THE LIFE-BOAT,

OB

JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

(IBBCED QUABTEBL.Y.)

r PRICE 4

OUE SHINGLE BEACHES. THOSE of our readers who have visited the sea, where the flints of our chalk downs watering-places and the Life-boat Stations were then living animals, and revolving in of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION his mind the mighty changes in the earth's on the south and south-east coasts of crust which converted those ancient seas England cannot but have noticed with to land and changed the ancient lands to interest the vast quantity of shingle which seas. With interest he endeavours to ac- fringes the whole line of coast in some count for the vast deposits of gravel and parts; which, in the shape of bars at the of water-worn stones, commingled with entrances of harbours and in outlying clays and marls, that one of the latest banks, is a constant danger to shipping in great ocean disturbances deposited in the stormy weather, and the accumulation of vast beds and mounds, whence a large which on the shore is often an invaluable proportion of our shingle deposits have protection against encroachment by the sprung, and by which they are being sea. Hence we have thought that some constantly replenished. information respecting it might be in- To the hydrographer, how important teresting to them. and interesting is the study of the Our shingle .beds and beaches have in movements of the shingle and sand, fact always been objects of interest to men which gradually change the soundings of of science; to the geologist, the hydro- channels, raise and extend shoals and grapher, and the civil engineer; and to the banks, and form the bars which obstruct commanders and pilots of ships they have the entrances to our river ports? been professionally so, whilst even to the To our civil engineers, to whom we are casual observer they must often have occa- chiefly indebted for the careful observa- sioned wonder as to the origin and source tions they have made as to shingle move- of supply of the innumerable pebbles of ments, how necessary is it to be able to which they are formed. The geologist, trace the laws by which they are regu- having traced the shingle to the cliffs of lated, so that in designing or improving our coast, from which it has been ex- an artificial harbour, or projecting a pier tracted by the action of the waves, aided or breakwater, they may be able to calcu- often by water springs on the land, has in late beforehand how it will be affected by it an interesting field for thought and de- the movements of adjacent shingle or duction before him, as he endeavours to sand, and may know how to prevent its decipher its past history, picturing to accumulation in a bar or in shoals at or himself the quiescent bed of the ancient about the harbour's mouth ?

LIFE-BOAT JOUKNAL.—VOL. X.—No. 111. 412 THE LIFE-BOAT. [PEBEUART 1, 1879.

So also the landed proprietor, by an As above stated, the chalk flints were, acquaintance with these laws, may learn at least for the most part, originally how to protect his land from abstraction animals which existed on the bed of a former by the sea, and even the casual observer sea, into the substance of whose bodies, may find pleasure, and add to his store of or into the empty spaces within their dead useful knowledge, by meditating on its shells, or the sponges or corals which they character and history. inhabited, the silicious matter subse- The subject may be conveniently ar- quently infiltrated. Whether, however, ranged under the following heads:— j that change took place whilst they were 1. The origin and nature of the stones of ; yet embedded in the ocean's floor, or by which shingle is composed. chemical action, possibly aided by sub- 2. The sources from which they have terranean heat, during the process of the been derived and transported. induration of the chalk after* upheaval 3. The causes and manner of their from the sea, may never, with certainty, transport. be known, although in all probability the 4. The contrivances by which they may latter was the case. Of the origin of the be wholly or partially arrested in their stones of the red and yellow gravels, we course, and caused to deposit and have been able to find no reliable theory; accumulate wherever required. but that they were deposited by the sea, 1. The origin and nature of the stones above the chalks, is evidenced by the of which shingle is composed. positions in which they are found. By shingle we especially refer to the From the geological question as to the extensive masses of loose stones, nearly origin of the stones composing our shingle all of which are flints from the chalk, or beaches, we pass to that of our second small, opaque, irregular-shaped stones head—the sources from which, in their of yellowish, brown, or drab colour, de- present positions, they have been derived. rived from the vast beds of gravel that Whilst divided in opinion as to the ex- form so large a portion of the alluvial tent to which they have been transported deposits in the southern and south-eastern by tidal currents in deep water, all the counties of England, as distinguished from writers we have been able to consult agree the pebbled beaches, such, for instance, as that they have been almost wholly derived those at Northam and Clovelly on the from the land on our own coasts, wrested north coast of Devon, and at Wicklow on from it by the sea, and transported by its the east coast of Ireland, which are solely action to varying distances from the spots composed of broken pieces of rock, of where they had lain, through an unknown various kinds, which have been worn into number of ages, imbedded in the rocks or round, oval, or flat pebbles by constant alluvial deposits on the land. friction against each other from the break- We may revert to this division of our ing of the waves on the shore. subject, but will now proceed to the third All such pieces of fractured rock, head—the causes and manner of their whether of limestone, sandstone, slate, transport. granite, porphyry, jasper, serpentine, &c. It might at first thought be expected or even of quartz, have all their angles that the debris of fallen cliffs, &c. would rapidly rubbed off and their general form remain on the shore near the spot where rounded by attrition, whilst on the other it had been engulphed, unless at a few hand the flints and gravel stones, from places where the tides were exceptionally their greater hardness, nearly retain their strong close to the beach, and that it original shapes, as evidenced by the cir- would merely be thrown up and again cumstance that the white or other opaque withdrawn, in endless succession, by the incrustation of the flints is rarely, if ever, advancing and receding waves. Such found completely rubbed away. would undoubtedly be the case if the FEBITOAKY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 413

waves of the sea always broke directly on the shingle, if we may use the term, is that of shore, that is to say, perpendicularly to it. West Bay between Start Point and the Bill But a far more potent force than the of Portland, which latter promontory effec- tidal currents exists in the action of the tually arrests all further movement of the waves when they are driven obliquely to shingle to the eastward, beyond which the shore, when every advancing wave, as another system of progressive shingle it breaks on a shingle beach, throws a commences. greater or less number of its stones for- Accordingly, on the western side of ward in the direction of its own progress, Portland is found one of the largest masses the receding water withdraws them sea- of shingle in the kingdom, forming the ward at right angles with the beach, only celebrated Chesil beach, which, as being to be thrown forward again by the follow- perhaps one of the most singular and ing wave. We have only then to imagine imposing beaches in the world, we will the countless myriads of stones which on select as an illustration of our subject. a long line of beach are every moment All the stones of the Chesil beach have thrown forward several feet by the cease- been traced to their sources in West less breaking of the waves, and we shall 1 Bay. First come those from the red readily conceive that many thousand tons i sandstone cliffs between Torquay and will be transported by a single gale driving Sidmouth; next, with the exception of a the waves with headlong violence obliquely few jasper pebbles, traced to Aylesbere on the shore. I Hill, and brought to the coast by the If the direction of strong winds was river Otter, are the flints from the chalk equally proportioned in the course of a between Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, which year, the shingle which was carried for- form the greater portion of the shingle on ward by some would be carried back in the Chesil beach; and, lastly, those of the the reverse direction by others; but such oolitic series of rocks between Lyme and is not the case, and hence, the prevalent Chesil. or greatly preponderating winds on the A certain portion of the stones west of • south coast of England being from the Lyme are detained by the projecting pier south-west, all shingle, as has been proved j of that harbour, the remainder being by repeated observations, travels on that I washed over it or carried round it, con- coast from west to east, until its progress tinuing their course until distributed on is stopped by either natural or artificial the Chesil beach. impediments. j This extraordinary accumulation is no Illustrative of the rapidity with which less than lOf miles in length, and has two it is thus transported, it is stated by the striking peculiarities, the most striking distinguished meteorologist, ' the late being the distribution of its pebbles in Colonel EBID, that in a single year regular gradation as regards size, ranging pebbles from the Devonshire coast had from very coarse sand at its western been transported to the Chesil beach. I extremity to stones of several pounds' On being arrested in its progress, it accu- weight at Portland. This gradation is so mulates, and in this manner the vast beds regular that the native boatmen can tell, of shingle, such as those at Dungeness, in the darkest night, on what part of the Orfordness, Pevensey, Winchelsea, and beach they are by the size of the stones; the Chesil beach, have been formed. a knowledge which, it is said, the smug- As the same general principle applies glers in the good old times of high duties to all shingle or pebble beaches, we will turned to account, knowing which direc- confine our remarks to those on the south tion to take, with their kegs of spirits, coast of England, which will serve as when " making a run," as it was termed, examples of all others. | by ascertaining the size of the stones at The first or westernmost system of the first landing on the beach.

D li 414 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBBUABY 1, 1879.

The second speciality is that the beach up, so as to retain a portion only of the deepens from its western to its eastern shingle, the rest passing over their upper end, at which latter it is so steep that planks. When a sufficient quantity has there is 50 feet depth of water at 250 yards accumulated between the leeward-most from the shore line at high water of spring groin and the next one to it, the latter tides, causing the sea, which in a south- is also planked fully up to the tops of the west gale breaks at right angles to that piles, and so on in succession until the end of the beach, -to fall over in such whole area over which the accumulation enormous breakers as are said not to be was desired is covered, after which all equalled in size in any other part of the superfluous shingle would pass over the United Kingdom. groins successively, and follow the same Here, then, we see that by a great course as before. natural barrier running out to seaward An instance of the importance of pre- the onward movement of shingle is effec- serving shingle as a barrier to sea en- tually stopped, and a vast accumulation croachment, and a protection to low-lying of it is deposited, from which, and similar lands, has recently occurred at East- natural impediments, a practical lesson is bourne, and which, in fact, originated learned by the civil engineer, which brings these remarks on the subject. us to the consideration of our fourth head, Those of our readers who have visited viz. the contrivances by which shingle that modern and pleasant watering-place may be wholly or partially arrested in its will remember that at the eastern ex- course, and caused to deposit and accu- tremity of the sea-wall fronting the mulate wherever required. esplanade an extensive area of shingle The means adopted for this purpose deposit exists, which affords a convenient are the erection of wooden barriers or beach for launching and hauling up the groins, formed of rows of stout piles fishing and pleasure boats of the place, driven deeply into the beach, and the and forms the only barrier to prevent the spaces between, from pile to pile, filled in sea, at high tides, from inundating the with planking, the structure being further adjacent country and low-lying districts' laterally supported by strong wooden of the town. shores. These groins are mostly placed On the top of this bank of shingle the at right angles with the beach line, and NATIONAL LIFE BOAT INSTITUTION, in are carried sufficiently to seaward to pre- 1867, erected a new Boat-house for its vent the shingle passing round their outer Life-boat there, at which time the shingle ends on the receding of the tide, and made high enough to prevent the sea from extended to quite 30 yards immediately carrying it over them. They are made in its front. In consequence, however, of highest at their inner ends, where the a mistaken view as to the effect of the shingle is thrown up to its highest level groins that had hitherto arrested the east- at high water, and taper gradually to the ward progress of the shingle, the upper level of the beach at their outer ends. planks of the groins were removed, as a They are familiar objects to all visitors consequence of which the shingle has been to the watering-places on our south and gradually swept away to the east and east coasts. added to the great shingle bed called the If at any place it is desired to accumu- Pevensey Levels, and in the autumn of late shingle, lines of groins are run out at 1877, the sea having encroached quite to sufficient intervals, the one farthest to the doors of the Boat-house, the NATIONAL leeward, i.e. farthest from the direction LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION had to erect a whence the shingle travels, being planked solid barrier of piles and planking, backed high enough and carried far enough to by lime concrete, to prevent the under- seaward to prevent any shingle passing it; mining and destruction of the building the others are then only partially planked at the ensuing spring tides, which would FEBRUARY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 415 undoubtedly have occurred, had not that When, however, two parallel piers of precaution been taken, whilst at the pre- equal length are run out to form an sent moment, unless sufficient preventive entrance to a harbour, the shingle is measures are speedily taken, there is carried round the first one, and being every probability of the remnant of the interupted in its onward course by the shingle bank being swept away, and an ebb tide running out between the two incalculable amount of valuable property piers and the flood tide setting in, the destroyed by inundation of the sea. combined forces cause an accumulation of The inhabitants of the town and the it off the entrance, called a bar, which is landowners of the district having, how- often a serious obstruction by preventing ever, become seriously alarmed, and alive all vessels of more than a certain draught to the necessity of prompt remedial of water from entering the port, and measures being taken, it is to be hoped limiting the time of entry and exit to such a disaster may be prevented. near high water in the case of all vessels Having selected the above instance of larger than boats. the serious evils which may result' from To remedy this evil, it has been ad- neglect of effectual measures to preserve vocated by Smeaton and other eminent an accumulation of shingle, where required i engineers that the pier next to the to prevent encroachment by the sea, we I direction of the prevailing winds and will, in contrast, select another where ! advancing shingle should be carried incalculable advantages have arisen from obliquely beyond the further one, so as to suitable measures being taken to preserve overlap it and conduct the shingle past it. We allude to Brighton, where there the entrance and deposit it on the farther formerly existed a complete town, with shore. fortifications, the site of which is now The probable correctness of their views beneath the waves. would seem to be indicated by the natural By the construction of the sea-wall disposal of shingle when interrupted in which now skirts its magnificentesplanade, its onward march by an interposing river the further encroachment of the sea was or harbour's mouth, unprotected by piers effectually prevented, and by a "well- or other artificial works. The shingle on designed system of groins" so large an the windward side, which would accumu- accumulation of shingle has been secured late on being arrested by any solid barrier, that the esplanade wall is now effectually such as a groin or pier, gradually en- protected by it from even the juncture of croaches on the entrance, and drives it the highest spring tides with a southerly further to leeward, its accumulation thus forming a spit or peninsula on the wind- If the labour and expense of these ward side, which will be continually measures had been grudged and withheld, elongated, and the entrance carried who can tell whether this queen of Eng- farther and farther from its original lish watering-places, this London on the position, until averted by either natural sea coast, as it has been termed, would or artificial counter obstruction. ever have arisen above the level of an Illustrative of this principle may be obscure and neglected sea-coast town ? quoted Shoreham harbour, on the coast of There is, however, yet another effect Sussex, where the shingle westward of the of shingle movement which we have as harbour's original entrance had gradually yet only referred to, viz. the formation of shifted jt from west to east about 3 miles, bars across the entrances of ports. We when a new entrance was artificially made; have already stated that the pier of Lyme likewise Aid borough, on the Suffolk coast, harbour does not prevent the passage of where the shingle movement is from N.E. the stones round it on their way to join to S.W., and where the present entrance to their congeners on the Chesil beach. the harbour is several miles farther to 416 THE LIFE-BOAT. 1, 1879. leeward, i.e. to the S.W., than it no doubt or artificial projecting barrier of sufficient originally was. extent, beyond which another system again The space at our disposal has neces- commences wherever the sea encroaches sarily required onr curtailing our remarks, on the land, and the latter contains the or we might relate many interesting material of which shingle is composed. details of other systems of shingle, but As this article is intended to interest the description of the Chesil beach, the general reader only, and does not taken chiefly from an admirable descrip- pretend to be a scientific treatise, we have tion and explanation of it by Sir JOHN not quoted step by step the several COODE, read to the Institution of Civil authorities whose writings we have con- Engineers, in the year 1853, will serve to sulted, but may briefly state that it coin- illustrate the principle on which all others cides with the opinions and observations have been formed, viz. the disintegration of Colonel EEID, of the Royal Engineers, of the matter of the cliffs and land bound- Sir JOHN COODE, C.E., Mr. H. E. PALMER, ing the coast, and the gradual movement C.E., Mr. DE LA BECHB, Mr. EIDDER, C.E., of the stones contained in it in the direc- Admiral FITZROY, Professor AIBY, Mr. W. tion of the predominant winds, chiefly B. PEIOHAKD, C.E., Mr. J. B. EEDMAN, caused by the oblique action of the waves, C.E., and others who have written or until arrested in its course by a natural spoken on the subject.

