Volume XLVIII Number 480 The

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To, Mr. L. Fraser, Mercantile Credit Company Limited. FREEPOST, P.O. Box 75, London WC2B 5XA. (No Stamp required.) Please Send me details of: (Please tick appropriate box.) Shoreline "1 Shoreline I am a member Personal Loans J Sailing Loans of Shoreline SEND FOR Name I DETAILS NOW. Address. Postcode I WE PROMISE A Phone No. _ I wish to borrow £ e stale amount, SPEEDY ANSWER. I Mercantile Credit if possible) I I Fast friendly finance 13951 THE LIFEBOAT

Summer 1982

Contents Lifeboat Services 77

Volume XL VIII The Naming of the 52ft Relief Lifeboat Dwctoso/Ken/ 85

Number 480 Grim but Glorious: the days of oar and sail, by Ray Kipling, public relations officer RNLI 86

Chairman • Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards 88 THE DUKE OE ATHOI.L Letters 95 Director and Secretary: REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI An Epilogue to the loss of Solomon Browne, from Dr D. W. L. Leslie, Chairman, Penlee Station Branch 96

Lifeboat People 97

Tulip Lifeboat: at Spalding Flower Parade, by Theo Stibbons, Chairman, Spalding and District Branch 98

Editor: nn JOANDAV.KS Sh0relme "

Some Ways of Raising Money 100 Headquarters: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 Lifeboat Services, December, 1981, January and February, 1982 105 1HZ (Telephone Poole 671133). Telex: 41328. , ,,„ nBooks 107 London Office: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road. London SE1 7JW Index to Advertisers 108 (Telephone 01-928 4236). Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising COVER PICTURE consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box The crew of St Peter Port, Guernsey, 52ft to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal 9, Godalming, Surrey (Telephone Arun class lifeboat Sir William Arnold who, National Lifeboat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). on December 13, 1981, in winds gusting to hurricane force rescued 29 people from the Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ Ecuadorian motor vessel Bonita (see page (Telephone Poole 671133). Photo- Subscription: A year's subscription of 77). It was a service for which a gold medal graphs intended for return should be four issues costs £1.40, including post- was awarded to the coxswain and the bronze accompanied by a stamped and addres- age, but those who are entitled to medal to each of his crew. (Back row, I to r): sed envelope. receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge Crew Member Richard Hamon, Coxswain Michael Scales, Second Coxswain Peter will continue to do so. Overseas sub- Bougourd, Crew Member John Bougourd scriptions depend on the cost of postage and Crew Member Peter Bisson. (Front row, to the country concerned. Write to I to r): Crew Member John Webster, Assistant Next issue: the autumn issue of THE RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset Mechanic Alan Martel and Motor Mechanic LIFEBOAT will appear in October and BH15 1HZ. Robert Vowles. The photograph was taken by news items should be sent by the end of Margaret Murray on South Bank, London, July. News items for the winter issue Printers: The Friary Press, Grove Trad- before the 1982 presentation of awards. should be sent in by the end of October. ing Estate, Dorchester, Dorset.

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To AEGIS INSURANCE SERVICES (GROUP) LTD., FREEPOST, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5BU. Please send me, without obligation, my personal copy of the complete insurance and investment service brochure. No postage necessary if posted in the U.K. I am particularly interested in the following (tick box required). n Family Protection/Life Assurance Q Finances in Retirement £j Household Insurance [j Please phone me Q Review of existing Life Assurance Plans Q Tax efficient Investment Q Insurance of Valuables to discuss F] Investment for future House Purchase Q Car Insurance Qj Yacht and Craft Insurance Please ring for an appointment and see us at any of our principal offices: Belfast 0232 47747 Maidenhead 0628 23484 • Bristol 0272 297777 Sheffield 0742 364405 • Yeovil 0935 20044 £• |^H •• ^H Whatever your insurance and investment needs, AEGIS will advise you H H been ordered by the Department of Princess of Wales lifeboat Trade. Her Majesty The Queen has given Speaking of the Institution's financial permission for the new 37ft 6in Rother position, the Duke of Atholl reported lifeboat at Barmouth to be named that the RNLI's income increased by Princess of Wales. The lifeboat was 17.4 per cent in 1981 to reach almost partly funded by an appeal throughout £14 million, the target figure for the Wales to celebrate the Royal Wedding year. He praised the fund raisers and last year and more than £50,000 was said: raised. A cheque for this amount was '// shows that our voluntary system is presented by the Lord Mayor of Car- strong enough to weather economic diff, Councillor Ronald F. Watkiss, to storms and to continue to provide the the Duke of Atholl, chairman of the money to build and maintain a first class Institution, who thanked the people of fleet of lifeboats, giving the nation unrival- Wales for supporting the appeal so led value for money.' generously and described the cheque as At the afternoon meeting HRH Prin- '. . . a splendid result and a most wel- cess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, pre- come boost to our funds'. sented the gold medal for gallantry awarded posthumously to Coxswain Royal luncheon party NOTES OF Trevelyan Richards to his mother, Mrs Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bev- Mary Richards, and the bronze medals an of Humber lifeboat station was THE QUARTER awarded to the seven members of his invited by HM The Queen to a private crew to members of their families. The luncheon party at Buckingham Palace Princess also presented the gold medal on May 18. Coxswain Bevan, who holds to Coxswain Michael Scales of St Peter the gold, silver and bronze medals for THE DUKE OF ATHOLL, chairman of the Port for the rescue of 29 people from gallantry, received a bar to his bronze RNLI, praised the courage of the Pen- the cargo vessel Bonita in hurricane medal at the recent annual presentation lee lifeboat crew lost last December and force winds last December; the bronze of awards. of their families at the annual general medal was presented to each of his seven crew. meeting of the governors of the RNLI US Navy League dinner A full report of the annual meetings held in London on Tuesday morning HRH Princess Anne was guest of begins on page 88. May 11. The Duke described the crew honour at the dinner organised by the of Solomon Browne as ... United Kingdom Counil of the Navy '. . .fine, well-trained lifeboatmen' League of the United States on April 2 who, when the call came 'in the finest New Penlee lifeboat at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. traditions of the lifeboat service . . . did The new lifeboat for Penlee will be a The dinner was in aid of the RNLI. It not hesitate to set out to help other 52ft Arun which will lie afloat in New- was one of the largest social events seafarers in distress.' lyn Harbour. The lifeboat is being paid organised by the US Navy League in Of the families, who attended the for by the Robinson Charitable Trust London in recent years and one of the afternoon meeting to receive medals for and will be named Mabel Alice after Mr major fund-raising items on the pro- gallantry awarded to the men, he said: David Robinson's wife. The boat is gramme was a grand auction. The 'They have been an example to the under construction at Fairey Allday dinner strengthened links between the whole country. In the midst of great Marine in Cowes and is expected to RNLI and US citizens both in this sorrow and harrowing publicity they have arrive at Newlyn next spring. Mean- country and in the United States, who remained dignified and calm. They have while Penlee lifeboat station is operat- have already provided the money for earned our respect, admiration and ing the 46ft 9in Watson class lifeboat two Atlantic 21 class lifeboats. support.' Guy and Clare Hunter which was The Duke announced that a public formerly stationed at St Mary's, Isles of Tyne class lifeboats enquiry into the disaster at Penlee had Stilly. The RNLFs 47ft fast slipway lifeboats will be known as the Tyne class in line First slipway launching and recovery trials for the prototype 47ft Tyne class fast slipway lifeboat with the Institution's policy of using City of London were successfully completed at Selsey lifeboat station in the spring. Selsey's own names of rivers for lifeboat classes. 48ft (tin Oaklev lifeboat Charles Henry is at moorings in background. Tyne was chosen to reflect the close connection of Mr P. Denham Christie, chairman of the Boat Committee, with the fast slipway boat project; Mr Den- ham Christie comes from Newcastle and he served as coxswain of Tyne- mouth lifeboat from 1953 to 1963. The first of the Tyne class lifeboats, City of London, has started trials which will include extensive sea passages around the coast. The second Tyne class lifeboat is building at Fairey Allday Marine, Cowes, and is due to be laun- ched during the summer.

Design Council Awards 1982 The RNLI has received a Design Council Award for the Arun class life- boat. Certificates were presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, to Mr P. Denham Christie, chairman of the Boat Committee, and Lt-Cdr H. E. Over, chief technical officer, at a special 75 Mr P. Denham Christie, chairman years, three services for which gold of the Boat Committee, on behalf medals have been awarded have been of the Institution receives from carried out in Arun class lifeboats. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh a The Design Council judges studied all Design Council Award certificate aspects of the lifeboat's design and for the Arun class lifeboat. Fac- fitting out and visited the Arun at similes of the certificate have been Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, where they sent to each of the 17 stations which were taken for a demonstration run, operate Arun lifeboats. Arun hulls are moulded by Halmatic of before making the award '. . . for the Havant and the lifeboats are fitted excellence of the design'. out by Halmatic, William Osborne After the award ceremony, the Duke of Littlehampton, Fairey Marine of of Edinburgh inspected the Arun life- Cowes or Souters of Cowes. boat Duchess of Kent which had been photograph by courtesy of named in London by the Duchess the Derek Rowe (Photos) Ltd previous day (see page 85). luncheon in the Barbican Centre on and that all operations can be per- Surf Life Saving anniversary April 28, In all, awards were made to formed, when necessary, in extreme The Surf Life Saving Association of 34 different products, in six different conditions of wind and sea. Australia celebrates its seventy-fifth classes, between them forming a cross At the time the entry was made, at anniversary this year and Rear Admiral section of fine British design and the end of the summer 1981, Arun W. J. Graham, director RNLI, sent the craftsmanship. lifeboats had been at sea on service for following telegram to Sydney: In presenting its entry, the RNLI more than 3,000 hours, rescuing 455 gave as the essential principle of the people and landing 256, all of which 'On behalf of the chairman and Com- figures have, of course, since increased. mittee of Management of the Royal Arun that the hull, machinery and National Lifeboat Institution, our crews, equipment is so arranged that a whole Although rescues have been performed staff and supporters, may I convey to all at host of operations can be carried out in in winds up to hurricane force and Surf Life Saving Association of Australia a comparatively small but highly com- tremendous seas, no Arun has capsized our heartiest congratulations on this your plex vehicle without overdue interfer- and no crew member has been lost or seventy-fifth anniversary and our best ence by one operation with another; seriously disabled. In the past few wishes for a prosperous and safe future.'

Arthur Lowe functions both at Twickenham and else- Maundy Money where in the country to which Arthur Ernest Pavey, who had worked for It was with great sorrow that the Lowe gave his support, either on his the RNLI for 42 years, first on the coast Institution heard the news of the death own or, as Captain Mainwaring, at the and finally as machinery examiner, on April 15 of Arthur Lowe. head of 'Dad's Army'; if his profes- Boreham Wood depot, has presented to Mr Lowe, who will always be affec- sional life would allow, he would never the Institution the Maundy Money tionately remembered as 'Captain refuse to use the little spare time he had which he received from HM The Queen Mainwaring', had been a loyal and for the good of the men he considered in 1981. greatly valued supporter of the lifeboat to be second to none, the lifeboat service for many years. To members of crews. RNLI AGM and presentation of awards Twickenham and District branch, which In 1977, at the London Boat Show, meeting 1982: Tuesday May 17. he served as vice-president from 1970 the RNLI public relations award was and then, from 1977, as president, he presented to Arthur Lowe and other XIV International Lifeboat Conference: was a personal friend upon whose un- members of that staunch band of life- Gothenburg, Sweden, June 5 to 9, stinted help reliance could always be boat supporters, the cast of 'Dad's 1983. placed. There have been many lifeboat Army'.

