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

VOL. XXXII OCTOBER, 1948 No. 347

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET Motor Life-boats, 154 :: Pulling and Sailing Life-boats, 2 LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to October 31st, 1948 - 76,177

In Pursuit of a Yacht A STRONG south-westerly gale was blow- waterlogged wreck, and she drifted ing on the Sussex coast on the morning eastwards of the harbour entrance into of Sunday, the 8th of August. The shallow, broken water. Here she man- sea was very rough and there was a aged to anchor, but the «able parted. heavy swell. Nothing could now save her from being Just after half past eight the coast- driven ashore. guard at Shoreham Harbour saw a The seas were tremendous; the risk yacht three miles out at sea. Her sails of the life-boat herself striking in that were torn and the gale was driving her shallow water were great; but the cox- eastwards along the coast, out of con- swain took her straight into the surf. trol. At 8.42 the coastguard rang up As he did so a sea smothered the life- the life-boat station, and at 9.15 the boat and he thought that he had lost motor life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis half his crew. But they came safely Lunn was launched. She crossed the through, and he laid her along the bar in heavy breaking seas, and then, weather side of the Gull. Lifeboatmen hoisting sail to help her engines, settled seized and dragged aboard five of the down to a long, hard chase. The yacht six on board. There was still one man was the Gull, of about fourteen tons. left. The life-boat went in a second She had on board three men, two women time and rescued him. It had been and a boy. done in the nick of time, for the crew of the yacht could not have long sur- A Long Chase vived the pounding of the seas. The chase continued for fourteen " A Pretty Piece of Work " miles, until the yacht reached New- Many people at Newhaven were haven. The wind had now backed anxiously watching the rescue. Among to the south and was blowing dead them was the honorary secretary of on shore. When the Gull reached the the Newhaven station. He saw it all western arm of Newhaven Harbour through his binoculars and wrote of she was about five hundred yards out the coxswain: "His timing and ap- at sea, with the pursuing life-boat lying proach were wonderful to watch, and about a hundred yards behind her. She the whole job, carried out as it was in made a desperate attempt to enter the severe conditions^ in a bad position with harbour, but, as she gybed, the seas very little water, was indeed a pretty washed right over her. They left her a piece of work." A 194 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 The life-boat landed the six rescued and each of the seven members of the people at Newhaven, and arrived back crew with £5. at Shoreham Harbour at 3.30 in the For this very skilful and gallant afternoon. She had been out for seven rescue the Institution awarded to hours. COXSWAIN JAMES UPPERTON a bar to The owner of the yacht made gifts of £25 to the crew and £25 to the funds the silver medal which he won during of the Institution "as a small tribute the war for rescuing twenty-one lives to the services rendered by the Institu- from a mine-sweeper, and its thanks on tion and to the skill and courage of the vellum to each of the other seven life-boat crew." The Shoreham Bon- members of the crew.—Rewards, fire Association presented the coxswain £15 13s. 6d.

Bronze Medal for Weymouth AT the beginning of June the twin-screw passed the Bill. It was then blowing motor yacht Mite (a converted naval a fresh gale from the south-south-west motor launch 110 feet long) was coming and a heavy sea was running. Oft up Channel on her way from Malta to the Shambles the yacht was sheering London. On the 6th of June, when she wildly. Her steering gear would not was fifteen miles west of Portland Bill, work and she was continually broad- both her engines broke down and her side on to the seas. Twice the tow- wireless failed. The wind was from the rope parted and was fixed again. south-south-west. It was blowing freshly. Both wind and sea were Tow Parts Again increasing. There was every prospect It parted a third time, and this time of bad weather. Through the driving the coxswain told the owner that he rain those on board could just see the could not continue to tow. The land. weather was now as bad as it could be, Two of the crew volunteered to make visibility was very poor, and the boats for the shore and summon help. They were within two miles of the shore. succeeded with great difficulty and at The life-boat had then towed for twelve considerable risk. miles. She went alongside the yacht and with some difficulty, in the rise and fall A Long Slow Tow of the seas, rescued the three men. It The coastguard had seen the dinghy was safely accomplished, but all the driving ashore and had rung up the baggage went overboard. Weymouth life-boat station. When It was not until half an hour after the men landed the coastguard tele- midnight that the life-boat reached phoned the information that they gave Weymouth. She had then been out him. That was at 1.45 in the after- in very heavy weather for eleven hours noon. Five minutes later the motor and all the crew were exhausted. It life-boat William and Clare Ryland had been a long and arduous service. slipped her moorings. At 4.30 she The yacht was washed ashore later near reached the Mite, which was still at Lulworth Cove. anchor. Wind and sea were increasing, COXSWAIN F. J. PALMER showed but the owner would not abandon the great determination and skill and the yacht. He asked for a tow. The cox- Institution awarded him the bronze swain was faced with a very difficult medal for gallantry, with a copy of decision, in the worsening weather, but the vote inscribed on vellum. he consented, and the long, slow tow It also made to him and to each started. In order to clear the bad water member of the crew a special reward round Portland Bill, the life-boat had of £2 in addition to the reward on the to steer southwards, straight out to ordinary scale of £2 11s. each. Ordin- sea. ary rewards: £19 5s. 6d.; additional It was 8.30 in the evening when she rewards, £16; total rewards, £35 5s. 6d. OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT

v.:vrv •

AFTER THE RESCUE: THE GULL AT NEWHAVEN See page 193) 196 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

The Henry Blogg The First Sea Lord's Tribute to the Life-boat Service IN December, 1945, the Institution senting the third gold medal of the sent to Cromer one of the first two of a Institution to Coxswain Blogg, and new type of 46-feet Watson -cabin other medals and certificates of the life-boat. In them, for the first time, Institution to the members of his the steering wheels were placed amid- gallant crew. ships instead of at the stern. This boat was sent to Cromer that she might "To the people of Cromer I need be thoroughly tested by the Institu- say nothing about the wonderful ser- tion's most experienced coxswain, vice which Henry Blogg has rendered Henry Blogg, and his crew. They to seafarers of all races. ... It is were so pleased with her that they asked quite unequalled in the whole hundred if they might keep her at the station, and twenty-four years of the Life-boat and at the same time the Cromer branch Service. We in the Admiralty had a asked that this new boat should be very lively appreciation of the consum- named Henri/ Blogg. With this request mate seamanship which Henry Blogg the Institution was delighted to agree. exhibited on so many occasions, and The naming ceremony was held at it was chiefly in order to pay such Cromer on August 5th, 1948, in the testimony as we could to his skill and presence of a very large audience, and the gallantry of the Cromer life-boat's the occasion was taken to pay final crew, that the Board of Admiralty tribute to Coxswain Henry George permitted me, right in the middle of Blogg himself, who had retired the the war, to leave London and come here previous September, at the age of 71, to Cromer for the presentation of that having then completed 53 years' ser- third gold medal. vice as a life-boatman. During those " I would like to read to you the letter 53 years he had taken part in the which the Boafd of Admiralty wrote to rescue of 873 lives, had been coxswain the Institution early in 1940, and which of the boat for 38 years, and had won could not, I think, be bettered as a the Institution's gold medal three description of, and tribute to, the work times, its silver medal four times, the of all its gallant crews. British Empire Medal and the George Cross. The station was established • "' I am commanded by My Lords before 1825, and since 1851, the year Commissioners of the Admiralty to from which the records of the Institu- inform you that they are deeply im- tion are complete, its life-boats have pressed by the fine services of the crews rescued 935 lives, so that all but 62 of the national life-boats, especially of the lives rescued in those 97 years those on the East Coast, which already were rescued while Coxswain Blogg in the first few months of warfare have was serving. achieved the saving of so many valuable The Right Hon. The Viscount lives. Templewood, C.G.S.I., G.B.E., C.M.G., "' They are aware that these services P.C., president of the Cromer branch, have been given in foul weather, high presided, supported, among others, by seas and bitter cold, with an exemplary the Earl of Leicester, the Lord Lieu- spirit of courage and endurance, in t enant of Norfolk. After Lord Temple- which, without fear or thought of self, wood had opened the proceedings the life-boatmen have never spared their Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Cun- strength and skill in helping their ningham, G.C.B., M.V.O., the First brother sailors in distress from the Sea Lord, spoke. dangers of the sea and the violence of the enemy; and that in a long and great The First Sea Lord's Speech tradition the calls on their seamanship "The last time I took part in a and hardihood have never been so similar ceremony here was during the heavy, or more gladlv answered. war, when I had the privilege of pre- "'On behalf of the Royal Navy, My OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 197

By courtesy of} [P. A. Vicary, ' Leander,' Cramer COXSWAIN BLOGG AND THE FIRST SEA LORD 198 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

Lords beg the Royal Life-boat Service then rowed and sailed some ten or to accept, as from seamen to seamen, twelve miles and were eventually this brief tribute to the spirit and picked up and towed into Yarmouth exploits of the life-boatmen in time of by the first crew. I have never, in War.' the whole course of my experience, "If that letter is not enough to seen,or read of a more gallant action." persuade everybody within hearing of me to accede to the invitation at The Presentations the bottom of the last page of the Commander H. L. Wheeler, R.N., programme to become an annual the district inspector of life-boats, subscriber to the Institution—or to described the life-boat and Brigadier those who cannot perhaps afford that R. J. P. Wyatt, M.C., T.D., the organis- annual subscription, to contribute ing secretary for the South-East of generously every time they see one of England, presented her to the branch the miniature life-boat collecting boxes on behalf of the Institution. —I would recount to you an incident Before the dedication service and the which happened within a hundred yards naming of the boat, Sift John Cun- of this spot, and which I-''described to ningham presented to Coxswain Blogg my ship's company when I was a portrait of himself by Mr. T. C. Captain of H.M.S. Resolution in Dugdale, R.A. This portrait was a 1933. gift from the Institution (which had "It was a winter's .night, blowing a also awarded him an annuity and a north-east gale and snowing. The tide certificate of service) and was a copy was dead-low, and setting like a mill of the , portrait which Mr. Dugdale race to the eastward. The first life- painted for the Institution in 1942 and boat was, already out under the com- which was shown that year in the Royal mand of Henry Blogg, when from a Academy Summer Exhibition. He also ship on the Haisboro' Sound, 'there presented to him a cheque and an came a second call. This was imme- illuminated address, the gifts of his diately answered by the fathers, in friends and admirers, and a clock, the most cases, of the men of the first crew, gift of the crew. manning the second boat. With a Coxswain Blogg then accepted the heavy on-shore wind, the first attempt life-boat on behalf of the branch, and to launch the old boat was unsuccessful, the Rev. D. T. Dick, Vicar of Cromer, and she was thrown back on the beach. assisted by the Rev. William Hughes, Undeterred the old men—and some, dedicated her. The singing of "Eternal I am assured, were in their seventies—• Father, Strong to Save," was accom- determined on another attempt. panied by the Cawston and District " The boat was successfully launched Prize Silver Band. at this attempt chiefly owing to the A vote of thanks was proposed to wives and mothers of the life-boatmen Sir John Cunningham by the Rev. A. wading out and pushing the boat until Buxton, the chairman of the Cromer she was well afloat. With a very great Urban District Council. effort the crew, rowing hard, were just After the singing of the national able to stem the tide sufficiently to anthem Sir John went to the life- avoid the boat being set down on to boathouse and there named the boat the outlying reef. These old men Henry Blogg. She was then launched.

A Record Summer THE six summer months of this year Not only are these figures records for have been the busiest which the Life- peace-time, but in only one year of boat Service has ever had in time of war were there more launches, in 1940, peace. Its boats have been out on ser- the summer of the Battle of Britain, vice more often and have rescued more and in only four years of war, 1917, lives than ever before. The launches 1918, 1940 and 1941 were more lives numbered 339, the lives rescued 262. rescued. OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 199

The Field Marshal and Mrs. Smuts

THE first of three life-boats built out Colonel R. R. Davies, D.L., J.P., of a gift of £33,000, which the Institu- honorary secretary of the Anglesey tion has received from its Southern branch, returned thanks and the Arch- Africa branch,* was named at Beau- deacon of Bangor (The Venerable R. maris, Anglesey, on the 23rd of July, Hughes, B.A.) dedicated the life-boat, 1948, in the presence of a large audience assisted by the Rev. J. E. Ramage, on the pier and hundreds more watching M.A. (Rector of Llandegfan and Beau- from the shore. She is a 46-feet Watson maris) and the Rev. If or Hael Jones. cabin life-boat, and she went to the The Countess Howe then named the station in-September, 1945. life-boat Field Marshal and Mrs. Smuts. Colonel Lawrence Williams, O.B.E., After the naming of the boat Lady D.L., J.P., chairman of the Anglesey Howe presented medals won by the branch, presided. Commander E. W. Moelfre life-boat for the rescue of sixty Middleton, R.N.V.R., district inspector lives from the s.s. Gleneden in January, of life-boats, described the boat, and 1940, and for the rescue of four from Commodore the Right Hon. the Earl an aeroplane's rubber dinghy in Howe, C.B.E., V.R.D., P.C., R.N.V.R., October, 1943. She also presented deputy chairman of the Institution, certificates of services to the second- presented her to the branch on behalf coxswains of Moelfre and Beaumaris. of the Southern Africa branch and the Lord Howe then presented to Colonel Institution. Lord Howe paid tribute Lawrence Williams the vellum record- to the work of Miss Pattie Price, the ing his appointment as an honorary South African diseuse and singer, who life-governor of the Institution. was the founder of the branch and who A vote of thanks was proposed by has just been appointed an honorary Mrs. E. Moseley, chairman of the Menai life-governor of the Institution. In Bridge Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and accepting the boat Sir Richard Williams- seconded by Miss Mary C. Burton, Bulkeley, Bt., Lord Lieutenant of chairman of the Beaumaris Ladies' Anglesey and president of the Anglesey •Life-boat Guild. The singing was led branch, said that Anglesey was proud to by the Llandegfan and Beaumaris have a life-boat bearing the name of so Church Choirs, accompanied by the distinguished a statesman. band of T.S. Indefatigable, and members of the Beaumaris Ladies' Life-boat •See the Life-boat for July 1948 Guild sold the programmes.

R.A.F. Crest for a Life-boat

THE Royal Air Force has presented a that your gallant crews are always silver and enamel R.A.F. crest to the ready to go to our assistance." Lerwick life-boat and it has been fitted The life-boat had put out at 3.40 in the after-shelter. With it came a in the afternoon, travelled nearly message from the officer commanding fifty miles with an aeroplane guiding the No. 18 Group: "The crest is sent in her, and reached the Lancaster five recognition of the splendid way in hours later, only to find that H.M. which you turned out to rescue the Sloop Welcome, which was-already at crew of one of our Lancasters on July sea, had arrived just before her and 23rd. .•. . It will remind you of our rescued the men. When the, life-boat gratitude for your efforts and also let got back to her station at 2.25 next you know what a sense of comfort it is morning she had been at sea nearly to us when flying over the sea to know eleven hours. (See page 218.) 200 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

The Winston Churchill IN January, 1948, the latest life-boat Message from Mr. Churchill provided by the Civil Service Life-boat The naming ceremony was held on Fund, a 46-feet Watson cabin boat, the 17th of July, 1948. The Duke of went to Blyth in Northumberland. Northumberland presided, and read She is one of eight Civil Service motor the following message from Mr. life-boats now in the fleet. Since the Churchill: fund was founded in 1866 it has given "The hazards and dangers of the to the Institution over £156,000, out sea and of all who serve in the Royal of which twenty-five life-boats, includ- National Life-boat Institution are stern ing the new Blyth boat, have been and many. They call for the highest provided and maintained. These boats skill and, very often, sacrifice from the have rescued over 2,200 lives. men who face the fury of the oceans For 34 years, until his death in to save the lives of mariners in distress.

