THE LIFE-BOAT JOUENAL
OF THE National %ife*boat Jnstitution, (ISSUED QTJABTEBLT.)
["PRICE 3d., WITH VOL. XII.—No. 138.] NOYEMBEE, 1885. LWBECK CHAKT.
THE KECENT EXPEEIMENTS AT THE SOUTH FOBELAND WITH LIGHTHOUSE ILLUMINANTS. THE experiments -with lighthouse illu- The experiments weie carried out •with minants -which have been in progress at praiseworthy publicity, instead of with the South Foreland for twelve months, that unmeaning air of mystery which so under a Committee of the Elder Brethren often enshrouds experiments of -world- of the Trinity House, were brought to a wide importance carried out by Govern- conclusion in March last, and the Report ment departments. Not only were mem- was presented to both Houses of Parlia- bers of scientific societies, especially those ment in the form of a Blue Book, and engaged in engineering, invited to inspect published in August. the arrangements, but tickets of admission It has not been our fate to look into were freely issued to the general public many Blue Books, and we fancy they on application. Nearly every maritime often deserve their reputation of being nation in the world, including some of our very dry, and an uninteresting study. If Colonies, sent officers to visit the station, so, this one is a good example of the old but of course our neighbours the other proverb, " The exception proves the rule," side the channel, from their position, were for it is in many ways a most interesting able to give most assistance by taking and, at the same time, instructive docu- observations, &c.; and no doubt many ment, on a subject of the first import- useful hints were obtained from the ex- ance, not only to ourselves, but to the perts of other nations, -who -were always whole maritime world. The first point invited when they visited the station that strikes us is the thoroughness of the to give any suggestions that occurred to work done, which was the natural out- them. come of the well-matured plans formed The illuminants selected for competition for carrying out the experiments. The were electricity, gas and mineral oil, each scientific world was called upon to con- of which was displayed from wooden towers tribute its quota to the work in advice about 250 feet high, built at the South and assistance, which helped much to Foreland, near the powerful electric lights bring about the satisfactory results ob- permanently exhibited there. tained. The co-operation of the Scotch With the view, we suppose, of inter- and Irish Lighthouse Boards was invited fering as little as possible with the ofBce and cordially given, and they, as well as of the permanent lights, and not to perplex the Board of Trade, were ably represented passing ships, the experimental lights were by their scientific officers. only allowed to show through a section of
YOL. XII.—No. 138.—LIFE-BOAT JOUENAL. 658 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. the lantern extending northward, partly rejected, leaving four thousand on which over the land and partly over the sea, and to ground a decision. one to the southward over the sea. The Behind these general arrangements, powers of the different lights were tested there were, of course, many matters of scientifically by photometry, and prac- detail to be carried out, which con- tically by the eye at marked distances, as tributed, with equal if not greater im- well as from the neighbouring lightships, portance, to the conclusive and satisfactory and by the masters and • pilots of passing results sought for. Amongst these we vessels. The first-named method proved may enumerate the height of flame, number of little or no practical value, because it of jets of gas or oil in a light, the number was found that the most distant stations of electric lights or of currents, &c. The erected for its use, rather less than two question of expense also had to be con- miles and a half from the towers, were too sidered, more particularly in proportion far off to admit of the light being measured to the benefits to be derived from adopting by it. Under these circumstances, the the more expensive forms, either in new only test to be relied upon was that of lighthouses, or instead of the cheaper observation with the eye. systems at present in use. Upwards of six thousand of these obser- The cost of establishing a first-class light- vations were taken at different stations, house with gas is computed at 20,5161., under varying conditions of weather, and and its annual maintenance at 1,6S7Z. by different observers, amongst whom were An electric light of the same power would the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House cost 17,749Z., and 1.927Z. per annum for and their officers on land and sea, which maintenance. include the men on board the neighbouring A first-class oil-lighted station would lightships, and at the Eamsgate and North cost 8,064Z., and the annual maintenance Foreland lighthouses, besides the different 724Z. Were no other considerations forth- observing huts erected for the purpose; coming, here alone is a very strong argu- also the coastguard on shore, and a few ment in favour of oil, especially in these by pilots and masters of vessels navigating days of sad depression and " hard times " the neighbouring waters. A complete and for the shipowners, on whom the expense ingenious system was provided for register- of maintaining the lighthouse falls. ing their observations, founded on the The general conclusions come to by the assumption that the electric light was a Committee, and the reasons upon which standard, giving it the value of 100, and they are founded, will, we think, recom- recording the relative values of the other mend themselves to all impartial minds. two lights, by higher or lower numbers, as They found that the electric light necessary, i.e., if the gas or oil was con- proved itself, under all conditions of sidered only half as powerful as the weather, to have greater penetrating power standard, it was recorded at 50, and vice than either of the others, but in clear versa; if considered double as good, it weather it had such a dazzling effect at would be marked at 200. Books prepared short distances, that it was very difficult in the necessary form for recording these to judge one's distance from it, and it is observations were widely distributed, in therefore very unpopular with seamen. order to give every facility for marking The Committee do not think it suitable the records. The outcome of these mea- for general adoption round the coast, but sures was the receipt of upwards of six they consider that for bold headlands thousand returns, which had to be with great elevation, or those which con- examined and scrutinised, with a view to stitute important landfalls for the mariner, decide their value for tabulation and it has great advantages. analysis. This, itself, was no light work, The difference between the powers of and resulted in about two thousand being gas and oil was found to be so slight as NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUKNAL. 659 not to compensate for the extra cost both not be for some little time with either of the of installation and maintenance, and the other two lights. They therefore recom- inconvenience if not danger of the greater mend mineral oil as the most suitable and heat generated in the lantern by the economical medium for the ordinary nece's- former, added to which comes the con- sities of lighthouse illuminants, but for sideration that all lighthouse-keepers in special places, such as salient headlands, the service are now fully acquainted with important landfalls, &c., where a more the working of the oil lamps, and getting than ordinarily powerful light is required, the best results out of them, but would electricity offers the greatest advantages.
THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. MONTEOSE BBANCH. LXV. MONTEOSE No. 1.—The Mincing in the course of years sprang into exist- Lane, 33 feet by 8J feet, 10 oars. ence again, the burgh receiving its first LXVI. Ditto No. 2.—The Boman Governor of charter from David I., about the begin- Caer Hun, 30 feet by 8 feet, 10 oa^s. ' ning of the 12th century, and William STANDING upon what may be termed a the Lion resided at its rebuilt castle at narrow sandy peninsula, is to be found the end of that century. Edward I. also Montrose, a Eoyal burgh and seaport visited the place, and received the homage town in the county of Forfar, bounded on of Baliol. Later on Wallace took it from the east by the German Ocean, on the the English, landing at the harbour when south by the river South Esk, and on the j he came from France at the invitation of west by a large basin not less than seven the northern lords, and David II. granted miles in circumference, into which the a charter increasing the privileges which tide, flowing up the South Esk, spreads David I. had conferred upon the inhabit- itself after passing the town. This basin ants. Sir James Douglas embarked from becomes dry at low water, but its alternate this port in 1330, on his unsuccessful filling and emptying, as the tide flows attempt to cony tlie heart oi Robert and ebbs, has an important effect in Bruce to the Holy Land; also, the cele- scouring and deepening the harbour. On brated Marquis of Montrose was born the east of the town, and between it and here, in 1626. It was, too, the first port the sea, are extensive links, or downs, a made by the French fleet in 1715, with pleasant stretch of green turf laid out James the Chevalier on board, and the partly as a racecourse, but forming prin- port was used as a rendezvous of the cipally one of the finest golfing grounds Jacobites in 1745. In later years (1777) in Scotland. it became the birthplace of Joseph Hume, Montrose was anciently called " Ce- the distinguished financial reformer. lurca," but the derivation of the present j Montrose possesses one of the oldest name " Montrose " is a matter of dispute, |schools in Scotland, distinguished as some authorities saying that it comes having been the first place of learning in from " Mons Rosarum" (the Mount of the country where Greek was taught. Eoses), and they point to the seal of the j The principal street is a continuation of town which bears a bunch of roses and • the great high road from Arbroath, cross- the motto " Mare ditat rosa decorat" ing the river South. Esk by means of a (the sea enriches and the rose adorns); magnificent suspension bridge from Inch- others however affirm that it is derived brayock to the north side of the river. from " Moin ross" (the promontory of i It was designed by Captain Brown, the the moss). patentee of chain cables, and finished, at The town has a very ancient and in- j a cost of 20,000if. in 1829. There are teresting history. The Danes attacked four main chains, supported by two strong the place twice; first in 980, when they towers 71 feet in height, and these form found it a walled town with a castle, the grand entry to the bridge on each both of which they plundered and razed. side, through, an archway 16 feet wide by The town lay in ruins for some time, but 18 feet high. The distance between the
2 s 2 660 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885.