33ft Brede class based on a commercial GRP hull. As a virtually the whole of the wheelhouse result of initial development work her floor, formed of hatches, can be lifted A 33FT BREDE class lifeboat, 33-02, is now wheelhouse has been extended to pro- up. The coxswain's position is on the at Oban undergoing station evaluation vide the buoyancy necessary to give her centreline, with good all-round vision. trials. an inherent self-righting capability; it Her twin Caterpillar 3208 NA diesel The Brede is a new type of lifeboat also allows good access to her engines as engines, developing 210 bhp at 2,800 rpm, give the lifeboat a maximum speed of more than 19 knots and a range of 125 nautical miles. On her early trials she has shown herself to be a seakindly boat. She was built by Lochin Marine of Rye and normally carries a crew of four. 33-02 will be named Ann Ritchie and is the gift of Mrs J. B. Ritchie who has already donated the 37ft Oakley James Ball Ritchie stationed at Ramsey and the 54ft Arun The Gough Ritchie stationed at Port St Mary, Isle of Man. The Brede class lifeboat was intro- duced to meet an operational require- ment for a boat between the rigid inflatable Atlantic 21 class and the larger lifeboats. During her evaluation period at Oban she will operate with arbitrary limitations on launches in severe weather while her capabilities are being assessed. 76 the lifeboat broached again; she was to head-on to the transom. Second Cox- broach six more times on passage to the swain Peter Bougourd was stationed casualty but full speed was maintained forward and the crew were stationed throughout. down the port side, all secured by their At about 1553 St Peter Port lifeboat lifelines. While the lifeboat was held passed within two miles to the east of under helm and engines, some four to Channel Lightvessel, adjusted her six feet from the transom, Second Cox- course to 305°M and confirmed her ex- swain Bougourd threw the heaving line pected time of arrival as 1620. From in- aboard Bonita; the wind prevented the formation received by radio, it was line being passed from a greater dis- apparent to Coxswain Scales that Boni- tance. The run of the swell was trying to ta was drifting 280°T at 2.5 knots. At carry the stern of the lifeboat round the 1621 he had five targets on his radar and stern of the ship into the debris and the had 3V2 miles to go. surge was trying to sweep her on to the At 1630 the lifeboat arrived on scene. deck of the casualty. Two women It was dusk. The wind, from south south attached the heaving line around them- east, was still blowing at force 11 and selves. As they jumped into the sea, the South West Division this violent storm had created a sea of lifeboat came gently astern on her en- 15 metres. Visibility had improved and gines until she was two boat lengths Twenty-nine rescued Coxswain Scales was able to see two from Bonita. The survivors were then helicopters and also four large vessels pulled to the lifeboat and recovered A MAYDAY RELAY message from the Dan- round the casualty, all well lit by deck from the lower side deck aft. They were ish motor vessel Charlottenburg was lights. He knew that four people had taken to the deckhouse where Motor heard by St Peter Port Signal Station at been lifted off by a Sea King helicopter Mechanic Robert Vowles attended to 1323 on Sunday December 13, 1981. from RNAS Culdrose in daylight and them. From a distance of five boat Charlottenburg was going to the assist- flown to RNAS Portland, but all subse- lengths the next approach was made. ance of Bonita, an Ecuadorian motor quent attempts at rescue had failed. Five people were rescued in this way. vessel in distress in the English Channel Bonita was lying on a heading of Twice survivors let go of the line when in position 50°00'N, 02°54'w. Bonita 250°T, listing 45 degrees to starboard, they were in the water and then swam had developed a list of 40 degrees to presenting her high side to the wind and clear of the casualty. The lifeboat crew starboard. She had 36 people on board rolling heavily. Her lee rails and stan- picked them up from the water when including women and children. chions were well in the water, as was the they came clear of the debris. St Peter Port crew had assembled starboard wing of her bridge, and some At this time, about 1715, the wind aboard the 52ft Arun lifeboat Sir Wil- seas were sweeping right over her shifted to the north west and increased liam Arnold some time earlier because decks. Several mooring ropes, drums slightly. This further confused the sea at a vessel was adrift in the harbour and and large pieces of timber were floating, the stern of the casualty. One man, was in danger of fouling the lifeboat. A trapped on her lee side. without a lifejacket, fell from the stern message was radioed to her by the sta- St Peter Port lifeboat approached the of Bonita while the lifeboat was re- tion honorary secretary and, while she starboard midship area of the casualty covering the next survivor. He was was carefully checked for a prolonged and saw a man at the wheelhouse win- swept into the debris and down the star- service in heavy weather, the honorary dow. She then manoeuvred round the board side of the motor vessel. Having secretary gathered further information stern and found the crew of Bonita recovered the survivor in hand, the life- regarding the casualty. He could not assembled on the high side of the ship, boat made off to search for the man contact Brixham Coastguards, who beneath the bridge. A pilot ladder was who had fallen but Charlottenburg re- were suffering a temporary power fai- rigged near the crew. Coxswain Scales ported that she could see him and he lure caused by the storm, but learned recognised that he could not effect a appeared to be dead. Coxswain Scales from Portland Coastguard that helicop- rescue from either side of the vessel and returned to the casualty to take off ters were not available at Portland and so indicated to the crew that they must more survivors. that Torbay lifeboat was already going make their way to the stern. In the confused sea at the stern of the to the help of a yacht. The honorary One man attempted to move aft in- casualty the lifeboat continued to rescue secretary immediately instructed St Pe- board of the rails. He fell, breaking his survivors using the heaving line ter Port lifeboat to launch on service; leg. His companions could do no more method. It was now imperative that the Sir William Arnold slipped her moor- than lash him to the hatch to prevent his lifeboat was held with her bow at right ings at 1400 under the command of Cox- being swept overboard. The remainder angles to the centre of the transom, swain Michael Scales and set out at full moved aft clambering along the out- otherwise the wind or swell would have speed. board, high side of the rails. carried her round on to Bonita's quar- The wind from the south was blowing At the stern Coxswain Scales found ters. Some runs in had to be abandoned a storm force 10 and gusting to hurri- that his lifeboat was rising level with in order to avoid severe damage to the cane force 12. Driving snow and sea Bonita's after deck on each crest and lifeboat and during one violent astern spray had reduced visibility to 200 falling below the bottom edge of her manoeuvre first one engine, then the yards. The sea was extremely rough and rudder in the troughs, a distance of 50 other, failed. Although both were re- confused with overfalls. Low water, feet. He could not lie alongside the started quickly, the bow of the lifeboat spring tide, coincided with the lifeboat's transom because the rudder projected was trapped under the chine of Bonita's departure. beyond it and so he ran in, presenting transom until the lifeboat's engines pul- Course was set north through Little his port side to the transom. Three men led her astern. Second Coxswain Russel Channel, but the radar was jumped to the lifeboat but their timing Bougourd remained in his very danger- blanked out by heavy snow showers and was poor and they fell some 25 feet to ous position forward. the boat was navigated by Decca. Near the deck. One man struck the lifeboat's From an estimated total of 50 runs in Brehon Tower Sir William Arnold stanchions and deckhouse and was bad- to the transom, ten runs had to be made broached for the first time but full speed ly injured. The lifeboat was swept to take off one man. He sat without a was resumed immediately. On clearing round the stern into the debris but, by lifejacket and with his legs over the Little Russel Channel, abeam of Platte using his outboard, starboard, engine side. Each time he caught the heaving Fougere Lighthouse, a course of 310°M only, Coxswain Scales was able to come line, but could not hold on to it. The was set, allowing 20 degrees for leeway. clear without fouling his propellers and second coxswain finally persuaded him Approaching the traffic separation zone lie off down wind of the casualty. to wrap the line around his hands and about threequarters of an hour later, Coxswain Scales now approached then pulled him into the sea. 77 Having recovered 16 survivors, Cox- cured to the yacht's mast and course J. Hamon. A framed letter of thanks swain Scales took his lifeboat upwind of was set for Brixham. Both vessels were signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman Bonita while he gave his crew a respite surfing in the huge following swell and of the Institution, was sent to Captain for a few minutes, in good view of the seas which made progress difficult and Claude Jouin, master of the French tug casualty. In the freezing temperature erratic and at one stage the tow had to Abeille Languedoc and letters of appre- and constant heavy spray, circulation be slipped, cleared and passed again. ciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. was restored, aching muscles were When, at 1700, Torbay honorary Graham, director of the Institution, eased and lifelines were adjusted. Then secretary was informed of the plight of were sent to the commanding officers of the lifeboat once again approached Bonita, and the help of Torbay lifeboat Royal Naval Air Stations Portland and Bonita's transom. During the respite, a was requested, Edward Bridges and her Culdrose and to the masters of RFA Olna helicopter made several attempted res- tow still had some way to go to harbour. and MV Charlottenburg. Letters signed cues and succeeded in lifting off one No other vessel was available to take by Rear Admiral Graham were also sent man. over the tow, so Edward Bridges con- to Captain B. J. Anderson, Torbay sta- Using the heaving line method, the tinued to Brixham with Talvez. The tion honorary secretary, expressing the lifeboat crew continued to recover sur- yacht was safely moored at 1745 and her Institution's appreciation to Coxswain vivors, although frequently engulfed by crew landed. Torbay lifeboat then took Arthur Curnow and his crew for the ser- seas coming aboard. One man was not on three additional crew, dry oilskins vice to Talvez and for the help given by breathing when he was lifted aboard. and provisions and at 1800 set out to members of the station to the crew of St Crew Member John Webster took in- help St Peter Port lifeboat. Peter Port lifeboat and the survivors of stant action to expel water from his It was 1954 when St Peter Port life- Bonita, and to Inspector R. Willcox of mouth before passing him into the boat set course for Brixham. Only min- Paignton, expressing appreciation for wheelhouse. In the wheelhouse Motor utes after leaving Bonita, the lifeboat the support of the Police. Mechanic Vowles was helping the survi- fell into a deep trough while steaming vors out of wet clothes and then helping into a force 10 to 11 head wind and head East Division them down into the forward and after seas. Speed was reduced to make the cabins, where the heaters were full on. best possible progress while preventing Listing coaster The captain of Bonita was the last further injury to the survivors. man to be recovered by the lifeboat. He Torbay lifeboat continued on her HUMBER COASTGUARD informed Superin- confirmed that only one man remained way, but when about a mile from Bonita tendent Coxswain Brian Bevan of Hum- on board. As he had a broken leg, he she heard that the one injured man re- ber lifeboat station at 2256 on Sunday could not be moved to the transom. maining on board had been rescued by December 13, 1981, that the coaster Royal Fleet Auxiliary Olna, which had the French tug Abeille Languedoc, Harry Mitchell was north of Humber accepted the duties of on scene com- which had been standing by. At 2010, Lightvessel with her cargo shifted and a mander on her arrival at 1706, told Cox- the injured man was seen to slip from list of 30 degrees. By 2304 the crew swain Scales that a helicopter was re- his position on the stern hatch cover, were mustered and at the same time the turning, having refuelled, and would try regain a handhold, and finally fall into Coastguard told Coxswain Bevan that to lift off the one remaining man. Cox- the sea. Captain Claude Jouin, master the coaster had five crew on board, her swain Scales asked Brixham Coastguard of Abeille Languedoc, waited until the radar was not working and communica- that Torbay lifeboat, already nearing man was clear of Bonita's masts and tions had been lost. the scene, should continue coming to then moved in and rescued him from Humber lifeboat, the 54ft Arun City give the helicopter help. In view of the the water. As she was, therefore, no of Bradford IV, slipped her moorings at serious condition of his severely-injured longer needed, Torbay lifeboat was re- Spurn Point at 2318 and set out on survivor, Coxswain Scales then set leased and started her return passage to service. It was a heavily overcast night course for Brixham. her station. with continuous snow; visibility was l'/2 Torbay lifeboat, the 54ft Arun Ed- St Peter Port lifeboat arrived at Brix- miles. A storm, force 10, was blowing ward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37) had, ham at 2313, where she was met by from south east. It was 4V2 hours after in the meantime, launched on service to members of Torbay station; Coxswain high water. go to the help of the yacht Talvez and Scales kept the survivors on board until Within five minutes of leaving her her crew of five. The first call came at blankets had been provided to ease the moorings the lifeboat felt the full force 1347 when Coxswain Arthur Curnow shock of emerging into the bitterly cold of the south-easterly storm against the heard the yacht calling Brixham Coast- night air. The crew of St Peter Port life- spring ebb. Speed had to be reduced to guard but getting no response. Dis- boat, by now exhausted, spent the night avoid excessive pounding in rolling covering that this was due to the power at Brixham; they sailed for their home head seas. Communications had been failure, Coxswain Curnow went to the port at 1030 the following day, with only re-established between Harry Mitchell harbour and called Talvez on a local minimal damage to their lifeboat. At and the Coastguard, who reported her trawler's radio. Talvez was unsure of 1430 that day, Monday December 14, position as 4.4 miles north north east of her position east of Berry Head in the Sir William Arnold was again on station Humber Lightvessel. A north-north- terrible weather and needed help. Cox- and at 1500 she was ready for service. easterly course was set for this position, swain Curnow informed the Coastguard Meanwhile, Torbay lifeboat had ar- and now the weather was on the life- and Torbay station honorary secretary, rived back at Brixham at 0400 on De- boat's beam. Heavy breaking seas con- who authorised an immediate launch, cember 14. stantly knocked her down the swell and Edward Bridges slipped her moor- The injured survivor died two days side, but a speed of 14 knots was ings at 1414. She headed for the area six later. Bonita was last seen at 0500 on maintained. miles east of Berry Head given by Tal- December 14 and it was later confirmed Information came from the Coast- vez, but while on passage heard from that she had sunk in position 50°04.4N, guard that an RAF Wessex helicopter Brixham Coastguard, whose power had 02°30.2'w. had been requested from Leconfield been restored. The Coastguard were For this service the gold medal for and an RAF Sea King helicopter from now able to give the yacht's bearing, so conspicuous gallantry was awarded to Boulmer. At 0020 the lifeboat made the lifeboat altered course to search a Coxswain Michael J. Scales of St Peter radio contact with Harry Mitchell and at new area south south east of Berry Port lifeboat and the bronze medal was 0039 she sighted the casualty. Head. She eventually came up with Tal- awarded to each of his crew: Second The south-easterly storm was now vez at 1545. The yacht, which had lo- Coxswain Peter N. Bougourd, Motor gusting to violent storm, force 11, with wered her sails, was motoring but run- Mechanic Robert L. Vowles, Assistant heavy breaking seas and a 20ft swell, ning out of fuel; there were rock shoals Mechanic Alan F. Martel and Crew Harry Mitchell was trying to hold her l'/2 miles to leeward. A heaving line was Members John Webster, John P. head up into wind and sea but she was used to pass a tow, the towline was se- Bougourd, Peter J. Bisson and Richard having great difficulty as her rudder and 78 Newhaven, Sunday December 13: Soon after midday two calls were received in quick succession. A gale, gusting above force 10, was blowing from south south east; the spring tide was in the first hour of the ebb and seas in the harbour and at the harbour entrance were mountainous when the 44ft Wavenev relief lifeboat 44-001, on temporary duty at New- haven, set out under the command of Cox- swain/Mechanic Len Patten to go to the help of a yacht in trouble. When about two miles west of Newhaven a message came that the 25ft trawler Orlando had capsized 50 yards east of the harbour breakwater. The yacht reported that she was now safely under way, so the Waveney headed back for the trawler wreckage. Meanwhile, the 46ft 9in Watson relief lifeboat Tynesider, whose home port when not on relief station dutv is Newhaven, was launched under the command of former Coxswain Edgar Moore. The Waveney pick- ed up one fisherman from the wreckage of Orlando, but although the two lifeboats and an RN helicopter searched for some time nothing could be found of the other member of the trawler's crew. (Right) conditions inside the bight of Newhaven breakwater arm. harbour with one survivor from Orlando on congratulated the lifeboat and said he (Below) Waveney lifeboat 44-001 entering board, photographs by courtesy of G. Jones would return to base. The Sea King helicopter had by this time reached Flamborough Head, flying at 140 knots but only making 50 knots over the ground in the prevailing conditions; she also was released. Harry Mitchell was now six miles north north east of Humber Lightvessel and her captain managed to turn her head to sea. Then, with the lifeboat as escort, she started to creep towards the Humber. At 0542, in moderating condi- tions in the River Humber, a pilot boarded and the lifeboat put the three men they had taken off back on the cargo vessel. The lifeboat returned to station at 0600 and by 0623 was re- moored and ready for service. For this service a bar to his bronze medal was awarded to Superintendent Coxswain Brian W. Bevan, and medal service certificates were presented to propeller were often clear of the water. Three men could be seen in the stern Second Coxswain Dennis Bailey, Motor She was listing 30 degrees to port with sheltering from the breaking seas. A Mechanic Robert S. White, Assistant baulks of timber hanging over her port second approach also had to be aban- Mechanic Peter Thorpe and Crew Mem- side and, as she rolled, her port side up doned as a heavy sea pushed the life- bers Sydney Rollinson and Jack Essex. to the middle of her deck hatches was at boat towards Harry Mitchell's stern. times submerged. Her captain asked for Then, as both vessels bottomed in a his crew to be taken off and, to make trough, the lifeboat was edged along- West Division this possible, Coxswain Bevan asked side and one survivor jumped; he land- him to turn to port and take up a ed on the lifeboat's stem and hung on to north-westerly heading. Angling launch the stem fairlead, where he was grabbed The Wessex helicopter, which had by the lifeboatmen and dragged in- THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Beaumaris had to put down at Easington to clear board. The lifeboat cleared astern. snow from her engine intakes, arrived lifeboat station was informed by Pen- On the next approach, as the two mon Coastguard at 1220 on Sunday overhead at 0102. However, because of vessels came close together, a large sea the ferocity of the weather and the December 13, 1981, that the 35ft lifted the lifeboat stern and Harry angling launch Wygyr was in difficulties violent movement of the cargo vessel, Mitchell started to fall down on to her; winching would have been hazardous. and needed urgent assistance off Puffin the lifeboat engines were put full astern Island in the approaches to the Menai In preparation for going alongside and such was the angle of the two boats Harry Mitchell's starboard quarter, the Straits. that the side of the casualty scraped A strong gale, force 9, was blowing lifeboat's port bow was fendered and paint off and slightly damaged the top three crew members took up positions from south south east, there was driving of the lifeboat pulpit rail. snow and it was freezing. Conditions on on the starboard bow ready to grab A second survivor was taken off survivors. Assistant Mechanic Peter land were severe. An exceptionally high successfully at the next attempt, but tide combined with the gales had Thorpe operated the searchlight. three more approaches had to be made The first approach was made at 0105, flooded a large proportion of the town. before the third survivor was taken off, Seas were breaking freely over the sea but it had to be broken off and the at 0114. Harry Mitchell's captain now lifeboat's engines put full astern as a wall. said he and the mate would remain on Maroons were fired at 1230 and heavy breaking sea hit the casualty board and try to take his vessel to the exposing her propeller and rudder because the honorary secretary was cut Humber. The Wessex helicopter pilot off, the deputy launching authority 79 went to the Atlantic 21 lifeboathouse Radio it was clear that Wygyr was being to Menai Bridge. Visibility was so poor and acted as launching authority carried out through the Sound. The that the manager of the Gazelle Hotel throughout the service. A Land Rover lifeboat returned back round the island was asked to put the hotel's lights on to belonging to one of the lifeboatmen and approached the sound from the assist navigation. The lifeboat berthed took most of the crew to the station, north and, at 1353, the casualty was at Menai to land the two men at 1640 sometimes ploughing through two feet sighted near Perch Rock. At this time and returned to her mooring at 1730. of water. Motor Mechanic Eric Jones VHP communications were established Because of the weather she was unable was helped by a Police patrol but their with Penmon Coastguard. to rehouse until 1400 on Tuesday De- vehicle stalled in deep water and he The rising wind, now from the south cember 15. finished the journey to the boathouse in east, was in excess of storm force and For this service the bronze medal was a fire engine which had been engaged in visibility remained poor. With the sea awarded to Coxswain David W. Gal- pumping out flooded buildings. very rough and both boats pitching and lichan and medal service certificates Gaining access to the boathouse rolling very heavily, Coxswain Gal- were presented to Second Coxswain posed a further problem. The seas were lichan considered it too dangerous to try David Wynne Jones, Motor Mechanic breaking over the catwalk and spending to go alongside and take off Wygyr's Eric F. Jones, Emergency Mechanics themselves on the beach. Having passed crew. He therefore decided to try to tow David A. Cooke and John G. L. Parry this hazard and gained the comparative the fishing boat to safety. and Crew Members Michael Witkows- safety of the catwalk the crew found The lifeboat's windscreen was com- ki, John Latchem, Brian J. Roberts and themselves facing the crests of seas pletely covered by a thick build up of Joseph P. Kopyto. Letters of apprecia- which were rolling along the catwalk to snow and ice. Coxswain and crew, tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. a depth of some two to three feet on the soaked before launching, were now Graham, director of the Institution, lower section. By the time the crew feeling the effects of extreme cold. were sent to Shore Helpers Stanley gained the shelter of the boathouse they Coxswain Gallichan took the lifeboat Zalot, John M. Stone, David E. Jones were all thoroughly drenched and bit- close alongside Wygyr, a heaving line and Peter Dickie. terly cold. was thrown and a tow line passed. The Nevertheless, at 1245, the 46ft 9in two anglers made fast the tow, but such Watson lifeboat Greater London II was the rate of drift that both boats West Division (Civil Service No 30) launched into the were by this time clear of Dinmor Buoy. blizzard on service under the command The tow began to the south, passing On a lee shore of Coxswain David Gallichan. It was to the west of Dinmor Buoy and then just after high water and the sea was east south east into the Sound. Wygyr INFORMATION from Ministry of Defence very rough with breaking crests some was ranging heavily, placing consider- Police that a catamaran, Helen M, was three metres high. Because of the seas ably strain on the towing warp. It was anchored in a dangerous position off and the height of the tide it had been decided to pass a second line and, after Pendine was received by Tenby Coast- necessary to launch from the top of the several attempts, this was finally guard at 2110 on Wednesday October 7, slipway inside the boathouse, so that achieved by floating the line down to 1981. Two of the catamaran's crew masts and aerials could not be raised the casualty. The tow was resumed and members had rowed ashore to obtain until the lifeboat was afloat. With great the lifeboat reported approaching the fuel, leaving the owner on board, and difficulty the crew raised the mast but it Sound at 1427. Very slow progress was then conditions had become such that proved too hazardous to attempt to being made as the effects of wind, sea they were unable to return to the boat. raise the radar scanner or radio aerials. and tide became more severe in the A message was passed to the honor- Shortly after launching the windscreen shallow water and constricted channel. ary secretary of Tenby lifeboat station wiper failed, causing severe visibility At 1517, when just past B2 Buoy, one at 2128, maroons were fired and within problems for Coxswain Gallichan. of the tow lines chafed through and minutes the 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat A course was set down the straits parted. Realising the serious risk of Henry Comber Brown was launched on towards Puffin Sound, with lookouts losing the tow altogether in the re- service under the command of Cox- posted not only to look for the casualty stricted sea room and very rough wa- swain Joshua Richards. but to act as 'eyes' for the coxswain. ters, Coxswain Gallichan decided that The south-westerly wind was gusting Throughout this passage the lifeboat the two men must be taken off the to strong gale, force 9, and the sea was was pitching and rolling violently in a casualty and that the only chance of very rough with a heavy swell. It was corkscrew motion. Eyewitnesses on achieving this end safely would be to two hours after low water. shore soon lost sight of the lifeboat in head up into wind and sea and, with The lifeboat headed at full speed the atrocious conditions, and although astern movements, gradually shorten in towards the position of Helen M, a distress flares were fired from the the tow bringing the boat up to the quarter of a mile off the beach just casualty, they could not be seen by the lifeboat's stern. This was an arduous inside Oilman Point, about half a mile lifeboat. manoeuvre calling for great skill and from Pendine. Good time was made, The VHP radio has a low profile control from the coxswain and consider- running before the swells, and Henry emergency aerial, but a fault developed able efforts from the crew. Wygyr Comber Brown arrived in the vicinity of in the radio itself so that, until Puffin ranged alarmingly as the tow was taken Helen M at 2218. Sound was negotiated and Coxswain in. At one time she ranged up alongside The catamaran was seen to be at Gallichan could heave to in the compa- the lifeboat to starboard, rolling heavily anchor in about seven feet of water. She rative calm of the lee of the island to so that the turn of her bilge crashed was being swept by heavy breaking seas enable the crew to erect the aerials, against the lifeboat damaging guardrail and she was pitching and shearing in an communications were nil. Then, at and fender. Then she came clear astern alarming manner. Conditions were de- 1320, once again in touch with Anglesey and took a sheer, coming up on the teriorating and it was clear that her Radio on MF 2182 kHz, Coxswain Gal- lifeboat's port side, stern to. As she position was critical. There was no sign lichan continued to search round the came close both anglers took the oppor- of life on deck and it was assumed that end of Puffin Island and to the south. tunity to jump aboard the lifeboat. It the owner had sensibly stayed below to Nothing was seen. The lifeboat was was now 1535. avoid the risk of being swept overboard. continually being swept by breaking Although Coxswain Gallichan tried Realising that any attempt to go seas and she was rolling heavily. The to resume the tow up the straits, it was alongside would incur the risk of dam- radar operator only had one fleeting only two minutes before the remaining age to the casualty, perhaps resulting in echo from Puffin Island because of the warp parted and the casualty was quick- her foundering and the loss of her sea clutter and snow. ly blown ashore at Trwyn Du, where skipper, and that to try to put a crew From information relayed from Pen- she started to break up. member on board would also be haz- mon Coastguard through Anglesey The lifeboat continued up the straits ardous, Coxswain Richards anchored 80 ahead of Helen M and slightly to the After recovering his two crew mem- guard to fire a red flare and the exact east. Then, with skilful use of the bers, Coxswain Richards returned to position of the tugs was fixed as engines, he veered the lifeboat down station, the lifeboat being rehoused and 51°52'N, 05°13'w. towards her in an attempt to pick up her ready for service at 0130 on Thursday The lifeboat arrived at this position at anchor cable and then tow her clear of October 8. 2316. The two tugs being towed were the shoal water. Great care was needed For this service a bar to his bronze already on the rocks, but the towing to make sure that the anchor cable did medal was awarded to Coxswain Joshua tug, Vernicos Giorgos, was still afloat. not foul the lifeboat's propellers. W. Richards and the thanks of the She was riding to two anchors which While some of the lifeboatmen took Institution inscribed on vellum were were slowly dragging, taking the tug hold of the anchor cable, Crew Mem- accorded to Crew Members John John remorselessly on to the rocks. The bers John John and Michael Wilson and Michael Wilson. Medal service crews of all three tugs, eight men, were managed to scramble aboard Helen M. certificates were presented to Second aboard Vernicos Giorgos. Waves were The crew aboard the lifeboat were just Coxswain William A. Thomas, Assis- breaking over all three tugs and Verni- starting to recover the cable, before tant Mechanic Roy Young, Emergency cos Giorgos, at anchor, was entirely at towing the catamaran clear, when the Mechanic Denny R. Young and Crew the mercy of the sea. cable parted and the catamaran began Members Michael Crockford and Roger The south-westerly gale was gusting to be driven towards the shore. Crockford. up to force 9 and the seas were esti- Coxswain Richards, knowing how lit- mated from on shore to be 15 to 20 feet tle time there was, immediately ordered high. The water was so shallow that the lifeboat's own anchor cable to be West Division Vernicos Giorgos was hitting the bot- slipped; to recover the anchor would tom in every trough and every wave was have taken too long. Meanwhile, on Tugs aground breaking over her. The tide was now board Helen M, Crew Members John ebbing to the west at about 2 knots, and Wilson found a spare anchor, sec- ST ANNE'S COASTGUARD informed the making the confused seas worse, with ured it to a nylon rope and threw it over honorary secretary of St David's life- wind against tide. the side, hoping to check the drift boat station at 2020 on Sunday October By 2316 the lifeboat had approached towards the beach. Fortunately, this 18, 1981, that the tug Vernicos Giorgos, Vernicos Giorgos. To avoid the anchors anchor took hold and Coxswain with two other tugs in tow, had a rope lying out over the port bow of the tug, Richards was able to take the lifeboat in round her propeller and was dragging Coxswain John decided to come along- a wide sweep round and close enough to her anchors in the northern part of St side her starboard bow, thus putting the catamaran's port beam to pass a line Brides Bay. By 2134 the tugs were close himself between the weather and the to the crew on board. The line was to the rocks and the Coastguard re- casualty. The position was further com- secured and Coxswain Richards took up quested the launch of St David's life- plicated by the tow rope from the tug; it the strain with the lifeboat and began to boat. Maroons were fired and the 46ft was difficult in the darkness to see how tow the boat into deeper water. 