THE LIFE-BOAT THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION

VOL. XXXIX JUNE 1964 No. 408

CONTENTS

PORTRAIT OF A COXSWAIN 2 NOTES OF THE QUARTER 3 NEW COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT MEMBERS 5 LADIES' LIFE-BOAT GUILD 5 R.N.L.I. DELEGATION IN UNITED STATES 6 NEW U.S. STEEL LIFE-BOAT 9 LETTER TO THE EDITOR II AN UNUSUAL GOBLET 12 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 13 ORKNEY COXSWAIN'S SECOND SILVER MEDAL ...... 23 BRAVEST ACT OF LIFE-SAVING 25 AWARD TO TWO COXSWAINS 25 TEESMOUTH MEN WASHED OVERBOARD ...... 26 INSHORE RESCUE BOAT SERVICES 27 BEST WRECK SERVICE OF THE YEAR ...... 28 THE GUNNERS' ISLAND 29 FRENCH LIFE-BOATS 29 BOGUS DISTRESS SIGNALS 29 LIFE-BOAT WEDDING 30 BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG 31 SAN REMO REQUESTS ...... 31 LIFE-BOAT FLEET 3! AWARDS TO HONORARY WORKERS 32 OBITUARY 33 LIFE-BOAT SERVICES ROUND THE COASTS ...... 34 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS . . 52

42, Grosvenor Gardens, London S.W.1 Portrait of a Coxswain

THE photograph shows Coxswain William Coull, of Girvan, Ayrshire. He was appointed coxswain on 5th May, 1960. Previously, after nearly six months as bowman, he served from September, 1956, as second coxswain. Since he joined the crew in 1956 the Girvan life-boat has been launched on service 23 times and has rescued two lives. NOTES OF THE QUARTER EARL HOWE, the former chairman Two deputy chairmen have been of the Committee of Management, has appointed. They are Air Vice-Marshal been appointed honorary chairman Sir Geoffrey R. Bromet, who joined for life of the Institution. This appoint- the Committee of Management in ment brings to an end an active period 1952, and Commander F. R. H. of work on behalf of the life-boat Swann, who joined a year later. After service extending over 45 years. holding a number of important com- mands in the last world war, Sir LORD HOWE'S SERVICE Geoffrey Bromet was Lieutenant- It was in 1956 that Lord Howe was Governor of the Isle of Man from appointed chairman of the Committee 1945 to 1952. Commander Swann is a of Management. He had served on all stockbroker by profession and in the of the Institution's sub-committees, last world war commanded a number had been deputy chairman for 10 of ships including an aircraft carrier. years, deputy treasurer for 16 years He has had many years' experience and chairman of the general purposes of small boats and is Rear Commodore and publicity committee from 1932 of the Royal Cruising Club. He is to 1956. So deep has been his interest chairman of both the Institution's in every aspect of the service, partic- boat and construction and helicopter ularly the operational side, that he committees. managed to visit every single life- boat station. It was an appropriate THE NEW UNITED STATES tribute that the Committee of Manage- LIFE-BOAT ment formally asked him to accept a Following a visit of a small delega- title of honour "as a token of their tion from the Institution to the United affection and esteem and in recog- States a decision has been taken to nition of his many and valuable years acquire a 44-foot steel life-boat of the of service to the cause". kind now in the service of the United States Coast Guard. This type of life- THE NEW CHAIRMAN boat is described in detail on page 9. The new chairman of the Commit- Intensive trials of the life-boat will be tee of Management is Captain the carried out in order to discover Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N. whether boats of this type are suitable who joined the Committee in 1937 and for service around the coasts of Great has been deputy chairman since 1956. Britain and Ireland. In deciding to try Captain Wyndham-Quin makes a reg- out an American life-boat the Com- ular practice of taking passage in new mittee of Management were prompted life-boats when they are sent to their by a number of considerations. The stations in order to acquaint himself chief of these was that it is the In- in detail with the qualities of the new stitution's duty to provide the very boats. He served as a regular officer best boats and equipment which of the Royal Navy in both world wars money can produce or skill can devise. and after the last war was naval attache Such are the qualities of the 44-foot in Buenos Aires. He has crossed the life-boat that clearly it could not be Atlantic three times under sail. neglected. The United States Coast Guard spent som'e £100,000 in de- clusive there were more launches on veloping the boat, and by taking service than in the corresponding advantage of their generosity in placing months of 1962-3, and in each all their knowledge at the Institution's of these months except November disposal the R.N.L.I. has in fact been more lives were rescued. The total saved from expending a comparable number of winter launches in 1962-3 sum on development. There also has was 208, and 76 lives were rescued. been the saving of some zj years, In 1963-4 there were 322 winter which would have been needed to launches and 119 lives were saved. construct a new boat in this country When it is remembered that in most starting from scratch. parts of the country the winter of Until the trials have been completed 1962-3 was the most severe in living it is impossible to state whether life- memory these figures tell their own boats of this kind will be accepted for story. service by the R.N.L.I., but if they are all the boats will, of course, without FATHER AND SON DECORATED exception be built in yards in either At the annual general meeting, a Great Britain or Ireland. full report of which appears on page 13, Coxswain Hubert Petit of St. A BUSY WINTER Peter Port and his son John were both Figures for launches on service present. The coxswain had already and of lives rescued by life-boats show received the gold medal for gallantry remarkable increases during the winter at the international life-boat conference of 1963-4. In every one of the six in Edinburgh, and at the annual months from October to March in- general meeting his son received a

By courtesy of] [Sport and General Press Agency Coxswain Petit and his son

G=> bronze medal. Coxswain Petit repre- brother and a friend and has been used sents the ninth successive generation successfully for stern trawling. Stern of seafaring men in his family, and his trawling has, of course, been carried son, who is himself a master mariner out with considerable success in boats and holds a pilot's licence, has been with a fairly large deck space, but the appointed to succeed him as coxswain. Petits' boat is less than 28 feet in John Petit has himself been largely length and has a displacement of only responsible for the construction of a nine tons. She has been used effec- new type of fishing boat. The boat was tively for all-purpose fishing with a built in 13 months by himself, his crew of only two men.

New Committee of Management Members

THE Committee of Management of the Federation of Music Festivals, and a Institution welcomes five new mem- member of the Royal Mersey Yacht bers. Club. From 1931 to 1958 he was a Rear-Admiral K. St. B. Collins, member of Bolton Town Council. C.B., O.B.E., D.S.C., R.N. (Retd.), Mr. J. Houston-Jackson is manag- was Hydrographer of the Navy from ing director of B.P. Tanker Co. Ltd. 1955 to 1960, when he retired from the Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Robson, Royal Navy. From 1960 to 1963 he K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C., was was consultant to the survey and map- Lieutenant-Governor and Commander- ping branch of the Department of in-Chief of Guernsey from 1958 to Mines and Technical Surveys in 1963. His previous appointments Ottawa. included President of the Admiralty Commander M. Cunningham, Interview Board 1950-1, Flag Officer, A.R.I.N.A., R.N. (Retd.), is overseas Scotland, 1952-6, and Commander- sales director of Vickers Armstrong in-Chief, South Atlantic 1956-8. (Shipbuilders) Ltd. To Major General Ralph H. Farrant, Sir Knowles Edge, Bt., J.P., is C.B., whose election to the Committee chairman and managing director of of Management was reported in the William Edge and Sons Ltd., indus- March issue, apologies are expressed trial chemists. He is chairman of the for stating that he had been awarded Lytham-St. Anne's branch of the the K.B. in the New Year Honours Institution, chairman of the British List.

Ladies' Life-boat Guild

LADY EGREMONT, daughter of Captain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, chair- man of the Institution, has been appointed as the new president of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. R.N.L.I. Delegation's Visit to the United States

THE Institution's decision to acquire a After preliminary discussions in 44-foot life-boat of the kind now Washington the delegation visited the operated by the United States Coast United States Coast Guard yard at Guard was a direct consequence of the Curtis Bay, Baltimore, during the international life-boat conference held week beginning igth January. They in Edinburgh in June, 1963. At the saw a number of vessels under con- conference the United States Coast struction including a line of 44-foot Guard delegation led by Vice-Admiral life-boats on which building was just Donald McG. Morrison, the assistant beginning. Construction facilities in commandant, presented two papers steel, wood and fibre glass were all on this type of life-boat and showed a inspected, as were the extensive mach- film and a model. An extract from one ine shops and rigging lofts. of these papers is reproduced on page 9. All the delegates at the conference FLEW TO NEW JERSEY were deeply impressed by the descrip- The party were then flown to the tion of the new American life-boat, and Coast Guard receiving centre at Cape after careful consideration by the In- May, New Jersey. This is the east stitution's boat and construction coast depot to which all new entries committee, the Committee of Man- are sent when they first join the Coast agement decided in 1963 that a delega- Guard service. Captain Wyndham- tion should be sent to examine the Quin and Lieut.-Commander Button, Coast Guard life-boat and that it who had gone ahead as an advance should have authority to acquire one party, had already visited Cape May, for trial purposes if it considered this where they had undertaken a short sea desirable. trial of a 44-foot life-boat. The delegation found the living FIVE MEMBERS quarters, recreation facilities, training The delegation was led by the halls and parade ground at the receiv- present chairman of the Institution, ing centre most impressive. Opportuni- Captain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham- ties were provided for taking various Quin, who was then deputy chairman life-boats to sea for trials, and one day and also chairman of the operations was spent at sea in a buoy tender, the committee. The other members of the U.S.C.G. Sassafras. Various life-boats delegation were Commander F. R. H. as well as amphibious aircraft and Swann, chairman of the boat and helicopters carried out exercises for the construction committee and now a benefit of the delegation. In another deputy chairman, Mr. Peter Guinness exercise which was arranged a 44-foot and Mr. N. Warington Smyth, both life-boat took the 1,300-ton Sassafras members of the boat and construction in tow. Using a nylon line the life-boat committee and Lieut.-Commander maintained a speed of nearly six knots. W. L. G. Button, chief inspector of The next visit was to Newark where life-boats. the Institution's delegation were given The 44-foot steel life-boat a very impressive demonstration of the inspected various types of small craft, so-called Ratan system, which has spent some time at the Search and recently been introduced on an experi- Rescue Co-ordination Centre and mental basis. The word Ratan is an visited the AMVER Headquarters. abbreviation of Radar and Television Aid to Navigation. The equipment MORE LIFE-BOAT TRIALS uses a picture provided by a shore The Atlantic Merchant Vessel Re- based radar which is then transmitted port system (AMVER) is operated by by television for reception aboard ves- the United States Coast Guard. It is a sels in the area. One important advan- maritime mutual assistance scheme tage of this to small boat sailors is that which provides help in developing and they require only a low priced television co-ordinating search and rescue efforts as opposed to an expensive radar in the off-shore areas in the North equipment and no special training is Atlantic and other waters around the required for them to benefit from the coast of the American continent. picture transmitted. After a visit to the New York boat show the delegation visited the life- SAW SMALL CRAFT boat station at Eatons Neck on Long The delegation then embarked in an Island, from which further trials of a 82-foot Coast Guard cutter which has 44-foot life-boat were carried out. As a speed of 22 knots, and reached Base at Cape May opportunities were affor- Manhattan, where they were greeted ded for frank discussions with the by Rear-Admiral Ross, the comman- group commander and the crews op- der of the Eastern District. Here they erating boats of this type. Discussions with the enlisted men, who have Admiral Morrison accepted the invita- carried out many courageous and diffi- tion but was unfortunately prevented cult services, were extremely valuable; by illness from fulfilling it. Rear- the instructions given by Vice-Admiral Admiral William Shields therefore Morrison that every facility should deputized for him. be given to the R.N.L.I. delegation COMMITTEE DECIDED were carried out to the full, and the On returning to London the delega- crews were frank in their criticisms. tion reported to the Committee of The delegation were most impressed Management, which then decided that by the way in which the Coast Guard a 44-foot United States life-boat service took detailed note of the men's should be acquired for evaluation pur- observations which arose from their poses. Lieut.-Commander Dutton later operational experiences. returned to the United States for TRIBUTE TO LATE PRESIDENT further trials of the boat, and arrange- ments were made to ship her to the Before beginning their detailed ex- United Kingdom in May. amination of the work of the U.S. For many years there has been close Coast Guard the delegation attended a and friendly co-operation between the number of other functions. On Sunday, R.N.L.I. and the U.S.C.G. In 1928, I9th January, Captain Wyndham- for instance, the R.N.L.I, provided Quin and Commander Swann, accom- U.S. Coast Guard with a Watson cabin panied by Captain R. R. Smith and life-boat which a Coast Guard dele- Commander J. D. McCann of the gation considered the most suitable United States Coast Guard and Lieut.- for their purpose of any European Commander Dutton, laid a wreath on life-boat they had seen. the grave of the late President Ken- The United States Coast Guard was nedy at Arlington National Cemetery. created in 1790 soon after the Ameri- On the same day they visited the tomb can nation was born. of the Unknown Warrior. On the Sun- day evening Vice-Admiral Morrison HOW SERVICE DEVELOPED held a reception at his home for the The first United States Congress R.N.L.I. delegation. The arrange- accepted 12 lighthouses along the ments made for the delegation's visit Atlantic sea border and authorized 10 were flawless throughout. They re- light, fast 50-foot, two-masted schoon- ceived much generous hospitality and ers to enforce customs and revenue and during the whole of their visit laws. Although both the revenue Commander McCann, the administra- cutter service and the lighthouse es- tive aide to Admiral E. J. Roland, tablishment operated independently the commandant of the United States under the Secretary to the Treasury Coast Guard, was assigned to help for over a century, they became part them. of the Coast Guard in 1915 and 1919 respectively. ADMIRAL INVITED In 1852, with the advent of the In the course of the visit Captain steam engine, the marine inspection Wyndham-Quin invited Vice-Admiral service was established in the Treasury Morrison to be the guest speaker at the Department with authority to license Institution's annual general meeting. engineers and pilots and to inspect hulls, boilers, life-boats, signal lines Secretary of the Treasury during peace and fire fighting equipment. This was time and under the navy in time of followed some years later by the creation war. Some of its more important of the Bureau of Navigation to admin- duties are: law enforcement, search ister the nation's marine laws. This, and rescue, aids to navigation, marine like the marine inspection service, was inspection, oceanography, weather eventually transferred to the Coast ocean stations, international ice patrol, Guard. merchant marine safety, ice breaking and reserve personnel training. SEARCH AND RESCUE DUTIES This is, indeed, a comprehensive The Coast Guard is a military ser- service, of which search and rescue in- vice at all times and constitutes a cludes the operation of 138 life-boat branch of the armed forces of the stations and nine air stations with 14 United States. It operates under the air detachments.

The New U.S. 44-foot Steel Life-boat The following extract was taken from a paper presented to the ninth international life-boat conference in Edinburgh, 1963, by Lieut.-Commander Robert W. Witter, Chief, Boat Section, Naval Engineering Division, United States Coast Guard.

