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

VOL, XXIII.—No. 266.] 1ST NOVEMBER, 1918. [PRICK 6d.

The Duke of Northumberland's Prize Essay Competition. EARLY this year the late Duke of The Co-operation of School Teachers. Northumberland, the then President of But the most pleasing feature of the the Institution, placed at its disposal competition has been the whole-hearted the sum of £100, to be utilized in the support given by all the head teachers who participated. As soon as they re- presentation of prizes for essays on the ceived the literature and grasped the heroic work of the Life-boats, written importance of the Life-boat service as by children still actually attending the the embodiment of the qualities which senior classes in national elementary have been so conspicuously shown by schools throughout the United Kingdom. our race in every field of human en- The aim was to encourage in British deavour, they recognized the moral and children a knowledge of, and a pride in, educational advantage of bringing before their children the practical ex- the achievements of the Life-boat ser- ample of the Life-boat crews. We have vice, and to imbue them with something received scores of letters from school of the spirit of heroism, endurance, and teachers, which give ample evidence humanity which shines like a steady not only of their interest, but of the flame through that service. public-spirited attitude in which they have approached their task. Again The country was divided into six and again they contain the assurance districts, and a Challenge Shield was that, whether the essays sent in by presented for each. Further, "War them are fortunate enough to secure a Savings Certificates were offered to the prize or not, the value of 'the lessons writers of the ten best essays in each taught by a perusal of even a very brief district, while Certificates of Merit were survey of the Life-boats' work during to be awarded to the next twenty-five in nearly a century of heroic effort, has been an ample reward for the time and each area. A brief account of the Life- trouble involved in carrying out the boat service was sent to the head teacher scheme. of each competing school, and the essays Scotland and Ireland Not Fully were to be written in school, and were Represented. to be the unaided work of the pupils The number of essays received from themselves. the different districts was very unequal, It is very gratifying to be able to state and in no way corresponded to the number of schools in the respective that the scheme has been a great success, areas. By far the largest number were especially from the educational point received from the Midlands (over 3,100), of view. Although a few of the Educa- the Southern (about 1,100), and the tion Committees which were approached Northern District (over 1,000), a fact in the first instance were not encourag- which adds to the credit of George ing, the vast majority of educational Davies's performance in winning the authorities throughout the country not Shield for the Midland area, his essay being also awarded the additional War only welcomed the proposal, but gave Savings Certificate as the best sent in it their very cordial support, recognizing from the whole of the United Kingdom. the great moral value of the example Unfortunately, it did not appear pos- which the Life-boat service embodies. sible to reach the Scottish National

u 2 THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND'S PRIZE ESSAY COMPETITION CHALLENGE SHIELD

248 THE LIFE-BOAT. NOVEMBER, 1918. schools by any other means than by Life-boat service, the signals of distress, advertisement in the Educational News, the flag of the Institution, etc., while a and the same method had to be applied map of the United Kingdom, showing in Ireland, where we were greatly in- the Life-boat stations, formed the last debted to the Irish School Weekly for page of a neatly-sewn booklet, and the giving us a free advertisement of the writing was exceptionally good through- details of the scheme. Hence the out. This head teacher has evidently number of essays from both countries discovered the secret of inspiring all his was disappointingly small, Scotland boys with a keen zest in their work and sending in only about 70 (of which with an eager desire to develop their many came from the same school), capacity in every direction on original Ireland about 160, while Wales con- lines; for it should be added that all tributed about 400. the illustrations were different, and re- We trust that the publication of this flected the individuality of the essayist. issue of THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL, which Altogether it is clear_ that the boys is being sent to all National schools, educated at the Central Council School, will lead to a far wider participation in Weston-Super-Mare, have as good a the competition in 1919.* chance of securing the essentials of a sound education as the boys at many High Standard of Merit. an expensive preparatory school which The essays as a whole showed an passes on its pupils to the great Public extraordinarily high standard, having Schools. regard to the fact that they appear Some Quaint Touches. almost invariably to have been written in strict accordance with the conditions Needless to say the perusal of some laid down, that is, as the unaided work thousands of essays brought to light of the pupils, written in school after some quaint and original ideas on the an address by the head teacher. The subject. One little girl is evidently* a result is in itself an eloquent proof of born hero worshipper. After express- the excellence of the teaching staff ing her profound admiration for men throughout the country. Not only like Sir W. Hillary and the typical were the spelling and writing very Life-boatman, she tells us that several good—the latter being quite beautiful of her friends are men of that stamp. in many cases—but the essays showed One feels that it must be a liberal a grasp of the subject, a memory for education to know this little maiden, the chief facts, and an appreciation of and that if she has marked you for her the moral and national importance of friend you have simply got to be a hero, the Life>boat service for a maritime however unfitted you may feel yourself people, which prove how carefully and to play the role. It becomes a question lucidly the subject had been put before of fulfilling your part of an implied com- the boys and girls. pact; it won't do to be guilty of obtain- In one or two cases the essays sent ing goods under false pretences. One in by a whole school were of quite boy surprises us by the statement that remarkable merit, although, as a matter Life-boatmen are " stigmatised by the of fact, only one essay should have been none too picturesque dress they wear." sent in from each school, a rule which All are profoundly impressed by the will be rigidly adhered to in future. spirit of self-sacrifice and courage which The best group by far was sent in by inspires the Life-boat crews, though Mr. H. Turner, the headmaster of the standard by which the sacrifice is the Central Council Boys' School, measured is sometimes quaint enough. Weston-Super-Mare. All these essays Thus one small boy is filled with ad- were written one afternoon between miration at the extraordinary self- 2.30 and 4.30 P.M. ; each was illustrated control of a crew who, having rescued in colours with some of the symbols of the the shipwrecked after the most arduous efforts, do not owe a grudge to the poor wretches for having " made them leave * The particulars of the scheme are given in another column.—Ed., LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. their warm beds on a cold and stormy IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. night," which he evidently regards as Silver, or even Gold, Medal for con- j the most heroic part of the whole pro- spicuous gallantry in the Life-boat ! ceedings. We learn some curious facts, service, will get some very real pleasure \ too, with regard to the construction of from the frank and generous admiration Life-boats. Some, it appears, are made so universally accorded to him and his of pumice stone ; others wholly of cork. fellows by the children of Britain. But the most extraordinary Life- We give below the six Essays by ; boat (?) of which we have any informa- which the writers have earned the i tion is introduced to our notice by Challenge Shields for their respective j Eric Willis, of Billericay, Essex, and schools in the districts, and we have j we are sure our readers will be inter- prefaced the Essay in each case with a ' ested to read the following account letter from the Headmaster or Mistress of it :— concerned. '• " During the nineteenth century Captain MIDLANDS DISTRICT. Doenvig a Norwegian inventor invented a life-boat. It was a hollow Globe and would Broom Street Council Boys' School, carry thirty two people and provisions for a Hanley, month. Although invented in 1887 it was September 17th, 1913. not tried until the year 1903. [We are not Headmaster, W. C. EYTON. surprised.—Ed., LIFB-BOAT JOURNAL.] It was DEAR SIB, taken and put in thei North Sea it was fitted We were delighted by the news con- with a sail, ventilation, fags(?), lantern, and tained in your letter recording the success a small hand propeller when it was dropped of George Davies. I conveyed them to the from the ship it turned over and over in the Director of Education, Dr. W. Ludfovd Free- water making the Lookers in the Globe fall man, and I should esteem it a great favour if about the men inside felt very sick. They you would write to him and ask him to fix a afterwards set sail for Ymuiden. They had a date for the presentation. small stove on which to cook their food. All My school is in a very poor district, and the men were sea sick one nearly died. The George Davies comes from a very poor home. Globe is made chiefly of sheet iron." His father is a coal-pit banksman, and George, who has just turned thirteen years, has left Eric Willis, who is one of the " hearts school four months, and is working in the of oak" boys, evidently sees nothing boiler shop of the Berry Hill Colliery. I tried very extraordinary in this globular to persuade his parents to allow him to sit for a scholarship at the Secondary School here, " contraption," but, for our part, we but they could not afford to do so, which was should prefer to drown quietly rather in my opinion something in the nature of a than be saved by such an instrument tragedy, for he was a lad of exceptional ability. of torture. The imagination reels at If only the Education Authority, as repre- sented by Dr. Freeman, could realize what an the probable behaviour of the small honour this lad has brought to the Stoke-on- stove on which the crew were to cook Trent district, I am sure they would desire to their food, as the Life-boat turned over do honour to him. and over in the water. It is not sur- It is not the aggrandisement of the school I desire or of self, for I had nothing to do in prising to know that the men inside the matter; but the business seems to me "felt very sick," and it seems quite altogether too splendid for the lad to have unnecessary to attribute this unhappy the presentation made in any but a fitting condition to the presence of " fags " as manner. Trusting I am not bothering you over much, part of the cargo. But the crew were and that you agree with my views in the evidently of heroic mould, for we are matter, I beg to remain, told that " after their exciting experi- Yours faithfully, ences" they simply '"set sail for (Signed) WM. C. EYTON. Ymuiden." By GEORGE DAVIES (aged 13), Broom Street But these oddities are only the light Boys' School, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. side of the results of a scheme which The Heroic Work of the Life-boats. has brought out, in a remarkable way, " A WRECK 1" "A ship is on the rocks ! " that warm-hearted admiration for every- Such were the cries that rang down the street thing that is noble, splendid, and of the little fishing village, while sturdy life- courageous, which you will always find boatmen made their way quickly to the in a child's heart, and we cannot lifeboat station. Willing hands have dragged put the lifeboat and it is launched. help thinking that many a grizzled Into their seats spring the men, but strong warrior of the sea-who has won his though their arms, the sea flings back the 250 THE LIFE-BOAT. tlsT NOVEMBER, 1918. lifeboat on the shore. Again the boatmen LONDON DISTRICT. try, and after almost superhuman efforts the boat is on its way to the wreck. Through the St. Mary's Church of England School, misty spray men and women can be seen on Girls' Department, the wreck, clinging to anything they can take L.O.G. Electoral Area, hold of. Now the lifeboat is near and soon Kiugsman Street, Woolwich. between it and the doomed ship a line is passed. Quickly those on board are passed to Headmistress, FANNY E. CLABK. the boat and the voyage to shore begun. On DEAR SIB, arrival, the shipwrecked are well cared for. The letter conveying the news of the Such incidents are common in our island award to Jessie Bush, of the prize in the story, for our nation is a seafaring one, our London District, has been received with great mariners, descendants of the old searovers. pleasure. The love of the sea is in our blood, and on Managers, teachers, and children greatly every side of our land lies the sea. Who are appreciate the same. the men who thus brave the dangers of the I am, deep to rescue shipwrecked men and women ? Yours faithfully, They are fishermen, enrolled as lifeboatmeu in the service of the Royal National Life- (Signed) FANNY E. CLABK, boat Institution—only fishermen, but they Headmistress. are the highest type of man, for they live to serve unselfishly the cause of humanity. By JESSIE BUSH, St. Mary's Church of Eng- In fifty-two years there have been one hundred land Girls' School, Woolwich. and ninety thousand wrecks around our coasts, The Heroic Work of the Life Boats. and for every six wrecks only one life has been lost. What would the loss have been but for IN these dreadful times, when the one great the courage and devotion of the lifeboatmen ? topic is war, with all its terrible attributes, Words fail to give any idea of the magnitude it is well to realize that, just as Britain of loss of life but for these. This work of rescue and her Allies are carrying on a life and death is done by those who recognise no barrier of struggle with the Enemy, so there is one race or country; their service is for all who are heroic band of men, who ever and always in peril on the seas around our shores. At the wage war with the elements and invariably same time it should be remembered that the save for the country, at the risk of their own mercantile marine of our country is nearly lives, not only brave men, but priceless half of the world's tonnage so that when the cargoes. For nearly a hundred years the lifeboat goes out to a wreck, it is an even Life Boat service has been steadily growing chance that they are going to the help of their until its Fleet now comprises 260 Life Boats own countrymen. What of their work during and a splendid army of 6,000 or 7,000 hardy the present war, when to the terror of stormy fishermen who so skilfully man the boats and and raging sea is added the fiendish torpedo effect the rescues. Great Britain's need for of the Hunnish submarine? The lifeboat- a Life Boat service is greater than any other men have saved over four thousand lives of nation in Europe. The mother country, with Britain's bravest and best, sailors, soldiers, her numerous colonies over the seas, and her nurses and doctors, together -with other pas- •world wide commerce is protected by supreme sengers, on board vessels which have been naval power. Thus the Life Boat service has mined or torpedoed. But this is not all. grown steadily in proportion to the growth Not only have thousands of lives been pre- and ever growing needs of that vast Empire. served for the Allies but the lifeboats have The sea affords an element of danger and the saved over one hundred and fifty vessels, free-born spirit which is an Englishman's many of which had on board cargoes of birthright, have been largely responsible for food and raw materials indispensable the growth of the Empire. No better atmo- for the making of munitions. Every ship sphere can be found for fostering and perfecting thus saved is of paramount importance to the qualities of courage, endurance, and com- us as a nation, for on ships depends our food radeship than that of the wide sea. Surely supply, and thus has a direct connection with the men of few other nations could show such our capacity to prosecute successfully the practical humane feelings as our lifeboat war. These results, however, have not been and other crews, who have so returned good accomplished without loss. Brave men and for evil. These men risk their lives for the splendid lifeboats have been lost in thus men who, if occasion arises, wreck the boati serving their fellow-men. So long as Britain and then stand by and watch crew and pas- holds its proud position of " The Mistress of sengers drown. Nobility has been the keynote the Seas,1' so long certainly will the people of of the Life Boat service since the beginning. this country be proud to support the " Royal Ever since its founding in 1821, its main National Lifeboat Institution." It does object has been " to extend to all without not receive a subsidy from the government of I distinction of country, in war and peace Great Britain. Its funds are made up of i alike." Colonel Sir William Hilary was the voluntary contributions from all classes of founder, and a resident of the Isle of Man. people, for those who give are proud of a He was instrumental in saving numerous cause that breathes such a high spirit of forti- lives for which he was successively awarded tude and courage, such as was possessed by our I 2 gold medals. Honour must be given to ancestors and is possessed by our race to-day. ! the French for the first invention of which FOVEMBBB, 1918,] THE LIFE-BOAT. 251 the first tfflcapsizable and uasttbmergaWe Ha has already written me expressing his boats -were an outcome, tat the lack of an great pleasure. active maritime spirit in France (at) that With the exception of October 18th to the time hindered their being developed or pat to 20th, I can arrange any time that may suit any practical use. It is very cheering to the Mayor, yourself, and the distinguished know that it was three Englishmen, who fey gentleman yon hope to be able to send. their, joint contributions really gave as the Many thanks. first Life Boat. The names of these men Yours sincerely, were, lions! Lnkin, a eoaob. builder of London, Henry Greathead and William Woodhave (Signed) J. P. TBIGSS. both of South Shields, All aimed at a life By FBED TAHSTZB (aged 14), Sfc. Luke's School, saving boat bat Lukin aimed at making all Sonthsea. boats safe and bonyaiit, while Woodhave tried lor a boat with self-righting qualities, The Heroic Work of the Lifeboat*. while (Jreathead, a skilled boat builder was BOOM ! The dread sound of the danger gun the first actually to build a practical Life thundered through the awful din of the Saving Boat. " The Original," for that was storm. Again and again it rose salient above the name of this boat was built in 1789. Even the gale. The lifeboat crew were at the this boat was not supplied with ait tight boathouse ere the third report rang oat, and chambers, and the only means of getting rid soon after, the boat was tossing like a cork in of the water -was by baling it out. Other the trough of the fearful seas. Anxious boats followed. As times have advanced BO relatives on the shore strained their eyes to one type of boat has superseded another, until follow the frail bark on its errand of mercy. now in many cases steam and petrol have Great bursts of spray hid the,tiny craft from become the motive power, The life boat view as it aeared its objective. The awful service is a National Organization designed tension amongst the watchers could be felt as for the benefit of humanity and it > entails the_ y awaited the return of their loved ones. upon its members an absolute devotion to j At ~ last the lifeboat emerged' from the duty. Therefore every citizen should feel it { seemingl„.„y ...... impenetrabl. ._e barrier of raging eccmnberit upon them to give active support' foam surrounding the doomed vessel. Its to a Society which confers benefits so priceless. appearance was hailed by such a shout as The lifeboat service is well named the Bed never before had waked the echoes of that Cross of the S«a, for the work of rescue is reeky shore, and which preponderated over ever and always necessary. It ia proved by the angry roar of the tempest baulked of its Beeords that 190,000 wrecks occurred on the prey. A few minutes more sufficed to bring coast of the British Isles, and nearly 7,600 of the boat within reach of eager hands, and these were attended with loss o! life. The rescuers and rescued were soon once again loss of life has amounted to the terrible total safe OB terra firma. of 80,876 lives, but against this the Life Boat Such a scene as this impresses on the Service claims to have saved the splendid beholder the aoblity and heroism of the life- number of 56,800. In no period has the boat's work. Service been more active than at the present It is interesting to note that the first day and it is certain that during the war practical lifeboat was of British design and 4,400 lives have been saved, and more than construction. Fashioned on a self-righting 1,500 cl these were the lives of Sailors, type invented by Wouldhave, it

