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

VOL. XXXVII DECEMBER, 1962 No. 402

Notes of the Quarter AN important extension of the Institu- the divisional inspector of H.M. Coast- tion's practice of encouraging rescues by guard concerned it was stated that the shore-boats was put into effect in the boat owners were "vociferously keen" summer of 1962 by the Institution in on the new scheme. conjunction with the Ministry of Trans- port. Its purpose is to make wider and IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE more co-ordinated use of the services TRADITIONS of boat-owners who are prepared to The scheme for enlisting the help of put out to the rescue when the need boat owners is of course in accordance arises. with the Royal National Life-boat The extended scheme was initiated Institution's general traditions. The experimentally on the south coast of Institution has always tried to make England and the Isle of Wight between use of the willingness of volunteers to Selsey Bill and Swanage. The Ministry put out to the rescue rather than to of Transport distributed to all coast- establish large new organisations to guard stations concerned a list of the meet new needs. Closer co-operation boat owners who had agreed to co- between the established rescue services operate and whose boats were known to and individual boat owners can be be generally available. The list gave expected once the new scheme becomes their telephone numbers and particu- more widely adopted, and if there were lars of the type of boat they owned. any doubt about the need for such co- The Institution wrote to these boat operation the figures for launches by owners and reminded them that they : life-boats in the holiday months of were entitled to rewards on the same 1962 would dispel it. Once again a scale as those paid to members of a , record was established when life-boats life-boat crew and also to the cost of were launched on service in September fuel and of replacing any gear lost or 117 times, the highest figure ever damaged. recorded for the month of September The idea of launching this scheme since the Institution was founded in arose, of course, from the growing ' 1824. concern felt at the number of lives lost Many of the services were to small through accidents to small craft at boats, but the outstanding rescue sea during the summer months. Al- occurred on the 17th September, when though the scheme had not been in ! for the first time a life-boat saved the operation long before the summer came [ lives of the crew of a hovercraft. The to an end, its value has already been Rhyl coxswain, Harold Campini, was shown. In the limited area in which the awarded the silver medal for gallantry, pilot scheme was launched it is known I and another unusual feature of the that in a period of a little over two ) service was the making of special months 23 calls were made on the boat awards to the shore helpers. A full owners listed by the Ministry, and there account of this service appears on is no doubt that other calls were page 343. answered by boat owners who, largely because they did not seek any rewards, COSTLY WORKS ON THE COAST did not report the incidents. There have From time to time the Institution not yet been any spectacular rescues, engages in a major new enterprise such but in a report produced jointly by the as the construction of a life-boat district inspector of the Institution and station. In recent years a new station 342 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 was built at the Lizard/Cadgwith at a tion being some £3,500. At Penlee cost of approximately £100,000, and the work needed to provide a new and what was in effect a new station was more powerful boathouse winch is constructed at Selsey as a consequence expected to cost over £1,500. of coast erosion. These major under- takings aroused some public interest, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE but all the year round work has to be The ninth international life-boat con- done at a variety of stations of a kind ference, which is to be held in Edin- of which little is heard, but which is burgh early in June, 1963, seems likely nevertheless costly. At one recent meet- to be attended by more delegates from ing of the Committee of Management, life-boat societies abroad than any of for instance, major improvements to the earlier conferences. At the time of three different life-boat stations, those going to press acceptances have been at Aldeburgh, at Llandudno and at received from the two life-boat societies Penlee were decided upon. At Aide- in both France and the Netherlands, burgh the provision of a new boat, and other countries which will be send- alterations in the coast since groynes ing delegates are Belgium, Denmark, and a sea wall were built a few years Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Nor- ago, and the wearing of skids and turn- way, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, tables by wave-driven shingle have Turkey and the U.S.A. It is also necessitated constructional work for possible that there will be representa- improving launching conditions at an tives from Canada, Chile, Iceland, estimated cost of over £7,000. Subject Japan, Uruguay and the U.S.S.R. to town planning consent the life-boat Visiting life-boats from a number house at Llandudno will be altered in of European countries are likely to time for a new life-boat to be placed provide a major attraction at the there, the estimated cost of the altera- conference.

Oldest Life-boat Supporter Miss Ellen Goodeve, who was of her needlework to be sold on behalf probably the oldest active supporter of of the Institution, and when she died the life-boat service, died at the Queen the other residents of the Queen Mary Mary Homes in Chislehurst, Kent, in Homes sent a donation to the Institu- August, 1962, at the age of 103. To tion, as she had requested that this within a few months of her death Miss should be done instead of providing Goodeve was regularly sending samples flowers.

Photographic Competition BECAUSE of the success of the com- For the best 35-mm. colour petition staged last year the Institution will again hold a photographic com- transparency - - - £10 petition, the closing date for entries For the best black-and-white being 31st October, 1963. Photographs should be sent to the Secretary of the photograph - - - £10 Institution, and envelopes marked "Photographic Competition". The winning photographs will become The competition is open to members the Institution's property. Other trans- of life-boat crews, branch members and parencies and photographs will be officials, and members of the Institu- returned, if requested, and acknowledg- tion's staff, and the following prizes are ment will be made if they are used in offered:- the Institution's publications. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 343

First Rescue Ever From a Hovercraft ON the 17th September, 1962, a service into a trough. Fortunately the cox- of a unique kind was carried out when swain had enough way on to bring her for the first time a rescue was effected round and make for the hovercraft. by life-boat from a hovercraft. The Meanwhile Mr. Owen had ordered the hovercraft was the first to be used on shore helpers to disperse round the public service in this country and launching position in order to help in operated between Rhyl and Hoylake case there was an accident. during the summer of 1962. Having Coxswain Campini headed for the completed her programme in the middle hovercraft, which was drifting rapidly of September, she was put to moorings towards the promenade. There were at Rhyl to await a tug which would three men aboard, who already knew tow her to Liverpool. that the hovercraft would almost certainly break up, and they had re- Seas Break into Boathouse luctantly decided to abandon her. At 1.4 in the early hours of the They inflated their life-jackets and morning of the 17th September the opened the starboard door, but they honorary secretary of the Rhyl life- found it extremely difficult to push the boat station, Mr. J. M. Owen, learned door open against the wind, and it from the coastguard that the hovercraft could not be held open by the strut VA3-001 had broken adrift. Her crew normally used for that purpose. One were trying to take her out to sea on her of the hovercraft's crew tried to talk engines. Mr. Owen alerted the boat's to the life-boat coxswain by loud- officers of the life-boat, who assembled hailer, but the noise of the engines, in the boathouse. At 1.14 the coast- combined with the noise of the sea and guard asked for the life-boat's help wind, made this almost impossible. As and the maroons were fired. the life-boat approached, the hover- A west-north-westerly gale was blow- craft's crew decided to cut out the ing. Rough seas were breaking heavily engines and shout instructions for in the shallow water and rolling over coming alongside. the promenade into the boathouse. The night was dark, and visibility was Drifting Fast to Leeward further reduced by heavy spray. It was Finding that there was nothing on the half an hour before high water on a hovercraft to which he could make a spring tide. line fast, the coxswain circled her and Coxswain Harold Campini, having passed his own instructions to the confirmed that there definitely were hovercraft's crew by loud-hailer. So three men on board the hovercraft, fast was the hovercraft drifting to lee- agreed to launch, although he fully ward that it was unsafe to approach recognised the dangers in the prevailing her on the lee side, and the coxswain conditions. The life-boat carriage was therefore took the life-boat along her worked down the narrow slip by the weather side, in the words of the chief tractor, and Coxswain Campini waited test pilot aboard the hovercraft, " dis- for his opportunity and then gave the playing superb seamanship". order to launch into seas which were The three men succeeded in jump- breaking over tractor, life-boat and ing aboard. Seven minutes later the carriage. hovercraft hit the promenade. The Launch in Three Minutes coxswain hove to for an hour until a In fact the Rhyl life-boat, Anthony lull allowed him to enter the harbour Robert Marshall, which is one of the and land the survivors. 35-foot 6-inch Liverpool type, was When the hovercraft crashed into launched only three minutes after the the promenade she had 250 gallons of maroons had been fired. As she came kerosene on board, and it was thought clear of the carriage she rose almost that there might be a danger of fire or vertically and then dropped sideways even an explosion. For this reason, at 344 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 Mr. Owen's request, the fire brigade For this service the silver medal for was standing by. gallantry has been awarded to Cox- Although they were aware of the swain Harold Campini. The thanks of danger, the head launcher, Mr. Dennis the Institution inscribed on vellum have Jones, accompanied by the tractor been accorded to head launcher Dennis driver, Mr. James Hughes and the Jones and to the six other members assistant tractor driver, Mr. Thomas of the crew: I. Armstrong, B. Herbert, Bowman, jumped aboard the hover- W. Hunt, G. Povah, D. C. A. Williams, craft and made a thorough search for and I. Thomas. Framed letters of any survivors who might be left aboard. appreciation have been issued to the Once they had confirmed that everyone shore helpers and volunteers : tractor had been rescued, Mr. Owen and Mr. driver James Hughes, assistant tractor Jones tried to secure the hovercraft. driver Thomas Bowman, G. Hughes, A number of other volunteers jumped W. Roberts, B. Price, D. Hughes, into the water and at some danger to Trevor Bowman, Joseph Hughes, and themselves managed to secure lines D. Mottram, together with a collective around the fins. They tried to make thanks of the Institution inscribed on these lines fast to the promenade vellum. A special letter of appreciation guard rails, but in the words of Mr. was sent to the honorary secretary, Owen's report, the lines "snapped like Mr. J. M. Owen, and additional carrots". Finally the hovercraft ground- monetary rewards were made to the ed on some steps leading down to coxswain, the crew, and the shore the beach where she was secured. helpers.

Rescued When Clinging to the Mast AT 6.20 on the morning of the 7th of the land the life-boat felt the full August, 1962, Mr. A. J. Tart, the honor- force of the wind. There was an ary secretary of the Dungeness station, extremely heavy sea and the height of was told by Lade coastguard that the the waves between crest and trough German vessel Erfurt had reported was about twenty-five feet. seeing a small boat showing a red light about ten and a half miles off Dunge- New Type of Craft ness. This was only an anticipatory At 7.27 the life-boat found the message, and a quarter of an hour later casualty. She was a new type of craft, a the coastguard gave the position as trimaran, the Nimble Eve, with a centre seven miles south-west-three-quarters- hull and floats on either side. She was south of Dungeness. At 6.40 the Erfurt submerged, and the five people on described the boat as a catamaran and board her were standing on the cabin asked for the help of the life-boat as it top, which was awash, clinging to the was impossible for her to go alongside. mast. A strong south-west-to-westerly gale Coxswain Tart decided to approach was blowing, there was heavy, driven her on the lee side and to put his port spray with rain squalls, and visibility bow as close to the mast as possible. was down to about a mile and a half. There was a considerable risk of damage The tide was half ebb. to the life-boat from the starboard float of the trimaran, which was some three Some Protection Afforded or four feet under the water, but the At 6.50 the Dungeness life-boat coxswain judged that if he tried to Mabel E. Holland, which is one of the approach from the weather side the 42-foot beach type, was launched. life-boat might be lifted bodily over the Coxswain George Tart steered close trimaran and either crush the survivors round Dungeness Point, where some or sweep them into the sea. protection was afforded, and then His judgment was proved right and headed direct for the reported position as a consequence of his excellent sea- of the casualty. Once clear of the lee manship the five survivors, three men DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 345 and two women, were taken off at the erick Richardson, members of the crew. first attempt. The rescued people were The owner of the trimaran wrote to treated for exposure, and at 8.15 they the honorary secretary: "On behalf of were landed at Dungeness, where they the crew of the yacht Nimble Eve I were looked after in the homes of should like to thank all those concerned members of the life-boat crew until they with our rescue by the Dungeness life- were in a state to leave. The life-boat boat at the height of the storm on the suffered superficial damage to the hand morning of Tuesday, August 7th, 1962. grips on the port side and to two of the The speed and efficiency with which the bottom planks. life-boat came to our aid once our For this service the thanks of the position had been given was truly Institution inscribed on vellum have remarkable considering the weather been accorded to Coxswain George conditions at the time, and the magni- Tart. Additional monetary rewards ficent sight of the life-boat coming have been given and vellum service straight towards us in terrible seas will certificates issued to the other members always remain one of our most wonder- of the crew: Tom Tart, second cox- ful memories." swain; Albert Haines, bowman; Frank Donations were received from the Paine, motor mechanic; John Thomas, parents of the wife of the skipper acting assistant mechanic; Robert Tart, and from a friend of the coxswain who James Tart, Arthur Oilier and Fred- read about the service in Baghdad.

Wrist Watch Awarded to Fourteen-year-old Boy About eleven o'clock on the morning older girl, who was supported by an in- of the 10th June, 1962, Harry flated plastic ring. When he reached her Christopher Duffy, a fourteen-year-old he found Valerie Ridgley helpless and boy, heard two girl swimmers who were floating with her head in the water. He in the sea off Lake Pier, Hamworthy, lifted her head out, but found he could Dorset, shouting. He was canoeing with not make any progress against the off- other members of the Hamworthy Ad- shore wind. Mr. Roger Towler then venture Centre and called to his in- came to his help in a 16-foot outboard structor. It did not seem to the instruc- runabout. Together they succeeded in tor that anything was amiss, but Harry bringing the girl ashore. Another man, Duffy was not satisfied, and he paddled Mr. John Edwards, waded into the towards the girls, who were some dis- water to help. tance away. There was a moderate off- When Valerie Ridgley was brought shore wind at the time and the sea was ashore her father tried to revive her by choppy. The tide was just beginning to the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation sys- flood. tem, and when an ambulance arrived she was given oxygen. She was then taken to Poole General Hospital, but Hung on to Canoe was found to be dead on arrival. The two girls were sisters, Valerie At the inquest on Valerie Ridgley, Ridgley, aged eleven, and Hazel Ridgley, H.M. Coroner said that had Harry aged eight. As the boy approached them Duffy not done his utmost there would he sounded the depth of the water with have been a double tragedy. He added: his seven-foot six-inch paddle, but could "I think for a boy of fourteen to decide not touch bottom. what to do and the way in which he He first approached the younger girl, carried out what he decided is worthy Hazel Ridgley, and told her to hang on of much commendation". to the stern of his canoe, and in this way For this service an engraved wrist- he brought her inshore until she was watch has been awarded to Harry able to wade. He then returned to the Christopher Duffy. 346 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 Dangerous Approach to Yacht Aground ON the morning of the 21st July, 1962, down on to the yacht so that a line could Coxswain Harold Parkinson of Lytham- be passed by hand. St. Anne's was told at 10.15 that a yacht The weather conditions grew worse, was aground on the north side of the and the wind increased. Heavy seas Ribble channel about two and a half were breaking over both the life-boat miles offshore. He immediately told the and the yacht, and the tide, now at half honorary secretary, Mr. John Kennedy. flood, was running at four knots. The It was clear that because of lack of yacht was dragging her anchor and water the life-boat would not be able to was being continually driven further up approach the yacht for an hour and a the bank by the wind and tide. As the half, and Mr. Kennedy and the cox- coxswain tried to make contact by swain therefore drove to St. Anne's, veering his cable the life-boat was where they could have a closer view of thrown about violently and struck the the yacht. They saw her aground bet- bottom more than once. There was also ween Feet's Light and Salters Bank on a clear danger that the life-boat's the north side of the Ribble channel. propellers or rudder might foul the She was the seven-ton motor ketch Lone yacht's cable. Seeker with a crew of four. A near gale was blowing from the south-west, the Cable Cut by Anchor sea was rough, and the weather In fact the life-boat's manila cable was cloudy, although there was good was cut by the ketch's anchor, which visibility. It was two hours after low fouled it, and Coxswain Parkinson now water, and the tide was flooding at knew that he had no alternative but to three knots. try to close the yacht with considerable At 11.5 the Lytham-St. Anne's life- risk to his own boat as she struck the boat Sarah Townsend Porritt, which is bottom. The life-boat could not in fact one of the 46-foot 9-inch Watson type, go alongside because there was too little proceeded down channel. As soon as water, but her crew succeeded in there was enough water Coxswain throwing a heaving line on board the Parkinson took her over the training yacht. Once the line was secured the wall at some risk to the life-boat. The yacht's cable was cut, and the life-boat life-boat did in fact touch bottom, and towed her into the deeper water of the Coxswain Parkinson decided to stand main channel. It was then found that the off while Motor Mechanic George damage to the yacht was only superficial Harrison fired a line across the yacht. in spite of the heavy pounding she had received, and she was able to continue Hand Severely Burnt up the river under her own power. A tow line was successfully secured to For this service the bronze medal for the thin line which had been fired, but as gallantry was awarded to Coxswain the life-boat and the yacht surged apart Harold Parkinson; Mechanic George the thin line was cut on the broken stem- Harrison received the thanks of the head fairlead of the yacht, and contact Institution inscribed on vellum. Addi- was lost. Mechanic Harrison then tried tional monetary rewards were given and to fire a second line but burnt his left medal service certificates issued to the hand severely and the pistol was drop- other members of the crew: Arthur ped overboard. Although in severe pain Wignall, second coxswain; John Parkin- he returned to the engine controls, and son, bowman; Harry Bamber, assistant Coxswain Parkinson decided to go to mechanic; Harold Crompton, Bernard windward and anchor in two fathoms Gill, William Card well, and Richard on a sandy bottom. His aim was to veer Wright, members of the crew.

Annual General Meeting The next annual general meeting of place at the Central Hall, Westminster, the governors of the Institution will take on Tuesday, 2nd April, 1963. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 347 Three Saved After Motor Boat Capsizes ABOUT 6.30 on the evening of the 15th some difficulty in pulling away from July, 1962, a party of four people and a the river mouth, for the dinghy they had dog put to sea from Axmouth harbour, borrowed was only 10 feet in length, near Seaton, in a 12-foot 6-inch motor and was shipping a good deal of water. boat driven by a 5 horse-power out- The mother and the daughter were board engine. After about an hour the still clinging to the capsized boat and man in charge of the boat, whose name Mr. Collard was supporting Mr.Addi- was Collard, began to return to har- cott, who was now unconscious. The bour, but as he approached the river two boys dragged Mr. Addicott in mouth he found the ground swell over the transom and laid him on the against the ebb tide made the approach bottom boards. Then they helped Mr. extremely difficult, although there was Collard in and pulled towards the little wind at the time. He negotiated capsized boat. two successive seas, but about eight o'clock a third sea coming up from Tangled Round Legs astern capsized the boat and threw all Mrs. Addicott, who had fishing lines four people into the river. At the tangled round her legs, was pulled over time the boat was only a few yards from the stem, and after her stockings had the river bank, but the ebb tide swept been freed from the hooks, Nigel them out to sea. Harding cut the lines adrift. David Mr. Collard, who was a good swim- Mettam then hauled Miss Addicott mer, helped two of the party, a Mrs. aboard, and the dog, which had been Addicott and her daughter, and the swimming near, was pulled aboard by two women hung on to a ring bolt on its collar. the upturned boat. The fourth member After the two boys had trimmed the of the party, who was Mrs. Addicott's boat to the best of their ability, David husband, could not swim, and Mr. Mettam began to pull for the river Collard swam out to sea and supported entrance. A larger boat then approached him while he struggled towards the and offered help, but this boat's engine capsized boat. stalled, and David Mettam rowed on. Their boat was carried on to the beach Two Young Men Put Out by a large wave and the two women Nigel Harding, a seventeen-year-old jumped out before the backwash carried schoolboy, of llchester Grammar the boat out again. Mr. Collard jumped School, was standing on the beach out on the next wave, and the boat when he heard someone shout that a was hauled up the beach with the help of boat had capsized. He immediately bystanders. Mr. Addicott was laid on asked a boat owner if he could borrow the beach, and one of the bystanders his boat and was about to put off applied artificial respiration while Nigel when he was joined by another young Harding ran to the yacht club to sum- man, Mr. David Mettam, who was mon a doctor and ambulance. By the aged twenty-two. time the doctor and an ambulance With Mettam at the oars they made arrived Mr. Addicott was found to be for the capsized boat, and after round- dead. ing a bend in the river they saw the For this service inscribed wrist- boat, which was already some three watches have been awarded to David hundred yards out to sea. They had Mettam and Nigel Harding. THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 150 Life-boats LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to 30th September, 1962 - 83,848 348 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 Another Wrist Watch Awarded to Boy About 11.40 on the morning of the left, apparently to summon further 31st July, 1962, an 11-foot dinghy help. capsized about a mile north-west of St. Meanwhile Derek Humfryes, a Helens fort off Bembridge in the Isle fourteen-year-old boy, who was fish- of Wight. There were three people ing in his ten-foot dinghy about half aboard, a Mr. Gleave and his eleven- a mile inshore of the scene of the acci- year-old son and a Miss Price. None of dent, saw a line being thrown, and them wore lifebelts, and the boy could wondering what had happened got not swim. There was a choppy sea, a under way, using his outboard mo- moderate wind was blowing from the tor. north-west, and it was nearly high Perfect Timing water. The tidal stream was setting As he approached he saw three people north-west at one knot. in the water and brought his boat along The three people in the water were the lee side, cutting out his engine with unable to right the boat, for the anchor perfect timing. Mr. Gleave grabbed had fallen to the bottom and the anchor the boat's bow and he and Derek cable had been fouled by the mast- Humfryes pulled the eleven-year-old head so that the dinghy remained boy aboard. Miss Price was then bottom up. Miss Price lay over the helped aboard, and Mr. Gleave stern and Mr. Gleave over the bow managed himself to climb in. while they tried to hold the boy over the Derek Humfryes gave his duffle capsized boat, which had about two coat to the boy, who was in a bad state, inches freeboard. A sailing boat ap- and then made for the yacht club proached, and a heaving line was pontoon, where the three rescued people thrown twice, but both times it fell were landed. short. Neither Miss Price nor Mr. For this service an inscribed wrist- Gleave could leave without endanger- watch has been awarded to Derek ing the boy, and the sailing boat Humfryes,

Centenary of Scottish Station THE hundredth anniversary of the after accepting the vellum, handed it to establishment of a life-boat station at the Provost of the Royal Burgh of Kirkcudbright was commemorated at a Kirkcudbright for safe keeping. The ceremony at the harbour on the 19th Provost, Mr. W. F. Maxwell, accepted July, when Lord Saltoun, Convener of it and a vote of thanks was then the Scottish Life-boat Council, and a proposed by Dr. R. N. Rutherfurd, member of the Committee of Manage- vice-president of the branch. The ment, presented a certificate inscribed singing was led by the Kirkcudbright on vellum to the branch. Mr. A. C. Choral Society under the direction of Brown, president of the branch, was in Mrs. T. R. Collin, wife of the honorary the chair, and the Rev. Robert R. Y. secretary and treasurer. During the Minto conducted a service of thanks- ceremony the life-boat went to inves- giving. Mr. T. R. Collin, honorary tigate a report of a capsize, but her secretary and treasurer of the branch, services were not required.

