the life-boat · tara coastguard sh. e mad too foe r the position give in th teetne ohf a gale. sh...

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

VOL. XXXIII SUMMER. 1953 No. 365

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET155 Motor Life-boats

1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat

LIVES RESCUEDfrom the foundation of the Life-boat Service in

1824 t o August 31st, 1953 . . . . 78,333

The Thirty-first of January: A Day of DisasterAT a quarter to eight on the morningof the 31st of January, 1953, theBritish motor ship Princess Victoria,owned by the British Transport Com-mission, left Stranraer on her normalvoyage to Larne. She carried 127passengers, a crew of 49 and a mis-cellaneous cargo. A number of motorvehicles were carried in the stern.

Severe north-westerly gales were metwith soon after the Princess Victorialeft harbour, and there was a heavysea. There were frequent squalls ofsleet and snow which caused visibilityto vary from nothing to some five tosix miles. After the Princess Victoriahad left Loch Ryan a heavy sea burstopen the stern doors. The starboardparts of the doors were slightly stovein, and the supporting stanchionsbuckled. But this was enough toprevent the doors from being closedin the conditions of sea and weatherthen prevailing. A succession of seasburst both sides of the doors almostcompletely open, and sea water pouredinto the space on the car deck. Theship listed to starboard some tendegrees, and afterwards the list in-creased steadily.

The first distress message from thePrincess Victoria was sent at 9.46 to

the Portpatrick radio station. It ran:"Hove to off mouth Loch Ryan.Vessel not under command. Urgentassistance of tug required."

An hour later, at 10.45, an S O Smessage calling for immediate help wasreceived by the Portpatrick life-boatstation.

At eleven o'clock the Portpatricklife-boat Jeanie Speirs was launched.The position of the Princess Victoriahad been given in the S O S messageas four miles north-west of CorsewallPoint, and it was on this informationthat the Portpatrick life-boat basedher course. A full gale was then blow-ing from the north, increasing tohurricane force, and the sea was veryrough and confused.

After reaching the position indicatedand finding nothing, the Portpatricklife-boat altered her course southwardat 12.51 and began what was to be along and hard search.

" Preparing to Abandon Ship "

At 12.52 the Princess Victoria sent amessage both to the Portpatrick radiostation and to the destroyer H.M.S.Contest, which was by then also search-ing, stating that her position was

534 THE LIFE-BOAT [SUMMER, 1953

critical and the starboard engine-roomflooded. At 1.8 the Princess Victoriareported that she had stopped and wason her beam ends, and at 1.15 camethe message: "We are preparing toabandon ship."

The Princess Victoria sank shortlyafter two o'clock, but it was not untilhalf-past three that the Portpatricklife-boat, misled as she had been bywrong positions, first saw wreckagefrom the vessel. She found only twosurvivors who were taken on boardthe life-boat from rafts.

At 1.22 the Bangor coastguard hadinformed the life-boat station atDonaghadee that the Portpatrick life-boat had launched on service, and

speed in a south-south-easterly direc-tion.

Thirty-one Survivors Picked UpThe Donaghadee life-boatthenheard

from the S.S. Orchy that she was nearsurvivors in a position four milesnorth-north-east of Mew Island. Thecoxswain altered course to the north-ward again, and at 3.15 the life-boatreached the scene of the disaster.She rescued 29 people from a ship'slife-boat, one from a raft and one fromanother ship's life-boat. She con-tinued to search until five o'clock, butfound no other survivors and left forDonaghadee.

The Cloughey life-boat, ConstanceDONAGHADEEl *«o POgTPATglCKSERVICES 31? JANUARY I9S3.M.V 'PglNC£55 VICTORIA'

THE SEARCH FOR THE PRINCESS VICTORIA

that the Princess Victoria was believedto be between Belfast and Portpatrick.At 1.40 the Donaghadee life-boat SirSamuel Kelly was launched in a veryrough sea with a full gale blowing. At2.2 she heard from the coastguardthat the Princess Victoria was sixmiles north-east-by-north of MewIsland, but a later message gave theposition farther south as five mileseast of Copelands.

The Donaghadee life-boat reachedthe last position given but she couldfind nothing, and the coxswain. HughNelson, decided to follow H.M.S.Contest, which was then steaming at

Calrerley, was also launched at 2.32after receiving a message from theTara coastguard. She too made forthe position given in the teeth of agale. She searched until six o'clock,but found nothing. She then guidedthe Portpatrick life-boat to Donagha-dee, which was reached at 7.20. TheDonaghadee life-boat reached herstation at 5.45, and the Clougheylife-boat arrived back at Clougheyat 9.30.

The Newcastle, Co. Down, life-boatWilliam and Laura was also launchedat 4.20 at the request of the Kilkeencoastguard, but she found nothing

SUMMER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT 535

and reached her station again at 10.30.The rescue of 31 people from the

Princess Victoria did not end the ser-vices of the Donaghadee life-boat thatday. At 9.35 it was learnt from theBangor coastguard that the trawlerEastcotes had anchored near NorthBriggs Buoy in Belfast Lough andhad one survivor and six dead bodieson board. At 9.45 the Doiiaghadeelife-boat was launched again. Therewas a north-by-west gale. The cox-swain asked the skipper of the East-cotes to weigh anchor and to go to theshelter of the Antrim coast betweenWhitehead and Carrickfergus. Therethe life-boat took off the survivor andthe six bodies, as well as seven bags ofmail which had been picked out of thesea. She then returned to Donagha-dee, which she reached at 1.30 earlyon the morning of the 1st of February.At seven o'clock that morning she putout again to search for survivors withthe help of aircraft in better weatherand good visibility. She searcheduntil nightfall and picked up twelvebodies and three mail bags, whichwere landed at Donaghadee at 7.30.The Portpatrick life-boat returned toher station on the 1st of Februaryfrom Donaghadee, arriving at 2.20 inthe afternoon.

Worst Disaster for Quarter of a CenturyThe disaster to the Princess Victoria

was the greatest suffered by anyBritish merchant vessel in peace-timefor a quarter of a century. To investi-gate the disaster the Minister of Trans-port ordered an enquiry to be heldunder the Merchant Shipping Act. Thisinvestigation was held at the CountyCourt House, Crumlin Road, Belfast,from 23rd March to 9th May, 1953.before Mr. J. H. Campbell, Q.C.,Resident Magistrate, assisted by Cap-tain Charles V. Groves, Professor A. M.Robb and Mr. J. Shand.

The Court reached the conclusionthat the loss of the Princess Victoriawas " due to her unseaworthy condition,arising from two circumstances:

"(1) The inadequacy of the sterndoors, which yielded to the stress ofthe seas, thus permitting the influx ofwater into the car space.

" (2) The inadequacy of clearingarrangements for the water whichaccumulated on the freeboard deck

causing an increasing list to the star-board, culminating in the ship cap-sizing and foundering."

A report was published on llth ofJune, 1953. Among its findings wasone expressing "appreciation of thevaluable and sustained efforts of HughNelson, coxswain of the Donaghadeelife-boat, and his crew." The Courtalso found that "an associated con-sideration is the difficulty of directinglife-boats to the scene of a disaster.The Court fully realises the difficultiesand notes with satisfaction that theRoyal National Life-boat Institutionhas had the matter under urgent con-sideration for some time."

Two Bronze MedalsThe Institution awarded its bronze

medal for gallantry to Coxswain HughNelson, of Donaghadee, and CoxswainWilliam McConnell, of Portpatrick,for the courage, skill and initiativethey showed.

The thanks of the Institution in-scribed on vellum were awarded to themotor mechanics of the two life-boats,James Armstrong, of Donaghadee, andJames Mitchell, of Portpatrick.

An additional monetary award of£5 per man was made to each memberof the Portpatrick, Donaghadee, andCloughey crews. Scale rewards paidto the crews and helpers were: Port-patrick, £37 11*. 6d.; Donaghadee,first service, £12 19s., second service,£11 3s., third service, £32 12s.;Cloughey, £26 18s.; Newcastle, £31 13s.

Appreciation of the gallantry anddevotion of the life-boat crews wasexpressed in many quarters. ThePrime Minister of Northern Ireland,Lord Brookeborough, C.B.E., M.C.,P.C., broadcasting on the disaster,said: " One cannot speak too highly ofthe assistance given by the RoyalNational Life-boat Institution. Inthe teeth of the gale the life-boat crewsfrom Donaghadee, Cloughey and Port-patrick searched the sea for survivorsand brought to land as many as couldbe found. The prompt and resource-ful help of the Royal Navy, RoyalAir Force, and Merchant Navy in therescue operations was worthy of thefinest traditions of the sea. Thehighest praise is due to everyone whohelped."

A number of gifts were made to the


Institution following the disaster,especially in Northern Ireland and inScotland. Among them was a chequefor £l ,000 from a man and his wife inEdinburgh who preferred to remainanonymous. They made"in appreciation of thework done by life-boatsgallant crews."

giftfine

and their

thisvery

Life-boatmen Killed by FumesThe crews of the life-boats which

went to the rescue of survivors fromthe Princess Victoria did not them-selves suffer any losses. But on thesame day two life-boatmen lost theirlives. They were the second coxswainand the assistant mechanic of the Islay(Inner Hebrides) life-boat, AlexanderMcNeill and John McTaggart.

The Islay life-boat Charlotte Eliza-beth first left her moorings on the 31stof January at 5.45 in the afternoon.This was because of a message fromthe Kilchoman coastguard that avessel was drifting and flashing distresssignals three miles south of Jura.The life-boat searched in a rough seaand a full north-north-east gale, butshe found nothing and reached herstation again at 10.30 that night.

Soon after returning she was calledout again. This was to go to thehelp of the trawler Michael Griffiths.The Barra Island (Outer Hebrides)

life-boat Lloyds had already gone outthat morning in a full gale because ofa report that the Michael Griffiths,then between seven and eight milessouth of Barra Head, was full of waterand had no steam. The Barra Islandlife-boat and an aircraft searchedwidely but found nothing, and thelife-boat returned to her station at 6.30.

After refuelling the Islay life-boatput out again at 11.50 that night.During the passage McNeill andMcTaggart went down into the engine-room to dry their clothes. While therethey were overcome by fumes and col-lapsed. The life-boat made for Colon-say, where a doctor tried to revive thetwo men, but one was already dead,and the other died soon after. Thelife-boat then returned to her stationwith the two dead men, arriving at2.15 on the afternoon of the 1st ofFebruary. The Michael Griffiths sankwith her crew of fifteen.

An inquiry into the deaths of thetwo members of the Islay crew wasconducted at Oban Sheriff's Court byMr. R. Johnston Macdonald on 6th ofMarch, ] 953. A formal verdict of"death by poisoning by carbon mon-oxide fumes " was returned. McTag-gart left a widowed mother, andMcNeill left a widow, a son and a step-son. Pensions for all these depen-dants are being paid by the Institution.

Rescue in Thick Fog off the OrkneysTHE first news that the steam trawlerLeicester City, of Grimsby, was in dis-tress to reach a life-boat station camein the form of a message from theWick coastguard to the Thurso,Caithness-shire, honorary secretary.This was at 1.45 earlv on the morningof the 22nd of March, 1953. Theposition was then given as somethirty to forty miles south-south-eastof Sule Skerry—that is to say, abouteight and a half miles west of Thurso.Nine minutes later the honorary secre-tary at Stromness in the Orkneysreceived an anticipatory message fromthe Kirkwall coastguard that a trawlerwas ashore near Breibuster Head onthe Island of Hoy. The position givenin this case was about three and a halfmiles south-west of Stromness, for theIsland of Hov lies not west but north-

north-east of Thurso. The Kirkwallcoastguard's first message said thatthere were then no signs of anydistress signals.

Twenty minutes later, at 2.14, theKirkwall coastguard told the Strom-ness honorary secretary that thetrawler had just fired rockets and wasless than a cable off shore. TheLonghope life-saving apparatus teamwere standing to.

Both the Thurso life-boat H.C.J.and the Stromness life-boat J.J.K.S.W.were launched, the Thurso boat at2.10 and the Stroirmess boat at 2.35.There was a heavy swell, a lightsoutherly breeze and thick fog.

Shouts Heard Through FogThe report that the Leicester City,

which had a crew of eighteen, was


aground off Hoy proved to be correet,and it was later learnt that the dis-crepancy in the reports was due to thefact that the message received at Wickhad given the trawler's position assouth-south-east instead of east-south-east of Sule Skerry.

The Stromncss coxswain groped hisway out of Hoy Sound, and at 3.10,when he estimated he was near thewreck, the fog cleared for a few minutes,and a light was seen from the LeicesterCity. Immediately afterwards the fogclosed down again, and the life-boat'sengines were stopped to enable the crewto listen. A few minutes later the cox-swain heard faint shouting, and at 3.30the life-boat picked up four men from araft. The mechanic, John MacLeod,and the assistant motor mechanic,Edward Wilson, both stood on thebottom of the scrambling net in thesea to rescue the men, but it neededthe help of the whole crew to get theexhausted survivors into the boat.

It was learnt from a survivor thatthe trawler had been abandoned butthat there might be another raftnear by. Shouting from this raft,however, had ceased half an hourearlier.

Ten Survivors on Raft

The Stromness coxswain, WilliamSinclair, then had to decide whether tocontinue to search. The condition ofthe survivors he had picked up seemedcritical, and he therefore decided,after searching the immediate area, toreturn to his station at once. Strom-ness was reached at four o'clock withdifficulty, as visibility was nil and bynow the tidal stream in Hoy Soundwas running strongly against the life-boat. During the journey one of thesurvivors died. After landing theother three survivors and the deadman, the Stromness life-boat put outto sea again at 4.30 to continue thesearch.

Meanwhile, the Wick coastguardhad realized there was only onecasualty, and at 3.56 the Thurso life-boat was diverted to Hoy. She reachedthe area about 6.15. Visibility wasnow improving, and by nine o'clockthat morning it extended to betweentwo and three miles. Both life-boats

searched the area thoroughly, theStromness boat picking up two emptyrafts and one body.

The Stromness life-boat broke offthe search at 12.42 and went to Hoy.From there she brought ten survivors,who had floated ashore on an upturnedship's raft, to Stromness, which shereached at 2.20 in the afternoon. Twoof the men she had brought from Hoylater died.

The Thurso life-boat picked up twobodies and reached Stromness at oneo'clock. There she refuelled. An air-craft of the R.A.F., whose help theStromness honorary secretary hadasked for, helped in the search duringthe morning.

In the afternoon the Thurso life-boat continued to search for the oneman still missing. She closed to aboat's length of the Leicester City, andat 6.16 she found the missing man'sdead body two miles north of thecasualty. She landed the body atStromness, and eventually reachedher station at eleven o'clock thatnight.

The following awards were made:To COXSWAIN WILLIAM SINCLAIR, of

Stromness, and COXSWAIN ANGUS S.MACINTOSH, D.S.M., of Thurso, thethanks of the Institution inscribed onvellum. To JOHN MACLEOD andEDWARD WILSON, of Stromness, anadditional monetary award of £2 each.

To the Stromness honorary secre-tary, MR. T. S. HARVEY, a letter ofthanks.

Scale rewards, Thurso, £52; Strom-ness, £32 16s.

The Stromness and Thurso cox-swains received their awards for thedetermination, skill and initiative theyshowed in finding all the missing menand bodies in the treacherous tidalwater and, for the greater part of thetime, in dense fog. The districtinspector, who investigated the ser-vices, stated that the decision of theStromness coxswain to break off thesearch and return with the survivors ofthe raft undoubtedly saved theirlives. He also commended the actionsof MacLeod and Wilson in going partlyinto the sea and praised the Stromnesshonorary secretary for the efficientway in which he organized operationsfrom the shore.


A Twenty-Mile Tow off the Kerry Coast

AT 4.15 on the afternoon of the 13thof May, 1953, the honorary secretaryof the Valentia, Co. Kerry, life-boatstation heard from the Valentia radiostation, that the French trawler Liber-ator, of Calmaret, had lost her propellerand urgently needed help. The posi-tion was given as three miles south ofthe Blasket Islands and thirteen milesnorth-west-by-west from the life-boatstation. The Liberator was a trawlerof 58 tons, and had a crew of nine.

The sea was rough and confused,and continuous drizzle made visibilitypoor. A strong breeze was blowingfrom the south-east.

The Valentia life-boat A.E.D. lefther moorings at 4.30 and began tosearch. The search lasted for eighthours, and it was not until 12.30 thatthe Liberator was found some six mileswest of the Blaskets and some twentymiles from Valentia. During thesearch the life-boat had been givenfour different positions of the casualtyfrom the Blaskets, varying from threemiles south to ten miles west-north-west. None of these was accurate.

The life-boat found the Liberatorlying in the trough of a confused seaand rolling heavily. The night wasdark, and the wind continued to blowstrongly from the south-east. Thetrawler had no boat, and the coxswaindecided that it was safer to try totake her in tow than to risk damagingthe life-boat by going alongside andtaking off the crew. He took the

life-boat close under the stern of thetrawler, and after receiving a line,passed his manila cable to her andtook her in tow.

The question of the best course tofollow in towing the Liberator thetwenty miles which separated her fromValentia was not easy to decide. Thecoxswain at one time seriously con-sidered going north of the islandsbecause of the strength of the floodtide. However, in the end he decidedto steer to the south-eastward andthen to pass south of the islands. Thelife-boat and the trawler finally reachedValentia at 8.5 on the morning of the14th of May, having made a speed ofsome three knots during the tow. Thelife-boat was undamaged and returnedto her moorings at 9.45.

For the sound reasoning and judg-ment which he exercised, and thedetermination and initiative he showed,the coxswain, JEREMIAH O'CONNELL,was awarded the thanks of the institu-tion inscribed on vellum. The FrenchAmbassador in Dublin expressed histhanks, stating that "the generousgesture made by the Valentia branchof the Royal National Life-boat Insti-tution is greatly appreciated andworthy of its long-standing traditionand devotion." The owners madegifts both to the life-boatmen them-selves and to the funds of the Institu-tion.

Scale rewards totalling £35 3s. werepaid.

Royal Humane Society Awards

MR. J. K. BENNETTS, the honorarysecretary of the Sennen Cove life-boatstation, and seven other men, havebeen awarded certificates of commen-dation of the Royal Humane Society.They helped to rescue five men of thecrew of the Liberian ship Libertywhich was wrecked on the Cornishcoast on the 17th of January, 1953,in a very heavy gale. The five men

had got from the wreck on to therocks, and the seven men, at greatrisk to themselves, hauled themashore. The rest of the crew of thirty-eight of the Liberty were rescued bythe coastguard life-saving apparatus.The Sennen Cove life-boat was calledout, but it was not possible for her toget alongside the Liberty because ofthe rocks.


The Women Launchers of Dungeness[This interview was broadcast in the B.B.C. programme Radio Newsreel

on 19th of March, 1953, when Mr. Valentine Selsey of the B.B.C. spoke toMiss Madge Tart and Mrs. Ellen Tart, of Dungeness. It is reproducedby the courtesy of the B.B.C.]

NARRATOR: At many places roundthe coasts of these islands, it used tobe a custom, when a call went up forthe local life-boat to go out, for womento help to launch it. But the customseems to have died out everywherenow—except at Dungeness. The localwomen there still turn out for theoccasion whatever the weather. Andin London tomorrow, two of them,who have been helping to launch theboat, and to keep a long traditionalive for more than fifty years, are toreceive the gold badges of the RoyalNational Life-boat Institution fromthe Duchess of Kent. The two womenare Miss Madge Tart and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Ellen Tart—members of afamily whose menfolk have helped toman the Dungeness life-boat, andwhose womenfolk have helped tolaunch it for more than a century.During a visit to Dungeness, ValentineSelsey recorded interviews with bothof them.

SELSEY: Well, here at Dungeness,the life-boat is ready to be launchedfor a practice trip. She's the CharlesCooper Henderson, the latest of a longline of sixteen life-boats stationed atDungeness. Today, Mrs. Ellen is athome with a touch of rheumatism, butMiss Madge is on the job. Now, MissMadge, I believe you're sixty-six yearsold. How long have you been launch-ing this life-boat?

Miss TART: Well, since I was abouteleven. I came to help my father,when I was still at school. On aSaturday I remember very well, theGlenard, a sailing ship, was on theshore and we helped ti launch thatvery day, and I was eleven then, andI've been helping ever since, and nowI'm sixty-six.

SELSEY: And I suppose you turnout in all weathers, don't you ?