as this ? No ! Let Nelson's famous signal Would you kindly hand the boy the enclosed echo down the ages, " England expects letter of congratulation ? every man to do his duty " ; and surely every Yours very truly, Englishman's duty is to save the lives of (Signed) A. H. ROSTRON, those who "go down to the sea in ships." j Captain. That the English spirit is not dead has been I Yours sincerely, proved by the Great War—aye—and by the spirit of the lifeboatmen themselves, and i (Signed) S. B. NAYLEB. while that spirit lives, a comprehensive, all- By HBBBERT ROBEBTS (aged 11), St. Paul's embracing system of propaganda will—must School, Astley Bridge, Bolton. —infallibly gain unbounded support for the noble, self-sacrificing and heroic work of the The Heroic Work of the Lifeboat rcec of the Royal National Lifeboats. THAT quality of heroism which we so proudly associate with the name of Englishman is never more splendidly illustrated than by the incidents which occur daily on the sea and NORTH OF ENGLAND DISTRICT. are carried out by our lifeboatmen. The unhesitating self - sacrifice of our gallant St. Paul'* School, lifeboatmen who give up their lives for Astley Bridge, Bolton, others may well stand as an example to the men of our coasts. It is a token that the September 19th, 1918. " Nelson touch " has not died in our midst. Headmaster, S. B. NAY.USB. How often in the narratives of shipwreck DEAR SIR, do we read of the brave lifeboatmen losing I am very much obliged to you for your their lives in the attempt to rescue ? Thanks letter of the 17th instant, informing me of the to the many improvements which have been success of Herbert Roberts. We are all proud introduced in lifeboat construction of late of his achievement. He has proved himself a years the tale of disaster is now much less very able boy in various ways. He has won lengthy than it was before an Institution for also this year scholarships of the highest saving life on sea was established. A poet value, awarded by our Local Education Com- describes the lifeboat men at work by mittee and the Governors of two of our Local saying, Secondary Schools. " They cling to life like sailors, I shall be very glad to receive your instruc- They fall to death like men. tions with regard to the public presentation Where in our roll of heroes and the Challenge Shield and War Savings Where in our story, when Certificate. If you will let me know when Have Englishmen been braver, you would like to make the presentation, or Than our brave Lifeboat-men ? " give me any hints as to the mode of procedure, I will set the thing in hand at once and send Man may destroy all kinds of nature on you alternative dates. The presentation might land, but as he reaches the sea the long arm take place in the school, or, better still, in our of humanity is limited, for man's power Parochial Hall, which will hold many more cannot control the stormy, heaving, tumul- people. I think we can make a big thing of it, tuous sea. The ocean can send man to the especially as Hie Chairman of our Managers— bottom of the sea, " Unwept, unknelld, and Colonel Hesketh—is at present a High Sheriff unknown." of Lancashire. These lifeboatmen are nearly all fisher- men, who answer any appeal, and go to save Yours sincerely, others without hesitating to think of the (Signed) S. B. NAYLEB, perilous journeys on the sea. The first life- I Headmaster. boat was made owing to the event of the wreck of the "Adventure," in 1789, off the St. Paul's School, mouth of the Tyne. Lionel Lukin was a witness of the heartrending disaster and Astley Bridge, Bolton, he thought could he not make or invent October 1st, 1918. something to save those drowning men? DEAR SIB, He at last in the same year invented a You may be interested in the following lifeboat called the " Unimmergible." which I received from Captain Rostron (of Soon after this event William Wouldhave Titanic fame) this morning :— invented a high-peaked boat, and his main suggestion was the use of cork to ensure H.M.S. Afawetania, buoyancy. September 30fch, 1918. The " Original," which was made in 1789 by Henry Greathead, was launched at South Headmaster, St. Paul's School, Shields in January 1890. South Shields hag Astley Bridge, to this day been honoured owing to its DEAR SIB, launching of the first lifeboat. As an old boy of St. Paul's School may Colonel Sir William Hillary founded the I congratulate you on one of your boys winning famous R.N.L.I. His home was overlooking the North of England Shield for best essay on the sea, and as he saw the wrecks off Douglas Life-boat work, etc.? Bay, he wondered if he could not establish an IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 253 institution for saving life on sea. He made has it become even in our inland towns that an appeal to the people and the appeal did it is strange to learn that so late as 1850 there not fall on deaf ears for in the first year he were only 8 Life-boats in Scotland, and not raised a sum of £10,000. This Institution one of them was connected with the Royal could not have been founded by a braver and National Institution. Of the 261 Life-boats more gallant man, for at a certain wreck he now distributed around our coasts, 45 are and his crew saved sixty-two men, and at the stationed in Scotland. wreck of the mail steamer, " St. George," he Many years before this date, however, local himself saved twenty-two, and in doing so interest was from time to time aroused by broke six ribs. Colonel Hillary set the men some disaster which occurred. An outstand- of our coasts a good example of British ing instance arose when the " Adventure " was heroism. In 1825 two hundred and forty two wrecked at the mouth of the Tyne in 1789. lifeboat stations had been erected. Colonel The vessel stranded and her crew perished Hillary himself received the first gold medal in sight of the onlookers, who could render for splendid service on the lifeboats. All no assistance. The only boats available were the lifeboat stations are supported by of the ordinary type and these could not liva voluntary contributions. A life-boat costs amid the breakers. £5,000 to build and equip and £70* a year to Following this disaster a committee, ap- maintain. A lifeboat has to be well-built pointed by the inhabitants of South Shields, of strong wood, and always well provisioned offered a prize for the best design of a Life- in case of a long voyage. boat. From the many models submitted The lifeboats and their crews have taken two were selected, one by William Wouldhare, a large part in saving soldiers, sailors, doctors and the other by Henry Greathead. The and nurses in this war which is now raging prize was ultimately awarded to the latter, all round our coasts. England depends now and as he was in the trade, he was commis- on other countries to send her, bar food sioned to build a Life-boat combining the supply. The ships that bring our food need outstanding features of both designs. The gallant sailors to steer them across submarine Life-boat was launched in January, 1790. In and mine infested seas, and if they meet with twelve years over 200 lives were saved at the foul play it is only right that they should mouth of the Tyne alone,, and the builder have help. The lifeboatmen need some pro- received an award from the House of tection while on the sea, so they are provided Commons. with corkt waistcoats to keep them afloat if the Although a number of Greathead's models boat capsizes. The lifeboatmen have saved were placed around the coast the means o! 4,400 soldiers, sailors, doctors, and nurses rescue provided were so unequal to the task, during this war. Of these, 1,500 have been that a number of enthusiastic men convened a doctors and nurses. meeting in London in February 1824 and formed an institution, calling it " The Royal National Institution for the Preservation of SCOTTISH DISTRICT. Life from Shipwreck," with King George IV as its first patron. A large sum of money Grammar School, was subscribed and many influential people Ayr, identified themselves with this movement, September 20th, 1918. but unfortunately interest soon waned and Headmaster, HENRY ROBERTSON. there was a decline till 1850, when fresh The Secretary, disasters rekindled public sympathy. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, The Institution was reorganised, and the Duke of Northumberland became President DEAR SIR, Himself a sailor, this nobleman threw himself I am in receipt of your communication heart and soul into the work. Under his of the 18th inst., and am much gratified with direction the Institution began a new career the intimation it makes. of usefulness and progress. He offered a Belle F. Wilson was our Dux Medallist last prize for an improved model of a Life-boat, year, and has now begun work as an apprentice which was won by James Beeching of to a Pharmaceutical Chemist in town. Yarmouth. One of the most interesting Yours faithfully, exhibits at the Great Exhibition in tha (Signed) HENBY ROBEBTSON. Crystal Palace 1851 was a stand of the com- By BELLE P. WILSON, Grammar School, Ayr. peting models. In 1854, by arrangement with the Government, the Royal National Jlay 9th, 1918. Institution took over the supervision of all The Heroic work of the Life-Boats. the Life-boats in the kingdom, except some THESE is at the present time so much interest at the Tyne. The yearly cost is £100,000, taken in the Life-boat and so popular a figure and it is subscribed by voluntary contri- butions, because no subsidy has ever been * This is a mistake. The figure is about £250 for a granted by the Government. Motor Life-boat and £150 for an ordinary Life-boat.— ! The work of the Life-boatmen is beyond Ed., UPK-BOAT JOURNAL. j praise ; every time they go out they do so at t The Institution has for some years past discarded ! the risk of their own lives. The story of their cork belts for Kapok, a vegetable fibre which is much heroism is among the brightest chapters in lighter than cork, has a greater floatability, and can be made to fit the shape of the body much better.—Ed., the history of our Nation. Each crew is LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. under the command of a coxswain who is in 254 THE LIFE-BOAT. ClsT NOVEMBER, 1918.

receipt of a small salary, and the boatmen Isle of Man,under the name of the "National are mostly fishermen or Coastguardmen, but Institution for the Preservation of Life from it occasionally happens that when required Shipwreck." Among the first members of the some members of the regular crew are not committee were the Archbishop of Canterbury, available, but volunteers are never wanting. and the then Prime Minister, with such well- Since it was founded in 1824 the Life-boats known persons as Peel, Canning, Lord John have saved 56,000 lives. Last year 1,348 lives Russell, and Wilberforce, who did so much for were saved, which was a record indeed. 1,372 the abolition of slavery. "Carry on," is the lives have been saved from H.M, ships sunk Institution's watchword, regardless of war, through the war. From the outbreak of war, nationality, or religion. that is, from August 1914 to December 1917, the grand total of 4,180 lives have been saved. The first life-boat was built in 1789 and was Against this splendid record it is regretfully named " Original." She served till 1830, and announced that 21 brave Life-boatmen and was built after the style of a Norway yawl, 4 Ltfe-boats have been lost in the service of combined with Wouldhave's model. Many humanity. improvements have been introduced since then, until we now have the splendid un- Happily wrecks are not frequent on our sinkable and self-righting type of to-day. Ayrshire coast, but when necessity has arisen Other lifeboats quickly followed the " Original," our local Life-boatmen have not been lacking until the Institution has now a fleet of 262 in their sense of duty, as can be seen from fine vessels, including 147 self-righting life- the record exhibited on the Life-boat House boats, 3 steam lifeboats, and 9* motor Life- of the " Janet Hoyle " at Ayr. boats. The latter are very expensive costing somewhere about £5,000 each to build. The boats of the Institution are manned by between 6,000 and 7,000 hardy, brave, and fearless IRELAND AND WALES DISTRICT. fishermen and boatmen. Main Street Boys' School, Since the outbreak of war the Institution's boats have been the means of .saving 4,400 Bangor, Co. Down, lives from death, mote than 1,500 of these September 16th, 1918. from His Majesty's ships, and vessels which DEAR SIR, have been mined or torpedoed. These lives I was delighted to have yours of have been given as a direct contribution to the 13th, which reached me this morning, the war. Besides this, 150 vessels have been, notifying me of John C. Oulbert's successful saved, each of which has since made many essay. voyages bringing to Britain valuable cargoes I certainly regard such a success as a great of foodstuffs. honour for my school, and I shall have much The wonderful immunity from disaster to pleasure in arranging for its public presenta- the crews and boats of the Institution is the tion. Our annual distribution of prizes is best possible testimony to the skill and care invariably held the week before Christmas. exercised by the men in the heroic discharge We can arrange for any evening in the week, of a duty so perilous. 16th to 20th December inclusive, but we prefer the Thursday or Friday, should that Occasionally, however, the sea claims its prove suitable. prey, and so we are not surprised to learn that 4 boats and 21 men have been lost John Culbert is at the present time residing since the outbreak of hostilities. Though., with his family at Newcastle, and has not yet we are gratified to find the loss comparatively heard of his success, but I shall let him know small in proportion to the number of boats as soon as I conveniently can. and men employed by the Institution since Thanking you for your very courteous letter its inauguration, that loss becomes serious and hearty congratulations, when we remember that the boats have I am, to be replaced and those dependent on the lost boatmen maintained by an Insti- Yours sincerely, tution wholly supported by voluntary con- (Signed) D. QBE. tributions. Although the government fully recognises By JOHN C. CULBERT, Main Street Boys' and encourages the good work which the School, Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland. Institution is accomplishing, still, it grants it AN institution like the Royal National Life- no financial support. So it is our duty as Boat Institution is of the utmost importance citizens of the greatest maritime nation in the to a nation like Britain, which owns 42 per world to see that it is never hindered in its cent, of the entire shipping of the world, humane task by insufficient supplies of the and which is the chief centre of that " sinews of war." shipping. That the great majority of the Let us therefore at every available oppor- casualties sustained by shipping around our tunity help the Boyal National Life-Boat coasts must be British is one result of our Institution morally, spiritually, and finan- maritime supremacy. cially. • . The Institution was founded in 1824 by Colonel Sir William Hillary, a resident of the * 19.—Ed., LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 255

List of Successes in the Essay Competition. LONDON DISTRICT. (550 Essays.)

Age Name. when School. given.

Jessie Bush St. Mary's Church of England School, Woolwich. Janie Tabrisky . . Columbia Road L.C.C. School, Bethnal Green. Muriel Atharton . . Kingwood Road School, Fulham. Frank Evans . . . 13 Droop Street L.C.C. School, Queen's Park, W. 10. Dorothy Evelyn Ling 11 Stillness Road Girls' School, Forest Hill, S.E. 23. Dorothy Pamment 12 Bromley Hall Road School, Poplar. Frances Dalley Sherbrooke Road L.C.G. School, Fulham, S.W. James Abrahams . Davies' Lane Boys' School, Leytonstone. Dorothy Ottley . . 12 Mina Road Girls' School, Walworth, S.E. 17. Vera Steed .... Pelham Girls' School, Wimbledon. L. S. Brown Kirkdale Road School, Leytonstone. F. Harold . . . Montague Road Boys' School, Edmonton, N. 18. Harry Minter . Rosendale Road L.O.C. School, Dulwich, S.E. Grace Page . . 12 St. Mary's School, Newington Butts, S.E. Edmund Langford The "Stock-well" Church of England School, Lingham Street, Clapham Road, S.W. Ernest Fletcher Lordship Lane School, Wood Green, N. 22. Grace Hanson . Shenley Church of England Girls' School, Shenley, Herts. Josephine Salisse Beulah Road Girls' School, Thornton Heath. Gladys Woolgar Barnet C.C. School, Byng Road, High Barnet. Evelyn Moon . Jessop Road Girls' School, Herne Hill, S.E. Lilian Jacklin . Burdett-Coutts and Townshend School, Rochester Street, S.W. 1. Edward Schafer Bath Street L.C.C. School, St. Luke's, East Finsbury. Roma Mc'Aulifie Lucas Street L.C.C. School, Deptford. Doris Bright Mission Grove Girls' School, Walthamstow, Essex. Kathleen Long Rosendale Road L.C.G. School, Dulwich, S.E. Bertha Kruger . St. James's and St. Peter's School, Great Windmill Street, W. 1. William J. Pote Gipsy Road L.C.C. Boys' School, West Norwood, S.E. 27. Charles Ellett . Maynard Road Boys' School, Walthamstow, E. 17. Hilda Evans Wood Street Girls' School, Walthamstow, E. 17. Arthur Rayner Trinity Boys' School, Waltham Cross. Dorothy Clancy Lyndhurst Grove Girls' School, Peckham, S.E. A. Austin . . London Road C.C. School, Knebworth, Herts. Lilian Durrant The Southfields School, Wandsworth. Connie Cook St. John's School (mixed), Larcom Street, Walworth, S.E. 17. Beatrice McGully 13 Faunce Street L.C.G. School, Walworth, S.E. 17. Phyllis Munro . The " Stockwell" Church of England School, Lingham Street, Clapham Road, S.W. 9.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT. (About 1,100 Essays.)

Age Name. when School. given.

