THE LIFE-BOATTHE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION

VOL. XXXVIII DECEMBER 1965 No. 414

CONTENTS

NOTES OF THE QUARTER 459

DRAMATIC PICTURES 460

LIFE-BOATS AND ANARCHY 462

THE LIFE-BOAT ENTHUSIASTS* SOCIETY 463NEW STEEL 70-FOOT LIFE-BOAT 464

OBITUARIES 468

NEW WAYS OF RAISING MONEY 469

BOOK REVIEWS 47O

FOCUS ON ST. HELIER 473

BRONZE MEDALS PRESENTED IN IRELAND 478

HUGHIE GREEN'S AUTOGRAPH SESSION 478

RESCUE BY TWO BOYS 479

SAVED BY MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION 479

NAMING CEREMONY AND CENTENARY 480

I R B LAUNCHES 482

GIRVAN CENTENARY 483

LIFE-BOAT SERVICES ROUND THE COASTS 484

INSHORE RESCUE BOATS ON SERVICE 511

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY TESTIMONIAL 520

SUNDERLAND TRAGEDY 520

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457

Portrait of a Coxswain

COXSWAIN LIONEL DEREK SCOTT has been coxswain of The Mumbles life-boatsince May 1955, when he became one of the youngest coxswains in the serviceof the RNLI. He had joined the crew in 1947. H; received the Institution'ssilver medal in 1963. Since he was appointed a boat's officer in 1950 TheMumbles life-boat has made 89 service launches and 48 lives have been rescued.

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pll

| MESSAGE FROM TIME CHAIRMAN• Towards the close of a year in which greater demands were made on the

1 life-boat service than ever before, I would like to congratulate everyone

I connected with the service on their splendid achievements and to wish them

• all a very happy Christmas and success in all their efforts in 1966.

1 V. M. WYNDHAM-QUIN, CAPT., R.N.

NOTES OF THE QUARTERFigures already available show that 1965 was a year of outstanding achieve-

ment for the life-boat service. In 1964 an all-time record for launches by rescuecraft of the RNLI was established. In that year life-boats were launched 929times and inshore rescue boats 238 times. This total figure of 1,167 launcheshad already been passed in 1965 by the end of September. The summer of1965 was a particularly busy one. From May to August, inclusive, life-boatswere launched on service 453 times and inshore rescue boats 333 times. Life-boats saved 287 people and inshore rescue boats 151 people. In no other summerin the past were so many calls made on the Institution's rescue craft.

WINTER IRB STATIONSThe value of the Institution's inshore rescue boats has been proved con-

clusively in the summer months, and it has been decided to keep twenty IRB'sin service during the winter of 1965-66. The stations which have been chosenare those which afford reasonable launching conditions in relatively severeweather. Twelve of the stations which are remaining operational are in England,five in Wales and three in Scotland.

The English stations are: Blyth, Eastney, Gorleston, Lymington, Mudeford,North Sunderland, Poole, Redcar, Skegness, Tynemouth, Wells (Norfolk), andYarmouth (Isle of Wight).

The Welsh stations are: Aberdovey, Aberystwyth, Atlantic College(Glamorgan), Llandudno, and Pwllheli.

The Scottish stations are: Droughty Ferry, Helensburgh, and Kinghorn.

CONTRACT FOR LOWESTOFT FIRMThe contract for building the first six of the Institution's 44-foot steel life-

boats has been won by a Lowestoft firm of boatbuilders, Messrs. BrookeMarine Ltd. The total cost of the new boats will be £158,700. The earliest dateat which the first boat can be completed will be thirty-six weeks after theplacing of the orders. Completion of the others is expected to follow at four-weekly intervals. The new life-boats are built to the basic design of the 44-foot

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steel life-boat which the Institution obtained from the United States CoastGuard. A full description of this boat appeared in the June 1964 number of TheLife-boat.

SCOTTISH STATION CLOSEDThe life-boat station at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, was closed on 3oth

September. The life-boat had not been called out on service for nearly fouryears, and it is more than eight years since a life-saving service was carried outby the Newburgh boat. The life-boat was a small 32-foot surf boat.

A life-boat station was established at Newburgh as early as 1828. Earlierrecords are incomplete, but the station appears to have been closed down for anumber of years. It was re-opened by the Institution in 1877, and since thatdate Newburgh life-boats have had a fine record and saved no fewer than 155lives, but with changed conditions there is no evident need for a life-boat today.

RESCUE BY HOVERCRAFTOn 5th August, a young girl was rescued by the hovercraft operating between

Ryde and Gosport. This appears to have been the first rescue carried out atsea by a hovercraft off the coast of this country. There is a certain division ofopinion over the question whether a hovercraft should be regarded as a shipor an aircraft. The view taken by the Institution is that the hovercraft is essenti-ally a marine craft, and future rescues by hovercraft can be regarded as comingwithin the same category as rescues by shore boats.

On I7th September, 1962, the Rhyl life-boat carried out a remarkablerescue from a hovercraft which had broken adrift from her moorings, a servicefor which the Coxswain, Harold Campini, was awarded the silver medal.

Dramatic PicturesReally good photographs of life-boats at sea in rough weather are almost

impossible to come by. Photographs of actual rescue operations are almost asrare. This is an understandable state of affairs, for the life-boat is, by the natureof her work, at sea when other boats seek harbour. However, when storms andrescue work in bad light or at night are put aside, there must be many opportun-ities of photographing life-boats being launched, or on exercises. These couldproduce excellent pictures, but it is very rarely indeed that we see one.

Dutch photographers seem somehow more succesful. The two photographsreproduced here of Dutch life-boats at sea are certainly dramatic studies and mayprovide inspiration for British photographers. If readers have any really dramaticpictures of life-boats at sea, or of slipway launches, the RNLI would be glad tohave copies for their photographic library. Any photographs of rescues bybreeches buoy would also be welcome as we are constantly being asked for aphotograph of such a rescue, but have nothing on our files.

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By courtesy of] [Cees van der Meulen, Heemstede

A Dutch life-boat at sea.

By courtesy of]

r

A Dutch life-boat in rough seas.[Pirn W. Korver, Rotterdam

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LIFE-BOATS AND ANARCHYTHE association between the RNLI and Russian anarchists may appear to bean unlikely one. Nevertheless, perhaps the greatest of the Russian anarchists,Prince Peter Kropotkin, was a profound admirer of the life-boat service in thiscountry. Kropotkin's most famous work was Mutual Aid, which he wrote inEngland. He first developed his theory of mutual aid from observations whichhe made during journeys in Eastern Siberia and Northern Manchuria. There heencountered many examples of mutual aid among animals, and this led him tobecome a severe critic of the current popularization of the theories of Darwin.In particular, he believed that the idea of a perpetual battle for survival gavea very misleading picture of the truth of evolution.

MUTUAL AID

In developing his theory he cited numerous examples of mutual aid amongboth primitive and civilized peoples, and more than once he called attentionto the form in which the RNLI was organized. In Mutual Aid he wrote:

"The Life-boat Association in this country, and similar institutions on theContinent, must be mentioned in the first place. The former has now over threehundred boats along the coasts of these isles, and it would have twice as manywere it not for the poverty of the fishermen, who cannot afford to buy life-boats.The crews consist, however, of volunteers, whose readiness to sacrifice their livesfor the rescue of absolute strangers to them is put every year to a severe test;every winter the loss of several of the bravest among them stands on record.And if we ask these men what moves them to risk their lives, even when there isno reasonable chance of success, their answer is something on the followinglines.

A fearful snowstorm, blowing across the Channel, raged on the flat, sandycoast of a liny village hi Kent, and a small smack, laden with oranges, strandedon the sands near by. In these shallow waters only a fiat-bottomed life-boat of asimplified type can be kept, and to launch it during such a storm was to face analmost certain disaster. And yet the men went out, fought for hours against thewind, and the boat capsized twice. One man was drowned, the others were castashore. One of these last, a refined coastguard, was found next morning, badlybruised and half frozen in the snow. I asked him, how they came to make thatdesperate attempt ? 'I don't know myself,' was his reply. 'There was the wreck;all the people from the village stood on the beach, and all said it would be foolishto go out; we never should work through the surf. We saw five or six men cling-ing to the mast, making desperate signals. We all felt that something must bedone, but what could we do ? One hour passed, two hours, and we all stoodthere. We all felt most uncomfortable. Then, all of a sudden, through thestorm, it seemed to us as if we heard their cries - they had a boy with them.We could not stand that any longer. All at once we said, "We must got" '."

Kropotkin may be pardoned for a somewhat limited knowledge of the way inwhich the life-boat service was financed.

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It would be difficult to find a writer less likely to be sympathetic to the ideasof Kropotkin than Samuel Smiles, whose best known work Self-Help advanceda quite contrary theory on human aid. Smiles's work was a series of homiliesbased on the careers of successful men who achieved results by helping them-selves. Yet it is interesting that Smiles, like Kropotkin, showed as an outstandingexample of noble conduct a rescue at sea by Kentish boatmen. In Self-Help hewrote:

"Not less touching was the heroic conduct of a party of Deal boatmen inrescuing the crew of a collier-brig in the Downs but a short time ago.* A suddenstorm which set in from the north-east drove several ships from their anchors,and it being low water, one of them struck the ground at a considerable distancefrom the shore, when the sea made a clean breach over her. There was not avestige of hope for the vessel, such was the fury of the wind and the violence ofthe waves. There was nothing to tempt the boatmen on shore to risk their livesin saving either ship or crew, for not a farthing of salvage was to be looked for.But the daring intrepidity of the Deal boatmen was not wanting at this criticalmoment. No sooner had the brig ground than Simon Pritchard, one of the manypersons assembled along the beach, threw off his coat and called out, 'Who willcome with me and try to save that crew ?' Instantly twenty men sprang forward,with 'I will,' 'and I.' But seven only were wanted; and running down a galleypunt into the surf, they leaped in and dashed through the breakers, amidst thecheers of those on shore. How the boat lived in such a sea seemed a miracle; butin a few minutes, impelled by the strong arms of these gallant men, she flew onand reached the stranded ship, 'catching her on the top of a wave'; and in lessthan a quarter of an hour from the time the boat left the shore, the six menwho composed the crew of the collier were landed safe on Walmer Beach."* On the nth January, 1866.

The Life-boat Enthusiasts' SocietyThe idea of forming a society to cater for those with technical or historical

interests in the life-boat service was suggested by Mr. JohnG. Francis in the earlysummer of last year. A letter from Mr. Francis on the subject in the June 1964issue of The Life-boat resulted in many inquiries and The Life-boat Enthusiasts'Society was formed in November 1964.

Since then the membership figure has grown steadily and the enthusiastsnow publish a quarterly newsletter giving technical data, historical information,bibliographies, and many other items of interest. A documentation centre hasbeen established. Mr. Edwin Eustace, 40 Floyd Road, London, S.E.y, is thehonorary archivist (technical) and Mr. Grahame Fair, 3 Horseshoe Drive,Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9, is the honorary archivist (historical).

Those who would like to join The Life-boat Enthusiasts' Society can obtaininformation from the honorary secretary, Mr. John Francis, 203, TransmereRoad, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent. The annual subscription is ics. 6d. foradults, 2s. 6d. for junior members.

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NEW STEEL 70-FOOT LIFE-BOATA steel life-boat, which is the first of her kind to be built for the Institution,was completed at the yards of Messrs. Yarrow & Co. Ltd. of Scotstoun, Glasgow,in September. She is the first vessel to be built for the RNLI in steel, apartfrom some steam life-boats built around the turn of the century.

The cost of the new boat, which is approximately £57,000, is being metfrom voluntary gifts from civil servants through the Civil Service Life-boatFund. The yo-foot life-boat was shown to members of the Fund at Tower Pier,London, after a passsage in which she called at Plymouth, Cowes and Dover.She then began a period of sea trials in the form of an extensive tour of the south-west of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

The vessel was built to the design of the RNLI's Naval Architect, Mr. R. A.Oakley, M.B.E., as a cruising rescue craft which can operate in bad weather.With a maximum speed of 11.14 knots, and a range at this speed of 650 nauticalmiles, the new vessel is faster and has a wider range than any of the RNLI'sstandard life-boats.

INSHORE RESCUE BOATS CARRIED

The vessel carries two additional rescue craft on board. One is aninflatable inshore rescue boat which is stowed on the engine casing forward ofthe wheelhouse and powered by a 33 h.p. outboard motor. Derricks are arrangedfor handling this craft. A smaller boat of similar type with an 18 h.p. engine isstowed in the forward cabin.

CREWS COULD REMAIN ABOARD

Unlike the standard RNLI life-boats, the yo-foot boat has facilities for thecrew to sleep on board. The crew's quarters are arranged aft below deck with fourberths, lockers and lavatory. At the after end of the wheelhouse there is a smallmessing cabin and galley with an electric cooker and a refrigerator. In the for-ward cabin there is stowage for six stretchers, and there are seats which can beconverted into berths. There are also a small galley and a lavatory attached to theforward cabin.

DIVISION BY BULKHEADS

The vessel is divided athwartship by six water-tight bulkheads. Each engineroom is separated from the other by a longitudinal centre line water-tightbulkhead. The space below the tank top is sub-divided into water-tight compart-ments, some of which are used for stowing fuel, oil and water. Above the tank topan inner shell is arranged to deck level. The space between this and the shellplating is filled with polyurethane.

ENGINE POWER

The vessel is driven by twin 8L3B Gardner diesel engines, each develop-ing 230 brake horse power at 1,150 revolutions per minute. In each engine roomthere is a 230 volt A.C. generator driven by a 31 b.h.p. diesel engine. A 24 voltD.C. service is also available.

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The engines are controlled from the wheelhouse, the controls at the steeringwheel being duplicated on the flying bridge.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENTThe electronic equipment consists of radar, medium frequency radio, ultra

high frequency and very high frequency radio (frequency modulation), a directionfinder, a Decca navigator, an echo sounder, a loud hailer and an inter-communica-tion unit linking the various compartments.

STEERINGThe vessel is equipped with Mathway power-assisted steering gear. If there

is a power failure the gear can be operated manually and also by emergency tillerand tackles.

Abaft the steering position in the wheelhouse there is a small chart and radioroom. Abaft the crew's quarters a compartment contains propeller scuttles andracks for stowing ropes.

STANDARD LIFE-BOAT EQUIPMENTThe vessel also carries standard items of equipment to be found in

life-boats. These include a searchlight, a deck floodlight, breeches buoys,parachute flares, hand flares, a wave-subduing oil tank with a pump, a line-throwing pistol, life-jackets, scrambling nets, hatchets, axes and knives.

The new 70 foot life-boat on trials in the Clyde.

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DIMENSIONS AND STATISTICS

The following table gives statistical details of the vessel and her performance:

Length 71 feetBeam 18 feetDraught (maximum) 8 feet 9 inchesDisplacement 79 tonsEngines Twin 8L3B Gardner DieselFuel Capacity 1,200 gallonsSpeed (Maximum) 11.14 knotsRange at maximum speed 650 nautical milesCruising speed 1,000 r.p.m 10.4 knotsRange at cruising speed 860 nautical milesMaximum speed on one engine 9.3 knotsFresh water capacity 250 gallons

The ports of call during the trials in October and November were:Cowes, Brixham, Newlyn, Appledore, Cardiff, Crosshaven, Valentia,

Kilronan, Sligo, Killybegs, Barra Island, St. Rilda, Stornoway, Lerwick,Stronsay, Kirkwall, Stromness, Kinlochbervie, Ullapool, Loch Ewe, Mallaig,Tobermory, Oban, and Campbeltown.

rnolograpn fiy courtesy oltne Evening Argus, Brighton

EIUOVSIIS WORK

On the Royal National Lifeboat Institution InshoreRescue Boats Evinrude motors have to work hard.Have to be ready for action all the time, reliable,powerful. And they always are. Every Evinrude isprecision engineered, completely corrosion-freeand rigorously pre-delivery tested.That's why the RNLI chooses Evinrudes.Because they enjoy hard work.Evinrude range—17 models,-3—90 h.p.

UNIVERSITY MARINE LIMITEDSilverdale Road, Hayes, Middx . Telephone: Hayes 8311

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OBITUARIESADMIRAL OF THE FLEET SIR HENRY OLIVER, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.V.O., LL.D.Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Oliver, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., M.V.O., LL.D.,died in his loist year on i5th October, 1965. He was, in the words of TheTimes obituary, "one of the outstanding seamen of his time". A man of few wordsand great achievements, he had an immense influence on the Royal Navy andhas been described as the "father of modern navigation".

For thirty-six years Sir Henry was a member of the Committee of Manage-ment of the RNLI and a vice-president. The affairs of the Institution were alwaysclose to his heart. He served on all the sub-committees and from 1932 until1944 was chairman of the boat committee. A fuller tribute to Sir Henry'sservice in the Royal Navy will appear in the March issue of THE LIFE-BOAT.

CAPTAIN GERALD RODGER COUSINS, D.S.C., R.N. (RET.).

Captain Gerald Rodger Cousins, D.S.C., R.N. (Ret.), died on 3Oth May, 1965,aged 71. He entered the Navy in 1911 and served in destroyers in the FirstWorld War, at Gallipoli and later with the Grand Fleet. In March 1931 he wasappointed Inspector of Life-boats for the RNLI's Western District. Duringthe Second World War his work for the RNLI was interrupted by a return toNaval duties.

After the war he took up a post as Southern District Inspector, which heheld until his retirement in 1954.

EX-COXSWAIN JOHN WATTERS

Ex-coxswain John Walters died on 2nd September, 1965, at the age of 66. Adistinguished member of the life-boat service, he had served as coxswain of theFowey life-boat for over twenty-five years. He was awarded the Institution'sbronze medal in 1947 for rescuing the crew of seven from the Empire Contamar,aground on rocks at night in a gale.

EX-COXSWAIN MURDO SINCLAIR

Ex-coxswain Murdo Sinclair died on igth July, 1965, at the age of 81. He hadbeen coxswain of the Barra Island life-boat for over fifteen years and was awardedthe silver medal of the Institution in 1943 for taking the life-boat forty miles in asoutherly gale and rescuing fifteen people from a steamer which had been wreckedunder the cliffs of Skye.

SECOND TRAGEDY WITHIN A YEARCoxswain Edward Gifford Lewis, who was appointed only last January to becoxswain of the Barry Dock life-boat, lost his life when he was swept overboardfrom a sand barge whilst crossing Appledore Bar on 28th August, 1965.

This is the second tragedy at Barry Dock within a year, Coxswain Swartshaving died on 22nd January as a result of a fall in the life-boathouse.

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New Ways of Raising Moneyx ,531 i-

Mr. J. L. Tillett, a leading member of the Norwich Round Table (which paid forthe IRB at Happisburgh) is a jeweller by trade. He made some delightful miniaturebadges depicting a life-boat, in gold and colour, which were sold at the NorfolkShow in aid of the RNLI at £5 each.

Correspondence in The Times recently on the subject of waste paper revealedthat one industrious lady collects clean paper for her local church, obtaining a priceof £6 los. a ton from a wastepaper merchant. There's an idea here for life-boatsupporters !

A collection list carried by helicopter around isolated forward positions in Borneoresulted in a cheque for £14 145. reaching the RNLI from Lieutenant H. H. Mews,R.A., Officer Commanding the 2nd Troop, R.A. The troop was on active service atthe time and numbered only thirty-four men.

A spectacle cleaning service instituted by Mrs. Middleton, barmaid of theVictoria Gardens Hotel, Grangetown, Durham, raises money for the RNLI. Itbegan a year ago when a customer asked her to clean his glasses. She agreed, oncondition that he would put some money into the RNLI collecting box on thecounter. Since then Mrs. Middleton has been using her polishing cloth in the serviceof the RNLI and has a growing number of clients for her service.

