Volume XLVII Number 473 Autumn 1980 25P \Bur Needs Are Simple

$Volume XLVII Number 473 Autumn 1980 25P \Bur Needs Are Simple$

THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI

Volume XLVII Number 473 Autumn 1980 25p \bur needs are simple

• •* r. i , i, -.,.,. •t» . ' •;^ - %?• Functional "Airflow" Jacket and Overtrousers Royal National Life-Boat Institution in 1471 the RNLI adopted Functional for Offshore Stations The clothing has been well received by our crews who operate in severe conditions for prolonged periods " V1* Kevin MacDonnell in 'Photography' "The astonishing thing is the price... ' incredibly well made out of top grade materials the best clothing bargain encountered for years" Derek Agnew, Editor of 'En Route' Magazine of the Caravan Club "For the caravanner who wants only the best I thoroughly recommend this range The best possible protection Tom Waghorn in 'Climber & Rambler' "--.I wore the (Lightweight Walking) in all weathers Overtrousers for six hours of continuous wind-blown rain and they performed magnificently in these appalling conditions ' Billy Boddy in 'Motor Sport' "...top class conscientiously made bad- weather keep warm clothing clearly the / ^FUNCTIONALc best possible for outdoor work and play, it should comfort you for a long time in the worst of weather" Verglas in 'Motoring News' Functional make a range of activity clothing is six shades, "protected from the arctic cold, snug and including clothing for seagoing in Orange: warm in temperatures even as low as minus 4()'C The outer jacket makes most rally Jacket, high-chest Overtrousers, headgear. jackets look like towelling wraps all Clothing that is waterproof and windproof weather protection in seconds. We and good to look at. thoroughly recommend this clothing .." Clothing in which you can work Ralph Lee. Technical Editor or enjoy your leisure, 'Camping and Caravanning' comfortable at all times, Some years ago 1 recommended Functional wear in emphatic terms. I still and with a minimum of condensation think as highly of it today Absolutely wind and waterproof No seams on the shoulders or other vulnerable places The triple layer design is quite free from condensation and Please send me a copy of your catalogue anyone working in the wet outdoors knows (30p shared cost, from personal enquirers) the importance of that Name 0 Position Company.

Address _ Causeway Avenue Wilderspoo! Causeway I want to see all your range at Warrington. Send location map D WARRINGTON FUNCTIONAL CLOTHING Dept 38 Causeway Avenue Cheshire WA4 6QQ k Wilderspool Causeway WARRINGTON Cheshire WA46QQ J Warrington 53111 THE LIFEBOAT

Autumn 1980

Contents~*\ A is Notes of the Quarter 75 Lifeboat Services 77

V OlUme .X.L VII Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards 83 Number 473 HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, by Jeff Morris 88

Naming Ceremonies: Falmouth, Tynemouth, Campbeltown, Holyhead Chairman: and Harwich 90 THE DUKE OF ATHOLL Building the Fast Slipway Lifeboat—Part I: preparations 93 Director and Secretary: REAR ADMIRAL W. J. GRAHAM, CB MNI Shoreline 95

Books 96

Some Ways of Raising Money 97

Letters 101 Editor: Cherbourg to Hamble, by John Spicer 102

Headquarters: Offshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May, 1980 105 Royal National Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Inshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May, 1980 106 Telex: 41328

London Office: Advertisers 108 Royal National Life-boat Institution, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW (Telephone 01-928 4236). Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising consideration with a view to publica- enquiries should be addressed to tion in the journal should be addressed Dyson Advertising Services, PO Box 9, to the editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal Godalming, Surrey (Telephone National Life-boat Institution, West Godalming (04868) 23675). Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ COVER PICTURE (Telephone Poole 71133). Photographs Silver medals for outstanding gallantry were intended for return should be accom- Subscription: A year's subcription of presented to three Hfeboatmen at the annual panied by a stamped and addressed four issues costs £1.40, including post- presentation of awards on May 22: to (/.) envelope. age, but those who are entitled to Coxswain Kenneth Voice, Shoreham Har- receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge bour, for the service to the Greek cargo ves- will continue to do so. Overseas sub- sel Athina B on January 21, 1980; to (c.) scriptions depend on the cost of Coxswain Trevor England, Padstow, for the Next issue: the winter issue of THE postage to the country concerned. service to the Greek freighter Skopelos Sky on December 15, 1979; and to (r.) Coxswain LIFEBOAT will appear in January and Write to RNLI, West Quay Road, Michael Grant, Selsey, for the service to the news items should be sent by the end of Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Panamanian cargo vessel Cape Coast on October. News items for the spring January 10, 1979. The photograph was issue should be sent in by the end of Printers: The Friary Press, Grove Trad- taken by Margaret Murray. January. ing Estate, Dorchester, Dorset. 73 Capture the spirit of the RNLI

A special limited edition print of 750 lithographs from an original I oil painting by David Weston. ONLY £50.00 each With Gold Colour Frame £75 00 each The Rutland Publishing Company, specialists in fine A colour leaflet is available showing our latest range of fine art prints, some art lithographs, are proud topresent this superb colour of which are shown above.

reproduction as a tribute to the men of the RNLI. Please send unframed print(s) at £50.00 each (Delivery 7-14 days). To discerning collectors of fine art limited editions framed print(s) at £75.00 each (Delivery 2 t -28 days). this RNLI Special Edition must create a unique Please tick for colour brochure only or telephone direct on 0509 2 1297 I I enclose my cheque for £ payable to Rutland Publishing. This will remain addition to their collection. For those who simply my money until my purchase has been despatched to me at my address below. enjoy looking at beautiful works of art this must OR Please charge £ to my credit card number: represent sheer value for money. Ill I I I Like all our limited edition fine art prints each one is individually signed and numbered by the artist. Signature Size of print unframed: 20" x 26". Image area: Please tick: Access . Barclay card L 17'/2" x 22'A". Prices quoted include post, Mr/Mrs/Miss. Ms package and V.A.T. Address (BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASEI 'Every print carries our seal of authenticity. Rutland Publishing, Rutland House, 5 Great Central Road, Loughborough, • Leicestershire. 'For every print sold Rutland Publishing will donate £4.00 to the RNLI.

74 Mumbles, which came second in last changing requirements at lifeboat sta- year's finals. Pan Am generously pro- tions. The D class inflatable lifeboats vided flights to and from New York and stationed at Humbermouth and arranged hotel accommodation for the Coverack were withdrawn this year team, which was drawn from Hart- because of a decline in the number of lepool, Teesmouth and Crimdon Dene incidents in their areas and the lifeboat stations. Local firms in the improved coverage provided by Arun north east, giving practical support, class lifeboats, at Humber and Fal- provided blazers, flannels, track suits mouth respectively. Falmouth's 18ft and tee shirts for the occasion. 6in McLachlan boarding boat has also Although the crew had never rowed been designated as a lifeboat. At Inver- together before and had only had three gordon, where there is a 52ft Barnett weeks' training, quickly organised by lifeboat, the McLachlan lifeboat has their divisional inspector, Lt Alan been withdrawn. Tate, they won their heat against the New stations, operating inflatable Australian and United States Coast lifeboats, were opened on trials at Guards and, in an exciting final, won Hunstanton (Norfolk) and Portaferry by five lengths, coming up from two (Co. Down) last year and at Penarth lengths down at the halfway mark. (South Glamorgan) this year. The NOTES OF The day before the races, July 4, the Search and Rescue Committee of the lifeboat crew had carried the RNLI flag Institution keeps the whole of the coast THE QUARTER through the streets of New York in the constantly under review with the aim of Independence Day Parade, drawing making such changes to give the best warm applause from the thousands of possible lifeboat coverage. ON HER EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY, August people lining the route. 4, HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen I Mother was sent the following telegram Station changes by our Chairman, the Duke of Atholl: Changes in patterns of casualties and 'Members of the RNLI Committee of advances in lifeboat technology lead to Management, lifeboat crews, voluntary workers and staff thank you for your 43 years of Patronage and send you sincere congratulations and loyal greetings on this happy and memorable anniversary.' Her Majesty replied: '/ am extremely touched by your telegram of good wishes on my birthday and send my very sincere thanks to you and to all who joined in your kind message.' The Queen Mother, who, with the When HRH The Prince of Wales visited Con- Queen, is a Patron of the Institution, nah's Quay, Deeside, on July II, he met has been deeply interested in lifeboat Garry Jones, station honorary secretary (c.) affairs for many years. An account of and Flint lifeboatmen who were there to the contributions she has made to its launch their D class inflatable lifeboat down wellbeing since the early 1920s appears On a visit to Hastings earlier this year HM the new slipway built as part of renovation on page 88. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Patron works carried out voluntarily by Connah's of the RNLI for 43 years, stops for a word Quay Watermen's Association. The slip- Budget benefits charities with Coxswain John 'Joe' Martin and mem- way, about three miles from Flint, is proving The Finance Act 1980, which bers of the lifeboat crew. very useful to the lifeboat station. photograph by courtesy of photograph by courtesy of became law on August 1, has brought 'Brighton Evening Argus' Graham Catherall potential extra benefits to charities. Gifts to charities are exempt from Capi- tal Transfer Tax, unless made within New York Harbor Festival, July 5: the RNLI team of lifeboatmen from the north east, seen here with an Australian team after the first heat, went on to win the trophy. The course was one year of death, when the exemption over one mile in 28ft wooden pulling boats. has been raised from £100,000 to £200,000. Deeds of covenant can be taken out over a four-year period, instead of seven years, and are allow- able against income tax at higher rates as well as the basic rate. This last change can substantially increase the income from covenants at no extra cost to the donor and a more detailed expla- nation can be found on page 85. -_ ^. A long-standing charity benefit which was not affected by the budget is the transfer of stocks and shares to a charity; such transfers can be made without incurring Capital Gains Tax.

New York victory A team of RNLI lifeboatmen was invited to take part in international lifeboat races during the New York Harbor Festival again this year, following the success of the team from The 75 •

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The Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, with Second Coxswain Robert Jones, took the wheel of Holyhead's new 52ft Arun lifeboat Hyman Winstone during a visit on July 18. Mrs Thatcher also met crew members and their wives and branch and guild officials from Holyhead and Trearddur Bay. photograph by courtesy of The Press Association (Above) Mountbatten of Burma, prototype About 2,000 people gathered of the RNLI Medina class lifeboat, visited on Moelfre beach, Anglesey, the liner ss Canberra in Southampton Docks on Saturday June 7, to cele- last July, taking out Commodore F. B. brate the 150th anniversary Woolley, Deputy Captain Ian Gibb and of the lifeboat station. A ser- other P and O representatives for a demon- vice of thanksgiving and stration trip. Successive captains, officers, re-dedication was conducted crew members and passengers have contri- by His Grace, The Arch- buted generously to the RNLI over many bishop of Wales, during years, and in particular, have given over which the new D class £6,000 to the Mountbatten of Burma appeal. inflatable given to the Institution in memory of Gil- lian Powell was dedicated. HM Coastguard photograph by courtesy of 'Holyhead and Anglesey HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES has agreed Mail' to become Honorary Commodore of Her Majesty's Coastguard Service, an appointment which has been graciously approved by Her Majesty The Queen. Prince Charles served as an auxiliary coastguard during his education at A Gordonstoun.

Birthday Honours In the Birthday Honours List, Mr W. F. G. Lord was awarded the OBE for services to the RNLI, particularly in Scotland. Mr Lord, honorary secretary of the City of Edinburgh branch from 1950 to 1975 and a vice-chairman of the Executive Committee of the Scottish Lifeboat Council, served on the Committee of Management from 1971 to 1979, when he resigned because of ill health. He was awarded the silver badge in 1962.

Miss Pattie Price With the death of Miss Pattie Price in During a visit to Islay on July, HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the Institution, with Simonstown, South Africa, on June 1 Coxswain Alistair Campbell on the flying bridge, brings in the 50ft Thames class lifeboat the RNLI lost a revered honorary life Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit. photograph by courtesy of Eraser McArthur governor and seafarers a remarkable friend. Apart from her work for built for Beaumaris in 1945; the 51ft rescue service in South Africa similar lifeboats, Pattie Price, of rare versatil- Barnett (Stromness) lifeboat Southern to the RNLI and her letter was to lead ity, excelled in her time as a teacher, Africa, built for Dover in 1949; and the directly to the formation of the journalist, musician, artist and athlete. 46ft 9in Watson Deneys Reitz, built for National Sea Rescue Institute of South After reading a letter from Sir God- Fowey in 1954. Between them, in their Africa in May, 1967. frey Baring, Chairman of the Institu- service lives, these three lifeboats tion, published in The Times in 1940 on rescued more than 351 people. the wartime work of the lifeboat ser- In April, 1966, disaster struck a fish- Anniversary vellums vice, Miss Price launched an appeal in ing vessel off Stilbaai, South Africa, Broughty Ferry and Moelfre lifeboat South Africa which ultimately funded when 17 members of the crew were stations were both awarded vellums on three lifeboats: the 46ft Watson Cabin drowned. Miss Price wrote to The the occasion of their 150th anniver- lifeboat Field Marshal and Mrs Smuts, Argus advocating the formation of a sea saries in 1980. 76 wearing lifejackets. Seas were breaking the wheelhouse and the rails on the right over the ship and Coxswain port side to hand the survivors aft. Bowry estimated that she was in about Coxswain Bowry then tried to two feet of water; Thames Coastguard approach so that the lifeboat would further estimated that she would be come alongside between the peaks; afloat at about 2315 and Coxswain three attempts were made and had to Bowry decided to maintain position in be abandoned as the lifeboat was in Black Deep between No. 10 and 12 danger of being landed on the casu- Buoys; minimum revolutions were kept alty's decks, but a fourth attempt was on the engines to reduce the rolling and successful. One of the survivors was violent pounding of the lifeboat in the plucked off, then full helm and engines very heavy seas. had to be used to take the lifeboat clear The easterly gale was still force 9, before the casualty's counter stern gusting to storm force 10, and very slammed down on her. rough, short breaking seas were build- Another four unsuccessful attempts Eastern Division ing up; they could be seen peaking and were made before the lifeboat again becoming confused as they met the managed to close Mi Amiga and a sec- Radio ship aground edge of Long Sand Bank. ond of her crew could be pulled aboard. At 2236 Mi Amiga called to say that Then a third member of her crew ran WHILE HER CREW were still on board she was now afloat but could still not down the deck with a canary in a cage after returning from a rough weather start her pumps. Coxswain Bowry and jumped aboard. His action caught exercise on Wednesday March 19, decided to close and began to crab in everyone unprepared and the lifeboat Sheerness lifeboat received a VHP call from the north west trying to keep head could not get clear in time; she was at 1753 from Thames Coastguard telling to sea, with Second Coxswain Arthur caught by the next sea and flung against them that the radio ship Mi Amiga had Lukey calling out depths from the echo the ship's side. Luckily the crew dragged her anchor to a position three sounder and another crew member on member by the wheelhouse managed to cables north west of NW Long Sand the radar giving distances off so that jump clear and avoid injury. Beacon, 24 miles east north east of the the coxswain could concentrate on Three more attempts were made to station, and might need help. The hon- handling his boat in the breaking seas. take off the last survivor, who could be orary secretary was informed. seen clinging to a stanchion as waves At 1815 Thames Coastguard asked swept the vessel, but without success. the lifeboat to launch and a minute later Then, on the fourth run in, at 0025, he the 44ft Waveney class lifeboat Helen was safely pulled aboard the lifeboat. Turnbull under the command of Cox- The lifeboat was quickly taken into swain/Mechanic Charles Bowry slip- deep water and time spent retuning the ped her moorings and set out down the radar and obtaining an exact position Medway approach channel to Oaze before course was set for Sheerness at Deep at full speed. 0040. Passage was made as fast as pos- The evening was overcast with fair sible in the prevailing weather and the visibility. There was a strong gale, lifeboat arrived at 0300. She was refuel- force 9, blowing from the east and once led and once again ready for service at clear of the harbour the lifeboat met 0340. rough breaking seas. It was four hours Coxswain Charles Bowry of Sheerness with For this service the silver medal was before high water. his son, young Charles. awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic When just north of Shivering Sands photograph by courtesy of CTVC Charles H. Bowry. The thanks of the Tower, at 1855, speed had to be Institution inscribed on vellum were reduced to two thirds because the At 2305 the lifeboat was about two accorded to Second Coxswain Arthur lifeboat was shipping water and pound- lengths astern of Mi Amiga's port quar- C. Lukey, Assistant Mechanic ing heavily in the very rough, short ter and the radio ship could be seen to Roderick M. Underhill and Crew head seas. Visibility from the wheel- be pitching and rolling heavily and Members Malcolm E. Keen, Ian J. house was almost nil through the ship- shipping seas overall. The lifeboat her- McCourt and William L. Edwards. ped seas and continuous spray, while self was rolling heavily in the confused sea clutter made the radar difficult to seas and putting her side decks under. read. Lookouts were posted port and Coxswain Bowry urged the casu- Eastern Division starboard aft of the wheelhouse to con- alty's crew to abandon before their ship firm the characteristics of the buoys either sank or parted her anchor cable, On Scroby Sand passed and a further check on position but they did not realise the danger. It was relayed from the Port of London was only when they asked for their gear WHILE WORKING aboard their lifeboat Authority radar at Warden Point. to be taken off and the lifeboat on Saturday December, 1979, Great At 2010 the lifeboat was off NE approached so that she could be seen at Yarmouth and Gorleston crew, at 1758, Shingles Buoy and speed was further one moment 20 feet below them on heard a mayday from the fishing vessel reduced to confirm position before deck and then as much above them that St Margarite. Coxswain/Mechanic starting to cross into Black Deep at half the danger was appreciated. They Richard Hawkins told Yarmouth speed. A quarter of an hour later the asked to be taken off at 2350. Coastguard that the boat was manned lifeboat was off No. 12 Black Deep The lifeboat dropped back to 100 feet and as the honorary secretary was on Buoy and the casualty could be seen on off Mi Amiga's starboard quarter and the road and could not be contacted he Long Sand shoal; VHP contact was as the confused seas gave no lee on agreed to an immediate launch; at 1805 made with Mi Amiga on channel 6. either side Coxswain Bowry decided to the 44ft Waveney lifeboat Khami set Mi Amiga was between two and try to come in on her starboard side out from her pen. The honorary secre- three cables north north west of NW where some rubber tyres would act as tary was subsequently informed of the Long Sand Beacon, her anchor fenders. He told the four men to gather launch and went to the Coastguard streamed to the north east and her bow just aft of midships. Second Coxswain lookout. also north east. She reported to the Lukey and three other crew members The weather was overcast. A strong lifeboat that she was aground and was lashed themselves inside the forward breeze, force 6, was blowing from the trying to get some pumps working; guardrails with their safety lines while north east with a short steep sea and, there were four people on board, all the last crew member stood between following two days of easterly winds,

