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

VOL. XXXII JUNE, 1947 No. 342

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET Motor Life-boats, 152 :: Pulling and Sailing Life-boats, 2 LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1824 to May 31st, 1947 - 75,570

The Life-boat Journal The Life-boat appears again after an was also possible to continue the illus- absence of just seven years. Its last trated annual, The Story of the Life- number was dated April, 1940. In that boat, under the title of The Life-boat month Germany invaded Denmark and Serzice and the War. Norway. At the end of the next month In the annual report, reduced from the British Expeditionary Fotce was over 200 pages to twenty-four, it was brought off from the beaches of not possible to publish the usual Dunkirk (nineteen of the Institution's accounts of the services of the life-boats, life-boats aiding in the work), and the but later on a supplement to the annual British Isles awaited invasion. It was report will be issued in which these apparent what scarcities there would accounts will be printed. With them be in these besieged islands, what strict will be lists of the men who won medals economies were needed; and the Com- for gallantry, and the lists of services mittee of Management voluntarily de- which used to appear in The Life-boat cided at once, as the Institution's help at the beginning of each year. Thus in economizing paper, to suspend this there will be no gap in the printed journal (which used over eighteen tons records of the work of the life-boat a year) and drastically to reduce the stations. The continuing difficulties in annual report, both in size and in the printing, from the scarcity both of men number of copies printed. and materials, make it still impossible These economies have continued to fix a date for the publication of until the present time. But the news this supplement. of the work of the Life-boat Service The Life-boat, though it can appear was still regularly distributed to its again, must be slimmer, not much more branches and workers in the briefest than half the size that it was before possible form. In September, 1940, the war, and the number printed of the first number of The Life-boat War each issue will for the present be less Bulletin appeared, a single sheet, than half of what it was. But here it printed by the Institution's own staff. is again, and we may perhaps hope It was published every quarter, the ihat it will be fully itself once more last number appearing in December, before it celebrates the centenary of its 1946. Altogether 26 numbers and over first number, published on March 1st, 110,000 copies of it were printed. It 1852. THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

A Record Year THE work of the Life-boat Service does which is likely to decline, are con- not grow less. It is actually increasing. founded by the facts. Sir William In spite of all that is being done, by Hillary, in his appeal for a Life-boat new inventions, to make travel by sea Service in 1823, wrote: "So long as safer as well as more comfortable, man shall continue to navigate the 146 more calls were made for the help of ocean, and the tempests shall hold life-boats in 1946 than ever before in a their course over its surface, in every year of peace. More calls were made age, and on every coast, disaster by even than in any of the last four years sea, shipwreck and peril to human life of the war. The number was 631. must inevitably take place." Had he The number of lives which life-boats known what stupendous ships would be rescued was 647. That is not a record, built, what marvellous things would be but it has been surpassed in only three discovered, what ingenious things in- other years of peace—1907, 1898 and vented in the next 124 years, he might 1892. well have hesitated to write those So the work goes on; and those who words; but he was wiser in his might think, not unreasonably, that ignorance. What he wrote then re- the life-boats are a service the need for mains true to-day.

The Goodwin Sands THE Goodwin Sands have earned over of the coast have disputed the evil pre- and over again their grim description as eminence of the Goodwins, but since '; the graveyard of ships." In them are the war ended and the Straits of Dover sunk the timbers of hundreds of ships and the entrance to the Thames were and the bones of thousands of seamen. free again to all shipping, the Goodwins At low tide men have played cricket on have reasserted themselves and Walmer the Goodwins and have cycled on them, j has been the busiest life-boat station but such acts of familiarity leave them on our coasts. In the past twenty- unchanged as the greatest menace to five months (from the end of the ships in the waters of the British Isles. war on May 8th, 1945), the Walmer For many years the North Deal life- life-boat has gone out to the help of boat station, the nearest to the Good- twenty-one ships caught by the Good- wins, was the most famous of all life- wins. Only one of those ships was boat stations. When it was closed in British, a 7,000-ton steamer, and she 1932, its life-boats had rescued in its got off the Sands. Ten were from fifty-seven years 859 lives. There have European countries—three Swedish, been altogether three stations opposite two Dutch, one French, one Danish, the Goodwins — Kingsdown, North one Spanish, one Greek, and one Deal, and Walmer. Now there is only Polish. From these ships the Walmer W'almer, chosen as having the best life-boat rescued forty lives. The other beach for launching a motor life-boat. ten ships were all American, and These three stations, from 1865 to Walmer rescued from them ninety-twa the end of 1946, had rescued 1,646 lives. Altogether, the Wralmer life- lives. boat has rescued from the Goodwins in In recent years, other dangerous parts these twentv-five months 132 lives.

A Wireless Appeal ON Christmas Eve of last year a wire- Council, a vice-president of the Institu- less appeal for the Life-boat Service tion and now the Institution's treas- was made by the Duke of Montrose. urer. The response to the appeal was chairman of the Scottish Life-boat £1,799 4*. Qd. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of} [Daily Graphic ON THE GOODWINS Two steamers from which the Walmer life-boat rescued eighty-three lives. In the foreground, the American Luray Victory, wrecked on January 30th, 1946; in the background, the Greek ha, wrecked on March 8th, 1947. THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

Wreck of the Life-boat at The Mumbles AT 6.10 in the evening of Wednesday, •who -was 47 years old, had a very dis- April 23rd, the life-boat at The Mumbles tinguished record. He was one of \vent out in a gale of exceptional the seven men who during the war severity to the help of the steamer won the gold medal of the Institution Samtampa, of Middlesbrough, which for conspicuous gallantry. This was had been driven ashore on the rocks in October, 1944, when he rescued off Sker Point, eleven miles south-east forty-two lives from the Canadian of The Mumbles. No more was seen frigate Cheboque in a fierce gale, by or heard of the life-boat until daylight night. He had already won the next morning when she was found bronze medal, in January, 1941, when, ashore, bottom up, near the wreck of in order to rescue the crew of a the Samtampa. All her crew were steamer driven ashore, he took his drowned. The Institution has pensioned life-boat in the darkness right among their nineteen dependent relatives as if the coast defences of steel railway the men had been sailors of the Navy lines driven into the sand beneath killed in action. A full account of this the water. In his seventeen years as disaster will be published in the next an officer of the life-boat he took part number of The Life-boat. in the rescue of 127 lives. His portrait The coxswain, William Gammon, is on the cover.

The Bravest Life-boatman of the Year UNDER the will of Miss Maud Smith, he won the Institution's gold medal; of Chesham Place, London, who died for 1945 to W. Orchard, assistant in February, 1943, £200 was given to motor mechanic at Padstow, for the Institution for investment, from taking command of the life-boat and which a sum not exceeding £5 was to rescuing seven lives from the Nor- be given in January of each year to wegian steamer Sjoj'na, for which he the life-boatman who had performed won the Institution's silver medal; the bravest act of life-saving in the and for 1946 to J. R. Harland, of previous year. The gift was to be the Whitby crew, for going overboard known as "Miss Maud Smith's reward from the life-boat in a rough sea for courage in memory of John, 7th and rescuing a man who had been Earl of Hardwicke." This award has washed out of the fishing boat Easter now been made three times. For Morn, for which he won the Institu- 1944 it was given to Coxswain William tion's silver medal, the Silver Medal Gammon, of The Mumbles, for the for Gallantry in Saving Life awarded rescue of forty-two lives from the by the King, and the honorary certifi- Canadian frigate Cheboque, for which cate of the Carnegie Hero Trust.

Norwegian Medals THE Norwegian Government has and her captain ran her ashore. There awarded silver medals and diplomas to the life-boat found her, already being Mr. E. Selby Davidson, honorary sec- broken up by the heavy seas. The retary of the Tynemouth station, Institution awarded bronze medals to Coxswain George Lisle, W. Johnson, Mr. Selby Davidson and the coxswain, the motor mechanic, and Bartholomew vellums to the two other men, and £35 Taylor, a member of the crew, for the to the coxswain and crew, but the rescue of twenty-one lives from the censor forbade any mention of this 20,000-ton motor vessel Oslo Fjord on rescue at the time. Those four medals December 8th, 1940. The Oslo Fjord bring the total number of medals won had been struck by a mine or torpedo by life-boatmen during the war to 223. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of] QN THE GOODWINS AGAIN [Daily Telegraph The American steamer North Eastern Victory. The Walmer life-boat rescued forty-two lives from her on December 24th, 1946.

By courtesy oft ON THE NEEDLES \PaOy Graphic The Greek steamer Varcassi, wrecked on January 5th, 1947. The Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, life-boat rescued her crew of thirty-five. (See page 14.) THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

All in the Day's Work LIFE-BOATS have other things to do Cloughey and Galway Bay, in Ireland. besides the saving of life from ship- wreck. Among the islands off Scotland Snow-bound Roads and Ireland their help is often asked, In ordinary bad weather it is the when rough weather makes impossible gales which bring these duties to the use of ordinary boats. The most the life-boats, in the traffic between the common of these duties is the taking of islands and the mainland, but in this doctors to sick people in the islands, past winter more than half of them were or the carrying of the sick to hospitals on account of the heavy snow. There on the mainland. Every winter brings were altogether ten cases of life-boats such jobs to be done, and never have carrying help to the sick and seven of there been so many of them as in the carrying food to the hungry, because heavy snowstorms and gales of January, the roads were impassable through February and March of the present year. snow, and the only way was by sea.

n *

By courtesy of] (Mr. H. J. BeM, of Hope Cave THE ANTARCTIC—OFF DEVON The Salcombe life-boat carrying supplies to Hope Cove

In the seventy-one days from Jan- Most of these were in the far north, uary 4th to March 15th, there were Of the thirteen journeys by Lerwick twenty-eight such errands for life-boats. and Aith, eight were because of snow- Most of them were in the north of bound roads, and there were others, for Scotland. Lerwick, in the Shetlands, the same reason, in the south of Wales was out nine times and Aith four, and by the life-boats from Fishguard and of those thirteen journeys, eleven were St. Davids, and in south-west England to help the sick, two were to carry by Salcombe. Salcombe was the most food. The other life-boats which went southerly place at which the Arctic on such errands were Campbeltown weather compelled the transport of (twice), Tobermory and Port Patrick, food by sea because the roads were on the west coast of Scotland; Holy closed. This was on January 30th Island and Gorleston (twice), on the and February 1st, and on February east coast of England; Salcombe, in 6th the South-West Divisional Food Devon; Llandudno, Fishguard and Office at Bristol wrote to the Salcombe St. Davids, in Wales; Donaghadee, station: JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT

THE ARCTIC—IN THE NORTH SEA The Skegness life-boat going to look for the Dutch coaster Tuko, of Delfyzl, on February 22nd, 1947 She found the Tuko, which did not need her help, and was out for nine hours. 8 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

" News hag reached me from Salcombe the scope of their normal duties which of the splendid service performed by in themselves are extremely arduous." members of the life-boat crew during There were other unexpected duties the recent appalling weather conditions in that winter weather. Valentia went in your district. There seems little out to bring from an island the body of doubt, but for the readiness and public- a man, Padstow to help three children, mindedness which your crew displayed, caught by the tide on a rock, Aberyst- several of your surrounding areas would wyth to rescue a boy at night, stuck have been in dire straits for the on the face of the cliff. There was, too, foodstuffs at a time when they were the inevitable false alarm. Ramsgate obviously in vital need. went out at midnight, and searched "May I, on behalf of the Ministry of for a long time, in answer to shouts Food, and of myself, ask you to con- apparently from out at sea. She found vey to the crew a very warm apprecia- nothing. The shouts had come from tion of their efforts, so much the more boys and girls playing on the slopes of commendable since they were outside snow on the cliffs.

