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

VOL. XXIX. SEPTEMBER, 1933. No. 315.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET Motor Life-boats, 120 :: Pulling & Sailing Life-boats, 56 LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Institution in 1824 to September 30th, 1933 .... 63,450

A Remarkable Life-boat Launch. By Mr. TOM F. BEVAN, Honorary Secretary of the Lynmouth Branch, and EX-COXSWAIN G. S. RICHARDS. IT was on the night of Thursday, Of the twelve other members of the 12th January, 1899, and the following crew, only three are alive—Mr. G. S. morning, that there took place one Richards, who joined the crew in 1882, of the most extraordinary life-boat became second-coxswain in 1886, and launches on record—the launch of the coxswain in 1926, retiring in 1931 after Lynmouth life-boat to the full-rigged forty-nine years of service in the life- ship Forest Hall, of Liverpool, a ship boat; Mr. R. Burgess, who joined the of 1,900 tons, with fifteen men on board. crew in 1887 and retired in 1931 ; and In order to launch the boat her crew Mr. W. Richards, who joined the crew and launchers took her for thirteen in 1899 and is now second-coxswain. miles, over Exmoor, climbing from sea- He was only sixteen years old at the level to a height of over 1,400 feet! time, and this was his first service. They had to dig down banks ; they had The other nine members of the crew to knock down gate-posts; they had were, R. Ridlen (bowman), G. Rawle, to break down walls—and all in the J. Ward, W. Jarvis, Charles Crick, middle of a fierce gale on a January B. Pennicott, David Crocombe, John night by the light of lamps which were Ridler and T. Pugsley. continually blowing out. It took them It is right that the full story of the 1Q| hours, but in the end they accom- launch should be written while it can plished what must at the beginning still be told by those who took part in have seemed impossible. it. It belongs to an epoch in life-boat A short account of this remarkable history which is now almost closed, feat appeared in The Life-boat at the before the motor life-boat and the time, and there have been articles in launching tractor had come, when, at the Press, but no complete account the oars at sea, and at the drag-ropes has yet been published. It is now on land, the service depended on the thirty-four years since the event. muscles of men—and on land, of Coxswain John Crocombe, who was women, too. The whole story, above in charge on that night, died last May. all, is an outstanding example of the 102 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933 courage and determination of the life- Richards, at that time second-in- boat service, undismayed and un- command of the life-boat. daunted even by seemingly hopeless odds. The Second Coxswain's Story. We had a telegram from Mr. Goddard, It was just about 7 P.M., at the height the Anchor Hotel, Porlock Weir, that of a whole westerly gale and right on there was a large ship drifting ashore, top of the spring tides, that a telegraph and sending up signals of distress for message was received from Porlock help. It was about 7 P.M. and just that a large vessel was flying distress gone high water, blowing a gale from signals in the bay and that she was in the west-north-west with a heavy sea imminent danger of running ashore. running. The sea was making a clean By those who are acquainted with the break over the walls on the esplanade, Bristol Channel, with its tides, the and the roads were covered to a depth position will be realized at once, and of 3 feet with water, so that it was no one understood it better than the impossible to launch the life-boat at Lynmouth life-boatmen. Lynmouth. The coxswain and I talked it- over IMPOSSIBLE TO LAUNCH. and thought the only thing to do was The wind had shifted a point north to get the boat to Porlock, if possible. and was blowing harder than ever. You should have then heard the The sea was sweeping right across the opinions of the crowd. They said it harbour and over the sea front. The would be impossible to get the boat sea-spray was like smoke. The tide there, but we had the sanction of the was turning. It was obviously im- honorary secretary, the Rev. A. R. possible to launch the boat from the Hockley, to go and do the best we could. beach in face of such a gale. Nor We sent to Mr. T. Jones for horses, could any further message be got to at Lynton. He sent down sixteen to or from Porlock, for after that one twenty in charge of Tom Willis, the message the wires had been blown driver. We had then to send away our down. Those responsible at Lynmouth signalman, R. Moore, with a horse and were faced with the alternative of cart and half a dozen men with pickaxes attempting the almost superhuman and shovels, to dig down the banks to task of taking the boat to Porlock by make the road wide enough for the land, or abandoning the ship, not carriage to get through, as it was very knowing whether or not, unaided, she narrow in places. In the cart we put would survive the storm. The decision all the flat wooden skids we had, was quickly made. Horses were because we knew we had a mile of requisitioned. Every available man road, known as Ashton Lane, where it and woman in the village set out to would be impossible to get the carriage help the life-boat on a journey which through. entailed the ascent of the famous Countisbury Hill with its gradient of A WHEEL COMES OFF. 1 in 4 \ up to the village of Countisbury, We started from Lynmouth about 8 1,000 feet up on the open moor; the P.M., having all the horses attached to descent of Porlock Hill, so well known the carriage. Our greatest trouble was to the motoring public of to-day, and lights, as we had only flares, called finally the launch at 6 A.M. the follow- ducks, and oil lanthorns. At first the ing morning, after a night of as ar- horses could not pull together, but with duous and unexpected labours as the help of the men and the women life-boatmen have ever had to tackle. we managed to get up Countisbury During the whole journey the gale Hill. Here we had a bit of ill-luck. blew with unabated violence, accom- One of the wheels came off, as the linch- panied by driving rain. The men were pin had been loosened by the continual soaked almost before they had started, knocking against the bank. With the and they were without food for the jacks, and willing helpers, we got the whole of the time. wheel on again, fitted a spare linchpin Here is the full story of that strange and continued on our journey. We journey, told by ex-Coxswain G. S. were now at the top of Blue Ball, a SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 103

THE LATE COXSWAIN JOHN CROCOMBE, OF LYNMOUTH. Second Coxswain from 1882-1886, and Coxswain from 1886-1926.

By courtesy of] [SJieppard, LynmavOt THE THREE SURVIVORS OF THE LYNMOUTH CREW OF 1899. Left to right—R. Burgess, G. S. Richards (who was second coxswain from 1886-1926, and cox- swain from 1926-1931), and W. Richards (now second coxswain). 104 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933. very exposed part of Exmoor, 1,000 and drag-ropes, put the drag and feet above sea-level. It was blowing safety chains on the wheels and lash a gale of wind and raining like mad. the boat to her carriage, as this was Here many of our helpers decided to one of the heaviest loads known to turn back. We were left with about have gone down Porlock Hill, but old twenty, and pushed on. Our greatest Tom said if we were able to keep the difficulty now was keeping the lights lit. boat from slipping off her carriage he We got on all right until we caught would be able to get around the corners, up with Moore, the signalman, and his very dangerous though they were. men. They had dug down a wall on To everyone's surprise we managed the Lynmouth side of Glenthorn White to get down without any trouble, until Gate, but Moore said we could not get we reached the bottom of the hill. the boat and carriage through Ashton Here we came to the old cottages and Lane on the other side of the gate found there was not width for the as it was only seven feet wide in places. carriage to'go through, so down came Jack Crocombe, the coxswain, said we the walls. We did not half get choked had come so far, and we were not going off by the old lady of the house. She to turn back without having a good try wanted to know what right we'had for it. It was now that our biggest bringing a thing like that at this time trouble began. We had first to take of night, knocking down people's walls the boat off the carriage. While some and waking them up. of the men were doing this others were When we told her that it was a life- digging down the gate-posts to make boat she was very surprised, as she had it wide enough for the carriage to go never seen one in her life before. We through. We were going to send it told her that there was a ship in distress over the moor to meet us again a mile off Porlock Weir and we were going to farther on, where the road became try and rescue the men, so that put wider, while we took the boat herself things all right with her, and she came along the road on the skids. along with us. BOAT AND CARRIAGE GO DIFFERENT THE ROAD WASHED AWAY. WAYS. We got on all right until we met N. We chose the quieter horses for Polland and some men from Porlock hauling the boat. The remainder we Weir who had come to warn us that we sent with the carriage in charge of could not get along the main road, as Tom Willis and R. Moore. Our horses the sea had washed down the sea-wall were in charge of W. Vellacott. and washed the road away. The only With men carrying lights we started way to get to the Weir was up the to haul the boat along the road. higher road. As we were not going to It was a very difficult job. We could be beaten after coming so far, off we only drag the boat a little way and set up the higher road and got along then had to stop while the skids fairly well until we came to the Lane behind were picked up, carried for- Head, and there we found a large ward, and laid down again in front laburnum tree with big branches of her. They were placed about six across the road, too low for the boat to feet apart. We worked in turns at pass. But we could not stop for that. carrying the skids forward, and the We had a saw and cut it down. road was so narrow that we had a job We arrived at the beach without any to pass between the boat and the wall. more trouble and launched the boat We managed to get through in the end, right away, not even waiting for any- and found the carriage waiting for us. thing to eat. The late Mr. E. J. Pedder, We soon got the boat on the carriage a member of the Lynmouth life-boat again and once more started for County committee and Lloyd's agent, went Gate. Here we had to knock down one with us in the boat. It was then about of the gate-posts, and went on all right six in the morning. We were all until we reached the top of Porlock drenched to the skin with rain, but Hill, having gone over Hawkcombe that made no difference, as we were Head, 1,400 feet above the sea. To go soon drenched with sea-water, for it down the hill we had to use all the men was still blowing very hard. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 105

COUNTISBURY HILL. Up this hill, with its gradient of 1 in 4J, the life-boat was dragged.

THE PRESENT LYNMOUTH LIFE-BOAT. The life-boat, Prichard Frederick Gainer, is returning from service on the 13th of last July. Countisbury Hill can be seen in the background. 106 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933

On reaching the ship, about 7.30, we was still blowing very hard when we found she was the Forest Hall, belong- reached Barry, which was about six ing to Liverpool, bound from Bristol to in the evening of Friday, the 13th. Liverpool (light), being towed by a tug We were nearly exhausted, as we had which had parted her rope the night had nothing to eat since the day before. The ship was disabled owing before. The men at Barry Docks very to her rudder-head being carried away, kindly took charge of the life-boat and and she had drifted with both her sent us to an hotel, where we were anchors down all night until she got cared for by the Shipwrecked Mariners near the shore of Porlock. Society with dry clothes and food. We got back to Lynmouth the following THE RESCUE. day, the Saturday. A steamer gave us We advised the captain to hang on a tow for part of the way. The carriage until daylight to see if we could get a went back by road. tug-boat, and just after it became light we saw one coming. It turned out To complete ex-Coxswain Richards's to be the same one which had towed her story it needs only to be added that the down—J. Joliffe, of Liverpool. We thirteen members of the crew received got a rope from the tug to the ship and awards of £5 each, and the launchers with the help of some of the life-boat awards amounting to £27 5s. Qd. The crew who went on board the ship the total cost of the service, including these captain got her anchors up. Then we awards, the hire of horses and " mason's all started for Barry on the Welsh bill for repairs," was £118 17s. Qd. coast. As there was no rudder, we Towards this the owners of the Forest could not manage to steer the ship, Hall contributed £75. and we were very near the Nash Sands. The late Mr. R. H. Fry, a native of The captain then decided to get another Lynmouth, presented each of the crew tug-boat to help him to steer the ship. with a watch, and the coxswain and She was called the Sarah Joliffe. It second-coxswain also with gold chains.

A Double Gift. MEN of the 2nd Battalion of the East dragging. The life-boat rescued her Surrey Regiment, from Shorncliffe crew of five and saved the yacht. Camp, took part, as launchers, in a Having helped in making a very life-boat service at Hythe on the quick launch (the signal of distress afternoon of 28th July, when the was seen at 3 P.M. and the life-boat motor life-boat went out to the help was away at 3.15 P.M.), the battalion of the yacht Leonora Minnie, of then sent to the Hythe branch a Brixham. The yacht's engine had gift—to which all ranks contributed broken down and her anchors were —of £3 13s. Od.

From a Poor Children's Camp. A GIFT of 5s. 8d. has been received from if they might give their pennies to the a holiday camp of 180 poor children of life-boat. In sending the gift the Hull. These children were sent for a officer-in-charge wrote : " These child- holiday by friends to a camp on the ren are very poor indeed and it must Humber, near the life-boat station at have been a very great sacrifice on Spurn Point. They asked their officers their part." SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 107

« Lee Oh ! "

Sailing Chanty.

BY CAPTAIN Q. C. A. CRAUFURD, R.N., honorary secretary of the Dungeness life-boat station.

" It seemed scarcely possible that the life-boat could reach the ketch before she broke up. To us, watching in the failing light, it also seemed that the coxswain put his helm a-lee before he could weather the spit."—Honorary Secretary's Report.

There she shows on the starboard beam, She must be nearly awash below, 'Eaven be kind an' we reach 'er soon, They must be thinkin' us all too slow.

George can flatten the after sheet ? Seems we could pinch a bit closer yet, Hold on boys while she takes it green, Keep tha' there Verys light outen the wet.

Frank, can ye squint at the compass card, 'Ow is the danger light bearin' now, Can't get a bearin' ? All over the shop ? Chuck it an len' 'em a hand in the bow.

That was a juicy one ! Boys, listen 'ere, I got to chance it wen' nex' we go round We shall be swept an' swept over again If when she's reachin' she touches the ground.

We shall be driven an' pounded to matches If she don' 'old when we veer alongside, Never a man of you gets 'ome to breakfas' If a foul anchor should fail us to ride.

Alf, tend the bollard, you'll feel the warp taudten, Pray for your lives when ole George makes the throw, I'll do my best, boys, good luck to us all then, Ready ! Check foresail! Stan' by George ! LEE OH !

This chanty is the second of nine life-boat chanties by Captain Craufurd, which he has generously given to the Institution. They are published together in a book with coloured cover, price 6d., and can be had from the Institution. Branch honorary secretaries can obtain copies at a cheaper rate for sale on behalf of the branch fivnds. 108 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

Services of the Life-boats.

Reported to the May, June and July Meetings of the Committee of Management.

May Meeting. were torn. The men were taken off and Longhope, Orkney, and Thurso, Caith- the Eagle was towed back to New ness-shire.—The Longhope motor life- Brighton, which was reached at twelve boat Thomas McCunn was launched forty-five next morning.—Rewards, £11 at 11.30 P.M., and the Thurso motor 5s. life-boat H.C.J. at 11 P.M., on the 25th February, as news had been received Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—Early on from the coastguard that the steam the morning of the 25th April a tele- trawler Silanion, of Grimsby, was in phone message was received from the distress north of Dunnet Head. She postmistress at Machrihanish that a carried a crew of thirteen, and was steamer was sounding her siren and bound for the Iceland fishing grounds, sending up rockets about four miles when she stranded at Torness Point, south of Machrinhanish. A strong Hoy Island, in the Orkneys. A strong S.E. breeze was blowing with a moder- E. to E.S.E. breeze was blowing, with ate sea, and the weather was thick. a rough sea and showers of snow and The motor life-boat City of Glasgow sleet. The Longhope life-boat was the was launched at 5.35 A.M., and found first to find the trawler, and getting the steam trawler Sulby, of Fleetwood, alongside threw ropes aboard. Then, aground in Inian Bay. She carried a as she rose on the swell to the level of crew of eleven. She was in no immed- the trawler's deck, the trawler's crew iate danger, but her master asked the jumped into her. She landed the life-boat to stand by while another rescued men at Longhope pier and trawler tried to tow her off. Later the returned to her station at two the next life-boat ran out a kedge anchor from morning. The Thurso life-boat arrived the Sulby and she eventually refloated to see the flares burning on board the at 2.30 P.M. and went on her way. Silanion, but found that she had The life-boat then returned to her already been abandoned. She arrived station, arriving back at 6.10 P.M. She back at her station at three-fifteen the had been on service for nearly thirteen next morning.—Rewards, Longhope, hours.—Property Salvage Case. £14 16s. 6d.; Thurso, £14 10s. Qd. Staithes, Yorkshire.—On the morning New Brighton, Cheshire.—During the of the 1st May the local motor fishing evening of the 1st April the life-boat cobles put out to haul crab pots. A motor mechanic received a telephone moderate N. wind was blowing, with a message from the police and the coast- considerable ground swell, and at 10.30 guard, reporting that six men were A.M. with the tide ebbing the sea broke stranded on Burbo Bank. A moderate heavily across the bay, making the N.W. breeze was blowing with a rough entrance into harbour very dangerous. sea. The No. 2 motor life-boat William As there were still three cobles at sea— and Kate Johnston left her moorings at Star of Hope, Freda and Minnie—the 9.44 P.M., and after searching for two pulling and sailing life-boat John hours with the aid of her searchlights, Anthony was launched and escorted found two men drifting in a water- them all safely in. She returned to her logged small boat. They were taken station at 11.50 A.M.—Rewards, £12 into the life-boat and told the coxswain 12s. 6d. that four other men were still missing. The search continued and eventually a Hythe, Kent.—On the afternoon of flare was seen in the direction of the the 2nd May the Sandgate coastguard north bank. The life-boat found the telephoned to the coxswain that the fishing boat Eagle, of Bootle, with the fishing boat F.E. 78—the Cereal, of four men on board. She was leaking, Folkestone—was in difficulties half a her rudder had been lost, and her sails mile off Sandgate. A moderate N.E.

