Volume XLIII SUMMER 1973 Number 444

The Journal of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution 15p Brooke Marine Limited ESTABLISHED 1874 SHIPBUILDERS-ENGINEERS AND CONSULTING NAVAL ARCHITECTS

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Summer 1973 Contents Notes of the Quarter by the Editor ...... 2 Profiles 4 Volume XLIII Life-saving on the Shannon by M. Duffy ...... 6 Number 444 Letters 8 Royal Blue to the Rescue ...... 10 Plymouth Exhibition ...... 10 The RNLI looks at the year's work and the future ...... 12

Central Appeals Committee ...... 18

Shoreline Section ...... 18

Lifeboat Quiz compiled by Grahame Farr ...... 18

Suffolk firm building faster boats for the RNLI 19—21

New Equipment ...... 22

Willie Parr 22

Book Reviews ...... 24

Some ways of raising money ...... 26

The Finnish Lifeboat Service ...... 30

Lifeboat Quiz Answers ...... 30

Lifeboat Services ...... 34

Lifeboat Launches ...... 38

ILB Launches 39 Classifieds 40 Index to Advertisers ...... 40

Chairman: All editorial material submitted for A year's subscription of four issues COMMANDER F R H SWANN, QBE, RNVR consideration with a view to publication costs 82p, including postage, but those in the journal should be addressed to who are entitled to receive THE LIFEBOAT Secretary: the Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, 42 Grosvenor free of charge will continue to do so. CAPTAIN NIGEL DIXON, RN Gardens, London, SW1W OEF (Tele- phone 01-730 0031). The next issue of THE LIFEBOAT will Editor: appear in October and news items should Photographs intended for return should be sent by mid-August. PATRICK HOWARTH be accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope. Editorial Assistant: CHRISTOPHER R ELLIOTT All advertising enquiries should be addressed to Dyson Advertising Services, 45 Bridge Street, Godalming, Surrey (Telephone Godalming (04868) 23675). ted in all to a higher figure than those of 1974 to supplement the national projects anyone else. In her lifetime Mrs Reed being staged to celebrate the 150th presented the new Cromer life-boat, anniversary of the foundation of the which is named Ruby and Arthur Reed, RNLI. Good progress is also being made at a cost of £72,000. In her will she with the national projects. On page bequeathed her entire estate to the 18 some details are given of the manner RNLI, the total amount being increased in which the Scout movement will be considerably because of exemptions from supporting the RNLI next year. All estate duty granted by the last Finance yachtsmen will be welcome at a major Act. rally which is being organised by the Royal Yachting Association in con- Portuguese Visitors junction with the offshore branch of A further example of the growing co- Shoreline (the old YLA) to take place at operation between lifeboat services in Plymouth on Saturday, July 20, 1974. different countries was afforded when This will be the opening day of the a lifeboat delegation from Portugal, international life-boat exhibition. headed by Rear-Admiral A. V. Gomes, As a forerunner of the 1974 celebra- visited Cowes, Dover and Littlehampton tions the RNLI will have an exhibit in in April of this year. The delegation the Lord Mayor's Show in London in inspected the 44-foot Waveney class November, 1973. The commemorative lifeboat, stationed at Dover, and other service in St Paul's Cathedral will take NOTES OF lifeboats of the Waveney class being place at 12 noon on March 4, 1974. built and engined at the yards of Details of how supporters of the RNLI THE QUARTER William Osborne, Littlehampton, and should apply for tickets will be an- Groves and Guttridge, East Cowes. nounced later. It is likely that some form Lifeboats of the Waveney class are to of ballot will have to be made to be built under licence in Portugal. branches and guilds, but this will by the Editor New Shore Boat Rescue Scheme depend on the demand for tickets. The former inshore rescue scheme, A series of postal commemorative which has been operating since 1962 and covers will be issued during 1974 com- 'A YEAR of intense activity and gratifying which was administered jointly by the memorating various aspects of the success for the lifeboat service" is the RNLI and HM Coastguard, has now Institution's history and traditions, with phrase used in the RNLI's report to been amalgamated with the old shore an album on sale to contain them. describe the happenings in 1972. The boat scheme under the name 'Shore Readers interested in receiving details facts certainly justify this. The total Boat Rescue Scheme*. The object is to when they are published should write to number of lives saved, which is the rationalise existing arrangements for the Pilgrim Philatelies, 17 Best Lane, true criterion of success, was 1,447, a help of private boat owners in the work Canterbury, Kent. record figure in time of peace. For the of saving life at sea. The changes follow The main programme for 1974 was first time ever the Institution's income discussions held by the Government announced in the January 1973 number exceeded £3 million, expenditure being committee to coordinate marine search of THE LIFEBOAT. The RNLI hopes to slightly under that figure. and rescue arrangements. The RNLI will build up an imposing record of all the By contrast with the increase in lives continue to make payments to private celebrations and events in 1974 and saved, the number of service calls boat owners whose boats have put out at asks for the co-operation of readers of answered by RNLI lifeboats dropped the request of RNLI representatives, or THE LIFEBOAT. Records in the form of somewhat for the first time for many when a private individual launches from film, tape, still photographs or printed years. This reduction was largely the shore on his own initiative in order to matter may be sent to Mr S. E. accounted for by a decrease in the save life at sea. Under the new scheme Bartholomew, Deputy Public Relations number of launches to pleasure craft. HM Coastguard will be responsible for Officer, RNLI, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, Launches to the help of commercial making payments to any shore boat London, SW1WOEF. fishing vessels increased from 274 to called out by Coastguard action. 311. It is also pointed out in the report that for the second consecutive year no 1974 Celebrations New Format member of a lifeboat crew lost his life Branches and guilds of the RNLI are For over 120 years THE LIFEBOAT has on exercise or on service. planning a wide range of activities in served as the principal means of keeping In presenting the report to the meeting supporters of the RNLI informed of of the governors of the Institution the COVER PICTURE what was happening in the service. The Chairman of the Committee of Manage- This unusual photograph of the Swedish first number of the Journal dated March ment, Commander F. R. H. Swann, schooner Minn, her rudder damaged and 1852, said its aim was to 'materially QBE, RNVR, emphasised the encouraging drifting rapidly towards Dodman Point, advance the great cause we advocate, progress made with the huge boat- was taken from the Falmouth, Cornwall, namely, the improvement of lifeboats, building programme in which the lifeboat The Princess Royal (Civil Service their management, and all other means RNLI is now engaged. At the end of No. 7) on August 8, 1972, by Miss Birgitta for the preservation of life from ship- Rydbeck, a professional photographer, who 1972 21 new lifeboats were under was a member of the Mina's crew, after she wreck.' construction or on order. It is primarily had been taken aboard the lifeboat. In In January 1971 the Journal format to ensure that this boat-building pro- saving the schooner and her crew of 10 in changed for the first time since 1852. The gramme succeeds that the Institution's a south westerly gale and a very rough sea, 'new look' appearance at once received many new plans for raising additional the lifeboat, whose coxswain, Mr Walter wide approval and helped THE LIFEBOAT money are being developed. Brown, received the RNLI's bronze medal to secure more advertising. With the at the annual meeting in May for this July 1973 edition the Journal goes A4 A Great Benefactress service, ranged some 10 feet while along- size, which we believe will improve Mrs R. M. Reed, who died at East- side the casualty. The Princess Royal (Civil the advertising potential and provide Service No. 7), which is a 46-foot Watson bourne in March, was one of the most type, was on temporary duty at Falmouth even better presentation of editorial. It generous supporters the RNLI has known at the time. When this picture was taken the is fitting, too, that as the RNLI ap- in its long history. Indeed, if no allow- member of the crew in the foreground was proaches its 150th anniversary the ance is made for changes in the value of adjusting his lifejacket, not visible in this Journal should be presented in a form money, Mrs Reed's benefactions amoun- instance, further manhandling the tow line. likely to attract greater public attention. The Chief Inspector of Lifeboats, Lt.- Commander W. L. G. Dutton, RD, RNR, of Dorking, with his wife. Olive, when he received the OBE from the Queen on February 20. by courtesy of Feature Press Photo Agency

particular case, however, the Aguila Wren retains her RNLI colours as well as the name in order to preserve the memorial to the Wrens who lost their lives. She will now be known as the TS Aguila Wren.

Ref-Tom-Tit

Early this year the attention of THE LIFEBOAT was drawn to a newspaper obituary notice which read: 'No flowers, but donations to the RNLI Peterhead branch, reference Tom-Tit'. Inquiries were made and it was found that it related to the part played on December 26, 1914, by the late Captain Charles N. E. Currey, CBE, RN, of Itchenor, Chichester, when HMS Tom- Tit was wrecked at the entrance to Peterhead harbour along with the local lifeboat Alexander Tulloch. The Buchan Observer and East Aber- deenshire Advertiser, remembering the death of Captain Currey, who was a well known figure, said of his exploit at Peterhead: 'Fruitless efforts were still being made to get a rocket line aboard Tom-Tit. Sub-Lieutenants Norman Currey and John Wales were among the naval party standing by. They volun- teered to wade into the maelstrom with a line for a breeches buoy. 'For what seemed an eternity, they battled through the elements often being swept off their feet and dashed on the slippery rocks. Currey had the shore Sir Alec gives a hand Wrens remembered line round his waist, with Wales coming up behind and helping to pay it out. A new home has been found for the Darkness was beginning to set in ere the Sir Alec Rose launched a new venture, lifeboat Aguila Wren now that she has stricken Tom-Tit'screw, with theaidof a the Hampshire Rose Lifeboat Appeal, come to the end of her active life in the rope, hauled the line aboard, secured it, on May 20 during the Portcreek water fleet of the RNLI. and were brought ashore in the buoy. fair at Portsbridge, Hampshire. On May 20, at Keadby, near Scun- Tom-Tit, like the lifeboat, was a write The appeal is in connection with the thorpe, there was a ceremony to mark off.' 150th anniversary of the foundation of the handing over of the Aguila Wren to At a subsequent ceremony at Peter- the RNLI. Branches and guilds in the Scunthorpe unit of the Sea Cadet head both Currey and Wales were Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant, Water- Corps for use as a training ship. presented with life-saving medals. loo and Fareham decided in recognition The Aguila Wren was donated to the Captain Currey, who died on January of 'the services to seafarers provided by RNLI by the Aguila Wrens Memorial 10, was 82. the RNLI during the past 150 years' to Fund in memory of the 22 Wrens who launch an appeal to raise £50,000 were lost by enemy action in 1941 abroad towards the cost of a lifeboat. Although the ss Aguila in a Gibraltar convoy. the appeal was launched in the Ports- The Aguila Wren was a 35-foot 6-inch mouth area it is hoped it will spread Liverpool class costing about £14,000 throughout Hampshire and will remain and was stationed at Aberystwyth from open until the end of 1974. 1951 to 1964. She was launched on People attending the Portcreek water service 21 times and saved 14 lives during Crew variations fair were able to buy shares in the life- this period. From 1965 to 1972 the boat and a first-day cover to com- Aguila Wren went to Redcar where she The crews of RNLI lifeboats come memorate the launching of the appeal. was launched on service 31 times and from many walks of life. For instance, There are three types of envelope saved 22 lives. a member of the Jersey crew is a bank available, one for 30p, a limited number Normally when lifeboats reach the manager, at Port Talbot one of the ILB at 50p, and a small number autographed end of their active service they are sold crew is a clergyman, and an undertaker by Sir Alec Rose at £1. without their livery and name. In this sails with the Fishguard boat. This issue

Mrs K. Swallow of St Aidan's, Seahouses, Northumberland and Mrs A. Wooldridge of Stourbridge, Worcs.

THE NAMES of famous lifeboatmen tend fund-raising activity every year is the to stick to places along the coast. So, harbour fete. Started in 1952, it has been too, do the names of voluntary workers held every year since with the exception who over many years have left their of 1966, when a serious outbreak of foot mark on communities in the name of the and mouth disease among cattle made lifeboat service. One of these is Mrs it necessary to cancel all public gather- Kathleen Swallow, of St Aidan's, ings. Last year, for example, the function Seahouses, Northumberland, and it is a held on August Bank Holiday brought well-known fact that in 1952, following in a total of £1,980. a decline in fund-raising activity at The Swallow family is involved Seahouses during the post-war period, completely in the harbour fete, for things improved due very much to the which Mrs Swallow's own mother efforts of the Swallow family. worked indefatigably until her death in Mrs Swallow, who is chairman of the 1971. Now all the in-laws and grand- North Sunderland ladies' lifeboat guild, children lend a hand. is the widow of Mr T. W. A. Swallow, Mrs Swallow has helped the lifeboat late honorary secretary of the North service all her married life and is known Sunderland lifeboat station. to lifeboat crews, branches and guilds When Mrs Swallow's first grandchild, in most parts of Northumberland. Elizabeth Alston, was born she was enrolled as a guild member almost during the first week of her life. Mrs Swallow's late mother-in-law, Mrs W. A. Swallow, was honorary sec- retary of the North Sunderland ladies' lifeboat guild in the 1930s and 1940s. She was awarded a record of thanks in 1949. At Seahouses the most outstanding

