THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI
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Volume XLV Number 461 Autumn 1977 Designed and manufactured and sold direct to user by Functional Clothing. suppliers of weather clothing to the R.N.L.I., to leaders in constructional and off-shore oil activity and to the United Kingdom television industry
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Autumn 1977
Contents Notes of the Quarter, by Patrick Howarth 39 Inshore Lifeboats 41
Volume XLV Lifeboat Services 42
Number 461 Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards ...... 48
The Scout: HM The Queen names the new Hartlepool 44' Waveney Lifeboat.. 52 Chairman: MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB Silver Jubilee Fleet Review ...... 54
Director and Secretary: Island Aruns: naming ceremonies at Port St Mary, Isle of Man, July 21, and CAPTAIN NIGEL DIXON, RN Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, July 24 56
Some Ways of Raising Money 58
Managing Editor: Lifeboat People 61 PATRICK HOWARTH
Editor: Shoreline 62 JOAN DAVIES Building a Rother Class Lifeboat: Part V—Planking 63
Headquarters: Letters 65 Royal National Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Book Reviews 67
London Office: Offshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1977 69 Royal National Life-boat Institution, 21 Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD (Telephone 01-730 0031). Inshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1977 70
COVER PICTURE Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising en- consideration with a view to publication quiries should be addressed to Dyson After the naming of The Scout by HM The in the journal should be addressed to the Advertising Services, PO Box 9, Godal- Queen, Hartlepool coxswain, Robert Maiden editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal National ming, Surrey (Telephone Godalming and crew members are presented to Her Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, (04868) 23675). Majesty by Lieut.-Commander Harry Teare, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone divisional inspector of lifeboats (NE), and to Poole 71133). Photographs intended for HRH The Duke of Kent by Captain return should be accompanied by a Alexander Kirk, Hartlepool honorary secre- stamped and addressed envelope. tary (hidden); (r. to I.) Coxswain Maiden, Crew Members M. Elwine, K. W. Baxter, W. Constantine and R. Latcham and Second Subscription: A year's subscription of Coxswain/Mechanic D. Wilson. Attending the four issues costs £1.40, including lifeboat are Crew Members R. McCormack postage, but those who are entitled to (/.) and D. Howe. With them are Commander Next issues: The Winter issue of THE Bruce Cairns, Chief of Operations (/.), and LIFEBOAT will appear in January and receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge will Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of news items should be sent by the end of continue to do so. Overseas subscrip- the Institution. The photograph was taken by October. News Items for the Spring issue tions depend on the cost of postage to T. M. Carter. should be sent in by the end of January. the country concerned.
37 ROYAL ALBERT HALL General Manager: Anthony J. Charlton KENSINGTON, SW7 2AP
Tuesday, 13 December, 1977 7.30 p.m.
In aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution THE CREATION HAYDN
JILL GOMEZ soprano KENNETH BOWEN tenor PAUL HUDSON bass
St. Bartholomew's Hospital Choral Society English Chamber Orchestra Conducted by Robert Anderson
Tickets: Boxes (per seat) £3 & £2; Stalls £3 & £2; Arena £2 & £1; Balcony £1 & 75p engines Gallery (standing) 30p
Priority booking for RNLI supporters from 17 October to 11 November. Applications to: RNLI Concert, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Choral Society, Box 16, Nurses' Home, St. Bartholomew's Hospital London EC1, with cheque payable to St. Bartholomew's Hospital Choral Society and stamped addressed envelope. From 14 November tickets will be on sale from the Royal Albert Hall (tel. 01-5898212) and usual agents.
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Wright & Son (Marine Engineers) Ltd Church Broughton Road, Foston, Derby DE6 5PW SURREY. ENGLAND. Telephone: Burton-on-Trent 812177 year-old son of the Hartlepool cox- swain, the RNLI made its Jubilee gift to the Queen during the naming ceremony. This was a photographic record giving some impression of the wide variety of engagements which members of the Royal Family have undertaken in order to assist the work of the lifeboat service since Her Majesty came to the throne. In the inscription the album was appropriately described as 'a record of twenty-five years of service and concern'. Another royal naming ceremony took place on July 24 when the Duke of Kent, the RNLI's President, named the new lifeboat at Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight Joy and John Wade. On page 65 a letter appears from a retiring member of the Committee of Management, Mr L. C. H. Cave, in which he describes NOTES OF how a lifeboat was not available for a naming ceremony as planned because THE QUARTER she had been called out on service. The Yarmouth lifeboat nearly had a similar experience as she had in fact been called out on three separate occasions on the The RNLI's Jubilee tribute to HM The Queen night before the naming ceremony, and reflects the great support given to the lifeboat by Patrick Howarth was on service for ten hours. The first service by various members of the Royal Family during Her Majesty's reign.... On a call came at 2115, to a yacht off St recent visit to the Isle of Scilly, HRH The Catherines, the second took the lifeboat Prince of Wales inspected the lifeboat station THE RNLI'S ASSOCIATION with the Queen's east to Gurnard Ledge, and the third at St Mary's. The crew and their wives were Jubilee and with activities of the Royal was to investigate a reported flare off presented to Prince Charles before he went Family during the Jubilee summer were the Needles. These first services of the afloat in the 46' 9" Watson lifeboat Guy and widespread and colourful. On July 14 new Arun since she arrived on station Clare Hunter. the Queen named the new Hartlepool on July 19 left no doubt of the photograph by courtesy lifeboat The Scout. This was the first advantages of the boat's high speed. of Richard Lethbridge time a reigning sovereign had named a On the first call it took her just 21 minutes to reach the Needles, on the lifeboat at her station, although in 1972 Thames and Spithead Review the Queen named a reserve lifeboat The first of the ebb, from the time she slipped Three lifeboats took part in the Royal British Legion at a special cere- her moorings; it would probably have Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames mony arranged at Henley-on-Thames. taken the previous lifeboat about 50 on June 9. They were the new Margate Through Robert Maiden, the nine- minutes. lifeboat Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No. 38), the Sheerness lifeboat Helen Turn- River Thames Jubilee bull, which acted as the Lord Mayor of Pageant: Sheerness life- boat Helen Turnbull with Westminster's barge, and the lifeboat HMY Britannia at Tower Canadian Pacific, which was formerly Bridge (below) and (right) stationed at Selsey. Canadian Pacific, embarking the Lard now out of service, later undertook an Mayor of Westminster, extensive tour on the River Thames. for whom she acted as Raymond Baxter, commenting on the barge. (Left) A fund- visit of this boat and an ILB, wrote: raising cruise up the Thames following the Pageant took Canadian Pacific past Windsor Castle; it was her last service before being 'paid off'. photograph by courtesy of David Reed When the Mayor of Poole, Councillor J. M. Norman, performed the opening ceremony of the RNLI depot at Poole on May 27, the Institution was also entertaining visitors from La Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer. (I. to r.) John Atterton, Admiral Picard- Destelan and (hidden) Madame Denise Merlin from France, Mrs Norman, I. K. D. Andrews, Poole Town Clerk, Captain At William Osborne's yard, Littlehampton, on June 18, Mrs Renske Kemp Nigel Dixon, Director RNLI, Councillor Norman, Major- launched the 37' Rather lifeboat Horace Clarkson, the gift of H. Clarkson General Ralph Farrant, Chairman RNLI, Mrs Farrant and and Co., to be stationed at Moelfre. With Mrs Kemp were (I. to r.) Mr and Commander David Wilford, superintendent of depot. General Mrs T. Owens, John A tier ton, Deputy Director RNLI, Mrs Alter ton, Farrant spoke of the traditional dedication and the fine, justly W. H. Osborne, Charles Kemp and H. L. C. Greig. earned, reputation enjoyed by the depot staff. On May 20, the Queen and the Duke of new premises became increasingly evi- Edinburgh visited the RNLI stand at the dent and in 1939 the RNLI opened a Music Hall, Aberdeen, and spoke with new depot in Boreham Wood and (I. to r.) Coxswain Albert Bird, Second disposed of the Poplar property. Coxswain Charles Begg and Motor Mechanic Ian Jack. photograph by courtesy Among the traditions which grew up of Aberdeen Journals at Poplar was the Christmas party organised by the RNLI's storeyard staff RNLI at the Jubilee Service at St Paul's for poor children in the area. This Cathedral in London and Raymond became so popular that for the party in Cory, a member of the Committee of 1928 children queued up for two-and-a- Management, represented the RNLI at half hours. Over 150 aged from six to the service of thanksgiving at Llandaff ten received tea, toys, sweets and fruit. Cathedral on June 24. About 100 dolls which had been dressed by the RNLI staff were given to the Shipbrokers' Gift little girls. 'The impact of the boats and their crews A new lifeboat for Moelfre has been Two men who worked in the RNLI upon everyone with whom I was in contact presented by the shipbroking firm, H. storeyard in Poplar are still in the full- could not have been more favourable. They time service of the RNLI. They are L. A. really were superb and undoubtedly drew Clarkson and Co. She was launched at a ceremony at William Osborne's 'Bunny' Austin, who is now chief their presence to the attention of hundreds personnel officer, and Jack Chambers, of thousands—perhaps millions.'' boatyard in Littlehampton on June 18, which was attended by many members who is now in charge of all publicity stores at the depot in Poole. At the Jubilee Review of the Fleet at of the firm. The staff of Clarksons, many Spithead on June 28 three lifeboats of whom work on commission, were Obituary were also present, the Clovelly City of fully consulted before the gift was made Alfred James Schermuly, who died in Bristol, the new Yarmouth lifeboat and and they were overwhelmingly in favour July at the age of 77, was the inventor the present Selsey lifeboat Charles Henry. of the project. The launching ceremony of the Schermuly identification flares. Many coxswains were aboard, and it is was performed by Renske Kemp, the These were 7 million candle-power doubtful whether a more distinguished wife of the longest serving member of markers used by RAF Bomber Com- gathering of lifeboat coxswains has ever the staff, Charles Kemp. mand Pathfinders for target illumina- occurred anywhere. Between them the Another welcome and encouraging tion. His company had a long associa- lifeboatmen present had received no gift from industry was received jointly tion with the RNLI, manufacturing line- fewer than 25 medals for gallantry. from Chevron Oil (UK) Limited and throwing guns and a variety of flares A number of lifeboat crews were Chevron Petroleum (UK) Limited at a and mortars. Since 1973 Schermuly has presented to the Queen during her small ceremony when a cheque was formed part of the Wilkinson Match Jubilee tour of the United Kingdom. presented to Major-General Ralph Group. Alfred Schermuly was a well- Hoylake lifeboat, Mary Gabriel, and Farrant. known figure in Walmer and District New Brighton's Atlantic 21 took part and was president of the Goodwin Sands in the Review of ships on the Mersey in End of the Poplar Depot and Downs branch of the RNLI from June, and, in August, Torbay lifeboat, One of East London's links with the 1958 until his death. Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37) lifeboat service will disappear shortly acted as an escort to HMY Britannia and when the former storeyard of the RNLI Duke of Kent at the Banqueting House then to the Royal Barge when the in Poplar is demolished. The RNLI's President, the Duke of Queen visited Torquay. During the The storeyard was formally opened Kent, has agreed to attend a reception summer lifeboatmen took part in guards in 1882 with sheds for the stowage of at the Banqueting House in Whitehall of honour to Her Majesty at such widely lifeboats and their carriages. Harbour on Monday, November 7, between 6 and spread places as Norwich, Holyhead, trials of lifeboats were carried out in the 8.30 pm in aid of the American/ Torquay and Falmouth. Limehouse Cut canal before the boats British Lifeboat Appeal. Tickets at £6.50, Major-General Ralph Farrant, the went to their stations. With the develop- including refreshments, from RNLI, 21 RNLI's Chairman, represented the ment of the motor lifeboat the need for Ebury Street, London, SW1.
40 milestone (/.).' The Duke of Kent meets crew members who had themselves built their boathouse; they are introduced by Senior Crew Member Henry Slade. photograph by courtesy of the Folkestone Herald Flint (r.): The ILB given by Sedgley and Wombourne Rotary Club is handed over by their president, John Moore (r.) to honorary secretary John Latham. With them (I.) is Richard Pensom, assistant DOS (Wales).
Wolverhampton, which will be stationed at Abersoch, North Wales, and for which the people of Wolverhampton Inshore lifeboats had already raised £21,000 toward the £30,000 needed to cover the cost of the EARLY SUMMER began with several in- for which they had raised the funds. boat and all her equipment. She was shore lifeboat ceremonies. On Saturday, On Tuesday, May 31, HRH The Duke named in West Park, Wolverhampton, May 14, a number of readers of the of Kent, President of the Institution, by the Mayor, Councillor Jessie Birmingham Evening Mail, together with visited three Kentish lifeboat stations: Beddows, thus renewing the town's members of Birmingham branch Dover, Walmer and Littlestone. At links with lifeboats after 100 years. It committee, travelled to Exmouth, South Walmer he attended the dedication of was in 1866 that the town raised the Devon, for the handing over ceremony of the new D class ILB and unveiled a money for the lifeboat Wolverhampton of a new D class ILB. The boat, which plaque commemorating its gift by the which was stationed at Swansea; the had been funded by an appeal launched Wednesday Club of Deal, the Rook naming ceremony of that boat had by the Birmingham Evening Mail last Brothers and Aspen Garages. At Little- taken place at Bushbury in the presence year, was handed over by Clem Lewis, stone, after the dedication of the Atlantic of the mayor of the time. assistant editor of the Mail and chief 21 and new boathouse, the Duke un- On to Friday, June 17, for the handing organiser of the appeal. veiled a plaque thus formally opening over ceremony and dedication of Mable- Three days later, on May 17, members the boathouse which had been built thorpe's, Lincolnshire, new ILB and of the Sedgley and Wombourne Rotary by the crew members themselves from extensions to the boathouse. The D Club, once again from the Midlands, material either given to them or provided class ILB had been provided by the visited Flint, North Wales, when their at re^-iced prices by local firms. Women's Motor Racing Associates Club president, John Moore, handed over to Saturday, June 11, was the day for following a ball at the Dorchester Hotel, Flint honorary secretary a D class ILB the naming ceremony of the Atlantic 21 London; one is held each year in aid of a different charity. The extensions to the Exmouth: D. R. Allen, boathouse had been made by members Birmingham branch honor- of Alford Round Table, who not only ary treasurer (/.) and Clem raised the necessary funds but did the Lewis, Birmingham Even- work themselves; all helpers were un- ing Mail assistant editor, skilled except for one plumbej" and one are taken afloat. electrician. It took about 1,000 man photograph by courtesy of hours and cost just under £1,800. Birmingham Evening Mail Two days later, Sunday, June 19, saw Lytham St Anne's (below, the dedication service at Lytham St left): Dedication of the ILB Anne's, Lancashire, of the D class ILB funded by the North West purchased with the proceeds of the Green Shield Stamp appeal. Atlantic 21 Wolverhamp- North West Green Shield Trading ton (below, right) is named Stamps appeal. Four and a half million by the Mayor. stamps were collected, for which a photograph by courtesy higher than normal exchange rate was of the Express and Star given by the Green Shield company.
