THE LIFE-BOAT,

JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

VOL. IV.—No. 33.] JULY IST, 1859. [PRICK 2D.ISSUED QDAXTEKLY.

WRECK OF THE 'POMONA.'

Os the morning of the 30th April, 1859,one of the most disastrous wrecks onrecord occurred on the Blackwater Bank, inthe Irish Channel, by which melancholyevent no less than 385 persons perished.

The American clipper ship Pomona, of1800 tons burden, sailed from Liverpool onthe morning of the 27th of April, for NewYork, having on board 400 emigrants andpassengers, besides the officers and crew, 44in number.

Embarked in a splendid ship, with a fairbreeze, and the prospect of a speedy passageto the place of their destination, most of thoseon board were in high spirits, little apprehen-sive of the fearful calamity that was about tobefal them. Scarcely, however, had all retiredto rest, after a day of pleasing anticipations,than they were awoke to life by the ominouscry—" The ship on shore." But too soonwas the terrible reality of their situationmade apparent by the seas furiously breakingover them—by the violent shocks whichstarted every timber and plank in the ship,as she was lifted by the waves and dashedagain on the ground—by the cries and wail-ings of the fear-stricken and helpless multi-tude—and by all the other fearful accom-paniments of a shipwreck.

It was shortly ascertained that the shipwas aground on the Blackwater Bank, offthe Wexford coast, the captain having mis-taken the new floating Blackwater light forthe Tuskar light, and having, in consequence,ordered- a wrong course to be steeved.

It is painful to contemplate the awfulstate of suspense in which the remaininghours of darkness were passed through by

that large number of our hapless fellow-crea-tures, and the terrible feeling of despairwhich must have overpowered them, whenat break of day they perceived their longdistance from the shore, and the slightchance, if any, that could exist of their re-ceiving succour from it.

For twelve long hours after striking theground their ship held together beneaththem, during which interval the usual gra-dations of suffering and of unavailing effortswere passed through. The pumps were un-ceasingly worked without being able tosubdue the rising flood; the boats werelowered or hoisted out only to be, one afterthe other, destroyed or upset, with the ex-ception of two in which the few survivorsultimately escaped; the masts were cutaway, but all was of no avail; the unequalcontest was soon to end; the brave ship andthe bravest of her crew were alike impotentto withstand the fury of the storm, and aftertwelve long hours of exertion and endurance,all was over; the ship and her preciousfreight had gone down together into theabyss: the last prayer was said; the lastshriek was silenced; the last struggle hadceased, and all were enshrouded in a commongrave!

To ourselves, who have been mercifully-preserved from such dangers, the practicalquestions as usual suggest themselves:—Could anything more have been done thanwas done to prevent the catastrophe ?—Canany measures be taken to lessen the risks ofsuch wholesale destruction of life in future ?

The first cause of the fatal accident, acause which has been but too fruitful of lossof life in past times, appears to have beenthe mistaking one light for another. It was

LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.—Vol. IV.—No. 33.

186 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1859.

by such a mistake that the celebrated wreckof the steamship Great Britain took placesome years since, in Dundrum Bay. Andmany another noble ship has been lost fromthe same description of error. As in thisinstance, so also in numberless others, thesefatal mistakes are made by ships which havesailed but a few hours out of English ports,to whom, it might be supposed, the lightsof our own coast by night, and its land-marks by day, would indicate their courseas plainly as do the familiar wayside objectsand the cross-road sign-post point out theway to the traveller on the land. That thevery warning-light intended to save, may,despite every precaution and great experi-ence, prove the source of destruction, isstrikingly illustrated by this wreck, for it isnot many months since the Blackwaterfloating light was first established with theprecise object of warning vessels from thosefatal banks. Yet there can be little doubtthat had there been no such light, the cap-tain of the Pomona would have continuedhis original course, and would have pro-secuted his voyage in safety.

Of what vital importance therefore is it,that all lighthouses contiguous to, or withinlong distances of each other, should be ofsuch distinctive and different characters asto make the confounding one with anotheralmost impossible, or at least improbable!We do not mean to say that such is not thecase as regards the lights now in question,but we do say that, as regards these and allother lights, the authorities who are respon-sible for them should devote the most seriousconsideration to the subject, and that iftheory suggests, or experience proves, thatany specific lights are liable to be mistakenfor others,'no trouble and no expense shouldbe spared to remove that liability.

Perhaps the only modes by which lightscan be diversified are those already in use,namely, change of colour, and changes ofappearance, by being fixed, t. e. uniform andpermanent, or bj having their light con-cealed at intervals, as in the revolving andflashing lights. On account of the com-paratively short distances from which co-loured lights are visible, especially in thickweather, the most common mode of distinc-

-

tion is by partial concealment, but even thatis a fallible plan, as when seen at a longdistance, or if it be a low light, as in afloating-vessel, a fixed light may, throughbeing obscured by intervening waves, havethe appearance of being intermittent. Sucha cause may have misled the captain in thepresent instance, as the Tuskar light is anintermittent one, whilst the floating Black-water light is fixed. In most cases of doubtfrom such a cause, perhaps the master of aship could not do better than run directlyfor the light itself, until near enough to feelassured of its character and identity.

Some years ago a proposition was madeto the Trinity Board, that a system of alter-nate colours should be adopted, that is tosay, that the lighthouses around our coastsshould alternate in colour: thus, for instance,commencing with a fixed bright light, thatthe next should be a red light, the next tothat a green one, the next following a violet,and then a bright light again, and so on inthe same succession. Thus every fourth lightonly corresponding, the distance betweensimilar lights would be so much increasedas to make it impossible that the one shouldbe mistaken for the other. The objection tothis plan was, probably, that the colouredlights are not visible at a sufficient distance.We think, nevertheless, that the idea wasan excellent one, and that it might be so faradopted with advantage, as that the alter-nate colours should be used in combinationwith a bright light at intervals in each case,so that every fourth light should be a fixedbright light, the next following to be arevolving or flashing bright light, withintermittent coloured rays, to be followedagain by a revolving bright light of differentintervals, and with the intermittent rays of adifferent colour from the preceding. Thesedouble - coloured lights a long distanceswould then have the appearance of brightrevolving lights, visible at different intervals,by which interval each would in general beknown, whilst a nearer approach wouldbring to view its coloured rays, and removeall uncertainty as to its identity, or makeassurance doubly sure.

Another cause of loss of life in this case,was the destruction of most of the ship's

JULY 1, 1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 187

boats; and, indeed, the inadequate numberof them, for if all of them had been safelylowered and filled with passengers, theycould not have taken in move than one-thirdof those on board the ship, for we learnthere were but seven boats when she leftLiverpool.

As we pointed out in the case of thesteamship Austria not long since, so againin the case of the Pomona we must pointout that if the law afforded to emigrants andother passengers the protection which itought to do, by the enforcement of a suffi-cient and suitable supply of boats, much ofthis sad waste of human life might havebeen spared. True, two of the boats werewashed from the davits by the sea; three ofthem were stove or upset on being loweredinto the water; and of the two which leftthe ship, one was upset in landing throughthe surf. But if the boats had beentwenty in number, which they ought tohave been, instead of seven only; if they hadall been life-boats—real life-boats, not shamlife-boats, which the generality of ship's life-boats are—but if they had been WHITE'Slife-boats, or BERTHON'S collapsible life-boats,or such life-boats as those adopted by theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, they notonly would not have swamped if stove in,but might have been safely filled with pas-sengers afterwards, and have taken them tothe shore; and if they had been of the last-named class, and had been upset in lower-ing, they would have righted again instantlyafter. If each boat had been fitted withCLIFFORD'S lowering apparatus, its chance ofbeing safely lowered, with its complement ofpassengers, without injury, and without up-setting, would have been infinitely increased.And if each boat had had a bow.-rope, ofsufficient length and strength secured to theship, which should always be the case, hadshe been upset, she would not have goneadrift, but have remained by the ship, withthe chance of being righted, and of stillbeing available to save Jife.

Under such circumstances, it may befairly presumed that many boats full of pas-sengers would have safely left the Pomona,and even if some of them should have beenupset in landing through the surf, which,

from the ignorance of merchant-seamen ofthe proper management of boats in a surf,they might have been, yet even then thoseon board them would have had a greaterchance of being saved by aid from the shorethan by going down with the ship in deepwater.

Once more, then, we exclaim against theinjustice, the national moral turpitude, andespecially against the supineness of the go-verning authorities, who have charge of ourMercantile Marine, and, above all, of ourEmigration department of it, which affordsno better protection to the lives of our fellow-countrymen, which, in the manner abovepointed out, might so readily be done.

