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

VOL. XXXIII DECEMBER, 1953 No. 366

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 155 Motor Life-boats 1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to October 31st, 1953 78,410

Notes of the Quarter First Shore-boat Award of the Year probably by no means all of the Insti- Two Scarborough fishermen, Mr. tution's supporters, are aware. Al- William Pashby and his eighteen-year- though the building, manning and old son of the same name, are the first administration of the fleet of 155 two men who are not members of life- motor life-boats form the Institution's boat crews to win awards made by the main tasks, the recognition and re- Institution this year. The elder Mr. warding of acts of life-saving at sea by Pashby is the skipper of the fishing other boats stationed around the boat Courage, On the 8th of July, shores of the British Isles is another 1953, the crew of the Courage, when of the duties which it has always they were off Hayburn Wyke, saw a undertaken. In 1952, 103 lives were man on a rock waving for help. The saved by what are known in the Courage could not get nearer than 100 Institution as shore-boat rescues. One yards to him, and the younger Mr. of these rescues led to the award of the Pashby swam towards him with a raft. bronze medal of the Institution to a The man had been injured and lost fifteen-year-old boy, Mr. Tony consciousness, and the elder Mr. Metcalfe. Pashby then swam out to give help too. They hauled the injured man on The Search for Aircraft to the raft and paddled it towards a After the busiest peace-time winter speed boat which had by then been in the whole history of the Institution, sent to help. Both Mr. Pashby and life-boats were again in constant de- his son were awarded the thanks of mand during the summer of 1953. In the Institution inscribed on vellum. the six summer months from the 1st Monetary awards were paid to the of April to the 30th of September life- whole crew of the Courage, to the crew boats were launched on service 332 of another fishing boat Rachel, which times. They rescued 178 people. also put out to help, and to the crew Once again a high proportion of of the speed boat. these launches were made either to This act of gallantry calls attention help yachts or to search for possible to one aspect of the Institution's work, survivors from aircraft. Life-boats of which few of the general public, and went out to the help of yachts 86 times 590 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 and to search for survivors from air- activity was organised. On one day craft 40 times. The percentage of there was a horse gymkhana and an launches caused by crashes or reported open air dance; on the flag day and the crashes of aircraft has thus been about day of the house-to-house collection 12 per cent of the total number of there was a treasure hunt and a showing launches. Considered in terms of of films. There were also brass and rewards paid to crews, however, the pipe band performances, a highland percentage is as high as 18, for dancing display, a whist drive, a searches for survivors from aircraft barn dance and a garden fete. A life- usually mean that life-boats must be boat rescue display, followed by trips at sea for many hours. Unfor- in fishing boats, was also organised. tunately, although the demands made One of the successes of the week on the life-boats by reports that air- was the production of a cookery book craft have crashed into the sea are with recipes provided by a variety of considerable, the results in terms of experts, including a kitchen-maid in lives rescued are inevitably unimpres- the service of Queen Elizabeth, the sive. Whereas 86 launches to the Queen Mother, and the housekeeper help of yachts resulted in the rescue at the Queen Mother's Castle of Mey. of 87 lives, not a single life was saved The whole edition of a thousand was by life-boats searching for aircraft. sold within five days for 2s. 6d. a copy. The life-boats have worked in close Although the Ladies' Life-boat co-operation with the Royal Air Force, Guild provided the main impetus, the and their work in this respect has been work done by the coxswain and crew highly praised. In a letter to the of the life-boat in helping to raise Chief Inspector of H. M. Coastguard money was also remarkable. The in September of this year it was stated crew gave up time every day to help that "the Headquarters Rescue Co- at the various functions, and a number ordination Centre take the oppor- of them who are fishermen lost a week's tunity of placing on record their high fishing in order to do this. esteem for the efficiency and co- The Chairman of the Committee of operation afforded by the life-boat Management, Sir Godfrey Baring, crews." The lack of positive results sent a letter of congratulations to the in picking up survivors can only be Thurso branch stating: "The Institu- deplored as a tragic inevitability. tion has every reason to feel proud of the support it receives from Thurso." Thurso's Distinction With over one thousand financial John Terry's Death branches working constantly to raise The sudden death on the 21st of money for the service, it is seldom that August, 1953, of John Terry at the age the Institution has occasion to single of fifty was a tragedy deeply felt by out a particular branch for the work his many friends and by countless it has done. But the achievements people associated with the Life-boat this year of Thurso in Caithness-shire Service. Since 1935 when he joined are certainly exceptional. The popu- the Institution John Terry worked un- lation of the burgh of Thurso was sparingly, and the wonderful support shown in the 1951 census as 3,203, given to the Life-boat Service through- and that of the civil parish, which in- out the London area is a tribute to the cludes the burgh as 4,210. Yet in the work he did. But he was much more life-boat week held from the 2nd of than merely an able and energetic August to the 8th of August the sum worker for the cause which he sup- of £1,100 was raised. This figure is ported so keenly. He was a man of particularly stiking, because in the great charm and of great kindness. whole of 1952 Thurso raised only £65 A memorial service was held in for the service. Thursley parish church on the 24th of There is no doubt that the recon- August. Among those who attended stitution of the Ladies' Life-boat were three members of the Committee Guild in February, 1953, has had of Management, Captain Guy D. Fan- much to do with this success. Every shawe, Mr. T. O. Gray and Colonel the day during life-boat week some special Hon. Harold Robson, the Secretary DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 591 and past and present members of the "not a pecuniary one," but that his staff, and honorary workers who had object was "only the saving of life." come in many cases considerable dis- He pointed out that "life preservers," tances to be present. Those who were which he described in detail, were there will remember and may have carried in the steam boats on the Mis- echoed the words of the vicar, the Rev. sissippi River in accordance with a law H. G. French, when he said: "The of the Congress of the United States Life-boat Service and the Church were requiring all steam vessels carrying the two great and abiding interests in passengers to be supplied with one for John Terry's life." each passenger carried. He suggested Following so soon on the retirement that a law should be introduced in of Mr. Charles Vince and Mr. R. C. Britain compelling all vessels to carry Baverstock, John Terry's death has such life preservers. The correspon- meant that the three chief officials sup- dence on life preservers was continued porting the Secretary on the adminis- by others. trative side have been lost to the It was in the same year that the Institution within two months. As a President of the Board of Trade, servant of the Life-boat Institution he Thomas Cardwell, introduced the bill will be greatly missed; as a friend and which became the Merchant Shipping as a delightful companion he will be Act of 1854. This was a comprehen- remembered kindly by thousands. sive act consolidating earlier legislation and making provision for the protec- Letters from Our Readers tion of passengers as well as the A feature which it is hoped to protection and welfare of seamen. In introduce—or rather revive—in The particular it specified the number and Lifeboat is the publication of letters nature of ships' life-boats and life- from readers. Such letters were a buoys to be carried. regular feature of earlier Journals. Letters from readers should be The first letter to be published in the addressed to the editor of the Life-boat Journal appeared in 1854 and came Journal and not, as in normal corres- from New Orleans. It was from an pondence, to the Secretary of the inventor of a life-boat named Edward Institution. Any such letters will be G. Fitch, who stated that his motive considered for publication unless the for forwarding the communication was writer expressly states otherwise.

B.E.M. for Two Coxswains THE British Empire Medal has been rescuing 33 survivors from the Princess awarded to Coxswain Hugh Nelson, of Victoria on the 31st of January, 1953. Donaghadee, and ex-Coxswain William A full account of this service was given McConnell, of Portpatrick, in recogni- in the Summer, 1953, number of The tion of the services they rendered in Life-boat.

Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of James time sevice on the 16th of Novem- Thomas Upperton, the coxswain of the ber, 1941, when 21 lives were rescued Shoreham Harbour life-boat. Cox- from a minesweeper. His second swain Upperton first joined the crew award was for the rescue of 6 people in 1910. He became second coxswain from a yacht on the 8th of August, in 1940 and in 1947 he was appointed 1948. coxswain. He is a holder of the silver The photograph is by Mr. John medal with clasp. He was first Blaxland of Brighton, by whose kind awarded the silver medal for a war- permission it is reproduced. 59? THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

Seven Men Rescued from Sinking Lightvessel AT 9.25 on the night of the 21st of heavy swell, together, made both the September, 1953, the Tenby coast- lightvessel and the life-boat extremely guard learnt that the pumps in the St. lively, and huge seas were breaking Gowan lightvessel had stopped work- over both vessels. ing and that she was in danger of Once again the coxswain brought sinking. There were seven men on the life-boat round, and this time by board the lightvessel. manoeuvring the engines and with the A full gale was blowing from the help of a rope forward from the west-south-west and there were heavy lightvessel he managed to remain rain squalls. The sea was extremely alongside for a few moments. This rough, and a heavy swell from the was long enough for two men in the south-west made conditions such that lightvessel to be taken on board the the district officer of H.M. Coastguard life-boat. Then the rope parted. at Tenby later declared: A third attempt was made. The " I have experienced stronger winds coxswain came round and alongside. during my service in H.M. Coastguard, Another line was thrown forward and but I have never seen the sea so bad. the engines were continually man- This is the first time I have had some oeuvred. The crew of the life-boat hesitation in asking the life-boat to lined the port side, and this time they put to sea. I must say that there was managed to haul the five remaining none whatever on the part of the men into the life-boat. While this coxswain." was being done the lightvessel rolled Maroons were fired at 9.37, and at on to the life-boat, damaging her 9.42 the Tenby life-boat John R. Webb slightly. was launched. The lightvessel lies The rescue operations lasted a full some fifteen miles west-south-west fifteen minutes, and about 1.25 the from Tenby, and the life-boat, after life-boat started back for Tenby. She passing through Caldy Strait, where reached the harbour at 3.30, and the some protection from the land was to survivors were landed by R.A.F. be had, made steadily towards her for tanker. The life-boat waited till 4.15 some three hours. for enough water to enter the harbour. At twenty minutes past midnight She then refuelled and made for out- the lightvessel was asked by wireless side moorings, and was ready again for to indicate her position by rockets or service at 7.50. flares. A quarter of an hour later the Many tributes to the courage and Tenby coxswain reported by wireless skill of Coxswain Richards and the that he had seen a signal and that crew were paid. The Mayor of Tenby, the life-boat was now near the light- Councillor H. G. Hart, said at a vessel. He did, in fact, reach the meeting of the town council the next lightvessel at 1.10. By this time the da}7 : lightvessel was showing only a small "If ever a man felt proud of his oil lantern. townsmen that man was myself last The flood tide was making to the night. We who know the sea also east-south-east, and the lightvessel know that only supreme skill and was lying head to wind and sea, with daring would take the life-boat along- the swell on her port bow. She was side that lightship in such seas." rolling heavily and surging against her The council unanimously expressed cable. The captain of the lightvessel their "appreciation and hearty con- advised the coxswain to come along gratulations upon the wonderful her starboard side. courage and seamanship displayed in This the coxswain did, but the first taking the life-boat alongside the attempt at a rescue failed, as the crew lightship in such mountainous seas." of the lightvessel could not make fast Tributes were also paid by the Elder the securing rope, and the life-boat was Brethren of Trinity House and the carried awav. The high seas and the Chief Inspector of Coastguard. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 593 The Institution made the following try, with a copy of the vote inscribed awards: on vellum and framed. To COXSWAIN THOMAS B. RICHARDS, To each of the six other members of the silver medal for gallantry, with a the crew, the thanks of the Institution copy of the vote inscribed on vellum inscribed on vellum and framed. and framed. To the coxswain and each of the To BOWMAN WILLIAM R. THOMAS, eight members of his crew a special the bronze medal for gallantry, with award of £5 in addition to the reward a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum on the ordinary scale of £2 3s. Scale and framed. rewards to crew and launchers, To MOTOR MECHANIC WILLIAM H. £29 14s.; additional rewards to the ROGERS, the bronze medal for gallan- crew, £45. Total rewards, £74 14s.

