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

VOL. XXXIII WINTER, 1950 No. 356

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 153 Motor Life-boats 1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to March 31st, 1951 - 77,296

Two Irish Rescues by Night Wicklow and Dunmore East AT half-past ten on the 10th of Septem- the Wicklow life-boat to go out and ber, 1950—this being a Sunday—the stand by the Cameo, while salvage news reached the Wicklow life-boat operations by a tug were in progress. station that a ship was aground on At 8.10, therefore, the Lady Kylsant Arklow Sandbank. This was about launched once more. About a mile fourteen miles from Wicklow. A quar- from the Cameo, she found a tug ter of an hour later the Wicklow life- anchored. With great difficulty in the boat, Lady Kylsant, launched. It was heavy seas and rain she passed tow lines a fine day, the sea was calm, and a between the two ships, in an effort to light breeze was blowing from the south. help the tug pull the Cameo clear of the The life-boat reached the grounded sandbank. But the ropes parted; and ship by 12.30. She was the Cameo, a the attempt failed. The master of the motor vessel of Glasgow, bound for Cameo would still not abandon ship, Dublin laden with coal, with a crew of so there was nothing for the life-boat eleven on board. When the life-boat to do but return to Wicklow to await found her she was seven miles north of any further call. She got back at 7.20 the South Arklow Lightvessel. Her that evening. master refused help from the life-boat. Next evening, the 12th, at 8.57, the It was fine weather (he said) and he Cameo sent a message through the expected to refloat his ship on the Seaforth Radio, asking at last for the next high tide. So-the life-boat put life-boat. She launched for the third back to Wicklow, reaching her station time at 9.17. The honorary secretary at ten minutes past three that afternoon. of the station, Mr. Joseph T. O'Byrne, was aboard. The night was very dark, Attempts to Refloat and the tide was half flood; a strong Next morning, however (the llth of south-west wind was whipping up a September), the situation had changed. rough sea. The breeze of the day before had devel- oped into a southerly gale, causing The Rescue in a Gale heavy broken water on the bank. It By the time the life-boat-got to the was also raining. About eight o'clock, Cameo, the wind had increased to a the Dublin Port and Docks Board asked gale. The motor vessel was lying 118 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 with her head to the north-east in reaching it just west of Red Head. He heavy broken water, with the tide put the second-coxswain at the wheel setting on to the bank. The coxswain and himself went forward on the look- anchored to windward, and veering out, searching the shore with his search- down on his cable until he was abreast light. He searched for nearly a mile, the Cameo's port side, threw lines until he recognised Portally Head, aboard and hauled the life-boat along- Then he ceased to follow the shore and side her. This was just after midnight. made towards the dreaded Falskirt For sixteen minutes he held her there, Rocks off Swines Head. There he rising and falling heavily, while the found the St. Dedan. She was not whole crew of eleven jumped singly on more than two cables from the rocks. to her deck. Then at last he cast off, The second coxswain brought the life- and brought her, undamaged, back to boat close alongside, and the coxswain land by four o'clock next morning. then saw that the fishing boat had The Institution made the following thrown out her fishing nets to act as an awards: anchor, but that she was still drifting To COXSWAIN EDWARD KAVAXAGII, rapidly stern first towards the rocks. for his splendid judgment and seaman- She would strike them in two or three ship, the bronze medal for gallantry, minutes; the nets would close round with a copy of the vote inscribed on her; a rescue would be impossible. vellum; To the motor-mechanic, J. BONUS, who handled his engines with great skill A Dangerous Manoeuvre and promptness, the thanks of the As the life-boat lay, the tide was Institution inscribed on vellum; carrying the fishing boat and the nets To MR. J. T. O'BYRNE, B.E., towards her. The coxswain told the M.I.C.E.I., the honorary secretary, a second-coxswain to go round the fishing letter of appreciation; boat—so that the life-boat would have To the coxswain, and each member the tide behind her—and to bring of the crew, £5 175. Qd. for the three her bow-on to the fishing boat amid- services. Total rewards, £50 7s. ships. He himself stood ready in the bows with a line. He knew that were there any delay in throwing the DUNMORE EAST line on board, or were the tow-rope to part, it would mean the certain loss of On the night of the 14th of December, the fishing boat and her five men. 1950, fishermen returning to Dunmore To get the life-boat near enough for East, on the coast of County Water- the line to be thrown was a difficult ford, reported that they had seen flares and dangerous manoeuvre. It had to about two miles away; and one of the be done in the teeth of the gale, in local fishing boats, the St. Declan, with extreme darkness, in heavy seas which five men on board, had not returned. were surging and boiling round the The news reached the life-boat station rocks. The second-coxswain brought the just before eight o'clock^ and at 8.20 life-boat's bow close to the fishing boat; the life-boat Annie Blanche Smith the coxswain threw the line; the line slipped her moorings. Since noon the was seized; the life-boat went slowly barometer had been falling rapidly. astern. To the heaving line the cox- The wind had steadily increased. It swain bent a rope, to the rope the was now blowing a gale from the south- anchor chain, to the chain the cable. east, with squalls of snow. The tide The fishermen made the chain fast to was flowing against the wind, and the their stern and cut away the nets; the sea was rough. coxswain veered out nearly eighty fathoms of cable; and the life-boat Searchings Along the Shore drew the fishing boat clear of the The life-boat went to the position rocks. In this way, stern-first, life-boat given, nearly a mile and a half from the and fishing boat moved slowly out to shore, but she saw no lights. The gale sea for nearly a mile. Then the tow was blowing dead on shore, so the cox- was changed to the life-boat's stern and swain turned again towards the shore, the fishing boat's bow, and they made WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 119 for Dunmore East, where they arrived To SECOXD COXSWAIN RICHARD at midnight. POWER, for the superb seamanship The Institution has made the fol- with which he handled the life-boat, the lowing awards: bronze medal for gallantry, with a copy To COXSWAIN PATRICK POWER, for of the vote inscribed on vellum; the perfect judgment with which he To the coxswain, second-coxswain and conducted the search and directed the each of the four members of the crew, rescue, knowing that he had not a a reward of £2 in addition to the reward moment to spare, a bar to the bronze on the ordinary scale of £l 10*. Scale medal which he won in 1941, with a rewards, £7 105.; additional rewards, copy of the vote inscribed on vellum; £12; total rewards, £19 10s.

The Life-boat Service in 1950 THERE were 603 launches of life-boats Kavanagh, of Wicklow, Second-Cox- to the rescue in 1950, only 36 below the swain William Jones, of New Brighton, record number in 1949—and life-boats and Coxswain Patrick Power and rescued 381 lives. Ninety-one lives Second-coxswain Richard Power, of were rescued by shore-boats, for which Dunmore East.* the rescuers were rewarded by the No lives of life-boatmen were lost as Institution, making a grand total for a result of accidents at sea, but the the year of 472 lives. bowman of the Walmer crew collapsed Life-boats also saved, or helped to and died in the life-boat while she was save, 81 boats and vessels, and helped on service, and a launcher at Cullercoats 240 more in various ways. was injured while helping to replace The total of lives rescued from the the life-boat on her carriage, and died Institution's foundation in 1824 up to later. The Institution pensioned their the end of 1950, was 77,196, an dependent relatives as if the men had average of over 50 lives a month for been sailors, soldiers or airmen killed in 127 years. action. Four bronze medals were won * Full accounts of these services will be found on pages for gallantry, by Coxswain Edward 117 and 120.

Bravest Life-boat Deeds of 1950 THE Institution has awarded the " Miss It has awarded the first annual gift Maud Smith's reward for courage, in of £10 from Mrs. G. M. Porter, of memory of John, Seventh Earl of Felixstowe, given for the bravest deed Hardwicke," for the bravest act of life- of the year by a life-boatman, to Cox- saving by a life-boatman in 1950, to W. swain Duncan McNeill of its station at Arnell, of the Selsey life-boat's crew, Islay on the Inner Hebrides, for fasten- who jumped overboard from the life-boat ing a rope to a drifting mine so that on the 17th of April, 1950, and rescued the life-boat could tow it ashore on a man who was trying to swim ashore the 12th of April, 1950. Coxswain from an overturned boat in a choppy McNeill has already received the sea. Arnell has already received the King's Commendation for his brav- Institution's thanks inscribed on vellum. ery.

Life-boat Days in 1950 IN 1950 the Institution held over 900 was £84,877. The number who gave flag days. The number of people who was 400,000 fewer than in 1949, but gave was 6,100,000 and the sum given the sum given was £1,271 more. 120 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

Across the Revetment of the Mersey THERE was a full southerly gale blowing it was breaking violently. But the top off-New Brighton last September 15th, of the wall is very uneven and in several with frequent squalls of rain, and the places there are distinct gaps in it. It sea was very rough. Soon after half- was for one of these that the coxswain past one in the afternoon the coastguard was looking, for he could see that the noticed a three-masted schooner at schooner was almost overhanging the anchor in the Crosby Channel, near the wall, and that if he could sail over it, Beta Boat Beacon. She seemed to be then he could get under her lee. in no difficulty and several other ships passed in and out close to her; never- Life-boat Over the Wall theless, the coastguard kept her under Just ahead of her he found a size- observation. able gap. He drove the life-boat It was as well he did, for towards half- straight for it and right over the revet- past eight that evening he saw her ment. She bumped several, times on burning distress flares. The New the sandbank on the other side, and Brighton life-boat was called out a her last bump brought her bows quarter of an hour later. She was the against the schooner. One of the life- No. 2 boat, Edmund & Mary Robinson, boatmen threw a line on board, but it and Second-Coxswain W. S. Jones was not needed. With her engines was in command. The coxswain was working ahead she was able to hold her away bringing the new life-boat to the position comfortably close to the station. schooner. The four members of the Happy Harry's crew lost no time. Search in Blinding Rain They jumped from the schooner to The tide was now five hours' ebb, and the fore deck of the life-boat. Then the weather was getting worse. Blind- the coxswain drove his boat once more ing rain and spray drove over the across the revetment into the main life-boat, reducing visibility almost to channel, and made for New Brighton nothing. Although she used her search- where they arrived at 11.15 that night. light it was 9.30 before she sighted the The life-boat was undamaged. schooner lying alongside the revetment, It was a rescue carried out with which was on her lee. She had two speed and resource. Only the intimate anchors down, but they had dragged knowledge of the coxswain and crew home. She was the Happy Hurry of made it possible to cross the revetment Arklow, and was some six and a half at all, and even then it was done only miles from New Brighton. at considerable risk. The Institution Heavy seas were breaking over the has made the following awards: schooner and it seemed impossible to To Second - coxswain W i L L i A M get alongside her from windward. The STEPHEX JONES a clasp to the bronze coxswain reconnoitred. The revet- medal for gallantry which he won in ment is a training wall of limestone 1947, with a copy of the vote inscribed rubble, about twelve feet wide, built on vellum; on both sides of the channel through To the second-coxswain and each of the sands at the mouth of the Mersey the six members of the crew, a special to hold them back from silting it up. reward of £2 in addition to the reward When the life-boat found the Happy on the ordinary scale of 19,?.; Scale Harry the general level of the sea was rewards, £4 15s., additional rewards, above the top of the wall, on which £14; total rewards, £18 155.

From Golf Clubs IN 1950 fifty-five golf clubs held 1949, and the Institution received from competitions in aid of the Life-boat them £275, which was £2 more than in Service, as compared with sixty in 1949. WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 121

Rescue by a Converted Life-boat Ox the 15th of December, 1950, Mr. and knocked him over. By the time W. A. Haines, of Burnham Overy, near he had her under control again the Wells, on the Norfolk coast, was out yacht had sunk and the four people musselling in the Wash, with another on board were struggling in the rough man, in a converted life-boat. The sea. With great difficulty Mr. Haines wind was blowing hard, with squalls of seized three of them and dragged them snow, and the sea was very rough. On into his boat. Before he could seize the way back Mr. Haines saw a yacht, the fourth, the yacht's captain, a sea the Wanderlyn, of Leigh-on-Sea, burn- had broken over him, and he was not ing flares. He brought his boat along- seen again. The Institution awarded its side her, but a sea swept his boat away thanks inscribed on vellum to Mr. Haines.

A Gallant Salcombe Boy THE Institution has awarded an in- sudden squall capsized it and threw scribed wrist-watch and a framed letter him into the harbour, in his seaboots of thanks to twelve-year-old Michael and oilskins. Michael Dornom was Dornom, of Salcombe, Devon, who in a motor boat, with a visitor. He saved the life of a seaman in a south- heard the man's cries, went at once westerly gale on the 17th of September, to his help, and was just in time to 1950. The seaman was coming ashore haul him into his boat before he in an outboard motor boat, when a sank.

Feeding the Gulls WHEN the motor mechanic of the the tunnels in which the propellers are Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, life-boat housed. The stunned fish rose to the started up the engines one morning in surface. At once sea-gulls swooped December, to test them, several dozen down on them and in a few minutes small grey mullet were blown out of they were all eaten.

New Year's Honours IN the New Year's Honours list, Mr. been honorary secretary of the Swanage Charles H. Barrett, who ha's been the station since 1923, were appointed honorary secretary of the Civil Service Members of the Order of the British Life-boat Fund since 1938, and Mr. Empire. He holds the Institution's William Francis Thomas Powell, who has inscribed binoculars and its gold badge.

Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of Coxswain beginning of 1939; was away on Thomas James Jeune, of Beaumaris, war service from September, 1939, Anglesey. until June, 1945; and then took up He was appointed coxswain at the again his duties as coxswain. 122 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

Services of the Life-boats in September, October and November, 1950 104 Lives Rescued

DURING September, life-boats went out without success, and reached her station on service 80 times and rescued 47 at half past six the next morning. lives. About eight o'clock news was received from Plymouth, through the coast- A CRUMPLED ROSE guard, that an aeroplane had spotted Seaham, Durham.—On the morning the yacht; and at 8.25 the life-boat was of the 2nd of September, 1950, the new launched again. The aeroplane showed life-boat George Elmy was launched for the position of the yacht ten miles exercise. The sea was choppy, with a south-east-by-east of Peveril Point, north-north-westerly breeze blowing. and the life-boat brought her and her At ten o'clock they noticed a fishing crew to Swanage, reaching there at coble three miles off Easington, with a 11.15. They then learned that the flag attached to an oar, and went out yacht had been drifting with a broken to her. They found she was the Rose rudder, and that once during the night of Englaiid, of Hartlepool, with a crew she was within half a mile of the life- of four. As she had been disabled by boat, but unable to make a signal. an engine breakdown and the off- The owner made a gift of money to the shore wind was carrying her seawards, life-boatmen.—-Rewards, First service, the life-boat took her crew aboard and £21 3s.; Second service, £8 7s. towed the coble to Seaham. They arrived at eleven o'clock.—Rewards, RESCUE IN A LOCH £5 Us. Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—During the afternoon of the 6th of September, THREE MEN AND A BOY 1950, two men from a Shipbreaking Walton and Frinton, Essex.— About Company were inspecting a wreck in 12.30 in the afternoon, on the 2nd of Campbeltowii Loch. While they were September, 1950, the Walton-on-the- aboard, a sudden gale sprang up from Naze Coastguard telephoned that the the south, with torrential rain. They crew of a rowing dinghy seemed to be tried to row back to the harbour, but in difficulties and drifting out to sea. were carried across the loch, and were Before long this crew made a distress in danger of being dashed ashore. The signal; and at 1.5 the life-boat E.M.E.D. life-boat coxswain and motor mechanic left her moorings in a very choppy sea saw their plight, and about four o'clock with a fresh west-south-west breeze the life-boat Manchester and Salford, on blowing. She found the dinghy, with temporary duty at the station, left her three men and a boy, one and three- moorings in a very choppy sea. With quarter miles south-east of the pier; a great deal of difficulty she rescued rescued the crew and towed in the the men, and brought in their boat, dinghy. She reached her station again reaching her station again at 5.10 that at 1.45.—Rewards, £9 10,?. evening.-—Rewards, £2 5s.

YACHT SPOTTING MARINE BIOLOGY Swanage, Dorset.—-At 7.20 in the Port Erin, and Port St. Mary, Isle of Man. evening, on the 2nd of September, 1950, —About 4.30 in the afternoon, on the the coastguard telephoned that a small 6th of September, 1950, the Ramsey racing yacht with a crew of three was coastguard telephoned the Port Erin long overdue. It had last been seen life-boat station that the fishing re- four miles east of Peveril Point. At search motor vessel William Herdman, 7.40 the life-boat R.L.P. was launched of Liverpool, was in difficulties between in a slight sea and a moderate north- Chicken Rock and Langness Lighthouse. westerly wind. She searched all night, At 4.47 the life-boat Matthew Simpson WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 123 was launched in a very heavy sea with another fishing boat standing by. a strong southerly gale blowing; and The fishing boat and the life-boat at 4.50 the Port St. Mary life-boat The escorted the Bezaleel, which had made Newbons, which the coastguard had temporary repairs, to Peterhead har- informed at four o'clock, left her bour, and the life-boat arrived back at moorings, too. It was raining heavily. her station at 8.30. The Fraserburgh The Newbons found the motor vessel, lifeboat crew assembled, but were not with a crew of five and two biological needed.—Rewards, £10 9s. scientists on board, between two and three miles south-east of Port St. SHORT OF PETROL Mary breakwater. She was almost un- Selsey, Sussex.—At 3.55 in the after- manageable, but The Newbons succeed- noon, on the 8th of September, 1950, ed in escorting her to harbour. She the coastguard telephoned that a yacht then returned to her station at 6.15. was burning red flares one and a half The Port Erin life-boat was recalled miles south-south-east of Selsey Bill. and she reached her station again at The sea was choppy, with a light breeze 6.45. The Marine Biological Station blowing from the south-west, when at at Port Erin expressed their apprecia- 4.8 the life-boat Canadian Pacific was tion.—Rewards: Port Erin, £14 15*.; launched. She found the sailing yacht Port St. Mary, £8 18s. 6d. Lady Jane with her foresail lost and one man on board. He was short of OFF GALLOWS POINT petrol for his outboard engine. The Beaumaris, Anglesey. — At six o'clock Lady Jane had been in tow of a motor on the evening of the 6th of September, boat, but the rope had parted; the life- 1950, the launch Intrinsic broke from boat therefore towed her in and arrived her moorings. There was a very rough back at her station at 5.30 that evening. sea and a strong south-south-westerly —Rewards, £11 12s. gale, but her crew were in no immediate danger. Shortly after 8.15 it was A BADLY LEAKING YACHT reported that another motor launch off Ramsgate, Kent. — At 5.22 on the Gallows Point was showing distress afternoon of the 9th of September, signals. At nine o'clock the life-boat 1950, the coastguard telephoned that Field Marshal and Mrs. Smuts was East Goodwin Lightvessel had reported launched and found the motor cruiser a yacht near it in urgent need of help. Westwind, of Rockferry, drifting with Eleven minutes later the life-boat her engine broken down. She rescued Prudential left her moorings in a rough her crew of two and, as it was impossible sea with a fresh wind blowing from to get alongside Beaumaris Pier, landed the south-west. She found the Dutch them at Menai Bridge. After making yacht Amy II had reached the light- sure that the Westwind was all right, vessel just beforehand with a man, his the life-boat reached her station again wife and three small sons on board. at eleven o'clock.—Rewards, £10 3s. Only the man and some of the light- ship's crew were then aboard the yacht. DOUBLE ESCORT She was leaking badly, her engine was Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — At 4.50 submerged, and her pump out of order. in the morning, on the 7th of September, The wife and children were taken from 1950, a fishing boat skipper reported the lightvessel into the life-boat, and that the motor fishing boat Bezaleel, of two life-boatmen were put aboard Banff, had wirelessed that she had the yacht. She was then towed into sprung a leak, and needed help. A Ramsgate. The life-boat arrived back later message gave her position as at her station at 9.28.—Rewards, south-south-east of Cruden Skarls. So, £11 10s. 6d. at 5.20, the life-boat Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow, was launched. The sea SIGNALLED FOR A DOCTOR was rough, with a westerly gale blow- Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 10.50 ing. She found the Bezaleel, with a on the night of the 9th of September, crew of eight, between two and three 1950, the Kingston-on-Sea coastguard miles south-by-east of Cruden Bay with telephoned that a message had been 124 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 received from the Worthing police. that the Dudgeon lightvessel had re- A vessel was making distress signals ported a sailing yacht circling the light- two miles south of Worthing. At 11.15 vessel in need of help. Accordingly, at accordingly, the life-boat Rosa Woodd 9.5 the life-boat Foresters Centenary and Phyllis Limn was launched. The was launched. The sea was rough, sea was moderate, with a fresh south- with a strong south-westerly breeze westerly breeze blowing. She found blowing. She spoke the lightvessel, the motor yacht Plain Jane, of Shore- and came up with the sailing yacht ham, two hundred yards south-south- Gaia twenty-six miles north-east of west of Worthing Pier with her engine Sheringham. The Gaia was bound for broken down. Her crew of four were Harwich with a crew of four. She was exhausted and asked for a doctor. The out of control, however; so the life-boat life-boat put two men on board, sig- towed her to Sheringham, refuelled, nalled for a doctor to meet her at and then towed her to Gorleston, arriv- Shoreham, and towed in the Plain Jane, ing back at her station at 4.40 next reaching her station again at 3.25 the morning. The owner and crew ex- next morning.—Property Salvage Case. pressed their thanks.—Rewards, £66.

IRISH BRONZE MEDAL SERVICE WOUNDED HERON Wicklow, County Wicklow. — On the 10th of September, 1950, the Wicklow Lowestoft, Suffolk.—On the evening life-boat rescued the crew of eleven of of the llth of September, 1950, a resi- the M.V. Cameo of Glasgow.—Rewards, dent informed the coastguard that a to Coxswain Edward Kavanagh, the man in Southwold had reported a yacht bronze medal for gallantry; to motor in need of help, quarter of a mile north mechanic J. Bonus, the thanks of the of Southwold pier. At 5.34 the coast- Institution inscribed on vellum; to guard telephoned the life-boat authori- Mr. J. T. O'Byrne, the honorary sec- ties; and at 5.50 the life-boat Michael retary, a letter of appreciation; to Stephens left her moorings with the the coxswain and crew, £50 7s. Od. second coxswain in command. There For a full account of this service, was a choppy sea with a moderate see page 117. south-south-west breeze blowing. She found the motor yacht Heron, of Rochester, with a crew of three bound ADRIFT FOR THREE DAYS for Oulton Broad. Her engine had Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 6.10 broken down. The skipper said he on the morning of the llth of Septem- would try to reach Lowestoft under ber, 1950, the Kingston-on-Sea coast- sail, and at his request the life-boat guard reported that a yacht, ashore escorted the Heron to the harbour between the Brighton piers, had asked entrance; but here she had to tow her for the life-boat. Five minutes later in. She arrived back at her station at the life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis 9.15 that night.—Rewards, £10 2s. Lunn was launched in a moderate sea and fresh south-westerly breeze. She found the yacht Caprice II three hun- ANOTHER BROKEN-DOWN ENGINE dred yards east of West Brighton pier Dunbar, East Lothian.—At 3.10 on with a crew of two. She was bound the afternoon of the 12th of September, for Chichester. Using her line-throw- 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a ing gun the life-boat got a rope aboard vessel was flying distress signals south- and towed the yacht to Shoreham east of Bass Rock. Five minutes later Harbour, arriving back at her station the life-boat George and Sarah Strachan at 9.25. The rescued men had been left her moorings in a choppy sea with a adrift for three days.—Property Salvage moderate westerly breeze. She came Case. up with the local motor fishing vessel Young Robert, with a crew of four, two OUT OF CONTROL miles south-east of the Rock. Her en- Sheringham, Norfolk.—At 8.50 in the gine had broken down, so the life-boat morning, on the llth of September, towed her to harbour, arriving at 4.15. 1950, the Cromer coastguard telephoned •—Rewards, £5 5s. WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 125