A Hundred Years Ago ON January 5th, 1847, Lieut.-Col. Sir for great gallantry. The lines from William Hillary, Bt., the founder of the James Thomson on his memorial tablet Life-boat Service, died in the Isle of fitly sum up his work for the Life-boat Man at the age of seventy-eight. He Ssrvice. was not only the founder of the service, but one of the greatest of its life-boat- For what his wisdom planned and men, helping to rescue over 300 lives power enforced from shipwreck, and three times More potent still his great example winning the Institution's gold medal showed.

A Word of Farewell By LIEUT.-CoL. C. R. SATTERTHWAITE, O.B.E., Secretary of the Institution, 1931-1946 WHEN one has, for fifteen years, held an their time and energy ungrudgingly in office that any man must be proud and the administration of life-boat stations, thankful to occupy, it is not easy to say and in the task of raising funds. No good-bye. Yet the time has come for life-boat crew, during my sen-ice, has my retirement from the post of Secre- ever failed to do all that men could do tary of the Institution, and I must take to rescue life in peril. The members leave of the Committee of Management, of the staff, one and all, have done their the honorary workers and subscribers, work, I think happily, and certainly with the men of the life-boat crews, and my keenness, understanding, and efficiency. colleagues of the staff. In deep It is a great service that the readers sincerity, I thank you all. It is of this journal work for and support. because of your work that I can hand Though my life of daily activity is over, over my post to Colonel Burnett Brown I shall hope still to be of some use; for with the knowledge that the Life-boat one cannot give up life-boat work. Service was never so well prepared for But the secretary's responsibilities will what the future may bring, or so near pass into younger and more vigorous the hearts of the people. hands, and it is in the hope and con- From the Committee of Management, fidence that my successor will earn all I have received wise direction and un- the friendship and sympathy that I failing support. Honorary workers, undeservingly have enjoyed that I say everywhere and always, have given farewell. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL C. R. SATTERTHWAITE, O.B.E. Secretary of the Institution from 1931-1946 10 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Satterthwaite, O.B.E. By COLONEL A. D. BURNETT BROWN, M.C., T.D., M.A., Secretary of the Institution COLONEL CLEMENT RICHARD SATTER- secretary in 1931 the country was THWAITE retired from the secretaryship passing through a severe financial of the Institution at the end of last crisis, and in that year the Institution's year. He had then been in its service revenue fell by over £55,000 from its for twenty-two years, nearly seven as record revenue of £319,434 the year deputy-secretary and over fifteen as before. It quickly recovered, it con- secretary. tinued to increase, and in 1945 it was At the next meeting of the Committee over £609,000. That is an impressive of Management, Sir Godfrey Baring, figure. Here is another: in those fifteen Bt., chairman of the Committee, pro- years of his secretaryship-the life-boats posed, and Commodore the Earl Howe, of the Institution rescued over 10,000 R.N.V.R., deputy-chairman, seconded lives. Those are figures on which any a resolution which was carried unani- man may look back with pleasure and mously : pride when his work comes to an end. "That the most cordial thanks of the Committee of Management be A Man Who Trusted His Staff accorded to Lieut.-Colonel C. R. Sat- So much I would say in amplifica- terthwaite for his long, distinguished tion of the Committee of Management's and most valuable services to the tribute, but I want to add to it the Royal National Life-boat Institution, tribute of those who served under him. and that this Committee desire to place He was well known to the Committee on record their very deep appreciation of Management, he was known to the of his devotion to the Life-boat Service Institution's honorary workers all over and his untiring zeal on its behalf, the country, but it is we who worked especially during the arduous years of with him in the daily round at the head- the late war, as well as their very high quarters of the Life-boat Service who esteem and regard for him both as an knew him best. If one is to try to officer of the Institution and as a put him in a sentence it would be that friend." he was a man who trusted his staff and The Years of War whom his staff trusted. Such a man That resolution rightly lays emphasis gets the best work from those who serve on "the arduous years of the war," and under him. They knew that once they I think that Colonel Satterthwaite had their instructions, they would be himself will like best to remember that left to carry them out unhampered and he was in command of the Life-boat unnamed, but that if they had any Service during those six busiest and difficulty they could bring it to him in most dangerous years which it has ever the certainty of being listened to sym- had, when its work increased threefold, pathetically, understood at once, and when its staff was seriously dimin- advised clearly and briefly. He did ished and always changing, when its nothing without good reasons, and boats, damaged or destroyed, could not without making them clear. be replaced, when it had the most urgent calls ever made upon it, and Giving Praise to Others knew that its resources were never more He was the most modest of men. than barely sufficient to meet its needs. When things were going well, he effaced It was a long and severe strain. The himself. He was the last man to desire service came through it triumphantly, any credit which he felt belonged to but only those who have held command someone else. It was when there were know what it is to be in command at difficulties to be faced that he became such a time. at once the commander. Praise he Before the war there were other diffi- would let go by. His care was to see culties and anxieties, small by com- that it went to others. But when there parison, but serious in their day. was responsibility to be taken, he was When Colonel Satterthwaite became there to take it. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 11

I am not a professional soldier, but tinction; but I have never met a pro- I have spent ten years of my life on fessional soldier whose sympathies, active service and many more years in understanding and tastes were so wide frequent contact with soldiers. The as his. That, I think, was the secret of profession of arms as a rule puts a his success with the Life-boat Service. very clear mark on a man, and he He brought to its work the training and may not find it easy to work in the experience of a soldier with none of very different atmosphere of civil their limitations. Now that his life- life. Colonel Satterthwaite. chose the boat work is done, his friends on the profession; he gave over twenty years staff wish Colonel Satterthwaite all of his life to it; he served in it with dis- happiness in his retirement.

The New Fleet By COMMANDER P. E. VAUX, D.S.C., R.N., Chief Inspector of Life-boats LONG before the war ended the Institu- present have been used only in the tion had made plans to rebuild a great larger types of boat, ^will be used in all part of its fleet. It lost six boats, life-boats, instead of petrol engines. destroyed by the enemy, and more This has two great advantages. Petrol serious even than this loss were the is highly inflammable. The heavy oil delays. In the last four years of the used by the Diesel engines is not. The war the building of life-boats almost risk of fire will be very greatly dimin- ceased, and instead of the sixty or ished. The other advantage from this seventy new life-boats which in normal change of fuel is that the range of life- times would have gone to the coast to boats will be increased by a third. The replace the older boats during1 the six Diesel engines will carry them that years of war, the Institution was able extra distance on the same amount of to send only seventeen. fuel. The reason why Diesel engines have Seventy-nine New Boats not been used in all life-boats in the To make up for these losses and past is that they are much heavier than delays, the Institution prepared an petrol engines. They have been too immediate programme of twenty-nine heavy for the smaller types of life-boat. uiew motor life-boats, to be followed by Now the Institution is having designed a second programme of fifty. The for it a special lightweight, super- programmes include improved car- charged engine which, though still riages for launching light life-boats off heavier than a petrol engine of the same the open beach and more powerful power, will be light enough to use in launching tractors, of which eighteen the light types of life-boat. are to be built to add to the twenty- four already on the coast. The two Aluminium in place of Wood programmes, it was estimated, will These two changes will add greatly cost at least a million pounds. to the power and safety of the fleet. In this new fleet two important Others are being made. For example, changes are to be made. At present an aluminium alloy, which has already only the larger types of life-boat been used in such parts as the engine- have two engines and twin screws. In room hatches and the deck air-cases, future all life-boats will have them. is to be used in place of wood for the So long as a life-boat has only one shelter over the cockpit and in place engine and one screw it had to carry a of steel for the engine-casings. This full set of sails, in case of a breakdown. will be a big saving in the weight of With two engines and twin screws the the boat. fleet will be independent of sail. That Two important changes are being is the first change. The second change made in equipment. It is twenty years is that Diesel engines, which up to the since wireless was first used in a life- 12 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947 boat, and that it has not long since Apparatus so heavy and so large been put in all life-boats is because of cannot be put in even the largest life- the difficulty of protecting the apparatus boats. from the sea. It has been possible to Other inventions, useful to the use radio-telephone sets both for send- ordinary navigator, may not be neces- ing and receiving messages only in boats sary for life-boat coxswains. The where they could be put in the shelter Decca navigator is one. It is an of the cabin, but for some time sets for instrument by which the captain of a receiving only have been in use in ship can be given his position at sea open boats. These the Institution by a station on land. But it is the was able to make water-tight. Now rarest thing for a life-boat coxswain to it has had made to its own specification be in any doubt about his own position. a receiver and a crystal-controlled What he wants to know is the position transmitter, both of which it should be of the wreck, and this the Decca navi- possible to use in open boats without gator cannot give him. So all new fear of damage from the sea. The first inventions must be carefully considered, of these sets are now being tested under before they are adopted, and then they service conditions and it is hoped soon may have to be much altered before to have them in all life-boats. they are suitable for the special work of the Life-boat Service. The Loud Hailer The other important addition to Eighteen Boats Laid Down equipment is the loud hailer. Before Eighteen boats of the new fleet have the war ended the Institution was now been laid down, and the six boats experimenting with it. It has now which were partly built when the war decided which of the many makes is ended have been completed. the most suitable for life-boat work, and Though eighteen boats have been this is to be installed in all life-boats. laid down it is not yet possible to say With the help of a megaphone the when they will be finished. There voice can carry only a very short dis- are many difficulties, due to the against a wind. With the loud hailer— scarcity both of material and skilled a megaphone through which the voice is men. Much of the Institution's stock projected from an electric amplifier— of seasoned timber was destroyed in an the coxswain will be able to speak to air-raid, and it is not easy to replace. men on a wreck 203 yards away, even It is no longer possible, for example, to against a gale, and to tell them by word get mahogany from Honduras; and teak of mouth instead of by signals (which from Burma, though it is coming to are not easy to make clearly either by Britain again, can only be got in very- flags or by a morse lamp from a small quantities. Maghogany was violently tossing boat) what he intends largely used for the planking and decks, to do, and what he wants them to do. and teak for keels. We are now getting To adapt new inventions to life-boats mahogany from Africa. is not easy. Not only must they be The difficulty with engines is even impervious to water, but they must greater than the difficulty with hulls. not be heavy and they must not be We have been trying for months, at bulky. If they are, there is no place home, and then abroad, to get castings for them in a life-boat. That is why, for such things as cylinder heads. It at present, it is impossible for life-boats is not certain that even now we have to use radar. Its smallest sets weigh succeeded. These are examples of the over half a ton and require a water- problems with which the Institution is tight office 5 ft. X 5 ft. X 5 ft. 6 ins. faced in rebuilding the Life-boat Fleet.