A Trip in the Walmer Life-boat By Richard Dimbleby (This article appeared in Home Chat on the 29th of August, 1953. It is reproduced by the courtesy of the editor.) THREE or four years ago, in the course I was aboard the boat stationed at of a television programme transmitted Walmer, which serves the dreaded one summer's evening from Southend- Goodwin Sands and is, therefore, kept on-Sea, I had the chance of meeting pretty busy all the year round. It some of those stalwart characters who has, in fact, been responsible for saving form part of Britain's life-boat service. hundreds of lives in recent years. Not only was I "launched" with the The Walmer boat is kept on a Southend life-boat, down the steep slip- steel cradle well up on the steep way at the end of the pier, but later shingle beach and, when launched, I was "rescued " from a fishing smack. simply slides at speed down a path of During this part of the evening's wooden sleepers laid over the stones. programme, I put plenty of faith into The angle of descent, and the liberal the skill of the life-boat crew, for I had amount of grease spread over the to climb to the top of the mast of the sleepers, guarantee an entry into the smack as it rolled on the evening tide, sea, reminiscent of the water chutes jump down into a breeches-buoy (with of the fun-fairs. With its engines a thirty foot drop to the deck if I already running, the life-boat fairly missed it) and be hauled across the open shoots down the beach and plunges waste of water to the rescue vessel. into the waves. Its twin propellers The breeches-buoy was hanging bite, and it forges through the breakers from a life-line that had been fired to away from the danger-line of the beach the smack by rocket gun. A slim, and into the comparative security of delicate line it seemed, as I put all the open sea. my weight on it and clung to the sides A Face for a Poster of the breeches-buoy. Whether by It was a fine, sunny, sparkling day design or accident (I suspect the former) when we hit the sea. There were a the life-boat crew gave me one ducking few white-capped waves but, around on the way across, when the line slack- us, people were bathing. Certainly, at ened and I dipped into the waves. At first glance, no one would have called that moment, emerging cold and it at all rough and, though as a yachts- saturated in the gathering darkness, I man I should have known better, I felt thought how horrible it would be to irked by the yellow oilskin which I be shipwrecked and have to trust one- had put on at the insistence of the self to a single line like this in a gale. coxswain, Fred Upton. Apart from Out to the Goodwins this outer covering, I wore my ordinary Something of the same feeling came clothes and walking shoes—another over me the other day when I made a mistake, as I was to find later. second trip by life-boat. This time, As we headed out from the land, I 594 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 looked at the faces of the life-boat covered by the tide, but marked all crew as they stood at their stations. too clearly by the bones of a dozen sea Fred Upton, sitting astride the leather tragedies, the masts of sunken ships. saddle mounted on the steering column, It is there that the regular steep swell had the wheel comfortably between his coming up Channel, with waves per- hands. Assured, but very alert, he haps fifteen feet high, meets another looked every inch a life-boat coxswain swell just as large coming in from the in his blue Royal National Life-boat open sea. They collide in and around Institution cap. If he should read the wrecks, until the waste of turbulent this he will probably be very indignant, water is like a huge boiling kettle. but if ever the Institution is looking for Knowing that the Walmer life-boat a face to put on their posters here it was accustomed to seas far worse than is, lined and weather-beaten, slow to these, I was not unduly alarmed, smile but quite transformed when a although I would not have had my own grin spreads across it. vacht in such waters for anything in The rest of the crew, balancing easily the world. Indeed, I saw the cox- in the gentle swell, were all of the swain watching the waves intently, and "fisherman" type, agile in movement twisting the boat to meet the worst of and perfectly at home at sea. Most of them head on. The motion of the them were skippers or hands of the motor little vessel was quite extraordinary, pleasure boats that ply from Deal, and though, as my neighbour on the port knew the treacherous waters of the side observed, "you should try it in a Channel intimately. I could not help gale, at night." We reared up until thinking what a source of strength and only our propellers were in the water, comfort they must be to the shipwrecked then plunged down at the angle at sailor hauled aboard to safety. Small as which we had descended the beach. the life-boat was, surprisingly small, it We rolled our rails under the sea. cork- had an air of absolute security about it. screwed and wallowed. I held on for Gradually the land receded, and we dear life: the crew held on casually began to leave the shelter of the South with one hand, discussing the wrecks Foreland and reach the more open around us. waters of the Channel. At once the Each Wreck a Memory motion increased, and within ten For them, each pathetic remnant of minutes we were rolling. There is no a ship meant a different memory. half-measure about the rolling of a One had been a French merchant- life-boat, for its very buoyancy makes man, whose captain had refused to it light upon the water. The Walmer leave. They had made three hazard- boat rolled until it was impossible to ous trips out to the wreck before stand without hanging on to the guard finally taking him off. rails or the mast; rolled until, at one Nearby, with the waves crashing moment, I was looking straight down about it, was the bow of another ship, into the face of the man standing whose captain, ruined by the loss of the opposite me on the starboard side, and vessel, had sat crying in the cockpit at the next, with my own rail almost of the life-boat all the way to the shore. in the green sea, straight up at him as Over there, and the coxswain calmly he seemed to swing into the sky over me. took us through the narrow gap Feet over the Channel between the two wrecks, was another We were now several miles from the foreign cargo vessel whose coloured shore, sliding about on what might be crew had jumped one by one on to the called a considerable swell. Now and life-boat as he held it right alongside then, a wave bigger than the rest in a raging sea. They had returned tipped us up until the solid green sea to Walmer with sixty survivors aboard. broke into the boat, and once, as the There were many such stories, and port side swung down, my feet and I could picture, as they told them, just legs disappeared into the Channel. I how frightening it must be to handle a knew now why, even on such a harm- small craft in these most dangerous less-looking day, the crew were wearing waters, often in weather so bad that no their sea-boots. sane man would leave the shore. But Ahead of us lay the Goodwin Sands, it is all part of the life-boat service, a DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 595 national, but not nationalised, service Money cannot be the attraction in of which we should all be proud. True, this vital, perilous undertaking, yet the life-boat crews are rewarded for there is no life-boatman who will their work, but the amouut is small openly admit that love for the sea and and never does more than cover a deep spirit of service take him out to what they lose by missing their normal the succour of his fellow-men. I am occupations. glad to say it for him. The Institution and the Coronation Spithead Review orary workers made arrangements for FOUH life-boats took part in the collections at the river-side. On the Coronation Review of the Fleet by 6th of June the life-boat took part Her Majesty the Queen at Spithead on in the Kingston river pageant and gave the 15th of June, 1953. Two of the a display of a rescue by breeches buoy. life-boats were the new Campbeltown and Flamborough boats, City of Glas- Exhibitions, Displays, Processions gow II and Friendly Forester. The The Bridligton life-boat Tillie other two, the former Margate life- Morrison, Sheffield II was shown at the boat The Lord Southborough, Civil Derby Coronation exhibition from the Service No. 1 and the Ramsgate life- 29th of May to the 13th of June. A boat Prudential, both took part in the large scale map showing life-boat Dunkirk evacuation. stations, which had been specially The life-boats were anchored off designed for the exhibition, attracted Gilkicker Point, and when Her Majesty- considerable interest. passed in H.M.S. Surprise the crews The Plymouth life-boat Thomas manned ship and gave three cheers. Forehead and Mary Rowse took part in Before the review the life-boats had a Coronation display in the Sound, in cruised among the lines of warships which a rescue was staged. Admiral and merchant ships. A signal was Sir Maurice Mansergh, Commander in sent from Captain (D.) of one destroyer Chief, Plymouth, thanked the cox- flotilla complimenting the life-boats on swain and crew of the life-boat "for their smart appearance. putting up such a good display." On the evening of the 15th of June Many other branches and stations the Minister of Transport, Mr. A. T. organised special activities in connec- Lennox-Boyd, who had been a guest tion with the Coronation. The of Mr. M. Arnet Robinson, a member Aberystwyth life-boat Aguila Wren of the Committee of Management, on took part in a Coronation regatta. board the S.S. Irish Coast, visited the The Newhaven branch staged a Campbeltown life-boat. Coronation pantomime. Coronation dances were held at Brierfield (Lanca- Life-boats on the Thames shire) and Kirkby Londsdale. A The Southend-on-Sea life-boat carnival was staged at Chelmsford. Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 took In the London area the Burnt Oak part in the Royal River Pageant on and Edgware branch won the first the Thames on the 22nd of July. prize in a Coronation procession with The reserve life-boat Elizabeth Wills a decorated life-boat lorry, and deco- Allen, formerly stationed at Seaham, rated lorries took part in processions went up the Thames as far as Oxford at Carshalton, Dagenham, Richmond and paid a number of visits during the and Kew, Stanmore and Woolwich. Coronation fortnight. The life-boat The ladies' life-boat guild at Brid- remained at Oxford from the 23rd of lington organized a gala and staged May to the 27th of May and was seen exhibits in a parade which took place by many visitors during Eights Week. on Coronation Day, and the branch at On the return journey she stayed at Carnforth (Lancashire) also took part Reading, Henley, Maidenhead,Windsor part in a Coronation parade. The and Kingston. The mayors and official crew of the Hoylake life-boat staged parties in all these towns were taken a float at the Coronation procession in the life-boat for a trip on the river. in Liverpool. A photograph of this The local honorary secretaries and hon- is to be seen on page 607. 596 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

New Ways of Raising Money IN the last few months money has television set, suggested, at the end, been raised for the Institution in a that they should have a collection for number of new and striking ways. A the Life-boat Service. The friends particularly welcome gift was one of agreed. The result was a cheque to £155 which came from Miss Erica the Institution for four pounds. Marx, of the Hand and Flower Press, Aldington, Kent. This amount re- presented the entire proceeds from a book published at £1 Is. and containing Mrs. Watt, the proprietress of the the Coronation message of Her Majesty Bayview Hotel, Macduff, Banffshire, the Queen, broadcast on the 2nd has a show case with three panels of June, together with the Prime standing above the hotel bar. Coins Minister's introduction. Only 500 given by the customers are stuck on copies of the book were printed. to the panels with beer. The idea originated about the time of the dis- aster to the Fraserburgh life-boat when a customer asked what to do An eleven-year-old boy, Joseph with a halfpenny over which some Hirst, of Lewes, Sussex, collected beer had been spilt. In a few months pieces of Roman pottery and other more than £12 was collected, all of Roman remains, and displayed them which is being sent to the Institution. in a museum constructed in an old air-raid shelter in his father's garden. He charged a penny admission and is sending the money to the Institution. Another hotel in Macduff, the Knowes, whose proprietress is Miss Johnston, also has an unusual way of raising money for the Institution. From time to time a placard is placed On the life-boat flag day at Skegness a St. Bernard dog walked along the on the bar with the letters front and collected more than £20 in a WYPAPITLIITY box on its back. on it. Customers are told what this means only if they give a penny to the Institution. The barman then explains that the word stands for A lady in Halifax, who invited a few "Will you put a penny in the life-boat friends to see the Coronation on her if I tell you ?''

The Book of Flags A SECOND edition has been published revised for its second edition that the of The Book of Flags (Oxford Univer- review pointed out that the flag is sity Press, 155.), by Vice-Admiral flown not only on the Institution's Gordon Campbell, V.C., D.S.O., and headquarters in London, but on its Mr. I. O. Evans, F.R.G.S., which was depot at Boreham Wood, and this has first published in 1950 and reviewed in now been added. There are other The Life-boat for Autumn 1951. The alterations and additions in the new Institution's house-flag is described edition. The chief addition is to the and reproduced in colours. It shows section on Air Flags, which has now the care with which the book has been been expanded into a chapter. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 597

Visitors from Abroad A DANISH mission, headed by Mr. C. crew of the Dover life-boat and C. F. Langseth, Deputy Permanent members of the branch went out in Secretary of the Danish Ministry of the reserve boat The Lord South- Defence, visited England from the borough (Civil Service No. 1). The 27th to the 30th of July to study three life-boats then put into Dover British life-boats. The mission harbour and the guests, who included watched launches by the Shoreham the French Consul for Folkestone and and Wells life-boats and visited ship- Dover, the presidents of the Calais and building yards in Cowes. On the 27th Boulogne life-boat committees and a of July they were entertained by the French deputy for the Pas de Calais, Institution to a luncheon at which the were entertained to luncheon. The Deputy Chairman, Commodore the host at the luncheon was the chairman Earl Howe, P.C., C.B.E., V.R.D., of the Dover committee, Mr. H. T. R.N.V.R., was in the chair. In ad- Hawksfield, at whose private expense dition to Mr. Langseth the mission the whole visit was arranged. included representatives of the Danish Coast Reserve Service, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Copenhagen, the Association of Danish Life-boatmen and the Federation of Danish Nine Germans attending a course Fishermen. organised by the German section of the Foreign Office at Wilton Park visited the headquarters of the Insti- tution on the 30th of September, when English and French life-boatmen they were given a talk on the history met in the Channel five miles from and organisation of the Life-boat Dover on Sunday, the 6th of Sep- Service. The German party included tember, when a visit was paid by the local government officials, trade union Calais and Boulogne life-boats. The leaders, journalists and teachers.

The New Fowler Tractor THE newest type of tractor now being operating continuously at full power used by the Institution is a develop- in water up to a depth of seven feet. ment of the 95 b.h.p. Challenger III For this reason the engine has had to diesel crawler tractor made by Messrs. be completely encased so that it can John Fowler and Company (Leeds) run for considerable periods without Limited. the circulating water overheating. To The standard Challenger tractor has allow access to the engine for mainten- had to be adapted by the manufac- ance the side casing has been fitted turers to meet the special needs of the with portable watertight panels or side Institution. It has to be powerful doors. enough to haul a life-boat and carriage The tractor has been made com- weighing up to 14 tons over various pletely watertight, so that if it becomes types of terrain, including soft sand bogged down in sand or mud on a and deep shingle. It has also to be rising tide it can be recovered at the capable of pulling the life-boat and next low tide. This has been done carriage up gradients of 1 in 4 and to by fitting circular brass rubber-seated hold them by its brakes on these valves to the air intake and discharge gradients. The haul down to the ports, which can be quickly shut in water at low tide at certain stations emergency by turning a hand-wheel may amount to several miles. in the driver's compartment. The tractor must be capable of To prevent the engine from being 598 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 damaged by, for instance, water which by levers to the fuel pump mounted might be sucked in if the valves did on either side of the steering column. not close properly, and also to prevent A powerful hand-brake is provided for a vacuum being created in the engine- emergency stops and for holding room, an automatic stop device has carriage, boat and tractor on steep been incorporated in the mechanism. inclines. The tractor develops a draw-bar To allow the driver to have full pull of 21,100 Ibs. through its six- control of his tractor when his cockpit speed gear-box, and is also fitted with is submerged, extended clutch and a specially designed winch which would gear levers have been fitted. enable it to exert a maximum pull of When launching, the tractor hauls 38,500 Ibs. at its lowest possible speed. the carriage and boat across the beach This is necessary, particularly for inch- to the water's edge, where it turns the ing the boat back on to its carriage. complete unit until the boat faces the Steering is by means of a vertical sea. The tractor uncouples and moves hand-wheel on a marine type steering round to the rear, where it pushes the column in the centre of the driver's carriage and boat into some three feet cockpit. This column not only oper- of water by means of a specially de- ates the brakes, but withdraws the signed front buffer-plate. Two ropes clutches when the tractor is being secured to the tractor and rove through manoeuvred. A partial turn of the pulleys on the front of the carriage are steering-wheel de-clutches the drive passed to the stern of the boat, where on the inner side of the turn while the they are attached tosliphooks. These outer side continues to drive. In this form the launching falls. When the way direction is altered. A further tractor is reversed these ropes are turn of the wheel applies the brakes pulled taut, and the tractor then more strongly on the inner side, and ejects the life-boat from the carriage the tractor then turns in a smaller into the sea, where, with its engines circle by pivoting on the inner track. going full speed, it carries on under its The engine speed control is operated own power.

