Volume XLIX Number 490 The Lifeboat Journal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Winter 1984/5 30p ? Municipal Life Assurance announces a unique new fund-raising campaign in partnership with the R.N.L.I. How your investment in a top-performing unit trust or savings plan will help to pay for a new R.N. L.I. lifeboat.

'""T'oday there is a greater need than ever for public 1 support of the R.N.L.I. With the growing popu- larity of recreation by and on the sea and the continuing need to provide a service to commercial and fishing vessels, the R.N. L. I. are engaged in a ceaseless struggle to improve the standards of their work. For, of course, when we are talking about saving lives, nothing less than perfection can be adequate. And that is why there is always a need for new and more advanced Lifeboats. Now an imaginative agreement has been concluded ' between Municipal Life Assurance and the R.N.L.I. This appeal programme-a mm,,,™, i. which will help to raise much needed funds for a new ^*.^/.-^r^ Lifeboat. Municipal Life Assurance will contribute to this Unit Trust via a new scheme: Munipayer, which R.N.L.I. funds every time any member or supporter is designed to offer both capital growth and "tax- of R.N.L.I. decides to invest through M.L. A. Unit free" regular withdrawals. Trust or a unit-linked insurance policy. ...OR SAVINGS PLAN' You will see details of one Municipal Life Assurance plan in an insert included in this issue of the magazine. Municipal Life Assurance also have a high per- However, you may wonder why the R.N.L.I. are formance savings plan which is designed to give a doing this, and why with Municipal Life Assurance in good return on your investment. It also gives you life particular? assurance protection. This plan can provide you with Franklv, any scheme which will increase the a "tax-free" lump sum in 10 years, or "tax-free" reg- R.N.L.Ils funds and, at the same time, be attractive ular withdrawals. to you as a supporter, makes sense. By dealing directly with you, Municipal HOW TO HELP YOURSELF AND THE R.N.LJ Life Assurance are able to reduce their n marketing costs, and are happy to To: Municipal Life Assurance Ltd., Freepost, reflect this in the contribution which Maidstone, ME14 IBR-Tel: 0622-671977. they make to the R.N.L.I. (Freepost means that you do not need a stamp) Yes: I would like to know more about Munipayer, NEW INVESTMENT SCHEME... your new Investment Scheme D The M.L.A. Unit Trust, Yes: I would like to know more about your launched in 1976, came but this Savings Scheme D Our target for this Lifeboat Please send me, without obligation, full details to Appeal is £100,000. We willi August as the top performer be using this flagpole to keep amongst all the U.K. General review at my leisure. I understand no salesman will you informed on progress. ca]L Thefirst£18,000has Trusts on the market over 3, 5 already been donated by and 7 years. Name Municipal Life Assurance. But remember that unit values Date of Birth can fall as well as rise. Whilst past performance cannot necessarily be Address taken as a guide to the future, the performance of our management group is clearly well above average. Had you invested £10,000 at the launch of this Trust in 1976,eight years later that £10,000-with the income Postcode —— —... reinvested-would have grown to £102,893. SUPPORTING THE LIFEBOAIS Now investors have the opportunity to invest in RNLI2 THE LIFEBOAT

Winter 1984/5

Notes of the Quarter 110

Volum_. , t e 17-XLIT -r^rX Lifeboat Services 113 Number 490 Naming of the RNLBNewsbuoy 118

Rocks and Shoals 119 Chairman: THE DUKE OF ATHOLL Aberystwyth Lifeboats by Joan Davies 125 Director and Secretary: REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI TLifeboa ... , t_ _Peopl .e .-J3„0

Letters 131

Editor: Books 132 EDWARD WAKE-WALKER Shoreline and Storm Force 134 Headquarters: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 Some Ways of Raising Money 135 1HZ (Telephone Poole (0202) 671133). Telex: 41328. Lifeboat Services, June and July, 1984 141 London Offices: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW Index to Advertisers 144 (Telephone 01-928 4236).

Advertisement Manager: COLIN PEGLEY Jackson-Rudd & Associates, Oldebourne House, 46-47 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1JB (Telephone 01-405 3611/2 Subscription: A year's subscription of Editorial: All material submitted for and 01-405 2860). four issues costs £3.00, including post- consideration with a view to publication age, but those who are entitled to in the journal should be addressed to Printers: receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge will the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal Nation- The Friary Press, Bridport Road, continue to do so. Overseas sub- al Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Dorchester, Dorset. scriptions depend on the cost of postage Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Tele- to the country concerned. Write to phone Poole (0202) 671133). Photo- RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset graphs intended for return should be BH15 1HZ. accompanied by a stamped and addres- sed envelope.

COVER PICTURE Next issue: the Spring issue of THE Survey ship Geotek Alpha ablaze off the west coast of Scotland last July. Barra Island's 48ft 6in LIFEBOAT will appear in April and news Solent class lifeboat, Hugh William Viscount Gough, can be seen with 15 of the casualty's crew aboard. Eventually the lifeboat had to take off the remainder of Geotek Alpha's crew as the fire items should be sent by the end of spread. Also standing by is the fishing vessel Daisy Christiana. A full account of this service January. News items for the Summer appears on page 117. The photograph was taken by Peter Richards of RAOC photographic issue should be sent in by the end of section, Benbecula. April. 109 Withernsea's new 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboat is launched into the surf on exercise after her official service of dedication last June. photograph by courtesy of David E. Kirk from all parts of the country on Septem- from their regional offices in the usual NOTES OF ber 29 to deliver copies of their local way. Other supporters of the RNLI who and regional newspapers. Seven swap- wish to attend the presentation should THE QUARTER ped their bikes for boats, as they write to the Director at RNLI Head- delivered their papers in a brand new quarters, Poole. lifeboat and an ocean racing trimaran. The occasion was the naming ceremony Storm Force THE RNLI ACCOUNTS for 1984 have yet to of the lifeboat Newsbuoy, bought as a A new RNLI junior membership be completed, but they are likely to result of the Local Newspaper Week scheme, Storm Force, was launched in show that during the year at least £21 lifeboat appeal. Hundreds of local pap- January. The aim of the scheme is to million has been raised. This figure ers, newsagents and newsboys and girls interest children in the work of the reflects not only the tremendous efforts joined in the fund raising and, by the RNLI. The annual subscription is £3 of the branches and guilds but also the end of the week, had raised a large part and Storm Force is open to everybody high esteem in which the Institution is of the cost of the new 52ft Arun class under 16. Members receive a Storm held, as several major gifts were re- lifeboat. A report on the naming of Force pack with stickers, a badge, ceived during the year. Among these Newsbuoy appears on page 118. poster and a special certificate printed were a legacy for over £1 million, a by computer. They will also receive donation of £500,000 and the results of AGM 1985. Governors please note three newsletters a year. special appeals by Safeway Food Stores The RNLI's annual meetings for 1985 Details of Storm Force are given on and the Newspaper Society. will take place on Tuesday May 21 at page 134. These gifts have helped to maintain the South Bank, London. The gov- the expensive lifeboat building pro- ernor's annual general meeting will be Silk Cut nautical awards gramme and will give a boost for the held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at The recognition and encouragement future. At present there are 11 Tyne 11.30 am and the annual presentation of excellence is perhaps the best way of and five Arun class lifeboats on order, of awards to lifeboatmen and honorary summing up the aims of the Silk Cut at a total cost of nearly £7 million. workers will take place at the new time nautical awards 1983/84, announced at a The requirement for 1985 is to match of 2.30 pm in the Royal Festival Hall. luncheon at the Savoy Hotel on Novem- the record income achieved in 1984, All governors of the RNLI should ber 20 and presented by the Minister of with expenditure for this year planned find an application form enclosed in this Sport, Mr. Neil Macfarlane, MP. The to exceed £21 million. This will cover issue for both the morning and after- awards were made for seamanship, the RNLI's considerable costs which noon meetings. If, by any chance, there rescue, design, club service and yacht include building new lifeboats, main- is no application form enclosed and you racing and the winners were selected taining the existing fleet, developing are a governor wishing to attend either from a very broad field by a disting- new designs, buying equipment and meeting, please write to the Director, uished panel of judges, chaired by Chay training lifeboat crews. 1984 looks like RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Blyth and including Lt Alan Tate, showing a record number of lives saved, Dorset, BH15 1HZ, giving your re- RNLI staff officer operations (2). and the planned expenditure on new quirements. To save postage, there is The final winners in each section boats in 1985 must therefore be money no need to return the form if you do not were chosen with great difficulty from well spent. wish to attend either meeting, or to short lists of strong contenders. In two receive a copy of the annual report and sections short listed nominations in- Local newspaper lifeboat appeal accounts. cluded two RNLI lifeboats. Among the As part of this year's Local Newspap- Branches and guilds will receive de- six nominations for rescue were Selsey er Week celebrations, over 150 news- tails about how to apply for tickets for D class lifeboat, for the service to the boys and girls converged on London the afternoon presentation of awards motor cruiser Joan Maureen off Selsey 110 Bill on October 5, 1983, and Filey diving under the hull of an upturned areas of Ethiopia. Viewers wishing to lifeboat for the service to the coaster motor cruiser in July 1983 was voted a help the lifeboat appeal were asked to Rito off Filey Brigg on December 20, Man of the Year and attended the send in old postcards and interesting 1983. The final winner in this section annual luncheon at the Savoy Hotel, buttons with a target of 800,000 en- was the crew of D-Flight 22 Squadron, London in November. velopes full of either commodity. These RAF Leconfield, for the helicopter Michael Leneghan, coxswain of New- have been transported free of charge by rescue of the crew of a trawler off the castle lifeboat, Co Down—coincidental- Roadline from the main collection de- Scarborough coast last January; there ly, his lifeboat was featured on the pot in Banbury to Poole head office was also a special award for Anthony autumn 1984 cover—has been pre- where detailed sorting has taken place. Taylor who, while walking on Mab- sented by Princess Alexandra with one The response has been remarkable with lethorpe Beach in that same January, of the six awards accorded by the an average of more than 5,000 en- saw a teenage boy in trouble, his boat Celebrities Guild of Great Britain for velopes arriving every day in the first capsized, and went into the very rough, Unsung Heroes. He has been a lifeboat- three weeks of the appeal. icy seas to bring him ashore. man for 38 years, becoming coxswain in Among the three nominations for 1961. He has been involved in 120 Liverpool Cathedral service seamanship were St Helier lifeboat, for services, saving 73 lives during that Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, direc- the service to the yacht Cythara among time. tor of the RNLI, attended a service in rocks in St Clements Bay, Jersey, on Liverpool's Church of England Cathed- On Station September 3, 1983, and Selsey lifeboat ral on October 7 to mark the 160th The following lifeboats have taken up for the service to the yacht Enchantress anniversary of the Institution and read station or relief fleet duties: of Hamble, once again off Selsey Bill, the lesson. The service was one of Stromness, Orkney: 52ft Arun class on September 9, 1983. The final winner several held throughout the country in lifeboat ON 1099 (52-29), The Joseph was St Helier lifeboat and awards were connection with the anniversary. presented to each member of the crew: Rothwell Sykes and Hilda M., Octo- Coxswain Michael Berry, Crew Mem- ber 15, 1984. D class development ber David Aubert, acting second cox- Relief: 52ft Arun class lifeboat ON 1103 Following extensive trials at RNLI swain, Emergency Mechanic Patrick (52-31), Newsbuoy, October 23, Cowes base and on the coast, a new 1984. Attenborough, acting motor mechanic, version of the D class inflatable lifeboat Emergency Mechanic David Mills and Station closed is to go into production. Ten of these Crew Members William Hibbs and John Stonehaven lifeboat station, Kincar- lifeboats have been ordered from Avon Gray. dineshire, has closed following the with- Inflatables Ltd and after they have been The St Helier service to Cythara and drawal of its 15ft 6in D class lifeboat at fitted out at Cowes will, in the course of the Selsey service to Enchantress of the end of the 1984 summer season on this year, be sent to replace some of the Hamble are described by Coxswain October 31. Little operational activity older D class lifeboats at stations round Michael Berry and Coxswain Michael by the lifeboat in recent years is the the coast. Powered by a 40hp outboard Grant, respectively, in the discussion on reason for the closure. The station was engine, to reach a maximum speed of 22 page 119. taken over by the RNLI in 1867, closed knots, the 16ft 3in Avon D class lifeboat in 1934 and re-opened in 1967 with an is nine inches longer and two inches Man of the year and unsung hero inflatable lifeboat. Since 1867 lifeboats wider than her predecessors. Her two- Arthur Hill, the Largs lifeboatman from Stonehaven have launched 95 ply Terylene bottom has been given a (pictured on the cover of the summer times, saving 70 lives. deeper vee keel forward, a longer fore- 1984 journal) who rescued a girl by foot and a flat bottom at the transom, Blue Peter Lifesaver Appeal with no gull's wing effect. This means BBC television's Blue Peter launched there is less slamming in rough weather a dual appeal in November. One aim and better directional manoeuvrability, was to replace the four Blue Peter ahead and astern; propeller cavitation is lifeboats (Atlantic 21s at Littlehampton reduced and the overall result is a much and Beaumaris, 15ft 6in D class life- softer ride. boats at North Berwick and St Agnes), Other refinements that the RNLI has the other to provide irrigation equip- developed over the past 20 years have ment and seeds for the famine stricken also been incorporated into the new

The scene at Albion Breakwater, Walton-on-the-Naze last June when the centenary re-dedication of Walton and Frinton lifeboat station took place. The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Admiral Lewis was present, together with the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, Councillor and Mrs Hales, whose city raised the money for the station's 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat.