41 **Jp W^ £&& /••• 1 \.f /•yprpM»rw,»rs\«r'/./<^ .-• •Mv/ 41 / ci • HI?AIHt-»W> > f l..i\V^Wft£C/,'^k«9iyi.-«.M * T ' \s-^—v^~-jSltts' "rop.*F' -••'" O-KS: u vv S> V^S^SPffil^'''; / " " ^^i-SM^ v^^ \.\ '> _<.^"^ —'£&sf.•' ~s -~ -*«,^^03o"c at about 0300, when further parachute Head, between it and Old Bess again, flares were fired, the casualty was seen and ordered the anchor to be made among the rocks to the north of ready for letting go astern. He decided Pednathise Head. There appeared to be to go once more into the neck, this time two or three men aboard and Coxswain with an anchor out astern, against which Lethbridge immediately altered course he hoped to put his engines ahead and northward heading for the only safe thus retain enough control of the lifeboat passage between Old Bess, a submerged to get a line to the men on the rocks. rock, and Pednathise Head. There was By now the searchlight had been South Western Division a very heavy south-west swell running restored, and as the lifeboatmen pre- at about 35 feet and breakers were curl- pared to let the anchor go astern, its Aground on rocks ing in over Old Bess. beam revealed the remains of the bow Once through the passage the area of the trawler some 25 feet higher up on AT 0205 ON SUNDAY, February 13, the around Rosevear Ledges was illuminated the rocks than the last time they had honorary secretary of St Mary's, Isles with parachute flares, searchlight and seen it. There was no longer any sign of of Scilly, was requested by St Mary's Aldis lamp and the casualty was seen life aboard. Coastguard to launch to the aid of a to be right in on the base of the rocks Coxswain Lethbridge decided that it French fishing vessel aground on rocks immediately east of Pednathise Head. was now clearly impossible to effect a near Bishop Rock Lighthouse. The Coxswain Lethbridge immediately rescue from the sea, and any survivors maroons were fired at 0210 and at 0215. came out southwards through the same left aboard the wreck would be relatively St Mary's lifeboat, the 46' 9" Watson tricky passage between Old Bess and safe at that height up the rock. At 0325 Guy and Clare Hunter, launched on Pednathise Head and then, without he radioed for a helicopter to search service with Coxswain Matthew Leth- hesitation, turned north, resolving to go the wreck. There was a lot of wreckage bridge in command. straight in between the even more in the water and the lifeboat continued Wind was south west moderate to difficult gap between the rocks on which to search under very difficult sea fresh, force 4 to 5, and there was a very the bow of the casualty lay and Ped- conditions, often having to go un- heavy swell running in from the south nathise Head's north-eastern side. This comfortably close to one of the many west. Visibility was good but it was a neck was little wider than the lifeboat's rocks in the area. dark night. Tide was half ebb running own length. The bow of the casualty was At 0510 the helicopter arrived in the westward at about half a knot. up on the rocks on the lifeboat's star- area and began to search. Communica- Coxswain Lethbridge headed south, board hand with her stern submerged. tions were difficult as the helicopter's then between the islands of Annet and Heavy swells were breaking over and VHF was faulty, but by relaying messages St Agnes and then south west again. The around both sides of Pednathise Head via the Coastguard and Culdrose Coastguard now informed the lifeboat on the lifeboat's port hand, causing Operations Room, the pilot was directed that lights had been seen near Gorregan extreme turbulence in the neck where to search the rocks where the survivors Neck and at 0246, when approaching the casualty Enfant de Bretagne, lay. had last been seen. However, none Melledgan, the lifeboat crew detected the Coxswain Lethbridge found it .almost could be found. The helicopter later smell of diesel oil and saw pieces of impossible to control the lifeboat as she recovered one body near Gorregan and polystyrene floating by. At 0250 para- entered the neck and he was forced to the lifeboat recovered a second one chute flares were fired, but there was no go full ahead in order to avoid being south of the Rags at 0707. A relief Sea sign of the casualty anywhere in Gorre- swept on to the rocks. At this moment King had now arrived and the first gan Neck. the searchlight failed and only the helicopter winched the body from the Coxswain Lethbridge, still guided by Aldis lamp on the rocks to starboard lifeboat and took both bodies to the the smell of diesel, then continued on gave any guide. mainland at about 0730. towards Pednathise Head, the largest of Immediately he emerged on the other The search continued over a widening a number of rocks, many uncharted, side, Coxswain Lethbridge turned to area northward and wreckage was which lie south west of the Daisy, and port, around the north of Pednathise eventually found as far as five miles 42 north of the stranding position. The been blowing from the south west for signalled the casualty to take her sails helicopter search was called off soon two days and a heavy swell was now down and John Hodder manoeuvred the after 1000 and the lifeboat was recalled accompanying the near gale force 7 ILB to start a dead slow tow to harbour. by the honorary secretary at 1050. St south-south-west wind, producing With the sea almost abeam to port on Mary's lifeboat arrived back at station waves of 15 to 20 feet, which were the return journey the yacht was rolling at 1110 and was rehoused and ready for breaking over Broad Ledge. The tide very heavily but the narrow harbour service at 1135. was in the second hour of ebb and entrance was safely gained about eight For this service a second bar to the running at about 0.6 knots with the minutes later. silver medal for gallantry was awarded wind. Chris Greenhill had manned the radio to Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge, BEM. The Atlantic 21, with four crew on throughout, keeping the Coastguard The thanks of the Institution inscribed board because of the difficult conditions, fully in the picture. As a result of the on vellum were accorded to Second was launched at 1802. Only one engine Coastguard reports the station HMA Coxswain Ernest R. Guy, Motor could be started but, because the yacht arranged for a doctor to meet the ILB. Mechanic William R. Burrow, Assistant was drifting rapidly towards Broad The two women were taken to the Mechanic William H. Lethbridge, and Ledge, Helmsman Hodder decided to hospital on arrival, for check-up, and Crew Members George W. Symons, go out to sea on one engine. Once clear the ILB crew then helped the two men Rodney J. Terry and H. Roy Duncan. of the harbour he gave the helm to to secure the yacht alongside a berth Crew Member Christopher Woodbridge in the harbour. The ILB was rehoused and went aft to work on the defective and ready for a service at 1830. South Western Division engine. When the ILB was about half For this service the thanks of the way to the casualty he discovered a Institution inscribed on vellum have been French crew saved fault in the starting cable connector accorded to Helmsman John Hodder and managed to short circuit this and and vellum service certificates have been AT ABOUT 1755 on Thursday, March 31, get the engine started. He then took over presented to Crew Members Christopher the Coastguard mobile from Beer the helm again. Woodbridge, Christopher Greenhill and arrived at Lyme Regis ILB house and A few minutes later the ILB closed Graham Turner. the Coastguard informed Crew Member the casualty, the French yacht Verseau, Christopher Greenhill that he was which was now in very broken water concerned about a small yacht which he over Broad Ledge. She was a 20' had sighted, making heavy weather, off bermudan sloop with mainsail partly Eastern Division the mouth of the River Axe and which hoisted and jib fully up. Her rigging had he now believed was heading for Lyme parted and she was unable to tack. ILB in near gale Regis. There were four people aboard, none Chris Greenhill alerted Helmsman of whom appeared able to speak RED FLARES SIGHTED Off WhitStable John Hodder and two other crew English. One man was aft in the cockpit Street Buoy were reported to the members. As John Hodder arrived at with the two women, who appeared honorary secretary of Whitstable ILB the boathouse the yacht came into view exhausted, and another man was on the station by Warden Point Coastguard, about half a mile to the east and was foredeck secured by a safety line. None Isle of Sheppey, at 2342 on Friday, seen to fire a red flare, so he immediately wore lifejackets. February 25. In view of the bad weather telephoned the honorary secretary ex- Helmsman Hodder skilfully took the prevailing—the wind was north easterly plaining that the yacht was in immediate ILB within a few feet of the casualty so near gale force 7, causing a short, steep danger of being driven on to Broad that, on the first attempt, a tow line was sea off the harbour, with poor visibility Ledge. Knowing the experience of his successfully passed to the man on the and drizzle—the honorary secretary crew the honorary secretary authorised yacht's bow. Ten fathoms of 1" nylon went immediately to the boathouse to the launch although the sea condition was used and the ILB crew secured this discuss the feasibility of launching with was greater than anything in which the to a towing span which they had devised the helmsman. After consultation he ILB had previously been out during her and which secures on to cleats on either informed the Coastguard that he would four years at Lyme Regis. The wind had quarter, clear of the engines. They launch. It was just after low water and, to find enough depth for launching, the Tenby 46' 9" Watson lifeboat Henry Comber Brown launched on February 27 in gale force Atlantic 21 was driven to a point one winds and a very rough sea to bring a man from Caldy Island for compassionate reasons. cable north west of the harbour entrance photograph by courtesy of R. Thomas beyond the lee of its walls. As she launched, at 2356, tractor, trolley and boat were frequently covered in heavy spray. Once afloat, Helmsman David Foreman headed north of Street Bank and thence eastward towards the deck- lights of the casualty. After a very rough passage at reduced speed, the ILB arrived on scene at 0005 and found a 23' MFV lying across the wind, dragging her anchor; her position had changed some four cables since the flares had been sighted. Her crew told the ILB that they had been on passage from Rye to Leigh-on-Sea but had run out of fuel; the anchor was not holding and they wished to be taken off before their boat was driven on to Street Bank. During the first attempt to close the casualty in the heavy, short seas, the MFV yawed and rolled against the ILB, damaging the radio aerial with her after gantry; Helmsman Foreman opened the throttle and sheered away before 43 making a second approach from astern adviser, had also been informed and panied by both Dr Busfield and Bill to the port side. The ILB was secured Coxswain Bevan told the Coastguard Sayers. Half an hour later Humber briefly while the three men were helped that he would place his crew on stand- Coastguard informed the lifeboat that a aboard. In leaving the casualty the by and launch on the arrival of the red flare had been sighted off Imming- helmsman had to risk fouling the doctor. ham and asked that she investigate. ILB's propellers on two ropes leading It was raining very heavily, there was Although a thorough search was made, over the MFV'S bow. flooding on the road between the main- no sign of any casualty was found and The area of Street Bank was a mass land and Spurn Point and visibility was the lifeboat returned to Grimsby to of white water and, with the boat more poor, so when, after some 30 minutes, refuel and re-embark Dr Busfield and sluggish because of the extra weight of Dr Busfield had not arrived, Coxswain Bill Sayers. She sailed for station at the survivors, Helmsman Foreman ran Bevan went to see if he had had a 0717, arrived at 0800, and was rehoused well northward before approaching mishap on the road. He found Dr at 1230. Whitstable west beach. Busfield, carrying two bags and walking, In appreciation of his service, a Landing was difficult in the very about a mile and a half from the special certificate inscribed on vellum rough weather; however, with con- station; his car had skidded on the sand has been presented to Dr James D. siderable help from the two launchers and become bogged down and he had Busfield. and quick reactions from the tractor already come a quarter of a mile on driver, the ILB was recovered safely on foot. Coxswain Bevan took him to the to her trolley and brought ashore. The station. North Western Division survivors were landed at 0035 and the Although soaked to the skin, Dr ILB was rehoused and ready for service Busfield insisted on no further delay and Two taken off at 0100. Humber's 46' 9" Watson lifeboat City For this service the thanks of the of Bradford HI launched at 2223. It was BEAUMARIS ILB STATION deputy launching Institution inscribed on vellum were 4J hours after low water. The wind was authority was informed by Penmon accorded to Helmsman David Foreman south south east force 1 to 2 with heavy Coastguard at 1646 on Saturday, and vellum service certificates presented rain making visibility poor. The sea was October 23, 1976, that sailing dinghies to Crew Members David Holmes and slight. had capsized in the vicinity of Gallows Andrew Kennedy. A letter of apprecia- The lifeboat had just cleared Spurn Point and Garth Point, Menai Strait; tion signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, Point when the radar failed. Using his the crews were in the water clinging to RN, Director, has been sent to the Decca navigator to check his own the boats. launching party, Tractor Driver Stuart progress and plot the progress of Marbi, Maroons were fired and the Atlantic H. Wilmot and Shore Helpers Donald Coxswain Bevan set course to intercept 21 B515, Blue Peter II, launched at A. R. Rigden and Nigel Scammell. her some 18 miles east by north of 1653. Spurn Point Lighthouse. The wind was from the south, gale The trawler was sighted at 0045. force 8, the sea moderate. The sky was North Eastern Division There had been no change in the weather overcast with squally sleet showers; but there was now a moderate easterly visibility was moderate to good. It was swell, so Coxswain Bevan asked Marbi 1| hours before low water and the tidal Two injured seamen to steam east at slow speed to make stream was flowing to the north east at THE COXSWAIN SUPERINTENDENT of boarding easier. Humber lifeboat went its spring rate of about 1.3 knots. Humber lifeboat station, Brian Bevan, alongside at 0053, Dr Busfield, accom- Blue Peter H, commanded by Helms- was informed by Humber Coastguard panied by the lifeboat first aider Bill man John Askew, made full speed for a at 2103 on Friday, October 1, 1976, Sayers, boarded Marbi, and the tv/o position just south of Gallows Point that the Belgian trawler Marbi was men stayed aboard to treat the casualties where two overturned dinghies could be heading for the Humber with two under way. Both boats set course for seen being dragged into shallow water injured crewmen on board and had Grimsby. by their crews, who indicated that life- asked that the lifeboat rendezvous with On arrival at Grimsby at 0350 the boat assistance was not needed. To the her to put a doctor aboard. Dr James lifeboat crew learnt that the two injured north of Gallows Point someone could Busfield, the station honorary medical men had been taken to hospital accom- be seen swimming towards the shore Harwich: When, on July 9, the ex revenue cutter L'Atalanta went him and the crew and sending a donation to the station. He said, '/ aground on Cork Sands, with six people on board, the water was too have been sailing various boats at sea for 21 years and suppose that I shallow for Harwich's 44' Waveney lifeboat Margaret Graham to have always had it at the back of my mind that the lifeboat service approach. Two crew members ran a tow line down in the inflatable would come to my assistance in an emergency. What I was surprised dinghy, and, as L'Atalanta was taking in water, stayed aboard to help and pleased about was the amount of help and kindness we received bail while she was being towed to Harwich. These photographs were from the lifeboat crew at Harwich. To receive help like this for taken by L'Atalanta's skipper, Robert Simper: (left) dinghy is hidden nothing does restore one's faith in human nature. . . Again on behalf by surf. Mr Simper later wrote to Harwich honorary secretary, thanking of my family and myself, thank you to coxswain and crew . . .' 44 away from a capsized dinghy, but an onlooker standing at the water's edge told the ILB crew that the water was very shallow and the swimmer was out of danger. Having satisfied himself that the people reported to have been in the water were all accounted for, Helmsman Askew decided to return to station and advised Penmon Coastguard accord- ingly. The time was 1704. The Coast- guard acknowledged receipt of the radio message and told the ILB that red flares had been sighted off Careg Onnen Point on the north-east side of Anglesey some six or seven miles away. Helmsman Askew replied that he would investigate and set off at full speed. When half a mile south of Puffin Sound, just east of Penmon Point, rough and confused breaking seas were en- countered and speed was reduced to half throttle. Blue Peter II was entering Wells-next-the-Sea: 0415 launch. The 37' Oakley reserve lifeboat, Calouste Gulbenkian, on Puffin Sound at 1713 when the Coast- temporary duty at Wells, was called out in the morning of July 10 after a 999 report of a missing guard asked her to investigate a yacht swimmer. Together with Wells ILB and a helicopter, she searched for an hour and a half in fresh sighted 1J miles north of Trwyn-du to strong winds and a moderate sea. No one was found or subsequently reported missing. lighthouse. Course was altered to the photograph by courtesy of Campbell MacCullum north and the ILB headed into rougher water for about five minutes. At 1718 a yacht was sighted a quarter of a mile to swinging from side to side as she boatman, and Martin Frary, a regular the north west, sailing on the port tack rolled heavily in the rough sea. The crew member of the shore party. under reefed main and jib. The yacht, indicated that they wished to be taken The weather was fine, with a north- later identified as Tantivy, a 5 ton off and Helmsman Askew told them north-east force 5 to 6 breeze causing a bermudan rigged cabin cruiser, was that he would attempt an up-wind heavy sea and swell in the area of Wells being blown over on to her beam ends at approach on to the stern of the boat Bar. High water was predicted at the times and appeared to be in difficulty. and would take one man off at a time. bar for 1010. It was estimated that the wind was Blue Peter II was positioned downwind When approaching the outer channel blowing force 7 from the south and the off the casualty's starboard quarter in buoys, John Nudds sighted a 12' sailing sea was rough and confused. preparation for the approach. On dinghy in the breaking waters one mile making the approach the helmsman to the east and, while he watched, saw Blue Peter II made an up-wind was able to lay the ILB alongside her capsize, bow over stern. approach, closed the stern of Tantivy Tantivy's port quarter long enough for He immediately tried to call Wells and enquired if she had fired a flare. The both men to be taken off. At 1739 a Coastguard but could not make contact. two men on board said that they had message was passed to Penmon Coast- Realising there was no chance of ILB not made any distress signal, but had guard that the crew were safe aboard assistance, he altered course across the sighted a red flare to the south west the ILB and the yacht abandoned. toe of the eastern sands and came up on close inshore. John Askew said that he Course was set to close Tryn Dinmor the dinghy, the anchor of which had would return as soon as possible after to obtain a lee before attempting the fallen out during the capsize, holding investigating the flare, as Tantivy's crew passage back through Puffin Sound, her in position. The breaking seas had were experiencing great difficulty in and the helicopter remained in attend- righted the dinghy and her two men handling the boat in the strong wind ance until Blue Peter II reached quieter crew were sitting in the waterlogged and confused seas. A situation report water. The survivors were landed at the boat; both were wearing a wrap-around was passed to the Coastguard along lifeboat station at about 1825. buoyancy aid and it was later found with a request for the offshore lifeboat The abandoned yacht was taken in that only one could swim. They had to be placed on standby. Blue Peter II tow four days later off Holyhead and sailed from Wells to Burnham Overy continued south-westwards to Careg found to be in a good seaworthy state. Staithe on the earlier tide and, being Onnen Point. For this service the thanks of the unsure of the return course, had headed On closing the land an intercepted Institution inscribed on vellum have for the Fairway Buoy in worsening radio message between a rescue heli- been accorded to Helmsman John C. wind and sea conditions. copter and Coastguard mobile indicated Askew. Vellum service certificates have In a depth of only 10 to 12 feet of that the boat which had fired the flare been presented to Crew Members water, John Nudds manoeuvred the had been beached and her crew were Gareth Parry and Huw G. Williams. fishing vessel to windward, affording a safe. The Coastguard asked the ILB to lee, taking great care not to let his boat, return to Tantivy. The time was now which draws 4' 6", fall down wind to the 1730. Course was reversed and as Blue Eastern Division lee shore. A lifebuoy on a line was Peter II headed back to the north east thrown to the dinghy and, one at a time, a Wessex helicopter from RAF Valley the men were pulled to safety; consider- arrived overhead and escorted her to Waterlogged dinghy able skill was necessary to get the men Tantivy. BOUND FOR THE WHELKINO GROUNDS, inboard without injury as the fishing The quartering seas made steering MFV Isabelle Kathleen cleared her moor- boat was rolling and lifting heavily in difficult, and Helmsman Askew later ings abreast the lifeboat house at Wells the breaking seas. The non-swimming reported the worst conditions were at about 1120 on Thursday, June 3,1976, survivor was considerably distressed. experienced during this part of the and set out to sea. The 36' fishing boat Having taken both men aboard, John service. On arriving back with Tantivy was commanded by her owner, John Nudds returned to harbour where they she was seen to be lying beam to the sea Nudds, a lifeboat crew member, and were landed, at their own request, close with sheets flying. The main boom was crewed by Alfred Smith, another life- to the lifeboat house. He then, at 1245, 45 returned to sea to continue his day's closed her and informed Coxswain arrived to find that the boy was already fishing. Dawson of the situation. It was decided about 400 yards offshore. For this service a framed letter of that conditions were such that to try to The weather was fine and clear, there thanks signed by Major - General tow the casualty clear would be the most was an offshore westerly wind of force Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Institu- effective way of accomplishing the 2 to 3 with slight sea and long low swell. tion, has been presented to John Nudds, rescue, so the ILB took a line from the It was half an hour after low water and and letters of appreciation signed by lifeboat and returned through the surf to the tide was setting 065° at 0.5 knots. Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director, to the casualty. Two attempts were made Police Constable Graham drove to Alfred Smith and Martin Frary. to transfer the line but without success. Brora Harbour, to find all the boats high At about 1656, while she was running and dry on the low water. However, he in for a third attempt, a large sea broke did find Douglas Thomson fitting up his North Eastern Division over the stern of the ILB, completely 10' inflatable Avon Sports dinghy, which swamping her. The boat cleared herself had a 1\ hp Mercury outboard engine, Cabin cruiser on bar of water but the engine had failed and and Mr Thomson agreed at once to help. could not be restarted. The crew The two men launched the boat over THE DEPUTY LAUNCHING AUTHORITY of manned the oars, rounded up into the the beach and steered north for one mile Blyth lifeboat station was informed by surf and succeeded in pulling clear of the to the last known position off Dalchalm Coastguard Tyne at 1440 on Sunday, worst of the breaking water. Meanwhile, Beach. Finding no sign of boy or dinghy, August 29, 1976, that two swimmers Newbiggin lifeboat, seeing what had they headed west away from land and had been swept out to sea off Cambois; happened, recovered the tow line and started searching. At about three miles a girl bather had been picked up by a headed into the surf; passing a line to the from land the dinghy was glimpsed helicopter from RAF Boulmer but her ILB she towed her into calmer water. occasionally in the swell running. She father was still missing. The assembly Once satisfied that the ILB was safe, was closed and the boy helped aboard signal was made and Blyth ILB launched Coxswain Dawson informed the Coast- the Avon Sports. No attempt was made and set off at 1444. One minute later the guard on shore that he was going to to tow the dinghy back and shortly after message was given to Coxswain George close the casualty and pass a line. the boy was rescued it was seen to over- Dawson of Newbiggin lifeboat station, At the first attempt, approaching bow turn. who informed the launching authority first, Newbiggin lifeboat touched bottom The boy was landed at Dalchalm and immediately fired the maroons. At when some 30 yards off the casualty. A Beach at 1615 and the rescuers returned 1455 Newbiggin's 37' Oakley lifeboat heavy swell lifted Mary Joicey and to Brora Harbour; they were running Mary Joicey launched on service. Coxswain Dawson pulled her clear by out of petrol as they entered. The wind was south easterly force 1 going full astern. Useful local advice For this service framed letters of to 2 with a slight sea. There was a about banks in the area was passed via thanks signed by Major-General Ralph moderate easterly swell, producing a the Coastguard and Coxswain Dawson Farrant, Chairman of the Institution, heavy surf inshore. made his second approach, stern first. have been presented to Douglas S. Blyth ILB, with Helmsman David On this attempt the lifeboat came close Thomson and Police Sergeant Roderick Tilmouth in command, arrived in the enough to pass a line which was secured Graham. area off Cambois at 1453 and was soon aboard the casualty by her own crew. joined by Mary Joicey. While the ILB Newbiggin lifeboat, cutting the made an extensive search along the surf casualty's anchor warp, towed her clear North Western Division line inshore, Newbiggin lifeboat of the surf, then, taking Blyth ILB in searched offshore. Close communication tow as well, headed for Blyth. Lifeboat MFV Ashore between both lifeboats was maintained, and tow arrived in harbour without but the co-ordinated close search was incident at 1753. The casualty was A MOTOR FISHING VESSEL ashore on the without success; no sign of the casualty secured and one of the four survivors, south side of the Conwy approach was found. found to have suffered an injury to his channel was reported to a deputy launch- At 1646, while the search was still in leg, was treated by a doctor before being ing authority of Conwy inshore lifeboat progress, information was received from taken to hospital. station by Penmon Coastguard at 0752 Coastguard Tyne mobile that a cabin For this service the thanks of the on Thursday, April 14. Maroons were cruiser had been reported capsized off Institution inscribed on vellum were fired and at 0810 the ILB launched and the mouth of the River Wansbeck and accorded to Coxswain George Dawson set out for Deganwy Point at full speed. immediate assistance was requested. As of Newbiggin lifeboat and Blyth ILB The wind was north west, strong to lifeboat and ILB had been searching now Helmsman David Tilmouth. Vellum near gale, force 6 to 7, causing a short, for some hour and a half without certificates were presented to Second steep, breaking swell in the harbour success, this second incident was con- Coxswain Christopher Main, Motor entrance. Visibility was good. It was sidered to take priority and both boats Mechanic Clifford Hancox and Crew 30 minutes before high water and the headed for the river mouth. Members John Mounsey, Robert flood stream almost slack. Because of her superior speed, Blyth Wrigglesworth, David Armstrong and On reaching Deganwy Point speed ILB arrived at the scene before New- Thomas Taylor of Newbiggin, and was reduced because of the swell. By biggin lifeboat; she found the cabin Blyth ILB Crew Members Dallas Taylor, this time it was established that the VHP cruiser, upright, lying to her anchor on John Long and Clifford Thompson. radio was not working properly since the bar in a most hazardous position, no contact could be made with Coast- being pounded by heavy surf. Helmsman guard station or mobile. The casualty Tilmouth, realising the precarious posi- Scotland North Division was sighted aground on the Morfa tion that the casualty was in, with the Mussel Bank about 200 yards south danger of the anchor failing to hold, south west of Perch Light. She was headed in through the surf to assess the Boy adrift lying with bows south south east and situation close to. The motion of the A HOLIDAYMAKER, with his wife, was listing to port; seas were breaking over casualty was violent and Helmsman setting up a wind break on Dalchalm her starboard quarter. Someone could Tilmouth decided not to attempt to take Beach, Brora, at about 1400 on Wednes- be seen standing on deck. the crew off at this stage but to await the day, July 21,1976, when he looked round Helmsman Trevor Jones took the ILB arrival of Newbiggin lifeboat. One of to find that his 11-year-old son, a non- alongside the casualty and secured under the casualty's crew was seen clinging to swimmer, had drifted about 100 yards the lee of her port bow; the time was the cabin top, while three others were out to sea in a 4' 6" dinghy. He ran and now 0815. The boat was on passage from sheltering in the cabin. dialled 999 and at 1435 Police Constable Amlwch to Conwy and had anchored On arrival of the lifeboat, Blyth ILB (now Sergeant) Roderick Graham in the approach channel because of 46 gearbox trouble; she was without propulsion. Her anchor cable had parted and she had been blown ashore. At the request of the skipper, the ILB ran a line ashore, securing the boat by a wire hawser to a large rock above high water mark, before taking off the crew and landing them at the ILB station at 0850. The ILB was rehoused and made ready for service by 0915, For this service, letters of appreciation signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director of the Institution, have been sent to Helmsman Trevor Jones and Crew Member F. Smith. South Eastern Division Two calls in gale NEWHAVEN LIFEBOAT, the 47' Watson Kathleen Mary, was called out twice on Thursday, November 4, 1976. During the early evening HM Coastguard had been watching a yacht coming from the west, close inshore. As she turned in to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston: Relief 44' Waveney lifeboat 44-001 on temporary duty at Newhaven Harbour she had to head Gorleston returning from service to the Danish vessel Baltic, which had developed a heavy list, off to the east to avoid an out-going on April 8. Seven seamen, picked up by the tug Vanguard, were transferred to 44-001, which brought them back to Gorleston before returning to standby Baltic, under tow by the tug Union I coaster, was driven past the harbour and with two of the tug's crew aboard her. entrance and, just before 1800, she was photograph by courtesy of Eastern Daily Press seen to be having difficulty tacking back out of Seaford Bay. A fishing vessel, Meanwhile, at 2330 MV Kilkenny, one of east of the inshore lifeboat station. She Gay Star, about to enter harbour, was the two vessels which had responded to was broadside to the seas and being called on VHF channel 16 and asked to the distress call, had closed the casualty swamped; her engine was out of action, check if the yacht was in trouble; a and was standing by pending the arrival her sails in shreds and she had a hole message was also passed to Newhaven of the lifeboat. in her bows. lifeboat station. At 2340 Kathleen Mary was launched The ILB successfully manoeuvred The wind was south westerly, strong and on her way. She arrived alongisde alongside and a member of her crew to near gale, force 6 to 7, the sea rough; the casualty, the catamaran Acarus, at went aboard, where three men were visibility was good. The tide was three 0140. Acarus was taken in tow and sheltering in the waterlogged cabin. A hours flood. Kilkenny went on her way. line was passed and secured and, with Gay Star was unable to get close to The lifeboat, together with her tow, large seas astern, a difficult tow begun. the yacht, because the water was too arrived safely in Newhaven at 0515 on Eventually the yacht was taken to a shallow, and at 1810 reported that the November 5, but had to remain on her sheltered mooring in Chichester Har- yacht, Kiki, was within 20 feet of the moorings until 0630 before there was bour, her crew being landed at Hayling shore. Newhaven Coastguard mobile enough water to enable her to be re- Island Sailing Club at about 1240. was despatched and the CRE company housed. The ILB returned to her station at 1305 called out. and was rehoused seven minutes later Kathleen Mary launched at 1816 and at 1312. reached the casualty to relieve Gay Star South Eastern Division For this service letters of appreciation at 1823. However, at 1836 a message signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, came from the mobile that the yacht was Holed yacht Director of the Institution, were sent to on the beach and her singlehanded Helmsman Patrick Lamperd, Crew skipper safe. A YACHT ADRIFT in a strong southerly Members Nicholas Danby and Simon The lifeboat returned to her station gale and in very large breaking seas two Wilson and Swimmer Paul Covell. and was rehoused and ready for service miles off the Wittering shore in Brackle- at 1915. sham Bay and drifting westwards was A few hours later, at 2300, the Coast- reported to the lifeboat authority of South Western Division guard informed the honorary secretary Hayling Island ILB station by HM Coast- that a catamaran appeared to be in guard at 1110 on Thursday, October 14, difficulties four miles north of Greenwich 1976. Selsey lifeboat had been launched Injured seaman Buoy. Her forestay had been carried and Hayling Island Atlantic 21 wasasked A TANKER, La Quinta, approaching away and she was unable to hoist further to stand by. Salcombe bound for Liverpool with a sail. She had enough fuel for four hours, A later sighting indicated that the member of her crew seriously injured after which help would be needed. She yacht was in the region of the 'wrecks' was reported to the honorary secretary had two adults and two children on off Chichester Harbour entrance and it of Salcombe lifeboat station by HM board. Shipping had been informed and was realised that she would be driven Coastguard at 1157 on Saturday, 21 two vessels were heading for the casualty. ashore before Selsey lifeboat could reach May. A rendezvous was arranged and At 2320, with the weather deteriorat- her. Hayling Island ILB was therefore The Baltic Exchange, Salcombe's 47' ing, the Coastguard advised the immedi- asked to launch. This she did at 1117, in Watson lifeboat, under the command ate launch of the lifeboat. Visibility was poor visibility and on a flooding tide. of Second Coxswain, Motor Mechanic poor and the wind had risen to gale force The ILB encountered very large seas Edward Hannaford, slipped her moor- 8 to 9, still blowing from the south west. over Chichester Bar and at 1140 came ings at 1205. The wind was north north The tide was ebbing and the sea in the up alongside the yacht Sundew, a 36' vicinity of the casualty was very rough. bermudan sloop, one mile south south continued on page 69 47 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and presentation of awards ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, TUESDAY, MAY 17 1976: A YEAR OF GREAT ACHIEVEMENT ON SEA AND LAND A STANDING OVATION for a gold medal- I congratulate you on the number who full-time staff, including of course the list and his crew at the end of the have come today . . . one full-time man, coxswain or mechanic presentation of no less than 24 medals 'Last year I addressed this meeting as as the case may be, to be found at every for gallantry; the report of an increase Chairman for the first time and I was offshore lifeboat station, was 629. This of income of some 2-J per cent above the able when doing so to report on a year of ratio of almost exactly two employees outstanding achievement by the lifeboat per operational vessel surely speaks for year's rate of inflation, making possible service, but I was obliged to end by itself. Of what other maritime organisa- the continuing, with renewed vigour, of sounding a warning. The warning was a tion, commercial or governmental, could the policy of fleet modernisation as well consequence of the fact that the Com- a claim of this kind be made? Not long as an improvement in the level of free mittee of Management of the RNLI had ago a distinguished American soldier reserves; the recording of 1,049 people come to the conclusion that we should described the armed forces of this rescued from drowning. Thus is the have to effect a pause in our boat country as consisting of admirals, gallantry of lifeboat crews comple- building programme for compelling generals and bands. I think he was mented by the devotion of fund raisers, financial reasons. I did stress that the possibly a bit wide of the mark but at and such is the crown of their united committee intended that it should only be least, in the RNLI, we can say we have a pause and we should revert as soon as no bands, and the admirals and generals endeavours. Surely, when lifeboat possible to our normal level of boat we do have are not paid. I can assure you people came together for the annual construction. I am glad to be able to say, of this from first hand knowledge.' general meeting and presentation of as an aside, that we are beginning to do so. awards at the Royal Festival Hall on 'Once again this year I am in the After the laughter had died down, Tuesday, May 17, they had much of privileged position of being able to General Farrant spoke of the fourth which to be proud, much for which to be report on a year of great achievements. reason for the financial improvement— thankful, and while inflation still gave The lives of 1,049 people were saved by the one which could not be considered cause for concern, there was also much RNLI lifeboats last year and our crews not only maintained the standards of gratifying but which had been forced cause for encouragement. skill, of seamanship and courage to which upon the Institution. During 1976, The presentation of a gold medal for we have been accustomed, but in a although 10 new offshore lifeboats had conspicuous gallantry is as rare at it is number of instances can be said to have been launched, orders had been placed memorable. When the time came for gone far beyond the call of duty.' for only three new boats. In the long Acting Coxswain Keith Bower to go up run such a number of new boats in a on to the platform at the Festival Hall, After referring to some of the out- year would not be enough to maintain he was the first man to receive a gold standing services at sea and also to some a fully effective service. medal for ten years; only six have been of the technical achievements made awarded since the end of the second during the year, in radar and radio 'This', said General Farrant, 'is a world war, 32 years ago. 'My Lords, serious fact of which we are well aware. installations, in protective clothing, in We are therefore looking to new sources Ladies and Gentlemen', announced the conversion of lifeboats to give them Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chair- of income to increase our revenue and a self-righting capability and in the enable us to revert to a boat building man of the Institution, after he had reduction of noise levels, General programme which will fully meet our made the presentation, '/ have received Farrant turned to finance: requirements.' this message for Acting Coxswain Bower from our President, The Duke of Kent: 'I can also report very gratifying Mentioning discussions which were '/ have been greatly stirred by the achievements in the financial field, in being held with the General Council of account of the magnificent rescue carried which I know you are all interested, as a British Shipping, the insurance and oil out by the Torbay lifeboat last December. result of which it has been possible to industries and the American lifeboat The courage and heroism displayed by you begin to build up the RNLI's free reserves appeal as examples of such new sources and your crew were in the finest traditions by transferring £356,000 from revenue. of income, he continued: of the lifeboat service and I send you my The reasons which explain how this has warmest congratulations on the award of come about are fourfold, and three of "The RNLI has been hit by inflation as the Institution's gold medal.' these reasons give grounds for encourage- have all other organisations, and of ment. There was a large increase in the course private citizens in the country. And, as Keith Bower turned to join amount the RNLI received from legacies Our free reserves are still dangerously his crew—his brother, Stephen Bower, and special gifts. This is, above all, evi- low, amounting to only 13 weeks William Hunkin, Michael Mills, dence of the strength of the RNLI's expenditure at current levels—that is to Nicholas Davies, Richard Brown and greatest financial asset, the goodwill it say with the cost of things today and not John Dew—standing quietly by, every- enjoys among the public at large. as they will be tomorrow. All this must one rose, and that crowded hall Secondly, our fund-raising branches and give us cause for concern, but as I have reverberated with the warmth of their guilds excelled themselves; there was a tried to indicate we also have much cause steady increase in the number of members for encouragement. For this we are acclaim. It was a triumphant moment enrolled into Shoreline now totalling indebted to all of you in this room who few who were there will ever forget. 40,200 and corporate efforts made by are Governors of the Institution and to outside bodies to raise funds for the all those whom you represent in such a RNLI were quite outstanding. generous and public spirited manner.' "The third main cause for the financial Following the traditional pattern, the improvement was the level of economies Turning in more detail to the accounts day had begun with the annual general achieved by the Director and his staff. (summarised in the summer issue of meeting of governors in the morning at May I offer one rather remarkable THE LIFEBOAT) General Farrant drew which General Farrant had presented statistic for your consideration? The total number of lifeboats in the RNLI attention to the fact that assets had the annual report and accounts for risen by some £0.8 million in the year, 1976: fleet, offshore and inshore boats at their stations and those in the relief fleet, with both property and investments up 'Good morning and welcome . . . may amounts to 316. The total number of by some £0.4 million each. Income had 48 risen to £6.25 million, an increase of needed; at present several applications want to thank all those members of ou some 2-J per cent above the year's rate for ILBs were being considered. branches and guilds for the way in which, of inflation, but inevitably inflation had year after year, they continue to raise taken a heavy toll in expenditure, money for the lifeboat service, no matter which amounted to £5.9 million: The Festival Hall was crowded for what the financial difficulties of the the annual presentation of awards in the country may be. In the political field we 'Operational expenses have risen by afternoon, when General Farrant hear today much about devolution. In some 20 per cent to reach £3.1 million, the RNLI we have, and have long had, opened proceedings with a look back an exemplary form of devolution of with maintenance charges, of course, at 1976: particularly heavy. The effects of this have powers. Our station branches and our fund-raising branches and guiJds are been offset by the pause in the building 'Though some may recall a drought, programme and savings in administration largely autonomous, able, willing and others will recall day after day of cloud- authorised to conduct their own affairs. and fund raising in comparison with less skies and sumhine. In this country national inflationary trends—administra- The Committee of Management is con- we are used, climatically, to paying later cerned with policy and the permanent tion for example has risen by only 4 per lor our pleasures and, sure enough, the cent compared with the national inflation staff provide the continuity, professional golden summer of 1976 was followed by skills and guidance which help to support rate of 16.5 per cent. Congratulations to many severe gales in the autumn and the Director and staff. the structure. It is, 1 am sure, because of early winter. At times lifeboats of the this system, and also because of the nature 'Thus the objective of the transfer to RNLI were called out in winds of hurri- reserves in respect of the year's workings of the cause we serve, that the RNLI cane force. Accounts of some of these enjoys such strength and wide support.' of £0.35 million, which is what we hoped services will be read to you later. One of to achieve in consultation with our them was so exceptional that it led to the General Farrant then paid tribute to funding committee, has been achieved award of a gold medal. the magnificent efforts of other volun- despite the intense pressure on our 'World War Two ended in Europe 32 tary associations which had made it resources during the year. We are there- years ago; during those 32 years lifeboats possible for the RNLI to obtain new fore, I believe, continuing our policy of of the RNLI have been called out well fleet modernisation with a return to a boats: the Scout Association, the Round over 43,000 times and have saved more Table and the Manchester Unity of normal rate of building whilst still main- than 27,600 lives. Of all those services, taining, or improving, the level of free only six have led to the award of a gold Oddfellows: reserves.' medal. That is some measure of its rarity. "Then, most appropriately, a lifeboat The earlier recipients of the gold medal bearing the name Silver Jubilee has been General Farrant concluded by pro- were Coxswain Thomas King of Jersey; provided by the contributions of our posing that the annual report and Coxswain Richard Evans of Moelfre, unfailing supporters, the members of the accounts for 1976 be adopted. The who won it twice; Coxswain Hubert Civil Service and Post Office Lifeboat proposition was seconded by Mr Petit of St Peter Port, Guernsey; and a Fund . . . Maldwin Drummond and carried former lifeboat inspector, Harold Harvey. 