The Institution's Treasurer THE Earl of Harrowby, who has been Scottish Life-boat Council, and a vice- the Institution's treasurer since 1899, president of the Institution has ac- resigned in November, 1946, and the cepted the invitation of the Committee Duke of Montrose, chairman of the of Management to succeed him. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 13

Life-boat Services in January and February, 1947 Launches 90 Lives Rescued 61 During January and February life-boats put out to the rescue ninety times and rescued sixty-one lives, and the Institution gave to its crews and launchers for these services, and for assemblies of crews, rewards amounting to £1,387 10*.

TORPEDO BOAT TAKEN IN TOW I the sea the motor life-boat Lady Jane Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—On Decem- | and Martha Ryland was launched and ber 30th, 1946, the motor torpedo went out a short distance in readiness boat R.M.L. 539, which was in tow for immediate action. At 2.30 the of the tug Queensgarth, parted her police reported that the crew of the tow-line during a gale five miles off aeroplane had baled out over Tingwall, the Smalls on the Pembrokeshire coast, and the life-boat was recalled, arriving and at about eight o'clock next morn- at 3.0. It was then learned that all ing, January 1st, 1947, the coastguard the crew were safe, but that the aero- saw what he thought to be the torpedo plane had been wrecked. She was a boat drifting two miles west-north-west Fortress belonging to the U.S.A. Air of the Strumble Head. As she was a Force in Iceland, and had run out of danger to shipping he asked that the petrol. At 2.35 in the afternoon of life-boat should tow her to Fishguard. A the same day the coastguard received south-westerly breeze was blowing and a telephone message from Skellister there was a swell. The motor life-boat that a small motor boat was at the White Star was launched at 9.0 in entrance to Catfirth Voe Nesting, and the morning, took the R.M.L. 539 in apparently someone was on board. tow and moored her in the harbour, The wind had now increased to a-storm, arriving back at her station at 1.30 with mountainous seas, and visibility in the afternoon.—-Property Salvage was poor. It was known that the Case. American aeroplane had jettisoned her A YACHT MISSING life-boat, but it was decided to investi- Sunderland, Co. Durham.—The local gate and the life-boat put out again motor yawl Vigilant, with a crew of at 3.5. She was recalled when the four, had gone out from Sunderland on district officer of coastguard telephoned January 1st, 1947, and on the 4th, as that the boat was, in fact, the aero- nothing had been heard of her, anxiety plane's life-boat, but the coxswain of was felt for her safety and the motor the life-boat made certain that there life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was no one on board before he returned. went out to search for her at 8.15 in The life-boat got back to her station the morning. A breeze was blowing from what had been an arduous journey from the south-south-east and there at 5.55 p.m.—Rewards, First service, was a heavy swell. She found her ten £8 19*.; Second service, £8 15s. miles east-north-east of the river Tyne, with her petrol exhausted, and towed her to Sunderland, arriving back at SICK MAN BROUGHT ASHORE her station at 4.30 in the afternoon.— Cloughey, Co. Down.—At 1.30 in the Rewards, £19 7s. 6d. afternoon of January 4th, 1947, the South Rock Light-vessel was seen to AEROPLANE CRASHED be firing distress signals. A light Lerwick, Shetlands—At 12.9 in the north-easterly breeze was blowing and morning of January 3rd, 1947, an aero- the sea was moderate. The motor plane could be heard flying round the life-boat Herbert John was launched town, and it dropped red flares. A at 2.50, found that one of the light- strong southerly breeze was blowing, vessel's crew was sick, and brought him causing a rough sea, and as it appeared ashore, rearriving at 4.30 p.m.— that the aeroplane might come down in Rewards, £15. 14 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

FISHING BOAT MISSING FOR FOUR low water, the steamer was no longer DAYS in danger, and the life-boat returned to Skegness, Lincolnshire.—The fishing- Yarmouth at 2.30 A.M. Four hours smack Virginia, of Boston, Lincoln- later another message came from the shire, with a crew of three, which had coastguard that the crew of the steamer gone to sea on January 1st, 1947, had wished to leave her at once, and for not returned. Aeroplanes searched for the third time the life-boat put out, at her and radar was used, but she could 6.25 A.M. Seas were breaking over not be found. About 6.30 in the the steamer. The life-boat went along- morning of January 5th, the Skegness side, but several times the lines securing coastguard reported that he had seen her to the steamer parted before she a white flare five miles south-south-east had taken off the whole crew of thirty- of the pier, and the motor life-boat five men, the salvage officer and a Anne Allen was launched at 8.20. A pilot. The life-boat finally returned to fresh south-easterly breeze was blow- her station at 9.20 A.M.—Rewards, ing with a rough sea. The life-boat First service, £16 5s. 6d.; Second found the Virginia with a tanker service, £18 1.9.; Third service, £8 15s. standing by her, gave food and rum A letter of thanks was also sent to the to her crew and towed her to Boston. Coxswain, S. Smith. She returned to her station at 7.40 that evening.—Property Salvage Case. SICK MAN ON A LIGHT-VESSEL GREEK STEAMER AGROUND ON THE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. NEEDLES —At 11.47 in the morning of January 6th, 1947, a message was received Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 7.26 through the coastguard from the in the morning of January 5th, 1947, Trinity House superintendent, that a the Totland coastguard reported to keeper aboard the Gorton Light-vessel the life-boat station by telephone that was very ill. The superintendent asked a message had been received from a that the life-boat should go out as the vessel aground near The Needles Light- Trinity House boat could not leave house. She was the Greek steamer before 4.0 in the afternoon. A south- Varvassi, of Piraeus, of over 3,800, easterly gale was blowing, with a very with a'crew of thirty-five, bound from rough sea. The motor life-boat Louise Algiers to Southampton. The wind, Stephens was launched at 12.2 P.M., from the south-east, was light, but and brought the sick man back to Yar- there was a heavy ground swell. mouth at 1.25. The cost of the service Another message came that the steamer was paid by Trinity House.—Rewards, needed help and the motor life-boat £14 15.5. 6d. S.G.E. was launched at 8.5. She found the steamer one hundred yards W.N.W. of the lighthouse. A tug was THREE LIFE-BOATS TO A TRAWLER'S on her way, and when she arrived the life-boat left, reaching Yarmouth Har- HELP bour at 2.20 in the afternoon. In the Peterhead, and Fraserburgh, Aberdeen- meantime a salvage officer had been shire, and Buckie, Banffshire.—At 3.5 in taken out by boatmen to the Varvassi. the afternoon of Jaimavy 6th, 1947, At 5.35 the Totland coastguard re^ the coastguard telephoned to the ported that the salvage officer on Peterhead life-boat that the steam board the steamer had asked that the trawler St. Stephen, of Hull, was sixty- life-boat should go out again at 8.0 five miles to the north-east of Peter- P.M. The life-boat put out again at head, leaking badly with her pumps 7.20. Wind and sea were increasing; out of order. A sixty-miles-an-hour the steamer might break up; and the gale was blowing from the south-east life-boat was asked to stand by. After and the seas were very heavy. They cruising round for a time she anchored were running up the slipway right into in Alum Bay in sight of the steamer. the boathouse when the motor life-boat She remained there until about 1.30 Julia Park Barnj, of Glasgow, was next morning. It was then nearly launched at 3.30. The coxswain JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 15

brought her skilfully into the open sea, TAKING OUT A PILOT and he had run on an east-north-east course for about eight hours when he Aith, Shetlands.—At 9.30 in the was recalled by wireless, as H.M. morning of January 10th, 1947, the Destroyer Ulster was making for the harbour-master at Lerwick telephoned trawler. As Peterhead Bay was too that Wick Radio had transmitted a dangerous to enter he was instructed 'message from the S.S. Irish Fir, of ,to make for the Moray Firth, and Dublin, which was storm-bound in St. arrived at Macduff at 4.30 in the morn- Magnus Bay, asking for a pilot. A ing of the next day, January 7th. full south-easterly gale was blowing There he waited until the weather with a rough sea, and visibility was moderated and brought the life-boat poor. As no ordinary boat could put back to her station on the 10th. to sea in that weather the harbour- Meanwhile, at 9.15 in the morning of master asked the Aith life-boat to January 8th, the Fraserburgh life-boat take out a pilot, if one were sent from mechanic had picked up a wireless Lerwick, and The Rank-in left with message from the St. Stephen that she him at 10.7, put him on board the needed a doctor and a pilot from Fraser- steamer, and returned at 12.25 in the burgh. No doctor was available, and afternoon.—Rewards, £8 15.s. the motor life-boat John and Charles Kennedy put out at 10.30 in charge of REFLOATING A STRANDED STEAMER Captain A. Stephen, the joint honorary Caister, Norfolk.—At 12.30 in the secretary, as the coxswain was absent afternoon of January llth, 1947, a from the station. A strong south-east steamer was seen to have stranded on breeze was then blowing, with a rough the Caister Shoal, half a mile east by sea, and the weather got worse later. south of the life-boat station. She The life-boat found the trawler at made distress signals. The coxswain 11.45 in the morning in Aberdour was away and the motor life-boat Jose Bay to the west of Rosehearty, and Neville was launched at 12.45 P.M. in another trawler, the Cape Cleveland. charge of the second coxswain. The One of the St. Stephen's crew was weather was foggy, with a fresh to injured. As she could only make four strong south-westerly wind and a knots and would have to steam through moderate sea. The steamer was the a heavy head sea, it would be impossible Ewell, of London, a collier, bound from to reach Fraserburgh in time for the Sunderland to London with 2,000 tons tide, so the life-boat advised her to make of coal. The life-boat stood by for for Macduff and offered to pilot her. twelve hours while tugs tried, without A message to this effect was sent by success, to refloat the steamer, and wireless to Macduff, but an answer came ashore at 1.0 next morning. Six came that it was impossible to enter hours later she put out again, this time Macduff harbour, so the life-boat in charge of the coxswain, but again carried on to Buckie with the St. all efforts to refloat the steamer failed Stephen following her, accompanied by . and the life-boat came ashore at 2.15 the Cape Cleveland. There they arrived in the afternoon. On the following day at 5.0 in the afternoon and the life-boat, she made her third trip to the Ewell, leaving the St. Stephen outside the leaving at 10.0 in the morning with harbour, brought the injured man shipping agents on board, and returned ashore. When it had become known at 4.0. At 11.45 that night, January at Buckie that the St. Stephen was 13th, the steamer was refloated.— making for that port the crew of the Property Salvage Case. Buckie motor life-boat K.B.M. had assembled, and at ten o'clock they and some of the Fraserburgh crew STEAMER ABANDONED IN HEAVY SEA went out in the Fraserburgh life-boat, Barrow, Lancashire.—At 10.35 on the put a pilot on board the St. Stephen, night of January llth, 1947, informa- and escorted her into the harbour tion was received, through the Hoylake at 12.45 next morning.—Rewards, coastguard, from the Morecambe Bay Peterhead, £39 14*.; Fraserburgh. Light-vessel, that a vessel was in £30 17s.; Buckie, £4. distress, and the motor life-boat N.T. 16 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