THE ability to operate satisfactorily In the determinations of hull scant- in coastal waters under unusually severe lings emphasis was placed on highest adverse weather and sea conditions strength obtainable in the least practic- was a major consideration for the new able weight considering the most 44-foot life-boat built by the United severe service conditions of rescue at States Coast Guard. Features intended sea, possible grounding, working in ice, to provide excellent seaworthiness char- heavy surf, and towing assistance. The acteristics were given high priority in hull, which is framed by a combination the development of the preliminary of transverse and longitudinal mem- design. In the forward sections of the bers, is divided into seven watertight hull, emphasis was placed on lines compartments. For safety against favourable to easy driving with a mini- possible grounding damage, a double mum of pounding in a seaway. This bottom is provided in the forward half- new boat followed the important sea- length of the boat. Further grounding worthiness requirement of a small protection, when broached, is afforded moderately fast Coast Guard craft in by a web frame located at the mid- its ability to proceed into head seas at section and extending from keel to a maximum speed consistent with due cockpit deck level. consideration for damage to the boat's Bulkheads are constructed of mild structure and equipment and a mini- steel, as are the hull framing, raised mum of physical punishment to the decks and cockpit deck. The shell crew. The adequacy of these design plating is constructed of ^ in. Corten considerations was confirmed in evalu- steel, a special low carbon formulation ation trials following construction of possessing high strength and cor- the full-scale boat. rosion-resisting properties. The trunks over the mess and pas- watt, 28 volt D.C. alternator with a senger space and the litter space are rectified output and voltage regulator constructed of aluminium alloy 5086- to supply auxiliary electrical power to £[32. The trunk over the machinery the boat. Service electricity is control- space is constructed of mild steel. The led and supplied through a distribution windshield, dodgers and other parts of switchboard to two 750 watt converter the superstructure are constructed of units for 115 volt A.C. power to oper- aluminium alloy 5086-1132. ate the electronics equipment. Batter- ies are installed to provide "dead-boat" communications capability. PASSENGER SPACE Starting for the main engines is by The steering station is equipped means of a hydraulic system with with engine throttle and starting con- controls to actuate remotely the start- trols, steering wheel, instrument panel, ing motors. Stored pressure accumula- special-damped compass, and remote- tors provide starting reserve during operated electronic equipment. stand-by engine status. The passenger space includes two The port engine has a manual transom seats, fitted with foam rubber clutch-type power take-off for opera- cushions and six auto-type safety belts. tion of a 120 G.P.M. fire and salvage The mess space is similarly equipped pump. This engine also drives the with a single transom for accommo- hydraulic starting system pump and dating three persons, in addition to air compressor. The starboard engine including limited galley facilities con- drives the hydraulic steering system sisting of a dresser with sink and hot pump. cup receptacles. An enclosed toilet- space is located convenient to this liv- ing area. The litter space includes two CHIEF STATISTICS transom seats with safety belts for five The boat is provided with twin, persons. Stowage is provided for a balanced foil plate rudders of welded Stokes litter and fire-fighting chemical construction and controlled by means foam. of a cable system with power assist from the hydraulic steering booster. Quick and precise rudder action is ENGINE POWER thus afforded. The main propelling machinery con- Towing equipment consists of the sists of two diesel engines each pro- 4-in. diameter tow bitt and tow line ducing 200 shaft horsepower, which stowage reel with 100 fathoms of 3^ in. are remotely controlled from the circumference nylon rope. Double steering station by single lever control bitts are located at each side for side for both clutch and throttle. Each tow positioning. engine drives a monel propeller shaft Minimum hull maintenance is ex- through hydraulic reverse reduction pected from the utilization of "exotic" gears. The propellers are three-blade paint coating systems for all interior cast manganese bronze. The shafting and exterior surfaces of the hull. is supported on water lubricated cut- Principal dimensions and character- lass rubber bearings. istics as developed from design and Each engine is equipped with a 2000 construction stages are as follows: Length, overall 44' I0i" Range of stability, Length, design in excess of 175 degrees waterline 40' G.M. (metacentric Beam, overall 12' 8" height) I-8 feet Beam, waterline 10' 10' K.G. (distance from Draft 3' 2f centre of gravity Displacement 15-8 tons to bottom of keel) 4-8 feet Fuel capacity 333 U.S. gallons Adequacy of stability calculations Water capacity 16 U.S. gallons and confirmation of self-righting Shaft horsepower, capability were checked during cap- maximum 400 sizing test. This test indicated approxi- Trial speed 15-3 knots mately two or three seconds were Endurance 290 miles, required for return from overturned 10 knots to upright position. Self-bailing of the 163 miles, midships cockpit is achieved through 15 knots the four-inch diameter, non-return Block coefficient 0-38 ball-check scupper valves. Approxi- Prismatic coefficient 0-52 mately 55 seconds elapsed in clearing Midships coefficient 0-73 water scooped in capsizing test. Letter to the Ed/tor SIR - I am a life-boat enthusiast and as such I am particularly interested in boats and equipment. As there must be others like myself, would it be possible to form a R.N.L.I. Enthusiasts' Club ? May I, through this journal, ask what support there would be for this idea ? Yours faithfully, JOHN G. FRANCIS 2oa, Transmere Road, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent. 22nd April, 1964.

NOTICE All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Stirling Whorlow Esq., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number of THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in SEPTEMBER, 1964.

1,7 AN UNUSUAL GOBLET

A MONUMENTAL glass goblet made in 1810 has been decorated by the well- known artist, Honoria Diana Marsh, who works with diamonds, with a picture of the Weston-super-Mare life-boat Calouste Gulbenkian. The capacity of the goblet is nearly 10 pints. It is 12^ inches high and measures 9 inches across the top. The goblet is to be sold to the highest bidder in aid of the funds of the Royal National Life-boat Institution, and offers are invited. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Princess Marina Presented Medals

THOSE who attended the annual in which we experienced just about the general meeting of the governors of worst winter in human memory life- the Institution on yth April, 1964, boats were continually out on their were told that 364 people had been missions of life-saving and not a single man was lost and no life-boat was seri- rescued by the Institution's life-boats ously damaged. This is a tribute both to and inshore rescue boats during the the skill and seamanship of our crews previous year, without loss of a single and to the quality of the boats in which member of the life-saving crews. The they serve. meeting, which was held at the Central Hall, Westminster, was atten- ADVANCES IN DESIGN ded by H.R.H. Princess Marina, "We have indeed every right to be Duchess of Kent, president of the proud of the quality of our life-boats, but Institution. we are never satisfied and we are always trying to improve. In the year on which NO LIVES LOST I am reporting several important advances were made. We put into service a new Reporting on the year's work, Cap- prototype life-boat, which is now sta- tain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, tioned at Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight. deputy chairman of the Committee of This is the 48-foot 6-inch life-boat Management, said, designed by our own surveyor and the "My first duty today is to report on the largest boat in our service to incorporate work of the life-boat service in the year his own ingenious principle of self- 1963, and a very eventful year it was. righting. It was also a most successful year in every possible way. The true measure of INFLATABLE CRAFT our success is that 354 people were "Then we introduced a new type of rescued by life-boats; 10 others were life-saving craft, a small, fast, inflatable rescued by our new inshore rescue boats, boat driven by an outboard motor, capable to which I will refer later; and individual of well over twenty knots and normally boat-owners, many of them associated manned by a crew of two. We tried some with our inshore rescue scheme, saved of them out experimentally last year with the lives of 224 others. All this was done marked success, and we shall have 25 without the loss of a single member of a of them in service this year. Through crew of a life-boat or other life-saving these craft we shall, I am certain, be craft in the service of the Institution. making a major contribution to the in- creasing problem of casualties in summer months among small boat-owners and SKILLED CREWS holiday makers generally. "That, I think you will agree, is a "During the year we held a major inter- wonderful record. When disasters do national conference at which 17 nations occur much is written about them. This is were represented and everyone, I think, very understandable, but surely it is also learned something new about life-boats worthy of comment that during the year and their equipment. We made an important step towards improving Admiral Shields of the United States communications by deciding to switch Coast Guard who has kindly consented over from very high frequency to ultra to be our guest speaker today. Not long high frequency radio telephones for ago I led a delegation from the R.N.L.I. communication between life-boats and to the United States to have a look at their helicopters and other aircraft. There is boats and their methods of construction, no doubt whatever that as a result voices and I can assure you we were all very will be heard more distinctly and the much impressed. During this visit we dangers of misunderstanding correspon- received much kind hospitality from the dingly reduced. These are only a few of United States Coast Guard and we were our new developments, but I hope they most grateful to them for the excellent will give you some idea of the direction arrangements they made. As you may in which we are moving and how we are have read in the newspapers we were so constantly striving to provide our crews impressed by the new United States with the very best boats and equipment, Coast Guard 44-foot life-boat that we for clearly they deserve no less. have decided to buy one of these for evaluation purposes. The boat will arrive some time next month and we will subject RISING COSTS her to exhaustive trials over a period of "On the financial side too, our results about a year. were satisfactory, and this is due to the tremendous amount of hard work done READINESS TO LEARN by our voluntary workers everywhere. "The decision to buy this life-boat is But we have got to face the fact that we in accordance with our practice of shall have to raise more and more. Our providing nothing but the best for the costs are rising steeply, out of all propor- crews who man our boats. It is, of course, tion to changes in the value of money. no reflection upon our own life-boats The reason is simply that we are making in which we have supreme confidence, so many advances in so many directions but we are always ready to learn, and that we are bound to spend more and to if other life-boat services have new ideas need more. Last year the service cost or new designs we are always ready to something like a million and a quarter adopt them. pounds. I shall not be at all surprised if "I would like also to extend a warm this year it costs about one million and welcome to the representatives of the three-quarters. French, Irish, Netherlands and Nor- wegian governments who are with us PRESIDENT WELCOMED today." "My next and pleasantest duty of all is to welcome your Royal Highness, our UNANIMOUS DECISION president, and to say how delighted we are The report and accounts for 1963 that you are able to grace this meeting were adopted, and Captain Wyndham- with your presence once again. We all Quin read out the nominations for know what a tremendous inspiration the chairman and deputy chairmen. These work which you do, Ma'am, is to the were: chairman, Captain the Hon. life-boat crews in this country, and I know how delighted and honoured the crews of V. M. Wyndham-Quin; deputy chair- life-boats from other countries were when men, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Geoffrey you visited them in Leith Docks and R. Bromet and Commander F. R. H. showed such a close interest in their work. Swann. These were elected unani- "I want to welcome most warmly Rear- mously, as were the president, vice- By courtesy of] [ Topix Princess Marina congratulates Coxswain Scott when presenting his silver medal presidents and other members of the of the service is known, I am sure, to all Committee of Management. Commo- of you. I believe I am right in saying that dore the Right Hon. the Earl Howe he has visited every single one of our was elected honorary chairman for life-boat stations. It is, therefore, a matter life. of the deepest regret to all of us that he will no longer be serving as chairman of Princess Marina then gave her the Committee of Management of the presidential address. Institution, although I am happy to state that he has been appointed to a tide of LORD HOWE'S SERVICE honour as honorary chairman for life. "I would like first to say how very sorry "In welcoming me so kindly to-day, I am that because of the state of his health Captain Wyndham-Quin, you referred in Lord Howe is unable to be in the chair your speech to the international life-boat to-day. Lord Howe's record of service to conference which was held in Edinburgh the Royal National Life-boat Institution and Leith and at which Lord Howe took is a truly remarkable one. He joined the the chair. It was certainly a most inter- Committee of Management as long ago as esting occasion and one which, I am sure, 1919. From 1931 to 1947 he was deputy will have long-term beneficial results for treasurer. He has served on all the Institu- the life-boat services in this and many tion's sub-committees, in 1946 he was other countries. elected deputy chairman of the Committee of Management, and ten years later he AT EDINBURGH became its chairman. During all those "I had myself the opportunity of years he gave of his time unsparingly and inspecting all the vessels which were his devotion to every aspect of the work there, not only five of the R.N.L.I.'s life-boats but also two life-boats from the south at St. David's, and I shall be Netherlands, a German and a Norwegian naming the new life-boats. To everyone rescue cruiser and a fast rescue boat from associated with the life-boat service it is Sweden. I also had the opportunity of always an inspiration to visit the stations talking to their various crews and meeting and to meet not only the men who put out a number of the delegates, and it was a to the rescue but their wives who support wonderful thing to find people from so them and all those who work voluntarily many nations working together in com- for the benefit of the station. plete harmony and for one purpose only, "As you have told us, Captain Wynd- that of improving methods for saving life ham-Quin, last year was one on which the at sea. whole life-boat service has the right to look back with pride. I wish to thank you OVERSEAS GUESTS all for everything you have done to "I am, therefore, particularly delighted achieve such success and to wish you that we have here to-day the Chief of continuing success in all that you are Office of Operations of the United States doing for the service." Coast Guard, Rear-Admiral Shields. It was not possible for the United States MEDALS PRESENTED Coast Guard to send a life-boat to Leith, Princess Marina then presented but I know that everybody was most impressed by the paper they read on to:— their new 44-foot life-boat. Mechanic Eric Pattimore, of St. "Another representative of an overseas Peter Port, the bronze medal for life-boat service who is present to-day is gallantry for the rescue of nine of Lieut.-Commander de Booy, who has the crew of the Norwegian motor just retired from the post of director of vessel Johan Collett on 5th/6th the Royal North and South Holland February Life-boat Society. He has attended more John Petit the bronze medal for international life-boat conferences than the same service any man alive. Later I shall be presenting Coxswain Lionel Derek Scott, him with a certificate of honorary life of The Mumbles, the silver medal governor of the Royal National Life-boat Institution, and I am delighted that not for the rescue of the crew of the only his father before him, but now Dutch motor vessel Kilo on i8th Lieut.-Commander de Booy have been November accorded this honour. Second Coxswain Francis Taylor, of Wells, the bronze medal NAMING CEREMONIES for the rescue of the crew of two "When opening the international con- of the cabin cruiser Seamu on ference I had the privilege of presenting i8th/i9th May the gold medal for gallantry to Coxswain Coxswain Richard Hickey, of Hubert Petit of St. Peter Port in Guern- Youghal, the bronze medal for the sey. He thus became the third man since rescue of four of the crew of the the end of the last war to win this very French trawler Fee des Ondes on 2jth rare award. I am delighted to see him on October this platform to-day and this afternoon I shall be presenting medals to two mem- Coxswain John Plummer, of bers of his crew. Caister, the bronze medal for gallantry "Later this year I shall be visiting two for the rescue of the crew of seven of life-boat stations in Wales, one in the the Lowestoft trawler Loch Lorgan north at Llandudno and the other in the on 13th December Mechanic Joseph Houlihan, of "The United States Coast Guard, Valentia, the bronze medal for among other things, is responsible for gallantry for the rescue of two men enforcing or assisting in the enforcement from a dinghy on 2nd September. of Federal laws on the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. These laws govern naviga- tion, shipping, and other maritime opera- ADMIRAL'S REGRETS tions, and the related protection of life Rear-Admiral William Shields, and property. The service also co-ordin- chief of Office of Operations, United ates and provides maritime search and States Coast Guard, expressed the rescue facilities for marine and air com- regrets of Vice-Admiral Donald merce, and the armed forces. Other func- McG. Morrison at being unable to tions include promoting the safety of attend the meeting because of ill- merchant vessels, furnishing ice-breaking health. When Vice-Admiral Morrison services, and developing, installing, main- had headed the United States delega- taining, and operating aids to maritime navigation. The Coast Guard has a further tion at the ninth international life-boat responsibility for maintaining a state of conference in Edinburgh the previous readiness to function as a specialized year he had formed many friend- service of the Navy in time of war or ships with members of the Institution national emergency. and had been looking forward to renewing them. FEWER STATIONS Rear-Admiral Shields read Vice- Admiral Morrison's speech. It began "During the last year, we operated a with mention of the honour he had total of 323 ships with commissioned been accorded in being the first United officers aboard, 138 aircraft of varying States representative to be invited to types, and a shore-side establishment of lighthouses, bases, air stations, marine address the Institution's annual general inspection offices and administrative meeting, and referred to his visit to units. An interesting statistic is the num- the international life-boat conference. ber of life-boat stations we operate - interesting in comparison with yours. We have 138 life-boat stations which com- NO IRON CURTAIN pares with 150 of yours. You might feel "It was there in Edinburgh that the that with our tremendous coast line that delegates from these eighteen nations this is a small programme. Actually, our exchanged ideas freely-in the saving of communication network, search and res- life at sea there is no Iron Curtain or cue co-ordination centres, our larger Berlin Wall. The Iron Curtain countries vessels on patrol, the fact that our life- as well as those of the free world laid all boat stations have several vessels attached their cards on the table. 'How can the - all these factors - enable us to maintain life-boats be improved ? A human life is fewer stations, but I will later go into without price. Let's pool our knowledge. problems incident to our life-boat stations. How can we do a better job ?' This was 'the spirit of Edinburgh' as unanimously SAFETY MEASURES expressed at the conference in 1963. But prior to commenting further on Edin- "In the field of merchant marine safety, burgh or mutual life-saving problems, I we issued nearly 5,000 certificates of feel that you would appreciate having seaworthiness, reviewed plans for over some understanding of my own service. 31,000 merchant vessels and completed Vf administrative actions in 56,000 cases of strategically located life-boats embodying violation of navigation or motor-boat that one vital factor, a factor regrettably laws. We boarded for compliance with now missing in my service, the factor of these laws nearly 200,000 vessels. local knowledge of the waters in which "We maintain a total of over 42,000 the life-boats operate. This knowledge aids to navigation, including radio- obtained over more than a century is beacons, lighthouses, buoys, day marks passed down from father to son, from and, as a matter of interest, 70 long-range coxswain to coxswain. navigational aids throughout Europe, our "If I may now hark back to the Edin- continent and the islands of the Pacific. burgh conference, I would like to com- ment upon our newly developed 44-foot motor life-boat. This vessel was the sub- NUMBERS RESCUED ject of one of the papers presented and if "I have not commented on our co- I may briefly describe the boat it is a operation with other agencies or treaty self-bailing, self-righting, twin screw obligations such as the International Ice vessel with a speed of over 16 knots and a Patrol, Bering Sea Patrol, operation of power plant of 400 horsepower diesel Ocean Station vessels in the Atlantic and engines. Pacific and support of Arctic and Ant- arctic operations. SEEN FIRST-HAND "Insofar as assistance to mariners was "This boat aroused considerable in- concerned in 1963, we actually assisted, terest here in the British Isles; so much by towing, refloating or in other fashion, so that Captain Wyndham-Quin, Mr. over 20,000 vessels. Nearly 2,000 people Guinness, Mr. Warington-Smyth, Com- were saved or rescued from peril and mander Swann and your chief inspector we assisted by aerial escort or otherwise of life-boats, Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. nearly 500 aircraft. Dutton, deemed themselves sufficiently "I have given you this rather brief rugged to visit the colonies in the dead of account so that you will see quite readily winter. In January of this year these that our service is comparable with several gentlemen viewed first-hand the con- different agencies within the United struction of the vessel at our Coast Guard Kingdom such as your own Institution, yard and operation of the vessel at Trinity House, Ministry of Transport, selected life-boat stations under varying Coastguard and certain elements of the conditions of wind and sea. Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. "I can tell you quite frankly that the vessel has more than lived up to our LOCAL KNOWLEDGE design expectations. She has excellent carrying capacity. She has broken ice "I would like you to understand quite over eight inches thick; your Committee clearly that my remarks so far have not of Management were aboard a i,ooo-ton been intended to convey to you that I vessel which an operational 44-footer feel, as the heavyweight champion of towed with ease at a speed of six knots. the world, Cassius Clay, would say: Her stability in heavy surf is most 'We is the greatest.' remarkable. "For in the field of pure life-boat work, our United States Coast Guard has nothing but admiration of your Institu- BEATLES FOR BOAT tion and of your method of operation. "I know now that you are desirous of You have a most remarkable organization acquiring one of these boats for evaluation which has proven itself over the years - an in the British Isles under operating con- organization with a fleet of about 150 ditions which prevail here. These ex- changes between countries are good but These voluntary boatmen have been of they are somewhat unfair. We send you a inestimable value to us in both a prac- motor life-boat and you send us the tical sense at sea and a practical value Beatles. You can keep the motor life- ashore. Last year, for example, they boat but we did send the Beatles back to conducted formal courses in boating you inside a week. safety and piloting at no charge to over "Now I would like to comment on 120,000 people. problems that confront my Coast Guard and quite likely the Royal National Life- boat Institution. After World War II BOATS EXAMINED we had come to the conclusion that "One very interesting practical aspect numerous life-boat stations could be of their work for us is their examination shut down. Our conclusion was errone- of pleasure boats at dockside for the ous. For then there began within our benefit of the neophyte. The Auxiliary country what we choose to call a pleasure has set up certain minimum equipment boating explosion. Leisure time, good requirements for boats of varying sizes salaries and any kind of a credit rating -requirements which are more rigid enabled millions of our citizens to go than our own legal requirements. An down to the sea in something less than a owner of a boat so examined has the ship. satisfaction of knowing that a qualified fellow boatman had advised him of the PLEASURE BOATMEN adequacy of his vessel. Last year this group examined over 140,000 motor- "We estimate that in the last year boats for us. Additionally our Auxiliary nearly 40 million people put out from assisted the U.S. Coast Guard by patrol- our coastal shores, and on our lakes and ling nearly 2,000 regattas and actually rivers. This staggering total, I know, responded in 6,000 instances to boatmen must conjure up immediately the tragedies requiring assistance. This voluntary group of overloading, over-speeding, and almost numbers over 20,000 members with total disregard for weather and sea con- nearly 15,000 boats, 91 aircraft, and 206 ditions. Our surfmen at our life-boat radio stations, which are made available stations for years had a saying, 'You have to us for cases requiring additional forces to go out but you don't have to come in areas where our own regular forces back'. This saying has absolutely no are too thinly spread or otherwise en- application in the case of the average gaged. pleasure boatman. "We now required a long, hard look RE-ASSESSMENTS at our methods of operation, and since boating is perhaps the private individual's "It is interesting to note that when last frontier, we felt that, without un- actually aiding the U.S. Coast Guard limited funds, our duty should primarily these vessels are regarded as government consist of education of the public first vessels and the government stands behind and regulation of the public a secondary them in event of damages to their vessel concern. or the vessel being assisted. "This group then has been of inesti- VOLUNTEERS HELP mable value to us. But what of our own planning for intelligent utilization of "To help us in our handling of the our forces? What have we done here? boating public, a group of civilian volun- We have had to look at present rescue teer yachtsmen formed into an organiza- station locations and determine: do we tion known as the Coast Guard Auxiliary. need this station in its present spot - or Vf By courtesy o}\ [Spore and General Press Agency Medal winners in London for the annual general meeting do we need to increase the facilities in and from certain areas. Our conclusions, this certain area because of shift in however, do not always gibe with the boating locations or density ? New boats, views of an outraged community when higher speeds, greater towing ability, you propose closing a station that has ruggedness and passenger capacity, all been that town's station for many, these factors now afford us wider coverage many years. of areas previously served by several life-boat stations. Couple this with KENNEDY TRIBUTE utilization of helicopters from the rescue "Parenthetically, I might add they never station and we can forecast relocation gibe. I can say that Hell hath no fury like and spacing changes, and resulting a community scorned, and if you have monetary savings with actually an in- faced or will face such problems, I wish crease in service. Those stations, to put you the good luck which you will need it bluntly, not paying their way, had to be plus a tremendous supply of stationery shut down. and several additional secretaries. In this regard I speak from experience, believe me. STATIONS RE-SITED "This concludes my remarks concern- "When we propose closing down a ing our two services but I do feel I would life-boat station we do not do so with the like to mention particularly that during idea of decreasing services, quite the your Committee's trip to the States in contrary. Logic shows that stations need January, they visited Arlington National relocating, as pleasure boating shifts to Cemetery in Washington D.C. When Captain Wyndham-Quin placed the mem- boats and return from successful missions. orial wreath on President Kennedy's "The experience of these men and grave, I thought to myself what a fitting others in similar work throughout the proposal he made when you decided that world can be invaluable if we can only a life-boat stationed in the Republic of share it. Therefore, let us here resolve Ireland should be named the 'John F. that the spirit of Edinburgh, so evident Kennedy'. Our vital, young, late presi- at the conference of 1963, continue; that dent was enthusiastic and vibrant in so the member nations of the International very many fields but his one real love was Life-boat Association and other nations in sailing. You could not have selected a of the world bordering on the coastline more fitting memorial for years ahead freely interchange technical knowledge than to have the memory of John F. and techniques so that we may more ably Kennedy kept alive in the United King- perform our important duties of saving dom by a boat engaged in saving of life. life and property from the perils of the For this, I thank you on behalf of my sea." fellow citizens.