Lastly, another cause of loss of life in thisdeplorable case appears to us to have arisenfrom an error in judgment in the captain, byletting go his anchor after the ship haddrifted over the bank, and got again intodeep water. As shown by the charts, shecould not have been more than 2£ milesfrom the shore, when off the bank, to whichalso she must have drifted considerablynearer before the anchor was let go, as sometime was expended in clearing it away, andas it is stated that the breaking of the surfop the beach was distinctly heard by thoseon board: as the ship did not go downuntil about half-an-honr after the anchor waslet go, it is probable that she floated for atleast an hour after drifting off the bank.We may therefore conclude that there wasample time for her to have been run onshore, especially if a sail could have been seton the mizenmast, which was still leftstanding. As soon", therefore, as it wasfound that the water was gaming on thepumps, it must have been evident that theship would founder, and that the further shewas from the shore at the moment of thefinal catastrophe, the less chance there mustbe of any of her inmates reaching it; foreven if no boat could, on her first striking,have reached her from the shore, or themortar or rocket apparatus have been themeans of effecting a communication with it,the ship might have held together until thetide had left her.

As it happened, although of course un-known to the captain, the life-boat of the

H 2

188 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1859.

NATIONAL LITE - BOAT INSTITUTION sta-tioned at Cahore, two miles distant, madeseveral attempts to proceed to the wreck,but unfortunately she was as often beatenback again by the sea. If, however, she hadsucceeded in getting out, all that she couldhave done would have been to take off some30 persons, and left the remainder to perish,as the ship would have foundered before shecould return to it. On the contrary, hadthe vessel been drive on shore, she wouldprobably have made the water so muchsmoother under her lee, that the life-boatmight have been more readily launched, andhave passed to and fro between the ship andthe shore until all on board were saved.

We do not, however, desire to cast anyreproach on the captain of the ship, who issaid to have shown much coolness, presenceof mind, and courage on the trying occasion,and he' no doubt ucted to the best of hisjudgment. All speculation, indeed, as tothe correctness of his judgment, is now use-less. Whether correct or not, it was in thisinstance of no avail; that which was to behas come to pass; it is now irrevocable: andwe only state our opinion respecting it forthe consideration of masters of ships whomay chance hereafter to be placed in similarcircumstances.

SERVICES OF LIFE-BOATS.NEWCASTLE, DUNDKTJM BAY.—On the 12thDecember, 1858, the French lugger LouiseAmelie got embayed and was driven onshore near Newcastle in a heavy gale fromS.S.E.- The life-boat belonging to theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, sta-tioned at Newcastle, was immediatelylaunched, and the French crew, 5 in num-ber, were taken on board and safely landedat Newcastle.

NEWBIGGEN.—On thenightof 9th January,1859, the schooner Betsy, of Sunderland,ran aground off Newbiggen Point, on theNorthumberland Coast, the night being dark,and a strong sea setting in from the east atthe time. On signals of distress beingmade, the Newbiggen life-boat, belongingto the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,was speedily launched, and took off the

crew, landing them at-Newbiggen at 5A.M.

PADSTOW.—On the 8th March, 1859, theFrench brigantine Gonscdve, of Nantes, gotembayed off Padstow, and, on making forthe harbour, was caught by the eddy windsat the entrance, and driven by the tide andheavy sea on to the Doombar Sand, whenher crew were immediately placed in ex-treme danger. The Padstow life-boat waslaunched with great promptness, and, througha very heavy sea which repeatedly brokeover and filled the boat, succeeded in rescu-ing the crew of 7 persons, and conveyingthem safely to the shore. The vessel shortlyafter went to pieces. The life-boat, whichis on the self-righting principle, on Mr.PEAKE'S plan, was reported to have behavedadmirably on the occasion.

On the loth of March, the services of thislife-boat were again called into requisition,and her crew had again the satisfaction tosave the lives of their fellow-creatures. Theschooner Frederick William, of Ipswich, get-ting embayed, ran for Padstow harbour in avery heavy gale from the N.W., and on ap-proaching its narrow entrance, was takenaback by the baffling or eddy winds whichare so often fatal to vessels in this locality;she was then quickly carried by the heavysea upon the Doombar Sand. The life-boat was again launched and proceededthrough a terrific sea to the aid of the hap-less crew, 4 in number, who, together witha pilot on board, were successfully taken onboard and safely conveyed to land. The seawas described as fearful at the time, the life-boat being repeatedly filled by it. For thisand the previous service, added to his generalexemplary conduct, the coxswain, DANIELSHEA, commission boatman of Coast-guard,received the silver medal of the Institution,in addition to the usual pecuniary award•which the life-boats' crews receive for such

HOLYHEAD.—On the 10th March, theschooner Scotia, of Carnarvon, anchored ina heavy S.W. gale off Trefadoc, near Holy-head : she soon commenced to drag heranchors, and was observed to be drivingfast towards the Clipera Rocks. The Holy-

JtTLT 1, 1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 189

head life-boat, belonging to the LiFE-BoATINSTITUTION, was very quickly launched,and on reaching her with considerable diffi-culty, placed three hands on board her, bywhose aid the cables were slipped, and thevessel was run ashore in a safe position.The life-boat immediately after proceededto the assistance of another schooner, alsodangerously situated, and aided in conduct-ing her also into a safe position. Had thesevessels driven on the rocks, the consequenceswould probably have been fatal to theircrews. The life-boat, which is on Mr.PEAKE'S plan, was reported to have be-haved admirably on the occasion.

BIDEFORD.—Early in the morning of the12th March, the schooner Clifton, of Glou-cester, ran ashore on the south side of thebar at the entrance to Bideford harbour, thewind blowing hard from the west at thetime. At daylight the crew, 6 in number,took to the foremast, which shortly after go-ing by the board, threw them all into thewater, when 4 of their number unhappilyperished.

On the position of the vessel being seenfrom the shore, the two life-boats belongingto the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTIONwere as soon as possible manned and pro-ceeded to attempt the rescue of the crew;owing, however, to the mountainous seawhich was running, to the violence of thegale, and to a cross tide, they were both un-successful, and had to return to the shore,after three hours' exertion, without effectingtheir object. After recruiting themselvesand obtaining some fresh hands, the boatsonce more started, but were again unsuc-cessful, and had the mortification to see theforemast fall over the side with, as was sup-posed, the loss of all on board. The boatsthen a second time returned to the shore.It was now concluded that all hands onboard the schooner had perished, but afterawhile, with the help of glasses, moving ob-jects were discovered on the bowsprit, andthe boats then a third time put off, on thisoccasion, with better success, the smallerbeat of the two reaching the vessel andtaking the 2 survivors of the crew off thebowsprit, and conveying them safely to theshore.

As a very heavy sea breaks on BidefordBar, the service was considered to be one ofgreat danger and of unusual difficulty.During the many hours that the attemptsat rescue were being continued, the mem-bers of the local Life-boat Committee andother gentlemen were on the spot, and ac-tively engaged in aiding and in encouragingthe life-boats' crews. The boats were re-ported as behaving extremely well, and itwas considered by those on the spot thatno other description of boat could havemore readily reached the vessel.

FISHGUAKD.—On the 15th March, duringa heavy gale from N.N.W., the brig LordGough, of Whitby, riding with several othervessels in Fishguard Bay, was considered tobe in danger; and the crew, wishing to leavethe vessel or run her for the beach, a signalof distress was hoisted, when the Fishguardlife-boat was quickly launched through a con-siderable surf, took the crew off, and landedthem in safety. The brig, after all, held onto her anchors, and on the gale moderating,the crew were enabled to return to her. Thelife-boat, which belongs to the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, was reported tohave behaved admirably on the occasion.

RHYL.—On the 29th March, 1859, asloop was observed driving towards theshore in Abergele Bay, North Wales. TheRhyl life-boat belonging to the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was quickly con-veyed by horses to the bay, and launched.The sloop was found to be the Mary, ofRamsay: she had broken her mainboom andsplit her mainsail. The weather moderating,a portion of the life-boat's crew were placedon board, and the vessel was afterwardstowed into the harbour at Rhyl.

On the 26th and 29th January this life-boat also was taken to the assistance ofvessels, which had hoisted signals of dis-tress ; but on neither occasion was it neces-sary to take off the crew of the vessel.This life-boat is on the tubular prin-ciple, invented and patented by the Messrs.RICHARDSON, of Merionethshire. She is theonly boat on this principle which is stationedon our coasts. She has been highly reportedof on each occasion of her performing service.