9in Watson relief lifeboat Charles Hen- it lay. The whole rescue took place Throughout these manoeuvres both ry Ashley, on temporary service at St using the searchlight to illuminate the boats, pitching and rolling heavily, had David's, launched at 2156 under the scene. been continually swept by the seas command of Coxswain/Mechanic Coxswain John made five approaches which were estimated by eye witnesses Frederick John. to the tug, on each occasion clearing her to be 12 to 15 feet high. A south-westerly gale force 8 was again by going astern into the sea, with The passage back to Tenby meant blowing and the combined sea and swell waves breaking over the lifeboat. The steaming into wind and sea and great was about seven feet high. It was slack first two and the fourth approaches had care had to be taken to maintain the water, 45 minutes before high water. to be abandoned, but two men were tow; despite the efforts of the two crew Visibility was five miles. taken off at the third approach and one members on board, the casualty was After launching, Coxswain John set a more man was taken off at the fifth yawing badly. Nevertheless, by 2330 the southerly course through Ramsay approach. Throughout this manoeuvre lifeboat and her tow had arrived back at Sound and then turned east into St the lifeboat was pitching almost uncon- Tenby. Helen M was safely secured to a Brides Bay. By 2254 the lifeboat was trollably and great skill was needed to mooring and her owner chose to remain 4Vs. miles south west of Green Scar. The hold her in position. on board. tug master was instructed by the Coast- The tug master had decided to remain on board with the four remaining mem- Si David's, October 18, 1981: The lug Vernicos Giorgos, partially submerged, with one of the bers of the crew, hoping that a salvage two tugs she had been towing. The photograph was taken the day after the eight crew of the three tug he had ordered from Milford Haven tugs had been taken off by lifeboat and helicopter (see above). might still arrive in time to pull him clear. Coxswain John warned him by VHP that, as the tide was falling, before long the lifeboat would be unable to reach him. Just after midnight Vernicos Giorgos grounded and the tug master then requested that he and his crew be taken off. St David's lifeboat could not now approach because there was not enough water, so, while the lifeboat and the local cliff rescue company illumin- ated the scene a helicopter from RAF Brawdy carried out an extremely skilful rescue of the remaining five men. The lifeboat then returned to station; she was rehoused and ready for service at 0200 on Monday October 19. For this service the bronze medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Frederick G. John and medal service certificates were presented to Acting Second Coxswain John H. Phillips, Acting Assistant Mechanic David J. 81 Bateman and Crew Members Michael approach was made and a third man The Atlantic approached the commit- J. Morris, Norman Rowley, Keith Jones taken aboard. Again the lifeboat pulled tee boat, the 40ft trimaran Lara of and David J. O. Chant. astern and waited for the skipper to Bosham, to check the situation and check the pumps. At 1737 the skipper found that she had a Fireball dinghy in signalled that he was ready and the tow but was making little headway. In East Division lifeboat again went alongside and took going alongside, a heavy sea drove the him off. lifeboat against Lara of Bosham, holing Engine room flooded As soon as the skipper was on board, her and damaging the lifeboat's bow Coxswain Cox informed the Coastguard sponson. Despite heavy seas, the ding- THE COXSWAIN of Wells lifeboat was that Sarah K was adrift, so that she was hy's crew of two, who were suffering informed by HM Coastguard at 1412 on a possible danger to navigation. from exposure, were transferred to the Friday November 20, 1981, that there At 1815, with the wind moderating to lifeboat and placed in survivor bags. was a possible casualty 2Vi miles north force 6, the skipper was put back The dinghy was then cast adrift and the of Brancaster, and the coxswain im- aboard Sarah K to try to put down the lifeboat set out for Littlehampton. She mediately passed on to the station anchor. By 1838 the crippled fishing was 'driven' eastward, each heavy sea honorary secretary a request to antici- vessel was anchored !3/4 miles west of calling for special care with helm and pate a call. At 1425 the Coastguard Bridgirdle and her skipper back on engines because Crew Member McCar- confirmed that there was a definite board the lifeboat. About a quarter of tain was lying on the foredeck cradling sighting and asked that the lifeboat an hour later Sarah K's after mast split the heads of the dinghy sailors to avoid should launch. Maroons were fired and and the lifeboat decided to return to injury in the pounding, particularly over at 1439 Wells lifeboat, the 37ft Oakley station. the harbour bar. Ernest Tom Neathercoat, launched from Passage was made back to Holkham After landing the dinghy sailors to a her carriage into the harbour under the Bay but, on arrival at 1931, the launch- waiting ambulance, the Atlantic re- command of Coxswain David Cox. ing tractor broke down. The lifeboat lay turned to the harbour entrance ready, The afternoon was overcast and, in off until repairs had been made at 2113. at her skipper's request, to escort Lara the rain, visibility was only moderate, A By 2204 she was recarriaged and by of Bosham in over the bar. However, at gale, force 8, was blowing from the 2305 she was rehoused and once again 1850 the trimaran asked for immediate north west. It was high water. ready for service. help as she was being driven on to a lee Ten minutes later the lifeboat cleared For this service the bronze medal was shore by the increasing gale force wind. the bar and turned west, leaving the awarded to Coxswain David J. Cox, Helmsman Woollven took the Atlan- rough seas and heavy swell on her BEM. Medal service certificates were tic 21 over the bar, now covered by very starboard bow as she set out at full presented to Second Coxswain Anthony heavy confused seas up to 12 feet high, speed, keeping inshore to reduce the T. Jordan, Motor Mechanic Albert and the trimaran was reached at 1900 effects of the adverse tide. Court, Assistant Mechanic Alan M. just west of the harbour entrance. Two At 1510 an RAF Sea King helicopter Cox and Crew Members Albert War- of her women crew, suffering severe reported that she was with the casualty, ner, Graham B. Walker, John R. seasickness, were safely taken off and the motor fishing vessel Sarah K, whose Nudds and John Belts. placed in survivor bags; by 1915 the engine room was flooded. The lifeboat lifeboat had again returned in over the continued on her course until she was bar to land them. off Scolt Head, at 1530, when she South East Division In almost total darkness, Helmsman headed west north west for the fishing Woollven immediately took the Atlan- vessel's position off Woolpack Buoy. Four people landed tic back to sea for a third time to stand Sarah K was sighted at 1542 and by the trimaran. The wind had veered reached at 1613. A SUDDEN DETERIORATION in the weather to south west, gusting up to storm force The wind was now north west, gale to on the afternoon of Saturday Septem- 10, and Lara of Bosham was able to strong gale, force 8 to 9, with rough ber 19, 1981, caught out a fleet of make better headway. The falling tide short seas over the shoals. It was still Fireball sailing dinghies at a meeting off made the passage over the bar extreme- raining with moderate visibility. Sarah Felpharn, and at 1730 HM Coastguard ly hazardous, but by 1940 the trimaran K was lying bows south with her star- informed the honorary secretary of Lit- had been safely escorted into harbour board quarter to the seas. tlehampton lifeboat station that the and had been moored. The Atlantic 21 The lifeboat stood off as a second sailing club's safety boats needed help. returned to her station and by 2015 she RAF Sea King helicopter lowered a Maroons were fired and at 1740 the was refuelled and ready for service. pump on to Sarah K. At 1630, in the station's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable For this service the thanks of the failing light, Coxswain Cox approached lifeboat launched on service. Manned Institution inscribed on vellum were the fishing vessel to discuss the position by Helmsman David Woollven and accorded to Helmsman David W. with her skipper, who asked to be Crew Members Geoffrey Warminger Woollven. Framed letters of thanks towed to King's Lynn. In the very rough and Michael McCartain, she set out at signed by the Duke of Atholl, chairman weather, Coxswain Cox considered the full speed for the harbour mouth. of the Institution, were presented to casualty to be too large for the lifeboat The south-south-easterly wind, which Crew Members Geoffrey J. Warminger to tow. had been force 4 to 5, had increased to and Michael B. W. McCartain. At 1724 Sarah K's large foremast gale force 8, with heavy rain restricting broke and fell to starboard. As the visibility. It was about two hours after helicopters had withdrawn, Coxswain high water. South East Division Cox decided to go in and take off the Speed was reduced as heavy seas crew. An attempt was made to go were met on the harbour bar and, once Injured crew alongside the fishing vessel's port bow the bar was crossed, a variable course but, close to, the bow sheer was seen to was steered to ease the effect of the DURING THE AFTERNOON of Friday OctO- be too great and the lifeboat stood off. beam sea. When the Atlantic 21 arrived ber 9, 1981, the 38,000 ton Danish The next approach was made starboard in the search area, 21/2 miles to the west container vessel Drag0r Maersk, on side to the casualty's port midships, and of the harbour mouth and ll/2 miles passage from Hamburg to Port Said, it was made at a steep angle to avoid the south of Middleton, her crew were told told east coast radio stations that a crew trawl doors on the after port quarter. In by the Coastguard mobile that, member with a fractured hip needed to the now total darkness two fishermen although all the sailing dinghies were be taken ashore. South-westerly gales, were snatched off as the boats rolled accounted for, a safety boat was mis- force 8 to 9, and high seas ruled out a together and then the lifeboat cleared sing. Then, at 1805, it was reported that helicopter service in daylight and, while the casualty going full astern. Another this boat also was safely ashore. Drag0r Maersk gave her expected time 82 of arrival off Dover as midnight, her pelvis. The man was placed in a survi- Perkins, Garth V. James and Kenneth exact position was not known. At 2102 vor's lifejacket and bump hat before W. Miles. Dover Coastguard telephoned Dover being secured in the Neil Robertson station honorary secretary, explaining stretcher, which in turn was then earlier events and amending the con- securely lashed within the cot stretcher. South East Division tainer vessel's ETA off Dover to 0100 on The medical party had great difficulty in Saturday October 10. After discussion moving the patient through the vessel's Rising winds with Coxswain Anthony Hawkins it was alleyways to the after deck, but at 0240 agreed that the injured man should be all was ready. RYE AUXILIARY COASTGUARD requested taken off by lifeboat and that the Dr Welch wished to be taken off first, the launch of Rye Harbour lifeboat at lifeboatmen, together with Dr Peter to receive the patient on board the 1350 on Saturday October 3 following Welch, the honorary medical adviser, lifeboat. He was lowered on the pilot reports that the 24ft ketch Midley Belle should muster to consider a plan of hoist and climbed down the fixed part of was heading out to sea. It was a squally action for an evacuation from such a the ladder, waiting there, holding on, afternoon with moderate confused seas large vessel. until Coxswain Hawkins could bring the over Rye Bar. At 1354 Rye Harbour's The crew assembled at 2300 and a full lifeboat's foredeck under the hoist and D class inflatable lifeboat was launched 'dry' exercise was carried out with a he was told to jump. A crew member manned by Helmsman Richard Tollett patient in the Neil Robertson stretcher, grabbed the doctor's lifejacket straps and Crew Members Colin James and lashed into the rigid cot stretcher, to and held him safely on board. Jeffrey Robus. While the lifeboat was find the correct point of balance for After this transfer and one unsuccess- still within the river, however, she was lifting the combined unit. ful attempt to close the vessel again, recalled because the yacht cleared the At 0014 on Saturday October 10 Coxswain Hawkins asked the master to bar safely. Dover's 50ft Thames class lifeboat Rot- steam slowly ahead because Drag0r The lifeboat was rehoused at 1420 ary Service slipped her moorings and set Maersk's drift against the ebb tide was but the deputy launching authority and out at full speed carrying a complement causing six foot seas, even on her lee auxiliary coastguard remained at the of ten; she was under the command of side. At the second attempt the lifeboat harbour mouth keeping watch. When, Coxswain Hawkins. The east pierhead was held firmly alongside, starboard at 1516 as Midley Belle was trying to was cleared and as course was set bow to, and, with the lifeboat search- return to harbour, she was seen to lose eastward to the agreed rendezvous l!/2 light and the ship's deck lights illuminat- her main sheet, the lifeboat was asked miles south west of South Goodwin ing the area well, the transfer of the to launch again; the yacht had also Lightship very heavy seas and a quarter- stretcher began. suffered engine failure and was now in a ing swell were encountered. Five crew members stood by on the dangerous position in the bar surf. Arriving at the rendezvous at 0200, foredeck while Second Coxswain The lifeboat launched on service at 1519 the lifeboat was taken to Drag0r Couzens and Crew Member James low- manned by Helmsman Keith Downey Maersk's port side as she lay heading ered the stretcher the 45 feet by hand, and Crew Members Richard Tollett and south east to provide a lee. Dr Welch, with turns on the container vessel's rail. Philip Jones. Second Coxswain/Mechanic Roy The derrick held the stretcher about The wind, which had been westerly Couzens and Crew Member/First Aider five feet outboard and Drag0r Maersk's moderate to fresh, was rising and the Garth James, activated their lifejacket crew tended two heaving lines to steady seas over the bar were eight feet high; it lights before preparing to go aboard the the load. As the stretcher reached the was almost one hour after high water. container vessel. Coxswain Hawkins foredeck, the lifeboat crew held it and With great skill Helmsman Downey placed the lifeboat's starboard bow immediately cut all lines before the rise took the inflatable lifeboat safely alongside Drag0r Maersk and Second and fall of the two vessels could cause through the 50 yard passage over the Coxswain Couzens stepped on to her trouble. Second Coxswain Couzens and bar. The yacht had by now been carried power assisted pilot ladder; after climb- Crew Member James were then taken a mile eastward towards Camber Sands ing the first six feet, the mechanical off by way of the pilot hoist. and as the lifeboat reached her at 1525 hoist lifted him the remaining 30 feet to At 0315 the lifeboat began her pas- her skipper indicated that three of the deck level. Dr Welch and Crew Mem- sage to Dover across very heavy seas. seven people on board needed to be ber James boarded separately in the Many times Coxswain Hawkins had to taken off. same way. Despite the lee offered by use his throttles to reduce as far as Three approaches were made, each the container vessel, Coxswain Hawkins possible the violent motion of the boat, run being timed to coincide with a wave had difficulty holding the lifeboat in and one crew member, thrown against trough. Each time the lifeboat drew position alongside in the heavy seas. the midships anchor stowage, injured alongside, one of the three people On reaching the deck the medical his ankle. By 0345 the lifeboat had waiting, two women and a boy, jumped party were met by the chief engineer landed the patient to a waiting ambu- into the boat on the helmsman's order. and, while Dr Welch and Crew Member lance at the harbour steps, and by 0415 Up to this point Midlev Belle had James were taken by lift through the she was refuelled and once again ready been in extremely shallow water but accommodation to the injured man. for service. when, at 1530, Rye lifeboat cleared the Second Coxswain Couzens supervised A telegram was later received by the yacht her skipper thought he could get the lifting aboard of the first aid bags, crew of Dover lifeboat from the master his boat under command and steer off stretchers and portable VHP radio by a of Drag0r Maersk which need: the land. The help of Dungeness life- stores derrick two decks above on the 'Please receive my heartfelt thanks for boat, the 37ft 6in Rother Alice Upjohn, after deck; he decided that the derrick your brilliant assistance rendered my in- was now requested by the Coastguard; wire and hook were too heavy and jured crew member. We/I done folks. Best she launched on service at 1538 under uncontrollable for the lowering of the regards.' the command of Coxswain William stretcher and arranged for a hand line to For this service the thanks of the Richardson and set out at full speed. be rigged through the derrick head lead. Institution inscribed on vellum were Helmsman Downey landed the two The lifeboat meanwhile was lying off accorded to Coxswain/Assistant Mech- women and the boy immediately inside and Coxswain Hawkins noticed that the anic Anthony G. Hawkins and a special the harbour mouth, from where they container vessel was being driven up doctor's vellum to Dr Peter S. Welch. were driven to an ambulance. tide by the gale. He advised the master Vellum service certificates were pre- By 1550 Rye D class inflatable life- to re-position as Drag0r Maersk was sented to Second Coxswain/Mechanic boat was once again on her way out only one mile from South Goodwin Roy W. Couzens, Second Assistant over the bar. The wind was still rising Lightvessel. Mechanic Michael F. Abbot and Crew and twelve feet seas covered the area. By 0230 Dr Welch had examined the Members Geoffrey I. Buckland, Robert Helmsman Downey cleared the bar and patient and had diagnosed a fractured J. Bruce, Alan G. Barker, Alan K. after some ten minutes in the open sea 83 sighted Midley Belle sailing on a safe to go straight in to the coaster's star- later the trawler was cleared and Cox- course to the south south east, where board side. A first attempt to get swain Stewart headed for Portrush at Dungeness Rother lifeboat would meet alongside was made at 0300 but there half speed until, with moderating condi- her in some 40 minutes. was not enough water; the lifeboat tions approaching land, he was able to After two very heavy seas had filled herself was pounding on the bank and increase speed once more. the Rye inflatable lifeboat, Helmsman she could not get close to the casualty. During the passage back to station Downey decided it would be prudent to Pulling off astern, she tried two more another message came from Belfast return to station. The wind was now approaches from other angles, hoping Coastguard to say that a seaman aboard gale force 8 gusting to strong gale force to find enough water, but each time she the fishing trawler St Jasper needed 9 against a full ebb tide and, with only had to clear astern. On a fourth urgent medical attention. A Wessex three feet of water on the bar, the attempt, however, although still hitting helicopter was standing by but would be homeward passage was extremely bottom, the lifeboat was driven along- withdrawn at dusk. hazardous; continual changes of course side and all five men were taken off Richard Evans was alongside at Port- and speed had to be made to counter before, at 0320, she pulled off again rush at 1727 and the first patient was the seas. Rye Harbour lifeboat returned stern first. taken to hospital by ambulance. Ten to station at 1605 and was once again Passage was made back to Lowestoft minutes later the lifeboat set out again, ready for service at 1630. and the five men were landed at 0355. once more with the honorary medical Dungeness lifeboat came up with The lifeboat was refuelled, back on her adviser, Dr Hill, aboard. Midley Belle at 1705 and as the wind, mooring and ready for service at 0410. By this time the wind had backed to now south westerly, was gusting to For this service a framed letter of north west and moderated to a fresh to storm force 10 with heavy rain it was thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, strong breeze, force 5 to 6. A moderate decided that it would be safer to take off chairman of the Institution, was pre- sea continued to run and the evening her crew in the shelter of Dungeness. sented to Second Coxswain John W. was overcast with occasional rain. The yacht was therefore taken in tow to Catchpole. On clearing harbour the lifeboat a safe anchorage 2'/2 miles north east by headed for Inishowen Head at full north of Dungeness Lighthouse. Her speed. St Jasper was sighted at 1807 four remaining crew were transferred to Ireland Division and, following the same plan as before, the lifeboat and brought ashore. Coxswain Stewart asked her skipper to Dungeness lifeboat returned to station Two medical calls make a lee on his starboard side. At at 1845 and she was rehoused and once 1816 the lifeboat made fast port side to again ready for service at 1910. BELFAST COASTGUARD informed the hon- the trawler and both vessels steamed For this service a framed letter of orary secretary of Portrush lifeboat slowly north east to maintain steerage. thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, station at 1505 on Sunday November Dr Hill boarded with Crew Member chairman of the Institution, was pre- 15, 1981, that a seaman was critically ill McQuilken and another first aider to sented to Helmsman Keith W. Downey. aboard the fishing trawler Junella, nine find the patient had recovered con- Letters of appreciation signed by Rear miles north east of Portrush; he needed sciousness after accidentally inhaling Admiral W. J. Graham, director, were urgent medical attention. Ten minutes fumes. A Sea King helicopter arrived sent to Crew Members Richard Tollett later Portrush lifeboat, the 52ft Arun overhead and stood by, but once again and Philip A. Jones of Rye Harbour Richard Evans (Civil Service No 39), Dr Hill decided the patient should be lifeboat station. A letter signed by slipped her mooring and set out on taken ashore by lifeboat and the heli- Admiral Graham expressing the Institu- • service under the command of Cox- copter was released. The patient was lion's appreciation to Coxswain William swain James Stewart and with Dr Wil- helped aboard the lifeboat together Richardson and his crew was sent to liam Hill, the honorary medical adviser, with the medical party and the lifeboat Mr W. J. Oilier, Dungeness station on board. cleared the trawler at 1830. honorary secretary. The south-easterly winds were up to The weather continued to moderate, gale force 8 and a moderate sea was the wind now being north west force 5, running. Visibility was poor in almost but a moderate confused sea was still East Division continuous rain and the tide was in the running. The lifeboat returned to Port- first hour of flood. rush at full speed and was made fast Pounding on bank On clearing harbour Coxswain Stew- alongside at 1905. The patient was art headed north of the Skerries to taken to hospital by the honorary GREAT YARMOUTH Coastguard informed rendezvous with Junella, which was secretary. the honorary secretary of Lowestoft steaming south west. At 1537 course The lifeboat was refuelled and by lifeboat station at 0215 on Thursday was adjusted for an amended position 1930 she was back on her moorings and April 16, 1981, that the Panamanian five miles north of the Skerries. Junella ready for service. coaster Avenir was aground l'/2 miles was identified on radar shortly before For this service a special doctor's north east of Lowestoft and bouncing 1600 and her skipper was asked to make vellum was accorded to Dr William J. C. on the banks. Lowestoft lifeboat, the a lee on his starboard side. At 1610 the Hill, the honorary medical adviser, and 47ft Watson Frederick Edward Crick, lifeboat was made fast port side to the a framed letter of thanks signed by the slipped her mooring at 0237 and, under trawler and both boats steamed slowly Duke of Atholl, chairman of the Institu- the command of Second Coxswain John south west to maintain steerage. tion, was presented to Crew Member Catchpole, set out on service. Dr Hill boarded Junella together with Albert McQuilken. It was an overcast night with moder- Crew Member Albert McQuilken, who ate visibility. A strong breeze, force 6, is a first aider, and diagnosed a brain Scotland South Division was blowing from the north east and the haemorrhage. At 1612 a Wessex heli- sea was very rough. It was half an hour copter arrived overhead and stood by, after low water. but the HMA decided that the patient Ebb tide On clearing harbour full speed was should be taken ashore by lifeboat to made towards the casualty, which could save undue stress. At 1626 the helicop- A GIRL was playing at the water's edge of be seen stranded on Holm Sand. As the ter was diverted to a second medical Irvine Beach, near the mouth of the lifeboat approached, Avenir could be casualty. River Irvine, on Sunday evening Aug- seen pounding on the bottom in the Dr Hill and Crew Member McQuil- ust 30, 1981, when she realised that she heavy breaking seas being driven over ken secured the unconscious patient was being washed away from the shore the bank. The master asked that he and into a Neil Robertson stretcher and at and out to sea. She tried to paddle back his four crew should be taken off. 1640 he was transferred to the medical with her hands, but the ebb tide was too Acting Coxswain Catchpole decided cot aboard the lifeboat. Ten minutes continued on page 105 84 flowed for all time through the maritime history of our nation.' Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, direc- tor, then described the lifeboat and the role she would play in the Institution's relief fleet: 'The RNLl's relief fleet is not a fleet of lifeboats in mothballs, to be called out only when a crisis occurs, but consists of fully-operational lifeboats ready to take over from a station lifeboat when repairs are required, or when she is on refit or survey.' Admiral Graham went on to say that, 'the Arun is an outstanding success story; three of the last four gold medal awards have been for services carried out in Arun class lifeboats and 1 can reveal that the Arun class has been awarded a 1982 Design Council Award which will be presented tomorrow by His Royal High- ness The Duke of Edinburgh.' The Duke of Kent then formally delivered the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI saying that the audience were Her naming ceremony held by the River witnessing a unique occasion . . . Thames, the new relief 52ft lifeboat gave her '. . . not because a lifeboat is being The naming of the 52ft demonstration run with the Houses of Parlia- named in London, that has been done on ment as her background. several occasions; but because I, as Grand Arun relief lifeboat Master of the United Grand Lodge of photographs England, am in effect giving myself a above and left by lifeboat, as I am also President of the courtesy of RNLI. There have been ten lifeboats Jeff Morris gifted to the RNLI by the Masons and I Duchess am very pleased to be able to continue this tradition. Freemasonry today is outward of Kent looking and able to give practical help to many organisations. This lifeboat repre- The Duchess of sents such practical help which because it Kent was there to is a lifeboat will in its turn serve anybody SOUTH BANK in trouble at sea.' TUESDAY, APRIL 27 name the new lifeboat RNLB The Right Reverend George Rein- Duchess of Kent. dorp, Honorary Assistant Bishop of THE PERFECT SUNNY AFTERNOON of Tu6S- (Below) Katie Higham presented a bouquet to London, then conducted the service of day April 27 seemed to take on extra her Royal Highness, who look from it a rose dedication, assisted by the Right Rev- brightness when Their Royal Highnes- to give back to Katie. erend Principal Martin Cressey, Mod- ses, The Duke and Duchess of Kent erator of the General Assembly of the arrived at the Jubilee Gardens, South United Reformed Church, and Father Bank, to name the relief 52ft Arun Gerald Burke, Director of the Ministry lifeboat Duchess of Kent. With flags and to Priests Programme in the Diocese of bunting fluttering gaily in the strong Westminster. Rabbi M. Berman was breeze, and the rising waters of the also in attendance representing the River Thames slapping against the sides Chief Rabbi. of the lifeboat, the ceremony could The Duke of Atholl then called upon have been at any coastal port; only the the Duchess of Kent to name the noise of trains from the nearby Water- lifeboat. After saying that she could loo station and the roar of the traffic well understand the necessity with a betrayed the fact that it was taking place modern lifeboat fleet for the relief fleet in the heart of London. to be composed of similar craft, capable The lifeboat was the gift of the of covering the same area at the same Freemasons United Grand Lodge of speed as the station boats they replace England, and the large audience of temporarily, the Duchess expressed her Freemasons and RNLI branch and guild deep appreciation of the singular hon- members, together with the music pro- our of having a lifeboat bear her name, vided by members of the Royal Marines and also of being able to name her Band, attracted many casual walkers in personally. With the breaking of a the park to the site of the ceremony. bottle of champagne, the Duchess After being greeted by the Mayor and named the lifeboat Duchess of Kent. Mayoress of Lambeth, Councillor and centre of the posy and gave it to Katie, Following the now famous Royal Mrs Johnny Johnson, and the chairman along with a box of chocolates. Katie walkabout, the Duke and Duchess of the Greater London Council, John was obviously delighted with the gifts. boarded the lifeboat for a short demon- Ward, JP, the Duchess of Kent was In his welcoming speech, the Duke of stration on The Thames. presented with a posy by eight-year-old Atholl, chairman of the RNLI said: The Institution was most grateful to Katie Higham, daughter of Cdr Michael 'It is unusual for a lifeboat naming the Greater London Council, the Port Higham, Grand Secretary of the United ceremony to take place in our capital city of London Authority and the English Grand Lodge of England. In return, but in this Maritime England Year, most Tourist Board for their help in arrang- after having a short talk with the little appropriate, for we are here today on the ing this naming ceremony, a most girl, the Duchess picked a rose from the banks of The Thames—a river which has successful occasion.—S.J.G. 85 times too many eager helpers and at Whitby brass discs were issued to iden- Grim but Glorious tify launchers. There was once such a scramble for the discs that three men THE DAYS OF OAR AND SAIL crashed through a plate-glass window trying to get one. It was arduous work at the best of times, by no means by Ray Kipling without danger, and phenomenal efforts were sometimes made to haul the boats overland to the best place to launch to reach a vessel in distress. The lifeboats were sturdy but offered little protection to the men. Already WRITING ABOUT LIFEBOATS JS HCVer easy. fishing villages, there were strong fami- hardened by their work they found To many people, every lifeboat rescue ly traditions, verging almost on obliga- normal services and exercises routine, is an act of heroism, carried out in a tions to join the lifeboat crew. There but long winter services took their toll. tortuous battle against the elements; to was also the very practical point of In October 1927 the Moelfre lifeboat lifeboatmen, even the worst conditions mutual self protection among the fisher- sailed right over a ketch to rescue her are modestly played down and real acts men, the lifeboat being the best means crew but the lifeboat was damaged. She of heroism are shrugged off with of ensuring safety for the men of the spent a total of 17 hours in fierce gales genuine embarrassment. Striking a bal- local fleet. and one lifeboatman died from exhaus- ance between these extremes is even In the last century money was an tion. The coxswain, who had been at more difficult when dealing with his- important feature of lifeboating. The the tiller the whole time, was com- tory, for there are less first-hand pay for a service was 10 shillings by day pletely blind for several hours after accounts and more temptations to and £1 by night, with 4 shillings for an landing, though he later recovered. romanticise and exaggerate. So the exercise launch. This was a substantial Apparently some lifeboatmen used to story of pulling and sailing lifeboats, an amount in relation to the small wage drink hot soup out of their oilskin easy one to imagine, is a difficult one to earned from fishing when times were sou'westers, the heat freeing the linseed research accurately. Fortunately there hard. Salvage was not uncommon and oil to mix with the soup. Their provi- are just enough men and records still in though the RNLI had strict rules about sions were basic: some chocolate, a existence to bring a reasonable perspec- salvage being secondary to lifesaving, in flask of rum and whatever else they tive to the subject. the early days the Institution used to could grab on the way, including on one take a portion of salvage money to occasion, raw potatoes. The lifeboatmen cover the risk of damage to the lifeboat. The most striking feature of any Today, of course, salvage is virtually The lifeboats lifeboat story is the lifeboatmen. The unknown and the Institution has no part Right from the beginning the RNLI crews of pulling and sailing boats were in any salvage claim. took lifeboat design very seriously and tough, weatherbeaten fishermen who was constantly striving to improve all spent all their working lives at sea, The launchers aspects of the boats. Competitions building up the muscles, skill and inti- Launchers were hard to come by in brought forward a great many designs, mate knowledge of local waters needed " small villages and often women would ranging from the practical to the whim- for rescues. Calls were infrequent and launch the lifeboats while their hus- sical. In different areas, the men had were almost exclusively to merchant bands and sons formed the crews. In different preferences. In Norfolk and vessels and fishing boats. In the small larger communities there were some- Suffolk, for instance, the lifeboats were big, heavy non self-righters, relying on On instruction from the coxswain and second coxswain, the crew of Southsea lifeboat launch by large sails. Elsewhere, the RNLI began pulling on the haul-off warp. This was a rope which was attached to an anchor offshore, allowing by discouraging the use of sail as, in the lifeboat to be hauled out through the surf until there was enough water to set the sails or start rowing. very high winds and squally weather, it could cause capsize unless skilfully handled. Controversy raged over the relative merits of self-righting and non self-righting boats. The Institution pro- duced figures to show that less men were lost from self-righters but, even so, many crews still preferred the non self-righters which were less lively at sea and, they thought, less likely to capsize. Experiments with oars were as impor- tant then as trials with engines now and