110 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

gale was blowing, with a moderate sea, June Meeting. and the weather was thick. The motor Margate, Kent.—On the morning of life-boat City of Nottingham was the 2nd May a pilot reported to the launched at 5.10 P.M. and found the coxswain that a vessel in the Gore Cereal three and a half miles south-east Channel was flying a signal flag, and a of Sandgate. Her petrol supply had life-boatman went to Westgate to find run out, and her sails had been blown out the nature of the signal. He away. The life-boat towed her into telephoned that it was a distress signal, Folkestone and arrived back at her and the motor life-boat Lord South- station at 7.20 P.M.—Rewards, £15 15s. borough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched at 9.30 A.M. A moderate The following life-boats were E.N.E. gale was blowing with a heavy launched, but no services were rendered sea, and visibility was poor owing to for the reasons given : heavy rain. The life-boat found the Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—24th and 26th ketch Ethel Edith, of Faversham. She February. A vessel had broken away had on board five men and a woman, from her tow, but was able to anchor and was bound from Par to Dagenham to await tugs and did not need help.— with a cargo of china clay. She was Rewards, 1st launch, £24 15s.; 2nd leaking badly and her crew, who had launch, £8 8s. been pumping all night, were exhausted. At the master's request some of the Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire, and life-boat crew went aboard and pumped H o I y h e a d, Angelsey.—22nd March. her free of water, and then got her Searched without success for a small under way. The life-boat escorted her boat which was adrift and eventually to Whitstable and towed her into a made land in Co. Down after thirty-five safe anchorage in Whitstable Harbour hours at sea.—Rewards, Porthdinllaen, at 4 P.M., saving the vessel and the six £15 4s.; Holyhead, £13 2s. 6d. persons on board. She arrived back at her station at 7 P.M., having been on Tor bay, Devon.—17th April. A service for nine and a half hours, but fishing boat was reported to be missing she could not be re-housed until next but had anchored in a creek.—Rewards, day owing to the heavy seas on the £9 7s. slipway.—Property Salvage Case. Moelfre, Anglesey.—19th April. An Coverack, Cornwall.—On the morning aeroplane had dived low and had flown of the 6th May it was reported that a off when the observers were unsighted. distress signal had been hoisted on the They reported her to have disappeared into the sea.—Rewards, £8. s.s. Ocklinge, a steamer which had been wrecked on Lowland Point in March, Skegness, Lincolnshire.—23rd April. 1932, and which had since been bought An aeroplane fell into the sea, but the for breaking up. There were three men services of the life-boat were not on board, and they had been marooned required.—Rewards, £6 6s. (See also by bad weather for some days. A Shoreboat Services, page 115.) strong S. wind was blowing with a moderate ground swell, and it was Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—24th raining, when the pulling and sailing April. A steamer reported to be on life-boat Constance Melanie was fire, but was found to be all right.— launched at 8.20 A.M. She took off Rewards, £5 9s. Qd. the men, who had lived on nothing but flour and water for two or three Aberdeen.—26th April. A small boat days, and landed them safely at was reported to be driving ashore, but Coverack. The life-boat arrived back she was not in distress.—Rewards, at her station at 9.50 A.M.—Rewards, £4 10s. 6d. £10 9s. 6d.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—30th April. A Maryport, Cumberland.—On the steamer had grounded on the Shipwash afternoon of the 8th May a man Sands, but refloated without help.— reported that a small fishing boat with Rewards, £15 8s. three men on board was in difficulties SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 111 to the north of Maryport, between life-boat accompanying her until it was Bank End and Allonby. A strong, seen that everything was right. The squally S.W. breeze was blowing, the life-boat, which was damaged during sea was choppy, and it was raining. the service, arrived back at her station The motor life-boat Priscilla Macbean at twelve-ten next morning. But for was launched at 7.4 P.M. and found the the help given by the life-boatmen the boat to be the Merry Mac, of Maryport. yacht would probably have foundered, Her sails had carried away. She was with the loss of her crew.—Rewards, helpless and was being carried fast to £23 11s. leeward on the strong flood tide. She was leaking badly, and her crew of Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— three, who were completely exhausted, During the afternoon of the 15th were taken into the life-boat, and given May the small motor yacht Heather stimulants. Then a life-boatman was Bell, of Blyth, put to sea from Berwick. put aboard the Merry Mac and she The easterly wind was light, but a was towed into Maryport. The life- heavy swell was breaking on the bar. boat arrived back at her station at Some time later she was seen making 10 P.M.—Rewards, £14 11s. 3d. for the harbour entrance, and as she appeared to have difficulty in getting St. Mary's, Scilly.—On the 10th May in, the motor life-boat Westmorland some men from Bryher on their way was launched at 4.20 P.M. to her help. home noticed four men ashore on She found that three men had gone out Mincarlo, a small island south-west of in the yacht, but one had been washed Bryher, apparently without a boat. A overboard and been drowned. One of moderate N.N.W. breeze was blowing the remaining two men was taken into and the sea was rough. They went close the life-boat and two life-boatmen got and found that the men were French- aboard the yacht which was then taken men who had put out in a motor boat safely into harbour, with the life-boat from Tresco, where their ships were at in attendance. But for the help of the anchor, to gather limpets. After they life-boat the yacht and her two occu- had landed their motor boat had been pants would probably have been lost. dashed on the rocks by a heavy swell and had sunk. The Bryher men tried The life-boat arrived back at her to get them off but could not get near station at 6 P.M.—Rewards, £6 Is. 6d. enough owing to the state of the sea. Howth, Co. Dublin.—On the after- On reaching Bryher they immediately noon of 28th May three boys were on notified the coastguard who telephoned the cliffs at Howth Head looking for to St. Mary's, and the motor life-boat birds' nests, when one of them slipped Cunard was launched at 11.15 P.M., and fell about fifty feet into the sea. taking a punt in tow. The men were One of his companions, a boy of ten, taken off the island and landed, and pluckily scrambled down to the water's the life-boat arrived back at her station edge and pulled him ashore from the at 2.30 A.M.—Rewards, £12 2*. rocks on which he was lying. The third Walmer, Kent.—On the evening of boy gave the alarm and the Howth the 10th May the coastguard reported motor life-boat Lady Kylsant was that a yacht was ashore on the Brake launched at 3.50 P.M., within five Sands with a motor boat standing by. minutes of the assembly signal being A strong squally N.W. wind was blow- fired, the bowman, Patrick Moore, ing, with a very heavy sea, and it was acting as coxswain. A moderate east raining. A little later the coastguard breeze was blowing and the sea was reported that the yacht had lost her smooth. The life-boat had taken a topmast, and the pulling and sailing punt in tow and this was sent in to life-boat Barbara Fleming was launched take the boys off the rocks as the life- to her help at 8.39 P.M. She found that boat could not get close enough. The the yacht—which was the Gordon, with life-boat then made full speed for a crew of three—had just refloated. Howth and the injured boy was taken At the request of the owner, three life- at once to a doctor. Unfortunately he boatmen were put on board and they died from his injuries some time later. navigated her safely into Dover, the The life-boat arrived back at her 112 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933. station at 4.20 P.M.—Rewards, £4 13s. trawler had stranded, but refloated and was taken in tow by another trawler.— Rewards, Anstruther, £14 9s. 6d.; Porthdinllaen, Carnarvonshire. — On Broughty Ferry, £30 16s. Qd. the evening of the 1st June the coast- guard telephoned that a small boat, Tynemouth, Northumberland.—1st with two youths on board, was drifting May. A motor boat had had engine seawards out of control. A strong trouble but was able to go on her way squally S.S.E. breeze was blowing, with without help.—Rewards, £5 15s. a moderate sea. The motor life-boat M.O.Y.E. .was launched at 8.5 P.M. and Ex mouth, Devon.—4th May. A found the small boat about one and a schooner had been dragging her anchors, half miles N.N.W. of Porthdinllaen but she was taken in tow by a tug.— Point. The youths were taken into Rewards, £12 12s. 6d. the life-boat and the boat was towed in. The life-boat arrived back at her station Hastings, Sussex.—9th May. A at 9 P.M.—Rewards, £10 4s. 6d. trawler was shewing a misplaced trawl- ing signal, which was mistaken for a Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.— distress signal.—Rewards, £16 12s. 3d. The motor life-boat K.E.C.F. was launched at 7.15 A.M. on the 3rd June, The Mumbles, Glamorganshire, and in a moderate S.E. breeze, with a Tenby, Pembrokeshire.— 14th May. moderate sea, and landed the body of Signals of distress were heard, but no a man who had died on board the ship in need of help was found.— Lucifer lightship, which is stationed Rewards, The Mumbles, £12 9s.; about eight miles N.E. of Rosslare Tenby, £15 Os. 6d. Harbour. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 11 A.M.—Permanent Aith, Shetlands. — 24th May. A Crew, Rewards, 15s. 6d. steam drifter had run aground, but she refloated on the flood tide without St. Ives, Cornwall.—At about 8.35 help.—Rewards, £13 2s. 6d. P.M. on the 8th June, a telephone message was received from the coast- Kingstown, Co. Dublin.—24th May. guard at St. Agnes that a small boat An aeroplane crashed into the sea. A appeared to be in difficulties off St. fishing boat picked up the body of the Agnes, and unable to make harbour. pilot, and the body of the passenger A moderate N.N.E. breeze was then was recovered later.—Rewards, £10 7s. blowing, and the sea was rough. A little later the coastguard telephoned Kingstown, Co. Dublin.—1st June. that the motor life-boat Caroline Par- A small boat was in difficulties, but she sons was wanted, and she was launched made harbour unaided.—Rewards, £11 at 9 P.M. She found the motor boat 12s. White Heather, of St. Agnes, with three men on board, about one hundred and Lowestoft, Suffolk.—8th June. A fifty yards off the shore. She had run cargo steamer had stranded but got out of petrol, and the men were trying off and went on her way.—Rewards, to keep the boat off the shore by oars. £13 17s. 6d. They were taken into the life-boat and the White Heather was towed into St. July Meeting. Ives. The life-boat arrived back at her Margate, Kent.—At 5.20 P.M. on the station at one next morning.—Re- 4th June, the coastguard reported that wards, £25 6s. a vessel was ashore on Margate Sands, and the motor life-boat Lord South- The following life-boats were borough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched, but no services were rendered launched at 5.40 P.M. A moderate for the reasons given : easterly breeze was blowing, with a ground swell, and it was hazy. The Anstruther, Fifeshire, and Broughty life-boat found the motor ketch Storm Ferry, Angus.—15th April. A steam Finch, of London, with six people on SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 113

By courtesy oft [Central News. LAUNCH OF THE NEWQUAY (CORNWALL) LIFE-BOAT.

By courtesy of] [Central News. RETURN OF THE NEWQUAY (CORNWALL) LIFE-BOAT. 114 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

board, aground near the North Beacon. weather was fine but a strong north- Two life-boatmen were put on board the easterly breeze was blowing, with a ketch and the life-boat then got her off heavy sea. It was decided to launch and towed her into deep water. The the pulling and sailing life-boat Arthur life-boat arrived back at her station at R. Dawes and she left at 10.13 A.M. 8 P.M.—Property Salvage Case. Four cobles were out but one got in as the life-boat was being launched. The Bridlington, Yorkshire.—On the 8th other three were escorted into safety by June the Finnish steamer Otava, of the life-boat, which then returned to Helsingfors, ran aground in a thick fog her station and was re-housed at at Tunstall, about twenty miles south 12.23 P.M.--Rewards, £7 9*. of Bridlington. She was bound for Hull with a cargo of timber, and Stromness, Orkney. — On the 25th carried a crew of sixteen. A moderate June, the steam trawler Cape Sable, of N.E. breeze was blowing with a moder- Hull, ran aground in a very dangerous ate sea. The coastguard gave news of place near Hoy Head, in a dense fog. the steamer's plight, and the motor She was homeward bound from, the life-boat Stanhope Smart was launched fishing grounds at the Faroes, and at 10 P.M. She found the Otava at 1 carried a crew of twelve. A moderate A.M. next morning, but could not get N.E. breeze was blowing with a moder- alongside until about 2.30 A.M. when ate sea. Her distress signals were the tide flowed. At the captain's heard in the fog but nothing could be request the life-boat ran out anchors, seen of her, and the motor life-boat and at 5.15 A.M. the Otava was re- J.J.K.S.W., which was launched at 4 floated with her help. Some of the A.M., searched the cliffs in the direction life-boat crew went to Hull with the of Yesnabie. Meanwhile the honorary steamer and the life-boat returned to secretary, who had been searching the her station, arriving back at 9.30 A.M. cliffs by car, received a message from a —Property Salvage Case. party of campers that the signals appeared to be coming from the direc- Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 1.5 P.M. on tion of Hoy Head. This news was the 21st June the coxswain was told by wirelessed to the life-boat, and she the coastguard that two canoes were in eventually found the Cape Sable hard difficulties in Kessingland Bay, about and fast among the rocks. The life- two and a half miles S.S.W. of the south boat ran out a kedge anchor, and stood pier. A moderate southerly gale was by until flood tide, when she managed blowing with a heavy sea. The motor to pull the trawler stern first into deep life-boat Agnes Cross was launched at water. Then, as the trawler skipper 1.18 P.M. and found that one canoe had was not acquainted with Stromness been stove in by the sea, and the harbour, a life-boatman went on board occupant, a young German, was hang- and piloted the Cape Sable into Strom- ing on to the outside of the other canoe, ness. The life-boat, which carried out the occupant of which was a German the rescue with great skill and prompt- girl, who had set out from London with ness, arrived back at the station at the intention of canoeing round the 8.30 A.M.—Property Salvage Case. British Isles. They were both taken into the life-boat, together with the girl's dog, and the man, who was in a The following life-boats were condition of collapse, was given stimu- launched, but no services were rendered lants. The canoes were then taken on for the reasons given : board and the life-boat returned to harbour, eventually reaching her station Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—7th June. A at 2 P.M.- -Rewards, £16 7*. 6d. swamped sailing boat was reported to have been seen, but only a survey Newbiggin, Northumberland.—On the buoy surmounted by a large flag could 29th June at 10.2 A.M. the coxswain be found.—Rewards, £15 8s. reported that the local cobles were in danger off St. Paul's Point, as the sea Buckie, Banffshire.—15th June. A was making and the wind rising. The local fishing boat was long overdue but SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 115 she was picked up by another fishing the rescued men ashore. A letter of boat.—Rewards, £6 13s. thanks was sent to him.—Rewards, £18 I*. Poolbeg, Co. Dublin.—16th June. A yacht capsized during a race, but Bembridge, Isle of Wight. — 27th another yacht picked up the crew. Mr. June. A vessel was on fire, but the David Plunket put off from the shore crew were saved by a steamer.—• in a motor boat and quickly brought Rewards, £13 Is.

