THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI
Volume XLVI Number 468 Summer 1979 25p TWA tO: NewYork Boston Philadelphia Chicago LOS Angeles San Francisco With connections to TWA's 36 US cities. Call your travel agent or TWA.
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Summer 1979
/^1 ^. ^ Notes of the Quarter, by Patrick Howarth 147
International Lifeboat Conference, by Patrick Howarth 148
XLVT Summary of Accounts for 1978 149
468 Lifeboat Services 150
Lifeboats of the World: Part II—Sea rescue outside Europe, by Eric Middleton 158 Chairman: MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB Footprints on the Sand of Time, by Edward Carpenter 161
Acting Director and Secretary: VfYaMby: The lifeboat station and her people, by Joan Davies 162 JOHN R. ATTERTON, MBE Building a Rother Class Lifeboat: Part XII—Trials 166
Managing Editor: Around the Coast 168 PATRICK HOWARTH Shoreline 169 Editor:
JOAN DAVIES jdea, Home Exhibjtion ,70
Headquarters: Some Ways of Raising Money 171 Royal National Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 Letters 174 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Book Reviews 176 London Office: Royal National Life-boat Institution Offshore Lifeboat Services, December 1978, January and February 1979 177 21 Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD (Telephone 01-730 0031). Inshore Lifeboat Services, December 1978, January and February 1979 . 178
Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box 9, COVER PICTURE to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal Godalming, Surrey (Telephone National Life-boat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). Launch of Si David's lifeboat, the 47ft Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ Watson Joseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34). (Telephone Poole 71133). Photographs The photograph was taken by J. Anthony intended for return should be accom- Subscription: A year's subscription of Aldersley who is a branch member at New panied by a stamped and addressed four issues costs £1.40, including post- Mi/ton, Hampshire. envelope. age, but those who are entitled to At the annual presentations of awards at receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge the Royal Festival Hall in May, William Morris, who is coxswain of St David's will continue to do so. Overseas sub- lifeboat and also verger of St David's Next issue: the autumn issue of THE scriptions depend on the cost of post- Cathedral, received the bronze medal for LIFEBOAT will appear in October and age to the country concerned. gallantly for the service on March II, 1978, news items should be sent by the end of to a motor fishing vessel with engine failure July. News items for the Winter issue in danger of drifting on to rocks in heavy, should be sent in by the end of Printers: The Friary Press, Dorchester, breaking overfalls. October. Dorset.
145 Glanvill Enthoven INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS As specialists in marine insurance for over 75 years, we are extremely proud that our clients include the Royal National Life-boat Institution. Glanvill's marine service covers both hull and cargo insurance as well as their attendant liabilities for shipowners and users of shipping throughout the world. For more information please phone 01-283 4622 or write to Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Limited, 144 LeadenhaU Street, London EC3P 3BJ.
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RNLI INSHORE CREWS USE our FOUL WEATHER GARMENTS FOR THOSE IN PERIL BRITISH DESIGNED The Life and Times of Sir William Hillary, BRITISH MADE Founder of the R.N.L.I. from Robert Kelly Illustrated by Norman Sayle £4.75 For Those in Peril tells of the early days of the Royal National BRITISH MATERIALS Lifeboat Institution and the Manxman who brought about its formation. It is a harrowing tale of shipwreck, official disinterest and and almost superhuman efforts on the part of one man. As the Manufactured in our own Factory dramatic and finally pathetic story unfolds, Sir William is seen to be a resourceful and courageous man, untiring in his efforts on behalf of others. Whether personally organising a "Lifeboat" EVETT SAILWEAR LTD. rescue or approaching the Lords of the Admiralty, the formation of a Lifeboat Institution is never far from his mind. Available TIMBER HALL WORKS from all good booksellers or direct from THE SQUARE SHEARWATER PRESS, WELCH HOUSE, CATERHAM, SURREY, CR3 6QA CH URCH ROAD, ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN Tel: Caterham (STD 0883) 44433 & 48704
146 fact that the RNLI, through providing retired from the Royal Navy after 35 the central secretariat for the lifeboat years' service. He was Flag Officer organisations of the world for many Portsmouth and Port Admiral from years past, enjoys a unique standing, 1976 until he retired. He graduated which is readily and generously from the Imperial Defence College recognised. (now the Royal College of Defence It also became clear at the con- Studies) in 1970 and is a member of the ference that the RNLI's editing and Nautical Institute. producing of Lifeboat International, He commanded HMS Ark Royal and the internal annual publication, is became well known to the general pub- increasingly appreciated. This publica- lic when the BBC filmed the television tion came into existence as a consequ- series 'Sailor' on board Ark Royal. ence of a paper submitted by the RNLI Admiral Graham was born in Kil- at the eleventh international lifeboat macolm, near Glasgow, and spent his conference in New York City. The early life there. He now lives in Cron- proposal to have such a publication dall, near Farnham, in Hampshire and was well received at the outset, for it is married with four children. was generally recognised that, with more and more important new New intermediate lifeboats NOTES OF developments in technology, the gap of The RNLI depot at Cowes has been THE QUARTER four years between conferences left a working for some time on designs for a void in communications which needed new boat which could serve as an filling. intermediate lifeboat between the Atlantic 21 and conventional offshore by Patrick Howarth boats. A prototype boat has been built at Souter's yard in Cowes, and a happy decision was taken to call the new class of boat 'RNLI Medina'. The trial speed THE 13TH INTERNATIONAL LIFEBOAT of this boat is estimated to be about 25 CONFERENCE, on which a report knots. The hull is in cold moulded appears on page 148, was as always an mahogany, with an internal structure extremely harmonious and friendly mainly of plywood and a conning posi- affair. Indeed it would be difficult to tion built of aluminium alloy just for- find a gathering of pleasanter people ward of midships. There is a righting air anywhere in the world. To someone of bag, which has to be inflated by the my generation, brought up on the gen- crew in much the same way as in the eral assumption that the British did Atlantic 21. most things better than other people Another intermediate lifeboat, and repeatedly disillusioned by the whose estimated trial speed is also experiences of the last 30 years, it was Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham, the new about 25 knots, is being developed particularly gratifying to experience Director of the Royal National Life-boat simultaneously. This is an adaptation Institution. once again the esteem in which the of a commercial hull produced by RNLI is held internationally. To sug- New RNLI Director Lochin Marine in GRP. To meet the gest that any one lifeboat service is bet- A new Director of the RNLI has RNLI's requirements considerable stif- ter than any other, that it has better been appointed to succeed the late fening has been introduced to the hull. crews or better boats, would be both Captain Nigel Dixon. He is Rear So have foam buoyancy, watertight arrogant and absurd. Yet it remains a Admiral Wilfred Graham, who recently doors and watertight hatches. The engines are twin Caterpillar diesels, Every year many delegates from overseas are welcomed at RNLI headquarters, Poole. One page from the visitors' book, covering just three weeks in March, 1979, records signatures of each producing 203 hp. 12 visitors from the USA, Chile, China and the United Arab Emirates. photographs by courtesy of Peter Hadfield Major lifeboat displays Through the generous support of sponsors the RNLI will have both the central feature at the International Boat Show, Earls Court, in January, 1980 and the largest and most important photographic exhibition on the subject of lifeboats ever to be staged in this country. The sponsors of the RNLI's feature at Earls Court are the Midland Bank Limited. A major contribution is also being made by the Department of Trade and Industry, and the theme of the central feature will be search and rescue. The photographic exhibition is being sponsored by Kodak Limited, who celebrate their centenary year in 1980. The photographic exhibition, to which many fine photographers who have done work for the RNLI will be con- tributing, will be staged in London in March, 1980. It is hoped to transport the exhibition later to other leading cities.
147 cruiser, Wilhelm Kaisen. In addition to those from the Netherlands, the Fed- eral Republic of Germany and Britain, there were lifeboats from France, Norway, Poland and Sweden. The RNLI was represented by the new Arun lifeboat to be stationed at Fal- mouth, which was under the command of Captain Roy Harding, and by an Atlantic 21. A demonstration of the capsizing and righting of the Atlantic 21 was given by RNLI crew members and then by a Dutch crew. The opening ceremony took place in the seventeenth century New Church in the Hague, where a choir of Dutch pilots sang sea shanties, most of them thirteenth in English. At the conference sessions the chair was taken alternately by the chairmen of the two Dutch lifeboat societies, International Lifeboat A. M. Lels and J. F. Dudok van Heel. As always the proceedings took place Conference entirely in English. The Dutch lifeboat societies were fortunate in obtaining THE NETHERLANDS, APRIL 22-26 sponsorship for the conference and for the various associated functions from Unilever and from a number of Dutch by Patrick Howarth companies. At the first conference session it was MORE NATIONS were represented at the delegates, their wives and crew mem- unanimously agreed by the representa- thirteenth International Lifeboat Con- bers were graciously received by tives of the 25 nations present that they ference, which was held in the Nether- Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and would seek support for the award of the lands from April 22 to 26, than ever Prince Bernhard. The final dinner took Nobel Peace Prize to the International before at one of these occasions. In the place in Rotterdam. Lifeboat Conference in 1980. early days the countries represented, Of the lifeboats present the most The range of subjects discussed at apart from the United States and impressive, and by far the costliest, the sessions was exceptionally wide, Japan, tended to be exclusively Euro- was certainly the German rescue particular interest being expressed in pean. This year there were delegates from 25 countries, seven of them out- (Above) Delegates from 25 coun- side Europe. Among countries rep- tries met in conference at the resented for the first time were Hotel Atlantic, Kijkduin, near the Australia, China, the Faroe Islands and Hague. the Netherlands Antilles. (Right) Wilhelm Kaisen, the Fed- The delegates were housed in the eral Republic of Germany's new Hotel Atlantic at Kijkduin near the rescue cruiser, with her daughter Hague. All the conference sessions boat ready to launch. Note were held in the hotel, the visiting helicopter working platform lifeboats being moored in Schevening- above. en. The organisation of the conference (Below) Visiting lifeboats were was flawless. moored in Scheveningen. In Demonstrations by the lifeboats took foreground (I. to r.) lifeboats from place in Rotterdam's Europort. A visit the Netherlands, France and was also paid to Amsterdam, where the Poland.
the medical papers. One of these was presented by Surgeon Captain F. W. Baskerville of the RNLI. The other, which was written by Lt-Cdr D. S. Smith, was presented by Dr R. L. Hor- ton, the Commodore of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, who is himself a medical practitioner. The American paper gave examples of new thinking on the subject of hypothermia. There was a lively discussion about the use of auxiliary bodies, most of which are based on the US example, in lifesaving and education. It was agreed that auxiliaries would be welcome at future international lifeboat confer-
Photographs at Kijkduin and Scheveningen by courtesy ofCees van der Meulen, and of Wilhelm Kaisen by Grahame Farr.
148 ences and that they should form part of Demonstrations included the national delegations. capsize and righting of the The RNLI delegation, which was RNLI's Atlantic 21 ILB. A most ably led by Major-General Ralph British crew righted the boat Farrant and which included the Chief first and then, after being instructed in the righting Inspector of Coastguard, Lt-Cdr J. T. drill by Mike Butler of the Fetherston-Dilke, produced, in addi- RNLI Cowes base, a Dutch tion to Surgeon Captain Baskerville's crew took over for the first paper, contributions on the develop- time and, as can be seen, ment of the Atlantic 21, the RNLI's successfully righted the cap- policy in providing lifeboat cover, the sized boat. The crew, led by role of lifeboats in intense fires and the Skipper J. Flohil, came from reasons why we have voluntary Ouddorp where they man lifeboat societies. The conference pas- one of South Holland's three sed a resolution expressing concern Atlantic 21s. about the problems of lifesaving when photograph by courtesy of intense fires had broken out and resol- the Dutch Atlantic 21 crew ved to ask the Inter-Governmental to provide suitable rescue craft for this Hans Hansson, the leader of the Maritime Consultative Organisation to purpose'. Swedish delegation, who has attended take the necessary steps to ensure that It was decided that the fourteenth every international lifeboat conference 'the complex problems involved could International Lifeboat Conference in from 1947 onwards, stated that the site be studied and appropriate action taken 1983 should be held in Sweden. Captain would be Gothenburg. Summary of Accounts for 1978 A VISUAL REPRESENTATION
Full accounts are available from Poole head- £ millions quarters and a detailed report of the annual 8.0 general meeting held on May 22 at the How expenditure was apportioned National Film Theatre, London, will be pub- 7.5 Ten years at a glance lished in the autumn issue of THE LIFEBOAT. 7.0
What it cost in 1978 6.5 6.0
5.5
5.0 4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
Total £7.90m 1.5 How the money was raised 1.0 0.5
0 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 + 0.5
0
-0.5
Areas of Expenditure Key
LIFE-BOAT Operational Operational SERVICE Recurrent Capital INVESTSMENT SJNCOME LIFE-BOAT Management Fund Raising MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT Support Support Total £8.11 m 149 tric breakers on all lights and window lifelines to the forward pulpit rails. Just wipers opened. Speed was reduced to as the lifeboat was edged in under 14 knots in head seas which were now Revi's starboard quarter a heavy break- estimated to be 35ft high. ing sea hit the casualty's port quarter, At 0107 Revi informed the British completely covering her stern. The ship Deepstone, which was standing lifeboat's engines were put full astern by, that she was slowly sinking and to clear Revi as she dropped mena- asked her master to stand in close to. cingly down on to the lifeboat's At this time Humber lifeboat still had foredeck. After a number of similar eight miles to run. Three minutes later attempts with the casualty often rising Revi informed all stations that she was 20 feet above the lifeboat's foredeck, going to increase speed to full and try the two crew members were taken off to make the River Humber. one at a time. The lifeboat arrived 'on scene' at Revi's master hoped to continue to 0136 and took station close astern of run for the River Humber, but only five Revi, which was steaming 6 knots on a minutes later he decided that, as the North Eastern Division course of 210°; she was being com- accommodation was flooding, he and pletely buried by heavy seas. The the mate should abandon the vessel; Cargo vessel sinks wind, recorded on the BP gas platform with her cargo of silver sand shifting, nearby, was now north east, storm she had a list of 45 degrees to port. The HUMBER COASTGUARD informed force 10. It was exceptionally cold with captain turned her bows west, giving a Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bevan intermittent snow showers. lee on the low port side. Preparing to of Humber lifeboat station at 2357 on At 0145, with Deepstone close to the take the two men off from the port Tuesday February 13 that the Panama- east and Humber lifeboat close astern, quarter, the lifeboat's fenders were nian motor vessel Revi was in distress the master of Revi said he was slowing changed over—this with great difficulty 30 miles north east of Spurn Light Ves- down and asked that his two crew in the prevailing violent storm—and the sel. At 0015 on February 14 the 54ft members be taken off. At first Cox- crew again made fast their lifelines to Arun lifeboat City of Bradford IV slip- swain Bevan thought this would be the pulpit rails. Revi was now settling ped her moorings and set out at full impossible and asked Revi to stop to by the head, while heavy seas swept speed. see how she would behave. Stopped, clear across her full length as she lay The weather was cloudy with mod- she lay broadside to the weather with broadside to the storm. As the lifeboat erate visibility, except in snow storms. heavy seas breaking across her whole came alongside her heaving deck on the A north-easterly gale was blowing, length, and the danger to survivors and first approach a large wave broke right gusting to strong gale force 9 and crew members alike was so great that a over both boats and swept the lifeboat increasing. The tide was five hours rescue in that position had very little away from the ship's side. The same ebb. chance of success. Coxswain Bevan thing happened again and again and it By the time the lifeboat had cleared therefore instructed Revi to steer south took about another twelve attempts the river and was about two miles north at slow speed and to have the two men before the lifeboat could be brought east of Spurn Light Vessel she was on the boat deck on her starboard quar- alongside at a moment when, there heading into very large seas. She ter, ready to jump. being a reasonable height between the crested one and then crashed down The lifeboat was fendered on the port two decks, a man was able to jump. some 15 to 20 feet so hard that the elec- shoulder and the crew fastened their The mate jumped six feet into the arms of the lifeboat's crew who broke his fall Superintendent Coxswain Brian Bevan was awarded and hurried him below. the gold, silver and bronze medals for gallantry for services by Humber lifeboat in some of the worst Revi's bows were now almost sub- storms of the past winter. These services were to merged, No. 1 hatch was completely Revi, Diana V and Savinesti respectively and . . . awash and the stern was clear of the water, poised dangerously above the lifeboat. The last survivor, the master, . . . the coxswain with his crew, all of whom were was hanging on to the outside of Revi's awarded the bronze medal for their part in the ser- stern rails, ready to jump. On about vice to Revi: Crew Member Dennis Bailey, Jnr, Crew the tenth attempt to get him off, as City Member Peter Jordan, Motor Mechanic Bill Sayers, of Bradford IV approached Revi's Superintendent Coxswain Bevan, Second Coxswain quarter, the stricken vessel's stern rose Dennis Bailey, Crew Member Sydney Rollinson, 20.feet in the air and began to crash Assistant Mechanic Ronald Sayers and Crew Member Michael Storey. down towards the lifeboat's foredeck photographs by courtesy of T. M. Carter where the crew were lashed to the rails with little or no chance of escape. Cox- swain Bevan rammed the throttles full astern and the Arun's impressive power pulled her clear by only a matter of inches. While the lifeboat was preparing for yet another approach, Revi was com- pletely covered by three successive seas and the captain was feared lost. However, when the water cleared he was seen still hanging on to the stern rails. With Revi now in immediate danger of rolling over, Coxswain Bevan decided on a dash in to the casu- alty in a trough between two waves. The lifeboat was driven under the port quarter, striking the ship's stern, and the captain, the last man, jumped; he almost fell overboard but the crew just 150 managed to hold on to him. It was 0233. and the bows squared towards the fre- water, the crew decided to have a hot A few minutes later Revi rolled over quent breaking waves. The boat was drink, change into dry clothing and and sank. twice lifted and tossed round 40 then sail again to rehouse, which was The survivors were landed at degrees to starboard. just possible with great care. They Grimsby and were taken to the Mission Shortly after the lifeboat left Brid- mustered again two hours later and for Seamen. After some refreshment lington Bay she was informed that sailed, eventually rehousing at 2200 for the crew, Humber lifeboat sailed at Sunnanhav had regained limited power after considerable problems negotiating 0609 to make the return passage to sta- and was now four to five miles north the slip in the icy conditions. It was 13 tion. At 0721, after refuelling and east of Flamborough Head but still hours since they were first called. remooring, Humber lifeboat was being driven south west. A mile or so Bridlington lifeboat was reported reported 'ready for service'. further on, Bridlington lifeboat was ready for service at 2225. For this service the gold medal for lifted by a big sea which filled the For this service the bronze medal outstanding courage was awarded to cockpit with water (this had already was awarded to Coxswain Fred Walk- Superintendent Coxswain Brian W. happened on a number of occasions ington. Medal service certificates were Be van. The bronze medal was awarded previously) and the radar went dead. presented to Second Coxswain Denis to Second Coxswain Dennis Bailey, Coxswain Walkington continued Atkins, Motor