the life-boat. · 2017. 1. 5. · the life-boat. journal of the national xffe^boa jnstitutiont ,...

THE LIFE-BOAT.J O U R N A L

OF THE

National Xffe^Boat Jnstitution,(ISSUED QUARTERLY.)

VOL. XXI.—No. 245.] IST AUGUST, 1912. [PRICE 3d.

LIGHTING THE BEACH.SAILORS have always been famous forthe keenness of their vision, and moreespecially for a power, beyond that ofthe average man of seeing clearly atnight; but of those who serve the sea,none perhaps has this gift in largermeasure than the coast fisherman, whoforms so much the largest proportionof the crews of our Life-boats. Thenature of his -work will account forthis. Long hours of. toil -with net orline, through moonless nights, havedeveloped the faculty; and the wayhe will take his boat into harbour ona dark night, or steer her through anarrow channel with only the blackwater between the white of the breakerson either hand to guide him, alwaysstrikes the landsman with astonishmentand admiration. So that when he isrequired to launch a Life-boat at nighthe brings to the task a trained eye anda calm mind, and does not experiencethe confusion and sense of helplessnesswhich nearly always beset the ordinaryman when called upon to perform somefamiliar daylight duty in the dark.This is probably due not only to aphysical adaptation of the eye to its sur-roundings, but also to some acquiredinstinct which enables him to feel whathe is doing even when he cannot see.

Nevertheless, if accidents and delaysare to be saved, some sort of artificiallight is an absolute necessity for anoperation which requires so much care,and in some cases so much precision ofdetail, as launching a Life-boat. Veryoften the boats have to be drawn to thescene of the wreck on their carriages,either by horses or men, a considerabledistance from where they are kept,and the way is sometimes intricate andwinding, with only just sufficient room

between walls or gate-posts for thecarriage to pass. Sometimes it lies overa rough foreshore, where the greatestcare must be taken to avoid hummocksof rock or large boulders, and sometimesover a sandy beach full of deep pools, or" lows," as they are called colloquially ;or with patches of soft mud where thewheels of the carriage may sink.

The larger types of boats, launchedon what are known as " roller-skids,"require even more careful manipulationthan those which are small enough fora transporting carriage. A couple ofinches too much to the right or left andthe keel misses the roller and buriesitself in sand or shingle. As theseboats often weigh from 8 to 10 tons,the hoisting of one of them on to theskid again means much labour andconsequent delay—delay which may befatal to men's lives.

For these reasons the efficient lightingof the beach is a problem which haslong engaged the anxious attention ofthe ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-TION, and it is one which, as will beshown later, has now been efficientlysolved.

In early days hand-lanterns, supple-mented by various kinds of flares ortorches, were the only lights available,except in those rare cases when somefriendly town lamp-post happened tobe in a position where its light couldbe made use of. Ordinary lanterns,however, are of very little vise ; not onlybecause a general illumination of thescene of operations is required, ratherthan isolated points of light; but becauseit is apparently impossible to devise alantern which will give an all-roundlight and at the same time not go outin the heavy gales in which it is so

VOL, XXI.—No. 245.—LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 2 R

680 THE LIFE-BOAT. [Isx AUGUST, 1912.

often necessary to launch a Life-boat,the so-named "hurricane" lamp beinga striking instance of the lucus a nonlucendo principle! Of the flares ortorches, " duck lights," or more familiarly" ducks," as the fishermen call them, arethe best. The origin of the name islost in obscurity, but as they are usedfor docking ships at night it is probablya corruption of "dock light," a corrup-tion possibly helped on its way by theimagination of some bygone fisherman,who saw in it a remote resemblance toa mallard on the wing, the lamp con-sisting of an oval-shaped iron vesselwith a long horizontal spout, whichwould correspond with the outstretchedneck of the bird. The body of thisvessel contains paraffin, and the spouta thick cotton wick, which, whenalight, burns with a fierce yellow glare.Several of them are generally used atthe same time, and borne aloft by thehands of men specially told off forthe purpose, they cast a picturesqueeffulgence on the scene. A moreelaborate form of paraffin flare is the" comet" light, so called from itsresemblance to the tail of that heavenlybody. This light may often be seenwhere gangs of men are working atnight on road or railway line. Itdepends on a mixture of air andpetroleum-gas under pressure, and whenin good order and properly worked itgives an excellent white light, but itrequires very careful attention, whichit does not always get.

But it is, undoubtedly, the advent ofacetylene gas which has once for allsolved the question of how to lightthe beach when launching a Life-boat.This new compound of carbon andhydrogen was discovered as long asseventy years ago, and, as is so oftenthe case with useful discoveries, washit upon by accident while EdmundDavy, then Professor of Chemistry tothe Royal Dublin Society, was con-ducting a chemical experiment. Heannounced his discovery at a meetingof the British Association in 1836, andconcluded with these words: " Fromthe brilliancy with which the new gasburns when in contact with the atmo-sphere, it is, in the opinion of theauthor, admirably adapted for the

purpose of artificial light if it can beprocured at a cheap rate." Those inte-rested in coincidences will hardly failto notice that the discoverer should beara name already so much honouredthroughout the civilized world for theinvention of a lamp which has broughtsafety to another class of worker, namelythe coal miner.

But Professor Davy did not live tosee the fulfilment of his prophecy, asfor many years after this, the new gaswas little more than a chemical curiosity.In 1860 Bertholet, the great Frenchchemist, published his researches on thesubject,- and it was he who first calledit acetylene; and after that time thenew gas was investigated by variouschemists of all countries; but it wasnot until 1892 that the discovery ofcalcium carbide made its general pro-duction at a low cost possible, and itwas not until 1895 that the commercialcareer of acetylene may be looked uponas having been thoroughly established.It is now, of course, familiar, almostpainfully familiar, it may be said, toevery user of country roads at night.

Exhaustive experiments on the partof the Institution with various kindsof acetylene lights have led to theadoption of a lamp which is now usedat many Life-boat stations, and givesuniversal satisfaction. This is knownas the "Imperial Flare Light," a brilliantwhite light which, used with a polishedmetal reflector, is estimated to givea thousand candle-power, while a secondlight of equal power can be used at thesame time at the end of a length oftubing. It is very simple in construc-tion, does not generate heat, is practicallyfree from danger of explosion, and willnot blow out. It takes but a fewminutes to light up, and is easilytransported over sand on a small woodensledge, which is specially made for thepurpose.

As an example of the power of thislight, a few extracts from the report ofthe original experiments may be quoted. .

The place, a lonely beach on thecoast of East Anglia : the time, 9.30 p.m.on a dark night in January : the wind,a whole gale from the N.N.E. "Theweather squally and gloomy, with rain,. . . sand drifting with the wind in

IST AUGUST, 1912.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 681

dense showers." The light, placed onthe top of the sand hills and exposed tothe full blast of the storm, is reportedto have burnt steadily; the time couldbe read and the second hand of a watchdistinguished at 130 yards, and printcould be read at 200 yards. The menwere able to work almost as easily asif it were daylight. It will, therefore,be generally admitted that the claimmade in the earlier part of this articlehas been substantiated.