SHORT OF FUEL raft was sinking. The life-boat there- Ramsgate, Kent.—At 7.45 on the fore took off the two men and returned evening of the 12th of September, 1950, to her station, arriving at 6.40.— flares were seen off Broadstairs Knoll. Rewards, £9 2*. Qd. At 7.50 the life-boat Prudential was launched in a moderate sea with a RESCUE FROM A CAVE moderate west-south-west breeze blow- Port Erin, Isle of Man.—-At 2.40 in ing. She found the local motor boat the afternoon, on the 16th of September, Lady Haig, with a crew of two, short of 1950, the coxswain reported that two fuel and dragging her anchor, and hours earlier two men had set out in an towed her into harbour, arriving at outboard motor boat to rescue a dog 9.10.—Rewards, £6 13*. trapped on the cliffs north of Fleshwick beach. They had not returned, and DRAGGING HER ANCHOR, INSHORE people were anxious for their safety. The honorary secretary, Mr. A. Q. Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. — About Russell, went immediately to Fleshwick 8.45 on the morning of the 13th of where he found the men trying unsuc- September, 1950, the life-boat coxswain cessfully to pull to the shore in a rough saw a motor launch apparently in sea and rising south-south-east gale. difficulties about a third of a mile Their motor had failed. Mr. Russell west-south-west of the Gimblet Rock. telephoned for the life-boat, and at 3.25 She was dragging her anchor close in- the Matthew Simpson was launched. shore. At 9.14 the life-boat Man- A message was flashed to the men by chester and Salford XXIX was launched a motor car's headlights that she was in a rough sea and rapidly freshening on her way, and the men rowed into south-westerly wind. She found the a cave to wait for her. The life-boat motor launch Brownie, of Abersoch, rescued them, took their boat in tow, with one man on board, broken down and reached her station again at 4.45. and her mainsail halyards jammed. —Rewards, £9 8*. The life-boat towed her into harbour, arriving back at her station at ten TOWED TO AN ANCHORAGE o'clock.—Rewards, £5 5*. Falmouth, Cornwall.—At six o'clock in the evening, on the 16th of Sep- ROWING BOAT IN DIFFICULTIES tember, 1950, a report was received Coverack, Cornwall.—At 2.5 in the that a yacht was dragging her moorings afternoon, on the 13th of September, on to rocks at Restronguet. At 6.30 1950, the life-boat coxswain saw a small the life-boat Crawford and Constance rowing boat with two men in diffi- Conybeare left her moorings, in a heavy culties near the rocks off Pedn Myin; sea with a fresh southerly gale blowing. and at 2.15 the life-boat The Three She found the yacht Zephyr in danger Sisters was launched. The sea was of going ashore; for there was no one slight with a moderate south-westerly in her. A life-boatman therefore went breeze. She found the local rowing on board and the life-boat towed her boat Nan on the rocks, rescued the to an anchorage at Restronguet, reach- two men and towed the boat in. She ing her station again at 8.30.—Rewards, reached her station again at three.—• £5 13s. Rewards, £7 6s. Qd. EMPTY YACHT ADRIFT A SINKING RAFT Fowey, Cornwall.—On the evening of Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—At six the 16th of September, 1950, the yacht o'clock on the evening of the 15th of Black Maria, with no one on board, September, 1950, a resident telephoned broke her moorings at Fowey. In a the harbour master that a yacht was rough sea and a fresh south-westerly in difficulties. At 6.20 the life-boat gale, she was swept up the harbour, Dunleary II was launched in a smooth striking the life-boat and several other sea and light north-westerly breeze. small craft. At 7.30 the life-boat Off the West Pier, she found a home- C.D.E.C. was launched and, extricat- made raft with two men aboard. The ing the yacht from among some small 126 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 boats, towed her to Wiseman's Stone. crew refused to use it, preferring to Here she re-moored her. The life-boat remain on board until daylight. Mean- reached her station again at nine while, unknown to the life-boat, the o'clock.—Property Salvage Case. Campbeltown Rocket Life-saving Ap- paratus arrived on the starboard side BRONZE MEDAL SERVICE IN THE of the steamer (which was close to the MERSEY shore) and took off her crew. The life- boat then returned to Campbeltown New Brighton, Cheshire.—On the 16th and secured to her moorings at 10.15 in of September, 1950, the New Brighton the morning." No. 2 life-boat rescued the crew of four Although the life-boat did not take of the Happy Harry of Arklow.—Re- off the crew it was an outstanding wards, to Acting-coxswain William service in very severe weather and the Stephen Jones, a clasp to the bronze Institution sent a letter of apprecia- medal for gallantry which he won in tion to the branch, and granted a 1947; to the acting coxswain and crew, special reward of £2 to each member £18 15s. Od. of the crew, in addition to the reward For a full account of this service, of £2 3s. on the ordinary scale; ordinary see page 120. rewards, £18 12,9. 6d., additional re- wards, £18; total rewards, £.36 12,9. 6d. A PATIENT VIGIL Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — At 1.10 in the morning on the 17th of Septem- BOTH ANCHORS PARTED ber, 1950, the coastguard reported a Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 1.50 radio message from the tug Turmoil that in the morning, on the 17th of Septem- the steamer Bisco 9, which she was tow- ber, 1950, the I3ritish Railways' berthing ing, had parted her tow and was drift- master telephoned that a small yacht ing. She was seven miles north-west of was drifting' towards the North break- Ailsa Craig—roughly twelve miles from water and making S.O.S. signals with Campbeltown. a torch. At 2.32 the life-boat White It was high water, and blowing a full Star was launched. The sea was very southerly gale. A very heavy sea was rough, with a south - westerly gale running. Weather and sea conditions, blowing. She found the avtxiliai'y indeed, were described as appalling, the yacht Simba about a quarter of a mile worst within memory, when at 1.-10 from the north breakwater lighthouse, the life-boat, Manchester and Salford, with one man on board. She had on temporary duty at the station, put parted both her anchors and was drift- to sea. In spite of the exceptionally ing. The life-boat took her in tow, dark night, the height of the sea, but the rope broke; however, she got passing rain squalls and a maximum another line aboard, towed her in, and visibility of three miles—dropping to arrived back at her station at 4.15. less than a mile at times—the coxswain The rescued man expressed his thanks. intercepted the Bisco 9, without fuss —Rewards, £7 5s. or searching, at 2.45. She was drifting towards the Kintyre shore. At three o'clock the life-boat MUCH ESCORTING closed with her in an attempt to take Aberdeen, and Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. off her crew; but the coxswain eventu- —At 2.25 on the morning of the 17th ally decided that the risk was too great. of September, 1950, the Gregness The ship was labouring heavily and coastguard telephoned the Aberdeen sheering dangerously in the very heavy life-boat authorities. The motor fish- sea running; and the eight men aboard ing vessel Saga, of Aberdeen, with a her 9,000 tons were in no great danger. crew of three, had wirelessed that she Shortly afterwards the Bisco 9 had anchored fifteen miles south-east grounded on the north side of Black of Girdle Ness with an engine break- Bay, five miles north of Campbeltown. down. She had asked for help. At The life-boat closed, anchored close to three o'clock, the No. 1 life-boat Emma her port quarter and threw across the Constance was launched, with the breeches buoy. However, the steamer's second coxswain in command, in a very WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 127 rough sea with a strong south-south- ber, 1950, the Bangor coastguard east gale blowing and heavy rain reported that a motor boat was adrift squalls. But meanwhile the S.S. in Donaghadee Sound. Twenty min- Gotvrie had taken the Saga in tow; so utes later the life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly the life-boat was recalled to her station. was launched, in a very rough sea and She reached it at 9.20. About 10.50 westerly gale. She found the boat the Gowrie, now two and a half miles four miles east of Donaghadee with no off Collieston, wirelessed for the Aber- one aboard, so took her in tow and deen life-boat to stand by her because returned to her station, arriving at of the weather. The Emma Constance three o'clock.—Rewards, £6 135. therefore put out again at 11.30. At 11.45 the Peterhead life-boat was A FLOODED YACHT informed by the Pcterhead coastguard, Newhaven, Sussex. — At 6.55 in the and her crew assembled. At 1.35 they evening, on the 17th of September, heard that the Gowrie's tow rope had 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a parted; so the Julia Park Barry, of yacht about two miles to westward and Glasgow was launched. This was at a mile off shore, was drifting eastwards. 1.50. She came up with the vessels She seemed to be out of control. At between four and five miles east-south- 7.5 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian east of Peterhead. The Saga was Philpott was launched in a very rough adrift, but neither the Gowrie nor the sea with a south-westerly gale blowing. S.S. St. Clair, which was also standing She found the motor yacht Deli, of by, could take her in tow. About ten Beaumaris, one and a half miles west minutes later, the Aberdeen life-boat of Newhaven harbour; but no crew. reached them. The Peterhead life- Two life-boatmen boarded her and boat then took the Saga in tow and found her flooded; but they could not asked the Aberdeen life-boat to stand be sure that no one was on board. by. The Gowrie and St. Clair left the They therefore made fast a tow rope scene. Escorted by the Emma Con- and re-boarded the life-boat, which stance, the Peterhead life-boat towed towed the Deli to harbour, reaching her the Saga to Peterhead, reaching it at station again at 8.50. It was learned 5.30 that evening. The Aberdeen life- later that the Deli's crew had been boat left them at the entrance to Peter- taken off by a steamer off the Nab head harbour and returned to her Light the day before. This same day, station, arriving at 7.30.—Rewards: the Bembridge life-boat had also Aberdeen, First service, £10 10s.; launched, but found nothing.—Property Second service, £14 4s.; Peterhead, Salvage Case. Property Salvage Case. EMBARKATION FOR HOSPITAL PONTOON Arranmore, Co. Donegal.— On the Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 7.45 in the morning of the 18th of September, 1950, morning, on the 17th of September, a girl was suddenly taken very ill, 1950, it was reported that a boat was needing immediate hospital treatment. drifting out to sea from the Helford It was very stormy, and no small boat River. At 8.15 the life-boat Crawford could go to the mainland in the rough and Constance Conybeare was launched, seas and the north-westerly gale which in a heavy sea with a westerly wind was then blowing. At ten o'clock, blowing. She found a pontoon with a then, the life-boat W. M. Tilson left canvas awning a mile off the river. her moorings. She embarked the No one was on board. The life-boat patient, and took her to the mainland, therefore towed the pontoon to Fal- reaching her station again at half past mouth harbour and reached her station two in the afternoon. — Rewards, again at 10.31.—Property Salvage Case: £10 8s. Rewards, £2 Is. 6d. A TEMPEST FOR MIRANDA EMPTY MOTOR BOAT Sheringham, Norfolk.—At 2.5 in the Donaghadee, Co. Down. — At 12.10, afternoon, on the 22nd of September, on the afternoon of the 17th of Septem- 1950, a fisherman reported that a yacht 128 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 was in difficulties. She had lost her Runswick Bay Sailing Club expressed mainsail, and was close inshore, going its thanks.—Rewards, £12 2s. 6d. towards Weybourne. Then she altered course and anchored off the life-boat- NORTH OF IRVINE BAR house, in a dangerous position. A Troon, Ayrshire.-—At 7.50 in the motor boat put out, but, at the request evening, on the 25th of September, of the yacht, she signalled for the life- 1950, a message was received from boat and returned to the shore. The Irvine that a yacht had broken down weather was very bad. At 2.37 the off Irvine harbour and could not get life-boat Foresters Centenary was in. So, at 8.15, the life-boat Sir David launched in a rough sea with a strong Richmond, of Glasgozv, was launched north-westerly breeze blowing. She in a choppy sea, with a fresh northerly towed the sailing yacht Miranda and breeze blowing. She found the auxiliary her crew of two to Blakeney harbour yacht Bervor, of Irvine, with a crew of and then returned to her station, two, half a mile north of Irvine Bar, arriving at seven in the evening. The and towed her to harbour. Then she crew expressed their appreciation.— returned to her station, arriving at Rewards, £28 7s. ten o'clock.—Rewards, £5 Is.