Fred. Tanner . 14 St. Luke's School, Southsea. Marjorie Farncombe . Lewes Road Girls' Council School, Brighton. Nellie Spall . . . Swillaud Council School, near Ipswich. Thomas Peroival Baker Ditchling Road Council School (Boys), Brighton. Frederick Greenslade 12 Fratton Council School, Portsmouth. Kathleen Fisher . . 14 Woburn Council School (Girls), Bedford. Annie Catharine George 13 Milk Street Council School, Frome, Somerset. L. Temple . .. . . 13 Catcott Parochial School, Bridgwater. THE LIFE-BOAT. [1«™ NOVEMBER, 1918. SOUTHERN DISTRlCT-conffnaerf. Age Xame. when School. given. '

F. H. Deeble 12 Penhale Road Boys' School, Portsmouth. Tom Edmund Powell . . .. The Holme School, Headley, Bordon. Ethel Parker 13 ! Central Senior Girls' School, Lewes, Sussex. Lawrence Harry Essery . . 13 Portsmouth Town Boys' School, Portsmouth. Katie L. Tolley .... 11 Bovey Tracey Council School, South Devon. Doris Bishop t Church of England Girls' School, Snodland, Kent.' Dorothy Frost 13 Haversham Council School, Bucks. William J. Hepburn Eythorne Church of England School, near Dover. Jennie Wise 11 Cheriton Church of England School, Horn Street, Shornclifie. Marion Scott 12 Lingfield Council School, Surrey. Leonard F. Broadway . . 12 Peasedown Council School, Peasedown, St. John, Bath. Christopher Varney The Earl of Jersey's Boys' School, Middleton-Stouey, Bicester, Oxon. Elsie Wituey 14 ; Sydenham, The Wenman School, Thame, Oxon. Victor Grant j St. Thomas's Boys' School, Winchester. Frank Crockford j Church of England School, Bembridge. Kate Grogan 13 Kent Street Council School (Girls'), Portsea, Ports- mouth. Sylvia Lain ; Canterbury Road Council School, Colchester. Elsie Lunn : East Street Council School, Farnham, Surrey. George Parker Central Council School, Weston-super-Mare. Cecil Entwistle Alverstoke School, Gosport, Hants. Florence Watts .... 13 Cranbury Road Girls' School, Eastleigh. Doris Hayes 13 Stone Lane Council School, Gosport. Dorothy Bernard .... 12 Crantock Council School, Crantock, Newquay. Ivy Tennant Bickley and Widmore Girls' School, Bromley, Kent. Helen Masters Cromwell Road Council School, Redhill, Surrey. Elsie Vowles 13 Victoria Road School, St. Budeaux, Devonport. Naomi Drew 10 " St. Mark's Girls' School, Syncombe, Bath. Harold William Beane . . 11 Clarence Square Council School, Gosport. NORTH OF ENGLAND. (About 1,000 Essays.) Age Name. when School. given.

Herbert Roberts . 11 St. Paul's School, Astley Bridge, Lancashire. Doris Hedley Chester-le-Street Girls' Council School, Durham. Herbert Sydney Stobart . . 13 St. Hilda's School, South Shields. Eveline Hoole 12 Dewsbury Road Girls' School, Leeds. Margaret Rhodes .... 12 Emily Grant 11 St. Mary's School, Higher Bridge Street, Bolton. Willie Iveson 13 Blind School, Burnley. Florence Stockton Dawdon Council School, Seaham Harbour, Co. Durham. Alec Ricketts Vaughan Road Council School, New Brighton,Cheshire. Frank McHarg .... 12 St. Wilfrid's Road Council School, Blyth, Northum- berland. William Harrison Elswick Road Council School, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Walter Radcliffe . . 13 St. Mark's School, Ballasalla, Isle of Man. Bessie Kitchen Elswick Road School, Newcastle-on-Tyne. It will be observed that only thirteen names are given for the North of England District. This is due to an unfortunate misunderstanding which led the Educational Authorities who very kindly made the selection in that District to limit it to thirteen essays only instead of thirty-five, and to destroy the rest. The Committee of Management greatly regret their inability, therefore, to make thirty-five awards in this district, but they feel sure that this error will be retrieved in future years, for the scheme will be a permanent one—and they are assured of the hearty participation of the schools in this district in the future, an assurance based upon the very generous co-operation which the Head Teachers have afforded in facilitating the sale of Life-boat post-cards and the organization of envelope collections throughout this area. Nearly £700 has been received from the District as a result. IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 257

MIDLANDS. (3,070 Essays.) Age : Name. when i School. given. !

George Davies * Broom Street Boys' School, Hanley, S toke-on-Trent. George Goode . 13 Severn Street School, Sheepcote Street, Lady wood, Birmingham. Nellie Quayle . 13 Cook Street Girls' School, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. William Harris . . Shrewsbury Lancasterian School, Shrewsbury. , Hilda Sharman Spon Street Girls' School, Coventry. Dorothy Cook Leighton Bredenbury Grendon Bishop Council School, Brom- yard, Worcester. Hilda Terry .... 13 Alfreton Road Senior (Mixed Department) School, Nottingham. Freda Norman . . Church of England Girls' School, Aloester Road, Stratford-on-Avon. Winifrede Trillo . . . St. Marie's School, Dunchurch Road, Rugby. Albert Leonard Drury Essendine Council School, near Stamford, Rutland. James Murdoch Warwick Westgate Boys'Council School,Warwickshire. Olive Grimwood . Queen Street Council School, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. Pearl Bell Kuighton National School, Leicester. Melissa Edith Wormington Clapham Terrace Girls' Council School, Royal Leam- ington Spa, Warwickshire. Fred Monk . . 11 Wellington Road School, Hanley, Staffordshire. Arthur Holmes 12 St. Mary's Church of England School, Tunstall, Stoke- on-Trent. Phyllis Taylor . . lOf Florence Girls' School, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. Arthur R. Goodhall 12 Fredk. Bird School, Coventry. Allen Dartnall . . Gloucester Road Boys' School, Baker Street, Chelten- ham. Alice Woolley . Boothen Church of England School, Stoke-ou-Trent. F. C. O'Doherty Scunthorpe Higher Elementary School, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Emily Baxter . Girls' Department, Far Cotton Council School, North- ampton. Stanley Adams Cannon Street Boys' School, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Dorothy Davies Central Church of England School, Stoke-on-Trent. Thomas Mayne Wilkinson Stoke Council School, Coventry. Evelyn Midgley Broad Street Girls' Council School, Coventry. Sydney Albert Watson Mancetter Church of England School, Atherstone, Warwick. Charles Burdett . 13 All Saints Church of England School, Coventry. Arthur Titley .... Middleport Boys' School, Burslem. Francis Lees .... ia ; Council School, Clifton Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. J. Bourne 11 ; Stourport Boys' School, Stourport, Worcestershire. Catherine Baylis . Council School, St. Benedict's Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. John Pain . St. Matthew's Boys' School, Lupin Street, Birmingham. Leslie DaSern 11 Chilvers Coton Council School, Nuneaton. Vera English Shrubland Street Girls' School, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Alice Eodgers i 12 Shakespeare Street Girls' School, Loughborough. * Special prize awarded for the best essay in the United Kingdom, SCOTLAND. (60 to 70 Essays.) Age when given.

Belle F. Wilson Grammar School, Ayr. Cissy Macadam Bridge of Weir School, Renfrewshire. Osman Boord . Auchencairn School, Castle Douglas. Peter Paxton . Viewforth School, Kirkcaldy. Jessie Littlejohu 258 THE LIFE-BOAT. NOVEMBER, 1918.

SCOTLAND—continued.

Age Name. when School. given.

John McCorkindale Knoxland Public School, Dumbarton. Bita C. Craig . . Duuoon Grammar School, Duuoon. Bita Cormack . Garnetbank Public School, Renirew Street, Glasgow, Andrew Nather Calder Public School, Motherwell. Jean Douglas . Warrenden Park Public School, Edinburgh. William Finlay . . Law Public School, Lanarkshire. Jessie Jane Swanney . Sellibister School, Sanday, Orkney. Alexander Shields . Viewforth Public School, Kirkcaldy. William Davidson Lily Meiklejohu . Mary Gray .... Leadhills Public School, Leadhills, Lanarkshire. Andrew Trotter East Plean School, St. Nineans, by Stirling. Ivor Willis .... Academy, Beith, Ayrshire. Betty C. Brown . . Hermitage School, Newcastleton, Boxburghsbire. John Henry Jenkin . Law Public School, Lanarkshire. Mary Alexander Portlethen Public School, Portlethen, by Aberdeen. Willie Allison . . . Camelon Public School, Falkirk. James Crawford East Plean School, St. Ninians, by Stirling. Lily Lindsay . . , Viewforth Public School, Kirkcaldy. Agnes Newbigging Headhills Public School, Headhills, Lanark. Marion Carswell . Grammar School, Dunoon. Donald K. Kechnie . i» »» »» James Findlay Warrender Park School, Edinburgh. Thomas Melville . Balcurvie School, Windygates, Fife, Balph Moan . . . Warreuder Park School, Edinburgh. Sarah A. Stevenson . Calder School, Motherwell. George H. G. Simpson Sir John Maxwell School, Pollokshaws, Glasgow. George Baird . Public School, Leven. Mary Whyte -. . . Wamphray School, Beattock, Dumfries. Marion Falconer . Academy, Beith, Ayrshire.

IRELAND AND WALES. (150 Essays.) (Over 400 Essays.)

Age Name. when School. given.

John C. Culbert Main Street Boys' School, Bangor, Co. Down. Irene Walker . Thomas Street National School, Portadown, Co. Armagh. Bob Elliott .... Main Street Boys' School, Bangor, Co. Down. Gladys Walters . . Plasmarl Girls' School, Plasmarl, Swansea. Willie Mateer . . . 13 Ballinacounty National School, Dungarvon. Kathleen Cole . . . 13 National School, Milford Haven. Margaret M. Partridge Coote Street Convent National School, Mou»trath, Queen's County. Gwyn Thos. Williams Council School, Llanwrtyd Wells, Brecon. Frances Buckley . Ovens's Girls' School, Ovens, Co. Cork. Leonard John . Council School, Narberth, Pembroke. Ivy Morse . National Public School, Angle, Pembroke. Frances Jones . Dyfatty Girls' School, Swansea. Violet Blackmore . Plasmarl Girls' School, Plasmarl, Swansea. William Bedfern . Llanddew'er Cwm Church of England School, near Builth Wells, Brecon. Eileen Hedmond . Cabra National School, Cabra. George Heard . Adamsdown Boys' School, Cardiff. Marcie Johnston . Shanagolden Girls' School, Co. Limerick. Mary Anne Madill Olassdaugh National School, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan. Margaret Wheel . Dyfatty Girls' School, Swansea, South Wales. Eva R«ea Girls' National Public School, Haverfordwest. South Wales. IST NOVEMBER, 1SH8.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 259

SCOTLAND AND WALES-continued. Age Name. when School. given.

Blanche Roskin . Pontygof Girls' School, Ebhw Vale, Wales, Thomas Benson St. John's Boys' School, Cardiff. John Henry Jones Miskin Mixed School, Mountain Ash, Glamorganshire. May Harrison . . Kenagh No. 2 School, Kenagh, Longford. Chrissie Parry . . St. Peter and St. Paul Girls' Department, National School, Cork. Charles A. Grattan . Higher Standard Boys' School, Aberdare. Rebecca Jane Patterson Murroe National School, Dunfanagh, Co. Donegal. Eileen O'Leary . . St. Patrick's School, Cardiff. Violet Kerr . . . Church Street National School, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. John Dovey . . . Pembroke Dock National Boys' School, Pembroke Dock. Olwen Jones Council School, Llanwrtyd Wells, Breconshire. Nellie Clement Plasmarl Girls' School, Plasmarl, Swansea. Margaret Maher Convent National School, Mountrath, Ireland. Edith J. Kiddle 12 Welsh Newton School, near Monmouth. Donald Davies . The Schools, Llanfaes, Brecon, South Wales.. Harold Morrow Council School, Builth, Wells. Generous Help from the Schools. A well-known French moralist has well j financial support to the great work of said that the generous instincts aroused J the Institution. A detailed list of the by the admiration of beauty in art or in j sums received up to 31st October will be human action is of comparatively little found below, value unless it takes a practical form. \ For this and for all the trouble taken This is the secret of the application of by one of the hardest working and most the arts to war and religion • music, for patriotic bodies in the kingdom the instance, inspires the soldier to courage Committee of Management desire to and the worshipper to prayer. express their very warm thanks. They A very large number of the teachers feel that, by the scheme which has this who have given such valuable help in • year been so successfully inaugurated, connexion with the Essay Competition ] a link has been formed between the have gone further in their friendly wish j simple and heroic figures of the Life- to " pull an oar" for the Life-boat j boat crews on our coasts and the cause. In response to a circular asking j children of Britain; that this link will for their kind help in organising an j be of mutual advantage, and that the envelope collection in their villages, or example of practical humanity, coupled disposing of the beautiful coloured post- with dauntless courage, which the Life- cards published by the Institution, a I boat service has always typified, will large number of these hard-working bear fruit in many a noble action un- and public-spirited men and women selfishly performed by thousands of the carried out either an envelope collec- boys and girls who have, for the first tion or a sale of postcards which, in ! time, realized what the Life-boat story the aggregate, has given considerable ( really means. List of Schools which have made Collections, or sold Post Cards, in aid of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution (up to 31st October, 1918). Anglesey. £. s. d. Bedfordshire. £. s. d. Llanallgo Council School, Menai Ampthill Wesleyan School ..253 Bridge,. „...,.. 2 5 - Chalton School, near Dunstable .188 Pwllheli— Haynes Infant School, near Bed- Church of England Mixed School - 12 6 Troedyrallt Boys' School ..-26 ford - 4 6 Troedyrallt Girls'Council School 126 Potton Council School, Sandy . - 16 6 Tydweiliog Council School, near Tingrith School, Woburn . . .-66 Pwllheli - 6 - Totternhoe School, Dunatable , - 8 - 260 THE LIFE-BOAT. NOVEMBER, 1918. Berkshire. £. s. <1. Cheshire—continued. £. s. d. Kingsclere Girls' School, near Whitley Superior School, near Newbury - 2 - Northwich - 13 - Buckinghamshire. Wilmslow— Amersham— Dean Row Council School ..-67 Hyde Heath School .... - 10 - Wincle School, Macclesfield ..-32 St. Mary's Infant School . - 5 - Cornwall. Aylesbury, St. Mary's School . - 10 - ' Bodmin Church of England Bledlow School, Princes Risboro - 16 G School - 7 1 Haversham Church School, Wol- Boscastle Council School , . . - 11 3 verton - 2 - Coads Green Council School, Ives Heath Council School, near i Launceston - IT 2 Uxbridge - 7 - ! Grampound School . . . .351 Medmeaham School, Marlow . - 12 - Kea Council School, Truro . . - 2 - Monlooe Council School, New- Lamorna Church of England port Pagnall 2 17 6 ; School, Penzance - 6 - Ravenstone School, Olney . . -16 Lelant National School . . . 3 - - Wolverton Council School . . - 17 - : Merifield School, Torpoint ..-16 Cambridgeshire. Newbridge C. School, Cornwall . - 11 - Bnrwell Council Schools . . .15-1 Padstow, Girls' Council School . - 19 2. Histon Council School . . .574; Philleigh School, near Grampound 2 10 - Pampisford School -56' Port Isaac School 19- Soham Boys' Council School . . 11 - - ' St. Austell Boys' School . . .-32 St. Blazey Girls' School . . .29- Carmarthenshire. j St. Day Girls' School, Scorrier . 3 15 - Pfairfach Council School . . . 1 16 1 St. Dennis Church of England Llanfihangel-Mwch-Gwili School - 1 - School, St. Austell .... - 4 1 Carnarvonshire St. Ives National School . . . 1 15 6 Bryu Aerau Council School, Bout St. Merryn Council School, Pad- Lyfni, Llanwnda . . . . 2 12 2 stow S 7 9 Conway Infants' School . . . - 9 - I Stoke Clemisland School, Cal- Conway Girls' School . . . . 10 - - lington 15- GerlanNationalProvincial School, ! Trethurgy Council School, St. Bethesda, North Wales . . . - 3 2 j Austell -29 Maenan Council School, near j Troon Boys' School, Camborne .33- Llanwrst - 12 - ( Warleggon School, Bodmin . . - 14 6 Cheshire. Cumberland. Bidston School - 1 - ; Cargo School, near Carlisle ..-3D Birkenhead— Carlisle— Chester Road Council Boys' Cumwhitton Church School, School, New Ferry . . . 1 5 -j Heads Nook 2 13 10 Bowdon School - 15 9 i Lanercrost School . . . . - 5 - Bridgemere Church of England ! Warwick Bridge Council School - 13 6 School, Nantwich . . . . 4 3 - j Cockermouth— Bronghton Church of England Buttermere School .... - 2 0 School 21- Dean School 827 Buckley— Dovenby School - 12 6 St. Matthew's Girls' School . 2 - - Pairfield Boys' School . . .22- Cheadle Hulme— Greysouthen School . . . .-63 All Saints' Church of England Isel School - 13 - School 21- Lamplugh Council School, Chester— [ Rovah - 12 - Hoole All Saints' Boys' School 868 Crosthwaite Memorial School, Dukinfield— Whitehaven - 7 4 Moravian School, Old Road . 1 - - ' Dacre Church of England School, St. John's School . . . . - 12 - Penrith -52 St. Mark's Church of England Edenhall School, Langwathby . 1 10 - School 1 - - . Fellside, Caldbeck, Wigton . . - 3 - Marston Church of England Haile Voluntary School, Becker- School, Northwich . . . . 1 10 - met 33- New Broughton Schools,Wrexham - 18 8 \ Haverigg Boys' School, lliilom . - 10 - Northwich Castle Church of Eng- j H e s k e t-n e w-M a r k e t Council land School 1 - - ' School, Wigton 25- Offerton— ! 'Houghton Church oi England St. John's Church of England, • School - 10 2 School Stockport . . . . - 16 8 Irton School, Holmrook . . . - 6 2 Rainow Church of England School, j Kirkbride, Anthorn School . . - 2 - near Macclesfield . . . .-54' Kirkhampton School, near Carlisle - i - TJtkinton Church o{ England ', Kirkhaugh School, Alston. . . 1 - - School, Tarporley . . . . - 11 - i Lazonby School 156 IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