LIST OP THE MEDALS OF THE INSTITUTION VOTED TO NAVAL AND MARINE OFFICERS. [Continued.'] IN our issue for November we published MARSH, DIGBY, Captain of H.M. Coastguard at Brighton, awarded Gold Medal, on the 17th De- the second list of the Gold and Silver cember 1840, in recognition of his very gallant Medals voted by the BOTAL NATIONAL services in assisting to rescue the crews, consisting LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION to officers of the of 22 persons, from the brigs Mary and Offerton, and schooner Sir John Seale, which were wrecked Eoyal Navy and Marines, in acknowledge- near Brighton. ment of their gallant deeds in saving MATTHEWS, R. B., Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- life from shipwreck. guard, awarded Gold Medal, on the 24th October Having again failed to trace the follow- 1827, in admiration of many gallant services ren- ing names in the Official Lists, we are com- dered by him ; he having been instrumental in saving 31 lives from various wrecks during the pelled to conclude that most, if not all, time he had been in the Coastguard service. of these gallant men are now deceased. MAY, AUGUSTUS CHARLES, Mate of H.M.S. We continue to give their names in Rover, awarded Silver Medal, on the 13th March alphabetical order, thus enabling anyone 1833, for gallantly going out in one of that vessel's to trace them without difficulty. boats, and assisting to rescue the crew of 10 men from the brig Erin, which was wrecked on Ply- MCGLADERY, JOHN, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- mouth Breakwater. guard at Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal, awarded Silver METHERELL, R. R., Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- Medal, on the 20th January 1847, for going off in guard at Youghal, Ireland, awarded Gold Medal, the Coastguard galley with a crew of Coastguard on the 15th April 1840, for very gallantly assisting men, and saving the master and 6 men from the to rescue the crew, consisting of 4 men, from the schooner British Queen, which was wrecked at brig Medora, wrecked in Ardmore Bay. Dunfanaghy. MORGAN, RICHARD, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- MACNAMARA, TIMOTHY, Lieutenant, awarded guard at Rye, Sussex, awarded Silver Medal, on Gold Medal, on the 17th December 1840, for very the 5th March 1834, for gallantly assisting to save gallantly assisting to rescue the crews, numbering the crew of 8 men of the vessel Conrad, wrecked 14 men in all, from the brig Victoria and sloop near Bye. Lively, which were wrecked near Littlehampton, Sussex. MORRIS, JOHN Row, Captain of H.M. Coast- guard at Newcastle, Co. Down, awarded Gold MANN, A. T.. Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at Medal, on the 5th April 1826, in recognition of his Devonport, awarded Silver Medal, on the 8th May very gallant conduct on the occasion of the wreck 1833, for gallantly assisting to save 2 men belong- of the barque Richard Pope, during a strong gale ing to the barge James, which was wrecked off from S.S.E. on the 6th March 1826. Plymouth, and 4 men from a boat which had gone off to the aid of the crew of the barge, but had MORRISON, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at capsized. Youghal, Ireland, awarded Silver Medal, on the FEBRUARY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 417

27th February 1828, in recognition of his gallant llth February 1835, for gallantly putting off in a services in assisting by means of ropes to save the boat with 2 Coastguard men, and saving the crew master and 4 seamen from the sloop Mermaid, of 10 men of the brig Lord Exmouth, and foi •which was wrecked in Whiting Bay, near Youghal. gallantly wading into the surf and assisting to rescue 4 men from the schooner Cornubia, of Pen- NELSON, WILLIAM, Commanding Officer of H.M. Coastguard cruiser Eliza, awarded Silver zance, which vessels were wrecked off Dungeness. Medal for gallantly putting off in a small boat PRATT, JAMES, Lieutenant, awarded Silver from the cruiser, with a crew of 4 men, and saving Medal, on the 17th December 1840, in recognition the crew of 5 men from the brigantine Jane, of of his gallant services in assisting to rescue the Cork, which subsequently became a total wreck on crews, numbering 22 persons, from the brigs Mary Tramore beach, on the 3rd December 1866, and Offerton, and schooner Sir John Seale, which vessels were wrecked near Brighton. NEWNHAM, NATHANIEL, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at Brighton, awarded Silver Medal, on PRATTENT, JOHN, Lieutenant of H.M.S.Hyperion, the 17th December 1840, for gallantly assisting to awarded Gold Medal, on the 10th March 1830, for save the crews, numbering in all 22 persons, from gallantly wading into the surf and, at great risk, the brigs Mary and Offerton, and schooner Sir helping to rescue the crew of 9 men from the John Seale, which vessels -were wrecked near French lugger La Constance, wrecked at Fairlight, Brighton. near Hastings. NORCOCK, G. L., Inspecting Commander of Prjf, R. E., Lieutenant, awarded Gold Medal, on H.M. Coastguard at Fowey, Cornwall, awarded the 16th September 1829, in acknowledgment of his Silver Medal for gallantly putting off in a boat, very gallant services in going put in the Whitby with 2 men, and, at great risk of life, saving the Life-boat and assisting in rescuing the master, his only survivor of the crew of the schooner En- wife, and the crew of 8 men, from the brig Aurora, deavour, of Ipswich, which was wrecked near which was wrecked at Whitby. Gribbon Point^ Fowey, during a gale of wind, on the RANDALL, HENRY, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- 6th May 1856. guard at Elie, N.B., awarded Gold Medal, on the NOTT, EDWARD B., Lieutenant, awarded 2 Silver 9th FeDruary 1825, in recognition of his valuable Medals in recognition of his gallant services in services on the occasion of the wreck of the assisting to save, at different periods, 2 persons Devoran, at the Bridge of Don, near Aberdeen. from the sloop Thomas, of Newcastle, which was Lieutenant RANDALL, with all despatch, got the wrecked at Holy Island, and 9 persons from the rocket apparatus down on the beach, and after schooner Diana, wrecked at Berwick. great difficulty succeeded in throwing a line on board the wreck, by means of which a boat was got PARRY, Lieutenant, awarded Gold Medal, on off, and 4 of the vessel's crew were rescued. the 25th January 1832, in recognition of his very The " Gold Boat" was awarded to this officer, gallant services in going out in a boat with a crew on the 21st May 1834, for very gallantly putting off of 4 Coastguard men, and saving 31 men from the in a boat with a crew of 3 men, and saving the crew French fishing-boat L'Aimee, wrecked in Bye of 7 men from the schooner Wanderer, which was harbour. wrecked at Elie. PARSONS, THOMAS, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- RAWSTONE, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at guard at Bournemouth, awarded Silver Medal for Newhaven, Sussex, awarded Silver Medal, on the gallantly putting off in a Coastguard galley, with 8th May 1833, for gallantly assisting to rescue, by a crew of 4 men, and saving 8 persons from the means of the rocket apparatus, 5 persons from the barque William Glenanderson, which was wrecked smack John, of Jersey, which was wrecked in near Bascombe, on the coast of Dorset, during a Seatord Bay. heavy gale from S. to S.W. on the 27th De- cember 1852, and afterwards saving 4 persons READ, JAMES, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard from a yacht's life-boat which had upset in at- at Newhaven, Sussex, awarded Silver Medal, on tempting to go off to the wreck. the 18th July 1833, for gallantly helping to save, by means of ropes, 3 men from the sloop Industry, PARSONS, W., Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at which was wrecked at Newhaven. Swanage, Dorsetshire, awarded Silver Medal, on the 9th January 1839, for gallantly putting off, with a RIDGE, G. A. E., Captain, Inspecting Commander crew of 7 Coastguard men, in a boat and rescuing of H.M. Coastguard at Newcastle, Co. Down, 7 men from the French vessel L'Aimable Mere, awarded Silver Medal for wading into the surf, at wrecked off St. Alban's Head, on the coast of the risk of his life, to the rescue of 1 man belong- Dorset. ing to a boat manned by 12 persons, who had put off with the view of rendering assistance to a PARTRIDGE, W. L., Captain, Inspecting Com- capsized boat, containing the crew of the Austrian mander of the Wexford Division of H.M. Coast- brig Tikey, of Trieste, which was wrecked off St. guard, awarded Silver Medal for gallantly going John's Point, Dundrum Bay, on the 14th December out in the Carnsore Life-boat, and with much 1859. difficulty and danger saving the crew of 19 men from the barque Guyana, of Glasgow, which was ROBERTSON, ROBERT, Lieutenant, awarded Gold wrecked on the Carrig Rocks, near Carnsore, Medal, on the 15th December 1830, in recognition during a heavy gale, on the 10th February 1861. of his very gallant services in assisting to rescue 22 persons from the Royal Mail steam packet PEAKE, THOMAS L., Captain, awarded Gold St. George, which was wrecked in Douglas Bay, Medal in acknowledgment of his valuable services Isle of Man. in assisting to land the troops, women, and others, numbering in all 195 persons, from the transport- ROBINSON, Lieutenant, awarded Silver Medal, ship Admiral Berkeley, which vessel was wrecked on the 16th January 1828, in acknowledgment off Portsmouth, on the 23rd November 1824. of his gallant services in putting off in a boat with others, and assisting in the rescue of 17 men from PEDDER, WILLIAM, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- the Swedish ship Fortroendert, wrecked at Douglas, guard at Dungeness, awarded Silver Medal, on the Isle of Man. 418 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBRUARY 1, 1879.