Miss TART: Yes, in all weathers,yes, rain, blow, snow, whateverhappens, we go. And we like the work

and we want to continue as long aswe possibly can.

SELSEY: Now what was the worststorm you remember?

Miss TART: Well, I think about1929, we had a terrific gale, and inthat very year we had two barges: theIronsides was one which was very,very bad indeed—very bad—werescued two from that barge; and thenthe Shamrock followed on, and wehad two men—three men and a catfrom that. And I think these reallywere the worst times we've ever seen.

SELSEY: And now, everything isready for the launching. The greatdoors of the life-boat shed are open,you can see her bows from where I'mstanding here beside the slipway;some twelve women and twelve menare manning a long rope attached tothe bows of a life-boat and they'repulling as hard as they possibly can.

Well, there she goes—she's movingslowly at first; and now she's goingfaster and faster.

And now she's reached the sea andthe crew have taken over.

Well, I've now moved to Dungenessvillage and I'm sitting in Mrs. EllenTart's sitting-room; she's not too wellat the moment and she is sitting com-fortably in front of a coal fire. NowMrs. Ellen, when did you start launch-ing life-boats?

MRS. TART: WThen I was first mar-ried at sixteen—I married my husbandat sixteen, and I started then as he wasa life-boatman.

SELSEY: Of course you not onlyhelp to launch the life-boat, you alsohelp to bring the life-boat in, don'tyou?

MRS. TART: Yes, we do, pull downthe skids and help—and pull on therope when they throw it over the side;help pull her ashore until she's madefast, and then we heave her up. Butof course it's all very much better nowthan it was in the years gone by when


we used to have to stand round theold capstan in all sorts of weather.Many a time we've been wet through,we've tipped the water out of ourshoes. And I remember well the time,1928, when they launched the boatfor the Hanna that went down; we hadto walk all the way to Lade—had amessage to say the boat was goingashore at Lade, it was too rough tocome back to this capstan, and we hadto walk to Lade, four miles on theshingle, and we hove her up, and inthe meantime heaving her up theybroke a capstan, the big capstan. Myuncle was in charge of the capstan atLade at the time—Mr. Tart—andafter we got home we had a call backat five o'clock in the morning to goand launch the boat because theweather had moderated a bit and she'd

got to come home to her own station.And we had to walk all the way backthere again.

SELSEY: I expect you're lookingforward to going to London aren'tyou, to be given the award ?

MRS. TART: Well, I hope to be wellenough in time, to go and meet theDuchess of Kent. I should very muchlike it, and I think it's a great honourfor the Institution to be presentingus with a badge like that. I'd verymuch like to go. I've never been toLondon before, it would be somethingvery out of the ordinary, if I went toLondon, I'm sure. I don't knowhow I should get on, but I suppose Ishould enjoy it.

SELSEY: Well, I'm sure you will andyou certainly greatly deserve the award.

MRS. TART: Yes."

The Sixth International Life-boat ConferenceBy Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, O.B.E., M.C., T.D., M.A,

Secretary of the Institution

THE sixth international life-boat con-ference was held at Ostend from July23rd to the 25th, 1951, on the invita-tion of the Belgian Administration ofMarine. M. H. de Vos, the DirectorGeneral of the Administration, pre-sided. Fifteen other countries sentrepresentatives: Denmark, Finland,France, Germany, Great Britain,Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, theNetherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,Sweden and the United States ofAmerica. The Institution was repre-sented by its deputy-chairman, Com-modore the Right Hon. Earl Howe,C.B.E., V.R.D., R.N.V.R., its secre-tary, Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown,O.B.E., M.C., T.D., M.A., its chiefinspector, Commander T. G. Michel-more, R.D., R.N.R., and its consultingnaval architect, Mr. W. Smart,M.I.N.A. The Ministry of Transportwas represented by the chief inspectorof H.M. Coastguard, Commander J. H.Lewty, R.N.

The Conference was opened by M.P. W. Segers, the Belgian Minister ofCommunications. Speaking of thespecial place which the life-boat ser-vices hold in the relations between

nation and nation, in our modernworld of fierce competition and deepsuspicions, he said:

"While in other spheres scientistsand inventors work too often in secretso as to keep the profit of their scienceand inventions to themselves or to avery limited number of interestedpersons, you are acting exactly theopposite way because you are eager tocommunicate to each other, withoutany restrictions, the last progresswhich has been realized to your know-ledge in the ways and means of savinglives and to give the benefit of yourexperience to everyone."

Some prominence in the discussionswas given to the very difficult subject,which four years before had been dis-cussed at Oslo, at the first internationalconference to be held after the war—the protection of life-boats in time ofwar. It was there agreed that thequestion should be brought to thenotice of any future international con-ference dealing with the protection ofhospital ships. This was done, twoyears later. At the second GenevaConvention of the 12th of August,1949, provisions were made for the


protection both of life-boats at seaand their stations on shore.

The unification of signals, an im-proved system of wireless communica-tions, increased co-operation betweenthe life-boat services themselves andbetween rescue services on land, seaand air were discussed; and the tech-nical questions before the conferenceincluded helicopters, radar, life-boatsbuilt of plastic, and the possibility ofincreasing the speed of life-boats.The Institution itself contributed onepaper, "Some Notes on the Stabilityof R.N.L.I. Life-boats," by its consult-ing naval architect, Mr. Smart. Ofthese, and other papers, and of thediscussions which followed, the BelgianAdministration of Marine publisheda full report in English. It was pro-posed that the Institution should actas a distributing centre for informationof interest to all life-boat services, andwe gladly agreed to do it.

In addition to the conference itself,which held five sessions, M. Vos andhis administration had arranged a fulland very interesting programme, andvery generous hospitality. On theevening of our arrival there was a

dinner of welcome; on the first day aluncheon in which the Belgian NationalFederation of Fishing and the Fish-ing Industry were joint hosts; a visitto the life-boat station at Nieuport,and a dinner in which the Union ofBelgian Fishing-boat Owners werejoint hosts, the proceedings beingenlivened by the use of our hotel as theprincipal objective for a realisticCommando landing exercise by Belgiantroops; on the second day a luncheonand then a visit to Antwerp, wherethe Mayor held a reception of thedelegates at the Town Hall, followed bya dinner; on the third day a visit tothe new Dutch motor life-boat PrinsHendrik, an excursion and luncheonon board one of the mail boats of theDover-Ostend line, and a farewelldinner.

We returned from Ostend verygrateful to the Belgian Administrationof Marine. We had met again oldfriends in other life-boat services, dis-cussed both the problems of life-boatwork special to the coasts and climateof each country and the problemscommon to us all, and felt once more.our unity of spirit and aim.

A Hundred Years AgoAn extract from ' The Life-boat' or ' Journal of the National Shipwreck

Institution' from the 1st May, 1853, to the 1st October, 1854

IT was mentioned in last year's Reportthat four life-boats, on the most recentconstruction, were building, and wereabout to be stationed on the coast ofNorthumberland; these boats, by thecourtesy of the Lords Commissionersof the Admiralty, were conveyed totheir stations in H.M.S. Lightning inSeptember last, and taken charge of bythe respective Local Committees atCullercoats, Newbiggin, Hauxley, andBoulmer. In the stormy weather,which occurred shortly after, anopportunity was afforded of tryingthem; which was taken advantage ofby the Inspector of Life-boats, whofully tested their merits as sea-boats;they have since been out on severaloccasions, and have been instrumentalin saving life and property. Thesefour stations having been completed

with boats, boat-houses, carriages,life-belts, buoys, and every requisitefitting, the whole has been most liber-ally presented to the Shipwreck Insti-tution by His Grace the Duke ofNorthumberland, our President, onthe understanding that everythingshall be maintained in efficient work-ing order, and the crews be regularlytrained and exercised. Acting in thename and on behalf of the subscribersto the Institution, the Committee havethankfully accepted this munificentgift, and they pledge themselves, inconjunction with the respective LocalCommittees, to fulfil to the utmost theconditions on which this charge hasbeen intrusted to their care.

A life-boat similar to the above,designed by Mr. Peake, has beenstationed at North Sunderland, at the


expense of the trustees of the lateLord Crewe; and a 31-feet boat atAppledore, Devon. The Worthingboat, mentioned last year, has beencompleted and placed on her station;a 27-feet boat for Budehaven is onher way to that port; similar boatsare ready for Barmouth and Cemlyn,and are waiting for a conveyance totheir destination. Boats also forAldboro', Lyme Regis, Sennen, andDouglas, Isle of Man, are in a state offorwardness at Messrs. Forrestt's, atLimehouse, boat-builders to the Insti-tution. The life-boats at Filey andBridlington, in Yorkshire, have beenput into thorough repair, and planshave been furnished to Hartlepool andthe Tees Bay Society. An applicationfrom the Prussian Government hasalso recently been received for a life-boat on Mr. Peake's design, to bestationed at Swinemiinde, in theBaltic.

The Committee consider it due to

the public spirit of the Messrs. Richard-son, of Aber Hirnant, Bala, NorthWales, to notice their iron tubularlife-raft, on which they successfullyaccomplished a voyage from Liverpoolround the Land's End to London.The experiment is a very interestingone, and should it be found that theiron, of which the tubes are formed,can be preserved from rapid decay, itseems probable that such a life-raftmight prove useful, particularly on avery flat beach.

The sad accidents to the Lythamand Rhyl life-boats are too recent notto be well known to all who take aninterest in these subjects; the Com-mittee, therefore, only advert to themto assure the subscribers to the Insti-tution and the public, that no similarfittings, nor the use of water ballast,will be permitted in any life-boat inconnexion with this Institution, nor,except in special cases, will the useof sails be sanctioned.

Coxswain Albert Spurgeon of LowestoftCOXSWAIN ALBERT SPURGEON, ofLowestoft, who died on the 5th ofApril, 1953, at the age of 73, had beenone of the Institution's most distin-guished coxswains. According to thelocal records he joined the life-boatcrew in his teens, and served in it for45 years. He was appointed coxswainin 1929, and retired in 1947. Duringnearly 24 years as coxswain he tookpart in the rescue of 159 lives.

In 1922 he won the bronze medal forgallantry, as a member of the crew,for the famous service to the steamerHopelyn, wrecked on the North ScrobySands, and in 1927, as coxswain, hewon the silver medal for the rescue ofthe crew of three of the sailing smackLily of Devon, a rescue carried outwith great promptness and courage inface of the greatest danger.

Then, in the war of 1939 to 1945, hewon a bar to his bronze medal for therescue, by night, of the crew of ten ofH.M. minesweeper 106. This was in1943, and it was a service which againshowed the daring and courage of theman. As the life-boat moved out of

harbour lit by a searchlight, the lightwas switched off, and for the firstmoment of darkness Coxswain Spur-geon was blind. In that moment thelife-boat struck the pier. She wasundamaged, but he was flung against thebinnacle and his jaw cut open. Hewould not leave the wheel, nor, untilthe life-boat was at sea, would he evenstop to have his wound bound up.Then he searched for and found theminesweeper, knowing all the time thathe was among the submerged iron pilesof the coast defences, but not knowingtheir exact positions. Not until ninehours after he was injured was he ableto go to hospital. There he had eightstitches put in his jaw. Even thenhe would not go off duty. He wasat that time a man of sixty-three.

He lectured to the Little Ship Clubin London on the Life-boat Service,and in 1927, a fortnight before theservice to the Lily of Devon, he andhis crew manned a life-boat in theLord Mayor's Show in London. Onhis retirement he was awarded acertificate of service and an annuity.


The Editor RetiresFOR the first time in thirty-three yearsThe Life-boat is appearing under a neweditor. Mr. Charles Vince, the formereditor, retired from the service of theInstitution on the 1st of July, 1953.His appointment as editor of TheLife-boat dates only from 1931, butsince 1920, when he first joined theInstitution, the Journal has, in fact,been in his care.

Mr. Charles Vince is a distinguishedmember of a distinguished family.His father, C. A. Vince, was a fellow ofChrist's College, Cambridge, head-master of Mill Hill, at one time secre-tary of the Liberal Unionist Associa-tion in Birmingham, and the author ofa number of historical, political, andliterary studies.

Mr. Charles Vince, who was born onthe 9th of May, 1887, was educated atKing Edward's School, Birmingham.After leaving school he went intojournalism, beginning on the staff ofthe Birmingham Gazette, on which hewas a political leader-writer. He wasthen assistant editor and leader-writerfor the weekly review The World,and later on "the " By the Way "column of The Globe. During the warof 1914-1918 he served with the RoyalSussex Regiment and when inval-ided was attached to the IntelligenceDirectorate at the War Office.

His official title when he joined theInstitution in 1920 was that of Assis-tant Secretary (Publicity), then a newpost. Though the title was changedto that of Publicity Secretary in 1931,the duties remained the same. Inaddition to editing all the Institution'spublications, Mr. Vince published in1946 Storm on the Waters, the storyof the Life-boat Service in the war of1939-1945. This was published byMessrs. Hodder and Stoughton.

Other books on the subject of life-boats which he published were TheLife-boat in Verse (with Sir JohnGumming) and The Crew Were Saved(for the British Council).

During his service with the Institu-tion Mr. Vince continued his outsideliterary activities, and in addition tohis books on life-boats he publishedEngland in France, The Street of Faces,

Wayfarers in Arcady and BarrieMarvell.

He has contributed to many of theleading periodicals in the country,and he has, for instance, been a regularreviewer for The Times Literary Supple-ment since 1919.

Mr. Vince's wife, Millicent Vince,who died in 1941, was a well knowninterior decorator and also publisheda number of books on this subject.

The bare facts of his career cannotdescribe to those who do not knowhim the true nature of this most lov-able and big-hearted of men. Fromthe moment he left its service theInstitution has received a flood ofletters from people, not only at home,but in other continents, expressingtheir regret at his departure. Onecorrespondent, Mr. Frederick Clark,who wrote nearly 6,000 letters to Mr.Vince in all, declared: "Just to haveknown you has been a source ofstrength and encouragement to meover the years." The honorary secre-tary of the Tynemouth branch, Mr. E.Selby Davidson, wrote: "You laydown your armour with the personalsatisfaction of great achievement."And at a farewell meeting, when apresentation was made to Mr. Vinee,the general feeling amongst those whohad worked with him was happilyexpressed by the Chief Inspector ofLife-boats, Commander T. G. Michel-more, when he said: "I have never inmy life known a more collectivelypopular man."

The new Publicity Secretary andeditor of The Life-boat is Mr. PatrickHowarth. Mr. Howarth, who wasborn in 1916, was educated at Rugbyand St. John's College, Oxford. Beforethe last war he edited a quarterlypublication Baltic and ScandinavianCountries for the Baltic Institute inGdynia. During the war he servedin the Special Forces, mainly in Egyptand Italy. In 1945 he was releasedfrom the armed forces to take up anappointment as Press Attache in theBritish Embassy in Warsaw. Afterreturning to England he became PressOfficer in the Ministry of Housing andLocal Government. He left this post


in February, 1953, to take up hisappointment as Assistant PublicitySecretary of the Institution.

Like Mr. Vince, Mr. Howarth is aregular contributor to a number of

periodicals. He has published twobooks, The Year is 1851 in 1951, andThe Dying Ukrainian in 1953. Histhird book, A Matter of Minutes, isdue to appear later this year.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. SatterthwaiteLlEUTENA'NT-COLONEL CLEMENT RlCH-

ARD SATTERTHWAITE, O.B.E., late ofthe Royal Engineers, who was deputysecretary of the Institution from 1925to 1931, and secretary from 1931 to1946, died in his sleep on the 5th ofMay, 1953. He was in his seventiethyear. The tribute which ColonelBurnett Brown, the secretary of theInstitution, paid to his work and hischaracter in The Times is the mostfitting tribute which can be paid inThe Life-boat Journal, for it expresseswhat his colleagues and friends at theInstitution felt about him. ColonelBurnett Brown wrote:

"May I add to your admirablenotice of Colonel Clement RichardSatterthwaite a more personal tribute ?He will be remembered in the Life-boatService for two things. He was incommand of it during its six mostdifficult and arduous years, the years ofthe last war, when its work increasedthreefold, when most of his colleagues,in responsible positions, returned tothe Navy and Army, when its resourceswere never more than barely sufficientto meet its greatly increased needs.Only those who have held commandknow what it is to be in command atsuch a time.

"The second thing was his greatmodesty. When all was going well heeffaced himself. It was when therewere difficulties to be met that hebecame at once the commander.Praise he would let go by. His carewas to see that it went to others. Butwhen there was responsibility to betaken he was there to take it. He was

a professional soldier. He gave overtwenty years of his life to the Army.He won the sword of honour at Wool-wich. He served with distinction.But I have never met a professionalsoldier whose sympathies, understand-ing and tastes were so wide as his.That was the secret of his success inthe Life-boat Service."

At the funeral in London the Insti-tution was represented by Sir JohnGumming, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., one of itsvice-presidents, and by five membersof the staff who were old friends ofColonel Satterthwaite.

After his retirement Colonel Satter-thwaite settled at Alton, in Hampshire.He took an active part in the life ofthe town, and among other things, wasvice-chairman, joint honorary secre-tary and a trustee of the Jane AustenSociety. In those few years he madefor himself a secure place in the grati-tude and affection of his new friends.At the memorial service at Holy RoodChurch, Holybourne, the vicar saidof him:

" Clement Richard Satterthwaitewas pre-eminently a man who gladly,cheerfully and willingly bore the bur-den of work and organization in thecommunity of which he was a member.He seemed utterly dedicated to serviceand although he had been here forwhat, in comparison with a life-time,is but a small space of time, he hadmade himself fully one with the com-munity which he had adopted as hisown."** An article by Colonel Burnett Brown on ColonelSatterthwaite's work for the Institution was publishedin The Life-boat for June, 1947.

Coronation HonoursIN the Coronation Honours ColonelA. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A.secretary of the Institution, was madean Officer of the Order of the British

Empire, and Captain Q. Craufurd,R.X., honorary secretary of theDungeness life-boat station, a Memberof the Order.


Three Cromer Life-boatmen DrownedTHE three life-boatmen who lost their !lives when the crab boat Boy Jimmysank a hundred yards off shore nearCromer were all members of the CromerNo. 2 life-boat.

One was the coxswain, JamesWilliam Davies, who was aged 43.Coxswain Davies began his service asa life-boatman at Cromer in 1926.He was assistant motor mechanic ofthe No. 1 life-boat from 1934 to 1947,when he was appointed coxswain ofthe No. 2 boat. Another of the mendrowned was his brother, Frank Davies,the assistant motor mechanic, whowas aged 34. Frank Davies joinedthe crew in 1936 and was appointedassistant motor mechanic in 1948.The third man, Edward Bussey, aged21, had been a member of the crew forthree years.

Coxswain Davies, who came from afamily well known in Cromer and washimself a member of the CromerUrban District Council, had had amost distinguished record as a life-

boatman. He won the bronze medalthree times. His first medal waswon for his gallant conduct andendurance when the No. 1 life-boatrescued fifteen of the crew of theDutch steamer Georgia in an easterlygale and a very heavy sea on the22nd of November, 1927. His rescuework on that occasion lasted morethan 28 hours. He won his secondmedal when the No. 1 life-boat rescuedthe crew of 29 from the Greek steamerMount Ida, which was wrecked on theOwer Bank in a gale on the 9th ofOctober, 1939. His third medal waswon during the war, when the No. 1 life-boat rescued 44 from the S.S. EnglishTrailer on the 26th of October, 1941.

Among the many people who sawthe Hoy Jimmy sink was the famousex-coxswain, Henry Blogg, who wonthe Institution's gold medal fourtimes and its silver medal four times.He rushed to help launch a crab boat,but in doing so collapsed and had tobe taken home.

A New Assistant SecretaryMR. R. C. BAVERSTOCK, the AssistantSecretary and Establishment Officer,has retired after forty-four years inthe service of the Institution. He issucceeded by Mr. S. M. Whorlow.

Mr. Baverstock was appointedAssistant Secretary in 1948. havingbefore then been Accountant to theInstitution for sixteen years. Beforethe war of 1914-1918 he served in the3rd County of London Yeomanry(Sharpshooters), and during that warhe spent a period with the Army.

Mr. Whorlow joined the staff of theInstitution in 1929. Before his newappointment he helped create the newInternal Audit Department. He tooserved in the 3rd County of LondonYeomanry, taking part in the African,Sicilian and Italian campaigns of theEighth Army during the last war.

About Mr. Baverstock and Mr. Vince,Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, writes:

"On the 1st July of this year theInstitution lost two of its most valuedservants through retirement aftermany years of unstinting and distin-guished service to our cause.

