THE LIFE-BOAT The Journal of the Royal National Life-boat Institution VOL. XXXV JUNE, 1958 No. 384 Notes of the Quarter THE first three months of 1958 have survivor from the South Goodwin offered striking evidence of the help lightvessel. In reply to the letter of given by life-boats to a great variety of appreciation Colonel Marshall H. vessels serving the commerce of the Strickler, Commander of the United country in different ways and, in States 9th Air Rescue Group, wrote : particular, to fishing boats. Of the 106 " May our future joint efforts continue launches by life-boats on service during in the same successful and co-operative this period 37 were to the help of motor manner as enjoyed in the past. Please vessels, steamers, barges, motor boats extend our appreciation to all your and other similar craft ; 29 were to personnel for their superior perform- fishing boats ; and nine consisted of ance wherever and whenever required." landing sick seamen or conveying doctors to vessels of different kinds. THE LIFE-BOAT SERVICE SINCE Life-boats were launched six times to THE WAR search for aircraft ; three of the services were to bathers or to people The 1958 edition of " The Story of cut off on the rocks or cliffs ; and two the Life-boat" takes the form of a to the help of yachts. In the summer brief history of the Life-boat Service months the proportion of services to since the end of the last war. When yachts naturally tends to increase the war came to an end the Life-boat considerably, but the first quarter of the Service was faced with a huge task of year has shown the continual help given reconstruction. Building of new life- by life-boats to vessels of various nations boats had been brought to a standstill ; bringing food and other supplies to this many of the former members of life- country, taking goods abroad or en- boat crews had left their homes ; new gaged in coastal traffic. and important devices had been in- vented ; and the country was under- CO-OPERATION WITH AMERICAN going something of a social revolution. AIRCRAFT The booklet describes the manner in No. 66 Air Rescue Squadron of the which these difficulties have been United States Air Force, whose base overcome ; how more than half the for some years was Manston in Kent, fleet of life-boats has been replaced ; was recently rendered inactive. The how new tractors, carriages, boat- close co-operation between this squad- houses and radio equipment have been ron and life-boat stations on the coast introduced ; and how the work which of Kent has been a most happy feature life-boat crews are called upon to in the work of rescuing life at sea. To perform has steadily increased. A mark the Institution's appreciation number of the outstanding services by Earl Howe, Chairman of the Committee life-boats since the war are described of Management, sent a letter stating in detail. English, Scottish and Welsh that the Committee " truly appreciate editions are published, each priced the splendid work done by the squad- l/6d. The Scottish and Welsh editions ron in the work of rescuing life at sea ". concentrate on services carried out by The letter called attention to the out- Scottish and Welsh life-boats. standing service by a United States helicopter which took place on the 27th SALES AT BOATHOUSES of November, 1954, and which was described fully in the March, 1955 With the advent of summer a number number of the Life-boat on page 5. of stations, particularly those at popular This led to the rescue of the sole seaside resorts, will again be actively 42 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 engaged in raising money for the price, a practice which although carried Institution by collections at boathouses out with the best of intentions does and by the sale of souvenirs. The not serve to benefit the Institution Institution has decided not to increase financially. its range of souvenirs but to concen- The ingenuity which branches of the trate on those which have proved Institution are showing in their work of popular. This decision has been taken raising funds is again revealed in this as a result of an analysis, which shows number in the column New Ways of that the introduction of new types of Raising Money which appears on page souvenirs does not in fact serve to 45. Another field in which the workers increase the net revenue. The problem of the Institution are active is that of was discussed at some length at the enlisting the help of sporting clubs. The conference of District Organising Sec- Institution has now produced a leaflet retaries. At this conference it was also which can be supplied on demand learnt that at certain stations souvenirs indicating how sporting clubs can help had been sold at below the marked the work of the Life-boat Service. The Chief Inspector Retires THE retirement of Commander T. G. Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, Michelmore, O.B.E., R.D., R.N.R., the the Secretary of the Institution, Chief Inspector of Life-boats, takes writes : effect from the 30th of June, 1958. " Of Michelmore's technical abilities Commander Michelmore joined the I am not competent to speak. I do Life-boat Service as a district inspector know that all round the coast both as of life-boats in 1930. He had been for District Inspector and later as Chief seventeen years with the Peninsular and Inspector he has been universally liked Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and respected. In London his long had held a master's certificate for nine experience and sound advice have years, was a second officer, and a always been of the greatest service to lieutenant-commander on the active list the Committee of Management. As a of the Royal Naval Reserve. During the colleague I have found him friendly and 1914-1918 war he had served in the Tenth co-operative and his timely sense of Cruiser Squadron in the North Atlantic humour has lightened discussion in and Arctic Sea and then, as first lieuten- many places. The Life-boat Institution ant of destroyers, in the North Sea, the depends so much on team work and for Dover Patrol and the Mediterranean. successful working each member of the His first post in the Life-boat Service team must sympathise with and ap- was as Northern District Inspector, and preciate the position of the others. in 1941 he was transferred to the Michelmore's ready interest in many Eastern District. He was appointed matters outside the normal scope of his Deputy Chief Inspector in 1945 and duties has been of the greatest assis- Chief Inspector in 1951. tance." Parliamentary Questions and Answers MR. L. W. B. TEELING, M.P. for The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Brighton, asked the Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, replied : " Al- whether, in view of the coming closing though Royal Naval and Royal Air down of the Royal Naval Air Station Force search and rescue helicopters give at Ford, and of the Royal Air Force civil rescue organisations whatever help Station, Tangmere, ceasing to be opera- they can, their primary role is the rescue tional, he would discuss with his fellow of air-crew, and this must be the govern- Ministers what could be done to main- ing factor in deciding their deployment. tain a helicopter service for sea rescue There are no Royal Air Force heli- along the Sussex coast where this copters at Tangmere, but there is a service had now proved to be far faster helicopter unit at Thorney Island which and more efficient than life-boats. it is not at present intended to move." JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 43 In a supplementary question Mr. I will do everything I can to help, but I Teeling asked : " Will my right hon. would remind my hon. Friend that the Friend the Prime Minister bear in primary purpose of the Service is rescue mind that this is a comparatively new of air-crew. There are considerable service which has, so far as we can see limitations on the help that helicopters on the Sussex coast, given tremen- can give. They cannot at present dous help to the life-boat service ? If operate in darkness, or fog, and in anything can be done to develop it strong winds their capacity is somewhat and to link it up with other ports on limited. However, the area now the coast, will my right hon. Friend covered by Ford will be reasonably well use all his influence in that direc- covered by the Royal Air Force heli- tion ? " copters at Thorney Island, which is The Prime Minister replied : " Yes. only sixteen miles away."

Book Reviews MR. C. R. BENSTEAD in Shallow Benstead's tributes are generous and his Waters (Robert Hale, 21/-), has pro- standard of accuracy high, and he duced an engaging, lustily written recalls vividly some of the outstanding account of almost anything which may services in the past, such as those to the happen and has happened in the coastal Indian Chief and the Rohilla, the rescue waters of Britain. His range is ex- from the Daunt Rock lightvessel and tensive. On one page he will describe the launch of the Lynmouth life-boat how a brig captured an eagle in the over Exmoor. There are many excel- North Sea in 1864, and on another will lent photographs. describe plans for building lighthouses on the Goodwin Sands. Elsewhere he delves into the problem of smuggling STIMULATING AUTOBIOGRAPHY and reports Pitt as having stated in 1784 that 60% of the tea drunk in Look Towards the Sea, by FRANK London had been smuggled. At BAINES (Eyre & Spottiswoode, 21/-) is a another point he speculates with author- stimulating, provocative and highly ity on what really happened at the original autobiography of the author Battle of Jutland. He quotes Conrad, from his earliest childhood, which he Tacitus, Pepys and Kipling on the claims to remember with remarkable subject of the River Thames, and deals vividness, to the moment when he goes entertainingly with the curious nomen- to sea with his family's consent, after an clature of boats : " So the list runs on— unsuccessful attempt to do so by run- snibs (Grimsby's name for her seiners ning away from school. The earlier or craft using a seine net), chop backs chapters are devoted to life in Cornwall. (or Hastings luggers), spritties from Of Porthoustock, Mr. Baines writes : London River, seals from Sandwich, " Its fame was in its life-boat, manned the Solway whammel, barges and by quarrymen, farmers and fishermen, wherries (once sizeable sea-going craft), which carried out such tremendous sixerns and fourerns in the Shetlands, rescues from the many shipwrecks on drontheims in Donegal, pilot-gigs, the Manacles. . . . The difference be- galley-punts, tilt-boats, hatch-boats, tween farmer and fisherman was very yaffers, sploshers, nobbies and the indefinite, most of them doing a bit of rest." both." To describe Mr. Benstead's book as With exceptional vividness Mr. disjointed is hardly a relevant criticism, Baines describes a service by the Port- for his method is his own and his book houstock life-boat to the S.S. Mohegan, will bring delight to many. A con- of Hull, in 1899, He tells how " at siderable part of Shallow Waters is two minutes past eight, according to the devoted to the work of the Royal chronometer in the coastguard house, National Life-boat Institution, Mr. the vessel struck the Minstrel Rock 44 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 with a clang that was heard all over the LITTLE RELATION TO OFFICIAL parish." He then describes the way in ACCOUNT which " the women of P'roustock laid All this serves to build up an excep- out the ropes and hauled the boat from tionally lively account of a life-boat its house and along the eighty yards of rescue. Unfortunately it has singu- beach to the slipway on their own while larly little relation to the official Mrs. Uren on her knees in front greased account of the service. Indeed, the the rollers." His informant, he claims, second coxswain, who appears to have was the second coxswain, who delayed been Mr. Baines' informant, was not the departure of the life-boat by lashing in the boat the first time she went out, every man to his seat, thereby saving although he did go out in her later, con- their lives. The final picture after the ducting himself with considerable dis- rescue is of one survivor, a certain Miss tinction. Mr. Baines describes Dr. Spry Noble, who had been clutching to the as honorary secretary of the station at floating door of a cupboard : a time when in fact he was not, and " Miss Noble gave directions for her gives the wrong name and port of own rescue with lucidity and an habitual registration of the vessel in distress. command. ' I absolutely refuse, cox- The inconsistencies indeed are con- swain, to let go this piece of wood and siderable, but the story remains a good catch hold of your line. My fingers are one. numb and I might not be able to retain A review of MR. CYRIL JOLLY'S my grasp. It has served me nobly and Henry Blogg of Cromer, published by I intend to continue using it. You George G. Harrap, will appear in the must bring the boat alongside '." September number of the Life-boat.

A Hundred Years Ago An extract from the Life-boat of\stJitly, 1858 Youghal, Ireland.—On the 8th Febru- hours after the crew were taken off. ary, the Norwegian barque Galatea ran This valuable service at once secured on shore on the bar at the entrance of the confidence of the boatmen in the Youghal harbour, the captain having life-boat, and was also a striking mistaken the port for Queenstown : illustration of the superiority of the a gale of wind was blowing at the time class of life-boats adopted by the from the south, and there was a very Institution ; for it so happened that, heavy and broken sea on the bar. through some difficulty in launching, The Youghal life-boat, which had been only recently supplied by this Institu- she got seriously stove, and her deck tion, immediately put off to the aid of air-compartments partially, if not her crew, 14 in number, whom she suc- altogether, filled with water ; yet, after ceeded in rescuing from their perilous such an accident, which would have position, after a hard pull of two miles disabled many life-boats, she proceeded against wind, tide, and sea. The on her way, and performed the service vessel became a total wreck within two above narrated.

Portrait on the Cover THE portrait on the cover is of Cox- the St. Abbs life-boat has been launched swain James Wilson of St. Abbs. He on service 14 times. She has rescued 19 first joined the crew in 1947, was assistant lives and helped to save 5 vessels. mechanic from 1951 until the 1st of The photograph is reproduced by October, 1953, when he was appointed courtesy of the Scottish Daily Record coxswain. During his period of service and Sunday Mail Ltd, JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 45