Mechanic Roderick W. Motor Mechanic Barry 'Bill' Sayers, towards the last known position of the Stott, Assistant Mechanic John C. Assistant Mechanic Ronald Sayers and casualty. A few minutes later the Sharp and Crew Members Anthony J. Crew Members Michael B. Storey, Coastguard informed him that Sun- Ayre, R. W. Stork and Paul A. Peter Jordan, Sydney Rollinson and nanhav had regained full power and Staveley. Dennis Bailey, Jnr. was making for Humber for shelter from the still worsening seas, which were now breaking at 30 foot. Visibility North Eastern and Eastern North Eastern Division was about 50 yards and the ship could Divisions not pick up the lifeboat on her radar. Loss of power Coxswain Walkington decided to turn west hoping to make a landfall on Blizzard A GERMAN SHIP, Sutinanhav, broken the high cliffs to the north of Flam- ON THURSDAY MORNING February 15 a down eight miles north east of Flam- borough Head; if he had gone into Brid- Romanian cargo ship, Savinesti, with borough Head, was reported to the lington Bay in the prevailing conditons 28 people on board was reported in dis- honorary secretary of Bridlington without radar there would have been tress 125° 37.5 miles from Spurn Point; lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at the possibility of arriving in very shal- she had engine failure and was dragging 0900 on Thursday February 15. She low water without a positive indication her anchor. After liaison (made more was being storm-driven in a blizzard of position, thus not knowing whether difficult because heavy snow had towards the headland at about l'/2 to turn north or south to return to sta- brought down telephone wires) be- knots. At first the lifeboat was asked to tion. After about 2'/2 hours running tween Yarmouth Coastguard, the divi- stand by; shortly afterwards came the with the drogue streamed and being sional inspector of lifeboats (North request to launch. Humber lifeboat constantly pooped, cliffs were glimp- East) and the stations concerned it was might be required for a service well to sed through the snow at a distance of decided that Wells lifeboat should the south (see below) and Flamborough about half a mile. They were soon iden- launch to try to cut off the casualty lifeboat, although the closest, was tified as the cliffs north of Filey Brig, a which was in danger of grounding on instructed by the divisional inspector of notorious outcrop of rocks; at almost Race Bank or Docking Shoal. Another lifeboats (North East) not to launch as the same time Second Coxswain Denis distress call had come to the north she had no radar and the weather was Atkins shouted a warning that he had which Humber lifeboat might have to directly into North Landing. sighted Filey Brig ahead at about 100 answer and no other lifeboat in the area In blizzard conditions with falling yards. Coxswain Walkington put the could launch. snow and ice re-forming as quickly as it wheel hard over to port. As the boat The morning was heavily overcast was cleared the 37ft Oakley William presented her beam to the sea she was with continuous snow blizzards and Henry and Mary King had to be low- struck and knocked over to starboard. poor visibility; the wind was north ered down both slipways on a check The engine cut-out operated and the easterly strong gale force 9 to storm rope. At 0945 she launched into heavy engines stopped. Coxswain Walkington force 10. Maroons were fired at Wells breaking seas, with visibility only a few put his engines to neutral and ordered at 1005 and at 1024 the 37ft Oakley yards making it impossible to see the Assistant Mechanic John Sharp to lifeboat Ernest Tom Neathercoat next breaker. A storm to violent storm, make the 'capsize switches' and launched from her carriage into Wells force 10 to 11, was blowing from the restart. The engines fired first time. Harbour and set out to sea. It was 2'/2 north east. The tide was three hours Filey Brig Buoy was sighted to port hours after high water. ebb; the temperature was — 4°c. after the coxswain had brought the By 1040 the lifeboat had reached the Coxswain Fred Walkingon decided lifeboat round head to sea. It was now entrance bar and was confronted by that it would be better to leave Brid- 1510. The crew, who had all been heavy rolling seas and the full force of lington Bay by the south end of Smithic 'hooked on' and braced against the the wind. The lifeboat was being con- Sands thus avoiding the extra large heavy movement, confirmed that they tinually hit and filled by the seas and shallow water waves between the north were well and course was set for lost her radar, MF radio and echo end of the sand and Flamborough Flamborough Head. sounder. Course was set north by east. Head. The lifeboat was struck con- Motor Mechanic Roderick Stott had At 1052 Savinesti's position was given stantly by large seas and Coxswain been constantly trying to regain a radar at 331° a mile and a half from South Walkington instructed his crew to clip picture; it gradually improved after the Race Buoy by Wells Coastguard. on their lifelines inside the cockpit. knockdown and helped with the return By 1100 Coxswain David Cox Smithic Buoy was left to port and passage to harbour. The Coastguard realised that the lifeboat was labouring course set to the north east. The sea manned both piers with lifesaving to clear the water that she was shipping was white over with drift and the equipment until the boat had entered and had to reduce speed. Although this lifeboat was heading into driven snow safely. prevented the labouring, she was still squalls during which the wind became The lifeboat returned to harbour and filling and all crew throughout the ser- even stronger and visibility was refuelled at 1700, though with great dif- vice had to remain in the after cockpit reduced. The main sea was easterly ficulty as the fuel was freezing in the as the heavy breaking seas made the with a cross sea breaking from the funnel. So that she should not go 'off forward well untenable. north. The throttles had to be eased service' inside the harbour at low As Bridlington lifeboat had managed 151 to launch to the casualty to the north, seven miles away and Wells lifeboat ashore and most found that they were the divisional inspector of lifeboats was released to try to make the Norfolk unable to walk. They were helped into (North East) was able to release coast in daylight. By now the wind was a change of clothes and driven to their Number lifeboat to help to the south, east north east, violent storm force 11 homes. and at 1124, after her crew had boarded gusting to hurricane force 12. A course In all, Ernest Tom Neathercoat, an with great difficulty, the 54ft Arun City and distance to South East Docking open 37ft lifeboat, was at sea for 11 of Bradford IV slipped her moorings. A Buoy of 212° ten miles was given to hours 24 minutes in violent storm con- course was set to clear the river at 17 Wells lifeboat by Norwave and with her ditions with very heavy swell and knots. Visibility was reduced to less drogue streamed she started her return phenomenal seas frequently washing than 75 yards by the blizzard and, with trip. It was soon found that the only right over her, with continuous blizzard a temperature of —4°c, there was a 3in course she could sustain without vio- (Wells was cut off by snow for the fol- layer of ice on the boat and rails. lent movement was south west and she lowing three days), poor visibility and The radar was giving a very poor pic- was held down to about half speed. The sub zero temperatures. ture, only just showing Spurn Light snow was now blowing directly into the Back at the scene of the casualty, Vessel at 1.5 miles, and the Decca after cockpit and it was one crew during the afternoon four or five rock- Navigator did not appear to be receiv- member's task to keep the screen and ets were fired across Savinesti by Nor- ing properly. Superintendent Coxswain compass glass clear. wave in an attempt, which proved Brian Bevan eased back and the scan- Heavy white water was seen ahead unsuccessful, to establish a tow; all ners were checked. They were found to at 1700. At first it was thought to be the lines parted. The tug Lady Moira be coated in thick ice which was chip- shore but it proved only to be the arrived at 1800 but considered condi- ped away before the lifeboat resumed banks, so course was held. At 1815 tions were too bad to risk men on deck. cruising speed. some shore lights, thought to be Bran- By the evening Savinesti was making On clearing the river speed had to be caster, were glimpsed. A parachute four knots northwards with the inten- reduced because of tremendous buffet- flare was put up and an auxiliary coast- tion of steaming north of Dowsing ing and nil visibility. The Decca guard ashore confirmed the lifeboat's Light Vessel and then running before Navigator could only be used if the position as being just north of Brancas- the sea into Humber. By 0035 on Feb- lifeboat was slowed right down during ter Golf Club. An easterly course was ruary 16, the snow had moderated to the infrequent pauses in the heavy then set for Wells Harbour. The light showers and the wind to strong snow, when it was hurriedly 'set up' remaining seven miles took two hours gale force 9. When in position 000° and a reading taken before carrying on. to make good with frequent use of the Dowsing Light Vessel five miles, the At 1113 Savinesti informed the helm and engines to bring the lifeboat casualty and her escorts turned before coastal tanker Annuity that she had lost up into the breaking seas. the sea on a course for the river. both anchors but had enough power to At 2026 the lifeboat was just west of Savinesti entered the River Humber at hold into the weather. At 1124 Annuity Wells B~ar but no leading lights could be 0303 escorted by Norwave and Lady reported that she was with the casualty seen through the blizzard. A local fish- Moira and was boarded by a pilot. and gave her position as 014° 2.6 miles ing boat, Strandline, came down chan- Humber lifeboat returned to station from South Race Buoy. At 1140 the nel to act as a leading light and give and refuelled, reporting ready for ferry Norwave was in the vicinity of the pilotage help on VHP and, at 2110 with service at 0425. casualty. her drogue out to its full extent, the For this service the silver medal was At 1213 Coxswain Cox considered lifeboat entered over the bar, being awarded to Coxswain David J. Cox of that Wells lifeboat was near South completely swept again by three seas Wells lifeboat and the bronze medal to Race Buoy and asked if Annuity or as she came. As the lifeboat could not Superintendent Coxswain Brian W. Norwave could see him on radar, but in be rehoused she berthed in the harbour Bevan of Humber lifeboat. Medal ser- that weather, neither could. A minute at 2150. The crew were all helped vice certificates were presented to later the lifeboat sighted a ship and by 1307 was standing by Savinesti. At In the February blizzards when East Anglia roads were blocked by huge snowdrifts, Great 1314 Coxswain Cox asked if he could Yarmouth and Gorleston's 44ft Waveney lifeboat Khami launched to take three patients, one be relieved by Humber Arun lifeboat as a girl of 14, up the River Yare to Norwich for urgent medical treatment. It was the same day, soon as possible as his crew were all February 15, that Bridlington lifeboat launched to go to the help of Sunnanhav and Wells and extremely cold; then, for the next two Humber lifeboats to the help of Savinesti. hours, Wells lifeboat stood by the photograph by courtesy of 'Eastern Daily Press' casualty as she held her own just north of South Race Buoy. The wind over this period was north-easterly storm to violent storm, force 10 to 11 and there was a very heavy swell with 40ft breaking seas; the banks nearby were making the rollers run for several hundred feet and the continuous heavy snow, and blown spray brought visibility at times down to nil. At times all that could be seen of the other vessels by the lifeboat was the tips of their masts. Several attempts were made by Annuity and Norwave to pass a tow line to the casualty, but it could not be done. Throughout this period the lifeboat VHP transmissions had to be relayed to Yarmouth Coast- guard by Norwave. Meanwhile the tug Lady Moira was on her way to help and Humber lifeboat was also on her way at ten knots, stop- ping occasionally to chip off ice and fix position. At 1500 Humber lifeboat was only
152 Second Coxswain Anthony T. Jordan, Motor Mechanic Albert Court, Assis- tant Mechanic Alan M. Cox and Crew Members Albert Warner, John R. Nudds, Graham B. Walker and John W. Belts of Wells lifeboat, and Second Coxswain Dennis Bailey, Motor Mechanic Barry 'Bill' Sayers, Assis- tant Mechanic Ronald Sayers and Crew Members Michael B. Storey, Peter Jordan and Dennis Bailey, Jnr, of Humber lifeboat. Framed letters of thanks signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, chairman of the Institution, were sent to the master of Norwave, Captain Wally Patch, and to the skip- per of MFV Strandline, John Ward.
North Eastern and Eastern Divisions Dutch coaster A DUTCH COASTER Diana V, in distress 101° 74 miles from Spurn Head, was reported to Superintendent Cox- swain Brian Sevan of Humber lifeboat station by HM Coastguard at 1400 on December 30, 1978; her cargo of maize had shifted in rough seas near Well Bank. At 1410 the 54ft Arun lifeboat City of Bradford IV slipped her moor- ings. On clearing the river she encoun- tered very heavy seas whipped up by a strong easterly gale and visibility was reduced to 100 yards by heavy snow showers. The tide was two hours flood. At 1419 HMS Lindisfarne reported that she was 20 miles north west of Diana V and heading for her. Meanwhile, Cromer lifeboat had been put on stand by and at 1451, the 46ft 9in Watson relief lifeboat William Gammon, Manchester and District XXX, on temporary duty at Cromer, launched on service to give extra cover. At 1559, Humber lifeboat was driv- The 46ft 9in Watson relief lifeboat William Gammon, Manchester and District XXX, on ing at full speed into the head seas, and temporary duty at Cromer, launches on service to Diana V. had covered 25 miles from Spurn Point, photographs by courtesy of Poppyland Photographs when she suddenly lost speed; an oil pipe supplying the starboard engine was found to be fractured. Knowing reported she was returning, heading for conditions had become worse and that that Cromer lifeboat was on her way, Great Yarmouth as, in the rough seas Diana V was taking water. Helicopter that HMS Lindisfarne was now in com- prevailing, she could not have been help had been requested (a USAF pany with Diana V and that the situa- rehoused at Cromer. She reached helicopter arrived on scene at 0030 but tion on board the coaster was improv- harbour at 2250. had to return to base because of the ing. Coxswain Bevan decided to return On Humber lifeboat's arrival at weather). Humber lifeboat informed to Grimsby for emergency repairs. Grimsby at 1845 a suitable piece of pipe the Coastguard that she was taking on During the return passage Motor was located. It was found, however, fuel and would complete her repairs Mechanic Barry 'Bill' Sayers and that, because of the heavy swell, if shortly. By 2136 she was once more on Assistant Mechanic Ronald Sayers, repairs were to be made in harbour the her way to the casualty, ETA two hours. who are brothers, working in a con- lifeboat would have to lock in to the Diana V was now 097° 28 miles from fined space in the engine room of the Fish Dock—and then might be locked Spurn Point. violently moving lifeboat, managed to in and thus off service until 0400. The lifeboat was heading almost strip down the pump in preparation for Rather than that, Coxswain Bevan directly into the 25ft short, steep seas fitting a replacement pipe; arrange- decided that the repair should be made at full speed and taking a terrific pound- ments had been made with the shore in the river and asked the dock master ing, at times taking off and crashing for repairs. to open the pen. Despite the heavy down into the next wave. At 2235, HMS Lindisfarne had assumed on swell breaking on the dock gates, City when still eight miles from the casualty, scene command and at 1700 she of Bradford IV was penned out without she crashed down from an exception- reduced the distress signal to urgency. damage at 2030 and 'dodged' down ally large sea and all lighting, window Diana V was able to get under way at 9 river and towards Spurn to refuel while wipers and fans failed. Crew Member knots for Humber, escorted by Lindis- the mechanics made the repairs. Dennis Bailey, Jnr, was thrown against farne. At 1730 Cromer lifeboat At 2045 Lindisfarne reported that the wheelhouse bulkhead, injuring his 153 right eye, knee and elbow. Speed was Humber lifeboat, Diana V headed for ing to storm force 10 with breaking seas reduced to ten knots to give the the River Humber 20 miles ahead. The of about 20 feet, and Cairnsmore was mechanics a chance to find the fault river was safely entered at 0145. At rolling her wheelhouse nearly horizon- and restore the lighting. 0200, when in smooth water, a pilot tal. Her crew were sheltering, as best Before repairs could be made, Lin- boarded and Humber lifeboat returned they could, on deck around the disfarne reported that the lifeboat was to Spurn Point and the waiting wheelhouse. now urgently needed to take off Diana ambulances. At 0940 Crew Member Gerald V's four crew and two women and The lifeboat was refuelled and Edwards reported to the coxswain that asked Humber lifeboat to make best returned to her moorings, reporting one of the crew of the fishing boat was speed to join her. Coxswain Bevan ready for service at 0345 after 133/4 in the water. Informing the tug and tel- increased speed to full and briefed his hours on service. ling his crew to keep the man in sight, crew to prepare to go alongside using For this service the silver medal was Coxswain Holmes began to manoeuvre only the two hand torches. awarded to Superintendent Coxswain into position to recover him. With the Humber lifeboat arrived on scene at Brian W. Bevan. The thanks of the lifeboat dropping 20 feet off the waves 2301 and prepared to go alongside Institution inscribed on vellum were and the waves breaking over the man in Diana V which was steering down sea accorded to Second Coxswain Dennis the water, he wanted to come up into on an erratic course at 5 knots with a Bailey, Motor Mechanic Barry 'Bill' the sea so that he had the greatest con- heavy list to port. The lifeboat crew Sayers, Assistant Mechanic Ronald trol of his boat. He therefore turned, found that both the inflatable dinghy Sayers and Crew Members Michael B. ran down sea and turned to come up to and liferaft had broken loose from their Storey, Peter Jordan and Dennis the man, lying slightly off while one of fastenings. They lashed them down and Bailey, Jnr. A framed letter of thanks the crew threw a heaving line. The line then fendered the starboard bow. With signed by Major-General Ralph Far- caught round the man, he was pulled the wind now gusting to 56 knots, rant, chairman of the Institution, was alongside the lifeboat and got inboard storm force 10, and the -4°c tempera- sent to the commanding officer of HMS and down to the after cabin. He was ture freezing the sea water to deck and Lindisfarne, Lt-Cdr A. J. C. Morrow, wearing a lifejacket but was very cold rails, moving about on deck was very RN, and a letter signed by Cdr Bruce having been in the icy water for about difficult. Cairns, chief of operations, was sent to ten minutes. Coxswain Bevan instructed the mas- J. J. Smith, honorary seretary of The tugmaster then asked Coxswain ter of Diana V to have his crew on his Cromer lifeboat station, expressing the Holmes to take off the remaining two port quarter ready to jump and Lindis- Institution's appreciation to Coxswain fishermen because he thought farne illuminated the coaster with her Richard Davies and his crew. Cairnsmore might capsize. While the searchlight. All the lifeboat's crew tugmaster tried to keep the bows of the except for the two mechanics fastened fishing boat into the sea, Coxswain their lifelines to the rails forward. Just Western Division Holmes took the lifeboat alongside, a as Coxswain Bevan edged the lifeboat manoeuvre requiring all his experience in to Diana V's port quarter a breaking Fishermen taken off as Cairnsmore was rolling and pitching sea hit the stern of the casualty, almost so heavily that, as she went over, her washing her crew off the deck; the two THE COXSWAIN of Angle lifeboat was bottom was clearly out of the water. vessels were thrown together, part of informed at 0007 on Friday December Nevertheless, the lifeboat was safely the lifeboat's rubbing strake being rip- 1, 1978, that the 39ft fishing boat brought alongside and the two men ped away and her anchor stowage Cairnsmore, on passage to Scotland, taken off. moved aft. Her engines were put full was in trouble five miles south west of The tow began again and Milford astern as her bows were then some ten the Hats and Barrels. Maroons were Haven was reached without further feet above Diana V's deck. fired and at 0030 Angle's 46ft 9in Wat- incident at 1306, when the lifeboat put After making sure that the crew were son Richard Vernon and Mary Gar- the men ashore. The man who had been all ready, a second approach was forth of Leeds launched and set course in the water was taken to hospital for a made. This time a heavy sea struck the at full speed for the casualty. check up but was released later the lifeboat's starboard quarter, crashing The wind was easterly force 5 on same day. her starboard bow against the coaster; launching but the weather deteriorated The lifeboat arrived back at her sta- a fender exploded with a very loud rapidly, the wind veering south easterly tion at 1510 and was rehoused and bang and more rubbing strake was torn and reaching near gale force 7 by the ready for service at 1542. away. The engines were again put full time the lifeboat had cleared St Ann's For this service a bar to his bronze astern to clear the casualty's stern Head. The sky was overcast, with medal was awarded to Coxswain/ which, as she heeled over, was only heavy rain and sleet. It was low water Mechanic William J. Rees Holmes. three feet away from the coxswain in springs. Medal service certificates were pre- the upper steering position on the flying The weather continued to deterio- sented to Crew Members Gerald C. W. bridge. rate, with the wind rising to strong gale Edwards, Roger V. O'Callaghan, On the third run in, as the lifeboat's force 9, and there was a weather fore- Norman A. Knowles, Jeffrey Stringer. bow hit the casualty some five feet cast of gale to storm force imminent. Danny J. Richards and Stephen J. below where her people were waiting, a Realising the urgency of getting to O'Leary. 