towers at the two extremities of the and slipway on the north bank of the bridge, measuring from the centre of river for its accommodation, close to the each, is 432 feet. An excellent statue of old house, in which the old Boat, renamed Sir Robert Peel, erected in 1855, is one ! the Roman Governor of Gaer Sun, was still of the finest ornaments of the street, and kept ready for service. A small boat is another was, in 1859, erected to Joseph i always kept in readiness to ferry the Hume, who represented the town in Par- i crew across the river, they being drawn liament. Montrose has from an early from the well-known and skilful Ferryden period been a good trading port, and it is fishermen, who are noted for their strictly now the chief one in the district, which moral and exemplary character. The extends from Arbroath, in the south, to same year (1869) the new Life-boat, Bervie, in the north, and includes the Mincing Lane, was sent by the Institution pretty fishing villages of St. Cyrus and to her station, and the smaller Boat, Johnshaven, favourite watering places in ; which had been retained as more adapted the summer on account of the bathing for launching off the shallow beach, was and the fishing in the two Esks, which, replaced in 1874 by a new one, 30 feet like all Scotch rivers, abound in salmon. by 8, pulling 8 oars, the gift of Mr. The harbour is formed by the outlet of i DAFIBS GRIFFITH, of Conway, who had the river South Esk, and makes a safe given 400Z. to the Institution to defray asylum for vessels in bad weather. The j the cost. The same name, Roman Gover- channel up to the quays is 172 yards j nor of Gaer Etin was given to her. This wide, with a depth of 16 feet at low water j designation was suggested to Mr. Griffith neap tides. The approach to the harbour by his friend Mr. Gladstone, the late is rendered dangerous by a bar at the Premier, on account of Mr. Griffith having mouth, and by the formation of the Annat j on his property in North WaJes the remains Bank on the north side of the entrance, of a Roman encampment resembling one on which many vessels become stranded, i near Rome which Mr. Gladstone had seen. There are two good lighthouses, furnished With the exception of the very first with fixed red lights, and a third on case, in December, 1869, when three un- Sandyness Point, the light of which, a successful attempts were made, on a dark flashing one, is 124 feet above the level stormy night, to save the crew of the of the water, and is visible for 17 miles. Hermes, wrecked on the Annat Bank, The harbour contains a wet dock and a the Montrose Life-boats have been uni- patent slip for repairing vessels, and ship- formly successful. The records on the building has been for many years carried black-boards in the boat-houses show the on, though flax-spinning and its kindred following results:— trades are the chief industries of the town, i Number of lives saved by the Mincing Several sailing and steam ships are Lane 136 registered at the port, and a considerable Ditto ditto Hainan Governor ... 79 number arrive and depart in the course j of the year. In consequence of the , Total lives saved . 215 numerous dangers to be encountered on besides many cases in which the Life-boat so exposed a coast, a Life-boat has long proceeded to the bar and conned vessels been a necessity. The management of into safety. the old Montrose Life-boat establishment, The Ferryden fishermen have the which had existed some fifty years, was privilege of using the Life-boat to attend in 1869 transferred, with the annual fishing-boats running to the harbour in interest of the stock, to the ROYAL sudden storms, and the records show that NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which about 250 fishermen have been so at- had already placed several Life-boats on j tended. The district protected by the the coast of Scotland, and was desirous i Montrose boats includes Lunan Bay and of extending its sphere of usefulness, j Montrose Harbour and Bay, as far north as The committee at once decided to appro- i the river North Esk, a range of about ten priate the station to the munificent gift miles. It is now proposed to add to the of the Mincing Lane merchants, and a | efficiency of the station by placing a third new Boat, 33 feet by 8J, on the self- i Life-boat at the northern extremity of righting principle, pulling 10 oars, was [ the district, and with this object in view ordered to be built, as well as a house the whole beach between St. Cyrus and NOVEMBER, 1883.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 661
Kirkside was recently examined by the Having obtained communication and suc- Chief Inspector of Life-boats, the Hon. ceeded in rescuing a portion of the crew, Secretary, and other members of the Local they then pulled after and picked up Committee. Ultimately a site for the new their floating comrades, deeming their boat-house was fixed upon, a little to the own men were by that time in greater west of Kirkside salmon fishing station, danger than those on the brig. The rest on the north side of the old mouth of the of the crew of the Henrietta were subse- river North Esk. quently rescued by the other Life-boat, The district is a very dangerous one ; which had launched on perceiving the in heavy S.E. gales vessels get embayed capsize of No. 1 Boat. One of the Life- between the Red Head and the Tod Head, boatmen, Alexander Paton, unfortunately and if they clear the rocky coast they died a few days after from the effects of usually come ashore in Montrose Bay, or the exposure. The Silver Medal was attempt to run for Montrose Harbour, an voted to each of the coxswains, WILLIAM unsafe proceeding for a stranger, owing MEABNS and WILLIAM MEABNS, Jun., in to the Annat Bank on the north side of acknowledgment of their long and gallant entrance. Several causes conduce to the services in the Life-boat on this occasion. efficiency of the branch, such as there Again, in the early part of last year the being two Boats conveniently placed, with Parent Committee expressed their appre- courageous and experienced crews near ciation of the excellent services of the at hand at all times, and generally Montrose Life-boatmen by a vote of to its excellent organization, under the thanks, inscribed on vellum, to the crews able and energetic Hon. Secretary, Mr. and their coxswains, DAVID DUNCAN and JAMES WAKKACK, who for above thirteen JAMES WATT, worthy successors of the years has held that office, assisted by a two MEAKNS, in recognition of the good zealous committee. Excellent service has service in saving life from shipwreck been invariably rendered by the Mont- which they had rendered, but especially rose crews, and it may not be amiss, on the occasion of the rescue of four men perhaps, to mention, as briefly as possible, from the s.s. Mayflower, of Glasgow, on the facts connected with one of the most .the 9th March, 1884; and only quite daring services on the Scotch coast, and recently, at the beginning of last August, attended with the greatest risk to some the Silver Medal of the Society was pre- of the Life-boatmen. sented to DAVID DUNCAN on his retire- On the 21st December, 1874, the ment from the post of coxswain, in recog- Mincing Lane, WILLIAM MEABNS, sen., nition of the services which he had ren- coxswain, crossed the Annat Bank in a dered. The station, as has been already heavy S.E. gale to rescue the crew of the stated, is under the management of a Henrietta, of Memel, stranded to the local committee, of which Mr. JAMES north of the bank. When 100 yards or WAERACK is the Hon. Secretary, and it is so from the ship, the Life-boat was struck owing to the mutual good understanding by a heavy sea and capsized, and when that has always existed between him and she righted, five of her crew, including the brave and well-known men of Ferry- the coxswain, were floating away to lee- den that the station owes its efficiency, ward. Knowing that with their cork and, to use the expression of one of the life-belts on these men would float, the coxswains, JAMES WATT, he is the right remainder determined to save the brig's man in the right place, and a better Hon. crew, and then pick up their own men. Secretary it would be impossible to find.
ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND NEW LIFE-BOATS. BALCABY, KIEKCUDBBIGHT. — The NA- part of the coast. The boat is 34 feet TIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has formed long, 8£ feet wide, rows 10 oars double a Life-boat establishment at Balcary banked, and possesses the usual charac- Point, in Auchencairn Bay, on the coast teristics of the boats of the Institution in of Kirkcudbright, which is considered to regard to self-righting, self-ejecting water, be an excellent position whence a Life- &c. The cost of the Life-boat, which is boat can proceed to shipwrecks on that named The David Hay, and its equipment, 662 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. was defrayed from a legacy bequeathed to with a transporting carriage. A suitable the Institution by the late Mr. DAVID site for the Boat-house, on Balcombie HAY, of Edinburgh. A substantial and Links, was readily granted to the Institu- commodious house and a launching slip- tion by the owner of the land, Colonel way have been constructed for the boat. MONTPENNT. On the 6th November last, The new Life-boat Station was inaugu- the public inauguration of this new Life- rated on the 18th December last, under boat Station took place. The inhabitants the superintendence of Lieut. BEDDOES, entered with great spirit into the de- E.N., the Inspector of Life-boats for the monstration, and all parts of the town Northern District, and in the presence of were gaily decorated, the display of flags a large number of spectators. In opening being particularly striking. The Life- the proceedings, Mr. JOHN G. MACKIB of boat was taken in procession from the Auchencairn, Chairman of the Branch, railway station through the town to the said that they had assembled on that Boat-house. Headed by the Anstruther occasion to receive the gift of the Life- "Volunteer Band, the procession started in boat from the Institution, and he ex- the following order: — The Provost, pressed a hope that every success would Magistrates, and Town Council of Crail, attend it in its humane mission, and accompanied by the Provosts of Anstruther that it might do good work whenever and Cellardyke, the Freemasons of Crail called upon. After prayer had been and Anstruther in full costume, the j offered up by the Eev. Mr. WAEK, of school children of Crail, the ploughmen i Auchencairn, the District Inspector of of the district, the general public, the Life-boats handed over the boat to the Life-boat Committee, and the Life-boat care of the Local Committee. Mr. MAX- mounted on its carriage, drawn by five WELL of Munches, in acknowledging the pairs of horses. A large number of people presentation, called attention to the great followed, and altogether there were fully debt of gratitude which the country owed 2,000 persons in the procession. On to its seamen, and said that it was the arriving at the Life-boat House, Mr. duty of every one to contribute towards HABBY EBSEINE, of Cambo, was called on their succour in the hour of their need. to preside, and he expressed his satisfac- He trusted that the crew of the Life-boat tion that so many of the inhabitants had would be long spared to manage the boat, assembled to show their appreciation of and that they would be supported in the gift of the Life-boat. He was sure every way. After some remarks by Mr. that when the Life-boat was required for WILSON, of Dalbeattie, Mr. J. G. BOYES, service the crew would not be behind Local Honorary Secretary, and Mr. OVENS, other places in doing their duty. After of Torr, the ceremony of naming was the Eev. Mr. EEID had offered up prayer, performed by Mrs. MACKIE, and the boat the Inspector of Life-boats of the Northern was launched, and tried under sails and District, in a suitable speech, transferred oars, when it gave entire satisfaction to the boat to the keeping of the Local Com- the crew. mittee. Provost BKATTIE, in reply, said that whenever the cry arose of a ship in CBATL, FIFKSHIBE.—Another Life-boat danger every nerve would be stretched, establishment has also recently been every heart would be roused and every founded by the Institution on the Scotch effort made to save the sailors and others coast, viz., at Crail, about midway be- exposed to the risk of a watery grave. tween the St. Andrew's and Anstruther Three hearty cheers having been given Life-boat Stations, the local residents for the Institution, Miss MONYPENNY, of having readily availed themselves of the Pitmilly, performed the naming ceremony, offer of a Life-boat, and promised to give it after which the boat was launched, and the all possible support. A legacy bequeathed crew were put through the usual exercise. to the Institution by the late Miss PATEB- SON, of Edinburgh, for a Life-boat, to be CLOUGHEY, Co. DOWN.—The local resi- named The George Patersan, and to bear dents having expressed a strong desire the legend " Beady, aye ready," has been that a Life-boat should be stationed at appropriated to this new Station. The this place, and there being plenty of good boat is one of the 34 feet class, rowing boatmen to form the crew, it has been 10 oars double banked, and is provided chosen accordingly as a Life-boat Station. NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUBNAL. 663
It is a small bay south of Ballywalter, in a very heavy sea, for about five hours, about midway between that place and the when the crew were much pleased with entrance to Strangford Lough. The coast its excellent behaviour, and especially outside the bay is a mass of reef, extend- with its admirable sailing qualities. ing a long way off the land, ending in what are called the North and South TOTLAND BAT, ISLE OF WIGHT.—THE Bocks. The Life-boat sent here is the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has, on one shown by the Institution in the Inter- the application of the local residents, national Fisheries Exhibition, and after- formed a new Life-boat establishment at wards tried at Brighton, which gained Totland Bay, on the north-west side of the prize offered for the best Life-boat. the Isle of Wight, and has placed there a It is 34 feet long, 8j feet wide, and rows large Life-boat, 37 feet long, 8 feet wide, 10 oars double banked. The boat is pro- and rowing 12 oars double banked, suit- vided with a transporting carriage, and a able for service on the "Shingles"—a substantial and commodious house for dangerous shoal at the Needles entrance their reception has been erected from the to the Solent—and on the Warden Beef. designs of the Institution's architect. The The cost of the boat has been defrayed Life-boat is named The Faith, and its cost from a legacy bequeathed to the Institu- was defrayed from a legacy bequeathed tion by the late Mrs. LUCKOMBE, of to the Institution by the late Mrs. BBAD- Brighton, and it is named The Charles SHAW, of Beading. A Local Committee Luckombe. A substantial and commo- has been appointed to look after the dious house has been erected for the boat. Life-boat establishment, of which .Major The Life-boatmen had their first exercise, NUGENT, D.L., is the President; GEORGE under the superintendence of Commander E. Bo WEN, Esq., J.P., Chairman; and the ST. VINCENT NEPEAN, B.N., the Inspector Bev. A. W. WHITLET, Honorary Secretary. of Life-boats for the Southern District, The Life-boat was out on service recently, in June last.
OUE INLAND BEANCHES. BBADFOBD. Derivation—Brae, a hill, and Ford. UNTIL the beginning of the present cen- Little is known of Bradford prior to tury Bradford may be described as a the Boman conquest, but some slight evi- place of no importance, though supplied dence of Boman occupation has been by nature with every requisite to make found in the neighbourhood. In the it what it has now become, a town of the time of William I. brief mention is first magnitude. It is situated in the made of the Manor of Bradford which, West Biding of Yorkshire, bordering on with a large tract of surrounding country, the Craven district, so well known for its he gave to Ilbert de Lacy in return for wild and beautiful scenery; is a par- services rendered at the battle of Hast- liamentary borough and market town, ings. Considerable progress was made and lies in a valley following the course under the Lacys, a charter for a market of the Beck, which runs out into Aire- to be held every Thursday being granted, dale. Its position is admirably adapted in addition to which a manor court was to the successful carrying on of the held for the recovery of small debts, and manufactures for which it is so famed, to obtain redress for local grievances. the numerous streams which descend This court continued in existence until from the hills surrounding the town, 1867, when all manor courts were feeding the Bradford Beck, a tributary abolished by the County Court Act. of the Aire; in addition to this, numerous At the beginning of the 14th century beds of coal exist in the neighbourhood. we find the population did not exceed Thus there were two agents, water and 650, and the manor was granted to the fuel, only waiting for the advent of Earl of Lancaster, the Lacy family having machinery and steam to make Bradford become extinct. Eventually it became what it now is, one of the chief industrial the property of the Crown, and was let centres of England. by Charles I. to the Corporation of 664 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885.