Inspired by a feature in The Observer - The Observer Guide to the Beach -fourschoolgirls, aged 9 to 13, prepared an exhibition called "Sea and Shore" in a gardenshed while they were on their summer holidays at Belhaven, East Lothian.

No one was allowed to see the exhibition until it was officially opened, to parentsand public — admission sixpence. A collection of shells, seaweeds, pebbles and marinelife was revealed, with charts, hand-written booklets, and even a tape recording.The children, Joan Gasman, Jacqueline Saltoun, Ann Gasman and Anne Ross alsoserved tea. As a result of this enterprise a cheque for 2js. was sent to TheObserver for the RNLI.

Miss Anne Lardner, of the Orange Free State, South Africa, has been makingfudge and selling it to aid RNLI funds. She recently forwarded £4 to the honorarysecretary of the Clitheroe, Lancashire, branch, Mrs. W. Heaton. Anne is thegrand-daughter of a friend of Mrs. Heaton's.

A Nottingham shoe shop manager who is also a model maker has built a lin.scale model of the ^2-foot Barnett life-boat. This is now on show in his shop, with acollecting box. Many contributions have been inspired by the splendid workmanshipof the model, but not content with that Mr. E. W. Sheppard, its maker, gainsfurther contributions because he does not charge customers for small services, such asstretching shoes, if they remember the box.

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BOOK REVIEWSMr. Angus MacVicar has produced a work which many people associated

with the life-boat service must long have wanted to find, a gripping novelwritten for the young on the work of a life-boat station. This is Life-boat—Green to White (Brockhampton Press, 155.).

The scene is set in a small town on the west coast of Scotland. It is the storyof Sandy MacLean, whose father had been coxswain of the life-boat and hadlost his life at sea. In the words of Sandy's mother:

"When your father bought his own two skiffs and became coxswain of thelife-boat, I was the proudest woman in the island. But that night, thirteenyears ago, when he took the life-boat out to the Iron Rock Ledges andnever came back—that night I vowed to myself that Sandy must never earnhis living on the sea."

Sandy works in a shoe shop, but as a young man he finds himself more andmore drawn to the life-boat. He is taken on as a member of the crew, andalthough uncomfortable and frightened he proves his worth. Sandy's motheris resigned to his determination to become a member of the crew, but his sisterhas misgivings. Gradually Sandy becomes an established member of the crew.On one occasion he and one or two of his friends, seeing an emergency, decideto launch the life-boat on their own authority. This somewhat unorthodoxact is finally approved by the district inspector. By the end of the story Sandyhas become coxswain of the life-boat and is a worthy successor to his father.

Angus MacVicar is himself a member of the Southend (Kintyre) Life-savingapparatus crew and has intimate knowledge of the Campbeltown life-boatstation. Many of the rescues described are based on services actually carriedout by the Campbeltown life-boat. There are a few minor technical inaccuracies.For instance, life-boat flares are not fired from Very pistols. But these do notdetract from the authenticity of a well presented and attractive novel. The bookhas been serialized in the Scottish Daily Express. Copies can be obtained fromthe Institution, price 153. plus is. 6d. postage.

FIFTH EDITIONThe Oxford University Press have now produced a fifth edition of The Book

of Flags by the late Vice-Admiral Gordon Campbell, V.C., D.S.O., and I. O.Evans, F.R.G.S. (2is.). This is an authoritative and comprehensive work. Mr.Evans is an historian not only of flags but also of the life-boat service.

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Chosen forreliability

LUCAS

The 70 ft boats for the RNLI are eachfitted with two 7-inch alternators andcontrol equipment screened and sup-pressed to comply with BS 1597/1963.Lucas and CAV supply a full range ofelectrical equipment for lifeboats. Allmarine equipment is proofed andsealed to ensure reliability at sea.

electrical equipment

JOSEPH LUCAS LTD BIRMINGHAM 19 CAV LONDON W3

AP532

r

By courtesy of]H.M. The Queen inspecting the Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, life-boat crew during the Royal tour of the island which she made inJuly, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, who is seen below

with the crew of the IRB.

[Portsmouth Evening News

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Focus on ...ST. HELIER

by Stephen Mogridge

Dial 999 for fire, police, ambulance, life-boat.Those words on the cover of the Jersey telephone directory, in large type,

caught my eye soon after I landed on the island. They sum up very neatly theefficient way in which the emergency services of the island are integrated, andthe important part the life-boat plays in the life of the island. The people ofJersey are tremendously proud of their life-boat and of its crew.

That telephone directory was, I discovered, an old one. The new one, justout, has the words "sea rescue" in place of "life-boat". More accurate, thoughless heartwarming, the change was made necessary by further improvementsin the sea rescue organisation.

There are no coastguards on Jersey. That time honoured phrase in our servicereports which irritates some readers by the frequency of its appearance—"thecoastguard informed the honorary secretary ..."—does not appear in reportsof service by the St. Helier life-boat, Elizabeth Rippon. Members of the publicoften give the alarm, via the 999 service. Reports of a ship in distress, or otherincident at sea, go to the sea rescue centre in the harbour office. This centreis always manned by a Duty Harbour Officer, who is a master mariner, andalways available. Even if he has taken a stroll out of his office he can still becontacted immediately as he carries a portable walkie-talkie set wherever he goes.

The Duty Harbour Officer also has the title of Duty Life-boat Officer, withauthority to launch the life-boat on his own initiative if the honorary secretaryis not available, or if an immediate launch is necessary to save life. He mayalternatively, if an inshore rescue boat is indicated, switch the emergency callto the fire service.

They have an IRB, very similar to the RNLI's type, which is kept at the fireservice headquarters at St. Helier. Mounted ready for towing to any part ofthe island by the red Land Rover (which has the two-toned fire service hornfor clearing a way through traffic) this IRB can be rushed into service withits trained crew as quickly as a fire appliance.

AIR/SEA CO-OPERATION

Air/sea co-operation at its closest is a feature of the Jersey station. Three airlinepilots are among the life-boat crew. The sea rescue centre can at any time askthe airport for help in searching from the air. As Jersey is the second busiest air-port in the United Kingdom the chances are that an incoming or outgoingplane may be able to give an immediate report on the position of a casualty. Alight aircraft can also be sent up from the club at short notice.

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Excellent liaison with the French means that helicopter help can be got tothe scene very quickly from the French bases at Rennes, Quimpers, or Gran-ville. An instance of this immediate help was the rescue on 3rd September, 1965,of a badly burned boy from the Ecrehous—a reef between Jersey and Franceon which a few people have summer homes.

The moment news of the accident and a request for help reached Jersey thesea rescue service went into action. The life-boat Elizabeth Rippon slipped hermoorings—she is kept permanently afloat in St. Helier harbour—and set out.The honorary secretary, Mr. P. G. Baker, contacted the airport commandant,in view of the urgency of the case, and the help of the Protection Civile Francaisehelicopter, based at Granville, was requested. The helicopter was soon airborneand when it had landed on the Ecrehous the life-boat was recalled. The helicopterpicked up the injured boy and landed him on the beach at St. Helier, where anambulance was waiting.

DISADVANTAGE

A mainland life-boat has only to put straight out to sea to find the casualtyhi distress. The Jersey boat sometimes has to make its way round the island.

"We could do with a bit more speed on such occasions," Mr. Baker remarkedwistfully. "Mind you, our present boat is first class and we wouldn't change herfor anything. We know she can stand up to the roughest weather. But whenwe're called out in fairly smooth weather, as often happens, then we'd like morespeed. I suppose the best solution to Jersey's problems would be to have oneof the new 44-foot steel boats when they come along—to keep alongside ourpresent boat. Then we could go out in the most suitable one according to theweather."

Crew members agreed. But they pointed out that the steel boat woulddefinitely have to be a second one, not a replacement. For really rough weathertheir faith was in a wooden hull.

"If you hit anything in the seas round Jersey it's going to be hard, very hard,"Coxswain Edward Cyril Larbalestier remarked with a reminiscent twinkle inhis eyes. "It's going to be granite. We've bumped a few times in the course ofservices, but no serious harm has come to the boat."

SILVER MEDAL

Coxswain Edward Larbalestier was awarded the silver medal for gallantry in1951, the year he was appointed, for saving the French yacht Santa Maria andher crew of three. The yacht had gone aground on rocks a mile or so east of St.Helier harbour, in a position that was extremely dangerous to approach. Theservice (fully reported in the April 1952 issue of THE LIFE-BOAT) was made onthe night of 27th September, 1951. There was a fresh south-westerly wind and

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Gardner engineshave to be good Lives depend on them.

That is why men of the R.N.L.I,deserve the very best in equipment—like the Oakley-designed self-rightinglifeboat "The Earl and CountessHowe", powered by ruggedly efficientand reliable Gardner twin 6LX dieselengines.

Marine Propulsion Power Range 28to 260 b.h.p.

GARDNER ENGINES (SALES) LIMITED,Barton Hall Engine Works,Patricroft, Eccles, Manchester.London, Abford House, Wilton Road, S.W.1.Glasgow, 124, St. Vincent Street, C.2.

a swell of six to eight feet. Storms of rain made visibility very poor. The yachtcould not be found at first, and a dangerous search among the rocks for nearlytwo hours was necessary, in complete darkness, before the Santa Maria wasfound in a gulley.

STRUCK A ROCKThat was one of the occasions when the stout wooden hull of the Elizabeth

Rippon was put to the test, for the life-boat came down in the trough of a swelland struck a rock hard, fortunately without damage. For this rescue, madewith great skill, determination, and courage, the Institution also awardedvellums to the eight members of the crew.

St. Helier life-boat station was established in 1884. Formerly the States ofJersey had their own life-boat station at St. Helier, and in 1825, a year after thefounding of the RNLI, a gold medal was awarded by the Institution to threeof the crew of the Alderney boat: F. de St. Croix, Jean de St. Croix, P. de St.Croix. A silver medal was awarded to Philip Nicolle. Today descendants ofthose medallists are to be found in the crew of the Jersey life-boat.

In 1872 silver medals were awarded to three members of the crew of theJersey boat for a rescue from a ship aground on the Ecrehous rocks. SinceWorld War II gold, silver, and bronze medals have gone to the coxswains. Inall, Jersey's record of medals stands at four gold, five silver, and eight bronze.

From 1940-1945 Jersey was occupied by the Germans and the life-boat wasnot, of course, under the control of the R.N.L.I. However, she still went outon her life-saving missions—often to Germans—with a German guard on board.During the occupation she saved 35 lives.

Since the war only three gold medals have been awarded by the RNLI. Twoof these have gone to Channel Islanders—one to St. Helier, one to St. Peter Port.

FIRST WITH DECK CABINIn 1948 the present life-boat, Elizabeth Rippon, built with money from a

legacy by Mrs. Elizabeth Rippon, of Hull, was sent to the St. Helier station.A 46 ft. 9 in. Watson type, she was the first life-boat to have a deck cabin.She is a familiar sight to visitors to Jersey, lying as she does at mooringsin the middle of the harbour. The tidal rise and fall is spectacular - as muchas forty feet.

There is some nostalgia in Jersey for the previous boat, Howard D, stationedthere from 1937-1948. Local feeling is that she should have been given apermanent home on the island and put on exhibition, instead of being sold.

A feat of endurance at sea which occurred in October 1964 is still fresh inthe minds of the crew. It was reported in the March 1965 issue of THE LIFE-BOAT. When winds of 108 miles an hour were lashing the island the five peopleaboard the motor yacht Maricelia were swept overboard south west of Jersey.The yacht motored on and was found that evening motoring in circles near theentrance to St. Helier harbour. The life-boat made a search for survivors, inthe appalling weather conditions, but had to abandon it when darkness fell.

The next day the search was resumed, but proved fruitless. Then, nearly atnoon, a girl of twenty-one staggered ashore on the north-east coast of Jersey.

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By courtesy of} [Evening Post, Jersey

Alison Mitchell in hospital, many days after her ordeal.

She was Alison Mitchell, and she had been in the gale-lashed sea ever sincebeing swept off the Maricelia. Her companions had been drowned and she hadswum on alone. When she struggled ashore she was exhausted, nearly frozen,cut, bruised, and battered. Her body was bloated with water and her eyes soswollen that she could only see by forcing the lids open with her fingers. Yetshe found the will and strength to climb a steep 200 foot cliff and eventuallycollapsed into the arms of a farmer.

"That girl's feat of endurance was amazing, a miracle," said CoxswainEdward Larbalastier. "It's a story that deserves to be properly told by someone.Think of what she must have been through, seeing her closest friends drowned,and yet she went on . . ."

SEARCH MUST GO ON

He smoked his pipe reflectively. "For life-boat people her survival has under-lined one thing. The search must always go on. Nobody would have believedthat she could have survived for so long in that sea in a hurricane, but she did.There's always hope. Alison Mitchell proved that. The search for survivorsfrom a wreck must go on, and on, long after you think it's hopeless."

So long as there are men in the world like those of the Jersey crew we canbe sure that the search will go on, and on, though hurricanes rage.

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LAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED

1st July to 31st August: Launches 283 lives saved 148

Bronze Medals Presented in IrelandBronze medals awarded by the RNLI to Mr. Patrick O'Connor of Meeno-

gahane and Sergeant William McCarthy, neither in the regular service of theInstitution, were presented together with miniatures and vellums at a happygathering in Adare on i8th October, 1965, by Captain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, Chairman of the Committee of Management.

The awards were made for the rescue by a currach, which had not been inthe water for twelve months, of two fisherman stranded on Bird Rock. This wasa difficult and dangerous service needing great skill, courage, and physicaleffort. Unfortunately one of the fishermen died after the arrival of the rescueparty; the other man was saved. The service was fully described in the December1964 issue of THE LIFE-BOAT, on page 198.

Also present at the ceremony at Adare were Father Enright, the parish priestof Ballyheigue and former chairman of the Valentia branch of the RNLI,Mrs. Goodbody, honorary secretary of the Limerick Ladies' Guild, and herhusband, and the district organising secretary, Lieut.-Colonel G. W. Ross, R.M.(Ret.).

HUGHIE GREEN'S AUTOGRAPH SESSIONIt was a cold and blustery August bank holiday when the annual life-boat

flag day was held in Rhyl this year. A further handicap was the lateness of thebank holiday - fewer people were in the town. The outlook for fund raising waspoor, until Hughie Green and his assistant, Monica Rose, came along from theGaiety Theatre, Rhyl, and made an appeal from the life-boat on the promenade.

After pointing out that he himself had been glad of the services of a life-boatwhen his yacht was in difficulties near Beaumaris, Hughie Green asked everyoneto give as generously as possible. He started the collection by putting a pound onthe sheet hi front of the life-boat.

This appeal brought a ready response, but then, as he was leaving the stand,Hughie Green was asked for autographs. His manager, Vic Hallums, immediatelyexploited this opening by announcing that Hughie Green would sign autographsprovided a silver coin was put in the life-boat collection box.

A queue formed at once and for nearly two hours Hughie Green and MonicaRose were kept busy. Postcards of the Rhyl life-boat were also autographed andsold.

As a direct result of this generous giving of time and energy by the famousentertainer, his manager and assistant, the flag day gained at least an extra£50 or £60.

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Rescue by two boysA seventeen-year-old boy, Andrew Richards of Dolgellau, and his companion,

sixteen-year-old Mark Heywood of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, have both re-ceived framed letters of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution,Captain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N., for saving the life of a man offBarmouth, Merionethshire, on -jth August.

On the afternoon of yth August, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Jones of Stafford,who were taking part in a sailing race in their dinghy in Barmouth channel,saw a man and woman get into difficulties while swimming in the strong floodtide.

Because of the speed at which he was sailing, Mr. Jones could not immediatelygo to the help of the man, but with considerable presence of mind he took off hisown life-jacket and threw it to the man before making for the woman. AndrewRichards and Mark Heywood were taking part in the same race and were astern ofMr. Jones's boat. They saw the man in the water and immediately sailed towardshim. He had managed to put one arm through the life-jacket but was uncon-scious when the boys reached him. The two boys were able to support the man'sweight with difficulty, but they could not pull him aboard their own boat withouthelp. Before long the ferryman, Mr. W. D. Griffiths, accompanied by Mr. F.Morris, a former member of the Barmouth life-boat crew, who had put out tohelp on hearing that somebody was in difficulty, reached them.

With their help the unconscious man was pulled into the boys' dinghy, andwhile Mark Heywood sailed the dinghy to the quay Andrew Richards beganartificial respiration, using the Schaefer method.

When they reached the quay, Mr. E. Griffith, a member of the life-boat crew,took over the artificial respiration with the help of two other life-boat crewmembers Mr. E. D. Jones and Mr. W. Williams. The man regained conscious-ness and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Letters of appreciation were also sent to Mr. W. S. Jones, Mr. W. D. Griffiths,Mr. E. Griffith, Mr. E. D. Jones, Mr. W. Williams and Mr. F. Morris.

Saved by mouth-to-mouth resuscitationThe mechanic of the Hastings life-boat, Mr. J. H. Martin, and Police SergeantS. Ferguson of Hastings have both received framed letters of thanks signed by theChairman of the Institution, Captain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N., forsaving the life of a man hi the early hours of xyth August, 1965.

The first report that a man was in difficulty was received from the Hastingspolice at 12.18 a.m. They told the honorary secretary of the station, Mr. J. J.Adams, that a man had launched a bathing patrol dinghy from the beach withoutauthority.

The sea was calm and the weather was cloudy and hazy. There was very littlewind. It was two hours before high water. The tide was setting to the westward.Motor Mechanic Martin and Police Sergeant Ferguson launched the Hastings

479

inshore rescue boat to search for the dinghy. Mechanic Martin decided to takethe boat to seaward of the position where the dinghy was expected to be. Thiswould enable him to make use of the shore lights while searching. SergeantFerguson kept in contact with the shore with his portable V.H.F. R/T set.

The two men found the dinghy at 12.54 about 200 yards south-west of Hastingspier, but there was nobody aboard. They continued searching, and some fiveminutes later saw somebody splashing. They found the man, who began to dis-appear beneath the water as they reached him.

Sergeant Ferguson, who was wearing the standard RNLI coverall and life-jacket over his clothes, as well as sea-boots, immediately dived into the sea fullyclothed. He grabbed the man in the water as he surfaced, and he and MechanicMartin pulled him into the boat.

The man appeared to be drowned but Sergeant Ferguson immediately beganmouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Mechanic Martin brought the I.R.B. back to herstation at one o'clock, and when the man was landed took over the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while Sergeant Ferguson employed cardiac massage. Theman regained consciousness and was taken to hospital, where he recovered.

Naming Ceremony and CentenaryAnstruther combined the naming ceremony for their new life-boat The

Doctors with their centenary celebrations. H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucesternamed the boat after a service of dedication on 28th July, 1965.

The proceedings were opened by Provost J. Armour, J.P., Chairman of theAnstruther branch of the RNLI, to whom Captain the Hon. V. M. Wyndham-Quin, R.N., Chairman of the Committee of Management of the Institution,handed over the centenary vellum. The provost accepted the vellum on behalf ofboth the Anstruther life-boat station and also on behalf of the town.

The donor of the new life-boat, Dr. Nora M. Allan, then handed it over to theRNLI and it was formally accepted by His Grace the Duke of Atholl, a memberof the Committee of Management of the Institution and Convener of the Scot-tish Life-boat Council, who delivered the boat to the care of the Anstrutherbranch. Mr. F. Patterson, joint honorary secretary of the branch, accepted theboat on behalf of the branch.

The Doctors is a 37 foot Oakley type, which is now the standard type of life-boat for launching from an open beach. She is self-righting, carries a normalcrew of seven, and can take the weight of 35 people on board in safety. Thelife-boat has been given by Dr. Nora M. Allan in memory of her father, Dr.Richard Allan, late Medical Officer of Health, Dumbarton, and of her brothersDr. John Allan, Dr. William Allan, and James Allan.