"The post of Assistant Secretary ofthe Institution is not one whichattracts public attention. Yet on theholder of this post a very great dealof the efficiency of the whole organ-isation depends. In Mr. Baverstockwe were extraordinarily lucky to havea man of such single-minded devotion,patience and tact. He was the Secre-tary's right-hand man in more thanone major development of the organ-isation, and the results of his manyyears of work are to be seen in thesmooth running of the most diverseparts of the machine and in the feeling,which I believe to be prevalent in thestaff of the Institution, that everyonehas a worth-while job to do and isglad to be doing it.

"Mr. Vince's job did bring him moreinto the public eye. His chiefmemorials are, I think, the tremendouspopularity he enjoyed among all thosewho knew him and the happy relationswhich have so long existed betweenthe Institution and the Press andpublicity agencies generally.

"Thev will both be ffreatlv missed."


Services of the Life-boats in March, April, May andJune, 1953

64 Lives RescuedMARCH

DURING March life-boats were launched40 times and rescued 18 lives.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF LIGHTSHIP

Humber, Yorkshire.—At 10.8 oil themorning of the 1st of March, 1953, theSpurn coastguard telephoned that themaster of the Humber lightship hadrequested the help of the life-boat toland a sick man. The life-boat Cityof Bradford II was launched at 10.30in a slight sea with a south-easterlybreeze blowing, and went to thelightship. After the sick man hadbeen taken aboard, the life-boat madefor Grimsby, where an ambulance waswaiting. The life-boat reached herstation again at 3.15 in the afternoon.The expenses were refunded to theInstitution by Trinity House.—Perm-anent Paid Crew.

NORWEGIAN SHIP HITS TOWERFORTS

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 4.43 onthe afternoon of the 1st of March, 1953,the coastguard reported that the motorvessel Baalbek, of Oslo, had hit theGreat Nore Tower Forts. One of thetowers had collapsed, and a numberof men from the forts were missing.The life-boat Greater London, CivilService No. 3 was launched at 5.10 ina choppy sea with an east-north-easterly breeze blowing and fog. Shefound the Baalbek wedged in the forts.One fort was on her foredeck, and shehad a list to starboard. A ship's boatwas lying alongside, and four menjumped from her to the life-boat andwere transferred to a R.A.S.C. launch.The life-boat then stood by. Threetugs arrived, and the life-boat got arope aboard the Baalbek from one ofthem, and when all had got theirropes fixed, the Baalbek was pulledclear. As she moved away, the forton her foredeck crashed into the sea.A wireless message from the Baalbekthen stated she was going to anchor,

and as the services of the life-boat wereno longer needed, she made for herstation, which she reached at 10.20.Four men on the forts lost their livesin the accident.—Rewards, £20.

SHOUTS HEARD THROUGH FOG

Arklow, Co. W'icklow.—About threeo'clock on the afternoon of the 1st ofMarch, 1953, four boys walking on thebeach near Arklow Rock heard shoutsthrough dense fog from a vessel ashore.The vessel was asking for a life-boat,and the boys reported to the life-boatstation. At 3.40 the life-boat InbhearMor was launched in a calm sea with alight north-easterly wind, and foundthe lightship tender Roaming, of Ark-low, one mile south of Arklow Harbour.Three passengers were aboard thetender; and after laying out an anchorfrom her, the life-boat returned toharbour with them. The life-boatwent back to the Roaming at fiveo'clock and got a tow rope aboard.At 6.10 the Roaming refloated on therising tide and made harbour underher own power. As her services wereno longer needed, the life-boat returnedto her station, arriving at 6.30. Theowner made a donation to the fundsof the Institution.—Rewards, £1116s.

LIFE-BO AT CREW REPAIR DAMAGETO SHIP

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 5.3 onthe afternoon of the 4th of March,1953, the coastguard reported that twovessels had been in collision near LowerHope Buoy and that one was beginningto sink. The life-boat Greater London,Civil Service No. 3 was launched at5.25 in a calm sea with a light north-westerly wind blowing, and fog. Shefound that the motor vessel Northum-brian Coast, of Middlesbrough, hadbeen in collision with the EgyptianPrince, and that the Sylvian Coast hadbeen standing by. In the meantimethe Northumbrian Coast had beenbeached at Mucking Flats, but she wasbadly holed. Her engine-room, was.


flooded, and it was thought that hercrew would have to be taken off bythe life-boat as the tide rose. How-ever, the life-boat crew got materialsfrom the ship and succeeded in fillingthe hole. These repairs lasted until atug arrived with pumps, and later itwas possible to tow the vessel to higherground. The captain thanked thelife-boatmen for their help in savingthe ship, and the life-boat arrived atSouthend again at 4.30 in the morning.—Property Salvage Case.

DREDGER TOWED OFF SANDBANKSouthend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 2.45

early on the morning of the 7th ofMarch, 1953, the Southend piermasterreported that the Southend Corpora-tion's dredger Prittlewell was strandedon a sandbank at Crowstone, Westcliff,with a crew of seven. At three o'clockthe life-boat Greater London, CivilService No. 3 was launched in a calmsea with a west-north-west breezeblowing, and put a rope aboard thedredger. She towed her clear andslipped the rope, and the Prittlewellthen made for her berth under herown power. The life-boat returned toher station, arriving at 4.10. TheCorporation made a donation to thefunds of the Institution.—Rewards,£7 15-y.

ANGLER UNABLE TO ROW ASHOREHastings, Sussex.—At 2.8 on the

afternoon of the llth of March, 1953,the Fairlight coastguard reported thatan angler appeared to be in difficultiesin a rowing-boat, about two miles southof Hastings pier, and was waving aflag. At 2.16 the life-boat M.T.C.was launched in a slight sea, with alight north-easterly breeze blowing.The man was found to be sufferingfrom a bad knee and had been unableto row ashore. The life-boat rescuedhim, towed the boat to the shore, andreached her station again at 3.5.—Rewards, £24 Is. 6d.

BODY OF PILOT PICKED UPBuckie, Banffshire.—At 11.33 on the

morning of the 12th of March, 1953,the coastguard passed on a messagefrom the Buckie police that an air-craft was down in the sea off Buckpoolharbour, about one and a half miles

west of Buckie. The life-boat Glencoe,Glasgow was launched at 11.42 in acalm sea with a light south-westerlywind blowing, and went to the givenposition. There she found a parachutewith the dead body of a pilot. Shetook the body on board, and made forBuckie, arriving at 1.15. The bodywas handed over to the police.—•Rewards, £8 19s.

30-HOUR SEARCH FOR FISHINGBOAT

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At eighto'clock on the morning of the 15th ofMarch, 1953, the coastguard rang upto say that the local motor fishing boatVenture had left the island of Bernera,Lewis, for Stornoway on the 12th witha crew of three, but that she had notbeen heard of since. At one in theafternoon the life-boat William andHarriot left her moorings and made forthe Sound of Harris in a rough seawith a moderate south-westerly breezeblowing. Meanwhile an American air-craft searched as far as Loch Hamna-way. The life-boat passed through theSound, anchored for the night, andthe next morning searched towardsLoch Hamnaway. She found theVenture, which had been sheltering inLoch Hamnaway with engine trouble,in the Sound of Scarp, escorted her toLeverburgh, Harris, and then returnedto Stornoway, arriving back at herstation at 7.15 on the 16th. Thelife-boat had been at sea for over thirtyhours.—Rewards £64 5*.

TWO MEN SAVED FROM BREAK-WATER

Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—During theafternoon of the 15th of March, 1953,the motor fishing boat Vigilant, whichhad been blown ashore from her moor-ings in a gale, was refloated and towedinto the River Tees by two men in asmall dinghy fitted with an outboardmotor. The men were making forSeaton Snook, but the tide turnedwhen they were only half-way there,and they drifted to the mouth of theriver. There the wind caught themand blew them into North Gare. Theyanchored, but the anchor did not holdand they were in danger of beingsmashed on the breakwater. Thelife-boat honorary secretarv saw their


danger and at once called out the life-boat John and Lucy Cordingley. Shewas launched at 5.5 in a slight seawith a light south-easterly breezeblowing. She rescued the men, towedthe Vigilant to safety, and reached herstation again at 6.15.—Rewards,£10 18*.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO LIGHTSHIPGreat Yarmouth and Gorleston,

Norfolk.—At 9.38 on the night of the16th of March, 1953, the Gorlestoncoastguard passed on a report from theTrinity House Superintendent that amember of the crew of the Newarplightvessel had been injured and neededimmediate attention. He asked if thelife-boat would take a doctor to him,and, as no other boat was available,the life-boat Louise Stephens embarkeda doctor and was launched in a calmsea with a light east-south-east breezeblowing, at 10.26. She put the doctoraboard the vessel. He tended theinjured man, who was then taken intothe life-boat and landed in the harbourat 4.30 on the morning of the 17th—Rewards, £23 14s. 6d. Refunded tothe Institution by Trinity House.

FINNISH SHIP IN COLLISIONGreat Yarmouth and Gorleston,

Norfolk.—At 2.8 early on the morningof the 20th of March, 1953, the Gorles-ton coastguard rang up to say that theS.S. Briardene, of Sunderland, hadcollided with the S. S. Roine, of Helsi nki.near the Newarp lightvessel. At 2.25the life-boat Louise Stephens waslaunched. There was a light easterlybreeze with a slight sea, and it wasfoggy. The Roine had sunk with theloss of one man, and the Briardene hadtaken off the remaining sixteen of hercrew. The life-boat took thirteen ofthe survivors on board and threemembers of the Briardene's crew, andthen accompanied the Briardene toharbour, reaching her station again atone o'clock in the afternoon. Themasters of both ships expressed theirthanks.—Rewards, £30 12s. Gd.

WRONG POSITION FROM SHIPAGROUND

Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 4.45 on themorning of the 20th of March, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that a

wireless distress message had beenintercepted from the motor vesselMilborne, of Poole, stating that she hadgone ashore eight miles west of SouthStack. The position was later amend-ed to eight miles south of South Stack,and at 5.3 the life-boat St. Cybi, CivilService No. 9 was launched. Therewas a light breeze and a calm sea. andit was foggy. The life-boat found theMilborne, which was laden with car-bide, under Rhoscolyn Head. Shewas pounding, and the crew of eightabandoned her and were taken intothe life-boat. The life-boat laid offRhoscolyn until low water and thenput the master on board his ship again.He found that she was leaking. Alife-boatman went aboard, and event-ually the Milborne refloated and wastaken in tow by another motor vessel.This vessel, accompanied by the life-boat, took her to Holyhead. Thelife-boat reached her station again atnine o'clock that night.—PropertySalvage Case.

SHIPS COLLIDE IN FOG NEARDOVER

Dover, and Walmer, Kent.—At 10.48on the night of the 20th of March,1953, the Sandgate coastguard rang upthe Dover life-boat station to say thatthe motor vessel Spaarnestroom, ofAmsterdam, which had been in colli-sion with the S.S. Waldemar Sieg, ofFlensburg, was sinking four milessouth-south-east of Dover. At 10.55the life-boat Southern Africa left hermoorings in a moderate sea, with amoderate north-easterly breeze blow-ing and dense fog. A tug also putout. At 12.11 on the 21st the Dealcoastguard informed the Walmer life-boat station, and at 12.30 the life-boatCharles Dibdin, Civil Service No. 2 waslaunched. Roth life-boats searchedfor the vessel, and at 5.10 the SouthernAfrica received a wireless message thatthe Waldemar Sieg, which was six anda half miles south-south-west of Dover,had on board fifteen of the Spaarnes-iroonCs crew of sixteen. The Doverlife-boat was asked to land them, andshe made for the steamer and tookthe men on board. She then returnedto her station, arriving at 9.45, andstood by until it was learnt that theremaining member of the Spaarnes-


troom's crew was still on board her,and that she had been taken in towby another steamer. The Walmerlife-boat was not needed, and shereached her station again at 6.30.The Dungeness life-boat crew as-sembled, but were not needed. Theowners made a donation to the fundsof the Institution.—Rewards: Dover,£21 5,?.; Walmer, £28 15.S'.

AWARDS TO TWO SCOTTISH COX-SWAINS

On the 22nd of March, 1953, theStromness and Thurso life-boats bothwent to the help of the trawler LeicesterCity, of Grimsby, when she wentaground three and a half miles south-west of Stromness. Fourteen menwere picked up alive, but three ofthem died later. The search wascarried out in treacherous tidal waterand, for most of the time, in dense fog.The thanks of the Institution inscribedon vellum were awarded to CoxswainsWilliam Sinclair, of Stromness. andAngus S. Macintosh, D.S.M.. of Thurso.For a full account of these services, seepage 536.

FRENCH SHIP HITS ROCKS IN FOGDouglas, Isle of Man.—At 10.-12 on

the night of the 24th of March, 1953, theRamsey coastguard rang up to saythat a vessel south of Douglas Headwas blowing short blasts on its siren,and at eleven o'clock the Douglas HeadLighthouse keeper also telephoned. Itwas thought that the vessel had hitrocks in the dense fog, and at 11.25 thelife-boat Millie Walton was launched.There was no wind, and the sea wassmooth. The life-boat found thetrawler St. Pierre Eglise, of Boulogne,at anchor four hundred yards south-west-by-south of Douglas Head, andthe coxswain boarded her. She had acrew of eighteen. The skipper saidthey had been in collision that day,and that he wanted to bring his shipto Douglas for inspection. The secondcoxswain then went aboard and helpedto take the trawler to Douglas, butearly on the 25th she ran on the rocksat Port Skillion, just outside theentrance to Douglas harbour. Thelife-boat tried to tow her clear, withoutsuccess, and then took the eighteenpeople on board and laid off. The

trawler began to regain an even keelas the tide rose, and the life-boat puther crew aboard again. She was notmaking water and, at four o'clock inthe morning, when the tide had risensufficiently, the life-boat pulled herclear and took her to the harbour,arriving at 4.45.—Rewards. £18.

NINE MEN TAKEN OFF TRAWLERLerwick, Shetlands.—At 8.3 on the

evening of the 27th of March, 1953,I the coastguard rang up to say that the| steam trawler River Lassie, of Aber-

deen, with a crew of nine, had run on asubmerged rock on Robbie Ramsay'sBaa outside the northern entrance toLerwick harbour. The life-boat LadyJane and Martha Kyland left hermoorings at 8.17 in a rough sea andrising tide, with a strong south-westerly wind blowing. She tried totow the trawler clear, without success.The skipper asked the life-boat tostand by his ship when the tide ebbed,and the life-boat returned to her stationat 11.26. At 12.30 on the 28th sheput out again and stood by the trawlerall night. At 8.50 a salvage vesselarrived, and the life-boat helped herin another attempt to pull the trawlerclear, but the River Lassie was makingwater quickly and remained fast. Thelife-boat then took on board seven ofher crew, brought them ashore, andreturned to the trawler. Later thetwo remaining men abandoned thetrawler and were also taken ashore bythe life-boat, which reached her stationagain at 12.48 that afternoon.—Rewards, £36 10s.

DUTCH SAILORS LOST IN FOGCourtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.—

At 4.30 on the afternoon of the 28th ofMarch, 1953, a woman rang up fromHarbour View to say that a rowingboat with a crew of three was on therocks near Harbour View to the eastside of Courtmacsherry Harbour. At4.40 the life-boat Sarah Ward andWilliam David Crosmeller was launched,taking her boarding boat with her.There was a moderate north-westerlybreeze, a moderate sea and a thickfog. The life-boat found that the menin the rowing boat were three sailorsfrom the motor vessel Deni, of Rotter-dam, who had lost themselves while


rowing. The life-boat towed themback to their ship, and then returnedto her station, arriving at 5.50.—Rewards, £6 16s.

PULLING LIFE-BOAT ESCORTSCOBLE

Whitby, Yorkshire.—About 9.30 onthe morning of the 31st of March, 1953,the local fishing coble Little Lady,with a crew of three, could be seenheading for the harbour bar in badweather. A moderate west-north-west gale was blowing, with a heavyswell, and conditions at the bar weredangerous. At 9.40 the No. 2 harbourpulling life-boat Robert and EllenRobson was launched, escorted in theLittle Lady, and arrived back at herstation at 10.15.—Rewards, £13 7s. 6d.

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

D u n g e n e s s , Kent.—March 1st.—Rewards, £24 12s.

Dover, Kent.—March 1st.—Rewards,£9.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—March4th.—Rewards, £17 17s.

Sheringham, Norfolk.—March 6th.—Rewards, £30 12,5.

Flamborough,Yorkshire.—March 1 Oth.—Rewards, £19 5s. 6d.

Minehead, Somerset.—March 12th.—Rewards, £19.

Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. —March 12th.—Rewards, £16 16,9.

Arranmore, Co. Donegal. — March12th.—Rewards, £11 10s.

Penlee, Cornwall.—March 12th. —Rewards, £36 11s.

The Lizard, Cornwall.—March 12th.—Rewards, £40 9s.

St. Helier, Jersey.—March 13th. —Rewards, £7 Ss.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—March 18th.—Rewards, £18 15s.

Padstow, Cornwall.—March 19th.—Rewards, £8 16*.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—March19th.—Rewards, £15 8s.

Dover, Kent.—March 20th. — Re-wards, £10 15*.

Skegness, Lincolnshire.—March 24th.—Rewards, £26 5s.

Penlee, Cornwall.—March 25th. —Rewards, £10 7*. 6d.

Poole, Dorset.—March 26th. — Re-wards, £7 2*. 6d.

Hartlepool, Durham.—March 28th.—Rewards, £10 14*.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—March 31st.—Rewards, £20 16*. 3d.

APRIL

DURIXG April life-boats were launched38 times and rescued 5 lives.

CABIN CRUISER MADE FAST TOLIGHTSHIP

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 1.35 onthe afternoon of the 1st of April, 1953.the coastguard rang up to say that theBarrow Deep lightvessel had reportedthat a man in a cabin cruiser whichhad broken down, had made fast to thelightvessel. The man asked for thelife-boat, and at 1.50 the life-boat SirGodfrey Baring was launched in aheavy swell, with a moderate south-westerly breeze blowing. She foundthe 61-feet cabin cruiser Francis M.Dee tied up astern of the lightvesseland towed her to Brightlingsea, arriv-ing at eight in the evening. The life-boat stayed there for the, night andarrived back at her station at nineo'clock the next morning.—PropertySalvage Case.

YACHT NEAR PORTLAND RACE

Weymouth, Dorset.—At 9.41 on the4th of April, 1953, the Wyke Regiscoastguard rang up to say that a smallyacht was in distress one and a halfmiles south-east of Portland Bill andwas burning flares. At 9.55 the life-boat Milburn, on temporary duty atthe station, left her moorings in amoderate sea, with a moderate south-westerly breeze blowing. She foundthe cutter-rigged yacht Lalla Rookh,with five persons on board, two milessouth-east of Portland Bill. Theyacht had shipped a lot of water andhad been near the dangerous PortlandRace, but had drifted clear. The life-boat escorted her to Weymouth har-bour and reached her station again at11.30.—Rewards, £5 as.

LIBERTYMEN UNABLE TO REACHSHIP

St. Helier, Jersey.—On the afternoonof the 4th of April, 1953, the destroyer


H.M.S. Trafalgar arrived off St.Helier, anchored one mile south-south-west of Elizabeth Castle and landedone hundred and fifty libertymen.The weather was fine then, but byeight o'clock in the evening the windand sea had increased and the mencould not get back to their ship. Theywere stranded ashore all day on the5th. The Commanding Officer thenradioed that he must have certain menon board to move his ship to moresheltered waters, and at ten o'clock onthe morning of the 6th he asked if thelife-boat would take them out. At10.30 the life-boat Elizabeth Ripponleft her moorings in a rough sea witha strong south-westerly wind blowing.She put thirty engine-room ratings onboard and then, when the destroyerhad moved to St. Aubin Bay, putaboard the remaining men. Shereached her station again at 3.45. TheCommanding Officer expressed histhanks.—Rewards. £9 18,?. Qd.

