THE LIFE-BOAT...The Anstruther life-boa wat s launch-ed first Thi. wass a 10.4t o3n the 26th. A is...

THE LIFE-BOATThe Journal of the Royal National Life-boat InstitutionVOL. XXXIII MARCH, 1954 No. 367

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET155 Motor Life-boats

1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat

LIVES RESCUEDfrom the foundation of the Life-boat Service in

1824 to December 31st, 1953 78,497

Notes of the QuarterTHE terrible disaster at Arbroath,following on the disaster of a similarnature earlier in the year at Fraser-burgh, has made the record of theLife-boat Service in 1953 a tragic aswell as a magnificent one. In all, 14life-boatmen lost their lives in the ser-vice of their fellow-men. All 14 weremembers of Scottish life-boat crews.

Tragic though these disasters are, itshould be remembered that what hap-pened in 1953 was altogether excep-tional. In the whole of 1952 only onelife-boatman lost his life on service,and it is not since 1947, when theMumbles life-boat capsized, with theloss of her crew of eight, that a dis-aster comparable to those of 1953occurred.

In the last 25 years there have beenaltogether nine capsizes of life-boats,resulting in the loss of the lives of36 life-boatmen. During these 25years life-boats have been out to therescue 13,000 times. That is to saythere has been one capsize for approxi-mately 1,450 times life-boats havegone to the rescue, and in capsizes 36life-boatmen have been lost out of over100,000 life-boatmen who were at seain the course of those rescues.

THE YEAR'S RESULTSLife-boats were launched on service

in 1953 598 times. They rescued 351A

lives. The figure of lives rescued isfive more than the figure for 1952,although there were 59 fewer launches.A striking fact about the launches lastyear was that the three busiest monthsfor life-boats were August, July andSeptember. There were 81 launchesin August, 70 in July and 62 in Sep-tember, whereas in November, theleast busy month in 1953, there wereonly 33 launches. These facts confirmthe trend which has been apparent inthe last quarter of a century; 25 yearsago, for instance, there were only 92launches in the whole of the six summermonths from April to Septemberinclusive.

Of the total number of launches 18.6per cent were to yachts—a categorywhich includes sailing yachts, sailingdinghies, sailing boats, motor cruisersand motor yachts; 19.5 per cent ofthe launches were to fishing boats ofall types, and 23.6 per cent to steamers,barges and other motor vessels. Thefourth in order of the nine categoriesinto which the services of the life-boatsare now divided was that of aircraft.13.2 per cent of the launches being as aresult of reports of crashed aircraft.Small boats, canoes and rubberdinghies provided the surprisingly highfigure of 7 per cent.

Sixty-four of the launches were toforeign vessels, and from these 41 lives

630 THE LIFE-BOAT [MARCH, 1954

were rescued. Vessels from 16 foreignnationalities in all were helped.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGThe Annual General Meeting of the

Institution will be held this year onTuesday, the 23rd of March, at theCentral Hall, Westminster. H.R.H.the Princess Royal has kindly con-sented to attend and will present themedals awarded for gallantry since thelast meeting was held. Among thosewho will be receiving these awards.will be Coxswain Thomas Richards,who won the silver medal, and Bow-

man William Thomas and Motor Mech-anic William Rogers, who each wonbronze medals. All three are membersof the Tenby life-boat and won theirawards when they helped to rescueseven men from the St. Gowan light-vessel on the 21st of September, 1953.

The principal speaker, who willmove the resolution of gratitude tothe life-boat crews and honoraryworkers, will be the Rt. Hon. ClementDavies, Q.C., M.P.

The resolution will be seconded bythe Rt. Hon. Sir Norman Birkett, Q.C",J.P.

Disaster at ArbroathON the night of the 26th of October,1953, the Arbroath life-boat RobertLindsay and the Anstruther life-boatJames and Ruby Jackson were bothlaunched in answer to distress rocketswhich had been seen three miles eastof Fifeness.

There is now no doubt that therockets were fired by the sand dredgerIslandmagee, of Dundee, which was onpassage from the Firth of Tay to theFirth of Forth. The Islandmageesank with all hands.

The Anstruther life-boat was launch-ed first. This was at 10.43 on the26th. As it seemed likely that theprevailing weather conditions mightdrive the ship which was in distressnorthwards, it was later decided tolaunch the Arbroath life-boat to helpin the search.

Two Life-boats SearchThe Arbroath life-boat was launched

at 12.50 early on the 27th. Therewas a full gale blowing from the south-south-east, a very rough sea and aheavy swell. Both life-boats carriedout a thorough and extensive searchof the whole area from which thedistress rockets were believed to havecome, maintaining contact with oneanother by radio telephony. Thesearch was unsuccessful, and theAnstruther life-boat arrived back at5.45 on the 27th.

At 4.20 the Arbroath life-boat senta radio message suggesting that sheshould return to harbour. The honor-ary secretary at Arbroath, Mr. David

Chapel, answered by radio agreeing,but suggesting that the life-boat shouldmake for Anstruther harbour.

The coxswain answered that hewould wait for daylight and then seewhat the conditions at the bar ofArbroath harbour were. At fiveo'clock he sent a further message say-ing that the life-boat could expect toreach the harbour in twenty minutesand would try to enter.

Rocket Pistol Apparatus Ready

The Arbroath coastguard, acting onstanding orders, immediately went tothe east pier with three men and therocket pistol apparatus.

The bar is a rock bar some 300yards to the eastward of the harbourpiers. The full on-shore gale blowingagainst the tide, which was thenebbing, and the backwash off the pierscaused confused cross seas and crosstides near the bar. A number ofpeople on the harbour pier watchedthe life-boat as she tried to enter theharbour.

Suddenly at 5.47 her lights dis-appeared. What had happened wasthat a huge and very steep cross seafrom the southward had struck theboat abaft the beam on the port side,and it instantly capsized her.

Cries for help were heard and thecoastguard fired rocket lines at ran-dom. By an extraordinary chanceone of them fell across the secondcoxswain, Archibald Smith. He grab-bed it and was hauled ashore.

MARCH, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 631

Six Men LostThe other six members of the crew

all lost their lives. They were:David Bruce—CoxswainHarry Swankie—MechanicThomas Adams—BowmanWilliam Swankie, Jnr.—Assistant

MechanicCharles Cargill—Life-boatmanDavid Cargill—Life-boatmanCoxswain Bruce, who was aged 48,

had been coxswain since 1952 and firstjoined the crew in 1922, having beenappointed second coxswain in 1935.The oldest member of the crew wasHarry Swankie, who had been mech-anic since 1932 and was aged 63.William Swankie, who was aged 30,was his nephew and had been appoint-ed assistant mechanic in 1953. ThomasAdams, who was appointed bowmanalso in 1953, was aged 33. Charlesand David Cargill were brothers aged28 and 29.

The news of the disaster reachedthe Chief Inspector of Life-boats,Commander T. G. Michelmore, at 6.20on the morning of the 27th of October.The District Inspector (General), Com-mander E. W. Middleton, was sentfrom London to carry out an inquiry,and Mr. H. C. Marfleet of the Opera-tions Department left at once withmoney to supply the immediate needsof the families. Mr. R. A. Oakley,Surveyor of Life-boats, happened tobe in Aberdeen at the time, and he,the Northern District Inspector,Lieutenant E. D. Stogdon, and theDistrict Engineer, Mr. S. A. Redrup,reached the scene within a few hours.

Pensions for DependantsPensions, which are irrespective of

any State awards, were paid at onceto the dependants on the scale adoptedby the Royal Navy, and the Institu-tion met all funeral expenses.

The funeral of the men who hadlost their lives was held on the 31stof October in the old parish church atArbroath. It was attended by theDeputy Chairman of the Institution,Lord Howe, by Lord Saltoun and SirArchibald Cochrane, Cha rman andVice-Chairman of the Scottish Life- boatCouncil, by Colonel A. D. BurnettBrown, and by the officers of theInstitution who were carrying outtheir duties on the spot. One minute's

silence was observed, and the hymns'O God our Help in Ages Past" and"Eternal Father Strong to Save" weresung. Shops throughout Arbroathclosed that afternoon.

Provost J. R. Moir immediatelyopened a life-boat disaster fund.More than £35,000 has been given tothe fund, including a contribution of£500 from the Institution.

President's TelegramMany messages of sympathy and

condolence were sent. H.R.H. theDuchess of Kent, President of theInstitution, telegraphed:

"Have learnt with great distress ofthe terrible disaster that has occurredto the life-boat and crew at Arbroath.I ask you to convey to relatives ofthose who lost their lives my deepestsympathy."

Other messages of sympathy camefrom many parts of the world. Thelife-boat societies in Denmark, France,Germany, the Netherlands and Nor-way all sent messages of condolence.

In the House of Commons on the28th of October Mr. Alan LennoxBoyd, Minister of Transport and CivilAviation, stated:

" The House will, I know, wish me toexpress its deep sympathy with thefamilies of the brave men who havelost their lives."

" No Blame or Default"On the 8th of December, 1953, a

public enquiry into the disaster wasconducted by the Procurator Fiscal atDundee. The jury returned a formalverdict of "accidental death bydrowning with no blame or defaultattached to anyone."

The life-boat which capsized was a35-feet 6-inches Liverpool type, withtwin engines. She was completed in1950 and is one of a class of 31 suchboats built since the war. This is thefirst time since before the war that anyLiverpool type of boat has capsized.

The Robert Lindsay has been re-placed by the Howard D, a life-boatfrom the reserve fleet. A new crewhas been formed with Henry Smith ascoxswain.

The only survivor of the disaster,Second Coxswain Archibald Smith,immediately after the disaster ex-pressed his readiness to serve in thelife-boat again.


A Tow Through A Gale to AberdeenAT 4.16 on the afternoon of the 26thof October, 1953, the coastguard rangup the honorary secretary at Aberdeen.He passed on a message, which hehad had from a hotel at Muchalls, thata fishing boat was burning flares offMuchalls some ten miles south ofAberdeen.

A gale was blowing from the south-south-east and the sea was very roughwhen the No. 1 life-boat Hilton Briggsput out at 4.34. The night was darkand visibility poor. The tide wasebbing strongly to the northward.

A Fishing Boat FoundThe life-boat steamed at full speed

to the southward, and at 5.4 the Stone-haven radio station wirelessed that thefishing boat was one and a half milessouth-east of Muchalls. At 6.10 thecoxswain estimated that he ought tobe near the position and switched onhis searchlight. This was seen by thecoastguards at Muchalls, and by aradio-telephony link call they directedthe coxswain to the fishing boat. Theboat was the sixteen-ton fishing yawlTrustful III, of Stonehaven. Shewas at anchor a quarter of a mile offshore, with her propeller fouled byher nets.

The backwash from the high cliffsand rocky ledges made the alreadyrough seas more confused. The cox-swain brought the life-boat to wind-ward and abeam of the fishing boat,but was hampered in manoeuvring

further ahead of her because of thecable running out on her port bow.

A rocket line was fired and missedastern. The coxswain then manoeuvredthe life-boat around to the starboardor lee side of the fishing boat, andwhen he was about four yards fromher a tow rope was passed across.The four men on board the fishing boatcould do no more than crawl aboutthe decks because of the high seas,but in the end the rope was made fast.

" For Bravery and Initiative "The life-boat began to tow the

fishing boat and headed to the south-east to clear the land. Course wasthen set for Aberdeen at slow speed,the coxswain aiming to keep one mileoff shore.

At eight o'clock the tow parted,and by the time it was reconnectedboth boats had drifted until they wereonly some 200 yards from the shore.

The crew of the fishing boat hadrefused to come aboard the life-boatas they wanted to save their ownboat. The life-boat finally reachedAberdeen with the fishing boat intow at 9.14. The fishing boat's anchorcable was found to be nearly chafedthrough when it was recovered a dayor two after the service.