77 jumped and was grabbed and hauled of the water, was turning. She could be aboard by the lifeboat crew. heard talking with Ramsey Coastguard Although the crew shouted to the by VHP radio. second survivor to wait, he jumped just As the Atlantic reached Southern as a heavy sea forced the boats apart. Scott's position at 0205 radio com- He missed the reaching arms of the munications were established and a crew and grabbed on to the forward request made that the fishing boat's starboard lifting eye. While the crew main engine be stopped. The general held on to him as best they could, Cox- area was illuminated by parachute swain Hawkins, using his engines, flares and the Atlantic's signalling fought to prevent the lifeboat slamming lamp. The fishing boat was aground on Twin brothers, Coxswain/Assistant alongside the casualty again, crushing a rocky ledge with the deepest water on Mechanic Anthony Hawkins of Dover (I.) the survivor and injuring his crew. This her port side amidships. Waves were and Coxswain/Mechanic Richard Hawkins breaking against her and, from time to of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, met he managed to do and the survivor was aboard their lifeboats when Great Yarmouth hauled safely aboard. The lifeboat then time, washing right over her. and Gorleston's new 44ft Waveney class -went astern clear of the bank and into The approach would have to be made lifeboat to be named Barham made Dover the safer waters of Yarmouth Roads. It from seaward and after consultation one of her ports of call on passage to her was now 1835. with his crew Helmsman Allen decided new station last May. Coxswain Richard The rescued owner of the fishing that he would make several downwind Hawkins has been awarded the bronze vessel asked if there was any chance of approaches on Southern Scott's port medal for the service to MFV St Margarite on saving his boat. Coxswain Hawkins- side amidships, holding the Atlantic's December 22, 1979; Coxswain Anthony refused to attempt to go on to the bank bows on to her hull long enough for one Hawkins was awarded the bronze medal, of her crew to lower himself down into while second coxswain/assistant mechanic for her but agreed to wait to see if she of Dover lifeboat, for the service to the would be washed clear on the rising the lifeboat on each run in. This plan of coaster Primrose on December 1, 1975. tide. At 1915 the casualty was bounced action was passed to the casualty, with clear of the bank and the lifeboat was some difficulty, by radio. The skipper there was a heavy easterly swell. It was taken alongside. While an RAF was asked to rig a rope over the side; just on low water. helicopter from Coltishall illuminated he replied that it would be done and On clearing the pierheads Coxswain the scene, a lifeboatman was put that the crew would be ready to disem- Hawkins asked the casualty to fire a aboard and a tow line fixed. The casu- bark. Shortly afterwards men could be red flare to pinpoint her position. This alty was towed back to Gorleston, seen on deck sheltering under the gal- was done and a bearing and radar target entering the harbour at 1930. The lows. showed her to be on Scroby Sand, lifeboat was back on station and ready After standing off up wind to wait for about 3'/2 miles away on a bearing of for service at 2200- The casualty, how- a comparatively calm bit of sea, 045°. At 1812 a message came from St ever, later sank at her moorings. Helmsman Allen chose his moment, Margarite on VHP channel 16 to say For this service the bronze medal ran in straight down wind and brought that she was breaking up. Coxswain was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic the Atlantic's bows on to Southern Hawkins decided he was going in to the Richard J. Hawkins and medal service Scott's port side amidships by the rope casualty over the banks and, continu- certificates were presented to Acting which had by then been rigged. The ing on course at full speed, he gave Second Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic first man climbed over the rail and low- orders for all watertight doors to be Michael T. Brown and Crew Members ered himself down the rope, dropping checked and lifelines rigged and that all Stanley C. Woods, John L. Cooper and the last five to six feet to be caught by the crew should wear their bump caps. David R. Parr. Crew Member Quane and helped into At 1825 the lifeboat was about 500 the boat. The engines were put astern yards west of the casualty. By the light North Western Division and the Atlantic cleared the casualty. of a parachute flare the fishing boat The time was 0218. could be seen lying bows pointing Fishing boat aground The next man was then asked to pre- south west and listing to port on the pare to disembark and a second run in bank. She was pounding on the bottom THE HONORARY SECRETARY of Peel was made as before. A man climbed and being washed overall by the heavy lifeboat station was informed by Ram- over the rail and hung on the rope but breaking swell and sea. On being told sey Coastguard at 0145 on Saturday he could not be persuaded to lower that the echo sounder was indicating no March 29 that the motor fishing vessel himself down. As he climbed back over water Coxswain Hawkins said switch it Southern Scott was aground on Old the rail a heavy sea lifted the stern of off; they had to go in. Bath's Beach just to the north east of the Atlantic, driving her bow under On a first approach Coxswain Haw- Peel Harbour; the harbour master had Southern Scott's bilge keel. The wave kins tried to come alongside the casu- asked for lifeboat assistance. The hon- broke over boat and crew, filling the alty to port, but he was touching the orary secretary went to the boathouse Atlantic to the top of her sponson. bottom in the troughs and it was clear at once to fire the maroons and the Helmsman Allen was flung heavily that he could not keep enough man- Atlantic 21 semi-inflatable lifeboat was against the wheel; both crew members oeuvrability; the surf would always launched at 0159. were thrown forward on to the deck stop him closing. Taking the lifeboat Although the night was overcast, vis- and were under water for a time; the clear, he decided to head straight into ibility was good. The wind was gusting survivor already taken off managed to the sea and put his starboard side on to force 3 to 4 from the north west and the remain in the after starboard seat. the starboard side of the casualty. At sea was moderate. It was four hours As the water receded the Atlantic's this time the wind was still force 6 from after high water and the effect of the bow lifted and caught under the bilge the north east with a rough, steep sea tidal stream was minimal. keel, tearing the bow tube as she and, with the heavy easterly swell, 10 The Atlantic 21, manned by Helms- cleared. The starboard propeller to 15 foot breaking seas were sweeping man Edward Allen and Crew Members touched bottom, stalling the starboard across the bank. John Keig and Philip Quane, set out for outboard engine. Helmsman Allen As she was approaching St Marga- the casualty, which was visible just went astern on the port engine, turned rite the lifeboat took a heavy sea over under half a mile to the north east. and went ahead at the same time, bump the bows. She hit the bottom and was Southern Scott, illuminated by her starting the starboard engine again. As rolled first to port and then to starboard working and navigation lights, was the boat accelerated clear of the casu- to strike the starboard bow of the casu- seen to be aground, her bows heading alty the last of the water drained off her alty. She was held there by Coxswain east north east. She was listing heavily decks. Hawkins while the first survivor to starboard and her propeller, half out Southern Scott's skipper was again 78 asked by radio to have a man ready for transfer. Two men appeared on deck MFV 'Southern Scott, by the rope and the lifeboat approached stranded on Old Bath's as before. A man climbed over the rail Beach just to the north east and lowered himself half way down the of Peel Harbour, Isle of rope and, as he hung there, Crew Man, in the early hours of March 29, was by morning Member Quane was able to leap and being driven further aground pull him into the lifeboat. The Atlantic by north west gale force went astern and stood off; it was 0234. winds and pounded by heavy Helmsman Allen decided that he seas. Two of her crew had would have to land the survivors soon been taken off successfully because the first man to be taken off by Peel Atlantic 21 semi- appeared to be suffering from inflatable lifeboat during the hypothermia and shock. As the night and one man had been weather was expected to deteriorate helped ashore at low water by HM Coastguard. South- Southern Scott's skipper was advised ern Scott's skipper and that the remaining men should disem- engineer, however, were still bark, but he replied that he and the on board. Despite a punc- engineer would stay with the fishing tured bow section of her boat. There was a fifth member of the sponson. Peel Atlantic 21 crew, but at this time it was not known (below) anchored and veered where he was. down several times in an at- At 0245 the Atlantic 21 returned to tempt to take off these last her slip and landed the two survivors two men but, as they hesitated to board the lifeboat, into the care of station personnel to the Coastguard (right) even- await the arrival of an ambulance tually took them off by which was on its way from Douglas. breeches buoy. Within minutes the Atlantic had once photographs by courtesy of more left the slip and returned to the Stanley Basnett

agreed to launch the damaged Atlantic immediately on condition that the flank lifeboat at Port Erin was launched in support. Maroons were fired and Peel Atlantic launched at 0950. At Port Erin the 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat Osman Gabriel, which had been on stand by since 0830, launched ten minutes later under the command of Coxswain Peter Woodworth and started on the 11-mile passage north to Peel. The Atlantic, manned this time by Helmsman Brian Maddrell and Crew Members James Coulson and Charles Home, set out at full speed until clear of the breakwater when speed was reduced in the very rough seas. She arrived off the casualty at 0953 and Helmsman Maddrell decided that the only way he could take the men off was to anchor and veer down under the stern of the fishing boat. His intentions, passed by radio to the casualty, were agreed by her skipper who said that he would shut down all auxiliaries and be casualty, advising her skipper that she being driven further ashore and she ready to disembark. Southern Scott would stand by to take off the rest of was being pounded by heavy seas; the was lying bows east north east, as she the crew, if required. A reply was skipper and engineer were still on had been during the night, but further received confirming that the skipper board and lifeboat help might be up the beach and rolling heavily. and engineer would remain on board. needed. The honorary secretary replied Helmsman Maddrell took the At- By 0300 Helmsman Allen decided that that the Atlantic 21 had been damaged lantic up wind, anchored and veered nothing further could be achieved since during the night; he would, however, down to the casualty, a manoeuvre that the tide had fallen to the point where go to the boathouse and assess the situ- had to be repeated about five times the Atlantic could not get in close ation. because the lifeboat's anchor dragged. enough to make another rescue. The On reaching the boathouse it was The whole operation was made exceed- lifeboat returned to station at 0305 and learned that the casualty was asking for ingly difficult by seas coming inboard was rehoused. immediate help to abandon ship. The over the punctured bow section and fil- During the night the fifth member of wind was north west near gale to gale, ling the boat as she was veered down Southern Scott's crew, who had been force 7 to 8, and the sea very rough. It through the very rough water, and at unaccounted for, was found sheltering was two hours to high water. The sky one time her VHP aerial was damaged. out of sight in the fore part of the boat, was overcast and it was raining, but Nevertheless, the Atlantic was suc- and he, with the help of the Coast- visibility was moderate to good and cessfully brought under Southern guard, got ashore at low water. Southern Scott could be seen listing to Scott's stern several times. Two bags At 0920 that morning, Peel honorary starboard, broadside to the weather were thrown into the lifeboat from the secretary was informed by Ramsey and rolling heavily with seas breaking fishing boat but the men themselves Coastguard that Southern Scott was over her. The honorary secretary hesitated to board her. 79 It was decided, therefore, that the directly up wind as he could of the third South Western Division Coastguard should try to take off the man, still stranded on the rocks. The skipper and engineer by breeches buoy inflatable dinghy was again veered while the Atlantic stood by. Both men down, this time using paddles for man- Liquid gas carrier fire were safely taken off in this way by oeuvring and leaving the disabled A SPANISH LIQUID gas carrier Butaseis, 1036. Port Erin lifeboat, which had engine tilted up. The remaining man lying at anchor three quarters of a mile made good seven miles and was just was on an overhang of rock and he off Brixham breakwater with a fire in north of Niarbyl, was recalled. jumped into the dinghy as she rose on a her crew's quarters, was reported to By 1110 Peel Atlantic 21 was once swell. the honorary secretary of Torbay again rehoused and Port Erin lifeboat No sooner had the man jumped into lifeboat station at 0749 on Friday had returned to station. As wind and the swamped dinghy than she grounded December 28, 1979, by Brixham Coast- sea were too bad for Osman Gabriel to on a pinnacle of rock with waves and guard. Lifeboat assistance was be recovered up her slipway she was spray breaking over her. Realising the urgently required. Maroons were fired moored at the harbour pier until 1600, dinghy's predicament, Coxswain Cur- immediately and within 15 minutes the when she was finally rehoused. now quickly made fast the nylon line on 46ft 9in Watson relief lifeboat Lilla For these services the thanks of the the bows of the lifeboat and went very Marras, Douglas and Will, on tempor- Institution inscribed on vellum were slowly astern, pulling the dinghy clear. ary duty at Torbay, set out under the accorded to Helmsmen Edward Allen When she was only about 25 feet clear command of Coxswain Arthur Cur- and Brian B. Maddrell. Vellum service of the rocks, however, the line pulled now. There was a fresh, force 5, certificates were presented to Crew away from the inflatable dinghy, which north-westerly breeze blowing and the Members John Keig, W. Philip Quane, was blown rapidly back towards the sea was slight. It was low water. Barry Home and James D. Coulson. rocks. Meanwhile, the master and crew of While the crew tried to slow down Butaseis had abandoned ship and by their drift, first by rowing and then by 0806 they had been picked up from South Western Division paddling, Coxswain Curnow took their ship's lifeboats by an outward Edward Bridges ahead again until the bound trawler, MFV Shirley Betty. Three stranded men re-coiled nylon line could be dropped They were landed at Brixham. down into the dinghy, by which time The real cause for alarm was the HM COASTGUARD informed the honor- the lifeboat could have had no more danger of explosion aboard the casu- ary secretary of Torbay lifeboat station than two feet under her keel in the alty as she was carrying 740 tons of at 1050 on Tuesday August 14, 1979, troughs of the swells. This time, the liquid butane gas. It was estimated later that three men were stranded on rocks dinghy crew held on to the line while by the chief salvage officer that had she at Southdown Cliff, two miles south of the lifeboat again went slowly astern exploded it would have created a 'ball Berry Head, and that it looked as and towed them into deeper water of fire', consuming everything within a though it would be safer to take them where all were safely taken aboard, three-mile radius. off by sea rather than attempting to although the dinghy's crew were A Brixham harbour pilot went haul them up the cliff face. bruised by the buffeting they had aboard the casualty to clear her anchor At 1103 Torbay lifeboat, the 54ft experienced among the rocks. The time so that she could be towed out to sea. Arun Edward Bridges (Civil Service was 1148 and the complete rescue had Although a request had been put out for and Post Office No. 37), slipped from taken 33 minutes. The lifeboat returned any tugs in the area able to help, it was her mooring and set out with Coxswain to station at 1200. thought at first that the only boat Arthur Curnow in command. There For this service framed letters of immediately available capable of taking was a gale, force 8, gusting to strong thanks signed by the Duke of Atholl, Butaseis in tow was the 80ft MFV gale, force 9, blowing from the south chairman of the Institution, were pre- Devon Ray for which Coxswain Cur- west. Visibility was good and the tide sented to Coxswain Arthur Curnow, now is the skipper. Coxswain Curnow was in the last hour of flood. Acting Assistant Mechanic Brian had handed over command of the Edward Bridges arrived off South- Gaunter and Crew Member Michael lifeboat to Acting Second Coxswain down Cliff at 1115 and found a six foot Kingston. Fradd and got Devon Ray under way swell breaking over the rocks and boulders along the shoreline where the On the afternoon of July 9 a giant wave washed three boys off Sterlochy Rocks immediately three men were stranded. Coxswain east of Findochty Harbour. Two were pulled to safety by Uwe Brandt, an oil rig worker, who Curnow decided to send in the waded more than waist deep into the rough seas. Buckle lifeboat, the 47ft Watson Laura Moncur, was launched at 1515 and together with the Coastguard, the Police, an RAF lifeboat's Y class 10ft 6in inflatable helicopter from Lossiemouth and local people, she searched for several hours, but no trace of dinghy manned by Acting Assistant the third boy could be found. Mechanic Brian Gaunter and Crew photograph by courtesy of Aberdeen Journals Member Michael Kingston. The Arun was stopped half a cable off shore, in about ten feet of water, and the inflatable dinghy was veered down on a 200-fathom one-inch nylon line which is kept on board for this pur- pose. Brian Gaunter used the dinghy's outboard engine to manoeuvre into a gully while Michael Kingston lay across the bows to prevent a capsize and eventually to grasp the rocks while two of the men were taken aboard. Breaking waves had filled the dinghy with water. Coming out under power, her propeller struck a rock, shearing its drive pin, but she was hauled back to the lifeboat on her nylon safety line and the two men were taken on board. Coxswain Curnow now took the lifeboat as close as he dared to a shallow area to the south to get as near

80 when an outward bound coaster, crews were able, finally, to extinguish tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Deneb, returned to take the tow. Brix- the fire on board Butaseis, which was Graham, director of the Institution, ham pilot cutter passed her the tow, but eventually towed to Plymouth Sound. was sent to Coxswain Alexander it was found impossible to release the For this service a letter of apprecia- Dougal. casualty's anchor because there was no tion signed by John Atterton, deputy power and the engine room was now on director of the Institution, was sent to North Eastern Division fire and inaccessible. The anchor cable Coxswain Arthur Curnow and his was finally cut with acetylene cutting crew: Acting Second Coxswain Ernest gear brought out from shore by the Fradd, Motor Mechanic Stephen Seven in water pilot cutter and Deneb then towed Bower and Crew Members Philip Bur- Butaseis out to sea escorted by the ridge, Colin Bower and Michael Smith. FOLLOWING A MESSAGE received at lifeboat, once more under the com- 1553 on Saturday March 29, that a.sail- mand of Coxswain Curnow. Everyone ing longboat from Wellesley Nautical was conscious of the risks involved and Scotland South Division School Community Home with six during the passage Deneb'& master cal- crew and an instructor on board had led the lifeboat to say, 'It is a great Trawler talked in capsized one mile south of the fairway relief to see you there keeping us com- buoy, Blyth D class inflatable lifeboat pany.' EYEMOUTH LIFEBOAT STATION honor- manned by Helmsman Dallas Taylor When about eight miles off land, ary secretary received a message from and Crew Member Les Fay launched at Deneb hove to head to wind. Although the harbour master at 0030 on Thurs- 1557, and the 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat the weather was fine the breeze, now day May 1, saying that the trawler Glen Shoreline under the command of Cox- from the west, had risen to strong, Urquhart, which had been bound for swain George Turner at 1600. Blyth force 6, and the sea was moderate with fishing grounds, was taking water and pilot cutter also set out for the casualty. a 15-foot swell. HMS Anglesey and HM making for Eyemouth. Forth Coast- It was a fine day with good visibility tug Typhoon arrived soon afterwards. guard was informed, radio communica- but a fresh to strong breeze, force 5 to A Sea King helicopter took the chief tions were established and it was 6, was blowing from the north north salvage officer, Mr J. Evans, from learned that Glen Vrquhart was 21 west and the sea was moderate. The shore and put him aboard Angelsey, miles east of Eyemouth. She was head- tide was high. which was asked to assume the role of ing for the harbour at 10 knots in com- The inflatable lifeboat reached the 'on scene commander'. pany with MFV Glencoe and she had a casualty at 1603 and found five young From one mile off, Anglesey crew of nine. Eyemouth lifeboat was men clinging to the upturned hull of the launched an inflatable boat with the put on stand by and the crew were longboat; by 1612 she had picked them chief salvage officer, ten RN personnel alerted. all up, while a yacht in the vicinity, and fire fighting equipment on board, At 0134 Glen Urquhart, now about Enchanter, skippered by Mr R. Charl- while the lifeboat transferred the first ten miles east of Eyemouth, reported ton, had picked up the two remaining and second mates from Deneb to that the water level was increasing by men who had become separated from Butaseis. On the way to the casualty about 12 inches an hour. In view of her their boat. Blyth inflatable lifeboat the engine of the naval inflatable failed size (length 106ft, draught 14ft), that returned to harbour by 1622 and and the boat was swamped. The the wind was from the north east and Enchanter soon afterwards and by 1630 lifeboat was soon on hand, however, to that her skipper had never been into all seven survivors, suffering from take off nine of the men and put them Eyemouth Harbour, Eyemouth lifeboat shock, were on their way to hospital. aboard Butaseis with their equipment, was asked to launch and escort her in. After landing the survivors, the and she lent a bucket to the two men (The Admiralty North Sea (West Pilot) inflatable lifeboat returned to help remaining in the inflatable so that they states that 14ft is the maximum Shoreline with the capsized training could bale out their boat. After putting draught for entry into Eyemouth Har- boat. Shoreline had the boat in tow by the naval men aboard Butaseis the bour at high water, that the 1647, reached harbour at 1830 and was lifeboat transferred the tow line from approaches are flanked by rocks and rehoused and once again ready for ser- Deneb to the tug Typhoon. that Eyemouth should never be attemp- vice by 1900. Despite the efforts made the fire ted with strong winds between north While returning to harbour the inflat- could not be brought under control and and east, for then the bay, where there able lifeboat was diverted to give help at 1330 HMS Anglesey asked the. is little clear space with depths of over to a sick man on the pier, but she, too, lifeboat to take off the 11 men on board 18 feet, is a mass of broken water.) was rehoused by 1905. Butaseis and return them to their own The 47ft Watson relief lifeboat TGB A letter received from Mr N. M. ships. This was done. The chief salvage on temporary duty at Eyemouth slip- Gladstone, a member of Northumbria officer decided to keep Butaseis, now ped her moorings at 0140 under the Police and a foundation manager of under tow of Typhoon, head to wind command of Coxswain Alexander Wellesley Nautical School, com- and, Anglesey patrolling a three-mile Dougal. The night was cloudy but visi- mended the first-class seamanship and perimeter round the casualty to keep bility was good; a moderate to fresh sound common sense shown by the other shipping clear, to await HM tug breeze, force 4 to 5, was blowing from lifeboatmen, and for this service a let- Robust with full fire fighting equip- the north east and the sea was moder- ter conveying the appreciation of the ment. ate. It was approaching high water. Institution to both crews and signed by There now being no further need for Good radio contact was made and Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, the lifeboat, she was recalled; she the lifeboat and trawler rendezvoused was sent to Dr Reginald Carr, honorary returned to station at 1500 having been at 0217. A request was made that the secretary of Blyth lifeboat station. more than seven hours at sea. During restricted approaches to the harbour the operation the lifeboat had been should be kept clear and the lifeboat asked a number of times by the Coast- escorted Glen Urquhart in and led her Scotland South Division guard and by Anglesey to go in close on to the green leading lights. Then, and report on the extent of the fire; for with numerous radio messages, Coxs- Capsize example smoke and flames coming wain Dougal 'talked' her safely right from ventilators and port holes, and the into harbour; a fine feat of seamanship TWO BOYS, aged 17 and 15, who had set state of blistered paint which at the on the part of both the lifeboat's coxs- out from Cove Sailing Club on a 15ft waterline was so hot that steam rose as wain and the trawler's skipper. The sailing surf board capsized off Baron's waves washed by. lifeboat was back on her moorings and Point, lower Loch Long, at about 1240 It was December 30 before the fire ready for service at 0345. on Sunday April 20 and were unable to fighting tug Robust and civilian fire For this service a letter of apprecia- right their boat because water was get- 81 ting into her buoyancy tanks. A lady Watson relief lifeboat TGB on tempor- driving through Cove saw the capsize, ary duty at Hartlepool slipped her stopped at the first house with a tele- moorings and set out under the com- phone and reported the incident to mand of Coxswain Robert Maiden. It Clyde Coastguard. Helensburgh Atlan- was low water. tic 21 lifeboat was launched at 1245 and Although the morning was overcast, Kilcreggan Coastguard mobile made visibility was good. After watching the for the scene. coble Clare S into Hartlepool, TGB Meanwhile, however, Terence escorted the cobles Northern Star and Wade, a member of the local Coast- Fair Ladies to the River Tees. She then guard coast rescue company and also a returned to escort the coble Barbara member of Cove SC, saw that the boys Anne into harbour. (7. to r.) Crew Member John Curry, Crew Some of the larger seine netters had Member Robert Lydiate and Helmsman were in difficulties and realised that Ronald 'Taffy' Jones who, on March 6, immediate action was necessary also been escorting the smaller fishing manning West Kirby D class inflatable because the water was so cold. boats, and when the lifeboat reached lifeboat, rescued two men from a capsized A north-westerly gentle breeze, harbour she heard that one of these canoe. force 3, was blowing at the time with seine netters. Press On, was herself photograph by courtesy of Keith G. Medley occasional squalls gusting to moderate, now in trouble five miles east north force 4. The sea was moderate with a east of Hartlepool; her rudder was lifeboat and a radio message was sent slight confused swell. The tide was 2Vz broken and jammed hard to port. The ashore asking for an ambulance. hours flood. lifeboat immediately set out to sea On the way back, while John Curry Terry Wade immediately launched again and rendezvoused with Press On, looked after the conscious man, the his own dinghy but, as it was without taking her in tow for the River Tees. unconscious survivor was given mouth rowlocks, he paddled out to another Twice the tow rope parted because of to mouth resuscitation by Robert Lydi- dinghy which was lying at a nearby the length of the tow line and the inabil- ate. They were landed at West Kirby mooring and which had oars and row- ity of the casualty to steer, so Cox- Sailing Club into the care of the honor- locks on board. He then rowed this 9ft swain Maiden suggested that a tug ary medical adviser, Dr E. S. A. Ashe, clinker built dinghy towards the casu- should meet Press On at Tees Fairway. and oxygen was given to the more seri- alty, reaching the now half submerged A tug arrived at about 1600 and took ously affected man. As soon as they sailing surf board in just over five over the tow up river while the lifeboat were fit to move they were taken to minutes. stood by until, an hour later, smoother hospital; both were discharged the fol- Talking to the boys Mr Wade con- water was reached. The lifeboat then lowing day. cluded that they were not likely to returned to Hartlepool, arriving back at For this service, letters of apprecia- panic and possibly capsize the little 1800. She was once more ready for ser- tion signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief dinghy while trying to get aboard, and vice at 1830. of operations, were sent to Helmsman they were both wearing lifejackets. He Following this service a letter signed Ronald H. Jones and Crew Members told them to come to the transom one at by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, direc- John L. Curry and Robert D. Lydiate. a time so that he could haul them tor RNLI, expressing the Institution's Just two days before, on Tuesday aboard. This achieved, Terry Wade appreciation to the crews of the seine March 4, West Kirby D class inflatable rowed to the nearby shore where, at netters for their help in escorting the lifeboat had been called out at 1105 to 1300, the boys were landed into the smaller cobles, was sent to the secre- help two boys, aged 16 and 15, who had care of a local doctor's wife who took tary of Hartlepool Fishermen's Associ- tried to walk ashore from Hilbre Island them to her house to get dry and warm. ation. to Middle Eye and who had been cut They were found to be suffering from off by the rising tide. They had man- slight shock and hypothermia but were North Western Division aged to find an isolated rock but even fully recovered after an hour or so. so were already up to their waists in Helensburgh Atlantic 21 arrived on Falling tide, rising tide water. Once again it was a fine day with scene just as the boys were being a light breeze, this time from the north landed, at 1300. She managed to ONLY AN HOUR OR TWO after West west, and a calm sea, but there was still recover the waterlogged sailing surf Kirby lifeboat crew had been receiving about an hour and a half of flood before board and beach it near Baron's Point, instruction on mouth to mouth resusci- high water. returning to station by 1345. She was tation from their divisional inspector, With Helmsman Richard Farnworth rehoused and ready for service at 1400. Cdr George Cooper, on Thursday and Crew Member Gareth Bird as For this service a letter of apprecia- March 6, and while they were still crew, the D class inflatable lifeboat was tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. assembled at the boathouse, a call launched within three minutes and by Graham, director of the Institution, came from Liverpool Coastguard to 1124 had picked up the two boys and was sent to Terence Wade. say that a canoe had capsized and two returned with them to West Kirby. The men were in the water off Hilbre boys were taken home by the local North Eastern Division Island. The time was 1350. coastguard and the lifeboat was Within two minutes West Kirby's D rehoused and ready for service by Caught out class inflatable lifeboat, manned by 1230. Helmsman Ronald Jones and Crew ON THE MORNING of Thursday January Members John Curry and Robert Lydi- South Western Division 31 a fleet of fishing boats sailed from ate, had been launched and was on her Hartlepool in comparatively good way to top speed. It was a fine morning weather which, however, deteriorated with a light south-westerly breeze and a Swimmers far out fast. Within an hour, a near gale, force slight sea, but it was half an hour after 7, had blown up from the east north high water and the men were being car- A COUNCIL LIFE GUARD at Sennen east accompanied by very heavy swell ried out by the fast-running ebb tide. Cove, Nick Bryant, although not on and sea. Guided straight to the two men by duty was down painting his hut on Fri- At 0925 Tees Coastguard informed someone on Hilbre Island firing white day May 16 when he saw two swim- the honorary secretary of Hartlepool flares over them, the lifeboat reached mers a long way out to sea. He lifeboat station that several of the smal- the two men by 1357. Both were in a immediately put out on a surf board ler fishing boats were in need of help bad way, one, who was unconscious, and, on reaching the two swimmers, he off The Heugh Lighthouse. The crew being supported by the other. Both found that they were indeed in difficul- were mustered and at 0940 the 47ft were quickly pulled into the inflatable conlinued on page 105 82 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and presentation of awards ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, THURSDAY MAY 22 'The RNLI . . . the finest club in the country . . .'

MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE signed before the Chairman presented Since the Fraserburgh disaster in gathered at the Royal Festival Hall on his report. 1970, three lifeboats have been capsized the South Bank of the River Thames on while on service in storms of unusual Thursday May 22 for the Institution's 'This is the first time that I have had ferocity, one off the east coast of Ireland the privilege of addressing you as your on Christmas Eve, 1977, and two off the yearly day of meetings, the annual gen- Chairman and I am in the happy position eral meeting of the governors in the west coast of Scotland one wild night of being able to report that, due to the last November. All three boats righted morning and the annual presentation of wise leadership of my predecessors, and successfully and in all only one lifeboat- awards in the afternoon; and, looking in particular of Major-General Ralph man lost his life. The three lifeboats were back over 1979, there was much for Farrant, who as the immediate past built to different designs and for each the which to be both thankful and proud. Chairman has guided the affairs of the righting capability was provided in a dif- More than 1,000 people had been Institution through four testing years, ferent way. It was the first time that any rescued by lifeboat crews during the the RNLI is today in good shape. It is of these righting methods had been put year and, to make this possible, more also the first meeting of the Governors at to the test on service and it is a great which Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham has credit to our designers and technicians than ten million pounds had been raised sat at this table as Director and Sec- by the RNLI's branches and guilds that all three boats performed exactly as retary of the Institution and I am sure intended. There was only superficial helped by the lifeboat service's other you would like me to welcome him in damage to the boats and their gear and, friends and supporters. And looking your name. apart from the one man who, sadly, was back over the testing years of the 'Admiral Graham and I have taken up lost, only minor injuries were suffered by 1970s there was also much cause for our offices on the threshold of the 1980s, the crews, who were full of praise for the satisfaction, not only in the first class when the sights of the Institution must be way their boats had performed. service given by the lifeboats to the set on the future. But first, perhaps, we 'Perhaps it is not out of place to community throughout those ten years, should pause to take stock and review remember that the service of our lifeboat the progress made by the RNLI during crews and station personnel does not which resulted in the rescuing of nearly the ten eventful years which made up the 12,500 men, women and children, but necessarily end when the lifeboat 1970s, starting, as they did, at a time of reaches harbour. After the two Scottish also in the technological progress made great sadness.' lifeboats had returned to station last in the design of the lifeboats them- The Duke of Atholl recalled how, a November, repairs were put in hand at selves and in their equipment, and in once and crew members, local people, the fact that the Institution's income, little over ten years before, two major lifeboat disasters, at Longhope and coastal staff and equipment suppliers all raised entirely by voluntary contribu- worked together to ensure that both Fraserburgh, had followed swiftly upon tion and voluntary effort, had kept pace boats were back on full service in a each other with the tragic loss of 13 with the fast onset of the inflation from remarkably short space of time.' lifeboatment; how, as a result, the which the whole world had suffered. That the two lifeboats, Barra Island So May 22 was a day for business Committee of Management had decided to double the speed of boat and Islay, are based on islands, the and for the recognition of achievement. Duke pointed out, made the task of get- And, as always, it was also a day, building with the aim of providing, by the end of 1980, a fleet which, with the ting them back on service quickly all happy but all too short, for the reunion the more difficult, and all the more of friends from all parts of Great Britain exception of the largest cruising lifeboats, would be fully self righting; praiseworthy. He then went on to and Ireland, and, indeed, from over- recall the four new lifeboat designs seas as well. how it had been hoped that the special fund-raising events planned for 1974, which had been introduced during the * * * the 'Year of the Lifeboat' celebrating 1970s: The Atlantic 21, the 52ft Arun, When the governors of the RNLI the Institution's 150th anniversary, the 50ft Thames and the 37ft 6in met for their annual general meeting in would go a long way towards financing Rother: the Purcell Room at 11.30 am it was this ambitious boat-building pro- 'All have proved themselves to be almost a 'full house', and in welcoming gramme, but how in fact 1974 had seen highly successful in their different his fellow governors as their Chairman the start of the massive world-wide spheres; indeed one of two of them have, for the first time the Duke of Atholl inflation which has overshadowed if anything, exceeded our expectations.' remarked how encouraging it was that recent years .. . Looking to the future, development so many took such a keen interest in work was going ahead on three new 'Because of the financial situation, lifeboat designs: the work of the Institution. Apologies boat building had to be slowed down for for absence, too numerous to be read a time, but so magnificent have been the 'The first is the RNLI Medina, a rigid out, had been received, but the Duke efforts made by our fund raisers and so inflatable lifeboat similar in concept to felt that there should be one exception: great has been the support of our friends the Atlantic 21 but a much larger boat, over 7 tons, powered by twin dies el 'We have received an apology from that lifeboat construction is now once again going ahead at full speed and we engines instead of twin outboards. The Captain Wyndham-Quin, who you may first prototype started her trials in the remember was Chairman of the Institu- have nearly achieved our original target. It is now 1980; only 11 lifeboats without autumn last year and she has already tion in the early '60s. Today is his shown herself to be an exceptionally ninetieth birthday and he is celebrating it the required self-righting capability remain on station and all these should be seaworthy boat of great promise. This with a family party. I think that it would boat is being named Mountbatten of be your wish that we should send him a replaced within the next two or three years. Burma and is being funded by an appeal telegram of good wishes on that occa- the details of which Earl Mountbatten sion.' The Committee of Management's had approved just before his assassina- When assenting applause had died policy of providing a self-righting fleet tion. There has been such an enormous down, the minutes of the last meeting in the shortest possible time had indeed response to the appeal, both at home were agreed as a correct record and been fully justified: and overseas, that it has already 83 exceeded its original target of £100,000 expressed by Major-General Farrant at Committee of Management. These and money is now being raised for a sec- the 1979 AGM that donors would be elections were all agreed unanimously ond lifeboat, to be named Countess found to meet the costs of work of this with a show of hands. Price, Water- Mountbatten of Burma. sort at lifeboat stations. He continued: house and Company were then elected 'Another new lifeboat, a little smaller auditors for the coming year. than the Medina, has also started her In 1979 there was a small surplus of trials. She is the Brede, adapted from the £337,698 of income over expenditure, Coming to any other business, Mr. Lochin 33, a well established production which was transferred to the general R. Leigh-Wood, a Vice-President, GRP hull which has been fitted out to fund. However, while this is a most asked the present position regarding meet the Institution's specifications. commendable result, I have to point out gifts made to the Institution under that the fund now represents a reserve of 'The third new design is for a fast deeds of covenant following the new only 14 weeks' expenditure compared slipway lifeboat which will, we hope, legislation arising from the budget, a replace some of the slower lifeboats with a reserve of 16 weeks' expenditure at the end of 1978, so that in spite of a question to which, at the request of the launched down slipways when they come Chairman, Mr P. Hainsworth, on to the end of their operational lives. Like very successful year there can be no behalf of the RNLI's auditors, replied the Medina, the fast slipway lifeboat is room for complacency. The financial extending the bounds of small boat target for 1980 is 12 million pounds— (a note on the 1980 Finance Act and its design, for in her will be reconciled two that is one million for each month of the application to charities appears on requirements which, up till now, have year. Looking back once again to 1970, page 85). been regarded as irreconcilable: the the cost of running the lifeboat service in Mr P. R. Threlfall, Chairman, Wel- that year was just over two million requirement to retain those characteris- lington (Somerset) branch, then asked pounds. If anyone had suggested then tics which make possible housing ashore if, in view of the fairly large proportion and rescue work in shoal waters, and the that in ten years we should need six times that figure even the stoutest of of lifeboatmen who served over a con- requirement for higher speed. While she siderable period of years without win- will still have the necessary shallow hearts might have quailed. However, the draught, long straight keel and protected staunch resolve of our fund raisers has ning medals for gallantry, considera- propellers, the new fast slipway boat is matched that of our lifeboat crews and tion could be given to some visible and expected to reach speeds of 15 to 18 the challenge of increasing costs has tangible form of long service award knots, just about doubling the speed of been met with mounting enthusiasm and being made which could be worn with traditional slipway boats.' great hard work. I cannot believe that pride on lifeboat occasions? The even a target of 12 million pounds will Chairman thanked Mr Threlfall for his The Duke of Atholl then explained daunt such valiant hearts. how the initial work on this boat had suggestion which was noted by the With the aim of holding down been made possible by the provision of Director. administrative costs the RNLI was a line plan for a semi-planing hull by There being no further business, the purchasing its own computer: the National Maritime Institute and Chairman declared the meeting closed. how the RNLI had been helped in its 'For several years different depart- ments have used the services of outside * * * development work at the model stage computer bureaux, but the time has now Even before the governor's AGM both by the Institute and by British come to rationalise this development if had ended, other lifeboat people had Hovercraft. The two full size pro- the full benefits offered by modern tech- started to gather and The Embank- totypes were now to be built by Fairey nology in terms of both efficiency and ment, the foyer, the balcony and the Marine. He continued: economy are to be realised. The installa- restaurants were all fast becoming 'Because there is a possible commer- tion of an in-house computer is a sound cheerful, informal meeting grounds. cial application for this new design and business decision because it will mean Stalls, information centres and displays that the fast increasing load of work can because of its safety aspects, great were being set up in the main foyer, interest has been taken in the progress of be carried with little, if any, increase in staff. special guests were being greeted and the fast slipway lifeboat by the Govern- then, in what seemed like no time at all, ment's Ship and Marine Technology Although 1979 had been a good year everyone was moving up the stairs to Requirements Board, known as the in many ways, it had not been without SMTRB, and it has been agreed that its fill the Royal Festival Hall ready for the its sadness, and the Duke of Atholl start of the annual presentation of development should be regarded as a recalled the tragic loss of life in the joint project between the RNLI and the awards meeting at 3 o'clock. Fastnet Race and how, with the death SMTRB from which both will benefit. An The welcoming speech was made by of Lord Saltoun at the age of 93, the agreement has been entered into under the Chairman, the Duke of Atholl: which the SMTRB will contribute RNLI had lost one of its most outstanding and devoted supporters. 'When 1 addressed the governors of towards the cost of the two prototypes. the Institution this morning I was able to While these two prototypes will be the Ending his address, the Chairman report that not only the last year, but the property of the RNLI, and no royalties concluded: last decade, had been highly successful will be paid by the Institution on future 'The 1970s, including 1979, at which for the RNLI. 1979, during which the boats built to this design, the industrial we are particularly looking this morning, lifeboats of the RNLI launched on ser- property rights of the design will belong have been years of considerable success vice 2,608 times and rescued 1,032 lives, to the SMTRB. for the RNLI. In those years nearly began with a period of storm and bliz- Turning to the accounts, the Duke of 12,500 people have been rescued from zard and at last year's annual meeting, Atholl pointed out that in 1979 the the sea, 1,032 of them in 1979. Our gallantry awards, including the gold income of the Institution exceeded ten lifeboats and lifeboat crews have come medal, were presented to lifeboatmen million pounds for the first time and through some of the most gruelling con- who performed outstanding services to was 24 per cent over that of the previ- ditions with triumph. You will hear more merchant vessels during those storms. of the feats of some of these men this Later this afternoon you will hear of a ous year. afternoon, but every lifeboat crew rescue by the Selsey lifeboat of 20 people 'This fine result has allowed us not member around our coasts deserves, from a disabled freighter in the same only to finance our day-to-day opera- and enjoys, our respect and our admira- storms. tions, but also to undertake a boat- tion. It is in this knowledge that we can 'That spell of ferocious weather building programme at almost double go forward into the 1980s with confi- proved that any vessel at sea, whether the level of two years ago.' dence. she be large or small, may find herself in Capital expenditure had increased by The report and accounts were agreed difficulties and may need to call for more than 35 per cent. While this without further discussion. lifeboat help. 'This truth was highlighted again in increase was largely a reflection of the Elections followed of the President, August when tragedy struck the Fastnet increase in boat building, there had also HRH The Duke of Kent; the Vice- Race and 15 yachtsmen lost their lives. been heavy and unavoidable capital Presidents; the Treasurer, the Duke of An international fleet of more than 300 expenditure on shore works, such as Northumberland, and the Deputy yachts was strung out across the the rebuilding of Tenby lifeboat house, Treasurer, Mr David Acland; and 150-mile stretch of sea between Land's and the Duke reiterated the hope members and ex-officio members of the End and the Fastnet Rock off the

84 south-west coast of Ireland when it was either crew. The Chairman went on to £300,000. This year we shall need 12 mil- hit by storm force winds and huge, con- speak of the boat-building programme lion pounds. That is, I know, an enorm- fused seas. A massive search and rescue in the 1970s and how, as a result, the ous challenge, but I am confident that our fund raisers will rise to meet it as operation was mounted, co-ordinated by RNLI now has a fleet composed almost Her Majesty's Coastguard in England they always have in the past. All events, and the Marine Rescue Co-ordination entirely of lifeboats which have a self- however large or however small, will Centre, Shannon, in Ireland and involv- righting capability. contribute to the total . .. ing helicopters, aeroplanes, warships, '/ regard this as the biggest achieve- 'The RNLI has been described as the merchant and fishing vessels, the yachts ment of the past ten years and would like finest club in the country with members themselves and 13 of our lifeboats from to pay tribute to all our branches and in every community . . . It is my belief both sides of the approaches to the Irish guilds who, by working so hard to pro- that our system with thousands of dedi- Sea. The lifeboats, which were at sea for vide the funds, have made this important cated men and women supporting our a total of 187 hours, rescued 60 people operation possible. I should also like to lifeboat crews is the best there is and and towed in or escorted 20 yachts. thank all our friends who, as individuals that our independent voluntary status is 'The Fastnet Race proved that our or as groups and assocations, have something of which every member of the co-ordinated search and rescue network, given us their invaluable support. club can feel proud. in which the RNLI works closely with the 'If the 1970s were the self-righting 'We are privileged to have one of our Coastguard, the Royal Navy, the Royal years, I think we can look to the 1980s to club members here today as our guest Air Force and the search and rescue be the speed years. We already have speaker. Mr Edward Heath is well agencies in the Republic of Ireland, is some fine fast lifeboats in our fleet—the known not only as an eminent politician one of the finest in the world. Some cri- Waveneys, Aruns and Atlantic 21s have but also as an accomplished musician tics have suggested that one national all proved themselves repeatedly. Based and yachtsman. He was the winner of body should take over all marine search on the success of these lifeboats we are the Sydney to Hobart Race in 1969, cap- and rescue. Others have said that now engaged in developing three new tain of Britain's winning team in the helicopters should replace lifeboats. designs, two or which are exploring Admiral's Cup Race in 1971 and was one Anybody who is professionally involved entirely new ideas and which, when they of the many yachtsmen in last year's with sea rescue will tell them that the go on station, will represent consider- Fastnet Race who made port safely present system is extremely efficient. able advances in small boat naval without assistance. He has long been a Helicopters and lifeboats are com- architecture.' supporter of the RNLI and it is my pleasure to introduce him this afternoon. plementary, and often it is when they are Of the RNLI Medina, the Brede and working in partnership that they achieve the best results. the new fast slipway boat the Duke The Duke of Atholl then invited The 'Each rescue vehicle has its advan- said: Right Honourable Edward R. G. tages and of course there are jobs which 'These new lifeboats are essential if Heath, PC MBE MP, to present the each can do better than the other. But we are to maintain and improve our effi- awards for gallantry. As Simon Hall overall, marine accidents are being dealt ciency as a service. I stress "improve- was unable to be at the Festival with more efficiently than in the past by ment" because we want to take every Hall—he was sitting O level examina- combining the talents of the various opportunity of using modern technology tions on that day—the presentation of rescue services.' to improve our service. The new his medal was postponed. lifeboats have more than twice the capa- Remembering that the one factor bility of the boats they are replacing so which has remained constant through- that while we will improve the cover pro- Helmsman John Hodder, Lyme Regis: out the 156 years of the Institution's vided we can achieve this with fewer bar to his bronze medal history is the severity of the weather in boats.' Crew Member Colin Jones, Lyme Regis: which our lifeboats may be asked to put All our work, the Chairman emphas- bronze medal On August 13, 1979, Lyme Regis to sea, the Duke of Atholl spoke of last ised, has to be done in the face of rising November's storms, gusting to severe costs. Atlantic 21 lifeboat with John Hodder storm force and hurricane, during at the helm saved the yacht White Kit- which the Barra Island and Islay 'To take just one example, inflation ten and rescued her crew of five in a has increased the cost of a new Arun south-westerly near gale which was to lifeboats both launched to help a Dan- lifeboat to over £300,000. Last year it ish coaster whose cargo had shifted; cost ten million pounds to run the rise to storm force before the service both had been capsized by tremendous lifeboat service and our splendid fund was completed; the sea was very breaking seas, but both had righted raisers made sure that amount was rough. The anchored yacht was drag- immediately with no serious injury to raised with a safe margin of over ging on to a lee shore. Three of her

FINANCE ACT 1980 to 1980/81 from 1981/82 and £ £ its effect on charitable gifts After-tax cost to covenanting taxpayer 200.00 200.00 1. Gifts Higher rate tax relief obtained Gifts to charities are wholly exempt from Capital Transfer (20 per cent) 80.00 Tax except that in the year prior to death the aggregate amount of money which one person can give to charities Net Covenant 200.00 280.00 free of Capital Transfer Tax has been raised from Tax at base rate (30 per cent) 85.71 120.00 £100,000 to £200,000. Gross Covenant: i.e. value to Institution 285.71 400.00 2. Deeds of Covenant a. The period for which a covenant needs to run has been reduced from 'over six years' to 'over three years'. b. From 1981/82 a taxpayer will be able to set his coven- Thus, for the same ultimate out-of-pocket cost of £200.00 ant payment (subject to a maximum of £3,000) against his to the tax-payer, the RNLI will gain £114.29 if the net higher-rate tax liability. In other words, the taxpayer may covenant is revised to £280 to take advantage of the tax covenant a larger amount to the RNLI without ultimately relief offered. It is hoped, therefore, that existing decreasing the 'pound in his own pocket'. Take, for covenantors will be prepared to increase their covenants example, the application of the 1980 Act to a net covenant to the higher net figure which will involve them in the of £200 (that is, after-tax cost of £200 to the covenanter) same after-tax cost as before, while enabling the Institu- by a taxpayer liable to a 50 per cent tax rate: tion to increase its claim upon the Inland Revenue.