SCHOONER'S CREW TAKEN OFFROCK

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—At2.10 on the afternoon of the 6th ofApril, 1953, the radio operator of theTuskar Rock lighthouse on shorereceived a wireless message from thelighthouse that a ship's boat had beenseen near the rock. At 2.40 the life-boat Douglaa Hyde left her mooringsin a choppy sea with a moderatenorth-westerly breeze blowing, butthe ship's boat reached the rock. It.contained four men, the crew of theauxiliary schooner Susan I'ittcrij, ofCork, which had sprung a leak and sunkearly that morning two miles west-north-west of the rock, and a dog.The life-boat learnt from the light-house that the men were on the rock,and she took them and the dog onboard and towed their boat to Rosslareharbour, arriving at five o'clock.—Rewards, £5.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF LINERDunmore East, Co. Waterford.—At

10.45 on the night of the 7th of April,1953, a wireless message was receivedstating that a passenger in the S.S. Cor-rientes, of Glasgow, was seriously illwith a perforated stomach ulcer and

asking if the life-boat would land him.The steamer was twenty miles to thesouthward and was making for Water-ford harbour. At 11.10 the life-boatAnnie Blanche Smith was launchedwith the honorary secretary, Mr. A.Westcott Pitt, on board. She madefor the steamer in a moderate south-westerly breeze and came up with herbetween seven and eight miles fromher station. She took on board thesick man and his wife and landedthem at her station at 1.10 early on the8th. An ambulance was waiting totake the man to hospital. The ownersmade a donation to the funds of theInstitution.—Rewards, £3 15s.

TRAWLER TOWED TO CAHIRCIVEEN

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At four o'clockon the afternoon of the 8th of April.1953, the Valentia radio station re-ported that the trawler Ros Ruadh, ofDublin, had broken down four milesnorth-west of Bray Head, and at 4.15the life-boat A.E.D. was launched. Afresh north-easterly breeze was blow-ing, with a moderate sea. The life-boat found the trawler eight milesnorth-west of Bray Head, with a crewof four, in need of fuel. She recoveredthe trawler's fishing gear and towedher first to Valentia, and then, at theskipper's request, to Cahirciveen. Thelife-boat reached her station again at12.35 early on the 9th.—PropertySalvage Case.

ESCORT FOR COBLES IN NORTH SEANewbiggin, Northumberland.—On the

morning of the 14th of April, 1953,the life-boat bowman returned fromfishing and reported that sea condi-tions to the northward were becomingbad. Five fishing cobles were still atsea, and at 9.30 the life-boat RichardAshley was launched, with an ex-cox-swain in command. There was astrong north-north-west wind blowing,with a very rough sea. The life-boatmade for a position to the north-east,escorted two of the cobles to theharbour, and then found two of theothers six miles north-east of New-biggin. She escorted them in as well,but the fifth reached Newbiggin alone.The life-boat returned to her station,arriving at 1.10.—Rewards, £19 1*.


FISHING BOAT ESCORTEDTHROUGH GALE

Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 2.30 on theafternoon of the 14th of April, 1953,word was received by the coxswainthat conditions at the harbour barwere dangerous. The local fishingboat Lead Us was still at sea, and at2.40 the No. 1 life-boat Mary AnnHepworth was launched in a moderatenorth-north-west gale with a heavyswell. She met the Lead Us at theharbour entrance, escorted her in, andarrived back at her station at 3.20.—Rewards, £7 2s. 6d.

TWO LIFE-BOATS SEARCH FORHOPPER

Barrow, Lancashire; and Workington,Cumberland.—At three o'clock on theafternoon of the 18th of April, 1953,the YValney Island coastguard rang upthe Barrow life-boat station to saythat the steam hopper Moss Bay, ofWorkington, bound from Glasson Dockfor Workington, with a crew of six,was overdue, but had been seen off theWyre Light at 5.30 on the afternoonof the previous day. Anxiety for hersafety had been felt at Workington,and it was decided that both theBarrow and Workington life-boatsshould search for her. At 4.15 theWorkington life-boat Manchester andSalford XXIX left her moorings. TheBarrow life-boat Herbert Leigh waslaunched at 4.25. There was a lightnorth-easterly breeze with a smoothsea. After both life-boats had search-ed for some time the master of a fishingboat, which had returned to White-haven, reported that he had seen theMoss Bay about thirteen miles south ofSt. Bees Head. This information waspassed to the Workington life-boat.She found the Moss Bay five milesnorth of Selker Buoy and put food onboard. The Moss Bay had enginetrouble and needed a tug, and theWorkington life-boat returned to herstation to arrange for one. She arrivedthere at 10.20. The Barrow life-boatwas not needed and reached her stationat 9.40.—Rewards: Barrow, £13 2s.;Workington, £11 16s. 6d.

YACHT TOWED TO NEWLYNSennen Cove, Cornwall.—At 5.15 on

the afternoon of the 18th of April, 1953,

the Pendeen lighthouse-keeper rang upthe life-boat coxswain to say that hehad seen a yacht in distress off theThree Stone Oars Rocks, and at 5.30the life-boat Susan Ashley was launch-ed. There was a light north-easterlybreeze with a choppy sea. The life-boat found the ten-ton Bermuda-rigyacht Larry, with a crew of three, twomiles west of the lighthouse. Theskipper said that his mainsail hadcarried away and his auxiliary enginehad broken down while bound forHighbridge. The life-boat towed theLarry to Newlyn and reached herstation again at 11.35.—-Property Sal-vage Case.

STEAMER AGROUND ON SHAKE-SPEARE BEACH

Dover, Kent.—At 8.47 on the even-ing of the 24th of April, 1953, theSandgate coastguard rang up to saythat a message had been received fromthe North Foreland radio stationthrough the Dungeness pilot cutterthat the S.S. Markab N., of Rotterdam,had been in collision with a Norwegiantanker one mile south of Folkestone.At 9.5 the life-boat Southern Africaleft her moorings in a moderate sea.with a light southerly breeze blowingand a fog. Fifteen minutes later theMarkab N. wirelessed for a doctor toattend the master who had injuredhis face badly. The life-boat returnedto Dover, took a doctor on board andthen made for the steamer which, bythis time, had wirelessed that sheneeded immediate help two miles westof Dover. The life-boat found herheading towards Shakespeare Beachwith a heavy list to starboard. Thedoctor and a life-boatman went onboard, and the Markab N. ran on tothe beach. The life-boat helped torefloat her, and a tug was then ableto take her in tow. The life-boatremained with the steamer until thetug beached her again in Doverharbour. She then landed the masterand doctor and arrived back at herstation at 1.45 early on the morningof the 25th.—Property Salvage Case.

COBLES AT SEA IN BAD WEATHER

Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On themorning of the 27th of April, 1953, thefishing cobles Betty, Rosemary, and


Rachel, of Scarborough, were at sea inbad weather, and the weather wasbecoming worse. About 7.35 one ofthem was seen approaching the har-bour, and at 7.40 the life-boat E.C.J.R.was launched. She escorted the firstcoble to the harbour in a rough seawith a strong easterly breeze, and thenput out again and escorted in theother two, reaching the harbour her-self at nine o'clock. She remained inthe harbour in case she might beneeded for three other fishing boatswhich were still at sea, but theseboats all reached harbour by them-selves. The life-boat then returnedto her station, arriving at 2.45.—Rewards, £16.

FISHING BOAT HITS WRECKWalmer, Kent.—At 5.28 on the after-

noon of the 27th of April, 1953. theDeal coastguard rang up to say thatthe fishing boat Siroco, of Boulogne,had hit a wreck in the Downs andappeared to have stuck, and at 5.35the life-boat Charles Dibdin, Civil Ser-vice No. 2 was launched. There wasa slight sea, with a moderate south-south-west breeze blowing and mist,and the life-boat found the Siroco, witha crew of ten, fast on the wreck. Thelife-boat put a rope on board, towedher clear, and then returned to herstation, arriving at 6.40. The Sirocowas undamaged and went on her way.

FISHING BOAT BROKEN DOWN INROUGH SEA

St. Helier, Jersey.—At six o'clock onthe evening of the 28th of April, 1953,the harbourmaster rang up to say thatthe owner of the local fishing boatFiona had reported that the boat wasoverdue with a crew of two, and that hefelt anxious for their safety. Later atelephone call from Portelet broughtthe news that a fishing boat hadanchored near the rocks near PorteletBay and was asking for help. At 7.30the life-boat Elizabeth Rippon left hermoorings in a rough sea with a freshwest-north-west breeze blowing. Shefound the Fiona anchored to her fish-ing pots. The Fiona had brokendown and had lost her anchor andcable, arid the life-boat rescued themen, one of whom was exhausted, and

towed the boat to St. Helier, arrivingback at her station at nine o'clock.—Rewards, £7 Is. Qd.

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

Howth, Co. Dublin.—April 2nd.—Rewards, £14 9*.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—April 2nd.—Rewards, £9 12s.

Wicklow. — April 2nd. •— Rewards,£18 2,9.

Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—April 2nd,—Rewards, £16 13*.

Clogher Head, Co. Louth.—April 2nd.—Rewards, £19 17*. 6d.

Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—April 2nd.—Rewards, £24 15s.

Humber, Yorkshire.—April 2nd.—Paid Permanent Crew.

Ramsgate, Kent.—April 6th.—Re-wards, £4 8s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—April 8th.—Rewards, £10 7s. Sd.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—April 10th.—Rewards, £5 14s.

Eastbourne, Sussex.—April llth.—Rewards, £13 10s.

Torbay, Devon.—April 14th.—Re-wards, £7 Is. 6d.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—April16th.—Rewards, £25 9,9.

Amble, Northumberland.—April 17th.—Rewards, £9 9s.

Newbiggin, Northumberland.—April17th.—Rewards, £16 16s.

Boulmer, Northumberland. — April17th.—Rewards, £14 10s.

North Sunderland, Northumberland.—April 17th.—Rewards, £32 13s.

Clovelly, Devon. — April 20th. —Rewards, £46 7s. 6d.

Appledore, Devon. — April 20th. —Rewards, £36 8s.

Ilfracombe, Devon. — April 21st.—Rewards, £18. 11s. 6d.

Minehead, Somerset.—April 21st.—Rewards, £15 Os. 6d.

Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.—April23rd.—Rewards, £12 15s.

Selsey, Sussex. — April 26th. — Re-wards, £16 9s. 6d.

MAY

DURING May life-boats were launched44 times and rescued 30 lives.


MAN INJURED IN GALLEYWalmer, Kent.—At 10.35 on the

morning of the 3rd of May, 1953, ship-ping agents in Dover asked if the life-boat -would take a doctor to the motorvessel Aridity, of London, anchoredoff Deal, as a man in her had beenflung across her galley and injured.At 10.4.5 the life-boat Charles DibdinCivil Service No 2 was launched witha doctor on board, and made for thevessel in a moderate sea with a lightnortherly breeze blowing. She putthe doctor on board and then landedthe injured man, reaching her stationagain at 11.30.—Rewards £16 14s.

BRITISH RAILWAYS STEAMER INCOLLISION

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—Earlyon the morning of the 6th of May,1953, the United States steamer HaitiVictory collided with the BritishRailways passenger steamer Duke ofYork two miles east-south-east of theGalloper lightvessel. The bows of theDuke of York were torn right off. At4.33 the Haiti Victory sent a wirelessmessage, and at 4.46 the Walton-on-the-Naze coastguard rang up the life-boat station. The 509 passengers andcrew of the Duke of York began toabandon ship, and at 5.2 the coast-guard reported that she needed help.At 5.30 the life-boat E.M.E.D. left hermoorings in a light north-north-westbreeze with a swell and mist, and onreaching the wreck immediately helpedto free trapped passengers from thewreckage. She took a woman andchild on board and transferred them,to a naval vessel. The life-boat thenreturned to the Duke of York and con-tinued to clear away wreckage untilthe master asked her to go to theHaiti Victory and fetch two doctorsand oxvgen. The life-boat did this,put the doctors aboard the Duke ofYork, and then took more doctors,orderlies and medical stores to herfrom a R.A.F. launch. The life-boatthen fetched acetylene-burning gearfrom another steamer and helped invarious ways until tugs took thesteamer in tow at 12.50. The life-boat stood by during towing opera-tions, making further trips for medicalstores and relaying orders from the

steamer to the tugs. She remainedwith the Haiti Victory until thesteamer reached Harwich harbour andthen returned to her station, arrivingat 1.30 early on the 7th. The RailwayExecutive, Eastern Region, expressedits thanks and made a donation to thefunds of the Institution. Eight per-sons are reported to have lost theirlives. The survivors were picked upbv the Haiti Victory and other vessels.—Rewards, £48 4,v.

TWO MEN RESCUED FROM DINGHYPlymouth, Devon.—At 6.46 on the

evening of the 10th of May, 1953, theYealm coastguard rang up to say thatthe owner of the fifteen-feet sailingdinghy Zephyr had reported that twomen who had hired the dinghy thatafternoon had last been seen off theMewstone. They were already over-due and it was thought that withthe strong ebb tide they might beunable to come ashore. At 7.2 thelife-boat Thomas Forehead and MaryRowse was launched and began tosearch. There was a fresh north-easterly breeze blowing. A naval heli-copter and other boats also took partin the search, and about 8.50 the life-boat found the Zephyr between Wem-bury Point and Mewstone. The men,who were wet and cold, were makinglittle progress against the wind andtide, and the life-boat rescued them.The life-boatmen gave them hotdrinks, towed the dinghy to Yealm,and landed the men there, arrivingback at their station at 10.25.—Rewards, £6 ]8,y.

THANKS ON VELLUM TO KERRYCOXSWAIN

On the 13th of May, 1953, theValentia life-boat found the Frenchtrawler Liberator, of Camaret, south ofthe Blasket Islands after an eight-hour search in a very rough sea. Thecoxswain took the life-boat close tothe stern of the trawler in darkness,passed a rope on board, and took herin tow. For the determination andinitiative he showed Coxswain Jere-miah O'Connell was awarded thethanks of the Institution inscribed onvellum. A full account of this servicewill be found on page 538.


YACHT SEEN DRIFTING ACROSSHARBOUR

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—At eighto'clock on the evening of the 14th ofMay, 1953, the life-boat honorarysecretary saw the local yacht Rainbowwith a crew of four, drifting across thenorth of the harbour. She had beendismasted and was in danger of beingdriven ashore at Blackrock. At 8.11the life-boat Dunleary II was launchedin a rough sea with a strong south-easterly breeze. She came up with theyacht a mile north of the West Pierand towed her to the harbour, reachingher station again at 8.40. The ownermade a gift to the coxswain.—Rewards£6 10.?.

INDIAN SEAMAN LANDED ATHARTLEPOOL

Hartlepool, Durham.—At 1.20 earlyon the morning of the 16th of May,1953, the Teesmouth life-boat stationtelephoned to say that the S.S. IndianExporter, of Calcutta, had asked for aboat to land a sick seaman. TheTeesmouth life-boat was off service formachinery overhaul, and at 1.50 thelife-boat The Princess Royal, CivilService No. 7 was launched, with thesecond coxswain in charge, in a slightsea with a light southerly breeze blow-ing. She came up with the steamerin Tees Bay, took on board the sickman, wirelessed for an ambulance tomeet her at Hartlepool, and landedthe man there at 2.55.—Rewards,£6 9s.

YACHT'S CREW BROUGHT TOFLEETWOOD

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 11.30 onthe morning of the 17th of May, 1953,a report came by telephone of a yachtflying a distress signal a quarter of amile east-bv-north of the Wyre Light.At 11.50 the life-boat Ann LetitiaRussell was launched. There was afresh south-westerly breeze with amoderate sea. The life-boat found theauxiliary yacht Speedy, of Deganwy,with a crew of five. Her engine hadbroken down, and she was bumpingthe bottom and making water. Thelife-boat towed her to Fleetwood,berthed her in the harbour, and

reached her station again at 12.35.—Rewards, £9 5*.

YUGOSLAV STEAMER AGROUND INFOG

Runswick, Yorkshire.—At 1.55 on theafternoon of the 19th of May, 1953, theStaithes coastguard rang up to saythat a vessel had gone aground onKettleness Point in thick fog, and at2.15 the life-boat Robert Patton—TheAlways Ready was launched with thesecond coxswain in charge. She foundthe S.S. Sabac, of Rijeka, Yugoslavia,and stood by her in a slight sea, with alight easterly breeze blowing. About6.30 the steamer refloated under herown power, and as she was undamagedand did not need the life-boat anylonger, the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 7.30.—Rewards,£20 8s.

IRISH PLANE CRASHES INTO SEA

Clogher Head, Co. Louth; and Howth,Co. Dublin.—At 3.40 on the afternoonof the 22nd of May, 1953, the AirControl Officer, Irish Air Corps, atBaldonnell rang up the Clogher Headlife-boat station to say that a Seafireaircraft of the Irish Air Corps hadcrashed into the sea between Gormans-town and Balbriggan. The life-boatGeorge and Caroline Ermen waslaunched at four o'clock in a moderateswell with a south-easterly breezeblowing, and searched in companywith a motor boat and another air-craft. They found the Seafire intwelve feet of water four hundred yardsfrom the shore. The life-boat thennoticed that the motor boat, which hada crew of three, had run short of petroland was drifting towards the rockyshore. She towed her to Balbrigganand then returned to the Seafire. TheHowth life-boat R.P.L., which waslaunched at 3.45, had also arrived onthe scene, and both life-boats remaineduntil two other boats had marked theposition. The life-boats then returnedto their station, the Clogher Head life-boat arriving at 9.25 and the Howthboat at 10.45. The pilot of the Sea-fire lost his life. The skipper of themotor boat and an officer of the IrishAir Corps expressed their thanks.—Rewards: Clogher, £15 10*.; Howth,£9 16s.


SERVICE ON ORKNEYS FLAG DAYStronsay and Stromness, Orkneys.—

At 8.36 on the evening of the 22nd ofMay, 1953, the Kirkwall coastguardrang up the Stronsay life-boat stationto say that three men who had leftWalls, Shetland, for Kirkwall in thethirty-feet motor boat Vaila the pre-vious evening, had not arrived. TheVaila had last been seen east of FairIsle at three o'clock that morning.The life-boat Edward Z. Dresden wasdue to go to Sanday on the 23rd on atrip for the island's life-boat flag day,and the coastguard said he would keepin touch with her in case she might beneeded. At 11.15 she left for Sandaywith the honorary secretary, CaptainE. H. Clements, D.S.C., on board.Aircraft carried out a search for theVaila, and about one o'clock in theafternoon reported that unidentifiedwreckage could be seen 41 miles east-by-south of Tresness Sanday. Thecoastguard rang Captain Clements atSanday, and at 2.30 the Stronsay life-boat put to sea, with the honorarysecretary on board, in a slight sea witha moderate south-easterly breeze blow-ing. She searched widely, but foundnothing and returned to Stronsay forfuel, arriving at 2.30 early on the 24th.A Danish motor vessel found theVaila fifteen miles east-by-south ofAuskerry. The fishing boat had enginetrouble, and the motor vessel towedher to the entrance to Stronsay har-bour, arriving at 4.10. The life-boatthen put out again, towed the Vailain, and secured her at Stronsay pier,reaching her station at five o'clock.The Stromness life-boat J.J.K.S.W.was also launched at 8.20 on theafternoon of the 23rd of May, but shefound nothing and reached her stationagain at 8.45.—Rewards Stronsay,£18 7*.; Stromness, £30 Ws.

CHIEF OFFICER LANDED IN PAINAldeburgh, Suffolk.—At 7.45 on the

morning of the 23rd of May, 1953, theAldeburgh coastguard rang up to saythat the S.S. Richmond Queen, ofLondon, had a sick man on board andneeded a doctor. She was making forAldeburgh and was due at nine o'clock.At 8.50 the No. 1 life-boat AbdijBeauclerk was launched, with a doctoron board, in a slight swell with a light

south-easterly breeze blowing. Shecame up with the steamer two milesto the east of Aldeburgh, and landedthe chief officer, who had severe pains,at 9.30.—Rewards, £32 8s. 6d.

CREW OF THIRTY-EIGHT LANDEDDover, and Walmer, Kent.—At 2.55

early on the morning of the 24th of May,1953, the Sandgate coastguard rang upto say that the motor vessel Andaman.of Gothenburg, had collided with thePanamanian steamer Fortune threemiles south of the South Goodwinlightvessel. At 3.15 ' the life-boatSouthern Africa left her moorings in asmooth sea with a light south-easterlybreeze and dense fog. The Fortuneanchored near the South GoodwinBuoy, but the Andaman was sinking

j and she wirelessed that her crew ofj thirty-eight were taking to her boats.