Sail plan of Norfolk and Suffolk lifeboats, big, heavy non self-righters which relied on large sails. 86 a series of tests were held in 1866 to find the best woods for the job. Comparative trials of different classes of lifeboats were held in 1892 but the results, which showed the Institution's preferred Watson and self-righting boats to be best, failed to convince crews of Norfolk and Suffolk or the crews of tubular boats. The tubular boats, first proposed in the Duke of Northumberland's 1851 design competi- tion, were chiefly used in North Wales and the Mersey and the last was in service at Rhyl until 1939.

The services The services of the pulling and sailing lifeboats were, like lifeboat services today, largely routine with the spectacu- lar minority attracting attention. Routine for lifeboatmen meant standing by a grounded merchantman for ten hours until she floated off on the next tide or escorting a dismasted ketch to The end of HMS Foudroyant, one of Nelson's flagships which in her last years was used as a the safety of harbour in a gale, but the training ship for boys. White anchored off Blackpool on June 16, 1897, a gale blew up and she tales that have been handed down from dragged aground. The lifeboat Samuel Fletcher of Manchester was able to rescue 28 people the 100-year span of oar and sail re- before Foudroyant was completely wrecked. count the most hazardous rescues which won medals for coxswains such as Charles Fish of Ramsgate, James Cable of Aldeburgh and Robert Smith of Tynemouth. Some rescues were more unusual: at Whitby the rowing lifeboat once went two miles inland by road and launched into a river to rescue people from their The women of Cress- well, Northumberland, roofs after the river flooded. Some help with the recovery rescues even had their humorous side: of the lifeboat Martha. in the Isle of Wight a lifeboatman was admonished by a rescued mother for allowing her baby to get wet. If some rescues were marked with humour, a few were tinged with tragedy. Shoal water near the shore was the greatest danger, making launching and getting under way a perilous task. (Below) Se/sey lifeboat John and Henry Skynner was built in 1885 and took part in the London Sometimes the conditions proved too Lord Mayor's Show of that year before going on station. She was 35ft long. 7ft 6in beam, pulled much for the boats and they were ten oars and was fitted with water ballast tanks. overwhelmed and flung back on to the beach. Over the years the losses of lifeboatmen mounted, 250 in the first hundred years. But in that time 40,000 ~ people were saved and crews kept up their struggle against the elements. The end of the era of oars and sails came gradually as steam power was introduced, later to be rapidly over- taken by petrol engines and then diesel. By the 1920s engines had made a big impact on the RNLI fleet and by the beginning of the second world war, pulling and sailing boats were few and far between. The last sailing boat left New Quay, Cardiganshire, in 1948 and although there was a pulling lifeboat at Whitby until 1957, she was mainly used inside the harbour while the town's motor lifeboat was at sea. The days of oar and sail were grim but glorious and rescues then, as now, brought their own reward.

Ray Kipling, public relations officer of the RNLI, is the author of Rescue by Sail and Oar, reviewed on page 107. 87 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and presentation of awards SOUTH BANK, LONDON, TUESDAY MAY 11 1981: 1,051 people rescued; nearly £14 million raised SUNSHINE greeted lifeboat people from rise in silent tribute to the lifeboatmen prepared, although, of course, every- all parts of the country who began to of Penlee who had died on December one hoped that it would never be gather on South Bank, by the River 19 - that was the event which was, he needed. Thames, early on Tuesday May 11 for said, uppermost in everyone's mind. 'It is our duty, and our pride, to build what was to be a most moving and After this silent tribute, the Duke our lifeboats to the highest standards memorable day. spoke of the Penlee lifeboat, Solomon possible, and to fit them with the finest It was a day which remembered the Browne, which had launched in appall- equipment. Between the loss of the work of the lifeboatmen all round our ing weather to go to the help of the Fraserburgh lifeboat in January 1970 and islands who, in 1981, had launched on coaster Union Star. He recalled how, in the loss of the Penlee lifeboat in December service 2,947 times, the highest number the finest traditions of the lifeboat 1981, only one lifeboatman lost his life on service. In that period lifeboats had been of services in any one year; and which service, there had been more volunteers launched on service well over 30,000 remembered the work of the fund at the boathouse than were needed to times. However, we must recognise that raisers who in the same year had backed form a crew, and how, despite the the sea does not change, and it will always up the lifeboat crews by achieving the tremendous seas, the lifeboat had man- be a formidable adversary. highest total yet, nearly £14 million. It aged to rescue four people from Union 'The final point I should like to make was a day when there would be a Star before she herself was lost. It was about Penlee is that the families of the lost standing ovation following the presenta- not possible to go into detail about the lifeboatmen have been an example to the tion to their relatives of the gold medal disaster because a public inquiry had whole country. In the midst of great awarded to the late Coxswain Trevelyan been ordered by the Department of sorrow and harrowing publicity they have remained dignified and calm. They have Richards of Penlee and the bronze Trade, but more would be heard about earned our respect, admiration and sup- medals awarded to each of his crew for the rescue during the afternoon when port and they will be with us this afternoon the service to Union Star on December gallantry medals would be presented to to receive the medals which have been 19; and a second standing ovation fol- members of the families of Solomon awarded posthumously to the crew of the lowing the presentation of the gold Browne's crew. Penlee lifeboat.' medal to Coxswain Michael Scales of St 7 think I can safely say that no-one The Duke then turned to the activi- Peter Port and the bronze medal to each witnessed the very last moments of the ties of 1981. The RNLFs lifeboats had of his crew for the service to Bonita on lifeboat Solomon Browne, but we do launched on service a record number of December 13. know that close under the cliffs she was times, 2,947. By their efforts 1,051 It was a day when appreciation of the overwhelmed by the seas, and smashed to people had been rescued, many of these fine quality of our young people was pieces on the rocks. The crew of Solomon Browne were experienced seamen and rescues, particularly in the latter part of reflected in the prolonged applause for the year, being made in severe gales and 14-year-old Daniel Norman who, by fine, well-trained lifeboatmen, who had confidence in their boat and knew their storms. Often the lifeboats had worked prompt, courageous and expert action local waters totally. When the call came, with helicopters; sometimes they car- had saved the life of a little girl. It was they did not hesitate to set out to help other ried out rescues which even the sophisti- also a day when the loyalty of the seafarers in distress. Within hours of the cated Sea King helicopters found Institution's voluntary crew members, disaster, the men of the Penlee asked for impossible. fund raisers and committee members, another lifeboat. The new coxswain and During 1981, four new Arun class often stretching back through several crew are now manning a replacement lifeboats, a Rother, an Atlantic 21 and a generations of the same family, would Watson lifeboat, and next year will receive a new Arun class lifeboat which will lie number of D class inflatable lifeboats be remembered with pride and with had begun their operational lives, while gratitude. afloat in New/yn Harbour. I am very pleased to say that the Institution has been orders had been placed for a further 11 On such a day, lifeboat people were given all the money that this Arun class lifeboats. Development work continued most happy to have with them as their lifeboat will cost by Mr David Robinson.' on three new types of boat: the Brede, guest of honour for the presentation of The Duke of Atholl told of the search the RNLI Medina and the fast slipway awards meeting in the afternoon such lifeboat which had been given the class an old and valued friend as Her Royal which had begun as soon as it was known that Solomon Browne had been name Tyne'. A Brede lifeboat would Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of soon be sent to Oban for preliminary Gloucester. lost; of the RNLI welfare officer who went straight to Penlee to help with station trials, while there were plans to immediate problems, give cash grants develop a water jet driven version of the and to inform the dependants that the Medina. The Tyne class was at the RNLI would be paying pensions; and of beginning of a lengthy trials pro- The day began with a very well the disaster fund which had been laun- gramme, which would include extensive attended annual general meeting of the ched locally and independently of the sea passages and calls at a number of Institution's governors held during the RNLI by Penwith District Council. This lifeboat stations around the coast; morning in the National Film Theatre. fund had, unfortunately, run into legal 'It is worth remembering that lifeboats After the Chairman, the Duke of problems and there had been consider- have a unique task. Their development is a Atholl, had welcomed the many gov- able controversy, but, happily, with special responsibility of the Institution, ernors present, and also the new mem- advice from the Charity Commissioners and it cannot be hurried. Each new class that we introduce takes many months, bers who had joined the Committee of and the Attorney General, the pro- perhaps years, to perfect, and we cannot Management since the previous year, blems had been satisfactorily resolved. send a lifeboat built to a new design to a the minutes of the meeting held on May The Attorney General had since issued station until we are satisfied in every way 12, 1981, were agreed. guidelines for disaster funds which the with her performance. This is our policy, Before beginning his report, the Institution was studying. Advice for any and I believe that it has been vindicated in Duke of Atholl invited the governors to future lifeboat disaster fund would be practice. In recent years, for instance, both the Arun and Atlantic 21 lifeboats on from one generation of the same family surveys and overhauls, and running the were the subject of long and careful to the next. The sad death last year of Mr 200 stations . . . development. Indeed, the Arun prototype Lawrence Cave, a Life Vice-Presidem of 'Although this is a large sum of money, was sent on sea passages totalling 12,000 the Institution, brought to an end a period it is the minimum needed to keep the boats miles before the first boat went on station. of more than 100 years of unbroken and the stations up to our high standards. However, each of these two classes, in its service on the Committee of Management The immense amount of time and effort own sphere, has since proved its worth by successive members of the Cave family. given free bv local station committees, operationally time and time again in the The Duke also reported with deep crews and shore helpers helps to keep this most arduous and difficult conditions. regret the death in January of another expenditure down . . . 'We are, with the fast slipway Tyne class Life Vice-President, Mr William Bishop 'One small part of the £6 mil/ion is the lifeboat, pushing forward new technology, pensions we pav to dependants of lifeboat- and must be patient until we achieve the who, as chairman of the Poole Project Working Party, did so much to ensure men who lose their lives on service. We are right results.' currently paying pensions for 53 widows the successful establishment of the and 14 children and some other depen- Speaking of the high regard in which RNLI headquarters and depot at Poole. the RNLI is held throughout the world, dants, and in 1982 the cost will be Yet another aspect of the RNLI £120,000. The RNLI fully recognises its the Duke told the govenors of the silver which did not change, said the Duke, obligation to look after the lifeboatmen's medals awarded by the Icelandic Gov- was the enthusiasm and enterprise of widows, and upgrades its pensions to keep ernment and presented by the President the fund raisers . . . them in line with those paid to the of Iceland herself to the crews of dependants of Royal Naval chief petty Sennen Cove lifeboat and a Royal 'During 1981, there have been major officers who lose their lives on active Naval helicopter from RNAS Culdrose appeals and large gifts, bringing valued service.' support and encouragement, but it is the for the rescue of the crew of an Icelan- untiring work of the branches and guilds Value Added Tax continued to drain dic coaster last September; the cox- which provides the solid financial basis the Institution's income of over swain of the lifeboat would receive the from which we operate. You will have £290,000 a year, almost enough to RNLI's silver medal for this service seen from the accounts that the income last provide a new lifeboat, and the RNLI, later in the day. The Duke continued: year was 17.4 per cent up on the previous in common with other charities, was still 'During the last year, delegates from year, and reached almost £14 mil/ion. seeking ways of minimising" the effects Algeria, Bermuda, Iceland, The Nether- That was the target figure which I of VAT. lands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan announced at this meeting last vear, and it The Duke of Athoil once again is to the great credit of the fund raisers that and the United States of America have emphasised how greatly the RNLI be- visited the RNLI. An Atlantic 21 lifeboat the target was effectivelv met. It shows that our voluntary system is strong enough to nefited if subscriptions or gifts were was sold to the Royal South Holland covenanted . . . Lifeboat Society, and the Portuguese and weather economic storms, and to continue Spanish societies are a/so now using to provide the monev to build and main- 'At this year's London Boat Show', 86 Atlantic 2Is. The two Dutch lifeboat tain a first-class fleet of lifeboats, giving per cent of new Shoreline members signed societies, which were founded in 1824, just the nation unrivalled value for money.' covenants, increasing the value of their a few months after the RNLI, are both For the sixth successive year, a small subscriptions by £3,000. Each year, operated on voluntary principles, and they surplus of income over expenditure had covenants bring us more than £80,000 are very old friends of ours. They are both been achieved, but this fact had to be extra in tax recovered from the Treasury.' interested in the concept of a large rigid put in its proper context . . . In 1982 the Institution would need inflatable lifeboat like the Medina, on £16 million . . . which we are working. While the Royal 'In 1981. the surplus was £489,000. North and South Holland Society is join- which represented less than two weeks' 'It is a formidable sum to raise, but ing the RNLI in its project to develop a running costs. This surplus has enabled already there are encouraging signs that it jet-driven Medina, the Royal South Hol- the free reserves to be maintained at a level can be achieved. Although the final fig- land Society is working on its own design of 14 weeks of the forthcoming year's ures for London Lifeboat Day are still for a large rigid inflatable lifeboat. . . expenditure, and this is the same as last being worked out, some areas were up bv 'Advances in marine technology are year. As, in these davs of inflation, our as much as 30 per cent on last vear. With providing more sophisticated equipment expenditure increases, so we must keep hard work, the target will be reached, and for lifeboatmen, and we have introduced increasing the reserves to maintain their we will continue to give our crews what training courses to make sure that crew real value. There is no fat in our accounts, thev ask of us: the tools to do their job. members are completely familiar with its and we continue to spend the bulk of our 'I should like to finish by thanking you use. I believe that it has been in no small money on the lifeboat service, while keep- a/I for your active interest and support measure due to our crew training that ing some in reserve to safeguard our over the past year. The RNLI's great none of our men were lost when the Lyme future. strength lies in its composition of Regis and Berwick on Tweed Atlantic 21s The boat building programme had thousands of individuals spread through- out England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, capsized earlier this year. It is most been accelerated in 1981, both with heartening to see young men coming and indeed, the world. It is an Institution existing designs and the new develop- of which we can all be proud to be a part.' forward into the crews to provide con- ments. Capital expenditure rose from tinuity in the service in an age when youth £2.79 million in 1980 to £3.64 million in Before moving that the report and is so frequently criticised. The simple accounts be agreed, the Chairman values of helping others without thought 1981, and further expansion to £4 mil- lion was planned for 1982. Over £6 invited questions and Mr P. J. of reward have not been diluted or dimin- Buonacorsi-How (Islington) asked ished throughout the RNLI's long history. million was spent on recurrent expendi- whether it was necessary or desirable Often, these are values which are handed ture for the service, covering the cost of that the Committee of Management A visual summary of should be so large. Thanking Mr the accounts for 1981. WHAT IT COST IN 19S1 Buonacorsi for his question, the Duke of Atholl replied that the Institution's Charter laid down that the Committee of Management 'shall consist of the President, Vice-Presidents and Treasur- er and not more than 40 and not less than 15 other governors of the said society". At present there were 24 Vice- Presidents, one of whom was also Treasurer and there were 40 other governors who were members of the Committee of Management. There were two main reasons why the