For the bravery and initiative heshowed in carrying out this operationin difficult conditions Coxswain GeorgeAllan Flett was accorded the thanks ofthe Institution inscribed on vellum.

A Rescue off the Minquiers ReefAT 3.10 early on the morning of the15th of December, 1953, the harbourradio station reported that the motorvessel Brockley Combe, of Bristol, hadwirelessed that she had struck theMinquiers Reef and needed helpimmediately. The Brockley Combe, asteamer of 662 tons, was on passagefrom St. Peter Port to St. Helier witha mixed cargo.

The night was dark, there being nomoon, but visibility was good. There

was a ground swell, and a light south-easterly breeze was blowing.

At 3.30 the St. Helier life-boatElizabeth Rippon put to sea. Sheestablished communication with thesteamer by radio-telephony and askedher to fire rockets to mark her position.This the steamer did. The positionwas half a mile south-south-west ofthe Demie-de-Vasselin beacon. Thiswas further to the eastward and deeperinto the reef than had been expected.

MAECH, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 633

The steamer's engine-room was flood-ed.

There were rocks on all sides of thesteamer, but there was some clearwater under her port side and little tiderunning. The coxswain took the life-boat at slow speed and with difficultythrough a maze of rocks. He finallycame alongside at 5.20.

The crew of ten were taken off, butthe captain decided to stay on boarduntil daylight. The swell increased,and on the rising tide the steamerbegan to pound heavily and startedto break-up. Banks of fog came down.

In the end the captain decided toleave the ship, and at 10.50 the life-

boat began her return journey, towingtwo ships' boats. Visibility was nowpoor, and it was nearly as difficult tokeep clear of the rocks on the wayback as it had been to go in at night.The life-boat suffered no damage andreached St. Helier at 12.30.

For his excellent judgment in takinghis boat into a most dangerous areaCoxswain Edward Larbalestier wasaccorded the thanks of the Institutioninscribed on vellum. CoxswainLarbalestier is also the holder of thesilver medal, which he won in 1951 fora rescue from the yacht Santa Maria.

Rewards amounting to £20 16*. Qd.were paid.

The Margate Life-boat Saves a French TrawlerAT 3.50 early on the morning of the19th of December, 1953, the coast-guard rang up to say that the policehad reported that the trawler NotreDame de la Mer, of Boulogne, had runon to the rocks on Foreness Pointabout one and a half miles east ofMargate. The sea was then calm andthere was no wind. Because of fogvisibility was only two hundred yards.

At low water the trawler was lefthigh and dry and her crew of sevenwent ashore.

Crew Refuse to LeaveAbout 4.45, at the turn of the tide,

the crew returned to their ship as theywere determined to save her. Bynow the wind had begun to freshenand was blowing from the north-west.The coxswain of the Margate life-boat,Denis Price, went by car to a pointnear the stranded trawler. He cameto the conclusion that as the weatherwas becoming worse the life-boatshould try to tow the trawler off,since her crew refused to leave heragain.

At 6.10 the Margate life-boat NorthForeland, Civil Service No. XI waslaunched. By now the sea was becom-ing rough and" the tide was flooding tothe westward. The life-boat reachedthe scene at 6.35, but the water wasnot deep enough for her to get closeto the trawler. She therefore laid offuntil eight o'clock.

By then the trawler's bow was seento be lifting, but she was being driveninshore and was pounding heavily.

Award to Coxswain

The coxswain tried to take the life-boat alongside but failed. Aftertouching on a rocky ledge he triedagain. This time he approached fromwindward and let go his anchor toveer down on the trawler. The anchordragged on the chalk bottom, andthe life-boat ended up close to thetrawler.

Using their line throwing pistol, thelife-boatmen passed a tow rope across.Both vessels pounded the bottom, butthe life-boat pulled the trawler clear,weighed her anchor, and towed thetrawler to Ramsgate, which wasreached at 10.30. The life-boat wasundamaged, but because of the weatherremained at Ramsgate until thenext day, when she returned to herstation.

For the determination, initiative andfine seamanship he showed in extricat-ing the trawler from what seemed ahopeless position Coxswain Denis Pricewas accorded the thanks of the Insti-tution inscribed on vellum. Rewardsof £37 10s. were paid.

Coxswain Price won the silver medalfor the rescue on the 7th of November,1952, of the crew of the barge Vera, ofLondon, in a whole gale.


The Life-boat Depot at Boreham WoodTHE Life-boat Institution's depot atBoreham Wood was completed in July,1939. It replaced the old store-yardon the Thames at Poplar, which hadserved the Institution for more thanfifty years.

The Poplar store-yard was estab-lished in 1882. Before then life-boatshad been fitted out at the boat builders'yards, the ropes and gear for each boatbeing separately ordered from themanufacturers. By 1882, however,the life-boats in the fleet numbered asmany as 272, and the Institution thendecided to have its own store-yard.

For more than thirty years thestore-yard at Poplar changed little,but with the development of motorlife-boats a new shed and new equip-ment had to be provided. In time itbecame clear that larger and moremodern workshops would be needed,and the Institution decided that itwould be both more efficient and moreeconomical to set up a new and diff-erent type of depot.

It was no longer necessary to have astore-yard near the Thames. TheInstitution was already sending dam-aged life-boats to shipbuilding yardson the coast instead of bringing themto Poplar for repair, and in place of thereserve fleet, formerly kept at Poplar,reserve boats were held in readinessat different parts of the coast.

The site at Boreham Wood waschosen largely because it offered suchexcellent facilities for road transport.The cost of building the depot was£60,000. The architect was Mr.Herbert Kenchington, and the buildersMessrs. Moss and Sons. The depotwas formally opened on the 14th ofJuly by Mrs. Guy Fanshawe, wife ofa member of the Committee ofManagement.

War HeadquartersWithin a few weeks of its formal

opening the depot became in effect theheadquarters of the Institution, for itwas at Boreham Wood that the head-quarters staff operated throughout thewar. During the war part of thepremises at 42, Grosvenor Gardenswere let, a few rooms being kept forcommittee meetings.

The depot today provides stores forall the life-boats in. the British Isles.It also has a large publicity store toprovide material needed by the finan-cial branches.

There are in the depot many thou-sands of different items of equipmentneeded for the machinery and the hullsof life-boats, varying from the smallestscrew to the largest parts of an engine.A few items needed by the life-boats,such as petrol and oilskins, are sentdirectly from the suppliers, but theprovision of these too is controlled bythe depot staff.

The depot's machine shop makesmany machinery parts, and itemsreturned from the coast are repaired,renovated and made suitable for re-issue wherever possible. Tractors tooare brought to the depot from thecoast and overhauled.

A sign-writer paints the lettering forall service boards as well as for notices,banners and other decorations usedfor publicity purposes. Carpentersand painters are employed in makingand renovating items needed for thelife-boats and for publicity stores.

Life-belts Made in Depot

In the rigging loft rigging, covers,sails, life-belts and life-buoys aremade, and the riggers sometimes goto the coast to carry out splicing work.

The publicity staff at the depotdisinfect, wash and renovate all collect-ing boxes. The stock of collectingboxes numbers about 40,000, and everybox goes out from the depot, on anaverage, two and a half times a year.P'ourteen million emblems are sentout each year, those which are returnedbeing sorted and repacked. Flags,bunting, decorations, jerseys and capssent out on loan are washed andpressed before re-issue. The distri-bution of stores by the depot's vansfor the Greater London flag day alonelasts nearly a month.

The examination department in-spects all stores, except rope, as soonas they arrive at the depot. Thesystem of a percentage examination isnever used, every item being examinedindividually. Rope is examined at the


makers, and a breaking test carriedout. Life-belts and life-buoys under-go a severe twenty-four hour buoyancytest in water tanks.

Records of receipt and despatch ofall items are kept on cards in theclerical department, and as stocks ofitems decrease requisitions for furthersupplies are sent to headquarters.Stores are requisitioned from the coastby telephone, telegram or demandnote. The depot undertakes to sendoff all stores required urgently withinone hour. These stores may be sentby road, rail or air.

Port and Starboard WatchesThe depot is divided into eight

departments: administration and cleri-cal, examination, stores, machine shop,rigging loft, carpenters, sign-writer

and painters, and publicity. The staffnumbers one hundred and is underthe control of Commander J. M.Upton, the superintendent. Com-mander Upton, who was formerlyIrish district inspector and theneastern district inspector, has been incharge of the depot since 1941.

Apart from the publicity staff, thewhole staff at the depot is divided intoport and starboard watches. Thedepot remains open for service throughout the twenty-four hours.

The administrative cost of the depot,including rates, insurance, equipment,repairs, salaries and pensions, isapproximately £50,000 a year. In1952 the cost of life-boat stores wasa little over £38,000. At any onetime there may be stores to the valueof £100,000 in the depot.

A Trip in A Swedish Rescue-CruiserBy David Wilson Reid

(Member of the crew of the Beaumaris life-boat)IT was seven o'clock in the morningand raining slightly as I walkedthrough the deserted streets of Gote-borg down to the docks where I wasto board the Swedish rescue-cruiserWilh: R. Lundgren of Roro. Theseagulls were screaming, and althoughthe gale could not be felt in the city,the clouds were scurrying across thepink sky, signs which prophesied anuncomfortable trip once we had leftthe shelter of the harbour. But Iwas rather pleased that the weatherwas bad, as it would give me the oppor-tunity of seeing how the vessels usedby the Swedish Society for Rescuingthe Shipwrecked (Svenska Sallskapetfor Raddning af Skeppsbrutne) be-haved under working conditions.

By the time that I had reachedStenpiren, where the rescue-cruiserwas lying, the wind had freshened con-siderably and was driving the rainalmost horizontally between the rail-way trucks which were lined up alongthe quay. I found her without muchdifficulty and went aboard in searchof her skipper, Herr Westerstrom,who told me that he had received amessage from Captain Hansson, theDirector of S.S.R.S., who had verykindly arranged for me to accompanythe Will): R. Lundgren to sea. This,

he said, was fortunate, as one of thecrew of four had had to go to the hos-pital in Goteborg, and he wouldotherwise have been one man short.

Sweden's Voluntary ServiceFew people in this country are

familiar with the life-boats which areused abroad. Sweden has a very finelife-saving service supported by volun-tary contributions, in addition to theone which is supported by the State.The S.S.R.S. not only provides life-boats, but also life-saving rocketapparatus, and has its own look-outand intelligence services. It has threemain types of life-boat in use atpresent, the largest of these beingrescue-cruisers which are 64 ft. 8 in.in length, with a beam of 19 ft. 6 in.and a draft of 7 ft. 8 in. This typeis powered by a single diesel engine of210 h.p., but they generally do mostof their patrolling under sail, onlyusing the engine when conditionsrequire it. They are very comfortableboats in heavy weather, and theyneed to be, for they often have toremain at sea for several days.

The medium sized boats are 44 ft.3 in. in length, having a beam of11 ft. 8 in., a draft of 4 ft. 1 in. andare equipped with a diesel engine of


85 h.p. Like all other Swedish life-boats, they have a mast, which is alsoused as an exhaust-pipe, and a suit ofsails. This type, together with thesmaller 32-ft. boats, is used for emer-gency work, in just the same way asthe R.N.L.I. uses its life-boats in thiscountry. They are manned by avolunteer crew, which is large whencompared with the full-time crew offour in the rescue-cruisers.

New Boats of SteelThe older life-boats and rescue-

cruisers were built of oak, with bowswhich were specially strengthened sothat they would not suffer damagefrom the ice which occurs around theSwedish coast in winter, but most ofthe newer vessels have been built ofsteel. All of them are equipped withradar, radio-telephony and radio-direction-finding apparatus, and ineven the smallest there is a totallyenclosed wheel-house and a cabin con-taining bunks and a cooking-stove.It was one of these older, oak-builtboats that I found waiting at the quay.

