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THE LIFE-BOATThe Journal of the Royal National Life-boat Institution

VOL. XXXV SEPTEMBER, 1958 No. 385

Notes of the Quarter

THE 37-feet life-boat, which is describedin detail on page 91, adds one moredevelopment to an impressive list ofmajor improvements in the design andconstruction of life-boats and life-savingequipment in the past six or seven years.During this period commercial enginesgiving greater power and range to life-boats began to be installed, the firstlife-boat to be fitted with engines ofthis type being the 42-feet Coveracklife-boat in 1954. The development ofthe 42-feet life-boat was followed bythat of the 47-feet boat, the first of whichwent to Thurso. Among the novelfeatures of the 47-feet boat were thecovered steering position and thedouble bottom protecting the engineroom ; this type of life-boat was alsofitted with commercial engines, in thiscase twin engines of 60 h.p. each.

In 1953 a much more powerfultractor, an adaptation of the 95 b.h.p.Challenger III diesel crawler tractor,was introduced, and this has since beenfollowed by a new type of metaltransporting carriage which greatlyfacilitates the launching and rehousingof the smaller boats. In the field ofcommunications the fitting of direction-finding equipment into the Aberdeenno. 1 life-boat in 1951 and of very highfrequency radio-telephones, the first ofwhich was installed in the Cromer no. 1life-boat in 1956, have been among theoutstanding developments. There havetoo been a number of improvementsin the provision of first aid equipment,including a new type of survival suit,which was first introduced in 1954.

All these changes occurred during theperiod in which Commander T. G.Michelmore was the Institution's ChiefInspector of Life-Boats, and of all theinnovations which were made during hisperiod of office it is possible that nonewill be of more lasting importance thanthe design of the new 37-feet life-boat.

A BUSY EARLY SUMMER

The weather during the first half ofthe summer of 1958 was exceptionallybad : many areas experienced theirwettest June for more than fifty yearsand during the Whitsun holiday in Maythe weather was cold, wet and blustery.Not surprisingly, these conditions gaverise to a very large number of calls onlife-boats. There were no fewer than68 launches on service in May, thehighest figure for the month of May inthe whole history of the Institution.The figure for June was 61, only fivefewer than the record figure for June,which was reached in 1957. An analysisof the types of service rendered by life-boats during the first six months ofthe year shows a marked increase in thenumber of launches to fishing-boatsand motor vessels in comparison with1957 and a decrease in the number ofservices to yachts.

LIFE-BOATS NAMED BY THE

ROYAL FAMILY

When H.R.H. Princess Alexandranamed the new Torbay life-boat PrincessAlexandra of Kent, she became the fifthmember of the Royal family to nameone of the Institution's life-boats sincethe end of the last war. H.R.H. theDuchess of Kent, as President of theInstitution, has named no fewer thansixteen life-boats during this period.These were the life-boats at Bridlington,Tynemouth, New Brighton, Margate,Plymouth, Padstow, Fraserburgh,Walton and Frinton, Southend-on-Sea,Stornoway, Tenby, Douglas, Port St.Mary, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Arbroathand Mallaig. H.M. Queen Elizabeththe Queen Mother named the newThurso life-boat in 1956 ; H.R.H. thePrincess Royal named the Redcar life-boat in 1952 ; and H.R.H. the Duchess

90 THE LIFE-BOAT [SEPTEMBER, 1958

of Gloucester named the Ramsgate life-boat in 1954 and the Cromarty life-boatin 1956. The consistent help given tothe Life-Boat Service and the continuedinterest shown in it by the Royalfamily ever since George IV, whenPrince of Wales, first gave activeencouragement to Lionel Lukin in hisearly experiments, have been more thanever apparent in recent years. Fullaccounts of the naming ceremonies atTorbay and Mallaig will appear in theDecember number of the Life-Boat.

INSTITUTION'S BADGES

The wish to have some visible sign ofpermanent association with the Life-Boat Service in the form of a badge tobe sewn on to a blazer or coat has beenfrequently voiced in recent years indifferent parts of the country. TheInstitution has always resisted the intro-

duction of any kind of uniform, for itis of the essence of the Service that it isa voluntary organization in which any-one can to some extent participate, butthe Committee of Management has nowdecided to meet the demand for ablazer badge, since this demand clearlyarises from a widespread pride inassociation with the Service.

Two types of badge are now avail-able ; one is a silk embroidered badgewhich can be supplied for 3/6d., theother a better quality gold wire badgesupplied for 25/-. The badges show theInstitution's flag in miniature and canbe bought by regular members of life-boat crews and helpers as certified byhonorary secretaries of station branches;by officers and committee members ofall branches ; and by members of theCommittee of Management and of theInstitution's staff.

Portrait on the Cover

THE portrait on the cover is of Cox-swain Thomas Allchorn of Eastbourne,who was appointed coxswain in 1951after service as a member of the crew.Since his appointment as coxswainEastbourne life-boats have beenlaunched on service 47 times and haverescued 72 lives. Coxswain Allchornwas awarded the bronze medal forgallantry for a service to the London

steamer Barnhill in March 1940, whenhe and another member of the crewwent aboard the burning steamer. Hereceived a second-service clasp to hisbronze medal when the Eastbourne life-boat rescued sixteen men from thewreck of the S.S. Germania and fourmen from two salvage boats on the 6thof May, 1955. The photograph is repro-duced by courtesy of the Evening News.

Award of Ministry of Transport Shield

THE Minister of Transport and CivilAviation, Mr. Harold Watkinson, hasawarded the shield for the best wreckservice in 1957 to the Sandown aridVentnor life-saving apparatus companiesof H.M. Coastguard for the rescue ofthe crew of the S.S. lano of Genoa,which went aground in Sandown Bayon the 4th of November, 1957.

The rescue continued, with shortbreaks, for thirty-six hours, from 1.20early on the morning of the 4th ofNovember until one o'clock on theafternoon of the 5th of November. TheSandown company was called out threetimes and the crew of the stranded ship

brought ashore twice, the second timeby breeches buoy after they had re-turned to their ship without theknowledge of the coastguard. A strongsouth-westerly gale was blowing, rainfell heavily during most of the operationand the work of rescue was complicatedby language difficulties.

The Bembridge, Isle of Wight, Jife-boat, which put out early on the morningof the 4th of November, was unable tocome alongside the lano but stood bywhile the crew were taken off. Anaccount of this service appeared in theMarch 1958 number of the Life-boaton page 13.

SEPTEMBER, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 91

A New Type of Life-boatA NEW type of life-boat, known as theOakley type, came into the service ofthe Institution in the summer of 1958.She is 37 feet in length and has a beachweight of 9.12 tons. She is, therefore,light enough to be transported over abeach on a carriage and launched bytractor.

The new boat was designed by Mr.R. A. Oakley, the Institution's Surveyorof Life-boats, whose aim was to incor-porate the best features of the self-righting and non-self-righting boats.Tests of the new boat, in which she wascapsized twenty-five times at Little-hampton, where she was built byMessrs. Wm. Osborne, showed thatfrom bottom up she could right herselfin six seconds and that after capsizingboth cockpits were completely drainedof water in about twelve seconds. Othertests indicated that the new boat wouldhave considerably greater initial stabilitythan the 35-feet 6-inches Liverpooltype of life-boat, which is not a self-righter.

The table below shows the maincharacteristics of the new life-boat, andthe existing Liverpool and self-rightingtypes.

A model of the new 37-feet life-boatwas built to the design of the RoyalNational Life-boat Institution byMessrs. Saunders-Roe and submitted totank tests at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Inthese tests the behaviour of the modelwas compared with that of a model of aLiverpool boat in similar conditions.

The tests showed that in conditionsequivalent to a breaking wave of amean height of 13 feet on the beam the

LengthBeamDisplacementWater BallastWeight without Crew or BallastMaximum Draught Loaded ..Speed ..Endurance at Full Speed

Angle of Maximum Stability ..Range of Stability

model of the new design could not becapsized, although in these conditionsthe model of the Liverpool boat couldbe capsized. The model of the newdesign was capsized once by simulatinga wave height of 15 feet, and the testsclearly showed that greater stability hadbeen achieved by the increased beamand water ballast.

Tests in Confused Seas

The two models were also subjectedto tests in confused seas, with one seastriking the model astern and anotherabeam. These tests showed that themodel of the new design was lesssusceptible to swamping and to rollingand moving off course. Further testsshowed that it would right itself quicklyafter capsizing.

The self-righting quality in the newdesign is caused by the speedy transferof most of the 1| tons of water ballastinto a righting tank on the port side.The water passes through two trunksor rectangular pipes, in which thereare two valves which operate when thelife-boat is heeled over to an angle ofabout 110 degrees. When the life-boat is capsized to starboard she rightsherself by going through a roll of 360degrees. It normally takes six secondsfor her to reach the upright positionfrom the moment when she has beenbottom up. The principle is somewhatdifferent when the life-boat turns overto port. In this case the transfer ofwater begins just before the point whenthe life-boat would otherwise capsize,and by this means the boat returns tothe upright.

t

New Design37 feet 0 inches1 1 feet 6 inches11.16 tons1.54 tons9.12 tons

38i inches8.1 knots

140 nauticalmiles

47 degrees180 degrees

with rightingtankoperating

Liverpool35 feet 6 inches10 feet 8 inches9.25 tons

.5 tons8.25 tons

34 inches7.4 knots

120 nauticalmiles


Self-Righter35 feet 6 inches10 feet 0 inches

9.5 tons.5 tons

8.5 tons35J inches7.4 knots

120 nauticalmiles



Water Emptied Down Tubes

The new life-boat is fitted with twocockpits with side cases and, as aresult, the amount of water that can becarried after swamping has been re-duced ; this water empties through theboat's bottom down tubes fitted withnon-return valves instead of throughscuppers in the boat's side.

The 1| ton water ballast tank isplaced beneath the engines. It fillsautomatically in about twenty seconds,and although it increases the boat'sdisplacement when she is afloat, itdrains away as soon as the boat isashore and does not therefore increasethe handling weight during launchingor hauling up.

The new life-boat is driven by twinPerkins P.M.4 diesel engines, eachdeveloping 43 brake horse power at2,000 revolutions per minute with 2/1reduction gears. She has cost approxi-mately £26,500 to build.

First Phase of Trials

The first phase of the new life-boat'strials was completed at Littlehamptonearly in June, and the last occasions onwhich she was capsized were filmed.The capsizing tests were shown in theB.B.C. television newsreel, and a copyof the film taken by British MovietoneNews and shown in cinema newsreelshas been presented to the Institutionand is available for showing by branches.It lasts for approximately one minute.

The second phase of trials began onthe 7th of June when the new life-boatsailed from Littlehampton on an ex-tended sea trial, which took her as faras Dunbar in the Firth of Forth. Shewas at sea every day and arrived back atLittlehampton on the 23rd of Juneaccording to schedule. Altogether shecovered 986 miles at an average speedof 8.12 knots. Her twin Perkinsengines gave every satisfaction and notrouble. Only two or three items ofthe machinery installation sufferedslight defects, but these were easilyrectified and in no way affected the life-boat's progress.

During this trial 16 deputations fromthe life-boat stations at Anstruther,Bridlington, Boulmer, Eyemouth, Filey,Flamborough, Hastings, Newbiggin,

North Sunderland, Redcar, Runswick,St. Abbs, Scarborough, Sheringham,Skegness and Wells, had opportunitiesof going afloat in the new life-boat.These sixteen stations all have 35-feet 6-inches life-boats. The crews expressedthe greatest satisfaction and all declaredthe new boat to be a considerableimprovement on both the existingLiverpool and self-righting types.

Trials at Scarborough

Further trials were then carried outat Scarborough, where the boat washauled out and launched several times.The new type of carriage, which wasdescribed in the December 1957 numberof The Life-boat on page 522, and bothFowler and Roadless tractors wereused. These trials were also highlysuccessful, transport by Fowler tractorand the new carriage being carried outwithout difficulty. There was, however,evidence to show that the Roadlesstractor would not be powerful enoughfor use with the new type of boat.

The final phase of the boat's trialswill take place during the winter of1958/59. During this period the life-boat will be stationed at Scarboroughand the opportunity will be taken totest her in bad weather conditions.

The policy of the Committee ofManagement in the construction ofboats of the Oakley type will bedecided after the final phase of thetrials has been completed, althoughevidence available already suggests thata new and extremely important stepin the development of life-boats hasbeen taken.

Problems of Design

The problem of the relative merits ofself-righting and non-self-righting life-boats has exercised the minds of life-boat designers for more than a centuryand a half. Indeed the question wasraised when the first boat designed fromthe outset as a life-boat was built. In1789, following a disaster to a ship atthe mouth of the Tyne, a competitionwas staged by a local society for thedesign of a life-boat. The winner of thefirst prize was William Wouldhave,whose model incorporated the self-righting quality. But two members of


the adjudicating committee madecertain alterations to his design andcommissioned a boatbuilder, HenryGreathead, to build the life-boat, namedthe Original. She would not right her-self automatically if she capsized.

A number of new types of life-boatswere designed in the first half of thenineteenth century, but the Institutionbecame increasingly concerned by thefact that they could not right themselvesautomatically, and when the Institutionitself held a competition in 1851 it wasspecifically stated that in the judging ofthe entries points would be awarded fordesigns which would provide the powerof self-righting. The winner of thecompetition was James Beeching, ofYarmouth, whose life-boat was a self-righter, and for the next thirty-fiveyears more and more life-boats of theself-righting type were built.

A change of policy occurred again in1886 after the Southport and St. Anne'slife-boats both capsized when going tothe help of the German barque Mexico,and in that year the Institution appoin-ted George Lennox Watson as itsconsulting naval architect.

Watson reported to a Select Commit-tee of the House of Commons which

investigated the Life-boat Service indetail. He did not advocate eliminatingthe self-righting quality from the smallerpulling boats, saying that to do sowould be " unwise and unsafe ". Buthe added : " With the larger sailingboats I think we can get a better boat byabandoning the self-righting principle."

Policy VindicatedWith the advent of the motor life-boat

Watson's policy was increasingly vindi-cated. None of the Institution's life-boats of the 52-feet, 47-feet or 42-feetclass is today a self-righter, and thereare now only five self-righting 35-feet 6-inches life-boats in the active fleet. Thedetermining factor in the choice of self-righting or non-self-righting life-boatsof the smallest class has been largelythe opinion, of the crews at the stationsconcerned.