was launched at 11 o'clock, with the S. was launched at 12.40 in charge of second coxswain in command, and the Mr. T. R. Stewart, the honorary sec- town clerk of Barrow as one of the crew. retary of the station, and brought the A moderate breeze was blowing from body from the island, arriving back at the west-south-west, but the sea was her station at 3.0 in the morning of heavy. About four miles east of the the 13th.—Rewards, £24 14*. light-vessel the life-boat found nine men in a ship's boat. They were the crew of the S.S. Firethorn, of London, FOOD TO A STARVING ISLAND on passage from Garston to Belfast, Aith, Shetlands. — For nearly three and had abandoned their ship when weeks the island of Papa Stour had been she had developed such a heavy list cut off from the mainland and the that it was impossible to feed the islanders were starving. On January furnace. The life-boat took the men llth, 1947, the food executive officer on board and arrived back at her for Shetland asked for the help of the station at 3.0 next morning. The life-boat and this was promised as Firethorn was eventually picked up soon as the weather made it possible. by the fishery protection vessel Charles Stores were delivered to the life-boat Mclver, and taken to Fleetwood.— station, and, at 2.0 in the afternoon of Rewards, £12 2s. 6d. Sunday, the 12th, the motor life-boat The Rankin put out in a strong and DUTCH VESSEL TOWED THROUGH increasing S.W. breeze, with a rough ROUGH SEA sea. The weather was very cold, with Weymoutb, Dorset.—At 6.10 in the squalls of sleet. Shortly after the life- morning of January 12th, 1947, a boat had left, Dr. Hamilton, of Walls, report was received from St. Albans telephoned that a boat had come from Head, through the Wyke Regis coast- Papa Stour, at great risk, to fetch him guard, that a vessel was burning distress as he was urgently needed, but that he ilares about six miles to the south- could only go if he was assured of south-west. A fresh and increasing getting back. As the weather was westerly wind was blowing, with a worsening and the boat from, the island rough sea. The motor life-boat William would not be able to bring hint back, and Clara Byland was launched at he was told to go in her to the island 6.25, and at nine o'clock she found and return in the life-boat. She de- the Dutch motor vessel Elisabeth, of livered the food and brought back the Rotterdam, about three miles south- doctor, arriving at 7.10 that evening.— south-west of Chapman's Pool. The Rewards, £14. Elisabeth was bound for Plymouth, laden with timber. She carried a crew PLEASURE PARTY RESCUED of five. Her engine had broken down and she had drifted for a time, but was Troon, Ayrshire.—At 6.50 in the even- at, anchor when the life-boat found her. ing of January 12th, 1947, the pilot The life-boat took her in tow and house telephoned that a boat to the brought her into Weymouth Harbour north of Lady Isle was making flares. at 3.45 that afternoon.—Property Sal- A strong north-easterly breeze was vage Case. blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat Sir David Richmond of Glasgow, was launched at 7.15 and found the A LIFE-BOAT AS HEARSE motor fishing boat Enterprise of Troon. Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 12.15 in the She had been on a pleasure cruise afternoon of January 12th, 1947, the round the island, her engine had Civic Guard asked that the life-boat broken down, and she had been unable should put out to Great Blasket Island to sail back against the ebb tide. The and bring back the body of a man. life-boat took off eight of the party of A strong south-westerly breeze was ten who were on board and towed the blowing, with a rough sea, and the Enterprise to the harbour, arriving weather was too bad for an ordinary boat back at her station at 8.40 P.M.— to put out. The motor life-boat C. and Rewards, £7. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 17

By courtesy of] [Mr. H. H, Tansley, Grower A HAPPY MEETING. H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent, President of the Institution, and Coxswain Henry Blogg, G.C., B.E.M., of Cromer.

THE HENRY BLOGG. The new Cromer life-boat, of the 46-ft. Watson cabin type, with steering amidships Built in 1945. 18 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

FISHING BOAT TOWED IN husband and a nurse, and reached New Brighton, Cheshire.—-At about 4.45 Lerwick again at 6.0 in the evening. in the afternoon of January 13th, 1947, An ambulance met the life-boat and the Hoylake coastguard reported that the patient was taken to Lerwick a fishing boat had put out from Hoy- Hospital. The services of the life-boat lake and had not returned. A boat, saved her life. The cost of the service apparently in difficulties, could be seen was paid by the Department of Health close to a lee shore off Harrison Drive. for Scotland.—Rewards, £17 145. The No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson was launched at 5.25. FISHING BOAT OUT OF PETROL A strong north-westerly breeze was Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—At 8.0 blowing and the sea was moderate. in the evening of January 19th, 1947, The life-boat found the motor fishing the Lytham police reported that boat Lilian, of Fleetwood, with her the fishing boat Helen, of Liverpool, engine broken down, making headway with a crew of three aboard, was in under sail up Rock Channel. The life- need of help. The wind from the east- boat escorted her to New Brighton, south-east was light, but the sea was took her in tow, placed her on moorings, rough and there was a thick fog. The and then took on board her crew of two motor life-boat Dunleary was launched men and returned to her station, at 8.35 and found the Helen near arriving at' 7.45 that evening.—Re- the Bar Buoy. She had run out of wards, £9. petrol, and the life-boat towed her to Lytham Pier, arriving at 12.15 next LAUNCH BROKEN DOWN IN A HEAVY morning.—Rewards, £11 4s. SEA Lowestoft, Suffolk. — At 4.0 in the STANDING BY FOR 22 HOURS afternoon of January 15th, 1947, the Dunbar, Haddingtonshire.—At 12.24 in coastguard reported that a vessel, the afternoon of January 20th, 1947, believed to be an ex-naval motor launch, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was drifting five miles south of the had run aground on the Black Rocks coastguard station. A south-westerly one mile south-east of Dunbar in a breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea. thick fog. The weather was calm. The motor life-boat Michael Stephens The motor life-boat George, and, Sarah was launched at 5.10 and found the Strachan was launched at 12.30 and motor launch, with a crew of four- found the S.S. Skoghaug, of Haugesund, teen, anchored near the south-east bound for Leith laden with pit-props. Newcombe buoy. Her engines had She was damaged below the water-line dragged her anchor. The life-boat and making water. The master asked stood by while she repaired them, and the coxswain to stand by, and the life- at 6.30 piloted her to a navigable boat did so for twenty-two hours until channel, returning to her station at a salvage vessel arrived. She then 8.0 P.M.—Rewards, £10 17s. returned to the station, arriving at 10.45 A.M. on the 21st.—Rewards, BRINGING A WOMAN WITH CHILD £43 15s. TO HOSPITAL Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 10.21 in the morning of January 18th, 1947, a ANOTHER MATERNITY CASE doctor at Mid Yell telephoned that he Tobermory, Argyllshire.—On January had a woman with child on the island of 20th, 1947, a doctor telephoned asking Fetlar who must be brought to hospital for the life-boat to convey to Oban a at once and there was no suitable boat. woman with child, who was dangerously A moderate N.W. breeze was blowing ill. The only hope of saving her life with a choppy sea when the motor was to get her to Oban immediately, life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland and from there to Glasgow for an opera- was launched at 11.8. She reached tion. She was the sister-in-law of the Hubie, Fetlar, soon after 2.0 in the life-boat's motor mechanic. The afternoon, took the patient on board weather was fine, with a south-easterly on a stretcher, accompanied by her wind and a moderate sea. The motor JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 19 life-boat Sir Arthur Rose left for Oban Head. A strong north-easterly breeze at 3.15 in the afternoon with the patient was blowing, the sea was rough, and it and two nurses on board, and landed was snowing heavily. The motor life- them at Oban at 6.40 in the evening. boat Lady Kylsant was launched at She got back to her station at 11.45 that 4.45 P.M., and found the Anastatia, of night. The cost of the service was Arklow, with four men on board, half paid by the Argyll County Council.— a mile north-east of Wolf Rock, drifting Rewards, £10 11s. towards it. The life-boat towed her in, arriving back at her station at 7.30 TAKING A DOCTOR TO A LIGHT-VESSEL in the evening.—Property Salvage Case.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—On AMERICAN STEAMER AGROUND January 21st, 1947, while the Western Light-vessel was being towed to another Falmouth, Cornwall. — Shortly after position, the wire tow-rope parted, 1.0 in the morning of February 1st, one of the light-vessel's crew was 1947, information was received from seriously injured, and at 3.30 in the the coastguard that a steamer in the afternoon the Mersey Docks and Har- harbour was showing signals of distress. bour Board telephoned to the life-boat A south-east gale was blowing with a station asking if the life-boat could rough sea and heavy rain. The motor take out a doctor. A moderate wind life-boat Crawford and 'Constance Cony- was blowing from the south-east and beare was launched at 1.30, and fifteen there was a swell when the motor life- minutes later found the S.S. Henry boat Thomas and Annie Wade Richards Middleton, of New York, ashore at was launched at four o'clock with the Trefusis Point, Falmouth Harbour. doctor on board. She found the light- She was a steamer of over 4,300 tons, vessel sixteen miles off Great Orme's bound from Cherbourg for the United Head, and after the doctor had attended States. At the master's request the to the injured man brought him back, life-boat took a hawser to the tug arriving at 10.0 that night. The Mersey Northgate Scot, and about an hour later Docks and Harbour Board expressed the tug refloated the steamer. As the their thanks and paid the cost of the steamer had no pilot, the life-boat's service.—Rewards, £27 8*. second coxswain and bowman went aboard, and, accompanied by the life- boat she went to the Cross Channel, FISHING BOAT WITH FOULED and there anchored. The life-boat PROPELLER waited some time until it was certain Stromness, Orkneys.—At 4.27 in the that the steamer was not making any afternoon of January 27th, 1947, a water, and returned to her station, fishing boat was seen making distress arriving there at 5.30 in the morning.— signals near the Kirk Rocks in Hoy Property Salvage Case. Sound. The breeze, from the south- west, was light, but there was a heavy MOTOR LAUNCH BROKEN DOWN ground swell. The motor life-boat Selsey, Sussex.—At about 8.40 in the J.J.K.S.W. was launched at 4.37, and morning of February 6th, 1947, the found the fishing boat Bertha Jane, of coastguard reported that two motor' Kirkwall, with three men on board. launches were flying signals two miles Her fishing line had fouled her propeller east-south-east of Selsey Bill Tower and she had anchored in a dangerous and it .was thought that they needed position. The life-boat towed her in, help. A moderate easterly breeze was arriving back at her station at 6.15 P.M. blowing, with a choppy sea. The motor —Rewards, £6 16s. life-boat Canadian Pacific, was launched at 8.55 and found the motor launch DRIFTING TOWARDS THE ROCKS Flying Christine, of Shoreham, with a Wicklow.—At 4.30 in the afternoon of crew of two. She had broken a fuel January 28th, 1947, the lighthouse pipe. The life-boat towed her to keeper at Wicklow Head telephoned Littlehampton and returned to her that a fishing boat was flying distress station, arriving at 3.30 in the after- signals half a mile south-east of the noon.—Rewards, £23 4s. lOd. 20 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