We cast off from Stenpiren at nineo'clock and moved slowly down theriver through sheets of driving rain.Soon we left the shelter of the land,and emerged from the river into thearchipelago of small islands and clus-ters of bare rocks, which blocks themouth of the river and protects theport from the westerly gales whichsweep down the Skager-Rak into theKattegat from the North Sea. Bythis time there was quite a swell, andthe Wilh: R. Lundgren had begun toroll in a beam sea and to slide downthe sides of the waves with a sickeningsort of lurch. Capt. Westerstrom,completely unmoved by the frightfulmotion, remarked that he had seenmany worse seas off the Isle of Man,that this particular sea could notpossibly develop into anything worthworrying about, as we were in the leeof Denmark (about forty miles away),and that it was time for breakfast.He pointed to a lighthouse perched on arock about half a mile away, and barelyvisible on account of the rain and spray,and told me to take the wheel and passit to leeward. When it came abeam,he explained, I was to sound the fog-horn, step out of the wheel-house andwave to the lighthouse-keeper.

Gale in the KattegatThe lighthouse-keeper waved back,

and we altered course to south-west.We rolled and plunged our way downthe Kattegat for some time, until, atabout three o'clock in the afternoon,we again altered course, this time forGoteborg and home. By now thewind had freshened considerably, andthe seas were increasing in size. Ateach plunge we sank our bows intothe waves, the green water came pour-ing aft along past the wheel-house intorrents along the decks. It wasblowing a good Force 7 gale, and therain and spray which was beating onthe wheel-house window made liferather uncomfortable. If we kept thewindow open so that we were able tosee reasonably well, the water, whichran along the main-boom and spurtedoff the end of it, poured through on tothe helmsman inside. On the otherhand, if we shut the window to keepthe water out, it also meant that weshut the view out as well and we thencould see absolutely nothing whatever—a dangerous state of affairs in thoserock-strewn waters.

Sunset over the GotaAbout this time we had another

meal, consisting of cold bacon and awedge of cold tea-cake, which wasvery much of the same consistancy asan un-toasted muffin, washed downwith some hot coffee.

We returned to Goteborg in theevening without having encounteredany vessel needing our help. The rainhad stopped by this time, and as wemotored up the river Gota there wasa very beautiful sunset. As weapproached Stenpiren, we saw thedeck-hand who had been to the hos-pital waiting for us to come alongside.We hung the fenders over the star-board side, and as Capt. Westerstrombrought the rescue-cruiser gentlyalongside the steps of the quay, thedeck-hand jumped aboard and Ijumped ashore. I climbed up thesteps and walked to the end of thepier to wave farewell to the crew of theWilh: R. Lundgren, who were alreadyon their way back to their station atRoro, in Apelvik, north of Goteborg.It was a most interesting experienceand a very happy memory.


New Ways of Raising MoneyA NEW type of collecting box has beendesigned by Group-Captain JohnPotter of Crowborough. It takescoins of all sizes, and every time a coinis dropped into the box a model life-boat is launched. A number of theseboxes were displayed at the annualdance at the Savoy Hotel on the 16thof December, 1953, organised by theCentral London Women's Committee,when H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent,the President of the Institution, putthe first coin in the box. Productionof these boxes in considerable numbershas now begun and it is hoped thatthey will be available shortly forspecial functions and for clubs, shopsand bars throughout the country.

The Lago Community Council inAruba, Netherlands West Indies, hassent a contribution of £79 12s. 7d. tothe Institution. The money was sub-scribed by Lago Colony residents, whoare mainly expatriate employees of theLago Oil and Transport Co. Ltd., asubsidiary of the Standard Oil Com-pany, New Jersey. The majority ofthem are United States citizens.Donations are made by the Councilto certain specified charities.

The Institution recently received acheque for £17 as a consequence ofthe survival of an old West Countrycustom. This was the holding of aharvest festival service in an inn. A

service of this kind was conducted lastautumn in the Edgcumbe Hotel, BereAlston, Devon, by the Rev. R. G.Crookshank.

Mr. O. H. Marriott, a watch-makerand jeweller in Ramsey, Huntingdon-shire, has raised nearly £25 for theInstitution by a collecting box on hiscounter. The money has been givenby customers who have not beencharged by Mr. Marriott for minorrepairs to watches, clocks and jewel-lery.

* * *

By contributing threepence each atthe end of every meal taken at homeMr. and Mrs. Alfred Rayner of Dudley,Worcestershire, have been raisingmoney for various charities for someyears. They recently sent a chequeto the Institution for a sum collectedin this way.

Six hundred copies of Gales on theEast Coast, a booklet written by Mrs.C. C. Norman of Caister, Norfolk, havebeen sold for the benefit of the Insti-tution. The booklet gives accounts ofsome of the famous rescues by Norfolklife-boats.

Among successful raffles conductedby Irish branches was one at Coleraine,when a Vernon Ward print was raffledfor £20.

The Prudential is SoldTHE famous Ramsgate life-boat Pru-dential left the service of the Institu-tion in November when she was soldto Mr. F. H. W. Haywood, a Londonarchitect. The Institution's flag wasstruck for the last time aboard thePrudential at a ceremony on Saturday,the 21st of November. A B.B.C.reporter, Mr. Douglas Willis, recordedan interview with the coxswain, ArthurVerrion, and a member of the crew,and the ceremony was photographedby B.B.C. television cameramen.

After the ceremony the crew, offi-cials and the press were invited by theMayor of Ramsgate, Councillor E. G.Butcher, to the Mayor's Parlour.

The Prudential had a magnificentrecord between 1926, when she wasfirst launched, and 1953. Duringthose years she was launched onservice 276 times and rescued 330 lives.

The Prudential was the first of theInstitution's life-boats to set out forDunkirk, under her coxswain HowardPrimrose Knight, in May 1940 to help


in the evacuation. In all she helpedto bring off some 2,800 men.

The last medal service of the Pru-dential was that of the rescue from theWestern Farmer, of New York, on the20th of August, 1952. The WesternFarmer had broken in two, andCoxswain Douglas Kirkaldie broughtthe life-boat alongside the stern part,

although it was clear that it mightturn over at any moment on top ofthe life-boat. For this service hewon the bronze medal for gallantry.

The Prudential was one of four life-boats which took part in the Corona-tion Review of the Fleet by HerMajesty the Queen at Spithead on the15th of June, 1953.

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

Institution, 1853.

THE Committee regret to have to statethat the frequency of shipwrecks onthe coasts of the United Kingdom,during the past twelve months, hasbeen unprecedentedly great. Theyhad occasion to observe, in their lastReport, that the year 1851 was con-sidered to be the most disastrous, asrespected shipwrecks, on record, thelarge number of 701 wrecks havingbeen reported; but the past year hasfar exceeded it in amount and fatality—no less than 1,100 vessels appearingon the Admiralty Register of Wrecks,and the number of lives lost, as far ascould be ascertained, being about 900.The greatest destruction occurredabout the latter end of October andbeginning of November, when, withinthe short space of thirty days, 300vessels were lost or damaged, with thefearful loss of 217 lives. Again, avery severe gale occurred on the 26thof December, which strewed the coastsof our islands with wrecks, and leftsuch deep impressions in its wake aswill not easily be forgotten.

The Committee need not now dwellon the sad scenes of desolation, ofbereaved women and children ren-dered widows and orphans by thesecalamitous visitations; but it may bepermitted to them to express theiropinion of the necessity of the utmostefforts being made to provide life-boats and every other assistance forthe fishermen and residents on ourcoasts who are ever ready to rush tothe aid of their fellow creatures indistress. Too ready, the Committeemight almost say, for, without habits

of discipline and without proper boats,they are constantly venturing out, atthe extreme hazard of their own lives,to the relief of the stranded crew. Ofthe casualties and loss of human lifeby wind and wave, which every winterbrings with it, no inconsiderable num-ber consists of those who, whilstendeavouring, with imperfect means atcommand, to rescue the lives of others,have lost their own—a fact to whichstriking and melancholy testimony isborne by the number of widows andorphans to be met with on our coasts,mourning for those who have thusunhappily perished. Surely, withthese fearful effects of the storm beforethem, our wealthier and more favouredcountrymen cannot but be roused toa sense of the deficiencies that exist,and impelled to lend a helping handto an Institution which has for itsobject to lessen the sacrifice of lifefrom such calamities.

Since shipwrecks have been un-usually numerous during the pastyear, the efforts made to rescue theircrews have been in proportion greatand meritorious, and it is a source ofsatisfaction to know, that almost inevery instance where the services ofthe life-boat have been called intorequisition, during the late disastrousgales, they have been attended withsuccess; and your Committee referparticularly to the life-boats stationedat Shields, which have, as usual,specially distinguished themselves;as well as to those at Yarmouth,Rye, Liverpool, Anglesea, and Wex-ford.


Services of the Life-boats in October, November andDecember, 1953

85 Lives RescuedOCTOBER

DURING October life-boats werelaunched 42 times and rescued 16lives.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO SHETLANDISLAND

Aith, Shetlands.—At 2.35 on the after-noon of the 2nd of October, 1953, thedoctor at Walls rang up to say therewas a case of serious illness on theisland of Papa Stour, and the weatherwas too bad for a shore-boat to takehim to the island. At 3.45 the life-boat The Rankin put out in a veryheavy sea, with a strong south-westerlybreeze blowing. She brought the doc-tor to Papa Stour, and a small boattook him ashore. When he hadtreated the patient the life-boat tookhim back to Aith, arriving at 7.30.—•Rewards, £10 195.

NORWEGIAN STEAMER ESCORTEDTO ORKNEYS

Stronsay, Orkneys.—At 10.40 on themorning of the 6th of October, 1953,the Kirkwall coastguard rang up tosay that the S.S. Poly ana, of Kristian-sand, had wirelessed that she was mak-ing water and needed help. She wasthen between Westray and Rousay,and at 11.10 the life-boat Edward Z.Dresden was launched. The sea wassmooth, with a moderate north-north-west breeze blowing. The life-boatfound the steamer off Orkness, Shapin-say, escorted her to Kirkwall Bay,and then returned to her station,arriving at 4.45. The master expressedhis thanks.—Rewards, £14 15s.

YACHT REFLOATED AT FOURTHATTEMPT

Poole, Dorset.—At 8.20 on the even-ing of the 7th of October, 1953, thepolice reported that a yacht was onthe rocks at the Training Bank andhad burnt flares. At 8.25 the life-boat Thomas Kirk Wright was launchedin a ground swell and with a moderate

east-north-east breeze blowing. Shefound the sailing yacht Freda, ofHamble, with a crew of four. Theyacht was lying on her side, and atthe fourth attempt the life-boat re-floated her and towed her to PooleHarbour, reaching her station againat 9.20.—Rewards, £11 175.

HELP TO R.A.F. RESCUE LAUNCHSouthend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 6.46 on

the evening of the 8th of October, 1953,the coastguard telephoned that a boathad reported that she was on the RedSands and needed help. At 6.55 thelife-boat Greater London, Civil ServiceNo. 3 was launched in a calm sea witha light north-easterly breeze blowing.She found a R.A.F. Air Sea Rescuelaunch, with a crew of five, one and ahalf miles west of the Red Sandsforts. The launch had refloated, buthad damaged her propellers. Thelife-boat escorted her to Sheerness andreached her station again at 9.30.—Rewards, £11 15s.

FRENCH TRAWLERS ESCORTEDTO WICKLOW

Arklow, and Wicklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 6.15 on the morning of the 10thof October, 1953, the Valentia RadioStation told the Arklow life-boatstation that the French trawlersPetite Micheline and Vers le Destin hadwirelessed that they had gone agroundbetween the South Arklow and CodlingBank lightvessels. At 6.45 the life-boat Inbhear Mor was launched. Thesea was rough, with a fresh south-westerly breeze blowing. At 6.30 theradio station also informed the Wick-low life-boat station of the trawler'sposition, and at 6.55 the life-boatLady Kylsant was launched. TheInbhear Mor found the trawlers ninemiles east-south-east of Arklow andsaw that they had refloated. TheVers le Destin was leaking, and thePetite Micheline took her in tow. Atthe request of the skipper two life-boatmen boarded the Petite Micheline


to act as pilots, and the life-boatescorted the trawlers to Arklow,arriving at one o'clock in the after-noon. The Wicklow life-boat wasnot needed and returned to her station,arriving at 10.25.—Rewards, Arklow£19 8s. 6d.; Wicklow £12 Us.