The United States Ambassador in London, Charles H. Price II (I), hosted a reception on October 2 to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the RNLI. HRH Princess Alexandra, accompanied by her husband, the Honour- able Angus Ogilvie, was the guest of honour at the reception which was held in Winfield House, the Ambassador's official residence in Regent's Park. Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director, and Mrs Graham can be seen in the background. The Ambassador paid tribute to the work of the American British Lifeboat Appeal Committee, AFRAS, and the Amer- ican branch and said, 'I have been very pleased to continue the tradition established by my predecessors of serving as president of the American branch and to encourage their endeavours to provide a further lifeboat for the RNLI.' photograph by courtesy of Desmond O'Neill Ill Seven lifeboatmen from New- conference of the International Associ- haven, Sheerness and Ports- ation of Lighthouse Authorities taking mouth, attended the Annual place in Brighton this year and also to National Service for Sea- commemorate the 200th anniversary of farers in St Paul's Cathedral the patenting of Lionel Lukin's 'unim- on October 17. Coxswain/ Mechanic Leonard Patten of mergible' converted fishing boat, the Newhaven lifeboat, was the beginning of lifeboat design. More de- RNLI colour bearer, escorted tails about this set of stamps will be by Crew Members Jack Shinn made available by the Post Office, (I) and Lawrence Deakin (r). nearer the date of issue. It is the first time the official colour has been used since it Anniversary vellums was presented to the Institu- Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station tion at the annual presenta- in Northumberland and The Mumbles tion of awards in the Royal in West Glamorgan have been awarded Festival Hall last May, in the presence of HM The Queen vellums by the Committee of Manage- Mother. The silk colour was ment to mark the 150th anniversary of the gift of the Clothworker's their establishment in 1835. Foundation and was made by the Royal School of Needle- Having a ball work. Crew Members It is not often that the chain of events Stephen Alexander and following a lifeboat service directly Melvin Salisbury of Ports- helps a highly successful fund raising mouth, and Malcolm Keen evening, but that is what happened after and Colin Washford of Sheer- ness made up the colour party. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, lifeboat went to the aid of the yacht Maiana, owned The first ever child of two by Miss Caroline Le Bas from London. ex-lifeboat crew members: After the rescue Miss Le Bas became an Andrew James Louis Mitchell enthusiastic supporter of the station and with his parents, David and when a gala evening was organised by Marjorie, on the day of his christening which was held, the lifeboat crew to celebrate the sta- naturally enough, aboard tion's diamond jubilee at the Savoy Aberdeen's 54ft Arun class Country Club on October 27, Miss Le lifeboat BP Forties. Marjorie, Bas had laid the foundations by obtain- daughter of Aberdeen branch ing many of the gifts for auction and chairman Rodney Addison, prizes. The auction, run by Ron Miller became Scotland's first girl of London Weekend Television, in- crew member aboard the cluded a new VW Polo coupe car, and station's inflatable lifeboat in two return airline tickets to Australia. 1975. She met David on board BP Forties when he The last item to be auctioned was a was serving as a member of crystal decanter engraved with an in- the crew. scription commemorating the station's photograph by courtesy of diamond jubilee: it fetched £270. Matt Aberdeen Journal Monro provided the cabaret, free of charge, travelling to the Island especial- design to improve performance and ly for the evening. Four hundred and reliability. These include a one-piece fifty people enjoyed an excellent dinner hinged plywood floor and separate bow and dancing to the Royal Marines dance board, trouser drains for rapid draining, band, The Blues. One guest, on seeing special radio stowage in the bow which the band packing up, rushed over and is sponge lined to absorb shocks, an said 'You haven't played Sailor yet. If anchor and anchor warp stowage box you do, my husband will write a cheque and an inflatable double skinned keel. for £500'—the band willingly played the Lifeboat sold to Uruguay tune and Yarmouth branch received the The RNLI has close and friendly ties cheque. At the end of a highly enjoy- with the lifeboat service in Uruguay, the able and memorable evening, a Associacion Honoraria De Salvamentos phenomenal £13,000 had been raised. Maritimos Y Fluviales (ADES) which operates the former RNLI lifeboat All inclusive Greater London at Buceo near Monte- Torbay's 18ft 6in McLachlan class video. ADES recently asked to buy lifeboat was called,put at the end of last another lifeboat from the Institution's October to a 15-year-old boy, adrift and sale list and it has been offered the 42ft helpless on his sailboard after its fin had Watson class and former Arbroath life- broken, one mile east of Paignton, off boat, The Duke of Montrose. ADES, a Gas Works Beach. Once safely aboard David Mitchell, MP, Parliamentary Under voluntary society, has already started a the lifeboat, the boy explained he was Secretary for the Department of Transport, national fund raising appeal to meet the staying at Torbay with his parents who was particularly keen to look over RNLI cost of the lifeboat. had won a weekend for two at the headquarters when he paid a brief visit to Imperial Hotel ... in an RNLI raffle. Poole in October. In an hour and a half he Lifeboat commemorative stamp 'It's all part of the package deal, then, toured head office and the depot, gathering The Post Office have announced that Coxswain Arthur Curnow replied, as valuable information and showing particular interest in the ways that HM Coastguard and a series of four stamps entitled Safety at quick as a flash. Not according to the the RNLI work together during a rescue. He Sea will be issued on June 18, 1985. The boy's mother, though, who, together is seen here disembarking from a Tyne class four designs will depict a lifeboat, a with a letter of thanks to the coxswain, lifeboat moored at the depot quay—with lighthouse, a satellite and a buoy. The enclosed a generous donation to the plenty to read on his journey home. stamps are being issued to mark the RNLI. 112 about eight feet and breaking over the rocks, nets and creels and into Ackergill shallows and rocks. Harbour. Once she was secure, the The coast east of Ackergill has rock lifeboat continued on to Wick where ledges extending well out to sea. The she arrived at 1245. She was refuelled, shore area is bounded by small cliffs ready again for service at 1400. and at that time of year the sea is For this service the bronze medal was cluttered with staked salmon nets and awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Donald creels. The coble had picked up a net in McKay. Medal service certificates were her propeller and the bolts to the hatch presented to Second Coxswain Donald that gives access to the propellers were R. Harper, Assistant Mechanics sheared, so it could not be cleared. Her Andrew D. Anderson and Donald skipper had been able to hold himself in Rosie, Emergency Mechanic James W. position by picking up one of the leader Begg and Crew Members John T. Bissett lines attached to the bottom of a fishing and Robert Sutherland. net, used to close it. Coxswain McKay first attempted to Scotland North Division approach the casualty from the west. This he abandoned because of the nets South West Division Propeller fouled and creels in the area. Taking the lifeboat back out to sea, he lay off Dragging on to rocks AT 1050 on -Monday June 25, 1984, ahead of the casualty. The lifeboat crew Pentland Coastguard contacted Wick secured the breeches buoy to a veering AT 1704 on Sunday September 9, 1984, lifeboat station's deputy launching auth- line and floated it towards the casualty. the honorary secretary of Ilfracombe ority with the news that a salmon coble But the coxswain could not get close lifeboat station was informed by Hart- was in difficulties off Ackergill. At 1100 enough to the coble and the breeches land Coastguard that the yacht Liberty the relief 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat, buoy was constantly washed away from needed immediate assistance as she was The Royal British Legion, on temporary her by the sea breaking and swirling dragging her anchor close in to the duty at Wick, headed out at full speed around the shallows and rocks. The Rapparee Rocks, just outside the outer from the harbour under the command Speedline was not used because the harbour entrance. One of the two men of Coxswain/Mechanic Donald McKay. lifeboat was on the casualty's head, on board had radioed that his skipper It was one and a half hours after high making the aim too narrow. appeared to be dead and that he himself water, there was a north-westerly strong Finally the coxswain approached the had no experience of boats. Maroons breeze, force 6, gusting to gale force 8, casualty from the east, driving the were fired to assemble the crew and at the sky was overcast and the sea was lifeboat over nets and rocks. Once, 1716 Ilfracombe's 37ft Oakley class moderate. when she grounded, full astern power lifeboat, Lloyds II, was launched with As the lifeboat rounded Noss Head had to be used to drag the lifeboat off Coxswain David Clemence in command and a course was set for Ackergill, the the rocks. He managed to get the and with an ambulanceman on board to sea became rough. Closing Ackergill, lifeboat within about 70 yards of the attend to the yacht's skipper. the coxswain could see a group of coble and then a Speedline was fired. It At the time of launch the wind was people standing on a cliff which gave landed just astern of the coble and the north westerly force 7, gusting to gale him the position of the casualty. She lifeboat was driven astern to drag the force 8 at times. Visibility was clear, it was a 28ft salmon coble, about 200 line to the casualty. The Speedline was was an hour and a half before high yards offshore and a quarter of a mile taken in hand and the lifeboat crew water and waves, which were about ten east of Ackergill Harbour; she was passed a towline. Meanwhile, the cox- feet high outside the inner harbour, among rocks and breaking seas and the swain had manoeuvred the lifeboat so reached 20 feet once the lifeboat was sea and spray were blowing over her. that her bow was pointing out to sea and clear of the outer harbour. Full speed The wind was now north-westerly, force the towline was secured astern. was maintained from the slipway to the 8, and the waves around the coble were The coble was pulled clear of the position of the yacht, although the coxswain had frequently to alter course to avoid a series of Dan buoys marking the position of lobster keep cages. At 1723 the lifeboat reached the yacht; she was head to wind, dragging her anchor rapidly towards Rapparee Beach, some 50 yards away. She was in Eastbourne: While the sta- only about ten feet of water and was tion's 37ft 6in Rather class touching bottom in the trough of each lifeboat, Duke of Kent, was wave. Rapparee Rock was closer still, out on exercise on the morn- only about 20 yards away, and with ing of Sunday September 9, sheer cliffs just beyond, and Dan buoys 1984, a sailboarder was seen close to the casualty, it was impossible from the shore to be in diffi- for the lifeboat to get alongside to put a culty and the Coastguard asked Coxswain/Mechanic man aboard. Graham Cole to investigate. The wind was still north-westerly The sea was rough and a force 7, gusting 8 at times, the sea was westerly near gale, force 7, very rough with breaking 20 foot waves was blowing when the lifeboat and the tide was running in from north reached the sailboarder. He to south at one to two knots. Liberty was very tired and cold and was still undamaged but was in immi- asked that he and his sail- nent danger of being swept on to the board be taken aboard. The rocks. With time and weather working lifeboat then returned to sta- tion and the man can be seen against him, Coxswain Clemence de- (left) being landed on the cided to manoeuvre the lifeboat ahead beach. of the casualty and, by stemming the photograph by courtesy of wind, sea and tide, to place the life- Thelma Connolly boat's stern within feet of the bow of 113 Liberty; a tow rope could then be For this service the bronze medal was 7, 1984, smelt diesel oil and, looking passed to tow her clear of the rocks. He awarded to Coxswain David W. Clem- into the water, saw what appeared to be would not have time to use the life- ence. Medal service certificates were the overturned hull of a boat. boat's anchor. The man aboard the presented to Second Coxswain Colin D. The alarm was raised and at 1255 yacht, standing on the foredeck, was Thadwald, Motor Mechanic Wayland Flamborough's 37ft Oakley class life- indicating that he wanted to try to swim Smith, Assistant Mechanic John W. boat, The Will and Fanny Kirby, launch- for the shore. Coxswain Clemence told Fennell and Crew Members Andrew P. ed under the command of Coxswain him to stay on board and to take the Bengey, David P. Clemence and James Major. The weather was fine and tow rope which was about to be passed Maurice J. Woodger. clear but a strong north-north-easterly to him. At this time a Coastguard cliff breeze, force 6, was blowing, giving a rescue team arrived on the cliffs over- moderate to rough sea and there was a looking the yacht. heavy northerly swell. It was 23/t hours The lifeboat was successfuly posi- East Division after high water. Full speed was made tioned, head to wind, and hove to towards the casualty's position three within ten feet of the casualty's bow. All Fishing boats wrecked quarters of a mile away. On near the time the lifeboat was pitching approach the crew saw that there was violently as Motor Mechanic Wayland TWO GERMAN STUDENTS, walking on the little hope for any survivors in the heavy Smith made ready the tow rope at the cliffs near Breil Nook on Flamborough breaking seas and only pieces of debris stern of the lifeboat. Both boats were Head on the morning of Monday, May were visible. The casualty was a local pitching heavily into the rough breaking seas when, at 1736, the tow rope was passed. Coxswain Clemence instructed Liberty's crew member to make fast the tow rope round the main mast. He did this, but was unable then to weigh the yacht's anchor; instead, Coxswain Clemence told him to allow the anchor cable to run out. This made it possible for the lifeboat to pull the yacht clear of the rocks. Because the rough seas still pre- vented the coxswain putting a man aboard the yacht, he decided to tow her back into harbour. A bridle was rigged to the tow rope at the lifeboat's stern to make it easier to turn in the heavy seas. It took five minutes to turn the lifeboat safely and to take the tow on to a westerly course heading back towards the shelter of the harbour. A broad sweep of the bay known as The Range (where boats range at anchor) was needed to accomplish the turn. Both lifeboat and yacht had to endure violent rolling in the seas which were now beam on and, 200 yards from the outer har- bour, the lifeboat twice rolled heavily to port on to her beam ends in the break- ing seas. Throughout the tow a crew member was stationed at the stern with an axe, ready to part the tow rope, should it become necessary. On reaching the relatively calm wa- ters of the outer harbour, the anchor cable of the yacht was seen to be bar taut; two Dan buoys had fouled her anchor and had been taken in tow. The lifeboat was brought alongside and a crew member and the ambulanceman were put aboard the yacht. The lifeboat crew member sawed through the anchor cable, but even in the two minutes that this took, the weight on the cable had pulled the two boats, now lashed together, within 20 yards of the Lark- Harwich: At 0630 on the morning of Friday June 8, 1984, Harwich's 44ft Waveney class lifeboat, stone Rock. Once the cable parted, the John Fison, slipped her moorings to go to the aid of the 107ft schooner, Stina. Returning to lifeboat was able to pull clear of the Lark- Maldon from Amsterdam with nine people on board, the schooner had struck a submerged stone and manoeuvre into the safety of object, sprung a leak and was taking water faster than her pumps could empty it. An RAF the inner harbour where, at 1808, she helicopter landed two additional pumps aboard Stina and she was taken in tow by HMS and the yacht were berthed alongside Ambuscade which had been in the vicinity. Harwich lifeboat, under the command of Coxswain/ Mechanic Peter Burwood, arrived on the scene at 0940. There was a north-north-easterly strong the harbour wall. The ambulanceman breeze, force 6, and the sea was rough when the tow was passed from the warship to the lifeboat. reported that the yacht's skipper was Coxswain Burwood then headed back to Harwich, making nine knots, while the pumps aboard indeed dead and his body and the the schooner kept the depth of water in her hull down to about ten inches. Harbour was reached at survivor were landed ashore. The life- 1505 and with the help of harbour board craft, the schooner was moored safely alongside the boat was re-housed, ready again for quay. The lifeboat returned to her mooring, ready again for service at 1530, after nine hours at service at 2330. sea. photograph by courtesy of Dave Kindred, East Anglian Daily Times. 114 coble, Carol Sandra, which had had jumped into the sea. He grabbed the At about 1530, high water, the three four men on board, her skipper, Peter survivor and pulled him to the lifeboat's men watched a lone canoeist put to sea. Brigham, being a member of Flambor- side in way of the forward well, holding He had no life jacket, spraydeck or ough lifeboat crew. on to the grab ropes. proper clothing and was soon seen to At 1335 Bridlington lifeboat station Coxswain Jenkinson then had to go capsize and start to get swept by the tide was informed that Flamborough life- slow ahead and hard astarboard to clear towards the very broken water under boat was having engine trouble and that the broken water on to which the swell the sea wall. It was apparent that the she was continuing her search for survi- was driving him. Meanwhile, Malcolm canoeist was now in immediate danger vors with only one engine. To assist in Johnson held on to the survivor as the and the only craft available, fast enough the search and to provide cover for lifeboat pitched into the swell until the to help, was a small 9ft 6in flat bot- Flamborough lifeboat, Bridlington's other crew members were able to haul tomed dinghy. Without hesitation the 37ft Oakley class lifeboat, William Hen- first the survivor, then him aboard. The three men launched this boat and ry and Mary King, launched under the survivor was suffering from shock and Nicholas Hibbert rowed out towards command of Coxswain Fred Walking- hypothermia and Johnson himself was the incident. ton. Half an hour later Filey lifeboat, cold and wet. They were both put Keeping head to sea and close to a the 37ft Oakley class, Robert and aboard the fishing vessel Cassandra, covered but known scar of rocks to gain Dorothy Hardcastle, also launched to where there was dry clothing and a some protection, he continued until he help with the search with Coxswain warm cabin, and were taken to Brid- was seaward of the canoeist. Then he Frank Jenkinson at the helm. lington Harbour. turned and rowed towards him, getting At 1421 Bridlington lifeboat found After he was injured, the winchman alongside about 15 minutes after wreckage just off Flamborough light was winched back aboard the helicopter launching. He tried to get the man in and continued to search the area. At and a further survivor from Northwind the water aboard but the man would not about 1500 her port propeller became III was picked up by lowering the strop let go of the canoe; after several fouled by a piece of wreckage. As to him as he clung to a rock. Both he attempts, the two boats had been swept nothing could be seen through the and the winchman were then landed on into the broken water close to the sea freeing scuttle, her coxswain decided, the cliff top. Two more survivors who wall. Nicholas Hibbert rowed out again together with Flamborough lifeboat, had been in an air pocket in the boat's towards the rock scars with the survivor which still could use only one engine, to accommodation were later helped clinging to the back of the dinghy until go back to Bridlington to rectify the ashore by a Coastguard officer as the he and his canoe were clear of the worst faults. capsized boat grounded on the rocks. of the broken water. Meanwhile, Filey lifeboat continued Filey lifeboat continued to search for The dinghy was stopped and the to search, together with several local further survivors until darkness. She canoeist taken aboard over the stern. fishing craft and an RAF Wessex heli- arrived back at Filey at 2245 but had to Mr Hibbert then started to row back to copter. The wind had backed to north- wait until 2330 for the tide to uncover the slipway; this was still dangerous as erly, force 6, and there was a moderate the beach for recovery. She was re- the dinghy was now sluggish with the sea with heavy ten foot swell, at times housed and ready for service at 0020. weight of an extra man who still clung to confused by deflections from the cliffs. Bridlington lifeboat, having cleared her the canoe, towing it through the water. At 1644, while Filey lifeboat was off propeller, had rejoined Filey lifeboat at Close to the slipway a large wave Breil Nook, she received a MAYDAY call 1705 and continued to look for survivors capsized the dinghy; Nicholas Hibbert from one of the fishing vessels involved until it became dark and the search and the dinghy were washed on to the in the search. It was the angling boat was called off. Flamborough lifeboat, slipway and the canoeist was hauled Northwind III off North Landing, about her engine trouble repaired, also re- ashore by others. In the confusion the half a mile away. The lifeboat was put turned to the search at 1805 and when it canoeist, who, it transpired, had taken about and headed towards her position was called off, her coxswain and several the canoe without consent, disappeared at full speed; Northwind III was then of the crew joined in a beach search without giving his name. seen to capsize. It was not possible for over the low water period during the For this service the thanks of the the lifeboat to get in amongst the rocks night. Institution inscribed on vellum were and breaking water where the capsized For this service the thanks of the accorded to Nicholas J. Hibbert. fishing boat lay. Her crew moved to the Institution inscribed on vellum were forward well to prepare the anchor in accorded to Crew Member Malcolm case it was possible to veer down. As Johnson of Filey. Vellum service certifi- the lifeboat neared the casualty, the cates were presented to Coxswain Frank RAF helicopter was seen to be approach- C. Jenkinson, Second Coxswain/ Ireland Division ing with a survivor held by the winch- Mechanic Graham V. Taylor, Assistant man on the end of the winchwire. Mechanic Lawrence Goodlad and Crew Thirty foot fall The lifeboat's engines were stopped Members Colin Haddington, Kenneth and as the helicopter came near, the J. Rennie and John P. Ward. THE KEEPER of Old Head of Kinsale lifeboat lifted on a heavy swell and Lighthouse telephoned the honorary rolled to port. Both winchman and secretary of Courtmacsherry Harbour survivor on the end of the wire dis- lifeboat station at 1630 on Saturday appeared beneath the water, under the East Division April 28, 1984, to say that a man had port bow of the lifeboat. The helicopter fallen down the cliff at Holeopen Bay lifted and sheered away to port in order Capsized canoeist West and was lying injured on the to snatch the men clear, but this move- rocks. He asked for immediate lifeboat ment made the winchwire swing like a ON THE AFTERNOON of Saturday June 30, assistance. At 1647 Courtmacsherry's pendulum. As it swung back towards 1984, Mr Nicholas Hibbert, Mr T. 47ft Watson class lifeboat, Helen the lifeboat, the winchman was struck Thompson and Mr T. Marshall were on Wycherley, with Coxswain Jeremiah against the wheelhouse. Another the slipway at Robin Hood's Bay work- O'Mahony in command, put to sea attempt was made to land the two men ing on a fishing boat which, like all the towing the station's small boarding into the forward well but on near other local boats was hauled up on dry boat. The weather was fine with a approach the injured winchman could land because of the weather. It was gentle south-east-by-easterly breeze, no longer hold on to the survivor and overcast and clear with a north-easterly force 3, and a slight sea. dropped him into the sea. Crew Mem- strong breeze, force 6, giving a rough, When the lifeboat arrived at the ber Malcolm Johnson, who was in the short sea which was very broken in the scene of the accident at 1740, Second forward well and fastened by his safety bay, caused by backwash from the sea Coxswain Daniel O'Dwyer, RNLI Boat line to the port forward safety wire, wall. Mechanic Mark Gannon and Crew 115 Member Paul Mooney, rowed ashore with first aid equipment and a Neil Robertson stretcher. They climbed 20ft up the rocks to where the man was lying. He had fallen about 30ft and had a compound fracture of the femur as well as cuts and bruises. Two of the lighthouse keepers climbed down the cliff to assist the lifeboat first aiders, who splinted and bandaged the injured man and placed him in the stretcher. Then they brought him down the cliff to the boarding boat which was rowed out to the lifeboat, some 100 yards offshore, where he was taken aboard. As any movement was causing him pain, he was not put in the cabin but placed on the deck and covered with blankets. The coxswain asked for a Skegness: A Balcar 105 helicopter was seen to crash into the sea, five miles east south east of doctor to meet the lifeboat at Court- Skegness, on the afternoon of Tuesday July 24, 1984. At 1306 Skegness's 15ft 6in D class macsherry as well as the ambulance that inflatable lifeboat launched from the beach manned by Helmsman Peter D. Green and Crew was already on its way. At 1900 the Member Kevin T. Smith; they were followed at 1331 by the station's 37ft Oakley lifeboat lifeboat reached the pier at Courtmac- Charles Fred Grantham under the command of Coxswain Ken Holland. Wind was north- sherry and the patient was transferred easterly, force 3, and visibility good; the crashed helicopter had released smoke flares and at to an ambulance stretcher aboard the 1325 the D class lifeboat sighted the casualty. Flotation bags were keeping it on the surface and the three men who had been aboard were clinging to the bags. They were not seriously injured lifeboat, then moved to the ambulance but were very cold. After being taken aboard the lifeboat, they were lifted into an RAF and taken to Cork Regional Hospital. helicopter and flown to Skegness hospital. Hunstanton's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat had The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for also launched, manned by Helmsman Alan J. Clarke and Crew Members Michael Wallace and service at 2030. John Hawkes, and when Charles Fred Grantham arrived on the scene, the two inflatable For this service letters of appreciation lifeboats helped to pass a towline between the wrecked helicopter and the 37ft Oakley class signed by the director of the RNLI, lifeboat. She then towed the wreckage ashore, arriving at the beach at 1715 (above). Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, were sent photograph by courtesy of Ben Hardaker to Coxswain Jeremiah A. O'Mahony 1915 that they had all reassembled and reached at 1745; she was rehoused, and his crew and to the secretary of the everyone was accounted for, with no ready again for service at 1800. Commissioners of Irish Lights, thanking one left in the water. For these two services, a letter signed the lighthouse keepers for their part in Three days later Dover coastguard by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of opera- the rescue. reported to Hastings station honorary tions, was sent to the honorary secret- secretary at 1030 on Monday July 16, ary of Hastings lifeboat station, Mr A. that the Belgian yacht, Kotique, had J. Hodgson, passing on appreciation to South East Division engine trouble and needed a lifeboat. everyone who took part in the service As the station's 37ft Oakley class life- to the swimmers. He also thanked Two calls boat, Fairlight, was being prepared to the crew of the D class lifeboat for launch a further message reported that the service to the yacht Kotique, par- HASTINGS 15ft 6in D class inflatable another yacht had been able to restart ticularly Coxswain Joe Martin and lifeboat, manned by Helmsman Chris- Kotique's engine. The lifeboat was Crew Member Steven Martin for their topher Cooper and Crew Members stood down but by 1210 the yacht had efforts. Steven Barrow and John K. Ronchetti, broken down again and needed towing was launched at 1534 on the afternoon to Rye. It was arranged that a local of Friday, July 13, 1984, after it was fishing vessel should take her in tow South East Division reported that a group of swimmers were but, as the fishing boat was still five in trouble off the harbour arm. miles off, it was agreed that Hastings' Disabled catamaran Although the weather was fine, there 15ft 6in D class lifeboat should launch was a fresh south-westerly breeze, force with Coxswain Joe Martin aboard, who THE HONORARY SECRETARY OF Mudeford 5, and the sea was choppy with a five would try to restart the yacht's engine. lifeboat station received a pager call foot swell. At 1330 the lifeboat launched, man- from the Coastguard at 1845 on Some of the swimmers had managed ned by Helmsman Steven Barrow, Wednesday July 11, 1984, after reports to get themselves ashore and four of Crew Members Steven Martin and that a catamaran had overturned and them went to the lifeboathouse for first Christopher Cooper with Coxswain Joe was in difficulties off Chewton Bunny. aid. The lifeboat crew recovered two Martin. The weather was fine with a There was a moderate south-westerly male bodies, 250 yards offshore and gentle south-westerly breeze, force 3. breeze, force 4, and the weather was brought them back to the station to try After a long search, at 1440, the lifeboat fine when, at 1851, two and a half hours to revive them, but the station's honor- found the yacht two miles west of before high water, Mudeford's 17ft 6in ary medical adviser, Dr Head, who had Dungeness Point. Coxswain Martin and C class inflatable launched. She was come down to the boathouse, declared Crew Member Steven Martin boarded manned by Helmsman Paul Knight and them dead. It was still not known if her and discovered that the fuel lift Crew Members Paul Derham and John there was one of the group of swimmers pump was defective. The fishing vessel, Rathmell. still in the water, so the lifeboat put to Golden Sovereign, then arrived and the It took the lifeboat five minutes to sea again to search, manned by Helms- yacht was taken in tow towards Rye reach the catamaran which had been man Steven Martin and Crew Members Harbour. righted but blown well in towards the Peter Thorpe and Andre Bourdon- The lifeboat escorted them while shore. Crew Member John Rathmell Pierre. A helicopter also joined in the Coxswain Martin and Steven Martin entered the water to float a towline search, but at 1800 it was agreed to call stayed aboard the yacht. They were through the surf and secure it to the it off and the lifeboat returned to able to get the engine working long catamaran. Her two occupants stayed station. enough to help the tow through Rye aboard to steer while the lifeboat, with The swimmers had come from a Harbour mouth. After refuelling, the John Rathmell back on board, towed visiting coach party and it was not until lifeboat returned to Hastings which was them out into deeper water. They then 116 decided to try to sail back to Mudeford otherwise submerged vessel; he could was drifting towards the mainland, ab- under escort but the catamaran's steer- not swim, wore no buoyancy aid and out six miles from Lamlash. The life- ing was defective and she had to be was in a state of exhaustion. As the boat reached her at 2140 and found four taken in tow again. They reached lifeboat crew could not persuade him to men and one woman on board with one Mudeford at 1948 where it was found take hold of rescue lines, Helmsman of the men suffering from hypothermia. that the catamaran's two hulls were out Coveney had to manoeuvre close to the The 13ft speedboat had been drifting of parallel and one rudder had become sunken fishing boat, at one point strik- for some five hours after the ignition disconnected from the tiller arm. ing her with the starboard side of the key to the engine had broken while they A letter from Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief lifeboat's hull, as he came in to take the were returning to Saltcoats after a day of operations, was sent to Mudeford's man aboard. Having confirmed that this on the Isle of Arran. honorary secretary after this rescue, had been the only man aboard the The speedboat was taken in tow to passing on warm thanks to Crew Mem- fishing vessel, the helmsman returned Lamlash which was reached at 2220. An ber John Rathmell for his efforts. to station where the survivor was landed ambulance had been called to take the at 1815 and examined by the station man with hypothermia to hospital and honorary medical adviser. The lifeboat the remaining four survivors were Ireland Division was rehoused, ready again for service at warmed at the lifeboat station where 1915. the local Red Cross had supplied clo- Man clinging to mast thing and blankets. The lifeboat was rehoused, ready for service at 2256. THE HONORARY SECRETARY of YoUghal Scotland South Division Meanwhile, a report had reached lifeboat station received a telephone Clyde Coastguard that another small call from the Gardai at 1745 on the Mechanical failures boat, this time an open dinghy with evening of Wednesday August 1, 1984. three people on board, was being blown They had been informed by a passer-by Arran (Lamlash) lifeboat crew were offshore from the mainland at Saltcoats that a commercial fishing vessel which mustered on the evening of Sunday July while its occupants tried in vain to had been on passage from Knockadoon 22, 1984, after Clyde Coastguard had paddle ashore with pieces of wood. to Youghal was in difficulty and had been told that a speedboat was seen to At 2240 Troon's 44ft Waveney class disappeared in Youghal Bay. The life- be drifting towards the main channel lifeboat, Connel Elizabeth Cargill, with boat crew were assembled and at 1800 between Hamilton Rock and Ardrossan Coxswain/Mechanic Ian Johnson in Youghal's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable on the mainland. At 2117 the station's command, left harbour in gathering lifeboat, Marjory Turner, manned by 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboat was darkness to search for the casualty. The Helmsman Liam Coveney and Crew launched, manned by Helmsman Evan wind by this time had backed to the Members Patrick O'Mahony and McConnell and Crew Members Angus north west and increased to a gentle to Michael Cashel, launched on service. Campbell and Daniel Lapsley. moderate breeze, force 3 to 4. Fishery Out in the bay there was a moderate The weather was fine with good protection vessel Moidart which was in to fresh south-westerly breeze, force 4 visibility and light air from the north the area also joined the search after to 5, visibility was fair and there was a east. An auxiliary coastguard from receiving a PAN broadcast from the six to seven foot swell. The lifeboat Arran had gone to Altardach which was Coastguard. The lifeboat reached the began to search for the missing boat and where the speedboat had first been area at 2302 and after 20 minutes, after only five minutes, located her. A sighted. From this point he was able to picked up a radar contact about a man was clinging to the mast of the direct the lifeboat to the casualty which quarter of a mile ahead. It was the dinghy, its 3hp engine out of action and Barra Island: At 0812 on Saturday July 21, 1984, Barra Island's 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat, the two adults and ten-year-old child Hugh William Viscount Gough, was launched under the command of Coxswain/Mechanic John aboard cold, but unhurt. At 2324 the Macneil, following a MAYDAY from the survey ship Geotek Alpha which was on fire and in need lifeboat was alongside the dinghy which of immediate assistance, having lost all power. The weather was good and the sea calm when the lifeboat arrived at the casualty at about 0900. The fore end of the ship was ablaze and her captain was taken in tow after her occupants soon ordered his entire crew to abandon ship with the exception of himself, two deck officers and had been taken aboard. The lifeboat two engineers. The lifeboat tied alongside Geotek Alpha's boat deck and 15 men were taken headed for Ardrossan where the sur- aboard. The lifeboat then stood off until about midday when, the fire having spread, smoke vivors were landed at 2354; she then began to fill the casualty's wheelhouse. The remaining five men aboard moved to the after deck returned to Troon where, at 0105, she and signalled to the lifeboat that they wished to come off. Coxswain Macneil brought the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service. alongside, took the men off and transferred them to a fishing vessel, Daisy Christiana, which was standing by. They decided to stay aboard the fishing vessel till evening to see if the fire would subside; meanwhile the lifeboat returned to Barra Island and is pictured here landing the Scotland South Division remaining 15 crew members at Castlebay. (The photograph on the cover shows Barra Island lifeboat at the scene of the rescue.) photograph by courtesy of Reg Allan Blown offshore ON THE EVENING OF Thursday July 5, 1984, Clyde Coastguard received a 999 call after a small speedboat had been seen, broken down about three quarters of a mile off Cowan Rock, near Girvan. Her crew of two men were trying to paddle her, but she was being blown out to sea by a south-easterly wind. Girvan lifeboat station's honorary secretary was informed at 2124 and seven minutes later, after the crew had been summoned by pager, the 33ft Brede class lifeboat, Philip Vaux, left her mooring, with Coxswain/Mechanic Michael Storey in command. The visi- bility was good and a moderate breeze, force 4, was blowing. At 2152, the lifeboat located the power boat which continued on page 141 111 NAMING OF RNLB NEWSBUOY Saturday September 29, 1984 ON A BRIGHT, early autumn day, one of first man to windsurf around Britain the RNLI's newest lifeboats lay afloat, was there and before the proceedings bedecked and sparkling, awaiting her began, the children were royally enter- naming ceremony. An ordinary enough tained by comedian Russ Abbot and the Newsbuoy off Tower Bridge scene for those familiar with such occa- Lancashire Evening Post Band. sions but this ceremony was different in Since the Newspaper Society direc- bet-Smith thanked the National Federa- many ways. The 52ft Arun class life- tor, Dugal Nisbet-Smith, launched the tion of Retail Newsagents and the boat, orange and blue, stood out against appeal in May by handing a cheque for Confectioner Tobacconist Newsagent the immense backdrop of Tower £100 to Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, Multiple Group for their valuable sup- Bridge, in the very heart of London. director of the Institution, aboard port. The unusual and beautiful setting of St Weymouth lifeboat, publishers of local The service of dedication which fol- Katherine Dock was crowded with en- and regional newspapers throughout lowed was conducted by Prebendary thusiastic onlookers and over 150 news- Britain, newspapers' staff, newsagents, Dewi Morgan, Rector of St Bride's boys and girls from all over the country, advertisers and newsboys and girls com- Church, Fleet Street and Monsignor who had been chosen to attend the bined their efforts to raise a substantial George Leonard, Co-ordinator of ceremony as a reward for their part in part of the cost of the new lifeboat. Media Services for the Bishops' Confer- raising money for the Local Newspaper With this background of enthusiasm ence of England and Wales. Week lifeboat appeal. Not only were and keen interest, the ceremony was The Duke of Atholl, chairman of the they to witness the lifeboat being named a warm-hearted occasion. Mr T. D. RNLI Committee of Management (and Newsbuoy, but they were also to be Morris, president of The Newspaper chairman of the Westminster Press photographed with silver medallist Joe Society, handed over the lifeboat to newspaper group) named the lifeboat Martin, coxswain of the Hastings life- Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a Newsbuoy, pressed the magic button boat, and to meet transatlantic yachts- deputy chairman of the RNLI, who and the champagne bottle broke over man Peter Phillips who had brought thanked all those who had worked so the bow of the lifeboat. Newsbuoy cast two West Country newspaper deliverers hard to make the appeal a success. He off for a short move back to her moor- to the ceremony aboard his trimaran then accepted the new lifeboat into the ing, accompanied by loud cheers from Travacrest Seaway. Tim Batstone, the Institution's relief fleet. Mr Dugal Nis- the assembled company.—G.P.