'I am pleased to announce that as part unanimously. Now this distinguished band is joined by of the Silver Jubilee celebrations a life- Elections followed: of the President, Second Coxswain Keith Bower of Torbay. boat will be named Duke of Kent in HRH The Duke of Kent; of the Vice- 'When you hear later this afternoon honour of our President and of our life- the accounts of some of the services boat crews and voluntary workers. This Presidents; of the Treasurer, the Duke carried out by our lifeboat crews you lifeboat will be stationed at Eastbourne.' of Northumberland, and Deputy may even wonder how it was that in Treasurer, David Acland; and of other those conditions our boats and crews Promises of help to meet the cost of members of the Committee of Manage- managed to come through with their new lifeboats had come from the ment. Price Waterhouse were re- lives. The truth is, of course, that the shipping and oil industries, and also appointed as auditors. possibility of a disaster was there. Indeed from abroad: during one service last December we came very near to losing the crew of the 'We are very fortunate in the fact that Discussion then became more general, to mark the mutual goodwill shown at and among a number of matters raised Padstow lifeboat due to the force of the sea. The wheelhouse was seriously the time of the celebrations of the bi- was the use of an ex-lifeboat for fund damaged, the coxswain was concussed centenary of the American Declaration of raising on the Thames and the naming and temporarily blinded, yet Second Independence a number of prominent of inshore lifeboats. Coxswain Trevor England succeeded in citizens in the United States came On the subject of whether a copy of bringing back the boat to her station, together and decided the best way of the annual report and accounts should where she was made ready for action with expressing their feelings in a tangible be sent out to all governors auto- remarkable speed.' form would be to provide a new lifeboat for the RNLI. A committee was therefore matically, the Chairman recalled that it formed including many of the leading had been agreed at the last AGM that, The gold medal service at Torbay and Americans in this country, and when I as a matter of economy, they should a silver medal service at Weymouth point out that on the British side the only be sent to those who asked for had both been carried out by the new committee includes two former Prime them: it was not just a question of Arun class of boat, the prototype of Ministers, the Chief of Defence Staff, extra postage but of extra costs for which had been designed by J. A. a number of leading industrialists, sev- printing and envelopes as well. It was McLachlan of G. L. Watson and Co. eral ambassadors or former ambassadors also mentioned that while copies of the and a vice-chancellor of a university, bye-laws of the Institution are not sent 'When we began the planning and you will have some impression of the goodwill this new project commands.' out to every governor, they are available design of this new class of lifeboat we from headquarters on request. were conscious of the long-standing In his summing up, General Farrant need of greater speed. The essence of our emphasised that, notwithstanding the One questioner asked how much problem was to combine the additional money an area needed to raise before it speed with those qualities which are splendid efforts of all the thousands of could have a lifeboat or ILB station. traditional to the lifeboat, stability and people to whom he had referred, more Admiral Hezlet, Chairman of the Search seaworthiness, as well as a self-righting money was still needed, and that the and Rescue Committee, explained that capability. I think you will agree that the pause in boat building could only be a funds had to be deployed to save the latest achievement of these new boats temporary one if the voluntary crews most lives, and the problem of where indicates that we have attained some of the Institution were to be provided lifeboats should be stationed had to be measure of success in solving this with all that they require and deserve: studied with extreme care; if financial problem. . . . 'That it has been possible to provide "This is an indication of the challenge considerations were allowed to govern our lifeboat crews with these new Aruns which we face and shall continue to face. planning there would be a distorted and other lifeboats has, of course, been I am confident that with the calibre of distribution of lifeboats and they would due to the efforts of our voluntary the people we have working for the not necessarily be where they were most supporters everywhere. In particular I RNLI we can meet with success.' 49 Roberts fell to the beach, but managed to climb back again to bring the boy down safely. Coxswain Ronald Hardy, Swanage: bar to his bronze medal Second Coxswain/Mechanic Victor Marsh, Swanage: bronze medal At 1300 on October 14,1976, Swanage lifeboat /. Reginald Corah launched in a storm force 10 wind and very rough sea to take over the tow of the French yacht Campscharles from a Russian Medallists of 1976: (I. to trawler. The two yachtsmen from the r., back row first) Joseph casualty were on board the trawler, so Jordan, Frank Hendy, Coxswain Ronald Hardy brought the Alan Blair, Ronald Hardy, lifeboat alongside to take them off. Victor Marsh, Glyn When the tow lines were cast off, one of Roberts, Stephen Whittle, them fouled the lifeboat's rudder and Thomas Knott, Charles starboard propeller. The rudder was Begg, Peter King, Christopher Smith, John soon cleared, but both engines had to Street, Richard Robinson, be stopped while Second Coxswain/ Victor Pitman, William Mechanic Victor Marsh, despite the Jones, William Hunkin, violent motion and appalling conditions, Michael Mills, John Dew, tried to clear the propeller. Coxswain Keith Bower, Stephen Hardy decided to close the drifting ^ Bower, Nicholas Davies, yacht using the port engine only, a crew Richard Brown. member was transferred and a tow line secured. His speech concluded, General At 0300 on July 9, 1976, Dunmore Farrant then presented the awards for East lifeboat St Patrick set out to the Crew Member Alan Blair, Aberystwyth: gallantry. Coxswain Robert Allen was help of an 18' open boat wrecked near bronze medal unable to be there to receive his medal. Falskirt Rock. The wind was fresh force MFV Western Seas, cover for Aberyst- 5, with driving rain and a heavy swell wyth ILB while the latter was tempor- Crew Members Peter King, Christopher breaking on the rock. The search and arily off service, set off at 1153 on Smith and John Street, Calshot: approach to the casualty were made February 22, 1976, to help a motor bronze medal difficult by the large number of salmon cruiser capsized in heavy surf near the During the evening of January 29, nets and lobster pots in the area. harbour entrance; Crew Member Alan 1976, a report was received that the Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle Blair volunteered to swim on a line to Hamble rescue boat had gone aground brought the lifeboat into the very narrow attempt an underwater search to see if in the marsh area of Ashmore Creek and shallow inner channel. A buoy was anyone was trapped underneath. while trying to take off an injured man thrown to one survivor and he was from a yacht aground in the same area. hauled on board the lifeboat before she Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas Knott, At 2220 Calshot lifeboat Ernest William had to go rapidly astern from the rocky Lowestoft: bar to his bronze medal and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde set out towing shore. No sign of the other crew member Michael Knott: framed letter of apprecia- her 16' boarding boat. The wind was was found in a five-hour search. tion gale force 9 and the air temperature sub Pilot cutter coxswain, Michael Knott, zero. Using the boarding boat Crew Crew Member John Dew, Torbay: was in Lowestoft Bridge Control station Members Peter King, Christopher Smith bronze medal when, at 0825 on August 16, 1976, a and John Street took off and landed the Torbay lifeboat Princess Alexandra of radio message was heard that the yachtsman. After a further search the Kent launched at 1441 on August 23, harbour tug Barkis had overturned. He Hamble rescue boat was sighted some 1976, to help survivors from a wrecked ran to his 16 knot cutter and, with his 300 yards from the main channel. speed boat in Forest Cove. A fresh father, Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas Taking it in turns, the three crew breeze was producing rough seas in the Knott as crew, immediately put to sea. members dragged the boarding boat cove where six adults, eight children and Three of the tug's crew were saved. through the marsh and brought the two a dog were stranded. Crew Member Although Coxswain Knott entered the survivors back to the lifeboat. John Dew volunteered to swim ashore sea in the attempt, it was not possible with a line. Pairing one adult with a to save a fourth man. Acting Coxswain Charles Begg, Aber- child in the breeches buoy, swimming deen: bronze medal alongside them to the lifeboat and then Frank Hendy: bronze medal At 1845 on March 12,1976, Aberdeen returning to the beach, John Dew Passing inside the buoys marking the lifeboat Ramsey Dyce set out to the help brought off all the survivors in seven rocks off the end of Howth East Pier of MFV Karemma, broken down in exhausting trips through the surf. on the evening of August 28, 1976, a Aberdeen Bay. The wind was force 7 32' yacht grounded heavily. Frank with very heavy seas. Karemma was Crew Member Glyn Roberts, Porth- Hendy, formerly a Howth lifeboat drifting towards the beach and a tug dinllaen: bronze medal motor mechanic, and Tony Brown put had already been damaged in an At 2315 on August 31, 1976, Porth- out in Howth YC 18' launch. A force 6 unsuccessful attempt to take her in tow. dinllaen lifeboat Charles Henry Ashley wind was causing a very heavy and Acting Coxswain Charles Begg had to set out, towing a boarding boat, to go confused sea on the rocks but Frank take the lifeboat alongside through to the help of a boy trapped about 80' Hendy took the launch alongside the steep, rolling seas three times to take off up on the cliff at Porth-y-Nant. Crew yacht and Tony Brown boarded her to the casualty's crew of five. Member Glyn Roberts was landed. He hoist sail so that she would lay over thus climbed the near vertical cliff and reducing her draught. Both boats were Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle, persuaded the boy to climb down; when bumping badly, but the launch managed Dunmore East: bar to his bronze medal about 30' from the bottom Glyn to tow the yacht clear and into harbour. 50 Joseph Jordan: bronze medal badly damaged and with fuel running inexhaustible. There can hardly be any- On the evening of September 25,1976, low. HMS Ariadne was escorting the body in the United Kingdom who has two duck shooters walked out on a yacht, but the frigate was unable to been more interested and thrilled with shingle track across Stiffkey Marsh. manoeuvre to take anyone off in the the history and records of the RNLI than When fog reduced visibility and they prevailing conditions. The wind was I have been since a boy, for I have had a great interest in the RNLI through my tried to return to the mainland they storm force 10 increasing to hurricane family connections with Arbroath, a became lost; the tide was rising to the force 12 against a 3 knot tide, and the shipping and industrial borough on the forecast danger level. With water up to lifeboat was thrown over almost on to east coast of Scotland, who have had a their chests, they signalled with torch her beam ends several times. Despite long association with the lifeboat service and shot gun. Joseph Jordan, a warden the difficulty and danger, a line was and its dramatic history.' on the nature reserve who knew the area successfully passed at the third attempt well, was alerted and felt his way along and Acting Coxswain Victor Pitman It was, in fact, Lord Inchcape said, the now submerged path to board an skilfully manoeuvred to begin the tow as a result of the wrecks on Bell of 11' dinghy. After a difficult row, back to Weymouth. Wave heights Inchcape Rock, as well as all along the taking 25 minutes each way, he brought during this operation were up to 50 feet Angus and Kincardine coasts, in the the two men back and led them along and at times the yacht disappeared from tremendous storm of 1799, that the people of Arbroath and Montrose the submerged path to safety. view, even though a light was burning at the top of her mast. joined forces in 1803 to establish the Coxswain William Jones, Holyhead: first lifeboat in that area. He recalled the two major disasters at Arbroath: silver medal Acting Coxswain Keith Bower, Torbay: At 1329 on September 11, 1976, gold medal '... the first in 1925, when I was a boy, Holyhead lifeboat St Cybi (Civil Service Motor Mechanic Stephen Bower, Assis- but the second in more recent years when No. 9) launched to assist a yacht with tant Mechanic William Hunkin and in October 1953 six of the seven crew her sails blown out and without power Crew Members Michael Mills, were drowned. And I well remember 23 miles south west of Skerries Light- Nicholas Davies and Richard Brown, what a terrible effect this had on the house. The wind was force 9 to 10 with town where there was hardly a family of Torbay: bronze medal the so many fishing families who had not very rough seas and heavy rain. A Crew Member John Dew, Torbay: bar lost a relative in this disaster. The tale is merchant vessel had already tried to put to his bronze medal still told of how the sole survivor after a line on board and take off the crew of On December 6, 1976, Torbay life- being detained for a day or two in the four. As, in winds gusting to force 11, boat Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. local infirmary called on the way home the lifeboat approached, a line streamed 37) launched at 0115 to help motor at the honorary secretary's office to sign from the yacht fouled the lifeboat's port vessel Lyrma, six miles off Start Point, on for the next crew. That is the tradition propeller. Coxswain William Jones made listing heavily to starboard with her of the service . . . an approach on one engine. The crew steering gear out of action. The wind 'The traditional resolution which you were taken off, and the return have asked me to move is indeed some- was force 9 to 10 increasing to force 11 thing rather special, coming as it does passage begun. Following the report of a and the lifeboat encountered head on year by year on this great occasion which red flare, a search close inshore was seas of up to 40 feet. Attempts to take is, I suppose, the culmination of your made for about 90 minutes, but nothing off the survivors by helicopter proved Institution's work throughout the year, was found, and the lifeboat finally impossible, so Acting Coxswain Keith whether on land or at sea. The terms of reached harbour after nine hours in Bower closed the casualty's starboard the resolution are indeed somewhat storm force winds. quarter. Four survivors were safely moving in their simplicity and yet in their taken off on the first five approaches. deep significance . . .Its twin themes of Coxswain Robert Allen, Whitby: silver As the lifeboat came alongside for the service, whether ashore or afloat, and of medal voluntary effort, are themes which run sixth approach Lyrma rolled heavily to very deeply in this country, and long may Helmsman Richard Robinson, Whitby: starboard, crushing most of the life- bronze medal they remain so. For they do really count, boat's port guardrail and sending the and we would be a different and a very At 0326 on September 30, 1976, two men forward leaping to safety. The much poorer country in the real sense of Whitby offshore lifeboat William and lifeboat was trapped momentarily under that word if this resolution were to cease, Mary Durham launched to help MFV Lyrnufs gunwales and a ship's boat in for some reason or another, to be Admiral Van Tromp aground under the its davits swung within a few feet of appropriate. cliff. There was a heavy onshore swell Acting Coxswain Bower and another 'Whether we are in the shipping industry, or whether we are in the lifeboat and fog reduced visibility making it crew member on the upper deck. impossible to see the build up at sea. services, the element which unites us all However, two more survivors were is that of the sea. It is a hard master to The MFV was heeled to port, being taken off and with both engines going swept by heavy breaking seas. Three serve and indeed Conrad referred again full astern the lifeboat manoeuvred and again to what he described as "the attempts were made by the lifeboat to clear. Another man was taken off on the implacable hostility of the sea". To face take off the survivors, without success, seventh run in, the captain was taken that, day after day and year after year, and enormous seas breaking over her aboard on the ninth, and the last two imposes a discipline . . . Certainly it calls caused injuries to two crew members. men were picked up from a liferaft. up the very highest qualities in a man By daylight two survivors had been when needs be—and needs must all too recovered ashore, two men were missing often be, as the record of today's gallantry General Farrant then introduced The awards demonstrates all too clearly. and one was seen on a rock in danger of Right Honourable The Earl of Inchcape, being washed away. 'And this is the common bond between Chairman of the Peninsular and Oriental the Merchant Navy and the lifeboat In the meantime, Whitby ILB had Steam Navigation Company and Presi- service. The feats of seamanship and the been launched and was on the scene. dent of the General Council of British devotion, skill and courage in the face of Helmsman Richard Robinson drove Shipping, and called upon him to move the perils of the sea of the one service on to the rock at full speed and the the Resolution. can be matched in the other. So, too, man was hauled on board safely. can the needs.' Acting Coxswain Victor Pitman, Wey- 'To be asked to be the guest speaker Lord Inchcape spoke of the shipping mouth: silver medal at the Royal National Life-boat Institu- industry's own charitable responsibility tion's Annual Presentation of Awards towards, in their old age, men who had On October 14, 1976, Weymouth meeting is a great honour', Lord Inchcape lifeboat Tony Vandervell launched at began, 'and I am proud to be associated devoted their lives to sea service, and 1728 in response to a distress call from in this way with a service whose name is he went on to say that people in the the yacht Latifa, off Portland Bill with rightly famous throughout the world sails, mast, main boom and rigging and where bravery of the service seems continued on page 64 51 The Scout HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN NAMES THE NEW HARTLEPOOL 44' WAVENEY LIFEBOAT WHFN HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chair- boat, their wives and families, the named Hartlepool's new 44' Waveney man of the RNLI, when accepting the station branch officials and supporters, lifeboat on Thursday, July 14, it was an lifeboat at Hartlepool on behalf of the lifeboat people from the immediate area historic moment for both the RNLI and Institution, recalled this great and and representing many inland fund- the Scout Association; for the RNLI generous effort, and recalled, too, the raising branches and guilds, and no it was the first time a reigning monarch outsize cheque four young Scouts had less than 1,500 Scouts, from all parts of had ever named a lifeboat at her own carried through the Royal Festival Hall the country; Guides were there, too, station, and for the Scout Association at the AGM of 1975 to present to our acting as stewards, for Hartlepool's ILB it was the crown of its efforts in its President, the Duke of Kent. is one of three Atlantic 21s donated to unique countrywide fund-raising cam- And now it was 1977, a year dedicated the lifeboat service by that organisation; paign, 'Operation Lifeboat'. by the Queen's own wish to youth. The and the music was played, appro- The story had begun back in 1974, Waveney lifeboat had been launched priately enough in an area where police when, to mark the 150th anniversary of from Bideford Shipyard, had completed and RNLI co-operation is close, by the the lifeboat service, the Scout Associa- her trials and had sailed to take up her Cleveland Constabulary Band. tion set out to fund a new offshore life- station, carrying among her crew on the Before the arrival of Her Majesty, boat by raising £100,000, at that time, last leg of the passage Michael Hegarty, the ceremony of handing over and before the onset of the worst of the patrol leader of the 55th Hartlepool acceptance of the lifeboat from the inflation, roughly the cost of a Waveney. Scout Group and a holder of the Chief Scout Association to the Institution, It was the first time that Scouts through- Scout award. Now, during her Silver and from the Institution into the safe out Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Jubilee visit to Hartlepool, Her Majesty, keeping of Hartlepool station, had been and England had combined on a united accompanied by HRH The Duke of completed. Welcoming all their guests, enterprise such as this. With seemingly Edinburgh, was coming down to Har- James E. Atkinson, chairman of the unbounded energy and enthusiasm they bour Terrace to honour the RNLI and branch, recalled the port's long history engaged in a great diversity of sponsored the Scout Association, to both of which of lifesaving and told of the station's activity, much of it taking place over one she is Patron, by performing the naming pride that once again there was an October weekend—and much of it in ceremony of the new lifeboat. offshore as well as an inshore lifeboat at itself performing a service to local com- A great gathering was waiting at the Hartlepool. munities. They not only reached their dockside to greet the royal visitors: Presenting the lifeboat to the RNLI, target, but passed it by more than £1,000. coxswain and crew, manning their new Sir William Gladstone, BT, The Chief 52 Scout, spoke of his Association's wish in form, was conducted by the Reverend the Duke to meet the wives of the crew to encourage young people to help Canon John R. Bullock, Rural Dean of then crew members themselves, with others by giving service, and of the Hartlepool, assisted by the Very Coxswain Robert Maiden at their head. RNLI as ''the most celebrated example Reverend Canon Patrick Lacey, Parish Back on shore again to meet the of giving service in the country'. He Priest of St Joseph's, Hartlepool, and chairman of the three local ladies' went on to make the point that in these the Reverend David Johnson, President guilds, Mrs Audrey Woore (Hartlepool, difficult days, those voluntary associa- of the Hartlepool and District Free Headland), Mrs Edith Derbyshire tions which are based on service and Church Federal Council. (Hartlepool, West) and Mrs Mary which work within a disciplined frame- Now came the time for Her Majesty Murdy (Seaton Carew), and for the work are growing stronger all the time: The Queen, escorted by General Farrant, presentation by Robert Maiden, son of associations like the Scouts—already to walk forward to the dais and name the coxswain, of the Institution's in the first six months of this year 19,000 the lifeboat The Scout. 