FORMAL RESOLUTION BRITISH BACKBONE Rear-Admiral Shields proposed the "I have not yet commented on what resolution that the meeting, fully truly gives me the greatest pleasure in recognizing the important services of being here today, and that is to join with the Royal National Life-boat Institution you in a salute to your gallant men whose in its national work of life-saving, heroism we are here to honour. Someone desired to record its hearty apprecia- better gifted than I to turn a phrase has said, "The brave man is not he who fears tion of the gallantry of the coxswains no fear for that were stupid and irrational; and crews of the Institution's life- but is he whose noble soul subdues its boats and its deep obligation to the fear and bravely dares the danger nature local committees, honorary secre- shrinks from' - Joanna Baillie. I am not taries, and honorary treasurers of all so presumptuous as to remind the British station branches, and to the honorary of their sea-going traditions but I wish to officers and thousands of voluntary state unequivocally that the backbone and members of the financial branches and toughness of the British are embodied the Ladies' Life-boat Guild in the in the heroic daring of these men. work of raising funds to maintain the service After the resolution had been carried SHARING KNOWLEDGE unanimously, Princess Marina pre- "Courage mounts with the occasion and, sented certificates of honorary life if these gallant men are like most sailors, governors to : this day requires additional courage for Mr. C. Ernest Link, C.C., chair- them, for sailors - myself excluded - are man of the City of London branch usually modest and I know that on Mrs. D. J. Wilkes, chairman of the accepting the awards they are mindful of the assistance, co-operation and teamwork Llandudno Ladies' Life-boat Guild they had from their shipmates and from Lieut.-Commander H. Th. de the British public whose generosity Booy, director of the Royal North enabled the coxswains to put to sea under and South Holland Life-boat Society adverse conditions but in well found life- until December, 1963.

77 Her Royal Highness then presented rendered distinguished service receive bars to their gold badges to: their awards. The day would not be what it is were it not for your presence here, Mrs. E. K. Hartly-Hodder, M.B.E., Ma'am. The close personal interest which Bristol you show in the work of our service is Mrs. E. M. Eastwood, Oldham known wherever there is a life-boat and gold badges to: station and wherever there is a branch of Alderman Miss D. Mann, J.P., the service; that is to say, all over the Ampthill country. By coming here today you have Major E. P. Hansell, Cromer given further proof of your interest in Mrs. W. Sutherland, Gourock our work and the inspiration and leader- Alderman Miss E. M. Lister, ship which you provide will encourage us M.B.E., Leeds all in the tasks which lie ahead." Colonel F. Ferris St. George, also Mrs. E. F. Lyell, Montrose of the Committee of Management, Mrs. F. Potter, Montrose seconded the vote of thanks which was Mr. R. K. Sayer, Newhaven carried with acclamation. Mrs. G. Cowle, Penarth Mr. J. E. Roberts, J.P., Porth- PLATFORM GUESTS dinllaen Members of the platform party Mr. W. R. Edwards, Ramsey included representatives of the French, Mr. R. Geoffrey Beard, F.C.A., Irish, Netherlands and Norwegian Sheffield governments, the Members of Parlia- Mr. J. G. Jackson, Shoreham ment for Swansea East and Yarmouth, Miss M. Pudsey-Dawson, Tenby Norfolk, the chairmen of the London Mrs. E. C. Brooke, Walton and County Council and the Middlesex Frinton. County Council, the mayors and mayoresses of 42 towns and boroughs, the chairmen of two urban district VOTE OF THANKS councils. Captain R. E. Cowell, a member of Others on the platform were repre- the Committee of Management, moved sentatives of the Ministry of Trans- a vote of thanks to Princess Marina port, donors of life-boats or their He said, representatives, others representing "My part on this occasion is a brief one charitable trusts which have been but an extremely pleasant one: it is to actively supporting the life-boat ser- propose the vote of thanks to your Royal vice, honorary life governors and Highness for your presence here today vice-presidents of the Institution, the and for so graciously presenting the chairman and vice-chairmen of the medals of gallantry and other awards. Central London Women's Committee This is a most important day for those of the Institution. of us connected with the life-boat service and a day on which we look back After the meeting those who had on the past year's work and tell our received awards for gallantry and supporters what we have done. It is a then* families went to an evening per- day on which those who have carried out formance of the Black and White deeds of great gallantry or have otherwise Minstrel show at Victoria Palace. Orkney Coxswain Wins Second Silver Medal

COXSWAIN Daniel Kirkpatrick of There was a very heavy steep sea Longhope has achieved the unusual caused by the wind and the tide. The distinction of being awarded the tide was now setting to the south-east Institution's silver medal for gallantry at no less than eight knots. There was for the second time. His second award a tidal eddy close to the rocks. was made for the rescue of nine men from the Aberdeen trawler Ben Barvas HUGE WAVES on the night of the 3rd/4th January, 1964. Coxswain Kirkpatrick approached the trawler from the southward, and in the light of parachute flares the trawler COASTGUARD'S CALL could be seen lying close to the shore The first intimation that a vessel was with her bows to the west. She was in distress reached the life-boat station upright but was rolling in the surf, at 10.11 p.m. on 3rd January, when the with reefs close ahead and astern of Kirkwall coastguard telephoned the her over which the seas were breaking honorary secretary, Mr. J. M. F. heavily. Groat, to say that the Ben Barvas was Coxswain Kirkpatrick continued his ashore on the Pentland Skerries. run in. His aim was to put the life- Shortly afterwards he confirmed that boat's starboard side alongside the the trawler was on the south side of the trawler, but when he was about 60 feet Little Skerry. off a huge sea carried her broadside to The maroons were fired at 10.16 and within 30 feet of the wreck, and the 10 minutes later the Longhope life- coxswain had to order the engines to be boat T.G.B., which is one of the 47- put full astern. This huge sea broke foot Watson class, was launched. At about 10 feet above the trawler's port that time there was a fresh to moderate rail and some five feet of her side were southerly breeze and a moderate sea. exposed in the trough. The weather was cloudy but visibility was good. It was three hours before HIS ONE HOPE high water springs, and in the Pentland Firth the tide was setting to the east- The coxswain decided that in these ward at four knots. conditions it was virtually impossible to come alongside the trawler. His only hope was to haul off to the south-west JUDGMENT NEEDED and then anchor and veer down on the With the favourable tide the life- trawler. boat made good progress on a south- Veering 80 fathoms of nylon cable easterly course, and she reached the and using his engines, he reached a trawler at about 11.30. As he ap- position about 90 feet south of the proached the Little Skerry, Coxswain casualty. Second Coxswain James Kirkpatrick saw the trawler's lights, Johnston then fired a rocket line across and he took the life-boat close across the trawler's stern, and a nylon rope the west end of the Skerry to assess the was passed to the trawler and secured situation. to a davit on her poop deck. A second nylon rope was bent on to this and led radio. The coxswain continued to keep through the bow fairlead to the life- firm control of the situation. boat's capstan. As each survivor crossed in the breeches buoy the tide swept him ROPE STRANDED away astern and it was difficult and With the use of this rope and the exhausting work heaving them into the engines and with the life-boat crew life-boat. After the second man had taking in the slack of the cable by hand, reached the life-boat, the trawler's oil Coxswain Kirkpatrick manoeuvred the fuel tanks were fractured and the ropes life-boat to a position abreast of the and the deck of the life-boat were trawler's stern and about 60 feet off. covered with diesel oil. Then a series of heavy seas were en- The oil did have some effect on the countered and the nylon rope stranded breaking seas, but the deck became at the trawler's end. It was immedi- very slippery and the work of rescue ately slacked away and the trawler's even harder. The scrambling net was crew hauled in to the stranded part and rigged amidships, and as each man secured on the sound rope. came across he was hauled inboard by A member of the life-boat crew, the coxswain and by Roy Kirkpatrick, James Swanson, had great difficulty in the bowman. tending the nylon rope on the capstan, but with his help the coxswain was able to hold the life-boat some 90 feet BROKEN RIBS from the trawler in a suitable position The trawler was settling slowly by to work the breeches buoy. the head, but at the end of an hour the Second Coxswain Johnston then last man to leave the trawler, the fired a second rocket line. This passed skipper, got into the breeches buoy. over the trawler's wireless aerial but As he did so a particularly heavy sea was retrieved by the mate and secured broke over the trawler. He had to go to one of the trawler's davits. The back and in doing so had two of his trawler then took a heavy list to port ribs broken. At the next attempt he and seas were continually breaking was hauled safely aboard the life-boat. over her. The rescue was completed about i .20 a.m. The nylon warp was cut and the life-boat was swung clear. The BREECHES BUOY RESCUES cable was hauled in and the coxswain The time was now 12.15 a-m- hove to while the deck was cleared of the operation of rescuing the nine sur- ropes and all gear was secured. vivors on board the trawler by breeches After she left the scene of the casu- buoy was begun. The whole life-boat alty the life-boat came up with the crew were fully employed. Bowman trawler Ben Screel, which had on board Roy Kirkpatrick and his brother Jack five survivors from the Ben Barvas who manned the outhaul forward. The had left earlier in an inflatable life second coxswain and Robbie Johnston raft. These five men were transferred manned the inhaul amidships; James to the life-boat in the lee of Duncansby Swanson tended the nylon warp, Head and all 14 survivors were landed while Assistant Mechanic Robert R. at St. Margaret's Hope at 4.30. Johnston attended to the engines and For this service a silver second By courtesy of] [E. Rhodes Coxswain Kirkpatrick seen with his son service clasp was awarded to Cox- Bowman Roy Kirkpatrick, Mechanic swain Daniel Kirkpatrick. Robert Johnston, Assistant Mechanic The thanks of the Institution in- Robert R. Johnston, crew members scribed on vellum were accorded to James Swanson, Robbie Johnston and Second Coxswain James Johnston, Jack Kirkpatrick. Bravest Act of Life-saving THE Maud Smith award for the March, 1964, number of THE LIFE-BOAT bravest act of life-saving by a member on page 5. of a life-boat crew in 1963 has been The award, which is an annual one won by Mechanic Joseph Houlihan of made, according to the terms of a will, Valentia for the rescue single-handed by the Committee of Management of of two men on 2nd September. A full the Institution, was won the previous account of the service appeared in the year by Bowman John Kerr, of Blyth. Award to Two Coxswains THE 1963 award made under the terms of the James Michael Bower Endow- ment Fund established by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company has been made to Coxswain Hubert Ernest Petit, of St. Peter Port, gold medallist, and Coxswain Lionel Derek Scott, of The Mumbles, silver medallist. Accounts of services for which they won their awards appeared on page 450 of the June, 1963, number of THE LIFE-BOAT and on page 7 of the March, 1964, number respectively. as* Two Men Washed Out of Life-boat

