the work of the Branch as, for the past that £62 had been collected, as compared three years, Durham has made no con- with £94 in the previous year. The tribution to the Institution, and to form Honorary Secretary, Captain A. Ander- a Durham Ladies' Life-boat Guild. An son, O.B.E., said that the Ladies' Life- address on the work of the Life-boat boat Guild had not been working during Service was delivered by the District the. year, but it was hoped to revive it. It Organizing Secretary, and in moving the 296 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. resolution constituting the Guild, Bishop Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Welldon said that as it was a South Committee of Management spoke, after Shields man who had built the first Life- inspecting the Life-boat and Life-boat boat, and as Grace Darling belonged to House. The Chair was taken by Mr. their coast, they must feel that they had F. J. Thompson, J.P., supported by great Life-boat traditions. He felt sure other members of the local committee that Durham should be behind no other and the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Sir city of the same numbers and the same Godfrey Baring expressed the thanks of wealth in its support of the Life-boat the Institution to the local committee Service. The Mayoress was elected for the efficiency with which the Station President of the Guild, Mrs. Moore, was maintained, and presented to Tom Honorary Treasurer, and Mrs. Paterson, Leadbetter, Bowman, and Joseph Price, Honorary Secretary. It was then decided Signalman, the Life-boatmen's Cer- to have a Life-boat week at the beginning tificates awarded to them after twenty- of May, including a house - to - house five years' and thirty years' service collection, a mile of pennies and a Life- respectively. boat Day. Boxes were to be placed in the Colleges, and the Churches asked to ILFORD.—A meeting to form an Ilford give offertories. The District Organizing Branch was held on llth January, at Secretary announced that the Dean of which the Rev. H. Dunnico, M.P., Chair- Durham had most kindly promised the man of the Town Council, presided, and Cathedral Offertory if it could be an address was given by Captain the arranged for the Dean of Manchester to Viscount Curzon, C.B.E., V.D., A.D.C., preach. Guild Badges and Certificates R.N.V.R., M.P., a member of the Com- were presented to all the ladies joining mittee of Management of the Institution. the Guild, and it was arranged that each In his opening speech the Chairman said member should take a Prince of Wales's there was no institution in the country Collecting Card and start it with a per- to which he should give more enthu- sonal contribution of not less than 2s. 6rf. siastic support, and the fact that he and Lord Curzon were speaking together on EXETER.—A special meeting was held the same platform showed that there in the Civic Hall on 10th February, at were qualities of heart and mind com- which the Mayor (Mr. W. Brock), pre- mon to all British people and that, in sided, supported by the Sheriff (Mr. K. spite of their political and religious Gatey), Admiral Sir William Nicholson, differences they could unite in the work K.C.B., and Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., of a great humane and philanthropic Secretary of the Institution. The object. The Life-boat Service should Mayor spoke of the smallness of the most strongly appeal to Ilford because interest taken in the Life-boat Service of the large number of seafaring people by the people of Exeter, and pointed out who lived there, and he felt that it was that though they lived in an inland town rather a reflection on the town that up to they were just as dependent upon ships the present it had had no Branch of the and the sea as those who lived on the Institution. He hoped that as a result coast. Admiral Nicholson said that he of the meeting the nucleus of a Branch was very sorry, as a West-countryman, would be formed, and that ultimately to see that of all the big towns of Eng- Ilford would make substantial con- land, Exeter had the smallest Life-boat tributions each year to the support of subscription list. Mr. Shee paid a tribute the Life-boat Service. to the work which for thirty years the Lord Curzon in the course of "his late Mrs. Ferris Tozer had done as address described the conditions under Honorary Secretary of the Branch, and which Life-boat work was carried out said that in the new Honorary Secretary, on the coast, and pointed out that even Mrs. Arthur Reed, he knew that the those who were in favour of nationaliza- Service had a zealous friend. tion believed in maintaining the Life- FLEETWOOD.