But an unexpected and quite in-valuable use of this light has recentlybeen discovered, and the circumstancesare so interesting to all who care tohear about Life-boat work that it isproposed to close by a brief descriptionof them. The four-masted barquePindos, of Hamburg, had been buffetedto and fro in the English Channel formany hours, and at last, driving help-lessly before a south-easterly gale, foundher fate at 9 p.m. on the 10th Februarylast, on a rocky ledge of the east coastof that rock-bound peninsula whichends in the Lizard Point. Very fortu-nately this occurred close to the smallvillage of Coverack, whose hardy popu-lation of fishermen carry on the besttraditions of their Cornish forbears.The alarm being given, it was not longbefore they had their Life-boat afloat,and after a hard tussle through the

boiling surf in the teeth of the gale,they reached the ill-fated vessel, andbegan the dangerous work of rescuingher crew of 28 men. When 4 of them,however, had, with great difficulty, beengot into the boat, the Coxswain, JohnCorrin, as brave a seaman as ever held atiller, felt that in the extreme darknessit would be hazardous to do any more;and he prepared to stand by and waituntil daylight. It was at this momentthat a welcome beam of light fell onthe wreck, and showed it up withsuch brilliancy that the Life-boatmenwere able to recommence their work ofrescue, and the remaining 24 handswere taken off and brought ashore insafety. What had happened was this.Willing hands ashore had, with theutmost difficulty, dragged the newly-provided acetylene light across the rocksto the furthest point of land possible,and here, 400 yards from the scene ofthe disaster, it had been set alight withthe result already told.

For this service Coxswain Corrinreceived the much-coveted silver medalof the Institution, and while all willjoin in congratulations to him and hisgallant crew on the well-merited honour,a meed of praise will not be withheldfrom those on shore to whom the happythought occurred of lighting theirlabours.

THE LIFE-BOAT SERVICE ABEOAD.WITH reference to our article under theabove heading in the May issue of theLife-boat Journal, we are now able,through the courtesy of the BritishConsul-General at St. Petersburg, tosupplement our survey by giving somedetails with regavd to the Russian Life-boat service.

" The Imperial Russian Society forlife-Saving on all Waters " was foundedin 1870 and began its work in 1871.The last words of the title are importantas showing that the operations of theSociety extend to the lakes and riversof Russia, on which alone there are 117stations. Unfortunately, it is not clearhow many of the total number ofstations are Life-boat stations, as dis-tinguished from life-saving refuges, life-saving posts, and rocket stations.

It would appear, however, that thereare eighty-four Life-boat stations.

The Society is a private institutionsupported by voluntary contributions,and also by a Government subsidy of25,000 roubles a year, for a period oftwenty-five years, expiring in 1913, butwhich is likely to be continued for afurther ten years. All the life-savingapparatus, including the boats, rocketstations, cables and appliances for savingpersons falling through the ice, are con-trolled by the Society. The totalnumber of lives saved from 1872 toJanuary 1911, by all the methodsadopted by the Society, was 21.929.

We have also received the QuarterlyReport of the Spanish Life-boat Society,which had not come to hand when wepublished the notes in our previous

2 B 2

682 THE LIFE-BOAT. [!ST AUGUST, 1912.

article. The Spanish Society was foundedin 1880, and was declared to be "ofpublic utility " under the law of 1887,under the provisions of which it receivesan annual subsidy of 40,000 pesetas(£1,500). The Society has 50 stations,some of which are provided only withrocket apparatus or other life-savingmachinery; but there are 38 self-rightingLife-boats. The number of lives savedsince the foundation of the Society byall the methods at its disposal is 1,316,and 103 boats have been assisted intosafety. The Society is under thepatronage of the King, while the Queenis Honorary President and the QueenMother the Patron.

With reference to the Dutch Service,it was stated in the same article thatthe operations of the " ZuidhollandscheMaatschappij tot Redding van Schip-breukelingen" are mainly dirested-toassisting persons who have been rescued

from shipwreck. We noted at the timethat the Annual Keports of this Societyhad not been received. Since then theReport has been sent to us by thecourtesy of the President, Mr. CharlesMoons, and we are thus enabled tocorrect the above statement and to saythat this Society carries on the activework of life-saving, and has 12 Life-boats, 2 of which are steam Life-boats,and 1 a motor-boat. There are 11stations, of which the most importantis the one at the Hook of Holland,where the two steam Life-boats arestationed, as well as a sailing Life-boat.Most of the stations are provided withthe rocket apparatus, and several ofthem with line-throwing howitzers.

We are informed that the Society isnow building a large motor-boat, of thesame dimensions as the two steam Life-boats. The new boat will have a76 horse-power engine.

THE WRECK OF THE " OCEANA."" Newlyn,"

Cole Park, Twickenham.March 20th, 1912.

THE SECRETARY, N. L.-B. INSTITUTION.DEAR SIR,

I should like to bring to yournotice the valuable assistance rendered (to me by the Newhaven Life-boat onthe occasion of collision of the s.s. Oceanaand Pisagua off Newhaven. The Cox-swain of the Boat did everything that Iasked him to do and transferred manypeople to the s.s. Sussex, and also tookour disabled carpenter ashore to East-bourne. I have thanked him person-

ally, but a few words of recognitionfrom yourself will be great praise to aman who, with many other men, renderus poor sailors when in trouble suchhelp as nobody else can do.

Pray accept the thanks of my officers,crew and passengers to whom servicewas rendered, and allow me to tendermine to the honourable Institution whomyou represent.

I have the honour to remain, Dear Sir,

Yours sincerely and gratefully,

(Signed) THOMAS H. HIDE,Commander of Oceana.

SUNDAY CONCERTS.THE Committee of Management havehad before them the question of Sundayconcerts and other Sunday entertain-ments ; and it has been represented tothem that support for the Life-boatCause may be made an excuse for thepromotion of Sunday Entertainmenbswhich would otherwise not be held. Itis not for them to pronounce on thepropriety or impropriety of the enter-tainments, or to distinguish betweenone kind and another. What they haveto recognise is that public opinion about

them is divided, and that a respectablebody of the people disapprove of them.The Committee of Management, there-fore, taking neither one side nor theother, and remembering that theirappeal for support is addressed to thewhole nation, have come to the conclusionthat the name of the Institution mustnot be associated with the promotion ofthese entertainments or used in anyway to recommend them to the public.

On the other hand, should suchentertainments, duly authorized by


municipalities or other qualified authori-ties, and intended to be held regularly,Sunday after Sunday, be organizedwithout; reference to, or connexion, with,the Institution or Life-boat work, orany sanction, implied or expressed, ofrepresentatives of the Institution, anda collection be made at them, say, once

a year, for the Life-boat Cause, theInstitution wiil gratefully accept thecontribution.

What the Committee of Managementwish to make clear is that the Insti-tution, must not be associated with theintroduction or promotion of suchentertainments.

THE WRECK EEGISTEB AND CHART.IN our issue of November, 1911, weobserved that the Board of Trade hadissued their "Abstracts on ShippingCasualties" earlier than usuai, thusenabling us to publish our article onthe Wreck Register in Novemberinstead of February, as heretofore.Since then the Board have " speededup" their work of compilation stillfurther, so that we are able to presentour annual survey, illustrated by ourown Wreck Chart, six months earlierthan usual, and to base it upon theofficial data for the year ending June30th, 1911. The Wreck Chart has, forthe first time, been prepared by theOrdnance Survey Department, South-ampton, from information furnished bythe Institution.

Our survey falls naturally into twocategories, viz., shipping casualties andloss of life, of which the latter is,needless to say, by far the most in-teresting to the Institution, although itis closely related to, and to a largeextent governed by, the former.

Shipping Casualties.It is satisfactory to note that the

total number of casualties on and closeto our shores (the limitation thus indi-cated is an important one from thepoint of view of Life-boat work) in theyear under review shows a reduction of212, being 3,072 as compared with3,284 in the preceding year. Stillmore welcome is the fact that there wasa decrease of 68 hi the number of liveslost in connexion with these casualties,the total being 282 as against 350 inthe previous period.

The number of cases of total loss andserious casualty was 1,025, being 70 lessthan in the previous year, while theminor casualties, which amounted to

2,047, showed a decrease of 142. Onthe other hand, 95 casualties wereattended by loss of life, whereas onJy86 were accompanied with this result inthe corresponding period.