LONG SERVICE AWARDS Crew Member D. G. Gaff Montrose Crew Member R. V. Jonas Crew Member D. S. Nicoll Crew Member J. M. Lee Ramsgate Crew Member E. March Coxswain/Mechanic R. N. Cannon Shore Helper F. Balls Crew Member R. Blay THE LONG SERVICE BADGE for crew mem- Shore Helper E. Luckin bers and shore helpers who have given Crew Member W. A. Blay active service for 20 years or more has Dunbar Crew Member E. Stanford been awarded to: Emergency Mechanic R. Brunton Crew Member N. Stephens Crew Member W. Brunton Barra Island Redcar Coxswain/Mechanic J. A. Macneil Dungeness Shore Helper D. Phillipson Coxswain W. T. Richardson Campbeltown Rhyl Second Coxswain R. Scally Hoylake Crew Member S. Drummond Assistant Mechanic S. B. Brodie Motor Mechanic J. W. Kernighan Shore Helper C. McNaughton Walton and Frinton Llandudno Crew Member B. Ward Clacton-on-Sea Coxswain M. Davies Whitstable Assistant Winchman B. P. Drane Head Launcher G. D. Jones Crew Member M. Gambrill Cromer Lowestoft Shore Helper D. A. Lamberton Crew Member H. T. Davies Crew Member W. J. Keith Shore Helper D. Ward 118 ROCKS '~ and SHOALS

photograph by courtesy of Press Association Four very experienced coxswains were in London last May to be Berry: Well, we didn't actually ascer- awarded medals for bravery. For all of them, Michael Berry of tain where we were. Put it this way: I tried to hold the boat. I would have Jersey, Michael Scales of Guernsey, Michael Grant of Selsey and waited on the anchor for daylight but Thomas Cocking of St Ives, it was at least their second medal. While unfortunately when it did hold we were in London, they met Lt-Cdr Roy Portchmouth, staff inspector of in a worse situation than I wanted to be, lifeboats in charge of operational developments, trials and sea so it was a case of cutting and getting training, to talk about their award-winning rescues, all of which took out; although I would still, if it war- place at night in extreme weather to casualties in very shallow water. ranted it, use an anchor to veer down. Portchmouth: Have you ever done Lt-Cdr Roy Portchmouth, Staff Inspec- from my crew of rocks all round, so that? tor/Operational Developments, Trials there was no question but to cut the and Sea Training: Gentlemen, our in- anchor and try to find our way out Berry: Yes, we have done it, for a yacht tention is to have a free and easy amongst the rocks. As it happens, we on the Dogs Nest Rocks, where we had discussion about the particular lifeboat just managed it. I had enough of a several rocks between the yacht and services and experiences which brought picture to start with on the radar to see ourselves. We veered the lifeboat you the RNLFs grateful recognition this a gap to come out of. And then we down, then the boarding boat, and then year. I hope that we can bring to light picked up two bearing lights which I the dinghy to facilitate getting the yacht various aspects which may be of interest knew, and which meant there was clear away. and value, whether to the RNLI when water. That was all we had to go on. we are considering the operational de- Portchmouth: So the ultimate veering velopment of new lifeboats, or to Portchmouth: So in your service the down was by the dinghy. Was there yourselves as you operate them, or to anchor was a very useful piece of anything particular about the yacht the owners and skippers of vessels who equipment, even though you didn't use Cythara that is worthy of note? may need your help some day. Mike it actually to veer down, you used it to Berry, could you start things off by just hold yourself in a reasonable position Berry: Apparently they'd blown their giving us a run-down of your service? until you could ascertain where you canvas out; they'd come from the were? French coast and they'd tried to get in Coxswain Michael Berry, St Helier, from one port to another. The weather Jersey: Well, where we went is not the had broken on them, they couldn't get best place to go in daylight and high in to the port they wanted to get into. water, especially on a falling tide. But The next thing, all their canvas blew on this occasion it was pitch dark, and away and they were twelve hours adrift, you were chasing something that was so by the time we got to them they going in faster than you would like to go hadn't a clue to where they were. yourself; you are just waiting to be Obviously they were getting tired and picked up on a rock. As it happens we cold and wet; and weren't very much were fortunate that we caught up on the use to themselves. casualty and there was no thought of careful timing. It was a case of snatching Portchmouth: It's often the case. Had them off and getting out of it. Unfortu- they sent out their distress call in good nately just after we did get them off, time? they'd got so far in that we grounded. Coxswain Michael Berry, St Helier On September 3, 1983, Coxswain We managed to get clear and about ten Berry took his lifeboat, the 44ft Berry: No, because they'd crossed the minutes later I found myself much Waveney class lifeboat Thomas James Demie de Pas light tower; there again, further to the east than anticipated. King, three miles in among rocks to they didn't know where they were. Then we struck a second time, and this rescue three people from the yacht They'd crossed the lighthouse and they was quite severe. After getting clear of Cythara in a force 9 strong west- were, well, what we call 'up the gutters' that I didn't think the boat could take south-westerly gale, pitch darkness, there. They were well on their way up much more. I don't think a Waveney driving rain and 20-foot waves. The before they started setting off flares. boat has ever experienced coming down lifeboat twice struck rocks before the Consequently, by the time we launched on the rocks like that, especially twice. I coxswain was able to find a way back and got to the area, they'd travelled out to the open sea after the rescue. tried to find water to anchor, and Coxswain Berry received a bar to his several miles further in amongst the although I had 35 feet, by the time the silver medal for this service. rocks. They had no radio. I don't think anchor was out and held, I had shouts they even had a liferaft. 119 Portchmouth: Now, can we pass on to Scales: No, I wouldn't have liked com- you, Michael Scales, to give us your ing in stern first. You know, you're account? putting the lifeboat into danger, but I wouldn't hesitate to anchor if I had to. Coxswain Michael Scales, St Peter Port, Guernsey: Well on this particular ser- Portchmouth: Have you ever had to? vice we were called out to Wild Rocket, which was a 60 foot, transatlantic, steel Scales: Yes. Once we were doing an yacht. She was rammed up. She'd been exercise and we were called out with the aground for a period of time up in a inspector on board, and we had to carry gully; she had an experienced skipper out a rescue in strong tidal conditions. on board as well who had sailed around The casualty was aground in one of the the world. We believe he'd been relying Coxswain Michael Scales, St Peter Port gullies north of Herm, and we had to on his automatic pilot, gone down and On October 11, 1983, Coxswain anchor and veer. We actually used the made a cup of coffee and the automatic Scales rescued seven people aboard dinghy as well; we veered down lines, pilot had failed in an area which isn't the yacht Wild Rocket in a force 8 anchored the lifeboat and then winched too bad for offshore rocks. But the west-north-westerly gale. He suc- the boat sideways off the rocks as the rudder had locked hard over and she ceeded in manoeuvring the Arun class tide made. went full speed up a gully. They then lifeboat Sir William Arnold close to tried to get the boat off themselves the yacht which was aground in a Portchmouth: At the moment we are before summoning help. So, by the time gully. Despite the darkness, rocks and trying to find an anchor that we can breaking seas, a towline was passed we got there she was well high and dry. and the yacht pulled clear. Coxswain have as much faith in as you've got in The problem was actually to effect a Scales received the thanks of the the fisherman's anchor, but which will rescue. I had to make a decision either Institution on vellum for this service. be a lot easier to handle. to take the people off, or to try to get (He was in London to receive the the boat out and the people with it. The bronze medal awarded for a service to Scales: I think if we used a fisherman's main thing was to get the people, but the freighter Radiant Med.) anchor in anger we wouldn't think we couldn't get them to leave the boat. about pulling it up. They were probably better off on the lei with the cliffs and with the tide boat at that particular time as they were starting to make a little bit more, did we Portchmouth: So you just look upon it high and dry, but the tide was going to pull her out. But we had to dodge as a sacrificial piece of equipment, for rise, and we didn't know if she was around the rocks. Without having the emergencies only? holed. If she was, the boat would have anchor out it gave us a little more sunk and then we might have had manoeuvrability with the lifeboat to Berry: If it's got you out it's done its people in the water. I thought about guide the bloke out. We did this but the work. anchoring; the sea had just started to problem was then, because we were moderate and the wind had died down a towing stern first, that we had to turn Portchmouth: I know you're familiar little. The problem for me, as she was him around and that meant transferring with the rocks around your island, just in amongst rocks, in a gully, was to get the line. Inadvertently they dropped the as Mike Berry is with his, but I expect into a position to veer down on him line from the casualty and he went this was a situation similar to Mike's. without putting the lifeboat in danger. sailing back towards the gully, but we You wouldn't have known for sure He was up around the corner in be- managed to get him before he went where those rocks were, would you? In tween two heads of rocks either side of aground again. that particular spot you wouldn't have him. So I couldn't manoeuvre in to a We just caught them; by the time we been absolutely confident that you were position on the anchor, and bearing in had pulled in the towing rope he was in deep water, and not in danger of mind that I had to put a rope out, I getting very close to the gully. The touching rocks yourself? would have broken water around the dinghy had tried to tow the casualty but propellers. of course it was too heavy for her. Scales: We weren't quite as bad as Anyway, I decided this time it was Another problem we had, once we'd Michael was, because we were up better to keep the stern to sea, with my got him out, was that the rudder had against a sheer cliff, so we were only nose up towards the rocks. We veered jammed hard over so he was going at a dealing with the immediate rocks down our inflatable dinghy and man- different angle to us. around, which we could see with the aged to get our second coxswain, Peter searchlights; we didn't have to worry Bougourd, aboard the boat to ascertain Portchmouth: Presumably they didn't about making a passage. The problem the situation. They also took a veering have any kind of drogue on board. was actually carrying out the rescue line down, attached the line to the yacht Would it have been any better, with when we got there. and made up a towing line. We then that jammed rudder, if they had had attempted to pull her out with a towline something to keep them steadier? Portchmouth: You make regular rounds coming from the bow of the lifeboat to of the island to keep yourself familiar the stern of the casualty. She just Scales: With the actual force of us with the rocks, don't you? started to move but hooked the bottom towing it and the size of the boat itself, I again and the rope parted. Our second think it would have had to be a fairly coxswain, on board the yacht, noticed substantial drogue to have done any Scales: Yes. But often at night you don't that there was a rock right underneath good. know exactly where you are. You're the stern of the yacht which was jam- relying on your radar. I'd just like to ming her. Portchmouth: I understand they were ask Michael Berry how many parachute I had the decision: do you get the French, but probably Peter Bougourd flares he used on that sort of night? people off, or do you carry on trying to could talk to them. tow the yacht clear? The second cox- Berry: We used quite a few going in, swain then informed me that there was Scales: Yes, he could. But sometimes when we had a following wind, and they a blind person on board which meant we do have a language problem. were ideal. We started to use them that it was putting him into more danger coming out, but found that they were trying to get him off than towing the Portchmouth: No doubt you found com- useless. Coming out against the wind, yacht clear. So anyway, we eventually fort in having your stern away from the firing them at any angle from vertical to got another rope to her and only then, rocks. You wouldn't have liked coming nearly horizontal, by the time they after taking a different approach paral- in the other way around? burst, they were far behind us. We even 120 tried getting them fired from the shore Berry: For us, because of the sea fact sailed over one lot of rocks with a but it was a waste of time. In no way conditions and the number of rocks, the bump, and as soon as he bumped, of were you able to angle them under radar was virtually useless, in and most course, he took all his sail down and those conditions; mind you, it was of the way out. And no way would it chucked an anchor over which moored blowing. My helmet is one of those have picked up any yacht's radar reflec- him stern first, in a bit of a lagoon. He motorcycle type. I didn't have the strap tor. Not with the rocks that were was over one lot of rocks and anchored done up, but as we turned to come out I around it. before he got to the next lot. could feel the helmet lifting and we When we launched the lifeboat we were only coming out at five or six Scales: If the reflective tape is high up had a rough idea where he was. We knots. It was blowing. But before the on the radar reflector only, and the knew, more or less, what lot of rocks he wind, going in, the flares were a marvel- yacht's dismasted, then you've lost that. was on, but once we got down close to lous help. It should be on the hull as well. him we put up a parachute flare. At that Also our lifeboat has a forward search- point we could actually see that he was light position, a second searchlight. It's Berry: The most effective thing on between the two lots of rocks, so we had far more effective than the one on the Cythara, because it was only a small to retrace our steps. It would have wheelhouse. With a man inside the coble of a thing, was when he sent up taken up probably another hour to forward rails—he's quite safe and his hand flares. He lit himself up and he come back up and then down the side; handy. And he's got the intercom. lit up the rock ahead of him. we knew a little bit of a gully where we could get through and we got through Portchmouth: You found that more use Portchmouth: They were slow burning there. I spoke to the skipper of the than anything did you? hand flares rather than parachute yacht, and they were obviously not in a flares? happy situation. But the boat was afloat Berry: More use than anything. and he was saying Could we save the Berry: The ordinary red hand flares. On boat? I thought we possibly could, but I Portchmouth: How about you, Mike many occasions, they have been the insisted that he left her. I didn't fancy Scales. They were all at night, weren't most effective. Sometimes, when flares towing the yacht in those conditions they, these services? have been sent up at a distance, we have with the crew on. What I wanted to do located the casualty a long way from the was get the crew off and then, if we Scales: Yes. We used a parachute flare first estimated position, because the towed the yacht, all well and good. If originally to locate the casualty, but the flares had drifted in the wind. we didn't, if she became fast on the police were on the cliffs with a search- bottom again and broke away, well, light pointed down. We illuminated the Scales: What we found very effective it wouldn't matter, we had the crew scene on arrival just to ascertain the the night we were out was the reflective aboard. So we went round, in fact we position and what sort of rocks were tape on the lifejackets. That stood up came up to, and had to get inside of him about. After that we used the search- even though the searchlight wasn't and come bow to bow. We took all four light. We had a few complaints from the directed solely on the inflatable dinghy. off, two of them, girls, weren't in too crew members on board the casualty The inflatable was moving out of the good condition. The last two tied the that sometimes we were dazzling them way, but the lifejackets were still show- tow rope on, cut the anchor cable and and they couldn't see, so it was a matter ing up at all times as any light was jumped aboard the lifeboat. By the of keeping the searchlight above them. picked up on them, so we could keep an time the yacht had come round astern of eye on them. us and we'd actually got under way, she Portchmouth: What about the casualty's was banging again, on a sandbank this own conspicuousness or otherwise? Is Portchmouth: So, lifejacket manufac- time. So if she'd really stuck on this and there anything that you can think of turers please note: it would be a good broken the tow I wouldn't have got that would have helped that? Reflective thing if all lifejackets had reflective tape back in to take the crew off. I think, in material perhaps, or something on on them. Now, Michael Grant, can we all cases like this one, if possible, the board the yachts concerned? have your story? crew have got to come off, and if the yacht's lost the yacht's lost. Grant: Well, we do quite a bit of getting yachts off rocks, sandbanks and shingle Portchmouth: Yes, unless you've got banks around Selsey, as you know. plenty of sea room, and plenty of time There's not a lot of water anywhere, to put a good tow on board and take the and we used the anchor a lot to veer tow, and then it's probably better not to down with the older style boat that we try taking them off. had at the time of this service, because of course you can keep going in until Grant: It's sometimes a lot easier to put she bumps. Sometimes when we get a a tow on a yacht and just tow it than to line aboard we don't really pull because mess about alongside doing damage with most yachts, if you really put on a getting the crew off, if you haven't got lot of strain, something gives. You pull to. But in this particular rescue, they Lt-Cdr Roy Portchmouth. the windlass out, or a cleat. So what we had to come off. usually do is take up the slack, leave Coxswain Michael Grant, Selsey: I everything tight and let the tide lift the Portchmouth: You've had a few services should think possibly something on the yacht so she will swing round behind now with the new Tyne class? yacht which would show up, because in you like a pendulum. But with Enchan- the dark, it's a job, until you're really tress of Hamble, it was a bit different Grant: Yes, but nothing where she's close, even to tell which way round she because there was no chance to get an actually banging on the bottom. I think is, if she hasn't got any lights. But if anchor over at all. that is going to be quite interesting, you've got something to give you some There were two yachts originally and because obviously to get the speed, the idea, something reflective like you've they were racing when the weather Tync's propellers are a lot bigger. So got on the lifebelts, that helps. deteriorated. They were going across the experience is going to be worth the other side but they abandoned that noting when it happens. Portchmouth: Most of them carry radar and made for Brighton. Well, one of reflectors don't they? I wonder how the them kept clear in the channel, and the Portchmouth: Perhaps you will have to radar reflector would be affected if it other one thought he could gain a bit adopt the technique that Guernsey have had reflective tape on it. and cut a corner. So, sailing hard, he in been using since they got their Arun. 121 For how long have you had the Arun, you haven't damaged your propellers one is powered, isn't it? Which makes a Mike? and you can come out. little difference, although I assume that under these circumstances you veer it Scales: Ten years she's been on station. Portchmouth: Your turning manoeuvra- down anyway, don't you? bility is so superior to the old conven- Portchmouth: I suppose during the tional type, even in the Tyne at Selsey Scales: Yes we veer it down. When I whole of that time, you've had to isn't it? was deputy coxswain on board, we had change your ideas haven't you and go in an instance when we had to fire a rocket head first? Grant: Oh, compared with the old boat, line across to a boat that was on the yes. rocks. The casualty was in a tideway as Scales: That's right, yes. We had well, with about six knots of tide run- another job which was a yacht anchored Portchmouth: But your propellers in the ning. We didn't anchor the lifeboat, and in a gully. We had to make a decision Guernsey Arun and the Jersey we didn't put the engine on the dinghy. either to anchor, or run in with the bow. Waveney are both totally exposed We fired the rocket line and made In the event we ran in with the bow, but aren't they? contact with the casualty and then used nearly came unstuck when we ran over the veering lines to take the people off, his tow rope. If we had fouled the rope Berry: Totally exposed. using the dinghy as breeches buoy with he would have been ashore and we one of our crew members on board. would have been following him. Portchmouth: At least you, Mike Grant, do have some protection. It will be Portchmouth: It's difficult getting more Portchmouth: Would you agree, Mike interesting to note, in due course, how than one crew member into the dinghy Berry, about the different method you much you feel you need to change your isn't it? You can just squeeze two in, use with the Waveney, compared with techniques. but one is really getting in the way of the other chap rowing. the old conventional protected propeller Grant: Now that we have got the Tyne, boat? we've also got an inflatable dinghy Berry: There's another use for an Avon which we didn't have with our old boat. dinghy as well. I know I will get shot to Berry: If you're talking about shoal We have rigged it up to take the pieces, but several times when we've work, you know that you can go so far breeches buoy block across to the used it to put a hand aboard a yacht, it's and stop. But what I've been practising casualty and ferry people across like made a damn good fender. is going in and putting the anchor, that. The problem is, it's not a very big which is a Danforth, on the end of a tow dinghy so you're limited by weather Portchmouth: No reason to get shot to rope over the stern and running in as far conditions. But it's useful. pieces for that. That's improvisation. as possible on that, and I've found it We'll just make a note to replace your most effective. Berry: That rock between you and the dinghy with a fender! casualty, Mike, you say you had a way Scales: Of course our anchor is slightly you could go back round it. Now you Berry: With a man holding a line at heavier, we've got a fisherman's anchor have the dinghy, although you had a rock either end of it, you can drop heavy on and there is no way that we can think between you, if you anchored and veered that yacht and you know that your about banging that one down from the your dinghy over that reef could you man's going across safely without get- after deck. If we had another anchor, have got to him? With the Tyne could ting caught between. Because that's one perhaps aft, we could consider it. you have approached it in a different point I've found with the customers we manner to the way you did with the old have, when you do get to them you have Berry: Recovery is our problem. But boat? to put a man aboard if you're going to I've often thought, in a hurry, especially tow them. And he goes aboard with his on to a beach, it is easier to go in bow Grant: No, probably not, because there first aid satchel, his knife and torch, first with your rudders and propellers in was too much sea breaking on the rock plus his portable radio, because you deeper water. Even if you're closing on to chance the inflatable over it. It was have to do the lot, most often. a casualty you can still have a certain really get back round inside where it manoeuvrability. was smoother. Portchmouth: You'd probably all agree with that wouldn't you? Scales: If the bow bumps first at least Berry: In all my time we've never fired a line in anger. Grant: Yes. We have now got a port- able radio on the Tyne which is going to Portchmouth: Haven't you? Not even to be useful. pass a tow? Berry: Ninety-nine times out of a hun- Berry: No. With the manoeuvrability of dred you have to go alongside and drop the Waveney you can virtually go in and a man on the yacht to secure the tow not even use the heaving line to pass a rope. And I've had four or five occa- tow. sions when I've said to the crew, 'Well I'm not towing, we are going in, snatch- 1 Grant: That's good, but not when ing them off and out .' Coxswain Michael Grant, Selsey they're aground. On September 9, 1983, Coxswain Portchmouth: You get a lot of charter Grant rescued six from a grounded Berry: Not when they're aground, no. people don't you? yacht, Enchantress of Hamble, in a southerly force 8 gale, darkness and We have used the inflatable taking a Berry: Yes, on the other hand if you've large, breaking seas. The 48ft 6in tow from us. I suppose I could have got a good French yachtsman you've got Oakley class lifeboat Charles Henry fired a line ashore but it's easier for the a good seaman. regularly hit the bottom as she closed inflatable to take the rope. the casualty and at one point a large Scales: I think that one problem that's wave filled the cockpit to waist height. Grant: Yes, it probably would be, but arisen from our discussion is the fact A successful approach was made, the we've only just acquired one so we that it's very difficult to get somebody crew were taken off and a line secured haven't tried yet. aboard the casualty to tow her clear. to abandon his yacht. Coxswain Grant received a bar to his silver medal for this service. Portchmouth: Both your dinghies are Portchmouth: Which is why you finish rowing dinghies, whereas the Guernsey up towing, isn't it, half the time? 122 Scales: Because they are reluctant to Portchmouth: How big was the boat? leave; they think more of their yachts than their lives. You know, we are Cocking: Oh, only a small tug. 140 feet interested in their lives not their proper- long, drawing nine foot aft, six foot ty. If only they were to understand us a forward. little bit more on that. Portchmouth: Too big really for you to Grant: I think they tend to think 'I've tow. broken down in the car on the motor- way', but it's not quite the same. Cocking: I think he was.