It cannot be said with certainty thatthere will ever be a final solution of theproblem of the relative merits of self-righting and non-self-righting boats.Fashions change with improvements indesign and construction, but the new37-feet life-boat may well be seen inretrospect one of the important land-marks in the history of life-boat design.

A Hundred Years AgoExtract from The Life-boat dated the 1st of

October, 1858Meetings of the Committee

Thursday, 1st July, 1858. ThomasChapman Esq., V.P., F.R.S., in theChair.

The Committee voted their thanks tothe London, Brighton and South CoastRailway Company, for kindly giving afree pass to the Brighton life-boat fromLondon to her station.

Read letter from the Rev. A. M'Caus-land, honorary secretary of the Grooms-port branch, giving a favourableaccount of the recent trial of the newlife-boat of the Institution on thatstation. The power of the life-boat ingoing head to wind had surprised manyof those who witnessed the trial, andhad elicited from all their admiration.

Reported that life-boat and carriagedrawings, accompanied by a lettersigned by his Grace the President, had

been forwarded to the following foreignMinisters in this country : Austria,Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece,Netherlands, Piedmont, Portugal,Prussia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Nor-way and the United States of America.

Voted £2 to John Daly for his promptand laudable services in rescuing, bymeans of his horse, four persons whoseboat had been driven out to sea duringa heavy gale of wind off Doon Head,Bally Cray, Mayo, on 18th May last.

The thanks of the Institution werevoted to Dr. Halpin, and £11 to thecrew of eleven men of the Wicklow life-boat for putting off on the 4th June,with the view of rendering assistance toa vessel on Jack's Hole Bank near thatplace. The master of the ship refusedthe services of the life-boat, andthreatened violence to her crew. He wasstated to have been drunk, and waswalking the deck with a pistol in his hand.


The Life of Henry Blogg

IN his Henry Blogg of Cramer (HarrapIS/-), Mr. Cyril Jolly has undertakenwith considerable success the importanttask of writing the biography of thelife-boat coxswain who received themost medals for gallantry and won thegreatest national fame.

To tell his story Mr. Jolly hasgathered and recorded with care ac-counts of life-boat services from thejournals of the Institution, from localnewspapers and from those men whoserved under Henry Blogg in theCromer life-boats. As a result there areassembled for the first time in onevolume detailed accounts of the extra-ordinary series of services carried outby Cromer life-boats between 1894,when Henry Blogg first joined thecrew, and 1948, when he went out onservice for the last time. The servicesrecalled include that to the S.S. Fernebowhen fourteen medals for gallantry werewon in a day ; the rescue from theS.S. Georgia when the life-boat wassaved from disaster twice in twominutes by expert seamanship andreturned with a jagged hole in her sideand the forepart of her bilge keelripped of f ; the fruitless journey in1927 when the members of the crewhad to break up their Christmas Dayparties to put out in the worst seas mostof them could recall ; the breaking ofthe back of the Monte Nevoso on theHaisborough Sands and the agonisingdelay before the captain finally agreedthat his ship must be abandoned ; theoccasion when Henry Blogg drove thelife-boat over the deck of the barge Sepoy.

The retelling of these stories havebeen only one part of Mr. Jolly's work.More formidable and more complexhas been the task of trying to bring thegreat coxswain to life. Henry Blogg'sgenuine modesty, his unwillingness tospeak of himself, his life restricted to acomparatively small corner—these formone side of the man's character;another side was revealed in his extra-ordinary powers of physical enduranceand his capacity for moral leadershipand inspiration. Mr. Jolly has recalledalmost every trifle he learnt about HenryBlogg, ranging from his shaving habits tothe names of the professional footballerswhom he admired, but at the end thecentral figure remains an enigmatic one.

Vivid Illustrations

At one point Mr. Jolly writes :" Henry Blogg was a man whomeverybody had heard of, and nobodyreally knew. Those who were nearestto him confess how small was theirknowledge of his character." It isdoubtful whether any reader will feelat the end of this book that he hasgained a deep insight into the great manwho is the subject of this biography,although a number of the illustrations,particularly the photographs of HenryBlogg's home, of Henry Blogg with themechanic of the life-boat, of HenryBlogg being presented to H.R.H. theDuchess of Kent, all serve for a momentvividly to illuminate the man.

Copies of Henry Blogg of Cromer canbe supplied by the Institution ondemand (16/-. post free).

Royal Visit to Holy Island

H.M. THE QUEEN and H.R.H. the Dukeof Edinburgh visited Holy Island on the29th of June, 1958. They landed at thelife-boat slipway and were received atthe life-boat house by the Duke ofNorthumberland, Treasurer of the In-stitution, and the Bishop of Newcastle.Members of the life-boat crew andofficers of the branch and ladies'

guild had the honour of being pre-sented.

The Berwick and North Sunderlandlife-boats escorted the royal barge toHoly Island. The account of a servicerendered by the North Sunderlandlife-boat during the royal visit appearson page 126.


Prize Winning EssayMiss GILLIAN ELLIOTT, of PalsgraveCounty Modern School, Scarborough,Yorkshire, won the first prize in thecompetition for the best essay on theLife-boat Service organised by theInstitution. The competition was opento boys and girls up to the age of six-teen attending schools in the UnitedKingdom and the Irish Republic.Competitors were asked to imaginethat they were retiring from the Life-boat Service after thirty years ascoxswain of a life-boat and to describethe experiences they remembered mostvividly. Miss Elliott's essay is repro-duced below :IT seems only yesterday that old coxswain Rayretired, yet it was thirty years ago. I was soexcited when I heard that I had been recom-mended to be coxswain after him. Then whenall the crew were on tenterhooks, each, Iknow, hoping in their hearts that they wouldbecome coxswain, I received the letter fromthe chairman inviting me to take the post.And now I am retiring, I suppose I shall haveto get all dressed up soon for my presentationceremony. I hope they don't give me aclock, I've got dozens of the dratted thingsding-donging at all hours. Still it's kind ofmy crew, but I shall think most unkindly ofthem if they ask me to make a speech.

There's a nice warm breeze today, and thesea, as the saying goes, is as calm as a millpond. Treacherous though the sea is ; itwas like this the first time I was in charge ofthe life-boat.

Sitting Mending NetsI was sitting mending my nets, as I am

today, when suddenly the warm west windchanged to a slashing north-easterly one, thatwhipped the sea up until it looked likewhipped cream, but the cream was grey-greenflecked with white, and over it hung amenacing blackness. The sun had hiddenhis face behind a great black cloud.

It was then morning and at three o'clock inthe afternoon I received a telephone call froma coastguard who had seen a small yachtapparently in difficulties just off Jackson'sBay. I raced down to the boathouse asquickly as my legs could carry me, pulling onmy oilskins as I went. Once there I fired theminute guns and opened the boathouse doorwhich leads down to the slipway and the sea.

I looked down at the boiling, seething sea,and yes, for a moment I felt almost sick andafraid. Then in twos and threes my crew ofseven appeared, and in getting them settled Iforgot all about the sea.

Eventually we were sliding down the slip-way and then with a smack we hit the water.Spray flew up in front, behind and at bothsides of us. Despite pur oilskins it gave us awetting, creeping, as it will do, down collars

and cuffs. I was too busy giving orders thento think about it, however, but afterwardswhile sitting at my own fireside, I rememberedit.

Cold, Driving RainWe made good progress at first and then

the sea became wilder than ever and to makematters worse, a cold, driving, stinging rainbegan to fall. Up the side of a wave wetravelled, then down the other side of it, thenthe next one broke over us. For an instant awall of green water seemed to be crashingdown on us, we wallowed in it, and then thewave went on, leaving us up to our waists inwater. The relieving valves soon got rid of ithowever. One of my crew, I can't rememberwho it was now, put his hand to his head,looked round and blinked, for there, sailingblithely along was his bright yellow sou'wester.A shaky laugh was raised, but he looked sour.It had been a good sou'wester. Then thesecond coxswain sighted the yacht.

It was lurching wildly all over the place andsome way from where it had first been sighted.We were too far away to see if anyone was onboard her. A huge wave began to bear downon us. I ducked instinctively, water, wetness,the taste of salt in my mouth. The wavepassed, but it had served its evil purpose. Wehad lost sight of the distressed vessel.

For nearly two hours we had been at sea,we were coid, wet and miserable. To makematters worse it would soon be dark and thetask of finding the yacht would becomeincreasingly more difficult. I gave orders tothe motor mechanic to tack for a while, andtold the rest of the crew to keep their eyesskinned.

Darkness fell, the position became grim.Then, through the rain, the youngest memberof my crew, young Bates, saw a flash of lightin the west.

" Look coxswain," he cried.By the time I turned round it had dis-

appeared, but I took his word that he hadseen it, and gave orders to turn towards thewest, for perhaps the yacht was sending upflares.

Pitching and TossingOn through the swirling waters and

driving rain we battled and then, joy, we sawthe yacht. She was pitching and tossing andher sails were in ribbons. But worst of allshe was low in the water and seemed aboutto sink.

As we neared the yacht we saw, clinging toher mast, two boys of about seventeen yearsof age. Once alongside, our most difficulttask began, transferring the boys from thestricken yacht to our life-boat. I threw aline to her and one of the boys caught andsecured it. Three times we neared her, threetimes we were swept apart, the fourth timeone of the boys managed to jump aboard us,he landed safely. We neared the yacht again,the other boy jumped and in the same instantthe force of the wind and the waves combinedpushed us some yards away from the yacht.


Into the smouldering cauldron of the seafell the boy. Before I knew what washappening, my bowman, Philip Masterson,had dived in. The next few minutes are a blurin my memory. Masterson managed tosupport the boy and hold his own against thewaves. I helped to drag the pair of them onboard, they looked like a couple of drownedrats. For this brave act, bowman PhilipMasterson was awarded the Institution'ssilver medal.

Our journey back to the harbour was tome, at least, a confused blur of slashing rain,cutting wind and waves breaking over us. Imanaged to give the orders correctly howeverand we chugged into the harbour safelyenough. I arranged for the boys to be givenshelter and praised my crew for their coolnessand adroitness in obeying orders.

" Do you know, Bill," said the sou'wester-jess member of my crew, " we were only justin time to pick those lads up. As we werescurrying back to the harbour, I saw the yachtoverturn and sink."

Pilot Shot Down

Perhaps I remember that run best of allbecause it was the first I made as a coxswain.

The summer of 1942, that was, when thethe crew, and the life-boat of course, rescueda pilot who had been shot down by somejabbering German, over the North Sea. Anice young chap he was, he seemed quitesorry to leave his plane. Isobel he called it.It seems peculiar to me to name a plane Isobel.It was probably the name of some girl heknew.

That was a fine, calm day, or he wouldn'thave had much chance of survival in theturbulent seas off our coast.

I hope no one gets into difficulties today.We had a. lot of calls last year, from peoplewho had drifted out to sea in dinghies, orsuddenly found themselves out of their depthand panicked. Quite a few never saw theirhomes again, as we were called too late ormore often never called at all.

To think that, after thirty years, I havebeen out for the last time in the life-boat.Grand boat she is with her blue painted sidesand red fendering.

Many more liyes would be lost at sea if itwasn't for the life-boat service. Fifty livesits members have saved every month for acentury and a quarter. Many people havecause to be grateful to it. I was reading apoem the other day, now what was it called ?Ah yes ! " Sir Patrick Spens ". Now if therehad been a few life-boats in those days hewouldn't be lying at the bottom of the sea,with the Scots lords at his feet.

Hard to Believe

My last run with the life-boat is passed. Itseems hard to believe. That voyage was sadin more ways than one.

What was the name of that trawler; someScottish name ? " Dunedin ", that was it,she had a fire on board her. At first we hadgood weather and then a stiff breeze began toblow, it blew itself into a squall. I was at my

wits' end to keep the boat from overturning.Then it happened, a huge wave came hurtlingtowards us. It caught us broad side on andbefore I knew precisely what had happened Iwas struggling in the water, then the life-boatrighted itself. Luckily I had clung on to itand found myself safe once more. Half mycompanions were floundering in the water.The motor mechanic helped me to drag in oneman and another managed to heave himselfaboard. But Philip was some distance away,as was Tom Young. I dived in.

How green was the sea's depths. I sur-faced and breathed in welcome lungsful ofair. Above the water I saw a yellow mackin-toshed arm. I caught it and heaved ; thewhite face that appeared was Tom Young's.How large the waves seemed, they toweredabove us. To be in those seas alone wouldhave been terrifying but with an unconsciousman, those few moments were agonizing.Twice we both went under, although I did mybest to keep Tom's head above water. ThenI saw the side of the life-boat. Never did itlook so beautiful. Kind hands caught mineand pulled us both on board. Philip Master-son was never seen again.

Tom revived after someone had appliedartificial respiration. I felt dazed and bruisedby the buffeting of the waves. The motormechanic shook me by the hand and calledme a hero. Hero ! I felt more like a wetdish cloth waiting to be wrung out.

Trawler Sighted

Half an hour later, at half past two in theafternoon, we sighted the trawler. She wasalight from end to end and we could see noone. Just then we were hailed and we sawtwo of the ship's life-boats, bobbing like acouple of corks in a pan of boiling water.Any moment they would certainly be over-whelmed.

I told the motor mechanic to steer as closeto one of them as he could. He obeyed, andas soon as we were close enough two of mycrew threw over the grappling irons. Thelife-boat was continually nearing the smallboat, and it was all we could do to preventher from crashing down on it and its passen-gers. One by one the trawler's crew werepulled and pushed to comparative safety, andsoon they were all wrapped in cocoons ofblankets.

The other boat was further away than ever.Pete increased the speed of the engines, somuch that he said he thought they wouldburst.

If we had been perhaps half a minuteearlier, it might have been quite a simpleoperation to transfer the remaining membersof the trawler's crew from their frail craftinto our life-boat, as the gale had died downsomewhat. The flimsy craft had overturnedand all but two men who were clinging weretrying to keep their heads above water. Wethrew them ropes, but for two men thatfateful Tuesday had been the last day onearth, for while we were yet speeding towardsthem, they had been drawn down to the worldbeneath the waves.