12-year-old girl was dropped into the Cairnsmore as quickly as possible, arms of the lifeboat crew and, as the Coxswain/Mechanic William Rees lifeboat rose up the coaster's side, the Holmes maintained full speed. He South Eastern Division other woman and four men jumped heard by radio that RFA Sir Percival aboard, the crew breaking their fall. was on her way to stand by the casual- The engines were again put full astern ty, ETA 0300, and that the tug Bar- Storm search to avoid being 'laid over' by Diana V. racuda was also on her way from a pos- BRIXHAM COASTGUARD asked the hon- The survivors, wet, cold and suffer- ition 30 miles north of South Bishops. orary secretary of St Peter Port lifeboat ing from shock, were taken below and The lifeboat arrived at the casualty at station at 2030 on Thursday January 4 cared for while the lifeboat took station 0430, a quarter of an hour after Bar- to put the lifeboat on stand by for MV on Diana V's port quarter; her captain, racuda, and it was decided that the tug Canlonad, a 2,200 ton Greek freighter his crew safe, had decided to try to should tow Cairnsmore to Milford with a crew of 16, reported listing save his ship. With only her fo'csle and Haven while the lifeboat stood by as heavily about four miles south of the bridge visible most of the time as seas escort. Channel Light Vessel. broke clear across her hatches, and The tow began at 0502, speed 4 The crew were assembled; then escorted by HMS Lindisfarne and knots. The wind was now force 9 gust- came the request to launch. At 2109 St 154 Peter Port's 52ft Arun lifeboat Sir Wil- Nimrod aircraft had joined the search Fairway was still over eight miles liam Arnold slipped from her moorings and dropped flares for the helicopters away when the lifeboat's radar failed and set out at full speed. She had 31 until about 0520. The helicopters then after a wave broke over the scanner miles to go to the reported position and left to return to Culdrose and the during a heavy roll. Fortunately both this became 38 miles eventually, due to lifeboat was recalled to station ten the lifeboat and casualty had Decca the casualty's set and drift. minutes later. Navigator so that accurate plotting of The wind was east north east, gale to As the lifeboat set course for home, interception courses was still possible; hurricane force 8 to 12, and remained with the wind now on her port bow, heavy rain prevented a visual sighting so for the entire 12 hours of this ser- progress was limited to six knots by for a further 35 minutes. vice, with poor visibility and snow phenomenal seas so that St Peter Port At about 0345. as the lifeboat showers. It had been blowing from the was not finally reached until 0900. The approached. Fairway reported her east at gale to storm force since the lifeboat was refuelled and returned to anchor warp parted. She could now be previous day. It was now two hours her moorings at 1000. seen with all lights burning, and Cox- before high water and the lifeboat For this service a third bar to his swain Curnow asked the skipper encountered rough seas as soon as she bronze medal has been awarded to whether he wanted the lifeboat to take left harbour. Coxswain John H. Petit. Medal service off the entire crew or to stand by. The Within 15 minutes, as the lee of certificates were presented to Acting skipper asked him to stand by; work Herm was cleared, the liferaft broke Second Coxswain Robert Hamon, was continuing on the trawler's engine, adrift from its stowage on the foredeck Motor Mechanic Eric C. Pattimore, but it proved to be of no avail. and Coxswain John Petit turned stern Assistant Mechanic Robert Vowles and At 0410 Coxswain Curnow went to to sea for it to be resecured. As the Crew Members John H. Robilliard and the upper conning position on the flying after door was opened a sea broke over Graham Eker. bridge and took the lifeboat in towards the after deck and entered the cabin, so the casualty. He spoke to the trawler that the crew had to suffer wet condi- South Western Division on VHP: 7 am 20 yards off your stern; tions almost from the outset. Messages do you want to abandon?' Receiving relayed from St Peter Port were now the answer 'Yes' he asked the skipper indicating that the casualty's plight was Trawler broken down first to let go the trawl board, which worsening and so Coxswain Petit A FISHING TRAWLER, Fairway, broken was hanging over the side, and then to resumed course as rapidly as possible down and drifting towards shore about assemble his six crew on the port side and continued at full speed of 19 knots eight miles south of Lyme Regis was amidships with lifejackets on. in spite of the steadily increasing sea. reported to the honorary secretary of Fairway was lying almost starboard Two helicopters had been 'scram- Torbay lifeboat station at 0032 on beam to the sea, bows east, her parted bled' and another vessel was also on Saturday December 2, 1978. The anchor warp still out, and she was drift- her way to help. At 2244 this vessel trawler's crew, who were trying to ing north westwards at nearly 1 knot reported that Cantonad had now dis- repair her engine, gave no indication of towards the shore in a shallowing area appeared from her radar screen in posi- urgency and a tug had been declined. of Lyme Bay from which local fisher- tion 49°54'N, 03°05'w. The lifeboat However, with the wind south south men keep well clear in south-easterly duly altered course for this position. east strong gale force 9 to storm force gales. She was rolling and pitching vio- Soon after 2300, Coxswain Petit 10. and knowing that Exmouth lifeboat lently in steep seas ranging to 25 feet. turned in the helmsman's seat to speak could not launch until 0230 because of Coxswain Arthur Curnow brought to the radar operator, behind him on his conditions on the bar and that helicop- the lifeboat close in towards Fairway's starboard hand. At the same moment ter help could not be expected until port side and Second Coxswain Keith an exceptional sea broke just forward 0700, it was decided at 0155 to launch Bower once more shouted to the casu- of the starboard beam. The lifeboat was Torbay lifeboat. So Coxswain Arthur alty to let go her trawl board and to rolled about 45 degrees to port and fell Curnow and his crew, who were assemble the crew amidships ready to down the opposite side of the wave. already assembled, boarded Torbay's be taken off one at a time. One The coxswain was thrown out of his 54ft Arun lifeboat Edward Bridges lifeboatman stood by on the foredeck seat into the port after corner of the (Civil Service and Post Office No. 37) with a lifebuoy and heaving line as a wheelhouse, striking his head on the and at 0200 she slipped her moorings. precaution while the others stationed fire extinguisher, which knocked him There was heavy rain and the spring themselves along the lifeboat's star- unconscious for a few moments and tide was in the first hour of flood. board side to receive the survivors. activated the extinguisher. Crew After leaving harbour. Coxswain When the trawl board dropped clear, Member John Robilliard was also Curnow and his crew cleared the upper Coxswain Curnow brought his star- thrown across the wheelhouse. crack- deck to the wheelhouse and radio cabin board bow in against the casualty and ing two of his ribs. and the after watertight door was the first man was taken aboard. The At 2351 the helicopters were sighted closed. A course of 065°M was set at 18 coxswain then held his bow off with his by the lifeboat and one of them knots, but three minutes later, as the port engine so that the flare should not reported that they were having extreme lee of Berry Head was cleared, move- overlap the trawler's rails as the two difficulty because survivors could not ment of the lifeboat became so violent boats rolled together. As the lifeboat get into the strop. The lifeboat replied with the very heavy sea just abaft the came alongside again three more men that she was making best speed to beam that speed had to be reduced to were taken aboard amidships while assist. The helicopter then dropped 15 knots; with an adverse tide of about another man leapt for the lifeboat's smoke floats to mark the search area I knot as well as the heavy seas, speed after guardrail and hung over it, legs for the lifeboat and said that the other over the ground was reduced to about outboard. Coxswain Curnow saw a helicopter had now departed for Berry 13'/2 knots. large sea approaching, realised that the Head with one survivor picked up from Radio/telephone contact was now man was in danger of being crushed, a liferaft at 0011. Eight minutes later established with the coxswain of and put both his engines full astern. the lifeboat sighted two bodies and, Exmouth lifeboat: although she could Fairway rolled heavily and her port gal- after extreme difficulty, three crew not clear the bar until 0230, it was lows came down scraping the members managed to get them aboard. agreed that she should stand by. Esso survivor's back as the lifeboat pulled The lifeboat searched in co-operation Cardiff and another vessel offered help astern. The crew then rolled him with the helicopter until it was apparent by creating a lee, but the casualty was inboard, comparatively unharmed. that there was no further hope. At 0400 now dragging her anchor into shallow There was one man still left aboard. the lifeboat reported that conditions waters which would present a hazard to The lifeboat was again taken alongside were now so bad that it had become these two vessels, so Coxswain Cur- and this last rnan dived on to the impossible to search upwind at all. A now declined their offers with thanks. foredeck head first as Coxswain Cur- 155 now went astern to clear. The time was run was made on to the port quarter that even if he should damage both 0425. and a second fisherman recovered. propellers he should still be able to get As soon as all the survivors were After checking that there were no the survivors off and then ride out the safely below in the after cabin and all further survivors aboard, the fishing weather on the lifeboat's anchor, he was secured on the upper deck, a boat, obviously sinking, was headed in towards the casualty with the course of 240°M was set for Brixham. abandoned. crew trying to illuminate the yacht There was less than half a knot of The lifeboat returned to harbour at moorings on all sides. adverse tide on the return passage but reduced speed in the following seaway, The lifeboat had to use full rudder the lifeboat made good only 11 '/2 knots arriving at 1445. The fishermen were and maximum revolutions to come in the severe seas, arriving at Brixham landed and the lifeboat made ready for round head to sea about 15 feet from breakwater at 0630. service at 1530. the casualty, which was lying head to The following morning Fairway was For this service the bronze medal sea with her anchor out but dragging. found ashore on the rocks at Charton was awarded to Acting Second Cox- Before the nearness of the yacht moor- Bay, five miles north north east of the swain Seamus McCormack. Medal ings made the lifeboat's position unten- rescue position, her bottom holed and service certificates were presented able and Coxswain Bowry had to clear engine room flooded. to Motor Mechanic Matthew W. to the north, the crew managed to For this service the bronze medal Wickham, Assistant Mechanic Sean P. ascertain that the boat was Ma Jolie II was awarded to Coxswain Arthur L. V. Martley and Crew Members Thomas and that she had struck an obstruction Curnow. Medal service certificates Billington, Peter Breen, Brian J. and lost her propeller. were presented to Second Coxswain Wickham and Bernard A. Keogh. The snow was heavy and continu- Keith W. Bower, Acting Motor ous. With the force 9 wind, the near- Mechanic William J. Hunkin and Crew ness of the land and the strong spring Members Nicholas Davies, Richard R. Eastern Division tide coming between the islands the sea Brown, Michael Mills and Ernest C. was very rough and confused and spray Fradd. Struck wreck was being driven right across the lifeboat and the casualty. WARDEN POINT COASTGUARD informed The lifeboat had taken station off Ireland Division the deputy launching authority of No. 26 buoy in Gillingham Reach to Sheerness lifeboat station at 2046 on assess the situation. Coxswain Bowry Fishing boat sinking Saturday December 30, 1978, that a red decided that the cabin cruiser must flare had been sighted in Gillingham have hit the wreck, and that this wreck ROSSLARE HARBOUR OFFICE informed Reach. Maroons were fired at 2049 and should now be on her other side. He Storeman R. Walshe at 1130 on Thurs- at 2106 Sheerness lifeboat, the 44ft took the lifeboat in again through the day December 7, 1978, that a Swedish Waveney Helen Turnbull, slipped her moorings, turned head to sea and eased cargo vessel had relayed a distress moorings and headed up the Medway in starboard side to Ma Jolie II's port signal from a fishing boat sinking off at three-quarter speed because of the side. One man was taken off before the Tuskar Rock. Maroons were fired at prevailing conditions. heavy seas and the hazard of the moor- 1135, the deputy launching authority of The night was heavily overcast with ings meant that the lifeboat had again to Rosslare Harbour lifeboat station was snow flurries and moderate to poor be taken clear. A third approach was informed and at 1155 the 46ft 9in Wat- visibility. A strong gale, force 9, was made in the same way and, at 2208, the son relief lifeboat Sir Samuel Kelly on blowing from the north east and there second man was taken off and the temporary duty at Rosslare launched were rough breaking seas. It was four lifeboat cleared the area and re-entered on service. hours before high water springs. the channel. A storm force 10 to violent storm At 2118 the lifeboat was given details The two men were landed at Gilling- force 11 was blowing from the south of a cabin cruiser, Ma Jolie II, overdue ham Pier into the care of the pier mas- east and there was a very heavy sea on passage down the Thames from St ter at 2220. The lifeboat then returned running. High water was at 1140. Katherine's Dock to the Medway. By through the Medway and was berthed Acting Second Coxswain Seamus 2137 Helen Turnbull was off Darnett again and ready for service at 2359. McCormack was in command on ser- Ness and put up a parachute flare so For this service a bar to his bronze vice for the first time, the coxswain that the people who had raised the medal was awarded to Coxswain/ being away on lifeboat business. On alarm could gauge the lifeboat's posi- Mechanic Charles H. Bowry. Medal clearing harbour he set course through tion in relation to the distress flare. At service certificates were presented to the approach channel for Tuskar Rock. 2145 she was informed that she was in Emergency Mechanic Grant Burnham Progress was difficult in seas estimated the vicinity of the flare sighting and, and Crew Members Colin J. Washford, at 10 metres high and extra lookouts realising that the tide and wind would Ian J. McCourt and Martin R. Oliver. were posted to watch for navigation set a casualty south west, Coxswain/ buoys through the driving rain. Mechanic Charles Bowry headed up At 1215 the casualty's position was Pinup Reach. By this time all crew amended to 3.5 miles 210°M from Tus- members were on deck searching with South Western Division kar Rock and Acting Coxswain the aid of searchlights, although in the McCormack altered course to inter- snow, now heavy and continuous, the Injured man cept, allowing for the northerly drift. lights were not very effective. The Swedish cargo vessel was sighted A small white light flashing sos was A YACHT AGROUND in Worbarrow Bay at 1300 and the casualty, Notre Dame seen at 2151; it came from Cinque Port was reported to the deputy launching du Sucre Coeur, ten minutes later. A Marshes, near the position, the cox- authority of Weymouth lifeboat station helicopter was seen to recover a man swain knew, of a partially submerged at 0006 on Sunday September 24, 1978, from the sea and to stand off. wreck. The approach from the edge of and at 0030 the 54ft Arun lifeboat Tony With the storm still blowing at force the channel to the casualty was through Vandervell, with Coxswain Alfred 10 to 11, Acting Coxswain McCormack yacht moorings. Pavey in command, slipped her moor- circled the casualty to observe her Not knowing the condition of the ings and headed for Worbarrow Bay, motion in the seaway. He chose his casualty, which could only be glimpsed about nine miles to the east. moment to bring the lifeboat alongside through the snow and spray and the It was an extremely dark night with the starboard quarter and one fisher- many moorings, and not wanting to an overcast sky. The wind was west- man was dragged aboard by Crew lose any time, Coxswain Bowry erly force 3. It was high water and there Member Thomas Billington and Assis- decided that he could not anchor and was a ground swell of eight to ten feet. tant Mechanic Sean Martley. A second veer down. Instead, accepting the fact Communication with the Coastguard 156 was established on Channel 0 VHP, and injured above the waist, and there were of Broughty Ferry lifeboat station, who it was learned that there was a very only footholds on the rocks. is also the harbour master, by HM seriously injured man on the cliff at Eventually, with the man secured in Coastguard at 2212 on Sunday Worbarrow Tout, about eight feet the stretcher, Vic Pitman passed the December 24, 1978. above water level, and that the only stretcher's headrope up to Gerald The average readings of the gauge on possible means of taking him off would Plant, who was still holding the strop Abertay Light Vessel, which are be by sea. rope; he then took the rope off the transmitted to a recorder in the harbour Coxswain Pavey decided that the Coastguard strop and secured it to the office, gave a wave/swell height of 20 to lifeboat's inflatable dinghy would have head ring of the stretcher for lowering 25 feet with an occasional height of to be used but first, on arrival at the down the rock face. Motor Mechanic about 30 feet. The honorary secretary scene at 0110, he took the lifeboat Sargent brought the dinghy in again to considered these bar conditions well within a few feet of the rocks where the the same place as before while Second within the ability of Broughty Ferry's casualty lay to make a thorough Coxswain Pitman, helped by the unin- 52ft Arun Spirit of Tayside and alerted appraisal of the situation which the jured yachtsman, worked the casualty Coxswain John Jack. The lifeboat slip- dinghy would encounter. slowly round the cliff to a point above ped her moorings at about 2225 and The injured man was seen to be lying the dinghy. With Coastguard Plant pay- headed down river on service. face down on the rocks. He had a ing out the rope, the two men edged the Off the moorings there was an east- Coastguard strop around him, the line stretcher down to the dinghy's bow erly fresh to strong breeze blowing, from which was held by Coastguard level, Motor Mechanic Sargent coming force 5 to 6, with a moderate sea. The Gerald Plant, who had made the very forward to help lift it on board. With tide was just after high water and start- difficult and dangerous climb down Vic Pitman embarked, Derek Sargent ing to ebb. over the cliffs and was now astride a took the dinghy back to the lifeboat. Conditions worsened as the lifeboat pinnacle of rock about two feet above The lifeboat was turned head to swell approached the bar with the wind the casualty's head. and it took four men on deck to bring increasing to easterly gale to strong The yacht, Sartorious, was already the injured man aboard while Coxswain gale, force 8 to 9. Coxswain Jack smashing up on the rocks below the Pavey manned the searchlight himself checked the weather with Fendyke injured man as Coxswain Pavey took so that he could see to keep the boat which was nearer the bar than the light the lifeboat into deeper water to launch clear of the rocks. vessel and decided to continue. Speed the dinghy. Tony Vandervell had only Such were the difficulties and was reduced to half and a course of about 100 feet within which to man- hazards of the situation that it had about 070° was set. oeuvre between the shallow ledges. taken an hour and a quarter to embark With the light vessel on reduced She rolled heavily as she lay beam-on the injured man in the lifeboat. While power, the channel buoys out of posi- to the swells in this confined area so Second Coxswain Pitman accompanied tion, the radar only intermittently pick- that launching the dinghy was only him on board, Motor Mechanic ing up the coastline and conditions accomplished with difficulty. Cox- Sargent, with Crew Member Bernard making it impractical to plot. Coxswain swain Pavey kept one of his crew on Wills, took the inflatable dinghy once Jack had to rely on local knowledge. the searchlight and another on the more inshore to bring the second man The wheelhouse windows had badly Aldis lamp, illuminating the casualty out to the lifeboat. He then returned to steamed up. Deciding that pilotage and the dinghy, while a third crew take off Coastguard Plant, landing him would be better from the upper conning member was assigned to report con- on a nearby beach with the remainder position, he and Second Coxswain stantly on the echo sounder readings. of the Coastguard team; with them was Hugh Scott went up to the flying With Motor Mechanic Derek Sargent the third member of the yacht's crew, bridge. as helmsman, Second Coxswain Victor who had originally raised the alarm by The seas were now coming in from Pitman, a qualified first aider, a seemingly impossible feat of cliff different directions over some 30 embarked in the dinghy taking with him climbing, and he was ferried out to the degrees on the starboard bow. To ride the Neil Robertson stretcher. Another lifeboat. these the coxswain was on the wheel survivor had told the Coastguard that The lifeboat arrived at Weymouth at and the second coxswain using the the injured man was only semi- about 0340. throttles as necessary. Seas were about conscious. For this service the thanks of the 20 to 25 feet high and breaking, with After some difficulty. Motor Institution inscribed on vellum were some 70 feet between the crests (period Mechanic Sargent found a place where accorded to Second Coxswain Victor J. five to six seconds). he could bring the dinghy in to the Pitman. Framed letters of thanks As the lifeboat neared the middle rocks near the casualty and Second signed by Major-General Ralph Far- buoys she was struck on the starboard Coxswain Pitman jumped ashore with rant, chairman of the Institution, were shoulder by a heavy sea and pushed the stretcher. He was faced with a presented to Coxswain Alfred T. Pavey well over to port. A few minutes later, 45-degree slope of rock to climb which, and Motor Mechanic Derek J. Sargent, at about 2315, a heavier sea, estimated even in daylight, would have been and vellum service certificates were at between 30 to 35 feet high and hazardous. Meanwhile, Motor presented to Emergency Mechanic appearing as a solid wall of water, was Mechanic Sargent lay off in the dinghy Eric L. Pavey and Crew Members Ber- seen coming in on the starboard bow. and tried to circle clear of rocks. There tie Legge, Chris Tett, Bernard R. Wills As the coxswain tried to head the sea, were nevertheless a number of anxious and Colin E. Pavey. A letter was sent the second coxswain opened up the moments when the skeg struck rocks from the RNLI to the chief coastguard throttles to meet the sea and then throt- and the engine stalled, although it complimenting Coastguard Gerald tled back as it hit the starboard shoul- always restarted with the first pull. Plant on his part in the service. der engulfing the lifeboat. The lifeboat On reaching the casualty, Second then dropped some 20 feet into the Coxswain Pitman found that the man trough and was knocked right over to had three large cuts across his back, port causing the capsize switches to which later required 16 stitches, and a reduce the engines to idling. This sea head wound which would also have to Scotland North Division carried away the top mast together with be stitched. It was also found later that the blue flashing light and masthead he had six broken ribs. He was a big Knockdown navigation light, and also the search- man, six feet tall and weighing between light which had been mounted on the 14 and 15 stone and the second cox- A COASTER, Fendyke, in trouble off port side. swain had great difficulty in getting the Carnoustie a few miles north of the Motor Mechanic William Pike stretcher around him, particularly as it entrance to the River Tay was reported immediately re-engaged the engines was apparent that he was severely to the honorary secretary (operations) continued on page 177 157 Lifeboats of the World