Eoss, THOMAS, Captain, Inspecting Commander STARK, PETER, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard of H.M. Coastguard at Swords, Ireland, awarded at Broughty Ferry, N.B., awarded Silver Medal, Gold Medal, on the 9th January 1839, in recogni- on the 3rd May 1837, for gallantly putting off in a tion of his very gallant services in going off in a Life-boat with a crew of 15 men, and saving 3 men boat with others, and saving 4 persons from the from the Two Sisters, of Kirkcaldy, wrecked on brig Gainsborough, which was wrecked at Swords. the banks off the Tay. The Gold Medal was also awarded to this officer, KOTHERY, J., Lieutenant, awarded Silver Medal, on the 21st March 1838, in recognition of his very on the Gth June 1838, for gallantly putting off in a gallant conduct in going out in a Life-boat, with boat with 6 men, and rescuing the crew, consisting a crew of 17 men, and rescuing 5 men from the of 7 men, from the schooner Agnes, which was Banger, of Perth, which vessel was also wrecked wrecked at Sidmouth. on the banks off the Tay. RYMER, D., Lieutenant, awarded Gold Medal, on STEANE, JOHN, Lieutenant, awarded Gold Medal, the 9th May 1838, in recognition of his very gallant on the 4th May 1831, in recognition of his very conduct in going out in a Life-boat at Berwick, gallant services in attempting to save the crew of and assisting to save 6 men from the schooner the brig Fame, which vessel was wrecked off Rye, Margaret, of Dundee, which was wrecked on Spittal beach. on the coast of Sussex. STRAGNELL. Lieutenant, awarded Silver Medal, SANDERSON, J. P., Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard on the 16th January 1828, in acknowledgment of at the Bridge of Don, N.B., awarded Silver Medal, his gallant services in putting off in a boat with on the 10th March 1830, in acknowledgment of others, and assisting in the rescue of 17 men from his gallant services at the wreck of the smack the Swedish ship Fortroendert, wrecked at Douglas, Fame, in Aberdeen Bay, on which occasion 5 Isle of Man. persons were saved by means of a boat and 9 by the rocket apparatus. STRONG, FRANCIS M., Second Master, awarded Silver Medal, on the 13th March 1833, for putting SERGEANT, JOHN, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard off in a boat and assisting to save the crew of the at Exmouth, awarded Silver Medal, on the 5th vessel Erin, wrecked near Plymouth Breakwater. January 1831, for gallantly assisting, by means of ropes, to rescue the master and crew of 6 men of STUART, J., Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at the brig Unity, which was wrecked off Exmouth. Littlestone, near Romney, Kent, awarded Silver Medal, on the 8th February 1837, for assisting to SEWELL, H. F., Lieutenant, awarded Gold Medal, rescue, by means of ropes, 10 men from the vessel on the 9th November 1840, for very gallantly Dixon, which was wrecked at Littlestone. putting off in a boat with 1 man, and saving the crew of 5 men from the smack Sarah, which was SYMMES, H. A. S., Lieutenant, awarded Gold wrecked off St. John's Point, Dundrum Bay, Medal, on the 9th January 1839, for putting off in Ireland. a boat with a crew of 5 men, and very gallantly SHAW, CHARLES, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- saving the crew, consisting of 9 men, from the guard at Kedheugh, N.B., awarded Silver Medal, French brig Claire, which was wrecked at Yar- on the 22nd September 1830, for gallantly assist- mouth, Isle of Wight. ing to rescue, by means of the rocket apparatus, TUDOR, Jons, Commander, awarded Silver 4 persons from the sloop Peggy, of Peterhead, Medal, on the 1st October 1857, for gallantly which was wrecked on the Tyne Sands, near going out in the Wick Life-boat and attempting Redheugh. to save the crew of a Hanoverian galliot, which SIMS, ANDREW, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard was in a dangerous position off Wick, during a at Peterhead, N.B., awarded 2 Silver Medals, for gale on the 9th October 1857. The Life-boat, gallantly assisting, at different periods, to rescue, however, was rendered useless by the heavy seas by means of the rocket apparatus, 4 men from the which broke over her, aud broke or carried away sloop Frazer and 7 men from the schooner Helen, all her oars. which vessels were wrecked off Peterhead. The 2nd Service Clasp was also awarded to this officer, on the Gth December I860, in acknowledge- SNELL, GEORGE, Lieutenant, awarded Gold ment of his intrepid services in taking command of Medal, on the 29th January 1834, in recognition of a ship's boat, manned by 9 men, and, at much his very gallant conduct in a Life-boat stationed risk of life, saving 2 persons from the Martha, of at No. 31 Tower, near Dungeness, Kent, on the Wick, which was wrecked near that port, during a occasion of the rescue of the crew of 6 persons heavy gale of wind, on the 20th November 1800. from the brig Pioneer, which was wrecked near Dungeness. TURNER, CHARLES, Lieutenant, awarded Gold Medal, on the 1st. June 1831, for going out in a SOMERVILLE, JOHN, Lieutenant, awarded Silver Life-boat stationed at Fraserburgh, N.B., and very Medal, on the 5th March 1834, in recognition of gallantly assisting to rescue 3 men from the sloop his very gallant conduct in assisting to rescue Janet, which was wrecked off that place. 8 men from the Conrad, which was wrecked near Rye, Sussex. WALKER, Lieutenant, awarded Silver Medal, on The Gold Medal was also awarded to this officer, the 2nd March 1825, in recognition of his gallant on the 28th October 1835, for going off in a Coast- services at the wreck of the transport-ship Admiral guard boat, with a crew of 3 men, and very gal- Berkeley, at Portsmouth, on which occasion he lantly rescuing 6 men from the brig Industry, assisted in making a raft, and with his boat's crew which was wrecked off Little'stone, near New helped to land the troops and others from the Romney, Kent. vessel. SOUTHEY, Lieutenant, awarded Silver Medal, on WARREN, CHARLES D., Lieutenant, awarded the 2nd December 1835, in recognition of his Silver Medal, on the 9th November 1840, for gallant services in the Life-boat stationed at gallantly putting off in a boat with a crew of No. 31 Tower, Rye, on the occasion of the rescue Coastguard men, and rescuing the crew of 2 men by that boat of 7 men from the brig Charles, of from the sloop Banff, of Fortrose, N.B., which Cherbourg. was wrecked at Cromarty, N.B. FEBBUABY 1, 1879.] THE LITE-BOAT. 419

WATTS, WILLIAM STEPHEN, Lieutenant, rescued by means of a coble and the rocket awarded Gold Medal, on the 10th February 1830, apparatus. in recognition of his very gallant conduct in WYLDK, SYDENHAM, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- assisting to rescue 17 persons from the Moun- guard at Caister, Norfolk, awarded Silver Medal, taineer, which vessel was wrecked on Walmer on the 21st March 1838, for gallantly assisting to beach. rescue, by means of a hawser, the master and 8 WESTBROOK, EDMUND B., Lieutenant, awarded men from the schooner Lapwing, of Shields, which Silver Medal, on the 7th February 1838, for going was wrecked at Caister. off in a boat, with 3 men, and saving 3 men from YOUNG, THOMAS, Lieutenant of H.M. Coast- the sloop Ann, of Portsmouth, which was wrecked guard at Atherfield, Isle of Wight, awarded Silver on Chichester Shoals. Medal, on the 5th February 18(57, in acknowledge- ment of his gallant services and skilful seaman- WOODHAM, Lieutenant of H.M. Coastguard at ship in saving, with his boat's crew, the brig Red Banff, N.B., awarded Silver Medal, on the 8th Port, of London, and her crew, on the 4th January December 1847, in recognition of his gallant con- 1857. He had also on previous occasions ren- duct at the wreck of the schooner Pearl, at Banff, dered valuable services in saving life from ship- on which occasion the vessel's crew of 5 men were wreck.

ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND NEW LIFE-BOATS.

GOUEDON, N.B.—On the invitation of has been erected for their reception on a the local residents, a Life-boat Station has site kindly granted for that purpose by been formed by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT JAMES FAEau.HAB, Esq., of Hallgreen. The INSTITUTION at Gourdon, a fishing vil- expense of the Life-boat Establishment lage about 12 miles north of Montrose. has been defrayed from a legacy be- Shipwrecks are said to be increasing in queathed to the Institution by the late that neighbourhood. It is also stated that GEOEGE ISLAM, Esq., of London, and the the Boat will probably often be instru- Boat, in accordance with his desire, is mental in aiding fishing-boats belonging named the Young George Irlam. The in- to Gourdon, Bervie, and Johnshaven, on auguration of the Gourdon new Life-boat their being overtaken by sudden gales of Establishment took place on the 12th wind while out pursuing their avocations, October last, and a most interesting de- there being no other Life-boat nearer than monstration it was; the day being ob- Montrose on the south, and Stonehaven on served as a holiday, and the weather the north, Gourdon being about midway fortunately being remarkably fine, a large between those places. The Boat sent to number of people assembled on the occa- this Station is 33 feet long, 8 feet wide, sion. The Boat was first taken from and rows 10 oars double-banked; it is Gourdon to Bervie in a procession which provided with a transporting carriage, was headed by the band of the F. and K. while a substantial and commodious House Artillery Militia, and which comprised

2 D 3 420 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBRUARY 1, 1879. the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Coun- at this town, in the hope that the services cillors, different Lodges of Freemasons, of the Boat may be made available, in con- Odd Fellows, and Good Templars, the 2nd junction with a steam-tug, in the event of and 4th K. Artillery Volunteers, the Volun- shipwrecks occurring in Start Bay; the teer Life Brigade, the Coastguard, fisher- local residents having expressed a wish, men, and others. On returning to Gour- at a public meeting specially convened by don, the Boat was handed over to the the Mayor to consider the subject, that care of the Local Committee by one of the i the Institution would provide them with Inspectors of Life-boats to the Institution, j a Life-boat. The expense of the new the gift being suitably acknowledged by j Life-boat Station has been defrayed by the Chairman, HERCULES SCOTT, Esq., of Mrs. EMMA HARGREAVES, of Cleygate, Brotherton. Sir THOMAS GLADSTONE, Lord- Surrey, in memory of her late daughter; Lieutenant of the county, having also and in accordance with her desire, the addressed the spectators, the Eev. J. Boat, which is one of the 33-feet 10-oared BROWN, Honorary Secretary to the Local class, is named the Maud ffargreaves. The Life-boat Committee, offered up an ap- inauguration of the Life-boat Establish- propriate prayer, after which the cere- ment took place on the 23rd October last. mony of naming was well performed A procession, comprising the Mayor and by Mrs. FABQUHAR, and the Boat was Corporation, Foresters, Coastguard men, launched and tried under oars and sails, and Life-boat crew, with bands of music, when it gave every satisfaction to the proceeded through the town to the Life- crew. boat House, where the Boat had been placed in readiness for launching. The Boat HARTLKPOOL.—A new 33-feet 10-oared was presented by WALTER AUSTIN, Esq., Life-boat has recently been sent to this on behalf of the donor, and the gift port in the place of a Life-boat on the old was accepted in suitable terms by Mr. plan. The expense of the new Boat and CHARLES CHALKER, President of the Local its equipment has been defrayed by Miss Branch. The dedication of the Boat was SARAH BARLOW, of Leicester, in memory then proceeded with, after which the hymn of her late brother, after whom the Boat " For those in Peril on the Sea " was sung. is named the John Clay Barlow. A most The service proper for the occasion was interesting ceremony took place in the old read by the Eev. E. M. JOHNSTONE, assisted harbour on the 18th September last, on by the Eev. J. H. KNAPP. The religious the occasion of the naming and launch of part of the ceremony was brought to a the new Boat. The Eev. JOHN BUHDON, close by the singing of the " Old Hun- J.P., of Castle Eden, President of the dredth." The Boat was then named by Branch, in acknowledging the gift of the Mrs. PERCY HOCKIN, the wife of the Local Boat to the locality, said that he thought Honorary Secretary of the Institution, there was no more divine characteristic of and successfully launched with the crew charity than the present of a Life-boat, on board, amid the cheering of those and nothing more noble in nature than a present. In the evening, the Coxswain band of brave men risking life to save and crew were entertained at a dinner their fellow-creatures. He felt assured provided at the expense of Mrs. HAR- that the new Life-boat could not be in better hands than those of the pilots and GREAVES. fishermen of Hartlepool, who were always DOVER.—A new Life-boat has been ready for active duty. The Eev. EDWIN provided for this port in the place of SHAW having offered a prayer for the a smaller one, which was considered not success of the Boat, the ceremony of equal to the requirements of the Station. naming was performed by Mrs. ORMSBY, The new Boat is 35 feet long, 9 feet wide, after which the Boat was launched and and rows 10 oars double-banked; it is tried by its crew. The new Life-boat has furnished with masts and sails, and is since done good service in saving a ship- mounted on a transporting carriage. The wrecked crew, as will be seen by the expense of the new Boat and its equip- account thereof given on p. 429 of this ment has been defrayed from a legacy number of the Life-boat Journal. bequeathed to the Institution by the DARTMOUTH.—A Life-boat Establish- late Mr. HENRY WILLIAM PICKERSGILL, ment has been formed by the Institution E.A., after whom the Boat is named. FEBRUARY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 421