Portchmouth: Do you think they usually Coxswain Thomas Cocking, St Ives Portchmouth: I guess yours was the only appreciate what danger they are in? On January 3, 1984, Coxswain rescue where you were having to get Cocking, in two separate services, casualties down on to your lifeboat. Grant: No. Many of them haven't got a both carried out in a north-north- These boys were all having to get them westerly strong gale, force 9, heavy clue. seas and shallow water, first rescued up on to the lifeboat. seven men from a tug being driven on Berry: I agree with that. shore with a wire around her prop- Cocking: The tug was level with the eller, then took off the crew of seven lifeboat's bow. They jumped on there. Portchmouth: . . . And they do not from the Dutch coaster Orca, drag- The coaster was a bit more difficult. realise how different it's going to be just ging her anchor towards the shore. In They had to jump down and we had to 100 yards further in than they are now. the second rescue the relief 37ft Oak- catch them as they jumped. We had a The difference between living and ley lifeboat, The Vincent Nesfield, had wind blowing then, force 9, northerly dying. to make seven runs in to the casualty and the coaster was dragging her anchor in 15ft waves. Coxswain Cocking re- Thomas Cocking, you don't have too ceived a bar to his silver medal for this very fast—she was only drawing four many rocks at St Ives. Did you on this foot of water. rescue? _ tunnels she will come astern faster than Portchmouth: Same night wasn't it? Coxswain Thomas Cocking, St Ives: No, she will go in really. So we ran in one Right after the first one? sand. run, got two of them off by the scruffs and come away astern over breaking Cocking: Right after, yes. Portchmouth: Sandbanks? But it was water. shallow. What were the general hap- Portchmouth: You hadn't even re- penings of that night? You had two Portchmouth: You had your stern to the housed, just got up the slipway. calls, one after the other? sea did you? Cocking: Yes. We got to her, I called Cocking: Yes. Well the first one was a Cocking: Yes. That was the only way we the skipper and he said he would like to tug. She had her propeller fouled and could do it. We couldn't wait and come lighten the crew. The trouble was we when we got to her, she only had three about and pace it because there was too had to wait for the right time before shackles of cable out and she was much break on the water, too many going in. The tug was near enough, like dragging her anchor ashore. The Orca's banks in there. Especially around the you were going alongside a yacht. But skipper told the tug master to give her estuary, there's very large banks. We with the coaster we found that, being more cable, but he replied, 7 can't, I couldn't do that. The only other light ship, we had to wait for our haven't got any more to give.' And he alternative was to drop the anchor; we chance. If you saw a sea coming, you continued to drift. When we got to the could have had them off that way. It would have to run in before that sea position of the tug we told him he was would have made it more dangerous if came in so that you would have a little going ashore on the bar. We told him on we did wait and drop our anchor, and bit more lift to take one of the men off. the VHP, 'If you go aground you might drop in on her. As it was, I ran in, took That's what we found out. The first run turn over.' So we advised him to get out them off and came out full astern. He I had was really just a practice run of her fast. He said, 'I've got to make a was on the bottom by then. because it was dark and we had to wait link call first.' I said, 'Look. Just for for them to come down. We ran the your information you are going ashore Portchmouth: So that's interesting. If boat up to them, beautiful. She came in now in an estuary where the tide rip, the anchor had been easier to let go, I perfect, with her bow just inside, per- coming down the estuary with the ebb suppose, it might have been a different fect, lifting together. I thought, 'That's tide, is around five or six knots. It's up to story, but it takes a long time to get it the way to do it'. We came astern again, you what you do, but my advice to you is out, doesn't it? and called the skipper up on the radio to lighten the boat with the crew, get asking him if he was ready. He said, some crew off, and then make your link Cocking: We can get our anchor over 'We've got three down there ready.' We call.' Well, we took off five from her. the side in a minute. We've got davits went in and took the first one off. The She was lying bow on to the wind, there and we just swing it out and let it first sea that came I'd say was round and all we had to do was run in, drop go. It wouldn't have taken too long to about ten foot and breaking. That was a astern, run out, drop astern one at a drop the anchor, but it was just as quick Godsend because we were going in, we time. Got five off all right, but in the to go in bow first and come astern. were committed then; I thought, 'She's meantime the tug touched bottom and got to go now'. I kept it on full speed, swung bow in, so this made it more Portchmouth: You had a little bit of we lifted on the sea, the sea broke over difficult because she was right on the persuading to do, of course, as well, to us and she just stuck up the side and we edge of the surf. The skipper's tele- get them to leave. took the first one off. That's the way we phone call took 20 minutes after which did it. We watched the sea coming, a time we had the sea breaking outside of Cocking: To start with, yes. They didn't breaking sea out in the cove, up to the us, as well as inside. Well, then we had want to come off. coaster and we'd run in. Both would lift to run in on that, and this was when I together. On one of the runs we took said to the crew, 'Grab the two of them, Portchmouth: Well that link call, I off one and another jumped as I was don't matter what happens!' I said, suppose, was the skipper trying to get going astern. All we saw was him 'We've got to run in bow first, and come permission to leave? jumping. We had to come full speed astern full steam'. I don't know if Mike ahead again to catch him on the box on Grant knows, but with a lifeboat with Cocking: He got through to his owners. the fore deck. The crew saw him and 123 jumped for him then and dragged him alongside that thing,' But under those Berry: You've got a choice of positions, back. circumstances it just happens. And the haven't you Mike Scales? same thing if you're going in for a yacht Portchmouth: What height were they with the Waveney to take people off, Scales: Yes, we've got them either side coming down? and you know it's just to take them off, on the wings of the flying bridge and in because there's nothing else you can do. the centre. That seems to cover. The Cocking: About eight feet. I think you've got it in the back of your problem we had was that we had quite a mind that you're not worried about lot of white paintwork up top, aerials Portchmouth: That fore end box isn't scratching the paint or anything like were white and in certain close quarters really clear, is it? that and it therefore becomes more you would get a lot of light reflected natural. back. So what we've done now is matt Cocking: No, because of your side black the mast, matt black the aerials lights. Grant: Well, as you know, I've only just and that's done away with the reflective changed over to the Tyne from the glare. Portchmouth: It's a wonder he didn't Oakley, the 48ft 6in Oakley, and a break something. Watson before that. But with those Berry: The first thing we had to do was older types of boat I found that once black tape all the aerials. Cocking: Yes. Luckily the rest wouldn't you did put them somewhere then they come until the crew said 'Jump'. I made stopped there. With the Oakley, you Portchmouth: So you would recom- them understand that on the wireless know when we took 20 off a freighter, mend that wherever we don't have to when I spoke to the skipper. One at a we put her bow or shoulder in there, have orange superstructure for visibil- time and jump when the crew say jump, opened the engines up full, and she just ity, so that other people can see us in not to jump on your own. We've found plunged up and down the side of the the distance, we should have matt black before when someone's jumped on their ship, damaged, but it stopped there. wherever there is likely to be light own, you miss them and they've drop- But with the modern boats with the reflection, from our own lights? ped into the sea; when you've been flared bow . . . dropping astern they've jumped. That's the only killer we can find. But they Berry: Well I think we've got more of a Scales: I think it's important when were very good, except that one, who flared bow with the Waveney, than you're in shallows, or any rock condi- did jump when we were going astern. you've got with the Tyne. But there tions where you have got to be as aware again you've got the power and man- as possible where you are, that the less Portchmouth: After that five, what hap- oeuvrability which you didn't have with reflected light you've got, the better. Of pened? the Oakley. course if we're in close quarters we're not inside on the Arun, we're always up Cocking: The skipper was making a link Grant: Yes, but it is more of an 'in, out' top. call at the time on the other set and the business. next thing he came and said, via the Berry: You can go up top, I suppose, Coastguard, 'We're on the ground, what Berry: Yes. Get there, get one off or under any conditions? do you suggest?' So we went in there two off and out, and then have another and took the other two off. The first go. The only thing I've found with a Scales: Oh, yes. In our particular Arun thing he passed down was the boat's Waveney, that whereas in the other we've worked two force ll's for hours papers. The crew said, 'We don't want boats you go to leeward of a yacht to on end. With our steering position on the boat's papers, Captain, we want take them off, and let it drop on you, the after end you can stay there all you.' He said, 'They're more interesting you've got to approach from windward night. In shoal conditions, close quar- than I am.' Those were the words he with a Waveney, because a Waveney, as ters, you get a great sense of security said; the boat's papers were more in- soon as you stop your engines, she's being outside because you are more teresting than his own life! down wind faster than a yacht. It's the aware of the elements, you've got no- The skipper, he was a bit difficult to height of the wheelhouse, I think. One thing false, you've got spray in your face get off, he was a big chap, and as we thing about a Waveney, it's got a well and you know if you're going too fast, went in, so he hesitated; of course we deck aft. I don't think there's a boat and you can see as well. dropped and he was hanging over the today that's better designed for getting side. We've got one good fellow—you people out of the water. Berry: If I'm going alongside a yacht know Eric Ward—who's 6ft 4in who generally I find I'm working just abaft grabbed him by the ankles and gave him Portchmouth: No, that's right. Because the wheelhouse where I've got a clear a jerk! your feet are down low and they're view of its position. inboard. As all four of these services Grant: If the boat's going down and were at night, have any of you further you're jumping down it's a long drop comments about illumination? Mike Scales: It's nice to have a wheelhouse, isn't it? And it's even worse if the boat Berry's got a special searchlight forward. but it's nice to have the alternative to go comes back up when you're still going Does anyone else have one? out, and be with the elements. down. Cocking: We've got a forward one as Portchmouth: Gentlemen, I'm afraid Cocking: Eric Ward, he's a big fellow well. We've got a small RNLI issue it's now time for us all to go out and be too, he grabbed him and everyone was handlight, and what I've done is to put with the elements. Thank you for your waiting to catch him, and he came it on a little bar so that we can make it time and your comments. You have down. Anyway, that was it. It was quite turn like a searchlight and we find that provided much food for constructive simple really, I thought. as good as anything. thought. Readers of THE LIFEBOAT jour- nal will be interested to note that one of Portchmouth: All I can say is your Grant: If the conditions are right, flares the main lines of operational develop- modesty becomes you! give you a far better panoramic view ment by the RNLI at present is towards than a searchlight. The searchlight on greatly enhanced capability in shallow- Berry: I've taken people off small the Tyne, the position of that is quite water operations for fast lifeboats. We yachts, in both a Watson and a good. Now, on the Oakley if something believe that water-jet propulsion, as Waveney and I've thought to myself was shining forward then it all reflected now being fitted in our Medina class with the Watson when I'm going to line back off the bulwarks and tended to prototype, may provide one answer. up, 'How am I going to get this so and so dazzle. But on the Tyne, it's good. Perhaps in a year or so we shall know. 124 Aberystwyth Lifeboats

PULLING AND SAILING, MOTOR, D CLASS AND NOW A 17FT 6IN C CLASS INFLATABLE

by Joan Davies

BACK IN THE TIME of the Romans the dip John and Naomi Beattie, the last of Aberystwyth's five pulling and sailing lifeboats, on her way in the cliffs where the River Rheidol along the town front, drawn by willing helpers. She was on station from 1906 to 1932. and the River Ystwyth come down to Cardigan Bay was already recognised as yet no railways and only poor roads, the beach and rowed out through the surf an important landing place, to be sea was undoubtedly the main artery of and incoming waves for some distance guarded with an encampment. At such commerce but there was growing local before there was a chance of setting sail. a favourable strand, and with a wealth concern over the increasing toll exacted To help with launching, a slipway was of herring in the bay during the autumn in lives lost at sea. It was in these years built down to the beach in 1863 and a spawning season, no wonder that in that the first steps were taken towards mooring chain laid out to sea through Mediaeval times Aberystwyth grew into providing means of saving the lives of which hauling off lines were led; thus a a thriving fishing village, supplying the seamen in danger from shipwreck in the band of helpers on shore could add hinterland with cod, whiting and approaches to the port. Richard Page, their strength in the battle to get the perhaps mackerel and exporting barrels the superintendent of the new harbour lifeboat out through the surf against the of salted herrings to Ireland and other works and later harbour master, was force of wind and sea. markets. In those days it was probably already experimenting with Captain Evelyn Wood was one of a number of the principal herring port of Wales. By Manby's line-firing mortar and, in Janu- lifeboats all round the coast which the eighteenth century there were get- ary 1841, put his efforts to good use between them, in the heavy gales of ting on for 60 small sloops working out when the schooner Leighton was driven early December 1863, rescued 246 peo- of Aberystwyth, netting the herring in on to the banks to the north of the ple. She went on to the brig Mary Anne the autumn and at other times of year harbour in heavy seas; a rope was of Scilly, her masts cast away, riding at employed in more general fishing, trade successfully fired across and the vessel anchor off Aberaeron 15 miles to the along the coast or perhaps carrying oak hauled clear. south. Reporting the launch of the bark to Ireland for the tanneries. Two years later, after great loss of life lifeboat, the Reverend John Williams, Sea trade under sail was by then in Cardigan Bay during a wild January, first honorary secretary of the station, expanding fast, cargo carrying vessels the Mayor of Aberystwyth inaugurated who was to serve for 34 years, wrote: were increasing in size and, to take its a collection in the town for the provi- 'The lifeboat was despatched . . . She is place with other ports, Aberystwyth sion of a pulling lifeboat, himself contri- out now and will probably remain out all embarked on considerable improve- buting the first five pounds. A 27ft night, the wind being dead against her . . . ments to its harbour. First the River pulling lifeboat was purchased, brought '10.00 pm. The night is pitch dark, and Ystwyth was diverted into the River to Aberystwyth aboard the sailing ves- it is feared the lifeboat will not be able to Rheidol, thus, with the added flow, fetch the vessel in time to be of any service, sel Three Sisters and put under the but up to this time nothing has been seen helping to keep the bar at the harbour control of the harbour master. Nothing, of her.' mouth clear of silt. Then, in the 1840s, however, is known of the use to which the channel was deepened and a new she was put. On December 7, happily, he was able pier built out to seaward. Now smacks to report that lifeboatmen had boarded and two-masted schooners could more RNLI station Mary Anne and that she and her crew easily take part in the coastal trade of RNLI lifeboats were already being had been safely brought into Aber- the port (exporting lead ore, mining established in other parts of Cardigan ystwyth . . . equipment from the foundries, wool- Bay and in 1861 a lifeboat at Aber- 'The lifeboat has returned from her len goods and timber; importing grain, ystwyth was added to their number; the mission of mercy, having fairly won her limestone, coal, roofing slates, bricks 32ft Evelyn Wood arrived late that laurels for the first time . . . when both and manufactured goods), while larger October, having been transported free [vessels] returned to port, they were brigs, snows and barques could bring in of charge, with her carriage, first from welcomed by hundreds of cheerful hearts.' timber from Canada and America for London to Bristol by the Great Western Already, however, the pattern was shipbuilding and for the houses of the Railway and thence by the Cambrian changing again. The railways, spreading growing town, embarking passengers as steam packet now making regular trips their network throughout the land, emigrants for the return voyage. to the port. were, by the 1860s, extending into These were expansive years. Aber- Evelyn Wood was the first of five Wales; Aberystwyth became a terminus ystwyth was growing as a seaport, with pulling and sailing lifeboats which, in for the old Cambrian line, later the its own shipbuilders, sail and ropemak- turn, were to serve the port of Aber- GWR. While the transport of freight by ers; it was the market for the surround- ystwyth from that time until 1932. rail inevitably led to the decline of ing countryside; and it had also become Theirs was no easy task. Working from coastal trade to the port, summer visi- a focus for local social life and a a coast open to westerly gales, they tors could now come much more easily, well-established watering place. With as often had to be launched across the so that as a resort the town flourished. 125 In addition, linking north and south, in University College of Wales, but, not After a lifeboatman had been put 1872 Aberystwyth was chosen for the withstanding the fact that scores of men aboard to pilot the brig into Aber- home of the first university in Wales. went into the water until the waves broke dovey, the lifeboat was returning to At first the coming of the railway over their heads, a considerable time shore, under sail, when she was caught elapsed before the boat was slipped from meant that fish could be transported the carriage and was fairly afloat. . .' by a sudden fierce squall and capsized; inland that much more easily, but by the she righted herself, as she was designed beginning of this century the herring Even then, after an hour's pulling, to do, and fortunately everyone was shoals in Cardigan Bay were decreasing the lifeboat had scarcely moved from able to regain the boat. and, particularly since 1945, herring the spot she had been enabled to reach fishing has fallen right away. Now the by the haul off rope. Time and again she Motor lifeboats main fishing is for crabs and lobsters, was carried back towards the shore on Aberystwyth received her first motor for which there are ready markets as far the crests of the great white seas. After lifeboat in 1932, the 35ft 6in self- away as Southend-on-Sea, Paris and two hours struggle, during which six righting Frederick Angus. This was the Brussels. There are, however, only a oars had been broken, the boat was lifeboat on station during the war, when few commercial fishing boats working carried close to the pier and a line most of her calls were to search for out of Aberystwyth today, together passed. More oars were taken on board missing airmen. with some charter fishing boats. and five extra men went into the boat, A few months after the end of hostili- But to return to the mid-nineteenth one of them, Alfred Worthington, even ties, four Welsh lifeboats, from St century, in 1867 the silver medal of the jumping into the seething water and David's, Fishguard, New Quay and Institution was awarded to Watkin swimming to the lifeboat. Eventually a Aberystwyth, were all to take part in a Lewis of Aberystwyth for two acts of point was reached when the coxswain, most unusual service. On the night of personal gallantry. On March 25 that Thomas Williams, thought it safe to February 3, 1946, the submarine Uni- year he had swum out to make com- hoist some sail, when the lifeboat "went versal was on her way to the breaker's munication with a wrecked schooner, beautifully and rapidly before the storm' yard when, in a westerly gale with a Rebecca of Bridgwater, afterwards towards Arklow. The service was suc- rough sea running, she broke down in helping to save her crew of six; and the cessfully accomplished, but not before, Cardigan Bay. St David's motor life- previous September he had waded out while lying alongside the casualty, three boat, Civil Service No 6, was the first to through the surf at the risk of his life to of the lifeboatmen had been washed launch, at midday on February 4, and save his own father who had been overboard by an immense wave; they she helped the destroyer HMS South- carried out to sea trying to save some- were all picked up safely, although their down to take the submarine in tow. one else. recovery took some time. Later that afternoon, however, the tow The great endeavours of one man. All the crew were thrown into the sea parted and, as the submarine drifted up But so often, at Aberystwyth, enor- on October 7, 1880. Lady Haberfield Cardigan Bay, first Fishguard's motor mous corporate effort was needed if the had gone out to the help of the Danish lifeboat White Star, then New Quay's lifeboat was to get off the beach and out brig Julia which had lost her bearings. pulling and sailing William Cantrell to sea. February 20, 1877, when the crew of three of Sarah Ellen were rescued: 'Just before dark . . . while it was blowing a hard gale from the NW, the schooner Sarah Ellen, of Liverpool, bound from Plymouth to Belfast, was seen driving before the storm, with sails blown away, towards the rocky coast southward of the station. The lifeboat Lady Haber- field was speedily launched, but after an hour's energetic struggle the force of the gale proved too much for the oarsmen, and the boat had to be steered for the shore again. The oars were then double- banked with fresh men, and the Lady Haberfield made her second attempt, and after a brilliant display of dogged perseverance and pluck, the crew forced the boat sufficiently far to the windward to clear the rocks south of the town, when sail was made ..." It took six hours of gallant struggle before the lifeboat could return to shore with the survivors, her crew exhausted, and just before she was beached, John James, one of the eight men who had rushed courageously through the surf to double bank the oars, had tragically died from his exertions and the bitter cold. In the severe storms of October 7, 1889, the barque Arklow was seen rapidly drifting towards the Patches, a dangerous reef of rocks a few miles to the west of Aberystwyth . . . 'There was no delay in getting the boat Aberystwyth, on Cardigan Bay: to the edge of, perhaps, as wild a sea as a *•- ; Jk produced from a portion of BA i 341 small boat was ever launched in. It was s v i.— o C/iart No 1410 with the sanction of low-water, and for a long time it was the Controller HM Stationery impossible to move the carriage through WLanarth ,~^$5x_ Office and the Hydrographer of the the sand. There were plenty of willing ^S," jf "/? /^ "^ ^ Navy. hands, including many students of the 126 Ashley, and finally Aberystwyth's as were her predecessors, Aguila Wren Frederick Angus were all launched to was considerably heavier than Frederick stand by. New Quay lifeboat was re- Angus or Lady Harrison, which had leased to return to station on the been on station from 1949 to 1951. A morning of February 5 and, after more powerful tractor was needed. another attempt by Southdown to take Trials of the prototype of a new water- Universal in tow had failed, the decision lighted Fowler tractor with a 95hp was made to abandon ship. Fishguard diesel engine were held at Aberystwyth lifeboat took off 16 men and Aber- in November 1952, with such success ystwyth the remaining 11. The next that four more were immediately morning Aberystwyth lifeboat was out ordered. once again, helping to transfer men These trials have become part of the from the destroyer and a tug, which had folklore of the RNLI, the photographic now arrived, to the crippled submarine, sequence of the final test treasured with and to help pass tow lines. affectionate glee. The tractor was Since the arrival on station of already in a depth of seven feet so that Frederick Angus, the struggle to clear its controls were underwater, when the the shore and the rocks by strength of firm's driver, intending to put the en- arm alone was a thing of the past, but gine into reverse, in fact put it into the extra weight of the new motor boat neutral. The tractor, by chance on the made pulling her through the streets edge of a hidden gully, ran down into from her boathouse behind Marine ten feet of water and the five men on Terrace to the slipway a more difficult board, including Fowler's chief en- undertaking. In 1948 the students of the gineer and the RNLI's chief inspector, University now helped with finance as had to 'abandon tractor' and swim for they had helped, in the past, with added the shore. Nothing but a wallet was lost, manpower. They gave the whole of the and that was found afloat and rescued proceeds of that year's rag week, later. The tractor, when hauled ashore, £1,425, and part of the previous year's was none the worse mechanically for its total, £325, to the local station, and this immersion money was used to fund a tractor to It was for a service in Aguila Wren, launch and recover the lifeboat. on July 26, 1954, that Coxswain Baden Aguila Wren, a 35ft 6in Liverpool Davies was accorded the thanks of the which came on station in 1951, was Institution inscribed on vellum. In a Aberystwyth's third motor lifeboat and south-westerly gale and rough seas, an the station's first boat not to be fitted army launch was towing in to Aber- with sails. She was, for the greater part, dovey the 40ft MFV Lindy Lou, the provided by a fund in memory of 22 engine of which had failed. It was high Wrens who were lost in 1941 when ss water and Aberystwyth lifeboat was Aguila, in a Gibraltar convoy, was sunk asked to stand by at Aberdovey harbour by enemy action; a party of volun- bar. When Aguila Wren reached the teers—nine officers and 12 chief Wren two boats they were making heavy wireless telegraphists accompanied by weather and the launch's fuel was run- one QARNNS nurse—they were the ning low. Then the towline parted. At first draft to go overseas. Dame Vera first the crew of Lindy Lou, now at Laughton Mathews, DBE, at that time anchor in the confused cross seas on the director WRNS, attended the naming bar, refused to be taken off, but the ceremony on June 28, 1952, at which seas were sweeping over her and after the lifeboat was handed over by the half an hour they agreed to jump father of one of the chief Wrens and aboard the lifeboat, leaving Lindy Lou named by the mother of one of the at anchor. As well as the award to the officers. coxswain, a letter of commendation was Twin-screw rather than single-screw, sent to the head launcher, Captain T.