London for a yearly rental of 351. The itself, and in 1798 the first worsted mill property was afterwards sold to some was erected. With the introduction of local gentlemen, and having passed steam and machinery an immense in- through various hands came into the crease in trade was obtained. Capitalists Marsden family; from them it was con- came to the assistance of the native veyed in 1795 to Mr. Benjamin Kawson, manufacturers, and mills began to mul- of Bolton-in-the-Moors, whose daughter, tiply to an extraordinary extent, much to Miss Elizabeth Eawson, of Nidd Hall, the discontent of the hand loom weavers near Knaresborough, is the present lady and spinners. The trade of the town too of the manor. The town seems to have expanded with rapid strides, and the been little affected during the disturbed population, which in 1800 was only times of the 15th, 16th, and 17th cen- 13,000, rose in 1871 to 146,000, and turies. Only twice do the inhabitants, since then has increased at the rate of who were in favour of the Parliament, 70 per cent. Several millions of pounds appear to have been attacked by the of home-grown wool are exported annually, Royalist troops, when the town after a and a large quantity of colonial wool is rude fashion was fortified and endured a imported and consumed. Celebrations in siege, the church tower being hung round honour of Bishop Blaize, the patron saint with woolsacks to protect it. In the of the wool-combers, used to be held second attack, the first having been every seventh year in the town; the last repelled and the Boyalists beaten back, great celebration was in 1825. the defence of the town was entrusted to Of late years Bradford has become less Sir Thomas Fairfax, but he was defeated dependent than formerly upon one trade, and his wife taken prisoner. The effect others having secured an important foot- of the civil war was severely felt by the ing in the district. The making of inhabitants, the greater part of a century machinery, principally for exportation, passing away before the town began to constitutes one of the chief industries, recover itself. and extensive stone quarries exist in the Bradford has long been considered the neighbourhood which provide stone for chief seat of the worsted trade. So far the extensive building operations con- back as the commencement of the 14th tinually in progress, large quantities are century there existed a fulling mill, show- also supplied to all parts of the country ing that the manufacture of cloth was and abroad. even then carried on. The improvement No expense has been spared in widen- in this industry was supposed to have ing the thoroughfares, which formerly been due to the settlement in Bradford were narrow and irregular, and in erect- of colonies of Flemings who were per- ing public buildings worthy of the town. suaded by Edward III., and subsequently Bradford is essentially modern, and the by Henry VII., to come over and settle in only building possessed of any antiquity England. The civil war brought a long is the parish church, which was built in period of depression, and it was near the 1450. Market Street is the finest close of the 18th century before any thoroughfare, and the only one that is advance or improvement was made in the level in its entire length. In this street trade. In 1773 a Piece Hall was erected are to be found the Town Hall, the Ex- to accommodate the merchants and traders change, and the Mechanics' Institute. who began to assemble on the market The Town Hall was erected in 1872-3 at days, and the following year the Bradford an expense of 100,000?. The clock tower canal was constructed in connection with is 200ft. high with a bell tower above it. the Leeds and Liverpool canals, affording In the tower one of the handsomest communication with all the ports on the clocks in the kingdom has been fitted, east and west coast of the kingdom, and and chimes equal to any in the world lines of railway connect the town with have been provided. St. George's Hall, all parts of the country. About the same built in 1849, contains one of the largest time a greater impetus was given to trade rooms in any public building in the by the manufacture of worsted being kingdom. It is 152 feet long, 76 feet transplanted to a great extent from Nor- wide, and 60 feet in height, and seats wich to Bradford. The population in 3,328 persons. The Exchange was built the next twenty years nearly doubled in 1864 at a cost of 40,OOOZ., to take the NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUBNAL. 665 place of the old Piece Hall, which was to the town of Bradford, and the Life- quite inadequate for the wants of the boat was forwarded to her station the mercantile community. The Bradford following year. Chamber of Commerce have their offices In 1877 when going out to the assist- in this building. The first Temperance ance of a distressed vessel the Life-boat Society in England was established in was run into by the steam-tug which Bradford in 1830, and seven years after always accompanied her on her expedi- the first Temperance Hall was erected. tions, and permanently disabled. Im- The Grammar School is really the oldest mediately the residents of Bradford were institution in the town, having been informed of the accident which had founded by Edward III., and endowed occurred to the Life-boat, they organized by Charles II., who granted it a charter a subscription to defray the cost of a new of incorporation, the school being subse- boat, and in a short time they raised the quently called the Free Grammar School full amount of 718?., which they remitted of King Charles II. at Bradford. The to the Parent Institution. A tablet re- annual income of the school is now 500Z., cording the services of the old Life-boat and is under the management of a govern- was forwarded by the Parent Institution ing body numbering from twelve to six- to the Bradford Branch to be placed in a teen persons. In 1873 Mr. Henry Brown public building in the town. No boat, gave 6000Z. to create scholarships for the except that stationed at Caister, on the school, and the sum of 500Z. was given Norfolk coast, is more distinguished in by Mr. Forster for a similar purpose. the annals of life-saving than the one The school has also the privilege of send- stationed at Eamsgate. Placed in the ing candidates for exhibitions under the best position for operation on the Good- will of Lady Elizabeth Hastings, made in win Sands, one of the most fatal to 1739, so that five scholars out of eight wrecks, aided at all times by two power- principal schools in Yorkshire, of which ful steam-tugs, and being in communica- Bradford is one, should be entitled to tion with the lightships by carefully exhibitions at Queen's College, Oxford. pre-arranged signals, no time is ever lost The present building was opened by the in getting out to sea. The services of Et. Hon. W. E. Forster in July, 1873, this Life-boat have been graphically having cost 8000Z. All the other build- described by the Eev. John Gilmore, the ings are in keeping with the importance late vicar of Eamsgate, and in one of his of the town, which is crowded with narratives he adds a postcript addressed immense manufacturing establishments, to the good people of Bradford with warehouses and extensive mills, covering reference to their gift, and describes her large areas of ground and of great height. behaviour in glowing terms on the first Among the numerous charitable institu- occasion her services were required, which tions supported by the town of Bradford, was the Sunday following the boat's the claims of the KOTAL NATIONAL LIFE- arrival at Eamsgate. Having explained BOAT INSTITUTION, which is entirely sup- in a thrilling manner peculiar to him the ported by voluntary contributions, have conditions under which the service was not been overlooked. The inhabitants performed, he goes on to say : " She be- were first reminded of their direct interest haved nobly, and a noble boat all declared in everything connected with the welfare her to be; and as I gratefully watched of the sailor upon whom they depend for the scene, one not foreign to Sabbath the enormous expansion of their numer- thoughts and the Gospel message, efforts ous industries, by a communication the to save the perishing from the storm- Society received in 1865 from Mr. Chas. tossed and fast-breaking wreck, and bear Semon, the then mayor, who wrote to say them to a haven of peace, I could not that he and eleven other gentlemen of help feeling it to be a matter of little that town had succeeded in raising 42 51. wonder that so many of the English- to pay the cost of a Life-boat to be pre- hearted inhabitants of our inland towns, sented to the Institution, and named the as they realise the nobleness and mercy Bradford. With the consent of the Board of Life-boat work, should determine to of Trade, Eamsgate Life-boat Station, have their lot in the great and stirring which is under the management of the cause, and do all they can to plant and Harbour Authorities, was appropriated sustain Life-boats on our coasts, saying
s 3 666 THE LIFE-BOAT JOUKNAL. [NOVEMBEB, 1885. to our brave sailors—and saying it with time has saved 362 lives and 24 vessels, no misplaced confidence—here for the making a grand total of 706 lives saved sake of the perishing we provide you and 43 vessels. The Et. Hon. W. E. with the means for their rescue, and to Forster, M.P., succeeded the Mayor, Mr. yonr stout hands and stout hearts under Chas. Semon, as President of the Bradford God's providence we leave the rest." | Branch, whose Chairman is Fredk. Priest- The first Life-boat was instrumental in man, Esq., and the post of Hon. Secretary saving 344 lives and 19 vessels, repre- was until recently ably held by Mr. J. A. senting much valuable property, between Godwin, who, we regret to announce, has the years 3866 and 1877, and the second recently resigned. His successor is Mr. Life-boat between 1877 and the present J. W. TUBNEB, of Cheapside, Bradford.