SEPTEMBER, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 97But now our position was becoming

critical. The " Dunedin" was sinking,gradually, it was true, but soon she wouldsink with a vengeance, and unless we couldmuster enough speed we would surely bedrawn down after her.

This didn't happen or else I wouldn't besitting here. From a safe distance, we watchedthe brave ship go down. A fine sight she madesending up bright sheets of flame to the last.

We had saved, that day, twenty-two men,but the captain and mate had perished in thesea, two men had been lost on the trawleritself and a gallant life-boatman had beendrowned.

A Silver MedalStrange about the Institution making all

that fuss, just because I did what any decentperson would have done. Collared youngTom before it was too late. Yet I had to goup to London, and the Duchess of Kent, nicelady she is, gave me a silver medal, like poorPhilip's, much good it ever did him, and saida lot of things about me, " brave, gallantrescuing life at the risk of his own ". I onlydid my duty and tried to keep the good crewI had.

I'd dearly love to go out just once more. Isuppose I shall go on saying that to the end ofmy days. But I've retired and there's an endto it, time someone younger took my place.

Now what's the time ? 1 shall have tohurry or I shall be late. How calm the sealooks. How quickly it can lash itself into a fury.

Goodbye rocking deck and driving rain,farewell rolling waters. Most of all goodbyecomrades, men who want to save lives, youwill always be needed. As long as there is asea the life-boat service will continue to serve,in fact as long as men go down to the sea inships.

Other PrizesThe prizes for the best essays in Scotland,

Ireland, Wales and six districts in Englandwere awarded to the following :—•

Ireland : Sheila French, Girls' ModelSchool, Dunkeld Gardens, Old-park Road, Belfast, NorthernIreland.

Scotland : Sandra Margaret Tail, St. Mar-garet's Junior Secondary School,Ayr.

Wales : Joan Margaret Brooks, TowynGrammar School, Towyn, Merion-ethshire, North Wales.

England : South-East : John Page, CountySecondary Boys' School, MillRoad, Deal, Kent.North-East : Gillian Elliott, Fals-grave County Modern School,Scarborough, Yorkshire.Midlands : Christine Smith,Bromsgrove County High School,Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.South-West : Terry Begg, PriorySecondary Boys' School, Caris-brooke, Isle of Wight.North-West : Barbara Chaloner,George Tomlinson County Secon-dary School, Springfield Road,Kearsley, Lancashire.London Area : Janet May Dean,Greenway Secondary ModernSchool,, Uxbridge Middlesex.

This is the second year in succession inwhich pupils of Palsgrave County ModernSchool, Scarborough ; Bromsgrove CountyHigh School, Bromsgrove ; and GreenwaySecondary Modern School, Uxbridge, havewon the prize for the district.

Japanese Life-boat Disaster

Six members of the crew of theJapanese life-boat Chuyo Mam losttheir lives when the life-boat capsizedin heavy seas on the 23rd of May, 1958.

On hearing of the disaster the Institutionsent a message expressing its condo-lences and its deepest sympathy with thefamilies of the men who lost their lives.

Christmas Cards and CalendarsTHE Institution will again have aChristmas card and a pocket calendarfor sale. The card will be a reproduc-tion in colour of the picture on page 98.It is a photograph of the Aberystwythlife-boat launching in a gale, and isreproduced by courtesy of the CambrianNews.

The card will be of four pages, with

the picture on page one, greetings onpage three and the Institution's crest onpage two. The price of the card, withthe envelope, will be 9d. Name andaddress can be printed in, if not fewerthan twenty-five are ordered, at anadded cost of 10s. for 25 and under 50,12s. 6d. for 50 and under 100, and 20s.for 100 up to 200.


The pocket calendar will have on thefront a photograph of the Blyth life-boat on the slipway. It can be obtainedin dozens. The price is 2s. for the firstdozen and Is. 6d. for each additionaldozen.

There will also be a hanging calendar,with a picture in colour, a reproductionof a photograph of the Ramsgate

{The Cambrian \fws

life-boat Michael and Lily Davis re-turning to harbour. This calendar isnot for sale and is produced pri-marily for distribution to solicitors'offices. Supporters of the Institutionliving in the Irish Republic are asked toorder Christmas cards from the Dublinoffice, 32, South Frederick Street,Dublin, C.2.

Birthday HonoursHONOURS bestowed on those associatedwith the Life-boat Service in the Birth-day Honours for 1958 included :—C.B.E.

Brigadier J. W. H. Gow, O.B.E.,D.L., a member of the Committee of

Management and chairman of theGlasgow branch.M.B.E.

Mr. Trevellick Moyle. honorarysecretary of St. Mary's, Scilly Islands,station branch.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET

156 Life-boats

LIVES RESCUED

from the foundation of the Life-boat Service

in 1825 to 30th June, 1958 - - 81,545

SEPTEMBER, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT

Three New Life-boats Named

99

ARBROATHH.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, Presi-

dent of the Institution, named the newArbroath life-boat The Duke of Mont-rose at a ceremony held at the life-boatstation in Arbroath harbour on the 21stof May, 1958. Provost D. A. Gardner,chairman of the Arbroath branch, tookthe chair, and Commander T. G.Michelmore, Chief Inspector of Life-boats, described the new boat, which isone of the 42-feet Watson type. EarlHowe, Chairman of the Committee ofManagement of the Institution, handedover the life-boat to the branch, Mr.David Chapel, honorary secretary ofthe branch, accepting her.

A vote of thanks to the Duchess ofKent was proposed by the Earl of Airlie,Lord Lieutenant of the County of Angus,and a vote of thanks to the chairmanand others by Lord Saltoun, chairmanof the Scottish Life-boat Council. TheRev. T. Gemmell Campbell, Minister ofthe parish of Arbroath, dedicated thelife-boat. Music was provided by theRoyal Marine band of the R.N. AirStation at Bramcote and by the Arbroathinstrumental band, and the singing wasled by the Arbroath combined choir.

On the 26th of October, 1953, theArbroath life-boat Robert Lindsay cap-sized with the loss of seven members ofher crew. She was replaced tempor-arily by a life-boat from the reserve fleetand then by the new life-boat The Dukeof Montrose. On the occasion of thenaming ceremony Master TommyAdams, son of the late BowmanThomas Adams, who lost his life in thedisaster in 1953, presented a bouquet tothe Duchess of Kent.

VALENTIAThe new Valentia life-boat was

named Rowland Watts by Mrs. O'Kelly,wife of the President of Ireland, at aceremony held at Valentia Island on the29th of May, 1958. The Very Rev. T.O'Sullivan, chairman of the branch,took the chair and Lieut.-CommanderH. H. Harvey, Irish District Inspector,described the boat, which is one of the52-feet Barnett class.

Mr. F. Watts, nephew of the late Mr.Rowland Watts, from whose legacy thelife-boat was provided, presented the

boat to the Institution. Captain theHon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N.,Deputy Chairman of the Committee ofManagement, accepted the life-boat andhanded her over to the branch, Mr.Kieran O'Driscoll, honorary secretaryof the branch, accepting her. TheBishop of Kerry, the Most Rev. DenisMoynihan, blessed the life-boat, andafter a vote of thanks proposed byColonel R. J. Uniacke and secondedby the Rector of Valentia, the Rev.Canon S. F. Howe, Mrs. O'Kellynamed her. Music was by the St.Joseph's School band, Tralee, and theValentia parish choir led the singing.

In naming the boat Mrs. O'Kellysaid : " She is as fine a craft as money,ingenuity, craftsmanship and long trad-ition in the development of life-boatconstruction can produce. We also knowthat she is in the very best of hands."

WEYMOUTHThe new life-boat for Weymouth was

provided out of a legacy from the lateDr. Frank Spiller Locke of TunbridgeWells, and at a ceremony held on the14th of June, 1958, his widow presentedthe life-boat to the Institution and hisgreat-niece, Miss Helen Harries, namedher Frank Spiller Locke.

Mr. J. E. Gerard-Pearse, chairman ofthe Weymouth branch, took the chairand Lieut.-Commander W. L. G.Dutton, Western District Inspector,described the boat, which is one of the52-feet Barnett class. Mr. Roger Leigh-Wood, a member of the Committee ofManagement, accepted the life-boat andhanded her over to the branch, Mr.Kenneth H. Mooring Aldridge, honor-ary secretary of the branch, acceptingher. The Archdeacon of Sherborne, theVen. J. C. Chute, dedicated the life-boat, assisted by the Vicar of HolyTrinity, Weymouth, the Rev. P. S.Sprent, and the Superintendent Ministerof Weymouth Methodist Church, theRev. J. Charlton-Blackburn.

A vote of thanks was proposed by theCaptain-in-Charge, H.M. Naval Base,Portland, Captain A. F. P. Lewis, R.N.,and seconded by Lieut.-Colonel SirRupert Hay. Music was by the RhineStaff Band of the Royal Tank Regiment.


Services of the Life-boats in April, May and June134 Lives Rescued

APRIL

DURING APRIL life-boats were launchedon service 45 times and rescued 30lives.

MACHINERY PARTS TAKEN TODUTCH VESSEL

Salcombe, Devon. At 11.30 on themorning of the 2nd of April, 1958, thehonorary secretary was asked by theshipping agent at Plymouth if the life-boat would launch to take sparemachinery parts to the motor vesselFedala of Rotterdam. The Fedala hadhad an engine failure off Bolt Head andwas in difficulties. The honorarysecretary consented, and after the spareparts had arrived at Salcombe and beenput aboard, the life-boat Samuel andMarie Parkhouse put out at 2.30 in arough sea. There was a fresh easterlygale and a flood tide. The life-boat metthe Fedala eight miles south-west ofBolt Head and transferred the machin-ery parts to her. She reached herstation again at 7.15. The owners andagents expressed their thanks, made agift to the life-boat crew and refundedto the Institution the expense of theservice.

FISHING BOAT FOUND AFTERSEARCH

North Sunderland, Northumberland.At 8.15 on the morning of the 3rd ofApril, 1958, the coxswain told thehonorary secretary that anxiety was feltfor a local open fishing boat which wasat sea, as the weather was deteriorating.At 8.35 the life-boat Grace Darling waslaunched in a rough sea. A strongeasterly wind was blowing, and it waslow water. The life-boat searched theFame Islands and found the fishingboat Eventide sheltering beside theInner Fame. As Seahouses harbourwas dangerous to enter, the life-boatescorted the Eventide to Holy Island,where the fishing boat anchored. Thelife-boat returned to her station, arrivingat two o'clock. Rewards to the crew,£12. 5s. ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £10. 10s.

BODY RECOVERED NEAR ROCKSArklow, Co. Wicklow. At 10.30 on

the morning of the 3rd of April, 1958,the motor mechanic was told that thebody of a man had been seen in the seaat Arklow Rock. The Civic Guardswere informed and they replied that thebody could not be reached from theshore. The heavy sea at the time and astrong wind made the approach by thelife-boat very dangerous, and it wasdecided to wait until there was animprovement in the conditions. At1.45 in the afternoon the life-boatInbhear Mor was launched in a roughsea. A strong north-easterly wind wasblowing and the tide was ebbing. Thelife-boat anchored at the position given,veered down to within a boat's lengthof the rocks and recovered the body.The life-boat reached her station at3.40. Rewards to the crew, £7 ;rewards to the helpers on shore,£3. 14s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED THROUGHGALE

Ballycotton, Co. Cork. At 12.15 onthe afternoon of the 4th of April, 1958,the motor mechanic informed thehonorary secretary that a fishing boatfive miles east of Ballycotton lightappeared to have had her sails blownaway. Ten minutes later he reportedthat the boat was drifting out to sea.At 12.40 the life-boat Mary Stanford putout in a choppy sea, with a moderatenorth-north-westerly gale blowing withsnow showers. It was low water. Thelife-boat reached the fishing boat Prideof Helvick three and a half miles south-east of Ballycotton light. The boat'ssails had been torn and her engine hadbroken down. The life-boat took herin tow to Ballycotton and reached hermoorings at three o'clock. Rewards tothe crew, £8. 8s. ; rewaAl to the helperon shore, 14s.

FIVE FISHING VESSELS ESCORTEDTO PETERHEAD

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 2.50on the afternoon of the 4th of April,


1958, the life-boat Julia Park Barry ofGlasgow was launched in a rough sea,with a moderate east-north-easterlygale blowing and an ebb tide. Sheescorted five motor fishing vessels toharbour and then returned to herstation, arriving at 3.40, but because ofthe weather she could not be rehouseduntil four days later. Rewards to thecrew, £7. 10s. ; rewards to the helperson shore, £2.11s.

DRIFTING FISHING BOAT TOWEDTO HARBOUR

Baltimore, Co. Cork. On the 6th ofApril, 1958, the fishing boat Finbar ofSkibbereen, on passage from Baltimoreto Clonakilty, broke down with enginetrouble just outside Baltimore harbour.She was drifting helplessly and herowner, who was ashore, informed thehonorary secretary. At six o'clock inthe evening the life-boat Sarah Tilsonwas launched in a rough sea. There wasa moderate north-easterly breeze andthe tide was flooding. The life-boatfound the Finbar off Black Point witha crew of six and took her in tow to theharbour. She reached her station at7.15. Rewards to the crew, £7 ;rewards to the helpers on shore, £3.

BODY OF MAN TAKEN FROMLIGHTVESSEL

Humber, Yorkshire. At 4.30 on themorning of the 8th of April, 1958, theSpurn Point coastguard told the cox-swain superintendent that a member ofthe crew of the Bull lightvessel had diedduring the night and asked if the life-boat would launch to take out a doctorwho would be available in two hours.At 6.30 the life-boat City of Bradford IIIembarked the doctor and police andwas launched in a calm sea. There wasa light northerly breeze and a flood tide.The life-boat arrived alongside the Bulllightvessel at 6.40 and put the doctorand police on board. Three quartersof an hour later the body of the manwas taken on board and the doctor andpolice re-embarked. They were landedat the jetty at Spurn Point at 7.45. Paidpermanent crew.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY STEAMTRAWLER AGROUND

Stornoway, Hebrides. At 9.30 on thenight of the 8th of April, 1958, thecoastguard informed the honorarysecretary that a vessel was reportedashore near Goat Island. The coast-guard confirmed the report at 10.20,saying a trawler was ashore at BatteryPoint with two fishing boats standingby. As the weather was fine, it wasdecided not to launch the life-boat, butat 11.15 there was a forecast of badweather, and as the trawler was stillashore the life-boat J.J.K.S.W., ontemporary duty at the station, put outat 11.35. The life-boat found the steamtrawler Seddon, of Aberdeen, ashore,with a crew of thirteen. She stood byher during the night, and when anattempt to refloat her the next dayfailed, the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 11.30. Rewards tothe crew, £22. 5s.