Needless to say the great majority ofthe total casualties were sustained byBritish and Colonial vessels, the numberbeing 2,736 as* compared with 336casualties which befell foreign vessels.This is not surprising when we considerthe following figures, showing theMercantile Marine tonnage owned bythe four chief Maritime Powers—

Ships. Tonnage,British Empire . . 11,495 19,012,294United States . . 3,469 5,098,678Germany. . . . 2,718 4,833,186France . . . . 1,465 1,882,280

As regards the distribution of thecasualties (excluding collisions) on thecoasts of the United Kingdom, theAbstracts show the following results:—East Coast of England—

468, a decrease of 137South Coast oJ England—

353, an increase of 23West Coast of England and Scot-

land, and East Coast of Ireland—584, a decrease of 224

North Coast of Scotland—111, a decrease of 13

East Coast of Scotland—99, a decrease of 22

The remainder of the Irish Coast,etc.— 117, a decrease of 10

Total decrease 388• Loss of Life.

The total loss of life was, as we havestated, 282. These losses were distri-buted on the coasts as follows :—•East Coast of England—

81, an increase of 43South Coast of England—

26, a decrease of 48

684 THE LIFE-BOAT. [!ST AUGUST, 1912.

West Coast of England and Scot-land, and East Coast of Ireland—

59, a decrease of 82North Coast of Scotland—

9, a decrease of 11East Coast of Scotland—

15, an increase of 3The remainder of the Irish Coaat,

and at Sea— 92, an increase of 22

Total decrease . 68

It will be observed that here, too, thegreat majority of the lives lost wereBritish; indeed, the proportion offoreign persons who lost their lives inshipping casualties on and close to ourshores in the period under review waseven smaller than usual, being 21 ascompared with 261 British lives lost.

It is with profound satisfaction thatwe are able to record that in the sameperiod which witnessed the loss of 282lives, the Life-boats of the Institutionsaved 706, while 124 were saved byshore-boats, etc., the rescuers concernedin the latter instances being rewardedby. the Institution for their efforts.

It is impossible, however, to get anadequate estimate of the beneficentactivity of the Life-boat Serviceorganized by the Institution unless wetake a, wide survey over a long periodof years. Such a survey shows that, inthe fifty years between 1861 and the30th June, 1911, there were 183,682casualties to British, Colonial andForeign shipping, on and near thecoasts of the United Kingdom, and that7,170 of these casualties were accom-panied by loss of life, the total numberof those perishing being 30,215. In thesame period the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION granted rewards forthe saving of 37,872 lives. In otherwords, while the sea took a toll of 600lives a year, the Institution wrestedfrom the jaws of death an average ofmore than 700 lives a year through theinstrumentality of its Life-boats and theheroic services of its crews and of thosebrave men who put off in shore boats tothe rescue of those in peril on the sea.At the moment of writing, the totalnumber of lives for the saving of whichrewards have been granted by theInstitution since its foundation in 1824is upwards of 50,500—more than thepopulation of a County Borough.

Since Rousseau wrote his famousEssay on the thesis propounded by theAcademy of Dijon, which establishedhis reputation as a philosophic thinkerand writer, many thoughtful men,following out the line of enquiry sug-gested by him, have expressed theirdoubt of the value of civilization, andhave compared it, to its disadvantage,with the simpler and more primitiveages in which, if manners were lesspolished, the virtues are assumed tohave flourished more freely. But,whatever may be the faults of the civili-zation which we have developed, no one,be he never so gloomy a pessimist orlaudator temporis acti, will deny to itthe merit of having contributed morethan any past age to the alleviation ofhuman suffering. At no epoch hascharity in all its forms, whether aimingat the material or moral welfare of thepeople at large, done such beneficentwork, or counted so many noble anddevoted servants; and the progress ofsurgery, assisted by the discovery of an-sesthetics, has brought relief, if not cure,to millions who would have died in paina few generations ago. Yet even inthis matter we sometimes hear the voiceof the critic, who complains that much ofour benevolence is foolish in characterand inimical to the best interests of thecommunity, because tending to the pre-servation and the propagation of theunfit.

No such charge can be broughtagainst the life-saving service entrustedto the Institution. For the heroicefforts of our crews generally result, notmerely in the saving of life itself, but ingiving back to their families and friendsmen in the prime vigour of life, willingand able to do a man's work for wifeand children, aye, and for their country,for many a year to come.

Assuredly, then, there is no form of be-nevolent activity more worthy of the sup-port of the inhabitants of a maritimenation than that of the Life-boat. For,not only does it demand from those whocarry it on the very qualities whichhave made the nation what it is, but itsimmediate and practical result is to addto the sum of the national man-poweran annual average of many hundredvigorous and valuable lives.


BOOK REVIEW." THE LIFE-BOAT AND ITS STORY." By

Noel T. Methley. Sidgwick and Jack-son. 7s. 6d.In our May issue we briefly noted the

publication of this book, which reachedus too late for review. As the Life-boat Journal was .going through thepress we learnt, to our great regret,that Mr. Methley had died after a verybrief illness. Fortunately, the authorhad the satisfaction, which will bereadily appreciated by anyone who haspublished a book on a subject dear tohis heart, of holding in his hand thefinished volume and seeing some of theearliest notices. And no one who readsthis volume can fail to see that it hasbeen a labour of love to a man whohas evidently taken the keenest interest,practical as well as theoretical, ineverything connected with boats, andespecially with Life-boats, with whichhe had a close acquaintance for overtwenty-five years, and on behalf ofwhich he did excellent service as amember of the Central Committee andChairman of the West of Englandand South Wales District Committeeof the late Life-boat Saturday Fund.His services in this capacity werehonourably recognised by the Committeeof Management in the award of abarograph and a vote of thanks inscribedon vellum when the Fund was woundup, and one cannot but feel that hisdeath is a real loss to the Life-boatcause.

The " Life-boat and its Story" deals,as its title implies, with the origin anddevelopment of this great instrument ofhumane and heroic service; and theillustrations, which are numerous andwell chosen, enable even the mostignorant of land-lubbers to get a fulland very clear idea of how a Life-boatis constructed, how it is tested for itsarduous task, and how it lives andmoves and has its being. Mr. Methley,following the lines indicated by SirJohn Lamb in his book, " The Life-boatand its Work," allots the due meed ofmerit to Lukin, Wouldhave and Great-head, the three men whose names willever be associated with the origin anddevelopment of the Life-boat in England,although pride of priority must clearly

be given to M. de Bernieres, whosecanot insubmersible et inchavirable wastried, with perfect success, on the Seinein 1775. We note that, while the trialis described in the French work by G.de La Landelle, quoted by Sir JohnLamb, Mr. Methley quotes anotherauthority dealing with the laterexperiments made in August, 1777.The author traces, in easy and popularlanguage, the development of the Life-boats of various types which are atpresent employed by the Institution,dealing faithfully and with considerabledetail with the variations and theimprovements which time and experi-ence have suggested. In doing so hehas taken a very wide survey of whatmight be called "life-boat types" invarious parts of the world, ranging fromthe Viking ship of our Norse forbearsto the enormous, heavy and extra-ordinarily well-poised surf-boats of theAfrican coast, and rightly insistingupon the Norway yawl as the typeupon which, on the whole, all trueLife-boats have been based.