Cumberland—continued. £. s. d. i Devonshire—continued. £. s. d. Millom— Dartmouth Boys' School . . - 16 6 Holborn Hill Girls' School . . 1 8 - | Doddiscombsleigh Council School, Lapatone Road Girls' School . 1 10 - ' Exeter - 4 - Nenthead Council School, Alston 6 12 9 i Drewsteignton School, near Exeter - 4 - Netherswasdale School, near Dunkeswell Church School, Honi- ] Gosforth , - 3 6 ton - 8 4 Penruddock School, Penrith . 4 18 - : Exeter— Rhodds County School, Kirk- i St. David's Girls' School . . - 4 - andrews Middle, near Longton 3 - St. Nicholas School, The Mint. - 1 6 Rockcliffe School, Carlisle . . 2 2 11 Ladysmith Road Boys' School. - 5 - Rosewain School, Wigton . 2 3 - ' Ladysmith Road Girls' School. - 5 - St. John's Vale School, Keswick . - 10 - Exminster Council Schools . . 3 - - Seaton Camerton Mixed School, Horrabridge— Workington 3 11 Sheepstow School . . . . 10 2 Setmurthy School, near Cocker- Lamerton Church of England mouth 1 - School . - 10 - Siddick Council School, Working- Lee— ton 1 ,0 St. Wardrede's School ... 1 3 6 Stainton School, Penrith . 3 0 Jlembury Church Schools, Ax- Tynehead School, Alston . - 2 0 minster - 10 - Welton Council School, Dalston, Millbrook— Carlisle - 5 Fourlanesand Council Boys' Whitehaven Schools .... 4 3 4 School ...... - 12 - Denbighshire. Milton Abbot School, Tavistock .-70 Bontuchel Council School, Ruthiu 1 - • _ ; Newton Abbot, St. Joseph's ' Glyn Traian Council School, Pont- ~ j Roman Catholic School . . - o - fadog, near Chirk .... - 10 North Tamerton School, Hols- Llangollen -Church of England worthy - 12 - R Plymouth— School - 9 Hyde Park Girls' School, Laira New Broughton Council School, o Green 138 Wrexham - 18 Laira Green School .... 2 1 - Derbyshire. Sandford School, Crediton . . 2 13 7 Ambergate— Templeton School, Tiverton ..-81 Neather Heage Council School 44- Throwleigh School, Okehamptoii - 2 8 Ashbourne Church of England Torrington, St. Giles in the Wood School -66 School - 10 - Bamford Roman Catholic School - 3 - Dorsetshire. Barrow Hill Council School, Abbotsbury School House ..-84 Chesterfield 1 13 6 Broadmayne Church of England Brimington Common School. . - 5 - School - 4 8 Chaddesden School - 10 - Buckland Newton School . . .-76 Coalaston Church of England Cattistock School House . . .3-4 School 3 - Chidcock Roman Catholic School, Heage Central Council School . 3 4 Bridport - 15 6 Hognaston School, Ashbourne . 2 - Church Knowle Church of Eng- Loscoe Road Girls' School, land School, Corfe Castle . .-32 Heanor - 16 Mapperley School, Derby . 1 13 Compton Abbas School, Shaftes- Newbold School, near Chester- bury - 10 - field Comptou Valence School . . - 10 - 4 19 Corfe Castle— Newton Council School, Alfreton 2 2 Kingston School 1 11 - Renishaw Council School, near Gillingham— Chesterfield 2 10 Stower ProTost School . . .326 Sawley, Shirley House School 1 10 Wyke Council School . . . - 9 4 Smalley Common Council School Godmanstone School, near Dor- Willington Church of England chester - 15 - School - 16 8 Holwell School House, Sher- Devonshire. borne - 10 6 Aylesbeare— Mansion School, near Stur- Council School, near Exeter . - 3 - minster Newton . . . . . - 12 - Barnstaple Wesleyau Sunday Melbury Abbas School, Shaftes- School - 6 6 | bury .-26 Seaworthy School House . . . - 7 8 t Three Legged Gross Undenomi- Brampford Speke School . . . - 13 7 | national School . . . . . - 5 - Chudleigh— i Wareham— Church School - | Grange School - 5 - Countess' Wear School, near Wimborne— Exeter Middlehill School .... 2 2 6 Dartington Council School, Totnes Yarcombe Schools, Chard . . . - 5 -

M 3 262 THE LIFE-BOAT. [lw NOVEMBER, 1918,

Durham. &. s. d. Essex—continued. £. s. d. Barmston Council School - 10 - Epping— Blomfontein School, Craghead 18- Theydon Garnon Coopersale Brasside Council School, near School -84 Durham Fobbing Church of England Cockton Hill Girls' School, Bishop i School - 9 - Auckland Great Parndou Church of England Chilton Buildings Catholic Girls' Schools -34 School, near Ferryhill . 15- Greenstead Green School, Hal- Dawdon Council Infants' School . - 10 - stead 356 Durham—• Hawkwell Church School, near Bearpark Council School . 6 10 - Hockley - 4 - Fence House Church of En gland Laindon Hills Council School, School 129 near Romford 286 Sacriston Koman Catholic Latchingdon Church of England School - 9 10 School, near Maldon -55 Gainford Church of England Lindsell Council School - 4 - School, near Darlington 248' Linford Council School, near Gateshead— Stan|«rd-Ie-Hope Rose Street Girls' School . . - 10 C | LittleTBu.ursteai d School . . .-46 Hartlepool— Loughton Girls' Council School . - 12 G Baltic Street Boys' School . . -42| Romford, South Hornchurch Baltic Street Girls' School . . 1 1 - i Council School - 5 - Lamesley Church of England Thaxted Council School . . . - 17 3 School Tollesbury Boys' School . . . 11 17 - Linton-on-Ouse School ^ange Council School, Pitsea . - 9 - Marsden Council School, near West Thurrock Boys' School ..192 South Shields 1-2 White Colne Church of England North British Council School, School - 10 - Langley Moor 2 5 10 Flintshire. Old Shildon— Gwespyr— Council School 126 Palacre Roman Catholic School 174 Council Girls' School - 10 - Hawarden, Canon Drew Me- Pittington Church of England morial School - 5 - School 126 Mold— Rookhope Council School, East- St. David's Roman Catholic 1 2 G School - 12 - Seaham Harbour Roman Catholic School 1 12 6 Forfarshire, Seaton Snook Council School, Forfar— Seaton Carew - 5 - St. James's Parish Church Sherburn Hill Girls' Council Sunday School - 10 - School 1 - - Glamorganshire. Spennymoor— Baglan School, near Briton Ferry -42 King Street Council Girls' Bryncoch Non-Provided School, School 11- Neath 19- North Road Council Girls' Merthyr Mawr School, Bridgend. - 2 6 School - 12 4 Penrhiwceiber Boys' School . . - 10 - Page Bank Council School . 226 Penywain Council School . . . - 5 - Stockton-on-Tees— Bath Lane School .... Gloucestershire. Mile Lane Council School . Alkington Wick School, near Oxbridge Girls' School . . . Dursley - 5 - Sunnybrow Council School, Wil- Birdlip School -.62 lington - 15 10 Chidworth School 676 Tanfield Lea School, Tantobie . 3 - - Coin St. Dennis School . . . - 9 - Thornley Church of England Daglingworth Church of England School, Tow Law .... 2 10 - School, Cirencester .... 1 9 Trimdon— Pilning School House, Bristol . 1 5 St. Williams Roman Catholic Pucklechurch Council School School (Infants) - 2 -84 Ruardean Hill Council School . 1 5 West Hartlepool— Sheepseom.be School, Stroud . . 2 - St. Aidains School .... 1 — — Southrop School, Lechlade . . - 6 Winlaton Council School, Blay- Stoke Gifford School, near don-on-Tyne 1 13 - Bristol 1 - - Essex. Stonehouse— Brentwood, Great Warley Church Saul Church School . . . .33- of England School .... - 12 - Thornbury Combined Schools . 4 - - Bulphan School, Romford . . - 12 6 Wapley School, Chipping Sod- Epping Green School .... 3 13 6 bury - 5 - IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 263

Hants. £• s. d. | Lancashire. Bournemouth— Adlington Council School, near Talbot Village School . . . 7 9 10 Macclesfleld Eastleigh— Allostock Council School, near Cranbury Road Girls' School .-56 Knutsford Haven Street School, Isle of Austerlands Council School, near Wight - 6 - Oldham - 10 - Headley— Bacup Mount Council School ..146 Holme School 15- Baguley St. John's School. ..15- Byde— Baniber Bridge Wesleyan School - 15 - Oakfield Boys' School ...11- Belmont Council School, near Southampton, St. Mark's Church Bolton 1-3 of England School . . . . - 18 6 Bentham Council School, near Wolverton School, near Basing- Lancaster 18- stoke - 8 1 Blackburn— Herefordshire. Audley Range Council School . - 6 - Cedar Street Council School . 1 12 - Bridstowe Council School, Koss . 2 10 - Christ Church Boys' School, Brinsop School 1 16 6 Mosley Street - 10 - Credenhill School - 5 - Griffin Boys' School . . . . - 10 - St. Weouard's School . . . . - 10 3 j Mawdsley Street Primitive Walford Council School . . . 2 12 - Methodist School . . . . - 12 6 Weobley School 4 10 - Park Boad Congregational School 236 Preston Wynne School.... 2 - - St. Andrews' Church of Eng- Hertfordshire. land School - 12 6 Potten End School - 10 - St. John's Girl School . . . 2 11 10 Shillington School House . . . 1 10 - St. Thomas' Church of England Huntingdonshire. School - 10 6 Abbots Bipton School House ..-71 Blackpool— Denton School, Stilton . . . - 7 - Marton Moss School. . . . 3 18 6 Graveley Church of England j Bolton St. Paul's School, Deans- gate - 13 - School, near Huntingdon . . - 10 - Bolton - by - Bowland School, Pidley Church of England School -6-1 Clitheroe 556 Kent. | Bryn— Bexley— : St. Peter's Infant School, near Bridgen School 1 10 - j Wigan - 6 8 Chartham Hatch County Council Burnley— School, Canterbury . . . . 1 10 - | Holy Trinity Girls' School .15- Chatham, Glencoe Road Girls' St. John Baptist's School, Ivy School - 10 - Street 1 10 - Chattenden School 1 10 - St. Mary Magdalene's School, Chevening School, near Sevenoaks -84] Haslam Street .... 1 5 - Ohislehurst, Priokerd Girls' School - 9 6 | Wood Top Church of England Clifle-at-Hoo Church of England School - 16 8 Girls' School 148 Bursoough Bridge, St. John's, Dover— Church of England School . . 1 - - Guston School - 19 - Gaton School, near Lancaster .15- St. Mary's Girls' School ..646 Chorley— Downe Council School, Orpington 12- All Saints' Church of England Dungenesg School, Lydd . . . - 13 - Mixed School - 10 - Eastchurch School, Sheppcy ..-26 St. George's Boys' School . . - 5 - Faversham— . J St. Peter's School ....!-- Hernhill School . . . . . 1 - - Clapham Church School, near Folkestone— Lancaster 2 11 - Sidney Street Girls' School. . - 9 - Keasden School, Glapham Station, Galley Hill School, Greenhithe .113 Lancaster 25- Great Mongeham School, Deal .262 Clitheroe St. James' School . . - 10 - Headcorn Council School . . . - 12 - Colue, Laneshaw Bridge Church Luton Boys' School, Chatham .176 School - 5 7 Lympue School 8 10 - Croston Parochial Boys' School, Otterden Church of England Preston - 7 - School - 10 - Dale Head Church of England Rochester— School, near Clitheroe . . .31- St. Mary's Hoo School House . - 13 - Earby New Boad Council School, Sevenoaks Boys' Council School . - 10 1 via Colne 15- Sheerness— Gatley Church of England School, Blue Town Girls' School . . - 10 - near Manchester - 6 - Sheldwich School - 10 - Great Harwood— Troy Town Girls' School . . .46- St.i'John's Church of England Wateringbury Girls' School . .12- School - 11 8 264 THE LIFE-BOAT. P*>> NOVEMBER, 1918.

Lancashire—continued. £. s. d. Lancashire—continued. £. s. d. Greenfield- Whitefield— Council School, near Oldham 1 - - ! Park Lane Schools . . . . 1 - - St. Mary's School, near Old- Stand All Saints' School . . 1 - - ham 15- Wrea Green School, Preston ..576 Golborne Parochial School, New- ton-le-Willows - 14 2 Leicestershire. Halliwell, St. Thomas' School . 2 - - Burrough School, Melton Mow- Haslingden Schools . . . 2 10 - bray 1 10 - Higher Walton Church of Kngland Cottingham-cum-Middleton School, School, Preston 7 10 6 Market Harbotongh . . . .68- Cosby Senior School . . . - 10 - Hindley— Croft Church of England School. - 8 6 Argyle Street Council School .22-- Evington Church of England St. Peter's School . . . . - 13 4 School -13 6 Hincisford Church of England Preeby Church School, Melton f School, Atherton . . . . - 17 - ' Mowbray - 7 2 Technical School, Hyde . . . 6 14 8 • Griffydam Scho«l, Pegg's Green . 32- Ince— Harby Church of England School, Belle Green Mixed School . . 1 - 10 ! Melton Mowbray 49- High Legh Church of England Hoby School - 6 8 School, Knutsford . . . . - 18 - Hungertori Church of England Lees, near Oldham— School 1 15 - St. Edward's School.... 5 8 1 Nanpantan Church School . . - 10 - Leigh, Lanes.— Rears by Church of England School 1 19 - Butt's Wesleyan Infants'School - 8 4 Sileby— Ley land, near Preston— Church of England School . . - 11 6 Church of England Mixed Council School 154 School 4 13 8 Stapleford School,Melton Mowbray - 10 - St. James' Church of England - Stapleton Church of England School - 9 6 School 1 12 - Longridge Girls' Church of Eng- Thornton School - 17 - land School, near Preston ..-84 Weston-by-Welland School, Market Low Bentham Council School, Harborough 12- near Lancaster - 18 - Middleton Parish Church School 5 - - Lincolnshire. Norden— Alford— Red Lumb Council School . Chapel, St. Leonards School . - 15 3 Oldham— Swaby Church of England School 25- St. Peter's Church School . . Baumber School House, Horn- Old Trafiord— castle - 3 9 St. Gabriel's Schools, Lucy Benniworth School - 17 7 Street - 11 - Buckminster Church School ..61- St. Hilda's School, Henry Street 17- Burgh-le-Marsh Church of England Padgate Church of England School .' -86 School, Warrington . . . . - 10 - Burton Pedwardine Council School - 12 - Pendlebury St. Augustine's Mixed Candlesby School, Burgh . . . - 12 - School 15- Castlegate Church of England Penuy bridge School House, Girls' School - 15 - Greeuodd I - - Bast Barkwith School . . . .-56 Preston— Faldingworth School, near Lincoln - 11 9 St. Joseph's E.G. Brindle School - 13 6 Frith Bank School 141 Qnernmore— Great Gonerby School, near The School House .... 3 5 6 Grantham 579 Hadcliffe Bridge Wesleyan Day Grantham— School 1-10 Barrowby National School ..-67 Ribchester Knowle Green School, North Witham School ... 1 - - near Longridge South Witham Council School 2 16 10 Samleshury, St. Mary's School . Swayfield School 2 16 9 Scarisbriek, St. Mark's School Hatcttfie School, Grimsby. . . 3 16 - Smallbridge— Holton-le-Moor School. . . . 3 10 - St. John's School .... Kirkley-on-Bain School, Woodhall St. John's Infants' School . Spa. 1-5 Stoneclough, Ringley Church of Langton by Spilsby Church of England School - 8 9 England School - 10 - Tintwistle Church of England Lusby School, near Spilsby ..16- School, near Manchester . - 9 - Market Eaisou Wesleyan Council Tyldesley Chapel National School - 15 6 School - 9 6 Waterfoot Lumb Church of Bug- Martin School 113 land School 1 - - Quadring Fen Council School . - 6 - Weeton School, near Kirkham .226 Banby School, Ranby . . . .-21 Werneth Council School, Oldham 47- Riby School, Grimsby . . . . 1 - - IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 265