WORKMAN FALLS FROM HUMBERFORT

Humber, Yorkshire.—At 10.42 on themorning of the 10th of October, 1953,a message was received from BullFort in the River Humber that a work-man had fallen and broken his ribs.No other boat was available to takehim ashore, and at 10.55 the life-boatCity of Bradford II was launched.There was a choppy sea and a lightsouth-westerly breeze. The life-boat-men rendered first aid to the man, andthe life-boat took him to Grimsby,where an ambulance was waiting.The life-boat then returned to herstation, arriving at three o'clock.—Paid Permanent Crew.

FISHING BOAT OVERDUE ANDFOUND

Dunbar, East Lothian.—At 3.20 earlyon the morning of the llth of October,1953, the police reported that the localmotor fishing vessel Welfare, with acrew of two, had left Newhaven andought to have reached Dunbar aboutsix o'clock the evening before. At3.55 the life-boat George and SarahStrachan was launched. The sea wasrough with a moderate west-south-west breeze blowing. The life-boatfound the Welfare three miles west ofFidra Island. Her engine had brokendown, and her crew were cold andwet. The life-boat rescued them, puttwo men aboard, and towed the Wel-fare to Dunbar, arriving at nine o'clock.—Rewards, £14 5s.

SICK MAN TAKEN FROM HEBRIDESISLAND

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At sixo'clock on the evening of the llth ofOctober, 1953, a doctor asked if thelife-boat would take a sick man fromBarra to South Uist, as the air ambu-lance could not land because of tidalconditions. At seven o'clock the life-boat Lloyd's put out in a rough seaand southerly breeze. She took the

patient to South Uist and arrivedback at her station at 2.30 early onthe morning of the 12th.—Rewards,£19 2s. Refunded to the Institutionby the St. Andrew's and Red CrossScottish Ambulance Service.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOPORTMAGEE

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 12.40 on theafternoon of the 12th of October, 1953.the Civic Guard at Portmagee reportedthat the fishing boat Ros Corr, ofDublin, with a crew of six, needed helpseven miles north of Bray Head. Atone o'clock the life-boat A.E.D. putto sea in a heavy swell and freshnorth-easterly breeze. She found thefishing boat nine miles west-north-west of Bray Head and learnt thatshe had fouled her propeller with herfishing gear. Another trawler wasstanding by her, but had been unableto get a line on board. The life-boattowed the Ros Corr to Portmagee.reaching her station again at seveno'clock.—Rewards, £14 15s.

TWO MEN ADRIFT IN MOTOR BOAT

Salcombe, Devon.—At 6.14 on theevening of the 13th of October, 1953.the Hope Cove coastguard rang up tosay that a small boat was burning-flares half a mile west of Prawle. At6.25 the life-boat Samuel and MarieParkhouse was launched. The seawas smooth, with a moderate north-easterly breeze blowing. The life-boat found two men in a small motorboat. She was drifting, and the life-boat towed her to Salcombe, arrivingat 8.15.—Rewards, £7 16s.

BOAT OVERDUE WITH FIVE-YEAR-OLD BOY

Torbay, Devon.—At 9.22 on the nightof the 17th of October, 1953, theBrixham coastguard rang up to saythat two men and a five-year-old boyhad left Paignton for a fishing trip at4.30 in the motor launch Dixie, buthad not returned. As no news hadbeen received of them by 8.50 thelife-boat George Shee put to sea. Thesea was calm, with a light northerlybreeze blowing. The life-boat foundthe Dixie at anchor off FishcombePoint. Her engine had broken down.The life-boat towed the Dixie to


Paignton and reached her stationagain at 9.45. The men expressedtheir thanks.—Rewards, £6 15s.

DUTCH SHIP REFLOATED INMERSEY

New Brighton, Cheshire. — At 1.55early on the morning of the 18th ofOctober, 1953, the Formby coastguardreported that the motor vessel Vitesse,of Delfzijl, Netherlands, had goneaground on the revetment near C.25Black Buoy in the River Mersey. At2.13 the life-boat Norman B. Corlett putout in a calm sea and light east-south-east breeze. She found the Vitessehard and fast and listing. The life-boat stood by her until she refloated at4.15 on the flood tide, escorted her upthe river, and then returned to herstation, arriving at 4.45.—Rewards,£94*.

COBLE TOWED TO HARTLEPOOLHartlepool, Durham.—At 5.35 on the

evening of the 18th of October, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that afishing coble had burnt flares two milesnorth of Heugh lighthouse. At 5.55the life-boat The Princess Royal, CivilService No. 7 was launched. Therewas a slight sea with a light south-easterly breeze blowing. The life-boatfound the local fishing boat MaggieDeas, with a crew of four. She hadbroken down, and the life-boat towedher to Hartlepool, reaching her stationagain at 7.15.—Rewards, £8 4s.

DINGHY CARRIED AWAY BY TIDEHumber, Yorkshire.—At 9.31 on the

morning of the 21st of October, 1953,the Spurn Point coastguard telephonedthat the S.S. Nestos, of Piraeus, whichwas anchored in the River Humber,had wirelessed that three of her crewwere adrift in a dinghy which was beingcarried by the tide to the mouth of theriver. At 9.48 the life-boat City ofBradford II was launched. Therewas a slight sea and a light southerlybreeze, and it was foggy. The life-boat found both the dinghy andanother boat, with a crew of nine,which had put off from the Nestos tosearch, secured to the Middle Lightfloat. Neither boat could make anyheadway against the tide, so the life-boat towed them back to their ship

and reached her station again at 1.15.—Paid Permanent Crew.

MAN FROM ARAN ISLAND TAKENFOR OPERATION

Galway Bay.—At 9.45 on the morn-ing of the 23rd of October, 1953, thelocal doctor asked if the life-boatwould take a seventy-four-year-oldman, who was seriously ill, to the main-land, as no other boat was available.At noon the life-boat Mabel MarionThompson put out in a choppy seaand a moderate north-westerly breeze,with the patient on board. She tookhim to the mainland and arrived backat her station at four o'clock. Theman was operated on that evening,and his life was saved.—Rewards,£14 15s. Refunded to the Institutionby the Galway County Council.

FISHING BOAT NEARLY ASHORE INGALE

Aith, Shetlands. — At 11.25 on thenight of the 24th of October, 1953, acrofter telephoned the coxswain thata fishing boat was making distresssignals at The Rona, off Aith Voe.Five minutes after midnight the life-boat The Rankin put to sea. Thesea was very rough, with a fullsoutherly gale blowing. The life-boatfound the fishing boat Royal Exchange,of Lerwick, with a crew of three. Herengines had broken down. The fish-ing boat was only fifty yards from theshore and was in danger of beingdriven on to it. The life-boatmenpassed a rope to her, and the life-boattowed her to a safe anchorage, reach-ing her station again at 1.40.—Re-wards, £8 3s.

DOCTOR BROUGHT TO LONDONTANKER

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—At2.54 on the afternoon of the 25th ofOctober, 1953, the coastguard tele-phoned that the tanker Alva Bay, ofLondon, which was .one mile south-eastof Mumbles Head, had reported thatshe had a very sick man on board. Noother boat was available, so at 3.17the life-boat William Gammon—Man-chester and District XXX was launchedin a swell and with a moderate north-westerly breeze blowing. She took adoctor to the vessel, but the man was


too ill to be taken ashore. The doctorstayed with him for half an hour,then re-embarked in the life-boat,which arrived back at her station at4.51.—Rewards, £10 8s.

RESCUE FROM ROWING BOATNEAR BRIGHTON PIER

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 3.20on the afternoon of the 26th of Octo-ber', 1953, the coastguard rang up to saythat the Brighton police had reportedthat a rowing boat, with two men onboard, had anchored about one hun-dred and fifty yards east of PalacePier, Brighton. As the men mighthave had great difficulty in landingin the bad weather, the life-boat RosaWoodd and Phyllis Lunn was launchedat 3.40. The sea was rough, with astrong southerly breeze blowing. Thelife-boat rescued the men and reachedher station again at 5.45.—Rewards,£9 3s.

AWARD FOR ABERDEEN COXSWAINOn the afternoon of the 26th of

October, 1953, the Aberdeen No. 1life-boat Hilton Briggs went to thehelp of the local fishing boat, TrustfulIII. In rough and confused seas atow rope was made fast to the fishingboat, and the life-boat towed her toharbour. The thanks of the Institu-tion inscribed on vellum were accordedto Coxswain George Flett. For a fullaccount of this service see page 632.

MOTOR BARGE BROKEN DOWNNEAR SKEGNESS

Skegness, Lincolnshire.—At 5.51 onthe morning of the 27th of October,1953, the coastguard telephoned thata Trinity House vessel had reportedthat she had seen red flares south-westof North Race Buoy. At 6.13 hereported another flare south-west ofNorth-East Docking Buoy. Seven-teen minutes later he gave the positionas east-by-south of Skegness pier, andat 7.10 the life-boat Anne Allen waslaunched. There was a rough sea anda strong south-easterly wind. Atnine o'clock the S.S. Arthur Wrightwirelessed that she had found themotor barge Will Everard, of London,at anchor at the north end of BurnhamFlats. Her steering gear had brokendown, and the steamer took her in

tow. The life-boat stood by for overan hour, but the Arthur Wright towedthe barge to Great Yarmouth, and thelife-boat returned to her station,arriving at two o'clock.—Rewards,£21 15*.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO LIGHTHOUSEBarra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At

noon on the 29th of October, 1953, theNorthern Lighthouse Board reportedthat a man in the Barrahead light-house was ill and needed immediatemedical attention. The weather wastoo bad for the board's boat to put out,and at 12.55 the life-boat Lloyd's putto sea with a doctor and, in a roughsea and southerly gale, made forBarrahead. She took the sick man onboard and landed him at Castlebay,reaching her station again at 6.30.—•Rewards, £12 19s.

YACHT TOWED TO FOLKESTONEDungeness, Kent. — At 9.30 on the

morning of the 31st of October, 1953,the life-boat signalman reported thata fishing boat had taken in tow a dis-masted yacht, the Grania, of Ports-mouth, and needed the help of thelife-boat. The weather was deteri-orating, so at 9.45 the life-boat CharlesCooper Henderson was launched in arough sea with a fresh breeze blowing.She came up with the fishing boat onemile south-west of the life-boat station,took over the yacht and towed her toFolkestone, reaching her station againat 4.15.—Rewards, £41.

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

New Brighton, Cheshire. — October1st.—Rewards, £12 8*.

Blackpool, Lancashire.—October 2nd.—Rewards, £10 16s.

Hastings, Sussex.—October 3rd.—Rewards, £45 6s. Qd.

Broughty Ferry, Angus. — October5th.—Rewards, £6 15s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—October 5th.—Rewards, £11 8s. Qd.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — October14th.—Rewards, £21 17s.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. —October 14th.—Rewards, £20 10s.


Cromer, Norfolk.—October 14th.—Rewards, £33 6s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—October18th.—Rewards, £9 3s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—October 19th.—Rewards, £17 0*. 6d.

Margate, Kent. — October 19th.—Rewards, £27 2s. Od.

Walmer, Kent. — October 19th. —Rewards, £29 14s.

Selsey, Sussex. — October 20th. —Rewards, £10 7s.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—October 24th.—Rewards, £19 2s.

Broughty Ferry, Angus. — October26th.—Rewards, £12 12s. 6d.