'May God bless Jubilee tribute—a photographic record new Scouts had been enrolled—and the her and all who sail in her. . . .' Cham- commemorating occasions when mem- RNLI. ' Your crews are your spear- pagne breaking . . . cheers for Her bers of the Royal Family have been in- head', said Sir William. 'What splendid Majesty and for the lifeboat . . . The volved with the RNLI during the reign teams of happy people they are!' The Scout slips . . . 'On the Crest of the of HM The Queen. presentation of this lifeboat was, he Wave' from the band . . . And so it was time for Major-General concluded, one of the proudest moments While the boat was brought alongside Farrant and James Atkinson to take in Scout history. the quay and before the royal visitors their leave; time for everyone to wave When Captain Alexander Kirk, hono- were invited to inspect The Scout, there farewell to the Queen and the Duke; ary secretary of Hartlepool, accepted was an opportunity for the Queen and for the Royal Standard to be struck. the new Waveney lifeboat on behalf of the station, he extended an invitation to both Scouts and Guides to keep in . - touch with the station. To a fanfare by the trumpeters of the 13th Coventry Scout Band he presented a picture of the lifeboat to four Scouts. Up to that time, it must be admitted, the weather had not been all that could have been wished: it had been overcast with a cold north-east wind blowing off the sea. But, as the royal car approached, the sun broke through, bright and warm, matching the happi- ness and warmth of the waiting welcome. A fanfare from the Scout trumpeters, the Royal Standard was broken out above the platform, and HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh were (Above) Four Scouts, one each from Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the framed photo- escorted through a Scout guard of graph of The Scout which they had received from honour by General Farrant, who pre- Captain Kirk, and (above right) Robert Maiden, son sented Sir William Gladstone and one of the coxswain, presents to Her Majesty the Institu- Scout representing all the Scouts of the tion's Jubilee tribute. With them is Captain Nigel United Kingdom, Kenneth Anderson, a Dixon, Director of the RNLI. patrol leader, 14th Seaton Carew Scouts, who holds the Chief Scout's award. PHOTOGRAPHS The service of dedication, traditional BY COURTESY A royal inspection: on board with Her Majesty (I. to r.), Lieut.-Commander OF THE MAIL, Harry Teare, divisional inspector of lifeboats (NE), HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (hidden), Captain Alexander Kirk, Hartlepool honorary secretary, Commander HARTLEPOOL Bruce Cairns, Chief of Operations, Coxswain Robert Maiden and Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Institution. (Above) Mrs Pat Whittaker, district organising secretary (NE), presents to Her Majesty Mrs Audrey Woore, chairman, Hartlepool Headland ladies guild and (below) General Farrant presents Sir William Gladstone, The Chief Scout, and a Scout representing all UK Scouts. With them is James Atkinson, chairman, Hartlepool branch. 53 up, helped and cared for in a hundred Silver Jubilee Fleet Review and one ways by the host station. Colonel Philip Keymer, Calshot honor- ary secretary, is also warden of the HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II Calshot Activities Centre, and he made available accommodation and excellent INSPECTS HER SHIPS AND HER messing for all members of the RNLI contingent and also offered them the MARITIME PEOPLE run of all the Centre's facilities. Calshot crew room was handed over SPITHEAD, TUESDAY, JUNE 28: When her more distinguished band lining the rails to become not only the RNLI adminis- Majesty The Queen, aboard HMY of three small boats, waiting to pay trative and information office, but also Britannia, reviewed the Fleet as part of their homage to their Queen. its communications base (the crew the celebrations marking her Silver And never has there been such a moving temporarily into a caravan). Jubilee, three lifeboats of the Royal gathering of lifeboat crew members and Communications were of first import- National Life-boat Institution were supporters as there was at Calshot, the ance, not only because of organisational proud to take their place in company RNLI base for the event, in the days needs during the Review, but also with ships of the Royal Navy, ships from leading up to the Review. because, while taking part in the cere- Commonwealth and Foreign Navies, Preparations, in which the RNLI had monial of the day, the lifeboats still support ships and representatives of the taken its part, had of course begun retained their primary responsibilities. British Merchant Fleet and of such many months before. Now the time had The waters of Spithead, The Solent and other diverse maritime bodies as HM come for the fleet to assemble. By Southampton Water could be expected Coastguard and the Sail Training Friday, June 24, the ships of the Royal to be crowded with boats of all sorts and Association: some 180 vessels, ranging Navy were already anchored on their sizes and all search and rescue units right down from the aircraft carrier stations, with other contingents gradu- were ready for action, if need be. HMS Ark Royal. ally moving in to take up their positions. Calshot lifeboat was, in fact, to be The three lifeboats, on station at the It was that Friday afternoon that the called out on the night which followed western end of the Review lines and three lifeboats and their crews sailed in the Review, when hundreds of small just south of the eastern tip of The to Calshot with Lieut. Alan Tate, boats were making their way home in Brambles, were the 70' Clyde City of operational assistant to the Chief of the dark after the fireworks display. Bristol from Clovelly; the 52' Arun Operations, as officer in charge of the Lieut. Ernest Gough, aboard City of Joy and John Wade, completing her flotilla, Tom Nutman, DI (Scotland, Bristol, was in charge of communica- trials before going on station at Yar- North) in command of City of Bristol, tions and Les Vipond, inspector mobile mouth, Isle of Wight; and the 48' 6* Captain Roy Harding, trials officer, in training unit, was on board Joy and Oakley Mark II Charles Henry from command of Joy and John Wade, and John Wade. All boats kept continuous Selsey. Manned with crew members Lieut-Commander Michael Woodroffe, radio and visual watch during the day, from their home stations and members DI (South East), in command of Charles and the RNLI had its own 'domestic' of staff, their complements were aug- Henry. channel: apart from anything else, the mented for the traditional 'manning The three lifeboats were to be sup- event provided a first class opportunity and cheering ship' as Her Majesty ported afloat by Calshot lifeboat, the for concentrated practice in all forms of sailed past by 23 lifeboatmen who had 40' Keith Nelson Ernest William and communications afloat. come from all over Britain and Ireland Elizabeth Ellen Hinde, and by two When the three lifeboats arrived, a to take part, and who between them Atlantic 21s, for which crews were member of Calshot crew was there to hold three British Empire Medals and provided by Eastney and Lymington pilot them in to the CEGB dock at no less than 26 medals for gallantry—• ILB stations. They were to have the Calshot power station, where berths eight silver medals and 18 bronze—-as support ashore of helpers from head had kindly been provided, and bring the well as a number of other, lesser, office and the southern district office. crews back to the Centre by road. awards. Never can there have been a And, indeed, they were to be backed Saturday morning started with a general briefing, then it was 'all hands' The medallists: (I. to r.) Coxswain Derek Scott, BEM, The Mumbles; Coxswain William Jones, to the dock, to practise dressing overall Holyhead; Coxswain Griffiths Jones, Porthdinllaen; Coxswain Arthur Liddon, Dover; Second (the Navy would be performing all such Coxswain Peter Gibbons, Lowestoft; Former Second Coxswain Francis Taylor, DSM, Wells; operations with its usual quiet precision Coxswain Jack Leslie, Longhope; Second Coxswain Vic Pitman, Weymouth; Helmsman and the RNLI must not fall short of the William Hawkins, Eastney; Coxswain Ron Hardy, Swanage; Crew Member Alan Blair, required perfection) and 'clean ship', Aberystwyth; Second Coxswain/Mechanic Bartley Mullin, Galway Bay; Motor Mechanic with everyone taking a share of washing George Harrison, BEM, Lytham St Anne's; Helmsman Edward Brown (aft), New Brighton; down paintwork and polishing brass Helmsman William Shearer, Berwick-upon-Tweed; Coxswain George Leith, Lerwick; Second CoxswainjMechanic Gilbert Chambers, BEM, Portrush; Coxswain John Dare, Plymouth; fittings, before the main activity of the Coxswain Albert Brown, Workington; Crew Members John Street, Calshot, Jack Barratt, day began. Walton and Frinton, and Peter King and Christopher Smith, Calshot. Coxswain David Kennett, On both Saturday and Sunday after- Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, was already embarked in Joy and John'Wade. noons the whole RNLI contingent, City of Bristol, Joy and John Wade, Charles Henry, Ernest William and Elizabeth Ellen Hinde and the two Atlantic 21 ILBs, set out in line astern on a cruise around the fleet, showing the flag. And what a splendid progression it was! Each of the offshore boats was allowed to embark 12 passengers, the numbers being made up of members of the Committee of Management, representa- tive fund-raisers from all areas, lifeboat enthusiasts, senior members of staff and one or two more junior members lucky enough to have drawn a place; so the boats, with their passengers and crews, 54 formed a complete microcosm of the Institution's life. With their dark blue hulls, orange superstructures and dis- tinctive ensigns, and with the attendant, vivacious ILBs, the lifeboats formed a colourful flotilla passing between the lines of grey warships, and they attracted -t« I a great deal of friendly attention in the •*• holiday atmosphere of those June afternoons when all the world and his .. >»'; 8J wife were, it seemed, afloat. On Sunday, as close an approach as possible was made to Southsea front, in support of that town's flag day. While the lifeboat flotilla was at sea on Sunday afternoon, the medallists were beginning to muster at Calshot; excitement was building up, and so was the pure pleasure of the occasion. The (Above) Three cheers for Her Majesty as Britannia passes Joy and John Wade. (Left) Charles Henry, City of Bristol and Joy and John Wade cruise through the fleet. photograph by courtesy of Samuel Tanner to dock, leaving the Clyde on station. At 2200 a wave of light swept over the water: the Fleet was illuminated. For the crew of City of Bristol, out on the water in the quiet of the night, among these magical lights, it was a profound experience, and one of their number, meeting of old, perhaps distant, friends; unnatural and, so, hard to remember; Basil Adams, recorded the moment the exchange of news; the opportunity before the next practice his pals had thus: to mull over those all-absorbing topics drawn a large arrow and fitted it into the raised by lifeboats and the sea; the fun; inside of his cap! Quiet on the anchor watch, the laughter. That morning, too, there was the Naught our thoughts to disturb, Monday was the day for the full scale pleasure of seeing the Fleet Air Arm We lay at peace amongst the lights, rehearsal of the Review, but without, of Fly Past rehearsal, postponed from Part of this fairy tale world. course, Britannia. Before then, however, Saturday because of bad weather; a there had to be as much practice as could most impressive display of helicopters, Tomorrow she comes, our Queen so fair, be fitted in both ashore and afloat of including, of course, the RNLI's friends, To view her ships and men. the drill for 'man and cheer ship'. Once Wessex and Sea Kings, followed by the All around the shores will sound again, the RNLI was determined to fixed wing fly past in the formation of To the cheers of scores and ten. match naval smartness. Alan Tate, in an ER and an anchor; it was sad that We are doing what others have done command, would be giving the necessary Her Majesty was not to see the latter, So many times before, orders over the RNLI's 'domestic' but this flight of high speed jets was And let's hope will do again channel, so that all three lifeboats would made impossible by the very low cloud Before the final score. salute the Queen in unison. Well, the which had settled in again by late practice of this unaccustomed drill had Tuesday afternoon. Back on shore, younger members of its moments, too. One left-handed All went well on Monday afternoon's the party wiled away the early hours of lifeboatman found the clockwise circle rehearsal, and after it was over the Arun the evening trying their hand at archery of the cap which accompanies each cheer and Oakley Mark II returned once again or playing tennis and badminton on the Activities Centre's indoor courts, Calshot base from Coastguard tower: City of Bristol and Joy and John Wade alongside. marked out in the enormous hangars ^^^^H^^^IH^HIIBI^I^HIIIHHU^^HHH first built in 1918 and in which have since been housed all types of RAF sea- planes, including the Schneider Trophy High Speed Flight. Gradually, as the evening advanced, everyone began to gather in the clubroom. And then one of the Welsh medallists started, quietly, to sing . . . the 'baton' was passed from group to group until full-hearted songs were raising those lofty hangar roofs! By 0900 next morning the Arun and Oakley Mark II were back at anchor in the Review lines, and all three lifeboats dressed overall, lying in company with HM Coastguard's Miranda, with sail continued on page 57 55 Island Aruns NAMING CEREMONIES AT PORT ST MARY, ISLE OF MAN, JULY 21 AND YARMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGHT, JULY 24 A LIFEBOAT NAMING CEREMONY is always and service of dedication, the curve of President of the Institution, of the new a happy occasion for a station, its the harbour road providing an ideal 52' Arun, Joy and John Wade, the sixth supporters, and, indeed, the whole local vantage point. Among those there to see lifeboat to be stationed at Yarmouth, community, but that at Port St Mary, the naming were J. A. McLachlan, Isle of Wight. It was, as Admiral Sir Isle of Man, had a particularly pleasur- designer of the original prototype Arun Manley Power, chairman of Yarmouth able aspect. For while the RNLI has hull, and Stirling Whorlow, former branch, pointed out in his welcoming many lifeboats named after individuals Secretary of the RNLI. For the special speech, just 51 years and two days since who have donated them, it is not so guests there were excellent tiered seats, the first Yarmouth lifeboat had been usual for the donor to be present normally used for TT races. The new named by the Duke's uncle, the then actually to perform the ceremony. lifeboat is not short of speed herself, Prince of Wales. Happily, this was the case when Mrs and Mrs Ritchie can have been left with Yarmouth was en fete: flags and Anne Ritchie named The Gough Ritchie, little doubt of the gratitude of Port St bunting chattered in the breeze above a Gough being her maiden name. The Mary station, as symbolised by the gift quay crowded with lifeboat supporters new lifeboat is of the 54' Arun class, and to her of a glass decanter engraved with and holidaymakers; the harbour itself will doubtless play a major role in a picture of the lifeboat; it was presented was packed with yachts and motorboats search and rescue in the Irish Sea. by Helen Quillin, daughter of Coxswain/ dressed overall, with fishing boats and Mrs Ritchie has been a good friend Mechanic Norman Quillin. Later, a dinghies, all fully manned with sailing to the lifeboat service, having previously crew member informally gave Mrs people there to wish the new lifeboat donated James Ball Ritchie, the 37' Ritchie a bottle of champagne: 'This is well. Lymington Atlantic 21 was in Oakley lifeboat stationed at Ramsey, one we didn't break', he explained. attendance (and was to carry out a where she lives. During the ceremony * * * service, towing in a yacht, before the the RNLI's chairman, Major-General After a boisterous night and wet ceremony had ended); there was merry Ralph Farrant, announced that she has start to the day, the sun came out late music from the Royal Marine Band to been made an honorary life governor of on July 24 to give a perfect summer match the prevailing mood; and an the Institution. Sunday evening for the naming cere- RNLI flag could even be seen flying in A large crowd watched the ceremony mony by HRH The Duke of Kent, benediction from the distant Church tower. For Yarmouth crew, and for the life- boat herself, moored bow on to the Port St Mary: Mrs A. A. quay, it was indeed proving a memor- Ritchie names The able 24 hours. During the previous Gough Ritchie. With night, unexpectedly windy, Joy and her (front row, I. to r.) John Wade had performed her first Major - General Ralph services since coming on station; she Farrant, Chairman, had been called out no fewer than three RNLI, The Bishop of Sodor and Man, Bryan times and had been at sea for ten hours. Doughty, chairman, Three times, the night before her Port St Mary branch, naming ceremony—'This', said His and John Hudson, hon- Royal Highness, when congratulating orary secretary. The the crew, 'certainly constitutes a new harbour (below) made a record for the RNLI.' fine background for the The first call, to a yacht with a broken rudder off St Catherine's Point, had come at 2115; 21 minutes after the Mrs Ritchie, now an honorary life governor of the Institution, is welcomed aboard The Gough Ritchie, the second Isle of Man life- boat she has donated, by Coxswain Norman Quillin. maun* i >***- * ••?- j\"lk *^A _^«' ' ^>dL ."* _ "•*•••• -.. „ . Xrf J^ 56 Arun had slipped her moorings, on the first of the ebb, she was passing the Needles. It would have taken a con- ventional lifeboat about 50 minutes. 'That is the whole point,'' commented Leslie W. Noton, the honorary secre- tary, when formally accepting the boat on behalf of the branch. Having towed in the damaged yacht, the lifeboat was called eastward to another yacht, aground on Gurnard Ledge (two child- ren were taken off, the adults remaining on board to tend the yacht), and then westward again to investigate distress flares sighted off Atherfield Ledge. The station was delighted with the boat's performance in the rough weather and Yarmouth: After naming Joy and John Wade appeal and a number of generous (above), the Duke of Kent went afloat in the bequests. John Wade was there himself, lifeboat and is seen (below) on the flying with his wife, to hand over the lifeboat bridge with Coxswain David Kennett. (Left) to the RNLI on behalf of the Founda- Coxswain Kennett and Second Coxswain/ Mechanic Richard Whibley are presented to tion, remembering the times he used to Earl Mountbatten. come in to Yarmouth as a yachtsman. Present, too, were Major-General R. A. Pigot, who had launched the Yarmouth appeal, and many representatives of the Island people and their friends from the with how much service her speed had mainland who had worked so hard to made possible in the time. pass their target of £50,000 towards the Joy and John Wade was, however, cost of the boat. back on station, once more shining and Cheers for the Duke, after the service bright, when the Duke, together with of dedication and the naming of Joy another welcome visitor, Admiral of the and John Wade, reverberated all round Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the harbour; the lifeboat turned three Governor and Lord Lieutenant of the times in her own length (and that, Isle of Wight, and Patron of the Yar- indeed, was pretty well all the room she mouth Lifeboat Appeal, arrived on foot had in that crowded harbour!) and from the Royal Solent Yacht Club, then, the Duke and Earl embarking, she where there had been a brief reception. set off for the sparkling Solent to Unfortunately, HRH The Duchess of and took back to her its greetings. renewed cheers, joyous music struck up Kent was unable to come, but the Duke The new lifeboat had been provided by the band and a grand fanfare of brought her good wishes to the station by the Wade Foundation, the Yarmouth hooters. standing tradition, was approaching. Henry. From the Lord High Admiral: Jubilee Review The lifeboatmen manning the ship '// gave me great pleasure to review all (continuedfrom page 55) raised their caps . . . 'Three cheers for these ships assembled at Spithead today Her Majesty The Queen' . . . the three for my Silver Jubilee Review and to ensigns were lowered . . . and, as she receive the salute of the Fleet Air Arm. I training ships Royalist, Sir Winston passed the lifeboats, the royal yacht's was deeply impressed by the splendid sight Churchill and Malcolm Miller, with ensign was dipped in reply. Perfect. of all the vessels in their lines. The smart merchant ships to the south and naval When, at the end of the Review, the appearance of the ships and their com- ships stretching away into the distant message came from the Queen, Lord panies and the precision of the flypast were east. All morning a steady stream was High Admiral of the Fleet, to splice-the in the finest traditions of the sea. I send my congratulations to all who planned and sailing past Calshot as little boats made main brace, it was found that suitable took part in the Review. The Duke of their way to the public anchorages, and provision had been made by the senior Edinburgh joins me in sending our best even the Isle of Wight ferries, as they members on board. Mrs Georgina wishes to you all as you disperse.' plied to and fro, were dressed overall. Keen, embarked in City of Bristol, had From the Commander-in-Chief of the Calshot lifeboat ferried out to the brought strawberries and cream for three lifeboats first the medallists and everyone as well, and the crew had so Fleet: then the members of the Committee of enjoyed having her with them that they ' Your presence at our Queen's Jubilee Management and senior officials who gave her the boat's chart of the Review Review has very successfully shown the were to be aboard. By 1330, when the area, signed by every one of them, as a wide spectrum of our country's maritime Review area closed, all was ready. memento. interests. Thank you for helping to make this such a memorable occasion.' The time had come. Britannia with The time had come to disperse. Back Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal to Calshot. Then, one after another, But perhaps the last word should be Highness Prince Philip, their children waving farewell to people and boats as given to the medallists: and other members of the Royal Family rain settled in for the evening. 