190 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1859.

THORPE, AND ALDBOKOUGH, SUFFOLK.—On the 2nd April, at daylight, a vessel,which afterwards proved to be the brigVelocity, of Sunderland, was perceived to

be ashore on Sizewell Bank, the wind blow-ing hard from S.S.W. at the time. TheThorpe life-boat was quickly launchedthrough a heavy surf and proceeded to thewreck, taking off her crew of 8 persons andlauding them in safety. The vessel shortlyafter became a total wreck. The Aid-borough life-boat also proceeded to therescue of the crew, not being aware of theThorpe boat having gone to her; having,however, a greater distance to go than theThorpe boat, she did not arrive in time tobe of service. Both these boats were re-ported as behaving admirably on the oc-casion.

WALMER, KENT.—On the 15th April,at daylight, a sloop was observed to be onshore on the south end of the GoodwinSands. As soon as there was sufficientwater on the sands for a boat to cross them,the Walmer life-boat was launched, andproceeded under sail to the Sands; she thenrowed across them, after taking her mastsand sails down, through a heavy cross sea,described by the crew as surging into theair and tossing and filling the boat everyminute. On approaching the wreck, it wasat first found impossible to board her, al-though the crew, 3 in number, were seen inthe vessel's rigging. As soon as the tideturned, causing the sea somewhat to sub-side, the life-boat was taken alongside; butat the moment of her being so, the vessel'smast went by the board, falling across herbow. One of the 3 men in the vessel'srigging had before this been washed off andperished: of the 2 who remained, 1 wastaken into the boat as the mast fell; theother, the master of the vessel, was throwninto the water. One of the life-boat's crew,JOHN CHADWICK, immediately jumped over-board, swam to him, and succeeded in bring-ing him alongside the life-boat; but on thecrew grasping him, his clothes unfortunatelytore away, and a sea dashing the boat awayfrom him, he unfortunately perished. ADeal-lugger was near the wreck, but couldnot approach it to render any assistance.

Th,e vessel proved to be the sloop Liberal,of Wisbeach, RICHARD BONN, master. Thelife-boat was reported to have behaved ex-ceedingly well on the occasion: she is oneof the self-righting boats belonging to theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

In the report of this case, received by theInstitution, it is remarked, that had the un-fortunate master been provided with one ofthe cork life-belts, such as are worn by thelife-boats' crews, his life would not havebeen sacrificed. Indeed the two other menpreviously washed from the rigging anddrowned might possibly have been savedhad they been provided with belts, as theymight have been picked up by the life-boator by the Deal-lugger. We have ondifferent occasions expressed our opinion ofthe desirableness of all merchant-vessels, orat least of all in our coasting-trade, beingsupplied with these useful sources of safety,which can be procured for a small cost, andwhich would be the means of saving manya poor fellow's life. Although not requiredby law to be supplied, we reiterate theopinion, " that every humane shipownershould consider one for each of the menemployed by him to be a necessary part ofthe furniture of each of their ships."

LIFE-BOATS FOR THE COAST OFSCOTLAND.

THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI-TUTION, which has already numerous Life-boat Stations on the English and IrishCoasts, is desirous to extend its work ofusefulness to the Coasts of Scotland, thatevery part of the United Kingdom may beprovided with the means of affording succourto those unfortunate persons who by theviolence of the storm are cast away, andmust, too often, otherwise perish on itsshores.

To enable the Society to effect this im-portant object, the Committee venture tosolicit the pecuniary aid and the general co-operation of the people of Scotland—of hergreat landed proprietors, the sea boundariesof whose estates are washed by the angrywaves—of the Merchants and Shipownersof her Commercial cities—of all humane

JULY 1, 1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 191

persons who can feel for and have the powerto aid .those whom it has pleased DivjpeProvidence to afflict.

The objects of the Institution are effected—1st.—By stationing life-boats, fully equip-

ped with all necessary gear and means ofsecurity to those who man them; and withtransporting-carriages on which they can bedrawn by land to the neighbourhood ofdistant wrecks — and by the erection ofsuitable houses in which the same are kept.

2nd.—By the appointment of paid Cox-swains who have charge of, and are IieHresponsible for, the good order and efficiencyof the boats, and by a Quarterly Exercise ofthe crew of each boat.

3rd.—By a liberal remuneration of allthose who risk their lives in these boats bygoing to the aid of wrecked persons.

4th. — By the superintendence of anHonorary Committee of residents in eachlocality, who on their part undertake tocollect locally what amount they are able ofDonations towards the first Cost, and ofAnnual Contributions towards the perma-nent expenses of their several Establish-ments.

To effectually attain these objects it willbe manifest that a considerable expense willbe incurred; amounting to from 300Z. to40CW. for the first Establishment, and to anaverage of 20Z. annually on each Life-boatStation.

Without, therefore, the pecuniary assist-ance, and the hearty general co-operation ofthe Community at large, the objects of theSociety could not be carried out. Its Com-mittee of Management, therefore, earnestlyappeal to the benevolent people of Scotlandto aid them in this necessary and philan-thropic undertaking.

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

' THE MATE AND HIS DUTIES.' By flw lateCapt. JOSEPH J. KELLY. Third Edition.TAYLOR, IMEAY, and SON, Minories, Lon-don; ROCKLIFF and SON, Liverpod.Price 2s.

IN our 29th Number, in an account of thewreck of the barque, Mary Stoddart, nearDundaJk, we related the circumsfandfes of the

death of Capt. J. J. KELLY of that place,whilst engaged in a gallant and perseveringeffort to save the lives of those on board theabove-named vessel, then ashore in DundalkBay. Since then our attention has beendrawn to the small work having the abovetitle, a third edition of which had been pub-lished by that gentleman some time beforehis lamented death : a work which weshould like to see in the hands not only ofevery mate, but of every master, of everyshipowner, and of every seaman in theMerchant-service; and not only in the handsof the members of that service, for whoseuse it was especially written, but also inthose of officers of the Royal Navy, verymany of whom might learn a profitablelesson from the pen of the merchant Cap-tain. For different as are the duties andthe requirements of the two services, thereare many general principles that are ap-plicable to both, and the qualities which fita man for command in the one, qualify himfor command in the other also. Professionalknowledge, firmness, judgment, courage, for-bearance, self-respect and self-government,observation, knowledge of human nature,gentlemanly bearing, the art of governingothers, patriotism, morality, all are qualitieswhich together form the character of a goodofficer, whether he hold the proud commandof a royal ship with a bevy of educatedgentlemen to aid him and carry his ordersinto effect, or whether he be the single un-supported man who walks the merchant-vessel's quarter-deck.

From whatever point it is viewed, theeducation of the officers of our mercantilemarine is a subject of immense importance.Whether we contemplate the enormousamount of property that is intrusted to theircare, or the number of human beings whosehealth and happiness, indeed, whose veryexistence is greatly dependent on them, beingplaced under their absolute care and control;or whether the influence and example of sonumerous a body of men as our merchant-seamen, scattered over the whole surface ofthe globe, whither their duties carry them,how great, in the aggregate, is their powerfor good or evil. And yet so little attempt.,has hitherto been taken to improve or

192 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1859.

afford opportunities for improvement tothis important and numerous section ofour community, that, as Captain KELLYin his work observes, it has loifg beenmatter of notoriety that our merchant officersand seamen are, as a body, more illiterateand less respectable than those of any othercivilized maritime community. Feeling thereality of this evil, and the incalculable im-portance of its being remedied, we hail withmuch gratification a work which, written byone of their own body, and taking a com-prehensive and practical view of the question,is calculated We believe to render an im-mense service to the mercantile community,and'through that medium to the country atlarge.

.As nearly every master of a merchant-vessel must have first passed through thegrade of mate, Captain KELLY rightly andjudiciously addresses his book to the latter,for it will, in the majority of cases, be in thatgrade that the character of the future masterwill be formed, or, at least, that the germsof that character will be sown. Neverthe-less, there are few masters who could studyits contents without profit, and not eventhe most skilful and accomplished could do

"so without gratification.The space we have at command will not

admit of our giving extracts from this valu-able little work, or we might quote nume-rous passages, which, if we had a son at seain either the Royal Navy or the Mercantilemarine, we would urge him to commit tomemory.

