Journal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Volume 52 Number 515 The

LifeboaSpring 1991 Bronze medal and Vellum services t Lifeboat Saturdays centenary i On passage in a Mersey Drinking Tea Saves Lives!

BOAT] BOAT TEA

'•« ^ TEA BAGSc

No, this is not a new medical discovery. But it is true, because every time an 80-tea bag packet of Lifeboat Tea is sold, four pence is contributed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. And every time a 125g packet of loose tea is sold, two pence is donated. As for the life-reviving effects of Lifeboat Tea on the drinker, that fact was never in question.

Warnford Tea Unit Bl, Townsend Estate,

7 Portland Close, Houghton Regis, Beds.

Tel: 0582 664440 Fax: 0582 664405

Available in larger Sainsbury's and RNLI shops, please telephone for direct delivery from our factory. The Spring 1991 Lifeboat RNLI News 38 What's happening in and around the Institution Royal National Lifeboat Services 40 Notable launches around the coast

Lifeboat Membership News 46 Institution News for Shoreline and Storm Force members Contents Governors and Life Governors Past and Present 47 Volume 52 From THE LIFEBOAT of 100 years ago, and one of today's lifeboatmen Number 515 On Passage 48 Chairman: Mike Floyd joins a crew taking their new Mersey to her station MICHAEL VERNON Your Letters 51 Director and Secretary: On all aspects of lifeboats and related subjects LT CDR BRIAN MILES RD FNI RNR Ceremonies 52 Naming and dedication ceremonies around the country Editor: MIKE FLOYD Bookshelf 54 Some recent publications reviewed Headquarters: Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Round the Houses 55 Frank Kilroy looks at the roots of RNLI fund raising Telephone Poole (0202) 671133 Telex 41328. London Offices: Mabel's Return 57 Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 202 Tony Purnell talks to David Cowper about his voyages in an ex-lifeboat Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW. Telephone Lifeboat Services 58 071-928 5742 (Enquiries and Fundraising) List of services for August, September and October 1990 071-928 4236 (Public Relations) 071-928 5743 (Central London Awards 61 Committee) to Coxswains, crews and shorehelpers Advertisement Manager: PETER HOLNESS The Fundraisers 62 Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West How some of the RNLI's income is raised Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Telephone Poole (0202) 671133 People and Places 67 Telex 41328 Around and about the RNLI

Next Issue: The Summer issue of THE Subscription: Ayear'ssubscriptionforfour COVER PICTURE LIFEBOAT will appear in July 1991, and news issues costs £5.00, including postage, but by Mike Floyd items should be received by Friday, 24 May those who are entitled to receive THE LIFE- Salcombe's Tyne class lifeboat The 1991. BOAT free of charge will continue to do so. All material submitted for consideration Overseas subscriptions depend on the cost Baltic Exchange II crosses Salcombe with a view to publication should be ad- of postage to the country concerned. Write to bar while on exercise with the new St dressed to The Editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal the RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset Ives' Mersey class. The Mersey was on National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay BH15 1HZ. passage to her station, and the exercise Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. part of the working-up routine. See Photographs intended for return should be 'On Passage', page 48 of this issue. accompanied by a stamped, addressed enve- Printed by the Friary Press, Bridport Road, lope. Dorchester, Dorset

37 EWS EWS

Open Days The Open Days at the RNLI's New members of the Committee of Management Poole Headquarters and Depot, Three new members were co-opted on to the and spirit merchants and is a/so chairman of which were postponed from last Institution's Committee of Management at its the National Development Corporation, year due to building work, have meeting on 22 November 1990, Ron Neil, Ireland's public venture capital companv. He been scheduled for August. Richard Burrows and Eric Freeman. became a member of the Institution's Estab- Both sites, including the new Ron Neil, the BBC's Managing Director of lishment Committee in 1989. building, will be open on Friday Regional Broadcasting has a long association Eric Freeman, who lives in Christchurch, 2 August and Saturday 3 with the RNLI, dating back to his time as a Dorset, wax chairman of'Galbrailhs until August from 1000 to 1800, and television reporter in Aberdeen, where he retiring in 1987 and was a/so director of the arrangements are in hand to covered the Longhope disaster in 1969. Mr Baltic Exchange from 1981 to 1986. He is a make the event even more Neil joined the RNLI's Public Relations member of Llovds a Freeman of the Citv of interesting than in the past. Committee in 1988. London and a Livervman of the Worshipful As usual all aspects of the Richard Burrows of Dublin combines his Company of Shipwrights. He has been a Open Days, including limited chief executive post at Irish Distillers with member of the RNLI Search and Rescue parking, will be free, providing chairmanship of Edward Dillon and Co, wine Committee since 1987. all supporters and their families with the opportunity of an inexpensive day out. Open Days provide an Showtime success Individuals and family groups excellent opportunity for The RNLI's presence at the will not need to make any pre- branches and guilds and lifeboat were signed up, both figures a London International Boat vious arrangements, but larger stations to organise a trip to little down on 1990 but still im- Show in January proved to be organised parties may like to Poole. Why not hire a coach pressive in an uncertain very successful make contact in advance to and bring a large party of economic climate. National Boat Shows donated ensure smooth running. supporters, or come by train to As usual there were several the space and the Institution Poole station, just three minutes presentations to the Institution, was able to present a stand walk from the RNLI buildings? on the pool and on the stand. Newspoint which celebrated the 100th an- STOP PRESS Among these were the Royal niversary of street collections Moving on Subject to operational require- Bank of Scotland, which added and looked forward to the boat Times change, and any or- ments it is. hoped to have a £113.000 to the proceeds of its house modernisation pro- ganisation which offers an Mersey and at least one other Access promotion (and there is gramme - with the dummy efficient service must move All-weather lifeboat on show. an application form inserted in with them. In the latest two boathouse split into two to rep- An Atlantic 21 capsize/righting this journal for those who do issues of the journal alone we resent 1891 and 1991. display is planned and the train- not already have an 'affinity' have reported the opening of More than £57.000 was ing centre will be open for the Access card), Barclaycard with new lifeboat stations, the ex- banked during the ten days, and tension of the RNLI's cover- first time. a further £50,000 from its age to 50 miles from the coast, although souvenirs .sales were Profiles scheme, and the Bingo the development of two new The indefatigable Chelsea Pensioners slightly down on 1990 the Association with a splendid fast lifeboats and the introduc- collected a staggering £12,000 at the collecting boxes brought in London Boat Show. From left to right: £237,541. tion of Inshore lifeboats at Robert Moy, Bert Spurdin, George almost double the previous The RNLI also made use of additional stations. Now, as Woolf, Dave Law and Doug Young. year's total - no less than the occasion to make its own the last of the traditional life- Behind them are John Race (left) £ 15,291.07. Of this a staggering boats near the end of their and John Ovans (right) from the presentations. A large crowd £12,000 was collected by the service lives we are looking Teesmouth station during their 'watch' watched PR committee still further into the future. at the show. Peter Holness (centre) the five indefatigable Chelsea Pen- chairman and well-known RNLI's Corporate Fund Raising Man- sioners. There may be those who ager was celebrating his last boat show broadcaster Raymond Baxter regret the pace of change and with the RNLI, he retires this year after In addition 903 new members present the Institution's Public who regret the passing of so attending 21 London shows. and 110 Storm Force members Relations Awards to four much history. But, while the Institution is very conscious of people or organisations which its traditions it must always be have helped the RNLI: Border even more aware of its future, TV for a half-hour documentary and be ready to offer the serv- on the RNLI, Volvo for their ice required today and in the sponsorship of the RNLI's latest future. It is a sobering thought film. Beckett Newspapers for that even now our firm plans their support of the Shoreham take us well into the next cen- tury - and our thoughts extend Lifeboat Apppeal and Ken still further. Griffin who provided a five- Society changes and tech- minute promotional video for nology marches on. But while the Institution at no cost. some cherished aspects of the Champagne de Courcy RNLI may disappear, its spirit chipped-in with bottles of Mary and its effectiveness will al- Rose champagne to add to these ways remain. awards and on other occasions.

38 xNEWs NEWS FAB progress The hull and deck assembly of the prototype 14m Fast Afloat Boat (FAB 4) was lifted into William Osborne's yard at Lit- tlehampton, Sussex, on 1 Febru- ary for Fitting out. The prototype lifeboat should be launched in late 1991 and begin trials at the end of the year or early in 1992. The 17m Fast Afloat Boat (FAB 3) protoype is now well advanced and was due to be launched as this issue went to press in early March. Trials should begin in April. FAB 3 should be a striking and impressive lifeboat, for quite apart from her 17m length (over 55tt) her superstructure has been painted in high- The hull and deck assembly of the prototype FAB 4 is hoisted into William Osborne's yard at Littlehampton for fitting out. visibility yellow. The Institution is using this colour as a trial, tional blue not being applied to Shoreworks campaign both tor its effectiveness at sea the hull until the class has been Volvo Concessionaires 'the Institution is delighted that and also to distinguish lifeboats extensively mulled and announced an ambitions fund Volvo has decided to continue from a proliferation of blue- accepted as a production raising scheme during the their support activities, which hull, orange-upperwork work lifeboat. London Boat Show in January, have proved so successful in the and safety boats. We hope to be able to publish aimed at providing £Im to help past. If the lifeboat sen-ice is to As with all prototype a photo-feature on the FAB 3 the Institution 's modernisation continue to operate efficiently it lifeboats FAB 3 will have a prototype in the next issue of scheme for lifeboat houses. will he essential for us to have grey hull initially, the tradi- THE LIFEBOAT. The RNLI intends to have fast this kind of support from lifeboats, with a speed of at industry.' least 15 knots, at all stations by 1993 and this will mean the rebuilding or adaptation of a number of boat houses - mun\ AGM Guest of built in the Victorian era - to Honour announced accommodate the new lifeboats. As well as more spacious The guest of honour at the accommodation and better Institution's 1991 annual protection against the elements presentation of awards will the new structures will provide be His Royal Highness The improved facilities for the Duke of Kent, President of crews, launchers and shore- the RNLI. helpers. Among additional The ceremony takes facilities to be provided I in place on Tuesday 14 May Taking a shine to lifeboats... some cases for the first time) at the Festival Hall will be changing and drving The immaculate appearance of glistening in a new coat of London, starting at 1430. rooms, crew meeting rooms, lifeboats is no accident, and paint applied at Marine and where The Duke of Kent mechanic's workshops, fuel reflects the pride of a lifeboat Port Services at Pembroke will present bravery stores, toilets, display areas and station in its boat. Dock. awards to lifeboatmen and souvenir shops. However that glossy finish John Smith, seen with his other awards to long-serv- During the last few years of on the hull has to be put there handiwork, used to be a ing voluntary workers. the extremely succesful in the first place, and this is brush-and-roller man, but The presentation is pre- partnership between the RNLI another instance of the latest now sprays coat after coat ceded by the Institution's and Volvo some £1.25m has technology putting a shine on until the boat gleams. Annual (ieneral Meeting been raised, helping to fund two even the older lifeboats. 'Near enough is not good for the (Governors, held in new All-weather lifeboats. The relief Oakley Fairlight enough,' he says, 'it doesn't the nearby Queen Eliza- Ian Venlham, the RNLI's is seen here between stints at go out of our workshop until beth Hall and starting at head offundraising and St Ives and New Quay its immaculate.' 1130. marketing, said at the launch:

39 £ B 0 OAT SERVICES Lifeboat 0, Services

DIFFICULT CONDITIONS OVER BAR Crew member leaps Aberystwyth aboard casualty from West Division would encounter difficulties in the danger- C class inflatable ous conditions on the bar. Another member of the lifeboat crew, Helmsman Peter Heading and Crew Member Robert Gor- Robert Gorman, agreed to use his own 32ft man of Aberystwyth lifeboat station have been awarded the fast fishing boat Seren-v-Mor, to stand by RNLI's Bronze medal for Gallantry following the rescue of and offer assistance. Four men volunteered a lone yachtsman in September last year, a rescue which to act as crew: Sandro James (a lifeboat helmsman), Brian Slack (a lifeboat crew involved towing the man's 18ft boat across the bar to safety man), Bryan Pugh-Jones (a former lifeboat in very dangerous conditions. crew man) and DLA Alan Blair (a former Lifeboat crew member Michael Harris has 'with the yacht tending lifeboat senior helmsman and RNLI bronze been accorded the Thanks of the Institution medal holder). inscribed on Vellum for his part in the to broach in a following The fishing boat put to sea at 1745 and service. while crossing the bar, was hit by a 9ft wave, Lifeboat crew members David Davies and sea, crew member Mike which fortunately caused no damage. With Martin Porter, and Alan Blair, Brian Slack, Harris fashioned a the wind now SW Force 6 to 7 and with 6ft Bryan Pugh-Jones and Sandro James, all to 8ft seas Seren-y-Mor arrived at the casu- members of the crew of a fishing boat which drogue from a alty at 1755. On hearing of the conditions also played a major part in the rescue, have Calor Gas cylinder' encountered crossing the bar. Helmsman received framed letters of thanks signed by Heading decided to pass the tow to the fish- the RNLI Chairman. The wind was SW Force 5, with 5ft to 6ft ing boat, which proved to be an extremely George Rawlinson. deputy inspector of seas running outside the shelter of the har- difficult task due to the violent motion. The lifeboats for the western division, paid trib- bour. The flow from the two rivers which three craft were manoeuvred to lie in the ute in his official report to the crews' 'skills enter the sea at Aberystwyth was causing same wave trough and with expert seaman- in seamanship, communication and boat hazardous 'wind-over-tide' conditions on ship, communication and boathandling. the handling and the way in which they coped the bar following some heavy rain, but Helms- tow line was successfully passed across tc with a dangerous situation in a calm and man Heading took the 17ft 6in inflatable Seren-y-Mor. well-disciplined manner'. skilfully through the seas to arrive alongside Steering difficult Wind-over-Cide the casualty at 1710. Once there he discov- With the yacht tending to broach in the The incident began at 1655 on 18 Septem- ered that the yacht's engine had failed and, following seas Mike Harris found steering ber 1990 when Milford Haven coastguard although she was still sailing, the man aboard difficult, so he fashioned an effective drogue informed the station's deputy launching was tired, cold and concerned. from a Calor Gas cylinder. Despite the suc- authority that the 18ft yacht Otter, with one Helmsman Heading decided that the best cess of the impromptu drogue great care wa; man aboard, was in difficulties some three- course of action would be to tow the casualty still required to strike a balance betweer quarters of a mile north-west of Castle Point. back to harbour and so he brought the life- avoiding a broach and breaking the tiller. The crew's pagers were activated and. at boat against the yacht's starboard side, avoid- Approaching the bar the towline was 1705, the station's C class lifeboat was ing lines trailing in the water, and Crew shortened, but a particularly large wave launched with Peter Heading at the helm. Member Mike Harris leapt aboard with a picked up the yacht and bore her down on the towline. When safely aboard Mike stern of Seren-y-Mor. Mike Harris read tin Harris took charge of the yacht and situation well and steered the yacht clear, bu made fast the line, lowered the the same wave broke over the after-deck ol sails and stood by the helm. The the fishing boat, knocking Bryan Pugh-Jone; weather was worsening and DLA off his feet but fortunately not into the sea. Alan Blair became concerned that Using all his concentration and skil the lifeboat, with the yacht in tow, Richard Gorman brought Seren-y-Mor anc her tow safely across the bar and all thre( The kind of conditions in which Aberystwyth's C class lifeboat craft entered harbour without mishap. operates - and this is a relatively The lifeboat was refuelled and ready for quiet day. service again at 1900.

40 F E BO A T S E R V I C E S . . . L I F E B 0 A T S E R V I C •J FISHING COBLE AND YACHT IN DIFFICULTIES Very much Six saved from two an Inshore separate vessels in Lifeboat... West Kirby's D class inflatable took the term Inshore Lifeboat literally on hurricane-force 14January 1991, when the crew took her 14 miles by road and through the Mersey Tunnel to rescue a boy and his conditions dog from a park lake in Liverpool. 13-year-old Fred Allen and his dog The rescue of four fishermen and two yachtsmen, in separate incidents and Buster has fallen through ice on the in hurricane force winds, has earned Second Coxswain Rodney Burge of lake, said to be up to 50ft deep, during Amble lifeboat station the Thanks of the RNLI inscribed on Vellum. the cold spell which swept the country. In his official report on the service Tom Nutman, inspector of lifeboats for Although they had struggled ashore the eastern division, said that: 'Second Coxswain Burge showed great on an island, police and firemen could seamanship and awareness in handling his craft in appalling conditions'. not reach them as the temperature It was at 1633 on Saturday 6 October 1990, plunged to -4°C. that Amble lifeboat station honorary secre- The police contacted the tary Malcolm St Pritchard heard from Tyne coastguard, who contacted West Tees Coastguard that the fishing coble Treas- Kirby' s hon sec, who set off the pagers ure was in difficulties three miles north east to initiate one of the station's more of the station. An immediate launch was au- unusual services. thorised and by 1640 the 44ft Waveney class At 2045, with police escort and lifeboat Thomas James King, which was on blue lights flashing, the lifeboat started relief duty at Amble, slipped her moorings her 'passage' to the middle of Liver- and put to sea on service under the command pool - where it took eight lifeboat- of Second Coxswain Rodney Burge. men to lift the D class over the park Hurricane Force railings. With two of the crew using Once clear of the harbour, the lifeboat their 'wellies' over the bow as ice- headed at full speed towards the anticipated breakers the inflatable finally reached position of the casualty, with the wind WNW the lad and his dog and ten minutes later had handed them over to the Storm Force 10, gusting to Hurricane Force Amble - East Division 11 and heavy overcast with rain squalls. The police and ambulance crews. lifeboat pitched heavily in the steep breaking Although taken to hospital suffer- ing from hypothermia Fred was later seas, almost lifting out of the water on occa- However while she was returning Amble allowed home, and with the lifeboat sion, and visibility was badly affected. An Coastguard reported that the 25ft yacht Fair safely back on station at 2148 hon sec RAF Sea King helicopter had also been Beagle was anchored just north of the pier Bob Jones told a newspaper: 'This called to the casualty and hovered over the and Second Coxswain Burge agreed to check was an unusual call, we're not called coble as a marker, but as the lifeboat ap- on her condition. Speaking by radio to the an inshore lifeboat for nothing!' proached the the helicopter was diverted to skipper it was learned that there were doubts another incident. whether the anchor would hold and whether The casualty, an open boat with no shelter, the engine would cope if the anchor did drag. was pitching violently and the four crew The best course of action was to tow the were trying to bail out water with buckets. A yacht into the safety of Amble and so Second particularly heavy swell sheered the coble Coxswain Burge brought the lifeboat in violently towards the lifeboat, striking her towards the yacht, stern first and in only 6ft on the starboard quarter. The coble's engine to 8ft of water. The force of the wind was stopped and Second Coxswain Burge imme- heeling the yacht over, but despite the diffi- diately cleared the casualty, circled and then cult conditions a towline was successfully approached along the starboard side. passed. All four of Treasure's crew immediately The two craft and six survivors were then scrambled aboard the lifeboat while lifeboat brought safely into harbour and the lifeboat crew member James Henderson boarded the was moored, refuelled and ready for service coble to see whether she could be towed to again by 1820. harbour. Damage to strakes and stem showed Mechanic Gordon Easton and crew mem- this to be impossible so at 1730, with crew bers James Henderson, John Connell Jnr, member Henderson back aboard the life- John Sim and Gary Little were awarded Fred and Buster, safe after their ordeal on the boat, course was set for Amble Harbour with Vellum Service Certificates for their part in frozen lake behind them. (Photo Mercury Press) the survivors. the service.