BRINGING A SICK MAN ASHORE after midnight she wirelessed for a Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. life-boat to stand by her, and at 12.48 —At 9.25 in the evening of February the coastguard reported that she was 7th, 1947, information was received dragging her anchors. A strong east- through the coastguard that the motor erly breeze was blowing with a very vessel Jim M., of London, which was rough sea. The motor life-boat Cecil anchored about three miles N.E. from Paine was launched at 1.35 and found Gorleston Pier, needed a doctor for a that the ship was the motor vessel Spi- sick man. A moderate east by south rality, of London. She had three anchors gale was blowing, with a rough sea and down, and the life-boat stood by her a heavy swell. The motor life-boat until a tug arrived at six o'clock, took Louise Stephens, with a doctor, was her in tow, and made for King's Lynn. launched at 9.57 P.M., but it -was only The life-boat returned to her station, with difficulty that she put him on arriving at 8.30 in the morning.— board the JimM., and she was damaged Rewards, £38 15,?. in doing so. In that heavy sea it was too risky to transfer the sick man to the COLLIER HELPLESS IN A HEAVY SEA life-boat so she brought the doctor back, Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 4.50 in the arriving at 11.0 at night. Next morn- morning of February 10th, 1947, the ing the weather was still so bad that coastguard telephoned that North Fore- the Jim M. could not enter harbour to land Radio had picked up a call for land the sick man, so the life-boat help from a vessel in the Lowestoft area. went out at 10.10 with the doctor. A strong easterly gale was blowing with This time she was able to take the very heavy seas, and it was bitterly cold, sick man on board, and landed him with showers of hail. The motor life- safely at 11.27.—Rewards, First ser- boat Michael Stephens was launched at vice, £11 8s.; Second sendee, £14 4s. 6d. 5.40 and found the s.s. Cambrian Coast, of Liverpool, five miles east-south-east ANOTHER COLLIER IN DIFFICULTIES from Lowestoft, bound from Newcastle Port Erin, Isle of Man.—At 11.15 in fof London with coal, carrying a crew the morning of February 8th, 1947, the of eighteen. She was at anchor, rolling life-boat's honorary secretary saw the heavily, swept by the heavy seas, with S.S. Topaz, of Glasgow, run on to a heavy list, her wireless out of order the submerged breakwater. She was a and her engine disabled, but her pumps collier, bound, laden, from Silloth to working. After standing by for a Dublin, carrying a crew of twelve. time the life-boat came in at 10.30 An easterly gale was blowing with a in the morning to get a tug, and later moderately rough sea. The motor the Cambrian Coast was towed into life-boat Matthew Simpson was launched harbour.—Rewards, £8 15s. at 11.30 and stood by the Topaz until she refloated. She then put her second DOCTOR TO A SCALDED MAN coxswain on board to pilot her into Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At 2.30 in the bay, and escorted her in, as she the afternoon of February 12th, 1947, was holed in the forepeak. Later she a firm of shipping agents in Belfast tele- brought the captain of the steamer phoned requesting the help of the life- ashore to communicate with his boat to take a doctor out to a vessel at owners, and then took him back again, anchor in Carrick Roads, Belfast Lough, returning to her station at 3.0 P.M.— as they were unable to get a tug. A Rewards, £17 105. strong south-east wind was blowing with a heavy sea, and it was snowing. The LONDON SHIP IN DISTRESS OFF motor life-boat B.A.S.P., on temporary NORFOLK duty at the station in place of the Civil Wells, Norfolk.—At 7.45 in the even- Service No. 5, was launched at 2.50. ing of February 8th, 1947, the coast- She picked up a doctor at Bangor, guard reported that a ship had been took him to the S.S. Sylvqfield, of New- seen, anchored, about two and a castle, which had on board a badly half miles north-east of the harbour, scalded man, and brought him back to and might need the life-boat. Just Bangor. She arrived at her station again JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 21

AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 1946: THE SEVEN MEDALLISTS.

By courtesy of] [P. A.—Renter Back row: Coxswain James Watkins, of Angle; Coxswain William Peters, of St. Ives; Coxswain John Murt, of Padstow; and Robert Harland, of Whitby Second row: Coxswain Duncan Newlands, of Campbeltown, and Coxswain Harry Murfield, of Whitby. In front: Coxswain Thomas Bloom, of Walton and Frinton.

By courtesy of\ [Dominion Press The Right Hon A. V. Alexander, C.H., M.P., Minister of Defence, and Coxswain William Peters, of St. Ives, who won the silver medal for rescuing the crew, a man and his wife, of the Bideford ketch Minnie Flossie, on October 20th. 1945. 22 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

at 7.50 that evening. The cost of the Bradford II was launched at 2.35 in service was paid by the owners of the the afternoon, but the weather was steamer.—Rewards, £14 4s. worsening, and when she reached the Vrede the master of the tug postponed FISHING BOATS ESCORTED IN the attempt. The life-boat returned Whitby, Yorkshire. — Early in the to her station, arriving at 11.35 that morning of February 19th, 1947, two night. A message came asking if the fishing boats, the Pilot Me and the Gem, life-boat would come at eleven next put to sea in moderate weather. Later morning. A failure in an engine pre- the sea became heavy, making it very vented her going, and instead, at the dangerous for boats to enter the har- request of the coastguard, the Brid- bour, and the motor life-boat Mary Ann lington motor life-boat Stanhope Smart Hepworth was launched at 12.45 in the went out at 11.30 in the morning. The afternoon, in charge of the second cox- sea was very rough, and a strong swain. She met the Gem one and a easterly wind was blowing, with snow half miles north of Whitby, escorted showers. When the life-boat reached her into harbour, went out again, the Vrede at 2.0 in the afternoon, she found the Pilot Me .two miles off and found the Dutch tug Hudson there. escorted her in, arriving back at 2.45 The life-boat took on board a rope in the afternoon.—Rewards, £8 4s. from the tug and then fired a line to the Vrede with her line-throwing gun, LAUNCHERS' ORDEAL by means of which the Vrede hauled the rope on board. She then stood by Hastings, Sussex. — At 5.32 in the while the tug attempted to haul the evening of February 20th, 1947, the steamer afloat. The life-boat was coastguard telephoned that the Bexhill shipping heavy seas, and ice was police had reported flares about five forming on the clothing of the life- miles south of Bexhill. An easterly boatmen, but she stood by until high breeze was blowing with a moderate water at six o'clock. She then re- sea and it was very cold. The motor turned to her station but could not be life-boat Cyril and Lilian Bishop was housed owing to the ice on the slipway. launched at 7.15. It was low water Next morning she put out at seven and the crew and forty launchers had o'clock, reached the Vrede at 10.0 and the greatest difficulty in getting her again got a connecting tow-rope to her. over a sandbank. They were working She then stood by until 7.0 in the for half an hour up to their waists in evening, but all efforts to refloat the the icy - cold water. The life-boat steamer were unsuccessful and the life- searched for two hours, but found boat returned to her station, arriving at nothing and returned to her station 10.0 P.M.—The Humber, permanent at 9.24 that evening.—Rewards: An paid crew; Bridlington, Property Sal- increase in the usual money awards on vage Case. the standard scale was made to the crew and helpers. Standard rewards, St. David's, and Fishguard, Pembroke' £47. 4s. 6d.; additional rewards, shire.—At about 2.30 in the afternoon £10 10s.; total rewards, £57 14s. 6d. of February 21st, 1947, the coastguard reported that the S.S. Empire Dolphin, ATTEMPTING TO SALVE A DUTCH of Glasgow, a tanker of 7,000 tons, STEAMER with six men on board, was drifting The Humber, and Bridlington, Yorkshire. out of control two miles north-east —At about 10.30 in the morning of of St. David's Head. A fresh breeze February 21st, 1947, the master of the was blowing from east-north-east, with motor vessel Vrede, of Rotterdam, which a moderate sea, and it was bitterly cold. had gone ashore four miles north of The motor life-boat Civil Service No. 6 Withernsea, asked if the life-boat was launched at 2.50 and found the would stand by his vessel while efforts tanker with the motor vessel Gartwood were made by a tug to refloat her. A standing by. The tanker had been in fresh easterly gale was blowing, with a tow of a tug, but the tug had had to very rough sea, and it was snowing leave her owing to trouble with her heavily. The motor life-boat City of boiler. The life-boat helped to fix a JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 23

"WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAMME WITH A GALE WARNING." From the drawing by Mr. David Langdon, reproduced by courtesy of the artist and The Evening Standard. 24 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947 tow between the tanker and the motor made for her station, 'which she vessel and the latter started to tow reached at 11.30 that night.—Rewards, towards Milford Haven, with the life- £24 9*. boat standing by, but the tow-rope parted and the life-boat then took off DUTCH SHIP TOWED IN the tanker's six men and arrived at Amble, Northumberland.—At noon on her station at midnight. The Fish- February 24th, 1947, the coastguard guard motor life-boat White Star also reported that a vessel was flying dis- put out twice but was not wanted and tress signals eight miles south-east of finally arrived back at her station at Coquet Island. A fresh north-westerly 9.0 in the morning of the 22nd. The breeze was blowing with a moderate Empire Dolphin was later towed to sea. The motor life-boat Frederick Swansea.—Rewards, St. David's £21; and Emma was launched at 12.35 and Fishguard, £11 125. and £25 4*. found the motor vessel Van Gelder, of Rotterdam, with her engine broken down. She was a ship of 420 tons with BOY TRAPPED ON A CLIFF a crew of seven, and was bound for Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.—At 9.5 in Aberdeen laden with bricks. The life- the evening of February 22nd, 1947, boat towed her to Blyth, and arrived the police telephoned" that a boy was back at her station at 9.30 that night. stranded on the cliff-face north of —Property Salvage Case. Aberystwyth and that the National Fire Service had failed to find him. The weather was fine with a smooth IRISH AND GREEK SHIPS ASHORE IN A sea and light north-easterly wind. BLIZZARD The motor life-boat Frederick Angus Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 7.20 in was launched at 9.45. Mr. George the morning of February 26th, 1947, Williams, the honorary secretary of the Southend coastguard telephoned the station, was on board her. She that the motor vessel Royal Ulsterman, took a powerful spot-light, and had a of Belfast, was aground on Arran. She small boat, with a crew of three, in was on her usual run from Belfast to tow, for getting ashore under the cliff. Glasgow with passengers, and had gone In response to the spot-light, flickering ashore in a blizzard. A strong breeze sparks were seen from the cliff, but no •was blowing from east-north-east, the reply was made to the shouts of the sta was very rough and visibility was crew. Taking the spot-light, the small poor when the motor life-boat City of boat worked close inshore and her Glasgow was launched at 7.51. She went crew were then able to speak to the round the north end of Arran. Ov\ boy, who said that he was on a narrow her way she received wireless messages ledge, and afraid to move. Two men from the Royal Ulsterman that another then landed from the small boat with steamer and two tugs were standing the spot-light, and one of them at- by her and that she was between tempted to climb the cliff, but from Brodick and Lamlash. There the the shore the spot-light was not so life-boat found her, about 12.45 in the effective, so the life-boat put back and afternoon. The tugs could neither returned with an acetylene gas flare, get near the Royal Ulsterman in the and with Mr. Bowker and Mr. J. shallow water nor launch boats in the Andrews, of the St. John's Ambulance. heavy seas, so the life-boat carried The gas flare was transferred to the ropes between them, and eventually the small boat. By its light the boy Royal Ulsterman was refloated and able could be clearly seen and it was possible to go on her way. After an eleven- to direct him down the cliff and along hours' service in very trying conditions a sheep-track to a place where men of the life-boat reached her station again the National Fire Service met him, at 6.0 that evening.—Property Salvage and from there by a path to the Case. promenade. When it was known that he was safe the men ashore were, with Cullercoats, and Tynemoutb, North- some difficulty, taken into the small umberland.—On the same morning, boat, and with her in tow the life-boat February 26th, 1947, the Greek JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 25 steamer Zephyros, of Argostoli, a vessel She reached Vidlin at 1.15 P.M., and of 4,000 tons, bound, in ballast, from took the girl on board with her mother Rouen to the Tyne, was driven ashore and another relative. An easterly gale during a blizzard at Brown's Point, was blowing, with heavy snow showers, Cullercoats. The news was passed to and the temperature was below zero. Cullercoats by the Blyth coastguard The life-boat arrived at Lerwick at at 7.20, and twenty minutes later the 3.55 in the afternoon, and the girl was motor life-boat Westmorland was taken to the hospital.—Rewards, £14. launched in a strong south-easterly gale, with very rough seas and thick Lerwick, Shetlands.—At midnight of snow. Mr. J. J. Ingledew, the hono- February 27th, 1947, a doctor tele- rary secretary of the station, went with phoned that he was needed for an urgent her. The steamer was among dangerous maternity case at Quarff, and snow rocks, the tide was falling, and the life- prevented him going by road. He boat could not get alongside. She asked for the life-boat's help. The returned to her station at nine o'clock. motor life-boat Lady Jane and Martha At low tide the steamer's crew of Ryland was launched at 1.35 A.M. with thirty-five were able to walk ashore. the doctor and a nurse on board. It The life-boat's crew remained in was very cold. The breeze from the readiness, and when tugs arrived to try south-east was moderate, but the sea and tow the steamer off the life-boat was rough, and the life-boat arrived at went out again at about 2.0 in the Quarff to find that it was too heavy for afternoon to help. The Greek crew people on shore to launch a small boat also returned to their ship. The attempt to land the doctor and nurse, so she to refloat her failed and with twenty had to bring them back, reaching Ler- of the Greeks on board, the life-boat wick again just before 4.0 in the morn- came back at six o'clock. On the ing.—Rewards, £8 19s. following day others of the Greek crew wanted to come ashore again, but no small boat could make the journey. FISHING BOATS IN A SNOWSTORM The life-boat herself was launched for Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 5.30 in the the third time at 1.30 that afternoon, morning of February 28th, 1947, three and after a further unsuccessful attempt motor fishing boats put to sea in mod- by tugs to get the steamer afloat, she erate weather. By ten o'clock a strong returned at 4.30 bringing ashore two easterly wind was blowing, with snow of the steamer's crew. showers, the sea was breaking heavily The Tynemouth motor life-boat across the harbour entrance, making Henry Frederick Swan was also it dangerous, and the motor life- launched, but as the tide was ebbing boat Mary Ann Hepri'orth was launched. and the steamer in no immediate She met the Provider one and a half danger, she returned to her station.— miles to the north and escorted her in. Rewards, Cullercoats, First service, About an hour later she put out again, £28 2s. Gd.; Second sendee, Property this time in a snowstorm, found the Salvage Case; Third service, £25 15s.; Galilee near the Rock Buoy, and Tynemouth, £13 16s. escorted her in. She waited then for news of the third boat, the Pilot Me, and when she learnt that she LIFE-BOATS USED BECAUSE ROADS was coming home went out for the WERE BLOCKED third time, met her two and a half Lerwick, Shetlands.—Just after 10.0 miles north of Whitby, and came in the morning of February 27th, 1947, into harbour with her at 3.0 in the when all roads were completely blocked afternoon.—Rewards, £13 13s. 6d. by snow, information was received from the Gilbert Bain Hospital that a girl of twelve at Vidlin had to be taken to ANOTHER FISHING BOAT IN DANGER Lerwick for an immediate operation. Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 3.3 in Would the life-boat take her by sea? the afternoon of February 28th, 1947, a At 10.40 the motor life-boat Lady Jane report was received that a fishing boat and Martha Ryland was launched. was lying about a quarter of a mile east 26 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

of Castle Hill, in a dangerous position. ghadee (£7 8s.); Clacton-on-Sea A strong breeze was blowing from the (£24 I3s.6d.) ;Fenit (£26 15s.); Holyhead north-east, with a heavy sea breaking (£24 13,9. 6d.); Fenit (£26 15s.); Holy- across the bay and harbour entrance. head (£1310s.); Weston-super-Mare (£17 It was dead low water, and the boat 10s.); Dungeness (£39 7s.); Margate was waiting for the rising tide in order (£49 2s.); New Brighton (£7 15s.),- The to come in. The motor life-boat Herbert Humber (permanent paid crew); Selsey Joy II was launched at 4.10, and (£28 17s.); Troon (£10 19s.); Stornoway found the boat to be the Floreat, with (£5 8s.); Margate (£40 14s.); Salcombe a crew of five. She escorted her into (£9 12s.); The Humber (permanent harbour, arriving at 5.20.—Rewards, paid crew); The Humber (permanent £27 19*. paid crew); Fowey (£10 10s.); Torbay (£7 16s.); Skegness (£19 2s.); Great The following life-boats were Yarmouth and Gorleston (£17 Os. 6d.); launched, but could find no vessel in The Humber (permanent paid crew); distress, or were not needed. The Wicklow (£16 Os. 6d.); Skegness figures in brackets are the rewards (£23 12s.); Ramsgate (£5 13s.); Filey paid: (£14 2s. 6d.); Sunderland (£31 10s.); Fraserburgh (£14 18*. 6d.); Portrush Montrose (£10 12s.); Kilmore(£341s.6d) (£8 4*.); Tynemouth (£15 8*. 6d.); Eighteen crews assembled, but found Tobermory (£7 18s. 6d.); Helvick Head it unnecessary to launch. (Rewards, (£10 0,9. 6rf.); Padstow (£5 17*.); Dona- £61 Is. 6d.).

Increased Rewards THE Institution has substantially in- and crews has also been drawn up. In creased the annual retaining fees which future the minimum reward in summer it pays to the officers of its life-boats, will be 15s. for the first two hours, or and others who have regular duties to part of two hours, and 4s. an hour for perform. The coxswain's fee, which each additional hour. In winter the varied from £24 to £32 a year according minimum will be £l, with 5s. for each to the size of the life-boat, will now be hour after the first two. Previously the from £52 to £60. The second cox- scale varied from 12s. 6d. for a service swain's, which varied from £610s. to £8, on a summer day to £2 16s. 6d. for a will now be from £24 to £28, and the service in the winter when the life-boat bowman's is increased from £2 10s. to was out for part of the day and night. £10. Increases have also been made in These changes do not, of course, the retaining fees of those with regular affect the practice of the Institution of duties on shore—the shore signalman, giving increased money rewards for any the shore attendant, the head launcher, services which have been specially the winchman, the lightman, and the difficult or arduous. It is estimated tractor driver, and in the payments that they will add about £10,000 a to crews and launchers for exercise year to the payments which the Insti- launches. tution makes to its coxswains, crews A new scale of rewards for coxswains and launchers.