Errata IN the September 1962 issue of The stated that ex-coxswain Henry Walker Life-boat the honour bestowed on of Holy Island had served as cox- Rear Admiral E. S. Irving was in- swain for 6| years. In fact his correctly given as K.C.B. instead of period of service as coxswain was 16f C.B. on page 300. On page 329 it was years. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 349

How a Trimaran Was Saved An eye-witness account by JOHN H. DOBSON. AT Lowestoft on Saturday the 21st The Nimble Venture continued to be July, 1962, a large number of holiday- blown northwards until she was about makers watched a drama take its course three miles south-east of Lowestoft near as a trimaran was brought safely into the north-east Newcome sandbank. The harbour after spending some hours in Lowestoft coastguard spotted their distress in full view of the shore. distress signal and informed the honor- Trimarans have been built for some ary secretary of the Lowestoft life-boat time in the United States, but the first to station. The two maroons which called be built in Britain was launched at Gorles- the life-boat crew from their work to ton in December, 1961. The trimaran is a man their vessel were fired, and within three-hulled vessel: the centre hull of four minutes the Lowestoft life-boat thirty feet and two out-rigged floats each Michael Stephens was on her way to the of twenty-four feet. The centre hull is distressed trimaran but with the sand- used for accommodation and galley. bank between them. The life-boat could An open cockpit of similar design to a not pass over the sandbank because small yacht is situated aft and the rudder there were only three feet of water and can be operated from the cockpit by so was obliged to go round the bank. tiller or by a wheel in the cabin. On either side of the hull the outrigger Yacht Race in Progress floats have a deck joining them to the Meanwhile the Nimble Venture was main hull, and they can be used for still being blown north and well within storage. The trimaran is rigged with a sight of the shore. Hundreds of holiday- forestaysail and a mainsail. On trials of makers lined the shore, the piers and the prototype it was stated to have the harbour installations watching, sailed at a speed of fourteen knots. A many of them being equipped with small outboard motor is clamped to the binoculars. A yacht race was in progress stern for emergency purposes and move- off Lowestoft and Flying Fifteens were ment in harbour. battling against the weather for suprem- acy. Two launches belonging to the Distress Signal Hoisted Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Early on the morning of the 21st were in attendance. July Mr. Neville Clarke, an ex-R.A.F. The Nimble Venture was now due east squadron leader who is now a sales of the Lowestoft coastguard station and director for the owners, collected the the harbour. Mr. Clarke, not knowing trimaran Nimble Venture from the the life-boat was on her way, lighted a builders at Gorleston with the intention red flare. The coastguards fired a rocket of taking her to Ipswich. Mr Clarke acknowledging the signal. This was was accompanied by Mr. Dennis Lynch. mistaken by many of the holiday-makers The two men left Gorleston harbour to be a recall signal for the life-boat. with a strong south-westerly wind blowing in the Nimble Venture. Yacht Club Launches Join In All went well with the Nimble Seeing the red flare, the crews of the Venture on the first part of the voyage two yacht club launches also joined in from Gorleston to Ipswich, but when the chase. As these launches drew very the craft was sailing past Sizewell, the little water they were able to cross the port shroud parted and the Nimble sandbank and beat the life-boat to the Venture was blown rapidly northwards. trimaran. There was only a boat's The two men were now helpless and length between the life-boat and the their outboard motor was no match for first of the yacht club launches and the the sea and wind. Mr. Clarke hoisted launch was able to get a tow line on to the international code signal DZ, which the Nimble Venture first. The second means "I require immediate assistance". launch passed a line to the first so that 350 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 both could help in the operation of life-boat's crew passed a tow rope over towing the distressed vessel back to port. and secured it. Within a few feet of the By this time the vessels had all north pier and destruction, the Nimble drifted to a position off Ness Point and Venture had been saved. Once dashed it was as much as the two launches could against the pier, there could have been do to tow the trimaran against wind no hope for either the craft or the men and tide. Progress was very slow. The on board in the strong currents that life-boat under the command of Cox- existed. As one the crowd on the south swain Harry Burgess followed astern pier let out a hearty cheer for the life- ready to help. boat and her gallant crew. As the life-boat brought her charge Quick Decision Made between the pier heads of the Lowestoft As the two launches and their tow harbour, there was much more cheering reached the entrance to the Lowestoft as everyone realised the drama was over harbour a gasp came from the watchers and the Nimble Venture was safe. The on the Lowestoft south pier. The tow Nimble Venture was towed to moorings rope had parted. The Nimble Venture in the yacht basin near to the Royal was now in much greater danger than Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club and before. While in the open sea the tri- moored securely. The life-boat returned maran had been comparatively safe. to her moorings and the crew returned As she only drew a few inches of water to work or to their homes. They had there had been very little likelihood of spent three hours at sea and had her going aground or hitting anything. succeeded in bringing the Nimble Off the Lowestoft harbour entrance she Venture to the safety of harbour by the was in great danger of being swept on to evening and in daylight. broken slabs of concrete, which are used Mr. Clarke and Mr. Lynch remained as a breakwater, or on to the north pier. on board the trimaran to clear up and Coxswain Harry Burgess wasted no stow away the gear. Repairs were later time. He made a quick decision and a carried out at Lowestoft and the Nimble dash with the life-boat and came along- Venture completed her voyage several side the trimaran: other members of the days late.

Portrait on the Cover THE photograph on the cover is of have been such that since his Coxswain Alfred Cadman, D.S.M., of appointment she has been launched on Dover. Although he was appointed service 41 times and has rescued 30 coxswain as recently as August, 1960, lives. The photograph is reproduced by the demands on the Dover life-boat courtesy of Mr. Ray Warner of Dover.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Stirling Whorlow Esq., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number of THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in MARCH, 1963. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 351

New Scottish, Irish and English Life-Boats NEW life-boats in Scotland, Ireland and know something about sailing, and most England—at Longhope in the Orkneys, vessels hereabouts are fishing boats or at Howth in the Irish Republic, and at merchantmen, under the command of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset—were people who know their job, and, when named during the last quarter. such people get into trouble, it is usually The money to build the Longhope because of severe weather, or because life-boat came from an anonymous their navigational aids have failed, or gift, and the life-boat was named T.G.B. both". by the Hon. Mrs. Alexander Ramsay at The T.G.B. is the sixth station life- a ceremony at the Longhope pier on the boat at Longhope, and at the time of 23rd August, 1962. Mr. J. M. F. Groat, the ceremony Longhope life-boats had president of the Longhope branch, rescued 423 lives since 1874, the year in was in the chair, and after Lieut- which the station was established. Commander M. Roden, the northern district inspector, had described the Wife of the President life-boat, which is one of the 47-foot The Howth branch had the honour Watson type, Lord Saltoun, Convener of welcoming the wife of the President of the Scottish Life-boat Council and a of the Irish Republic, Mrs. de Valera, member of the Committee of Manage- to name its new life-boat A.M.T. The ment, handed her over to the branch. life-boat was built out of legacies from Mr. J. M. F. Groat Junior, honorary the late Mr. E. A. Auston, Miss J. secretary of the branch, accepted her, Muhlhauser and Mr. A. Toon. She is and after a vote of thanks had been the eighth life-boat stationed at Howth proposed by Mrs. James Swanson, since the station was taken over by the president of the Longhope ladies' life- Institution from the Dublin Ballast boat guild, the Rev. D. A. Williams, Board in 1862. Since then the Howth minister of the parish of Stenness, life-boats have rescued 165 lives. It is assisted by the Rev. Charles Abel, known that there was a life-boat minister of the parish of the South Isles, station at Howth before 1825, but there conducted the service of dedication. are virtually no records of the earlier Music was played by the Kirkwall boats. Salvation Army band conducted by Mr. At the naming ceremony on the 1st W. Buchan, and by the pipes and drums September, 1962, Mr. Gerald Fitz- of the Orkney and Zetland battery, the Gibbon, chairman of the Howth branch, Lovat Scouts, R.A., T.A. The grand- opened the proceedings, and after Lieut- daughter of the assistant mechanic, Commander D. B. Cairns, the Irish Miss Jennifer Johnston, presented a district inspector, had described the bouquet to Mrs. Ramsay. life-boat, which is one of the 47-foot Watson type, Captain the Hon. V. M. People Who Know Their Job Wyndham-Quin, Deputy Chairman of In naming the life-boat Mrs. Ramsay the Committee of Management, handed said: "I have read several reports of the life-boat over to the branch. Mr. J. services by the Longhope boat, all vivid Norman Wilkinson, honorary secretary and exciting accounts of endurance, and of the branch, accepted her. The Very tenacity, and courage, in very arduous Rev. Patrick O'Keefe blessed the life- conditions. Services by the Longhope boat, and after votes of thanks had boat are usually carried out in difficult been proposed by Mr. D. Mellon, a conditions, because, owing to the member of the branch committee, and climate and character of the sea, this seconded by Mrs. Stephen Gaisford St. area is not one which attracts those Lawrence, president of the Howth inexperienced sailors, in unseaworthy ladies' life-boat guild, Mrs. de Valera yachts, who often get into trouble in named the boat A.T.M. Music was southern waters. People who venture in provided by the Post Office Workers' the Pentland Firth for pleasure usually Union band, the St. Lawrence pipe 352 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 band, and the Howth children's choir. mander Sir Reginald Leeds, Bt, a An attractive booklet giving the history member of the Committee of Manage- of the Howth life-boat station was ment, accepted the life-boat and handed produced to mark the occasion. her over to the branch, Mr. R. J. S. The new life-boat at Weston-super- Crowe, honorary secretary of the Mare is a gift of the Calouste Gul- branch, accepting her. The Bishop of benkian Foundation, and at the cere- Taunton then dedicated the life-boat, mony at Weston-super-Mare pier on assisted by the Rev. Prebendary B. J. W. the 22nd September the life-boat was Turnock, rector of Weston-super Mare. named by the daughter of the late A vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs. Calouste Gulbenkian, Mrs. K. L. P. S. Martin, chairman of the Weston- Essayan. After Captain E. J. Wide, super-Mare life-boat guild. Music was chairman of the Weston-super-Mare played by the No. 5 Regional Band of branch, had opened the proceedings, the Royal Air Force, Locking, con- and Lieut.-Commander H. H. Harvey, ducted by Flight-Lieutenant J. W. the western district inspector, had Martindale. The new life-boat, which is described the life-boat, which is one named Calouste Gulbenkian, is the fifth of the 37-foot Oakley type, Dr. Jose de station life-boat since the Weston-super- Azaredo Perdigao, Chairman of the Mare station was established in 1882. At Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, pre- the time of the ceremony Weston-super- sented her to the Institution. Com- Mare life-boats had rescued 138 lives.

Window in a Parish Church THE coxswain of the Tynemouth life- parties; the Duchess of Northumberland boat, Mr. P. Denham Christie, and the and principal officers of the local com- crew had the happy idea of presenting mittees of the Institution; Earl Howe, to the Seamen's Chapel of Christ Chairman of the Committee of Manage- Church, North Shields, which is the ment; the Duke of Northumberland, parish church of Tynemouth, a stained honorary treasurer of the Institution glass window. The window was designed and president of the Tynemouth branch; by Mr. L. C. Evetts. It has a dedicatory Professor E. A. Pask, a member of the inscription and shows three life-boats Committee of Management of the which mark important stages in the Institution and honorary medical ad- history of the Tynemouth life-boat viser to the Tynemouth branch; and Sir station. One is the Original, which was Lawrence Edwards, chairman of the built on Tyneside; the first model out Tynemouth branch, and Lady Edwards. of which the design for this life-boat The coxswain, crew and shore helpers was developed was made in 1789 by at the station then entered, followed by William Wouldhave, who was himself the Bishop of Newcastle. baptised in the parish church. Another A prologue in Latin, taken from a is the Constance, the first of the Institu- letter of a monk of Tynemouth Priory, tion's life-boats to be stationed at Tyne- written in the year 1220, was read, and mouth a hundred years ago. The third after the anthem the Rev. Emlyn is the Tynesider, the present Tynemouth Williams, chaplain of the training ship life-boat. Worcester, gave the address. Prologue in Latin Mr. Denham Christie then invited the An impressive ceremony took place at Duchess of Northumberland to unveil the church on Sunday, 16th September, the window, which she did, concluding 1962, for the unveiling, which was held with the words: "May God prosper in connection with the celebration of the your work and preserve you in all hundredth anniversary of the founda- hazards of the sea." The Bishop of tion of the Tynemouth station. After the Newcastle, at the request of the cox- organ prelude the Vicar of Tynemouth swain, then dedicated the window, and received in turn hi the church the civic the service concluded after the blessing DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 353 with Bach's organ postlude, the fugue of Northumberland presented a certifi- in D minor. cate inscribed on vellum to commem- On the 21st September the life-boat orate the centenary. In the past hundred crew and shore helpers and their wives years Tynemouth life-boats have been were entertained by the local branch launched on service 197 times, rescuing committee, and the next day the Duke 404 lives.

Book Reviews MR. GRANT UDEN has achieved the con- (Robert Hale, 21/-). Much is told siderable feat of telling the story of the of Her Royal Highness's earlier life life-boat service in a book of less than and there are many pleasant photo- ninety pages, which yet includes numer- graphs. Those connected with the ous photographs of life-boats, a map of life-boat service who know of the life-boat stations, several charts and close personal interest Her Royal tables and an index. This is Life-boats Highness shows in every aspect of (Basil Blackwell, 8/6d.). Mr. Uden has the service and the amount of devoted sketched the history of the service, de- work she has given to it may be somewhat scribed the different types of life-boats surprised to discover that no mention and the ways in which they are launched, of her connection with the Royal included a number of accounts of out- National Life-boat Institution is made. standing services both in war and in P.H. peace, and also provided a short section on ships' boats. Handbook on Seamanship In such a short book there is neces- sarily little that has not appeared in Mr. Norris D. Hoyt has written a other books on the life-boat service, most interesting and valuable book for although Mr. Uden has brought the all who put to sea for pleasure—whether story up to date in treating such recent it be cruising, sea racing or merely mess- developments as the Oakley life-boat ing about in a dinghy. This is Seaman- and the installation of echo sounders. ship (Darton, Longman & Todd, 15/-). He has also produced an interesting His chapters on boat-handling in fog quotation from the year 1867, in which at night and in heavy weather are par- comparison is made between the boats ticularly valuable to beginners and of which the Coastguard then used for especial interest to the R.N.L.I., because going out to the rescue and the boats of as the author so pithily puts it: "when the R.N.L.I. This states of the type of you're in the soup the long-suffering boat used by the Coastguard: "It is far life-boat service has to be in there after from being constructed in the scientific you". way in which those of the Institution The book was originally written for are". the American market, and this British Mr. Uden's book is written for the edition has been revised to incorporate young, and he lists at the end a number such amendments as are needed to agree of things which young people interested with British practice and regulations in life-boats can do. At its very reason- where they differ from the American. able price this book can certainly be D.G.W. recommended. Other books received include The New Supporters of the life-boat service Science of Skin and Scuba Diving by all over the country will be interested John Halfhide (18/- paper and 25/- cased) to know of a new biography of the and How to Teach Children to Swim by Institution's President, recently pub- Carolyn Kauffman (12/6d. paper and lished. This is H.R.H. Princess Marina, 16/- cased), both published by Darton, Duchess of Kent, by J. Wentworth Day Longman & Todd. 354 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962

Services of the Life-boats in July, August and September 227 Lives Rescued JULY to Greatstone. The survivors and the DURING July life-boats were launched dinghy were landed and the life-boat on service 92 times and rescued 59 lives. then returned to the capsized cata- maran and took her in tow. The life- boat finally reached her station at 4.50. CABIN CRUISER FOUND AGROUND IN RIVER FISHING VESSEL STRANDED ON Broughty Ferry, Angus. At 5.16 on HARBOUR BAR the afternoon of the 1st July, 1962, the Whitby, Yorkshire. At 1.5 on the coastguard informed the coxswain that afternoon of the 3rd July, 1962, some a boy was adrift in a small rubber local fishermen told the motor mechanic dinghy off Carnoustie. The life-boat that the motor fishing vessel Provider The Robert was launched at 5.25 in a of Whitby had stranded at low water moderate west-north-westerly wind and on the harbour bar while attempting a moderate sea. It was two hours after to enter harbour during a north-north- high water. A helicopter joined the life- westerly gale. The vessel had been boat in a search off Carnoustie, but they washed towards the east pier and was found nothing except an oil drum. The bumping heavily on the rocky bottom life-boat was eventually recalled, and at this point. At 1.20 the life-boat Mary at 9.30, while she was on her way up Ann Hepworth was launched with the river, the coxswain saw a small cabin second coxswain in command in a rough cruiser aground near the Abertay sand- sea. She stood by the Provider while men banks. She was in no immediate danger on the pier pulled her clear of the rocks. but might be in difficulties if the wind It was then decided that the life-boat changed to the north-east, and the should stand by until the remainder of coxswain decided to stand by until the the fishing vessels, which were hove to cabin cruiser refloated. She did in fact off Whitby awaiting the tide, were safely refloat an hour later, and the life-boat in. The life-boat coxswain was the first escorted her to Tayport harbour, where to enter the harbour in his fishing vessel, she was safely berthed. The cabin and he took over command of the life- cruiser's owner thanked the coxswain boat until the rest of the fleet was in for his help, and the life-boat reached harbour. The life-boat then returned her station at eleven o'clock. to her station, arriving at 3.50.