Shoreboat Services. For which Rewards were given at the May, June and July Meetings of the Committee of Management. Skegness, Lincolnshire.—At about 5 him by artificial respiration. The sea P.M. on the 23rd April an aeroplane was smooth and no special risk was fell into the sea about two hundred incurred, but the coxswain's prompti- yards from the shore. A south- tude and practical knowledge of first- westerly breeze was blowing, with a aid undoubtedly saved the boy's life.— moderate sea. Two men swam out to Rewards, 10s. the plane, and five men put off in a motor boat. When the boat reached New Brighton, Cheshire.—Informa- the machine the pilot and the two tion was received at about 9 P.M. on the swimmers were found to be nearly 21st April, that a disabled yacht had exhausted and were taken on board. been seen in the Crosby Channel. The A passenger in the aeroplane was motor life-boat was undergoing over- trapped in the cockpit and two of the haul so the coxswain and four other motor boat's crew dived into the sea men put out in a motor pleasure boat. and tried to liberate him, but without The sea was smooth. On reaching the success. After the three men had been yacht they found that she had been landed and the machine towed into picked up by another vessel, was shallow water the passenger was got water-logged and had no one on board. out, but was then dead.—Rewards, —Rewards, £l 5s.; also allowed 3s. for two swimmers, £2 ; two of boat's crew, fuel used. £1 10s.; three of boat's crew, £l 10*. Southwold, Suffolk.—When the motor Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7 P.M. on fishing boat Victor was entering South- the 1st June, a motor cabin cruiser was wold harbour shortly before 1 P.M. on seen two miles E. by N. of Clacton the 3rd May a heavy following swell Pier flying a distress signal. The life- stopped her engine and swung her on boat was undergoing overhaul and the to a broken pile and she sank. Three coxswain and three other men went out men were on board. Two of them in a motor boat. The weather was fine, managed to find refuge on the piles. with a fresh S.E. wind blowing, and The other supported himself in the the tide was ebbing. The cruiser was water with the help of the boat's oars. the Wanderer, of Brightlingsea, to Two men saw the accident, went out in which place she was bound. She had a small rowing boat and rescued the been disabled by engine trouble, but three men. Their nets and the sunken by the time the motor boat reached her boat were recovered later.—Rewards, the engine was working again and she 15s. was able to go on her way. The motor boat accompanied her for some dis- Beaumaris, Anglesey.—On the 3rd tance and then returned ashore. Slight May a boy of about ten years of age risk was incurred by the motor boat's fell from Beaumaris Pier into the water. crew who were out for about two and a William Matthews, the life-boat cox- half hours.—Rewards, £1 10s. swain, heard his cries, put off in a rowing boat and rescued him, and Llandudno, Carnarvonshire. — At then, as he was unconscious, revived about 3.30 P.M. on the 5th June, the 116 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933. pier-master told the coxswain that a They found the yacht water-logged, boat had been driven towards the and owing to the rough sea they had Little Orme's Head. The weather was great difficulty in getting alongside. fine but a strong westerly wind had Five men were on board the yacht and sprung up and the sea was rough. The each one had to jump separately for coxswain, with two other life-boatmen, the motor boat. The rescue took an put out in his motor launch and found hour. Soon afterwards the yacht the boat partly swamped and in danger broke up and sank. The motor boat of driving ashore. He anchored, veered reached Yarmouth again and landed the launch down to the boat, and took the rescued men at 3.15 P.M.—Rewards, the three men on board. They had £8, and 6s. 6d. for fuel used. been fishing and were exhausted by their efforts to keep their boat from Newton, Northumberland.—The aux- going ashore.—Rewards, £l 2s. 6d.; iliary motor vessel Bonaventure, man- also allowed 5*. for fuel used. ned by a party of Blyth sea scouts, stranded on the rocks while attempting Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—The yacht to make Newton Haven shortly before Enid, of Ventnor, was taking part in a eleven on the night of the 17th June. race round the Isle of Wight on the The weather was fine and the sea 17th June, when she got into difficulties smooth. Three men manned the motor off the Needles in a strong westerly coble Reliance and went to her help. wind with a rough sea. Information Advice was given to the scouts and the was sent to Yarmouth at 11.45 A.M., vessel was soon refloated. The three and as the motor life-boat was away men then piloted her safely into the for overhaul the coxswain, with three haven.—Rewards, 15s., and 2s. 6d. for other men, put off in a motor boat. fuel.

The Record of a Legacy. 1,072 Lives Rescued by the Twenty James Stevens Life-boats. IN 1894 the Institution received under Port St. Mary, Isle of Man, in 1896, the will of the late Mr. James Stevens, and the last of the twenty was built in of Birmingham, a sum of £50,000, to be 1901. The last to be on service was spent on the construction of twenty the James Stevens No. 10, which was life-boats, all bearing the testator's replaced by a motor life-boat at St. name. This is the largest legacy which Ives, Cornwall, in March of the present the Institution has ever received. year. Thus there have been James The twenty life-boats were built, Stevens life-boats in the fleet for 37 eighteen being pulling and sailing life- years, and these twenty boats have boats and two steam life-boats. The rescued 1,072 lives. The following is first, the James Stevens No. 1, went to the record of the individual boats. The James Stevens Life-boats. Years of Lives Life-boat. Service. Stations. rescued. James Stevens No. 1 1896-1917 .. Port St. Mary (Isle of Man) .. 53 James Stevens No. 2 1898-1924 .. Campbeltown (Argyllshire) -i .. Hilbre Island (Cheshire) ) 49 James Stevens No. 3 1898 .. Grimsby (Lincolnshire) (Steam Life-boat) to .. Gorleston (Norfolk) 1929 .. Angle (Pembrokeshire) 54 .. Totland Bay (Isle of Wight) .. Dover (Kent) .. Holyhead (Anglesey) James Stevens No. 4 1899-1900 .. Padstow (Cornwall) .. (Steam Life-boat) SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 117

Years of Lives Life-boat. Service. . Stations. rescued. James Stevens No. 5 . . 1900-1917 . . Newquay (Cornwall) 26 James Stevens No. 6 . . 1899-1924 . . Eastbourne (Sussex) . . 34 James Stevens No. 7 . . 1899-1926 .. Howth (Co. Dublin) .. 10 James Stevens No. 8 . . 1899-1913 Ardrossan (Ayrshire) 41 James Stevens No. 9 . . 1899-1923 Southend-on-Sea (Essex) 94 James Stevens No. 10 . . 1899-1933 ' St. Ives (Cornwall) 227 James Stevens No. 11 . . 1899-1920 New Romney (Kent) 1 19 Angle (Pembrokeshire) J t-U James Stevens No. 12 . . 1899-1903 Swansea (Glamorgan) 7 James Stevens No. 13 . . 1900-1925 . . Arbroath (Angus) 12 James Stevens No. 14 . . 1900-1928 . . Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex) . . 227 James Stevens No. 15 . . 1900-1921 Wexford 124 James Stevens No. 16 . . 1900-1930 . . Helvick Head (Waterford) . . 12 James Stevens No. 17 . . 1900-1922 Porthoustock (Cornwall) 8 James Stevens No. 18 . . 1901-1931 Girvan (Ayrshire) 20 James Stevens No. 19 . . 1901-1926 . . Newburgh (Aberdeen) 53 James Stevens No. 20 . . 1901-1920 Queenstown (Cork) "

The Caister Disaster Pension Fund. AT two o'clock in the morning of 14th memorial of stone in the form of a November, 1901, the Beauchamp, the broken mast was erected on their grave No. 2 life-boat at Caister, Norfolk, was and a memorial window was placed in launched in answer to flares of distress the parish church. seen from a vessel on the Barber Sands. Six widows, thirty-three children, A whole gale was blowing, with a very three other dependent relatives and heavy sea. one partly dependent were left to be Sail was set and the life-boat made provided for if hi want. A fund was for the sands, which were dead to opened and contributions were re- windward. On nearing the sands the ceived from all over the country. coxswain stood ashore and tacked just Some £12,000 was subscribed, of which outside the surf. He tacked again and the Institution contributed £2,000. then a third time, but this time the During thirty-one years weekly boat missed stays. Twice she failed to allowances have been paid to the come round, and was now in the dependants out of this fund, of which breakers close to the beach. Her bow Mr. H. Chamberlin, notary public of struck. At the same moment a very Great Yarmouth, has been the honorary heavy sea caught her and turned her secretary since the beginning, while the right over. Her masts were broken actual distribution of the allowances off short and the crew pinned beneath has been made by the successive her. Of the twelve men on board only rectors of Caister. three were saved, and these three by The final meeting of the committee the efforts of James Haylett, ex- of the fund was held on 23rd November, coxswain of the life-boat, a man of 1932, with the Mayor of Great Yar- seventy-eight, and his son Frederick mouth presiding, and the audited Haylett, who both rushed into the accounts for the previous year showed surf and dragged them out. It was that the fund would be exhausted by one of the most terrible of life-boat Christmas, 1932. The position of the disasters, but made memorable by the fund was then brought to the no.tice of heroism of James Haylett, who was the Institution. awarded the Institution's gold medal. Six persons were still receiving help Two of his sons and one grandson were from it. Two were widows of men who among the dead. had lost their lives in the disaster. One of the nine bodies was carried Another was the eldest daughter of a away by the sea, but the other eight member of the crew who was a widower, were buried in Caister Cemetery. A and as she had brought up her eleven 118 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933. brothers and sisters, she was from the father was rescued, injured, the son, beginning treated by the fund as the a boy of nineteen, who was taking " widow " of her father. Two others part in his first life-boat service, was were a sister and a daughter of members drowned. of the crew. The sixth had himself The Institution has undertaken to been a life-boatman for forty-seven continue the pensions and allowances years. He was not in the life-boat to these six, all of whom had suffered at the time of the disaster, but his bereavement and loss through the father and son were on board. The disaster.

First Aid for the Shipwrecked. A NEW division of the St. John Ambu- out in the life-boat on service to give lance Brigade has been formed at aid to a man who was known to be Brixham, where it will work in conjunc- injured, and has instructed the life-boat tion with the Torbay life-boat, turning crew in first aid. It was as a result of out whenever the life-boat receives a the proposals of the Devon commis- call, and standing by to give first aid to sioner that the same system of co- any among the shipwrecked or life-boat operation was extended in 1926 to the crew who may come ashore injured. majority of the life-boat stations, which For a number of years there has been work in conjunction with the St. John very close co-operation between the Ambulance Brigade and the British life-boat station and the local division Red Cross Society in England and of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at Wales, and with the St. Andrew's Plymouth, where the Brigade's county Ambulance Association in Scotland.* commissioner for Devon deals person- • See articles " First Aid for the Shipwrecked," In The lA/e-boattor September, 1926, and Decem- ally with all shipwreck calls, has been ber, 1931.

Inaugural Ceremonies of Motor Life-boats. Holyhead, Skegness, Fleetwood, St. Ives, and Anstruther. THE inaugural ceremony of the new were flooded. Her speed is just under motor life-boat stationed at Holyhead 9 knots, which, having regard to her (Anglesey), took place on 13th June, speed-length ratio, is equivalent to a in the presence of some 2,000 people. speed of nearly 35 knots in a vessel There has been a life-boat station at the size of the Mauretania. She carries Holyhead since 1828, and since 1850 enough petrol to be able to travel 120 its life-boats have rescued 881 lives. miles, at full speed, without refuelling. For thirty-one years Holyhead had a She carries a crew of eight, and in steam life-boat. This was replaced rough weather can take 100 people on in 1928 by a 45 feet motor life-boat of board. She has a cabin, a line-throw- the Watson (cabin) type. The follow- ing gun, and an electric search-light, ing year this motor life-boat was is lighted throughout with electricity, replaced by a Barnett (Stromness) and is fitted with an oil-spray in the motor life-boat, the largest and most bows to make smooth the water round powerful type which the Institution is the wreck. now building. The new boat is 51 feet The boat has been built out of a by 13 feet 6 inches. On service, with legacy from the late Captain William crew and gear on board, she weighs A. Dobie, of Ryde, Isle of Wight, and 26 J tons. She is divided into seven the engines out of a gift from Mr. G. W. water-tight compartments, and is fitted Hayes, of Basingstoke. with 160 air-cases. She has twin Lord Stanley of Aldeiiey presided at screws, and is driven by two 60 h.p. the ceremony; and in the absence, engines. The engine-room is a water- through illness, of Commodore Sir tight compartment, and each engine is Richard Williams-Bulkeley, Bt., itself water-tight, so that it could con- K.C.B., R.N.R., a vice-president of tinue running even if the engine-room the Institution and president of the SEPTEMBER, 1983.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 119 Anglesey branch, Lord Stanley also thanks to Mr. Haslam was proposed by presented the boat to the branch on Mr. S. Moody, J.P., chairman of the behalf of the donor and the Institution. branch, and seconded by Mr. C. H. Commander Gregory Stapleton, R.N., Major. The singing at the ceremony chairman of the branch, accepted the was led by the choir of St. Matthew's life-boat. She was dedicated by the Church, accompanied by the Skegness Rev. T. J. Rowlands, M.A., B.D., Town Band. vicar of Holyhead, assisted by the Rev. H. D. Hughes, and Margaret, Fleetwood, Lancashire. Lady Stanley of Alderley named the The motor life-boat Sir Fitzroy life-boat A.E.D. Clayton, named after Col. Sir Fitzroy Lady Magdalen Williams-Bulkeley Clayton, K.C.V.O., the deputy-chair- then presented the inscribed barometer man of the Institution from 1883 to awarded by the Institution to Mr. 1908 and chairman from 1908 until his John Lewis, the honorary secretary of death in 1915, which was previously the branch, in recognition of his ser- stationed at Newhaven, Sussex, has vices for over thirty years. A vote of now been transferred to Fleetwood, thanks to Lord Stanley and, Margaret, Lancashire. She is a self-righting life- boat, 38 feet by 9 feet 9 inches, with a Lady Stanley was proposed by Admiral 35 h.p. engine, giving her a speed of Sir Percy Grant, K.C.V.O., C.B., and 7 knots, and while she was at New- seconded by Captain Ivor Roberts, haven, from 1912 to 1930, she rescued O.B.E. The singing at the ceremony 108 lives. was accompanied by the band of the The inaugural ceremony at Fleetwood Boys' Institute. was held on 1st July, in the presence Skegness, Lincolnshire. of between 3,000 and 4,000 people. The Skegness (Lincolnshire) ceremony The motor life-boat from Piel (Barrow) took place on 17th June, in the presence and the pulling and sailing life-boat of thousands of people. Skegness has from Blackpool came over for the had a, life-boat station since before ceremony. Lieut-Col. C. R. Satter- 1825, and this is now the only life-boat thwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the station on the Lincolnshire coast. Its Institution, presented the boat to the life-boats have rescued 147 lives. The branch, and in the unavoidable absence motor life-boat, which has replaced a of Captain Lord Stanley, M.C., M.P., pulling and sailing life-boat, is of the patron of the branch, she was received light Liverpool type, specially designed by Mr. A. Lever, deputy-chairman of to be launched off a carriage or the the branch. The service of dedication open beach. A full description of this was conducted by the Rev. J. W. Marsh, type appears on page 122. vicar of Fleetwood, and the singing of This boat has been built out of a the hymns was accompanied by the legacy from the late Mrs. Anne Allen, British Legion Band. of Spalding, Lincolnshire. A vote of thanks to Lieut.-Col. Mr. Henry Haslam, Sc.D., M.P. for Satterthwaite was proposed by Mr. A. Horncastle, presided, and the life-boat Lever, the deputy-chairman of the was presented to the branch by Sir branch, and seconded by Mrs. J. W. Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the Dandy, acting-president of the Fleet- Institution. Mr. Haslam received her wood Ladies' Life-boat Guild ; and a on behalf of the branch. The service vote of thanks to the Fleetwood branch of dedication was conducted by the was proposed by Councillor A. J. Rev. Canon Morris, M.A., Rector of Priestley, J.P., chairman of the Fleet- Skegness, and the Right Hon. the Earl wood Urban District Council. of Yarborough, P.C., J.P., Lord-Lieu- tenant and Vice-Admiral of Lincoln- St. Ives, Cornwall. shire, named the life-boat Anne Allen. The inaugural ceremony of the St. A vote of thanks to Lord Yarborough Ives motor life-boat took place on was proposed by Mr. Walter Hudson, 6th July, in the presence of some 5,000 J.P., C.C., chairman of the Skegness people. St. Ives has had a life-boat Urban District Council, and seconded station since 1840, and since 1850 its by Mr. George G. Dunkley, honorary life-boats have rescued 363 lives. The secretary of the branch ; and a vote of motor life-boat, which has replaced a 120 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1983. pulling and sailing life-boat, is of the Guppy, honorary secretary of the light, self-righting type, specially de- branch, and seconded by Mrs. George signed for launching off a carriage or Pearce, joint honorary secretary of the the open beach. She is 35 feet 6 inches St. Ives Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The by 9 feet 3 inches, and on service, with singing of the hymns was led by a crew and gear on board, she weighs united choir and accompanied by the 6f tons. She is divided into six St. Ives Town Band. The cost of the water-tight compartments, and is fitted ceremony was generously defrayed by with 115 air-cases. If a sea breaks on the St. Ives Town Council. board she can free herself in twelve seconds, and if she were capsized, even Anstruther (Fifeshire). with a hole in her bottom, she could right herself in four seconds. She has The inaugural ceremony of the new one screw, driven by a 35 h.p. engine in Anstruther motor life-boat took place a water-tight compartment. The en- on 21st July in the presence of some gine itself is water-tight, so that it 7,000 people. Anstruther has had a could continue running even if the life-boat station since 1865 and its engine-room were flooded. Her speed life-boats have rescued sixty-four lives. is 7| knots, and she carries enough The new boat, which replaces a pulling petrol to be able to travel 116 miles and sailing life-boat, is of the light without refuelling. She carries a crew Liverpool type, a full description of of seven, and can take thirty people which appears on page 122. She has on board in rough weather. been built out of a legacy from the late She has been provided out of two Mr. Neil Robertson, of Pitlochry. legacies, one from the late Miss Caro- Sir Ralph Anstruther, Bt., Lord line Parsons, of Edinburgh, and the Lieutenant of Fifeshire and president other from the late Mrs. Elizabeth Noy, of the branch, presided, and the new of St. Ives, whose legacy was left to boat was presented to the branch by provide the engine for a motor life- the Duke of Montrose, C.B., C.V.O., boat to be stationed at St. Ives. V.D., LL.D., a vice-president of the The Mayor of St. Ives (Alderman Institution and chairman of the Scot- C. G. Warren), chairman of the branch, tish Life-boat Council. Provost W. W. and the Mayoress presided. Sir God- Carstairs received the boat on. behalf of frey Baring, Bt., chairman of the the branch, and she was dedicated by Institution, presented the life-boat to the Rev. J. A. Paterson, B.D., senior the branch, and expressed his regret minister of the United Burgh. Mrs. that Mr. Phineas Bell Brander, Miss Miles Stapylton-Smith, a relative of Parsons's trustee and executor, was the donor, then named the life-boat unable to be present at the ceremony. Nellie and Charlie. The boat was received by the Mayor of The Duke of Montrose presented to St. Ives, and the ceremony of dedica- Coxswain William Sutherland the cox- tion was conducted by the Rev. swain's certificate of service awarded Canon F. S. Marsh, vicar of St. Ives, to him by the Institution on his retire- assisted by the Rev. H. Marsden, the ment this year after thirty years of Mayor's chaplain. The Mayoress then service as coxswain. A vote of thanks named the life-boat Caroline Parsons. to Mrs. Miles Stapylton-Smith was Sir Godfrey Baring presented a proposed by Lady Nairn, president of certificate won by a pupil of the local the Elie Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and a county school in the life-boat essay vote of thanks to the president and competition. A vote of thanks to the others by Commander the Hon. A. D. Mayor and Mayoress and Sir Godfrey Cochrane, D.S.O., M.P., vice-chairman Baring, Bt., was proposed by Captain of the Scottish Life-boat Council.