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—October 26th.—Rewards, £24 10s.

Arbroath, Angus.—October 26th.—-Rewards, £32.

Workington, Cumberland. — October28th.—Rewards, £12 19s.

Wick, Caithness-shire. — October30th.—Rewards, £17 6s.

NOVEMBERDURING November life-boats werelaunched 33 times and rescued 20lives.

FISHING BOAT ESCORTED TOSCARBOROUGH

Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On theafternoon of the 1 st of November, 1953,the weather deteriorated and condi-tions at the harbour entrance becamedangerous. The local fishing boatPremier was at sea with a crew ofthree, and at 2.30 the life-boatE.C.J.R. was launched. There was aheavy sea, with a south-south-eastgale blowing. The life-boat came upwith the Premier off Burniston,escorted her to Scarborough harbour,and reached her station, again, at 5.30.—Rewards, £17 10s. 6d.

FOUR RESCUED FROM THREEBOATS

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—At3.50 on the 1st of November, 1953, thecoxswain reported that two rowingboats with one person in each were indifficulties in Swansea Bay, and thattwo men who had put off to help themin another boat had also got intodifficulties. At 4.4 the life-boatWilliam Gammon—Manchester andDistrict XXX was launched in a rough

sea with a south-westerly breeze blow-ing. She found the three boats onemile south of Middle Swansea Bay.She rescued the four people and towedthe boats to The Mumbles, reachingher station again at 5.34.—Rewards,£11 8s.

RESCUE FROM DRIFTING FISHINGBOAT

Workington, Cumberland.—At 4.35 onthe afternoon of the 1st of November.1953, the coastguard rang up to saythat the dock police had reported thatfour youths had put off in the fishingboat Minnie, of Maryport, but thatshe was now out of sight. The seawas rough and a strong south-south-east wind was blowing, and at 4.50 thelife-boat Manchester and SalfordXXIXput to sea. She found the Minniedrifting four miles north of Working-ton, rescued the youths and towed theboat to harbour, reaching her stationagain at 6.45.—Rewards, £7 11s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY TILL TUGARRIVES

Fowey, Cornwall.—At 5.35 on theevening of the 3rd of November, 1953, ashipping company at Par reportedthat they had received a message thatthe motor ship Summity, of London,had asked for help as she had brokendown half a mile south of DodmanHead. At 6.3 the life-boat C.D.E.C.put out in a calm sea and freshwesterly breeze. She remained withthe Summity until a tug arrived totake her in tow, and then returned toher station, arriving at 10.45.—Re-wards, £12 5s.

STEAMER AGROUND ON GUNFLEETSANDS

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 11.33on the morning of the 4th of November,1953, the Walton-on-the-Naze coast-guard rang up to say that the S.S.Park-wood, of Middlesbrough, with acrew of fifteen, had run ashore on theGunfleet Sands about half a mile westof the Mid Gunfleet Buoy. Thecoastguard kept watch on her and at1.55 reported that she was listing toport. As the tide ebbed it was seenthat her stern was well above thewater, and it was feared that she hadstruck old wreckage. At four o'clock


the life-boat Edian Courtauld put outin a slight sea and light west-north-west breeze. She found a tug with thesteamer. The life-boat took the tug-master to the steamer and later helpedthe tug to tow her clear. The Park-wood then went on her way to Harwichunder her own power, and the life-boat returned to her station, arrivingat 11.30 on the morning of the 5th.—•Property Salvage Case.

SIX BOYS RESCUED IN HEAVYSWELL

Peterhead, Aberdeenshlre.—At 3.15 onthe afternoon of the 4th of November,1953, the coastguard telephoned thatsix boys in a rowing boat off the NorthHead had only two oars betweenthem and were in difficulties in thetide and heavy swell, At 3.45 thelife-boat Julia Park Barry, of Glasgowwas launched in a heavy ground swellwith a moderate south-south-eastbreeze blowing. She found the row-ing boat Defiant, rescued the boys andput a life-boatman aboard the Defiant.She then towed the boat to Peterhead,arriving at 4.25.—Rewards, £10 2s. 6d.

LIFE-BOATMAN PILOTS TRAWLERTO STORNOWAY

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At 12.58early on the morning of the 8th ofNovember, 1953, the coastguard rangup to say that the trawler Sea Hunter,which had a crew of twelve, had wire-lessed that she was leaking off theShiant Islands, and that her pumpscould not keep pace with the water.At 1.30 the life-boat William andHarriot put out in a rough sea with astrong westerly gale blowing. Shefound the trawler in North Minch,eight miles from Stornoway, makingfor harbour. A life-boatman boardedher and piloted her to Stornoway,escorted by the life-boat, whichreached her station again at 3.15.—Rewards, £7.

SERVICE BY RESERVE LIFE-BOATDURING MACHINERY TRIALS

Reserve life-boat.—At 9.30 on the 10thof November, 1953, the reserve life-boat Thomas Markby put out from ashipbuilders' yard at Littlehamptonin a swell and light south-south-eastbreeze. She was to undergo machin-

ery trials following a survey. Thelife-boat district engineer, a motormechanic and two employees of theshipbuilders formed her crew. Whenthey were two miles south-south-eastof Littlehainpton Pier they saw atwenty-six feet sailing cutter drifting.Three boys who were absent from anapproved school were found on board.They were cold and hungry. One ofthe crew of the life-boat went on board,and the life-boat towed the cutter toLittlehampton, arriving at 10.30. Theboys were handed over to the police,who met the life-boat.—Rewards, £2.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF IRISHLIGHTHOUSE

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 7.45 on theevening of the 14th of November, 1953,a message was received from theSkelligs Rock lighthouse asking if thelife-boat would land a sick keeper.The tender of the Commissioners ofIrish Lights could not leave Castle-town because of the bad weather. At10.15 on the morning of the 15th thelife-boat A.E.D. put to sea with arelief keeper on board, taking herboarding boat with her. The sea wasvery rough with a fresh south-westerlygale blowing. The life-boat landedthe relief keeper on the rock. Afterseveral attempts the sick man wastaken into the boarding boat andtransferred to the life-boat, whichreached Valentia again at three in theafternoon.—Rewards, £14 14s. Re-funded to the Institution by the Com-missioners of Irish Lights.

THREE LIFE-BOATS SEARCH FORSURVIVORS

Dungeness, and Dover, Kent; andHastings, Sussex.—At four o'clock onthe morning of the 16th of November,1953, the Lade coastguard telephonedthe Dungeness life-boat station thatthe S.S. Perou, of Havre, had reportedthat she had been in collision with theS.S. Vittoria Claudia, of Genoa, whichhad a crew of twenty-five, two milessouth of Dungeness. The coastguardlater stated that a pilot boat which hadbeen at the position had stated thatthere was no sign of any vessel inneed of help. Nevertheless, at 4.53the life-boat Charles Cooper Hendersonwas launched in a slight sea with a


STORES IN THE DEPOT AT BOREHAM WOOD

(see page 634)

THE DEPOT RIGGING LOFT


By courtesy of] [Hull Daily Mail

NAMING THE "FRIENDLY FORESTER"

(see page 660)

By courtesy of} [The Bulletin

NAMING CEREMONY AT CAMPBELTOWN

(see page 659)


By courtesy of] [Western Morning News

THE NEW ILFRACOMBE LIFE-BOAT

(see page 660)

.,

LAUNCHING THE NEW PEEL LIFE-BOAT

(see page 660)

648 THE LIFE-BOAT [MAKCH, 1954

By courtesy of] [Courier and Advertiser, Dundee

AFTER THE DISASTER

The Arbroath life-boat Robert Lindsay is towed away

MARCH, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT (UO

By courtesy of] [p. A .—Reuter

THE SHOREHAM LIFE-BOAT TO THE HELP—

-OF THE MOTOR YACHT "ERICHT


By courtesy o/] [Daily Herald

ANOTHER SHOREHAM SERVICE

liy courtesy of] [R. H. Laicrence, Jersey

THE JERSEY LIFE-BOAT BRINGS ELEVEN SURVIVORS

from the S.S. Brockley Combe

(see page 632)


By courtesy of]GUERNSEY'S 150th ANNIVERSARY

Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown presents the vellum to Sir Thomas Elmhirst

(see page 658)

[Guernsey Press

1,000 GUINEAS CHEQUE FROM BRADFORD LIONS CLUB

Mr. Clifford Kershaw presents a cheque to Alderman Horace Hird, Chairman of theBradford Branch


By courtesy of] [Swedish Society for Rescuing the Shipwrecked

SWEDISH LIFE-BOAT UNDERGOING TRIALS

A DUTCH LIFE-BOAT

MARCH, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 6S3

light south-westerly breeze blowing.She found wreckage of the VittoriaClaudia, which had sunk, two milessouth-east of the life-boat station. Shebegan at once to search for survivors.At 5.13 the Fairlight coastguardinformed the Hastings life-boat station,and at 5.32 the life-boat M.T.C. waslaunched. At 5.17 the Sandgate coast-guard informed the Dover life-boatstation, and the life-boat SouthernAfrica put to sea at 5.45. The life-boats searched widely. The Dunge-ness life-boat found two bodies, andthe Hastings life-boat one. TheM.T.C. transferred the body she hadfound to the Charles Cooper Henderson,and both life-boats returned to theirstations, Dungeness arriving at 10.45and Hastings at 3.50. The Doverlife-boat found only a ship's boat,which she towed to Dover. Shereached her station at 4.30. At 2.53the Lade coastguard again telephonedthe Dungeness life-boat station to saythat an open boat had been seen threemiles north-west of the Varne light-vessel. The Charles Cooper Hendersonwas launched a second time at 3.40.She searched widely, but found noth-ing, and reached her station again at8.30. Twenty members of the Italiansteamer's crew lost their lives, but thepilot boat rescued the five survivors.—Rewards: Dungeness. 1st service, £37,2nd service, £35 3s.; Dover, £11 15.9.;Hastings, £44 16s. 6d.

STEAMER AGROUND OFF REDCAR

Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—At 2.15 earlyon the morning of the 20th of Novem-ber, 1953, the South Gare coastguardrang up to say that the S.S. Albano,of Hull, had wirelessed that she hadgone aground in Tees Bay and hadasked for tugs and a pilot. She wasin a dangerous position on the Saltscarrocks off Redcar, and at 3.15 the life-boat John and Lucy Cordingley waslaunched. The sea was calm with alight south-westerly breeze blowing.The life-boat found the Albanostranded, with old wrecks on each sideof her. The life-boat stood by heruntil the Albano refloated and wastaken in tow by a tug. She thenreturned to her station, arriving at3.25.—Rewards, £34 18s.

DRIFTING MOTOR BOAT TOWEDTO HARBOUR

Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 12.29 on theafternoon of the 22nd of November,1953, the coastguard rang up to saythat the local motor boat Belle hadbroken down, and that her crew ofthree were waving for help. At 12.40the life-boat Michael Stephens put outin a calm sea and light westerlybreeze. She found the Belle two milesfrom the harbour drifting northwards.She towed her to Lowestoft, arriving at1.45. The owner thanked the life-boatmen.—Rewards, £9 16s.

ARBROATH LIFE-BOAT STANDS BYAT HARBOUR BAR

Arbroath, Angus.—On the morning ofthe 23rd of November, 1953, localfishing boats put to sea, but at 11.30the coastguard reported that condi-tions at the harbour bar were danger-ous. At 11.45 the life-boat HowardD., on temporary duty at the station,was launched to stand by when thefishing boats returned. There was aheavy swell, with a strong south-south-east breeze blowing. The life-boat stood by the bar until all thefishing boats had crossed it safely, andthen returned to her station, arrivingat 3.30.—Rewards, £12 12s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO ARKLOWArklow, Go. Wicklow.—At 6.5 on the

evening of the 24th of November, 1953,fishermen reported that a boat hadburnt flares north of Arklow harbour.At 6.30 the life-boat Inbhear Mor waslaunched. The sea was rough, with amoderate southerly wind blowing. Thelife-boat found the local fishing boatSt. Michael, with a crew of four, fourand a half miles north-north-east ofthe pier. Her nets had fouled herpropeller, and she had anchored in adangerous position, a quarter of a milefrom the shore. A tow rope was madefast, and the life-boat towed the fish-ing boat to Arklow, reaching herstation again at 8.55.—Rewards,£9 11s.