WHEN people who know the RNLI Mrs Wooldridge said: 'Our con- think of Stourbridge, Worcestershire, tributions to headquarters are due to they think of Mrs Angela Wooldridge, our many loyal helpers and the generous MBE, of Norton, Stourbridge, who spirit of the people of Stourbridge. An attended her first lifeboat meeting when annual dinner and dance has been the branch was re-formed in 1952. established—it was our tenth last year— And at the annual meeting of the RNLI and I held my thirteenth annual coffee in May this year Mrs Wooldridge day on June 28.' received the gold badge for her work Mrs Wooldridge has raised funds for for the lifeboat service. the lifeboat service at a number of Mrs Wooldridge, who has been functions—at fashion shows, at a fish honorary secretary of the local branch exhibition, at a display of floral art, since 1954 and in 1962 was awarded and at a luncheon. The annual house- the silver badge, has made the RNLI to-house collection and flag day, to- 'the top charity in Stourbridge'. She has gether with the day-to-day work of cultivated all the local newspapers of speaking at various local functions and importance and despite an active public meetings, is a continual source of life—she is a JP—Mrs Wooldridge promoting the work of the RNLI. makes the lifeboat service her first Talking at schools is particularly love. important, Mrs Wooldridge believes, Since Mrs Wooldridge's connection for she considers it most essential that in 1952 with the local branch, donations the future generation should be aware have increased at a tremendous rate. of 'the great tradition of this wonderful In 1953 Stourbridge collected £203 lifeboat service over 150 years'. for the RNLI, for the last six years the Of her recent award of the gold badge, branch has raised over £1,000 a year, and Mrs Wooldridge comments: 'I regard in the 20 years of her association over it as an honour to Stourbridge, for its £14,000 has been sent to the London wonderful response as a Midland town headquarters. so far from the sea'. exclusively supplied and maintained by local branch has Captain Sir George Mr Cyril Chown the company. Barnard, who is a member of the execu- Mr Cyril Chown, who was honorary A spokesman at the RNLI head- tive Committee of Management of the secretary of the Exmouth, Budleigh quarters said: 'As an example of the RNLI and has recently retired from the Salterton branch of the RNLI for 11| continued co-operation with Coastal post of Deputy Master of Trinity years, died early this year and at his Radio, it is worth recording that when House. own wish his ashes were scattered at sea it was found we were having troubles from the local lifeboat because of his in finding a medium frequency radio- 'considerable services to the Institution'. telephone which would meet the inter- MP joins governing It was Mr Chown who took the much national regulations which came into admired picture of the Duchess of Kent, force on January 1, for our 37-foot boat, body whose husband, the Duke of Kent, is the company at no cost to the RNLI Lt-Colonel Richard Crawshaw, OBE, President of the RNLI, which appeared brought a radio from Canada to New- MP, Labour Member of Parliament for on the cover of the October 1971 haven so that we could carry out trials. the Toxteth division of Liverpool since Journal. 'If we rind that we can use this 1964, has joined the Committee of equipment it will mean the setting up, Management of the RNLI. Col by Coastal Radio, of spares for equip- Crawshaw is 55 years old and was Co-operation ment not normally available in the called to the Bar in 1948. UK.' Changing technical requirements often mean that companies who have served the RNLI have to terminate News from the their associations, often of long stand- Brentwood retirement ing. A good case is Coastal Radio Ltd, Channel Islands of Chelmsford, who began their link Lady Ashton, who has been president There is great enthusiasm in Jersey, with the lifeboat service in 1948 with of the Brentwood and district branch of CI, for the local lifeboat and the Arun the introduction of the Coastal Radio the RNLI since 1956, and who was lifeboat appeal in Guernsey. Jersey, for Type 97 radio-telephone. responsible for raising it from a 'one- instance, staged a sponsored row in the Until early this year the RNLI's man' band to its present very flourishing RNLI's boarding boat to Guernsey, a medium frequency equipment had been state, has retired. As its new president, the distance of 25 miles.

Victorian hero Willie, veteran of a 'The original brewery was taken over thousand raging storms, was the very some years ago, but before that man they wanted to give the right spirit happened one of their managers told to the labels on their bottles of rum. me I would receive a free bottle of rum When he died his son was told: 'Let every Christmas. us use Willie's photo on the label—and 'The bottle didn't arrive last year but we'll send you and the lifeboat crew free I was told by the new brewery that bottles every Christmas for as long as we while I wouldn't get one, they would make it'. keep on sending bottles to the Blackpool And for sixty years the bottle of lifeboat crew. 'Sou' Wester Rum'—with Willie in his 'But then this week when the lifeboat yellow oilskins resplendent on the lads had their annual supper there front—arrived without fail at the wasn't a bottle for them.' family's home in Blackpool. Last night, however, the storm was But then a brewery boob left his subsiding, for a spokesman for Warring- grandson high and dry . . . with no free ton brewers Greenall Whitley admitted: Christmas spirit to toast the memory 'It's our mistake'. of the family hero. 'The mix-up happened because the It seemed that the sun was about to man who dealt with this particular job set on Willie and his 'sou' wester, for had been moved and no one was put WILLIE PARR grandson Billy Parr, 78, retired cox'n of in his place. the same seaside lifeboat as Willie 'The Christmas rum is now on its Lifeboatman Willie Parr* sailed into threatened: 'No more rum—no more way—and we'll make sure it keeps on history when a brewery decided to granddad on the label.' going.' immortalise him. At his home in Erdington Road, Blackpool, last night Billy said: 'Our *The story of Willie Parr appeared in the family have been getting the free bottle Manchester edition of the Daily Mirror on of rum at Christmas for more than 60 December 13, 1972. years'.

LAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED BY LIFE-BOATS AND ILBs

December 1, 1972 to February 28, 1973: Launches 178, lives saved 110

THE STATION FLEET (as at 28/2/73) 135 station life-boats 116 inshore life-boats operating in the summer (37 in the winter)

LIVES RESCUED 96,645 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to February 28, 1973 THE Republic of Ireland's river Shannon, in September, 1962, when a Super- tailplane. When the tide fell it was seen longest in these off-Europe islands, and, Constellation crashed into the Atlantic that the main section of the fuselage and with its many lakes and tributary Grand several hundred miles off the western the wings had disintegrated, that jagged Canal and river Barrow making it coast of Ireland. A similar operation bits of metal and other debris were probably one of the largest single took place in September, 1961, when a strewn in the deep mud. Sixty-three connected waterways in Europe, is President Airlines aircraft crashed in the bodies were recovered before the tide becoming increasingly life-saving con- small hours of the morning shortly after came in again. scious. take-off for Canada. Conditions during Situated at the very edge of Europe this incident were exceptionally difficult continued on page 32 on the western side of Ireland, it sub- as fog prevailed. Additionally, the tide divides into two parts. was full and there was about 20 feet of The first, the tidal estuary, extends its water where the aircraft had crashed. The Emerald Star Line fleet at Carrick-on- steadily broadening, 50-odd mile stretch The only part of it visible in the larger Shannon where they are life-saving conscious. from Limerick to the Atlantic in an launch's searchlight was the tip of the by courtesy of Kearneys Photographic almost directly westwards direction. This tidal sector is noteworthy for its permanently fast-running tides, deep- mud shores and frequent gale-force winds because of its nearness to the Atlantic. Pilotage for visiting craft is, therefore, almost a necessity: also for Shannon Airport and the adjacent Shannon Industrial Estate being situated on the northern bank of its upper reaches. The second, the non-tidal sector, also begins at Limerick but runs inland, in a roughly northerly direction, for about 180 miles. Along this stretch it broadens out into more than a dozen different lakes, some big enough to be regarded as inland seas. Many have, literally, hundreds of islands and islets, practically all uninhabited. Winds of LIFE-SAVING considerable strength and highly variable direction are also a feature of this sector. Tidal Sector ON THE Life-saving facilities at Shannon Air- port, on the tidal sector, were lately extended by the acquisition of the Amfirol. This is a craft specially built in Holland by Machinefabriek de Bakker, of Hulst, in consultation with SHANNON by M. Duffy the fire and rescue personnel of the Irish Airport authorities. It can travel over mud, silt, sand and water and any type of ground not containing jagged rocks protruding more than 2 inches above the ground. The power unit is a NSU Marine RO 135 Wankel engine with a Sunstrand hydraulic system. The type used at Shannon can carry 60 Lough Allei people or life rafts capable of holding, Lough Key X° Drumshanbo after inflation at the scene, 350 survivors which can be towed behind. MILEAGE It is also equipped with a crane arm, Dublin/Roosky 85 miles which can lift up to two tons, and which Belfast/Roosky 125mies has been designed to clear wreckage, ShannonAirport/Roosky 110 miles Roscommon J Longford recover engines, containers, baggage, etc. The boat's stainless and manganese steel construction makes for lightness and a long lifetime without upkeep. Other life-saving arrangements at Shannon Airport, of longer-standing, consist of two launches. The first is a twin-screw craft of 45-foot length by about 12 beam, enclosed, and drawing 3 feet, with two Thorneycroft 125 h.p. diesel engines. Crew consists of six, igk Dire including coxswain. Nenagh The second is a 30 by 8-foot single screw boat with a 25 h.p. Thorneycroft carrying a coxswain and three men. Limerick These two last-named boats were used 6 GeneralMotors aie proud that their Detroit Diesel engines have been ^ chosen to power the R.N.L.I. 44ft & 52ft stee lifeboats. General Motors Limited,

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• I like THE LIFEBOAT and have been persuading as many as possible to take out a year's subscription. I am glad Sir Wilfrid Woods suggested an article on the different types of new lifeboats building and the reasons. My only criticism is that the places to which the new lifeboats are likely to be allocated are not mentioned and one is left in the dark about what boats are to be replaced—49 of the old seems a large number. Also the future policy for the 70 foot Line carrier class. Admiral Woods tells me only two will be built but from Commander • I am enclosing four photographs of Swann's article in the April Journal a model lifeboat, about 20 inches long, (page 446) it is not altogether apparent which has come into the posession of that the 70-foot is abandoned. Also, the Maritime Museum, Hartlepool. how far are their crews permanent or No one knows for certain what it was temporary? If cruising, how can they used for but a theory is that the minia- have lifeboatmen who are paid perma- ture lifeboat was launched from the nent jobs? Many must have been parent boat as a messenger to a casualty. surprised at the lack of information of The pictures show stages in the erection the reasons for new fast lifeboats. of the mast and 'sails'. In Commander Swann's article there We would be interested to have more are some curious statements, such as information about the device which 'In the event, the overall saving was from the preservation point of view must only about 10 per cent', this relating to be unusual today.—p. A. i. FARQUHAR, steel construction of the 48-foot 6 inch honorary secretary Seaton Carew, type. Ten per cent of £90,000 or so is Hartlepool, Co. Durham. not to be sneezed at, so I do not under- stand.—R. WILLIAMSON-JONES, Captain, RN (retd), honorary secretary, Peters- National Membership field, Hampshire, RNLI branch. • Now that I am an Associate Member of the RNLFs Shoreline Scheme I feel much more part of it and Prize returned respect its work much more.—P. R. CRAWLEY-BOEVEY, Oakhain, Rutland. 0 Please accept my best thanks for The writer is a schoolboy—EDITOR. the award in your RNLI raffle of first prize (£20) on August 26 (organised by the Pembroke ladies' life-boat guild). Such unexpected pleasure this is to me and for such a very worthy cause. I consider it to be a great honour and pleasure in making this my donation to your fund and I enclose cheque for £20. Wishing you every success in your efforts to maintain such a grand organisation as the RNLI.—ARTHUR B. CHRISTIAN, Hillborough Road, Tuffey, Gloucester.

P.S. I am 80 years old and have had a happy and active life—in the realm of rescue work. Mine has been with the St John Ambulance Association.

continued on page 10

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The beautiful water garden at Longstock Park, Stockbridge, was opened to the public on Sunday, June 17, in aid of the RNLI by invitation of the John Lewis Partnership. HECTA F1OO This instrument is ideal for power vessels since the high power of the transmitter defeats interference from propeller and sea noise and so enables soundings to be obtained at higher speeds and in rougher water than is possible with the low powered instruments.

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Mermaid Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd THAMES MARINA THAMES DITTON SURREY Tel: 01-398 6159 LETTERS continued from page 8 Miss Sally-Anne Smith's grandparents, Mr and Mrs Broom, A bar tip handing over a tin of half-pennies to • As last year, I would like once again Captain C. E. Mock, to pay for my 1973 copies of THE LIFE- honorary secretary of BOAT. I look forward to the Journal. I the Mumbles lifeboat station, watched by find it very interesting and informative. Cosxwain Derek After I have finished with it, I put it Scott, B.EM. on the bar of my local alongside my by courtesy of South collecting box. I charge 2p a time to Wales Evening Post anyone who wants to read it. I find people very willing to pay. The last time I opened the box, I sent you a cheque for £10. So you see how years, Hastings for a year, and Margate well we do in a little pub like ours in The half-pence scheme for the last two years. raising money for your very worthy They do not go collecting but save cause.—j. s. T. CLARKE, Ashley, nr. them out of their own pocket. A friend Market Harborough, Leicestershire. My grandad and nan have been saving sometimes adds two or three every week. half-pennies for the lifeboat service for I think if other people saved their half- 28 years. Of course they receive a pence pieces instead of grumbling so receipt for what they hand in but my much about them the lifeboat service Lifeboat swimmers brother Paul and I feel sure they would would benefit considerably. • The Flamborough lifeboat swim- love to see a few words of thanks in the Grandad has altogether given 30,000 ming club was formed about a year ago Journal which they take every quarter. for the RNLI. By the way, they are both as a result of three crew members wishing Mumbles lifeboat received the coins pensioners.—SALLY-ANNE SMITH, Banks to qualify as official swimmers on our amounting to 1,000 every year for 25 Close, Marston, Moretyne, Bedford. lifeboat. We found it was easier and cheaper to take the Royal Life Saving Society's awards if members of an affiliated club. Having formed the club and attended 'Fred's interests lie in both camps for regular weekly training sessions of ROYAL BLUE TO THE apart from being a busman he is also about two hours, our three 'founder RESCUE a member of the YLA. members' soon qualified as swimmers by 'Assisted by David Walsh and gaining the ASA gold award for THE following report is reproduced from Inspector TomO'Leary, Fred transferred personal survival and the RLSS bronze Stage Coach, the magazine of General the equipment to his car and within medallion. We have now had two Western National, Royal Blue, Devon minutes was sailing down the A377 on regular qualified swimmers on our boat and Greenslades coaches. the final 11 miles to Exmouth docks for about nine months. 'To be able to answer an urgent call where the lifeboat is based. Since this achievement three of our for assistance from an organisation 'Royal Blue "Coxswain" Jack Gleeson men have reached honours standard in which is devoted to doing just that, is a said later: "We were pleased to help ASA personal survival and bronze cross particular pleasure. It follows that out in an emergency—it is all part of in RLSS. Two of these have gone on and Royal Blue staff were delighted to the service". have attained the RLSS distinction provide an express service of another 'And a delighted Len Smith told our award, the highest practical award of kind when, on Friday, October 6 they reporter: "We very much appreciate the the Society. were asked to convey a vital piece of help and generosity of Royal Blue in We now continue our training and equipment on behalf of the Royal getting this equipment to us with all also find time to encourage crew mem- National Life-boat Institution. possible speed and at no charge to bers' children and usually have eight or 'The "maroon" went up at 0930 hours RNLI funds.'" nine children between 4J and 14 years when Len Smith, Exmouth branch attending our sessions. Some are learn- secretary of the RNLI, telephoned the ing to swim, while others have already express section traffic department at reached quite high standards. head office and spoke to Stan Tucker. Two of our 12/14-year-olds entered a The piece of equipment, urgently sponsored swim in March and 'earned' required for the Exmouth lifeboat, was Plymouth exhibition £31 between them! at Poole and Mr Smith wanted to get it Our two distinction holders formed a to Exmouth as quickly as possible. combined life-saving team and entered 'Reaching for his sou' wester, Stan The international lifeboat exhibition, in a life-saving competition at York in immediately telephoned TSRB Jack which as reported in the July issue of THE April. We have discussed the possibili- Gleeson who offered to take the package LIFEBOAT is to be held in West Hoe Park, ties of arranging demonstrations locally aboard the 1100 hours Bournemouth— Plymouth, will run from July 20 to which could raise funds for the RNLI. Exeter service. This action proved even August 31,1974, and not from July 14 to Although our efforts have not as yet too quick for his suppliers and it was on September 10 as mentioned. put money directly into RNLI funds the next service, the 1400 hours from There will be several opportunities I am sure, judging by local response, that Poole bus station that the "lift" began. for lending a hand: selling souvenirs and they have given a good impression and 'Driver David Walsh of Bournemouth RNLI membership, acting as guides/ activities of this sort are of great value depot took charge of the important wardens, or helping at the entrance or in both for publicity and benefit to young piece of equipment and headed south the office. Anyone who would be people.—J. ANDREW CORY, The Green, west. interested and could spare a few days at Flamborough, Yorkshire. 'In the meantime the inspectorate staff Plymouth is asked to write or contact at Exeter coach station had been alerted the Exhibition Co-ordinator, Com- The writer is mechanic of the Flamborough and it was there at 1700 hours that mander P. D. Sturdee, RN,at head office, lifeboat and secretary of the local lifeboat Training Officer Fred Willgress also 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W swimming club—EDITOR. took a hand. OEF (Tel: 01-730 0031).