Lincolnshire—continued. £. s. d. London, County of—continued. £. s. d. Saltfleetby School, near Louth . - 10 - Poplar— Skellingthorpe Endowed School . 1 10 10 Woolmore Street L.C.C. School 1 — — South Carltou School .... 5 3 4 Rotherhithe, Galleywall Road South Kyme Church of England L.C.C. School (Boys) . . . - 10 6 School 11- I Shoreditoh, Virginia Road L.C.C. St. Martin's Girls' School, Stam- School (Girls) 3 - - ford - 10 - 1 Stoke Newington, St. Matthew's Welton-le-Wold School . . . - 5 - L.C.C. School - 5 - West Ashby Church of England Tooting Graveney Boys' Schooi . 11- School, Horncastle .... - 7 - Wandsworth— Wickenby School - 5 - Waldron Road L.C.C. School . - 10 - Wandle L.C.C. School . . . 14- London, County of. Westminster Jews' Free School, Battersea, Mantua Street Ij.C.C. : Hanway Place, W. 1 . . . . School (Infants) 1 - - Wood Green, St. Michael's School Bermondsey, Alexis Street L.C.C. Woolwich— School 1 - - Parrett Road L.C.C. School . - 10 - Bethnal Green, Portman Plaoe Shooter's Hill Church of L.C.C. School - 10 - England School .... -32 Bow, Malmesbury Road L.C.C. School ' 3 10 - ; Merionethshire. Cambridge Heath, Mowlem Street ' Croesor Council School -13 L.C.C. School 2 2 - : Montgomeryshire. Canonbury Boad L.C.C. School j Berriew, Brooks C. School . . (Infants) - 3 - \ Llanrhaiadr National School, near Pulham, Sherbrooke Road Central I Oswestry L.C.C. School 2 - - I Norfolk. Greenwich, Dreadnought L.C.C. j Acle School, Norwich .... - 9 - School 6 18 3 j Bacton-on-Sea School .... 5 13 6 Hackney Free Parochial School Barton Turf School .... (Girls) - 15 6 Beechamwell Church of England, Haggerston Road L.C.G. School .16- Swaffham -34 Hampstead, Mansfield Road L.C.C. Belaugh School, Wroxham . - 17 6 School - 10 - Belton School, Great Yarmouth . 18- Holloway, St. James' L.C.C. : Bio' Norton School, Thetford - 10 6 School - 10 - Brooke School, near Norwich 1 15 - Homerton, Sidney Road L.C.C. Carleton Porehoe School, Wy- School -66 mondham - 10 - Islington— • • Castle Rising School .... -17 Buckingham Street L.C.C. Colin Holme Hale Village School 25- School 3 - - ! Drayton School, Norwich . . 3 8 10 Qneen's Head Street L.C.C. j Ellingham School, Bungay . - 4 - School (Infants) .... 2 2 Felthorpe School, Norwich . - 3 6 Lambeth— Field Dalling School, Holt . . 1 - -, Archbishop Tenison's School .-26; Flitcham School, Kings Lynn - 13 - Johanna Street L.G.C. Girl's Qooderstone School, Stoke Perry 136 School 22 Gresham Council School, Norwich - 8 4 Waterloo .Road L.G.C. School Guist School - 10 6 (Infanta) -5 Halvergate School, Norwich . 4 16 - Limehouse, Cayley Street L.C.C. Happis burgh School, Norwich 2 11 5 School - 10 Heacham Infants' School . 346 Mile End, Single Street L.C.C. Hedenham School, Bungay . - 2 School 1 - Ickburgh School, Mvmdford . . - 5 Sfbswell Hill, Tollington High Long Green Council School, Diss 'School - 12 Marham Council School . - 17 7 New Cross, Monson Road L.C.C. .Melton Constable and Briston Girls' School 11 Higher Standard School . . 15- Newington Green L.G.C. School Mulbarton School 2 13 6 (Girls) - 7 Newton Plotman School . -78 North Camberwell, Cork Street North Tuddenham School 1 10 - L.C.C. School -9 OJd Catton School, Norwich . -26 North Kensington, Middle Row Oulton Broad, Yarmouth Road L.C.C. School - 10 School - 17 6 Plumstead High Street L.C.C. i Oxburgh— School (Girls) 44-' Hewar's School -46 Poplar— I Seething School 3 12 6 Bromley Hall Road L.C.C. Shereford School, Fakenham 1 - - School -85; Smallburgh School - 8 - Dingle Lane L.C.C. School . Stoke Perry School .... -76 (Girls) 126 'i Swaffham Boys' School - 15 - 266 THE LIFE-BOAT. OT NOVEMBER, 1918.

Norfolk—continued. £,. s. Oxfordshire—continued. £. s. d. Swainsthorpe School .... - 5 Headington Church of England 9 Swanington School, Norwich. . - 10 School - 4 - Swanton Morley School, East Middleton Stoney, Earl of Jersey's Dereham 23 School (Boys) 2 13 7 Tattersett School, Kings Lynn . - 10 Milcombe School, Banbury . - 1 7 Thurton School, Norwich . . . - 10 Molliugton School, Baruhury - 5 - Welney One Hundred Feet Bank Pishill School, Henley-on-Thames 22- School - 10 Sandford St. Martin School . - 9 - West Dereham Sehool.Stoke Perry - 12 Stoke Lyne Schools, Bicester _ 4 - West Tofts School 7 10 Pembrokeshire. Wormegay and Tottenhill School, Cosheston National Provincial Kings Lynn 2 10 School 2 18 3 Yaxham School - 8 Mynachlogddu Council School, Northamptonshire. Clynderwen Byfield, Priors Marsion Church Narberth Council School . of England School .... - 11 Pembroke Dock— Dallingtou School - 10 Parochial Girls' School, Victoria Fotheringhay School, Oundle 1 12 Road Hanging Houghton School . - 15 Little Haven, Talpenny N. P. Marholrn School, Peterborough . - 16 School Priors Marston Church of England Rutlandshire. School - 11 Braunston School, near Oakham. 1 18 - Stanwich School 2 3 Clipsham Church of England School - 8 - Northumberland. Egleton Church of England School - - 8 Bedlington Station Council School - 10 - Bothal Church of England School, Preston School, near Uppingham Ashington " . 3 6 Somersetshire. Cheswick School - 5 Baltonsborough School, Glaston- Eltriugham Church of England bury - 5 - School, Prudhoe-on-Tyne . - 10 Batcombe School, Holy Well. -26 Lowick Undenominational School - 10 Bathealtou School, near Wivelis- Morpeth, Ulghara School . 1 2 combe 2 12 - Newcastle-on-Tyne— Blackford Council School . 1 10 - West Jesmond Council School, Bruton Church of England School 663 Sandyford Road .... 1 5 Chard, High Street Council School 1 - - Newtou-by-the-Sea Council School, Cucklingtou School, Wincanton . 2 12 - Lesbury - 12 Exford, The School .... 3 - - North Shields- Frome Council Schools 1 - - Eastern Girls' School, George Holcombe Church of England Street - 18 School Riding Mill, Healey School . - 7 Hutton Church of England School, Wallsend-on-Tyne— near Weston-super-Mare - 15 - Bingfield Church of England Ilchester Council School . 2 10 - School 1 16 Kewstoke Council School . 166 West Lilburn School, Alnwick . - 10 Lamyatt Council School, Bath . 178 Windyhaugh Council School . 1 7 Martock, Bower Hinton School . - 3 - Marriott Council School . - 10 3 Nottinghamshire.' Midsomer Norton High Street Barton Church of England School - 3 - Council School 1 13 4 Beckingham Council School, Don- Mistertou School - 11 - caster - 7 - Oake Council School, near Bleasby School 27- Tauuton Carlton-le-Moorland School,Newark 3-6 Otterford Council School . Colston Bassett School, Bingham - 10 - 25- Gringley-on-the-Hill School . Poyntingtou School .... 11- Keyworth Council School . - 15 Priddy Council School - 5 - - 5 Roadwater, Leighland Old Cleeve Marnham School Church of England School . . 15- North Clifton Schools, Newark . 2 5 Sampford Arundel School, Wel- Susworth County School, near lington -12 Doncaster - 5 - . Shoscomba School, near Bath Sutton-cum-Lound School, near 1 16 - 1 - - Walton-in-Gordous School, Cleve- Retford don -64 Teversall Council School . - 12 6 Wellington, Gour Hand Road Oxfordshire. Girls' School 1 - - Bladon School, Woodstock - 8 4 West Chinnock School 1 14 - Chilson— Weston-super-Mare,Christ Church School 1 2 Girls' School Cottisford School, Brackley . - 2 Wookey Council School, near Pritwell School/JBanbury . Wells NOVKMBBB, I9is.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 267

Somersetshire—continued. £. s. d. Warwickshire—continued. £. s. d. Wootton Courtenay School, Taun- Birmingham— ton 246 Brookfields School .... - 5 - Wraxall Boys' School, Bristol .-42 Clifford Chambers School, Strat- Writhlington School . . . . 1 10 3 ford-on-Avon 15- Staffordshire. Coleshill Parochial Girls' School. - 12 6 Bilston, St. Mary's School, Hurst 1 10 - Fenny Compton School, Leaming- ton 236 Bushbury Old Council School . 5 12 6 Great Alne School, Alcester . . - 10 6 Darlaston, Salisbury Street Ooun- ] Hockley Heath Council School .11- cil School - 17 - i Lillington School - 2 6 Haughtou School 7 16 - | Maxstoke School, Coleshill . . - 5 10 Lawton Park Church of England Napton Girls' and Infants' School 263 School, near Kidsgrove . . .276; Napton School - 2 - Longton, Florence Girls' School . - 3 6 j North Kilworth Council School . - 16 8 Moxley Infants' School . . . - G - Princethorpe R. C. School . . - 18 6 Oulton School - 3 - Rowington School 1 - - Stowe Street Endowed School . - G - Shustoke School 4 12 6 Swythamley School, Heaton . - 15 - Southam— Wolstanton Church of England St. Mary's R. C. School . . . 3 14 G Boys' School 1 13 10 Stookingford Church of England Suffolk. School 1 - - Beccles, Toft Monks School . . - 12 6 Studley Church of England School - 7 - Belton School 18- Tamworth-in-Ardeu Church of Halesworth, All Saints' School . - 5 - England School 3 14 6 Framlingham— Temple Graf ton Church of England Bruudish School - 15 - School - 5 - Saxstead School - 9 - Henley Council Schools . . . - 11 - Westmoreland. Rumburgh Council School . . -75 Kendal, Selside Church of England Somerleyton, School House . . - 14 - School 3 - Stoke Ash and Thwaite St. George North Stainmore Council School, Council School, Eye. . . .17- Brough 166 Tattingstone School . . . - 12 6 Shap, Rosgill School .... 1 7 - Tunstall, Butley School . . .-94 Windermere, Winster School. . - 5 - Woodbridge, Debaeh School . . -76. Wiltshire. Yaxley School, Eye .... - 6 - Gussage St. Michael School, Surrey. Salisbury . Blindley Heath School . . . 2 11 - Pentridge Church of England Brookwood School, Woking ..23- School, Salisbury .... Gobham School 5 - - Worcestershire. Cobhara Girls' School . . . . 14 6 4 Abberley Parochial School . . - 16 6 Morden Council School . . . .- 16 8 Cleeve Prior School - 7 4 Bedhill— Crowle Council School .... 1 3 - Hooley Council School . . . - 10 - Dudley— Royal St. Anne's Girls' School .11- Bluecoat School . . . . . - 16 6 Warlingham, Fairchildes School. 1 10 - I Kate's Hill Boys'CouucUJSchool 1 - - Woking, Monument Hill School Himbleton School, near Droitwich 166 (Infants' Department) . Lye.Cemetery Road Council School - 9 - Wokiug, Monument Hill School Redditch— (Mixed Department). Mappleboro' Green School . . 1 15 - Sussex. Stourton and Cherington, Ship- Arundel Church of England : ston-on-Stour 1 17 6 School 55-^ Tardebigge School, North Broms- Bainham C. School . . . . - 10 - grove 3 11 9 Dunoton Church of England Wyre Piddle Church of England School, Petworth - 9 - School 3 _ _ East Marden School, Chichester . - 10 - ; Yorkshire. Iping Church of England School, Acaster Selby Council School. .126 Midhurst - 1 6 Acomb, Church of England School, Lewes— York 1 17 6 Central Senior Girls' School .21 2 - Adwick-le-Street Central School, Rusper School - 9 - Doncaster 11- Southwater Council School . . - 13 - ; Airton Council School, Bell Busk, Button Church of England School, Leeds 27- Pulborough Aldwark School, Alne .... 1 3 - Warwickshire. Allerston Church of England School - 5 6 Ansley Council School, Atherstone 3 - - Altofts, West Riding Colliery Astley School 22- School, Normanton . . . . 1 10 - Birmingham— Appleton Roebuck Council School, Bournville Village School . . 2 13 10 Bolton Percy 3 15 - 268 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1« NOVEMBER, 1918.

Yorkshire—continued,. £. s. d. Yorkshire—continued. £. s. d. Armitage Bridge Church School, Denholme— Huddersfield Lodge Gate Council School 12- Aughton Council School, Sheffield Diggle Undenominational School - 6 - Harden Church School, Bolton Dinnington Council School, Abbey - 8 6 Botherham Barnoldswick— Dunford Bridge— Rainhall Boad Council School, Townhead Church of England via Colne 2 10 - School - 13 4 Barton-le-Willows, Harton School - 5 - East Cowton Church of England Batley, St. Mary's Roman Catholic School, Northallerton . . 3 10 - School East and West Rovmton School, Beverley, Walkergate Council Northallerton 3 15 - School East Wilton School, Middleham . - 18 - Bilbrough Council School, York . Kdlington Church of England Bingley B. C. School .... School, Doncaster .... - 8 4 Birstall— , Ellerton Priory -

Yorkshire—continued. £. s. d. Yorkshire—continued. £. s. d, High Green Council School, near Methley National School ... 1 - 6 Sheffield 1 - - Micklefield Church School, near Holme Council School, Holm- Leeds .» 147 bridge 33- Middlesmoor Church of England Scholes Council School, Holm- School, Pateley Bridge . . . 2 15 4 firth 191 Midhope Stones Council School .11- Horbury Church Girls' School, Mirfield National Boys' School .82- near Wakeaeld - 15 6 Moore Honkton, Hessay National Horsforth, Leeds, Woodside School 16- National School 2 - - Mortomley R. C. School . . . 1 - - Hovingham Church of England Newmill National School, Hud- School, Maltdn - 10 2 dersfield - 12 - Howden, Roman Catholic School - 5 - Nidd Church School . . . . - 13 - Hull- Northallerton, Siltons and Paisley Street Girls' School .55- Kepwick Church of England Wame Street Church School . 1 10 - School 4 11 8 Hunmanby Council School, East Nun Monkton School . . . . - 11 - Yorkshire Oakworth, Oldfield Council School 358 Hulton Bonville School, North- Otley, North Parade School . . - 10 - allerton Parkgate National School . . - 10 - Ilkley— Piecebridge Church of England National Girls' School ...12- School, near Darlington . . - 15 - St. Mary's School .... - 4 - Pocklington R. C. School ... 2 14 - Keld School, Richmond . . .-42 Poppleton Council School, Upper Kelfield School, York .... - 5 - Poppleton 5 15 6 Kexborough Council School, near Queensbury, Foxhill Council Barnsley 23- School - 8 6 Kippax Girls' School, near Leeds 15- Rathmell Church of England Kirkburton— School, near Settle .... 3 - - Council School 12-3 Rawmarsh Church of England Highburton National School . - 12 - School, Rotherham .... 1 1 7 Kirby Sigston School, North- Redmire, • Church of England allerton - 10 - School 2 16 - Laughton Church School, Rother- Richmond- ham - 13 - Convent of the Assumption . - 10 - Lees Council School, Keighley . 1 13 - Dalton Church of England Levisham Council School, Picker- School - 10 - ing - 10 - Hipswell Church of England Lightcliffe National School, near School - 5 - Halifax 476 Ravensworth Church of Eng- Lingerfield School,Knaresborough 122 land School 15- Littlethorpe National School,Ripon - 3 6 Rillington Council School ..12- Little Weighton Church of Rotherham Old Cote School . . 3 10 - England School, near Hull. .15- Rothwell Council School, Leads . 2 10 - L'itton Council School, Arnclifle, Roxby and Borrowby Council Skipton - 8 4 School, Staithes - 4 8 Lofthouse School, Pateley Bridge, Ryhill Council School, near Harrogate - 10 - Wakefield 6 - - Lofthouse National School, Wake- Ryther National School . . .5-6 field - 18 6 Salterforth Council School . . 2 11 - Loftus Infants' School. . . . - 12 6 Sawley Undenominational School - 5 - Long Marston School, York ..-58 Scarborough, St. Martin's Church Low Ackworth, Howard School . - 8 - of England School . . . . - 10 6 Lowthorpe, Ulrome Church of Sedbergh Council School . . .374 England School - 4 6 Shafton School, near Barnsley . - 16 - Luddenden Foot, St. Mary's Sheffield- Council School 24- Girls' High School . . . . 2 10 - Malton— Stocksbridge Works School .186 North Grimston School... 1 17 6 Sheriff Hutton Wesleyan School, Wharram School - 5 - near York - 2 6 ManBeld School, Darlington . . - 5 - Skipton-in-Craven, Bircheisden Mapplewell Council School, Boys, School 156 Barnsley ,.28- Skipton-in-Craven, Parish Church Jlapplewell Girls' School . . . - 16 8 of England School . . . . - 13 - Marsden Council Schools, Hud- Slaidburn School - 16 - dersfield - 18 10 Slaithwaite Nidds Council School, Marishes Council School, Malton - 4 - near Huddersfield . . . . 1 16 4 Hedge Hall School, near Don- Snaith Council School .... - 5 - caster - 5 - South Bank, Princes' Street Melbourne Council School . - 5 - Council School 1 4 - 270 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1« NOVEMBER, 1918.