Parliamentary Question and Answer ME. JAMES CALLAGHAN, M.P. for the Minister of Transport, answered: South East Cardiff, asked the Minister "In my view this matter can best of Transport if he would set up a be dealt with by discussions between committee to review the adequacy of the Departments directly concerned present arrangements for searching and and I have arranged accordingly. assisting vessels in distress round the Other interested organisations will be British Isles. Mr. A. T. Lennox-Bovd, consulted as necessary."

Mr. J. S. Wood, of Hartlepool Mr. J. S. WOOD, at one time secretary and retired in July, 1952. He was of the Hartlepool Port and Harbour presented with the Institution's in- Commission, who died on the 15th of scribed binoculars in 1948, and on his May, 1953, at the age of 60, was for retirement with the Institution's twenty years the honorary secretary thanks inscribed on vellum to record of the Hartlepool life-boat station. its gratitude for his many services to He was appointed in November, 1932, the Institution. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 599

The Loughs of Berwick-on-Tweed By Commander W. M. Phipps Hornby, R.N. Chairman of the Berwick-on-Tweed Life-boat Station THERE has been a life-boat station at as second coxswain. In 1948 Andrew, Berwick-on-Tweed for 118 years, and son of Bartholomew the first, was for the last thirty-four of those years appointed bowman. He served until the coxswain has been a Lough. A 1950, when he left Berwick to become Lough is coxswain today, four of the fisheries officer at Hull. other seven members of the crew are We come to the third generation. Loughs, and at a pinch we could man Prideaux, now serving as coxswain, the boat with Loughs. It is a record had three sons, Edward, John and which I think deserves to be added to George. Edward joined the crew at the other great records of family the age of sixteen in 1941, John in 1942 service in the life-boats. and George in 1944. George served It began in 1919 when Bartholomew in the crew until 1949 when he joined Lough the first became coxswain, and the Navy. He is serving in it today. three Lough brothers, Prideaux, In 1951 Prideaux retired. His Bartholomew the second and John, all brother, Bartholomew the second, nephews of Bartholomew the first, who was second coxswain, succeeded became members of the crew. In 1929 him. His son Edward, who had been Prideaux was appointed second-cox- made bowman in 1950, was now swain and in 1936 John was appointed appointed second-coxswain. second motor mechanic. Meanwhile, So in the crew today we have in 1930, a third Batholomew, son of Bartholomew the second as coxswain, Bartholomew the first, had joined the his nephew Edward as second-cox- crew, at the age of eighteen, as motor swain, his cousin, Bartholomew the mechanic, and in 1934 another son third, as motor mechanic, his brother, of Bartholomew the first, Andrew John the first, as second motor Wilson Lough, had joined the crew. mechanic, and his nephew, John the In 1939 the war came. Prideaux, second, as a member of the crew. the second-coxswain, went on war It is a notable, though perhaps service. His work was the disposal of rather complicated, record. It only mines, and he won the B.E.M. for remains for me to add that since the gallantry. Andrew joined the Navy. station was established in 1835 its After the war they returned to the boats have been launched on service life-boat. All this time Bartholomew 186 times and have rescued 255 lives. the first had continued to serve as Eighty-eight of those services have coxswain. In 1945 he retired at the been carried out, and 71 of those lives age of sixty-seven, and his nephew have been rescued, since Bartholomew Prideaux, just returned, became cox- Lough the first became coxswain, and swain in his place. Bartholomew the his three nephews became members of second succeeded his brother Prideaux the crew, in 1919.

Survivors of 1899 Disaster THE only two living survivors of of Aldeburgh, and Mr. Robert Thorp, the Aldeburgh life-boat disaster in of Chelmsford. Also present was 1899 were guests of honour at a dinner Mrs. Millar Ward, the only survivor given by Ipswich supporters of the of the wives of members of the 1899 Institution to the present crew crew. of the Aldeburgh life-boat, and The dinner was organised by Mr. their wives, at Ipswich on the Oliver C. Jones, honorary secretary of 30th of September, 1953. The two the Ipswich branch. Mr. E. P. Tetsall survivors are Mr. Daniel Wilson, presided. 600 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

Services of the Life-boats in July, August and September, 1953 134 Lives Rescued JULY and towed the boat to South Shields. DURING July life-boats were launched The life-boat reached her station 70 times and rescued 62 lives. again at 10.45.—Rewards, £7 Ss. 6d.

BOY DIES AFTER FALLING OVER SEARCH FOR SWIMMERS OFF RHYL CLIFF Rhyl, Flintshire.—At 2.25 on the Torbay, Devon.—At 1.30 on the after- afternoon of the 5th of July, 1953, the noon of the 1st of July, 1953, the coastguard rang up to say that the Brixham coastguard rang up to say Abergele police had reported that a that a boy had fallen over a cliff south small boat had capsized off Llandulas, of Berry Head coastguard look-out and that her crew of two were swim- post. He had been badly hurt and, ming towards Abergele. At 2.42 the at 1.45 the life-boat Hearts of Oak, on life-boat Anthony Robert Marshall was temporary duty at the station, put launched and made for the position in to sea with the second coxswain in a slight sea with a light south-south- command. She took her boarding west breeze blowing. One of the men boat with her and made for the came ashore at Pensarn, but his com- position in a calm sea and light north- panion disappeared. The life-boat did easterly breeze. The boy had fallen not find him, but came up with the between sixty and seventy feet. A upturned ten-feet pram dinghy Turtle lady doctor, police, coastguardsmen half a mile north-east of Abergele. and ambulance men climbed down to She took the dinghy on board and him. They strapped him in a stretcher, returned to her station, arriving at and he was then lowered into the 5.45. The missing man's body was boarding boat which transferred him washed ashore later. — Rewards, to the life-boat. The life-boat took £14 195. him to Brixham harbour, arriving at 2.40. An ambulance was waiting to EXHAUSTED WOMAN RESCUED take him to hospital, but when he FROM YACHT reached the hospital he died.—Re- Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 1.55 on wards, £6 15s. the afternoon of the 7th of July, 1953, the coastguard rang up to say that a FISHING BOAT IN DANGER OF small yacht anchored half a mile BEING RUN DOWN south-east of the pier needed help, and Tynemouth, Northumberland. — At at 2.5 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring 8.55 on the evening of the 4th of July, was launched. The sea was rough, 1953, the coastguard rang up to say that with a strong south-south-west wind a fishing boat appeared to be drifting blowing. The life-boat came up with about three miles to the eastward, and the yacht Daddy, of Maldon. A man that one of her crew was waving a and a woman, who had hired the flag on an oar. At 9.10 the life-boat yacht for the day, were on board, the Tynesider was launched, with the woman by now exhausted. The life- honorary secretary, Mr. E. Selby boat rescued both of them and towed Davidson, on board, in a moderate sea the Daddy to Brightlingsea, arriving at with a moderate westerly breeze. She 5.2. She waited there for the weather found the fishing boat Gypsy, of South to improve and reached her station Shields, with eight persons on board, again at 10.45.—Rewards, £20 8s. 9d. three and a half miles east of Tyne South Pier. The Gypsy's engine had SWEDISH SEAMAN TAKEN TO broken down, and as she was in danger HOSPITAL of being run down in the darkness, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, the life-boat rescued those on board Norfolk.—At eleven o'clock on the DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 601 night of the 8th of July, 1953, the LIFE-BOAT SAVES D.U.K.W. coastguard reported that the S.S. Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—At 2.25 on Libra, of Stockholm, had asked for a the afternoon of the 10th of July, 1953, boat to land a sick man. No other the coastguard reported that an Army suitable boat was available, and at D.U.K.W. was in distress near Manor- 1] .15 the life-boat Louise Stephens was bier, and at 2.39 the life-boat John R. launched in a slight sea with a light Webb was launched. The sea was westerly breeze blowing, taking two moderate with a light north-north- doctors with her. She came up with west breeze blowing. The life-boat the Libra off the harbour, and the found the D.U.K.W., with two officers doctors found that the man had serious and four soldiers on board, a mile off abdominal trouble. He was lowered Skrinkle Bay. Her engine had broken into the life-boat on a stretcher and down, and the life-boat rescued the taken ashore to a waiting ambulance. men and towed the D.U.K.W. to The life-boat reached her station again Tenby, which was reached at 4.35.— at 12.45.—Rewards, £10 17s. Rewards, £9 13s. YACHT TOWED TO CHICHESTER YACHTS FOUR HOURS OVERDUE HARBOUR Port St. Mary, Isle of Man.—At 12.30 Selsey, Sussex.—At 5.40 on the after- early on the morning of the llth of noon of the 9th of July, 1953, the July, 1953, the harbour master told coastguard rang up to say that the the life-boat station that a man had Chichester police had reported a yacht reported that his two sons had left in difficulties half a mile off Brackles- Douglas in an eighteen-feet yacht. ham Bay. At six o'clock the life-boat They had been accompanied by two Canadian Pacific put out in a calm sea men in another yacht, and both yachts with a light north-westerly breeze ought to have reached Port St. Mary blowing. She found the four-ton four hours earlier. At 1.15 the life- motor yacht Morning Breeze, of Ems- boat Civil Service No. 5 put out. The worth, dragging her anchor a hundred sea was calm and there was a light yards off shore inside Houndgate breeze, but the weather was deteriorat- Rocks. Her engine had broken down. ing. The life-boat found the yachts Her crew of three were nearly ex- Maid Margaret and Maid Mary about hausted, but they weighed the anchor four miles west of Langness.: She and made fast a rope from the life- towed them to Port St. Mary and boat. The life-boat then towed the reached her station again at 2.30— yacht to Chichester harbour, moored Rewards, £6 2s. Qd. her off Hayling Island and reached her station again at 9.45.—Property TWO DINGHIES RESCUED DURING Salvage Case. REGATTA Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.—At 2.25 IRISH FISHING BOAT TOWED TO on the afternoon of the llth of July, HARBOUR 1953, the life-boat Aguila Wren was Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—At 10.40 on the launched for a routine exercise. She pa- night of the 9th of July, 1953, the head trolled the area in which some dinghies lightkeeper at the Power Head fog were sailing in a local regatta, and about station rang up to say that he had four o'clock, when the sea was choppy seen a motor fishing boat burn flares and a strong south-easterly breeze was half a mile east of Power Head. At blowing, she saw one of them capsize 10.45 the life-boat Mary Stanford put three quarters of a mile north of the to sea. The sea was calm, with a life-boat station. She immediately light north-westerly breeze blowing. went to her and rescued her crew of The life-boat found the fishing boat two. Another dinghy, the Gwylan, Irish Leader, with a crew of two, was then seen to capsize five hundred broken down one mile south-east of yards to the south. The life-boat Power Head. She towed her to rescued her crew of two, took the harbour and reached her station again Gwylan in tow, and landed three of the at 1.30 early the next morning.— rescued at 4.30. She then put off Rewards, £6 6*. again, with the fourth man whom 602 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 she had rescued on board, towed in the he had later been unable to start her dinghy which had capsized first, and engine. Three people had swum out reached her station at five o'clock.— to help him and remained aboard. Rewards, £14 15s. As the Firefly was now making water, the life-boat towed her to Bridlington FRENCH YACHT ESCORTED TO and reached her station again at 12.15. FALMOUTH —Rewards, £12 5s. Coverack, Cornwall.—At 4.10 on the afternoon of the llth of July, 1953, a PATIENT TAKEN FROM HEBRIDES local resident reported that he could ISLAND see a yacht between two and three Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At miles off Coverack flying two flags at 10.45 on the morning of the 13th of July, her masthead. At 4.23 the life-boat 1953, a doctor asked if the life-boat The Three Sisters was launched and, would take a seriously sick person to in a moderate sea with a fresh south- Lochboisdale, as the local airport was south-west breeze, came up with the fogbound. At 11.25 the life-boat yacht Mont Joie II, of Brest. The Lloyd's put to sea, with the second yacht had a crew of three and twelve coxswain in command, in a calm sea Sea Scouts on board, and the skipper and north-westerly breeze, took the said he had lost his bearings and was patient to Lochboisdale, and arrived short of fuel. At his request the back at her station at six in the even- life-boat escorted the yacht to Fal- ing.—Rewards, £17 Is. Refunded to mouth and reached her station again the Institution by the St. Andrew's at 8.45.—Rewards, £12 10s. 6d. and Red Cross Scottish Ambulance Service. YACHT TOWED TO INSTOW Appledore, Devon.—At 8.30 on the COBLE'S PROPELLER SHAFT evening of the llth of July, 1953, the BREAKS second coxswain told the coxswain Filey, Yorkshire.—At 8.50 on the that he had seen the yacht Susan Ann, morning of the 15th of July, 1953, the of Fremington, with a crew of four, coastguard rang up to pass on a radio make distress signals. The Susan Ann message from a steamer. This said was off Crow Rocks near Appledore that the fishing coble Margaret and lighthouse, and at 8.40 the life-boat James, of Scarborough, was six miles M.O.Y.E., on temporary duty at the north-north-east of Flamborough station, put to sea. The sea was Head, with a broken propeller shaft, choppy with a fresh south-westerly and had asked for the life-boat. At breeze blowing. The life-boat found nine o'clock the life-boat The Cuttle that the Susan Ann had broken down, was launched in a calm sea and light and at the owner's request towed her westerly breeze, She found the coble, to Instow. The life-boat reached her with four persons on board, and towed station again at 9.50.—Rewards, her to Filey, arriving at 11.10.— £3 10s. Rewards, £13 18s.