10 Pye Telecom breaks the silence barrier. Without instant communication you cannot properly cope with today's changing situations. Two-way radio communication via Pye personal and mobile radiotelephones keeps you off the boil and on the ball. Call one man or a group. Call from your office, your car, or wherever you happen to be. Pye Telecom provides trie equipment you need. Position The value of Pye Telecom systems has been proved over the years by Name of Company police, taxi operators, ambulance services, building contractors, bankers, Address. oilmen, gas and electricity boards, water authorities, Telephone. farmers, firemen, industry at large. Pye Telecommunications Ltd. So break your silence barrier. Send off the Newmarket Rd., Cambridge coupon now. CBS 8PD. Tel: Cambridge - (0223)61222 Progress with Pye-TELECOM \Telex: 81166 The RNLI looks at the year's work and the future: 97,000 lives saved since 1824

THE ANNUAL MEETING of the RNLI this had begun to level off. Nevertheless it year amounted to very nearly £3 million, year was split into morning and after- was a fact that the total number of and for the first time ever income noon sessions at the Royal Festival Hall, launches to pleasure craft decreased exceeded the £3 million figure. As a London, the first being for the governors somewhat, whereas there was an increase result there was a small surplus to be and the second for the presentation of in launches to the help of commercial put towards slender reserves. medals for gallantry and awards to fishing vessels. Commander Swann said the main voluntary workers for devoted service. Commander Swann said: 'In the past points of interest in the accounts were: The Chairman of the RNLI, Comman- years my predecessor in office and I have 0 Income had increased by more than der F. R. H. Swann, OBE, RNVR, at the spoken of the great building pro- £600,000 to £3.1 million, due particu- morning meeting of the governors, said gramme on which we were about to larly to encouraging increases in general the year had been one of intense activity embark. This is now under way in an purpose legacies and in subscriptions and gratifying success for the lifeboat impressive manner. At the end of last and donations. service. During the year 1,447 lives were year there were no fewer than 21 new 0 Recurrent expenditure had in- saved, which was more than in any other conventional lifeboats under construc- creased by £170,000; this was inevitable year in time of peace since the RNLI was tion or on order. When one realises founded nearly 150 years ago. Clearly that new lifeboats are tending to cost on Mr Robin Knox- Johnson, the Atlantic the number of lives saved was the most average not much less than £100,000 sailor, who is a member of the Committee of important criterion of achievement, for each—a 70-foot lifeboat of the Clyde Management of the RNLI, declared at the it was solely for the saving of human class costs appreciably more—one has annual meeting: 7 think we should remember life that the RNLI was founded. For some idea of the magnitude of this their families who stay behind while they the second consecutive year there were programme in financial terms. go out and risk their lives'. Here with their no fatalities among members of lifeboat 'It is, however, a programme which we wives (left to right) are the following crews while on exercise or on service. are convinced is necessary and one which medallists.-Coxswain George Leith (Lerwick), For the first time for many years the we are determined to bring to a success- silver medal; Coxswains Alfred Pavey total number of launches on service ful conclusion to ensure that the lifeboat (Weymouth), Reuben Wood (Aldeburgh), Walter Brown (Falmouth); Crew Member decreased slightly to 2,379, a reduction fleet is in every way modernised by Douglas Gibbin (Hartlepool, Acting Cox- of 297 on the 1971 total. It wastoo early to 1980, and that it provides the volunteer swain Malcolm Mackay (Islay) and Cox- say whether this meant that the graph crews with the best boats and equipment swain Jack Leslie (Longhope), all bronze of service calls, which for a long time for their efforts to save life at sea.' medals. past had shown a steady upward trend, The cost of the lifeboat service last by courtesy of Keystone Press Agency Ltd

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Decca Radar Limited Albert Embankment, London SE1 DR54-I in a year of rapidly increasing costs but have a very valuable asset in an area of about 100,000 of that figure was due to developing commercial interest. rises in operational costs. 'I would like to conclude by saying 0 Capital expenditure had increased that, in these times of rapid change, a by more than £250,000 due to the first 1824-1974 high degree of financial courage is year of the new boat building pro- required to achieve anything. But gramme. Since the foundation of the having said this, your Committee of • Total assets had increased by more RNLI on March 24, 1824, by Management through its Poole Working than £100,000. Property had increased Party, are investigating a number of by about £240,000 due to the purchase Sir William Hillary, its life- different ways of carrying the project of the land at Poole, but investments and boats have to date saved close through to completion. The basic fixed assets were down. on 97,000 lives in peace and problem at the moment is to decide on Commander Swann continued: 'We the size and method of construction, expect that normal revenue during the war. Next year marks the 150th which once embarked upon will not next few years will cover the recurrent anniversary of the Institution escalate in cost to a figure in excess of costs of the service. It will not, however, and an impressive programme that for which we can sell our Grosvenor meet the cost of the new construction of commemorative events is Gardens and Boreham Wood properties. programme which we estimate will on At question time Mr Alisdair average cost a further £1 million a year planned (see page 2). Garrett, the retiring secretary of the for the next eight years. This extra YLA, said: 'Recently, a number of our finance must be found from other supporters in the country have expressed sources. their concern to me about the amount of 'We have plans for raising extra of legacies and special gifts as a source of capital which the Institution is devoting revenue to meet these additional costs, income. The generosity of so many to this project at Poole. They feel that and I am confident that these will be people towards the Institution and its work at a time when we were asked to put our successful. is truly wonderful, and we must all make hands in our pockets for £8 million, the 'It is vital that we should not only it our duty to see that our needs in this Poole project costing possibly £1 cover costs, but also build up the level respect are as widely known as possible. million is something that requires good of the Institution's reserves so that the The Institution is registered as a charity, publicity among our voluntary workers ratio of reserves to payments is main- and of course benefits from the con- to explain why we are putting this tained. At present our free reserves stand siderable estate duty exemption with amount of money in the buildings. at the low level of £1.4 million, which regard to gifts up to £50,000 to charity. 'This situation is to some extent is only sufficient to meet 3J months' The speaker went on to describe the foreseen in our Charter, which puts a expenditure if income from all sources plans for 'a thorough overhaul and re- limit on the amount of our resources we suddenly ceased. That our income organisation of the Institution's adminis- can put into houses and buildings. I am should be suddenly completely cut off tration'. sure the Committee of Management must be considered as an unlikely event, The concept of regionalisation, have taken a wise decision, but I feel but your Committee feel that the target whereby the responsibility for day-to- that their decision wants good publicity for which they must aim is to maintain day administration would be delegated among our well-wishers.' free reserves equivalent to at least six and the local voluntary workers would Commander Swann: 'I think you months' expenditure. have a say in policy-making, had been have got hold of the wrong end of the 'One of the measures we adopted last started with the setting up of a Scottish stick, if you do not mind my saying so, year to obtain increased regular income Region. The next phase which had just because, as I said in my speech, the was to establish a system of national begun was the setting up of a Northern basic problem at the moment is to membership of the Institution. This Region. decide on the size and the method of scheme, which has been given the name 'It is the voluntary nature of the ser- construction, which once embarked "Shoreline", and came into being on vice', said Commander Swann, 'which is upon will not escalate in cost so that it October 31, 1972, has been designed to the essence, indeed the inspiration, and will be in excess of what we can sell our give those who may not necessarily want while we cooperate with ever growing Grosvenor Gardens and Boreham Wood to belong to any of the Institution's effectiveness with Government bodies properties for. It is not the intention of active branches or guilds the opportunity engaged in air and sea rescue, we see no the Committee of Management to put of supporting the lifeboat service with a reason and are not proposing to alter any more money into building at Poole regular annual donation. His Royal our voluntary system in any way. It than they can get by realising their Highness, the Duke of Kent, our would clearly be wrong for us even to existing properties. President, honoured us by becoming attempt to modify our voluntary status 'We were advised by P.A. Manage- the first member under the new scheme. without fully consulting the Governors ment Consultants to get out of London. 'The Yachtsmen's Lifeboat Sup- of the Institution.' We have a leasehold building at 42 porters' Association, known up till now Commander Swann then dealt with Grosvenor Gardens. It is very difficult as the YLA, has been incorporated into the Poole project which involves the to get staff there. The overheads are high, the scheme as from March 1. The movement of the London headquarters and it was better to move out. That is membership of the YLA has increased and later the Depot at Boreham Wood what we are doing. We are only ex- to roughly 11,200.1 have personally been under one roof. changing one form of fixed asset for closely associated with the YLA since its He said: 'The move to Poole has been another. inception, and am delighted it has been progressing at a slower rate than many 'It is not the intention to use any possible to incorporate it into the new of us might have hoped. On the other outside capital or appeal for money for national membership as a category hand, the quite unforseeable rate of this project. That is why the situation is known as an "Offshore member". inflation over the past year, during worrying. It is a question of whether the 'As a result of these changes we now which time building costs have escalated sale of our existing assets will produce have two ex-YLA committee members by some 30 per cent, has meant that the the money necessary to give us what we on the Fund Raising Committee as original figures on which it was decided require at Poole. This again, as I men- representatives of the "offshore" mem- to make the move are no longer valid. tioned in my speech, is the major bers, and I am sure this will be beneficial 'It is cause for satisfaction though that problem at the moment. to this important committee and its your committee did purchase the Poole 'The point you make about the appeal work. site when they did, for, with the con- to members, and so on, is thoroughly 'I cannot over-emphasise', said Com- siderable increase in land prices over well recognised at this end. Appealing mander Swann, 'the importance to us the last year, the Institution is lucky to for money for boats is of greater impor-

14 Presentations to honorary workers by the Chairman of the RNLI, Commander F. R. H. Swann, QBE, RNVR (left to right): Mr David Chapel (Arhroath), Mrs Graham Doggart (Selsey), Profes- sor William Flexner (RNLI head- c/uarters), Mrs Teresa Smellie (Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Mr John Roberts (Ponhdinllaen), Mrs Norman Cavell (Goodwin Sands and Downs), Mrs R. A. Cave-Rogers (Llandudno), Mr G. C. R. Collins (Chatham), Mr John Gray (Belfast), Lady Pink (Ports- mouth and Southsea), Mr Eric Thomson (Whitby), Mrs M. Wilberforce (Walton and Frinton) and Mrs Angela Wooldrige (Stourbridge). tance than appealing for money to put up offices. It is not intended we should do that', added Commander Swann. At the afternoon session Mrs Coward (Nicolette Milnes-Walker, who crossed the Atlantic single-handed under sail) presented the awards for gallantry. She said: 'These citations we have had today have, quite frankly, almost put me off sailing. It is enough to scare anyone when you hear of situations which these lifeboat crews go into, but I think it is a great tribute to the seaman- ship and gallantry of the British crews that they manage to get into these situations and out again. 'I have not been on the receiving end but I have been to a number of meetings at which funds have been raised for the lifeboat service, and it has been a great pleasure to be there because everybody concerned with the voluntary raising of funds has been so kind, so charming and so enthusiastic. 'It has been most encouraging to realise how the whole country, not just the seaside, really appreciates what is done by the lifeboat people and that everyone is so enthusiastic about supporting them.'