PART II—SEA RESCUE OUTSIDE EUROPE by Eric Middleton
THE LIFEBOAT ORGANISATIONS of the lines as the US and performs much the Thunder Bay. A Volunteer Canadian world are to a large extent concen- same duties. The two services work in Marine Rescue Auxiliary has also been trated in Europe. Taking the wider close co-operation in their adjacent organised by the Canadian Coast aspect of general sea rescue, outside waters. The Canadian Coast Guard has Guard during the past year. Europe it is mainly in the hands of the operated hovercraft for some years and Perhaps not surprisingly there is naval services or, as in the United has recently added the latest types to nothing like the concentration of rescue States and Canada, an organisation its fleet. Its other specialised search services in the southern hemisphere closely allied to the navy: the Coast and rescue vessels consist of three that there is in the north. There is of Guard. Unlike the British Coast- large and nine small rescue cutters, 14 course a lot more water and a lot less guard—and the fact that we spell it as self-righting lifeboats, seven crash land but nothing like the same amount one word and the US and Canada as boats, a catamaran and 30 inshore of shipping or indeed population. Much two will have been noted—the US and rescue boats. It is planned to increase of the coastal areas of the southern Canadian Coast Guard are very much the fleet in the next year or two by hemisphere are devoid of both industry sea-going services and carry out a wide acquiring two small cutters for Prince and people and the need for lifeboat variety of tasks of which sea rescue Rupert and Campbell River, three services correspondingly small. may not be considered the major one. small cutters for the Great Lakes, St In South America Argentina, Brazil, The US Coast Guard (USCG) is Lawrence River and lower St Law- Chile and Uruguay all have sea rescue responsible for the provision and rence, a tug and a self-righting lifeboat services both state controlled and vol- maintenance of all navigational marks, for Newfoundland, a self-righting untary but they are small in relation to work undertaken in Britain by Trinity lifeboat for the Magdalen Islands and the length of their coastlines by Euro- House. It also operates ice-breakers, two SAR launches for Vancouver and pean standards. runs the North Atlantic iceberg patrol and for good measure does a certain amount of law enforcement. There is also a large and enthusiastic Auxiliary Coast Guard organisation which has an attractive uniform and undertakes a number of general Coast Guard duties under supervision. The USCG fleet is an imposing one and includes a wide variety of vessels ranging from fine sea-going cutters to 44ft steel lifeboats and small open boats. There is also an extensive air arm and it is interesting to note that the USCG considers the amphibious helicopter to be the most versatile sea rescue craft. Canada has a fleet on much the same
158 In Argentina the search and rescue organisation is under the control of the commander in chief of the navy, with rescue stations at Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Puerto Belgrano and Ushuaia. Brazil's sea rescue service is under the control of the naval operations command which operates five rescue stations and 13 rescue vessels which probably have other duties. Bermuda Search and Rescue Chile has the Valparaiso Lifeboat Institute has a 9.1m offshore Volunteer Institution, which was rescue boat. Jet-engined, she is designed to work over formed in 1925 by Captain Oluf Christ- coral reefs. iansen as a means of rescue for the crews of ships threatened by the heavy gales experienced in the Bay of Val- paraiso in winter. Ex-RNLI lifeboats have been purchased for this service including one obtained in 1955. One of the more unusual services by Val- paraiso lifeboat was the landing of an officer from a Chilean naval vessel rid- ing out a gale in the bay. The officer Japan: Line-throwing rocket firing exercise for volunteer r was due to be married that day and the crew members of Nippon volunteer crew were delighted to help! Suinan Kyusaikai. The sea rescue service of Uruguay translates its comprehensive and mellif- tevideo and also operates an ex-RNLI the Turks and Caicos Rescue Associa- luous name as 'The Honorary Associa- lifeboat. The influence of the RNL1 on tion, the Cayman Air-Sea Rescue Insti- tion of Maritime and River Salvage'. sea rescue does indeed extend world- tute and the branch of the Societe This is perhaps misleading as the work wide. Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer estab- is almost entirely devoted to saving Other rescue services include the lished in Martinique. Plans are already life. The association is based at Mon- Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association. advanced for the formation of a sea rescue organisation in the Netherlands Antilles. Moving east across the wide expanse of the South Atlantic to South Africa we find that the Department of Trans- port is responsible for search and rescue. The commercial ports of South Africa are state controlled and the port captains are allocated areas of respon- sibility for sea rescue. The ports con- cerned are Port Nolloth, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth and Dur- ban. For some reason East London appears to have been omitted. In addition there is a flourishing and effective voluntary organisation, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). It has a state subsidy and comes under the overall control of the Search and Rescue Committee in Pretoria (PECSAR). The NSRI has numerous rescue stations from Saldanha Bay on the south-west coast to Richards Bay
(Above) Chile: Valparaiso lifeboat is an e.x-RNLI 14m Watson.
(Opposite, above) US Const Guard 15.8m steel lifeboat on winter patrol in Yaquina Buy, Oregon.
(Left) Canadian Coast Guard has for some years used hovercraft in its rescue work. The first, a British Hovercraft Corporation SRN5, became operational at Vancouver in 1969.
(Right) South Africa: Hubert Davies, one of the National Sea Rescue Institute's 10m lifeboats, in Table Bay.
159 The Sumner Lifeboat Institution, New Zea- land, operates an ex-RNLI 10.9m Liverpool class lifeboat, Rescue III, and a fast jet in- shore boat. Aid II. When a call-out comes, both lifeboats, a control tower and a mobile base in a Landrover are all manned within four minutes.
unfortunate enough to need help in these seemingly unfriendly areas? In the first place much of the coast- line involved is uninhabited but where there are habitations the people may well do what they can for seamen in distress. On the oceans of the world a ship in distress may look for help from any vessel near at hand but the nearest might be several hundred miles away. This situation has been eased consider- ably by the introduction by the United States of the AMVER system, which stands for 'Automated Mutual- north of Durban and operates a variety carrying out some fine rescues. The assistance Vessel Rescue'. Ships' of high speed rescue craft. The NSRI Sumner Institution is a member of the courses and speeds are fed into a com- has carried out many excellent rescues International Lifeboat Conference puter and on receipt of a distress signal and has a high and well-deserved (ILC). the nearest available ship for rescue is reputation. To the north and north-west of informed immediately. Prior to this a Australia has a number of enthusias- Australia and New Zealand lie the East vessel in need of help would have to tic and efficient sea rescue teams round Indies, China and Japan. Until recently rely on a vessel within range picking up the coast, including the Australia Vol- only Japan was a member of the ILC the broadcast distress signal. unteer Coastguard, the Royal Volun- with full details of her sea rescue ser- But possibly the best chance of teer Coastal Patrol and the Surf Life vices available. As might be expected rescue that the mariner in some remote Saving Association of Australia, but of an island race with a great seafaring spot might have may come from an air never appears to have operated more tradition, these are very compre- organisation. The International Civil than a few conventional lifeboats. hensive. Airlines Organisation (ICAO), which Probably the best known lifeboat was Japan has two sea rescue ser- has its headquarters in Ottawa, issues that at Queenscliff at the entrance to vices—one a voluntary institution details and maps of a world-wide sea Port Phillip Bay, the approach to Mel- aided by municipal grants and the other rescue service covering every mile of bourne. Records show that a lifeboat state controlled through the Marine every route travelled by aircraft all was stationed at Port Phillip Heads in Safety Board (MSB) which has aircraft over the world. There is no stretch of 1853 and in view of the narrowness of and rescue vessels stationed all round water flown over by aircraft which is the entrance, a sudden 90 degree turn the coast. not covered by both air and sea rescue to starboard and strong tides, it was The voluntary organisation, the Nip- craft, from helicopters to long range clearly a dangerous spot for sailing pon Suinan Kyusaikai (NSK), or aircraft and including short range and ships. Entering in a large modern ves- Japanese Lifesaving Institute, main- long range sea craft. These facilities are sel one might well wonder how sailing tains 86 lifeboats ranging from 4.14 to provided by the various national craft managed to negotiate the entrance 20 metres and has some 18,000 mem- authorities adjacent to the sea areas at all. bers in its branches. The NSK receives concerned and constitute the most Later, lifeboats were stationed at financial help from local authorities extensive rescue service organised by Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Portland because they are required by law to any authority. Although primarily Bay and Port Albert, but there is no provide assistance to aircraft and ves- designed to deal with aircraft forced record of a lifeboat being stationed at sels in distress in their areas. The MSB down into the sea, the ICAO rescue Sydney or Freemantle although an ex- also assists and encourages the volun- organisation has in the main dealt with lifeboat served as a pilot boat at the tary institution in many ways. ships and craft afloat, rather than air- latter port. A steam lifeboat of the China was at one time reported to craft, whose requirements for sea RNL1 type was stationed at Adelaide in have 200 lifeboats and more than a rescue have been mercifully small. No 1896 but apparently did very little ser- hundred rescue stations and it has been doubt the rescue facilities provided by vice. It was recently reported that a suggested that this rescue service was the various countries under the ICAO new lifeboat was being built for use at started in 1737, therefore pre-dating the arrangements are usually multi- Queenscliff. In general it would seem first British lifeboat. No western his- purpose and available for any rescue that normal working craft are used for torians have been able to confirm the work. rescue work, backed up by the navy truth of these reports. In 1979 China So it will be seen that sea rescue and air force. A Marine Operations was represented for the first time at an facilities, not unnaturally, tend to be Centre in Canberra co-ordinates all international lifeboat conference. A concentrated close to the busiest ship- search and rescue operations, working report was presented on the rescue ping lanes and that there are vast 24 hours a day. facilities afforded by the Shanghai, expanses of ocean where a ship is very New Zealand has the Sumner Suangzhou and Yantai Salvage much on her own. However, casualties Lifeboat Institution which was founded Companies. in the wide ocean wastes are mercifully in 1898 as a voluntary organisation; it is It will now be apparent that the sea few and far between, the biggest danger still a flourishing and efficient service rescue facilities provided by the mem- to the mariner being the proximity of which has moved with the times. At bers of the ILC, extensive as they are, land. Nevertheless, some ships are lost present it operates an ex-RNLI Liver- still leave many miles of coastline and far from land and nearly every year pool lifeboat and a fast jet-powered surf vast expanses of ocean without protec- some unfortunate vessel disappears, boat with top speed of about 30 knots, tion. What happens to any vessel often without a trace.
160 crew reached the beach. The remainder Footprints on the Sand of Time of the crew were Second Coxswain Charles Taylor and Coastguards Fran- GALLANTRY ON THE ROMNEY MARSH COAST IN cis Crispin, Henry Mills, William Brede, Thomas Nibbs, John Williams, THE STORMS OF 1891 Michael O'Leary and Albert Freathy and another man named Sarachaga. by Edward Carpenter The thirteenth man was William Tart, a Fisherman of Dungeness. THE YEAR OF 1891 was one well driven helplessly way down past Lit- Once care had been taken of these remembered for the terrible storms that tlestone where she became fast in the men, the general talk on the beach was caused many lives to be lost in the sands. Heavy seas were breaking over of making another attempt to rescue Channel. The Romney Marsh coast her and her crew were in great danger. the crew of Aeolus by taking the Little- was no exception. On March 9, 1891, in The lifeboat managed to put to sea and stone lifeboat, Santa Magna. It seemed a severe gale the Coastguard, with local the considerable skill of Coxswain Clif- like sure death to do so and one man folk, were called to a wreck at ton and his crew resulted in Jarlen's said, ' You must be mad, there's been Dengemarsh in the west bay. Using a crew of 15, together with the captain's quite enough drowned for one day.' rocket line, they rescued the crew of wife, being brought to safety. But seeing men clinging to the rigging eight. Meanwhile, a more serious inci- From October 22 every day saw high was just too much for the men on the dent was taking place off No. 2 Coast- winds and rough seas and on the morn- beach. One man, Isaac Tart, took the guard Station (Lade); the schooner ing of November 11 hurricane force initiative to form a crew. 'It's no use, Hugh Barclay of Fleetwood was winds were lashing the south coast, lads,' he said. 'It may be sure death to sighted in trouble at about seven causing damage inland as well as at sea. go in Santa Magna, / dare say it is, but o'clock in the morning. The coast- At first light on this fateful day coast- it shall never be said that Isaac Tart guards, who at that time formed the guards and local people were sum- stood and watched sailors drowned crew of Littlestone lifeboat, Santa moned from their beds by the rocket without even trying to rescue them, so Magna, had been alerted but, with apparatus to a vessel in distress in the I'm going—now who will go with me'/' waves dropping on to the beach from a west bay. She was Marguerite Marie of Seven coastguards stepped forward, height of 20 feet (never in living mem- Granville, thrown, literally, on to the together with Isaac's brother, Robin ory had conditions been so bad), it took beach at Dengemarsh. Owing to the Tart, Charles Oilier and George four attempts before they could launch. rough seas it was some hours before all Richardson, all fishermen of Dunge- Hardly had they gone any distance the crew were rescued, but for the ness, Alec Proctor, brother of Dr J. C. when a great wave hit them, turning the rescuers there was no rest as a second Proctor of Lydd, and the curate of the boat over. She righted immediately, ship, a Swedish brigantine, Domin, was coast, the Reverend C. A. W. Robins, a but one man, Coastguard Bennett, was in a more serious position. She was man very much respected by the fish- swept out. He was quickly pulled back about 400 yards off shore, being bat- ing folk and coastguards alike. into the boat by his shipmates but tered on to her side, and was beginning The storm was increasing and on the another tremendous wave hit the boat, to break up. A line was got aboard by mile walk in the driving rain along this time washing out Coastguard Wil- rocket and two men hauled ashore the beach to Littlestone boathouse, the liam O'Ryan, who was rapidly swept before the seas moved the stricken ves- furious winds nearly blew the men off from sight. The next sea to hit them sel, the line parted and all the remain- their feet. News spread quickly and overturned the boat, throwing every- ing crew of six were drowned. there was no lack of shore helpers. It body out. Fortunately, by this time, Meanwhile that treacherous sand- took four attempts to launch before they were nearly back on shore in the bank off Lade had claimed another vic- they got afloat and then there were entrance to the Romney Hoy and, with tim, the Swedish brigantine Aeolus many times when they seemed nearly the aid of their cork lifejackets, most of (God of the Winds) with a crew of lost; but they just kept pulling. the exhausted crew managed to scram- eight. Attempts to launch Dungeness At last they were upon Aeolus and ble ashore. Two more of the crew, lifeboat RAOB proved impossible in the sailors, who had clung to their however, were drowned: 52-year-old the terrible conditions and although, totally wrecked vessel for ten hours Thomas Sullivan, who was chief boat- after many failures, the coastguards and had almost given up hope, were man in charge of St Mary's Coastguard ashore did manage to secure a line plucked from the rigging. All safe Station and who had joined the crew aboard Aeolus, it parted. aboard, the cry was then, 'Pull for the at the last moment, and Coastguard More attempts were made to launch shore!' Having achieved the seemingly Samuel Hart. the lifeboat, RAOB, and finally she got impossible, safety still had to be On October 22, 1891, the coast- away, the boat making slow progress reached. They put all the energy they guards again launched Santa Magna in through the terrifying walls of water. could muster into their rowing and, a severe gale blowing from the west, to By the good seamanship of Coxswain after a long time, the shore suddenly go to the aid of the Norwegian barque James Lucas and the strenuous rowing loomed up and the lifeboat was scrap- Jarlen of Moss, 1,025 tons, on passage of his crew RAOB finally reached ing on the beach. between Pensacola and Rotterdam, Aeolus but the force of the wind made The King of Sweden had a special carrying a cargo of pitch pine. Jarlen it impossible to bring her alongside. medal struck and Lloyd's awarded a had run into the sandbank opposite No. She was blown past the wreck for bronze medal for the courageous con- 2 Coastguard Station (Lade), then was about a mile, where she anchored hop- duct of that day. Coxswain James ing that Aeolus would drift down to George Lucas was awarded the A footnote to 1891: Mrs Doris Tart, wife of her. And then a heavy sea caught the RNLI's silver medal. ex-Coxswain Ben Tart, and Mrs Joan Bates, lifeboat and capsized her. Five of her At the funeral service for Henry the last of the famous women launchers of crew were thrown out. As the boat Reeves and Daniel Nicol it was said of Dungeness, were this year awarded the gold righted three men were hauled back, them: 'They rest from their labours, badge of the Institution. Doris, who had but Coastguards Henry Reeves and and their works do follow them. They been a shore helper for 44 years, is the Daniel Nicol were carried away by the have gone down to the grave, but have granddaughter of both Isaac Tart and violent seas and lost. left behind them in meek and lowly Charles Oilier; Robin Tart was her great uncle. Ben, who retired as coxswain in 1974 Realising that his crew were in no example, footprints on the sand of and who was himself awarded the silver condition to go to the aid of Aeolus, time'. These words could be equally medal during his years of service, is the Coxswain Lucas set course for the aptly applied to all those people of the grandson of William Tart. Mrs Bates had shore and it was only after tremendous beach who took part in the 1891 been a shore helper for 37 years. effort that the short and weakened rescues.