THREE PEOPLE SWIM OUT TO SERVICE TO DINGHIES ON FLAG FISHING BOAT DAY Bridlington, Yorkshire. — At eight Exmouth, Devon.—At nine o'clock on o'clock on the morning of the 12th of the morning of the 18th of July, 1953, July, 1953, the harbour office rang up the life-boat Catherine Harriet Eaton to say that a boat needed help off Skip- was launched to attend the life-boat sea, and at 9.20 the life-boat Tillie flag day at Budleigh Salterton and Morrison, Sheffield II was launched. Sidmouth. At 12.5, when she was at The sea was calm, with a moderate Sidmouth, two twelve-feet racing southerly breeze blowing. The life- dinghies capsized one mile to the boat found the local motor cruiser southward during a thunderstorm. Firefly, with four people on board, The life-boatmen saw them and two hundred yards off Skipsea. The immediately went to their help. The owner had put off in her that morning sea was choppy, with a strong wind and had been fishing from her, but blowing. The life-boat rescued the DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 603 crew of two of one of the dinghies, the in a choppy sea with a light westerly Moonstone, and towed the dinghy to breeze. She took a small boat with the beach. A fishing boat saved the her and found two men, a boy and a other dinghy and her crew. The life- dog on a rock. The small boat trans- boat arrived back at Exmouth at ferred them to the life-boat, which took five o'clock.—Rewards, £2. them to the harbour, arriving at nine o'clock.—Rewards, £5 5s. TWO RESCUES ON GREYSTONES FLAG DAY TWO CLING TO CAPSIZED YACHT Wicklow.—At 12.30 on the afternoon Dover, Kent. — About 4.15 on the of the 18th of July, 1953, the life-boat afternoon of the 19th of July, 1953, the Lady Kylsant was launched in a harbour board gateman at the Eastern choppy sea, with a moderate north- Docks reported that a small sailing westerly breeze blowing. She was due yacht with a crew of four had capsized to attend a life-boat flag day at Grey- at the eastern end of the harbour. stones, but six miles north-east of Two of her crew had swum ashore, but Wicklow she saw a dismasted yacht. the others were clinging to the yacht. This was the Pandora, with a crew of The life-boat The Lord Southborough, four. The life-boat rescued all those Civil Service No. 1, on temporary duty on board and towed the yacht to at the station, put to sea at once in a Greystones, which she reached at 2.10. choppy sea with a strong breeze blow- She remained there until seven in the ing. She rescued the two people and evening, when she left for Wicklow. towed in the yacht, reaching her station On the return journey, when she was again at 5.30.—Rewards, £4 6s. four miles south of Greystones, she saw two men and a woman sitting on MOTOR LAUNCH TOWED TO FISH- an upturned yacht, the Sanderling. GUARD She rescued all three and towed the Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 9.18 Sanderling to Wicklow, arriving at on the evening of the 19th of July, 1953, 8.30.—Rewards, £11 18s. the coxswain was rung up with the news that the motor launch Thelma, of BOYS CLING TO CAPSIZED DINGHY Fishguard, was in distress off the Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—At 3.31 on northern breakwater. At 9.36 the the afternoon of the 18th of July, 1953, life-boat White Star was launched. the Foreland coastguard rang up to The sea was moderate and a strong say that a sailing dinghy had capsized south-south-west breeze was blowing. a quarter of a mile from the coast- The life-boat found the Thelma a mile guard station, and that two boys were north-north-west of the breakwater. clinging to it. The life-boat Jesse She had a crew of six, who had been Lumb was launched, at 3.40, and a on a fishing trip, but a sea had shore-boat put off from Forelands swamped her engine. The life-boat about the same time in a moderate sea towed the Thelma to Lower Fishguard with a light south-westerly breeze Harbour and reached her station again blowing. The shore-boat rescued the at 10.50.—Rewards, £6 14s. boys, and the life-boat towed the dinghy to her station, which she YACHT'S CREW SHORT OF FOOD reached again at 4.15. — Rewards, Beaumaris, Anglesey.—At 8.30 on the £5 10s. evening of the 20th of July, 1953, it was reported that the yacht Rongorge, THREE PEOPLE AND A DOG CUT which had anchored off Gallows Point OFF BY TIDE with a crew of four, was dragging, and Dunbar, East Lothian. — At eight at 8.45 the life-boat Field Marshal and o'clock on the evening of the 18th of Mrs. Smuts was launched. There was July, 1953, the coastguard rang up the a rough sea with a fresh south-westerly coxswain to say that the police had breeze blowing. The four people on reported that three people and a dog board were seasick and short of food. were cut off by the tide half a mile The life-boat towed the Rongorge to west of Dunbar. At 8.15 the life-boat Menai Bridge and arrived back at her George and Sarah Strachan put out station at 9.30.—Rewards, £7 5s. 604 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 RESCUE FROM MOTOR CRUISER BY boat to put out, the life-boat Field BREECHES BUOY Marshal and Mrs. Smuts was launched Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At 8.10 on the at 8.55 in a rough sea and with a strong evening of the 22nd of July, 1953, the south-westerly wind blowing. She life-boat tractor driver reported that found that the stranded people had the local motor cruiser Davaar was in no food or water. The life-boatmen distress a hundred yards east of East gave them rum, soup and biscuits, Pier. At 8.20 the life-boat James and rescued them and took them to Beau- Ruby Jackson was launched. The sea maris, arriving at 9.20.—Rewards, was choppy, and a moderate south- £9 13s. westerly breeze was blowing. The life-boat found the Davaar broken A SLOW TOW TO DOVER down. She had been driven over two Dover, Kent.—At 5.35 on the after- reefs and large boulders, and had sunk noon of the 26th of July, 1953, the in shallow water. Her crew of two Sandgate coastguard rang up to say were standing on the top of the cabin that the motor cruiser Hareih had and were holding on to her mast. A broken down and had anchored off St. line was fired to them and a breeches- Margaret's Bay with seven people on buoy was passed across. By this board. At 5.50 the life-boat The Lord means the life-boat rescued them and Southborough, Civil Service No. 1 put took them to the harbour, reaching out. There was a rough sea and a her station again at nine o'clock.— strong south-westerly breeze was blow- Rewards, £8 Is. 6rf. ing. The life-boat found the Hareth half a mile off shore making heavy LIFE-BOATMAN WADES TO weather. She put a rope on board and SANDBANK held her while the crew of the Hareth Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 9.25 weighed anchor. The rope parted on the evening of the 23rd of July, after the life-boat had begun to tow, 1953, the Walton-on-the-Naze coast- but it was connected up again, and the guard rang up to say that the Harwich life-boat towed the Hareth slowly to police had reported that a man and a Dover, arriving at 7.50.—Rewards, woman were stranded on a sandbank £5 10s. in Dovercourt Bay opposite a holiday camp. At 9.40 the life-boat Thomas TWO MEN RESCUED FROM ROCK Markby, on temporary duty at the Swanage, Dorset.—On the afternoon station, put out in a moderate sea with of the 27th of July, 1953, the coastguard a light north-westerly breeze blowing. rang up to say that two men in a row- She was guided to the position by the ing boat two miles south of Peveril police, who used the headlights of a Point were shouting for help, and at car. The stranded man flashed his 2.25 the life-boat R.L.P. was launched. cigarette lighter, and the coxswain, The sea was rough with a moderate seeing this, took the life-boat as close westerly breeze blowing. The life- to the sandbank as he could. A life- boat found the two men on a rock at boatman then waded to the sandbank Durlston Head. They had been row- with a line and rescued the people, ing near Peveril Ledges, had broken and the life-boat took them to Har- an oar and had been carried away by wich. An ambulance met them and the tide. The life-boat came close to took them to hospital where the woman the rock, and the two men, using their was detained. The life-boat arrived rowing boat, transferred to the life- back at her station at 1.25 early the boat, which took them and their boat next morning.—Rewards, £16 6s. to Swanagc arriving at 3.15 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £6 15s. TWO STRANDED ON PUFFIN ISLAND Beaumaris, Anglesey.—At 8.39 on the RESCUE FROM PLEASURE FLOAT evening of the 24th of July, 1953, the Ramsgate, Kent.—At 1.25 on the after- Penmon coastguard rang up to say noon of the 29th of July, 1953, a that two people were stranded on message was received from the East Puffin Island and were waving for help. Pier that two women and a boy were As the weather was too bad for a shore- in difficulties in a Pedalo pleasure DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 60S

LIFE-BOAT HOUSE FLOODLIT FOR THE CORONATION 606 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

LIFE-BOATS IN THE CORONATION REVIEW AT SPITHEAD (see page 595)

By courtesy of] '^Topical Press A LIFE-BOAT ON THE THAMES The reserve life-boat Elizabeth Wills Allen, which went up the Thames to Oxford, opposite County Hall (see page 595) DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 607

5v courtesy of] [Derby Photo Service A LIFE-BOAT ON SHOW IN DERBY The new Bridlington life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was on show at the Coronation Exhibition in Derby (see page 593)

ONAUIFE BOAT INSTITUTION

fly courtesy r>f] [F. A. Fyfe, Liverpool HOYLAKE LIFE-BOATMEN IN LIVERPOOL PROCESSION (see page 595) 608 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

TENBY LIFE-BOATHOUSE The Tenby life-boat rescued seven men from the St. Gowan lightvessel in a full gale (see page 592)

By courtesy of] [Fox Photos DANISH LIFE-BOAT MISSION IN LONDON (see page 597) On the right facing the camera is the late John Terry DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 609

By courtesy of] [Picture Post Library

RICHARD DIMBLEBY ON BOARD THE VVALMER LIFE-BOAT (see page 593)

By courtesy of] [East Anglian Daily Times

SURVIVORS OF 1899 DISASTER Mr. Daniel Wilson and Mr Robert Thorp talking to the Mayor and Mayoress of Aldeburgh (see page 599) 610 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

THE NEW FOWLER TRACTOR (see page 597) DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 611

THE FOWLER TRACTOR

-HAULING THE HOYLAKE LIFE-BOAT 612 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953