LEADING IN THE WINNER ANOTHER HOSPITAL CASE Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—About 12.30 Teesmouth, Yorkshire. — At 8.45, on in the afternoon, on the 24th of Sep- the evening of the 25th of September, tember, 1950, the police reported that 1950, the lighthouse keeper reported a the local fishing boat Winner, with a message that a member of the crew of crew of three, was fifteen hours overdue. the new tanker London Pride, which All coastguards were notified; and at 1.5 was carrying out trials, was in need of the life-boat Sir Arthur Rose left her hospital treatment. At 9.25 the life- station in a light southerly wind with boat John and Lucy Cordingley was a moderate sea. She searched the launched in a slight sea with a light Mallaig Dunvegan area until half past north-easterly breeze, and soon came three, when she received a wireless up with the tanker half a mile north of report that the missing boat was in Fairway Buoy. The injured man had Rhum Loch. There the life-boat found been badly burned about the face and her at anchor. She had broken down hands and was suffering from shock, the night before and drifted for seven although conscious. He was lowered hours, until with the help of a sail she into the life-boat and attended by two had managed to reach Rhum Island. ambulance men who had accompanied With the Winner in tow, the life-boat the crew. The life-boat returned to her arrived back at 6.40 in the evening.— station, arriving at 10.25, when a wait- Rewards, £10 17*. ing ambulance took the man to hos- pital. The owners expressed their FROM CHURCH TO LIFE-BOAT thanks and made a gift to the funds Runswick, Yorkshire.—At 6.45 oil the of the Institution.—Rewards, £9 3s. evening of Sunday, the 24th of Sep- tember, 1950, one of two small yachts ONE MAN ON A YACHT off Kettleness Point, was seen to be Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 10.7 on the in difficulties. The other was standing night of the 25th of September, 1950, by. During the next thirty minutes, the coastguard telephoned that a yacht however, the wind freshened to a strong had fired a red Vercy light off Trinity south-westerly breeze, and then it was Depot. At 10.30 the life-boat St. Cybi, seen that both yachts were in trouble. Civil Sen'ice No. 9 was launched on At half past seven the life-boat Robert service for the first time. The sea was Fatten — Th£ Always Ready, was very rough, with a whole gale blowing launched, some of her crew leaving from the north. She found the yacht church to take their places in the boat. Marda, of Beaumaris, off Newry Beach, The sea was moderate, and she escorted rolling heavily, with one man on board. the yachts into Runswick Bay, arriving The life-boat rescued this man and back at her station at 8.15. The returned to her station, arriving at WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 129 11.15. The Marda eventually fetched inside. Then she returned to her up broadside on to the beach.—Rewards station, arriving at 8.20.—Rewards, £81*. £10. 8*. TRAWLER AGROUND MOTOR BOAT IN TROUBLE Aberdeen.—The local steam trawler Torbay, Devon.-—Early in the after- Lynburn, which had previously broken noon, on the 26th of September, 1950, adrift, had gone ashore in the Naviga- the Berry Head coastguard reported a tion Channel at Aberdeen. In the small motor boat apparently broken early hours of the morning of the 26th down. The occupants were waving to of September, 1950, tugs were trying attract attention. At 2.5 the life-boat to refloat her; and at 2.40 the No. 1 George Shee put out in a choppy sea life-boat Emma Constance put out to with a northerly breeze, and found the stand by her. Efforts to get her off motor boat Dragonfly, of Torquay, half failed and, after taking off the watch- a mile off Berry Head. Her crew of man, the life-boat returned, arriving two had managed to get her engine to at 3.40.—Rewards, £4 17*. 6d. function, but were heading for the broken water of a tide race. The life- A LONE MUSKETEER boat headed them off and escorted the Barrow, Lancashire.—At three o'clock motor boat to Torquay Harbour, in in the morning, on the 26th of Septem- case her engine failed again. She ber, 1950, a message was received from reached her station again at 4.5. The the Walney coastguard, that H.M.S. owner expressed thanks and made a Musketeer, which was being towed to gift.—Rewards, £5 13s. Liverpool by the tug Saucy, for a re-fit, had broken adrift. At 3.50 the PULLED CLEAR OF THE GOODWINS life-boat N.T. was launched. At 8.15 Ramsgate, Kent. — At 5.28 in the she came up with the tug twenty-six morning, on the 30th of September, miles south-west of Morecambe Bay 1950, the coastguard telephoned that Light vessel. The Musketeer had just the North Goodwin Lightvessel had anchored, but a rough sea with a fresh warned off two ships approaching the northerly gale caused the master of Goodwin Sands. At 5.52 the coast- the tug some concern in case the guard reported that one of them seemed destroyer's anchor should drag or her to have gone aground two and a half cable part. At his request, then, the miles south-south-west of the light- life-boat stood by> About 10.30 the vessel. So, at 5.59, the life-boat Pru- weather moderated; and as the master dential left her moorings. The sea was was satisfied that the Musketeer was rough with a strong south-westerly safely anchored, the life-boat returned breeze blowing. She found the motor to her station, arriving at 4.45 in the trawler Berdin Gabea, of San Sebastian, afternoon.—Rewards, £23 11s. with sixteen people on board, and laying out an anchor for her, put a MARY ANN: SHEPHERDESS towrope on board. Then she anchored Whitby, Yorkshire.—About half past to await the flood tide. With the rising three on the morning of the 26th of tide, she held the trawler upright and September, 1950, several Scottish fish- with the help of a motor boat, pulled ing boats working from Whitby were her clear. She returned to her station at sea. A strong north-easterly wind again at 1.35 that afternoon. Pro- was causing a very heavy sea, making perty Salvage Case.—Rewards, 16s. the approach to Whitby Harbour dangerous during the hours of darkness. DRIFTING IN A MOTOR BOAT On account of this, the life-boat crew Ilfracombe, Devon.—About half past were assembled; and at 4.20, when the four on the afternoon of the 30th of fishing boats were seen making for September, 1950, a small boat was seen port, the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann by a member of the life-boat crew Hepworth was launched. She told each making distress signals north-east of boat the safest way to approach har- Ilfracombe. This was confirmed by the bour, and stood by until all were safely coastguard. At 5.15 the life-boat 130 THE LIFE-BOAT [WlXTER, 1950 Richard Silver Oliver was launched in a Valentia, Co. Kerry.—September 16th. calm, sea and slight southerly breeze. —Rewards, £7 Is. 6d. Threequarters of an hour later she Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—September found the motor boat Virginia, of 16th.—Rewards, £14 18s. Penarth, with one person aboard, Sunderland, Durham.—September drifting up channel with the tide. 17th.—Rewards, £4 19s. Her engine had broken down. The Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—September life-boat therefore towed her to Ilfra- 18th.—Rewards, £7 Is. 6d. combe Harbour, arriving at half past Swanage, Dorset. — September 20th. seven.—Rewards, £14 11s. 6d. Rewards, £11 7s.— Cromer, Norfolk.—September 21st.—• The following life-boats went out on Rewards, £24 13s. service, but could find no ships in Port Erin, Isle of Man. — September distress, were not needed or could do 22nd.—Rewards, £15 15s. 6d. nothing. Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — September 22nd.—Rewards, £9 17s. North Sunderland, Northumberland.— August 28th.—Rewards, £22 11s. Walmer, Kent. — September 24th.— Rewards, £16 18s. 6d. Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—Sep- tember 2nd.—Rewards, £5 12s. St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—September 24th.—Rewards, £5 15s. Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— September 2nd.—Rewards, £37 7s. Anstruther, Fifes hire.—September 25th.—Rewards, £11 7s. Dover, Kent.—September 3rd.—Re- wards, £6 18s. St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—Septem- Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—September ber 27th.—Rewards, £10 3s. 4th.—Rewards, £11 14s. Dover, Kent. •— September 28th. — Dover, Kent.—September 4th.—Re- Rewards, £9 14s. wards, £6 13s. Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—Sep- OCTOBER tember 5th.—Rewards, £16 7s. Walmer, Kent. — September 6th. —• During October, life-boats went out Rewards, £15 16s. on service 43 times, and rescued 10 lives. Islay, Inner Hebrides.—September 6th. —Rewards, £17 9s. &d. NO SERVICEABLE GEAR Hartlepool, Durham.—September 7th. —Rewards, £6 19s. 6d. Broughty Ferry, Angus.—Shortly after ten o'clock on the morning of Dungeness, Kent.—September 7th.— Rewards, £31 6s. Sunday, the 1st of October, 1950, the Carnoustie coastguard reported that Troon, Ayrshire.—September 7th.—• the Abertay Light vessel had said a small Rewards, £3 16s. 6d. boat was in difficulties off the light- Torbay, Devon. —• September 9th. — vessel. A moderate easterly breeze Rewards, £4 2s. 6d. was causing a considerable swell, when Dover, Kent. — September 12th. — at half past ten the life-boat Mono -was Rewards, £6 13s. launched. She found the boat two Pads tow, Cornwall.—September 13th miles e'ast-by-north of the lightvessel —Rewards, £6 7s. without any serviceable gear. A large St. Helier, Jersey.—September 13th. stone used as an anchor was being —Rewards, £11 7s. driven seaward. Two naval ratings Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — September were on board. The life-boat took her 13th.—Rewards, £32 16s. in tow and returned to Broughty Ferry, Walmer, Kent. — September 14th.— arriving at 12.20.—Rewards, £9 10s. Rewards, £19. Anstruther, Fifeibire.—September 14th. DAMAGED IN A SQUALL —Rewards, £13 8s. 6d. The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.— At Humber, Yorkshire.—September 16th. 11.56 on the morning of Sunday, the -—Paid Permanent Crew. 1st of October, 1950, the life-boat WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 131 William Gammon, Manchester and Dis- entered harbour at four o'clock.—- trict XXX was at sea for adjustments Rewards, £7 10s. to her wireless equipment when the coastguard announced that a yacht in A TANKER HARD AGROUND Port Eynon Bay was heading towards Barrow, Lancashire.—-At half past Oxwich Point and flying distress signals. six on the morning of the 4th of October, The sea was moderate and a south- 1950, the Walney Island coastguard westerly breeze was blowing. The life- reported a ship aground in Hilpsford boat found the auxiliary yacht Daffro- Point, Walney. No distress signals had bani two and a half miles south-west been made, but it was thought advisable of Oxwich Point. She had been to launch the life-boat. At 7.15, there- damaged in a squall and her engine had fore, the N.T. put out in a slight sea broken down. A life-boatman was put with a moderate southerly breeze. Two on board to help her crew of two and, miles west-south-west of the Walney with the life-boat in attendance, the lighthouse she found the 10,000-ton yacht proceeded under sail to an turbo-electric tanker Ampac-California, anchorage in Swansea Bay, arriving at of Los Angeles, with a crew of fifty. two o'clock.—Rewards, £12 6s. She was hard aground amidships and in danger of breaking her back if the wea- A DINGHY OFF THE TYNE ther got worse. The life-boat therefore Tynemouth, Northumberland.—At 3.45 stood by. Fortunately the weather on the afternoon of the 1st of October, held fair and at half past three in the 1950, the coastguard telephoned that afternoon the tanker refloated with the a sailing dinghy seemed to be in diffi- help of tugs from Heysham and went culties about a mile off the Tyne to a safe anchorage. The life-boat entrance. The sea was rough and a • returned to her station, arriving at 4.40. moderate westerly gale was carrying —Rewards, £22. it out to sea. At 4.15 the life-boat Tynesidcr was launched with the hono- WIFE DANGEROUSLY ILL rary secretary, Mr. Selby Davidson, on Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—About nine board. She found the dinghy Penny o'clock on the morning of the 6th of Ann about four miles east of Tyne har- October, 1950, the Irish Lights Com- bour in tow of a hopper which had missioners asked that the life-boat passed her a rope just before the life- should go to the Coningbeg Lightvessel boat arrived. This was transferred to to land a man whose wife was danger- the life-boat, together with the owner, ously ill. At 9.50 the life-boat Ann who was alone on board. The life-boat Isabella Pymont was launched in a rough then returned to her station, arriving sea and strong south-south-westerly at 5.47. The owner's wife expressed breeze. She reached the lightvessel in thanks and made a gift to the funds of an hour and a half and within ten min- the Institution.—Rewards, £10 6*. utes was on her way home. She arrived at her station at 12.55 in the VOYAGE OF THE GOLDEN HIND afternoon.—Rewards, £17 17*., repaid Barmoutb, Merionethshire. — At three by the Commissioners of the Irish in the afternoon on the 3rd of October, Lights. 1950, the coxswain and others saw the launch Golden Hind, of Plymouth, THE BODY OF A FISHERMAN approaching Barmouth Bar. There Skegness, Lincolnshire. — At 8.36 on was a heavy sea, with a strong south- the night of the 7th of October, 1950, westerly breeze blowing. The local the coastguard telephoned that the pilot boat had been standing by for Lynn Well lightvessel had reported that the ship to arrive, but had had to return flares had been seen five to six miles because of the rough seas. As the north-by-east of her. The sea was Golden Hind nearcd the bar heavy seas smooth, the wind slight and southerly, broke over her. At 3.18 the life-boat and the tide low. It was concluded that The Chieftain was launched, as she was a ship might be ashore on the Woolpack the only suitable craft available. Es- Sands, but in no immediate danger. corted by the life-boat, the launch About ten o'clock a coastguard reported 132 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 that further flares had been seen; and picked up the men and returned to her at half past ten the life-boat Anne Allen station, arriving at four o'clock.—• was launched. After searching for Rewards, £12 14s. some time she found tbe auxiliary yacht Catriona, of Littlehampton, two miles REFLOATING A STEAM TRAWLER south-south-west of the lightvessel. Islay, Inner Hebrides.—At 1.25 on the Although her engine had broken down morning of the 13th of October, 1950, and the tide and wind were against her, the Kilchoman coastguard telephoned she was trying to sail to Boston. The that the steam trawler Wyre Captain, life-boat therefore towed her there. of Fleetwood, had reported that she On "her way back to Skegness, the Anne was ashore in Islay Sound off Port Allen sighted the body of a fisherman, Askaig and needed help. At 1.45 the which she recovered and landed at her life-boat Charlotte Elizabeth left her station, reaching there at 10.25 next moorings. The sea was moderate with morning.—Rewards, £38 7s. a strong south-south-west breeze blow- ing. She found the trawler on the Jura MORE HELP FOR A DUTCH YACHT side of the Sound three miles north of Port Askaig and stood by, eventually Ramsgate, Kent. •— At 6.40 on the helping to refloat her. She reached her morning of the 12th of October, 1950, station again at five o'clock.—Rewards, the East Pier Watchman telephoned £13 10s. that the Dutch yacht Amy II, which had left Ramsgate an hour earlier, had burned flares and was apparently A GRATEFUL YACHTSMAN aground in Pegwell Bay. At 6.52 the Cloughey, Co. Down.—At 4.15 on the life-boat Prudential left her moorings afternoon of the 16th of October, 1950, in a smooth sea and light westerly the Tara coastguard reported that a wind. Near No. 2 Brake Buoy the motor yacht trying to cross the Strang- life-boat found the yacht. The motor ford Lough was making heavy weather. fishing boat Lady Beatty had already At 5.3, as the weather was worsening, put a rope aboard; and as soon as there it was thought advisable to launch the was enough water she and the life-boat life-boat; and at half past five the life- towed the yacht free. The Lady Beatty boat Herbert John put out in a heavy continued to tow until the Amy II sea with a strong south-south-westerly could go under her own power. The gale. She found the yacht Embla, of life-boat returned to her station, arriv- Dublin, with the owner and his wife on ing at 8.36. This yacht received help board, two miles south of Strangford from the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Bar. The owner acked to be escorted life-boat on the 25th August and from to safety; but progress was slow in the the Ramsgate life-boat on the 9th bad weather and after nearly three September.'—Rewards, £8 13s. hours they had only covered two miles. The yacht was now unmanageable and burned red flares; but it was impossible A MINE IN HER TRAWL to put men aboard to help her crew. Ramsgate, Kent.—At 12.15 on the She was therefore taken in tow to afternoon of the 12th of October, 1950, Ardglass Harbour and secured at 11.30. the coastguard reported a message The life-boat waited for the tide and from the Tongue lightvessel that the then returned to her station, which local trawler Volante had sunk three- she reached at 6.15 the following quarters of a mile south of South Knock morning. The owner paid a tribute to Buoy, after catching in her trawl a the efficiency of the Life-boat Service, mine which had exploded. Her crew made a gift and became a subscriber of three had rowed to the lightvessel. to the Institution's funds.—Rewards, The coastguard asked that the fisher- £41 14s. men should be advised, and that the life-boat be sent to land them. Accord- ANOTHER MOTOR YACHT TOWED ingly five minutes later the life-boat Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — At 2.35 in Prudential slipped her moorings in a the afternoon, on the 17th of October, slight sea and light westerly breeze, 1950, the coastguard reported that a WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 133

By courtesy [Sport and Genera! THE SOUTHERN AFRICA AT DOVER (See page 147} 134 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1030

/)v courtesy oT [Sport and General THE NAMING CEREMONY AT DOVER Dr. A. L Geyer, High Commissioner for South Africa, presenting the life-boat. Beside him is the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, on the left Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Institution

By courtesy of] [Northern Echo THE NAMING CEREMONY AT SEAHAM (See page 148) WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 135

THE NAMING CEREMONY AT ST. ABBS (See page 149)

By courtesy of] [Jim Parry, Rliyl THE NAMING CEREMONY AT RHYL (See page 151) 136 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

A RESCUE ON THE IRISH COAST

By courtesy of] [Irish Times THE CAMEO AGROUND

By courtesy of] [Irish Times THE CAMEO SUNK (See page 117) WlXTF.n. 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 137

Photograph by] [Mr. A. McArthur, of Aberdeen PETERHEAD LIFE-BOAT TOWING IN THE FISHING BOAT SAGA, SEPTEMBER, 1950 (See page 126)

By courtesy »/] [C. W. Stone, Gorleslon-on-Sea

THE GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON LIFE-BOAT Going out on Service 138 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

By courtesy o/J 'Jielfast \etnsletler LADY KELLY NAMES THE SIR SAMUEL KELLY The Ceremony at Donaghadee (See page 150)

By courtesy of] ix* Priss Photos DEDICATING THE LIFE-BOAT The Ceremony at Clogher Head (See page 150) WlNTEK. 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 139