41 F E BO A T SERVICES LIFEBOAT SERVICE

pointed 6 miles from the SIX APPROACHES TO STRICKEN YACHT Smiths Knoll light vessel. A little over an hour-and- a-half later, at 0110 on 20 August, the lifeboat reached Lifeboatman put aboard the yacht to find her under sail and making 5 knots through the water, but pitch- yacht in gale force winds ing and rolling heavily in seas up to 10ft high. The wind was now after skipper is taken ill WNW gale Force 8, with rough, short seas and a heavy northerly swell. It was heavily The night-time rescue of two people aboard a yacht in gale force winds has overcast with rain squalls and moderate earned Richard Hawkins, Coxswain/Mechanic of the Great Yarmouth and visibility due to rain and spray. A helicopter Gorleston lifeboat, the Thanks of the RNLI inscribed on Vellum. In his from RAF Coltishall arrived at the scene but official report of the service Tom Nutman, inspector of lifeboats for the east could not close with the yacht in the poor conditions, preferring instead to lift the skip- division, paid tribute to Coxswain Mechanic Hawkins' 'exemplary manner, per from the lifeboat. great awareness and considerable handling skills.' The Coxswain made two attempts at The rescue began at 2328 on Sunday 19 coming alongside the yacht which were August 1990, when Neal Duffield, the hon- thwarted by the yawing and veering of the orary secretary of Great Yarmouth and casualty, forcing him to move the lifeboat Gorleston lifeboat station, heard from Yar- clear each time. On the third attempt, Sec- mouth Coastguard that the skipper of the ond Coxswain David Mason managed to yacht Southern Cross was suffering severe leap aboard the yacht to assess the situation. chest pains and that the only other crew He found the 22-stone skipper weak and member aboard was too inexperienced to unsteady, and decided that he would have to cope. The rig support vessel Promoter was be transferred to the lifeboat amidships rather already heading for the scene and Mr Duf- than from the bow. It took four attempts field agreed to an immediate launch of the before the lifeboat was in a position to re- lifeboat, the 44ft Waveney class lifeboat ceive the skipper, but at the vital moment his Khami, which slipped her moorings at 2335 legs gave way and the lifeboat had to be and proceeded on service with Coxswain/ moved away once more. On the sixth ap- Mechanic Richard Hawkins at the helm. proach the survivor jumped and was hauled Great Yarmouth Once dear of the harbour the hfeboat set aboard by the lifeboat crew. course for the Cross Sands Buoy in a west- The second coxswain took control of the and Gorleston erly Force 7 and a sea which was increasing yacht and set a course for Great Yarmouth in height. Using the lifeboat's VHP direc- while the helicopter was recalled to evacuate East Division tion finder, the yacht's position was pin- the survivor to hospital. Conditions were such that it took five attempts before a winch- man and stretcher could be landed on the lifeboat's deck and the yacht's skipper Baby alerts lifeboat - twice! winched aboard the helicopter. This was finally achieved at 0150. Most people have their first taste of a mother Gillian Having transferred the casualty to the lifeboat a little later in life than tiny needed an urgent helicopter the lifeboat set off in pursuit of the Francesa Richey, who found herself operation, so once Oban' yacht and the Second Coxswain, catching up aboard Oban's Brede Nottinghamshire again the lifeboat with them at 0217 and passing a tow line. A when only a few hours old - having was called... long and slow journey was completed with- already put her on alert once before! She launched out incident and the two vessels entered Francesca's appearance had not been again at 0700 into Great Yarmouth Harbour safely at 0515, expected for another week when it be- a southerly Force after nearly six hours at sea, and the lifeboat was re-fueled and ready for service once came obvious that she was in a hurry to 7 wind, with a Oban' get into the world at her parents' home doctor and mid- more at 0555. on the Isle of Mull. wife aboard, and Scotland South For their part in the service, Second Cox- Oban lifeboat was put on alert to less than an hour- Division swain David Mason was awarded a framed transfer mother and baby to hospital on and-a-half later letter of thanks signed by the Chairman of the mainland, and launched at 0302 on was back to hand the RNLI and crew members Michael Brown, 14 October 1990. But it was not to be - mother and baby over to an ambulance Patrick Lee, Brian Baldwin and David Grief just one minute into the passage to the for transfer to hospital. have been awarded VeJJum Service Certifi- island the lifeboat was recalled with Gillian andFrancesca were reported to cates. the message 'Baby is not for waiting'! be doing well, and were due to return Richard Hawkins has already been Francesca was born at 0530, but home later in the week. awarded the RNLI's Bronze medal for Gal- lantry (in 1979) and three Vellums, in 1975,1982 and 1986.

42 LIFEBOAT SERVICES LIFEBOAT S E R V!

FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR CREW OF FISHING VESSEL CAPSIZED OFF SHETLAND I^HHBBMHHBBM^^HHHHM^lHMIH^^^HI^^^H

Lerwick Eight-hour service for Lerwick's Arun in appalling conditions

Lerwick's Arun class lifeboat Soldian spent nearly eight hours at sea in hurricane-force winds and huge seas on 12 December 1990 in what proved to be a tragically fruitless search for the six crew of a large fishing vessel. Lerwick The weather and sea conditions experienced on this service were the worst experienced by Coxswain Hewitt Clark, and both he and the crew later Scotland North Division expressed their great confidence in the Arun, never doubting her abilities in the appalling conditions experienced up to 40 miles off Shetland.

Lerwick's Arun class lifeboat Soldian pictured attempting to tow the empty liferaft from the fishing vessel The honorary secretary had been monitor- Premier. The wind at the time was Force 11 and the sea state the worst ever experienced by the lifeboat's coxswain. The photograph was taken from helicopter Resue 117, also involved in the long search . ing a VHP radio message from Shetland coastguard after a ships distress beacon had begun transmitting, and twenty minutes later, at 0825, he was paged by the coastguard. A rescue helicopter despatched to the scene had spotted an upturned vessel and Soldian was asked to launch - which she did at 0840. The reported position was some 40 miles just south of east of the station, the wind N, Force 11 and the sea state at the casualty '9', the highest category and indicating seas higher than 45ft. Soldian was able to make 15 knots despite the weather to arrive at the casualty at 1115, to find her capsized with no sign of survi- vors. As a wave lifted the hull the crew could make out her name, Premier. Liferaft The rescue helicopter, which had led the Arun to the casualty as visibility was poor in the huge seas, reported a drifting liferaft about 5 miles downwind and Soldian moved off to check it. Thirty minutes later, at 1145 the lifeboat came alongside the raft only to discover it was empty. It was too dangerous Two lifeboats from Moelfre to take it aboard so an attempt was made to tow it. This failed and the raft was cut free to save fishing boat and crew allow the lifeboat to return to the upturned hull. A service by Moelfre's two lifeboats has led assessing the situation requested the serv- A lifebelt was recovered some 45 minutes to framed letters of appreciation signed by ices of the all-weather lifeboat. The casualty later but there were still no signs of survivors the chairman of the RNLI for Helmsman asked to be towed off the rocks, so a messen- and at 1310 the crew could only report that Rodney Pace and crew member Anthony ger line was taken from With Integrity and the casualty had sunk. Barclay of the D class inshore lifeboat. the lifeboat veered stern-first towards Steel With darkness gathering in these high At0630on22July 1990 the station learned Venture. Although a large wave struck the latitudes it was decided to release the life- that the fishing vessel Steel Venture was lifeboat, driving her into Steel Venture, crew boat and allow her to return to Lerwick while aground on rocks just north of Benllech, and member Anthony Barclay successfully a Nimrod and helicopters searched down- the D class, with Helmsman Rodney Pace passed the messenger line and Helmsman wind in the failing light. The search was and Anthony Barclay aboard, was launched Pace moved away from the casualty to estab- called off at 1500. into breaking waves and a Force 5 wind. lish a tow with With Integrity . Soldian battled back to station, arriving Reaching the casualty some 20 minutes She was able to pull Steel Venture clear of safely at 1555. later the lifeboat crew found the fishing the rocks and towards the Menai Straits, Tragically no trace was found of the six vessel With Integrity standing by and after escorted by the all-weather lifeboat. members of Premier's crew.

43 F E BO A T SERVICES LIFEBOAT SERVICES Five lifeboats in long search for lost fishermen Newcastle, Co. Down's, Oakley class lifeboat Jane Hay and Portaferry's Atlantic 21 Blue Peter V took part in long searches for the two crewmen from a fishing boat Silver Quest which disapeared on 7 September 1990. Other lifeboats from Kilkeel, Clogher Head and Port St Mary also took part in the search, as did seven fishing vessel, two helicopters and a Nimrod aircraft. The Newcastle lifeboat searched for more 'fuel and meals were ferried than 25 hours over a two-day period, with Newcastle food and fuel being ferried out in fishing out to the Newcastle lifeboat and Portaferry vessels to extend the lifeboat's duration. and Portaferry's crews were Ireland Division The Oakley first launched at 2145 having changed regularly' been informed by Belfast coastguard that Silver Quest was overdue after attending to 1400 on 8 September, the fishing vessel three days later local fishermen organised a creels in Dundrum Bay. Valcon having ferried out fuel and meals search for the second. As the sea was rough At 2235 the Portaferry Atlantic 21 life- prepared by helpers ashore to the Newcastle they requested the Newcastle lifeboat's as- boat Blue Peter V launched to join the search lifeboat and the Portaferry Atlantic having sistance and for more than nine hours the and, with no accurate position to work from, changed crews every two to three hours. search was resumed, although nothing was a large-scale air and sea search was insti- By the time the lifeboats returned to their found. On this second occassion the crew gated. Coxswain Morgan acted as 'on-scene stations the Newcastle boat had been search- and helpers did not even claim the small commander' and co-ordinated the search ing for more than 16 hours and the Portaferry allowance usually paid to them by the RNLI. from the Newcastle lifeboat until an Irish Atlantic had been at sea for more than 16 The Institution's chief of operations has naval vessel joined the search at 0300 the fol- hours. written to both the stations in appreciation of lowing day and assumed the role. On 14 September the body of one of the their long hours at sea and the efforts of all The search was eventually called off at crew of the fishing boat was recovered and concerned.

NO DAMAGE TO TYNE CLASS AFTER WIND AND TIDE TEAR HER FROM MOORING The irresistible force A salutory reminder of the forces generated by the elements was given at Lytham St Annes in Janu- ary, when hurricane-force winds battered the north west. On the night of 5-6 January 1991 westerly storms reached Force 11 and drove the tide to levels far above the predicted heights. Frank Kilroy, honorary secretary at Lytham St Annes takes up the tale: 'At 0845 on Sunday 6 January I was telephoned by crew member David Morrison who informed me that the lifeboat had gone - whereabouts unknown! Before I could or- ganise a search party the police rang to tell me that a local farmer at Freckleton had a large blue and orange boat at the bottom of his garden. Was it anything to do with me?' The relief Tyne class Mariner's Friend was found sitting high and dry in the marshes, com- pletely undamaged and with part of her mooring still hanging over her bow. The force of the wind, combined with an exceptionally high tide, had The Relief Tyne class lifeboat Mariner's Friend about to be hauled along a newly-dug channel by a tug. parted the mooring at a forged link. The link is Storms tore the lifeboat from her mooring, but she sufferred no damage. (Photo Evening Gazette) tested to eight tons, which gives a considerable safety margin, and the breaking strain is some With cover being provided by another relief cated on the next spring tides on 18 January. twice the tested load. Somehow the mooring had lifeboat, brought from Dumbarton through near- She was towed to Preston Dock, hauled out and been subjected to a load of more than 15 tons! gale and a blizzard, on the reserve mooring a after a thorough inspection found to be com- The following day the Tyne class William salvage company was employed to retrieve pletely undamaged by her adventures and sojourn Street from nearby Fleetwood attempted a tow, Mariner's Friend from her perch in the marsh. in the grass. but despite a tide predicted to be higher than the An amphibious digger was used to form a Mariner's Friend was returned to her new one on which she grounded the storms had abated channel, a barge employed to lay anchors and, mooring the following day and placed on service and the lifeboat did not even float. with a final pull from a tug, the Tyne was extri- again.

44 LIFEBOAT SERVICES . LIFEBOAT S E R V

Seven seamen safely ashore

Two incidents on opposite sides of the English Channel during January resulted in seven seamen being landed from leaking commercial vessels. Safely ashore - one. The four crew from the coaster Manias are pictured (right) being landed from the St Peter Port (CI) Arun class lifeboat Sir William Arnold on 7 January. The lifeboat spent over four hours in squally weather and 15ft seas bringing the men ashore after their Limassol-registered vessel had begun to take in water. The coaster was towed to Cherbourg by a French tug.

Safely ashore - two. Three weeks after the St Peter Port incident the 60ft fishing vessel Avalon II was in collision with a large tanker on 28 January, sinking while the Torbay lifeboat was on her way to the scene. Her three crew took to a liferaft and were taken aboard the Arun class Edward Bridges (Civil Service No.37), and are pictured (left) landing at Brixham, where the MFV had been based. Although all three men had been able to step into the liferaft without getting wet two of them appeared to be in a state of shock and were taken to hospital. (Photo Torquay Herald Express)

YACHT WITH INJURED SKIPPER CLOSE TO SHOAL Lifeboatmen transferred to Belgian yacht in gale and heavy seas A joint service by Southwold's Atlantic 21 class lifeboat Quiver and ^j Lowestoft's Tyne Spirit of Lowestoft has won two lifeboatmen framed letters of thanks from the Institution's chairman. and Lowestoft The Atlantic 21 was the first lifeboat to launch, following a report that a East Division yacht had 'capsized', leaving her station at 1458. Although nothing was found a helicopter which had been scrambled at the same time 'Great skill was required to ally's quarter. Conditions were now very located the 34ft Belgian yacht Haura in bring the lifeboat close rough, with particularly heavy seas off the distress close to the Newcombe Sand off South Newcombe Buoy lifting the Atlantic Kessingland. The skipper had been injured enough for a crew member to within 10°of the vertical, and the yacht and his wife was at the helm, close hauled to jump aboard' being laid over onto her beam ends as they under reefed mains'l. entered the main channel to Lowestoft. The Atlantic made full speed towards the At this point Spirit of Lowestoft arrived on Both lifeboats entered Lowestoft with the casualty in a wind which was now Force 7 the scene, having launched just over 10 casualty at 1725. from the south and in rough seas. minutes before at 1603, and the Atlantic then In addition to the two letters from the By the time she reached the casualty the transferred Second Coxswain Shane Cole- chairman the director of the RNLI has also wind had increased to full gale, with seas man to the yacht to assist crew member written to Coxswain John Catchpole of that had reached 6ft to 8ft, and great skill was Gladwell. Lowestoft in appreciation of the skill he needed to bring the lifeboat close enough for With the yacht's sails stowed warps were displayed in assessing the situation and es- crew member Marcus Gladwell to jump streamed aft and the Tyne took up the tow tablishing a tow in difficult conditions be- aboard. while the Atlantic 21 stood-by off the casu- fore the yacht struck the sand.

45 o e r s in i p Governors -Shoreline -Storm Force

the time to move forward along lines which we should even now Moving with the Times be discussing? The Institution's membership scheme continues to flourish, with The basic subscription is an obvious starting point. It has been a total of almost 177,000 members at the end of 1990 giving an fixed at £6 for some years now, and merely taking inflation into increase of more than 15% on the figure for the end of 1989. account we should at least be examining it. Breaking the figures down shows that single annual members But, to increase subscriptions across the board may well not be account for more than 106,000 of the total, joint members for the whole answer. There are dedicated supporters to whom the £6 another 40,000 and Governors and Life Governors accounting for subscription is a financial sacrifice, and others to whom it is but a some 30,000. drop in the ocean. Should this be reflected in the membership The total income from subscriptions during the twelve month structure? period amounted to more than £ 1.7m, a very impressive contribu- tion to the Institution's income. But, just as income from the Exerting Influence membership scheme grows so too does the cost of the lifeboat Equally we have some 30,000 Governors or Life Governors, service. each entitled to attend and speak at the Annual General Meeting In order to carry out tasks in the very worst of conditions and to and to exert influence on the way in which the Institution conducts safeguard the volunteers who crew them the key factors in lifeboat itself. This is a powerful and influential position and there could design and construction are quality and efficiency, neither of be a case for reflecting this in the financial contribution which the which can be compromised. Inevitably, excellence is not cheap. Governors make to the organisation over which they have sway. Modern lifeboats are sophisticated, and when the new 17m Fast One line of thought leads to a more stratified approach to the Afloat Boat (codenamed FAB 3) enters service in a few years time membership scheme and another point of view is to have a very the cost of each boat is likely to be more than £lm. few basic minimum rates, and then encourage members to give at Perhaps, therefore, it is time to consider how the membership levels appropriate to their means. Members' views on these ap- scheme can grow and evolve alongside the changing face of the proaches would be appreciated. lifeboats and the lifeboat service which it supports. Could this be So, let us fly some kites, and hope that members respond with ideas and suggestions. A selection can be included in the letters page of the journal in future issues to fuel discussion. What if the £6 membership fee was retained, as a base level for pensioners or those not at work who wish to show their support for Train to be the lifeboat service but who are genuinely unable to contribute more? To this could be added another category, perhaps with a named minimum subscription of, let us say, £20, Those more closely involved with the sea, boat owners or yacht club members per- after haps, might feel that £30 is such a tiny percentage of the cost of Storm running their boats each year that it could become their minimum contribution. Force! The Journal One could also reflect the level of membership in the benefits received. Although this journal is extremely cost-effective and costs far less to produce than might be supposed would members object to being asked for an additional £5 a year to receive it? The big news for Storm Force members at the moment is the Frankly, £5 for four issues of the journal would more than cover naming of one of British Rail's new InterCity 125 trains 'Storm the direct costs and would leave membership fees as a clear Force' - and the chance for one Storm Force member actually contribution to the lifeboat service. to name the train at Poole station. 170 members will be able to We have already remarked on the considerable influence which travel on its inaugural run from Poole (or other stations en can be exerted by Governors and Life Governors, so perhaps there route) to a Storm Force Rally at the Birmingham National is a case for recognising this with a substantial increase in the Exhibition Centre and then return to their station on the same minimum donation required. One has to accept that this might train. deny some supporters the opportunity to become Governors, but The InterCity 125 will be named at Poole station on Saturday looked at in the harsh light of the real world the current £200, a 27 April and 85 Storm Force members, each accompanied by once-only payment for Life Governorship, would not buy a large an adult, will board it for the trip to Birmingham International voting share in a respected commercial organisation with a £44m - stopping twelve times en route to pick up more members and turnover, and £20 per year is a comparatively small sum for annual their adult companions. Governorship. Should we consider moving Governor rates to, say, As only 170 members can travel on the train applications £50 for annual Governorship, and bringing Life Governorship were invited in the latest issue of Storm Force News and the into line with the provisions of Gift Aid by setting it at £600, thus names of the 338 people who applied were put into a hat. enabling the Institution to reclaim tax and receive £800 gross? The winner, who will name the train, and the others with The membership scheme has to move with the times, and as it is places on it will have been drawn from the hat and notified by your scheme, it is your views which should be canvassed. The let- the time this issue of THE LIFEBOAT is published. ters page in the journal awaits your comments.