-—A special meeting was boats as a voluntary Service. He con- held on 27th February, at which Sir cluded with an appeal to the people of SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 297 Ilford to resolve " that you will let the t which the Mayor of Portsmouth crews round the coast know that when Councillor W. E. Privett) presided, sup- they are called out, they may feel that •orted by the Mayoress, Major-General their fellow-men and women are reso- he Right Hon. J. E. B. Seely, C.B., lutely behind them in their humane and 1M.G., D.S.O., Lord Lieutenant of gallant work." lampshire, and a member of the Com- The District Organizing Secretary for mittee of Management of the Institution, London pointed out what generous Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle (Com- support was given to the Service by the mander-in-Chief at Portsmouth), Lady comparatively poor districts round iYemantle, Sir Harry Pink, J.P., Chair- London—Bermondsey, for example, man of the Branch, Mr. J. Forrester, having in the last seventeen years con- treasurer, Miss D. Hole, Honorary tributed over £270 a year—and appealed Secretary of the Portsmouth Ladies' to residential districts like Ilford to set jife-boat Guild, and Mr. George F. Shee, an example to the poorer districts instead tf.A., Secretary of the Institution. The of having to follow them. ibject of the meeting was to call atten- It was decided that a Branch of the iion to the fact that in spite of its size Institution should be formed in Ilford, and importance as a Naval Station and and a Committee was appointed, includ- Dockyard and its long and famous naval ing Mr. Dunnico and several other mem- listory, Portsmouth gave the Life-boat bers of the Ilford District Council. Service very poor support. NAIRN.—A special meeting was held General Seely in the course of his on 4th March for the purpose of re- speech pointed out that while Oxford constituting the Nairn Branch, at which had a population about one-fifth that of Provost Fletcher presided. After an Portsmouth, and was far from the sea, address had been delivered by the Dis- it contributed annually to the Institution trict Organizing Secretary, a Committee over £1,000, while Portsmouth's sub- was appointed. It was decided to make scriptions last year amounted to only an appeal during the summer and to £20. He promised to become a sub- consider holding a Life-boat Day. The scriber to the Portsmouth Branch of following officers were elected : Presi- £5 a year, and hoped that the Mayor dent, Admiral Sir Heathcoat Grant, Bt. would be able to get ninety-nine others Vice-President, Mrs. Guy Pym, Chair- to make a similar subscription. Mr. man, Provost Fletcher, Honorary Secre- Shee pointed out that although the sub- tary, Councillor Macdonell, and Honor scriptions amounted to only £20, Ports- ary Treasurer, Mr. Greig. mouth had also raised £230 on Life-boat Day. In the previous year the sum so PLYMOUTH.—Major C. E. Satter raised had been £450, which showed how thwaite, O.B.E., R.E., Deputy Secretary fluctuating was this form of contribution, of the Institution, was the guest o: and how important it was in a town like honour at the weekly lunch of the Ply Portsmouth to have a permanent list of mouth Rotary Club on 26th March, am subscribers. The Commander-in-Chief gave an address on the Life-boat Service also spoke, and said that nowhere was the in which he spoke of the Motor Life-boa spirit of peace, good-will and service to of the largest and most powerful typ all, irrespective of class and nationality, being built for the Plymouth Station better exemplified than in the work of which it was hoped would be completec the Institution. During the meeting in the early summer. Vice-Admira Lady Fremantle presented prizes won by Maurice Woolcombe, a member of th< scholars of Portsmouth schools in the Plymouth Life-boat Committee, in Life-boat Essay Competition in 1925. moving a vote of thanks, suggested tha Americans and Canadians should bi SIR JOHN FRANKLIN (SPILSBY) asked to put Life-boat collecting boxe BRANCH.—A special meeting of the on their liners. subscribers to this Branch was held on PORTSMOUTH.—A special meeting wa 26th February, Mr. A. E. Staniland, held in the Town Hall on 13th January O.B.E., Chairman, presiding. Mr. Stani- 298 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1926. land explained that although a number avoidable absence of the Mayor, and an of subscriptions were still received each address on the work of the Life-boat year, the income of the Branch had Service was given by the District fallen to half what it was before the Organizing Secretary. Mrs. Watson was War, and there had been little activity, elected Honorary Secretary, and it was owing to the fact that there was no decided to ask the Mayoress to be Honorary Secretary. It was agreed President. that the Branch shoald carry on its ELGIN.—On 4th March Lord Provost work, and that efforts should be made Wittet presided at a meeting at which it to revive interest in it. Mr. A. E. was decided to form an Elgin Branch Staniland was re-elected Chairman, of the Institution. After the District Mr. A. E. A. Abbott Honorary Organizing Secretary had given an Treasurer, and Captain A. D. Crookes address on the work of the Service, a Honorary Secretary. Branch was constituted, Colonel C. J. WEYMOUTH.