TOTAL C13.95m TOTAL £13.46m numbers of members was kept up to 89 maximum strength, the Duke ex- Admiral W. J. Graham, the Director, December 19. At the start of this period, plained. The first was geographical: it suggested that the points raised should 31 lifeboats were launched on service was thought desirable to have people in be discussed in detail at Poole HQ. during the gales of September 19 and 20, a every part of the country, and local fund When Lady Tollemache (Petersfield) weekend when 28 people were rescued and two silver medals and one bronze were raisers in particular appreciated having expressed concern that there was no awarded. A number of lifeboats were a Committee of Management member mention in the new Church of England called out on December 13, a day of who lived fairly near them and took an service books of seafarers or the Royal hurricane force winds, tremendous seas interest in what they did. The second Navy, the Duke said that the matter and blizzards when, for the rescue of 29 reason was that it was thought desirable would be raised with the Archbishop of people from the vessel Bonita, the gold to have a broad cross-section of all the Canterbury, one of the Institution's medal was awarded to Coxswain Michael professions or services the Institution Vice-Presidents. Scales of St Peter Port, Guernsey. Bronze required represented on the Commit- There being no other business, the medals were awarded to each of his crew tee, for example, a chartered surveyor Chairman declared the meeting closed. and two bronze medals were also awarded for other services that day.' and a naval architect; the Institution * * * also liked having Members of Parlia- Talking of the work of lifeboat crews ment on its Committee of Management. As there is a long gap between the throughout the year, the Duke of Moreover, it was thought helpful that at end of the AGM in the morning and the Atholl said: least some of the members of the ten start of the annual presentation of 'When, later, you listen to the accounts specialist sub-committees which deal awards meeting in the afternoon, an of rescues for which medals for gallantry with various facets of the Institution's experiment was introduced this year. have been awarded, I would ask you to operations should be on the Committee Governors were invited to remain in the remember that there were thousands of National Film Theatre at the end of the services last year which, in lifeboatmen's of Management. terms, were routine; but these, too, were While, the Duke continued, 64 AGM for a showing of the two RNLI films. services which I, and I suspect most of sounded a large governing body, in you, would regard with some trepidation, practice the Committee of Management perhaps entailing long hard searches in the had delegated all its powers to the The auditorium of the Royal Festival hours of darkness, or cold uncomfortable Executive Committee, a body, 14 Hall was filled almost to capacity when, passages in rough seas, sometimes, at their strong, probably better able to run the end, without even the "thank you" which in the afternoon, the Duke of Atholl, is the lifeboatman 's greatest reward. Each Institution on a day-to-day basis. It was Chairman of the RNLI, rose at the right that its powers should be dele- of our lifeboat crews is prepared to put to beginning of the presentation of awards sea when asked, regardless of the condi- gated in this way, although the import- meeting at which the guest of honour tions, and in honouring the medallists ance and usefulness of having a very was HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of today let us remember their hundreds of large Committee of Management were Gloucester: colleagues, some of whom may be out on not diminished. a rescue mission even at this moment.' 'Your Royal Highness, my lords, ladies Mr P. R. Threlfall (Wellington, Going on to speak of the develop- Somerset) commented that he thought and gentlemen, in welcoming you all this afternoon I know that I am addressing ment of new lifeboats to help the crews the new method of advising governors people from all sections of the lifeboat with their work, the Duke announced of the AGM by means of a notice service: governors, fund raisers, station that the Institution had been honoured published in THE LIFEBOAT had worked officials, staff and of course coxswains, to receive an award from the Design well. He went on to welcome the crew members and their families. The Council for the Arun class lifeboat. The introduction in January this year of long efforts of you all are vital to make the judges for the award had looked care- service awards for lifeboatmen and service work; normally I should not pick out any group of people for special fully at every detail of the boat and had shore helpers, but said that, although come to the conclusion that each aspect the long service badge had been beauti- mention. But this year our thoughts must be with lifeboat families and in particular of her design had been so well thought fully designed, he thought a long service with the families whom we welcome here out that the sum total represented a first medal would have been preferable. The this afternoon. Lifeboatmen depend great- class tool for the job she had to do. The Duke of Atholl replied that to award ly on the support of wives, girlfriends, Design Council Awards were presented long service medals would be contrary mothers and fathers and in the face of by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who to the Institution's Royal Charter which great sadness the courage and fortitude of then went to look over the new Arun states that medals can only be awarded the families of Penlee have been a magnifi- lifeboat generously donated by the for gallantry. He reported that 69 long cent example to us all. Freemasons of England and named 'The Penlee disaster stunned everybody service badges had already been Duchess of Kent by Her Royal Highness approved and a further 87 recom- in the lifeboat service but it also made manifest the finest qualities which exist in the previous day (see page 85). mendations were under consideration. the traditions of the RNLI. The storms off Thanking the members of the RNLI's There being no other questions, the Cornwall on December 19 were horren- branches and guild for all their hard report and accounts for the year ended dous, yet there were more men available in work, the Duke said that he had been December 31, 1981, were agreed. Penlee boathouse than were needed to able to report to the governors that in Elections followed of the President, form a crew. The lifeboatmen did not 1981 almost £14 million had been HRH the Duke of Kent; the Vice- hesitate in putting to sea and when fears reached with a small surplus for transfer Presidents; the Treasurer, the Duke of for their safely grew, the lifeboatmen from neighbouring stations set out into the to reserves . . . Northumberland, and the Deputy 'However, I pointed out that we have to Treasurer, Mr David Acland; and storm to try to help. Within hours of the disaster, the people of Penlee asked for a add more to the reserves each vear if they members and ex-officio members of the replacement lifeboat and set about the task are to maintain their real value. The free Commitee of Management. These elec- of forming a new crew. You will hear reserves currently stand at 14 weeks run- tions were each agreed unanimously more about the rescue which the Penlee ning expenditure, a satisfactory, though with a show of hands. Price Waterhouse lifeboat attempted when Admiral Graham by no means luxurious, amount. and Company were then appointed reads the medal citations, and I am sure The challenge for 1982 was even auditors for the coming year. that I speak for everyone in this great hall greater as the target was £16 million. Coming to any other business, Major this afternoon when I say that the bravery The Institution was always trying to J. F. Showell-Rogers (Poole) raised a of the men of Penlee will never be keep administrative costs to an absolute number of questions regarding the In- forgotten. minimum, and the percentage spent on 'The storms which overwhelmed the stitution's Green Book of regulations Penlee lifeboat characterised the weather administration, fund raising and public- published in 1979. The Chairman re- around our coasts at the end of last year. ity altered very little from year to year. plied that it was hoped to revise and Of the 30 medals awarded for services There would be an opportunity to see republish parts of the Green Book during 1981, 25 were for services in the how administrative support was given before the end of the year, and Rear- three months between September 19 and when the headquarters and depot at 90 and was our guest at the 1959 annual The resolution was agreed by general general meeting here in London. She also applause before the Duke of Atholl named the lifeboats at Ramsga/e in 1954, invited Princess Alice to present the at Cromarty in 1956 and at Anstruther in medals for gallantry. As Helmsman 1965, which was, incidentally, one of the first naming ceremonies I ever attended, Frank Dunster was unable to be at the and, to help us in our fund raising, has Royal Festival Hall, the presentation of twice attended the lifeboat ball in the his award was postponed: Dorchester Hotel as guest of honour. Princess Alice has, therefore, seen many Coxswain Trevelyan Richards, Penlee: aspects of the RNLI and I am delighted to gold medal, received by his mother, welcome her to our annual presentation of Mrs Mary Richards awards today.' Second Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Princess Alice then rose to speak Madron: bronze medal, received by amid prolonged applause: his wife, Mrs Janet Madron Assistant Mechanic Nigel Brockman: 'Thank you all very much for such a bronze medal, received by his wife, warm welcome. Many years have gone by since I was with you at your annual Mrs Jacqueline Brockman HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, Emergency Mechanic John Blewett: presents an inscribed wristwatch to Daniel presentation of awards. On that occasion I Norman. With them are the Duke of Atholl, came representing Princess Marina, and bronze medal, received by his wife, Chairman of the Institution, and Rear Admi- now, today, I am glad to be able to Mrs Caroline Blewett ral W. J. Graham, Director. represent her son who succeeded her as Crew Member Charles Greenhaugh: photograph by courtesy of David Trotter vour President. He is sorry to be unable to bronze medal, received by his wife, be with you as he is out of the country, but Mrs Mary Greenhaugh Poole were opened to the public in July. 1 am most happy that it should enable me Crew Member Kevin Smith: bronze The Lifeboat Open Days, from July 22 to come in his stead, and to hear that the medal, received by his mother, Mrs to 24, were part of Maritime England Royal National Lifeboat Institution is faring as well as ever. Your organisation is Patricia Smith celebrations and members of branches, Crew Member Barrie Torrie: bronze guilds and stations would be particularly held in high esteem in recognition of the humane work carried out by lifeboat medal, received by his father, Mr welcome. crews. This noble work needs the dedi- Cyril Torrie, on behalf of Barrie's The Duke then announced two ad- cated support of your fund raisers, many wife, Mrs Lynn Torrie ministrative changes. The boundaries of of whom devote years of effort to the Crew Member Gary Wallis: bronze the operational divisions in England cause. When I attended the RNLI meeting medal, received by his mother, Mrs and Wales had been enlarged; their in 1959 one of the presentations I made Maureen Wallis number had been reduced from six to was a gold badge to Mrs Pearce of St Ives On the night of December 19, 1981, four and each was now run by a and this afternoon, 23 years later, I will be presenting her with honorary life gov- Penlee's 47ft Watson lifeboat Solomon divisional inspector who had a deputy. Browne launched to the aid of the In the fund-raising field, district orga- ernorship of the Institution. Her service is an example which typifies the spirit run- coaster Union Star which had reported nising secretaries were now being ning through the RNLI both inland and engine failure eight miles east of Wolf known as regional organisers, a title around the coast. Rock Lighthouse. The wind, south by which described their appointments 'The citations for gallantry medals east, was hurricane force 12, gusting to more accurately. which you will shortly be hearing show the 90 knots. There were mountainous seas, Speaking of the BBC's 'Ennal's variety of different situations lifeboat a heavy ground swell, driving rain and Point', the Duke of Atholl said that it crews face today. The common thread very poor visibility. Penlee lifeboat was the first time a dramatised televi- running through all the rescues is the unhesitating willingness to answer the call made a number of approaches to the sion series had been based around a coaster and eventually succeeded in lifeboat community; its reception in for help, wherever it may come from, whatever the time and conditions. I would taking off four people. She was then lifeboat circles had been mixed, but the also like to pay tribute to the families of seen to turn, only about 50 yards off the programme had brought the work of the lifeboa/men who so bravely and willingly steep-to rocky shore, possibly in pre- RNLI in front of three million viewers: wait for news of the lifeboat's mission, for paration for another approach, before 'The sea scenes were carefully filmed without their support there could be no all visual and radio contact was lost. with the actors learning from the real lifeboat service. Despite many hours search by other lifeboatmen and I understand that the 'Here today are representatives from all lifeboats, by RN helicopters, by Coast- actors became so keen that once, when parts of the RNLI. Each of you is essential in its running. I and so many other guard rescue teams and by local fishing there was a genuine emergency during the vessels, no survivors were recovered filming, they all ran to the boalhou.se as well-wishers congratulate you for your soon as they heard the maroons, together work which results in the saving of so from either Solomon Browne or Union with the real crew!' many lives at sea. I hope that you will Star. In spite of this tragic end to their leave this meeting with renewed vigour efforts the late coxswain and crew of The Duke of Atholl concluded; and enthusiasm and I wish you every Penlee lifeboat were awarded medals 'Looking back over 1981, the year success for the year ahead. for their heroic rescue of four people. started quietly, with unusually mild 'Finally I have great pleasure in moving weather. By the autumn, ferocious gales the resolution that this meeting, fully Acting Coxswain Michael Massarelli, brought dramatic rescues, culminating in recognising the important services of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in its Porthdinllaen: bronze medal the Si Port gold medal rescue in Decem- On April 25, 1981, Porthdinllaen's ber. Six days later, another gold medal national work of lifesaving, desires to rescue by the Penlee lifeboat ended in record its hearty appreciation of the gal- 47ft Watson lifeboat Kathleen Mary was tragedy and the whole country was deeply lantry of the coxswains and crews of the launched to go to the help of two people saddened. Now in Penlee and throughout Institution's lifeboats, and its deep obliga- thrown into the water when their inflat- the RNLI, the lifeboat service goes on, in tion to the local committees, honorary able dinghy capsized. The sea was very good heart and strengthened by the resolve secretaries and honorary treasurers of all rough with the tide ebbing almost to help others. station branches; to all other voluntary directly into a north-easterly gale. The committees and supporters and to the hon- dinghy was 120 yards from the beach, Coming to the end of his speech, the orary officers and thousands of voluntary Duke of Atholl said: members of the financial branches and the near submerged rocks; there were 'It is now a particular pleasure to ladies' lifeboat guilds in the work of breaking waves up to 15 feet high, introduce as our distinguished guest some- raising funds to maintain the service. heavy surf and only 10 feet depth of body who has spent many years helping 'They.' Her Royal Highness con- water. A line was thrown to one man on others. HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of cluded, 'have my deepest admiration and top of the dinghy and he was hauled to Gloucester, is no stranger to the RNLI that of thousands of others.' safety. Two more approaches were 91 made, with seas breaking over the and tow her clear of the shoal water. Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bevan, lifeboat; on the second approach a man Two lifeboatmen scrambled aboard the Humber: bar to his bronze medal clinging to the dinghy lost his grip and catamaran but her anchor cable parted. On the night of December 13, 1981, was washed down towards the lifeboat A second anchor was let go, a towline Humber's 54ft Arun class lifeboat City where he was pulled aboard. swiftly passed and she was brought to of Bradford IV slipped her moorings to safety. (Full report, page 80). go to the help of the coaster Harry Helmsman Clive Ravmerit, Cromer: Mitchell whose cargo had shifted, giving bronze medal Coxswain Frederick John, St David's: her a list of 30 degrees. A storm was On May 1, 1981, Cramer's D class bronze medal blowing from the south east, the seas inflatable lifeboat was launched to help On the night of October 18. 1981, the were very rough and there was heavy the crew of the crab boat George relief 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat Charles snow. In winds gusting to force 11, William which had been swamped and Henry Ashley on temporary duty at St Coxswain Bevan took the lifeboat sunk off East Runton. A fresh to strong David's launched after the tug Vernicos alongside eight times to take off three breeze was blowing from the north Giorgos, towing two tugs, was reported men. The captain and mate decided to north east, creating a rough sea and a to have a rope around her propeller and stay with their vessel and the lifeboat heavy onshore swell. Helmsman Ray- to be dragging her anchor close to rocks escorted her as she very slowly made ment had to bring the lifeboat down in St Brides Bay in a strong south- her way to the Humber estuary. (Full over shallows where waves were break- westerly gale and very rough seas. report, page 78). ing and manoeuvre round the capsized When the lifeboat arrived, the two tugs boat and floating debris before turning being towed were already on the rocks Crew Member Roderick James, Hayling back into the breaking seas towards the and the crews of all three tugs, eight Island: silver medal two men in the water. One man was men, were aboard Vernicos Giorgos. Helmsman Frank Dunster: bar to his hanging on to a lifebuoy and the other With great skill, Coxswain John bronze medal was clinging to a crab pot marker buoy. brought his lifeboat alongside five times On September 19, 1981, Hayling Both were safely recovered. and took off three men. The remaining Island's Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable life- five men decided to stay on board boat was launched following reports of Coxswain Arthur Wignall, Lytham-St Vernicos Giorgos, hoping for a salvage red flares in Hayling Bay. A south- Anne's: bronze medal tug. However, after midnight their tug easterly near gale rising to gale force Assistant Mechanic Brian Pearson: grounded and an RAF helicopter lifted was blowing against the tide creating bronze medal them off while the lifeboat together rough, confused seas. The lifeboat went On June 6, 1981, Lytham-St Anne's with the local cliff rescue company to help two windsurfers, a dinghy and a 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat City of Brad- illuminated the scene. (Full report, page yacht and was then informed that some- ford III slipped her moorings to help a 81). one had been seen clinging to a yacht sighted in difficulty close inshore. breakwater off Sandy Point. The wind A gale was blowing from south west by had increased to force 9 and driving rain west. There was a strong ebb tide and Coxswain David Cox, BEM, Wells: reduced visibility. A teenage boy was on passage over shallow waters the sea bronze medal found clinging to the post of a groyne, was very rough with waves continuously On November 20, 1981, the Wells some 20 yards out to sea. Two shore breaking over the lifeboat. The yacht 37ft Oakley lifeboat Ernest Tom Neath- helpers had tried to reach him but had Morag was heading into more danger- ercoat was launched to go to the help of been swept back to land by the break- ous waters and rolling heavily. As the fishing vessel Sarah K in difficulties, ers. After Helmsman Dunster had Coxswain Wignall brought the lifeboat her engine room flooded, 2Vz miles made four attempts to bring the lifeboat alongside a man was seen in the water north of Brancaster. A gale to strong through the surf to the boy, each time apparently clinging to the yacht's stern. gale was blowing from the north west being defeated by the seas, he brought Assistant Mechanic Pearson leaped into making the seas very rough and giving a the lifeboat to within 30 feet and Crew the inflatable dinghy being towed be- heavy swell. The lifeboat first stood by Member James entered the water. The hind the yacht but the man's lifeline, while an RAF helicopter lowered a exhausted youth finally let go of the still attached, was entangled. Brian pump to the fishing boat, but when, as post and disappeared beneath the Pearson jumped into the sea and drag- light was failing, the vessel's large fore- waves. Crew Member James grabbed ged the man clear of immediate danger mast broke Coxswain Cox made four him and made for the shore. The boy of being crushed, then boarded the approaches to the heavily rolling boat to was taken to hospital and, as the life- yacht to try to secure a towline. Mean- take off her four crew. (Full report, boat set out to deal with yet more while another lifeboatman leaped on to page 82). casualties, Roderick James rejoined the the yacht, cut the lifeline and pulled the boat to help. survivor on board. Brian Pearson was Coxswain David Gallichan, Beaumaris: taken back aboard the lifeboat. A line bronze medal Coxswain/Mechanic Maurice Hutchens, had fouled one of the lifeboat's prop- On December 13, 1981, the Sennen Cove: silver medal ellers, but with great skill Coxswain Beaumaris 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat On the night of September 19, 1981, Wignall drove the lifeboat, using one Greater London II (Civil Service No. Sennen Cove's 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat engine only, up to the casualty, now 30) was launched to go to the help of the Diana White was launched to go to the being driven rapidly towards the shore, 35ft angling launch Wygyr in difficulties help of the Icelandic coaster Tungufoss, to take off the survivor and the other in the Menai Straits. A strong gale, heeled over four miles south of lifeboatman. rising to more than storm force, was Longships Lighthouse. Force 8 to 9 blowing from the south south east with gales were blowing from the west south Coxswain Joshua Richards, Tenby: bar very rough seas and a blizzard which west and there were heavy rain squalls to his bronze medal was causing flooding on land. The and a very rough sea. When the lifeboat On the night of October 7, 1981, windscreen iced up almost immediately reached the casualty she found that Tenby's 46ft 9in Watson lifeboat Henry and Coxswain Gallichan had to post three of the 11 crew had been rescued Comber Brown launched into a south- lookouts. After a search, the launch was by an RN helicopter, but the winchman westerly gale gusting to force 9 with a found and taken in tow, the towline had been injured. After two attempted very rough sea and heavy swell to go to doubled up. One line parted, however, approaches, the lifeboat was man- the help of the catamaran Helen M and with the possibility of the other tow oeuvred as close as possible to the anchored in a dangerous position with line parting in restricted waters Cox- casualty's stern and, one at a time, only one man on board. The lifeboat swain Gallichan, with great skill, took three men were transferred from the was anchored and veered down in an off the two men by hauling in the tow. coaster to liferafts attached to her stern attempt to pick up the casualty's anchor (Full report, page 79). and floated towards the lifeboat where 92 they were snatched aboard. Two more Front row (I to r) Mrs Madron, men tried to jump into the rafts which Mrs Richards and Mrs Blew- were filling with water but missed their ett of Penlee, with the medal- lists (each row I to r, starting footing and fell into the sea; they were from front): Motor Mechanic spotted with the help of the helicopter's Robert Vowles, Coxswain searchlight and pulled aboard the life- Michael Scales and Second boat. The coaster's list was increasing Coxswain Peter Bougourd, St all the time, but with great skill the Peter Port; Assistant Mechanic lifeboat was taken close in, avoiding the A/an M artel and Crew ship's rudder, so that two more men Members John Webster, could leap aboard. With the coaster John Bougourd, Peter Bis- son and Richard Hamon, almost on her beam ends and apparent- St Peter Port; Coxswain- ly about to founder, the lifeboat began a Mechanic Alexander Cilchrist, final approach but the last man on Campbeltown and Crew board, the captain, managed to grab a Member Roderick James, lifting strop flown within his grasp by Hayling Island; Acting the helicopter and was lifted to safety. Coxswain Michael Massarelli, Porthdinllaen, Coxswain Coxswain/Mechanic Alexander Gil- Joshua Richard, Tenby, christ, Campbeltown: silver medal Coxswain Frederick John, St David's and Coxswain On October 2, Campbeltown's 52ft David Callichan, Beaumaris; Arun Walter and Margaret Couper slip- Superintendent Coxswain ped her moorings after information had Brian Bevan, Humber, been received that the trawler Erlo Hills Coxswain David Cox, BEM, was ashore on the west side of the Mull Wells, Helmsman Clive of Kintyre. After more than two hours Rayment, Cramer, Coxswain search, the casualty was eventually Arthur Wignall and Assistant found ashore off Rathlin Island off the Mechanic Brian Pearson, North Irish coast. A strong gale was Lytham-St Anne's. blowing from the north, giving short floating face downwards. As the water floating, trapped on her lee side so that steep breaking waves. The coaster Ceol was not deep enough to take the boat the lifeboat had to be taken in to her Mor was standing by. The lifeboat alongside, Daniel swam to her with a transom stern. During 3'/2 hours, in passed a towline between the trawler lifebelt, brought her back to the boat darkness and bitter cold, 50 approaches and the coaster which pulled the casual- and, with great difficulty, got her were made and 29 people taken off. ty off the rocks. The tow was slipped aboard. He immediately started mouth •Five more people were rescued by RN when the trawler's skipper reported that to mouth resuscitation. By now Daniel's helicopters, one by a French tug and all was well with his vessel and the father and another man had arrived to one man was lost. (Full report, page 77). coaster departed. It was later found that help and the girl was landed and taken the trawler's steering gear was jammed, to hospital. For this service Daniel The Duke of Atholl then invited then her main engine broke down and Norman was accorded the thanks of the Princess Alice to make the presenta- she began to drift towards the shore. Institution inscribed on vellum. tions to voluntary workers. Since the The skipper refused to let the lifeboat last annual presentations of awards take his crew off, so Coxswain Gilchrist, Coxswain Michael Scales, St Peter Port: meeting the Committee of Management only 200 yards from the shore, secured a gold medal has awarded six honorary life gov- tow. Both boats were constantly being Second Coxswain Peter Bougourd: ernorships, five bars to the gold badge struck by 15ft waves and the lifeboat bronze medal and 22 gold badges to voluntary work- could hardly make headway. Eventual- Motor Mechanic Robert Vowles: bronze ers for long and distinguished service. ly, with the risk of a capsize and with medal All but six of the recipients. The Right wind and tide now keeping the trawler Assistant Mechanic Alan Martel: bronze Honourable The Dowager Countess of from drifting back on shore, the tow medal Airlie, Mr J. S. Rae, Miss V. Hooper, was slipped. Ceol Mor returned and Crew Member John Webster: bronze Mr T. C. Hart, Mrs N. C. Bell and The took up the tow again. The tow parted medal Dowager Viscountess Colville of Cul- four times, each time being repassed by Crew Member John Bougourd: bronze ross were present to receive their the lifeboat. Finally the coaster had to medal awards: depart as she was extremely low on fuel. Crew Member Peter Bisson: bronze The trawler was being carried into medal Macdonnell Race and her skipper even- Crew Member Richard Hamon: bronze Honorary Life Governors tually agreed to abandon ship. The medal wind had strengthened to force 10 as the On the afternoon of December 13, MrsM. T. R. Pearce, JP lifeboat approached six times through 1981, St Peter Port's 52ft Arun lifeboat 30ft waves to take off the 14 men. Sir William Arnold slipped her moor- Honorary secretary of St Ives ladies' ings to go to the help of the Ecuadorian guild from 1932 to 1937 and again from Daniel Norman, Watchet: inscribed vessel Bonita, listing heavily in the 1945 to 1967, and chairman since 1967; wristwatch middle of the English Channel. A storm awarded gold badge 1958 and bar to the On the evening of September 12, gusting to hurricane force was blowing gold badge 1970. 1981, while playing near the water's from the south and the sea was very Lady Cunninghame Graham edge, a girl was swept into the sea by a rough. Driving snow and sea spray heavy wave. She could not swim. Her reduced visibility to 200 yards. The President of Rosyth ladies' guild from friend Lorna Webber swam to her but lifeboat maintained full speed despite 1946 to 1952 and president of Helens- could not bring her back to shore. broaching eight times and arrived on burgh ladies' guild since 1952; awarded Lorna therefore swam ashore to get scene at dusk. The wind was now south gold badge in 1966. help. Meanwhile, anglers who had seen south east force 11, whipping up waves The Right Honourable The Dowager the incident shouted to 14-year-old of 45 to 50 feet. Bonita was listing 45 Countess of Airlie Daniel Norman, aboard his father's degrees and rolling heavily, with seas fishing boat inside the harbour. Daniel breaking right over her decks. Ropes, President of Montrose ladies' guild from steered the boat towards the girl, now drums and large pieces of timber were 1935 to 1982; awarded gold badge 1965. 93 Mrs P. Montague Kavanagh secretary from 1975; awarded Chair- dent since 1981; awarded silver badge man's letter of thanks 1961 and silver 1972. Chairman of Dublin Sale Committee badge 1967. since 1967, a member of the RNLI Fund Mrs M. Campini Raising Committee since 1972 and Dub- Mr G. H. Brewer A collector since 1939. Member of Rhyl lin Shop Organiser since 1972; awarded Honorary treasurer of Stanmore branch ladies' guild committee since 1955, vice- gold badge 1972. since 1952; awarded silver badge 1969. president from 1961 to 1966 and presi- Mr B. G. Blampied, QBE dent since 1966; awarded silver badge Mrs R. H. Maurice, ARRC 1973. Committee member of Guernsey branch Honorary secretary of Marlborough since 1938, vice-chairman from 1956 to MrsN. C. Bell branch from 1960 to 1982; awarded 1959 and chairman since 1959. Mr silver badge 1972. Member of Dunoon ladies' guild since Blampied, who has been a deputy 1964 and president since 1975. Mrs Bell launching authority of St Peter Port Mr F. C. Seager, MBE has been a fund raiser for more than 50 station branch since 1977 also maintains Chairman of Reigate and Redhill branch years, at first in Glasgow where, during a strong liaison with lifeboat stations in from 1957 to 1981 and president since the war, she helped raise money for the France; awarded gold badge 1972. 1981; awarded statuette 1968 and silver first Girl Guide lifeboat. Mr J. S. Rae badge 1973. The Dowager Viscountess Colville of Committee member of Stromness station Mr T. C. Hart Culross branch since 1928 and chairman since President of Inverbervie ladies' guild 1944, giving full support to both op- Member of The Lizard-Cadgwith station branch committee since 1948, vice-chair- since 1972, after serving as President of erational and fund-raising matters; Kinneff and Catterline ladies' guild. awarded silver badge 1957 and gold man from 1955 to 1976, honorary badge 1968. treasurer from 1957 to 1982, chairman Mrs F. B. Smart from 1976 to 1980 and president since 1982; awarded silver badge 1967. Honorary secretary and treasurer of Bar to Gold Badge Montrose ladies' guild from 1953 to Miss A. E. Armitage Mrs W. Sowden 1961, vice-president from 1968 to 1979 Chairman and president of Brixham and chairman from 1979 to 1981; Honorary secretary of Southampton ladies' guild from 1955 to 1978 and awarded statuette 1974. ladies' guild from 1936 to 1961 and president since 1978. chairman of Hedge End ladies' guild Mrs D. G. Gall since 1960; awarded record of thanks Mr G. T. Flint Honorary treasurer of Wick ladies' guild 1948 and gold badge 1962. Assistant treasurer of Weston-super- from 1953 to 1980 and assistant honor- Miss J. A. James Mare station branch from 1949 to 1958 ary treasurer since 1980; awarded silver and chairman since 1976; member of badge 1967. Honorary secretary of Paignton branch Weston-super-Mare financial branch Mrs C. Campbell since 1938; awarded statuette in 1949, committee from 1953 to 1958, honorary silver badge 1961 and gold badge 1970. treasurer from 1965 to 1971 and chair- Honorary secretary of Wick ladies' guild Mr W. L. Barber man since 1971. Member of Midsomer since 1956; awarded silver badge 1967. Norton branch committee from 1958 to Mr J. S. Churchill, JP FRICS Member of Stockport auxiliary crew 1965. since 1936 and honorary secretary from Member of Torbay station branch com- 1957 to 1979; honorary treasurer of Mrs N. Clarke mittee 1950 to 1981 and chairman 1953 Stockport branch from 1953 to 1955, Member of Harwich branch committee to 1981; awarded silver badge 1972. honorary secretary from 1956 to 1957 1954 to 1960. Honorary organiser of Mrs M. C. Hoy and chairman from 1957 to 1963. Mr Woolston District (Southampton Barber has been a member of Manches- branch), I960 to 1964. Honorary sec- Honorary secretary of Clogher Head ter Executive Committee since 1976. retary of Colchester ladies' guild 1966 to station branch from 1961 to 1981; Awarded silver badge 1962 and gold 1973 and honorary secretary of Colches- awarded binoculars 1972. Mrs Hoy has badge 1972. ter branch since 1973. Awarded Chair- always given encouragement to fund Mr J. H. Stockley man's letter of thanks 1970 and silver raising efforts. badge 1975. Member of Stockport auxiliary crew Dr S. Peace, MB chs since 1948 and honorary treasurer from Mrs M. Ackerman Honorary secretary of Longhope station 1957 to 1974; a member of Stockport Honorary secretary of Nantwich branch branch from 1957 to 1962 and honorary branch since 1938 and chairman and 1955 to 1968 and chairman since 1968; medical adviser from 1962 to 1963. honorary secretary from 1946 to 1953. awarded silver badge 1966. Honorary medical adviser of Kirkwall Mr Stockley has been a member of station branch since 1972. Dr Peace has Manchester Executive Committee since Mrs D. Lament taken a very active interest both in 1976. Awarded statuette 1964 and gold Member of Lerwick ladies' guild 1932 to operational matters and in fund raising. badge 1972. 1953 and president from 1947 to 1953. Dr D. W. L. Leslie, MA MB ech MRCS Miss V. Hooper Chairman of Grimsby ladies' guild since LRCP DTMSH 1964. Awarded silver badge 1974. Member of Barmouth ladies' guild com- Member of Penlee station branch com- mittee since 1948, assistant honorary Mrs V. Robinson, MBE mittee since 1950, honorary medical secretary from 1952 to 1955, honorary Member of Redcar ladies' guild commit- adviser since 1950, vice-chairman from secretary from 1955 to 1968 and presi- tee since 1932, during which time, as a 1969 to 1973 and chairman since 1973; dent since 1972; awarded silver badge tireless, dedicated fund raiser, she has awarded silver badge 1972. A tireless 1963 and gold badge 1976. held various offices; awarded silver worker, Dr Leslie has devoted a great badge 1972. deal of time to fund raising. Gold Badge MrsS. B. Whatley Mrs J. Vincent After receiving his gold badge from Honorary secretary of Tynemouth Princess Alice, Dr Leslie turned to Honorary flag week organiser of Shep- ladies' guild from 1957 to 1977, chair- address the assembled company of life- perton branch from 1949 and honorary man from 1977 to 1981 and vice-presi- boat people: 94 'It is very unusual for a station branch ' The RNLl seeks to protect those at sea mentioned by Her Royal Highness, is still chairman to appear in a gathering such as around our islands. In these islands, and unwavered. The RNLI is still one of the this, at the end of such a memorable as a past chairman of the Baltic Exchange greatest and most vital voluntary organisa- afternoon. I expect you can imagine why I 1 know it only too well, we still depend on tions in the world.' am here. You know what happened to us the sea for the movements of our essential Earlier in the afternoon, during the last December. You have seen these supplies from abroad. We have heard wonderful ladies here today and you gave today of rescues from British, Irish, presentations of awards for gallantry, them a marvellous reception. I should like Ecuadorian, Icelandic and Creek mer- the whole company filling the Royal just to tell you how grateful we all are in chant and fishing vessels. These rescues, Festival Hall had risen first to honour the Penlee branch, in Mousehole, in a/1 carried out in severe weather, remind the memory of the gallant crew of Penzance, for the absolute warmth of us of the words of that great statesman, Sir Solomon Browne and salute the cour- sympathy, love and support which has Winston Churchill, who, at the RNLI's age of their families; it had risen a come to us from all over the world centenary dinner in 1924 said: second time to honour Coxswain . . . thank you all so much.' "One feels that the lifeboatman Michael Scales, gold medallist from St To bring the afternoon to a close, Mr may plead that he represents the Peter Port, and his crew. Now everyone Graham Newman, a member of the cause of humanity, and not that of any rose for a third time to support with Committee of Management moved a single nation, or any single cause." warm affection the hearty vote of resolution of thanks to HRH Princess 'Over 50 years later the constancy of the thanks to Princess Alice, a great lady Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. In his lifeboat cause remains unaltered. The who had given her support to the speech he said: devotion of individuals to the cause, as lifeboat service for so many years.

