THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI Volume XLV Number 463 Spring 1978 Functional protection with the best weather clothing in the world Functional Clothing is ideal for work or leisure and gives all weather comfort and protection. The "Airflow" Coat and Jackets are outer clothing which provide wind and waterproof warmth Our claim of true all-weather comfort in them is made possible by Functional I AIR 'Airflow' a unique patented method of .rrnuffl clothing construction Outer A One Foamliner is fitted within lining Coat and Jackets but a second one may Removable Foamliner fabric* of be inserted for severe cold wind and within waterproof Airflow" JACKET & CONTOUR HOOD The "foam sandwich" "Airflow" the coated principle forms three layers of air garment nylon between the outer and lining fabrics, insulating and assuring warmth without weight or bulk There is not likely to be condensation unless the foam is unduly compressed FUNCTIONAL supplies the weather ROYAL NATIONAL clothing of the United Kingdom LIFE BOAT INSTITUTION Television Industry, the R.N.L.I. and leaders in constructional Letter from Assistant Superintendent (stores) and ol shore oil activity Your company's protective clothing has now been on extensive evaluation.... and I am pleased to advise that the crews of our offshore boats have found the clothing warm, comfortable and a considerable improvement. The issue.... is being extended to all of our offshore life-boats as replacements are required Please send me a copy of your | COLD WEATHER JACKET SEAGOING OVERTROUSERS A body garment catalogue | f 20p from personal enquirers | '• Name . * m DIRECT FROM MANUFACTURER ' Position I Company I % Address FUNCTIONAL J FUNCTIONAL CLOTHING ^ • Dept 16 20 Chepstow Street* • Manchester Ml 5JF. 20 CHEPSTOW STREET MANCHESTER Ml 5JF 061-236 2606 and at 9 Alfred Place London WC1E 7EB 01-580 4906 THE LIFEBOAT Spring 1978 /^/•Yfi + zifi'f-o Notes of the Quarter, by Patrick Howarth Ill Lifeboat Services.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 113 Postscript. .: extracts from an article by Captain Basil Hall, an inspector XLV of lifeboats at the turn of the century 119 Ajfo'2 Northerly Storm—Spring Tides: a log of the night of January 11 and 12, ^ ^ 1978, by Michael Pennell 120 THE RNLI in Ireland, by Lieut.-Colonel Brian Clark, MC, GM .. .. 122 Chairman: Letters 123 MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB The Lucky Dip, by Joyce Dunford .. .. .. .. .. .. 125 International Boat Show, by Heather Deane 126 Here and There 128 Painting 'The Lynmouth Lifeboat Service, 1899', by Mark R. Myers, RSMA 129 Managing Editor: Shoreline 130 PATRICK HOWARTH Building a Rother Class Lifeboat: Part VII—Building up 131 Editor: JOANDAVIES Lifeboat People 132 Some Ways of Raising Money 133 Headquarters: Book Reviews 139 Royal National Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 Awards to Coxswains, Crews and Shore Helpers 140 1HZ (Telephone Poole 71133). Offshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1977 .. 141 London Office: Royal National Life-boat Institution, 21 Inshore Lifeboat Services, September, October and November 1977 .. 142 Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD (Telephone 01-730 0031). Index to Advertisers 144 Editorial: All material submitted for Advertisements: All advertising en- consideration with a view to publication quiries should be addressed to Dyson in the journal should be addressed to the Advertising Services, PO Box 9, Godal- COVER PICTURE editor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal National ming, Surrey (Telephone Godalmiag Life-boat Institution, West Quay Road, (04868) 23675). One of Weston-super-Mare's two inshore Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (Telephone lifeboats is an 18' 6" McLachlan. Designed Poole 71133). Photographs intended for byJ.A. McLachlan ofG. L. Watson and Co., return should be accompanied by a Glasgow, she is built of glass reinforced stamped and addressed envelope. plastic and has a ragged chine. With twin inboard petrol engines, her top speed is in Subscription: A year's subscription of excess of 20 knots. Since going on station in four issues costs £1.40, including May 1970 she has launched on service 113 Next issues: The summer issue of THE postage, but those who are entitled to times and rescued 58 lives. The photograph LIFEBOAT will appear in July and receive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge will was taken by the station honorary treasurer, news items should be sent by the end of continue to do so. Overseas subscrip- April. News Items for the autumn issue tions depend on the cost of postage to John White, West Air Photography, Weston- 1 super-Mare. should be sent in by the end of July. the country concerned. 