The G.P.O. Jokes. THE honorary secretary of the Porth- ing the copy of an agreement for a dinllaen life-boat station has been telephone, to find his occupation given, both surprised and amused, on receiv- as " prevention of life from shipwreck." SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 121

Life-boat Calendar and Christmas Card.

CROMER SERVICE TO THE " MONTE NEVOSO" OCT. 14th, 15th and 16th, 1932 From a painting by Mr. Charles Dixon, R.I.

THE Institution is again issuing in the including an envelope with each calen- autumn a life-boat calendar for the dar. It will weigh, in the envelope, New Year and a life-boat Christmas just under 4 ounces, so that it can be card. sent through the post, with the envelope The calendar will have on it a open, for Id. reproduction in colours of a picture by Mr. Charles Dixon, R.I., of the rescue The Christmas Card. by the Cromer motor life-boat of the The Christmas card will be a four- crew of twenty-eight men of the page card with a reproduction in Italian steamer Monte Nevoso in colours of the same picture. The October, 1932. This was one of the card will have the Institution's crest two outstanding services of the year. inside and Christmas and New Year Coxswain Henry Blogg was awarded greetings, but no other printing. The the silver medal for it, and each price will be Sd. each, including the member of the Cromer crew the thanks envelope. of the Institution inscribed on vellum. Those who wish to order calendars The calendar, as in previous years, and cards can do so at once, and they will have the record of lives saved will receive them at the end of Novem- printed on the front and other particu- ber or the beginning of December. lars on the back. They should apply to the Secretary, It will be 11J inches long by 9 inches Royal National Life-boat Institution, wide, and can be obtained from the 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I., Institution in any quantity, post free, and should enclose with their order a Is. each, or 10s. a dozen, this price postal order or stamps. 122 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

Motor Life-boats of the Institution. No. 5.—The 35 feet 6 inches Liverpool Type.

As described in the article in the last the same length as the light self-righter, issue of The Life-boat on the 35 feet 35 feet 6 inches, but has 9 inches more 6' inches self-righting type of motor beam, being 10 feet broad, and is life-boat, the Institution was engaged slightly heavier. On service with crew from 1921 to 1929 in experiments on a and gear on board she weighs 7 tons. motor life-boat which should be suffi- She is built with a double skin of ciently light for it to be possible to mahogany, keel of teak, ribs of Cana- launch her off a carriage or the open dian rock-elm, stem and stern posts of beach. This boat was self-righting. English oak, and air-cases of Columbian As soon as the experiments were red cedar, which is now being used completed, and it was possible to build instead of white deal as being a lighter life-boats of this type in numbers, the wood. She is divided into six water- Institution set itself to design another tight compartments and is fitted with life-boat which should have the same 129 air-cases. She has eighteen reliev- advantage of lightness, but be of the ing scuppers and these can free her more stable type which does not self- entirely of water in 20 seconds. right. Such a type was essential, as at She has the same engine as the light a number of stations the crews prefer self-righter. It is a 6-cylinder high- a life-boat which, though it does not speed engine running at 3,300 revo- self-right, is less likely to capsize. lutions a minute, as compared with The first of the new light type, called 1,200 revolutions a minute in the 60 the Liverpool type, was completed in h.p. and 40 h.p. engines used in the 1931 and stationed at Hoylake. She is larger types of life-boat. It develops 35'-6' > 10'-0' LIVERPOOL TYPE MOTOR LIFEBOAT GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 124 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

35 h.p. with a combined self-contained under 3£ gallons an hour at full speed, reduction and reverse gear, giving a so that she can travel 106 miles at full propeller speed of 900 revolutions a speed without refuelling. minute. The engine is water-tight, The boat is fitted with a drop keel, and would continue running even when and carries a fore lug and jib which entirely submerged, for the air-intakes can be used either with the engine are well above the water-line even when running or as auxiliary power in the the boat herself is water-logged. event of any failure of the engine. The maximum speed is 7|- knots, She carries a crew of from seven to and, as with all the Institution's motor ten men and in rough weather can take life-boats, there is a great reserve of forty-five people on board. power, so that the maximum speed can There are motor life-boats of this be maintained even in very severe type at Hoylake (Cheshire), Anstruther weather. (Fifeshire), Skegness (Lincolnshire), The boat carries 48 gallons of petrol, Weston-super-Mare (Somerset) and and the engine's consumption is just Runswick (Yorkshire).

A Life-boat Exhibition. THROUGH the kindness of Underground sent was also shown by the exhibits of Railways the Institution held a life-boat the old cork and the present kapok exhibition in the booking hall at the life-belts and life-buoys; the leaded Charing Cross Underground Station, cane and heaving line, which was at London, which was open to the public one time the only method of throwing for over a fortnight, starting on May a line from the life-boat to a vessel in 18th, and closing after the Whitsuntide distress, and the modern line-throwing holiday, on June 5th. This life-boat gun; the old sound-signal mortar which exhibition was the fortieth exhibition fired a black powder charge to summon to be held in this booking hall. The the life-boat crew, and the modern Underground Railways provided not mortar which fires a maroon. only the site, but lighting, electric power Various parts of a modern life-boat and policing, without charge to the and its equipment were shown, includ- Institution. ing relieving and scupper valves, air- The exhibits were chosen and ar- cases, the bow-pudding, the largest and ranged in such a way as to show the smallest propellers, the propeller shaft public how the life-boat service does its and tube with its oil bath, a search- work, the changes which have been light and a drogue. made in it since the Institution was In another section were parts of the founded 109 years ago, and the latest modern life-boat engine—cylinder heads developments of mechanical power. of the largest and smallest engines, It included a series of models of life- the six-cylinder 80 h.p. and the six- boats, from , the first life-boat, the cylinder 35 h.p.; carburettors of four- Original, built in 1789, propelled by cylinder and six-cylinder 40 h.p. and oars, made buoyant with cork, and 60 h.p. engines ; the instrument panel emptied of water by baling, to the of a motor life-boat; the Austinlite modern motor life-boat with its two set used both in boats and boat-houses water-tight engines, air-cases, relieving for charging and lighting; the capsizing valves, cabin, searchlight, and line- switch used in self-righting life-boats throwing gun. The models also in- to cut off the engine if the boat should cluded two launching slipways, a capsize, in order to prevent her, when life-boat carriage, and a model of a self- she rights herself, from running on righting life-boat in a tank, which the and leaving her crew in the water; public were asked to capsize for them- and the capsizing valve used in the selves in order to see the promptness same boats to cut off the petrol if with which a life-boat will right herself the boat should capsize, to prevent the and clear herself of water. petrol from being spilt into the bilges The contrast between past and pre- out of the carburettor. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 125

THE LIFE-BOAT EXHIBITION AT CHARING CROSS UNDERGROUND STATION May 18th-June 5th, 1933.

By courtesy of Underground Railways. THE EXHIBITS.

By courtesy of] {Underground Railways. THE EXHIBITION OPEN. (See opposite page.) 126 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

There were also a number of paintings It is impossible to say how many and photographs of wrecks, rescues and people visited the exhibition, but famous coxswains. 15,500 programmes of the exhibits, All these exhibits attracted much besides large numbers of leaflets, were attention, but those which had always distributed. the largest numbers round them were No collecting-boxes were allowed three working models. Two showed to be displayed, but as numbers of the life-boats tossing beside wrecks in people after seeing the exhibition the middle of stormy nights, and the wished to give, it was found neces- third showed a ship sinking and the sary to have a collecting-box ready. life-boat going out to her rescue just Over sixteen pounds was contributed in time to take off her crew before she in this way without any appeal being disappeared. made.

A Hythe Life-boat Play. LAST February, as already reported in the coxswain. He is heard to answer : The Life-boat, the Hythe life-boat crew " What, on a night like this ? Expect gave an entertainment. It was their us to go out in this weather ? " Every- second. The first had taken place two body jumps up, thinking that the call years before. It had been modestly has come at last, until the coxswain called a concert, but proved to be such explains that it is only someone in the an original and successful entertain- Hillcrest Road, who wants a small ment, including a life-boat rescue, that whiting. it is not surprising that the crew have So the rehearsal continues (except been persuaded to give another. This for another interruption; this time by year's entertainment was as successful the police to enquire if anyone is ill), as the first. It was a life-boat play in until, just as the whole company has two acts and four scenes called " Days finished the chorus of "The Ship I in the Life of a Life-boatman." The Love," there comes a message from the honorary secretaries and crew took Sandgate coastguard of a ship in urgent part (with the help of two ladies), all need of help. The crew rush off. One cheerfully making fun of themselves of the crew rushes back to finish his and one another, and presenting a very beer. The curtain falls. entertaining and high-spirited bur- lesque of how a life-boat station carries A Rescue. on. The centre-piece was again a The next scene shows the launch presentation (without burlesque) of a and the wreck and the rescue. The rescue on a stormy night. stage directions for this scene must We should have liked to be able to be given in full. publish the whole amusing book of the " Storm at its height. The maroons play. As there is not space to do that, are sounded. a short account must suffice. " Curtain rises, and crew are at sea The opening scene shows the crew at pulling on haul-off warp with life-boat the house of one of the honorary rocking as she would do in a heavy sea. secretaries, rehearsing an entertain- When boat is in the centre of stage ment which they intend to give at the haul-off warp is cast overboard, sea is Hythe Institute. They discuss what moving as in a whole gale, and the they shall do and the songs they will spray (rice) is continually sweeping the sing. Suggestions are made, and the boat. Dunge lighthouse is seen to be crew have to remind one another that passed after about ten minutes. Then the mayor, and even the vicar, may be a heavy blizzard of sleet. Thunder and present at the Institute. The night is lightning is continuous. Suddenly a very stormy and a summons for the flare is shown (near the ceiling) and the life-boat is expected at any moment. bowman calls: ' There she is ! ' There are continual interruptions. At " Curtain is lowered for one minute. length there comes a telephone-call for " Curtain rises and shows two men SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 127

THE HYTHE MOTOR LIFE-BOAT.

LAUNCHING BY HAUL-OFF WARP. The Haul-off Warp is used at nineteen stations, where the life-boats are launched off the open beach. It is a very effective method of getting the life-boat through the inshore breakers which might otherwise knock her back on the beach

OVER THE FIRST SEA. 128 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933. clinging to a mast, the life-boat comes to all concerned, enquiring if the cox- in (still rocking) and gets alongside the swain, who has lost five boat-house wreck, and the shipwrecked men are keys in twelve months, keeps a tame brought into the life-boat by a breeches- ostrich, and if the great increase in the buoy in the usual way. The coxswain consumption of the Institution's petrol then shouts: ' Full speed astern'; life- means that the honorary secretary boat reverses, and mast of wreck has set up a car of his own. These crashes into the sea amidst a cloud of complaints are received by the crew spray. The coxswain shouts: ' Just in with laughter. time.'" The preparations for life-boat day That the actual performance was as continue, and original songs are sung. thrilling as the stage directions for it Paint is the subject of one. Love is the is vouchsafed by those who were subject of another. But the song of present. One of the audience, writing the act is one called " When I have of it in the Hythe Reporter, said: "I been to a shipwreck," with the pathetic could almost imagine myself standing opening chorus, sung by the whole on the shore with the spray from the crew pulling on the haul-off warp : mountainous waves dashing in my face " Now when we have been to a ship- —my waterproof drawn tightly up to wreck, my chin." No matter if early or late, After the Storm. There's trouble at hand when we get After the storm the (comparative) back to land, calm. The second act shows the life- For troubles' the life-boatman's boat on the following morning, decor- mate." ated with flags. The crew are getting Two performances of the play were her ready for life-boat day. Collectors given, and by an ironic and unfortunate hurry about the stage. One of the chance there was a blizzard on each honorary secretaries appears with a night, which kept many people away. letter of complaint from headquarters. In spite of that the entertainment He reads it out. It is most libellous raised nearly £50.

Life-boat Essay Competition. Presentation of Prizes in Greater London. THE challenge shield and individual The two challenge shields presented prizes won by Greater London schools by General Seely had been won by in the Life-boat Essay Competition Violet Berryman, of St. Luke's School, this year were presented by Major- Paddington, and Gordon Groves, of General the Right Hon. J. E. B. Portland Senior Boys' School, South Seely, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. (now Lord Norwood. Mottistone), a vice-president of the Institution, and coxswain of the Brook, General Seely's Address. Isle of Wight, life-boat, at the Caxton After presenting the prizes General Hall, Westminster, on 14th June. Seely said : General Seely at the same time pre- I see on the agenda, as it is called, a sented the challenge shield and some speech by General Seely, but I will be of the individual prizes for the South- very brief, because it is much better to East of England. sing songs, as we are going to do, than The Mayor of Westminster (the Rev. to listen to speeches. I have only to E. St. G. Schomberg) again presided, say that I am very glad again to be supported by the Mayoress, Mr. B. allowed to present these prizes. I have Bracken, M.P. for North Paddington, read some of the essays, and what members of the committee of manage- touched me most was the one by the ment and Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satter- little girl who felt she could not really thwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the In- be a life-boatman. She said : " You stitution. see, unfortunately I was born a girl, SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 129

and I do not suppose I could ever However, off you go, if you are lucky. become a man." Do you know, the It is a great thrill. A big wave comes girls write about life-boats just as well along—and perhaps you are about a as the boys. It is a very close thing; quarter of a mile out. " Here comes a 155 girls have won prizes and 158 boys, big 'un," says the cox. (I am acting so that you girls can say to yourselves, cox now.) Up you go, ever so high, if it comes to writing about a life-boat: almost the height of this room. Then " We can do it just as well as these you come down with a smash on to a mere men," and, if that little girl is rock. Our late cox used to say to me : listening to me, I hope she will take " I 'low, Mr. John, we had better have heart of grace and be very glad that our teeth screwed in tighter next time," she was born a girl. because you really do feel as if all your teeth are being knocked out by the THE WORK OF WOMEN. force of the blow. You would think it I have been a life-boatman for a impossible to build a motor which great part of my life, not from any would stand that kind of shock, but merit of my own, but because I live in I think we have done it now. So I so small a place that, unless everybody hope next time you come—perhaps not who knows anything at all about pulling next year, but the year after—to write an oar goes into the boat, we could not a life-boat essay, you will be able to manage; so, of course, I have to be describe how we progressed first to one, whether I like it or not, but I do motor life-boats and then to little like it and am proud to be one. Very motors to help to propel the pulling often we could not launch a boat if it and sailing life-boats, which, up to now were not for the women and even the and at present, have to be manned girls. Everybody has to pull at critical solely by man power and sail power. times in order to get the boat afloat, and there is no distinction between men THE HELP OF THE WHOLE NATION. and women, except that I do not think All this costs a great deal of money, we have ever had a woman " life- so when you get home to your parents, boatman "; but please let us remember if you find they are feeling very rich that the girls are likely to do as great to-night, I hope you will tell them that service as are the boys. (Applause.) any little they can spare for the life- When.I first joined the service, which boats is very urgently needed. It is was thirty-three years ago, there were not so much that we want their sub- no motor boats. Now, more than half scriptions, but we want you and them the life-boats round the coast are motor to know that, owing to these develop- life-boats, great big things, some of ments, it is really essential that we which cost as much as £10,000, and should keep up our income. wonderful work they do; and the life I do not think we shall see the time in a motor life-boat is just as hard as —even the youngest of you—when we in a pulling and sailing one. The boat shall be able to slacken our efforts in to which I belong is still a pulling and the life-boat cause. It is a great cause, sailing life-boat. It is a very good as all the essays have pointed out. It boat; it has saved several hundreds of is a splendid thing to be privileged to lives, and I hope it will save several take part in a life-saving service. It hundreds more. There are still over has all the advantages of war in bring- fifty of these pulling and sailing life- ing out courage and self-sacrifice, with boats, but we hope to be able to put none of its drawbacks. The pity of it motors into all those in which they is that you cannot all be life-boatmen will really work even under the sort of and life-boatwomen, but the life-boats conditions that prevail in these boats. depend upon the interest of our whole What happens is this. It is a people in this great service. You, stormy night; you cannot possibly my dear children, have contributed in see the rocks, because, very likely, a real degree to the welfare of the life- many of them are awash ; and if you boat cause and the men who man the could see them you would not be able life-boats by taking an interest in it to avoid them, because the swirl of the and writing these admirable essays. sea sends you this way and that way. I cordially congratulate all the prize- 130 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

winners and all the schools from which Mr. Frederick Woodhouse then sang they come, and I hope, as you grow up, five sea songs: " Ye Gentlemen of you will not altogether forget the time England," "Sea Fever," "Spanish when you were told quite truly by an Ladies," " A-roving " and " Fire Down acting coxswain of a life-boat that the Below." efforts you made to familiarize your- A vote of thanks to General Seely, selves with" the life-boat service and to the Mayor and Mr. Woodhouse was write a little story about it was of real proposed by Mr. Bracken and seconded and permanent value to the life-boat by Mr. C.' G. Ammon, a member _of the cause and the life-boatmen. (Applause.) committee of management.1^ 3

Old Age and the Life-boat Service. Helpers of 79, 86, 94, 98 and 102. REFERENCE has been made before in from a lady in Beckenham, Kent, now The Life-boat to the way in which old aged 94, gifts of woollen mufflers for age continues to help the life-boats. the crews. There are five more very touching A lady collector in Surrey, who examples of such service. celebrated her 98th birthday in A Croydon lady 79 years old has sent April, writes : "I have been trying the institution a parcel of woollen for some time to get a larger sum mufflers for the life-boat crews, which than enclosed, but I cannot write the was " part of her lenten work." letters and in these hard times people The institution has recently awarded are not giving so much." (The sum its record of thanks and a lifeboat- sent was larger than in the previous man's statuette to Mrs. Tucker, widow year.) of the late signalman at Moelfre, A lady in Dumfriesshire has doubled Anglesey, who has been a collector for her subscription because, so she writes: forty years and still continues her work " I am now in my 103rd year and feel at the age of 86. how uncertain next year's subscription Each year the institution receives must be."