It should be mentioned that the South- cheers of the numerous spectators; and Eastern Eailway Company readily granted the next day it was tried by the crew, who the Life-boat a free conveyance to its were much pleased with their new Life-boat. Station over their line in September last. WEXFORD, IRELAND.—The Life-boat on WITHEHNSEA, YORKSHIRE.—The Life- this Station, having become unfit for boat on this Station has also been further service, has been replaced by a replaced by a new Boat, 30 feet long, new 10-oared one, 34 feet long and 8 feet wide, and pulling 8 oars, the cost 8£ feet wide; the Boat being conveyed by of which was defrayed from the Victoria steamer from London to Dublin, and Club subscription, raised as a memorial thence by railway to its destination. of the late Admiral Eous, the Boat being Like the Boat it superseded, it was pre- named after him. The old Life-boat at sented to the Institution by members of Withernsea had been instrumental at the Civil Service Life-boat Fund, through different times in saving 42 lives from the indefatigable Honorary Secretary, different shipwrecks. * CHARLES DIBDIN, Esq., F.E.G.S., and is named the Civil Service No. 1. A sub- DONNA NOOK, LINCOLNSHIRE. — The stantial and commodious House has been NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has also erected for the new Life-boat on a more forwarded to the coast of Lincolnshire a. convenient site, closer to the shore, the fine new Life-boat, 34 feet long, 8 feet lease of which was readily granted to the wide, rowing 10 oars double-banked, and Institution, at a nominal rent, by her provided with a transporting carriage, in Majesty's Commissioners of Customs. The place of the Boat on the Donna Nook old Boat had performed noble work in Station, the Boat-house being improved saving 122 lives from different ship- and renovated for their reception from a wrecks, besides helping to rescue 3 vessels design by the Honorary Architect of the from destruction, as will be seen by the Institution. The expense of this new following list. Life-boat Station has been met from a Date. Name of Vessel. ^ives munificent gift to the Institution by Miss 1866 Oct. 19 Barque Voluna, of Liver- DIXON, of Holton Park, in memory of her pool 5 late brother, E. B. DIXON, Esq., and will Dec. 12 Ship Indus, of Maitland, hereafter be known as the Eichard Eoadley N.S 2 Dec. 27 Workmen engaged on Dixon Life-boat Establishment, Donna Dogger Bank ... 9 Nook, the Boat itself being named the 1867 Jan. 9 Smack Noah, of Cardigan 2 Mar. 23 Barque Loretto, of Liver- Richard. The inauguration of the new pool, saved vessel and 14 Life-boat Station took place on the 13th May 9 Brig Ayrshire Lass, of December last, on which day the Boat was Ardrossan, saved vessel and 4 taken in procession through the principal Aug. 17 Smack Robert Hudson, of streets of Louth, and afterwards presented Arklow 4 to the Institution in the market-place of 1869 May 8 Schooner Handy, of Wex- ford 4 that town by Archdeacon ILES on behalf „ Dec. 9 Schooner Columbine, of of the donor. The Mayor and Corpora- Wexford .... 5 tion took part in the demonstration, and 1870 Dec. 10 Smack Arbitrator, of \Vexford .... 9 the Institution was represented on the 1871 Jan. 5 Smack Lark, of Wexford 2 occasion by one of its Inspectors of Life- „ Jan. 4-6 Barque faquita, of San- boats. The Eev. E. W. CHACHOFT and tander, saved vessel and 16 1872 May 13 Yacht Little Vorrit, of Mr. GILBERT HOULDKN also attended on Weymouth .... 2 behalf of the County Branch and the Life- 1873 Aug. 24-25 Schooner Rambler, of boat Station, of which they are respec- Wexford .... 3 „ Sept. 5 Schooner Gem, of Wex- tively the zealous Honorary Secretaries. ford 6 The Boat was escorted from the railway 1875 April 8 Yacht Cruiskeen Lawn, station by the Mayor and Corporation, ofWexfonl ... 2 „ Nov. 14 Brig Emily Raymond, of deputations from the magistrates, &c. and St. John's, N.B. . . 9 the local Volunteer Corps. The cere- 1877 Jan. 22 Fishing lugger Mountain mony of naming was performed by Mrs. Hare, of Wexford. . 6 1878 April 25 S.S. Montagu, of Liver- JAMESON, of Caistor, the donor's sister; pool 18 and after a religious ceremony the Boat was despatched to its Station, amidst the Total lives saved, in addition to 3 vessels 122 422 THE LIFE-BOAT. (THWART i> 1379.

DEOWNING IN INLAND WATEES. IT appears from a parliamentary return increased public attention will be directed moved for last session by HUGH BIHLEY, to this vital and national subject, which Esq., M.P. for Manchester, that alto- clearly has been too long overlooked. gether 2662 persons were drowned during The following is the list of the lives lost the year 1877 in the rivers, canals, and by drowning in inland waters in England lakes of England and Wales, excluding and Wales during the year 1877. Scotland and Ireland ; and this, probably, is the average number drowned every year >- B <£ o in those waters. 1 °l cj £.3 County. > &0 Before proceeding to make some remarks j 6 C3 on this interesting and instructive return, "S we may be permitted to mention the fact that it is now nearly thirty years since ENGLAND. we first called public attention to the BEDFORDSHIRE . 2 7 .. great loss of life from shipwreck that oc- BERKSHIRE 5 16 '2 'b BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 5 18 3 2 curred every year on the coasts of the CAMBRIDGESHIRE . 5 18 1 4 CHESHIRE . 5 46 30 29 United Kingdom, mainly from the want of CORNWALL . 6 9 1 2 adequate means to save them. Since that CUMBERLAND 3 15 2 DERBYSHIRE 6 16 is 10 period, however, these means have been DEVONSHIRE 11 49 2 8 so amply and efficiently supplied by the DORSETSHIRE 7 11 2 DURHAM . 4 67 12 NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION and the ESSEX . 5 40 'i 8 BOARD OF TRADE that we can now with GLOUCESTERSHIRE 7 41 11 18 HEREFORDSHIRE . 3 13 3 3 confidence assert that hardly a single life HERTFORDSHIRE . 4 7 4 5 is lost from shipwreck on our coasts which HUNTINGDONSHIRE 4 6 .. 2 KENT . . . , 7 83 12 35 can by any human means be saved. LANCASHIRE . . 12 ' 99 155 162 We venture to express a hope that the LEICESTERSHIRE . 4 10 12 6 LINCOLNSHIRE 10 44 10 11 period is not far distant when it may be MIDDLESEX . . 7 149 72 13 said with equal precision and truthfulness MONMOUTH 3 14 9 11 6 33 6 that no lives are lost from drowning in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 4 13 '5 4 our inland waters which can by any pos- NORTHUMBERLAND 4 66 4 1 NOTTINGHAM 4 20 5 5 sibility be restored to life. Meanwhile, it OXFORDSHIRE . . 8 16 7 4 is our duty to direct attention to the fol- SHROPSHIRE . 10 17 5 9 SOMERSETSHIRE . 5 44 3 24 lowing facts concerning the distressing SOUTHAMPTON . 10 37 3 6 loss of life from drowning in various dis- STAFFORDSHIRE . 10 11 63 39 SUFFOLK . 6 13 13 tricts as detailed in the parliamentary SURREY . . . 2 110 is 4 return to which we have already referred. SUSSEX .... 4 8 1 9 WARWICKSHIRE . 5 23 42 9 The accompanying chart, which we have WESTMORELAND . 1 2 4 WILTS .... 6 14 6 4 carefully compiled from the facts detailed WORCESTERSHIRE 4 24 14 11 in the parliamentary return, cannot fail YORK , . 21 123 111 66 to bring this important subject home to WALES. everyone. It will be observed that on BRECON . . . 3 3 the chart each locality is given, and that CARDIGANSHIRE . j 3 7 'i CARMARTHENSHIRE 5 10 •• 4 the black dots indicate the number of CARNARVONSHIRE 5 2 persons who were unhappily drowned in DENBIGHSHIRE . 2 3 i 4 FLINTSHIRE 2 6 5 1877 in that locality; but in the case of GLAMORGANSHIRE 4 20 i2 14 Middlesex the number drowned, on ac- MERIONETH . . 1 3 . . MONTGOMERYSHIRE 3 7 i count solely of the want of space on the PEMBROKESHIRE . 2 "l chart, is given in figures. RADNOR 2 3 With the help of this chart, aided by TOTALS . . . 1423 ' 037 602 the accompanying remarks, we trust that j )' FEBBUAKY 1,1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 423

We shall now proceed to make a few frequency. As between the different sexes salient remarks on these figures. On and ages, too, the figures are very much analysing the summary, we find that 2140 what might have been expected. In run- males and 522 females were drowned in ning waters 901 males over twelve and 1877. This great difference in the num- 165 females of the same age have lost ber of the sexes who were drowned can their lives. partially be accounted for by the nature of It is remarkable to observe from the their respective employments. The ordi- return the number of little girls who nary vocations of women do not expose tumble into the water, and who are them to any constant risk from water, drowned. Seventy-one such deaths oc- while those of men, navigating steamers, curred during 1877 in rivers, 40 in canals, barges, and lighters, and acting as and 65 in lakes and ponds. stevedores, perpetually expose them to The higher proportionate percentage hazard. No one can witness the huge written down against canals is due, no barges on the Thames and other large doubt, to the fact that in all poor and rivers, which sometimes have actually populous surburban districts the canal only one man on board to navigate them, bank is a favourite playing-ground for the without being deeply impressed how often children of the poor. Thus 286 lads under such people must lose their lives, either twelve lost their lives in rivers, 150 in from collision during the darkness of the canals, and 193 in ponds and lakes. As night, a thick fog, or some other untoward far as anything can be gathered from cause. them, the totals would seem to indicate Again, a large number of the deaths that bathing in ponds or reservoirs is very from drowning among men is probably dangerous. The return does not show due to accidents while bathing, or boating, how many drowning cases occurred from or fishing, from which women are practi- actual work and labour, how many from cally exempt. Then, again, of the 522 boat accidents, from suicides, and how women whose deaths are returned, it is many from accidents while bathing. more than probable that somewhat more The general effect of the return is once than half that number' had committed more to impress the importance of learning suicide. Indeed, all that the return from to swim. Of the 629 lads under the age this point of view shows is that those who of twelve who are reported as having are employed in and about the water neces- been drowned during the year, not one in sarily run far greater risk of drowning twenty was probably able to swim. Of than do those who are occupied on shore. accidents, in what may be called fresh or Eunning waters claim 1423 victims, inland waters, the majority, as we have canals 637, and lakes and ponds 602. said, occur to men in the actual pursuit These totals speak for themselves. Kun- of their trade or calling. Next in order ning waters include, of course, tidal rivers, of fatality come boating accidents; and where vessels are numerous and accidents bathing, especially in summer time, ranks connected with shipping frequent. next; and lastly, what may be termed Lakes and ponds come next in order, miscellaneous accidents, such as skating or partly because lakes like those of Cumber- fishing casualties, or accidental falls from land and Westmoreland are exceptionally the bank. In almost all such cases the dangerous, and partly because the term power to swim thirty or forty yards would, " pond " must be presumed also to include in all human probability, prove sufficient to " reservoir," and in the manufacturing save life. A boy employed about a ship in districts, where there are large reservoirs tidal water is sent aloft, o.r has to climb for the storage of water, a certain number out along the bowsprit; his footing or his of casualties among bathers and boating grasp fails him, and in a minute the parties is more or less a nutter of annual j tide has carried him fifty yards away; o .| j:.: «>••' z: : -sec u- !:•. ^0 sSSsv "'i '-"M(a K < ^i;ielS t