for over 60 years. My father, an ex- Royal Navy PO stoker, was a member of the old Weymouth lifeboat crew Letters... when the boat was propelled by oars. I am now 74 and up to five years ago I Memorial Memorial Committee, Drimagh, Ros- was out selling emblems on Lifeboat Rosslare Lifeboatmen's Memorial slare, County Cork, Republic of Ireland. Day. Now I organise box collections. Committee would like to thank you for When I retired from the Post Office the very nice article you published in CB or VHP? after 46 years service, my wife and I THE LIFEBOAT (Letters, autumn 1981) I read with interest the article on CB went on a world cruise in ss Northern concerning its project of erecting a or VHP in the spring issue of THE Star. The cruise took us 78 days and the suitable memorial to the fl great men LIFEBOAT. journey was 25,835 miles. During the of the Rosslare Fort lifeboat James I would suggest that boat owners voyage my wife collected stamps and Stevens No. 15, officially known as should stick to the marine VHP or, if native dolls in their costumes and I Wexford No. 1, for their part in the they feel that has limitations, put some collected coins and hats. I have a brilliant rescue of the crew of the consideration into obtaining an amateur collection of 31 hats and I give talks to Norwegian schooner Mexico from the radio licence. This does mean passing a WIs and clubs. I do not charge a fee but Keeragh Rocks between February 20 simple technical examination and, for ask for a donation for the RNLI ... I and 23, 1914. all wave bands, a morse test. However, feel proud to think the Institution is a We are very happy to say that the the technical examination pass makes voluntary organisation.—A. G. GORDON- memorial is now a reality. It is in available a number of useful VHP and RATTI, Barnwood Road, Park Barn, limestone surmounted by the bronze UHF wave bands which have consider- Guildford, Surrey. head of a lifeboatman, to represent all able range. These bands are also ex- lifeboatmen, situated in a lovely little tended by repeater stations all round Wanted alcove beside the sea in the little hamlet the country which are often located on Has anyone, please, a gold coloured of Burrow, near Rosslare, where most very high sites. Secondly, the amateur RNLI mug illustrating the D class inflat- of the crew were born, lived and died. service has run an emergency service able lifeboat which was featured in the The whole project cost just under called 'Raynet' which has an excellent Institution's souvenir and gift range in £5,000 and subscriptions came from all record. Amateur equipment is manned 1976? I require one of these mugs to parts of the British Isles. by technically competent individuals complete a collection.—L. DUDFIELD, 78 The unveiling took place on February well versed in two-way communica- Glyn Rhosyn, Pentwyn, Cardiff CF2 21, 1982. There was a church service tions. 7DS (Tel: Cardiff 735362). first in which descendants of the crew Anyone interested in amateur radio members took part, before a parade to can obtain information by writing to the I am a collector of Merchant Shipping the memorial. Among those present Radio Society of Great Britain, 35 cap badges. In return for a badge sent were His Excellency J. H. Guinness, Doughty Street, London WC1N to me by one company I am, at its Royal Norwegian Consul General, rep- 2AE.—R. j. NASH, Dr, 135 Farren request, sending a cheque to the RNLI resenting the King of Norway, and also Road, Wyken, Coventry. by way of a 'thank you'. If any of your lifeboat coxswains and an ex-coxswain readers have spare cap badges tucked from the south east. Multiplication away, which they would let me have, I The unveiling ceremony was per- The fish and chip shop at Wendover, should be delighted to donate £3 to the formed by Edward Wickham, from Buckinghamshire, owned by Mr and RNLI for each badge received, pro- Dublin, last surviving son of Coxswain Mrs Blackman, has raised over £220 vided they are company badges and not Edward Wickham of the James Stevens. since having an RNLI collecting box on standard MN.—DEREK BLACKHURST, 34 Afterwards our chairman, Nick Doyle, the counter from April 1978. If there Harwell Road, Sale, Cheshire. whose grandfather and father, Christ- are about 10,000 fish and chip shops in opher and Andrew Doyle, were in the the country, this performance from A Maritime England map has been published James Stevens at the Mexico rescue, each would produce an income of by the Ordnance Survey in conjunction with presented a cheque for £250 to Cecil £2,200,000 towards the lifeboat ser- the English Tourist Board. Roughly 10 miles Miller, Rosslare station honorary vice!—JAN NORMAN, Mrs, Coombe Hill to lin, it includes a wealth of maritime information including museums with mari- secretary. Farm, Butlers Cross, Aylesbury, Buck- time connections. Price £1.50 from Ord- We are all very proud that the names inghamshire. nance Survey agents or direct from: English and deeds of these brave men will be Tourist Board, Department D, 4 Grosvenor remembered in the years to come.— Hats Gardens, London SW1W ODU, price £1.50 IBAR MURPHY, Rosslare Lifeboatmen's I have been connected with the RNLI plus 20p post and packing. 95 children, religious orders, service units, two from prisons, and so it went An Epilogue on ... Of course there were letters from other members of the lifeboat family—nearly 1,000 of these private and branch letters, with letters from to the loss of Solomon Browne Shoreline Members, Enthusiasts, RNLI staff and pensioners, and particularly from Dr D. W. L. Leslie we were touched to have letters from Chairman, Penlee Station branch Longhope, Fraserburgh, Broughty Fer- ry, The Mumbles, St Ives and Rye Harbour, lifeboat stations which had suffered a similar experience in the MOUSEHOLE VILLAGE and harbour just cern from Her Majesty The Queen, past. west of Penzance is famous for its HRH The Duke of Kent, our President, And from worldwide messages display of Christmas lights—an enter- HRH The Duke of Cornwall (you know poured in by mail and telex: a full list prise supported by the whole village him as the Prince of Wales), the Prime would read like the index of an atlas: I and particularly by the Penlee lifeboat Minister and others and the impression think messages came from every coun- crew. Last year Charles Greenhaugh, as began to grow that enormous waves of try in Europe including USSR and chairman of the local Licensed Victual- good wishes, sympathy and friendship Czechoslovakia; they came from the lers Association, switched on the lights were sweeping towards us. North American continent, including just a couple of nights before losing his There were helicopters overhead and newly-formed Canadian lifeboat bran- life. a glance out to sea showed a fair ches, from lifeboat people in New Come back with me, if you will, to proportion of the local mid water and Zealand and South Africa, and from that wild grey Sunday morning in De- inshore fishing fleets searching in seas Ascension Island whose English staff cember—the force 10 storm gusting to which were still being thrown 30 feet or have a great affinity with West Corn- force 12 of the past night having moder- so into the air against Penzance prom- wall. Diego Garcia and The Falklands ated to perhaps force 8, still with heavy enade. Among them were two of our harbour Cornish expatriates, as do rain, and at just about nine in the three flank lifeboats, from the Lizard Malaysia and the Pacific Islands. morning a completely shattered group and Scilly. Maurice Hutchens from Sen- The Penlee branch committee is large of men and women are making their nen Cove managed to get his relief 37ft and active comprising members of very way towards the local Shipping Agents, Oakley lifeboat to sea—and how, dead varied interests and jobs and in the the office of our honorary secretary, into the teeth of that storm and against event I think a chairman in like cir- Del Johnson. As many as possible of the tide, I do not know—but he just cumstances can never have had greater the Penlee branch committee had been could not get around the corner of support than I have enjoyed over the contacted during the small hours—that Land's End. All of 200 souls at sea still past six months or so. My own secretary is those who had not already been up all in very nasty weather searching for their wrote about 300 letters for me, but night visiting families, or searching the friends and for wreckage, and they many friends have had what must have coastline west of Mousehole. stuck it out until dark, only returning to seemed a rather short and even perfunc- I called the meeting with an utter harbour for fuel. Peter Mitchell's Bar- tory formal acknowledgement. We may sense of being alone. Coming into the nett from Lizard-Cadgwith suffered hull unhappily have missed some out. But office, in a daze really, I noticed that damage from a succession of solid walls we should like to acknowledge publicly the room was almost uncomfortably of sea; Matt Lethbridge from Scilly, in the help, sympathy and support we full, and the sudden appreciation began his Arun, was loath to go home to St received from local seafarers, the to grow that we were not so alone: I first Mary's when darkness came after 20 Police, Post Office, press, professional spotted Les Vipond, the divisional in- hours of searching. RNLI staff and in very full measure its spector of lifeboats, who had driven Later in the same morning I met our Committee of Management, often in from Plymouth with John Chadwick, indefatigable branch chaplain with our person, and supporters and friends the district surveyor; and Peter Sturdee, new diocesan Bishop on the sea front at worldwide. On behalf of Penlee branch DOS(SW), with his assistant Jan Liddi- Penzance and afterwards again in I am more than proud to send our very coat. George Cooper, deputy chief of Mousehole village. sincere and heartfelt thanks to you all operations, was there from Poole Of course an event of this nature for your loving support and encourage- together with Norman Ford, deputy produces a press corps of formidable ment throughout this time. secretary of the operations department, proportions, but mostly they were a The spirit of Mousehole and Penlee is Ron Turner, surveyor of lifeboats cheerful, respectful and helpful bunch exemplified by Charlie's widow. Three (maintenance), and Selwyn Ewart, of men and women with a job to do and nights after the disaster she asked that superintendent engineer. Peter Sturdee a tactful restrained approach. the lights, unlit since the previous Satur- had also brought with him Daphne, his And then the mass of letters of day, should be repaired and relit—and wife; she did not come to that first sympathy to the branch—nothing to do this was promptly done. This is what meeting but did sterling work later. All with the Penwith disaster fund which lifeboating is all about. had hurried down to us through the was handled separately with prodigious Thank you all so much.—DENIS night driving through atrocious storm energy by the local authority and Bar- LESLIE. conditions. I have lived in Penzance clays Bank. The local sorting office since 1920 and I cannot recall a worse worked wonders, and remember this night. was in addition to their normal pre- As the loneliness began to evaporate Christmas rush, to a degree that our Tarbert Recipe Book: A second edition there came the realisation that the branch office, now occupying most of has been produced of the very popular whole weight of the RNLI secretariat the Shipping Agents' office and fully Tarbert Recipe Book compiled by Dr F. and inspectorate had come to help us, staffed up to 16 hours a day, had to ask Severne Mackenna, an honorary life and our endeavours were strengthened the Post Office to hold over mail bags governor of the Institution and member by the news that Rear Admiral Gra- from midday on December 23. A num- of the Scottish Executive Committee. ham, the director, had been extracted ber of local employers seemed happy Copies are available from the RNLI from a foreign bound aircraft and was enough to lose their secretaries to us, Scottish Office, 45 Queen Street, Edin- on his way. full-time, for up to a couple of weeks. burgh. Price: for branches and guilds, in The teleprinter began to chatter Letters from the length and breadth bulk, 50p per copy; individual copies, bringing immediate messages of con- of the land: from old age pensioners, 75p plus 25p postage and packing. 96 Lifeboat People