The life-boat .searched for her, but alater message stated that the S.S.Arthur Wright had picked up twoboats and the thirty-eight men. Atfive o'clock the life-boat found theArthur Wright three miles east-south-east of the lightvessel, took the Anda-man's crew on board, and towed theboats to Dover, arriving at 8.45. TheWalmer life-boat Charles Dibdin, CirilSen-ice No. 2 was launched at 2.40and also searched, but her serviceswere not needed. She returned to herstation at 9.20.—Rewards: Dover,£11 2s.; Walmer, £29 7s. 6d.

FIVE CHILDREN RESCUEDMoelfre, Anglesey. — About eleven

o'clock on the morning of the 25th ofMay, 1953, a message was receivedfrom Benllech that a local rowing boatwith a man and five children on boardwas in difficulties off Red Wharf Bayand was being driven towards PuffinIsland. At 11.15 the life-boat G.W.was launched in a rough sea with afresh south-westerly breeze blowing.She towed the boat, which was theEdna, to Benllech. Later she escorteda fishing boat with a sailing dinghy intow to Traen Bychan, and reached herstation again at 12.50.—Rewards,£5 19*.

FISHING BOAT FOUND ON REEFBarra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At

10.30 on the night of the 26th of Mav,


By courtesy of] [PhotofligM Ltd.

THE LIFE-BOAT STATION AT ST. DAVID'S, PEMBROKESHIRE


J -̂ ^^^^^^^^ r̂fr" n •[Central Preys Phnlus

TWO BRONZE MEDALLISTS

Coxswain Denis Price, of Margate, and Mr. Tony Metcalfe

(See page 575)


By courtesy of] [Sport and General

H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF KENT PRESENTS THE BRONZE MEDALFOR GALLANTRY TO COXSWAIN DOUGLAS KIRKALDIE, OF RAMSGATE

By courtesy of]RESCUE FROM SHIP CUT IN TWO

[P. A.-Renter and Photopress

A deckhand from the Grimsby trawler Riviere being brought ashore from the Flamborough life-boat(See page 567)


By courtesy of] [J. Wood

WINNERS OF THE GOLD BADGE

Mrs. Ellen Tart and Miss Madge Tart, of Dungeness

(See page 539)


By courtesy of] [Bullet's Photo News Service

THE WOMEN LAUNCHERS OF DUNGENESS(See page 539)

By courtesy of] [Fox Photos

H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF KENT PRESENTS THE GOLD BADGETO MISS MADGE TART

(See page 576)


By courtesy of]NORWEGIAN SHIP HITS SEA FORT

The Norwegian ship Baalbek crashed into the Great Nore Fort in a fog

(See page 576)

[Associated Press

A SERVICE BY THE MARGATE LIFE-BOAT TO THE GERMAN CADET TRAININGSHIP PAMIR

(See the Life-boat, vol. X X X I I I , page 334.)


THE CREW OF THE DONAGHADEE LIFE-BOATCoxswain Hugh Nelson (centre) was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry in rescuing survivors

from the Prmce.ss Krcfona(See page 533)

By courtesy o/] [Planet News

THE COXSWAINS WHO RESCUED 33 FROM THE PRINCESS VICTORIACoxswain Hugh Nelson, of Donaghadee, and Coxswain William McConnell, of Portpatnck

(See page 533)


LT.-COL. C. R. SATTERTHWAITE, O.B.E.

(See page 544)


1953. a man rang up to say that themotor fishing boat Brenjean, of Yar-mouth, had gone aground on the southside of the entrance to Castlebay har-bour. At 10.55 the life-boat Manchesterand Salford, on temporary duty at thestation, put out in a calm sea with alight north-westerly breeze blowing.She found the lirenjean, with a crew often, on a reef, and stood by her untilshe refloated at four o'clock on themorning of the 27th. She then re-turned to her station, arriving at 4.30.—Rewards, £11 12,v.

FISHERMAN PICKS UP WIRELESSMESSAGE

Flamborough, Yorkshire.—At 8.50 onthe morning of the 28th of May, 1953,a retired fisherman told the life-boatcoxswain that he had heard on hiswireless set a message from the fishingboat May Lily, of liridlington, whichhad broken down under Speeton cliffsand needed immediate help. At 9.10the life-boat Howard D. was launched.There was a strong northerly windwith a rough sea. The life-boat foundthe May Lily, with a crew of four, indanger of drifting ashore on the rocks.She went alongside, took a rope fromthe boat and towed her to Bridlington,arriving about 12.30. The life-boatthen returned to her station, whichshe reached again at 2.15.—Rewards,£28 3s. 6d.

GUESTS TAKEN OFF H.M.S. ' CHEER-FUL '

Cromer, Norfolk.—Oil the 30th ofMay, 1953, II.M.S. Cheerful, which waspaying an official visit to Cromer, hadseveral guests on board, including theChairman of the Cromer Urban Dis-trict Council and the life-boat honorarysecretary. The weather deterioratedduring the evening, and the Cheerful\sas unable to land the guests. Theweather was still bad the next day.The guests still could not go ashore,and two ladies were feeling seasick.The honorary secretary therefore askedfor the Xo/2 life-boat. At 11.30 onthe 31st the life-boat Harriot Dixonwas launched in a rough sea with astrong northerly wind blowing, andwent alongside the Cheerful. Thecoxswain gave each of the guests alife-belt, and the life-boatmen helped

I them all into the life-boat, which thentook them ashore. The life-boatreached her station again at 12.10.—Rewards, £11 9*.

The following life-boats went out onservice, but could find no ships in dis-tress, were not needed, or could do

I nothing:i Valentia, Co. Kerry.—May 6th.—Re-

wards, £14 10s. Qd.Clovelly, Devon.—May 7th.—Rewards,

£39 6s.Appledore, Devon.—May 7th.—Re-

wards, £30 18s.Stromness, Orkneys.—May 8th.—Re-

wards, £13 4s.Swanage, Dorset. — May 8th. — Re-

wards, £8 7s.Redcar, Yorkshire.—May 10th.—Re-

wards, £9 7s.Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—May 10th.

—Rewards, £22 19s.The Lizard, Cornwall.—May 13th.—

Rewards, £18 5s.Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—May

14th.—Rewards, £9 12s.Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—May 16th.—

Rewards, £8 15s.Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—May 16th.—

Rewards, £15 4s.Dover, Kent.—May 17th.—Rewards,

£5 8s.Ilfracombe, Devon.—May 18th.—Re-

wards, £20 6s. 6d.Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—May 18th.

—Rewards, £8 Is. Qd.Hastings, Sussex.—May 19th.—Re-

wards, £32 ] 8s. Qd.St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—May 20th.

—Rewards, £5 16s.Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—Mav

21st.—Rewards, £9 11s.Margate, Kent.—May 21st.—Rewards,

£7.Padstow, Cornwall.—May 24th.—Re-

wards, £3 15s.Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—Mav

26th.—Rewards, £7 16s.Newhaven, Sussex.—May 26th.—Re-

wards, £10 19s.Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—May 28th.

—Rewards, £10 16s.Cullercoats, Northumberland.—Mav

29th.—Rewards, £12 12s.Newhaven, Sussex.—May 31st.—Re-

wards, £7 9s. Qd.New Brighton, Cheshire.—May 31st.

—Rewards, £12 12s.


JUNEDURING June life-boats were launched39 times and rescued 11 lives.

WARSHIP'S PINNACE TOWED TOMOORINGS

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. — Attwelve minutes past midnight on the 1stof June, 1953, the pier nightwatchmantold the life-boat motor mechanic thatthe pinnace from H.M.S. Verulam,which was anchored in LlandudnoBay, had sent an S O S message, asshe herself had anchored with a brokenrudder. The life-boat Tillie Morrison,Sheffield, was launched in a rough seawith a strong north-north-west breezeblowing, and found the pinnace in thebay with a crew of five. She hadbeen bound for the shore with sevenpassengers. The life-boat towed thepinnace to the lee of Great Orme'sHead. From there the passengerswere landed by rowing boat, and ananchor and rope were put on boardthe life-boat. The life-boat thentowed the pinnace to safe moorings,took off her crew, and landed themwith the help of the rowing boat. Shereached her station again at 4.15.—Rewards, £19 13s.

LIGHTVESSEL'S TENDERESCORTED

Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 12.43 onthe afternoon of the 1st of June, 1953,the Arklow lightvessel wirelessed thather tender Willie Wag, of Arklow,with a crew of four, had broken downafter leaving the lightvessel. Thismessage was heard on a private wire-less set and was passed to the life-boatstation. At 1.2 the life-boat InbhearMor was launched in a rough sea anda moderate north-westerly gale. Shefound the Willie Wag four miles north-north-west of the lightvessel undersail. The tender's crew made tem-porary repairs to her engine, and shewent to Arklow harbour escorted bythe life-boat, which reached her stationagain at 4.15.—Rewards, £10 14s.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TOAMBLE

Amble, Northumberland.—At 1.32 onthe afternoon of the 1st of June, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that the

fishing boat Glad Tidings had leftDruridge Bay for Amble, but thatconditions on the Amble harbour barwere dangerous. At 2.17 the coast-guard reported that the Glad Tidingswas unable to enter the harbour, andthat the fishing boat Radiant Mornwas now with her. At 3.5 the life-boatJ. W. Archer was launched in a roughsea with a fresh north-north-westbreeze blowing. She escorted theboats in and reached her station againat 4.35.—Rewards. £5 5s.

ABANDONED YACHT TOWED TODOUGLAS

Douglas, Isle of Man.—About twoo'clock on the afternoon of the 1st ofJune, 1953, the harbour masterreceived a message from the S.S.Snaefell, of Douglas, that she wasstanding by the Bermuda sloop-riggedyacht Astral, of Abersoch, about eightand a half miles south-east of DouglasHead. At 2.20 the life-boat MillieWalton was launched in a very roughsea with a moderate northerly galeblowing. She found that the Astralhad been dismasted, and that theSnaefell had taken off her crew of three.The yacht had been abandoned by theSnaefell, but the life-boat towed her toDouglas. The life-boat reached herstation again at 6.20.—Property Sal-vage Case.

LIFE-BOATMEN BOARD FISHINGBOAT

Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 12.19 on theafternoon of the 2nd of June, 1953,the coastguard told the life-boat cox-swain that a motor boat appeared tobe in distress three quarters of a mileoff Pakefield and was flying distresssignals. At 12.25 the life-boat MichaelStephens put to sea and made for theposition in a moderate sea. with afresh north-north-west breeze blowing.She found the fishing boat Marion, ofLowestoft, with a crew of three, threemiles south-south-west of Lowestoft.The Marion's trawl had fouled herpropeller, but she had anchored. Twolife-boatmen boarded her and helpedthe crew to weigh their anchor. Thelife-boat then towed the Marion toLowestoft, reaching her station againat 2.40. The owner made a gift tothe life-boatmen.—Rewards, £8 19s. 6d.


FIVE BOATS ESCORTED TO WHITBY

Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morningof the 5th of June, 1953, it wasnoticed that conditions on the harbourbar were dangerous. Local fishingboats were at sea, and at nine o'clockthe No. 2 harbour pulling life-boatRobert and Ellen Robson put to sea tostand by them as they entered theh-arbour. A moderate northerly galewas causing a heavy sea. The life-boat escorted in the Venus, Galilee,Pilot Me, Progress and Lead Us,reaching her station again at 1.30—Rewards, £19 Os. 6d.

THREE LIFE-BOATMEN LOSE THEIRLIVES

Cromer, Norfolk.—About nine o'clockon the morning of the 5th of June,1953, the coxswain of the No. 1 life-boat was returning to Cromer in hisfishing boat, when another fishingboat, the White Rose, which had justput to sea, hailed him with the newsthat the fishing boat Roy Jimmy hadfoundered in a swell a hundred yardsfrom the shore. The coxswain, assis-tant motor mechanic and a life-boat-man of the No. 2 life-boat had allbeen aboard the Boy Jimmy. Bothboats at once searched for the men,but found nothing1 and went ashore at9.45. At 9.55 the coastguard rangup the life-boat station, and as twoother fishing boats, The Miss Cromerand Why Worry, were still at sea, theNo. 1 coxswain decided to call outthe No. 2 life-boat Harriot Dixon. Hetook charge of her, and she waslaunched at 11.15 with a light north-north-west breeze blowing. Sheescorted the two fishing boats to theshore and arrived back at her stationat noon. The three men in the BoyJimmy lost their lives. The Institu-tion made a contribution to a localfund raised for the dependants. Anaccount of the careers of the threelife-boatmen who lost their lives isgiven on page 545.—Rewards, £10 15s.were paid, but the crew and helpersgave this sum and the rewards paidfor the service on the 80th of May (seepage 565) to the fund raised for thedependants of those who lost theirlives.

GIRL FALLS OVER CLIFFHowth, Co. Dublin.—At 2.45 oi\ the

afternoon of the 6th of June, 1953, alocal boatman reported that a girl hadfallen over a cliff into the sea at theNose of Howth, half a mile from theharbour. At 2.55 the life-boat R.P.L.put to sea. There was a calm seawith a light east-south-east breeze.The life-boat found that the girl, whohad been badly injured, had hauledherself on to a rock. The life-boatrescued her and landed her at 3.30 atHowth, where an ambulance waswaiting to take her to hospital.—Rewards, £4 10*.

TEN TRAWLERMEN LOSTFlamborough, Yorkshire.—At 6.5 on

the morning of the 10th of June, 1953,the coxswain heard a message on hiswireless set from Cullercoats radiostation that the S.S. Firelight hadcollided with the trawler Biriere. ofGrirnsby, about five miles off Flam-borough Head. The life-boatmenassembled, and shortly afterwards thecoxswain heard on his wireless thatthe steamer had picked up threetrawlermen, but that ten were missing-.At 6.45 the life-boat Hoii'ard D. waslaunched in a moderate sea, northerlybreeze and dense fog. She steered acourse north-east-by-east and wire-lessed the Firelight to sound her sirenas a guide. The life-boat came upwith the Firelight about six milesnorth-east of Flamborough Head, andlearnt from the master that theRiviere was a quarter of a mile to thesouthward. The life-boat searchedfor the missing men, but found noneof them and returned to the steamer.She took on board the three survivors,so that the Firelight could go on herway, and then resumed the search.She found only wreckage and a body,and at 4.30 she reached her station,where she landed the three men andthe body. Tiie trawler sank with theloss of ten lives.—Rewards, £32 7*. 6d.

HELP TO SEA CADETSCromer, Norfolk.—About six o'clock

on the evening of the llth of June,1953, the coastguard passed on to thecoxswain of the No. 1 life-boat HenryBlogg a message he had received fromSheringham that a small motor vessel


close to the shore was flying a signaland travelling south quickly. At6.30 the coxswain saw the vesselapproaching from the north-west andthought she was in a dangerous posi-tion. The coastguard then told himthat she had nearly capsized east ofCromer pier and had asked for help,and at 6.50 the life-boat was launched.There was a rough sea with a freshnorth-north-west breeze. The life-boat found the motor vessel Norok,with the Commanding Officer of aSea Cadet Unit and nine cadets onboard. The Norok had lost her smallboat and had engine trouble. Thelife-boat began to escort her to GreatYarmouth, but off Caister the Norok'sengines failed. The life-boat thentowed her to Great Yarmouth, whichshe reached at 10.15. As the weatherwould not allow the life-boat to berehoused at Cromer, she remained atGreat Yarmouth for the night andreturned to her station on the 12th,arriving at six in the evening. TheCommanding Officer expressed histhanks.—Rewards, £21 18,9.

MOTOR COASTER REFLOATEDWhitby, Yorkshire.—At 1.5 early on

the morning of the 15th of June, 1953,during fog, the coastguard rang up tosay that a vessel had gone ashore offNorth Cheek, Robin Hood's Bay.The No. 1 life-boat Man/ Ann Hep-worth was launched at two o'clock.There was now a light east-south-eastbreeze, and the sea was smooth. Thelife-boat found the motor coasterC.64S, of London, with a crew of nine.Fishing boats also put out, and theyrefloated the coaster while the life-boatstood bv. The fishing boats thentowed the €.648 to Whitby. Thelife-boat remained with her until shewas safely berthed and then returnedto her station, arriving at six o'clock.—Rewards, £9 8s.

INJURED MATE LANDED

Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 12.5 on theafternoon of the 15th of June, 1953,during thick fog, the coastguard rangup to say that a vessel had run ashoretwo hundred yards south of NorthCheek in Robin Hood's Bay. At12.20 the No. 1 life-boat Mary AnnHepzcoiih was launched for the second

time that day. She made for theposition in a smooth sea with a lightnorth-westerly breeze, and found theS.S. Libra, of Panama. The masterasked the life-boat to stand by hisship. Several fishing boats arrivedand laid out anchors for her, and then,at the request of the master, the life-boat landed his mate, who had beeninjured. When she had done so shereturned to the vessel and remainedwith her until the Libra refloated onthe tide and made for Hartlepool.The life-boat reached her stationagain at 6.5.—Rewards, £12 7s.

DUTCH SHIP REFLOATEDRunswick, Yorkshire.—At 1.40 on the

afternoon of the 15th of June, 1953,during dense fog, it was learnt atthe life-boat station that a vessel hadgone aground half a mile south ofStaithes. At 2.10 the life-boat RobertPatton—The Always Ready waslaunched. There was a light north-westerly breeze with a smooth sea.The life-boat found the motor vesselMaraat V, of Rotterdam, with a crewof five, one mile south of Staithes.She stood by until the Maraat Vrefloated on the rising tide. TheMaraat V was undamaged and wenton her way to Middlesbrough. Thelife-boat returned to her station,arriving at 4.30.—Rewards, £141 ls.6d.

CAPSIZED DINGHY TOWED TOHARBOUR

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 4.25 onthe afternoon of the 16th of June, 1953,the Needles coastguard rang up to saythe Royal Lymington yacht club hadreported that a fourteen-foot dinghyhad capsized off Hurst Point; thatanother fourteen-feet dinghy was indifficulties; and that a motor boatwhich had put out to help had brokendown. At 4.35 the life-boat S.G.E.put to sea and made a search in achoppy sea with a fresh south-westerlybreeze. She found the capsized dinghybut saw nothing of the other dinghyand motor boat. She towed thecapsized dinghy to harbour, arrivingat 6.10. Donations were made to thefunds of the Institution by those whohad chartered the yacht and by thecommittee and members of the yachtclub.—Rewards, £5 ISs.


HELP TO AMERICAN STEAMER INFOG

Longhope, Orkneys.—At 4.4 on theafternoon of the 17th of June, 1953,the Kirkwall coastguard rang up tosay that a vessel had run ashore onthe west end of the Pentland Skerries.At 4.30 the life-boat Thomas McCunnwas launched. There was a moderateswell with a light south-easterly breezeand dense fog. The life-boat foundthe S.S. Rutgers Victory, of Los Angeles,with a crew of forty-five, bound forStavanger, on the west side of MuckleSkerry. A life-boatman boarded her,and the life-boat stood bv. Abouttwo o'clock early on the morning ofthe 18th the steamer refloated, andwhen the fog had cleared slightly thelife-boatman piloted her to LonghopeBay. The life-boat escorted her andreached her station again at nineo'clock.—Rewards, £31 13,?. 6d.

THREE-HOUR SEARCH FOR VESSELWalton and Frinton, Essex.—At 11.27

on the morning of the 18th of June,1953, the Walton-on-the-Naze coast-guard rang up to say that the NorthForeland radio station had passed ona message from the motor vesselBonnie Lass, of Shoreham. TheBonnie Lass, a converted fishing boatwith a crew of four, had wirelessedthat she had broken down and neededa tow five miles east of the Sunk light-vessel. The new Flamborough life-boat, on passage to her station, wasat South Knock and heard the messageon her radio telephone. She made forthe position, and at 11.40 the Waltonand Frinton life-boat E.M.E.D. put tosea in a slight swell with a moderatesouth-south-west breeze. She search-ed for nearly three hours, found theBonnie Lass eight miles east of thelight-vessel, and towed her to Harwich,arriving at 6.15. She then returned toher station, which she reached again at9.30. The life-boat bound for Flam-borough was not needed and went onher way.—Property Salvage Case.

LIFE-BOAT TAKES OVER TOWYarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 7.15 on

the morning of the 19th of June, 1953,the Needles coastguard rang up to saythat the motor vessel Austerity had

wirelessed that she had the ten-tonsloop yacht Symphony II, with a crewof six, in tow about eight miles southof the Needles. She had asked if thelife-boat would take over the tow.At 7.45 the life-boat S.G.E. put outin a choppy sea with a fresh south-south-west breeze blowing. She cameup with the vessel three and a halfmiles south of Freshwater Bay. TheSymphony II had lost her bowspritand her foresail had carried away.The life-boat towed her to Yarmouth,arrivingat 10.45.-—Property SalvageCase.