A DUCHESS AT THE WHEEL On board the Blyth Life-boat after the naming ceremony

January, 1947, at the age of 86, Lord "It is a pride to me that this, the Southborough had been the fund's newest life-boat in the country, should chairman and honorary treasurer, and bear my name. I send my heartfelt what he described as "his final act for good wishes for the happiness and the fund" was his correspondence, safety of all who sail in her." when he was dying, with Mr. Winston Commander H. L. Wheeler, R.N., Churchill asking him to honour the the district inspector of life-boats, fund and the Life-boat Service by described the life-boat, and the Right allowing this new life-boat to be named Hon. Sir Richard V. N. Hopkins, after him. G.C.B., P.C., who succeeded Lord The Blyth life-boat station was estab- Southborough as chairman of the Civil lished in 1826. Of its first two life- Service Life-boat Fund, presented the boats, during the next 40 years, there life-boat to the Institution. She was is no record, but since 1866, its boats received by Mr. Arthur G. Everett, a have rescued 235 lives. member of the Committee of Manage- OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 201 ment, and he presented her to the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, the statuette Blyth branch. On behalf of the branch of a life-boatman awarded to her by she was accepted by Captain H. Rowe, the Institution. its honorary secretary. A vote of thanks was proposed by The Rev. Edwin King, T.D., M.A., the Mayor of Blyth and seconded by HON. C.F., dedicated the life-boat, Councillor J. F. Thompson, chairman assisted by Mr. J. Price, lay reader of the branch. to the Seamen's Mission. The hymns The boat then went afloat, and on were led by the choir of St. Cuthbert's her return the Duke and Duchess of Church, Blyth, accompanied by the Band of the Newcastle-on-Tyne City Northumberland, with the principal Police. guests, and members of the crew, were ' The Duchess of Northumberland then entertained to tea by the Ladies' Life- named the boat Winston Churchill. boat Guild. A feature of the tea was a She then presented to Mrs. Colpitts, large christening cake which was cut the honorary secretary of the Blyth by the Duchess.

Douglas Naming Ceremony

THE naming ceremony of the new life- presented her to the branch, and she boat at Douglas, Isle of Man, was held was received by His Honour R. D. on June 3rd, 1948, with a gale blowing Farrant, J.P., C.P., president of the and such heavy rain throughout the branch. The Venerable the Arch- day, that it was impossible to hold it deacon of Man (The Rev. C. V. Stock- in the open. It took place inside the wood, M.A.) dedicated the boat, boathouse, and instead of the 4,000 assisted by the Rev. C. Edgar James or 5,000 people who had been expected and the Rev. F. M. Cubbon. to attend, there was. room only for Lady Bromet, wife of His Excellency 100. the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle Douglas was one of the first places of Man, then named the life-boat Millie in the British Isles to be provided with Walton. a life-boat. The station was opened A vote of thanks to Lady Bromet was in 1802, and the boat was one of the proposed by the Mayor of Douglas thirty-one boats built by Henry Great- (Councillor F. M. Corkill, J.P.) and head, who had built the first life-boat seconded by Mr. A. E. Kitto, the hono- stationed at the mouth of the Tyne in rary secretary of the branch. The 1789. She was a gift from the Duke of singing was led by the Lon Dhoo Athol. In its early years the station Choir and accompanied by the Brass was maintained by the Isle of Man Band Quartette. Life-boat Association. It was taken As the life-boat ran down the slipway over by the Institution in 1868-, and into the gale she was welcomed by the since then it has had, including the sirens and whistles of a large num- new boat, seven life-boats. They have ber of trawlers, stormbound in the rescued 135 lives. The new boat is a harbour. 46-feet Watson cabin boat, and has It was in Douglas that Sir William been built out of a legacy from Mrs. Hillary, Bt., wrote in 1823 the appeal M. E. Walton, of Derby. which led to the founding of the Insti- Mr. A. J. Loudon, chairman of the tution in the following year, and before Douglas branch, presided. The boat the ceremony a wreath was laid on his was described by Commander E. W. memorial with the inscription: "From Middleton, R.N.V.R., the district the Life-boat Service to the glorious inspector of life-boats, Captain N. memory of its Founder and one of Harding Clarke, the organising secre- the greatest of its life-boatmen, Lieut.- tary for the North-west of England, Colonel Sir William Hillary, Baronet." 202 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

Life-boat Christinas Card and Calendar

THIS year there will again be a The pocket calendar has a black and Christmas card and pocket calendar white picture of a life-boat in a rough for sale. sea on the front and the Institution's The card is of eight pages with the crest on the back. It can only be Institution's crest embossed on the supplied in dozens and the price is outside. Inside are Christmas greetings 2s. for the first dozen and Is. Qd. for and the above picture of a life-boat each additional dozen. rescue in colours. Name and address There will also be a hanging calendar can be printed in, if not fewer than a with the same picture as the card, but dozen cards are ordered, at an added owing to the high purchase tax which cost of 13s. 6d. for the first two dozen would have to be paid on all the and 9d. for each additional dozen or calendars printed, if any were sold, part of a dozen. there will be none for sale.

A Fishing Calendar for 1949

ME. H. JENKINS, the Lowestoft photo- has fourteen very beautiful seascapes grapher, whose photographs of life- in photogravure. The price, including boats will be familiar to readers of tax and postage, is 6s., and the calendar The Life-boat (one of them will be found can be obtained from Messrs. H. on page 212) has, for the eleventh year, Jenkins Ltd., Photomarine, Lowestoft, produced a fishing fleet calendar. It Suffolk. OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 203

Services of the Life-boats in June, July and August 145 lives Rescued During June life-boats went out on She found that the local motor boat service 50 times and rescued 29 lives. Bittern had taken the boat in tow, and escorted both boats to Westgate. FISHING ALONE AT SEVENTY-FOUR While returning to her station the life- boat came up with the Westgate Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.—At 10^50 in bathing-safety boat about one mile off the morning of the 3rd of June, 1948, shore. One man was on board but he information was received that a man. could make no headway and was very who had left harbour alone in the early tired. The life-boat towed the boat hours to line-fish, had not returned. to Westgate and arrived back at her He was seventy-four years old. The station at 2.15.—Rewards, £8 16s. motor life-boat Sarah Ward and William David Crosweller . was launched at 11 o'clock in a strong north-westerly TOW ABANDONED breeze with a rough sea. She found Weymouth, Dorset.—On the 5th of the boat drifting seawards between six June, 1948, the engines of the sixty- and seven miles to the southward, three-ton motor yacht Mite, on passage rescued the man and, with his boat in from Malta to London, broke down tow, arrived back at her station at some fifteen miles west of Portland Bill 1 o'clock that afternoon.—Rewards, in a south-south-west gale with a very £7 Is. 6d. rough sea. The motor life-boat William and Clara Ryland rescued three men AMBULANCE WORK on board her.—Rewards: bronze medal Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.— and £35 5s. 6d. (See page 00). At 6.48 in the evening of the 3rd of June, 1948, the coastguard telephoned A LONG TOW that the s.s. Wandle, of London, was Aldeburgh, Suffolk. —At 3.20 in the approaching the harbour and wished afternoon of the 6th of June, 1948, the to land a sick man. The motor life- coastguard reported that a sailing yacht boat Louise Stephens was launched at to the south-east of Aldeburgh, with 6.54 in a strong westerly breeze with only one man aboard, was making a heavy swell. She found that a heavy weather, and the No. 2 motor doctor was wanted, wirelessed for one life-boat Lucy Lovers was launched. and returned ashore. With the doctor It was then 4.9. The sea was slight, on board she again went to the Wandle but there was a strong and increasing and after he had treated the sick man, southerly wind. The life-boat found brought them both ashore, where an the yacht Waterwitch off Southwold, ambulance was waiting. The life-boat took her in tow and made for Lowest oft. reached her station again at 7.53. Twice the tow-ropes parted, and at the A donation to the funds of the Institu- harbour entrance it seemed certain tion was received from the owners.—• that the yacht would be driven ashore, Rewards, £12 2s. Gd. but the life-boat got another line to her and brought her safely in. She ALONE IN A ROUGH SEA arrived back at her station at 7.50 the Margate, Kent.—At 12.55 in the after- next morning.—Rewards, £53 14s. 6d. noon of the 6th of June, 1948, the coast- guard reported that a rowing boat, the ALONE ON A YACHT Boy Bill, of Westgate, with one man Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 9.15 in on board, was drifting seawards one the evening of the 6th of June, 1948, the and a half miles to the north-west, and police reported that a yacht was drag- the motor life-boat The Lord South- ging her moorings in a dangerous posi- borough, Civil Service No. 1, was tion at the mouth of Lymington river, launched at 1.5 in a strong south- with one man on board, and the motor south-west breeze with a rough sea. life-boat S.G.E. was launched at 9.55, 204 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