161 Whitby
photograph by courtesy of Aeromarine A HAVEN OR REFUGE on a dangerous coast along which small sailing ships in their hundreds once traded between I HE LIFEBOAT STATION London and the north; a commercial AND HER PEOPLE port for small merchant ships; a har- bour for boats fishing the unpredictable North Sea; now a growing centre for by Joan Davies yachting and pleasure boating. It is not surprising that Whitby has a long and proud history of lifesaving at sea. Its first lifeboat was one of the earliest 'Originals' built by Greathead of South Shields. She was stationed on the west side of the harbour in 1802 and her coming was the start of a tradition which has remained unbroken to this day. For many years there were in fact three pulling and sailing boats serving this key Yorkshire harbour, a lifeboat being stationed on the east side in 1822 and at Upgang in 1865. Whitby received its first motor lifeboat in 1919
From Ordnance Survey Map sheet 94: Crown Copyright n:\erveil.
162 but, although the Upgang boat was the next 48 hours of struggle against year and are welcomed by Eric and his withdrawn that same year, the original raging wind and sea has been told many principal helper, William Dryden, a No. 1 pulling and sailing station re- times and will never be forgotten: how former member of the crew. He had mained operational until 1934 and the Whitby No. 2 lifeboat, John Fielden, served as assistant mechanic from 1938 original No. 2 station until 1957. after being dragged along the rocky to 1951 and as motor mechanic from Whitby still has two lifeboats, and shore, took off 35 survivors before she 1951 to 1967; he was awarded the they are two of the most modern in the herself, repeatedly bumping on rocks, bronze medal for gallantry in 1940. RNLI fleet: a 44ft Waveney fast afloat became unseaworthy; how Upgang As part of the RNLI's 150th anni- steel offshore lifeboat The White Rose lifeboat was brought through the town versary celebrations in 1974, Robert of Yorkshire which is backed up by an and lowered by ropes down the cliff; and Ellen Robson was exhibited at both inflatable D class ILB. how Scarborough, Teesmouth and the International Lifeboat Exhibition at Altogether, Whitby lifeboatmen have Whitby No. 1 lifeboats all tried to reach Plymouth and at the London Boat rescued nearly 900 people and have the wreck towed by steam boats, but to Show which came at the end of the been awarded 33 medals for gallantry: no avail; how Upgang lifeboat strug- 'Year of the Lifeboat'. She was also five gold medals, 14 silver and 14 gled to within 50 yards of Rohilla but launched again—this time on the bronze, the last silver being awarded to had to give up in the end, her crew Thames to be rowed by a crew of Coxswain Robert Allen and the last utterly exhausted; and how finally ex-Oxford and Cambridge boat club bronze to Helmsman Richard Robinson Tynemouth motor lifeboat, after bat- presidents. for the service to Admiral Van Tromp, tling 45 miles against the gale down the And so the pages turn. What of wrecked after grounding near Black dangerous unlit coast, managed to take Whitby today? The cliffs, the rocks, Nab Rock in.1976. Such a fine record off the last 50 survivors. For their part the sands, the sea—they are still there, was not achieved without sacrifice and in the rescue Coxswain Thomas Lang- friends and enemies, as they have over the years 21 Whitby lifeboatmen lands of Whitby was awarded the gold always been. At one end of Whitby Bay have given their lives for fellow sea- medal and Second Coxswain Richard lies Sandsend Ness, described by the men. The greatest disaster occurred Eglon the silver medal. Another silver Admiralty Pilot as 'as abrupt point during a storm in February, 1861 when medal was awarded to George Peart fringed by rocky ledges'; at the other 210 ships were lost along the north east who, with conspicuous bravery, end is Saltwick Nab, '« dark and rocky- coast, nine of them wrecked on the repeatedly went into the sea to help promontory'; and Black Nab, 'a dark, sands of Whitby. Whitby lifeboats had those who had jumped from Rohilla or rocky islet'. Then there are outcrops succeeded in launching five times and who had been washed overboard. running out from the land: Upgang had rescued the crews of five of these That was at the beginning of the First Rocks, to the north west of the harbour nine ships before a lifeboat was herself World War and at the end of the war, in entrance, and the Scar and Whitby capsized with the tragic loss of 12 of the 1919, a motor lifeboat came to Whitby. Rock close to the east. These rocks, 13 men on board. It was after this great Nevertheless, Whitby has the distinc- covered in weed and kelp, dry in places storm that union with the RNLI took tion of being the last station to man a and swell breaks heavily over them. It place. pulling and sailing lifeboat. When the is a coastline the lifeboat crew must Of the many services of Whitby 34ft Robert and Ellen Robson, pulling know well and in great detail, so prac- lifeboats, two are perhaps particularly ten oars, was withdrawn in 1957 she tice in coastal recognition, both visual renowned: those to the brig Visitor in brought to an end a chapter of maritime and radar, plays an important part in 1881 and to the hospital ship Rohilla in history. Now, in honourable retire- the station's regular lifeboat exercise. 1914. ment, she still helps the lifeboat service Old wisdom goes hand in hand with It was a bitter January day in 1881 because she is one of the main exhibits modern aids. Time-honoured know- when Visitor sank in Robin Hood's Bay of Whitby Lifeboat Museum, in the old ledge of landmarks and their bearings and her crew of six had to take to their boathouse, created and cared for by gleaned from long experience, commit- boat and come to anchor. There was no Eric Thomson who was station honor- ted to memory in traditional local saws way that Whitby lifeboat could reach ary secretary when Robert and Ellen and passed down by word of mouth them by sea but, the townspeople Robson was operational. Schoolchild- from one generation of fishermen to the nothing daunted, she was hauled six ren and holidaymakers in their hun- next, has its place. So does the study of miles over hills seven feet deep in dreds visit the old boathouse every present-day charts and in particular of snow, her carriage dragged by horses while men went ahead to dig out a path. Northerly gale: Short, steep seas break on the bar at the harbour month. photograph by courtesy of Dale Robinson In little more than two hours she had reached the cliff top, been manhandled down the treacherous path into the bay and immediately launched. An hour later, her steer oar and six other oars broken in the terrific seas, she was forced back to the shore. With new oars and manned by a double crew she launched again, finally reaching the survivors an hour and a half later and bringing them 'exhausted and benumbed' to safety. Having in the last year passed through just such a wild and bitter winter we are, perhaps, the better able to appreciate the strength, stoicism and dogged determination of those early lifeboatmen and of all the Whitby people who defied the seem- ingly impossible. One of the greatest epics in the whole history of lifesaving was surely the ser- vice to the hospital ship Rohilla, wrecked at Saltwick Nab in an east- south-easterly gale and tremendous seas on October 30, 1914. The story of 163 Dedication of D class 1LB Gwynaeth: Miss Milburn with the ILB crew; Senior Helmsman Michael Coates on right. photograph by courtesy of Tindale's the large scale Ordnance Survey map (Above, right) 44ft Waveney The White which shows every rock and indenta- Rose of Yorkshire in Whitby Harbour: She tion. Radar practice includes bringing was named in May 1975 by HRH The Duch- The White Rose of Yorkshire back into ess of Kent, who went out for a trial run her harbour pen 'blindfold' and of after the ceremony. photograph by courtesy of J. P Morris course knowledge and experience of the harbour itself and its approaches in all states of the sea is vital. The Har- Coxswain Peter Thomson aboard The White bour Authority gives the following Rose of Yorkshire in her pen. Moored on description: vertical sliding moorings, with low friction 'Whitby Harbour is situated at the fenders, she rises and falls with the tide. mouth of the River Esk, with a total area Boarding is by vertical ladder. of about 80 acres. The arms of the en- the coming of larger, stouter trawlers after the war there were 18 boats in trance piers extend out to sea in a north- erly direction leaving the entrance which can stay at sea for two or more Whitby Yacht Club; now there are exposed in strong winds from the north days, this is a diminishing responsibili- some 400. Holidaymakers have come west through north to north east, and ty, nevertheless, there are still small in increasing numbers to enjoy this pic- sheltered from other directions. boats and there is still the danger that turesque town and its beaches and 'The flood tide sets across the entrance they may be caught out. Lifeboats gen- most of the ILB's calls are to go to the from west to east and care has to be erally stand by inside the harbour while help of small boats or bathers in dif- exercised when entering on a spring tide the boats come in but The White Rose ficulties, or people cut off by the tide. flood of Yorkshire can, if necessary, easily go The cliffs present a particular hazard So Whitby is on a lee shore in north- out to meet them to tell a skipper the for the unwary; being crumbly they erly gales, and, with no land between exact state of the sea in the entrance. provide a rewarding hunting ground for Spitsbergen and the Yorkshire coast, a Whitby also has a long history of geologists or for students searching for storm-driven sea will have come a long commerce and shipbuilding. As early fossils, but it also means that they are way before it breaks its fury on the as the sixteenth century alum mined at very treacherous. land. A shelf or rock running out under Guisborough was being shipped out The harbour forms a natural focus the water five miles, then dropping from this harbour, there was trade in for the lifeboat station. The harbour steeply away, produces very short, coal from Newcastle in the seventeenth master. Captain Gordon Cook, is the steep seas with heavy surf and the century, and the port provided a lifeboat launching authority, while his hazardous conditions which may have closed-season home for whalers and deputy, Captain Noel Jameson, is also to be met crossing the bar at the har- Baltic traders in the eighteenth and a lifeboat DLA. From their office on bour mouth are well illustrated by the early nineteenth centuries. Captain the west side, looking out over the har- photograph on the previous page. Such James Cook, eighteenth century cir- bour and its approaches, there is 24- waves will certainly stop a boat trying cumnavigator, explorer and marine hour cover. Coxswain/Mechanic Peter to put to sea unless she has the power surveyor par excellence, first went to Thomson is also coxswain of the pilot to butt her way through. The White sea as an apprentice to Walkers, ship- boat; Second Coxswain/Assistant Rose of Yorkshire, with her twin Gen- owners of Whitby, sailing to New- Mechanic Dennis Carrick is a boatman; eral Motors 8V53 diesel engines each castle, Norway and the Baltic. and Crew Member Howard Bedford is developing 260 shp at 2,800 rpm, has Sea trade lapsed in the years of harbour foreman. Together with Crew such power; she can always get out depression between the two world wars Members Terence Hansell, a fisher- even though, the service done, she may but the docking of a timber ship from man, and Alfred Headlam, who is an have to take shelter elsewhere, until, the Baltic in 1958 was the start of a ex-merchant seaman, they make up the the weather abating, it is possible to revival and now some 250 cargo vessels regular crew for The White Rose of return safely to station. of 300 to 1,000 tons come in each year, Yorkshire. Reserve members come Fishing is a major industry in Whit- trading in steel, paper, timber, fertilis- from the ILB crew, who go out regu- by. Cod, plaice, whiting, skate, sal- ers, chemicals and general cargo larly on exercise with the offshore mon, crabs and lobsters are brought mostly with north Europe but also boat. Senior ILB Helmsman Michael into the fish quay in the lower harbour going as far as Portugal, Greece and the Coates, who runs a yacht chandlery, and now, as in the past, the lifeboat Black Sea. In bad weather these cargo also works down by the harbour. fufils a protective role towards the fish- vessels may have to stand off, and that Bonds are very close at Whitby. The ing fleet, launching to stand by cobles in itself can be a potential danger. branch chairman, Alan Marshall, and making the dangerous run into harbour Side by side with the revival in com- station honorary secretary, Ben Dean in wild weather. Although, with mercial shipping has been an impres- were both 'founder' crew members of improved weather warnings and with sive growth in pleasure boating. Just the first inshore lifeboat back in 1966. It
164 was Ben Dean, then senior helmsman, interest in the lifeboat and her people. munity in a very busy life in which she who trained Peter Thomson as an ILB Warm mutual friendship quickly grew. has certainly lived up to the motto nil crew member before he became motor As soon as The White Rose returns sine labore. mechanic and later coxswain/mechanic from a service Howard Bedford, one of In the First World War she served as of the offshore boat. Peter's father, the crew, writes to Miss Milburn to a VAD for five years, nursing in a Eric, was still at that time station hon- give her a first-hand account of all that military hospital at Bethnal Green. orary secretary. ILB Crew Member took place and every one of those let- There were 60 men in each of the wards Brian Hodgson, who, like Michael ters is treasured. Treasured, too, are which bore such names as 'Innocence' Ccates, has been awarded the bronze the model of the lifeboat made for her and 'Patience'. 'On air raid nights I medal for gallantry and also the thanks by Peter Thomson in 1976 and the always seemed to be in "Hope"!' Miss of the Institution inscribed on vellum, framed pictures of the boats given to Milburn remembers with a smile. After is married to the daughter of Captain her by the crew. Photographs, news- that war service and a short acting David Stevenson, the former harbour paper cuttings, programmes, in fact all career, during which she played Beat- master and launching authority. mementos of the lifeboat station are rice to a very young John Gielgud's Lifeboat station and Coastguard carefully kept in scrapbooks. Benedict and appeared before royalty work together very closely, too. The It was after the station's former ILB in a London charity matinee, Miss Mil- Coastguard station is up on the east had been thrown back on to rocks in burn taught elocution in her home town cliffs and from that look-out point a very heavy seas and irretrievably dam- and served as secretary to the judging good watch can be kept on the bay, the aged during the service in June, 1977, committee of a Harrogate juvenile sands and the cliffs as well as out to portrayed on the cover of the last issue drama festival. sea. In the days before radio a system of the journal that Miss Milburn made The Second World War found her of light signals had been worked out out her second gift; and it was the express leading a YMCA canteen in Harrogate by which the Coastguard, from their wish of the crew that this new ILB station yard—'We cooked 24 miles of higher viewpoint, could direct the should be named Gwynaeth after her. sausages in that canteen'—and later lifeboat to a casualty. Now, during a Miss Milburn has also been elected an she became honorary secretary of service, the CG mobile gives a moving honorary crew member and has prom- Yorkshire's Women's Auxiliary of the Coastguard presence parallel with the ised that if she hears the maroons from YMCA. She also served as a magistrate lifeboat. Each service can, of course, her home in Harrogate she will most from 1943 to 1969. help the other with searchlights and certainly come down to the boathouse. A busy life indeed, with its threads flares. She does, however, have some reser- now woven firmly into the story of the There is another member of the vations about manning the ILB! lifeboat service. Miss Milburn is a life 'team' held in great affection by the Miss Milburn has herself worked governor of the Institution, but more lifeboat community of Whitby: Miss hard for the lifeboat service. She reor- than that she is a well-loved honorary Gwynaeth Milburn, the donor of both ganised the Harrogate ladies' guild crew member and one of the family of The White Rose of Yorkshire, which after the last war, acting as honorary a fine lifeboat station which, looking went on station in 1974, and of the pre- secretary from 1952 to 1961 and back with pride to the earliest days of sent inshore lifeboat, which went on remaining as a member of the commit- lifesaving at sea, is always ready for station in 1978. From the very first tee since then. And that was only one whatever demands future maritime Miss Milburn added to her gift a keen of her many contributions to the com- traffic may make upon it.
Tribute to the brave naval helicopter, but by an RAF Wes- tion inscribed on vellum in 1968. The day of the annual presentation of sex helicopter from Leuchars and an March awards at the Royal Festival Hall ends RAF Sea King from Lossiemouth, and Mrs Dorothy Theresa Phillips, foun- with an after-theatre supper at the we apologise for this error. For this der chairman of Little and Broad Rubens Hotel for all the medallists and service the crew of the Wessex from Haven ladies' guild and wife of Elson their families. Mrs Anne Wall has very Leuchars have received the following Phillips, the station honorary generously made this culmination of a awards: secretary. memorable day her personal tribute to Air Force Cross: Fl Lt Adrian Murray, the men and women in the front line of pilot (now retired) and Master Air Wavy Line appeal the lifeboat service, sending an annual Loadmaster Iain Brunton, winchman. The Wavy Line Grocers' Associa- cheque for what has come to be known Queen's Commendation for Valuable tion, which supplies some 2,000 small as the Anne Wall Supper and also to Service in the Air: Fl Lt Brian Canfer, grocers in England and Wales, is provide small gifts for the wives and navigator, and Fl Sgt Larry Evans, launching a promotion to raise £137,000 winchman. sweethearts of 'the men who do such to fund a Rother class lifeboat. All its an admirable and indescribably groceries carry the Wavy Line symbol, praiseworthy job'. The letter which Anniversaries and the association will give 2p for Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station has accompanied Mrs Wall's cheque this every empty Wavy Line container been awarded a centenary vellum on year continues: returned to one of their shops between the occasion of the hundredth anniver- June and August this year. In addition 'I feel very deeply that it is the women sary of the establishment of the station there will be a series of raft races and who suffer, never knowing if their loved in 1879, and Ramsey lifeboat station ones will return, though they proudly three or four large charity dances, at has been awarded a vellum on the share in their men's honour which is so the last of which it is hoped to present a occasion of the 150th anniversary of very well deserved. If I may be permitted cheque to the RNLI. to express my admiration for them in this the establishment of the station in 1829. way it may inspire other friends of this Maritime Book Society wonderful work to do the same.' Obituaries Due to unavoidable delays, some It is with deep regret that we subscribers to the spring issue of THE Helicopter rescues announce the following deaths: LIFEBOAT may have experienced diffi- In the spring 'Notes of the Quarter' February culty in returning their coupon in the mention was made of the rescue by Thomas John Henry Cooper, cox- advertisement by the required date to naval helicopter of the crew of the swain of Ramsgate lifeboat from 1963 claim their free book 'Little Ship coaster Fendyke to which Broughty to 1975. He joined the crew in 1930, ser- Meteorology'. The Maritime Book Soc- Ferry lifeboat had put out late on ving as bowman from 1946 to 1952 and iety generously made an appropriate Christmas Eve (see page 157). In fact second coxswain from 1953 to 1963, and extension to the return date to allow for the rescue was carried out, not by a he was awarded the thanks of the Institu- delayed coupons.