Medals for Gallantry in 1946 FOUR medals for gallantry were a member of the Whitby crew, and awarded by the Institution in 1946, the bronze medals by Coxswain two silver and two bronze. The silver Henry Murfield, of Whitby, and medals were won by Coxswain John Coxswain Duncan Newlands, of Camp- Murt, of Padstow, and Robert Harland, beltown. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT

" Storm on the Waters Storm on the Waters^- is the story of No one could read this book without the Life-boat Service in the war of being more than ever convinced that 1939-45. The full story cannot be even in the stress of war a Life-boat told in the compass of a small book, Service is. best when controlled and but if Mr. Vince has had to omit much manned by volunteers, united in spirit, that we should like to see included, he but not shackled by the ties of rigid has given us a vivid, accurate, and discipline. Mr. Vince gives detailed enthralling picture of the working of instances of official control and inter- the service in its greatest hours. I ference ; sometimes no doubt necessary, recommend all readers of this journal to but never helpful, and often delaying buy a copy, and if this is impossible, or .hindering the work of life-saving. since printing restrictions have severely In these years of uneasy peace, we shall, limited the number of copies produced, I think, be very unwise, in any aspect to ask for it at their libraries. of national life, to place our reliance To me, the book recalls the most on a regimented population, and to active and interesting years I spent in set aside the genius for voluntary co- the Institution's service. It is good to operation that Englishmen, Scotsmen, look back on those years, and to see Welshmen and Irishmen have proved again, in the admirably reproduced that they can show the world. Nothing pictures, some of the life-boatmen, and typifies this genius more finely than the one woman, who, as they would be the Life-boat Service, and this little book first to declare, are typical specimens of should be read by all who would under- those ordinary men and women who just stand the ordinary people of these did the job that needed doing, and took islands; their quiet courage, their en- what came to them, in those grim years. durance, their humour and cheerful- At least as much as those in the disci- ness ; and the ideals which, though they plined forces,they made victory possible. may not trouble to formulate them in 1 Storm on the Waters: The Story of the Life- manifestoes or proclamations, lie deep boat Service in the War of 1939-45, by Charles in their souls. Vince, Hodder & rttoughton, es. Copies can be obtained from the Institution. C. R. S.

A Disaster of 63 Years Ago Recalled AMONG the names of honorary workers Mumbles on 27th January, 1883, when to whom awards have been made this four of her crew lost their lives. All year is Mrs. Ellen Surman, who for her family were members of the crew. twenty-seven years has been an hono- Her grandfather had been coxswain, rary worker at Neath, Glamorganshire. and of the four men who lost then- In accepting the reward, Mrs. Surman lives in this disaster one was her father, reminded the Institution that she was the bowman, and two were her uncles, one of the children made orphans by the second-coxswain and a member the capsizing of the life-boat of The of the crew.

The "Winston Churchill" THERE are at present on the coast seven Churchill, who is a vice-patron of the motor life-boats which have been given fund, has agreed to the fund's request and endowed by the Civil Service that she shall be named after him. Life-boat Fund. An eighth is to be Since the fund was started in 1866, it added to them before the end of the has given and endowed twenty-four year, the 46-feet Watson cabin life-boat life-boats (not including this new boat), which is now being built for Blyth, in and they have rescued over 2,000 Northumberland; and Mr. WTinston lives. 28 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

Obituary Lord Souttborough nearly forty vears actively associated THE LORD SOUTHBOROUGH, G.C.B., with the Exeter branch, and she found G.C.V.O., K.C.S.I, P.C., who died in time, in the midst of many other public January, 1947, at the age of eighty-six, duties, to give it always her personal after an astonishingly full life of public and enthusiastic help. She was at one service, had been a member of the time the honorary secretary of the Committee of Management since 1926, branch and, at the time of her death, and was appointed a vice-president of chairman of both the branch and the the Institution in 1930. For thirty-four Ladies' Life-boat Guild. It is very years he had been the chairman and largely to her inspiring work that the honorary treasurer of the Civil Service branch and the guild in Exeter owe Life-boat Fund, and the Margate life- their success. boat (one of seven life-boats now on Lady Reed was awarded the Institu- the coast which have been built and tion's gold badge, given only for endowed by the fund) is named after distinguished honorary work, in 1930, him. He took a close and personal and in 1935 was appointed an honorary interest in the fund's work, and when life-governor, the highest honour which he was dying he was in correspondence the Institution can give to an honorary with Mr. Winston Churchill, whose worker. name he was most anxious should be given to the new Civil Service boat now Mr. Perceval S. Farrant being built for Blyth. That was, he MR. PERCEVAL FARRANT, who died on said, "his final act" for the Civil Service 13th March, 1947, was one of the most Life-boat Fund. successful organizing secretaries whom Mr. H. Arthur Baker the Institution has ever had. He was BY the death of ME. H. ARTHUR in its service for thirty-seven years, and BAKER, on llth December, 1946, the for twenty-eight years of that time he Committee of Management have lost a •was responsible for the whole of the colleague whose devoted services they South-Western District from Berkshire feel that they can ill spare. He to Land's End. He had the gift of became a member in 1925, and was communicating to others his own appointed a vice-president in 1943. deep interest in the work, and hundreds He served on the Finance Committee, of honorary workers in his district will the General Purposes and Publicity share with his colleagues at the In- Committee, and the Establishment stitution in grief for his death and Committee. As chairman of the admiration for his work. In the five Establishment Committee in particular, years before his appointment to the he gave himself without stint to the South-West of England, the district's often complicated and difficult details average contribution was under £7,000. of the work, and for all that he did on In his first complete year of work he this committee not only his colleagues increased it to nearly £11,000. In his but the officers and staff of the Institu- last year it was over £26,000, and in its tion will gratefully remember him. record year, 1944, it was over £33,000. Those figures speak for themselves of the Alderman Lady Reed, of Exeter success of his -work. He continued it ALDERMAN LADY (EMILIE WARD) REED, through a long and painful illness, and who died in February, 1947, was for did not give it up until almost the end

Dr. Joseph Soar, M.B.E., of St. David's IN the New Year's Honours Dr. Joseph David's, was made a member of the Soar, Mus. Doc., F.R.C.O., A.R.C.M., Order of the British Empire in recog- the organist of St. David's Cathedral, nition of his work for the Life-boat and for twenty-one years the honorary Service. He holds the Institution's secretary of the life-boat station at St. bronze medal for gallantry. JUNE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 29

A District Conference A conference of the branches of the izing secretary, and other officials of Outer London District was held at the the Institution. offices of the Institution on March Representatives were present from 10th. Commodore the Earl Howe, Uxbridge, Mitcham, Potters Bar, East C.B.E., V.D., P.C., A.D.C., R.N.V.R., Sheen, Harrow, Bexlcy, St. Albans, deputy chairman of the Institution, Welling, Beddington, Wellington and presided, supported by Sir John Carshalton, Wimbledon, Southend-on- Gumming, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., a vice- Sea, Richmond and Kew, Radlett, president, Colonel A. D. Burnett Sidcup, Cobham, Anerley and Penge, Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A., secretary, Sutton and Cheam, Claygate, Hornsey, Mr. John Terry, M.A., district organ- Ewell and Stanmore.

Life-boat Flag Days in 1946 IN 1946 flag days were held by 808 of the record year of 1944. The sum con- Institution's branches, and 7,919,000 tributed in these street-collections was people contributed. This was over £86,683. That again, though £45,146 two million more than before the war, less than in 1944, was twice as much but three million fewer than in the as before the war.

Awards to Coxswains and Life-boatmen To JAMES E. BUMBLE, on his retirement, To WILLIAM ARTHUR, on his retirement, after serving for twenty-two years as cox- after serving for six and a half years as cox- swain of the Sheringham life-boat, a cox- swain, two and three-quarter years as second swain's certificate of service and an annuity. coxswain and one and three-quarter years as To DAVID ARTHUR, on his retirement, after bowman of the Lerwick life-boat, a coxswain's serving for sixteen and a half years as cox- certificate of service and an annuity. swain and two and three-quarter years as To JOHN J. TYRRELL, on his retirement, bowman of the Ferryside life-boat, a cox- after serving for five years as coxswain and swain's certificate of service and an annuity. thirty-seven and a half years as a member To MURDO SINCLAIR, on his retirement, of the crew of the Arklow life-boat, a life- after serving for fifteen and a half years as boatman's certificate of service and a gratuity. coxswain of the Barra Island life-boat, a To JAMES RAFFAN, on his retirement, after coxswain's certificate of service and an serving for one year as coxswain, six and a annuity. half years as assistant motor mechanic and three and a half years as a member of the To CHARLES A. JOHNSON, on his retirement, after serving for thirteen years as coxswain crew of the Whitehills life-boat, a life-boat- of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life- man's certificate of service. boat, a coxswain's certificate of service and To SAMUEL ADAIR, on his retirement, after an annuity. serving for nineteen years as second cox- swain and twenty-five years as a member of To PETEH.MCPHEE, on his retirement, after the crew of the Cloughey. life-boat, a life- serving for thirteen years as coxswain of the boatman's certificate of service and an Port Askaig life-boat, a coxswain's certificate annuity. of service and an annuity. To THOMAS H. BLOOM, on his retirement, To WALTER POWER, on his retirement, after after serving for ten and three-quarter years serving for seventeen years as second cox- as coxswain, six and a half years as second swain, six years as bowman and eighteen coxswain and thirteen and three-quarter years as a member of the crew of the Kilmore years as bowman of the Walton and Frinton life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of ser- life-boat, a coxswain's certificate of service vice and an annuity. and an annuity. To ARTHUR J. H. SWAN, on his retirement, To JOSEPH O'HANLON, on his retirement, after serving for nine years as second cox- after serving for seven years as coxswain and swain, one year as bowman, and forty years eight years as second coxswain of the Dun as a member of the crew of the Lowestoft Laoghaire life-boat, a coxswain's certificate life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of of service and an annuity. service and an annuity. 30 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

To WILLIAM P. HENDER, on his retirement, life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of after serving for eight years as second cox- service. swain, seven years as bowman and thirty- To JACK RIMMER, on his retirement, after six years as a member of the crews of the serving for eight and three-quarter years as Beaumaris and Penrnon life-boats, a life- bowman and thirty and a quarter years as a boatman's certificate of service arid an member of the crew of the Blackpool life- annuity. boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service To JOHN MC!NTYRE, on his retirement, and a gratuity. after serving for two and three-quarter years To SWEENEY MCGEACHY, on his retirement, as second coxswain and thirty-one and a after serving for two and three-quarter years quarter years as a member of'the crew of as bowman and twenty-three and a quarter the Campbeltown life-boat, a life-boatman's years as a member of the crew of the Camp- certificate of service. beltown life-boat, a life-boatman's certificate of service. To HENRY TONKIN, on his retirement, after To WILLIAM B. MACKIE, on his retirement, serving for fifteen and one-third years as after serving for fifteen years as assistant bowman of the Falmouth life-boat, a life- motor mechanic and eighteen years as a boatman's certificate of service and an member of the crew of the Margate life-boat, annuity. a life-boatman's certificate of service. To GEORGE T. PATTON, on his retirement, To PHILIP FARROW, on his retirement, after after serving for twelve and a half years as serving for thirty-nine years as a member of bowman and twenty-nine and a half years the crew of the Walton and Frinton life-boat, as a member of the crew of the Runswick a life-boatman's certificate of service.