A vote of thanks to the namer and others was proposed by Miss Helen M.Watson, M.A., president of the Anstruther ladies' life-boat guild. The service ofdedication was conducted by the Rev. J. Matthews, M.A., B.D., assisted by theRev. J. F. M. Crawford, M. A., J.P.

The Doctors is the sixth life-boat to be placed at Anstruther since the stationopened in 1865.

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By courtesy of] [The ScotsmanGirvan centenary celebrations.

By courtesy of]Naming of the new Anstruther life-boat The Doctors.

{.The Scotsman

481

IRB LAUNCHESIn addition to the services by IRB's which resulted in saving lives and which arerecorded in full elsewhere in THE LIFE-BOAT, the following launches on service weremade during the months of April to August, 1965, inclusive:Aberdovey, Merionethshire - May 30th, August 4th, i3th, 2yth.Abersoch, Caernarvonshire - June 28th, August 5th.Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire - August 4th, 6th, i2th.Atlantic College, Glamorganshire - June i3th, July 3151, August ist, loth (both

boats), 29th (both boats).Bangor, Co. Down - June 8th, i6th, July 4th.Barrow, Lancashire - July 22nd.Bembridge, Isle of Wight - June nth, July 6th, August 3ist.Blackpool, Lancashire - June I2th, 25th, July i6th, i8th, 23rd.Bournemouth, Hampshire - June lyth, igth, 26th, 3<Dth, July 6th, 9th, 24th.Blyth, Northumberland - June 5th, July 3rd, August 4th.Brighton, Sussex - May I3th, July ist, i8th, igth, 25th, 30th.Broughty Ferry, Angus - April i3th, May I4th, July I2th, 26th, 3<Dth, August I4th,

28th.Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire - June 28th, July 8th, i8th. (Station re-named Humber

Mouth from ist August 1965).Cullercoats, Northumberland - June 30th.Eastbourne, Sussex - June 24th, July 5th, nth, August I5th, xyth, 23rd, 26th.Eastney, Hampshire - May 29th, June 6th, 28th, July gth, nth, i3th, 23rd, 25th,

29th, 3ist, August ist, 2nd, 2ist, 24th, 28th, 29th.

CLARKE CHAPMAN

M A R I N E

A U X I L I A R I E S

FOR LIFE-BOAT

STATIONS

This illustrates one ofour electrically drivenwinches as supplied tothe Tynemouth Life-boat Station for haul-ing up the life-boat.Many other winches ofsimilar design havebeen supplied to theInstitution, for eitherelectric or petrol enginedrive.

Photograph by courtesy of theRoyal National Life-boatInstitution.

MANUFACTURERS OF WINCHES, WINDLASSES, CAPSTANS, PUMPS, SEARCHLIGHTS 4 FLOODLIGHTS ETC

C L A R K E , C H A P M A N & C O M P A N Y L IMITED

VICTORIA WORKS, GATESHEAD, 8, Co. DURHAM.

Tel: Gateshead 72271 (10 lines) Telex: 53-239 Grams: "Cyclops" Gateshead.

LONDON OFFICE: Dunster House, Mark Lane, London, E.C.3.Telephone: MINcing Lane 8345-6-7 Grams: "Cyclops" Easphone, London.

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Gt. Yarmouth & Gorleston, Norfolk - June 6th, 20th, July I2th, 31st, August 2nd,loth, 26th.

Happisburgh, Norfolk - June 26th.Harwich, Essex - June i8th, July 29th.Hastings, Sussex - June 29th, August ist (twice), 25th (twice), 28th.Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire-July i3th, August loth, 20th, 28th.Kinghorn, Fife-June 2yth, July 3ist, August 26th.Largs, Ayrshire-May iyth, June 26th, July 3rd, 4th, I5th, i8th, 26th, August ist,

25th, 28th.Llandudno, Caernarvonshire - May 23rd, June 6th, 9th, July 4th, 6th, 26th,

August 16th, 2yth, 28th.Lymington, Hampshire - June I2th, August 3ist.Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire - July 4th, 22nd, August igth.Moelfre, Anglesey - July i4th, 2oth, 22nd, August ist, 5th (twice), I3th (twice), 2oth.Mudeford, Hampshire - April 3rd, May 22nd, June 2ist, July nth, 28th, 29th,

August 28th, 30th.Newquay, Cornwall - June I3th, July 2nd, 4th, nth, 22nd, 24th, 29th, August 3rd,

4th (twice), I2th (three times), i5th, 2oth, 24th, 25th, 2yth, 3ist (twice).North Sunderland, Northumberland - June I3th.Poole, Dorset - May 23rd, 2yth, July 25th, August 4th, 24th.Porthcawl, Glamorganshire - June 6th, 2ist, 2yth, July 30th, August 6th, loth,

29th.Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire - July I2th, August nth, i6th.Redcar, Yorkshire - May 22nd.St. Ives, Cornwall - June 29th, 30th, July 29th, August 9th, 20th, 2ist.Skegness, Lincolnshire - April iyth, i8th, June I2th, July igth, August i8th, 26th.Southend-on-sea, Essex - July i ith, 24th, 25th, August I2th, 2yth, 28th.Southwold, Suffolk - August 25th, 28th, 2gth (twice).The Mumbles, Glamorganshire - June I2th, igth (twice), July 8th, 25th, August

ist, nth, 30th (twice).Torbay, Devon - June iyth, July 4th (twice), I5th, 22nd, 27th, August I3th, 30th.Tynemouth, Northumberland - April iyth, i8th (twice), June 2981, July 26th, 29th,

August I2th, i6th.Walmer, Kent - April 9th, June igth, July i8th, August ist, I3th, 29th (twice).Wells, Norfolk - July 29th, August ist.West Mersea, Essex - April i5th, i8th (four times), 3Oth, June I2th, July 2ist,

August 2ist (twice), 25th, 29th.Whitstable, Kent - May 2nd, i4th, lyth, June I3th, i5th, lyth, 2ist (twice), 28th,

July 2nd, 3rd, i6th, 291!!, August ist (twice), I2th, 29th.Worthing, Sussex - May 28th, July yth, August I3th.Yarmouth, Isle of Wight - August I5th (twice), 22nd, 25th, 29th.

Girvan CentenaryThe centenary commemoration of the Girvan branch was held at Girvan

harbour on 2 ist July, 1965, when the centenary vellum was presented by CaptainAlexander Ramsay of Mar, M.A., F.L.A.S., chairman of the executive committeeof the Scottish Life-boat Council. Provost A. C. H. Todd, chairman of theGirvan branch, accepted the vellum on behalf of the branch and also, as Provostof the Burgh, accepted it for safe keeping. The Rev. John Walker, B.D.,conducted the service of remembrance and re-dedication of the life-boat.

The present life-boat St. Andrew (Civil Service No. id) is the seventh to bestationed at Girvan since the station was established.

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Life-boat services round the CoastsJuly

NORTH-EAST ENGLANDBoulmer, Northumberland. A

port was received at 10.23 a-m- on

July, 1965, that the motor fishing vesselKindly Light of Seahouses had brokendown approximately two miles east-south-east of Boulmer. The life-boatRobert and Dorothy Hardcastle waslaunched at 10.58 in a light northerlybreeze and a choppy sea. It was low water.The Kindly Light with a crew of three wastaken in tow and off Craster the tow washanded over to another motor fishingvessel from Seahouses. The life-boat re-turned to her station at 3 p.m.

Anxiety was felt for the local fishingcoble Coral Cluster when she was at seain worsening weather conditions on 29thJuly, 1965. At 4.16 p.m. the life-boatRobert and Dorothy Hardcastle waslaunched in a strong north-easterly wind,with a rough sea and flooding tide. Shecame up with the coble in Foxton Bay,two miles to the south of Boulmer. Thecoble's engine had broken down and thelife-boat towed her to Boulmer. The life-boat returned to her station at 5.20 p.m.

THREE RESCUED

Seaham, Co. Durham. At 6.42 p.m.on 29th July, 1965, three men werestranded on North pier, unable to getback because of the waves breaking overthe pier. At 7.19 the life-boat The Willand Fanny Kirby was launched in anortherly wind of near gale force and arough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat went alongside the pier and by 7.25the three men had jumped safely aboard.The men were put ashore and the life-boat returned to station some tenminutes later.

SOUTH-EAST ENGLANDWalton and Frinton, Essex. At

9.34 a.m. on 3rd July, 1965, the honorarysecretary heard that the Barrow Deeplightvessel had reported a yacht aground

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and lying on her side on the Sunk Sands.Weather conditions did not suggest anydanger and there had been no distresssignal from the yacht, but it was decidedto launch the life-boat. The EdianCourtauld proceeded at 10.10 in a lightnortherly breeze and a slight sea. It waslow water.

The life-boat reached the yacht TwoChances of Wivenhoe by way of the north-east Gunfleet, arriving at 11.45. Her crewof three were about to fire distress flaresas the rising tide was bumping the yachtvery hard on the sands and she was mak-ing water fast. The coxswain put a lineaboard and towed her clear. Three mem-bers of the life-boat crew were transferredto the yacht, while her crew were takenaboard the life-boat, which then towedthe Two Chances to Walton as the yachtwas the home of the three men.

The life-boat crew had to work ex-tremely hard baling all the time to keepthe yacht afloat and half way the crew hadto be changed. Finally, at 3.30, the life-boat handed over the Two Chances to alocal yachting firm and returned to herstation, arriving at 4.40 p.m.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 1.45p.m. on 4th July, 1965, a message wasreceived that a fishing boat had brokendown near Canvey Island, and at 2.10the life-boat Greater London II (CivilService No. 30) was launched. There wasa moderate south-westerly wind, the seawas slight and the tide was four hoursflood. The life-boat made a search andcame up with the fishing boat Alice andElla off Canvey Pier, with ten people onboard. At the request of the skipper thelife-boat towed the Alice and Ella toLeigh Bay, returning to her station at445 P.m.

YACHT TOWED IN

At 6.20 p.m. on nth July, 1965, avessel reported a yacht aground on thesouth side of West Swin Barrow Deepand at 6.33 the life-boat Greater London II

(Civil Service No. 30) was launched. Agale was blowing from the south west, thesea was rough and the tide was low. Thelife-boat found the yacht Zoe with a crewof two and stood by her in view of theworsening conditions. Half-an-hour laterit was decided to take the yacht in tow andshe was taken to Southend pier. The life-boat returned to her station at n p.m.

FLARES SEENMargate, Kent. At 12.6 a.m. on 6th

July, 1965, a small vessel was reported tobe burning a distress flare close to theshore in Botany Bay. The life-boat NorthForeland (Civil Service No. u) waslaunched at 12.19 m a fresh north-north-westerly breeze and a rough sea. It waslow water. On reaching the position twoparachute flares were fired and the motorboat Sea Witch of Westgate, with threemen on board, was seen about 50 yardsfrom the life-boat. Their outboard motorhad broken down. The three men weretaken on board the life-boat which thentowed the Sea Witch to Margate, arrivingat 2 a.m.

FRENCH YACHT DISMASTEDBembridge, Isle of Wight. A French

yacht was seen to be in difficulties with abroken mast two miles north west of theNab Tower at 8.51 p.m. on 9th July,1965. She had anchored near the DeanTail buoy. The life-boat Jesse Lumb waslaunched at nine o'clock in a light westerlybreeze and a slight sea. It was one hourafter high water. The life-boat took theyacht Fagotin II of St. Malo with a crewof six in tow to Cowes Roads and reachedher station at 1.30 a.m.

Ramsgate, Kent. At 4.43 p.m. onnth July, 1965, the east pier watchmanreported that a motor boat was burningflares in Pegwell Bay and at 4.50 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put to sea.There was a strong south-westerly wind,a rough sea and the tide was ebbing. Thelife-boat made a search and found thelocal motor boat Canopus with a crew ofseven who had been on a fishing expedi-tion. Her engine had broken down, so thelife-boat took her in tow and returned toRamsgate at 5.40 p.m.

COMPLETE BREAKDOWN

At 5 p.m. on 2ist July, 1965, the Dealcoastguard reported that the yacht KonTiki II of Ostend had broken downtwo and a half miles east-north-east ofthe North Goodwin lightvessel and at5.10 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davisput to sea. A moderate wind was blowingfrom the south west, the sea was roughand it was high water. The life-boatfound the yacht, which had a crew of six,making erratic progress on one enginefour and a half miles east-north-east ofRamsgate. The life-boat escorted her to-wards the harbour, but at 5.50 the KonTiki II broke down completely. The life-boat then took her in tow and reachedRamsgate at 6.25 p.m.

TWO VESSELS AIDEDClacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 4.42 p.m.

on nth July, 1965, the coxswain was toldthat a yacht was aground on BuxeySands. There was a strong south-westerlybreeze and a rough sea. It was almost lowwater. The life-boat Sir Godfrey Baringwas launched at 4.55 and on reaching theposition given found a catamaran about torefloat. The boat was leaking and at hercrew's suggestion she was taken in tow toBurnham-on-Crouch. While proceedingto Burnham, the coxswain saw anotheryacht aground on the sand and as soonas the catamaran was safe the life-boat re-turned to the yacht and stood by until sherefloated. After seeing her on a course toBurnham, the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 12.45 a.m.

YACHT AGROUNDNorth Foreland radio station reported

at 3.31 p.m. on 25th July, 1965, that ayacht was aground one and a half mileswest of Mid Barrow lightvessel. No dis-tress signals had been fired by the yachtbut she had a heavy list. The life-boat SirGodfrey Baring was launched at 4.14 in afresh south-westerly wind and a choppysea. It was low water. She found the yachtVassan Girl with a crew of three groundedon West Barrow Sands and stood by untilthe yacht refloated. The life-boat then re-turned to her station arriving at 8.7 p.m.

485

SHIPS IN COLLISIONEastbourne, Sussex. At 1.5 a.m. on

15th July, 1965, a collision was reportedto have occurred ten miles south-by-eastof Beachy Head. One of the vessels wassinking. At 1.20 the life-boat BerylTollemache was launched in a lightnortherly breeze and a smooth sea.Visibility was poor because of fog. Laterthe position of the casualty was given bythe coastguards as ten and a half milessouth-east of Beachy Head. The Greeksteamer Nymfea had been in collisionwith the Liberian motor vessel Francesco,which was undamaged. The Nymfea wasdown by her stern. Several vessels pro-ceeded to her assistance as well as thelife-boat, which eventually landed 27passengers and crew. The master andthree of the crew remained on board toawait a tug. The life-boat reached herstation at 7.30 a.m.

Selsey, Sussex. During the morningof 23rd July, 1965, the wind increasedand anxiety was felt for the safety of foursmall fishing boats which were about fourmiles offshore. At 10.30 a.m. the life-boatCanadian Pacific was launched in asouth-westerly gale. The sea was veryrough and the tide ebbing. The life-boat escorted the fishing boats to Selseyand returned to her station at noon. Thefishermen expressed their thanks.

SEARCH IN BAYDungeness, Kent. At 3.10 p.m. on

25th July, 1965, the Lade coastguard re-ported that a small sailing yacht had cap-sized off St. Mary's Bay and that a yawlwas circling about four miles north-east ofDungeness. At 3.25 the life-boat MabelE, Holland was launched and made for thebay in a strong west-north-west wind,choppy sea and low tide. A helicopter wasairborne and took part in the search, butfound nothing. The life-boat also foundno sign of a yacht in St. Mary's Bay andmade for the yawl, which proved not tobe in need of help. But at 4.45 the life-boat received a message from the coast-guard that the yawl had picked up thecrew of two from the catamaran Sea EagleII of Folkestone, which was driftingfour-and-a-half miles east-north-east of

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Dungeness. The life-boat towed the cata-maran to Dungeness, reaching her stationat 7.35 p.m.

FIVE TAKEN OFFDover, Kent. At 3 p.m. on 25th

July, 1965, a cabin cruiser off CockPoint was observed burning a red flare.At 3.31 the life-boat Southern Africa putto sea. There was a strong south-westerlywind, the sea was rough and it was lowwater. The small cabin cruiser Plover wasfound with a fouled propeller. The life-boat took off her crew of five, who hadbeen on a fishing expedition, and towedthe Plover to Dover, arriving at 6 p.m.

OWNER OVERBOARDGreat Yarmouth and Gorleston,

Norfolk. At 11.56 p.m. on 2gth July,1965, two distress flares were reported tohave been seen to the north-east and atthree minutes after midnight on the 3oththe life-boat Louise Stephens was launched.There was a strong south-westerly wind,a rough sea and the tide was ebbing. Thelife-boat made a search, firing parachuteflares to illuminate the area and a sailingyacht burnt a red flare in reply. The life-boat found the yacht with the owner onboard a quarter of a mile south-east ofScroby Elbow buoy. Her sails had blownaway and her engine had broken down.Two members of the life-boat wentaboard with a tow rope and in trying tomake the rope fast the owner fell over-board. The life-boat rescued him andthen towed the yacht to harbour, arrivingat 2.20 a.m.

Hastings, Sussex. At 4.7 p.m. on 3151July, 1965, the coastguard reported thata dinghy, in company with a cabin cruiser,was flying a distress signal and firingflares. The life-boat Fairlight was launchedat 4.20 in a moderate west-south-westerlybreeze and slight sea. It was high water.The life-boat found the dinghy towingthe cabin cruiser Paddy B which hadengine trouble. This tow had been goingon since 2 p.m. The life-boat took overthe towing of the Paddy B, which hadfive occupants on board, and she returnedto her station at 5.25 p.m.

CANOE CAPSIZEDDover, Kent. At 1.5 p.m. on 25th

July, 1965, the honorary secretary learnedthat a canoe with one man aboard wasdrifting towards the Admiralty pier. Thelife-boat Southern Africa proceeded at1.20 in a strong south-westerly wind anda rough sea. The tide was ebbing. Ahelicopter was also airborne and foundthe canoe had capsized. The man was inthe water. The helicopter rescued himand the life-boat returned to her stationat 2 p.m.

BOAT ON FIRESelsey, Sussex. At 2.12 a.m. on i3th

July, 1965, the coastguard told thehonorary secretary that a boat was on firefour miles south of Thorney Island andthat a helicopter had been sent. The life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched fiveminutes later in a gentle south-westerlybreeze and a slight sea. It was an hourand a half after high water. At 2.27 thecoastguard reported that the crew of twoof the yacht Sandetti had been rescuedby the helicopter and taken to a hospitalat Chichester with burns. The vessel wasstill on fire two miles south of Witteringand there were two compressed aircylinders on board which were liable toexplode. The life-boat patrolled the areato warn off any craft approaching theSandetti. A minesweeper and a fire tugput out to take over the yacht and thelife-boat was recalled, arriving at herstation at 6.10 a.m. The Sandetti becamea total wreck.

FIRST LAUNCH ON SERVICEWells, Norfolk. At 9.14 p.m. on 3ist

July, 1965, a yacht was seen to be in needof assistance 2 miles north-west of Blake-ney Point. There was a moderate west-north-westerly breeze and a moderate

sea. It was high water. The life-boatErnest Tom Nethercoat was launched forthe first time on service at 9.30, and foundthe yacht Eljida of Hull with a crew ofthree. They required a pilot. The life-boat towed the yacht to Wells quay andreturned to her station at 12.30 a.m. Theowner of the yacht made a donation tothe Institution's funds.

SOUTH-WEST ENGLANDSennen Cove, Cornwall. At 10.30

a.m. on ist July, 1965, the motor boatWheal Geevor was reported to have strucka rock three quarters of a mile west ofCape Cornwall. Her crew of seven werebaling water. There was a light north-easterly breeze and a slight sea. The life-boat Susan Ashley was launched at 10.40,three hours after high water. At the re-quest of the motor boat's skipper the life-boat escorted the Wheal Geevor toNewlyn, then returned to her station at5-55 P-m.