TWO SURVIVORS FROM CATAMARAN SURGEON AND ANESTHETIST TAKEN LANDED TO ISLAND Dungeness, Kent. At 2.40 on the Troon, Ayrshire. At 2.15 on the after- afternoon of the 2nd July, 1962, the noon of the 3rd July, 1962, a request was coastguard informed the honorary sec- received from the Kilmarnock infirmary retary that a catamaran had capsized for the life-boat to take a surgeon and and that two people were in the water an anaesthetist to a hospital in Lamlash, off Greatstone. The life-boat Mabel E. Arran, to perform an operation on a Holland was launched at 2.46 in a strong man who could not be moved. There south-westerly wind and a choppy sea. were no sailings to Arran during the The tide was half ebb. A helicopter was afternoon, and the life-boat James and also sent to help in the search. When the Barbara Aitken therefore left her moor- life-boat reached the position it was ings at three o'clock with the two found that two small motor dinghies doctors on board. There was a moderate had picked up the survivors but that one north-westerly wind and a choppy sea, of the dinghies had run short of fuel. and it was one hour after high water. After she had taken the survivors on A small boat was waiting at Lamlash to board the life-boat towed this dinghy take the doctors ashore, and after the DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 355 operation had been completed the life- was taken as the life-boat would not be boat returned with them to Troon, able to go inshore. The small boat arriving at her station at 8.50. reached the position, and the four young men were taken on board the life-boat. TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITH FOULED The young men had left their own boat PROPELLER to climb the rocks but had been unable Aberdeen. At 11.10 on the night of to board her again. The life-boat took the 4th July, 1962, the coastguard their boat in tow and reached her station informed the honorary secretary that at 4.20. red flares had been seen three to four miles east-south-east of Gregness. The NAVAL RATING TRIES TO SWIM TO life-boat W and S, on temporary duty SHIP at the station, was launched at 11.25 in Weymouth, Dorset. At 12.8 early on a strong north-north-westerly wind and the morning of the 8th July, 1962, the a moderate sea. It was an hour and a coastguard informed the honorary half after low water. The life-boat found medical adviser that a naval rating had the fishing boat Mag of Peterhead with decided to swim to his ship H.M.S. a crew of three. She had fouled her Rothesay, which was in Portland har- propeller, and the life-boat took her in bour five miles away. He had entered tow to Aberdeen, reaching her station the water at 11.45 that night and nothing at two o'clock in the morning. had been seen of him since. At 12.15 the life-boat Frank Spiller Locke left her MOTOR BOAT'S CREW BURN RAGS moorings in calm weather and a smooth AS SIGNALS sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat Angle, Pembrokeshire. At 10.15 on found the naval rating half a mile south- the night of the 5th July, 1962, the east of Weymouth and took him on coastguard informed the honorary sec- board. He was taken to his ship, and retary that a small boat was drifting in the life-boat reached her station at 1.55. Freshwater West Bay and was flashing A letter of appreciation was received a torch. There was a gentle westerly from the captain of H.M.S. Rothesay. breeze with a slight sea. At 10.37 the life-boat Richard Vernon and Mary FOUR WOMEN AND A DOG TAKEN OFF Garforth of Leeds was launched on the YACHT ebbing tide. On reaching the position Margate, Kent. At 7.47 on the evening given she found the 32-foot motor boat of the 8th July, 1962, the coastguard Maid of Linney drifting near Brimstone informed the honorary secretary that a Rocks, off Linney Head, as her engine yacht had fired two distress signals off had broken down. The motor boat's Botany Bay. The life-boat North Fore- crew of two had been burning rags land (Civil Service No. 11) was launched soaked in paraffin to attract attention. in a moderate east-south-easterly wind The life-boat took her in tow and and a rough sea. The tide was half ebb. brought her to Angle Bay. The life-boat A helicopter was also summoned and reached her station at 12.45. hovered over the yacht until the life- boat arrived. The life-boat reached the FOUR YOUNG MEN RESCUED FROM motor yacht Lady Molly of Rochester ROCKS at 8.25 and found two men, four Hartlepool, Co. Durham. At 2.15 on women and a dog on board her. The the afternoon of the 7th July, 1962, the yacht had engine trouble and was about coastguard told the second coxswain of two hundred yards from the rocks. She a police report from Seaton Carew that was lying broadside on to the seas, and four young men had been cut off by the the yacht's owner asked the coxswain tide on Longscar Rocks. At 2.55 the life- to take his wife and three daughters on boat The Princess Royal (Civil Service board the life-boat as they were very No. 7) was launched with the second distressed. With difficulty the coxswain coxswain in command. There was a brought the life-boat alongside the Lady light south-easterly breeze and a slight Molly, and the four women and the dog sea. It was low water, and a small boat were taken on board. Tbe life-boat's 356 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 second coxswain and another member appeared to have broken down two of the crew were put on board the yacht miles north of Cape Cornwall. She was to help the owner to heave his anchor up trying to flash a message by searchlight and connect a tow line. Meanwhile the and a white flag or sheet was being women, who were suffering from waved. The boat's anchor was not shock, were wrapped in blankets and holding, but she was in no immediate made comfortable in the life-boat's danger as the flood tide was taking her cabin, and a message was sent by radio- north and keeping her off shore. There telephone asking for a doctor to meet was a gentle south-east breeze and the the life-boat at Ramsgate. The life-boat sea was smooth. At 8.25 the life-boat took the yacht in tow and brought her Susan Ashley was launched on the to Ramsgate, arriving at 9.45. A doctor flooding tide. On reaching the position who was waiting took care of the four given she found the twin-engined cabin women, and the yacht was berthed safely cruiser Eldora almost out of fuel with alongside the quay. The life-boat finally one engine giving trouble. The life-boat reached her station at 3.40 in the took the Eldora in tow and brought her morning. into Newlyn harbour as it was thought that if the wind freshened it might be WATERLOGGED YACHT BEACHED ON difficult to bring her into Sennen. The MUD FLAT life-boat then returned to her station, Selsey, Sussex. At 5.17 on the morn- arriving at 3.10. The owner of the cabin ing of the 9th July, 1962, a local fisher- cruiser made a gift to the life-boat crew man, who was preparing to go to sea, and a donation to the branch funds. saw red flares being fired from a ketch- rigged boat about a mile north-east of FOUR RESCUED FROM CONVERTED the life-boat station. She was a quarter SHIP'S BOAT of a mile off shore and was drifting help- Sheringham, Norfolk. At 10.37 on the lessly towards some moored fishing night of the 9th July, 1962, the coast- boats. The life-boat Canadian Pacific guard informed the honorary secretary was launched at 5.25 in a moderate to that a small motor cruiser was lying in fresh south-easterly wind and a moder- a dangerous position about three ate sea. It was one hour after high quarters of a mile off shore north-west water. The life-boat found the yacht *f Cley look-out. There was a gentle Oriole with two people on board. Her easterly breeze, and the sea was engine had broken down and she had moderate. At 11.2 the life-boat The no sails. The life-boat took the yacht Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows was in tow and made for Chichester har- launched on the flooding tide. She made bour. At 7.30 the life-boat arrived off towards Cley to a point from which Hayling Island close to the entrance to red flares could be seen, and then found Chichester harbour and asked the the cabin cruiser Sea Hawk, a converted harbour master to arrange for moorings ship's boat, riding head to sea. The for the yacht. These were found at life-boat came up on the port side of Itchinor, but the tide was falling and the the Sea Hawk and threw a line aboard. Oriole was now making water fast and Two of the life-boat's crew went on was almost completely water-logged. board the Sea Hawk, which was leaking, So when a boat arrived from a Hayling and helped the four members of her Island boatyard it was agreed that the crew, who were very exhausted, into best course was for this boat to help the life-boat. The anchor of the Sea beach the yacht on a mud bank. This Hawk could not be heaved up, and was done, and the life-boat returned to after tow ropes had been fixed the her station, arriving at 9.40. anchor was cut away. The life-boat took the Sea Hawk in tow, setting a north- CABIN CRUISER TAKEN IN TOW west course well clear of the shore. Sennen Cove, Cornwall. At eight When the boats were opposite Bla- o'clock on the morning of the 9th July, keney Point the tow parted. It was 1962, the coastguard informed the made fast again, and the life-boat honorary secretary that a cabin cruiser continued towards Blakeney trying to DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 357 pick up a light. Just as one was sighted vessel had been safely moored the life- the tow parted a second time. Again it boat returned to her station, arriving was secured, and the life-boat and Sea at five o'clock. Hawk reached Blakeney harbour. The four rescued men were landed and the TOW FOR MOTOR CRUISER FOUND BY life-boat returned to her station, arriving LIGHTVESSEL at 4.45 in the morning. The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. At 10.5 on the night of the 12th July, 1962, PILOT BOAT TAKES RELIEF BOAT IN the coastguard informed the honorary TOW secretary that a red flare had been seen Clogher Head, Co. Lough. At 2.45 on about six miles east-south-east of the the afternoon of the 10th July, 1962, the Scar lightvessel and that further en- honorary secretary received a message quiries were being made. A later from the Baily lighthouse that the small message stated that the bearing of the relief boat for the Dundalk lighthouse red flare was five miles south of Nash was adrift with three men on board west Point and that the distress call was of the Baily lighthouse. This was con- being passed to the Minehead life-boat firmed by the Dundalk pilot station with station. The call for the Mumbles life- the added information that the pilot boat was therefore cancelled, but at boat was aground and was unable to 10.46 the coastguard reported that the give any help. A strong easterly wind position of the flare was now believed was blowing with a rough sea, and it was to be four miles east-south-east of the raining heavily. At 3.15 the life-boat Scar lightvessel. At 11.2 the life-boat George and Caroline Ermen was laun- William Gammon—Manchester and Dis- ched on the flooding tide. When she trict XXX was launched on the flooding reached a position in Dundalk Bay west tide. There was a light west-south-west of the lighthouse she found that the breeze with a smooth sea. The life-boat pilot boat, which had been refloated in made for the Scar lightvessel and found the meantime, had the relief boat in the motor cruiser Blakeney Dawn with tow. The life-boat escorted both boats engine trouble moored alongside her. to safety and reached her station at 9.15. The life-boat took the Blakeney Dawn in tow to the Mumbles, and then FISHING VESSEL TOWED AFTER returned to her station, arriving at 2.22 PROPELLERS CLEARED in the morning. The owner of the motor Amble, Northumberland. At 1.26 early cruiser made a gift to the life-boat crew on the morning of the llth July, 1962, and a donation to the branch funds. the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the fishing vessel Amal- TOW BY LIFE-BOAT ON PASSAGE thea of Seahouses needed help as her Life-boat on passage. On the 13th July, fishing nets had fouled her propellers. 1962, the reserve life-boat Richard A fresh east-north-east wind was blow- Silver Oliver was on passage from ing with a rough sea. The weather was Kirkcudbright to Portpatrick. There overcast. At 1.51 the life-boat Millie was a light south-westerly breeze and Walton put out on an ebbing tide. She a smooth sea. At 10.10 in the morning, found the Amalthea three miles south- when approaching Barrow Head, the south-east of Coquet lighthouse, and life-boat found a small motor cruiser a member of the life-boat's crew was put stopped and apparently in difficulties. on board her to help in clearing the nets. The boat's engine had broken down, An attempt was made to take the and her crew of five asked to be towed Amalthea in tow, but this had to be to the Isle of Whithorn. A tow rope was abandoned as her nets had also become secured, and the motor cruiser was fouled by crab pots. It was therefore towed to a safe berth. The life-boat decided to wait until daylight and then continued on her passage at 11.5. try again to get the Amalthea's nets clear. This attempt was successful, and TOW FOR YACHT EN FOG at 4.1 the life-boat began towing the The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall. At Amalthea to harbour. After the fishing 2.36 on the morning of the 15th July, 358 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 1962, the coastguard informed the the girl was taken off the cliffs by the honorary secretary that a yacht was punt and put on board the life-boat. stationary about one mile east of the She was suffering greatly from fright. life-boat station. She had no engine and The life-boat landed the girl at the west thick fog was reported to the eastward. pier and then returned to her station, Further information revealed that her arriving at 1.10 in the morning. crew had lost their bearings. At 3.14 the life-boat The Duke of Cornwall LINE FIRED TO FISHING BOAT (Civil Service No. 33) was launched in a AGROUND light north-westerly breeze and a slight Humber, Yorkshire. At 12.56 early on sea. It was an hour and a half before the morning of the 19th July, 1962, the high water and there were fog banks. coastguard at Spurn Point informed the The yacht had already drifted near the coxswain superintendent that red flares cliff and her crew of three were firing had been seen between a mile and two distress signals. The life-boat went miles east of the look-out. There was a alongside the yacht Gweneth of Fal- strong south-easterly wind and a rough mouth and took her in tow to moorings sea. It was low water. The life-boat City at Kilcobben Cove, which was reached of Bradford III was launched, but she at 4.30. The crew of the yacht made a was held fast in the sand just off the gift to the life-boat crew. slipway, and it was not until 2.35 that she finally refloated. She found the FOUR RESCUED IN DINGHY RACE fishing boat Dorothy of Grimsby at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- three o'clock aground on the Binks one folk. At 11.54 on the morning of the mile east of Spurn lighthouse. The 15th July, 1962, the coastguard in- Dorothy was surrounded by broken formed the honorary secretary that a water and was being pounded very request for help had been received from heavily. When the life-boat was being the Gorleston yacht club, as two manoeuvred into a position so that a dinghies had capsized. A moderate line could be fired she shipped a heavy north-east wind was blowing with a sea which half filled the cockpit, but the moderate sea. At 11.57 the life-boat coxswain took her to within fifty yards Louise Stephens was launched on an of the fishing boat and a tow rope was ebbing tide. On reaching a position off successfully connected. The Dorothy Gorleston beach the life-boat found the was refloated at the first attempt and capsized dinghies and took their crews, taken in tow to Grimsby. Her engine four people in all, on board. One had broken down, she had a damaged dinghy was hauled on to the deck of the rudder, and her wireless was out of life-boat and the other taken in tow, action. The life-boat finally reached her and Gorleston was soon reached. The station at six o'clock. life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 12.43. YACHT FOUND AND TOWED TO HARBOUR GIRL RESCUED FROM CLIFF FACE St. Ives, Cornwall. About 9.30 on the Howth, Co. Dublin. At 7.57 on the evening of the 20th July, 1962, some evening of the 15th July, 1962, the local fishermen told the honorary Howth garda informed the honorary secretary that the crew of the yacht secretary that the local fire brigade had Faith II, which had returned to harbour been called to rescue a girl who was because of bad weather, had reported unable to climb up a cliff half a mile that the small yacht Liana, which had north of Daily lighthouse. The fire been accompanying her, had dis- brigade could not reach her, and the appeared. The Liana had last been seen help of the life-boat was asked for. at 6.45 north-west of St. Ives Head There was a light north-easterly breeze making towards St. Ives Bay. The with a smooth sea. At 8.3 the life-boat coastguard asked the stations at St. R.P.L. was launched on the flooding Agnes and Gurnard's Head whether the tide, with the life-boat punt in tow. Liana had been sighted but learnt noth- When the position given was reached ing. A moderate west-south-westerly DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 359 wind was blowing with a rough sea. COXSWAIN WATCHES TILL YACHT IS At 10.15 the life-boat Edgar George EM TROUBLE Orlando and Eva Child was launched on Appledore, Devon. During the morn- an ebbing tide. She made towards ing of the 21st July, 1962, the coxswain Godrevy Island to search the most saw a small motor yacht with one man dangerous area under the existing on board leave Appledore in a strong weather conditions. At 10.30 she saw a westerly breeze and an ebbing tide. He small flashing light near Godrevy Point kept the yacht under observation and and found it to be a signal from the about 11.30 saw that she was in diffi- Liana. The Liana had split her mainsail culties near the harbour bar. At 11.40 during the day, and although another the life-boat Louisa Anne Hawker was had been bent poor progress had been launched. She came up with the yacht made in weather which had become Pat, which had broken down. The worse. The life-boat took the Liana, yacht had dropped anchor but had which had a crew of three, in tow to St. dragged into the South Gut into a Ives and then returned to her station, dangerous position in a steep sea and arriving at eleven o'clock. broken water. The life-boat passed a tow rope across, pulled the yacht clear YACHT ESCORTED IN ROUGH SEA and towed her to Appledore, arriving Selsey, Sussex. At 10,37 on the morn- at 1.20. ing of the 21st July, 1962, the coastguard HOW A TRIMARAN WAS SAVED informed the honorary secretary that a small yacht, later identified as the At 3.14 on the afternoon of the 21st Joanna of Shoreham, was in difficulties July, 1962; the Lowestoft, Suffolk, life- two to three miles south-west of the boat was launched to the help of a look-out post. A fresh south-west wind trimaran. An eye-witness account of was blowing with a rough sea. At 10.45 this service appears on page 349. the life-boat Canadian Pacific was TWO BOYS TAKEN OFF DRIFTING BOAT launched on a flooding tide. On reaching the position given the life-boat crew saw New Brighton, Cheshire. At 7.45 on no sign of the Joanna, but a further the evening of the 21st July, 1962, the message gave the yacht's position as police informed the honorary secretary some two miles south-south-west of the that a dinghy with two boys on board life-boat.The life-boat found the Joanna, was adrift off Brazil buoy as her engine whose crew had meanwhile managed to had broken down. The boys were trying set a jib sail and make rough repairs to to row the boat back to New Brighton. her engine; the exhaust pipe had A moderate westerly wind was blowing broken away and cooling watei was with a choppy sea. At eight o'clock the being pumped in. The owner of the life-boat Norman B. Corlett put out on Joanna told the coxswain he thought his the ebbing tide. She picked up the boat's engine would hold out but asked dinghy off the C.29 buoy, took the two to be escorted to Littlehampton. The boys on board and towed the dinghy coxswain agreed, and when the yacht back to New Brighton. She then had reached Littlehampton safely the returned to her station, arriving at nine life-boat returned to her station, arriving o'clock. at 4.45. YACHT TOWED WITH EIGHT ABOARD Weymouth, Dorset. At 8.10 on the MEDAL FOR LYTHAM COXSWAIN evening of the 21st July, 1962, the pier On the 21st July. 1962, the Lytham- master informed the coxswaiu that a St.-Anne's life-boat towed the motor yacht was in distress off Ringstead Bay. ketch Lone Seeker, which had four A fresh west-south-west wind was people aboard, from a dangerous blowing with a very rough sea. At 8.26 position. For this service, a full account the life-boat Frank Spiller Locke put out of which appears on page 346, Cox- on the flooding tide. On reaching the swain Harold Parkinson was awarded position given she found the yacht Ituna the bronze medal. of Dublin twenty yards off shore at 360 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 White Nothe. Eight people were on slight sea. It was foggy and visibility was board. The life-boat towed the Ituna only about forty yards. At 6.45 the life- to Weymouth harbour and then re- boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was turned to her station, which she reached launched. The tide was flooding. On at 9.50. reaching the position given the life-boat found the Green Plover with her engine TOW FOR BOAT WITH ANGLERS broken down. She took the fishing ABOARD vessel, which had a crew of four, in tow Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At' to Sunderland harbour and then re- 3.20 on the afternoon of the 23rd July, turned to her station, arriving at 9.45. 1962, the master of the mail steamer St. Andrew informed the coxswain that the DIVING BOAT TOWED AFTER BEING fishing boat Sari Marts had broken BEACHED down with engine trouble near the Hastings, Sussex. At 11.10 on the South Shear buoy. The fishing boat had morning of the 26th July, 1962, the a party of anglers on board. The life- coastguard informed the honorary sec- boat Douglas Hyde left her moorings at retary that the diving boat Missy, on 3.40 in a gentle south-easterly breeze passage from Newhaven to Hastings, and a smooth sea. It was low water. The had developed a serious leak and had life-boat reached the position given and been beached on the colonnade at took the Sari Maris, which had nine Bexhill. The help of the life-boat was not people on board, in tow. The life-boat needed, and at 12.35 a further message arrived back at her station at five was received from the beach inspector at o'clock. Bexhill that the Missy was being pum- ped out and it was hoped to refloat her YACHT'S CREW SEE FLARES FROM by 5.30. There was a light variable FISHING BOAT breeze with a slight sea. At 5.30 the Weymouth, Dorset. At 1.47 on the life-boat M.T.C. was launched on afternoon of the 24th July, 1962, the exercise for the purpose of testing her coastguard informed the honorary sec- engines, and it was decided to visit retary that red flares had been reported Bexhill during the exercise to discover west of White Nothe, Ringstead Bay. whether the Missy might need help. In There was a fresh south-easterly wind fact the Missy was found to be just with a choppy sea. At 1.55 the life-boat afloat near the beach suffering from a Frank Spiller Locke was launched at leak on the stern gland and a broken high tide. Contact was made with a down engine, and her skipper asked sailing boat, whose crew had seen the for a tow to Hastings. The life-boat flares and who indicated their position. took the boat in tow and reached A helicopter was also over the area of her station at seven o'clock. search. The life-boat found the motor fishing boat Four Girls of Weymouth TWO SWIMMERS TAKEN OFF ROCK with her engine broken down. Two Sennen Cove, Cornwall. At 4.50 on the people were on board. The life-boat afternoon of the 28th July, 1962, the towed the fishing boat to Lulworth and coastguard informed the honorary sec- then returned to her station, arriving retary that two young men were in at 4.15. difficulties after swimming from Lands End to a rock known as the Armed TOW FOR FISHING VESSEL WITH Knight. Because of the strong ebb tide ENGINE TROUBLE they were unable to swim back, and at Sunderland, Co. Durham. At 6.20 on five o'clock the life-boat Susan Ashley the evening of the 25th July, 1962, the was launched in light westerly airs and coastguard informed the honorary sec- a smooth sea. The coxswain took the retary that the motor fishing vessel life-boat to the lee of the rock and the Green Plover of Sunderland had broken two boys were taken on board. Soon down because of engine trouble six miles afterwards a helicopter reached the south-east of Sunderland. A fresh scene, but it was not needed. The two northerly wind was blowing with a young men were landed at Sennen Cove, DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 361 and the life-boat reached her station at boat. Four minutes later the life-boat 5.30. Frank Spiller Locke put to sea and began a search in a light west-south-west CANOEISTS AND CANOE TAKEN ON wind, a choppy sea and a flooding tide. BOARD The Themlyay later wirelessed that she New Brighton, Cheshire. At 7.35 on was at anchor to the west side of Port- the evening of the 29th July, 1962, the land Bill, that one of her engines had coastguard informed the honorary sec- broken down, and that she wanted to retary that a canoe with two young men be towed to Weymouth. A helicopter on board was in difficulties off Sandon confirmed her position, and the life-boat dock entrance. At 7.50 the life-boat found the yacht, which had a crew of Norman B. Corlett left her moorings in two, two miles north-west of Portland a light north-north-westerly breeze and Bill. She took her in tow and made for a choppy sea. The tide was half flood. Weymouth, arriving at six o'clock. When the life-boat was passing the dock entrance dock officials told the cox- MOTOR LAUNCH TAKEN IN TOW swain that the canoe had last been seen Beaumaris, Anglesey. At 4.25 on the fifteen minutes earlier in mid-river. afternoon of the 31st July, 1962, the A search was made and the canoe was coastguard informed the honorary sec- found south of Seacombe stage. The retary that a motor launch had broken two young men and their canoe were down and was drifting out to sea a mile taken on board the life-boat, which east-by-south of Penmon look-out. A reached her station at 9.15. strong west-south-west wind was blow- ing with a rough sea. At 4.45 the life- CHILD AMONG FOUR RESCUED FROM boat Field Marshal and Mrs Smuts was YACHT launched on an ebbing tide. She came Hoylake, Cheshire. Around 11.20 on up with the launch Sea Pegasus, which the morning of the 30th July, 1962, a had a crew of four, off Puffin Island, number of reports were received stating and took her in tow, as her engine was that a yacht had sunk off Sandhey slip- still out of action, to Menai Bridge, way and that her crew were in the water. where she was moored. A helicopter A moderate south-west wind was which had been alerted hovered over blowing and the sea was calm. At 11.33 the Sea Pegasus until the life-boat had the life-boat Oldham IV was launched successfully taken her in tow. The life- on the flooding tide. On reaching the boat reached her station at 7.30 and position given the life-boat found that remained at her moorings until she was the yacht Lindy Lou had sunk and was rehoused the next day. lying on a sandbank in about ten feet of water. Two men, a woman and a FOUR BOYS FOUND CUT OFF BY TIDE child were picked up by the life-boat Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 11.22 on and brought ashore, and the life-boat the night of the 31st July, 1962, the then returned to her station, arriving coastguard informed the honorary sec- at 12.10. retary that four boys were missing from a camp at Culver and that it was thought YACHT FOUND AFTER SEARCH AND they might have been cut off by the tide TOWED IN while walking along the sea shore to Weymouth, Dorset. At 2.40 on the Whitecliffe. The life-boat Jesse Lumb afternoon of the 31st July, 1962, the was launched at 11.34 in a light westerly Wyke coastguard informed the honor- breeze and a slight sea. It was nearly ary secretary of a wireless message high water. When the life-boat reached received from the yacht Themlyay, of the position given a cliff rescue party Hull, stating that she was making water informed the coxswain of the last known five miles south-west of Portland and position of the boys. The life-boat asking for the life-boat to stand by in boarding boat, which had been taken in case she needed help. As no further tow, was sent to search close inshore, contact could be made with the yacht and at 12.30 the four boys were found it was decided at 3.36 to launch the life- under the cliff cut off by the tide. They 362 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 were taken by the boarding boat to the Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—July life-boat, which then returned to her 24th. station, arriving at 1.20 in the morning. Falmouth, Cornwall.—July 24th. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- The following life-boats went out on folk.—July 25th. service, but could find no ships in Donaghadee, Co. Down.—July 25th. distress, were not needed, or could do Salcombe, Devon.—July 26th. nothing: Seaham, Co. Durham.—July 26th. New Brighton, Cheshire.—July 27th. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—July 1st. New Brighton, Cheshire.—July 29th. Lowestoft, Suffolk.—July 1st. Redcar, Yorkshire.—July 29th. Cromer, Norfolk.—July 1st. Walton and Frinton, Essex.—July DunLaoghaire,Co. Dublin.—July 2nd. 30th. The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.— Clogher Head, Co. Louth.—July 31st. July 5th. Rhyl, Flintshire.—July 31st. Cullercoats, Northumberland.—July 7th. Appledore, Devon.—July 7th. AUGUST Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—July 9th. DURING August life-boats were Falmouth, Cornwall.—July 9th. launched on service 167 times and Padstow, Cornwall.—July 10th. rescued 99 lives. Tynemouth, Northumberland.—July 10th. SICK CHILD TAKEN TO MAINLAND Salcombe, Devon.—July 12th. Galway Bay. At two o'clock on the Plymouth, Devon.—July 12th. afternoon of the 1st August, 1962, the Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—July 14th. local doctor asked for the help of the Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—July 14th. life-boat in bringing a sick child from Appledore, Devon.—July 15th. Inishmaan to the mainland as no other Hfracombe, Devon.—July 15th. boats were available. There was a light Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—July 16th. south-west breeze and the sea was calm. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—July 16th. At three o'clock the life-boat Mabel Torbay, Devon.—July 16th. Marion Thompson left her moorings on Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.—July the flooding tide with the doctor on 16th. board. She reached Inishmaan and took Humber, Yorkshire.—July 17th. the child from there to Rossaveel, where Beaumaris, Anglesey.—July 18th. an ambulance was waiting to drive the Cromer, Norfolk.—July 19th. child to hospital. The life-boat reached Exmouth, Devon.—July 20th. her station at 7.45. Moelfre, Anglesey.—July 20th. Fowey, Cornwall.—July 20th. INJURED MAN TAKEN OFF MOTOR Barrow, Lancashire.—July 20th. VESSEL Fleetwood, Lancashire.—July 20th. Aldeburgh, Suffolk. At 10.38 on the New Brighton, Cheshire.—July 21st. morning of the 2nd August, 1962, the Padstow, Cornwall.—July 21st. honorary secretary at Lowestoft passed Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—July 21st. on to the honorary secretary at Alde- Stornoway, Hebrides.—July 21st. burgh a report from the Lowestoft port Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—July 21st. medical officer that an injured man on Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—July 21st. board the motor vessel British Oak, of Dungeness, Kent.—July 22nd. London, needed medical attention. The Fowey, Cornwall.-—July 22nd. vessel was at anchor seven miles south- Fleetwood, Lancashire.—July 22nd. east of Southwold. At 10.50 the life-boat Dover, Kent.—July 22nd. The Alfred and Patience Gottwald was Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—July 22nd. launched with a doctor on board. There Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—July 22nd. was a light westerly breeze and a slight Lowestoft, Suffolk.—July 23rd. sea, and it was an hour and a half before Criccieth, Caernarvonshire. — July high water. When the life-boat reached 24th. the motor vessel, the injured man was DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 363 transferred to her. The life-boat landed informed the honorary secretary that him at Aldeburgh, where he was taken the Whitstable harbour master had re- by ambulance to hospital. The life-boat ported that a small yacht had capsized reached her station at two o'clock. a quarter of a mile off Whitstable pier. At 9.59 the life-boat North Foreland TWO YACHTS ESCORTED OVER BAR {Civil Service No. 11) was launched. Salcombe, Devon. At 3.10 on the There was a strong south-westerly afternoon of the 3rd August, 1962, the breeze and a rough sea with heavy rain. coastguard informed the honorary sec- The tide was low. The life-boat searched retary that a small yacht was drifting in and found a small sailing yacht at Salcombe estuary with her sails torn. anchor, with a crew of two, a quarter Ten minutes later the life-boat Samuel of a mile north of Whitstable harbour. and Marie Parkhouse left her moorings The yachtsmen said that they had not in a strong south-westerly wind and a seen any yacht capsize, but asked the rough sea. The tide was half flood. life-boat if she would guide them into The life-boat found the yacht Thalia the harbour because of the poor visi- cruising around on her engines, and the bility. The life-boat guided the yacht to coxswain decided to stand by until the Whitstable and there learnt that this yacht tried to cross the bar towards high was the yacht which had been reported water. In the meantime another yacht, to have capsized. No other boat had the Erla, was seen anchored in Starehole been reported missing, and the life-boat Bottom very near the rocks. The life- therefore returned to her station, arriv- boat went to investigate, and the cox- ing at 5.30 in the morning. The weather swain advised the yacht's crew to weigh was too bad to allow her to be rehoused anchor. The life-boat then escorted first at once, and she remained in Margate the Erla and then theTha/ia across the bar harbour and was rehoused at 5.30 in the and finally reached her moorings at 5.10. evening, when the weather had im- YACHT AND TWO FISHING VESSELS proved. ESCORTED TO HARBOUR TOW FOR TUG AFTER ENGINE BREAKS Bridlington, Yorkshire. At seven DOWN o'clock on the evening of the 3rd August Sennen Cove, Cornwall. At 9.35 on 1962, the coastguard told the honorary the morning of the 4th August, 1962, secretary that a small sailing yacht had the coastguard informed the honorary been seen passing Spurn Point and secretary that the tug Sally of Rochester, heading north at 1.15. It was known which had a crew of two and was bound that the yacht was expected at Bridling- for Swansea, had broken down about ton about nine o'clock. There was a four miles off the Longships lighthouse. strong south-south-westerly wind with a At 9.45 the life-boat Susan Ashley was rough sea. At nine o'clock the life-boat launched. There was a light westerly Tillie Morrison, SheffieldIIwas launched breeze and a smooth sea, and the tide on an ebbing tide to meet and escort was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the yacht through the confused sea that the tug three miles north of the light- was running in the harbour mouth. The house and at the request of the master life-boat met the yacht Kongo and es- towed her to Newlyn, which was reached corted her to harbour. Later the life- at 12.45. The life-boat then returned to boat put out again and escorted two her station, arriving at 3.15. motor fishing vessels into harbour. As there was a danger that she might foul TEN SURVIVORS PICKED UP FROM some salmon nets in the darkness, the RAFTS life-boat remained overnight in the Longhope, and Stronsay, Orkneys. At harbour and did not reach her station 3.7 on the afternoon of the 4th August, until 10.45 the next day. 1962, the coastguard informed the Stronsay honorary secretary that the YACHT GUIDED TO HARBOUR IN motor vessel Daisy of Peterhead had POOR VISIBILITY sunk and that her crew of ten had taken Margate, Kent. At 9.23 on the evening to life-rafts. Their position was forty- of the 3rd August, 1962, the coastguard four miles east-south-east of Copinsay 364 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 light. At 3.32 the Stronsay life-boat The the Howth sailing club regatta had seen John Gellatly Hyndman left her moor- a yacht in distress. There was a strong ings in a south-westerly gale and a rough ebb tide running in Howth Sound, and sea. It was one hour after high water. a strong north-westerly wind was blow- The life-boat reached the area of search ing with a moderate sea. The life-boat at 8.30 in the evening and together with A.M.T. was launched for the first time other vessels carried out an intensive on service at 5.16. She found the search throughout the night in poor auxiliary cruiser Janet towing the four- visibility and steep seas. As the search teen-foot dinghy Dainty. The dinghy was expected to continue for some time, was waterlogged, and her owner and arrangements were made for the Long- another man, both of whom had been hope life-boat T.G.B. to relieve the taken aboard the Janet, were suffering Stronsay boat. She was launched at from exposure and cramp as they had 11.55 and reached the area of search at been in the water for over an hour. 8.30 the next morning. The Stronsay They were transferred to the life-boat life-boat then returned to her station, and given rum and hot soup. A doctor arriving at nine o'clock in the evening. was waiting at Howth harbour to meet Meanwhile one of the vessels search- them when they were landed. The life- ing, the Danish vessel Nella Dan, boat finally reached her station at 6.30. reported at ten o'clock that she had picked up the ten survivors about eighty CATAMARAN TOWED IN AFTER miles east of Stronsay, and the Long- CAPSIZE hope life-boat was asked to take the Rhyl, Flintshire. At 5.19 on the after- survivors on board. The Nella Dan noon of the 4th August, 1962, the coast- was sighted by the coxswain at 11.20 guard passed on to the honorary secre- and he made a run up alongside her tary a report that a yacht had capsized starboard quarter to examine the off the marine hydro and that two conditions. He then took a turn out people were in the sea. A strong wind to starboard to make his approach and was blowing and the sea was rough. At fenders were put in place on the 5.23 the life-boat Anthony Robert Mar- port side. The rise and fall of the shall was launched on an ebbing tide. seas alongside the vessel was ten feet, Meanwhile a further message was re- and the coxswain chose his position to ceived from the coastguard that a li-lo embark the survivors just forward of with someone on it had been blown out the Nella Dan's bridge, a rope ladder to sea. The life-boat was asked to make being lowered and taken inside the life- for the yacht first and then for the li-lo. boat's rail. Each survivor was fitted with At the request of the coastguard a heli- a life-jacket and harness to which a life- copter took off, and as a result it was line was attached. Five men had been discovered that what had been reported transferred when the life-boat's stern to be a li-lo was in fact the capsized mooring rope parted, and the life-boat boat. The life-boat reached the casualty, was held in position while another rope which was a catamaran, off the Lido was made fast. The five remaining sur- Hotel, Prestatyn, and rescued the only vivors were then taken on board, and person on board. It was then learnt that they were landed at Wick at 12.50 early some confusion had been caused in the on the 6th August. When the life-boat's use of the words "li-lo" and "Lido". crew had had a meal and the life-boat As soon as it was established that there had been refuelled she returned to her was no one else in danger the life-boat station, arriving at 5.30. A letter of was recalled, and she returned with the appreciation was received from the Pro- catamaran in tow, finally reaching her vost of Peterhead. station at 8.30. FIRST SERVICE CALL TO NEW IRISH ESCORT FOR YACHT AFTER SHE LIFEBOAT REFLOATS Howth, Co. Dublin. At 5.10 on the Walton and Frinton, Essex. At 8.40 on afternoon of the 4th August, 1962, a the evening of the 4th August, 1962, the report was received that spectators at coastguard told the honorary secretary DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 365 of a message received from the police a member of the life-boat crew told the that a local man had taken a woman honorary secretary that a yacht appeared and two children off a yacht which had to be in difficulties on the edge of the gone aground on the Pye Sands, but Burbo bank and that her anchor seemed that a man was still on board. He was to be fouled. The life-boat Norman B. in no immediate danger, but the south- Corlett left her moorings at two o'clock westerly wind freshened later, and at in a strong north-westerly wind and a 12.35 early on the 5th the life-boat Edian rough sea. It was half an hour before Courtauld put to sea. The sea was slight, high water. The life-boat found the and the tide was half flood. The life-boat yacht Tricia with six people on board. stood by the yacht until she refloated They were taken aboard the life-boat, at 1.50 and then escorted her to a safe which then returned to New Brighton anchorage in the Walton River. The with the yacht in tow. The life-boat life-boat finally reached her station at reached her station at 4.30. 2.45. TOW FOR YACHT AFTER FUEL PIPE TOW FOR BOAT BECALMED CLEARED Weymouth, Dorset. At 1.40 early on Arbroath, Angus. At 5.20 on the even- the morning of the 5th August, 1962, ing of the 5th August, 1962, the coast- the police informed the honorary secre- guard informed the honorary secretary tary that a sailing boat with a boy and that the motor yacht Myhaven had girl on board was overdue, and at two broken down with engine trouble three o'clock the life-boat Frank Spiller Locke miles north of the North Carr light- put to sea in a light breeze, a slight sea vessel and about four miles from the and an ebbing tide. After searching for coast. There was a strong west-south- some time she found the sailing boat west wind with a very choppy sea. At Hilda Kate off the harbour entrance. 5.30 the life-boat The Duke of Montrose The boat had been becalmed while re- was launched on the flooding tide. When turning from a trip to Lulworth. The the life-boat reached the Myhaven the life-boat towed her into the harbour and assistant mechanic and another crew arrived back at her station at 2.15, when member were put on board. They suc- the boy and the girl were given hot ceeded in clearing a choked fuel-pipe, drinks. and the engine of the Myhaven started. With the life-boat acting as escort, the ESCORT FOR YACHT IN TOW OF PILOT Myhaven tried to return to Arbroath, LAUNCH but further trouble with the fuel-pipe Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At 1.30 developed and the life-boat took the on the afternoon of the 5th August. yacht in tow to Arbroath. The life-boat 1962, the coastguard informed the then returned to her station, arriving at honorary secretary that a small yacht 9.20. The owner of the Myhaven made was showing flares near the East One a gift to the crew. Fathom buoy, and that she appeared to have engine trouble. There was a CREWS RESCUED FROM TWO ROWING moderate west-north-west wind with a BOATS slight sea. At 1.47 the life-boat Rachel Moelfre, Anglesey. At 5.40 on the and Mary Evans was launched on an evening of the 5th August, 1962, the ebbing tide. On reaching the position coastguard informed the honorary sec- given, the life-boat found that the yacht retary that the rowing boats Ann and Betty M of Penarth had been taken in Flying Dutchman of Benllech were in tow by the Newport pilot launch. The distress five miles south of the life-boat life-boat escorted the pilot launch and station. At 5.50 the life-boat Watkin the yacht back to harbour and then re- Williams was launched. There was a turned to her station, arriving at 3.15. moderate south-westerly breeze and a choppy sea. The tide was half ebb. The TOW FOR YACHT WITH SIX ABOARD life-boat rescued the Ann's crew of four, New Brighton, Cheshire. At 1.47 on who were scouts, and the two people on the afternoon of the 5th August, 1962, board the Flying Dutchman and towed 366 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 both boats to Moelfre, which was been picked up by the Norwegian reached at 7.15. freighter Faro. The Faro was bound for Montreal, and the life-boat was asked LIFE-BOAT FINDS YACHT'S TENDER to take the man off. The honorary sec- Walton and Frinton, Essex. At 11.30 retary agreed, and a rendezvous was on the morning of the 6th August, 1962, arranged off Start Point at 10.15. The the coastguard informed the honorary life-boat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse secretary that he could see a boat drift- left her moorings at nine o'clock in a ing about three miles off Walton, but moderate north-north-westerly wind and that there appeared to be no one on a rough sea. It was an hour and a half board. As there was a yacht still un- before high water. The life-boat met the accounted for, the life-boat Edian Cour- Faro and the man was transferred, but tauld put out at 12.16 to investigate. because of the rough seas it was not There was a light south-easterly breeze, possible to take his boat on board. The the sea was slight, and the tide was flood- life-boat left the Faro at 12.10 and ing. The life-boat found an empty 8-foot reached her moorings at 1.45. pram dinghy between three and four miles to the south-south-east and took VELLUM FOR DUNGENESS COXSWAIN her in tow. She then made for her On the 7th of August, 1962, the Dun- station, but on the way she met the geness life-boat rescued the crew of five yacht Pandora, whose owner stated that of the trimaran Nimble Eve. For this the dinghy was his yacht's tender. The service, a full account of which appears life-boat handed the dinghy over and on page 344, the thanks of the Institution then returned to her station, arriving at inscribed on vellum have been accorded 1.5. The yachtsman made a donation to to Coxswain George Tart. the funds of the Institution. NINE RESCUED FROM YACHT IN TOW FOR YACHT IN GALE GALE St. Helier, Jersey. At 5.7 on the after- Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. At 2.35 on noon of the 6th August, 1962, the har- the morning of the 7th August, 1962, a bour radio station informed the man telephoned to say that cries for help honorary secretary that a yacht was be- could be heard off Bouldnor and that lieved to have capsized about two miles red flares could be seen. Thirteen south of Demie de Pas lighthouse, and minutes later the life-boat S.G.E. put at 5.25 the life-boat Lloyd's, on tem- to sea. She made a search in a north- porary duty at the station, put to sea. westerly gale, a rough sea and a flooding There was a south-westerly gale and a tide and found the 25-ton sailing yacht very rough sea, and it was low water. Robbe of London, which had a crew of The life-boat made a search, in which an nine. The yacht had dragged her anchor aircraft also took part, and found the and had run aground in Bouldnor Bay, yacht P.M. The yacht had lowered her where she was pounding. The life-boat mainsail in a squall, but did not need rescued the nine people, towed the yacht help. The life-boat then made for her to Lymington, and reached her station station, but on her way she came up with again at 4.36. the yacht Themis, which was making heavy weather. Her crew hailed the life- TWO MEN RESCUED FROM CRAB BOAT boat and asked for a tow. The life-boat Sheringham, Norfolk. At 10.35 on the therefore towed her to St. Helier, which morning of the 7th August, 1962, the was reached at 8.20. fisheries officer informed the honorary secretary that a crab boat from West MAN TAKEN OFF NORWEGIAN Runton was in difficulties off the Run- FREIGHTER tons. At 10.50 the life-boat The Man- Salcombe, Devon. At 6.40 on the chester Unity of Odd Fellows was evening of the 6th August 1962, the launched. There was a moderate north- honorary secretary received a message erly wind, the sea was rough, and it was from the Commander-in-Chief, high water. The life-boat made a search Plymouth, that a man and his boat had in weather which grew steadily worse DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 367