Yorkshire—continued. Yorkshire—continued. £. s. d. South Cave Boys' School, Brough Ulley Council School, near South ELmsall— Sheffield -34 Broad Lane Council School 1 15 4 Waddiugton and West Bradford Moorthorpe Council School 15- School - 12 - South Milford— Wadsley Bridge Council School . 3 10 - Biggin Council School . - 16 - Wakefield— South Milford Council School . 386 Belle Vue Council Infants' Southowram, Withinfields Council School - 12 6 School 3-5 Ings Road Council School . . 4 10 8 South Stainley School, near Old Sharlston National School - 10 - Harrogate - 16 - Wallingfen Council School ..15- Stainforth Church School, near Warmfield School, near Wakefield 284 Settle - 10 - Warthill Church of England Stainland— School - 2 6 Bowling Green Council School 2 - - West Slaithwaite Church of Sowood Green Council School . 3 12 2 England School, Huddersfield . - 19 6 Stanley, St. Peter's Boys' School, West Vale Council Boys' School, Wakefield -62 Halifax 1 11 - Stamford Bridge Schools, York . - 10 - Whitwood Mere National School, Staveley Grove Council School, near Castleford - 10 - Wakefield 17- Wickersley Infants' Council ' Staveley National School, Knaies- School, Rotherham . . . . - 10 - borough 2 15 - Wombleton School, Nawton ..-96 Summer Bridge, Hartwith Council Womhwell, Park Street Council School, Harrogate .... 23- Boys' School, near Barnsley .58- Sutton, St. James' Church of Wooldale Council School, Thongs- England School ..... - 10 - bridge . . - 10 - Sutton-in-CravenNational School, Woodhouse West Council School, near Keighley - 10 - near Sheffield 12- Swine Church of England School, Woodlesford Council School, near near Hull - 5 - Leeds . , 3 19 9 Swinton, Queen Street Council Woodsetts Council School . . - 10 - School 11- Worsborough— Tankersley Girls' School, near Our Lady's Roman Catholic Barnsley -12 - School, Worsborough Bridge - 5 - Thirsk, Catton Church School . 2 10 - I Church of England School , . - 9 - Thorganby-cum-West Cottingwith, Worsborough Dale National York School 192 Thorner Council School, Leeds . Wortley— Thurlstone Council School, near Green Moor Council School - 8 - Sheffield - 12 National School - 15 - Tickton School, Beverley . . - 8 Wragley National School, near Timble Girls' School, near Otley. Wakefield - 13 - Tockwith Church School, York . If:! York- Tockwith Wesleyan School, York -10-s Model School Training College 176 Triangle National School, near St. Clement's Girls' School . 1 - - Halifax - 10 - St. Thomas' Girls' School ..11- NOTE.—In the South of England the collections were started much later than in the North and the Midlands. The above list is, therefore, quite incomplete. In Scotland the scheme was not started this year.—EDITOR.

Life-boat Essay Competition, 1919. THE Editor acknowledges most grate-1 the head teacher would be willing to fully the active and valuable co-operation address the pupils, a copy of an address which the Life-boat cause has received on the "Life-boat and its Heroic Work " from the head teachers and staffs of would be forwarded on application. schools throughout the country, and (2) Writing to the District Organizing would appeal for further help in the Secretary (ior addresses see page 284) work of bringing the claims of the In- and offering to act as Honorary stitution before the public of their towns Secretary, or to join the Local Com- and villages. This can be done by— mittee formed, or to be formed, in the (1) Arranging for a short address to town or village where the school is the pupils on the " Work of the Life- situated. In places where no Flag boat." Application for a. speaker should Day has hitherto been held the be made to the Organizing Secretary of Organizing Secretary would be pleased the District. In the case of schools where : to hear from the head teacher. NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 271

St. Mary's, Woolwich, Presentation of Life-Boat Institution Award. AN interesting ceremony took place on endurance, humanity," and showing that Wednesday, October 16th, in St. Mary's th« object of the essay scheme wSs to Girls' School, Woolwich, the occasion form a link between children and the being the award of the Challenge Shield man who risk their lives to s»Te oar for London in connection with the recent sailors and all those "in peril on the essay competition on the " Heroic Work sea." The Mayor of Woolwich then of the Life-boats." The Mayor of presented Jessie Bush with tho "Chal- "Woolwich presided, supported by Mr, lenge Shield for London " (to be retained G. F. Shee, Secretary of the Institution, at the school), a certificate of merit, The Hector of Woolwich (the Rev. A, M. engrossed on vellum, and a War Savings Pickering), Mr. W. J. Squires, L.C.C., Certificate; and to show his keen appre- J.P., Mr. G. Sampson, Mr, G. Taylor, ciation of the honour conferred on Jessie Rev. B. Pickering, Mrs, and Miss Bush, on her school, and indirectly on Pickering, Mrs, Yeages and Miss Noad Woolwich itself, he presented her with ware also present, and many parents. a fiv* pound note. A certificate of An interesting programme was success- merit, for retention by the school, was fully rendered by the senior girls, the handed to Mrs. Clark, the headmistress, songs, "The Life-boat" and "Grace who thanked the whole staff for loyalty Darling," calling for special mention. and co-operation in the working of the la the unavoidable absence of Sir school, A vote of thanks was proposed Godfrey Baring, Bt., M.P., Deputy by the Rev, A. M, Pickering, and Chairman of the Institution, Mr. G. IP. seconded by Mr. Squires; and with the Shee made an admirable speech on the singing of the National Anthem, a work and utility of the Life-Boat In- " Red Letter day " in the history of the stitution, emphasising their "courage, school was brought to a close.

A Voice from Mesopotamia. Note by the Editor. SOME day I hope to be able to give a | miles at sea in one of the converted liners. full account of all the doings of the' Commander W. G, Rigg, B.N. (now a members of the Staff who have been, Lieutenant-Colonel, B,E,), earned the and are, serving in arms in the struggle D.S.O, for gallant action in command of in which we are engaged. It will prove Mine Sweepers off Zeebrugge, in the interesting reading, for men who had course of which service he witnessed the been quietly engaged as Inspectors of destruction of the armed yacht Sanda, Life-boats, or Organizers, or in clerical commanded by that gallant officer and work, or, perhaps, employed as riggers ! gentleman, Lieutenant Commander or labourers, have been scattered to the Qartside Tipping, R.N., a member of ends of the earth, and have become the Committee of Management, and a acquainted with strange places and | former Inspector of Life-boats. Lieut.- stranger people in the performance of Commander P. P. M, Fellowes, who was their duty to Kiag and Country. District Organizing Secretary for the Some have already earned distinction; j South of England, was shot down with some have gone down in the fight; j his seaplane during the attack on others are still playing their parts Zeebrugge, and rescued, wounded, by manfully in Prance, Flanders, Salonica, the Germans, after being a considerable India, Mesopotamia, Italy, or on the time in the water. He ia now a prisoner high seas. One died in the Gulf of i of war. Aden; another (severely wounded in I A boy who was born in the ham- France) succumbed after amputation of 1 drum atmosphere of Pimlico writes to a leg. The Housekeeper and Messenger ! me occasionally from Bangalore ; others of the Institution covered some 40,000 i from the high seas or from Italy. Some 272 THE LIFE-BOAT. OT NOVEMBEK, 1918.

day the record will appear in these days, and caused many horses to be shot. pages, and will show that the Staff of However, we got everything, including a colossal ammunition dump and many the Institution has played a worthy Germans. Having finished off everything, part in the Great War. there was no need for a force to remain up Meanwhile, I think it will interest there, so we trekked back again, and are now our readers to have the two letters in summer quarters somewhere on the banks, of the Euphrates. So I'm glad I didn't come which I publish below. They are from all this way for nothing. I wouldn't have one of the clerks in my office, and they missed this stunt for anything, even though it will be read with the more interest as was semi-starvation for a month! they were not intended for publication. The climate here is rather a, disgusting affair. Extreme heat, extreme cold, and It will be seen that they breathe the extreme storms. So things drag on out here. same cheery, jolly spirit which has I hope affairs at home are all right. We carried our men through every vicissi- don't get any news, and often wonder how tude of fortune and of climate, and is \ it goes at home. I trust that you are keeping well, and all at certain to bring us out triumphant in the Institution. I am looking forward to a the end. "When Mr. Payne wrote these return to the old game. letters, he did not know that he had lost I am, Sir, a brother, killed in France. The good Yours faithfully, wishes of all the Staff will follow his ; W. PAYXE further adventures, and we hope to welcome him back safe and sound at July 7th, 1918. the end of the War. And as that does not seem likely to occur the day after " By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept." As a youngster I used to to-morrow, I trust these pages will chant this in the choir, and it conveyed again be enlivened by further contribu- nothing to me. I didn't even consider why tions from his pen. I they should sit down and weep. I got paid April 21st, 1918. : forty bob a quarter for singing about it, pro- DEAR Sm, j viding I wore my Eton collar outside my I am glad to say that, so far, I have kept ; cassock; and there the matter ended. But, pretty well, and am feeling quite all right. , as Charles Garvice would make his Villian— All the same, I shall be very glad to get out of uo, make it Hero, as I'm talking about this country ! It's the most disgraceful bit of myself!—say, " I see it all now." No wonder terra firma imaginable., \ the poor devils wept! Oh lor, oh lor, oh lor ! I have just returned from quite a good I've been rusticating by the aforesaid waters stunt. We played a very big part in con- since our return from the Line. That must nexion with the capture of the whole Turkish suffice as to any detail concerning my where- Force on the Euphrates Front at Khan Bag- abouts. And, really, if you could but have dadi. We were out about a mouth, and ] a look around here, you'd agree that the I quite enjoyed it, although we had a very j Censor's motto, " The less said about it the rough time, which is inevitable when cavalry ; better," is well founded and thoroughly commence a forced march of several hundred justified! Anyhow, I can say that we're on miles. The day before we expected to go into the desert by the Euphrates. Officially I action we trekked over fifty miles. Then we suppose I should say " In the Field," but dismounted, got the guns into positions, and I won't run the risk of being misunderstood, reckoned on a few hours' rest. But at 10 like the orderly who announced to the C.O., o'clock at night the Turks had a bang to try " Sir, the prisoner is without," and received and break through, and we had quite a merry the reply, " Without what ? " time. Then above even the din of the scrap, we We are now in summer quarters and, as far heard the most dismal wailing of about 2,000 as duties are concerned, are having a pretty Turks shouting for mercy, so we sent out a cushy time—at any rate to the extent that party and marched them in. Unfortunately, 118° in the shade permits of anything I had to stand to my gun while they came in, " cushy," bracketed, of course, with things and so missed the souvenirs, which always that crawl, and jump and buzz, and spit and come with the taking of prisoners! Im- growl, and whistle and shriek—and all of mediately after this my Section was in the which bite, which, in turn, causes an—er— saddle again, did another twenty miles and irritation, which is scratched and turns to came into action again at 7 o'clock next fever, and anotlier one is struck off rations morning. This finished them off, and we and accommodation. Thus one thing leads packed up at midday expecting to return next to another. I expect after all this you'll day. But after half-an-hour's rest, during wonder that I'm alive ! But I'm here all which we ate a biscuit and a slice of raw | right, gradually transferring myself to a towel. bacon, we went off on a forced march to Anna, You know it's very annoying to find yourself where it was suspected that the Germans were dripping off your own chin, isn't it ? preparing a base for the recapture of Bagdad. I often wonder if my various letters hiv? This march of seventy-five miles took two reached the office. I wrote old a 1918,] THE LIFE-BOAT. 273 yam on the boat, and have written several civvy suits on, even though those suits consist times to Mr. Shea.* My letters are reaching of a sack with four holes in it, Bagdad is a my tome all right, so I expect the others have very disappointing place. The wonderful arrived too, aad you will know something of "mosques and minarets glittering in the what has happened to me txp to now. sun " made me laugh S (The whistle has just But tor the fact that I badly waat to go gone for turn out to water—I'E be back in a home, 1 could almost persuade myself that few minutes.) I'm having a good time, (Oh, hel pi) You'll be amused to hear that siaoe the One thing, we've had plenty of fua, as you squadron has been formed my half section can imagine from the fact that we formed a has baeo a native Lancer. His name is new squadron, and so commenced right from Ahmed Kahn—I call him Armoured Oar, it's the beginning, with all the things suggested easier, and practically the same. I can't tell by the imagination which can grasp the fall you what his particular job is, but it seems to significance o! " Machine Gun Squadron," me that he considers it to have something The above mentioned " things" included some fcp do with smoking my fags. Ha rides by my horsas—and they deserved the epithet 1 It's side when we are out or on trek, and he has a scream. The commencement is a notice in put years on me! And as though I'm not orders to the effect that " a party will parade," having a sufficiency o! Moore and Burgess, he etc., " to draw remounts." This doesn't wants to pat me on to two of his wives when mean anything to do with sketching or we get back to Bombay! AH of which gives pencils and paper! Anyhow, Machine Gan you some idea o£ the horrors of war. Squadrons always get the best performers, Anyhow, I'm keeping very fit, which is and this time I've never seen anything like it! really all that matters. I can do the rest all A Wild West show manager would have right, I have developed a (to myself) sur- crawled away and organized a spy system to prising nonchalance to everything except a find out where our authorities obtain their desire to get back to England, and so, as horses S For my part, I felt awfully " backed " everything else is a means to that end, J can of01 my first ride! Anyhow, we soon tamed do it I Until now I haven't properly realized them with the aid of a lunging rein, and were the beauties of Charing Gross Boad and on the go alter the "henemy"—and they surroundings! want some catching, too, even though yon are I'm afraid I haven't said very much about mounted! We passed Hit—I suppose it was Mesopotamia, but there's really nothing to the old gentlemen from this place who wsra say. I'm sure you don't wish to read any- known as the Hittites, whose favourite pastime thing about sandstorms, Arabs, dates, the was to " smite the Amalakites," Many miles desert, jackals, and so on. Of course, I could past this place we caught the main body of move you to tears by a recitation of experiences the Turkish Euphrates Force. The Machine whiie on a fortnight's forced trek when out- 0ua Squadron is usually regarded * as a sort flanking the Turks; of days and nights on end o£ brigade mascot, until it comes to a scrap, in the saddle—" whacked to the wide," and when we come into our own, and other with hardly strength enough to climb up people's as well S Bat.I won't worry yoa with again after a halt!—of taking my gun into details. I imagine you are at present getting action after an unbroken sixteen hours in the enough of them from "special" correspon- saddle. (We got 2,000 prisoners and » lot dents! Let it suffice to aay that we of staff out of this.) Then straight into the "dtawed it aororst 'em," and then added saddle again and another twenty miles, insult to injury by grring them bally and coming into action again at daybreak next biscuits to eat! When I get out of this I morning; then that mad eighty miles dash up think I'll write a book on "How we lived on to Anah—and I wouldn't have missed it for a bale of mouldy hay for a fortnight at quids, though, of course, at the time, we all Anah " ! In this case the word " mouldy " had a record on 1 Moat of this trek was across is not an epithet, but an accusation. There the great Syrian desert, so there's not much are various applications of this word. For to say about the " scenery"—especially as instance, I used to be asked, " How long none of us saw anythitig for several days holiday are you getting this year ? " and my consequent on the dust raised by a reply was invariably, " Only a' mouldy fort- cavalry column on the gel It is a game, night I" But never again I It would be some- isn't it? thing like, "Oh, think of it, I'm getting a Have any "of the others gone from the office whole fortnight!" yet uodar all these new age limits 1 I can You don't want to hear anything about assure any that they'll have a gay time if this country, do you ? No wonder Adam fell. they come out" this way; bat, tell th«m to go It's enough to drive a man to the resort of anywhere rather than come out here. I'm things forbidden! So far I've seen nothing not growling, mind you. Personally, I don't worth writing home about concerning either care if it snotos, I'm as happy as a sandstorm, the country or the people—though in a way but I'm still entitled to an opinion, and my I envy the latter, as they still have their opinion of this bally country cannot be put down here. la fact, I prefer not to think about it, but just sail merrily on, and I shall * Apparently all Trooper Payne's letters have wake np one of these mornings, find a oup of reached us. Uafortusaiely our letters to Mm have tea aad some thin bread and butter by the not fared so well, and none of my letters appeal' to have reached either Cspt*in Mapleson or Corporal side of the bed, and say to myself, " What a Payne. — EDITOR. rotten dream I've had," Then down to break- 274 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1« NOTEMBBB, 1918. fast, a stroll across the park, sign the book— flavour, and I should always be thinking about and so on, and so on, and so on! * I suppose " drawing remounts." Buck and Woottonf are still going strong. Ta-ta for now. Best wishes to everybody By the way, they'll have to change their name at 22. Yours sincerely, when I get back. The word Buck has a nasty w.: * The Sybaritic and nonchalant tone of these day- as punctually, faithfully and cheerfully as Trooper dream remarks muat not mislead our readers. We Payne's military duties are.—EDITOK. have it on the authority ol the Secretary that Mr. t The name ot the worthy firm of printers who do a Payne's work as a member of the staff is carried out great deal of the Institution's work.—EDITOR.