Two members of the Teesmouth crew seas were slightly on the starboard had a remarkable escape when they quarter. The life-boat drogue was were washed out of the life-boat after correctly streamed. she had gone to the help of an Indian steamer on I4th March, 1964. At 9.40 that morning the honorary STRUCK BY WAVES secretary of the Teesmouth station, Mr. Several heavy seas had passed when E. R. Copeman, learnt that the Indian the aft look-outs reported another one steamer Jalamanjari, which had an- coming in. This wave brought the chored off Tees pier, was dragging her drogue in with its crest, and, freed anchor and rapidly drifting on to the lee from the restraining influence of the shore. drogue, the life-boat sheered rapidly to The maroons were fired, and the starboard. She was struck by the Teesmouth life-boat, Sarah Jane and breaking sea on her starboard side, and James Season, which is one of the 47- the boat heeled about 100 degrees to foot Watson type, put out at 10.45. A. port until her masthead was actually south-easterly gale was blowing, visi- under water. Heavy water poured over bility was poor, and there were very the after cabin, forced up the canvas heavy seas. It was about half an hour screen at the rear of the wheelhouse, after low water. filled the wheelhouse itself, and washed the coxswain away from the wheel. NOT EASILY SEEN Motor Mechanic C. Coates and The conditions were such that it Assistant Mechanic W. Carter were took the life-boat some time to find the also carried away from their controls. steamer, which was sighted well across The sea entered the radio cabin and the bay towards Hartlepool, where the partially flooded the after cabin. With sea was a mass of broken water. the weight of the water on her and the As the life-boat approached her the seas entering through the wheelhouse Indian steamer grounded inside Hump door on the port side, the boat re- Point near the Heugh light and almost mained heeled over until the drogue alongside the promenade. Two tugs held her again and she steadied up. were called for, but they could not reach the steamer, and it was decided to leave her until a salvage officer had TWO OVERBOARD assessed the situation. The crew of the When she did so it was seen that steamer were in no immediate danger, two members of the crew, Bowman and Coxswain John Stonehouse de- Clive Porter and Arthur Embleton, cided to continue towards Hartlepool. had been washed overboard. They had With the exception of the two both been members of the forward mechanics he stationed the remainder look-out. of the crew on deck, those forward Assistant Mechanic Carter was the keeping a look-out for the entrance to first man on his feet. He saw a man in Hartlepool harbour and those aft keep- the water and with great presence of ing an eye on the following seas. The mind grabbed the wheel and put it to By courtesy at] [Northern Daily Mail The cargo vessel Jalamanjari aground starboard. Motor Mechanic Coates at man. Both men were then hauled in- the same time stopped his starboard board. engine to prevent it from fouling the As the drogue had been cut away drogue rope and went full ahead on his Coxswain Stonehouse made the deci- port engine. sion, which was undoubtedly a correct Coxswain Stonehouse then resumed one, to work back to Teesmouth into command and it was confirmed that the sea rather than again risk the only two men had been washed over- effect of the following seas. board. They were both seen about a For this attempted service a framed hundred yards apart. letter of thanks signed by the chair- The life-boat reached the first man, man of the Institution was sent to the who held on to an outside line while coxswain and crew and additional the boat was worked up to the other monetary awards were made. INSHORE RESCUE BOATS SERVICES From October, 1963, to March, 1964, the inshore rescue boats were launched on service four times. The following is the list of services or attempted services: Date Station Casualty Service 1963 October 5: Whitstable Yacht Gave help October 13: Whitstable Dinghy No service 1964 March 15: Atlantic College Sailing dinghy No service March 20: Mudeford Reported dinghy No service Zf BEST WRECK SERVICE OF THE YEAR

Three Scottish Life-saving Companies Share Prize

LIFE-SAVING Apparatus Companies in Mr. John Lockhead,took his men down the Hebrides and the Shetland Isles the cliff to a point about 20 feet above share the award of the Minister of the bows of the stranded vessel, from Transport's shield for the best wreck which they carried out the rescue. A service of the year 1963-4. The shield whip and breeches buoy was used, will be held for six months by the Port and within hah0 an hour the first Ellen and Mull of Oa companies, Islay, survivor was landed. The other 14 and for the remainder of the year by were brought ashore uninjured within the Lerwick L.S.A. company. the next hour. The Islay life-boat and The two Islay companies were con- H.M.S. Hampshire were both lying off- cerned with the rescue of the 15 mem- shore, unable to help because of the bers of the crew of the trawler rocks which surrounded the wreck. Margaret Wicks, which grounded at Mull of Oa on 8th December, 1963. RECORD TIME The Lerwick company rescued 13 The trawler Rangore ran on to rocks members of the crew of the trawler about a hundred yards off-shore Rangore which stranded at Munger shortly before i a.m. on iyth January, Skerries, Lerwick, on iyth January, after failing to heed warning signals 1964. from the coastguard. The L.S.A. WENT ASHORE company at Lerwick turned out in record time. A rocket was fired across The Margaret Wicks went ashore on the wreck and secured. Led by station the Mull of Oa, a wild isolated part of officer J. Hughson, the company sent Islay where there are few roads, at 3 out their whip, followed by a hawser. a.m. on 8th December. Within T.\ hours, the Mull of Oa company, who live in a small isolated community RESCUED FROM ROCK about three miles away, were on the Unfortunately one of the crew tried scene. Shortly afterwards the Port to come ashore before the breeches buoy Ellen company arrived, having carried was sent out and was knocked over- their life-saving gear for two miles board, but luckily was able to scram- across very rough, boggy terrain from ble on to a rock from which he was the road where they had left their later rescued. By 2.15 a.m. the first man lorry. was brought ashore in the breeches buoy, and the remainder of the crew DESCENDED CLIFF were landed within an hour. The The trawler was hard ashore, close Lerwick life-boat had been standing in under a steeply sloping cliff 250 feet by, but again was unable to approach high; and the Volunteer-in-Charge, the wreck because of rocks. THE GUNNERS' ISLAND by Lieut-Colonel K. Maclntyre R.A. PROBABLY the highest subscription per citing, and, when weather is bad, has capita of any unit in the regular forces been known to be delayed up to a to the Institution is from the St. month. The ship to shore relief in Kilda detachment of the Royal Artil- Village Bay is carried out in ly-foot lery Guided Weapons Range in the dories and is at times hazardous. Outer Hebrides. In the past six years the Barra life- This small detachment, whose boat has stood by on call on several strength is about 30 men, lives on occasions. A tank landing craft caught Hirta, the main island of the St. Kilda out in a force 12 gale off Barra Head, archipelago, 40 miles west of Harris in the relief vessel going on the rocks in the Outer Hebrides. The soldiers, who West Loch Tarbet, a man dangerously live a lighthouse-like existence, change ill on St. Kilda during bad weather over every six weeks from their base on have all been occasions when the the island of Benbecula. Barra life-boat has been ready to come The eight-hour journey on the to the rescue. So far the gunners have R.A.S.C. Isles Class Trawler Mull never actually had to call out the life- takes them through the reef-infested boat, but when the wind strengthens waters of the Stanton Channel in the up to force 10 and above it is a great treacherous Sound of Harris, and west comfort to the island soldiers to know to the open Atlantic. The journey is that the life-boat is always ready to usually uncomfortable, sometimes ex- come to their aid. French Life-boats THE Societe Centrale de Sauvetage des Naufrages, the French life-boat society with headquarters in Paris, no longer has pulling and sailing life-boats in its fleet, as mentioned in the March issue. Its fleet consists of 56 motor life-boats and two inshore rescue boats, and it is financed by voluntary contributions and by state subsidies for maintenance and new construction. Bogus Distress Signals MR. HECTOR HUGHES, Labour M.P. for Aberdeen North, raised the question of recent bogus distress signals fired at sea off the Scottish coast in the House of Commons in January. Emphasizing that Scottish life-boat men had put to sea on quests which proved fruitless, thereby wasting time, energy and fuel and depriving ships in genuine distress of their services, he asked the Right Hon. Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport, what inquiries he had made into these acts and what action he was taking. Mr. Marples replied, "I know that on a number of occasions recently reports of flares in the vicinity of Westray Firth have had the regrettable results described by the hon. Member. Further inquiries are being made and I hope that these will enable us to discover what lies behind the reports." Life-boat Wedding

IN 1957 Miss Christine Ford, who was then aged 15, became the youngest honorary secretary of a financial branch. The branch was Portslade in Sussex. Her parents are both enthusiastic supporters of the life-boat service and for many months gave up all their weekends to man the life-boat display centre in Brighton. While the Ford family were doing so much for the service a young man named Anthony Oliver developed a great interest in life-boats. Having made a detailed study of the subject while still a schoolboy he became at the age of 20 honorary secretary of the Hurstpierpoint branch in 1962. At a life-boat function Christine and Anthony met, and on I4th March, 1964, they were married at the charming fourteenth century church of St. Nicolas, Portslade. The wedding cake had a life-boat motif, and a guard of honour was provided by members of life-boat crews not only from Shoreham and from Newhaven, but from as far afield as Barmouth in Merionethshire. Books for the Young Two selections of stories for the young The True Book about Heroines of the which have recently been published Sea (Frederick Muller 9/6) is written contain accounts of the exploits of the for young people, and contains eight great Cromer coxswain, Henry Blogg. tales of courageous conduct at sea by All in the Day's Work (Hamish Hamil- women and girls, some barely into ton 6/6) opens with an extract from their teens. They are stirring tales, Cyril Jolly's book S.O.S. The Story of which should excite the admiration of the Life-boat Service, in which he des- girl readers, and also their brothers - cribes the great rescue from the convoy and maybe fathers and mothers as well. which went aground off the east coast The book is recommended, with in 1941. Other contributors to the book reservations. The accounts of the more are J. H. Williams, with an elephant recent incidents appear to be factual, story, and David Attenborough, with but this cannot be said of the story of an account of the capture of the largest Grace Darling that opens the book. It type of lizard in the world. seems to have been the fate of that heroine to have become the subject of many untrue statements, and the Harrap's Swift Readers Book 4 (Harrap author, Eileen Bigland, perpetuates 5/6) is intended for younger readers. some of those errors; and for good There are stories of characters as varied measure introduces some of her own. as Handel, Bulldog Drummond and Dr. She also makes it apparent that in Barnardo. An account of the service by writing of matters maritime she is the Cromer life-boat to the Swedish less than at home with her subject. ship Fernebo in 1917 is taken from The None of the stories refer to the life- Story of the Life-boat. boat service. P.H. W.M.P-H. San Remo Requests . . . The city of San Remo, Italy, is to 1960. Seamen of any nationality and award a Figurehead of Courage rank are eligible. annually to the seaman whose tech- Coxswain Hubert Ernest Petit, of nical and human skill in an action at St. Peter Port, Guernsey, has been sea shows the sea-faring spirit at its recommended by the R.N.L.I. in greatest. connection with the service to the The period to be considered for the Norwegian vessel Johan Collett in first award of the prize - on loth February, 1963, for which he was June this year - runs from ist June, awarded the gold medal.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 148 life-boats 25 inshore rescue boats LIVES RESCUED 84,680 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 31st March, 1964 AWARDS TO HONORARY WORKERS

Honorary Life Governors Gold Badge Three honorary life governors have been The gold badge has been awarded to: appointed in recognition of their services to the MR. R. GEOFFREY BEARD, F.C.A., Institution. At the annual general meeting of Sheffield the governors of the Institution on yth April, MRS. E. C. BROOKE, Walton and Frinton 1964, each was presented wth a copy of the MRS. G. COWLE, Penarth vote inscribed on vellum and signed by Prin- MR. W. R. EDWARDS, Ramsey cess Marina, Duchess of Kent, as president of MAJOR E. P. HANSELL, Cromer the Institution. MR. J. G. JACKSON, Shoreham MRS. D. J. WILKES has been chairman of ALDERMAN MISS E. M. LISTER, the Llandudno Ladies' Life-boat Guild since M.B.E., Leeds 1951, and has a total of 34 years' service. MRS. E. F. LYELL, Montrose MR. C. ERNEST LINK, c.c., has been ALDERMAN MISS D. MANN, J.P., chairman of the City of London branch since Ampthill 1948 and has a total of 29 years' service. MRS. F. POTTER, Montrose LlEUT.-COMMANDER H. TH. DE BODY W3S MISS M. PUDSEY DAWSON, Tenby director of the Royal North and South Holland MR. J. E. ROBERTS, J.P., Porthdinllaen Life-boat Society until his retirement last year MR. R. K. SAYER, Newhaven and is now a member of the society's Committee MRS. W. SUTHERLAND, Gourock of Management. Silver Badge Thanks of the Institution on Vellum The silver badge has been awarded to: The thanks of the Institution inscribed on MRS. A. K. ADAMSON, Arbroath vellum have been accorded to the following MR. J. A. ADNAMS, Southwold and Dun- honorary secretaries of life-boat stations on wich their retirement: MRS. D. BAIRD, Peebles MR. D. B. BANCROFT, Tenby MRS. E. T. N. BAKER, York MAJOR E. P. HANSELL, Cromer MRS. H. M. BALL, Clacton-on-Sea CAPTAIN R. HUDSON, Seaham MR. R. W. BEASLEY.M.B.E., Isle of Wight MR. A. O. KERNICK, Sennen Cove MRS. BEVAN, Walton and Frinton CAPTAIN C. S. MILLER, Swanage MISS BLACKHALL, Nairn MR. TREVILLICK MOYLE, St. Mary's MRS. A. M. BOLTON, Bramhall and (posthumous) Woodford CAPTAIN F. NICOLLE, St. Peter Port. MRS. K. R. BRAYLEY, Walton and Frin- MR. S. A. ROSKILLY, Coverack (post- ton humous) MRS. I. R. CAMERON, Inverness MR. R. SCOTT, Fraserburgh MRS. S. CLAY, Tring DR. J. SOAR, M.B.E., MUS. DOC., D.L. MRS. CLEMENT SMITH, Leatherhead MRS. E. D. CLOUGH, Consett MR. E. CORLETT, Peel Barometers MISS M. J. CROWTHER, Mirfield The barometer with an inscription has been MR. A. M. CUNNINGHAM, Anstruther awarded to the following on retirement: MR. A. G. DABBS, Tavistock MR. T. H. BALDWIN, Cromer assistant MR. B. R. DOUGLASS, O.B.E., London- honorary secretary derry MR. R. FRASER, Aith, honorary secretary MRS. G. M. DOWSETT, Tenby MRS. S. EMRYS EVANS, South Caernar- Binoculars vonshire Binoculars with an inscription have been MISS E. FYFFE, Omagh awarded to the following past or present hon- MRS. R. GIBSON, Omagh orary secretaries of life-boat stations: MRS. C. W. GILLHAM, Cheam and Wor- MR. A. R. FARRELL, Helvick Head cester Park MR. J. S. LING, Gorleston MRS. H. G. GLYNN, Kilrush and Kilkee MR. N. O. MABE, Fishguard MRS. E. GRASSIE, Stornoway MAJOR A. MIREHOUSE, Angle MRS. J. GREENHILL, Liverpool DR. S. PEACE, Longhope MRS. E. M. GUBBINS, Southport CAPTAIN I. B. B. ROBERTSON, Holy MRS. A. HAMERTON, Attleborough Island MRS. C. HASTIE, Penrith MR. E. THOMSON, Whitby MRS. A. HENSON, Wolverton CAPTAIN L. TRAIL, Aberdeen MRS. E. HILL, Gourock MISS M. HINDE, T.P., Penarth Bar to the Gold Badge MRS. W. JONES, Conway and District The bar to the gold badge has been awarded MRS. C. E. KNOWLES, Woolwich to: MR. C. LOWNE, Wells MRS. E. M. EASTWOOD, Oldham MRS. A. E. LYON, Dundee MRS. E. K. HARTLY-HODDER, M.B.E., MRS. G. Y. MACKIE, Kirriemuir Bristol MISS V. J. MACKIE, Dover MRS. T. McCLENAHAN, Ballymoney Statuette MR. A. G. MacKELVIE, Campbeltown The statuette of a life-boatman has been MR. R. MACKENZIE, Lochcarron awarded to: MRS. R. MAITLAND, Aberdeen MESSRS. BROWN, LEWIS & WHITE, Belfast MRS. W. MARLOW, Maryport MRS. R. DANBY, Leeds MRS. E. D. JEFFERISS MATHEWS, MRS. R. JOHNSON, Southport Blechingley and District ALDERMAN G. R. LINES, Kingston- MR. W. H. MESURE, Largs upon-Thames (posthumous) MRS. J. P. MILNE, Keith MR. R. A. LITTLE, O.B.E., Reigate and CAPTAIN N. A. K. MONEY, O.B.E., Redhill D.S.C., R.N., Paignton MRS. R. S. McCREADIE, Glasgow MISS N. K. MOUNSEY, Liverpool THE REVEREND FATHER JOHN MR. C. J. MURPHY, Dagenham McCORMICK, Barra Isle MRS. K. PRESTON HILLARY, Hastings MR. J. F. MILLER, Armadale and St. Leonards MRS. S. ORR, Glasgow MRS. C. PATERSON, Banff, Macduff, MR. J. PATERSON, Kilwinning Whitehills and Gardenstown MRS. F. W. RADCLIFFE, Stalybridge MRS. J. PEET, Southport MR. G. ROSS, Lochcarron MRS. E. POLLARD, Stockport MRS. J. H. ROUNCE, Cromer MISS P. REDDICK, Windsor and district MRS. D. SUTCLIFFE, MirHeld MR. and MRS. J. STOCKLEY, Stockport MISS E. M. TARBET, Liverpool Record of Thanks MRS. A. THOMAS, Horwich A record of thanks has been awarded to: MRS. S. G. THOMAS, South Caernarvon- MR. and MRS. S. FORD and MRS A. shire OLIVER (nee FORD,) Portslade MISS D. M. WALKER, Whitby MR. and MRS. D. V. LONG, Margate MR. J. T. WATERSON, Downham MAYORESS' FLAG DAY COMMIT- Market TEE, Brentford and Chiswick MR. and MRS. J. A. MORTON, Ascot, MRS. G. WATSON, Hornsey Sunninghill and Sunningdale MRS. P. W. WOOD, Newcastle, Co. Down MILLPORT LADIES' LIFE-BOAT MRS. A. WYNROE, Stalybridge GUILD