ENGINE TROUBLEClovelly, Devon. At 7.15 p.m. on i4th

July, 1965, the police reported that a boathad broken down one mile off shore fromHigher Sharpnose, about eight milessouth of Hartland Point. The life-boatWilliam Cantrell Ashley was launched at7.25 in a light westerly breeze and aground swell. It was high water. At nineo'clock the life-boat arrived off HigherSharpnose and found the motor yachtCalypso anchored. Two of her crew hadrowed ashore hi a dinghy to summon helpbut their dinghy had been damaged andthe two men were unable to return to theyacht. Two members of the life-boat crewwere put aboard the Calypso and succee-ded in starting the engine. Accompaniedby the life-boat the yacht proceeded toClovelly, arriving at about 1.15 a.m.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1966The next annual general meeting of the governors of the Institution will takeplace at the Central Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday, 20th April, 1966.

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Plymouth, Devon. At 10.13 p.m.on 16th July, 1965, Breakwater Fort re-ported seeing a small boat flashing distresssignals south of Mewstone. The life-boatThomas Forehead and Mary Rowse putout at 10.29 i° a light north-north-easterlybreeze and a slight sea. It was one and ahalf hours after high water. The life-boatcame up with the cabin cruiser Wander-lust about two miles south of Gara Point.There -were three men on board who hadbeen fishing off Stoke, but when startingtheir engine to return home their gearboxhad failed and they found themselvesdrifting. The Wanderlust was taken intow to Stonehouse Pool and the life-boatreached her station at i.io a.m.

DINGHY TAKEN ABOARDAt 4.25 p.m. on 22nd July, 1965, a

dinghy was reported to have capsized offthe Cawsand. At 4.33 the life-boatThomas Forehead and Mary Rowse putout. There was a light south-westerlywind, the sea was choppy and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat found the localsailing dinghy Undine off Picclecombe intow of a motor boat. The Undine, whichhad capsized and broken her mast, wastaken aboard the life-boat, with the manwho had been sailing the dinghy. Thelife-boat returned to her station at 5.45p.m. The man in the dinghy made adonation to the funds of the Institution.

Torbay, Devon. At 5.35 p.m. on Fri-day, 23rd July 1965, the Brixham coast-guard told the honorary secretary thata visitor had telephoned that two peoplewere drifting out to sea in a smallboat a mile off Orestone Rock. At 5.55the life-boat Princess Alexandra of Kentput to sea. There was a fresh westerlywind, the sea was choppy and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat made a search andtwo miles north-east of Orestone Rockfound the 12-foot outboard dinghy AnitaMaree with a crew of two on a fishingtrip from Paignton. She was driftingrapidly seawards and her crew were un-able to re-start the outboard motor. Thelife-boat towed the Anita Maree toBrixham and returned to her station at7.10 p.m.

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EIGHT ABOARDAt 7.54 a.m. on 28th July, 1965, a small

schooner was seen apparently driftingseawards from Hopes Nose with no signof life on board. Observation was kept onthe boat for another ten minutes and asshe continued to drift the life-boatPrincess Alexandra of Kent proceeded at8.30. There was a strong west-south-westerly breeze and a moderate sea. Thetide was flooding. The life-boat came upwith the motor vessel Boy Eric of Lowes-toft with eight people on board. Herengines had broken down and she wasdragging her anchor. The Boy Eric wastaken in tow to Brixham Harbour, arriv-ing at io.ro a.m.

GIRLS RESCUEDIlfracombe, Devon. At 7.55 p.m. on

25th July, 1965, the police reported thattwo girls, missing from Lee Bay, werebelieved to be trying to walk to Ilfra-combe around the rocks. A helicopter wasairborne and at 8.10 the life-boat Robertand Phemia Brown was launched in awesterly gale, very rough sea and ebbingtide. The helicopter spotted the girls tothe east of Lee Bay, but could not getnear to them because of the cliffs. Thelife-boat was also unable to get near owingto the rocks and rough sea, but helpedthe coastguard cliff rescue party by givingadvice by loud hailer and using hersearchlight. The girls were rescued by thecoastguard and the life-boat returned toher station at 10.45 P-m-

SIXTEEN SCOUTS RESCUEDExmouth, Devon. At 7.35 p.m. on

25th July, 1965, the honorary secretaryheard that Niton radio station had re-ceived a message from the motor fishingvessel Bien that she had engine troubleand was steering badly ten miles north-east of Torquay. The life-boat MichaelStephens put out at 7.55 in a light westerlybreeze and a moderate sea. The tide wasebbing. Nothing could be found at theposition given and because of interferencethe Bien could not be heard on the life-boat's radio telephone.

At 9.40 the life-boat saw a flare but onsearching the position found nothing.

This happened several times, but thevessel was eventually found two milessouth of Lyme Regis at 12.12 a.m. Shewas escorted towards Exmouth, but be-cause of the Bien's steering trouble thecoxswain decided to take her in tow andthe life-boat's bowman was placed aboardher to help. The casualty was eventuallytied up to the dock at 0.3 a.m. The Bienowned by the Newport Sea Scouts hadon board 16 sea scouts and three adults.

BODIES FOUNDAt fifteen minutes past midnight on

25th July, 1965, the coastguard notifiedthe honorary secretary that 315 foot out-board motor boat, known asa"Cruisette",had left the River Teign at 10.30 a.m.the previous day with three men boundfor a fishing expedition in the Sandy Bayarea, and suggested that the life-boatshould make a search at dawn. About5.10 the coastguard reported that theboat had not returned and at 5.40 thelife-boat Michael Stephens was launched.

She searched widely in a moderate north-westerly wind, moderate sea and ebbingtide. A helicopter also searched. The life-boat found the boat at 10.15 broken downand waterlogged five miles south of BeerHead and directed the helicopter to it.The helicopter picked up two bodies andtransferred them to the life-boat which,with the helicopter, then searched for thethird body. Nothing was found and thelife-boat took the boat in tow, handed itover to another boat which had put outfrom Sidmouth, and landed the two bodiesat Exmouth at 2.35 p.m.

At 11.25 a-m- on 29tn Julys J9653 asailing dinghy with a crew of two wasseen to capsize about a mile off Dawlish.At 11.45 the life-boat Michael Stephenswas launched in a strong westerly wind,moderate sea and ebbing tide. She foundthat a boat which had put out from Daw-lish had taken the dinghy in tow. Thelife-boat escorted them to Dawlish beachand returned to her station at 1.15 p.m.

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489

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Sennen Cove, Cornwall. At 8.55a.m. on 25th July, 1965, the St. Justcoastguard reported a motor yacht drift-ing about one mile to the north of CapeCornwall. She was in no immediatedanger, but at 9.35 the coastguard sawthat she had hoisted a distress signal. At9.44 the life-boat Susan Ashley waslaunched in a strong south-westerly wind,rough sea and flooding tide and foundthe motor yacht Marea, with a crew offour, one and a half miles north of CapeCornwall, bound from Salcombe forStourport. Both her engines had brokendown, so the life-boat towed her to Newlynin a heavy swell and returned to herstation at 5.45 p.m.

Swanage, Dorset. At forty-fiveminutes past midnight on 29th July,1965, a white flashing light was observedhalf a mile offPeverel Point. At 1.17 a.m.the life-boat R.L.P. was launched. Therewas a gale blowing from the west-south-

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west, the sea was rough and the tide wasebbing. Two red flares were seen laterand at 1.30 the life-boat found the 23 footmotor yacht Sea Ventures III of Lyming-ton, with a crew of five, a mile south-south-east of Peverel Ledge buoy. Herengine had broken down so the life-boattowed her to Swanage and returned toher station at 2.50 a.m.

WALESTenby, Pembrokeshire. The police

reported at 10.55 P-m- on 4tn July> I965»that flares had been seen south-east ofCaldy Island. The life-boat Henry CotnberBrown was launched at 11.12 in a lightnortherly breeze. There was a slight seaand the tide was flooding. The life-boatproceeded to Bullum Bay where thecoxswain contacted the coastguard on theisland, and was told that the flares hadbeen seen off the Spaniel Buoy. The life-boat subsequently found the motorfishing vessel Suzy Jane with her enginebroken down. She was taken to Tenbyand the life-boat reached her station at12.45 a-m-

ESCORTED VESSELSAngle, Pembrokeshire. At 7.45 p.m.

on 28th July, 1965, the honorary sec-retary was notified by a shipping agencythat the s.s. Basildon of London hadbroken down six miles south of St.Annes Head. The life-boat RichardVernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds waslaunched at 8.7 in a strong west-south-westerly wind and a rough sea. The tidewas ebbing. When the life-boat arriveda tug was already on the scene and thecoxswain was requested to stand by whilea tow line was connected. The life-boatreturned to her station at 11.59 after es-corting the vessels to Milford Haven.

RACE CALAMITYBeaumaris, Anglesey; Rhyl, Flint-

shire; and Llandudno, Caernarvon-shire. On nth July, 1965, thirty-twospeed boats were taking part in a race atLlandudno when a south westerly windof near gale force sprang up, soon afterthe start. Several boats capsized and at12.48 p.m. the Llandudno life-boat TheLily Wainwright was launched. There wasa rough sea and the tide was ebbing. The

Rhyl life-boat Anthony Robert Marshallwas launched at 1.20 and the Beaumarislife-boat Field Marshal and Mrs. Smutsan hour later. When the Llandudno life-boat reached two casualties she foundtheir crews had been picked up by a boat.She then found two more speed boatscapsized. Their crews had already beenrescued, but the boat which had pickedup the men had a rope folding her pro-peller. The life-boat escorted this boat tothe safety of Llandudno Bay,then returnedto escort the remaining speed boats andsearch until all the speed boat crews werereported safe.

The Rhyl life-boat's services were notrequired for the speed boats, but shewas asked to bring ashore a very sickpassenger from the fishing vessel WelshLady HI. Afterwards she searched withthe Llandudno life-boat for any othercasualties from the speed boat race. TheBeaumaris life-boat also helped in thesearch together with a helicopter. Shetowed one speed boat ashore and stoodby a cabin cruiser with engine trouble inthe vicinity of Puffin Island until theengine was repaired.

The Rhyl life-boat reached her stationat 6.10, the Llandudno life-boat at 6.15and the Beaumaris life-boat at 8 p.m. Aletter of thanks was received from theorganisers of the power boat race.

NORTH-WEST ENGLANDPort St. Mary, Isle of Man. At

7.43 p.m. on 4th July, 1965, the coast-guard told the honorary secretary that asmall motor boat with two men on boardwas overdue and that further inquirieswere being made. In the meantime thecoxswain and crew were alerted, andwhen the coastguard later suggested thata search should be made the life-boatEdward Z. Dresden, on temporary duty atthe station, left at 8.30 in a moderatenorth-north-westerly breeze and a choppysea. It was two and a half hours beforelow water. By use of the Cregnish radiobeacon the life-boat was directed to theposition of the motor boat, which wasstopped because of engine trouble aboutfive miles south of the radio beacon. Themotor boat was taken in tow to Port St.Mary which was reached at 11.50 p.m.

OLD LIFE-BOAT WEATHEREDSTORM

Lytham St. Anne's, Lancashire. At2.45 p.m. on nth July, 1965, a twomasted yacht was seen off the Wall Endbuoy, apparently receiving a heavybattering from the seas. There was awest-by-south wind of near gale forceand a rough sea. The tide was ebbing.The honorary secretary and the coxswainwent to a vantage point, but, owing tothe visibility, they could only see anobject they could not identify in the posi-tion stated. They kept this object underobservation and found it was the Nelsonbuoy. The honorary secretary conferredwith the coastguard and it was decidedto launch the life-boat Sarah TownsendPorritt as a precautionary measure. Notrace of the reported yacht was found, butan Eventide class yacht bound from Bar-row to Hesketh Bank was encountered.The life-boat, at this vessel's request, es-corted her over the Kibble bar and re-turned to her station at 6.40 p.m.

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reported vessel was one of the Institu-tion's old life-boats that had been con-verted and rigged as a yawl. This vesselwas bound for Liverpool, where shearrived safely.

PILOT BALED OUTWorkington, Cumberland. At 1.48

p.m. on 22nd July, 1965, the Workingtoncoastguard was told by the coastguard atFormby that the pilot of a Lightning air-craft had baled out twelve miles west ofSt. Bees Head. At 2.6 the life-boatManchester and Salford XXIX waslaunched with the bowman in command.There was a light south-westerly wind,the sea was smooth and the tide wasflooding. The life-boat made for theposition, but the aircraft's crew of twowere picked up by a helicopter. The life-boat salvaged two dinghies and othergear from the wreckage of the aircraft andreturned to her station at 8 p.m. TheBarrow and Ramsey life-boats alsolaunched to assist in the search.

SCOTLANDLonghope, Orkneys. At 3.32 p.m. on

23rd July, 1965, the motor vessel Fern-dene of Sunderland was reported to havedeveloped a dangerous list. She was offthe north coast of Stroma island and hercrew of seven had inflated a life-raft inpreparation for leaving their ship. Asvisibility was poor because of fog it wasdecided that the life-boat T.G.B. shouldproceed immediately, to avoid the possi-bility of having to search for a life-raftif the vessel foundered. The T.G.B. waslaunched at 3.56 in light easterly airs anda slight sea. It was three hours after lowwater. The life-boat reached the Ferndeneat 4.44 and found her anchored at theisland awaiting the tide. Her list had beencorrected by flooding her ballast tanks,but her skipper asked the life-boat tostand by. At 6.5 the Ferndene got under-way and was escorted by the life-boatacross the Pentland Firth to the shelteredwaters at Cantick Head. The life-boatreached her station at 7.3 p.m.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 12.05p.m. on 25th July, 1965, a sailing dinghy,with two people on board, capsized inPeterhead Bay. At 12.20 the life-boat

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Julia Park Barry of Glasgow was launchedin a gentle north-westerly breeze andsmooth sea. The tide was flooding. Thelife-boat found the two people hangingon to a rock. They were taken on boardand landed at Peterhead at 12.40 p.m.

NO PETROLMallaig, Inverness-shire. At 2.40

p.m. on 26th July, 1965, the owner of asmall dinghy informed the motor mecha-nic that two small boys had borrowed theboat and were long overdue. The maroonswere fired and the life-boat EMM.Gordon Cubbin proceeded at 2.45 in alight south-easterly breeze and a choppysea. It was high water. The life-boatsearched the north-east shores of LochNevis and found the dinghy ashore in abay. Shortly afterwards the boys appearedcarrying a can of petrol. They had run outof petrol and, although they had oars,they did not have rowlocks and wereblown ashore. The two boys were takenaboard the life-boat which returned toher station with the dinghy in tow, arriv-ing at 4 p.m.

IRELANDGalway Bay. At n p.m. on i8th

July, 1965, a child was taken by currachfrom Inishere to Kilronan with seriousarm injuries. After examining the childthe doctor requested the use of the life-boat to take the child to hospital. As thetide was ebbing and no other boat wasavailable, the life-boat Mabel MarionThompson proceeded at 11.30 in a lighteasterly breeze and a calm sea. The childwas landed at Rossaveel and taken tohospital and the life-boat returned to herstation at 3.30 a.m.

On 30th July, 1965, at 9.40 a.m. thelocal doctor requested the use of the life-boat to take a man who had been seriouslyinjured in a motor cycle accident tohospital. As no other boats were avail-able, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thomp-son put out at 10 o'clock. There was anortherly breeze and a calm sea. The manwas put ashore at Rossaveel in the board-ing boat, which had been taken along,and the life-boat reached her station at1.45 p.m.

The following life-boats were alsocalled out in July:

Anstruther, Fife - nth and 29th.Appledore, North Devon - 2nd.Barrow, Lancashire - 22nd.Barry Dock, Glamorganshire -

29th.Boulmer, Northumberland -

30th.Bridlington, Yorkshire -3151.Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - 29th.Dover, Kent - nth and 25th.Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin -

18th.Exmouth, South Devon - gth.Falmouth, Cornwall - 4th.Filey, Yorkshire - i6th.Fowey, Cornwall - ist and 3rd.Hartlepool, Co. Durham - 29th.Holyhead, Anglesey - 3rd.Howth, Co. Dublin - 26th.Hfracombe, North Devon - i ith.Islay, Hebrides - i8th.Llandudno, Caernarvonshire -

4th and 26th.Montrose, Angus - 28th.Port Erin, Isle of Man - I4th.Portrush, Co. Antrim - 30th.Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire -

29th.Ramsey, Isle of Man - 22nd.Ramsgate, Kent - 25th and 3<Dth.Rhyl, Flintshire - 26th.St. Helier, Jersey - 5th, 8th, i8th

and 2yth.St. Ives, Cornwall - 29th.St. Mary's, Scilly Islands - 29th.Selsey, Sussex - I3th and 25th.Southend-on-Sea, Essex - loth,

I4th and i6th.Stronsey, Orkneys - 20th.Tenby, Pembrokeshire - 5th, 2ist

and 30th.Troon, Ayrshire - :8th.Valentia, Co. Kerry - I9th and

23rd.

Walmer, Kent - i3th andWalton and Frinton, Essex -

25th.Weymouth, Dorset - 9th, i6th

and 25th.Weston-super-Mare, Somerset -

3rd.Wicklow - 18th.Yarmouth, Isle of Wight - igth.

AUGUSTNORTH-EASTERN DISTRICT

Whitby, Yorkshire. At 5.24 p.m. onI3th August, 1965, news came that theS.S. Cardiganbrook had radioed for adoctor to meet her off Whitby as a manhad been injured. The steamer's estimatedarrival time at Whitby was 6.20 and atsix o'clock the life-boat Mary AnnHepworth was launched with the honor-ary medical adviser on board. Therewas a moderate south-easterly breeze, amoderate sea and it was high water. Thesteamer was met and the doctor wentaboard to examine the boatswain, who hadfallen from a hatch. A suspected fractureof an arm as well as a dislocated shoulderwere diagnosed. The injured man wasstrapped to a stretcher and taken aboardthe life-boat which then radioed for anambulance to meet her on her arrival atthe harbour, which was reached at 6.35p.m.

At 9.24 p.m. on 20th August, 1965,the coastguard reported that a youngman had been cut off by the tide atWhitby Hight light and that the life-saving apparatus team were proceedingwith cliff rescue gear. The honorarysecretary alerted the life-boat coxswainand offered to launch the life-boatwith a small boat should it be re-quired. At 9.55 the coastguard reportedthat they could not carry out the rescueand asked for the small boat. The life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launchedat 10.14 in a moderate south-south-westerly wind and a slight sea. A lightwas seen on the rocks at the base of 150-foot cliffs. The small boat manned byfour of the life-boat crew went ashore anda fifteen-year-old boy and a coastguard

493

who had been lowered down the cliffto assist were taken out to the life-boatat 10.38. The life-boat reached herstation at 11.5 p.m.

ANKLE SET ON PASSAGE

Humber, Yorkshire. At 11.18 a.m.on i9th August, 1965, a message from adoctor was received saying that a man onboard the Russian S.S. Smolensk of Rigahad broken a leg and required a doctor.The vessel was in Spurn anchorage andat 11.55 the life-boat City of Bradford HIwas launched with a doctor on board ina gentle south-westerly breeze and asmooth sea. It was one hour after highwater. The doctor was put aboard theSmolensk and after attending the injuredman, who had broken an ankle, returnedto the life-boat. The doctor wanted thelife-boat to land the man but the vessel'scaptain declined, saying that the vesselwould be in Hull the next day.