DR NORA ACHESON who died in Aide- burgh in 1981, in her eightieth year, had always been connected with the local lifeboat. It was thought that she was the first lady doctor ever to have gone to sea in an RNLI lifeboat on service when she stood in for her husband Dr Robin Acheson during the early part of the second world war. Robin and Nora Acheson began practice in Aldeburgh in 1931, coming from Northamptonshire; Doctor Robin becoming doctor to Aldeburgh branch 15 years before the post of honorary medical adviser was formalised, and a member of the branch committee in 1938, He was branch chairman at the time of his death in 1959. Doctor Nora continued the practice up to a week before her death. She was made an Honoured Citizen of Aldeburgh in 1980 and was president of the local St John Ambulance Brigade; and it was she who founded the present Aldeburgh Cottage Arbroath lifeboat crew welcome to their boathouse lifeboatmen from The Netherlands Royal Hospital during the war following the North and South Lifeboat Society (front row) who attended a course at the Robert Gordons Institute of Technology Offshore Marine Rescue Training Centre in Stonehaven last February. complete destruction by enemy bombs After an exercise there was, of course, much discussion on subjects of mutual interest. Arbroath of the original hospital in Aldeburgh crew and RGIT instructors, standing (I to r): Second Mechanic Bruce Gregory, Motor Mechanic High Street. She made many trips in David Cargill, Crew Members Finlay Fraser, Allan Gillies, David Gerrard and John Blues, Aldeburgh lifeboat during her lifetime RG1T instructor, Crew Member The Reverend Bill Ward, and the second RGIT instructor. and performed much valuable lifesaving Coxswain Douglas Malthewson and Second Coxswain Brian Bruce were present, but not in the work at sea, particularly during the war, photograph. The Dutchmen also visited Aberdeen lifeboat station. when calls were frequent to ditched Photograph by courtesy of Jim Ratcliffe airmen. It is with deep regret that we record to 1951. He was awarded the bronze the following deaths: medal in 1952 and the silver medal in Mrs Dorothy Jenkins, of Hemel 1959. Hempstead branch, and Mrs Doris March April Lamb, of Sandown, Isle of Wight, both J. E. Roberts, MBE JP, Porthdinllaen Ronnie Aim, composer of 'The received presentations from their- station honorary secretary from 1937 to Heroes of Longhope', a tribute to the branches recently for their long service. 1978. He was awarded binoculars in men who died in the Orkney lifeboat Mrs Jenkins first sold flags 60 years 1949, the gold badge in 1964, the bar to disaster played everywhere Scottish ago, outside Buckingham Palace; Mrs the gold badge in 1973, and honorary fiddlers got together. Mr Aim was Lamb first helped with fund raising in life governership in 1978. involved in a road accident and died London 47 years ago and she was a Henry O. Thomas, coxswain of in hospital in Kirkwall. founder member of Sandown and Torbay lifeboat from 1951 to 1960 after John W. Sales, BEM, coxswain of District branch ten years ago. serving an assistant mechanic from 1941 Lerwick lifeboat from 1947 to 1969, after joining the crew in 1943 and serving as assistant mechanic from 1944 to 1947. He was awarded the bronze medal in 1956, the silver medal in 1958 and a framed letter of thanks signed by the chairman of the Institution in 1969. May Robert Anderson, DSM, coxswain of Aith lifeboat from 1948 to 1965, after serving as bowman from 1946 to 1948. Lady T. Ferens, president of Driffield ladies' guild for about 16 years.

Saltash branch has received £70 in memorial tributes from the family of the late Geoffrey Smith of St Germans, Saltash. Mrs Phyllis Carpenter, for seven years an enthusiastic collector during London lifeboat week for West Drayton and Uxbridge branch, was knocked Lady Olwen Carey Evans, DBE, an honorary life governor of the Institution and president and down in a hit and run car accident just chairman of South Caernarvonshire ladies' guild, surrounded by her family on the occasion of her ninetieth birthday; the card she is holding is one received from the RNLI in Wales signed by before lifeboat week last March and all those who had been present at the North Wales Conference two days bofore. Lady Olwen's died shortly afterwards. At the wish of ninetieth birthdav coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of South Caernarvon- her family, instead of floral tributes, shire ladies' guild. The guild was formed by her mother, Dame Margaret Lloyd George, who donations amounting to £150 were Lady Olwen succeeded as president and chairman. given to the RNLI. 97 parade. As much help as possible is needed to ensure the mammoth task is finished in time, and committee mem- bers, relations, friends and supporters of our branch were drafted in to help. In addition to the 'heading' we also had our usual five RNLI stalls to set up, stock up and man, so understandably life became very hectic towards the Friday evening! Nameboards for the float were hand painted by committee member Ian- Walker and gave credit to local bran- ches of the Leicester Building Society who, thanks to the persuasive powers of Long Sutton branch manager Jeff Sutherland-Kaye, kindly contributed towards the cost of the float. The local Police lent us a blue flashing light which was wired to the tractor battery. There were also mock radar and radio aerials. We were very pleased to have our good friends Motor Mechanic Donny Tulip Lifeboat Abbs and Crew Member Eric Love with us from Cromer, adding authenticity to IN SPALDING FLOWER PARADE our float. More than half a million people visit by Theo Stibbons Spalding to see the tulip floats and not Chairman. Spalding and District Branch only do we feel we attracted much publicity for the RNLI (including regu- SINCE THE FORMATION of Spalding and around existing frames which bolt on to lar spontaneous applause and the District branch five years ago we have unseen tractors which provide the mo- throwing of coins on to the lifeboat) but always spent the second weekend in tive power. The tractor for our float was our overall takings for the weekend at May working very hard raising money lent by a farmer friend, Charles Ostler, our stalls and static collecting boxes for the RNLI at various stalls dotted a keen lifeboat supporter. Straw mats, were boosted from around £1,000 to around the route of the spectacular specially imported from the Continent, over £3,250. That was a result which Spalding Flower Parade. are used to cover the steel frames. This obviously made us feel all our efforts We had often thought of entering a is an extremely skilled task as the were worth while. float in the parade but it was not until 'strawers' must ensure that the correct the theme of "Maritime England' was- proportions and shapes are retained. chosen for 1982 that we decided to go Work on design begins as early as the all out to see that our branch rep- September before the parade in May. resented the Royal National Lifeboat We are able to work closely with the Institution in the parade. designer in planning our tulip lifeboat. The parade itself consists of about 20 As I have close connections with- floats decorated with millions of differ- Cromer branch, I suggested a half scale ent coloured tulip heads with several model of Cromer's 48ft 6in Oakley marching bands interspersed between lifeboat Ruby and Arthur Reed as our the floats. The local bulb growers re- design. We were very impressed with move the tulip heads as soon as they the resulting float and particularly the come into bloom in order to prevent the attention to detail. bulbs being drained of strength by the Once the 'strawers' have finished, the flowers. The discarded heads are then tens of thousands of tulip heads have used to produce this glorious Flower to be pinned on. This arduous and Chairman and honorary secretary's four- Parade. sometime tedious task begins on the year-old daughter Zannah Stibbons 'testing' The steelwork for the floats is built Thursday morning, two days before the one of the seats. The straw matting which covers the steel frames, showing detail of bow Local schoolboys help pin on yellow/red mixed tulip heads for the pudding and fairlead. orange superstructure.

98 those who send extra donations; and lives and by friends the two set off in those who individually or as teams help one-man canoes along the Staffs and to enrol new members. Then there are Worcester Canal, the Rivers Penk, members who organise events on our Trent and Humber, negotiating Trent behalf, and it is most encouraging to Falls on the way, to arrive at Spurn read the letters telling us of these Point on Saturday April 17; there, after Shoreline special efforts; through these letters, a journey of 204 miles, they were given many of you, whom we in the Mem- a royal welcome by Coxswain Brian bership Office have never met, become Bevan and the crew of Humber lifeboat Section old friends—like Geoff Threadgold of to whom they delivered plaques from The Horns at Gnossal, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton branch. With addition- ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS from many and his customers, who have helped al help from the Anchor Inn, Coven, thousands of people, all, as it were, like Shoreline for many years—and I know and the Rock Inn, Tettenhall, £470 was threads being twisted together to form that any supporter of the RNLI will raised for the lifeboats. one rope of great strength, form the always be made very welcome at this * * * basis of Shoreline support for the life- hostelry. You will have to buy your own These have all been individual efforts boat service. Year by year the sum of drinks of course! Cheers!! but of course many of our members are these subscriptions provides a regular, Extra help has come over the past also either members of the RNLFs fund known and growing income upon which two years from the staff and children of raising branches and guilds themselves reliance can be placed. That is the Billingshurst County Junior School, or give their support to events organised foundation on which the membership West Sussex. In that time, keeping up by their local branches and guilds. The scheme is built, where it all starts; but it their efforts on our behalf, they have attendance of Shoreline members is is most heartening that so many of you, raised the magnificent sum of £1,332 for always much appreciated—you will find our Shoreline members, are not pre- RNLI funds. a warm welcome. Practical help is also pared just to leave it at that. Not only So often it is the children themselves much appreciated, particularly on flag do you give your subscriptions, you give who, without any prompting from days, and our regional organisers will much more in many different ways. adults, make up their minds they want be only too pleased, if asked, to put There are those who each year sub- to help the lifeboats, and then think up Shoreline members in touch with the scribe amounts over and above the their own ways of doing it. We heard fund-raisers in their own area. Here is a minimum for their class of membership; the other day of a group of seven young list of their names and addresses: those who covenant their subscriptions, children from the village of Brereton, Scotland: Ken Thirlwell, RNLI, 45 Queen thus increasing their value to the RNLI; Cheshire, who braved the snow and Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3NN. Tel: 031- cold to go carol singing; the amount 225 4014. they raised, £22, was sent to Shoreline North East: Brian Stevenson, RNLI, The to be passed on to the Penlee disaster Mill, Glasshouses, Nr Harrogate, North fund. That was just one of many, many Yorkshire. Tel: 0423 711667. gifts which were sent by our members Midlands: Richard Mann, RNLI, 16 Har- borne Road, Birmingham, B15 3AA. Tel: towards the disaster fund; there were 021-454 3009. far too many to report in detail, but our East: George Price, RNLI, Aldham Road, deep thanks go out to you all. Hadleigh, Suffolk. Tel: 0473 822837. It is not only children who have good London North: Miss Susan Steer, RNLI, ideas! Recently we heard of two of our 10-12 St Albans Road, Barnet, Hertford- members who celebrated their silver shire, ENS 4JX. Tel: 01-441 0997. wedding by organising a barn dance and London South: Michael Ashley, RNLI, 6 charging all their friends and relations a Bell Parade, Glebe Way, West Wickham, nominal 'entrance fee'; the amount Kent, BR4 ORH. Tel: 01-777 1776. London City: Raymond Pope, RNLI, Bor- raised was given to the RNLI. I under- neo House, 62-63 Mark Lane, London, stand it was a most enjoyable evening EC3. Tel: 01-481 1219. and one that will long be remembered. South East: Ian Wallington, RNLI, 9 Union Congratulations on your silver wedding, Square, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Mr and Mrs Ibberson, and thank you TN4 SHU. Tel: 0892 35000. for your support. Southern: Mrs Wendy Nelson, RNLI, West * * * Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. Tel: 0202 671133. Two Shoreline members, Martin South West: Andrew Young, RNLI, Princes A Shoreline display has been designed for Bave of Coven, near Wolverhampton, Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 1RN. Tenby lifeboathou.se by Claude A. Page of and Peter Crooke of Walsall embarked Tel: 0272 29139. Pumpsaint, near Llandeilo, the brother-in- on a fantastic journey from the Anchor Wales: Glyn Williams, RNLI, Aberdare law of Eric Bancroft, the station honorary Inn, Coven, by canal and river to House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff. Tel: secretary. With this encouragement, and a Humber lifeboat station. Sponsored by 0222 31831. good supply of Shoreline leaflets, Tenby North West: David Jones, RNLI, Princes hopes to enrol many new members this Goodyears and an associated company, Tyre Services Great Britain, by rela- Chambers, 26 Pall Mall, Manchester 2. summer. Tel: 061-834 6978. Ireland: Lt-Col Brian Clark, Dublin Office, 3 To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Clare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 0001 762217. I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as an: Belfast Office, 33 Saintfield Road, Belfast. Annual Member £5.00 (minimum) D Tel: 0232 645645. * * * Annual Family Membership £7.50 (minimum) D Annual Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D A ninth Shoreline Club has just been Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D formed—at Coventry. Any Shoreline Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy. D members in that area who would like to Name join should write to the honorary secret- ary, Mr M. Simms, 25 Moor Street, Address Earlsdon, Coventry. We send our best wishes to Club No. 9 and, of course, to you all—PETER HOLNESS, membership Over 107 800 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service. secretary, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 I HZ. 99 Fund raisers in Dublin raised £59,000 for the lifeboats in 1981. Of that amount, £24,814 was taken in the life- boat shop and nearly £10,000 at the Dublin spring sale in the Royal Dublin Society. Last March, Harrogate ladies' guild Some organised a Marks and Spencer Fashion Spectacular at the New Conference Centre, Harrogate. So great was the response, with other lifeboat guilds in the area also helping to sell tickets, that the 1,850 seats were sold out within three weeks. Marks and Spencer very kindly offered to put on an extra matinee performance—and that was almost another sell out. Lady Norton, a member of the Committee of Manage- ment, present at both performances, expressed in her short address the thanks of the Institution. After all Twelve members of Lloyds Bank branches all expenses had been paid, the event over the City were among the many hundreds of RNLI supporters who were out selling flags realised a wonderful £11,027, of which on London Lifeboat Day last March; the £2,898 came from a raffle. In addition, Lloyds contingent collected £536.66. The total souvenirs to the value of £331 were sum collected on that day throughout the sold. whole of Greater London including the City was more than £180,000, a remarkable 26 per This year, Fowey School chose the cent and more increase on the 1981 amount. RNLI to benefit from its annual Lent photograph by courtesy of appeal for charity. Every one of the 960 'Lloyds Bank News' Mike Smith, a Tunbridge Wells pupils as well as staff members contri- teacher and a member of the Long buted in one way or another to the fund Central London Committee arranged Distance Walkers Association, 'pushed raising, which was all done in 30 days. A an Antique Roadshow, with buffet and out the boat' for the RNLI when the cycle marathon, sponsored shoe-shines wine, at Fishmongers Hall in April by Mayor set him off on a 170-mile spon- and a day when, if payment was made courtesy of the Worshipful Company of sored walk from Tunbridge Wells to for the privilege, the children were Fishmongers. The evening included de- Weymouth. Mike was pushing a pram allowed to come to school in any clothes monstrations of embroidery by the disguised as a boat. He was born and they wished instead of school uniform— Royal School of Needlework, of clock educated in Weymouth and it had long these were just some of the ideas restoring and of glass engraving, and been his ambition to walk home—it was pursued with such enthusiasm that a displays of apothecaries jars and instru- a walk which raised £1,460 in spon- wonderful £3,000 and more was raised. ments by the Worshipful Society of sorship for Tunbridge Wells branch. It was an all time record. Apothecaries, of antique dolls and of antique fans by the Fan Circle Interna- RNLB William and Laura, late of Newcastle, Northern Ire- tional. More than £2,000 was raised for land, was taken out of retire- the RNLI. ment in Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra, to help Last year, Broadstairs branch and Bangor branch in a fund- guild raised £7,409 by their flag day and raising effort last April. Over other fund-raising efforts; these in- the ten days she was at Clan- deboye Shopping Centre £630 cluded two successful coffee mornings, was raised. The Earl of a hat show and a fortnight's 'stand' in a Roden (c), for many years vacant shop kindly lent to the guild and honorary secretary of New- put to excellent use for the sale of goods castle lifeboat station, Bangor by enthusiastic helpers. branch chairman Mr J. R. McDowell (I) and honorary secretary George Ralston were there to greet her. photograph by courtesy of Century Newspapers