165 There will be, for instance, at least Building a Rother Class Lifeboat 16 hours machinery trials under the supervision of an RNLI machinery overseer, and these trials are spread PART XII: TRIALS over several days so that they can be conducted in different states of the sea. THROUGHOUT HER BUILDING a lifeboat forecabin, are closed. A parbuckle is Engines, generators, pumps, controls, is under the regular scrutiny of the made fast to temporary brackets fixed to fuel, water and ventilation systems—all RNLI's own hull, machinery and elec- strong members on the boat's port side, must be proved in normal working tronics overseers; she also receives passed under her keel and attached to conditions. There will be speed trials, periodic visits by Lloyd's Register of a special release hook on the crane, too. Shipping surveyors and an exception- which then hauls away, capsizing the Accuracy of transmission being of ally high standard is required in all boat to port. Watch is kept on a dial first importance, a final check is now respects because of the exceptional board temporarily fixed to the stem given to ensure the true alignment of demands which she may have to meet (see photographs at top of opposite engine and propeller shaft. on service in extreme conditions. Her page) which will show the boat's angle One day is set aside to try out the building complete, she is finally sub- of heel when the switch shutting down operation of the whole electrical instal- mitted to a series of exhaustive sea tri- the engine to idling operates. When the lation and for tests of all electronic als, all of which she must pass before boat is fully inverted, a trip line is pul- equipment, each piece being put to she is accepted for operational service. led and the parbuckle released from the work in actual service conditions and First, however, come the righting crane; within a matter of seconds the checked by the RNLI's electronics trials. lifeboat will have righted herself and surveyor. Radio signals are exchanged So, last April, the 37ft 6in Rother shaken herself free of the water. She with coast radio stations and with the lifeboat which will be RNLB Shoreline is immediately boarded, the hatches Coastguard; the depth recorder's read- was launched down the slipway at Wil- opened and a check made that all is in ings are matched against known liam Osborne's yard, Littlehampton, order below decks. depths; radar and VHP direction finder and taken across the River Arun to a Having successfully passed the right- are calibrated to ensure that bearings wharf equipped with a crane, ready for ing test, the lifeboat is hauled out again are correct relative to the ship's head; her righting trial. and all remaining work completed in and by the end of the trials any inter- A Rother's self-righting capability the yard before she is relaunched for ference and suppression problems will rests in the inherent buoyancy of her her final trials programme. During six have been ironed out. superstructure, together with a or seven days at sea the RNLl's sur- On another day, every piece of deck, buoyancy chamber built into her veyors and headquarters staff will then safety and medical equipment comes wheelhouse roof, so, of course, before satisfy themselves that she meets the under the detailed examination of an the trial starts all watertight hatches, Institution's stringent requirements in operational officer from headquarters. battening down her engine room and every detail. Also included in the trials programme Righting trials: Parbuckle made fast round hull . . . is lifted by crane . . .
. and up she comes . . . . . righting herself to starboard . . .
166 The future RNLB Shoreline, which will be stationed at Blyth, is Note in background crane which will capsize the Rather for her right- launched into the River Arunfor her righting trial and (right) brought ing trial and, on her stem, dial to indicate angle of heel when engine alongside at William Osbornes. shut-down switch operates. are the adjustment of the compass and an inclining test to determine centre of gravity, which is individual to each boat. The opportunity is also taken to procure official 'portrait' photographs of the boat under way. Finally comes the day for the pass out trials, when the Institution's sur- veyors and operational staff give the whole boat a thorough inspection. Paintwork, fixings, woodwork, wiring, pipes, equipment—everything comes The builders of the boat: (I. to r.) V. Greenyer, D. Bel- under the magnifying glass. Anything chamber, T. Merritt, J. amiss is listed and put right, and only Legg, L. Durham, R. Silver- then is the lifeboat passed as ready for son, the senior boatbuilder, operational duty at her future station. S. Merritt, K. Boulding, R. (The end) Churchill and E. Morgan. . . . capsizing boat to port until . . . . she is fully inverted, when parbuckle is released .
and shaking herself ...... clear of the water.
167 WHEN THE NUCLEAR submarine HMS AROUND Spartan sailed from Barrow-in-Furness last February she had to navigate an exact course out into Morecambe Bay. the A Decca trisponder chain of four 'slave' stations was set up from which COAST distance could be measured with an accuracy of three decimal points of a kilometer and Cdr John L. Hammer III, USN, representing the Hydro- grapher of the Navy, asked if he could use Barrow lifeboat slipway to cali- brate the chain. While he was there Wessex HAR Mk 5 from HMS Second Coxswain Albert Benson Daedalus, Lee-on-the-Solent, showed him over the station's 46ft 9in piloted by Lt Kay Colborne Watson lifeboat Herbert Leigh, the on exercise with Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour) Atlan- commander insisting on removing his tic 21 Guide Friendship II. In shoes first. In a letter of thanks follow- command of the ILB is ing his visit, Cdr Hammer wrote: 7 Helmsman Adrian West, must say that I was impressed by your and with him are Crew station and only just have I come to Members Steven Alexander realise the versatility of the RNLl (I.) and David Parker. Lt lifeboats'. Colborne is a very active member of Gosport branch committee. photograph by courtesy of HMS Daedalus
When Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, visited Flint in the spring he had a special word of praise for the very high standard that has been achieved by this ILB station. Cdr Cairns (I. Lymington: An information case has centre) with John Latham, recently been put on the side of the new ILB honorary secretary, and (I. house. A solidly built metal structure with to r.) Crew Members, Alan three opening glazed doors, it was designed, Mclndoe, David Moore, constructed and erected by local 'friends of Terence Jacklin, John the lifeboat'. It forms a focal point for Latham, Jnr, Clive Moore, information about the station's Atlantic 21 David Roberts and Alan and about branch and guild events. Forrester. Shoreline insignia and membership details are also displayed, and below the notice board is a half model collecting box. Anstruther: After a branch dinner at 'The Cellar' in April honorary Aberdeen: Coxswain Albert Bird accepting North Sea rum from W. medical adviser Dr Chris Brittain presented first aid certificates to ten Massie, area sales manager, MacKinlay-McPherson Ltd, on board members of the crew and launchers; all who took the examination the 54ft Arun BP Forties last February. Front row (I. to r.): Rear passed. Dr Brittain himself was presented with a certificate of thanks Admiral J. R. D. Nunn, the Reverend W. Geraint Edwards, Crew- signed by all the first aiders and also a lifeboat tie and jersey. Back Member George Walker, ILB Crew Member Marjorie Mitchell, Capt row (I. to r.) James Stewart, David Legg, Howard Murphy, John Brian Atkinson (honorary secretary) and Mrs J. R. D. Nunn. Back Smith, Robert Murray and Stephen Small. Front row: James Gour- row: Crew Members John Corstorphine, William Cowper and Francis lay. Coxswain Peter Murray, Dr Brittain, Second Coxswain Thomas Cruikshank. R. M. Addisoii, branch chairman, is in wheelhouse Small and George Milne. doorway.
168 Our Shoreline volunteer enrolment team which had such a fine record at the London International Boat Show in January was back Shoreline at Earls Court in March hard at work throughout the Ideal Home Exhibition. Section Three hundred new members were enrolled. Beryl Apple- ton 'signs on' an eleven- OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS Shoreline year-old lifeboat supporter. has taken great strides forward. Our membership has grown faster than ever number of branch and Shoreline mem- other areas, building up strong, wide- before, largely due to the support we bers said that they would welcome a spread links of friendship based on are receiving from our members and, social club where they could meet and mutual interest in the lifeboat service. above all, from financial branches and exchange ideas. When I became mem- I would like to stress, however, that guilds. We particularly appreciate the bership secretary, therefore, this ambi- these clubs would not be fund-raising hard work of those branch members tion remained with me and I was still bodies; while they would without doubt who, at certain harbours throughout pursuing ways and means by which we help local branches and guilds they the country, are making an appeal to could all be brought together in a social would in no way cut across their yachtsmen; every yachtsman coming environment when, to my great pleas- activities. into harbour is given an enrolment form ure, I discovered by a change remark * * * (with a note attached apologising for that Jack Chantler, a member of Coming back to the more mundane, troubling them if they are already Portsdown branch, was thinking along but nevertheless important, aspect of Shoreline members). The appeal is the same lines. From this meeting a our work, a letter from one of our bearing good fruit: we are astounded by sub-committee was formed of members asked why we needed to use the number of replies we are receiving. interested branch and Shoreline mem- a computer to administer Shoreline bers and we agreed to run a pilot membership. The answer is that the * * * scheme in the Portsmouth area. A cir- computer makes it possible for our At the foot of this page you will see a cular letter to 800 Shoreline members same small staff to deal with an ever- Shoreline enrolment coupon. If you brought back more than 700 replies. increasing volume of work. Since we pass on your copy of THE LIFEBOAT to Everyone liked the idea; there was no went on to a computer three years ago a friend or colleague after you have criticism at all. our membership has grown from 30,000 read it perhaps you, too, will find that So, on November 1, 1978, by cour- to nearly 56,000. Without the computer you have introduced a new member to tesy of the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth we should have needed an appreciable the lifeboat service. who allowed us to use the Mayor's increase in staff to deal with the extra * * * Banqueting Suite and Council work. In this way alone great saving Last March Lt-Col Brian Clark, Chamber, the inaugural meeting took has been made possible. I am very con- RNLI national organiser in Ireland, place chaired by Sir Alec Rose. More scious of the fact that the change has gave a talk illustrated with slides to the than 150 Shoreline members and also meant that a certain amount of commodore and members of the Royal branch workers attended. It was personal approach has been lost and for North of Ireland Yacht Club. At the unanimously agreed that a club should this I sincerely apologise. We try to end of his talk, almost everyone pres- be formed and there were many volun- answer all letters containing a specific ent not yet a member of Shoreline teers to act on the committee. Regular enquiry, but if you do receive a 'joined up'; a wonderful response. monthly meetings have since been held stereotyped reply we hope that you will at the Tudor Yacht Club, which allows understand that it is not our intention to * * * us to use its premises free of charge. be impersonal because we are fully Also, via Ireland, comes news of Talks on various topics have been aware of the value of the support given Shoreline support in America. Irving given, the first social function has by each of you as an individual. Can I Anshen of Skipper Travel, Paboalto, taken place and it is encouraging that please ask you, therefore, to bear with California, arranged a holiday in Ire- the average attendance at each meeting us and be assured that every single one land for Norman and Mildred Wood- is over 50 people. of you is of personal importance to the bury, enrolled them in Shoreline and It is now our hope that similar clubs Institution in its work of saving lives at gave them the address of our Dublin will be formed throughout the country, sea?—PETER HOLNESS, membership office. Lt-Col Clark and his staff were rather on the lines of the Round Table, secretary, RNLI, West Quay Road, delighted when Mr and Mrs Woodbury Rotary or Lions clubs, so that our Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ (Tel. Poole looked in at their office and the Ameri- members will be able to visit clubs in 71133). can visitors were assured of a warm welcome at any Irish lifeboat station at To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. which they might call. I enclose subscription to join Shoreline as a: * * * Member £3.00 (minimum) D The Shoreline club at Portsmouth, Family Membership £5.00 (minimum) D about which I told you in the winter Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D issue of the journal, is proving a great Send me details of how I can help with a Legacy. D success and it is hoped that this is an idea which could spread throughout the Name country. Address I began considering the possibility of forming a Shoreline club many years ago, when I was district organising sec- Over 104,000 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service. retary (South London) and when a
169 show, autographing cook books and Ideal Home Exhibition note books: Arthur Lowe, Rodney Bewes, June Whitfield, Paul Heiney, EARL'S COURT LONDON, MARCH 6-31 Clive Dunn, Wendy Craig, Ernie Wise, Angela Rippon, Nerys Hughes, David Vine. Another popular visitor was FOR THE FIRST TIME, the RNL1 had a Eastern, South Eastern, Midland ex-coxswain Dick Evans who spent stand at the Ideal Home Exhibition this Shires and North, South and Central two and a half days at the exhibition year. Modest in size, and situated on London districts, as well as the signing copies of his biography the balcony floor, it was a market stall, Shoreline volunteer enrolment team. 'Lifeboat VC'. colourful with souvenirs and Shoreline RNLI staff, working in pairs, provided Many other exhibitors had collecting display. The extensive range of attrac- backing on a two day shift programme. boxes on their stands, and on London tive gifts represented high quality and Not only was the continuity main- Lifeboat Day, March 20, the exhibition real value for money, attracting good tained, but the happy and friendly organisers allowed our flag sellers to business from all age groups. atmosphere which has become the stand in the entrance hall. The Royal With the exhibition lasting almost the hallmark of such occasions, was evi- Navy collected the staggering amount whole month of March, the RNL1 dent throughout the period. of £1,000 for the RNLI by 'giving depended for the manning of the stand Ten well-known personalities added away' freshly baked ship's biscuits and on hard working teams of branch and to the gaiety when they spent time at bread rolls for a contribution in a guild members from the Southern, the stand on various days during the lifeboat collecting box. At a pleasant informal ceremony on the last Friday Mrs Linda Hunter of Kensington and Chelsea branch, presented a plaque to the Catering Division of the Royal Navy for a truly splendid effort. One of the famous visitors to And that perhaps sums up this new the RNLI stand at the Ideal venture. Due to the efforts of everyone Home Exhibition was concerned, especially the voluntary Richard Evans, BEM, the workers, the venture can be counted a former coxswain of Moelfre success, with its aims realised. Funds lifeboat. Dick Evans, who were raised, more than 300 new was awarded two gold med- Shoreline members were enrolled and als, one for the service to an almost entirely new 'clientele' had Hindlea in 1959 and one for been introduced to the work of the the service to Nafsiporos in 1966, signed copies of his lifeboat service. biography, 'Lifeboat VC', The RNLI may well become an written by Ian Skidmore. established feature of the Ideal Home photograph by courtesy of Exhibition, as it is at the International 'London Daily Mail' Boat Show.—H.D.