(Above): The photographic record of the tractor trials of 1952 reproduced from THE LIFEBOAT, winter 195213, is affectionately treasured as part of the folklore of the RNLI. The trials were completely successful, the prototype tractor being none the worse mech- anically for its immersion.

(Left) The 35ft 6in Liverpool class lifeboat Aguila Wren, on station at Aberystwyth from 1951 to 1964, returning from a service call.

127 Brodigan, MBE; during a difficult launch his hand had been injured but, although in great pain, he had carried on until the boat was safely afloat.

D class inflatables Just over 100 years after Aberystwyth was first established as an RNLI station, a whole new chapter in its history was begun. In May 1963 the town received the first of the Institution's new 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboats, powered by a 40hp outboard engine, and Aber- ystwyth was one of the first stations at which the inflatable lifeboat remained operational winter as well as summer. It was in keeping with the changing needs of the area. Commercial shipping now passed further to the west of Cardigan Bay; commercial fishing, as has been seen, had greatly declined; there was seldom need to go out to offshore yachts. On the other hand Aberystwyth Aberystwyth lifeboat flag day, August 6, 1973: when the River Rheidol overflowed its banks, had flourished as a very popular holiday flooding a caravan and camping site, the D class inflatable lifeboat, crewed by Gwyn Martin, the resort, flanked by caravan sites, so that station honorary secretary, and Ralph Kenyon, brought 65 people and three dogs to safety. those in danger were more likely to be photograph by courtesy of Taylor Lloyd Ltd sea anglers, people off the beach in small pleasure boats, swimmers, child- River Rheidol, in full spate, flooded a allocation to certain stations where ren carried away on airbeds or cut off by campsite and the lifeboat rescued 65 there is an operational need for a larger the tide under the cliffs. people and three dogs from the roofs of boat than the 15ft 6in D class inflatable For this work the little D class life- their caravans and cars. but where, because of a variety of boat was ideal. She could be launched Awards for gallantry were made for reasons, it is not possible to operate an very quickly in the sheltered water of two services during the 1970s. Alan Atlantic 21. the harbour, rather than over the diffi- Blair, Michael Nichol and Keith Stone An experimental boat, which has cult beach, and, with her speed of 20 were accorded the thanks of the Institu- been under development at the RNLI's knots, reach a casualty in a matter of tion inscribed on vellum for the rescue Cowes base for several years, has now minutes. True she had to cross the bar on September 1, 1970, of a woman proved herself to be a good seaboat and at the harbour entrance but that is only bather overwhelmed by breaking seas a successful answer to the problem. She a comparatively short distance and an and surf, and of a man who had gone has been called the C class. Her length inflatable lifeboat is soon through and out to help her. On that occasion they overall is 17ft 6in, her beam 7ft lin, and away. were manning the D class lifeboat. her twin 40hp outboard engines give a Two of the lifeboatmen who were Nearly six years later when, on Febru- maximum speed of 27 knots. A fabri- helmsmen of the D class lifeboat in her ary 22, 1976, Tony Meyler, skipper of cated keel, to the RNLI's requirements, early years provide at Aberystwyth that MFV Western Seas which was lying along- has been fitted to the original hull to strong traditional family link, from one side in the harbour, was told that a give improved lateral stability. She has generation to another, to be found at so motor cruiser had capsized in heavy surf limited night capability and righting many lifeboat stations. David Jenkins, outside the harbour entrance, he and six equipment has been designed and a drill who also served on Aguila Wren and other lifeboatmen with him, immediate- to right the boat after capsize developed who is now station administrative offic- ly set out in the fishing vessel. Despite by the staff officer responsible for life- er (as well as being the station's histo- all their efforts, however, the two men boats under ten metres in length work- rian), and Ralph Kenyon are both trapped inside the hull could not be ing with the staff at Cowes base. grandsons of former crew members: an rescued. Alan Blair, who had swum on Various improvements have been earlier David Jenkins and John Wil- a line to attempt an underwater search, made during the development stage. At liams, who were friends and fellow was awarded the bronze medal, Tony first the boat was fitted with water lifeboatmen a hundred years ago just as Meyler the thanks of the Institution ballast, but that has now been replaced their grandsons have been in present inscribed on vellum, and the other five by permanent lead ballast, bolted to the times. David Jenkins' family has, in fact, lifeboatmen all received medal service underside of the floor board. The floor been involved with the station in one certificates. itself is padded and it is made of two way or another from its very beginning In passing—if ever a group of life- hinged parts, short forward and longer and Ralph Kenyon's for probably as boatmen are gathered together and aft, giving flexibility to allow for the long. Ralph's great grandfather, Tho- Alan Blair is one of them, the singing movement in an inflatable boat in a mas Williams, was coxswain from 1876 will go on well into the night—and very seaway. A single tiller to control and to 1891 after serving in the crew for fine it will be! steer both outboard engines has also several years, while his great uncle, been developed at Cowes. David Williams (Thomas's son), served The C class inflatable is equipped as coxswain for no less than 42V^ years, C class with a watertight VHP radio, an anchor from 1891 to 1933. There is still a family Twenty years after the first D class box incorporating a battery box for a connection because Ralph's nephew, inflatable became operational at Aber- small searchlight and, of course, all the Tony Meyler, a former crew member, is ystwyth, almost to the day, on May 19, equipment, like an anchor, a sea anchor now a deputy launching authority. 1983, one of the first of the RNLI's new and quoit line, found in a D class boat. It was Ralph Kenyon who, with twin-engined 17ft 6in C class inflatable There are now eight of the class on Gwyn Martin, the honorary secretary at lifeboats were established at the station. station (with one in the relief fleet): the that time, ere wed the D class inflatable For some years the Institution had station boats are at Aberystwyth, Cric- lifeboat for another of the station's been looking into the establishment in cieth, Cullercoats, Mudeford, Newquay more unusual services: three miles in- the fleet of a twin-engined inflatable (Cornwall), Portaferry, St Abbs and St land. Early on August 6, 1973, the lifeboat with a night capability for Catherine. More boats will be going 128 into both the station and relief fleets in Aguila Wren). Boat, trolley and tractor, RNLI protective clothing is added to 1985. all are cherished with loving care by the the 'lifeboatman' according to the At Aberystwyth the new C class boat members of this very happy station. amounts coming in: at £5 seaboots, was welcomed by the chairman, Mr Ivor To accommodate the larger boat and another £8 for the bump cap, and so on. Davies, the station honorary secretary, tractor the boathouse had to be ex- It has proved a great spur to the Donald Smyth, the branch, the guild tended, and a crewroom and shower generosity of the dancers. and the town, as well as by the crew, has also been provided; it was the crew, The added operational scope of their and they have all worked hard for her. once again, who did all the painting and new lifeboat, with its extra size and She is being funded, together with her laid down heavy protective strips on the speed, is much appreciated at Abery- tractor and trolley, by local effort. The floor exactly to follow the tracks of stwyth. It makes, for instance, quite a largest contribution has come from gifts trolley and tractor as they are housed difference to the time it takes to get out from the University student rag days and there are plans afoot to add a the six or seven miles to the Patches, if a while the crew themselves have raised souvenir sales area in the future. That fishing boat is in trouble, and it is a more more than £4,000, one year joining will greatly help the ladies of the guild, powerful boat for winter calls. Summer together in a sponsored row from New led by their chairman, Mrs Mabel calls are very often to rescue groups of Quay to Aberystwyth, and the next in a Hughes, honorary secretary, Miss holidaymakers who have walked along sponsored relay swim from Aberaeron. Melanie Lloyd and honorary secretary, the beach below the cliffs to the north of The row started at 5.30 in the morning, Mrs Sonia Jenkins, the wife of David the town and have been cut off by the and so swiftly did these present-day Jenkins. At one time they had had a rising tide; the face of these cliffs is lifeboatmen cover the ground that they shed for the sale of souvenirs on the loose shale and impossible to climb. arrived off Aberystwyth much earlier beach, but it was blown away by a gale. Over one weekend last summer, seven than expected and before everyone was They next used an empty shop. Do they people were rescued from the cliff foot ready for their reception! now have a mobile stall? Yes, they on one launch on the Saturday, and For the launching trolley, the RNLI reply: it is called three cardboard boxes. another seven were picked up in one provided an Atlantic 21 bedstead type, And they have found their moveable trip on the Sunday. The larger boat is which three of the crew, Keith Stone, stand very profitable when taken to proving her worth. Thomas Ridgway and Brian Pugh caravan sites, fairs and a number of The pattern of seafaring may change James, helped by Graham Edwards, other events. over the years and the type of lifeboats Sandro James and Peter Heading, then Here's a good idea. When attending a may change, but the work of RNLI modified, so that it is 'custom built' for Saturday night disco dance at a caravan stations is still essentially the same: the the C class inflatable with the weight of park club, the ladies take with them a saving of life at sea. Since 1861 Abery- the boat being taken on her keel and tailor's dummy dressed in a dry suit. As stwyth lifeboats have launched on ser- sponsons. It has also been fitted with a the evening progresses and money is vice 378 times, rescuing 245 people. square section tow bar which can be raised by sales, raffles or gifts, further That is the great achievement. pushed through a larger square section channel running the length of the trolley (Right): The Atlantic 21 on the centreline so that, with a towing bedstead type trolley which Aberystwyth crew modified eye fitted each end, the trolley can be themselves so that it is 'cus- towed equally well from either end. tom built' for their new 17ft Wide, low pressure, deep tread tyres 6in twin-engined C class in- were also added, to prevent bogging flatable lifeboat, taking the down when, at low tide, the lifeboat has weight of her keel and to be launched over the silt at the foot sponsons. of the slipway. This design is to be used for other C class stations where the Dodo trolley is not required or cannot (Below) the C class lifeboat operate. A second Atlantic bedstead is launched into the harbour (from her original, un- trolley is being modified by Abery- modified, trolley) after her stwyth crew to be used by the RNLI dedication on August 20, depot as a pattern from which to build 1983. more 'in house'. photograph by courtesy of To pull the trolley, a secondhand Jeff Morris commercial four-wheel drive tractor was obtained and modified for lifeboat work, the greater part of the modifica- tions to protect vital components from seawater damage and painting being done by the crew led by Bryan Jones, a crew member and tractor driver (who had also been the tractor driver for

For much of the record of Aberystwyth before the establishment of an RNLI station the author is indebted to Maritime Wales No 4, 1979, and No 5, 1980, and in particular to two papers by Lewis Lloyd: 'The Ports and Shipping of Cardigan Bay' and 'The Port of Aberystwyth in the 1840s'. Maritime Wales is an annual publication, each volume contain- ing the fascinating results of historical re- search on the ports, ships and seamen of Wales. Edited by Aled Eames, Lewis Lloyd, Bryn Parry and John Stubbs, No 8, 1984, which includes first hand accounts of more than one sea captain, is available from the Gwynedd Archives Service, County Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, price £3.75. 129 HOME TOWN HONOURS Lifeboat At a special ceremony on Sunday September 2, 1984, the freedom of the People borough of Great Yarmouth was accorded to the past and present crew members of both Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat and the indepen- Island Visit dently run Caister lifeboat. More than Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Compston, a 100 crew members received the honour. deputy chairman of the RNLI, was a guest of Brigadier S. P. Robertson of Joel Grunnill (r.) retired as second coxswain the Committee of Management, at his of Skegness lifeboat in October after 45 years home on the island of Orkney for four of service with the station. Among other days in August. He arrived aboard presentations, he received a statuette of the Kirkwall's 70ft Clyde class lifeboat, famous Skegness Jolly Fisherman, a local Grace Paterson Ritchie, and during his honour only accorded to a few. Since 1825, when a pulling lifeboat was first sent to stay was entertained to lunch by the Skegness by the RNLI, there has always been ladies' guild of North Ronaldsay. He a member of the Grunnill family in the crew. also met Colonel R. A. A. S. Macrae, Joel is the last of the line. Lord Lieutenant, and his wife, was photograph by courtesy of introduced to Ian Scott, the sculptor of Ben Hardaker the Longhope lifeboat memorial, and toured the lifeboat stations on the Coxswain Joe Martin of Hast- island, taking in a visit to North ings was awarded his town's Ronaldsay lighthouse. He even had highest honour when, on October 31, 1984, at a civic time to record an interview with Radio ceremony he was presented Orkney before returning to the Scottish with The Order of 1066. mainland. Mayor of Hastings, Council- lor R. Saunders, praised Joe Christenings Martin's work as coxswain of Crew Member Ron Jones of Port the lifeboat and also the time Talbot lifeboat and his wife Julie asked he gives helping Duke of if their daughter Joanne Louise could Edinburgh A ward candi- be christened at the lifeboat station. dates. He is pictured here after the presentation with Their request was granted when the (I. to r.) Anthony Hodgson, Reverend John Morgan performed the Hastings station honorary ceremony, using water he had brought secretary, Mr John Burton, home from the River Jordan; the bell branch chairman, and from a local pilot cutter served as a font. Michael Pennell, divisional Meanwhile, during Southend lifeboat inspector for the south east. station's service of thanksgiving at St John's Church, the baby son of bronze Jakarta Seminar to Russia, Australia, Japan, New Zea- medallist Bob Fossett, senior helmsman Mr John Atterton, the retired deputy land and the many small islands in that of the lifeboat, was christened Matthew director of the RNLI, was recently lectur- part of the world. Mr Atterton used part James. The Reverend Bob White, cha- ing in Jakarta, Indonesia, at an Interna- of his lecture to describe the work of the plain to the station, officiated and the tional Maritime Organisation seminar RNLI. Great interest was taken in the Mayor of Southend and station presi- whose object was to improve search and volunteer crews, the organisation and dent, Councillor Mrs Joan Carlile was rescue in Asia and the Pacific. Forty-two especially voluntary fund-raising. It is in attendance. countries attended the seminar from Iran probable that voluntary lifeboat services will now be set up in the Far East. Seventy years after the hospital ship Rohilla was driven ashore off the Yorkshire coast, a party of Whitby townspeople put to sea in Whitby's 44ft Waveney class lifeboat, The White Rose of Namesakes Yorkshire, to lay wreaths above the wreck. The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Peggy Heaton, and Villagers of Longhope, Gloucester- chairman of Whitby lifeboat station, Jim Hall (below) perform the ceremony. The Rohilla ran aground in a storm on October 30, 1914, and no fewer than five pulling lifeboats and one of the shire, have for a long time supported earliest motor lifeboats took part in the rescue. Eighty-four lives were lost, 85 were taken off by Longhope lifeboat station, Orkney. lifeboat and 60 swam ashore. photograph by courtesy of Whitby Gazette When the lifeboat was lost with all her crew in 1969 the Gloucestershire village decided to send birthday presents to the children of every crew member until their 18th birthday. The youngest will be 18 early this year but the link between the two villages remains and Mrs Joan Penfold, widow of the former Rector of Longhope, Glos., hopes to visit Orkney this year.