Mr. Methley has rendered a very goodservice, both to the public and tothe Institution, in referring to theclose attention and anxious care whichthe Committee of Management havetaken, from the first moment of itsestablishment, in seeing that the instru-ments provided for our brave Life-boatmen are as perfect as humaningenuity and the progress of sciencecould make them. Nothing could betterillustrate this fact than the ever-increasing stringency of the testsapplied to self-righting Life-boats,each cruel victory of the sea being madea starting-point of further slight im-provements, till it may be claimed thatthe present self-righting Life-boat is, ofits type, as near perfection as humanitycan achieve. It may be well to remindour readers that the test of the self-right-ing boat now is such that the boat mustright with her full crew aboard, withwater tanks full or empty, and even withthe sails set, before she can be free. Theother types of Life-boat are describedwith equal care and minuteness, eventhe tubular Life-boat receiving very fulltreatment. Mr. Methley has also dealt

686 THE LIFE-BOAT. [IST AUGUST, 1912.

sensibly and clearly with the questionof mechanically-propelled boats, and itis to be hoped that the public willunderstand, after a perusal of this book,that neither steam Life-boats nor motorboats are suitable to all parts of thecoast and to all circumstances, althoughthe tendency will undoubtedly be toincrease the number of motor boatswhere the very special conditions whichthey demand are obtainable. The quali-ties which the Institution requires fromits motors are well summarised in Mr.Methley's words as " simplicity, accessi-bility to all parts, an engine capable ofrunning for twelve hours without atten-tion, and of being listed 45° on occasion,or 25° permanently. An automaticcut-out switch is required if she heels toexcess (60° and upwards), and a governorto prevent racing." We may note that,at the present moment, there are four-teen Motor Boats on the coast, whileanother is ready for dispatch to herStation, and four others are underconstruction.

Mr. Methley gives much interestinginformation with regard to the Stationand its equipment in dealing with thevarious kinds of slipways which form soimportant a feature in the machineryof the Life-boat service. He also hasmany a stirring tale to tell of gallantrescues by Life-boatmen who have goneout again and again, though exhausted

by many efforts, till their courage andendurance have triumphed in the battlewith the elements. But perhaps themost interesting feature in the book isthe very full treatment of Life-boatservice abroad and in the BritishColonies. We have nowhere seen socomplete an account of the services inthose other countries which have, forthe most part, modelled themselvesupon our own; and Mr. Methley is veryfair in comparing the efforts made andthe results achievedin different countries,bearing in mind the widely varyingconditions with which each has to deal.There are, too, pleasant gleams of hu-mour, especially in the description ofthe freaks and oddities of inventors ofLife - boats, some of which remindone of Gilbert's description as being" something between a large bathingmachine and a very small second-classcarriage."

We feel, on closing this book, thatwe hare been brought into very pleasantand intimate contact with the Life-boatand the splendid men who man her, andwe cannot help regretting that Mr.Methley should not have lived to enjoythe success of a book which, togetherwith Sir John Lamb's smaller work,ought to be in the hands of everyonewho takes an interest irv a work whieb.provides a living example of Britishcourage, endurance and humanity.

SERVICES OF THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE ROYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

THE MUMBLES, GLAMORGANSHIRE.—In response to signals of distress froma vessel at anchor on the north-westside of the Hugo Bank, the Life-boat Charlie Medland was launchedshortly after 3 P.M. on the 5th January.They found the brigantine Perseverancedragging her anchors and swept byheavy seas. The captain considered itadvisable to leave his vessel, as thecrew were in considerable danger; theywere therefore landed by the Life-boat.The vessel was bound from Bordeauxto Swansea with a cargo of pit-props,and after the men had been taken off,she was towed into Swansea by a localtug.

MONTROSE, FOHFAESHIRE. — On thenight of the 5th January, it was re-ported to the coxswain of the No. 1Life-boat Sarah Jane Turner that afishing yawl with five men on boardwas in the Bay and had made flaresfor assistance. As the sea was veryheavy, especially on the bar, it wasthought that it would not be possiblefor the vessel to get into harbour, andif she remained outside the crew ran therisk of losing their lives. The Life-boatwas launched and proceeded to theassistance of the vessel, which was thePremier, of Montrose, and at about11 P.M. she reached her and took themen off. The boat then returned to


her station, and although she was struckby several seas when crossing the Bar,she got into harbour in safety andlanded the men about half-past 2 in themorning.

SPURN, YORKSHIRE. — The steamtrawler Agatha, of Grimsby, ran ashoreon the beach outside Spurn Point at9.15 P.M. on the 6th January. Amoderate easterly gale was blowingwith a heavy sea. The Life-boat atonce proceeded to the vessel which wasfound full of water and the sea break-ing over her. The crew of nine handswere rescued and landed about mid-night. The cause of the disaster wasthat the vessel had been very close to the" Binks " and the strong ebb tide carriedher on to them. After striking, thevessel again came off, but stranded onthe beach,

HARWICH, ESSEX. — The sprit-sailbarge Monarch, of London, whilst boundfrom London to Yarmouth, got intodifficulties when off Harwich on the6th January, owing to her steeringgear getting out of order. In responseto her distress signals, which were re-ported by the Coastguard to the Life-boat Coxswain, the No. 1 Life-boat AnnFawcett, was launched. On reachingthe vessel the Life-boatmen were en-gaged to salve her and successfullybrought her into the fiarbour. Therewas a rough sea at the time witha moderate gale blowing.

FILEY, YORKSHIRE.—At 8 A.M. onthe 10th January eleven of the fishingcobles belonging to Filey put to seafor the purpose of hauling their lines.Although there was no wind a heavynorth-easterly sea was making and whenthey were about to return, shortlybefore noon, it was considered advis-able to send the Life-boat Eollon theThird to their assistance. The boatproceeded to the cobles, and havingsupplied the fishermen with life-beltsshe stood by each coble as she cameashore.

CAISTER, NORFOLK.—At 7.20 A.M. onthe llth January rockets were observedin the direction of the Cross Sand light-

vessel, and while the crew of the Life-boat were being assembled, a messagewas received by wireless telegraphystating that a vessel was ashore on theSands. The No. 1 Life-boat CoventGarden was launched, and proceeded tothe Sands in tow of a tug. When shereached the vessel, the seas were makinga clean breach over her. The Life-boattried to get alongside, but owing tothe heavy seas did not succeed. Theboat was then taken by the tug to wind-ward of the vessel, where she anchoredand veered down; and whilst doing soshe struck heavily on the Sands, the seasdrenching everyone to the skin. TheLife-boatmen succeeded in getting a line onboard the vessel, and then, by means ofa rope, hauled some of the crew throughthe sea, whilst others jumped into theboat. An hour and a half elapsed beforethe crew, seven in number, were gotsafely on board. The Coxswain wasthen obliged to cut the boat's cable inorder to get clear of the wreck, other-wise the Life-boat might have beenknocked to pieces. As soon as the boatwas clear of the Sands, the tug againpicked her up and towed her to Caister.The vessel was the schooner Falke, ofBremen, bound to Yarmouth at the time.This service, which reflected great creditupon the Life-boatmen, was carried outin very severe weather, causing the crewconsiderable suffering owing to exposure.The Coxswain, in reporting on the case,stated that it was the most difficultservice within the experience of the oldestLife-boatman.

MABLETHORPE, LINCOLNSHIRE.—Onthe llth January a telephone messagewas received from the Coastguardstating that a vessel was ashore oppositethe Saltfleet Coastguard station. Athick fog prevailed at the time, with amoderate breeze and choppy sea. Thecrew of the Life-boat John BowsonLingard were assembled and the boatdespatched to the assistance of thevessel. She found that she was theketch ROBCO, of Grimsby, and, at therequest of the master, the boat stoodby the vessel for some hours. Athigh water the vessel failed to float,but as it was probable she would succeedat the following high tide, and the

688 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1ST AUGUST, 1912.

services of the Life-boat were not re-quired, she returned to her station,arriving during the afternoon.

CAISTEB, NOBFOLK.—The No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden was launched at 6 A.M.during thick weather on the 13th Januaryto the assistance of the S.S. Glenside, ofNewcastle, which had stranded on theBarber Sands, opposite the Life-boatstation. On reaching the vessel themaster declined any help, as he hopedto be able to get the vessel clear at highwater. At daybreak four tugs reachedthe vessel and two of them were employedby the master in the afternoon to towhis vessel off, the Life-boat, in the mean-while, standing by, in case her assistancemight be required.