85 Coxswain Trevor England, Padstow: national work of lifesaving, desires to bar to his silver medal record its hearty appreciation of the gal- On December 15, 1979, The 48ft 6in lantry of the coxswains and crews of the Oakley lifeboat James and Catherine Institution's lifeboats, and its deep obligation to the local committees, hon- Macfarlane stood by the Greek freigh- orary secretaries and honorary treasur- ter Skopelos Sky which was listing in a ers of all station branches; to all other westerly hurricane and seas so high voluntary committees and supporters that the lifeboat, although no more than and to the honorary officers and a quarter of a mile offshore, was lost to thousands of voluntary members of the view of watchers on the cliffs for many financial branches and the ladies' seconds at a time. Coxswain Trevor lifeboat guilds in the work of raising England succeeded in taking her along- funds to maintain the service.' side the casualty five times but the 'Mr Chairman, Your Worships, Ladies freighter's crew could not be taken off; and Gentlemen. I am delighted to be so the lifeboat stood by while helicop- invited to be present here at this annual The Right Honourable Edward R. G. Heath, ters lifted off the survivors, the last occasion of the presentation of awards PC MBE MP, was guest speaker at the after- man being lifted clear just before the for gallantry. It is customary, of course, noon meeting and also presented the freighter was driven hard on rocks. for politicians to say that they are awards. With him, seated, are the Duke of pleased to be invited—it becomes more Throughout this nine-hour service the necessary to say it as time goes past— Atholl, Chairman of the Institution, and coxswain provided the only communi- Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, Director. and they then go on to say that they are photograph by courtesy of Peter Hadfield cations link for the Coastguard and honoured by being asked. But what helicopters with Skopelos Sky. Rehous- greater honour could anyone have than crew, two women and a five-year-old ing the lifeboat was a long and arduous to be asked to present the awards for boy, were transferred to the lifeboat operation, the shore helpers on the gallantry to the six men who have and taken to Lyme Regis and Crew slipway often being up to their necks in appeared before you this afternoon, Member Jones sailed the yacht to water. when we have heard the accounts of the safety with two of her crew still on work they did to earn those awards? Not, of course, forgetting the young man board. After landing the three sur- Coxswain Kenneth Voice, Shoreham who is unfortunately detained by his vivors Helmsman Hodder returned to Harbour: silver medal academic excercises this afternoon. escort the yacht back to harbour. On January 21, 1980, Shoreham 'You have heard the accounts of the lifeboat, the 42ft Watson Dorothy and tremendous jobs they did, and many of Coxswain Thomas Henry 'Harry' Jones, Philip Constant, rescued 26 people you can visualise the circumstances; Hoylake: bronze medal including two women and two children some of you have perhaps been in simi- On September 20, 1979, the 37ft Oak- from the Greek cargo vessel Athina B lar circumstances; and some of us who ley relief lifeboat The Will and Fanny which was in difficulties on a lee shore sailed in the Fastnet also experienced Kirby, on temporary duty at Hoylake, in winds rising to storm force 10 and the same thing. And so on your behalf I want to offer our warmest congratula- launched to go to the help of the violent seas; she finally grounded on tions to the recipients of the awards for catamaran Truganini anchored in shal- Brighton Beach. In all, the casualty had gallantry, and to thank them and their low water on a lee shore in a westerly to be closed four times to take off the crews for services they have rendered storm and a very rough sea; the waves survivors and on the last approach, to those who go down to the around the casualty were confused and although the lifeboat was rising and fal- sea in ships. There is no way by which we broken and about 15 feet high. The ling 12 to 15 feet in the surf, Coxswain can really repay them for what they do, lifeboat was taken alongside and two Kenneth Voice skilfully held her along- all we can do is to acknowledge that we crew members transferred to the side while 10 men jumped to safety. understand it, and we are deeply grateful catamaran with great difficulty. As it The last man jumped into the sea and to them. ' You, Mr Chairman, said in your open- was too hazardous to try to take off her only prompt action by coxswain and ing words that I had long been a member crew of three, Truganini was taken in crew saved him from being crushed of this Institution. That is true. I was in tow and brought to safety. between the two vessels. The lifeboat fact born between lifeboats, if I may use returned to Shoreham with survivors that expression, those of Margate and Simon Hall, Robin Hood's Bay: bronze three times and great skill was needed Ramsgate, and on our small jetty in medal to navigate, with drogue streamed, into Broadstairs there was a ship's lifeboat On June 10, 1979, 16-year-old Simon the harbour entrance. from the Lusitania, just to remind us of Hall rowed out single-handed in an what does happen from time to time to eight foot dinghy into the rough, con- After making the presentations for even the largest of ships. Every time I went down to the cliffs as a boy, fused seas under a high sea wall to gallantry, Mr Heath rose to move the throughout all my boyhood until the time rescue a youth who had jumped over- Resolution: I went to university, I looked across to board from a home-made raft which That this meeting fully recognising the Goodwins and on occasions saw was starting to break up. Simon the important services of the Royal them in their most fearsome conditions; brought the boy safely to a moored fish- National Life-boat Institution in its and I heard the maroons go and dashed ing boat.

Coxswain Michael Grant, Selsey: silver medal The medallists aboard the On January 10, 1979, the 48ft 6in Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable Oakley lifeboat Charles Henry rescued lifeboat displayed on The the crew of 20 from the Panamanian Embankment (I. to r.): cargo vessel Cape Coast in a violent Helmsman John Hodder, southerly storm and a very rough sea. Lyme Regis; Coxswain Coxswain Michael Grant manoeuvred 'Harry' Jones, Hoylake; the lifeboat in to the starboard quarter Coxswain Trevor England, Padstow; Coxswain Kenneth of the cargo vessel three times to take Voice, Shoreham Harbour; off her entire crew. Cape Coast was Crew Member Colin Jones, rolling and pitching heavily and on sev- Lyme Regis; and Coxswain eral occasions large seas picked up the Michael Grant (Selsey). lifeboat and drove her hard against the photograph by courtesy of casualty's plating. Peter Hadfield on a bicycle to Ramsgate Harbour to see to lift people off our small racing boats. you have done, not only in the past year what was going on. So the lifeboat ser- There in the storm, hearing continuously but, I know, over many, many years, to vice has really been part of the back- on the radio what was going on, we mar- ensure the financial stability of the Royal ground of my life from my very earliest velled that such rescue operations could National Life-boat Institution. And to boyhood days. But then, of course, in be carried out. There can be no tribute thank you, Mr Chairman, and all your recent years I have experienced this at high enough to those in the lifeboat ser- officers and your committees for the perhaps rather closer quarters, as a vice who were responsible for saving 60 work they do in giving leadership to all sailor on Morning Cloud. And I am lives and bringing 20 boats into safety. the voluntary workers spread up and always glad to think how good our rela- 'We felt that we, for the first time, had down the country. Yours is the most tions are with those who man our experienced while racing the extraordi- worthwhile task that anybody could lifeboats. nary conditions which our lifeboatmen have, and may you always have the 'It is characteristic, is it not, of the face very often indeed, and, as we have greatest satisfaction in carrying it British and Irish that a service which is heard, those who have been recipients of through.' absolutely vital to all those who are on gallantry awards have faced in the past The Duke of Atholl then invited Mr the sea should be manned entirely by a year. For us it was an initial experience; Heath to make the presentations to voluntary organisation: financed by a for them, it is part of their everyday vol- voluntary organisation; technically untary occupation. voluntary workers. Since the last advised by a voluntary organisation; in 'Many people have asked, ought a annual presentation of awards meeting fact absolutely run by a voluntary organ- race like the Fastnet go on, or go on in the Committee of Management had isation. This is one of the best aspects of its present form? I am quite convinced awarded four honorary life governor- our way of life and I think it is one of that it should, but it will also be neces- ships and 22 gold badges to voluntary which we should be, perhaps, inordi- sary for those who are responsible for workers for long and distinguished ser- nately proud. the race, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, vice. All but one of the recipients, Mrs We have heard this afternoon that the whose tie I am wearing this afternoon, to A. Will, were present to receive their total revenue for last year was £10 mil- ensure that the race regulations which awards. lion and that this year, 1980, it will have we observe are satisfactory. We know to be £12 million. That is a vast sum to that we must always respect the sea in Honorary Life Governor raise and you here this afternoon are, to all its different moods. I listened to one Mrs E. A. Harris, MBE such a large extent, responsible with of the citations this afternoon about the A branch member of Connah's Quay your helpers all over the country, for dangers of a lee shore. What was worry- raising that sum of money. Well, you ing me going up to the Fastnet Rock, and Shotton branch from 1931 and have an even more formidable task in and we were one of the boats up front, honorary secretary from 1941 to 1951. front of you for the current year. was that we had a south-westerly driving Honorary secretary of Hawarden 'Of course I frequently come to this us on to the Irish Coast, and I think in all branch from 1951 to 1973, chairman hall in another capacity. It is my habit to of the Fastnets in which I have sailed up from 1973 to 1979 and president since come in quietly by the artists' entrance, until last year, some six of them, we had 1979; awarded record of thanks in not because 1 am an artist but because it always hit the Irish Coast before going 1952, gold badge in 1959 and bar to is a short cut, and I am greeted there by- south-westerly, down towards the Rock gold badge in 1970. one of those knowing servants of the hall and then round the lighthouse; so I was and he looks at me and he shakes his deeply worried that we were going to be Dr F. Severne Mackenna head gloomily or he shakes it up and driven by a south-westerly gale on to President ofTarbert branch since 1969. down. And when he shakes it up and that Irish shore. It was with immense Dr Mackenna has represented Scot- down he says to me "There's a lot of relief that only a few minutes before we land on the Fund Raising Committee, money in the hall tonight, Sir". / hope went round the Rock we saw it directly you feel there's a lot of money in the hall ahead of us and the loom on the cloud serves on the Scottish Lifeboat Council this afternoon! And that you are going to which was only just above our mast. and lectures on behalf of the Institution be capable of raising this tremendous 'We got round the Rock and then two all over Scotland. sum which is required for our great vol- hours later we were hit by the full force N. O. Mabe untary Institution. of the hurricane gusts and we realised Honorary treasurer of Fishguard sta- 'And so I would like to thank all of you exactly what these circumstances are tion branch from 1935 to 1953 and hon- for the work which you do; many are to like. We were fortunate; we were only receive acknowledgement of that work a knocked down once. My crew is still orary secretary and treasurer from little later this afternoon. I know how arguing as to whether we were knocked 1953 to 1979; awarded binoculars in intensive it is; you never spare your- down to 110 degrees or 130 degrees; I 1964 and gold badge in 1978. selves. I have, still living in Seaview in said that when they had spent the winter G. T. Paine, MBE DL JP the Isle of Wight an aunt and uncle, one arguing that out we would start sailing Chairman ofDungeness station branch over 90 and one just approaching 90, again this summer! But we righted who have devoted their voluntary service immediately, and let me add here how since 1931; awarded gold badge in 1963 all their lives to this Institution and are delighted I was to hear you say, Mr and bar to gold badge in 1976. still persuading people to contribute to Chairman, how almost complete now is Gold Badge it, so I know exactly how much is the programme for self-righting lifeboats J. E. Chalcraft involved and how grateful we are to you throughout the Institution. It is of the for what you have done. utmost importance. . . . Honorary treasurer and secretary of 'Mention has been made in the begin- 'There is one thing, however, we have Henley-on-Thames branch from 1949 ning of your speech and in the reports, to recognise in all these things: the gal- to 1975, honorary treasurer from 1975 Mr Chairman, of the tragedy of the lant actions with great danger to the to 1976 and president and honorary Fastnet Race last year. It was, of lives of those concerned, the citations treasurer since 1976; awarded silver course, the first occasion on which any- for which we have heard today, were badge in I960. thing tike this had been experienced in carried out in order to help those whose the whole history of ocean racing—we work it is to transport our goods on the Mrs J. M. Allam had been a very safe sport until last sea. We are using the sea for recreation Souvenir shop assistant of Weston- year's Fastnet. And it is true that the and for racing. Our attitude must there- super-Mare station branch from 1951 conditions were extraordinary as your fore be to recognise that if we are fool- to 1966 and liaison officer, shore helper report describes them—a gale, a storm ish, or incompetent, or inadequate, then and souvenir shop organiser since and then gusting to hurricane force— we are putting other peoples' lives at risk 1966; awarded silver badge in 1974. and the result was that 15 lives were lost because of our own inefficiency. And from those in the race and four from a however readily they respond, the ¥. Bell-Scott, MBE boat which was accompanying us. The responsibility is on us to ensure that the Vice-chairman of Birmingham social work which the lifeboats did on that conditions we observe are of the highest committee and then chairman from occasion was absolutely magnificent, in safety and in equipment and in the 1955 to 1974. Chairman of Birmingham and the co-ordination between them and organisation of our sport. branch from 1974 to 1978 and president the other rescue services could not have 'So I would like to congratulate again since 1978; awarded silver badge in been bettered. I must also add tribute to those who have played such a noble part 1971. that remarkable Dutch frigate, whose in the past year, and to thank all of you, skipper rolled her over in order to be able and all the voluntary workers, for what continued on page 96 87 congratulations received by Coxswain HM Queen Elizabeth William Swankie and his crew came from Queen Elizabeth. Coxswain Swankie was awarded the bronze The Queen Mother medal for gallantry and each member of his crew received the thanks of the PATRON OF THE RNLI SINCE 1937 Institution inscribed on vellum. Following the accession of King Edward VIII in 1936, the Duke of York by Jeff Morris consented to assume the office of President of the RNLI, a post he was to hold for only two months, for on December 11 he acceded to the throne HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE London's lifeboat day in 1931 was as King George VI. In January, 1937, QUEEN MOTHER, who celebrated her held on May 19, and once again the he consented to become Patron of the eightieth birthday this year, has been Duchess of York greatly helped by vis- RNLI and the next month Queen concerned with the RNLI for more iting several of the collecting depots in Elizabeth also agreed to become a Pat- than a third of its history, for her active the City. Then the next year the ron of the Institution. support of the lifeboat service goes Duchess named another lifeboat, again The war years followed quickly, and right back to the Institution's centenary in Scotland. This was at Arbroath on then, on February 6, 1952, King in 1924, 56 years ago. Since 1937, Her August 31 and the town and harbour George died. A telegram of sympathy Majesty has been one of our Patrons. were gaily decorated for the occasion, was sent by the Institution to the By the time that Lady Elizabeth with thousands of people packing every Queen, to which Her Majesty replied, Bowes-Lyon married HRH The Duke of vantage point. The new lifeboat was a assuring everyone that the message York, on April 26, 1923, the Duke was single-engined 35ft 6in self-righter and, was deeply valued. already a keen supporter of the RNLI, following a service of dedication, the When Walmer lifeboat station, in having attended several lifeboat events Duchess named her John and William Kent, reached its hundredth anniver- and been an annual subscriber to the Mudie. sary in 1956, it was Queen Elizabeth Institution's funds for a number of When, on February 9, 1940, in the The Queen Mother who visited the sta- years. The Duchess was herself soon to troubled years of the second world tion on May 23 formally to hand over become involved in helping the RNLI, war, John and William Mudie rescued the centenary vellum. Later that same for on May 20, 1924, little more than 12 seven of the crew of the bombed hop- year, on August 18, the Queen Mother months after their marriage, she and per barge Foremost despite continued named another Scottish lifeboat, this the Duke made a tour of Kensington, bombing and crossfire between Ger- time at Thurso. The boat was the first Fulham, the City and the West End, man aeroplanes and British mine- of the 47ft Watson class to be built and thereby greatly helping to raise extra sweepers, one of the first messages of the thirty-first to be presented to the funds on what was the RNLI's centenary flag day in London. 1924: (right) On London's The Duchess became only the fourth RNLI centenary flag day, member of the Royal Family to name a the Duke and Duchess of lifeboat when, on September 1, 1926, York, touring collection she named the new Montrose boat. The depots, talk to Captain Law- Duke and Duchess travelled to Mon- son Smith, in diving kit, out- trose from Glamis Castle accompanied side the Mansion House. by her father, the Earl of Strathmore, and the ceremony was witnessed by 1956: < below) HM Queen nearly 10,000 people, the day being Elizabeth The Queen observed as a local holiday. The new Mother, at Walmer, presents lifeboat was a single-engined 45ft 6in the station's centenary vel- Watson and, after the usual ceremo- lum to Sir Gerald Wollaston, nial, the Duchess stepped forward and branch chairman. released a bottle of Australian wine, photograph by courtesy of which smashed across the bows of the Keystone Press lifeboat as she named her John Russell. Afterwards, the Duke and Duchess made a tour of the docks in the new lifeboat, to the loud cheers of the assembled crowd. On stepping ashore, the Duchess was presented with a bouquet by the six-year-old grand-daughter of Coxswain William Stephen. During the evening there was a grand firework display, with portraits in fireworks of the Duke and Duchess of York, and of the John Russell. On January 16, 1928, the Duke and Duchess of York accompanied HRH The Prince of Wales, President of the RNLI, to a grand gala performance of the film 'The Black Journey', a record of the Citroen expedition through the whole length of Africa. The gala was presented at the Plaza Theatre, Lon- don, and the theatre was full, the distinguished audience contributing over £1,000 towards RNLI funds. Institution by the Civil Service 1971: {right) The Queen Mother talks to Lifeboat Fund. Her Majesty named the Thurso lifeboat crew after naming The boat Dimnet Head (Civil Service No. Three Sisters, and . . . 31) and later went for a short trip in her. 1974: (below) . . . leaving St Paul's Sadly, this lifeboat was only launched Cathedral after the Institution's 150th once on service for, in a disastrous fire anniversary service of thanksgiving and on December 10, 1956, both the dedication with Sir Hugh Wontner, Lord lifeboat and her boathouse were totally Mayor of London. destroyed. On April 27, 1962, during a visit to the Scilly Isles, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother inspected St Mary's lifeboat station and met Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge, Jnr, and his crew. Later that year Her Majesty paid a visit to the lifeboat display staged by Thurso ladies' guild during their local lifeboat week. The whole country was deeply shocked by the loss of the crew of eight men in the capsize of Longhope lifeboat TGB on March 17, 1969. Under bers of Walmer lifeboat crew who were the command of Coxswain Daniel in Portsmouth for a special handing Kirkpatrick, the holder of three silver over ceremony of their new 37ft 6in medals for gallantry, the lifeboat had Rother class lifeboat Hampshire Rose, been launched at 1930 from the island the funds for which had largely been of Hoy, in the Orkneys, into a severe raised within Hampshire and the sur- gale with exceptionally heavy seas to rounding counties in response to an go to the aid of the 2,600-ton Liberian The Year of the Lifeboat', 1974, appeal launched by Sir Alec Rose. cargo vessel Irene. Before the lifeboat when the RNLI celebrated its 150th In June, 1978—and again this year— could reach the steamer, she was anniversary, began with a service of the Queen Mother paid a visit to Hast- overwhelmed by mountainous seas in thanksgiving and dedication in St ings and among the scores of people the turbulent waters of the Pentland Paul's Cathedral on March 4. This ser- who were presented to her during her Firth. Messages of sympathy poured in vice was attended by Queen Elizabeth busy day were Coxswain Joe Martin from all over the world and one of the The Queen Mother and the Duke and and the lifeboatmen of Hastings. first to send a telegram of sympathy to Duchess of Kent; the nave was lined by In 1979 HM Queen Elizabeth The the wives and relatives of the men who lifeboatmen and the Cathedral was fil- Queen Mother was installed as Lord died so tragically was the Queen led with lifeboat people from all over Warden of the Cinque Ports at a colour- Mother. Great Britain and the Republic of Ire- ful ceremony at Dover. It was, there- As a lasting tribute to the memory of land. The sermon was preached by the fore, very fitting that Her Majesty those eight gallant men, a bronze statue Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael should agree to name that port's new of a lifeboatman was erected in Ramsey, and the first lesson was read 50ft Thames class lifeboat at a cere- Osmond wall cemetery, Orkney, and on by Rabbi Dr Leslie Edgar. The Mod- mony held on October 30, 1979. August 9, 1970, the Queen Mother vis- erator of the Free Church Council was Despite persistent rain, lifeboat sup- ited Longhope to unveil this statue. present, as also would have been Car- porters gathered at Wellington Dock Her Majesty, who was staying at the dinal Heenan had he not been pre- for the ceremony, being joined by Castle of Mey, in Caithness, at the vented by ill health. Afterwards the Rotarians from all over the country, the time, spent some time talking to the Queen Mother sent a message to Cap- major part of the cost of this boat, Rot- widows and families of the men who tain Nigel Dixon, director of the RNLI, ary Service, having been provided by had died before attending a memorial saying how much she had enjoyed members of Rotary Clubs, whose service in Walls Old Kirk, Longhope, being at such a moving and historic motto is 'Service above Self. where she unveiled a plaque recording occasion and expressing her warmest As a tribute to the Queen Mother's the names of the eight lifeboatmen. good wishes for the future. eightieth birthday, Walmer Castle, her In December, 1970, two new The Queen Mother visited Jersey, in official residence as Lord Warden of lifeboats sailed together from their the Channel Islands, on May 30, 1975, the Cinque Ports, was decorated builder's yards on the south coast of to name St Helier's new 44ft Waveney throughout with flowers by the Flower England on a journey of some 1,000 class lifeboat, the money for which had Arrangement Association of Kent, and miles of sea trials and final delivery to been raised entirely within Jersey. As a Her Majesty had a preview of the deco- their respective stations. Both boats tribute to one of the island's most fam- rations when she visited the castle on were of the steel-hulled, self-righting ous lifeboatmen. Her Majesty named July 8. A donation from the proceeds 48ft 6in Solent class and one was des- the new boat Thomas James King. It was given to the Institution. tined for Longhope. The other boat had been on September 14, 1949, that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The was for Thurso and on August 11, 1971, Coxswain Thomas King had taken his Queen Mother has been Patron of the the Queen Mother drove to Thurso lifeboat in among very dangerous RNLI now for over 43 years, only from the Castle of Mey, to name the rocks, in the pitch dark, to rescue the Queen Victoria having served as Pat- new boat. Speaking of the crew of our crew of four from the yacht Maurice ron for a longer period. During those lifeboats. Her Majesty said: Georges, a daring rescue for which he eventful years, Her Majesty has not 'Their devotion to duty, their was awarded the gold medal. After the only named six new lifeboats, but has enthusiasm and selfless voluntary work naming ceremony, Thomas King, who visited many lifeboat stations and has combine to form a service which is was then aged 89, was presented to Her always taken a great personal interest, admired throughout the world.' Majesty, who spent some time talking not only in the lifeboat service in gen- Her Majesty then named the new with him. eral, but in the men who man our lifeboat The Three Sisters and went on The next day, the Queen Mother lifeboats and their wives and families; board for a trip out into the Pentland returned to Portsmouth on board the on many occasions she has welcomed Firth, taking the wheel under the guid- Royal YachtBrittania and, as she came them and talked with them at Bucking- ance of Coxswain Gilbert Reid. ashore at HMS Vernon, she met mem- ham Palace Gardens Parties. Falmouth: The 52ft Arun lifeboat Elizabeth Ann is named at the Customs House Quay. photograph by courtesy of 'Falmouth Packet'