in a fresh south-westerly gale with a ON THE MERSEY REVETMENT very rough sea. She found the motor New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 7.55 in yacht St. Monance, of London, at the the evening of the 9th of June, 1948, first buoy in the river, took off the news came that a fishing boat was on man and returned to her station, the revetment near C.7 black buoy, arriving at 11.10.—Rewards, £5 13*. with the tide ebbing, and was in some TWO BATHERS DROWNED danger. At 8.10 the No. 2 motor life- boat Edmund and Mary Robinson was Penlee, Cornwall. — At 12.40 in the launched in a moderate easterly breeze afternoon of the 7th of June, 1948, the with a choppy sea. She found that Porthleven coastguard telephoned that the fishing boat was the JiB of Liver- a man was in the sea, shouting for help, pool, with two men on board. The eight hundred yards east of Porthleven men had been shrimping, but their pier. The motor life-boat W. and S. nets had fouled and their boat had was launched at 12.45. A moderate been carried on to the revetment by southerly breeze was blowing and the the tide. The life-boat towed her in, sea was rough. The life-boat found a arriving back at her station at 9.50.— man and a woman. Both were uncon- Rewards, £5 15s. scious and all attempts to revive them failed. Owing to the bad weather the ON THE ROCKS IN A FOG life-boat took the bodies to Newlyn, arriving at 4.30, and returned to her Whitby, Yorkshire. — At 5.15 in the station the next day.—Rewards, morning of the 13th of June, 1948, £15 14s. 6d. during a thick fog, information was re- ceived that a steamer was on the rocks SAILING BOAT TOWED IN to the south of the East Pier, and the Skegness, Lincolnshire. — During the No. 1 motor life-boat Mary Ann Hep- evening of the 8th of June, 1948, the worth was launched at 5.30. The coxswain had under. observation the northerly breeze was light, with a local sailing boat Venture, which had moderate sea. She found the s.s. put out with three men and a boy. The Cerne, of London, of 2,500 tons, loaded breeze from the north-north-west was with coal for London, on the rocks four light, and the sea slight, but he saw hundred yards east of the pier. The that the boat was in difficulties with the master asked for Lloyd's agent, and a tide, and at 9.55 the motor life-boat fishing boat went ashore for him. The Anne Allen was launched. She found coxswain boarded the Cerne, at the the sailing boat one and a half miles master's request, and gave him advice, north-east of the pier, towed her to and the master asked the life-boat to the shore and arrived back at her stand by. On the arrival of Lloyd's station at 10.55.—Rewards, £9 14*. agent the life-boat helped to pass ropes from the steamer to several fishing BROKEN DOWN OFF THE FASTNET boats, and they pulled her clear on the Baltimore, Co. Cork;—At about 9.20 in rising tide. She was undamaged. As the morning of the 9th of June, 1948, her help was no longer needed, the fishermen returning to harbour reported life-boat returned to her station, arriv- a boat in distress off Fastnet Rock. ing at 7.50.—Property Salvage Case. It was thought that she might be the local motor fishing boat Ebenezer, with AGROUND NEAR DONNA NOOK three men on board, which was overdue, The Humber, Yorkshire. — At about and at 10.10 the motor life-boat Sham- 7.45 on the morning of the 13th of rock was launched. Only a breeze was June, 1948, the coastguard reported a blowing, from the south-east, but the vessel aground two and a half miles sea was very rough. The life-boat north-north-west of Donna Nook, and found the Ebenezer two miles east of the motor life-boat Milburn, on tem- the rock, with her engine broken down porary duty at the station, was launched and her sails partly blown away. The at 8.30, in a fresh northerly breeze with life-boat towed her to harbour and a moderate sea. She found the cabin arrived back at her station at 1.30 that cruiser Alisdair—on her -way to Grimsby afternoon.—Rewards, £9 17s. for engine repairs—well ashore. The OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 205 life-boat passed tow ropes to her to continuous short blasts on a steam prevent her being carried further in by whistle could be heard to the north-east, the flood tide and, when the water was and five minutes later the Great Yar- deep enough, pulled her afloat. After mouth coastguard telephoned that a recovering the cruiser's anchor and tanker was aground about three and cable, which had been slipped during a half miles north by east- of Britannia the operations, the life-boat returned Pier. The motor life-boat Jose Neville to her station, arriving at noon.--— was launched at 8 o'clock, in a moderate Property Salvage Case. north-easterly breeze with a slight sea, and found the s.s. Thule, of London, ASHORE IN A FOG an oil tanker of 10,500 tons bound Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 1.53 in for the Humber, with sixty-seven per- the afternoon of the 14th of June, 1948, sons aboard, stranded about two miles during a thick fog, the Southend coast- to the north-east. The master asked guard reported that information had the coxswain to- check his position on been received that a vessel was on the tanker's charts, but the coxswain Patersen's Rock, Sanda. Two coast- saw that they were out of date and, guards went out in a motor boat and at the master's request, the life-boat the motor life-boat City of Glasgow was returned to her station and telephoned launched at 2.1 in a light southerly for up-to-date copies. They were sent breeze with a moderate sea. She from Lowestoft and the life-boat took found the motor fishing vessel Seafarer. them out to the Thule, stood by her of Maidens, with a crew of seven, on and took soundings. Early in the the east side of the rock. She was afternoon the tanker refloated and as lying on her port bilge and rolling her services were then no longer needed, heavily. Helped by the two coast- the life-boat returned to her station, guards in the motor boat, the life-boat arriving at 2.30.—Rewards, £20 Os. 6d. passed ropes to her. By means o'f them she kept the Seafarer on an even ONE MAN ON BOARD keel until the tide rose; and then at the third attempt, refloated her. The Lowestoft, Suffolk. — At 9.59 on the Seafarer went on her way, and the night of the 16th of June, 1948, the life-boat returned to her station, arriv- coastguard reported that a fishing boat, ing at 7.20 in the evening.—Rewards, with a rope round her propeller, was £11 14s. 6d. burning oily rags half a mile off Corton beach. The motor life-boat Mary DRIFTING ON THE ROCKS Scott, on temporary duty at the station, Walmer, Kent..—At 11.16 on night was launched at 10.10 in a light westerly of the 14th of June, 1948, the breeze with a calm sea, and found the Deal coastguard telephoned that a local fishing boat Kestrel, with one man vessel was burning a flare and her crew on board, one mile east of Corton village. shouting for help half a mile north-east The life-boat towed the boat to the of Leathercoat Point, and the motor harbour and arrived back at her station life-boat Langham, on temporary duty at 11.40.—Rewards, £5 5s. at the station, was launched at 11.20, in a light southerly breeze with a swell. SHRIMP BOAT IN DISTRESS She found the motor vessel Oceana, with Great Yarmouth and Gorleston. — At a crew of four, a quarter of a mile 7.56 on the morning of the 17th of June, from the shore. Her engine had broken 1948, the Gorleston coastguard tele- down and she was in danger of going phoned that three men in a shrimp boat, on the rocks. Four life-boatmen two miles to the south-south-west, boarded her and the life-boat towed were showing a flag on a pole and appar- her to Dover, arriving back at her ently needed help. The motor life- station at 3.30 the next morning.— boat Louise Stephens was launched at Property Salvage Case. 8.10, in a moderate south-south-west breeze with a moderate swell, and found CHARTS OUT OF DATE the shrimp boat, the Pride, of Great Canter, Norfok. — At 7.40 in the Yarmouth, three miles to the south-east. morning of. the 15th of June, 1948, Her engine had broken down. The 206 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 life-boat towed her to harbour, moored FIVE BROTHERS LOST IN COLLISION her in the river, and arrived back at Cadgwith, and Penlee, Cornwall and her station at 8.55.—Rewards, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly.—At 11.5 on £9. 10*. 6d. the night of the 25th of June, 1948, during a thick fog, the Cadgwith coast- SEARCH IN A ROUGH SEA guard telephoned the Cadgwith life- Falmouto, Cornwall.—At one o'clock boat station that the American steamer in the morning of the 18th of June, Chrysanthy Star had radioed that she 1948, a woman reported that her hus- had collided with a small vessel ten band and another man had put out miles south-south-east of Lizard Point. fishing in a motor launch the previous The Cadgwith motor life-boat Guide of morning and had not returned. At 1.30 Dunkirk was launched at 11.25, in a the motor life-boat Crawford and Con- moderate north-westerly breeze with a stance Conybeare was launched, and calm sea. After she had set out another searched widely in a strong south- message said that the fishing vessel westerly breeze, with a rough sea. Energetic, of Porthleven, had been sunk, Eventually she found the launch moored but that the steamer had picked up in St. Mawes Creek. She had run out two of her crew of seven. The coast- of petrol. The life-boat took her in guard also informed the Penlee station, tow and arrived back at her station at at 12.55 next morning, and at 1.20 the 5 o'clock.—Rewards, £8 10s. motor life-boat W. and S. was launched. The two life-boats made a very wide search, but found no trace of the five A LONG SEARCH men and returned to their stations, Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 10.20 in the Cadgwith arriving at 6.15 in the morn- morning of the 19th of June, 1948, ing of the 26th and Penlee at 8.30. In while the motor life-boat City of Brad- the meantime the St. Mary's coast- ford I, on temporary duty at the station, guard had telephoned the St. Mary's was out on a practice run, the Post station at 7.2 in the morning that the Office at Portmagee reported that a Chrysanthy Star had wirelessed that of local fishing boat, the Naomh Fiontan, the two rescued men one had died was overdue and anxiety was felt for and had asked that the life-boat should her safety. The news was passed to bring them ashore. The motor life- the life-boat at sea and she made an boat Cunard was launched at 7.46, in extensive search round Great Skellig a light west-north-west breeze with a Island where the boat had last been smooth sea and fog, and found the seen. Eventually she found her under steamer eight miles south of Wolf Bolus Cliffs with two other fishing boats. Rock. She arrived back at her station Her engine had failed during the night with the rescued man and the body. and another boat had come to her help. Five of the six men lost were brothers. The life-boat arrived back at her —Rewards: Cadgwith, £27 8s.; Penlee, station at 6.35 that evening.—Rewards, £18 5s.; St. Mary's, £16 12s. £17. Is. LONDON SHIP ON THE ROCKS OFF SEAFORD HEAD Dfracombe, Devon.—-At 4 o'clock in Newhaven, Sussex.—At 7.20 in the the morning of the 26th of June, 1948, evening of the 20th of June, 1948, the coastguard telephoned a report the coastguard reported a small vessel from the Bull Point Lighthouse that a off Seaford Head flying distress signals, vessel appeared to be ashore at Morte and the motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Point but that she had made no distress Philpott was launched in a south- signals. At 4.37 another message came westerly breeze with a heavy swell at that she had asked for help, and at half-past seven. She found the local 5 o'clock the motor life-boat BicTiard motor boat Colorado, with a crew of Silver Oliver was launched in a moderate three, in difficulties off Cuckmere south-westerly breeze with a choppy Ledge, towed her into harbour, and sea. She found the motor ship Amenity, arrived back at her station at 9.15.— of London, of four hundred and sixty Rewards, £7 16s. tons, bound in ballast for Cardiff, with OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 207 a crew of eleven, fast on the rocks. but there was no sign of the men. The The tide was on the flood and the life- coxswain anchored and veered down boat stood by. With the help of the through the heavy surf. The seas were coxswain's advice, the Amenity was breaking over the life-boat, and the refloated and steered into deep water. water was so shallow that at times she A life-boatman then boarded her and, was bumping on the sandy bottom. escorted by the life-boat, piloted her There, in the surf, she saw the upturned into harbour, where she was beached. boat, with her net. The life-boatmen The life-boat reached her station again hauled the net aboard and found three at 8 o'clock that morning.—Rewards, men entangled in it. They tried to £20 13s. revive them, but without success. There had been a fourth man in the A HARD TOW IN A GALE fishing boat, but his body was not found. Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. — At 2.40 It was a service of considerable danger, in the morning of the 28th of June, carried out among sandbanks and in 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a heavy breakers with great skill, and the fishing boat, which was at anchor in Institution sent special letters of appre- Clanyard Bay, appeared to be in diffi- ciation to the coxswain and each culties, and the motor life-boat Jeanie member of the crew.—Rewards, £16 3s. Speirs was launched at 3.15. A north- The following life-boats went out on north-west gale was blowing, with a service but could find no ships in dis- rough sea. She found the motor tress, were not needed, or could do fishing vessel Homeland, of Drummore, nothing. dangerously close inshore and the two Appledore, Devon.—June 3rd.—Re- men on board very much exhausted. wards, £18 15s. She rescued them and took their vessel Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire. — June in tow. Twice the tow rope parted, 5th.—Rewards, £11 14s. but was made fast again and the life- Padstow, Cornwall.-—June 9th.—Re- boat towed the Homeland to the har- wards, £4 13s. bour, arriving back at her station at 8.45.—Rewards, £13 19s. A LONG SEARCH FOR AN AEROPLANE Port St. Mary, Port Erin, Douglas, and STRANDED ON THE HARBOUR BAR Peel, Isle of Man.—At about 10.15 on Berwick - on - Tweed, Northumberland.— the night of the 10th of June, 1948, the Just after 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Ramsey coastguard telephoned the Port the 29th of June, 1948, the coastguard St. Mary, Port Erin, and Douglas life- reported that a motor launch, in trying boat stations that an aeroplane, with to enter the harbour in a fresh northerly eight persons aboard, was believed to breeze, with a heavy swell, had run on have crashed into the sea near Chicken the bar, and at 4.7 the motor life-boat Rock. The aeroplane, a De Havilland J. and W. put out. She found the Rapide, was on private charter and was launch with her steering gear out of bound for Ronaldsway from Birming- action. The life-boat towed her off, ham. The Port St. Mary motor life- and into the harbour, arriving back at boat Sir Heath Harrison was launched her station at 5 o'clock.—Rewards, at 10.55 and the Port Erin motor life- £7 2s. Gd. boat Matthew Simpson and the Douglas motor life-boat Millie Walton, five FISHING BOAT CAPSIZES minutes later. They searched over a Filey, Yorkshire. — At 5.10 in the wide area to the east of the island, in a evening of the 29th of June, 1948, the fresh south-easterly breeze with a coastguard saw the salmon fishing boat moderate sea, but found nothing. The Lady Shirley capsize. . A fresh breeze coastguard informed the Peel station at was blowing from the north-north-west 11.16 and the motor life-boat Helen with a moderate swell. The .boat was Sutton was launched at 11.55 to search close in shore, about three-quarters between Peel and Port Erin. She also of a mile south of the life-boat station. found nothing. The Helen Sutton Ten minutes later the motor life-boat reached her station again at 6.20 the Cuttle reached the scene of the capsize, next morning, the llth, the Matthew 208 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 Simpson at 6.30, the Sir Heath Harrison was in no danger so the life-boat made at 7.25 and the Millie Walton at 7.30. for the near-by harbour of Crookhaven. Between 7.30 and 7.40 the coastguard There she stood by until a tug arrived asked that the search be renewed as next morning, and -when the tug had soon as the life-boatmen had refuelled the steamer in tow the life-boat re- their boats and had some food. The turned to her station, arriving at 2.30 Peel life-boat was launched again at that afternoon.—Rewards, £3812s. 8.15 and the Port Erin and Port St. Torbay, Devon.—June 17th.—Rewards, Mary life-boats fifteen minutes later. £8 19s. They searched between Peel and Derby- Lerwick, Shetland*.-—June 14th.—Re- haven. Then the Douglas life-boat was wards, £4 10s. called out at 9.45 to search the area Dungeness, Kent —June 20th. — Re- between St. Annes Head and Scarlett wards, £25 4s. Point and was launched at 10 o'clock. Portrush, Co. Antrim.—June 21st.— Again no trace of the aeroplane was Rewards, £6 7s. 6d. found, and the life-boats returned to their stations, Port St. Mary arriving at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, Port Erin TREE-TRUNK MISTAKEN FOR VESSEL at 2 o'clock, Peel at 3.45 and Douglas Cromarty.—About 4.50 in the after- at 4 o'clock. The wreckage of the noon of the 24th of June, 1948, the aeroplane was found later. She had coastguard reported information re- not come down in the sea but had ceived that a small vessel appeared to crashed in the hills near Fleshwick. have broken down a quarter of a mile The Lieutenant Governor of the Isle south of South Sutor, and the motor of Man sent his thanks to the crews.— life-boat James Macfee was launched Rewards: Port St. Mary (both services), at 5 o'clock in a light south-easterly £3619s.; Port Erin, first service, £20 Is.; breeze with a slight swell. She found second service, £14 11s.; Douglas, a drifting tree-trunk. As it was dan- first service, £21 14s.; second service, gerous to navigation, she towed it to £16 11s.; Peel, first service, £24 12s.; the harbour, and arrived back at her second service, £26 Is. Total Rewards station at 6.15 that evening.—Rewards, £160 9s. £2 5s. Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—June llth. Skegness, Lincolnshire.—June 26th.— —Rewards, £18 2s. 6d. Rewards, £11 7s. 6d. Maryport, Cumberland.—June 12th.— Falmouth, Cornwall.—June 29th.—Re- Rewards, £20 9s. wards, £7 Is. Qd. Ramsey, Isle of Man.—June 12th.— Rewards, £16 6s. Sheringham, Norfolk.—June 12th.— JULY Rewards, £25 15s. During July life-boats went out on service 63 times, and rescued 57 lives. AMERICAN STEAMER LOSES PROPELLER LIFE-BOAT AS AMBULANCE Baltimore, Co. Cork.—At about 4.30 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. in the afternoon of the 13th of June, —At 3.27 in the morning of the 1st of 1948, it was reported that the s.s. July, 1948, the coastguard reported that Dwight W. Morrow, of Jacksonville, the s.s. Afon Gwili, of Llanelly, had U.S.A., had wirelessed that she had lost anchored about a mile to the south-east her propeller twelve miles west of of Yarmouth, and had asked for a Fastnet, but that she was in no imme- doctor for a badly injured man. The diate danger. About 5.15 Valentia motor life-boat Louise Stephens was radio reported that the steamer was launched at 3.43 in a strong northerly now asking for help and a tow, and the breeze and a rough sea, with a doctor motor life-boat Shamrock was launched on board. The man, who had a badly at 5.35, in a moderate southerly breeze injured foot, was brought ashore in with a smooth sea. She found the the life-boat, which arrived back at Dwight W. Morrow anchored four miles her station at 5.2.r—Rewards, west by south pf Mizen Head. She £10 13s. 6d. OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 209 A ROUGH TOW boatman boarded the Mari, and buoyed Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At about and slipped her anchor. The owner's 12.25 in the afternoon of Sunday, the son was taken into the life-boat, and 4th of July, 1948, the coastguard tele- she then towed the Mari to Yarmouth phoned that information had been re- harbour, arriving back at her station ceived from the pilot cutter Penlee that at 7.20 that evening. The owner of the motor vessel Lenrodian, of Sheer- the yacht sent a donation to the In- ness, was in distress near No. 39 Buoy, stitution.—Rewards, £9 9s, in the neighbourhood of the West Sunk Light vessel. The motor life-boat Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 3.40 in E.M.E.D. was launched at one o'clock.- the afternoon of the 4th of July, 1948, It was blowing half a gale from the the North Foreland Radio reported a south-west with a rough sea and heavy small yacht, the Diver, of Gillingham, rain. At 2.45 the life-boat found the anchored close to No. 1 Yantlett Buoy motor vessel, and her skipper at once and in need of help. The motor life- asked to be towed to Harwich. Life- boat Greater London, Civil Service boatmen went on board and after long No. 3, was launched at 3.55. The sea and difficult manoeuvring the life-boat was very rough and a southerly gale took the Lenrodian in tow, and arrived was blowing, with heavy rain. The at Harwich at 5.20 after a very rough life-boat found the yacht, with two men passage. She arrived' back at her aboard, in tow of a landing craft a mile station at 7.40 that evening.—Property north-east of East Nore Buoy. At the Salvage Case. request of the landing craft's captain the life-boat took over the tow, and as FOUR YACHTS IN DISTRESS there was insufficient shelter at South- Swanage, Dorset.—At 12.40 in the end she took the Diver to Sheerness. afternoon of the 4th of July, 1948, the There she found that one of the two coastguard telephoned that a small men was seriously ill. It was then sailing yacht was in difficulties in Dur- about half-past five. The other man, leston Bay, and the motor life-boat his brother, begged the life-boatmen Thomas Markby, was launched in a to take the sick man up the Medway strong south-west breeze with a mod- to his home near Gillingham. This they erate sea at 12.55. She found the did. The life-boat arrived back at her Gadfly of Poole, about half a mile south- station at a quarter to nine that evening. west of Peveril Ledge Buoy, with a •—Property Salvage Case. crew of two. She had lost her, sails and her dinghy and was in danger of foun- Blyth, Northumberland. — In the dering. The life-boat towed her into afternoon of the 4th of July, 1948, a Swanage Bay and then returned to her strong north-westerly breeze was blow station, arriving at 1.55.—Rewards, ing with a rough sea and heavy rain, £7 12s. and at 4.42 the coastguard telephoned that a yacht had capsized in the bay in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. — At 2.50 a strong squall. The life-boat crew in the afternoon of the 4th of July, 1948, assembled, but the pilot boat had put the Totland Bay coastguard telephoned out and the life-boatmen dispersed. that a yacht was in difficulties one mile At 5.2 the coastguard reported that south of Highcliffe and at 3.0 o'clock several yachts were at sea and probably the motor life-boat S.G.E. was launched. in need of help and the motor life-boat A moderate gale was blowing with Winston Churchill, Civil Service No, 8, heavy rain, and the sea was very rough. was launched immediately. She found The life-boat found the motor yacht the local yacht Rozel with a crew of Mari, of Littlehampton, a mile east six, making very heavy weather half of Christchurch with the owner and his a mile south of St. Mary's Lighthouse, son on board. She had anchored, but and in danger of foundering. The life- was dragging towards the shore. When boat took her in tow and ran with the the life-boat arrived the owner tried to sea for North Shields, where the Bozel weigh anchor but fell into the sea. was moored. The life-boat then re- He was hauled into the life-boat and turned to her station, arriving at 8.45 given dry clothes and food. A life- that evening.-^-Rewards, £11 6s. 210 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 SIX BOATS IN DISTRESS away and her engine had broken down. Tynemouth, Northumberland. — Late The life-boat towed her to Appledore in the afternoon of the 4th' of July, Pool and arrived back at her station 1948, a sudden freak squall broke from at 8.45 that evening.—Property Salvage the north and at 4.59 the coastguard Case. telephoned that three small sailing yachts had capsized in the haven. TO THE HELP OF COBLES Within fifteen minutes the motor life- Amble, Northumberland. — In the boat Tynesider had put out. Mr. E. morning of the 5th of July, 1948, the Selby Davidson, the honorary sec- local fishing cobles, Hephzi-Bah, and retary of the station, was on board her. The John, were at sea. At 9.30, The sea was rough, and a strong north although the breeze from the north- erly breeze was blowing, with torrential north-west was moderate, a rough sea rain. When she reached the harbour was running, and at 9.53 the motor life- entrance the life-boat saw that the tug boat Frederick and Emma was launched. Wearmouth had gone to the help of She found the cobles off Coquet Island the yachts. She then saw a motor and accompanied them into harbour, fishing boat, the Girl Carole, of South arriving back at her station at 11 Shields, in difficulties near the rocks of o'clock.—Rewards, £6. the south pier. Her engines had broken down. The life-boat went to her help, ANOTHER YACHT IN DISTRESS rescued the crew of two and took the The number, Yorkshire. — At 6.45 boat herself in tow, but she quickly filled with water and had to be aban- in the evening of the 7th of July, 1948, doned. The life-boat then left the har- the Donna Nook coastguard reported a bour and there she saw two other boats yacht firing red rockets two and a half in distress two miles to the south of the miles east of Donna Nook, and at south pier. She found that they were 7 o'clock the motor life-boat Milburn, the motor yawl Vigilant, of Sunderland, on temporary duty at the station, was and the motor fishing boat May, of launched. She searched in a light Newcastle. The Vigilant had gone to north-easterly breeze with a smooth the help of the May and had taken her sea and found the motor yacht Dawn in tow, but seas broke over her, flood- Patrol, of Brough, at anchor with her ing her engine room, and she too was engine broken down. She was in no helpless. With some difficulty, in the immediate danger but the crew of two heavy seas, the life-boat got a rope to asked for a tow, as they -wished to the Vigilant, rescued her two men and spend the night ashore. The life-boat rescued the two men from the May. took the Dawn Patrol in tow, moored All four were exhausted and the life- her off Spurn Point and returned to her boatmen gave them rum. The life-boat station with the yacht's crew at 9.45. took the two boats to North Shields —Permanent paid crew. and arrived back at her station at 7.45 that evening.—Rewards, £11 19s. SIXTEEN FRENCHMEN RESCUED Cromer, Norfolk.—At 10.40 in the ENGINE FAILED: SAILS BLOWN AWAY morning of the 8th of July, 1948, the Appledore, Devon.—At 5.15 in the coastguard reported that the motor afternoon of the 4th of July, 1948, the vessel Francois Tixier, of Dunkirk, Westward Ho coastguard telephoned bound from Goole for Rouen with a that a yacht appeared to be in diffi- cargo of coal, was flying distress signals culties eight miles north-east of Hart- four miles north by west of Sheringham, land Point, and at 5.35 the motor life- and the No. 1 motor life-boat Henry boat The Brothers, on temporary duty Blogg was launched at eleven o'clock in at the station, was launched: A mod- a squally north-westerly gale with a erate north-westerly breeze was blow- very rough sea. She found that the ing, with a moderate sea. The life-boat motor vessel's cargo had shifted, and found the motor yacht Mafalda, of she had a heavy list. The list made it Ardrossan, with a crew of three, drifting impossible for the life-boat to get along- towards the rocks between Hartland side, so ropes were passed to her and and Clovelly. Her sails had carried the crew told to leave her as she OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 211 could not last long in such weather. 1948, the Fairlight coastguard tele- They could speak no English but after phoned that a sailing dinghy had cap- much hesitation the captain of the sized half a mile off Winchelsea beach, Francois Tixier decided to abandon and the motor life-boat Langham, on ship. By this time she was almost on temporary duty at the station, was her beam-ends and the rescue of her launched at 1.45. A strong west-south- sixteen men was very difficult. With west breeze was blowing with a choppy the aid of the breeches buoy the life- sea. She found the sailing dinghy boat took off eleven. When the twelfth Wendy upturned, but no trace of her man was in the buoy, the ship rolled crew of three. One had swam ashore, over and sank, flinging him and the four two others had been picked up by a remaining men into the sea. They speed boat. The life-boatmen righted managed to clamber on to a raft and the dinghy, baled her out and took her the life-boat picked them up. In that in tow, arriving back at their station weather she could not return to Cromer at 5.45.—Rewards, £29 19s. and made for Gorleston, where she arrived at 6.30 in the evening.. Letters ANGLERS IN DISTRESS of thanks were received from the French Eastbourne, Sutiex.—At 7.45 in the Consul General through the French evening of the llth of July, 1948, the Consular Agent at Lowestoft and from Eastbourne Angling Association re- the master of the vessel, and the French ported that their motor boat Lesal, Minister of Mercantile Marine and the which a party of four had taken out Minister for Foreign Affairs sent their for a day s fishing, was overdue, and at "most lively congratulations" to the 7.58 the motor life-boat Jane Holland life-boat's crew. A gift of £100 was also was launched. A fresh south-westerly made by the owners to the coxswain and breeze was blowing with a moderate crew.—Rewards, £50 13s. 6d. sea. She found the Lesal three miles south-east of.._the .. liferboat istation. FISHING VESSEL TOWED IN The starting-handle of the engine had Margate, Kent. —At 12.17 in the broken. The life-boat took the boat afternoon of the 10th of July, 1948, the in~tow 'and arrived-back at 'her station coastguard telephoned that a motor at 9.5.—Rewards, £18 19s. fishing vessel had broken down and was drifting three and. a half miles north- SICK NORWEGIAN SAILOR LANDED north-east of the pier. A strong north- Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. north-west breeze was blowing, with a —At 8.12 in the evening of the llth of rough sea. The vessel made no dis- July, 1948, the Gorleston coastguard tress signals, but at 12.56 she was seen telephoned that the s.s. Tora Elise, of to be drifting over the sands, and at Arendal, Norway, which was passing 1.5 the motor life-boat Lord South- to the northward, was flying the .signal borough, Civil Service No. 1, was for a doctor, and the motor life-boat launched. She found the vessel to be Louise Stephens was launched at 8.33, No. 639, of Milford Haven, with a crew with a doctor on board, in a light of five. Her engine had broken down. north-north-west breeze with a moder- The life-boat stood by until the vessel ate sea. She came up with the steamer got her engine going. The skipper off Yarmouth, took off a sick seaman then asked to be escorted to Ramsgate, and returned to her station, arriving but ten minutes later the engine broke at 9.45. -The seaman was sent to the down again. The vessel was now broad- Sailors' Home.-—Rewards, £10 13s. 6d. side on to the seas, and rolling heavily. The life-boat passed a line to her and YACHT TOWED IN towed her into Ramsgate. She arrived back at her station at 6 o'clock that Berwick-on-Twe«d, Northumberland.— evening.—Property Salvage Case. At 10.12 on the night of the llth of July, 1948, the coastguard reported red verey lights being fired from a yacht off SAILING DINGHY CAPSIZED Bummouth, and the motor life-boat Dungeness, Kent.—At 1.30. in the J. and W. was launched at 10.26 in a afternoon of Sunday the llth of July, light northerly breeze with a slight sea. 212 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