THE SHIPWRECK OFF "SOULSGEIF." ' The following graphic account of a darkness and mist of the edge of the snow squall. . . . There was a slight change in the determined and gallant Lifeboat Service aspect of things. The wind veered a little; rendered on the occasion of a shipwreck the snowstorm began to clear away to the which occurred on the Yorkshire Coast north. Every eye in Soulsgrif Bight was fixed a few years since, is abridged from an upon the riven lurid edge of the moving cloud. interesting work, entitled, " Between the It went on moving, moving over sullen, dark, blue-black waters, fretted with leaping tongues Heather and the Northern Sea," by Mary of white foam, tongues that leapt hungrily one Linskill (" Stephen Torke "), published by upon another, because nothing else was there Messrs. Eichard Bentley & Son, London. for them to leap upon. There was nothing else, from Briscoe Point to the riven cloud-edge "The scene in Soulsgrif Bight disclosed that went on moving away. Even above the itself quite suddenly from the turn at the top desperate thunder and boom of the sea you of the cliff. It was a wild scene, and impres- could hear, or perhaps feel, the low ground- sive ; and the sounds that dulled and deadened tone of despair that came from the hearts of the hearing were at least as impressive as the the people standing there, More than three sight itself. . . . The Bight seemed to be parts of the wild, wide bay, was clear now, rapidly rilling with swift-moving apprehensive clear and cold as blue steel; but no dismasted figures. Some came from the north, some from hull rose darkly between sea and sky. . . From the south. . . . There was an excitement, sup- point to point there was nothing for the eye to pressed as yet, on every countenance, and every see save the great strife of waters, nothing for eye was turned strainingly seaward. At present the ear to hear but the war of the unabating this seaward view was suggestive only of terror, tempest. . . . But they knew well that so small of angry and awful power. The dark clouds a thing as a piece of wreck, or even a boat, were obscured; so, too, was the darkly-heaving might show itself for one moment, and then distance of the sea. Mystery was the key-note hide itself for many, in such a mountainous sea of the scene, the mystery of driving storm-scud . . . Yet not one full minute had passed when —scud of rain or snow, meeting and mingling the cry, half glad, half full of anguish, swept with the scud of riven, flying surf. The only across the Bight, 'They've ta'en to the boat! light in it was a heavy, lurid yellow light, that God help them! They've ta'en to the boat!' appeared to be neither of sun, nor moon, nor For the moment every one had seen it for them- stars; a light that seemed to strike upward selves. Away beyond the seething, desperate, from the torn sea, rather than downward from madly-plunging surf, a vast ridge of water had the troubled heavens. . . Nothing was strange, risen slowly, bearing on its unbroken crest a save the awful booming of the sea all along tiny boat, with six dark figures visible against the foot of the cliffs, the wild roaring and lash- the cold clear sky. ' Heaven help 'em!' said ing, the mad bursting and tossing of the waves, the man who had been watching them through that stretched in broken heights and shadowy the glass. ' Heaveu help 'em ! There's some depths across the Bight from Briscoe Point to on 'em stripped to swim." Even as he spoke Soulsgrif Ness. What roar was of the water, the boat disappeared. A great white crest, and what of the rushing mighty wind, could not with a flying mane, swept up between, seeming be discerned. . . . The news that a schooner, as if it broke into the blue ether that was believed to be the Viking, had been seen drift- changing to green. There was no murmur in ing past Briscoe Point, disabled and dismasted, the crowd, no cry; only a breathless, heart- was the first news of the sailing of the ship. swelling silence. Could nothing be done? More than one of the men assembled there had Nothing? Nothing? . . . seen the hull of the disabled ship, as it rolled " Suddenly, very suddenly, the painful, breath- and laboured past the point. The mainmast less silence was broken. A woman, looking had snapped off a few feet from the deck; some southward, saw on the snow-covered cliff-top three or four figures, gathered about the bows, some object looming, towering greatly against was all that could be discerned through the the sky. A crowd of toiling people was all NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUENAL. 667
about it; horses were being moved hither and another epic to set our hearts a-beating to its thither; ropes were being thrown, and coiled, diviner theme. . . . No eye there saw aught save and bound. ' My God I my God !' said the the Boat, its swift forward leaping, its down- woman, who had been praying passionately for ward plunge into the trough of the sea, its her husband's life, ' My God! it's the LIFE- perilous uplifting and suspension on the curling BOAT !' Even so; it was the Life-boat. . . . crest of the mountainous wave, its perpendicular The children' of children yet unborn will tell of rearing as it rose, its dread descent as it fell, the cutting of the frozen and deeply-drifted its human reel and shudder under the shock of snow, over hills and through hollows, for six a mighty blow, its sad submission to the drench- long miles; the painful dragging, step by step, ing, bursting wave, that half filled the hollow of the massively-built boat, mounted on her between ita planks, the s-waymg, the rocking, own carriage, by men who wrought in silence, the tossing, the threatening, the hard, strong, in utter obedience, in splendid willingness, with desperate striving, how should any eye turn from desperate resolve. . . . Men and horses from the appalling fasciriation of a scene like that ? well-nigh every farm on the road joined the . . . The Life-boat was struck by the heaviest band of volunteers, the men working with such sea she had encountered yet. It fell like an » will as they had never in their lifetime brought avalanche, well-nigh swamping the Boat, and to any labour of their own. Massive snow- breaking six of her oars. ' They snapped like drifts disappeared, hewn away in heavy blocks; straws,' said one of the men afterwards, a man the horses strove in the shafts, as many as whose arm had been disabled by the same eighteen being yoked at one time, in places stroke. Two other men were hurt; the Boat where the road was steep or the snow imper- was not manageable against the wind; there perfectly cleared. No difficulty stopped or was nothing for it but to turn back for re- stayed this little force of brave Yorkshiremen, inforcements of men and oars. A whole hour's as they struggled forward, ever forward, on rowing, at full strength, in such a sea as that their merciful errand. Even the men who knew had exhausted the powers of the Life-boat that for them the worst was yet to come, the crew to a considerable extent, and it had been braving of the terrible sea after the terrible fruitless. The storm was still raging with its toil on land, even they spared not themselves. •wildest fury. The little boat 'was still in. sight No, not even when the Life-boat stood on the . . . Another snow squall was looming and top of Briscoe Ban!*, 'and was seen towering threatening in the distance; the coxswain of there by eyes that could only see through tears, the Life-boat was calling out for fresh hands. welcomed by voices whose words of greeting They were there, with fresh oars, all waiting were choked and overpowered by sobs. Strong ready. . . . Another moment, and they were out .men wept as the ringing cheers at length possed again in the great white upheaving world of Upward through the deafening roar of wind water. It seemed as if the roar of the gale were and wave; but their weeping had to be brief. rising to a shriek as the squall came on. The The end was not yet. The day was passing on, mingled sleet came down, rain and snow one the tide was rising, the awful foam-white walls minute, rain and stinging hail another. You of sea that were roaring and dashing in Souls- looked, and the Life-boat was visible through grif Bight were growing more appalling in their the slanting scud, leaping, plunging, quivering ; dread tempestuousness with every hour that the men bending forward on the thwarts, under went by. ... The little boat, with the ship- the deluge that was pouring over them, cling- wrecked crew, was still there, tossing outside ing for very life. Again you looked, and there the breakers. It could be seen from time to was neither boat nor men to save, neither boat time for a few seconds. . . . Near five hours nor men to be saved. All was rage, dread, had gone by between the sighting of the dis- •white fury, black despair. . . . At last, through masted ship and the sudden looming of the a break in the thick yellow-grey mystery, it Life-boat on the top of Briscoe Bank. . . . was seen that the Life-boat was being rapidly Swiftly, silently, yet with terrible difficulty, the driven shoreward again. Another minute, and Boat was lowered down by means of ropes. it was seen that she had more than her crew When it touched the sands of the Bight there on board. No voice was heard in that suspense. was a burst of strong, subdued, yet almost over- If any one spoke, even to God, he spoke silently. powering emotion. . . . Swiftly, and as silently Not till the Life-boat actually touched the as might be, the Life-boat was manned, the beach, slanted downward on a seething wave, brave sea-soldiers buckled on their buoyant did the cry reach the shore, ' ALL SAVED !' armour, set their pale-blue lances athwart the Across the Bight it flew, amid the roaring and rest, and turned to face the foe, with hearts as rattling of the hurricane. 'All saved! all brave, as disdainful of danger, as any that ever .saved! all saved!'" beat in the breasts of the chivalrous knights of ancient repute. . . . If Homer had seen Ulysses and his men launching a nineteenth-century Life-boat straight out into the very middle of the The NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION breakers that surge and dash upon the North granted £7010s. in rewards for this grand Sea coast during a hurricane, we had had service. 668 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885.
THE WEECK REGISTER AND CHART FOE THE YEAR ENDED THE 30TH JUNE, 1884. THE Wreck Eegister which has been issued and left our ports, whereas ilast year •within the last few days by the Board of only 656,744 vessels, with a tonnage of Trade affords, in its elaborate and care- 144,000,375, came in and went oat, fully prepared tables, abundant matter for showing that there was a decided decrease consideration and thought. Many of the in the import and export trade- of the facts laid before us draw from us the country. It is estimated that there were deepest regret; while others, reminding not far short of 4,000,000 people on us of the old proverb that " every cloud board the vessels coming and going. has a silver lining," cannot but give any . In order to put matters clearly before well-regulated mind a considerable amount our readers, we will now give a tabular of satisfaction. statement, showing the number of ship- We find that during the year ended wrecks which have occurred on the British the 30th June, 1884, there were 3,647 coast since 1854:— shipping casualties on onr shores; but, 1854 (last six months), 458; 1855, although this number seems, and is, terri- 1,141; 1856, 1,153; 1857, 1,143; 1858, bly large, it is well to know that during 1,170; 1859,1,416; 1860, 1,379; 1861, the preceding year it was exceeded- by 1,494; 1862,1,488; 1863, 1,664; 1864, 7 wrecks. It is still more reassuring to 1,390; 1865, 1,656; 1866, 1,860; 1867, find, on further examination, that while 2,090; 1868,1,747; 1869, 2,114; 1870, the casualties of the year ended the 30th 1,502; 1871, 1,575; 1872, 1,958; 1873 June, 1883, entailed the loss of 1,020 (first six months), 967; 1873-4, 1,803; precious lives, those of the year we are 1874-5, 3,590; 1875-6, 3,757; 1876-7, now considering resulted in the loss of 4,164; 1877-8, 3,641; 1878-9, 3,002; 661 lives only, or a decrease of no less 1879-80,2,510; 1880-81, 3,575; 1881-2, than 359. It would be difficult to account 3,660; 1882-3, 3,654; and 1883-4, definitely for this remarkable falling off 3,647. in the number of lives sacrificed, but while It will be gathered from these figures it is possible, not to say probable, that that in the last thirty years alone there the elements themselves may have had have been as many as 66,377. wrecks, and something to do with it, we cannot but those wrecks entailed the loss of 22,312 think that the efforts of the last few years lives. This last total is sad enough, but to improve the seaworthiness of vessels, what would the numbers have been had added to the spread of education and the not the EOTAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- application of scientific improvements, TUTION been in existence. The means must to no mean extent have brought adopted by this Society were providentially about such a satisfactory result. so successful that no less than 22,161 lives The 3,647 wrecks above referred to were saved within the same period, and include all classes of casualties—total loss, since the foundation of the Institution in partial loss, collisions, etc.—and when the 1824 the lives of 31,872 persons have total is subdivided it is found that the been rescued. Jt will be seen, however, more serious cases of wrecks fell from 551 that the number of lives lost exceeds that to 473, leaving a balance of 3,174 to repre- of those saved by the Life-boats, so that if sent minor accidents. This fact in itself the position is to be reversed more sup- is worthy of notice, but the diminution port mnst be given to the Life-boat cause, in the number of wrecks resulting in the and means taken, which cannot be done loss of life was even more important, the without funds, to render the service even total being 163, or 57 less than that of more efficient than it now is. The Eoeket the previous year. apparatus of the Board of Trade also did Doubtless the falling off in the number a great and important work in the year of wrecks is partially due to the fact that 1883-4, the 2'97 stations where the fewer vessels came to and went from our apparatus is supplied having been instru- shores. In the year 1883 669,148 vessels, mental in saving 202 lives. with a tonnage of 144,793,457, entered 4,405 vessels were involved in the NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 669
3,647 casualties mentioned above. This place on our dangerous shores during the will be readily understood when it is ex- year ended the 30th of June, 1884, and plained that in collision cases at least two it will be observed that very small por- vessels are necessarily involved, and last tions of the coast have immunity from year there were 42 more vessels so impli- shipwreck, showing how important it is cated than in the previous twelve months. to protect properly, by means of Life- We regret to notice that in the year boats, our whole coast line. 1883-4, notwithstanding the total number Between 1861 and the end of June, of casualties fell to 3,647, as before stated, 1884, there were as many as 3,965 vessels there was a very considerable increase in wrecked on our coast, all of which the number of collision cases, which rose casualties resulted in the loss of lives, from 685 to 721. Of the remaining 2,926 numbering in all 18,473. casualties, 407 resulted in total loss, 833 It is highly satisfactory to find that in serious damage, and 1,686 in minor the number of British vessels totally accidents, so that although there were 43 wrecked on the shores of the United less wrecks, excluding collisions, the total Kingdom, not including collisions-, either losses and serious casualties increased on account of the vessels being unsea- from 1,152 to 1,240. Not taking into worthy, or of the officers, pilots or crews account collisions, 2,613 of the 2,926 being ignorant or careless, fell last year casualties happened to British and Colonial in the first case from 33 to 13, and in vessels, and 318 befell foreign ships and the second case from 68 to 44; the total steamers. The British and Colonial losses arising from other or unknown vessels were thus . employed:—In our causes having decreased from 101 to 96, coasting trade, 1,664; in the oversea and those caused by stress of weather home and foreign trade, 661; in fishing, from 197 to 187. 288. Only 19 casualties occurred to The casualties resulting in serious foreign vessels trading on our coast, 237 damage arising from the same causes, to those bound to or leaving our home were as follows:—through defects, 37; ports, and 57 to foreign vessels not trad- errors, 96; weather, 380; break down of ing to or from our shores. machinery and explosions, 138; other The localities of the wrecks other than causes, 78; while the cases of minor collisions were as follows:—East coast of damage were:— through defects, 115; England, 892; south coast, 535; west errors, 190; break down of machinery coasts of England and Scotland and east and explosion, 113; stress of weather, coast of Ireland, 1,014; north coast of 909; and other causes, 217. Scotland, 116; east coast of Scotland, 92; It is somewhat curious to note the ages and other parts, 277.—Total, 2,926. of the various vessels wrecked during the As regards the loss of life resulting year 1883-4. Not including collisions from casualties of all sorts, it is curious and foreign craft, disaster befell 262 to notice the remarkable change which almost new vessels, 302 to ships from took place last year in the local distribu- 3 to 7 years of age, 483 from 7 to 14, tion of such loss. For many years the and 992 from 15 to 30 years old. As east coast of England was by far the most regards the casualties befalling old and fatal to the shipwrecked mariner; but very old ships, 402 vessels were between what was the case in 1883-4 ? While on 30 and 50 years old, 41 between 50 and the east coast of England the number of 60, 20 between 60 and 70, 10 between lives lost fell from 466 to 142, there were 70 and 80, 9 between 80 and 90, 7 be- •as many as 282 lives lost on the west tween 90 and 100, and 6 were more coasts of England and Scotland and the than 100 years old. The ages of 79 east coast of Ireland, the loss on the of the vessels wrecked could not be south coast of England being 92, or 6 less ascertained. Irrespective of collisions, than the year before; on the north coast 764 steamers and 2,162 [sailing vessels of Scotland 59, or an increase of 13; the were wrecked on the coast during the east coast of Scotland 25, or 62 less than year. the preceding year, and other parts 61.— Of. the 2,613 British vessels which Total, 661. were wrecked, excluding cases of collision, The annexed chart gives at a glance an 1,385 did not exceed 100 tons bniden, admirable idea of the wrecks which took 679 were from 100 to 300 tons, 162 from To ooconipariy t/ie Zvfe Boat Journal.