46 PAST•AND•PRESENT

100 years ago Today's Lifeboatmen

From the pages of THE LIFEBOAT Coxswain Fred Walkington of Bridlington joined the crew in 1965 and was appointed coxswain in 1975. He was February 1891 also a member of the station's inshore lifeboat crew from 1982 to 1990. CIVIL SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND Fred was awarded a bronze medal in 1979 in recogni- At the annual meeting of the committee of this fund, held tion of the courage, leadership and initiative he displayed on the 16th January last, and presided over by Mr. when the lifeboat was launched on 15 February to the Charles G. Turner, Controller General of the Inland assistance of the West German cargo vessel Sunnan- Revenue, Mr Charles Dibdin, the honorary secretary, nai/which had broken down eight miles NE of Flambor- reported that during the past year the fund had contrib- ough Head. Weather conditions were very severe, with uted to the National Institution the sum of £800 to a violent NE storm, extremely poor visibility in heavy complete the purchase and endowment funds of the life- snow, sub-zero temperatures and a very heavy sea. boat Ciuif Service No.6... (Editor's note - The Civil Service has continued as a strong Fred has been awarded three Thanks of the Institution supporter of the RNLI, this issue contains an account of a on Vellum. On 4/5 February 1969 he was among crew passage in the latest Civil Service lifeboat The Princess members awarded a vellum for standing by the motor Royal (Civil Service No.41), tuhich cost some £450,000! vessel Maria F and rescuing the female cook. The vessel was dragging onto a lee shore off Bridlington ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND NEW LIFEBOATS Harbour in a SE gale and very rough sea. The coxswain ATHERFIELD, ISLE OF WIGHT. - It having been considered at the time, John King, was awarded a bronze medal for that a Life-boat placed at Atherfield, on the south-west the service. shore of the Isle of Wight, would be the means of The second was on 13 September 1970 for a service affording material assistance to vessels which are not to the cabin cruiser Tiger Moth II when he jumped from unfrequently driven on to the ledges of rocks off that the lifeboat onto the cruiser to secure a tow line. dangerous part of the coast, the Royal National Life- boat Institution decided last year to form a Life-boat The third vellum was awarded in 1980 when the lifeboat Station there. rescued three crew of a fishing coble Three Fevers II, Accordingly a corrugated boat-house has been erected which sank off the Canch sandbank, and assisted other on the top of the cliff - here about 76 feet high - to the cobles into harbour in a strong NE gale and very rough face of which a series of flat skids or sleepers have been sea on 31 January. securely fastened; over these the Life-boat is lowered by Fred is married with two sons - Craig joined the crew ropes, the incline being 1 in 3, and the distance to the in 1989 and is now in the Royal Navy, his younger beach about 240 feet. brother Grant enrolled this year. Fred's hobbies are pho- When returning to the boat-house the Lifeboat is tography and local history. hauled up by means of a powerful winch...... The slipway was found to work perfectly, while not the least difficulty was experienced in hauling the boat up the steep incline and placing it in the house. A launch Facts and Figures can be effected in about a quarter of an hour; and altogether this lifeboat station is likely to prove a very Provisional statistics as at 29 January 1991 show that during efficient one. 1990; (Editor's note - Despite the confidence expressed in The RNLI's lifeboats were launched 4,733 times (an average hauling a lifeboat up and down a 76ft cliff, the station had of more than 12 launches a day) a relatively short life. It was closed in 1915 due to More than 1,534 lives were saved (an average of nearly 4 people rescued each day) 'launching difficulties'.) Nearly 7 per cent of all services carried out by lifeboats were in winds of Force 8 and above Swanage will soon be re- Almost 56 per cent of all services were to pleasure craft ceiving a new Mersey class There are 266 lifeboats on station, with some 120 additional boats in the relief fleet lifeboat. 120,980 lives have been saved since the RNLI was founded in One hundred years ago 1824. this charming engraving, from THE LIFEBOAT of 1891, Costs accompanied the report of The cost of running the RNLI in 1990 was £37m. the naming ceremony of the The approximate current cost of building a lifeboat is: second boat to be placed 16ft D class inflatable - £9,500 there - the 37ft pulling and 21ft Atlantic rigid inflatable - £45,000 sailing lifeboat William Erie. 12m Mersey £455,000

47 Mike Floyd continues his look at the training of today's lifeboatmen and joins a new Mersey class There was an air of anticipation, excitement even, when the engine note of our lifeboat on passage Mersey class lifeboat changed from a gentle burble to a harder, more insistent tone. The low, shrill whistle from the turbochargers overlaid the powerful from Poole to her throb of the engines as The Princess Royal's bow lifted and she accelerated new station to her 17-knot operational speed. There is always a tingle in the air when starting any passage, but as the ferry across the entrance to Poole Harbour faded astern in the last glimmers of an October Friday there was a very special feeling aboard this lifeboat. Now at last, after a week spent ashore in the and distinctive profile on the glowing radar RNLI's training centre and exercising in and screen. around Poole Bay, this was the beginning of We move around the boat, taking turns to the real thing - the St Ives' crew were on the push buttons on the magic box which converts way home with their new lifeboat. the Decca transmissions into navigational info She was becoming more their lifeboat with and to peer at the colour screen of the day- every mile that slipped by, the crew beginning light-viewing radar. Here we plot the course to fall into that special relationship which and speed of other ships, turn the display comes with confidence and familiarity with around to show 'north up' and then put it back the boat, and with others in —^m _^_^^^^ to show 'ship's head' up. the crew. Friendly banter and The week of tuition is com- harmless insults began to fly 'She was ing to life in our hands. as the team settled down. Almost too soon we are They had learned much becoming more slipping into Weymouth on about the boat, and become a warm, quiet October night familiar with her capabili- their lifeboat and securing alongside the ties and personality, during a with every mile station's Arun. week of tuition, exercises and I'm soon aware of the simulated emergencies at that slipped camaraderie which thrives Poole, and although only a by...' in the lifeboat service. The Above. Homeward bound... Coxswain Eric Ward eases the real-life 'shout' in bad honorary secretary, cox- Mersey under Poole bridge for the last time. weather would cement the ^^^•^"•^^ swain/mechanic and others Below. Another little surprise. Mechanic Tommy Cocking changes the engine inlet strainer after Dl John Unwin relationship the next four day s at sea would be from the crew are there to take our lines, decides that it is 'blocked' during a towing exercise. a good start. despite the lateness of the hour, and before John Unwin, Divisional Inspector of Life- many minutes have passed the fuel line is run boats for the South West, is in charge for the out and Princess Royal has been refueled. passage and District Engineer Barry Wag- Golden rule of passage-making number one, staff is also aboard to help the St Ives' Me- refuel the boat whenever there is an opportu- chanic Tommy Cocking keep an eye on those nity, has been observed. Now it's time to two big Caterpillar diesels. The rest of the apply the second golden rule: refuel the crew crew are the same as for the week of training with the same frequency. - Coxswain Eric Ward and crew members If the harbourside chippie is surprised by an Tommy Bassett, Charlie Hodson and Alan order for eleven enormous meals late on a Woods. winter's night the staff doesn't show it, and The object of this passage is to continue the much too soon we troop back along the de- training and to familiarise all of us with the serted quayside and the diesels rumble into lifeboat at sea, as well as taking her to the life again. Rule three, get some kip whenever station. This is not going to be just a flat-out there's half a chance, will have to wait as John blast of a delivery trip, so has decided that we should spend most of this Below. Chartwork in the early hours of Saturday morning, roughly half-way between our first stop is just around night at sea as our mandatory night passage. Portland and Brixham. Practice is bringing our theory to life as Dl John Unwin (left) and crew member Tommy Bassett check our position and course to steer. the corner, a passage of Our next hop takes us round Portland Bill, about 30 miles to Wey- with its often vicious 'race', and out across mouth. We navigate from Lyme Bay to Brixham. Taking it in turns at Decca waypoint to Decca various tasks around the boat the time flies by waypoint around the bulk and the 50-odd miles disappear in our slightly of St Aldhelm' s Head and phosphorescent wake. There's time for a few its tidal race, and then contemplative moments at the upper steering move on into Weymouth position, watching the wake hiss by, feeling Bay. The chalk cliffs of the surge of the boat and listening to the the Dorset coast are in- comforting throb of the engines. Red glows in visible in the darkness to the dark give away the presence of others who starboard and the rocky are 'off-watch' and have come on deck to bulk of Portland is ahead, have a 'puff and savour being at sea on such visible only from its lights a beautiful night. It's cold, and you're tired and hungry - but the boat comes first. Crew members from Salcombe lend a willing hand as Charlie Hodson observes rule of passage-making number Princess Royal takes fuel soon after first light on a grey and chilly morning in Salcombe. after her overnight passage from three, grab some sleep when you can, as The Princess Poole via Weymouth and Brixham. Royal makes 17 knots in a seaway.

The Princess Royal hurries along beneath The next day is disjointed. Going to bed at us. The sea is as calm as Lyme Bay can ever 1000, waking in time for lunch at the Sal- be, with just a long swell running under the al- The crew grows used combe crew's local, taking a short stroll and most glassy surface to give the boat life and then dozing again sees us through to the induce a long, easy pitching motion. The crew to her motion, the way evening. Then it's back to the local for a good grow used to her motion, the way she behaves she behaves at speed meal and jar or two. Or three perhaps. The talk at speed and reflect on other, very different, is of lifeboats. Other lifeboat people join us, weather conditions which they have experi- and reflect on other, and we talk about lifeboat stations, lifeboat enced, and will be experiencing again - and I coxswains, our new Mersey, Salcombe's still- note that it's never as smooth as this when I very different, weather new Tyne - the RNLI family atmosphere is sail across in a small boat... conditions...9 very evident. Berry Head guards the entrance to Brixham 'Whateverhappened to, er, Saturday wasn't and its distinctive shape is picked up by the it?' someone says as we make our weary, and radar at a distance. It soon looms large on the the crew - wrapped up against the chill of a late, way back up the hill and the Salcombe screen on the shorter ranges — the landfall is winter dawn and ready to look after us during lads melt into the darkness of their own town. spot-on, as well it should be after our stints our stay. The alarm is raucous, but serves its purpose. with Decca, radar, charts and pencil - and Rule number one is applied at the nearby The tired brain staggers reluctantly into life soon the powerful searchlight is rigged so that fuel barge and soon we are tumbling into a and I stumble into action, knowing that today we can see to ease our way through the moor- tiny quayside cafe for the biggest breakfast is scheduled for an exercise with Salcombe's ings and into a vacant berth in the marina. we can decently order. The cafe has opened its Tyne. It's about 0300, but there waiting for us on doors as we approach, and I have a strong Conditions are only moderate as we head the pontoon is the mechanic of the Torbay suspicion that our arrival time was carefully out over Salcombe's infamous bar, but the lifeboat... Rule one can wait till Salcombe, arranged to coincide with this happy event. Or ebb running over it kicks up enough sea for us our next stop, where there's a convenient fuel perhaps the proprietor recognised the shuf- to try out the Mersey in steep head seas and barge and rule two is hardly relevant so soon fling gait of ravenous lifeboatmen, we need breaking following ones. Part of the exercise after its last observance, but the coffee in the never know. is to pass a line to the Tyne and tow her for a boathouse is very welcome. More members of Salcombe lifeboat crew short distance, a task performed with skill and Rule three however is embraced whole- join us as we apply rule two with a vengeance no hitches, bar the starboard water inlet strainer heartedly, and soon the crew room resounds and pack away eggs, bacon and beans in large blockage which was a nice 1 ittle touch thought to some serious snoring. Sleeping on the floor quantities. up by DI John Unwin to keep the mechanic on in damp oilskins, surrounded by men who Rule three of passage-making can now be his toes. could snore for England and who periodically applied properly, and as our baggage has The mythical blockage removed we head kick a pile of magazines off a bench on to your already been whisked magically away by car back and plot a little mischief. We persuade legs may not sound idyllic, but everything is to a convenient little hotel we toil up the short, Coxswain Frank Smith that my pictures of his relative and the chance of a rest is more than steep slope to join it and switch off like Tyne being towed are part of a feature on welcome. lights... disabled lifeboats and will be splashed all We don't need an alarm and just before 0600 on a very chilly morning the tea urn is A Sunday exercise during the passage involves the Mersey taking Salcombe's Tyne class. The Baltic Exchange II. in tow coaxed into life and then we grope our way along a dark, cold and damp pontoon to fire up those diesels again for another short hop of around 25 miles. More Decca waypoints and more radar work and we soon find ourselves groping our way over Salcombe Bar in poor visibility and just before first light. We're thankful for the elec- tronic aids which pinpoint our position and the practice which has made their operation almost second nature. The engine note rumbles back at us from the high ground around the still-sleeping estuary as daylight creeps in to sweep away the night. The pale light reveals figures on the pontoon - Salcombe lifeboat's coxswain Frank Smith and other members of ity as souvenirs are laid out for sale and refreshments made ready. No-one knows how many people will come to see the arrival, but everyone seems to know about it. Even the over the front cover of The Lifeboat. Such is Unlike the older types of lifeboat the Mersey waitress in a small cafe had quizzed us about a lifeboat station's pride that he's not at all has kept us bone-dry for more than 50 miles in it the previous night... keen on his lifeboat being the disabled one, indifferent weather, and the crew are threat- The station's Oakley is launched to escort and buys us all a pint when we admit to the ening to buy the coxswain a pair of carpet the new lifeboat home in traditional style and wind-up. A nice ploy which is worth remem- slippers. We give The Lizard a reasonable the crowds begin to gather. By 1200 there is bering... berth to starboard and as we shape a course for precious little space left with a view of the bay The evening is a replay of the previous one, Newlyn the seas come further astern. Eventu- and harbour and when The Princess Royal except that our numbers are swelled by half of ally we're almost running before them and I makes her spectacular arrival around the District Engineer Barry Wagstaff s family, surface for some fresh air on the aft deck. headland, escorted by a helicopter and chased who have come from a Christening still in Charlie joins me and as we chat whoever is at by the Oakley, there is a spontaneous cheer. their finery, and a rousing performance by the the helm picks up a nice sea. The engine note Before The Princess Royal comes alongside local rugby club's choir which seems to have changes and The Princess Royal starts to surf for the first time the West Pier outside the become part of our group. The lifeboat 'fam- merrily down it while we enjoy the sensation lifeboat station is a solid mass of humanity. ily' seems not only to encompass those di- of speed and controlled power. Then she takes The rest of the day flies by. The crew are rectly involved but to take in almost everyone a slight sheer to starboard, one of the stan- mobbed by the local press, we talk to every- in a 'lifeboat town' like Salcombe. chion bases dips into the sea and a jet of water one in the town who is interested in lifeboats, It's a shame to leave, but early next morning streams aft like a fire-hose. It hits Charlie fair and then eat some of the delicious titbits we're at sea again surging westward towards and square and he deflects a good part of it prepared by the local ladies. But the day is far The Lizard in a freshening breeze and a stead- onto me - dry for 50-odd miles and now we' re from over - when the celebrations are fin- ily building sea. More navigational practice, soaking wet within sight of our destination! ished the Mersey has to be recovered and then more experience of the boat in a seaway, and Newlyn, with its busy fishing atmosphere launched again to double-check that all is well more experience with the VHP radio when a may not be the most picturesque of Cornish with the launching carriage, which has been naval vessel wants us to alter course to avoid harbours, but it's a welcome sight to our crew. brought down by road, assembled and trundled a firing exercise. Although still about 30 miles by sea from St through the streets of the town. Off The Lizard there's an interesting sea Ives it is only some 10 miles by road across the A sequence of events dictates the timing. running and we begin to appreciate the sea- narrow Cornish peninsula and is very much The Princess Royal's arrival was timed for kindly hull form of the Mersey. Even at speed home territory. high water so that she could enter the harbour she doesn't slam, in this size of sea at least, but It's our first port in Cornwall and wives, and lie alongside to meet her public. Although she's certainly lively. We climb sea after sea, families and cars are waiting nearby. We fuel the lifeboat can be launched at any time recov- lifting gracefully up its face, feeling weight- up again, rule one, and are whisked back ery is tricky near high water, so we must wait less for a split second as we crest it in a scatter across to St Ives for some food, rule two, and for the tide to fall. Before the Mersey can be of spray and she begins to fall, and then then make our way down to the pub run by one recovered the Oakley must be brought ashore bracing against the higher G force as she of the crew. Rule three is postponed for a and housed, and this is the process which drops into the trough. Once or twice we en- while, the crew is home, the boat is nearly begins at 1900 in pitch darkness and a steady counter a'big one'. The climb is faster, but the home and there's some celebrating to do... drizzle. give-away is the long, long drop on the other With the Oakley safely put to bed the Mersey side. Still she doesn't slam, but it's best to H©nn© at last,,,,,, can then be recovered, and being the first time hold on tight and have your knees bent when It's chilly in the small hotel the next morning for the shorehelpers it is undertaken cau- she does finally reach the bottom of the but it's a great day nonetheless. Today at tiously and particularly carefully. Once safely trough... around 1200 The Princess Royal will make a ashore it is time to practice the launching pro- Spray splatters across the windscreen in a triumphant entry into her home port for the cedure... it's even darker now and the drizzle continual stream as The Princess Royal slices first time and there's already an air of expec- is a little more penetrating. off the crests and shoulders them aside and the tancy. The Princess Royal is trundled seaward in wipers and washers are busy adding their This is a very special day for the crew, so I pursuit of the retreating tide and just outside hypnotic rhythm to the pulsing roar of the decide to stay ashore and meet them on their the harbour walls we find enough water to engines and the sounds of the sea outside. In arrival. I take them back to the boat in the launch her into the darkness. the wheelhouse we brace ourselves against District Engineer's car, which has been deliv- All that remains now is to recover her again... the constant movement and grow accustomed ered by a plan so complicated that I don't The tide has retreated still further and we are to the noise, the faint smell of diesel fuel, pretend to understand it, and then go back to some hundreds of yards outside the harbour lubricating oil and the other indefinable and St Ives where the excitement can already be mouth and in total darkness when the Mersey' s unique aromas of a boat at sea. felt. The boathouse is already a hive of activ- navigation lights come in to view and she beaches in the small surf. Now we just have to It's late, it's dark and it's raining, but the Oakley is ashore and The Princess Royal is on her carriage for the first time. So all we have to do now is launch her again and then retrieve her before we go home to bed... drag her clear of the water, winch all 17 tons of her on to the carriage, collect all the equip- ment, trundle her back inside the harbour walls, across the sandy harbour bed and up to the top of the slipway. The job is over, except of course for tidying up, washing down and stowing away... It is a tired but contented gathering that squelches back to the boathouse just before midnight, and it's obvious that they are all proud and pleased with their new station lifeboat. Of course she isn't quite their station life- boat yet. There's a few more days of trials, practice and training before John Unwin offi- cially hands her over to the station and the faithful Oakley finally steams away to the north for a stint of relief work, leaving her modern successor in sole charge at St Ives.

50 IT IT The casualty's view of a rescue Credit where it's Ryde's Ark ... and thanks to the crew due! In 1909 a Miss Emily Having read the discussion 'Men behind the I recently travelled Madelina Du Pre, the medals' in the Autumn issue of The Lifeboat, I to London by rail and daughter of Caledon wanted to comment on some of the points as seen wanted to pay by George Du Pre of through the eyes of a 'casualty'. I also wanted cheque. I handed the Wilton Park, Bucking- a chance to thank the crews who came out on the cheque and my cheque hamshire, had a beau- night of 9 November 1990 to tow my friend's card over to the tiful Italian style yacht, with detached rudder, off the silt near booking clerk, but was villa built in Ryde, Selsey Bill. embarrassed when I Isle of Wight. Although it was fairly calm at the time, the realised that the fare On an adjoining piece swell was lifting us off the bottom and crashing was £56 and my cheque of land she had sev- us back down with some force. In view of this card is only surety eral outbuildings and the forecast, southerly Force 4 or 5, it for £50! 'Have you erected, including a seemed sensible to seek assistance sooner rather any other means of large one 42ft long than later. Because Selsey's Tyne class life- identification, by 19ft wide. It had boat was unable to reach us, the D class inflat- madam?' he enquired. doors 14ft wide which able was called to bring us a tow line. I don't drive and opened onto the street Although Peter Race states that lifeboat crews seemed to have nothing and it is said that never lecture, it was with some embarrassment useful with me when, this building con- that we awaited the opening comment of the life- in my purse, I found tained a fully- boat crew as they approached with instructions. my RNLI membership equipped lifeboat. 'Good evening' said a voice cheerfully out of card. The clerk took One version of the the dark. I half expected him to continue 'are it away and returned, local story is that you waiting for a lifeboat?' in the way one beaming, to "hand me my Miss Due Pre was might expect a taxi driver to phrase a question ticket. eccentric and wanted to a group of people waiting outside a restau- The RNLI card was people to be trained rant in the rain. obviously very credit- in lifeboat work. On the matter of towing, I agree with Alan worthy and I was Another version is Thomas and would add that a disabled, abandoned deeply impressed! that the lady had a yacht could be a danger to other vessels. As Even in landlocked dread of a repeat of for the tow itself, my only experience of this counties the RNLI Noah's flood and tricky business was watching one of the RNLI's comes to the rescue. wished to be ready for earlier series of videos in which a rudderless There's a thought for it! yacht was being towed during the race round the the day - and the next If any reader could Isle of Wight. The yacht in the video was membership campaign? supply any information swaying from side to side and heeling as though Mrs F.A. Titley about the story and as tripping over its own keel. Leicester to what happened to We experienced no such discomfort and, despite the lifeboat, I would the swell, remained fairly well 'pointed' all be very pleased to the way into Chichester. On arrival we marvelled at the helmsman's hear from them. boathandling as we were tied alongside the R.E. Brinton Long memories lifeboat, manoeuvred through the moored boats Curator, Carisbrooke and deposited alongside the pontoon. Whatever Castle Museum On reading the Letters lifeboat crews think about engine noise, I found Newport, Isle of page in the Winter the steady drone of the Tyne's powerful engines Wight P030 1XY 1990/91 edition of the very reassuring whilst we were under tow. journal I see that Lew Finally, on the aftermath and the question of Hardy has memories of money, I agree with what was said. A service as An even break the longship The Hugin. skillful and as sophisticated as the RNLI, May I appeal for the It may be of interest supported and provided on an entirely voluntary help of readers of The to him and your other basis, must surely be among the most remarkable Lifeboat? readers to know that things to exist in a world of budgetary prudence Unfortunately, my The Hugin is on pub- and commercialism. People must take time to re- copy of 'Off the lic display at flect on this, on the dangers they escaped and Slipway', the first Pegwell Bay near on what was salvaged for them. Hopefully, many plate in the 'Heroes Ramsgate and has been will, like the canoeists mentioned in the ar- of the Sea' collection for many years from ticle, make some effort on the Institution's produced some years the time when she first behalf. ago, and sponsored by arrived in this coun- My sincere good wishes and thanks to the crews the RNLI, has recently try. of the Selsey lifeboat station for their good- been broken. Chris Sandwell humoured efficiency. I wondered, there- Crew member Liam J. Corr fore, if there was a Margate lifeboat Wandsworth Margate, Kent. London.