Awards to Honorary Workers. Made Since January 1st, 1947. Honorary Life-Governor. Gold Badge. The following have been appointed Hono- The Gold Badge has been awarded to: rary Life-Governors of the Institution and MRS. STANLEY BELL, honorary secretary, will be presented with a copy of the vote Wigan and Standish Ladies' Life-boat Guild. inscribed on vellum and signed by H.R.H. BAILIE THOMAS BIMSON, J.P., honorary the Duchess of Kent, President of the secretary and treasurer, Irvine branch. Institution : Miss D. F. CHANDLER, honorary organizer MRS. R. BEVAN JOHN, in recognition of the of life-boat days, Seaford branch. valuable help she has given as honorary secretary of the Llanelly Ladies' Life-boat Miss H. COTTON, honorary secretary, Guild. Kidderminster branch. THE LADY FRANCIS GODOLPHIN OSBORNE, MRS. MARSDEN, honorary secretary, Hud- in recognition of the valuable help which she dersfield Ladies' Life-boat Guild. has given for forty-five years, especially as Miss W. F. SHAND, honorary secretary, President of the Berwick-on-Tweed branch Lymm and district Ladies' Life-boat Guild. and Ladies' Life-boat Guild. CAPTAIN HERBERT TURNBULL, M.B.E., SIR CHARLES J. H. McREA, J.P., in recog- chairman, Grimsby and Cleethorpes branch. nition of the valuable help which he has MR. R. A. WETHERALL, honorary secretary, given for twenty years, especially as chair- Swansea and Mumbles branch. man of the City of London branch since 1935. MRS. D. J. WILKES, honorary secretary, Llandudno Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Thanks of the Institution on Vellum. ARCHDEACON HAROLD S. WILLIAMS, chair- The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed man, The Mumbles life-boat station. On Vellum has been awarded to: MR. DAVID J. JONES, J.P., on his retire- Binocular Glass. ment after over five years as honorary sec- The Binocular Glass, with an inscription, retary of the Rhyl station. has been awarded to the following honorary MR. JOHN MANNERS, R.V.O., 1st Class,*on secretaries of life-boat stations in recognition his retirement after twenty-three years as of valuable services: honorary secretary of the Blyth station. The REV. W. CARROLL, M.A., Hon. C.F., MR. DONALD MITCHELL on his retirement Arklow. after over nine years as honorary secretary of the Tobermory station branch. MR. FRANK H. GARON, Southend-on-Sea. MR. AMBROSE PUDSEY-DAWSON on his retirement after over eight years as honorary Statuette of a Life-boatman. secretary of the Tenby station. The Statuette of a Life-boatman has been *A Swedish decoration,. Knight of the Order awarded to MRS. BLAKE, honorary worker, of VASA. Ballycotton branch. JUKE, 1947] THE LIFE-BOAT 31

Record of Thanks. MRS. FAIRCLOUGH, honorary secretary, The Record of Thanks has been awarded Millom Ladies' Life-boat Guild. to: Miss A. GARDINER, honorary organizer of MRS. ASCOUGH, honorary worker, Bir- life-boat day at Clayton Green. mingham branch. MRS. H. GARLAND, honorary assistant MRS. A. ASHWORTH, honorary secretary, secretary, Barrow Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Mottram and Broadbottom Ladies' Life-boat MRS. GODDARD, honorary secretary, Hol- Guild. lingworth branch. Miss E. J. BAKER, honorary treasurer, MRS. GRANT, honorary worker, Ludlow Orrell Ladies' Life-boat Guild. branch. MB. H. E. W. BALLANCE, honorary sec- MR. F. J. GREEN, honorary worker, Bir- retary, Leigh Branch. mingham branch. MR. & MRS. BARNES, honorary workers, Miss NORA GUY, honorary worker, Dun Birmingham branch. Laoghaire branch. MRS. BARRETT, honorary treasurer, Miss V. HAAS, A.C.R.A., honorary worker, Mumbles Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Dublin branch. MRS. BAXTER, honorary treasurer, Hindley Miss HAGUE, joint honorary secretary, branch. Dukinfield Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. BEARD,, joint honorary secretary, MRS. GARRATT HARDMAN, honorary worker, Dukinfield Ladies' Life-boat Guild. -Dublin branch. MRS. CECIL BENTHAM, president, Poynton MRS. V. HARRISON, honorary worker, Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Sunder land branch. MRS. J. WARD BINKS, chairman, Appleby MRS. J. HARTLEY, president, Earby and branch. district Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. BIRCHALL, honorary worker, Rhyl MR. A. J. HAWKES, vice-president, Wigan Ladies' Life-boat Guild. and Standish branch. CAPTAIN J. H. BLINSTON, M.M., honorary MRS. H. HESLOP, honorary secretary, secretary, Haydock branch. Mottram and Broadbottom Ladies' Life-boat MRS. BROWN, honorary worker, Ludlow Guild. branch. MRS. L. HINTON, honorary secretary, MRS. JOE BURGESS, honorary secretary, Northwieh and district Ladies' Life-boat Brierfield Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Guild. MRS. A. BURTON, chairman, Brierfleld Miss HIRST, honorary worker, Holmflrth branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. CAPTAIN H. K. HOLE, chairman, Watchet MR. S. CAMPBELL, honorary secretary and branch. treasurer, Kelso branch. MRS. HOOK, honorary secretary, Welling MR. C. CATLOW, chairman, Holmes Chapel branch. and Cranage branch. MRS. HOPE-JOHNSON, president, Hindley MRS. O. CHRISTIE-MILLER, president, Crewe branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Miss N. HURST, honorary treasurer, Staly- MRS. CLARKSON, honorary secretary, Conis- bridge Ladies' Life-boat Guild'. borough Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Miss E. C. INGLIS, honorary secretary, MRS. J. NEVILLE CLEGG, president, Tar- Leven Ladies' Life-boat Guild. porley branch. MRS. GEOFFREY JENKINS, honorary worker, MRS. N. COOKE, honorary treasurer, Dublin branch. Dukinfleld Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. D. T. JONES, honorary secretary, MRS. M. COWAP, honorary secretary, Tar- Haverfordwest Ladies' Life-boat Guild. porley branch. MRS. L. JONES, honorary treasurer, Mot- MRS. P. M. COWI.E, honorary secretary, tram and Broadbottom Ladies' Life-boat Penarth Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Guild. MRS. COWPER, honorary worker, Lymm MRS. W. O. JONES, honorary secretary, Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Bettws-y-Coed branch. MRS. PAIGE Cox, vice-president, Chester MRS. KAYE, honorary secretary, Earby and Ladies' Life-boat Guild. district Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MR. A. CUTHBERT, honorary treasurer, MRS. H. L. KIRK, honorary secretary, Anstruther branch. Macclesfleld Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. W. M. DAVIES, honorary treasurer, MRS. D. LANYON, honorary secretary, Barry Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Wellington (Salop) Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. E. M. DEDERICK, honorary secretary, MRS. LAYCOCK, honorary treasurer, Hud- Atherton Ladies' Life-boat Guild. dersfleld Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. DICKINSON, honorary treasurer, MRS. G. P. LLOYD, honorary secretary, Standish section of the Wigan and Standish Leominster branch. branch. MRS. MACNAMAHA, president, Burnley Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. N. DIXON, honorary treasurer, MRS. MANNING, honorary treasurer, Earby Withernsea Ladies' Life-boat Guild. and district Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. EDLUND, honorary worker, South- MR. F. F. McKAY, honorary secretary port Ladies' Life-boat Guild. and treasurer, Galashiels branch. Miss ELDON, honorary worker, Beverley Miss J. MITCHELL, honorary secretary, Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Tarbert Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Miss ELMES, B.Sc., honorary worker, MRS. T. D. NEIL, president, Barrhead Dublin branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. 32 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1947

Miss P. C. NICHOLLS, honorary worker, MRS. SMETHURST, president, Conisborough Sunderland branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Miss OSBORNE, honorary secretary, Milford MR. H. W. STEPHENSON, B.A., M.R.S.T., branch. honorary worker, Birmingham branch. MRS. F. PAPE, honorary worker, Beverley MRS. T. R. STOCKDALE, honorary secretary, Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Melton Mowbray branch. MRS. R. W. M. PARFITT, honorary worker, COUNCILLOR W. H. STOKF.HILL, honorary Porthcawl branch. organizer of life-boat day, Bridlington branch. MRS. PAHNELL, honorary worker, Bir- MRS. W. SURMAN, honorary worker, Neath mingham branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. ENGINEER REAR-ADMIRAL H. L. PARRY, MRS. ARTHUR SUTCLIFFE, president, Tod- C.B., O.B.E., honorary worker, Birmingham morden Ladies' Life-boat Guild. branch. MRS. G. R. CRAIG TANNER, honorary sec- MRS. PARSONAGE, honorary worker, Lud- retary, Shrewsbury branch. low branch. MRS. THOMAS, honorary secretary, AVake- MRS. PEARSON, honorary treasurer, Conis- fleld Ladies' Life-boat Guild. borough Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. THOM^POSTLETHWAITE, chairman, MRS. DAVID PHILLIPS, chairman, Neath Whitehaven and district branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. THORNTON, honorary treasurer, MRS. K. RADCLIFFE, honorary secretary, Northwich and district Ladies' Life-boat Stalybridge Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Guild. MR. T. RAMSBOTTOM, honorary treasurer, MRS. VEITCH, honorary secretary, Cowden- Ramsbottom branch. beath Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. W. REID, vice-president, Leven MRS. VIVIAN, chairman, Mumbles Ladies' Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Life-boat Guild. Miss M. RHIND, honorary secretary, MRS. H. TREVOR WANKLYN, vice-president, Drogheda branch. Leyland branch. MRS. CONLY RILEY, honorary secretary, MR. W. AVATSON, honorary secretary, Accrington Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Whitehaven and district branch. MR. JOHN ROBERTS, honorary treasurer, MRS. B. WEDD, president, Wellington Llanfairfechan branch. (Salop) Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. J. ROGERS, honorary worker, Don- MRS. WHATMOUGH, honorary treasurer, caster branch. Hollingworth branch. MRS. SALE, honorary worker, Rhyl Ladies' MRS. K. C. WILBY, president and honorary Life-boat Guild. secretary, Saddleworth Ladies' Life-boat Miss SANDERSON, honorary worker, Holm- Guild. firth branch. MRS. F. SHACKLETON, president, Rochdale MR. A. C. WILSON, honorary treasurer, Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Hyde branch. Miss E. SHELDON, J.P., honorary worker, MRS. L. WOOD, honorary treasurer, Whaley Macclesfield Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Bridge Ladies' Life-boat Guild. MRS. SKIDMORE, honorary worker, Bir- MRS. N. WOOD, honorary worker, Lymm mingham branch. Ladies' Life-boat Guild.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London,

All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number O/THE LIFE-BOAT mil be published in October, 1947.