A Village Life-boat Day. (From Country Life.) THERE was a sound of men's voices such a heart-whole acceptance of the singing, calls and cries, laughter and personal side of benevolence, such the ringing of a bell; everyone went to readiness to accept the conviction that the windows. Through the new green to help is everybody's business. leaves one could see in the road a little The very value of what they were group of men and girls and children ; doing gave one pause. Surely this some of the men wore oilskins and service is one that should be the respon- sou'westers. There was a big cart, a sibility of the Government ? It should coal cart, with its forepart tricked out not wait for its continuance on private to look like the bow of a life-boat, and benevolence. What has a drowning a small blue motor car, driven by a man to do with carnival ? And the fair-haired boy in yellow oilskins, had second wave of thought carried one run up a mast with a flapping lugsail farther. This, in common with all the and on it the letters R.N.L.I. Men greatest of the agencies that humanity and girls passed in and out of sunny has erected for the relief of suffering, front gardens rattling collecting boxes must remain a personal matter, for and held them up to windows where no Government department could laughing faces had looked out. It was carry on their work as it is carried a tiny carnival, quickly over, but it left on now. One has only to think of a picture in the mind, and the thought what the life-boat service achieves to —making one not sad, but grave—of know that any such change must how much life for us all owes to just cripple it. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 131

The Fishwives of Cullercoats. THE fishwives of Cullercoats, North- when the collection amounted to umberland, carried out their twelfth £199. Mrs. Polly Donkin, who is now annual collection on behalf of the seventy-six years old, was again, as Institution, on 5th August, when the in every previous year, the most Cullercoats life-boat had its quarterly successful collector, with over £73. road exercise and launch. The col- The fishwives of Cullercoats have lection was again a great success, now collected in twelve years over the amount collected being £167. £1,572, of which Mrs. Donkin's share This was an increase on last year of is £501, or very nearly a third of the £15, but the record year is still 1931, total.

Coxswain Henry Blogg and "Monte.5 THE photograph on page 132 shows life-boat crew found that two dogs had Coxswain Henry Blogg, of Cromer, with been abandoned on board. One, a a dog which he rescued from the Italian St. Bernard, they were able to take off, steamer Monte Nevoso on 16th October but the other, a small dog, refused to of last year. Coxswain Blogg received let itself be caught, and had to be the Institution's silver medal for this left behind. For the rescue of the service, in which thirty lives were res- dog Coxswain Blogg was awarded the cued.1 On returning to the wreck the silver medal of the Canine Defence League. He has adopted the dog and 1 For a full account see The Life-loot for November, 1932. called it Monte.

District Conference : Greater London. A CONFERENCE of honorary workers discussed : " The Organization of from branches in the Greater London Branch Areas by Wards," by Mr. district was held at Life-boat House J. H. Ford, honorary secretary of on 21st June. Representatives from the Hornsey branch, and " Different sixteen branches and guilds were Methods of Obtaining Subscriptions," present, and Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., by Air Vice-Marshal Sir Oliver Swann, chairman of the Institution, presided, a member of the Chelsea branch supported by Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satter- committee. thwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the Insti- In the afternoon many of the dele- tution, and the district organizing sec- gates visited the Institution's store- retary. Sir Godfrey Baring welcomed yard at Poplar, where they saw the the delegates and thanked them for reserve fleet of life-boats, the work- the generous help which the London shops and stores, and also the arrange- branches had again given during the ments for the custody, reconditioning past year. Two papers were read and and issue of Jife-boat day supplies.

A Hundred Threepenny Bits. A POLICEMAN on point-duty in Brid- the life-boat. I have saved it up." lington, Yorkshire, one day last June, She then ran away. When the envelope had an envelope thrust into his hand was opened a hundred threepenny bits by a woman, who said : " That is for (£1 5s.) were found inside. 132 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

By courtesy of] [P. 4. Vicary, Cramer. COXSWAIN HENRY BLOGG AND " MONTE." (See previous page.)

MRS. POLLY DONKIN, OF CULLERCOATS. The fishwife who has collected £501 in 12 years. (See previous page.) SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 133

The Death of Two Vice-Presidents. The Viscount Burnham, G.C.M.G., C.H., T.D., and the Right Hon. the Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.G., P.C. BY the death of the Viscount Burnham, centenary celebrations at Boulmer, G.C.M.G., C.H., T.D., on 20th July and, in a memorable speech, had paid last, and the death of the Right Hon. a tribute to the Institution's work and the Viscount Grey of Fallodon, K.G., the voluntary spirit by which it is P.C., on 7th September, the Institution maintained. It is right that in this has lost two of its most distinguished last tribute to his own work for the vice-presidents. life-boat service those words should be When Lord Burnham became a recalled. vice-president in 1923 he had already shown his interest in the work of the We have had in this country, as we ought Institution. He presided at the annual to have, an efficient organization all around our coast for extending help to those who meeting in 1920, and there he recalled may be shipwrecked. That has been done that it was " one of the proudest in a manner so efficient and so public-spirited recollections and traditions of the paper that we are rightly proud of it. It has been with which he was associated," the done without any pecuniary assistance from Daily Telegraph, that it was among the the Government, without any organization from the Government. It has been done by first to " draw attention to the high the pervading local energy and public spirit. service and splendid record of the It has been done, in other words, by private Institution and those who serve it." enterprise and voluntary service. . . . The British Empire does not owe its existence to By his personal support, and by the Government agency, but to the unofficial constant and generous support of the enterprise and energy of the British people; newspaper which for so many years he and the Royal National Life-boat Institution owned and directed, Lord Burnham is pre-eminently one of those things which has been efficiently done, and which, I trust, will gave invaluable help to the Institution, always be done by local effort and voluntary which will always be gratefully remem- service. . . . It is being done with a maximum bered. of harmony and good-will and good spirit The Institution was represented at among all connected with it. ... If only we could have through all national affairs, and his funeral by Major A. D. Burnett through all international affairs, that sort of Brown, M.C., the deputy-secretary. spirit which distinguishes the life-boat service —all people feeling that in the interest of Lord Grey of Fallodon. common humanity what they needed most to-day was to help each other—then instead Lord Grey of Fallodon became a of fighting each other the peoples of the world vice-president in 1930, and he was would very nearly have approached the generously ready to give the Institution millennium. the great help of his presence and support at life-boat functions in his The Institution was represented at own county of Northumberland. His the memorial service to Lord Grey, last public appearance for the life-boat held in Westminster Abbey, by Lieut.- service was at the inaugural ceremony Col. C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., of the Boulmer motor life-boat in its secretary, and at the memorial September, 1931, when, on behalf of service in St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Institution, he presented the life- Newcastle, by Captain W. J. Oliver, boat to the branch. Six years, before M.C., organizing secretary for the Lord Grey had taken part in the North-East of England.

Safety Week. DURING the summer and autumn a life-boat stations where a " week " number of " Safety Weeks " have been was arranged the honorary secretaries held, organized by the National Safety were asked, if possible, to carry out Week Council and the National Safety exercise launches of their life-boats First Association. In all districts with during the "week." 134 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1983.

Four Distinguished Coxswains. Richard Roberts, of Deal, William Cooper, of Ramsgate, Frederick John Eagles, of Plymouth, John Crocombe, of Lynmouth. THE Institution has lost by death members of her crew injured. A little during the last four months four later the Ramsgate life-boat again put distinguished ex-coxswains of life-boats. out. The Sibiria's decks were now Two were men of Kent and two men of nearly under water, but the gale had Devon. moderated, and the Ramsgate life-boat reached the Sands for the second time Richard Roberts, of Deal. to find that the fifty-two men of the Ex-Coxswain Richard Roberts, of steamer's crew had just been rescued Deal, Kent, died on 8th August, in his by the Kingsdown life-boat. For this 95th year. His wife, who is also in her service Coxswain Cooper was awarded 95th year, survives him. Born in the Institution's silver medal. He was 1839, he served as second-coxswain at also presented with a gold watch by the famous North Deal station for the President of the United States for twenty years, from 1865 to 1885. He his share in another gallant service to was then appointed coxswain, and as an American vessel wrecked on the such served for another twenty-two Goodwins. This was the s.s. Piave, years, retiring in 1907 at the age of 68. with a crew of ninety-six men, which Thus, for forty-two years he was an was driven on the sands in a gale in officer of the life-boat, and during that January, 1919. Twenty-nine were time 441 lives were rescued from ship- rescued by the North Deal life-boat, wreck. Coxswain Roberts was awarded twenty-three by the Ramsgate life- the silver medal of the Institution in boat, and the remainder got away in 1882 " for long and gallant services." the ship's boats and were picked up by In 1894 he received a clasp to the medal, tugs. Coxswain Cooper also received again for " long and gallant services," a silver medal from the King of and on his retirement he was awarded Denmark for the rescue, in January a second clasp, a certificate of service, 1911, of the crew of seven men of a pension and a special gratuity. the Danish schooner Danmark. William Cooper, of Ramsgate. Frederick John Eagles, of Plymouth. Ex-Coxswain William Cooper, of Ex-Coxswain Frederick John Eagles, Ramsgate, Kent, died on 16th August, of Plymouth, Devon, died on 4th June, at the age of 75. Born in 1858, he at the age of 68. Born in 1865, he was appointed coxswain in 1891, and was at sea as a young man in the held that post for thirty-two years. Cape mail service and then in yachts. During these years the Ramsgate life- In 1908 he was appointed second- boats rescued 393 lives. The principal coxswain, and in 1920 coxswain, retir- service in which he took part was the ing in December, 1929, at the age of service to the s.s. Sibiria, of New York, 64. He had then been an officer in November, 1916. The Sibiria was of the life-boat for twenty-one years driven on the Goodwin Sands in a gale and during that time forty-six lives of hurricane force. The life-boats at were rescued. He was awarded the Deal, Ramsgate and Kingsdown all thanks of the Institution inscribed on took part in the service. The Rams- vellum for the rescue in February, gate life-boat was out for nearly seven 1929, of ten of the crew of the s.s. hours. She was constantly filled with Deventia, which had gone ashore on water; several times she was nearly Bolt Head in a heavy sea, and when he capsized; one of her bollards was retired at the end of the same year he wrenched out, two of her crew were received a pension and a coxswain's injured, and Coxswain Cooper was certificate of service. compelled, at last, to return to Rams- gate without having been able to get John Crocombe, of Lynmouth. near enough to the Sibiria to rescue Ex-Coxswain John Crocombe, of Lyn- her crew. The Deal life-boat was also mouth, Devon, died on 27th May, at the driven back damaged and with several aere of 79. He was appointed second- SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 135 coxswain in 1882, and four years later and there launched.* During his forty- coxswain. He held the post of cox- five years as an officer of the boat swain for forty years, retiring in 1928, sixty-one lives were rescued. For at the age of 74, when he was awarded many years Coxswain Crocombe was a a pension and a coxswain's certificate member of the Lynton Urban Council. of service. The most noteworthy It is a remarkable fact that these service in which he took part was the four men, three of whom lived to a service to the Forest Hall in January, great age, served, between them, for 1899, when the Lynmouth life-boat 140 years as officers of life-boats, not was dragged over Exmoor—a journey counting their years as members of the which lasted 10J hours—to Porlock, crew, and that all continued in active service until well over sixty years of * A full account of this remarkable feat appears on p. 101. age.

Death of Two Honorary Workers. Mr. C. A. Myers, of Lytham, and ex-Lord Provost Longair, of Dundee. THE Institution has lost two old and Ex-LoRD PROVOST LONGAIR died at the valued friends by the death of Mr. beginning of May, a month after he Charles Arthur Myers, of Lytham, had celebrated his 90th birthday. He Lancashire, and ex-Lord Provost and Mrs. Longair, who died nearly Longair, D.L., J.P., of Dundee. two years before him at the age of 83, had for many years been very closely Mr. Myers, who died on llth April associated with the work of the Dundee last, in his 74th year, was clerk to the branch. For twenty-five years Mrs. Lytham Improvement Commissioners, Longair was president of the Dundee and for forty years was the honorary Ladies' Auxiliary, which, in 1922, secretary of the Lytham life-boat became the Dundee Ladies' Life-boat station. He was appointed in 1891 Guild, and the ex-Lord Provost him- and retired in 1931. As marks of its self gave much valuable help to the appreciation of his long and valued branch as a member of its committee services the Institution presented Mr. for over twenty years. Before that he Myers with inscribed binoculars in and Mrs. Longair had shown their gener- 1902, and, on his retirement, with its ous interest in the Institution by their thanks inscribed on vellum. work for the Life-boat Saturday Fund.

Death of Commander Thomas Holmes, R.N. ALL associated with the Institution Inspector in Ireland and on the East will learn with deep regret that Com- coast, died on September 30th, at the mander Thomas Holmes, R.N., who age of eighty-one. A full account was Chief Inspector of Life-boats from of his services to the Institution 1909-1919, having previously been will appear in the next issue of The Deputy Chief Inspector, and "District Life-boat.

The Portrait on the Cover. THE portrait on the cover is of Coxswain Appointed in January, 1900, he has been John Angus, of Howth, Co. Dublin. coxswain for nearly thirty-four years. 136 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER,, 1933.