Those receiving medals for gallantry were: Coxswain George Leith, Lerwick (SILVER MEDAL)

On December 13, 1972, the lifeboat The John Gellatly Hyndman on temporary duty at Lerwick rescued the crew of nine of the trawler Granton Osprey which grounded on Bressay Island in a force 10/11 south westerly gale and a very rough sea. Coxswain Leith had to take the lifeboat, which was constantly being swept by the heavy seas, alongside the trawler twice to rescue the trawler's crew. Coxswain Alfred Pavey, Weymouth in a fresh north westerly wind and a rough Graham Doggart, was honorary secre- (BRONZE MEDAL) sea. Six men were picked up from a tary and treasurer at Selsey from 1944- On February 4, 1972, the Weymouth life-raft and the other five men could 1951, and Mrs Doggart, who has lifeboat Frank Spiller Locke saved the be seen clinging to the trawler's super- organised, among many other things, the yacht Nomis and her injured crewman in structure. Coxswain Leslie brought the lifeboat collection in Selsey and district a south south westerly gale and a very bow of the lifeboat against the transom for more than 30 years, has continued rough sea. The lifeboat found the yacht stern of the trawler and rescued the five during this time to give every effort to nine miles south west by west of Portland men. help the lifeboat service. Bill, and as it was not possible to transfer the injured man, Coxswain Pavey had The Resolution PROFESSOR WILLIAM W. FLEXNER, PHD no alternative but to tow the yacht in Nicolette Mimes-Walker then moved RNLI headquarters, London. very difficult conditions to Weymouth. the following resolution: 'That this Bestowed on Professor Flexner, from meeting, fully recognising the important Princeton University, in recognition of Coxswain Reuben Wood, Aldeburgh services of the RNLI in its national work the very valuable voluntary help which (BRONZE MEDAL) of lifesaving, desires to record its hearty he has given to the lifeboat service in On April 10, 1972, the Aldeburgh appreciation of the gallantry of the the application of computer technology lifeboat The Alfred and Patience Gott- coxswain and crews of the Institution's to the analysis of service records. wald rescued the crew of three of the lifeboats and its deep obligation to the fishing boat Ocean Pride, which was local committees, honorary secretaries MRS J. M. SMELLIE, overdue from a fishing trip in a south and honorary treasurers of all station Great Yarmouth guild committee, 1929- south westerly gale and a very rough sea. branches; to all other voluntary com- 1938; guild president since 1964', and also When found the fishermen were passed mittees and supporters and to the station branch vice-chairman. life-jackets as their boat would have a honorary officers and thousands of Mrs Smellie is an enthusiastic sup- very dangerous passage across two voluntary members of the financial porter of lifeboat affairs in the area shoals to reach the beach. In fact, branches and the ladies' lifeboat guilds and has given many years of out- she was overcome by a large wave and in the work of raising funds to maintain standing service to the RNLI. She is sank as she crossed the inner shoal. The the service'. responsible for having built the guild lifeboat, which was following astern, Mr Robin Knox-Johnston, the well into the exceptional fund raising organi- quickly rescued the three fishermen. known sailor, who is a member of the sation that it is now. Committee of Management, moved the Coxswain Walter Brown, Falmouth vote of thanks, adding: 'We are very Bar to the gold badge (BRONZE MEDAL) honoured that Nicolette could join us MR J. E. ROBERTS, MBE On August 8, 1972, the lifeboat The today when we pay our respects to those honorary secretary and treasurer, Porth- Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) on who risk their lives to save others in the dinllaen station branch, since 1938. temporary duty at Falmouth saved the hazardous coastal waters around Great Mr Roberts has been the very devoted Swedish schooner Mina and her crew of Britain and Ireland. I think we should and reliable station honorary secretary ten in a south westerly gale and a very also like to remember their families who at Porthdinllaen for 35 years and the rough sea. The schooner, having dama- stay behind while they go out and risk Institution owes him a great debt for ged her rudder, was drifting towards their lives.' his invaluable work over so many years. Dodman Point and during the rescue After the annual meeting the lifeboat the lifeboat was ranging some 10 feet medallists were entertained to dinner Gold badges while alongside the casualty. See cover together with their families, at Ye Olde MRS NORMAN CAVELL picture page 2. Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street, London, founder honorary secretary, Goodwin Crew member Douglas Gibbin, Hartle- as guests of the proprietors. They then Sands and Downs Station Guild, since pool (BRONZE MEDAL) saw Lloyd George Knew My Father at 1952. On October 1, 1972, the Hartlepool the Savoy Theatre. After the show they Since the guild's foundation by Mrs ILB rescued a man from a capsized sail- went back stage to meet Andrew Cavell she has been mainly responsible ing dinghy by the breakwater at North Cruickshank, Avice Landon, Jack for its financial success, devoting a Gare in a fresh south easterly wind and Watling and other members of the new considerable amount of time and a choppy sea. The ILB was unable to cast. energy in support of the work of the approach the dinghy immediately because It was reported that since the last lifeboat service. of the very confused sea, and Mr Gibbin annual meeting the Committee of jumped into the sea to support the Management had awarded four MRS R. A. CAVE-ROGERS survivor until he could be rescued. honorary life governorships, one bar honorary secretary, Llandudno station to the gold badge and ten gold badges to guild, 1939-1944 and 1952-1972. Acting Coxswain Malcolm Mackay, honorary workers for long and distin- The Llandudno guild revenue has Islay (BRONZE MEDAL) guished service. The people concerned climbed in the most encouraging manner On December 25, 1972, the lifeboat were: annually, largely due to the unflagging Mable Marion Thompson on temporary efforts and enthusiasm of Mrs Cave- duty at Islay rescued the crew of three Honorary life governors Rogers, despite ill-health. from the coaster Raylight aground off PROVOST DAVID CHAPEL, MBE Tarbet Bay in a southerly gale and a honorary secretary of Arbroath station MR G. C. R. COLLINS very rough sea. Her crew had to take to branch from 1932 to 1972 (except for honorary secretary, Chatham, 1958-1964; their rubber dinghy, which began war years). also honorary secretary, Gillingham drifting dangerously on to the rocks. Mr Chapel's record of service and branch, 1955-56. Acting Coxswain Mackay rescued them help for the RNLI spanning a period of Mr Collins personally undertakes the when they were only some 30 yards from over 40 years is well known in Scotland. organisation of the annual street and the shore. He had to cope with the lifeboat disaster house to house collection, the RNLI at Arbroath and did a great deal at the display at Chatham Navy days, as well Coxswain Jack Leslie, Longhope time of the Broughty Ferry disaster. as carrying out many speaking engage- (BRONZE MEDAL) ments on behalf of the RNLI, towing On February, 10, 1973, the Longhope MRS GRAHAM DOGGART the South East District publicity lifeboat lifeboat The David and Elizabeth King honorary secretary, Selsey guild from at weekends and helping to organise any andE.B. rescued the crew of eleven from 1941-1961, chairman, Selsey station other branch fund raising events. the trawler Ross Tern which went ashore branch since 1964. on Swona Island and was breaking up Mrs Boggart's late husband, Mr continued on page 32

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Scott Bader Company Limited, Wollaston, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NNg yRL Phone Wellingborough 4881 Telex 31387 cantly until membership passes the 20,000 mark. A member writes that we have already spent 9p in postage, having sent her a subsrciption receipt and then subsequently the insignia she had ordered. By July we shall have combined Central the membership office with insignia despatch (the latter being at present carried out by the RNLI Depot at Shoreline Boreham Wood) and we can effect some Appeals savings in this direction. We are very conscious that the more that can be spent on lifeboats and the less on Committee Section administration the better. IDEAS for new fund-raising projects are AT THE TIME of writing we have over Anyway, these are early days yet and constantly under review by the Centra] 12,000 subscribing members and new we are only too pleased to receive Appeals Committee. The Scout enrolments average 12 per working day. brick-bats from members and also, Association is organising a sponsored Already subscriptions are making a from time to time, encouragement. Do cycle ride on behalf of the RNLI in worthwhile addition to the funds re- not hesitate to let us have your views, as October 1974, which will take competi- quired by the RNLI. Our aim is to reach nothing is more depressing than passive tors on a round Britain cycle ride, a membership of 200,000 so we still support. Of course, every reply costs lifeboat station by lifeboat station. Full have some way to go. 2-Jp plus, but in many cases a construc- details will be available later on. We see a number of members' ties tive suggestion soon offsets the cost The very successful 1972 sponsored being worn by visitors to Lifeboat involved—Robert (Bob) Walton, Shore- swim has now topped the £16,000 mark, House, but although over 1,000 car line Membership Secretary. with money still coming in, and it is radiator badges have been sold, we have expected that the final figure for the yet to pass one on the road. So there is River Thames Branch sponsored walk will be around £23,000. still plenty of scope here! This branch was formerly known as Arrangements are in hand for two If you are already a member by the Upper Thames branch. Following fashion shows in 1974, one at Aldeburgh, virtue of belonging to one of our many the amalgamation of National Member- Suffolk, and the other at Ayr in Scotland. branches and guilds then persuade your ship and the YLA the branch has been Also currently being pursued is the husband, wife, son-in-law, etc., to join renamed. At the present time there are Jimmy Savile project to raise money to Shoreline. 96 members, all owning boats on the purchase a lifeboat with the aid of By the autumn we shall have welcomed Thames. The branch season started with selected schools throughout the country. members of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' two parties visiting the Wapping head- Following the successful Tesco Green Society as Associate Members and we quarters of the Thames Division of the Shield Stamp venture in the south of will soon be introducing junior members Metropolitan Police. The rescue service England, stamps are now coming in in the form of groups such as schools, operated by the Police on the River from the northern scheme. At the time clubs, etc. Thames was fully explained. of preparing this note, 924,987 stamps Our aim, of course, is to keep had been received. The aggregate for administration costs as low as possible, north and south could well be three but at the moment this amounts to million stamps. approximately 50p per member during the first year and this will not drop signifi- Full details of the sponsored knit-in have now been distributed, and two at least have already been completed with 1972 Expenditure a satisfactory result both socially and Accounts-at-a-glance financially. For those wishing to contact the secretary or chairman of the Central 4JP To Reserves. Appeals Committee from outside the London area the dialling code is 0689, 24ip Construction of new boats the number being 38209. Inside the London area the dialling is 66 38209. The 46|p Operational costs of running lifeboats lOOp address is 126a High Street, Orpington, Kent. 14p District and Branch expenses (including publicity)

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1—Which is the most (a) northerly; (b) easterly; (c) southerly; and (d) westerly station of the RNLI ? 2— Which was the first sailing lifeboat ? 3—Which were (a) the steepest, and (b) the longest slipways for lifeboats ? 4—Where were the most lifeboats in service at any one time? 5— Which gentlemen might be called 'the three Ps' of early RNLI lifeboat construction ? 6—Which foreign lifeboats were in the United Kingdom during the last war? Quiz 1—Where does the RNLI maintain permanent paid crews ? (Answers page 30)

18 crew of five; the machinery installation, which drives both an AC90 generator When in the mid-1960s the RNLI equipment and navigational aids to con- and a fire and salvage pump. decided to have six fast steel life- form to the Institution's normal The main and auxiliary engines are boats to a 44-foot design developed standards. arranged with electric starting facilities by the United States Coast Guard, The design was undertaken by the and a 24V DC supply from each of two the Lowestoft shipyard was chosen Institution's staff and was model tested separate 260 amp. hour capacity bat- to build them—and two of the six by the British Hovercraft Corporation, teries. went to East Anglian stations, of East Cowes, to confirm the perform- Each main engine is fitted with a 90 the KhamHo Great Yarmouth and ance characteristics. amp alternator with built in diode Gorleston and the Margaret Brooke Marine, of Lowestoft, were rectification. Control equipment is Graham to Harwich. Since their then given the task of developing a transistorised. The auxiliary set is also introduction in 1967, the Gorles- design study in detail. Various options fitted with a 90 amp alternator and by ton and Harwich boats have were explored and after further tank means of a Constavolt unit provides a respectively launched 102 and 79 tests some detail changes were made. 24V DC supply for battery charging. times for 42 and 30 lives. An order for two vessels was placed Electrical services include: lighting with Brooke Marine and the first was throughout the vessel, instrumentation, demonstrated on May 4. circuit protection and warning systems, The hull plating of this prototype ventilation fans, heaters for all working (50-001) is of 3/16-inch Corten steel on spaces, glow plugs on the main engines longitudinal hull plate framing. A for use in cold weather, a windlass and double bottom from the forepeak to windscreen wipers. the after end of the engine room is a Electronic equipment comprises: feature of the design. The lining of the Kelvin Hughes type 17 W Radar, Dccca Suffolk forward accommodation is of plywood Navigation Mk. 21, Kelvin Hughes panels covered with vinyl sheeting and Falkland MF radio telephone, Pye the deck is of aluminium covered with Westminster VHP radio transmitter and non-slip paint. receiver, Ferrograph echo sounder, and firm Watertight transverse bulkheads sub- Easco Intercom five station unit. divide the hull into: forepeak and cable building locker, forward and amidships cabins, V The new 50-foot Thames clans lifeboat faster boats for the engine room, after cabin and tiller flat. The prototype's other technical details The watertight welded aluminium wheel- are: house contains all instruments, controls Length overall 50 feet RNLI and electronic equipment, and the boat Breadth moulded 14 feet 6 inches can be navigated from this position without any member of the crew being Depth moulded 5 feet 5 inches BRITAIN'S lifeboat fleet is at present required in any other part of the vessel. Fuel capacity 400 gallons being re-equipped with new and faster The vessel depends upon the water- Drinking water 10 gallons boats, and the Lowestoft, Suffolk, tight integrity of the superstructure for Load displacement 23.5 tons firm of Brooke Marine Ltd. is playing her self-righting capability. The amid- Load draft aft 4 feet 6 inches an important part in the RNLI's ships cabin contains all the radio development programme. equipment and has a bench seat and Load draft for'd 2 feet On May 4 the first of the new 50-foot table on the port side. The forward Maximum speed 19 knots Thames class lifeboats, now being built cabin is fitted with locker seats and the Range at full speed 198 nautical miles at the yards of Brooke Marine, was after cabin, as well as being fitted with Cruising speed 17 knots shown to the Press during routine locker seats, also includes a curtained-off Range at cruising speed 229 nautical capsizing trials. A series of photographs lavatory. miles. depicting the tests appear overleaf. To meet the manoeveurability re- The design of the Thames class life- quirements twin spade rudders are boat resulted from a decision by the fitted. The twin main engines are Committee of Management of the RNLI General Motors 8V-71, each developing that there was a requirement for a life- 390 shp at 2,300 rpm fitted with Allison boat similar to but larger and faster hydraulically operated reverse reduction than the 44-foot Waveney class. gearboxes giving a reduction of The basic hull requirements were as 2.00 : 1.00. The gearboxes are handed follows: Length overall to be about to give outboard turning propellers. 48 feet 6 inches; a speed of about 18 The engines are fitted with single lever knots; to be a self-righter; radius of engine controls operated from the action of about 100 nautical miles; wheelhouse. draught not to exceed 4 feet 9 inches; a The auxiliary is a Fetter PJ2W diesel