TOW FOR CAPSIZED YACHT

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 3.37 onthe afternoon of the 21st of June, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that ayacht had capsized and that a manwas in the sea off Holland Haven.At 3.45 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baringwas launched in a slight swell with alight south-south-west breeze blowing,but another yacht picked up the man.The life-boat towed in the capsizedyacht and reached her station againat 4.50.—Rewards. £8.

SWEDISH OFFICERS' WIVES LANDED

Newbiggin, Northumberland. — At2.55 on the afternoon of the 26th ofJune, 1953, the coastguard rang up tosay that a vessel had stranded about twohundred vards north of Church Point.At 3.9 the life-boat Richard Ashleywas launched in a smooth sea, with alight north-easterly breeze and fog.She found the S.S. Nedjan. of Simris-hamn, Sweden, with fifteen persons onboard. The life-boat took off aninjured seaman and the wives of themaster and chief officer, and broughtthem near the shore. A small boatthen landed them. The life-boat re-turned to the steamer and stood byher until the next morning, when anattempt by tugs to tow her clear wasunsuccessful. The tugs remained withthe steamer and the life-boat was nolonger needed. She returned to thestation, arriving at eight o'clock onthe morning of the 27th. The Nedjanwas later refloated and towed to Blyth.—Rewards, £35 2,?.

570 THE LIFE-BOAT [SUMMEK, 1953

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED INROUGH SEA

Sheringham, Norfolk. — About sixo'clock on the morning of the 29th ofJune, 1953, six local fishing boats putto sea in fair weather, but a swelldeveloped and it became misty. Atten o'clock a man told the life-boathonorary secretary that the sea hadbecome rough for the boats, and an-other boat, manned by the life-boatmotor mechanic, came ashore. Themechanic said that the weather off-shore was becoming worse, and at10.44 the life-boat Foresters Centenarywas launched. The sea was roughwith an east-north-east wind. Threeof the boats reached the shore on theirown, but the life-boat escorted in theothers and arrived back at her stationat 11.30.—Rewards, £22 '2s. 6d.

GERMAN STEAMER TOWS YACHTWalton and Frinton, Essex.—At 5.50

on the 29th of June, 1953, the Walton-on-the-Xaze coastguard rang up to saythat the German steamer Dorte, ofStade. had taken in tow a yacht whichhad been in difficulties on the NorthEast Gunfleet Sands. The yachts-men asked for the life-boat, and at 6.5the life-boat Thomas Markby, ontemporary duty at the station, put tosea. The sea was moderate, with anorth-easterly breeze blowing. Thelife-boat found the yacht Alanna, ofLondon, with a crew of three. Theyhad set out for a cruise on the Dutchcanals, but had been overtaken bybad weather, and had lost their fore-stay and bowsprit. The life-boattowed the yacht to Harwich and thenreturned to her station, arriving at12.30 early on the 30th. The skipper

expressed his appreciation and madea gift to the life-boatmen.—Rewards,£19.

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

Exmouth, Devon.—June 1st.— Re-wards, £16 10*. 6d.

Salcombe, Devon.—June 1st.—Re-wards, £7 10*.

Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—June 2nd.—Rewards, £7 5*.

Dover, Kent.—June 4th.—Rewards,£7 10*. Qd.

Howth, Co. Dublin. — June 9th. —Rewards, £8 19s.

Ramsgate, Kent. — June 9th. —Rewards, £6 10s. Qd.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—June 13th.•—Rewards, £8 15.?.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—June 14th.—Rewards, £6.• Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—June 15th.•—Rewards, £3 15s.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—June 15th.—Rewards, £4 10s.

Newhaven, Sussex.—June 15th.—Rewards, £9 7s. 6d.

Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—June17th.—Rewards, £4 10*.

Plymouth, Devon. — June 20th. —Rewards, £6.

Whitby, Yorkshire. — June 23rd.—Rewards, £6 7*. 6d.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—June 25th.—Rewards, £10.

Walton and Frinton, Essex. — June25th.—Rewards, £9 10s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. —June28th.—Rewards, £12 Is.

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—June 30th.—Rewards, £7 11s.

Portrait on the CoverTHE portrait on the cover is of CaptainWilliam Watts-Williams, the coxswainof the St. David's life-boat. CaptainWatts-Williams first went to sea atthe age of thirteen, forty-nine yearsago, and after a long and varied career,including two voyages round the worldin sail, he became coxswain at St.

David's in 1936. In 1943 he won theInstitution's bronze medal for gallan-try when the life-boat rescued asurvivor from two landing craft whichhad sunk with the loss of 72 men.

The photograph is by Dr. P. G. D.Kerr, of Newport, by whose kindpermission it is reproduced.


Foreign Life-boat SocietiesDUHIXG 1952 foreign life-boats went

out to the help of 12 British vesselsand rescued over 40 lives from them.

BelgiumBelgian life-boats went to the help

of two British yachts, one of whichwas towed into harbour and the otherescorted into harbour.

The Belgian Administration ofMarine has 3 life-boat stations.

DenmarkA Danish life-boat rescued four of

the crew of the Grimsby trawlerForward, which had stranded nearEsbjerg on the 5th of March, andanother vessel rescued a fifth man.

The Danish Life-boat Society has58 life-boat stations with a fleet of '23motor life-boats and 19 pulling andsailing boats; 30 of the stations haverocket apparatus, and there are 16stations with this apparatus only.

FinlandThere were no services to British

vessels.The Life-saving Society of Finland

has 25 stations, with 14 motor life-boats.

FranceLife-boats from Gravelines, Calais,

Boulogne and Dieppe went to the helpof four British yachts and a smallcargo boat.

The French Central Society for theRescue of the Shipwrecked has a fleetof 41 motor life-boats and 10 sailinglife-boats.

GermanyThere were no services to British

vessels.The German Society for Saving the

Shipwrecked has a fleet of 32 motor-life-boats, including the first of a newtype of cruising life-boat, with aramp at the stern down which a smallboat can be launched.

HollandThe Royal North and South Holland

Life-saving Society went to the helpof two British ships. It rescued one

man from one of them, a naval motorlaunch which had exploded after beingstruck by a jet aircraft during com-bined manoeuvres.

The Society has 25 mqtor life-boats.The RoyalSouth Holland Society for

Saving the Shipwrecked went to thehelp of the British steamer Radmar,which had gone aground off the Hookof Holland and took off the crew ofabout thirty-five. It also towed aBritish yacht into harbour.

The Society has 8 motor life-boats.

IcelandA Scottish fishing vessel, which had

lost her rudder, was towed intoharbour.

The National Life-saving Associa-tion of Iceland has 2 100-ton cruisinglife-boat cutters, 2 motor life-boatsand 9 pulling life-boats which workfrom the shore, 66 stations with rocketapparatus, 4 radio direction-findingstations and 26 shelters for ship-wrecked seamen.

NorwayThere were no services to British

vessels.The Norwegian Society for Saving

the Shipwrecked has a fleet of 27cruising ketches.

PortugalThere were no services to British

vessels.The Portuguese Institution for Sav-

ing the Shipwrecked has a fleet of 12motor life-boats, 4 pulling boats withauxiliary engines, 18 pulling andsailing boats and 6 pulling boats.

SpainThere were no services to British

vessels.The Spanish Society for Saving the

Shipwrecked has a fleet of 20 life-boats,some with motors and some with oars.

SwedenThere were no services to British

ships.The Swedish Society for Saving Life

from Shipwreck has 6 cruising motor


life-boats, 16 working from stationson shore and 7 stations with rocketapparatus.

The United States of AmericaThe United States Coastguard has

a fleet of 687 life-boats. 646 of theseare motor boats of various types,and 41 are pulling surf-boats.

British Services to Foreign VesselsBritish life-boats went to the help of

61 ships and 6 aircraft belonging to18 different foreign countries, and

rescued from them 106 lives—15 ofthe ships were from the Netherlands;6 from France; 6 from Norway; 6from Sweden; 5 from Germany; 4from Denmark; 3 from Greece; 3 fromPanama; 3 from the United States;2 from Finland; 1 each from theArgentine, Belgium, Estonia, Iceland,Liberia, Spain and Turkey, and one•was Swiss. The six aircraft belongedto the United States Air Force withheadquarters in Great Britain. Besidesthe lives rescued, life-boats saved threeof the ships.

Centenaries of Life-Boat StationsTwo stations celebrated their centen-aries in 1951: Lytham and New-biggin; and three in 1952: Cullercoats,Rhyl and Tenby.

A vellum was presented to eachstation by the Institution, signed bythe Duchess of Kent as its president,expressing the Institution's apprecia-tion of the voluntary work of theofficers and committee of the stationand the devotion and courage of thelife-boat crews.

It was in 1928 that the Committeeof Management of the Institutionresolved that life-boat stations bepresented with a vellum on completingone hundred years, this vellum to behung in the Town Hall or other publicbuilding, and that a ceremony ofpresentation be arranged in each case.So far 72 centenary vellums have beenawarded.

NEWBIGGIN, NORTHUMBERLAND

The Newbiggin station was estab-lished in 1851 and has had eight life-boats in all. These boats have beenlaunched on service 245 times andhave rescued 395 lives. Eight silvermedals and one bronze medal havebeen awarded to Newbiggin men forgallantry. The women of Newbigginhave also played a big part in the workof the station, and in 1927, and againin 1940, the women launchers wereawarded the thanks of the Institutioninscribed on vellum for carrying outlaunches in exceptionally difficult con-ditions.

The centenary vellum was presentedby Helen, Duchess of Northumberland,to Mr. Sidney Brown, chairman ofthe branch, on the 30th of June, 1951.The occasion was the naming ceremonyof the new Newbiggin life-boat RichardAshley.

LYTHAM, LANCASHIREA life-boat station was established

at Lytham in 1851. and at St. Anne'sin 1881. From 1888 to 1910 therewere two life-boats at St. Anne's, butin 1925 the station was closed. In1931 the St. Anne's branch of theInstitution was amalgamated with theLytham branch.

Lytham has had eight life-boats.They have been launched oil service166 times and have rescued 229 lives.There were five life-boats at differenttimes at St. Anne's. They werelaunched on service 29 times andrescued 40 lives. Three silver medalsand one bronze medal have beenawarded for gallantry to Lytham andSt. Anne's men.

A St. Anne's life-boat was involvedin one of the greatest disasters in thehistory of the Institution. Thisoccurred in 1886, when the St. Anne's,Southport and Lytham life-boats allwent to the help of the barque Mexico,of Hamburg. The whole of the crewof thirteen of the St. Anne's boat weredrowned, and thirteen of the crew offifteen of the Southport life-boat alsolost their lives.

The disaster to the St. Anne's life-boat led directlv to the re-examination


by the Institution of the whole ques-tion of self-righting life-boats and tothe decision, which was then taken, tobuild more and more life-boats of thenon-self-righting type. Another con-sequence of the disaster was the found-ing by Sir Charles Macara of theLife-boat Saturday Fund. The organ-ization of the fund was taken over bythe Institution in 1910.

The vellum was presented at theannual meeting of the branch on the27th of March, 1952, by CommanderP. Bartlett, O.B.E., R.N. (retd.), andwas received by the Mayor of LythamSt. Anne's, Councillor Ernest Hoyle,J.P., the president of the branch.

CULLERCOATS,NORTHUMBERLAND

The Cullercoats station, which wasestablished in 1852, has had eightlife-boats in all. They have beenlaunched on service 146 times and haverescued 309 lives.

The vellum was presented on 4thAugust, 1952, by Colonel A. D.Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., secretaryof the Institution, to the honorarysecretary of the Cullercoats branch,Mr. C. S. Spittle. The ceremony tookplace at the boathouse, and the life-boat was launched to mark the occa-sion. The seventy-three-year-oldCullercoats fishwife, Mrs. Bella Matti-son, who has already collected morethan £3,000 for the Institution,appeared dressed in the traditionalCullercoats shawl. Cullercoats fish-wives have been famous for many yearsas collectors for the Institution, andthree of them, including Mrs. Mattison,have been awarded its gold badge fordistinguished honorary service.

RHYL

It is known that early in the nine-teenth century the Shipwrecked

Mariners and Fishermens' Society hada rescue boat stationed at Rhyl, andin 1852 an unnamed boat of thesociety was transferred to the institu-tion. There were at one time twostations at Rhyl, the second stationbeing opened in 1878 and closed in1899. Excluding temporary boats,there have been eight life-boatsstationed at Rhyl, and they haverescued 64 lives.

The vellum was presented on the29th of July, 1952, by Major C. StewartWatson, R.M., Deputy Secretary ofthe Institution, and was received byMr. Fred P. Henson, president of theRhyl and district branch. Mr. Hen-son handed it over to Mr. NormanJones, Chairman of the Rhyl UrbanDistrict Council, who accepted it forsafe keeping. The ceremony tookplace at thelife-boathouse. Command-er Hugh Heaton, R.N.. D.L., deputis-ing for the Lord Lieutenant, presided,and the Anthony Robert Marshall waslaunched for the occasion.

TENBYThe Tenby station was established

in 1852 by the Shipwrecked Marinersand Fishermen's Society and twoyears later was handed over by theSociety to the Institution. Excludingtemporary boats, there have been sixlife-boats at the station and they haverescued 237 lives. Seven silver medalsand one bronze medal have beenawarded to Tenby men for gallantry.

The vellum was presented on 26thNovember, 1952, bv Commodore theEarl Howe, P.C./ C.B.E., V.R.D.,R.N.V.R., deputy chairman of theInstitution, to the Mayor of Tenby,Councillor D. Tudor Hughes, whoaccepted it on behalf of Tenby andDistrict and handed it over to Mr.H. E. Wright, president of the Tenbybranch. The ceremony took place ata commemoration dinner.

Gifts from a Collector of FlagsA COLLECTOR of flags in Dorset hassent the Institution five gifts, in thecourse of seven weeks, amounting to£12 14*. He had asked five shipping

companies for their house-flags andsuggested that, instead of payingthem, he should send the money to theLife-boat Service. They kindly agreed.


Histories of Six Life-boat StationsRhyl, The Lizard, Tynemouth, Sennen Cove, Bembridge and Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

DURING the past three years excellenthistories have been written, and pub-lished locally, of six life-boat stations.

Rhyl celebrated its centenary in1952,"and The Story of Rhyl's Life-boats, 1852 to 1952 was compiled byMr. W. Brookes Parry, the honorarysecretary of the branch, published bythe committee of the branch andprinted by The Charter Press, ofRhuddlan.

The Lizard Life-boats, 1859 to 1952,was written by Mr. F. G. Chapman,the honorary secretary of the branch,with a foreword by its president, Mr.J. C. Trewin, the dramatic critic andeditor of The West Country Magazine,and printed by The Falmouth Packet.

The Tynemouth station celebratedits 90th birthday in 1952, and Tyne-mouth Life-boat, 90th Anniversary,1862-1952 was compiled by Mr. E.Selby Davidson, the honorary secre-tary, and other members of the branch,and the Duke of Northumberland, itspresident and now the treasurer of theInstitution, wrote an introduction toit. It was printed by Cail and Sonsof Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The Sennen Cove station, of whichMr. J. K. Bennetts is honorarysecretary, celebrated its centenary in1953, and The Sennen Cove Branch ofthe R.N.L.I., 1853-1953, a Brief His-tory of the Most Westerly Life-boatStation in Great Britain was writtenby Mr. John Corin and printed byDarke-Johnson of Penzance. It wason the table, with the menu boundinto it, at the centenary dinner on the21st of April.

All four histories were fullv illus-

trated and the large number of adver-tisements in the histories of Rhyl andTynemouth showed the local interestand pride in the stations.

The Bembridge station was estab-lished in 1867, and Annals of BembridgeLife-boats and Life-boatmen was writtenin 1952 by Captain R. C. Watson,R.N.R. Captain Watson's family hasbeen associated with the Bembridgestation since it was established, and hehimself for nearly thirty years. From1942 to 1951 he was its honorarysecretary, and when he retired he wasawarded the Institution's thanks onvellum. His annals of the stationwere published by the Isle of WightCounty Press.

Captain A. G. Cole, M.B.E., R.N.R.,of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, wrote ahistory of the town, called Yarmouth,Isle of Wight. Some Records of anAncient Town, which was first pub-lished in 1946 by the Isle of WightCounty Press. It was so successfulthat a second, revised, edition waspublished in 1948 and a third, en-larged, edition in 1951. Captain Colewas for nineteen years the honorarysecretary of the Yarmouth life-boatstation, and retired in 1952. He wasawarded the Institution's inscribedbinoculars in 1948 and on his retire-ment was appointed an honorary lifegovernor of the Institution, the highesthonour which the Institution can giveto an honorary worker, and made anM.B.E., for his life-boat services. Hishistory of Yarmouth has a very

, interesting chapter on the life-boatstation, which was established in1924.

" The Spirit of AdventureONE of the principal speakers at thedinner of the Outward Bound Trustheld at the Savoy Hotel, London, onthe 28th of April was Coxswain SidneyPage, of Southend. The speakers wereintroduced by Mr. Wynford VaughanThomas, who paid "a tribute tothe spirit of adventure." Other guests

who spoke were Miss Nina Epton,Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Fleming, Mr.

- Eric Shipton and Captain RobertRyder, V.C., M.P.

Marshal of the Royal Air ForceLord Tedder also spoke at the dinnerand proposed the toast of "Adventureand Service."


The Annual MeetingTHE annual meeting was held at theCentral Hall, Westminster, on the 20thof March, 1953, with Sir GodfreyBaring, Bt., K.B.E., chairman of theCommittee of Management, in thechair.

H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, Presi-dent of the Institution, presented themedals for gallantry, and other awards,and gave her presidential address.

The Right Hon. J. P. L. Thomas,M.P., First Lord of the Admiralty,proposed, and Lord Latham seconded,the resolution of gratitude to the cox-swains and crews of the life-boats, thehonorary officers and committee ofthe stations, and the honorary officersand members of the financial branchesand Ladies' Life-boat Guild. CaptainLord Teynham, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.,and Mr. Hugh Astor, members of theCommittee of Management, proposedand seconded the vote of thanks tothe Duchess of Kent.

Supporting the Duchess of Kent onthe platform were the Mayor andMayoress of Westminster, the Vice-chairman of the London CountyCouncil, the Mayors and Mayoressesof over forty branches, representativesof the Ministry of Transport, theCoastguard, the Civil Service Life-boatFund, the Shipwrecked MarinersSociety, King George's Fund forSailors, vice-presidents and honorarylife-governors of the Institution, donorsof life-boats or their representatives,members of the Committee of Manage-ment of the Institution and thechairman and deputy-chairmen of theCentral London Women's Committee.

The Chairman's AddressWe meet today to receive the report, and

present the medals for gallantry, of thebusiest year which the Life-boat Service hasever had in time of peace. We meet underthe shadow of heavy loss. Last year onelife-boatman lost his life, out of over 5,000who went to sea. This year we have alreadylost eight of our men, all Scotsmen. Twowere from our crew at Islay. Six were menof Fraserburgh where the life-boat capsized,as she was entering harbour in a heavy sea,with the loss of all but one of her crew. Thedangers are always there. The risks arewillingly taken. But we must keep them inproper perspective. During the past twenty-five years there has been one capsize for every2,000 times that life-boats have gone to the

We welcome today two speakers whomwe are very glad to have with us. The firstis Mr. Thomas, the First Lord of the Admir-alty, who, though he is still young, as wereckon the age of politicians, has behind himtwenty years of membership in the House ofCommons, and has held many offices of greatdistinction. We are very grateful to himfor sparing some time to speak at this meet-ing on the work of what the Navy has calledits ' sister service '.

Our second speaker is Lord Latham. Itis very good of him to celebrate his freedomfrom his onerous work as Chairman of theLondon Transport Executive, by coming toour meeting. The Life-boat Service cannotclaim to carry so many people as LondonTransport—although our boats carry a greatmany—but it has one great advantage. Itis under no necessity to charge even themoderate fares of London Transport.

Lastly, I should like on behalf of us all togive a specially warm welcome to our Presi-dent, so recently returned from the importantnational service which she carried out withsuch conspicuous success in Malaya. (Ap-plause.) It was an arduous and dangerousservice and we are very glad to see HerRoyal Highness safely home again.

In this Coronation Year we feel more thanever grateful for all that the Royal Family hasdone for the Life-boat Service during the 129years that the Institution has been inexistence.