By courtesy of] [Miss A. Jenkins WEYMOUTH LIFE-BOAT WITH THE SCHOONER " GARLAND " (See page 384)

By courtesy of] [ West Lancashire Evening Gazette FLEETWOOD LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY YACHT (See page_392) 368 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 .

By courtesy of] [The Yorkshire Past BRIDLINGTON LIFE-BOAT PUTS OUT TO COBLES (See page 387)

By courtesy of] [The Yorkshire Post BRIDLINGTON LIFE-BOAT AT SEA (See page 387) DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 369

By courtesy of] [The Yorkshire Post COBLE AND BRIDLINGTON LIFE-BOAT APPROACH HARBOUR

By courtesy of] [Kent Photos DUNGENESS COXSWAIN WITH SURVIVORS FROM TRIMARAN [See page 344] THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962

By courtesy of] [ Daily Express SEAMAN LOWERED TO LYTHAM LIFE-BOAT [See page 383] DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 371

By courtesy of j IA. P. Watson LIZARD-CADGWITH LIFE-BOAT ON SLIPWAY AT NIGHT This photograph was taken during a rehearsal of the television programme transmitted by Telstar on the 23rd July, 1962.

[From a painting by A, Ormerod RHYL LIFE-BOAT ALONGSIDE HOVERCRAFT [See page 343] 372 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962

By courtesy of] [Kings College, Newcastle-upon-Tyr STAINED GLASS WINDOW IN TYNEMOUTH CHURCH [See page 352] DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 373

By courtesy of] [Scottish Daily Express KIRKCUDBRIGHT LIFE-BOAT APPROACHES DINGHY [See page 348]

By courtesy of] [Medley and Bird Ltd. YACHT'S CREW LANDED AT NEW BRIGHTON [See page 365] 374 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962

By courtesy of] [ /. H. Dobson TRIMARAN OFF LOWESTOFT [See page 349]