51 New lifeboats named and dedicated

-Atlantic 21 Ken Derham ary secretary, a post he held until 1976, when he became branch chairman. Saturday, 2 February will long be remem- driving force behind the appeal to fund the Having formally accepted the lifeboat, Cdr bered in Mudeford as the day when the lifeboat to hand it into the care of the RNLI. Miles then placed it into the care of Mude- station's new Atlantic 21 lifeboat was named Lt Cdr Brian Miles, director, accepted the ford station, and after receiving the lifeboat Ken Derham. by her namesake. The day was lifeboat on behalf of the Institution and paid on behalf of the station Mr Victor Derham cold and crisp, but sunny as the audience tribute to Ken Derham, founder of the life- (son of Ken Derham) asked the Reverend gathered outside the Avonmouth Hotel, boat station after whom the lifeboat was to be Canon Basil D. T. Trevor-Morgan, vicar of where the lifeboat was to be named, and named. Christchurch and the Reverend Michael were entertained by the Homefield School From 1936 Mr Derham operated a single- Clayton, priest in charge of All Saints Church, Swing Band. handed rescue service from Avon Beach Mudeford, to conduct the service of dedica- At the beginning of the ceremony Victor with an 11 ft clinker-built rowing dinghy and tion. Derham, station honorary secretary wel- was awarded the RNLI's silver medal for a Mr Ken Derham was then invited to name comed the invited guests and recounted how shoreboat service in March 1959. the lifeboat, which he did with great enthu- the crew, being determined to be allocated When the RNLI took over the running of siasm, dousing the crew with champagne in an Atlantic 21 despite concerns about launch- the station in 1963 he became its first honor- the process. SW Photo on facing page *• ing the boat at low tide, were to be seen the night before trials were to begin digging a channel through the bar so that they could Y class inflatables Manager for BP Oil which had provided the Four Y class inflatables - which are carried funds to purchase them, and on 31 January easily cross it - thus taking away the fears of aboard Arun and Thames class lifeboats - were another Y class was handed over by Mr David the visiting RNLI staff officers. handed over at ceremonies in the RNLI's depot Jackson of the Belsize Charitable Trust No. 1. Mr Derham then introduced Colin Wil- at Poole. Mr Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fund liams, deputy divisional inspector of life- On 16 January three of the inflatables were raising and marketing for the RNLI presided boats (south east) who described the life- handed over by Mr Nigel Bishop, Area Sales over both of the ceremonies. boat. He in turn asked Mr John Batchelor,

Yours, in limbo... I thought I awoke this a word with Gabriel. be pleased. It would morning a happy man - No-one of the name be difficult for her alas, it was all a given had passed to man, woman or per- fantasy. There it was through the Pearly haps 'person' the RNLI clearly stated in your Gates. stand at Porthcurno in magazine 'the will of As a precaution, and the summer with a the late Jeffery as St Peter knew of shade. It could put Burr' . (People and the alleged deceased's people off. Your Places -• 'For that connection with the Possibly there may very special occasion' law, checked in fluent have been a little bit - Ed) Bellsybabble, the cur- of an error in the LETTS Under the terms of rent devilish lan- magazine. If there Continued from my will I seem to have guage, of which he was has, and I am right, previous page omitted any reference a master, with his you might care to 'put to the RNLI, clearly a opposite name in it right' and print matter, which had I Lucifer's realm. this letter to assure been alive, I would There was no joy my friends that I am member who had possi- have to have had rec- there either. still here, albeit bly suffered a similar tified. Perhaps, like Saint Peter, of only for a little accident to another Scrooge, I was going course, had a record while longer. plate, or plates, in through a dream and of the late William If, of course, I am the series and so had would be able to put Spurr, of his late wrong, I must just be a copy of 'Off the that matter right. widow, and also of in limbo. How does Slipway' they would be I checked the obitu- Mary Sennett - but one get out of that willing to sell to me. aries in both The of 'Jeffery Burr' as condition? Alternatively, if Times, which is nor- yet, none. Jeffery C. Burr anyone knows where I mally read in this Finally I checked my St, Levan, Cornwall could buy a replace- household, as well as own properties. I ap- ment, I would be The Telegraph, which peared to be all Editor's note - Our sin- pleased to hear from is not. Not a sign. present and correct. cere apologies to the them. Perhaps it was an Everything seemed to very much alive Mr Burr, G. Whitehead omission on my widow's be in its right place a slip of the sub-edi- Chatsworth part? and in reasonable tor's pencil can have Copt Hewick I checked with St working order. such dire conse- Nr. Ripon HG4 5DB Peter, who in turn had I hope my wife will quences. . .

52 Relief Fleet D class tor of Poole, conducted a service of dedi- Taipan cation before Mr Martin Wakeley the David Corben, the Chairman and Chief Chief executive of Jardine Insurance Executive of Jardine Reinsurance (Hold- brokers, officially named the lifeboat ings), handed over a new D class inflat- Taipan. able lifeboat at a ceremony held at the RNLI's Poole Depot on 30 No vemer 1990. City of Derby The Jardine Insurance Brokers Group Councillor Mrs Nancy Wawman, a pre- had held a series of 'video horse-race vious mayor of Derby, handed over a evenings' for the insurance community new D class inflatable for use in the relief in London, raising £18,000. With a D fleet at a similar ceremony held at the class now costing £9,500 the balance will RNLI's Poole Depot on 3 December 1990. be used for future maintenance and up- Mr Anthony Oliver again opened the keep of the lifeboat. proceedings before introducing Mrs Mr Anthony Oliver, deputy head of Wawman, and the RNLI was represented fundraising and marketing at the RNLI by the director, Cdr Brian Miles. RNLI had opened the proceedings before hand- staff officer Richard Perks described the ing over to Mr Corben who presented the lifeboat and its role. boat to the Institution, represented by the The service of dedication was con- deputy director Ray Kipling. ducted by the Reverend Stanley Hol- RNLI staff officer Richard Perks de- brooke-Jones, before His Worship the scribed the lifeboat and its role and the Mayor of Derby. Cllr B. Chadwick, offi- Ken Derham names Mudeford's new Atlantic 21 with enthusiasm - and drenches the crew in the Reverend Stanley Holbrooke-Jones, Rec- cially named the lifeboat City of Derby. process. (Photo Jeff Morris) Southend-on-Sea New boathouse There may have been few casual visitors to the seafront and the world's longest pier at Southend on Thursday 24 January, but a mile from shore at the end of the pier there was intense activity as preparations were made for the visit of the Princess Royal to open the new lifeboat house. After a short trip along the pier on an electric train, the Princess alighted to be greeted by Raymond Baxter, representing the RNLI's Committee of Management, Commodore George Cooper, RNLI chief of operations, and C. J. Morehouse (chairman) and Colin Sedgwick (honorary secretary) of the Southend station branch. Her Royal Highness was escorted to the new lifeboat house on the pier's Prince George extension and was 'piped aboard' by members of the 3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scout Group, flanked by station launchers. Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne speaks to members of Southend-on-Sea's Atlantic 21 crew (from The new boathouse has been built as a left to right, John Foster, David Goodbourn and Paul Henshaw), watched by station honorary secretary replacement for the one badly damaged when Colin Sedgewick (extreme right). (Photo Southend Evening Echo) the coaster Kingsabbey ploughed into the pier in June 1986, a matter of weeks after the senior helmsman. Princess Anne was before presenting her with a special photo- Princess Anne had named Southend's new conducted round the boathouse, meeting crew graph album recording her visit to the old lifeboat Percy Garon II. and branch and station officials. She par- lifeboat house in 1986. The cost of the new boathouse and launch- ticularly took her time discussing the davit As the royal party walked back to the pier- ing facilities, some £115,000, has been met launch and recovery procedure with duty head station to board the train, the Atlantic from RNLI funds and will provide greater crew members John Foster, David Goo- 21 was launched and put through her paces, protection from the elements for the lifeboat dbourn and Paul Hanshaw. while the Sheerness lifeboat and crew stood and essential equipment, improved facilities The Princess Royal signed the station visi- by. Overhead, a Sea King helicopter from for the crew, a viewing platform and a shop tors' book and then pulled aside an RNLI 202 Squadron, RAF Mansion paid its own for the sale of souvenirs. flag to reveal a plaque commemorating the tribute, flying the RNLI flag. Inside the boathouse the Princess was occasion. In response, Raymond Baxter On a chilly, crisp January afternoon, the presented with a posy of flowers by Julia and made a short and amusing speech to thank Princess had brought warmth to a special day Joanna Gilson, aged 8 and 11, daughters of the Princes Royal for her time and support, for the Southend-on-Sea station. RNS

53 (Q) (0) fe II some recent publications reviewed

WEST HIGHLAND SHORES FAST BOAT NAVIGATION THE STORY OF THE CRICCIETH by Maldwin Drummond by Dag Pike LIFEBOATS 1853/1990 Published by Nautical Books Published by Adlard Coles at £17.95 by Peter L. Williams at £19.95 ISBN 0-229-11859-3 A new edition of a booklet by Criccieth's ISBN 07136 5860 6 In more leisurely, pre-electronics days a honorary secretary which brings the history Maldwin Drummond navigator presented with a position read-out of the station's lifeboats up to date. is not only a Vice with the accuracy possible with Decca or Although simple in its format and produc- President on the Loran may have felt that he was in seventh tion the volume packs a great deal of infor- RNLI's Committee of Heaven, add a clear radar picture in thick mation and some interesting illustrations Management he is weather and he may have become ecstatic. between its covers, taking the reader from also an experienced But today even this may not prevent naviga- the earliest days before the establishment of yachtsman and an tional problems, because the navigator of an RNLI lifeboat through to the modern authority on maritime old had one thing on his side - time. Time to high-speed inflatable now on service. and Scottish history - plot his position, to check tide tables and to A must for anyone with an interest in the qualifications which have enabled him to think, while his vessel eased along at speeds history of Criccieth Lifeboat Station. produce this excellent profile of a part of the in single figures. The booklet is available at £2.30 (includ- coast which he knows well and so obviously With many power boats now capable of 20 ing p&p) from Lt Cdr P. L. Williams, Moran- loves. or 30 knots - perhaps even more - the goal- nedd, Tanygrisiau Terrace, Criccieth, More than a guide book, more than a Pilot posts have been moved and a new approach Gwnedd or at £1.95 from the boathouse book for the yachtsman, more than a history to navigation is becoming necessary. during the summer. book - West Highland Shores rolls all three Dag Pike is well qualified to write on the into an absorbing image of a rugged and subject of Fast Boat Navigation (the latest beautiful coastline. addition toMotorboats Monthly's series) for THE GREY WIDOW-MAKER The approach is thematic, with chapters on it was he who sat at the chart table during by Bernard Edwards castles, gardens, churches and ships for both Virgin Atlantic Challenger's Atlantic Published by Robert Hale at £13.95 example, and a tabulated guide locates the runs and he also navigates a champion off- ISBN 0-7090-4191-8 The purpose and content of Bernard Ed- detailed description in the text. shore racing powerboat. As an ex-Divisional wards book is aptly summed-up in his pref- Pilotage notes for yachtsmen are included, Inspector of lifeboats he also knows what ace. but anyone exploring this wild coast would can result from faulty navigation... 'This book,' he writes, 'follows the chang- find the contents of interest. While the choice and quality of the photo- graphs may disappoint slightly the many ing patterns of man's fortunes at sea... It tells clear diagrams add to the understanding of of triumphs and disasters, some recent, some HERZOGIN CECILIEThe life and Times the techniques and the book is to be recom- long forgotten...' of a Four-masted Barque mended to any owner or navigator of fast As with any account of the trials and tribu- lations of life at sea the lifeboat service by Basil Greenhill and John Hackman power boats. Published by Conway Maritime Press makes an appearance, not frequently in this at £25 book, but often enough to add specific inter- ISBN 085177 556 X THIS IS PRACTICAL WEATHER est to the more general flavour of the tales - Besides being one of the last vessels to trade FORECASTING which stretch from the exploits of Captain under sail Her:ogin Cecilie had another by Dieter Karnetzki, Cook in 1770 to an attack on a tanker in Gulf claim to fame -coming to a very spectacular, Published by Nautical Books at £16.95 in the mid-1980s. public and tragic end on the South Devon ISBN 07136 5701 4 Interesting and absorbing fireside reading, Coast in 1936. Fortunately there were no Hurricane-force winds, low temperatures and told in a lively narrative fashion. casualties, but the Salcombe lifeboat of the hot, dry summers seem to have sharpened time makes several appearance in both text interest in the weather. Although Dieter Kar- and photographs. netski' s book is primarily aimed at the yachts- One aspect of this volume which lifts it man , and is interesting enough in its general 5© above many other works on the life-history sections, it does suffer from a significant dis- ACROSS THE IRISH SEA Belfast-Liver- of ships is that the authors' research has advantage for many UK readers. pool Shipping Since 1819 The continental origin of the book (which by Robert C. Sinclair, published by Con- brought to life not only the vessel, but also way Maritime Press at £20 the social, economic and political circum- is translated from a German edition) is re- ISBN 085177 5241 stances which led to her building, and seem- flected in the geographical areas which come Comprehensive, well illustrated review of ingly inevitably to her fateful appearance out in for detailed analysis, and these do not ships on this sea route. of the fog off South Devon. extend far enough westward to permit gen- New light is thrown on several mysterious eral recommendation for British and Irish THE HYBRID WARSHIP The Amalga- readers. mation of Big Guns and Aircraft aspects of her stranding, some of which were by R. D. Layman and S. McLaughlin, not made public at the time. Having said that, the general sections are published by Conway Maritime Press at Profusely illustrated, well researched, very clear and readable, the East Coast and North £25. ISBN 085177 5551 detailed yet immensely readable Herzogin Sea are well covered and those sailing the The story of an elusive. 70-year quest for a Cecilie is a fascinating account of a ship and Baltic or Mediterranean will find much to ship more potent than the separate battleship her place in world events. interest them. and aircraft carrier.

54 Frank Kilroy, honorary secretary of Lytham St Annes lifeboat station, goes Round the houses with Sir Charles Macara, who instigated Lifeboat Saturdays in 1891

Of all of the shipwrecks and disasters which have afflicted seafarers around these islands there is one which had such a long-term effect that its results are still felt today. This single shipwreck, which took place nearly 105 years ago, began a chain of events which has One hundred shaped the way in which the RNLI is funded, and led to the fund-raising flag days which are the mainstay of years ago this year almost every charity. It was on 10 December 1886 that the inhabitants of St Annes-on- an event was held Sea in Lancashire were told that their lifeboat, Laura Janet, had which changed been lost with all 13 of her crew and it fell to Charles Macara, a member of the St Annes lifeboat committee, to break the news to the face of charity the anxious relatives. The lifeboat, along with two others, had been launched late the fund raising... previous night to the German barque Mexico, wrecked in a severe westerly gale with a crew of 12 on the notorious Horse Bank off Southport. The lifeboats at Southport, on the opposite shore of the Ribble estuary, and from neighbouring Lytham had also launched to the same wreck and When he examined the annual accounts for 1890 44 men in all had set out in terrible conditions to he was astonished to find that two-thirds of the rescue 12. Institution's income had come from about 100 The Lytham boat managed to rescue the people who had left bequests or paid for boats. Mexico's crew and return safely, but the South- The remainder of the income was contributed by port lifeboat was also lost and only two out of her only about 25,000 of the many millions of people crew of 16 survived. Altogether 27 lifeboatmen who made up the maritime nation of Great Britain. did not return alive. Macara was appalled by this state of affairs and At this time the Institution had been in exis- resolved to change the Institution's methods of tence for 62 years and such a catastrophe had fund raising with a special appeal of his own never occurred before. A Disaster Fund was soon devising. So started what was to become a set up to help the 16 widows and 50 orphans and nationwide campaign for 'the lifeboats'. Charles Macara served on its committee. Within He started his campaign by appealing to the six weeks the fund had reached £30.000, with public through the press, which had supported the donations coming not only from the wealthy but from people in all Disaster Fund magnificently. On 23 July 1891 he wrote that the walks of life. response to the relief fund had 'emboldened him to appeal once The Mexico Disaster, as it became known, had drawn the more to the public on behalf of this great National Institution, nation's attention to the lifeboat service, but when Charles Macara which is sorely in need of funds'. started to look into the financial position of this life-saving service Several Northern newspapers published editorials backing him he found that the situation was far from satisfactory. and money started to flow into the Institution, but Macara noted ^^^^ that the majority of donations were still from the The first Lifeboat wealthy few and not from the nation as a whole. Saturday, showing the Southport Still seeking to reach a wider audience he lifeboat Mary Anna in organised the first ever 'Lifeboat Saturday' on 17 Albert Square October 1891 in the streets of Manchester. Manchester. The two lifeboatmen standing Included in this Saturday cavalcade were two in the boat to the left lifeboats and their crews, the Nora Royds from St of the carriage wheel are John Jackson Annes-on-Sea and the Mary Anna from Southport, and Henry Robinson both new boats after the Mexico Disaster and - the two crew manned by new volunteers. The procession members who survived the Mexico formed up in Albert Square and besides the two disaster lifeboats included three bands, detachments from the fire brigade, the ambulance corps, the rocket life-line brigade and boys from the training ship Indefatigable. The procession was led by a mounted detach- ment of the city police force followed by an open carriage carrying Mr Macara and other members .. - ~ of the organising committee.