ABERYSTWYTH LAUNCHES

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By courtesy of} [Ford Jenkins, Lowtetoft RETURN FROM SERVICE The Lowestoft life-boat towing in the motor-cruiser Dimajl. (See page 214). OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 213

1031 FEET AND 41 FEET The s s. Queen Elizabeth and the new Sennen Cove motor life-boat which went to her station last July.

By cmatay of] [West Lancashire Evening Gtuett* NOT UNNOTICED The Blackpool life-boat coming ashore after searching for a swimmer. 214 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 She found the yacht Foxlrott, of Blyth, Sovereign later wirelessed that she had with a crew of three, a mile north-east left the Firefly with a French yacht of Berwick High Light. Her mast had and a Panamanian steamer standing sprung. The life-boat towed her into by her. The destroyer and the life- harbour, and returned to her station, boat found the Firefly about fourteen arriving at midnight.—Rewards, miles south of The Needles, and at the £8 17*. 6d. destroyer's request the life-boat took the Firefly in tow. She arrived back ESCORTING A SEAPLANE at her station at 5.30 that evening. The owner of the yacht made a donation Appledore, Devon.—At 11.58 in the to the funds of the Institution.—Re- morning of the 15th of July, 1948, an wards, £19 0*. 6d. urgent message was received, through the coastguard, from H.M.S. Harrier, that the pilot of a Fleet Air Arm aero- ADRIFT FOR FIFTEEN HOURS plane had baled out five to fifteen miles Eastbourne, Sussex.—At' seven in the north-west of Lundy Island. The evening of Saturday the 17th of July, motor life-boat The Brothers, on tem- 1948, the coastguard telephoned that porary duty at the station, was launched information had been received from the at 12:15, but was recalled shortly Eastbourne Angling Association that afterwards when it was learned that a one of their boats, the motor boat Lesal, Sea Otter aeroplane had landed on the which the life-boat had towed in six sea and picked up the pilot. A strong days before, was fishing two and a half north-westerly wind was blowing, the miles south of Langney Point. She had sea was rough and the Sea Otter- could two men on board and should have not take off again. She started to taxi returnted. The south-westerly wind towards thfe* shore; escorted- by the was' increasing; the sea "rough", and destroyer Roebuck, and at 1.10 the life- anxiety was felt for their safety. The boat was asked to get a doctor and go motor life-boat Jane Holland was out to meet the Sea Otter. She and launched at 7.15, made a search, found the destroyer were then five miles north nothing and returned at 10.20. At of Lundy Light. The life-boat came 7.50 next morning she put out again up with them fourteen miles north- and after a long search found the Lesal, west of Fairway Buoy, and at the with her engine broken down, about request of the destroyer's captain six miles south of Hastings. She had escorted the Sea Otter to Braunton been adrift in a rough sea for over Sands. She arrived back at her station fifteen hours. The life-boat arrived at 4.40 in the afternoon. A message of back with the boat in tow at 12.10 in thanks was received from St. Merryn the afternoon. Rewards: First service, Air Station.—Rewards, £13 8s. £23 11s.; second service, £29 4s.