424 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBBUARY 1, 1879. if he is able to swim, he is probably in another generation it will probably be no danger, but in the absence of the art a strange thing to see a young man he is lost. Again, for bathers, swimming unable to swim. is even more necessary, especially in rivers, It is well known that the philosophers during the hot summer months. When- and statesmen of ancient Greece and Eome ever a chance of a dip offers itself during measured the civilisation of a district by that period, in a river, in a reservoir, in a its appreciation of human life; and its canal, or even in a pond, there bathers importance is constantly inculcated in will collect in greater or less numbers. the Scriptures. Indeed we all know that For those who cannot swim, fresh water is everything human terminates in the more dangerous than salt, as it is lighter. twinkling of an eye with life; and the We have always contended that a boy, or value of the life of a single person is even a girl, ought to be able to swim as beyond price, inasmuch as his life—and naturally, easily, and with as little hesi- his life alone—concerns him; and when tation as in taking any other exercise. that life ceases, the world with all its Strange as it may seem, swimming is not hopes and cares also comes to an end. a natural exercise of the body, as walking It is, therefore, with considerable satis- may be said to be; but it can become so faction that we recognise the important by practice, as acquirements of the mind services which various School Boards, in are accomplished and perfected. We, London and elsewhere, and the Ambu- therefore, contend that it is quite as much lance Department of the Order of St. John a duty to a lad to teach him to swim as of Jerusalem, are rendering to the cause to teach him any mental or physical of humanity by impressing on all the exercise. duty and absolute necessity—when life is At any period of life, these undoubtedly endangered by any cause whatever—to can be mastered by assiduity and atten- take proper steps for its succour, and, tion, as in the case of Dr. JOHNSON and particularly in the case of the apparently others, who, when far advanced in life, drowned, to see that they are treated in have learned foreign languages and other accordance with the Instructions of the accomplishments, and we trust that in KOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

SBEVICES OF THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION FEOM THE IST OCT. TO THE 31si DEC. 1878. ISLE or WHITHOBN.—On the 2nd Octo- j In the afternoon she was seen to drag her ber, the smack Swallow was observed off: anchors and drift on to the Cow and Calf Borough Head dismasted, and in danger of Rocks. At about 6.30 P.M. she hoisted a being driven on the rocks. The Whithorn signal of distress, and the Life-boat Sir Life-boat Charlie Peek put off to her Edward Perrott put off to her assistance, assistance, but before she could get near and soon arrived alongside the vessel. In the Swallow, another vessel arrived and the meantime, however, the crew, con- took her in tow towards Drumore. The sisting of 4 men, had got on the Cow Life-boat was hailed to follow, and she Kock, and great difficulty was experienced assisted in passing a fresh tow-rope, as the in getting them into the Life-boat. As one in use had nearly parted. soon as they were taken on board, an attempt was made to return to the shore, FISHGUABD.—On the 7th Oct. a very heavy but as the Boat had to pass through a S.S.W. gale was experienced here. Several narrow opening between the mainland vessels were lying at anchor in the road- and the rock, through which there was a stead, one of which, the schooner Charlotte, very heavy run of tide, the wind being dead of Portmadoc, was anchored very far out, against her, it was found impossible to and fears were entertained for her safety. make headway ; and she therefore had to FEBRUARY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 425

run into Pwll Hir for shelter. She re- at about 11.30 A.M. the Life-boat Elizabeth mained there for some hours until slack proceeded to her assistance, in tow of a water, when another effort to pass through steamer. The barque was reached, and 12 the sound was made; but when nearly of the steamer's crew were put on board through, the Boat was met by such terrific her, when she was taken in tow and gusts of wind that she was driven back, brought safely into Whitehaven. and had again to seek shelter at Pwll The Silver Medal of the Institution was Hir. After waiting there a long while, awarded to Mr. JOHN WEBSTEB, Coxswain the gale slightly abated, and another of the Maryport Life-boat, in recognition attempt was made to pass through the of his gallant services in the Boat on this channel, fortunately this time with suc- and several former occasions. cess. The Life-boat men were very much exhausted on reaching the shore, having ABERSOCH.—On the 10th October, a been out in the boat 9 hours, and were telegram was received from Barmouth, thoroughly wet, the rain having been stating that a vessel was in distress, riding pouring in torrents during the time they at anchor dangerously near to St. Patrick's were at Pwll Hir. Causeway, and that it was impossible for the Barmouth Life-boat to go to her aid, MAETPORT AND WHITEHAVEN. — The as the gale was blowing right in there. barque Cam Tual, of Liverpool, sailed j The Abersoch Life-boat Mabel Louisa, was from Maryport on the 6th October, and [ launched as quickly as possible, and pro- on the 9th, at 9 P.M., she was observed toceede | d to the vessel, which proved to be be showing signals of distress, at which the barque Dusty Miller, of Liverpool, time she was riding in the Sol way between bound from St. John's to Holyhead with Kobin Rigg and Dunrugh Banks, with loss a cargo of timber. On arriving by her, of one anchor. A strong S. to W.S.W. gale the master requested that the Life-boat was blowing, and the sea was very rough. would stay alongside until the weather The Henry Nixson Life-boat proceeded out, moderated. She accordingly remained by but as the barque had no lights up, her during the night, and at about 6.30 she was unable 1o find her, and after on the following morning a steam-tug searching for her in vain for 5^ hours she from Portmadoc came up, took the barque returned ashore. At 9 A.M. on the fol- in tow, and brought her into St. Tudwall's lowing morning the Life-boat went out Roads. The wind was blowing a gale again in tow of a steam-tug. She then from W.S.W. during the performance of found the vessel and brought ashore 9 this service, accompanied by a heavy men, one of whom had meanwhile become sea. insane through fear; the master and mate, The Second Service Clasp of the Insti- however, refused to leave their ship. tution was presented to the Eev. OWEN Information of the vessel being in dis- LLOYD WILLIAMS, Honorary Secretary of tress was also received at Whitehaven, and the Branch, in recognition of his gallant 426 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBRUARY 1, 1879.

services in the Life-boat on this and on which was in a dangerous position close other occasions. to the Barber Sands, during a very strong northerly gale and heavy sea. The vessel SELSEY.—On the 18th October, signals was on a voyage from Ystero to London, of distress having been observed, the Life- with barley, and carried a crew of 4 men. boat Four Sisters was launched, and pro- ceeded to the Boyal Mail steamer Elbe, On the 14th November, at 4.30 A.M., which had gone ashore on the Puller the No. 1 Life-boat was launched, in reply Bank during a strong E. wind and hazy to signals of distress, shown in the direc- weather. The Life-boat remained by her tion of the Middle Cross Sand. She sailed until the following morning, when she got towards the sand, and met a boat con- off and proceeded on her voyage. taining 5 men, the crew of the schooner F. Edwards, of Grimsby. Their vessel PALLING.—On the 28th October, at had gone ashore on the sand, and become 4 A.M., during a fresh westerly wind, a total wreck, and the crew had taken signals of distress from the North Has- to their boat, which, when met by the borough Sands light were heard. The Life-boat, was nearly full of water, and British Workman Life-boat proceeded out, had two oars broken. The men were and, when about 3 miles from • the land, at once taken into the Life-boat and safely picked up a ship's boat containing 6 men. landed at Caister. They proved to be the crew of the schooner Smiihfield, of Aberdeen, bound from that On the 19th December, the No. 2 Life- port to London with stone, which vessel boat put off and rescued the crew of had stranded on the Hasborough Sands 6 men from the brig Melita, of Blyth, during the night. The master had been which had stranded during a fresh N.W. left on board the schooner, and the Life- breeze and heavy sea. The Life-boat also boat therefore proceeded towards her, and brought ashore 10 beachmen who had with much difficulty succeeded in rescuing gone on board the vessel to try to save him from the rigging, the vessel having her from being wrecked. sunk. The Life-boat then made for her station, and arrived at about 2 P.M., having On the 30th December, at 6.30 P.M., been engaged 10 hours in rendering this signals of distress having been observed, service. the No. 1 Life-boat went to the Cross Sand, and found the barque. Palmyra, of CAISTKR.—On the 6th November, flare South Shields, ashore there. Part of her lights having been seen in the direction crew had abandoned her in two boats, and of the Cross Sand, the No. 1 Life-boat the others were preparing to leave her. Covent Garden proceeded out, and found j The Life-boat men boarded the vessel, and, the fishing-smack Mystery, of Great Yar- \ finding only 18 inches of water in her, mouth, just off the sand. She was partly • they decided to attempt to save her; and, dismantled, and had been abandoned by her ! with the aid of steam-tugs, she was even- crew. The Life-boat men boarded her, sot j tually got off and taken iuto Yarmouth sail, and took her into Yarmouth Eoads, j Eoads. where she was anchored until the follow- ing morning. At daylight a steam-tug DONNA NOOK, THEDDLETHORPE, AND was engaged, and towed her into Yarmouth CLEETHOBPES, LINCOLNSHIRE. — A very Harbour. It was subsequently ascertained severe gale occurred on the Lincolnshire that her crew had got on board another coast last November, its violence being fishing-smack. The wind was blowing experienced more or loss for nearly nine strongly from the N. at the time, accom- days. panied by squalls, and the sea was very On the 8th, at 8.30 P.M., signals of heavy on the sand. distress were shown near Graiuthorpe Haven, by the brig Matilda, of Laurvig, On the 9th November, the No. 2 Life- during a whole gale from the N. and a boat Godsend went out in reply to signals very rough sea. The Donna Nook Life-boat of distress, and assisted to save the North Briton was taken along the coast a schooner Milky Way, of Fraserburgh, distance of about five miles, and was then FEBBUABY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 427 launched, and succeeded in rescuing the before the Boat could get to their assist- crew, consisting of 10 men. The brig, ance. In launching, on this occasion, great which was bound from Laurvig to Hull difficulty was experienced; the flood tide with a cargo of ice, became a total wreck. coming in so quickly on the flat beach that it floated the Boat off the carriage, which On the afternoon of the 15th, the gale latter had to be abandoned until the tide then blowing very heavily, accompanied turned, and some of the launchers and two by squalls of rain, a vessel was seen drift- of the horses had a most narrow escape from ii;g towards the shore at Donna Nook, drowning, as the water was over the backs which soon afterwards struck on the Hale of the horses, and they were only liberated Sand. The alarm was given at the Life- just in time. The service was one of the boat Station of the Institution, and the most trying the men had ever experienced, Boat was quickly got out, but before she the horses also suffering fearfully. It was could be launched, the vessel fortunately a bitter cold night, and they did not get drifted off the sand, and by skilful home until four o'clock in the morning. manoeuvring she rounded the west end of The men had just placed the horses in the the bank and got away to sea in safety, stable, and were taking off their wet clothes, having narrowly escaped shipwreck. A when the signal gun was again fired in few hours afterwards, the gale having by quick succession. Fresh horses were pro- no means moderated, signal lights of cared, and the Life-boat was soon off to a distress were shown from a vessel in the ship ashore near Saltfleet Haven. She direction of Tetney Haven, and the Life- was the barque Johann Benjamin, of boat was again got ready ; but as it was Memel, bound thence to Hull with a ascertained that, on account of the vast cargo of timber; two of her masts had body of water in Grainthorpe Haven, she been cut away, and she had also lost her could not be got across there, rocket mizen-top-mast and jibboom, and was signals were made to the next Life-boat altogether in a most dangerous position. Station at Cleethorpes, requiring the ser- The Theddlethorpe Life-boat had also vices of their Boat. That Life-boat is gone to her aid, and she took off 6 of the named the Manchester Unity, she having crew; 3 went in the Donna Nook Life- been presented to the Institution by the boat, but the master and mate declined Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Man- to leave their ship. Soon after the Douna chester Unity). She promptly proceeded Nook Life-boat landed, she was once more out when the signals of distress were called out, and proceeded through a very observed, and had to encounter a heavy heavy sea to the schooner Briton, of gale from the N. and a very bad sea ; how- Sandefiord, bound from Charlestown to ever, the crew persevered, and found the Frederikshavn with a cargo of coals, brigantine Sea Flower, of Seaham, stranded which had stranded near Grainthorpe. off Grainthorpe. The greatest danger was Ou reaching that vessel, it was found that incurred in rescuing the shipwrecked men, the crew had been got ashore, but that and the Life-boat received some injury by they had left the signals of distress flying. the ship's boat being washed on to her There were two landsmen on board. An- from the deck of the vessel by the heavy other vessel—the Russian schooner Krona seas. The anchor and cable had to be —also stranded at Donna Nook while the slipped, and several oars and rowing Life-boat was at Saltfleet; her crew of crutches were broken. However, the men 11 men were saved by some of the boat- did not themselves receive any injury, and men, with the help of three horses. The they had the satisfaction of landing the Life-boat returned to Donna Nook about whole of the shipwrecked crew in safety. 3 P.M. on the 18th, the crew having been on service then for nearly twenty-one On the night of tbe 17th, lights, repeated hours; they were nearly exhausted, but in quick succession, were seen in the di- showed a most brave and determined rection of the New Sand light, and the spirit, and were quite ready to go out Donna Nook Life-boat proceeded to sea, again in the Life-boat if required, not- . but the unfortunate vessel, which was withstanding their condition. Although found to be the Annie, of Montrose, had too much praise cannot be given to the capsized, and the crew perished, long men who performed such noble services, 428 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBBUABY 1, 1879. I it may be mentioned that the rewards of the Forth, during hazy weather, her granted by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT machinery was disabled. She then made INSTITUTION for these services of the for the land under sail, but went ashore three Life-boats amounted altogether to amongst the rocks, the water being low at 241Z. the time. When left by her crew, she was fast filling with water, and was likely to GOBLBSTON.—On the 8th November, the become a total wreck. Life-boat Leicester went to the assistance of the brigantine Old Goody, of Favers- LOWESTOFT.—On the 10th November, ham, which had been in collision in the at about 4 A.M., signals of distress were roads. Some of the Life-boat men went seen from a vessel on the Holm Sand. on board, and with the help of a steam- The No. 1 Life-boat Samuel Plimsoll was tug the vessel was brought safely into the launched, and on reaching the sand found harbour. She carried a crew of 8 men. the s.s. Gorm, of Copenhagen, ashore there. , On the same day, the Boat again pro- The Boat went alongside her, took off her ceeded out, during a heavy N.N.W. gale, crew of 2,1 men, and safely landed them and, with the aid of a steam-tug, brought at Lowestoft at about 7.15. The vessel the schooner Zephyr, of Montrose, safely was bound from Kiga to London with into harbour. She had lost her anchor oats. and chain, her sails had been blown away, On the 27th November, at 9 P.M., signals and she was leaking, having been on one were shown by a vessel in Lowestoft North of the sands. She had a crew of 5 men, Roads. Tbe No. 1 Life-boat proceeded out and was loaded with cement. in tow of a steam-tug, and brought ashore the crew of 5 men from the schooner NEWBIGGIN.—On the 8th November, a Zestoria, of Colchester, which vessel was very heavy gale from the N.E. sprang up riding at anchor in the roadstead, but at about 10 A.M., and several fishing labouring very heavily, her cargo having cobles which had gone out at 4 o'clock, shifted. On the following morning the when it was quite calm, were in very vessel was brought into harbour. great danger. At 1 P.M. the storm in- creased to such an extent that it was THORPE.—On the 10th November, the deemed advisable to launch the Life-boat, schooner Margaret, of Goole, riding off four of the cobles not having returned to Thorpeness during a S.S.W. gale, was port. The Life-boat W. Hopkinson of observed to drag her anchor. She slipped Srighouse accordingly proceeded out, and her cable, but her rudder chains broke, accompanied the boats round Newbiggin she became unmanageable, and drove on Point and into the bay, the presence of to the rocks. The Thorpe Life-boat the Boat being a great encouragement to Ipswich went to her assistance, and suc- the men in rounding the point. ceeded in rescuing her crew of 5 men, and landed them at Sizewell. The vessel RHYL.—On the 8th November, at about became a total wreck. 3 P.M., the Jane Dalton Life-boat pro- ceeded to the aid of the sloop Haven, of RAMSGATE.—On the 13th November, at Liverpool, which had lost her mainsail, 3 A.M., during a fresh breeze from the and, becoming unmanageable, had been E.N.E., signals were fired from the Gull driven ashore at Plastirion Point. The lightship, in response to which the Brad- vessel's crew of 3 men were taken into the ford Life-boat and steam-tug Aid pro- Life-boat, and safely landed at Rhyl about ceeded to the sands, and found a barque 3.45. She was bound from Llanddulas to ashore there. The Life-boat was slipped Liverpool with limestone. from the tug, and sailed towards the vessel. Some of the Life-boat men boarded ANSTBUTHEB.—On the 9th November, her, and the master at once requested the Admiral Fitzroy Life-boat rescued them to assist to get her off. Part of her the crew, consisting of 4 men, from the s.s. ballast was thrown overboard to lighten Dryad, of Glasgow. The vessel was on a her, and, on the tide flowing, the head- voyage from Montrose to Campbeltown, sail was set, the steamer backed in, with barley, and when near the entrance and her towing hawser was attached. FEBRUARY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 429