FISHING BOAT REFLOATED ANDESCORTED

Lerwick, Shetlands. At 10.5 on thenight of the 8th of April, 1958, thecoastguard told the assistant honorarysecretary that the fishing vessel MargaretHerd, of Fraserburgh, was ashore atPoint of Ham in the Island of Bressay,near the entrance to Lerwick harbour.The life-boat Lady Jane and MarthaRyland put out at 10.25 in a moderatesea. There was a strong north-north-easterly wind and the tide was ebbing.The life-boat came up with the fishingvessel, which has a crew of nine. Thefirst attempt to refloat her was un-successful, but just before midnight,with the fishing boat's engines working,the life-boat refloated her. She thenescorted her to harbour, arriving at12.15 early on the 9th of April. Re-wards to the crew, £8. 8s.

CREW TAKEN OFF BELGIANFISHING VESSEL

Newhaven, Sussex. At 7.20 on themorning of the 9th of April, 1958, thecoastguard informed the honorarysecretary that the Belgian fishing vesselCeltic, which was four miles south ofNewhaven, had water in her engine


room and needed help. At 7.35 thelife-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott waslaunched in a slight sea. There was alight north-westerly wind and an ebbingtide. The life-boat found the vesselbeing towed by a French trawler andstood by while both vessels made forNewhaven. At 9.8 the life-boat tookthe crew of four of the Celtic on board,as the water was rising rapidly in thefishing vessel, and in just over half anhour the Celtic sank two miles offNewhaven. An air-sea rescue launchand a helicopter co-operated in theservice. The life-boat reached herstation at 10.55. Rewards to the crew,£9. 16s.

TRAWLER TOWED TO PORTMAGEE

Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 6.20 on theevening of the 9th of April, 1958,Valentia radio informed the honorarysecretary that the trawler Ros Caoinneeded help at the mouth of theKenmare River. At 6.30 the life-boatWilliam and Harriot, on temporaryduty at the station, put out in a calmsea. There was a gentle westerly windand the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the trawler with a crew ofsix. Her propeller shaft was broken,and she was in danger of driftingashore at Hoghead. The life-boattowed her to Portmagee, arriving at12.30 early on the 10th of April, andreached her station at 12.45. Rewardsto the crew, £16. 5s. ; reward to thehelper on shore, 18s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOEASTBOURNE

Eastbourne, Sussex. At 1.7 on theafternoon of the llth of April, 1958,the coastguard told the honorarysecretary that a small vessel was showingdistress signals three miles north-east ofLangney Point. The life-boat BerylTollemache was launched at 1.30 in arough sea. There was a strong north-easterly wind and the tide was flooding.The life-boat reached the position andfound the fishing boat Indian Summerwith her trawl entangled in her propeller.She had a crew of two. The life-boattook the fishing boat in tow, arrivingat Eastbourne at 2.55. A letter ofappreciation was received from the

owner of the Indian Summer. Rewardsto the crew, £8 ; rewards to the helperson shore, £9. 4s.

LIFE-BOAT HELPS TO RUN ANCHORFROM TRAWLER

Stornoway, Hebrides. On the 11th ofApril, 1958, the agents for the trawlerSeddon, which had stranded in Storno-way harbour on the 8th of April,wanted to run a kedge anchor out fromher and asked if the life-boat wouldundertake this work. As there was noother vessel available, the honorarysecretary agreed, and the life-boatJ.J.K.S.W., on temporary duty at thestation, put out at 11.15. The weatherwas calm and it was almost high water.The anchor was laid and the life-boatreached her moorings at 12.30. Noexpense to the Institution.

SICK MAN TAKEN FROM TRAWLER

Barra Island, Hebrides. At 11.30 onthe night of the 18th of April, 1958, theagent for the steam trawler Buzzard, ofFleetwood, asked the honorary sec-retary if the life-boat would land a manfrom the trawler, who was seriously ill.The trawler was steaming towardsMuldonaich. At two o'clock on themorning of the 19th of April the life-boat R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 3 put tosea with a doctor on board. There wasa moderate sea, a moderate south-westerly wind was blowing, and thetide was ebbing. The life-boat met theBuzzard in the lee of the island and thesick man was transferred. The life-boat landed the man at four o'clock atCastlebay, from where he was taken toa Glasgow hospital by air ambulance.The life-boat reached her moorings at4.30. Rewards to the crew, £8. 8s.

YACHT REFLOATED AND TOWEDTO NEW BRIGHTON

New Brighton, Cheshire. At 4.45on the afternoon of the 19th of April,1958, the motor mechanic told thehonorary secretary that he had receiveda message from a New Brighton stage-man that a yacht appeared to be indifficulties near the port radar stationat the entrance to the River Mersey.The life-boat Edmund and Mary Robin-son, on temporary duty at the station,


put out at five o'clock in a choppy sea.There was a fresh west-south-westerlywind, and the tide was ebbing. Thelife-boat, which had taken a boardingboat with her, found the yacht Thebe,of New Brighton, aground and listingto port. Four members of the life-boatcrew made for the yacht in the boardingboat. They stood by until the yachtrefloated on the flooding tide and thentowed the yacht to the life-boat, whichwas standing by in midstream. Thelife-boat took the Thebe in tow to NewBrighton, arriving at 7.30. The threemen on board the yacht expressed theirthanks. Rewards to the crew, £8. 8s. ;rewards to the helpers on shore, £1. 8s.

SICK SEAMEN TAKEN FROMPOLISH TANKER

St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 1.18 onthe afternoon of the 22nd of April,1958, a message was received from theSt. Peter Port signal station that therewere two seamen on board the Polishtanker Kasprowy suffering from foodpoisoning. At 1.35 the life-boatEuphrosyne Kendal put out with adoctor and two members of the St.John Ambulance Brigade on board.The weather was calm and there was anebb tide. Visibility was poor, but thelife-boat found the tanker four milessouth-south-west of Hanois lighthouse.After receiving medical attention, theseamen, who were seriously ill, weretransferred to the life-boat and landedat St. Peter Port, where they were takento hospital. Rewards to the crew,£9. 16s. ; reward to the helper onshore, 15s.

MAN RESCUED AFTER FALLFROM CLIFF

Dunmorc East, Co. Waterford. At4.40 on the afternoon of the 22nd ofApril, 1958, the owner of a local hoteltold the honorary secretary that ayoung man had fallen over the cliffs atPortally while shooting seals and waslying unconscious. As he could not bereached from land, the life-boat AnnieBlanche Smith put out ten minutes later,towing the boarding boat. The sea wascalm and a light south-westerly windwas blowing, and there was fog. Thetide was flooding. The life-boat

reached the position, recovered theman, who was badly injured, andbrought him to Dunmore East, wherehe was landed at 6.15. Rewards to thecrew, £7.

INJURED MAN TAKEN FROM COASTER

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 1.40 onthe afternoon of the 23rd of April,1958, the coastguard told the hon-orary secretary that a doctor wasneeded to examine a badly injuredmember of the crew of the coasterMilitence of Rochester, whose positionwas west of the pier. At 1.58 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil ServiceNo. 30) was launched with a doctor onboard in a slight sea. There was agentle easterly wind and a flood tide.The life-boat reached the coaster, andafter the doctor had examined him, theman, who was an engineer, was trans-ferred to the life-boat. He was landedat Southend pier at 2.29. Rewards tothe crew, £7 ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £3. 18s.

SHIP'S BOAT TOWED TO DUTCHCOASTER

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. Onthe 26th of April, 1958, the coasterPres. Roosevelt, of Groningen, wasanchored a mile north-west of the life-boat station with engine trouble andwas sheltering from the weather. Aboat with four members of her crew onboard had come ashore, but on thereturn passage the boat went adrift.The coxswain saw the boat in difficul-ties, and at 7.40 the life-boat DouglasHyde put out. There was a rough sea,a strong north-west wind was blowing,and the tide was flooding. Tenminutes later the life-boat reached theboat and towed her to the Pres.Roosevelt. The life-boat reached hermoorings at 8.40. Partly paid perman-ent crew. Rewards to the crew, £4 ;reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

DUTCH COASTER TOWED INAFTER EXPLOSION

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At10.30 on the morning of the 28th ofApril, 1958, the coxswain was workingat the boathouse when he heard anexplosion, which appeared to come from


the Dutch coaster Pres. Rooseveltanchored one mile north-west of thelife-boat station. The coaster hoisteddistress signals and sounded her siren.At eleven o'clock the life-boat DouglasHyde put out in a moderate sea. Therewas a fresh north-westerly wind and aflood tide. The life-boat reached thecoaster and found that there had beenan explosion in the engine room, whichhad completely disabled her. Hermaster asked for a tow into Rosslareharbour. This was done and the coasterwas safely berthed at Rosslare pier. Thelife-boat reached her moorings at 12.45.Property salvage case.

DOCTOR BROUGHT TO ISLANDFOR CONSULTATION

Galway Bay. At noon on the 28th ofApril, 1958, the honorary secretaryreceived a message from the localdoctor asking if the life-boat wouldbring a doctor from Rossaveal toKilronan for consultation about apatient. At 12.15 the life-boat MabelMarion Thompson put out in a calmsea, with a light south-westerly windblowing and fog. It was high water.The life-boat brought the doctor toKilronan and later took the patient tothe mainland. She finally reached herstation at 11.30. Rewards to the crew,£19. 5s. ; reward to the helper onshore, £1. 3s.

The following life-boats went out onservice, but could find no ships indistress, were not needed, or could donothing :

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—April1st.—Rewards, £21. 7s.

Troon, Ayrshire.—April 3rd.—Re-wards, £8. 8s.

Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—April 4th.—Rewards, £13. 14s.

Appledore, Devon.—April 6th.—Re-wards, £27. 9s.

Stromness, Orkneys.—April 6th.—Rewards, £33. 5s.

Workington, Cumberland.—April 9th.—Rewards, £7. 12s.

Torbay, Devon.—April 9th.—Re-wards, £4. 4s.

Lerwick, Shetlands.—April 12th.—Rewards, £7.

Weymouth, Dorset.—April 12th.—Rewards, £7.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—April13th.—Rewards, £10. 8s.

Newbiggin, Northumberland.—April13th.—Rewards, £15. 10s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—April 14th.—Rewards, £13. 2s.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—April15th.—Rewards, £10. 16s.

Eastbourne, Sussex.—April 18th.—Rewards, £14. 15s.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—April19th.—Rewards, £12.

Stromness, Orkneys.—April 19th.—Rewards, £13. 9s.

Dungeness, Kent.—April 20th.—Re-wards, £30. 12s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—April 20th.—Re-wards, £21. 3s.

The Lizard, Cornwall.—April 22nd.—Rewards, £17. 6s.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—April26th.—Rewards, £9. 5s.

Torbay, Devon.—April 26th.—Re-wards, £6. 4s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—April 27th.—Rewards, £11. 18s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—April 28th.—Rewards, £7. 6s.

Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.—April30th.—Rewards, £9. 16s.

MAY

DURING MAY life-boats were launchedon service 68 times and rescued 38 lives.

TWO LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCHFOR AIRCRAFT

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At10.20 on the morning of the 1st of May,1958, the coastguard informed thehonorary secretary that a Sea Venomaircraft with a crew of two had ex-ploded in the air off Lilstock one milefrom the shore. The crew weresummoned, but as the Minehead life-boat was also launching, the BarryDock life-boat was not launched im-mediately, and contact was maintainedby radio-telephone between the life-boats. At 12.50 it was decided tolaunch the Barry Dock life-boat Racheland Mary Evans to assist in the search.The weather was calm and it was lowwater. Helped by an air-sea rescuelaunch, the Barry Dock life-boat found


THE NEW OAKLEY LIFE-BOAT AT SEA(see page 91)

TRIALS OF NEW OAKLEY LIFE-BOAT AT LITTLEHAMPTON


THE NEW OAKLEY TYPE OF LIFE-BOAT(see page 91)

BEGINNING CAPSIZING TRIALS

CAPSIZING TO STARBOARD


AFTER CAPSIZE

THE LIFE-BOAT RIGHTS HERSELF

WATER DRAINS AWAY IMMEDIATELY


By courtesy of] [lain H'/p/ir

THE NEW ARBROATH LIFE-BOAT(see page 99)

By courtesy of] [North- II .-.ten, I u-m/ii.- \lailBARROW LIFE-BOAT TOWS IN A TRAWLER

(see page 115)

SEPTFMBFR. 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 109

Itr i niirtesy of] [David Hughes

LAUNCHING THE PENLEE LIFE-BOAT

H\ i imrtcxy of] [Newcastle Chronicle A Journal Lid.

LAUNCHING THE CULLERCOATS LIFE-BOAT


By courtesy of] [Padraig Kennetlv

MRS. O'KELLY NAMES THE NEW VALENTIA LIFE-BOAT(see page 99)

By courtesy of] [Pattraix Kennelly

SCENE AT THE VALENTIA NAMING CEREMONY

StPTEMBHR, 1958] THE LIFE-BOAT 111

By i-ourtesy of] {EttStbamt (i(t:i'ttc and Herald Cltrauu tc

EASTBOURNE LIFE-BOAT RETURNS FROM SERVICE(sec page 120)

By courtesy of] [Eastern Daily Press

SHERINGHAM LIFE-BOAT LANDS A SICK MAN(see page 119)


LIFE-BOAT ON SHOW IN MONTEVIDEO

The former Southcnd-on-Sca life-boat which mm forms part of (he I ruguayan life-buatfleet


some wreckage of the aircraft and tookit on board. The search was abandonedat 2.55 and the life-boat reached herstation at five o'clock. The Mineheadlife-boat was also at sea for five and ahalf hours. Rewards to the crew, £8 ;rewards to the helpers on shore,£1 12s.