By courtesy of] [David Smith, Berwitk-on-Tu-eed

THE LOUGHS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED (see page 599) DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 613 float, and were drifting seawards off sea with a light south-westerly breeze Dumpton Gap. At 1.30 the life-boat blowing. The life-boat found the Prudential put out in a slight sea and tanker near No. 1 Sea Reach Buoy. light west-south-west breeze. She She put the doctor on board, and when rescued the women and the boy and he had treated the patient took him towed the float to Ramsgate. reaching back to Southeiid, which was reached at her station again at 2.14.—Rewards, eleven o'clock.—Rewards, £7 15s. £6 12s. 6d. MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO TENBY SAILOR FALLS DOWN HOLD Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—At 8.30 on the Newhaven, Sussex.—At 6.45 on the evening of the 29th of July, 1953, the evening of the 27th of July, 1953, the life-boat honorary secretary noticed coastguard reported that the S.S. that the local motor boat Monty, with Ardetta, of Liverpool, which was off a crew of two, had broken down one Newhaven, had asked for a boat to mile south-west of St. Catherine's land a man who had fallen down her Island. At 8.55 the life-boat John R. hold. The harbour tug, which com- Webb was launched in a calm sea with monly brings medical help to ships, a light north-westerly breeze blowing. could not put to sea because of the She towed the Monty to the harbour low tide, and at 7.35, therefore, the and reached her station again at 9.35. life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was The owner of the Monty made a launched. The sea was rough with a donation to the funds of the Institu- strong south-westerly breeze blowing. tion.—Rewards, £13 5s. The second coxswain went aboard the steamer and gave first-aid. The life- boat later landed the injured man, SECOND SERVICE IN ONE EVENING reaching her station again at 9.15.— Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.44 on Rewards, £7 16s. the evening of the 29th of July, 1953, after the life-boat Greater London, STORES TAKEN TO WELSH Civil Service No. 3 had been launched STEAMER to the tanker San Cirilo, the coast- Workington, Cumberland.—On the guard reported that a yacht was ashore 29th of July, 1953, the S.S. Nordejlinge, on Red Sands. The life-boat reached of Cardiff, reached Workington and her station again at eleven o'clock, anchored off the harbour. She re- was told the position of the yacht and ported that she was short of food, and put to sea again ten minutes later. as no other boat was available, the The sea was choppy with a light west- life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX south-west breeze blowing. The life- put to sea at 4.20. She took provisions boat found the yacht Sutta, with a crew to the steamer in a moderate sea with of four, one and a half miles south of a moderate west-north-west breeze Red Sand Forts. She stood by until blowing, and reached her station again the yacht got clear and was able to at 5.58. She was launched once more continue her journey, and then re- at eleven o'clock and took more stores turned to her station, arriving at two to the steamer. She arrived back at o'clock the next morning.—Rewards, her station at one o'clock the next £7 15s. morning. Rewards, 1st service £5 5s.; 2nd service, £5 5s. The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in DOCTOR TAKEN TO TANKER distress, were not needed or could do Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.5 on nothing: the evening of the 29th of July, 1953, Broughty Ferry, Angus.—July 1st.— the coastguard rang up to say that Rewards, £6 12s. 6d. the tanker San Cirilo, of London, had Plymouth, Devon. — July 2nd. — Re- asked for a doctor to attend a man wards, £4 10s. suspected of having appendicitis. At Ramsgate, Kent. — July 3rd. — Re- 8.45 the life-boat Greater London, Civil wards, £5 17s. 6d. Service No. 3 was launched with a Padstow, Cornwall.—July 3rd.—Re- doctor on board. There was a choppy wards, £9 2s. 6d. 614 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 Teesmouth, Yorkshire. — July 3rd. Thurso, Caithness-shire.—July 27th, —Rewards, £11 6s. —Rewards, £18 3s. Qd. Exmouth, Devon. — July 4th. — Re- Holyhead, Anglesey. — July 29th. — wards, £14 12s. Rewards, £8 5s. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — July 6th. Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — July —Rewards, £10 7s. 3d. 30th.—Rewards, £11 11s. Ballycotton, Co. Cork. — July 6th. — Rewards, £7 5s. AUGUST Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—July 8th. DURING August life-boats were —Rewards, £6 10s. launched 81 times and rescued 43 Humber, Yorkshire.—July 8th.—Paid lives. Permanent Crew.—Rewards, £2 14s. Thurso, Caithness-shire.—July 9th.— DOCTOR TAKEN TO LIGHTVESSEL Rewards, £9 18s. Kirkcudbright.—July 9th.—Rewards, Wicklow.—At 2.15 on the afternoon £12 Is. of the 1st of August, 1953, the Com- Newhaven, Sussex.—July 10th.—Re- missioners of Irish Lights asked if the wards, £7 12s. life-boat would take a doctor to the New Quay, Cardiganshire.—July llth. Codling Bank Lightvessel. The life- —Rewards, £13 8s. boat Lady Kylsant was launched at Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — July 2.31 with a doctor on board. The sea was smooth, and there was a south- llth.—Rewards, £14 14s. south-easterly wind blowing. The Walton and Frinton, Essex. — July doctor went on board the lightvessel, llth.—Rewards, £11 12s. and a sick man was transferred to the Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—July 12th.— life-boat, which took him to Wicklow. Rewards, £23 8s. 6d. The life-boat arrived back at her Wick, Caithness-shire.—July 13th.— station at 6.30.—Rewards, £10 5s. Rewards, £5 5s. Refunded to the Institution by the Plymouth, Devon.—July 14th.—Re- Commissioners of Irish Lights. wards, £6 13s. Newbiggin, Northumberland. — July LIFE-BOATMEN BOARD MOTOR 15th.—Rewards, £11 3s. CRUISER Portrush, Co. Antrim.—July 16th.— Dover, Kent.—At 6.27 on the evening Rewards, £12 7s. of the 1st of August, 1953, the Sand- Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — July gate coastguard rang up to say a yacht 16th.—Rewards, £8. had burnt a red flare one and a half St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—July 17th. miles east of Folkestone pier and was —Rewards, £6 17s. making for Dover. At 6.44 the life- Douglas, Isle of Man.—July 19th.— boat The Lord Southborough, Civil Rewards, £5 5s. Service No. 1, on temporary duty at Clogher Head, Co. Louth.—July 19th. the station, put out in a choppy sea —Rewards, £16 6s. Qd. and light south-westerly breeze. She Teesmouth, Yorkshire. — July 21st. found the motor cruiser Matelot, with —Rewards, £14 10s. a crew of two, broken down half a mile Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. — July off the Warren, Folkestone. Two 24th.—Rewards, £10 19s. Qd. life-boatmen boarded her and the Barrow, Lancashire. — July 24th. — life;boat towed her to Dover, reaching Rewards, £7. her station again at 9.15. The owner Girvan, Ayrshire.—July 25th.—Re- made a gift to the life-boat crew.— wards, £5 13s. Rewards, £6 18s. Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—July 26th. —Rewards, £6 15s. EXHAUSTED MEN TAKEN OFF ROW- Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — July ING BOAT 26th.—Rewards, £8 9s. Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 11.5 on the Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—July 26th.— night of the 1st of August, 1953, the Rewards, £21 Os. Qd. coastguard rang up to say that flares Weymouth, Dorset.—July 26th.—Re- had been seen seven miles to the south- wards, £6. ward, and at 11.50 the life-boat DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 615 Michael Stephens put out in a calm two fishing boats, but they did not sea and light breeze. She found the need help. The coastguard then wire- tug Armina, of Lowestoft, burned out lessed that a yacht had gone ashore and drifting with nobody on board. to the east of Rye Harbour, and the She searched for survivors and came life-boat made for the position and up with a rowing boat with two found the four-ton yacht Edwellis, men, who had put out from Kessing- with a crew of two. The life-boat land, on board. The men were ex- could not get close to her, so the cox- hausted, and the life-boatmen took swain waded to her with a line and them on board and gave them rum. secured it to her. The life-boat then She then received a wireless message towed the yacht to Rye Harbour and that the one man in the Armina had reached her station again at 7.18.— been picked up by a steamer. She Rewards, £36 18s. 6d. therefore towed the rowing boat to Kessingland, landed the men there and returned to her station, arriving BOYS RESCUED FROM DRIFTING at 3.50 on the 2nd.—Rewards, £10 2*. RAFT Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 5.55 on the TWO TRIPS TO SICK MAN evening of the 4th of August, 1953, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At eight the Civic Guard reported that three o'clock on the evening of the 2nd of boys were adrift on a raft off Arklow August, 1953, the coastguard reported beach, and that a man had swum to that the S.S. Beaconsfield, of London, them, but had returned to the shore which was anchored about two miles for help. At 6.7 the life-boat Inbhear east of the pier, had asked for a doctor Mor was launched, with the honorary to attend a sick man. At 8.30 the secretary, Mr. John Tyrrell, in charge. life-boat Greater London, Civil Service The sea was calm with a moderate No. 3 was launched, with a doctor on west-south-west breeze blowing. The board, in a slight sea and with a north- life-boat found the raft half a mile easterly breeze blowing. She took the north of Arklow pier, rescued the boys, doctor to the steamer, and after he who were hysterical, and took them had treated the patient, brought him ashore, reaching her station again at back to Southend, arriving at 9.20. 6.35. The honorary secretary then At 1.45 on the afternoon of the next took the boys to hospital. The Ark- day the coastguard reported that the low Swimming Club made a donation steamer had signalled that the man's to the funds of the Institution.—Re- temperature was still high and the wards, £6 12s. 6d. doctor was needed again. At 2.10 the life-boat was launched again, and MOTOR LAUNCH TOWED TO once more put the doctor aboard the MOSTYN steamer. This time he decided to Rhyl, Flintshire.—At 5.55 on the even- land the patient, and the life-boat ing of the 4th of August, 1953, the took the doctor and the patient, as coastguard rang up to say that a motor well as the master of the ship, to launch was flying distress signals off Southend pier. She reached her the Point of Air lighthouse, and at station again at 2.40.—Rewards, 1st 6.30 the life-boat Anthony Robert service, £7 10s.; 2nd service, £7. Marshall was launched. She made for the position in a slight sea and YACHT TOWED TO RYE HARBOUR light south-westerly breeze, and found Hastings, Sussex.—At 2.3 on the after- the three-ton motor launch Alwena,. noon of the 4th of August, 1953, the with two men over seventy on board, Fairlight coastguard rang up to say two miles north-west of Mostyn Har- that a fishing boat was flying a flag, bour. Her engine had broken down which appeared to be a distress signal, and she was drifting towards the three quarters of a mile off Winchelsea. Hoyle banks. The life-boat towed At 2.16 the life-boat M.T.C. was her to Mostyn and returned to Voryd, launched. There was a moderate sea arriving at midnight. The life-boat with a moderate west-south-west was taken back to her station on the; breeze blowing. The life-boat spoke 6th.—Rewards, £28 9*. 616 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 BATHER DROWNED OFF ANTRIM life-boat arrived back at Donaghadee Portrush, Co. Antrim.—At 5.50 on the at 5.50.—Rewards, £13 3s. evening of the 6th of August, 1953, the coastguard reported that a bather was YACHT DRIFTING WITH FOUR in difficulties off the White Rocks, and CHILDREN ON BOARD that a fishing boat had put to sea. A St. Ives, Cornwall.—At 5.10 on the later message stated that there were afternoon of the 9th of August, 1953, two bathers in difficulties. The life- the coastguard rang up to say that boat Lady Scott, Civil Service No. 4, the ketch Totland, with a man, his was launched at 6.3 in a calm sea and wife and four children on board, was fine weather. The dead body of one drifting near the Stones reef. At 5.35 of the bathers was found. It was the life-boat Edgar, George, Orlando close inshore, and the life-boat fired a and Eva Child was launched in a calm line across and a life-boatman went sea and with a light breeze blowing. ashore by breeches-buoy. He brought She found that the Tolland had broken the body back to the life-boat, which down, and she therefore towed her to then returned to her station, arriving a safe position west of the reef. She at 7.50.—Rewards, £7 4s. then returned to her station, arriving at 6.25. The ketch broke down again THREE RESCUED IN DENSE FOG the next day off Land's End and was Moelfre, Anglesey.—At 9.40 on the towed to Mounts Bay by a fishing boat. evening of the 7th of August, 1953, the —Rewards, £11 10s. coxswain received a message that three people had gone out fishing at six DINGHY CAPSIZES OFF SOUTH o'clock in a small rowing boat fitted COAST with an outboard motor, and that Newhaven, Sussex.—At 6.20 on the they had not returned. There was a evening of the 9th of August, 1953, the dense fog, and at 9.45 the life-boat coastguard telephoned to say that a G.W. was launched in a calm sea with sailing dinghy had capsized off Oving- a light northerly breeze blowing. The dean, and that her crew of two were fog was too thick to allow the search- clinging to her. At 6.35 the life-boat light to be used, and the life-boatmen Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched shouted through a megaphone while in a calm sea with a light south-easterlv searching. In Dulas Bay they heard breeze blowing. Before the life-boat answering shouts and found the boat reached the dinghy a speedboat from broken down and drifting in a strong Brighton had picked up the dinghy's tide. The life-boat rescued the three crew. The life-boat found the dinghy people and towed the boat to her a mile off Ovingdean, towed it to station which she reached at 12.30 Rottingdean and returned to her early on the 8th.—Rewards, £9 13s. station, arriving at 8.10.—Rewards. £7 Is. EIGHT MISSING IN FOG Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At 11.49 on FISHING BOAT ON REEF the night of the 7th of August, 1953, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At 8.30 the police reported that eight people on the evening of the 9th of August, had left Groomsport in a motor boat 1953, the coastguard telephoned that a at six o'clock and had been due back fishing boat had gone ashore on the at 9.30. As they were still missing, outer reef at Scotston Head, and five the life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly put to minutes later the life-boat Julia Park sea in a dense fog at 12.30 early on Barry, of Glasgow, was launched. The the 8th. The life-boat made an exten- sea was calm with a light breeze. The sive search in a calm sea and light life-boat found the fishing boat Aureola breeze and eventually found the motor of Buckie, with a crew of seven, bound boat aground at the Copeland Islands. for Aberdeen. She stood by her until The eight people had landed, and the the Aureola refloated and then, as she life-boat took on board seven of them, was not needed, returned to her station, leaving one man behind to take the arriving at 12.10 early on the 10th.— boat back to Groomsport later. The Rewards, £10. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 617 PILOT FOUND IN LIFE-BOAT CREW STEAMER AGROUND ON GOODWIN Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 12.14 on the SANDS afternoon of the 13th of August, 1953, Ramsgate, Kent.—At 10.26 on the during fog, the coastguard rang up to night of the 17th of August, 1953, the say that a vessel was making signals coastguard rang up to say that a vessel on her siren south-east of Whitby had signalled by lamp that a steamer Rock Buoy. At 12.29 the No. 1 life- had gone aground on the north-western boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched side of the Goodwin Sands. At 10.39 in a calm sea with a light westerly the life-boat Prudential put out in a breeze blowing. She found the S.S. slight sea and light south-westerly Regency Belle, of Guernsey, in shallow breeze. She found the S.S. Tricape, water. The skipper said he had of London, and stood by her until she signalled for a pilot. A pilot was in refloated three hours later. The life- the life-boat as a member of the crew, boat returned to her station, arriving and he boarded the steamer. The at 2.34 early on the 18th.—Rewards, life-boat returned to her station, £9 18s. arriving at 1.20. The steamer's pas- sengers made a collection for the funds FISHING BOAT TOWED TO of the Institution.—Rewards, £6 9*. GUERNSEY St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 1.30 CREW RESCUED FROM DRIFTING early on the morning of the 20th of Au- YACHT gust, 1953, a man rang up the life-boat New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 12.20 station and said that four men had put early on the 15th of August, 1953, the out in the fishing boat Maud, of Jersey, stageman told the coxswain that a but were now five hours overdue. At yachtsman had reported that he had 2.30 a message \vas received that the seen another yacht in distress off R.7 Maud had been seen under sail to the Buoy in the Rock Channel. At 12.45 north-west, and at 2.50 the life-boat the life-boat Norman B. Corlett put out Queen Victoria put to sea. The sea in a choppy sea, with a fresh south- was moderate, with a light south- south-west breeze blowing. She found south-west breeze blowing. The life- the yacht Lesley, with a crew of four, a boat found the fishing boat anchored hundred yards north-west of R.8 Buoy. near the Platte Fougere lighthouse. Her engine had broken down, and she Her engine had broken down, and she was drifting over the Burbo Bank. had been unable to sail against the The life-boat rescued her crew and wind and tide. The life-boat towed towed the yacht to New Brighton, her to St. Peter Port, arriving at 4.38. reaching her station at 2.10.—Re- —Rewards, £5 16s. wards, £6 2s. YACHT STRIKES PIER IN RYE INJURED MAN TAKEN OFF LIGHT- HARBOUR VESSEL Dungeness, Kent.—At 6.15 on the Humber, Yorkshire.—At 5.50 on the evening of the 21st of August, 1953, evening of the 16th of August, 1953, the Rye harbourmaster reported the Mablethorpe coastguard rang up through the Fairlight coastguard that to say that the Superintendent of a yacht one mile east of Rye harbour Trinity House at Great Yarmouth had was making distress signals. At 6.30 asked if the life-boat would land an the life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson injured man from the Humber light- was launched, with the second cox- vessel. At six o'clock the life-boat swain in charge. She found the City of Bradford II was launched in a auxiliary ketch Moya, with a crew of smooth sea with a light south-westerly eight, three quarters of a mile south- breeze blowing. She took the injured east of Rye. The sea was rough and man, who had crushed a finger, to a strong westerly breeze was blowing. Grimsby and reached her station The yacht had fouled her propeller and again at 11.30.