command for the last time before his retirement, Coxswain Arthur 'Toby' West, demonstrated the fine manoeuvr- ing qualities of the new Arun in the narrow confines of the inner harbour before the principal guests boarded for a short trip in Elizabeth Ann.

George and Olive Turner, Tynemouth Bonds between past and future were strong when Tynemouth's new 52ft Arun lifeboat was named at the Fish Quay, North Shields, on Saturday June 28. Here was one of the RNLI's most modern fast afloat boats taking her place on the river by which the earliest pulling lifeboats had been built almost 200 years ago, and as the ceremony progressed, one name after another recalled outstanding milestones in the intervening years. Henry Greathead had built the first 'Original' lifeboat at South Shields in Naming Ceremonies 1789: one of the clergy taking part in George and Olive Turner's service of dedication was the Reverend E. B. Greathead, and another descendant, AT FALMOUTH, TYNEMOUTH, CAMPBELTOWN, Mrs Greathead who is honorary secret- HOLYHEAD AND HARWICH ary of Conisborough ladies guild, was present with members of her family. The fourth, sixth and seventh Dukes of Northumberland had all served as Elizabeth Ann, Falmouth Roberts, Port Chaplain, with Falmouth President of the RNLI in their time, the EXACTLY AT 2.30 pm on Tuesday June Parish Church choir and the volunteer fourth Duke being particularly remem- 10, two RNAS Culdrose helicopters band of HMS Seahawk, Culdrose, to bered for the lifeboat design competi- streaming RNLI flags flew past the lead the hymns. tion he initiated in 1851: back to 1980, Customs House Quay, Falmouth, thus Mrs M. Berry, chairman of Falmouth and the present Duke of Northumber- raising the curtain on the first of the ladies' lifeboat guild, proposed a vote land, Treasurer of the Institution and a 1980 lifeboat naming ceremonies. of thanks and then, at the invitation of vice-president, was at the Fish Quay to Guests met together on the quay Mr K. H. Williams, chairman of Fal- accept the new Arun lifeboat and were welcomed by Mr Philip Fox, mouth branch, Mrs Joyce Hulme, a deliver her into the care of Tynemouth president of Falmouth station branch, relative of Mrs Elizabeth Ann Slater lifeboat station, while the naming and then the station's new 52ft Arun after whom the boat is named, per- ceremony itself was performed by the was presented to the RNLI by the formed the naming ceremony, breaking Duchess of Northumberland. Right Honourable the Viscount Fal- the traditional bottle of champagne When the Duke and Duchess of mouth, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, over the bows of Elizabeth Ann. In Northumberland arrived at the Fish who represented her donors. The lifeboat, which had been provided by gifts from the John Slater Foundation, the Sir Kirby Laing Foundation, the Cornish lifeboat appeal and other legacies and gifts including the proceeds of special efforts by Falmouth branch, was accepted by Surgeon Cap- tain F. W. Baskerville, a vice-president of the RNLI, who gave her into the care of Falmouth station branch; she was received by the honorary secretary Captain D. G. Banks. There followed a service of dedication conducted by the Right Reverend Graham D. Leonard, Lord Bishop of Truro, who was assisted by the Reverend Peter Boyd, Rector of Fal- mouth, and the Reverend David

Tynemouth: The Duchess of Northumber- land names the 52ft Arun George and Olive Turner. photograph by courtesy of 'Newcastle Journal'

90 Quay, they inspected a guard of honour provided by 216 (Tyne Tees) Squadron, Royal Corps of Transport (V); thus was recalled the association with the station of Captain H. E. Burton and his men of the Royal Engineers who helped to prove the RNLI's first petrol engined it lifeboat, which was stationed at •>' Tynemouth in 1905. Captain Burton ilj =| went on to be awarded the gold medal for his part in the rescue of survivors from the hospital ship Rohilla, which ran aground off Whitby in 1914, and one of his descendants was at Tynemouth for the naming ceremony last June. All the guests were welcomed by Mr P. Denham Christie, chairman of Tynemouth branch and a vice- president of the Institution who had himself at one time been coxswain of Tynemouth lifeboat, and George and Olive Turner was accepted on behalf of Tynemouth branch by Mr K. Mid- Campbeltown: The dedication of the 52ft Arun Walter and Margaret Couper. dlemiss, station honorary secretary. photograph by courtesy of 'The Campbeltown Courier' A service of dedication was conducted by the Reverend Richard A. Ferguson, Vicar of Christ Church, Walter and Margaret Couper, Camp- Admiral Sir Angus Cunninghame assisted by the Reverend Alan J. beltown Graham, a vice-president of the Spivey of St Columba United It seemed as though the whole town RNLI, accepted the new lifeboat on Reformed Church and the Reverend had come down to Campbeltown's behalf of the Institution from Mrs E. B. Greathead of Frodingham. Then inner harbour for the naming on Satur- Thomas Couper. The lifeboat was the vote of thanks was proposed by day July 12 of the station's new 52ft almost entirely a bequest from the late Mrs S. B. Whatley, chairman of Tyne- Arun lifeboat, and before the ceremony Miss M. G. Couper and Sir Angus mouth ladies' guild. began they heard Campbeltown Pipe thanked the Couper family for this Almost half the cost of the new Band play a tune composed specially generous gift which is dedicated to lifeboat was provided by a legacy from for the occasion by local piper Archie their parents, Walter and Margaret. He Mrs O. B. Turner and four other Duncan. then handed the lifeboat over to Mr legacies. The remainder is being raised The service of dedication with which J. P. McWhirter, station honorary sec- by the Tyneside lifeboat appeal, which the ceremony began was conducted by retary, who accepted her on behalf of has been greatly helped by a generous the Reverend J. R. H. Cormack, Minis- Campbeltown branch. A vote of thanks donation from the Sir James Knott ter of the Lowland Church, with sing- was proposed by Mrs A. D. Wallace, Trust. The lifeboat was presented to ing led by the Salvation Army Band president of Campbeltown ladies' the RNLI on behalf of the donors by and Campbeltown Gaelic Choir. guild, before Lady Cunninghame Mr P. R. Easton and Mr J. Briggs, a After a bouquet and souvenir pro- Graham stepped forward to name the nephew of the late Mr and Mrs Turner. gramme had been presented to Lady new Arun lifeboat Walter and Mar- The ceremony over, George and Cunninghame Graham by Lesley Gil- garet Couper. Olive Turner took the principal guests christ, daughter of the coxswain, there While the platform party embarked for a short trip on the River Tyne, was a welcome for everyone from Rear in the newly named life-boat the pipe where she was greeted by an RAF Admiral R. W. Mayo, chairman of the band played ' Rowan Tree' , changing to helicopter streaming an RNLI flag and branch, who also introduced the prin- 'Mull of Kintyre' as she set out for a by a strong contingent of Shoreline cipal guests among whom was Sir short demonstration trip in the loch members from the Royal Northumber- Charles McGrigor, Convener of the under the command of Coxswain Alis- land Yacht Club, Blyth, in their yachts. Scottish Lifeboat Council. tair Gilchrist. Hyinan Winstone. Holyhead One of the most rewarding aspects of the naming of a new lifeboat is that it is an occasion when the whole community can show its allegiance to the local station and on the sunny afternoon of Wednesday July 16 the town of Holy- head was bedecked with RNLI flags and at the Lower Promenade it seemed that every inhabitant had come to wit- ness the naming of the new 52ft Arun Hyman Winstone. Lord Stanley of Alderley, president of the station, began proceedings by welcoming HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the Institution, to Holy-

Holyhead: The Duke of Kent, President of the Institution, names the 52ft Arun Hyman Winstone. photograph by courtesy of Jeff Morris

91 Holyheud: The Duke of 'incomparable crewmen' who during Kent, accompanied by Mr Holyhead's history had rescued more G. M. Burnell, station hon- than 1,200 people and who had been orary secretary, meets crew awarded no less than 49 medals for gal- members' wives and chil- lantry. Then, with the help of a shatter- dren . . . photograph by courtesy of ing bottle of champagne, Hyman J. C. Davies Winstone was officially and royally named. Together the Duke of Kent and Mrs Winstone were taken aboard the lifeboat to be presented to her crew and . . . and talks with Mrs Win- to be shown her performance under stone of Sheffield, donor of way. On this return to shore the Duke the lifeboat. With them (I.) is was able to meet the wives of the crew John Atterton, deputy direc- and their children. Before he departed tor of the Institution. he returned to Mrs Winstone to thank photograph by courtesy of her once again for her gift to the RNLI. 'Liverpool Daily Post' head and by thanking Mrs M. Win- John Fison, Harwich stone, the donor of the new lifeboat, for Harwich and Dovercourt station her generosity; as well as providing the branch's new 44ft Waveney lifeboat lifeboat, Mrs Winstone is also funding was named at the Trinity House Pier on the shore establishment and paid all the Saturday morning, July 26, in bright expenses of the naming ceremony. Her sunshine, and among the guests wel- only reward could be, Lord Stanley comed by Mr T. M. F. Bernard, presi- said, that she and her husband, in dent of the branch, were the Mayor and whose memory the lifeboat was named, Mayoress of Harwich, Mr and Mrs would always be remembered by the Lindsey Glenn, Harwich MP and his people of Holyhead and by those wife, Mr and Mrs Julian Ridsdale, the rescued by Hyman Winstone. High Steward of Harwich and his wife, Mrs Winstone then stood to say how Mr and Mrs William Bleakley, and happy she was to see everyone at the Tendring Council chairman, Mr F. ceremony and to thank those who had that the station was proud to accept Good. arranged the day. After this she for- Hyman Winstone which would give a The new Waveney was handed over mally delivered the boat to the RNLI. 'new dimension of lifesaving in the to the RNLI on behalf of Mrs Dorothy In reply, the Duke of Atholl, the Holyhead area'. E. Fison, by Mr A. A. D. Phillips. The Institution's Chairman, warmly The service of dedication that fol- lifeboat had been funded by gifts from thanked Mrs Winstone before he lowed was, in its different parts, in Mrs Fison in memory of her husband, handed the lifeboat into the care of three different languages: Welsh, Eng- John, after whom the boat is named, Holyhead station. lish and Hebrew. It was conducted by and from Mrs D. Knowles Franks, In his speech of acceptance Mr the Very Reverend J. Ivor Rees, Dean Fisons Ltd, the John Jarrold Trust and G. M. Burnell, the station honorary of Bangor, Rabbi Robert Silverman, the bequest of Mrs Annie Sutcliffe. secretary, looked back over the 152 the Reverend Father Patrick McDon- The lifeboat was received by Captain years' history of the town's lifeboats nel, the Reverend Henry James and the J. B. Leworthy, a member of the Com- and pointed out that the station was Reverend R. J. Hughes. Holyhead Sea mittee of Management, who in turn accustomed to innovation: in 1892 the Cadets provided the music. delivered her into the care of Captain first steam driven lifeboat. The Duke of At the invitation of the station R. A. Coolen, honorary secretary of Northumberland, had been placed at chairman, Dr E. T. Lloyd, the Duke of Harwich and Dovercourt lifeboat sta- Holyhead. He paid tribute to the 52ft Kent then rose to perform the naming. tion, on behalf of the branch. Barnett St Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) He spoke of the importance of Holy- The service of dedication which fol- for the faithful service she had given head lifeboat station and he saw Mrs lowed was led by the Reverend J. H. during the past 30 years and announced Winstone's gift as a tribute to the Chelton, Vicar of St Nicholas' Church Harwich and Chaplain of the lifeboat station, assisted by Captain R. Dare of the Salvation Army and Father J. Lindburgh of the Roman Catholic Church, Harwich. After a vote of thanks by Dr B. E. Lovely, president of Harwich and Dovercourt ladies' guild. Shelly Moll, daughter of the lifeboat's assistant mechanic, presented a bouquet to Mrs Fison, who then moved forward to name the lifeboat John Fison. The breaking of the bottle of champagne was greeted with a vast chorus of hoot- ing from Trinity House ships, British Rail ferries, the harbour tugs and yachts representing all the neighbouring clubs which had attended the ceremony dressed overall.

Harwich: The naming of the 44ft Waveney John Fison at Trinity House Pier. photograph by courtesy of Alfred H. Smith

92 one drawing of many, gives some idea Building the Fast Slipway of the immense amount of work demanded at the planning stage. The fast slipway lifeboat will be built Lifeboat in steel. Although steel may not give such a good surface finish as wood or PART I: PREPARATIONS GRP, it is a material which has much to recommend it. As a steel hull can be CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN of tWO with the co-operation of the British thinner, with the scantlings generally prototypes of the RNLI's new 47ft Hovercraft Company, trials of a radio- smaller, than would be possible with fast slipway lifeboat. The boats are to controlled model were run at sea to either wood or GRP, and as special seat- be built by Fairey Marine at Cowes, obtain information about the proposed ing for fittings do not present such a Isle of Wight, but the start of building hull's manoeuvering, sea keeping and problem, there is an immediate saving only comes as the culmination of much course keeping capabilities. preparatory work. of both internal space and weight. In Work had, by now, begun in the the design of a boat which has to con- For the proposed new lifeboat, RNLI's own design office. Resulting tain a considerable amount of machin- intended to replace the Institution's from model trials, modifications were 46ft 9in and 47ft Watson housed ery and equipment, but which has made to the bows and stern; the water- specific dimension limitations, internal lifeboats when they reach the end of tight aluminium superstructure which their station lives, it was specified that space is of great importance; and will give the self-righting capability was weight is critical in the design of a boat she should retain the traditional shal- designed; while work was going ahead from which high speed is required. low draught, long straight keel and pro- on the layout and all the many details of The fast slipway lifeboat's hull will tected propellers which make possible vital importance to a boat from which be plated in 4 and 5mm Cor-Ten steel, housing ashore and rescue work in so much is to be asked. The general the same material used in the building shoal waters; that she should attain a arrangement reproduced below, just of 44ft Waveney lifeboats for the past speed of at least 15 knots; that she 16 years. Regular ultra-sonic checks should have a self-righting capability; made by district surveyors of lifeboats and that her overall dimensions and during that time have shown only neg- weight should be such that she would Profile: Note deep bilge ligible reduction in plate thickness. So, fit into existing boathouses and could keels running from rusting presents no serious problem be launched from existing slipways. amidships aft, giving and maintenance is not costly. As a starting point, a suitable basic protection to the (to be continued) lines plan was provided by the National propellers. Maritime Institute. These lines were for a semi-planing hull which, when she accelerates, will help the boat to rise clear of the water's drag. Protection for the propellers is given by partial tun- nels, by very deep bilge keels, port and starboard, and by a straight, wide keel ending in a hauling shoe aft. The next stage was an exhaustive programme of model testing. First there were tank tests at the National Maritime Institute to establish resis- tance, flow and powering data; then,

General arrangement, from fonvard aft: Fonvard cabin for survivors, wheelhouse, engine room and after cabin LOA 47ft Oin (14.326m) LWL 42ft 7in (13.000m) for survivors. Note that whip Beam 15ft Oin (4.572m) aerials, the VHP DF loop aer- Draught 4ft 2in (1.270m) ial and the platform carrying Structural height 13ft Oin (3.962m) the radar together with Displacement 24 tons (24.385 tonnes) masthead, flood and blue flashing lights, all fold down below the level of the wheelhouse top, which is at the maximum structural height.