We however recommend every officer inthe merchant-service, and every seaman init, who looks forward either to advancementin his profession or to self-improvement inhis present useful and honourable calling, toprocure and study the book for himself. Itcontains many useful suggestions in mattersof practical seamanship; although, as itsauthor justly observes, the rigging of a shipand other departments of seamen's workcan never be learned from books. It definesthe duties of the mate to the master—to hisemployers—to the crew—and to himself.It contains many excellent remarks on the

•ujnanagement of men, and general discipline,id on sanitary arrangements on shipboard—

some useful information on the making andrespiring of sails—a vocabulary of sea termsand phrases in the Spanish, French, Italian,and Bengalee languages; and also a seriesof questions and answers on the marinesteam-engine. The leading feature, how-ever, and the most valuable portion of thework, is that general instruction and goodadvice to the officer of the merchant-service,and those unsparing but temperate remarkson his too common failings, which cannotbe studied by him without conducing to hismental, moral, and professional improve-ment ; and many parts, of which from theirhigh tone and practical and universal cha-racter may with the same benefit be read bypersons in any other profession or positionin life.

Capt. KELLY was also the author of auseful collection of Navigation Tables, en-titled " Companion to the Nautical Almanac"—a work deserving the attention of seamen.

ADDITIONAL LIFE-BOAT STATIONS' AND NEW LIFE-BOATS.

FLEETWOOD, LANCASHIRE.—A life-boat sta-tion has been recently formed at Fleetwoodin connection with the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. A life-boat, on Mr.PEAKE'S plan, as adopted by the Institu-tion, 30 ft. long, rowing six oars, single-banked, and provided with a good carriage,has been furnished by the Institution, and asubstantial boafc-house has been erected fortheir reception. As Fleetwood is a portfrequented by passenger-steamers in addi-tion to some coasting-trade, it is importantthat it should be provided with a life-boat,although wrecks have not been of veiy fre-quent occurrence in the locality.

LOSSIEMOUTH, SCOTLAND.— A life-boatstation has been established by the NA-TIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION at Los-siemouth, on the east coast of Scotland.This boat is also a 30 ft. self-righting boat,on the Institution's plan, rowing six oars,single banked. She is provided with atransporting-carriage, and a house ha§ beenbuilt for4ier reception. As many accidents

JULY 1,1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 193

happen to the fishing-boats on this part ofthe coast, in addition to occasional wrecks,it is thought that a life-boat may be of muchservice here.

EXMOUTH. — A life-boat establishmenthas recently been founded at Extnouth byLADY ROLLE, of Bicton House, Devon, andplaced in connection with the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, her ladyship hav-ing munificently presented the cost (375Z.) ofthe boat, carriage, and boat-house, to theSociety. This boat is on the Institution'splan, and is 30 ft. long, rowing six oars,single banked. A local Committee of resi-dent gentry have, as usual, undertaken themanagement of the establishment. Theaccumulation of shoals off the entrance tothe river Ex must always be liable to oc-casional accidents both to shipping andboats; a life-boat is no doubt therefore avaluable acquisition to the port.

SUMMARY OF THE

MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.

Thursday, 2nd Deo., 1858. THOMAS CHAPMAN,Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspondence,and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Read letter from his Grace the DUKE of NOR-THUMBERLAND, K.G., President of the Institutionof 18th Nov., forwarding a communication fromVice-Admiral Sir GEOBGE SABTOHIUS, requestingthat a life-boat might be built for the PortugueseGovernment on the plan adopted by this Insti-tution.—Reported that Sir GEORGE had been in-formed of the two classes of life-boats adopted bythe Society, and that he had ordered a 32-feetlife-boat, through Mr. PEAKE, to be built byMessrs. FORRESTT.

Also from his Grace the PRESIDENT, of 1st inst.,forwarding a communication from Colonel Fox,of Hyeres, Department of the Var, of 29th Nov.,requesting particulars for the information of theDue de LDTNES, of the life-boats of the Institu-tion. Colonel Fox stated that the French dukewas desirous to establish some life-boats on theFrench coast.—Ordered the usual life-boat papersto be transmitted to the Due de LUYNES.

Read and approved the Inspector's Report ofthe 15th Nov., on his visits to the life-boats onthe Norfolk coast.

Read letter from JAMES BURMAN, Esq., Hon.Sec. of the Castletown Branch, of 29th .Nov.,stating that the life-boat on that station, which

belongs to this Institution, had been the means ofsaving a vessel and her crew from, apparently, analmost inevitable death on the previous Friday.—To be aiJwwIedged.

Also from C. H. COOKE, Esq., Hon. Architect,forwarding a drawing of the Exmouth life-boathouse, and also the revised estimate from alocal builder for its erection—Decided that Mr.COOKE be thanked for the same, and that theestimate of the builder be accepted.

Also from Captain MACLEOD, R.N., of Inver-gordon, of the 16th Nov., calling attention to hisplan for lowering, at night, ships' life-buoys.—Tobe acknowledged.

Also from Mr. J. DALRYMPLE, of Fraserburgh,of the 22nd Nov., conveying the thanks of a publicmeeting, of which he was Chairman, to the ROYALNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, for the newlife-boat sent by it to Fraserburgh. A vote ofthanks was also passed to Mr. McKERitELL, thebenevolent donor of the cost of the life-boat to theInstitution.

Also from their Excellencies the Ambassadorsof Sardinia, and of Sweden and Norway, convey-ing the thanks of their respective governmentsto the Society for the drawings of the life-boatand carriages presented to them.

Also from Lieutenant PESTCHOOROFF, of theImperial Russian Navy, of 29th Nov., stating thathis Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constan-tine, High Admiral of Russia, had decided toorder three small life-boats and two transporting-earriages on the plan of those adopted by tinsInstitution.—Ordered the same to be proceededwith.

Also a letter from Count BERNSTORFF, thePrussian Ambassador, of the 29th Nov., statingthat the Prussian Government were desirous tohave a 32-feet life-boat built for them on theplan of the Society.—Ordered the boat to be builtaccordingly.

Ordered the sale of 10007. Three per Cent. Re-duced Annuities from the funded capital of theInstitution.

Decided—To station a life-boat and carriageat Lossiemouth, on the north-east coast ofScotland.

Voted the thanks of the Institution, inscribed onvellum to the Rev. C. W. KING, late Hon. Sec. ofthe Newbiggin Branch, for his zealous and valuableservices in that capacity.

Ordered a new life-boat house to be built atBerwick-on-Tweed, and at Carnsore, near Wex-ford.

Paid 796Z. 15s. %d. for sundry charges on, life-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat houses.Also 10297, 16s. &d. to Messrs. FOKKESTT for life-.boats built by them for the Institution.

Voted, 1 gold medal, 4 silver medals, and 1837.8s. Gd., for various services rendered by the life-boats of the Institution, and shore-boats, at severalwrecks, the particulars of which will be founddetailed in its Annual Report, published in Aprillast.

Thursday, 6th Jan., 1859. THOMAS CHAPMAN,Esq., V.P., F.R S., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previous

194 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1859.

Meeting, and those of the Finance, Correspondence,and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Reported the death of G. HOLGAJM FOSTEB,'Esq., Vice-Prestdent of the Instihwfc. Mr.FOSTER had been a liberal contributor to the fundsof this Society, and had left it a legacy of 1000/.free of duty.

Read letter from Mr. CUBITT, Hon. Sec. of theBacton Branch, of 28th Dec., giving an accountof a recent favourable trial of the life-boat onthat station.

Also from Messrs. FORRESTT, presenting a modelto the Institution of a 38-feet life-boat, being thelargest life-boat they had hitherto built on Mr.PEAKE'S plan. A boat built after the model hadbeen sent by them to the Cape of Good Hope.To be thanked.

Reported the transmission of the Tramore andCarnsore life-boats and carriages to their stations.Free passages had been kindly given to them toWaterford on board the steamers belonging tothe Messrs. MALCOLMSON of Waterford.—To bethanked.

Read letter from Captain MARTIN, of Ramsgate,of 22nd Dec., forwarding a report of the servicesof the Kamsgate life-boat and steam-tug to avessel on the Goodwin Sands on the previous day.—To be thanked.

Also from Mr. J. W. MAHER, Hon. Sec.-of theTramore Branch, of 28th Dec., reporting the re-sult of the recent favourable trial of the new life-boat sent by this Institution to that station.—Tobe acknowledged.

Also from the Colonial Secretary of the Cape ofGood Hope, of the 13th Oct. last, expressing thethanks of the governor of that colony for theInstructions for the Treatment of the ApparentlyDrowned, and stating that the same had beenpublished in the Government Gazette.

Also from Mr. P. HEINES, of High-street,Poplar, of 14th Dec., calling attention to his planof life-boat carriage.—To be acknowledged.

Also from Mr. R. CULVERWELL, of Plymouth,of 9th Dec., submitting his plan for preventingboats from upsetting.—To be acknowledged.