—Paid Permanent her crew asked to be towed to Rye Crew. Expenses refunded to the In- harbour. The life-boat took her in stitution by Trinity House. tow, but on entering the harbour the 618 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 May a took a heavy sheer and struck The Merlyn, a converted ship's boat, a pier. She was badly holed, and the was bound from Seahouses for Tyne- life-boat rescued her crew, abandoned mouth with a crew of five. She had her and landed the crew at Rye har- broken down, and a life-boatman bour. She then returned to her boarded her. The life-boat towed her station, arriving at 10.20. The Moya to Boulmer, arriving at 5.25.—Re- sank.—Rewards, £27 10s. wards, £8 16s. Qd.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO DUNBAR FISHING BOAT TOWS DERELICT Dunbar, East Lothian.—At 10.30 on BARGE the morning of the 22nd of August, 1953, Dungeness, Kent.—At 5.28 on the the coastguard telephoned that he had afternoon of the 23rd of August, 1953, received a message from the Barnsness the Lade coastguard rang up to say lighthouse that a man in a drifting that the local pilot cutter had reported fishing boat a mile east of the light- that the fishing boat Ocean Viking, house was waving a flag. At 10.40 which was towing a derelict barge with the life-boat George and Sarah Strachan nobody on board, was running short was launched in a slight sea and light of fuel off Newcombe buoy and needed north-westerly breeze. She found the help. At seven o'clock the life-boat motor fishing boat Achieve with her Charles Cooper Henderson was launched engine broken down, towed her to in a rough sea with a fresh south- Dunbar, and reached her station south-west breeze blowing. She found again at 11.55.—Rewards, £5 5s. the Ocean Viking, with the barge, three miles north-east of the life-boat SAILING BARGE TOWED TO station. The barge broke adrift from BRIGHTLINGSEA the fishing boat and was then taken in Clacton-on- Sea, Essex.—At 3.32 on the tow by the life-boat, but she broke afternoon of the 23rd of August, 1953, away again. The life-boat left her, a yacht was reported to be in distress escorted the Ocean Viking to Folkes- east of the pier, and at 3.38 the life- tone, and reached her station again at boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched. 1.15 early on the 24th.—Rewards, The sea was rough, with a fresh south- £37 12s. westerly breeze blowing. The life- boat found the converted Dutch sailing YACHT TOWED TO BEMBRIDGE IN barge Dobber, of Bradwell, with a ROUGH SEA crew of five. She was driving inshore Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—At 1.46 on and was in danger of going aground. the afternoon of the 24th of August, The life-boat towed her to Brightling- 1953, the Foreland coastguard tele- sea, arriving at 6.26. As the weather phoned that the Hayling Island Sail- would not allow the life-boat to be ing Club had reported that a yacht off rehoused, she remained there for the Chichester harbour had lost her rudder night and was taken back to her station and was in distress. At 1.53 the life- the next morning.—Property Salvage boat Jesse Lumb was launched in a Case. rough sea with a fresh westerly breeze blowing. She found the yacht Coima, LIFE-BOATMAN BOARDS CON- of Bosham, at anchor, with a crew of VERTED SHIP'S BOAT two. The yacht was dragging her Boulmer, Northumberland.—At 4.21 anchor in a dangerous position. After on the afternoon of the 23rd of August, several unsuccessful attempts a rope 1953, the coastguard telephoned that was put on board her, and the life-boat a motor boat was in difficulties two towed her to Bembridge, arriving at miles to the eastward and was flying five o'clock.—Rewards, £13 8s. Qd. a black flag. At 4.35 the life-boat Clarissa Langdon was launched in a LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY ALL NIGHT swell and with a light south-easterly IN GALE breeze blowing, with the second cox- Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — At swain in charge. She found the motor 7.25 on the evening of the24th of August, boat Merlyn, of Tynemouth, at anchor 1953, the Nells Point coastguard rang two and a half miles east of Boulmer. up to say that the English and Welsh DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 619 Grounds Lightvessel, which had a crew life-boat found the sailing boat about of seven, had been damaged in a storm five miles north-east of Helvick. Her and was leaking badly. The Trinity crew were in distress, and the life- House Superintendent at Swansea boatmen gave them rum and towed later asked for the life-boat, and at them to Helvick, arriving at 2.10 on 8.45 the life-boat Rachel and Mary the 27th.—Rewards, £7 5s. Evans was launched. The sea was rough, with a west-north-west gale SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD MAN RESCUED blowing. The life-boat found that the Margate, Kent.—At 7.27 on the even- lightvessel's pumps could not keep ing of the 29th of August, 1953, the pace with the leakage, and the master coastguard rang up to say that three asked the life-boat to stand by him men in a boat were in difficulties off until the Trinity House tender Vestal Foreness Point and were drifting out arrived. The life-boat stood by all to sea. At 7.30 the life-boat North night, and about eight o'clock next Foreland, Civil Service No. XI was morning the Vestal reached the scene. launched in a choppy sea, with a fresh The life-boat, being no longer needed, south-westerly breeze blowing and returned to her station, arriving at heavy rain. She found the local 10.30. The Elder Brethren of Trinity motor boat Alia Boy a mile north of House expressed their thanks.—Re- North Foreland. The three men, one wards, £23 las. of whom was seventy, were exhausted by trying to pull the boat to the shore, LIFE-BOAT TAKES OVER TOW so the life-boat rescued them and gave Montrose, Angus.—At 6.7 on the even- them rum. The life-boat then towed ing of the 25th of August, 1953, the the Atta Boy to Walpole Bay, where Usan coastguard passed on a message the two younger men, helped by the from a pilot that the Arbroath fishing life-boatmen, took the boat ashore. boat Family's Pride had left Montrose The elderly man was still exhausted, under sail that afternoon, bound for and the life-boat took him to Margate, Arbroath with one man on board. reaching her station again at 9.15.—• The pilot felt anxious for her safety. Rewards, £8 16s. The coastguard could see a boat between two and a half and three LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY YACHT miles east-north-east of the coastguard AGROUND station, and the fishing boat Mizpah Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.50 on put to sea. At 8.30 the life-boat The the evening of the 29th of August, 1953, Good Hope was launched in a choppy the coastguard rang up to say that a sea, with a light westerly breeze blow- yacht at Pollard Spit was signalling ing. The Mizpah found the Family's and needed help. At 9.30 the life-boat Pride about two miles east of Gourdon. Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 She took her in tow and signalled the was launched. The sea was rough life-boat. The life-boat took over with a moderate west-south-west gale the tow, towed the Family's Pride to blowing. With the help of her search- Montrose, and reached her station light, the life-boat found the yacht again at 12.56 on the 26th. The In- Escape, of Upnor, with a crew of four. stitution sent a letter of thanks to the The Escape was aground half a mile owner of the Mizpah.—Rewards, £17 south-south-west of Pollard Spit Buoy, 45. and the life-boat stood by her. She refloated on the rising tide and went IRISH YACHT'S CREW IN DISTRESS on her way to the Isle of Sheppey. Helvick Head, Co. Waterford. — At The life-boat returned to her station, 11.45 on the night of the 26th of August, arriving at 4.10 on the 30th.—• 1953, the Civic Guard reported that Rewards, £13 11s. two youths and an elderly man had put out in a sailing boat, but had not THREE SERVICES IN ONE NIGHT returned. At midnight the life-boat Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—At 1.10 H. F. Bailey put to sea. The sea was early on the morning of the 30th of moderate, with a north-westerly breeze August, 1953, the Foreland coastguard blowing, and it was very cold. The telephoned that the Nab pilot cutter 620 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 had reported that a yacht needed help tion.—Rewards, 1st service, £6 3s.; three miles north-north-east of Nab 2nd service, £9 2s. Tower. The life-boat Jesse Lumb was launched ten minutes later. The sea The following life-boats went out OR was rough, with a fresh westerly breeze service, but could find no ship in blowing. The life-boat found the distress, were not needed or could do yacht Marylda, towed her in, and nothing: moored her to a buoy near the life- boathouse at 3.35. At 1.45 the pilot Ilfracombe, Devon.—August 2nd.— cutter had reported seeing red rockets Rewards, £15 1,9. Qd. in St. Helen's Roads, and a shore-boat Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—August 3rd. put out. At 3.45 the life-boat was —Rewards, £4 10s. launched again and found the eight- Hartlepool, Durham.—August 3rd.— ton yacht Cms, of Colchester, in tow Rewards, £8 5s. of a motor vessel off Warner Light St. Ives, Cornwall. —- August 5th. — Buoy. As she was too heavy for the Rewards, £11 18s. shore-boat, the life-boat took her over Walton and Frinton, Essex.—August from the motor vessel and towed the 5th.—Rewards, £15 6s. Ciris to Bembridge, arriving at 4.30. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—August 5th. Twenty minutes later the coastguard —Rewards, £8 10s. Qd. rang up again and said that the Fowey, Cornwall.—-August 6th.—Re- Panamanian steamer Neptunia had wards, £6 13s. wirelessed that she had taken in tow Fowey, Cornwall.—August 7th.—Re- the motor yacht Chinta, which had wards, £6 13s. broken down. The steamer asked if St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. — August the yacht could be taken ashore, and 7th.—Rewards, £9 17s. the life-boat was launched again at St. Ives, Cornwall. — August 8th. —- 4.55. She found the Neptunia off Rewards, £15 13s. Qd. the Nab tower, towed the Chinta to Valentia, Co. Kerry.—August 10th.— Portsmouth, and reached her station Rewards, £12 15s. Qd. again at 9.15. Rewards, 1st service, Plymouth, Devon. — August llth. — £9 19s. Qd.; 2nd service, £7 17s. Qd.; Rewards, £6 13s. 3rd service, £16 13s. Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. — Au gust llth.—Rewards, £13 2s. Ramsgate, Kent.—August llth.—Re- THREE BOATS TOWED TO HOWTH wards, £7 8s. Workington, Cumberland. — August Howth, Co. Dublin.—At four o'clock llth.—Rewards, £4 10s. on the afternoon of the 30th August, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. — August 1953, a message was received that two 13th.—Rewards, £4 10s. boats were in difficulties off Ireland's St. Ives, Cornwall.—-August 16th. — Eye. At 4.15 the life-boat R.P.L. Rewards, £12 17s. was launched, with the bowman in Torbay, Devon.—August 16th.—Re- charge, in a choppy sea with a fresh wards, £8 7s. Qd. westerly wind blowing. She found a Falmouth, Cornwall.—August 17th.— sailing boat, with a crew of one, and Rewards, £24 3s. an Irish naval gig, with a crew of Rhyl, Flintshire. — August 17th. — seven, near the rocks and towed them Rewards, £7 12s. both to Howth, arriving at 6.15. It Ramsgate, Kent. — August 17th. — was then reported that the local Rewards, £6 12s. 6d. yacht Colette, which had put out for Ilfracombe, Devon.—August 18th,— Lambay with a crew of six, had not Rewards, £18 11s. Qd. returned, so the life-boat put to sea Skegness, Lincolnshire. — August again, with the coxswain in command. 18th.—Rewards, £16 2s. She found the yacht in Lambay St. Ives, Cornwall.—August 18th.— harbour, but as she would not have Rewards, £11 18s. been safe there at low water the life- Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — August boat towed her to Howth, arriving at 18th.—Rewards, £10 10s. 9.30. The owner of the Colette made Cromer, Norfolk. — August 20th. — a donation to the funds of the Institu- Rewards, £9 8s. Qd. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 621 Skegness, Lincolnshire. — August crew of three, and towed her to Brix- 20th.—Rewards, £13 2s. ham, reaching her station again at Hoylake, Cheshire.—August 22nd.— 5.15. The owner made a gift to the Rewards, £16 16s. life-boatmen.—Rewards, £10 8s. Workington, Cumberland. — August 22nd.—Rewards, £5 14s. St. Ives, Cornwall.—August 22nd.— YACHT HELPED BY LIFE-BOATS Rewards, £10. TWICE IN A MONTH Kirkcudbright.—August 22nd.—Re- Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 8.52 wards, £10 Is. on the evening of the 2nd of September, Girvan, Ayrshire. — August 23rd. — 1953, the Walton coastguard reported Rewards, £8 10s. that he had been informed by the Bembridge, Isle of Wight. — August master of the Cork lightvessel that the 23rd.—Rewards, £9 Os. &d. ketch-rigged yacht Totland was drift- Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. — ing slowly about three miles north- August 24th.—Rewards, £12 12s. east-by-north of the lightvessel. At Walton and Frinton, Essex. — August 9.20 the Felixstowe coastguard asked 24th.—Rewards, £9 10s. for the life-boat, and at 9.45 the life- Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. — boat E.M.E.D. put to sea. The sea August 27th.—Rewards, £5 16.?. was rough, with a fresh south-westerly Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—August breeze blowing. The life-boat found 27th.—Rewards, £6 13s. the yacht one and a half miles north- Clogher Head, Co. Louth. — August east-by-north of the lightvessel, driv- 27th.—Rewards, £13 19s. ing on to a lee shore. As the weather New Brighton, Cheshire. — August was worsening, the coxswain towed 30th.—Rewards, £10. the yacht, with the owner, his wife and Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—August 30th. four children on board, to Harwich —Rewards, £5 16s. harbour. The life-boat left Harwich Donaghadee, Co. Down. — August at 7.30 on the morning of the 3rd 30th.—Rewards, £5 16s. and arrived back at her station at Dun Laoghaire, Go. Dublin. — (Two 10.47.—Rewards, £33 7s. The St. launches).—August 30th.—Rewards, Ives life-boat was launched to the £22 16s. help of the same yacht on the 9th of Wicklow.—August 31st.—Rewards, August. £8 5s. 6d. Dungeness, Kent. — August 31st. — Rewards, £28 3s. YACHT AGROUND NEAR CLACTON Dover, Kent. — August 31st. — Re- wards, £5 10s. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 2.45 on the afternoon of the 3rd of September, 1953, the coastguard rang up to say SEPTEMBER that the yacht Cloetta, of Burnham-on- Crouch, was aground four and a DURING September life-boats were quarter miles south-east of Clacton launched 62 times and rescued 29 pier. A later message reported the lives. yacht to be bumping badJy. At 8.19 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched. It was low water, and in a YACHT TOWED TO BRIXHAM moderate swell with a gentle west- Torbay, Devon.—At midnight on the south-westerly breeze blowing, she 1st of September, 1953, the Brixham reached the Cloetta. which had six men coastguard rang up to say that a man and two women on board. After at Torcross had reported that a motor some difficulty a rope was got aboard, yacht was short of fuel and had and the yacht was towed off into anchored two hundred yards off the deeper water. Two life-boatmen then north end of Beesands. At 12.45 on went aboard with food and dry cloth- the 2nd the life-boat George Shee put ing, and the life-boat towed the out in a slight sea and light south- Cloetta to Brightlingsea, reaching her westerly breeze. She found the 32- station again at 8.45.—Property Sal- feet motor yacht Martinique, Avith a vage Case. 622 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 DRIFTING DINGHY FOUND NEAR dinghy was missing, with the owner BUOY and another airman on board, and Margate, Kent.—At 5.54 on the morn- that when last seen the dinghy was ing of the 4th of September, 1953, the one and a half miles from the harbour. coastguard telephoned that the North At 11.5 the life-boat Cunard was Goodwin lightvessel had reported that launched in a calm sea with a fresh a dinghy had drifted past her with an northerly breeze blowing. She found unidentified object hanging on its bow. the two men and their boat on Steval At 6.5 the life-boat North Foreland, Rock, west of St. Mary's. The life- Civil Service No. 11 was launched in boat refloated the boat, rescued the a smooth sea and with a light westerly men, and towed them to St. Mary's, wind blowing, with poor visibility, and reaching her station again at 12.30 spoke to the lightvessel. She learnt early on the 9th.—Rewards, £6 17s. that the dinghy was now near the north-east Goodwin buoy, and she FISHING BOAT TOWED TO FLEET- found it one mile south of the buoy. WOOD There was no one in the dinghy, and Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 9.15 on the the life-boat took it on board and morning of the 9th of September, 1953, returned to her station, arriving at the harbour authorities telephoned 11.20.—Rewards, £14 7s. that the motor fishing vessel Florence Baxter was burning a flare off Rossall YACHT REFLOATED IN SHALLOW Point. At 9.25 the life-boat Ann WATER Letitia Russell was launched. The Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 8.45 on the sea was moderate, with a strong north- evening of the 4th of September, 1953, westerly breeze blowing. The life- H.M. Customs telephoned to say that boat found the Florence Baxter three a boat was ashore near St. Anthony miles west-south-west of the Wyre Lighthouse. The life-boat Hearts of Light with a net fouling her propeller. Oak, on temporary duty at the station, Another fishing boat had tried to take put to sea at nine o'clock and made her in tow, but had failed, so the life- for the position. The sea was rough, boat towed her to harbour, and arrived and there was a strong east-south- back at her station at 10.30.—Rewards, easterly wind blowing. It was raining £7 9s. and visibility was poor. Using her searchlight, the life-boat found the INJURED SEAMAN TAKEN OFF motor yacht Lady Gay, with two men TRAWLER and two children on board. After Fleetwood, Lancashire. — At seven standing by for about an hour and a o'clock on the evening of the 9th of half the life-boat received a wireless September, 1953, a local trawler message asking her to try to refloat company reported that the steam the yacht. The life-boat stood by for trawler Fairway, of Hull, had an a further period and then, through injured man on board who was in rough" seas, went in towards her. The urgent need of medical attention. water was very shallow, but at the The Fairway could not make harbour second attempt, using her line-throw- herself owing to the low state of the ing gun, the life-boat got a line aboard tide, and at 7.30 the life-boat Ann the Lady Gay. But as she was broad- Letitia Russell was launched, with two side on, it took about an hour and a ambulance men and a stretcher on half to get the yacht refloated. The board. The sea was rough, and a life-boat then towed her to Falmouth, strong north-westerly breeze was blow- and arrived back at her station at ing. The life-boat found the trawler 2.30 early on the morning of the 5th. a mile north-west of the Wyre Light, •—Property Salvage Case. took the injured man on board and arrived back at her station at 8.20.