93 the bequest of the late Ronald Mabbs, Cornish award HERE and THERE in memory of himself and his wife Trevor England, coxswain of Pad- Dunkirk pilgrimage Catherine, and she was handed over by stow lifeboat, has been awarded the When 30 of the Association of Dun- Mrs Mabbs' sister, Mrs Nancy Maskill. London Cornish Association Shield kirk Little Ships sailed from Ramsgate After a morning of pouring rain the awarded annually by the Cornish for Dunkirk on May 30 to commemo- clouds rolled back just five minutes Gorsedd for outstanding community rate the 40th anniversary of the evacua- before the ceremony was due to start to service to the county. Coxswain Eng- tion, they were accompanied by the allow the sun through for the first time land was awarded the silver medal for new 52ft Arun relief lifeboat Edith that day. After Jack Waterhouse, the bravery in 1977 and a bar to his silver Emilie, under the command of Lt-Cdr honorary secretary, had received the medal for the service to Skopelos Sky Andrew Forbes, RNLI Staff Inspector boat on behalf of the station branch, last December. (Plans). the Vicar of Minehead, the Reverend Christopher Saralis, conducted a dedi- Sixty years Nineteen of the Institution's The service given by some of our cation service. lifeboats took part in the evacuation of fund raisers extends well over half a Dunkirk in 1940. Ramsgate and Mar- Twenty years century. Miss G. Webb, 90 years old gate lifeboats were manned by their To celebrate Skegness ladies' guild's this year and the oldest member of Sut- own crews and they brought off 3,400 20th anniversary, its history has been ton Coldfield ladies' guild, has col- men of the British Expeditionary Force written by Mrs Jane Major and pub- lected for the lifeboat service for more and the French Army. The coxswain, lished in a booklet, Twenty Years On. than 60 years; the statuette awarded to Howard Knight, of Ramsgate lifeboat, The guild was started in 1960 by lady her some years ago has an honoured was awarded the Distinguished Service members of the lifeboat station com- place on the RNLI flag at each guild Medal. Lifeboatmen Bill Stamford and mittee, and a condition of membership meeting. Eric Davies, members of the present was the performance of some type of Ramsgate crew, were among the five- Formula One man crew of the Edith Emilie for this personal service to the RNLI each A donation of £520 received from year. Mrs D. Smith has been guild pres- special passage. Ultramar as a result of Formula One ident since that first year and several of 'racing for charities' was reported in While in Dunkirk the RNLI was able the founder members still attend meet- to exchange visits with the honorary our summer journal. At the meeting at secretary, the coxswain and the crew ings. In 20 years, £28,720 has been Snetterton on August 10, allocated by of the local lifeboat station. raised. Ultramar to the RNLI, Guy Edwards The booklet, which extends an in- won the Formula One race in his FI Minehead dedication vitation to its monthly meetings to Arrows. His win took the Ultramar Minehead's new Atlantic 21 rigid members of other guilds and branches team into second place in the British inflatable lifeboat, which has been on visiting the town, is available, price Formula One championship and service and saving lives since July, 50p, from the honorary secretary, resulted in £1,450 being donated to the 1979, was officially handed over at a Mrs E. M. Patrick, 4 Wilford Grove, lifeboat service. ceremony on Sunday June 22. She is Skegness. Autographed copies While on service to the coas- A few copies of the late Sir Francis ter Heye P, wrecked at Chichester's book Gipsy Moth Circles Prawle Point in severe gales the World, and some first day Chiches- last December, Salcombe . ter stamp covers, all autographed by lifeboat had to cut away her Sir Francis, are offered for sale by anchor. The anchor was later recovered by members Colonel E. W. Milner of Inniscrone of North East Essex and House, Queens Road, Datchet, Berk- Ipswich branches of the Brit- shire, SL3 9BN; one-third of the ish Sub-Aqua Club and money received will be given to the given back to the station. It RNLI: was accepted by (I. to r.) Gipsy Moth Circles the World Assistant Mechanic Brian de-luxe edition. £50 per copy Cater, Emergency Mechanic standard edition. £20 per copy Frank Smith and Second First Day Chichester stamp covers, £15 each. Coxswain /Mechanic Edward Postage is extra on each purchase. Hannaford. Ijmuiden - Cramer Strong links are being forged between Cramer lifeboat station on one side of the North Sea and the Netherlands lifeboat station at Ijmuiden on the other. Over the weekend of May 8 to 11, Ijmuiden lifeboat Johanna Louisa (seen here alongside at Wells), visited Cramer, crewed by Inspector Dirk Van Noordt, Coxswain T. Haasnool, Mate Rein Hennevanger, Engineer Joe Kloosterhuis and Crew Members Wim Schotvanger and Johnny Blokker. The Dutch crews' wives came across by aero- plane to join in what was to prove a very full and happy weekend, in which branch and crew members from Wells and Sheringham also took part. As well as trips out in Ijmuiden and Cramer lifeboats, visits to Sheringham and Wells and to RAF Col- tishall, there was time for several social gatherings, including a traditional Cramer crab salad lunch prepared for the visitors by- Coxswain Richard Davies and his wife Julie at their home. photograph by courtesy of Frank Muirhead

94 in case! We fly the Shoreline flag with by themselves to raise extra funds for pride.' the lifeboats. * * * Take just one example. The children One of our American Shoreline of Moorside Junior School, Swinton, members, Philip Weld of Gloucester, under the enthusiastic and dedicated Massachusetts, was the winner of the guidance of Mr J. D. Lewis, have Shoreline Observer 3,000-mile Singlehanded thought out almost too many schemes Transatlantic Race last June from an to mention here: pooling foreign coins international fleet of about 150 yachts, and used stamps; making soft toys; Section both mono and multihull. The start was dropping their self-denial week pennies from Plymouth on Saturday June 7, and into Lenten jars; and their own ingen- Phil Weld, in his 51ft trimaran Moxie, ious idea for trying to 'sink the lifeboat' WE ARE DELIGHTED to be able to pub- completed the course to Newport, (a bit of a twist here, we feel, but the lish below a photograph of the Rhode Island, in a record time of 17 end result is in our favour!). A card- lifeboatmen of Blyth, the port at which days, 23 hours and 6 minutes. A tele- board lifeboat, given a waterproof the 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat RNLB gram of congratulations was sent to coating and lined with polystyrene for Shoreline is stationed; and on page 81 him on behalf of his lifeboat and buoyancy, is floated in a tank of water is reported a fine service in which both Shoreline friends. and coins are dropped into it. The Shoreline and Blyth's D class inflatable The second place overall was taken owner of the final coin that sinks the lifeboat took part. by Nick Keig, who was elected presi- boat is given the honour of counting the * * * dent of Peel station branch last April. proceeds. The children are loyally Earlier this year we received a letter Sailing another trimaran, Three Legs backed up by their parents and from Shoreline member Simon Mac- of Mann III, Nick Keig was the first friends—indeed the school parents' donald, the master of the Isle of Eigg Briton to finish. association gave a donation of its passenger/cargo ship Eilean Ban Mora * * * own—so that, at the end of the Lent which on occasion is asked to give help It has been our pleasure to welcome term, the staggering sum of £108 to other vessels by the local Coast- and enrol a number schools into reached us from this school. guard. Shoreline membership over the years, Thank you children, one and all, for One such request, last spring, was to and we have found that all these everything you do to help us—PETER search for a small, singlehanded fishing schools not only support us with their HOLNESS, membership secretary, boat overdue on passage from Arisaig annual subscriptions but also by all RNLl, West Quay Road, Pool'e, to Isle of Eigg in a strong and freshen- sorts of schemes and plans thought out Dorset, BH15 I HZ. ing south-easterly breeze with darkness approaching. After sighting a flare and The lifeboatmen of Blyth: (lower group, I. to r.): Motor Mechanic John Scott, Second Cox- then the flame of a lighted diesel- swain Charles Hatcher, John Foster, Stan Marshall, David Coussins, Keith Barnard and soaked rag, Eilean Ban Mora came up Barry Pearson, (upper group, I. to r.): Assistant Mechanic Dallas Taylor, Peter Morton, with the fishing boat, some 20 yards Tommy Moss, Steven Watson, Les Fay, Keith Long, Coxswain George Turner and Ronald Hatcher. from the rocky shore and between two reefs, and took her safely in tow. Simon Macdonald ends his letter: 'Back at Eigg harbour we moored his boat and the following morning repaired his engine for him. Another satisfied cus- tomer and a fiver in the lifeboat box which we carry aboard our little ship just

In the summer issue of the journal it was reported that Blyth lifeboat, RNLB Shoreline, accompanied Newcastle circum- navigator David Scott Cowper's yacht Ocean Bound in to Blyth for a reception at the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club. Here is a photograph of Blyth crew's greet- ing for the returning world yachtsman.

To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. 1 enclose subscription to join Shoreline as a: Member £3.00 (minimum) n Family Membership £5.00 (minimum) Q Member and Governor £15.00 (minimum) D Life member and Governor £150.00 (minimum) D Send me details of how 1 can help with a Legacy. Name _ Address

Over 105,000 people would have been lost without the lifeboat service.

95 farers around the world who dared afloat know the full details and learn how before us.' survivals were made. The book, very Among his acknowledgements he well illustrated, describes a number of writes: lifeboat rescues and analyses the con- 'In writing this book I have been clusions of the official race inquiry. Books greatly helped by working with men of John Rousmaniere's Fastnet Force 10 the Royal National Life-boat Institution (Nautical Publishing, £6.95) is another • Now that This is Rough Weather to whom I am deeply indebted for show- compelling account of the race and the ing me their sheer seamanship skill; and brave rescues that were made. Written Sailing has been written by Erroll by the late lifeboat Coxswain Harold Bruce, everyone thinking of going off- by a successful competitor, it makes Hayles, who allowed me the use of some very interesting reading and some of shore, cruising or racing, should read of his dramatic photos ..." it. Those whose interest is purely in the the photographs are magnificent. The This is Rough Weather Cruising, work of the RNLI is well recorded for work of the rescue services should read price £7'.25, is illustrated with the good it, too, for it will surely give them a the very long hours of continuous pictures and clear diagrams that can be operations.—E.J. deeper understanding of the skill and expected from its publishers, Nautical fortitude shown by our lifeboatmen. Publishing Co.—J.D. Here is good seamanship and com- • Latest of the station histories writ- mon sense distilled into wisdom by a ten and produced by Jeff Morris is The man of great experience gained both • Radio and Radar in Sail and Power Story of the Aldeburgh Lifeboats. It from sailing the oceans of the world Boats by Kenneth Wilkes (Nautical records many of the station's outstand- and also from serving in a lifeboat in Publishing, £4.95) not only advises sail ing services since 1826, when a 24ft pul- treacherous northern waters. and power boat owners in the choice of ling lifeboat built by Pellew Plenty of In his preface Erroll Bruce writes: modern communication and naviga- Newbury was first placed at Aldeburgh by the Suffolk Association for Saving 'We go to sea expecting a spice of tional aids that are available but also explains how they should be installed the Lives of Shipwrecked Seamen, and danger; if we wanted only snug comfort among the photographs are pictures of and maximum safety we would have and operated to get the best out of the stayed on the land for which nature fitted equipment when fitted. Communica- eight of the lifeboats which have been us. In rough weather the thrill of adven- tions, radio, radar and radio position stationed there since then. The booklet ture peaks; aboard a sound craft with a finding systems are all fully covered in is available from Ken Brown, 111 High capable crew, we can actually enjoy a this well illustrated book.—E.G. Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 SAL, gale. price 80p including packing and 'We have a "front row seat" to a stir- • Two books on the Fastnet Race postage.—J.D. ring display of nature's strength. It is a strength that can certainly destroy our 1979 have recently been published. The puny little craft if we ignore the maxims Fastnet Disaster and After by Bob •Also from Nautical Publishing (price of sound seamanship; but it need bring Fisher (Pelham Books, £7.50) is a very £7.95), America's Cup Fever, an inside no unreasonable danger if we apply the detailed and fact-packed record of this look at 50 years of America's Cup lessons learned by generations of sea- exceptional race for those wishing to competition, by Bob Bavier.

ary secretary from 1958; awarded silver ladies' guild particularly responsible AGM from page 87 badge in 1968. for the souvenir shop since 1963; Miss K. Burnand awarded silver badge in 1973. Honorary secretary of Dumfries ladies' C. A. Baxter, FBICC FRSA guild since 1954; awarded silver badge Honorary secretary of Kilkeel branch in 1965. since 1958; awarded silver badge in Miss F. M. Coleman Mrs R. Dalgleish 1969. Honorary secretary of Shipston-on- Vice-president of Selkirk ladies' guild J. M. Owen Stour branch since 1940; awarded since 1955, after having worked for the In 48 years unbroken service for Rhyl record of thanks in 1948 and silver Institution for at least 16 years before station branch, shore crew from 1931 badge in 1963. taking office. to 1935, lifeboat crew member from Mrs A. L. Kenyon Mrs M. S. Russell 1935 to 1952, acting honorary secretary President of Bramhall and Woodford Convener at Selkirk from 1947 to 1952; from 1952 to 1957, honorary secretary ladies' guild since 1953; awarded silver convener at Hawickfrom 1952 to 1970; from 1957 to 1977 and president since badge in 1969. honorary secretary of Hawick ladies 1977; awarded binoculars in 1968. In Mrs J. L. Weatherby guild from 1970 to 1979, when she addition to his operational duties Mr Honorary Secretary of Alsager ladies' retired from office due to ill health; Owen is an active fund raiser. guild since 1953; awarded silver badge awarded silver badge in 1965. Maj J. N. S. Allen-Mirehouse in 1965. Miss A. Sutherland Graeme Honorary Secretary of Angle station Mrs L. Rigby A founder member of Orkney Mainland branch since 1952; awarded binoculars Vice-president of Silloth branch from ladies' guild, president from 1953 to in 1964. 1952 to 1957 and president since 1957; 1973, when she retired from office due Dr R. W. Adam awarded silver badge in 1971. to ill health, and a guild member from Honorary medical adviser and chair- Mrs J. Matthews 1973. man of Poole station branch since Chairman of Amble ladies' guild from Mrs R. Traill Thomson 1956. Dr Adam is also a member of the 1954 to 1980; awarded silver badge in Honorary treasurer of Orkney Main- Medical and Survival Committee. 1968. land ladies' guild from 1953 to 1978, Mrs A. Will J. Matthews when she retired from office due to ill Committee member of Fraserburgh Honorary secretary of Amble station health, and a guild member from 1978. ladies' guild since before 1937. branch from 1954 to 1979; awarded Miss G. MacDonald To conclude the business of the binoculars in 1965. Member of Peebles ladies' guild for afternoon Lady Norton, a member of Mrs I. Ellis very many years; awarded silver badge the Committee of Management, moved Committee member of Caernarvon in 1960. a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Edward branch before 1954, assistant honorary Mrs L. A. White Heath for addressing the meeting and secretary from 1954 to 1958 and honor- Fund-raising organiser of Dublin presenting the awards.

96 Some

History in the re-making: in January 1899 Lynmouth lifeboat was hauled up Countisbury Hill, ten miles over Exmoor and down the notorious Porlock Hill through a severe gale so that she could launch from the comparative shelter of Porlock Weir to go to the aid of the schooner Forrest Hall. To commemorate the occasion Minehead crew members, seen here on their way up Countisbury Hill, manhandled a D class inflatable lifeboat along the same route last June and raised more than £300. photograph by courtesy of 'Somerset County Gazette'

Mr and Mrs Bromilow of Harwood, Beverley Leclercq of Walmer, who Lancashire, wanted the lifeboats to works as a bench operator at Whispies benefit from their 25 years of marriage. shoe factory, Deal, is a quiet girl; Last March Hayling Island station At their silver wedding anniversary nevertheless her workmates found it branched raised £1,008 with a ball at party they put out two collecting boxes hard to believe that she could remain Sinah Warren in aid of the Mountbat- and asked that, instead of giving the silent for a whole working day, nine ten of Burma appeal which was well customary presents, their guests hours. So they sponsored her to do so supported by Islanders, by members of should contribute to the RNLI. £58 was for a possible total of £32 to go to the local sailing clubs and by members of later given to Harwood branch. RNLI. Beverley did not speak a word neighbouring fund-raising branches; a all day. number of people unable to attend sent The new Petts Wood branch invited donations and local firms subscribed three Sheerness crew members to their Star guest at a West Country folk handsomely to the tombola table. Draw spring luncheon last May. The event evening presented by Chertsey, prizes included a holiday for two in made £300 for Sheerness station. Addlestone and Ottershaw branch at Majorca given by Warner Holidays Ltd Queen Mary Sailing Club, Ashford, and a gallon bottle of brandy given by One penny to taste it, 10 pence to was TV entertainer/folk singer Fred Martell. have the recipe. This is what was Wedlock, accompanied by Chris charged at the Glenkens ladies' guild Local model clubs and individual 'Recipes—Taste and Buy' in June for exhibitors displayed their work at which members prepared dishes in a Leytonstone branch's model and hand- very profitable culinary exchange. icraft exhibition last May. The Pearly Second dishes simply for display were King and Queen and the Mayor and sold at the end and £280 was made for Mayoress of Waltham Forest were the RNLI. Miss E. Tail of New Galla- among the visitors, and the lucky pro- way cannot have taken full advantage gramme draw prize was a 46in model of this event as she managed to lose 1 '/2 kit of an ASR launch donated by Aero stone in a sponsored slim to make £55 Kits of Essex. for the lifeboats.

How you are likely to end up after competing in the 'Daft Raft Race' organised by Shetland branch of the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club in Lerwick Harbour. Crews and their craft in last May's race were judged for ingenuity, bravery beyond care and sheer incredibil- ity. Competition was so Visitors looking round the lobster holding intense that outbreaks of tanks at Padstow are encouraged to give to egg, flour and water bomb the RNLI. Gil Lobb, whose tanks they are, throwing could not be sup- is seen here being presented with a plaque pressed. Nevertheless, by Coxswain Trevor England for his efforts, £3,980 was raised in spon- which this year alone, up to June, had real- sorship with £1,000 each ised over £1,000. Mr Lobb is aided and abet- going to Aith and Lerwick ted by his nephew Tim Lloyd, a Padstow lifeboat stations and the crew member. rest to local charities. photograph by courtesy of George Barnes

97 Newman. Other artists who took part were folk singers John and Cathy Knowler of 'Nola' and John Spiers. Tickets were £2.50 each, including hot Cornish pasties served during the interval, and a number of local firms contributed prizes for a bumper raffle. A hilarious and happy evening raised £720 for the lifeboats.

After reading about the Mountbatten of Burma appeal in THE LIFEBOAT, 77-year-old Mrs Evelyn Gudgin of Hertford put her past experience of charity work into action and within five In support of Tyneside lifeboat appeal, a weeks had collected over £1,000; the TWA holiday for two in the USA was offered final sum, £1,055, went to the national as a prize in a special draw which brought in appeal as a gift from Hertford Town. £4,820. Here, present at the draw on Inde- Although most of the fund raising was pendence Day, July 4, are (/. to r.): Graeme in Hertford, Mrs Gudgin received gifts Stanton, editor of Newcastle Evening Chronicle, who pulled out the winning tic- from Wales, Norfolk and even from ket, Tom Kirton, honorary treasurer of overseas. Newcastle branch, Mrs R. A. S. Sisterson, committee member, Terence Burden, RNLI Mary Hart, her son Andrew and his Northern Depot, Fred Hoult, honorary sec- friends Andrew Hales, Lee Basker- retary of Newcastle branch, Ken Thirlwell, ville, Nicky Wilkins and Nicky Nodan, DOS(NE), and Kevin Bell, TWA North East of Hull, support Humber lifeboat sta- representative. The winner was Police Con- tion by arranging coffee evenings; their stable Christopher Mulrooney of Cramling- last two efforts have totalled £66. Mike Eacott, licensee of the Crown Hotel, ton, Northumberland. North Scale, Barrow-in-Furness, his bar- photograph by courtesy of 'Newcastle- maid and 12 'regulars', determined to do upon-Tyne Evening Chronicle' Every Friday morning for the past 25 something special for Barrow lifeboat, took years, Mr D. A. Boutle, a teacher at lessons in parachute jumping, then raised Beach Road County Primary School, £1,800 in sponsorship for jumps from Cark Litherland, has organised a collection Airfield. They all enjoyed it so much that for the RNLI among the children, and they returned the next day to jump again. in the school year just ended a record total of £106.70 has been achieved. A Bernard Marsh of Croydon does not treasure island competition raised have a car, yet, single-handed, he has another £10 for Liverpool branch. collected enough waste paper for re- cycling during the past five years to be able to donate a total of £525 to his Mr Nutton of Primrose Valley col- local branch. lected £106.41'/2 on Filey's flag day, making a personal total of £380.01 in A sponsored walk by 8 to 11 year four years' collecting. In appreciation, olds in aid of school funds and lifeboats Mr Nutton was invited to be the brought in £1,100 for Fairchildes Junior branch's guest on board Filey lifeboat School, New Addington. A cheque for A gallon bottle of Cognac brandy, presented at one Saturday exercise. £600 was presented to the RNLI. by Martell, made £250 for the RNLI in a draw organised by John Hudson (I.), station honorary secretary at Port St Mary, Isle of Man. Alan Bell, an announcer with Manx Radio, won the prize and Mrs A. N. Quillin, the coxswain's wife, made the presentation.

It took Shoreline member John Simpson 12 weeks to grow a beard six centimeters long; Over the weekend of May 17 and 18, 185 motor cruisers from 16 boat clubs on the River sponsorship for this growth industry Thames assembled for Twickenham and District branch's 21st annual inter-club regatta at brought in £76. On the night the beard was, The Queen's Promenade, Kingston-upon-Thames. After an illuminated procession of 18 of somewhat recklessly, removed a further £94 the boats on Saturday evening, Sunday was given over to dinghy racing, rowing races and a was raised for Yeovil and District branch at 'most amusing nautical event' competition on the river, while, on shore, Shoreline, souvenir the Royal George, WestCoker, with a draw, and book stalls did a roaring trade. A most successful weekend which achieved a final profit a tombola, .skittles and a darts match. of about £500 for the lifeboats. photograph by courtesy of Huw Powell, 'Surrey Comet'

98 A summer wine and quiche party organised by Northampton ladies' guild and held at Castle Ashby, the home of the Marquess of North- ampton, raised £1,133 for Aldeburgh lifeboat appeal. Conducted tours were taken round this delightful home. (I. to r.) Mrs C. Benton, A splendid ten foot model of the RNLI Medina lifeboat Mountbatten guild honorary treasurer, Mrs D. Kennedy, chairman, Peter of Burma is named by Councillor Mrs Frances Humpherson, presi- Osborne, ADOS (E), and Mrs A. Willett, honorary secretary. dent of Newton Abbot branch. Lt John Gorrill, chairman of the photograph by courtesy of 'Northampton Independent' branch who once served aboard HMS Kelly under Earl Mountbatten, decided to build the model with the help of his friends from The Kings Arms at Kingsteignton. The model is to be used to raise funds LI in 20 local carnivals, from Barnstaple to Plymouth.