A LONG TOW DUTCHMEN LANDED Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. — At 7 Appledore, Devon.—During a thick o'clock in the morning of the 17th of fog in the early hours of the morning of July, 1948, the Totland coastguard the 18th of July, 1948, the motor ship telephoned that the British steamer Amstelstroom, of Amsterdam went Royal Sovereign had reported that she aground on the rocky coast of Lundy had in tow the motor yacht Firefly, of Island. Her crew of eleven got ashore. St. Helier, whose engines had broken About four o'clock in the afternoon the down while she was cruising to the coastguard asked the life-boat to go out Channel Islands. She had a crew of the following day to bring the men three. The steamer gave their position from the island, and the motor life-boat as twenty-one miles south-west of St. The Brothers, on temporary duty at the Catherine's Point and asked that the station, left her moorings at 5.10 in life-boat take over the tow. A fresh the morning of the 19th. A strong south-westerly breeze was blowing, westerly breeze was blowing, with a with"'a~ moderate sea. At 7.23 the moderate sea. The Dutch capfaiii' de- motor life-boat S.G.E. was launched. cided that only four of his crew should A destroyer also went out. The Royal be taken off. The other seven would OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 215 remain on the island to watch the ship. telephoned that the Icelandic steam- With the four men, the life-boat re- trawler Baldur, on passage from Fleet- turned to her station, arriving at half- wood to Iceland, was approaching past one that afternoon.—Rewards, Campbeltown and had asked for a doc- £18 13*. tor for a maternity case. The trawler was then thirty miles away to the south- ALEAK IN A GALE west and expected to be off Campbel- Port St. Mary, Isle of Man.—At 4.30 town about four o'clock. The motor in the morning of the 19th of July, 1948, life-boat City of Glasgow left her moor- the Castletown coastguard telephoned ings at 2.42, in a light southerly breeze that the keeper at Langness Point Light and a moderate sea, with a doctor and had reported red flares from a small nurse aboard. She met the trawler four vessel, and the motor life-boat Sir miles east-north-east of Sanda, put the Heath Harrison was launched at 5.5. doctor and nurse on board her, and A west-south-west gale was blowing escorted the trawler to Davaar Light- with a moderate sea. A quarter of a house, the life-boat coxswain acting as mile west of Langness Point the life- pilot. There the patient, the doctor boat found the auxiliary ketch Sarah and the nurse were transferred to the Latham, of Chester. She had on board life-boat, which made for Campbeltown the captain and his wife, and a crew of where an ambulance was waiting. The three. She was on her way from life-boat returned to her station at six Connah's Quay to Belfast, laden with o'clock.—Rewards, £9 19s. 6d. bricks and tiles. Her sails had been severely damaged, she was leaking MORE YACHTS IN DISTRESS badly, both engine and pumps had broken down. The life-boat rescued Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire. — In the five people and returned to her the early morning of the 21st of July, station at 6.25. Later the ketch 1948, the yacht Goodewind, of Leith, foundered.—Rewards, £18. was reported by the coastguard to be dragging her anchors in the bay, but ANOTHER SAILING DINGHY CAPSIZED she picked up moorings and seemed to be safe. The wind was increasing, and Youghal, Co. Cork.—At 6 o'clock in by 9.45 a full south-westerly gale was the evening of the 19th of July, 1948, blowing, with a rough sea running. information was received that a sailing The district inspector of life-boats, Com- dinghy from Cork had capsized in the mander E. W. Middleton, R.N.V.R., bay between Red Buoy and Capel who was visiting the station, saw that Island, and at 6.15 the motor life-boat the anchor of the moorings was drag- Laurana Sarah Blunt was launched. ging and took the motor life-boat A strong, squally south-westerly breeze M.O.Y.E. out at 10.15 to the help of was blowing, with a very choppy sea. the yacht. She passed a line to the The life-boat searched widely and yacht, which had a crew of four on found the dinghy in tow of a salmon board, and towed her to a safe anchor- yawl one mile off the Knockadoon age, but her ground tackle would not shore. The dinghy's crew of three, hold, so the life-boat fetched a mooring; two of whom were suffering from shock anchor and saw her comfortably and exposure, had been taken aboard moored. She returned to her station the yawl. They were transferred to again at two in the afternoon. The the life-boat which arrived back at her owner of the yacht made a gift to the station at 8.15. The two sick men were crew.—Rewards, £7 4s. sent to a nursing home. The dinghy was eventually beached. — Rewards, Lowestoft, Suffolk.—About three in, £10 19s. the afternoon of the 21st of July, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that an DOCTOR AND NURSE TO AN auxiliary sailing yacht, one and a half ICELANDIC TRAWLER miles to the eastward, was flying a Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 2.25 distress signal, and the motor life-boat in the afternoon of the 20th of July, Mary Scott, on temporary duty at the 1948, the Portpatrick Radio Station station, was launched at once. A 216 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 strong southerly breeze was blowing, life-boat's stores and were towed to with a rough sea, and the tide was Margate. The life-boat reached her ebbing. The life-boat found the Dim- station again at half past four the fol- cyl, with a crew of four on board, broken lowing morning.—Rewards, £15 18s. down and drifting. She towed her into harbour, arriving at half past four. YACHT AGROUND ON TONGUE SANDS —Rewards, £6 15s. Margate, Kent.—At 7.50 in the even- ing of the 24th of July, 1948, the coast- SICK MAN BROUGHT ASHORE IN A guard telephoned a message, received GALE from a steamer through North Foreland Amble, Northumberland.—In the late Radio, that a sailing yacht wa's aground afternoon of the 21st of July, 1948, the on Tongue Sands, four miles south-east coastguard reported that the s.s. Wind- of North-East Tongue Buoy. The sor Queen, of London, which was off motor life-boat Lord Southborough, Civil Coquet Island, had an injured man on Service No. 1, was launched at 8.2 in a board, and the motor life-boat Elizabeth moderate south-easterly breeze. The Newton, on temporary duty at the sea was calm, with an occasional heavy station, was launched at 5.45 with a swell. The life-boat found the sailing doctor. A south-westerly gale was yacht Joass, of the Royal Naval blowing, with a rough sea. The life- Sailing Club, Chatham, with a crew of boat brought the injured man ashore, three. Her deck was awash, she had and arrived back at her station again a heavy list, and each swell carried her at 7.15.—Rewards, £6 Is. further on to the sands. The low tide made it impossible for the life-boat to R.A.F. CADETS LANDED tow her off, so she passed a line to her Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 9.25 in the and held her for nearly two hours until evening of the 21st of July, 1948, the she refloated on the flood tide. It was coastguard telephoned that a small then nearly midnight and at the request rowing boat, with three Royal Air Force of the yacht's skipper the life-boat cadets on board, was in difficulties about towed her into Ramsgate Harbour. half a mile to the eastward of Salt She then returned to her station at a Island Point, and the motor life-boat quarter to six the following morning. Elsie, on temporary duty at the station, —Rewards, £23 12s. was launched at half-past nine in a south-westerly breeze with a choppy EXPLOSION IN AN ENGINE-ROOM sea. She took off the cadets and Wells, Norfolk—At about 6.30 in the brought them and their boat ashore at morning of the 25th of July, 1948, 10.30.—Rewards, £4 10s. information was received from the coastguard that a ship, twenty miles to NIGHT SEARCH FOR FISHING BOAT the north-east of Wells, had had an Margate, Kent.—During the evening explosion in the engine-room and a of the 23rd of July, 1948, the sister of doctor was needed. The motor life- the skipper of the local fishing vessel boat Cecil Paine was launched at seven Providence reported that the Providence o'clock with Dr. E. W. Hicks, the hono- had gone out fishing early that morning rary secretary, on board. A light and was long overdue. The coast- south-easterly wind was blowing with a guard was informed, but he could not moderate sea. When the life-boat see her, and at 10.50, as it grew dark, reached the position given the weather the motor life-boat Lord Southborough, was hazy and nothing could be seen, Civil Service No. 1 was launched. The but the life-boat got further information sea was slight, with a moderate south- through the East Dudgeon Lightvessel westerly breeze blowing. The life-boat and eventually found the ship. She was found the Providence with her engine the s.s. Wave Commander, a Royal broken down a mile north-west of South Fleet Auxiliary oil tanker, and Dr. "West Longsand Buoy. She had been Hicks was put aboard to treat the •drifting for twelve .hours and her crew injured men. One was badly hurt and of two were without food. They were was with difficulty lifted into the life- given soup, biscuits and water from the boat on a stretcher. She landed him OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 217 at Holkham, where he had to be pushed had gone aground 'while making for on a hand cart over a mile of sands to a Fleetwood from the fishing grounds, waiting ambulance. The life-boat but was in no immediate danger. The reached her station again at 4.15.— life-boat towed off the trawler's boat so Rewards, £34 6s. that a kedge anchor could be dropped and then stood by until the Northness TOWING IN A YACHT refloated at half past two. As her ser- Weymouth, Dorset.—At 11.10 on the vices were no longer needed the life- night of the 26th of July, 1948, the boat made for her station, arriving at Wyke Regis coastguard telephoned that 4.45 in the afternoon.—Rewards, a vessel was signalling for help with a £28 185. torch one mile to the south-south-east, and the motor life-boat William and MOTOR BOAT ASHORE Clara Ryland was launched at 11.25 in Cloughey, Co. Down.—At 9.15 in the fine weather with a calm sea. She evening of the 28th of July, 1948, the found the motor yacht Dinah with a Tara coastguard telephoned that a small crew of four. Her engine had broken motor boat was ashore on Long Pladdy, down, but had been started again. Ballyquinton Point. There was no The yacht made for the harbour es- immediate danger, as the sea was calm corted by the life-boat, which, later, and the north-westerly breeze light. took her in tow and reached her station Later the coastguard reported that the again at one o'clock the next morning. boat had heeled over, that no other —Rewards, £5 13s. boats were near and that there was pros- pect of fog. The motor life-boat YACHT HELPED A SECOND TIME Herbert John was launched at half Ilfracombe, Devon.—-At 3 O'clock in past ten and found a Portaferry motor the morning of the 27th of July, 1948, fishing boat with a crew of two aboard. the coastguard reported flares, and at Three visitors who had been with them 3.30 the motor life-boat Richard Silver on a fishing expedition had already been Oliver was launched. The weather was landed by another boat. As the tide fine with a calm sea. The life-boat was now rising the life-boat stood by found the motor yacht Mafalda, of until the motor boat refloated and was Ardrossan, with a crew of four, about able to get clear of the rocks. She then three miles north-west of the pier returned to her station, arriving at 1.55 drifting with her engine broken down in the morning.—Re wards, £20 14s. and no sails. She took her in tow, The following life-boats went out on beached her in the inner harbour, and service, 'but, could find no ships in dis- reached her station again at 5.15. The tress, were not needed or could do Mafalda had been in distress on the 4th nothing: July, when her crew were rescued by Aldeburgh, Suffolk^Tuly 4th.—Re- the Appledore life-boat.—Rewards, £18 135. 6d. wards, £27 12s. 6d. Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. — July AGROUND IN A FOG 4th.—Rewards, £47 13s. Ramsey, Isle of Man.—At 7.15 in the Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—July 4th.— morning of the 27th of July, 1948, the Rewards, £11 17s. coastguard telephoned that a vessel was Walton and Frinton, Essex.— July ashore a mile west of Rue Point, and a 4th.—Rewards, £12 2s. few minutes later she was reported to Hoylake, Cheshire.—July. 6th—Re- be blowing S.O.S. on her whistle. The wards, £14 16s. motor life-boat Lady Harrison was launched at eight o'clock. There was Margate, Kent.—July 7th. — Re- a thick fog, but the sea was calm and wards, £7 17s. 6d. there was no wind. Going north round the Point of Ayre the life-boat LIFE-BOAT TO THE HELP OF reached the position given nearly LIFE-BOAT two hours later. There she found the Gourdon, Kincardineshire ; Arbroath and steam trawler Northness, of Hull. She Montrose, Angus.—At 12.20 in the 218 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 morning of the 8th of July, 1948, the Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— Gourdon coastguard reported to Gour- July 14th.—Rewards, £7 2s. 6d. don life-boat station that the rowing boat Ella, with a crew of three, was Newhaven, Sussex. — July 17th.— expected, but had not arrived. She had Rewards, £9 7s. 6d. last been seen off Rockhall Point, about one and a half miles south-west of Falmouth, Cornwall.—July 18th.— Johnshaven. A north-north-west gale Rewards, £5 13s. was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat Margaret Dawson was Selsey, Sussex. — July 19th. — Re- launched at 12.37 and made a wide wards, £14 9s. 6d. search. She continued to search for over six hours, and at seven minutes The Humber, Yorkshire.—July 19th. past seven she received a wireless mes- —Paid permanent crew. sage that the Ella had been found hanging on to a salmon net and that Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—July 19th.— fishermen had helped to bring her Rewards, £8 14f. ashore. Just before she received this message her engine had stopped, owing Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—July 21st. to faulty wiring and her crew called for —Rewards, £1119s. the help of the -Arbroath life-boat as they hesitated to attempt to start the Beaumaris, Anglesey.—July 21st.— engine again in case of fire. The life- Rewards, £7 9s. 6d. boat then set sail, southwards towards Arbroath. The fishing boat June Rose St. Ives, Cornwall.—July 22nd.— appeared and offered her a tow. The Rewards, £28 9s. tow was not needed, but as the life-boat now had company the crew gave her Padstow, Cornwall.— July 23rd.— engine another trial, and at nine o'clock Rewards, £7 10s. got it running again. The news of her breakdown reached Arbroath through Margate, Kent. — July 23rd. —Re- the Gregness coastguard at seven wards, £19 13s. o'clock, and the life-boat John and William Mudie was launched at 7.10, but she stuck in sand and mud at the LANCASTER BOMBER DOWN foot of the slipway. At 7.50 a message Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 12.20 in the that the Gourdon boat was in trouble afternoon of the 23rd of July, 1948, the was received at Montrose, and at 8.20 coastguard telephoned that a Lancaster the No. 1 life-boat The Good Hope was bomber, which had a crew of eight, was launched. She found the Gourdon life- in distress forty-six miles south-east of boat five miles south of Red Head. By Kirkabister Lighthouse. At 3.19 the this time, however, 9.30 in the morning, coastguard reported that a rubber the Gourdon crew had started their dinghy had "been seen forty-eight miles engine again. The Good Hope escorted south-east of the lighthouse and that No. her to the shelter of Montrose Bay and 18 Group Royal Air Force had asked for then returned to her station. Montrose the services of the life-boat. The motor got back to her station at 10.40, Gour- life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland don at 11.45 and Arbroath at two was launched at 3.40 in a fresh west- o'clock in the afternoon. Rewards, south-west breeze with a choppy sea, Gourdon, £38 4s.; Arbroath, £7 17s. 6d.; and an aeroplane guided her. In the Montrose, £10 5s. meantime a Sea Otter seaplane had landed on the sea and rescued the men Dun Labghaire, Co. Dublin. — July from the dinghy, but could not take 8th.—Rewards, £1111s. 6d. off again, and H.M.S. Welcome, which Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—July 9th. was already at sea, arrived just before —Rewards, £5 5s. the life-boat, took the Sea Otter in tow, and took the eight rescued men on Whitehills, Banffshire.—July 13th.— board. As she was not needed the life- Rewards, £15 7s. boat returned to her station, arriving OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 219 at 2.25 the next morning. Head- POUNDING ON THE BEACH quarters No. 18 Group, R.A.F., sent Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—At 4.30 in their thanks to the life-boat station.— the morning of the 7th of August, 1948, Rewards, £22. (See Page 199.) the South Gare coastguard telephoned that a red flare could be seen to the Bridlington, Yorkshire. — July 23rd. north-west of North Gare breakwater —Rewards, £14 12s. and at 5.15 the motor life-boat J. W. Archer was launched. She made a Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. — July search in a light south-easterly breeze, 24th.—Rewards, £7 18s. 6d. with a slight sea, and found the motor fishing vessel Belvoir Castle, of Grimsby, St. David's, Pembrokeshire. — July with a crew of four, stranded half a 26th.—Rewards, £6 14s. mile north-west of the breakwater. She was pounding on the beach and was Newhaven, Sussex. — July 28th.— half full or water. The life-boat ran Rewards, £7 12s. 6d. out an anchor from her to prevent her being carried further ashore, took off Stromness, Orkneys. — July 29th.— the crew, and landed them atHartlepool. Rewards, £18 2s. She reached her station again at 7.30.— Rewards, £7 19s. AUGUST RESCUERS RESCUED During August life-boats went out on service 89 times and rescued 59 Dover, Kent.—At 11.10 in the morn- lives. ing of the 7th of August, 1948, the dockyard police reported that a small boat had capsized in the bay, and ten NEARLY ON THE ROCKS minutes later the motor life-boat J. B. Newhaven, Sussex.—At 9 o'clock in Proudfoot was launched. The sea was the evening of the 1st of August, 1948, rough and a strong south-weste'rly the coastguard reported a motor vessel breeze was blowing. In the meantime broken down off Saltdean, and the a rowing boat had been launched from motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott the beach, rescued the two men of the was launched at 9.5 in calm weather. capsized boat, 'and landed them on a She found the Sunbeam, of Newhaven, jetty. The two rescuers in the rowing with seven persons on board, nearly boat then got into difficulties and were on the rocks. The life-boat towed her in danger of being driven on to the sea- into harbour and reached her station wall. The life-boat passed a line to again at 10.25.—Rewards, £7 16s. them, and two life-boatmen jumped into their boat and helped them into the STOVE IN ON A BUOY life-boat. With the men on board and the boat in tow. the life-boat came New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 12.53 in into the inner harbour at half past the afternoon of the 2nd of August, twelve.—Rewards £5 17s. 1948, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board reported that a fishing boat had capsized and the crew were clinging to BATHER RESCUED C.ll Black Buoy. A moderate north- Cromer, Norfolk.—About 3 o'clock westerly breeze was blowing, with a in the afternoon of the 7th of August, moderate sea. The No. 2 Motor life- 1948, a bather could be seen in a rubbeJ boat Edmund and Mary Robinson was dinghy three-quarters of a mile north- launched at 1.10, and found four men east of the pier. He appeared to be on the buoy with their fishing boat, the drifting seawards on the ebbing tide. Ranger, of Liverpool, awash alongside. As no other boat was available the NO. She had struck the buoy and had stove 1 motor life-boat, Henry Blogg, was in three planks. The life-boat rescued launched at 3.40. A fresh south- the men, landed them at the stage and westerly breeze blowing, with a slight arrived back at her station at 1.55. swell. The life-boat came up with The Ranger sank later.—Rewards, the bather one mile north east by £5 15s. east of the pier, took him and his 220 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 dinghy on board, and returned to The motor life-boat George Shee was her station, arriving at 4.30.-—Re- launched at 9.45 in rough seas with wards, £8 9s. heavy rain. Before she reached the training ships the life-boat saw signals WOMAN FALLEN OVER CLIFF from the outer harbour and found the Fowey, Cornwall.—About 4.15 in the motor yacht Jinty on fire, following an afternoon of the 7th of August, 1948, explosion in the pantry. It had done news was received that a woman had considerable damage, but fortunately fallen over the cliffs near Gribben the crew of nine were all on deck at the Head, and the motor life-boat C.D.E.C., time. The life-boat stood by while with a small boat in tow, was launched they were all taken off by other boats at 4.35. A strong south-south-east and then went to the Swedish ships wind was blowing, with a rough sea to see if there was need for her to stand and rain. The life-boat found that by or to guide them to a safer anchorage. a doctor and Sea Scouts from a nearby She found that the officer commanding camp had already gone to the woman's was ashore, so she went to Torquay help. She was put in the small boat, and there embarked him, another officer but she was too badly hurt to be trans- and nine cadets. With them she ferred to the life-boat. With the boat returned to the Falken. 'The officers in tow and the doctor and several got aboard despite the heavy seas, but friends of the injured woman on board, it was too rough for the cadets to the life-boat made for Fowey which attempt it, so the life-boat brought she reached at a quarter past six. them back to Brixham, where they There, an ambulance which the life- were accommodated on H.M.S. Bar- boat had asked for by wireless, was bastel for the night. Meanwhile the waiting to take the woman to hospital. life-boat kept watch on the Swedish —Rewards, £5 5s. ships until the storm abated just after midnight.—Rewards, £7 16s. CUT OFF BY THE TIDE Fowey, Cornwall.—While the motor YACHT LOST WITH FIVE LIVES life-boat C.D.E.C. was out to the help St. Peter Port, Guernsey. — In the of the woman who had fallen from evening of the 7th of August, 1948, a Gribben Head on the 7th of August, Dutch yacht, the Duenna, an auxiliary a wireless message was received at her ketch, with twin screws, of 140 tons, station from the Polruan coastguard at was anchored outside the harbour. 5.50 that some boys had been cut off She had six on board, including her by the rising tide at Lantic Bay, two owner-master, a Dutch woman. She miles to the east of Fowey. AJs soon was on her way to South Africa. A as she had landed the woman the life- strong gale was blowing from the south- boat set out for Lantic Bay, picked up east, with heavy breaking seas, and at a scoutmaster and two boys, and 8.50 the signal station reported to the brought them to harbour. She reached life-boat station that the yacht's anchor her station again at half past seven. was dragging, but shortly afterwards she The boys belonged to a troop from was seen to get under way and go north- Kensington, London. The troop sent wards. Only one of her engines, how- a gift to the Institution and thanked ever, was working, and her mizzen blew the crew.—Rewards, £5 5*. away. She was unmanageable, struck the Roustel Rock heavily, and was SWEDISH TRAINING SHIPS IN PERIL holed. She fired rockets, and at 9.45 Torbay, Devon.—On the evening of the motor life-boat Queen Victoria was the 7th of August, 1948, a sudden gale called out. The life-boat lies afloat, and got up from the south-east, and anxiety the boarding boat in which her crew was felt for the crews of the two went out to her was swamped. It was. Swedish training ships Falken and not until 10.45 that she got away. She Gladan,. anchored off Paignjon for the passed the Roustel Rock steering north. yacht racing in Torbay in the games of The yacht had now passed the Platte the XIV Olympiad. They were on an Fougere Light, and when she was a exposed dead lee shore in shallow water. little more than a mile north-east of it OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 221 she fired her last three rockets. Water at 7.30. At nine o'clock she asked had got into the engine-room and the permission to return to her station, as second engine had stopped. The yacht the survivor appeared to be badly then drifted westwards with the tide. injured, and arrived at 9.40. She was The life-boat also passed the Platte refuelled, and at 1.45 in the afternoon Fougere Light, and shortly after the she went out again with a fresh crew. yacht's second engine failed and she The weather had now cleared, but started to drift to the west, the life- neither the life-boat nor an aeroplane boat must have passed close to her. could see any wreckage. The yacht But there were heavy rain squalls and had been seen by the mail boat at 6.15 the spume was being whipped off the and shortly .afterwards she had sunk. seas. She did not see the yacht, but She was then once more about a mile continued northwards for a while. north-east of the Platte Fougere Light, Then she turned southwards again for after the message from the Patricia until, a quarter of an hour after mid- to the life-boat to steer north and then night, she was once more off the Platte west, the yacht had drifted eastwards Fougere Light. There the coxswain again, and when she sank she was close remained, intending to wait for day- by where her second engine had failed light. At that time the yacht was seven hours before. The life-boat re- rather less than two miles north-west turned to her station for the second of the light,, and about the same dis- time at 5.15 that evening.—Rewards, tance north of Lancresse Bay, where First Service, £23 17s.; Second Service, the Trinity House vessel Patricia was £10 16s. at anchor. The Patricia had had the yacht under observation by radar, and YACHT TOWED IN she could now see her lights. At eleven St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 10.35 o'clock and again at 12.15 she gave in the morning of the 8th of August, radar bearings on the yacht to the 1948, the Trinity House vessel Patricia, life-boat by radio telephone, but which had been sheltering in Lancresse the coxswain does not seem to have Bay, asked for the help of the life-boat accepted the reliability of the informa- in towing the auxiliary yacht Dunlin, of tion sent him. At 12.30 the owner of Poole, into harbour. A strong the yacht decided to abandon her, and southerly breeze was blowing, with a a dinghy was launched with the six rough sea. The motor life-boat Queen people on board. It made for the lights Victoria was launched at 10.40 and of the Patricia, but it capsized and found the Dunlin and Patricia off the broke up at the Braye Rocks. Five on North Reefs. The yacht's crew of board were drowned. One man cling- five were on the Patricia but one man ing to a life-buoy, was carried through re-boarded her and two life-boatmen the rocks. also went on board. The life-boat At two in the morning the honorary then took the yacht in tow and arrived secretary of the station sent a message back at her station at 12.50 that after- to the coxswain that he could rely on noon.—Rewards, £8 19s. 6d. suggestions made by the Patricia and at 2.15 the life-boat left Platte Fougere FIVE RESCUED FROM YACHT Light. Under directions from the Pat- Weymouth, Dorset.— About 7.55 ricia, she steered north until she was in the morning of the 8th of August, clear of the Braye Rocks and then 1948, the Wyke Regis coastguard tele- turned westwards. Once more she phoned a message received from the passed the Duenna (whose crew were British steamer Megara that she was now drowned though no one knew standing by the yacht Paviroma, of it) and then turned southwards and Southampton, fourteen miles south- went round Guernsey. At 6.40 next south-east of Portland Bill. The motor morning she was oft St. Martin's Point, life-boat Hearts of Oak, on temporary two miles south of St. Peter Port, and duty at the station, was launched at the honorary secretary instructed her 8.15. A strong south-westerly breeze to return to Platte Fougere Light and was blowing, with a heavy sea. The continue the search there. This she life-boat found the yacht sixteen miles did and picked up the one survivor south of Portland, with five persons 222 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 and a dog on board. She was bound o'clock.. It was then learned that it for Dartmouth from Guernsey, but her was another boat that had been reported engine had broken down and her sails in distress, the auxiliary yacht Sea Air. had carried away. The life-boat took She had signalled that she needed her in tow and made for Swanage, someone to pilot her into West Mersea arriving at 4.15 in the afternoon. She and the police had gone out to her in a refuelled and left for her station, motor boat.—Rewards, £23 2s. arriving at 10.30 that night.—Property Salvage Case. YACHT IN THE BREAKERS SILVER MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY The Humber, Yorkshire.—Just after Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—In the seven o'clock in the evening of the 9th morning of the 8th of August, 1948, of August, 1948, the Withernsea coast- the life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis guard reported a small motor yacht in Lunn rescued six lives from the yacht difficulties two miles south of Withern- Gull, off Newhaven.-—-Rewards, silver sea, and the motor life-boat City of second-service clasp to the coxswain, Bradford II was launched at 7.15 in a vellums to each of the crew, and light north-westerly wind with a slight £15 13*. 6d. For a full account of sea. She found the yacht ashore and this service see page 193. washing up in the breakers. She was the Phillip Rex, of Hull, and her crew ENGINE FAILED; SAIL BLOWN AWAY of two had already managed to get St. Helier, Jersey.—At 4.30 in the ashore. The life-boat fired a line to afternoon of the 8th of August, 1948, them, and they fastened a rope to the a message was received from the har- yacht, by means of which the life- bour office that a sailing boat appeared boat hauled her off and anchored her. to be in difficulties six miles off Gorey, She then returned to her station, and at 5.15 the motor life-boat Howard arriving half an hour after midnight.— D. put out. A fresh westerly breeze Permanent Paid Crew. was blowing with a moderate sea. The life-boat found the auxiliary yacht BUSY DAY AND NIGHT FOR MARGATE Calva, of Littlehampton, one and a half miles south-west of Grande Anquette Margate, Kent.—At 8.6 in the morning beach, with a crew of three. Her of the 12th of August, 1948, information engine had broken down, her fore-sail was received from S.S. Holdernene, had carried away, she had shipped a through North Foreland Radio and the lot of water, and her crew had used up coastguard, that a motor launch was their distress signals the previous night. in need of help near the Elbow Buoy. The life-boat towed her to St. Helier She was the motor yacht Olga, of against a strong tide, moored her in Antwerp. The Holdernene was stand- the harbour and reached her station ing by her in a strong northerly wind again at 10.15. ^A gift to the funds of with a very rough sea. At 8.14 the the Institution was made by the motor life-boat Lord Southborough, Civil owner's wife and the owner made gifts Service No. 1, was launched. She found to each member of the crew.—Rewards, that the steamer had taken the Olga £10 ITs. in tow, but it was too dangerous for the yacht and the life-boat took over A LONG SEARCH the tow, first putting a life-boatman Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At one o'clock aboard to help man the pumps and keep in the morning of the 9th of August, her afloat. She then made for Rams- 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a gate Harbour, arriving at 10.50. She boat appeared to be in difficulties helped free the yacht of water by between West Mersea and Bradwell, pumping and baling and then left for and at half past one the motor life-boat her station. On her way she saw Edward Z. Dresden was launched. A signals at 2.30 from a boat one and a fresh south-westerly breeze was .blow- half miles off North Foreland. She ing, with a rough sea. She searched was the Broadstairs motor boat Happy for several hours and found a dinghy Days with a rope round her propeller. bottom upwards, brought it in and She had five people on board. At the arrived back at her station at eleven request of her skipper the life-boat OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 223 towed her to Broadstairs, which she beltown motor life-boat City of Glasgow reached at 3.10. She arrived in was launched, and at two o'clock the Margate Harbour at four o'clock. Islay life-boat, after refuelling, put out The weather was too rough to put her again, but the Nellie reached Port in the house, so she remained afloat Charlotte without help, and the life- throughout the night, with her crew boats were recalled by wireless. The in readiness for further service. The Charlotte Elizabeth reached her station weather moderated next morning and at 8.15 that evening and the City of she was rehoused at 11.30.—Property Glasgow at 10.10.—Rewards: Islay, Salvage Case.—Rewards, £39 2s. £27 5s. lid.; Campbeltown £16 18s. 6d. HELPING HOME THE FISHING FLEET SOLITARY YACHTSMAN RESCUED Newbiggin, Northumberland.—At 7.30 Clovelly, Devon. — At 9.14 in the in the morning of the 12th of August, morning of the 13th of August, 1948, 1948, the life-boat coxswain returned the Lundy and Hartland coastguards from sea and reported that wind and reported a yacht to the south-east of sea were rising. He kept watch. At Lundy Island which appeared to be in 8.20 the coastguard rang up to say that difficulties, and the motor life-boat two cobles were still at sea and City of Nottingham was launched at others coming into the bay, and ten half past nine. A strong north-north- minutes later the motor life-boat east breeze was blowing and the sea Augustus and Laura was launched. was rough. Two miles south-east of A fresh northerly breeze was blowing, Lundy the life-boat found the motor with a heavy swell and heavy rain, yacht Easting, of Plymouth, with only which made visibility very bad. The her owner on board. She was without life-boat searched, and two miles north sails, her engine and steering gear had of Church Point she found the coble broken down, and she was making Adventure and escorted her into the water. The life-boat towed her to bay. There, with the other cobles Appledore, returning to her station at which had returned earlier, they had to 10.10 that night.—Property Salvage wait, owing to the heavy sea on the Case. beach, until the tide had fallen. The life-boat stood by until all the cobles NINE RESCUED FROM A TRAWLER were safely beached and returned to Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wezford.—At her station at half past eleven that 11.10 on the night of the 14th .of morning.—Rewards, £24 4*. August, 1948, the Lowestoft steam trawler Lord Anson reported that the SHARK FISHERS RESCUED steam trawler Mint, also of Lowestoft, Islay, Inner Hebrides, and Campbeltown, was calling for help on her radio, and Argyllshire.—At 5.30 in the morning of the motor life-boat Duke ofConnaught, the 13th of August, 1948, the Kil- on temporary duty at the station, choman coastguard telephoned that a was launched at 11.20. A moderate vessel about three miles north-north- southerly gale was blowing, with a west of Coul Point had made flares, and heavy ground swell. The life-boat at 6.15 the Islay motor life-boat Char- could see flares on Dogger Bank, lotte Elizabeth was launched in a slight Wexford Bar, and there she found the north-westerly breeze, with a moderate trawler with a heavy list to starboard sea. She found three men in a dinghy and seas breaking over her. At the from the steam drifter Boy Pat, of skipper's request the life-boat stood by Greenock, which had sunk while bound clear of the breakers. At 3.55 next for Barra from Greenock, shark fishing. morning the trawler whistled for the The men said that the ketch Nellie, life-boat. The skipper had decided of Tarbert, with a crew of two, which to abandon ship. At the third attempt had been in company with the Boy to go alongside, the life-boat rescued Pat, was missing. The life-boat re- the crew of nine and took them to turned to her station, landed the rescued Rosslare Harbour, arriving at 5.30. men and at 11.46 sent the news of the On the afternoon of the following missing Nellie to the life-boat station day, the 16th, at two o'clock, the life- at Campbeltown. At noon the Camp- boat went again to the Mint, with two THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 trawlers, to help them to refloat her. and was now lost to sight. The motor The trawlers could not get near her, life-boat Mary Scott, on temporary so the life-boat approached and took duty at the station, was launched at soundings, but it was found impossible 10.38 in a moderate south-westerly to fix a towing wire and all three breeze with a slight sea. She found the returned to harbour at 3.40. auxiliary yacht Maybe, of Calais, with The life-boat went out again at 4.45 a crew of three, off North Goodwin in the afternoon of the 17th of August, Banks. She was in a dangerous posi- with a small boat in tow and a salvage tion so the life-boat towed her to the party aboard. Sand prevented the harbour and arrived back at her station life-boat from going alongside the Mint, at 12.5 that afternoon.—Rewards, but the salvage people took soundings £6 13s. and were able to board the wreck from the small boat. With the trawler's YACHT SAVED JUST IN TIME boat in tow the life-boat returned to Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.— her station again at 9.30 that night.— At 12.20 in the afternoon of the 15th Rewards: First Service, £7 145; partly of August, 1948, information was paid permanent crew. Second and received that a yacht was in distress Third Services, Property Salvage Cases. and dragging her anchor towards the rocks at the harbour entrance, and the NORWEGIAN STEAMER ON THE SANDS motor life-boat Sarah Ward and William Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 1.25 David Croswelkr was launched, in a in the morning of the 15th of August, light north-westerly breeze with a 1948, the coastguard telephoned that moderate sea. She found the sailing the pilot cutter Penlee had reported yacht Quireda, of Queenstown, with a that she had picked up the crew of four- crew of two. The yacht was then only teen of the S.S. Rojo, of Oslo, which had fifty yards from the shore. The life- collided with another ship near the boat passed a rope to her, towed her Sunk Lightvessel. The sea was rough to a safe anchorage, and got back to and a fresh wind was blowing from the her station again at two o'clock.— south-west. The motor life-boat Rewards, £5 13s. E.M.E.D. was launched at five minutes past two and went to the Penlee. She EMPTY YACHT TOWED IN took aboard half the crew of the Rojo Howth, Co. Dublin—At 12.45 in the and then made for the Rojo herself. The afternoon of the 15th of August, 1948, Rojo was on Shipwash Sands, slightly a yacht reported that a small boat was waterlogged, and she had a heavy list drifting off Ireland's Eye, and at 1.4 to starboard, but she was not so badly the motor life-boat R.P.L. was launched damaged as her master had thought in a fresh westerly breeze with a moder- when he abandoned her. The life-boat ate sea. She found the sailing boat put half the crew on board her and Fiddlesticks, of Skerries, three miles stood by while the men raised steam. north-east of Ireland's Eye. She had She then brought the remainder of the no one on board and the life-boat crew from the pilot cutter and at the towed her to the harbour, arriving back master's request escorted the Rojo into at her station at 2.15.—Rewards, £6 Is. Harwich, where she was beached. The E.M.E.D. returned to her station at BOY ADRIFT IN A DINGHY half past one that afternoon.—Rewards, Seaham,"? Durham.—At 4.27 in the £29 5s. afternoon of the 15th of August, 1948, the coastguard reported a boy drifting FRENCH YACHT IN DANGER ON THE seawards in a rubber dinghy off GOODWINS Hoiden, and the motor life-boat Ramsgate, Kent.—About 10.33 in Elizabeth Witts Allen was launched at the morning of the 15th of August, 4.55 in a light south-westerly breeze 1948, the coastguard reported that a with a slight sea. She came up with yacht, which had been heading for the the motor yacht Gularis one mile to Goodwin Sands, had ignored a warning the south-south-east and found that fired by the East Goodwin Lightship she had picked up the boy and his OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 225 dinghy, and another boy who had DINGHIES CAPSIZE IN REGATTA swum out to his help. The life-boat Torbay, Devon. — On the 21st of took the boys and their dinghy on August, 1948, the Brixham Torbay board and returned to her station, Royal Regatta races were being held. arriving at 5.23 that evening.—Re- A strong south-south-west wind was wards, £5 7s. blowing, with a moderate sea, and about half past eleven in the morning THREE FISHING BOATS TOWED IN two redwing-class dinghies capsized. Walton and Frinton, Essex. — About The motor life-boat George Shee was a quarter to five in the afternoon of the launched at 11.45. She found the 17th of August, 1948, the coastguard dinghies Kingfisher and Aeblus, but telephoned that an aeroplane had no men, towed them to Brixham, reported five people marooned on a arriving at 1.30, and there learned sandbank between Naze Point and that the crews had been rescued by Stone Banks Buoy. The motor life- other dinghies.—Rewards, £4 lls. boat E.M.E.D. waited until the posi- tion was confirmed and launched at FISHING BOAT DISABLED IN VERY naif past five. A freshening south- ROUGH SEA south-westerly breeze was blowing, with Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. — On a moderate sea. The life-boat searched the 21st of August, 1948, the motor the sandbanks, but found no one. fishing boat June Rose, of Castlebay, It was then about 6.20. Her cox- put to sea at 5.30 in the morning. swain, who had been at sea fishing She had not returned by half past two when she was launched, now came up in the afternoon and was overdue. in his own boat and took charge. He A strong easterly gale was blowing, had seen three fishing boats at West with a rough sea, and at 3.10 the motor Rocks in trouble in the increasing wind life-boat Manchester and Salford, on and rising sea. The life-boat went temporary duty at the station, was to their help, towed them in, and re- launched. She found the missing boat turned to her station at half past eight lying off Friday Island with her engine that evening.—Rewards, £14 3s. broken down and her sails torn, rescued her crew of three, took the boat in TWO MEN RESCUED FROM STOLEN tow, and arrived back at her station BOAT at nine o'clock that night.—Rewards, Dover, Kent.—-At 9.35 in the morning £11 12s. of the 21st of August, 1948, the Sand- gate coastguard reported information WOMEN AND CHILDREN TAKEN OFF from the s.s. Baron Elibank that two FRENCH YACHT men had been seen in a rowing boat Ramsgate, Kent.— At 7.55 in the eight miles east by south of Dover, and morning of the 22nd of August, 1948, the motor life-boat J. B. Proudfoot was a message was received from North launched at 10.30. A strong southerly Deal that a schooner yacht, the Nice- breeze was blowing, with a very rough phore, of France, with eight men, sea and rain squalls. The life-boat women and children on board, was rescued the men, who were exhausted, aground on the Brake Sands. She ten miles south by east of Dover, and had listed heavily with the ebbing tide. made for home, towing their boat. At 8.20 the motor life-boat Mary Scott, When she was one mile north-east of on temporary duty at the station, was the harbour she met the yacht Salamat launched, in a light south-westerly Jalan, with three men and a woman breeze, with a moderate sea. She aboard. They were unable to make passed a tow rope to the yacht and harbour in the heavy seas. The life- gradually pulled her into deep water. boat took the yacht in tow and arrived When they were near the Deal Bank at Dover at 2.10 that afternoon. Buoy the rope was cast off and the There she found that the two men in Nicephore made for Dover under sail. the rowing boat had -stolen her, and TherJife-boat returned to her station, handed them over to the police.— arriving at 10.42 that morning.—Pro- Rewards, £9 14s. perty Salvage Case. Rewards, 13s. 6d. 226 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