PALLING, NOBFOLK.—The No. 2 Life-boat Hearts of Oak was called out onthe 13th-14th January in response toa telephone message stating that a vesselwas on the Haisborough Sands. Whilethe Life-boat was proceeding to theSands a light was seen from one of theboats belonging to the wrecked vessel,in which the crew had escaped. Justbefore the Life-boat reached her, the boatarrived at the Haisborough Light-vesseland the men took refuge on board. TheLife-boat stood by all night to see ifanything could be done in connexionwith the wreck at daylight, bub findingher position was hopeless the five ship-wrecked men were landed at Palling.The vessel was the schooner Gowan, ofBanff, bound from Hamburg to Ply-mouth with salt.

SCABBOBOUGH, YoBKSHiBB.—Severalof the fishing cobles belonging to Scar-borough were overtaken when at sea bybad weather on the 14th January. Allthe boats with the exception, of one,which was named the Queensbury, suc-ceeded in getting into safety, but as itwas feared that this coble might be lost,the Life-boat, which bears the samename, Queensbury, was sent to herassistance and saved the three men,bringing their boat also into safety.

BOULMBB, NOBTHUMBEELAND. At

about 9 P.M. on the 14th January theCoxswain, of the Life-boat Arthur B.

Dawes discovered that a vessel wasashore on the rocks of Boulmer SouthSteel. The night was very dark, witha thick atmosphere. The boat waslaunched and proceeded to the wreck,which proved to be the steam trawlerDoreen, of Sunderland, homeward boundfrom the fishing-grounds. A heavy swellwas breaking about the wreck, and muchdifficulty was experienced in getting theLife-boat alongside. Whilst the crewof eight hands were being rescued, oneof the shipwrecked men got his leg overthe side, and it was unfortunately brokenby the Life-boat being dashed againstthe trawler. As soon as the boat cameashore the man received medical atten-tion, and was sent to the infirmarywithout loss of time. The rescue wasa difficult one, and when being carriedout, the boat was somowhat damagedowing to the heavy sea.

FBASEBBUBGH, ABEBDEENSHIBE.—At9.15 P.M. on the 14th January the Cox-swain of the Life-boat Anna Maria Leesnwlights on Cairnbulge Briggs, about twomiles from Fraserburgh. He immedi-ately ordered the launch of the Life-boatand proceeded to the vicinity, wherehe found the steam trawler, Clio, ofDundee, on the rocks, with a crew of ninemen on board. Owing to the conditionof the sea and the position of the wreck,it was impossible to approach nearenough to effect communication. Theboat therefore waited near until thetide ebbed sufficiently to allow her toget inside the reef of rocks. At 1.30 inthe morning four of the Life-boat crewtook to the water and made their wayalong the reef to where the wreck lay.They found that the crew had left thevessel • and were taking shelter on abeacon, which they refused to leave, asone of their number, who had had hisribs broken, was unable to go throughthe water to the boat. At about thistime the rocket apparatus got communi-cation from the shore, and by means ofthe apparatus commenced to land themen; but when being transferred fromthe beacon to the shore, another manmet with an accident. Later, when theLife-boat was able to reach them, thetwo injured men were taken into theLife-boat, and conveyed to Fraserburgh,


where they were lauded at 4.30 A.M. Theremainder of the crew of the trawlerhad meanwhile been landed by therocket apparatus.

BERWICK - ON - TWEED, NORTHUMBER-LAND.—On the 15th January, in a strongsouth-east breeze and rough sea, onefishing coble only ventured to put tosea, and shortly after 9.30 A.M. it wasseen that she was in trouble. The Life-boat Matthew Simpson was launched,and, as the coble ran for the harbour,stood by her in case of accident. The

i coble was fortunate, and managed! to get into the harbour without needingj assistance from the Life-boat.

I MARGATE, KENT.—At 3.45 P.M. onj the 15th January information wasj received that a schooner was ashore on

the West Tongue Sands requiringassistance. The No. I Life-boat ElizaHarriet was launched, and on arrivingat the Sands, found the schoonerBeussite, of Morlaix, aground, makingwater fast. The captain engaged themen to try and save the vessel. Sevenof the Life-boat's crew were placed onboard to man her pumps, and just beforehigh water they succeeded in gettingthe vessel afloat. The Life-boatmen thenattempted to get the vessel to Whit-stable, but they found that, in spite oftheir efforts, the water was gaining.They therefore attempted to beach thevessel. She commenced to roll badly,and it was considered advisable to orderall hands to leave her. This was done,and about five minutes later the vesselfoundered and sank. The Life-boat thenproceeded to Whitstable, where shelanded the crew of five hands, return-ing to her station at 9 o'clock the nextmorning.

KUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.—On the nightof the 15th January, the steam trawlerGolden Sceptre, bound for Hull forrepairs, grounded on Kettleness Pointat 9.20 P.M. Her distress signals wereseen, and the Life-boat Hester Rothschildwas despatched to her assistance. Thesixteen men on board were rescued, theLife-boat being considerably damagedwhilst performing the service. Theweather at the tune was thick, with arough sea running.

SOUTHWOLD, SUFFOLK.—In response i |to a telephone message at 3.45 P.M. on !the 17th January, stating that a vessel |was ashore at Sizewell with her crew inthe rigging, the No. 1 Life-boat AlfredGorry was launched. She found theschooner Voorwaarts, of Groningen, onthe inner shoal. The crew of four menand a woman, who were on board, wererescued, and the boat returned to herstation, arriving at 8 P.M.

RAMSGATE, KENT. — The Germansteamer Marie Leonhardt, of Hamburg,whilst bound from Scotland to Genoawith a cargo of coal, stranded on theGoodwin Sands, during a strong E.S.E.gale and a very heavy sea, on the 17thJanuary. Signals of distress were madeand in response the Life-boat was sentto her assistance. They found thevessel right on top of the Sands andthe seas breaking over her. Afterthree unsuccessful attempts, the Life-boat got alongside, but in doing so wasconsiderably damaged. Ropes werepassed to the boat from the steamer andshe stood by for some time, butas the vessel was bumping very heavily 'and cracking all over, it was considereddesirable to take the crew of twentyhands out of her. This was accom-plished with some difficulty owing tothe heavy seas which constantly washedover the vessel and the boat. A catand a dog were also rescued and takeninto safety. As soon as the Life-boatgot clear of the steamer and the Sandsshe was picked up by the harbour tugwhich towed her into Ramsgate Har-bour, where they arrived about noon.The German Government subsequentlyexpressed, through their ambassador,their warmest thanks for the assistancerendered by the Life-boat in this case.

OAISTBE, NORFOLK.—Shortly aftermidnight on the 17th-18th Januarysignals of distress were seen burning inthe direction of the South Barber Sands.As soon as it was possible the No. 1 boatCovent Garden was launched and foundthe S.S. Altyre, of Aberdeen, ridingwith two anchors down and draggingtowards the shore. The captain askedthe Coxswain of the boat to stand by,and, if necessary, take off the crew.

690 THE LIFE-BOAT. , 1912.

Tugs had already been sent for fromYarmouth, but in consequence of thebad weather and the E.S.E. gale theywould not leave port. At 9 A.M. thenext morning one tug came out to thevessel, and the Life-boatmen with theirassistance succeeded in getting thevessel out of a very dangerous position,in only 2^ fathoms of water. She wasthen towed to Yarmouth. At the timeof this service the weather was verycold with heavy snow squalls.

TYNEMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND.—TheLife-boat Henry Vernon was despatchedat 8.30 A.M. on the 18th January to theassistance of the brigantine Maggie A.,of Poole, which was sighted about thattime making for the river. A stronggale was blowing with a very heavy sea,and at about 9 A.M. the foundering ofthe vessel on the bar, or her destructionagainst the North Pier Head, seemedinevitable. The Life-boat stood by herready for emergencies. The vessel wassuperbly handled, and by increasingsail she was able to weather the NorthPier and come through the heavy break-ing seas in safety. The sea is reported tohave been the heaviest experienced formany years, and the behaviour of theLife-boat, which is fitted with a motor,is spoken of in the highest terms, andshe is reported to have been hardlyaffected by the sea and wind.

MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE.—Shortlybefore 11 A.M. on the 19th January thesteam trawler Tyne Prince, of NorthShields, stranded on the Annat Bankand hoisted distress signals. The No. 2Life-boat Marianne Atherstone waslaunched and pulled down to where thetrawler lay, but, on account of the seabeing so heavy, the Life-boat had greatdifficulty in approaching the vessel, andbefore the crew could be rescued the boatwas thrown by a heavy sea against thetrawler and slightly damaged. Com-munication, was effected by means ofa rope, and the whole of the crew ofthe trawler, nine in number, were takenoff. The boat then returned to herstation, where she arrived at 12.45 P.M.At 1 P.M., just after the above servicehad been completed, it was seen that

the steamer Lochside was attempting tocross the Bar and had been struck byseveral heavy seas; two other smallsteamers—the Tynesider and HolmanSutcliffe—were also observed making forthe harbour. It was therefore con-sidered advisable to send the Life-boatout again in case of emergency. Theboat proceeded to the bar and stood byas the steamers came in. Fortunatelyall were successful, but two of themincurred great risk of being thrown onthe Annat Sands.

ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK.—At 4.20 A.M.on the 20th January a telephone messagewas received from the Coastguard report-ing that a vessel was ashore at Thorpe-ness. The No. 2 Life-boat EdwardDresden was launched and found thes.s. Monkwood, of London, laden withcoal from the Tyne, about a hundredyards from the shore. The master ofthe steamer engaged the Life-boatmento save the vessel, and, by running outkedge anchors and jettisoning part oithe cargo, they succeeded in refloatingthe steamer, which was then able toproceed to London.

MARGATE, KENT.—The No. 2 Life-boat Civil Service No. 1 was launched at1.40 P.M. on the 31st January, in re-sponse to a message received from theCoastguard stating that a large steamerhad stranded on the Girdler Sands.When proceeding to the vessel the Life-boat was picked up by a tug whichtowed them to the Sands. She therefound the s.s. Cheyenne of Newcastlebadly ashore. The Coxswain boardedher and asked the Captain if he re-quired any assistance, and in responsehe stated that he would be glad if theLife-boat would stand by him until thefollowing high water, when attemptswould be made to get the vessel clear.The Life-boat therefore remained buttugs failed to get the vessel off.The weather in the meanwhile hadimproved, and as there was no necessityfor the Life-boat to remain in attendanceshe returned ashore. The vessel, whichwas a large tank steamer, was boundfrom London to Barry with a cargo ofbenzine.


SUMMARY OF THE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE OFMANAGEMENT.

THURSDAY, 8th February, 1912.The Bight Hon. the EARL WALDEGBAVE, P.O.,

in the Chair.Bead and confirmed the minutes of the

previous meeting.Also read those of -the Building, Finance

and Correspondence, Wreck and Reward,and Organisation Sub - Committees andordered their recommendations to be carriedinto effect.

Bead the reports of the Deputy ChiefInspector of Life-boats on his visits to theNewquay (Cornwall) and Piel Life-boatstations.

Also the reports of the District Inspectorson their visits to the following Life-boatStations:—

Northern District. — North Sunderland,CresswelJ, Broughty Perry, Montrose (twoboats), Gourdon, Johnshaven and Grail.

Eastern District. — Hornsea, BridlingtonQuay, Aldeburgh (two boats). Blakeney,Sheringham, Cromer and Hasborough.

Southern District.—Coverack.Western District.—Penzance, Newlyn, Sen-

nen Cove, Hayle, St. Ive's, St. David's, LittleHaven and Tenby.

Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions since the previous meeting:—His MAJESTY THE KINO (annual &. s. d.

subscription) 21 - -Mrs. 3. ASHTON (annual subscrip-

tion) 25 - -Mr. J. T. HEDLEST (annual sub-

scription) 25 - -Mr. GRANVILLE CRAIG (contents

of contribution box) . . . . 20 - -BOYS OF ST. PETEB'S COUBT

SCHOOL, Broadstairs (per theBev. F . G . Bidgeway) . . . 7 8 9Also the receipt of the following legacies:—

The late Mr. WILLIAM McCuun,of Largs, Scotland, for the main- £. s. d.tenance of the Thomas McCunnLife-boat at Port Logan (onaccount) 100 - -

Ditto, for the benefit of widowsand other dependent relativesof men who have lost their livesin connection with the Life-boatservice in Scotland (on account) 50 - -

The late Miss SOSAN NAIBN ofBreehin (per Montrose Branch) 90 15 7Voted the best thanks of the Institution

to Captain HUGH BOBEBTS and Mr. J. PIEBCELEWIS in recognition of their long and valuableservices as Honorary Secretaries of the Porth-dinllaen and Bhyl Branches of the Institution,which offices they had just resigned.

Besolved that, with a view to the betterorganisation of the work in Dublin, the DublinBay Branch be dissolved and new branchesformed for the City of Dublin and Kingstownrespectively.

Paid 5.778Z. for sundry charges in connexionwith various Life-boat establishments.

Voted 5381. 9*. 2d. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:— "Lives

Life-boat. Vessel. saved.Berwick-on- .A coble of Berwick. Stood

Tweed by coble.Boulmer. . Steam trawler Doreen, of

Sunderland . . . . 8Caister No. 1 Schooner Falke,ot Bremen 7Caister No. 1 S.S. Glenside, of New-

castle. Stood by vessel.Cloughey . S.S. City of Lahore, of

Liverpool. Stood by vessel,Cloughey . A shore boat of Cloughey 5Filey. . . Fishing cobles of Filey.

Stood by cobles.Filey. . . Fishing coble Sallie, of

Filey. Saved coble and 3Fraserburgh Steam trawler Clio, of

Dundee. Landed 2.Mablethorpe Ketch Bosco, of Grimsby.

Stood by vessel.Margate Schooner Rtussite, of

No. 1 Morlaix SMargate S.S. Cheyenne, of New-

No. 2 castle. Stood by vessel.Moutrose S.S. Tyne Prince, of North

No. 2 Shields 9Montrose Steamers Lochs&de, Tyne-

No. 2 sider, and Sol/man Sut-cliffe. Stood by vessels.

Palling No. 2 Schooner Oowan, of Banff.Landed 5.

Bunswiok . S.S. Golden Sceptre, of Hull 16Scarborough Coble Queensbury, of Scar-

borough. Rendered as-sistance.

Southwold Schooner Voorwaarts, ofNo. 1 Groningen . . . . 5

Tynemouth Brigantine Maggie A, of(Motor) Poole. Stood by vessel.

The Aldeburgh No. 2 Life-boat saved theS.S. Monkwood, of London; Caister No. 1Life-boat assisted to save the S.S. Altyre, ofAberdeen, also the steam trawler Apollo, ofSandefjord; Filey Life-boat saved a fishingcoble of Filey; Harwich No. 1 Life-boatassisted to save the barge Monarch, of London,and Bamsgate Life-boat saved the crew of 20of the S.S. Marie Leonhardt, of Hamburg.