Summary of the Meetings of the Committee of Management. Thursday, llth May, 1933. £156 14s. 3d. to pay the rewards for life- Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., followed by Sir boat launches, accounts of which appear on JOHN G. CUMMING, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., in the p. 112; chair. £6 for assemblies of crews, etc. ; Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., and the Hon. £347 3s. 2d. on account of pensions already George Colville were re-elected Chairman and granted to the dependent relatives of men Deputy-Chairman of the Institution re- who had lost their lives in the life-boat spectively. service at Aldeburgh, Caister, Eastbourne, Paid £14,713 5s. 3d. for the total charges Fethard, Filey, Fraserburgh, Holyhead, of the Institution during the month, including Johnshaven, The Mumbles, New Brighton, rewards for services, payments for the con- Newhaven, Padstow,. Port St. Mary, Rams- struction of life-boats, life-boathouses and gate, Rhoscolyn, Rye, St. Andrews, St. slipways, and the maintenance of life-boat David's, Troon, Wells and Whitby ; stations. £73 2s. 6d. to men for injury in the life-boat Included in the above were :— service at Blackpool, Broughty Ferry, £54 9s. Od. to pay the rewards for life-boat Caister, Cardigan, Newhaven, Moelfre, and services, accounts of which appear on pp. Walmer. 108-110 ; Voted £2 17s. 6d. to pay the rewards for £125 Is. Od. to pay the rewards for life-boat shoreboat services, accounts of which appear launches, accounts of which appear on p. 110; on pp. 115-116. £3 Is. Od. for the assembly of a crew ; £30 9s. 4d. on account of pensions already Thursday, 13th July, 1933. granted to the dependent relatives of men Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the chair. who had lost their lives in the life-boat Resolved that Major Sir Maurice Cameron be service at Caister and Rye Harbour ; appointed a Vice-President of the Institution. £13 10s. Od. to a man for injury in the Resolved that the thanks of the Committee life-boat service at Caister ; be conveyed to Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Voted a grant of £3 towards the funeral Henry F. Oliver, for his services to the expenses of Richard Williams, ex-second Institution, particularly in visiting Islay in coxswain of the Holyhead steam life-boat, connexion with the establishment of a life- who was compelled to retire, several years boat station at Port Askaig. ago, owing to ill health, and was in very poor Reported the receipt of the following circumstances. special contributions :— Voted £7 13s. Od. to pay the rewards for Trustees of the late Mr. William £ s. d. shoreboat services, accounts of which appear Thorngate - - - 80 0 0 on p. 115. Court of Assistants of the Dra- pers' Company - - 50 0 0 Thursday, 15th June, 1933. Independent Order of Oddfellows Sir GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the chair. Manchester Unity Friendly Resolved that the congratulations of the Society - - - 50 0 0 Committee be conveyed to Major-General the Paid £26,258 Os. 8d. for the total charges of Rt. Hon. J. E. B. Seely on his elevation to the Institution during the month, including the peerage. rewards for services, payments for the con- Produced a report on the Life-boat struction of life-boats, life-boathouses and Exhibition at Charing Cross Underground slipways, and the maintenance of the life- Station, and resolved that the thanks of the boat stations. Committee be conveyed to the Underground Included in the above were :— Railways for their generosity in placing the £23 16s. 6d. to pay the rewards for life-boat site at the disposal of the Institution, and services, accounts of which appear on pp. supplying light, power and policing without 112-114 ; charge. £53 3s. Od. to pay the rewards for life-boat Reported the receipt of the following launches, accounts of which appear on special contributions :— pp. 114-115 ; Mrs. Ann Brotherton, deceased, £ s. d. £3 18s. 6d. for assemblies of crews, etc. ; donation from executors - 100 0 0 £37 Is. 8d. on account of pensions already Mr. W. Gardner - - 50 0 0 granted to the dependent relatives of men Anonymous - - - 50 0 0 who had lost their lives in the life-boat Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. 25 0 0 service at Caister and Rye Harbour. Miss S. M. Maclaren, deceased, Voted a grant of £5 towards the funeral donation from executors - 25 0 0 expenses of Thomas Herkes, at one time a Paid £21,710 12s. 8d. for the total charges member of the crew of the Dunbar and of the Institution during the month, includ- Skateraw life-boats, whose widow is in ing rewards for services, payments for the straitened circumstances. construction of life-boats, life-boathouses and Voted an ex gratia grant of £5 for the slipways, and the maintenance of the life- benefit of Richard Burgess, an ex-life-boat- boat stations. man at Lynmouth, who is in straitened Included in the above were :— circumstances. £107 14s. 9d. to pay the rewards for life- Voted £9 4s. Od. to pay the rewards for boat services, accounts of which appear on shoreboat services, accounts of which appear pp. 110-112; on p. 116. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 137

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen. To WILLIAM SUTHERLAND, on his retirement, To GEORGE CURTIS, on his retirement on the after serving for 30 years as coxswain of closing of the Easington station, after the Anstruther life-boat, a coxswain's serving for 1J years as coxswain, 3 years certificate of service. as second coxswain, and previously 15 years as bowman, a coxswain's certificate To GEORGE CRANER, on his retirement, after of service, and a pension. serving for 21 \ years as coxswain, and To JOHN STOCKS, on his retirement, after previously as second coxswain of the serving for 12 J years as second coxswain, Appledore life-boat, a coxswain's certificate and previously 16 years as a member of the of service, and a pension. crew of the Cullercoats life-boat, a life- To THOMAS G. HEARD, who retired after boatman's certificate of service. serving for 45 years as a member of the To WILLIAM DICKEN, who retired after crews of the Walmer and Kingsdown serving for 2J years as second coxswain, life-boats, including 3 years as coxswain and previously 7J years as a member of and 5J years as second coxswain of the the crew of the Llanddulas life-boat, a Walmer boat, a life-boatman's certificate life-boatman's certificate of service. of service. (He has already received a To HENRY ALLEN, who retired after serving pension.) for 37 years as a member of the crew of the To GEORGE HONEY, on his retirement on the Cromer life-boat, a life-boatman's certifi- closing of the Port Isaac station, after cate of service. serving for 2 years as coxswain and To A. GARSIDE, on his retirement on the previously 10J years as second coxswain, a closing of the Easington station, after coxswain's certificate of service, and a serving for 20 years as a member of the pension. crew, a life-boatman's certificate of service.

Awards to Honorary Workers. Silver Inkstand. Col. F. RAYNER, chairman, Nottingham A SILVER INKSTAND, suitably inscribed, branch. has been awarded to Mr. GEORGE WARD, who for fifty years has been associated Life-boat Pictures. with the Birmingham Branch, first as a member of the committee, then honorary The FRAMED LIFE-BOAT PICTURE secretary, then vice-chairman, and now as has been awarded to the following :— vice-president. Mr. KERBEY CLEVELAND, life-boat worker, Gold Badges. Margate branch. The GOLD BADGE, with the RECORD OF THANKS, has been awarded to the Mrs. GEORGE DAVIES, collector, Shrewsbury following :—• branch. Miss JANE LERESCHE, honorary secretary, Miss I. N. K. MIDDLETON, life-boat worker, Seaford branch. Paignton branch. 138 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

News from the Branches. 1st April to 31st July. Greater London. ASHTON - UNDER - LYNE. — Annual GREATER LONDON.—Life-boat day. American tea. District conference. (For special report BACUP.—Life-boat day. see page 131.) BAMBER BRIDGE AND WALTON-LE- ACTON AND CHISWICK.—Annual meet- DALE.-—First annual open bowling tourna- ing. Amount collected in 1932 £93, as ment. compared with £126 in 1931. BILLINGE AND BLACKBURN.—Life- BE XLEYHEATH.—Garden party. Ad- boat" days. . . dress by Commander Henry Strong, R.D., R.N.R., a member of the Committee of BLACKPOOL.—Life-boat service at St. Management. Stephen-on-the-Cliffs. Preacher : The Rev. F. B. Freshwater, chaplain to the Blackpool CLAPHAM.—Whist drive. life-boat crew. The lessons were read by CROYDON.—Address by the district Coxswain H. Parr, and the Blackpool life- organizing secretary to the Rotary Club. boat band accompanied the hymns. HAMMERSMITH.—Swimming gala ; pre- BOLTON, BREDBURY, BRIERFIELD, sentation of prizes by the Viscountess BURY,'» CHORLEY, CLITHEROE AND Hearst ed. WHALLEY, CREWE, CHESTER, CROMP- HAMPSTEAD.—" At Home" given by TON'AND SHAW, CULCHETH-WITH- Captain and Mrs. Basil Hall. Speaker : The KENYON, DARWEN, AND FARN- district organizing secretary. WORTH.—Life-boat days. HAYES.—Garden party. Address by FLEETWOOD.—Inaugural ceremony of Major Burnett Brown, M.C., deputy secretary the motor life-boat. (See special report on of the Institution. page 119.) HORNSEY.—Garden party. Address by GARSTANG AND GOLBORNE.—Life- the district organizing secretary. Bridge boat days. drive, organized by Mrs. Johnston. HASLINGDEN.—Annual meeting on 23rd KENSINGTON, NORTH.—Address by May, the Mayor, president of the branch, in Mrs. Collins, the late assistant secretary to the chair. Amount collected in 1932 £33, "as the Conservative and Unionist Association. compared with £28 in 1931. Life-boat day. MITCHAM.—Social. Address by the HEYWOOD.—Annual garden whist drive. district organizing secretary. Whist drive. Life-boat day. NEW MALDEN.—Whist drive. HINDLEY.—Special meeting, at which ST. ALBANS.—Annual meeting. Speaker : Mrs. Wilson and Miss H. A. South worth were Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., elected honorary treasurer and honorary secretary of the Institution. Amount col- secretary respectively. lected in 1932 £313, as compared with £265 HOLME.—Annual meeting on 26th May. in 1931. Amount collected in 1932 £8, the same ST. PANCRAS.—The branch has suffered amount as in 1931. a severe loss by the death of Lieut.-Com- mander W. O. Comport, R.N., who had been HOYLAKE AND OLDHAM.—Launch of its honorary secretary since 1928. the Oldham life-boat at Hoylake, for about 300 school-children from Oldham, on the WALTHAMSTOW.—Garden party. Ad- occasion of their annual " outing," under the dress by the district organizing secretary. patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress of WOODFORD AND EPPING.—The Oldham, and for members of the Oldham branch has suffered a severe loss by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Address by the death of Mrs. Stevens, its founder in 1920, Mayor of Oldham. who was the honorary secretary until 1930. In 1929 she was awarded the life-boat picture. HYDE.—Life-boat days. Whist drive, at which the Institution's award of a life-boat Life-boat day at Epping. picture was presented by the Mayor to Lectures at Hackney, Ilford, Mottingham, Mrs. F. Allsop, the honorary secretary. North Battersea, South Battersea, Tooting KENDAL AND KESWICK.—Life-boat and Upper Norwood. days. North-West of England. LANCASTER.—Annual garden fete by permission of Sir H. and Lady Travis Clegg. ABRAM AND BICKERSHAW.—Annual meeting on 31st May. Miss Winstanley LEIGH.—Life-boat day. elected honorary secretary in succession to LITTLEBOROUGIL—American supper. Mrs. Bishop. LITTLE HULTON.—Annual meeting on ACCRINGTON.—Life-boat days at 14th June. Amount collected in 1932 £24, Church, Clayton-le-Moors, and Oswaldtwistle. as compared with £21 in 1931. ADLINGTON.—Life-boat day. Life-boat day. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 139

LIVERPOOL.—Annual meeting of the STRETFORD.—Annual meeting on 5th Ladies' Life-boat Guild on 23rd May. April. Amount collected in 1932 £1,125, as compared URMSTON.—Special meeting on 12th with £1,202 in 1931. April. Ladies' Life-boat Guild formed. NEW BRIGHTON.—Annual life-boat President, the chairman of the council; service, the Bishop of Manchester preach- chairman, Councillor D. Jones, J.P.; ing, preceded by a procession from the vice-presidents, Dr. Munro, Councillor life-boat house. Oil painting of the late Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Davies (Flixton), Mrs. George Robinson, coxswain of the New H. Rhodes Ball (Davyhulme), Mrs. Goude, Brighton life-boat, by Mr. John A. A. Mrs. A. Riley, Mrs. Logan, Councillor Berrie, presented to the branch, and un- Mrs. Leigh, Councillor Heaford; honorary veiled at the life-boat house by the Mavor treasurer, Mr. J. Wilks; honorary secre- of Wallasey. tary, Miss A. M. Broome. LYMM AND HEATLEY.—Life-boat day. WALKDEN.—Garden meeting. LYTHAM-ST.-ANNES.—Special meeting WEST SALFORD.—" Cruising ball," at which a St. Annes-on-Sea Ladies' Life- under the patronage of the Mayor and boat Guild was formed. Chairman, Mrs. A. A. Mayoress of Salford. Officers from the Hilton ; vice-chairman, Mrs. Spmershield; Destroyer Flotilla visiting Manchester joint honorary secretaries, Miss V. M. Docks were present at the invitation of the Fan-child and Miss K. Ingham. Mayor and Mayoress. MACCLESFIELD.— Life-boat days. Special meeting, with the Mayoress of Salford present. Councillor G. C. Hampson MANCHESTER, SALFORD AND presided. Mrs. P. J. Hampson was elected DISTRICT.—Special meeting of the branch honorary secretary in the place of Mr. committee, Mr. P. M. Oliver, C.B.E., pre- W. H. Shaw resigned. siding. Speakers: Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satter- thwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the Institution, MARYPORT.—Annual garden party, Lieut.-Commander F. W. Astbury, M.P., organized by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Mr. C. E. Fielding, and the district organizing MIDDLETON AND MIDDLEWICH.— secretary. Lieut.-Commander F. W. Astbury, Life-boat days. M.P., elected chairman of the branch in succession to Mr. W. H. Flanagan. Broad- MOTTRAM AND BROADBOTTOM.— cast appeal from the North Regional District American tea. Broadcasting Station by Coxswain Harry NANTWICH.—Annual meeting on 19th Parr of the Blackpool life-boat. Life-boat May. Amount collected in 1932 £62, as days. Collections at the Manchester Docks compared with £59 in 1931. Mrs. Codrington on the occasion of the visit of the Destroyer elected president in succession to Mrs. Flotilla. Verdin. Mrs. Marshall Brooks elected vice- COLLYHURST AND HARPURHEY. president. The Institution's award of a —Dancing displays given by Madame framed life-boat picture was presented to Robinson's " Clever Young Folk," with an Mrs. MacDonald, honorary secretary of the appeal and collection. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Life-boat day. ECCLES.—Special meeting, the Mayor presiding. Life-boat Guild reconstituted. NEWTON - IN - MAKERFIELD. — Life- President, the Mayor; vice-presidents, Mrs. boat day. Watson, Miss Dowzer and Mrs. Moore; NORTHWICH.—Annual meeting on 31st honorary treasurer, Mr. E. B. Crowther; May. Amount collected in 1932 £86, as honorary secretary, Mr. E. Lamb. compared with £80 in 1931. FALLOWFIELD.—Address by the Life-boat day. branch secretary to members of the PADIHAM.—Life-boat day. Ladyburn British Legion. PEEL.—Annual Sunday service. HULME.—Whist drive, organized by PIEL (Barrow).—Terpsichorean display, the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. given by the pupils of Miss Dora Marshall. MOSS SIDE.—Special meeting. Ladies' Life-boat day. Life-boat Guild reconstituted. President, PORT ERIN.—Annual dinner-table col- Col. Sir Joseph Nail, D.S.O., M.P. ; vice- lection. presidents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Hyde, Mrs. Shepherd ; honorary treasurer, Mrs. Vernon RISHTON, ROMILEY, AND SAND- Richards; honorary secretary, Mrs. P. BACH.—Life-boat days. Barr. SOUTHPORT.—Annual meeting on 24th " Cruising ball," arranged by the Ladies' May, the Mayor of Southport, president of Life-boat Guild committee. Colonel Sir the branch, in the chair. Amount collected Joseph Nail, D.S.O., M.P., president of the in 1932 £298, as compared with £333 in 1931. Guild, and Lady Nail were present, also Mr. W. E. Williamson elected honorary officers from the Destroyer Flotilla visiting secretary in succession to Mr. J. H. Cross, Manchester. A mannequin parade was and Mrs. N. Henderson, honorary secretary arranged by " Bukta " of Manchester, and of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild in succession the hall was decorated by the White Star to Mrs. J. Fay. Line. Whist drive. Life-boat day. 140 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