STEAMER WITH LIST IN A HEAVY SEA once. She found the Lady Olive, of Newhaven, on the beach. The life- Islay, Inner Hebrides. — During the boat anchored and dropped in towards early afternoon of the 22nd of August, her, grounding several times in the 1948, the Kilchoman coastguard re- shallow water. She got as near as she ported a vessel in difficulties three miles could and fired her line-throwing gun. west-north-west of Smaull Point, and Several lines were fired, but the men at 1.15 the motor life-boat Charlotte were unable to get hold of them, and Elizabeth, was launched. A south-west one of them fell into the sea in the gale was blowing, with a very rough attempt. He climbed aboard again, and sea. The life-boat found the S.S. eventually the men succeeded in getting Erica, of Bergen, about a mile west- hold of a line and drawing on board a north-west of Rhu Head Lighthouse. rope from the life-boat. The life-boat She had a list to port and was going then weighed anchor and towed the. •dead slow. The life-boat escorted her Lady Olive to Shoreham Harbour, as far as MacArthur's Head Light- arriving back at her station at 7.30 house. There her master said that that evening.—Rewards, £12 Ss. everything was satisfactory so the life- boat returned to her station, arriving at a quarter past seven that evening. LITTLE GIRL CUT OFF BY TIDE —Rewards, £10 6s. Coverack, Cornwall.—At 5.25 in the evening of the 22nd of August, 1948, TWO BOATS' CREWS LANDED the coastguard telephoned that the police had reported a little girl cut off Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 3.41 in the by the tide in Coverack Bay. A small afternoon of the 22nd of August, 1948, boat went out but failed to find her. the coastguard telephoned that a A further message was received from broken down motor boat and a rowing the police at 6.5 that the girl was still boat were drifting northwards, on the in danger, and at 6.18 the motor life- ebbing tide, in a moderate south-westerly boat The Three Sisters was launched. breeze and a moderate sea. The motor- A fresh westerly breeze was blowing boat tried to anchor, but the cable fouled with a ground swell. The life-boat found her mast, and the coastguard saw the the girl, aged ten, at White Sands. mast go overboard and drag a man By skilful manoeuvring she was able with it. The other men hauled him to rescue her, and got back to her aboard again and made distress signals. station again at a quarter past seven. The motor life-boat Michael Stephens The father made a gift to the funds of was launched at 3.55, took off six the Institution.—Rewards, £7 4s. 6d. of the motor boat's crew of seven and took the motor boat in tow. She then made for the rowing boat, took off her LONDON VESSEL ON THE GOODWINS crew of two, took the boat in tow, and Ramsgate, Kent.—At 10.10 on the returned to Lowestoft, arriving back night of the 22nd of August, 1948, the at her station at 4.45.—Rewards, £7 9s. shore attendant at East Pier reported flares from a vessel near No. 3 Brake Buoy, and the coastguard reported a YACHT ASHORE IN A ROUGH SEA vessel aground north of South Goodwin Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—Shortly Lightvessel, which it was thought must before five o'clock in the afternoon of be the same vessel. The motor life- the 22nd of August, 1948, the coast- boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty at guard telephoned that a yacht was off the station, was launched at 10.20 in a Hove, with a strong on-shore breeze light west-south-westerly breeze with blowing from the south-west, and a a slight sea. She found the motor rough sea. The second coxswain of the vessel Westover, of London, with a crew life-boat put out in his own boat to of five. Her propeller was damaged investigate, found nothing, and re- and she was aground about half a mile turned. Then, at 5.30, the coastguard north-east of No. 2 Brake Buoy. At reported that the yacht was in danger, her master's request the life-boat towed and the motor life-boat Rosa Woodd her off and took her into Ramsgate. and, Phyllis Limn was launched at She arrived back at her station at OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 227 midnight. — Property Salvage Case. of water, but her captain refused Rewards, 13s. help. The coxswain of the No. 2 life-boat, MOTOR LAUNCH LOSES HER WAY out in his fishing boat, had seen the life-boat leave, followed her, went Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 9.20 aboard at ten o'clock and took com- in the evening of the 23rd of August, mand. He realised that if the unsettled 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a weather got worse the steamer would be motor launch, heading south, had fired in great danger and the captain of the red Very lights and was flying the pilot steamer 'agreed that he should stand flag. At 9.48 it was reported that she by. At 11 o'clock the coxswain of the was firing red rockets off Felixstowe and No. 1 life-boat returned to Cromer from had altered her course northwards. fishing and immediately asked the She was going round in a circle. At life-boat by radio-telephone if she times she was close to Felixstowe beach, needed more men. The coxswain of and she only just missed running the No. 2 life-boat asked for four or aground. A moderate breeze was blow- five. He asked also that the coxswain ing from the south-west and the sea of the No. 1 life-boat should come. was moderate. The motor life-boat The latter ordered two taxis, and with E.M.E.D. was launched at 10.20. She five men, gear, food and drink, went by came up with the launch one and a half road to Sheringham, and was taken out miles east of Felixstowe. She was still to the life-boat by a fishing boat. travelling in circles. The coxswain He went on board her at two in the gave chase and it was not until he afternoon. An hour later the scratch called to her through the loud hailer crew went ashore in the fishing boat. that she stopped. She was the Asangyo, The life-boat stood by all that day and of Newcastle, with a crew of four on night. The wind freshened, and next board, and they had completely lost day the life-boat put back to Cromer, as their way. He put two of his own men a message had come by radio-telephone on board and escorted the launch to that a telegram for the steamer's Harwich where he saw her safely captain had arrived. The weather was anchored. The rescued men were very too rough for a small fishing boat to grateful. The life-boat then returned come out with it, and as it was very to her station, arriving at 3.30 next long and in Spanish it could not be morning. ^The owner of the launch sent by the radio-telephone. When sent a donation to the funds of the the coxswain passed the telegram Institution.—Rewards, £16 13*. aboard the steamer he asked if the captain would like him to continue to LIFE-BOAT OUT FOR SEVEN DAYS AND stand by and the captain said that he SIX NIGHTS would, as the weather looked anything Cramer, Norfolk.—At 8.32 in the but good. That was on the 26th. On morning of the 25th of August, 1948, the 27th the life-boat returned again the coastguard telephoned that the to Cromer and brought out Lloyd's s.s. Monte Nuria, of Bilbao, bound agent, Lloyd's surveyor and the marine from Immingham to Buenos Aires superintendent. There was a good with a cargo of coal, was aground at deal of swell now, and the life-boat's Sheringham. She had struck a sub- stem was damaged against the steamer. merged wreck twenty miles away. On the 28th she took soundings for the Her captain made for Sheringham and captain, brought Lloyd's agent ashore, there had run her on the beach. A refuelled and recharged her radio- squally west-south-west wind was blow- telephone batteries and took the agent ing, with a moderate sea running. back to the steamer. It was then The crews of both the life-boats were 9.30 in the evening, and she was asked at sea fishing, and at 8.40 the No. 1 if she would go ashore again for the life-boat, Henry Blogg, was launched customs officer. The crew were de- with a scratch crew and ex-Coxswain manding tobacco and wine, and as the J. J. Davis in command. She reached steamer was in British territorial waters the steamer at 9.20 and found her with the stocks could not be opened without her bows holed and her fore-hold full the customs officer's sanction. 228 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 At eleven that night he was ready arrived back at her station at 4.20— on the pier. The life-boat put him Rewards: First Service, £26 2*.; Second on the steamer at 11.40, brought him Service, £20 Is. ashore again and returned to the steamer. The weather was now fine, YACHT WITHOUT ENGINE OR SAIL but the captain asked the life-boat to PwIIheli, Caernarvonshire.—On the continue to stand by. The next day, afternoon of the 25th of August, 1948, Sunday, the fifth day of the service, was a south-west gale was blowing, with a again fine. The life-boat took Lloyd's rough sea, and at 4.10 the Abersoch agent ashore in the evening, recharged coastguard asked the life-boat to search the radio-telephone batteries and once for a sailing boat which had been seen more returned to the steamer. On the off Mochras Point at half past one, and Monday a salvage vessel arrived, and a not seen again. At 4.35 the motor diver went down, and found and plugged life-boat Manchester andSalford XXIX the holes. The water was then pumped was launched. Before she got away out of the hold, and in the afternoon news came that the boat had been seen tugs tried to tow the steamer off. They in a dangerous position off Portmadoc failed and had to wait until high tide Bar. There the life-boat found her. next afternoon, the 31st of August. She was anchored close to the bar, but At 4.20 they started to tow and five the anchor was dragging. She was minutes later the steamer was afloat. the yacht Phaedra, of Barmouth, and The life-boat stood by until she got had two men on board. Her mainsail under way, shortly after eight o'clock had carried away; her engine had in the evening, and reached her station broken down. The life-boat sprayed again at 9.10. She had then been at oil on the seas and then went alongside sea for seven days and six nights.— and rescued the two men. She got Property Salvage Case. back to her station at 7.45 that evening. The yacht later drove ashore. Her TWO YACHTS IN A ROUGH SEA owner made a gift to the funds of the Institution.—Rewards, £9 4s. Dungeness, Kent.—At 12.27 in the afternoon of the 25th of August, 1948, FISHING BOAT BROKEN DOWN the Jury Gap coastguard telephoned that a yacht was making very heavy WhitehiUs, Banffshire.—At 10.23 on weather about one and a half miles the night of the 25th of August, 1948, south-south-east of the Gap, and the the Banff coastguard telephoned that motor life-boat Charles Cooper Hen- the local motor fishing boat Violet, derson was launched at 12.35. A fresh with a crew of two, was overdue, and south-westerly gale was blowing with fishermen reported flashes a quarter a rough sea. The life-boat found that of a mile to the westward. At 10.58 the yacht was the Kestrel, of Rye, with the motor life-boat William Maynard a crew of three. She was then only a was launched in a west-north-west quarter of a mile off the shore. The breeze with a slight sea. She found life-boat towed her to Ness Roadstead the Violet under oars. Her engine had and anchored her. A message then broken down. The life-boat escorted came that another yacht, the Anemone her to the harbour and reached III, of Bosham, was in need of help one her station again at 11.20.—Rewards, mile south-west of the life-boat. The £6 9s. life-boat escorted her to the roadstead, returned to the Kestrel and took off the THREE FISHING BOATS ESCORTED crew, and arrived back at her station HOME at 3.20. While she was being re- Runs wick, Yorkshire.—At 6.30 in housed the Lade coastguard telephoned the morning of the 27th of August, that the Anemone III, which had 1948, the Staithes fishing boats Minnie, anchored half a mile south-east of that Silver Line and Star of Hope went to coastguard station, was firing distress the fishing grounds. The wind was signals. The life-boat was launched light, from the north-west, but the again at 3.45, found the yacht making sea was rough and increasing, and by water, rescued her crew of four, and 8.45 it was too rough for the boats to OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 229 land at Staithes, so the Runswick men were Americans. One was the motor life-boat Robert Patton—The son of Mr. Negley Farson, the author, Always Ready was launched at 9.5. who sent a gift to the Institution, and She found the boats north of Staithes the other was a photographer on the at 9.30 and escorted them to Runswick staff of the American Services' news- Bay where a safe landing was made.— paper Stars and Stripes.—Rewards, Rewards, £13 145. 6d. £23 6s. 6d. The following life-boats went out on CUT OFF BY THE TIDE service but could find no ships in dis- Clovelly, Devon.—At 9.40 on the tress, were not needed or could do night of the 30th of August, 1948, the nothing: Croyde coastguard rang up to say that Walmer, Kent. — August 3rd. — Re- two men had been cut off by the tide wards, £23 2*. and were on a ledge near Seal Rock, Baggy Point. He said he would guide Penlee, Cornwall. — August 4th. — the life-boat to the spot by searchlight. Rewards, £12 10s. 6d. Five minutes later the motor life-boat Cadgwith, Cornwall.—August 4th.— City of Nottingham was launched, with Rewards, £17. a dinghy in tow. A light southerly wind was blowing. The sea was mod- Stromness, Orkneys.—August 6th.— erate, but close inshore among the rocks Rewards, £4 6*. it was very confused. The tide was Cromarty.— August 7th. — Rewards, rising. The coastguard had already £5 14*. gone to the men's help with the life- saving rocket apparatus, and had fired Filey, Yorkshire.—August 7th.—Re- ropes to them. These they had tied wards, £14 6s. 6d. round themselves, but there was no Dover, Kent.—August 7th.—Rewards, way of hauling them to safety, and they £5 10*. waited for the life-boat. When she arrived the second coxswain and the Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset.— third mechanic volunteered to go in the August 7th.—Rewards. £5 12*. 6d. dinghy to investigate. They came Newhaven, Sussex..—August 8th.— back in eight minutes to say that it Rewards, £15 13*. 6d. would be very difficult to reach the men. The coxswain had then to consider Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—August whether he should fire a line to them or, 8th.—Rewards, £10 17*. as a last resort, take the life-boat Margate, Kent.—August 9th.—Reward, among the rocks. In the darkness and £15 18*. that confused sea she would certainly have been damaged. Then the bow- Newhaven, Sussex—August 9th.—Re- man and the second mechanic asked wards, £12 10*. 6d. to be allowed to make a second attempt in the dinghy. At considerable risk— Torbay, Devon.—August llth.—Re- for at times the seas among the rocks wards, £8 15*. were like a whirlpool—they got right Beaumaris, Anglesey.—August llth.— up to the ledge where the two men Rewards, £13 17*. were trapped and brought one of them out to the life-boat. They went in Runswick, Yorkshire.—August 12th.— again and rescued the second man. Rewards, £18 14*. 6d. Shortly afterwards the rapidly rising tide covered the ledge where they had Margate, Kent.—August 13th.—Re- been waiting for over two hours. It wards, £19 19*. was now close on midnight. The two Filey, Yorkshire.—August 15th.—Re- rescued men had nothing on but bathing wards, £16 2*. shorts and the life-boatmen took off Dungeness, Kent.—August 15th.—Re- their own clothes to give them, and then wards, £19 ] 3*. fed them with hot tea, rum and biscuits. The life-boat reached Clovelly again at Hfracombe, Devon.—August 18th.— 1.45 next morning. The two rescued Rewards, £14 12*. 6d. 230 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948