{The Times SHEFFIELD PARK The gardens shown the public in aid of the Life-boat Service (See page 152)

[Mr. Ernest Tillev THE SMITHY AT GRETNA GREEN In front of the group is one of the life-boat boxes which collected £227 in three months (See page 154) 140 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

By courtesy of] \JSoUin$tam Journal

A LIFE-BOAT WORKER FOR SIXTY YEARS The late Mrs. Lotinga Smith, of Gedling (See page 155) WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 141 motor yacht, apparently deserted, was The life-boat towed the launch and her drifting, about a mile from Manorbier occupants to Newhaven harbour, and Point. At 2.45 the life-boat John R. returned to her station by half past six. Webb was launched in a moderately —Rewards, £37 10s. rough sea with a south-westerly breeze. She went to the motor yacht, which was CLEANING DELAYED then reported three and a half miles Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. —• At west of Caldy Light, and at 3.35 found 6.30 on the morning of the 28th of her. She was the Sumvood, of Fal- October, 1950, the life-boat Annie mouth. There was no one aboard; so BlancheSmithhad just left her moorings after putting two life-boatmen on the with five of the life-boat crew aboard (she yacht, the life-boat took her in tow, was going on to a slipway for cleaning), and brought her safely to Tenby Bay, when a small boat entered harbour and although the tow rope parted twice told them that red distress flares had before she arrived at five o'clock. been seen two and a half miles south- The yacht was a vessel of about twenty- we&t of the harbour. So the life-boat five tons. Her crew of three had put out. There was a smooth sea, with previously been taken oft by the motor a fresh north-west breeze. She found vessel Jade, of Glasgow.—Property the local fishing boat Catherine with a Salvage Case. crew of four, disabled by -an engine breakdown, and towed her into harbour, HIGH AND DRY arriving at 7.25.—Rewards, £4. Fleetwood, Lancashire. — At 9.40 on the night of the 18th of October, 1950, A DOUBLE SERVICE the Formby coastguard reported that Dungeness, Kent. — At 9.15 on the the fishing vessel Lady Brooke, of morning of the 29th of October, 1950, Kilkeel, was ashore threequarters of a the Ramsgate coastguard reported that mile east of Wyre Lightvessel, and in the motor cruiser Cambrian had asked need of help. At 10.15 the life-boat for the help of the life-boat; and at 9.23 Ann Letitia Russell was launched, in a the Charles Cooper Henderson was moderate sea and westerly breeze, and launched in a heavy ground sea with a found the vessel high and dry on fresh to strong breeze. She found the Pilling Sands. The coxswain spoke to motor cruiser five miles north-west of her through the loud-hailer and learned Varne lightvessel. The master asked that she was safe but would like the the life-boat to escort him to Dover as life-boat to stand by on the flood tide. his ship was leaking. On her way, The life-boat therefore returned to however, the life-boat intercepted a Fleetwood. At two in the morning she wireless message from the Varne light- put out again and when the vessel vessel that she had on board three boys. refloated put a life-boatman aboard to They had been rescued by the crew of act as pilot. She then escorted the the lightvessel from a small boat and Lady Brooke into harbour, arriving at were in need of a doctor. Putting two 3.55 in the morning.—Rewards, £16 17s. of his crew aboard the motor cruiser the coxswain made for the lightvessel, SPEEDBOAT BREAKS DOWN picked up the three boys and took Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 1.20 in the them to Folkestone, where a doctor afternoon, on the 21st of October, 1950, and ambulance were waiting. Mean- the life-boat coxswain reported that a while, the Cambrian had been safely motor launch had hoisted a distress brought into Dover. The two life- signal, a mile east of the station and boatmen rejoined their boat at Folke- about one and a half miles off shore. stone and the life-boat then returned Five minutes later the life-boat Beryl to her station, arriving at 4.20 in the Tollemache was launched in a moderate afternoon.—Rewards, £46 9s. sea and fresh easterly breeze. She found the speed launch Windrush with a The following life-boats went out on crew of two. She had been disabled by service but could find no ships in dis- an engine breakdown, and her wind- tress, were not needed or could do screen had been broken by the waves. nothing. 142 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—-Octo- NOVEMBER ber 1st.—Rewards, £8 2s. During November, life-boats went Ramsgate, Kent.—October 1st.—Re- out on service 40 times and rescued wards, £23 16*. 6d. 47 lives. Margate, Kent.—October 1st.—Re- wards, £39 11s. 6d. A TRIPLE SERVICE Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—October 2nd. Hastings, Sussex.—About half past —Rewards, £8 15s. six on the night of the 2nd of November, Montrose, Angus. — October 2nd. — 1950, a message was received that Rewards, £40 17s. flares had been seen about two and a Humber, Yorkshire. — October 2nd. half miles east of Hastings Harbour. •—Paid Permanent Crew. At 6.45 the life-boat M.T.C. was launched in a very heavy sea with a The Lizard, Cornwall.—October 3rd. west-south-westerly breeze. She found —Rewards, £14. the boat which had made the flares and Penlee, Cornwall. — October 3rd. — spoke the skipper. He directed their Rewards, £14 2s. attention to the fishing boat Mary, with Walmer, Kent.— October 4th.—-Re- a crew of two, which needed help more wards, £22 12s. because she had fouled her propeller North Sunderland, Northumberland.— with her net. The life-boat therefore October 6th.—Rewards, £26 17s. took the Mary in tow. On her way Boulmer, Northumberland.— October back to her station she received a 6th.—Rewards, £13 9s. 6d. message that yet another fishing" boat, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—October 7th. the Surprise, showing no light, was at —Rewards, £12 12s. 6d. sea disabled by an engine breakdown. She searched all along the coast with Thurso, Caithness-shire.—October 7th. her searchlight, but could find no trace —Rewards, £12 17s. of this boat; and with the Mary still in Penlee, Cornwall. — October 9th.— tow she reached her station at half past Rewards, £27 4s. 6d. eight.—Rewards, £26 3s. Qd. St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. — October 9th.—Rewards, £21 11s. 3,000-TON STEAMER SINKS Clovelly, Devon. — October 12th. — Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At 10.30 Rewards, £28 16s. on the night of the 7th of November, Margate, Kent.—October 14th.—Re- 1950, the coastguard reported lights wards, £46 8s. 6d. close inshore. Later he said a vessel Ramsgate, Kent. — October 15th. — had apparently gone aground, although Rewards, £26 2s. she had made no distress signals. How- Newhaven, Sussex.—October 15th.— ever, at 11.40, the life-boat Lloyds left Rewards, £9 11s. her moorings to investigate. There was a south-westerly gale with a very Valentia, Co. Kerry.—October 16th. rough sea and heavy rain. The Lloyds —Rewards, £14 15s. found the S.S. Seniority, of London, St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—October aground a quarter of a mile off Leaiiish 17th.—Rewards, £11 12s. Point, with a crew of thirty. She was Angle, Pembrokeshire.—October 17th. a ship of nearly 3,000 tons, bound light —Rewards, £29 Is. from Liverpool for Norway, and at Southend - on - Sea, Essex. —• October present in a very dangerous position. 23rd.—Rewards, £15 18s. The life-boat went alongside about Gourdon, Kincardineshire. — October midnight, but the crew decided to stay 25th.—Rewards, £20 10s. in the steamer until high water at 4.0 in the morning. Then she refloated; Skegness, Lincolnshire.—October 26th. but, -badly damaged by rocks, was —Rewards, £28 10s. leaking and sinking fast. The life-boat Hartlepool, Durham.—October 28th. thereupon rescued the crew and landed •—Rewards, £7 4s. them at Castlebay at 4.0 in the after- Donaghadee, Co. Down.—October 30th. noon. The steamer sank. — Rewards, —Rewards, £15. £39 12s. WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 148 BADLY BURNED ON A TANKER south-westerly gale. She stood by the Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—About 4.15 Masterman until the salvage ship in the morning on the 8th of November, Barnet arrived and took her in tow. 1950, the S.S. Allurity, of London, a Then she accompanied both ships to tanker of 813 tons, wirelessed that she Xewlyn Harbour, arriving at 6.30.— had a fire in her engine-room. Shortly Rewards, £23 10s. after 7.0 the Foreland coastguard reported that she had the fire under WILD FOWLERS CUT OFF control; but at 8.10 that night the Lytham - St. - Annes, Lancashire. — At coastguard telephoned that the Allurity 5.32 in the evening, on the 17th of had asked for the life-boat. Accord- November, 1950, the police telephoned ingly at 8.25, the life-boat Jesse Lumb that the S.S. Empire Gaelic had wire- was launched in a swell and a moderate lessed them. She had heard cries for south-westerly breeze. She came up help from the marshes near the third with the tanker four miles east of Nab mile light on the south bank of the Tower. A member of the crew had river Ribble. At 5.38 the Formby been badly burned, so the life-boat coastguard also telephoned. At 5.50 wirelessed for an ambulance to meet the life-boat Dunleary left her moorings her at Ryde, landed the patient and with a dinghy in tow, in a calm sea arrived back at her station at 2.0 the with a light northerly breeze. She next morning.—Rewards, £17 5s. found two men, who had been wild- fowling, cut off by the tide. They were exhausted. Two life-boatmen A BODY BROUGHT ASHORE went ashore in the dinghy and rescued Walmer, Kent. — At 10.58 on the them, and they were then given rum morning of the 10th of November, 1950, and soup. The life-boat took them to the Deal coastguard telephoned that Lytham, and reached her station again the police had reported a wireless at 8.10 that night.—Rewards, £11 4s. message from the S.S. Keynes, of Lon- don. She had a man on board who THE DUTCH YACHT AGAIN was in need of immediate medical at- Torbay, Devon.—At 12.30 on the tention. At one o'clock she approached afternoon of the 18th of November, Deal, and anchored near the South 1950, the Brixham coastguard reported Brake Buoy. The life-boat Charles a small yacht in a dangerous position Dibdin, Civil Set-vice No. 2 was then two miles off Beesands, apparently in launched, with a doctor on board, in a need of help. At 12.55 the life-boat moderate sea with a moderate souther- George Shee left her moorings in a ly breeze. But, on reaching the ship, moderate south - south - westerly gale they discovered that the man had died; with a rough sea, and set off at. full so the life-boat returned, took out the speed. In the meantime the yacht had Coroner and Police and then brought become unmanageable and was drifting the body ashore. She reached her east. Getting a new position for her, the station again at half past three.—• life-boat found the yacht Amy II, of Rewards, £21 12s. the Hague, eight miles off Berry Head, with a man, his wife, and their three MASTERMAN UNREADY young sons on board. They could not Penlee, Cornwall.—About one o'clock be taken off in the rough seas without on the afternoon of the llth of Novem- great risk so the life-boat took the ber, 1950, the coastguard reported an yacht in tow and returned to her S.O.S. message from the tug Tradesman. station. She arrived at 4.5. This The tug Masterman, of Falmouth, at yacht, now making for Ireland, had been anchor in Mounts Bay with a crew of helped by life-boats on three previous fourteen aboard, was slowly sinking occasions this year.—Rewards, £12 18s. after striking some rocks near Marazion. The tugs were engaged with the wreck of CLINGING TO THE WHEELHOUSE H.M.S. Warspite, which went ashore in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 10.45 on 1947. At 1.15 the life-boat M.O.Y.E., the night of the 20th of November, on temporary duty at the station, was 1950, a resident of Leigh - on - Sea launched in heavy seas with a full reported that red rockets had been 144 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 seen off Leigh. At 11.8 the life-boat 1950, the Great Yarmouth coastguard Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was reported that a vessel seemed to be in launched. The sea was very rough distress and aground on Scroby Elbow with a moderate south-easterly gale to the south-east. At 5.30 the life-boat blowing. She found the motor barge Jose Neville was launched. The sea Ada Mary, of Rochester, one mile was rough with a westerly breeze blow- north-west of Loway buoy. Heavy ing. She found the motor vessel seas were sweeping her and her crew of Traquair, of Leith, bound for Dunkirk, two were clinging to the wheelhouse, with a crew of eleven. The skipper which was breaking up. The life-boat asked the life-boat to wireless for a tug; rescued the men just before the barge and this, with the help of the life-boat, sank, and got back to her station with took the Traquair in tow. The tug them at midnight. At 12.30 next then refloated her, and the life-boat morning she put out again, pumped escorted her to Great Yarmouth Roads, out the barge and then handed her reaching her station again at 9.40.— over, with part of the life-boat's crew Property Salvage Case. on board, to another barge. This towed her to Leigh. The life-boat re- DISABLED OFF FLAMBOROUGH HEAD turned to her station again, arriving at Filey, Yorkshire.—On the late after- 7.40.—Rewards: First Service, £1117s.; noon of the 24th of November, 1950, Second Service, Property Salvage Case. the fishing boat Mary, of Filey, was reported overdue. Although the sea EXHAUSTED CREW was slight and the wind light from the Cromer, Norfolk. — At 6.26 in the north-east, the state of the tide with morning, on the 21st of November, approaching darkness and fog made 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a her position very dangerous. At 3.36, ship was firing rockets about two miles therefore, the life-boat The Cuttle was to the north. At 6.42 the No. 1 life- launched. She found the boat with boat Henry Blogg was launched. The her crew of three, four to five miles sea was rough with a strong south- east-south-east of Flamborough Head, south-east wind blowing. She found disabled by an engine breakdown and the auxiliary barge Thyra, of Rochester, drifting south. Taking the Mary in bound for London with a cargo of tow, she returned to her station, wheat and a crew of two. She was arriving at eight o'clock.—Rewards, making heavy weather, leaking, and £20 6s. running before the wind; her skipper and his companion were exhausted. STANDING BY ALL NIGHT They said they had been southward Southend'On-Sea, Essex.—At 5.40 in bound, but were unable to hold their the evening, on the 26th of November, course. Three life-boatmen boarded 1950, the pier head signal station re- the barge and the life-boat took her in ported a message from the Walton-on- tow. But she sheered badly and the Naze coastguard. The S.S. City of tow rope parted; the coxswain therefore Bristol, of Glasgow, had been in collision decided to let the Thyra make her own with the S.S. Seines, of Oslo, south of the way, and escort her, particularly as West Harrow Buoy. At 6.15 the life- the weather was much worse. At the boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3, skipper's request the life-boat remained was launched in a calm sea, with fog. in attendance until the Thyra reached She found the Seines, loaded with paper Kings Lynn Roads. The three life- and with a crew of twenty-one, partly boatmen then re-boarded the life-boat Hooded and her decks awash. The and returned with her to Wells by 3.0 coxswain went aboard and spoke to the in the afternoon. She was taken back master; and at his request the life-boat to her station next day.—Property stood by all night. Meanwhile, a tug Salvage Case. arrived and beached the Seines on West Barrow Sands; but the life-boat AGROUND ON SCROBY ELBOW stayed with her. In the morning the Caister, Norfolk. —At 5.20 in the fog cleared; and about four o'clock in morning, on the 22nd of November, the afternoon the master said that a WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 145 salvage tug was expected. The ser- heavy sea was breaking on the sands. vices of the life-boat would no longer be There were heavy rain squalls. The required. The master therefore thanked life-boat, still standing by, passed the life-boat's crew, and she returned to messages between tugs and the Generton. her station, arriving at 6.45 that night At last the seas made the steamer move, —after more than twenty-four hours and by 3.0 next morning the tugs at sea.—Rewards, £64 15*. pulled her clear. She had foul anchors, but at dawn she had cleared them and REFUSAL AND ACCEPTANCE made for Gravesend. The life-boat Dungeness, Kent.—At 12.32 on the returned to her station, arriving at early morning of the 27th of November, 10.20, nearly twenty-four hours after putting out.—Property Salvage Case. 1950, the Lade coastguard telephoned that a vessel was aground half a mile west of Jury's Gap. At 12.42 the life- GALE CATCHES THE FISHING FLEETS boat Charles Cooper Henderson was Whitby, Yorkshire. — Shortly after launched in a moderate sea with a fresh nine o'clock on the morning of the easterly breeze blowing. She found 29th of November, 1950, while the the motor ship Tilda, of Rouen, with Whitby fishing fleet was at sea, it was a cargo of oil fuel and a crew of fifteen. reported that a strong northerly gale The master said he did not need help, had developed, causing a heavy swell. for he would try to refloat his ship on At 9.40 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann the next high tide; so the life-boat Hepworth was launched. Three miles returned to her station, arriving at off Whitby High Light she found the 3.15. The weather got worse and, as it motor fishing vessel Foxglove with was thought that the Tilda would need engine trouble, and stood by until help the life-boat was launched again— she had repaired her engine. Then at 9.25 in the morning. She found the she escorted her over the harbour bar. tanker being driven further ashore. This done, she escorted the other fishing A tug was standing by; so the life-boat vessels separately to harbour and took passed a hawser from her to the Tilda. a new drogue out to the Faith Star to After an hour's pulling she refloated. help her get in. When all the boats The life-boat then returned to her had reached harbour, the life-boat station, arriving at 4.0 that afternoon. returned to her station, arriving at —Rewards: First Service, £24 2s.; four o'clock in the afternoon.—Re- Second Service, Property Salvage Case. wards, £18 16s. 6d.