FOR THE YEAR 1883-84 /
ALSO THE PRESENT JLIFE BOAT STATIONS or THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE BOAT INSTITUTION.
• SIGNIFIES A CASUALTY. REPRESENTS A LIFEBOAT.
Dop-Uer / J(
wer |& '-I S If S H S JEJ»A iv
S ITMM ART" Harinff the.yeai-encieA-tfie<3O?'-Jan& ]8at-[hemumber of vessels om&e*caists cmd, in- inchutingcoses cfmuwdomog&was4,405 anAtfwloss Life Boats Xadcct Stations There are. _Z23 /** 4.7 45 " ScotiaiuL. 51 ....» CHANNE'L^?5 rflB.8 2 Jersey To ooconipariy t/ie Zvfe Boat Journal. FOR THE YEAR 1883-84 / ALSO THE PRESENT JLIFE BOAT STATIONS or THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE BOAT INSTITUTION. • SIGNIFIES A CASUALTY. REPRESENTS A LIFEBOAT. Dop-Uer / J( wer |& '-I S If S H S JEJ»A iv S ITMM ART" Harinff the.yeai-encieA-tfie<3O?'-Jan& ]8at-[hemumber of vessels om&e*caists cmd, in- inchutingcoses cfmuwdomog&was4,405 anAtfwloss Life Boats Xadcct Stations There are. _Z23 /** 4.7 45 " ScotiaiuL. 51 ....» CHANNE'L^?5 rflB.8 2 Jersey 670 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER 1885. 300 to 500 tons, and 387 were above 500 miscellaneous, 122. Total 1281, or 263 tons burden. As regards the 340 British I more than in 1882-3. This total resulted vessels totally lost (not including col- ! in the loss or damage of 2,207 ships, of lisions), 42 were constructed of iron, 33 which 1,165 were British sailing vessels, of them being steamers and 9 sailing ves- 913 British steamers, 97 foreign sailing sels; the rest were either of composite I vessels, and 32 foreign steamers. The build or of wood. number of lives sacrificed consequent on We notice that we are furnished with these casualties would, curiously enough, the force and direction of the wind in only ! have been the same as in the preceding 1,348 of the 3,647 cases of wreck, and year, viz. 31, had it not been that 124 on examination it seems that the winds lives were lost at the launch of the which wrought most damage on our coasts Daphne in the Firth of Clyde, which during the year were:—N. to E. inclusive, brought up the total to 155. 192; E. by S. to S. inclusive, 168; S. by We have before alluded to the very W. to W. inclusive, 566; and W. by N. considerable falling off in the loss of life to N. by W. inclusive, 422.—Total, 1,348. resulting from the wrecks which took As regards the force t>f the wind at the place last year on our coast. It will be time these 1,348 casualties occurred, 938 remembered that the number sacrificed in happened with the wind at forces 9 to 11, 1882-3 was 1,020, whereas last year the or a strong gale to a storm, while the number fell to 661, giving a decrease of remaining 410 occurred when the wind 359 lives lost. Of these 661 lives 62 was 7 to 8, or a moderate to fresh gale, were lost in foundered vessels, 75 in colli- when any vessel properly found, manned, sions, 228 in vessels stranded or cast and navigated, might be expected and ashore, and 242 in missing vessels. The ought to travel safely. remaining 54 lives were lost from various As to the 721 collisions on or near our causes, such as explosions, being washed coasts, 287 happened in the daytime, and overboard, etc. The total number of 434 at night; 57 were between steamers vessels from which lives were lost was under weigh; 161 between steamers and 163. Of these 145 were British/entailing sailing vessels, both being under weigh; the loss of 581 lives, and 18 foreign, in- and 227 between steamers or sailing volving the loss of 80 lives. vessels under weigh, and steam or sail- The thought which naturally suggests ing vessels at anchor. Of the remain- itself to our minds after considering these ing 276 collision cases, 156 occurred to facts and figures is how thankful we ought sailing vessels, both ships being under to be that such a noble Society as the weigh, and 120 were caused by vessels BOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION breaking from, or fouling at, anchors or not only exists, but is actively at work. moorings. Were it not for its 290 Life-boats always On examining further the tables of the ready to launch to the assistance of those Eegister, we much regret to learn that in distress on our rocky shores, how although there was a falling off last year in much greater would the sacrifice of life the number of wrecks around our shores, be than it is? Surely then it be- there was a very serious increase in the hoves all who recognise the value of casualties to vessels in our harbours and human life to use every means at their rivers, the number of total losses having disposal to maintain and extend such doubled. The figures were:—Total losses an important and absolutely necessary 38, against 19 the year before; collisions, work—a work second to none in the 836; founderings, 4; strandings, 319 ; world. NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 671 SEEYICES OF THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE EOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION—continued. NORTH SUNDERLAND.—The schooner two galleys were then employed to assist St. Fergus, of Wick, bound from the Tyne to throw the cargo overboard, and this for Inverness, with cement, in trying to work was continued until 8 P.M. At pass through the Fairway, between the 10.15 the tugs again began to tow the land and the Fame Islands, during a strong vessel, and at 11.20 she came afloat, and W.N.W. gale on the 17th March, 1885, was taken to the Downs by the Victor, broke her forestay, became unmanageable, the Eamsgate Life-boat and tug returning and drove on the rocks. The Life-boat to their Station, and arriving there at Thomas Bewick, was launched to the 3.30 A.M., on the 1st of April. assistance of the vessel, at 4.20 P.M., im- Signal guns having been fired from the mediately it was seen that she had struck, Gull Lightship during a S.S.E. wind and but on reaching her the master declined thick weather on the 29th of May, the to leave her; the boat, however, remained Bradford Life-boat and Vulcan steam-tug by her about an hour, and the master and left the harbour at 4 A.M., and proceeded crew of four men were then taken to the to the Goodwill Sands, where the e.s. Inner Fame Lighthouse. The vessel Edinburgh, of Newcastle, was found became a total wreck. stranded. The Life-boat went alongside the vessel, and at the request of those on PORTHDINLLAEN, CARNARVONSHIRE. — board remained by her until the flood The schooner Eichard, of Nefyn, bound tide, when she floated and resumed her from the Scilly Islands for Carnarvon, in voyage to Cardiff. The tug and Life- ballast, showed signals of distress, being boat then returned to the harbour, ar- in danger, while at anchor in Porthdin- riving at noon. llaen Bay during half a gale of wind, and During a moderate S.E. wind at 6 A.M., a heavy sea, on the 27th of March. At 8 on the llth September, the Bradford A.M. the George Moore Life-boat proceeded Life-boat and Vulcan steam-tug proceeded to her assistance, and with some difficulty to sea in response to signal guns from the brought off her crew of four men, and Gull Lightship, and found a barque riding safely landed them at 9.30. near the North Sand Head, having been in collision with another vessel. The BAMSQATE.—At midnight on the 30th of barque's crew had abandoned her, but March signals were fired by the Gull and now went on board again, anchors were Goodwin Lightships, and a flare was seen supplied, she was taken in tow, and on the North Sand Head. The Bradford brought to Dover, the wind by that time Life-boat stationed at Eamsgate put out having increased to a hard gale from the in tow of the harbour steam-tug Vulcan. N. The barque proved to be the Maria, When at a convenient distance the boat was of Christiania, bound from Caen to New- slipped and sailed alongside the stranded castle, in ballast, with a crew of ten men. vessel, which was the barque Bhuddlan Castle, of Liverpool, bound from Shields for ST. ANDREW'S.—The fishing boat Pride Valparaiso, with a cargo of coal and a of the Ocean, belonging to St. Andrew's, crew of fifteen men and a pilot on board. and returning from fishing at Shetland, The master having engaged the services was seen making for the harbour, at about of the crews of the life-boat and tug to get 5 A.M., on the 9th April, during a strong his vessel afloat, some of the cargo was N.E. wind, and a very rough sea. As it thrown overboard, an anchor was laid was known that she was undermanned, out, and at 11 A.M. the tug commenced and as her position was very dangerous, to tow the barque, the Life-boatmen and the Life-boat Ladies' Own went to her the crew of the vessel working at the assistance, put a sufficient number of men windlass; the steam-tug Victor, of London, on board, and brought her safely into the was afterwards engaged, and both steamers harbour. continued towing until the tide fell, when their ropes were slipped. The crews of WHITBY.—At about 5.30 P.M., on the 672 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. 3rd of May, the sloop Wear, of Sunderland, on the 31st of May, to the assistance of bound from Hartlepool for Walcott with the schooner Isabella, of Beaumaris, bound coal, while attempting to enter the harbonr from Plymouth for Preston with a cargo in a very heavy sea, missed the entrance, of china clay, which had stranded on a became unmanageable, drifted into the dangerous part of the Horse Bank, during heavy breakers north of the west pier, a gale of wind from the W.N.W. The and eventually stranded on. the beach, boat remained by the vessel until the about half-a-mile from the pier. The wind abated, and the crew were out of Whitby No. 2 Life-boat, Harriott Forteath, danger. was launched, and in the presence of thousands of spectators, rescued the CAISTEB, NORFOLK.—On the morning vessel's crew of two men who had taken of the 19th June, the schooner Agile, of to the rigging in order to save themselves and for Goole from London, with, a cargo from being washed off the deck by the of chalk, stranded on the Middle Cross heavy seas. Sand. A yawl went to her assistance, The Life-boat Harriott Forteath was but was-unable to get near her owing to also launched at about 6.30 A.M., on the the heavy sea. Signals were shown, and 20th August, and rescued the crew, con- in response the No. 2 Life-boat went out sisting of three men, from the fishing at 6.45, and brought ashore the schooner's coble Robert and Henry, of Whitby, which crew, numbering four men, shortly before had stranded on the beach during- a fresh she became a total wreck. N.N.E. gale and a heavy sea. On the 12th September, the smack Sea- bird, of Yarmouth, was seen to get on the WHITEHAVEN, CUMBBBLAND.—At mid- sand known as Holkham Knoll. The night on the 9th of May, the Norwegian Caister No. 2 Life-boat, the Godsend, was barque Thorsbjerg, laden with deals from launched at 2 P.M., proceeded to the Laurvig for Whitehaven, which was lying vessel, succeeded in getting her afloat, at anchor off the port, waiting until the and took her into Yarmouth Eoads. She tide would allow her to enter, parted both carried a crew of six men. her cables, and drifted in shore during a gale of wind from the W.N.W. accom- CEMLYN, ANGLESEY.