LONDON STEAMER SINKS AFTERCOLLISION

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston,Norfolk.—At 12.27 early on the morn-ing of the 26th of November, 1953, the


Gorleston coastguard rang up to saythat the S.S. Marsworth, of London,had wirelessed that she was sinking.She had been in collision with a Frenchsteamer about eight miles from Winter-ton and was making for the beach.At 12.50 the life-boat Louise Stephenswas launched in a slight swell with alight south-south-west breeze blowingand fog, but before she could reach herthe Marsworth sank. The S.S. JellicoeRose took on board three of theMarsworth''s crew of ten, and theremainder were taken aboard anothership. The Jellicoe Rose broadcast thisnews and the life-boat, finding hertwo miles north of North CockleBuoy, took on board the three mem-bers of the Marsworth's crew who hadbeen rescued. She landed them inthe harbour at 7.18.—Rewards, £33.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED INGALE

BridUngton, Yorkshire.—At 12.15 onthe afternoon of the 27th of November,1953, during bad weather, the coast-guard assembled the coastguard shorelife-saving team to man the piers incase any fishing boat entering theharbour needed help. At 12.50 thelife-boatmen also assembled, and at1.10, as the weather was deteriorating,they launched the life-boat TillieMorrison, Sheffield II, with the secondcoxswain in charge. There was aheavy swell with a south-south-westgale blowing. The life-boat escortedin a number of local fishing boatsand reached her station again at 3.10.—Rewards, £10 7s.

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

Dungeness, Kent.—November 7th.—Rewards, £31 6s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—Novem-ber 7th.—Rewards, £9.

number, Yorkshire.—November 7th.—Paid Permanent Crew.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston,Norfolk. — November 8th. — Rewards,£13 4s.

Plymouth, Devon.—November 12th.—Rewards, £16 5s.

Caister, Norfolk.—November 18th.—•Rewards, £17 4s.

Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.—November 21st.—Rewards, £9 4s.

Caister, Norfolk.—November 25th.—Rewards, £12 13s.

Swanage, Dorset.—November 25th.—Rewards, £14 3s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—November 25th.—Rewards, £10 10s.

Salcombe, Devon.—November 25th.—Rewards, £9 12s.

Swanage, Dorset.—November 27th.—Rewards, £8 12s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—November 27th.—Rewards, £7.

Stromness, Orkneys. —• November28th.—Rewards, £8 4s.

DECEMBERDUKING December life-boats werelaunched 42 times and rescued 49 lives.

LIFE-BOATMAN PILOTS DUTCHSHIP

Weymouth, Dorset.—At 10.27 on themorning of the 3rd of December, 1953,the Wyke Regis coastguard rang upto say that the Shambles light-vesselhad reported that a vessel passing herwas flying a distress signal. At 10.40the life-boat William and Clara Rylandput to sea. The sea was rough witha strong south-south-east breeze blow-ing. The life-boat found the motorvessel Heemskerk, of Rotterdam, witha crew of eight, three miles south-south-east of Portland. She was leak-ing badly, and her stern was nearlyawash. A life-boatman boarded herto pilot her, and the life-boat escortedher to Weymouth harbour, reachingher station again at 12.10.—Rewards,£,*•7.

SICK MAN OFF VENEZUELANDESTROYER

Barrow, Lancashire.—At 12.40 on theafternoon of the 4th of December,1953, the life-boat coxswain received alink telephone call from the Venezuelandestroyer Nueva Esparta, which wasundergoing gunnery trials in the IrishSea, that a workman on board wasbleeding internally and that she wishedto land him. No other boat wasavailable, and at 12.50 the life-boatHerbert Leigh was launched in a slightsea with a light northerly breeze blow-ing. She came up with the destroyeroff Lightning Knoll Buoy and took


the man ashore, reaching her stationagain at 2.50.—Rewards, £5 12s. 6d.

SCHOONER'S CREW JUMP INTOLIFE-BOAT

Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 8.52 on theevening of the 4th of December, 1953,the life-boat motor mechanic reportedthat flares had been seen north ofArklow harbour. At 9.9 the life-boatInbhear Mor was launched. The seawas choppy, with a moderate north-easterly breeze blowing. The life-boatfound the fishing boat Pride ofLeinster,with a crew of five, broken down andat anchor about two miles north-north-east of the pier. She was indanger of being driven ashore, so atthe request of the skipper the life-boattowed her to Arklow Dock, arriving at9.55. While the life-boat was towingthe Pride of Leinster, she noticed thatthe schooner M. E. Johnson, which wasmaking for the harbour, appeared togo aground off South Pier in a roughand confused sea. The life-boatberthed the fishing boat, and at 8.5she put to sea again. She anchored ahundred yards to seaward of theschooner and veered down to herthrough the breaking sea. With diffi-culty, at the second attempt, she gotalongside her, and the schooner's crewof four jumped into the life-boat.The life-boat reached her station againat 10.45.—Rewards, £10 10s.

TWO MEN OVERBOARD FROMYACHT

Torbay, Devon.—At 2.42 early on themorning of the 6th of December, 1953,the Brixham coastguard rang up to saythat shouts for help had been heard offFreshwater Quarry. At 3.10 the life-boat George Shee put to sea. Therewas a slight swell with a moderateeasterly breeze blowing. A flashinglight and shouting guided the life-boatto the yacht Rosemary V moored offBrixham Harbour. The owner wasthe only person on board, and he hadshouted for help because his twocolleagues had been thrown into thesea when the dinghy, in which theyhad been about to put off from theyacht, had capsized. He had got holdof both of them, and police had putout in a dinghy and helped him getthem aboard. The police revived one

of the men, and the life-boat returnedashore for a doctor and put him andambulance men aboard the yacht.Two life-boatmen helped with artificialrespiration, but the second man died.The life-boat reached her station againat 5.15.—Rewards, £9 12s.

CALL FOR LIFE-BOAT WHILE ONEXERCISE

Tynemouth, Northumberland. — At2.25 on the afternoon of the 6th ofDecember, 1953, the life-boat Tynesiderwas launched for a routine exercise. Oncompleting the exercise she made forher station again, but when she wasnearing Tyne North Pier she saw themotor fishing boat Edward, of New-castle-on-Tyne, stopped, half a milenorth of the pier. One of her crewwas waving, so the Tynesider immed-iately went to her help. The sea wasrough with a moderate south-easterlybreeze blowing. The life-boat foundthat the fishing boat had broken downwith five men on board. She wasdrifting towards rocks, so the life-boattowed her to North Shields and reachedher station again at 4.30.—Rewards,£12 7s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY SWEDISHSTEAMER

Runswick, Yorkshire.—At 7.55 on themorning of the 8th of December, 1953,a telephone message was received atthe life-boat station stating that a shiphad gone aground half a mile southof Staithes. At 8.30 the life-boatRobert Patton—The Always Ready waslaunched in a moderate sea with aneasterly wind blowing. She found theS.S. Grano, of Stockholm, with a crew oftwenty-six. Two tugs also found her,and the life-boat stood by all day andpassed ropes from the steamer tothem. The tugs refloated the Grano,and the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 7.15 in the evening.—Property Salvage Case.

LIFE-BOAT AND TUG HELPTRAWLER

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At 5.52 on theevening of the 8th of December, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that thesteam trawler Thomas L. Devlin, ofGranton, had gone ashore at NorthCarr. At 6.10 the life-boat James and


Ruby Jackson was launched, with thebowman in charge. There was a swelland fog. The life-boat found thetrawler nearly high and dry twomiles east-by-north of the North Carrlightvessel. She stood by her untila tug arrived, and then passed a ropefrom the tug to the trawler. The life-boat remained until the tug pulledthe trawler clear, and then returnedto her station, arriving at 3.30 earlyon the 9th.—Rewards, £25 96-.

PILOT BROUGHT TO ITALIAN SHIPPortrush, Co. Antrim.—At 10.35 on

the night of the 11 th of December, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that avessel had gone aground at GallowayRock, near Greencastle. At 10.48 thelife-boat Lady Scott, Civil Service No.4, was launched. The sea was roughwith a strong south-south-east breezeblowing. The life-boat found themotor vessel Meligunis, of Italy. Hermaster said that she was not damagedor in difficulties, but asked if the life-boat would fetch a pilot. The life-boat took a pilot on board at Movilleand put him aboard the Meligunis.which, by now, had refloated andanchored off Moville. The life-boat,being no longer needed, returned toher station, arriving at 4.32 early onthe 12th.—Rewards, £15 15s.

ESCORT FOR FISHING BOAT IN TOWBlyth, Northumberland.—At 2.35 on

the afternoon of the 13th of December,1953, the coastguard rang up to saythat the fishing coble Mavis, with acrew of two, was overdue, and at threeo'clock the life-boat Winston Churchill,Civil Service No. 8, was launched.The sea was rough, with a fresh south-south-east breeze blowing. The life-boat found the Mavis three milessouth-east of the pier. Her engine hadbroken down, and the fishing boatSceptre, which had reached her at thesame time as the life-boat, took her intow. The life-boat escorted both theboats to Blyth, reaching her stationagain at 4.15.—Rewards, £8 12s.

CALL FOR LIFE-BOAT AFTER AFISHING COMPETITION

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—Duringthe afternoon of the 13th of December,1953, a fishing competition was held in

Llandudno Bay, but the weatherdeteriorated and all but two of thesmall boats returned to the shore.About 3.30 the two boats signalled forhelp three quarters of a mile north ofthe pier, and the life-boat TillieMorrison, Sheffield, was launched. Thesea was choppy with a fresh south-south-east wind blowing. A rowingboat fitted with an outboard motoralso made for the position and thelife-boat stood by. The life-boat thenescorted all three boats to the shore.She reached her station again at 5.5.—Rewards, £12 12s.

TWENTY-TWO RESCUED FROMGREEK STEAMER

Redcar, Yorkshire.—At 9.47 on thenight of the 14th of December, 1953,the coastguard rang up to say that asteamer had gone aground on EastScar rocks. At 10.10 the life-boatCity of Leeds was launched. Therewas a heavy swell, with a light south-erly breeze blowing. The life-boatfound the S.S. Dimitris, of Andros,Greece, bound for the Tees laden withiron ore, badly holed. She rescuedtwenty-two of the steamer's crew ofthirty-six and reached her stationagain at 9.45. She had intendedputting off again to take ashore theothers, but two fishing boats had, inthe meantime, rescued them.—Re-wards, £12 4s.

ELEVEN RESCUED OFF MINQUIERSREEF

Early on the morning of the 15th ofDecember, 1953, the St. Helier, Jersey,life-boat Elizabeth Rippon took offeleven of the crew of the motor vesselBrockley Combe, of Bristol, which hadstruck the Minquiers Reef. For thisservice, a full account of which is givenon page 632, Coxswain Edward Lar-balestier was accorded the thanks ofthe Institution inscribed on vellum.

THANKS OF INSTITUTION FORMARGATE COXSWAIN

On the morning of the 19th ofDecember, 1953, the Margate life-boatNorth Foreland. Civil Service No XIwas launched in a rough sea to go tothe help of the French trawler NotreDame de la Mer. off Boulogne, whichwas being driven inshore and was


pounding heavily. The life-boat suc-ceeded in towing the trawler clear.For this service, a full account ofwhich is given on page 633, CoxswainDenis Price was accorded the thanksof the Institution inscribed on vellum.