New Ways of Raising Money When a life-boat bridge tournament Mrs. McGregor Phillips (Dorothy was held recently in a Dublin hotel, Una Ratcliffe) of 42 Ann Street, Edin- several supporters extended the scope burgh, 4, has published privately a of it to neighbouring counties by asking beautifully produced book entitled The friends to play at tables in their houses. Sea Microcosm. It consists of travel The players at these tables qualified articles, poems, a one-act play and other for prizes in the same way as those in writings on the subject of the sea by well- the hotel. known authors. There are some de- * * * lightful illustrations and a facsimile Mr. G. Beardmore, honorary secre- reproduction of Nelson's letter to Lady tary of the Cheadle, Staffordshire, Hamilton written on board H.M.S. branch, and his family run a hardware Victory. The gross proceeds from the store in Cheadle. They make no sale of the book, which costs 10/-, charge for various small repairs they are being given to the Institution. Mrs. are called upon to do and ask customers Phillips will be glad to post up to five to make contributions to the life-boat copies free of charge to any branch. collecting box on the counter. * * * * * * At an inn in Attleborough one man At a Christmas fair held in Wake- recently suggested to another that he field, Mr. Etherton, the husband of the should give up drinking beer for three guild honorary treasurer, had a number months and bet him that this would of large flat egg containers painted in cure his indigestion. Each party to the different colours. Visitors were allow- bet pinned a ten shilling note on to an ed to throw three table tennis balls, for oak beam, where the notes remained which they were charged 6d. If the for three months. At the end of that balls landed in the holes with the correct period there was a division of opinion colour combinations, a prize was about the outcome of the bet, and at awarded. the landlord's suggestion the notes * * -it- were presented to the Institution. Mrs. L. J. Leeds, honorary secretary * * * of the Halesworth, Suffolk, branch, The Bingley ladies' life-boat guild held a party at her house at which raised £250 in two days of the annual guests were charged a penny to come in, life-boat week through a gift shop. a penny to sit down, a penny to borrow The proprietor of the shop, Mr. W. a pencil, etc. All the money was Pratt, a tailor and outfitter, gave up the given to the branch funds. use of the premises, making no charge * * -it- for displays, electricity or other services. Mrs. K. Earle, of Barnet, whose Members of the guild arranged for the fifteen-year-old son took a holiday job provision of the gifts, which were in a wool store for Christmas, sug- bought by the general public. gested to him that he should adopt the * * * principle of giving a tenth of his Mrs. Karlis, a former member of the earnings to some Christian work. She committee of the Beaconsfield branch, and her husband left it to him to choose encountered very rough weather while his charity, and he chose the Life-boat on board a dredger on Lake Ontario Service. during a visit. She made a vow that if * * * she reached shore again she would make Mr. George Cooper, of Hull, recently a gift of £5 to the Institution, and im- cashed a savings certificate which he had mediately on returning to Beaconsfield bought in 1916 for 15/6d, primarily to handed over this amount to the discover how much interest had branch. accrued in forty-two years. He then sent to the Institution a money order An anonymou* s gif* t has bee* n received for the total amount received, which from a lady in gratitude for an escape was £2 17s. 9d. from being run over on a zebra crossing. 46 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 New Chief Inspector Appointed COMMANDER S. W. F. BENNETTS, D.S.O. Officer to the Head of the British Mili- D.S.C., R.N., has been appointed Chief tary Mission to Moscow from 1944 Inspector of Life-boats to succeed Com- to 1945. mander T. G. Michelmore, O.B.E., His first appointment to the In- R.D., R.N.R. stitution was that of Western District Commander Bennetts was in com- Inspector, which he took up at the be- mand of submarines and destroyers ginning of 1946. In 1951 he was from 1933 to 1944. In addition to being appointed District Inspector (General) awarded the D.S.O. and D.S.C. during and in 1954 Assistant Chief Inspector. the last war he was also mentioned in Details of Commander Wheeler's despatches. On leaving the Royal career were given in the December 1955 Navy he was appointed District In- number of The Life-boat, when he was spector (General) of the Institution in appointed Superintendent of Depot. 1949 and in 1951 became Deputy Chief Lieut-Commander D. G. Wicksteed, Inspector of Life-boats. R.N.R., has been appointed Northern Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. Dutton, District Inspector. After being educa- R.D., R.N.R., has been appointed ted at King Edward VI School at Deputy Chief Inspector of Life-boats. Stratford-on-Avon, Commander Wick- Lieutenant-Commander Dutton was steed served for twenty years in the for four years in command of mine- Merchant Navy, first with the Elder sweepers in the last war and was men- Dempster Steamship Company and tioned in despatches five times. Before later with the Cunard Steamship Com- that he served for ten years in the pany. Shortly before joining the Life- Merchant Navy. He was appointed boat Institution he was serving as Irish District Inspector of the Institu- Junior First Officer of the R.M.S. tion in 1946 and Western District In- Queen Mary. In 1949 he obtained a spector in 1954. commission in the Royal Naval Reserve. Commander E. W. Middleton, Lieut.-Commander Wicksteed was V.R.D., R.N.V.R., has been appointed R.N.R. Aide-de-Camp to the Lord Superintendent of Depot to succeed High Commissioner at the General Commander H. L. Wheeler, R.N., who Assembly of the Church of Scotland. has retired. Commander Middleton As a consequence of the new appoint- served his apprenticeship in the Union ments Lieut. E. D. Stogdon, R.N.V.R., Castle Line and later with the Penin- has been appointed Eastern District sular and Oriental Steam Navigation Inspector ; Lieut.-Commander H. H. Company. He was an officer of the Harvey, V.R.D., R.N.V.R., has been R.N.R., and later of the R.N.V.R. appointed Western District Inspector ; before the last war. During the war and Commander H. B. Acworth, he saw service in destroyers and held O.B.E., R.N., has been appointed appointments in the Suez Canal area Irish District Inspector. Commander and on the staff of the Chief of Com- L. F. L. Hill, R.D., R.N.R., continues bined Operations. He was Chief Staff as Inspector of the Central District.

Personal Assistant to the Secretary LIEUT.-COL. CHARLES EARLE, D.S.O., the war he took part in the evacuation O.B.E., has been appointed Personal from Dunkirk and saw active service in Assistant to the Secretary of the In- North Africa, Italy and North-West stitution, Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown. Europe. He was awarded the D.S.O. Lieut.-Colonel Earle was born in 1913 and in 1945 and made O.B.E. in 1943. From educated at Wellington and the Royal 1947 to 1950 he was Adjutant of the Military College. He served as an officer Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. in the Grenadier Guards from 1933 to Lieut.-Colonel Earle is a keen yachts- 1955, and on giving up command served man and a member of the Royal in the War Office until 1958. During Yacht Squadron. JUNE, 1958;] THE LIFE-BOAT 47 Services of the Life-boats in January, February and March, 1958 77 Lives Rescued

JANUARY SICK MAN TAKEN FROM COLLIER DURING JANUARY life-boats were Clovelly, Devon. At 10.40 on the launched on service 45 times and morning of the 5th of January, rescued 54 lives. 1958, the coxswain told the honorary secretary that there was a small vessel in the bay flying a signal asking for DOCTOR TAKEN TO GRIMSBY medical help. As it was low water TRAWLER and no other vessel was afloat, the life- Bridlington, Yorkshire. At three boat William Cantrell Ashley was o'clock on the afternoon of the 3rd of launched at 10.50 with a doctor on January, 1958, the honorary secretary board. There was a moderate sea received a message that there was an with a west-north-westerly breeze. The injured man on board the steam trawler life-boat found the motor vessel Drake Rizzio, of Grimsby. At five o'clock the Dene laden with coal on passage from life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II Swansea to Antwerp. The doctor was was launched with a doctor on board put aboard the vessel and later returned in a rough sea. There was a moderate with the sick seaman. They were south-south-easterly gale and an ebbing taken on board the life-boat, which tide. The life-boat met the trawler, and reached Clovelly at 12.10. An ambu- after the doctor had consulted the lance took the seaman to hospital. Rizzio's skipper it was decided to leave Rewards to the crew, £6 5s. ; rewards the injured man on board, as the to the helpers on shore, £17 13s. trawler was returning to Grimsby. The life-boat reached her station at FOUR COBLES ESCORTED TO 6.10. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; HARBOUR rewards to the helpers on shore, Filey, Yorkshire. At 10.55 on the £8 11s. morning of the 6th of January, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secre- tary that the wind was freshening and SICK MAN TAKEN OFF IRISH four local fishing cobles were out in a LIGHTVESSEL rough sea. At 11.10 the life-boat The Isa and Penryn Milsted was launched. Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At The tide was flooding. The life-boat 11.36 on the morning of the 4th of escorted the four cobles safely to January, 1958, the assistant inspector harbour and reached her station at of Irish Lights told the honorary 2.50. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; secretary that there was a sick man on rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 16s. board the Blackwater lightvessel. As there was no Irish Lights steamer available to bring him ashore, the life- COBLE ESCORTED IN GALE boat Douglas Hyde put out at 12.5 Bridlington, Yorkshire. On the in a rough sea. There was a moderate morning of the 6th of January, 1958, the southerly wind and the tide was flood- local small open fishing coble Nancy ing. The life-boat reached the light- was at sea in deteriorating weather. At vessel, embarked the sick man and 11.35 the life-boat Tillie Morrison, landed him at Rosslare Harbour at Sheffield II was launched with the 4.50. The man was suffering from sea- second coxswain in command in a sickness. Rewards to the crew, £13 ; rough sea. There was a fresh south- reward to the helper on shore, 16s. south-easterly gale and the tide was Refunded to the Institution by the flooding. The life-boat found the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Nancy, with a crew of two, and escorted 48 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 her to harbour, arriving at 1.30. arrived, and the life-boat escorted her Rewards to the crew, £9 5s. ; rewards to Rosslare harbour, arriving there at to the helpers on shore, £9 3s. 3.40. Rewards to the crew, £5 ; re- ward to the helper on shore, 13s. FISHING BOAT ESCORTED TO NORTH SUNDERLAND BELFAST STEAMER AGROUND North Sunderland, Northumberland. IN GALE At 12.25 on the afternoon of the 6th of Troon, Ayrshire. At 2.30 on the January, 1958, the coastguard told the morning of the 9th of January, 1958, the honorary secretary that a local fish- Portpatrick coastguard told the honor- ing boat was overdue. There was a ary secretary that the S.S. Ballyhalbert rough sea and a strong southerly wind. of Belfast was aground hah0 a mile At 12.35 the life-boat Grace Darling north of Ardrossan. At three o'clock was launched. The tide was flooding the life-boat James and Barbara Aitken and snow was falling. The life-boat put out in a rough sea. There was a found the fishing boat Kindly Light, strong west-south-westerly gale and it with a crew of three, two miles south- was high water. The life-boat came east of North Sunderland. She es- up with the Ballyhalbert and stood by corted her safely to harbour, which her until her crew of twelve had safely was reached at 1.30. Rewards to the walked ashore at low water. Rewards crew, £10 ; rewards to the helpers on to the crew, £14. shore, £4 16s. CREW TAKEN OFF TUG AGROUND MASTER TAKEN OFF LIGHTVESSEL Troon, Ayrshire. At 5.10 on the Kilmore, Co. Wexford. At 8.45 on the afternoon of the 9th of January, 1958, morning of the 7th of January, 1958, the Portpatrick coastguard told the the Irish Lights office at Dublin asked honorary secretary that the tug Cruiser if the life-boat would launch to land the of Glasgow, was aground alongside the master of the Coningbeg lightvessel to S.S. Ballyhalbert half a mile north of enable him to attend the funeral of his Ardrossan. The life-boat James and brother. As there was a heavy swell Barbara Aitken put out at 5.55 in a and a fresh westerly gale, which had not rough sea. There was a fresh west- abated by the afternoon, the life-boat north-westerly wind and the tide was Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched at ebbing. The life-boat came up with 1.15 with the bowman in command. the Cruiser and conveyed towing ropes The master of the lightvessel was em- to two other tugs, the Thunderer and barked and landed at Kilmore Quay at Forager, and stood by during the 4.10. Rewards to the crew, £11 15s. ; towing operation. The ropes broke rewards to the helpers on shore, and the crew of the Cruiser were taken £13 16s. Refunded to the Institution off by the life-boat and landed at by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Ardrossan harbour. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at FISHING VESSEL AGROUND six o'clock the following morning. The NEAR HARBOUR owners of the Cruiser made a donation Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At to the Institution's funds. Rewards to 2.22 on the afternoon of the 8th of the crew, £26 5s. January, 1958, a resident of Wexford told the coxswain that he had heard ONE LIFE-BOAT TOWS ANOTHER from one of his own fishing boats that Padstow, Cornwall. At 1.25 early on the the fishing vessel Vervine Blossom was morning of 10th of January, 1958, the aground on the east corner of Wexford Trevose Head coastguard informed the bar and was lying on her side. At honorary secretary that flashing lights 2.35 the Douglas Hyde put out in a had been seen nineteen miles north- moderate sea with a strong south- east-by-nprth of Pentire Head. The south-westerly wind blowing. It was no. 2 life-boat Bassett Green was low water. The Vervine Blossom launched at two o'clock in a very rough refloated shortly before the life-boat sea. There was a fresh westerly gale JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 49 and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat fishing boat Rosebud reported that she went to the position and searched a had seen the Barcombe on the eastern large area but found nothing and was side of Loch Buie. The life-boat found recalled at 6.35. At 8.45 the life-boat the Barcombe badly holed and flooded developed engine trouble and the no. 1 to the decks. Of her crew of thirty-one life-boat Lloyds, on temporary duty at fourteen were taken off by H.M.S. the station, put out. She found the Kingfisher and the remaining seventeen no. 2 life-boat and towed her to Pad- were transferred to her by the life-boat, stow, arriving at 4.45. Padstow no. 2 : •which reached her station at 12.45 early rewards to the crew, £31 10s. ; re- on the 15th of January, after being at wards to the helpers on shore, £3. sea for almost twenty-seven hours. Padstow no. 1 : rewards to the crew, Rewards to the crew, £56 15s. ; re- £15 15s. ; rewards to the helper on wards to the helpers on shore, £3 18s. shore, £1 4s. SEARCH FOR CRASHED AIRCRAFT MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO DEAL Humber, Yorkshire. At 6.11 on the Walmer, Kent. At 10.30 on the evening of the 16th of January, 1958, the morning of the 13th of January, 1958, Spurn Point coastguard told the cox- the Deal coastguard told the coxswain swain superintendent that a local that a motor boat had broken down resident had heard an aircraft crash with engine trouble a quarter of a mile into the sea about four hundred yards south of South Brake buoy. The life- from the old life-boat house at Easing- boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service ton. At 6.28 the life-boat City of No. 2) was launched at 10.35 in a slight Bradford HI was launched in a heavy sea. There was a moderate west- swell. There was a light north-westerly north-westerly wind and the tide was wind and the tide was ebbing. Visi- ebbing. The life-boat found the motor bility was half a mile. The life-boat boat Gypsy King of Deal near the South went to the position and carried out a Brake buoy with a crew of two. She search, in which she was joined by took her in to Deal and reached her R.A.F. air-sea rescue craft. At 8.15 station at 11.45. Rewards to the the life-boat found some wreckage of an crew, £11 5s. ; rewards to the helpers aircraft. She towed this to her station, on shore, £14 16s. arriving there at 2.40. She also picked LONG SEARCH FOR WARSHIP up an oxygen cylinder and a flying IN FOG helmet. Paid permanent crew. Addi- tional rewards to the crew, £10. Islay, Hebrides. At 9.40 on the night of the 13th of January, 1958, the the Kilchoman coastguard informed the TOW FOR YACHT WITH INJURED honorary secretary that H.M.S. Bar- MAN ABOARD combe was aground on Oronsay. At Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 2.2 on 10.5 the life-boat Charlotte Elizabeth the afternoon of the 18th of January, put out in a slight sea. There was a 1958, the Foreland coastguard informed light south-westerly wind with fog the honorary secretary that a yacht was patches, and the tide was flooding. firing red flares one mile south-south- The life-boat went to the position and east of Ventnor. The life-boat Eliza- carried out a search of Oronsay and beth Elson, on temporary duty at the the eastern side of Colonsay without station, was launched at 2.16 in a rough success. Several naval craft were also sea. There was a strong westerly wind searching. At 10.20 the next morning and it was low water. The life-boat the life-boat put in at Scalasaig to re- found the yacht J.R.N., with a crew of fuel and then made for the north end of four, one of whom was injured and Colonsay. Searching was made diffi- lying in the cabin. He had a severe cult by dense fog, but at 4.20 a new wound in the head. As it was thought position for the Barcombe was given. safer to leave him in the cabin than to This was near Garvelloch Rocks. When bring him out into the open and the life-boat reached this position the transfer him from one boat to the 50 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 other, the life-boat took the yacht in between Lytham and Preston docks. tow to Bembridge and arrived at 5.45. There was one man, the master, on A boarding boat then landed the in- board her. At 11.35 the life-boat Sarah jured man, who was taken to hospital. Townsend Porritt put out in a rough sea. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; re- There was a moderate west-north- wards to the helpers on shore, £3 5s. westerly wind and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the St. Anne on the south side of the River Ribble off MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO DOVER Freckleton Naze, but was unable to Dover, Kent. At six o'clock on the come near her as the St. Anne had evening of the 18th of January, 1958, the crossed the training wall and was honorary secretary was informed that a aground on the marsh. One of the motor boat was in difficulties outside pilots who had put out in the life-boat the eastern arm of the harbour. The told the master of the cutter that efforts life-boat Southern Africa put out at to refloat his vessel would be made next 6.20 in a rough sea. There was a morning and assured him that he was moderate westerly gale and the tide was safe in the meantime. The life-boat flooding. The life-boat found the motor then returned to her moorings. She put boat Lucky Jim with five people on out again at 8.45 the next morning in a board. Her engine had broken down, calm sea and stood by while a tug tried and the life-boat towed her to the to refloat the St. Anne. The tug did harbour. The life-boat reached her not succeed, and when the master of moorings at 6.50. Rewards to the the cutter had been taken on board the crew, etc., £5 5s. tug, the life-boat returned to her sta- tion, arriving at noon. First service : TRAWLER ASHORE IN GALE rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 10s. Second Wick, Caithness-shire. At 9.50 on service : rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; the night of the 18th of January, 1958, rewards to the helpers on shore, £3. the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a fishing vessel was ashore in Sinclair Bay. At 10.15 the LIFE-BOAT TAKES OVER TOW life-boat City of Edinburgh was launched FROM TRAWLER in a moderate sea. There was a fresh northerly gale, with heavy snow show- Workington, Cumberland. At 4.30 ers, and it was high water. The life- on the morning of the 21st of January, boat found the steam trawler Jean 1958, the honorary secretary was in- Stephen of Aberdeen, with a crew of formed by a pilot that the pilot boat thirteen. Her decks were awash and had not returned to harbour. The heavy seas were breaking over her. life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX The life-boat tried a number of times put out at 8.30 in a calm sea. There to come alongside, but without success, was a light north-easterly wind and the and she stood by until the trawler's tide was flooding. The life-boat began crew eventually scrambled ashore with to search an area eight miles south-west the help of the coastguard. On the way of Workington, but the pilot boat, back to her station the life-boat em- which had a crew of two, was found by barked an injured man from the trawler the Whitehaven trawler Tom Paul Strathdee and landed him at Wick at approximately eleven miles south-west 4.15. Rewards to the crew, £18 ; of Workington. Her engine had broken rewards to the helpers on shore, £2, 2s. down. While she was in tow of the trawler the pilot boat's bollard was pulled out of her, and the life-boat PILOT CUTTER AGROUND took over the tow after the crew of the Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire. At pilot boat had been transferred to the 10.55 on the night of the 18th of January, life-boat and two members of the life- 1958, the Formby coastguard told the boat crew had gone aboard the pilot honorary secretary that the pilot cutter boat. The life-boat reached her station St. Anne, of Preston, was aground at 1.5. Rewards to the crew, £19 10s. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 51 STEAM TRAWLER AGROUND There was a rough sea, a fresh southerly NEAR PIER gale was blowing and the tide was Aberdeen. On the morning of the ebbing. The life-boat stood by for 21st of January, 1958, the steam trawler four hours as the Margaret was unable Luffness, of Granton, went aground at to enter the harbour because of the low the north pier. She was badly holed water. The life-boat finally reached her and her crew had decided to leave her. station at 4.50. Rewards to the crew, At 10.45 the life-boat Hilton Briggs £14 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, put out in a slight sea, with a gentle £10 2s. westerly breeze blowing and an ebb tide. The life-boat reached the trawler and MOTOR VESSEL AGROUND ON found that her crew of thirteen had been SHOAL taken off by a pilot cutter and a tug. Caister, Norfolk. At 4.10 on the After running extra mooring lines from morning of the 26th of January, 1958, the Luffness to the pier the life-boat the Great Yarmouth coastguard told returned to her station, arriving at the coxswain that the motor vessel 11.40. Rewards to the crew, £5 ; Fosdyke Trader of Hull was aground on reward to the helper on shore, 12s. Caister shoal 400 yards west-north-west of Caister Elbow buoy. The life-boat CREW TAKEN OFF COASTER Jose Neville was launched at 4.30 in a Arklow, Co. Wicklow. At 11.3 on the rough sea, with a strong south-south- night of the 21st of January, 1958, the easterly wind blowing and an ebb tide. motor mechanic told the honorary The life-boat reached the vessel a secretary that the owner of the steam quarter of an hour later, and her master coaster Anna Toop, of Cardiff, had in- told the coxswain that he had had his formed him that the vessel was aground engines going full astern for some time on Arklow Bank and in a dangerous without results. At seven o'clock the position. At 11.18 the life-boat In- life-boat laid out an anchor from the bhear Mor was launched in a confused Fosdyke Trader, and by heaving on this sea. There was a fresh north-east wind the vessel refloated at 9.15. The life- and the tide was ebbing. The life- boat accompanied her towards Yar- boat found the Anna Toop seven and a mouth Roads until her master stated he quarter miles east-south-east of Arklow. needed no further help. She then re- She had a crew of nine men and a turned to her station, arriving at ten stewardess. At the request of her o'clock. Property Salvage Case. master the life-boat landed the steward- ess and returned to stand by the coaster. ESCORT FOR TRAWLER IN TOW On reaching the position she found that Tynemouth, Northumberland. At the coaster had refloated and was 11.49 on the morning of the 26th of making water. The nine men were January, 1958, the coastguard told taken off and landed at Arklow, the coxswain that the trawler Polar which was reached at 4.20. Rewards Prince had sprung a leak twenty-four to the crew, £18 5s. ; rewards to the miles north-east of Tynemouth. The helpers on shore, £4 4s. life-boat Tynesider was launched at 12.15 in a heavy swell. There was a LIFE-BOAT STANDS FOUR HOURS moderate south-south-westerly wind BY FISHING VESSEL and an ebb tide. The tug Hendon also Bridlington, Yorkshire. At eleven left at the same time. A number of o'clock on the morning of the 25th of vessels in the vicinity of the Polar January, 1958, the honorary secretary Prince were searching too, and it was was informed that the local motor the tanker Adherity which found the fishing vessel Margaret had left the trawler first and directed the tug to her. harbour at four o'clock to attend her A quarter of an hour later the life-boat lines and was expected to return shortly. came up with the Polar Prince eighteen The weather was deteriorating rapidly miles north-east of Tynemouth. The and the life-boat Tillie Morrison, trawler had several feet of water in her Sheffield II was launched at 12.15. engine room and was being towed by 52 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 the Hendon. The life-boat escorted rowing boat to Bangor pier, where the the two vessels to the Tyne and arrived three men were landed, and reached her back at her station at six o'clock. station at 2.30. Rewards to the crew, Rewards to the crew, £18 5s. ; rewards £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on to the helpers on shore, £5 8s. shore, £2 17s. SICK WOMAN TAKEN FROM The following life-boats went out on ISLAND service, but could find no ships in dis- Aith, Shetlands. At 8.40 on the tress, were not needed, or could do evening of the 28th of January, 1958, a nothing : doctor at Walls told the honorary Stronsay, Orkneys.—January 1st.— secretary that a patient was very seri- Rewards, £9 7s. ously ill on the island of Foula and Stromness, Orkneys.—January 1st.— hospital treatment was necessary. The Rewards, £10 11s. island's boat was storm-bound on the Lowestoft, Suffolk.—January 5th.— mainland and the life-boat was asked Rewards, £12 9s. for. It was then learnt that because Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—January of the weather it would be impossible 9th.—Rewards, £12 7s. for a small boat to bring the patient out Aith, Shetlands.—January llth.—Re- to meet the life-boat, and for this wards, £23 11s. reason it was decided to wait until Whitby, Yorkshire.—January llth.— morning. At 9.10 in the morning Rewards, £18 Is. word was received from Foula that a St. Abbs, Northumberland.—January small boat would try to put out and 18th.—Rewards, £17 17s. meet the life-boat, so at 10.15 the life- Holy Island, Northumberland.—Janu- boat J.J.K.S. W., on temporary duty at ary 18th.—Rewards, £18 5s. the station, made her way with a doctor Dungeness, Kent.—January 18th.— on board to the Island of Foula. She Reward, £33. arrived at Foula at 2.20, and after em- Lowestoft, Suffolk.—January 19th.— barking the patient returned to Aith, Rewards, £11 4s. arriving at 7.15. The patient was Walton and Frinton, Essex.—January transferred to a waiting ambulance and 19th.—Rewards, £21 5s. taken to hospital. Rewards to the crew, Longhope, Orkneys.—January 19th. £24 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, —Rewards, £21 6s. etc., 19s. Refunded to the Institution Humber, Yorkshire.—January 21st.— by the St. Andrew's and Red Cross Paid Permanent Crew. Scottish Ambulance Service. Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—January 24th.—Rewards, £12 5s. COXSWAIN SEES ROWING BOAT Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—January IN DIFFICULTY 25th.—Rewards, £11 7s. Beaumaris, Anglesey. On the morn- Islay, Hebrides.—January 27th.—Re- ing of the 29th of January, 1958, the wards, £11 16s. coxswain saw a rowing boat with three Selsey, Sussex.—January 30th.—Re- men on board in difficulties. They wards, £19 3s. had gone out to the sandbanks off the mouth of the River Ogwen to collect FEBRUARY mussels. With the rising tide and a DURING February life-boats were strong southerly wind the boat began to launched on service 25 times and drift seawards, and as they had no rescued 7 lives. anchor on board the men tied the boat to one of the stakes of the old SICK MAN TAKEN FROM STEAMER Bangor weir. The life-boat Field Cromer, Norfolk. At 1.51 on the Marshal and Mrs. Smuts put out at afternoon of the 2nd of February, 1958, noon in a moderate sea. She reached the coastguard informed the honorary the 16-feet rowing boat and found the secretary that there was a very sick man three men exhausted. They were taken on board the S.S. Hudson Bank and a on board the life-boat and given re- doctor was needed. The steamer was freshment. The life-boat towed the expected to be off Cromer at about JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 53 three o'clock. At 2.30 the life-boat sunk and the Clarity had picked up her Cunard, on temporary duty at the no. 1 crew of two. One of the men needed station, was launched with a doctor on medical attention. The life-boat Mabel board. There was a smooth sea, a E. Holland was launched, with the light south-south-westerly wind was second coxswain in charge, at 11.30 in blowing, and the tide was flooding. The a choppy sea. There was a moderate life-boat met the Hudson Bank, and the westerly wind, and it was high water. doctor, after examining the patient, The life-boat met the Clarity, which decided he should go to hospital. The had anchored off Dungeness, and man was transferred to the life-boat found that the injured man had died. and landed at Cromer at 3.30, where an His body and that of the survivor from ambulance was waiting. The man the Patricia Joan were transferred to made a gift to the crew. Rewards to the life-boat, which reached her station the crew, £15 ; rewards to the helpers at 12.5. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; on shore, £5 8s. rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 15s.

FISHING VESSEL ASHORE ON SIX COBLES ESCORTED IN GALE SLAG REEF Filey, Yorkshire. At 2.55 on the Teesmouth, Yorkshire. At 7.44 on afternoon of the 4th of February, 1958, the morning of the 3rd of February, the coastguard told the honorary 1958, the South Gare coastguard told secretary that there were six local the honorary secretary that the motor fishing cobles at sea, and as weather fishing vessel Winnyfold of Grimsby conditions were bad it had become very was ashore two miles east of the South dangerous for boats returning to har- Gare breakwater. At 8.44 the life- bour. At three o'clock the life-boat boat John and Lucy Cordingley was The ha and Penryn Milsted was launch- launched in a moderate swell, with a ed in a moderate sea. There was a moderate westerly wind blowing and an fresh west-south-westerly gale and a ebb tide. The life-boat found the flooding tide. The life-boat escorted Winnyfold ashore on a slag reef with a the six cobles safely ashore and was list of forty-five degrees. Her crew rehoused by seven o'clock. Rewards of four had landed from a rubber to the crew, £10 ; rewards to the help- dinghy. The life-boat stood by until ers on shore, £12 12s. the tide made, when with some difficulty the coxswain was able to put some members of his crew aboard the Winny- LAUNCH TO STEAMER IN WHOLE fold. A line was made fast and the GALE fishing vessel was towed to the river. Buckie, Banffshire. At 9.30 on the She was making water and the tow rope morning of the 5th of February, 1958, parted several times before she was the coastguard informed the coxswain safely beached on Brand Sands. The that the S.S. Orkney Trader, of Kirk- life-boat reached her station at one wall, was in danger of driving ashore o'clock. Property Salvage Case. two and a half miles north of Buckie. At 9.50 the life-boat Glencoe, Glasgow, MOTOR VESSEL AND FISHING was launched in a very rough sea. A BOAT IN COLLISION whole northerly gale was blowing, with snow, and the tide was flooding. Dungeness, Kent. At eleven o'clock The life-boat found the Orkney Trader on the morning of the 4th of February, with two anchors out and her engines 1958, the wife of a local fisherman running. She stood by until 3.50, told the second coxswain that she had when the master of the steamer re- heard on the trawler wave-band on her ported that his anchors were holding radio that the motor vessel Clarity and and he needed no further help. The the fishing boat Patricia Joan had been life-boat returned to her station, arriv- in collision five miles west-south-west ing at 4.30. Rewards to the crew, £18 ; of Dungeness. The fishing boat had reward to the helper on shore, 17s. 54 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 ESCORT FOR DUTCH MOTOR VESSEL was seen to proceed south towards Appledore, Devon. At 10.10 on the Scarborough, but the other two, Pilot night of the 13th of February, 1958, the Me and Provider A, made for Whitby. Westward Ho coastguard told the The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was coxswain that the Dutch motor vessel launched at 12.2 to stand by at the Abgir was in a dangerous position and harbour bar. There was a very rough dragging her anchor at Down End. sea, a moderate north-westerly gale After a consultation with the coast- was blowing and the tide was flooding. guard, who had failed to attract the The Pilot Me had her drogue carried attention of the vessel by morse lamps, away by a huge sea a hundred yards the life-boat Violet Armstrong put out outside the piers, and when she crossed at 11.20. There was a rough sea, a the bar she struck the east side bullnose moderate south-westerly wind was of the pier and damaged her stem. One blowing and the tide was flooding. of her crew, a boy, was injured when When the life-boat reached the Abgir he was thrown against the side of the she found the vessel was under way. wheelhouse. The vessel drifted safely She escorted her into safe water and to the harbour side of the bullnose, and then helped her to a safe berth at she was able to reach the quay under Appledore, arriving there at 1.50. her own power, although she was Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to leaking badly. The fire service was the helpers on shore, £3 2s. called upon to keep the water under control until the vessel could be slipped, and the injured boy was taken to ESCORT FOR DANISH STEAMER hospital. A little later the Provider A Hastings, Sussex. At 10.55 on the entered harbour, and she also had morning of the 16th of February, 1958, difficulty in crossing the bar, but she the Fairlight coastguard told the honor- reached the quay safely. The life-boat ary secretary that a vessel was in diffi- returned to her station at 1.12. Re- culties off Bexhill. The life-boat M.T.C. wards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards was launched at 11.3 in a calm sea. to the helpers on shore, £1 16s. There was a light west north-westerly wind and an ebb tide. The life-boat LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY NEAR found the S.S. Else Skou of Copen- HARBOUR hagen one mile south of Bexhill. She Scarborough, Yorkshire. At 12.20 had been in collision with another on the afternoon of the 17th of Febru- vessel the day before and had a very ary, 1958, the coastguard and honorary bad list. Her master asked the cox- secretary told the coxswain that three swain if the life-boat would escort him Whitby fishing boats were at sea and to Dungeness and arrange for a pilot that because conditions were bad they as far as Dover. A pilot cutter was would probably make for Scarborough. asked to meet the Else Skou, and the At 1.10 the life-boat Annie Ronald and life-boat escorted the steamer to Dunge- Isabella Forrest was launched in a ness and then returned to her station, rough sea, with a fresh northerly gale arriving at 7.25. Rewards to the crew, blowing and a flood tide. The life- £22 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on boat stood by while the fishing boat shore, £22 4s. Success II entered the harbour. As the other two boats had reached BOY INJURED WHEN VESSEL Whitby, the life-boat returned to her STRIKES PIER station, arriving at 2.5. Rewards to Whitby, Yorkshire. On the morning the crew, £7 10s. ; rewards to the of the 17th of February, 1958, three helpers on shore, £6 19s. local fishing vessels were at sea. Later the weather deteriorated, and the vessels DUTCH TRAWLER AGROUND ON were informed by radio-telephone that ISLAND the harbour bar was very dangerous. Stornoway, Outer Hebrides. At 9.55 They were advised to make for Scar- on the night of the 17th of February, borough. One of the vessels, Success, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 55 secretary that a vessel was aground on was then taken to hospital, and the life- Goat Island in Stornoway Bay. At boat reached her station at 10.59. 10.15 the life-boat The James and Rewards to the crew, £11 5s. ; rewards Margaret Boyd put out in a smooth sea. to the helpers on shore, £3. There was a strong north-westerly wind and the tide was ebbing. The TUG WITH LIGHTERS IN TOW life-boat found the trawler Zuider MISSING Kruis, of Scheveningen, with a crew of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 8.10 on twelve. As the tide ebbed it was the morning of the 26th of February, feared that the trawler might slip off 1958, the coastguard informed the the rocks, and the life-boat stood by. honorary secretary that the tug Hawke- At 3.30 the next morning the trawler stone, of London, which had been refloated under her own power and towing two lighters, was missing and proceeded to Stornoway, escorted by the had last been seen approaching the life-boat. The boats reached Storno- Swatchway Channel. The life-boat way at 4.15. Rewards to the crew, £14. Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched in a rough sea. There CREW OF FISHING BOAT FOUND was a moderate north-north-easterly ON RAFT gale with snow showers, and the tide Buckie, Banffshire. At 10.25 on the was ebbing. The life-boat found the night of the 18th of February, 1958, tug high and dry one mile south of the coastguard told the honorary no. 5 Sea Reach buoy. She returned secretary that the fishing boat Seaforth to her station to collect a small boat of Inverness was ashore on West and then made for the position again. Muck, half a mile north of Buckie Three or four members of the life-boat harbour. The life-boat Glencoe, Glas- crew boarded the tug but found nobody gow was launched at 10.44 in a heavy there. The two lighters were found swell. There was a moderate westerly high and dry at All Hallows, off wind and a flood tide. The life-boat Yantlet Creek. After an unsuccessful reached the position and with the help search for survivors, water was pumped of the searchlight found five of the crew out of the tug, which was later towed of the Seaforth afloat on a raft. They up river. The life-boat reached her were taken on board the life-boat, station at 4.15. The crew of six of the which then searched for the sixth mem- Hawkestone lost their lives. Property ber of the crew, who had been washed Salvage Case. overboard before the other men had taken to the raft. He was not found, DOCTOR TAKEN TO FISHING BOAT and the life-boat reached her station at Buckie, Banffshire. At one o'clock 11.22. The Seaforth became a total on the afternoon of the 26th of Febru- wreck. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; ary, 1958, the coastguard informed the reward to the helper on shore, 12s. honorary secretary that Wick radio had received a message from the motor SICK MAN TAKEN FROM COLLIER fishing boat Elm Grove, of Buckie, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- that a fisherman had fallen overboard. folk. At 9.5 on the morning of the 23rd He had been rescued by another mem- of February, 1958, the coastguard in- ber of the crew but was unconscious formed the honorary secretary that a and needed a doctor. At 1.30 the life- man was very ill on board the collier boat Glencoe, Glasgow was launched Frances Fladgate. The vessel was mak- with a doctor on board in a moderate ing for Yarmouth Roads and had swell. There was a fresh north-wester- asked for medical help. At 10.21 the ly wind and a flood tide. The life- life-boat Louise Stephens was launched boat found the Elm Grove twelve miles with a doctor on board in a smooth sea. north-east of Buckie. The doctor was There was a gentle south-easterly wind put aboard, but the fisherman was and a flood tide. The life-boat reached found to be dead. The life-boat es- the Frances Fladgate, and the sick man corted the fishing boat to harbour, was transferred and brought ashore. He arriving at 2.30. Rewards to the crew, 56 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 £8 15s. ; reward to the helper on the missing man, and at 7.20 the life- shore, 12s. boat was asked to go alongside the Wansbeck to take on board the five The following life-boats went out on survivors. The Wansbeck by this time service, but could find no ships in was making water forward, and her distress, were not needed, or could do captain wanted to get under way to the nothing : Humber. The men were transferred, Clacton - on - Sea, Essex.—February and when it was clear that the Wansbeck 1st.—Rewards, £13 13s. was in no immediate danger, the life- Torbay, Devon.—February 1st.—Re- boat continued searching for the missing wards, £25 9s. man until eight o'clock. She then Weymouth, Dorset.—February 9th.— returned to her station, arriving at nine Rewards, £8 15s. o'clock. The United Kingdom agents Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—Feb- for the German vessel expressed their ruary 10th.—Rewards, £5. appreciation. Rewards to the crew, Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork. £19 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on —February 11th.—Rewards, £10 5s. shore, £5 8s. St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—February 17th.—Rewards, £13. FISHING BOAT TOWED TO Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—Feb- MONTROSE ruary 18th.—Rewards, £18 10s. Montrose, Angus. At 4.40 on the Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.—Febru- afternoon of the 5th of March, 1958, ary 19th.—Rewards, £9. Stonehaven radio informed the honor- Runsvvick, Yorkshire.—February ary secretary that the fishing boat Angus 22nd.—Rewards, £17 Is. Rose of Montrose needed help three New Brighton, Cheshire.—February miles off Montrose as her propeller had 25th.—Rewards, £10 8s. been fouled by fishing nets. The life- Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—February boat James Macfee, on temporary duty 26th.—Rewards, £14 5s. at the station, was launched at 5.1 in a rough sea. There was a moderate MARCH north-westerly gale, with snow showers, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat DURING March life-boats were launched found the Angus Rose with a crew of on service 38 times and rescued 16 lives. three and towed her safely to harbour, SEARCH FOR MAN MISSING FROM arriving at 7.30. Rewards to the crew, GERMAN VESSEL £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 16s. Cromer, Norfolk. At 5.35 on the morning of the 2nd of March, 1958, the MOTOR BOAT AGROUND ON ISLAND coastguard informed the honorary Donaghadee, Co. Down. At one secretary that the German motor vessel o'clock on the afternoon of the 7th of Continental and the British ship Wans- March, 1958, the Orlock coastguard beck had been in collision ten miles informed the honorary secretary that a north-west-by-north of Haisborough boat taking a relief keeper to Mew lightvessel. The German vessel had Island lighthouse was ashore on rocks sunk, but five of her crew had been at Mew Island. There were five people rescued by the Wansbeck and another on board. Eight minutes later the life- man was missing. The life-boat Cunard, boat Sir Samuel Kelly put out, taking a on temporary duty at the no. 1 station, punt with her. There was a rough sea, was launched at 5.50 in a calm sea. with a strong northerly wind blowing There was a light northerly wind and it and an ebb tide. The life-boat found was high water. Visibility was very the motor boat White Heather fast on bad because of mist. After half an the rocks. The coxswain sent two of hour the life-boat reached the position, his crew ashore in the punt to investi- and she then carried out a search gate. As high tide was not until together with the Wansbeck and other eleven o'clock at night it was decided ships in the area. Nothing was seen of to leave the punt and the two members JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 57 of the life-boat crew on the island to At 11.10 the life-boat R.P.L. put out in help the crew of the grounded boat off a rough sea. There was a fresh the rocks as soon as the tide was high southerly wind and it was low water. enough. The life-boat returned to her The life-boat found the Ros Aluinn station with the relief lighthouse keeper, fourteen miles north of Howth with a arriving at 3.15. The White Heather crew of seven. She took her in tow to was eventually refloated and reached Howth, arriving at 4.15. Rewards to Donaghadee at 12.15 early on the 8th the crew, £16 5s. ; rewards to the of March. Rewards to the crew, helpers on shore, £1 4s. £10 10s. MAN ADRIFT IN SMALL BOAT FISHING BOAT ESCORTED TO HARBOUR St. Ives, Cornwall. At 9.19 on the night of the 14th of March, 1958, the Whitby, Yorkshire. On the morning coastguard told the honorary secretary of the 7th of March, 1958, the local that a man was adrift in a small boat in motor fishing vessel Success was at the St. Ives Bay. At 9.35 the life-boat fishing grounds. During the day the Frank and William Gates, on temporary weather became very bad, and at 2.25 duty at the station, was launched in a in the afternoon the life-boat Mary Ann smooth sea. There was a gentle south- Hepworth was launched. There was a easterly wind and the tide was flooding. rough sea, with a moderate gale blowing The life-boat reached the position and and a flooding tide. The life-boat stood found that the man was a member of by until the Success was safely in the the crew of the motor vessel Erkalm. He harbour and reached her station at was helped to reboard his vessel, which three o'clock. Rewards to the crew, also took on board the small boat, and £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on the life-boat returned to her station, shore, £1 16s. arriving at 11.30. Rewards to the TOW TAKEN OVER FROM MOTOR crew, £7 10s. ; rewards to the helpers VESSEL on shore, £11 15s. Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. On the DOCTOR AND PRIEST TAKEN TO evening of the 8th of March, 1958, the ISLAND coastguard told the honorary secretary Galway Bay. At 3.30 on the after- that a small boat, which had left noon of the 16th of March, 1958, the Newhaven for Shoreham Harbour at honorary secretary received a message noon, had not arrived. At 10.30 the from a doctor on Clare Island requesting life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn the use of the life-boat to take a patient was launched. There was a slight sea, from Inishturk Island to the mainland. and a moderate northerly wind was At four o'clock the life-boat Mabel blowing with heavy snow showers. The Marion Thompson put out in a rough tide was flooding. The motor vessel sea. A south-easterly gale was blowing Charles H. Mertz informed the life-boat and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat by radio-telephone that she had found reached Inishturk Island at midnight the auxiliary yacht Sampan off Peace- and sheltered there for the night. She haven and had taken her in tow. The left at 5.30 the next morning for Clare life-boat came up with the Charles H. Island, where the doctor and a priest Mertz off Shoreham and took over the were embarked. At 12.30 the life-boat towing of the Sampan after embarking reached Inishturk Island and took the her crew of two. The life-boat reached patient on board. The patient was her station at 1.15 the next morning. landed at Roonagh, Co. Mayo, at Property Salvage Case. 3.30, and the doctor was then taken back to Clare Island. The life-boat TRAWLER TOWED TO HOWTH put into Cleggan for the night on her Howth, Co. Dublin. At 10.30 on the return passage and finally reached her morning of the 12th of March, 1958, station at 3.30 on the afternoon of the the coxswain heard on his radio that the 18th of March. Rewards to the crew fishing trawler Ros Aluinn of Howth had etc., £89 10s. ; reward to the helper on lost her rudder and was in need of help. shore, 12s. 58 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY MOTOR side, where several planks had been SCHOONER IN GALE damaged when the vessel had struck Holyhead, Anglesey. At 4.5 on the the rocks, and the pumps could not deal morning of the 17th of March, 1958, with the water. The rowing boat the coastguard informed the honorary picked up the three men and put them secretary that a schooner, which was aboard the Present Help, which then sheltering in Holyhead harbour, was returned to harbour accompanied by dragging her anchors and was in danger the life-boat. They reached the harbour of going ashore. At 4.55 the life-boat at 10.15. 1st Service : rewards to the St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was crew, £10 ; rewards to the helpers on launched in a very rough sea with a shore, £1 16s. 2nd Service : rewards fresh east-south-easterly gale blowing to the crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the and a flooding tide. The life-boat found helpers on shore, £1 16s. the motor schooner /. T. and S. of Dublin, and her skipper asked the FISHING BOAT TOWED TO coxswain to stand by until daylight. At DUNBAR seven o'clock the coxswain was told Dunbar, East Lothian. At ten that the services of the life-boat were o'clock on the morning of the 19th of not needed as the anchors were no March, 1958, a message was received longer dragging. The life-boat reached that a fishing boat was in need of help her station at 7.20. Because of the very twelve miles east-north-east of Dunbar. bad weather she was not able to be At 10.25 the life-boat George and Sarah rehoused until the next day. Rewards Strachan put out in a rough sea. There to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the was a gentle north-easterly wind and a helpers on shore, £6 9s. flood tide. At 12.25 the life-boat found the motor fishing vessel Gowan CREW TAKEN OFF FISHING with her engine broken down. She had VESSEL a crew of four. The life-boat took her in tow to the harbour, arriving at 2.45. Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. At 4.22 Rewards to the crew, £14 5s. on the morning of the 19th of March, 1958, a message was received from the TOW FOR PILOT BOAT TO skipper of the fishing vessel Wiseman HARBOUR that the local fishing vessel Mayflower was ashore at Cairnbulg Point. At 4.36 Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At the life-boat The Duchess of Kent was 2.15 on the afternoon of the 20th of launched in a slight swell. There was a March, 1958, the fishing boat Mystical gentle north-easterly wind and an ebb Rose of Wexford, which was on charter tide. The life-boat reached the May- to the Wexford harbour commissioners flower and found her high and dry on for duties as a pilot boat, had not the rocks. Three of her crew were returned to harbour and was reported taken on board the life-boat, but three to be overdue. The honorary secretary others decided to remain with their told the coxswain, who saw the boat vessel. The life-boat returned to her through his binoculars. She was stopped station, arriving at 6.20. At 7.30 the in broken water on Wexford bar. The swell began to increase with a flooding life-boat Douglas Hyde put out at 2.45 tide, and the life-boat was launched in a moderate sea, with a fresh east- again at 7.50 to stand by the vessel in south-easterly wind blowing and a case the three remaining members of flood tide. The life-boat came up with her crew decided to abandon her. The the Mystical Rose, which had a crew of fishing vessel Present Help followed the four, and found that her engine had life-boat out of the harbour, towing a broken down. She took her in tow to rowing boat. At ten o'clock the the harbour, where another fishing boat Mayflower's crew, who had unsuccess- took over the tow, and reached her fully tried to save their vessel, decided moorings at 7.20. Rewards to the crew, to abandon the attempt as the water £10 10s. ; reward to the helper on was pouring through leaks in the port shore, 16s. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 59 DISTRESS CALL RECEIVED AT DOVER CREW PUT ABOARD AIR-SEA RESCUE FROM BOULOGNE LAUNCH Dover, Kent. At 12.50 on the after- Tenby, Pembrokeshire. At seven noon of the 23rd of March, 1958, the o'clock on the morning of the 24th of honorary secretary received a telephone March, 1958, a message was received message from Boulogne that the trawler from 1115 Marine Craft Unit, Royal Notre-Dame de la Sallete of Boulogne Air Force, that one of the unit's air-sea was on the Sandettie bank with her rescue launches had broken adrift from trawl nets entangled in her propeller. her moorings near the life-boat slip- At 1.10 the life-boat Southern Africa way. The unit asked for the life-boat put out in a very rough sea. There was to be launched to put a crew aboard her. a fresh east-south-easterly gale and it At 7.15 the life-boat Henry Comber was high water. At 2.30, when passing Brown was launched in a rough sea. the East Goodwin Sands, the coxswain There was a fresh north-easterly gale, asked Boulogne radio for the position and it was high water. The life-boat of the French trawler, which was then put three airmen aboard the launch and given as ten miles south of the Galloper. escorted her to her moorings. A letter An hour later the position was altered of appreciation was received from the to two miles south-south-east of the commanding officer. Rewards to the Kentish Knock buoy. The trawler was crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers eventually found at eight o'clock one on shore, £6 7s. mile south-east of the Outer Tongue FISHING VESSEL ESCORTED TO WICK buoy. Her master asked the coxswain to stand by until the French tug Jean Wick, Caithness-shire. At 6.23 on Bart arrived. The life-boat then re- the morning of the 27th of March, 1958, turned to her station, arriving at 12.25 the coastguard told the honorary early on the 24th of March. Rewards secretary that a fishjng vessel had been seen approaching Wick from the south- to the crew etc., £28 10s. east, although the harbour had been closed to shipping because of the heavy COASTER DRIFTING IN GALE AND swell. Half an hour later the coxswain ROUGH SEA learnt that the fishing vessel had anchored in the entrance to Wick bay. Plymouth, Devon. At 1.10 on the As her anchor was dragging, the life- afternoon of the 23rd of March, 1958, boat City of Edinburgh was launched at the Queen's harbour master informed 7. !0 in a heavy sea. There was a the coxswain that the coaster Lapwing, moderate east-south-easterly gale, and of London, was drifting out of control the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found with engine failure six to seven miles the local fishing vessel Pentland Swell, south-south-east of Rame Head. At which had a crew of three, stopped with 1.40 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and engine trouble. She stood by until the Mary Rowse put out in a rough sea. engine was repaired and then escorted There was a strong east-south-easterly her to harbour. Rewards to the crew, gale, and the tide was flooding. Wire- £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on less contact was made with the Lapwing, shore, £2 5s. 6d. and when the life-boat reached the coaster, her master asked the coxswain SPEEDBOAT TAKEN IN TOW TO PIER to stand by. Later Admiralty tugs Beaumaris, Anglesey. At 11.30 on arrived on the scene, but it was not until the morning of the 30th of March, the Lapwing had drifted well into 1958, the coxswain was told that a Whitsand Bay that the tug Superman speedboat had broken down. Half-an- succeeded in getting a tow wire aboard hour later he saw the boat a mile and a and began towing. On reaching the half south-east of the life-boat slipway. sound the coaster's master thanked the At 12.45 the life-boat Field-Marshal and life-boat crew. The life-boat reached Mrs. Smuts was launched in a choppy her moorings at 6.45. Rewards to the sea. There was a gentle south-westerly crew etc., £22 5s. wind and the tide was flooding. The 60 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 life-boat took the speedboat, which had possible. Forty yards from the beach five people aboard, in tow to Beaumaris he stripped to his underclothes, and pier, and returned to her station, wearing a life-jacket waded the rest of arriving at 1.30. The owner made a the way, only to find that the young man donation to the Institution's funds. had died. The doctor swam back to Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards the dinghy, and shortly after being to the helpers on shore, £1 19s. helped aboard the life-boat he collapsed. TIGER MOTH AIRCRAFT TOWED The life-boat immediately returned to ASHORE her station, where the doctor was New Brighton, Cheshire. At 5.32 on landed at 8.40. He was taken to the evening of the 30th of March, 1958, hospital and later recovered. The body the Formby coastguard informed the of the man was removed by the police honorary secretary that a Tiger Moth at low water, and the action of the aircraft had crashed in the River doctor was referred to the Royal Mersey, off Speke airfield, five hundred Humane Society. Rewards to the yards off shore. The life-boat Edmund crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on and Mary Robinson, on temporary duty shore, £7 6s. at the station, put out at 5.45 in a calm The following life-boats went out on sea. There was a light north-westerly service, but could find no ships in wind and the tide was flooding. The distress, were not needed, or could do life-boat reached the position and nothing : found several other vessels near the Dungeness, Kent.—March 3rd.—Re- aircraft, which was lying upside down wards, £25 4s. with only part of her wings, tail and St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—March landing wheels showing above the 3rd.—Rewards £10 18s. water. One of her crew had been Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—March rescued by a dinghy, but attempts to 8th.—Rewards, £12 5s. reach a second man, who was still Weymouth, Dorset.—March 8th.— strapped to his seat, had been unsuc- Rewards, £9 7s. cessful. The life-boat helped to tow Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — March the aircraft ashore, where the body of 10th.—Rewards, £13 8s. the second man was recovered. She Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—March 13th then returned to her station, arriving at —Rewards, £12. 8.30. Rewards to the crew, £9 ; Poole, Dorset.—March 15th.—Re- rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 8s. wards, £10 11s. DOCTOR COLLAPSES AFTER SWIM Dover,Kent.—March 17th.—Rewards, TO ROCKS £7 15s. Minehead, Somerset. At 6.5 on the Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—March evening of the 20th of March, 1958, the 18th.—Rewards, £12 14s. police told the honorary secretary that Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—March a young man had fallen on to the rocky 22nd.—Rewards, £18 15s. shore about three miles west of Mine- Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.—March head and was seriously injured. A 23rd.—Rewards, £24 10s. rescue from the shore was impossible, Longhope, Orkneys.—March 23rd.— as it was high water. At 6.25 the life- Rewards, £23 7s. boat B.H.M.H. was launched in a Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — March moderate sea, with a moderate east- 26th.—Rewards, £18 5s. south-easterly wind blowing. There Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—March was a doctor on board, and the life- 27th.—Rewards, £16 Is. boat had a dinghy in tow. The life- Seaham, Durham.—March 27th.— boat reached the position, and two Rewards, £20 11s. members of the crew tried to row the Ramsgate, Kent.—March 27th.— dinghy ashore, but because of breaking Rewards, £12 15s. seas over half submerged rocks they Clogher Head Co., Louth.—March failed to reach the beach. It was 30th.—Rewards, £24 Is. growing dark, and the doctor asked to Howth Co., Dublin.—March 30th. be taken in the dinghy as far inshore as Rewards, £12 17s. THE LIFE-BOAT 61

FRENCH LIFE-BOAT ON SERVICE This photograph of the life-boat stationed at 1'Ile de Sein appeared in the March issue of the review " Realites " following an article on the boat by M Raymond Levard and is reproduced by kind permission of the Societe Centrale de Sauvetage des Naufrages

HELICOPTER EXERCISE AT SWANAGE 62 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958

By courtesy of] .\ortlit'rn Daily Mail LAUNCHING THE HARTLEPOOL LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of] '.Ban-alt's Photo Press Ltd, IN LONDON FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING From left to right at back: Bowman William Morris, Coxswain George Stonall, Coxswain Mark Bates. In front: Mr. John Crook (see page 72) JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 63

By courtesy of ] {Sport ana general COXSWAIN GEORGE STONALL OF NEW BRIGHTON RECEIVES THE BRONZE MEDAL FROM H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF KENT (see page 72)

By courtesy of ] [Barratt's Photo Press Ltd. MAUD SMITH AWARD FOR BARMOUTH MOTOR MECHANIC (see page 72) 64 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958

ANGLE LIFE-BOAT LAUNCHED ON EXERCISE

HAULED UP SLIPWAY ON RETURN JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 65

ON THE TURNTABLE

READY FOR RE-HOUSING

S. Kobinshan-. Milfnri! Haren 66 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958

courtesy of] \Rank Screen Services Ltd, LAUNCHING THE EASTBOURNE LIFE-BOAT

By courtesy of] [Eastern Daily Press CROMER No. 1 LIFE-BOAT LANDS A SICK MAN (see page 52) JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 67

By courtesy of] [Scarborough and District Newspapers Ltd. LAUNCHING THE SCARBOROUGH LIFE-BOAT

I

By courtesy of] [Hull Daily Mail BRIDLINGTON LIFE-BOAT ESCORTS FISHING BOATS 68 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958

By courtesy of] SURVIVORS OF THE " SEAFORTH " LANDED BY THE BUCKIE LIFE-BOAT (see page 55)

By courtesy of] [I. Johnston BUCKIE LIFE-BOAT PUTS OFF ON SERVICE TO THE " ELM GROVE " (see page 55) JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 69 THE LIFE-BOAT SERVICE

ITS PAYMENTS AT A GLANCE

How each £100 of the Institution's Payments was made in 1957

£ s. d. 30 2 5 ^—"^^—-^ New Construction. 34 19 5 mam^m^^^^^^m*~^^^^—m Maintenance of Life- boats and Stations (including Depot). 16 16 11 •——— Payments to Life-boat Crews. 430 ^—> Administration. 13 18 3 ^—^^^— Raising of Funds and Publicity at Head- quarters and over 1,000 Branches.

£100 0 0

ITS RECEIPTS AT A GLANCE

How each £100 of the Institution's Receipts was obtained in 1957 £ s. d, 15 7 4 ^^^^^^— Subscriptions, Donations, Collecting Boxes. 14 10 1 —^^-^— Life-boat Days and House-to-House Col- lections. 623 — Other Special Efforts. 1 12 7 — Boat-house Collections. 6 19 7 —•• Income from Invest- ments. 49 16 7 ^—•^^^—••" Legacies. 5 0 10 ^— Special Gifts. 10 9 - Other Sources. £100 0 0 70 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 The Annual General Meeting THE annual general meeting of the Chairman's Address Governors of the Royal National Life- It is my duty as Chairman of the Committee boat Institution was held at the Central of Management of the Royal National Life- Hall, Westminster, on the 25th of boat Institution to report to you on a year of progress and of success. In the work of the March, 1958. The Earl Howe, Chair- Institution it has also been a year of great man of the Committee of Management, demands and great achievements. There was in the Chair. have only been two years in the history of the H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent, Presi- Institution in which life-boats were called out on service in time of peace more than 700 dent of the Institution, presented medals times : one was 1956 and the other was 1957. for gallantry and other awards and gave This remarkable fact gives you an idea of the an address. The Earl of Selkirk, First demands which have to be made upon the Lord of the Admiralty, proposed and crews of the fleet on the coast. A man who serves in a life-boat to-day is three times as Lord Brabazon of Tara seconded the liable as his father or grandfather to be called resolution of gratitude to the coxswains out on service at any moment. and crews of the life-boats, the honorary There is certainly a great difference officers and committees of the stations between the old pulling and sailing life-boats in which our crews served in the past and the and the honorary officers and members modern high-powered variety which we of the financial branches and the Ladies' provide to-day, but the dangers still remain, Life-boat Guild. Admiral Sir William and the call in the night, when other people Slayter and Mr. Roger Leigh-Wood, can remain happily asleep, is three times as likely to occur. In 1957, the year on which I members of the Committee of Manage- am reporting, these calls were always prompt- ment, proposed and seconded a vote of ly and willingly answered, and as a result thanks to the President. 609 people who might otherwise have lost Supporting the Duchess of Kent on their lives are alive today. A feature of the year has been the very the platform were the Countess Mount- large increase in the number of services to batten of Burma, President of the yachts. There may be many in this hall who Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and Helen, visited the Daily Express Boat Exhibition at Duchess of Northumberland ; the Olympia and who will have noticed the enormous interest which was being taken by French Ambassador, Monsieur J. the general public in the small boats—yachts, Chauvel, and Madame Chauvel, and dinghies and the like—which were displayed the Irish Ambassador, Mr. H. McCann, at that great exhibition. For the first time and Mrs. McCann ; the Postmaster- in the history of the Institution the category of yachts, whether under power or sail, gave General and Member of Parliament for rise to a greater number of services than any Wallasey, Mr. Ernest Marples, and Mrs. other category of vessel. The number of Marples, and the Member of Parliament services to vessels which promote the com- for Merioneth, Mr. T. W. Jones ; the merce of the country—the barges, coastal steamers, fishing boats and the like—has not Mayor and Mayoress of Westminster ; declined, but the proportion has gone down the Chairman of the London County owing to the increase in the number of services Council ; the mayors and mayoresses to yachts and small boats. of 48 boroughs ; the chairman of one urban district council ; representatives New Type of Carriage of the Ministry of Transport and Civil It is the constant aim of the Committee of Aviation, the Civil Service Life-boat Management to do everything we can to Fund, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and increase efficiency, and in that respect we Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society, made considerable progress in the past year ; and the Ancient Order of Foresters for example, we have a new type of carriage coming into service. Of the older type of Friendly Society ; the donors of life- carriage used for our life-boats, the youngest boats or their representatives ; honor- was made in 1921 and some of them are a ary life governors and vice-presidents very great deal older than that. Some may be of the Institution ; members of the forty or fifty years old and we have even christened them " Queen Victoria's state Committee of Management ; and the coach ". Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of The first two of the new carriages are now the Central London Women's Com- on the coast, three more are being completed, mittee of the Institution. and four more have been ordered. But we shall have to order three or four more during Presenting the report of the Insti- every one of the next five years, and each one tution for 1957, Lord Howe said : costs £3,365. They are required of course. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 71 to take the beach boats to the sea or to the Royal Highness, our President. It is my launching point, which in many cases is some proud privilege once again to welcome Her considerable distance away and may be as Royal Highness here this afternoon. much as three or four miles away or even We have other distinguished guests here more. too. Our principal speaker, Lord Selkirk, Another thing that we have done during First Lord of the Admiralty, has only the past year is to proceed with fitting put our managed to get here with great difficulty this boats with very high frequency radio tele- afternoon, at the very last moment, owing to phony, and we have equipped no less than his duties in Parliament. He has honoured 140 boats of our fleet with this device. That the Institution by sparing time from his has cost us £7,840 a year and may cost more, arduous post as First Lord of the Admiralty but of course it make for much greater to attend this meeting. efficiency : it enables the coxswain of the I also have to welcome one of the greatest life-boat to talk to the pilot of an aircraft figures in our public life, to whom the country whether that aircraft is of the Royal Navy, as a whole owes a great debt of gratitude, and the R.A.F. or the United States Air Force. that is Lord Brabazon of Tara. It does not Here I would like to pay a sincere tribute to matter whether it is the world of sport, that great force for the way in which its business, transport, aviation or what—Lord aircraft have assisted us on every possible Brabazon's figure is always in it and he is occasion. always there at the head of it. Use of Scotchlite We also welcome His Excellency the French Another thing that we have done is to Ambassador and Madame Chauvel and His make use of Scotchlite in our life-boats. Excellency the Irish Ambassador and Mrs. As you know, Scotchlite is a reflecting McCann. Our Postmaster-General, who is material, and it can be picked up in the beam the M.P. for Wallasey, and Mrs. Ernest of a searchlight so that somebody who is in Marples are also here, and we welcome, too, the water can be found very much more Mr. T. W. Jones, M.P. for Merioneth, Lady easily than would be possible without it. Mountbatten and Her Grace the Dowager We have also carried out a series of most Duchess of Northumberland. rigorous tests of all our life-belts. We heard Before I conclude, I would like to pay a rumours of the effects of fuel oil on life- humble tribute to the work of the members of belts, and so, to try and find out the facts, we the Committee of Management. They are a carried out some extensive trials and we body of enthusiasts composed of His Royal found that the life-belts we are using are Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, of officers really quite all right. of all the three fighting Services and of the Those are just a few of the things that have Civil Service, of businessmen and men of been going on. We also sent nine new life- affairs. It would be really difficult to find a boats to their stations last year ; four of more representative body to give their time them were of the 52-feet Barnett type fitted to the work of the R.N.L.I, and to do their with twin screws and engines of 72 h.p. each— best to back up the work of our loyal and that is 144 h.p. per boat. They also have a devoted staff, to whom we all owe so much. wheelhouse and a double bottom under the engine-room to give them extra security. Report for 1957 We have also tackled the question of Thurso. You will probably remember seeing The report and accounts for 1957 in the papers that the life-boat house and an were adopted and the president and almost brand new life-boat at Thurso were destroyed by fire. We have managed to send vice-presidents, treasurer and other a new boat to that station, rebuild the boat- members of the Committee of Manage- house and have everything just as it was before ment and the auditors were elected. in under the year. It has cost £65,000 to do H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent, giving that, which will give you an idea of the enormous cost involved in some of these her presidential address, said : things. Two years have passed since I last had the Work of Guilds pleasure of addressing this meeting. Since All this, of course, means that the cost of that time the Institution has suffered a great running the service is a very high one. It is loss by the death of Sir Godfrey Baring. It going up the whole time, unfortunately, and is for me a sad reflection, as it must be for it has come to very nearly £1 million. Think many others this afternoon, that he is not of it, ladies and gentlemen : £1 million, with us today ; I look back on so many provided by voluntary contributions and by occasions in this hall, and at life-boat stations the devoted efforts of our guilds and branches throughout the country, when he was present up and down the country. It is a grand thing as chairman of this great service—a service that they do as much as they do, and par- whose interests were always close to his ticularly I take my hat off to the ladies' heart, and for which he did so much during guilds all over the country : the work they the greater part of his life-time. do is absolutely superb. In a few moments time I shall be present- I know that everybody in this hall will ing the medals and awards in accordance agree with me when I say that the achieve- with the customary procedure on these ments of the Institution and all who work for occasions. I always consider this a great it are inspired and continually helped by Her honour, and to-day it is my privilege to 72 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 present medals to Coxswain Mark Bates, of To COXSWAIN MARK BATES, of Kilmore, Kilmore in Co. Wexford, and to Coxswain the silver medal for the rescue of the crew of George Stonall, of New Brighton, for their ten of the French trawler Anguste Maurice on gallant services to the Institution, details of the 19th/20th of December ; which you will shortly be hearing. To COXSWAIN GEORGE STONALL, of New Brighton, the bronze medal for the rescue Unhesitating Goodwill of the crew of six of the coaster /. B. Kee, of Castletown, on the 5th of November ; To those who know little of the Institu- To MR. JOHN CROOK, of Parkgate, Wirral, tion's record, year by year, who have had no an inscribed wrist watch for the rescue in a personal chance of learning at first hand single-seater kayak canoe of a fisherman on about its activities, the brief accounts that the 27th of July ; appear from time to time in the press may To MOTOR MECHANIC WILLIAM MORRIS, seem unremarkable. No doubt many people of Barmouth, the Maud Smith award for the must think that such exploits are all in the rescue in the motor launch Skylark of four day's work. And of course—in a sense— children in difficulties while bathing on the this is true. It is, certainly, very much a 16th of July. part of the day's work of a life-boat man to hazard his life to save another. It is very much a part of his work to be on short call ; Lord Selkirk then moved the follow- to be sent for in the wildest of weather ; and ing resolution : to suffer all the terrors of the elements in the " That this meeting, fully recognizing service of others. But few of us, I think, the important services of the Royal would have the courage or the physical strength to endure with such unhesitating National Life-boat Institution in its goodwill the tests with which our life-boat national work of life-saving, desires to men are almost daily confronted. record its hearty appreciation of the Those who attempt rescues are not in every gallantry of the coxswains and crews of case members of life-boat crews. One of the earliest tasks which this organization took the Institution's life-boats, and its deep upon itself was the recognition of those who, obligation to the local committees, without thought of reward, set out in boats of honorary secretaries, and honorary any kind to rescue others in distress. There treasurers of all station branches, and have been a number of people who carried out such rescues during the past year. Mr. John to the honorary officers and thousands Crook, who is here today to receive an award, of voluntary members of the financial is one ; and amongst others there is Mr. branches and of the Ladies' Life-boat William Morris of the Barmouth life-boat Guild in the work of raising funds to station, whose prompt action resulted in the saving of four children's lives. These acts of maintain the service." spontaneous gallantry were touched by the In doing so, he said : same spirit that inspires our life-boat crews I do not think it would really require many along pur coasts. words—indeed, any words—of mine to com- During the past year I visited a number of mend that resolution to you today, but there life-boat stations, and was greatly impressed are one or two things I would like to say. by the high standards of efficiency and readi- The first is to express on behalf of the Board ness everywhere apparent. I hope this year of Admiralty the deep sense of regard which to be able to visit several more ; and I am they feel—indeed, which the Royal Navy particularly happy to tell you that my feel—for the Royal National Life-boat In- daughter was very pleased to be asked by the stitution. We regard it with a deep esteem, Institution to name the life-boat at Tprbay but I think the feeling is more than that, in Devon on the 25th of July, and that this life- because we as a people in this country are boat will bear her name. immensely proud of our life-boats. We are As always, it is my privilege to thank all grateful to the people who organize them and those who have helped the Institution in a have a deep respect and admiration for the thousand ways. Each and every one of crews who man those boats and the high them plays an important part in the life of the traditions which they maintain. service, and their contributions, in however I am sure our admiration is enormously humble a form, are of tremendous import- increased by the fact that this is a voluntary ance. But above all, it is to the men of the institution kept alive by those who freely life-boats that I would like to express my give to help it. Indeed, it would be a very sad warmest thanks and my best wishes for the day if the people of this country ever lost year. interest in the sea which surrounds them or in Medals for Gallantry this service which they freely maintain. An example of the deep sense of interest in The Secretary, Colonel A. D. Burnett the life-boat service is the magnificent repre- Brown, read accounts of services by sentation we have here today of the boroughs the life-boats at Kilmore and New of Greater London. Seldom will any of you Brighton and of shore-boat services at have the opportunity of seeing a more magni- ficent representation of the municipalities of Heswall and Barmouth. this area ; and, if I may say so, a very fine The President then presented : body of men they are. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 73 But when we talk of voluntary institutions domitable breed of seafaring people, who let there be no illusion : it is the ladies who always retain the admiration of the whole work voluntary institutions, even if it is the country. men who ultimately pay the bill. In these With regard to those who seek health and days we incline perhaps to think over much enjoyment, whether by bathing or by yachting of the wonders of inventions in science, but in the sea, and who find the perils sometimes the facts of nature are always with us. Our too great, it would indeed be intolerable if we food comes to us over the sea. It is brought were ever in a position in the future of know- by those who go down to the sea in ships and ing that lives were in danger near, or maybe have their business in great waters. It is even in sight of, our coasts, and we were not from the sea that our fishing fleet supply the in a position to take action. But we can only raw material which, in my opinion, is among take action with proper equipment and fully the choicest of our dishes, and it is to the sea trained crews and that is what the Royal that many of us go for our health and for our National Life-boat Institution makes possible, leisure, following the example given a century That is why we are grateful to them, and that and a half ago by the Prince Regent when he is why we should support them today. first went to Brighton. I do not think we could forget the sea which Lord Brabazon of Tara has meant so much to us. May I quote some Seconding the motion, Lord favourite words which Admiral of the Fleet Brabazon said : Lord Fisher used to use ? " Time, the ocean and some guiding star in high command You have listened to a most admirable have made us what we are ". History would speech by Lord Selkirk, and he has actually be very different if the waters had not sur- read the resolution. I am not going to do it rounded us and if we had not learned to use again ; do not be alarmed. And one has to them. remember it was not just Lord Selkirk speak- Now, the second thing I would like to say ing, it was the First Lord of the Admiralty, is simply this : we are all familiar, from the and he is a very big gun in this country. I am time when we were in the nursery, with that a bit nonplussed as to why I am here at all. very old story of King Canute. I do not Why did Lord Howe ask me ? I think it was know whether King Canute wanted to demon- because I represent, so to speak, the man in strate a fact or whether he had the fact the street. He is not to be despised, you demonstrated to him, but one thing we all know. It is he who puts the little flag in his know is that you cannot command the sea. buttonhole and gives his half-crown. There is only one thing to do, and that is to As a man in the street, I take a very poor understand the mood of the sea. Therein view of the sea : it is nasty, wet, cold, salt lies the skill and the ability of the constructors stuff, and anybody who is foolish enough to of our life-boats and of the coxswains and go on it leads a very up and down life. But, the crews who man them. To appreciate what is so extraordinary today is that, due, this you only need to hear the stories read no doubt, to the congestion of the roads, to you today or to read in the Life-boat of people are going more and more on the sea, the heroism and resolution against almost and on a fine day you will see people actually insuperable hardships which the men of the carrying their boats down to the sea where life-boat service have to face. they are going to launch them. They look like human snails, so to speak. Immense Success Lord Selkirk has drawn your attention to the fact that the sea is a very uncertain ele- One thing, however, which did catch my ment. I am an amateur sailor, and I know eye is the immense success which attends this quite well that sometimes you see great liners service. The figures show that throughout rolling and plunging about and behaving in a the year on an average the life-boat service drunken way while you in a small boat do saves a life almost as often as a life-boat is not take any notice of it, whereas on other launched. I think that is a very remarkable days, when you get conditions of wind achievement. When we recognize that over against the tide in a small boat, you have the last thirty years launchings have become multiple seas on each side of you and a big three times as frequent as they were, the high boat does not even notice it. Consequently total is, I think, an indication of the standard you have got to study this element, and these of efficiency which has grown up. people who go down and know little about it Over these same thirty years the cost of are really risking their lives. maintaining the service has gone up fourfold. There are many reasons for that. Lord Rescues in August Howe gave us some of them when he spoke of It is, I think a reflection on the conditions the higher quality of equipment, but this is which prevail today when you notice that necessary in order that full use may be made most of the rescues from the sea take place in of this great service, and it is our duty to see August, and of course it is a very odd thing that this great Institution, with all its tradi- to remind you of, but August happens to be tion, continues on its historic task, the task in our summer. There is usually a full gale which it fulfils to our merchant shipping and blowing, but nominally it is meant to be our also to foreign commercial men. I am summer. It is not for me to attack in any interested to read of help given to at least nine way a Government office, but I cannot help flags of foreign countries, as well as of the reminding the Meteorological Office that they help given to our fishing fleet, to that in- really should keep our seasons in order. 74 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 This resolution is a tribute to all those who perfectly well understand that when they are keep this great organization going, and we in a tight corner, in order to save their own have to remember that without the organiza- wretched lives and skins, many people are tion it is no use having brave men or trying to prepared to do remarkable things which come to this job at all. It is all founded on the under the head of bravery. We are all organization, and without it the service capable of doing that : myself included. But would collapse. true bravery is deliberately to take on a job What I would now rather like to remind you that you know to be dangerous. That is of is our chief coxswain, Lord Howe. We really true bravery. When you are cosily in are extremely lucky to have this man at our bed, warm and happy and contemplating head. I have been associated with him for how you will spend the £200,000 that Little- many years. When he was in the House of wood's will undoubtedly give you on the next Commons he was wonderful in defending the Saturday, suddenly to hear the signal and to Navy and looking after the Navy in every get up, put on your oil-skins, go out into an way. He is an international motorist famed icy east wind and put to sea in a gale—oh, throughout the world. If you have a weak boy, that really is to me superhuman bravery. heart I do not advise you to go with him in his Yet these great men come up here in such an motor-car—not because he is dangerous ; unassuming way and take their decorations he is a very safe driver, but he will frighten from Her Royal Highness. I myself feel you. I think we are very lucky to have a man privileged and proud to have been even like that with all his many activities, because allowed to see them here this afternoon. I know him quite well enough to know that I have been told all my life that one of the dearest of all to his heart, and what he is things a speaker should do is to try and read chiefly keen on in this world, is the life-boat the minds of his audience. I have looked at service. May he long continue to be our you for a few minutes—well, you are quite an chief. ornamental set—and I have come to the con- clusion that this is what is in your minds : Developments in Life-saving " This man is a garrulous old buzzard and it is time he sat down." With those remarks, I There are one or two new developments in propose so to do. life-saving which interest me very much. One is the collapsible, inflatable life-raft. These were started, I think, in the war. I have never been in one. I sometimes rather Awards for Honorary Workers hoped that the ship I was in would sink in order that I might try one, but perhaps The Secretary reported that since the that might not have been a good thing. The last annual meeting one honorary advertisements speak very well of them. worker had been appointed an honorary Advertisements often do speak well of things. I notice that the very latest type are not only life governor of the Institution. covered over, they have a supply of food and The President then presented the they have a wireless. The only thing they vellum awarded to an honorary life have not got is a television ; but otherwise governor to : you appear to be as snug as a bug in a rug. Whether these life-rafts are a practical MR. BARRIE BENNETTS, PENLEE. proposition or not, I do not know, but they sound splendid to me. The Secretary reported that bars to I mentioned television. Did any of you see last night the detergents in our rivers ? gold badges had been awarded to two Really, that was a most astonishing phenome- honorary workers and the gold badge non. Of course, it is all frightfully funny to eight honorary workers. until you fall in and then you cannot be The President presented a bar to his rescued because nobody sees where you are. That is a point of view that I had really never gold badge to : appreciated. I do hope you housewives will MR. WILLIAM POWELL, SWANAGE ; not be lured by the advertisements on tele- vision into going on with these detergents until the whole sea is one foam; we shall not and gold badges to : be able to see a boat in order to rescue it. MRS. A. L. WARREN PEARL, CHELSEA. As an old airman I am very pleased also to notice that the dear old helicopter, which was MRS. W. F. GALE, COWES. rather despised and rejected by the aeroplane MR. A. M. HAMILTON, DONAGHADEE. experts, is coming into its own again and is MRS. L. M. CRICHTON, EDINBURGH. co-operating nobly with you, helping you in every way it can. MRS. A. HUTCHISON, LEVEN. Superhuman Bravery Miss E. C. INGLIS, LEVEN. MR. 3. M. MACKAY, LEVEN. Now, at the end of these few remarks, we come to the question of the men. I speak Miss D. F. CHANDLER, of Seaford, was to you as a natural coward. I have always unable to be present to receive the bar to her been a coward, and it is no use changing or gold badge, and MR. R. ROBERTSON, of trying to change at my time of life. I can Grangemouth, to receive his gold badge. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 75 Votes of Thanks I have great pleasure in seconding this resolution which has been so ably proposed Proposing a vote of thanks to H.R.H. by Admiral Slayter. It is not easy to express adequately to your Royal Highness our the Duchess of Kent, Admiral Slayter gratitude for all the work you do and for the said : keen interest which you have always taken in the affairs of the Life-boat Institution and It is my proud privilege to move a vote of for honouring this meeting with your presence thanks to our President. Like all the mem- here today. I assure you, Madam, how of our Royal Family with whom we are deeply sensible we are of this mark of your blessed, Her Royal Highness is a very busy favour, and we in this hall are very fortunate person ; in fact, I sometimes wonder how to have the privilege of showing our gratitude she has any private life at all in view of all her in person. public engagements. There is one point that I want to make this In the evening those who had received afternoon, and that is that our President is awards for gallantry and their families not just the gracious and beautiful figurehead of our Institution : she is very much a mem- went to the Crazy Gang Show at the ber of the team and a very hard-working Victoria Palace. member too. She is equally well known to The arrival of H.R.H. the Duchess of our crews and helpers on the coast as she is Kent and the departure of the medallists to us, and wherever she is her presence is a were shown on the Independent Tele- real inspiration to all those who work for our great Institution. Television newsreel. Extracts from the speeches given at the meeting were Seconding this vote of thanks, Mr. broadcast in the B.B.C. programme Roger Leigh-Wood said : " Radio Newsreel".

Obituary

SIR JOHN GUMMING valuable services to the Life-boat SIR JOHN GHEST GUMMING, K.C.I.E., Institution he also worked actively for a C.S.I., died on the 9th of March, 1958, number of other charities, in particu- at the age of 89. He joined the Com- lar Toe H. mittee of Management of the Institu- A memorial service was held at the tion in 1921 and was appointed a Vice- Crown Court Church, Covent Garden, President in 1932. He resigned from on the 18th of March. Earl Howe, the Committee in 1956. He served for Chairman of the Committee of Manage- twenty-eight years on the finance com- ment, and a number of other members mittee, of which at one time he was of the Committee and of the staff, chairman, on the general purposes and including the Secretary of the Institu- publicity Committee and on the estab- tion, attended. lishment committee. He was also for a number of years chairman of the sub- LIEUT.-COLONEL E. G. H. LIVESEY committee which produces the annual Lieut.-Colonel E. G. H. Livesey, who report. His publications included a was District Organising Secretary for detailed bibliography entitled Literature the Midlands from 1952 to 1957, died of the Life-boat and, with Mr. Charles on the 29th of March, 1958. Lieut.- Vince, an anthology The Life-boat in Colonel Livesey was educated at Epsom Verse. College and the Royal Military College, Sir John Gumming had a distin- Sandhurst, and after being commis- guished career in the Indian Civil sioned as an officer in the Cameronians Service, being a member of the Execu- he was transferred in 1936 to the 4/7 tive Council of the Governor of Bengal. Rajput Regiment, and later to the He planned and directed three import- Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was ant works on India, Modem India, appointed Assistant District Organising Political India and Revealing India's Secretary in the North-East district in Past. 1952, and shortly afterwards took over In addition to his consistent and the Midlands district. 76 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 STATEMENT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS— 1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1957 1956 PAYMENTS £ LIFE-BOATS :— £ s. d. £ s. New Life-boats for the following Stations : On account — Angle, Arbroath, Barra Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Cromarty, Dungeness, Fishguard, Mallaig, Moelfre, Thurso, Torbay, Troon, Valentia, Weymouth, Wicklow ; materials for future building and improvements and alterations to 185,858 existing fleet 244,544 13 7 286 Upkeep of Cowes Office and Store 295 13 7 40,479 Upkeep of and Repairs to Life-boats 38,147 12 6 Rentals and Maintenance of Radio Equipment and 9,808 ' Loud Hailers, and Radio Licences 16,364 18 9 386 Consulting Naval Architect . . 87 1 4 £ s. d. Salaries of Superintendent Engineer, Surveyor of Life-boats, Inspectors of Machinery, Assistant Surveyors of Life-boats and Machinery, 42,575 Draughtsmen and Clerical Staff 45,766 8 2 12,631 Travelling Expenses .. .. 13,94017 6 2,596 Pensions under the Pension Scheme 2,676 14 4 Contributions to 1938 Pension 3,360 Scheme 3,638 9 6 61,162 66,022 9 6 Less estimated amount chargeable 2,571 to Life-boat carriages and tractors 2,804 - - 58,591 63,218 9 6 295,408 362,658 9 LIFE-BOAT CARRIAGES AND TRACTORS :— 4,205 New Carriages 9,968 5 7 731 Repairs to Life-boat Carriages 652 10 744 Repairs to Tractors 599 13 9 Estimated proportion of Life-boats expenses as 2,571 above 2,804 8,251 14,024 LIFE-BOAT HOUSES AND SLIPWAYS :— 12,416 New Construction and Adaptation 33,776 6 6 38,444 Repairs and Maintenance 28,628 13 6 Gratuity under the Pension Scheme 50 50,860 62,455 50,360 LIFE-BOAT STORES 56,669 LIFE-BOAT DEPOT :— 9,315 Rates, Insurance, Equipment and Repairs 9,964 5 7 Salaries of Superintendent of Depot, Assistant and 47,145 Clerical Staff and Wages of Manual Workers 50,591 17 4 1,574 Pensions and Gratuities under the Pension Schemes 2,111 16 4 967 Contributions to 1938 Pension Scheme 1,141 19 11 Provision for additional liability, 1909 Pension 1,409 Scheme 852 18 11 60,410 64,662 If PAYMENTS IN CONNEXION WITH LIFE-BOAT STATIONS :— Conveyance of Life-boats, Carriages, Tractors and Stores ; Work to Moorings ; Telephones ; 24,072 Postages, etc. 25,679 13 7 Insurance under National Insurance Acts and 4,460 against claims at Common Law 5,352 6 3 328 Salaries of Assistant Secretaries, etc., of Stations 311 13 4 28,860 31,343 1; 494,149 Carried forward 591,813 - JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 77 DUNTS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS—1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1957 1956 RECEIPTS £ SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS, ETC. :— £ s. d. s. d. 8,488 General Subscriptions to Headquarters .. .. 7,998 8 3 5,785 „ „ through Station Branches .. 6,304 3 - 25,403 „ „ through Financial Branches 25,516 5 3 25,778 „ Donations to Headquarters .. .. 21,8171911 52,590 „ „ through Station Branches .. 70,385 - 5 )5,655 „ „ through Financial Branches .. 206,644 - 8 Contributions from Harbour Authorities towards 1,800 upkeep of Life-boat Stations 1,800 - - 304 Contribution Boxes to Headquarters .. .. 322 11 22,704 „ „ through Station Branches .. 21,361 5 9 6,717 „ „ through Financial Branches .. 7,189 9 4 55,224 369,339 4 1

CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT FUND :— Contribution in respect of the following Life-boat Establishments : Blyth, Hartlepool, Holyhead, Margate, Portrush, Port St. Mary, St. David's, 5,725 Southend-on-Sea, Thurso, Walmer and Whitehills 5,994 8 7

70,949 Carried forward £375,333 12 8 78 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 STATEMENT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS- -1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1957—continued PAYMENTS 1956 £ s. d. £ s. £ Brought forward 591,813 - 494,149 WAGES, REWARDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS TO COXSWAINS, MOTOR MECHANICS AND CREWS :— Cost of Wreck Services, including Rewards to Life- boat Crews and others, Special Rewards and Recognitions, Medals and Vellums . . . . 13,416 - 1 14,204 Grants to men injured in the Life-boat service . . 901 12 10 945 Fees of Coxswains, Bowmen and Signalmen, Wages of Motor Mechanics, etc 120,285 5 1 106,630 Payments to Life-boat Crews and Launchers for exercises 9,378 19 7 9,884 Annuities and Gratuities under the Regulations to Coxswains, Bowmen, Signalmen, Part Time and Assistant Motor Mechanics ...... 4,611 18 6 4,570 Pensions and Grants to Relatives of deceased Life- 7,644 boatmen and others ...... 9,392 13 2 Pensions and Gratuities under the Pension Scheme 3,003 to Ex-permanent Crews ot Life-boats . . . . 3,262 - 2 146,880 161,248 9 LIFE-BOAT INSPECTORS :— Salaries of Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector, Assistant Chief Inspector, Inspectors of Life- ,

SUNDRY RECEIPTS :— Sale of old Stores 4,469 11 - Rentals of Freehold and Leasehold Premises 887 4 9 5,356 15 9

Total Ordinary Receipts £450,328 18 7

Carried forward £450,328 18 7 80 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 STATEMENT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS—1st Jan. to 31st Dec. 1957—continued

1956 PAYMENTS £ s. d. £ s. 706,404 Brought forward 823,228 5 GRANTS IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN 590 LEGACIES 725 3

EXPENSES CONNECTED WITH RAISING OF FUNDS AND PUBLICITY :— Salaries of Publicity Secretary, Assistant and 7,356 Clerical Staff and Wages of Manual Workers .. 8,082 1 2 Salaries of District Organizing Secretaries and 20,763 Clerical Staff 24,336 15 1 4,594 Travelling expenses 5,147 17 10 214 Annual General Meeting 216 19 10 9,226 Advertising and Appeals 15,961 15 1 Stationery, Printing, Books, Films, Badges, Collect- 30,752 ing Boxes, Postages 30,787 2 6 Printing and Binding the Year Book and Life-boat 4,602 Journal 4,488 14 - Salaries and Commissions of Assistant Secretaries, 9,331 etc., of Branches 9,654 - - 1,613 Pensions under the Pension Scheme .. .. 1,718 18 - 2,392 Contributions to 1938 Pension Scheme .. .. 2,239 18 5 Provision for additional liability 1909 Pension 4,292 Scheme 2,781 9 11 Estimated proportion of Administration Expenses 25,353 as above 27,736 9 5 120,488 827,482 Total Payments Deduct:— Expenditure on new Life-boats included in this account borne by :— 65,361 Gifts and Legacies for special purposes .. .. 75,780 19 6 120,497 Reserve for Replacement of Life-boats .. .. 168,763 14 1 185,858 244,544 13 7 Other expenditure included in this account borne 44,852 by Special Gifts and Legacies 39,815 16 1 230,710 596,772 Balance not otherwise appropriated transferred to 107,376 General Purposes Fund

£704,148 £756,590 15 JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 81 UMTS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS—1st Jan. to 31st Dec,, 1957—continued

RECEIPTS s. d. £ s. d. Brought forward 450,328 18 7 LEGACIES FOR GENERAL PURPOSES 406,261 17 3

TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES .. 856,590 15 10 856,590 15 10

Gifts and Legacies for Special purposes transferred to Funds :— £ s. d. General Endowment :— Legacies 3,870 19 - Special Gifts 1,683 3 - 5,554 2 Special Purposes and Maintenance :— Legacies 87,071 12 - Special Gifts 48,631 5 4 135,702 17 4

Total Receipts .. £997,847 15 2 Deduct :— Appropriation to Reserve for Replacement of Life-boats 100,000 - - 756,590 15 10

NOTE.—This account includes the receipts and payments of the Headquarters of the Institu- tion for the year to 31st December, 1957, and of the Branches for the year to 30th September, 1957.

£756,590 15 10 82 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 Dr.

GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUN 1956 The Income to be applied for the purposes of the Institute £ £ s. Loss ON SALE OF INVESTMENTS .. 11,367 19 31,905 Depreciation on Valuation of Investments at ?>\st December, 1956 .. — — 217,242 BALANCE AT 31 ST DECEMBER, 1957 228,022 5

£249,147 £239,390 4

SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUN The Capital to be applied for the purposes of the Institut EXPENDITURE AS SHEWN IN ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS :— 65,361 on NEW LIFE-BOATS 75,780 19 44,852 on OTHER PURPOSES 39,815 16 REFUND TO RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOATS FOR EXPENDI- 32,664 TURE PREVIOUSLY CHARGED AGAINST THAT FUND 27,401 - 37 TRANSFER TO GENERAL PURPOSES FUND ON FULFILMENT OF TRUST .. 1,183 9 878 GRANTS IN CONNEXION WITH CERTAIN TRUST LEGACIES 605 15 TRANSFER TO GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND ON INCOME BECOMING SUFFICIENT TO CARRY OUT TRUST 16,594 - 259,944 BALANCE AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1957 235,323 17

£403,736 £396,704 19

RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOAT 185,858 EXPENDITURE ON NEW LIFE-BOATS 244,544 U 65,361 Less BORNE BY SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND 75,780 19 120,497 168,763 14 1,029,718 BALANCE AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1957 988,355 11

£1,150,215 £1,157,119 5

GENERAL PURPOSES FUN!

£ s. Loss ON SALE AND REDEMPTION OF INVESTMENTS 4,574 14 Loss ON SALE OF FREEHOLD PREMISES 288 1 184,563 Depreciation on Valuation of Investments at 31 st December, 1956 537,889 BALANCE AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1957 618,055 8

£722,452 £622,918 3 JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 83 Cr.

31st December, 1957 in accordance with the directions of the respective Donors. £ s. d. BALANCE AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1956 217,242 2 - LEGACIES AND SPECIAL GIFTS (INCOME ONLY AVAILABLE) RECEIVED IN THE YEAR :— £ s. d. Legacies 3,870 19 - Special Gifts 1,683 3 - 5,554 2 - TRANSFER FROM SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND AS BELOW 16,594 - 8

£239,390 4 8

31st December, 1957. in accordance with the directions of the respective Donors. BALANCE AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1956 259,944 1 9 LEGACIES AND GIFTS FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES (CAPITAL AVAILABLE) RECEIVED IN THE YEAR :— £ s. d. Legacies 87,071 12 - Special Gifts 48,631 5 4 135,702 17 4 INTEREST ON UNEXPENDED BALANCES OF CERTAIN SPECIAL TRUST FUNDS 1,058 - -

£396,704 19 1

31st December, 1957. £ s. d. BALANCE AT 31 sr DECEMBER, 1956 1,029,718 5 3 REFUND FROM SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND AS ABOVE . 27,401 - 7 APPROPRIATION FROM ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 100,000

£1,157,119 5 10

31st December 1957 £ s. d. BALANCE AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1956 537,888 18 1 Profit on Sale and Redemption of Investments Redemption of Post War Credits TRANSFER FROM SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND AS ABOVE 1,183 9 6 TRANSFER FROM ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 83,845 15 8

£622,918 3 3 84 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 Statement of Funds and Rel

1956 £ 217,242 GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND (Income available in accordance with the directions of the respective donors) 228,022 SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND (Capital to be applied 259,944 in accordance with the directions of the respective donors) 235,323 1' £1,029,718 RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOATS 988,355 1 The estimated cost of replacing the entire Fleet exceeds £4,500,000 and the estimated liability for replacements at present contem- plated exceeds £800,000, part of which will be met by Special Gifts and Legacies. 537,889 GENERAL PURPOSES FUND 618,055 ! Of this Fund £129,314 relates to Freehold and Leasehold Proper- ties necessary to the Institution's work. The balance of £488,741 is available for the general purposes of the Institution and is intended to cover ordinary liabilities as they arise, in- cluding certain pensions, insurance risks in respect of the Life- boat Fleet and Crews not otherwise covered, and replacements other than Life-boats. Replacements at present contempla- ted include new construction and adaptation of Life-boat Houses £150,000 and provision of new Carriages £65,000.

£2,044,793 £2,069,757 •

(Signed) HOWE, Chairman. (Signed) A. D. BURNETT BROWN, Secretary.

We have examined the above Statement, also the Account of Receipts and Payments correct and in accordance therewith. We have also verified the Investment 3 Frederick's Place, Old Jewry, London, E.C.2. 25th February, 1958. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 85 , 31st December. 1957.

s. d. INVESTMENTS at quinquennial valuation on 31st Dec., 1956, or cost if acquired since :—

Representing GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND— Income only available :— British Government Securities 228,022 5 7 (Market value at 31st Dec., 1957, £225,673) Representing OTHER FUNDS :— British Government Securities .. .. 1,424,823 14 JO Dominion Government Securities . . 30,755 18 - British Corporation and Public Board Stocks 129,910 2 - Sundry Small Investments 44,665 13 8 1,630,155 8 6 (Market value at 31st Dec., 1957, £1,555,229). TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Market value at 31st Dec., 1957, £1,780,902) 1,858,177 14 1

FREEHOLD PREMISES (At cost) :— Including Life-boat Depot at Boreham Wood 93,361 8 4 LEASEHOLD PREMISES — (At cost less amounts written off) :— Including 42/44 Grosvenor Gardens 35,952 11 7 BRANCH ACCOUNTS :— Balances in hands of Branches, 30th Sept., 1957 116,999 13 11 Less Balance of Remittances between Headquarters and Branches, October to December, 1957 ..61,958 4 6 55,041 9 5 BANK BALANCES 27,223 19 9

£2,069,757 3 2

Accounts of the Funds with the Books and Vouchers and find the same to be inspected the Deeds of the Properties belonging to the Institution.

(Signed) PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO., Auditors, 86 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1958 New Organising Secretary for the Midlands MR. D. L. HOBBS has been appointed had experience in the film industry. Organising Secretary for the Midlands The Midlands district includes the district. counties of Derbyshire, Gloucester- Mr. Hobbs served during the war as shire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. For six Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, years after the war he was in the Rutlandshire, Staffordshire, Warwick- Colonial Service in Malaya, and he has shire and Worcestershire.

Award for Bravest Act of Life-saving in 1957 THE Maud Smith award for the bravest his own boat and not in a life-boat. A act of life-saving in 1957 has been won full account of the service appeared in by Mr. William Morris, the motor the December 1957 number of the mechanic of the Barmouth life-boat. Life-boat on page 518. He wins the award for the rescue in The award, which is an annual one his own motor launch of four swimmers who were in difficulties off Barmouth on made, according to the terms of a will, the 16th of July. This is the first by the Committee of Management of occasion on which the award has been the Institution, was won the year before made for a rescue carried out by a mem- by Second Coxswain Reginald Carey, ber of a life-boat crew who went out in of Coverack, Cornwall.

James Bower Award COXSWAIN MARK BATES, of Kilmore, Coxswain Bates won his silver medal Co. Wexford, has become the third for the rescue of the crew of ten of the member of a life-boat crew to receive a French trawler Auguste Maurice on the gift from the James Michael Bower 19th/20th of December, 1957. A full Endowment Fund. account of this service appeared in the This fund was established in 1955 by March 1958 number of the Life-boat on the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navi- page 3. The name of the trawler was gation Co. as a memorial to James then given as Augusta Mariste, but a Michael Bower, late third officer of the S.S. Slratheden, who lost his life in a correction has since been issued by disaster. Lloyds Register of Shipping. Awards from the fund are made to The first two recipients of the James those who receive either the gold or Bower award were Coxswain Douglas silver medal of the Royal National Grant, of Selsey, and Coxswain Henry Life-boat Institution for gallantry. West, of Sheringham.

End of a Life-boat Band THE Blackpool life-boat band, which for bringing the band into being. was founded in 1884, and was then the The band raised money for many only life-boat band in the world, has charitable causes. In 1895, for in- now been disbanded. The idea of stance, after a disaster to a number of forming a band was conceived at a fishing boats from Fleetwood it raised time when Blackpool had not yet considerable sums to help the de- become a popular holiday resort, pendants of those who lost their lives. and the life-boat coxswain, Robert To raise money on different occasions Bickerstaffe. and his cousins John it visited cities as far away as Birming- and Tom were mainly responsible ham, Sheffield and Nottingham. JUNE, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 87

Luncheon Clubs LUNCHEON CLUBS associated with the a necessary condition of membership. Life-boat Service have become in- The local guild benefits financially by creasingly popular in recent years in receiving annual subscriptions. These Yorkshire. The first ladies' life-boat are raised by the members of the clubs, luncheon club was established at Leeds, who pay for every luncheon which they and there are now similar clubs in attend. Luncheons are normally held Bradford, Huddersfield and Otlcy. every month, and it is usual to have a The clubs appoint their own honor- speaker at each meeting. Once a year ary officials, and membership is open the speaker deals specifically with the both to members of ladies' life-boat subject of the Life-boat Service. An- guilds and others. The purpose of the nouncements are made of activities of the clubs is to promote interest in the work local ladies' life-boat guild, and in prac- of the Life-boat Service, although active tice most members of the luncheon clubs support for the service is not made tend to become members of a guild.

Royal Humane Society Award

THE Royal Humane Society has master and a number of boys who were awarded an " in memoriam" test- in the sea near Staithes on the 28th of imonial to relatives of the late George August, 1957. An account of this Hanson, formerly head launcher of attempted rescue appeared in the the Runswick life-boat, who lost his December, 1957, number of the Life- life when going to the help of a school- Boat on page 523.

Notice All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary Secretary of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, O.B.E., M.C., T.D., M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S. W. 1. All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should be addressed to the Secretary. The next number of THE LITE-BOAT will be published in September, 1958.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 155 Life-boats LIVES RESCUED from the foundation of the Life-boat Service in 1825 to 31st March, 1958 - - 81,374 MARINE AUXILIARIES Uadtf Chapt for LIFE-BOAT STATIONS

Six-ton "Above Ground" type of electrically driven capstan supplied to the Royal National Life-boat Institution for hauling in the life-boat at Walmer Life-boat Station. Similar capstans have been installed at Hastings, Clovelly and Scarborough Life-boat Stations. Photograph by A inil permission of Messrs. Lewis anil Durivier, Consulting Engineers.

CLARKE, CHAPMAN & COMPANY LIMITED > MANUFACTURERS Ol Victoria Works, Gateshead 8, Co. Durham WINCHES, WINDLASSES, Telephone: Gateshead 72271 (10 lines) Telex: 53-239 CAPSTANS, PUMPS, Grams: "Cyclops" Gateshead SEARCHLIGHTS AND LONDON OFFICE: Dunster House, Mark Lane, London. E.C.3. Telephone: MINcing Lane, 8345-6-7 Grams: 'Cyclops" Easphone. London FLOODLIGHTS ETC.

The Heroic Story of the Life-boat Service

A book in the series " Pride of Britain" entitled The Heroic Story of the Life-Boat Service, published by Pitkin Pictorials Ltd., tells the story of the Life-boat Service from the estab- lishment of the first life-boat station at Bamburgh in the late eighteenth century to the present day. It has more than 80 illustrations.

Copies (2 /6 each) obtainable from Life-boat House, branches of the Institution, bookshops and newsagents.