19 The Thames on Trial Stages in the self-righting trials of the 50ft Thames type at Brooke Marine Ltd, Lowestoft, in May and pictures of her at speed off the Suffolk coast

by courtesy of Ford Jenkins and Brooke Marine Ltd

20

• There is a range of Avon yachting • RNLI continues to benefit clothing available (see below). While directly from the sale of Schermuly extremely functional the garments are distress signals. The company is passing still smart, are supple for greater comfort to the RNLI a percentage of all profits and they can be dry cleaned. Light- made from sales of their special yacht weight and medium weight garments packs. The Schermuly waterproof packs, are available and colours are orange and which contain ready-made sets of blue. Features include flexible elasticated distress signals, are available in four New nylon wrist seals designed for maximum sizes, each meeting the requirements of protection and comfort without chafe. various types of craft—from dinghy to The cut of all garments allows freedom ocean-going cruiser. To promote the of movement while still maintaining a scheme every Schermuly yacht pack is Equipment seamanlike appearance. labelled with a facsimile RNLI flag. Last season the RNLI received a cheque • A completely new product line for £700. from the Avon Inflatables Division is a range of lifejackets which made its • Dycem Plastics, of Bristol, produce debut at this year's Boat Show. Three a free-hand tray which not only has a versions of the basic design are available: special handle, but the tray itself is air; air/foam; air/full CO.,. The jackets also coated with a non-slip material. conform to British Standard No. 3595 These features enable a fully laden tray and are manufactured from hard- to be carried up and down stairs, leaving wearing, rot-resistant proofed nylon the other hand completely free. Should, fabric, coloured safety orange to enable however, the carrier trip, tilt or other- the wearer to be spotted easily. Picture wise place the tray in other than the (right) shows the air/foam jacket. perpendicular position the plates or glasses, etc., will grip for far longer than normal gloss trays. Ideal for catering Avon yachting clothing on board ship.

A Avon Inflatables Division lifejacket

PLEASE REMEMBER THE RNLI

Lifeboatmen don't put to sea for pleasure Half the time they're rescuing those who have

2? The Life-savers

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Zodiac, the best inflatable in the world. Zodiac is Number One. Built by the oldest and As a fast yacht tender, ski-boat, sub-aqua boat or best known inflatable manufacturers in the world, an honest-to-goodness runabout, the Zodiac range Zodiac inflatables confirm their pedigree, as soon from 7' 3" to 19 feet provides all the correci as the going gets tough. answers.- Life Saving professionals, explorers in remote UK Concessionaires:— places and the military turn to Zodiac for their University Marine Ltd., Silyerdale Road, HAYES, Middx. needs. In the cut and thrust of racing, Zodiac Tel: 01-573 8311 keep ahead of the rest - particulary in rugged Pleas*1 lease sendsend mtme your juilfull colour bbrochure and price lilt deicribing the latest range of Zodiac inflatable*. conditions. NAME ADDRESS L7 | • Sailing Dinghies of the World, by Percy W. Blandford (Ian Allan, £2.85), is an international pictorial catalogue of many of the world's dinghies. Mr Blandford's researches provide data on over 250 boats. After the preliminary chapters the book is divided into sections, each arranged alphabetically, In the preface the author states: 'It is interesting to note that in many coun- tries, local classes, if they ever existed, are giving way to those popular in REVIEWS countries where sailing is the sport or recreation of thousands. This means that boats popular in such countries as • In Small Boat Navigation (Stanley % Model Shipwright (Conway Mari- the UK, USA and France have a wide Paul, £2.25), Lt-Commander Pat time Press, Greenwich, 75p), a quarterly distribution elsewhere'.—C.R.E. Hepherd covers a great deal of this wide journal of ships and ship models, subject clearly and at times light- reached us early this year and is No. 2 • Those who spend all, or part, of heartedly. To the completely inex- in the very well produced series. their holidays in this country can now perienced reader some of the informa- Articles include 'Building a 17th Century readily discover beforehand the tion imparted may seem rather more Dockyard Model', 'The Introduction of amenities of the part of the coast they Steam into the Royal Navy', 'Labour complex than he anticipated. Indeed, it propose visiting by referring to a new is not unknown for a pupil in a naviga- Saving Devices in Sail', 'Ropes and How handbook called Good Beach Guide. tion class to complain that his instructor to Make Them', 'Flags for the Ship edited by Anthony Smith and Jill is not explaining things properly as the Modeller', 'Working Models of Sailing Southam (Penguin Books, £1.25). Any- subject cannot possibly be as difficult Ships' and so on. Subscription rates one wishing to know if the place they as it appears to be! However, the for this extremely informative quarterly, propose to visit is strong on entertain- enthusiastic beginner will not go far which has hard covers, is £3.50 per ment, has a lifeboat station, good annum for four issues published in wrong if he applies himself diligently camping sites, a Chinese restaurant, September, December, March and June. to this manual, although one or two what the beach is like, and so on, no explanations may not please all longer has to do his own leg work—the • The Story of the Paddle Steamer, experts. A major criticism might be on Good Beach Guide, by text, maps, and the order in which the various subjects by Bernard Dumpleton (Colin Venton, easily understood symbols, will tell him are presented. Anyone proposing to Melksham, Wilts., £3.25), is an account instantly all he wants to know, and of the rise and fall of the paddle-steamer. take charge of a vessel at sea, however much more. Lifeboat enthusiasts will, small, should surely start with the final Apparently the paddle-steamer holds in addition, find a special article on a unique place in the history of maritime chapter, 'The Rule of the Road at lifeboats, together with a lifeboat map. engineering because the engineers of Sea'. A thorough knowledge of these The guide should interest most people, regulations is a prime essential for any the early 19th century, in their experi- and motorists in particular will find it a navigator—a fact which too many ments with steamboats, chose the useful addition to the maps and hotel yachtmen are prone to forget.—E.W.M. paddle-wheel as the form of propulsion. and food guides carried in most cars.— Within 20 years the paddle-steamer was S.E.B. • Not exactly life-boat Collected established but in the jet age proved too Poetry and Verse, 1909-1972, by E. I. slow and uneconomical. Mr Dumpleton, Newgass (The Jameson Press, London, whose book is well illustrated with • So you want to go to Sea? by £1.50), but is worthy of mention here many rare pictures, tells the story of Richard Wiggan (Colin Venton, price because Mr. Newgass, who now lives at the men who built, owned and sailed £3.15) sets out to give the background— West Wellow, Romsey, ran an RNLI them. Alas, by the 1950s, paddle- qualifications needed, training, types of branch at Steyning, Sussex, just after steamers were going to the breakers ships—for those whose ambition it is to the war. In the section entitled 'Boats', in droves and only a few survive today. follow the sea as a career. The book tells which covers the sea, there is a poem in how to go about joining the Royal praise of the RNLI, the fourth verse % Noon Sight Navigation: Simplified Navy, Merchant Navy, the luxury liners, reading: Celstial by Arthur A. Birney (Cornell oil tankers, etc., and also includes Maritime Press, Cambridge, Maryland, brief histories of organisations involved USA, $3) offers an extremely simple, in safety and rescue at sea. This section From John o'Groats to Cullercoats, and accurate and fast method of establishing tells the story of the RNLI and recounts Fa/mouth in the South, one's position at sea. It can be read the service of the Valentia lifeboat to the At many a coastal harbour and at many a easily in an hour and any sailor of Oranmore when Coxswain Dermot river mouth, average competence should be able to Walsh won his silver medal.—A.B. When we hear tell of Gales in operation on the Air, use the method without difficulty once We may be pretty certain that the lifeboat- he has read the 40-odd pages. Major men are there. drawback of the technique, however, is that it can only be used at one time And when the wind is whistling down the during the day—at local apparent noon chimney, and the rain (LAN), when the sun is at its highest. Is spattering like anything against the window- Cornish lifeboat appeal pane, • The winter 1972/1973 edition of And we are sitting pretty while the seas East Coast Digest and Greenwich Times The Cornish Lifeboat Appeal, which destroy and rob, at the RNLI's annual meeting was We can be sure that lifeboatmen are some- (Conway Maritime Press, Greenwich, where on the job. 50p), which is No. 4 in the series, reported to stand at £38,000 at the end continues to maintain a high standard of 1972, is to continue until the end of and this time gives space to two life- September. The sum of £50,000 is boat articles. P. A. Vicary, for example, needed to complete the purchase of two tells the story of the hotel at Sheringham, new lifeboats to be stationed at Norfolk, called 'The Two Life-boats'. Falmouth and Sennen Cove in Cornwall.

24 Backbone of the FishingTrade.

This was one that didn't get away. One of a thousand million. A thousand million of the reasons why every day and night men put out to sea in all weathers to earn their living. A thousand million reasons why lifeboatmen are needed as much as they are. We at Birds Eye would like to voice our appreciation of the lifeboatmen. We are proud of our long association with them. The Bourne End (Bucks) and district The E. Mathews Engineering Sick branch of the RNLI is making good use Club, of Acton, London, has sent the of its village community centre. One RNLI a cheque for £203.16. MrE. W. R. event they organised was a 'Petticoat Mathews, in a covering letter, stated: Lane Market'. A dozen stalls were set The members selected, unanimously, up and stocked with goods 'cajoled your Institution to receive this donation from the committee and their friends'. in recognition of the sacrifices and hard- Tinned food, groceries, cakes, garden ships suffered by the crews and depen- (Some produce, together with bric-a-brac, dants of your voluntary service'. ornamental jewellery, toys, books and stands of good second-hand clothing, all priced and well displayed, attracted The Ruislip Brownie Pack, which has some 400 customers and brought a an interest in the RNLI, last year collec- profit of £200 in an hour and a half. ted £57 for the lifeboat service.

Mr Arthur Pearcy, of Llanbedr, North Wales, visited A merica and left RNLI tea Mr Alastair Barrow, chairman of the towels at United Reading RNLI young enthusiasts, States Coast Guard writes that they are all about bases. Here one of the 15 years old and for the last two years tea towels is being have been trying to raise the £1,000 displayed at the San needed to buy a 15-foot ILB. In this Francisco base. They were purchased by connection a sponsored walk 'through Mr Pearcy from the all the lifeboat stations in the Southern Barinoiith branch of District except one' is planned to start the RNLI. on August 6 from Reading, returning on by courtesy of August 14. In order to raise the balance U.S. Coast Guard they need—by early February they had raised £250 in other ways—they must be The following note was recently In 1969 the Retired Persons' Group sponsored by 5,000 people each giving received from two pupils, Martin and in Mexborough, Yorkshire, decided to 15p. Andrew, at Hambridge County Primary support the RNLI. In their last event School, Langport, Somerset, who had they raised £184, making a total to date Miss V. Knight, of Mary Vale Road. been sent a mechanical lifeboat collecting of £470. They are now working towards Bournville, Birmingham, writes that a box: 'Our Christmas play this year was their fifth annual effort planned for little friend Tracey, aged 11, helped about the RNLI. Andrew (9J) and I October 1973. them with house-to-house collections were in the play. I was Andrew's Dad. leading up to their 1973 lifeboat flag That night a ship went on the sand bank Mrs T. R. Forrester-Addie, of day. Tracey, who is the youngest and the lifeboat went out. Then the Barmouth, who is honorary secretary of member of the Kings Heath and rescuers returned and the shipwrecked the local ladies' lifeboat guild and Moseley ladies' lifeboat guild, suddenly victims came to our home. I was really museum curator, writes: 'The Barmouth said to Miss Knight; 'Oh dear, my supposed to be the coastguard but I ladies' lifeboat guild has found a true hands are frozen. But I don't care if I had to take someone's place. Thank you friend in a retired Dutch sea pilot, Mr get pneumonia in both of them. I'm for the collecting box. We had to take it A. D. van der Maas, of Vlissingen, going to carry on.' apart a few times because the rudder Netherlands. On a visit to Barmouth in part came out of its groove.' The note 1971 with his English-born wife, he was was accompanied by a cheque for £5. told of our RNLI maritime museum by The first Wessex lifeboat ball was his hostess, and asked if he could meet held last year at Sandfield House, Last year members of the Helston the curator. My husband and I, as joint Potterne, Devizes, by permission of and Porthleven branch of the RNLI had secretaries here, and being responsible Mr and Mrs W. Woodward. A special a lifeboat evening organised by Prah for the formation of the museum, committee consisting of members from View Golf Club members and held at entertained him and his wife for the many branches and guilds throughout their club-house. The main event was evening, and during conversation he the Southern District, and chaired by the opening of theircollecting box, which produced a handful of superbly-made Viscount Long of Wraxall, organised they use as a 'swear box'. The box con- nylon cord key rings with "turk's head" the ball, which raised nearly £800 for the tained £34.8. Could this be a record for ends, saying that he had made over £200 lifeboat service. Dancing was to the this type of box? A raffle held during music of Acker Bilk and the band of the the evening raised £28.55, making a total Royal Marines. of £62.63. continued on page 28 THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL FLASHLIGHT

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Automatic Pilot To hold a set course in most conditions Lifeboats depend Repeater Compass on Dagenite For easy reading and optimum siting Batteries Electric Capstan Push-button control of 650 Ibs pull Anchor Windlass 1,600 Ibs pull from 12-220 volt D.C. supply Dinghy Hoists For dinghies, etc., up to 1,500 Ibs lift Indicators For Rudder Angle, So can you. Battery State Dagenite batteries are used extensively by the RNLI; and they don't take any chances. Isn't this the kind of dependability NECO MARINE LTD. you want for your car ? Walton Rd., Eastern Rd., Cosham, Portsmouth, Dagenite dependability starts at only £6.60 Hants. PO61SZ Tel: Cosham (07018) 70988 Going, going, gone This interesting picture sent in by Mr A. S.C. Walker, of Albert Walker & Son, of Redcar, Yorkshire, shows the late Mr Stanley Walker selling the old Redcar lifeboat Fifi and Charles by public auction on Redcar beach on June 27, 1931, the purchaser being Captain J. T. Shaw, of Redcar. She was built by the Thames Ironworks Co. in 1907 and was stationed at Redcar from 1907 to 1931, during which time she was launched 17 times for 41 lives.