— TWO MEN AND DINGHY ON ROCKS Rewards, £7 5s. St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—At eleven o'clock on the night of the 8th of COBLES ESCORTED TO NEWBIGGIN September, 1953, during thick fog, Newbiggin, Northumberland.—At8.10 an airman reported that a sailing on the morning of the 10th of Septem- DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 623 her, 1953, a life-boatman reported that James and Ruby Jackson was launched. a local boat was adrift with no one on The sea was calm with a moderate board north of Newbiggin Point. At south-easterly breeze blowing. The 8.30 the life-boat Richard Ashley was life-boat found the motor yacht launched in a moderate sea with a Emmiman, of Leith, with four men, moderate north-westerly breeze blow- two women and a child on board. She ing, but a fishing coble had taken the had been bound for the Bass Rock from boat in tow before the life-boat St. Monance, but her engines had reached the position. As the weather broken down and she had drifted close was worsening, the life-boat escorted inshore in Largo Bay. The crew in other cobles and arrived back at her repaired the engines and asked the station at midday.—Rewards, £12 10*. life-boat to escort them to Leith. Three life-boatmen boarded the yacht DOCTOR PUT ABOARD STEAMER and took her to Leith, accompanied by Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7.50 on the life-boat, which then returned to the evening of the 10th of September, her station, arriving at 9.15.—Property 1953, the police reported that the S.S. Salvage Case. Wandle, of London, had wirelessed that she had an injured man on board MOTOR CRUISER SIGNALS WITH and needed a doctor. About two MIRROR o'clock the coastguard stated that the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Wandle was a mile south of Southend, Norfolk.—At 9.54 on the morning of and ten minutes later the life-boat the 15th of September, 1953, the Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 Gorleston coastguard rang up to say was launched, with a doctor on board. that the motor cruiser Winifred Rose, The sea was slight with a light of South Shields, had broken down a northerly breeze blowing. The life- mile south-south-east of the pier, and boat put the doctor aboard the had signalled for help with a mirror. steamer, but after seeing the patient At ten o'clock the life-boat Louise he did not consider it necessary to Stephens was launched in a moderate land him. The life-boat took the swell with a strong south-easterly doctor ashore and reached her station breeze blowing. She found the motor again at 11.55.—Rewards £7 5*. cruiser anchored with a crew of three. Her engine-cooling system had broken DOCTOR TAKEN FROM EIGG TO down, and the life-boat towed her to RHUM the harbour, reaching her station Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—At 10.20 on again at 11.5.—Rewards, £7 12s. the morning of the llth of September, 1953, the doctor on Eigg asked if the COBLE ESCORTED IN ROUGH SEA life-boat would take him to Canna to Filey, Yorkshire.—During the morning attend an urgent medical case, as no of the 15th of September, 1953, the other boat was available. At 10.45 local fishing coble Isabella put to sea the life-boat Sir Arthur Rose put out with a crew of three to work her crab in a moderate sea with a north- pots near Brig buoy. The weather westerly gale blowing. She arrived was bad, and at 10.50 it was decided at Eigg at two o'clock, embarked the to launch the life-boat to escort her doctor, took him to Rhum and there in. At eleven o'clock the life-boat transferred him to a fishing boat. The The Cuttle put to sea. There was a fishing boat took him to Canna, and rough sea with a south-easterly breeze the life-boat returned to her station, blowing. The life-boat accompanied arriving at 7.30.—Rewards, £15 9s. the coble to Filey, reaching her station again at 12.50.—Rewards, LIFE-BOATMEN BOARD DISABLED £12 2s. YACHT Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At 12.55 early FISHING BOAT ESCORTED TO on the morning of the 14th of Septem- CROMER ber, 1953, the coastguard rang up to say Cromer, Norfolk.—At 12.11 on the that a yacht had fired rockets in afternoon of the 15th of September, Largo Bay. At 1.30 the life-boat 1953, the coastguard telephoned that 624 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 the local fishing boat Why Worry, at 9.40. Five trawlermen lost their with a crew of two, appeared to have lives.—Rewards, £14 15*. broken down off Trimingham, four miles south-east of Cromer. At 12.25 MAN FOUND CLINGING TO CANOE the No. 2 life-boat Harriot Dixon was Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 12.32 launched. There was a rough sea and on the afternoon of the 18th of Sep- a fresh east-south-east breeze, and it tember, 1953, the coastguard tele- was misty. Three miles out the life- phoned that a canoe had capsized fifty boat met the fishing boat, which had yards off the harbour, and that a man got under way again, and escorted her was clinging to it. Five minutes later in, reaching Cromer again at one the life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis o'clock.—Rewards, £11 10s. Lunn was launched in a slight sea with a light south-westerly breeze blowing. RESCUE FROM COXSWAIN'S PUNT She rescued the man, who by now had drifted about two hundred yards, and Valentia, Co. Kerry.—A routine exer- returned to her station, arriving at cise had been arranged for the life-boat 1.30.—Rewards, £7 5s. A.E.D. at 2.30 on the afternoon of the 16th of September, 1953, but at 1.40, THREE RESCUED FROM DINGHY when the coxswain, motor mechanic and his assistant were preparing her Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At four o'clock for sea, the coxswain noticed that his on the afternoon of the 20th of Sep- punt, which he had lent to two women, tember, 1953, the life-boat motor had capsized in Lough Kay. The mechanic noticed that the sailing life-boat at once put to sea, accom- dinghy Joan, with two men and a boy panied by Mr. Kieran O'Driscoll, the on board, had capsized a hundred honorary secretary, and made for the yards north-east of the pier. At 4.9 position in a swell and light southerly the life-boat Inbhear Mor was launched. breeze. She rescued the women, The sea was moderate with a fresh recovered the punt, and returned to west-south-west breeze blowing. The her station, arriving at 2.20.—Rewards life-boat found the three people cling- £l 105. ing to the upturned dinghy four hun- dred yards from the pier. She rescued them, took them ashore and then put FIFTEEN RESCUED FROM GRIMSBY out again and towed in the dinghy, TRAWLER reaching her station again at 6.20.—• Wick, Caithness-shire.—At 1.10 early Rewards, £7 13s. on the morning of the 18th of Septem- ber, 1953, the coastguard telephoned RESCUE FROM YACHT IN GALE that the trawler Hassett, of Grimsby, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7.5 on which had a crew of twenty, had gone the morning of the 21st of September, ashore north-east of Noss Head. At 1953, the coastguard telephoned that 1.25 the life-boat City of Edinburgh was a yacht anchored two miles north-east launched in a heavy sea and with a of the Nore Towers had asked for a strong south-easterly breeze blowing. tow. At 7.30 the life-boat Greater She found the trawler fast on the London, Civil Service No. 3 was rocks on Auckengill Reef. The life- launched in a very rough sea with a boatmen heard cries for help, so they south-south-west gale blowing. She anchored the life-boat and veered her found the yacht Tinker, of Upnor, with down to the wreck. One trawlerman two women and a man on board, driv- appeared on the bridge, and shouted ing towards the Maplin Sands. The for a line. As the life-boat could not life-boat rescued the three people and get alongside the trawler, she fired gave them hot drinks, and two life- lines to her and wirelessed for the boatmen boarded the yacht. The coastguard shore life-saving team. life-boat then towed the yacht to The life-boat stood by while the life- Queenborough and landed the rescued saving team rescued fifteen men, and at Southeud at 11.50. The father of then searched for the others. She one of the women made a donation to found only one body and took it to the funds of the Institution.—Pro- Wick. She reached her station again perty Salvage Case. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 625 LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY ALL NIGHT Louise Stephens was launched at 2.30, IN GALE with a doctor on board. There was a Baltimore, Co. Cork.—At 10.45 on the heavy swell and a strong southerly morning of the 21st of September, breeze. The life-boat put the doctor 1953, a message was received from aboard the steamer, which by now had Toe Head, Castletownshend, that the reached Yarmouth Roads. He treated trawler Anne Gaston, of France, which the injured man, but decided that had a crew of nine, had been wrecked there was no need to land him, and at Toe Head. At 11.30 the life-boat the life-boat took the doctor back to Sarah Tilson was launched. The sea her station, arriving at 3.39.—Rewards, was very rough, with a westerly gale £10 12s. blowing. The life-boat found that the nine men had been hauled up the j DOCTOR AND PILOT TAKEN TO cliffs by the Coast Life-Saving Service. GERMAN SHIP She then went to Castletownshend, and Torbay, Devon.—At four o'clock on the coxswain asked the skipper if the the afternoon of the 21st of September, life-boat could help his trawler, but 1953, the local Lloyds agent rang up the skipper said that she was a total to say that the motor vessel Wolfsburg, loss. The life-boat therefore made for of Hamburg, had an injured man on her station, where she learned that the board and would arrive at Torbay at yacht Glance, with a m an and a woman eleven o'clock. As the weather was on board, was being driven on to the too bad for a shore-boat to put out, rocks in Church Bay. The life-boat the life-boat George Shee put to sea put out again, took off the woman and at 10.45 with a doctor, ambulance men, stood by the yacht until the weather a pilot and Customs officers on board. moderated. She reached her station The sea was rough, with a fresh again at 5.30 the next morning. The westerly breeze blowing. The life- owner of the yacht made a donation boat came up with the vessel off Berry to the funds of the Institution.—Re- Head, and put the doctor and pilot wards, £35 5s. on board. The pilot took the Wolfs- burg further into Torbay, where the YACHT ESCORTED IN GALE sea was calmer. The life-boat then Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 1.25 on went alongside, took on board the the afternoon of the 21 st of September, injured man and landed him. She 1953, the life-boat coxswain saw a arrived back at her station at 3.25 the yacht two and a half miles east-south- next morning.—Rewards, £10 8s. east of the pier which appeared to be in difficulties. At 1.35 the life-boat TWO RESCUED FROM SALVAGE Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 put LIGHTER out in a very rough sea with a south- Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—At 8.45 on erly gale blowing. She found the the evening of the 21st of September, motor yacht Bryter, of Benfleet, with 1953, the Ryde police rang up to say one person on board, two miles to the that a man was missing in a dinghy east-south-east. The yacht was mak- between No Man's Fort and Horse Sand ing very heavy weather, and the life- Fort. At 8.51 the life-boat Jesse boat escorted her to Southend, reach- Lumb was launched. She began to ing her station again at 2.10.— search in a very rough sea and south- Rewards, £15 7s. westerly gale, but at nine o'clock the naval authorities at Portsmouth re- DOCTOR TAKEN TO STEAMER ported that a salvage lighter with two Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, men on board was in distress in Stokes Norfolk.—At 1.20 on the afternoon of Bay. This news was wirelessed to the 21st of September, 1953, the the life-boat. The search for the coastguard reported that the S.S. dinghy had been unsuccessful, and Guildford, of London, which was off the life-boat went to the position Southwold, was making for Gorleston where the lighter was reported to be. to land a man who had been badly She found that the lighter was driving burned. As no other boat was avail- ashore, rescued the men on board, able to take him ashore the life-boat and took them to Portsmouth. She 626 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1958 reached her station again at one signalling for help half a mile south- o'clock early on the 22nd.—Rewards, west of Prawle Point. At 6.5 the £11 12s. life-boat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse was launched. The sea was smooth, SILVER MEDAL FOR TENBY with a light breeze blowing. The life- COXSWAIN boat found the yacht Cerise, of South- On the night of the 21st-22nd Sep- ampton, with a crew of six, two miles tember, 1953, the Tenby life-boat south-south-east of Prawle. She was rescued the crew of seven of the St. drifting, and the life-boat towed her to Gowan lightvessel, which was in Salcombe, reaching her station again distress in very bad weather. For a at 8.45.—Rewards, £6 11s. full account of this service and for the awards made, see page 592. COBLE TOWED TO STAITHES Runswick, Yorkshire.—At 1.15 on the SEAMAN TAKEN OFF GERMAN afternoon of the 27th of September, TRAWLER 1953, the life-boat coxswain reported Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 10.15 on the that the fishing coble Helena could be night of the 22nd of September, 1953, seen to be in difficulties five miles the coastguard telephoned that the north-north-west of Staithes. About trawler Patriot, of Rostock, had asked 1.30 she made a distress signal, and for a doctor. Tidal conditions were at 1.55 the life-boat Robert Patton—The unsuitable for a shoreboat to put out, Always Ready was launched. The and at 10.28 the No. 1 life-boat Mary sea was moderate with a fresh south- Ann Hepworth was launched with a westerly breeze blowing. The life-boat doctor on board. The sea was calm found that the Helena, which had a with a light south-south-west breeze crew of three, had broken down. The blowing. The life-boat came up with second coxswain went on board, and the trawler three miles north-by-west the life-boat towed the coble to of Whitby pier. The doctor found Staithes, reaching her station again at that a seaman was suffering from 3.51. The owner made a donation to appendicitis, and the life-boat took the funds of the Institution.—Rewards him ashore to a waiting ambulance. £13 75. 6d. She reached her station again at 11.35. —Rewards, £6 9s. The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do YACHT TOWED TO NEW BRIGHTON nothing: New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 6.50 Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—Sept- on the evening of the 25th of Septem- ember 1st.—Rewards, £10 10s. ber, 1953, the life-boat motor mechanic Clovelly, Devon.—September 1st.— reported that he had seen a yacht on Rewards, £22 18s. the Burbo Bank. Later she was Troon, Ayrshire.—September 1st.— reported to be high and dry. At 9.15 Rewards, £8 Is. the life-boat Norman B. Corlett put Appledore, Devon.—September 1st.— out in a calm sea and light breeze, Rewards, £18 13s. taking her boarding boat with her. Lowestoft, Suffolk.—September 4th.— She went as close as she could to the Rewards, £13 8s. yacht, which was found to be the Minx, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — September with one man on board. Three life- 7th.—Rewards, £13 2s. Gd. boatmen took the boarding boat to the Ramsgate, Kent.—September 8th.— yacht and towed her to the life-boat, Rewards, £6 12s. 6d. which then took her to New Brighton, Humber, Yorkshire.—September 9th. arriving at 10.30.—Rewards, £6 2s. —Paid Permanent Crew. Dungeness, Kent.—September llth. YACHT DRIFTING OFF SALCOMBE —Rewards, £29 4s. Salcombe, Devon.—At 5.50 on the Port St. Mary, Isle of Man.—Septem- morning of the 26th of September, ber 16th.—Rewards, £15 9s. 1953, the Hope Cove coastguard rang Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—Septem- up to say that a sailing boat was ber 16th.—Rewards, £16 6s. DECEMBER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 627 Montrose, Angus.—September 16th. 8.30 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian —Rewards, £15 7s. Philpott was launched. The sea was Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire. — now rough, and a strong south- September 19th.—Rewards, £12 6s. westerly breeze was blowing. Air- Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—Septem- craft took part in the search, and a ber 19th.—Rewards, £7 2s. Qd. helicopter found the Angler's Luck off Fowey, Cornwall.—September 20th. Beachy Head. The helicopter took •—Rewards, £8 Is. off the -crew of two, and the life-boat Newcastle, Co. Down. — September returned to her station, arriving at 20th.—Rewards, £13 18s. 11.15.—Rewards: Eastbourne, £47 9s.; Wick, Caithness-shire. — September Newhaven, £9 7s. 6d. 20th.—Rewards, £3. Weymouth, Dorset.—September 21st. Ansrruther, Fifeshire. — September —Rewards, £35 5s. 27th.—Rewards, £12 9s. Wicklow. — September 28th. — Re- Poole, Dorset.—September 21st.— Rewards, £10 17s. 6d. wards, £15 9s. Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire.—Septem- Arklow, Co. Wicklow. — September ber 22nd.—Rewards, £22. 28th.—Rewards, £7. Margate, Kent.—September 23rd.— Rewards, £15 18s. 6d. MYSTERIOUS LIGHT CAUSED BY Thurso, Caithness- shire.—September MARSH GAS 23rd.—Rewards,—£29 12s. Qd. Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—At 9.25 on Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—Sept- the night of the 30th of September, ember 23rd.—Rewards, £13 6s. 1953, a woman told the coxswain that New Brighton, Cheshire.—September a bright light was flashing in the sea 27th.—Rewards, £10. three miles north-east of Mallaig, and Hoylake, Cheshire.—September 27th. at 9.40 the life-boat Sir Arthur Rose —Rewards, £15 2s. put to sea. There was a rough sea Falmouth, Cornwall. — September with a south-westerly gale blowing. 27th.—Rewards, £8 11s. Qd. The life-boat found the light close to rocks, but could not get within two MOTOR BOAT'S CREW RESCUED BY hundred yards of it owing to the very HELICOPTER bad weather. Two men from a nearby Eastbourne, and Newhaven, Sussex. village climbed down the rock face, —On the evening of the 27th of but found nothing. It was thought September; 1953, during thick fog, a that the light might have come from steamer wirelessed that the motor a raft, and the life-boat returned to boat Angler's Luck, with a crew of two, Mallaig and embarked the coastguard three miles off Beachy Head had asked shore life-saving company. She land- her the way to Eastbourne. At 5.50 ed them as near to the light as she the Eastbourne life-boat Beryl Tolle- could about 3.30 early on the morning mache was launched in a calm sea with of the 1st of October, but the coast- a light north-westerly breeze blowing. guard decided to wait for daylight She searched widely for over thirteen before investigating. At dawn the hours in deteriorating weather, but light was seen to be caused by bubbles found nothing and arrived back at her of gas coming to the surface of the station at 7.30 on the morning of the sea and bursting with a flash. The 25th for fuel. At eight o'clock the life-boat re-embarked the life-saving coastguard asked the Newhaven life- company and returned to Mallaig, boat to continue the search, and at arriving at 10.15.—Rewards, £21 17s.