After towing for some time, the vessel was THE PKICE OF FISH IN LONDON. got afloat, and was taken into Kamsgate To THE EDITOR OF THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. harbour. She proved to be the barque SIR,—As so many of the gallant men who are Bideadale, of Southampton, bound from ever ready to man the Life-boats of the NATIONAL Hull to Southampton in ballast. LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION belong to the hardy fish- ing population of our coasts, I have thought that a few remarks on the sale of cheap fish in the BURNHAM.—On the 28th November, the London market would be interesting and in- daiidy Henry, of Bridgwater, was seen at structive to them and to the readers of the Life- anchor off the Gore Sands, with a flag of boat Journal generally. In order that your general readers may understand the question, I will de- distress flying. The Burnham Life-boat scribe the working of the fish trade as familiarly was launched, and on reaching her, it as I can. The first persons connected with the trade are, was found that her sails had been blown of course, the fishermen, who go out fishing from away, and that she was leaking; and as the various seaports and villages around our the sea was making a clean breach over coasts. When the fish is caught, it is, as soon as possible, brought to shore and sold. There are her, the Life-boat, at the master's request, various ways of selling the fish, and as they are remained by her until a steamer came the mysterious secrets of the trade, which cause to tow her out of her dangerous position. both the scarcity and dearness of fish, I will en- deavour to explain them in detail. The method most commonly adopted is as fol- HARTLEPOOL.—On the 28th November, lows—in fact, with a few exceptions, it is almost the at about 1.50 A.M., the ketch Escape, of only one. There are certain persons, by no means a large class, who either reside or have agents at Goole, was observed making for Hartle- all the principal fishing stations in the kingdom. pool, and showing signals of distress. They agree for a certain period with the local The sea being very high, the No. 3 Life- fishermen to take every poundweight of fish that is brought to the landing-place at a certain fixed boat John Clay Barlow put off and went price per stone or hundredweight, no matter how towards her; but before she could be much or how little. It is, when landed, imme- reached, she had drifted on to Middleton diately packed and sent to the market town where it is intended to be offered for sale. These factors beach. It was found that she had 5 feet are banded together for the purpose of keeping up of water in her hold, and her crew, con- the price of fish, under all conditions of supply, sisting of 4 men, and 3 other persons who and carry out this system as follows. Telegrams are exchanged between the various were on board her, were therefore taken fishing places and the markets of Billingsgate, into the Life-boat and brought safely Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and others, and ashore. The ketch became a total wreck. the exact amount of fish in the fishing-boats and on offer in the markets carefully ascertained. The matter is then cautiously considered, and the CABNSOKB.—On the 19th December, the fish sent to the most favourable market for sale. Life-boat Iris was launched to the assist- Should there be an extra quantity of fish likely ance of the dandy Fairy, of Wexford, in any way to bring down the price by glutting the market, it is immediately destroyed, and what which vessel is employed as tender to the should have provided for the starving people is Tuskar lightship. Her mast had been lost for ever. A more objectionable and unfair proceeding, having for its motive the increase of a carried away while wearing, during a few dealers, I never heard of or even read about. fresh N.W. wind and rough sea, and she Neither is there any excuse for such practices ; was lying at anchor close to the Tuskar for if there were any fear of rendering fish un- saleable by unduly overstocking the market (a Bock, with a large quantity of water in circumstance it is at all times wise, if possible, to her. Her crew, consisting of 6 men, had prevent in all businesses), it would be quite prac- taken refuge on the rock, and it was only ticable to cure or salt the fish in numerous ways, without destroying it. The price paid for the fish with great difficulty that the Life-boat by these factors to the fishermen ranges from a was enabled to take the men off and bring farthing to lid. per lb., soles and turbot some- them safely to land. times being sold separately. In some places the fish is sold by public auction, but the factors' knock-out renders it an utter farce. Some fisher- STJNDERLAND.—On the 29th December, men bring their fish direct to Billingsgate at their the Life-boat Florence Nightingale rescued own risk, to be sold by auction, but their number is very small indeed as compared with the general the crew, consisting of 4 men, from the trade. schooner Marianne, of London, which was I will now endeavour to give farther particulars totally wrecked on Sunderland South relating to the re-sale of fish by the factors. As the customs observed at Billingsgate are followed, Bocks, during a strong S. wind and heavy more or less, by the provincial trade, a description sea. of the London market will amply suffice to ex- plain the matter to your readers. Before proceeding with the details of sale, it will be necessary to describe, as nearly as possible, the way in which fish is prepared for sale at Billings- 430 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBRUARY 1, 1879. gate by the factors at the landing-place or fishing iemouth, Buckie, Banff, Fraserburgh, and White- station. The tish is packed in barrels, baskets, boxes, link Bay. and in what are known to the trade as machines. 2. Porthoustock, Falmouth, Portloe, Porthleven, A machine is a closed shallow box, carried on a Mevagissey, Fowey, and Looe. railway truck, supposed to contain about two tons 3. Rhosneigir, Rhoscolyn, Holyhead, Cemlyn, of fish. The fish, when landed at the seaport, is Cemaes, Bull Bay, Penmon, Moeli're, Orme's Head, almost immediately put into the machine or baskets Llanddulas, and Rhyl. and sent at considerable speed up to Billingsgate. Reported the receipt of the following special The factors consign the fish to certain auctioneers, contributions since the last Meeting :— who make it their business to sell it on commission £. «. d. by public auction in the market. The purchasers Friends at Manchester, to defray the of this fish are not, as the public generally sup- cost of a Life-boat to be named the pose, the retail fishmongers and costerniongers of William and Mary 800 0 0 London, but the stall-holders of Billingsgate, who The late Lady.CUNINGIIAM FAIRLIE'S rejoice in the expressive but inelegant appellation Bequest, additional payment, per of " bummerees." Glasgow Branch 60 7 11 The " bummerees" are also, in part, the cause of Collected at the Bristol Mercantile the present absurd, unreasonable price of fish, for Marine Office, per G. C. WHITWILL, before the ordinary retail fishmonger has well Esq., additional 243 commenced his purchases, these " bummerees" have Portion of Harvest Thank Offering sold and re-sold the fish among themselves several from the Parish of Newton-by-Sud- times over, and, of course, each sale increases the bury, per Rev. REGINALD SMITH, price of this valuable article of food. After the additional 200 *' bummerees " have finished their transactions, the Collected on board the s.s. Ascupart, fish is exposed for sale on or near the stalls of of Southampton, per Capt. A. HAR- these traders. The retail fishmongers then come LOW, additional 200 in and select the various kinds of fish which they Contents of Contribution Box, per think will be most useful for their purpose. Miss FARRAK, additional .... 1 17 2 Of the wholesale price of fish paid by the —To be severally thanked. retail fishmonger to the " bummeree," it is impos- sible to give any definite or certain estimate, as Reported that the following legacies had been the prices appear to vary from one halfpenny bequeathed to the Institution :— per Ib. to twopence per Ib. Soles and the more £. s. d. expensive kinds of fish are sold by the pair ; crabs, The late J. A. BATHO, Esq., Brighton. 100 0 0 lobsters, and crayfish by the dozen, and other fish The late Mrs. HANNAH ARMSTRONG, in various ways. of Skerton, Lancaster 19 19 0 To sum up the whole matter, somehow or other, The late Mrs. ELIZABETH TINKLER, from the moment the fish leaves the hands of the of Brixton 500 fisherman at the seaside, at a price something be- The late Mr. CHARLES PARTRIDGE, tween a farthing and a penny a pound, on arriving of Shelly, Suffolk. (An annual con- on the table of the consumer it has been worked tribution of 2i, to be paid during the up to charges varying from Gd. to 1*. Gd. per Ib., lives of his brother and sister.) according to the quality of the fish sold. In these calculations I do not include scarce Reported the transmission to their Stations of fish, such as salmon, trout, or mullet. the Dover and Hartlepool new Life-boats. . I am, however, at a loss to understand how the The South-Eastern Railway Company had kindly fishermen, who risk their lives in all sorts of granted a free conveyance to the Dover boat.—To weather to supply us with fish, make such bad lie thanked. bargains with the middle men in the tirst instance, Voted the thanks of the Institution to the Rev. except from the fact that the large salesmen are J. WEBB, in acknowledgment of his past long and the mortgagees of most of the boats. The truth valuable co-operation as the Honorary Secretary is that under the present system the public pay of the Hornsea Branch of the Society. through the nose and the fishermen are poverty- Paid 3536/. 19s. 9d. for sundry charges on various stricken. It is high time, I think, that co-operation Life-boat Establishments. should come upon the scene to break down this fish " ring."—Yours faithfully, Voted 101Z. Is. to pay the expenses of the Life- boats at Wells, Whitby, Douglas, Thurso, Fleet- January 1879. A MAN IK THE CROWD. wood, Tyrella, and Montrose, in rendering the following services:— Lives saved. Sloop Sally, of Wells 4 SUMMAET OP THE Fishiug-boat Welcome, of Hartlepool ... 2 Whitby fishing-boats, rendered assistance. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. Brigantine Delhi, of Belfast 6 lirigantine St. Helen, of Carnarvon . . . .5 Smack Maggie, of Sunderland ...'.. 3 THURSDAY, 3rd October 1878 : Smack Ann, of Berwick 2 THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., Chairman Schooner Eva, of Runcorn ...... 4 of the Institution, in the Chair. Schooner Unionist, of Berwick 5 Schooner Caroline JUarton, of Dumfries . . 4 Kead and approved the Minutes of the previous Schooner Jane Shearer, of Thurso .... 4 Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- Schooner Ann, of Runcorn 6 ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees. Schooner Phoenician, of Douglas ..... 4 Also the Reports of three of the Inspectors of Schooner Lark, of Aberdeen 4 Life-boats to the Institution on their visits to the Barque Clmrles Clialloner, of Fleetwood . . 1 following Life-boat Stations:— Smack Wasp, of Belfast 3 1. Dover, Hartlepool, Montrose, Gourdon, Los- A pilot boat of Montrose, saved boat and . . 2 FEBBUABY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 431