continued from page 26 The Sailers' Company, Portland Place, For ten years Mrs A. H. Larking, of London, when told that RNLI records Bedford, has been making attractive showed that they had been helping the leather purses which are sold in aid of for the Seamen's Mission in the Nether- lifeboat service since 1905, said: 'As a the RNLI. Such is the popularity of the lands by making and selling these for matter of interest we have looked up our purses that the revenue from this source 25p each. Needless to say we accepted records too. We find that we started is now well over £600. with thanks, and they were all sold subscribing in 1861 and, although there within a week. Since then he has sent us seem to have been some gaps, we have Captain A. Sowman, hon. secretary, a regular supply, and we have made over been fairly regular in our support since received in March on behalf of the £50 with them during the past two then. Long may it continue,' Clovelly branch of the RNLI a cheque seasons. In January, a large box arrived for £500 from Group Capt I. M. Pedder, containing at least a hundred more key commanding RAF Chivenor. The At a recent coffee morning held in rings (two designs now) together with money was raised as a result of what Wallasey, Cheshire, two sisters attended beautifully made ladies' belts, dog leads, Capt Sowman told Group Capt and as they were leaving, one said to the and a collection of every type of knot Pedder was 'a brilliant inspiration.' other: 'It's a very good cause; shall we to make a display in the museum. Truly Funds came from the sale of Air Day go back and give them a donation ? We such kindness is indeed magnificent, postal covers sent with a Lundy stamp can do without a holiday this year.' and his generosity is such that he refuses and post-marked with the British They returned and wrote two cheques for to accept any payment whatsoever.' Forces Post Office post mark at £50 each for the RNLI. Chivenor. The 11,000 issues commemo- Mr A. Goodman, of Cotehele Avenue, rated the Chivenor rescue unit's 5,000 Price Rock, Plymouth, recently won In May Captain A. D. H. Jay, emergency calls, many of them a £1,000 as a result of a competition DSO, DSC, RN, chairman of the Botting- combined operation. Clovelly lifeboat organised by a spastics society. He has ham and district branch, attended a took the covers to Lundy and they were now given the RNLI £500 of that sum. ceremony at Nottingham University flown back to Chivenor by Fit-Lieut The reason? Well, in World War I his at which he received on behalf of the Ralph Probert, commander of the unit. father was rescued from the sea. RNLI the Institution's share—£250— Copies were sold at 30p or 50p with of the total of £20,200 raised by Notting- Fit-Lieut Probert's signature or that of A Mrs G. D. M. Draper receiidy ham students during their carnival Mr Jim Hunter, Clovelly lifeboat wrote to the RNLI as follows: 'I should week last year. coxswain. like you to have my "extra" £10. My late husband served over 20 years in the Royal Navy, and we spent a large proportion of our lives in sea port towns. I know only too well what today's weather means at sea. May God bless your work.'

Mr H. A. Parks, the headmaster of Crawley Down C.E. Primary School, Crawley Down, Sussex, in sending a cheque for £8.11 to the RNLI, the proceeds of their carol service, writes: 'You have a particularly foul day to thank! We were discussing this little problem in the staff room with rain tipping down on roof and windows, and a puddle 6 inches deep where a storm water drain could not cope, when a wag said: "Send it to the lifeboat". Everyone laughed and someone added: "When you stop and think, it's not really anything to laugh about". So there you are—a day of gales and rain, a staff room wisecrack, and 160 kiddies singing their heads off seem to equal £8.11.' Mr N. H. Avis, of Durrington, near Hastings, who is a member of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society, a year or two ago made a model of the 44-foot steel lifeboat Faithful Forester The Reigate and Redhill branch of the which is stationed at Dover. It has won high praise from modellers and has raised money RNLI, which is one of the most success- for the lifeboat service. The pictures show (left) the full-size version of the Dover lifeboat in her pen with (right) Mr Avis' model. ful in the south east, has raised £3,000 in by courtesy of Les Fuller a 12-month period. 28 PLAYER'S The most popular filter cigarette in Britain

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29 'The Finnish Life-boat Society operates six vessels of the 57-67 foot The Maud Smith award THE cruiser class and 16 vessels of the 37-43 foot type of wood or fibre-glass, five of Coxswain George Leith, of the which have ice-breaking capability. Lerwick, Shetland, lifeboat, who helped In addition the auxiliary lifeboat to rescue the crew of nine of the trawler FINNISH flotilla—at present about 30 vessels— Granton Osprey on December 13, 1972, continues to grow. Finally, air co- is this year's recipient of the £5 'The operation is provided by the Finnish Air Maud Smith Award for courage, in Force. Private flying clubs are also memory of John, Seventh Earl of LIFEBOAT ready and willing to co-operate. Hardwicke'. 'In Rauma a Finnish saying caught my Captain Nigel Dixon, Director and attention. It ran: "Here we know that Secretary, in informing Coxswain Leith SERVICE the sea is our father as well as our of the award, said: 'This award was mother". ... It was equally obvious to introduced just after the last war when THE following impressions of the Finnish me that, just as in our own lifeboat £5 was, of course, worth very much more Life-boat Society obtained on a recent service, the ladies, always there, ready than it is today. I hope you will appre- visit to Finland are contributed by to lend a hand with any job required ciate that it is not so much the monetary Lt-Commander The Hon. Greville of them, were vital to the success of the value of the award which counts, but Howard, VRD, RNR, a vice-president of service.' the reason for which it is made.' the RNLI. He writes: 'After leaving Tampere we visited Rauma, a coastal station, which has a new 40-foot boat of which the local Society is justly proud. She is similar to Dutch and German designs, Lifeboat quiz answers (from page 18) but more like the latter, and she showed herself to be an efficient and easily 1—(a) Aith, Shetlands;(b) Lowestoft, Suffolk; (c) St Helier, Jersey; and (d) Valentia, handled boat, well planned above and Co. Kerry. below decks. The coxswain was an engineer, and in the crew was a telephone 2—The first lifeboat designed to work under sail was the Frances Ann, built at technician. Lowestoft to the design of Lionel Lukin for the Suffolk Humane Society in 1807. 'The Society was set up in 1897 on the She was stationed at Lowestoft until 1850. lines of the Royal National Life-boat Institution and is, like the Institution, 3—(a) At Newquay, Cornwall, the slipway near Towan Head had a maximum gradient a voluntary organisation. They have one of 1 in 2f. (b) Taking a slipway to mean the whole artificial pathway constructed interesting form of contribution. Ship- for a lifeboat from the door of its house to the water, and adding on extra slipways brokers collect a small fee—about £1— sometimes built to facilitate launching at different states of tide, or for rehousing, from ships calling at Finnish ports. I the complicated ways built at St Agnes in the Isles of Stilly appear to qualify for believe there is also some form of lesser this record—they totalled 1,068 feet. contribution from smaller vessels. To 4—If you consider Hartlepool and West Hartlepool as one, the RNLI had five stations me this sounds an idea worth looking there in the period 1875-1894. Two places had four stations—Sunderland between into. 1871-1900, and Gorleston (without Great Yarmouth) between 1897-8 and again 'There are 21 life-boat stations and 1903-4. 33 sub-societies with 7,200 members of the central organisation, to whom they 5—Pellew Plenty, of Newbury, Berkshire, who designed the first lifeboat officially pay their small membership fee. adopted by the Institution; George Palmer, one-time Commander in the East India 'In Finland inland lakes cover a vast Company, whose system for fitting lifeboats was adopted in 1828; and James Peake, area and lifeboat coverage of these is Assistant Master Shipwright at HM Dockyard, Woolwich, who designed a lifeboat increasing every year. Inland, their main including all the best features in all the models submitted for the Northumberland co-operation is with the police, while Prize. This as a prototype for the standard RNLI self-righting lifeboat of which on the coast they work closely with the hundreds were built for service at home and overseas. coastguards. There is in Finland an 6—The French lifeboat Jean Charcot, a 42-foot twin screw boat of the lie Molene Auxiliary Coastguard Service roughly station, which arrived at St Mary's, Isles of Stilly, in June 1941, with refugees. on the same lines as that in the USA. She was lent to the RNLI and stationed at Fowey, Falmouth, Fishguard, Holyhead 'The Society is carrying out an and Beaumaris at various times in her capacity of reserve boat. Returned to France interesting educational project at the in 1945. moment. In co-operation with the The Belgian lifeboat Minister Anseele, a 46-foot modified Watson type motor Finnish Broadcasting Corporation, lifeboat from Ostend station which was found derelict in the Channel by a naval during the summer, the Society provides vessel in September, 1940. She was also used in the RNLI reserve fleet and was a weekly programme to the boating stationed at various times at Donaghadee, Holyhead, Pwllheli and Plymouth. public. They also distribute leaflets to Returned to Belgium in 1946. marinas and at boat shows. The Netherlands lifeboat Zeemanschoop, a steel 41\-foot lifeboat from the 'The Finnish Life-boat Society main- Scheveningen station, came to England with refugees in May 1940. She was used tain shore stations equipped with 27 by the Free Netherlands Navy at Harwich and Holyhead until returned in June 1945. mHz citizen "band" radios. These are The Netherlands lifeboat Joan Hodshon, a wooden 34-foot lifeboat from the placed at pilot and coastguard stations, station at de Cocksdorp, Isle of Texel, came to England with refugees in April Scout centres and in their own stations. 1945, and returned four months later. The pilot and coastguard stations are manned night and day. 1—The station at Spurn Point, at the mouth of the Humber, is so isolated that the 'This first-class service emphasises the crew have to live nearby, occupying houses originally built by Hull Trinity House. importance of private pleasure craft The two 70-foot steel lifeboats, by virtue of their ability to remain at sea for long being fitted with the appropriate R/T periods, are also manned by permanent crews. They are stationed at Clovelly and (in Scandinavia all yachts so fitted Kirkwall. fly or should fly a yellow PDT with the The 70-ft steel lifeboat 70-001, having become the station boat at Clovelly, makes letter R). this station the second where a permanent crew is employed.

30 WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY AT SEA?

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31 Foynes Island, continued from page 16 10 miles downthe Shannon Estuary, MR JOHN GRAY, CBE has a fast run- Belfast branch committee member, 1947; ning title with an average ilepth of and Belfast branch chairman since 1969. 20 feet at most Mr Gray is a businassman in the stages. export field, who gives a most able lead by courtesy of to this successful branch's fund raising, (lie Irish Tourist and in the present unhappy climate of Board Belfast he and his branch continue to raise funds in a 'business as usual' fashion.

MISS A. D. GUY Ashford branch secretary, 1951-57; continued from page 6 of pleasure boating, has been recently Ashford branch honorary treasurer since extensively buoyed to indicate the area 1958. within which cruising should be Miss Guy did much while honorary An earlier operation involving both confined. They are coloured black to secretary to build up this branch com- launches was in I960 when an Alitalia starboard and red to port for an up- mittee and has been its mainstay since DC-7C crashed seconds after take-oft" stream journey and vice-versa for a becoming honorary treasurer in 1958. from Shannon Airport with 52 people downstream one. Similar marks are aboard. It transpired that the aircraft features on the several, multi-arched MRS O. E. LLOYD-JONES failed to gain altitude after lifting off Shannon bridges Llandndno station guild committee mem- the runway, struck a small hillock about So far, practically all the calls for ber, 1944; and Llandudno station guild a mile from the runway end, there being help from these cabin cruisers have been honorary treasurer since 1947. a simultaneous explosion as the fuel from craft which have run aground The activities of the Llandudno guild tanks ruptured. Blazing metal and because of failure to keep to the marked have entailed considerable work for Mrs debris were scattered for about a mile courses. Lloyd-Jones, who has given faithful and around. Twenty-three people survived The provision of inflatable lifeboats, responsible service in her work for 25 the actual crash but some subsequently manned by volunteer crews, is under years. died in hospital. consideration by the Shannon boating firms for two of the largest Shannon LADY PINK N on-tidal sector lakes, i.e. Loughs Ree and Derg, for collector, Portsmouth and Southsea guild The slow but steady increase in these are not considered safe in any since the 20s; and president, Portsmouth pleasure boating on this much longer wind above force 3. Boat hirers are and Southsea guild since 1965. sector had caused an increase in life- given a rough guide as to conditions on Lady Pink, approaching half a saving facilities also. Emerald Star the lakes, one feature making them century of support for the RNLI, Line Ltd. of Dublin, a subsidiary unsafe being 'if the branches of trees remains one of the most active lifeboat company of Guinness, the brewers, set on the shores are being tossed about by honorary workers in Portsmouth and an example in this respect when they the wind'. usually tops the poll on lifeboat day. started a boating centre at Carrick-on- Further and considerable growth in Shannon, Co. Leitrim, a few years ago. pleasure boating on the Shannon is MR E. THOMSON The marina which they helped to envisaged for the future. For its current Whitby station honorary secretary since construct there is probably one of the total of pleasure craft is probably only 1953. best on the entire river as it accom- around the 300 mark, against the 25,000- Mr Thomson has dedicated his life modates a fleet of four, six- and eight- odd on the upper Thames alone. It to the Whitby lifeboat station and when berth cabin cruisers on a finger jetty, has no industrial traffic such as barges or not involved in station work spends his equipped with fuel and water facilities. tugs and no large-scale factory develop- time raising funds. Members of the staff of the marina are ment. Only three Shannonside towns are under orders to wear their life-jackets in the multi-thousand population group MRS M. WILBERFORCE at all times whether they are able to with a few villages in the multi-hundred. Walton and Frinton station ladies' swim or not. These attributes help to make it, section chief organiser since 1950. Ottersports life-jackets are part of the currently, about the only unpolluted Mrs Wilberforce, as principal equipment of each cabin cruiser, adult river in Europe. Life-saving facilities on organiser of the station ladies' section and child size. Instruction on how to the Shannon, therefore, should over the for nearly a quarter century, is the use them is given immediately the years steadily increase. Certainly such leading light in fund raising in this hirers of the craft arrive at the reception an early awareness of the need for active section. office. The uninflated adult life-jackets efficient life-saving facilities on the give a 13i Ib buoyancy and 35 Ib Shannon is a good omen. MRS ANGELA WOOLDR1DGE, MBE inflated. Hirers are told to wear them, (see Profile about her on page 4) uninflated, whenever they are in the boat's wheelhouse or on deck, and inflated whenever any abnormal hazard occurs such as a sudden squall, an engine The awards are made from a gift of failure or a deterioration in visibility. Glister award shared £100 received in 1968 from a donor, Other life-saving aids provided include who wished to remain anonymous, to be two lifebelts per boat; a life-saving invested so that an annual award of quoit; a rescusciade, this being the Mr Patrick Pile and Mr Martin £5 could be made. proprietary name of a small device to Helmer, of Southwold, Suffolk, who assist mouth-to-mouth respiration; a are in the local ILB crew, share the simple first-aid kit; a fire extinguisher; annual award of £5 known as 'The a boarding ladder which can be fitted Ralph Glister Award' for a service they into several positions on the boat; a carried out on February 6, 1972, when packet of distress signals. three men were rescued from a capsized This non-tidal stretch, with the rise dinghy.