Falmouth, Cornwall.—August 18th.— Rhyl, Flintshire.—-August 25th.—Re- Rewards, £5 13s. wards, £18 12s. Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.—August Dover, Kent.—August 26th.—Rewards, 21st.—Rewards, £5 12s. 6d. £11 2s. Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.—August Dover, Kent.—August 26th.—Re- 21st.—Rewards, £11 17*. wards, £5 10s. Selsey, Sussex.—August 21st.—Re- wards, £14 9s. 6d. Wells, Norfolk.—August 26th.—Re- wards, £15 10s. Howth, Co. Dublin.—August 22nd.— Rewards, £6 16s. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—August 26th.—Rewards, £8 13s. 6d. Blackpool, Lancashire—August 22nd.— Rewards, £10 Is. 6d. Walmer, Kent. — August 29th. — Re- Torbay, Devon.—August 22nd.—Re- wards, £13 17s. wards, £7 16s. St. Helier, Jersey.—August 29th.— Weymouth, Dorset.—August 23rd.— Rewards, £8 10s. Rewards, £7 Is. Qd. Portpatrick, 'Wigtownshire.;— August Valentia, Co. Kerry.—August 23rd.— 30th.—Rewards, £15 16s. Rewards, £6. Dungeness, Kent.—August 30th.—Re- Salcombe, Devon.—August 23rd.—Re- wards, £21 10s. wards, £7 10s. Beaumaris, Anglesey.—August 25th.— Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—August 31st. Rewards, £12 4s. —Rewards, £6 17s. Hastings, Sussex.—August 25th.—Re- Weymouth, Dorset.—August 31st.— wards, £35 18s. 6d. Rewards, £10 16s.