Unaccustomed Tourists The city of Voroshilovgrad in the land-locked Ukraine is twinned to Car- diff by the non-political GB-USSR Friendship Association. On a recent visit to Wales, three of the Ukrainian townsmen specially asked to see a lifeboat station and were accordingly shown round The Mumbles station by Coxswain Derek Scott. 130 The Lifeboat Inn for many years. It had been a story that Mr Langridge kept at the inn a small vessel for life saving and Letters... this small lifeboat, it was said, was lowered down through a shaft in the cliff to the beach, from whence it would go to the help of shipwrecked mariners. Brighton lifeboat station This unlikely tale was given some cre- I read with interest the reference in dence and we examined an early map of the summer issue of THE LIFEBOAT to the the area which showed a substantial fact that Brighton lifeboat station was shaft driven through the cliff, and this of marking its own 160th anniversary in course being long before any sewerage 1984 as well as that of the Institution. works or the like were undertaken. There had, however, been concern for A few years ago also, when the RNLI lifesaving on that part of the Sussex moved its base of operations, a model Coxswain Thomas Cocking of St Ives, at the coast long before the RNLI was was discovered in a storeroom of a Royal Festival Hall last May to receive his founded. small boat that was seemingly to seat second silver medal, signs the Knebworth and In 1786 a scheme was seriously put three people, with a cover that could be District branch's copy of Patrick Howarth's forward for cutting large gaps or pas- pulled over to make the vessel water- book In Danger's Hour for Mrs Hazel sages through the cliffs between New- Entecott, branch honorary secretary. The tight. At the request of the late Gra- book, with already 240 signatures, is to be haven and Brighton, as a means of hame Farr, I examined the vessel and giving help to shipwrecked mariners. A sold to raise funds for the lifeboat service (see photographs, and identified it as the letter below). notice was published in the Sussex Messenger, being the vessel provided by Advertiser stating: William Balcombe Langridge, and in should write to me, Mrs H. J. Entecott, 'The numerous shipwrecks which have fact his name is painted on it. So the honorary secretary, Knebworth and occurred within these past few weeks story becomes complete, but of course between Newhaven Piers and Chene Gap, District branch, 31 Hornbeam Spring, and particularly those melancholy inst- it was not a very practical idea, and Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6BE. ances which have occurred in the past Langridge moved on to another The closing date is March 3, 1985; a week, have induced many humane and scheme. reserve price of £50 will go to the RNLI well-disposed people to express most anx- The next step forward on that part of if there is no higher offer. iously their hope that some measure may the Sussex coast appears to have been in There are more than 240 signatures in be taken for the preservation of the lives of 1802, when a number of shipowners, the book collected between September those who may hereafter be shipwrecked masters of vessels and farmers met at 1982 and the present day. They will be in the same part of the coast. . .' The Bridge Hotel, Newhaven, to con- added to whenever the opportunity A meeting was duly held the next sider providing a lifeboat for Newhaven. occurs up to the date of dispatch. We Saturday at The White Hart Hotel, A Greathead Original lifeboat was sta- think that this book, signed in this way, Lewes, at which Lord Sheffield presi- tioned at Newhaven in 1803 but it was forms a unique record of the lifeboat ded and at which a committee was transferred to Brighton early in 1807, service at this time. formed. The cutting of gaps and pas- thus establishing the town as one of the Further details may be obtained by sages for the use of wagons and carts earliest with a lifeboat.—A. s. PAYNE, writing to me at the address given was, on consideration, thought to be Peacehaven, Sussex. above, enclosing a stamped and addres- too costly and unlikely to afford mate- sed envelope.—HAZEL ENTECOTT, Mrs, rial help, but machines fitted with rope, Sir, is this a record? honorary secretary, Knebworth and Dis- ladders and cages were to be left in the Among the letters in the autumn trict branch, Hertfordshire. care of responsible farmers using the issue of THE LIFEBOAT I noticed one from cliffs. From subscriptions raised cliff Anstruther lifeboat station claiming a Ceremonial colour cranes were provided as required. record for its collecting box at the My husband was one of the three The first recorded mention of the use boathouse. I am pleased to say that we lifeboatmen from Newhaven who of cliff cranes occurred in the year 1800, can beat their record: for the financial formed the colour party which received when the sloop, HMS Brazen, was driven year 1983 our boathouse collecting the RNLI's new ceremonial colour from ashore just off Chene Gap, west of boxes contained £2,385 and last year the HM The Queen Mother at the Royal Newhaven. Her master was drowned, amount was £2,553. We are of course Festival Hall last May. I wonder if there together with 104 members of his crew; fortunate that our lifeboat station is just was anyone present who took a colour by a strange quirk of fate, the only man off the town centre and open to the photograph of the three men together who survived to tell the terrible tale was public during the summer months. with the flag who would be kind enough a non-swimmer. The report in the I am hoping somebody will be able to to let us have a print? It would be very Mariners Chronicle describes how two beat us.—ERIC w. BANCROFT, station much appreciated as a reminder of that machines were dragged to the top of the honorary secretary, Tenby, Dyfed. special occasion.—P. E. JOHNS, Mrs, cliff, in readiness to be of use when the 6 Marine Court, Fort Road, Newhaven, tide made it possible. These machines 240 signatures—any offers? E. Sussex BN9 9EN. were constructed like a swing crane to Knebworth and District branch has a hang over the precipice; a rope was copy of Patrick Howarth's book In Weather protection reeved through each, from which a Danger's Hour in which has been col- We have a devoted band of ladies cage, large enough to contain three lected the signatures of crew members who are doing very well selling souve- men, was suspended. and lifeboat associates and officials nirs but they are hampered by the fact In 1798 we learn of a property known around the British Isles. We should like that English summers, even the last as The Lifeboat Inn', at Portobello at to invite offers for this book by post to one, are wet on occasion. We need Telscombe Cliffs, and from records raise money for the Institution. There protection for our helpers and the available it would appear to have been are many interesting signatures, from souvenirs, but as the stall has to be situated slightly east of the ridge of HRH The Duke of Kent to a gentleman erected on all types of surface from Telscombe Tye on the north side of the in Scotland who served 60 years with grass to concrete most of the more South Coast Road, then known as the the lifeboat service as crew member, obvious solutions are non-starters. We Dover Road. The property belonged to second coxswain, coxswain and, when have considered tents and awnings, but a William Balcombe Langridge, a not- retired from the boat, as head launcher these need to be pegged down. At some ary public from Lewes, and he, with his for 12 years. locations we would be unable to place a business partner Christopher Kell, ran Those wishing to make an offer continued on page 132 131 to be fairly manoeuvrable, but she was under its own power. By the end of the later found to be difficult to propel into year the essential parts of the engine a breaking surf. had been made watertight and further Books ... The first RNLI lifeboat at Ackergill successful trials held. Twenty tractors was established there following a vio- were ordered, the first going on station lent storm in December 1876 when nine at Hunstanton early in 1921. • In 1983 was published the first part men lost their lives; before that time This incident is just one of the many of the late Grahame Farr's comprehen- lifeboat cover had been provided by in Hunstanton's long lifeboat history, sive Lists of British Lifeboats, covering taking a lifeboat overland from Wick. which falls into three parts: 1824 to non self-righting, pulling and sailing The Ackergill station was closed in 1843, 1867 to 1931 and from 1979 to boats from 1775 to 1916. Before his 1932. Connections between the two 1984. The first RNLI lifeboat was death later that year, Mr Farr, former stations have always been closely inter- placed there in 1867 and was called honorary archivist of the Lifeboat En- woven, and it is therefore fitting that Licensed Victualler. The book follows thusiasts' Society, had also completed their stories should be told in one book. the station's history from its beginnings, the preparation of Part 2 of this impor- Copies are available from Mr A. right up to the present day lifeboat, the tant work of reference, covering self- Anderson, Shiloh, Riverside Drive, Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable Spirit of righting, pulling and sailing lifeboats Janetstown, Wick, Caithness, price America. The book is well illustrated from 1851 to 1918. This second part £1.00 plus 25 pence postage and with photographs of past and present thus picks up the record of early life- packing.—S.J.G. lifeboats, and many of the services boats in the year in which the Duke of carried out by the station's crews are Northumberland offered a prize for the • Having spent many happy hours at recounted. Copies can be obtained from best design of a self-righting lifeboat. Hunstanton while on holiday in Norfolk the honorary secretary, Mr D. Considerably longer than Part 1, Lists as a child, Theo Stibbons' book, The McLeod, Park House, Old Hunstanton, of British Lifeboats Part 2: Self-righting, Hunstanton Lifeboats (Poppyland Pub- Norfolk, PE36 6JS, price £1.20 plus 25p Pulling and Sailing Lifeboats, 1851 to lishing), brought back many personal postage and packing.—S.J.G. 1918, has now been published. It is memories. The book, however, will available from Mrs E. M. Farr, 98 bring back many more memories than • All the romance and the realism of Combe Avenue, Portishead, Bristol my own; there will still be people in the coastal trade in Thames spritsail BS20 9JX, price £3.50 including postage Hunstanton who remember the launch- sailing barges is to be found in Coasting and packing anywhere in the UK.—J.D. ing of the lifeboats when the carriage Bargemaster by Bob Roberts, reprinted was drawn by horses and who must also after 35 years by Mallard Reprints, • The latest addition to Jeff Morris' remember the first tractor trials held by Water Street, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suf- collection of station history booklets is the RNLI in 1920. The trials were held folk (£6.95). It is written by a seaman of The Story of the Wick and Ackergill over five days and the beach at Old great skill who had spent his long years Lifeboats. As with all its predecessors Hunstanton proved to be the ideal spot as a boy, mate and master under sail in the booklet is well researched, written to hold them as flat sand, sand dunes complete contentment; he would have and illustrated with many historic and and rocky ground could all be found in chosen no other life. Moreover, the tale modern photographs. Two clear, dia- the area. is told with all the ease of a man who grammatic maps, showing all the local All went well until a lifeboat launch must surely have spent days, waiting for landmarks along the coast, enable the was attempted. As the tractor had not storms to abate or for a favourable shift reader to follow the course taken on all been adapted for use in water, the of wind, yarning with his fellow barge- the Wick or Ackergill lifeboat services carburettor, magneto, sparking plugs men in familiar dockside hostelries. recounted. and ignition were all exposed and as salt As well as the good days, Bob There has been a lifeboat at Wick water came into contact with them the Roberts tells of havoc wrought by since 1848, when a boat was provided motor stopped; within 30 minutes the barges caught out in severe gales and of by the British Fishery Society. Two lifeboat carriage and tractor were total- rescues by East Anglian lifeboats. The years earlier than that a lifeboat pro- ly submerged by the rising tide. Howev- book ends with the loss of the boom- pelled by two paddle-wheels amidships er, after it had been recovered from the rigged ketch barge Martinet, of which had been built; early trials showed her sea and dried out the tractor moved off he was the master. One pitch black wartime night off a shore heavily pro- tected against invasion, Martinet started Letters from page 131 What are the odds on the result? In making water fast and, with no chance 1983 Mrs M. R. Harding of Bath won of reaching port, foundered. Happily, caravan, even if we could afford one. the gallon, the eighth ticket out of the however, her distress flares were seen We thought of trying to purchase a barrel. Last year, the eighth ticket out and Aldeburgh's second lifeboat, called secondhand market stall, but these are of the barrel had been purchased by— by the station the 'summer boat', was too substantial for the job. guess who? Mrs M. R. Harding of Bath. able to reach the crew in time.—J.D. We wonder if any branch has solved At the time I did not realise the the problem by either buying or making incredible coincidence. Only the lady's • Yachtsmen (and especially those a temporary stall which can easily be telephone call brought the matter to my who write book reviews) have been erected and transported by ladies. We notice. asking for a number of years why the would welcome suggestions.—DAVID To make our draw night a social publishers of nautical almanacs each SPENCER, chairman, Teignmouth success, we perform the ceremony at year reprint, in addition to the ever- branch, Devon. the First and Last Inn at Sennen. changing ephemerides and tide tables, Thanks to the generosity of the land- the same old chapters on subjects which Long odds lady, Mrs Rose Sima, we had a super never change, or change little over the Each year in Sennen Cove we have a evening. There was a pastie competi- years, and could be reprinted every five raffle for which the main prize is a tion. Members of the crew, the shore years or so. gallon bottle of whisky. In 1983 all helpers and committee (men only) Well, with the Macmillan and Silk 20,000 tickets, costing just a few pence, baked special pasties, with a small entry Cut Nautical Almanac it has happened! were sold, mostly to visitors to our fee going to the RNLI. The price of the 1985 Almanac has lifeboathouse, and £800.60 was raised. Lightning does strike in the same fallen marginally to £10.50 and it has In 1984 the price of the ticket was lifted place twice, it would seem! Pity it did got thinner. But look at the price of the slightly. Only 18,500 tickets were sold not strike my pastie.—JAMES SUMMER- companion Macmillan and Silk Cut but once again a handsome profit was LEE, chairman, Sennen Cove branch, Yachtsman's Handbook (£14.95) the made: £1,058.36. Cornwall. cynics will say: you don't get much 132 change from £26 for the complete pack- crew to 'shoot the sun' and see how well Obituaries age. In fairness to the publishers, and they had done by instant plotting of assuming that the handbook will last position lines using the rapid sight- five years, it should be pointed out that reduction method. Did we plant a seed? IT is with deep regret that we record the only £3 of this should be counted in this Can this be the same . . . yes it is! And following deaths: year's budget making £13.50. More- Philip Ouvry seems to have put together Mrs I. P. Macintyre, patron of Air- over, the almanac has been expanded a good team with Pat Langley-Price. drie branch since its re-constitution in within its revised brief to include addi- Their earlier book Yachtmaster was well 1980. Mrs Macintyre served as the guild tional items, in particular details of a received by students for that RYA/DoT honorary secretary from 1930 to 1957 further 180 small harbours and anchor- qualification and I am sure that this new and as president from 1957 to 1980; she ages between the Loire and the Elbe, book Ocean Yachtmaster—Celestial was awarded a framed picture in 1941, and, secondly, the handbook contains Navigation (Adlard Coles, Granada, the gold badge in 1952 and the bar to many new features which did not £12.95) will meet with equal acclaim. the gold badge in 1967. appear in the almanac, notably the They have not included the 'instant chapters on hulls, spars, rigging, ropes fix' technique in their book with good September, 1984 and sails, deck gear, engines and elec- reason; it requires special equipment Ex-Provost Adam C. H. Todd, chair- trics, below-deck items, boat-handling like a siderial stopwatch and is well man of Girvan station branch since and running a boat. outside the syllabus for RYA/DoT 1947; he was awarded a statuette in If I had a criticism of the handbook, Ocean Yachtmaster students at whom 1968 and the silver badge in 1984. this would be over the inclusion of Dr the book is directed. I hope, however, Sadler's sight-reduction tables in the that they will not frighten off any October, 1984 chapter on astro-navigation. I believe student who opens the book at random Mrs M. Saunders, president of Blyth that if the publishers offered a substan- and is confronted with such items as ladies' guild since 1977. Mrs Saunders tial prize to anyone who can prove that haversines, ABC or transverse tables was a founder member of the guild in he has used these tables at sea in the last which are also outside the RYA sylla- 1926 and served as honorary treasurer five years, their money would be quite bus and which have been rendered from 1934 to 1976; she was awarded the safe.—K.M. obsolete for many years by the pre- silver badge in 1961 and the gold badge computed Alt-Az tables and the elec- in 1984. • Oh no, I said, not another self- tronic calculator. Apart from this, the Mrs Eva Sugden at 107 years of age. congratulatory saga of feats of ocean instruction is excellent. Mrs Sugden was a founder member of navigation, as I fluttered through the As a supplement to the earlier pub- Spenborough ladies' guild in 1928 and pages of Modern Ocean Cruising by lication Yachtmaster, Pat Langley-Price for many years served as honorary Jimmy Cornell (Adlard Coles, Grana- and Philip Ouvry have also produced secretary. She remained a member of da, £8.95). And then I started to read a Yachtmaster Exercises (Adlard Coles, the guild, taking great interest in all its page here and there . . . and then I Granada, £6.95). It comes with a copy activities. turned back to page 1 and started to of exercise chart 5055 and contains a read and did not stop until I had read it well chosen selection of test questions November, 1984 from cover to cover. As I put the book and worked examples.—K.M. Mrs Joan Field, president of Bridling- down, I noted, for the first time, its • The VHF Yachtmaster pack pro- ton lifeboat luncheon club from 1981 to sub-title: 'Boats, Gear and Crews Sur- 1984. Mrs Field had been a member of duced by Adlard Coles (£9.95) and also veyed', which should, perhaps, have the club since the 1960s and she had been the title in the first place. prepared by Pat Langley-Price and Philip Ouvry, provides all the informa- served as assistant honorary secretary This is the most fascinating distilla- from 1976 to 1977, speaker secretary tion of the wisdom of the real ocean tion required by a small craft VHF operator. A well laid out booklet con- from 1977 to 1978 and as chairman from wanderers compiled by one of their 1978to 1981. number. Before taking any notice of tains step by step instructions which are all clearly demonstrated on the accom- Mr T. C. Hart, president of The opinions on the type of boat to choose Lizard-Cadgwith station branch since panying cassette tape. Every aspect of for cruising, the author set a limit to the 1982. Mr Hart, a branch committee VHF communications which may be re- qualification to have an opinion as member since 1948, had served as quired has been dealt with, including having sailed a minimum of 2,000 miles vice-chairman from 1955 to 1976, hon- the role of HM Coastguard and the in three months or more (62 boats). orary treasurer from 1957 to 1982 and Coast Radio Stations. The booklet also For the more general subjects: living chairman from 1976 to 1980; he was contains a comprehensive set of the afloat, seamanship, navigation, children awarded the silver badge in 1967 and various regulations and publications and pets aboard, hazards, planning and the gold badge in 1982. likely to be needed. the lot of 'seawives' in cruising yachts, a Phillip Arthur May, a crew member more rigorous criterion was set; opin- The booklet requires two minor amendments, one factual and the other of Padstow lifeboat for 27 years, serving ions were recorded only from boats as emergency mechanic from 1952 to for clarity. Firstly, the statement in the which had been cruising continuously 1972. for at least a year and covered a third paragraph on page 16 is somewhat premature as the HM Coastguard VHF minimum of 5,000 miles from base (50 December, 1984 DF installation programme is only par- boats). The author has treated the Captain Henry Beresford Harvey, tially complete. Some centres, mostly in answers he got statistically so that the who served as honorary secretary of the southern part of the United King- reader can benefit from the majority Sennen Cove station branch from 1963 dom, have access to two VHF direction view and not be misled by personal to 1975; he was awarded a Public finders, though it is planned to extend ideas of the few. Relations award in 1969, a barometer in If you are thinking of leaving the this facility to each rescue centre during the next two or three years. Secondly, 1974 and the thanks of the Institution rat-race, selling up, buying a boat and inscribed on vellum in 1976. setting off round the world, you must the regulations on page 49 could be buy this book.—K.M. clarified by adding 'or to communicate with the port operations service' to • When I was sailing round the world sentence number 8. The RNLI frequently receives memo- in 1958, a certain Sub-Lt Ouvry used to The examples on the tape are rial donations in lieu of flowers. Gifts appear on my bridge from his electrical straightforward with no opinions or recently received in memory of the late workshop from time to time possibly comments and a thorough knowledge of John Akroyd-Hunt, given to the life- attracted by the laughter accompanying its contents should benefit all users of boat service at his own request, attempts to get various members of the the system.—K.W. amounted to more than £800. 133 UNDER 16? JOIN Shoreline THE RNLI HAS JUST launched its new junior membership club, Storm Force. Aimed at young people under 16 years of age, Storm Force is designed to give youngsters a fascinating Section insight into the work of the RNLI. Individual membership costs £3 and group membership is open to a minimum of 10 Shoreline Survey members, at £1 each. A questionnaire has been sent out to two thousand Each member will be sent a badge, special membership Shoreline members with the aim of learning more about the certificate, poster, stickers and a regular newspaper—Storm membership to help with plans for future recruitment. The Force News—packed with exciting accounts of rescues, computer selected the two thousand at random, and there is, stories about lifeboat people, pictures and things to do. John of course, no way that anyone can connect a reply to a Ryan, the creator of Captain Pugwash, has donated some of person's name. The completed forms are totally anonymous. his cartoon strips and the newspaper will feature letters from Many of the questionnaires have been returned and are now Storm Force members themselves. being analysed. The overall results will be reported in the This journal should contain a leaflet with an application next issue of THE LIFEBOAT. form, so if you know of a youngster who is keen to learn about lifeboats and the daring deeds of life boatmen, eager to News from the clubs enter competitions which might mean a trip in a lifeboat, is a Are you a Shoreline member living in the West Midlands? collector of dynamic colour posters, badges and stickers and If so, West Midlands Shoreline Club is happy to have you as a likes buying gifts and souvenirs, then get him or her to join member. Their varied activities in 1984 were much enjoyed by Storm Force today. members and plans for 1985 include a slide show about the If an application form is not enclosed, or it has already recovery of the Mary Rose, an outing to The Mumbles been used, fill in the coupon below and send it to STORM lifeboat station and a visit to the National Lifeboat Museum FORCE HQ, RNLI, WEST QUAY ROAD, POOLE, and SS Great Britain in Bristol. Interested? Contact the RNLI DORSET, BH15 1HZ. at 16 Harborne Road, Birmingham B15 3AA, telephone: If your class, youth club or other group all want to join, see 021-454 3009. the second coupon. Shoreline members in South Yorkshire and North Der- byshire are welcome to join Sheffield Shoreline Club. Since Application for individual member last March they have held a pea and pie supper and have had I would like to join Storm Force. guest speakers on a variety of topics. Members have helped I enclose a cheque/postal order for £3. Sheffield branch with fund raising and interesting events are planned for 1985. Contact Ann Kisby, the secretary, at 16 FIRST NAMES Arnside Road, Sheffield S8 OUX. Telephone: Sheffield (Block Capitals) SURNAME 583679. Budding support ADDRESS Mrs Eileen Gore's beautiful garden at Rowsham was where an enthusiastic new Shoreline member, Sally Masters, was able to organise a coffee morning with the help of Aylesbury and Winslow branches. The garden made a perfect setting and £338 was raised during the morning. POSTCODE Nothing could persuade five- year-old Treve Davis to take a Group Membership lift during an 11-mile spon- Groups of ten people or more are welcome to become group sored walk in aid of Penlee members of Storm Force. The group receives 2 copies of lifeboat station. His proud Storm Force News, one certificate, a badge and stickers for grandfather, Shoreline mem- each member. Please send £1 for each member in the group. ber Mr L. C. Cornish of (Minimum £10) Penzance, sent in this photo- graph which was taken when NAME OF GROUP Treve, having completed the course, was presented with his GROUP ADDRESS ...... certificate to mark his achievement by dive Ben- netts, chairman of Penlee branch. Could he become one POSTCODE of the first members of the Storm Force? (See opposite).

To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as an: Annual Member £5.00 (minimum) D Annual Family Membership £7.50 (minimum) D Annual Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D Life Member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy d Name_ Address-

Reproduced by kind permission of Radio Times and The Bodley Head Over 110,000 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service. 134 Some

The bowls club of Britannic House, the London headquarters of British Petroleum, held an invitation tournament in August. It was in aid of the RNLI and this photograph shows the players launching their bowls towards the centre of the green at the start of the day. The sum of £213.27 was gratefully received by Lewisham branch as a result of the event. photograph by courtesy of the Editor, BP Club News

Despite being so far away, the Hong Kong, showed great patience in £700, the proceeds from another darts RNLI's Hong Kong branch works drawing all 50 prize-winning tickets. At marathon. The darts team from the tirelessly to raise funds for the Institu- the end of a very successful party, over White Hart Inn, Caistor, tried to score tion. The committee members were £2,500 had been raised. a million and one as quickly as possible, thrilled, therefore, when HRH The which they managed to do in 29 hours Duke of Kent, the Institution's presi- Mrs Irene Rush ton, a committee 30 minutes and 47 seconds. Dave and dent, very graciously made time to member of Tottington guild, made soft Mary Clark, landlords of the White receive them during a recent visit to toys and other items, raising £390 for Hart, kept the team well supplied with Hong Kong. For over half an hour the branch funds. In addition, with the help food and coffee. Duke spoke to Mrs Helga McPhail, Mrs of her husband, Mrs Rushton organised The twelfth International Bird Man Paddy Wilson, John Wilson and Roger a dinner dance which raised £270. At Rally, organised by Bognor Regis Lions Draper, all founder members of the another of the guild's events, an annual Club, raised £2,000 for the RNLI last branch. The Duke of Kent signed two garden party at the home of Mr and Mrs August. 65,000 people watched the copies of the limited edition print of Ratcliffe, Bury Soroptomists presented contestants, serious and comic, Penlee lifeboat Mabel Alice, drawn by a cheque for £250 to Derek Hallworth, attempting to fly further than 50 metres Roger Draper and advertised in this area organiser (North West). from the pier to win the £10,000 prize. issue. One of the branch's fund raising The event was sponsored by Butlins events was a midsummer night's pool Mr and Mrs Eric Hughes, landlords who had taken out special insurance to party, held at HMS Tamar. Music was of the Live and Let Live Inn, Ipswich, cover themselves in case, for the first played by the Regimental Band, 1st and their three children are very life- time, somebody did fly the distance. Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Later boat minded. Their two sons, Tom and That somebody turned out to be West the Best O'British disco also kept dan- Paul, together with daughter Bridget Germany's Harold Zimmer who flew cers entertained. Drinks for the evening and her fiance, Michael Parker, orga- 57.8 metres. were donated by the Carlsberg Lager nised a 24 hour sponsored darts company. Fifty raffle prizes encouraged marathon last June. The family were Branches in the south east district guests to buy tickets, the star prize delighted to hand a cheque for £560 to were very active in the summer of last being dinner for two on board the QE2, an equally delighted Ipswich branch. year and as a result, a few fund raising generously donated by Cunard. Michael Caistor branch in Lincolnshire were records have been beaten: Hythe Thomas QC, Attorney General of also thrilled to receive a cheque for branch was one of the busiest, organis- ing coffee mornings, flag week, a ball at Unmistakable, despite the Lympne Castle, a race night, valuation Tarn o'Shanter disguise, Ron- day and a Trafalgar Day breakfast, all nie Corbett takes the helm of of which helped to raise a tremendous Eyemouth's Waveney class £9,300 for RNLI funds. lifeboat which brought him to Broadstairs ladies' guild has been Eyemouth to open the ladies' guild's first ever gala last busy too. For nearly four months it ran August. It was linked to the a lifeboat shop which made £3,146 and annual lifeboat week; there other fund raising activities brought in a were stalls, raffles and teas further £1,100. Broadstairs branch and children had great fun on raised £2,714 and a new Shoreline club a rope slide rigged up by the is flourishing with nearly 100 members. Coastguards. The final result The end of Chatham Dock Yard also of the week's activities was an looked to be the end of Chatham impressive £3,000. branch, but it has been recently re- photograph by courtesy of D. M. Smith continued on page 137 135 At least a peck of pickled onions picked. Not by Peter Piper but Artist John Todd (I) admires some of the works on show at the exhibition he by a worthy rival in Mrs V. J. Anderson who over the last few mounted for three days in October at the Lesser Town Hall, Lossiemouth. With years has worked tirelessly, peeling and pickling her way to him is another exhibitor, Mr McPherson who, along with all the other artists, raising £600 for Fishponds branch, Bristol. She donates all agreed to pay 15 per cent commission to the RNLI on every painting sold. the ingredients with three cwt of onions passing through her Tommy Summers, mechanic of Fraserburgh lifeboat and himself an artist, opened hands every year. At 77 years old, she also still finds time to the show at a cheese and wine preview. One painting of a lifeboat, donated by the stack newspapers and sort used postage stamps for the branch artist, raised £92 in a raffle and a grand total of £550 was made for Lossiemouth as well as holding open house for collectors on flag day. guild over the three days. photograph by courtesy of Studio Tyrrell

Percy and Elizabeth Blunden opened their garden to the public at Keepers The road between John O'Groats and Land's End is lined with Cottage, Lindfield, West Sussex, last July. It was a beautiful day and their gold—at least for charities it is. Andrew Jones (I) and Robert magnificent garden was looking its best for the 597 people who came to enjoy it Denner (r), are seen here being given a send-off by the Lord and the teas that were served. By the end of the day, £457 had been raised for the Mayor of Swansea, Councillor Michael Murphy, before they lifeboats. catch a train bound for the northern tip of Scotland to begin their marathon bike ride to the western tip of Cornwall. The journey took ten days and took £1,272 in sponsorship for The Mumbles lifeboat appeal.