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CATERPILLAR Caterpillar, Cat and (B are Trademarks of Caterpillar Tractor Co LIFEBOAT AREA No.1 LIFEBOAT AREA No. 2 Extended Christmas Canoes upset WHEN the lifeboat on duty at Islay, Inner ST ABBS, Berwickshire, lifeboat on Hebrides, Scotland, launched to a September 17, 1972, made a fast coaster at 4.15 a.m. on Christmas Day, getaway when two canoes capsized in 1972, she did not return to her station Coldingham Bay. The wind had been until 8.30 p.m. that evening, over 16 blowing from a northerly direction for hours later. several days and there was a considerable For this service Acting Coxswain swell running on to the beach. Malcolm Mackay (see page 16) was Coxswain James Wilson, realising the awarded the bronze medal for gallantry. urgency of the situation due to the Medal service certificates were presented weather and temperature of the water, to three other members of the crew: immediately ordered the assembly signal Acting Second Coxswain Alister scene and started to take the Raylight to be given. The lifeboat Jane Hay, which Campbell, Acting Motor Mechanic in tow, but this had to be abandoned as is a 37-foot Oakley, was launched at her screw became fouled by the hawser. Archibald Campbell, Acting Assistant 5.15 p.m. in a fresh northerly breeze With the weather continuously de- Mechanic Andrew Swanson, and Crew with a heavy swell. teriorating and darkness imminent, the Members Murdo MacDonald and Coxswain Wilson conned the lifeboat Donald McGillivray. master of the Raylight decided to aban- close inshore in Coldingham Bay despite don ship, and he and the crew of two The lifeboat launched in a force 9 the heavy swell and at 5 p.m. came up boarded a life-raft, from which they gale with very rough seas and poor with two men luckily still clinging to were picked up safely by the lifeboat. visibility to the coaster Raylight, of their capsized canoes. The two men were Although having been out on this Greenock, whose engines had broken rescued. One of whom was in a bad way, rescue all Christmas Day, the crew down. At first the lifeboat intended to and the lifeboat crew applied artificial stand by until a tug arrived, but the could not completely relax as owing respiration. Realising that the condition to weather conditions the lifeboat had tug had to put into shelter because of of both survivors was serious, the the appalling weather conditions. A to be secured at a temporary berth and coxswain asked for a doctor and ambu- they had to muster again on Boxing Day motor fishing vessel also started out lance to meet the lifeboat on her return. to assist but she, too, had to turn back. to put the lifeboat back on her own The lifeboat reached her station at A German vessel then arrived on the moorings. 5.50 p.m. and the survivor who had been artificially revived was transferred to hospital by ambulance. Coxswain Wilson was sent a framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Com- mander F. R. H. Swann, OBE, RNVR, and the remainder of the crew received letters of thanks signed by the Director and Secretary, Captain Nigel Dixon, RN.

LIFEBOAT AREA No. 5 Policeman saves two A MEMBER of the public was responsible for alerting the authorities on July 15, 1972, when two people in a capsized dinghy were reported in the sea off Castle Haven, Niton, Isle of Wight. There was a fresh north east by easterly breeze and a moderate sea with breaking and confused seas in and around St Catherine's Race. Police Con- stable William J. Donovan immediately launched his 14-foot outboard dinghy and came up with the capsized sailingdinghy. He went alongside the casualty and res- cued two men who were in the water. He then attempted to take in tow the capsized dinghy but soon realised the imprudence of this and abandoned the tow. The dinghy was subsequently recovered by another boat and towed to Ventnor. '/ the news that a relative of the Fish family is working on a biography of Coxswain For this action a framed letter of Charles Fish, the famous Ramsgale lifeboat men who is associated with the wreck of the Indian Chief in 1881, comes a picture of David Fish, great grandson. He is showing Wilbury School, thanks signed by the Chairman of the Letchworth, friends Keith Bowles, Paul Miller and Paul Tyler some of Coxswain Fish's RNLI, Commander F. R. H. Swann, medals. Several of the medals won by the Ramsgate hero are no longer in the hands of the OBE, RNVR, was sent to Police Constable family. by courtesy of W. Whistance Donovan.

34 Courage and confidence in LUCAS-CAV Marine. Courage is not enough. Behind every successful rescue there must be a story of reliability - in electrical systems, diesel fuel injection systems and mechanical starters. The heroes here are LUCAS-CAV - the people that design against corrosion, electrolytic action, condensation and the rugged action of rescue at sea.

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35 steering gear was jammed to port, and made fast to a towing bridle in the ILB LIFEBOAT AREA No.10 he wanted the lifeboat to take an and an attempt made to tow the casualty additional tow line on the trawler's ashore. starboard bow to hold the trawler on At 12.14 a.m. the return journey Trawlers aided course asshe passed through the relatively started and slow progress was made until narrow entrance. the ILB cleared the race, when speed was TWO SPANISH trawlers in difficulties two Coxswain Walsh agreed to this and increased. As the survivors were miles north of Skelligs rocks—one had a by 4.30 p.m. a tow rope had been suffering from shock and exposure they rope fouling her propeller and the other secured from the starboard bow of the were wrapped in polythene survival had engine trouble—on November 9, Monte Izankun to the port bow of the blankets. Two of them had lost feeling 1972, led to the Valentia, Co. Kerry, lifeboat. The lifeboat took up station in some of their limbs and Crewman lifeboat being launched. about 100 yards on the beam of the K. Bentley massaged them in an effort The maroons were fired by the shore trawler's bow acting as a 'beam tug'. The to restore circulation. attendant at 8.55 a.m. and the Rowland trawler Mar Muinos in the meantime The casualty, a 12-foot GRP motor Watts, a 52-foot Barnett lifeboat, left continued to tow the Monte Izankun boat with an outboard engine, on her moorings at 9.15 a.m. The wind was from ahead. anchoring in the tideway to fish, had south west force 7 with frequent gusts The lifeboat was placed back on ser- found that her bows were being pulled up to force 9. vice again at 6 p.m. under by the strong tide. The crew cut After Cromwell Point and the shelter A letter of appreciation signed by the the anchor line and the tide carried them afforded by the harbour were cleared, Director and Secretary, Captain Nigel into the race. course was set for the trawlers. The sea Dixon, RN, was sent to Coxswain Before being rescued they had been was very rough and although on the beam Walsh and his crew. thrown on to their beam ends several of the lifeboat, the boat received a severe times and the cabin top carried away. pounding, being constantly enveloped in At one time two of the crew had been sea and spray. At one stage a large sea thrown overboard. striking the front of the wheelhouse LIFEBOAT AREA No. 3 Framed letters of appreciation signed forced the rubbers from the outside of by the Chairman of the Institution, the Kent clear-view screen out of their Commander F. R. H. Swann, QBE, mountings and into the wheelhouse. Rough ride in race RNVR, were sent to the crew of the ILB, Repairs were carried out by the motor Coxswain John King and Mr. Bentley. mechanic immediately A SMALL BOAT was sighted off Flam- Coxswain Dermot Walsh made the borough Head, Yorkshire, on September best progress that he could in the pre- 10, 1972, with engine broken down and vailing conditions but it proved neces- crew waving. This led to the Bridlington sary to reduce speed to prevent excessive ILB being sent as low water on a spring LIFEBOAT AREA No.1 punishment to the lifeboat. tide at Flamborough prevented the life- boat from being launched. At 10.15 a.m. the coxswain estimated Near Flamborough Head, the sea that the trawlers were about three miles Nine from rocks conditions became worse as a northerly ahead, but as visibility was still very poor AS REPORTED on page 15, the silver medal there was some doubt whether or not swell, which was the relic of a northerly gale the preceding day, made itself felt. of the RNLI was awarded to Coxswain he would be able to find the trawlers. Then in the main tidal stream off George Leith, of the Lerwick, Shetland, A request was therefore passed to the Flamborough Head the wind against lifeboat for the part he played in the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre rescue of nine men from the trawler (MRCC) at Shannon via Valentia the three knot spring tide produced a vicious short, steep sea with the waves Granton Osprey in hurricane force radio asking for the assistance of an averaging 10 to 12 feet high with winds on December 13, 1972. aircraft to help to find the trawlers. On the evening of December 13, in As a result of this request a helicopter breaking crests. The Flamborough Race extended from half a mile off-shore to exceptionally bad conditions, two from the Irish Army Corps was des- three miles off-shore and about one mile trawlers, the Granton Falcon and the patched from Dublin, and shortly after- from north to south under the prevailing Granton Osprey, came adrift from the wards an RAF Nimrod from Cornwall conditions. offside of the breakwater at the small took off bound for the area. The position of the casualty at 11.45 boat harbour at Lerwick. Both boats The lifeboat discovered that the two was given as two miles east of Flam- drifted across the harbour and went trawlers were lying about half mile apart. borough Head drifting north. At noon aground on Bressay Island. The Granton At this stage both had warps and other the ILB was sighted from the CG mobile Falcon managed to refloat herself and gear and nets streamed over the side on the head. At this stage speed had to clear the danger area but the Granton to reduce their drift to leeward and also be reduced to about 12 knots because Osprey remained hard aground. to prevent them rolling too heavily. of the sea conditions. Visibility from the At 6.40 p.m. the Lerwick reserve life- One trawler, the Monte Izankun, had ILB was poor in the rough conditions boat was called out under the command a rope wrapped irretrievably around its and the CG mobile directed the ILB of Coxswain Leith. The sea was very single propeller and the second trawler, towards the casualty using the VHF rough, very short and very steep. Wind the Costa da Isolda, had engine trouble. radio link. was force 10-11, gusting 12, and it was Very shortly after the arrival of the As the ILB entered the race, speed had heavily overcast with frequent heavy lifeboat the Costa da Isolda rectified the to be further reduced because of the rain squalls. By 6.58 p.m. the lifeboat fault in her engine and left the scene for severe conditions. At 12.09 p.m. the hove to off the casualty to assess the Valentia harbour. Shortly after 12.30p.m. casualty was sighted from the ILB. Part situation after a short but extremely a third Spanish trawler, the Mar of the cabin top was broken away and unpleasant passage, during which the Muinos, arrived and immediately took the crew of three were huddled in the lifeboat buffeted by heavy water spray the Monte Izankun in tow. While this bottom. The ILB closed the casualty driven by a wind which touched force 12. operation was going on the lifeboat con- and the survivors were quickly trans- The Granton Osprey was by now hard tinued to stand by. ferred to the ILB. aground on the Bressay shoreline mid- At 4 p.m. the skipper of the Monte During this operation a great deal way between Gardie and Maryfield Izankun again contacted the lifeboat of water was shipped by both ILB and piers. Although she had grounded head- and asked if the trawlers could be met casualty. The casualty had a painter on she had now swung to port and was about one mile north west of Cromwell's rigged from forward and during the Point. The skipper reported that his transfer operation this was quickly continued on page 38