CREW OF SUNK VESSEL LANDEDON CHRISTMAS EVE

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 6.39 onthe evening of the 24th of December,1953, the coastguard rang up to say thata steamer had wirelessed that anothersteamer had collided with the motorvessel Alf Everard, of London, offSea Reach. At 6.55 the life-boatGreater London, Civil Service No. 3, waslaunched. There was a slight sea witha light south-westerly breeze blowing.Using her searchlight, the life-boatfound the S.S. Sir Alexander Kenned;/half a mile east of No. 1 Sea ReachBuoy. The steamer had taken 011board the crew of seven of the AlfEverard after the vessel had sunk.The men were transferred to the life-boat, which landed them at Southern!pier at 8.30.—Rewards, £9 15s.

HELP TO GUERNSEY FISHING BOATSt. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 6.35 oil

the evening of the 26th of December,1953, a man at Jethou reported thatthe local fishing boat Belarita, whichhad engine trouble, had left for St.Sampson's in tow of the motor boatMionne at six o'clock but that thetow rope had parted off Creux Rocks.The boats had been lost to sight in thebad visibility, so at 7.48 the life-boatQueen Victoria put to sea with thesecond coxswain in charge. There wasa moderate sea, and a fresh windwas blowing from the west. Thelife-boat found the Mionne off Jethou,took the owner aboard, anchored theboat off Herm Harbour, and landedthe owner and his party of two. Shethen searched for the Belarita, but inthe meantime the coxswain had putoff with two other men in a shore-boat.The shore-boat contacted the life-boat,and the coxswain boarded her andtook command. The shore-boat thenmade for St. Peter Port, but she cameup with the Belarita south-west ofJethou and towed her in. The life-boat was recalled to her station, whichshe reached at 10.35.—Rewards,£10 12s.

STEAMER ON ROCKS AT MEWISLAND

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At 11.44 onthe morning of the 29th of December,1953, the Bangor coastguard tele-phoned that a vessel had run on therocks at Mew Island. At 11.55 thelife-boat Sir Samuel Kelly put to sea.There was a ground swell with a lightwesterly breeze blowing. The life-boat found the 450-ton S.S. Grace Hill,of Belfast, with a crew of nine. At therequest of the skipper the life-boatstood by until the steamer refloatedon the rising tide. The Grace Hillwas not damaged and made for Larne.The life-boat returned to her station,arriving at 2.25.—Rewards, £8 2s.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO INISHEREISLAND

Galway Bay.—At one o'clock on theafternoon of the 29th of December,1953, the local doctor asked if thelife-boat would take him to InishereIsland, to attend a very sick man. whomight have to be moved to the main-land. As no other boat was available,the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompsonput to sea at 1.20 with the doctor onboard. The sea was calm, and therewas a light westerly breeze and fog.The life-boat took the doctor toInishere, but the patient was too weakto be moved. The doctor treated himand re-embarked in the life-boat,which reached her station again atfive o'clock.—Rewards, £10 19s.

SICK WOMAN TAKEN OFF BARDSEYPorthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—At

10.25 on the nightof the 31st of Decem-ber, 1953, the coastguard rang up tosay that a doctor had reported that awoman on Bardsey Island was serious-ly ill. The doctor asked if the life-boat would take him to the island. At11.47 the life-boat Charles HenryAshley was launched in a choppy seawith a light northerly breeze blowing.She took the doctor to Bardsey, wherehe decided that the woman should beadmitted to hospital. The life-boattook her and the doctor to Porthdin-llaen, where an ambulance was wait-ing, arriving at seven o'clock on the1st January. The woman died thenext day.—Rewards, £21 11s.


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

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—December1st.—Rewards, £14 5s.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—December 2nd.—Rewards, £62 7*. 6d.

Buckle, Banff shire.—December 3rd.—Rewards, £9 6s. 6d.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—December5th.—Rewards, £7 7s. Qd.

Penlee, Cornwall.—December 5th.—Rewards, £26 14*. 6d.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—December6th.—Rewards, £15 15*.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire. — December7th.—Rewards, £20 18*.

Weymouth, Dorset.—December 8th.—Rewards, £10 10*.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—December 9th.—Rewards, £10 5*.

Coverack, Cornwall.—December 9th.—Rewards, £12 19*.

Fowey, Cornwall.—December 9th.—Rewards, £8 15*.

Selsey, Sussex. — December 9th. —Rewards, £29 12*. 6d.

Appledore, Devon.—December llth.—Rewards, £6 17s.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—Decemberllth.—Rewards, £46 5s.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—Dec-ember 12th.—Rewards, £10 11*.

Filey, Yorkshire.—December 14th.—Rewards, £12 18*.

Margate, Kent.—December 15th.—Rewards, £14 16*.

Eastbourne, Sussex.—December 20th.—Rewards, £31.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — December22nd.—Rewards, £14 8*. 6d.

Newhaven, Sussex.—December 23rd.—Rewards, £14 18*.

Criccieth, Caernarvonshire.—Decem-ber 24th.—Rewards, £17 17*.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—December29th.—Rewards, £10 8*.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—December29th—Rewards, £7.

150th Anniversaries of Life-boat StationsGUERNSEY

Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown,Secretary of the Institution, presenteda certificate inscribed on vellum tomark the 150th anniversary of thefounding of a life-boat station atGuernsey, to Sir Thomas Elmhirst,Lieutenant-Governor and president ofthe Guernsey branch. The ceremonytook place on the 24th of November,1953, at the Royal Hotel. Mr. H.E. Marquand, chairman of the branch,was in the chair.

After describing the work of theInstitution, Colonel Burnett Brownsuggested that one aspect of our liveswhich might astonish historians twothousand years hence was the growthof voluntary institutions in Britain.The Life-boat Institution might, hedeclared be considered the mostremarkable of all independent nationalservices.

The first life-boat station in Guern-sey was established at St. Sampson's in1803. This was taken over by theInstitution in 1861. In 1881 the St.Sampson's station was closed and thepresent station at St. Peter Port

established. There have been six life-boats in Guernsey, the first being builtby Henry Greathead, the builder ofthe Original. These life-boats havebeen launched on service 100 timesand have rescued 76 lives. Six silvermedals have been awarded to Guernseylife-boatmen.

HOYLAKEA CERTIFICATE inscribed on vellumcommemorating the one hundred andfiftieth anniversary of the founding ofthe Hoylake station was presented onTuesday, the 15th of December, 1953.The ceremony took place in theCouncil Chamber of the HoylakeUrban District Council. The certifi-cate was presented by Mr. PatrickHowarth, Publicity Secretary, to Mr.M. Arnet Robinson, chairman of theHoylake branch and a member of theCommittee of Management. Mr.Arnet Robinson handed it to CouncillorF. H. Smith, chairman of the HoylakeUrban District Council, for safe keeping.

Captain H. H. Davies, honorarysecretary of the Hoylake station,reviewed the station's past history.The station was established in 1803 by


the Mersey Docks and Harbour Boardand was taken over by the Institutionin 1894. Since 1894 up to the timeof the ceremony Hoylake life-boats hadbeen launched on service 142 timesand had rescued 68 lives. Before1894 the Institution has no record ofthe work of the station, but accordingto a list supplied by the Mersey Docksand Harbour Board life-boats fromHilbre Island and Hoylake rescued459 lives between 1840 and 1894.There is no record of rescues before1840.

Councillor Smith described some ofthe services of the Hoylake life-boatsin the past. He also recalled anoccasion when one of the horses,which used to haul the life-boat downto the water, heard the maroon whenit was working in the fields. Itimmediately answered the call anddashed down to the shore, but in itsexcitement it fell down dead.

PLYMOUTHA CERTIFICATE inscribed on vellum tomark the 150th anniversary of thefounding of the Plymouth life-boatstation was presented on the 15th of

December, 1953. The ceremony tookplace at the Baptist Church Hall,Mutley Plain. Owing to the absence ofthe president of the branch, the Earl ofMount Edgcumbe, Commander R. T.Gardiner, Queen's Harbour Master,took the chair and outlined the historyof the station. Mr. A. S. Hicks, honor-ary secretary of the Plymouth branch,spoke of its more recent activities, histalk being illustrated by colour slides.Captain Guy D. Fanshawe, R.N., a vice-president and member of the Committeeof Management, spoke of the work ofthe Institution in general and thenhanded the vellum to the Lord Mayorof Plymouth, Alderman Sir CliffordTozer. The ceremony was attended bysome 300 people.

There have been ten life-boats atPlymouth in all, the first being one ofthe boats built by Henry Greathead.Since 1803 Plymouth life-boats havebeen launched on service 134 times andhave rescued 213 lives. Thirteensilver medals and one bronze medalhave been won by Plymouth life-boatmen, the last award being thebronze medal to the present coxswain,W. D. Crowther.

Naming CeremoniesSEVEN new life-boats were named dur-ing 1953. Four of these boats arestationed on the English coast, atBridlington, Ilfracombe, Flamboroughand Peel; two are in Scotland, atCampbeltown and St. Abbs; and oneis in Wales, at Pwllheli. An accountof the naming ceremony at Pwllheliwill appear in the next number ofThe Life-boat.

BRIDLINGTON

The naming of the new Bridlingtonlife-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield IItook place at Cowes on the 12th ofMay. Sir Godfrey Baring, Chairmanof the Committee of Management, wasin the chair. Commander E. W.Middleton, district inspector, describedthe life-boat. The Rev. C. E. Paterson,vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Cowes,dedicated the boat, which was thennamed by Mrs. W. D. Gale, honorarysecretary of the Cowes Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The chairman and honor-

ary secretary of the Bridlington branch,Mr. J. M. Deheer, Mrs. Deheer andmembers of the Bridlington Ladies'Life-boat Guild were present.

The new life-boat is a 35-feet6-inches Liverpool type boat.

CAMPBELTOWN

The new Campbeltown life-boatCity of Glasgow II was named atCampbeltown on the 26th of August.Major George M. Duncan, presidentof the Campbeltown branch, was inthe chair. The Rt. Hon. Thomas A.Kerr, the Lord Provost of Glasgow,presented the life-boat to the Institu-tion. Commodore the Earl Howe,deputy chairman of the Institution,handed the life-boat over to the branch,Major Duncan accepting her on thebranch's behalf. Lieut.-CommanderW. L. G. Dutton, R.N.R., districtinspector, described the boat. TheRev. B. B. Blackwood, Lochend U.F.Church of Scotland, read the lesson,


and the Rev. J. R. H. Cormack,Lowland Church of Scotland, Camp-beltown, dedicated the life-boat. Mrs.Thomas Kerr then named her.

The new life-boat, which is a 52-feetBarnett type boat, is a gift from theCity of Glasgow Life-boat Fund.

FLAMBOROUGHThe new Flamborough life-boat

Friendly Forester was named at Flam-borough on the 8th of September.County Councillor A. R. Burton,chairman of the Flamborough branch,was in the chair. Commander H. L.Wheeler, district inspector, describedthe boat. Mr. W. N. J. Huggins,High Chief Ranger, presented the boatto the Institution on behalf of theAncient Order of Foresters FriendlySociety. Captain Guy D. Fanshawe,R.N., a vice-president of the Institu-tion and a member of the Committeeof Management, accepted the boatand handed her over to the branch,on whose behalf she was received byMr. J. W. Bayes, honorary secretaryof the branch. The Rev. G. Coates,the vicar of Flamborough, dedicatedthe life-boat, and the Countess ofHalifax named her.

The new life-boat, which is a 35-feet 6-inches Liverpool type boat, is agift of the Ancient Order of ForestersFriendly Society.