SICK WOMAN TAKEN TO MAINLAND

Galway Bay. At 11.45 on the morn-ing of the 1st of May, 1958, the localdoctor asked if the life-boat would takea patient in urgent need of hospitaltreatment to the mainland. Afterembarking the sick woman, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put outat 12.15 in a calm sea. There was alight westerly wind and a flooding tide.The woman was landed at Rossavealand taken to hospital by ambulance.Rewards to the crew, £11. 4s. ; rewardto the helper on shore, 12s.

FLEETWOOD TRAWLER AGROUNDON BOULDERS

Fleetwood, Lancashire. At 6.20 onthe morning of the 2nd of May, 1958,the coastguard told the honorarysecretary that the steam trawler Jamaicaof Fleetwood, with a crew of twelve,was ashore on the north-west boulderson the south side of Lune Deeps andrequired help. At 6.45 the life-boat AnnLetitia Russell was launched. Theweather was calm, with fog, and it waslow water. The life-boat reached thetrawler, and when the trawler re-floated at high water the life-boatguided her to deeper water and returnedto her station, arriving at 9.20. Re-wards to the crew, £10. 3s. ; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £3. 16s.

LIFE-BOAT CREW SINK BURNINGFLARE

Fowey, Cornwall. At 9.32 on theevening of the 3rd of May, 1958, thePolruan coastguard told the honorarysecretary that a white flashing light hadbeen seen three to four miles south-eastof the look-out. At 9.40 the life-boatDeneys Reitz put out in a smooth sea,with a gentle south-easterly windblowing and an ebb tide. The life-boatfound a burning flare and the coxswain

tried to take it aboard, but it was toohot. The flare was sunk and the life-boat reached her moorings at 11.25.Rewards to the crew etc., £7. 2s. 6d.

RESERVE LIFE-BOAT TOWED TOHARBOUR

Anstruther, Fifeshire. At 8.1 on themorning of the 4th of May, 1958, theFifeness coastguard informed the hon-orary secretary that the reserve life-boatHoward D, on passage from PortSeton to Gourdon, had broken downone mile south-east of Fifeness. At8.26 the life-boat James and RubyJackson was launched in calm weather.It was low water. She found theHoward D and took her in tow toAnstruther, which was reached at 10.20.Rewards to the crew, £7. 10s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £8. 7s.

DINGHY TOWED BY BOARDING BOAT

New Brighton, Cheshire. At 5.20 onthe afternoon of the 7th of May, 1958,the police told the honorary secretarythat a rubber dinghy was drifting out tosea off Leasowe lighthouse with oneman on board. At 5.35 the life-boatEdward and Mary Robinson, on tem-porary duty at the station, put out withthe bowman in command. There was arough sea, with a strong south-westerlywind blowing and an ebb tide. Theboarding boat also put out ahead of thelife-boat through the shallow water ofthe Rock Channel. The boarding boatapproached the rubber dinghy first andtowed it out over the North Bank todeeper water. The man was put aboardthe life-boat, and the dinghy was thendeflated and taken by the boarding boatto New Brighton. Because of the stateof the tide the life-boat made a longerpassage back to her station through theQueen's Channel, arriving at 10.15.Rewards to the crew, £9. 12s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £1. 12s.

WRECKAGE FOUND OF TIGERMOTH AIRCRAFT

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 2.37 onthe afternoon of the 8th of May, 1958,the Foreland coastguard told thehonorary secretary that a Tiger Mothaircraft had crashed into the sea two


miles south of the look-out. At 2.45the life-boat Jesse Lumb was launchedin a moderate sea. A gentle south-westerly wind was blowing, and it washigh water. The life-boat made for theposition and at 3.26 reported that somewreckage had been found. She re-covered a pilot's helmet and gave thecoastguard detailed information aboutthe nature of the wreckage found. At5.21 the coastguard reported that anoily patch of water had been seen atWhitecliff Bay, and the life-boat wasasked to search this area. She made asearch but found only a piece of theaircraft's airscrew, which she picked up.The life-boat then returned to herstation, arriving at 6.50. Rewards tothe crew, £9. 12s. ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £3. 5s.

LIFE-BOAT ESCORTS YACHT IN TOW

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 6.57 onthe evening of the 9th of May, 1958, theForeland coastguard told the honorarysecretary that a yacht was firing redrockets two miles south of Ventnor pier.Eight minutes later the life-boat JesseLumb was launched in a rough sea.There was a gentle south-westerly windand the tide was ebbing. The life-boatreached the position and found that amotor boat had taken the yacht Solveig,with a crew of three, in tow. The life-boat escorted the yacht for a time andthen returned to her station, arrivingat 9.40. Rewards to the crew, £7. 4s .;rewards to the helpers on shore, £3. 5s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO DOUGLAS

Ramsey, Isle of Man. At 10.20 on thenight of the 10th of May, 1958, thecoastguard informed the honorary sec-retary that red flares had been seen offManghold Head. At 10.45 the life-boat Thomas Corbett was launched in amoderate sea. There was a moderatenorth-easterly wind and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat found the motorfishing vessel Sea Lion with a crew oftwo. Her engine had broken down andthe life-boat took her in tow to Douglasas conditions were bad in Ramsey Bay.The life-boat returned to Ramseyharbour at five o'clock on the morningof the llth of May, where she was

berthed until she could be rehoused atthree o'clock in the afternoon. Re-wards to the crew, £15. 15s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £16. 13s.

SHIP'S BOAT TOWED TO YARMOUTH

Caister, Norfolk. At 9.35 on themorning of the llth of May, 1958, themotor mechanic saw a small ship's boat,which had broken down with enginetrouble north of Caister Elbow buoy.Ten minutes later the life-boat JoseNeville was launched in a choppy sea.There was a fresh west-south-westerlywind and an ebb tide. The life-boatreached the motor boat Terrible Twins,which had a crew of two. A memberof the life-boat crew was put on boardand the boat was taken in tow andbeached at Yarmouth. The life-boatthen returned to her station, arriving at10.55. Rewards to the crew, £8 ;rewards to the helpers on shore, £6. Is.

THREE YACHTS IN TROUBLEDURING RACE

Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Onthe afternoon of the 11th of May, 1958,the deputy honorary secretary andmembers of the life-boat crew werewatching a yacht race, when a suddensquall sprang up, the weather grewworse, and several yachts found them-selves in difficulties. Two yachtscapsized and a third was dismasted.The life-boat Fifi and Charles waslaunched at 3.40 in a rough sea. Therewas a moderate southerly gale with rainsqualls and an ebb tide. The life-boattook the yacht Daybreak, with a crewof three, in tow and made for thepleasure steamer Glen Usk, whichwas standing by the capsized yachtDaymate. The life-boat picked up theDaymate's crew of three out of thewater, but the life-boat's propeller wasfouled by the yacht's rigging. Themotor boat Doris therefore towed theDaymate to the shore, and the thirdyacht was towed in by the motor boatSirious. The life-boat reached herstation at 6.5. The owner of one of theyachts made a donation to the Institu-tion funds. Rewards to the crew,£8. 8s. ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £5. 3s.


TWO LIFE-BOATS PUT OUT TOBURNING TRAWLER

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford, andFishguard, Pembrokeshire. At 7.34 onthe evening of the llth of May, 1958,the Superintendent of the Irish CoastLife-Saving Service passed on to theacting honorary secretary at RosslareHarbour a message from Lands Endradio that the trawler radieuse, ofLorient, was on fire 20 to 30 miles eastof Tuskar Rock and needed immediatehelp and the services of a doctor. Themessage was received direct from LandsEnd radio at 8.5, and the coxswain ofthe Fishguard life-boat was also in-formed. Despite repeated efforts, adoctor could not be obtained for theRosslare Harbour life-boat DouglasHyde, and she put out at eight o'clock.Twenty minutes later the Fishguardlife-boat Howard Marryat was launchedwith a doctor on board. There was arough sea, a fresh south-westerly windwas blowing, and it was low water.Both life-boats made for the position,and at 9.25 the St. David's coastguardinformed the coxswains that an aircraftwould be over the casualty in half anhour. Later the aircraft reported thatthe trawler was 21 miles south-east-by-east of Tuskar Rock and dropped flaresto indicate the position. The DouglasHyde reached the Radieuse first at 11.20,and the injured seaman, who had beenbadly burned when an explosion hadtaken place in the engine room, wastransferred to her. As the life-boat hadno doctor on board, the coxswaindecided to leave immediately forRosslare Harbour, and he wirelessed fora doctor and an ambulance to be waitingon shore to receive the injured seaman.Twenty minutes later the HowardMarryat reached the trawler, and hercoxswain was informed that the injuredseaman had been taken off in theRosslare Harbour life-boat. He alsolearnt that although the engine of thetrawler was out of action the vessel wasin no danger, and that another Frenchtrawler was on the way to help. TheHoward Marryat stood by for two hours,and when an assurance was given by theskipper of the Radieuse that no morehelp was needed, she returned to herstation, arriving at 5.15 on the morningof the 12th of May. The Douglas Hyde

reached her moorings at 3.40 thatmorning. Rosslare Harbour : rewardsto the crew, £12. 7s. ; reward to thehelper on shore, 19s. Partly paidpermanent crew. Fishguard : rewardsto the crew, £18. 2s. ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £5.

EIGHTH SERVICE TO THE SAMEFISHING VESSEL

Barrow, Lancashire. At 9.5 on themorning of the 12th of May, 1958, thecoastguard told the coxswain that afishing vessel was in difficulty andaground half a mile off Sandy Gap,Walney Island. The life-boat HerbertLeigh was launched at 9.37 in a roughsea, with a fresh west-south-westerlywind blowing and an ebb tide. Thelife-boat came up with the fishing vesselPatte of Fleetwood about half a mile offshore and found that she was draggingher anchor and her propellers werefouled. The life-boat took her in towto Fleetwood and reached her stationat 4.30. This is the eighth time that anInstitution's life-boat has launched tothis vessel, which was formerly namedTranquillity, in the last four years.Rewards to the crew, £10. 5s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £2. 14s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY FOURTEENHOURS IN WHOLE GALE

Padstow, Cornwall. At 11.45 on thenight of the 15th of May, 1958, theTrevose Head coastguard informed thehonorary secretary that the motorvessel Musketier of Groningen was indifficulty five miles north of TrevoseHead, as her cargo of coal had shifted.At 12.30 the no. 1 life-boat JosephHiram Chadwick put out from HawkersCove in a heavy swell. A whole galewas blowing from the north-west, andthe tide was flooding. With the helpof an aircraft the life-boat found theMusketier thirteen and a half milesnorth-north-west of Trevose Head.She stood by her for fourteen hours untilthe Musketier''s master reported that thecargo had been secured. The Musketierthen proceeded to Ilfracombe, and thelife-boat reached her moorings at 4.50.The owner of the Musketier expressedhis thanks. Rewards to the crew,£21. 5s. ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £8. 4s.


YACHT TOWED TO RAMSGATE

Walmer, Kent. At 12.57 on theafternoon of the 17th of May, 1958, theDeal coastguard informed the honorarysecretary that a yacht had broken downtwo miles north-north-west of the SouthGoodwin ftghtvessel. At one o'clockthe life-boat Charles Dibdin (CivilService No. 2) was launched in a slightsea with a gentle south-westerly windblowing and an ebb tide. She foundthe motor yacht Gull of Dover, whichhad a crew of six, with her enginebroken down. The life-boat took theyacht in tow to Ramsgate harbour andthen returned to her station, arriving at4.50. Property salvage case.

BOY PICKED UP AFTER FALL OFFCLIFFS

Howth, Co. Dublin. At 6.45 on theevening of the 17th of May, 1958, theharbour master passed on to thehonorary secretary a message that a boyhad fallen over the cliffs half a milenorth-east of the Bailey lighthouse. At7.5 the life-boat C.D.E.C., on temporaryduty at the station, put out, taking apunt with her. The weather was calmand the tide was flooding. When thelife-boat reached the position the puntwas used to bring the boy off the rocksto the life-boat. The life-boat then re-turned to the west pier, where anambulance was waiting to take the boyto hospital. The life-boat reached hermoorings at eight o'clock. Rewards tothe crew, £8 ; rewards to the helperson shore, £1. 4s.

PILOT BOAT TOWED TO DOVER

Dover, Kent. At 6.30 on the morningof the 18th of May, 1958, a message wasreceived that the pilot boat Victor ofDover was drifting, with her steeringgear broken, three miles west-south-west of Dover. At 6.45 the life-boatSouthern Africa put out in a rough sea,with a fresh west-south-westerly windblowing and fog. It was low water.The life-boat found the Victor with acrew of three and took her in tow toDover, which was reached at 8.45.Rewards to the crew etc., £8. 13s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOSTROMNESS

Stromness, Orkneys. At 10.55 on thenight of the 19th of May, 1958, thehonorary secretary was informed thatfour red flares had been seen threemiles off Hoy. At 11.20 the life-boatArchibald and Alexander M. Patersonwas launched in a choppy sea. Therewas a fresh westerly gale and it was highwater. The life-boat carried out asearch of the area but found nothing andwas recalled. At 1.23 a message wasreceived that the fishing boat Effulgence,of Banff, was aground at Point of Ness.The coxswain altered course and foundthe Effulgence with a crew of five. Shestood by until low water, and as thefishing boat's crew were then in nodanger, she returned to her station,arriving at 3.5. At 8.5 the life-boatreturned to the position and found thefishing boat was being carried furtheraground by the swell. It was thereforedecided to tow her off. This was done,and the fishing boat was taken toStromness, which was reached at 9.35.The life-boat crew received a gift fromthe Scottish Boatowners' Mutual In-surance Association. Rewards to thecrew, £17. 9s. ; rewards to the helperson shore, £3. 6s.