55 Round the Houses Continued

As the cavalcade made its way through the crowded streets people threw coins into special carts placed throughout the procession or into the lifeboats them- selves. To ensure that no-one escaped giving Macara had also arranged for purses on long poles to be carried by several burly lifeboatmen and these were thrust at those watching from upstairs windows or the tops of tramcars. The procession eventually terminated at Belle Vue Gardens where the two lifeboats were launched into the ornamental lake for a demonstration, watched by an estimated 30,000 people. Sir Charles Macara (with walking stick) and a Clayton tractor on trials at At the end of the day it was found that £600, mainly in Lytham St Annes. (Photo Lytham Lifeboat Museum) coppers, had been taken on the streets, and that a grand total of £5,500 had been raised, chiefly in small sums. More than that the An article entitled 'The Lifeboat Saturday rapidly developing' day had achieved Macara's aim, bringing the lifeboat service to appeared in THE LIFEBOAT for August 1894. It heaped praise on the notice of the 'man in the street' and soliciting his support. the originators of the movement, the Macaras, and concluded 'they Other northern towns followed Manchester's example, although have done wonders in developing the Lifeboat Saturday and not on such a grand scale, and by the end of 1891 the contributions Ladies Committee movements, of which they were respectively from Lancashire and Yorkshire had reached £21,000 compared to the originators'. only £3,000 for the previous year. The Board of the Institution then approached Charles Macara Charles Macara's wife Marion supported him whole-heartedly in and asked him to attend a meeting in London, with the idea of his cause and for the first Lifeboat Saturday she organised the asking him to join their ranks. Macara attended the meeting but ladies of Manchester to help with the collections. On 1 August opened his remarks by asking for a sight of the salary list. He 1892 she made her own appeal in the press for 'the wives and proceeded to pick out certain expenses, made a few cutting daughters of England to do their share towards the maintenance of remarks and declined the Board's offer. this noble voluntary force'. The response was so great that a This action unfortunately led to criticism of the Lifeboat national movement was born - the Ladies Auxiliary Committees. Saturday movement and of the way the money had been used by The ladies not only helped with organising fund raising events but the Institution. The final result of the dispute was the appointment started the first collections in private houses, the foundation of of a Select Committee which sat for four months in 1897 and ex- today's house-to-house collecting. amined 50 witnesses under oath, including Charles Macara. The Lifeboat Saturday movement spread rapidly, and the Ladies The findings at the end of the long enquiry entirely vindicated Auxiliary Committees could usually be found co-operating with the Institution and the handling of its affairs and the Committee the main organisers. By the end of 1893 the Lifeboat Saturday had concluded, rather sadly, that Macara's view was rather coloured by become an established annual feature in towns and cities the length the taking over of what had been his brain-child. and breadth of the country. However, the Lifeboat Saturday movement continued, and Mac- Royal patronage from HRH the Prince of Wales lent even more ara was still very much involved, until in 1910 the RNLI assumed support to the cause, and soon Macara had become so heavily full control of its organisation and moved its central office from involved in the project that he was asked by the RNLI to formulate Manchester to London. Charles Macara then ceased his associa- a national plan to share the burden more evenly. tion with the organisation as all his business interests were in the As a result Great Britain was split into six districts, each with its north and he had little time to go to London. own committee, and a secretary was appointed from the main town Lifeboat Saturdays continued until the First World War inter- in each area. Charles Macara was elected as chairman for the vened and, as a number of war charities were set up, so the lifeboat north of England district committee. collections dropped. The expense of hauling boats through the streets and a shortage of horses, many having been sent to France, Horses pull a fully manned pulling and sailing lifeboat through the streets during an early Lifeboat Saturday parade. The exact location is unknown. also contributed towards its demise. In 1915 the Institution decided to introduce in its stead a Lifeboat Flag Day, reproducing its house flag in miniature and selling it to the public. The Ladies Auxiliary Committees were the mainstay of these col- lections. At the Institution's 1921 annual general meeting the Prince of Wales announced that the committee of management had decided to set up the Ladies Lifeboat Guild to appeal to women in all walks of life. In recognition of their sterling efforts in the past, members of the ladies Auxiliaries automatically became official members. A special brooch, of a design still in use today, was issued and each member received an official membership card. Soon all the Ladies Auxiliary Committees had changed their titles to Ladies Guilds and the new movement caught the imagination of ladies | everywhere. I Besides annual flag days, these guilds started to I

56 laid up ashore, ironically just 500 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and David came back to the UK once again. In June 1989, after five weeks At the London Boat Show in January 1991, David Cowper thought he might not be able to of repairs and re-painting below was named Yachtsman of the Year. The award recognised continue, and even a Canadian ice- the waterline, he was ready to a number of sailing achievements, including four circum- breaker was unable to help. go - with the good news that Eventually he decided to leave Newcastle house builders Barratt navigations - two of which were in a 41ft yacht and two in Mabel in the ice until conditions be- had agreed to assist him. an ex-RNLI Watson class lifeboat Mabel E. Holland. came suitable for another effort and First After the sailing efforts David returned home. But he was deter- He sailed through the Behring thought it 'might be a good idea' mined to return and conquer the Strait and in so doing became to do a similar project in a motor Tony Purnell talks Passage as soon as conditions the first ever Englishman to cruiser! He would have liked to allowed. transit the North West Passage have afforded a purpose-built to David Cowper In August 1987 he took a two- on a solo voyage. Mabel sailed vessel, but had to finance his mile trek across ice and snow from on to Darwin via Midway Island, efforts himself and work on a following his two the nearest base to visit her by land, the scorching temperatures con- fairly tight budget. circumnavigations in and found she had taken a great deal trasting sharply with the Arctic. After careful consideration he of water and was partly submerged. There was another 'lay-up' at bought Mabel E. Holland for an ex-RNLI lifeboat To 'make things easier' David lived Port Darwin and in May 1990 £10,500, and with very little in a tent near the boat and worked David returned to the UK, with structural alterations, apart from on her in extreme conditions. Tem- stops at Christmas Island, Mom- additional fuel tanks, galley and completely overhauled and her peratures were down to -50°, with basa, Dubai and St Helena, chart table, he prepared for his wood hull was given an extra outer frequent gales. among others. first effort. skin, giving a total thickness of lin, Beach Finally, on 24 September The lifeboat had been built at to stand up to the ice. Her props The engines were started, having 1990, Mabel motored into St Osbornes in 1956 as a 42ft beach were changed for larger and cleared some water from a fuel tank, Peter's Yacht Basin on the Tyne. boat and was stationed at stronger ones and her decks and but unfortunately the ice did not David is now looking for a Dungeness until 1979 and as a re- cabin insulated against the cold. clear as expected, with even the Ca- home for Mabel E. Holland and lief boat at Aldeburgh. She was re-launched in June nadian ice-breaker having difficul- hopes that she will go into a mu- Tribute 1986, and soon she was at Aber- ties. David was forced to beach seum, preferably on the East The first circumnavigation, deen, then on to Thurso through the Mabel at Fort Ross, and leave her coast, as a permanent reminder westabout, was completed in Pentland Firth and to Cape Farewell until he had another opportunity. not just of his voyages but of a 1985, and Mabel E. Holland in Greenland. The recitation of the In June 1988 Davjd returned class of lifeboat that is now out proved herself an excellent sea 'stopovers' and description of the again, this time accompanied by his of service. boat with an easy motion - a passages sound prosaic as recounted wife Caroline. Again it was a Adventure great tribute to her designers and by David, but his determination, question of very hard work for both David has bought another ex- builders. courage and trust in Mabel, as he of them, with Caroline making a RNLI lifeboat Three Sisters, a David then decided that she calls her, are obvious. close acquaintance with a curious steel 48ft 6in Solent class, for- would be the right boat for his Compass Polar bear. Caroline returned home merly at Aith. She also lies in St next venture - a further circum- As the voyage continued he came and there was further delay caused Peter's Yacht Basin and David is navigation but this time somewhere near 76°N, and due to by the non-arrival of important to use her to study Arctic attempting to sail the notorious the proximity of the Pole David's spares. The re-launch was also dif- conditions before embarking on North West Passage. magnetic compass became almost ficult and a persistent leak another adventure. Various modifications were useless. The weather grew continued. That an ex-lifeboat, although carried out by Whisstocks Yard extremely cold, with fog and pack Despite these set-backs David strengthened, has withstood two at Woodbridge, a builder with ice, and when eventually he made sailed on, making 1,500 miles in circumnavigations and is still strong RNLI connections, and Resolute Bay he became iced in - just over three weeks, in spite of ice capable of coastal cruising, and David worked hard alongside the with temperatures in the region of - and often thick fog. Finally he for David to buy another must professionals. The boat was 20°. There were times when he reached Inuvik where Mabel was surely speak for itself.

organise bazaars, coffee mornings, tea dances and so on, and soon Cheshire and died there on 2 January 1929, nine days before his they became the mainstay of the RNLI's voluntary fund raising 84th birthday. efforts. At his own request he was buried in a simple grave in the The story continues to this day, although some of the fund churchyard at St Annes, alongside the grave which contained the raising ideas have become a little more exotic, taking in such bodies of five of his lifeboatmen friends lost going to the wreck of things as sponsored parachute jumps and marathons. the Mexico. But what became of the person who, from witnessing a tragedy, 1991 is the centenary of the first Lifeboat Saturday, and will be had started this great fund raising idea? In 1911 Charles Macara marked in a number of ways. The north west regional office is was made a Baronet for his work in the cotton industry, a suitable planning a celebration week in October and both the St Annes-on- reward for a man who had laboured so long and hard for the Sea and Lytham Ladies lifeboat guilds are organising suitable benefit of others. Many foreign countries also honoured him, but events. perhaps the best commendation for his voluntary work was given by his biographer, W. Haslam Mills - 'He brought charity into the The Lytham lifeboat museum houses a comprehensive displav on the wreck of streets and the streets into charity'. the Mexico and this year it will be complemented by a special exhibit on Lifeboat Sir Charles Macara continued as chairman of the St Annes Saturday and the Ladies Guilds. The museum is on the promenade next to the branch committee and on 13 May 1924 he achieved another first windmill, and will be open from 25 May to 21 September on Saturdays. Sundays. Tuesdays and Thursda\sfrom 1030 to 1630. and Wednesdays in Jttlv and August when he made a radio appeal from the 2ZY Manchester station for from 1330 to 1630. funds to provide motor lifeboats for the Institution. But in 1926 There may be commemorative events elsewhere in the country and if so details due to silting in the Ribble Estuary the St Annes-on-Sea lifeboat will be provided in subsequent issues of The Lifeboat. station was closed. Shortly afterwards Sir Charles moved to

57 LIFEBOAT SERVICES AUGUS T

Aberdeen, Grampian Blackpool, Lancashire Dunbar, Lothian Arun ON 1050: September 30 D class: August 1 (twice), September 2 (four Solent ON 1020: October 6 Aberdovey, Gwynedd times), 13 (twice), 14 and October 21 (twice) D class: October 21 Atlantic 21: August 2, 9 (four times), 11, 20, Blyth, Northumberland Dungeness, Kent 27, September I, October 6 (twice), 14 and 21 Waveney ON 1079: August 19, September 11 Rother ON 1048: August 11, 15, 23, 25, 26, Abersoch, Gwynedd (twice), 18, 26 and October 3 (twice) September 19, October 2 and 16 Atlantic 21: August 5 (three times), 15, 18, 20, D class: August 4 and September 2 Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin September 6 and 15 Borth, Dyfed Waveney ON 1036: August 6, 15, September Aberystwyth, Dyfed D class: August 1, 2 and 5 (twice) 8, 16, October 12 and 13 (four times) C class: August 5 (twice), 23, 24 (twice) and Bridlington, Humberside D class: September 5, October 12, 13 and 14 September 18 Mersey ON 1124: August 17, 25 (twice), Dunmore East, Co Waterford Aith, Shetland September 2 and October 6 Waveney ON 1035: August 8 and 14 Arun ON 1100: August 5 and October 8 D class: August 5, 8, 10, 11, 17, 20, 21, 25 Eastbourne, East Sussex Aldeburgh, Suffolk (twice), 30, September 2 (twice), and 14 Rother ON 1055: August 26 (twice), Septem- D class: August 26, October 2 and 7 Brighton, East Sussex ber 17, 24 and October 4 Amble, Northumberland Atlantic 21: August 5, 14, 15, 17, 25, 26, D class: August 3, 13, 26 (twice), 28, 30, Relief Waveney ON 1034: August 5, 18, October 1, 2, 9 (twice), 20 and 24 September 4, 19, 21, October 7 and 21 (twice) September 24 (twice), October 1 and 6 (twice) Broughty Ferry (Dundee), Tayside Exmouth, South Devon D class: August 5 and 18 Arun ON 1056: August 1 and October 27 Brede ON 1088: August 13, 17 (twice), 24, Angle, Dyfed D class: August 1, 9, 20, October 3 and 27 September 14, 17, 21 (twice), October 6 and 21 Tyne ON 1114: August 19 (twice), 27 and Buckie, Grampian D class: August 12, 17, 19 (twice), 30 (twice), October 25 Relief Arun ON 1062: August 4 and October September 8, October 1, 14 and 21 (twice) Anstruther, Fife 14 (twice) Eyemouth, Borders Oakley ON 983: September 17 Bude, Cornwall Relief Waveney ON 44-001: August 4, 5, 31, Appledore, North Devon D class: August 5, 10 and 25 September 10 and October 6 Tyne ON 1140: August 10, 24, September 5 Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex Waveney ON 1026: October 11 and 15 (twice) and 6 D class: August 21 Falmouth, Cornwall Atlantic 21: August 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, 24 (twice), Burry Port, Dyfed Relief Arun ON 1081: August 25, September 4 28, September 3 and October 7 D class: August 3, 4, 17, 18, September 15, 23 and 15 Arbroath, Tayside and October 1 Arun ON 1058: October 21 Rother ON 1054: August 12 and October 14 Calshot, Hampshire Atlantic 21: August 3, 7, 12, 16 (four times), D class: August 2, 25 and October 14 Brede ON 1104: August 26, September 2, 18 (twice), September 15 and 16 Arklow, Co Wicklow October 5, 6 (twice) and 21 Filey, North Yorkshire Waveney ON 1029: August 7 and October 26 Campbeltown, Strathclyde Oakley ON 966: August 24 (twice), 25, Arran (Lamlash), Strathclyde Arun ON 1059: August 2 and 23 September 12, 13 (twice), 29, October 19 C class: August 2, 6, 12, 15, 28, September 22, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex and 21 28 and October 9 D class: August 2, 3, 5, 12 and October 23 D class: August 10, 20, September 9, 13, 27 Arranmore, Co Donegal Atlantic 21: August 5, 7, 9, 17, 24 and and October 18 Relief Tyne ON 1142: August 26, 30 and September 15 (twice) Fishguard, Dyfed October 6 Cleethorpes, Humberside Arun ON 1076: August 5, 7, 11, 17, 19,31, Atlantic College (St Donat's Castle), South D class: August 1 (twice), 4, 30, October 4 September 4, 30 (twice) and October 10 Glamorgan (twice), 6, 14 (twice) and 27 Flamborough, Humberside Atlantic 21: August 23 and October 31 Clifden, Co Galway Oakley ON 972: August 25 Ballycotton, Co Cork C class: September 18 Fleetwood, Lancashire Relief Arun ON 1071: August 8, 22, 25, 26, Clogher Head, Co Louth Tyne ON 1156: August 1, 3, 4, 8, 18 (twice), September 5 and October 26 Oakley ON 942: September 8 19, 24, September 14 and 28 (twice) Baltimore, Co Cork Conwy, Gwynedd D class: August 19 Tyne ON 1137: August 5, October 27 and 28 D class: August 26 Flint, Clwyd Ballyglass, Co Mayo Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co Cork D class: August 10, 18 and 23 Arun ON 1052: August 27 Relief Solent ON 1009: September 4 and 13 Fowey, Cornwall ON 1159: September 16 and October 24 Solent ON 1011: September 30 and October 26 Waveney ON 1028: August 9, 15, September Bangor, Co Down Courtown, Co Wexford 5, October 6, 26 and 28 Atlantic 21: August 1, 2, 10, 27, September 2, D class: September 1 Fraserburgh, Grampian 12, 17 and 30 Cowes Base, Isle of Wight Tyne ON 1109: August 17, October 12, 14 Barmouth, Gwynedd Atlantic 21: August 9 and 25 D class: August 9 and 13 Criccieth, Gwynedd Galway Bay, Co Galway Barra Island, Western Isles C class: August 6, 10 and October 7 Arun ON 1118: August 5, 9, 20, September 1, Arun ON 1143: August 28, September 10, Crimdon Dene, Co Durham 12, 21, 23, October 28 and 30 (twice) October 17 and 24 D class: August 18 Girvan, Strathclyde Barrow, Cumbria Cromer, Norfolk Relief Brede ON 1101: August 30 and Tyne ON 1117: August 11, 25, October 6 Tyne ON 1097: August 6, 19, 30 (twice) and September 13 (three times), 14 and 15 September 16 Brede ON 1105: October 25 D class: August 1, September 17, 22 (twice), D class: August 19, 20 (twice) and 30 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk October 14 and 15 Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear Relief Waveney ON 1002: August 10, 19, Barry Dock, South Glamorgan C class: August 4, 19, September 15, 23, September 28 and 30 Arun ON 1018: August 8, September 10 October 6 and 23 Waveney ON 1065: October 24, 26 and 29 Beaumaris, Gwynedd Donaghadee, Co Down Atlantic 21: August 4, 5, 9, 11, 18, 20, Atlantic 21: August 7, 30, September 5 and Arun ON 1107: August 5, 15, September 23 September 9, 19, 22, 28, October 7, 20 October 13 and October 8 and 21 Bembridge, Isle of Wight Douglas, Isle of Man Happisburgh, Norfolk Tyne ON 1126: August 11, September 1, 7 and Tyne ON 1147: August 26, September 22, 30 D class: August 5, 6, 14, 16, 19 and October 21 (twice) and October 20 October 15 D class: September 2, 3, October 5 and 12 Dover, Kent Hartlepool, Cleveland Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland Thames ON 1031: August 4 (twice), 8, 13, 18 Waveney ON 1044: August 12, 17, September Atlantic 21: August 17, 27 and September 2 (twice) and September 12 5, October 4, 19 and 31 (twice) Relief Arun ON 1160: October 6, 25 and 31 Atlantic 21: August 12