The life-boat returned to her stationat 1.35 p.m. At 7 o'clock the coxswainsuperintendent received a message fromthe doctor that the agents of the Russianvessel had informed him that the Smolenskwould be at anchor for another sevendays and requested the life-boat to bringthe injured man ashore for hospitaltreatment. The doctor asked to be takenout the next morning and at 10.30 a.m.on the 2Oth the life-boat was launchedwith the doctor and a bone specialist onboard.

The injured man was taken aboard at11.20 and his ankle was set in plaster bythe doctors on the passage to Spurn. Theinjured man was accompanied by aRussian interpreter and another crewmember requiring dental treatment. Thethree Russians were taken to hospital byambulance and the life-boat reached herstation at noon.

SERVICE TO GREEK SHIP

At 1.15 a.m. on 24th August, 1965,a report was received that there was asick man on board the Greek S.S.Aegaion of Piraeus. The life-boat City ofBradford HI was launched at 1.32 in a

494

light westerly breeze and a slight sea. Thetide was flooding. The Aegaion was atanchor near the Bull lightvessel. Thesick man was transferred and broughtashore at Grimsby at 3.5. The life-boatreturned to her station at 4.5 a.m.

At 5.25 p.m. on 3oth August, 1965,the police at Withernsea reported that asmall vessel was firing red flares one and ahalf miles east of Withernsea. There wasa moderate to fresh westerly wind and aslight sea. The life-boat City of BradfordHI launched shortly afterwards ona flooding tide and when abreast ofDimlington a red flare was seen aboutfive miles east of the position. The life-boat altered course and a few minuteslater a helicopter was seen coming fromthe direction of the flare. When thehelicopter reached the life-boat oneof its crew was lowered on board andtold the coxswain that the boat wasahead of him with her engine brokendown, and she had lost her anchor. Thelife-boat found the motor fishing vesselPandora with a crew of three and tookher in tow to Grimsby, arriving at 8.45.The life-boat reached her station at9-45 P.m.

Cullercoats, Northumberland. At11.15 a.m. on 29th August, 1965, StMary's lighthouse keeper told the cox-swain that a small boat was in difficultiesoff the lighthouse. The life-boat Sir JamesKnott was launched at 11.20 in a west-north-westerly wind of near gale forceand a moderate sea. It was almost lowwater. The life-boat found the outboardmotor boat one mile north of Cullercoatswith her engine broken down and threepeople on board. The engine was repairedand the life-boat escorted the boat toPriors Haven in the mouth of the riverTyne. When returning to the life-boatstation, the coxswain saw a boat aconsiderable distance out to sea. Asthe weather conditions were bad heproceeded to the position and found thatthe cabin cruiser Faith of South Shieldswas making heavy weather into the wind.Her crew of five asked for a tow toHerde Sands. After this service the life-boat reached her station at 2.2 p.m.

Flamborough, Yorkshire. At 4.40p.m. on 29th August, 1965, the coast-guard asked the coxswain for a boat tohelp with the rescue of a man who hadfallen over a cliff at Flamborough Head.There was a fresh north-westerly windand a moderate sea. The tide was flooding.The coxswain put out in the fishing cobleImperialist after telling the second cox-swain and asking him to follow with thelife-boat as her equipment would nodoubt be required. The life-boat FriendlyForester was launched at 4.50 and onreaching the Head a police constable whowas on board swam to the shore to givefirst aid to the injured man. Shortlyafterwards a helicopter arrived and theman was winched up to the cliff top. Theseoperations were directed from the life-boat. When the injured man was safelyat the top of the cliff the life-boatreturned to her station, arriving at7 p.m.

Redcar, Yorkshire. At 4.25 p.m. on29th August, 1965, the coastguard, whohad been keeping observation on atrimaran off Warrenby, notified thehonorary secretary that the boat did notappear to be making headway in thewest-north-westerly wind of near galeforce and choppy sea. The trimaran wasalso in view from the life-boathouse anda small boat was seen trying to tow thetrimaran ashore. As progress seemedalmost negligible, the life-boat AguilaWren was launched at 4.48, one hour andthree-quarters before high water. Bothboats were escorted safely into the riverTees and the life-boat reached herstation at 5.35 p.m.

SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICTWalton and Frinton, Essex. At

3.45 p.m. on ist August, 1965, the honor-ary secretary was told by the occupier of ahouse overlooking the Naze, Harwich andHarford water approaches that a man anda woman were marooned by the risingtide in the vicinity of Cormorant Creek.They were last seen to be up to theirwaists in water. The life-boat EdianCourtauld proceeded towards the Nazeat 3.58 in a fresh westerly wind and achoppy sea.

By courtesy of] [The Yorkshire Evening Post

Life-boat stands by during helicopter rescue ofman injured by falling over cliff while trying to

save a boy.

A further message was received sayingthat the marooned couple were thought tobe on a piece of salting between the oldTamarisk wall and the new sea defencewall. This information was passed to thecoxswain and he closed the point, sendingtwo members of his crew ashore in adinghy which had been taken along forthis purpose. The marooned couple werefound, taken aboard the dinghy, andlanded safely on the sea wall. Thedinghy then returned to the life-boat,when a party of people were seenapparently cut off by the tide, so thedinghy again returned ashore. It wasfound that the people were bird watcherswaiting for low water to cross back to themainland. The dinghy went back to thelife-boat which arrived at her station at5.14 p.m.

FISHING BOAT SINKING

Ramsgate, Kent. At 4.45 p.m. onist August, 1965, the east pier watch-man reported that a small fishing boat

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near Quern Buoy was signalling for help.At 4.59 the life-boat Michael and LillyDavis put out in a south-westerly windof near gale force. At 5.9 she camealongside the fishing boat Pride of Hythewhich was sinking in heavy seas. Thecoxswain put three men aboard to baleand took the boat in tow. At 5.30 life-boat reached Ramsgate harbour and theboat was beached. At 5.35 the life-boatset out again to go to the aid of theyacht Sucu Sucu which had enginefailure and was being towed by a localboat. The life-boat escorted both vesselsto Ramsgate harbour, arriving at 6.35p.m.

SPEED BOAT OUT OF FUEL

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 6.5 p.m.on ist August, 1965, a speed boat wasreported drifting out to sea off Lee-over-Sands. The people in it were waving theirarms. There was a light southerly breezeand the sea was choppy. The life-boatSir Godfrey Baring was launched at 6.20p.m. and found the speed boat whichhad run out of fuel. Five people wereaboard. The life-boat took the speed boatin tow until another speed boat arrivedand took over the tow. The life-boat stoodby until both boats beached and thenreturned to her station at 7.21 p.m.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. At6.39 p.m. on ist August, 1965, thecoastguard reported that a cabin cruiserhad stopped six miles south of the harbourand might have broken down. There wasa west-south-westerly wind of near galeforce, a moderate sea, and it was twohours before low water. The life-boatDorothy and Philip Constant was launchedat 6.53 and found the cabin crusier Bolivarwith her engine broken down four milessouth-east of the harbour. The Bolivarhad three people on board and wastaken in tow to Shoreham, arriving at8.50 p.m.

INJURED MAN

At 6.15 p.m. on I2th August, 1965, thecoxswain was notified that the PortMedical Officer wished to board a Ger-man tanker which had an injured man on

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board. The tanker was due off the harbourat 8 p.m. As it was low water it wasdecided to launch the life-boat Dorothyand Philip Constant. She proceededat 7.40 with a doctor on board in a lighteasterly breeze and a slight sea. The life-boat went alongside the motor vessdDetlef Mill-man and took off an injuredseaman. She then returned to her station,arriving at 8.30 p.m., where an ambulancewas waiting to take the man to hospital.

CATAMARAN CAPSIZED

At 4.25 p.m. on i4th August, 1965, thecoastguard reported that a large catamaranhad capsized about one mile off shore,east of the harbour. There was a moderatewest-south-westerly breeze with a choppysea. The life-boat Dorothy and PhilipConstant was launched at 4.36 on anebbing tide and went to the positiongiven.

On hearing the maroons the owner of afast motor boat, registered with theInshore Rescue Scheme, had launched hisboat. He came alongside the life-boat andthe coxswain asked him to proceed andrescue the catamaran's crew of two whowere clinging to their capsized boat. Themotor boat took the survivors to Shore-ham. The life-boat towed in the catamaranand arrived back at her station at 6.5 p.m.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston,Norfolk. At 8 p.m. on 2nd August, 1965,the Gorleston coastguard reported that amotor cruiser had broken down in a freshto strong southerly breeze and a mod-erate sea and was drifting out to sea offthe north pier entrance to the harbour.The life-boat Louise Stephens launchedat 8.5 and found the casualty, a Broadsmotor cruiser, aground. The six occup-ants had already waded ashore. Thesecond coswain took a line aboard themotor cruiser which was then towed intothe harbour. The life-boat returned to herstation at 9.45 p.m.

Newhaven, Sussex. At 1.45 a.m. on2nd August, 1965, red flares were ob-served in Seaford Bay. The Newhavealife-boat Kathleen Mary was launched at1.57 a.m. She found a small yacht in

difficulties with torn sails and out-board engine out of action. There werefour people aboard. In moderate weatherthe life-boat took the yacht in tow andbrought her into harbour. The life-boatreturned to her station at 2.45 a.m.

YACHT ON ROCKS

Selsey, Sussex. At 3.22 p.m. on 8thAugust, 1965, the coastguard reportedthat a yacht was on Bognor Rocks andthat further information would be comingfrom the Bognor Yacht Club. The life-boat crew were assembled. At 3.35 theclub said there did not appear to be anyimmediate danger; however, as the rockswere dangerous the life-boat CanadianPacific was launched at 3.43 to stand by.There were light south-westerly airs andthe sea was smooth. It was half-an-hourbefore low water. The life-boat reachedthe position at 4.20 and stood by theyacht El Stente of Littlehampton with aman, his wife and two children aboard.Two hours later the yacht was still on therocks and it was decided to tow herclear. Afterwards the life-boat returnedto her station, arriving at 7.27 p.m.

RED FLARES

At 10.52 a.m. on loth August, 1965,the coastguard reported that a 45-footboat towing a yacht had fired three orfour red flares 250 yards off Elma Beach.The life-boat Canadian Pacific launchedat ii a.m. in a light north-easterly breezeand a slight sea. It was one hour beforehigh water. A helicopter was also sentand hovered over the vessels until thelife-boat arrived at noon. The 45-footboat had broken down and both vessels,the ex-motor fishing vessel Spectre andthe yacht Nola, were taken in tow toLittlehampton which was reached ati p.m. The life-boat then returned to herstation, arriving at 3.26 p.m.

LAUNCHED AGAIN

At 3.58 p.m. on loth August, 1965, thecoastguard told the wife of the motormechanic that a cargo ship was on therocks five miles east of Selsey Bill. Themotor mechanic was on his way home

from the previous launch and was metby his wife with the message.

There was a light north-easterly breezeand a smooth sea. It was an hour and ahah0 before high water. The life-boatCanadian Pacific was launched at 4.10and found the motor vessel Ariel agroundon the rocks known as Outer Owers withher radio out of order. The masterrequested the life-boat to stand by untilhis ship refloated. The Ariel refloated at9.30 and the life-boat returned to herstation at 10.33 P-m-

Dungeness, Kent. At 8 p.m. on I2thAugust, 1965, a speed boat was reportedin distress off Dungeness Point with herengine broken down. The life-boatMabel E. Holland was launched on theflooding tide at 8.53 in a moderateeast-north-easterly wind and a choppysea. She found the speed boat Dee Jaywith a crew of two who were taken aboard.The speed boat was then towed toFolkestone and the life-boat returned toher station at 12.50 a.m.

SURVIVORS TO HOSPITAL

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 3.10p.m. on i4th August, 1965, the coast-guard reported that the Nab pilot cutterhad rescued four people from a yachtwhich had overturned. The life-boat wasrequired as some of the survivors weresuffering from shock and exposure. Therewas a fresh south-westerly breeze and achoppy sea. The life-boat Jesse Lumb waslaunched at 3.16 on an ebbing tide andtook the yacht in tow. Two of her crewhad reboarded her. The other occupants,two girls, were taken on board the life-boat and on reaching Bembridge at4.40 p.m. were conveyed to hospital byambulance.

Walton and Frinton, Essex. At6.10 p.m. on i5th August, 1965, thecoastguard told the life-boat coxswainthat a yacht was aground on Cork Sands.She was in no immediate danger, but itwas later decided to launch the life-boatand at 8.33 the Edian Courtauld put tosea. There was a light southerly wind,the sea was choppy and the tide was

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ebbing. The life-boat found the auxiliaryyacht Campaigner, of Maldon, at anchorwith a crew of three. On the advice of thecoxswain the yachtsmen altered theposition of the anchor. The life-boatstood by until the yacht refloated at 11.40and then returned to the station atforty-two minutes after midnight.

"RADIO LONDON" CAPTAINILL

At 9.55 a.m. on 20th August, 1965,11 waslearnt that a message had been receivedfrom the Harwich agents of the M.V.Galaxy, the transmitting station known asRadio London, saying the captain of theGalaxy was ill with suspected appendicitis.As no other boat was available the life-boatEdian Courtauld was launched with adoctor at 10.37. The sea was slight, therewas a light westerly breeze and the tidewas flooding. The doctor boarded themotor vessel and examined the sick manwho was then taken to Walton by the life-boat and transferred to a waiting ambul-ance at 11.55 a.m.

OWNER MADE DONATION

Sheringham, Norfolk. The life-boatThe Manchester Unity of Odd Fellowswas returning to her station from apublicity launch to Blakeney on Sundaythe i5th August, 1965, when at 12.10 thesmall sailing boat Tablet was seen adriftand waterlogged. There was a light south-westerly breeze and a slight sea. Therewas no one on board and the boat wastaken in tow. A little later an outboardmotor boat was seen in difficulties withtwo men and two women on board nearBlakeney Point. Her engine had brokendown. The two women were takenaboard the life-boat, while the two menbeached their boat, Red Barrel. The life-boat reached her station at six o'clockwhen it was learnt from the owner of theTablet that his boat with four young menon board had been abandoned when itbecame waterlogged at 9.40 on the I4thAugust. Her owner made a donation toRNLI funds.

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Selsey, Sussex. At 7 a.m. on 2istAugust, 1965, a yacht was seen burningflares off Hayling. At 7.22 the life-boatCanadian Pacific was launched. A gale*was blowing from the south-west, the-sea was very rough and the tide was;ebbing. The life-boat made a search andfound the sailing yacht Danae, ofFecamps, with a crew of four who werehaving difficulty with the sails. A heli-copter was with her. The Danae's enginewas not giving enough power for steerageway so the life-boat towed her to Ports-mouth and returned to her station at 1.20p.m.

Ramsgate, Kent. At 7.50 p.m. on2ist August, 1965, a local yacht club toldthe honorary secretary that three yachtswere missing in a race. One was thoughtto be dismasted five miles inside the NorthGoodwin lightvessel. The life-boatMichael and Lily Davis put out at 8.5 in amoderate south-westerly breeze and arough sea. It was high water. The life-boat found the yacht Sweet Reasondismasted near Broadstairs with a crew offour on board. The yacht was taken intow and as the other two yachts hadbeen accounted for, the life-boat returnedto her station, arriving at 9.55 p.m.

YACHT TOWED IN

Eastbourne, Sussex. At 3.6 p.m. on2 ist August, 1965, a yacht was seenburning flares south of the life-boathouse. The life-boat Beryl Tollemachewas launched at 3.20 in a south-westerlygale and a very rough sea. The tide wasflooding. She found the schooner Garlandof Cowes, with a crew of two, brokendown seven and a half miles east by southof Beachy Head. The schooner was takenin tow to Newhaven and the life-boatreached her station at 9.30 p.m.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 6.52p.m. on 24th August, 1965, it was learntthat the Nab pilot cutter was trying to towa dismasted yacht. The assistance of thelife-boat was requested. There was afresh west-south-westerly breeze, a chop-py sea and the tide was flooding. Thelife-boat Jesse Lumb was launched at

7.5 and fifteen minutes later the cox-swain reported that the pilot cutter wasclosing the shore for the life-boat to takethe yacht in tow. The crew of the yachtMark Twain of Gosport, a man and twoboys, were aboard the cutter and weretransferred to the life-boat which thentook the Mark Twain in tow to St. Helen'squay. The life-boat reached her stationat 9.30 p.m.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk. At 7.49 a.m. on25th August, 1965, the honorary secre-tary was told by the coastguard that aGerman ship had reported the auxiliaryyacht Tarbaby was in distress fifteenmiles north-east of the Sunk lightvessel.At 8.20 the life-boat The Alfred andPatience Gottwald was launched. A galewas blowing from the west-north-west,the sea was rough and the tide wasflooding. After a search the life-boat foundthe yacht broken down eight miles east-south-east of the Shipwash lightvessel.The crew of two and their two childrenwere rescued and the Tarbaby towed toHarwich. The life-boat returned to Aide-burgh at 7.55 p.m. The owner of theTarbaby made a gift to the life-boat crew.

OVERDUE

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 2.47a.m. on 26th August, 1965, the 28-footfishing cruiser Gay Buccaneer was re-ported overdue on a passage from South-end to Wallasey Bay. Further inquirieswere made and as there was no trace ofthe Gay Buccaneer the life-boat GreaterLondon II (Civil Service No. 30) waslaunched at 3.15 in a moderate to freshnorth-westerly breeze and correspondingsea. It was two hours after high water.

The life-boat went down the Maplinfiring parachute flares at intervals andafter entering the Whittaker Channelfound the Gay Buccaneer, with a crew oftwo, high and dry one mile west of theWhittaker beacon. A tow line wasconnected and when there was sufficientwater she was pulled clear, taken in towto Wallasey Bay and moored alongsidepontoon at Creeksea. The Gay Buccaneer'sengine had broken down. The life-boatreached her station at 1.30 p.m.

Dover, Kent. At 12.43 a.m. on 28thAugust, 1965, the Folkestone coastguardreported that the master of the tugCruiser of Liverpool was very ill andrequired a doctor. The life-boat SouthernAfrica put out at 1.17 with a doctor onboard in a moderate south-south-westerlybreeze and a choppy sea. It was half anhour after high water. The life-boat cameup with the tug three miles east of theNorth Goodwin light-vessel. Her masterwas transferred to the life-boat whichlanded him at Dover at 7 a.m. He wasconveyed to hospital by ambulance.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. At 5 p.m.on 29th August, 1965, the acting secondcoxswain heard a distress message beingpassed to Niton radio station from theyacht Dream of Holland saying that acapsized dinghy with two people clingingto her was drifting towards the ShingleBank near the Needles. The life-boat TheEarl and Countess Howe set out at 5.10 hia strong south-westerly wind and amoderate to rough sea. The tide wasebbing. The life-boat found the sailing

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By courtesy of\Rescued from Scroby sandbank after a dramatic midnightsearch in a gale by Gorleston life-boat, Mr. Harry Dickie (right)

prepares to step ashore.

[Eastern Daily Prea

dinghy Imp about a mile and half northof the Needles lighthouse. Her crewcould not be seen and a search wascarried out with the co-operation of ahelicopter but nothing was found. Thelife-boat returned to her station with theImp in tow, arriving at 8.20 p.m.