TWO FRENCH TRAWLERS AGROUND

Ramsgate, Kent. At 7.15 on themorning of the 20th of May, 1958, theDeal coastguard informed the honorarysecretary that a trawler was aground onBroadstairs Knoll, with another trawlerstanding by. The Dover life-boatSouthern Africa, which was on passageto Rowhedge for overhaul, was askedto investigate. She did so and foundthe trawler aground on Quern Rocks.She then sent a message advising theRamsgate life-boat to launch andcontinued her passage. At 7.59 theRamsgate life-boat Michael and LilyDavis put out in a smooth sea. Therewas a light west-south-westerly wind,and it was low water. The life-boatreached the position and found twoFrench trawlers, the Abbe Hardiquetand Mont Casseo aground, one withengine trouble and the other with aheavy list. She stood by until theyrefloated, and with one trawler towing


the other escorted them to harbour,which was reached at 9.45. Rewardsto the crew etc., £7. 10s.

TRAWLER FOUL OF SUBMERGEDWRECK

Portrush, Co. Antrim. At 7.50 on themorning of the 23rd of May, 1958, amessage was received from the coast-guard that the steam trawler Sethon ofFleetwood was in difficulties at ChurchBay, Rathlin. At 8.10 the life-boatLady Scott (Civil Service No. 4) waslaunched in a rough sea, with a fresheasterly wind blowing and a floodingtide. The life-boat found the trawlerfoul of a submerged wreck and stoodby her until she refloated. She thenreturned to her station, arriving at2.10. Rewards to the crew, £14. 5s. ;rewards to the helpers on shore,£1. 16s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY YACHT ANDMOTOR VESSEL

Howth, Co. Dublin. At 10.30 on themorning of the 23rd of May, 1958, amessage was received from the CoastLife-saving Service that the steamyacht Carraig was shipping heavy seaseight miles east of Clogher Head andneeded help. At 10.57 the life-boatC.D.E.C., on temporary duty at thestation, put out in a rough sea. Therewas a fresh easterly wind and a floodtide. At 12.20 the coxswain received amessage that the motor vessel Oak hadtaken the Carraig in tow but that thelife-boat would be required to stand by.He sighted the vessels at three o'clockand reached them half an hour laterabout four miles from the entrance toLough Carlingford. The life-boatstood by until both vessels had reacheda calm sea and then returned to herstation, calling at Greencastle to refueland to allow the crew to have some food.She reached her moorings at 11.55 atnight. Rewards to the crew, £23. 17s. ;rewards to the helpers on shore,£4. 6s. 6d.

ESCORT FOR ONE COASTER INTOW OF ANOTHER

Dungeness, Kent. At 9.8 on themorning of the 23rd of May, 1958, thehonorary secretary was informed that

a vessel was firing red flares a mile anda half west-south-west of Dungeness.The crew assembled, but as it was lowwater the life-boat Mabel E. Hollandcould not launch until 10.58. Therewas a rough sea and a fresh south-easterly wind. The vessel, which was thesmall coaster Falkenstein of Hamburg,had been taken in tow by the coasterPortslade, but both vessels were beingblown towards the shore. The life-boatcame up with the coasters and escortedthem until they were clear of DungenessPoint. The captain of the Portsladethen informed the coxswain that hewould be able to proceed on his own,and the life-boat returned to her stationarriving at noon. Rewards to the crew,£10 ; rewards to the helpers on shore,£20. 7s.

ESCORT FOR FISHING VESSEL

Tenby, Pembrokeshire. At 10.25 onthe morning of the 23rd of May, 1958,the coastguard told the honorarysecretary that the motor fishing vesselMarie Leach, with a crew of three,appeared to be in difficulties five milesnorth-west of Rhossili. The life-boatHenry Comber Brown was launched at10.30. There was a rough sea, a strongsouth-easterly gale was blowing, and itwas high water. At 11.25 the life-boatfound the Marie Leach six to sevenmiles from Tenby. She escorted her tosafety and reached her station at 1.30.Rewards to the crew, £10. 3s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £5. 18s.

TOW FOR CONVERTED SHIP'SBOAT

New Brighton, Cheshire. At 3.10 onthe afternoon of the 23rd of May, 1958,the motor mechanic told the honorarysecretary that a converted ship's boatwas reported to be in difficulties in theRock Channel and drifting out to sea.At 3.25 the life-boat Edmund and MaryRobinson, on temporary duty at thestation, put out in a rough sea. Therewas a strong south-south-westerly windand the tide was ebbing. The life-boatfound the vessel half a mile east of theR.4 buoy with her engine broken down.A tow rope was connected, and afterthe coxswain had put a member of thelife-boat's crew aboard the vessel to act


as pilot, the life-boat towed her to theNew Brighton stage. The life-boatreached her moorings at 5.10. Re-wards to the crew, £6 ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £1. 6s.

BELGIAN YACHT TOWED TORAMSGATE

Ramsgate, Kent. At 10.14 on themorning of the 24th of May, 1958, theeast pier watchman told the honorarysecretary that a yacht was aground onthe Brake Sands and bumping badly.At 10.23 the life-boat Michael and LilyDavis put out in a slight sea. Amoderate south-south-westerly windwas blowing and it was low water. Thelife-boat found the Belgian motor yachtCap Lizard with twelve people on board.She towed her off the sands and whenshe was clear slipped the tow. Shortlyafterwards the yacht's engines brokedown, and the life-boat then towedher to the harbour, arriving at 12.8.Property salvage case.

TOW FOR YACHT WITH BROKENRUDDER

Moelfre, Anglesey. At 10.40 on themorning of the 24th of May, 1958, theHolyhead coastguard told the honorarysecretary that a yacht was showingdistress signals three quarters of a milenorth of Point Lynas. At eleveno'clock the life-boat Watkin Williamswas launched in a choppy sea, with afresh south-westerly wind blowing anda flood tide. The life-boat found theyacht Alouette de Mer of Southampton,with a crew of three. The yacht had abroken rudder, and the life-boat towedher to Beaumaris, reaching her stationat six o'clock. The owner of the yachtexpressed his thanks. Rewards to thecrew, £10. 10s. ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £3. 12s.

YACHT TOWED TO DOVER

Dover, Kent. At 12.55 early on themorning of the 25th of May, 1958, theeastern arm signal station informed thehonorary secretary that a vessel wasfiring red flares off South Foreland. At1.10 the life-boat Elizabeth Elson, ontemporary duty at the station, put outin a rough sea. There was a freshsoutherly breeze and the tide was

flooding. The life-boat found theyacht Widgeon II, with a crew of two,half a mile off shore. She towed her toDover harbour, arriving at 2.50. Re-wards to the crew etc., £7. 5s.

MASTER LANDED FROM STEAMERAFTER COLLAPSE

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At2.50 on the morning of the 25th of May,1958, the managing director of theowners of the S.S. City of Amsterdam,of Dublin, informed the honorarysecretary that her master had collapsedon the bridge of the steamer while shewas north of the Blackwater lightvessel,and that the chief officer was taking thesteamer towards Rosslare Harbour.The director asked if the life-boat wouldmeet her with a doctor. At 3.50 thelife-boat Douglas Hyde put out, with adoctor on board, in a smooth sea.There was a moderate north-westerlywind, and it was low water. About fivemiles north-east of Rosslare Harbour,the life-boat went alongside thesteamer and put the doctor aboard. Hefound that the master had had anattack of coronary thrombosis andsuggested that the steamer shouldproceed to Rosslare and land him. Amember of the life-boat's crew wentaboard the City of Amsterdam to act aspilot, and the life-boat escorted her toharbour, which was reached at 5.10.The master was taken to hospital. Theowners sent a letter of appreciation anda donation to the Institution. Partlypaid permanent crew. Rewards to thecrew, £4 ; reward to the helper onshore, 13s.

TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITHWATERLOGGED ENGINE

Dover, Kent. At 9.10 on the night ofthe 26th of May, 1958, the Sandgatecoastguard told the honorary secretarythat a fishing vessel was drifting withoutlights a mile and a half south of thecoastguard station. At 9.30 the life-boat Elizabeth Elson, on temporaryduty at the station, was launched in amoderate sea, with a gentle southerlybreeze blowing and an ebb tide. Withthe aid of her searchlight the life-boatfound the fishing vessel Tom Pepper ofFolkestone with a crew of three. Her


engine was waterlogged. A tow ropewas put aboard, and the life-boattowed her to Folkestone, reaching hermoorings at 12.45. Rewards to thecrew etc., £8. 13s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOGORLESTON

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston,Norfolk. At 9.36 on the evening ofthe 28th of May, 1958, the coastguardinformed the coxswain that distresssignals were being shown in YarmouthRoads. The life-boat Cunard, ontemporary duty at the station, waslaunched at 9.50 in a smooth sea.There was a light south-by-easterlywind and an ebb tide. The life-boat Ifound the fishing boat Beatrice, witha crew of three, five hundred yardssouth-east of the harbour. Her enginehad broken down, and the life-boattowed her to the harbour, arriving at10.20. The owner of the fishing boatmade a donation to the branch funds.Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £2. 8s.

PATIENT TAKEN TO MAINLAND

Galway Bay. At 3.30 on the after-noon of the 29th of May, 1958, thelocal doctor requested the use of thelife-boat to take a patient urgentlyneeding surgical help to the mainland.At 3.40 the life-boat William andHarriott, on temporary duty at thestation, put out in a calm sea. Therewas a light north-westerly wind and itwas high water. The life-boat em-barked the patient and took him toRossaveal, where an ambulance con-veyed him to hospital. The life-boatreached her station again at 7.30.Rewards to the crew, £7 ; reward tothe helper on shore, 12s.

DUTCH VESSEL REFLOATED

Caister, Norfolk. At four o'clock onthe morning of the 30th of May, 1958, alife-boat shore helper saw a vessel Iaground on the Scroby Sands. At5.15, after consultation with the coast-guard, the life-boat Jose Neville waslaunched in a slight sea, with a gentlesouth-easterly wind blowing and aflood tide. The life-boat went along- ,side the motor vessel Lijnbaan of

Rotterdam, and the coxswain put amember of his crew aboard. A towrope was connected, and the vesseleventually refloated at 7.30. Duringthe towing operation the member ofthe life-boat's crew who had goneaboard had his leg caught in the towrope, but fortunately he was notseriously injured. The life-boat reachedher station at eight o'clock. Propertysalvage case.

PATIENT WITH HAEMORRHAGEBROUGHT TO HOSPITAL

Barra Island, Hebrides. At eleveno'clock on the night of the 30th of May,1958, a local doctor requested the useof the life-boat to take a patient tohospital in South Uist. The patient,who had a haemorrhage, was given ablood transfusion, and at 11.45 thelife-boat J.J.K.S.W., on temporary dutyat the station, put out. The sea wascalm, and there was a light easterlywind and an ebb tide. The life-boatreached South Uist, landed the patientand returned to her station, arriving at7.30. Rewards to the crew, £15. 17s.

SICK MAN TAKEN ON STRETCHERFROM LIGHTVESSEL

Sheringham, and Cromer, Norfolk.At 9.50 on the morning of the 31st ofMay, 1958, the Cromer coastguard in-formed the honorary secretary that a re-quest had been made by the TrinityHouse Superintendent at Great Yar-mouth for the life-boat to take a sickman off the Dudgeon lightvessel. At10.15 the life-boat Foresters Centenarywas launched, with a doctor on board,in a smooth sea. There was a lightnorth-easterly wind and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat reached thelightvessel at 1.10 and the doctor wentaboard. The sick man was given asedative, strapped to a stretcher andtransferred to the life-boat. About4.40, when the life-boat was nine milesnorth-by-east of Sheringham, a defectoccurred in the skew gear which drivesthe oil and water pumps. The coxswainof the Cromer no. 1 life-boat wasinformed, and at 4.58 the life-boatHenry Blogg was launched. She tookthe Sheringham life-boat in tow to herstation, which was reached at seven


o'clock, and arrived back at her ownstation at 7.40. The sick man was takento hospital. Sheringham : rewards tothe crew, £20. 16s. ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £24. 2s. Cromer :rewards to the crew, £14. 8s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £6. 7s.Refunded to the Institution by TrinityHouse.


Minehead, Somerset.—May 1st.—Re-wards, £14. 17s.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—May 3rd.—Re-wards, £5.

Weymouth, Dorset.—May 3rd.—Re-wards, £7. 17s.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—May 5th.—Rewards, £20. 11s.

Selsey, Sussex.—May 5th.—Rewards,£26. 8s.

Holy Island, Northumberland.—May6th.—Rewards, £13.

Aberdeen.—May 8th.—Rewards,£12. 14s. 3d.

The Lizard, Cornwall.—May 10th.—Rewards £15. 16s.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—May10th.—Rewards, £12. Is.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—Mayllth.—Rewards, £22. 6s.

Workington, Cumberland.—May 14th.•—Rewards, £7. 13s.

Eastbourne, Sussex.—May 16th.—Rewards, £27. 8s.

Dunbar, East Lothian.—May 20th.—Rewards, £9. 16s.

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—May 20th.—Rewards, £15. 17s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—May20th.—Rewards, £9. 14s.

Fowey, Cornwall.—May 20th.—Re-wards, £7.

Longhope, Orkneys.—May 22nd.—Rewards, £9. Is.

Weymouth, Dorset.—May 23rd.—Rewards, £9. 16s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—May 23rd.-—Rewards, £9. 12s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—May 23rd.—Rewards, £7. 4s.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—May 24th.—Rewards, £21. 5s.

Swanage, Dorset.—May 25th.—Re-wards, £9. 8s.

Redcar, Yorkshire.—May 26th.—Re-wards, £14. 15s.

St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—May26th.—Rewards, £7. 8s.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—May26th.—Rewards, £8. 19s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—May 26th.—Rewards, £8. 6s.

Barra Island, Hebrides.—May 27th.—Rewards, £22. 14s.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—May 28th.—Rewards, £10. 9s.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—May 29th.—Rewards, £7. 12s.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—May 30th.—Re-wards, £13. 5s.

Longhope, Orkneys.—May 30th.—Rewards, £12. 10s.

The Lizard, Cornwall.—May 31st.—Rewards, £16. 16s.

JUNE

DURING June life-boats were launchedon service 61 times and rescued 66 lives.