'It's been marvellous', said one. 7 hope aboard, preceded by Trinity House There were messages for City of I meet all these boys again . . . couldn't we Vessel Patricia, in accordance with long- Bristol, Joy and John Wade, and Charles do this every year ? . . ' 57 (Some Knaresborough ladies' guild, by kind permission of their chairman, Mrs Mary Thornton and her husband Tony, held a most successful gymkhana on Sunday, May 8, at Gibbet Farm which raised £563 for the lifeboat service. The guild's annual Gymkhana, starting six years ago as a little meeting for children, has snowballed into one of the biggest events of its kind in the area; 200 horses and ponies from all over the North of England took part this year. During London lifeboat week 1977. Money Fairlop Junior School, Barkingside. Ilford, raised £427.94i; they sold £71.25i worth of souvenirs, collected £9.97 in their lifeboat box and held a An evening auction of antiques and sponsored swim which made £346.72. fine art at Bonham's Montpelier Galleries, Knightsbridge, on May 25, organised by the Central London Committee and conducted by Nicholas Bonham, raised nearly £6,000 for the lifeboat service. The first lot, A View of Windsor Castle, a print signed and 1 donated by HRH Prince Philip, was auctioned by the guest of honour, Ben Haslett (r.), a Shoreline member and steward of Guildford Corporation Club, Raymond Baxter. Among other welcome arranged a social evening for the RNLl last guests were Coxswain Derek Scott of November. The resulting cheque for £210 was The Mumbles and his wife and, as a presented to Sydney Gillingham (/.), assistant fitting end to a happy evening, Mrs Anne district organising secretary (SE), by Clive Wall presented them with a pair of life- Dunn. With the sale of souvenirs, the evening boat rescue scenes for which she had George Lamey (third from r.), holder of the made more than £300. bronze medal, who retired as coxswain in just made a successful bid; they were A hobbies evening was held in two of a set of six framed originals given 1955 after 26 years service at Clovelly, was February at the home of Mrs J. D. Neal, by Mobil Shipping. presented with a statuette for collecting £3,000 in four years with a collecting box at chairman of the Port of Liverpool ladies' the lookout. 'I never ask for a penny. I guild and president of Hoylake ladies' As part of its Jubilee celebrations, just put on a nice smile and say, "Thank you guild. Six hobbies were displayed— Ridgeway Middle School, Redditch, very much",' he explained. 'If they put in —nautical antiques, embroidery and two lOp pieces I add "indeed"!' With held a sponsored walk of 20 laps around Mr Lamey (I. to r.) are two of his former collage, N gauge model railways, dolls the school field to raise money for its crew members, Second Coxswain (later houses, clocks and bee-keeping. adopted lifeboat, Penlee, and the Silver Coxswain) Bill Braund and Motor Mechanic Questions were answered, a wine cup Jubilee Appeal. £670 was raised, of which Charles Shackson, and also Lieut. Andrew drunk, and there were raffles and a £400 was sent to Penlee branch. Young, assistant DOS (SW). competition. With two houses (6 to Marske Fisherman's Choir, founded simply to give pleasure to others, has made a second LP record in aid of the lifeboat service. The record, from the profits of which it is hoped to fund an inshore lifeboat, is available from A. M. Lloyd, AML Engineers (Teeside) Ltd., Longbeck Estate, Marske-by-the-Sea, Cleveland, price £1.99 including postage and packing. Another idea for Christmas? 58 8 pm and 8.30 to 10.30 pm) each limited to 100 people, it was a sell-out and £200 was raised by an event which gave great pleasure both to exhibitors and their audience. Among the latest efforts of Coventry ladies' guild were an Old Tyme Music Hall and an auction. The music hall raised £200; a master of ceremonies presided, local professional and amateur artists gave their services, a high proportion of the audience were in costume; it proved a very good evening. On June 22 the North On another occasion the sale by auction West District of the of pictures, Victorianaand miscellaneous Boys' Brigade presented items raised £350; a stereo recording of to Blackpool crew a the LSO Gala Concert with Edward cheque for £500 to go Heath and Andre Previn was given by towards Blackpool in- Mr Heath—he had signed and dated the shore lifeboat house. record sleeve. Frederick Burton, hono- rary secretary of the Third year pupils of Bridgewater station, is at right of picture, and Leslie School, Berkhamstead, were preparing a Fraser, assistant district project on the sea, and, to help them, organising secretary Mrs Mary Potter sent them some copies (NW), is immediately of THE LIFEBOAT. They decided to support behind the boy present- the RNLI as it seemed to them 'good ing the cheque. and worthwhile', and raised £43.07 by a number of events: a disco, tinfoil and newspaper collections (for which more Matthew Drury handing proceeds are to come), an egg painting over a cheque for £500 competition, a sponsored walk, an on behalf of pupils of Easter egg raffle and a jumble sale. Melbourn Village Col- lege to Pat Elbourn, Portsdown branch recently arranged honorary secretary of for M. A. Perry of Ryde, Isle of Wight, Royston and District to make a model of the new Yarmouth branch, and Brian Fitch, Arun lifeboat in a bottle to be used as a assistant district orga- prize in a draw, Tickets at 5p each were nising secretary (E). sold for several months and £117 was Pupils at MVC have raised. When the draw took place at raised about £1,000 over the last 3 years and Portcreek lifeboat fair Mrs Tull of intend to try for a record Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, was the winner. amount at this year's Royston annual spon- In the ten years since it was formed sored walk. Dringhouses ladies' guild has raised nearly £13,000. The Reverend John collections arranged at public places in A film was being made in and around Horton, husband of the guild secretary, York, and his figure of £21.22 in 1967 Bristol Cathedral, all shots being taken is one of the people who have given steadily rose each year until he achieved during the night. The caretaker in a enthusiastic support; he will personally £358.59 in 1976. On one occasion his nearby building complained to the film pass the £2,000 mark this year. Each rate of collection was £15 an hour in a company that they were disturbing his year he has taken part in various seven-hour stint. sleep, so they gave him £10 compensa- At Newquay, Cornwall, Jubilee Carnival members of the ladies' Kidderminster ladies' guild has held a nearly new sale for the last seven guild wore their new 'uniforms'—red pleated skirts, white polo years, and this year's shop, open for two weeks, brought in £1,650; sweaters and gloves, and navy blazers and hats trimmed with red, the guild officers and five members of the committee are seen on duty. white and blue ribbon; they were cheered all through the town. Everything is priced and hung and the windows are always well dressed Newquay branch and guild raised over £6,000 in 1976. and attractive. 59 (Right) One of 20 lifeboat models made by Jeff Morris and used in a number of displays and fund-raising events in the Coventry area. On Sunday, January 30, the models farmed the focal point of a lifeboat service at Radford Methodist Church and on Saturday, February 5, they were on display again during a Circuit Evening at the Methodist Hall, Coventry, the theme of which was 'Our Lifeboatmen'. (Above, left) Mrs Antonia Wallace Earl Spencer kindly allowed North- Heaton, honorary secretary of ampton ladies' guild to hold a wine and Kensington branch, with some of cheese evening at Althorpe House and her enthusiastic Royal Navy guests were taken on a tour of his price- helpers at the Ideal Home Exhibi- tion, Olympia, last spring. During less portrait gallery. In just two-and-a- the exhibition Navy crews collected half hours £1,100 was raised. £207.98 for the RNLI. Kensing- Ventnor and District branch raised ton's 1977 lifeboat week raised £2,759.22, a record for the branch. £258 for the Yarmouth lifeboat appeal last May with a sponsored tiddlywinks Comedian Frankie Howerd looks drive. Many children from youth on in amazement at Braunton organisations and schools in the area RNLI team competing in a Jubilee took part, successfully flipping the discs pond bailing competition in Barn- for 15 lengths or more of the Winter staple staged by Barnstaple Round Table. Some 14 sponsored teams Gardens, Ventnor. took part. Braunton bailed 25 gal- At Rhyl a group of children raised £5 lons in six hours with a thimble for lifeboat funds with a sale of old and on the end of a stick and raised unwanted toys. over £100 for the RNLI. Earlier this year trawlermen of Nearly £1,000 has been Skerries and Loughshinny presented a collected in just 18 months box offish per boat for auction at Dublin for Helston branch in Fish Market in aid of the RNLI. Twenty Cornwall Aero Park by boxes were donated and £500 raised. the RNLI display featur- ing a former Blue Peter At the Annual Festival of Public ILB. In recognition of School Masonic Lodges at Harrow in this outstanding contribu- May, the Master of the Old Harrovian tion, Mrs Dorothy Winfrey, president of Lodge, a Shoreline member, invited Helston branch (standing those present to devote their charity to under 'Aero') presented a the RNLI this year; £506 was raised plaque to the operators which it was suggested should be put of the park, Lieut.- towards the new Duke of Kent lifeboat. Commander and Mrs Douglas Hale (on her r). tion. This money he brought round to and at a chicken basket evening held a the RNLI south-western district office as Woodlands Hall, Edern, which realised a donation, explaining that all he wanted a profit of £63. was a good night's sleep! Orpington and District branch has St James' School, Whitehaven, a small taken part in a number of local events. primary school of only 180 children, At Oakley School Fete in May £120 was last year raised £275 with a sponsored raised for the RNLI; in June at Green spell. It repeated the event this year, Street Green Association Fete £60, and at raising £325 — a remarkable effort, RAF Biggin Hill Round Table Fete £58. speaking well both of the children's spelling and their enthusiasm! THE LIFEBOAT is packed up and dispatched by students On a beautiful spring evening in May of Poole Adult Training the ladies of Goosnargh and Whitting- Centre (left). Recently ham Women's Institute, with Mrs the Centre donated £30 Marguerite Dixon as leader, presented from its amenity fund to the RNLI and (above) a buffet dinner dance in Goosnargh Mrs J. Sykes, deputy Village Hall. A capacity crowd of 120 manager, presents the enjoyed a most pleasant occasion and cheque to Commander raised a fine £144.60 for the RNLI. E. F. Pritchard, RNLI appeals secretary. With Early in January Porthdinllaen crew them is R. J. Erbetta, members gave film shows at a young Manager of the Centre. Farmers Club meeting, after which a Another group of friends cheque for £5 was given to the branch, of the lifeboat services. Lifeboat People We are happy to announce that the following lifeboat people were awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee medals: Captain J. B. Leworthy (/.), Major General Ralph H. Farrant, CB, a member of the Committee Chairman, RNLI, L. A. Austin, chief of Management, and Com- personnel officer, RNLI, A. W. Neal, mander Peter Gladwin, chief deputy secretary (operations division), staff officer (operations), RNLI, S. W. Chambers, assistant formed the British dele- appeals secretary (publicity), RNLI, gation at the international S. J. Roberts, chief printer, RNLI, lifesaving festival organised Coxswain E. A. Moore, Newhaven by the Societe Inter- nationale de Sauvetage du lifeboat, Coxswain M. F. Leneghan, Lemon at Marges, Switzer- Newcastle lifeboat, Coxswain D. McKay; land, from July 1 to 3. Wick lifeboat, Second Coxswain R. H. Cann, Appledore lifeboat, D. Rowlands, branch), Mm G. M. G. Milburn, past lifeboat, since 1959. He was assistant head launcher, St David's lifeboat, Harrogate ladies' guild honorary sec- motor mechanic from 1948 to 1959. Coxswain G. C. Davidson, DSM, BEM, retary and donor of Whitby lifeboat, Kirkcudbright lifeboat, B. B.J.Bradford, Mm G. McCarter, honorary secretary, Lurgan financial branch, Mrs D. J. It is with deep regret that we announce motor mechanic, Exmouth lifeboat, the following deaths: W. T. Hunt, motor mechanic, Rhyl Wilkes, vice-president, Llandudno ladies' guild, Mrs E. Lyon, honorary April lifeboat, Coxswain Mechanic W. Milburn, Neil Stewart, BEM, coxswain of Wick Sunderland lifeboat, Miss G. M. Howey, secretary, Dundee ladies' guild, J. Rae, Stromness station branch. lifeboat from 1940 to 1970. He was honorary secretary, Bishops Stortford, awarded the bronze medal in 1942. financial branch, R. H. Sanders, shore Jeffrey Wright, coxswain of Fleet- attendant, Southend-on-Sea lifeboat, In the 1977 Birthday Honours, the wood lifeboat from 1933 to 1947 and Mrs C. Noyce, chairman, Andover following were awarded the British bowman from 1923 to 1933. He was financial branch, Mm /. A. James, Empire Medal: awarded the silver medal in 1941. honorary secretary, Paignton financial Robert Charles Brown: for services June and July branch, Mrs G. F. Newman, Hounslow to the fishing industry in Dorset. Robert Within a fortnight of each other in financial branch, W. L. Barber, chair- Brown was coxswain of Swanage life- late June and early July, Bev Edge, man, honorary secretary and founder boat from 1941 to 1966, second cox- honorary treasurer, and Wilfred of Stockport Auxiliary Crew (a financial swain from 1934 to 1941 and assistant Underwood, honorary secretary, both of motor mechanic from 1928 to 1934. He Ipswich and District branch; both had was awarded the bronze medal in 1934. given many years of unstinted service James Turpin: coxswain, Fowey to the Institution. Presentations and celebrations go together. . . . When Coxswain Edgar Moore (I.) of Newhaven retired after 16 years service, his station presented him with a model of Kathleen Mary made by Mr Osbourne and Mr Fox of Christchurch. Mrs P. Jacobs (below, left), president of Gourock ladies'1 guild, shows her Honorary Life Governor's vellum, presented to her at the Royal Festival Hall, to Sir Charles McGrigor, Convenor Scottish Lifeboat Council, Mrs Lyons and Mrs Mclnnes, two guild office bearers, and Mary Lloyd-Jones, organising secretary (Scotland). Sir Peter Compston, chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, presented a statuette to Lady Tollemache, president ofPetersfield and District branch (third and fourth from left) at a reception attended by Peter sfield Court of Sir William Jolliffe of the Ancient Order of Foresters. SERVICES AND LIVES SAVED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS January 1, 1977 to July 31, 1977: Services 1,368; lives saved 531 THE STATION FLEET (asat31A7/77) 133 offshore lifeboats 126 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer 49 inshore lifeboats operating in the winter LIVES RESCUED 102,653 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to July 31, 1977 61 success our supporters have had in children under the age of 18 can now encouraging their families and friends all join as one for a minimum sub- to join. If we continue as we are going, scription of £5. We hope that becoming our numbers should stand in the region part of Shoreline in this way will help of 45,000 by the end of the year. to stimulate the interest of the younger * * * generation, and running in conjunction On the home front, we have now satis- with this new family membership, we factorily completed the changeover from will be starting a small competition our old record system to our new 'on- for our younger members on the history line' computer. We did have some of the Institution. When the completed teething troubles in the beginning which papers are returned to us the children meant that some of our members will be given their own badge showing received renewal notices although they that they know what the Institution is Section had just paid their subscription. For all about and the type of work it under- this I must apologise; I can assure you takes. I sincerely hope that many of our IT is JUST A YEAR since I took over as that the problem has now been sorted young members will take part. membership secretary, and what an out and it should not happen again. * * * eventful year it has been. Apart from One great advantage of the new system May I now, please, ask for your the pleasure of making many new friends is that membership cards and receipts opinions? People have suggested to me, among our members, it has been most can now be sent off within a few days of and I think that it is a good idea, that encouraging to receive your numerous subscriptions being received, thus re- we should run a Shoreline rally each letters bringing news of the special ducing the administrative and postal year in a different part of the country. It events that you have been organising charges we have had to pay in the past. would give an opportunity for members, around the country to swell the funds for * * * wherever they live, to get to know each RNLB Shoreline. I have told you of one As you are probably aware, because other and so help encourage united or two such events already, now here is of inflation, we have had to increase friendship. We have our own ideas about another fine effort: J. A. Kent of insignia prices. We very much regret what form such a rally should take, but Whitstable and a friend undertook to that this step has become necessary as I would welcome your observations and tow two water skiers, John Gwynne and it had been a matter of pride that we ideas. We are thinking of running the Brian Niel, behind two separate boats had managed to hold the same prices first one next year, so, please, now is the from Seasalter to Margate and back. over four years. time to put pen to paper. John Gwynne achieved the 40 miles non- You will see that we have introduced a * * * stop, plus five miles for luck; Brian new tie tack into the range, which will Thank you all once again for your Niel had covered 30 miles before being sell at £1.00. This tie tack replaces the continuing interest and support and, checked by cramp. Of course they cuff links, which are being discontinued as by the time the winter issue appears waited for suitable weather before for the time being because a reasonable we shall be in the new year, may I, making the run. Their trip resulted in a quality article can only be obtained at a together with all the staff of the Shore- welcome cheque for £15 being sent to prohibitive cost. line office, wish you and your families a the Shoreline office. The picture on this * * * very happy Christmas.—PETER HOLNESS, page shows Mr Kent in his boat, Now, another welcome innovation: membership secretary, RNLI, West Quay Sundowner, proudly flying the Shoreline we are starting a family membership, Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ (Tel. flag. Well done, chaps! Thank you. which means that husband, wife and Poole 71133). While we are on the subject of the Shoreline appeal, I am pleased to announce that our target is coming within our sights: the figure is standing at about £80,000, a truly magnificent effort. Well done to all of you. Another pleasing aspect of the Shore- line appeal is the way in which member- Sundowner flying her Shore- ship is growing, mainly due to the line flag. To: SHORELINE, RNLI, WEST QUAY ROAD, POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ. I should like to be a part of such a worthwhile voluntary cause by becoming a SHORELINE member of the lifeboat service and joining the Institution as: A Life Member and Life Governor: minimum donation £60, Below are the various including journal items you are entitled to A Member and Governor: minimum annual subscription £10, wear or fly as a member including journal of SHORELINE: A Full Member: minimum annual subscription £3, Members'tie (Terylene) £2.00 including journal Lady's brooch £0.50 Family Membership: minimum annual subscription £5, Metal car badge £2.50 including journal Tie tack £1.00 8" hoist flag £1.50 SHORELINE LIFEBOAT 12" hoist flag £2.25 Dinghy burgee £1.50 Total subscription Insignia payment Shoreline Giro number is 294 7056 NAME / enclose P.OIchequejcash for £... ADDRESS Date Signature 62 one, of 6 mm agba, which will be laid Building a Rother Class Lifeboat straight fore and aft. A fair line is laid off about half way up the topsides with PART V: PLANKING a long batten (which will be removed when it has done its job) and the initial AFTER MANY MONTHS of patient crafts- meet the one which preceded it in a snug agba strake is set down on to this batten. manship, fitting, shaping and building joint. A plank is offered up to its partner Work then continues above and below. up the many members which make up a and the required shape marked with a While planks of about 4" are used on the boat's frame, RNLB Shoreline, building scribing tool: one arm of the scribing tool topsides and bottom, 2" planks are at William Osbornes of Littlehampton, is run down the edge of the plank already used at the turn of the bilge, where there is now being planked. The hull is taking fitted, so that its other, parallel, arm is the tightest curve. Each strake of the form. marks out the true joint edge line on the second skin is bonded to the first skin The 37' Rother class lifeboat is of cold new plank. Convex curves in the boat with resorcinol glue and fastened with moulded wood construction; which will be reflected by convex curves in \" silicon bronze staples. means that, instead of solid timber, her the scribed lines; concaves in the boat's The third skin, also of 6 mm agba, is hull is a skin made up of three layers of shape by concaves in the line. once again laid diagonally, but this thin planks, laid at different angles and The marked plank is then taken down time on the opposite diagonal to the bonded together with glue into one and shaped to the scribed line by hand first skin: top aft, bottom forward. It is immensely strong laminate moulded to plane. When the joint is fair, the plank glued in the same way as the second skin the boat's shape. is cramped into position and fastened and fixed with f" staples. The first skin is the thickest. These to the boat's frame with silicon bronze Now that the three layers have been planks are 8 mm agba, about 4" wide Gripfast nails. Once all the planks of the built up, the completed skin is finally before they are shaped. The planks are first skin are laid, it will probably be fastened through to the solid timber laid diagonally across the longitudinals necessary to do a little fairing with the longitudinals with 12 gauge screws at and timbers of the boat's frame, bottom plane in way of the solid wood members 3" centres. The surface of the hull is aft to top forward, at an angle of 45 of the frame, particularly the longi- then planed, scraped and rubbed down degrees. Starting amidships, the planks tudinals, to make sure that this first skin with glasspaper and a coat of primer are built out towards bow and stern, is quite smooth, with no high points. applied to seal the wood. each consecutive plank being shaped to Now for the second skin—a thinner (to be continued) First skin is laid diagonally: a plank which has been offered up and The second, fore and aft, skin has been laid, and the first strake of the shaped to lie snugly with its neighbour is cramped into position and third skin is fitted into place. This third skin is laid on the opposite fastened to the solid timbers of the boat's frame. diagonal to the first skin. RNLI (Trading) Ltd. stocks are sold out. If you have not yet distributed with the winter journal, but received the illustrated Christmas leaflet if you would like more than one set these