Midlothian; Mr Leach, Thame: R. C. J. Duncalf, Heswall; N. Hinman, Knowle, Sol- ihull; B. J. Young, Hythe, Hampshire; A. R. Murray, Hednesford; Margaret Beard, London SW19. After the draw, Ernie autographed Ernie Wise, who was himself lifeboat postcards for the visitors, who once in the Merchant Ser- were asked to put a contribution in a vice, makes the fifth RNLI collecting box. The admonishment, national lottery draw. With 'The amount you put in is according to him (I. to r.) are Fred Wil- how much you like me!' put everyone liams, appeals office super- on their mettle. visor, Joyce Pearce who organises the lottery at HQ, Cdr E. F. Pritchard, appeals Commemorative plates secretarv, and Mrs Doreen Wise. Commemorative plate, being held by Alice Wright, chief clerk. North West District guests, was Eric Morecambe's double. office, is one of an edition limited to 250 Fifth national lottery Hardly had he had time to shake hands being sold on behalf of the Lord Mayor of before another 41 Club delegate (in the Manchester's lifeboat appeal to fund a ERNIE WISE, one of the RNLI's most front row) was proving himself a mas- Rother lifeboat to be named Manchester loyal friends, visited Poole on Friday ter of quick repartee. 'It's like working and District XXXII. The plate bears the city April 27 to draw the fifth RNLI with Eric!' Ernie declared as the room coat-of-arms and RNLI crest. Price £15 national lottery in the presence of Mrs rocked with happy laughter. from RNLI, Princes Chambers. 26 Pa/I Mall, Manchester 2. Georgina Keen, a member of the Fund Then down to the business of the Raising Committee and Cdr Ted day. The drum was spun and Ernie Pritchard, appeals secretary. The draw plunged in his arm for the first of the 13 was also witnessed by members of the winning tickets. These were the staff and their families and by about 60 prize-winnerc- ex-Round Tablers who were attending a 41 Club international conference at £1,000: A. Taylor, Heckmondwike. £500: Mrs Helen MacAlister, Blackwater- Bournemouth and who also happened foot, Isle of Arran. to be visiting the RNLI on that day. £250: Joyce Ireson, Southall, Middlesex. It proved a merry gathering. As £25: J. A. F. Vaudin, Southampton; Mrs Ernie walked into the crowded commit- S. Fletcher, Droitwich; Miss P. J. Grant, tee room, there, facing him among the Bexhill-on-Sea; L. J. Gilhooly, Bonnyrigg,
170 Some
During lh? IV7 Fund raisers on the Isle of Anglesey For the second year running. East Class 2 of Bengeo Junior School, stepped up their efforts last year and Grinstead branch raised well over Hertford, raised £37.30 among them- increased their income from £11 .(XX) in £1.000 by giving a Spinners concert at selves following a project on lifeboats 1977 to £15,(XX) in 1978. Part of this Crawley Sports Centre. At Christmas, suggested by their teacher. Miss Sarah increase was made possible by the gift the Scriven sisters raised £40 by carol Hopkinson, a member of Royston and of two water colours painted and singing. District branch committee. In addition, donated by Cyffyn Williams. RA. An they made cakes, buns and peppermint island rattle was organised which, with During a week's intensive fund rais- creams to help a cake stall run by the the party at which the raffle was drawn, ing the 28 children of class IH of St branch which raised £78. raised £1.300. John's Primary School. Cheltenham, ran a raffle, a disco, a games lunch hour A cheese and wine evening was held First year pupils of Truro School. and a very successful sponsored bicyle in the home of Mrs J. Fearnhead, a Cornwall, took part in a sponsored obstacle race, raising £70.30 for the member of Stretford branch. About 80 spell and raised a marvellous £100. RNLI. guests took part in various competi- tions, including naming the turtle and In IV75 when Herne Junior School in Petersfield first opened in Love Lane a pupil presented guessing the advertisement, and at the Sir Alec Rose with a flag for the Walmer lifeboat. Hampshire Rose, and said 'When it end of a very successful evening £192 wears out can we buy another'.'' In February, almost four years to the day. the old flag having was raised. worn out. Sir Alec and Lady Rose were presented with two flags, the RNLI house flag and a smaller ensign. The money for the flags was raised from a Christmas concert put on by the Members of Sutton, Cheam and children. Worcester Park branch were enter- photograph by courtesy of'East Hampshire Post' tained by the Twilight Players, a band of talented singers and dancers, at their olde tyme musical evening before Christmas. From the sale of tickets, raffles and bar takings £154 was raised with a further £63.27 being made from the sale of Christmas cards and souvenirs. A sponsored canoe paddle on the River Weaver was organised by Mr Curzon of Northwich. Cheshire. It was undertaken by boys aged 13 to 15 years who paddled 11 miles in two hours and then all the way back. They were spon- sored by parents and relatives and raised £80. Sue Boyd. wife of the chief engineer on board BP tanker Brit is It Tiimitr, is a supporter of Falmouth ladies' guild. When she accompanies her husband on his sea trips she becomes the crew's barber charging 50p per cut—all of which goes into her RNLI collecting box. The girls and boys in the nursery, infants and junior sections of Beach Road County Primary School, Liver- pool, have held weekly collections for the RNLI for many years now. The total collected last year by the 250 children was £84; with £34 already col- lected during the 1978 Christmas term, this year the children are hoping to raise a record £100 by July. During the last year Flamborough ladies' guild organised a very full pro- gramme of events including the flag day, dances, Christmas fayre, summer fete, a garden party, sponsored knit and two charity concerts. At the end of the year the guild had raised £1,900 which was a record total. A Mad Hatter Easter party was given A patchwork quilt, big enough for a double bed, was handmade by members ofBangor ladies' by Mrs K. Flood and Mrs L. Halliday guild, Co. Down. The material for the multi-coloured quilt was generously donated by of Southport guild. The party, held at Whiteweave of Belfast. The ladies who assembled the quilt are (I. to r.) Mrs M. Flynn, Mrs the Crab and Lobster Mere Brow Pat McCarroll, vice-chairman, Mrs May Barnes, chairman, Mrs R. Lynas and Mrs M. Restaurant, owned by Mrs Flood, Lockwood. After two years of sewing the ladies raffled the quilt and raised £213. raised £800 for the RNLI. The Local Boat Owners and A skin care evening was organised Montagu Ventures Ltd, who Yachtsmen's Association of Rushden, by Hythe (Hampshire) and District organised the Beaulieu Boat Jumble on Northants, raised £257.36 at a lifeboat branch in November. Rosalind April 8, very kindly gave a stand to evening at Bede House, Higham Fer- Christie, wife of a branch committee Lymington branch for their boat jum- rers, Northants. A similar event held in member, is a Jafra skin care consultant ble, and also a stand to Lymington 1978 raised £231.76. and after the evening donated her ladies' guild for the sale of souvenirs, commission of £15 to the RNLI. both free of charge. The branch, selling An Easter dance, organised by the items such as sails, spars and galley Waveney Club, Burton-on-Trent, At the national championships of the equipment, raised £859.40, double last raised £180. Since the club was formed Royal Life-saving Society held in year's total, and the guild sold £68.53 to support the lifeboat service a year Coventry on November 18, Mrs H. worth of souvenirs. An auction of ago donations, ranging from £165 to Cawwood, souvenir secretary of goods donated by stall holders at the £278, have been given to Whitby, Blyth Coventry ladies' guild, set up a stall end of the day raised a further £320.96. and Humber lifeboats. and sold £91 worth of RNLI souvenirs. The total amount raised was £1,180.36. Two intrepid travellers, John Geoff Mears, second coxswain of Exmouth Ford and Melvyn Webster, lifeboat, and Bill Parkhouse, area manager made a 1,000 mile dash last of Watney's, push over a column of two October from St Helier, Jer- pence pieces at the Exeter Inn, Topsham. sey, to Aith, Shetland, and Worth £515.96l/2 (£463.56 around the col- raised £2,250 for the RNLI. umn in 2p pieces and £52.40'/2 inside) the First they flew from St Helier pile was started on January I, 1978, and to Southampton, this leg knocked over on December 15, 1978. being sponsored by British photograph by courtesy of John Sculpher Island Airways; a 700 mile car journey followed, driving through the night to Wick, Caithness, to catch another flight to Sumburgh Airport, Shetland. A 50-mile drive over wild moorlands took them to Aith where they delivered a goodwill mes- sage from the crew at Jer- sey. The time taken to do all this?—just 23 hours. Melvyn (I.) and John hand the mes- sage to Coxswain Kenny Henry (r.) at Aith. photograph by courtesy of 'Shetland Times' Two young school girls, Claire Durbin and Claire Wates, organised a spon- sored swim on behalf of the RNLI in the swimming pool of Button High School. All ten of the 10-year-old girls taking part completed the maximum half mile, and between them raised the magnificent sum of £185. 172 Artist Tony Hart of BBC TV's 'Vision On' programme spent almost two hours making lightning sketches at a coffee morning organised by Guildford branch in the city's Guildhall last September. The sketches were sold for £1 each and altogether the event raised £250. Gordon Stokes, chairman of Burton-on-Trent branch, recently received a cheque for £410 from John Tester of Burton Diving Club. T! The money had been collected from a crowd watching the diving club's annual raft race on Boxing Day. Since the money was collected in Derbyshire it was later handed over to Mickleover branch. photograph by courtesy of 'Burton Daily Mail' Members of Prestatyn A loofah, grown and harvested in an swimming club gather round office in Luton by Mrs C. Parsons, was John Owen, president of exhibited to colleagues at one penny a Rhyl branch, for the presen- look, or two pence if you picked it up tation of a cheque for £150.50 to go into the ASA and felt its skin. As a result £3 was RNLI international spon- raised for the RNLI. sored swim fund. photograph by courtesy of Aberdovey ILB station is well sup- Ian Davies Photography ported by the local ladies' guild. Their fund raising year starts on the spring Heswall and Gayton ladies' bank holiday with a film show and cof- guild celebrated its tenth fee evening. During the summer a stall anniversary with a dinner is opened each Sunday by a young party last February attended by 50 guests. It was held at couple and another coffee evening is the homes of Mrs Sonia arranged, as well as a larger event such James, chairman, and Mrs as a concert and, of course, flag day; at R. Walker, ex-chairman. A Christmas guild members venture forth special birthday cake in the and go carol singing. In all last year the shape of an RNLI collecting guild sent £1,814 to RNLI head office. box was ceremoniously cut by Mrs Margaret Collins, An ambitious attempt by Warminster the founder chairman and branch to raise the funds to buy an ILB Sonia James. In that ten years the guild has raised met with an outstanding response and some £14,000, running, at the branch's AGM in 1978 two che- among other events, a ques were handed over to Lt-Cdr Gif- winter luncheon club. ford Rosling, assistant district organis- (Below) Ken Voice, coxswain of Shoreham ing secretary (Southern), one for £1,100 lifeboat, received a cheque for £625 on Class 1:0 of Owen's School, Potters towards general funds and the other for January 26 from Mrs Joan Hilton, chief Bar, attacked an assault course in the £3,126.50 for the ILB. ranger of the Court Sussex Elm, Indepen- school gym. The children were spon- dent Order of Foresters. The money was raised by court members during 1978. sored and raised £69.07. As a gesture of thanks to Southend lifeboat station and to celebrate its Out of the 34 members of Filey and centenary Leigh Motor Boat Club gave District swimming club who took part the station a pound for each of the 100 in their sponsored swim last July, 29 years. The cheque for £100 was pre- completed the maximum of 64 lengths; sented by Commodore Alan Aldridge together with spectator fees and a raf- at an at home evening on board the club fle, £386.03 was raised. Rugby swim- barge MV Trojan on March 24. ming club raised £860 at their swim in July. While anchored in Tanga, East Mr and Mrs Frank Ellis, landlords of Africa, the ship Clan Macnab was the Fountain Inn, were the winners of a about a mile away from sister ship Clan competition for the inn to collect the Malcolm and three keen swimmers most money for the RNLI in the decided to swim round Clan Malcolm Mevagissey branch area in both 1977 and back; shipmates sponsored them at and 1978. The trophy, which was first £1 each way and all together raised presented in 1978 and which will be £117 for the RNLI. continued on page 174 173 fact wherever we have visited boat- houses either with the model or not we have met with nothing but kindness and interest. Swanage and Selsey are two stations whose slipways we used for launching our model. Letters... Milton/Southsea branch kindly fur- nished us with a collection box which we always have with us whenever we Seafarers all times before the last of the crew was sail the boat and with which we were Kindly accept this 'widow's mite' in evacuated must surely rank as a truly very pleased to realise a total of £10 aid of your good service. I lost two incredible example of courage, deter- over last summer season.—JULIAN brothers at sea and three uncles and my mination and seamanship.—BRIAN HOLM AN, 39 Mayles Road, Milton, great grandfather served under Lord NORDON, The Old Owthorne Vicarage, Southsea, Hampshire. Nelson as a commander. Hull Road, Withernsea, North 1 admire the bravery of the sailors. Humberside. Pierced coins God bless them all.—DOROTHY DUM- The response to the RNLI's appeal BELL, Mrs, Old Mill Lane, Freshfield, Humber lifeboat's services to Diana V for foreign coins has been excellent; Formby, Liverpool. and Revi are reported in 'Lifeboat Ser- literally hundredweights of material vices' starting on page ISO.—EDITOR. have poured in from branches and This letter accompanied a donation to guilds all over the country. There are, Angle branch.—EDITOR. Model service however, depressing aspects as well, I am sending a photograph of a model for the sums realised could have been Incredible feat of Shoreham lifeboat which my father even greater but for a habit, all too pre- I was delighted to read of Superin- made. She is 'stationed' at Southsea valent, of boring holes in things. tendent Coxswain Sevan's richly canoe lake and has been out 'on ser- Sorting through a bin of pennies, deserved award of a silver medal for vice' several times. These 'services' centimes, bent pesetas and so on 1 the service to Diana V. have included assisting power boats came across a lovely little coin: a lOc of However, may I suggest that even with engine trouble to shore, rescuing Wilhelmina of Holland as a young girl, that magnificent performance paled yachts in difficulties and recovering with flowing hair; one of the most into insignificance when compared footballs, one frisbee (rather tricky) pleasingly designed of modern coins. In with his incredible feat some six weeks and five plastic ducks of an oriental mint state, as this coin was, its value later when he and his crew rescued the variety. should have been about £30; but some- entire complement of MvRevi moments We have taken the model to one had pierced it through Wilhelmi- only before she sank? Shoreham and sailed her in the harbour na's neck—something beautiful had As an auxiliary coastguard at Spurn near the boathouse which amused been destroyed and the coin unfortu- Point and administrative officer of those of the crew who were present. 1 nately will now bring the RNLI only Withernsea 1LB station, I can obvi- must express our thanks to Jack at about 5p, its value as scrap.—JOHN ously add nothing to the full opera- Shoreham for showing us over the 42ft PHILLIMORE, The Old Hall, Wem, tional reports of the service which you Watson Dorothy and Philip Constant Shropshire. will already have received but, as a and also to Evan at Moelfre for going John Phillimore is one of the two cruising yachtsman of more years than out of his way to show us over both the numismatists who are helping the RNLI I care to remember, 1 can say without old lifeboat and their new Rother. In by sorting the coins collected. hesitation that the conditions both as to weather and sea state on that night were the worst that 1 have ever seen in the 25 years that I have lived on this part of the coast. To go through those seas at the speed necessary to reach the casualty in time A model of Shoreham without sustaining severe damage, Harbour's 42ft Watson must, in itself, have required skill and lifeboat Dorothy and seamanship of the very highest order. Philip Constant, made by- But then, in the dark and appalling Mr Holman, Snr, is conditions prevailing, to lay alongside a 'stationed' at Southsea vessel sinking by the head some 30 canoe lake. By buying a 5p ticket pupils of Dere- the raffle were provided by local resi- Some ways of raising ham Neatherd High School, Dereham, dents and tradespeople. money Norfolk were allowed to wear their To help the Skegness appeal to cover from page 173 own clothes to school for one day the cost of radar for the lifeboat, Mrs F. instead of the normal school uniform. Richardson gave up eating sweets for awarded annually, is a decorated The idea, masterminded by four Lent and was able to make a substan- lifebelt given to the branch by HMS friends, Sharen Burdett, Teena Val- tial donation to the station. Stubbington earlier in the year. lerine, Kim Atkinson and Loraine Cheetham, proved so popular that A cheque for £4,500, being the A supper, organised by Brough and £18.50 was raised for the lifeboats. money given by visitors to Portpatrick District ladies' guild, was held at lifeboat museum, was sent to the Humber Yawl Club on January 26 with Almost £200 was raised at an inshore RNLI's Scottish office by Mrs Patsy 90 people attending. A cold supper was dance organised by Datchet branch in Milligan. Mrs Milligan, sister of the late served with a selection of delicious February. The music was supplied by Coxswain Andrew Mitchell, carries on sweets, and in all £184 was raised. A the Tommy Draper Band and the the family's lifeboat tradition with local travel agent donated the star prize cabaret by escapologist and caricaturist unabated enthusiasm. As well as look- for the raffle—a weekend for two in Larry Barnes who both gave their ser- ing after the museum, she is also treas- either Paris or Amsterdam. vices free of charge. Over 30 prizes for urer of branch. 174 NECOMARINE THE AUTO PILOT PEOPLE Automatic Pilot for Commercial Craft Electronic Capstans Electronic Instruments engines Anchor Windlasses Dinghy Hoists NECO MARINE LIMITED Walton Road, Eastern Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, England Tel: Cosham (070 18) 70988 Telex: 86149 wftere complete reliability under arduous conditions is essential to human life,the RNLI specify MERMAID marine engines. MERMAID quality and reliability is also Get the family hooked up with specified by Boatbuilders worldwide who RFD-Haward Safety Harnesses! take pride in the craft they produce. Designed (or yachtsmen by yachtsmen, these strong lightweight harnesses can be worn comfortably by men. women and children and can be adjusted to Make sure your next vessel is powered lit snugly over clothing. The stainless steel buckles and components do not affect the compass by MERMAID- Adult models are in lull webbing style or de luxe waistcoat style. The child's model is suitable lor ages 3-12 or children under seven stone. All models are in bright orange nylon Merrnaid Marine S Engines Ltd —> SPECIAL PRICES FOR SHORELINE MEMBERS FERNDOWIM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, Adult Waistcoast (de luxe) Model £17.55 • C1.40 VAT = C18.95 70-72 COBHAM ROAD, Adult Webbing Model £1435 » ei.15 VAT = C15.SO WIMBORNE, Child's Webbing Model E 9.45 + £0.75 VAT = £10.20 Please add 25p post and packing for each harness ordered. DORSET BH21 7RN Cheque. Money or Postal Order (NOT Cash) with order Please direct to the Telephone FERNDOWN ' Manufacturer: (0202)891824 s Telex 418236 RATHER SPECIAL Servicing and RFD MILLS EQUIPMENT LTD installation throughout 88 Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1LH UK & s Tel: Godalming (04868) 4122 Telex: 859233 Overseas A Member ol the RFD Group of Companies • Latest addition to the library of lifeboat station histories is The Cromer Lifeboats 1804-1979 by R. W. Malster and P. J. R. Stibbons. Very readable, this booklet is also exceptionally well illustrated with photographs both of lifeboats old and new and of lifeboat people. On one page there are portraits of Cromer's seven coxswains between the years 1872 and 1976, including Henry Blogg (1909 to 1947) and Henry 'Shrimp' Davies (1947 to 1976); another REVIEWS page is a veritable mosaic of the faces of just some of the people associated with the station. • Grahame Farr, one of the honorary planning to sail to an area for the first The booklet is available from Cromer archivists of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' time, and if any criticism of these pilots station honorary secretary, J. J. Smith, Society, is a true historian and could be made it might be the absence 33 Hillside, Cromer, Norfolk, price 60p whenever he publishes a paper contain- of photographs. There are, however, plus 15p postage and packing.—J.D. ing the results of his research he makes excellent sketches and diagrams. In his available a new and valuable chapter to guide to pilotage, Malcolm Robson • Lloyd's Register Today is a new all those interested in the detailed story depends largely on the traditional tech- brochure brought out by Lloyd's Regis- of the lifeboat service. nique of transit lines, making use of ter of Shipping, the oldest and largest of the world's ship classification Aids to Lifeboat History No. 2 is a rocks, lighthouses, churches, water- societies, describing the services it historical and geographical list of towers and other prominent landmarks offers to help in the maintenance of British lifeboat stations. In his intro- which he has drawn from his own yacht duction Grahame Farr says: high standards in ship design and build- as they appear from the cockpit when ing, in offshore services and in indus- actually steering along the line. 'The origins of the lifeboat service try, and its links with the marine and were far more fragmented than people French Pilot is published by Nautical industrial world. Free copies are avail- imagine. They rest within a multitude of Publishing Co.; the price of volume able from the Public Relations Officer, Societies, Associations, Trusts—call one, Omonville to Treguier, is £9.85 them what you will—which sprang up Lloyd's Register of Shipping, 71 Fen- and of volume two, Port Blanc to He de church Street, London EC3M 4BS. between 150 and 200 years ago. They Sein, is £10.85.