Silence is golden. Rabbi Jonathan Romain (r), minister of Maidenhead Synagogue, took part in a sponsored non-sermon in August. He toured shops and offices in Maidenhead and told people he would give them a 30 minute sermon on the merits of the RNLI unless they donated a pound or more to the Maidenhead Advertiser's fund raising efforts on behalf of the local newspaper week lifeboat appeal. For many it was likely to Confused? All those in lifejackets in this picture are not lifeboatmen—in fact, it is be the only opportunity they would ever have of stopping a quite obvious that they are not even men. They are some of the staff of the minister's sermon. Only once or twice did he have even to start Liscard, Wallasey, branch of Marks and Spencer who have helped to raise £1,600 to preach. He is pictured receiving a donation from local for New Brighton lifeboat station and are seen here with their manager, Chris shopkeeper Keith Petty and his total collection came to a Glover (centre), presenting the money to real life members of the crew. remarkable £250. photograph of courtesy of Bob Bird photograph by courtesy of Maidenhead Advertiser

136 'It's a bit big now, but you'll grow into it in a year or two'. In fact, this is Coxswain Joseph Sassoon of Kirkcudbright Three triumphant waves from (I to r) Dawn Moore, her husband Jon and Maggie showing young Ian Thomson what it is like being dressed up Annat. They have just completed a remarkable 22 week circumnavigation of like a lifeboatman. He brought the clothing with him when he Britain by canoe. All three are instructors at Outward Bound Wales at Aberdovey was invited by Glenkens lifeboat guild to draw the raffle tickets and Dawn and Maggie are the first women to achieve the round trip. The at an art exhibition and cake sale in New Galloway Town Hall. sponsorship they raised for completing the course has produced £1,000 for the Some of the paintings by local artists were for sale and there was RNLI and £1,000 for the Outward Bound Trust. also a competition for children's paintings. The event made photograph by courtesy of Hull Daily Mail £300 for the RNLI.

formed and in its first house to house Gordon Butterworth, president of the collection raised £1,016, more than fund. Ian Keith, an executive officer in trebling its previous best total in 49 the Ministry of Defence, raised years of existence. £1,101.42 in sponsorship money when « Southborough branch added extra he ran the London marathon in May impetus to its flag week in 1984, raising last year. This money has also been over £1,159, a fifty per cent increase on donated to the Sir Galahad appeal. the previous highest sum. Although only formed in 1982 Faversham branch In 1967 ex-lifeboat motor mechanic is showing that it too knows how to James Mitchell opened a museum in raise money; £2,473 was the result of a Portpatrick to sell souvenirs and main- very successful flag week, a Martell tain his links with the RNLI. In its first evening and a barbecue at Hollow- year the museum raised £700. In 1972 shore. In 1981 a new committee was James Mitchell's daughter, Mrs Patsy formed in charge of fund raising for Milligan, took over the running of the Sittingbourne and District branch. Since museum after his death. Since 1967 the that time the branch's very enthusiastic museum has made about £50,000 profit members have amassed over £13,500. and lifeboat week, first held in 1974, has made £10,000. Kings Lynn branch was also founded in 1967 and since that time In September Holsworthy branch the branch has raised over £23,000. One held a wine and cheese evening. Enter- of the founding members, Mrs Eleanor tainment was provided, free of charge, Smith, is now in her eighties and is still a by a country and western duo, The keen supporter of the RNLI. Sundowners. Local BBC Radio Devon personality Douglas Mounce was com- Totton and District branch had a Burrows Caravan Site at Morton on the pere for the evening. The event raised souvenir stand at the three day Netley Cower Peninsula has, for several years, held £446 and was much enjoyed by all who Marsh steam engine rally. The canvas a sports day in aid o/Horton and Port Eynon attended. overhead cover, normally used to keep lifeboat. Under the direction of Reg James (I), branch members dry, last year pre- a paraplegic, and his helpers, the event raises vented them all from getting sunstroke. over £500 each year. The photograph shows When asked to supply a complete set At the end of the rally over £748 had Reg James handing this summer's takings to of Admiralty charts for a London ship- been raised. The branch's 1984 house to Walter Grove, honorary secretary of Horton broker, staff at Shell were able to oblige house collection and flag day showed a and Pan Eynon lifeboat station. with the charts of the recently scrapped photograph by courtesy of 60 per cent increase on the 1983 total South Wales Evening Post tanker Acavus. Having declined pay- with £1,600 being collected. ment and suggested instead the gentle- man might like to donate money to the At the 1984 Southampton boat show largest amount of money and Sir Peter RNLI, Shell was very pleased to pass on held in September, Vice-Admiral Sir presented them with an RNLI shield £500 to the Institution. Peter Compston, a deputy chairman of and a magnum of champagne donated the RNLI, received a cheque for £7,000 by Champagne Mumm. To add to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's from Tim Powell, chairman of the fund to buy a lifeboat to commemorate round Britain powerboat race organis- Summer is the season of flag days and RFA Sir Galahad, lost during the Falk- ing committee. During the race, run in house to house collections, and many land's campaign, the ship's company July, powerboat crews decided to use branches had record results in 1984: from RFA Olna donated £2,290 when the the event to raise money for the Institu- Hitchen branch's flag day raised a total ship returned from four and a half tion and well over 1,000 individuals and of £935.77. Included in this amount was months in the South Atlantic. The companies responded to the appeal and an anonymous donation of £100 made cheque was handed over by BBC Spot- sponsored boats. The crew of the Hen- by a local firm. Tenby ladies' guild light presenter Sue King to Captain derson for Doors powerboat raised the continued on page 139 137 A floating batmobile that could have done with being able to fly. Shoreline member Mr K. Kendall's entry in last summer's South Kibble raft race had, for much of the seven mile course, to be carried and pulled along the drought affected river. It took the crew two hours Boxing clever: Les Brunskill of Alvaston, Derby, makes bird boxes and fifty minutes but their efforts were well rewarded in sponsorship and sells them for £2.50 each, all of which goes to the RNLI. He has for the RNLI which amounted to £150. made no fewer than 185 of them so far, at a total value of £462.50. He charges nothing for the materials and sells them himself and through Littleover and Ilkeston branches. His target is £500 for the Institution but will go on making them for as long as there is a demand. photograph by courtesy of Derby Evening Telegraph

In at the deep end: Coxswain Richard Davies of Cramer (r) demonstrates the depths to which he will sink in order to collect money for the Cromer lifeboat appeal. The East Anglian branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club held a sponsored snorkel swim in Norwich and raised The stand that says it all. Dot Emblin, Molly Walter and Mary an impressive £625. The deep end of Cromer Country Club swimming Slocombe (I to r) of the newly formed North Walsham branch on duty pool seemed—to the club members at least—an appropriate place to behind their souvenir stall at the Worstead Festival in September. They hand the money over. made £444 during their time there.

To commemorate the RNLI's 160th year, an amateur radio station was set up for a weekend in August at Clacton lifeboat station, thanks to the co-operation of the crew and honorary secretary. Its 12 operators were drawn from Harlow Radio Club and Haver- ing and District Radio Club; they made 581 contacts and reached amateur radio stations as far away as Norway, Russia, Switzerland An indication of the interest aroused by Staithes and Runswick lifeboat weekend last July. It all and Italy. The picture shows Terry, G6CNQ, began with a traditional nightgown parade on the Friday evening through Staithes, led by a jazz at the controls in the foreground and the band. The next day Staithes and Runswick and Whitby lifeboats exercised with an RAF helicopter event's organiser Keith, G3WRO, beyond in the bay and an RAF Bulldog aircraft gave a display. There were stalls and sideshows, a fancy him. Goodwill generated by the event meant dress competition and a fireworks display on the beach. The weekend was a huge success and a that £260 was received by the RNLI from £3,000 profit was the result. photograph by courtesy of Whitby Gazette friends and associates of the operating team. 138 organised its flag day throughout the During the Stamps and Hobbies Ex- race. Paul Rutherford, navigator on the Tenby and Saundersfoot areas and col- hibition held at HM Prison Dartmoor Puffa Duvet Clothing entry, was spon- lected a tremendous £4,825; one of its over August Bank Holiday weekend sored throughout the race. More than collectors, Jack Thomas, chairman of last summer, a cheque for £1,500 was 370 people sponsored Paul; it was a Tenby management committee, presented by the deputy governor, mammoth task contacting them all but travelled on the first boat to Caldy Tony Murphy, to Dave Garrett, the the hard work was well rewarded when Island every day for the whole of honorary secretary of Appledore station £750 was collected. lifeboat week and collected money from branch; it was the second such generous visitors to the Island. Tiring though the gift to be made to Appledore in the year By calling on all local branches and daily journey was, Mr Thomas was well by the staff and inmates of Dartmoor guilds, Birmingham branch was able to rewarded with £747.31 in his collecting Prison who are combining in a volun- have six collectors on duty at the city boxes. Islay's lifeboat week coincided tary scheme to sort stamps and make shopping centre every day for a week with the station's 50th anniversary them up into packets to be sold to help from Sam to 6pm. The branch was able celebrations and included many special the RNLI. All used British or foreign to put on the display by kind permission events, such as a Scottish country stamps which can be sent will be 'grist to of the centre's owners, Norwich Union, dance, fashion show, a concert, gala the mill' for this imaginative scheme; and featured an Atlantic 21 and D class day and an anniversary ball. At the end they should be addressed to Senior lifeboat. At the end of the week a of the week's celebrations, nearly Officer Les Blake, HM Prison Dart- magnificent total of £2,661 had been £3,000 had been raised. moor, Princetown, Yelverton, Devon collected. PL20. The Blue Bell Inn at Smallwood, Pupils from Abbots Farm Middle Cheshire, is well inland but still man- During the summer TV Times, in School, Rugby, took part in a competi- ages to give great support to the Institu- conjunction with Central Television, tion to design a charity collecting box. tion. Over the last five years the inn has ran the competition: TV Times Star The boys and girls made a marvellous collected £500 which has been for- Family Challenge. Young members RNLI collecting box, complete with warded to Alsager guild, members of from 20 show business families com- lifeboathouse, slipway and a lifeboat which recently visited the Blue Bell to peted against each other in a series of which is launched as the money drops in give further encouragement to its land- sporting disciplines; swimming, car to the box. The school's entry was lords, Mr and Mrs Robert Slack. driving, uni-cycle riding and racing the among the top prize winners and re- ceived £20 in prize money. A locally organised Songs of Praise is clock over a commando-type assault fast becoming an annual event at Char- course. Points gained were turned into One of the many windsurfing schools pounds for the charity of the family's lestown Harbour, St Austell, with many and clubs which gave tremendous people, locals and visitors alike, taking choice. Fourteen-year-old John Wilson, support to Tim Batstone during his spon- part with great enjoyment. It was the son of former world darts champion, sored windsurf around Britain in aid of idea of St Austell branch committee Jocky Wilson, competed on behalf of the RNLI, was B. I. S. Mercers Park member, Ron Kirkham, who, although the RNLI and made £180. not one himself, knew a Cornishman's Landing an lllb 9-V4OZ eel cannot be the love for singing. A collection made Olympic class rowing was recently easiest thing in the world, but 11-year-old organised by Carlo and Adrian Gen- Barry Davies (I) managed it and won £100, a during last year's event amounted to fishing rod and other prizes by beating all £300 for the Institution. ziani, landlords of The Mariners public house, Frensham. All was not quite comers at the Bognor Regis Amateur Angling Society's fishing festival last summer. The To thank house to house collectors what it seemed, however, because the picture shows him receiving his booty from and other helpers of Hoylake ladies' rowing was on a video cassette; the Keith Williams of Corina Cleaning Services, guild, Mrs Mary Neal, president, in- event was the British gold medal win- one of the sponsors of the festival which vited them all to her house for a coffee ning performance in the coxed four netted £300 for Bognor Regis branch. morning on June 11, 1984. Rear Admir- race. Altogether 25 Olympic oarsmen al W. J. Graham, director, was guest and women attended the lunchtime speaker, keeping the 80 ladies present showing which raised £150 for Farnham well entertained with stories from his branch. Adrian Genziani himself com- Naval past. During the last year peted in Los Angeles in the coxed pair Hoylake guild raised £4,728, of which rowing event. Farnham branch also £2,934 came from house to house benefited from another nautical race, collections. this time the round Britain powerboat

On your bike: Harry Brown, setting off from Sunderland, only to return there 7 hours, 48 minutes and 41 seconds later having covered 154 miles on the way to York Minster and back. Sponsors were asked to estimate the time he would take and the winner, only 13 seconds out, won her- self a weekend holiday for two in the Yokshire Dales, kindly donated by Trust House Forte Ltd. Peter Cordnell, manager of the Washington Post House Hotel, is seen (I) bidding Harry bon voyage with Gerry Finn, honorary secretary of Sunderland lifeboat station. The bicycle trip raised £238.50 for Sunderland branch. 139 home in September last year. Twenty- the Disabled Association and the five people attended the party and League of Friends. Bungay branch it- £62.85 profit was made. self, by a special effort, raised £500 for the Cromer appeal and both cheques To ensure good takings and good were received, with obvious gratitude, relations with its collecting box holders, by Jim Smith, Cromer's station honor- Yateley branch has thought of two ary secretary. ideas. A competition is run between public houses with collecting boxes to As a special way of saying thank you see who can raise the most, and at to the collectors who helped raise Christmas time, each box holder is sent £1,866 during Hull's flag day, a trip to a Christmas card thanking them for Humber lifeboat station was organised. their support. Two of the visitors to the station were Mrs Fullerton and her grand-daughter The Institution was £935.25 better off Lisa Jewell who collected over £104 on after a cheque for that amount was lifeboat day. presented to Rear Admiral W. J. Gra- Bob Crosse, a regular visitor to the ham, director, outside Clovelly lifeboat Cross Inn, Tisbury, had half his beard station. Daniel Campbell-Garnett, who shaved off and had to live with only the presented the cheque, along with 29 other half for a week. At the end of others canoed for sponsorship from seven days he was able to announce he Hartland to Lundy and then on to had raised £32 for the RNLI through Clovelly. They camped overnight on sponsorship. Lundy and paddled the 16 miles back to Clovelly the following day. Mrs Edie Barker, a bicycling grand- mother from Burnham, and her cycling A series of lectures on small boat companion, 19-year-old Julie Ponder, radar may not immediately spring to raised £350 on a sponsored ride round Dogged determination shows on the face of mind as a fund raising event, but such a the Dengie Hundred. The journey took Elsa the Great Dane. She (along with her series, organised by the RYA and Mars owner Rex Bolton, honorary treasurer of the two women from Burnham to Brad- Telford South branch,), is on her way to com- Marine Systems, raised £629.63, the well, then on to Maldon, where the pleting the 12 kilometre Telford charity trek money coming from the sale of tickets sponsor forms were signed at the police and raising £57 in sponsorship for the RNLI. for the lectures. station, before returning to Burnham. The trek is an annual event organised by The money was divided equally be- the Rotary Club of Ironbridge and Telford At the National Inland Waterways tween Burnham Day Centre and the Athletic Club and entrants are invited to take Rally, held over a weekend in August local RNLI branch. part on behalf of the charity of their choice. 1984, Coventry ladies' guild was gener- Other walkers for the RNLI were Mrs Ruth ously given a free stand by the organis- A sponsored water ski marathon over Worsley, branch honorary secretary, Mrs 26.5 miles was held in near perfect Linda Chapman, chairman, Brian Jackson, ers. Over 700 boats attended the rally; his wife Anne and Gilbert Jarvis. Altogether there were long boats and narrow boats conditions in Aberdovey river estuary they brought in £186.25. and barge owners in 1890 period cos- on July 7, 1984. Each of a number of photograph by courtesy of Shropshire Star tumes. More than 10,000 visitors were teams was sponsored and when all the attracted each day. Through the sale of money was collected in, just over £2,000 lottery tickets, souvenirs and white had been raised. A cheque was pre- Windsurfing Club in Redhill, Surrey. elephant items, the guild raised £920 sented to Searson Thompson, president The club raised over £1,400 which over the three days of the rally. of Aberdovey guild, by Mike Brannigan, earned them top prize in a national promotor of the event. competition between clubs. At a special Small though the seaside town of presentation evening, held at Lancelyn Huns tan ton may be, its fund raising As part of Redcar carnival week last Country Club in September, Tim Bat- results belie the town's size. A coffee August, the Zetland museum, the main stone handed over the club's prize, a morning held in June last year at the exhibit of which is the Zetland, the giant bottle of Charles Heidsieck cham- home of guild chairman Mrs R. D. oldest surviving lifeboat, held an open pagne. The club's chairman, Ian Rus- Clark raised over £500 in just an hour day with guided tours for visitors and sell, was one of the top five individual and a half. The flag day raised £839.72 tea facilities. It turned out to be a very fund raisers in the country and won with a further £717.79 coming from busy day with 540 people visiting the himself a sailboard. souvenirs. In all, the guild raised about museum and £150 being raised. £12,000 in the last financial year. A rejuvenated Teignmouth branch, For three successive years Sarah, increased its flag week total from £183 (aged 15) and Julia Mellors (12) have A garden party, held annually at the in 1983 to £905 in 1984. A wide variety organised a fete in aid of the RNLI at same house for nearly 20 years, which of functions helped the branch to send Trimley St Martin near Felixstowe. This has even survived a change of own- £6,000 to RNLI headquarters during its year's fete raised £392 and in total all ership of the house, was organised by last financial year. three have raised £937.90. Croston branch. The property is now owned by the parents of Bill Beaumont, Heworth ladies' guild held a cheese Although they are fairly small events, former captain of England and British and wine and meat demonstration even- the beetle drives organised by Mrs Lions rugby teams, and Bill Beaumont ing at St William's College, York, in Joyce Pither, a Croydon branch mem- himself was present this year. September 1984 and raised over £440. ber, and her husband, are proving to be The evening included a demonstration very popular and successful fund raising By selling nearly new clothes from of cutting and cooking meat by Richard events. Six such drives have been orga- her stall in the courtyard of the Angel Hudson, whose family business in nised so far, bringing in a total of £421, Inn, Bungay, Dinky Payne was able to Heworth village celebrated its 50th and more are planned for the future. raise £1,000 for the Cromer lifeboat anniversary in 1984. J. W. Hudson, appeal. The money was made in just Butchers, also donated a whole lamb to Mrs Mildred Gugula, honorary secre- three and a half weeks and the result is the Yorkshire Evening Press to raise tary of Wood Green branch, organised a all the more remarkable because Dinky funds for the local newspaper week small Michaelmas supper party at her was also able to give £1,000 cheques to lifeboat appeal. 140 Borth, Dyfed Relief 52ft Arun: June 27, July 12 and 15 Lifeboat Services D class inflatable: June 3, July 8, 9,13,24 Flamborough, Humberside from page 117 and 29 37ft Oakley: June 7 (twice), 23, July 2 (twice) Bridlington, Humberside and 19 (twice) had become disabled when her prop- D class inflatable: June 13 Fleetwood, Lancashire eller had fallen off. She had been blown Brighton, East Sussex 44ft Waveney: June 3,30 and July 29 close to some rocks and the lifeboat Atlantic21: June 5, 8,10,11 (twice), 16,24, D class inflatable: July 23 towed her clear. The two men were 25 (twice), 27, July 8,15,21, 24 (four times) Fowey, Cornwall then taken aboard the lifeboat and the and 28 (three times) 33ft Brede: June 13 and 27 power boat towed to Girvan. Harbour Broughty Ferry, Angus Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire was reached at 2245 and after the two 52ft Arun: June 24 and July 1 48ft 6in Solent: June 2, July 1,6 and 29 men had been landed, the lifeboat was Relief D class inflatable: July 1,7,12,14,22, Galway Bay, Co Galway 25 and 31 52ft Barnett: June 6,24, July 2 and 13 remoored, ready again for service at Buckie, Banffshire Girvan, Ayrshire 2300. 52ft Arun: July 21 33ft Brede: June 15, July 1 and 5 Bude, Cornwall Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Lifeboat Services, D class inflatable: July 9 44ft Waveney: June 18,19,20, July 13 and 18 Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex Atlantic21: June 18, July 9,13,16,25 and 29 June and July, 1984 D class inflatable: June 30 Hartlepool, Cleveland Burry Port, Dyfed Atlantic21: July 3 (twice), 8,14 and 15 Services for August 1984 will be reported in D class inflatable: June 17 and July 15 (twice) the spring 1985 journal Calshot, Hampshire Harwich, Essex Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire 40ft Keith Nelson: June 3,19, 20, 27 and July 44ft Waveney: June 1,3,8 and July 11 54ft Arun: July 29 13 Atlantic 21: June 24, July 17,24 and 30 D class inflatable: June 18 Relief33ft Brede: July 27, 28 (twice), 29 Hastings, East Sussex Aberdovey, Gwynedd (twice) and 30 37ft Oakley: June 5 and 14 Atlantic21: July 13, 28 and 29 Campbeltown, Argyllshire D class inflatable: June 14,27, July 2, 8,13, Abersoch, Gwynedd 52ft Arun: July 15 and 20 14,16 and 29 (twice) Atlantic21: June 23 (twice), July 2,15 and 19 Cardigan, Dyfed Hayling Island, Hampshire Aberystwyth, Dyfed Relief D class inflatable: July 8,16, and 29 Atlantic21: June 10 (twice), 25, 29, 30, July C class inflatable: June 1 (twice), 9 (twice), Clacton-on-Sea, Essex 1,19,28 and 29 (twice) 10, July 6, 27, 28 (three times) and 29 (twice) Relief 42ft Watson: June 10 Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire Aith, Shetland D class inflatable: July 12 and 15 (twice) Atlantic 21: June 16,20, July 1,10,20,21,27 52ft Barnett: July 26 Relief D class inflatable: July 21 (twice) and 28 Aldeburgh, Suffolk Clovelly, North Devon Holy head, Gwynedd 37ft 6in Rather: June 19 70ft Clyde: June 30 (twice) 44ft Waveney: July 12 D class inflatable: June 30 70ft Clyde's inflatable: June 2 and July 10 Relief D class inflatable: July 24 and 27 Alderney, Channel Islands Conwy, Gwynedd Horton and Port Eynon, West Glamorgan 33 ft Brede: June 6,18, 25, July 1,12 and 28 Relief D class inflatable: June 1, July 10 and D class inflatable: June 23 and July 8 Relief 33ft Brede: July 18 16 Howth, Co Dublin Angle, Dyfed Craster, Northumberland Relief 46ft 9in Watson: June 17,21, July 10 46ft 9in Watson: July \5 D class inflatable: July 12 (twice), 23 and 24 Appledore, North Devon Criccieth, Gwynedd D class inflatable: July 29 (twice) 47ft Watson: June 11, 28, July 18 and 29 C class inflatable: July 11 and 24 Humber, Humberside (twice) Cromer, Norfolk Relief52ft Arun: June 10,11,17, July 1 and Atlantic21: June 10,21 (twice), 28, July 8, 48ft 6in Oakley: July 12,13 and 24 25 13, 16,18, 24 (twice) and 29 (three times) D class inflatable: June 24, July 8,12 and 29 54ft Arun: July 12,15,17,19,22 and 28 Arbroath, Angus Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Hunstanton, Norfolk D class inflatable: July 29 C class inflatable: June 19, July 2 and 22 Atlantic 21: June 14,26, July 8,14 and 24 Arklow, Co Wicklow Donaghadee, Co Down Ilfracombe, North Devon 42ft Watson: June 27 44ft Waveney: June 5, 8,10,13,28, July 1, 8, 37ft Oakley: July 30 Arran (Lamlash), Buteshire 11,14,19, 21 and 30 Islay, Argyllshire D class inflatable: June 3,10, 12, July 22 and Douglas, Isle of Man 50ft Thames: June 27 25 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: July 15 and 22 Kinghorn, Fife Arranmore, Co Donegal Dover, Kent D class inflatable: July 10 and 28 52ft Barnett: June 3,6,15, July 20,29 and 31 50ft Thames: June 17 and July 10 Kippford, Kirkcudbrightshire Atlantic College (St Donat's Castle), South Dunbar, East Lothian D class inflatable: July 15 Glamorgan D class inflatable: July 30 Largs, Ayrshire Atlantic 21: June 22 and July 27 Dungeness, Kent Atlantic 21: June 3 and 10 Baltimore, Co Cork 37ft 6in Rather: June 5 Relief Atlantic 21: June 26,30, July 3, 5, 21 48ft 6in Oakley: July 23 and 28 Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin (three times), 22 and 30 (twice) Bangor, Co Down 44ft Waveney: June 2, 3, July 23 and 24 Lerwick, Shetland D class inflatable: June 10 (twice), 30, July 14 Dunmore East, Co Waterford Relief 52ft Arun: June 27 and 28 and 30 Relief'44ft Waveney: July 15 Little and Broad Haven, Dyfed Barmouth, Gwynedd Eastbourne, East Sussex D class inflatable: July 1, 8 (twice), 17 and 21 37ft 6in Rather: June 3 and 23 37ft (tin Rather: June 9, 15, 30, July 26 and 31 (twice) D class inflatable: June 1,3,22, July 8, 22, 28 Relief D class inflatable: June 2,9 (twice), Littlehampton, West Sussex and 29 18,27, July 1,2, 3, 8 (twice), 15,19,27,28 Atlantic21: June 2,13 (twice), July 7,8 (four Barra Island, Inverness-shire (twice) and 29 (twice) times), 11,15,16,22 (three times), 28 and 31 48ft 6in Solent: June 16 and July 21 Exmouth, South Devon (twice) Barrow, Cumbria Relief'33ft Brede: June 1 and 5 Relief Atlantic 21: June 25,30 and July 3 46ft 9in Watson: June 25, July 15 and 22 Relief D class inflatable: June 6,18 and 26 Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent D class inflatable: June 3,11, July 1,15 and D class inflatable: July 26 and 28 (twice) Atlantic 21: June 12, July 24 and 27 27 Eyemouth, Berwickshire Llandudno (Orme's Head), Gwynedd Barry Dock, South Glamorgan 44ft Waveney: July 1,8 and 15 (twice) D class inflatable: July 10,23 and 28 (twice) Relief 44ft Waveney: July 8, 14 and 24 Falmouth, Cornwall Lochinver, Sutherland Beaumaris, Gwynedd 52ft Arun: July 11 52ft Barnett: June 1,22 and July 13 Relief Atlantic 21: June 1 and 4 Relief 18ft 6inMcLachlan: June 11,15, July9 Lowestoft, Suffolk Atlantic 21: July 10 and 19 and 30 47ft Watson: July 9,10 and 20 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Filey, North Yorkshire Lyme Regis, Dorset Relief Atlantic 21: July 22 and 30 37ft Oakley: June 7,22 and July 2 Atlantic 21: June 3,25, July 16,22,23,27 Blackpool, Lancashire D class inflatable: June 2,6,16,19,27, July and 31 D class inflatable: June 1, 8 (twice), 23 2,8 (twice), 15,24, 29 (twice) and 30 Lymington, Hampshire (twice) and July 8 Fishguard, Dyfed Relief Atlantic 21: June 10