Also voted 8362. 7*. lOd. to pay the expensesof the following Life-boat launches, assembliesof crews, etc., with a view to assisting personson vessels in distress :—Aldeburgh Nos. 1 and2, Bembridge, Bridlington Quay, Broadstairs,Cresswell, Cromer, Donna Nook, Dunbar,Exmouth, Eyemouth, Falmouth, Filey, Flam-borough No. 1, Hunstauton, New BrightonNo. 1, Newlyn, North Deal, Penzanee, Peter-head, Port Errol, Bamsgate, Bunswick,St. Annes, Scarborough, Sheringham, South-end-on-Sea, Southwold No. 2, Staithes,Upgang, Walmer, Weymouth, Whitby No. 1,Winterton No. 2, and Withernsea.

Voted 7s. 6d. each additional to the crewof the Caister No. 1 Life-boat for a very goodservice to the schooner Falke, of Bremen, ina strong S.S.E. breeze and very heavy sea,on the llth January.

692 THE LIFE-BOAT. [IsT AUGUST, 1912.

f ' Also 19J. 10s. to men injured on service inthe Caister No. 1, Girvan, and Port IsaacLife-boats.

Voted the thanks of the Institution en-grossed on vellum, and a barometer to Mr.P. Attrill and to Mr. W. Attrill, for puttingoff in a 14-foot fishing boat, and saving threeof the crew of the schooner Bomolo, ofPlymouth, which stranded in a heavy S. galeand very heavy sea on the rocks close toBembridge, on the 8th January. Also thethanks of the Institution engrossed on vellumto Mr. Couldrey, Honorary Secretary of theBembridge Branch of the Institution, whoentered the sea, and, at considerable risk,succeeded in saving another of the schooner'screw. Further ordered a letter of thanks tobe sent to Mr. Charles T. Bicardo, a memberof the Local Committee, who assisted.

Voted the thanks of the Institution engrossedon vellum, together with 4cl. 10s., to MichaelBegley, Thomas T. Begley, and Thomas C.Begley, for saving two of three men whosecanoe foundered and sank at the entrance toBrandon Creek, Co. Kerry, at 11 P.M. on the14th December. A strong N.W. breeze wasblowing with a very heavy sea, and the salvors,who were in a very frail canoe, incurred greatrisk.

Voted 21. to the master, and 1Z. each tothree men, of a fishing smack for saving, atconsiderable risk, 2 men belonging to thebarge Isabella, who had been adrift in a smallboat for 9 hours near the Buxey Sands, andwere in a very exhausted condition, on the23rd of February. A moderate N. gale wasblowing with a rough sea.

Voted 21. to four men for putting off in aboat and saving the crew of four men of thefishing boat Vixen, of Topsham, which strandedon the Pole Sands, near Exmouth, at midnighton the 17th-18th January.

Voted 13Z. to the crew of the PeterheadLife-boat for putting off in a Life-boat,belonging to the Harbour of Refuge at Peter-head, and rescuing the crew of four hands ofthe schooner Pioneer, of Peterhead, on the14th January. The vessel, which was atanchor, was in danger of foundering in a wholeS.S.E. gale and very heavy sea.

Voted 101. to five men for promptly puttingoff in a six-oared boat and saving three fishingcobles and their crews of eight hands offBridlington, on the 24th January. A heavysurf was breaking half a mile from the shore,and the salvors, realising the danger to themen in the boats, put off and towed them oneby one into harbour. Their prompt actionsaved the men's lives.

THTOSDAY, 7th March, 1912.The Rt. Hon. the EABL WALDEGBAVE, P.O.,

in the Chair.Read and confirmed the minutes of the

previous meeting.The Committee expressed deep regret at the

death of their colleague, Sir Prank Marzials,C.B., and decided that an expression of theirsympathy should be sent to Lady Marzials.

Read the minutes of the Building, Financeand Correspondence, Wreck and Reward andOrganisation Sub-Committees, and orderedtheir recommendations to be carried into effect.

Read and adopted the report of the DeputyChairman and Admiral of the Fleet Sir GerardNoel on their visits to the St. Abbs, Skaterawand Dunbar Stations.

Also read the reports of the Chief Inspectorof Life-boats on his visits to the above-mentioned Stations.

Read the reports of the District Inspectorson their visits to the following Life-boatStations:—

Northern District. — Port Logan, PortPatrick, Whithorn, Eyemouth, Stronsay,Longhope, Stromness, Huna, Thurso, Wickand Ackergill.

Eastern District.—Wintertou (two boats),Palling (two boats), Kessingland (two boats)and Pakefield.

Southern District.—Exmouth, Brixhain,Torquay, Salcombe, Hope Cove, Lyme Regis,Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Yealm River, Folke-stone, Hythe, Margate (two boats), North Deal,Walmer, K.ingsdowne, Ramsgate and Dover.

Western District—Angle, Port Eynon,Appledore (two boats), Clovelly, Ilfracombe,Lynmouth, Point of Ayr, Llanddulas, Llan-dudno and Rhyl.

Irish District.—Culdaft, Greencastle, Port-rush, Greenore, Giles Quay, Howth, Skerriesand Queenstowu.

Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions since the previous meeting:—CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT FUND

(per Mr. Harry Fincham, I.S.O.) :—Repayments of amounts ex-

pended on the maintenance &. s. d.of the seven Civil Service Life-boats during the year 1911 . 694 - 2

Mr. ARTHUB BOTTERILL . . 200 - -SINGAPORE, Christmas Collection

(per the Rev. J. A. B. Cooke) . 61 15 2ANONYMOUS 50 - -Miss BEATRIX DRUMMOND . . 10 - -ST. DAVID'S COLLEGE, Lampeter,

Collection in Chapel (perMr. J. L. Edwards) . . . . - 15 5

—To be severally thanked.Also the receipt of the following legacies:—

The late Miss ANN LOVELOCK, ofThatcham, for a Life-boat to &. s. d.be named Ann Lovelock, andstationed on the Sussex coast . 1000 - -

The late Miss JANE MOODY, ofDerby, for a Life-boat to benamed John and Ann Moody . 700 - -

The late Mr. HUGH ALEXAJSDEBLAIRD, of Blackheath . . . 500 - -

The late Mr. JAMES CRAWFORD,of Edinburgh (with interest) . 452 13 3

The late Mr. EDWIN SMITH, ofthe Coburg Hotel, W. ... 105 - -

The late Miss JANE SMITH, ofBirkdale, for the SouthportBranch 100 - -

The late Miss ELIZABETH SMITH,of Birkdale, for the SouthportBranch . 100 - -


The late Miss SAB AH ANNE LUMB, £.of Huddersfield 50 - -

The late Miss P. B. HANBUBY, ofWestbourne Mansions, HydePark 50 - -

The late Mr. WILLIAM BYLAND,of Sheffield (further on account) 26 1 11

The late Miss HANNAH MABYAIBTON, of Great Yarmouth: . 25 - -

The late Mr. P. W. N. LLOYD, ofBromley (Interest) . . . . 15 1 4Voted the best thanks of the Institution

to Mr. JOHN KOBEBTS and the Bev. J. H.SCHOLBFIBLD, in recognition of their long andvaluable services as Honorary Secretaries of theWorthing and Mullion Branches of the Institu-tion, from which offices they had just retired.

The Committee also specially recognised thegood services extending over many years, ofthe following Honorary Secretaries of Branchesof the Institution: Mr. A. L. BENSTBOM,Buckhaven; Mr. J. LEWIS, Holyhead; Mr. T.KENT BIDLEB, Minehead ; Mr. H. BBOWN,Shoreham; Mr. W. J. OLIVES, Sunderland,and Mr. 0. H. LEMMON, King's Lynn.

Beported the despatch to their Stations ofthe St. Holier, St. Peter Port and Lythamnew Life-boats.

Voted 2.688Z. for sundry charges in con-nexion with various Life-boat establishments.