Also from Mr. N. JECGER, of Bergen, of 2GthNov., calling attention to his new plan of tubularlife-boat.—To be acknowledged.

Also from Messrs. WHITE of COWES, of 2ndDec., forwarding a model of a ship's life-boat forexhibition at the Institution.—To be thanked.

Also from the Due de LUYNES, of Hyeres, of19th Dec., expressing his thanks for the variouslife-boat papers which had been forwarded to himby the Institution.

Paid 208/. 19s. lid. for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat houses.Also 2501. for the Tramore, Cullercoats, Aber-'

'dovey, and Berwick life-boat carriages.Voted a reward of 61. to 6 men, for putting off

and saving 2 men of the crew of the smack Ca-therine Anne, of Ramsey, which was wreckedduring a S.W. gale, off Maryport, on the 7th Oct.last.

Also 81. to a fishing-boat's crew, for saving thecrew of 3 men of the schooner Oak, of Goole, fromGoole to Ipswich, which, during a fresh gale and

squally weather, was wrecked off Blakeney Har-bour, on the 18th Oct. last.

Also 21. to 3 men, for saving a man whose boatwas capsized off Britannia Pier, Yarmouth, duringcloudy weather, on the 24th Oct. last.

Also 31. 10«. to a boat's crew, for putting off andrescuing 1 out of 3 men of the crew of the schoonerEarl Spencer, of Liverpool, which was wreckedduring cloudy weather at the mouth of the Boyne,Drogheda, on the 17th Nov. last.

Also a reward of 31. to a boat's crew, for puttingoff and rescuing 5 out of 6 of the crew of the brigSampson, of Waterford, which was wrecked duringhazy weather off Ballinacourty, near Dungarvan,on the I4th Nov. last.

Also 41. to a boat's crew, for going off and savingthe crew of 6 men of the schooner Sealby, of Mary-port, which was wrecked during a gale of wind offInnisboffln, on the coast of Donegal, on the 30thNov. last.

Also the silver medal of the Institution and II.to JOHN Moss, for saving, at the peril of his life,1 out of 2 men from the lugger Stowaway's boat,which was run down off Dungeness, on the 19thDec. last.

Also a reward of 51. 10s. to a boat's crew, forgoing off and saving 2 persons from a boat whichwas capsized during squally weather, off Glin,Limerick, on the 13th Nov. last.

Also SI. to a boat's crew, for putting off andrescuing 3 men from a fishing-boat which went topieces off Nesting, Shetland, during a gale of wind,on the 27th August last.

The Lytham life-boat put off to the assistanceof the schooner E If, of Salcombe, which had asignal of distress flying, during a S.W. gale, andsucceeded, on the 19th Dec. last, in bringing herinto port in safety.

Voted HI. to the crew of the Newbiggin life-boat, for going off and rescuing 4 persons from theschooner Betsy, of Sunderland, which was wreckedduring a strong gale of wind off Newbiggin Point,on the 9th Jan. last.

Also 61. to the crew of the Institution's life-boatat Newcastle, Dundrum Bay, for going off andsaving 5 persons from the lugger Louise Amelie,of Nantes, which was wrecked during a gale ofwind from the S. in Dundrum Bay, on the 12thDec. last.

Thursday, 3rd Feb. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq.,F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspondence,and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Also from Captain PRIEST, R.N., Hon. See. ofthe Holyhead Station, of the 2nd Feb., forwardingan account of the services of the Holyhead newife-boat, and stating the great satisfaction thejehaviour of the boat had given to her crew.—To>e acknowledged.

Also from WILLIAM HUGHES, Esq. Hon. Sec. ofthe Rhyl Branch, of 1st Feb., giving a detailedaccount of the services of the tubular life-boat,and of her valuable qualities, especially when>eing towed by a steam-tug through a heavy sea.

JULY 1,1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 195

The Committee voted their thanks to the Di-rectors of the Belfast Steam Ship Company, theGreat Northern, North Eastern, London andNorth "Western, and Preston and Wyre RailwayCompanies, for kindly giving free conveyance tothe life-boats and carriages of the Institution totheir respective stations on the coast.

Read letter from JAMES PEAKE, Esq., of 17thJan., stating that, in consequence of his appoint-ment to Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, hewas unable to give any further personal attentionto superintend the building of the life-boats ofthe Institution, and suggesting that the Committeemight appoint a superintending officer to securethe efficiency of the practical workmanship of thelife-boats. >

Resolved—That the gold medallion of the In-stitution be presented to Mr. PEAKE in acknow-ledgment of his eminent services as designer ofthe 'life-boat now successfully adopted and usedby the Institution, as well as for his long and valu-able assistance in superintending the building ofthe Society's life-boats.

Decided—That an application be made to theAdmiralty for the occasional absence of Mr.PHOWSE during his working hours to survey thelife-boats of the Institution.

Reported the transmission of a new life-boatand carriage to Cullercoats.

Read letter from Mr. PAIN, Hon. Sec. of theMundesley Branch, of the 22nd Jan., stating thatthey had had a favourable trial of the Mundesleynew life-boat.—To be acknowledged.

Also from Mr. BEATSON, Chief Officer of Coast-guard at Fraserburgh, of the 5th Jan., stating thathe had collected 12Z. 9s. amongst his friends andacquaintances in aid of the funds of this Institu-tion.—To be thanked.

Also from his Excellency the Danish Ambas-sador in London, conveying the thanks of hisGovernment to the Society, for drawings of thelife-boat and carriages presented to them.

Read letter from Mr. VAIL, of Belfast, of 26thJan., calling attention to his plan of wreck-escape.—To be acknowledged.

Paid 182?. 13s. 9d. for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat houses.Also 400?. to Messrs. FOHRESTT for life-boats builtby them for the Society. Also 2037. 7s. Id. forlife-boat carriages.

Voted the silver medal to JOHN RHDDOCK, boat-man, of Filey, in testimony of his general valuableand gallant services in saving life from wrecks ondifferent occasions.

Also a reward of 4/. to a fishing-boat's crew forrescuing 4 out of 5 of the crew of the brig Nancies,of Irvine, which was wrecked off Troon duringblowing weather, on the 10th Jan.

Also 101. to the crew of a Pakefield yawl, forputting off and rescuing the crew of 9 men of thebrig Slack Prince, of North Shields, which waswrecked during thick weather on the Holme Sands,on the 21st Dec. last.

Also 71. to 7 men, for putting off and rescuing,at the risk of their lives, the crew of 7 men of theschooner Maria, of Bilboa, which was wrecked

during a heavy storm, off Lerwick, Shetland, onthe 6th Jan. last.

Also 20Z. jto a boat's crew of 20 men, for puttingoff and rescuing the crew of 8 men of the Frenchbrig Druide, of Morlaix, which was wreckedduring squally weather off Blakeney, Norfolk, on'the 8th Jan. last.

Thursday, 3rd March, 1859. THOMAS BAKING,Esq., M.P., Y.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Read the following letter from Viscount BCRY,M.P.:—

« Uth February, 1859." SIR, " 47, Sloane Street, S. W.

" On the homeward voyage of the steam-ship Asia from New York, the passengers whiledaway the time by contributing short papers inverse and prose to a Magazine which they esta-blished on board, and which, partly in allusion tothe name of the ship, and partly in honour of Mr.LOTT, her captain, they called the Asiatic Lottery.

" It was proposed by some of the ladies on board,and carried by acclamation, that the MS. of theMagazine should be raffled for, and that the pro-ceeds should be given to the funds of the NA-TIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

" I have, in consequence, the honour and satis-faction of enclosing a cheque for 211.

" May I request that you will acknowledge thereceipt of this note, as I have engaged to commu-nicate your reply to my fellow-passengers ?

"They are not without a hope that others mayadopt an amusement which made their voyage apleasant one, and the proceeds of which will, theytrust, in the hands of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, help to alleviate the sufferingsof some who have ' gone down to the sea in ships'with less good fortune than the providence of Godawarded to themselves.

" I have, &c.,

To the Secretary of the "(Signed) BDKY."Royal National Life-Boat Institution.

Resolved, that the thanks of the Committee bepresented to Viscount BURY and his fellow-passen-gers for their generous contribution.

Also a communication from the workmen ofMessrs. FORRESTT, forwarding a contribution of30/., collected amongst them in aid of the fundsof this Institution.—To be thanked for theirgenerous contribution.

Read and approved a draft of the Annual Re-port read. The same was adopted at the AnnualMeeting of the Institution on the 17th March.