—A messenger re- panied by fierce squalls and a rough sea. ported that a schooner had gone on the The water being low, the crew were un- rocks at the east side of Cemlyn Bay, at able to bring the vessel round, and she about 5 o'clock on the morning of the was driven inwards; and as the breakers 28th July, during a fresh E. wind. The lifted her, bumped upon the sands until crew of the Life-boat Good Shepherd were her back was broken, and the keel washed at once summoned, and the boat pro- away. The Socket Brigade very promptly ceeded to the assistance of the vessel, assembled and fired rockets, great skill which proved to be the Lord Mostyn, of and judgment being required in firing Amlwch, bound from Liverpool to the owing to the force of the gale. The Skerries Lighthouse with coal aad coke. efforts of the brigade were happily The Life-boat remained by her until the crowned with success, and the line was tide rose, when she floated and safely made fast to the only mast left standing; reached Cemlyu, beach. but the ship was too far off for the rope to be made use of with safety. The TYBELLA, Co. DOWN. — On the 9th Elizabeth Leicester Life-boat, which had August, during a gale from the S.E., and meanwhile been taken out, was launched, very thick weather with heavy rain, the reached the vessel, took off her crew of schooner Rambler, of Newry, bound from nine men, and the pilot, and brought them Carlingford to Liverpool, with a cargo of safely to land. The vessel subsequently paving stones, was driven ashore at Rings- drifted on to the beach just below the alien in a thoroughly helpless condition, Life-boat house. On the following day having lost her sails. The Life-boat her rigging was cut away, the broken Memorial was launched at 10 A.M. Great masts removed, and her cargo unloaded. difficulty was experienced in getting her afloat, owing to the fury of the wind and LYTHAM, LANCASHIEE.—The Life-boat sea. The crew, however, succeeded at Charles Biggs, was launched at 7.15 A.M. last, after which they went alongside the , NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 673 vessel and rescued her crew, consisting of their example, the regular crew being the master and three men. In attempting absent fishing. After a long and hard to board the Life-boat, the master dropped pull through a heavy sea, the wind blow- into the sea, but was promptly rescued ing a gale from the N., the vessel, which by the Life-boatmen. proved to be the Himalaya, of Tvede- strand, Norway, bound from Sundsvall COUBTOWN, Co. WEXFORD.—The Alfred for Inverness with timber, was reached, and Ernest Life-boat put off at noon on and her crew of nine men were happily the 9th August, signals of distress having rescued, the vessel becoming a total wreck. been shown from the schooner Corsair, of The thanks of the Institution, inscribed Arklow. That vessel had for several on vellum, were voted to Capt. BAIN and months past been stranded on the beach Mr. CRAWFORD, in recognition of their about a mile N. of Courtown Harbour, valuable services on this occasion. and on the morning in question the man in charge of her had, aided by several MONTROSE.—The Montrose No. 1 Life- other men, been successful in getting her boat, Mincing Lane, was launched at about off; but the wind rising from the S.S.W., 2 P.M. on the 19th August, during a and the sea becoming rough, with heavy moderate S.E. wind, to the assistance of breakers on the shore, she was driven the fishing-boat Vine, of Montrose, which back and filled with water. Nine men was in danger near the Armat Bank, on who were on board were landed by the which a heavy sea was breaking. The Life-boat. Life-boat remained by the vessel until the wind freshened, and she was at>le to OEME'S HEAD, CARNARVONSHIRE. — sail away from her perilous position. While the Sister's Memorial Life-boat was exercising, at about 10.30 A.M. on the GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—At about 7.30 10th August, a small sailing-boat—the P.M., .on the 19th August, during a N. Mira, of Llandudno—was seen to be in wind with considerable sea, the Mark danger, and showing signals of distress, Lane Life-boat went out in response to during a strong gale from the S.W. The signals for assistance shown by the St. Life-boat immediately proceeded to her Nicholas Light vessel. "When clear of assistance, rescued the four men, and the harbour, four flares in succession took the boat in tow. In returning to were observed from a vessel in the Picle her station, the Life-boat was struck by Channel. The Life-boat proceeded in that a sudden violent squall, and capsized; direction, and found the brig Fjeldgutten, of she immediately righted, however, and and from Kragero, Norway, bound for Yar- her crew and passengers safely regained mouth with ice, rapidly driving towards her, with the exception of one of the the Middle Cross Sand. One of the Life- latter, who would in all probability have boatmen boarded the vessel, and took the been drowned, had not JOHN EGBERTS, wheel; a course was steered between the one of the Life-boatmen, bravely gone to Middle and South Cross Sands, and the his help, and supported him until they ship was taken into safety. were both picked up by the Life-boat. The thanks of the Institution, inscribed CARNSORE, Co. WEXFOKD.—Signals were on vellum, and an additional reward of shown by the Tuskar Lighthouse for the 11., were presented to JOHN ROBERTS, in steamer to proceed to her, on the 29th recognition of this good service. August. A messenger was at once sent to Wexford, but the tender could not get MORAY FIRTH, NAIENSHIRE. —Telegrams over the bar, owing to the heavy sea. were received from Burghead and Find- Other signals were afterwards shown, and horn, on the 13th August, to the effect at 5 P.M. the Iris Life-boat, stationed at that a barque was ashore between Find- Carnsore, was launched, and went to the horn and the Old Bar, beyond the reach rock. The lamps of the lighthouse were of the rocket apparatus. The Caulfield being altered, and the workmen engaged and Ann Life-boat was promptly manned there had run short of provisions and by a volunteer crew, Capt. BAIN and Mr. watar. The Life-boat carried as many JAMES CRAWFORD CRAWFORD going out in breakers of water as could be obtained to her, and encouraging others to follow the rock, and brought ashore eleven men. 674 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. HAVLE, CORNWALL.-—The brigantine promptly mustered, the boat was launched Glynn, of Plymouth, while running for at 8.15, was towed out by the steam-tug Hayle, during a strong N.W. gale and a North Star, and saved the crew, consisting heavy sea, on the morning of the llth of five men, who were in a very exhausted September, struck the bar and remained condition. The vessel, which had sprung fast, the sea making a clean breach over a leak, became a total wreck. her. The crew of the Life-boat Isis UNITED STATES LIFE-SAVING SEEVICE. IN the report which has been recently ships were tins in all probability saved issued by the General Superintendent of from partial or total destruction. the Life-saving Service, for the fiscal year In the year's operations there were ended 30th June 1884, it is stated that landed by the surf-boats belonging to the there were then 201 Life-Saving Stations United States Life-saving Service, 472 under their management, 156 being on persons ; by the Life-boats, 272 ; by the the Atlantic, 37 on the Lakes, 7 on the small boats, 77; by the river life-skiffs, 48; Pacific, and one at the Falls of the Ohio, and by the breeches-buoy, 158. A boat- Louisville, Ky. There were 156 disasters swain's chair was used in landing thirty in the course of the year to documented wreckers, who had gone on board a wreck vessels within the field of station opera- with a view to getting her afloat. Twelve tions. There were 4,253 persons on board persons were assisted to land by means of these vessels, of whom 4,237 were saved, a line which was held by a surfman on and only 16 lost. The number of vessels patrol. Two persons attempting to land in totally lost was 64. In addition, there a dory were helped ashore by a surfman were 102 disasters to smaller craft, such wading into the surf, while others held fast as sail-boats, row-boats, &c., on which to lines attached to their bodies. Four were 179 persons, 175 of whom were were saved by means of a heaving line and saved and 4 lost. a hawser, the rescued men sliding down The result of all the disasters within the hawser over the side of the vessel, the scope of the service during the year while two surfmen with lines around is as follows: Total number of disasters their bodies held by their comrades on 439; total value of property involved shore, received them as they struck the $10,607,940; total value of property water and aided them in landing. Eight saved, $9,161,354; total value of pro- persons were rescued by heaving lines perty lost, $1,446,586; total number of being attached to their bodies, the surf- persons involved, 4,432; total number of men on shore drawing in the lines, while persons saved, 4,412; total number of others waded out and brought them persons lost, 20 ; total number of ship- through the surf; and one was rescued wrecked persons succoured at stations, from a capsized boat by a surfman 532; total number of days' succour jumping into the water and assisting him afforded, 1,319. to land. In addition to those saved from vessels, As previously mentioned, 21 persons there were 21 persons rescued who had were taken in various ways from the fallen from wharves, &c. The number of water into which they had fallen from disasters during the year exceed by 23 wharves, piers, &c. the number of disasters of the year pre- During the thirteen years which have ceding, which was 71 more than that of elapsed since the date of the introduction any previous year in the history of the of the present life-saving system there service. have been recorded 2,547 disasters to It is recorded in 240 instances in which vessels on the shores of the United States, vessels were running into danger of resulting in the loss of 446 lives, and stranding, that they were warned off by property of the value of $14,230,968— the night signals of the patrols attached while, happily, no less than 22,771 per- to the Life-saving Service; most of those sons were saved from endangered vessels. NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 675 Five new Life-saving Stations have been by the men attached to the United States completed since the publication of the Life-saving Service during the year under last Report, and two have been entirely consideration. lebuilt. On one occasion the men at one of Through the co-operation of the Signal the stations went a distance of sixty-four Service, telephonic communication has miles, by railway, steamer and other means, been established between nineteen stations taking with them their mortal cait, on the coast of New Jersey, and measures wreck-ordnance and other appliances, and are being taken to connect all stations were then successful in saving 15 ship- wherever practicable as rapidly as means wrecked men who would otherwise in all will permit. The establishment of this probability have perished. communication is thought very desirable, Another time a surf boat was capsized and it has already proved of great advan- by heavy seas in very cold weather; tage. For example, a vessel may be seen her crew found it impossible to right passing a station under such conditions as their boat, and were tossed about in the to make it likely that she will eventually surf until at last they were rescued, some be driven ashore, and the telephone will by means of lines thrown to them from the enable the keeper to instruct a chain pier, and the remainder by clinging to the of stations further along to be ready for upturned boat until it drifted ashore. her; or should an accident happen to the The poor fellows were terribly exhausted, apparatus while operating at a wreck or but revived after a time, and, having put a fresh supply of powder or lines be re- on dry clothing, they bravely went out quired, the next station can be quickly with the Life-saving Apparatus, and in called on for assistance, or a message may thirty minutes from the time of firing the be sent for a steam tug; or should occa- gun, they had the satisfaction of saving sion demand the employment of extra the whole of the eight persons from force at a particular shipwreck, the ad- the stranded vessel, including one of joining stations can be communicated their own men, who had gone on board with and action taken accordingly. some time previously to see that the life- Many gallant deeds were performed saving gear was ptopeily rigged. THE USE OF OIL AT SEA. BY LIEUT. JOHN P. HOLDITCH, E.N.E. IN April, 1883, the ship I commanded was of no use at all, so I passed the bag was homeward bound from Australia