A Glance at the Wai* Services of the Life-boats. As this issue of the JOURNAL probably height, a most formidable task, success- comes before many of the head teachers fully carried out under Coxswain of National Schools throughout the j Langland's supervision. Although badly United Kingdom for the first time, j damaged the boat was, nevertheless, and in view of their widespread co- j launched, and succeeded in reaching the operation in the Prize Essay Competi- j wreck, which lay surrounded by a mass tion, it seems desirable that they should of rocks. Twelve men and five women have before them some account of the were saved and brought ashore. The work which the Life-boats have been boat was then again launched, and, doing since the outbreak of War ; for after a fearful struggle with terrific few, even the most thoughtful, realize seas, got to the vessel and saved eighteen the standard of achievement which the more, the heavy waves which swept Life-boat Service embodies, which it through the ship or broke over her deck has maintained for nearly 100 years, filling the Life-boat time after time. and which it has, if possible, heightened Unfortunately the boat soon became amidst the tremendous conflict in which unfit for further service owing to re- we have been engaged. peated bumping on the rocks. We give, therefore, below a record Other Life - boats were therefore of some of the more noteworthy services summoned. The Upgang boat was since 1914, beginning with the wreck lowered by means of ropes, down, the of the hospital ship Bohilla. almost precipitous clifls, but nothing could be done in the tremendous seas A Story of Life-boat Heroism. running. In the meantime the Tees- On Friday, October 30th, 1914, the mouth motor Life-boat and the Life-boat steamer Bohilla was wrecked, with a stationed at Scarborough had been called sad loss of life, near Whitby. The by telephone to the assistance of those vessel had been taken over by the still on the wreck. But the attempts of Government for use as a hospital ship, both these boats proved unavailing. and was on her way from Queensferry On Saturday morning the Upgang to Dunkirk, to bring some of the crew made a further attempt to rescue wounded to this country. She had on the survivors, fifty in number, who were board 229 souls, including a medical huddled together on one small portion staff and five nurses, the latter being of the wreck. For over an hour the fortunately among the saved. crew struggled manfully to reach the Shortly after four o'clock in the wreck, but the sea and strong current morning, during a terrific E.S.E. gale, running between the " Nab" and the the vessel ran on to a dangerous reef wreck was too strong for them, and of rocks and lay at the mercy of a furious eventually the men became totally sea. Pounded by mountainous waves exhausted and had to give up their she quickly broke in half, and many hopeless task. of those on the after part of the ship It was now decided to send for were washed away at once and perished. the Tynemouth motor Life-boat. On The sea was far too heavy to do any- Saturday afternoon the gallant crew, thing until daybreak, when the Life- under the command of Coxswain Robert boat was hauled on skids to the scene Smith, and accompanied by Captain H. of the wreck. This necessitated getting E. Burton, R.E., Hon. Superintendent the boat over a sea-wall eight feet in of the motor Life-boat, started on their BRITISH AND GERMAN WAYS WITH HOSPITAL SHIPS.

The Hospital Ship GLOUCESTER, Torpedoed by a German Submarine. (Under the Geneva Convention Hospital Ships are immune from attack by civilized belligerents.)

Reproduced by permiss'on of Topical Press. Wreck of the Hospital Ship ROHILLA, At Whitby, 30th October, 1914. Eighty-five lives were saved by the Institution's Life-boats (see p. 274.)

IN Rending a collection of ,67 5s.—from herself and from Surgeon-Captain Lonias, who was senior medical officer on the Roliilla, and was one of those saved, with other doctors and nurses—ilrs. Lomas writes (30th October, 1918) :— " We are never likely to forget the Institution, and what we owe to its devoted men."

IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 275 perilous journey, travelling forty-four were beginning to pass off, and the miles through the night and storm, waves were noticeably higher. Quicker unaided by any coast lights, which were than thought a rope was let down to all extinguished on account of the war, the Life-boat, and immediately figures and at 1 A.M., on Sunday morning, could be discerned scrambling down into November 1st, brought the boat skil- the boat. In less than a quarter of an fully into Whitby Harbour. hour more than forty men had been Four hours later this boat, with rescued. While the rest were preparing Lieut, (now Commander) Basil Hall, to leave the wreck, two enormous waves R.N., Inspector of Life-boats for the swept over the wreck and enveloped the Southern District, on board, left harbour Life-boat. Each time the tough little for the wreck, a supply of oil being craft disappeared for a moment, re- taken to subdue the waves. appeared, tottered, and righted herself The rescue of those who had survived gamely. Indeed, not a man was lost, the terrible ordeal for fifty hours is well not a splinter broken. Closer still she described by the representative of the hugged the vessel's side till every man Yorkshire Post, who witnessed the scene, aboard—fifty of them in all—had been and from whose report we give the hauled into the rescuing boat. following extracts :— " The last man to leave his lost ship " The light was just rising over the was the captain, and as he slipped into sea at half-past six o'clock when I saw the Life-boat the crew of the latter gave the boat creep out of the harbour again a rousing cheer that was echoed again and breast the breakers like a sea bird and again by the people ashore. as she headed straight out into calmer " But the peril was not yet over; water. Hastening, with others, to the another crisis had to be met before top of the cliffs south of the town, anxiety was allayed. As the Life-boat I rejoined the crowd of watchers there, shot past the wreck on her return who gazed with eager intensity as the journey she was struck broadside on Life-boat, looking fearfully small and by a great wave that threatened to frail, throbbed her way towards the throw her on her beam ends; but once wreck. Nearer and nearer she got; more she manfully withstood the shock, and then, when within 200 yards of the and swept gaily out to sea in a wide RoMlla, she turned seawards. semi-circle that brought her safely to " Presently, when she had passed a the harbour mouth. few fathoms beyond and away from the k " Cheer after cheer rent the air from wreck, she stopped dead, and discharged the people on the quayside, and these over the boiling sea gallons and gallons were answered by the boat's crew and of oil. It seemed that the ocean must by many of the survivors. When the laugh at these puny drops, yet the boat drew up alongside the quay, men effect was remarkable; within a few ran down the steps to assist the rescued; seconds the oil spread over the surface and the pathetic procession up the steps of the water, and the waves appeared moved men as well as women to tears." suddenly to be flattened down as by a A few days after the rescue, Capt. miracle. In the meantime the Life- Burton received the official thanks of boat turned about, raced at full speed the Admiralty for his and the Life- past the stern of the wreck, and then boatmen's services; and he and Coxswain turned directly towards the shore. The Smith, of Tynemouth, and Coxswain most dangerous moment came when she Langlands, of Whitby, were awarded was inside the surf and broadside on to the Gold Medal of the Institution, the the waves; but, guided with splendid highest award which it is in its power skill and courage, she moved forward to confer. steadily, and a cheer of relief went out from the shore when she reached the Crail and St. Andrews (Fifeshire). lee of the wreck, immediately beneath During a severe S.E. gale on the the crowded bridge. 27th December, 1914, the Torpedo-boat " But there was not a moment to be Destroyer Success ran ashore on the lost, for already the effects of the oil rocky coast at Kingsbarns, about six 276 THE LIFE-BOAT. [lw NOVEMBER, 1918. j

miles from St. Andrews. The vessel was A Magnificent Service in 1917. I' steaming south, and in the darkness, On the 9th January, 1917, one of the without any shore lights to guide her, most gallant rescues in the annals of she lost her bearings. Signals of distress j the Life-boat Service was performed at were made, and the Coastguard called up ! Cromer. During a heavy N.E. gale, Andrew Cunningham, Coxswain of the | the small Greek steamer Pyrin signalled Crail Life-boat Edwin Kay, who at : for assistance. The Life-boat was once Summoned the crew. The boat ! launched with difficulty. Thanks, how- was launched at about 6 A.M. when the ever, to a huge crowd of willing soldiers, gale was at its height. The Coxswain ! many of whom went into the water up handled the boat admirably, and dis- 1 to their waists, the difficulty was sur- played skilful seamanship in keeping mounted. Then began a long tussle the boat from being dashed to pieces on ; with the heavy breaking seas; and at the rocks which surrounded the vessel. ! last the boat reached the distressed Unfortunately, in spite of all care, j vessel, and saved the whole crew of the Life-boat was badly holed whilst on sixteen hands. It was just as she was its way to the vessel, and owing to the reaching the shore that an explosion heavy seas Coxswain Cunningham and took place on board the Swedish s.s. another member of the crew were Fernebo, breaking the vessel in two washed out of the boat. Happily, halves, which floated off independently. owing to their having their life-belts on, The Life-boatmen were much ex- they were saved by the other members hausted, especially the older members, but of the crew, who succeeded in getting they pluckily determined to make another hold of them and pulling them back attempt. For half an hour they strove in into the boat. With great courage vain to get beyond the breakers. Coxswain Cunningham, in spite of his j During this attempt a small boat exciting adventure, continued the work i which had left the Fernebo with six of rescue. When the boat arrived hands on board was capsized in the twenty of the crew were taken off and surf, but all the occupants were saved at once conveyed ashore. Although by soldiers and others, one of the the boat was damaged the Coxswain former, Private Stewart Holmes, of the put off again, and in the course of two Seaforth Highlanders, behaving in a par- more journeys brought thirty-four more ticularly brave manner, and narrowly men into safety. escaping with his own life in his efforts The St. Andrews Life-boat then at rescue. arrived upon the scene. This boat took By this time the halves of the vessel off the remainder of the crew, thirteen had stranded, with the crew on board in number, and as there was no neces- the after end. The rocket apparatus sity for any further action on the part was unable to help them. of the Crail Life-boat, she was hauled Shortly after 9 o'clock, the Coxswain up into safety. and crew, notwithstanding their earlier In recognition of this fine service and exertions, were eager to make another the indomitable pluck displayed both attempt, and the boat was launched. by Coxswain Cunningham and the crew For half an hour these splendid men in continuing their task in a damaged made the most gallant attempt to reach boat, the Committee of Management the vessel—over and over again the awarded the former the Silver Medal of boat was swept back into the shallow the Institution and gave him and each water inshore, but each time they of the other members of the crew an succeeded in pulling her out again. additional monetary reward. Bathed in the brilliant beam of a Later, letters of thanks were received searchlight lent by the military, one from the Lords Commissioners of the moment standing on end as she mounted Admiralty and from the Admiral Com- the crest of a huge breaker, at another manding the Coast of Scotland express- with her nose buried in the trough of ing their appreciation and thanks for the sea, or completely lost to sight as the services rendered by the crews of a sea broke right over her, the Life-boat the Crail and St. Andrews boats. made a sight which will never be for- IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 27: gotten by the hundreds of spell-bound The success of the rescue is described spectators who lined the beach. It was as little short of miraculous, as the seas not till five oars had been broken and at times lifted the Life-boat almost to others lost that the Coxswain gave up the level of the steamer's mastheads, the and came ashore. men having to be pulled aboard the But the Life-boatmen, nothing Life-boat just at the right moment. daunted, decided to make another at- On the morning of the 20th, signals tempt as soon as they had tested a of distress were again seen from a little and spare oars had been procured. large steamer—the Sibiria—which had Once more the boat was launched, once gone aground on the Goodwins. The more the hard struggle began, this time Deal Reserve boat was at once towed to end in success, and the remainder of out to the sands, the weather being the crew, eleven in number, were saved. even worse than on the previous day. In estimating the merit of this service, Again and again the coxswain tried to it is necessary to bear in mind the age get alongside. Three times the Life- of the men who performed it, the boat nearly capsized, and the fourth average age of the crew being at least time she was thrown on her beams ends, fifty. More even than is usual in such the mast and sails going under water. cases, it was thanks to the Coxswain, As she righted herself the weight of Henry Blogg, that this fine service was water on the sail tore the mizzen mast possible. It was his own remarkable and sail right out of her and carried personality and really great qualities of away the thwart. Several of the men leadership which magnetised tired and were injured, and the Coxswain was somewhat dispirited men into launching, compelled to make for Deal. and when the boat was launched it was Meanwhile the Ramsgate Life-boat the consummate skill with which he was engaged in an equally splendid managed her and the encouragement he attempt to rescue this crew. Leaving gave his crew which brought their efforts Ramsgate in tow of the Aid, she found to such a successful conclusion. The a terrific sea on the sands. In attempt- service earned for him the award of the ing to reach the vessel, the Life-boat Gold Medal of the Institution. was constantly filled with watei, and several times nearly capsized. One of A Fine Group of Services. the bollards was wrenched out, injuring 19th-21sfc November, 1916. two of the crew, and finally the cable Seldom, if ever, has there been con- parted and the Coxswain was compelled centrated within three days of Life-boat to return home. Later on an urgent work a more splendid series of achieve- message was sent asking that another ments than those which are briefly attempt should be made to save the described below. crew of fifty-two of the Sibiria, her On Sunday, the 19th November, the decks now being nearly under water. gale which had sprung up off the Kentish Undaunted by their earlier tremendous coaat on the 17th, and which is described efforts, the crew again set out at as the worst known for many years past, 7.15 P.M., but found that the whole was at its height, the wind blowing with crew had just been taken out by the almost hurricane force. Kingsdowne Life-boat. At 10 P.M. the Deal Life-boat was This boat was launched at 7.10 P.M. launched, and reached a steamer, which with the greatest difficulty, and saved proved to be the Val Saliee, about mid- the whole of the crew of the Sibiria, night, in intense darkness and in blinding who were assembled on the bridge, rain squalls. The boat was veered down while heavy seas broke over the vessel to the vessel, and with great difficulty and poured into the Life-boat, which the whole crew of 30 men were rescued, was swamped, two of the men being the operation being greatly assisted injured. The Life-boat reached Kings- by the guardship, which threw her downe at 12.45 A.M. on the 21st with searchlight on the steamer, the first her precious freight of sixty-eight men, time on record that a rescue has been eighty-two lives being thus rescued in carried out under these conditions. twenty-four hours. 278 THE LIFE-BOAT. !>* NOVEMBER, 1918.

Lowestoft. thrown to the men enabling them to On the 30th September, 1918, the j make an endless rope, and by this Life-boat crew were called out to go to means the four men on the wheel-house the assistance of a vessel ashore about were dragged through the water into five miles from Southwold, the Life-boat |the Boat, it being quite impossible at that place not being available and it j to get them in any other way. As being impossible to launch the boat at ; soon as the nine men were rescued Aldeburgh owing to the state of the • the Boat started on her homewaid weather. A vessel, which proved to be journey. one of His Majesty's sloops, carrying j Unfortunately the skipper of the a crew of twelve hands, had stranded : vessel has been washed overboard in a whole N.E. gale and a very heavy j previous to the arrival of the Life-boat, sea. The position is seventeen miles and was not seen again. Two other from Lowestoft, but, other help not men were also washed overboard, but being forthcoming, a telephone message I happily they were rescued from the was sent to Lowestoft. In response j shore. Coxswain Swan at once fired the It is reported that while the actual assembly guns and did what he could work of rescue was being carried out, to collect a crew. He succeeded in the Life-boat struck the ground in the obtaining the requisite eighteen men, of | hollow of the sea, and during the whole whom two were over seventy years of j time she was endeavouring to get along- age, twelve were over sixty, and the ; side the sunken vessel she was practi- remaining four over fifty. Nothwith- [ cally under water; By the time the standing the severity of the gale, thick . Life-boat got back to her Station the rain and very cold weather, the brave whole of her crew were very exhausted crew put off without hesitation to the after their arduous work, and it was help of the imperilled men. Lowestoft necessary for some of the rescued men Harbour was left a few minutes after to be removed to the local hospital five in the morning, and some two owing to their injuries whilst on board hours later the Boat reached the wreck, the wrecked vessel. which was completely under water, with John T. Swan, the Coxswain, under four men taking refuge on the top of | whose leadership the rescue was per- the wheel-house and five others on the j formed, already holds a fine record foremast. A terrific,sea was running j for saving life, and in 1914 he was and the first two attempts to get near to j awarded the Silver Medal of the the vessel failed, as the wind and tide Institution for saving the crew of carried the Boat away from her. Un- another of His Majesty's vessels under daunted, however, by their failure, very perilous conditions. the men decided to make another try. A striking fact on this occasion is The Boat was hauled off and a spring that the service was carried out by such was put on the cable, and by this means a veteran crew, showing that in their the Boat was brought near enough to old age these men are no less courageous the wreck for grapnels to be thrown when called upon to carry out their into the rigging. The Boat was then humane task than their sons away on hauled near to the mast of the vessel, service. It is reported that it was and the five men one by one dropped a most impressive sight to see these old into the Boat as opportunity occurred. men, grey-haired and bent and the One man while so doing fell on to one majority afflicted with the attendant of the Life-boat's crew, but fortunately ills of old age, struggling in the dark- the injury inflicted was not serious. ness against the wind and rain in order Another fell short of the Boat and to answer to the call of the assembly went into the sea, but the prompt use guns and take their places in the Life- of the boat-hook prevented his being boat, without a moment's thought of drowned, and he was hauled into the the dangers that they had to face, Boat. As soon as the five men were determined to give what assistance safe on board the Boat was hauled they could to their brother seamen toward the wheel-house. A line was whom misfortune had overtaken. IST NOVEMBER, 1918.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 279