STALYBRIDGE AND STOCKPORT.— KEIGHLEY.—Annual meeting on 8th Life-boat days. May, the Mayor presiding. Efforts of the past year: Works collection and life-boat day. STANDISH.—House-to-house collection. Personal appeal for subscriptions by members TOTTINGTON. — House-to-house collec- of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Amount tion. collected in 1932 £241, as compared with £258 in 1931. UPHOLLAND.—Life-boat day. KIRKHEATON.—House-to-house appeal. WARRINGTON. — Tennis tournament. LEEDS.—Annual meeting on 4th May, Life-boat day. Alderman Martin, J.P., chairman of the WESTHOUGHTON AND WHALEY branch, presiding. Efforts of the past year : BRIDGE.—Life-boat days. Matinee, life-boat day. Amount collected in 1932 £867, as compared with £1,068 in WIDNES.-—Annual meeting on 7th June. 1931. The Mayor of Widnes, president of the branch, in the chair. Amount collected in MARSDEN AND MELTHAM.—Life- 1932 £35, as compared with £15 in 1931. boat days. Life-boat day. MEXBOROUGH.—Bridge drive. WIGAN.—Life-boat day. MORPETH.—Life-boat day. WORSTHORNE. — House-to-house col- NEWBURN.—Garden whist drive. lection. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE AND OUT- North-East of England. WOOD.—Life-boat days. BARNSLEY AND BATLEY.—Life-boat PATRINGTON.—Life-boat day. Whist days. drive. BLYTH.—River trip and tea. POCKLINGTON.— Life-boat day. BRADFORD, BRIDLINGTON, AND REDCAR.—Egg collection, whist drive BRIGHOUSE.—Life-boat days. and dance. Life-boat day. CONISBOROUGH.—Life-boat day and ROBIN HOOD'S BAY.—Life-boat day. whist drive. ROTHERHAM.—Annual meeting on 7th July, Mr. J. Dickinson, J.P., chairman of the CRESSWELL.—Life-boat day. branch, presiding. Speaker : Lieut.-Col. C. R. DARLINGTON.—Life-boat day and whist Satterthwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the drives. Institution. Efforts of the past year : Life-boat day. Amount collected in 1932 DERWENT VALLEY.—Life-boat day. £125, as compared with £187 in 1931. DEWSBURY.—Annual meeting on 2nd May. Amount collected in 1932 £82, as RUNSWICK.—Social. compared with £105 in 1931. RYTON.—Annual meeting of the Ladies' The branch has suffered a severe loss by the Life-boat Guild. Efforts of the past year : death in July of Mrs. Mackellar, who had Life-boat day. Amount collected in 1932 been its honorary secretary since 1915, and £27, as compared with £30 in 1931. who was awarded the gold badge of the Life-boat day. Institution in 1920. SCARBOROUGH. — Bridge and whist ELLAND.—House-to-house appeal. drives. GATESHEAD.—Bridge drive. Garden SELBY.—Life-boat day. fete. SHEFFIELD.—Annual meeting on 15th GOLCAR AND GOOLE.—Life-boat days. May, the Lord Mayor, president of the HARROGATE.—Garden fete. branch, in the chair. Speaker : Lieut.-Col. HARTLEPOOL. —Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the chairman of the Institution, presented the Institution. Efforts of the past year : Life- thanks of the Institution and a silver inkstand boat day, appeals to churches. Amount to Mr. Alfred Belk, on his retirement after collected last year £386, as compared with serving as honorary secretary for fifty-one £401 in the previous year. years. Life-boat day. Life-boat day. SOUTH SHIELDS, SPENBOROUGH, HECKMONDWIKE AND HEMS- STOCKTON, SUNDERLAND AND WORTH.—Life-boat days. TYNEMOUTH.—Life-boat days. HOLMFIRTH.—Life-boat day. WAKEFIELD.—Collection in Playhouse HONLEY.—House-to-house collection. Theatre. Garden party. HORBURY.—Performance by St. Peter's WASHINGTON.—American tea. Operatic Society. WITHERNSEA.—Life-boat day. HORNSEA.—Garden fete. WOOLER.—Annual meeting on 25th May, HUDDERSFIELD.—American tea. the Hon. Mrs. Claude Lambton presiding. HULL.—Life-boat day. Efforts of the past year : Subscription appeal. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 141

By courtesy of Surgeon-Commander H. A. Browning, R.N., Honorary Secretary of the Dawlish Branch. THE LIFE-BOAT COLLECTING BOX AT LAND'S END. In the distance the Longships Lighthouse.

By notoriety of} [Messrs. Joseph Johnston & Sons, of Monlrose. A COLLECTING SEAL. This grey seal was caught in the salmon nets, Lunan Bay, near Montrose, in 1903, and lived in the tank at Messrs. Joseph Johnston & Sons, salmon fishers, for 13 years. 142 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

Midlands. NEW MILLS, NORTHAMPTON, ALFRETON.—Presentation of Life-boat NOTTINGHAM, OAKHAM AND UP- Essay Competition award by the district PINGHAM, OLDBURY AM) LANGLEY, organizing secretary. " Heroes of the Sea " PERSHORE, PETERBOROUGH, film shown, with collection. I/ife-boat day. PORTISHEAD, REDDITCH, RETFORD, RUBERY AND REDNAL, AND RUGBY. ATHERSTONE AND NUNEATON, •—Life-boat days. ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH, BADSEY, BAKE- RUGELEY.—" Heroes of the Sea " film WELL, AND HELPER AND HEAGE.— shown, with collection. Life-boat day. Life-boat days. Garden party and fete. Annual life-boat BIRMINGHAM.—Life-boat day garden ball. party arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey RUSHDEN.—Life-boat day. Bird. Speaker : Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satter- thwaite, secretary of the Institution. Pre- SEDGLEY.—" Heroes of the Sea" film sentation of silver inkstand awarded to Mr. shown, with collection. Life-boat day. George Ward, vice-president of the branch, SHIRLEY.—Life-boat day. in recognition of his fifty years of life-boat SKEGNESS.—Inaugural ceremony of the service, and of the record of thanks awarded new motor life-boat. (For special report see to Mrs. Collings-Jones, president of the page 119.) Smethwick Ladies' Life-boat Guild. SLEAFORD.—" Heroes of the Sea " film Collection arranged by Mrs. Geoffrey Bird, shown, with collection. Life-boat day. , chairman of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, at Solihull Air Display. SMETHWICK. — Annual meeting, the Mayor in the chair. Speaker : Mr. G. F. Cinema collections at Aston Cross Picture Igglesden, chairman of the Birmingham House, Edgbaston Picture House, Forum branch. Presentation of the gold badge Picture House, Orient Picture House, Empire awarded to Mrs. Collings-Jones. Amount Theatre, the Robin Hood, Alhambra, Adelphi, collected in 1932 £66, as compared with Astoria, Green Lane and Scala, £65 in 1931. Life-boat day. Addresses by the district organizing sec- SPILSBY.—Life-boat day at Coningsby. retary to Bournbrook Rangers, King's Norton Rangers, Portland Road Guides and STOURBRIDGE.—Life-boat day. Rangers, Yardley Sisterhood and British STAFFORD.—House-to-house collection. School of Commerce. STOW-ON-WOLD, STRATFORD-ON- BLACKHEATH (Staffs), BLOCKLEY, AVON, STROUD, SWADLINCOTE, AND BOURNE, BREEDON-ON-THE-HILL, TAMWORTH.—Life-boat days. BRIERLEY HILL, BRIGG, BRISTOL, TETBURY.—" Heroes of the Sea " film BROADWAY, BROMSGROVE, BROWN shown, -with collection. Life-boat day. HILLS, BURTON-ON-TRENT, AND BUX- TON.—Life-boat days. TOWCESTER. — Garden whist drive. Address to the Women's Institute by the CHELTENHAM.—Annual meeting, the district organizing secretary. Mayor in the chair. Speaker : Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the UPTON-ON-SEVERN.—Life-boat day. Institution. Amount collected in 1932 £192, WALSALL.—Life-boat day. Address by as compared with £210 in 1931. Life-boat the district organizing secretary. day. WEDNESFIELD, WOLVERHAMPTON, CIRENCESTER, COLESHILL, CRAD- AND WOODHALL SPA.—Life-boat days. LEY HEATH AND OLDHILL, COSELEY, AND DAVENTRY.—Life-boat days. WORCESTER. — House-to-house collec- tion. DERBY. — House-to-house collection. Lectures at Brierley Hill, Clent, Cold Life-boat day at Ilkeston. Higham, Elmley Castle (Pershore), Pattishall DESBOROUGH, DROITWICH, EVE- and Uttoxeter. SHAM, FAIRFORD AND LECHLADE, GAINSBOROUGH, GLOUCESTER, South-East of England. HALESOWEN, AND HEANOR.—Life- ARUNDEL. •— House-to-house collection. boat days. ASHFORD.—" Heroes of the Sea " film HINCKLEY.—" Heroes of the Sea " film shown, with collection. shown, with collection. AYLESBURY.—Life-boat day. IRTHLINGBOROUGH, KETTERING AND BURTON LATIMER, LANGWITH, BECCLES.—Life-boat day, and films LICHFIELD, LONG EATON, LOUGH- shown. BOROUGH, MALVERN, AND MARKET BLETCHLEY.—Life-boat day. DEEPING.—Life-boat days. BRENTWOOD.—Address to the Rotary MARKET HARBOROUGH. — House-to- Club by the district organizing secretary. house collection. BRIGHTLINGSEA.—Life-boat day. MELTON MOWBHAY.—Life-boat day. BRIGHTON AND HOVE.—Musical" At NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME. — Garden Home," arranged by Mr. O. G. Berry Harding. party at Ashley Heath, arranged by the The dansant. Cinema collection. Life-boat Ladies' Life-boat Guild, ball. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 143

BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH, BURGESS MARLOW.—Concert party. Life-boat HILL, AND CAMBERLEY. — Life-boat day. days. MIDHURST.—House-to-house collection. CANTERBURY.—Bridge and whist drive. NEWPORT PAGNELL. — House-to- Life-boat days at Canterbury and Hersden. house collection. CATERHAM.—Life-boat day at Cater- RAMSGATE.—Life-boat day, and film ham, Warlingham, and Whyteleafe. shown. CHELMSFORD AND DISTRICT.—Life- ROMFORD.—Address to Rotary CJa$ by boat day and film shown. Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., CHICHESTER.—Life-boat day at Stan- secretary of the Institution. Golf competi- sted. House-to-house collection. tion. Life-boat day. CHORLEY WOOD.—Tennis tournament. RYE AND WINCHELSEA.—Garden sale. CLACTON-ON-SEA.—Rummage sale. ST. IVES (Hunts)—Golf competition. COBHAM.—Concert at Oxshott. SEAFORD.—Presentation by Sir Godfrey COLCHESTER.—Life-boat day. House- Baring, Bt., chairman of the Institution, of to-house collection at Dedham. the gold badge awarded to Miss Leresche, CROMER.—Certificates of service pre- honorary secretary of the branch, at a sented to eight members of the crew, by Mr. garden party given by Mr. and Mrs. Hubert F. H. Barclay, the honorary secretary. Carr-Gomm. Life-boat day. DARTFORD.—Garden meeting. Address SHOREHAM.—Life-boat day. by district assistant secretary. SITTINGBOURNE. — House-to-house DISS.—Life-boat day. collection. DOVER AND DISTRICT.—Life-boat day, SLOUGH.—Life-boat day. and " Heroes of the Sea" film shown. SOUTHBOROUGH AND STOW- Matinee at the King's Hall Cinema. MARKET.—Life-boat days. DOWNHAM MARKET AND EAST SOUTHEND.—Life-boat day. Address DEREHAM.—Life-boat days. to the Rotary Club by Lieut.-Col. C. R. EASTBOURNE. — Life-boat days at Satterthwaite, O.B.E., secretary of the Heathfield and Horeham Road, Hellingly, Institution. Upper Dicker, Magham Down, Mayfield and UPMINSTER.—Tennis tournament. Pevensey. WALTON AND FRINTON.—Coxswain FOLKESTONE.—" Heroes of the Sea " and crew entertained to dinner by the film shown, with collection. Garden party. officers and members of the Yacht Club. Dancing display at the Grand Hotel and WALTON-ON-THAMES.—Life-boat day. Leas Cliff Hall. WELWYN.—House-to-house collection. GERRARD'S CROSS.—Life-boat day. WESTERHAM.—Scavenging hunt. GOODWIN SANDS AND DOWNS.— " Heroes of the Sea " film shown at Deal and WEYBRIDGE AND WINSLOW.—Life- Walmer, with collections. boat days. GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLE- WOKINGHAM. — Competition at East STON.—Tablet commemorating the heroism Berks Golf Club. Life-boat day. of Great Yarmouth life-boatmen unveiled by the Mayor. Life-boat day, and films shown WOLVERTON AND DISTRICT.—Life- at three cinemas. boat day. Works collection. GUILDFORD.—Competition at Bramley WORTHING.—Life-boat day and " Heroes Golf Club. of the Sea " film shown. Lectures at Boxley (Maidstone), Boving- HARWICH.—Life-boat day. don, Burgess Hill, Chatteris, Cookham Dean HASTINGS.—Blessing of the sea service. (Maidenhead), Farnham Common (Slough), Life-boat day. Gillingham, High Wycombe, Layer-de-la- HAVERHILL.—Life-boat day. Haye (Colchester), Little Berkhamsted, Maidstone, Mentmore, Mountfield, Seven- IPSWICH.—Lantern lecture at Playford oaks, Slough, Southend, Westgate, Wrays- Women's Institute by Mr. E. E. Rope, joint bury (Egham and Englefield Green). honorary secretary. KING'S LYNN.—Joint life-boat day with South-West of England. Hull Sailors' Orphanage. ABINGDON.—Special meeting arranged LEATHERHEAD.—Life-boat day. by Lady Norman, the Mayor presiding. LEWES.—Life-boat days. Speaker : The district organizing secretary. MARCH.—Life-boat day, and " Heroes of AXMINSTER.—Life-boat day. Life-boat the Sea " film shown. day at Colyton. The branch has suffered a serious loss by MARGATE.—District conference, followed the death of its president, Mr. S. M. Manning- by a special service at Holy Trinity Church, Kidd. and a dance and concert. A special report appeared in the last issue of The Lije-boat. BARNSTAPLE.—Life-boat day. 144 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

BASINGSTOKE.—Open-air whist drive, PENZANCE. — Special meeting, the arranged by Mrs. Stratford, chairman of the Mayoress presiding. Speaker: The district Ladies' Life-boat Guild. House-to-house organizing secretary. Ladies' Life-boat Guild collection. Meeting held at Bedford House, formed for Penzance and Sennen Cove. by the kindness of Mrs. Stratford, who Miss Groves, honorary secretary. presided. The Mayoress, president of the Guild, attended. PETERSFIELD. — Life-boat days at Petersfleld and Liss. BATH.—Presentation of life-boat essay competition award by Councillor Lieut.-Col. PORTSMOUTH. — Special meeting of the Hon. H. S. Davey, C.M.G. Life-boat day. Ladies' Life-boat Guild, the Lord Mayor BIDEFORD.—Garden party given by presiding, supported by the Lady Mayoress. Lady Rosamund Christie, arranged by the Speaker : The Rev. A. Peckham, vice- Ladies' Life-boat Guild. president of the branch. Life-boat day. BLANDFORD.—Presentation of life-boat PLYMOUTH.—Life-boat day. essay competition award by the Mayor of READING.—Life-boat day, and display Blandford. of films. BOURNEMOUTH.—Annual meeting in REDRUTH.—Life-boat day. the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding, sup- RINGWOOD.—Annual dance. ported by the Mayor of Poole. Speaker : Sir Godfrey Baring," Bt., chairman of the ROMSEY.—Life-boat day. Institution. Presentation by the Mayor of ST. IVES (Cornwall).—Inaugural -cere- the record of thanks awarded by the Institu- mony of the new motor life-boat. (For tion to Miss Milligan, collector. Amount special report see p. 120.) collected in 1932 £566, as compared with £665 in 1931. SALISBURY.—Whist drive. Life-boat day. Life-boat day at Edmondsham. BRIDPORT. — Special meeting, Rear- Admiral C. H. Fox, president, in the chair. SHERBORNE.—Life-boat day. BUDLEIGH SALTERTON. — Life-boat SOUTHAMPTON. — Special performance day. by the Blenheim Players of " Baa Baa Black BURNHAM.—Life-boat days at Burnham Sheep." Life-boat day. and Highbridge. TAUNTON, THAME, AND TIVERTON. CALNE.—Life-boat day. —Life-boat days. CHARD.—Special meeting of the Ladies' TORQUAY. — Special meeting of the Life-boat Guild. Speaker: The district Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Mrs. Callard pre- organizing secretary. siding. Speaker : The district organizing CHIPPENHAM, CLEVEDON, CREDI- secretary. Life-boat day. TON, DARTMOUTH AND DAWLISH.— TOTNES.—Life-boat days at Ashburton Life-boat days. and Bampton. DEVIZES.—Presentation of life-boat essay competition award by the Hon. Mrs. Bailey. TROWBRIDGE, TRURO, WANTAGE, Life-boat day. AND WAREHAM.—Life-boat days. EASTLEIGH, EXETER, FALMOUTH WARMINSTER.—Visit of Warminster (and villages), AND FAREHAM.—Life-boat branch helpers to Cowes to see the life-boat days. building yards. Life-boat day. FARNBOROUGH AND FLEET.—Life- WELLS (Somerset) AND WESTBURY.— boat day. Variety concert at Fleet. Life-boat days. GOSPORT.—Fete at Bay House, Alver- WESTON-SUPER-MARE.—Special meet- stoke, by permission of Col. R. F. A. Sloane- ing of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Speaker : Stanley, a member of the committee of The district organizing secretary. Mrs. management and president of the branch. Greenfield elected honorary secretary. Presentation of life-boat essay competition awards by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman WHITCHURCH (Andover). — Life-boat of the Institution. day. HENLEY AND HONITON.—Life-boat WIMBORNE. — Cafe Chantant, with days. address by the district organizing secretary. ILFRACOMBE.—Special meeting to re- Life-boat day. organize the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. WINCHESTER.—Dancing display in the Speaker : The district organizing secretary. garden of St. Cross (by permission of the Miss Cockburn elected president. master), arranged by the Ladies' Life-boat ISLE OF WIGHT.—Life-boat days at Guild, and given by the pupils of Miss Peggy Brading, Freshwater, Totland Bay, and Whiteley, of Southsea. Shanklin. Special meeting at Ryde. Speaker: YEOVIL.—Life-boat day at Crewkerne. The district organizing secretary. YEOVIL VILLAGES.—Life-boat days. LOSTWITHIEL, LUDGERSHALL, LYMINGTON, MERE, NEWTON ABBOT, Lectures at Abingdon, Aldershot, Buckle- OKEHAMPTON, AND PAIGNTON.—Life- bury, Hermitage (Newbury), Shaw-cum- boat days. Donnington (Newbury), and Sennen Cove. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 145