Read and approved the Report of the Inspector*on his visit to the life-boats on the south coast.

Ordered a life-boat house to be built at Fleet-wood.

Reported the stranding of the steamer PrinceFrederick William off Calais, on the 28th Februarylast, and the upsetting of the new life-boat, whenthree persons lost their lives on the occasion.Captain WARD, R.N., Inspector of Life-Boats to

196 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1,1859.

the Institution, had at once been instructed toproceed to Calais to make inquiries on the sub-ject.

Some farther particulars of this case will befound at page 198.

Bead letters from His Grace the President, ofthe 16th and 18th February, stating that he wouldpreside at the Annual Meeting of the NATIONALLITE-BOAT INSTITUTION, if his health would permithim to be in London on the occasion.

Also from Mr. FLETCHER, of Caldy Island, nearTenby, of 21st February, calling attention to hisplan of. life-boat.—To be acknowledged.

Also from JAMES PANTON, Esq., Hon. Sec. ofthe Cullercoats Branch, of 22nd February, statingthat they had had a trial with the new life-boatand carriage at Cullercoats, and that the same hadgone off satisfactorily.

Reported that Mr. MONTAGUE GORE had deli-vered a lecture on Life-boats at the Sailors' Home,Wells Street, on 25th February.

The Committee voted their thanks to CaptainKENNEDY, K.N., Deputy Comptroller-General ofCoast Guard, for kindly allowing Her Majesty'sShip Ajax, to tow the Newcastle, Dundrum, life-boat from Belfast to her station.

Decided—That a set of five life-belts be pre-sented at the request of the Bev. THOMAS CLE-MENTS, of East Wittering, Sussex, to the boatmenof that place, to be worn by them on occasionswhen their services are required to save life fromshipwreck.

The Committee voted their thanks, inscribedon vellum, to Capt. J. B. WILLOUGHBY, R.N.,Inspecting Commander of the Coast-Guard, inacknowledgment of his valuable services at thestranding of the barque Aurora, off Rottingdeanon 9th February last, and of his zealous exertionsin promoting the establishment of several life-boats on the coast.

Paid 2657. 3s. 3d., for sundry charges on variouslife-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat houses.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution toMr. JOHN RIDGE, and III. to several other men forgoing off in shore-boats, and rescuing 18 out of 31men from the schooner Czar, of Hull, which sankon the Vroge Rocks, Lizard Point, during a S.W.gale, on the 22nd January last.

Also II. to two men for going off and rescuing 2men from the sloop St. Anne, of Galway, whichwas wrecked off Rinmore Point, on the coast ofGalway, on the 6th February last.

Also II. to a man named JOHN FOI.AN, who, atthe risk of his life, swam out to the assistance of aman who was observed to be in an exhausted statein the sea off Derrigimla, Clifden, on the coast ofGalway, on the 27th January last.

The thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vel-«lum, were voted to Mr. J. R. JONES, and 11. 10s. to5 other men, for going off and rescuing the crewof 5 men of the schooner Eliza Pickering, of Hull,which was wrecked off Cymyron, near Holyhead,on the 18th January last.

Also the thanks of the Institution, inscribed onvellum, were voted to Mr. KENNETH MURRAY, and51. 10s. to several men for putting off and assistingthe crew of 5 men from the brigantine ftfineyHarley, of Cork, which was found disabled off the

Butt of Lewis, during hazy weather, on the28th December last. Some of the crew had diedfrom famine, and the captain died soon after hehad been brought ashore.

Also 21. to a boat's crew for putting off andsaving a man from a fishing-boat which had struckon a sunken rock off Innishen Island, on the coastof Donegal, on the 7th January last.

Also 21. 10s. to a boat's crew for going off andrescuing 1 man out of 6 from the schooner Rich-mond, of Middlesborough, which was wrecked dur-ing a S.W. gale off Kingsdown Walmer, on the2nd February last.

Thursday, 17th March. The Annual GeneralMeeting of the Friends and Supporters of theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION washeld this day at the London Tavern, BishopsgateStreet, the Right Honourable Sir JOHN SOMERSETPAKINOTON, Bart.,M.P., First Lord of the Admi-ralty, in the absence of His Grace the DUKE OPNORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., President of the Society,in the Chair.

The Chairman having opened the Meeting withsome remarks:—

The Secretary read the Annual Report of theCommittee.

Various resolutions were afterwards moved,seconded, and carried unanimously, pledging theMeeting to renewed exertions on behalf of thebenevolent objects of the Institution. (The reso-lutions will l>e found in the preceding number ofthe LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.)

Thursday, 7th April. THOMAS BARING, Esq.,M.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Read letter from the Secretary to the Ship-wrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society, of the5th April, forwarding an extract from the Reportof the Sub-Committee on the present position ofthe Society, and stating that in consequence of thegreat pressure on the funds of that Society whichfor the last two years had caused an outlay overthe income of 10001. per annum, the Committeehad thought it right to adopt the recommendationof the Sub-Committee, by raising the subscriptionof the beneficiary members to three shillings; thatin order to prevent such an alteration from inju-riously affecting this Institution, the HonoraryAgents of the Society would be instructed to urgethe continuance of the subscriptions of the Mari-ners, and that such subscriptions would in futurebe collected expressly for this Institution, butwithout, as heretofore, fixing the amount at three-pence, in the hope that many masters of vesselsand others might be induced to contribute a stilllarger sum.—To be thanked.

Reported the receipt of an additional donationof 1051. from the Royal Exchange Assurance Cor-poration ; an annual subscription of IGl. 10s. fromthe Peninsular and Oriental Steam NavigationCompany, and a further donation of 211. fromthe Clothworkers' Company.—To be thanked.

Read letter from Sir EDWARD LAMBERT PER-

JULY 1, 1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 197

ROTT, Bart., stating that Colonel TULLOH, R.A.,Director of the Carriage Department of the RoyalArsenal,Woolwich, had suggested that Mr. MORRIS,the Master Wheelwright of that Department,might be appointed to survey the life-boat car-riages of the Institution.

Decided—That Colonel TULLOH be thanked, andthat Mr. MORRIS be appointed.

Also from C. H. COOKE, Esq., Hon. Architect,forwarding his report of inspection of the life-boat houses built on his design at Yarmouth andLowestoft, and stating that the same had beencompleted to his satisfaction.

Approved of the pamphlet on the " Managementof Boats in Heavy Surfs, &c.," aud ordered thesame to be printed and circulated. Also orderedthe pamphlet to be translated into French.

The Committee voted their thanks, inscribed onvellum, to R. V. GORHAM, Esq., late HonorarySecretary to the Aldborough, Suffolk, Branch ofthis Institution, in acknowledgment of his longand valuable services in that capacity.

Read letter from Captain WASHINGTON, R.N., ofthe 8th March, forwarding a letter from Her Ma-jesty's Consul at Rome of 8th January, who statedthat Prince BORGHESE, the owner of a large extentof land on the Italian coast, had requested variousparticulars relative to the life-boats of the Insti-tution to be furnished to him.—To be acknow-ledged.

Reported the transmission of the Lossiemouthlife-boat and carriage to their station on the22nd March, and that they had given satisfactionto the inhabitants of the place. A free convey-ance had been given to them on board a steamerbelonging to A. DUNN, Esq., of Lime Street, Lon-don.—To be thanked.

Read letter from Captain WASET, H.N., Hon.Sec. of the Fleetwood Branch, of 20th March,stating that the Fleetwood new life-boat had beentried in a gale of wind, and that she had answeredevery expectation.

Also from the Hon. MARK ROLLE, of 1st April,stating that he would grant a lease of a piece ofground at Exmouth for the life-boat house at anominal rent, and that he should be happy to con-tribute 1(M. annually as a subscription to theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.—To bethanked.

Paid 5391. 6e. 3d. for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat houses.Also 510/. 12s. 9d. to Messrs. FOHRESTT for life-boats built by them for the Institution. Also1242. Is. 5d. for the Lossiemouth and Dundalk life-boat carriages.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution toDANIEL SHEA, Coxswain of the Padstow life-boatof the Institution, and 7i. to her crew, for going offand rescuing the crew of 7 men of the brigantineGonsalve, of Nantes, which, during a heavy gale ofwind, was wrecked on the Doombar Sand, Pad-stow, on the 8th March last.

Also 8/. to the crew of the same life-boat forrescuing the crew of 4 men and a pilot from theschooner Frederick William, of Ipswich, which waswrecked on Doombar Sands, Padstow, on the 15thMarch last.