OBITUARY

MRS. M. E. PECOVER MR. J. C. HILTON Mrs. Mary E. Pecover, an honorary An honorary secretary who gave life-governor of the Institution, died active service to the Clovelly life- on loth February, 1964. She was boat station for more than 40 years appointed honorary secretary of the died on 26th November, 1963. This Thame branch in 1925, received the was Mr. J. C. Hilton, who joined gold badge awarded to honorary the branch committee in 1922, was workers nine years later, and became honorary secretary from 1932 to 1948, an honorary life-governor in 1953. and president from 1948 to 1954. She resigned as honorary secretary in He was re-appointed honorary sec- 1958. retary in 1954, a post in which he con- During her early years of voluntary tinued until the time of his death. It service to the Thame branch she was characteristic of his modesty and organized annual life-boat days sep- single-minded devotion to the service arate from the customary house-to- that he refused all the various awards house collections, public meetings with which the Institution wished to confer silver collections, and concerts. on him. Life-boat services round the Coasts

LAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED

1st January to 31st March: Launches 135, lives saved 73

North-East England COASTER REFLOATED Boulmer, Northumberland. At 8.50 Cullercoats, Northumberland. At a.m. on I2th March, 1964, anxiety was 2.35 a.m. on nth February, 1964, the felt for the fishing coble Providence which coastguard informed the coxswain that a was at sea in deteriorating weather. There coaster appeared to be in a dangerous was a fresh east-south-easterly breeze position to the south of the harbour. The with a rough sea, and it was low water. coxswain investigated and found that the The life-boat Robert and Dorothy Hard- vessel was aground. After consultation castle launched at 9.14. After two un- with the honorary secretary it was agreed successful attempts to bring the coble to launch the Life-boat. There was a into Boulmer harbour she was escorted fresh west-north-westerly breeze with a safely into Amble harbour instead and smooth sea, and it was one hour after the life-boat returned to her station at high water. The life-boat Sir James Knott 11.50. was launched at 2.58 and found the motor vessel Queensgate aground. An un- IN THICK FOG successful attempt was made to refloat Bridlington, Yorkshire. At 7.45 a.m. her and further offers to help were refused. on 24th February, 1964, the honorary The life-boat stood by the vessel until secretary was told that a radio telephone she was out of immediate danger, before message had been intercepted from the returning to her station at six o'clock At local fishing vessel Winifred to other i p.m. the owner's representative re- fishing boats, stating she had broken down quested the help of the life-boat while off Flamborough Head. There was a attempts were made to refloat theQueens- light southerly breeze with a calm sea but gate by a tug at high water. The life-boat a south-easterly gale had been forecast. transferred the representative to the It was low water. The life-boat Tillie coaster, and two members of the life- Morrison, Sheffield II launched at 8.15 boat crew went aboard the tug to act and reached the Winifred, with her crew as pilots. A line was taken from the tug of four, at nine o'clock. Visibility was to the coaster and made fast. The Queens- very bad due to fog. The fishing vessel gate was successfully re-floated at 2.30 was taken in tow and brought safely and after she was out of danger the life- into harbour at 10.45. The life-boat boat returned to her station at 4.30. returned to her station at 11.30. The owners made a donation to the Institution's funds and a gift to the life- SEVEN AT SEA boat crew. At 10.15 a-m- on 24th March, 1964, the honorary secretary was told that seven WORSENING WEATHER motor fishing vessels were at sea in rapidly deteriorating weather. The life-boat Tillie Filey, Yorkshire. At 9.50 a.m. on 4th Morrison, Sheffield II was launched at March, 1964, the coastguard told the cox- ii o'clock in a southerly gale and a swain that the coble Angela May of Filey very rough sea. It was two hours after low was fishing six to eight miles east of Brigg water. After returning to the harbour buoy in deteriorating weather. The life- mouth the fishing vessels were escorted by boat The ha & Penryn Milsted was the life-boat safely into harbour. The life- launched at 10.30 in a moderate east- boat reached her station at six o'clock. north-easterly wind with sleet showers. There was a moderate to rough sea and it manjari was eventually re-floated at 5.30 was three hours after high water. The life- a.m. on i6th March, without needing the boat found the coble six miles east-north- Life-boat's help and the life-boat was re- east of Filey Brig and escorted her safely housed 2% hours later. Teesmouth life- to harbour, arriving at 2.45 p.m. boat also launched to help the Indian The life-boat was also called out on 26th vessel. (A further account of the Tees- January, 1964. mouth service appears on page 26.)

COBLES ESCORTED COXSWAIN ESCORTED Flamborough, Yorkshire. At mid- Holy Island, Northumberland. At day on 4th February, 1964, soon after the 9.45 a.m. on 26th March, 1964, the second life-boat had returned from an exercise coxswain became anxious about two fish- with the district inspector, the honorary ing vessels which were at sea in rapidly secretary was informed by the coastguard deteriorating weather. The coxswain was that the Filey honorary secretary was con- on board one of them. There was a fresh cerned about five fishing cobles which breeze from the north by west with a were still at sea in the deteriorating rough sea, and a flooding tide. The life- weather conditions. As the life-boat had boat Gertrude launched at 10.22 with the not been rehoused it was agreed that second coxswain in command and stood she would launch and escort the cobles to by the fishing vessels until the tide flooded Filey. There was a near gale from the sufficiently to enable him to escort the north-west with a rough sea. The tide was two boats safely in to harbour. The life- ebbing. The life-boat Friendly Forester boat arrived back at her station at 11.45. proceeded at 12.10, located the cobles and escorted them safely back to Filey har- bour. The life-boat arrived back at her APPENDICITIS PATIENT station at 3.50. Humber, Yorkshire. At 9.30 a.m. on 4th January, 1964, a ship's agent in INDIAN SHIP AGROUND Hull informed the coxswain superinten- dent that the S.S. Doriefs of Monrovia Hartlepool, Co. Durham. At 10.15 had on board a sick man suffering from a.m. on i4th March, 1964, the coastguard appendicitis. The vessel was due two informed the honorary secretary that a days later at Spurn, where she was to vessel was ashore at Longscar. There was anchor for three days awaiting a berth. At a full gale from the south-east with a 5 a.m. on 6th January the life-boat crew rough sea. The crew assembled but owing were assembled and the coastguard was to the exceptionally low tide the life-boat asked to report when the vessel was Edward and Isabella Irwin, on temporary sighted. There was a light north- duty at the station, was unable to launch westerly breeze with a slight sea, and the until 11.15. The life-boat found the tide was flooding. At 6.13, after a report Indian ship Jalamanjari of Bombay that the vessel had been sighted, the life- aground between the breakwater and the boat City of Bradford HI was launched old pier. The vessel was in no immediate and reached the vessel at 6.55. The sick danger and it was decided to return to man was transferred to the life-boat and harbour and wait until the weather was landed at Grimsby at 7.55. The life-boat calmer. The crew were dismissed but re- arrived back at her station at 8.50. The assembled at one o'clock the following owners made a donation to the Insti- morning. The weather was still too severe tution's Funds. but at 2.30 p.m. arrangements were finally The life-boat was also called out on made to try and re-float the casualty. The 16th January, 1964. life-boat set out and placed a pilot on board the stranded vessel. Lines were passed to tugs but at 4.50 the tugs decided to aban- DANGEROUS SWELL don salvage operations and the life-boat North Sunderland, Northumber- returned to the harbour at six o'clock, land. At 11.38 a.m. on 24th February, when the crew were dismissed. The jfala- 1964, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that two fishing vessels were secretary that three local fishing vessels trying to enter harbour when there was a were at sea in deteriorating weather. The heavy and dangerous swell on the bar. life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was There was a light southerly breeze with launched at 1.12 in a east-south-easterly a very rough sea, and it was almost high gale and a rough sea. It was two hours water. The life-boat Grace Darling before high water. The life-boat stood by launched at midday and stood by at the while the three fishing vessels crossed the harbour entrance until the two boats harbour bar to safety and then returned to were safely in. She returned to her her station at 3.20. station at 12.25 P-m- Other life-boats called out during the first three months of the year were: DOCTOR'S ASSISTANCE Amble, Northumberland - ist Feb- ruary, 1964. Scarborough, Yorkshire. At 3.45 Teesmouth, Yorkshire - i6th Feb- p.m. on i8th March, 1964, the coastguard ruary, 1964. told the honorary secretary that the trawler Loch Eribol of Hull had a badly injured man on board. Her position was South-East England then 23 miles east of Scarborough and she Cromer, Norfolk. At 10.7 a.m. on was making for Scarborough harbour. nth March, 1964, the coastguard told the The life-boat J. G. Graves of Sheffield was honorary secretary that the Norwegian launched at 4.25 with a doctor on board. vessel jfoika of Oslo had been in collision There was a south-easterly wind of near 13 miles east-south-east of Cromer and gale force, a rough sea, and it was three had been badly damaged. The No. i life- hours after low water. The life-boat met boat Henry Blogg was launched at 10.15 the trawler five miles east by north of the in a light easterly breeze and a calm sea. castle and the injured man, who had There was dense fog and the tide was broken his wrist, was transferred to her. ebbing. The coxswain made radio con- The doctor applied a tourniquet on the tact with the Joika, and was told that the way back to harbour as the man was bleed- other vessel involved, the Claire, was not ing profusely and the life-boat reached her badly damaged and had probably pro- station at six o'clock. The man was taken ceeded on course. Using the direction- by ambulance to hospital. finding equipment the life-boat soon found the Joika and the captain discussed the situation with the coxswain as his HELP FOR ORPHANAGE vessel was making water forward. The Whitby, Yorkshire. At 4.25 p.m. on captain thought his vessel could make 27th February, 1964, the coastguard in- Great Yarmouth if the life-boat would formed the honorary secretary's wife, in pilot him through the Cockle Gat, and the absence of the honorary secretary, with two members of the life-boat's crew that four youths from a local orphanage aboard the Joika was escorted by the life- were missing. At 5.25, on the return of the boat to Great Yarmouth which was honorary secretary, it was decided to reached at 4.15 p.m. A harbour pilot then launch the life-boat in case the children boarded the vessel and she was safely might be trapped on the cliffs. There was berthed at the Bollard Quay at 5.30. The a gentle southerly breeze with a smooth life-boat reached her station at 11 o'clock. sea, and the tide was ebbing. The life- A member of the life-boat crew broke his boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched finger when his left hand was caught be- at 5.30 and carried out a search close tween the eye of the span and the after inshore but without success. She arrived stanchion whilst the life-boat was being back at her station at 7.30. rehoused.

RETURNED SAFELY INJURED IN EXPLOSION At i p.m. on I3th March, 1964, the life- Dover, Kent. At 2.8 p.m. on 3rd boat coxswain informed the honorary February, 1964, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor out towards the Royal Sovereign light- vessel Foxfield had reported an explosion ship, continuing the search inshore up to on board and needed the services of a about three miles off Bexhill, before re- doctor, life-boat and a tug. She gave her turning to the station at 11.45. The life- position as eight miles south of Dover. boat was refuelled and after a further There was a fresh south-westerly breeze extensive but unsuccessful search was with a rough sea, and it was almost high recalled at 6 a.m. the following morning water. After leaving at 2.30 with the and refuelled. After a hot meal the crew honorary medical adviser on board, the continued the search in conjunction with life-boat Southern Africa received a radio fishing boats and a Shackleton aircraft. telephone message that the injured man When 20 miles south of Hastings the had been taken off by helicopter but that coxswain decided to go on to the West the life-boat was still required. When Island fishing grounds where the life-boat the life-boat reached the vessel she was in found a French fishing vessel. The second tow of two tugs. The master of the coxswain boarded the fishing vessel and Foxfield advised the coxswain that it called up Boulogne radio, whose personnel was not necessary to stand by but asked acted as interpreters over the radio tele- the life-boat to tow into harbour the phone. The skipper said he thought he had ship's boat, which had previously been seen the dinghy during the night about launched. The life-boat returned to her three to four miles south-west of his station with the small boat in tow at five present position. When the coxswain o'clock. reached the area and sighted the dinghy the Shackleton aircraft also reported it TRAWLER BROKE DOWN had found the boat and had dropped a rubber float. During the search a local Dungeness, Kent. At 9.55 p.m. on boat-owner offered to help and during 2ist March, 1964, the coastguard told the the afternoon he carried a further petrol honorary secretary that a small trawler had supply to the life-boat so that she could broken down three miles north-east of continue the search. Two of the shore- Dungeness. There was a light south- helpers also put out in a dinghy from the westerly breeze with a moderate sea, and angling club and searched close inshore it was low water. The life-boat Mabel E. as far as Pettlevel to the east of Hastings. Holland launched at 10.20 and found the When the life-boat reached the dinghy trawler Dolphin of Folkestone, which had her crew of three were taken on board and engine trouble. A line was made fast and the dinghy was towed safely back to the trawler was towed safely into Folke- Hastings. The life-boat arrived back at her stone harbour. The life-boat arrived back station at 7 p.m. on loth February. at her station at 3.15 a.m. The life-boat was also called out on The life-boat was also called out on 3ist March, 1964. 30th March, 1964. OPERATION AT SEA LONG NIGHT SEARCH Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 5 a.m. on Hastings, Sussex. At 7 p.m. on 9th nth January, 1964, the coastguard February, 1964, the mechanic told the informed the honorary secretary that the honorary secretary that an angling dinghy motor vessel Rose of Lancaster of Liver- was overdue, and it was decided to pool had a sick man on board who re- launch the life-boat. There was a gentle quired medical attention. There was a north-westerly breeze with a slight sea. fresh north-easterly breeze with a choppy It was one hour before high water. The sea, and the tide was flooding. The life- life-boat Frank and William Oates, on boat Frederick Edward Crick set out at temporary duty at the station, launched 5.27 with the station honorary medical at 7.5 and proceeded to the dinghy's last adviser on board and reached the vessel at known position, five miles south-east of 6.15, about three miles off Lowestoft. The Fairlight coastguard station. She carried doctor boarded the motor vessel and had out a search inshore under the cliffs with to perform a minor operation on the sea- the aid of the searchlight, and later moved man before he could be transferred to the