Scotland. funds. Lantern lecture to West Edinburgh Meeting of the Scottish life-boat council branch of the British Legion by Major A. H. in Glasgow on 24th May, the Duke of Mon- Stuart. Life-boat day and procession. trose, C.B., C.V.O., V.D., LL.D., chairman, Presentation of life-boat essay competition presiding. awards by Captain A. S. Balfour, O.B.E., and Captain Meikle, members of the branch ABERDEEN.—Presentation of life-boat committee. essay competition awards by Mr. W. P. Milne, a member of the education committee. ELGIN.—Life-boat days. Life-boat_day. ELIE.—Golf tournament, organized by ABERLOUR.—Life-boat day. Commander Heathcote, honorary secretary, and members of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. ALLOA.-—Life-boat day. Life-boat day at Dollar. EYEMOUTH.—Fancy dress parade, part proceeds of which were devoted to life-boat ANNAN.—Life-boat day. funds. Life-boat days at Greenlaw and ANSTRUTHER. — Inaugural ceremony Legerwood. of the new motor life-boat. (For special FALKIRK.—Address to the Rotary Club report see p. 120.) by the district organizing secretary. ARBROATH, ARDRISHAIG, AND ARDROSSAN.—Life-boat days. FORTROSE AND FORRES.—Life-boat days. AYR.—Presentation of life-boat essay competition awards. FRASERBURGH.—Sale of work opened by Mrs. J. Wallace Tarras, preceded by a BALLANTRAE. - Presentation of life- procession through the streets by the life- boat essay competition awards. Life-boat boatmen, and followed by a dance. These day. efforts were arranged by the members of the BANFF, MACDUFF AND WHITE- life-boat crew and their wives. HILLS. — Presentation by Ex-Provost Life-boat day. Presentation of life-boat Walker of the life-boatman's certificate essay competition awards. Concert organized awarded on his retirement to Second- by the National Union of Workless Men. Coxswain George Ritchie. Life-boat charity football match. BANFF AND MACDUFF.—Life-boat day. GIRVAN.—Special meeting at which a The branch has suffered a severe loss by Ladies' Life-boat Guild was formed, Mr. the death in May of Mr. A. Findlay who had R. O. Roxburgh, chairman of the branch, been joint honorary secretary for ten years. presiding. Speakers : Mrs. Lawrence Glen, BO'NESS, CARLUKE, CARRADALE, donor of the Girvan motor life-boat, and the CARRON-BRIDGE AND CARNWATH.— district organizing secretary. Life-boat day. Life-boat days. GLASGOW.—Annual meeting on 26th COATBRIDGE. — Presentation of life- May, Mr. Leonard Gow, J.P., chairman of the boat essay competition challenge shield to branch, presiding. Efforts of the past year : William McKenna, of St. Augustine's School, Charity fete, dance, life-boat day and annual Coat bridge, by the district organising sec- appeal. Amount collected in 1932 £4,160, as retary, in the school playground, which compared with £8,535 in 1931. was decorated for the occasion. Father Life-boat day. Hamilton presided, and Ex-Provost Lavelle, Ex-Provost Irvine, Bailie Kirk, and the head- GOUROCK.—Life-boat day. master took part. Mr. William Kerr, GRANGEMOUTH. — Annual meeting of honorary secretary of the branch, and officers the Ladies' Life-boat Guild on 18th May, Miss of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild were present. Williamson, president, in the chair. CROMARTY.—Life-boat day at North Speaker: The district organizing secretary. Kessock. Efforts of the past year : Life-boat day and whist drive. CUPAR AND DARVEL.—Life-boat days. Life-boat day. DUNDEE.—Life-boat day and procession. GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, GREENOCK, First prize, the Dundee Business Club Shield for best exhibit as an advertising medium, INVERKEITHING, AND IRVINE.—Life- awarded to Messrs. McGregor & Balfour, Ltd. boat days. ISLE OF ARRAN.—Steamer collection. DUNFERMLINE. — Presentation of life- boat essay competition awards by Admiral Life-boat day. Sir John F. E. Green, K.C.M.G., C.B., vice- JEDBURGH.—Life-boat day. president of the branch. Life-boat day. KILMARNOCK.—Special meeting of the Concert and dramatic entertainment at Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Lady Rowallan Rosyth. presiding. Speaker: Major A." H. Stuart. DUNOON.—Life-boat day. Life-boat day. EASTER ROSS.—Life-boat days at Tain KIRKCALDY.—Presentation of life-boat and Portmahomack. essay competition awards by Mr. J. Y. EDINBURGH.—Performances of "The Lockhart, vice-president of the branch, and Farmer's Wife," by Jenners Players, Edin- Miss A. S. Thomson, honorary secretary of the burgh. Part proceeds given to life-boat Ladies' Life-boat Guild. 146 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

KIRKCUDBRIGHT.—Annual meeting of WISHAW.—Presentation of life-boat essay the Stewartry branch of the Ladies' Life-boat competition awards by Rector A. J. C. KCTT, Guild on 18th April, the Countess of Gallo- M.A., honorary secretary of the branch. way, president, in the chair. Efforts of th? Lectures at Crossroads, Dunure, Fortingal past year : Southern district—house-to-house and Sorn. collection at Kirkcudbright, and district collections at Borgue, Dundrennan and Ireland. Twynholm, and life-boat day at Balcary ; ARDGLASS.—Golf competition. Northern district—life-boat days, house-to- ARMAGH.—Annual meeting, Mrs. N. house collections. Amounts collected in Smith, vice-president, in the chair. Speakers: 1932: Southern district, £32 17s. 6d., as Mrs. Simpson, honorary secretary, Major compared with £27 6s. 2d. in the previous Boyle, and the district organizing secretary. year; Northern district, £41 10s. lid., as Amount collected in 1932 £30, as compared compared with £28 5s. lid. in the previous with £34 in 1931. year. Presentation of life-boat essay competition BAGENALSTOWN.—Life-boat day. awards. Life-boat day at Castle Douglas. BALL YCOTTON.—Annual meeting on KIRRIEMUIR, KYLE, AND LADY- 4th April, the Very Rev. Dean Wilson, BANK.—Life-boat days. chairman, presiding. Speaker •- The district organizing secretary. Amount collected in LAMINGTON.—Presentation of life-boat 1932 £117, as compared with £125 in 1931. essay competition awards by Mr. James Life-boat day. Paterson, honorary secretary of the branch. Life-boat day. CARLOW.—Golf competition. LANARK.—Life-boat day. CASTLETOWNSHEND.—Life-boat day. LARGS.—Life-boat day at Skelmorlie. CLONAKILTY.—Dance. LERWICK, MARKINCH, AND MOF- CLONMEL, CLOUGHEY, COLERAINE, DONAGHADEE, AND DROGHEDA. —Life- FAT.—Life-boat days. boat days. MONTROSE.—Presentation of life-boat DUBLIN.-—Annual meeting. Speakers : essay competition awards. Senator the Rt. Hon. Andrew Jameson, NEWMILL AND TEVIOTHEAD, NEW- chairman of the branch, and the district MILNS, NEWTONMORE, NEWTON organizing secretary. Amount collected in STEWART, AND OBAN.—Life-boat days. 1932 £1,056, as compared with £1,077 in 1931. PERTH.—Annual meeting on 13th June, First annual life-boat ball held on Punches- the Rev. P. R. Landreth, chairman of the town Night, 25th April. The Lord Mayor of branch, presiding. Speakers : Rear-Admiral Dublin, and the French and German ministers the Hon. W. S. Leveson-Gower, C.B., D.S.O., among those present. Life-boat days. Lord Provost Thomas Hunter and the DUN LAOGHAIRE.—Annual meeting. district organizing secretary. Efforts of the Amount collected in 1932 £204, as compared past year : Life-boat days in thirty-one with £262 in 1931. districts and appeal by the committee. Life-boat day. Amount collected in 1932 £300, as compared with £341 in 1931. FERMOY.—Life-boat day. Life-boat days. GALWAY.—Golf competition. PETERHEAD AND PORTPATRICK.— GALWAY BAY.—Life-boat day. Life-boat days. HOWTH.—Annual meeting, Mr. T. J. ROTHESAY.—Presentation of the Rothe- Gaisford St. Lawrence, in the chair. Speakers: say life-boat committee to H.R.H. the Mr. B. J. Newcombe, and the district organiz- Prince of Wales, K.G., by the Duke of ing secretary. Amount collected in 1932 Montrose, C.B., C.V.O., V.D., LL.D., chair- £114, as compared with £121 in the previous man of the Scottish life-boat council, at the year. Castle, Rothesay. The Prince's destroyer Life-boat day. was escorted to her moorings by the Girvan and Troon motor life-boats. KINSALE.—Concert. ST. ABBS. —Committee meeting, at which LARNE.—Annual meeting. Speakers : Lieut ..Commander T. G. Michelmore, R.D., Brigadier-General T. K. Evans Johnston, R.N.R., northern district inspector, pre- Miss L. Morrow, honorary secretary, and the sented the inscribed binoculars awarded to district organizing secretary. Amount col- Mr. Colin MacCallum, the honorary secretary. lected in 1932 £98, as compared with £103 in 1931. ST. ANDREWS, SALTCOATS, SAN- Life-boat day. QUHAR, AND STONEHAVEN.—Life-boat days. LIMERICK, LONDONDERRY, MIDLE- TON, AND NEWCASTLE.—Life-boat days. STORNOWAY. — Concert and dance, organized by the committee and Ladies' NEW ROSS, AND PORTARLINGTON.— Life-boat Guild. Golf competitions. STRANRAER, SUTHERLAND, TAR- PORTRUSH.—Life-boat day. BERT, THURSO, TROON, AND WHIT- ROSSLARE, AND SKERRIES.—Golf BURN.—Life-boat days. competitions. SEPTEMBER, 1933.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 147

SKIBBEREEN.—Life-boat day. a fortnight previously she was presented with the life-boat picture awarded to her by the SLIGO.—Golf competition. Institution. At special branch meeting Mrs. STRABANE. —Special meeting. Speakers : Arthur Smith was elected honorary secretary. The president, Mrs. J. C. Heardman, and CHURCH STRETTON.—Fete and garden the district organizing secretary. Life-boat party, opened by Lady Startin. Presenta- day. tion, by Admiral Sir James Startin, K.C.B., SUTTON.—Golf competition. of the life-boat picture awarded by the Institution to Commander G. R. Montford, WATERFORD.—Life-boat day. R.D., R.N.R., the late honorary secretary. Wales. CLEOBURY MORTIMER. — Life-boat day. (Including Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, CYNGHORDY.—Presentation of life-boat and Shropshire.) essay competition awards by Mrs. Meyrick ABERDOVEY.—The branch has suffered Lloyd, the rector presiding. severe loss by the death of Mrs. Williams, wife of Captain J. Williams, F.R.A.S., FERRYSIDE AND CARMARTHEN F.R.G.S., the honorary secretary of the BAY.—Life-boat day. branch. Mrs. Williams has been for many HAVERFORDWEST. — Presentation of years a very active worker for the branch. life-boat essay competition awards. ABERGAVENNY AND ABERTILLERY. HEREFORD.—Special meeting to revive —Life-boat days. the branch, the Mayor presiding. ABERYSTWYTH.—Inaugural ceremony HOLYHEAD.—Inaugural ceremony of the of the new motor life-boat. (A special report new motor life-boat, and presentation of the appeared in the last issue of The Life-boat.) aneroid barometer awarded to Mr. J. Lewis, AMMANFORD.—Presentation of life-boat honorary secretary of the station. (For full essay competition awards. Speaker : The description see page 118.) district organizing secretary. House-to-house and cinema collections. BARRY.—Ladies' Life-boat Guild formed. LEESWOOD.—Presentation of life-boat Honorary secretary, Mrs. E. E. Stonehewer. essay competition awards, the Vicar of Lees- Presentation of life-boat essay competition wood in the chair. Speaker': The district awards by the chairman of the Barry organizing secretary. Education Committee. Life-boat day. LEOMINSTER.—Life-boat day. BEAUMARIS.—Annual meeting of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild on 30th March, Mrs. LLANDOVERY.—Life-boat day. Burton, president of the branch, in the chair. LLANFYRNACH.—Presentation of life- Speaker : The district organizing secretary. boat essay competition awards and address Miss E. Briercliffe elected honorary secretary by the district organizing secretary. in place of Mrs. Peeke who had resigned. LLANGOLLEN.—Life-boat day. BRIDGNORTH.—Presentation of the life- boat picture awarded to Captain H. D. LONGTOWN.—Presentation of life-boat Wakeman-Colville, R.N., the honorary essay competition awards by the Director of secretary. Education for Herefordshire. Speaker: the district organizing secretary. CAERNARVON.—Life-boat day. LUDLOW.—Life-boat day. CARDIFF AND PENARTH.—Annual meeting on April 25th, the Lord Mayor, MONMOUTH AND NEATH.—Life-boat president of the branch, in the chair. Speaker: days. Lieut.-Col. C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E., MUMBLES.—Presentation by the district secretary of the Institution. Amount inspector of life-boats to Mr. F. le Boulanger, collected in 1932 £304, as compared with honorary secretary, of the aneroid barometer £262 in 1931. awarded to him by the Institution. Life-boat days at Cardiff and Penarth, with visit of Barry Dock life-boat to Penarth. NEWPORT (Mem.)—Annual meeting on The branch has suffered a great loss by 27th April, Mr. A. J. Phillips, chairman the death of Alderman Samuel Thomas, J.P., of the branch, presiding. Speaker : The who had been honorary treasurer of the district organizing secretary. Efforts of the past year : Life-boat day, whist and bridge branch and an active worker in the cause of drives, annual ball, cinema collections. the Institution for many years. Amount collected in 1932 £147, as compared CARDIGAN.—Presentation of life-boat with £144 in 1931. essay competition awards by Captain Owen, Whist and bridge drives. Life-boat day. a retired commander of the P. & O. Line. Cinema collections. The Mayor presided, and the district organiz- OSWESTRY.— Special meeting, the Mayor ing secretary gave an address. presiding. Presentation by Lady Magdalen CONWAY.—The branch has suffered a Herbert of the record of thanks awarded to severe loss by the death of Mrs. J. A. Conway- Mrs. Barlow, honorary secretary of the Jones, who had been honorary secretary of Ladies' Life-boat Guild. the Ladies' Life-boat Guild since 1927. Only Life-boat day. 148 THE LIFE-BOAT. [SEPTEMBER, 1933.

PRESTATYN.—Annual meeting on 3rd SHREWSBURY.—Annual meeting, the July. The Rev. D. Lester Jones, B.A., Viscountess Bridgeman, D.B.E., president elected chairman. Efforts of the past year : of the branch, in the chair. Speaker : The appeals and life-boat day. Amount collected district organizing secretary. Efforts of the in 1932, £54, as compared with £31 in 1931. past year; house-to-house collection. Amount QUEENSFERRY.—-Presentation of life- collected in 1932, £98, as compared with boat essay competition awards and address £195 in 1931. Presentation of the life-boat by the district organizing secretary. picture awarded to Mrs. George Davies. RHYL.—Annual meeting on 5th July, SWANSEA.—Annual meeting of the Mr. C. H. Roberts, president of the branch, branch on 26th April, the Mayor, president in the chair. Speaker : The district organiz- of the branch, in the chair. Speaker : The ing secretary. Efforts of the past year: district organizing secretary. Efforts of competitions. Amount collected in 1932, the past year: life-boat day, whist drives and £156, as compared with £203 in 1931. dances, cinema collections. Amount col- Life-boat day. House-to-house collection. lected in 1932, £196, as compared with £273 ROSS - ON - WYE.—Life-boat day. Mr. in 1931. J. H. Meirion Jones appointed honorary Life-boat day. treasurer in place of Mr. G. F. Taylor who had resigned. USK.—Life-boat day.

Notice. THE LIFE-BOAT is published quarterly and is sent free to all honorary secretaries of branches and the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, to coxswains, honorary workers, subscribers o/ten shillings and over, libraries, the principal hotels, and the press. It is the current record of the work of the life-boat service, and the chief means by which it keeps its workers, subscribers and the general public informed of its activities. Unless you are keeping a complete set of the journal you will help the Institution if, after reading this number, you will pass it on to a friend. All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W. 1. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about the journal should be addressed to the secretary. The next number O/THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in November, 1933.