COMBINED OPERATION

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston,Norfolk. At 4.45 p.m. on 29th August,1965, the coastguard reported that a speedboat was in difficulties on Scroby Sands.At 4.48 the IRB launched in a moderategusting to fresh west-by-south breezeand smooth sea. The tide was ebbing.At 4.50 the life-boat Louise Stephenslaunched in support. The IRB came upwith the speed boat Sabre whose crew ofthree were trying to wade to safety withtheir dog. They were taken on board theinshore rescue boat, with their dog, andthe speed boat was taken in tow to the

500

life-boat where the tow was handedover. One of the speed boat's crew had ahand injury and was transferred to thelife-boat. The IRB returned to herstation at 6.16 p.m. The life-boatreturned at 6.20 p.m.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 4.27a.m. on 3Oth August, 1965, the Nor-wegian motor vessel Helene was reportedto have a motor yacht in tow, and to haveasked to be relieved of the tow at theNab. The coastguard was not successfulin finding a suitable boat to take over thetowage, so at 5.33 it was decided tolaunch the life-boat Jesse Lumb. The life-boat set out in light westerly airs and aslight sea and took over the towing of themotor vessel Josephine off the Nab tower.She arrived off the Camber, Portsmouth,at 6.59 when the yacht's engines, whichhad broken down, were restarted and shecast off the towing line. The life-boatreturned to her station at 7.20 a.m.

Newhaven, Sussex. At 12.14 p.m. on29th August, 1965, a trawler was seenburning flares a quarter of a mile south ofthe Martello tower. There was a moderatesouth-westerly breeze with a corre-sponding sea. The tide was flooding. Thelife-boat Kathleen Mary launched at12.20 and took the trawler Barbie Ann intow to Newhaven arriving back at herstation at 1.35 p.m.

CHANNEL ISLANDSSt. Peter Port, Guernsey. At i a.m.

on 25th August, 1965, the signal stationtold the honorary secretary that a redflare had been seen off the east coast ofHerm Island and at i.u the life-boatEuphrosyne Kendal put to sea. There wasa strong north-westerly wind, the sea wasrough and the tide flooding. The life-boat made a search and found the yachtMonie, bound from Salcombe to Guern-sey, a quarter of a mile south-east ofRoustel beacon with a crew of five. Herjibsheet had fouled her propeller and shewas lying at anchor in a dangerousposition. The life-boat towed the Monieto harbour and returned to her station at2.17 a.m.

SOUTH-WESTERN DISTRICTTorbay, South Devon. At 8.40 p.m.

on ist August, 1965, the police atPaignton told the second coxswain of thelife-boat that a boy had fallen over thecliff at Three Beaches. The life-boatPrincess Alexandra of Kent slipped hermoorings at ten o'clock, taking with her asmall boat. There was a light south-south-westerly breeze and a slight sea. It washigh water. After firing parachute flaresthe coxswain sent in the small boat. Itwas found that the police and ambulancemen had already strapped the boy to astretcher. He was unconscious and had asuspected fracture of his skull. He wastaken out to the life-boat and landed atPaignton harbour, where an ambulanceconveyed him to hospital.

St. Mary's, Scilly Islands. At 10 p.m.on 2nd August, 1965, the motor yachtQueen of the Isles reported that a yachtwas sinking three miles east of Mena-wethan. Fifteen minutes later the life-

boat Cunard, on temporary duty at thestation, was launched in a moderate south-westerly breeze and a rough sea. It washigh water. The Queen of the Isles stayedwith the sinking yacht Sea Ranger untilthe life-boat arrived, then the Sea Rangerwas taken in tow. Her owner and twomembers of the life-boat crew were onboard. The life-boat reached St. Mary'sat 12.30 a.m. The Sea Ranger had left St.Ives the previous evening on passage toScilly, but because of head winds herowner found she could not make theIslands before dark and decided to waituntil morning. In the early hours hefound the yacht was making water but hewas able to keep the water under controlby baling.

TWO LIFE-BOAT MEN INJURED

Falmouth, Cornwall. At 11.53 p.m.on 7th August, 1965, the coastguardreported that a speed boat with threepeople on board was missing. The boathad last been seen twelve miles south ofFalmouth. At 12.40 a.m. on the 8thAugust the life-boat Cecil and LilianPhilpott, on temporary duty at the station,slipped her moorings in light northerlyairs and a calm sea. The tide was flooding.A faint red light was seen near the 2 Dbuoy and two parachute flares were usedto light up the position. During thefiring of the second flare two members ofthe life-boat crew were slightly injured.The speed boat was sighted and the life-boat went alongside and rescued threeboys. With the speed boat in tow the life-boat returned to Falmouth, arranging foran ambulance to meet her so that theinjured life-boat crew members could betaken to hospital for treatment. The life-boat reached her moorings at 2.30 a.m.

Plymouth, South Devon. At 7.30p.m. on I2th August, 1965, the police atPlympton reported that a man at Wem-bury Point had seen a small yacht capsizeoff Gara Point. At 7.47 the life-boatLloyds, on temporary duty at the station,proceeded in a fresh south-easterly breeze.It was half-an-hour after high water. Shefound the yacht Popsy of Plymouth withno one aboard and carried out a searchfor her crew of three until it was learnt

501

that they had been rescued by a motorlaunch. The life-boat returned to herstation with the Popsy in tow arriving at9.50 p.m. The owner of the yacht madea donation to RNLI funds and a gift to thelife-boat crew.

Falmouth, Cornwall. At 8.18 p.m.on i2th August, 1965, the police saidthat a small yacht, Tamar, requiredassistance off Swanpool Beach. Herengine had broken down. The life-boatCecil and Lilian Philpott, on temporaryduty at the station, left her moorings at8.30. The weather was good with a lighteasterly breeze and a moderate sea. At8.59 the life-boat took the yacht in towwith two people on board, and returnedto her moorings at 10.30 p.m.

Fowey, Cornwall. At 10.13 P-m- °n

I5th August, 1965, news came that a manand a boy were cut off by the tide on thewest side of Lansallos beach. The life-saving apparatus team were on their wayand the assistance of the life-boat wasrequested. At 10.20 the life-boat DeneysReitz put out in a light northerly breezeand a choppy sea, taking the boardingboat. It was almost two hours after highwater. The man and his nine-year-old sonwere taken off the rocks by using theboarding boat and were transferred to thelife-boat, which landed them at Polruanin Fowey harbour at 11.59 p.m.

Ilfracombe, North Devon. At 12.30p.m. on 20th August, 1965, a speed boatwas observed broken down with three menon board off Morte Point. Distress flareshad been fired and at 12.52 the life-boatRobert and Phemia Brown was launched ina moderate west-north-westerly wind anda choppy sea. The tide was ebbing. Ahelicopter was also called and rescuedtwo men, then the boat with her owner onboard was towed by the life-boat toIlfracombe, arriving at 2.10 p.m. Theowner made a gift to the life-boat crew.

CLIFF FATALITY

Weymouth, Dorset. At 1.45 p.m. on29th August, 1965, the coastguard atWyke Regis told the honorary secretarythat a girl had fallen over the cliffs atWhite Nothe and appeared to be seriously

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injured. There was a moderate west-north-westerly breeze, a slight sea, and itwas low water. The life-boat FrankSpiller Locke put out with a doctor onboard and a small rowing boat in tow.When she arrived off White Nothe thedoctor and two members of the life-boatcrew went ashore. The girl was found tobe dead. Her body was taken to the life-boat and landed at Weymouth at 4.5 p.m.

Salcombe, South Devon. At 8.50p.m. on 29th August, 1965, it was learntthat the lighthouse keeper at Start Pointhad reported a small yacht was burningflares at Peartree Point. The life-boatThe Baltic Exchange left her moorings at8.59 in a gentle west-north-westerlybreeze and a smooth sea. It was highwater. At 9.32 a report was received thatthe yacht Sirocco of Cremyll had beentaken in tow by a fishing boat. The life-boat escorted both boats to Salcombe,arriving at 11.20 p.m.

FISHING BOAT TOWED IN

At 7.35 p.m. on 3ist August, 1965, thePrawle Point coastguard reported that thecrew of two of a small boat half a milesouth-west of Start Point were wavingclothing and that the boat appeared to bedrifting. At 7.46 the life-boat The BalticExchange put to sea. There was a lightnorth-westerly wind, the sea was calm andthe tide was flooding. The inshore fishingboat Lady Ursula, of Dartmouth, wasfound with engine trouble. The life-boat towed her to Salcombe and returnedto her station at 10.45 P-m- One of theoccupants of the Lady Ursula made a do-nation to RNLI funds.

Penlee, Cornwall. At 10 p.m. on27th August, 1965, the honorary secretarytold the coxswain that a vessel was makingMounts Bay with a sick stewardess onboard who required medical treatmentArrangements were made for the life-boat Solomon Browne to meet the vesselfour miles south of Penzance at 5.30 a.m.on the 28th. The life-boat was launchedat 4.50 and arrived alongside the motorvessel Cavallo of Hull. There was a lightsouth-westerly breeze and a smooth sea.

The stewardess was transferred andlanded at Newlyn at 6.30 a.m. and thelife-boat returned to her station.

INJURED MAN ON TANKER

Penlee, Cornwall. At midnight on28th August, 1965, the honorary secretarynotified the coxswain that the tankerVerconella was making for Mounts Baywith a badly injured man on board.Arrangements were made for the life-boat Solomon Browne to meet the tankerat 7.30 a.m. on the 29th with a doctor.She launched and met the Verconellafour miles south of Penzance. The injuredman was transferred and landed at New-lyn at 9.50. The life-boat reached herstation at 10.30 a.m.

WALES

New Quay, Cardiganshire. At 10.7p.m. on 4th August, 1965, the coastguardtold the honorary secretary that theAberdovey IRB had launched and that

the Aberystwyth IRB was about to launchto search for several yachts which weremissing and believed to be in trouble. Theannual yacht race from Pwllheli to NewQuay had started at 9 a.m. that day. Theweather had deteriorated suddenly andthe south-south-easterly wind had in-creased to gale force during the day andred flares had been sighted. The life-boatSt. Albans was launched at 10.40 p.m.There was a choppy sea and the tide wasflooding.

During the course of the night the life-boat, after a prolonged search, locatedtwo yachts and escorted one and towed theother to New Quay harbour. The follow-ing morning aircraft from R.N.A.S.Brawdy sighted a third yacht off Aberay-ron. The life-boat put to sea again andtowed this yacht into harbour, arriving at10.5 a.m. on the 5th August. A total of 10people were aboard the three yachts. Thelife-boat remained at anchor in the har-bour for the rest of the day as the NewQuay regatta was in progress.

By courtesy of] [Western Morning News

The Duke of Edinburgh chatting with the life-boat crew when hevisited Plymouth on 22nd July.

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Porthdinllaen,Caernar vonshire. At4.33 p.m. on 5th August, 1965, thehonorary secretary heard that a smallboat had been reported in difficulties in asouth-westerly gale and a rough sea, aboutone mile north-east of Trevor. The tidewas ebbing. The life-boat Charles HenryAshley was launched at 5.5 and foundthe dinghy with three people on boardtrying to make for Trevor with an out-board engine. The life-boat escorted thedinghy until her outboard engine failedand then towed her into Trevor. The life-boat returned to her station at 8 p.m. Agift was made to the life-boat crew and adonation to RNLI funds.

IRB's ALSO LAUNCHED

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At6.45 p.m. on loth August, 1965, newscame that a cafe owner at Fontigary Bayhad reported a number of children weretrapped on the rocks on a rising tide. Thelife-boat Rachel and Mary Evans waslaunched at 7.7 just before high water.There was a light south-westerly breezeand a slight sea. The IRBs at AtlanticCollege were also launched. On reachingthe position it was found that the childrenwere not in danger although it was highwater, and the life-boat stood by until theywere safely ashore, returning to herstation at 8.35 p.m.

OFF WHISTLING SANDS

At 5.25 p.m. on 28th August, 1965, thecoastguard reported a motor boat indifficulties off Whistling Sands. Therewas a moderate to fresh south-westerlybreeze, a corresponding sea, and it waslow water. The life-boat Charles HenryAshley was launched at 5.43 and onreaching the position found the motorboat Philante with her engine brokendown. There were two people on board.The Philante was towed to Nefyn,arriving at 8 o'clock. The life-boat reachedher station at 8.45 p.m.

Rhyl, Flintshire. At 2.26 p.m. on18th August, 1965, the Prestatyn policereported that two youths were in diffi-culties in a dinghy off Central beach,Prestatyn, and at 2.38 the life-boatAnthony Robert Marshall was launched ina strong south-westerly breeze, moderatesea and high tide. A helicopter co-opera-ted in the search. The life-boat foundthe dinghy, empty, three-quarters of amiles north-east of Prestatyn. The youthshad swum ashore. The life-boat towed thedinghy to Rhyl and returned to her stationat 4.34 p.m.

On the 3ist August, 1965, the life-boatLucy Lavers, on temporary duty at thestation, rescued the crew of two of theyacht Taka-Maru of Rhyl. A full accountof this service will appear in the Marchnumber of THE LIFE-BOAT.

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BOYS STRANDED

At7p.m.on27thAugust,i965,thepolicereported a boy was stranded on SullyIsland. The life-boat Rachel and MaryEvans was launched at 7.15 and took asmall boat in tow. There was a lightwesterly breeze, a smooth sea and it wastwo and a half hours before high water.While at sea it was learnt that three boyswere also stranded at St. Mary Well bayon top of a rock and the life-boat pickedup all four boys and returned to thestation, arriving at 9.29 p.m.

Barmouth, Merionethshire. At12.22 p.m. on I3th August, 1965, two redflares were fired from a motor boat aboutone mile north of Llwyngwril. The life-boat The Chieftain was launched at 12.30in a fresh to strong easterly wind and achoppy sea. The tide was ebbing. Shefound the local fishing boat VioletSinclair with her engine broken down. Acrew of four were aboard. The VioletSinclair was taken in tow, arriving atBarmouth at 2.30 p.m. A gift was made tothe life-boat crew by the owner.

MOTOR LAUNCH SANK

At 3.5 p.m. on 29th August, 1965, thehonorary secretary learnt that a motorlaunch which had gone out across the barin heavy weather to attempt to salvage acapsized sailing boat had sprung a leak.The sailing boat's crew of two had been

rescued. At 3.15 the life-boat The Chief-tain was launched. There was a strong togale force westerly wind and a very roughsea. It was one hour before low water.The life-boat found the motor launchKingfish three miles west of Barmouth ina sinking condition. Her three occupantswere taken on board. Shortly afterwardsthe Kingfish sank and the life-boatreturned to her station at 4.30. Because ofthe state of the tide she could not berehoused until 8.30 p.m. A helicopter wasalso airborne.

ENGINEER INJURED

St. David's, Pembrokeshire. At 10.55a.m. on igth August, 1965, news camethat the motor vessel Richmond Castle hadan injured man on board and had re-quested medical help. Her position atone o'clock would be eleven miles north-west of St. David's Head. The life-boatJoseph Soar (Civil Service No. 34) waslaunched with a doctor on board at 11.20,in a light westerly wind and a slight sea.The tide was flooding. The life-boatcame up with the Richmond Castle at 12.30and the doctor was put aboard, followedby the coxswain. The injured man, ajunior engineer officer, had head injuriesand was unconscious. He was lowered ona stretcher into the life-boat, whichreached St. David's at 2 p.m. The manwas then conveyed to hospital by heli-copter.

TOO LIGHTLY CLAD

Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. At 10.30p.m. on 2yth August, 1965, the coast-guard reported that a small fibreglassoutboard motor dinghy had left theWarren caravan camp at 2 p.m. with fourpeople on board to fish off the St. Tud-wells islands and had not returned. Thetwo young men and two girls aboard wereonly lightly clad and as the weather haddeteriorated the life-boat Katherine andVirgoe Buckland was launched at 10.45.

The life-boat passed between the twoislands and occasionally fired parachuteflares to light up the area, but the boatwas not seen. She then went on to ForthCeriad and Cilan Head and to theapproach of Forth Neigwl without suc-

cess. When returning the light of a para-chute flare revealed some figures on theEast Island. On approaching it was foundthey were the four missing people. Theywere taken aboard the life-boat, wrappedin blankets and given hot drinks. Thelife-boat returned to her station at 4 a.m.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. At9.16 p.m. on 29th August, 1965, redrockets were seen, fired from a boat inOxwich Bay. At 9.30 the life-boat WilliamGammon - Manchester and District XXXwas launched in a moderate south-wester-ly wind and a moderate sea. It was highwater. The life-boat found the ketchArmorel of Ramsgate and learnt that adinghy with three members of the crewof the Armorel had left for the shore, buthad drifted out to sea. The men hadshouted that the dinghy was sinking.

The life-boat carried out a searchtogether with the Swansea pilot cutter andthe motor fishing vessel Katie Ann, butnothing was found. The life-boat thenreturned to the Amorel to try to persuadethe owner's wife and her two children tocome to Swansea, but she refused toleave the area until 4.55 a.m. when thelife-boat returned to her station withthe Amorel in tow, arriving at 6 a.m. Thelife-boat resumed the search with theIRB, the pilot cutter and a helicopter, butfound nothing and finally reached herstation at 11.30 a.m.

The relatives of one of the men whodied gave donations to the RNLI insteadof buying flowers to his memory.

Criccieth, Caernarvonshire. At 1.50p.m. on 3Oth August, 1965, the police atPortmadoc told the honorary secretarythat a sailing dinghy in difficulties atPortmadoc estuary was being swept outto sea on the ebb tide. The coastguardconfirmed the report a few minutes laterand said a helicopter was being sent. Thelife-boat Robert Lindsay was launched at2.6 in a gentle south-westerly wind and arough sea. The helicopter reached thedinghy first and winched up the twooccupants. The life-boat on reaching theposition took the dinghy in tow andreached her station at 4 p.m.

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By courtesy of} [Evening Gazette, Blackpool

A survivor of the Dee Gypsy being broughtashore.

NORTH-WESTERN DISTRICT

New Brighton, Cheshire. At 11.45a.m. on ist August, 1965, the police toldthe bowman of the life-boat that a fishingvessel was in difficulties in the RockChannel. At 12.10 p.m. the life-boatNorman B. Corlett proceeded in a strongwest-north-westerly breeze and veryrough sea. It was high water. The life-boat found the fishing vessel, with theengines broken down, and took her crewof two on board. The fishing vessel wasthen towed to Alfred Dock. The Life-boatleft the dock at 1.20 and found a dinghydrifting with three men on board. Thedinghy and men were taken back to NewBrighton and landed at 1.55 p.m.

SUFFERING FROM EXPOSUREMoelfre, Anglesey. At 3.20 p.m. on

ist August, 1965, the coastguard reportedthat a yacht had been dismasted two milesnorth-east of Moelfre Island and at 3.27

the life-boat Watkin Williams was launch-ed with the second coxswain in command.The coxswain had put off earlier in theIRB to go to the help of a boat in DulasBay. The life-boat made for the yacht in astrong south-westerly wind, rough seaand ebbing tide. She rescued the yacht'screw of three, who were suffering fromexposure, and towed her to Benllech. Thelife-boat then returned to her station,arriving at 5.5 p.m. The Inspector ofLife-boats for the North-West accom-panied the life-boat crew on this service.

New Brighton, Cheshire. At 6.35p.m. on 24th August, 1965, the coast-guard reported that a dinghy in the RockChannel near R.4 buoy needed help andat 6.50 the life-boat Norman B. Corlettput to sea. A strong gale was blowing fromthe north-west, the sea was very roughand the tide ebbing. The life-boat foundthat the dinghy had beached off HarrisonDrive and that her crew were safe, but thecoastguard then asked if the life-boatwould search the sea and make sure thatno other boats needed help. The Hoylakelife-boat had been launched to a yachtreported to be in distress in the river Dee,but the life-boat was damaged during thelaunching operations so the New Brightonlife-boat made a search. The yacht waslater stated to be at Mostyn so the NewBrighton life-boat accompanied her to asafe position off Hoylake and thenreturned to New Brighton, arriving ati.30 a.m. on the 25th.