13 By courtesy of] [Daily Express Worthing's Mayor, trying out the town's inshore rescue boat, hauls aboard Mr. A. Gamble, local branch secretary life-boat. The seaman was landed at the man was landed and taken to hospital, inner harbour and taken to hospital by where he later died. The freshening ambulance. The life-boat returned to her easterly wind prevented the life-boat station at 8.10. from being rehoused until 1.45 p.m. on The life-boat was also called out on 13th March. 1 9th March, 1964. The life-boat was also called out on 3rd, 4th and 5th January, 1964. ENGINEER WAS ILL Margate, Kent. At 2.32 a.m. on nth March, 1964, the coastguard told the MOTOR BOAT OVERDUE honorary secretary that the motor vessel Selsey, Sussex. At 6.40 p.m. on 24th Swift of London had reported that the January, 1964, the coastguard told the second engineer was seriously ill and honorary secretary that a motor boat needed a doctor. The life-boat North with three men on board was overdue at Foreland (Civil Service No. jj), was Littlehampton. Mr. Andrews, a member launched at 3.18 with a doctor on board. of the Inshore Rescue Scheme, had put There was a moderate easterly wind and a out in his motor boat to search for the moderate sea, and it was one hour before missing boat and it was agreed to await low water. The life-boat reached the his return before launching the life-boat. Swift, anchored in Margate roads, and the There were light airs with a smooth sea, doctor was put aboard with two members and the tide was ebbing. At 8.5 Mr. of the life-boat crew who were qualified in Andrews returned after an unsuccessful first aid. The doctor diagnosed a brain search and the life-boat Canadian Pacific haemorrhage and the man was transferred launched at 8.30 to continue the search. to the life-boat while strapped to the At 9.24 a helicopter from Tangmere stretcher. With the doctor and two first- joined in the search whilst on night aiders back on board the life-boat pro- exercise, but later returned to base. The ceeded to the jetty at Margate, when the life-boat continued to search until 12.30

•Mr a.m. the next morning when, because of tide was flooding. The life-boat Elizabeth bad visibility caused by fog, she put into Elson, on temporary duty at the station, Littlehampton to await daylight. She set launched at 2.23 and with the boarding out again at 8.1 and continued the search boat in tow made for the island where a but was recalled when visibility had search was made in the boarding boat. improved sufficiently for an air search to The cabin cruiser Bon Chance was found be started, and returned to her station at with nobody on board. It was decided 12.30 p.m. Twenty-five minutes later the to leave the boarding boat on the island life-boat launched again after the honor- and return in daylight to continue the ary secretary had heard from the coast- search. The life-boat arrived back at the guard that the air-sea rescue co-ordination station at 4.20 and after she had been centre, Tangmere, had found the motor rehoused four members of the crew boat Astronaut, four miles off Selsey Bill. returned to continue the search in con- At 1.24 the coxswain was informed that junction with the police and a helicopter. the Nab pilot cutter had the Astronaut in The body of the man was eventually tow, and a rendezvous was arranged one found and picked up by the helicopter. and a half miles north of Nab where the The crew returned to the station hi the life-boat took over the tow and brought boarding boat at 11.20. the motor boat with her three occupants safely to Selsey. The life-boat returned to LAMPLIGHTER INJURED her station at 3.20. Walmer, Kent. At 10 a.m. on 28th The life-boat was called out on i8th January, 1964, as the life-boat was about and 25th February, ifth and 30th to proceed on exercise with the district March, 1964. engineer, a radio message was intercepted from the South Goodwin lightvessel to FOUND EMPTY DINGHY Deal coastguard stating that a lamplighter Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. At was injured on the lightvessel. When 12.23 a.m. on 8th February, 1964, the told, the honorary secretary offered to coastguard informed the honorary secre- extend the exercise to South Goodwin and tary that the Brighton police had seen two bring the man ashore. There was a gentle youths in a small dinghy drifting about a westerly breeze with a smooth sea and it quarter of a mile off shore. No immediate was almost high water. The life-boat help was needed as the police were attempt- Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 32) left ing to launch a small boat off the beach. At at 10.10. The lamplighter, who had 12.55 the honorary secretary was told fallen down the inside of the lamp mast, that the dinghy was no longer in sight was taken by the life-boat to Walmer and it was decided to launch the life-boat. where he was carried to hospital by There was a gentle north-westerly breeze ambulance. The life-boat arrived back at with a slight sea. It was low water. The her station at 11.52. life-boat Dorothy and Philip Constant was launched at 1.6 and at 1.50 reached FUTURE ACCOUNT the dinghy Erica, unmanned off the Palace Walton and Frinton, Essex. The life- Pier. The two youths were seen climbing boat Edian Courtauld put out on I5th on to the pier. The dinghy was brought March, 1964, to the help of the Dutch safely ashore and the life-boat returned motor vessel Merak. A full account of the to her station at 3.20. The life-boat was service will appear in the next number of also called out on i8th February. THE LIFE-BOAT The-boat was also called out earlier on ISLAND SEARCH the same day. Southeiid-on-Sea, Essex. At 1.58 a.m. on lyth February, 1964, the coastguard BARGE TOWED CLEAR informed the honorary secretary that a Wells, Norfolk. At 9.10 a.m. on 9th man had gone to repair his boat moored February, 1964, the coastguard informed off Two Tree Island and had not re- the honorary secretary that the motor turned. There was a light breeze from barge Una had grounded on the west side the east by north with a slight sea. The of Blakeney harbour. There was a light north-westerly breeze with a moderate IN THE DARK sea, and the tide was flooding. The warden St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 8.15 of the Blakeney Bird Sanctuary, who had p.m. on 3rd January, 1964, the duty investigated, reported that although the signalman informed the honorary secre- barge was in no immediate danger her tary that red and white flares had been master had asked the life-boat to stand by seen on the west coast. There was a when the tide flooded sufficiently for her gentle southerly breeze with a slight sea, to re-float. The life-boat Lucy Lavers, on and it was high water. The life-boat temporary duty at the station, launched EuphrosyneKendal left at 9.7 and met the at 12.35 p.m. to stand by the barge. The yacht Airy Mouse which although in the engine of the barge failed as she tried to area had not seen any flares. It was pull herself clear and a line was made assumed that the combination of her sails fast from the life-boat. The barge was and navigation lights had produced the towed clear by the life-boat and safely effect of flares. The life-boat returned to moored in Blakeney Pit, and the life-boat harbour with the yacht in tow and reached her station at 5.30. A gift was reached her station at 11.50. The life-boat made by the owner of the barge to the was also called out on 2nd January, 1964. life-boat crew. Other life-boats called out during the SICKNESS ON SARK first three months of 1964 were: At 3.40 p.m. on i4th January, 1964, Aldeburgh, Suffolk - 8th February, Ramsgate, Kent - I2th and 24th the St. John Ambulance Commissioner January. informed the honorary secretary that a sick man on Sark needed hospital treat- ment. There were light easterly airs with Channel Islands a slight sea, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal left at St. Helier, Jersey. At 6.34 p.m. on 4.5 with three St. John Ambulance men 18th February, 1964, Jersey radio in- on board, reached Sark at five o'clock and formed the honorary secretary that a took the sick man on board. The life-boat radio telephone message had been inter- returned to St. Peter Port at 6.42 and, cepted stating that the French fishing after the patient had been landed, boat Claudie Giselle was in distress and reached her station at seven o'clock. that her crew of four were taking to their life-raft. There was a gale from the north- east with a rough sea. The life-boat DOCTOR'S APPEAL Elizabeth Nippon set out at 6.48 for the At 9 a.m. on 7th February, 1964, the boat's reported position, 12 miles west- doctor on Sark asked the honorary south-west of La Corbiere. The life-boat, secretary through the St. John Ambulance together with merchant vessels, French Commissioner if the life-boat could take naval vessels and air-sea rescue aircraft, an injured woman from Sark for treat- carried out an extensive search through ment at Guernsey Hospital. There were the night. At 8.17 a.m. the following light easterly airs with a smooth sea, and morning the life-boat returned to St. the tide was flooding. The life-boat Helier for re-fuelling and with a partial Euphwsyne Kendal left at 9.45 with three change of crew left at 10.14 to continue members of the St. John Ambulance the search. At U o'clock the French Brigade on board and embarked the trawler La Nativite reported finding a injured woman at Sark at 10.50. The paddle and a piece of wood and shortly patient was landed at St. Peter Port at afterwards recovered two bodies. The noon and the life-boat returned to the life-boat joined in the further search with station at 12.40 p.m. a French naval vessel and trawlers. During the day one more body and the RESCUE FROM TRAWLER life-raft of the Claudie Giselle were At 5.18 a.m. on i7th March, 1964, the recovered. At 2.30 p.m. the life-boat signal station at St. Peter Port informed was recalled, reaching her station at the honorary secretary that Niton radio 6.45. had broadcast a "Mayday" for the Bel- gian trawler Oceanic which was sinking in honorary secretary was informed of the a position 11 miles north-west of Jersey. crash but soon after 12.55, when the The life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal set out at Clara and Emily Barwell life-boat was 5.45 in a south-easterly wind of gale being launched, the coastguard advised force and a very rough sea. The tide was that the boat's assistance was no longer flooding. First indications suggested that needed. The Appledore life-boat con- the Oceanic was north of Jersey but sev- tinued to search the area until 2.21, was eral broadcasts from the trawler gave the then recalled, and reached her station at life-boat coxswain the opportunity to use 5.30. the direction-finding equipment and a position north of Guernsey was confirmed HELP FOR CARPENTER at 6.50. Several other vessels in the vicin- ity were unable to see anything and local Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 11.15 a.m. on 2Oth January, 1964, the coast- aircraft attempted to help but poor visi- bility with driving rain made their task guard informed the honorary secretary very difficult. The Oceanic was found 14 that a carpenter in a Greek motor vessel miles north-west by west of Platte had severely injured his leg and needed Fougere lighthouse and her crew of four medical treatment. The crew assembled at the boathouse while the assistant were rescued by the life-boat crew. The life-boat suffered no damage and reached honorary secretary tried to locate the station honorary medical adviser. Dr. her station at noon. The Shipwrecked Kauld was visiting patients at the time Mariners Society attended to the sur- but went quickly to the life-boat house. vivors when they landed and a message In the meantime the coastguard had received via Cherbourg and Jersey stated informed the honorary secretary that that the trawler had sunk in the early afternoon. the Greek vessel Katina T.H. was head- ing to St. Catherine's Point. There were light airs with a calm sea, and the tide South-West England was flooding. The life-boat Cunard, on Appledore, Devon. At 12.45 P-m- on temporary duty at the station, launched at 15th February, 1964, the coastguard told 1 1 .48 with the doctor on board and reached the honorary secretary that a man on the Katina T.H. off the Nab Tower at Lundy Island had broken his leg. 12.55. The doctor was transferred to the Arrangements were being made for him steamship and after attending to the patient to be taken off by helicopter but the life- decided that he required hospital treat- boat was asked to stand by. There was a ment. The injured seaman was transferred fresh south-easterly breeze with a moder- to the life-boat and landed at Bembridge at ate sea, and it was almost low water. The 2.20 p.m. when a waiting ambulance life-boat Louisa Anne Hawker left at 1.8 took him to hospital. The life-boat but while on passage to the island a arrived back at her station at 2.25. message was received by radio telephone that the injured man had been taken off DECEPTIVE PARAVANE by helicopter. The life-boat was recalled At 1.46 a.m. on I4th February, 1964, and arrived at her station at 4.15. the coastguard told the honorary secre- tary that a white flashing light had been AIRCRAFT CRASHED seen half a mile east-south-east of Ventnor Appledore, and Clovelly, Devon. coastguard look-out. The life-boat crew At 12.21 p.m. on iyth February, 1964, assembled while further inquiries were the coastguard told the Appledore honor- made about the light, since no casualty ary secretary that an aircraft had crashed had been reported. At 3.3 the coastguard into the sea four to seven miles north reported that the light was south-east of Hartland Point. There was a light east- of St. Catherine's Point drifting to the north-easterly breeze with a moderate west. There was a near gale from the sea, and the tide was ebbing. The life- south-east with a very rough sea. The boat Louisa Anne Hawker launched at life-boat Cunard, on temporary duty at 12.35. Ten minutes later the Clovelly the station, launched at 3.1 r on an ebbing 17 tide and went to the position given. At HELP FOR SICK MAN 5.37 the life-boat found a paravane with a At 9 p.m. on the same day the port flashing white light attached. This was medical officer told the honorary sec- towed back to the station where the life- retary that the motor vessel La Colina boat arrived at 7.35. would be arriving off Mounts Bay at 11 o'clock, bringing a sick man on board THREE BOATS CALLED who needed hospital treatment. There Bembridge, Isle of Wight, Selsey was a moderate west-south-westerly and Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. At breeze with a rough sea, and it was 3.5 p.m. on i8th February, 1964, the coast- almost high water. The life-boat Solomon guard told the Bembridge honorary secre- Browne, with a doctor on board, left at tary that a naval Sea Hawk aircraft was 10.15 from Newlyn and met the vessel missing between St. Catherine's Point and seven miles south-west of Penzance. A Worthing. There was a near gale from the pilot and the doctor went on board and in east-north-east with a rough sea and the tide Mounts Bay, where the sea was calmer, was ebbing. After confirmation that help the sick man was transferred to the life- was needed, the life-boat Cunard, on boat. When the life-boat reached Newlyn, temporary duty at the station, launched the sick man was transferred to a waiting at 4.20 and began to search the area. ambulance at 12.30 a.m. The life-boat was Later the honorary secretaries at Selsey left on moorings at Newlyn for the night and Shoreham Harbour were similarly in- because of the severe weather conditions formed that help was needed. The Selsey and rehoused at 10.30 when the weather life-boat Canadian Pacific left at 4.15 and moderated. at 4.25 the Shoreham Harbour life-boat The life-boat was also called out on Dorothy and Philip Constant was launched. 24th March, 1964. An extensive search was carried out in co- operation with a helicopter, aircraft, HUNGRY BUT FIT merchant vessels and Royal Navy ships but without success. The life-boats were Plymouth, Devon. At 9.10 a.m. on recalled. The Selsey and Shoreham Har- 2Oth February, 1964, the coastguard told bour life-boats returned to their stations the honorary secretary that a cutter had at 10.15 and 12.50 a.m. respectively and the been moored off Tregonhawke cliff for Bembridge life-boat, unable to rehouse three days and that they were going to because of bad weather, was left on investigate. Half an hour later the position moorings at Cowes where she arrived at of the boat was confirmed. There was a 1.10 a.m. fresh east-north-easterly breeze with a moderate sea, and it was one hour before TAKEN TO HOSPITAL high water. The life-boat Thomas Fore- Penlee, Cornwall. At 11.30 a.m. on head and Mary Rowse set out at 9.43 a.m. 2ist March, 1964, the port medical officer and reached the cutter at 10.40. The two told the honorary secretary that the motor men on board reported they were fit vessel Andania would arrive off Penzance but had run out of food, and while on at 5 p.m. bearing a sick man on board who passage from Falmouth to Dartmouth needed hospital treatment. There was a strong easterly winds had prevented them moderate west-south-westerly breeze with from rounding Rame Head. They were a rough sea, and it was low water. The given hot soup and biscuits and, with life-boat Solomon Browne launched at 5 two of the life-boat crew on board, the p.m. and after embarking a doctor and casualty was towed safely into Millbay ambulance crew at Newlyn, reached the Docks. The life-boat arrived back at her Andania four miles south of Penzance at station at 12.55 P-m. 5.55. The doctor examined the sick man aboard the vessel and transferred him to DRIFTING LIFE-BOAT the life-boat. From Newlyn he was taken St. Ives, Cornwall. At 10.35 a-m- °n to hospital by ambulance. The life-boat ist February, 1964, the coastguard told was left on moorings at Newlyn, being the honorary secretary that a small boat unable to rehouse because of bad weather. had been seen about 400 yards off Gur- nards Head. There was a strong breeze mediately to their homes by their relatives. from the west-north-west with a rough The Dos Amigos was moored in the sea, and the tide was ebbing. The life- harbour and the life-boat returned to her boat Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva station at four o'clock. A donation was Child launched at n o'clock to investi- made to the funds of the Institution by gate. Although the small boat was found the congregation of the Burho Methodist there were no occupants and no wreckage Church. in the near vicinity. The boat was towed back to the station where the life-boat SICK MAN ON BOARD arrived at 1.30 p.m. The small boat St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. At 9.45 proved to be a life-boat from the French a.m. on 6th January, 1964, the Penlee trawler Roulet Abosse of Etel which had honorary medical adviser informed the been lost overboard some days previously. honorary secretary that the s.s. Eva Inquiries revealed that the trawler was Jeanette, due off the Bishop's lighthouse at Lorient Harbour and the boat was at 5 p.m., had a sick man on board. accordingly handed into the care of the There was a moderate south-easterly Receiver of Wrecks. breeze with a corresponding sea. It was one hour before low water. The life-boat PATIENT ON DUTCH TUG Guy and Clare Hunter, with a doctor on At 10.3 p.m. on i9th February, 1964, board, launched at 3.30 p.m. and reached the coastguard informed the coxswain the Eva Jeanette at five o'clock. The that the Dutch tug Zeeland, which was sick man was transferred to the life- standing by the coaster David M. off boat, which arrived back at her station at Hayle Bar, had an injured man on board 6.15. who needed medical attention. There was a moderate easterly breeze with a choppy DETAILS LATER sea, and the tide was ebbing. The life- Sennen Cove, Cornwall. The life- boat Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva boat Susan Ashley was launched on 24th Child was launched at 10.30 with the March, 1964, to help the Belgian trawler station honorary medical adviser on Victoire Roger. A full account of the ser- board. The doctor treated the injured vice will appear in the next issue of THE man on board the tug and decided it was LIFE-BOAT. unnecessary to take him to hospital. The life-boat, with the doctor on board, MEN ON THE ROCKS returned to her station at 12.30 a.m. the following morning. Torbay, Devon. At 4.19 p.m. on i6th January, 1964, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that two men were in DOS AMIGOS TOWED the sea off Durl Head. There was a strong At 10.15 P-m. on 23rd February, 1964, east-north-easterly breeze with a rough the coastguard told the honorary secre- sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat tary that the French trawler Rosaline Princess Alexandra of Kent set out at 4.30 Gorgy had found the fishing boat Dos with the boarding boat in tow, but owing Amigos of Newlyn, previously reported to the weather was unable to come close missing on passage from Fishguard to to the rocks. Three members of the crew Newlyn, and was towing her to St. Ives. were consequently transferred to the There was a fresh south-easterly breeze boarding boat to see if they could with a rough sea. The tide was flooding. help. Two men, members of a party of At 12.58 a.m. the life-boat Edgar, George, 10 rock-climbers, were seen on the rocks. Orlando, and Eva Child was launched as With the help of the life-boat search- the vessels hove in sight to take over the light they recovered the body of a tow. She took off from the trawler the young man from a deep crevice and crew of three of the Dos Amigos, and successfully scaled the cliffs with the took the fishing boat in tow, bringing her body. Because of very rough weather and safely into harbour at 2.15. The three the hazards of searching close inshore survivors were landed and taken im- with the boarding boat for the second man the coxswain recalled the three crew the tide was ebbing. The life-boat took a members to the life-boat. When dark- doctor on board at Totland pier and on ness fell the life-boat was recalled and reaching the point opposite to where the returned to her station at 6.45. man had fallen, the doctor and four mem- bers of the crew made for the shore in the boarding boat. The landing was made LIBERIAN VESSEL hazardous by the very rocky coast and the Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. At 2.30 swell. The boat capsized as it reached a.m. on 23rd February, 1964, the coast- shallow water but the doctor and the crew guard told the honorary secretary that after considerable difficulty managed to a vessel was aground opposite Brook reach the man, who was found to have coastguard lookout. There was a near died from a broken neck and multiple gale from the south-east with a rough sea, injuries. The tide was ebbing fast and as and the tide was flooding. The life-boat the man was too heavy to carry over the The Earl and Countess Howe left at 2.58 rocks to the boarding boat, his body was and reached the Liberian motor-vessel left at the foot of the cliffs and the police Brother George at 4.45. After checking were informed. With great difficulty the that the crew were remaining on board, crew waded waist-deep to put the board- the life-boat stood by the vessel until ing boat back into the water and returned three tugs arrived. She returned to her to the life-boat which eventually reached station at midday. her station at 6.20. A letter of thanks was sent to the doctor. The following life-boats were also SINKING DUTCH TUG called out during January, February and After the earlier service to the motor March, 1964: vessel Brother George on 23rd February, Fowey, Cornwall - iyth January, ist a decision was made to stand by the vessel February and loth March. while attempts were made to refloat her Ilfracombe, North Devon - i8th on the flood tide. There was a strong January. southerly breeze with a rough sea, and Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall - 22nd the tide was flooding. The life-boat The February. Earl and Countess Howe set out at 5 p.m. Padstow, Cornwall - I3th February. to stand by the stranded vessel but at 6.10 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset - the coxswain received "a message by radio 25th February. telephone that the Dutch tug Witte-Zee Weymouth, Dorset - twice on i8th was sinking, approximately two miles March. south-west of Brook Point. The life-boat immediately went to the Witte-Zee and Wales rescued eight of her crew. The remaining half were taken off by the tug Gatcombe Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. At and transferred to the life-boat which 2.25 p.m. on 26th February, 1964, the returned to Yarmouth and landed the 16 coastguard saw a small sailing dinghy survivors. The life-boat arrived back at capsize about one and a half miles off her station at 8.50 p.m. The owners of shore. As it had previously been agreed the tug made a gift to the life-boat crew. that in the honorary secretary's absence, the coastguard would be responsible for FATAL CLIFF FALL launching the life-boat, he immediately took action. There was a moderate south- At 2.20 p.m. on ist March, 1964, the easterly breeze with a corresponding sea, coastguard told the honorary secretary of and the tide was flooding. The life-boat a police report that a man had fallen over Aguila Wren launched at 2.40 with the the cliff between The Needles and Fresh- second coxswain in command, took the water Bay. The life-boat The Earl and dinghy's crew of two on board, and towed Countess Howe left at 2.40 with the board- the dinghy back to the beach. The life- ing boat in tow. There was a light north- boat returned to her station at 3.45. A north-easterly breeze and a slight sea, and donation was made to the funds of the By courtesy of] [Royal Naval Air Station, Brawdy Fishguard life-boat and naval helicopter exercise