36 Since experimental trials in '63 the ILBs have proved so successful that there are now over 100 of them in regular use as well as the 135 conventional lifeboats. Last year, these tough, nearly indestructable craft, were called out 1,291 times; some two or three times a day. For this sort of use as ever, reliability is the key word. That is why with the engines that drive them, Duckhams out- board Two Stroke Oil and Duckhams Dryspark is in regular use giving the performance and protecting the engine. Duckhams Oils, Summit House, West Wickham, KentBR40SJ heading about 160° port side to the shore. and A. Leask received the thanks of the people were seen clinging to the dinghy. The seas were breaking over the trawler Institution inscribed on vellum. On the first run in, the ILB was and at times solid water was breaking prevented from approaching nearer than over the wheelhouse. 25 yards to the dinghy as the sea was very The trawler's skipper requested a line LIFEBOAT AREA No. 7 confused and there was a heavy back- so that the trawler could be towed off. wash. On the second attempt the ILB but this was obviously impracticable in closed with the dinghy but the helmsman the conditions. The skipper then repor- Fire rescue was forced to turn away at the last ted that he was shipping water in the minute because of the seas. WHEN THE Ministry of Defence range As he did so Mr Gibbin, who was engine room and asked that the crew finder m.v. Dolwen was reported on wearing a wet suit under his protective should all be taken off. fire nine miles out on December 8, 1972, To the north and south of the casualty clothing and lifejacket, took a line and the Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, lifeboat jumped into the water, making for the were shoal and rocks. Coxswain Leith was alerted. nearest survivor. Just at that moment was forced to discard his initial inten- At 4.37 p.m. the Howard Marryat, the port engine cut out and the helms- tion of veering down on the trawler and a 46-foot Watson, was launched in a man had to take the ILB into calmer using the breeches buoy because of the gale force southerly wind and a rough sea. need for speed. seas. Mr Gibbin, who by this time had She found the casualty fiercely ablaze reached the survivor, was forced to let from stem to stern. The crew of seven, He decided to take the lifeboat along- go his line to prevent being dragged side and managed to bring his port bow having abandoned ship in an inflatable away. life raft, were taken aboard the lifeboat in contact just forward of the Granton Turning back again on one engine only, Osprey's starboard counter. The weight and brought into Fishguard, with the the third crew member, Mr Ian Holds- inflatable raft and the Dolwen's dinghy of wind and sea forced the lifeboat worth, threw a line to Mr Gibbin, who in tow. bodily further aft and there was serious caught hold, and while still supporting danger of the lifeboat being forced The lifeboat returned to her station at the survivor was dragged back towards 7. p.m. Later a tug went out and towed under the Granton Osprey's counter and the ILB. As Mr Holdsworth managed to the burnt-out hulk of the casualty into on to the rocks. Coxswain Leith drag the survivor aboard, the other managed, however, to disengage by Milford Haven. engine cut out and the ILB was thrown going full astern to clear these dangers. Letters of appreciation for the prompt against the breakwater leaving Mr and efficient response and action by the But three survivors had already been Gibbin still in the water. taken aboard. lifeboat crew were received from the Fortunately Mr Holdsworth managed managers of the Dolwen and from the Once clear the coxswain decided to to get the starboard engine restarted Superintendent of Ranges, Ministry of make another approach, this time from immediately and the ILB turned to pick Defence. the south. Taking the lifeboat in a wide up Mr Gibbin, who had managed to sweep he approached the casualty, swim away from the breakwater. The coming up with her with his starboard second survivor had in the meantime bow amidships. It was only with LIFEBOAT ARE A No. 3 been pulled up on to the breakwater by constant and skilful use of the engines members of the local fire brigade. that the lifeboat was held in this position By this time the survivor aboard although the fury of the wind and sea Took line to survivor the ILB had become unconscious swung the lifeboat alongside the trawler. MR DOUGLAS GiBBiN of the Hartlepool through exposure and exhaustion, and All this time the lifeboat was also being Co. Durham, inshore lifeboat, as the ILB radioed for an ambulance to swept by heavy water: waves were reported on page 16, was awarded the stand by at Hartlepool which was reached breaking over the wheelhouse and bronze medal of the RNLI for the part he at 3.30 p.m. It was later found that a spending themselves right across the played in saving the life of a 16-year-old- rope had fouled the port propeller. casualty. boy from drowning. It was considered that Mr Gibbin Eye-witness reports confirm that at The Hartlepool ILB, one of the new showed considerable courage in going times the lifeboat was 'completely hidden Atlantic 21 class, was launched at into the water and that his action from view by solid water.' Working 1.40 p.m. on October 1, 1972, following undoubtedly saved a life. Mr O'Connor under these conditions was extremely a report that a sailing dinghy was in handled the ILB in a seamanlike manner hazardous, andit took great skill to hold trouble by the breakwater at North Gare. in difficult conditions. By restarting the the lifeboat alongside long enough for The wind was south easterly force 4 to 5 starboard engine at a critical moment the remaining six men to be taken off, with a short choppy sea and a heavy Mr Holdsworth had contributed to the but once this had been achieved the life- south easterly swell. success of the service. boat worked her way clear of the Once the ILB had cleared the harbour, Mr O'Connor and Mr Holdsworth Granton Osprey by 7.09 p.m. and Helmsman Michael O'Connor saw a received the thanks of the Institution returned to her berth by 7.22 p.m. Of group of people gathered on the break- inscribed on vellum. At the same time a the nine survivors, apart from a sprained water. Heading towards them he found a letter of appreciation signed by the ankle, none was the worse for his small capsized sailing dinghy being Director of the Institution was sent to experiences. washed against the breakwater. Two the Chief Fire Officer, Hartlepool. This spell of weather in which violent storms and hurricane conditions were experienced was one of the worst within Lifeboat launches on service during the months living memory. The conditions at the position of the GrantonOspreywereatro- December 1972, January and February, 1973 cious, and seas were even breaking right Appledore, North Devon Beaumaris, Anglesey across the breakwater at the harbour, December 5. December 4 and 26. which is in a much more sheltered Arklow, Co. Wicklow Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland position. Those who witnessed the January 19 and February 25. January 27. rescue had nothing but praise for the Arranmore, Co. Donegal Blackpool, Lancashire skill and courage of Coxswain Leith and December 14, 17 and 21. January 12, 22 and 28. his crew. Ballycotton, Co. Cork Blyth, Northumberland December 4, 5, January 6 and February 10. December 12. Second Coxswain P. Leith, Motor Barra Island, Outer Hebrides Bridlington, Yorkshire Mechanic H. Clark, Assistant Motor December 5, 16 and January 9. December 4, 5 and 17. Mechanic J. Mowat, and Crew Members Barry Dock, Glamorganshire Buckle, Banffshire J. W. T. Smith, I. Fraser, T. Nicholson January 4 and February 3. February 10.

38 Clogher Head, Co. Louth Port Erin, Isle of Man Workington, Cumberland January 29. December 22. January 25. Cloughey-Portavogie, Co. Down Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire Yarmouth, Isle of Wight January 21. December 16, 17 and January 30. December 22 and 25. Clovelly, North Devon Ramsgate, Kent February 10. December 1, 11, 27, January 7 and Donaghadee, Co. Down February 21. December 9. Redcar, Yorkshire ILB launches on service Dover, Kent December 24 and January 4. during the months December 1, 5 and 22. St Davids, Pembrokeshire Dunmore East, Co. Waterford January 11. December, 1972 December 17 and January 4. St Ives, Cornwall Eastbourne, Sussex December 31 and January 27. January and February, January 21 (Twice). St Peter Port, Guernsey Exmouth, Devon December 1, 23, January 23 and February 1973 18. December 2 and February 9. Atlantic College, Glamorganshire Falmouth, Cornwall Salcombe, Devon, January 13, 19 and 26. January 21. December 3 and January 2. Beaumaris, Anglesey Fishguard, Pembrokeshire Selsey, Sussex January 7 and February 24. December 26 and February 4. December 18. Broughty Ferry, Angus Sheerness, Kent Flamborough, Yorkshire January 3 and February 15. December 12, 17 and February 27. December 4 and 10. Sheringham, Norfolk Conway, Caernarvonshire Fleetwood, Lancashire December 24. December 22, January 18, February 1 January 1 and February 3. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex Eastney, Hampshire and 3. January 16. Fowey, Cornwall December 30. Skegness, Lincolnshire Eastney (A508), Hampshire January 9. December 2. Galway Bay, Co. Galway December 2. Southend-on-Sea, Essex Flint, Flintshire December 8, 24, 31, January 12, 14, January 7 and 14. and 17. January 20. Harwich, Essex Girvan, Ayrshire Stornoway, Outer Hebrides December 27. December 11. December 30. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk Stromness, Orkney Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire December 27, January 24 and February February 3. February 23 and 25 (Twice). Largs, Ayrshire 10 (Twice) 19 (Twice). Swanage, Dorset Harwich, Essex December 8 and January 18. December 16. December 16 and January 23. Teesmouth, Yorkshire Littlehampton, Sussex Hastings, Sussex December 31. December 24, January 5 and February 24. December 7 and 17. Tenby, Pembrokeshire Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Holyhead, Anglesey December 27 and February 3. February 10. December 17, 22, February 4 and 26. Thurso, Caithness Lymington, Hampshire Howth, Co. Dublin January 6. December 13, January 20 and 29. December 5, 15 and February 15. Torbay, Devon Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire Humber, Yorkshire December 9. December 25, January 24, 28 and January 6 and 26. Troon, Ayrshire Morecambe, Lancashire February 6. December 9. Islay, Inner Hebrides December 11. December 25. Tynemouth, Northumberland Mudeford, Hampshire February 5, 10, 11 and 28. December 17, 31, January 18 and Kilmore, Co. Wexford February 4. December 2 and 31. Valentia, Co. Kerry February 2. Newquay, Cornwall Kirkwall, Orkney December 14. February 24 (Twice). Walmer, Kent Lerwick, Shetland December 1 and 4. Queensferry, West Lothian January 9. December 1, 11, 13 and January 20. Walton and Frinton, Essex Longhope, Orkney December 30 Sheerness, Kent December 10. December 5, 19 and February 10. Weymouth, Dorset Lowestoft, Suffolk December 12 and February 13. Tynemouth, Northumberland December 9 and January 17 Whitby, Yorkshire January 28, February 6, 10 and 11. Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire December 18 and January 8. West Kirby, Cheshire December 9. Wick, Caithness February 18. Margate, Kent December 11, January 22, 29 and West Mersea, Essex December 14, January 14, 22 and February 10. December 12 and February 8. February 23. Wicklow, Co. Wicklow Weston-super-Mare (A504), Somerset Moelfre, Anglesey February 18. December 3, 9 and February 2. December 27. Montrose, Angus December 5. Cardiff Ship Store Co. Ltd., Ship Stores Division, Britannia Buildings, 126 Bute Mumbles, Glamorganshire Street, Cardiff, CF1 5TZ. January 8. Salcombe Marine, Island Street, Salcombe, Devon. Frank Moore Ltd., Marine Safety Division, William. Street, Northam, Southampton, Hants New Brighton, Cheshire Castlecraft, 58 Holderness Road, Hull, Yorks. January 24. T. Young & Son (Sailmakers) Ltd., Sundial House, Clive Street, North Shields, New Quay, Cardiganshire Northumberland. February 7. Sea-Dog Life Saving Appliances (Scotland) Ltd., 4 Constitution Place, Leith Docks, Padstow, Cornwall Edinburgh 6. December 27, February 22 and 27. Mr William McKenzie, 46 Redmoss Road, Nigg, Aberdeen. Penlee, Cornwall Liferafts & Inflatables Ltd., 14 Bromborough Road, Bebington, Wirral, Cheshire. December 17. P & C Services (The Sailing Scene) 337 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham. Plymouth, Devon Castle & Co., Pier House Annexe, Carr Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk. January 14. Cosalt Ltd., Battery Green, Lowestoft, Suffolk. CLASSIFIED Index to Advertisers ADVERTISEMENTS Birds Eye Foods Ltd • • 25 E. P. Barrus Ltd inside back cover FUND RAISING Brooke Marine Ltd inside front cover Fund raising with 200% PROFIT ON Brookes & Gatehouse Ltd 9 OUTLAY! Send stamp for catalogue of Henry Browne & Son Ltd 27 imprinted ball-pens and 20 other quick- sellers. Provincial Supplies, 1 Gardenfield Champion Sparking Plug Co Ltd ...... 23 Lane, Berkhampstead, Herts. Coastal Radio Ltd 40 Cogswell & Harrison Ltd ...... 27 FETES, BAZAARS — ALL FUND Dagenite Electrical Power Storage ...... 27 RAISERS. Conway Stewart ball pens and Decca Radar Ltd 13 pencils gold die-stamped with your name Duckhams Oils Ltd 37 or slogan (Max. 30 letters) standard postage 25p. PENS £1.95 per gross; PENCILS Embassy Filter outside back cover £2.10 per gross. Reductions for quantity. General Motors Ltd ...... 7 ALSO Extensive range of TOYS—STA- Lucas-CAV Marine Ltd 35 TIONERY — CHRISTMAS CARDS — DOMESTIC STATIONERY and PRE- H. Leverton & Co Ltd 33 SELECTED PARCELS. All at wholesale Manchester Liners ...... 33 prices. Carriage extra. Comprehensive price Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd ...... 9 list from: BAKER ROSS, 2a Handsworth Road, London N17 6DD. Tel: 01-808 6948. Neco Marine Co Ltd 27 William Osborne Ltd 33 Players No 6 ...... 29 FOR SALE Pye Telecommunications ...... 11 Advertising pencils, superb ball pens, combs, brushes, each gold stamped Lifeboat name, RFD-GQ Ltd 31 etc., raise funds, quickly, easily. Bran Tub Scott Bader Ltd 17 Toys: samples from, Northern Novelties, University Marine Ltd ...... 23 Bradford 2 (BD2 3AF). C. P. Witter Ltd 40

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Approved by car manufacturers and issued with fitting instructions. Also shock absorber, -the instant communication and stabiliser and lightweight couplings. precise navigation equipment that takes the rough with the smooth Please save a little for the people who Coastal Radio Limited, Westway, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3BH. save a lot—g;Ve generously to the Telephone: (0245) 65533. R.N.L./. A Marconi Marine Company

C. P. WITTER LTD. CHESTER Tel: 0244-41166

SPECIAL OFFER TO Y.L.A. MEMBERS FOR SCHERMULY PYROTECHNICS This coupon entitles a bona-fide Y.L.A. member to purchase Schermuly Distress Signals (Dinghy Pack, Offshore Pack, Cruiser Pack) at reduced rates (at least 10 per cent) on personal presentation to any one of the dealers listed overleaf. Member's Name .. Address.

Designed and Printed in Great Britain Membership Number. by Ditchling Press Limited, Ditchling, L.B/7/73 Hassocks, Sussex

40 Win the Power Game Unbeatable. The thrill of irresistible power behind you Put there by Johnson with unfailing dependability. Kept there by the Johnson Power Men. The skilled specialists who run the Johnson Power Centres. Hand-picked for their expertise. Dedicated to maintain your Johnson outboard. The loop-charged 50, the 3-cylinder power-houses and the unbeatable V-4s, at peak performance always. Go to The Power Centres for the latest techniques, the hi-performance accessories-and the know-how.

Faster Positive Starting Gear Shin

MagFlash With the Johnson ignition power-assisted Short rigid gives single lever crank shaft gives Exhaust tuning, sure-fire control low profile, pressure-back starts concentrates piston rings give every time power, reduces more power vibration per gallon

uonnson BARRUS To:E. P. BarrusLtd.. Dept. LB7/«J 12-16. Brunei Road. London. W3 7UY outboards Please send me full colour catalogue of Johnson outboards from 2 -135 hp and name and address of my nearest Johnson Power Centre. world leaders Name Address. THE LIFEBOAT SUMMER 1973

EVERY PACKET CARRIES A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING.