THE LIFEBOAT. The Journal of the Royal National Life-boat Institution. VOL. XXVI.—No. 291.] AUGUST, 1927. [PRICE 6d. Since the War only three issues of THE LIFEBOAT "ham been published annually. Owing to the, great increase in the, amount of matter for publication, particularly in reports of the work of Branches, the Committee have decided to revert to the practice of four issues in the year, dated February, May, August, and November. This is the third number published thin year, and it Kill therefore be followed by another number in November. The Plymouth Motor Life-boat: Inaugural Ceremony. THE Inaugural Ceremony, on 12th July, boats. Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chair of the Plymouth Motor Life-boat, the man of the Committee of Management, third Life-boat to be built of the 60- who was to have presented the Life- feet Barnett Twin Screw type, was one boat to the Branch, was prevented at of the most successful ever held. It the last moment by the death of a took place in Plymouth's Civic Week, near relative from being present. for which seven ships oi the Atlantic The presence of a large number of the Fleet visited the port. These ships officers of the Fleet in uniform made the were the Third Battle Squadron con- east side of the Pier, which formed the sisting of the Iron Duke (Flagship), " platform," a brilliant sight. Moreover, Marlborough and Emperor of India, the weather was perfect, a fact which and the Second Cruiser Squadron con- deserves special mention in a summer of sisting of the Curacoa (Flagship), phenomenal gloom. Cambrian, Canterbury and Oomus, The The singing was led by a choir con- City authorities and the Eoyal Navy ducted by Mr. David Parkes, Mus. Bac. joined whole-heartedly with the Institu- (Oxon), F.R.C.O., accompanied by tion in giving this new Life-boat a most the Commander - in - Chief's Band. impressive and solemn inauguration. Thousands of people thronged the The Mayor of Plymouth, Alderman Promenade Pier, where the ceremony J. J. Hamyln Moses, one of the Vice- was held, and the slopes of the Hoe; Presidents of the Branch, presided; and the speeches and singing were the Countess Jellicoe of Scapa performed not only broadcast but also made the naming ceremony, and the Bishop audible by loud speakers, so that all of Exeter, the Rt. Rev. Lord William present were able to take part in the Gascoyue Cecil, D.D., dedicated the ceremony. Life-boat. Among those who also took The proceedings were opened by the part in the ceremony were Admiral Mayor in an admirable speech, and Mr. John de M. Hutchison, Chairman of Shee, in the absence of Sir Godfrey the Branch, Vice-Admiral Sir Rudolf Baring, then formally presented the Life- Bentinck, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Com- boat to the Branch. She was, he said, mander-in-Chief at Plymouth, the one of three Life-boats of the same type, Viscountess Astor and Sir Arthur and he had no hesitation in saying that Shirley Benn, two of Plymouth's three those three were the finest Life-boats in members of Parliament, Mr. George the world. She had been provided out F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institu- of a legacy which the Institution owed tion, and Captain H. F. J. Rowley, to the generosity of the late Mr. Robert C.B.E., R.N., Chief Inspector of Life- Alexander Beck, of Worthing. 476 THE LIFEBOAT. [AUGUST, 1927. ay permission oj\ [ The Western Morning Newt. THE NAMING CEREMONY OF THE PLYMOUTH LIFE-BOAT. an permission oft [ The Western Homing Seat. THE BISHOP OF EXETER DEDICATING THE PLYMOUTH LIFE-BOAT. {Behind him are Lady Jellicoe and the District Inspector ol Life-boats.) AUGUST, 1927.] THE LIFEBOAT. 477 In accepting the boat on. behalf of Life-boat, named and dedicated, moved the Branch, Admiral Hutchison said out into the harbour to the noise of that, so far as was humanly possible, sirens and hooters from the ships and she should at all times be ready for boats in the Sound and amid the loud service. She had already been well cheers of the great crowd. As these tested in a south-westerly gale and Cox- sounds died away the voices of the choir swain and Crew had every confidence were heard singing a sea-chanty. in her. The Bishop of Exeter then dedi- Mr. Scantlebury then presented to cated the Life-boat to the service of Lady Jellioce a handsomely bound God in eloquent and solemn language. album of photographs, showing the Captain Rowley gave the following history and development of the Station, description of the Life-boat. She is to be completed later with photographs 60 feet long with 15 feet beam, draws of the ceremony itself. 4 feet 4 inches and displaces 44 tons of Mr. Shee, in the absence of Sir water. She is driven by two 76-h.p. Godfrey Baring, presented to Coxswain petrol engines, which give her a speed of Henry Hockaday, of the Yealm §•5 knots. It may not seem a high River Life-boat, the Certificate which, speed, but such is the engines' reserve with a pension, had been awarded to of power that the Life-boat can main- him after 30 years' service, on the tain this speed under practically any closing of the Statioa; and to Mrs. conditions of "weather; whereas, at G. H. Philips, of the Plymouth Ladies' a higher speed, the crew would simply Lifeboat Guild, the Framed Photograph be swept out of her in bad weather. of a Life-boat going out to a vessel in She is built of two thicknesses of teak distress, which had been awarded her in and has 15 main and 100 minor water- recognition of long and valuable services. tight compartments, so that even if Sir Arthur Shirley Benn proposed, severely damaged she would remain and Admiral Bentinck seconded, the afloat and be manageable, while her vote of thanks to Lady Jellicoe; and Mr. engines would continue to work although Shee proposed, and Lady Astor seconded, otherwise entirely submerged, provided the vote of thanks to the Mayor. that the air-inlets were above water. After the ceremony the Life-boat took She has two cabins with accommo- Lady Jellicoe out to the Flagship of the dation for between 50 and 60 people, Third Battle Squadron. By a happy and in a calm sea could take 300 people coincidence, quite unexpected by her on deck. Under the worst conditions or anyone else, it was the Iron Duke, of weather she could in safety carry which had been the Flagship of Lord 150 people in addition to her crew. Jellicoe at the Battle of Jutland. She carries 500 gallons of petrol, which. In writing of the ceremony afterwards at a cruising speed of 8 knots enable her the Mayor said, " It was one of the most to travel 500 miles. She is fitted with thrilling and impressive ceremonies in jets in alt compartments, by which' an connexion with the great week which outbreak of fire can be smothered by was held at Plymouth and has done pyrene fumes, and has oil-sprays in more to revive interest in the Life-boat her bows for spraying oil on heavy Institution in Plymouth than any seas. She carries a line-throwing gun happening of recent years." with a range of 80 yards, is lit by This account would be incomplete electricity, and has an electric search- without a warm tribute to the admirable light, an electrically driven capstan, and way in which Mr. Scantlebury, the Hon- a life-saving net into which the ship- orary Secretary, had organised a very wrecked can jump as the Life-boat lies splendid and important function, his alongside their vessel. work having been so complete that When this description of the Life-boat everything went off without a hitch had been given, Lady Jellicoe named her from start to finish, the success being Robert and MarceUa Beck, asking God to of course ensured by the generous and bless her and all who sailed in her. spontaneous help of the Commander- It was an inspiring moment when the in-Chief and the naval authorities. 478 THE LIFEBOAT. [AUGUST, 1927. The "Princess Victoria" Life-boat Tractor. IT is now six years since the first of Life-boats, Commander Stopford C. experiments were made with Motor Douglas, R.N., Deputy-Chief Inspector, Caterpillar Tractors for launching Life- Mr. Henry Nyberg and Mr. C. F. boats off flat beaches. Tractors have Cleaver, directors of the Four Wheel been placed at a number of Stations, Drive Lorry Company, and Sir William and although the type used has not been Jones and Lieut.-Col. P. H. Johnson suitable for launching off shingle 01 very of Roadless Traction, Ltd. soft mud its success on sandy beaches When Princess Victoria had taken her has established the tractor as an essen- place on the platform, Miss Geraldine tial part of the Service. When, there- Rowley presented her with a bouquet. fore, the first of a new type—which it The factory doors then swung open and is hoped will be capable of launching the Tractor appeared with a Life-boat, Life-boats off all kinds of flat beach— and.drew up facing the platform. The was completed this summer, it was Life-boat was dressed rainbow fasWon decided to do what is done in the case and manned by Life-boatmen from of all Life-boats, and inaugurate its Boulmer, Hoylake and Southend-on- work for the rescue of life from ship- Sea, Coxswain Stephenson, of Boulmer, wreck by a dedication service and being in charge.