—At the weekly luncheon Johnston, V.D., being elected President, of the Eotary Club on 4th May, Captain Mr. C. Sowden Vice-President, Lord Basil Hall, E.N., late District Inspector Provost Wittet Chairman, Mr. J. of Life-boats, was the guest of honour, Davidson Dickie, M.A., Honorary Secre- and gave an address on the work of the tary, and Mr. R. Cameron Honorary Service. Treasurer. An influential Committee was also set up. New Branches and Guilds. HARROGATE.—The Mayoress, Lady ASHTON - UNDER - LYNE.—A meeting Bain, presided at a meeting on 1st was held on 5th March, at which the March. After an address had been given Mayoress presided. Councillor Mrs. M. on the Life-boat Service by the District E. Wild pointed out that no appeal Organizing Secretary, Lady Bain moved had been made for the Life-boat the resolution, which was carried, that Service in Ashton since 1919, and it a Guild should be formed, pointing out was time that'the town now did what that no one in the room knew when he it could to help this great Cause. It or she might not need the help of the was decided to form a Guild, the Service. Mayoress being elected President, Mrs. LYMM.—A meeting was held on 30th J. Broadbent Vice-President, and Mrs. March. The Chair was taken by Coun- Broadhurst Honorary Treasurer, the cillor W. E. Groves. It was pointed out post of Honorary Secretary being left that at one time Lymm had a flourishing open to be filled at the next meeting. Branch in connexion with the Man- BARNSLEY.—A meeting was held on chester Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and it 19th March, at which the Mayoress, Mrs. was decided to form a Guild, Councillor H. Foulstone, presided, and after the Mrs. F. Ingham being elected President, District Organizing Secretary had given Mrs. F. Critchley Honorary Treasurer, an address on the work of the Life-boat and the Misses C. Bradburn and E . Service, it was decided to form a Ladies' Goodier Joint Honorary Secretaries. Life-boat Guild and to carry out a Life- NELSON.—A meeting was held on 18th boat Day. The Mayoress was appointed March for the purpose of forming a President, Mrs. Charles Parker Honor- Guild. It was pointed out that Nelson ary Secretary, and Mrs. Bell Honorary need now no longer reproach itself as Treasurer. A Committee was also being the only town between Colne and elected. Manchester without a Branch of the BURNLEY.—A meeting was held on Institution. The Mayoress, Mrs. Aitken, 24th February, called together by the was elected President, Mrs. Edmondson Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs. Honorary Treasury, and Miss Jackson Sutcliffe, for the purpose of forming a Honorary Secretary, and it was decided Guild in connexion with the Burnley to aim at raising an annual sum of £100. Branch of the Institution. Alderman E. SALTBURN.—A meeting was held on Whitehead, J.P., presided in the un- 18th February, at which the Chair was SEPTEMBER, 1926.] THE LIFEBOAT. 299 taken by Councillor Mrs. Marshall, J.P., 3.s. Amble on 20th December, described Chairman of the Urban District Council, n the Report of the Annual Meeting and it was reported in the local Press elsewhere in this issue of The Life-boat], that it was one of the largest gatherings were slung over crossed oars at either of ladies ever held in the town. An ide. All the lights shone through the address on the Life-boat Service was tri-colour shades, and there was ex- given by the Organizing Secretary, hibited a marvellous cake, looking like and it was decided to form a Saltburn a Life-boat with the crew on it, which Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Mrs. Barnett Mrs. Bray, of Lesbury Vicarage, had being elected President, Mrs. Marshall made for the benefit of the funds. Vice-President, Captain A. E. Keep- This most effective decorative scheme Wells Honorary Treasurer, and Mrs. was the work of Captain Todd and Mr. Anderson-Grainger Honorary Secretary. Hugh Stephenson (Honorary Secretary It was also decided to arrange a Life-boat of the Alnmouth and Boulmer Branches), Day in the summer. with the help of Mr. Ross in the fixing of WAKEFIELD.—A meeting was held on the rotating lantern. 1st October, 1925, for the purpose of form- " The supper room, decorated in the ing a Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Mrs. Dews green and yellow of ivy leaves and being elected Honorary Secretary. It daffodils, was a quiet contrast to the was decided to aim at raising at least brilliant ballroom. Here was a mag- £100 a year. This meeting was shortly nificent table of dainties, all made and followed by the first effort in the form given by the ladies of the Guild and of a Whist Drive and Dance, which was friends. Ferns and plants had been lent a great success. by the Duke and Duchess of North- umberland, who are patrons of the ball, Balls, Fetes and Bazaars. and Presidents respectively of the Aln- ALNWICK.