Also 41. to the crew of the Society's life-boatMermaid, stationed at Appledore, Bideford, forputting off and rescuing the crew of 5 men of theschooner Caroline, of Fowey, which was wreckedon Northam Burrows, on the llth March last.

Also the thanks of the Committee, inscribed onvellum, to T. B. CHANTER, Esq., Hon. Sec. of theBideford Branch, in acknowledgment of his longand zealous services in that capacity.

Also 37Z. to pay the expenses of two of theInstitution's life-boats stationed at Appledore, forrescuing 2 out of 5 of the crew of the schoonerClifton, of Gloucester, which, during a heavy galeof wind, was wrecked off Bideford on the 12thMarch last.

Also 61.10s. to the crew of Society's life-boat atHolyhead, for putting off and assisting to bring toa port of safety the schooner Scotia, of Carnarvon,which, during a heavy gale of wind, was observedto be in, distress off the Clipera. Rocks on the IHhMarch last.

Also llOl. 10s. 6d. to pay the expenses of theKewhaven, Brighton, Teignmouth, Penmon, Fish-guard, Portmadoc, Rhyl, Aldborough, and Arklowlife-boats, for putting off with the view of render-ing assistance to vessels which had signals ofdistress flying.

Also III. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Thorp-ness life-boat, which likewise belongs to the NA-TIONAL LIFE-BOAT iNSTrroTiON, for putting offduring rough weather, and rescuing the crew of 8men of the brig Velocity, of Sunderland, which waswrecked on Sizewell Bank, on the 2nd April last.

Also 141. to two boats' crews of 7 men, at Bar-mouth, for their services to the crew of 3 men ofthe flat Margaret, of Preston, which sank offMochras Head, Cardigan Bay, during a dense fogon the 3rd March last.

Also 61. to the crew of 12 men of the Irvine life-boat, for putting off during a gale of wind, andrescuing the crew of 4 men of the schoonerEbenezer, of Beaumaris, which was wrecked on thenorth side of Irvine Bar, on the 7th March last.

SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN ANDMARINERS' SOCIETY.

THIS national and benevolent Institution held itsAnnual Meeting at Willis's Rooms on the 20thMay. The Right Hon. EARL MANVERS, one of itsVice-Presidents, in the Chair. Amongst thosepresent we observed Sir CHARLES ROWLEY, Bart.,Admirals Sir GEORGE WESTPHAL, BERTIE C. CATOR,CHARLES R. D. BETHIINE, C.B.; Captains (RoyalNavy) Hon. FRANCIS MAUDE, ,C. R. EGERTON,GAMBIER, WARD, HEASLOP, YODNG, LEAN. Revs.R. H. BATNES, AUBEKTIN, RAY, J. M'CONNELLHUSSEY. J. T. FOSTER, Esq., R.N., WILLIAMSTUAKT, JOSEPH PAYNE, THOMAS BERMINGHAM,RICHARD LEWIS, GEORGE A. BROGHAVE, Esquires,and others.

FRANCIS LEAN, Esq., the Secretary, read theAnnual Report, which stated that year by yearthe Committee had to regret a growing increase ofcasualties among the shipping; last year no fewer

198 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JULY 1, 1859.

than 3329 were -recorded by Lloyd's, of which1170 had occurred on the coast of the UnitedKingdom. The Society, however, in the midst ofthis distress, had done everything that humanityrequired; thus 5037 shipwrecked persona had beenclothed, fed, and forwarded to their homes, and3168 widows and orphans, making a total of 8205persons who had been promptly relieved in theirextremity by the honorary agents on the coast (ofwhich there are 500) during the past year, and77,089 persons had experienced the blessings ofthe charity since 1839. The amount of relief hadexceeded the income in the last two years by21761.

The number of vessels now carrying the Society'sflag amounts to 3035, and the number of fishermenand mariners subscribing had reached to 43,000.The quarterly magazine, The Shipwrecked Mariner,which publishes its operations, continued to dogood service. Legacies to the amount of 2315/.had been reported. The Committee had awardedfive gold medals and fourteen silver medals asrewards for praiseworthy exertions in saving lifefrom shipwreck on the high seas, or on coasts ofthe British colonies. The interesting subject of ahospital, similar to that at Greenwich, for the aged,disabled, and worn-out sailors of the mercantilemarine, towards which the Society had voted5000/., had remained in abeyance, owing to variouscircumstances; the hospital committee were, how-ever, ready to resume their labours upon the firstfavourable opportunity.

The Society was stated to have provided effec-tually against the benevolent public being imposedon by beggars professing to have been ship-wrecked, as all genuine coses were promptly re-lieved by its agents. The Committee confidentlyappealed for increased support to Christian libe-rality to be enabled to carry out its benevolentdesigns on behalf of half-a-mUlion of our maritimepopulation.

The Report was then adopted, and various reso-lutions having been passed unanimously, the pro-ceedings terminated, after the usual vote of thanksto the Chairman.

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT TOTHE CALAIS LIFE-BOAT.

THE unfortunate accident which occurred tothe Calais mail-packet Prince Frederick Wil-liam, in February last, will be fresh in thememory of many of our readers, when theupsetting of one of the Calais life-boats,which had proceeded to the assistance ofthe wrecked passengers, was unhappily thecause of three persons losing their lives.

As we are in the habit of recording, forthe information of the public, the successfulservices of the life-boats in connection withthe NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, andas the life-boat above referred to is of the

same character as the smaller boats belong-ing to the Society, it behoves us also torecord their failures, and to accompany thesame with any information we possesswhich may serve to explain the true causesof any accident that may happen to them,and may lead to the avoidance of disasterin other localities.

The life-boat in question wag presented tothe town of Calais a few months ago by HerMajesty's Board of Trade, in acknowledge-ment of a service rendered to the wreckedcrew of an English vessel. She is a self-righting, single-banked boat, rowing sixoars, on the same design as that adoptedby the Institution, and of the same dimen-sions as those placed by the Society atplaces where there are not a sufficient num-ber of boatmen and other available means towork a boat of the larger size.

Although the general stability and safetyof a boat in very heavy seas must be withincertain limits proportionate to size and es-pecially to breadth of beam, and that there-fore a comparatively small and narrow single-banked boat cannot be capable of resisting soheavy a broadside sea without upsetting asthe wider double-banked boat is, and that forthat reason the latter are always selectedwhere the seas are very heavy and there issufficient available force to manage them,yet, with commonly careful management,they are capable of contending with almostany sea, and they are more often preferredby the boatmen themselves to the largerboats, on account of their greater handiness.They have also rendered important services,having saved many lives without ever losinga man, and the only one which has upsetprevious to the Calais boat instantly self-righted, and although in the middle of thenight and in a very heavy broken sea, hercrew all regained her without injury, andwere carried by her safely to the shore.

A brief description of the circumstancesattending the accident to the Calais life-boatwill suffice to make manifest the causeswhich led to it.

The Prince Frederick William mail-packet,on attempting to enter the harbour of Calaisin a dark night, struck the pier on the eastside, and after incurring considerable damage,

JULY 1, 1859.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 199

was driven ashore. After some delay thenew life-boat was manned by a mixed crew,consisting of 6 French and 3 English sailors,who volunteered for the service. She wasthen towed out of the harbour against astrong gale and rather heavy sea; and whenclear of the broken water, was cast off andtaken under oars to the stranded vessel, onapproaching which she was run under thevessel's counter, where her bow struck twoor three times. She was subsequently gotalongside and there secured by three ropesfrom the bow, stern, and centre of the boat,the ropes being made fast, too short, so asnot to allow sufficient freedom of motion inthe boat with the rising and falling of thesea. As there was no immediate dangerincurred by remaining on board the vessel,there was no anxiety displayed by the pas-sengers to enter the life-boat, and she con-sequently remained sometime close alongsidethe steamer, during which time the formerreceived further damage by striking againstthe vessel's side, in consequence of whichdamage she became partially water-logged,and would not self-eject all water shipped asshe would have done if uninjured. Sevenpassengers in all had been taken into theboat, and they were all seated on the star-board, or off side of the boat, to preventtheir getting injured against the steamer'sside. The greater part of the boat's crewcontinuing to stand up in her, and probablyalso inclining to the off side to save them-selves from injury. The boat thus heeledover to starboard by the unequally dis-tributed weights within her; the waterwhich had leaked in also settled on thesame side, and thus still further impairedher lateral stability. A sea then striking theboat on the off side, still further immersedit; and driving her against the vessel'sside, she was, by a combination of forces,upset. The boat's crew, having on life-belts,were all saved, being enabled to regain theboat which had self-righted, and from herthe vessel: three of the passengers, however,unfortunately perished.