The report and accounts for 1952 arebefore you. You will, I hope, have readthem with interest and approval. I nowformally move their adoption.

The Report, Accounts and ElectionsThe report and accounts for 1952 were

adopted, and the President, vice-presidents,treasurer and other members of the Com-mittee of Management and the auditors wereelected.

Presentation of Medals and BadgesThe Secretary read accounts of services by

the life-boats at Margate, Kent; Ramsgate,Kent; Stornoway, Outer Hebrides; Donagha-dee, County Down; and Portpatrick, Wig-townshire ; of a shore-boat service at Shellness,Isle of Sheppey; and of the work of two ofthe women launchers at Dungeness. TheDuchess then presented the medals to themen and gold badges to the two women.

To COXSWAIN DENIS RICHARD PRICE, OFMARGATE, KENT, the silver medal for therescue in a whole gale on the morning of the7th of November, 1952. of the crew of twoof the barge Vera, of London.

To COXSWAIN DOUGLAS KIRKALDIE, OFRAMSGATE, KENT, the bronze medal for therescue on the afternoon of the 20th of August,1952, of the crew of the United States steamerWestern Farmer, of New York, which hadbroken in two after a collision with theNorwegian tanker Bjorgholm.

To COXSWAIN MALCOLM MACDONALD, OFSTORNOWAY, OUTER HEBRIDES, the bronze


medal for a service lasting more than twenty-one hours on the 18th and 19th of September,1952, in which four men marooned on rockswere rescued.

To COXSWAIN HUGH NELSON, OF DONAGHA-DEE, Co. DOWN, the bronze medal for therescue on the 31st of January, 1953, in heavyseas and a full gale increasing to hurricaneforce, of thirty-one survivors from the motorferry Princess Victoria, of Stranraer.

To COXSWAIN WILLIAM MCCONNELL, OFPORTPATHICK, WIGTOWNSHIRE, the bronzemedal for the rescue of two survivors fromthe Princess Victoria on the same occasion.

To MR. TONY METCALFE, OF SIDCUP, KENT,the bronze medal for putting out single-handed in a choppy sea in his 10-feet motordinghy to rescue a man and a boy from asailing boat which had capsized off the Isleof Sheppey.

To Miss MADGE TART, LAUNCHER OFDUNGENESS, KENT, the gold badge for serviceof some fifty years as a launcher of theDungeness life-boat.

To MRS. ELLEN' TART, LAUNCHER OFDUNGENESS, KENT, the gold badge for serviceof some fifty years as a launcher of theDungeness life-boat.

The Duchess of KentOur meeting here today is overshadowed

by the tragic disaster which only a few weeksago befell the Fraserburgh life-boat, whensix out of the seven members of its crew werelost when escorting fishing boats back toharbour. Tragedies of such a grave characterwithin the Service are fortunately rare, butwhen they occur they remind us of the greatand terrible dangers which the men of thelife-boat crews throughout the country mustencounter in the normal course of their duties;and I would not wish to let this opportunitypass without extending my very deep sym-pathy, and that of everyone at this meeting,to the families and friends of these gallantmen.

Founded 129 years ago, the Life-boat Insti-tution was from that moment fortunate inreceiving the patronage of the Sovereign, forin the year of its foundation King GeorgeIV became its first patron. This connectionof the Sovereign with the Service has con-tinued unbroken ever since, and we areproud that our present Queen is the eighthSovereign to be the Institution's Patron.

Queen Victoria was Patron throughout the63 years of her reign, and there is still todaya life-boat on the coast bearing her name, asI trust there always will be. The QueenVictoria life-boats have rescued over 220lives.

As Prince of Wales, King Edward VII tooka close and personal interest in the Service,and was the first member of the Royal Familyto speak at its annual meeting. It was hewho said what I think all of us have felt:" This is one of the noblest and finest servicesto which a human being can belong."

King George V was not only President ofthe Institution, and then its Patron, butbefore that, as a Captain in the Royal Navy,lie had served as a member of the Committee,of Management. Today, Queen Mary, as

one of our Patrons, has been associated withthe Service for 57 years—only six years lessthan Queen Victoria.

When Sir William Hillary founded theLife-boat Service he used the memorablewords: " It is a cause which extends fromthe Palace to the cottage." I am very proudof my connexion with the Service as itsPresident, and, as in former years, I -wouldremind you of the immense debt owed by allof us to the crews of the life-boats, and tothose who, through their voluntary work,help to maintain the Service as the finestof its kind in the world. (Applause.)

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas, M.P.I beg to move the following resolution:

" That this meeting, fully recognising theimportant services of the Royal NationalLife-boat Institution, in its national work oflife-saving, desires to record its hearty appre-ciation of the gallantry of the Coxswains andCrews of the Institution's Life-boats, and itsdeep obligation to the Local Committees,Honorary Secretaries, and Honorary Treas-urers of all Station Branches, and to theHonorary Officers and thousands of VoluntaryMembers of the Financial Branches and of theLadies' Life-boat Guild in the work ofraising funds to maintain the Service."

As Sir Godfrey Baring told you, I havebeen in the House of Commons for 20 years.He is one year out. It is now, I am afraid, 21years, so I have the latch key of parliamen-tary life. As Lord Latham, who was oncea colleague of mine in the House of Commons,knows, latch keys of parliamentary life arenot, I am afraid, recognized by the Govern-ment or Opposition Whips so far as atten-dance is concerned. So, I am delighted tobe able to come to this afternoon's meetingand to say to you that during these 21 yearsinside Parliament and outside Parliament, Ihave had to move a good many resolutionsof appreciation and of votes of thanks. Iwish I could honestly say that they had allbeen honestly made with never a tongue inmy cheek, but you know quite well, as somany of you have done the same thing,there does come a time when, to put itpolitely, an overstatement on the virtues ofthe people whom you are thanking is some-times forced upon you. But today therecan be no overstatement because I know thatthe Royal National Life-boat Institution, itsboats, its coxswains and its crews, are secondto none where our admiration and our grati-tude are concerned. My only fear in movinga resolution like this is that one does not dojustice to it.

Everybody expects danger in war. I can-not say we like it, but we try and take itphilosophically, but certainly, to put itmildly, it is rather a bore when you have tomeet it in peace. In the work of the Life-boat Service, as so many of you here todayknow better than I do myself, there is alwaysthat danger; there is always that need forcourage, whether it is in times of war or timesof peace. The danger may come at anytime. I have been studying your record,Your Royal Highness, and the life-boatswent out to the rescue 057 times, nearly


twice as many times as they went out 20years ago. You may put it down to theweather, and the weather certainly has beena bit changeable, as you and I know, duringthe past year, but I am afraid I have alsofound that a very large number of calls, andmore than ever before, have been sent out forthe services of life-boats on summer holidays,from holidaymakers and from small craft indifficulties. There has also been an increas-ing number of calls from aeroplanes.

I think I should say a word in passingabout the accidents amongst holidaymakersin those summer months. Some, I know,are inevitable, but many of these accidentsare due to carelessness, and I think we shoulddo all we can to drum into the minds of thoseholidaymakers that in risking their ownlives they are inevitably risking the lives ofothers who have to attempt to, or succeedin, rescuing them. So, it is no excuse forpeople to say that during the rescue of 346lives last year the life of only one life-boatmanwas involved. That is merely a tribute tothe skill of the life-boatmen themselves, butthis year, Your Royal Highness, we havehad to face worse weather than usual. Wehave grumbled about the fog on our wayhome at night. We have grumbled aboutthe frost and snow which has kept us fromour amusements, we have railed against thewind that has brought down our shrubs andbrought down our trees, but after all, howvery little in all those difficulties and dis-comforts we have to endure compared withthe men about whom I am speaking today!

I have been given the figures for the last25 years of life-boat rescues. They tellnot only a very moving tale of the calibreand skill of the men, but they also tell youabout the seaworthiness of the life-boatsthemselves, and that is a tremendous tributeto those who built them. During these 25years life-boats have been out to the rescue12,500 times, yet they have averaged onlyone capsize in every 2,000 times that thoseboats have gone out. What a record thatis, and what a tribute to the builders of theboats and to the skill of the men who manthem! One hundred thousand men havedone this work, and tragic though the lossof 44 lives must always be, it is a remarkablysmall figure when you think of all the meninvolved. What abundant proof of thequality both of the men and of the boats!

I suppose we are inclined to look upon ourlife-boats as a national service. But thereis something much wider than that. Theyserve ships equally courageously, equallywhole-heartedly, whatever the nation maybe to which those ships belong, irrespectiveof creed, irrespective of colour. There are18 different foreign nations in this last yearalone who have reason to be grateful toour life-boats for the 61 foreign ships thatthey have helped.

There are also the many people, some ofthem mentioned this afternoon, who helpedto launch the boats and again helped themon their return. It is seldom that thesehelpers hit the headlines, but their work isof the very greatest importance and withouttheir aid there would be occasions when thelife-boats could not put to sea or could not

return in safety. The second half of thisresolution deals with the people behind theLife-boat Institution. Where should we all bewithout them? Where, indeed, Your RoyalHighness, should we be without you yourself,because you are the inspiration of this Insti-tution. (Applause.) Coming from theAdmiralty, I have proofs of the inspirationwhich you give to other sections of the HoyalNaval Service. We are conscious of theflag sellers—at least, I hope we are—riskingpneumonia at the usual British street corners,but think of the thousands of thousands ofpeople behind even them, behind the scenes,who give up their free time—and there is lessfree time than ever today, I say bitterly as abachelor, in the domestic world—to keepthis organization running on smooth linesand to raise the money.

Then, there is the task of raising money intimes like these. Money is a good dealshorter in these postwar years amongst manypeople who used to contribute very generously—because they had the means to do so. quiteapart from their generosity of heart—towards the funds of this Institution. Then,look at the very short way money goes todaywith the present prices of materials. Twentyyears ago the largest life-boat in the fleet cost£9,000. Today it costs £31,000. The totalcost of the Life-boat Service was a quarterof a million pounds 20 years ago; last yearit was three quarters of a million.

I do not want to end this speech, comingas I do from the Admiralty, without men-tioning the link between the Royal Navy andthe Life-boat Service in war and in peace.I am glad to see that in the different messagesof congratulations and thanks which I haveread from the Lords Commissioners of theAdmiralty to the Life-boat Institution, thelife-boatmen are always referred to asbrother sailors. There can be no greatertribute, I assure you, to those life-boatmenthan that. In peace-time I have pickedout two memories of the help that theseseamen of yours give to the other seamen.The first was when the life-boats went outto that gallant old lady, Warspite, who wasso determined not to reach the knacker'syard that she put herself on the rocks atSt. Michael's Mount; the second the appallingtragedy of the submarine Truculent whenshe sank in the Thames in 1950.

Through the long period of 129 years thisInstitution has watched the life-boat changefrom a rowing boat made buoyant with cork,emptied of water with baling tins, to themodern type driven by 60 horse-powerdiesel engines. What a difference there is!But, throughout the years one thing has re-mained the same. The Service has dependedthrough those years on voluntary crews, andthose voluntary crews have depended uponvoluntary subscriptions. So. today. I movethis resolution of deep gratitude to one ofour greatest national services not supportedby the State, but approved whole-heartedlyby all political parties, a voluntary societydirectly supported by the public itself. Thebest reward that we can give to these bravepeople and to the band of those devotedworkers behind them, is to see that in thesevoluntary subscriptions, at least, we do not

578 THE LIFE-BOAT f SUMMER, 1953

let them down. Your Royal Highness, Ibeg to move. (Applause.)

Lord LathamI think perhaps in the interests of my own

personal safety I should say at the outsetthat although I am still chairman of theLondon Transport, I am not here in thatcapacity this afternoon and all questionsabout the modest fares of London Transportare out of order.

I feel greatly privileged, Your RoyalHighness, to have been asked to second thisresolution of gratitude to the coxswains andcrews and to the numerous men and womenof goodwill who give honorary service inraising funds to maintain our fine life-boatservice and in many other ways to promoteand to sustain its work. The First Lord ofthe Admiralty has submitted this resolutionso felicitously and so comprehensively thatthere is no need for me to make a long speechwhich, perhaps, in these days of hurry andpress is not a disadvantage, but I am surethat you will all feel with me that seldomcan there be an occasion when our gratitudeis more well merited.

The life-boat crews stationed around ourshores are, and always have been, a gallantcompany of brave men who risk their livesand at times give their lives, as witness thetragedy at Fraserburgh and the loss of eightlives this year in the service of their fellowmen when in danger from the cruel andrelentless sea. The brief accounts—indeedone might well say, epics—to which we havelistened this afternoon of the services of thosewho have earned the medals graciouslypresented by Her Royal Highness havemoved us to great pride and deep humility.We have all been greatly impressed by thebravery and skill of Tony Metcalfe, who isa splendid example of the quality of ouryouth and, indeed, is an inspiration toadults. (Applause.) So is the devotion ofMiss Tart and Mrs. Tart to arduous andhazardous duty at Dungeness over well nighhalf a century. (Applause.) We all saluteand pay respectful homage to them all.

I am sure that those who have receivedthe medals would wish to include all thosehundreds of other crews who no less havedone their duty and are honoured and remem-bered by those they have succoured andbrought to safety. The quality of devotionof life-boat crews is all the higher when weremember that they are all volunteers, manyof them fishermen. (Applause.) They aremen who, going about their daily tasks, mayat any time, and more often than not inheavy seas and at great danger, be calledaway at a moment's notice to rescue seamenand nowadays airmen and others in distress.The fine principle of voluntary service extendsthroughout the National Life-boat Institution.It embraces thousands of workers up anddown the country working through a thou-sand financial branches which in 1952brought in no less than £100,000, £5,000 morethan in 1951. (Applause.) That is surely agreat achievement in these days of almostuniversal personal financial stringency.

Here we have in happy and successful co-

operation two groups of workers, both volun-tary, the one the workers, helping to gather inmoney from year to year to maintain andexpand the Life-boat Service, and the otherthe coxswains and crews, who man the boats.That this should be so is a worthy testimonyto the fine spirit of voluntary service whichis traditional with us in this country andwhich, notwithstanding the progressive ex-tension of services provided by the State, stillflourishes and still brings in a magnitude ofways to our collective life so much that iskindly and so much that is expressive ofpersonal goodwill to one another. I amsure that we all say, long may this spirit ofpersonal service flourish among us, forwithout it life and its graces would, indeed,be much poorer. (Applause.)

For 129 years the Royal National Life-boatInstitution has remained efficient and finan-cially sound without Government support 01subsidy of any kind, a really great achieve-ment. (Applause.) Indeed, the quality ofthe organization and its services rests essen-tially on its voluntary character, and no onewould seriously suggest in the presence ofits fine work and achievement that thisshould be changed to become part of aState Department or other central organiza-tion. Maintained by voluntary contribu-tions and people's voluntary work, theInstitution has carried on developing,modernizing and improving its great humaneand varied services which over the yearshave saved countless lives. Our life-boatservices are a great pride to us and they areknown and esteemed wherever men go downto the sea in ships.

In wishing the Institution and all associatedwith it continued and abundant success, Ibeg leave, Your Royal Highness, with everysincerity, to second the motion. (Applause.)

Presentation to Honorary WorkersThe Secretary of the Institution said:Since the last annual meeting three honor-

ary workers have been appointed honorarylife governors of the Institution. This is thehighest honour which it can confer on anhonorary worker, and the appointment isaccompanied by a vellum signed by thePresident of the Institution.

Two of the three are here this afternoon:MR. P. M. OLIVER, OF MANCHESTER.Miss F. M. POLE, OF NEATH.The gold badge, which is given only for

distinguished service, has been awarded tothe following honorary workers:

Miss A. H. DOLMAN, OF ABERTILLEBY.Miss A. WATERS, OF ABERTILLERY.LADY Row ALLAN, OF KILMARNOCK.MRS. A. HORROCKS, OF LEIGH.Miss A. E. BOWLER, OF LIVERPOOL.MRS. R. PUGH, OF RHYL.MRS. W. M. AINSWORTH, OF TOTTINGTON.MRS. G. M. SMETHURST, OF TOTTINGTON.MR. J. S. DUNCAN, OF WICK.MRS. M. SUTTON, OF WRAGBY.The Duchess of Kent presented the

vellums and badges.

Captain Lord Teynham, R.N.I beg to move the following resolution:

"That the hearty thanks of this meeting be


given to H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent forgraciously presenting the awards at this thehundred and twenty-ninth Annual GeneralMeeting of the Royal National Life-boatInstitution." (Applause.)

I cannot imagine a more honourable andwelcome duty than to be called upon topropose a vote of thanks to Her RoyalHighness who, together with her late husband,Prince George, Duke of Kent, has done somuch for this great Institution. Her RoyalHighness has told us how many years theRoyal Family have been associated with theInstitution, and I would like to remind youparticularly that the Duke of Kent becamePresident in the year 1937, and that he hadpreviously taken a very active part in itswork for no less than nine years and hadattended and addressed a number of ourannual meetings. On these occasions he metand talked with men from the life-boat crewsand presented them with the medals awardedfor gallantry.

In addition to all this work, and the manyother calls upon his time, he managed toget about the country and name life-boats atno less than ten stations, as far apart asWeston-super-Mare in Somerset and Strom-ness and Longhope in the Orkneys. In theyear before the war he had to say good-byeto the Institution as its President becausehe had to become the Governor of Australia,but all, of course, was changed by the warand he had to take up other duties. InJuly, 1942, he presented at Plymouth thebronze medal won by the coxswain of thePlymouth life-boat for the rescue of the crewof an Australian aircraft, and this was thelast public act that he was able to carry outfor the Institution.

In the same year Her Royal Highness, theDuchess of Kent, accepted the invitation ofthe Institution to become its President andto carry on the great work of her husband.In so doing she became the first womanPresident, and the sixth Royal President ofthe Institution. (Applause.)

I need hardly remind you that Her RoyalHighness has been present at nearly all ourannual meetings and presented the medalsawarded for gallantry. She was only absenton one occasion, owing to illness. In 1945,some of you may remember, she attended thefirst full meeting that had been held since1939, and at that memorable meeting pre-sented the eight gold medals which had beenwon for conspicuous gallantry during the war.In spite of all Her Royal Highness's manyother activities, she has been able to findtime to visit many life-boat stations. Shehas named six life-boats. On that lament-able occasion when the Mumbles boat cap-sized in 1947 she visited the widows of themen who had lost their lives.

Her Royal Highness has found time totake an interest in many of our practicalaffairs and has visited the Institution's depotat Boreham Wood, where she inspected thewhole outfit and saw the work in every depart-ment. I think it is very likely that HerRoyal Highness knows as much as, if notmore, than many of us on this platformtoday about the work of the Institution, and

I am sure you will all join with me in thank-ing her for coming here again today andgracing us with her presence and for theexcellent and moving address which she hasgiven us. I beg to move. (Applause.)

Mr. Hugh AstorIt is a great honour and privilege for me

to be able to second the vote of thanks to ourPresident, which has just been proposed byLord Teynham, and which we all so warmlyendorse. We have been reminded by LordTeynham of the active and vital interestwith which our President fulfils her office,and I am sure that many of us in this hallwho are associated in one way or another withthe work of the Institution can add manyother examples of that interest from ourown personal experiences.

When Her Royal Highness accepted theollice of President in 1942, she expressed thedesire to meet as soon as possible after thewar members of the crews from many differ-ent parts of the country, to thank them fortheir gallant services in those critical yearsof the war. We all know how enthusiastic-ally and energetically she has set aboutachieving that wish. In addition to visitingmany stations on different parts of the coastand attending many naming and launchingceremonies, she has attended nearly all theannual meetings, and in the course of thosemeetings she has met crews from 27 differentstations from all parts of the British Isles.At one of those meetings Her Royal Highnessexpressed her pride at being associated with aService which was so rightly famed through-out the world, and on another occasion shereferred to the almost inexhaustible braveryof the service.

May I, in reply, say how proud we are tohave her as our President and how gratefulwe arc for her great and continuing interestin our work?

Nearly 130 years ago our founder, SirWilliam Hillary, expressed the belief thatthis was a cause which would appeal to palaceand cottage. How right he has been proved!From the time of its foundation, and through-out its history, the Institution has beenassisted and encouraged by the ample supportand patronage of many members of the RoyalFamily, and we are indeed very grateful toHer Royal Highness for carrying on this finetradition.

It is my privilege to second the vote ofthanks and to thank Her Royal Highness forher continued interest in our work and forher gracious presence at this our one hundredand twenty-ninth Annual General Meeting.(Applause.)