Life-boat Christinas Cards and Calendars THIS year the Institution will again The card in colour will show the have for sale two Christmas cards, one Eastbourne life-boat Beryl Tollemache in colours, the other in black and returning from service. The photo- white, and a pocket calendar. graph was taken by the Eastbourne 628 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1953 Gazette. This card will be of four the coloured card is shown on this page. pages, with a picture on the front page The design of the black and white and greetings inside. Its price, with card will be the same as that used last envelope, will be 9d. The name and year. A picture of the card appeared address of the sender can be printed in in The Life-boat for September, 1952. the card if orders of at least a dozen Its price, with envelope, is Qd. The are placed. The cost of printing will name and address of the sender cannot be 7*. for twelve, 7s. 9d. for twenty- be printed in this card. five, and 8s. 6d. for fifty. A picture of The pocket calendar can be supplied

only in dozens. The price is 25. for taken by Mr. Clifford C. Ashton of the first dozen, and Is. 6d. for each Rochdale. Owing to the high pur- additional dozen. chase tax, which would have to be There will also be a hanging calendar paid on all the calendars printed if any with a picture in colours of the Penlee were sold, there will be none for sale. life-boat W and S just after she had The hanging calendar is distributed been launched. The photograph was principally to solicitors.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, O.B.E., M.C., T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens. London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number of THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in March, 1954.