Institution by the sailing club and by the 5.25 p.m. on i3th March, 1964, the coast- parents of one of the dinghy's crew. guard told the honorary secretary that the police had seen a number of people on TOW FOR DREDGER Sully Island who could not get back to the Angle, Pembrokeshire. At 9.50 p.m. mainland because it was high water. As no on aoth March, 1964, the coastguard told one was in danger the life-boat was not the honorary secretary that a vessel in the launched at the time but the Rachel and vicinity of St. Govan's lightvessel needed Mary Evans was later launched at 6.45. immediate help. There was a fresh south- There was a light south-easterly breeze easterly breeze with a heavy swell, and it and a slight sea. The coxswain found a man was one hour before high water. The life- and a woman on the island and they boat Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth were landed at Barry. The life-boat of Leeds launched at 10.15 and found the reached her station at 7.50. sand dredger Nigel with a crew of two on board. The dredger's engines had broken down while on passage from Llanelly to ADRIFT AND LEAKING Milford Haven and her anchor was drag- Holyhead, Anglesey. At 11.33 a-m- ging. The life-boat towed the casualty to on 2nd February, 1964, the coastguard a berth in Pembroke Dock before return- told the honorary secretary that two small ing to her station at 9.45 a.m. the next boys were adrift in a pram dinghy which morning. was leaking and oar-less in the outer harbour. There was a moderate south- STRANDED ON ISLAND westerly breeze with a slight sea, and the Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At tidewasflooding.Thelife-boatJJ.KS.lF., on temporary duty at the station, launched The life-boat was also called out on 29th at 11.38. The two young boys and the March, 1964. dinghy were taken on board and the life- boat returned to her station at 12.15 P-m- RED FLARES SEEN The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. At DUTCH COASTER AGROUND 2.17 a.m. on 2nd March, 1964, the coast- At 11.12 a.m. on i8th March, 1964, the guard informed the honorary secretary coastguard informed the honorary sec- that a red flare had been seen off Rhosilly retary that the Dutch coaster Lenie of Point. There was a moderate south- Steendam which had grounded on some easterly breeze with a corresponding sea, rocks near Porthdinllaen during the early and it was low water. The life-boat Swn- hours of the morning might need help, y-Mor (Civil Service No. 6), on temporary and eight minutes later the life-boat duty at the station, launched at 2.46 a.m. J.J.K.S.W., on temporary duty at the and at 5.20 reached the motor fishing station, was launched. There was a south- vessel Morning Star whose engine had easterly wind of near gale force, a rough broken down. A line was made fast but sea and it was two hours before high when the life-boat tried to tow the vessel water. The life-boat met the Lenie off the clear of the Helwick Sands the line parted. North Stack and escorted her safely to The crew of three were taken off and the Holyhead. The life-boat reached her help of a tug was requested. At 10.48 the station at 12.30 p.m. tug Clyneforth arrived and towed the fish- The life-boat was also called out on 8th ing vessel to Swansea escorted by the life- March, 1964. boat, which arrived back at her station at 2 p.m. DINGHY ON ROCKS Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. At TOWED OFF ROCKS 2.15 p.m. on i3th March, 1964, a member Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire. of the crew told the honorary secretary At 5.5 a.m. on i8th March, 1964, the that he had seen a man in a dinghy being coastguard told the honorary secretary carried out of the Conway Estuary on the that a Dutch motor vessel was ashore ebb tide. Visibility was poor and the eight miles south-west of Porthdinllaen dinghy had disappeared into the mist. Point. There was a strong east-south- There was a fresh south-easterly breeze easterly breeze with a rough sea, and it with a slight sea. While the coastguard was almost low water. The life-boat arranged for a helicopter search the life- Charles Henry Ashley launched at 5.35 and boat crew assembled and at 4.5 it was found the motor vessel Lenie of Steen- decided to launch the life-boat The Lilly dam fast aground by her bows. It was im- Wainwright and to search close inshore. possible to go alongside because of rocks Twenty minutes later the helicopter and the coxswain decided to anchor to spotted a dinghy on the rocks under the windward and veer down on the vessel's west coastguard look-out and a man was stern until the life-boat was close enough lowered into the life-boat to point out the for a heaving line to be passed. A rope was position. Some life-boat helpers searching made fast and as the tide flooded the along the shore climbed down the rocks to Lenie was successfully towed off the rocks investigate. The dinghy was found jammed by the life-boat. After escorting the vessel on the rocks and was released by the for about five miles the coxswain was told shore-helpers, one of whom manned the the vessel was not damaged and was boat which was then hauled back to heading for Holyhead. The life-boat re- the life-boat. A further search made from turned to her station at 9.20 but when off the sea and on shore was abandoned after the slipway a message was received that everyone was satisfied that the occupant the Lenie could not be contacted by of the dinghy must have scrambled radio telephone. In view of deteriorating ashore and up the cliff. The life-boat re- weather, the coxswain decided to return turned to her station at six o'clock. and search for the vessel, but at 11.35 heard that the Lenie had arrived safely off COMPASS TROUBLE Holyhead. The weather was so severe that At 3.30 a.m. on ist March, 1964, the the life-boat was unable to rehouse on coastguard told the honorary secretary return to her station and was moored in- that red flares had been sighted two miles stead. As it was not considered safe for the south-east of Collieston coastguard look- boarding boat to put out the crew were out. There was a gentle south-south- taken off with the help of the local life- westerly wind and a choppy sea, and the saving apparatus team at 10.30 p.m. tide was ebbing. The life-boat Ramsay- The life-boat was rehoused the following Dyce left at 4.15 and found the fishing afternoon. vessel Baywyke of Whitby with a faulty The Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire, compass. Her skipper was doubtful of his life-boat was called out on 20th January, position and the life-boat escorted the 1964. Baywyke to Aberdeen, arriving at eight o'clock. North-west England Peel, Isle of Man. At 9.25 p.m. on SAFELY TO ABERDEEN 2 ist March, 1964, the coastguard told the At 3.35 p.m. on loth March, 1964, the honorary secretary that the German coastguard informed the honorary sec- motor vessel Auguste Schulte of Hamburg retary that the motor fishing vessel Annie had on board a sick man who might re- Ritchie of Fraserburgh had broken down quire medical attention. The life-boat about three miles east by north of the crew were assembled and at 10.25 l

/«* By courtesy of} {Glasgow Daily Record Aberdeen life-boat and fishing coble after crew's rescue officer told the honorary secretary that the Stornoway, Outer Hebrides - i8th trawler Millwood of Aberdeen, which was January. being towed by the trawler Janwood 12 Thurso, Caithness-shire - 22nd miles north-east of Nors Head, had on February. board a sick man suffering from periton- Troon, Ayrshire - 20th January. itis. There was a light southerly breeze with a smooth sea. It was low water. The life-boat City of Edinburgh launched Ireland at 9.45 and met the Millwood at 11.20. The Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. At sick man was transferred to the life-boat 12.30 p.m. on 8th March, 1964, the life- and landed at Wick where he was taken boat Dunleary II went to the mouth of the to hospital by a waiting ambulance. The River Liffey to escort several canoes life-boat arrived back at her station at across Dublin Bay. The canoes had taken 12.45 P-m- The life-boat was also called part in a race organized in connection out on 3rd January, 1964. with the opening of theDublinBoat Show. There was a moderate north-easterly Other Scottish life-boats called out wind, a choppy sea and the tide was during the first three months of 1964 flooding. About halfway across the bay were: one of the canoeists showed signs of dis- Aith, Shetlands -nth January. tress and the life-boat took him aboard as Arbroath, Angus - 4th January. he was exhausted. His leaking canoe was Droughty Ferry, Angus - 24th also taken on board the life-boat. On en- March. tering Dun Laoghaire harbour the light- Campbeltown, Argyllshire - I2th house-keeper signalled the coxswain that March. another canoe had capsized. The canoe Islay, Inner Hebrides - i8th January. was taken aboard and after making sure Mallaig, Inverness-shire - 9th Jan- that the canoeist had swam ashore, the uary. life-boat returned to her station at 2.30.

•05 IN NEXT NUMBER Mabel Marion Thompson set out at 11.30 Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. The with the doctor on board. The doctor life-boat Annie Blanche Smith put out on was landed at Inishmaan and after he had nth March, 1964 to the help of the attended to the patient was brought back Dutch motor vessel Jan Brons. A full to the station at 3.30 a.m. account of the service will appear in the next number of THE LIFE-BOAT. The life- HELP FOR PATIENTS boat was also called out on ist January, At midday on 27th February, 1964, the 1964. local doctor told the honorary secretary that two patients needed hospital treat- ENGINE BROKE DOWN ment. There was a strong south-westerly Galway Bay. At 12.10 a.m. on 6th breeze with a choppy sea, and the tide January, 1964, the Galway police in- was flooding. As no other boat was formed the honorary secretary through available the life-boat Mabel Marion the Kilronan coast life-saving station Thompson set out at 3 p.m. with the that a fishing boat with four people on doctor and patients on board and landed board was missing in Galway Bay. There the patients at kossaveel, when they were was a moderate south-easterly breeze with taken to hospital. The life-boat returned a rough sea, and the tide was flooding. to her station at 6.45. The life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson set out at one o'clock and searched exten- DOCTOR ON BOARD sively south-west of Blackhead without At i p.m. on 28th February, 1964, the finding the missing boat. After making local doctor told the honorary secretary inquiries at Galway police station the that a seriously ill patient needed im- life-boat left again at 7.45 and an hour mediate hospital treatment. There was a later located the fishing vessel Mary Im- strong south-westerly breeze with a maculate with her engine broken down. moderate sea, and the tide was flooding. The fishing vessel was taken in tow and As no other boat was available, the life- brought safely in to Galway docks at 10 boat Mabel Marion Thompson set out at o'clock. After a meal the life-boat crew 2.15 with the patient and doctor on left Galway docks at midday, arriving board. The patient was landed at Rossa- back at the station at 4 p.m. veel and taken to hospital by waiting ambulance. The life-boat returned to her UNSEATED THEN TREATED station at six o'clock. At 7.30 p.m. on 9th January, 1964, a local doctor told the honorary secretary NURSE ON BOARD that a young woman who had fallen from At noon on 3ist March, 1964, the local her bicycle needed hospital treatment. As nurse informed the honorary secretary no other boat was available the life-boat that a sick patient required urgent med- Mabel Marion Thompson left her station ical attention on the mainland. There was at nine o'clock with the patient, a doctor a fresh easterly breeze with a choppy sea, and a nurse on board. The young woman and it was low water. The life-boat Mabel was taken to Rossaveel where an am- Marion Thompson left at I p.m. with the bulance was waiting to take her to hospital. patient and nurse on board. The patient The life-boat returned to her station at was landed at Rossaveel and taken to i a.m. hospital by an ambulance waiting on the quayside. The life-boat returned to her MATERNITY CALL station at five o'clock. At n p.m. on I2th January, 1964, the local doctor told the honorary secretary MASTER OF LIGHTVESSEL that a maternity patient on Inishmaan Kilmore, Co. Wexford. At 5.30 p.m. Island needed urgent medical attention. on 8th January, 1964, the Irish Lights There was a strong easterly breeze with Office informed the honorary secretary a choppy sea, and it was low water. As no that the wife of the master of the Conning- other boat was available the life-boat beg lightvessel was ill. There were light airs with a smooth sea, and the tide was WRECKAGE SIGHTED flooding. The life-boat Ann Isabella Pye- mont was launched at six o'clock and Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At brought the master of the lightvessel 3.45 p.m. on 23rd February, 1964, the ashore, returning to her station at 9.15. Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Haulbow- The life-boat was also called out on line, informed the honorary secretary that 1st January, 1964. the motor fishing vessel Dos Amigos of Newlyn had been reported missing. An aircraft taking part in the search had LIFE-BOAT STOOD BY sighted wreckage and the life-boat was Portrush, Co. Antrim. At 10.42 p.m. asked to search the area. There was a on 23rd March, 1964, the coastguard told moderate south-westerly breeze with a the honorary secretary that a trawler had corresponding sea, and the tide was gone ashore at Red bay. Ten minutes ebbing. The life-boat Douglas Hyde was later a message was received that the ves- launched at 4.30 and made for the position sel needed help. The life-boat Lady about 30 miles south-west by south of Scott (Civil Service No. 4} was launched Tusker Rock where the aircraft had at 11.10 in a moderate south-easterly dropped marker buoys. As the coxswain wind and a rough sea. The tide was flood- was later informed by the aircraft that ing. The life-boat reached the trawler the missing boat had been found and Irvana of Fleetwood, and found that taken in tow by a French fishing vessel to some of her crew of 17 had already gone St. Ives, the life-boat was recalled and ashore and the remainder were being returned at 1.30 a.m. taken off by the life-saving apparatus team. The life-boat stood by until all the Other Irish life-boats called out during trawler's crew were safely ashore and then the first three months of the year were: returned to her station at 10.40 a.m. the Ballycotton, Co. Cork—30th January. next morning. Howth, Co. Dublin—25th February.