The resolution was carried with acclama-tion, and three cheers were given for theDuchess.

After the MeetingIn the evening the medallists and

their families saw the variety per-formance at the Palladium. In theinterval the men were asked to standand were applauded by the audience.

580 THE LIFE-BOAT

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE—1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1952.

[SUMMERStalest

1951s. d.

185,434 4 6399 7 10

39,000 9 11

9,599 10 797 9 4

30,205 8 313.142 13 -1,080 1 72,682 19 5

281348 4 5

016 18 6010 11 11

2.024 7 61,321 17 3

92 17 24,006 12 4

18,129 1 919,983 13 9

57 1 938,109 17 346,002 6 11

9,425 1 8

41,187 2 5643 18 2

^ _ _ _52,017 iTTO

20,716 15 5

3.219 10 11541 9 10 ;

24.477 16 2

9,594 8 7839 8 6

83,596 4 6 |

8,258 16 10

5,569 15 4

4,519 1 4 i|

2,068 3 3"114,445 18 4

569,288 5 3

EXPENDITURELIFE-BOATS :—

New Life-boats for the following Stations: On account—Aberdeen, Aberystwyth, Barrow, Campbeltown,Clacton, Clogher Head, Cloughey, Donaghadee,Exmouth, Eyemouth, Flamborough, Gourdon,Holyhead, Hoylake, Humber, Ilfracombe, Margate,Minehead, New Brighton, Padstow, Peel, Plymouth,Pwllheli, Ramsgate, Rosslare Harbour, St. Abbs,Walton, Whitehills; materials for future buildingand improvements and alterations to existing fleet ..

Upkeep of Cowes Office and StoreUpkeep of and Repairs to Life-boatsRentals and Maintenance of Radio Equipment and

Loud Hailers, and Radio LicencesConsulting Naval ArchitectSalaries of Superintendent Engineer, Surveyor of

Life-boats, Inspectors of Machinery, AssistantSurveyors of Life-boats and Machinery, Draughts-men, and Clerical Staff

Travelling ExpensesGratuity and Pensions under the Pension SchemeContributions to 1938 Pension Scheme

LIFE-BOAT CARRIAGES AND TRACTORS:—Alterations and Repairs to Life-boat CarriagesRepairs to TractorsSalaries of Assistant Surveyor of Carriages, and

Tractor EngineersTravelling ExpensesContributions to 1938 Pension Scheme

LIFE-BOAT HOUSES AND SLIPWAYS:—New Construction and AdaptationRepairs and MaintenancePension under the Pension Scheme

LIFE-BOAT STORESLIFE-BOAT DEPOT including Rates, Insurance,

Equipment and RepairsSalaries of Superintendent of Depot, Assistant, and

Clerical Staff and Wages of Manual WorkersGratuities and Pensions under the Pension Schemes ..Contributions to 1938 Pension Scheme

PAYMENTS IN CONNEXION WITH LIFE-BOATSTATIONS, such as Conveyance of Life-boats,Carriages, Tractors, and Stores; Work to Moorings;Small Repairs and Purchases made locally; Tele-phones ; Postages, etc.

Insurance under National Insurance Acts and againstclaims at Common Law

Salaries of Assistant Secretaries, etc., of Stations

WAGES, REWARDS AND OTHER PAYMENTSTO COXSWAINS, MOTOR MECHANICS ANDCREWS :—Cost of Wreck Services, including Rewards to Life-boat Crews and others, Special Rewards andRecognitions, Medals and Vellums

Grants to men injured in the Life-boat serviceFees of Coxswains, Bowmen and Signalmen, Wages

of Motor Mechanics, etc.Payments to Life-boat Crews and Launchers for

exercisesAnnuities and Gratuities under the Regulations to

Coxswains, Bowmen, Signalmen, Part Time andAssistant Motor Mechanics

Pensions and Grants to Relatives of deceased Life-boatmen and others

Pensions and Gratuities under the Pension Scheme toEx-permanent Crews of Life-boats

Carried forward

s. d.

226,765 8 4229 .10 2

29,963 7 7

10,020 - -120 18 9

30,980 4 612,043 - 111,638 - -2,836 16 1

603 10 3280 9 9

1,867 4 -911 7 7150 18 9

11,978 10 1124,357 14 6

30 - -

7,130 - 9

41,665 12 8987 14 -759 16 8

20,211 18 2

3,503 - 7414 - 6

320,609

11,795 14 91,585 11 -

82,148 7 9

7,169 19 10

5,319 6 9

4,973 7 4

1,714 8 2

3,813 10

36,375 538,105 19

50,543 4

114,706 15

£588,283 -

, 1953]:ounts

1951£ s. d.

7.761 136,935 6

19,024 115,310 411,413 17>4,196 15 II

1.550 - -264 13 5

12,618 13 93,191 2 6

52,266 8 8

THE LIFE-BOAT

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE—1st Jan. to 31st Dec. 1952.

581

INCOME

SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS, ETC.:—General Subscriptions to Headquarters

,, through Station Branches,, through Financial Branches

Donations to Headquarters,, through Station Branches ..„ through Financial Branches

Contributions from Harbour Authorities towards up-keep of Life-boat Stations

Contribution Boxes to Headquarters,, ,, through Station Branches,, ,, through Financial Branches

s. d.

7.3686,18420,77414,33945,670151,191

2.175375

12.9603,722

1414173116

„18108

1611_-

_-610

s. d.

264.763 3 1

5,921 16, 6208 5 -

LIFE-BO AT FUNDS:—Civil Service Life-boat Fund (per C. H. Barrett, Esq.)

in respect of the following Life-boat Establishments:Blyth, Hartlepool, Holyhead, Margate, Portrush,Port St. Mary, St. David's, Southend-on-Sea andWalmer

Bevan Reward Fund (per the Charity Commissioners)5,747 11 3

208

5.955 16 3

53,164 16 3

1,254 - -

624 15 8

1,878 15 8

51,286 - 75,760 - -

57,046 - 7

295,422 10 9

INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS :—Dividends and Interest on Investments (less

£5,595 4s. 7d. tax)Less— £ s. d.

Interest on certain Trust Fundstransferred to Special PurposesFund 1,235 10 10

Interest on certain Endowment Fundstransferred to General Subscrip-tions, etc. (in accordance with thedirections of the respective donors) 627 9 10

Income Tax recovered on Dividends

Carried forward

52,647 14 3

1,863 - 8

50,784 13 75,460 14 5

56,245 8 -

326,964 7 4

582 THE LIFE-BOAT [SUMMER, 1953Statement of

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE—1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1952—continued.1951

£ s. d.569,288 5 3

14,116 9 14,166 11 72,267 15 8

895 3 821,446 - -3,104 16 8

21,526 18 6

3,068 8 7

2,907 12 2

1,430 15 41,843 4 3

1,663 13 -

957 9 31,732 18 9

35,130 19 1017,565 9 1117,565 9 116,556 17 5

393 15 -933 5 6647 17 5

26,097 5 31,075 - 7

102 - 8

2,609 19 4

2.937 13 118,284 6 63,073 1 8

192 13 910,151 4 4

29.836 6 1

3,738 9 4

6,542 5 260 18 -

1,401 18 417,565 9 1 193,784 6 2

EXPENDITURE £ s. d. £ s. d.Brought forward . . . . . . 588, "283 - 5

LIFE-BOAT INSPECTORS:—Salaries of Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector,

Inspectors of Life-boats and Clerical Staff .. .. 14,318 7 3Travelling Expenses . . . . . . . . . . 4,551 14 3Pensions under the Pension Scheme . . . . . . 1,930 17 1Contributions to 1938 Pension Scheme . . . . 1,371 10 7

R\TES AND REP\IRS OF MECH \NICS' °° 17° 9 2COTTAGES, ETC. : . . . . . . 2^608 15 4

ADMINISTRATION:— £ s. d.Salaries of Secretary, Deputy Secretary,

Assistant Secretary, Accountant andClerical Staff . . " . . . . 24,168 3 3

Rent, Depreciation, Rates, Lighting,Heating Insurance, etc., of the Houseof the Institution . . . . 2,937 18 2

Insurance under National Insurance Actsand against claims at Common Law . . 2,960 14 4

Telephone Operator, Commissionairesand Nightwatchman . . . . . . 1,589 6 6

Telephones, Postages and Parcels . . 2,161 15 9Gratuity and Pensions under the Pension

Scheme . . 3,518 19 8Travelling and other Expenses of Chair-

man and Committee of Management 1,142 4 2Contributions to 1938 Pension Scheme 1,729 14 5

40,208 16 3Less estimated amount chargeable toraising of funds and publicity . . 20,104 8 1 20,104 8 2

Stationery, Office Expenses, Printing and Books . . 5,910 13 11Auditors' Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 15Law Expenses . . . . . . . . 1 101 5Repairs and Improvements to the House of the Institution 216 6 5

GRANTS IN CONNEXION WITH CERTAINGENERAL LEGACIES 559 19 5

EXPENSES OF CONFERENCE OF LIFE- BOATSOCIETIES . 3 14 -

FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN:—Exhibits at South Bank and on S.S. Campania . . 593 3 -

EXPENSES CONNECTED WITH RAISING OFFUNDS AND PUBLICITY:

Salaries of Publicity Secretary and Clerical Staff . . 2,327 12 4Salaries of District Organizing Secretaries and Clerical Staff 18,243 1 -Travelling expenses of District Organizing Secretaries 6,180 8 2Annual General Meeting . . . . . . . . . . 196 3 2 1Advertising and Appeals . . . . . . . . . . 12,917 16 -Stationery, Printing, Books, Films, Badges, Collecting

Boxes, Postages . . . . . . . . . . 29,292 17 4Printing and Binding the Annual Report and Life-boat

Journal . . . . . 3 9 5 7 8 8Salaries and Commissions of Assistant Secretaries,

etc., of Branches . . . . . . . . . . 6,005 14 4Gratuity and Pensions under the Pension Scheme . . 1,313 10 11Contributions to 1938 Pension Scheme . . . . 1,740 8 1

EstimatedproportionofAdministrationExpensesasabove 20,104 8 1• — 102,279 8 1

717,507 13 11

45,681 16 -139,752 8 6185,434 4 6

22,494 5 7

207,928 10 1

£509,579 3 10

Total ExpenditureDeduct:—

Expenditure on new Life-boats included in thisaccount borne by:—

Gifts and Legacies for special purposesReserve for Replacement of Life-boats

Other expenditure included inby Special Gifts and Legacies

borne by special funds

744,220 17 11

5S . . . . 94,405s . . . . 132,359

account borne

eing excess ofpenditure, not

226,

22,

765

177

1998

17

134

3248,943

495,283

16,963

£512,246

5

12

5

17

7

4

3

7

«ER, 1953] THE LIFE-BOAT>unts

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE—1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1952—continued.

583

1951£ s. d.

95,442 10 9

7,633 6 5881 8 8

8,514 15 1

03,957 5 10

81,774 18 7

85,732 4 5

5,263 18 5

28,438 17 436,425 16 -

64,864 13 4

55,860 16 2

85,732 4 5

00,000 - -

,85,732 4 5

23,846 19 5

INCOME

Brought forward .,£ s. d.

326,964 7 4

SUNDRY RECEIPTS :—Sale of old Stores 10,895 4 1Rentals of Freehold and Leasehold Premises .. .. 817 15 11

Total Ordinary Income ..

LEGACIES FOR GENERAL PURPOSES ..

11,713 - -

338,677 7 4

273,569 10 3

TOTAL INCOME FOR GENERAL PURPOSES 612,246 17 7 612,246 17 7Gifts and Legacies for Special purposes transferred to

Funds:—General Endowment:—

Legacy 6 11 3

Special Purposes and Maintenance:— £ s. d.Legacies . . .. .. . . 59,490 5 10Special Gifts 67,964 9 2

127,454 15 -

Total Income .. 739,708 3 10

Deduct:—Amount transferred to Reserve for Replacement

of Life-boats

Transfer from General Purposes Fund to cover excessof expenditure, not borne by special funds, overincome for general purposes

100,000 - -

512,246 17 7

NOTE.—This account includes the receipts anddisbursements of the Headquarters of the Insti-tution for the year to 31st December, 1952, andof the Branches for the year to 30th September,1952.

509,579 3 10 £512,246 17 7

584 THE LIFE-BOAT [SUMMER, 1953Statement of

Dr. GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND, !

The Income to be applied for the purposes of the Institution

£ *. d.

To TRANSFER TO GENERAL PURPOSES FUND ON FULFILMENT OF TRUST 857 2 10„ BALANCE AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1952 240,331 3 5

£449,552 7 11

Dr. RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF

£ s. d.To EXPENDITURE ON NEW LIFE-BOATS .. .. .. .. .. 226,765 8 4

Less BORNE BY SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND .. 94,405 19 1

£1,114,801 5 8

£241,188 6 3

Dr. SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND,

The Capital to be applied for the purposes of the Institution

To DEFRAY EXPENDITURE AS SHEWN IN £ s. d.,, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT:—

ox NEW LIFE-BOATS .. . . .. .. .. .. 94,405 19 1ON OTHER PURPOSES .. .. .. .. .. .. 22,177 17 3

„ TRANSFERS FOR EXPENDITURE PREVIOUSLY CHARGED AGAINSTOTHER FUNDS:—•

GENERAL PURPOSES FUND .. .. .. .. .. 278 16 -RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOATS .. .. .. 125,052 3 2

,, TRANSFER TO GENERAL PURPOSES FUND ON FULFILMENT OF TBUST 148 15 8,, GRANTS IN CONNEXION WITH CERTAIN TRUST LEGACIES .. .. 930 18 2„ BALANCE AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1952 217,842 15 6

£460,837 4 10

Dr. GENERAL PURPOSES FUND,

£ s. d.To PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL LIABILITY, 1909 PENSION SCHEME .. 4,846 19 3„ Loss ON SALE OF INVESTMENTS .. .. .. .. .. .. 609 17,, DISCHARGE OF HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS BOND .. .. .. 2,694 - -„ BALANCE AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1952 .. .. .. .. .. 441,401 11 8

132,359 9 3BALANCE AT SlST DECEMBER, 1952 982,441 16 5

SUMMER, 1953]Accounts

THE LIFE-BOAT 585

31st December, 1952.

in accordance with the directions of the respective Donors.

By BALANCE AT 31 ST DECEMBER, 1951„ LEGACY (INCOME ONLY AVAILABLE) RECEIVED IN THE YEAR

Cr.

£ s. d.

241,181 15 -6 11 3

£241,188 6 3


in accordance with the directions of the respective Donors.

By BALANCE AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1951,, LEGACIES AND GIFTS FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES (CAPITAL AVAILABLE)

RECEIVED IN THE YEAR :— £ s. d.Legacies 59,490 5 10Special Gifts 67,964 9 2

„ INTEREST ON UNEXPENDED BALANCES OF CERTAIN SPECIAL TRUSTFUNDS

Cr.

£ s. d.

332,146 19 -

127,454 15 -

1,235 10 10

£460,837 4 10


By BALANCE AT 31sT DECEMBER, 1951,, TRANSFER FROM GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND AS ABOVE„ TRANSFERS FROM SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND AS

ABOVE ..,, TRANSFER FROM INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

Cr.

£ s. d.431,304 8 2

857 2 10

427 11 816,963 5 3

£449,552 7 11

LIFE-BOATS, 31st December, 1952.

By BALANCE AT 31 ST DECEMBER, 1951,, TRANSFER FROM SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND AS

ABOVE ..,, TRANSFER FROM INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

Cr.

£ s. d.

889,749 2 6

125,052 3 2

100,000 - -

£1,114,801 5 8

THE LIFE-BOAT

1951£ s. d.

241,181 15 -

[SUMMER,

StatemeStatement of Funds and Re

GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND (Income available in accordance withthe directions of the respective Donors)

889,749 2 6 I RESERVE FOR REPLACEMENT OF LIFE-BOATS! The estimated cost of replacing the entire Fleet exceeds £3,000,000I and the estimated liability for replacements at present contem-

plated exceeds £1,000,000, part of which will be met by SpecialGifts and Legacies.

431,304 8 2 GENERAL PURPOSES FUNDOf this Fund £121,725 relates to Freehold and Leasehold Properties

necessary to the Institution's work. The balance of £319,676 isavailable for the general purposes of the Institution and is intendedto cover ordinary liabilities as they arise, including certain pensions,insurance risks in respect of the Life-boat Fleet and Crews nototherwise covered, and replacements other than Life-boats. Re-placements at present contemplated include new construction andadaptation of Life-boat Houses £200,000 and provision of newTractors £30,000.

240,331

| SPECIAL PURPOSES AND MAINTENANCE FUND (Capital to be applied in332,146 19 - j accordance with the directions of the respective Donors) .. .. 217,842 1

982,441 1

441,401 11

£1,894,382 4 8 £1,882,017 7

i (Signed) GODFREY BARINGChairman.

j (Signed) A. D. BURNETT BROWN| Secretary.

I We have examined the above Statement, also the Income and Expenditure Account ancorrect and in accordance therewith. We have also verified the Investmen!

i

3 Frederick's Place,' Old Jewry, London, E.C.2.I 20th February, 1953.

ER, 1953]

ints, 31st December, 1952

THE LIFE-BOAT

1951 ]

£ s. d. ; £INVESTMENTS at Valuation on 31st Dec., 1951, or cost if

acquired since.

58?

d.

3,112 19 13,068 15 11

1,181 15 -

GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND—Income only available:British Government Securities 234,736 17 2British Corporation Stocks .. .. .. .. 5,594 6 3

(Market value at 31st Dec., 1952, £236,710 5 5).

240,331 3 5

6,8526 5120,3844 95918,709

19,891

!5,256

191319I

14

9

7

10g

Q

—

-

2

OTHER FUNDS : — •British Government SecuritiesColonial Government Securities .British Corporation and Public BoardsSundry Small Investments

Stocks

(Market value at 31st Dec., 1952, £1,415,563L otsl Investments (JVl3.rket vfilue £it oist JJec. ,£1,652,273 13 7)

FREEHOLD PREMISES (At cost) : —Including Life-boat Depot at Boreham Wood

..1,205,898 15 336,512 13 8

. . 157,859 8 8

. . 22,870 8 10ci ct\ 1 /IOQ T A 18 2) • 1,420,141952

1,663,472

85,256

6 5

& 10

7 2

36,807 12 3

52,172 17 11

32,798 4 219,374 13 953,052 2 6

94,382 4 8

LEASEHOLD PREMISES—(At cost less amounts writtenoff):—

Including 42/44 Grosvenor Gardens

BRANCH ACCOUNTS:—-Balances in hands of Branches, 30th Sept., 1952 .. 77,753 6 8

Less Balance of Remittances between Head-quarters and Branches, October to December,1952 47,900 16 8

36,469 9 1

CASH AT BANKERS

29,852 10 -66,966 10 11

£1,882,017 7 -

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

(Signed) PRICE WATERHOUSE & CO.,Auditors.


THE LIFE-BOAT SERVICE

Its Expenditure at a GlanceHow each £100 of the Institution's Expenditure was paid out in 1952

£ s. d.32 1 7 KK^^^H^M^MM^^Bi^BBi New Construction.34 17 8 •̂̂ •••̂ ••••̂ •̂••̂ •̂ •̂ M Maintenance of Life-

boats and Stations(including Depot).

15 8 3 _•_•__• Payments to Life-boatCrews.

3 16 0 _• Administration.13 16 6 ™—™— Propaganda and Pub-

licity at Headquartersand 1,037 Branches.

£100 0 0

Its Income at a GlanceHow each £100 of the Institution's Income was obtained in 1952

£ s. d.15 16 9 ^H_M_a. Subscriptions, Dona-

t i o n s , C o l l e c t i n gBoxes.

13 15 0 ___ Life-boat Days andHouse-to-House Col-lections.

5 12 5 _ Other Special Efforts.1 7 9 • Boat-house Collections.7 12 1 _« Income from Invest-

ments.45 0 7 .M_^B^—^__^B^^_I«I^BI«B_ Legacies.9 3 9 ___ Special Gifts.1 11 8 _ Other Sources.

£100 0 0

NoticeAll contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretary

of the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, O.B.E., M.C., T.D.,M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens,London, S.W.I.

All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should beaddressed to the Secretary.

The next number O/THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in December, 1953.

the life-boat · tara coastguard sh. e mad too foe r the position give in th teetne ohf a gale. sh...

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