to forward to the cathead; the wind drawing Cork, for orders; we were just off New to south gave me a weather side, but a Zealand, about the worst place "for wind heavier cross sea. I allowed the bag to till you come to Cape Horn on the passage. tow from the cathead, and found that was A heavy N.W. gale came on, after a S.W. the place; the oil had plenty of time to breeze previously, making a cross sea. spread before the ship passed, no seas I ran before it, glad of a chance to make broke over us at all, but fell quiet as soon some running, till the seas came on board as the oiled surface was reached. I may too heavily. Knowing there was an oil say that before using the oil one heavy bag below, made by my predecessor, I got sea pooped the ship, missed doing any it up, put half a gallon of fish oil in it, damage aft, but broke down the standards and veered it astern 20 fathoms by two of my main pumps, breaking one in half, lead lines. I found it was practically and, continuing its course forward, burst in useless; the bag was tumbled over and the after bulkhead of the forecastle and over, the lead lines chafed badly, and no made a "general average" among the oil to speak of came out. I hauled it on creVs effects. , No one was hurt, fortu- board, made large holes with a roping nately ; the boatswain got a cut (slight), needle, and let it dip over the stern. This but that was because he had an open time some good was effected, but most of knife in his hand when the sea struck him. the oil was blown over the stern, which No water came over of any consequence as 676 THE LIFE-BOAT JOUENAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. long as a little oil was used; when the spectors of Life-boats on their visits to the fol- bag was finally used from forward there lowing Stations,:— 1. Newport (Pembrokeshire), Cardigan, New- was no need to trouble any more, except quay, Aberystwith, Abersoch, Aberdovey, Bar- refilling every watch, say half a gallon mouth, Portmadoc, Porthdinllaen, Llanael- every four hours. haiarn, Llandudno, Cemaes, Cemlyn, Rhosneigir, I tried this again when " laying to " Rhoscolyn, and Holyhead. 2. Ballywalter, Cloughey Bay, Tyrella, New- under a close-reefed main topsail last castle, Blackrock, Giles' Quay, Drogheda (two June; then in 40° S. and 100° W., home- Boats), Balbriggan, and Skerries. ward bound from San Francisco. I put 3. Berwick-on-Tweed, Holy Island (two the bag over the fore rigging, and found Boats), Eyemouth, Boulmer, Alnmouth, Haux- one pint per watch quite sufficient to keep ley, North Sunderland, Bamburgh, Nairn, Lossiemouth, Buckle, Banff, Peterhead, Fraser- the water smooth for a quarter of a mile burgh, Whiteliuk, Port Erroll, Newburgh, to windward. The sea-birds appeared to Stonehaven, Ackergill, Huna, and Thurso. admire the smoothness very much, they 4. Hasborougb, Palling (two Boats), Caister were constantly " pitching " on it. (two Boats), Winterton (two Boats), Gorleston (two Boats),-Yarmouth, Southwold (two Boats), The results I have obtained are these. Dunwich, Kessingland (three Boats), Lowestoft, Fish or colza oil only is of any good, it Pakefield (two Boats), Thorpe, Aldborough, does not matter how dirty it is, as long Harwich, Clacton-on-Sea, and Walton-on-the- as it is not thick. Paraffin is too thin; Naze. Reported the receipt of the following Special paint oil too thick. Kunning before a gale Contributions since the last meeting:— naturally expends much more oil than £ «. d. " laying to," you have so much more Miss LEICESTKE, for the endowment water to oil. Carefully expended, one of her Life-boat, The Elizabeth quart in three hours for running, one pint Leicester, at Whitehaven . . . 2000 - - in four hours for "laying to," will be The MARQUIS OF ELY, Annual Sub- scription 20 - - sufficient. The means I used was a can- ALGERNON PECKOVER, Esq, addi- vas bag (No. 6) with large holes stabbed tional 20 - - with a needle. I have heard of a bundle Proceeds of an Entertainment given of oakum being saturated with oil, and by the Non-Conimissioned Officers and Men of the No. 3 Battery, 1st then put in a coarse gunny bag, which I Brigade, Eastern Division, Royal think would admit of a thicker oil being Artillery, per Major H. W. ISACKE 4 4 - used for the time. The place for towing —To be severally thanked. is undoubtedly forward, not aft. Whether Also that the late WILLIAM RUTHERFORD, in head-reaching oil could be used suc- Esq., of Edinburgh, had left a legacy of £250, cessfully I cannot say, but I doubt it. free of duty, to the Institution. When running dead before the wind tow Also the transmission to their stations of the Brixham and Sidmouth new Life-boats. from each cathead, and the ship is as safe Decided that the new Life-boat about to be . as anything can be at sea. sent to Tenby be appropriated to the legacy Whether owners will ever put oil on bequeathed to the Institution by the late Miss board to prevent accidents that may not ANNE COLLIN, of Store Street, Bedford Square, happen, and will not happen if preventa- and that the boat be named after the Testatrix. Voted the thanks of the Committee to J. A. tives are used in time, is quite another GODWIN, Esq., in recognition of his valuable question. co-operation during the nine years he held the office of Honorary Secretary of the Bradford Branch of the Institution. SUMMARY OF THK Paid 3,044Z. for sundry charges on various Lifeboat Establishments. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. Voted 22Z. to pay the expenses of the White- haven Life-boat in rescuing the crew of nine Thursday, 4th June, 1885. men and a pilot from the Norwegian barque Thorsbjerg, which was totally wrecked during EDWARD BIEKBECK, Esq., M.P., V.P., in the heavy squalls of wind on the 10th May. Chair. Also Wl. to one of the helpers who received Read and approved the Minutes of the pre- such injuries while assisting to launch the Life- vious meeting, and those of the Finance and boat, as would incapacitate him for work for Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub- some tune. Committees. The St. Andrews, Cullercoats, and Ramsgate Bead the Report of the Chief Inspector of Life-boats also rendered the following services : Life-boats on his recent visits to Berwick- —Fishing-boat Pride of the Ocean, of St. on-Tweed, Eyemouth, Girvan, Irvine, and Ayr. Andrews, assisted to save vessel and crew, of Also the Reports of four of the District In- four men; fishing coble Brothers, attended NOVEMBEB, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUBNAL. 677 vessel in crossing the bar ; s. s. Edinburgh, of £ s. d. Newcastle, remained by vessel. The late Mr. WILLIAM HAYES, of [Accounts of some of these services will be New Wandsworth .... 250 - - found on pages 671-672.] The late Mr. WILLIAM STIMSON, of Voted 251. 19s. to pay the expenses of the Thurmaston 50 - - North Sunderland, Eyemouth, and Deal Life- boats in assembling their crews or putting off Also the transmission to their Stations of the with the view of assisting vessels in distress. new Life-boats for Castletown, Fishguard, and Also 51. to ALEXANDER THOMSON for rescuing Groomsport. by means of ropes, at some risk of his life, four The Belfast Steamship Company kindly of the crew of the fishing-boat Welfare, of Eye- allowed the Groomsport Life-boat to be con- month, which was totally wrecked on the rocks veyed on board one of their steamers from off that port during an E. by N. wind and Liverpool to Belfast, free of charge. misty weather on the 10th of April. In render- —To be thanked. ing this service THOMSON had his watch much Decided that the present Life-boat at Selsey, damaged and lost his coat. Sussex, be replaced by a new one, possessing all the latest improvements. Also that the new Boat be appropriated to the THURSDAY, 2nd July. legacy of 5001. bequeathed to the Institution br Colonel Frrz-RoY CLAYTON, V.P., in the Chair. the late HENKY SKYNNEB, Esq., of Fleet Street, and supplemented by a contribution of 1502. Bead and approved the Minutes of the pre- from his Executrix, Miss EMILY E. BBIGDEN, to vious meeting, and those of the Finance and provide a Life-boat, to be called The John and Correspondence and Wreck and Keward Sub- Henry Skynner, and placed on the South Coast Committees. of England. Bead the reports of four of the District Inspec- Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, a tors of Life-boats on their visits to the follow- copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, and 101., ing Stations:— to Mr. DAVID DUNCAN, on his resigning the 1. Jersey, Guernsey, Brighstone Grange, post of coxswain of the Montrose Life-boat, Brooke, Totland Bay, Bembridge, Hayling after many years good service. Island, Selsey, Littlehampton, Worthing, and Decided that the model of a Life-boat and Shoreham. transporting carriage exhibited by the Institu- 2. St. Anne's, Greystones, Wicklow, Cour- tion at the International Fisheries Exhibition in town, Cahore, Wexford (two Boats), Carnsore, 1883, be placed in the Ship Model Section of Kilmore, and Queenstown. the Soutb. Kensington Mnseum. 3. Stromness, Longhope, St. Andrew's, An- Paid 3,692Z. for sundry charges on various Life- struther, Crail, Buddon Ness, Arbroath, Mon- boat Establishments. trose (two boats), Gourdon, and Broughty Voted 171. 12». to pay the expenses of the Perry. Lytham and Caister No. 2 Life-boats in render- 4. Southend, Margate, Kingsgate, Broadstairs, ing the following services:—• Rainsgate, North Deal, Walmer, Kingsdowne, Lives and Dover. saved. Beported the receipt of 7001. from Miss Schooner Isabella, of Beanmaris. Ee- jAoOMB-Hoou of Lee to defray the cost of a mained by vessel. new Life-boat, to be named The Robert and Schooner Agile, of Goole 4 Susan. Decided that Miss JACOMB-HOOD be thanked, (Accounts of these services are given on page and that her gift be appropriated to the new 672.) Life-boat about to be sent to Newbiggin, Voted also 151. 7s. in payment of the expenses Northumberland. of the Holyhead, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Beported also the receipt of the following Broadstairs Life-boats, in assembling their other Special Contributions since the last crews or putting off to the aid of vessels which Meeting:— did not eventually require assistance. £ «. d. Also the thanks of the Institution and 11. Mrs. MAcDoNALD, of Brighton, each to ISAAC SHORT, of Appledore, Devon, and further contribution towards the his son, for putting off in a boat and saving, at maintenance of her Life-boat at some risk, three out of eight men whose boat Appledore 1000 - - had sunk off Appledore during a strong breeze B. F. WHITE, Esq., and Miss WHITE from the W. N. W. on the 21st of June. (Annual Subscription) ... 75 - - Also 31. to a sergeant and five other men of Part proceeds of Benefit at ALHAM- the Royal Artillery for putting off m a boat BBA THEATRE, in aid of K.A.O.B. from Fort Norman and saving five men whose Life-boat Fund 15 15 - boat had capsized off Southsea. during a strong Collected on board the s.s. Orient, S.W. breeze and a rough sea on the 18th of per Captain HEWISON (additional) 6 - - June. —To be neverally thanlted. Also 10s. to two men for rescuing three other men whose boat had capsized off Polperro, Also that the following legacies had been Cornwall, during a moderate S.W. breeze on the bequeathed to the Institution:— 5th of June. £ s. d. The late Mrs. DALMEB, of Spencer Boad, Isle of Wight (Duty free) 450 - - 678 THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. [NOVEMBER, 1885. THURSDAY, 6th August. Life-boat will be met from a bequest to the Institution by the late H. A. M. FAKBANT, Esq., EDWABD BIKKBECK, Esq., M.P., V.P., in the of Bayswater, for a Life-boat to be named after Chair. himself. Bead and approved the Minutes of the pre- Also that various works be carried out at the vious meeting, and those of the Finance and Montrose, Caister, and Irvine Life-boat Stations, Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub- at an expense of 794Z. Committees. Read letter from GEOKGE WHITFTELD, Esq., Head the Keport of the Chief Inspector of of Yokohama, Japan, forwarding a model of a Life-boats on his recent visits to Sheringham, Japanese fishing boat which he had had pre- Cromer, Chapel, Mablethorpe, Button, Skeg- pared, and requesting the Institution to accept ness, St. David's, Fishguard, Cardigan, Acker- the same. gill, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, and Crail. —To be thanked. Also the Reports of the five District Inspec- Decided that the thanks of the Committee be tors of Life-boats on their visits to the following presented to Major HENRY SMITH in acknow- Stations:— ledgment of his valuable co-operation during Northern District—Dunbar, North Berwick, the thirteen years he held the office of Honorary Southend, and Campbeltown. Secretary of the Alnmouth Branch of the Insti- Southern District — Brighton, Newhaven, tution. Eastbourne, Winchelsea, Eye, Hastings, New Paid 2.942Z. for sundry charges on various Romney, and Lydd. Life-boat Establishments. Eastern District—Hythe, West Hartlepool Voted 11. 