At Yeovilton Air Day last August, John King (r) chair- man of Yeovil branch, put on display the working scale model which he had made himself of Poole's 44ft Waveney lifeboat Augustine Courtauld. The model, used for fund raising, had that day Lee Johnson, the owner of a hairdressing accounted for £26 of the £250 salon in Lymington, raised £180 for the taken on the RNLI stand. lifeboats with a raffle for a doll's house. He photograph by courtesy of sold £90 worth of tickets himself and Lyming- HMS Heron ton ladies' guild sold the rest. 100 (Above) At Twickenham and District branch's annual RNLJ ball, held at York House, Twickenham, on January 23, over £1,000 was raised by the tombo- la and raffle, for which more than 500 Lymington branch had another very success- items were donated by local tradesmen. ful day at Beattlieu Boat Jumble on Sunday Among the principal guests, seen here April 4, with a total turnover of £1,886. This surrounded by this impressive array of year, one section of the stall was devoted to prizes are Lt-Cdr Brian Miles, deputy 'Bits from Famous Boats', which included a director RNLI (fifth from left) with his waterline model of the 1980 British challenger wife Anne (fourth from left) and the for the America's Cup Lionheart (shown Mayor and Mayoress of Richmond-on- above), donated by Anthony Boy den. Thames, Councillor and Mrs J. Lam- Donors of other items included Edward beth (centre). Heath, Dame Naomi James, Clare Francis, photograph by courtesy of Roy Cook Adlard Coles and Lord Montagu of Beaulieu; among the famous boats from which the 'bits' came were the yachts Jolie Brise, Cohoe, After cracking their way through l'/2 Jester, Gipsy Moth V, Morning Cloud and inches of ice, members of the Dolphin the sail training ships Royalist, Sir Winston Sub Aqua Club in Cirencester took part Churchill and Malcolm Miller. RNLI sou- in a sponsored dive at South Cerney venirs were also sold on the stall by Lyming- Lakes on Boxing Day in 1981. Eight ton ladies' guild. divers took part and as a result £202.50 photograph by courtesy of Max Mudie was sent to Poole headquarters as part of the British Sub Aqua Club's lifeboat Three Harwich lifeboat crew mem- appeal. A further £150 was sent to a bers, Dave Gilders, John Tetheridge local school for handicapped children and Peter Brand, all completed the photograph by courtesy of Harwich half marathon fun run on Wiltshire Newspapers Sunday April 4, by which means Dave Mrs Irene Craig, founder Gilders raised £72.73 for RNLI funds. chairman of Lowestoft ladies' Four members of Leeds Athletic Insti- guild 21 years ago, with the tute Sub Aqua Club, John, Tim (a lead crystal bowl presented to Shoreline member), Andy and Paul, her by Lowestoft branch at ran in a mini marathon on April 30 to her retirement. With her are raise £67.50 for the Sub Aqua appeal Coxswain Peter Gibbons and for the lifeboats. Michael Chapman, honorary secretary. The presentationi together with a presentation from the guild, took place in February at the annual life- boat ball in Lowestoft which raised more than £1,800. During her time as chairman the guild has brought in over £70,000.

A £338 cheque is handed to Cullercoats honorary secret- ary, Mr R. J. Taylor, by Mr E. Armstrong manager of the After the children of Bishop Goodwin Junior Bay Hotel. Between them School, Carlisle, had worked for two weeks to stand Crew Members raise a princely £372.03, it was only natural Raymond Taylor, David that Grace Dent, a distant relation of Grace Blackman and Geoffrey Darling, should hand over the cheque. Re- Nugent who had helped ceiving the cheque is Wilson Matear, a crew raised some of the amount. member of Workington lifeboat: with them Another crew member, Ean are (I to r) the Reverend John Bell, Mr D. J. David Nash, and a friend Thomas, headmaster, Dr John Southern, took part in the Great North honorary secretary of Carlisle and District Run to raise £147 in branch, and Jim Stables, chairman. sponsorship. photograph by courtesy of photograph by courtesy of Cumberland Newspapers 'Whitley Bay Guardian' 101

Dunmore East, Co Waterford Margate, Kent Salcombe, South Devon 44ft Waveney: January 18, 28 and February 37ft 6in Rother: January 29 and 31 47ft Watson: December 29 21 D class inflatable: December 20 Scarborough, North Yorkshire Eastbourne, East Sussex Minehead, Somerset 37ft Oakley: December 18 and January 10 37ft 6in Rother: February 6 and 27 Atlantic 21: February 21 Selsey, West Sussex Exmouth, South Devon Mudeford, Dorset 48ft 6in Oakley: December 13 and February 48ft 6in Solent: February 14 D class inflatable: January 24, February 4 14 Eyemouth, Berwickshire and 21 Sennen Cove, Cornwall 44ft Waveney: January 7 Newbiggin, Newfoundland Relief 37ft 6in Rother: December 20, 21 and Falmouth, Cornwall Atlantic 21: January 30 and February 7 28 52ft Arun: December 13 Newcastle, Co Down Sheerness, Kent Filey, North Yorkshire 37ft Oakley: February 20 44ft Waveney: December 12, 14 (three 37ft Oakley: December 4 and January 5 Newhaven, East Sussex times), January 23, February 14 and 15 Fishguard, Dyfed Relief 46ft 9in Watson: December 13 D class inflatable: December 26, January 19 52ft Arun: December 9, 14 and February 15 Relief 44ft Waveney: December 13, January and February 14 Fleetwood, Lancashire 22, February 5, 7, 17 and 19 Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex 44ft Waveney: December 4, January 1 New Quay, Dyfed 37ft 6in Rother: December 19, February 19 (twice), 12 and February 20 37ft Oakley: January 10, 11, 12 and 13 and 24 Flint, Clwyd North Sunderland, Northumberland Southend-on-Sea, Essex D class inflatable: January 31 37ft Oakley: February 18 Relief Atlantic 21: December 16 Fowey, Cornwall Oban, Arygllshire Atlantic 21: January 23 Relief 46ft Watson: February 15 42ft Watson: January 11, February 21, 22 and D class inflatable: December 6 Galway, Co Galway 26 Silloth, Cumbria 52ft Burnett: December 6, 10, 12, January 10, Padstow, Cornwall Atlantic 21: February 1 and 11 14, 22, 28,29, February 5, 7 and 25 48ft 6in Oakley: January 5 and 26 Skegness, Lincolnshire Girvan, Ayrshire Penarth, South Glamorgan 37ft Oakley: February 28 42ft Watson: February 19 and 20 D class inflatable: January 6, February 7 and Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk 8 Relief Atlantic 21: January 18 and February Relief 44ft Waveney: January 13 Penlee, Cornwall 12 (twice) Hartlepool, Cleveland 47ft Watson: December 8 and 19 Stornoway (Lewis), Ross-shire Atlantic21: December 5, 22 and January 4 Relief 70ft Clyde: December 28 and January 48ft 6in Solent: January 7 Harwich, Essex 6 Stromness, Orkney 44ft Waveney: December 2 and January 22 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire Relief 52ft Barnett: January 26 Relief Atlantic 21: January 3 48ft 6in Solent: December 20 Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Hastings, East Sussex Plymouth, South Devon 47ft Watson: December 4, 14, 17, January 4 37ft Oakley: December 13, January 9 and 44ft Waveney: December 3,13, February 15 and 8 February 7 and 16 Swanage, Dorset D class inflatable: December 9, February 7 Poole, Dorset 37ft 6in Rother: January 8 and 8 44ft Waveney: December 13, January 3 and 8 Tenby, Dyfed Hay ling Island, Hampshire Dell Quay Dory: December 13, 19 (twice), 46ft 9in Watson: December 9 Atlantic 21: January 2,24, February 7 and 11 February 13 (twice) and 25 Thurso, Caithness Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan 48ft 6in Solent: February 27 Atlantic 21: December 13, January 26, D class inflatable: December 12, January 12 Torbay, South Devon February 22 (twice) and February 24 and February 13 54ft Arun: December 10, 13 (twice), 26 and Howth, Co Dublin Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd February 28 47ft Watson: February 13 47ft Watson: January 7 Troon, Ayrshire Hoylake, Merseyside Portpatrick, Wigtownshire Relief 44ft Waveney: December 5, January 37ft 6in Rother: February 1 46ft 9in Watson: February 26 26, February 19 and 25 Humber, Humberside Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear 54ft Arun: December 5, 8 (twice), 9, 13, 19, Hampshire 52ft Arun: December 17 January 12,17, 20, 28, 29, 30, February 4, 6, Atlantic21: December 13 (five times), D class inflatable: January 14 and 25 20 and 28 January 26 and February 25 Walmer, Kent Islay, Argyllshire D class inflatable: January 3 and February 25 Relief 42ft Beach: January 16 and 21 50ft Thames: February 14 Queensferry, West Lothian Walton and Frinton, Essex Kilmore, Co Wexford Atlantic 21: January 31 and February 13 Relief 47ft Watson: December 6, 10. 19, 37ft Oakley: December 15 Ramsey, Isle of Man January 3 and 28 Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent 37ft Oakley: January 5 Wells, Norfolk Atlantic21: February 22 Redcar, Cleveland 37ft Oakley: December 10 Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall 37ft Oakley: January 4 West Kirby, Merseyside 52ft Barnett: December 20 Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford D Class inflatable: January 23 and 31 Llandudno (Orme's Head), Gwynedd 48ft 6in Solent: December 14 West Mersea, Essex 37ft Oakley: December 30 St Helier, Channel Islands Atlantic 21: December 22 Relief D class inflatable: December 30 44ft Waveney: February 19 Weston-super-Mare, Avon Lochinver, Sutherland St Ives, Cornwall D class inflatable: February 5 and 13 52ft Barnett: December 18 37ft Oakley: December 7, January 4 and Whitby, North Yorkshire Lytham St Anne's, Lancashire February 10 44ft Waveney: December 18, January 18, 46ft 9in Watson: January 1 and February 20 St Mary's, Scilly Isles February 12 and 18 D class inflatable: December 6 52ft Arun: December 20, 24 and January 6 Whitstable, Kent Macduff, Banffshire St Peter Port, Channel Islands Atlantic 21: January 29 and February 7 48ft 6in Solent: February 6 52ft Arun: December 4, 13, January 5, 8, 17, Wicklow, Co Wicklow Mallaig, Inverness-shire 18, February 15 and 20 42ft Watson: December 25 52ft Barnett: February 7 Workington, Cumbria 46ft 9in Watson: January 3 and February 4 47ft Watson: February 4 SERVICES AND LIVES RESCUED BY THE RNLI'S LIFEBOATS Yarmouth, Isle of Wight January 1, 1982, to April 30, 1982: Services 518; lives saved 160 52ft Arun: December 18, January 8, 24, February 7 and 21 THE STATION FLEET Youghal, Co Cork (as at 30/4/82) 35ft 6in Liverpool: January 18 259 lifeboats, of which one Atlantic 21, four 18ft 6in McLachlan and 64 D class inflatable lifeboats operate in summer only When you have read your copy of LIVES RESCUED 107,801 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 30/4/82, including shoreboat services THE LIFEBOAT please pass it on.

106 has been particularly busy since it began lifeboat, Zetland, built by Greathead in operating a D class inflatable lifeboat in 1800 and now housed in her own 1966 and an 18ft 6in McLachlan lifeboat museum at Redcar. Books ... in 1970, typifying the changing pattern One picture I found myself turning to of lifeboat services the RNLI has ex- again and again was of a sailmaker perienced since introducing lifeboats plying his traditional craft in the sail loft • In his latest book, Rescue by Sail and under 10m into its fleet in the mid- of the Dolphin Yard Sailing Barge Oar (Tops'l Books, £2.50), Ray Kip- sixties. This booklet is available from Museum at Sittingbourne, Kent. Dolpin ling, the RNLFs public relations officer, Mrs J. Allam, 22 Ashcomb Road, Yard is a working museum where the has written an absorbing account of the Weston-super-Mare, Avon, price £1 techniques of yesterday can still be seen long period during which lifeboats were including postage and packing. in use today.—J.D. driven by muscle and windpower alone. The Story of the Whitby Lifeboats There is no doubt that this modest also contains 30 photographs, spanning • The Care and Repair of Small volume will remain an essential refer- almost a century, with details of a great Marine Diesels by Chris Thomson ence book for years to come. Apart many services carried out by lifeboats at (Adlard Coles, Granada Publishing, from its historical value the book gives Whitby since as far back as 1802, £7.50) is a very good book full of thrilling accounts of many services including many rescues by Whitby's practical common sense which should under oars and sail and tells of the price rowing lifeboats. The station, which be compulsory for all who venture to some exacted in men's lives. now operates a 44ft Waveney class sea propelled by a series of controlled Details of design and development lifeboat and a 16ft D class inflatable explosions in confined spaces. With the are necessarily brief but adequate tech- lifeboat, operated the last rowing life- appropriate engine maker's service or nically for all purposes but research in boat in the RNLI's fleet and she is now workshop manual and the help of this depth. Enough history is included to on display in the town's Lifeboat book an enthusiast should be able to do provide an interesting framework for Museum. This booklet is available from most of his own maintenance and re- the whole story of pulling and sailing Mr E. Thomson, Whitby Lifeboat pairs. If the recommendations for lifeboats. Indeed there are almost cer- Museum, Pier Road, Whitby, North spares are followed, then on most occa- tainly details in this book which will Yorkshire, price 75p plus 25p postage sions the owner could get home under come fresh to many lifeboat experts— and packing. Like all others in the his own power. The fault finding chart the only likely exception being the series, proceeds from the sale of these in appendix D should prove particularly encyclopaedic Grahame Farr! booklets go to the RNLI.—H.D. helpful to yachtsmen.—S.E. The illustrations are splendid and sometimes breath-taking, adding visual • It seems a shame that England by evidence to the unvarnished realism of the Sea by Elizabeth Gundrey (Severn • Two recent publications of interest the text. House, £8.95) does not also cover to seafarers: Sailing and sailing craft have almost Wales, Scotland and Ireland, for here is - Seaway Code, published by HM Sta- certainly produced as many differences a fascinating book packed with informa- tionery Office, and full of information of opinion as any subject and it would tion and ideas for coastal visits. The of value to the most seasoned mariner, be strange if a book covering such a book is published in association with the is now available through bookshops and wide spectrum did not trigger off an English Tourist Board in connection newsagents, price 75p. argument or two. If this were so it might with Maritime England Year, hence its Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations, be well to remember the old sailing coverage of England only, and it makes published by the International Chamber ships adage: 'Different ships, different good reading even for the armchair of Shipping, has been revised and is long splices'. traveller. now available, price £5, from Witherby Over the years, lifeboats have altered Historic sites, ships, customs, modern and Co Ltd, 32 Aylesbury Street, Lon- considerably: in spirit and their know- resorts, beaches, ports and docks are a don EC1R OET. The guide has been ledge of the sea the crews have altered few of the subjects covered and each prepared primarily for the use of ships' little, if at all, from the tough-looking short chapter is followed by a list of masters, officers and crew but it also heroes so expressively portrayed in this places to visit and practical information. provides guidance for helicopter pilots book. The finest lifeboat in the world The book shows that every area has its with a view to introducing, on a world would be useless flotsam without a good individual attractions, and though to see wide basis, standardised procedures for crew. them all would take many months, helicopter/shop operations.—J.D. Rescue by Sail and Oar will give reading of them certainly whets the immediate pleasure and much food for appetite for exploration.—R.K. • The prospective boat owner who is thought to enthusiasts and casual read- in the fortunate position of being able to ers alike. All royalties from its sale will • A delight in itself, The Past Afloat brief his designer and boat builder on go to the RNLI and copies are available by Anthony Burton (Andre Deutsch, the subject of rigging, sail plan, steering from the RNLI London office, 202 British Broadcasting Corporation, gear, fittings, equipment and even the Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW, £12.95) was produced to accompany an cabin layout and ensuring that every- price £2.50 plus 35p packing and eight-part BBC television series of the thing is of the finest quality available posting.—E.W.M. same title. Both are intended as an will find Under Sail, edited by Tony introduction to Britain's maritime his- Meisel (Macmillan, £11.95), invaluable. • Jeff Morris has recently written and tory and, for the author, their main The relative merits of all the latest produced two more in his series on purpose will have been achieved if they developments are discussed and details lifeboat stations. encourage more people to go to see the are given of suppliers on both sides of The Story of the Weston-super-Mare museums and the boats and ships des- the Atlantic. With the exception of the Lifeboats has been well timed to co- cribed for themselves. final chapter on maintenance and re- incide with the centenary of the station The book is generously illustrated pairs, the book is primarily for the and it contains a good selection of with excellent photographs, many of professional designer, or for the enthu- photographs illustrating the different them taken by Clive Coote, evocative of siast with unlimited budget. For the types of lifeboats which have been centuries of seafaring right from the lesser mortals who are obliged to buy a stationed at Weston. There is also an time of the Saxons and Vikings. There boat out of the catalogue, all the deci- interesting photograph showing the ori- are pictures of wooden-walled and iron- sions and selections will have already ginal boathouse, built in 1888 and now clad battleships, of luggers, drifters, been made for him, and he will only raising considerable funds for the RNLI clippers, paddle steamers, sailing read this book with regret that it has in its role as gift shop, and the present barges, steam launches—and among arrived on the scene too late for him.— lifeboathouse, built in 1903. The station this noble company, the oldest surviving K.M. 107 Index to Advertisers Page BOAT REPAIRS FUND RAISING Aegis Insurance Services (Group) Ltd 74 Birds Eye Foods Ltd Inside Back Cover Maritime Books (Readers Union Ltd) FUND-RAISERS Back Cover BOAT REPAI RS\V Mercantile Credit Inside Front Cover , BRIXHAM ^ YOUR PROFIT Marine & Electrical Engineering £18.00 « Private & Commercial per min. order , • Also specialist boat building Classified Advertisements \ • 4 Slipways (up to 65 ft l.o.a.) • Lifting up to 10 tons Wordage: £5.50 per single column centimetre • Superior Quality (minimum charge £16.50). NB: The mini- Glass Fibre repairing Details from mum space of 3cm takes about 45 words at 15 • Brokerages Insurance LANE & PARTNERS LTD. UPHAM BRIXHAM DEVON words per cm. 59 South Audley Street, London W1 With illustration: £12 per single column cen- TEL: (08045) 2365 timetre (minimum charge £36). UPHAM FUND RAISING GAMES: ALL CLASSIFIEDS MUST BE PRE-PAID. 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Ideal for retirement Circulation of THE LIFEBOAT 103,000 magnificent scenery; full board; professional presentations or Lifeboat Fund raffles. tuition; 16th season. Brochure: Julia Satisfaction guaranteed. Send s.a.e. to 9 Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box 9, Godalming, Surrey. 04868 23675 Wroughton ARC A, Inniemore Lodge, Car-- Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset. Tel: (0305) saig, Isle of Mull PA70 6HD or ring 06814 785960. 201.

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MISCELLANEOUS JOIN you local branch or guild FISHERMENS' SMOCKS, 100% navy cot- ton drill; all sizes £8.95. Corduroy Smocks, JOIN Shoreline, the membership navy, rust or khaki; all sizes £11.95. All scheme prices inclusive of postage. Rockall Wear, 17 Fairfield Drive, Halesowen, West Midlands HELP on flag days B629PJ. BUY RNLI gifts and souvenirs THE GIFT OR PRESENTATION and Christmas cards WITH A DIFFERENCE! UNCANNILY ACCURATE MINIATURE SELL lottery tickets MODELS AND WALL PLAQUES OF YACHTS, SAILING BARGES, LIFEBOATS GIVE a coffee morning AND OTHER VESSELS COMMISSIONED by maritime museums, COLLECT used stamps or foreign collectors, yacht owners and clubs. RNLI lifeboats a speciality for enthusiasts and crew coins retirements. RNLI WALL PLAQUES - a new high quality For further information write to: hand-crafted item with full-coloured RNLI APPEALS SECRETARY, flag in relief, mounted on varnished shield ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION, 6V2" x SW—£9.50 (P&P £2.25). Ideal for presentations with engraved plates with own WEST QUAY ROAD, wording £2.50 extra—Brian Williams, POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ. Marine Models, 'West Rock', The Cleave, Kingsand, Nr Torpoint, Cornwall PL10 INF (0752-822638). Lifeboat Open Days, Poole HQ and Depot: July 22, 23 and 24, 1982

108 The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL UIPttfrtT The New Glenans Sailing Manual Published at £17.50 YOURS FOR ONLY

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