141 Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Ramsey, Isle of Man Swanage, Dorset D class Inflatable: June 12, July 25, 30 and 31 37ft Oakley: July 2 and 22 37ft6in Rother: June 2, 3 (twice), 25, 30, July (twice) Redcar, Cleveland 1,7,13,16, 22, 27 (three times) and 30 Mallaig, Inverness-shire 37ft Oakley: June 4 and 28 (twice) 52ft Arun: June 2 and July 23 Relief D class inflatable: June 3,15 and 24 Tenby, Dyfed Margate, Kent D class inflatable: July 28 46ft 9in Watson: June 9 and July 23 37ft 6in Rather: June 14 Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford D class inflatable: June 2, 3 and 9 (three D class Inflatable: June 16, 21 and July 4 52ft Arun: June 25, July 20,21,22,24 and 25 times) Relief D class inflatable: July 12, 15, 19 and (twice) Relief D class inflatable: June 27, July 1,3,7, 26 Rye Harbour, East Sussex 8, 16 (three times), 18, 28 and 31 Minehead, Somerset D class inflatable: July 15,24 and 30 (twice) Tighnabriiaich, Argyllshire Relief Atlantic 21: June 10 (twice) and July 15 St Abbs, Berwickshire D class inflatable: June 22 D class inflatable: June 10 (twice) C class inflatable: July 1 and 8 Torbay, South Devon Moelfre, Gwynedd St Agnes, Cornwall Relief 52ft Arun: July 2 and 24 D class inflatable: June 25 Relief D class inflatable: July 8 and 29 18ft 6in McLachlan: June 17 Morecambe, Lancashire St Bees, Cumbria Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd D class inflatable: June 10,12, July 4,13, 22, D class inflatable: June 25 and July 30 D class inflatable: July 8 and 12 23 and 25 St Catherine, Channel Islands Troon, Ayrshire Mudeford, Dorset C class inflatable: June 10, 19, 22 and July 21 44ft Waveney: June 3, 11, 19, 24 (twice), 27, C class inflatable: June 9, 10 (three times), 23 St Helier, Channel Islands July 4, 5, 7,19 (twice) 20, 22 and 25 July 11 and 31 44ft Waveney: June 9 (four times), 10 (three Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear The Mumbles, West Glamorgan times) and July 14 52ft Arun: July 2 D class inflatable: June 3, 4,9, July 15,17 St Ives, Cornwall D class inflatable: June 6 and 29 37ft Oakley: June 24 Valentia, Co Kerry New biggin, Northumberland D class inflatable: June 1, 23, 24, 27 (three 52ft Arun: June 29, 30, July 10, 14, 19 and 25 Atlantic 21: June 3 times), July 17, 28 and 29 (twice) Walmer, Kent Newcastle, Co Down St Mary's, Isles of Scilly 37ft 6in Rother: June 17 37ft Oakley: June 3 52ft Arun: July 9 and 29 D class inflatable: June 20 and 23 (twice) Newhaven, East Sussex St Peter Port, Channel Islands Walton and Frinton, Kent 44ft Waveney: June 10 (three times), 30 52/Mran: July 4 and 14 48ft 6in Solent: June 3, 9,10, 23, 25 and July (three times), July 15, 22 (twice) and 31 Scarborough, North Yorkshire 29 (twice) (twice) 37ft Oakley.-June 23 Wells, Norfolk Newquay, Cornwall D class inflatable: June 10, 12, 15, 16 and D class inflatable: June 17, July 3 and 31 C class inflatable: June 1, 12,16, July 23, 25, July 30 West Mersea, Essex 28 and 29 Selsey, West Sussex Atlantic21:Junel,2, 14, July 1, 11,17 New Quay, Dyfed 47ft Tyne: June 18 and July 13 (twice), 18 and 30 D class inflatable: June 1,15, July 12 and 24 D class inflatable: June 13, 25 and July 13 Weston-super-Mare, Avon North Berwick, East Lothian Sheerness, Kent Atlantic21: June 1 (twice), 2, 3, 9, 24, July 1, D class inflatable: June 12,29, July 21 and 26 44ft Waveney: July 18 (twice), 21 and 23 8 (three times), 19 and 25 Oban, Argyllshire D class inflatable: June 2, 20, 25 and July 23 Relief D class inflatable: June 1,2,9, July 1 33ft Brede: June 11,12,22, 26, 28, July 5, 22, Sheringham, Norfolk and 8 (four times) 23, 29 and 30 Relief37ft Oakley: July 24 Weymouth, Dorset Padstow, Cornwall Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex 54ft Arun: June 1, 24, July 10, 13, 18, 20, 21, Relief 46ft 9in Watson: July 19 37ft 6in Rother: June 9,10, 29, July 11 and 27 22, 24 and 31 Relief 52ft Burnett: July 29 D class inflatable: June 2, 7, 10 (twice), 22, Whitby, North Yorkshire Peel, Isle of Man 29 and July 15 44ft Waveney: June 6 (twice), 22, July 6,18 Relief Atlantic 21: June 7, July 15 and 16 Relief D class inflatable: July 24 (twice) and 29 Penarth, South Glamorgan Skegness, Lincolnshire D class inflatable: June 16, 26, July 4, 15 and D class inflatable: June 10 (twice), 11, 20, 29 Relief 37ft Oakley: July 1 29 and July 8 37ft Oakley: July 24 Whitstable, Kent Penlee, Cornwall D class inflatable: June 1, 3, 10, July 1 Atlantic21: June 8, 16, 17, 24, 28, July 4, 5 52ft Arun: June 2 (twice), 10,17,24,27 (twice), 30 and 31 and 8 Plymouth, South Devon (twice) Wick, Caithness Relief 44ft Waveney: June 7, July 8, 12, Skerries, Co Dublin Relief 48ft 6in Solent: June 25 15 (twice) and 19 D class inflatable: June 3,4, 8 (twice), July Wicklow, Co Wicklow Poole, Dorset 15 and 29 42ft Watson: June 4 and 24 33ft Brede: June 9, 24 and July 11 Southend-on-Sea, Essex Relief 42ft Watson: July 31 Dell Quay Dory: June 1, 4, 23, 24 and July 23 Atlantic 21: June 30, July 20, 22 (twice) and Withernsea, Humberside (twice) 28 D class inflatable: June 6, July 1 and 8 Portaferry, Co Down D class inflatable: June 25, 27, July 7 and 8 Workington, Cumbria C class inflatable: June 2, 3, 12, July 1 (four (twice) 47ft Watson: July 6 times) and 8 Southwold, Suffolk Yarmouth, Isle of Wight Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan Atlantic 21 .-June 14 52ft Arun: June 9 and July 14 D class inflatable: June 23 (twice), 24 Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire Youghal, Co Cork (twice), July 1, 8, 21 and 29 (twice) Atlantic 21: June 21, July 28 and 31 Atlantic21: June 18, 23, 26, July 1,2,3 and Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd Stornoway (Lewis), Ross-shire 29 Relief 46ft 9in Watson: July 11,19 and 29 52ft Arun: June 11,16,24 and July 7 On Passage Port Isaac, Cornwall Stromness, Orkney 46ft 9in Watson ON 929: June 10 (twice) D class inflatable: June 30, July 14 (twice), 19 52ft Barnett: June 4 Relief 52ft Arun ON 1086: June 23 and 29 Relief 52ft Barnett: June 16 52ft Arun ON 1076: June 24 Portpatrick, Wigtownshire Sunderland, Tyne and Wear 47ft Tyne ON 1075: July 7 47ft Watson: June 1,29, July 18,19, 23 and D class inflatable: June 18, July 7, 8 (twice), 33ft Brede ON 1087: July 27 30 15,17,27, (twice) and 28 52ft Barnett ON 952: July 28 Portrush, Co Antrim 52ft Arun: July 9 SERVICES AND LIVES RESCUED BY THE RNLI'S LIFEBOATS Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), Hampshire January 1, 1984, to September 30, 1984: Services 2,815; lives rescued 930 Atlantic 21: June 3,9, July 7,10, 22 and 29 THE STATION FLEET D class inflatable: June 23, 25 and July 15 (as at 30/9/84) Port St Mary, Isle of Man 256 lifeboats, of which one 18ft 6in McLachlan and 54ft Arun: July 15 60 D class inflatable lifeboats operate in summer only D class inflatable: July 22 LIVES RESCUED 111,388 Pwllheli, Gwynedd D class inflatable: June 7, 10 and July 1 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 30/9/84, including shoreboat services

142 Calling all collectors RNLI national lottery Abrey, Royston, Hertfordshire; N. There are still available a few limited Northeast, Alderbury, Wiltshire; edition, bone china plates commemor- Mrs J. Widdup, Plymouth, Devon. ating the centenary of Walton and THE DUKE OF ATHOLL, chairman of the The draw for the RNLFs twenty-eighth Frinton lifeboat station. The plate has a RNLI, came to Poole headquarters on national lottery will be made at Poole 24-carat gold rim and depicts the sta- Wednesday October 31 to draw the 20 on Thursday, January 31, 1985. tion's 48ft 6in Solent class lifeboat, City winners of the twenty-seventh national of Birmingham. lottery. More than £45,000 had been They are available from Connoisseur, raised and the chairman was successful The Duke of Atholl checks one of the winning 33 Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea, in drawing winners from nearly every tickets with Angela Freeman, the Bourne- Essex, telephone: Frinton on Sea fund-raising region. Among the people mouth Evening Echo's newspaper girl of the 77479. The price is £31.50 to include watching the draw was Angela Free- year. postage, packing and insurance. Access man, aged 14, who, during Local News- and Visa card numbers are acceptable. paper Week when money was being Each sale benefits the RNLI. raised nationwide to fund the new relief Arun class lifeboat, Newsbuoy, was voted the Bournemouth Evening Echo's Lifeboat Books newspaper girl of the year. Anthony among those available from the RNLI at Oliver, the appeals secretary, was also 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW: there to supervise the proceedings. The Lifeboat—In Danger's Hour, an authori- prizewinners were: tative history of the RNLI by Patrick Howarth, lavishly illustrated. £7.95+£2.20 p and p £2,000: J. G. Doncaster, BBC TV Centre. A Source Book of Lifeboats, a pocket- £500: I. G. Thompson, Hamilton. sized reference book by Ray Kipling. £250: Miss Alison Normile, Carrville, £3.50+50ppandp Durham. £100: T. Clementson, Hollywood, nr Birmingham; Pam Hoad, Brighton, East Sussex; Miss Morrogh, Wadeb- Sell with THE LIFEBOAT classified: Have ridge, Cornwall, M. A. Smith Esq, you hotel or bed and breakfast rooms to Coventry; Mrs J. Biggs, Earlsfield, fill? Holiday accommodation to let? A London; Mrs D. E. Walters, Worth- boat or a house you want to sell? Or just ing, West Sussex; Tony Henderson, an announcement to make? For as little as Bowdon, Cheshire. £11 your advertisement will reach more £50: A. Leaves, Cardiff, South Glamor- than 120,000 households throughout gan; J. Moffatt, St Mary Cray, Kent; Great Britain and Ireland. People who M. M. Henderson, London; D. read THE LIFEBOAT are all, like you, Greenland, Bracknell, Berkshire; admirers of the RNLI and would be Mr Carter, Tring, Hertfordshire; M. pleased to buy through this journal. Give Redway, Woking, Surrey; P. Wool- it a try; the response will be good. lett, Reading, Berkshire; A. C. Fundraising HOW YOU CAN HELP -•£31** made easy THE LIFEBOATMEN Swwmvi"**^ FREE with the biggest membership JOIN your local branch or guild oUtr and best range of JOIN Shoreline, the membership scheme discount club fundraising ideas HELP on flag days Big selections of BUY RNLI gifts and souvenirs fundraisers geared to your organisation SELL RNLI national lottery tickets - large or small GIVE a coffee morning Widest profi*t margins COLLECT used British or foreign stamps - £2 to £2,978 and foreign coins The keenes* t prices SPONSOR YOUR FRIENDS who are -we are neverundersold! running in marathons, walking, swimming or perhaps knitting, rowing or even Express retur* n delivery keeping silent for the RNLI

For further information write to:

Send for free catalogue I Appeals Secretary, RNLI, and Special Deal details: | ' Morris ShefrasS. Sons Ltd, West Quay Road, Poole, Dept ,27 Vicarage Road, | Croydon, Surrey CR9 4AQ. Dorset, BH15 1HZ Telex 8812193 Phone 01-6812921 for fun details Index to Advertisers Page FLUSHING, Cornwall. Comfortably fur- SAILING HOLIDAYS Hong Kong branch nished quayside holiday cottage, sleeping six RIVER CHARENTE—Cruising/Camping/ Inside Back Cover in three bedrooms, situated in the centre of Caravans. 2-6 berths cruisers or Canadian Mercantile Credit Inside Back Cover this quiet village on beautiful Falmouth scanoes (for 2) plus full camping equipment, harbour. Views across the water to Green- or 6-berth caravans, for hire on the unspoilt Municipal Life Asssurance bank and the Royal Cornwall YC. Phone Mr Charente in South West France. Inclusive Inside Front Cover A. Bromley, Ringwood (04254) 6660 or charge covers hire, travel, insurance for fully Morris Shefras 143 write, 22 Gravel Lane, Ringwood, Hants equipped cruiser and/or scanoe and camping BH24 1LN equipment. Group discounts. Write or tele- phone: Holiday Charente, Wardington, Ban- Classified Advertisements SHANKLIN I. W. Our ten bedroom family bury, Oxon OX17 ISA (0295 758282). The format of the classified section will run hotel offers good home cooking and change in the spring 1985 issue to a four comfort. Situated in a quiet tree lined road SEABIRD CRUISES. Introduction to cruis- column page. Each advertisement wilt be in a close to all amenities. Children welcome. ing under sail or power in remote Western box rule and the cost per single column Senior Citizen reductions. Write or phone Isles of Scotland. Scenery, bird watching, centimetre will be £11. The minimum size of for brochure. Barbara Tubbs, Hazelwood history, geology, unique cruising area. De- an advertisement will be one column Hotel, 14 Clarence Road, Shanklin PO37 tails from Jim Hare, High Minton, Hillside, centimetre. 7BH. Tel (0983) 862824 Cromer, Norfolk NR27 OHY.

ALL CLASSIFIEDS MUST BE PRE-PAID EXMOUTH. Seven comfortably furnished BOATSHARE can help you to own the boat self-contained holiday flats for 1/6 persons, you would like but cannot afford by arrang- HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION linen included. AA listed. Garden, parking, ing a partnership to cut the cost dramatically BOURNEMOUTH. Mount Lodge Hotel, colour TV, near beach. Personally super- by half or two thirds. To find out more about Beaulieu Road. AA Recommended; en- vised by resident owner, Mrs P. Voisey, Isca this exciting scheme ring 01-748 0214 and we suite bedrooms available; choice of menu; House, Isca Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 will send full details. licensed bar. Ideally situated between 2EZ. Please write or telephone for brochure Bournemouth and Poole, in the heart of (0395) 263747. SAE appreciated. Alum Chine, just a few minutes stroll to the sea and shops. Resident proprietors Ray and POLPERRO, Cornwall. Comfortably fur- Amanda Newton offer you friendly and nished holiday cottage. 30 yards from har- MISCELLANEOUS courteous service. Open all year round, full bour; sleeps four. Close to N.T. Coastal NIAL REYNOLDS CASSETTES. Relaxation/ central heating. Tel: 0202 761173. Footpath. Rates £60.00—£115.00 pw. Per- Sleep/Exercise. Have more recommendations sonally supervised. Apply: E. Stephens, in good magazines than any other cassette. BOURNEMOUTH. The Parkfield is a com- Sundene, The Coombes, Polperro. Tel: 0503 Each one is supreme in its field. £5.75 each. fortable, licensed, family run hotel. Rooms 72720. Full money back guarantee. Details free—it en-suite available. Forecourt parking. Gar- costs nothing to find out, not even a postage dens opposite include Public Tennis Courts, POLRUAN. The Bound House offers spa- stamp. Dr N. Reynolds (Dept LT), Putting/Bowling Greens. We are close to cious self-catering accommodation for five FREEPOST, Lowestoft NR33 OBR. sea, station and shops. Also Bargain Mini- with panormaic views across Fowey harbour Breaks and Christmas programme. Phone in this unspoilt and peaceful village in an MINIATURE MODELS OF Pauline and Craig Macfarlane for brochure area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Own LIFEBOATS, SAILING VESSELS, (0202 290059) or write 56 Frances Road, drive for parking. TV, dishwasher, etc. Book YACHTS, AND OTHER MARITIME CRAFT BH1 3SA. now for 1985. No pets please. 01-748 0214 Commissioned by maritime museums, col- lectors, owners, skippers, RNLI stations and FILEY, North Yorkshire Coast. The South- DORDOGNE. Sarconnat, Nr. Excideuil. crews. Each subject individually created, by down Hotel. Mid-week — Weekend Bargain Two cottage apartments to let, separately or one of the world's leading ship modellers, to Breaks. 10 yards from the sea. Panoramic as family unit. One sleeps 3, the other sleeps provide exceptionally accurate and detailed views across Filey Bay from Filey Brigg to 6. Fully equipped with gas cookers, fridges, replicas. 'Exquisite perfection in minia- Flamborough Cliffs. CH in bedrooms; CTV, showers/baths, English flush WCs. Large ture'—a client. The work includes many en-suite, etc. Licensed. Shoreliners receive garden with patio and barbecue. Further RNLI lifeboats for naming ceremonies, re- 5% discount. Brochure/Tariff—7/8 The information Tel: 0292 317310 (Cameron). tirements and collections. Beach. Open all year. Tel: 0723 513392. BRIAN WILLIAMS West Rock, The Cleave, THE OLD RECTORY, RHOSCOLYN, Nr Kingsand, Torpoint, Cornwall PL10 INF Holyhead, Anglesey. Family-run Guest FUND RAISERS (Tel: 0752 822638) House in secluded one acre grounds, close to a beautiful south facing sandy bay. Ideal for Have you tried our Best Seller yet? RNLI WALL PLAQUES—a new high quality sailing surfing, golfing and with lovely coast- handcrafted item with full coloured RNLI al walks. High standard of accommodation houseflag, in relief, on a varnished shield with good food and excellent service. Write 7"x8"—£9.50 (P&P £2.25). Many supplied to or phone for brochure. Edna and Dudley Crews, Branches and Ladies Guilds for Aldred, Trearddur Bay (0407) 860214. Nestle presentations with engraved plates and own UY NOW - wording £2.50 extra. LIZ AND JOHN RANKIN welcome you to 0.011, fmn rTER »*»•<*»• MARINE CRAFTS, West Rock, The LANE & PARTNERS LTD. 48 Dravcott Place, London SW3 Cleave, Kingsand, Nr. Torpoint, Cornwall THE OLD HALL HOTEL, RUSWARP, Telephone 01 581 3894 WHITBY. This comfortable licensed Jaco- PL10 INF (0752 822638). bean Hall which is Traveller's Britain' re- commended, borders the glorious North Yorks Moors and coastline. Special summer terms for RNLI and Shoreliners. Also 'Off- Season' weekends. Brochure: 0947 602801. BOAT REPAIRS BRIXHAM Advertisements Rates BRIXHAM, South Devon. Comfortably fur- • Specialist boat refits Page £950 nished and fully equipped self catering • Marine & Electrical Engineering Halfpage £525 HOLIDAY FLATS, each with colour TV. • Private and Commercial Quarterpage £3/5 Superb position beside outer harbour, 4 Slipways (up to 65 ft l.o.a.) Eighthpage £190 panoramic views of Torbay and ceaseless Lifting up to 10 tons 1 Superior Quality Series rates where appropriate: harbour activities. Near beach, boat slipway • Glass Fibre repairing Colour and cover rates on request and pool. Children over 4 years welcome. Brokerage & Insurance Circulation of THE LIFEBOAT 120,000 Regret no pets. Resident proprietors ensure UPHAM • BRIXHAM • DEVON really CLEAN well cared for holiday accom- TEL: (08045) 2365 Jackson-Rudd & Associates Ltd, modation. Stamp please for brochures. Oldebourne House, 46-47 Chancery Lane, G. A. Smith, Harbour Lights, 69 Berry Head London WC2A1JB Tel: 01-4053611/2 Road. Tel: 08045 4816 UPHAM 144 SHORELINE MAKES PERSONAL LOANS PLAIN SAILING.

SHORELINE MAKES If you're not already a member of Shoreline, MARINE LOANS PLAIN SAILING here's your chance to join because Mercantile A new boat? a refit5 Or just a little help with Credit will pay your first year's membership when annual expenses? your loan is agreed. You can pick up a Shoreline Whatever your requirements, if you're an Sailing loan leaflet containing full written details RNLI supporter you can apply for a loan at an at your local branch of Mercantile Credit (you will attractive rate of interest from Mercantile Credit find the address in your telephone directory). and budget your way home with regular easy No security is required on loans up to £7,500. payments. HELP THE RNLI AND HELP YOURSELF Shoreline Sailing Loans not only help you but also benefit the RNLI. Because for each loan 7J Mercantile Credit Mercantile Credit Company Limited, granted Mercantile Credit provide a worthwhile P.O. !i

abtte*

To mark the First Year including printed of operations of the mount, is the work of new Penlee Arun'Class Hong Kong Artist and Lifeboat, the R.N.LB. Branch Member 'Mabel Alice and the Roger Draper, who's Hong Kong Branch of fineTransDort- the R.N.L.I,the Illustration Artwork Branch has produced hangs in Boardrooms. a Limited-Edition Club-houses and Print as shown. Homes throughout the The Print also world. celebrates the 160th All Five Hundred anniversary of the Prints have been R.N.L.I. signed by Ken Thomas, Coxswain of the This magnificent R.N.L.B.'Mabel Alice! full colour commemorative side To obtain your Copy, profile Illustration complete the Order Painting. 19"x 15" Form below.

Name; Address;

Please send me. Print(s) at £14-75 per print (including postage). I enclose Cheque No. for£ made out to the Hong Kong Branch. R.N.L.I. (Allow 28 days for delivery) Post this Form with Cheque to: The Hon. Sec., Penlee and Penzance Branch, R.N.L.I. (HK Pic.) c/o J.H. Bennett, 72-73, Market Jew Street, Penzance, Cornwall,TR18 2LF Profiles of Lifeboats in the RNLI Fleet

52ft and 54ft Arun 15ft 6in D class and 17ft Gin C class inflatable

Atlantic 21

50ft Thames 33ft Brede

48ft 6in Solent 37ft Oakley

48ft 6in Oakley 37ft 6in Rother

47ft Tyne 44ft Waveney

47ft Watson 46ft 9in and 47ft Watson