109 Glanvill Enthoven INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS In our 75th anniversary year, we send greetings to all our clients including the Royal National Life-boat Institution. Glanvills marine service covers both hull and cargo insurance as well as their attendant liabilities for shipowners and users of shipping throughout the world. For more information please phone 01-283 4622 or write to Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Limited, 144 Leadenhall Street, London EC3P 3BJ. ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL FLASHLIGHTS CORNWALL DYNALITE FLASHES For town, country and One of the world's most powerful flashlights, waterside property on or near specially imported from the U.S.A. This six-cell flashlight is made of strong plastic and uncon- Falmouth Harbour, Carrick ditionally guaranteed for one year. This is an Roads and Helford River ideal outdoor light for every purpose including signalling. Approved by the Game Conservancy Will go to a depth of 30ft and; remain,100% waterproof. £7.50 (Batteries extra) R.E.PRIOR ft CO Similar in design, The Sharkseye'will go to a depth of 100ft and remain waterproof. Surveyors Valuers Esiate Agents £8.50 (Batteries extra) Prices includes VAT. R. E. PRIOR, F.R.I.C.S. K. A. POOL Post and Packing 65p (UK only) 3 Market Street, 10 Lemon Street, Write to Dept. J Falmouth. Truro. COGSWELL Er HARRISON LTD Tel. 313636 Tel. 4461 rtiwe PICCADILLY LONDON w 110 saved. This was largely due to the Many stations damaged determination, skill and courage of the The days before Christmas were only coxswain, Thomas Walsh, and other one of a number of periods of exception- crew members, and the RNLI made ally severe weather during the past suitable awards for gallantry which are winter. The greatest material damage reported on pages 113 and 114. occurred on January 11 to 12 when no The saving of so many members of fewer than seven offshore lifeboats were the crew was also due to the fact that out of action for a time because of the lifeboat was a self-righter, and the damage to shore installations. The most accident was in fact the first capsize on spectacular damage occurred at Mar- service of one of the RNLI's modern gate, where the pier was wrecked and self-righting boats. As will be seen from the lifeboat house and slipway were the full account of the service the life- left isolated. With the help of a heli- boat righted herself twice and the engines copter from the RAF base at Mansion were started immediately. Kilmore Quay an inspector of lifeboats and members lifeboat, which was built in 1972, is one of the crew were winched down to the of 26 boats of the 37' Oakley self- boathouse, and in a skilful operation righting class in the RNLI's fleet. This they succeeded in launching the boat, type of lifeboat was designed by Richard which is now operating from Ramsgate Oakley, the RNLI's former naval harbour. NOTES OF architect, and of the many gratifying A number of stations in Norfolk were letters he received following the accident also severely affected. At Cromer, THE QUARTER one was from Kilmore Quay station. Sheringham and Wells the boathouse Since 1958, when the first self-righting doors were all stove in or otherwise Oakley lifeboat came into service, life- damaged. At Humber the lifeboat boats of this class have been launched dragged her mooring a mile and there on service 1,751 times and rescued 914 was severe damage to the road giving by Patrick Howarth lives. access to the station at Spurn Point; In many parts of Britain and Ireland although, fortunately, the houses of the exceptional conditions were experienced full-time crew were not seriously ON CHRISTMAS EVE, Kilmore lifeboat in the two days before Christmas, when damaged, water and electricity were cut was capsized twice. One member of a very active depression originating off, causing considerable inconvenience the crew, Finton Sinnott, lost his life. near the Azores moved north north east to the crew members and their families This sad accident caused the first loss of to the west of Ireland before turning until mains and power lines could be life following the capsize of one of the east. During the period of strongest repaired. At both Aldeburgh and RNLI's lifeboats since the Fraserburgh wind, storm force 10 was recorded over Walmer there was a large build-up of disaster in January 1970. In contrast much of England and Wales. shingle.covering the slipways. with the Fraserburgh disaster, when During these two days no fewer than there was only one survivor, the other 62 gale warnings were given on television six members of the Kilmore crew were and radio. Lord Killanin, a vice-president of the RNLl Storm damage in north west of England in Ireland, with (r.) Coxswain Thomas Walsh and (I.) Acting Motor Mechanic John Earlier last quarter, during the night Devereux of Kilmore Quay. For his leader- of November 12 and 13, lifeboat ship, determination and exceptional courage stations in the north west of England when Kilmore Quay's 37' Oakley lifeboat were particularly badly affected by gales capsized and righted herself twice on service and flooding.