LONG STRUGGLE TO REFLOAT Filey, Yorkshire.—On the morning Margate, Kent.—The S.S. Generton, of the 29th of November, 1950, the of Newcastle, a vessel of nearly 5,000 local fishing fleet was caught in a sud- tons bound from South Africa to den gale. Among those men at sea London was ashore -on the Girdler were several of the life-boat's crew. Sands, twelve miles to the north-west At 10.53 the motor mechanic, with a of Margate. Tugs had tried several scratch crew, put out in the life-boat times to refloat her, but by the 28th of The Cuttle, to meet the boats as they November, 1950, the weather had got came into harbour. A moderate north- worse and it was decided that the life- north-westerly gale was then blowing, boat should put out. At 10.50 that with a rough sea and rain. One coble, morning, then, The Lord Southbarough, the Catherine and Ann, had had its Civil Service No. 1 was launched in a rudder smashed; so the life-boat went very rough sea with a south-westerly to her at once, got a rope aboard, took gale blowing. The Generton had forty off the crew and towed the boat ashore. people on board. The master and a The cobles Jean and Barbara, and Joan salvage officer asked the life-boat to and Mary, were also escorted to safety stand by, while a tug tried once more before the life-boat returned ashore at to refloat her at 3.30 that afternoon. 1.35 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £16. It failed, and the life-boat was asked to help at the next tide. By midnight a Scarborough, Yorkshire. — While the strong gale was blowing and a very local fishing fleet was at sea in the early 146 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

morning of the 29th of November, 1950. of the life-boat crew, went aboard the the wind increased from the north- Dora Veno and piloted her to Pcterhead north-west until by nine o'clock it was Bay. The life-boat escorted her, and blowing a gale, causing a lot of broken then returned to her station, arriving water off The Castle. At 11.30 the at 9.30 that night.—Rewards, £12 11s. life-boat Herbert Joy II was launched. One coble, the Good Cheer, off Cayton The following life-boats went out on Bay, was the first to be escorted in. service, but could find no ships in Most of the boats were off Burniston, distress, were not needed, or could do however, and travelling north the life- nothing. boat came up with seven cobles and escorted them all to safety. • She Tenby, Pembrokesbire. — November returned to harbour at half past one.— 1st.—Rewards, £24 5s. Rewards, £16 5s. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—Novem- ber 1st.—Rewards, £12 19*. POUNDING AGAINST THE PIER Hastings, Sussex.—November 2nd.— Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 4.0 in the Rewards, £33 17s. 6d. afternoon, on the 29th of November, Dungeness, Kent.—November 2nd.—• 1950, the pier-master reported that a Rewards, £34 18,?. vessel was pounding against the pier, Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—Novem- damaging it. At 4.25 the life-boat ber 7th.—Rewards, £14 5s. Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was launched in a rough sea with a strong Hastings, Sussex.—November 7th.—• north-westerly breeze blowing. She Rewards, £32 3*. 6d. found the motor vessel Cub-H, of Hull, Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — November with a crew of two, on the west side 9th.—Rewards, £11 8s. of the pier; she was in a dangerous Troon, Ayrshire.—November 12th.— position, with her steering gear broken. Rewards, £7. Two life-boatmen therefore boarded Ramsgate, Kent.—November 13th.—- her and, making fast a tow rope, towed Rewards, £8 13s. the Cub-H to the loading pier and Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—Novem- berthed her there. She reached her ber 14th.—Rewards, £14 17s. station again at 6.0.—Property Salvage The Lizard, Cornwall. —• November Case. 17th.—Rewards, £14 10s. Walmer, Kent. — November 20th.— TWO DANISH SHIPS ASTRAY Rewards, £32. Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At 5.40 Dover, Kent.—November 20th.—Re- in the evening, on the 30th of No- wards, £16 10s. vember, 1950, the coastguard reported Lerwick, Shetlands.—November 20th. that a vessel was making a flare off —Rewards, £10 10s. North Head. At 5.55 the life-boat Walton and Frinton, Essex.—-Novem- Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow, was ber 20th.—Rewards, £27 19s. launched in a moderate sea with a Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—November 23rd. strong south-westerly breeze blowing. —Rewards, £13 3s. She found the Danish fishing vessel Dora Veno towing the fishing vessel Lytham - St. - Annes, Lancashire. —No- Peter Veno (also of Denmark), which vember 21'h.—Rewards, £9 2s. had broken down while bound from Peel, Isle of Man.—November 25th. Esbjerg to the Shetlands. Neither —Rewards, £20 12s. ship knew the coast, so the Petcrhead Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—November harbourmaster, who was a member 26th.—Rewards, £12 5s.

£10 For a Penny AN envelope with a penny stamp was ThereTwas no letter or name with in the Institution's post the other day. them. The postmark on the envelope Inside were ten £1 notes. was Bristol. WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 147

The Southern Africa THE second of three life-boats which presided. After the life-boat had been are a gift to the British Life-boat described by Commander S. W. F. Service from the people of Southern Bennetts, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N., the Africa, was stationed at Dover in district inspector of life-boats, His 1949. The first, named the Field- Excellency Dr. A. L. Geyer, High Com- Marshal and Mrs. Smuts, went to missioner for the Union of South Beaumaris, Anglesey, in 1945. The Africa, presented her to the Institution third boat has not yet been built. The on behalf of the people of Southern money to provide these three boats Africa. Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., was collected during the war in the chairman of the Committee of Manage- Union of South Africa, Northern and ment of the Institution, received the Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and life-boat and handed her to Dover, on the High Commission Territories of whose behalf she was accepted by Mr. Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protector- K. H. T. Wheeler, honorary treasurer ate and Zwaziland. The first appeal of the branch. The Right Rev. was made in 1940 by Miss Pattie Price, A. C. W. Rose, M.A., Bishop Suffra- who enlisted the help of the South gan of Dover, dedicated the life-boat, African Press and the Navy League of assisted bv the Rev.' A. S. Cooper, South Africa, and at the beginning of B.Sc., Vicar of Dover, and the Rev. 1942 a Southern African branch of the I. E. Evans, B.A., B.D. A vote of Institution was formed at Capetown thanks to those taking part in the with the Governor General of the ceremony was proposed by Mr. H. T. Union as its patron, the Prime Minister Hawksfield, J.P., chairman of the of the Union, Field Marshal Jan Smuts, Dover Harbour Board, and seconded as its president, and Sir Herbert by Captain L. T. Sly, superintendent of Stanley, late Governor and Commander- the Cinque Ports Pilots. in-Chief of Southern Rhodesia, as its The Countess Mountbatten of Burma, chairman. C.I., G.B.E., D.C.V.O., President of the The second of these Southern African Ladies' Life-boat Guild, then named life-boats was named at Dover on the the life-boat Southern Africa. 16th of September, 1950. She is a The singing was led by the choir of 51-feet Barnett Stromness life-boat, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and and is the eleventh life-boat to go to was accompanied by the Seamen's Dover, where the station was estab- Band of the Royal Naval Barracks at lished in 1837 and was taken over by Chatham. the Institution in 1855. After the ceremony, the life-boat, The naming ceremony was held in with Lady Mountbatten, Dr. Geyer, the Granville Dock. The Mayor of the Bishop of Dover, and other guests Dover (Councillor W. H. Fish, J.P.), on board, left the dock and went to sea.

Service by Clovelly IN the autumn number of The Life-boat be launched to stand by until the Clovelly appeared in the list of launches pilot cutter Roger Beck arrived. The in July, 1950, in which no services were William Cantrell Ashley was launched done. at 9.38 in a moderate sea with a moder- There was, in fact, a service. At ate south-westerly wind blowing. She 9.15 on the night of the 8th, the Hart- found the Drake Dean at midnight land Point coastguard reported the in tow of the pilot cutter and stood motor vessel Drake Dean, of London, by until they were clear of Lundy hove-to with her engines broken down Island, arriving back at her station ten miles north-west from Hartland at four in the morning. — Rewards. Point, and asked for the life-boat to £24 3s. Od. 148 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