Obituary

Isle of Wight Coxswain 1939, when the life-boat rescued twelve COXSWAIN WALTER O. COTTON, who lives from one of H.M. trawlers, ashore died on the 23rd of May, 1948, at the off Brighstone Lookout on a dark night age of 71, served at four life-boat with heavy rain and a gale blowing. stations in the Isle of Wight. He began his life-boat service in 1898 as a mem- Mr. William Liggins, of Coventry ber of the crew at Brighstone Grange, MR. WILLIAM LIGGINS, of Coventry, of which his father was then coxswain, who died on the 29th of June, at the and at the end of 1913 was appointed age of 97, was for over a third of his second-coxswain. In 1915 the station very long life associated with the was closed and the following year Life-boat Service. He was honorary Cotton became pilot of the steam life- secretary of the Coventry branch from boat at Totland Bay, and served in it 1915 until 1933, and also its chairman for two years. After that, until 1924, from 1928 to 1934. In 1935 he became he was a member of the Brooke crew. a vice-president and held that office In 1924 the Institution opened a new until his death. Mr. Liggins received station at Yarmouth and Cotton was all the awards which the Institution appointed its coxswain. He served as can make to an honorary worker. The coxswain for over twenty years, retiring life-boat picture was presented to him in 1944. During those years the life- in 1925 and the gold badge, with the boat rescued 122 lives. record of thanks, in 1929. In 1936 he At the beginning of the war of 1939 was appointed an honorary life-governor to 1945 he won the Institution's silver of the Institution, the highest honour medal for splendid endurance and navi- which the Institution can bestow on gation. This was on November 14th, an honorary worker. OCTOBER, 1948] THE LIFE-BOAT 231

Mrs. Appennea Green, of CLapham In 1942 the branch raised over £600. MRS. APPENNEA GREEN, of Clapham, In that year she retired on account of who died at the beginning of August, ill-health. Mrs. Green, like Mr. Liggins, at the age of 82, was one of the most received all the awards which the enthusiastic and successful honorary Institution can make: the life-boat- secretaries whom the Institution has man's statuette in 1935, the gold badge ever had. She started the Clapham and record of thanks in 1936 and an Branch in 1931, with a collection of £5. I honorary life-governorship in 1938.

From the Shiplovers' Society of New South Wales IN March Mr. N. V. Wade, the hono- would like you to know that distance rary treasurer of the Shiplovers' does not dim our admiration of your Society of New South Wales, wrote to late husband's spirit of unselfishness and the Institution to say that there were gallantry in the work he and his fellow Shiplovers' Societies not only in London sailors so nobly set out to do. It is and Bristol, but in Sydney, Melbourne, this grand spirit in facing difficulties Adelaide and Hobart, Tasmania. The confident and unafraid that has made Society in Sydney had been founded in your country great and its sailors 1931 by his father, Captain W. J. loved and respected by men of goodwill Wade, M.B.E., a master of the Loch the world over. Line of sailing ships of Glasgow. "We'feel there is all too little we During the war it had raised among its can do, but as a small token of our members £220, which it had sent to esteem and friendship may we ask if King George's Fund for Sick and you will please accept a little parcel of Wounded Merchant Seamen. Since Australian foods that has been des- the war it had sent food parcels to patched to you this week and which people in Great Britain whose names should be delivered in three or four had been given to it by the Bristol weeks from this date. Our newspapers Shiplovers' Society, and to the masters frequently report the difficulties the and crews of ships which carried coal British housewife has to meet in this from the Tyne to London, during the period of food shortage and we there- coal shortage in the bitter cold of fore hope the little extras sent to you February and March 1947. will provide a welcome addition to the The Society had heard that the home larder." Institution had lost one of its life-boats, In another letter Mr. Wade said that with all her crew in 1947, and Mr. he was himself a Manchester man, Wade asked for the story of the disaster, representing in Australia the Man- and the names of the relatives of the chester Ship Canal, and that it was men who had lost their lives. The good to know that the people of Man- names of the twenty relatives of the chester had provided the new life-boat men of The Mumbles were sent to the at The Mumbles. He said too that one Society, and it has sent food parcels of the members of the Society had, as to the relatives. With each parcel was an Australian soldier in the war of a letter which must have given even 1914 to 1918, been stationed at The more pleasure than the parcel. To the Mumbles, had met the crew of the widow of Coxswain Gammon Mr. Wade life-boat and had gone out with them wrote: on practice launches. "This letter is sent to you by the To the secretary of the Institution Shiplovers' Society of New South Mr. Wade wrote: " Thank you for your Wales who'se members—many of whom good wishes which have been conveyed are old sailors—deeply appreciate the to the members of our Society. I have splendid work of the British life-boat- been asked to send you greetings and men. every good wish, both to you personally "Although we in Australia are far and to every member of your great away from the people of Britain we Institution." 232 THE LIFE-BOAT [OCTOBER, 1948 Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of Mrs. against a gale on the 4th of May, 1940, Louisa Taylor, one of the launchers and then launching her to the help of at Newbiggin, Northumberland. The the Belgian trawler Eminent, from Newbiggin women were awarded the which she rescued eleven lives. Institution's thanks on vellum for The photograph is by Illustrated helping to haul the life-boat up a cliff, and is reproduced by its kind per- over a moor and through sand-dunes, mission.

A Happy Collector A LADY living in a Suffolk village " At Christmas—bunches of mistletoe started to have a collecting boat for I had planted on the apple trees years the Life-boat Service in May 1945. In ago. Mav of this year she sent back the boat "I collect the salvage of the village for "the sixth time, with £22 Ss. 7d. in on my forty-three-year-old bike with it. Altogether in the three years she a cart at the back, grade it and has collected £70 6*. Id. This is how send it away, and this brings in a she does it: little, not forgetting bones which " I get a lot of fun out of my life-boat come in, in spite of our miserably during the year. The boat is kept for small joints—all men when digging small sums, and I keep a tin cash box in their gardens keep me any they for anything over 2s. 6d. I sold such find. a lot of apples up till about three weeks "I'll sell anything, in fact! Lily of ago, 6d. a pound to anyone. the Valley at the moment."

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen To JOHN McNp.iL, on his retirement, after after serving for 25^ years as assistant serving for 1 year as coxswain, 8J years as motor mechanic and 5 years as a member of second coxswain and 6J years as bowman of the crew of the Selsey life-boat, a .life-boat- the Barra Island life-boat, a coxswain's man's certificate of service and an annuity. certificate of service and an annuity. To JOHN LEADBETTER, on his retirement, To THOMAS WISHART, on his retirement, after serving for 39 years as a member of after serving for 7J years as second coxswain, the crew and 15 years as winchman to the 2 years as bowman and 34 years as a member Fleetwood life-boat, a life-boatman's certifi- of the crew of the Stromness life-boat, a cate of service. life-boatman's certificate of service and an To HARRY THOMAS, on his retirement, after annuity. serving for 33 years as a member of the crew To WILLIAM T. DAVIES, on his retirement, of the Tenby life-boat, a life-boatman's after serving for 3J years as second coxswain, certificate of service. 10^ years as bowman and 32 years as a To THOMAS HENRY ADAMS, who retired member of the crew of the Cromer life-boat, in 1932 after serving as a member of the a life-boatman's certificate of service and an cie-w of the North Deal life-boat for 32 years, annuity. a life-boatman's certificate of service. To JAMES WEST, on his retirement, after To RICHARD DAVIES, on his retirement, serving for 1 year as bowman and 25J years after serving for 23 years as a member of as a member of the crew of the Montrose life- the crew and 25 years as winchman to the boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service. Tenby life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate To ALBERT PENNYCORD, on his retirement, of service.

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, 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 O/THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in December, 1948.