•ft

Ky courtesy of} I •/• H. Dobson LOWESTOFT LIFE-BOAT TOWS TRIMARAN INTO HARBOUR [See page 349] DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 375 and found the crab boat Sprat, with a Conway estuary was being kept under crew of two, making heavy weather one observation. The weather later became mile east of Sheringham. She rescued worse, and at two o'clock the life-boat the two men, put two of her own crew Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest was on board and took the Sprat in tow. launched in a south-westerly gale, a very The life-boat made for Skelding Hole, rough sea and a flooding tide. The but the weather later became so bad that motor boat Alice also put out and was she had to re-embark the two members the first to reach the yacht Hazhad, of her crew. An attempt was made to which had three adults, a child and a dog anchor the Sprat off Sheringham, but on board. The yacht had broken down she dragged her anchor and was washed and the Alice passed a line to her. The ashore, being eventually beached by the motor boat kept the yacht head-on to life-boat shore helpers. The life-boat the weather, and a helicopter remained finally reached her station at 2.15. near by until 2.50, when the life-boat reached the scene. The life-boat took ESCORT FOR DINGHY WITH CHILDREN the Hazhadin tow, escorted in the Alice, ABOARD and put the yacht on moorings in Con- Cadgwith, Cornwall. At 3.30 on the way harbour. She then returned to her afternoon of the 7th August, 1962, the station, arriving at 5.45. coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that a rubber dinghy with two FRENCH TRAWLER TOWED OFF ROCKS youths and three small children on Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 11.32 on the board might soon be in difficulties in night of the 9th August, 1962, the coast- the strong flood tide and gusty off-shore guard informed the honorary secretary wind. The dinghy was a short distance that a trawler was aground at the end east-south-east of the Lizard-Cadgwith of the north pier of Lowestoft harbour. life-boat station and shortly afterwards The weather was overcast with drizzle, was lost to sight. At four o'clock the life- and there was a strong breeze blowing boat Guide of Dunkirk was launched. from the south-south-west. The life-boat She reached the dinghy and escorted it Michael Stephens left her moorings at to a safer position and then returned to 11.55 on a flood tide in a moderate sea. her station, arriving at 4.45. She made for the position given and came up with the trawler Pierre-Louis of LIFE-BOAT RETURNS WITH YACHT IN Boulogne. The Pierre-Louis was fast by TOW her bows on rocks and was being driven Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. At 3.45 on further ashore. The life-boat came down the afternoon of the 8th August, 1962, on the casualty stern first and passed a the Needles coastguard informed the tow-line, which was made fast by the honorary secretary that the yacht trawler's crew. The life-boat steamed Matoya If had broken down west of the full ahead and was able to keep the Needles. Ten minutes later the life-boat trawler's stern free of the rocks. The S.G.E. left her moorings with the bow- coxswain of the life-boat instructed the man in charge. There was a moderate trawler's skipper to go astern, and she south-westerly breeze, the sea was was pulled free. The life-boat then moderate, and the tide was flooding. escorted the trawler into harbour The life-boat found the Matoya II, with before returning to her moorings, a crew of six, two miles west of the where she arrived at two o'clock in Needles off Dolphin Bank. She took her the morning. in tow and returned to her station, arriv- ing at 4.35. THIRD MAN RESCUED FROM SAILING DINGHY HELP FROM MOTOR BOAT, HELI- Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 1.10 on the COPTER AND LIFE-BOAT afternoon of the 10th August, 1962, the Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. At 12.45 coastguard informed the honorary sec- on the afternoon of the 9th August, retary that a sailing boat had capsized 1962, the coastguard informed the off Coopers Beach, East Mersea, and honorary secretary that a yacht off the that two people were clinging to the hull. 376 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 At 1.23 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was nearly low water. The life-boat was launched at low water in a moderate found the motor fishing vessel Betima, westerly breeze and a choppy sea. She with a crew of three, three miles east of found the sailing dinghy Oberon of Davaar lighthouse. She took her in tow Brightlingsea, which had had a crew of to Campbeltown harbour, and there the three, two of them had been rescued by engine was restarted. During the attempt a rowing boat, which had also put out to berth her her engine broke down from shore. The life-boat rescued the again, and the life-boat therefore towed third man, took him to Brightlingsea, the vessel alongside the pier, where and then returned to her station, arriv- she was moored. The life-boat reached ing at 4.35. her own moorings at 3.36. YACHT MISSING FOR THREE DAYS TOW FOR SAILING BOAT IN NEAR GALE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- Howth, Co. Dublin. At 3.10 on the folk. At 12.5 on the afternoon of the afternoon of the llth August, 1962, a llth August, 1962, the coastguard tele- message was received that a sailing boat phoned the honorary secretary to dis- had capsized off Rush and that no local cuss the possibility of searching for the boat was likely to be able to help. A near yacht Come Away of Littlehampton, gale was blowing from the south-west which had been missing for three days. and there was a choppy sea. At 3.20 the The Cross Sand lightvessel had reported life-boat A.M.T. was launched on a the presence of an unknown yacht which flooding tide, and shortly afterwards it might prove to be the Come Away, and was learnt that a rowing boat and a at 12.12 therefore the life-boat Louise fishing boat had gone to the help of the Stephens was launched on a flooding sailing boat. The rowing boat had turned tide. There was a fresh south-west wind over, but she had been righted and had with a moderate sea. The life-boat found picked up the three survivors of the the Come Away two miles west of the sailing boat. The fishing boat had then Cross Sand lightvessel. The yacht's crew towed the rowing boat to Rush. When it reported that everything was in order had been confirmed that this information and no help was needed, but thanked was correct the life-boat was asked to the life-boat for launching to her assist- search for the capsized sailing boat. She ance. The life-boat returned towards her found her drifting north-east of Rush. station, but at the request of the coast- The sailing boat was the Lorelei, and the guard and the parents of the crew of the life-boat towed her first to Rush, but as Come Away, she stood by until the yacht no local boat came out to take over the had reached port. As the Come Away tow, she brought her to Howth. During entered harbour her engine broke down the passage from Rush the Lorelei again and the life-boat escorted her in. The overturned, breaking her mast. On life-boat then returned to her station, arrival at Howth, the Lorelei was baled which she reached at 2.30. The yacht's out and safely secured. The life-boat owner and the step-father of one of the then returned to her station, which she crew made donations to the branch reached at seven o'clock. One of the funds. crew of the Lorelei made a donation to the branch funds. FISHING VESSEL TOWED TO HARBOUR Campbeltown, Argyllshire. At 1.43 on YACHT TOWED CLEAR IN GALE the afternoon of the llth August, 1962, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 6.55 on the a resident at Penivar informed the evening of the llth August, 1962, the honorary secretary that a motor fishing coastguard informed the honorary sec- vessel had apparently broken down and retary that a yacht had gone aground was drifting in the direction of Arran. some thirty or forty yards off St. Osyth The lighthouse-keeper at Davaar was beach. Of her crew of three two had asked to confirm this, and at 1.54 the reached the shore in a dinghy. At 7.20 life-boat City of Glasgow II left her the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was moorings. There was a strong south- launched. There was a south-westerly westerly wind and a moderate sea. It gale blowing, the sea was very rough, DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 377 and the tide was flooding. The life-boat was a west-south-west gale and a found the cutter-rigged yacht Velma moderate sea and the tide was flooding. broadside to the beach. Two holiday- By the time the life-boat reached her makers had boarded her to help the the yacht's engine had been started, and yachtsman, but the weather was now she was able to return to the dock under too bad for them to come ashore. The her own power. The life-boat then saw life-boat went as close in as she could, two Polish trawlers trying to reach the anchored and veered down to the Velma. harbour. She guided them in and arrived She fired a line across, and a tow-rope back at her station at 12.30. was passed over. By this time the seas had become very heavy and the life- LAUNCH TO CAPSIZED DINGHY boat was bumping on the beach, but Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumber- she pulled the yacht clear and towed her land. At 10.30 on the morning of the to Brightlingsea, arriving at 9.35. The 12th August, 1962, the honorary secre- life-boat remained there for the night tary noticed a yacht and a sailing dinghy because of the weather and returned to being blown to the north of the harbour her station the next morning. in Berwick Bay by the rapidly increasing west-south-westerly breeze. Shortly TOW FOR FISHING BOAT IN GALE afterwards the coastguard telephoned to North Sunderland, Northumberland. say the dinghy had overturned. There At 7.30 on the evening of the llth was by this time a fresh breeze blowing August, 1962, the second coxswain told from the west-south-west and a choppy the honorary secretary that a local fish- sea. The weather was fine. The life-boat ing boat had broken down off Beadnell William and Mary Durham was launched Point. A west-south-westerly gale was at 11.9 and reached the position given blowing with a very choppy sea. As no at 11.15. The two occupants of the boats were afloat at Beadnell or North dinghy had been transferred to the yacht Sunderland, it was decided to launch the and the dinghy was recovered by a motor life-boat, and at 7.50 the life-boat Grace boat from the Berwick sailing and canoe Darling was launched on the flooding club. The life-boat stood by until all the tide. The fishing boat, which had been boats were safely back and then returned on passage from Amble to North Sun- to her station, arriving at 11.55. derland, was found a mile east of Bead- nell with her engine broken down. The ESCORT FOR COBLE IN TOW life-boat towed her to North Sunderland Sunderland, Co. Durham. At 5.35 on and then returned to her station, arriv- the evening of the 13th August, 1962, ing at 9.10. the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small boat had broken POLISH TRAWLERS GUIDED TO down half a mile north-east of Roker HARBOUR pier and that her crew were waving a Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumber- flag. At 6.5 the life-boat Edward and land. On the afternoon of the llth Isabella Irwin was launched. There was August, 1962, the yacht My Lady of a light north-easterly breeze and a slight Hartlepool, which had a crew of five, sea. The tide was half ebb. The life-boat grounded on a sandbank just inside the made a search, but found that the fishing entrance to the harbour at Berwick- coble Forward, which had broken down, upon-Tweed. The crew were safe, but at had been taken in tow by a motor 9.45 in the evening a local boat put off, launch. The life-boat escorted the boats with the owner and his son aboard, to to harbour and arrived back at her try to refloat her. The weather grew station at seven o'clock. worse, and a rope fouled the My Lady's propeller. She returned to the dock, but TOW FOR CABIN CRUISER WITH at 10.50 her mooring ropes parted and ANGLERS ABOARD she drifted rapidly seawards. It was Plymouth, Devon. At 8.45 on the known that her engine was faulty, and evening of the 13th August, 1962, the at 10.56 therefore the life-boat William coastguard informed the honorary sec- and Mary Durham was launched. There retary that a small yacht needed help 378 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 near Draystone buoy. There was a noon of the 14th August, 1962, the moderate breeze blowing from the north- Llandudno coastguard reported that a east with a slight sea. The weather was small motor boat, which had six yachts cloudy. The life-boat Thomas Forehead in tow, was making no headway in a and Mary Rowse put out at 9.2 on an choppy sea about three miles west of ebbing tide and came up with the the west look-out at Great Orme's Head. casualty, which was the cabin cruiser At 1.30 the Llandudno life-boat Annie David, at 9.25. Three men and two boys Ronald and Isabella Forrest was had been out fishing in the David when launched. There was a wind of near gale her engines had failed. A member of the force blowing from the east-south-east, life-boat crew was placed on board the the sea was moderate, and the tide was cabin cruiser, and the life-boat towed half ebb. The Penmon coastguard had her into Plymouth. The two boys were notified the Beaumaris life-boat station, transferred to the life-boat when she and at 1.55 the life-boat Field Marshal entered Plymouth Sound. The life-boat and Mrs Smuts was also launched. The stood by until the David was safely Llandudno life-boat came up with the moored in Millbay docks and then re- motor boat and the yachts at 2.20 and turned to her station, arriving at 10.40. took them all in tow. She towed them to Deganwy, with the Beaumaris life- TOW FOR YACHT WITH NINE ABOARD boat standing by, and arrived back at Holyhead, Anglesey. At 9.30 on the her station at 8.40. The Beaumaris life- evening of the 13th August, 1962, the boat reached her station at five o'clock. coastguard informed the honorary sec- Soon after the Llandudno life-boat retary that a yacht was flashing a light had come ashore the local police re- off North Stack and appeared in trouble. ported that a man was trapped by the There was a light north-east breeze, and tide on the rocks below Little Orme. the sea was smooth. At 9.34 the life- The man had attracted attention by boat St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was lighting fires. At nine o'clock the life- launched at high water. She found the boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest yacht Troll about a mile and a half north- put to sea again, with a rowing boat north-west of the South Stack with her in tow. She reached the man twenty- engine broken down. Nine people were five minutes later. The wind had backed on board. The life-boat towed the Troll to the east, and there were heavy rain to Holyhead and then returned to her showers and a flooding tide. The cox- station, which she reached at 11.30. swain brought the life-boat as close to the rocks as he could, and two members RESCUE OF YOUTHS IN DINGHIES of his crew took the rowing boat through New Quay, Cardiganshire. At 10.12 a heavy swell to the trapped man. At on the morning of the 14th August, the first attempt the man was rescued, 1962, the coastguard reported that two and he was transferred to the life-boat, rubber dinghies were drifting out to sea which returned to her station, arriving half a mile off Aberayron. At 10.40 the at 10.10. life-boat St. Albans was launched. There was a fresh easterly breeze, the sea was TWO RESCUED FROM SAILING DINGHY rough, and the tide was half ebb. The New Quay, Cardiganshire. At 2.10 on life-boat found the dinghies three miles the afternoon of the 14th August, 1962, north-east of New Quay, each with a the coastguard informed the honorary youth aboard, The coastguard had asked secretary that a yacht had capsized off for a helicopter to come from Brawdy, Llanina reef and that her crew of two but the life-boat rescued the two young were unable to right her. Ten minutes men before the helicopter arrived. The later the life-boat St. Albans put to sea. life-boat took the dinghies in tow and There was a strong easterly breeze and reached her station at 12.10. a rough sea. It was low water. The life- boat found the local sailing dinghy Ark, TWO LIFE-BOATS PUT OUT TO YACHT rescued her crew of two, and towed the Llandudno, Caernarvonshire, and dinghy to New Quay, which was reached Beaumaris, Anglesey. At 1.5 on the after- at 3.15. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 379 LIFE-BOAT SEARCHES FOR CRABBER heavy surf, and the tide was flooding. IN GALE The life-boat found a motor boat with Torbay, Devon. At 2.10 on the after- a crew of five from the survey ship noon of the 14th August, 1962, the H.M.S. Scott. She was in a dangerous owner of the crab boat Torbay Belle, of position in the surf, and the life-boat Paignton, reported that he felt anxious pulled her clear and escorted her to for the safety of his boat and her crew Wainfleet haven. The life-boat then re- of three because no wireless message turned to her station, arriving at eight had been received from her. She had o'clock. left Portland at noon for Brixham. A YACHT ESCORTED TO ANCHORAGE strong south-by-east breeze was blow- Poole, Dorset. At 5.20 on the after- ing, but by three o'clock it had risen to noon of the 14th August, 1962, the gale force. At 3.10 the life-boat Princess coastguard informed the honorary sec- Alexandra of Kent put to sea. She made retary that a yacht appeared to be in a search in a very rough sea and a flood- difficulties off Hook Sands. There was ing tide and found the crabber ten miles a strong south-easterly breeze with a east-north-east of Berry Head. The rough sea. The weather was fine. The crabber's wireless transmitter had life-boat Bassett Green put out at 5.35 broken down. The life-boat escorted her on a flood tide, and at six o'clock she to Brixham harbour and arrived back came up with the yacht Cashlow, which at her station at five o'clock. The owner had two people on board. She escorted made a donation to the funds of the the yacht to an anchorage which was Institution. safe, for the wind had by then backed YACHT'S CREW RESCUED BY FISHING to the south-west and had moderated. VESSEL The life-boat reached her station, arriv- ing at 7.45. North Sunderland, Northumberland. At 3.55 on the afternoon of the 14th MAINMAST SNAPS IN TALL SHIPS August, 1962, the coastguard informed RACE the honorary secretary that a yacht had St. Peter Port, Guernsey. On the 14th capsized about a mile and a half south- August, 1962, the 50-foot auxiliary gaff east of the harbour. There was a strong yawl Duet had been taking part in the south-south-easterly breeze blowing Tall Ships Race and was about twenty- with a rough sea. The weather was fine. five miles off the west coast of Guernsey The life-boat Grace Darling was on the way to Rotterdam when the launched at 4.10 on an ebbing tide. She mainmast snapped. A strong south- made for the position given and found westerly wind approaching gale force that a local fishing vessel had rescued was blowing with a rough sea. The crew the crew of four of the yacht Amontillado. of the escorting frigate H.M.S. Keppel The life-boat closed the fishing vessel, saw what had happened, and the frigate and the second coxswain went on board was alongside within five minutes. At to find out whether first aid was needed. 9.10 a message was received at the har- It was not, but as the four rescued people bour signal station asking for the help were wet and cold the second coxswain of the St. Peter Port life-boat, and at gave them some of his own clothing. 9.30 the life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put The life-boat then returned to her out on the ebbing tide. She made to- station, arriving at 4.55. wards St. Martin's Point, and after rounding the point set a course for the TOW FOR BOAT FROM SURVEY SHIP Duet, which was about twenty-five miles Skegness, Lincolnshire. At 4.45 on the west of Les Hanois. The Duet was mak- afternoon of the 14th August, 1962, the ing progress by using her engine, and coastguard informed the honorary sec- she was met by the life-boat about retary that a small boat was burning red fifteen miles from the island. H.M.S. flares three-quarters of a mile off Ingold- Keppel had meanwhile been standing by mells. At 5.15 the life-boat The Cuttle the Duet and continued to do so until was launched. There was a strong breeze one o'clock, when the life-boat took her blowing from east-by-south, there was in tow. Searchlights from the frigate 380 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 helped the tow to be secured, a difficult station reported that the trawler Paschal task in the rough seas. St. Peter Port was of Lorient, which had a crew of thirteen, finally reached at 4.35 in the morning had fouled her propeller and needed and the Duet was secured at the spur. help immediately about four miles south The life-boat crew came ashore and were of Brannock Island. At eleven o'clock given tea by the local branch of the the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson W.V.S. The life-boat finally reached her put to sea. There was a strong south- station at five o'clock. The owner of the westerly breeze and a heavy swell. It was Duet made a donation to the branch low water. The life-boat came up with funds. the Paschal at 1.30, took her in tow, and CABIN CRUISER TOWED TO HARBOUR made for her station, which she reached at eight o'clock. Troon, Ayrshire. At 10.30 on the night of the 14th August, 1962, the coxswain COBLE ESCORTED TO HARBOUR saw a flashing light about two miles Blyth, Northumberland. At 5.36 on the north of Lady Isle. The life-boat James evening of the 15th August, 1962, the and Barbara Aitken was launched at coastguard informed the honorary sec- 10.45 in a light easterly wind and a slight retary that a Newbiggin coble fishing sea. It was half an hour before high from Blyth was making heavy weather water. The life-boat found the cabin between a mile and two miles south-east cruiser Beaver III, which had a crew of of Newbiggin Point. At 5.50 the life- four, four miles north-west of Lady Isle boat Winston Churchill (Civil Service with her engines broken down. She took No. 8) was launched. There was a light her in tow to Troon and reached her east-north-east breeze and a rough sea, station at 12.5. and the tide was ebbing. At 6.6 the life- YACHT'S CREW FOUND IN STATE OF boat found the coble Sea Flower, with a EXHAUSTION crew of two, east of Blyth pier close to Torbay, Devon. At 10.50 on the night Seaton rocks. She escorted her to Blyth of the 14th August, 1962, the coastguard and arrived back at her station at 6.25. passed on to the honorary secretary a FLARES LIT FOR CLIFF SEARCH PARTY report from some visitors that flares had been seen in Start Bay off Torcross. The Weymouth, Dorset. At 10.36 on the life-boat Princess Alexandra of Kent left night of the 15th August, 1962, the her moorings at 11.20 in a strong south- Wyke coastguard told the honorary sec- easterly wind and a moderate sea one retary that a boy was missing on the hour before low water. When she reached cliffs at Durdle Door and said that the Torcross several lights could be seen, police had asked if the life-boat would which caused some confusion, for they illuminate the area one hundred yards were car headlights pointing out to sea. east of Cliff Arch. At 10.55 the life-boat The vessel in distress then fited another Frank Spiller Locke put to sea in a red flare, and the life-boat made for the moderate westerly breeze, a choppy sea position indicated and found the yacht and an ebbing tide. She fired parachute Mikado with two men and a boy on flares and used her searchlight to help board. They were very exhausted as they the shore rescue party, but the boy was had been on board for over twenty-four not found and the life-boat returned to hours riding out the heavy weather her station, arriving at 3.25 in the morn- of the day before. Their rigging was ing. The boy lost his life. damaged and their engine had broken TWO LIFE-BOATS IN ALL-NIGHT down. The life-boat took the yacht in SEARCH tow at slow speed across Start Bay and into Brixham harbour. She reached her Torbay, and Exmouth, Devon. At 10.44 station at 4.10. The owner of the yacht on the night of the 16th August, 1962, made a donation to the branch funds. the Brixham coastguard passed on a report from a boat-owner, whose son FRENCH TRAWLER TAKEN IN TOW had put out in a 20-foot motor boat Galway Bay. At 10.45 on the morning three hours earlier to search for another of the 15th August, 1962, Valentia radio of his father's boats and had not DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 381 returned. At 11.20 the life-boat Princess to meet her and take them off. A rendez- Alexandra of Kent put to sea in a strong vous was arranged at the Spurn light- south-south-west breeze, a moderate sea vessel at 9.30. At 8.35 the life-boat City and an ebb tide. She searched widely in of Bradford HI was launched on the rain squalls, and at three o'clock the ebbing tide in a gentle south-west breeze life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott, on and a moderate sea. She met the Scamp- temporary duty at Exmouth, was also ton about a mile east-north-east of the launched. Both life-boats searched all Spurn lightvessel at 9.10. The two sur- night, but they found nothing and it vivors and their raft and outboard motor was decided to ask for the help of a were taken on board the life-boat, which helicopter at daybreak. The coastguard made for Grimsby. On the way the life- asked the R.A.F. at Chivenor for a heli- boat received a message from the Hum- copter, and at 5.50 one was airborne. ber lightvessel asking for a pilot, who By the time the helicopter reached the was on board the lightvessel, to be taken area the Torbay life-boat had found the to Grimsby. The pilot was embarked missing boat off Hope's Nose, Torquay. and the life-boat reached Grimsby at She escorted her to Paignton harbour, 11.45, where the pilot and the survivors carrying out an exercise with the heli- were landed. Because of the state of the copter on the way, and reached her tide the life-boat remained at Grimsby station at eight o'clock. The life-boat until four o'clock and then returned to Cecil and Lilian Philpott returned to her station, arriving at five o'clock. The Exmouth at 7.40. two people who had been rescued from the raft had been on board the survey YACHT SEEN TO DISAPPEAR IN ship May HI and had left her at nine ROUGH SEA o'clock the evening before in their raft Exmouth, Devon. At 9.25 on the to go to the survey ship Vigia, which was evening of the 16th August, 1962, the about half a mile away. Their outboard coastguard passed on to the honorary motor had broken down and they had secretary a report that a sailing yacht become lost in the darkness. The Scamp- had been seen to disappear between ton had picked them up at five o'clock a half and three-quarters of a mile off in the morning. Ladram Bay near Sidmouth. There was a strong south-westerly wind with ESCORT FOR YACHT WITH TORN a rough sea. At ten o'clock the life- MAINSAIL boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott, on Plymouth, Devon. At 8.30 on the temporary duty at the station, put morning of the 17th August, 1962, the out on the ebbing tide. After a thorough Rame Head coastguard informed the search she found the yacht Caravel II, honorary secretary that there was a which had had to lower her sails and had yacht whose sails had carried away two been forced to tack constantly. The miles east-south-east of Rame Head, yacht was on passage from Weymouth and at 8.43 the life-boat Thomas Fore- to Torbay, and she had two people, head and Mary Rowse put to sea. There her owner and his wife, on board. was a light west-north-west breeze and The woman was taken on board the a heavy swell. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat, which towed the yacht to life-boat found the yacht Dainty, with a Exmouth and finally reached her crew of five, including a woman and station at 2.20 in the morning. The a child, south of Penlee Point. The owner made a gift to the life-boat crew. Dainty's mainsail was in ribbons, but she was making slow headway under a SURVIVORS FROM RAFT LANDED foresail. The life-boat escorted her until Humber, Yorkshire. At 5.51 on the she anchored in Cawsand Bay and then morning of the 17th August, 1962, the returned to her station, arriving at ten coastguard informed the honorary sec- o'clock. retary that the trawler Scampton had picked up a man and a woman from a RESCUES OF BOYS CUT OFF BY TIDE raft about 40 miles east-north-east of Redcar, Yorkshire. At 4.15 on the Spurn, and had asked for the life-boat afternoon of the 17th August, 1962, the 382 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 coastguard informed the motor mechanic harbour the life-boat met the seine-net that three boys had been cut off by the boat Argosy, which was on her way to tide at Huntcliffe, Saltburn, and that a drop the marker buoy. The life-boat speed boat was trying to rescue them. returned to the position and was then A further message was received that the asked by the helicopter to pick up a speed boat might have difficulty in tak- piece of the wrecked aircraft, which was ing the boys aboard, and at 4.25 the life- two miles to the south-east. Nothing boat City of Leeds was launched in a more was found, and the life-boat landed strong north-westerly wind and a the wreckage at Lossiemouth and moderate sea. It was an hour and a half reached her station at 6.20. before high water. On reaching the posi- tion the life-boat found that two boys TWO MEN RESCUED AFTER DINGHY had been rescued by the speed boat but CAPSIZES the other was still on the rocks. She took Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. At 3.10 on him on board, and members of the crew the afternoon of the 18th August, 1962, treated him for shock. The life-boat the Needles coastguard informed the landed him and reached her station at honorary secretary that the sailing yacht six o'clock. Barbecue, which had a crew of two, had capsized in the Needles channel south LIFE-SAVING COMPANY RESCUES TWO of Hurst Point. At 3.20 the life-boat FROM CLIFFS S.G.E. put to sea with the second cox- Padstow, Cornwall. At six o'clock on swain in command. There was a light the evening of the 17th August, 1962, south-westerly breeze, the sea was slight, the coastguard informed the honorary and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat secretary that a man and a woman were picked up the two yachtsmen, righted cut off by the tide at the foot of high the dinghy and towed her to Yarmouth, cliffs at Polzeath and that the Port Isaac arriving at 6.50. coastguard life-saving company had gone to their help. The coastguard had MAN TAKEN OFF LIGHTVESSEL also asked for a helicopter. The life-boat Arklow, Co. Wicklow. At 7.10 on the Joseph Hiram Chadwick put to sea at evening of the 18th August, 1962, the 6.30. She made for the position given Wicklow honorary secretary asked if the in a light north-westerly breeze, a slight Arklow life-boat would land a member sea and a flooding tide. The life-saving of the crew of the Codling lightvessel as company succeeded in hauling the two the man's father was dangerously ill. people up the cliff, and the life-boat At 7.28 the life-boat Inbhear Mor was passed the news to the helicopter. The launched in a fresh south-westerly life-boat stood by until the rescued breeze, a choppy sea and a flooding tide. people were safe and then returned to She reached the lightvessel at 10.20, took her station, arriving at 7.45. the man on board and landed him at Wicklow at 12.55. She then returned to WRECKAGE OF AIRCRAFT FOUND AND Arklow, arriving at four o'clock in the LANDED morning. Buckle, Banffshire. At 2.45 on the afternoon of the 18th August, 1962, the TOW FOR YACHT TO HARBOUR coastguard informed the honorary sec- Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 8.50 on retary that an aircraft had crashed into the morning of the 19th August, 1962, the sea two miles north-north-east of the coastguard informed the honorary the coastguard look-out at Lossiemouth. secretary that red flares had been seen A helicopter had been summoned, and from a small yacht off Whinnyfold, at 3.5 the life-boat Laura Moncur left Cruden Bay. There was a light breeze her moorings. There was a light variable blowing from the south-south-east with breeze and a smooth sea, and it was high a moderate sea. The life-boat Julia Park water. On reaching the position, the Barry of Glasgow was launched at nine helicopter asked the life-boat to go to o'clock on an ebb tide. The weather was Lossiemouth to pick up a marker buoy fine. The life-boat made for the position and moorings, but as she was entering given and came up with the casualty at DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 383 10.22. She was a small yacht named choppy, and the tide was ebbing. The Vedette with a crew of four. The Vedette life-boat found the sailing dinghy Puffin, was on passage from Aberdeen to Long- with five young men on board, three- hope, but her engine had failed off the quarters of a mile south of Peveril Point. shores of Cruden. The life-boat made They had rigged a sail on the stump of fast a line and towed the yacht to Peter- the mast and were rowing for the shore, head harbour. She then returned to her but the tide was carrying them towards station, arriving at 12.21. Durlston Head. The life-boat took the Puffin in tow and returned to her station, MOTOR BOAT RESCUES CANOEISTS arriving at 4.5. The father of one of the Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. At 4.35 on young men made a donation to the the afternoon of the 19th August, 1962, funds of the Institution. the Dalkey civic guard informed the honorary secretary that a canoe, which TOW FOR YACHT WITH TWO ABOARD had a crew of two, had capsized off Ilfracombe, Devon. At 11.50 on the Dalkey Island, and at 4.58 the life-boat night of the 20th August, 1962, the Dunleary II was launched. There was a coastguard informed the honorary sec- strong southerly breeze, the sea was retary that a small boat was flashing sos moderate, and the tide was ebbing. A off Highveer Point, Lynmouth. There motor boat also put out from Colie- was a moderate breeze blowing from the more. She reached the scene first and south-east and the weather was over- picked up the two canoeists. The life- cast. The life-boat Robert and Phemia boat met her off Sorrento Point, es- Brown was launched at 12.16 on an ebb- corted her to Coliemore and then re- ing tide. The sea was moderate. The turned to her station, arriving at 5.50. life-boat made for the position given and came up with the yacht Cariad at LIFE-BOAT HELPS YACHT TO WEIGH 1.40. The Cariad, which had a crew of ANCHOR two, was on passage from Ilfracombe to Salcombe, Devon. At 9.13 on the Cardiff, but her engine had failed and morning of the 20th August, 1962, the she was being blown off shore by Bolt Head coastguard informed the the south-easterly breeze and being honorary secretary that the yacht carried down the channel on the ebb Maralla, which had been at anchor a tide. The life-boat towed her to Ilfra- quarter of a mile south-west of Goat combe, which was reached at 4.10. The Point the whole night, was having diffi- life-boat was rehoused on the flood tide culty in weighing anchor and was send- at eight o'clock. ing morse signals. At 9.30 the life-boat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse was TOW FOR COXSWAIN'S FISHING BOAT launched in a light westerly breeze, a Montrose, Angus. At noon on the moderate sea and a flooding tide. She 23rd August, 1962, the coxswain re- helped the yacht to heave up her anchor ported by radio-telephone from his although the anchor chain parted. The motor fishing boat Rosemary that he life-boat then returned to her station, needed help two miles off Usan. The arriving at 11.20. life-boat The Good Hope was launched at 12.17 with the second coxswain in TOW FOR DINGHY WITH FIVE YOUNG command in a gentle south-westerly MEN ABOARD ! breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was Swanage, Dorset. At 3.22 on the after- half ebb. The life-boat reached the posi- noon of the 20th August, 1962, the tion given and took the Rosemary, which coastguard told the coxswain that a had a broken crankshaft, in tow to Mon- visitor had reported seeing a sailing trose. The life-boat reached her station dinghy dismasted about one mile north- at 1.30. east of Peveril Point. Nine minutes later the life-boat Edmund and Mary Robin- RESCUES BY HELICOPTER AND PILOT son, on temporary duty at the station, CUTTER was launched. There was a moderate Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire. At south-south-west breeze, the sea was 3.47 on the afternoon of the 22nd 384 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 August, 1962, the coastguard informed towed the boat to Donaghadee, which the motor mechanic that a motor vessel she reached at 6.40. had capsized on the Kibble bar. At 4.12 the life-boat Sarah Townsend Porritt was TOW FOR SCHOONER WITH SEA launched with the second coxswain in CADETS ABOARD command in a westerly gale and a very Weymouth, Dorset. At 5.16 on the rough sea. It was one hour before high afternoon of the 23rd August, 1962, the water. When the life-boat reached the coastguard informed the honorary sec- position given she found that the motor retary that a yacht was burning flares vessel Druid of Glasgow had broached half a mile off Abbotsbury. Seven to in a heavy following sea at the en- minutes later the life-boat Frank Spiller trance to the Ribble estuary. Her whole Locke left her moorings in a south- crew of six had been washed overboard. westerly gale and a moderate sea. It was One man had managed to climb into a two hours before low water. The life- life-raft and had been picked up by the boat found the schooner The Garland Preston pilot cutter. A helicopter from of Cowes, with her master and nine sea Warton airport had rescued two men cadets on board, six miles north-west of who had been clinging to a lifebuoy and Portland Bill. The life-boat escorted her had flown them to Warton, where they round Portland Bill. Then as the drogue were taken to hospital. A fourth man rope had fouled the schooner's pro- had been rescued by another helicopter peller and her engines were now out of from the R.A.F. station at Valley, action, the life-boat took her in tow to Anglesey. Weymouth harbour, which was reached A fifth man was picked up by the at ten o'clock. The master of the Warton helicopter, which had returned schooner and parents of the cadets to the position, but as he was un- jointly made a contribution to the conscious he was lowered into the life- Institution's funds. boat, where artificial respiration was applied by the life-boat crew. In the YACHT TAKEN EM TOW IN GALE meantime the life-boat coxswain with a Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 5.40 on the crew of two and a doctor on board evening of the 23rd August, 1962, the had put out in the boarding boat to coastguard informed the honorary sec- meet the life-boat. The doctor examined retary that a yacht was burning a red the man who had been lowered by heli- flare a quarter of a mile south-south- copter to the life-boat, but found he was east of Clacton pier. The life-boat Sir dead. His body was taken ashore in the Godfrey Baring was launched at 5.52 in boarding boat while the life-boat, with a south-westerly gale and a rough sea. the coxswain now in command, con- It was nearly high water. The life-boat tinued to search for the sixth man. He found the yacht Aslaug with four people was not found, and when darkness fell on board two miles south-east of Clac- the life-boat returned to her station, ton pier. Her mainsail was damaged and arriving at nine o'clock. her engine had broken down. Because of the gale-force wind the coxswain decided to tow the yacht to Harwich FIVE RESCUED FROM ROWING BOAT harbour, which was reached at 8.57. Donaghadee, Co. Down. At 3.30 on The life-boat remained at Harwich until the afternoon of the 23rd August, 1962, the next day. the Orlock coastguard passed on to the honorary secretary a report from the FISHING COBLE TAKEN IN TOW Blackhead lighthouse that a rowing boat St. Abbs, Berwickshire. At nine o'clock with a crew of five was in difficulties on the morning of the 24th August, south-east of Blackhead. At 3.45 the 1962, the principal keeper of the St. life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly was launched. Abbs Head lighthouse telephoned to say There was a strong westerly breeze and the local fishing coble Mary, which had a choppy sea, and the tide was flooding. a crew of four, had broken down off the The life-boat found the boat a mile off head and had asked for a tow. The coble Blackhead, rescued the five people, and was in no immediate danger, but as no DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 385 other suitable boat was available, the on the afternoon of the 25th August, life-boat W. Rose Macarthur of Glasgow 1962, the coastguard [informed the was launched at 9.35. There was a fresh honorary secretary that a young woman westerly breeze, the sea was moderate, had been swept from the rocks under and the tide was flooding. The life-boat Lands End by a large wave. At 1.27 the found the Mary under the cliffs near the life-boat Susan Ashley was launched in lighthouse, towed her to St. Abbs, and a moderate westerly wind and a choppy arrived back at her station at 10.10. sea with a heavy ground swell. It was one hour before high water. People on TWO CAPSIZED DINGHIES TAKEN IN the cliff top directed the life-boat to TOW where the woman was floating face Falmouth, Cornwall. At 10.56 on the downwards about two hundred yards morning of the 24th August, 1962, the out and close to a big island rock known coastguard informed the honorary sec- as Enys Dodman. The life-boat picked retary that a dinghy had capsized a mile her up and landed her, but a doctor who and a half off Nare Head, near Ports- then examined her found that she was catho, and nine minutes later the life- dead. The life-boat reached her station boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare at 2.30. put to sea. There was a light west-south- west breeze, the sea was choppy, and LIFE-BOAT TAKES OVER TOW OF the tide was flooding. The life-beat made YACHT a search and found a Kestrel-type dinghy Holy Island, Northumberland. At six three-quarters of a mile west of Nare o'clock on the evening of the 25th Head. She had only just capsized and August, 1962, the coastguard informed was not the casualty originally reported, the honorary secretary that a message but the life-boat helped the crew to get had been intercepted from the motor on board her, and a motor launch took vessel Ettrick that she had the disabled the dinghy in tow. The life-boat searched yacht Cuprous of Southampton, with for the other dinghy and found her two men on board, in tow five miles abandoned about a quarter of a mile north-east of Emmanuel Head. She was east of Nare Head. Her crew of four trying to tow the yacht to Holy Island were on the rocks at the foot of a cliff. but to do so she might need help. The The life-boat stood by until they reached life-boat Gertrude was launched at 6.20 the cliff top and then took their dinghy in a moderate westerly wind and a on board and returned to her station, moderate sea an hour and a half after arriving at 2.30. low water. She met the motor vessel in SAILING DINGHY BEACHED AFTER the channel off the Plough Seal buoy CAPSIZE and took over the tow. The Cuprous was Arklow, Co. Wicklow. At 12.20 on the moored safely in Holy Island harbour, afternoon of the 24th August, 1962, the and the life-boat reached her station at mechanic informed the honorary secre- seven o'clock. tary that a sailing dinghy had capsized a mile and a half north-east of Arklow TOW FOR MOTOR CRUISER IN FULL harbour. The life-boat Inbhear Mor was GALE launched at 12.30 in strong south- Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. At eight westerly wind and a choppy sea. The o'clock on the evening of the 25th tide was half ebb. On reaching the posi- August, 1962, the harbour constable tion given, the life-boat found that the told the motor mechanic that a yacht sailing dinghy had been righted and her was broached to four and a half miles crew of two were baling. The life-boat east-north-east of Dun Laoghaire. A full towed her near the shore, and her crew westerly gale was blowing when the life- were then able to beach her. The life- boat Dunleary II left her moorings at boat returned to her station, arriving 8.8 on a flooding tide in a very rough at 1.5. sea. The life-boat found the motor cruiser Rosalind with five people on BODY OF SWIMMER LANDED board. Her engines had broken down, Sennen Cove, Cornwall. At one o'clock and the life-boat crew at their second 386 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 attempt managed to get a tow rope of Leeds was launched at 12.48 in a aboard. The Rosalind was then towed south-westerly gale and a rough sea. It into harbour, where her crew were was an hour and a half before high landed and the yacht was moored. The water. The life-boat made for the posi- life-boat reached her moorings at 10.15. tion given and found the yacht dis- The owner of the vessel expressed his masted and with her engine broken thanks. down. Her crew of three were taken on board the life-boat, which then towed FISHING BOATS ESCORTED IN ROUGH the yacht to harbour. The yacht's crew SEA were treated on board the life-boat for St. Abbs, Berwickshire. On the morn- shock. The life-boat reached her station ing of the 26th August, 1962, a gale at 3.40. warning was issued and the southerly breeze did in fact increase in force. RESCUES FROM THREE YACHTS IN Three local fishing boats were at sea in TURN weather which was growing worse and Southend-on-Sea, Essex, and Margate, poor visibility. At noon the life-boat Kent. At 1.5 on the afternoon of the W. Ross Macarthur of Glasgow was 26th August, 1962, the coastguard in- launched. She made a search in a rough informed the honorary secretary at sea, heavy rain and a flooding tide and Southend-on-Sea that a small sailing found the fishing boats off St. Abbs dinghy had capsized near the West Head. She escorted them to the harbour Middle buoy and that her crew of two and arrived back at her station at one were clinging to the dinghy. The life- o'clock. boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched at 1.38 in a south- HELICOPTER RESCUES TWO FROM westerly gale and a very rough sea. The DINGHY tide was half ebb. The coastguard also Minehead, and Weston-super-Mare, reported that a helicopter was in the Somerset. At 11.30 on the morning of area. Information was then received that the 26th August, 1962, the police at the dinghy was near the Redsands forts, Minehead reported that a dinghy, with and the life-boat made for this position. a crew of two, was in difficulties off A yacht was sighted one mile west of Dunster beach, and at 11.55 the life- the forts, and her crew told the coxswain boat B.H.M.H. was launched. There that the capsized boat was to the east was a south-south-easterly gale with a of them and that her crew could be seen rough sea and a flooding tide. A heli- sitting in the waterlogged boat. The cox- copter from Chivenor took off, and at swain was asked to tow the'yacht to shel- 12.22 the Weston-super-Mare life-boat tered waters as the gale had increased Calouste Gulbenkian was also launched. to force 9, but thought the dinghy prob- Both life-boats made for the position, ably needed help more urgently, and but the helicopter found the fishing he told the yacht's crew that he would dinghy E286 four miles off Watchet and come back for them. As the life-boat rescued the two men. The helicopter came up on the lee side of the dinghy, landed them on the beach, and the one of the men grabbed hold of the life- Minehead life-boat towed the dinghy to boat, once again capsizing the dinghy her station, arriving at 2.15. The and throwing the second man into the Weston-super-Mare life-boat was re- sea. He was quickly recovered by the called to her station, which she reached life-boat's crew, and with the first man at 1.15. safely on board too the coxswain made for the yacht, which was then a quarter CREW TAKEN OFF DISMASTED YACHT of a mile to the west. Her crew of three, Redcar, Yorkshire. At 12.40 on the two men and a woman, were by then afternoon of the 26th August, 1962, ready to leave their yacht, and the life- the coastguard informed the motor boat took them on board. mechanic that a small yacht appeared to A message was then received by radio be in difficulties a mile and a half north- telephone that some small boats were in east of Saltscar buoy. The life-boat City difficulties off Warden point and that DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 387 the Southend pilot boat Thames Server Head. Later a message was received had offered to help the life-boat. On her that the trawler and yacht were well way the life-boat met a fishing boat from ahead of the life-boat in Milford Haven. Whitstable, whose crew told the cox- The honorary's secretary's personal ex- swain that four men had been rescued perience of the haven in rough weather from two of the small boats. The next made him disinclined to recall the life- message to be received by the life-boat boat, and in fact the towing rope was that another yacht was in difficulties eventually parted four times. On the at the West Barrow buoy. The five res- last occasion the yacht and the trawler cued people on board the life-boat were drifted apart and the life-boat steamed having a very uncomfortable time be- towards the yacht and took her in tow. cause of the heavy seas and were all The yacht was eventually moored along- exhausted, and the coxswain decided side a jetty in Milford Haven at 7.30. that as the services of the life-boat might Because of the conditions at the life-boat be needed for some hours he would slipway the life-boat remained overnight transfer them to the pilot boat. The life- and returned to her station the next day. boat therefore made for the lee of a large tanker, where with difficulty the five YACHT TAKEN IN TOW IN GALE people were transferred to the pilot boat. Howth, Co. Dublin. At 3.47 on the The life-boat then made for the West afternoon of the 26th August, 1962, the Barrow buoy and found a yacht with Baily lighthouse-keeper informed the her sails blown away and her engine honorary secretary that a motor yacht broken down. The yacht was rolling and which he had kept under observation pitching very badly, and the coxswain for twenty-five minutes was out of con- took the life-boat in on the yacht's port trol. The life-boat A.M.T. left her moor- side and rescued the crew of four. In ings at 4.5 in a west-south-westerly gale the meantime the Customs vessel Ven- and a rough sea. It was low water. The turer had arrived, and the four men were life-boat found the motor yacht Lady transferred to her. The life-boat con- Sophie of Dun Laoghaire, with four tinued searching until a message was people on board, making very little pro- received that no one else was in diffi- gress in the severe weather conditions. culties, and she returned to her station, She took her in tow to moorings along- arriving at 11.59. The Margate life-boat side the west pier. The life-boat reached North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) her own moorings at 6.40. was also asked to help in the search, and she launched at 4.5 and finally reached COBLES ESCORTED IN NEAR GALE her station at 10.25. The father of a Bridlington, Yorkshire. At 4.30 on the member of the crew of one of the afternoon of the 26th August, 1962, the yachts made a contribution to the harbour master told the honorary secre- Institution's funds. tary he felt anxious for the safety of the fishing cobles Kingfisher, Lily and Three HELP FOR YACHT AFTER TOW-ROPE Brothers, which had each left harbour PARTS that morning with a party on board for a St. David's, Pembrokeshire. At 2.55 day's fishing off Flamborough Head. The on the afternoon of the 26th August, weather had worsened during the day, 1962, the coastguard informed the and at 4.50 the life-boat Tillie Morrison, honorary secretary that the yacht Cergio Sheffield II was launched in a near gale was in tow of the French trawler Belle blowing from the south-south-west, a Garce thirteen miles west of the South rough sea and an ebbing tide. She made Bishop. As the weather was bad, the for the north bay, where she met the three help of the life-boat was asked for. The cobles. She escorted them all to the har- life-boat Swn-y-Mor (Civil Service No. bour and reached her station at 6.30. 