A Minister's Plea for the Life-boat Service. SPEAKING in the new Parish Church, It well may be called ' The Red Cross Ardrossan, on Sunday, September 15fch, of the Sea.' In these days of fewer the Rev. R. P. Fairlie, taking the text safeguards and greater dangers to navi- Mark iv. v. 41, pointed out that, while gation, our life-boats have been called several of Christ's disciples were fisher- to greater service. The work has been men, their work was only on a little nobly done, but the tragedy is that, inland loch, and that as a people, the with the increased expense necessarily Jews were not a maritime race. He incurred, the Institution has been faced then proceeded to say :— with a falling income. Who are those " But of us it can be said we are a whom we are asked to help? They are maritime people. The sea is the bulwark ' bone of our bone and flesh of our of our defence, and it is our means of flesh.' We have always been proud of communication with other lands. And, our sailors, but even more so are we yet, how little do many of us know of now. Here is a way in which we can the sea. Perchance, we give little show our appreciation of their dauntless thought to its vastness or to the dangers courage. But some of you may say, it holds in store. History, we find, is and I have heard it said, that work a record of man's struggle with the sea such as this should not be left to volun- and its forces, and, whilst we have made tary effort. Still we must just face great strides in its conquest, yet it is facts as they are. It has been left to still unconquerable; and, saddest of all, our honour, and it is a duty incumbent there are the devices of man super- on us to bring to the needy the help sdded. The day is not far distant when they require. Our sailors go not forth the shipwrecked mariner was left to his on their own errands, but ours. They own devices. Even when he struggled brave the forces of nature and the cruel to tht shore, it might be to face death, wrath of men, that we and ours may and certainly to be despoiled of his live in comfort and sufficiency. We goods. But now we are learning the cannot like Christ ' rebuke the wind, way of Christ and we are seeking to and say unto the sea, Peace, be still,' save the lives of such. This is the work but we can by our giving, afford help to that the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT the weary straggler with the restless INSTITUTION seeks to do. Its record is sea that he may be brought to his one of which it justly may be proud. desired haven.'"

Life-boat v. Submarines. THE story of the services rendered by , and other vessels which have been the Life-boats in direct connexion with mined, torpedoed, and otherwise in the war cannot be told until the end of | jeopardy through the action of the the war. When it is unfolded it will | enemy. The absence of such publica- be seen that the Institution has carried i tion has made it possible for many people, out, both in the letter and in the spirit, even after four years of war, to ask the fine ideals laid down by its founders i whether the Institution is really doing nearly one hundred years ago, when \ war work! As our readers are aware, they declared that its services were to ; nearly 5,000 lives have been saved by be carried on in peace and war alike. the Life-boats since the outbreak of Unfortunately, national exigencies, as war, and of this number over 1,600 interpreted by the Censor, have prac- ; have been rescued from casualties tically prevented the Institution from directly attributable to the war, the receiving that public recognition which i Life-boats having been launched over would assuredly be accorded to it were 1 500 times to such casualties alone. the facts known with regard to the j A very gratifying feature of the service rendered to His Majesty's ships 1 splendid work performed by the Life- 280 THE LIFE-BOAT. P" NOVEMBER, 1918.

boat crews throughout the war has been The Dutch League of Neutral Countries the generous recognition given by foreign has now awarded medals to the officers Governments from time to time, the and crew of the St. Agnes Life-boat, Norwegian authorities having been par- and to the trawlers who assisted on ticularly prompt in this matter. Re- ; this occasion. In a letter addressed to cently, the Dutch League of Neutral 1 the First Lord of the Admiralty the Countries has taken similar action in League writes :— connexion with one of the most out- i " The League of Neutral Countries makes rageous attacks of the Germans on ! free to offer your lordship, as head of the ; British Navy, commemorative medals destined neutrals. On February 23rd, 1917, the for the sailors in question. May you con- St. Agnes Life-boat was launched in sider this act as one of the numerous moral response to signals from the Bishop's and intellectual ties which bind England and

THE NEJnCHAIV SEUiOn OF THE LEAGUE OF NEUTRAL COUNTRIES TO

IH GRATEFUL COMMEMORATION OF THE SERVICES TENDERED BY THE. ENGLISH SAILORS WHO RESCUED WITH PERIL OF LIFE THE CREWS OF SEVEN MARKED DUTCH NfflOHfHM SURREPTITIOUSLY flTTWKED AttD RECKLESSLY DESTROYED BY A GERMAN SUBMARINE FEBRUARY 22-"W

Medal presented to the Crew of the St. Anne'* Life-Boat by the Dutch League of Neutral Nation*. lighthouse, and found that seven Dutch Holland together.... Our warmest admira- tion is for those who give their lives for the and one Norwegian steamers had been liberty of the world, and we are glad to have torpedoed by a German submarine. this occasion for the expression of these The Life-boat fell in with two ship's feelings." boats full of men, and two of the Life- boat crew were put on board to take We give a reproduction of the obverse them into safety. The Life-boat then and reverse of the medal. It will be heard that other boats were in the noted that the inscription states that vicinity, and, after some search, fell in the attack took place on the 22nd with another boat. This service re- February, but the service of the St. sulted in three boats and forty-seven Agnes Life-boat was on the 23rd men being saved. February. War Services of the Institution. THE Secretary of the Institution is of coxswains, second coxswains, etc. compiling a record of the War Services (where they are not already pub- rendered by the Life-boats and by lished) and really good photographs members of the staff of the Institution. of the Life - boat at sea, and of He would be grateful to Honorary Sec- the station, will be welcome. All retaries, especially of Station Branches, information of this kind should be for accurate details with regard to War put as shortly as possible; the photo- Services rendered by members of the graphs should be accurately described, crews or other employees of the Insti- with a note as to the right of publica- tution. In this connexion photographs tion, etc. 1ST -NOVEXBBR, 1918.] JHE LIFE-BOAT. 281

The Torpedoing of the "Leinster." By A, W. LEWIS, the Consuiting Engineer of the Institution. As it was in the course of my duties as i this boat, and I should say about twelve Engineer to tie Institution that I was i minutes after the first torpedo, a, second returning from Ireland on board the i one struck us, and a tremendous ex- Leimier on Thursday morning, October : plosion amidships followed. I turned 10th, a short account of my experience 1 my back to it and ducked my head, will not be out of place in THE LIFE- j Nothing, however, struck me except BOAT JotiHNAi. My story will not be j water, and I found myself unhurt but a full description of the disaster, but! ve*~y wet. The ship started to sink merely an abridged record of what I i quickly, and the deck was so aslant it saw and what befell myself and a few was difficult to stand. There were cries other passengers. of " Jump I" and the water alongside was sitting on deck on the star- ( was at once full of struggling men and board side of the ship a little way aft j women. I ran aft before jumping, and of amidships when, at 9.32 A.M., the I left it to the very last chance. I jumped first torpedo struck the Leinster on the I from the port side near the stern, being port side. I had a momentary warning j aboat twelve feet or so above the water, from a man "who raa across from the j and saw no more of the ship. port to the starboard side, saying as he i I found myself close to a small raft passed my seat, " A torpedo coming!" i about four feet square, and got on to it The shock of the explosion was not 1I with a woman and a young soldier. very great. The ship shivered and j Others came aloag and tried to gel; on. began to dip slightly forward. I think j The raft was upset and we were all in that no one on deck was in any way hurt, j the water again. There was a life-boat Men of the crew ran at oace to the j near with only a few on board, and upper deck and began lowering the: most left the raft and made for the life-boats. There were calls for " Women !; boat. I stuck to the raft and got on and children first " and cries of " Steady, again with the same woman and young men, steady " from some officers. I saw • soldier. no panic or cowardice among those j There was a very big surge, but around me. There seemed little for: fortunately not much wind to break the one to do but wait. I realized there i crests of the waves. We appeared to •was ao chance of getting into a life-boat. rise and fall about six to twelve feet, lad of seventeen or so passed me and the young soldier was helpless with carrying his life-belt in his hand, and j sea-sickness. The woman lay on her I stopped him and fixed it on Mm. A > face across the middle of the raft, the New Zealand officer was standing near i soldier on her right side and I on her me, and he said, " I can't swim a yard." ! left. She was very plucky. We drifted I told him ha had not got his belt on 1 away from the life-boat and came across correctly, and took it off him and put j another exhausted soldier. I got Mm it on right. I was myself wearing partly oa the raft, which nearly capsized a Kapok, waistcoat and had put on again, and I regret to say he was washed a life-belt also immediately after the off. I then held on to him in the water, torpedo struck the ship. but he was soon unconscious. He never I observed a life-boat on the starboard ! spoke, and when a rather bigger wave side about amidships being lowered, j than most came along, I lost hold of with only & few men in her. Others him. jumped in or slid down the davit ropes. We drifted near a New Zealand The official who had examined my ticket soldier with a large circular white life- at Kingstown Quay was on board of buoy, and by pushing some wreckage to her, and I think in charge. I do not j him I got him alongside the raft. He know the fate of this boat, but there \ held on ar/l I talked to him and cheered were still women on deck. j him up with news of the approachiBg Almost immediately after noticing' vessels from Kingstown. Jast at the 282 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1m NOVEMBER, 1918. last he was swept away from the raft, upsetting us. He was a cheery fellow but the skipper of a patrol-boat had and had not lost his head. Two lines seen him, and getting nearer to him i were thrown to us from the patrol-boat heaved him a line. When he was along- • —the Helga—and with these I soon side the patrol-boat he was too weak to worked the raft close alongside the boat, eave himself, and one of the crew bravely when, as soon as she rolled towards us, jumped in and rescued him. we were seized by many hands and One other soldier, an Australian, lifted over the taffrail, about one hour joined us. He was swimming well, and \ and a quarter after I jumped from the managed to get on the raft without Leinster.

Centenary of the Institution, 1924. THE Secretary of the Institution pro- houses, past Life - boats, and other poses, if possible, to compile its history valuable records. All such documents for publication in 1924, and he will be should be marked " Centenary Records," most grateful to all Honorary Secre- and should have an accurate description,: taries, especially of Station Branches, with names, dates, etc. It is hoped that for every assistance which they may be they can be placed permanently at the good enough to afford in connexion with disposal of the Institution, but, where it the history of their respective Branches is particularly desired, every effort would (Stations), and for photographs dealing be made to return them eventually. with such history, e.g., photographs This notice will appear in every future of past coxswains, previous Life-boat- issue of the JOURNAL till 1923.

Obituary. WE regret to announce the death, #t tunate in never having had a hitch or the ripe age of ninety years, of the accident during the time—nearly fifty Rev. Chancellor Owen LI. Williams, of years—-I had charge of the Life-boats, Llanrhyddlad Rectory, Cemlyn, Angle- and have always received kindness sey, a Life-boat Station with which the and consideration from the London reverend gentleman had been closely and Committee." honourably connected throughout a long In 1824 he went out on a very dark and active life. In March, 1822, his night in a raging gale off the Anglesey grandfather saw the sailing packet Hart, Coast and saved twenty-four lives, and with passengers from Howth to Park- in 1862 he rescued another thirty-four gate, driven by the tide on a rock near men off the Carnarvon Coast. He Westmouse, and 140 lives were lost in received the Silver Medal of the Insti- the disaster. Mrs. Williams then de- tution for the rescue of the crew of the cided to start a fund to place Life-boats KenilwortJi, and, later on, a second clasp oa the Anglesey Coast. In a letter | for the Silver Medal and a pair of silver- written by Chancellor Williams in mounted Binoculars for a twenty-four December, 1913, he wrote: "When hours' vigil off St. Patrick's, Conway. about five or six years old I used to He received several other testimonials be playing about the rocks continually. for Life-boat Services, including a gold When older I was often fishing and watch and chain from sea-faring men down on the shore between two and on the Welsh Coast. three o'clock in the winter mornings, It will be seen that Chancellor waiting for the men to go out to take Williams' death removes a link with up herring nets, and thereby getting a the earliest history of the Anglesey knowledge of the tides. When about Life-boats, and we have parted with twenty I had charge of the Life-boat. another good old friend who has (The Life-boat Station was established " Crossed the Bar " after many a battle in 1828.) I feel I have been most for- with gale and storm. K

"NOW QUICK J STANP BY WITH THE COIL! COOL, COOL ! STEADY, MATE ! NOW THROW!' DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND'S PRIZE ESSAY COMPETITION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

N order to encourage in children a knowledge of and a pride in the work of British Life-boatmen, the Committee of Management have decided to ask for the co-operation I of .the: Headmasters and Headmistresses of Elementary Schools throughout the United Kingdom in bringing before their children the humane and heroic achievements of the National Life-boat Service, which was established nearly a hundred years ago. The late Duke of Northumberland, K.G., the then President of the Institution, placed at the disposal of the Institution a sum of £100 to be utilised in the presentation of prizes for the best Essays on " The Heroic Work of the Life-boats," written by children who are still actually attending the Senior Classes in Elementary Schools. The Prizes are of two kinds:— (1) School Prizes—Challenge Shields. (2) Individual Prizes—War Savings Certificates. CHALLENGE SHIELDS. Six Challenge Shields will be offered, the Country being divided into six districts as follows :-~ 1. London (including the area of Greater London). 2. North of England (Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and the Isle of Man). 3. Midlands (including all counties south of No. 2 area, including, as Southern limit, Lincoln, Northampton, Warwick, Worcester and Gloucestershire), t. All counties south of No. 3 area. 5. Scotland. 6. Ireland and Wales. A CHALLENGE SHIELD will be awarded in each of the six Districts to the School which sends up the best paper. The Shield becomes the property of the School which wins it three years in succession. WAR SAVINGS CERTIFICATES. Ten War Savings Certificates will be awarded to the writers of the ten best papers in each of the six Districts. The winners, and also twenty-five other competitors in each area, will receive Card Certificates testifying tc the merit of their Essays. THE ESSAYS ( 1. Will be open to the Senior Classes. I 2. Will be limited to 500 words, and 3. Marks will be given for handwriting as well as matter. In asking for the kind co-operation of Head Teachers of Elementary Schools the Committee of Management suggest that a short lesson should be given on the work of the Life-boats around the coast, based upon the " Notes for an Address on the Life-boat and its Heroic Work," a copy of which accompanies this issue of the JOURNAL. The pupils should then be asked to write an Essay on the work before leaving* the Class, thus ensuring that the work is their owr. Head Teachers are asked to select the best Essay only, and to send the same to the District Organizing Secretary of the Institution for the Area, to reach him not later than the 1st March, 1919. The following Bales will be strictly enforced, and Essays which do not conform to them will be ineligible. The Essay must be clearly inscribed with— (1) The name; and (2) the address of the School in full; (3) the name .and age of the writer; and (4) the date when the Essay was written; (5) and must be accompanied by a formal declaration, signed by the Head Teacher, stating that the Essay has been written in School immediately after the Address, and that it is the unaided work of the writer. Not more than one Essay may be submitted from any School, except where there is a Girls' Class as well as a Boys'. In such cases alone the best Essays written by a boy and a girl respectively may be seat in, if it is thought that they are of equal merit. No Essays received after the 1st March will be considered. The Prizes will be awarded by the Committee of Management, whose decision will be final. The awards will be made in June, and a complete list of the Prize Winners will be sent to each School competing as soon as possible; but the work involved in the thorough examination and placing of thousands of Essays is very heavy, and it is not probable that the Lists will be ready for publication till August, when they will appear in the August issue of TEE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. The writer of the best paper sent in from the whole of the United Kingdom will be awarded an extra War Savings Certificate, and the Essay will appear in THE LIFE-BOAT JOUBNAL, a copy being sent to each competing School. November, 1918. GEORGE P. SHEE, Secretary of tlie Institution. District Organizing Secretaries. Korth of England—-E. H. JOHNSON, Esq., F.C.I.8., 30, Cross Street, Manchester. Midlands, Wales and Ireland—H. G. SOLOMAK, Esq., F.C I.8., Newton Chambers, Cannon Street, Birmingham. South-Sast of England—Acting Diet. Org. Sec., Mrs. STBIL K. DUBPAS, 22, Charing Cross Koad, London, W.C. 2. Stuth-West of England—Acting Dist. Org. Sec., H. A. BRTDEN, Esq., H, Powderham Terrace, Teij?nmouth, Devon. London—Aetino Dkt. Org. Sec., PERCIVAL S. ^ARRANT, Esq., 22, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C. 2. Scotland—WILLIAM MARTIN, Esq., J.P., F.3.A. (Scot.), 34, West George Street, Glasgow.