IRB TRANSFERRED CREW

Blackpool, Lancashire. At 12.40 a.m.on 28th August, 1965, the police told thehonorary secretary that a small yacht wasfiring distress flares approximately \ mileoffshore near the South Pier. At oneo'clock the IRB launched in a moderatesouth-westerly breeze and choppy sea. Itwas high water. The life-boat MariaNoble launched at 1.15 in support of theIRB, which came up with the yacht DeeGypsy and transferred her two crew tothe life-boat. The yacht was taken in towby the life-boat. She returned to herstation at 2.10 a.m. The IRB returned at1.35 a.m.

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ISLE OF MAN

Ramsey, Isle of Man. At 8.56 p.m. on4th August, 1965, the coastguard told thehonorary secretary that a small yachtappeared to be in trouble about two milesnorth-east of Ramsey. At 9.6 the yachtwas reported to be making heavy weatherand was only about sixty yards off theshore. The life-boat Thomas Corbett waslaunched on an ebbing tide at 9.22 andfound the yacht in the position indicated.Despite a south-westerly gale force windand a very rough sea the life-boat wentclose in shore and was able to get a lineon board the yacht and to tow her intoRamsey harbour. There were three menon board. The life-boat returned to herstation at 10.10 p.m.

SCOTLAND

Mallaig, Inverness-shire. At 1.25a.m. on 2nd August, 1965, the policereported that a girl was missing on theisland of Eigg. At 1.45 the life-boatE. M. M. Gordon Cubbin proceeded in alight north-easterly breeze and a slightsea. It was low water. The life-boatcarried out a search along the shores ofthe island and surrounding sea areawithout success. Two helicopters assisted,also a mountain rescue team and a policedog team, who were taken to the island bythe life-boat.

The life-boat anchored on completionof her search and passed messages be-tween the helicopters and those searchingashore. The missing girl had fallen over acliff and was eventually found by ahelicopter. She was flown to a hospital atFort William. The life-boat took theshore party back to Mallaig, arriving at9.30 p.m.

EXHAUSTED BY ROWING

Whitehills, Banffshire. At 1.55 a.m.on 3rd August, 1965, the police reportedthat a flare had been seen off Banff. Thelife-boat Helen Wycherley launched at2.15 in a moderate north-easterly breezeand a corresponding sea. The tide wasflooding. After searching the area the life-boat found the small motor boat Pearl

with her engine broken down. Poorvisibility had made it difficult to find thePearl, and when located she was close inshore. Her sole occupant was exhaustedthrough rowing and he was taken onboard. The Pearl was then towed toBanff and the life-boat returned to herstation at 5 a.m.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. At6.30 a.m. on 6th August, 1965, a yawl wasreported stopped between Roseheartyand Sandhaven, apparently broken down.Her crew were waving an oilskin. Therewas a westerly wind of near gale force anda rough sea. It was two hours before highwater. The life-boat Thomas McCunn, ontemporary duty at the station, waslaunched at 7.2 and found the fishingyawl Dauntless Star with two men onboard. The yawl was taken in tow and thelife-boat reached her station at 7.55 a.m.

APPRECIATION RECEIVED

Aith, Shetlands. At 2.40 p.m. on I4thAugust, 1965, the local doctor was told bythe district nurse on the Island of Foulathat a patient was seriously ill. Herremoval to hospital was necessary and theassistance of the life-boat was requested.At 3.15 the life-boat Lady Jane andMartha Ryland, on temporary duty at thestation, put out in a moderate to freshsouth-easterly breeze and a rough sea.The tide was ebbing.

The approach to the small pier atFoula was difficult because of thewind, but the life-boat managed to goalongside at 7.35. The stretcher partyarrived with the patient and she was takenaboard. The fife-boat left at 7.55, arrivingat Aith at 12.20 a.m., where the patientwas transferred to an ambulance. The hos-pital authorities later reported thepatient's condition was satisfactory andconveyed their appreciation of the carefulmanner in which the life-boat crew hadcarried out their service.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire. At 7 a.m.on i8th August, 1965, a yacht was reportedashore at Sgeir Cailleach. At 7.15 the life-boat E. M. M. Gordon Cubbin waslaunched with the second coxswain in

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charge, in a south-westerly gale, choppysea and flooding tide. She took her board-ing boat with her and found the yachtAin Mara, of Belfast, high and dry with acrew of four. Three members of the life-boat crew manned the boarding boat,boarded the yacht, which had beendamaged on the waterline, and madetemporary repairs. The life-boat stood bywhile the Ain Mara refloated at highwater and towed her to Mallaig, arrivingat 3.30 p.m. The yachtsmen expressedtheir thanks to the life-boat crew.

DINGHY IN DANGER

At 3.30 p.m. on i8th August, 1965, assoon as the life-boat E. M. M. GordonCubbin reached the pier from the previousservice, a visitor reported to the motormechanic that a dinghy was in difficultiesin Loch Nevis. The life-boat went out atonce and found the dinghy with a young

man on board about 50 yards from asteep cliff face on the lee shore. Thedinghy's engine had broken down. Thelife-boat made a run alongside and a linewas thrown aboard which was grabbedby the young man. The dinghy was takenin tow to Mallaig and the life-boa^reached her station at 4.50 p.m.

Islay, Inner Hebrides. At 5.16 p.m.on 20th August, 1965, the honorarysecretary received a ship's telephone callfrom the master of the motor vesselLochard, who had seen flares being firedhalf a mile south-west of Chuirn Islandlight and had found a motor launch,Happy Return, high and dry on a reef onher beam ends, with two people on board.The Lochard was standing by. At 5.30the life-boat Francis W. Wotherspoon ofPaisley put out with the second coxswainin command. There was a strong south-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was twohours before high water.

By courtesy af\Lord Saltoun, a vice-president of the RNLI, congratulatesMr. W. A. P. Cormack, honorary secretary of the Peterheadlife-boat, on the occasion of the Centenary celebrations on

26th June

[People's Journal

508

The life-boat reached the position at7.10 and found the launch being poundedwith the rising tide. As the life-boat wasabout to close the casualty the launchslipped into deep water, into a positionalongside the life-boat. The launch wasmaking water in several places and wastaken in tow to Port Askaig. The crewhad been stranded since 10.30 a.m. andwere extremely cold and hungry. Thecrew saw to their welfare and thelife-boat reached her station at 7.45 p.m.

APPENDICITIS

Stronsay, Orkneys. At 4.50 p.m. on20th August, 1965, the honorary secretaryreceived a message from a doctor inPapa Westray that he had an acuteappendicitis case requiring immediatehospital treatment. As no other vessel wasavailable it was decided to send the life-boat to convey the patient to Kirkwall,andThe John Gellatly Hyndman set out at5.15 in a moderate to fresh south-westerlywind and a corresponding sea. It was highwater. The life-boat arrived at PapaWestray at 7 p.m. and returned with thepatient on board, reaching Kirkwall at10 p.m. The patient was taken to hospitalby ambulance and the life-boat reachedher station at 12.10 a.m.

THICK FOG

Longhope, Orkneys. At 6.35 a.m. on23rd August, 1965, a cargo vessel wasreported ashore on the west side ofMuckle Skerry. There were light norther-ly airs with a slight sea. A thick fogreduced visibility to about thirty yards. Itwas two hours before high water. Thelife-boat T.G.B. launched at 6.50 andmade good speed as the tide was settingto the south-east, towards the PentlandSkerries. At 7.55 the life-boat reachedthe vessel, the East German m.v.Kathe Niederkirchner of Rostock, whichwas aground on the north-west sideof Muckle Skerry. All the passengersand crew had gained the shore and weregrouped on the small lighthouse jetty.Forty-eight of the survivors were takenon board the life-boat and landed atSt. Margaret's Hope, Orkney, at 11.55a.m. The captain and boatswain remained

behind at the lighthouse. The life-boatarrived back at her station at 1.8 p.m.

BROKEN ANCHOR CHAIN

Girvan, Ayrshire. At 10 p.m. on 28thAugust, 1965, the honorary secretary wastold by a neighbour that a boat was show-ing distress signals to the north of Girvan.The life-boat Rosa Woodd and PhyllisLunn, on temporary duty at the station,put out at 10.27 in a moderate west-south-westerly wind, a rough sea, and aflooding tide. She found the motorcruiser Alert with a broken anchor chain500 yards north of the harbour, with acrew of six. The Alert was taken in towand the life-boat reached her station at11.15 P-m-

DECK CARGO OF TIMBER

SHIFTED ON DANISH SHIP

Lerwick, Shetlands. At 10.7 a.m. on31 st August, 1965, the coastguard reportedthat a Danish vessel had developed a veryheavy list and was in danger of sinkingtwelve miles east of Fetlar. The life-boatClaude Cecil Staniforth left her mooringsat 10.23 in a strong north-north-easterlywind and a rough sea. It was an hour anda half after low water.

An aircraft also took off to search andreported at 11.50 that it had sighted theDanish ship eleven and a half miles fromBaltasound light. The life-boat expectedto reach the position at 2 p.m. At 1.20 amessage was received that a Russian tugwas accompanying the cargo vessel,Brigitte Frellsen, which she later took intow. The life-boat reached the positionand found three trawlers and the Nor-wegian life-boat Haakon VII in atten-dance. The vessel's deck cargo of timberhad shifted and she was listing badly. At7.45 the Haakon VII took off nine of thecrew and the captain's wife and proceededto Lerwick, leaving the captain and matestill on board. The Lerwick life-boatescorted the listing ship and tug toLerwick harbour, which was reached at4.32 a.m. on the ist September.

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IRELAND

Newcastle, Co. Down. H.M.S. Plover,visiting Newcastle, was due to sail earlyon the fth August, 1965, for the Clyde.However, her commanding officer andforty ratings were stranded ashore as theliberty boat had grounded the previousevening. All attempts to refloat her at4 a.m. failed and at 5.30 a.m. a request wasmade for the help of the life-boat. As theservices of a private boat could not beobtained it was decided to launch the life-boat William and Laura at 8.45. Therewas a south-south-westerly wind of neargale force and a rough sea. She took theratings back to their ship and reached herstation at 10.30 a.m. The Royal Navyhave reimbursed the RNLI for the costof this launch.

Galway Bay. At 10.50 p.m. on i ithAugust, 1965, the local doctor asked foruse of the life-boat to take an elderly manto the mainland for hospital treatment. Asno other boat was available, the life-boatMabel Marion Thompson left her stationwith the patient on board at 11.50, in astrong south-easterly wind and a roughsea. It was low water. The man waslanded at Rossaveel and conveyed tohospital, and the life-boat returned to herstation at 4.30 a.m.

WOMAN TO HOSPITAL

At 12.30 p.m. on 2yth August, 1965,the local doctor requested the use of thelife-boat to take a woman patient toRossaveel on the mainland. As no

other suitable boat was available thelife-boat Mabel Marion Thompson putout at 1.15 in a strong south-westerlywind and a choppy sea. It was one hourafter low water. The patient and a nursewere landed at Rossaveel where an ambul-ance was waiting to take them to hospital,and the life-boat returned to her stationat 4.45 p.m.

TWO RESCUED

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. At 5.12p.m. on 18th August, 1965, the harbouroffice reported that a boat had capsizedbehind the west pier. The life-boatDunleary II went out at 5.20 in a gentlewesterly breeze and a choppy sea. The tidewas ebbing. The life-boat found that asailing dinghy had capsized. The twopeople aboard were rescued and thedinghy towed to the harbour. The life-boat reached her station at 5.45 p.m.

SEVEN CHILDREN ON BOARD

Ballycotton, Co. Cork. At i.oo p.m.on 24th August, 1965, a lo-foot fibre-glass dinghy left Ballycotton for GarryvoeStrand with a man and seven children onboard. The wind was then south-westforce 3, but ten minutes later it veered tothe north-west and became near galeforce. The boat was seen to be takingheavy seas on board. The life-boat crewwere assembled and the life-boat EthelMary put out on a flooding tide, reachingthe dinghy half a mile north-east of theharbour and escorting her to the Strand.The Life-boat reached her station at2.20 p.m.

NOTICE

All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretaryof the local branch or guild, or to Stirling Whorloio, Esq., Secretary, Royal NationalLife-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 of THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in MARCH, 1966.

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Inshore Rescue Boats on ServiceLaunches on service from 1st July to 3ist August, 1965, which resulted in the

rescue of people in difficulties are described in chronological order below.

Tynemouth, Northumberland. At5.25 p.m. on 2nd July, 1965, a smallmotor boat was seen to be in difficultieswith engine trouble just inside the har-bour mouth. At 5.32 the IRB launched ina gentle north-westerly breeze and slightsea. She found the motor boat had runout of petrol and had neither oars noranchor on board. Her occupant was usingpart of the floorboard as a paddle. TheIRB took the boat in tow to a safe mooringnear the life-boat house and returned toher station at 5.55 p.m.

Tramore, Co. Waterford. At 9.45p.m. on 4th July, 1965, it was learnedthat a fisherman was cut off by the floodingtide at Newtown Head. At 9.57 the IRBlaunched in a light westerly breeze andcalm sea. The IRB took the fisherman onboard and returned to her station, whichwas reached at 10.5 p.m.

Newquay, Cornwall. At 10.35 p.m.on 4th July, 1965, the honorary secretarywas told that one of two men beingpursued by the police had run into thesea at Crantock and was swimming to-wards West Pentere. At 10.40 the IRBlaunched in a moderate north-easterlybreeze and corresponding sea and came upwith the man, who was exhausted andclinging to the rocks at Viegga Cove. Hewas thrown a line and taken aboard theIRB, which returned to her station at11.25 p.m.

St. Ives, Cornwall. At 3.15 p.m. onyth July, 1965, a member of the IRBcrew was told that a motor skiff carryingtwo people was in difficulties half a milenorth of St. Ives Pier Head. At 3.15the IRB launched in a northerly breezeand came up with the motor skiff Rosslynwhose engine had broken down. Thecrew were taken on board the IRB andwith the skiff in tow she returned to herstation at 3.50 p.m.

Walmer, Kent. At approximately6.53 p.m. on 7th July, 1965, life-boatmenat the boathouse saw an overturneddinghy with her crew of two in the watera mile seawards off Deal pier. The IRBlaunched immediately, in a light north-westerly breeze and calm sea. She foundthe sailing dinghy had been righted, butwas unmanageable with mainsail troubleand was being driven seawards on theflood tide towards the Goodwin ForkBuoy. The IRB took the dinghy in towand returned to her station at 7.45 p.m.

Brighton, Sussex. At 4.7 p.m. on8th July, 1965, the life-guard for the eastsection of the beach told the beachsuperintendent's office that a boy on arubber mattress was drifting seawards offBlack Rock swimming pool and signallingfor help. At 4.10 the IRB launched in a

By courtesy of] [Newcastle Chronicle

Deer rescued by Tynemouth IRB. The servicewas reported on page 452 of our September

issue.

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north-westerly breeze and slight sea.The boy was taken to the IRB station,which was reached at 4.25, and transferredto the care of the St. John Ambulancefirst aid post.

Mudeford, Hampshire. At approxi-mately 1.50 p.m. on nth July, 1965, aboy saw a cabin cruiser capsize offHengistbury Head. He ran to the nearesttelephone at the Mudeford beach office,about half a mile away, and the IRB waslaunched immediately in a strong south-westerly breeze and rough sea. The tidewas ebbing. The IRB came up with thecabin cruiser Mouette II and foundthe crew of two had started to swim tothe shore. They were taken on board theIRB which returned to her station at 2.1p.m. One of the crew of Mouette II wasexhausted and suffering from shock andwas taken to the home of one of the mem-bers of the IRB crew and given a hot bathand dry clothes. A letter of appreciationwas sent to the boy for his action on thisoccasion.

Largs, Ayrshire. At 10.5 p.m. onJuly, 1965, the police reported that asmall dinghy with three persons on boardwas in difficulties a mile and a halfsouth-west of the South Bay. At 10.17the IRB launched in a strong easterlybreeze and corresponding sea. The IRBcame up with the dinghy and took hercrew on board. They were landed atCairnies quay and the IRB returned tothe dinghy and towed her ashore. TheIRB returned to her station at 11.25 P-m-

Walmer, Kent. At 4 p.m. on 2othJuly, 1965, the honorary secretary saw acatamaran capsize one mile offshore fromthe life-boathouse. At 4.10 p.m. the IRBlaunched in a southerly breeze andcorresponding sea. The catamaran, whosecrew of two were exhausted after strug-gling to right her, had drifted two miles.The IRB took the catamaran in tow andreturned to her station at 5.20 p.m.

Newquay, Cornwall. At 12.20 on2ist July, 1965, the honorary secretarylearnt that a man had fallen down the

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cliffs between Treyarnon and Porthcothan.At 12.25 the IRB launched in lightvariable airs and slight sea. The man wastaken on board the IRB and landed atTreyarnon where he was transferred toa waiting ambulance. The IRB returnedto her station at 2 o'clock. A helicopterwas airborne on this occasion.

Brighton, Sussex. At 3 p.m. on 24thJuly, 1965, whilst the station was beingvisited by the Station Officer, H.M.Coastguard, Newhaven, a catamaran wasseen to be in difficulties off the PalacePier. At 3.10 the IRB launched in astrong south-westerly breeze and corre-sponding sea. She came up with thedismasted catamaran Thunderball., whichhad two persons on board, and took it intow. The IRB returned to her station at3-35 P.m.

Worthing, Sussex. At approximately3.15 p.m. on 25th July, 1965, the coast-guard reported that a sailing dinghy hadcapsized one mile off Lancing. At 3.25the IRB launched in a strong gusting tonear gale force south-westerly wind andrough sea. The tide was flooding. TheIRB came up with the dinghy and em-barked the crew of two, returning to herstation at 4.10 p.m. A helicopter was air-borne on this occasion.

Southwold, Suffolk. At 1.50 p.m. on25th July, 1965, the coastguard reportedthat a sailing dinghy had capsized onemile off Southwold. At 1.55 the IRBlaunched in a moderate gusting to freshsouth-westerly breeze and came up withthe sailing dinghy Davento, whose crewof two were embarked. The dinghy wasthen righted and towed to the beachwhere one member of her crew waslanded. The remaining crew member wastaken to the Southwold Sailing Club andthe IRB returned to her station at 2.20p.m.

Eastney, Hampshire. At 2.50 p.m.on 25th July, 1965, the honorary secretarylearnt that a yacht had capsized threemiles south-west of the station. At 3o'clock the IRB launched in a moderategusting to fresh south-westerly breeze

By courtesy of] [Syndication International

Mr. Roy Mason, Minister of State (Shipping),prepared for a cruise in Blackpool's IRB. Hewent out one morning early, during the LabourConference, and later spoke enthusiastically of

the boat's efficiency.

and rough sea and came up with thesailing dinghy which had been rightedand was under tow. No further assistancewas required.

On returning to the shore the crew ofthe IRB were told another yacht hadcapsized. They went out and renderedassistance.

Returning to the shore for the secondtime the crew were told that a thirdyacht was in difficulties, three milesfrom the station. They came up with theyacht Saturn, one of whose crew was inthe water. He was taken aboard the IRBwhich then assisted the second crewmember, who was being towed along bythe yacht. The yacht was soon overhauledby the IRB and her crew of two weresafely returned to her. With the yacht intow the IRB returned to her station at3.48 p.m.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 8 p.m.on 25th July, 1965, the coxswain told thehonorary secretary that a yacht appearedto be in difficulties off Lane End shore. At8.9 the IRB launched in a fresh south-westerly breeze and rough sea. It was highwater. The IRB came up with the yachtand found one person on board. Theyacht was taken in tow. The IRB returnedto her station at 9.3$ p.m.

Whitstable, Kent. At 12.37 P-m- on

28th July, 1965, the police told the honor-ary secretary that a small dinghy with oneperson on board was in difficulties twoand a half miles north-east of the station.Three other youths who had rowed out toassist were unable to row back with thecasualty. A small motor boat with oneperson on board had also put out to help,and had run out of petrol. At 12.42 theIRB launched in a fresh south-westerlybreeze and choppy sea. The tide wasflooding. The IRB embarked the fivepeople and brought them to the beach.The three boats were then towed ashoreand the IRB returned to her station ati p.m.