58 SEPTEMBERAND OCTOBER 1990

Harwich, Essex Lochinver, Highland New Quay, Dyfed Waveney ON 1060: August 12, 17, September Arun ON 1144: August 19 Oakley ON 961: August 3. 16 and October 21 1,7 and October 6 Lough Swilly (Buncrana), Co Donegal D class: August 19, 20 and September 16 Atlantic 21: August 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 24, 26, 29, D class: August 13, September 21 and North Berwick, Lothian September 2, 19 and October 21 October 14 D class: August 2, September 1,10, October 1 Hastings, East Sussex Lowestoft, Suffolk (twice) and 11 Mersey ON 1125: August 8, 16, September 3, Tyne ON 1132: August 1 (twice), September Oban, Strathclyde 16, 18 (twice), October 5 and 26 10, 26, October 24 and 26 Brede ON 1102: August 6, 8, 22, 23 (twice), D class: August 3 (four times), 5 (twice), Lyme Regis, Dorset September 6, 9, 12, 16, 18 (twice), 19 (twice) 9, 13 (three times), 20, 24, 26, 30, Atlantic 21: August 6, 13, 15, 17, 19, and October 14 (twice) September 3, 6 (twice), 7 and 16 September 5, 17, 23 and October 10 Padstow, Cornwall Hayling Island, Hampshire Lymington, Hampshire Tyne ON 1094: September 3, 18 and October Atlantic 21: August 2, 8 (twice), 11, 26 (three Atlantic 21: August 20, 25, 29, 30, September 12 (twice) times), 29, September 15, October 7 (three 5, October 14 and 29 Peel, Isle of Man times) and 21 (three times) Lytham St Annes, Lancashire Atlantic 21: August 5, 6, 8 and October 1 Helensburgh, Strathclyde Tyne ON 1155: August 1, 5 (four times), 23, Penlee, Cornwall Atlantic 21: August 2, 10, 11, 16, 17, 19, 30, September 11, 14 (twice) and October 17 Arun ON 1085: August 19, 24, September 15, 31, September 4, 6 (twice), 9 (three times), D class: August 4, 5 (five times), 23 and October 22 and 25 19, 25 and October 21 September 11 Penarth, South Glamorgan Holyhead, Gwynedd Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire D class: August 5, 7, 8, 26, September 1, 8 Tyne ON 1095: August 19, 23, 25, 26, D class: August 4, 5, 8, 9 (twice), 10, 12 (three (twice) and 29 September 27 and 28 times), 24 (twice), 27 (three times) and 30 (twice) Peterhead, Grampian D class: September 2 Macduff, Grampian Tyne ON 1127: August 19 Horton and Port Eynon, West Glamorgan Atlantic 21: August 13, 14, 23 and 30 Plymouth, South Devon D class: August 2 (twice), 4, 16, 18, 26 and Mallaig, Highland Arun ON 1136: August 12 and September 15 October 7 Arun ON 1078: August 8, 24, 26 (twice) and Poole, Dorset Howth, Co Dublin October 9 Brede ON 1089: August 2 (twice), 3, 4, 5, 16, Arun ON 1113: August 6 and 8 Margate, Kent 19, 22, 24, September 14, 16 (twice), 17, 19, 21 Relief Waveney ON 1005: October 14 Relief Rather ON 1047: August 6, 9 and (twice), 23 (three times), 25, 26, October 7, 13, Hoylake, Merseyside October 16 16 and 27 Rather ON 1000: August 2, 8 and 19 D class: August 8 (twice), 11, 15, 19, 23, 24, Boston Whaler: August 2, 3, 4 (twice), 5 (three Humber, Humberside 26 (twice), September 7 (twice), 8 (twice), 10, times), 8, 10, 16, 19, 26 (twice), September 7. Arun ON 1123: August 3, 5, 6, 14, 17, 20, October 14 and 21 (twice) 14, 16 (three times), 21 (twice), 23 (three September 2, 8, 13, 19, 24, October 1, 9 Marazion, Cornwall times), 25, 26, 29, October 7 (twice), 16, 21 (twice), 13, 14, 15,21 and 26 D class: August 6, 15, 20, 27, September 8, (twice) and 29 Hunstanton, Norfolk 16, 20, 23 and October 28 Poole (Training Centre) Atlantic 21: August 3, 4 (twice), 8, 27, 29 and Minehead, Somerset Mersey ON 1163: September 26 September 19 (twice) Atlantic 21: August 4 and 16 Mersey ON 1167: September 27 Ilfracombe, North Devon D class: September 2 Portaferry, Co Down Mersey ON 1165: August 5, 12, 15 (four Moelfre, Gwynedd At/antic 21: August 1,10, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, times), 24 and September 11 Tyne ON 1116: September 2 (twice), October September 7 Invergordon, Highland 4, 11 and 17 and October 31 Relief Waveney ON 1001: August 4, 10, 12, D class: August 5, 7, 17, 30, September 27 and Port Erin, Isle of Man 30, October 14 and 23 October 7 Rather ON 998: August 10, October 1, 12 and Islay, Strathclyde Montrose, Tayside 23 Relief Arun ON 1077: September 14 and 21 Relief Tyne ON 1133: August 15, 19, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan Kinghorn, Fife September 13 and 18 D class: August 3, 5 (twice), 18 (twice), C class: August 4 (twice), 7, 17, September 2, Morecambe, Lancashire September 16, 18, 22 (twice), 25, 30 and 10 and 21 D class: August 2 and September 11 October 20 Kippford, Dumfries and Galloway Mudeford, Dorset Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd D class: August 5 Atlantic 21: August 4, 9 (twice), 11 (twice), Tyne ON 1120: August 7, 8, 10 and September 1 Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway 12, 19, 20, 30, September 2, 11, 15, October 7, Port Isaac, Cornwall Atlantic 21: August 4 8, 21 (twice), 27 and 29 D class: August 2, 11 (twice), 24, 26, Kilkeel, Co Down The Mumbles, West Glamorgan September 5, 9, 13 and September 23 (twice) D class: August 5 and September 8 Tyne ON 1096: August 28, September 20 Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway Largs, Strathclyde (twice) and 29 Relief Tyne ON 1115: August 2, 5 (three Atlantic 21: August 1,2,4, 16 (twice), D class: August 6, 8, September 2 and 8 (twice) times), 11, 26, 27 and October 2 18, 25, September !, 8, 26 and Newbiggin, Northumberland Tyne ON 1151: October 18 and 27 October 7 Atlantic 21: September 4, 8, October 24 and 31 Portrush, Co Antrim Lerwick, Shetland New Brighton, Merseyside Arun ON 1070: August 1, 4, 14. 23, September Arun ON 1057: August 12, September 9 At/antic 21: August 24, 27 (twice), 28, 6, 26, October 28 and 29 (twice) and 11 September 16 (twice), October 7 and 13 (three Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour), Hampshire Little and Broad Haven, Dyfed times) D class: August 4 (twice), 5, 12 (twice), 28, D class: August 1, 3, 8, 11, 14 and Newcastle, Co Down September 2, 11, 19. October 7 (twice) and 21 September 2 Oakley ON 974: August 5, 9, 26, 30, Septem- (three times) Littlehampton, West Sussex ber 7, 9, 10, 17, 29 and 30 Atlantic 21: August 5 (three times), 12 (four Atlantic 21: August 9, 18, 20, 25, September 2, Newhaven, East Sussex times), 19 (twice), 28, September 2 (twice), 26, 8, 19, 22, October 8 and 9 Arun ON 1106: August 1,2, 15, 22, 29, 30 (twice), October 7 (six times) and 21 (three Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent September 30, October 1, 11, 21 and 22 times) Atlantic 21: August 5 (twice), 9, 24, 26 and Relief Tyne ON 1141: August 30 and Port St Mary, Isle of Man September 8 September 1 Arun ON 1051: August 30. September 8, The Lizard, Cornwall Newquay, Cornwall October 2, 12 and 21 Tyne ON 1145: August 13 and October 19 C class: August 2, 5 (three times), 9 (twice), Port Talbot, West Glamorgan Llandudno (Orme's Head), Gwynedd 10, 12, 19, 21, 28, September 2 (twice), 5, 8, 30 D class: August 24 D class: August 4, 15, September 16, 23 (three (twice), October 3, 6 Pwllheli, Gwynedd times), October 1 and 17 and 12 D class: August 1, 3, September 12 and 13

59 LIFEBOAT SERVICES AUGUST SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1990

Queensferry, Lothian Skegness, Lincolnshire Wells, Norfolk Atlantic 21: August 2 (three times), 4, 9, 24 Mersey ON 1166: August 17 and Mersey ON 1161: August 15 and 23 and October 14 September 19 D class: August 18, 26, September 8 (twice), Ramsey, Isle of Man D class: August 3, 4, 5, 8, 15, 29 and 19, October 7 and 14 Oakley ON 995: August 5, 26 and October 1 September 9 West Kirby, Merseyside Ramsgate, Kent Skerries, Co Dublin D class: August 9 (twice), 14, 16 and Tvne ON 1154: August 11,18, 19, September D class: August 3 and 10 October 7 2, 3 and 4 Southend-on-Sea, Essex West Mersea, Essex Atlantic 21: August 3, 23 and September 2 D class: August 4, 8, 12 (five times), 13, 15, At/antic 21: August 11, 25 (three times), 29, Red Bay, Co Antrim 25 (twice), 27, 28, September 28, October 5 September 4, 15, October 6 (twice), 8, 20, 2] C class: August 10 (twice), 15, September 30, and 13 and 28 (twice) October 20 and 22 Atlantic 21: August 5, 12 (five times), 13, 22, Weston-super-Mare, Avon Redcar, Cleveland September 7, 19, 30, October 6 (twice), 7, 13, At/antic 21: August 4, 5, 13, September 16, 18 D class: August 4 14,21 (twice) and 31 and October 27 Atlantic 21: August 5 and 14 Southwold, Suffolk D class: August 7, 13, September 21 and Rhyl, Clwyd Atlantic 21: August 7, 10 (twice), 13, 19, 26, October 27 Oakley ON 993: August 9, 12 and September October 9, 10 and 27 Weymouth, Dorset 28 Staithes and Runswick, North Yorkshire Relief Arun ON 1108: August 6, 11, 19 D class: August I (twice), 2 (five times), 3, 12 Atlantic 21: August 3, 16 (twice) and 25 (twice), 28, 30, September 23, October 6 and and September 28 (twice) 21 (twice) Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford Stornoway (Lewis), Western Isles Whitby, North Yorkshire Ann ON 1092: August 19, 26, October 6 and 13 Arun ON 1098: August 3, 10, 19, September 7 Tyne ON 1131: August 28, September 6, 8, Rye Harbour, East Sussex and 21 October 6 and 26 C class: August 23 (twice) and September 12 Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway D class: August 5, 9, 11, 13, 29 and 31 St Abbs, Borders D class: August 5 and 26 Whitstable, Kent At/antic 21: August 7, 28 and 31 Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Atlantic 21: August 4, 7, 8, 13 (four times), 15, St Agnes. Cornwall Wavenev ON 1043: August 9, 29, September 16, 27, 28, September 3, 10, October 6 (three D class: August 14 13 and 24 times) and 7 St Bees, Cumbria D class: August 2, 5 (three times), 9, 18, 22 Wick, Highland C class: August 1 and 4 (twice), 25, September 15 and 30 Tyne ON 1121: August 19, 28, September 14, St Catherine, Channel Islands Swanage, Dorset October 10, 11 and 15 C class: August 3 (twice), October 13 and 14 Rather ON 1023: August 5, 15, 22, September Wicklow, Co Wicklow St Davids, Dyfed 8 and October 21 (twice) Tyne ON 1153: August 22 and September 20 Tyne ON 1139: October 5 Teesmouth, Cleveland Withernsea, Humberside St Helier, Channel Islands Tyne ON 1110: August 17, September 13, D class: August 3, 28, 29, September 2 (twice) Tyne ON 1157: August 1, 2, 4, 14, 16, 19, 23, October 4 and 25 and 30 29 and October 13 Teignmouth, South Devon Workington, Cumbria St Ives, Cornwall Atlantic 21: October 25 Watson ON 940: August 4, 6 and 19 Oakley ON 973: August 6, 7, 9, September 5, Tenby, Dyfed Yarmouth, Isle of Wight 14 and October 5 Tyne ON 1112: August 22 and September 1 Arun ON 1053: August 17, 20, 24, September C class: August 4 (twice), 5, 6, 9, 11, 16 D class: August 2 (three times), 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 1, 18, 24, October 8 and 21 (twice), 30, 31, September 3, 5, 10, 14 and 15 14, 16, 19, 20, 23, 30, September 5 and Youghal, Co Cork (twice) October 4 Atlantic 21: August 4 (twice), 8, 15, 26 and St Mary's, Isles of Stilly Thurso, Highland September 9 Arun ON 1073: August 4, 9, 16, 20, 22, Arun ON 1149: August 31, September 9 and Lifeboats on Passage September 25 and October 17 October 15 Rother On 1064: September 1 St Peter Port, Channel Islands Tighnabruaich, Strathclyde Mersey ON 1162: September 16 Arun ON 1025: August 14, 17, 22, September D class: August 2 (twice) and 15 Arun ON 1103: September 23 1, 5, 12, 15, October 23, 25 and 28 Tobermory, Strathclyde Oakley ON 986: October 7 Salcombe, South Devon Wa\>eney ON 1042: August 17, 23, 28, At/antic 21: August 9 Tyne ON 1130: August 12, 17, 24, September September 6, 16, 20, 27 and October 3 15, 23 (twice), 29 and October 22 Torbay, South Devon Scarborough, North Yorkshire Arun ON 1037: August 6 (twice), 7, 9, 11, 12, Oakley ON 977: October 21 25, 30, 31, September 15 (twice), 19, 29, Selsey, West Sussex October 5 (twice), 10, 13 and 21 Relief Tyne ON 1075: August 11, 17, 18, 19 D class: August 4, 20, September 17 and 29 Lifeboat Services (twice), 26 (three times), September 18 and 29 Tramore, Co Waterford D class: August 4, 5, 26, September 15, 25 and D class: August 25 August, September 29 Trearddur Bay, Gwynedd and October 1990 Sennen Cove, Cornwall D class: August 2, 14, 19 (twice), 25, 26 (four Rather ON 999: August 2 and October 21 times), 27, September 29 and 30 Sheerness, Kent Troon, Strathclyde Waveney ON 1027: August 4, 26, 31, Arun ON 1134: August 2, 5, 9, September 2, 7 The services listed are those September 10, 29 (twice), October 6, 15, 20 and 18 for which returns had been and 21 Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear D class: August 4 (twice), 11, September 23, Arun ON 1061: August 23, 26, 30, September received at headquarters by October 5, 6 and 24 15 and 23 29 January 1991. Sheringham, Norfolk D class: August 5 and 19 Oakley ON 960: August 19 (twice), 20, Walmer, Kent September 19, 28 and 30 D class: August 22, September 1, October 6, 7 There may be additional serv- Shoreham Harbour, West Sussex and 13 Watson ON 971: August 12, 17, 19 and 21 Atlantic 21: September 1, 2, October 6, 13 ices for which returns had not D class: August 5, 18 (twice), 21 (twice), and 28 September 1, 2 and 11 Walton and Frinton, Essex been received by that date. Silloth, Cumbria Solent ON 1012: August 16, 17, 21, 27, Atlantic 21: August 10 and September 12 September 15, October 5, 10, 21 (twice) and 23 Awards to Coxswains, crews and shore helpers

The following coxswains, members of lifeboat crews and shore helpers were awarded certificates of service on their retirement. Those entitled to them by the Institution's regulations were also awarded an annuity, gratuity or pension. (Service in Inshore Lifeboats is shown by *)

Aberdeen: I.E. Jack (Mechanic 24 years, Member 10 years). Scarborough: S.W. Finnan (Head Launcher Crew Member* 8 years): Silver Medal 1974. Littlestone-on-Sea: P. Leigh (Crew Member 24 1 year, Assistant Tractor Driver 12 years). Aith: K.H. Henry (Coxswain 19 years, years). Sennen Cove: M. Hutchens (Coxswain Second Coxswain 1 year, Crew Member 9 Longhope: W.S. Mowat (Second Coxswain 20 Mechanic 12 years, Second Coxswain/ years). years, Crew Member 1 year). Assistant Mechanic 5 years. Assistant Arklow: W. Lynch (Crew Member 28 Llandudno: H. Hughes (Crew Member 22 Mechanic 9 years, Crew Member 7 years): years, Emergency Mechanic 7 years, years. Crew Member* 9 years, Shore Helper 4 Silver Medal 1981. Bowman 9 years). years); G. Jones (Tractor Driver 3 months, Head Sheringhanv. R. Little (Crew Member 34 Arran (Lamlash): E. McConnell (Crew Launcher 13 years, Crew Member 9 years, Shore years). Member 13 years). Helper 11 years). Shoreham Harbour: K.L.R. Everard (Cox- Barmouth: E.L. Vaughan (Crew Memberl5 Lymington: J.R. Redon (Crew Member 11 swain 9 years, Second Coxswain 5 years. years, Second Coxswain 6 years, Crew years 6 months); J. P. Pope (Crew Member 23 Assistant Mechanic 8 years. Crew Member 8 Member* 7 years). years). years, Crew Member* 11 years, Shore Helper Barrow: F. Keenan (Mechanic 9 years, Lytham St Annes: D. Topping (Crew Member 3 years). Emergency Mechanic 6 years, Crew Member 23 years, Launcher 4 years). Skegness: R.P. Chapman (Coxswain 7 6 years). Mablethorpe: F.E. Anderson (Crew Member months, Second Coxswain 4 years. Bowman Brighton: M.J. Harvey (Crew Member 14 13 years). 20 years. Crew Member 13 years. Shore years). Macduff: J.G. Allan (Second Coxswain 5 Helper 3 years. Crew Member* 18 years); Conwy: T. Jones (Crew Member 24 years). years, Crew Member 5 years). C.R. Limb (Assistant Tractor Driver 6 years. Criccieth: G.D. Owen (Crew Member 17 Margate: N. Cowell (Launcher 4 years, Head Shore Helper 4 years). years). Launcher 7 years). Staithes and Runswick: J. Baxter (Tractor Eastbourne: E. Buckland (Shore Helper 15 Minehead: P. Leech (Crew Member 15 years 6 Driver 13 years), years, Crew Member 8 years, Winchman 12 months); C.J. Rundle (Crew Member 20 years, Stromness: W.G. Sinclair (Coxswain 7 years). Shore Helper 3 years). years, Assistant Mechanic 22 years. Crew Exmouth: J. Walpole (Crew Member 5 Morecambe: M. Baxter (Crew Member 13 Member 12 years). years, Crew Member* 13 years). years). Tenby: A.J. Eagles (Crew Member 18 years. Filey: D.F. Cammish (Crew Member 6 Mudeford: J.M. Batchelor (Crew Member 27 Crew Member* 10 years). years, Crew Member* 21 years). years); W.R. Foster (Crew Member 27 years). Thurso: N.M. Farquhar (Crew Member 21 Fleetwood: W. Rawcliffe (Crew Member 8 Mumbles: V.D. Evans (Emergency Mechanic years). years, Second Coxswain 3 years). 17 years, Crew Member 7 years, Crew Member* Tighnabruaich: A.J. Sim (Crew Member 22 Girvan: C.M. McKechnie (Coxswain/ 22 years). years). Assistant Mechanic 4 years, Second New Brighton: P. Hockey (Crew Member 21 Torbay: E.G. Fradd (Second Coxswain 10 Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic 2 years, years); P.W. Edwards (Crew Member 4 years, years, Crew Member 9 years, Shore Helper 1 Assistant Mechanic 1 year, Crew Member 4 Crew Member at Penarth 6 years). year); B.J. Gaunter (Assistant Mechanic 6 years). Poole: J.A. Clark (Second Coxswain/Assistant years, Crew Member 10 years. Crew Hartlepool: D.T. Wilson (Second Coxswain Mechanic 15 years, Crew Member 4 years, Crew Member* 9 years). 14 years). Member* 7 years). Tynemouth: M. Brown (Emergency Harwich: R.A. Ramplin (Assistant Porthcawl: A. Owen (Crew Member 25 years); Mechanic 15 years. Crew Member 2 years, Mechanic 4 years, Crew Member 16 years, D. Campbell-Ace (Crew Member 10 years); A. Crew Member* 5 years. Crew Member at Crew Member* 15 years); C.W. Moll (Crew Redmond (Crew Member 20 years). Cullercoats 3 years, Shore Helper 6 years, Member 9 years, Assistant Mechanic 6 Pwllheli: W.D. McGill (Coxswain 17 years, Assistant Winchman 4 years). years, Crew Member* 17 years). Acting Coxswain 11 months, Second Coxswain Walmer: I.D. Packman (Crew Member 6 Hastings: P.D. Thorpe (Crew Member* 15 11 years, Crew Member 10 years, Crew years, Crew Member* 0 years, Shore Helper years. Shore Helper 14 years). Member* 14 years); R. Morris (Crew Member 4 years). Hoylake: R.A. (Tank) Whitely (Crew 24 years) Wells: J.W. Belts (Crew Member 24 years). Member 41 years, Crew Member at West Queensferry: M.J. Davis (Crew Member 12 West Mersea: J.A. Clarke (Crew Member Kirby 5 years). years 6 months). 27 years). Humber: I. Firman (Second Coxswain 3 St Abbs: R. Dalgleish (Crew Member 10 Whitby: M.R. Coates (Second Coxswain/ years, Crew Member 6 months, Coxswain at years). Second Assistant Mechanic 6 years, Second Scarborough 4 years, Second Coxswain at St Catherines: C.R. Fritot (Crew Member 13 Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic 4 years. Scarborough 3 months, Crew Member at years). Second Assistant Mechanic 1 year. Crew Scarborough 5 years). St Helier: F.A. Lawrence (Second Coxswain 19 Member 4 years, Crew Member* 9 years, Kircudbright: S. Unsworth (Coxswain years, Shore Attendant 1 year); M.E. Berry Shore Helper 1 year): Bronze medal 1976. Mechanic 4 years. Second Coxswain/ (Coxswain 20 years): Silver Medal '1974, B.W. Hodgson (Crew Member 12 years. Mechanic 2 years, Crew Member at Douglas Bronze Medal 1983, Silver Second-Service Crew Member* 20 years). 5 years). Clasp 1984. Wick: A.D. Anderson (Assistant Mechanic 6 Largs: D. Hewitt (Crew Member 19 years); St Ives: D.L. Smith (Second Coxswain 2 years, years, Second Assistant Mechanic 3 years. S.C. Smith (Crew Member 20 years, Shore Assistant Mechanic 20 years, Crew Member 9 Crew Member 11 years. Crew Member at Helper 4 years); H. Crawford (Crew years, Crew Member* 8 years). Fraserburgh 9 years). Member 17 years, Shore Helper 1 year). Salcombe: P.A. Brown (Assistant Mechanic 5 Wicklow: M.N. Short (Crew Member 11 Little & Broad Haven: R. Lewis (Crew years, Crew Member 9 years). years).