Naming Ceremonies in England FOUR other naming ceremonies were The naming ceremony was held on the held in England, in June and July, 27th of June. Mr. T. Whitefield, 1950, at Seaham, Clovelly, Hastings, chairman of the branch, welcomed the and Teesmouth. guests to the ceremony, and the Earl Fortescuc, C.B., O.B/E., M.C., pre- Seaham sided. After Captain G. R. Cousins, The new Seaham life-boat lias been D.S.C., R.N., had described the life- built out of a legacy from the late Miss boat, Sir Arthur Reed, J.P., a member Elizabeth Elmy, of Stoke Newington, of the Committee of Management of the London. She is a 36-feet 6-inches Institution, handed her to Clovelly on Liverpool life-boat, and is the fifth behalf of the donor and the Institution, life-boat to go to Seaham, where the and she was received by Mr. J. C. station was established in 1870. The Hilton, president of the branch. The naming ceremony was held on the 26th Right Rev. Robert Cecil Mortimer, of June. The chairman of the Seaham Bishop of Exeter, dedicated the life- Urban District Council (Councillor Mrs. boat, assisted by the Rev. Isaac Bond, M. I. Robinson) presided. After Com- B.Sc., Methodist superintendent min- mander H. L. Wheeler, R.N., eastern ister of Beverlcy, Bideford. The district inspector of life-boats, had Countess Fortescue then named the described the boat, Mr. A. G. Everett, life-boat William Canlrell Ashley. A a member of the Committee of Manage- vote of thanks to those taking part in ment of the Institution, handed the the ceremony was proposed by Captain life-boat to Seaham, on behalf of the W. Bate, honorary secretary of the donor and the Institution, and she branch, and seconded by Mr. James was received by Captain F. Ogden, Cruse, a member of the branch com- O.B.E., honorary secretary of the mittee. The life-boat \vas launched. branch. The Right Rev. David Colin Dunlop, Bishop Suffragan of Jarrow, Hastings dedicated the life-boat, assisted by the The new Hastings life-boat has been Rev. Norman Maddison, B.A., vicar of built out of a gift from the Trained Seaham Harbour. The Marquess of Women Drivers Association. She is a Londonderry then introduced the Mar- 35-feet 6-inches self-righting life-boat, chioness of Londonderry, and she and is the sixth life-boat • to go to named the life-boat George Elmy. A Hastings, where the station was estab- vote of thanks to those taking part lished in 1858. The naming ceremony in the ceremony was proposed by Mr. was held on the 19th of July, 1950, R. Grimes, honorary treasurer of the The Mayor of Hastings (Alderman branch, and seconded by Miss N. Dillon, J. D. Cooper, J.P.) presided. After chairman of the Seaham Ladies' Life- Commander S. W. F. Bennetts, D.S.O., boat Guild. The singing was accom- D.S.C., R.N., district inspector of life- panied by the Fifth Seaham Old Scouts boats, had described the boat, the Right Band. Hon. Sir George Clerk, G.C.M.G., C.B., P.C., chairman of the M.T.C. Council, Clovelly presented her to the Institution, and The new Clovelly life-boat has been she was received by Captain Guy D. built out of a legacy from the late Fanshawe, R.N., a vice-president of Mr. Charles Carr Ashley, who died at the Institution. Captain Fanshawe Men tone in 1906 and bequeathed his handed her to Hastings on whose estate to the Institution. He had behalf she was received by Commander already given a life-boat in his life- John Bray, V.R.D., R.N.V.R. The time, and the Clovelly boat is the ninth Rev. Canon J. C. Poole, Rural Dean to be built out of his gifts. She is of Hastings, dedicated the life-boat, a 35-feet 6-inches Liverpool life-boat, assisted by the Rev. J. L. Napier, and is the sixth to go to Clovelly, where Rector of Hastings and Mayor's the station was established in 1870. Chaplain, and the Rev. A. E. Gould, WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 149 President of the Free Church Council. Commodore R. G. Clayton, D.S.C., Mrs. R.Peake, O.B.E., ex-Commandant R.D., R.N.R., a member of the Com- of the M.T.C., then named the life-boat mittee of Management of the Institu- M.T.C. A vote of thanks to those tion, handed her to Teesmouth on taking part in the ceremony was pro- behalf of the donor and the Institution, posed by Councillor G. Steel and and she was received by Mr. W. M. seconded by Lieut.-Commander (S) S. Friskney, late honorary secretary of L. Clarke, R.N.V.R. The life-boat was the branch. The Right Rev. W. H. launched. Badderley, D.S.O., M.C., Bishop Suffra- gan of Whitby, dedicated the life-boat, Teesmouth assisted by the Rev. F. Cosgrove, Hon. The new Teesmouth life-boat has C.F., Vicar of Coatham, and the Rev. been built out of a legacy from the late H. Hammersley, Vicar of Redcar. Mrs. L. J. Cordingley, of Bournemouth. Mrs. B. O. Davies then named the life- She is a 46-feet 9-inches Watson cabin boat John and Lucy Cordingley. A life-boat and is the fourth life-boat to vote of thanks to those taking part in go to Teesmouth, where the station the ceremony was proposed by Mr. was established in 1911. The naming E. R. Copeman, honorary secretary of ceremony was held on the 27th of the Teesmouth branch, and seconded July. The Mayor of Redcar presided. by Dr. G. Young. Mr. B. O. Davies After Commander H. L. Wheeler, replied. The singing was accompanied R.N., eastern district inspector of by the Silver Prize Band of the Redcar life-boats, had described the life-boat, Works of Dorman, Long & Company.

Naming Ceremonies in Scotland Two life-boats were named in Scotland of the St. Abbs branch. Lieut.-Com- in July, 1950, at St. Abbs and Buckie. mander S. C. Dickinson, R.N.V.R., They are both gifts from Glasgow. northern district inspector of life-boats, described the boat, and Lord Home St. Abbs presented certificates of service awarded The new St. Abbs boat has been built to retired members of the crew. Com- out of a legacy from the late Mr. mander D. M. Marshall, R.N., a member James Brown Couper, D.L., J.P., of of the committee of the branch, pro- Glasgow. She is a 35-feet 6-inches posed a vote of thanks to Mrs. W. F. Liverpool life-boat, and is the third Turner, of Glasgow, who was to name life-boat to go to St. Abbs, where the the boat, and Mr. R. B. Bell proposed station was established in 1911. She a vote of thanks to the chairman and succeeds a boat which was also a gift others taking part in the ceremony. from Glasgow. The naming ceremony The Rev. David A. Hodges, B.D., of was held on the 19th of July. Lieut.- the Church of Scotland at Ayton, Colonel the Earl of Home, K.T., Lord- then dedicated the boat, and Mrs. Lieutenant of the County of Berwick- Turner named her J. B. Couper, of shire, and a vice-president of the Glasgow. The life-boat was launched. Institution, presided. Mr. W. F. Turner, of Glasgow, on behalf of the trustees of the donor, presented the Buckie life-boat to the Institution and Captain The new Buckie life-boat has been the Hon. Sir Archibald Cochranc, built out of a legacy from the late Mrs. G.C.M.G., D.S.O., R.N., a member of Lawrence Glen, of Glasgow. She is a the Committee of Management of the 41-feet Watson cabin life-boat and is Institulion, a vice-chairman of the the sixth life-boat to go to Buckie, Scottish Life-boat Council and chair- where the station was established in man of the executive committee of the 1860. The naming ceremony was held Council, received her and handed her on the 29th of July. Mr. William to St. Abbs, on whose behalf she was Smith, J.P., chairman of the branch, received by Mr. R. B. Bell, chairman presided. Brigadier J. W. H. Gow, 150 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950 O.B.E., chairman of the Glasgow Buckie, dedicated her. Colonel Sir branch, handed the life-boat to the George W. Abercromby, of Birkenbog Institution on behalf of the donor, and and Forglen, Bt., D.S.O., Lord Lieuten- Lord Saltoun, M.C., a member of the ant of Banffshire and convenor of the Committee of Management of the county, then invited Miss M. Glen Institution, and a vice-president of Pettigrew to name the life-boat, and the Scottish Life-boat Council, received Miss Glen Pettigrew named her Glencoe, her and handed her to Buckie, on whose Glasgow. Mr. George Hendry, M.B., behalf she was received by ex-Provost Ch.B., J.P., Provost of Buckie, pro- W. J. Merson, J.P., a Knight of the posed a vote of thanks to Miss Pettigrew, Order of St. Olaf of Norway, and a and Mr. James Falconer, Provost of vice-president of the branch. After Portnockie, and vice-convener of Banff- Lieut.-Commander S. C. Dickinson, shire, proposed a vote of thanks to R.N.V.R., northern district inspector the chairman and others taking part of life-boats, had described the life- in the ceremony. The singing was led boat, the Rev. John Greenlaw, T.D., by a fisherman's choir and accompanied H.C.F. 2nd Class, of the North Church, by the Keith Silver Band.

Naming Ceremonies in Ireland FOUR life-boats were named in Ireland Clogher Head in August and September, 1950, at The new life-boat at Clogher Head Donaghadee, Clogher Head, Baltimore has been built out of a legacy from the and Arranmore. late Mr. G. H. Ermen, of Hale, Chester. She is a 35-feet 6-inches Liverpool life-boat and is the fourth life-boat to Donaghadee go to Clogher Head, where the station The new Donaghadee life-boat has was established in 1899. The naming been built out of a gift from Lady ceremony was held on the 31st of Kelly, of Crawfordsburn, Co. Down, in August. The Rev. J. G. McCooey, C.C., memory of her husband. She is a B.A., honorary secretary of the branch 46-fcet 9-inches Watson cabin life-boat presided. Captain the Hon. V. M. and is the third life-boat to go to Wyndham-Quin, R.N., a member of Donaghadee, where the station was the Committee of Management of the established in 1910. The naming cere- Institution, handed the life-boat to mony was held on the 17th of August. Clogher Head, on behalf of the donor Mr. James F. Ward, president of the and the Institution, and she was branch, presided. Admiral Sir Wilfrid received by the Rev. J. G. McCooey. Patterson, K.C.B., C.V.O., C.B.E., a After Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. member of the Committee of Manage- Dutton, R.D., R.N.R., Irish district ment of the Institution, handed the inspector of life-boats had described life-boat to Donaghadee, on behalf of the life-boat, the Very Rev. Canon P. the Institution, and she was received Johnston, P.P., dedicated her. The by Mr. A. M. Hamilton, J.P., chairman Hon. Mrs. Wyndham-Quin then named and vice-president of the branch. her George and Caroline Ermen. A After Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. vote of thanks to Captain and Mrs. Dutton, R.D., R.N.R., Irish district Wyndham-Quin was proposed by the inspector of life-boats, had described the Mayor of Drogheda (Alderman A. boat, the Rev. Thomas Martin dedi- Walsh) and seconded by Mr. J. Coburn, cated her. Lady Kelly then named T.D. the life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly. A vote Baltimore of thanks to Lady Kelly, and all taking The new Baltimore life-boat is one part in the ceremony, was proposed by of two boats built out of a legacy from, Mr. Hugh Graham and seconded by the late Mr. W. Muskerry Tilson, of Mr. James Hewitt. Richmond, Surrey. She is a 46-feet WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 151 9 inches Watson cabin life-boat and is Arranmore the third life-boat to go to Baltimore, The new Arranmore life-boat is the where the station was established in second of the two boats built out of 1919. The naming ceremony was held the legacy from Mr. W. Muskerry on the 6th of September. The Rev. Tilson, of Richmond, Surrey. She T. J. Hill, P.P., chairman of the branch, is a 46-feet 9-inches Watson cabin life- presided. The Lord Winster, K.C.M.G., boat and is the sixth life-boat to go to P.C., a member of the Committee of Arranmore, where the station was Management of the Institution, handed established in 1883. The naming cere- the life-boat to Baltimore, on behalf mony was held on the 23rd of Septem- of the donor and the Institution, and ber, at Burtonport. Lord Rossmore, a she was received by the Rev. J. member of the Committee of Manage- McCarthy, honorary secretary of the ment of the Institution, handed the life- branch. After Lieut. - Commander boat to Arranmore, on behalf of the W. L. G. Button, R.D., R.N.R., Irish donor and the Institution, and she was district inspector of life-boats, had received by Mr. Bernard McGill, hono- described the life-boat, the Most Rev. rary secretary of the branch. After Dr. Moynihan, D.D., Bishop of Ross, Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. Button, blessed her. Mrs. H. S. Roch then R.B., R.N.R., Irish district inspector named the life-boat Sarah Tilson. of life-boats, had described the life- Lord Winster presented the certificate boat, the Most Rev. William MacNeely, of service awarded to Coxswain Michael Bishop of Raphoe blessed her. Lady O'Donoghue, on his retirement, and Rossmore then named the life-boat a vote of thanks to Mrs. Roch, and all W. M. Tilson. Major C. Stewart who had taken part in the ceremony, Watson, R.M., deputy-secretary of was proposed by Admiral Hugh Somer- the Institution, proposed a vote of ville and seconded by Mr. H. Poole, thanks to those taking part in the honorary treasurer of the branch. ceremony.

Naming Ceremony at Rhyl THE new life-boat at Rhyl is a gift and Rear-Admiral R. Rowley-Conwy, from Liverpool. She has been built C.M.G., J.P., Lord Lieutenant of out of a legacy from the late Mr. A. R. Flintshire, thanked the donor and the Marshall, who was for many years the Institution on behalf of the county honorary secretary of the Port of of Flintshire. The Venerable R. H. Liverpool branch of the Institution. Roberts, M. A., Archdeacon of St. Asaph, She is a 35-feet 6-inches Liverpool life- dedicated the life-boat, assisted by the boat, and is the eighth life-boat to go Rev. Ban Jones. The Countess Howe to Rhyl, where the station was estab- then named her Anthony Robert Mar- lished in 1852. The naming ceremony shall. A vote of thanks to the Lord was held on the 14th of August, 1950. Lieutenant, Lord and Lady Howe, Mr. Fred P. Henson, president of the the Archdeacon of St. Asaph, and Mr. branch, presided. After Commander Dan Jones was proposed by Mr. W. E. W. Middleton, V.R.B., R.N.V.R., Brookes Parry, honorary secretary of western district inspector of life-boats, the branch, and seconded by Mrs. had described the life-boat, Commodore Sayle, chairman of the Rhyl Ladies' the Earl Howe, C.B.E., V.R.B., P.C., Life-boat Guild. The singing was led R.N.V.R., deputy-chairman of the by the Rhyl Ladies' Choir and Child- Committee of Management of the ren's Mixed Choir, accompanied by Institution, handed her to RhyJ, on a detachment of the Rhyl Silver behalf of the donor and the Institution. Band. The Rhyl unit of the Sea She was received by Mr. Leslie H. Cadet Corps provided a guard of Pickersgill, chairman of the branch, honour. 152 THE LIFE-BOAT [WlXTEK, 1950

"A Fisherman's Yarn" IN 1948 Mr. Paul Rotha made for the tow, with two life-boatmen on board Institution a twenty-minute film, with her, baling hard; but they cannot keep music and a running commentary, the water down. She steadily fills. which was to show the Life-boat At last the coxswain is compelled to Service from the point of view of the cut her adrift, and as the life-boat fishermen from whom its crews are moves on towards the shore the old drawn. It was taken at Hastings and man sits alone watching her until she is based on fact. has sunk. He has lost his boat, but It tells the story of an old fisherman he has learnt his lesson, and the last with such confidence in himself and shot shows him happily reconciled with his boat that he lias no use for the the life-boat coxswain and his own Life-boat Service. He has so little use son. for it that, when his own son joins the At the end of 1948 the film was leased life-boat crew, he refuses to have any- to British Lion Film Corporation who thing more to do with him. They go were given sole rights for three years their own ways and never speak. But to show it in cinemas. It has now been a day comes when the old man's own shown in over 1,200. The agreement fishing boat strikes a sunken wreck. left the Institution free to show the She is badly holed and begins to sink. film to audiences which did not pay to Even then his pride refuses to give see it, so that its branches were free to way. He makes no signal for help. use it at their meetings, and in October, But his plight is seen from the shore, 1950, the film was accepted for show- and the life-boat goes out to his rescue. ing to such audiences by the Central For long he refuses her help, but at Film Library (part of the Central Office last is persuaded to come on board. of Information) whose films are seen The life-boat then takes his boat in by twenty-two million people a year.