—A most successful Ball wick R.N.L.I. Branch and the Ladies' was held on 9th April, organized by Mrs. Life-boat Guild." Archbold, Honorary Secretary, and the Among those present were the Duke members of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild and Duchess of Northumberland, Mr. and the description of the very ingenious Arthur Scholefield, J.P., Chairman of and elaborate decorations which ap- the Alnmouth and Boulmer Branch, and peared in the local papers deserves to be Major H. E. Burton, O.B.E., R.E., given in full:— Chairman of the Tynemouth Branch, " A life-boat, striped in red, white and and Honorary Superintendent of the blue like all E.N.L.I, boats, was planted Tynemouth Motor Life-boat, who made in one corner of the hall, with foamy a short speech on the Service during the ' waves ' of blue and white paper break supper interval. ing around her, and a platform erected inside for the orchestra to sit OB. Tb CARLISLE.—An American Sale was bandsmen wore life-belts, and the red held on 16th April in aid of the Branch woollen caps of Life-boatmen ; and a funds, organized by Mrs. Talbot-Caddow, doorkeeper was completely garbed in President of the Branch, Mrs. Shep- the K.N.L.I, outfit of bright yellow oil- heard-Walwyn, Honorary Secretary, and skin. Behind the boat an ingeniously other ladies. The High Sheriff of Cum- constructed lighthouse stood on an berland (Colonel Featherstonhaugh) pre- island of rocks, and an electric lantern sided, and in the absence through illness fixed on a swivel, flung every so long of the Countess of Carlisle, the Sale was level yellow beam over the ballroom and opened by Mrs. Johnson, of Castlesteads, the dancing assembly of guests. Th supported by the Dean of Carlisle (Dr. red, white and blue flag of the R.N.L.I Stuart), Canon Knuckey, and Mr. T. G. hung over a wide fireplace at the opposife Cowan, Honorary Treasurer of the end of the hall, and two lifebuoys, which Branch. There were half a dozen stalls, had been flung up from the wreck a and many of the articles for sale had been Boulmer on the famous occasion of the given by the tradesmen of the city. One women's gallant efforts [the wreck of the of the features of the Sale was that a L 300 THE LIFEBOAT. [SEPTEMBER 1926.

number of the ladies acting as waitresses j (Mr. F. J. Simpson), Councillor H. S. and attendants wore aprons which repre- Gallehawk and Mr. W. Tinklin, who had eented the House Flag of the Institution, jointly organized the Ball, and a number EASTBOURNE-The Annual Life-boat l°f ^bers of the Greenwich Town Ball was held on 9th April, organized by j bounci1- Mrs. Astley Eoberts, President of the1 LOWESTOFT.— A Life-boat Ball was Eastbourne Ladies' Life-boat Guild. given in aid of the funds of the Branch Among those present were the Mayor on 8th April at the Suffolk Hotel, all the and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. C. J. expenses being paid by the Hotel pro- Knight). A cabaret entertainment was prietors, Messrs. Lacon & Co. Among given by Miss Eleanor Ratcliffe and her those present were Mr. Gervais Rentoul, pupils, the 'feature of which was a M.P. for Lowestoft, Mr. Fred Spashett, golden Easter egg, out of which one of J'P-> Chairman of the Branch, Mis. the dancers came dressed as a chicken. SPasllett and Mr. Sydney Taylor, the There were dances by Columbine and Honorary Secretary, who was M.C. Harlequin and by Pierrots, and finally a PAIGNTON. — On 21st April, a dancing hornpipe danced by " Jack Tars." display in aid of the Branch was given On 27th April the Mayor and Mayoress by the pupils of Miss Hazel Hexter. j (Councillor and Mrs. C. J. Knight) REDCAR. — On 17th March members of entertained the crew and members of the Redcar Ladies' Life-boat Guild the Committee to supper in the Mayor's visited the Teesmouth Station. They Parlour. In welcoming them the Mayor were taken a trip in the Motor Life-boat, said that he was trying to do his share to and a demonstration of the Line-throw- help the Life-boat Service on land, while ing Gun was given. After the trip they the crew did more dangerous work at were entertained to tea by Mr. W. M. sea. Friskney, one of the Honorary Secre- GREENWICH. — The Annual Fancy taries of the Teesmouth Branch, Mrs. Dress Ball in aid of the Life-boat Service Friskney and Mrs. Todd, Honorary was held on 9th March. Lord Louis Secretary of the Redcar Ladies' Life- Mountbatten attended, and presented boat Guild. the prizes. The company numbered SOUTH SHIELDS. — A Life-boat Ball about 350, among them being the Mayor was held on 20th April, among those (Mr. Fred Thome, J.P.), the Mayoress, present being the Mayor (Councillor J. R. Sir George Hume, the M.P. for Green- Curbison), the Mayoress, Miss Curbison, wich, the Astronomer Royal (Sir Frank and the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Dyson), Lady Dyson, the Town Clerk (Alderman and Mrs. J. G. Winskell).

Notice. The next number of THE LIFEBOAT will be published in NOVEMBER, 1926.