CABIN CRUISER TOWED TOEASTBOURNE

Eastbourne, Sussex. At 7.5 on theevening of the 1st of June, 1958, thecoastguard told the honorary secretarythat a small cabin cruiser was in need ofhelp half a mile south-west of BeachyHead. At 7.25 the life-boat BerylTollemache was launched in a calm sea,with a light southerly wind blowingand a flood tide. The life-boat foundthe cabin cruiser Hildegard ofLittlehampton with a crew of two. Herengines had broken down. Two mem-bers of the life-boat crew were putaboard the Hildegard and the cabincruiser's crew were transferred to thelife-boat. The life-boat then towed theHildegard to Eastbourne, which wasreached at nine o'clock. Rewards tothe crew, £6 ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £10. 2s.

CABIN CRUISER ESCORTED TORAMSGATE

Ramsgate, Kent. At 6.34 on theevening of the 3rd of June, 1958, theeast pier watchman reported that acabin cruiser was aground on BrakeSands near No. 3 buoy and neededhelp. At 6.42 the life-boat Michael and


Lily Davis put out in a slight sea. Therewas a gentle southerly wind and an ebbtide. The life-boat found the cabincruiser Tonsidor of London, with a crewof four, which had just floated clear ofthe sands. The life-boat escorted herinto harbour, which was reached at7.5. Rewards to the crew etc., £6. 10s.

BOY RESCUED FROM CLIFFSIDE

Torbay, Devon. At 8.5 on theevening of the 3rd of June, 1958, thecoastguard informed the coxswain thata boy was trapped on the side of a cliffat Berry Head and that coastguardswith rescue apparatus were searchingfor him. The life-boat George Sheeput out at 8.45, towing her boardingboat. There was a calm sea, a lightvariable wind was blowing, and it washigh water. While the life-boat wasmaking for the position the boy wasfound by a coastguard and a policeman,who helped him three-quarters of theway down the cliff. At this point theyreached a rocky ledge. The coxswainsent the boarding boat close in shorealongside the ledge, and the two men andthe boy climbed aboard her. Theywere then transferred to the life-boat,which returned to harbour, arriving at9.35. Rewards to the crew, £6 ;rewards to the helpers on shore,£1. 4s.

FIRST SERVICE BY NEW IRISHLIFE-BOAT

Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 12.10 earlyon the morning of the 4th of June, 1958,a message was received from the fishingboat Maria of Waterford that she wasaground on Perch Rock at Portmagee.At 12.30 the life-boat Rowland Wattsput out for the first time on service in acalm sea. There was a light southerlywind and an ebb tide. The life-boatfound the Maria with a very bad list tostarboard and in danger of capsizing.She had a crew of six. The life-boatanchored and put a line aboard thefishing boat as a precaution against thedanger of her capsizing. At threeo'clock she was refloated, and thelife-boat escorted her to Portmagee,reaching her moorings at 3.30. Rewardsto the crew, £7. 4s. ; reward to thehelper on shore, 14s.

MAN RESCUED FROM ROWING BOAT

Humber, Yorkshire. At 9.57 on themorning of the 6th of June, 1958, theSpurn Point coastguard informed thecoxswain superintendent that a manhad made fast in a small boat to a floatof the Admiralty boom half a milenorth of the life-boat house. He wasbaling continuously and in need of help.At 10.2 the life-boat City of Bradford IIIwas launched in a calm sea with agentle easterly wind blowing. It washigh water. The life-boat came up withthe rowing boat, took the man on boardand towed the boat to the beach. Shereached her station at 10.45. Paidpermanent crew.

TRAWLER TOWED TO ROSSLAREHARBOUR

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At8.20 on the morning of the 8th of June,1958, the Bailey lighthouse keepertelephoned the honorary secretary tosay a radio message had been receivedfrom Tusker Rock lighthouse that atrawler was adrift south-west of TuskerRock. Most of the life-boat crew wereat mass in Kilrane church two milesaway and the honorary secretarymotored there and collected them. Thelife-boat Douglas Hyde put out at9.25 in a slight swell with a moderatewesterly wind blowing and a flood tide.She found the trawler Mollia of Dublin,with a crew of five, drifting nearBarrells Rock three miles south ofCarnesore Point. The trawler's engineshad broken down. The life-boattowed her to Rosslare Harbour andreached her moorings at 12.20. Propertysalvage case.

OWNER OF CABIN CRUISER FOUNDUNCONSCIOUS

Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Attwo o'clock on the afternoon of the 8thof June, 1958, a man who had beenwatching a cabin cruiser rolling appar-ently out of control one mile south-westof Birnbeck Island told the police thatred flares were being fired from her.The police told the deputy honorarysecretary, and at 2.25 the life-boat Fijiand Charles, with the second coxswainin command, was launched. There was


a moderate sea, with a moderate west-north-westerly wind blowing and anebb tide. The life-boat found the cabincruiser Lady Alicia, with eight people onboard, on passage from Bath. Theowner was unconscious and everyoneelse on board was overcome by enginefumes and sea sickness. The engine hadstopped, and no one was able to startit. The life-boat took the Lady Aliciain tow and reached her station at fouro'clock. Rewards to the crew, £7 ;rewards to the helpers on shore,£5. 16s.

FISHING BOAT FOUND DRIFTINGTO SEA

Ballycotton, Co. Cork. At 9.15 onthe evening of the 10th of June, 1958,the coxswain told the honorary secre-tary that the Ballycotton lighthousekeepers had fired two flares and wereflying a flag. At 9.20 the life-boat MaryStanford put out in a smooth sea.There was a gentle north-westerly windand a flood tide. The life-boat founda local fishing boat a mile and a halfeast of Ballycotton lighthouse driftingout to sea with one man aboard. Herengine had broken down. The life-boat took the fishing boat in tow to theharbour, arriving at 10.35. Rewards tothe crew, £7.

FOUR TAKEN OFF MOTOR FISHINGVESSEL

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 2.55on the afternoon of the 16th of June,1958, the coastguard told the honorarysecretary that the motor fishing vesselPrimula of Peterhead was ashore inBurnhaven Bay. At 3.15 the life-boatJulia Park Barry of Glasgow waslaunched in a slight swell. There wasdense fog, light airs and an ebb tide.The life-boat found the Primula, tookher crew of four on board, and reachedher station at 4.45. The fishing vesselrefloated on the following tide. Re-wards to the crew, £7. 4s. ; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £2. 8s.

NORWEGIAN WHALER TOWEDTO WICK

Wick, Caithness-shire. At 2.15 onthe morning of the 17th of June, 1958,the coastguard informed the honorary

secretary that the whaler Br'ddrene Sae-vik of Alesund, Norway, had brokendown with engine trouble three mileseast of Noss Head. At 2.50 the life-boat City of Edinburgh was launched incalm weather and an ebb tide. Thelife-boat found the whaler with a crewof six and took her in tow to Wick,which was reached at 5.30. Rewardsto the crew, £4. 7s. ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £2. 19s.

MAN OVERBOARD FROM SWEDISHTANKER

Dungeness, Kent. At 2.5 on themorning of the 18th of June, 1958, theLade coastguard told the honorarysecretary that a man had been lostoverboard from the tanker Pan Gothiaof Kungsbacka, Sweden, seven and ahalf miles south-west of Dungeness.At 2.25 the life-boat Mabel E. Hollandwas launched in a calm sea. There wasa light north-easterly wind and an ebbtide. The life-boat carried out a searchwith the help of a Shackleton aircraftand at 7.30 found the man floating facedownwards. After he had been takenon board, the life-boat went alongsidethe tanker. Her master, on seeing theman, asked if he could be taken ashorefor medical treatment. This wasagreed, but the man never recoveredand his body was landed at Dungenessat 10.30. The life-boat crew received agift from the master of the tanker.Rewards to the crew, £22. 5s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £4.

TOW FOR TRAWLER THROUGHGALE

Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 2.20 on theafternoon of the 18th of June, 1958, amessage was received from Valentiaradio station that the trawler Marie ofWaterford needed help half a milewest-north-west of the small TearaghtRock. At 2.30 the life-boat RowlandWatts put out in a rough sea. Therewas a moderate south-westerly galeand a flood tide. The life-boat reachedthe position and found the trawler,which had a crew of five, five milesnorth-east of Tearaght Rock. Thetrawler's propeller shaft had broken.A tow rope was connected and the life-boat took the trawler in tow. After


twenty minutes the rope parted andanother one was passed to the trawler.The life-boat and the Marie reachedPortmagee at 8.5. After berthing thetrawler the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at one o'clock early onthe morning of the 19th of June.Rewards to the crew, £19. Is. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £1. Is.

YACHT IN DISTRESS NEAR PIER

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 2.33 onthe afternoon of the 19th of June, 1958,the coastguard informed the honorarysecretary that a small yacht was flyinga distress signal a quarter of a milesouth-west of Clacton pier. The life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launchedat 2.45 in a slight sea. There was amoderate south-westerly wind, and itwas high water. The life-boat foundthe yacht, with a crew of three, ahundred yards from the pier. A linewas passed to the yacht, and the life-boat towed her clear of the pier. Theyacht's crew were then transferred tothe life-boat, which towed the yacht toBrightlingsea. The life-boat reachedher station at seven o'clock. Rewardsto the crew, £11. 4s. ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £5. Is.

TRAWLER TOWED TO APPLEDORE

Appledore, Devon. About seveno'clock on the evening of the 21st ofJune, 1958, a message was received fromIlfracombe radio station that the traw-ler Young John of St. Ives had enginetrouble near the Fairway bell buoy inBarnstable Bay. At 7.15 the life-boatJohn R. Webb, on temporary duty at thestation, put out in a heavy swell.There was a fresh westerly wind withrain squalls and a flood tide. The life-boat found the trawler with a crew ofthree. She took her in tow and berthedher alongside Appledore quay at 9.40.Rewards to the crew, £8. 8s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £2. 8s.

FISHING BOAT FOUND WITH HELPOF AIRCRAFT

St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 10.45on the morning of the 22nd of June,1958, a message was received from themotor vessel Channel Trader, on passagefrom Newhaven to Guernsey, that she

had passed the fishing boat Black Catthree miles north of Herm, and that themen aboard her had asked for help asthe boat had developed engine trouble.The life-boat Lloyds, on temporaryduty put out at 11.18. There was arough sea, a strong west-north-westerlywind and the tide was flooding. Thelife-boat reached the position andsearched for an hour with the help ofaircraft. Eventually the Black Cat wassighted by an aircraft, which guided thelife-boat to the position. The life-boattook the fishing boat in tow to St. PeterPort, which was reached at 2.24.Rewards to the crew, £9. 16s. ; rewardto the helper on shore, 15s.

TOW FOR ITALIAN VESSEL AGROUND

Dungeness, Kent. At ten o'clock onthe night of the 22nd of June, 1958, thehonorary secretary was informed that asmall coaster was ashore half a milenorth-east of the life-boat station withher engine broken down. The life-boatMabel E. Holland could not be launcheduntil 11.30 because of the state of thetide. There was a moderate sea and afresh south-westerly wind. The life-boat found the Italian motor vesselCarmela and at her master's requesttook her in tow. Later the tow wastaken over by a tug from Dover, andthe life-boat reached her station at 1.55.Property salvage case.

MOTOR YACHT RUNS OUT OF PETROL

Humber, Yorkshire. At 4.45 on themorning of the 24th of June, 1958, theSpurn Point coastguard informed thecoxswain superintendent that the S.S.Rota had signalled by morse lamp thata small yacht off Bull Sands neededhelp. At 5.5 the life-boat City ofBradford III was launched in calmweather. It was low water. The life-boat found the motor yacht Swordfi.sklying at anchor, and her crew of twotold the coxswain that they had run outof petrol. The life-boat took the yacht intow to Grimsby and arrived back at herstation at 7.35. Paid permanent crew.

FISHING BOAT TAKEN IN TOWTO VALENTIA

Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 5.40 on themorning of the 25th of June, 1958, the


honorary secretary received a messagefrom Valentia radio that the fishingvessel Naoim Cait required help north-west of Tearaght lighthouse. At sixo'clock the life-boat Rowland Watts putout in a moderate sea. There was afresh north-easterly wind, and it waslow water. The life-boat found theNaoim Cait fourteen miles north-westof the lighthouse with a broken fuel pipe.She had a crew of five. The life-boattook her in tow to Valentia, arrivingat 3.20. Rewards to the crew, £23. 9s. ;reward to the helper on shore, £1. 2s.

TOW FOR BOAT WITH GALECOMING UP

St. Ives, Cornwall. On the afternoonof the 25th of June, 1958, anxiety wasfelt by local fisherman for the safety ofthe fishing boat May, of St. Ives, as shehad not returned from the fishinggrounds. The wind was fresheningquickly to gale force, and at 1.15 thelife-boat Edgar George, Orlando andEva Child was launched in a slight sea.There was a strong east-south-easterlywind and it was high water. The life-boat found the May with a crew of two,one of whom was the life-boat's secondcoxswain, near Hare Point to the westof St. Ives. She went alongside andfound the fishing boat's engines hadbroken down. The May was taken intow to St. Ives harbour, which wasreached at 2.30. Rewards to the crew, £7;rewards to the helpers on shore, £11. 8s.

TOW FOR FRENCH FISHINGBOAT IN GALE

St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. At 12.50on the afternoon of the 25th of June,1958, the St. Agnes coastguard informedthe coxswain that a French fishing boatwas anchored in the Cove with herengine broken down. A later messagewas passed to the honorary secretarythat the fishing boat was dragging heranchor and heavy seas were continuous-ly breaking over her. At 1.20 the life-boat Guy and Clare Hunter waslaunched in a very rough sea, with astrong southerly gale blowing, and anebb tide. The life-boat came alongsidethe fishing boat Meduce of Brest, whichhad a crew of four, after half an hour.A tow rope was connected, and the

fishing boat slipped her anchor and wastowed out of the Cove. The Frenchcrew then set their sails and afterdisconnecting the tow rope restartedtheir engine. The life-boat then es-corted the fishing boat to harbour.Rewards to the crew, £7 ; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £2. 8s.