—E.J. were, of course, formed with the finest of intentions whether they started as an • Readers of THE LIFEBOAT are also offshoot of a powerful harbour trust, or • Not only does Practical Sailing by offered a free specimen copy of as the result of a subscription list Wendy Fitzpatrick (Ward Lock, £4.95) Emergency Services News, a bi-monthly initiated by the clergy of a seaside give a good introduction to the new- journal for all emergency and rescue parish. comer to sailing but its wealth of services. Please send a large (12in x 'It is well known that many failed, but photographs, both colour and black 9in) 9Vzp stamped addressed envelope a strong nucleus succeeded and when and white, is in itself a positive encour- to Emergency Services News, 106 the time was ripe, in the 1850s, the agement to 'go down to the sea'; so Middleton Avenue, Chingford, London national body founded by Sir William much of the joy of sailing as a sport and Hillary in 1824 was ready to integrate all E4 SEE. who wished to join while it expanded as a holiday way of life is portrayed. into the wonderful service we know The author is herself an experienced Lifeboat books today.' sailor and, among other successes, won The RNLI stocks certain In addition to the text there are some the first British Laser class champion- books on lifeboat subjects. A list very useful diagrams. One shows the ship in 1973. Her book includes useful of titles is available from RNLI, first phase of British lifeboat stations, chapters on suitable clothing, the rules 21 Ebury Street, London SW1. up to 1823; another is a family tree of of the road and on understanding the Please send a stamped addressed the RNLI showing how the principal weather and it is illustrated throughout envelope. independent lifeboat societies joined by good, clear diagrams.—J.D. the national body; and a third is a graph of station lifeboats showing changes in THE FIRST 'specialist holiday' long numbers and types (sailing and pulling, weekend for lifeboat enthusiasts, held steam, motor, ILB and FAB) from 1860 at Skidden House Hotel in March, to the present day. proved to be a great success. The party The booklet is available from visited St Ives, Sennen Cove, Lizard- Grahame Farr, 98 Combe Avenue, Cadgwith and Penlee lifeboat stations, Portishead, Bristol BS20 9JX, price 60p meeting the honorary secretaries, cox- including postage and packing.—J.D. swains and other lifeboatmen. The photograph shows the visitors climbing • Malcolm Robson's French Pilot up from Lizard-Cadgwith boathouse. volumes one and two, which cover Cornwall's Chief Coastguard, Omonville to Treguier and then west- George Rounce, led one party to wreck ward (in volume two) Port Blanc to He sites at Land's End and, among other de Sein, are a welcome addition to his evening film shows and lectures, a Channel Islands Pilot and are produced helicopter pilot from Culdrose ex- in the same professional way. They will plained the part played by helicopters be of great use to yachtsmen cruising in search and rescue. the Brittany Coast. More lifeboat weekends are planned As part of the enjoyment of any for October and November 1979, and cruise is in the preparation, it is often a March and April 1980. Details from Jill help to have photographs, aerial or Elleston, Skidden House Hotel, St otherwise, of the harbours or coasts it Ives, Cornwall. A percentage of all is proposed to visit, especially when course fees go to RNLI funds. 176 the sea conditions she would not return engine again having given it a chance to Lifeboat Services to Arbroath, The Duke of Montrose cool down, but without success, and from page 157 also made her way to Leith. In beam then decided to row the boat all the seas heavy spray made lookout difficult way to shore. and Coxswain Jack headed out towards and restricted the coxswain's view but One oar was in place but as he was Bell Rock. A few minutes later, when the boat was handling very well and rid- shipping the other it slipped out of his clear of the bar, the coxswain handed ing waves so that very little water was hand, fell into the water and started to over to the second coxswain, who had coming aboard. After rounding Fife- drift away. He tried to reach it, circling injured his ankle and, as he was unable ness, course was altered to south west the boat round with the oar he had, but to get an answer on the intercom, went to pass north of the Isle of May. The it could not be done. He stood up in the below to check on his crew. At the first seas were now fine on the lifeboat's boat and shouted for help but got no count it was thought that one man was port quarter and the drogue was response from the shore. missing but he had knocked his head streamed, making the lifeboat notice- While the children stayed in the boat, and was found unconscious in the we; ably easier to handle. the father went into the water to the rest, who had been belted in, On arrival at Leith at about 0430, retrieve the lost oar but found that he seemed only to be bruised. Damage Broughty Ferry lifeboat was met by an was unable to return to the boat against inside was found to be mainly superfi- ambulance and the coxswain and sec- the strong wind and current. Signalling cial with small items of gear strewn ond coxswain were taken to hospital. to his children that he was going for around. Coxswain Jack was released after a few help, he started to swim towards the Coxswain Jack, who had torn a liga- hours and Second Coxswain Scott was shore. ment to his right leg, then went back up kept in for a few days for an operation Meanwhile, two power rescue to the upper conning position together to his ankle. launches set out, one from Newtown- with Crew Member Alistair Piggot. Arbroath lifeboat arrived at Leith at ards Sailing Club and one from Second Coxswain Hugh Scott, who 0810. After changing into dry clothing Whiterock. The first was manned by had in fact broken his ankle, managed and having breakfast the crew were Reserve Constables Walter Nelson and to get down the ladder to the taken home by road. David Canavan, John Travis and wheelhouse and was lifted into the With blizzard conditions in Scotland Angus Jardine who together rescued seventh seat and strapped in. over the New Year, both lifeboats the father from the water. In view of the second coxswain's and returned to station as soon as it was The second boat was manned by Don his own injuries and information possible, on January 2. Clarke, a steward at Whiterock Yacht received from the Coastguard that the Club and an auxiliary coastguard, who rescue was now being carried out by Western Division picked up the children, took their boat helicopter, Coxswain Jack decided to in tow and headed for the sailing club. make for Leith. He continued working On the way he took off the people from from the upper conning position for Two towed the other launch and took their boat in about another half hour until he was AT ABOUT 1600 on Wednesday tow also. well clear of the bar, and then came December 6, 1978, Robert Gorman, a All landed safely and were taken to down to the wheelhouse for the rest of fisherman and ILB crew member at Newtownards Sailing Club. the passage. Aberystwyth, saw a capsized sailing For this service letters of apprecia- Having heard that Fendyke was in boat and the college rescue boat about tion signed by John Atterton, acting distress, that two of Broughty Ferry's 400 yards off shore. Realising that they director of the Institution, were sent to crew were injured and thinking that one would need help he prepared to sail his Reserve Constables Walter L. Nelson man was missing overboard, Arbroath own boat, FV Lona. A force 8 gale, and David J. Canavan and also to Auxi- crew mustered at the boathouse. gusting, was blowing from the south liary Coastguard Don Clarke. Shortly afterwards the honorary sec- east. Sunset was at 1550 and high water retary authorised launch and the 42ft had been at 1207. Watson lifeboat The Duke of Montrose Robert Gorman reached the capsized Services by Offshore was released down the slipway at 0045 boat, which had drifted further out to Lifeboats, December, under the command of Second Cox- sea, and took her in tow. The college swain Brian Bruce. rescue boat headed for harbour but her 1978, January and Acting Coxswain Bruce held the boat engine failed, so that she now needed inside the breakwater until masts and help. Robert Gorman took Lona along- February, 1979 radar scanner were erected and then, side, passed a line and with both boats Angle, Dyfed with the crew in position and lookouts in tow entered harbour at 1650 and sec- December 1, January 21 and February 10 posted either side of the wheelhouse, ured alongside. The four rescued peo- Arbroath, Angus the lifeboat headed out between the ple needed medical assistance before January 11 piers to cross the bar. With the easterly being allowed to leave the station. Arklow, Co. Wicklow wind blowing heavy spray across the For this service a framed letter of December 13 Arranmore, Co. Donegal port bow of the boat, and in very high thanks signed by Major-General Ralph December 30, January 30, February 17 and seas, the bar was safely negotiated. Farrant, chairman of the Institution, 26 While crossing the bar a message was was presented to Robert Gorman. Baltimore, Co. Cork received from Forth Coastguard saying December 22, January 8 and February 9 that the Broughty Ferry crew member Barmouth, Gwynedd had been found and that there was no Ireland Division February 15 casualty for the Arbroath lifeboat. Barra Island, Inverness-shire Informing Forth Coastguard that due to Family adrift December 2, January 5 and February 28 Barrow, Cumbria A FATHER and his three small children February-18 Year of the Tree decided to go out in their boat on Barry Dock, South Glamorgan During the Year of the Tree, Torbay Strangford Lough at about 1600 on Fri- December 2, January 13, February 25 and lifeboat crew, as their own personal gift, day September 1, 1978. Launching 28 Bembridge, Isle of Wight presented 30 Scots pines to Brixham in their boat from Newtownards Sailing December 30 and February 18 appreciation of the support given to the Club, they had gone some way round Blyth, Northumberland lifeboat by the borough of Torbay. The Barr's Bay when the engine suddenly December 17 and February 8 trees were ceremonially planted in Bat- failed and could not be restarted. The Bridlington, Humberside tery Gardens in March. father started to row, tried to start the December 20, 21, 24, 27, January 10, 28 177 and February 15 December 16 December 6, January 1 and February 17 Brought) Ferry, Angus Penlee, Cornwall Selsey, Sussex December 24 and January 2 December 17, January 18, 20, February 13 December 30 and January 10 Buckie, Banffshire and 23 Sennen Cove, Cornwall December 10 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire February 16 Calshot, Hampshire January 19 Sheerness, Kent January 28 and 31 Poole, Dorset December 12, 26 and 30 Campbeltown, Argyllshire February 16 Sheringham, Norfolk December 24, 30 and January 20 Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd January 29 Clovelly, North Devon February 4 Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex December 1 and 13 Port rush, Antrim December 4 and January 4 Cromer, Norfolk December 7 Skegness, Lincolnshire December 30 Ramsgate, Kent December 11 and 30 Donaghadee, Co. Down January 28 and 31 Stromness, Orkney February 2 Rhyl, Clwyd December 28 Dover, Kent January 21 Torbay, South Devon December 16 and January 10 Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford December 2, 16, 17 and January 13 Dungeness, Kent December 7, 20 and 28 Troon, Ayrshire January 22 and 23 St Helier, Jersey December 19, February 10 and 18 Dunmore East, Waterford December 29, February 11 and 12 Wells, Norfolk December 2 and January 4 St Ives, Cornwall January 31, February 15 Exmouth, South Devon December 11, 30, January 8, February 3, 16 Weymouth, Dorset December 1, 8 and 23 and 24 December 12, 14 and 28 Falmouth, Cornwall St Mary's, Scilly Islands Whitby, North Yorkshire December 5,12 and January 21 (twice) February 8 January 1,2, February 8 and 17 Filey, North Yorkshire St Peter Port, Guernsey Yarmouth, Isle of Wight December 6, 21 and January 28 December 1, 7 (twice), 16, 24, 30, January December 29, January 14 and February 27 Flamborough, Humberside 4, February 1 and 13 Youghal, Co. Cork December 21 and January 28 Scarborough, North Yorkshire January 22 Fleet wood, Lancashire December 17, January 28 and February 28 Fowey, Cornwall December 30 January 1 and 21 Services by Inshore Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire Galway Bay, Co. Galway February 16 and 25 December 24 and 27 Lifeboats, December, Largs, Ayrshire Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk 1978, January and December 1, January 31, and February 11 December 23, 29, January 8, 31, February Littlehampton, West Sussex 10, 15 and 28 February, 1979 December 5, January 18, February 12 and Hartlepool, Cleveland 22 December 6, 14, 15 and 29, January 30 and Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire February 7 January 3 and February 10 Harwich, Essex Aberdovey, Gwynedd Minehead, Somerset December 6, 18, 29, January 18, 19, 29 and December 8 December 25 February 22 (twice) Abersoch, Gwynedd Mudeford, Dorset Hastings, East Sussex December 10 January 7 and 21 January 13, 22 and February 4 Atlantic College, South Glamorgan Peel, Isle of Man Holyhead, Gwynedd February 24 January 12 December 31 Beaumaris, Gwynedd Poole, Dorset Howth, Co. Dublin January 1 and 17 December 3 and January 3 December 17 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan Humber, Humberside December 16 December 16 December 2, 7, 8, 18, 24, 30, January 1, 10, Blackpool, Lancashire Portsmouth, (Langstone Harbour), 11, 19, February 4, 14, 15 and 25 February 26 and 28 Hampshire Islay, Argyllshire Broughty Ferry, Angus December 10, 16, 19 (twice), January 1, 4. February 7 January 2 14 and February 4 (twice) and 24 Lerwick, Shetland Criccieth, Gwynedd Queensferry, West Lothian December 18 and January 13 December 14 February 4 Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall Eastbourne, East Sussex Southend-on-Sea, Essex January 5 February 8 December 16,23, 31, January 5, 6, 7, 21 Lochinver, Sutherland Flint, Clwyd (twice) and February 11 December 24 January 2 Southwold, Suffolk Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk December 24 December 18 and February 10 December 21, January 19 and February 13 Staithes and Runswick, Cleveland Margate, Kent Hartlepool, Cleveland December 9, February 4, 18 and 24 January 4 December 9 and January 16 Tenby, Dyfed Moelfre, Gwynedd Harwich, Suffolk January 10 December 11 December 10 West Kirby, Merseyside Newcastle, Co. Down Hastings, East Sussex December 3 January 9 February 18 Whitstable, Kent Newhaven, East Sussex Hayling Island, Hampshire December 10 and 14 SERVICES AND LIVES SAVED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS January 1, 1979, to April 30, 1979: Services: 364; lives saved 138 THE STATION FLEET (as at 30/4/79) 133 offshore lifeboats 125 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer 50 inshore lifeboats operating in the winter LIVES RESCUED 104,357 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to April 30, 1979 178 Boat Insurance for Shoreline Members (and other lifeboat' readers) Temple Insurance Personal Name Tel. No. Brokers Ltd., specialist details Address Experience Marine Craft Insurance Accident'Losses/Claims in last 5 years Yes/No Brokers, Members of the (Details on separate sheet) British Insurance Details Name Class/Type Brokers Association, are Of Craft Construction Year Built pleased to offer Length Beam Engines H.P Inboard/Outboard Shoreline Members and Values Hull, Machinery, Equipment £ Special Equipment £ other 'Lifeboat' readers Dinghy/Boats £ Outboard Motor £ special terms for their Trailer £ . . TOTAL £ personal Yacht and Motor Boat insurance. Use In commission from to (inclusive) For a quotation without Moored at obligation, please Laid up from to Inclusive. Ashore/Afloat. Cruising Range complete and post the General (a) Are you entitled to No Claim Discount? years. enquiry form opposite. (b) Do you wish to bear the first part of any claim? Yes/No. No stamp required. If so, state £25 : £50 : £100. (c) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. Racing Risks, Water-Skiing, OR RING POOLE Road Transit Risks, etc TO FREEPOST, Geoffrey Bere FCII, (02013) TEMPLE INSURANCE BROKERS, 79444 29 High Street, POOLE BH15 1BR RFD are pioneers in the field of inflatable equipment. They were the first company to introduce automatic inflation — the first to produce canopied liferafts — the first to receive Government Approval for liferafts on Fishing & Merchant ships and the first to produce inflatable boats for the RNLI. RFD's new 'Firsts' the 6 man Surviva the 4 man Seasava and the range of Aquasport & Aquawork lifejackets are your assurance of tried and proven SAFETY equipment. RFD INFLATABLES LTD Catteshall Lane Godalming. Surrey Tel: 04868 4122 WE WANT YOU TO COME BACK Index to Advertisers Birds Eye Foods Inside Back Cover Evett Sailwear Limited 146 HAVE FUN FUND Glanvill Enthoven 146 RAISING David Jolly (Tiller Master) 180 Maritime Book Society Back Cover Free Illustrated Mermaid Marine Engines Limited 175 Catalogue from NECO Marine Limited 175 Peeks of Bournemouth 180 RFD Inflatables Limited 179 PEEKS OF RFD Mills Equipment Limited 175 BOURNEMOUTH Shearwater Press 146 Tuckton, Bournemouth Temple Insurance 179 Tel: 0202 429404/5 Trans World Airlines Inside Front Cover C. P. Witter Limited 180 "holiday to be remembered". Brochure in perspex showcase. Each a tiny gem pro- Classified Advertisements (08382) 251. viding a truly 'live' unique miniature. ACCOMMODATION Details: Brian H. Williams, Marine Model BR1XHAM, Devon. Beside outer harbour, INSURANCE Artist, 'West Rock', The Cleve, Kingsand, overlooking Torbay Lifeboat. Comfortably FOR ALL INSURANCE. Phone, call or Nr Torpoint, Cornwall PL10 INF (0752) furnished self-catering Holiday Apartments, write J. A. HARRISON (Brokers) Ltd, 822638. each with lounge/diner, 'fridge, television 'Security House', 160-161 Bromsgrove and modern electric facilities for 2-6 per- Street, Birmingham B5 6NY. Tel: 021-692 MEDITERRANEAN VIA CANALS sons, (children over 6 years). Resident prop- 1245 (10 lines). For keenest rates, service Advice, information or delivery. Write Cap- rietors. Please send stamp for details. G. A. and security. tain Ward, 4 Graydon Avenue, Chichester. Smith, "Harbour Lights", 69 Berry Head Tel: 0243 784700. Road, Brixham. Telephone (08045) 4816. MISCELLANEOUS FISHERMAN'S SMOCKS, navy drill. All PAINTINGS HOUSE OF LETTERHAWE, sizes £5.95 delivered. Rockall Wear, 138 YOUR LIFEBOAT IN OILS. On canvas LOCHAWE, ARGYLLSHIRE. Private Narrow Lane, Halesowen B62 9NX. 36" x 28" £45.00. s.a.e. Lee, 9 Esplanade, Hotel in five acres of ground with magnifi- Weymouth, Dorset. cent views overlooking the famous and LIFEBOATS, SAILING BARGES AND beautiful Lochawe, offers relaxed, friendly YACHTS IN MINIATURE TROPHIES atmosphere with good food, service and Retirements, Presentations and Trophies. Race Sets-Mainsails-Dinghies-Cups. W. & comfort at an economical price. Boating and Fully detailed replicas of individual boats, E. Astin, 7 Westerly Lane, Shelley, Hud- fishing rights. Ex-lifeboat cruises. For a with crews, mounted on realistic sea bases dersfield. Kirkburton 2368. THE ORIGINAL TILLER MASTER ADVERTISEMENT INFORMATION WITH THE LONG-LASTING MOTOR FOR WHEEL OR TILLER 1st and 3rd Route du Rhum transatlantic solo 1969/70 California to UK and back in 36ft sloop. Displayed (sizes in millimetres) Full Page (Ordinary) 267 x 178 £250.00 1978 Half page 130 x 178 or 267 x 82 £130.00 Round Britain Race—Our autopilots were aboard three of the first four home—two Quarter page 130 x 82 £70.00 had already crossed the Atlantic. Eighth page 63 x 82 £40.00 Wind, water and solar battery (Cover and colour rates on application.) chargers available. Classified DAVID JOLLY Entries under ACCOMMODATION are offered at the Long Range and Emergency Radio Consultant special rate of £6.00 for up to 50 words, including address and 3 Little Russel, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JD. phone number. Additional words at 25p each. Tel: 0202 622142 TELEX: 41495. Other Classifications are at 25p per word, minimum ten words. Nationwide network All Classifieds are subject to pre-payment and cheque or PO of stockists and must accompany order. specialist fitters. Look in Yellow Pages COPY DATES FOR ALL ADVERTISEMENTS: for your local Witter 1st May Summer issue specialist or write for 1st August Autumn issue details. 1st November Winter issue 1st February Spring issue Orders and enquiries to Dyson Advertising Services, C. P. Witter Ltd., PO Box 9, Godalming, Surrey. Chester 46 Tel. 04868 23675. Tel: 0244 41166 180 The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL TflLL3HIP5 if 3ohn 6la&spool GarethRees | BUILD YOUR OWN MARITIME LIBRARY Whether you want to sail vicariously with Clare Francis today or Joshua Slocum last century, should you enjoy learning knots by the fireside or boning up on engines (to be ready for fitting-out Square Rigged or laying-up), or improve your knowledge of sailing Sailing Ships practice and theory, the Maritime Book Society is for you. Run by sailing enthusiasts on the South Coast, it includes an incredibly wide range of books, such as practical step-by-step guides to construction, power-boating and water sports, maritime history and warfare, reference books on the weather, sea-shore, navigation and equipment. Everything anyone who loves the sea and small boats could ever want. Join the thousands of sailing enthusiasts whose joint spending power makes our unique Maritime Book Society possible. It is an imaginative, leisurely, economical service. You choose exactly what books you want from the wide choice offered in our free Maritime Joshua Slocum News published alternate months. The books SAILING ALONE themselves are nearly all publishers' own editions AROUND at discounts of up to 25 per cent, occasionally more. THE WORLD any 3 books A ^P PLUS CARRCARRIAGE only 1 A each Edward Heath save up to £18.65 ~ SAILING with this introductory offer when you join the bi-monthly To: Maritime Book Society, P.O. Box 6, Newton Abbot, Devon I would like to join the Maritime Book Society and claim the 3 books I have indicated at the special price of 25p each (plus 85p carriage). I agree to purchase at least 4 books (in addition to the intro- ductory books) during my first year of membership and may resign thereafter. (Allow up to 21 days for delivery). PLEASE SEND BOOKS NOS | | | | Mr/Mrs/Miss. Address_ Signatu re lor if under 18, signature of Parent/Guardian) ACE SEND NO MONEY ToupSn POST TODAY! Maritime Book Society, Brunei House, Newton Abbot, Devon. Reg. in England No. 843946.