Voted 3391. 8s. fxZ. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:— Lives

life-boat. Vessel. saved.Barry Dock . S.S. Vasilefs Georgios, of

Andros. Beudered as-sistance.'

Bude . . Ketch Elizabeth, of Bide-ford 5

Oastletown . Brigantine Albion, ofPortsmouth . . . . 7

Coverack . 4-masted Barque Pindos,of Hamburg . . . . 28

Johnshaven. Two fishing-boats of Mont-rose. Stood by vessel.

Kingstown . Schooner I/optoing, of Ark-low. Bendered assistance.

Newburgh . Trawler Lord Ashby, ofBlyth. Landed 4.

Newburgh . Trawler Faith, of Aberdeen 8Newhaven Steam trawler Alpha, of

(Motor) Dieppe. Bendered as-sistance.

Portrush . S.S. Shilbottle, of Aberdeen 9Sennen Cove S.S. Northlands, of Cardiff.

Stood by vessel.Stronsay . Steam trawler Crimond,

of Aberdeen . . . . 4The Broadstairs Life-boat rendered assist-

ance to the S.S. Valhalla, of Christiania; theLizard Life-boat assisted to save the barqueChili, of Dunkirk, and 20; Newlyn Life-boatrendered assistance to the S.S. Northlands, ofCardiff; also saved the barque Etoile Polaire,of Fecamp, and 8; and Bamsgate Life-boatrendered assistance to the S.S. Viero-y-Clarijoof Las Palmas.

Also voted 6982.11s. 8d. to pay the expensesof assemblies of crews or launches of thefollowing Life-boats, with the view of assisting

persons on vessels in distress:—AldeburghNo. 2, Angle (steam), Ballycotton, Blackpool,Broadstairs, Buckie, Cadgwith, Caister, Clo-velly, Cromer, Eyemouth, Falmouth, Fethard,Fishguard (motor), Filey, Gorleston, Grooms-port, Hornsea, Huna, the Lizard, Newlyn,Penzance, Plymouth, Porthoustock, Bams-gate, Seaham, Sannen Cove, Skegnegs, Stron-say (motor), Thurso, Wintertou No. 2, Yar-mouth, and Yealm River.

Voted 51. to men injured on service in theMontrose and Sonthwold Life-boats.

Voted 21. to four men for saving a man,whose boat was run down when he was pro-ceeding to the assistance of a ketch, whichhad stranded near Watermouth on 19th Janu-ary. The accident occurred in the BurrowBace where a heavy sea was running.

Voted 4Z. to eight men for promptly puttingoff in a boat and saving four persons, whoseboat had been capsized off Winterton in aS.S.E. breeze and heavy swell, on the 10thFebruary. The men when picked up wereclinging to the boat.

Voted 21. 5s. to sis men for saving, atmoderate risk, a man who was in danger ofbeing driven out to sea in a small boat at themouth of the Biver Tay, on the 23rd February.A strong S.W. gale was blowing at the timeand the man when rescued was in a veryexhausted condition.

Voted 2Z. 10s. to five men for proceeding intheir fishing boat The Gladiator to the assist-ance of the fishing-boat Mary, of Montrose,and saving the .crew of three men, on the25th February. The Mary was dismastedduring a strong S.S.W. breeze and rough sea,and the men when rescued were in an ex-hausted condition. The salvors incurred con-siderable risk.

THUBBDAY, 14th March, 1912.Tie Annual General Meeting of the Gover-

nors and friends of the BOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was held this day atthe Whitehall Booms, Hotel Metropole, S.W.,his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G.,in the chair.

The Chairman having made some suitableobservations on the great and national char-acter of the operations of the Institution, theAnnual Beport was presented to the meeting.

The meeting was also addressed by the Bt.Hon. Sir George Beid, G.G.M.G., Sir HenryCraik, K.C.B., M.P., the Bt. Hon. the EarlWaldegrave, P.O., and Mr. J. L. Sayer, Chair-man of the Executive Committee of the Cityof London Branch.

The Officers for the current year wereelected, and resolutions were carried record-ing the meeting's hearty appreciation of thegallantry of the Coxswains and Crews ofthe Institution's Life-boats, and gratefullyacknowledging the valuable help rendered tothe cause by the Local Committees, HonorarySecretaries, Honorary Treasurers, and Ladies'Auxiliaries.

The officers' names and the resolutions willbe found in the May number of the Life-boatJournal.

N O T I C E : .The next number of the LIFE-BOAT JOUBNAL will be published on the 1st November.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE=BOAT INSTITUTION.SUPPORTED SOLELY BT VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.

1 "'•' '"Oboet ffiracfous /fcajestg tbc "Ring,flBost ©racious flfcajeetg tbe <aueen.

n>fce=patron— HER MAJESTY QUEEN ALEXANDRA.pre«ft>ent— HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, E.G.Chairman— H>eputE=<Ibalrman—

THE BIQBT HOH. THS EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O. SIR JOHH CAMERON LAMB, C.B., C.M.G., V.P.Secretary— GEORSK F. SHEB, Esq., M.A.

Telegraphic Address:" LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION,

LONDON." »

Telephone:No. 2964

("GERRARDEXCHANGE.")

rn.wmM.X4.THE COMMITTEE OP MANAGEMENT beg to state that during the year (1911) the ROYAL

NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION expended £88,000 on its Life-boat Establishments.GENERAL SUMMABY OF THE WOBK OF THE INSTITUTION DUBING 1911.

£ s. d.Number of Lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to 48Vessels and Boats saved by them and 76 persons landedfrom vessels in distress and lightships

Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, &cAmount of Rewards granted during the YearHonorary Rewards :—Gold Medal 1

540147

Silver MedalsBinocular GlassesAneroid Barometers .Votes of Thanks on Vellum .Certificates of Service =- .

Total

11,243 19 7

5. 19

3. 98. i2

. 138 687 £11,243 19 7The number of Lives saved either by the Life-boats of the Society, or by special exertions

for which it has granted rewards since its formation in 1824 (to 31st Dec., 1911), is 50,081. Therewards and recognitions granted by the Institution in the same period comprise 102 GoldMedals and Clasps, 1,278 Silver Medals and Clasps, 69 Decorations, 445 Binocular Glasses,15 Telescopes, 98 Aneroid Barometers, 2,030 Votes of Thanks inscribed on vellum andframed, 235 Certificates of Service framed, and £330,498 in money, including pensions toLife-boat crews, &c.

The Committee of Management of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION earnestlyappeal to the British Public for Funds to enable them to maintain their 283 Life-boats nowon the Coast and their Crews in the most perfect state of efficiency. This can only be effectedby a large and permanent annual income.

The work of the Life-boat should appeal to all, whether they reside inland or on the coast.There are probably few inhabitants of the United Kingdom who have not friends or relativeswho at one time or another " go down to the sea in ships," and no British men or women canbe indifferent to a work which is of peculiar interest to the people of the greatest maritimecountry in the world.

We cannot all take a personal part in the noble act of life-saving, but we can all at leastcontribute to help those who make this splendid work part and parcel of their normal duty,and to assist the women and children who may be left without support through the heroicself-sacrifice of husband, father or brother.

The Committee are confident that, in their endeavour to provide the brave Life-boatmen,who nobly hazard their lives in order that they may save others, with the best possible meansfor carrying on their great work, they will meet with the generous support of the public, sothat the scope and efficiency of our great Life-saving Service, of which the Nation hasalways been so proud, may not have to be curtailed.

Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfullyreceived by the Secretary, at the Institution, 22, CHABING CBOSS ROAD, London, W.C.; byMessrs. COUTTB AND Co., 440, Strand, London, W.C.; and by all the other Bankers in theUnited Kingdom.—August, 1912.

the life-boat. · 2017. 1. 5. · the life-boat. journal of the national xffe^boa jnstitutiont ,...

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