6) was launched at 3.15 in a south-south- westerly gale and a very rough sea. It CREW TAKEN OFF MOTOR BOAT IN was two hours before high water. The GALE life-boat made towards the two vessels Howth, Co. Dublin. At 7.40 on the and reported seeing them off St. Ann's evening of the 26th August, 1962, the 388 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 garda informed the honorary secretary RAILWAYS STEAMERS HELP TO FIND that flares had been seen at first in the FISHING BOAT direction of Rockabill and later from a St. Helier, Jersey. At 4.10 on the boat at Lough Shinney. The life-boat morning of the 30th August, 1962, the A.M.T. put out at 8.4 and made for harbour office informed the honorary Lough Shinney. There was a westerly secretary that the 28-foot fishing boat gale and a choppy sea, and it was one Pinafore, which had put out with a crew hour before high water. The life-boat of four, had not returned. At 4.30 the reached the lough at 9.5 and found the life-boat Lloyd's, on temporary duty at motor boat Ark of Connemara of Dun the station, put to sea. There was a light Laoghaire with her engine broken down. northerly breeze with a swell, and the Her anchors were holding, and it was tide was flooding. The British Railways decided to leave the boat in what was a steamers Cranbourne and Moose, which reasonably sheltered position. The life- were bound for Jersey, were asked to boat took off the motor boat's crew of keep a look-out. The Cranbourne picked four and returned to her station, arriv- up two boats on her radar, but they did ing at 10.35. not need help, and later the Moose, which was to the northward, reported an echo on her radar two and a half miles west YACHT FOUND DRAGGING ANCHOR of Corbiere. This proved to be from IN GALE the Pinafore, and the Moose stood by Dover, Kent. At 9.30 on the evening until the life-boat arrived. The life-boat of the 26th August, 1962, a message was took off the four people, put one of her received that the yacht Marabu of the own crew on board, and towed the Royal Naval Sailing Association, which fishing boats to St. Helier, which was was sheltering in Dover harbour, was reached at 7.46. dragging her anchor. She had a crew of eleven. Two red flares were fired from LIFE-BOAT ESCORTS YAWL WITH SIX the yacht, and at 9.42 the life-boat CHILDREN ABOARD Cunard, on temporary duty at the Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 4.55 on the station, left her moorings. There was a afternoon of the 31st August, 1962, a west-south-westerly gale, the sea was message was received from Cahirciveen rough, and it was high water. The life- that six children were adrift in a yawl boat took the yacht in tow into Welling- under oars and were being blown sea- ton dock and reached her station at wards about a mile and a half off Cuas- 10.30. crom harbour in Dingle Bay. At 5.10 the life-boat Peter and Sarah Blake, on YACHT TAKEN IN TOW TO HARBOUR temporary duty at the station, left her moorings and made for the position in Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. At 11.51 a fresh south-easterly breeze and a on the morning of the 28th August, moderate sea. It was high water. The 1962, the coastguard informed the life-boat found the yawl near the har- honorary secretary that the auxiliary bour entrance, escorted her in and then yacht Diana, of Shoreham, which had returned to moorings, arriving at 6.40. a crew of three, was burning red flares The parents of the children expressed half a mile south of the power station. their thanks. Nine minutes later the life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched. The following life-boats went out There was a fresh south-south-west on service, but could find no ships in breeze, the sea was rough, and the tide distress, were not needed, or could do was ebbing. The life-boat found that the nothing: Diana had broken down and put two of her crew aboard. She then took the New Brighton, Cheshire.—August 2nd. yacht in tow and berthed her in the Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.— harbour. The life-boat reached her August 2nd. station at two o'clock. A helicopter also Exmouth, Devon.—August 3rd. took off but was not needed. Swanage, Dorset.—August 3rd. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 389 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—August 3rd. Baltimore, Co. Cork.—August 17th. Selsey, Sussex.—August 3rd. Salcombe, Devon.—August 17th. Stronsay, Orkneys.—August 4th. Troon, Ayrshire.—August 18th. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—August 4th. Appledore, Devon.—August 19th. St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—August Howth, Co. Dublin.—August 19th. 4th. Padstow, Cornwall.—August 19th. Stornoway, Hebrides.—August 4th. Torbay, Devon.—August 20th. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—August Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—August 20th. 4th. Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—August Ramsey, Isle of Man.—August 4th. 20th. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—August 5th. Barrow, Lancashire.—August 20th. St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—August Falmouth, Cornwall.—August 21st. 5th. Plymouth, Devon.—August 21st. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—August 5th. Walmer, Kent.—August 21st. Hastings, Sussex.—August 5th. Cromer, Norfolk.—August 22nd. St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—August Dungeness, Kent.—August 23rd. 6th. Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—August Barmouth, Merionethshire.—August 23rd. 6th. Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.— Wells, Norfolk.—August 6th. August 24th. Cromer, Norfolk.—August 7th. New Brighton, Cheshire.—August Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—August 25th. 7th. St. Ives, Cornwall.—August 25th. The Lizard / Cadgwith, Cornwall.— Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—August August 7th. 26th. Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. —August Padstow, Cornwall.—August 26th. 7th. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. — August Holyhead, Anglesey.—August 8th. 26th. Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—August Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.— 10th. August 26th. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—August Margate, Kent.—August 26th. 10th. Weymouth, Dorset.—August 26th. Padstow, Cornwall.—August 10th. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—August 26th. Sennen Cove, Cornwall.—August 10th. Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—August 26th. Poole, Dorset.—August llth. Wells, Norfolk.—August 26th. Cromarty, Ross and Cromarty.— St. Helier, Jersey.—August 27th. August llth. Barmouth, Merionethshire.—August New Brighton, Cheshire.—August 27th. 12th. Salcombe, Devon.—August 27th. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. -August 13th. Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—August St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—August 27th. 14th. Redcar, Yorkshire.—August 28th. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—August Selsey, Sussex.—August 29th. 14th. Newhaven, Sussex.—August 14th. Beaumaris, Anglesey.—August 14th. SEPTEMBER Humber, Yorkshire.—August 15th. DURING September life-boats were Moelfre, Anglesey.—August 15th. launched on service 117 times and St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—August rescued 69 lives. 15th. St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—August INJURED CHINESE SEAMEN TAKEN 15th. OFF SHIP Selsey, Sussex.—August 15th. Penlee, Cornwall. On the 1st Septem- Holyhead, Anglesey.—August 16th. ber, 1962, news was received that the Walmer, Kent.—August 16th. motor vessel Ben Hope was approaching Exniouth, Devon.—August 17th. Penzance with two injured men on Portnish, Co. Antrim.—August 17th. board. They had been severely burnt in 390 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 an accident in the engine room. At Reitz put to sea. There was a light 2.30 in the afternoon the life-boat south-south-easterly breeze and a mo- Solomon Browne was launched in a derate sea. The tide was ebbing. The moderate south-south-east breeze, a life-boat made a search and found the choppy sea and a flooding tide. She yacht four miles south of Blackhead in picked up a doctor and a stretcher at tow of a fishing boat from Polperro. Newlyn and met the Ben Hope five The life-boat escorted the boat to miles south of Penzance at four o'clock. Fowey, secured the yacht to the Swing The doctor was put on board, and at buoy, and arrived back at her station at 4.35 he and the two injured men, who three o'clock in the morning. were Chinese, came on board the life- boat, which landed them at Newlyn at PARACHUTE FLARES SHOW YACHT IN five o'clock. The life-boat then returned DANGER to her station, arriving at 5.30. Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. At 9.5 on the evening of the 2nd September, BOAT FOUND AFTER DRIFTING ALL 1962, the honorary secretary received NIGHT messages from the coast life-saving Ilfracombe, Devon. At 7.55 on the service and the civic guards that morning of the 2nd September, 1962, rockets and flares had been seen one the police told the honorary secretary mile from Brownstown Head. At 9.20 that the proprietor of the Lee Bay the life-boat Annie Blanche Smith left Hotel had reported that three of his her moorings in a strong north-easterly staff and a visitor had left in a rowing wind and a moderate sea. It was an boat at ten o'clock the night before for hour and a quarter after high water. a short fishing trip but had not returned. The life-boat reached the position but The honorary secretary asked the coast- nothing unusual was seen, and she guard for air assistance, and at 8.30 the made for Tramore bay. Two parachute life-boat Robert and Phemia Brown was flares were fired from the life-boat, and launched. There was a light south- by this means the yacht Marjory Gaw easterly breeze and a choppy sea, and it of Littlehampton was found in a most was high water. A helicopter spotted dangerous position in shoal water and the small rowing boat about three among rocks. Her crew of two had lost miles north-west of Torrs Point. The their bearings. The life-boat closed the boat had been carried out in the channel yacht and escorted her to safety in by an off-shoie wind and an ebbing tide Dunmore East harbour. The life-boat and had been adrift all night. The reached her station at 12.30. It was helicopter rescued three men, and the later learnt that no flares had been fired fourth man, who had been at the oars from the yacht, and the arrival of the throughout and was very exhausted, life-boat was, in a sense, an extremely was taken aboard the life-boat. After fortunate accident. There had been a being given first aid he was brought thunderstorm, and the vivid lightning ashore at Ilfracombe, where the rowing had evidently been mistaken by the boat was beached. The three men coast watchers for rockets. picked up by the helicopter were landed at Lee, and the life-boat finally reached TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITH her station at 10.20. BROKEN RUDDER Sunderland, Durham. At 3.12 on the ESCORT FOR YACHT IN TOW afternoon of the 3rd September, 1962, Fowey, Cornwall. At 8.56 on the the coastguard informed the honorary evening of the 2nd September, 1962, secretary that a beach attendant at the Polruan coastguard told the cox- Seaburn had reported a boat burning swain that the sailing yacht Why of red flares two miles north of Roker Fowey had put out that afternoon with pier. At 3.40 the life-boat Edward and a crew of three but had not returned. Isabella Irwin was launched with the A boatman had reported seeing a yacht second coxswain in charge. There was a between Par harbour and Gwineas light south-south-west breeze, the sea rock, and at 9.11 the life-boat Deneys was calm, and the tide was flooding. DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 391 The life-boat made a search and found flares two miles south of Portland Bill. the fishing boat Nessie with a crew of The life-boat Frank Spiller Locke left four. Her rudder had broken off. The her moorings in a gentle west-south- life-boat towed her to Sunderland westerly breeze, a smooth sea and an south dock and arrived back at her ebbing tide. She made for the position station at 5.5. given and took the yacht Fairwinds of Leigh, which had a crew of four, in tow. LIFE-BOAT, HELICOPTER AND MOTOR The yacht's engine had broken down. BOATS GO TO YACHT The life-boat finally reached her station Criccieth, Caernarvonshire. At 7.20 at 9.15. on the evening of the 3rd September, 1962, the coxswain told the honorary EXPLOSION ABOARD GERMAN MOTOR secretary that he could see a sailing VESSEL dinghy aground in Portmadoc estuary, Hastings, Sussex. At 2.58 on the and ten minutes later the life-boat morning of the 6th September, 1962, the Robert Lindsay was launched. There Fairlight coastguard informed the hon- was a strong south-south-west breeze, orary secretary that a red flare had been the sea was rough, and the tide was seen six miles east-south-east of Fair- flooding. The life-boat found the sailing light look-out. At 3.25 the life-boat dinghy Scorpion, with a crew of two, on M.T.C. was launched. There was a a sandbank. Two motor boats had also south-westerly gale and a rough sea, put out, and a Royal Air Force heli- and it was high water. The life-boat copter, which had arrived from Valley, found that the Netherlands motor landed on the sandbank. The motor vessel Zwaluw had taken on board the boats took off the dinghy's crew, and the entire crew of eight of the motor vessel helicopter, not being needed, returned La Paloma of Brake, West Germany. to her base. The motor boats refloated The motor vessel had been laden with the dinghy and towed her to Portmadoc pitch, there had been an explosion, and harbour, the life-boat escorting them. she was now on fire. The life-boat stood The life-boat arrived back at her station by the La Paloma, and later the Zwaluw at 9.30. The crew of the Scorpion made took the German vessel in tow. The a donation to the Institution's funds. life-boat then started back for her station, but as the tow rope parted, she FOUR PEOPLE FOUND ON BEACH returned to the scene and transferred St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 12.8 the La Paloma''s captain and a crew early on the morning of the 4th Sep- member from the Zwaluw to the La tember, 1962, a bright, flashing light Paloma. The French tug Hardi reached was seen on Jethou, and at 12.25 the the position during the morning, took life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put to sea over the tow and made for Dover. The in a moderate south-westerly breeze, a Zwaluw continued on her way, and the choppy sea and an ebbing tide. She life-boat, being no longer needed, took a dinghy with her. Four people reached her station at two o'clock in the were found stranded on Jethou beach. afternoon. They had been returning from Herm in the speedboat Jezebel, but the boat had SIX RESCUED FROM TWO BOATS struck a rock off Jethou and her pro- Tenby, Pembrokeshire. At 3.45 on the peller had been damaged. Using their afternoon of the 6th September, 1962, dinghy the life-boat crew ferried the the coastguard informed the honorary four people to the life-boat, which secretary that four children were in returned with them to her station, difficulties in a rowing boat off Proud arriving at 1.45. Giltar. Twelve minutes later the life- boat Henry Comber Brown was laun- YACHT TOWED INTO HARBOUR ched with the western district inspector Weymouth, Dorset. At 6.24 on the of life-boats in command. She made for evening of the 5th September, 1962, the the position in a fresh westerly breeze, coastguard informed the honorary sec- a moderate sea and an ebbing tide and retary that a yacht was firing distress found two small rowing boats about a 392 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 hundred yards from the cliffs. Three coxswain that a cabin cruiser was girls and a boy were in one of them, and drifting close to Gailes shore. At 11.55 two men, who had put out to their help, the life-boat James and Barbara Aitken were in the other boat. Both boats, left her moorings in a south-westerly which were half full of water, were in gale and a rough sea. It was two hours considerable danger. The life-boat res- after low water. When the position cued the six people, took the boats on given was reached it was found that board, and made for Tenby, which she another cabin cruiser Aquila had con- reached at five o'clock. nected a tow line to the cabin cruiser Thistle, which had engine trouble, but TOW FOR YACHT WITH ENGINE because of the heavy seas no headway BREAKDOWN could be made. The life-boat took over Troon, Ayrshire. At 3.30 on the after- the tow line, and the Thistle, which had noon of the 7th September, 1962, the four men on board, was towed to Troon. pilot at Troon harbour informed the The life-boat reached her station at honorary secretary that a small cabin 12.55. cruiser appeared to be in difficulties and drifting close to the rocks at YACHT REFLOATED IN NEAR GALE Barassie, one mile north of Troon Fleetwood, Lancashire. At 1.7 on the harbour. At 3.53 the life-boat James afternoon of the 9th September, 1962, and Barbara Aitken left her moorings the coastguard informed the honorary in a fresh to strong westerly wind and a secretary that a yacht was aground on moderate sea. It was two hours before the east side of the Wyre Channel high water. The life-boat found the abreast of no. 8 buoy, and that several cabin cruiser Maureen with one man on pleasure and fishing boats were near by. board. Her engine had broken down, By 1.30 these boats had returned to and the life-boat took her in tow to harbour. They had been unable to give harbour, reaching her station at 4.29. any help because of the weather con- ditions. There was a south-south- YACHT TOWED IN AS GALE SPRINGS UP westerly wind of near gale force Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. At 6.35 and a rough sea. The tide was half on the evening of the 8th September, flood. The life-boat Ann Letitia Russell 1962, the coastguard informed the was launched at 1.35, and on reaching honorary secretary that a yacht needed the position she found the yacht help immediately twenty-five miles Osterling, which had a crew of two, north-west of Portpatrick. There was a bumping heavily. A tow line was con- moderate south-westerly breeze with a nected, and after waiting half an hour slight sea, and it was just after high for the tide to make, the yacht was water. At 6.48 the life-boat The Jeanie refloated, and the life-boat towed her to put out and on reaching the position Fleetwood. The life-boat reached her given found the motor yacht Seawitch station at 3.45. The owner of the yacht broken down with engine trouble. There made a gift to the life-boat crew. were nine people on board. The Seawitch was taken in tow. The weather began to FISHING BOAT TOWED THROUGH deteriorate, and a south-westerly gale HEAVY SEAS sprang up as the life-boat towed the Howth, Co. Dublin. At 1.13 on the yacht to safety. The life-boat reached afternoon of the 9th September, 1962, her station at three o'clock the next the Baily lighthouse keeper reported morning. The owner made a donation that he had received a radio message to the branch funds and a gift to the from Lambay Island that the fishing life-boat crew. boat Ranger of Malahide had lost her rudder and was drifting towards Rocka- TOW FOR CABIN CRUISER THROUGH bill. At 1.28 the life-boat A.M.T. put HEAVY SEAS to sea. There was a wind of near gale Troon, Ayrshire. At 11.45 on the force blowing from the north-west, the morning of the 9th September, 1962, sea was rough, and it was low water. the pilot at Troon harbour told the The owner of the Ranger had swum to DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 393 Lambay to make contact with the life- YACHT'S CREW TAKE TO DINGHY boat station, and he had asked if the New Brighton, Cheshire. At 5.25 on life-boat could pick him up off Lambay the afternoon of the 9th September, on her way to the Ranger. The life-boat 1962, the coastguard informed the did so and found the Ranger four and a honorary secretary that a yacht had half miles north-east of Lambay. There foundered off Harrison drive and that was an angling party of twelve on board. her crew had taken to a water-logged Two members of the life-boat crew dinghy. There was a moderate westerly boarded the fishing boat, and the life- breeze with a choppy sea. The weather boat towed her to Howth. arriving at was fine. The life-boat Norman B. 5.30. Corlett left her moorings at 5.40 on a flooding tide and made for the position TOW FOR CATAMARAN IN NEAR GALE given. She came up with the casualty Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. At 2.3 on at 5.55 and found that the two people the afternoon of the 9th September, had been landed by the beach patrol 1962, the coastguard informed the in a privately owned speed boat. The honorary secretary that a motor yacht life-boat towed the dinghy to Harrison appeared to be in difficulties north- drive and then returned to her station, north-east of Fishguard. The life-boat arriving at 6.35. Howard Marryat was launched at 2.19 in a near gale blowing from the south- FISHING VESSEL'S CREW TAKEN OFF south-west and a rough sea. It was two ROCKS hours before high water. The life-boat Lerwick, Shetlands. At 3.52 on the found the catamaran Catrina five miles afternoon of the llth September, 1962, north-north-east of Fishguard broken the coastguard informed the honorary down with engine trouble. She had a secretary that the motor fishing vessel crew of four. A line was connected, and Serene had sent a radio message that the life-boat towed her into Fishguard another motor fishing vessel, Eclipse, harbour, reaching her station at was ashore at the north end of Green 4.45. Holm and that her crew were on the holm. The Serene was unable to take DOCTOR PUT ABOARD MOTOR VESSEL the men off because of the shallow Penlee, Cornwall. At 2.30 on the water, and at 4.7 the life-boat Claude afternoon of the 9th September, 1962, Cecil Staniforth left her moorings, the honorary secretary was informed taking her boarding boat with her. that the motor vessel Uskport, on pas- There was a light north-westerly breeze sage from Newport, Monmouthshire, and a slight sea. It was one hour after to Tunis was approaching Mount's Bay low water. When the position was with a man on board who had had an reached the crew of three of the Eclipse internal haemorrhage. There was a were taken on board the life-boat, and moderate south-west breeze with a as the fishing vessel was fast to the moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. At rocks full of water, the life-boat returned 5.30 the life-boat Solomon Browne was to her station, which she reached at 5.45. launched and made for Newlyn to pick up a doctor and a stretcher. She met the SICK MAN TAKEN OFF U.S. NAVAL Uskport four miles south of Penzance. VESSEL The doctor was put on board, and Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. At 5.8 on shortly afterwards the sick man was the afternoon of the llth September, lowered into the life-boat, followed by 1962, the coastguard informed the hon- the doctor. The life-boat then returned orary secretary that the United States to Newlyn, where an ambulance was naval vessel Upshur, which was 32 miles waiting to take the sick man to hos- north-east of Fraserburgh, had a sick pital. Because of the heavy swell on the man on board who needed medical help. slipway at her station the life-boat was There was a light easterly breeze moored at Newlyn. She reached her blowing with a slight sea. The weather station at four o'clock the next after- was cloudy. The life-boat The Duchess noon. of Kent was launched at 5.34 on a flood 394 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 tide with a doctor on board. She came fishing coble Sea Fisher until her crew of up with the Upshur at 6.40, and after two had repaired their engine, and then examining the patient the doctor deci- escorted her into harbour. The life-boat ded he needed hospital treatment. The stood by the bar while four other fishing sick man was transferred to the life- boats entered harbour. She finally boat, which returned to Fraserburgh, reached her station at 12.15. arriving at 7.40. An ambulance was waiting on the pier to take the man to COBLE ESCORTED TO SAFETY OF BAY hospital. The life-boat was rehoused Flamborough, Yorkshire. On the 12th at 7.50. September, 1962, the local fishing coble Provider was out fishing from the north LIFE-BOAT TAKES TWO BOATS IN TOW landing when a northerly gale sprang Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 5.54 on up. The life-boat coxswain went to the the evening of the llth September, landing, and as the weather was growing 1962, the coastguard