The Gardens of Sheffield Park IN 1950, for the second year, the famous were again in charge of the gates. gardens of Sheffield Park, Sussex, were The twelve afternoons brought the opened to the public on behalf of the Institution over £227. Life-boat Service, by the kindness of The gardens are again to be open for their owners, Captain and Mrs. A. Gran- the Life-boat Service in 1951, and the ville Soames. They were open for spring openings (from two in the after- seven afternoons in April, May and noon until seven) will be on Whit- June, for the flowering shrubs, and for Monday (May 14th), May 23rd and five afternoons in October, for the 26th, a'nd June 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th and autumn colours. The members of the 16th. The charge for admission is 2*., Eastbourne Ladies' Life-boat Guild children, accompanied by adults, 6cL

The Danger of Rubber Dinghies: A Correction AN article was published in the last no lives were rescued, at New Brighton number of The Life-boat (Autumn, 1950) on the 6th of June, and at Dungeness on the great danger of rubber dinghies, on the 18th of July, and by error the and a list was given of life-boats list gave in each case "rescued 8." launched to their help in the summer of At New Brighton after a search had 1950. There were ten launches and been made it was found to be a false eighteen lives were rescued. The totals alarm, and at Dungeness the life-boat were correctly given, but in the list was recalled, as the man in the dinghy of ten launches there were two where had been picked up by a small boat. WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 153

The Progress of Seventeen Years A New Edition of "Modern Motor Life-boats" Ix 1933, when he had been the Insti- wheel amidships. Now the larger types tution's consulting naval architect for all have midship-steering. Seventeen twenty-nine years, Mr. J. R. Barnett, years ago the two largest types, the O.B.E., M.Inst.N.A., published his Barnett type named after Mr. Barnett Modern Motor Life-boats (Blackie, himself, and the Watson type named 7,9. 6d.). When he retired in 19-17, after his predecessor, had small cabins after forty-three years as consulting below deck. Now both those types naval architect, and altogether sixty have as well spacious deck cabins, and years of work on the design of life- wireless rooms, and two other types, boats, one of the first-fruits of his the smaller WTatson boat and the beach greater leisure (greater but very far type, which then had only cockpits, from complete, for at the age of eighty- now have cabins as well. seven he still does a full day's work) The second edition has been as was to bring his book up to date. beautifully produced as the first. It is In his introduction to the first printed throughout on art paper, and edition he said: " There is no finality . . . is illustrated with twenty-five photo- with further knowledge and experience graphs and the lines and general plans improvements are introduced when of all the present-day types of life-boat. new boats are built." That is still his We would quote again what we belief, and how true it is the seventeen quoted seventeen years ago, for it years between the two editions have shows the spirit in which Mr. Barnett shown. When the first appeared the has done his work for the Life-boat majority of motor life-boats had single Service. screws and one engine, and so, in "It is a noble service which a life- case of a breakdown, had to carry boat is intended for, so the design full sets of sails. To-day all new boats ought to convey a sense of dignity and have twin screws and two engines. power, also it should be pleasing to The sails have gone. Seventeen years look at, with beauty of proportions ago, all life-boats were steered aft. and form and even colour." Early in the last war Mr. Barrett pro- Copies, price 7s. 6rf., can be obtained from the duced a design for a life-boat with the Institution.

A New Book on the Life-boat Service To interest the youth of our nation in life-boats they go out in, the seas the sea that encompasses their island— around Great Britain would be much its traffic, its secrets, its hazards—is more dangerous, the shipping upon always timely. To do so in the manner whose cargoes our prosperity depends of Malcolm Saville's book, The Adven- would travel much less securely. ture of the Life-boat Semice (Macdonald, In this book, the whole compelling 6s.) is also laudable. For it recounts, story of life-boats is told; and it is in a form addressed to youths and illustrated with nearly sixty excellent older children, the history and exploits photographs of pulling, sailing and of the men of the life-boats: those motor life-boats, scenes of wrecks and who made the first "unimmergible" rescues, launches and exercises, pic- craft, those who, with Sir William tures of coxswains, life-boatmen, and Hillary at their head, founded the equipment. It is an adventure which R.N.L.I., whose who during the past all young people can share in and -century and a quarter have manned enjoy.* -its boats and do so still to-day. With- * Copies of the booi, price 6,«,, can be obtained from out them and the splendid modem the Institution. 154 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

Captain C. J. P. Cave BY the death of Captain Charles John for nearly ninety years. In 1869 The Philip Cave, M.A., F.S.A., F.R.A.S., Right Hon. Sir Stephen Cave, G.C.B., F.R.P.S., J.P., of Petersfield, on Decem- F.S.A., was elected a member of the ber 8th, 1950, in his eightieth year, the Committee, was appointed a vice- Committee of Management have lost president, and remained on the com- their oldest member. Captain Cave was mittee until his death in 1880. In elected to the Committee in 1905, and that year his cousin, Mr. Laurence was appointed a vice-president in 1948. Trent Cave, F.R.G.S., Captain Charles For many years he took a very active Cave's father, became a member and part in the work of the Institution. served on it for twenty years, until his Captain Cave was a distinguished death in 1899. He also was appointed meteorologist and a most accomplished a vice-president. In 1888 he pre- photographer of clouds and medieval sented a life-boat, named after his two stone carving. He was a fellow, and sons, the Charlie and Adrian, which twice president, of the Royal Meteoro- was stationed at Hayling Island. In logical Society, and a fellow of the 1894, while he was still a member, Royal Astronomical and Royal Photo- another cousin of his, Admiral John graphic Societies and the Society of Halliday Cave, C.B., was elected, Antiquaries. It was as a meteorologist and these two cousins served together that he served in the Royal Engineers on the Committee for five years. The with the rank of Captain, in the war of Admiral, who was later appointed a 1914 to 1918, acting as interpreter be- vice-president, continued to serve until tween the soldiers and the professional 1913, so that he and his second-cousin, meteorologists, and instructing observ- Captain Cave, appointed in 1905, ers of the Royal Flying Corps. He wrote served together for eight years. In two books, one called The Structure of 1947, Captain Cave's son, Mr. Laurence the Atmosphere in Clear Weather, and the C. H. Cave, was elected, so that other Clouds and Weather Phenomena for father and son have served together Artists and Other Lovers of Nature. In for four years. In these eighty-seven, his study of stone carving he took over years since Sir Stephen was elected, 8,000 photographs. five members of the family, and three Captain Cave's family has been generations, have served on the Com- closely associated with the Institution mittee of Management.

£120 from Exmoor Shepherds THE honorary secretary of the Minehead funds. I received a cheque for £120. branch writes: "Living inland, none of these shep- "You may be interested to know herds has ever seen a life-boat, but their that a friend of mine—the licensee enthusiasm was grand, and I should of a small hotel in a remote spot on very much like to give them a trip in Exmoor—assisted by local shepherds, our boat one day on the occasion of an last September organised some sheep- exercise launch." dog trials—the first to be held on The shepherds are to go afloat when Exmoor—the net proceeds of which the Minehead life-boat does her exer- were handed to me for branch cise at the end of June.

Gretna Green Blacksmith's Shop MR. R. RENNISOX, the manager and offered, at the end of June, 1950, to guide of the old blacksmith's shop at have collecting boxes for the Life-boat Gretna Green, famous for runaway Service. The offer was very grate- marriages, which is visited by thousands fully accepted. By the end of Sep- of people every year, very kindly tember the boxes had collected £226. WINTER, 1950] THE LIFE-BOAT 155

Mrs. Lotinga Smith, of Gedling BY the death of Mrs. Lotinga Smith, For nearly fifty years she collected of Gedling, Nottingham, on the 26th in the Carlton district of the Notting- of December, 1950, at the age of 93, ham branch, and for many years the Institution has lost its oldest was in charge of the district. During honorary worker. In spite of her age, the six years of war, 1939 to 1945, and in spite of ill-health, she refused to the district contributed £3,154, and of give up and continued her work to the that total Mrs. Lotinga Smith herself end. She was born in Northumber- collected £2,393. In her sixty-four land, and was the daughter of a ship- years of life-boat work, it was of that owner of North Shields. She came record in the war that she herself from the coast where the first life-boats was most proud. In 1937 the Institu- were stationed, and in her youth saw tion awarded her its gold badge, given many wrecks at the mouth of the Tyne. only for long and distinguished services, In 1883 she settled in Nottingham, and in 1948 it appointed her an hono- as a headmistress of a girl's school, and rary life-governor, the highest honour in 1886 she started to collect for the it can give to an honorary worker. Life-boat Service among the school- Very few, if any, of its honorary workers children, first in farthings and then in have equalled Mrs. Lotinga Smith's halfpennies. long record of service.

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen To MICHAEL F. HARDY, on his retirement, To ANGUS FAIRWEATHER, on his retire- after serving for 27 years as coxswain and ment, after serving for over 21 years as motor 4f years as second coxswain of the Eastbourne mechanic and at different times as coxswain, life-boat, a coxswain's certificate of service, life-boatman and winchman of the Kirk- a gratuity and a retirement allowance. cudbright life-boat, a life-boatman's certifi- To CHARLES R. ELLIS, on his retirement, cate of service and an inscribed aneroid after serving for 26J years as coxswain and barometer. 4J years as second coxswain of the Clacton- To JOHN JONES, on his retirement, after on-Sea life-boat, a coxswain's certificate of serving for 10J years as second coxswain, 9 service, a gratuity and retirement allowance. years as bowman and 25 years as a member To ROBERT INGRAM, on his retirement, of the crew of the Porthdinllaen life-boat, a after serving for 12J years as coxswain and life-boatman's certificate of service and an 10 J years as bowman of the Girvan life-boat, annuity. a coxswain's certificate of service and an To THOMAS CLUCAS, on his retirement, after annuity. serving for 3J years as second coxswain, To FREDERICK C. SANDERS, on his retire- 3 months as bowman and 11 years as a mem- ment, after serving for 9 years as coxswain, ber of the crew of the Peel life-boat, a life- 1J years as second coxswain and 10 years as boatman's certificate of service. bowman of the Torbay life-boat, a coxswain's To PATRICK RATH, on his retirement, after certificate of service, a gratuity and an serving for 2J years as bowman and 9 years annuity. as a member of the crew of the Clogher Head The late REGINALD M. SEAHLE, who for life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of 7f years was coxswain, 4J years second cox- service. swain and 10J years bowman of the Exmouth To JAMES PHILPOT, on his retirenjent, after life-boat, his coxswain's certificate of service serving for 12i years as motor mechanic and and his gratuity to his widow. 18 years as assistant motor mechanic of the To EDWARD HARFORD, on his retirement, YVhitby life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate after serving for 4J years as coxswain and 7f of service, a gratuity and retirement allow- years as bowman of the Howth life-boat, a ance. • coxswain's certificate of service. To ROBERT STRACHAN, on his retirement, To JOHN H. HARDINGHAM, on his retire- after serving for 26J years as assistant motor ment, after serving for 4 years as coxswain mechanic and 4 years as a member of the and 22J years as second coxswain of the crew of the Fraserburgh life-boat, a life- Sheringham life-boat, a coxswain's certificate boatman's certificate of service and an of service and an annuitv. annuitv. 156 THE LIFE-BOAT [WINTER, 1950

To DAVID W. B. WEIR, on his retirement, To HENRY V. LITTLE, on his retirement, after serving for 6 years as assistant motor after serving for 36 years as a member of the mechanic and 9 years as a member of the crew of the Sheringham life-boat, a life-boat- crew of the Sunderland life-boat, a life- man's certificate of service. boatman's certificate of service and a gratuity. To S. W. WILLS, on his retirement, after To THOMAS S. LEWIS, on his retirement, serving for 23 years, between 1916 and 1939, after serving for 45 years as a member of the as a member of the crew of the Poole life- crew of the Tenby life-boat, a life-boatman's boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service. certificate of service. To FRED W. ARNOLD, M.M., on his retire- To FRANCIS N. OILLF.R, on his retirement, ment, after serving for 22 years as signalman after serving for 38 years as a member of and a member of the crew of the Rhyl the crew of the Dungeness life-boat, a life- life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of boatman's certificate of service. service.

Death of Two Station Honorary Secretaries BY the death of Mr. John S. Potter, of have served it for many years. Mr. Clacton-on-Sea on the 10th of Decem- Potter was appointed in May, 1929, ber, 1950, and Mr. A. M. Gill, of and Mr. Gill in December, 1938. Both Weymouth, on the 19th of January, were awarded inscribed binoculars in 1951, the Institution has lost two 1949, as a small mark of the Institu- honorary secretaries of stations who tion's gratitude.

A Penny a Week from 130 Firms Two years ago the Lerwick Branch one firm agreed. The contributions wrote to over 130 firms in the Shet- for the first year amounted to £300 iands asking if their staffs and work- and for the second, £270. Since the people would give a penny a week scheme started other firms have joined to the Life-boat Service. All but it.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.I. All enquiries about the -work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number of THE LIFE-BOAT will be the spring number, 1951.