61 £ £ £ TH E FUND RA 1 SE RS £ £ £

Some ways of fill ing t he CO f f e r s . . . i

Greens for go A clean sweep! Dougie Donnelly, a well known Scottish The Royal Burgh of Cullen ladies life- sports commentator, recently presented a boat guild, established in May 1990, cheque for £7,500 to Mr Coates-Walker, recently held a tombola evening which honorary secretary of the North Berwick raised £700. The village of Cullen in lifeboat station. north east Scotland has a population of The cheque represented the proceeds from only 2.000 but already has many ardent the Dougie Donnelly Golf Classic held on RNLI supporters. the West Links Championship Course, North On the evening of the event. Steven Berwick, on Sunday 7 October 1990 and Findlay the local road sweeper, presented organised by the North Berwick Round Table secretary Mrs Karen Wilson with a fur- in aid of the North Berwick Boathouse ther donation of £130, gleaned from the Appeal. sale of returnable bottles and monies In spite of gale force conditions. Scottish found in the streets! sporting personalities including Billy This wonderful gesture on Mr Find- McNeil, Bill McLaren, Craig Chalmers and lay's pan truly illustrates the wide spec- Scott Hastings had a very enjoyable day trum of support for the RNLI. concluded by a prize-giving dinner in the Marine Hotel, North Berwick. Steven Findlay is pictured right with the tools of his trade, with which he collected £130-worth of bottles and coins! The French connection... Hounslowbranch raised£2,200fortheRNLI last May at a fun day at Brentford Dock Santa's Grotto Twelve days in June Marina, on the Thames. In July Mr Danny A team of seven members and their helpers The Reading Branch held a lifeboat exhibi- Malone, a member of Hounslow branch from Rugeley and District Branch, suitably tion in the Broad Street Mall Shopping Centre. arranged a cheque presentation when Gorden disguised as Father Christmas and circus Reading, from 11 to 23 June 1990. The ex- Kaye, star of BBC television's 'Allo 'Allo clowns, manned a Christmas Grotto sup- hibition was manned throughout the period handed over a cheque to the RNLI. plied to them courtesy of Cramphornes by local branches in the area. Garden Centre at Wolseley Bridge, Ruge- A competition ran throughout and entrants That's the Spirit ley. had to guess the number of lives saved since The Ashbourne branch has had a highly Father Christmas was welcoming children 1824 until the end of May 1990. The winner, successful year, raising over £9,000 towards for four weekends during the build-up to the Michael Woodhouse, was presented with his the Spirit of Derbyshire Appeal. One of the Christmas holiday and by giving lifeboat prizes by Reading branch president Mr Tony more unusual events among the wide variety souvenirs as gifts, patiently wrapped by Durant MP. of activities organised by the committee was branch members. £556 was raised for branch The exhibition raised £1.716.69 from a clay pigeon shoot and lamb roast which funds. souvenirs, donations and car draw tickets. raised over £750. This was the second event that Cramphor- nes Garden Centre have allowed the branch Words work well to hold on their premises and there are prom- The regulars at The White Horse at North- bury branch was caught for 40p when he ises of further combined events during 1991 wick near Bristol will readily engage you called to present letters of thanks! - culminating with Father Christmas mak- in conversation, but beware of using the However everyone is equally forgetful, ing a welcome comeback in time for next wrong word or you will find yourself which produces a steady income and keeps Christmas. launching the lifeboat with a contribution local box secretary Ken Keepin busy Christmas in the courtyard in the RNLI collecting box! emptying the two boxes. Since they started When landlord and ex-seafarer Eddie just over a year ago the boxes have pro- A seasonal courtyard Christmas Fair was Phillips took on an RNLI collecting box he duced £623.81. held by the Col wyn Bay branch before Christ- was determined that his pub would keep it To add to that Eddie organises jazz eve- mas at the home of Mr and Mrs Allan Rae of well filled on a regular basis, not just the nings with a local band to boost funds, and Bryn Dulas House, Llanddulas. passing copper or two. just before Christmas six volunteers, in- The courtyard of the house and buildings He realised that the word 'work' cropped cluding Eddie and his wife Liz, went on a was floodlit and lit by coloured lights, mak- up with monotonous regularity in conver- sponsored slim. Many pounds (weight) ing a welcome prospect on a cold winter's sations at the bar - and who wants to hear were lost and many pounds (sterling) were evening. The many stalls overflowed into about that while relaxing over a pint and a gained, and thanks to the willpower of the house. game of darts? participants and the generosity of the spon- On arrival guests were greeted with mince So 'that word', or any extension of it, is sors another £450 was raised. pies and a glass of warm and welcoming now banned - under penalty of a 1 Op fine Thishas brought the total so farto£973.87 mulled wine by their hosts, Mr and Mrs Rae, to the RNLI every time it is used. - easily the best return from the 40 pubs after which the abundance of goods on the Everyone in the pub is equally vigilant, which keep boxes for Thornbury and dis- various stalls resulted in more than £1.000 and even the honorary secretary of Thorn- trict branch. being raised for RNLI funds.

62 £ £ £ THE FUND RAISERS £ £ £

Crackers at Christmas Eastbourne variety Tipped to succeed The fund raising activities of Eastbourne The five motor cruisers which comprise the branch brought in a grand total of more than 'Cruise Loch Lomond' fleet are chartered by £90,000 during 1990. visitors from all over the world, keen to see Among the many events which contrib- the beauties of the loch, but the skippers and uted to the magnificent total was the annual crews of the boats do not accept tips from flag week, organised by Joan Woollven, their passengers. Instead, they ask them to which broke the £10,000 target for the put their money into strategically-placed second year running, adding £10,113.49 to RNLI collecting boxes, and the generosity of the branch funds to be precise. the visitors - and the vessel's crews - results During the course of the year the sale of in a handsome collection for the Institution. souvenirs at the very successful Eastbourne At the end of each season the fleet's owner lifeboat museum added £72,700, manning Stuart Cordner takes the proceeds to the the nearby Bluebell Walk for four days net- RNLI's Scottish office in Glasgow, recently ted £7,340 in the collecting boxes, and being presenting them with no less than £1,125. the beneficiary of the Eastbourne Fun Run added a further £4,240. Efficient donation Royal Mail employee Jenny Davison went More efficient ship repairing has led to the crackers at Christmas, dressing up as one Fashionable help ministry of defence sending the RNLI a and doing the rounds of the Royal Mail at Fifteen top models donated half of their fees cheque for £1,000... The unusual donation Guildford. to a fashion gala organised by Guildford came about as the result of the management Jenny managed to pull £166.24 in a stunt branch last October, helping to bring the and staff of the Bath-based Director General which went with a bang... total raised to just over £30,000. Ship Refitting's participation in a govern- Some £25,000-worth of clothes were lent ment efficiency programme over the past to the organisers by top fashion designers two years. In brief and three local boutiques. Hannah Gordon As a result of improved efficiency signifi- LAST Summer Ryde branch raised £2,100 was hostess for the evening, Michael Buerk cant reductions were achieved in the cost of for the Swanage lifeboat appeal by selling amused the audience with a lively auction ship repairs, while maintaining operating souvenirs at Warners Holiday Centres at St during the interval and the raffle prizes were standards, and part of the saving was made Clare and Puckpool. available for donation to charitable causes. A RECORD £7,362 was raised by Hitchin announced by the Countess of Onslow helped and District branch during 1990. To round by branch chairman Mrs David Graham- The RNLI was nominated as a suitable off the year the branch held a Punch, Pies and Wood. beneficiary, and as a result a cheque for Carols event, which raised more than £250. As a finale the models were joined by some £1,000 arrived at headquarters. Over 150 prizes had been donated for the lifeboatmen in well-cut foul weather gear - tombola stand, which was responsible for although the faces under the sou'westers £211 of the final figure. Making the news A BRIDGE afternoon held by Bournemouth looked suspiciously like RNLI regional A raffle, an auction and other personal con- ladies guild raised £600 for the RNLI. An organiser Michael Ashley and area organ- tributions at the British Association of In- annual donation from a charitable foundation iser Dennis Walker... dustrial Editors Scarborough Conference added a further £2,000. resulted in £1,055 for the RNLI. Robin THE association for the owners of Jaguar The crew at your service Sharp, the Institution's assistant public rela- Alacrity and Vivacity class yachts (JAVA) has donated £250 to the RNLI. Dover ladies guild held its first fashion show tions officer, was at the B AIE London Group A CHEQUE for £500 from Mobil North Sea in the Dover Harbour Board Hall two days Christmas party to receive the cheque. Ltd was handed over aboard the Fraserburgh after their annual meeting, and raised £280 The contribution will be used to offset the lifeboat. for guild funds. 1991 running costs of the Arun class lifeboat LANDLORDS of the Railway Hotel, Ring- The evening was organised by Edwina Newsbuoy which is in the RNLI relief fleet. wood, Mr and Mrs Edwards raised £425 from Hoskins, owner of a local boutique, and was Newsbuoy was named by His Grace the various events held in the bar during 1990. AFTER more than 20 years active fund rais- attended by the town's mayor, Mrs Lynn Duke of Atholl, (then Chairman of the RNLI ing the committee of Sudbury branch de- Young, and her husband. The crew of the and the Chairman of Westminster Press) in cided to step down in December and make Dover lifeboat found themselves carrying September 1984. The lifeboat was part- way for a new committee. In those twenty out a rather different kind of service when funded from the proceeds of an appeal run by years more than £56,000 has been raised with they served cheese and wine to round off the the Newspaper Society in which newspaper some £6,000 per annum being forwarded to evening! publishers and staff, newsagents, advertisers head office in recent years. The new secretary is Peter Barrett, telephone (0787) 74946. and newsboys and newsgirls participated. STAN Lloyd, a stalwart supporter from Porth- Lunch with Sir Cyril leven in Cornwall appeared on Esther The large-as-life figure of Sir Cyril Smith Rantzen's Heart of Gold television show last kept members of the Ramsbottom branch Knit one, sell one October. Stan is still an active fund raiser at entertained during their annual luncheon last A chimney sweep, a gypsy, a Welsh Lady, a the age of 80. SEVERAL months' fund raising efforts at the September. butcher and a lifeboatman joined forces to Kings Head public house in Clapham, Lon- Some 120 people attended the event to hear help Cherry Soloman raise more than £170 don, resulted in landlord Jim Millanthy and Sir Cyril reminiscing about his many years for branch funds at Portishead in December. his wife Mary handing over a cheque for as an MP and recounting some amusing The characters were all knitted figures £1,035.03 to Ken Chaplin, treasurer of episodes from his time as mayor of Ro- which Cherry produces for sale at branch Clapham Battersea and Wandsworth chdale. events, giving her time and the materials free branch. The event raised £600 for the branch funds. and also turning out to help sell them.

63 £ £ £ THE FUND RAISERS £ £ £

Pulling in the funds Fete accompli! Off their trolley!

The Newport (Dyfed) Junior Rowing Team The Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Appeal '.. ,- r-i won the Junior cup in the Great River Race benefitted to the tune of £4,650 as a result of from Richmond toGreenwich, and promptly Hartley and District branch's co-operation donated £150 to the RNLI. The crew of the with the Hartley Village Fete committee. boat were Wayne Jones (cox), Joe Thomas The fete was held last July and the cheque for (stroke), Mark Griffiths, Barry James and G. the proceeds was handed over in November Morris. to Ken Everard, the recently retired cox- swain of the Shoreham lifeboat. Shopping spree The branch raised an additional £4,572 at 'Raids' on local supermarkets in North various fund raising events during the course Cheam raised more than £4,000 for Sutton, of 1990. Cheam and Worcester Park branch. Two collectors at Sainsburys managed to Fundraising with a bang corner a touch under £1,300 between Thurs- A firework party last November at the home day evening and Saturday evening and on a of Brian Lodge of Famborough, raised £ 1,476 later weekend shoppers at Safeway donated for the Swanage Lifeboat Appeal. The party more than £2.700 in a similar period. was attended by colleagues of Brian's from Reporting the branch's successful super- Apex Printing and the money was raised in a market days Edward Trevor praised the re- variety of ways including individual dona- sults obtained at Safeway, when buckets tions, auctions and raffles. were used for collecting. It speeds up the All those attending came in fancy dress, process, he says, and also led to a threefold mainly pearly kings and queens, and a guest increase in the number of £5 notes compared dressed as a flower seller helped with the A 'trolley dash' in the Co-op at St Mary's, with the previous year! fundraising by selling posies at £1 each. Isle of Scilly raised £300 for the RNLI last In 1989 Brian Lodge raised over £1,000 December. Miss Vikki Nicholls collected Flying High for the same appeal with a sponsored drive approximately £80-worth of goods during Hazel Gaskin raised £461 for lifeboat funds across Australia. her one-and-a-half minute dash round the in August last year when she parascended store before being presented with a bouquet high above the Medway River. ... and the next patient please and a bottle of champagne by manager Bob Although scared of heights and of the Dunstable branch's barbeque last summer Gilmour. water, Hazel was strapped into a parachute raised £550, due in part no doubt to the very and hoisted 200ft into the air by a power professional duo cooking the steaks. boat. Hazel is a member of the Kent Boat and With a doctor and a dentist behind the grill A round-about way Ski Club, based at Cuxton near Rochester, (in the person of committee members Mike Each year a member of the Hoo Ness Yacht which also helps the local branch to raise Day and Mike O'Donovan) few could doubt Club provides a Junior Award, and in 1990 funds throughout the year. the quality of the fare! it was decided that this would go to the child who raised the largest amount for the RNLI. Very soon after the challenge was an- nounced 13-year-old Mark Rowe was busy Easy as having a ball... approaching club members to sponsor him Raising money is as easy as having a ball, before the RNLI benefited from what and his 9-year-old brother Matthew on a 28- writes yachting writer and broadcaster was left. mile circumnavigation of the Isle of Shep- Malcolm McKeag following his involve- On top of that the raffle - at a posh ' do' pey in their 10ft 'Mirror' class dinghy. ment with the Keel Haul Ball. As a result it would be called tombola - raised over The brothers made their voyage one week- of the ball four Lymington sailors will £600, thanks to good prizes and moder- end in August last year, with their parent's hand the RNLI a cheque for more than ately priced tickets. yacht in attendance as safety boat. £1,500. Among the prizes were a year's free Having sailed down to the lower part of the Crawford McKeon, Jane Howe, Mal- membership of the Country Club do- Medway they found themselves having to colm McKeon and Jill McKeon put to- nated by Elmer's Court, a Methusalam of row most of the way from Garrison Point gether the Keel Haul Ball, a low-cost champagne donated by Champagne along the north coast of the island due to a black tie affair which gave 250 people a Mumm (sponsors of the Admiral's Cup), lack of wind, and then having to drop their great time for relatively little outlay, and and a day's charter for six people aboard sails because there was too much wind! brought the RNLI a tidy sum. a classic 40ft motor yacht donated by After a night aboard their mother ship in In contrast to some Balls, with a capital James Waldrock's DMG Yacht Char- the Swale (which divides the island from the B, held in a swish hotel in the capital ters. mainland) they finally completed the cir- where tickets can cost £ 100 and up before Potential sponsors of events such as the cumnavigation in about 13'A hours of sail- adding in the drinks, the McKeon team Keel Haul Ball can take heart from the re- ing and rowing. ran the keel Haul Ball at Elmer's Court sponse to Elmer's Courts' generosity - Mark and Matthew raised £330 for the Country Club for just £22 a ticket. seven people were so impressed that they Institution, winning the Junior Award in the The Country Club club itself was a joined up on the evening. The Club now process, and handed over their cheque to the major contributor, donating the venue for offers 'Keel Haul Corporate Member- Medway branch at a club event in October. free and leaving only the staff wages and ship', donating £40 from a specially The club also made a donation and to their buffet food to come out of the ticket price reduced fee straight to the RNLI. delight the brothers have now been invited to visit Sheemess lifeboat station.

64 £ £ £ THE FUND RAISERS £ £ £

Welling's black box On New Years Eve 1990, the Welling Branch Little ships, big contribution held a Buffet and Disco Dance at the Lord The Maldon Little Ship Kitchener public house, Welling. Club held a sponsored row A superb time was had by the 240 people in January and raised more who attended the event which, together with than £4,000 for the Insti- a raffle, raised £1,302.50 for the Welling tution. Some 43 boats and Branch. 150 people took part in the An RNLI plaque was presented to Kevin event, some of them in Jarvis of The Black Box Disco to thank him fancy dress. for the dances at which he has played for the Clear winners of the Welling Branch. Thanks are extended to Mr Panther trophy for the larg- John Godden of Charringtons for allowing est single sponsorship and the rent-free use of the Dance Hall. the Fancy Dress prize were 'The Basin Oars', five On the carpet lovely ladies from Hey- Jim Pearson of Honley Car Parts in West bridge Basin. Yorkshire spotted an adjacent carpet com- Trained and supervised pany dumping hundreds of carpet squares by their husbands the girls into a skip. Quick-thinking Jim asked if he were in fine form, rowing could have them, and then retrieved the like the wind and raising doomed floor covering along with,a large £1,300 from their efforts. pile of similar samples and stacked them in Pictured from left to right his garage. are the members of the Having sorted the enormous- pile into team, Jill Doubtfire, Eva matching sets of colour and size Ije put up a Nutbeam, Viv Hannant- notice outside his shop: 'Quality'Car Mats Smith, Jane Fox and Julia 25p - all proceeds to the lifeboats*. Franklin. Jim now does a steady trade in car mats, (Photo Maldon & Burnham Standard) and with his carpet-selling neighbour regu- larly topping up his stock, Jim has so far netted £242 for the RNLI. It has become almost a full-time job for Honley and Brock- Tyre-ing carnival day! holes branch to empty his collecting box, and this is all from a man who is not even a branch member in a small village about as far from the sea as you can get!

Mass production! The Minehead Lifeboat Guild shop is open daily from March until October, from 10.30 am until dusk, and since Easter 1990 ladies of the guild and friends have made and sold no less than 262 gingham aprons, 250 knit- ted lifeboatmen dolls, 220 other dolls, nu- merous oven gloves, peg bags, knitwear and greeting cards! The guild raised £1,770 in that time - and since 1981 they have made and sold an amazing 1,839 gingham aprons.

Pounds lost, pounds gained! Mrs Veronica Harrison (Vron to her friends) decided to hold a sponsored slim last Sum- mer, and members of the Medway Branch Committee later attended a function put on by the RochesterCruising Club, where she is a member, to be presented with the proceeds. Veronica raised the sum of £400 from Eight-year-old Heather Lean took her grandfather Jack Parkin, presi- friends and members of the Cruising Club. to the boats to help Newquay life- dent of the Newquay branch, using Vron looked very pleased with herself and boat station last summer. She an old tractor inner tube. There are happy to be presented with an RNLI Certifi- joined Newquay's carnival parade no plans to replace existing in- cate for her efforts by Medway branch chair- in a new design of 'inshore life- shore lifeboats with the new man John Allison who had no idea of, and boat' - specially made for her by design! tactfully did not ask, her previous weight.

65 £ £ £ THE FUND RAISERS £ £ £

Drawn into a new car Buying a 25p draw ticket in Yorkshire last year has given Miss Daphne Knights of Purley in Surrey quite a problem-but one she can quite happily live with. Daphne's ticket won her a brand new Volvo 440 in the North East region's Volvo draw, and after picking up the gleaming new white car from her local dealership in Croydon she now has to grapple with a pleasant problem. The problem? Well, Daphne has owned her present car, a 1958 Austin A35, for many, many years and was just about to decide whether to keep it in regular use or buy something a little newer when she heard of her good luck in the draw. The 33-year-old Austin is in fine fettle and Daphne is now determined to find it a caring home to live out a gentle retire- ment. Daphne is a member of the A35's Car Draw winner Miss Daphne Knights (left) is owners club and it may find a home with pictured with Anne Wilkins, the RNLI's a fellow enthusiast, but THE LIFEBOAT regional organiser for Greater London will forward letters from readers who collecting her new Volvo from Tamplins Volvo dealership in Croydon. Miss Knights current would like to take the little grey car car is pictured right, a 1958 Austin A35 which under his or her wing. is now looking for a caring home.

They swear by it... Skegness success jumps and organised others to add some Liverpool licensee Jim Parry wants his cus- The Lincolnshire Lifeboat Appeal has re- £5,000 to RNLI funds. tomers to keep on swearing, because it means cently reached its target of £600,000 and Work is underway on the 1991 project - more money to buy equipment for the New Skegness Coxswain/Mechanic Paul Martin Skegness lifeboat teddy bears - one of which Brighton lifeboat station! So far Jim has felt this was a suitable time to give Skegness has already been auctioned for more than raised £2,400 by fining regulars for swearing man Alvis Blanchard a 'mention in £200, despite selling for £5.95 normally! at his pub, the Carnarvon Castle. despatches' for his particular contributions Members of the lifeboat crew visited the to the appeal during 1990. popular Higsons local recently to receive As well as some £900 from beach collec- The Fund Raisers equipment which included a VHP and a tions during launches Alvis organised a sky- The final date for copy in this transportable radio, dry and foul-weather dive parachuting event and a 'buy-a-brick' section of the Summer 1991 campaign which brought in £11,000. In the suits for the crew, torches and gloves. issue of THE LIFEBOAT is Friday previous three years Alvis, who was once a Said Jim, 'Regulars are fined lOp each 24 May. time they sing, swear or think 'naughty' launcher at the station before travelling the thoughts!' world, has undertaken sponsored parachute

Excuse me sir, is that your lifeboat. Workington didn't miss a trick when a Mersey class lifeboat visited the station for trials. One very wet and windy day during the Christmas period they trol- leyed her along to their local Safeway supermarket and parked her in the car park. Astonished West Cumbrians re- sponded magnificently to the provision of safety cover on the car park puddles and put no less than £1,025 in the collecting boxes!