Now this accident undoubtedly provesthat this class of boat is not invulnerable;but that in common with probably allothers it is capable of becoming so damaged

anj so mismanaged by persons unacquaintedwith its properties as to upset; and that inthe event of such an accident happening,with wrecked passengers on board, unpro-vided with life-belts, loss of life may occur,as was unhappily the case in this instance.It, however, does not prove that this class ofboat is not the safest and altogether themost suitable that can be adopted under theprevailing circumstances of many localities.There is, however, another thing which itdoes prove, namely, the great advantagethat accrues from the system adopted by theInstitution of maintaining for every life-boata fixed, paid, and responsible coxswain, whoalways commands the boat when she goesafloat, and of insisting on a periodical exer-cise or practice of the boat's crew in theirboat, not less frequently than once duringeach quarter of the year, the preferencebeing given to rough weather; by whichpractice the boatmen of each locality getto be so well acquainted with their boatas to know exactly what her capacities are,how far they may place their .confidence inher, and whether any peculiarity of manage-ment is required as distinguished from theirown ordinary boats.

Indeed with the antecedents of the Insti-tution's boats before us, we may confidentlyassert, that if this unfortunate boat hadbeen under its management in even muchmore difficult and dangerous circumstances,she would have faithfully and nobly effectedher mission, and have proved an Ark ofMercy instead of being a vehicle of destruc-tion to those she was intended to save.

In conclusion, we may observe, that con-sequent on this accident experiments havebeen made, resulting in some additions andslight alterations in this class of boat, whichwill render them less liable to upset in theevent of such damage being inflicted or suchmismanagement occurring as in the instanceabove narrated. •

Just Published,

"INSTRUCTIONS for the MANAGEMENT of OPEN-*- Boats in Heavy Surfs and Broken Water; with Prac-tical Hints for the Consideration of Merchant-Seamen orothers, having Charge of Ships' Boats: to which are ap-pended, Instructions for Rescuing Drowning Persons andfor Restoration of the Apparently Drowned. Issued by theROYAL NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and to be hadby order of all Booksellers. Price 3d.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.Patroness—HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

President— VICE-ADMIRAL His GRACE THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., F.R.S.Chairman—THOMAS BARING, ESQ., M.P., V.P. Chairman of Lloyd's.

Dep.-Chairman—THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P. Chairman of Lloyd's Register ofBritish and Foreign Shipping Society.

APPEAL.THE COMMITTEE OP MANAGEMENT have to state that, during the past year (1858), theINSTITUTION has incurred the following expenses, on either additional new Life-boat Stations,or the replacing of old boats, transporting-carriages, and houses, hv new ones:—Cromer,276Z. 16s. 5d.; Mundesley, 223?. 9s. 6d. ; Bacton, 377?. 11s. lid.; Palling, 272?. I7s. 6d.;Winterton, ±001. 5s. lid.; Yarmouth (two hoats), 859?. 3s. 5d.; Lowestoft, 153?. 14s. 6d.;Southwold, 1211. 19s.; Berwick, 73?.; Boulmer, 73?.; Alnmouth, 411.; Whithurn, 247?. Is.;Hornsea, 44?. 12s.; Exmouth, 140?. Is.; Appledore, 4:41. 12s.; Aberdovey, 138?. 3s. Id.;Khyl, 52?. 17s. ; Penmon, 72?. 15s.; Fleetwood, 140?. Is. ; Fraserburgh, 255?. 9s. 2d.; Lossie-mouth, 140?. Is,; Newcastle, County Down, 282?. 7s.; Dundalk, 191?. Is.; Kilmore,140?. Is.; Carnsore, 187?. 8s.; Tramore, 322?. 18s. 9d ; Dungarvan, 191?. Is.; and Ardmore,81?. lls. 5d. The Institution has also expended on the repairs, stores, alterations, andinspection of its numerous Life-boats, Boat-houses, and Transporting-carriages, 2,500Z. 6s. 5d.,and 1,203?. 18s. 5d. for exercising the Crews of its Life-boats, making altogether a total of9,255?. 3s. 4d.

It has also granted, during the same period, 952?. as awards for saving 427 persons from64 wrecks on our Coasts. A most satisfactory result, and clearly showing how much hasbeen accomplished by the well-directed efforts which the Life-boat Institution has brought tobear on this humane cause. This great and national work has, however, only been accom-plished by the Society incurring further liabilities to the extent of 3,047?.

With so sacred an object in view as the rescue of our fellow-creatures from an appallingdeath by Shipwreck, it might be supposed that the NATIONAL LIFS-BOAT INSTITUTION hadclaims which would come home to the heart of every one in this great maritime country. Suchwe may hope will be the case as its operations become more generally known, and thus anabundant harvest, not only of popular sympathy but of general pecuniary support, will be thepermanent result.

The Committee of this Institution do not, therefore, hesitate to solicit most earnestly ofall persons that support which they may be enabled to render. That help was never moreneeded than at the present time, when, through the extraordinary exertions the Society hasmade within the past few years, it has now Eighty-! wo Life-boats under its management, forthe maintenance of which, in a state of thorough efficiency, a large permanent annual incomeis absolutely needed, if its humane mission is to be perpetuated.

The Committee gratefully acknowledge the following additional Contributions:—s. d.0 00 00 00 0

£.1525

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10 0 025 0 06 5 05 0 0

20 0 01 0 0

50 0 050 0 02 2 02 2 0

Bacton, F. W., Esq., Clonelly . . . annualBeanfoy, George, Esq., Lambeth . . . don.Binning, Lord, Thirlestane Castle . . annualBrettingham, T. C., Esq., Higham Lodge. don.Chance, R. L.t senior, Esq., Birmingham . don.Cock, Charles, Esq., Dunster Court. . . don.Courtnay, Miss H., Bagot-street, Dublin . don.Coutts Bnrdett, Miss 2nd don.Davies, Frederick, Esq., St. Martin's Lane don.Drummond, Messrs., Charing Cross . annualEvans, Samuel, Esq., Darley Abbey . . Hon.Fetherstonbaugh, Cbas., Esq., Slaffleld Hall an.Findlater, J.. Esq. Dublin dan,France, J. France, Esq., Bolock Hall . . don.Gadnden Winterflood and Co., Messrs?, annualOibbs, Henry H., Esq., Bishopsgate-street. an.Glyn, Sir E. P, Bart UTi dm. 20 0 0Goldsmid, A. A., Esq., Cavendish Square don. 10 10 0Harland, Lady don. 20 0 0Harrington, the Earl of annual 2 0 0Hart, Charles, Esq., Trafalgar, Greenwich, an. 1 1 0Haselfort, Charles, Esq., Boreham Manor don. 5 0 0Heatley and Son, Messrs., Bell Court. annual 1 1 0Horton, Lady Wilmot . . . . . . don. 10 0 0

Donations and Annual Subscriptions will be thankfully received by Messrs. WILLIS, PEHCIVAL, and Co.,76 Lombard-street, Bankers to the Institution; Messrs. HERRIES, FARQUHAR, and Co., 16 St. James's-street; Messrs. COUTTS and Co., 59 Strand; LONDON and COUNTY BANK, 21 Lombard-street; by all theLondon and Country Bankers; by the several Metropolitan Army and Navy Agents; and by theSecretary, RICHARD LEWIS, at the Office of the Institution, 14 JOHN STREET, ADELPHI, London, W. C.

Payments may be made by Cheques (crossed), or by Post-office Orders, to Messrs. Wiijjs, PEBCIVAI,and Co., or to the Secretary.

Lambert, H. T. Esq., Fenchurcb-stree

Majoribanks, Ed. Jun., Esq., Strand

Manning, C. A., Esq., Portland CastleOverend, Gurney, and Co., Messrs.Packard, Edward, Esq., IpswichPalmer, Robert, Holme Park . .Pasley, Lieut-Gen. Sir Charles . .Pelly Sir Henry BartPowell, David, Esq., St. Helen's .Pretyman, Charles, Esq., Ipswich .Keep, K. T., Esq., Moorgate-streetRobartes, T. Agar, Esq., M.P. . .Eolle, The Hon. Mark . . . .Sanders, Robert, Esq., Hill's Court.Spottiswoode, J., Esq., Lauder . .Thistlethwayte,Thos.,Esq., SonthwicThomas, Capt. Sir W. S., Bart, R.N.Warde, Charles, Esq., WesterhamWilson, J. R-, Esq., Mincing Lane.Yarburgh, Geo. J., Esq., Heslington I

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