By courtesy of] [R.F.D. Inshore rescue boats being built at Godalming 10-7 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

1962 PAYMENTS. £ LIFE-BOATS.— £ £ New life-boats for the following stations: On account — Boulmer, Caister, Cullercoats, Hastings, Howth, Kirk- cudbright, Llandudno, Longhope, Lowestoft, Sal- combe, Seaham, Shoreham, St. Abbs, St. David's, Skegness, Sunderland, Yarmouth (I. of W.), materials for future building and improvements and alterations 240,845 to existing fleet 311,782 8i6 Upkeep of Cowes office and store 562 52,523 Upkeep of and repairs to life-boats 67,171 Rentals and maintenance of radio equipment and loud 18,193 hailers and radio licences 18,851 Consulting Naval Architect 250 Salaries of superintendent engineer, sur- veyor of life-boats, inspectors of machin- ery, assistant surveyors of life-boats and machineryj draughtsmen and clerical 55,523 staff 56,924 16,779 Travelling expenses ...... 21,060 4,086 Pensions under earlier pension schemes . . 5,016 3,806 Contribution to staff pension fund . . 3,932 80,194 86,932 Less estimated amount chargeable to life- 3,192 boat carriages and tractors .. .. 3,831 77,002 83,101 389,379 481,717 LIFE-BOAT CARRIAGES AND TRACTORS:— TO, 247 11,058 625 Repairs to carriages 1,189 24,448 773 Repairs to tractors 2,439 3,192 Estimated proportion of life-boats' expenses as above . . 3,831 34,978 42,965 LIFE-BOAT HOUSES AND SLIPWAYS:— 27,871 New construction and adaptation 39,602 27,233 Repairs and maintenance 33,883 55,104 73,485 LIFE-BOAT STORES 7C.QT8 LIFE-BOAT DEPOT:— 2,409 13,073 Rates, insurance, equipment and repairs 12,716 Salaries of superintendent of depot, assistant and clerical 56,761 staff and wages of manual workers 61,666 2,981 Pensions and gratuities under earlier pension schemes . . 3,522 1,309 Contribution to staff pension fund 1,546 896 Provision for additional liability, 1909 pension scheme 75,176 81,859 LIFE-BOAT STATIONS:— Conveyance of life-boats, carriages, tractors and stores; 39,419 work to moorings ; telephones, postages, etc. 46,827 Insurance under national insurance acts and against claims 8,632 410 Salaries of assistant secretaries, etc., of stations 409 47,315 55,868

667,272 Carried forward ...... 811,812 THE YEAR ENDED 3151 DECEMBER, 1963 62 RECEIPTS. r SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS, ETC.:— £ £ ",280 General subscriptions to headquarters 12,010 1,607 , 33 through station branches 8,536 '>247 , „ throughfinancia lbranche s 34,042 [,146 3 donations to headquarters 42,119 l=7ii , „ through station branches 112,056 !)7i7 , „ through financialbranche s 291,498 Contributions from harbour authorities towards upkee [,8oo of life-boat stations 1,55° 304 Contribution boxes to headquarters 257 1,868 3, a, through station branches 26,798 1,221 33 „ through financial branches 14,047 1=901 542,913

4,901 Carried forward 542=913 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOU>

1962 PAYMENTS. £ £ 667,272 Brought forward ., ... COXSWAINS, MOTOR MECHANICS AND CREWS:— Cost of wreck services, including allowances to life-boat crews and others, special allowances and recognitions, 19,368 medals and vellums ...... 19,915 i,095 Grants to men injured in the life-boat service .. .. 993 Fees of coxswains, bowmen and signalmen, wages of motor 145,457 mechanics, etc...... 154,320 12,633 Life-boat crews and launchers for exercises .. .. 14,719 Annuities and gratuities under the regulations to cox- swains, bowmen, signalmen, part time and assistant 4,872 motor mechanics ...... 4,679 Pensions and grants to relatives of deceased life-boatmen 15,207 and others ...... 16,938 Pensions and gratuities under the pension scheme to ex- 5,952 permanent crews of life-boats ...... 6,753 204,584 LIFE-BOAT INSPECTORS:— Salaries of chief inspector, deputy chief inspector, inspec- 22,397 tors and clerical staff ...... 25,588 7,287 Travelling expenses ...... 10,402 2,320 Pensions under earlier pension schemes ...... 2,474 1,795 Contribution to staff pension fund ...... 2,841 860 Provision for additional liability, 7909 pension scheme . . — 34,659 RATES AND REPAIRS OF MECHANICS' COTTAGES, 6,158 ETC ADMINISTRATION:— Salaries of secretary, assistant secretary, ac- countant, internal auditor, and clerical 47,954 staff .. 50,434 Rent, depreciation, rates, lighting, heating, insurance, etc., of the Institution's head- 3,881 quarters ...... 3,650 Insurance under national insurance acts and 8,55i against claims at common law, etc. .. 9,363 Telephone operator, commissionaires and 3,229 night watchman ...... 4,147 3,864 Telephones, postages and parcels .. .. 4,564 Travelling expenses of committee of man- 687 agement 761 1,819 Pensions under earlier pension schemes .. 2,023 2,917 Contribution to staff pension fund .. 5,392 Provision for additional liability, 7909 pension 1,729 scheme ...... — 74,631 80,334 Less estimated amount chargeable to raising 37,315 of funds and publicity ...... 4°,I67 40,167 9,757 Stationery, office expenses, printing and books 10,249 630 Auditors' fee 630 3,530 Legal and professional expenses 4,286 2,030 Repairs and improvements to Institution's headquarters 2,750 53,263 510 GRANTS IN CONNEXION WITH CERTAIN LEGACIES 205 CONFERENCE OF LIFE-BOAT SOCIETIES 966,651 Carried forward ...... THE YEAR ENDED SIST DECEMBER, 1963—continued

RECEIPTS. £ £ Brought forward 542,913 INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS:— 1,865 Dividends and interest on investments 89,093 Less:— Interest on certain trust funds transferred 9,121 to Special Purposes Fund 1,928 Interest on certain endowment funds trans- ferred: , 492 (a) to general subscriptions, etc. 500 4,695 (b) to General Endowment Fund i,757 it.308 4,185 SW57 84,908 SUNDRY RECEIPTS:— 6,879 Sale of old stores 6,307 Rentals of freehold and leasehold premises 1,616 '756 Underwriting commission 584 9,091 8,507

li,549 Total ordinary receipts .. 636,328

81,549 Carried forward .. 636,328

lit RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUN

1962 PAYMENTS. £ 966,651 Brought forward RAISING OF FUNDS AND PUBLICITY:— Salaries of public relations officer, assistant and clerical 10,729 staff and wages of manual workers 11,356 37=961 Salaries of district organizing secretaries and clerical staff 39=589 7,226 Travelling expenses 7,888 363 Annual general meeting 557 20,432 Advertising and appeals 14=495 Stationery, printing, books, films, badges, collecting boxes, 54,306 district offices expenses, postages 53=769 Printing and binding the year book and life-boat journal 7=354 Salaries and commissions of assistant secretaries, etc., of 8,986 branches 8,096 2,118 Pensions under earlier pension schemes 2,916 3=739 Contribution to staff pension fund 8,886 2,007 Provision for additional liability, 1909 pension scheme 37=315 Estimated proportion of administration expenses as above 40,167

192=493 1=159=144 Total payments

Transfer to General Endowment Fund being the amount 206 of the year's receipts of gifts for endowment purposes

Transfer to Special Purposes and Maintenance Fund being the excess of the year's receipts for special purposes over payments in the year met from special gifts, etc., arrived at as follows: Receipts in the year of gifts and legacies for special purposes 233=738 Less payments in year met from gifts and legacies for special purposes (of which £167,327 relates to new life-boats and £61,396 to other items) 228,723 53=799 Transfer to Special Purposes, etc. Fund 5=015

175=329 Transfer to General Purposes Fund .. ...

£1,388,478 i=574=9 I THE YEAR ENDED 3151 DECEMBER, 1963—continued

RECEIPTS. £ Brought forward .. 636,328

LEGACIES FOR GENERAL PURPOSES 653,375 Total receipts for general purposes 1,289,703

GIFTS AND LEGACIES FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES (The capital to be applied in accordance with the directions of the respective donors.) Civil Service Life-boat Fund 25,474 Special gifts ...... 145,105 Legacies 63,159 233,738 GIFTS AND LEGACIES FOR ENDOWMENT PURPOSES (The income therefrom to be applied in accordance with the directions of the respective donors.) Gifts 7,100 Legacies ...... 7,100 Total receipts

Transfer from Reserve for Replacement of Life-boats being the excess of payments on account of new life- boats in the year not met from special gifts, etc., over the estimated average annual cost falling to be met from general purposes receipts, arrived at as follows:

Payments on account of new life-boats in the year .. 311,782 Less amount met from gifts and legacies for special pur- poses 167,327 I44>455 Deduct estimated average annual cost of replacements falling to be met from general purposes receipts 100,000

Transfer from Reserve £44,455 44.455

NOTE:—This account includes the receipts and payments of the headquarters of the Institution for the year to 3ist December, 1963, and of the branches for the year to 3Oth September, 1963.

£i,574>996

1C Dr.

1962 GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND The income to be applied for the purposes of the Institution £

237,622 BALANCE AT 3131 DECEMBER, 1963 £237,622

SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUNDI The capital to be applied for the purposes of the Institutiol

353,768 BALANCE AT SIST DECEMBER, 1963 360,711

£353,768

RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOAT^

32,686 TRANSFER TO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT ...... 44,451

1,108,108 BALANCE AT 3151 DECEMBER, 1963 1,063,65}

£1,140,794

GENERAL PURPOSES FUNlJI

TRANSFER TO R.N.L.I. STAFF PENSION FUND ARISING ON THE ESTABLISH- MENT OF THIS FUND TO REPLACE THE 1938 PENSION SCHEME AND INCOR- PORATE OTHER PENSION ARRANGEMENTS FORMERLY NOT FUNDED 192,001 887,942 BALANCE AT 3151 DECEMBER, 1963 939,4^

£887,942 Cr.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED sist DECEMBER, 1963 in accordance with the directions of the respective donors. £ BALANCE AT 3157 DECEMBER, 1962 237,622

TRANSFER FROM RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 7,100

UNEXPENDED INTEREST ON CERTAIN FUNDS i>757

£246,479

FOR THE YEAR ENDED sist DECEMBER, 1963 in accordance with the directions of the respective donors. BALANCE AT 3151 DECEMBER, 1962 353=768

INTEREST ON UNEXPENDED BALANCES OF CERTAIN FUNDS 1,928

TRANSFER FROM RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 5=015

£,360,711

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3ist DECEMBER, 1963

BALANCE AT SIST DECEMBER, 1962 ...... 1,108,108

£1,108,108

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3ist DECEMBER, 1963 BALANCE AT 3151 DECEMBER, 1962 887,942

PROFIT ON SALE OF INVESTMENTS 20,382

TRANSFER FROM RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 223,099

£1,131,423

I >S STATEMENT OF FUNDS AND RELATIVE ASSE

1962 j£j GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND (Income available in accordance with the 237,622 directions of the respective donors) 246,4

SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND (Capital to be applied in ac- 353^768 cordance with the directions of the respective donors) 360,7

RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOATS 1,063,6 The estimated cost of replacing the entire fleet exceeds £6,000,000 and the estimated liability for replacements at present contemplated exceeds £1,400,000, part of which will be met by special gifts and legacies

887,942 GENERAL PURPOSES FUND 939,4 Of this fund £158,051 relates to freehold and leasehold properties necessary to the Institution's work. The balance of £781,372 is available for the general purposes of the Institution and is intended to cover ordinary liabilities as they arise, including certain pensions, insurance risks in respect of the life-boat fleet and crews not other- wise covered, and replacements other than life-boats. Replace- ments at present contemplated include new construction and adaptation of life-boat houses £288,000 and provision of new carriages and tractors £87,000.

£2,587,440 £2,610,2*

(Signed) V. WYNDHAM-QUIN, Deputy Chairman. (Signed) S. M. WHORLOW, Secretary. We have examined the above statement, also the Receipts and Payments Account correct and in accordance therewith. We have also verified the investm 3, Frederick's Place, Old Jewry, London, E.C.2. 5th March, 1964

Alt, t DECEMBER, 1963

INVESTMENTS at the quinquennial valuation on 3ist December 1961, or cost if acquired since:—

Representing GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND Income only available:— British government securities 246,479 (Market value at 3ist December, 1963, £273,265)

Representing other funds:— Quoted— British government securities 600,010 British corporation stocks 138,614 Debenture stocks 66,027 Ordinary U.K. stocks and shares 1,109,367 U.S.A. stocks 30,157 (Market value at 3ist Dec. 1963, £2,084,373) i>944,i75

Total quoted investments (Market value £2,357,638) 2,190,654 Unquoted— Short term loan to local authorities Mortgages, debentures and other securities 45,652 Cash on deposit 90,000 135.652 TOTAL INVESTMENTS 2,326,306 FREEHOLD PREMISES (at cost):— Including life-boat depot at Boreham Wood 107,856 LEASEHOLD PREMISES—(At cost less amounts written off):— Including 42/44 Grosvenor Gardens 5°>i95 BRANCH ACCOUNTS:— Balances in hands of Branches, 30th Sept., 1963 164,851 Less balance of remittances between headquarters and branches, October to December, 1963 96,019 68,832 BANK BALANCES 57,077

£2,610,266

accounts of the funds with the books and vouchers and find the same to be . inspected the deeds of the properties belonging to the Institution.

(Signed) PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO., Auditors. Sfl "7 LIFEBOATMEN'I

ENDOWMENT FUND 1962 £

3=225 Balance carried forward at 3ist December, 1963, represented by £3,825 Conversion 5i°0 Stock 1974 3,618 (Market value at 3ist Dec., 1963, £3,844)

£3,225 £3,618

REVENUE ACCOUNT 189 Grants to beneficiaries 230 93 Balance carried forward at 3ist December, 1963 ' 54

£282 £284

(Signed) V. WYNDHAM-QUIN, Deputy Chairman.

(Signed) S. M. WHORLOW, Secretary.

We have examined the above statement with the books and vouchers of It accordance therewith. We bum

5th March, 1964. iNEVOLENT FUND

I THE YEAR ENDED 3ist DECEMBER, 1963 1962 £ 2,589 Balance brought forward at ist January, 1963 3=225 636 Subscriptions and Donations received and invested 393

£3=225 £3=618

I THE YEAR ENDED 3ist DECEMBER, 1963

121 Balance brought forward at ist January, 1963 93 161 Investment income .. 191

£282 £284

:-boatmen's Benevolent Fund and find the same to be correct and in verified the investment.

(Signed) PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO., Auditors.

Itf TREATED WITH THE RESPECT (AND THE PAINTS) SHE DESERVES!

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