informed the worse, by 9.30 it was felt that the coble honorary secretary that the motor might be in danger. At 9.40 the life-boat vessel Pertinence of Rochester had Friendly Forester was launched at low taken the cabin cruiser Istar, which water. She made for a position three had two men aboard, in tow off miles north of the North Landing and Barrow no. 13 buoy and was making found the Provider trying to return to for Southend-on-Sea. The life-boat harbour. Because of the heavy swell she was asked to take over the tow. At could not make it, and the life-boat 6.20 the life-boat Greater London II escorted her round Flamborough Head (Civil Service No. 30) was launched into the safety of Bridlington Bay. The in a south-westerly wind of near gale life-boat then returned to her station, force and a rough sea. It was an hour which she reached at 11.45. and a half after low water. On her way to the rendezvous arranged with SMALL BOY MAROONED ON ROCK the Pertinence the life-boat found a Torbay, Devon. At 5.44 on the evening ship's boat adrift from s.s. Coptic of of the 12th September, 1962, the coast- Southampton. She towed this boat guard informed the honorary secretary back to the Coptic and continued on that a young boy was marooned on her way to meet the Pertinence. At Cradle Rock. It was not possible for the West Shoebury buoy the Istar was coastguard to send down a cliff rescue handed over, and the life-boat took party and the boy was too young to fasten her in tow to Southend. After the himself to their ropes. It would be several two men on board her had been landed hours before the tide fell enough to allow the cabin cruiser, which had run out him to walk ashore, by which time it of petrol, was safely moored, and the would be dark. The life-boat Princess life-boat reached her station at 7.30. Alexandra of Kent left her moorings at 6.20 with her boarding boat in tow. There FISHING VESSEL ESCORTED IN NEAR was a gentle north-westerly breeze and GALE a smooth sea, and it was high water. Whitby, Yorkshire. At 8.40 on the The boy was taken off the rocks by the morning of the 12th September, 1962, boarding boat, transferred to the life- the coastguard informed the honorary boat, and landed at the harbour at/7.10. secretary that a small fishing vessel had broken down off Whitby harbour and YACHT RESCUES CREW OF CAPSIZED that the motor fishing vessel Golden CATAMARAN Hope was standing by her. It was low Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At water and the weather was rapidly 11.25 on the morning of the 16th growing worse with a near gale blowing September, 1962, the life-boat coxswain, from the north-north-east. The life-boat while working in his garden, saw what Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at appeared to be a capsized yacht drifting 8.45 with the bowman in command. down channel off Sully Island. A fresh There was a very rough sea and it was north-west wind was blowing with a low water. The life-boat stood by the rough sea. The tide was ebbing. At DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 395 11.34 the life-boat Rachel and Mary and her owner made a gift to the life- Evans was launched, and on clearing the boat crew. harbour found the yacht Otter. The yacht had already picked up the crew of MOTOR BOAT BREAKS DOWN ON two of the capsized boat, a catamaran, FISHING TRIP but had herself broken down. She was Bally cotton, Co. Cork. At 7.30 on in no danger, and the two men were the evening of the 16th September, transferred to the life-boat and landed 1962, the second coxswain told the at Barry. The Newport pilot launch honorary secretary that a visitor had took the catamaran in tow to Barry reported that a boat was burning harbour. The life-boat reached her flares off Ballycotton. The life-boat station at 12.30. Ethel Mary left her moorings at 7.45 in a gentle north-westerly breeze and MOTOR CRUISER AGROUND NEAR SEA a slight sea. It was high water. The WALL life-boat found the 27-foot motor Newhaven, Sussex. At 1.20 on the pleasure boat St. Philomena, which afternoon of the 16th September, 1962, had six people on board, broken the coastguard informed the honorary down with engine trouble two miles secretary that a small vessel was burning east-by-north of Ballycotton harbour. red flares in Seaford Bay, and at 1.50 The motor boat had been out on a the life-boat Kathleen Mary was laun- fishing trip. The life-boat took her ched. There was a moderate south- in tow to the harbour and reached westerly breeze, the sea was rough, and her station at 8.46. it was high water. The life-boat found the motor cruiser Dahlia, which had a FIRST RESCUE FROM HOVERCRAFT crew of two, ashore against the sea wall On the 17th September, 1962, the in Seaford Bay. A line was fired and a first rescue of the crew of a hovercraft tow rope passed, and the yacht was was carried out by the Rhyl, Flintshire, towed to harbour. She had been life-boat. For a full account of this severely damaged and was beached in service, for which Coxswain Harold Sleeper's Hole. The life-boat reached Campini was awarded the silver medal her station at 3.15. for gallantry, see page 343. TOW FOR YACHT ADRIFT FOR TWO HELICOPTER TAKES OFF CREW OF DAYS MOTOR CRUISER Humber, Yorkshire. At 6.28 on the Wells, Norfolk. At 12.20 on the evening of the 16th September, 1962, afternoon of the 19th September, 1962, the coastguard informed the coxswain the coastguard told the life-boat cox- superintendent that a yacht was drifting swain that a motor cruiser might need towards some ships which were at help in the channel near the harbour anchor at the mouth of the river bar. She was in broken water and a Humber near Hail Sand buoy. At 6.40 sprat boat had her in tow. At 1.5 the the life-boat City of Bradford III was coastguard reported that the tow rope launched in a moderate westerly wind had parted, and at 1.30 the life-boat and a moderate sea. It was an hour and Lucy Lovers, on temporary duty at the a half before high water. The life-boat station, was launched. There was a found the yacht Kathene, which was strong northerly breeze, the sea was fitted with an engine, broken down four rough, and the tide was ebbing. The and a half miles south-south-east of life-boat found the motor cruiser Y.811 Spurn. She had run short of petrol, and with a crew of two, anchored in broken, the life-boat took her in tow to Grimsby, confused seas just inside the outer bar which was reached at 8.30. Because of of the harbour. The life-boat went the state of the tide the life-boat alongside, and a helicopter also reached remained at Grimsby until 4.30 the the scene shortly afterwards. The heli- next morning and eventually reached copter took off one of the yacht's crew, her station at 5.30. The crew of two of landed him on the beach and then the yacht had been adrift for two days, returned for the other man. In the 396 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 meantime the life-boat crew had been then returned to her station, arriving trying to take the cruiser in tow. The at 6.40. helicopter took off the second man, and the life-boat put two men aboard Y.811. MOTOR CRUISER FOUND BY AID OF A tow rope was secured and the men SEARCHLIGHT re-embarked in the life-boat, which Tenby, Pembrokeshire. At 6.37 on the towed the motor cruiser to Wells, evening of the 23rd September, 1962, arriving at 2.40. The two men who had the coastguard informed the honorary been on board the motor cruiser made secretary that a cabin cruiser had a gift to the life-boat crew. broken down, had run out of fuel and was drifting westward of Burry Holm. SICK MAN TAKEN OFF DRIFTER There was hardly any wind and the sea Humber, Yorkshire. At 3.18 on the calm. The tide was ebbing. At 6.46 the morning of the 21st September, 1962, life-boat Henry Comber Brown was the coastguard informed the coxswain launched and made for Rhossili Bay. superintendent that a member of the By the use of her searchlight she found crew of the drifter Tea Rose of Fraser- the motor cruiser and took her in tow. burgh was thought to have appendicitis, The motor cruiser's crew of two were and that the vessel was making for the taken on board and given food, and River Humber accompanied by H.M.S. the life-boat then towed her into Tenby Soberton. The help of a doctor was harbour and reached her station at asked for, and at 4.15 the life-boat City 12.45. of Bradford III was launched with a doctor on board. There was a gentle ESCORT FOR DINGHY WITH TWO north-west-by-westerly breeze and a CHILDREN ABOARD slight sea. It was an hour and a half Filey, Yorkshire. At 7.33 on the after high water. The life-boat met the evening of the 23rd September, 1962, drifter off the Spurn lightvessel at the coastguard passed on to the honor- 4.40, and the doctor was put aboard her. ary secretary a report from a doctor's The life-boat and the drifter then con- wife that the doctor and two children tinued at full speed to the river, and at aged six and nine had gone out in a the Lower Burcom buoy the doctor and dinghy early in the afternoon and had the patient were transferred to the life- not returned. There was a light westerly boat. They were landed at Grimsby, breeze with a smooth sea, and it was where an ambulance was waiting to take shortly after low water. At 7.50 the life- the patient to hospital. The doctor had boat The Isa & Penryn Milsted was laun- diagnosed kidney trouble. The life-boat ched. She found the dinghy off Filey reached her station at 7.35. Brig being escorted by the Scarborough fishing boat F. and S. Colling. The LEAKING YACHT TOWED TO HARBOUR dinghy had run out of fuel, and the Cromer, Norfolk. At 7.35 on the fishing boat had supplied her with morning of the 23rd September, 1962, petrol. The life-boat escorted the dinghy the coastguard informed the honorary ashore and then returned to her secretary that a yacht anchored between station, arriving at nine o'clock. East Runton and Cromer was leaking badly and needed a tow to Yarmouth. LAUNCH TO DINGHIES AND WOMAN The life-boat Henry Blogg was launched OVERBOARD at 8.5 in a light south-easterly breeze New Brighton, Cheshire. At 7.33 on and a smooth sea. The tide was half the evening of the 23rd September, flood. The life-boat reached the yacht 1962, the coastguard informed the Elizabeth Ann, which had a ciew of honorary secretary that a yacht was in two and also had two fishermen from difficulties near C 16 buoy in the river Sheringham on board who were help- Mersey. The coastguard was asked for ing with the pump. As the yacht's more detailed information, and the engine had broken down, the life-boat honorary secretary was told that the took her in tow to Yarmouth, which yacht had capsized and that a hopper was reached at 1.45. The life-boat was standing by. The life-boat Norman DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 397 B. Corlett left her moorings at 7.50 in easterly breeze and a moderate sea. a light south-westerly breeze and a The tide was ebbing. Shortly after smooth sea. It was low water. The life- launching the life-boat grounded on boat reached the position and found the the bank inside the Black buoy, but hopper No. 27, whose crew told the she refloated at 7.45 and made for the coxswain that two sailing dinghies had position given. By this time the Wave been in trouble. The crew of two of Sheaf had also refloated, and with one dinghy had been rescued by heli- the help of the motor vessel Incentive copter and the crew of the other had the life-boat towed her to the harbour swum ashore. One of the abandoned entrance. The life-boat reached her dinghies was found and taken in tow by station at 8.15. She was not damaged. the life-boat to New Brighton. At 8.45 a further message was received from the YACHT FOUND AFTER NIGHT SEARCH coastguard that the police had reported Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 2.2 on that a woman had fallen overboard the morning of the 28th September, from the Liverpool-Birkenhead ferry. 1962, the coastguard informed the The life-boat carried out a search but honorary secretary that red flares had found nothing and returned to her been seen about four miles south-west station, arriving at 11.20. of the Ventnor look-out. Four minutes later the coastguard reported that flares TWO TAKEN OFF LEAKING FISHING had also been seen four miles south-east VESSEL from Atherfield look-out. The life-boat Fleetwood, Lancashire. On the after- Jesse Lumb was launched at 2.22 in a noon of the 24th September, 1962, south-westerly wind of near gale force several people reported that a vessel and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. was aground between the nos. 6 and 4 After an extensive search, in which she buoys in the Wyre Channel, and a radio was joined by a helicopter at dawn, the message to the same effect had been life-boat found the yawl Elaine with a received by the coastguard. At 3.45 it crew of two. The yacht's sails had been was decided to launch the life-boat Ann torn, and the life-boat took her in tow Letitia Russell. There was a light south- to Bembridge harbour, which was south-westerly breeze and a calm sea. reached at 11.20. The life-boat reached It was low water. The life-boat found her station at 12.15. The life-boat's the fishing vessel Zyava III with a crew second coxswain injured his hand while of two. There was little danger to the firing parachute flares, and he was crew, and the vessel could be expected to taken to hospital, where eight stitches refloat when the tide rose. There was, were inserted. however, a cracked plank on the star- board side of the vessel, and water CABIN CRUISER TOWED INTO began to come in. Attempts by the life- HARBOUR boat crew to refloat her were unsuccess- Walmer, Kent. At 5.38 on the ful, and the life-boat took on board her morning of the 28th September, 1962, crew of two and landed them, reaching the coastguard informed the honorary her station at 7.30. secretary that red rockets had been seen two miles off shore east of the MOTOR FISHING VESSEL TOWED TO look-out. The life-boat Charles Dibdin HARBOUR ENTRANCE (Civil Service No. 32) was launched Stromness, Orkneys. At 11.21 on in a moderate southerly breeze and the night of the 25th September, 1962, a choppy sea. The tide was ebbing. the coastguard informed the coxswain The life-boat found the cabin cruiser that the motor fishing vessel Wave Picquigny at anchor with a crew of Sheaf of Lossiemouth was ashore near three. Her engine had broken down, the Point of Ness and that the Strom- and she was leaking badly. The life- ness life-saving apparatus team were boat took her in tow and berthed her standing by. The life-boat Archibald alongside the west pier at Ramsgate. and Alexander M. Paterson was launched The life-boat reached her station at at 11.40 in a moderate south-south- 10.15. 398 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 MISSING BUOY TAKEN IN TOW YACHT TOWED OFF ROCKS IN GALE Weymouth, Dorset. At 2.10 on the Angle, Pembrokeshire. At 12.47 on morning of the 29th September, 1962, the afternoon of the 29th September, the coastguard informed the honorary 1962, the coastguard informed the secretary that a red flashing light had honorary secretary that a yacht was in been seen south-east-by-south of Port- distress close inshore off West Dale land Bill moving west. There was a light Point. There was a south-easterly gale west-by-south breeze with a smooth sea. with a rough sea, and the weather was The tide was ebbing. At 2.30 the life- overcast. The life-boat Richard Vernon boat Frank Spiller Locke made for the and Mary Garforth of Leeds was position given. Within half an hour she launched at 1.5 and made for the posi- was given a new position, and less than tion given. It was low water. The life- a quarter of an hour later another one. boat came up with the casualty, the Nothing was found, and it was reported yacht Marjory Gaw of Littlehampton, from Portland Bill that the light had at 1.50. The yacht was drifting on to been lost to view. The life-boat, after rocks below H.M.S. Keete, the ex- twice checking her position with Port- naval establishment. The life-boat closed land Bill by burning white flares, con- the yacht and took off the crew of four, tinued to search without success. She two of whom were women. A manila was now given a fourth position, and it line was then made fast to the yacht, but was thought that the flashing light might this quickly parted, and the second have been a degaussing buoy that was coxswain boarded the yacht and made missing from Portland range. The tide fast a nylon rope. The life-boat, with was now turning, and the life-boat the yacht in tow, then made for Pem- sighted the buoy one mile south of broke dock, where the yacht was Portland Bill and towed it to Portland moored. The life-boat returned to her harbour. After handing it over to an station at 5.45. Admiralty tug she returned to her BOWMAN PUT ON BOARD IN HEAVY station, which she reached at eight SEAS o'clock. Weymouth, Dorset. At 1.40 on the MOTOR BOAT AGROUND AT HARBOUR afternoon of the 29th September, 1962, MOUTH the coastguard informed the honorary Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork. secretary that a motor cabin cruiser was At 9.30 on the morning of the 29th firing red flares close to Portland Bill. September, 1962, the coxswain saw the There was a moderate south-south-west motor boat Puffin enter the harbour on wind with a rough sea. The tide was her return from the fishing grounds to ebbing. At 1.55 the life-boat Frank shelter from a gale which was blowing Spiller Locke made for the position up. The Puffin struck the sandbank at given and found the motor cruiser near the mouth of the harbour on the lee- the s.s. Sambur. The life-boat went ward side. A strong south-east gale was alongside the motor cruiser, and with blowing with a rough sea, and at 1.20 some difficulty in the heavy seas the at low water the life-boat Sir Arthur bowman was put on board. Two people Rose put out. The Puffin had failed to were found on board the cabin cruiser. float off the sandbank and had been They seemed to be in a state of shock left broadside on to the weather by the and hardly able to move. The life-boat falling tide. The crew had a kedge took the cabin cruiser in tow, and with anchor out, but it was thought that this the bowman, who had been left on might not hold when the tide began to board, steering her brought her slowly flood. The boat might then have been to moorings in Weymouth harbour. carried further up the bank to a The life-boat then returned to her position where the life-boat could not station, which she reached at 5.5. have reached her. The life-boat stood TOW FOR MOTOR LAUNCH DRIFTING by, but the Puffin refloated with the ON TO LEE SHORE rising tide, and the life-boat returned Falmouth, Cornwall. At 5.18 on the to her station, arriving at 3.45. afternoon of the 29th September, 1962, DECEMBER, 1962] THE LIFE-BOAT 399 the coastguard informed the honorary the dinghy in tow, and the life-boat secretary that a yacht at anchor off continued on her passage to Freckleton. Restronguet Point was dragging on to a lee shore. The life-boat Crawford and EMPTY CABIN CRUISER AND DINGHY Constance Conybeare left her moorings FOUND at six o'clock in a southerly wind of Poole, Dorset. At 2.35 on the morning storm force and a very rough sea. The of the 30th September, 1962, the police tide was flooding. The life-boat came informed the coastguard that two men alongside the open motor launch Y-Not, were missing in a cabin cruiser. They which was then thirty feet from the had left twelve hours earlier to dig for shore, and found one man on board. A bait at Goathorn inside Poole harbour. line was passed, and the life-boat towed The coastguard reported this to the the launch to a safe anchorage in honorary secretary at 2.50, and the life- Restronguet Creek. The life-boat boat Bassett Green left her moorings at reached her station at 7.7. 3.10 in a southerly gale and a very rough sea at high water. The life-boat MAN AND BABY TAKEN OFF YACHT found the cabin cruiser Sea Knight Poole, Dorset. At 9.10 on the evening ashore on Furzey Island with no one of the 29th September, 1962, the police on board, and a search party was informed the honorary secretary that a landed on the island. The men were yacht was missing inside the harbour not found but it was learnt that a with a man and a baby on board. The dinghy was missing from the island. yacht had grounded at 5.30 and the The search party returned to the life- man's wife had been put ashore by a boat, which then made for Brownsea passing craft. When the owner went to Island and found the dinghy upside look for his vessel he found that the down. At 8.42 Niton radio reported yacht was no longer in the position that the two men had been landed where she had grounded. The life-boat safely at Sandbanks by the Brownsea Bassett Green left her moorings at Island boatmen, and the life-boat was 9.20 in a south-easterly gale and a recalled. She towed the cabin cruiser to rough sea. The tide was flooding. The safe moorings near by and then returned life-boat found the yacht Margara to her station, arriving at 10.15. Delia at anchor, and the man and baby were taken on board. They were landed RESCUE LAUNCH AND DINGHY at Poole quay, and the life-boat reached TOWED TO HARBOUR her station at 11.12. Rhyl, Flintshire. At 12.30 on the afternoon of the 30th September, 1962, LIFE-BOAT BREAKS ADRIFT AT NIGHT the coastguard told the motor mechanic Lytham-StAnne's, Lancashire. During that a sailing dinghy had capsized near the night of the 29th September, 1962, the entrance to the harbour. At 12.40 the Workington life-boat Manchester the life-boat Anthony Robert Marshall and Salford XXIX, which was at was launched in a west-south-westerly moorings off Lytham after survey gale and a rough sea. It was high broke adrift and was driven ashore, water. The life-boat reached the position being slightly damaged. During the and found the sailing dinghy West night the wind increased to hurricane Wind with the Rhyl yacht club rescue force, gusting up to 90 m.p.h. The launch alongside her. The two mem- next morning the life-boat, manned by bers of the sailing dinghy's crew were a Lytham crew, returned to Freckleton taken on board the life-boat. The for repairs and on her way came up coxswain then learnt that a wire with a capsized dinghy, whose crew halliard from the dinghy had fouled of two were in the water. The two the propeller of the launch. Attempts men were taken on board the life-boat, were made to cut the wire, but they and the dinghy was made fast until were unsuccessful. The life-boat there- a rescue launch arrived from the fore towed the launch to the harbour, Ribble cruising club. The men were where the crew of the dinghy were put transferred to the launch, which took ashore. The life-boat then returned 400 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1962 to the sailing dinghy, which was half a Falmouth, Cornwall. — September mile east of her original position and 16th. drifting fast. The dinghy was righted, Hoylake, Cheshire.—September 16th. and the life-boat towed her back to Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. the harbour, reaching her station at September 16th. 3.45. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — September 16th. The following life-boats went out on Margate, Kent.—September 16th. service, but could find no ships in Redcar, Yorkshire.—September 16th. distress, were not needed, or could do Tynemouth, Northumberland. —• nothing: September 16th. Falmouth, Cornwall.—September 1st. Moelfre, Angelsey.—September 17th. The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.— Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—September September 2nd. 19th. Hoylake, Cheshire.—September 2nd. Walmer, Kent.—September 19th. Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. — Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — September 2nd. September 21st. Lowestoft, Suffolk.—September 3rd. Newhaven, Sussex.—September 22nd. Tenby, Pembrokeshire. —September Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. — 4th. September 23rd. New Brighton, Cheshire.—September Dover, Kent.—September 23rd. 4th. Dover, Kent.—September 27th. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. —• Salcombe, Devon.—September 27th. September 4th. Fleetwood, Lancashire. —September Weymouth, Dorset.—September 6th. 29th. Appledore, Devon.—September 6th. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—September Weymouth, Dorset.—September 7th. 29th. Appledore, Devon.—September 8th. Weymouth, Dorset.—September 29th. St. Ives, Cornwall.—September 9th. St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. — Plymouth, Devon.—September 9th. September 29th. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. — September 9th. September 29th. Redcar, Yorkshire.—September 10th. Seaham, Co. Durham.—September St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. — 29th. September llth. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—September Troon, Ayrshire.—September 12th. 30th. Flamborough, Yorkshire.—September Galway Bay.—September 30th. 13th. Walton and Frinton, Essex. — The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. — September 30th. September 13th. Walton and Frinton, Essex. — Lowestoft, Suffolk.—September 13th. September 30th. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—September 14th. Skegness, Lincolnshire. —September Clovelly, Devon.—September 14th. 30th. Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—September 15th. Humber, Yorkshire. — September Dover, Kent.—September 15th. 30th. Kirkcudbright.—September 16th. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—September September 30th. 16th. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—September September 30th. 16th. Penlee, Cornwall.—September 30th. Rhyl, Flintshire.—September 16th. Wells, Norfolk.—September 30th. Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. —• Wells, Norfolk.—September 30th. September 16th. Torbay, Devon.—September 30th.