RESCUE FROM YACHT FOLLOWEDBY SEARCH FOR ANOTHER

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 7.14 onthe evening of the 25th of June, 1958,the Foreland coastguard told thehonorary secretary that a yacht wasanchored in a dangerous position inheavy seas half a mile south-west ofSandown pier. At 7.26 the life-boatJessie Lumb was launched in a veryrough sea. A fresh south-easterly galewas blowing, and it was high water.The life-boat reached the yacht NewDawn of Emsworth and took off hercrew of three. As the yacht wouldprobably have capsized if she had beentaken in tow, she was left anchored.The life-boat returned to within hailingdistance of her station when thecoxswain was instructed to search for ayacht which was missing from H.M.S.St. Vincent with two officers and tworatings on board. At 8.55 the coast-guard told the honorary secretary thatthe missing boat was the five-ton sloopAnnette, which had left Portsmouth atfour o'clock bound for Bembridge.Shortly afterwards the coastguard in-formed the honorary secretary that thesloop was not sheltering at Cowes orWootton, and the search was continued.It was unsuccessful, and the life-boatfinally reached her station at 11.40. At10.55 the next morning the coastguardreported that the Annette had arrivedsafely at Cowes. Rewards to the crew,£9. 12s. ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £3. 5s.

TWO LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCHFOR COBLE

Blyth, and Amble, Northumberland.At 2.50 on the morning of the 26th ofJune, 1958, the coastguard informed theBlyth honorary secretary that a fisher-man had reported that his two sons, whowere out in the coble Theodoron ofBlyth, were overdue from a fishing trip


in the area of Newbiggin Nook. Theweather was bad, and some anxiety wasfelt for their safety. At 3.8 the Blythlife-boat Winston Churchill, (Civil Ser-vice No. 8) was launched in a very roughsea. There was a moderate easterlygale and an ebb tide. A request wasalso made for the Newbiggin life-boatto launch, but conditions of sea andtide prevented this, and the Amble life-boat Millie Walton put out instead atfour o'clock. At 3.53 a message wasreceived from the Blyth life-boat thatshe had found the coble Ina, which wasalso overdue, and had escorted her toharbour. The two life-boats searchedfor the Theodoron with the help of ahelicopter. They could not find her,but at 8.2 the coastguard reported thatthe Theodoron had entered harbour.The life-boats were recalled, the Ambleboat reaching her station at 8.30 andthe Blyth boat at 8.45. The Newbigginlife-boat crew assembled. Blyth : re-wards to the crew, £12. 12s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £2. 9s. Amble :rewards to the crew, £12. 16s.

DUNDEE STEAMER ESCORTED TOTYNEMOUTH

Tynemouth, Northumberland. At 5.14on the morning of the 26th of June,1958, the coastguard told the honorarysecretary that the S.S. Mount Blair ofDundee had wirelessed that her steeringgear had broken down nine miles fromthe Tyne piers. At 5.35 she passed asignal via Cullercoats radio station thatshe was drifting rapidly six and a halfmiles from St. Mary's light. The life-boat Tynesider was launched at 6.24with the second coxswain in command.There was a rough sea and a strongsouth-easterly wind. It was low water.The life-boat went alongside the steamerat 6.50 and found that temporaryrepairs to her steering gear had beencarried out. She escorted her to harbourand reached her station at 7.45.Rewards to the crew, £8. 8s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £4. 4s.

SECOND SERVICE TO YACHT INSIX WEEKS

Margate, Kent. At 9.45 on themorning of the 27th of June, 1958, thecoastguard informed the honorary sec-

retary that a motor yacht had brokendown two miles north-east of Kingsgateand was sending distress signals bymorse lamp. At 10.4 the life-boatNorth Foreland (Civil Service No. 11)was launched in a rough sea. A strongwesterly wind was blowing, and the tidewas ebbing. The life-boat found themotor yacht Gull of Dover anchoredwith engine trouble. Her crew of twoasked for help, and the second coxswainwas put aboard the yacht to help weighanchor before the life-boat took her intow, as the Gull's winch was defective.The yacht had a foul anchor, but aftersome difficulty it was got inboard andthe life-boat towed the yacht to Rams-gate, arriving at 1.15. The life-boatreached her station at four o'clock.Property salvage case.

The Gull had been taken in tow toRamsgate on the 17th of May by theWalmer life-boat. An account of thisservice appears on page 116.

FISHING VESSEL TOWED THROUGHFOG

Whitby, Yorkshire. At 1.30 on theafternoon of the 27th of June, 1958, thecoxswain heard on his radio that themotor fishing vessel Our Confidence ofBridlington had broken down offWhitby in dense fog. He told thehonorary secretary, and at 1.45 thelife-boat Mary Ann Hepworth waslaunched. There was a slight sea, agentle north-easterly wind was blowing,and it was high water. The life-boatfound the fishing vessel three to fourmiles east-south-east of Whitby Rockwith a crew of five. She took her intow to harbour and reached her stationat 4.2. Property salvage case.

CALL TO LIFE-BOAT WHILE OUTON TRIALS

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. On the27th of June, 1958, while the life-boatGreater London II (Civil Service No. 30)was at sea carrying out machinerytrials, the coxswain received a messagefrom the pilot boat British Angler thata small boat needed help north ofMiddle Shoebury buoy. There was arough sea, with a strong westerly windblowing and an ebb tide. The life-boatwent to the position and found a ship's


boat with nine men on board. Herengine had broken down and she wasvery close to the sands. A line waspassed to her and she was taken in towto her ship, the Gladstone Star. Thelife-boat then returned to her station,arriving at 4.45. Rewards to the crew,£7. 4s. ; rewards to the helpers onshore, £3 10s.

ESCORT FOR YACHTS AFTERRACE

Howth, Co. Dublin. At 5.50 on theafternoon of the 28th of June, 1958, acompetitor in a local sailing race toldthe honorary secretary on coming ashorethat another yacht in the race had beendismasted and might need help. At6.20 the life-boat R.P.L. put out in arough sea. A fresh south-easterlywind was blowing, and the tide wasflooding. The life-boat found theyacht Southern Cross about two and ahalf miles north-north-west of theharbour. The Southern Cross wassailing slowly towards Howth, and thelife-boat escorted her until she was ineasy reach of the harbour. Shortlyafterwards the coxswain was hailed bya nearby yacht and on going alongsidewas informed that a second boat hadbeen dismasted some two hours earlier.The life-boat searched the area andfound the yacht Helga being towed inby another competitor. Both boatswere escorted to within safe distance ofthe harbour, and the life-boat reachedher moorings at 8.10. Rewards to thecrew, £6 ; rewards to the helpers onshore £1. 16s.

TWO BOYS CUT OFF BY TIDE

Dover, Kent. On the evening of the28th of June, 1958, the police reportedthat two boys had been cut off by thetide between South Foreland and St.Margaret's Bay. At 8.55 the life-boatSouthern Africa put out, taking a smalldinghy with her. There was a heavyground swell, with a gentle westerlywind blowing and a flood tide. Thelife-boat reached the position, and thebowman rowed the dinghy ashore,picked the boys up, and transferredthem to the life-boat. The life-boatthen returned to her station, arriving at10.10. Rewards to the crew, etc., £8.5s.

TOW FOR MOTOR BOAT DURINGQUEEN'S VISIT

North Sunderland, Northumberland.While the life-boat Grace Darling wasescorting the royal barge during thevisit of H.M. the Queen and H.R.H.the Duke of Edinburgh to Holy Islandon the 29th of June, 1958, the coxswainsaw a small motor boat in difficulties amile and a half east of Holy Island. Thelife-boat made for the position and foundthe motor boat Lady Francis of HolyIsland with her engine broken down.The Lady Francis had fourteen passen-gers and crew on board. The life-boattook her in tow to Holy Island harbourand then continued escorting the royalbarge. Rewards to the crew, £10. 13s. ;rewards to the helpers on shore, £8. 17s.

TRAWLER TOWED AFTER CREWTAKEN OFF

Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. At twoo'clock on the morning of the 30th ofJune, 1958, the coastguard told thehonorary secretary that a trawler wasashore five miles north of Portpatrick.The life-boat Jeanie Speirs put out at2.20 in a slight sea. There was no windand the tide was ebbing. The life-boatfound the trawler Graziella of Etelaground and holed one mile north ofGaldenoch. The decks of the trawlerwere awash, and her crew of eight,six of whom had taken to a small boat,were taken aboard the life-boat. Withthe life-boat's bowman at her wheel theGraziella was taken in tow. The RoyalArmy Service Corps depot at Cairn-ryan sent out a fire float to pump waterout of the trawler while she was in tow,and she was eventually beached atCairnryan at 8.35. The life-boat re-fuelled and her crew had some foodbefore returning to their station, whichwas reached at three o'clock in theafternoon. Property salvage case.

SEARCH WITH OTHER VESSELSFOR AIRCRAFT

Fraserburgb, Aberdeenshire. At 9.55on the morning of the 30th of June,1958, the honorary secretary was in-formed that an aircraft from the RoyalNaval Air Station at Lossiemouth hadcrashed at the Rosehearty rocket range.At 10.7 the life-boat The Duchess of


Kent was launched in a slight swell,with a light south-easterly wind blowingand a flood tide. She reached theposition and found that a salmon coble,a Polish trawler and a helicopter werealso searching. The life-boat joined inthe search and picked up a few pieces ofwreckage. Nothing else was found andthe search was abandoned. The life-boat reached her station at 12.20.Rewards to the crew, £8. 8s. ; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £1. 16s.

MOTOR BOAT WITH PASSENGERSASHORE

Dunbar, East Lothian. At 6.15 on theevening of the 30th of June, 1958, thecoastguard informed the honorarysecretary that a small boat was ashoreat Beggars Scalp off Seacliff coastguardlook-out, but was in no apparentdanger. Twenty minutes later a messagewas received that the boat ashore wasthe pleasure motor boat St. Nicholas ofNorth Berwick and that the passengerswere on a rock surrounded by twelvefeet of water. At 6.50 the life-boatGeorge and Sarah Strachan was launchedin a slight swell. A light easterly windwas blowing, with fog, and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat reached theposition and found that the pleasureboat's passengers had been put ashoreby rafts and that two of the St. Nicholas'crew were remaining on board until sherefloated on the next tide. The life-boat stood by, and when the motorboat refloated escorted her to NorthBerwick. The life-boat reached herstation at two o'clock in the morning.Rewards to the crew, £18. 10s.

FISHING BOAT FOUND ASHOREIN FOG

Tynemouth, Northumberland. On the30th of June, 1958, the life-boat crewand helpers had assembled for the usualMonday evening clean-up of the life-boat and gear. The night was foggywith little wind. At 9.45 shouting washeard coming out of- the fog, but oninvestigation nothing was seen, and asno further sounds were heard the crewand helpers dispersed. Some timeafterwards it was reported to the secondcoxswain that the fishing boat SilverGain was believed to be hard aground

on the Black Midden rocks. Thehonorary secretary was informed at10.40, and he telephoned the coxswain,who immediately returned to the boat-house. When the honorary secretaryarrived at the boathouse he telephonedthe coastguard, but neither the dutyofficer on watch nor the district officerhad any knowledge or reports of anycasualty in the Tyne harbour. Thecoxswain and second coxswain went tothe fish quay, where the duty quaymaster confirmed that the Silver Gainwas not at the quay and intimated thathe had heard that she was ashore on theBlack Midden rocks. At 11.16 there-fore the life-boat Tynesider was launchedin a slight sea, with a light east-south-easterly wind blowing and a flood tide.Visibility was down to 150 yards becauseof fog. The Silver Gain was locatedashore in shallow water, and after aline had been connected from the life-boat she was towed into deep water.The fishing boat then started herengine and made her way to the fishquay at North Shields. The life-boatreturned to her station, arriving at 11.59.Rewards to the crew, £7 ; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £3. 12s.


Dover, Kent.—June 2nd.—Rewards,£14. 10s.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—June 4th.—Re-wards £9.

Ramsgate, Kent.—June 6th.—Re-wards, £7. 10s.

Hartlepool, Durham.—June 6th.—Rewards, £11. 6s.

Dover, Kent.—June 7th.—Rewards,£6. 5s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—June 7th.—Rewards, £7. 12s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—June 7th.—Rewards, £8. 12s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—June 14th.—Rewards, £9. 18s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—June 14th.—Rewards, £10.

Stornoway, Hebrides.—June 15th.—Rewards, £9. 16s.

Humber, Yorkshire.—June 15th.—Paid permanent crew.


St. Helier, Jersey.—June 15th.—Rewards, £6.

Rhyl, Flintshire.—June 19th.—Re-wards, £17. 14s.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—June19th.—Rewards, £11. 4s.

Cloughey, Co. Down.—June 20th.—Rewards, £28. 14s.

Hastings, Sussex.—June 21st.—Re-wards, £29.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—June 21st.•—Rewards, £13. 7s.

Stornoway, Hebrides.—June 21st.—Rewards, £25. 9s.

Flamborough, Yorkshire.—June 22nd.—Rewards, £24. 10s.

Blackpool, Lancashire.—June 22nd.—•Rewards, £15. 17s.

Walmer, Kent.—June 24th.—Re-wards, £18. 6s.

Islay, Hebrides.—June 26th.—Re-wards, £31. 17s.

Plymouth, Devon.—June 29th.—Re-wards, £9.

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—June 29th.—Rewards, £15. 17s.

Newhaven, Sussex.—June 29th.—Re-wards, £9. 9s.

Sunderland, Durham.—June 30th.—Rewards, £15. 9s.

NoticeAll contributions for the Institution

should be sent either to the honorarySecretary 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.I.

All enquiries about the work of theInstitution or about this journal shouldbe addressed to the Secretary.

The next number of THE LIFE-BOATwill be published in December, 1958.

ObituaryCAPTAIN THE HON. SIR ARCHIBALDCOCHRANE, G.C.M.G., K.C.S.I.,D.S.O., died on the 16th of April, 1958,at the age of 73. He first joined theCommittee of Management of theInstitution in 1932 and after the secondworld war rejoined in 1946. He was aVice-President of the Institution, aVice-Chairman of the Scottish Life-Boat Council and Chairman of theExecutive Committee of the Council.

After serving in the Royal Navy, inwhich during the first war he wasawarded the D.S.O. and bar and wasthree times mentioned in dispatches,Captain Cochrane was returned as M.P.for East Fife and later as M.P. forDumbartonshire. In 1936 he wasappointed Governor of Burma. Herejoined the Royal Navy during thesecond world war, in which he com-manded an armed merchant cruiser.

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