The Staithes and Newbiggin Life-boats had Also the receipt of 550?. the result of a collection rendered assistance to distressed fishing-boats. amongst the officers and employe's of the Locomo- The Lvtham Life-boat had saved the schooner tive and Carriage Department of the Great Western Emerald Isle, of Dvogheda, and her crew of 5 men. Railway, to provide a Life-boat as a memorial of [The particulars of these services will be found on the late Mr. JOSEPH ARMSTRONG, who was for pages 392-397 of the last number of the Life-boat many years their Chief Superintendent. Journal.] Decided that the donors be thanked. Voted 701. to pay the expenses of the Ruuswick, Reported also the receipt of the following other Tenby, Troon, Palling, and Campbeltowu Life- special contributions since the last Meeting-:— boats, in either assembling their crews or putting £ s. d. off in reply to signals of distress shown by vessels Executors of the late THOMAS ABM- which did not ultimately need the services of the STRONG, Esq., of Ore, near Hastings 200 0 0 boats. Lord OVERSTONE, additional ... 50 0 0 Also 2(W. to the crew of a Gorleston private Mrs. ANN JONES, Faversham ... 25 0 0 Life-boat for saving the crew of 4 men from the Collected on board the saloon steamer schooner William, of Hastitig8,whidi had stranded Albert Edward, per Mr. F. WATT, on the North Sands, oif Gorleston, during a strong additional 560 S.W. wind and a heavy sea, on the evening of the —To be severally thanked. 22nd September. Also 51. to 7 men for putting off in a boat and Also that the following legacies had been be- saving one of two men whose boat had been queathed to the Institution:— capsized by a heavy squall in Mulroy Bay, Co. The late EDWARD JONES, Esq., of Donegal, on the llth August. Port Hope, Ontario, Canada . . . 3000 dols. Voted also an additional sum of 51. to a man who had rendered gallant service in saving life on £. s. d. the occasion of the wreck of the fishing-boat Susan The late Mrs. POPHAM, of Ardchattan, at Porthleven, Cornwall, on the 24th November Argyleshire 500 0 0 last, and who had suffered from illness caused by The Committee expressed their sincere sympathy exposure incurred in performing the service. with the Marquis of CHOLMONDELEY, V.P., on the Voted 41. to 8 men for putting off in a boat from occasion of the lamented decease of the Marchioness Palling, Norfolk, and saving the crew of 8 men, Of ClIOLMONDELEY. and the master's wife and child, from the barque Also their deep regret at the death of Mr. Blue Wave, of Blyth, which had stranded off GEORGE MATHIESON, of Edinburgh, who had Palling during a N.W. gale, on the 20th September. been for many years th'e much valued and able Also 11. to a Coastguard boatman at Salcombe, Honorary Secretary of the Edinburgh and Leith Devon, for assisting to rescue 3 men from a Coast- Branch of the Institution. guard galley which had been capsized on Salcombe Reported the transmission to their stations of Bar, in a heavy sea, on the 7th May. the new Life-boats for Dartmouth, Gourdon, N.B., and Wexford, Ireland. Ordered that various works be carried out at the Bude, Torquay, Broadstairs, Dartmouth, Winter- THURSDAY, 7th November: ton, and Newcastle (Dundrurn) Life-boat Stations, The Chairman of the Institution in the Chair. at an expense of 280/. Os. 8d. Head and approved the Minutes of the previous Paid 3506?. Os. 2d. for sundry charges on various Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- Life-boat Establishments. ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees. Voted 891. 12s. to pay the expenses of the Life- Read the Report of the Chief Inspector, and also boats at Isle of Whithorn, Fishguard, Marvport, those of the three other Life-boat Inspectors, on Palling, and Ilfracombe, in rendering the follow- their visits to the following places:— ing services :— 1. Liverpool, New Brighton, Dartmouth, Porth- Lives cawl, and Plymouth. saved. 2. Fraserburgh, Whitelink Bay, Peterhead, Cru- Smack Swallow, rendered assistance. den, Newburgh, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Gourdon, Schooner Charlotte, of Portmadoc .... 4 Bervie, Arbroath, Broughty Ferry, Buddon Ness, Barque Cam Tual, of Liverpool .... 9 St. Andrews, Anstruther, Edinburgh, Eyemouth, Schooner Smithfield, of Aberdeen .... 7 Dunbar, and North Berwick. Brig Cochrina, of. Cardiff, remained by vessel. 3. Penarth, Porthcawl, Swansea, Pembrey, The Whitehaven, Abersoch, and Selsey Life- Ferryside, Teuby, Milford, Solva, St. David's, boats had also rendered the following services .— Fishguard, Cardigan, Newquay, and Aberystwith. Barque Cam Tual, of Liverpool, assisted to save 4. Ramsgate, Margate, liroadstairs, Kingsgate, vessel', barque Dusty Miller, of Liverpool, and North Deal, Walmer, Kingsdowue, Dover, Hythe, Royal Mail steamer Elbe, remained by vessels. New Romney, Lydd, Rye, Winchelsea," and The details of most of these services will be Hastings. {ound on pages 4'24-4'26 ol the Life-boat Journal.] Reported the receipt of COO/, from the Misses Voted also 173/. 9s. to pay the expenses of the BROOKE, sisters of the late JOHN BUOOKK, Esq., Life-boats at Porthdinllaen, Holyhead, Portmadoc, Q.C., per JOHN RICHAUDSON, Esq., Q.C., of Clones, Fleetwood, Kingsdowne, Deal, Southport, Chapel, Ireland, to defray the cost of a Life-boat to be Great Yarmouth. Donna Nook, Broadstairs, and named the John Brooke. Ramsey, in assembling their crews or putting off Decided that the donors be thanked, and that to the assistance of vessels showing signals of dis- their generous contribution be appropriated to the tress, but which did not eventually require the aid new Life-boat about to be sent to Cahore, Ireland. of the Life-boats. Also the receipt of 600/. from SAMUEL BIRO, The Kamsgate, Cullercoats, and Eastbourne Esq., of Belsize Park Gardens, for a Life-boat to Life-boats had also been taken out in reply to be called the Lily Bird, and stationed on the coast distress signals, but their services were not ulti- of Norfolk or Suffolk. mately needed. To be thanked, and ordered the donor's wishes Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution to to be carried into effect as early as practicable. Mr. JOHN WEBSTER, Coxswain of the Maryport 432 THE LIFE-BOAT. [FEBRUARY 1, 1879.

Life-boat, in acknowledgment of his general Decided, on the recommendation of the In- gallant services in saving life from shipwreck, and spectors of Life-boats, to place new Life-boats at especially on the occasion of the rescue by that Fleetwood, Kingstown, and Drogheda, in lieu of Life-boat of 9 men from the barque Cam Twl, of the boats at present on those Stations. Liverpool, in a gale of wind and very rough sea, on Also to carry out various works at the Giles' the 10th October last. Quay and Silloth Life-boat Stations, at an expense Voted 101. to 13 Gorleston men for putting off of 244?. in the salvage Life-boat Refuge, and saving the Reported that, on the invitation of the Sheriffs crew of 6 men from the brig Fuchsia, of Sunder- of London and Middlesex, a Life-boat of the land, which had stranded on Scroby Sand during Institution, mounted on its transporting carriage, a gale from S.W. on the 24th October. and manned by a crew, formed a prominent Also 61. to 6 Coastguard men at Mulroy, Co. feature of the Lord Mayor's Procession on the Donegal, for putting off in their Life-boat and 9th November, for the first time, and attracted saving the crew of 3 men from the schooner Star universal attention and admiration. of the Sea, of Preston, wrecked at Downings, Co. Paid 1448?. 3s. 4rf. for sundry charges on various Donegal, during a strong W.N.W. gale and heavy Life-boat Establishments. sea, on ,the 17th September. Voted 244?. 13s. Wd. to pay the expenses of the Also 5?. to 5 men for putting off in a boat from Life-boats at Caister, Rhyl, Donna Nook, Theddle- Tenby, during a whole gale from the S.W., with thorpe, Anstruther, Lowestoft, Thorpe, Clee- the view of saving the crews of two vessels, the thorpes, Hartlepool, and Burnham, in rendering Ella Vale, of Cork, and Minerva, of Belfast, the following services :—• which had been in collision in Caldy Roads, and Lives were in a sinking condition, on the 15th September. saved. Also 3?. to 2 men for saving 3 persons from the Schooner F. Edwards, of Grimsby . . . . o boat Victoria Nyanza, of Teignmouth, which had Sloop Raven, of Liverpool 3 been capsized off that place on the 14th September. Brig Matilda, of Laurvig 10 Barque Johann Benjamin, of Memel ... 9 Steamer Dryad, of Glasgow 4 THURSDAY, 5th December: S.S. Yorm, of Copenhagen 21 His Grace the DUKE of NORTHUMBERLAND, Lord Schooner Zosteria, of Colchester .... 5 Privy Seal, President of the Institution, in the Schooner Margaret, of Goole 5 Chair. Brigantine Seaflower, of Seaham .... 5 Ketch Escape, of Goole 7 Read and approved the Minutes of the previous Dandy Henry, of Bridgwater, remained by Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- vessel. ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees. Also the Report of the Chief Inspector, and The Caister, Newbiggin, Gorleston, Lowestoft, those of the three other Life-boat Inspectors, on and Ramsgate Life-boats had also rendered the fol- their visits to the following places:— lowing services :—Fishing-smack Mystery, of Great 1. Eastbourne and Totland Bay. Yarmouth, and schooner Milky Way, of Fraser- 2. Crail, Rome Bay, Balcomie, and St. Andrews. burgh, assisted to save vessels; Newbiggin fishing- 3. Kingstown, Howth, Rogerstown, Poolbeg, cobles, rendered assistance ; brigantine Old Goody, Skerries, Balbriggan, and Drogheda. of FaVersham, assisted to save vessel and 8; 4. Eastbourne, Newhaven, Berwick-on-Tweed, schooner Zephyr, of Montrose, assisted to save Holy Island, North Sunderland, Boulmer, and vessel and 5; schooner Zosteria, of Colchester, Alnmouth. assisted to save vessel ,• barque Jtidesdale, of Reported the receipt of the following special Southampton, assisted to save vessel and 12. contributions since the last meeting:— [The particulars of these Life-boat services £. s. d. will be found on pages 426—129 of this Journal.] 3. CALOTVELL, Esq., Starcross . . 100 0 0 Voted 367?. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Life- Independent Order of Odd Fellows boats at Donna Nook, Howth, Padstow, Clee- (Manchester Unity), annual sub- thorpes, Pakefield, St. Ives, Winterton, Mundesley, scription in aid of the support of Sutton, Gorleston, Clacton-on-Sea, Harwich, their Life-boat at Cleethorpes . 50 0 0 Margate, New Romney, Broadstairs, Porthdinllaen, "K. W." ...... 20 0 0 Hartlepool, and Tynemouth, in either assembling Moiety of Collection in Txinity their crews or putting off to the aid of vessels not Church, Weston-super-Mare, on ultimately needing the assistance of the Life- Sunday, 10th November, per Rev. boats. W. HUNT and Captain R. D. Also 10?. towards a local subscription for the CKAWFOED 16 13 8 relief of the widows and families of EDWARD Ditto in St. John's Parish Church, BASSETT and two of his sous, who were drowned Weston-super-Mare, on Sunday, on the occasion of the wreck of their fishing-boat, 17th November, per Rev. Preben- Jabez, on the rocks near St. Ives, Cornwall, during dary BUCKLE and Captain R. D. ! a hurricane, on the 12th November. E. BASSETT CRAWFORD 13 2 0 ] was one of the St. Ives Life-boat crew, and had Clapton Debating Society, per THOMAS been out in that Boat on service on many occasions. CARPENTER, Esq 6 18 6 Also 7?. to 7 men for putting off in a fishing- Contents of Contribution Box at the boat from Thurso, N.B., and saving the crews, Railway Clearing House, per H. numbering in all 11 men, from the schooners TURNER, Esq., additional ... 5 10 6 , Antelope, of Carnarvon ; Gawrie, of Perth ; and —To be severally thanked. j Mary Alice, of Liverpool, which were in imminent danger in the roadstead during a N.E. gale, on the Reported that the following legacies had been 12th November. bequeathed to the Institution:— ! Also 21. to 3 men, for putting off in a boat and The late EDWARD FISHER, Esq., of £. s. d. ! saving two young women whose boat had been Ashby-de-la-Zouch (duty-free). . 100 0 0 ' capsized between the islands of Trondra and Paps, The late Miss ALICE ATKINSON, of Shetland, during a strong S.E. wind and squally Giggleswick, York 19 19 0 ! weather, on the 7th October. FEBBUARY 1, 1879.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 433