16«. 6d. to pay the expenses of the (two Boats), Seaton Carew, Hartlepool (three Cemlyu Life-boat in remaining by the stranded Boats), Sunderland (four Boats), Whitburn, Sea- schooner Lord Mostyn, of Amlwch. ham, Grimsby, Donna Nook, Button, Mable- (Details of this service will be found on thorpe, Skeguess, and Chapel. page 672.) Western District—St. David's, Fishguard Voted also 21. 10s. to five men for putting oft" (two Boats), and Cardigan. in a boat, and saving three persons from a boat Irish District — Courtmacsherry, Valentia, which had capsized in a squall off Ballina- Tralee, Ballycotton, Ardmore, Youghal, Dun- courty, eo. Waterford, during a strong breeze garvan, Dnncannon, Dunmore, and Tramore. from the W.N.W., on the 29th of June. Reported the receipt of the following special Also II. 10s. to three coastguardmen for contributions since the last meeting: putting off in a boat, at some risk, and saving £ «. d. eight persons from a pleasure boat, which had Collected by ALFRED L. ANNETT, drifted on Peveril Ledge, and was in great Esq., in aid of the support of the danger, during a fresh S.W. breeze and a heavy Licensed Victualler Life-boat at cross sea, on the 16th of July. Hunstanton 100 - - WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OP DKAPEBS (Annual Subscription) . . . 52 10 - THURSDAY, 3rd September. A. HUTCHINSON, Esq., and the Misses EDWABD BIBKBECK, Esq., M.P., V.P., in the CHARLOTTE and FANNY HUTCHIN- Chair. SON (additional) 25 - - GEORGE WEBSTEB, Esq., further on Bead and approved the Minutes of the pre- account of his Life-boat fund . 1210 - vious Meeting, and those of the Finance and Collected on board the s.s. Malvina, Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub- per Capt. HOWLING (additional) . 5 - - Committees. —To le severally tlianked. Also that the following legacies had been Reported that THE QUEEN, in view of the bequeathed to the Institution :— intention of the late Mr. SAMUEL FLETCHEB, of Manchester, to build and endow a Life-boat, The late THOMAS EMSLEY, Esq., of had been graciously pleased to direct that a Burley - in - Wharfedale (free of portion of his property, which, owing to his duty) 250 - - intestacy, had devolved on HER MAJESTY, in The late Mr. WILLIAM LEE, of Great right of her Duchy of Lancaster, should be Horkesley (free of duty) . . . 50 - - appropriated to the building and maintenance Also the transmission of new Life-boats to in perpetuity by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- the Barmouth, Appledore, and Lizard Stations. BOAT INSTITUTION of a Life-boat, to be named Decided that the present Life-boat at Sher- The Samuel Fletcher of Manchester. ingham, Norfolk, be replaced by a new and Decided that the respectful acknowledgments larger boat, possessing all the latest improve- of the Committee be conveyed to HEK MAJESTY ments. THE QCEEN, and that this special gift be devoted The cost of the new boat will be defrayed to the new Life-boat to be stationed at Black- from a legacy left to the Institution by the Jate poo), Lancashire. WILLIAM BENNETT, Esq., of Albert Street, Regent's Park, to provide a Life-boat to be Read the Reports of District Inspectors of Life- named after himself. boats on their visits to the following Stations:— Also that a new Life-boat be sent to Court- Northern District—Tynemouth (two Boats), macsherry, co. Cork, in lieu of the present boat C.ullercoats, Newbiggin, Cresswell, and Boulmer. on that station. Western District—Looe, Fowey, Newquay, The cost of building and equipping this new Mevagissey, Portloe, Falmouth, Lizard (two NOVEMBER, 1885.] THE LIFE-BOAT JOUKNAL. 679 Boats), Cadgwith, Mullion, Porthoustock, Porth- on vellum, to Capt. JOHN BAIN and Mr. JAMES leven, Sennen, Scilly, Penzance, and Hayle. CRAWFORD CRAWFORD, f°r going °ut in the Irish District—Llandudno. Moray Firth Life-boat in the absence of the Eeported the receipt of the following other regular Crew, and assisting to save the crew of special contributions since the last meeting :—• nine men from the barque Himalaya, of Tvede- £ s. d. strand, Norway, which was totally wrecked off Mrs. JOHN DUNCOMBE SHAFTO (addi- Findhorn, during a gale from the N. and a high tional) SO - - sea on the 13th August. The Eev. 0. WHATELT (additional) 20 - - Also 41. to four men and a woman for rescuing Collected on board the s.s. Bhodona, five persons from a boat which had capsized in of Cardiff, per Capt. HABLOW . 210- Ballycottou Bay, during a moderate S.E. breeze, Offertory on board H.M.S. North- on the evening of the 2nd August. ampton, pel the Kev. S. S. BBOWNE 2 - - Also 21. to two men for saving the crew of —To be teveratty thanked. three men from the fishing coble Ocean Drift, of Newbiggin, which was capsized off Church Also that the following legacies had been Point, Newbiggin, while proceeding to the bequeathed to the Institution :— assistance of some herring boats which were The late W. S. BBUEBE, Esq., of Tice- £ riding in the bay, during a strong gale from the hnrst (duty free) 2000 S.S. W., on the 10th August. The late W. W. BLOW, Esq., of Walton- Also II. to two men for saving two ott\ei men on-Thames (duty free) 500 whose boat had sunk off Lowestoft, during a Also the transmission of a Life-boat to Up- stiff breeze from the N.E., on the 18th August. gang, near Whitby, in lieu of the former boat Also 5s. to a man who also went to the rescue, on that station. but failed to save the men. Voted the thanks of the Committee to A. M. And 5«. to a man for putting off in a punt VIENEB, Esq., in recognition of his valuable from a boat at anchor in Pwllheli Harbour, and co-operation, during the past twenty-one years, rescuing another man from a boat which had as Honorary Secretary of the Blackpool Branch been capsized at the mouth of the harbour by of the Institution. The Committee acknow- a squall on the llth August. ledged specially Mr. VIENEB'S services. Also the thanks of the Committee and 101. to "ONE 1IOKE FOB. THE LIFE-BOAT Mr. JAMBS BEDFOBD, in acknowledgment of his good services as Coxswain of the Blyth No. 1 CREW." life-boat for twenty-three years. The lads are afloat, they have launched the Eeported that the Jury Commission of the boat International Inventions Exhibition had awarded Where the moaning storm-birds flew, the Institution a Diploma of Honour for im- Oh, wife ! from the shores they cry,' One more,' provements in Life-boats. With strong, steady hand and true! Paid 5891. for sundry charges on various Life- There are lives to save boat Establishments. On the frothing wave— Voted 68/. 4». Gd. to pay the expenses of the One more for the life-boat crew! Tyrella, Courtown, Orme's Head, Moray Firth, Nay, shiver not so that I seaward go, Gorleston No. 1, and Whitby No. 2 Life-boats, Nor shrink from the night's black hue ; in rendering the following services:— Lives There is danger far where our brethren are, saved. And the moments left grow few. Schooner Rambler, of Newry .... 4 There are lives to save Schooner Corsair, of Arklow .... 9 From a yawning grave— Sailing-boat Mira, of Llandudno, -saved One more for the life-boat crew! boat and 4 A kiss for the ways of our courtship days, Barque Himalaya, of Tvedestrand ... 9 A kiss for love's Eden-view, Brig Fjeldgittten, of Kragero, rendered as- When the white cliffs woke as the joy-bells sistance. broke, Pishing coble Robert and Henry, of Whitby 3 And home held a glory new, The Moutrose No. 1 Life-boat remained by Heaven's help I crave, \ the stranded fishing-boat Vine, of Montrose. There are lives to save— (Accounts of these services are given on One more for the life-boat crew! pages 672-673.) This kiss, my sweet, till again we meet, Voted also 851. 7e. 6d., to pay the expenses of And another I leave with you the Holyhead, Newbiggin, Weston-super-Mare, For the babe at rest on your brave, brave, Caister No. 2, Lowestoft, and Lydd Life-boats, breast—• in launching in reply to signals of distress shown God keep my little lad true, by vessels which did not ultimately require the And strengthen his soul services of the boats. When the deep waves roll Also the thanks of the Institution, inscribed A call for the life-boat crew ! on vellum, and an extra reward of II, to JOHN From The Quiver. ROBERTS, one of the crew of the Orme's Head Life-boat, for saving the life of a man on the occasion of the capsize of that Life-boat during NOTICE. a heavy gale from the S.W. on the 10th August. The next number of the Life-boat Journal Also the thanks of the Institution, inscribed will be published on the 1st February next. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, SUPPORTED SOLELY BY VOLUKTARY CONTRIBUTIONS. APPEAL. THE COMMITTEE or MANAGEMENT have to state that during the past year (1884) the HOTAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION expended £42,787 on various Life-boat Establishments on the Coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland. During the same period it contributed to the saving of 792 persons from various Shipwrecks on our Coasts. Every winter that comes and goes has ite black record of wrecks, and its terrible list of lost lives, the average loss of lives from Shipwreck annually, on the shores of the United Kingdom, being 700. GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE WORK OP THE INSTITUTION DUBINO 1884. Number of lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to £ «. d. 18 Vessels saved by them . 633 Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, &c. 159 ... Amount of Pecuniary Eewards for Saving Life during the Year 5,000 19 3 Honorary Kewards:—Silver Medals and Clasps ... 6 Votes of Thanks on Vellum. . . 9 ...... Total .... 15 792_ £5,000 19 3 The Committee desire to acknowledge, with gratitude, the liberal support which they have received from the British Public during the past few years,—a support which has enabled them to establish their present great Life-saving Fleet of 287 boats on the shores of the United Kingdom. Deeply sensible, however, of the great responsibility that rests on them to maintain the Life-boats in a thoroughly efficient state, and their crews practised in the management of their boats, which can only be effected by a large and permanent Annual Income, they earnestly appeal to all classes of their countrymen to continue to aid them in upholding and perpetuating so great and truly national a Work. The number of Lives saved either by the Life-boats of the Society, or by special exertions, for which it has granted rewards since its formation, is 31,630 : for which services 97 Gold Medals, 972 Silver Medals, and £84,422 in cash have been given as Eewards. Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received by the Secretary, CHAKLES DIBDIN, Esq., at the Institution, 14 JOHN STREET, ADELPHI, London; by the Bankers of the Institution, Messrs. COUTTS and Co., 59 Strand; Messrs. HEEBIES, FARQUHAR, and Co., 16 St. James's Street; Messrs. HOARE, 37 Fleet Street, London; and by all the other Bankers in the United Kingdom.—August, 1885.