66 People and Places around and about the RNLI

King of the draw The names of the 20 lucky prize winners in the RNLI's 52nd national lottery were plucked from the drum on 31 January by „ NATIONA Desmond Carrington, well-known actor and Radio 2 presenter. LOTTER Desmond, whose acting career includes RIZE DRA leading roles in 'Emergency Ward 10' and other television, radio and theatre produc- tions, was appearing at Poole Arts Centre in the one-man play 'I was King'. Supervising the proceedings were Ray Kipling, deputy director of the Institution, and Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fund raising and marketing. The 52nd lottery raised over £80,000 and the prize winners were:- £2,000: C.R. Humphries, Crewe, Cheshire. £1,000: Mrs G.P. Massiter, Farnborough, Hampshire. Desmond Carrington (right) digs deep in the drum for the winning ticket in the RNLI's 52nd national lottery draw. With him are Anthony Oliver (centre) deputy head of fund raising and marketing and Peter Holness, £500: M.L. Greenhalgh, Bolton, corporate fund raising manager. (Photo Bournemouth Evening Echo) Lancashire. £250: Mrs D. Dowdeswell, Leamington Woodward, Banstead, Surrey. Spa, Warwickshire. £50: E.H. Allum, Redbridge, Essex; Mrs On Station £100: M. Barefield, Reading, Berkshire; H.E. Robertson, Glasgow; Miss P.J. The following lifeboats have taken up D. Cowie, (White Horse Distillers) Harvey, Bromley Kent; Mrs M. Edwards, station duties: Clarkston, Glasgow; J. Scragg, Liverpool; Gwynedd; Mrs F.J. Ball, Shrewsbury, ALL-WEATHER Mrs D. Liddell, Perthshire; J. Croft, Shropshire; Miss R.J. Powell, London; Pwllheli - Mersey 12-010 (ON 1168) Lilly Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria; Mrs. M Mrs F. Eden-Smith, Bridlington, North and Vincent Anthony on 25 January 1991. Gibson, Southampton, Hampshire; Ms A. Humberside; S.A. Mellor, Stevenage, INSHORE Parker, Bradford, West Yorkshire; V. Hertfordshire. Bangor - B584 on 21 November 1990. Mudeford - B583 on 24 November 1990. Obituaries Sir Alec Rose With deep regret we record the following deaths: as the station's assistant honorary medical ad- Sir Alec Rose KT, an honorary life gover- OCTOBER 1990 viser until his appointment as honorary medical nor of the RNLI died on 11 January at the Mrs H. Parker, president of Bolton Ladies' adviser in 1976. He served in this capacity until age of 82 after a short illness. guild from 1974 until her death. She was chair- his retirement in 1985. Doctor Corbett has been man of the guild from 1958 to 1968 and vice- posthumously awarded a silver badge. Sir Alec was a tireless supporter of the president from 1968 to 1974. Charles Bowry, staff coxswain from 1984 to Institution's work and launched the NOVEMBER 1990 1986. He joined Sheerness lifeboat crew in Yachtmen's Lifeboat Supporters Associa- Mrs N. Rathbone, chairman of Arnside branch 1969 as station mechanic and in 1970 was tion (YLA) at the 1969 London Boat Show from 1962 to 1984. She was awarded a silver appointed Coxswain/Mechanic. In 1981 he was and became its first member. The YLA badge in 1980. appointed Coxswain/Mechanic of Portpatrick was the forerunner of today's Membership Mrs M. Butterfield, president of Lytham guild lifeboat. 'Charlie' was awarded a bronze medal Scheme. from 1984. She was chairman from 1967 to in 1975, a clasp to the bronze medal in 1978 and 1982 and was awarded a silver badge in 1990. a silver medal in 1980. In 1974 Sir Alec chaired the Hampshire Mrs H. Cawwood, souvenir secretary of Cov- Mrs E. Pemberton, honorary treasurer of Wal- ! Rose Appeal, which funded the lifeboat entry Ladies'guild from 1973 to 1984 and com- lasey Ladies' guild from 1950 to 1990. She was Hampshire Rose, and he also launched the mittee member from 1965. She was awarded a awarded a silver badge in 1962, a gold badge in appeal to fund the lifeboat Shoreline. silver badge in 1980. 1977 and a bar to the gold badge in 1987. For his tireless fund raising efforts and Mrs Inge Humphreys, box secretary of Le- George Hackett, chairman of Oldbury branch ! his tremendous support of the lifeboat icester branch for many years. since it was formed in 1968. He was awarded a Mrs Jean Wild, box secretary of Chatham framed letter of thanks in 1976 and a silver ; service Sir Alec was made an honorary life branch for many years. badge in 1989. governor of the RNLI in 1975. DECEMBER 1990 The funeral was held at Portsmouth Mrs Valerie Jenkins, a founder committee JANUARY 1991 Cathedral on 22 January, attended by some member of Brecon branch which was formed in Tony Guy, president of Wolverhampton branch | 1,000 people, including representatives of 1971. from 1972 to 1991. He was awarded a framed j RNLI headquarters, lifeboat crews, Doctor James Corbett, committee member of certificate of thanks in 1978, silver badge in supporters and the appeals with which he Harwich branch since 1968 when he also served 1981 and a gold badge in 1991. had been involved.

67 People and Places around and about the RNLI

New Year Honours j Third generation Two awards for services to the RNLI were made in the Queen's New Year Honours list. Robert Reay, MBE, honorary secretary of North Sunderland lifeboat station was awarded the MBE and Kenneth Henry BEM, lately coxswain of the Aith lifeboat was awarded the BEM. Other awards with RNLI connections, but not for services to the Institution, were made to: Knighthood Sir James Anderton, chief constable, Greater Manchester Police, who is involved with the Police Appeal. Sir Jeffrey Bowman, senior partner, Price Waterhouse, the RNLI's accountants. CBE Miles Walker CBE, chief minister, Isle of Man Government, which works closely with the Institution. Three generations of the Cannon family aboard the Ramsgate lifeboat. The youngest, Ian (right) joined the crew on his 17th birthday, while father Roy (centre) has been coxswain for 18 years, and grandfather QBE Bob (left) was previously the station mechanic. (Photo Michael Pett) Tom Norreys, OBE, managing director Avon Inflatables. The third generation of the Cannon family Anthony Raggett, OBE, technical director took his place in the Ramsgate lifeboat Long Service Awards Marine and Aviation, RFD. Both compa- crew on the first available day - his 17th The Long Service Badge for crew nies work with the RNLI for inflatable birthday. Ian Cannon joined in February, members and shore helpers who have Inshore lifeboats. having taken his medical and sight tests given active service for 20 years or more MBE early in readiness, to become the has been awarded to: Martin Broom, MBE, chairman and youngest ever member of the Ramsgate Eastbourne - Second Coxswain/Assistant managing director, Broom Boats, formerly crew. Mechanic D. Corke chairman of National Boat Show. NBS His father, Roy Cannon, has been cox- Moelfre - Mechanic E. Jones have donated space to the RNLI at many swain for 18 years and his grandfather Bob Salcombe - Coxswain Mechanic F.Y. boat shows. is now shorehelper having retired as Smith Leighton Kent, MBE, district controller, lifeboat mechanic. (In the Winter 1990/91 issue of The Swansea coastguard MRCC. Safety at sea runs in the family and lan's Lifeboat Frank Lawrence of Si He/ier was BEM mother Julia is an Auxiliary Coastguard. listed as 'shorehelper' when receiving his Robin Sunley, BEM, assistant mechanic of Bob says that he has come home from a Long Service Award. Although a shore- the Flamborough lifeboat. service at 3am only to discover that his helper at the time Frank had been Second Muriel Rossiter, BEM, lately librarian of wife is not there because she has been Coxswain forl9 years. See Awards to the Marine Society. called out too! Coxswains and Crews, page 61, this issue) Returning the compliment Fragments of History Two small fragments of Formby's lifeboat Staff from the RNLI's depot and house, believed have been the first lifeboat headquarters gave a helping hand station in Britain, now have a place in a to the Children in Need Appeal on history collection in the town's library. 1 December last year when they The small fragments, one stone the made a 'double circumnavigation' of Poole. The D class inflatable other metal, were spotted in the sand by 83-year-old Brother Christopher Barton stayed firmly ashore, being who inscribed and mounted them before trundled right around the town presenting them to the library's display. twice to the sound of an on-board Formby's lifeboat station was estab- accordianist. lished in 1776, taken over by the RNLI in The team raised some £1,000 1894 and ceased operation in 1916 when for the appeal - collecting £600 to few men and no horses were available. It add to their £400 sponsorship j was closed officially in 1919.

68 UFE. STYLE. When you open the door of a Volvo 460 When you open the door of a Volvo 460 Turbo, you'll notice the extra weight of the Turbo, you'll notice the slim pillars, the good built-in crash-bar. It's there in all Volvo doors. visibility, the ease of entry. Sink back in your seat, secure in the Sink back in your seat, comfortable in knowledge that you are surrounded by a rigid the knowledge that it's electrically heated and steel safety cage. designed by back specialists. With crumple zones to the rear and front. With adjustable lumbar support. Standard features include collapsible Standard features include electric windows, steering column, three rear seat belts and a electric sunroof, tinted glass and a radio dual circuit braking system. cassette player. A brief test drive will leave you in no A brief test drive will leave you in no doubt that the Volvo's 1-7 turbo-assisted doubt that the Volvo's sports suspension engine has all the power you need for safe gives an exceptionally stable yet comfortable overtaking. ride.(Wherever you sit.) A catalytic converter helps cut out 95% A catalytic converter helps cut out 95% of toxic emissions. of toxic emissions. At the wheel, you'll notice the power- At the wheel, you'll notice the highly steering still provides plenty of 'feel'. sophisticated electronic information display. In the rear-view mirror you can see the In the rear-view mirror you can see the high-mounted additional brake light. split rear seat with a folding armrest. This is just one side of the Volvo 460. This is just one side of the Volvo 460. With its modern windcheating lines, it's With its many standard safety features, it's one of the most stylish cars on the road. one of the most secure cars on the road.

ASK YOUR DEALER ABOUT VOIVO LIFETIME CARE AND DETAILS OF FREE CHILD SEAT PROGRAMME. ALL NEW VOLVOS RUN ON UNLEADED PETROL AND ARE FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AS STANDARD. VOLVO 460 TURBO £16.485 INC. CAR TAX & VAT. (EXCL. STANDARD NATIONAL DELIVERY CHARGE £240. INC. VAT.) PRICES AND TAX LIMITS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. PERSONAL EXPORT SALES TEL (07072) 62388. FOR A BROCHURE TEL 0800 400 430 FREE. NEW RELEASE We will be there This exciting new ballad by Dene Michael of Ask your local record store to order' the Black Lace epitomises the dedication of the record for you. You should ask for catalogue RNLI to always being there, in the right number FLA120 distributed by BMG for place, at the right time. Flare Records. Their commitment to the cause We Will Be There is sponsored is being aided by a 40 pence by DBS Financial Management contribution to the RNLI from who are pleased to support the every record sold. By RNLI and look forward to an purchasing the record you too outstanding contribution to are helping to ensure that the lifeboat funds from Dene RNLI Will Be There. Financial Michael's record. Management

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Mariner doesn't just promise reliability. It proves it! If you're considering buying an outboard, whatever the size, you'll have noticed that almost every manufacturer promises greater reliability as an important reason for selecting their engine instead of someone else's! At Mariner, we prefer to deal in proof, not promises. That's why you may be interested to know that after a stringent, lengthy and punishing programme of engine evaluation, the RNLI have chosen Mariner power. Why? Because the one thing their fleet of inflatable rescue boats must have, above all else, is ultimate engine reliability — and as their test programme proved, Mariner has it! OUTBOARDS

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CORNWALL. Three well-equipped cot- REGIMENTAL TIES tages on working moorland farm. Lake Also Club, Company, Promotional Ties. views, log fires. Lovely peaceful loca- Restronguet, Nr Falmouth Blazer Badges & Buttons, Cuff Links, Hand tion. Coast 10 miles. Linen provided. Painted Heraldic Shields/Car Badges, RICHARD ADSHEAD MODELS Peaceful, picturesque waters' edge hamlet. Pets by arrangement. Trewalla Farm, Medal Mounting, also miniatures. TEMPLECOMBE, SOMERSET BA8 OHE Comfortable houses sleep 4/8 (two bathrooms). Minions, Liskeard PL14 6ED. RADNOR LTD, 39 Thames Street, BUILDERS OF FINE MINIATURE WATER- Own gardens, quay, slip and beach near Pan- Telephone (0579) 42385 LINE AND LARGE SCALE SHIP MODELS dora Inn-Restaurant. Open all year. Dogs al- Windsor, Berks SL4 1PR FOR OVER FORTY YEARS lowed. Peter Watson. Restronguet. Falmouth. 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PLYMOUTH HOE - DEVON THE SPECIALISTS IN ALL FORMS OF SEA BURIAL AA .V RAC ,V IMPERIAL HOTEL - 22 bedrooms mostly PORTRAITS-IN-OIL THE BRITANNIA SHIPPING COMPANY en-suite - Nautical Cocktail bar- Discount for Commission an Ongma) Oil Painting FOR BURIAL AT SKA LIMITED Shoreline members and friends - Details Your loved one. Pet. House. Boat etc from a contact resident proprietor Lt Cdr Alan K. photograph. Paintings of any subject undertaken Britannia House • Newton Popplcford • Nr. Sidmouth Devon Jones RNR Retd. Colour brochure and tariff. BRUNETH FINE ART. 21 Stanhope Close EXK) OEE.Telephone Colaton Raleigh (0395) O.S652 — 24 hours Plymouth (0752) 227311 MaiOstone Kent ME14 2RB. Tel (0622) 750534 LIFEBOAT CLASSIFIED

FUND-RAISING Unique WATERSIDE HOLIDAYS IN CORNWALL AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE ~I:SSED Peaceful location at water's edge * 5 attractive COTTAGES and FLATS * Boats for hire * Moorings, Jetty and Slipway face oiuvm • id DA n mm- CXCLWVE PACKAGC • Details from * Also YACHTS for charter FOR YOUR CLUB OR CHARITY Lane & Partners Ltd RENT-A-RACE 48 Draycott Place. London SW3 *- BAR CREEK, MALPAS, TRURO Tel: 07! 58! 3894 (0872)73919 TR1 1SS Serving Fund raisers since 1971

IT'S BACK! FRED'S TIDE GUIDE which covers all the British Isles. Eire and Channel Islands. 1991 TIDE GUIDE complete with clock Sign here to fietp and Data Pack £7.20 1991 DATA PACK (for people who already have the clock) £4.25 Make cheque out to 'S.A.A. Sales Office' and send to the Sub-Aqua Association. 21 Leybourne Road, Liverpool L25 4SW. the [ifeb oats... Telephone 051-428 5451 THE HOTEL FOR ALL SEASONS If you have any autographs of famous people or Secluded, romantic and wonderful old postcards the RNLI can turn them into cash hospitality Helford River HOLNE CHASE Large house, spectacular views, to help run the lifeboat service. Nr. Ashburton, Devon mooring, boathouse. tennis court. Poundsgate (036 43)471 Holiday lets. AA + RAC" Commendation of B.T_ft. Telephone (0705) 593150 A specialist auction house will sell individual items or collections on the RNLI's behalf. Individually they may not be particularly valuable but if we can collect enough they will make a Successful worthwhile addition to the Institution's funds. Send your autographs and old postcards to: Fund Raising The Fund Raising Department, RNLI Headquar- ters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ Made Easy WAY SAIL ALYSTRA St Mawes, Cornwall. Large flats, A 38ft ketch, sailing the Hebrides sleep 5/6. Excellent sailing, walking. Join skipper Tony (ex-MN) and Anya. cook Telephone (0392) 860355 and zoologist, aboard 'Alystra1, and help cruise the magnificent waters of the West Coast. Explore uninhabited isles, enjoy quiet anchor- ages and good food. Learn the basics of cruis- ACTIVE INVESTORS need foosefeaf inves ing, pilotage, navigation, or just take in the men! ledgers £15. scenery. Sail in sheltered waters ideal for the SAE for details to R. D. C. Passey. The M family. Single sailors welcome. Cruises start House. Crewe Road, Crewe CW1 1NW U^ --J from L. Craignish. From C229-E259 p.p 6 days Members of the AS. V.C. •A RYA Recognised Teaching Establishment Falmouth, Cornwall GILL YACHT CHARTERS Port Pendennis Harbour Village Ardfern, by Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 SON Tel: (08525) 257 Luxury waterside apartment. Two bee rooms, sleeps 4. Overlooking marina Telephone: (0534 82172 (evenings) (0534) 602134 (day) Binocular Repair Specialists High quality & realistic prices for repairs cleaning/realigning. Also new and S/H sales ACTION OPTICS 2Old Hill. Avening. Nr Tetbury GlosGL88NR Next Issue Tel Nailsworth (045383) 3738 Telephone or write for a The next issue of The Lifebos FREE COPY of oar Brochure Trailer-sailer sailors will be published on 1 July1991 Peeks Get afloat at Creran Moorings, The last date for advertisini of Bournemouth Ltd Oban (0631) 72265 copy is Monday 3 June 1991 Riverside Lane Tuckton Bournemouth BH6 3LD Contact Peter Holness on Poole (020! Tel (0202) 417777 BROADS NATIONAL PARK 671133 for details of rates. Small ac Skippered day-sailing on beautiful Edwardian cost £17.33 per column centimetre for (Fax 0202 417729) Broads yacht. Also B&B accommodation in picturesque village. Tel (069262) 768 single insertion. > -.—>„_._•, <^«»-«OlC«"*~*'tl«S^S»'****"^ r~ic=«Mff'— —''sisiSis •• oiftUWUU

The instant guide to safety at sea. Legislation or not in 1992, as every No need for endless heavy volumes or Yes. please send me the neatest on-board safety serious boat user knows, safety at sea jumbled flip cards - just consult an aid of the 90s! is vital - and when the unexpected authoritative source on your chart Name happens, there's often little time to table. Instantly. Address consider the correct response. Like all the best ideas, the Pulaid The bey to a safe decision is informa- Concise Navigational Reference tion - and if you don't bnow the System is beautifully simple - with a answer, it must be easily accessible. price to match. To obtain your set in County. Post Code its weather-resistant case, complete A cheque tor £19.95 including postage & packing (made That's where Pulaid's Concise Naviga- Q payable to Pukml Marine Systems Lul ) is enclosed tional Reference System comes to the and return the coupon. Or visit your ship's chandler. Please charge my Access/Visa card (Delete as applicable) rescue. This handy set of laminated D or order by phone now on 0206 763726. rotating discs provides at-a-glance After all, £ 19.95 is a small price to pay Card number reference to the IALA Buoyage System, for peace of mind. Particularly when Flags and Morse. International Regula- one of those pounds will support the Expiry Dale tions for the prevention of Collisions life-saving work of the Royal National at Sea Parts C and D. Light Character- Lifeboat Institution. Signature istics and International Distress Signals. (For multiple orders, enter the quantity required in this box and r enclose the correct remittance at i 19.95 per unii. or specify I—I payment by credit card). PULAID MARINE SYSTEMS Now mail to: Pulaid Marine Systems Ltd. —supporting the RNLI. 17B West Street. Colchester. Essex CO2 7BH. MfJk

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Martell & Co. and their The spirit of Tradition U.K. distributor The Michel Martell, the seventh House of Seagram generation of the Martell family to are proud of this head this prestigious company, link and look for- founded in 1715, was in England ward to develop- when the announcement was made ing further their to phase out the traditional Naval long standing rum ration in 1970. This included relationship with the provision of rum to Lifeboats the RNLI "on service". Being a lover of tradition and a keen yachtsman, he spontaneously offered to provide the RNLI with Martell Cognac. MARTELL COGNAC The Lifeboats have carried Martell The House of Seagram, Pinnacle House, 17 Hartfield Road, ever since for use "on service". London SW19 3SE