WHY FACE CROWDED SHOPS in the High please write for a copy as soon as will again be available through the Streets when you can do your Christmas possible to the Trading Manager, appeals secretary at head office on shopping effortlessly from RNLI (Trad- RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset. application. The legal limit for each ing) Ltd. and help the lifeboat service at The Trading Department sends the lottery is 160,000 individual tickets and the same time? season's greetings to all lifeboat sup- we would obviously like to be sold out. As well as seven designs of Christmas porters. cards and our popular Coastal Calendar there are nine attractive gifts to choose from — something to please every National Lottery member of the family. The Bright and Looking ahead ... Breezy talc makes a super stocking RESPONSE to the first National Lottery filler for boys and girls up to ten years has been very encouraging; the amount Annual General Meeting, 1978, old and is a bargain at 49p. What could raised will be published in the winter Royal Festival Hall, London, Tues- be nicer for grandparents than one of edition of THE LIFEBOAT, together with day, May 16. our leather photo frames at £1.10 to the names of the ten lucky prize-winners, fill with two favourite family snapshots ? who will, of course, have been notified Thirteenth International Lifeboat Many magazines are already giving immediately after the draw on Septem- Conference, The Hague, The Nether- our Christmas items excellent reviews ber 30. lands, April 22 to 26, 1979. so please order quickly before our Tickets for the second lottery will be 63 too, to find some means whereby foreign GOLD BADGE AGM ships using our ports and coasts could (continued from page 51} contribute. We think this would be right Mrs E. L. Coppack and we think that in the main they would Honorary secretary of Connah's Quay welcome il because they value the services shipping industry could well appreciate and Shotton branch since 1952; awarded of the RNLI as we do. silver badge in 1963. the financial problems of the RNLI and 'All in all, Mr Chairman, we think we the hard decisions which it has had to have some ideas and suggestions which A. Graham face. The shipping industry knows all would be of help to you and which would President of New Quay (Dyfed) station about inflation and the desperately draw together these various strands in our branch since 1936. serious problems which it creates in thinking. We would like, therefore, before trying to maintain and replace merchant very long to sit down with you and your Mrs. B. J. Harding colleagues, and discuss what might be Honorary secretary of Seaton and Beer fleets. If the struggle were not made, the done, and how . . . Mr Chairman, My British shipping industry, still among the District branch since 1941; awarded Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have silver badge in 1969. world leaders, would steadily decline great pleasure in moving the resolution both in absolute and in relative terms. which is before you. May I especially N. MacMillan That would be a tragedy for the associate the General Council of British Honorary secretary of Islay station country, whether in peace or war. Shipping with the tribute it embodies. branch since 1956. British shipping as an industry has, in The resolution is: fact, spent more than £4,000 million 'That this meeting, fully recognising the H. N. Morrison, MBE over the last ten years building the important services of the Royal National Honorary secretary and treasurer of modern, technologically advanced and Life-boat Institution in its national work Barra Island station branch since 1946: well-manned fleet it has today. of life-saving, desires to record its hearty awarded binoculars in 1957 and baro- British shipping had been asked, appreciation of the gallantry of the cox- meter in 1968. Lord Inchcape continued, whether, as swains and crews of the Institution's Mrs S. Q. Platts an industry concerned so directly with lifeboats, and its deep obligation to the Honorary treasurer of Bristol ladies' the sea, it could assume some greater local committees, honorary secretaries and honorary treasurers of all station guild since 1956; awarded silver badge in responsibility towards the RNLI. A branches; to all other voluntary committees 1967. long look was being taken at what was and supporters and to the honorary by no means a simple straightforward officers and thousands of voluntary members Mrs W. M. Ponsonby problem and there were several strands of the financial branches and the ladies' Committee member of Bristol ladies' of thinking: the voluntary contributions lifeboat guilds in the work of raising funds guild since 1937; awarded silver badge in already made to the lifeboat service by to maintain the service' 1966. many shipping companies, the aggre- gate of which is quite substantial; the Presentations were then made by Mrs L. Orr comparative number of calls on the General Farrant to those who have been President of Chanonry ladies' guild from lifeboat service by pleasure boats, British voted awards for long and distinguished 1969 to 1976; awarded statuette in 1964. and foreign shipping; and whether, if honorary services. Unfortunately Mrs Carman, Mr Graham, Mr Morrison, Mrs J. Reid any scheme were brought in by statutory Vice-chairman of Peterhead station Mrs Platts and Mrs Orr were unable to authority, such as additions to port and branch and president of Peterhead ladies' be present. light dues charged in foreign countries, guild (retired 1974); awarded silver badge it would strike at the voluntary basis of HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR in 1960 and statuette in 1965. the RNLI—this the shipping industry was sure would be wrong. Lord Inchcape Mrs A. M. Jacobs J. Tyrrell, FRINA continued: President of Gourock ladies' guild since Honorary secretary of Arklow station 1951; awarded gold badge in 1964. branch since 1951; awarded binoculars 'However, we as an industry are con- 1960 and barometer 1972. vinced that the work of the RNLI must BAR TO GOLD BADGE With the moving of a resolution of a continue efficiently and well. We are Mrs R. S. Carman convinced, too, that the voluntary basis hearty vote of thanks to Lord Inchcape on which it is founded must continue. Member of Llanelli branch since 1962; awarded gold badge in 1960, statuette in by Maldwin Drummond, a member We wish to preserve the voluntary nature of the Committee of Management, the 1965, letter of thanks in 1974. of the financial contributions which business of the afternoon was concluded British shipping makes to the Institution because otherwise we are convinced that Mrs G. Mansell and everyone moved out to the foyer any scheme of a compulsory nature President of the Bridge Committee, to meet friends, perhaps from a distant would be the thin edge of a very large Central London Committee; awarded part of the coast or country, and take and unwelcome wedge. We would like, gold badge in 1960. tea at the end of a good day. THE ORIGINAL TILLER MASTER FOR TOWING WHEEL OR TILLER BRACKETS STEERING ON A COMPASS COURSE OSTAR 1976 Approved by car manufacturers and issued with Single handed transatlantic race fitting Instructions. Also shock absorbers Nine chose Tiller Masters— Four finished in first eight t stabiliser and couplings. SOLAR, WIND AND WATER Please save a little for the people who BATTERY CHARGERS AVAILABLE DAVID JOLLY save a lot—give generously to the R.N.LL 3 Little Russel, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JD. Tel.: 020 122 2142 C. P. WITTER LTD. CHESTER Tel. 0244-41166 Telex: 41495 64 Suddenly she was there, graciously smiling, we could almost touch her— Prince Philip looking as ever so bronzed and wonderful—then they had gone . . . It was a perfect touch to our day, our Jubilee Day, something we wish in this Letters... special year to tell and share with other members of this organisation which we in our small way help supplement. The Wath ladies are a small committee One family's century even aeroplane, but by lifeboat. And of six. We work very hard for the RNLI Thank you for your very kind letter what an excellent service they provided. and our trips help to keep together the regarding my coming resignation from Unlike trains and steamers they pub- members whose support we need. On the Committee of Management. It is lished no timetable, with the advantage the outgoing journey we have a raffle sad to think that, after more than 100 that they were available whenever the and another on the return journey home. years, there will be no Cave on the C. public wanted them. What a good All this helps towards our yearly of M. I am afraid I have taken a very advertisement. But at that moment I contribution. Our next effort is a back seat in recent years, but I was more heard a voice saying,' You may now undo Chinese Auction in August, followed active in my younger days. I remember your seat belts' Perhaps I was thankful by a tombola stall at the local agri- my first lifeboat ceremony when I was that the lifeboat was not needed after cultural show on Bank Holiday Sunday. about eight years old. She was The all.—LAURENCE CAVE, Hill House, Wish us well—WATH-UPON-DEARNE Charlie and Adrian which my grand- Bletchingley, Redhill, Surrey. LADIES' GUILD, Rotherham, South York- father had given to the Institution some shire. years before and named after my father Mr L. C. H. Cave, who was writing to We do indeed.—THE EDITOR. and his brother respectively. She was a Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman pulling and sailing boat, stationed at of the Committee of Management, had been a member of the committee from RNLB Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn Hayling Island. I was allowed to take a On July 3 the Gravesend branch held trip in her and the coxswain showed me 1947 to 1977; he was elected a Vice- President of the Institution in 1964 and a its eighth sponsored marathon row how to light, and I let off, a flare. What Life Vice-President in 1977. Mr Cave's from Gravesend to Greenwich and back. joy to a small boy. father, Captain C. J. P. Cave, served on Last year's row raised £2,400 for the But to come to more recent times, the committee from 1905 to 1950, being service. This year 19 boats rowed the there are two events which stick in my elected a Vice-President in 1948, and his 40 miles, the Southend-on-Sea ILB, mind. The first was when I went to grandfather, Laurence Trent Cave, served D. 181, being among several escort boats. Sennen Cove for the naming ceremony from 1880 to 1899 and was elected a One other escort boat raised con- of the then new boat, Susan Ashley. Vice-President in 1885. Two of his father's cousins also served on the Committee of siderable interest: now named Dowager, The only trouble was that there was no she was the former Shoreham Harbour lifeboat! She had been called out on her Management: Sir Stephen Cave from 1869 to 1880 (Vice-President 1874) and lifeboat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn. first service the previous day and owing AdmiralJ. H. Cave, 1894 to 1913 (Vice- She is now owned by T. B. Lawrence, to gales had been unable to return to her President 1909).—THE EDITOR. who has had her converted into a very station. What to do? The crew refused comfortable yacht. Mr Lawrence is a to take part in any ceremony other than member of Shoreline and, like myself, a with the lifeboat present at Sennen, Jubilee day out member of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' while it was too late to cancel the We, the Wath-upon-Dearne ladies' Society. programme already laid on. In the lifeboat guild, had one of our two RNLB .Rosa WooddandPhyllis Lunn was event we did what we could without the annual outings in June. On the lovely built in 1932 by Groves and Guttridge, lifeboat, and a month later, when the morning of June 22 at 7.30 am we set Isle of Wight. She was delivered on tide was right, we all went down to off for Llandudno and Conwy, all January 4, 1933. Her cost was £6,133: a Sennen and repeated the whole ceremony looking forward to enjoying ourselves vast difference to today's prices. She but this time with the lifeboat. and blissfully unaware of a great treat was the first of the 41' Watson class The second event was the naming of in store. We arrived in Conwy just after lifeboats and she was named at Shore- the Ramsey boat. I had gone up to midday and having partaken of an ham by Prince George on March 15, Liverpool on the night train and from excellent lunch we then wandered by the 1933. there I flew to the Isle of Man. It was a water looking at the boats and the bay, While at Shoreham Harbour Rosa lovely morning—not a cloud in the sky and still the sun shone on and on. Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched —but by the time we got to the landing Then we heard it, a little buzz here 244 times and rescued 143 lives. When strip at the southern end of the island and there: ''The Queen is passing replaced, she served in the reserve fleet we were in a raging thunderstorm and a through at 3 pnf. howling gale with a deluge of rain. We Oh, the highlight of our lovely day. continued on page 68 flew across a small bay with the landing strip immediately on the other side. Normally one would have flown low over the water, but with all the air bumps and numerous ships' masts below us we had to keep up a fair height and hope for the best when we reached the shore. Our pilot couldn't make it, and he flew round again. A second time the Still doing good work in same thing happened. It was than that retirement: Dowager, ex I remembered there were two lifeboats RNLB Rosa Woodd and near at hand, at Port Erin and Port Phyllis Lunn, when acting St Mary, and that if we came down in as one of the escort boats for the 1977 Gravesend to the sea one or the other would come to Greenwich and back spon- our rescue. Indeed I began to revise the sored row, organised by speech I was to make that afternoon at Gravesend branch, towed in Ramsey. I would tell them, I thought, two boats with broken that I had arrived, not by steamer or engines. 65 THE MEN OF THE MUMBLES HEAD Carl Smith CORNWALL Agents for town, country and A Pictorial Story of The Mumbles Life-boat from 1832 to the present day. waterside property on or near Falmouth Harbour, Carrick Roads and Helford River Available in: Case-bound £3.50 Limp-cover £1.95 ISBN 85088 384 9 8±" x 7± R.E.PRIOR & CO 86 pages, 56 illustrations 3 Market Street, 10 Lemon Street, Publishers: Corner Press, Llandysul, Falmouth. Truro. Dyfed SA44 4BQ Tel. 313636 Tel. 4461 A Fascinating Comprehensive Study of Lighthouses THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT re-prinling June 1977 WE OFFER THIS OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE ON LAST YEAR'S POPULAR SUCCESS LKiHTIIOHSKS A 12 L.P. of 18 Their Architecture, History and Archaeology i D. B. Hague & R. Christie -Kxjt im\.,0 iV*...- Clxxr Christmas Carols recorded in Stereo by the FOREST ROW MIXED VOICE LIFEBOAT CHOIR RECORDS £2.20 each including p & p All proceeds to Lifeboat Funds PLEASE ORDER EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT To: RNLI, South East District, 9 Union Square, "A book no sea-goer should fail to read". The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Nautical Magazine Please send me record(s). I enclose "Deserves the attention of all those who are cheque for made payable to the RNLI touched by the essential romance of lighthouses". Name Times Literary Supplement Address.. Available from good bookshops or — Gomer Press, Llandysul Dyled SA44 4BQ £6 case bound - C4 limp cover LB1077 (Post Free) • The Penguin Book of Sea Stories (£1.10) is edited by Alun Richards and contains an interestingly varied collec- tion of yarns, including both fact and fiction. No doubt readers will form their own opinions as to which has the greater impact—the carefully devised tale of the master-storyteller, or the stark and inescapable logic of truth. Certainly Conrad has a magic touch with which his crisp words enclose the reader, making him a part of the scene REVIEWS and events taking place. Yet it would be difficult to imagine a more vivid account in precise seaman's terms, or greater drama, than that disclosed by the true • The quality of lifeboat station the same lifeboat at the RNLI's yard in story of the wreck of Indian Chief. This histories seems to improve steadily. A Poplar after she had been involved in must surely rank as one of the great epic recent outstanding example is The Men the disaster of 1883.—P.M. tales of wreck and rescue and one which of The Mumbles Head by Carl Smith establishes for all time the heroic spirit (J. D. Lewis and Sons, Gower Press, O The National Maritime Museum's of lifeboat crews. Llandysul, Dyfed, £3.50). series of Maritime Monographs and In all, the book covers a wide range Mr Smith, who is a schoolmaster and Reports is ideal for serious studies of all of talented writers and dramatic inci- a member of the present Mumbles life- aspects of shipping lore which might dents and may clearly be taken in one boat crew, has a good story to tell. It not readily find a commercial publisher. large dose or spread over a period of goes back to the year 1832 when They have also the inestimable advan- casual reading with equal pleasure, as Silvanus Padley, son of the Swansea tage of being produced by people who time and inclination suggest.—E.W.M. Harbour Trust Clerk, together with five know their ships and the sea, and are pilots saved a vessel from being smashed not afraid to include extra-illustrative • For a lifeboat, a distress call means material which, it so happens, the against Mumbles pier. The formation of 'Launch!'; for a helicopter, 'Scramble!'. a local committee following the incident modern offset printing process embraces Working together to save life at sea, was the beginning of a lengthy process with ease. surface and air craft can, when occasion leading to the establishment of an Ian Merry's The Westcotts and their Times (National Maritime Museum, demands, rise to remarkable heights of effective lifeboat station by the RNLI at achievement. Each, contributing what is The Mumbles in March 1863. £4.00) is a fascinating and well illus- trated history of a Plymouth ship- possible in its own element, has a differ- The people of Wolverhampton have ent approach, different problems, differ- recently raised the funds for a new owning family, including a wealth of material covering the wider field of ent skills. The experiences of the one inshore lifeboat to be stationed in add greater depth to the records of the Wales, and it may be of interest that merchant sail in the last hundred years. The ports of the south west were the other. one of the early Mumbles lifeboats was In Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Frank also provided by Wolverhampton. She homes of a number of important fleets Pearce looks at sea rescue from the view- was displayed there publicly and rowed of sailing craft in the barquentine/ across a pool before being brought to schooner categories which traded point of the helicopter crews of the Swansea free of charge by the Great widely: salt and general goods to New- Cornish naval air station, HMS Seahawk, Western Railway. foundland and the Canadian maritimes; Culdrose, who, from 1970 to 1976, One of the most famous incidents in back with stock fish for the Latin rescued 365 people. Reconstructing out- the history of The Mumbles station was countries; fruit from the Peninsula and standing operations and talking to air- the disaster in 1883, when four members the Azores; sugar from the West Indies; crews, Frank Pearce has produced a of the lifeboat crew were lost and two wines from the Mediterranean and the very readable booklet of great interest. daughters of the local lighthouse keeper Canaries. These fleets, like that of the One service recorded in detail is that to made valiant efforts to rescue the Westcotts, usually included other Merc Enterprise on January 16, 1974; drowning men. This gave rise to Clement schooners and ketches for coasting in the service for his part in which Cox- Scott's rollicking poem, The Women of the home trade, and barges for river swain John Dare of Plymouth was Mumbles Head. Mr Smith reveals a work. awarded the bronze medal for gallantry. number of inaccuracies in the poem. In The text, besides covering the A Danish coaster sinking, and, battling particular there seems to be no justifica- Westcott family, gives histories for each through hurricane force winds in an tion for Scott's reference to 'three craven of their vessels. It tells of many of the attempt to rescue her crew of 19, five men who stood by the shore with chatter- company's masters, mates, seamen, with Sea King helicopters, crewed by British ing teeth refusing to stir'. In fact one logs and first-hand accounts of voyages. and German airmen, seven ships—two of the three, a gunner in the Royal Among the last is the author's account of Dutch, three Russian, one Japanese and Artillery named Hutchings, received the his voyage in 1930 in the barquentine one British—and the 52' Barnett Ply- RNLI's thanks on vellum. Frances and Jane. There is also a mouth lifeboat. Eleven men were saved. The terrible disaster in 1947, when the valuable survey of the mining and other Photographs taken from a helicopter whole of The Mumbles crew were lost industrial activities on the upper Tamar give a very good idea of the wrath of the only six months after carrying out a —an area now silent, but with several sea, and Mr Pearce's account brings service for which the coxswain, William sites preserved sensitively to create home just what the air crews were up Gammon, was awarded the gold medal, enclaves of interest for visitors among against: is duly described, as are some of the beautiful scenery. outstanding services carried out by the Admirably complementing the text 'It was an incredibly difficult task to are the varied appendices with repro- maintain the correct length of cable to crew under the present coxswain, Derek their winchman in these enormous rollers Scott. ductions of ship plans, press cuttings and quite impossible to preserve a Mr Smith has assembled a number of and documents one does not often see: consistent height. The aircraft had to fascinating photographs, including one ships' registers, crew lists, a builder's literally fly up and down, matching the of a large number of top-hatted Wolver- certificate and an apprentice's indenture. rise and fall of the sea. As a consequence hampton citizens standing in front of the These well repay a careful study with there were times when the aircraft had to boat they helped to provide and one of their wealth of information.—G.E.F. be suddenly dropped about 60 feet as the 67 sea fell away into a trough and then rise trawler Leningrad who, with ropes ledge of pilotage. This little book is just as rapidly to clear the crest of the fastened to their waists, dived into the intended to provide just that. It attempts next wave . . . On one occasion a parti- boiling sea. It had been a fine example of no more, navigation is not in its brief, cularly large roller passed only 10 feet International co-operation. just the necessary information about below the aircraft and took the winchman deep under water. From the effect of this A booklet well worth its price of buoys, rights of way, lights, signals and passing wave, the wire was pulled aft at a £1.20 from booksellers, or £1.37, includ- a little about the weather. To the near horizontal angle and the helicopter ing postage and packing, from the cognoscenti all pretty elementary stuff, towed backwards by the drag on the publishers, Bantam, Minnie Place, but not to those many thousands who winchman's body. After what seemed an Falmouth, Cornwall.—J.D. put to sea in dinghies, runabouts and interminable time, he re-appeared from weekenders, with never a thought of the back of the wave and 30 feet venturing more than a few miles from below the crest, gasping for breath and • A new addition to the many books for mooring or public slip, and to whom struggling to retain his helmet and boots the aspiring mariner, Practical Pilotage navigation is something for the birds which had been almost wrenched off. A second or two later, he was swung for Yachtsmen by Jeremy Howard- and the salt-stained types who slip violently forward into the next equally Williams (Adlard Coles, £2.50), would silently into harbour at the end of a large wave to re-emerge with a badly cut make a good nautical highway code. bank-holiday weekend, with a little eye from the winch hook which had swept A pilot is by definition the steersman yellow flag fluttering below the cross- back and smashed into his face.' and pilotage the ability to handle a trees. Certainly recommended reading, vessel among others and through the even if only for the excellent memory And that was not the beginning nor hazards of harbour, channel and anchor- check on page 58, which taught me more by any means the end of their troubles. age. Whoever takes tiller or wheel in about the international signal flags in Nevertheless, the helicopters succeeded hand and embarks, even on nothing minutes than I have managed to assimi- in winching seven of the survivors to more adventurous than an afternoon's late in years of contemplating the poster safety; the other four were rescued by jolly out to the harbour mouth and on the back of the door to the heads.— volunteers from the Russian stern back, should have an adequate know- B.A. itself when some 200 marine craft were Letters . .. managed to sell a few old halfpennies, taken over from the RNAS. It con- (continued from page 65) pennies and 12-sided threepenny pieces tinued through to the second world war where she had 53 service launches at for 2p, 3p and 5p respectively; naturally when some 4,000 RAF seamen were 16 stations and rescued a further 19 these were coins in fine condition. eventually deployed in 300 sea-going lives. She was one of the 19 lifeboats I can thoroughly recommend this craft. Over 13,000 allied and enemy that went to Dunkirk in 1940. ploy to any branch running a stall. It lives were saved by air sea rescue Getting back to the sponsored takes up very little room and will not services of which RAF craft were a marathon row, on the way down the blow away (a great boon on the front at substantial component. River Thames, while keeping an eye Westward Ho!). You will get a good Today albeit a fraction of its original on the last few rowing boats, Dowager return for low value coins and can still size the Marine Branch continues to went to the assistance of two other send the high value coins to the head- play an important role in training and escort boats which had broken down, quarters at Poole.—c. c. LOWRY, Captain, weapon recovery. taking them in tow as far as Gravesend RN, chairman, Appledore branch With almost 60 years of service to Reach. So this fine ex-Royal National Buckleigh House, Westward Ho!, Devon. research there is a wealth of history lifeboat is still doing a good service for waiting to be written about the men, the rescue launches and the marine the RNLI even in her retirement.— Marine service of the RAF PETER H. w. BOYD, box secretary, organisation that has served the RAF I have just taken up a new appoint- for so long. I would be very pleased to Gravesend branch, 11 Gatwick Road, ment which includes among other things Gravesend, Kent. hear from any readers who would like the task of writing the official history of to contribute to the writing of that the marine service of the Royal Air history.—R. j. M. MANSON, MNI, Squadron Foreign coins Force. The history began on April 1, Leader, RAF, Lacon House, Theobalds I am pleased to see that the RNLI is 1918, with the formation of the RAF Road, London WC1X 8R Y. doing something about the very large amount of foreign coins coming into this Daxr Hre cJiX, country each year. Even in this area, d" UUf of cW, g I ux>4J LJfa. b tWJrf you for tU which is not ideally situated to collect qW tor Mvu: ua OB. foreign coins, not being near a main point of entry or exit, I manage to make Parties of schoolchildren are about £50 yearly and at the moment regular and welcome visitors to have another £50 or so in actual coin. Poole HQ, where they are shown In the past I have been finding people round the museum and some- going abroad on holiday and selling times visit the depot or see a film. It is always a pleasure to them small change. receive their letters of thanks: This week I tried out a new angle. I sometimes a 'round robin', have always kept a coin box on my sometimes separate letters from souvenir stall at Westward Ho! but only each child—and sometimes sold the more exotic currencies in it, accompanied by paintings of such as odd Arabic, Indian, Chinese, lifesaving scenes. The letter Malay and African coins—from places reproduced here came from where people are not likely to visit. These class 8 of Baden-Powell Middle naturally do not last long as I soon run School, Parkstone, one member of which is the young son, out. Yesterday I put out low value Bobby, of the coxswain of Poole European, Commonwealth and US lifeboat, Frank Ide. Schools •NOj-Oyv*JS-\ coins in four boxes (Ip, 2p, 3p and 5p). wishing to arrange visits should This turned out to be the most popular write to Charles Collis at ijic-V part of the stall and was never empty. I headquarters. 68 dinghy which was hauled, empty, back Dunmore East, Co. Waterford Lifeboat Services to the lifeboat. While she was being March 12 and April 28. (from page 47) recovered, Faithful Forester rolled Eastbourne, East Sussex violently, causing one of the crew to lose April 7. his footing; falling forward he injured Eyemouth, Berwickshire March 5. east, near gale force 7, the sea moderate; his face on the bucking dinghy. Fahnouth, Cornwall visibility was good. Meanwhile, ashore, Second Coxswain March 12 and May 28. The honorary medical adviser could Hawkins had stayed with the two men Filey, North Yorkshire not embark as he was already at an while, above, a cliff rescue team was March 27 and May 7. emergency, but the injured man had mustering. In due course a man was Fishguard, Dyfed been tended by a member of La Quintals lowered, but because of the large over- March 27 and May 24. crew who was a trained nurse. He was hang it was decided not to attempt to Flamborough, Humberside taken off by the lifeboat at 1315 and re-climb but to await the ebbing tide; March 13 and 27. landed at Salcombe a quarter of an because the steps at Langdon could be Fleetwood, Lancashire hour later, where an ambulance was dangerously slippery it was further April 4 and 24. Fowey, Cornwall waiting. decided that the four men would walk March 6, April 11 and May 21. After this service Salcombe honorary to Dover Docks, followed by the life- Galway Bay, Co. Galway secretary received a letter of thanks from boat. April 1 and 15. Captain C. B. Lukehurst, master of La A request for warm drinks, clothing Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Quinta, enclosing a donation to the and a tarpaulin was met by the police March 4, April 8, 28, May 20 and 29. lifeboat service from the ship's crew, the at 0213 and by 0310 the party was Harwich, Essex result of a voluntary collection, and a reported safe. The lifeboat returned to April 17 and May 4. letter of appreciation from the owners, her moorings and was made ready for Hastings, East Sussex Buries Markes (Ship Management) Ltd, service at 0357. March 6, 21 and April 6. containing a further donation. It was later learned that the man Holyhead, Gwynedd reported missing from the ferry had been March 4. Howth, Co. Dublin found aboard and a donation was made March 17, 21, 27, 31, April 22 and May 21. to the station branch funds by his Hoylake, Merseyside South Eastern Division parents. April 16. For this service a letter of apprecia- Humber, Humberside tion signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN, March 11, 28, 29 (twice), April 12, 17 and Reported missing Director of the Institution, was sent to May 10. DOVER STRAIT COASTGUARD informed the Second Coxswain Anthony Hawkins. Ilfracombe, North Devon honorary secretary of Dover lifeboat April 28. Islay, Argyllshire station at 1915 on Sunday, November 7, April 15 and May 1. 1976, that a man had been reported Kilmore, Co. Wexford missing and assumed overboard from Services by Offshore March 22. the cross-Channel ferry Free Enterprise Kirkwall, Orkney VIII; it was requested that the lifeboat Life-boats, March, April 16. should join other shipping in a search. Lerwick, Shetland In moderate visibility, with a fresh to April and May, 1977 March 2, April 12 and May 31. strong southerly wind and squalls of The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall rain and hail, the 44' Waveney lifeboat Aldeburgb, Suffolk May 15 and 30. May 6 and 29. Llandudno, Gwynedd Faithful Forester under the command of Arklow, Co. Wicklow Coxswain/Mechanic Arthur Liddon set April 12. May 25. Lochinver, Sutherland out at 1925 into rough seas. It was then Arranmore, Co. Donegal April 1. four hours before high water. March 25 and April 22. Lowestoft, Suffolk The search proved fruitless but the Baltimore, Co. Cork March 3. Coastguard had mounted a search of the April 23. Macduff, Banffshire shore-line and at 2130 asked that the Barra Island, Inverness-shire March 7. lifeboat be diverted to take off some of March 16, April 6, May 18 and 19. Mallaig, Inverness-shire their men who had been cut off by the Barrow, Cumbria April 18. tide near Langdon Stairs. April 11. Margate, Kent Barry Dock, South Glamorgan March 16, April 11 and May 29. Inshore there was a heavy swell and March 6 and May 12. the lifeboat put in as near as possible to Newbiggin, Northumberland Bembridge, Isle of Wight March 5 and April 2. allow Second Coxswain Anthony March 27, May 20 and 28. Newhaven, East Sussex Hawkins, who volunteered, to paddle Blyth, Northumberland March 31, April 14, 25 and May 7. in on the inflatable dinghy. When only March 4. Bridlington, Humberside North Sunderland, Northumberland a few yards from the shore, breaking March 11. surf capsized the dinghy, flinging both it March 13 (twice), 14 and April 27. Calshot, Hampshire Padstow, Cornwall and Second Coxswain Hawkins ashore. May 7. Fortunately no injury was sustained save March 13, 26 and 28. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Poole, Dorset bruising. The dinghy capsized again and May 15. March 5, April 26 and May 13. it was decided to abandon this method Clogher Head, Co. Louth Port Erin, Isle of Man of rescuing the two men who, by this May 4 and 6. May 29. time, were suffering from exposure. The Cloughey-Portavogie, Co. Down Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd two additional lifejackets which Second April 6, 17 and May 26. March 9, May 5, 15 and 29. Coxswain Hawkins had taken with him Clovelly, North Devon Portpatrick, Wigtownshire had been washed out of the dinghy when March 13 and May 24. April 23, May 7 and 24. Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork Portrush, Co. Antrim she capsized and so he took off his own March 3 and April 17 lifejacket and jersey to help the two May 5. Dover, Kent Port St Mary, Isle of Man men to keep warm. May 18, 27 and 29. April 8. A line was fired from the lifeboat but Dungeness, Kent Ramsey, Isle of Man there was nowhere on the cliff where it March 3, 4, 5, April 9, May 14 and 21. April 12 and May 5. could be anchored to enable the breeches Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Ramsgatc, Kent buoy to be used, so it was secured to the May 29. March 20, April 13 and May 29. 69 Redcar, Cleveland Blyth, Northumberland The Mumbles, West Glamorgan May 7. May 14 and 21. April 17. Rhyl, Clwyd Broughty Ferry, Angus New Brighton, Merseyside April 12 and May 27. April 22, May 21 and 22. April 6 and 27. Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford Bude, Cornwall Newquay, Cornwall May 4. April 17 and May 14. April 27, 30, May 14, 22, 25 and 31. St Helier, Jersey Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex North Berwick, East Lothian March 14, 27, April 5, 9, 11 and May 29. April 23 and 30. May 21. St Ives, Cornwall Burry Port, Dyfed Oban, Argyllshire March 2, 15, 29, April 18, May 2 and 30. May 11. April 9 and 18. St Mary's, Isles of Scilly Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Peel, Isle of Man March 31 and May 31. May 14, 15, 21, 27 and 31 March 20 and 29. St Peter Port, Guernsey Conwy, Gwynedd Poole, Dorset March 24, 26, April 7, 9, 16, 23 and 29. March 4 and April 14. March 5, 13, 19, 27, 31 (twice), April 8, Salcombe, South Devon Coverack, Cornwall 11, 12, 25, May 19 and 22. April 9 and May 21. May 30. Port Isaac, Cornwall Scarborough, North Yorkshire Criccieth, Gwynedd May 4. March 27, April 22 and May 7. May 29 (twice). Port St Mary, Isle of Man Selsey, West Sussex Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear May 22. April 21, May 10 and 22. May 29. Port Talbot, West Glamorgan Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex Eastbourne, East Sussex May 21. March 13, 28 and 30. May 21, 22 and 29. Queensferry, West Lothian Skegness, Lincolnshire Eastney (B.530), Hampshire April 24. May 13 and 30. May 16. April 2, 21, May 2 and 8. Ramsgate, Kent Stornoway, Ross-shire Eastney (B.S05), Hampshire May 11, 15, 16 and 30. March 5 (twice), 25 and April 3. May 15 and 22. Redcar, Cleveland Swanage, Dorset Eastney (D.184), Hampshire May 7 and 11 (3 times). March 4, 27, April 3, 12, 13, 22, May 8, March 19, April 9, 10 (twice), 14, 23, 27, Rhyl, Clwyd 16, 19 (twice) and 30. May 7, 15, 21, 22 (3 times) and 28. March 20, May 25 and 27. Tenby, Dyfed Exmouth, South Devon Rye Harbour, East Sussex April 7 and 12. May 8 and 24. April 8, 13, 27, and May 29. Thurso, Caithness Filey, North Yorkshire May 6. April 10. St Abbs, Berwickshire Torbay, South Devon Fleetwood, Lancashire April 8 and May 21. March 20, April 18 and May 17. April 10 and 19. St Bees, Cumbria Troon, Ayrshire Flint, Clwyd April 10 and 28. March 13 and 20. April 30, May 1 and 7. St Ives, Cornwall Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk May 18 and 30. March 27, April 2 and 24. March 4. Selsey, West Sussex Walmer, Kent Happisburgh, Norfolk March 29 and May 7. April 23, 26, May 7 and 29 (twice). April 1. Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex Walton and Frinton, Essex Hartlepool, Cleveland May 14, 16, 22 (twice) and 23. April 9, 19 and May 29. April 11. Silloth, Cumbria Weymouth, Dorset Harwich, Essex March 7 and May 15. April 8, 12 and May 21. AprilI 11, May 21 and 31. Skegness, Lincolnshire Whitby, North Yorkshire Hastings, East Sussex May5. March 17, April 13 and May 14. May 20 and 29. Southend-on-Sea, Essex (D.236) Wicklow, Co. Wicklow Hayling Island, Hampshire March 19 and April 9 (twice). March 31. March 5, 6, 27, 29, April 30, May 9, 21, Southend-on-Sea, Essex (B.527) Workington, Cumbria 22 (3 times), 23, 28 and 29. March 4, 9, 24, 29, April 8, 11, 15, 16, 28, May 15. Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire May 3, 7, 15 (twice), 18 and 22. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight March 6, April 6 and 9. Southwold, Suffolk March 14, April 3, May 19 and 28. Horton and Port Eynon, West Glamorgan April 20 (twice) and May 6. On trials at Poole April 30. Stranraer, Wigtownshire ON 1044 April 25 and May 4. Howth, Co. Dublin May 24. May 21, 24 and 27. Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Kinghorn, Fife April 24. May 10. Tenby, Dyfed Services by Inshore Kippford, Kirkcudbrightshire April 1, 10, 11 and May 18. April 9 and May 15. Torbay, South Devon Life-boats, March, Largs, Ayrshire April 18, May 1, 3, 11, 15 and 21. March 27, April 24 and May 11. Tramore, Co. Waterford April and May, 1977 Littlehampton, West Sussex April 22. March 6 (twice), 7, 13, 20, April 10, 14, Treaddur Bay, Gwynedd Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire May 8, 15 (twice) and 22 (3 times). March 26, April 9, 10 and May 30. May 24. Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Abersoch. Gwynedd March 3, 5, April 8, May 15 and 19. March 5 and April 24. April 13, 18 and May 30. Llandudno, Gwynedd West Kirby, Merseyside Aberystwyth, Dyfed March 6 and May 26. April 8, May 1, 5, 9 and 14. May 5. Lyme Regis, Dorset West Mersea, Essex Arran, Buteshire March 31, April 9 and May 20. April 2, 6, May 4, 20, 21 and 22. April 25 (twice). Lymington, Hampshire Weston-super-Mare, Avon (A.504) Atlantic College, South Glamorgan April 4. March 13, April 16, May 8, 12 and 29. May 29. Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Weston-super-Mare, Avon (D.170) Bangor, Co. Down March 13, 29 and May 1. March 13, May 8, 26 and 29 (twice). April 12 and 24. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Whitby, North Yorkshire Barrow, Cumbria May 19. April 16 (twice). April 10 and May 18. Margate, Kent Whitstable, Kent Beaumaris, Gwynedd March 16, 20, April 2, 3, 24 and May 15 March 2, 7, April 1, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 30, March 27 and April 12. (twice). May 3 and 29 (twice). Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Minehead, Somerset Withernsea, Humberside May 24 and 29. April 10. April 18. Blackpool, Lancashire Moelfre, Gwynedd Yarmouth, Isle of Wight April 10 (twice) and May 5. April 10 and May 29. May 16. 70 PRODUCTS AND Support those who support us! IF VOU EVER WAVE Howard's THIS SOET OF TfcOU&LE- Metal DOLlfcE WE DO — Fabricators Ltd STANLEY STREET, LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK NR322DY Telephone: Lowestoft (0502) 63626 Manufacturers of Marine Fabrications and Fittings in Stainless Steel and Aluminium - including SS Silencers and Fuel Tanks as supplied to RNLI Fleets Bridge Poole, Dorset, England BHI7 7AB Telephone: Poole 3031 RNLI call for HAMBLE PROPELLERS AND STERNGEAR HAMBLE FOUNDRY LIMITED Bantex 116 BOTLEY ROAD, for Aerials SWANWICK, Velcro SOUTHAMPTON, HANTS, the reliable, SO3 7BU Bantex Ltd. ABBEY RD., TEL. LOCKS HEATH all-weather fastener PARK ROYAL, LONDON N.W.10 (04895) 4284 Telephone 01-965 0941 Telex 82310 TELEX: 477551 Please mention 'The Lifeboat' when answering advertisements Glanvill Enthoven INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS In our 75th anniversary year, we send greetings to all our clients including the Royal National Life-boat Institution. GlanvilFs marine service covers both hull and cargo insurance as well as their attendant liabilities for shipowners and users of shipping throughout the world. For more information please phone 01-283 4622 or write to Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Limited, 144 Leadenhall Street, London EC3P 3BJ. 71 Index to Advertisers Birds Eye Foods ...... Inside Back Cover TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Central London Committee ...... 38 Evett Sailwear Ltd 72 When /our organisation holds its next fund raising effort at a Forest Row Lifeboat Choir 66 carnival, fete, donkey derby, boat show or similar activity you Functional Clothing ...... Inside Front Cover can make an additional £200 in a few hours by running a Glanvill Enthoven 71 Teddy Bears Picnic. No financial risk as all stock is supplied at Gomer Press (Lighthouses) ...... 66 wholesale price on full sale or return, nothing to pay until Gomer Press (The Men of the Mumbles Head) . . . . 66 after the event, then you pay for what you use, return the David Jolly (Tiller Master) 64 balance. Send for full details giving Club/Guild name and Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd...... 38 status to: Neco Marine Ltd 72 V. WEBSTER (DEPT IB) R. E. Prior & Co 66 Products and Services Guide ...... 71 BRINELL WAY Readers Union Outside Back Cover HARFREYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE V.Webster 72 GREAT YARMOUTH C. P. Wilier Ltd 64 NORFOLK NR3I OLU R. Wright & Son (Marine Engineers) Ltd 38 LIFEBOATS. SAILING BARGES PAINTINGS Classified Advertisements AND YACHTS IN Original Oil Paintings of Lifeboats (any Entries undei ACCOMMODATION are MINIATURE type) in rough seas on canvas, 30" x 24". offered at the special rate of £6.00 for up Retirements, Presentations and Trophies. Satisfaction or money refunded. Con- to 50 words, including address and phone Fully detailed replicas of individual boats, tribution to RNLI from each painting. number. Additional words at 20p each. with crews, mounted on realistic sea bases Sample photos: Lee, 9 Esplanade, Wey- Other Classifications are at 20p per word, in perspex showcases. Each a tiny gem mouth, Dorset. minimum ten words. providing a truly 'live', unique miniature. All Classifieds are snbject to pre-paymcnt Details: Brian H. Williams, Marine Model and cheque or PO must accompany order. Artist, 20 Bridgefield, Farnham, Surrey INSURANCE (02513) 6652. FOR ALL INSURANCE, Phone, Call or FUND RAISING Write J. A. Harrison (Brokers) Ltd, Advertising pencils, superb ballpens, combs, 'Security House', 160-161 Bromsgrove FINANCE Street, Birmingham B5 6NY. Telephone: diaries, each gold stamped Lifeboat name, Finance for new and used craft, private etc., raise funds, quickly easily. Bran Tub 021-692 1245 (10 lines). 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PO61SZ Tel: Cosham (07018) 70988 Tel: Caterham (STD 0883) 44433 & 48704 Designed and Printed in Great Britain by Ditchling Press Ltd., Ditchling, Hassocks, Sussex The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL A J Take any 3 books / / / / / / / / / / OHDf 25* EACH / / Edward Heath / / - SAILING / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / and Save up tO €14.75 when you join the new bi-monthly / / D / / / / sports; weather forecasting, navigation and equipment; canals adventurers like Robin Knox Johnston. As a member, you become entitled to take advantage of the hundreds of quality book bargains that Readers Union has on offer at any one time Reference and reading books cover the To: Maritime Book Society. PO Box 6, Newton Abbot, D«von\ Arts. Crafts, Gardening. :he Countryside, history, travel and I would like to join the MARITIME BOOK SOCIETY biography Please supply the I I . Publishers' Editions 3 introductory books numbers I I I The Maritime Book Society offers publishers' own editions at a at the special introductory price of only 25p each (plus 60p total carriage (and I will pay upon receipt (or any books I choose discount of up to 25% off the publisher's price and sometimes IAllow up to 21 days for delivery) If I keep the introductory even more! books I will automatically become a member and agree to purchase at least 4 books (in addition to the introductory offer) 9 Choose at Leisure during a year's membership and may resign thereafter. If I am You havetimeto choose the society newsletter comes to you not satiified with the introductory books 1 may return then FREE every two months It is packed with the very best man U'ithin 10 days and owe nothing. time books and all we ask is that you select four books during Mr/Mrs/Miss your first year of membership We shall be surprised if you do Address not want to take more when you see the wide raTige offered in our bi monthly mailings and seasonal catalogues - all at big discounts. Signature Maritime Book Society is run by Readers Union (Signature of Parent or Guardian if under 18) part of the David & Charles Group. with this •ND NO MONEY coupon "Maritlm* Book Society,Brun* HouM.M«wton Abbot.R*g in England No 843946