Twenty-six children, aged between eight and 12 years, from schools in Kuwait raised £820, half for Swanage lifeboat and half for RNLI As part ofNewquay's very full fund-raising programme the ladies of funds, with a sponsored team swim. The children are all members of the guild join in the town's floral dance. When Rear Admiral Wilfred a swimming club run by Mr D. J. Hicks, headmaster of one of the Graham visited Cornwall in June he presented a joint statuette to schools, and the event was organised in just three days after a spur Michael and Pauline Morris: he is the branch honorary secretary of the moment decision before the school holidays started. Seven or and she, the ladies' guild chairman and over the past two years eight swimmers made up each team. branch and guild have raised more than £23,000. A building firm in Hull, Barratt The ladies of Soroptomist Interna- Councillor Michael Press, chairman Developments Ltd, erected a marquee tional of Glasgow South Club are regu- of South Bedfordshire District Council, for a luncheon to celebrate the opening lar contributors to the RNLI; each year held a charity banquet and ball in aid of of a new site in early July. Instead of they give £50 from the takings of an the RNLI in the Civic Hall, Dunstable, letting it stand empty in the evening the annual coffee morning to Glasgow on April 18. It was attended by 502 firm offered its free use to Brough and branch and they have also contributed people and a remarkable £1,310 was District ladies' guild who put on a sup- £150 to Oban branch. raised. A grand draw with prizes per dance. All the catering for the donated by local firms, a cabaret and three-course supper was done by While steward at the Working Men's dancing helped to make the event a committee members and, with the help Club, Wooburn Green, Les Tomkins, a huge success. of a raffle prize for a free trip to Rotter- jovial Cornishman, managed to get dam or Zeebrugge for two plus car £108 in the lifeboat collecting box in At Bourne End Carnival, Bourne donated by North Sea Ferries, the two years; then, as steward at the End, Bucks, branch reproduced the function made £620 for the Institution. Royal British Legion Club at Flackwell graph showing lifeboat services and Heath, he collected £244 in just over lives rescued over the last ten years Littlehampton branch raised £338 three years. In such high regard was he from the RNLI annual report, but left with a film evening and ploughman's held at this club that after his recent out the figures for 1979; people were supper last November, and another sudden death a memorial, in place of then asked to guess the correct figures £100 at a Christmas sale. During the flowers, was raised amounting to £250 for lOp a guess. From 270 entries the sale, a collection at the door for the for the RNLI. winner was Mrs E Holl. With the sale Mountbatten of Burma appeal raised of souvenirs and produce, the branch £43. In Torbay lifeboat week Brixham raised £115. Mr and Mrs Lepper of Wolverhamp- ladies' guild, backed up by their hus- ton celebrated their golden wedding bands and friends and by the lifeboat Members of Sutton Coldfield ladies' recently, but asked their family and crew, raised £1,756. Paignton branch guild, who get wonderful support from friends, instead of giving them pres- raised £1,192.22 and a further £2,141 Shoreline members in the area, ents, to pool their resources and make from their annual fete on Paignton scarcely have time to draw breath bet- a donation to Flamborough lifeboat Green. During this week Torquay ween one fund raising function and appeal; a cheque was sent for £160. branch raised £1,390. another. In the past year they collected 99 over £1,800 during their flag week and with a nearly new shop, sponsored walks, strawberry tea and draw (which raised £800), coffee mornings and an autumn and Christmas function, they were kept extremely busy. Sutton Flower Club adopted the RNLI as its charity for the year and raised £600 for the Mountbatten of Burma appeal

Delicious food, beautiful flowers on every table, a concert given by Ron Drew and Eleanor Atherton all contributed towards a very successful sum- Remaining silent for an hour, a jumble sale, mer supper staged by the committee of a raffle for a giant rabbit, 'Harvey', and a sponsored walk to Corfe Castle and back, Caterham branch and the ladies of The organisers of the Moelex 80 Business Woldingham. It is an annual event and were all ways that the children of St Mary's Church Sunday School, Swanage, raised and Home Exhibition staged at the Univer- this year £336 was added to branch money for their local lifeboat station. With sity of Essex for five days last spring, invited funds. the help of a concert of clarinets and flutes Colchester branch to set up a souvenir stand by Purbeck School Orchestra, Keeley at the event. Here, Mrs Ruth Clarke, the An evening at St Nons Hotel, St Green, captain of the Sunday School, was honorary secretary, receives from David David's, which centred on counting the able to present a cheque for £150 to Vic Judge, whose company arranged the exhibi- contents of a giant whisky bottle filled Marsh, coxswain of Swanage lifeboat. tion, a cheque for £275 donated to the RNLI photograph by courtesy of John Rutherford from admission fees. The branch took a with coins for the RNLI resulted in further £479 in souvenir sales. £150 being raised. The crew of St A sunny Sunday heralded the start of photograph by courtesy of 'Colchester David's lifeboat was responsible for Evening Gazette' raising much of this amount. Dungeness lifeboat fete on a morning in July. More than 2,000 people attended Children and parents of Mardale Lifeboat supporters in Northiam, and crowded around the many School, East Preston, raised £7.05 for Sussex, many of them Shoreline mem- sideshows and competitions. A lifesav- the lifeboats during end-of-summer- bers, attended a coffee morning and ing demonstration was given by the term activities. sale in the village hall in May which helicopter crew from RAF Mansion. A realised a record £233.87 profit for Rye grand draw raised £826.90 making a A crowd of 3,500 people saw a victim branch. fine day's total of £2,709.26. plucked to safety from rocks, a man Bricknell Primary School raised being saved from his broken-down Form 3P of Dorchester Grammar more than £ 1,000 as a result of a spon- speedboat and more casualties being School for Girls raised £160 for the sored walk in the summer, the money lifted from a lifeboat to a helicopter. RNLI by a sponsored spell during les- being divided equally between the These were three of the demonstrations sons and by a sponsored swim. RNLI, Leukaemia Research and the put on at Brixham on the spring bank school funds; £365 was received for the holiday Monday by Torbay lifeboats A donation of £100 was received by lifeboats. and a Dartmouth Royal Naval College the RNLI from members of the Royal helicopter. A collection of £201.75 was British Legion South Norwood and Swindon branch was helped by local made by the ladies' guild during the Woodside branch and of the Victory Sea Cadets on its flag day, which made display. A souvenir stall at the boat- Club, South Norwood, in celebration £1,536. The branch was also able to house made £85, while boxes in hotels of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen enrol new members to help with next and pubs that night in Brixham were Mother's eightieth birthday. year's collections. found to be unusually heavy!

monies received in lieu of flowers were to 1964. He was awarded binoculars in Obituaries donated to Flamborough lifeboat 1974. appeal. Sam Jeffries, an honorary vice- July It is with deep regret that we president of Canvey Island branch on Joseph Hall, coxswain of Redcar announce the following deaths: which he had served for nearly 30 lifeboat from 1946 to 1957. He joined years. He is particularly remembered the crew in 1914 and served as bowman June for the 3,000 people he showed over the from 1932 to 1934 and from 1935 and Mr J. A. Clugston, who joined Port Thames Barge Marjorie to raise funds 1946. St Mary branch in 1958 and became for the branch. chairman in 1966, retiring from this Patrick 'Paddy Billy' Power, cox- August office due to ill health in 1970, when he swain of Dunmore East lifeboat from Harold L. Campini, coxswain of became a vice-president. 1947 to 1966. He had joined the crew in Rhyl lifeboat from 1955 to 1964. He Edwin J. T. Eustace, who began his 1925 and served as bowman from 1928 joined the crew in 1950 and served as work for the RNLI at the age of 11 in to 1934 and as second coxswain from second coxswain from 1951 to 1955. He 1917 as a messenger at Newquay. He 1934 to 1946. He was awarded the was awarded the silver medal in 1962. served in both Newquay and Padstow bronze medal in 1941 and bars to his Robert 'Bobby' Lee, BEM, coxswain lifeboats, as a launcher and as an assis- bronze medal in 1951, 1961 and 1964. of Douglas lifeboat from 1950 to tant coastguard at different times up to Miss M. Richards, who had helped 1970, having served as assistant motor the end of the second world war, since with fund raising at St David's since mechanic from 1929 to 1950. when he concentrated on fund raising. 1923. She served as chairman of St Mrs Dorothy M'Gonigle, a commit- 'Skipper' Edwin Eustace was an expert David's ladies' guild and then, since tee member of Stockton branch since model maker and served as honorary 1973, as president. the 1920s, serving as assistant honorary archivist (technical) for the Lifeboat Geoffrey F. Reason-Jones, Tenby secretary from 1933 to 1942 before tak- Enthusiasts' Society from 1964 until his station honorary secretary from 1964 to ing office as honorary secretary in that death. His ashes were scattered at sea 1980, having previously served as year. She was awarded the silver badge from Flamborough lifeboat and all assistant honorary secretary from 1957 in 1960 and the gold badge in 1971.

100 March and three rowing regattas this summer, we are able to make contributions towards amenities for the crew and also to local charities. Since we started this association, we have spent a very enjoyable evening in Letters... the company of Burry Port lifeboat crew, and are hoping to return their Butaseis can identify it? Could it have been an hospitality in the autumn.—MICHAEL Together with countless people early collecting box? There are two CROCKFORD, Sheer Water, The Har- throughout Torbay, I was extremely eyes, bow and stern, for suspending the bour, Tenby, Dyfed. concerned over the presence of the boat and a single eye on the bottom of liquid gas tanker Butaseis. I have been the keel amidships. Inside amidships 'Modern Motor-Lifeboats' As one of your Shoreline members, I advised of the outstanding action taken there is a thwart with a hole in it for a by the coxswain and crew of the mast, which could have supported a would ask if any of your readers could lifeboat in going to the assistance of the sail with some exhortation on it. Any assist me by providing a replacement crew of the vessel and later standing by ideas or recollections would be wel- for a very treasured book that I have to assist those who put their lives in comed.—MALDWIN DRUMMOND, Cad- recently lost. The volume in question is Modern peril whilst dealing with the fire on land House, Fawley, Southampton. board. Motor-Lifeboats by the late J. R. Bar- Their outstanding courage in under- No more welcome sight ... nett which was published around 1933 taking this most hazardous task Myself and my three crew were and gave all hull lines and elevations deserves the highest praise. taken from rocks by Berwick-upon- plus plan drawings of the then standard I write to express my most sincere Tweed lifeboat on June 14, after our classes of boat together with much thanks to the coxswain and crew for yacht Havoc had been holed in thick essential detail of each type. their unstinting effort in ensuring the fog. Its loss is very serious for me and I safety of the people of Torbay, and For many years I have been engaged would be pleased to hear if anyone can would ask you to convey my thanks in local fund raising and a Shoreline help.—PHILIP M. CRITCHLEY, 26 Peel and admiration to all your men.—LEN member, never expecting the need for Road, Brighton, East Sussex. S. w. HOWARD, Mayor of Torbay, active assistance. Along with many Hobblers Mayor's Parlour, Torre Abbey Man- others I can confirm that there is no A letter from R. M. Bere was pub- sion House, Torquay, Devon. more welcome sight than a lifeboat.— lished in the summer issue of THE D. M. H. MITCHELL, Fairacre, 22 LIFEBOAT asking about the derivation This letter was written to Captain Barry Albany Road, West Ferry, Dundee. Anderson, honorary secretary of Torbay of the word 'hobbler'. The following lifeboat station. The service to Butaseis Crew association definition appeared in a mid nineteenth on December 28, 1979, is reported on Last year at Tenby, we sounded out century nautical dictionary: page 80.- EDITOR the crew on the idea of forming an 'HOBBLERS—A name given to a class association and, when they agreed, we Grace Darling collecting box? of men on the coast of Kent, etc., half held our first meeting in October. The smugglers, and half pilots, without I bought the little tin lifeboat Grace coxswain, Josh Richards, was elected Darling, shown in the accompanying license, ready for either occupation, but chairman with myself, the radio qualified only for the first, who go out in photograph, in a junk shop in London. operator/signaller, as secretary. Two of their boats when the barometer indicates I wonder whether any of your readers the local management committee, Jack a storm, and hobble off and on to pick up a job.' The little tin lifeboat Grace Darling. Thomas and Geoff David, were elected president and treasurer, and with four more of the crew we formed a commit- Postscript . . . tee. The summer issue of THE LIFEBOAT Last Christmas we gave a children's contained an announcement of the party for all crew members' kiddies, complete insurance and financial ser- when they each received a present, and vice for lifeboat supporters being pro- we also gave a cash donation to all the moted by Aegis Insurance Services local widows of ex-members. These (Group) Ltd, from which the RNLI were paid for by the crew out of a benefits financially. Response to the weekly contribution. scheme, details of which appear in the From such fund-raising events as a advertisement on page 103, has been very successful dinner dance last encouragingly good.

The Gift or Presentation DISTRICT OFFICES with a difference! Changes of Address Uncannily accurate miniature models and will plaques of Yachts, Sailing Barges, Life- The City of London Office has moved to: boats and other vessels. RNLI (City of London), Borneo House, Modek-Completely detailed scale replicavwith crews, 62-63 Mark Lane, London EC3 mounted on realistic sea bases, with showcases and Telephone: 01-481 1219 varnished hardwood plinths with nameplates. Each individually built and signed original truly 'live' works of art. Similar Standard The South West District Office has moved to: range of Life-Boats, Thames Spritsail barges, West Coast trading ketches, Bristol Channel Pilot Cutters and Wherries etc. Wall Plaques-Very attractive replicas of Princes Wharf, sailing vessels, life-boats, yachts, dinghies and other craft, with the appearance Wapping Road, of three dimensional framed miniature paintings by their outstanding production in relief. Each hand painted and Bristol, Avon BS1 4RN a signed original. Telephone unchanged: Bristol 291939 Details and prices: Brian H. Williams,Marine Model Artist The South West District Office, on a mezzanine floor of the "West Rock", The Cleave, Kingsand. projected National Lifeboat Museum, is being provided rent Near Torpoint, Cornwall, PL10 1 NF free by the museum Trustees. Car parking is available. (Tel :0752822638)

101 Cherbourg to Hamble PULLING ALL THE WAY by John Spicer

YE OLDE WHYTE HARTE, Hamble, has Hamble River, 1030 for a number of years supported the Whit Sunday morning: RNLI, culminating in a total of £1,500 half a mile to go! being raised in 1979. Each year new Sponsorship from commercial organ- However, after about eight hours the ideas have been thought of to raise isations was sought and it was decided wind dropped completely and the sea money and last year during opening to run a raffle in conjunction with the became as calm as a mill pond, which is hours and amid much hilarity a spon- row. Publicity was arranged and kindly how the weather stayed for the dura- sored row across the Channel was first donated by national yachting and boat- tion of the row. With the sun out and suggested. ing magazines. Articles appeared in the shirts off, spirits rose. The interminable Despite the cynics the idea gained local press and the row was featured on hours of rowing were enlivened by the momentum and in January the first both BBC and Southern Television. passage through the shipping lanes, meeting was held to discuss details. A Training, including a couple of rows when Yarmouth Seaman kept a close committee was formed and the nucleus to Cowes, began in February with the watch, and by an intrigued and gener- of the rowers themselves established. crews members being divided into four ous yachtsman coming alongside with a Whitsun, the spring bank holiday separate teams of four rowers, plus tenner. weekend, May 23 to 26 (neap tides), four coxswains. The usual degree of Our extraordinary luck with the was chosen for the row, the proceeds friendly rivalry resulted, one team weather resulted in our reaching The from which were to be put towards the being nicknamed 'the geriatrics'. Needles about five hours ahead of Mountbatten of Burma lifeboat appeal. Captain Hans Hamilton, a well schedule and therefore with an adverse A four-oared gig was very gener- known figure in Hamble, took overall tide, but by keeping well in to the shore ously lent, and after the row donated to charge of the trip itself and altogether counter currents enabled us to reach the RNLI, by the School of Navigation more than 30 people, including a doc- Yarmouth Pier at about 0100 on Sun- at Warsash. She needed re-caulking tor, galley workers and rota organisers day morning. and some other work, but finally as well as the rowers and coxswains, Not wishing to arrive early for our proved ideal. With safety of prime assembled on Yarmouth Seaman in triumphant homecoming, just before importance, she was repainted Dayglo Cherbourg harbour on Friday, May 23. opening time on Sunday, we moored up orange and was equipped with a radar Yarmouth Seaman left Cherbourg in for a few hours' sleep. The welcome reflector, navigation lights, compass the early hours of Saturday morning was tremendous when we finally and two-way radio. with about force 4 blowing from the arrived, with numerous local boats out A suitable escort boat, a motor fish- north east. The fishing boat rolled to meet us, all sounding their horns, a ing vessel, Yarmouth Seaman, was considerably and changeovers between band playing and champagne as we found in the River Hamble and nobly the gig and the escort boat, always con- landed on the hard at Hamble before lent by her owner and skipper Jim sidered to be a prospective problem, making our way up the High Street to a Thornton, who with his first mate, were not pleasant in the rough condi- welcoming party at the Whyte Harte. Jackie (caterer and chief chef) proved tions. Moreover, the rowers found More than £5,000 had been raised for to be indispensable assets. their two-hour spells hard work. the Mountbatten of Burma appeal.

of the Institution, John Atterton, the Pavilion Theatre. Thirteen 'out of the hat' deputy director, and Cdr Ted Pritch- The ninth lottery was the most suc- ard, appeals secretary, and among cessful yet, raising nearly £25,000; the IT WAS QUIPS AND LAUGHTER all the those who gathered to watch was a winners were: way when Paul Daniels, comedian and group of Poole Sea Scouts and Cub Sea £1,000: P. Mount, London N13. conjuror, drew the winning tickets for Scouts. Paul Daniels, who last summer £500: M. Cleary, Canterbury, Kent. the RNLI's ninth national lottery at helped sell souvenirs on Great Yar- £250: M. Beckton, Cumwhitton, Carlisle. Poole HQ on Thursday July 31. The mouth's flag day, had come across to £25: Mrs. P. M. Pope, Liphook, Hamp- draw was supervised by Vice-Admiral Poole from Bournemouth where he was shire; Miss M. Thomas, Christchurch, Sir Peter Compston, a deputy chairman enjoying a successful summer season at Dorset; T. Marchbank, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire; Miss M. H. P. Gettings, Warrington, Cheshire; P. F. Whelan, Yealmpton, Devon; Mrs. H. Lane, Wool- wich, London; D. Newport, Stone, Ayles- bury; Miss M. Humphreys, Benbecula, Outer Hebrides; J. H. Lansdell, Melbourne, Derbyshire; and David Gaunt, Otley, West The business of the morning Yorkshire. over, Paul Daniels, with some of the Sea Scouts and The tenth RNLI national lottery will Cub Sea Scouts who had be drawn on October 31, 1980. witnessed the KNLI's ninth national lottery, took a look round the headquarters When you have finished museum. One undoubted with your copy of attraction was the working THE LIFEBOAT model simulating righting please pass it on trials of an Arun lifeboat.