Also 3110s. to Mr. JAMES BAKER, Chief Officer 4. North Sunderland, Hauxley, Cresswell, New- of H.M. Coastguard at Youghal, Ireland, and his biggin, Blyth, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, Sunderland, crew of 5 men, for putting off in the Coastguard Whitburn, Seaham, and Brighton. Life-boat and saving the crew of 5 men from Reported the receipt of the following special the cutter Kingfisher, of Youghal, which was dis- contributions since the last Meeting:— masted off that port during a fresh gale and a £ s. d. heavy sea, on the llth November. Collected at the Glasgow Custom House, per T. MILLER, Esq., and Mr. M. O'HALLORAN, additional . 47 14 0 THOMAS H. VIE, Esq., Ashford, his THURSDAY, 2nd January 1879 : family and scholars, additional . 200 Worshipful Company of Saddlers, ad- The Chairman of the Institution in the Chair. ditional 20 0 0 Read and approved the Minutes of the previous "J. W." 20 0 0 Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- —To be severally thanked. ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees. Reported that the following legacies had been bequeathed to the Institution:— £. s. d. It was then moved, and carried unanimously, The late RICHARD THORNTON WEST, that the following vote of condolence of the ROYAL Esq., of Exeter (duty-free) . . . 500 0 0' NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, on the occa- The late Miss M. A. WEIGHT, of sion of the deeply deplored death of H.R.H. the Cottingham, York, two legacies of Princess ALICE, be presented to her Majesty the ISO/, each in aid of the Hornsea and QUEEN, through the Right Hon. R. ASSHETON Withernsea Life-boats. CROSS, M.P., the Principal Home Secretary of Ordered that various works be carried out at the Cruden Bay and Pakefield Life-boat Stations at an State :— expense of 84?. 5s. "That, having regard to the great affliction Reported the transmission to its Station of the that has befallen her Majesty the QUEEN—the Donna Nook new Life-boat. Patron of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT A very successful inauguration of the new Boat had taken place at Louth on the 13th December, INSTITUTION—by the lamented and sudden death under the superintendence of one of the Inspectors of the Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt (the of Life-boats. Princess ALICE), its Committee of Management, Paid 4486/. 7s. Id. for sundry charges on various at their first Meeting, beg to tender to her Life-boat Establishments. ' Majesty the expression of their deep and earnest Voted 321. 16s. to pay the expenses of the Life- sympathy. boats at Carnsore, Caister, and Suuderland, in " NORTHUMBERLAND, President. rendering the following services :— ,. "THOMAS CHAPMAN, Chairman. eavtd. " RICHARD LEWIS, Secretary." Dandy Fairy, of Wexf ord 6 Brig Melita, of Blyth 16 By order of the Comr ittee the vote was sealed Schooner Marianne, of London 4 with the seal of the Institution. [The details of these Life-boat services will be found on pages 426-429 of this Journal.j The following is Mr. CROSS' reply to the resolu- Voted also 131f. 2s. to pay tne expenses of the tion of the Committee :— Life-boats at Lossiemouth, Blyth, Rye, Culler- coats, Rhyl, Filey, Kirkcudbright, Great Yarmouth, " Home Office, January 14. and Scilly, in assembling their crews or putting of£ Sir,—I have had the honour to lay before the in reply to signals of distress exhibited by vessels QUEEN the loyal and dutiful address of the Com- not eventually needing assistance. mittee of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- Voted the Second Service Clasp of the Institution TUTION on the occasion of the death of H.R.H. the to the Rev. OWEN LLOYD WILLIAMS, in recognition Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess ALICE of of his continued intrepid services in the Abersoch Great Britain and Ireland, and I have the satisfac- and Porthdinllaen Life-boats of the Institution, tion to inform you that her Majesty was pleased and especially on the occasion of the service by the Abersoch Life-boat to the distressed barque to receive the same very graciously.—I am,

J)atrm«fis — H«r Utost Orations ^tajtstj % $nten. Jjrtsibmt —Hi s GEACE THE DOKE op NOBTHDMBBBLABD, P.C., D.C.L. Chairman — THOMAS CHAPMAN, ESQ., F.R.S., v.P. Services of the Life-boats of the Institution in 1878. Admiral, schooner, of Thurso ... 4 Gorm, B.S.. of Copenhagen 21 Prospero, barque, of Genoa—ren- Awn, smack, of Berwick 2 Greyhound, ketch, of Portlicawl dered assistance. Ann, schooner, of Runcorn 6 —assisted to save vi^s^el and... 3 Raven, sloop, of I iverpool 3 Balmoral, s.s., of London 19 Henry, schooner, of Whitby— Ridesdale, barque, of Southampton Blossom, schooner, of Aberdeen.. 3 rendered assistance. •—assisted to save vessel and.., 12 Brovghton, barque, of Swansea .. 15 Henry, dandy, of Bridgwater — Royal Arch, barque, of Sunderland Cam Tual, barque, of Liverpool. 9 remained by vessel. —rendered assistance. Caroline Marlon, schooner, of Heroine,schooner, of Dartmouth. 3 St. Helen, brigantine, ol Carnarvon 5 Dumfries 4 James, schooner, of Thur.so 4 Satty, fishing-sloop, of Wells 4 diaries Challoner, barque, of James and Sarah, fishing-boat, of Sarah, oohle, of Scarborough — Fleet wood 1 Scarborough 2 saved vtssel nnd 3 Charlotte, schooner, of Portmadoc 4 Jane, fishing-coble, «f Cullercoats Seaflower, brigantine, of Seaham. 5 Cochrina, barque, of Cardiff- —rendered assistance. Smithfield, schooner, of Aberdeen 7 remained by vessel. Jane Shearer, sobooner, of Thurso 4 Southern Cross, pilot-boat, of Countess of Durham, barque, of Jeanne d'Arc, brig, of Trouville— Montrose—saved b -at and 2 Yougbal—rendered assistance. assisted to sav« vessel and 12 Spartan, s.s.. of Kotterdam 10 Cygnet, brigautine, of Silloth.... 4 Johann Benjamin, barque, of fetaiihes fishing-cobles — rendered Delhi, brigantine, of Belfast 6 Memel 9 a-si-tance. l>ispatch. sihooner, of .^underland Lady of the Lake, smack, of Poi ts- Star of Peace, barge, of London . 3 —assisted to save ves^-el and .. 3 mouth 4 Star of the West, schooner, of Donna. Maria, brigantine, of Lark, schooner, of Aberdeen .... 4 Bridgwater—eaved ves-el and . 5 Swansea—assisted to save vessel Margaret, schooner, of Goolfi .... 6 Sueine Meinde, harqur, of I'illau. 10 and 6 Margaret Ann, schooner, of Car- Swallow, smack—rendered assist- Dryad, steamer, of Glasgow .... 4 narvon—assisted to save vessel ance. Dusty Miller, barque, of Liverpool and 4 Theresa, barquo, of North Shields 11 —remained by vessel. Marianne, schooner, of London ., 4 Thorn, smack, of Chester 2 Eagle, s.s., of Neath—remained Mary, schooner, of Inverness .... 5 I nionist, scho-^ner, of Be1 wick ., 5 by vessel. Jfary-4imfsinack,ofSt. Andrew's 3 Velocity, schooner, of Nefyn 3 Elbe, steamer — remained by Mary Elizabeth, schooner, of Beau- vessel. maris 5 Wasp, smack, of Belfast 3 Welcome, nVhing-boat, of Hartle- Eliza, brig, of Shoreham 9 Matilda, brig, of Laurvig 10 pool 2 Eliza, fishing-boat, of Scarborough 2 Meggie, smack, of Sunderland ... 3 Wbitby fishing-boats— rendered Elisabeth Elousterboer, brigan- Melita, brig, of Blyth—crew and assistance. tine 1 beachmen 16 William Naizby. barque, of Lon- Elizabeth and Catherine, barque, Milky Way, schooner, of Fraser- don— assisted to -ave vessel. of Sunderland — remained by burgh—assisted to save vessel and 4 Wladiener, brig, cf Libivu 8 vessel. Montagu, s.s., of Liverpool 18 Zephyr, schooner, of Montrose—• Emerald Isle, schooner, of Drog- Mystery, cutter, of Great Yar- heda—saved vts?el and 5 assisted to save vessel and .... 5 mouth—saved vessel. Zosteria, schooner, of C Ichester Escape, schooner, of Hull 7 Newbiggin fishing-boats— ren- —assisted to &ave ves&el and .. 5 Eva, schooner, of Rnncorn 4 dered assistance. Fairy, daudy, of Wxf ord 6 Old Goody, brigantine, of Faver- Total lives saved by Lifr-boats, In Fearless, schooner, of Guernsey . 6 sham -assisted to save vessel and 8 1878, in addition to 17 vessels . 471 F. J-dwards, schooner, of Grimsby 6 During the same period the Insti- Florida, brigantine, of Christiania Olinka, Austrian brig 12 Olive Branch, sloop, of Cardiff ,. 3 tution granted rewards forsaving —assisted to save vessel and .. 7 lives by fishing and other boats 145 Frances Mary, brigantine, of Oscar, s.s., of Leith 22 Drogheda 1 Phcenician, schooner, of Douglas. 4 Total of lives saved f Garland, brig, of South Shields.. 9 Ph&nix, schoonei, of London.... 4 Ulfi1fbi Golden Plover, brig, of Sunder- • Pioneer, steamer, of Dublin—ren- in!878 5 land 10 dered assistance. THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT have to state that during the year 1878 the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION expended £35,358 on its 26& Life-boat Kstablishments on, the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in addition to having contributed to the saving of 616 persons from various shipwrecks on our coasts, far which services it granted 2 Silver Medals and 9 Votes of Thanks on Vellum, besides pecuniary rewards to ihe amount of £2750, The number of lives saved either by the Lite-boats of the Society or by special exertions for which it has granted rewards, since its formation, is 26,051; lor which services 92 Gold Medals, 890 Silver Medals, and £56,89O in cash have been granted as rewards. 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 fleet of 268 Life-boats on the shores of the United Kingdom. Deeply sensible, however, of the great responsibility that rests on them to maintain their fleet in a thoroughly efficient state, and its 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 expense of a Life-boat, its equipment, transporting carriage, and Boat-house, averages £900, in addition to £70 a year needed to keep the Establishment in a state of efficiency. Donations and Annual Subscriptions will be thankfully received by the Bankers of the Institution, Messrs. COCTTS AND Co., 59 Strand; Messrs. HEKRIES, FAEQUHAR, AND Co., 16 St. James's Street; Messrs. HOAKK, 37 Fleet Street, London; by all the other Bankers in the United Kingdom ; by all the Life-boat Branches; and by the Secretary RICHARD LEWIS, Esq., at the Institution, 14 JOHN STRKET, ADELPFH, London, W.C.—January 1, 1879.