While the honorary secretary wascompleting his records of the aboveservice his attention was drawn to a smallyacht with three youths on board, indifficulties half a mile off shore. At 1.13p.m. the IRB launched and took the threeyouths on board, and towed the smallyacht to the beach. Then, while thehonorary secretary was talking to thecrew, two children put to sea in a puntand were soon in difficulties in thewind and sea conditions. The IRB tookthe two children, who were frightened, onboard. The punt was taken ashore abouthalf a mile further west along the beach,where the children were landed. The IRBreturned to her station at 1.50 p.m.

Poole, Dorset. At approximately 7.45p.m. on 28th July, 1965, the InstructorPetty Officer, Parkstone Sea Cadets,reported to the honorary secretary that asailing craft with four cadets on boardwas in difficulties a quarter of a mile southof the station. The IRB launched immedi-ately in a strong gusting to near gale

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force south-westerly wind and roughsea. The tide was flooding. The sailingboat's mast had been brought down whenthe mainstay had broken. The IRB towedher to her moorings and four cadets werethen landed at the life-boat station. TheIRB returned to her station at 8.15 p.m.

Tynemouth, Northumberland. At8.40 a.m. on 3ist July, 1965, a smallmotor boat seen drifting rapidly out tosea with its engine out of action. At 8.48a.m. the IRB launched in a moderatewest by south breeze and smooth sea andcame up with the motor boat Ossie, withtwo persons on board, a mile and a halfeast of the station. The boat was taken intow to South Shields and the IRB return-ed to her station at 9.40 a.m.

Tynemouth, Northumberland. Atapproximately 2.40 p.m. on 3ist July,1965, the coastguard reported that asailing dinghy had capsized in the estuary.The honorary secretary could see fromhis home that the dinghy's crew of threewere in the water, unable to get the sailsdown or get aboard. At 2.49 the IRBlaunched in a moderate gusting to freshsouth-westerly breeze and choppy sea.The tide was flooding. The sailingdinghy was caught by another squall andwas driven on the North Pier Rocks. TheIRB crew helped to get the boat off therocks and towed her to South Shieldsbeach. The IRB returned to her station at3.15 p.m.

Walmer, Kent. At approximately12.50 p.m. on ist August, 1965, life-boatmen at the boathouse saw a rowing boatwith two people on board in difficultiesin heavy seas about two miles east of thestation. The rowing boat's crew of twowere signalling for assistance. The IRBlaunched at once in a moderate gusting tostrong south-westerly breeze and choppysea. She took the boat in tow and returnedto her station at 2 p.m.

Moelfre, Anglesey. At 1.20 p.m. onist August, 1965, a motor boat whoseengine had broken down was seen driftingout to sea. At i .25 the IRB launched in astrong south-westerly breeze and roughsea. The tide was flooding. The IRB found

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the motor boat Madig with a crew of threewho were embarked. The motor boat wastowed to the beach and the IRB returnedto her station at 2.15 p.m.

Tynemouth, Northumberland. At3.40 p.m. on ist August, 1965, the sailingclub's rescue boat was seen being blownout to sea. At 3.44 the IRB launched in amoderate gusting to fresh south-westerlybreeze and choppy sea. She took the boatin tow to the beach, where the IRB crewwere told that there were still three sailingdinghies at sea. The IRB went out again,met the dinghies off Cullercoats andescorted them to Tynemouth. On re-turning to the station the crew were toldthat another dinghy was in difficulties offSouth Shields pier. The IRB found thedinghy with her crew of two trying tokeep her clear of the rocks. With greatdifficulty the dinghy was towed clear andtaken to Tynemouth Haven. The IRBreturned to her station at 5.35 p.m.

Moelfre, Anglesey. At approximately3.35 p.m. on 2nd August, 1965, membersof the life-boat crew saw a distress signal5 miles east-south-east of the boathouse.At 3.35 the IRB launched in a strongsouth-westerly breeze and a rough sea.The tide was ebbing. The IRB found arowing boat which was sinking withfive people on board. The boat wastowed to Moelfre and the IRB returned toher station at 4.50 p.m. The rescued per-sons made a donation to RNLI funds.

Broughty Ferry, Angus. At approxi-mately 6.35 p.m. on 4th August, 1965,the coxswain saw a yacht with two peopleon board capsize one mile south-west ofthe station. Her crew tried twice to righther, but were unsuccessful. At 6.40 theIRB launched in a moderate south-westerly breeze with squalls. The sea wasmoderate and the tide ebbing. The IRBfound the crew of the yacht Shali-Marstill in the water. They were taken onboard the IRB and the yacht lashedalongside. The IRB then proceeded tothe Royal Tay Yacht Club and afterlanding the yacht's crew returned to herstation, which was reached at 7 p.m. Theowner of the Shali-Mar made a donationto RNLI funds.

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET148 life-boats 48 inshore rescue boats

LIVES RESCUED 86,372from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 31st August, 1965

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. At 1.12p.m. on 5th August, 1965, the coastguardtold the honorary secretary that a motorboat had broken down, towing a capsizedskiff alongside, two miles south of thestation. At 1.14 the IRB launched in amoderate south-westerly breeze and chop-py sea. She found the motor boat Sea Elfwith two people on board and towed herto the beach. The report of the skiffproved to be unfounded and the IRBreturned to her station at 1.36 p.m.

Moelfre, Anglesey. At 5.40 p.m. on6th August, 1965, the coastguard reportedthat a rowing boat with six people onboard was being blown out to sea. At5.45 the IRB launched in a near south-westerly gale and rough sea. The tide wasflooding. The rowing boat was taken intow, and the IRB returned to her stationat 6.20 p.m.

Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. At12.42 p.m. on 8th August, 1965, thepolice told the honorary secretary that ayouth had fallen over the cliffs betweenAberystwyth and Clarach. At 12.50 theIRB launched in a light breeze and calmsea. It was low water. The IRB broughtthe casualty to Aberystwyth where he wastransferred to a waiting ambulance andtaken to hospital. The IRB returned to herstation at i.io p.m.

Wells, Norfolk. At 4.43 p.m. on 8thAugust, 1965, while the IRB was onexercise in a moderate easterly breeze andebbing tide, the mechanic saw a dinghycapsize in the rough seas on the bar.The dinghy's crew of two were in thewater. The IRB took them aboard andreturned to her station with the dinghy intow. The exercise and rescue werecompleted at 6.10 p.m.

Tramore, Co. Waterford. At 6.10p.m. onSthAugust, 1965, a member of theIRB crew was notified that a speedboat was overdue. The IRB was at oncelaunched, in a gentle easterly breeze andcalm sea. While searching for the speedboat the IRB met the Tramore sea rescuelaunch. One of the crew of three on therescue launch was transferred to the IRBto help with the engine and one crewmember from the IRB was put aboard thelaunch. Both boats then searched thearea and at about 7 o'clock the speed boat,with two people on board, was foundunder Brownstown Head. The rescuelaunch took one person on board whilstthe IRB embarked the second and tookthe speed boat in tow. The IRB returnedto her station at 8.15 p.m.

Walmer, Kent. At 6.25 p.m. on 8thAugust, 1965, the coastguard told thehonorary secretary that a shore boat,which had been alerted to go to the assis-tance of a small boat with two people onboard - the outboard engine had brokendown - had proceeded in the wrongdirection. At 6.35 the IRB launched inlight south-westerly airs and a smooth tochoppy sea. The tide was flooding. TheIRB took aboard the two people from thesmall boat who were exhausted afterusing the oars as paddles. The onlyrowlock in the boat was broken. With thesmall boat in tow the IRB returned to herstation at 8 p.m.

Newquay, Cornwall. At approxi-mately 12.13 P-m- on I2t;h August, 1965,the honorary secretary learnt that a smallcraft had broken down about three-quarters of a mile north of the station andthat one of her crew had jumped over theside. At 12.36 the IRB launched in afresh south-south-easterly breeze and

515

moderate sea. It was low water. The IRBfound a catamaran with two people onboard drifting towards Cribba reef. A linewas passed to the catamaran and it wastowed to the harbour mouth and beached.The crew member who had jumped overthe side had swum safely ashore. The IRBreturned to her station at 1.14 p.m.

Newquay, Cornwall. At 12.11 p.m.on 13th August, 1965, while the IRB wasco-operating with the Padstow life-boaton Newquay life-boat day, the crew saw adinghy in difficulties drifting towards theTowan Headland and Cribba reef. Therewas a strong south-east by easterly breezegusting to near gale force and moderatesea. It was low water. The IRB towedthe dinghy and crew of two to Newquayharbour, returning to her station at 12.31p.m.

Blackpool, Lancashire. At 6.10 p.m.on 13th August, 1965, the police notifiedthe honorary secretary that a boy was indifficulties in a small canoe south ofcentral pier. The IRB was at once laun-ched in a moderate east-south-easterlybreeze and choppy sea. She came up withthe canoe and found the boy did not haveenough strength to paddle against thewind and the tide. The IRB brought theboy and the canoe ashore and returned toher station at 6.45 p.m.

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. At 11.10a.m. on I5th August, 1965, a bather wasreported in difficulties half a mile southof the station. At 11.13 the IRB launchedin a slight sea and took the bather onboard, returning with him to her stationat 11.28 a.m. He was transferred to awaiting ambulance.

Kinghorn, Fife. At approximately 8p.m. on igth August, 1965, a yacht wasseen to capsize half a mile south-west ofthe station. At 8.2 the IRB launched in agentle westerly breeze and correspondingsea. She came up with the yacht and tookthe crew of four on board. After landingthem the IRB returned to the yacht andtowed it ashore, returning to her station at8.35 p.m.

516

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. At 3.3p.m. on 20th August, 1965, a member ofthe public told the honorary secretarythat a boy had fallen off a drifting air bed,600 yards north of the station. At 3.5 theIRB launched in a gentle westerly breezeand slightly choppy sea. She took the boyon board and landed him on the beach,returning to her station at 3.10 p.m.

St. Ives, Cornwall. At 2.43 p.m. on2ist August, 1965, the coastguard re-ported that a man had fallen off., or hadbeen washed off, the rocks at ClodgyPoint. At 2.45 the IRB launched in afresh west-north-westerly breeze andrough sea. The tide was ebbing. Shefound the man had managed to scrambleon to a ledge and was just able to hold onthere. A member of the IRB's crewjumped on to the rocks to help the manboard the IRB, which then sped back toher station, where the man was trans-ferred to a waiting ambulance. Theservice was completed at 3.15 p.m.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 2.8 p.m.on 26th August, 1965, a yacht wasreported to have capsized off Westcliffeswimming pool. At 2.9 the IRB launchedin a gentle to moderate south-westerlybreeze and rough sea. She came up withthe yacht and took the crew of two onboard, then, with the yacht in tow, re-turned to her station which was reachedat 2.50 p.m.

Redcar, Yorkshire. At 4.44 p.m. on28th August, 1965, a sailing dinghy wasreported to have capsized off Majuba.The IRB was launched immediately in asouth-westerly breeze and calm sea. Shefound the dinghy with one person onboard and towed it to the beach. A beachpatrolman who had swum out to assist inthis service got into difficulties and wasbrought ashore in the IRB. She returnedto her station at 5 p.m.

St. Ives, Cornwall. At 2.45 p.m. on29th August, 1965, while the IRB was onpatrol off Porthmeor beach during a surflife-saving competition, her crew weretold that a swimmer was in difficultiesbetween Crowner Rock and Clodgy

Point. The swimmer was found clingingto a surf board in an exhausted conditionand was taken on board the IRB. Afterlanding him on Porthmeor beach to behelped by surf club members the IRBreturned to her station, which was reachedat 3 p.m.

Tynemouth, Northumberland. Atapproximately 4.17 p.m. on 30th August,1965, while the honorary secretary waswatching a dinghy race, a sailing dinghywas capsized by a squall and her twooccupants thrown into the water. Thesailing club rescue boat was engaged withanother casualty and as there were noother boats available the IRB waslaunched at 4.20 in a moderate to freshwesterly breeze and smooth sea. Her crewrighted the dinghy, which was then

beached. Four more sailing dinghies hadby then capsized in various parts of theestuary and the IRB assisted two of these.

The third dinghy was escorted untilthe crew regained control and the fourthwas escorted until the club rescue boatcould take her in tow. The IRB returnedto her station at 5.18 p.m.

Brighton, Sussex. At 4.38 p.m. on30th August, 1965, the pier masterreported that a small fishing vessel about2 miles out was signalling for assistance.At 4.45 the IRB launched in a moderatewesterly breeze and corresponding sea.She found the m.f.v. Shield with acrew of two in trouble because the enginehad broken down and an oar had beenlost. The Shiela was taken in tow and theIRB returned to her station at 5.5 p.m.

By courtesy of] [£>. M. Smith, Berwick-upon-Tvieed

North Sunderland life-boat arrives back in harbour aftera fruitless 12-hour search for a missing man.

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The following life-boats were alsocalled out in August:

Aith, Shetlands - 2yth.Angle, Pembrokeshire - I2th and

i6th.Appledore, Devon - I2th and 28th.Ballycotton, Co. Cork - 26th.Barmouth, Merionethshire - ifth.Barry Dock, Glamorganshire -

24th.Bembridge, Isle of Wight - I2th,

20th, 2ist and 3ist.Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northum-

berland - I2th.Boulmer, Northumberland - 5th

and 25th.Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - 2ist.Clogher Head, Co. Louth - 2yth.Clovelly, Devon - 25th.Coverack, Cornwall - lyth.Dover, Kent - i6th, 23rd and 28th.Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - 9th,

19th and 28th.Exmouth, Devon - I2th.Falmouth, Cornwall - 6th.Fleetwood, Lancashire - 29th.Fowey, Cornwall - lyth and 29th.Galway Bay - 2yth.Girvan, Ayrshire - 28th.Great Yarmouth and Gorleston,

Norfolk - 13th and i8th.Gourdon, Kincardineshire - nth.Hartlepool, Durham - 28th and 30th.Holyhead, Anglesey - 3rd.Howth, Co. Dublin - 22nd.Hoylake, Cheshire - 24th.Humber, Yorkshire - 3ist.Ilfracombe, Devon - 29th.Islay, Inner Hebrides - 5th and 2ist.Kirkcudbright - yth.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire - 2y thand 28th.

Lowestoft, Suffolk - i8th and 28th.New Brighton, Cheshire - 8th, 22nd

and 29th.Newhaven, Sussex - i4th and 26th.New Quay, Cardiganshire - 6th and

29th.North Sunderland, Northumber-

land - nth and i8th.Peel, Isle of Man - i4th.Penlee, Cornwall - I3th.Plymouth, Devon - ist.Port Erin, Isle of Man - 2ist.Portrush, Co. Antrim - i6th.Ramsey, Isle of Man - 2yth.Rhyl, Flintshire - 6th, 2oth and 28th.Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford-

2ISt.St. Helier, Jersey - i5th.St. Ives, Cornwall - 9th.St. Mary's, Scilly Islands - nth.Salcombe, Devon - i2th, I3th and

28th (twice).Seaham, Durham - I2th.Selsey, Sussex - 2nd and 24th (twice).Shoreham Harbour, Sussex - 24th.Skegness, Lincolnshire - 2nd.Stromness, Orkeys - i6th (twice).Stronsay, Orkneys - I5th.Tenby, Pembrokeshire - yth, I2th

and 16th.Torbay, Devon - 28th.Troon, Ayrshire - 25th.Tynemouth, Northumberland -

14th.Walton and Frinton, Essex - I4th.Weston-super-Mare, Somerset -

loth.Wick, Caithness-shire - 6th.Wicklow - 22nd.Yarmouth, Isle of Wight - i5th.

Note - Only reports of services for July and August are included in this issue ofTHE LIFE-BOAT. The increasing number of'calls made on life-boats, and the additionof IRB services to the records printed here, have made it difficult to gather all thereports in time for publication. Reports for September were not to hand when weclosed for press. They will appear in the March 1965 issue, together with Octoberand November services. Future issues will contain reports covering three months, asbefore, and the margin of time gained by omitting the September services from thisissue will make it possible for future issues to appear much earlier in their month ofpublication.

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The following services were received toolate for inclusion in the classified sections:

Aberdovey, Merionethshire. At2.50 p.m. on I2th August, 1965, thecoastguard notified the honorary secretarythat four bathers had been swept off thebeach near Borth. At 2.55 the IRB laun-ched in a moderate to fresh south-easterlybreeze and moderate sea. The tide wasebbing. The IRB searched the area butwithout success. On returning to theshore the crew were told that two youthswere missing and had last been seenclinging to a rubber tyre.

JOINED BYABERYSTWYTH IRB

The Aberdovey IRB was joined by theAberystwyth IRB, a shore boat fromBorth, and an Outward Bound SeaSchool boat. They searched the areauntil 5 o'clock, when the search wasabandoned. While the Aberdovey IRB

was returning to her station a smallsloop, the Luandia, with two persons onboard was seen to be in difficulties onthe bar. A line was taken aboard theLuandia and a member of the IRB'screw went aboard. The sloop was towedclear and returned to her moorings atAberdovey. The IRB returned to herstation at 5.35 p.m.

BOY SERIOUSLY ILL

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. At5.10 p.m. on 28th August, 1965, the localdoctor requested the use of the life-boatto take a six-year-old boy who was serious-ly ill to hospital at South Uist. The life-boat R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 3 left hermoorings at 5.50 in a moderate north-westerly wind and a corresponding sea.The tide was flooding. The boy waslanded at South Uist and the life-boatreturned to her station at 11.30 p.m.

By courtesy of]

Jersey life-boat at sea off the rocky coast.

[Senett & Spears, Jersey

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Royal Humane Society TestimonialThe Royal Humane Society has awarded a testimonial on parchment to Mr.William Dryden, motor mechanic of the Whitby life-boat, for his rescue on5th May, 1965, of a three year old girl who had fallen into the lower harbour.Mr. Dryden jumped into the water and pulled her out, though he went underhimself.

This is the second time Mr. Dryden has received a testimonial from the RoyalHumane Society. His first was also for rescuing a child from the lower harbour -an 11 year old boy.

Mr. Dryden holds an RNLI bronze medal and three certificates for gallantry.

SUNDERLAND TRAGEDYCriticisms of the absence of the Sunderland life-boat when a lifeguard wasdrowned in tragic circumstances near the Cat and Dog steps at Roker lastAugust were refuted at the inquest on the lifeguard, Mr. John Ramsay. He hadgone out to rescue a bather in difficulties, but was overcome by the rough seasand lost his life.

"I must emphasise the Sunderland life-boat did not fail to launch," said Mr.Cyril Shutt, officer-in-charge of H.M. Coastguards, Sunderland, givingevidence. "My main object in telephoning them in the first place was to letthem know that help was on its way from the pilot cutter."

Mr. Shutt went on to state that from his appreciation of the situation it wasdefinitely not a job for the life-boat. Inshore rescue operations only wererequired.

Police Inspector James Doyle stressed that even if the life-boat had attendedshe would not have saved the lifeguard because she could not have venturedinshore without sustaining damage.

There will be an IRB at Sunderland next year.

Index to AdvertisersBritish Paints Ltd Inside back coverC.A.V. Ltd 471Clarke, Chapman & Co. Ltd. 482Coastal Radio Ltd 491Dodson-Bull Carpet Co. Ltd. 499Gallaher Ltd Back coverGardner Engines (Sales) Ltd. 475Pinchin Johnson & Associates Ltd 465Pyrene Co. Ltd. 490Parsons Engineering Co. Ltd. Inside front coverUniversity Marine Ltd. ••• 467

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