102 Boat Insurance for Shoreline Members (and other lifeboat' readers)

Temple Insurance Personal Name Tel. No. Brokers Ltd., specialist details Address Marine Craft Insurance Experience Brokers, Members of the Drpiinatinn British Insurance Accident/Losses/Claims in last 5 years Yes/No (Details on separate sheet) Details Name Class/Type Brokers Association, are of craft Construction Year Built pleased to offer Length Beam Shoreline Members and Engines .... HP .Inboard/Outboard other 'Lifeboat' readers Max. Designed Speed (Motor boats only) knots. special terms for their Values Hull Machinery Equipment £ . Trailer £ personal Yacht and Dinghy/Boats £ . Outboat Motor £ Motor Boat insurance. TOTAL £ Use In commission from to (inclusive) For a quotation without Moored at obligation, please Laid up from to Inclusive. Ashore/Afloat. complete and post the Cruising Area enquiry form opposite. General (a) Are you entitled to No Claim Discount? years. (b) Do you wish to bear the first £25 D :£50D : £100 D : No stamp required. of any claim? Tick as applicable. OR RING POOLE (c) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Racing Risks, Water-Skiing, etc. TO FREE POST, Geoffrey Bere FCII, TEMPLE INSURANCE (02013) BROKERS, 29 High Street, POOLE BH15 1BR. 79444

The complete insurance and financial service for supporters of RNLI • Saving for the future • Tax Consultancy • Buying a house • Planning for Retirement Insure your Boat, Car or • Reviewing your insurances Caravan with special or investments RNLI terms I SEND FOR YOUR COPY F THE NEW BROCHURE

To AEGIS INSURANCE SERVICES (GROUP) LTD., I am particularly interested in the following (tick box j FREEPOST, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5BU. required) Please send me without obligation my personal copy • of the complete insurance and investment service Family Protection Life Assurance D Car Insurance D brochure. Review of Existing Life Assurance Plans D Household Insurance D No postage necessary if posted in the UK • Investment for Future House Purchase D Insurance of Valuables D Finances in Retirement D Yacht and Craft Insurance D Name (Mr., Mrs., Miss) Tax Efficient Investment D Please phone me to discuss D • Date of Birth Please ring for an Appointment and see us at any of Address our principal offices: • Westminster 01 -222 9431 Bristol 0272 297777 Edinburgh 031 556 0182 Sheffield 0742 364405 Tel. No.: (Day) - Maidenhead 0628 23484 Yeovil 0935 23191 ^^— TelIOP. . No.llv..: (Eveningll_voliMiy)/ RNL1 10/80 Belfast 0232 47747 Whatever your Insurance and investment needs, AEGIS will advise you I

103 The Captain takes his hat off totheRNLL

104 Ilfracombe, North Devon Lifeboat Services Services by Offshore April 4 and May 3 Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire from page 82 Lifeboats, March, May 7 April and May, Kirk wall, Orkney ties, exhausted by the strength of the March 15, April 12 and May 12 tide and the coldness of the water. He 1980 Lochinver, Sutherland May 29 towed them to Cowloe Rocks, which Aith, Shetland Lowestoft, Suffolk were much nearer than the shore, and May 28 March 23 and May 31 told them to clamber over the top to the Aldeburgh, Suffolk April 8 Margate, Kent shoreward side while he paddled his March 8, April 17 and May 6 Angle, Dyfed board round to meet them. Moelfre, Gwynedd Second Coxswain John Fender had April 12 Arbroath, Angus March 31, April 9 and May 25 seen that there might be people in trou- The Mumbles, West Glamorgan May 11 and 13 May 12 ble and as he was running to the Arranmore, Co Donegal Newhaven, East Sussex lifeboat house he could see the two March 7 and 26 March 8, April 7, 12, May 11, 12, 13 and 15 swimmers struggling hard to climb over Barra Island, Inverness-shire North Sunder land, Northumberland the rocks and knew that help would be April 7 April 13 needed. Barrow, Cumbria Padstow, Cornwall March 24 and May 16 Fortunately a 9ft inflatable dinghy, to March 14, 26 and May 5 Barry Dock, South Glamorgan be carried on board Sennen Cove's 37ft Penlee, Cornwall April 19 and May 2 6in Rother lifeboat Diana White, had March 19, 31 (twice) and April 15 been delivered some 18 hours earlier Blyth, Northumberland Peterhead, Aberdeenshire March 29, April 13 and 20 and was already inflated. Second Cox- May 30 Bridlington, Humberside Plymouth, South Devon swain Pender launched her down the March 10 March 13, May 10 and 27 slip and brought the two swimmers, Broughty Ferry, Angus who were visitors from Germany, Poole, Dorset April 12 and 15 March 28 (three times) and April 27 ashore. One, a boy in his teens, was Calshot, Hampshire Port Erin, Isle of Man April 6, 20 and May 4 suffering from hypothermia and March 29 and May 5 exhaustion and was taken to hospital Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd April 5 and 26 by ambulance. April 12 and May 3 For this service letters of apprecia- Clogher Head, Co Louth Portrush, Co Antrim May 3 tion signed by Rear Admiral W. J. May 15 and 17 Clovelly, North Devon Pwllheli, Gwynedd Graham, director of the Institution, March 3 and 14 April 7 and 9 were sent to Nick Bryant and Second Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co Cork Ramsey, Isle of Man Coxswain John Pender. March 5 March 10, May 7, 10, 14 and 31 Cromer, Norfolk Ramsgate, Kent April 8 and May 3 March 11 Scotland North Division Donaghadee, Co Down Redcar, Cleveland March 15 and May 19 March 17 Douglas, Isle of Man Small trawler sinks Rhyl, Clwyd April 7 and 8 May 20 SHETLAND COASTGUARD received a Dover, Kent Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford mayday call at 0248 on Wednesday March 29, April 20, May 18 and 22 March 17 and May 8 Dunmore East, Co Waterford January 16, from the fishing vessel St Helier, Jersey April 16 and May 7 Brighter Morn saying that she had run April 1 (twice) and May 6 Eastbourne, East Sussex St Ives, Cornwall aground on The Ord, a headland ten April 16 and 29 miles south east of Lerwick; she was March 29, April 3, 13, 26 and May 15 Exmouth, South Devon St Mary's, Stilly Islands holed and sinking and her crew of four March 19 and May 11 were taking to their liferaft. March 5 and May 7 Eyemouth, Berwickshire St Peter Port, Guernsey The coastguard called the honorary May 1, 19 and 25 March 31, May 17 and 25 Falmouth, Cornwall secretary of Lerwick lifeboat station Salcombe, South Devon March 14, May 20 and 31 and within 16 minutes of the mayday March 4, May 3, 10 and 20 Filey, North Yorkshire the 52ft Arun lifeboat Soldian, under Scarborough, North Yorkshire April 8 March 18 and 19 the command of Coxswain/Mechanic Flamborough, Humberside Selsey, West Sussex Hewitt Clark, slipped her mooring and March 2, April 19 and May 2 set course for the casualty. April 20 and May 31 Fleetwood, Lancashire Sennen Cove, Cornwall It was almost low water on a fine March 2, 23, April 7 (twice) and May 27 night with a light breeze blowing from March 4 and May 9 Fowey, Cornwall Sheerness, Kent the north west. May 11 March 12, 19, 30, April 2 and 7 (twice) Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire A red flare was seen over The Ord at Sheringham, Norfolk May 2 (twice) 0309 and a radar sighting was made five April 8 Galway Bay, Co Galway minutes later. At 0317 the lifeboat was Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex March 3, April 18, May 7 and 25 March 30 and May 25 alongside the liferaft and by 0320 the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Stornoway, Ross-shire four fishermen had been taken on May 7 and 28 May 4 and 24 board. The fishing boat had sunk, but Hartlepool, Cleveland Swanage, Dorset the liferaft was recovered and the April 16 March 16, April 7, May 10 and 18 lifeboat then returned to harbour. The Hastings, East Sussex Teesmouth, Cleveland March 14 and May 15 four men had been landed and the March 1 Holyhead, Gwynedd lifeboat was back on her moorings and Tenby, Dyfed ready for service by 0346. March 18 and April 9 March 19 and May 1 Howth, Co Dublin For this prompt service a letter of Thurso, Caithness March 9 and 18 appreciation to Coxswain/Mechanic May 27 Hoylake, Merseyside Torbay, South Devon Hewitt Clark and his crew signed by March 1 and 17 (twice) Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, March 23, April 29, May 3, 4 and 9 Humber, Humberside Troon, Ayrshire was sent to Magnus Shearer, honorary March 3, 16, 20, 21, April 13, 24, May 10, 15 secretary of Lerwick lifeboat station. March 3 (twice), 17, April 12, May 18, 25 and 26 and 28 105 Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Criccieth, Gwynedd Peel, Isle of Man March 1 and 29 April 1, May 11 and 24 March 2, 9, 29 (twice) and May 10 Valentia, Co Kerry Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Plymouth, South Devon April 4 May 7 April 5. 7, May 11 (twice), 18 and 25 Wabner, Kent Eastbourne, East Sussex Poole, Dorset March 17, April 20 and 26 April 18 and May 16 March 3, 28, May 9 and 31 (three times) Walton and Frinton, Essex Exmouth, South Devon Port Isaac, Cornwall March 12, 16, April 6, 8, 12 and 19 April 10, May 3, 4, 11 (twice) and 31 May 12 Wells, Norfolk Falmouth, Cornwall Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), Hamp- April 19 and May 3 April 6 shire Weymouth, Dorset Fleetwood, Lancashire April 15, 18, May 1, 2, 4 (twice), 11 and 21 April 1 and 19 April 3, May 2, 3, 17, 18, 25 and 27 Port St Mary, Isle of Man Whitby, North Yorkshire Flint, Clwyd April 20 March 22, 25, April 2, 6, 8 and 26 May 4 Pwllheli, Gwynedd Wicklow, Co Wicklow Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk April 6, 7 and 20 May 18 March 8, 16, April 6, 20 and May 18 Queensferry, West Lothian Work ing ton, Cumbria Hartlepool, Cleveland April 4, 6, 7 and 10 April 11 and May 6 March 7, 30, April 16, 28, May 11,18,19 and Redcar, Cleveland Yarmouth, Isle of Wight 20 May 29 March 14, 29, April 27, May 3 and 11 (twice) Harwich, Essex Rhyl, Clwyd March 8, 10, 14, April 7, 18, 30, May 13 and April 13 and May 11 18 Rye Harbour, East Sussex Services by Inshore Hastings, East Sussex May 4 and 21 April 7, 20, 25 (twice), May 11 (twice), 16 St Abbs, Berwickshire Lifeboats, March, and 20 May 24 April and May, 1980 Hayling Island, Hampshire St Agnes, Cornwall April 6, May 11, 18 and 31 April 12, 15 and 26 Aberdovey, Gwynedd Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire St Bees, Cumbria April 14, May 4 and 5 March 2, April 19, 20, May 2, 18 and 19 April 27, May 26 and 31 Abersoch, Gwynedd Horton and Port Eynon, West Glamorgan St Ives, Cornwall April 9 and May 28 May 11 and 29 March 26, April 3, 4 and May 15 Aberystwyth, Dyfed Howth, Dublin Scarborough, North Yorkshire April 10, 12, May 4 and 16 April 7 April 7 and 8 Arran (Lamlash), Buteshire Hunstanton, Norfolk Selsey, West Sussex April 26 April 20 and May 11 May 4, 25 (twice) and 31 (twice) Atlantic College, South Glamorgan Kippford, Kirkcudbrightshire Sheerness, Kent March 3, May 18 and 26 April 7 and May 7 March 22, 23, 26, May 3 (twice), 4 and 23 Bangor, Co Down Largs, Ayrshire Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex May 3 April 13, 14, May 5, 9, 11, 17, 25 and 28 April 12, 18, May 14, 23 (twice) and 29 Barmouth, Gwynedd Little and Broad Haven, Dyfed Silloth, Cumbria May 4, 28 and 31 April 12 May 7 and 18 Barrow, Cumbria Littlehampton, West Sussex Southend-on-Sea, Essex April 30 and May 21 March 31, April 5, 6, 7, May 4, 10 and 28 March 15, 30 (twice), April 13 (twice), 26 Beaumaris, Gwynedd Llandudno, Gwynedd (twice), May 9 (twice) 16, 17, 19, 22, 26 and March 4, 18, 19, April 3, 13 and 31 April 29, May 11 (three times) and 26 31 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Lyme Regis, Dorset Southwold, Suffolk May 31 March 14, April 6, May 6, 16 and 24 May 11 Blackpool, Lancashire Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire March 2 (twice), 24 (twice), April 12, May April 13, May 18 and 19 (twice) March 28, April 8, May 7, 14 (twice) and 26 11 (twice), 12, 14, 15 and 17 (twice) Margate, Kent Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Blyth, Northumberland April 7, 16 and May 30 May 9 and 15 March 29 (twice), April 13 and May 20 Moelfre, Gwynedd Tenby, Dyfed Borth, Dyfed April 15 and May 16 May 19, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice), 28 and 29 April 19 and May 4 (twice) Morecambe, Lancashire Tighnabruaich, Argyllshire Bridlington, Humberside May 14 April 12 and May 28 April 12 and 19 Mudeford, Dorset Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd Brighton, East Sussex April 16, May 3, 10 and 31 April 20 March 30, April 2 (twice), 26, May 3 (three The Mumbles, West Glamorgan Wells, Norfolk times), May 15 and 17 April 4, 13, May 4 (twice), 27 (twice) and 30 May 23 Broughty Ferry, Angus New Brighton, Merseyside West Kirby, Merseyside March 2, April 13, 15, 16, 20, May 18 and 31 March 1,7, 11, 17 and April 29 March 1, 4 and 6 Bude, Cornwall New Quay, Dyfed West Mersea, Essex April 5 April 5 and May 30 April 1, 10, May 2, 4, 18, 25 and 30 Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex Newquay, Cornwall Weston-super-Mare, Avon April 12, 18 and May 17 April 4, May 17 and 25 May 20, 25 (twice) and 31 Burry Port, Dyfed North Berwick, East Lothian Whitby, North Yorkshire May 29 April 5 and 23 April 2, 6 and 26 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex North Sunderland, Northumberland Whitstablc, Kent April 5, 6 and May 24 April 5 and 13 April 12, 13, 14, May 5, 18 and 30 Conwy, Gwynedd Oban, Argyllshire Withernsea, Humberside May 14, 16 and 24 April 27 and May 17 April 4 (twice), 7 and May 10 (twice)

SERVICES AND LIVES RESCUED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATS January 1, 1980, to July 31, 1980: Services: 1,315; lives saved 573 THE STATION FLEET (as at 31/7/80) 131 offshore lifeboats 127 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer 51 inshore lifeboats operating in the winter LIVES RESCUED 105,863 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to July 31, 1980

106 A Startling Compendium of Facts, Feats and Figures THE COUNTRY LIFE BOOK OF NAUTICAL TERMS UNDER SAIL An illustrated guide to the language of the great sailing ships and the men aboard them Fascinating, unusual, and always with a sound practical basis — this is what the Maritime Book Society is all about. Informal, authoritative and richly illustrated, covering terms both ancient and modern. The Country Life Book of Nautical Terms Under Sail is just one example of our superb range of top quality, specialist books. Behind the romance and adventure of life under sail lies a great wealth of colourful, pithy phrases and special words incomprehensible to landsmen This superb work, expertly compiled and packed with illustrations, defines nearly 4,000 terms relating to sailing ships, their construction, launching and mooring, life on board them, and how they are handled, sailed and navigated There is no more vivid guide to the great age of sail. CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE? Cat's paw (weather: disturbance on a calm surface due to a passing light air; also, the wind itself) Off nippers — surge the messenger (the nippers holding the cable to the messenger are taken off and the messenger released) Self-mousing hook (hook with a mousing that allows easy hooking but prevents accidental slippage) Green sea (sea that sweeps over a vessel without breaking)

^ • V "• 't > ' ''/ when you join the . Maritime Book Society // -t- f * t> -

If you sail, build, buy, race or simply love boats — the Maritime Book Society is the unique source of valuable information that you need. It's a selective and economical service made possible by the buying force of thousands of ART members, bringing you books packed with facts, To: Maritime Book Society, PO Box 6, superbly illustrated and attractively presented Newton Abbot. Devon. TQ12 2DW . . . sometimes even in waterproof bindingsl I would like to join the Maritime Book Society and claim The Country Life Books overflowing with adventure and drama Book of Nautical Terms Under Sail for only £1 00 (plus 96p carriage) (Allow . . . top quality products from the best maritime up to 21 days for delivery). I agree to purchase at least 4 books (in addition publishers. They are all at least 25% less than to the introductory books) during a year's membership and may resign publishers' prices and regular optional benefits thereafter If I am not satisfied with the book, I may return it within 10 days offer you the opportunity to save 35%, and even and owe nothing. more, on every book you buy. Every two months you will receive the Society's Mr/Mrs/Miss FREE attractively illustrated Bulletin detailing all Address the new titles. All we ask is that you take a minimum of four books during your first year of membership. There will be hundreds of highly desirable books to pick from . . . and the choice Postcode is always yours. Make the most of this Signature outstanding offer today. lor if under 18. signature of Parent/Guardian) Maritime Book Society is run by Readers Union. SEND NO MONEY POST TODAY Brunei House, Newton Abbot. Reg in England No 843946

107 Index to Advertisers Page Aegis Insurance Services (Group) Ltd 103 Birds Eye Foods Ltd 104 Functional Clothing Inside Front Cover David Jolly (Tiller Master) 108 Maritime Book Society (Readers Union) 107 Martell Brandy Back Cover A family firm with a lifetime of experience Mercantile Credit Inside Back Cover specializing in Peeks of Bournemouth 108 Fund-Raising RNLI Kensington Branch 108 at Fetes Rutland Publishing 74 Write or Telephone for FREE Illustrated Temple Insurance Brokers 103 Brochure featuring Equipment for Hire Brian H. Williams Marine Model Artist 101 and Prizes supplied on Sale or Return C. P. Witter Ltd ...... 108 PEEKS OF BOURNEMOUTH LTD Every thing for Petes and Carnivals TUCKTON BOURNEMOUTH DORSET BH6 3LD f-* TELEPHONE: 0202 4294O4/5 Classified Advertisements •• EVENING & WfctKEND TELEPHONE ORDERING SERVICE TEL: (0202) 429406 Entries under ACCOMMODATION are offered at the special rate of £7.00 for up to DORSET, 3 miles Bridport. 3-bedroomed SAILING INSTRUCTION 50 words, including address and phone holiday cottage—Television. St Anthony, FARAWAY SAILING SCHOOL (R.Y.A. number. Additional words at 30p per word, Uploders. Approved). Sailing instruction one to five minimum ten words. Other Classifications LUXURY BUNGALOW overlooking Filey days or weekends. R.Y.A. practical are at 30p per word minimum ten words. Bay, sleeps 6. Three bedrooms, lounge/din- Courses. Operating base Troon Marina, ing room, kitchen, bathroom and spacious Ayrshire. Brochure and further information All Classifieds are subject to pre-payment from 420 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2. and cheque or PO must accompany order. garden. Situated on the Flat Cliffs, Primrose Valley. For full details on Winter or Sum- Tel: 041-332 7587. ACCOMMODATION mer lets and photograph, please send s.a.e. PAINTINGS to Honorary Secretary, Filey RNLI, 21 Flat YOUR LIFEBOAT IN OILS. On canvas NORTH CORNWALL. Luxury self- Cliffs, Filey, North Yorkshire. catering cottages in peaceful Cornish coun- 36" x 28". S.a.e. Lee, 9 Esplanade, tryside, near moor and coast. Beautifully TROPHIES Weymouth, Dorset. RACE SETS—Mainsails—Dinghies—Cups, furnished, colour TV, etc: from £58. Reduc- MISCELLANEOUS tions two persons out of main season. Also W. & E. Astin, 7 Westerly Lane, Shelley, Huddersfield. Kirkburton 2368. FISHERMAN'S SMOCKS, navy drill. All well-appointed character farmhouse. Excel- sizes £6.95 delivered. Rockall Wear, 138 lent farmhouse fare, including full English SAILS Narrow Lane, Halesowen B62 9NX. breakfast and five-course evening dinner. We confidently guarantee the best sail bar- From £54 per week. Brochure; Tel: 0208 gain of your life. Ex-stock or custom-made. VERY SUBSTANTIAL 27ft steel sloop. 850728, Mr and Mrs R. Curtis, Park Farm, Ring now for quotation: Dawson Sails, Captain diesel; beautifully appointed; fullest Michaelstow, St Tudy. 051-3362201. inventory; surveyed. £7,500. 051-336 2201.

THE ORIGINAL RNLI Symbol Sweater TILLER MASTER celebrates 10 years of Ocean crossing

We stock LOCAT, the powerful British personal Radio Distress Beacon that saved the life of Atlantic rower, Ken Kerr.

Wind, water and solar battery chargers available. DAVID JOLLY Long Range and Emergency Radio Consultant 3 Little Russel, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset BH16 6JD Tel: 0202 622142 TELEX: 41495.

TOWING BRACKETS

Approved by car manufacturers and issued with This unique sweater in navy courtelle or botany wool has the RNLI symbol fitting Instructions. Also shock absorbers stabiliser woven and couplings. Adult sizes 34" to 46" and crew neck style only.

BotanyWool £UM Pnces include 15°° VAT and p & P Please save a little for the people Delivery normally 21 days if in stock. Out of stock orders acknowledged and subject to 12-15 weeks delay. who save a lot—give generously to the R.N.L.I. Cash with order please, stating size, to Mrs. M. W. Heaton, RNLI Kensington, 41a Warwick Gardens, London W14 8PL (Tel: 01-603 9373). C. P. WITTER LTD. CHESTER Tel. 0244-41166

108 New! for shoreline members sailing loans at reduced rates Now, as a Shoreline member, you're in a privileged position when it comes to financing your sailing. Shoreline Saijing Loans are now available at special preferential interest rates. One of them can provide the cash you need to buy a boat, to refit, or even for major annual expenses like insurance. Then you can spread the cost over monthly instalments and so sail on a budget. Help the R.N.L.I. as you help yourself. Shoreline Sailing Loans will provide a valuable source of revenue for the R.N.L.I.,as well as saving you money. Each loan granted will provide a donation to the Institution, without the deduction of promotion, administration or other costs. Non-members can apply for loans and join Shoreline simultaneously, and have their first year's membership paid for them. Mercantile Credit, who are arranging the loans, will make a £5 donation to Shoreline for each advance made to non-members, entitling them to family membership for one year. You can pick up a Shoreline Sailing Loan leaflet at your local branch of Mercantile Credit [see your telephone directory for the address) or write to Mercantile Credit, [Shoreline Loans), FREEPOST, London WC2B 5DX. No stamp needed.

I Mercantile Credit When you're saved from the drink. For those who'll need a pick-me-up, there's a bottle of 3 star cognac on board every RNLI lifeboat. Courtesy of Martell.