PEELThe new Peel life-boat was named

Helena Harris—Manchester and Dis-trict XXXI at Peel on the 2nd of July.Mr. Frank Lightowler, chairman ofthe Peel branch, was in the chair.Commander L. F. L. Hill, R.N.R.,district inspector, described the boat.Lieut.-Commander W. E. Mercer,R.N.Y.R., chairman of the Manchesterand District branch, presented thelife-boat to the Institution. Mr. M.Arnet Robinson, a member of theCommittee of Management, receivedher and handed her over to the branch,on whose behalf she was accepted bythe Lieutenant-Governor, Sir AmbroseFlux Dundas. The Bishop of Sodorand Man, the Right Rev. J. R.Strickland Taylor, dedicated the boatand Mrs. Cubbin, a prominent supporterof the Institution in the Isle of Man,named her.

The new life-boat, which is a 35-feet

6-inches Liverpool type boat, has beenbuilt out of a legacy from the lateMiss Helena Harris, of Manchester.

ILFRACOMBEThe new Ilfracombe life-boat,

Robert and Phemia Brown, was namedat Ilfracombe on the 20th of August.Mr. C. E. Hutchings, chairman of theIlfracombe branch, was in the chair.Captain G. R. Cousins, district inspec-tor, described the life-boat. In theabsence, owing to illness, of Mr.Arthur Capewell, a member of theCommittee of Management, Mr. A. R.Dickinson, District Organising Secre-tary for the south-west of England,presented the life-boat to the branch,on whose behalf she was accepted byMr. F. G. Reed, honorary secretary ofthe branch. The Right Rev. theBishop of Crediton dedicated the life-boat, and Mrs. B. W. Brown, repre-senting the donor, named her. A voteof thanks was proposed by Mr. H. P.Smith, chairman of the IlfracombeUrban District Council, and secondedby the Rev. R. P. Johnston, Chaplainof the Seaman's Institute.

The new life-boat, which is 35-feet6-inches Liverpool type boat, has beenbuilt out of a legacy from the lateCaptain Robert Brown, of Anstruther.

ST. ABBSThe new St. Abbs life-boat was

named W. Ross Macarthur of Glasgowat St. Abbs on the 21st of July. Mr.R. B. Bell, chairman of the St. Abbsbranch, was in the chair. Mr. A.Sommerville, of Glasgow, presentedthe life-boat to the Institution onbehalf of the trustees of the latedonor. Captain the Hon. Sir Archi-bald Cochrane, R.N., a member of theCommittee of Management and avice-president of the Scottish Life-boat Council, received the boat andhanded her over to the branch, onwhose behalf she was accepted by Mr.Bell. Lieutenant E. D. Stogdon,district inspector, described the boat.The Rev. R. D. Burnett, Minister ofSt. Abbs Parish Church, dedicated thelife-boat, and Mrs. Sommerville thennamed her.

The new life-boat, which is a 35-feet6-inches Liverpool type boat, has beenbuilt out of a legacy from the late Mr.William Ross Macarthur, of Glasgow.


Obituary

COXSWAIN WIGKHAM OF ROSSLAREHARBOUR

JAMES WICKHAM, a former RosslareHarbour coxswain, died on the 6th ofDecember, 1953, at the age of 78.Coxswain Wickham was a son of thelate Coxswain Thomas Wickham ofthe Wexford life-boat. He himselfsucceeded his brother, Edward, ascoxswain in 1925. When the Wexfordstation was closed in 1928 he continuedas coxswain of the Rosslare Harbourlife-boat until he retired in 1941.

Coxswain Wickham twice won thesilver medal for bravery, the first timein 1914 for the rescue from theschooner Mexico. On that occasionhe and another life-boatman, WTilliamDuggan, volunteered to man a dinghyto rescue some Norwegian sailors whohad been clinging to the Keeraghrocks for two days. The dinghy waspierced by a rock on the journey out,but Wickham stuffed the hole with aloaf of bread wrapped in an oilskin.

His second service clasp was for therescue of five men from the schoonerMounibleary, of Plymouth, on the 20thof October, 1929, in a gale. This wasonly one of seven services carried outby the Rosslare Harbour life-boat inone month, during which 29 liveswere rescued.

For his work of rescuing life at seahe was decorated by five countries:Great Britain, Eire, Denmark, theNetherlands and Norway. His Irishaward was the gold medal of the GaelicAthletic Association. He and Dugganwere the only two men to win thisaward outside the field of sport.

His son, J. T. Wickham, is at presenta motor mechanic of the Rosslare Har-bour life-boat.

COXSWAIN LAKER OF SHOREHAM

COXSWAIN FREDERICK LAKER ofShoreham died on the 6th of Novem-ber, 1953, at the age of 73. He wasappointed coxswain of the ShorehamHarbour life-boat when the stationwas re-opened in 1929. He remainedcoxswain until he retired in 1940.

During that time the life-boat rescued48 lives.

COLONEL J. BENSKINCOLONEL JOSEPH BENSKIN, D.S.O.,O.B.E., died on the 14th of July, 1953.He had been a member of the Com-mittee of Management since 1929 anda Vice-President since 1948. He wasappointed a member of the FinanceCommittee in 1931, and later servedon a number of sub-committees.

Colonel Ben skin served in the RoyalEngineers in the 1914-18 war, winningthe D.S.O. and O.B.E. and beingmentioned in despatches. From 1928to 1934 he was a member of the LondonCounty Council, and from 1934 to 1946a member of the East Sussex CountyCouncil. He was also Deputy-Lieuten-ant of the County of Sussex. From1940 to 1942 he was Military Memberof the Board of N.A.A.F.I.

JAMES NAPIERMR. JAMES NAPIER, a member of theCommittee of Management since 1934,died on the 13th of November, 1953.From 1934 to 1939 he was a memberof the Boat Committee. A ship-builder by profession, he was chairmanof the Steel Company of Scotland.He was also a keen yachtsman, Com-modore of the Royal Northern YachtClub, and a member of the RoyalYacht Squadron.

CHARLES E. FIELDINGMR. CHARLES E. FIELDINT,, deputychairman of the Manchester andDistrict branch, who had been anhonorary worker for the Life-boatService for 55 years and an honorarylife governor of the Institution, diedin the Isle of Man in October 1953.The funeral service was held at Man-chester Crematorium on the 24th ofOctober. Mr. Fielding left a requestthat there should be no flowers, butthat donations should be sent to theInstitution.


Services of the Life-boats of the Institution during 1953

1953Jan. 3.

8.9.

10.11.

15.15.23.

24.

27.

31.31.

31.31.

31.

31.

31.31.

Feb.

10.10.

10.

10.

10.

Time oflaunching

9.30 a.m.

12.40 p.m.9.25 a.m.

5.10p.m.11.0 a.m.

5.15 p.m.9.40 p.m.

5.50 a.m.6.40 p.m.1.55 p.m.

8.15 p.m.

7.47 p.m.

10.15 a.m.10.50 a.m.

11.0 a.m.11.25 a.m.

1.40 p.m.

2.29 p.m.

3.10 p.m.9.45 p.m.

31. 10.45 p.m.

1.1.

1.

1.

s.

4.

4.

9.

9.<J

4.45 a.m.7.0 a.m.

1.45 p.m.

9.3 p.m.

4.0 p.m.

11.55 a.m.

1.20p.m.

3.15 a.m.

12.48p.m.3.30 p.m.

5.5 p.m.

5.25 p.m.8.30 p.m.

10.35 p.m.

8.25 a.m.8.40 a.m.

10.50 a.m.

12.38 p.m.

9.25 p.m.

Personsrescued from

shipwreck

Six fishing boats, of Whitby. Whitby No. 1 life-boat escortedboats.

Six fishing cobles, of Filey. Filey life-boat escorted cobles.Motor vessel Braywick, of London. St. Peter Port life-boat gave

help.Motor vessel Maraat V, of Rotterdam. Caister life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Maraat V, of Rotterdam. Great Yarmouth and

Gorleston life-boat gave help.S.S. Fauzon, of France. Walmer life-boat gave help.S.S. Campo Grande, of Cadiz. Walton and Frinton life-boat

gave help.Steam trawler Sunlight, of Aberdeen. Thurso life-boat - - -Fishing boat Pansy, of Wick. Wick life-boat gave help.Rosslare Harbour life-boat landed a man from the Blackwater

lightvessel.Rosslare Harbour life-boat landed a man from the Blackwater

lightvessel.Fishing boat Sparkling Wave, of Arklow. Arklow life-boat saved

boat and rescued — — _ — — — — — _- — — —Motor fishing boat John West. Lerwick life-boat escorted boat.Rowing boat, of Lytham St. Annes. Lytham St. Annes life-boat

saved boat and rescued. — — — — — — — — — — —Motor vessel Princess Victoria, of Stranraer. Portpatrick life-boatFishing boats Success II, Faith Star, Pilot Me and Provider A, of

Whitby. Whitby No. 1 life-boat escorted boats.Motor vessel Princess Victoria, of Stranraer. Donaghadee life-

boat _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Fishing ketch Wanderlust. Southend-on-Sea life-boat saved boat

a n d rescued _ _ _ - _ - _ _ _ _ - - - _ -Fishing boat Patience, of London. Southend-on-Sea saved boat.Motor vessel Princess Victoria, of Stranraer. Donaghadee life-

boat landed 1 and 6 bodies.Tanker Kosmos V, of Sandefjord. Southend-on-Sea life-boat

stood by vessel.S.S. Castillo Tordesillas, of Madrid. Dover life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Princess Victoria, of Stranraer. Donaghadee life-

boat landed 12 bodies.Clacton-on-Sea life-boat rescued eight persons marooned by floods

at Jaywick. ___ — — — — ___ — — _ — _Southend-on-Sea life-boat gave help and landed 25 persons maroon-

ed by floods at Foulness.Valentia life-boat took out a relief to the Skelligs Rocks light-

house.Fishing boat Guiding Star, of Lcrwick. Lerwick life-boat escorted

boat.Fishing boats Provider A, Pilot Me II, Venus, Lead Us and

Progress, of Whitby. Whitby No. 1 life-boat escorted boats.Motor fishing boat Jean Horsley, of Hartlepool. Hartlepool life-

boat gave help.Two fishing boats. Fraserburgh life-boat escorted boats.Motor fishing boats Mizpah and Angus Rose, of Montrose. Mont-

rose life-boat saved boats and rescued __ — — - — __Fishing boats Mary Gowans and Trustful III, of Aberdeen. Aber-

deen No. 1 life-boat escorted boats.Fishing boat, of Arbroath. Broughty Ferry life-boat escorted boat.Motor drifter Florence, of Glandore. Ballycotton life-boat

escorted vessel.Motor fishing boats Mizpah and Angus Rose, of Montrose. An-

struther life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Alice, of Bremen. Moelfre life-boat stood by vessel.Fishing boat Good Fellowship, of North Sunderland. North

Sunderland life-boat escorted boat.Fishing boat Courage, of Scarborough. Scarborough life-boat

escorted boat.Fishing boats Galilee, Provider A, Success and Lead Us, of Whitby.

Whitby No. 1 life-boat escorted boats.S.S. Henriette Schulte, of Emden. Torbay life-boat took out a

doctor.

15

31


„ 24.Mar. 1.

1.

1-

4.

7.

„ 11.

„ 12.„ 15.

2.25 a.m.10.30 a.m.3.40 p.m.

5.10p.m.

5.25 p.m.

3.0 a.m.

2.16p.m.

11.42 a.m.1.0 p.m.

PersonsTime of rescued from

1953 Launching shipwreck

Feb. 11. 9.35 a.m. Tenby life-boat took a mechanic to the Helwick lightvessel.,, 12. 9.30 a.m. Helwick lightvessel. Tenby life-boat gave help.., 12. 12.55 p.m. Steam trawler General Botha, of Aberdeen. Aberdeen No. 1

life-boat gave help.., 13. 10.40 a.m. S.S. Monkton Combe, of Bristol. Humber life-boat landed an

injured man and gave help.., 13. 10.30 p.m. S.S. Sirius, of Stockholm. Humber life-boat took out a doctor.., 18. 8.0 a.m. Motor boat. Walton and Frinton life-boat saved boat and

,, 20. 7.45 a.m. Trawler Richard Crofts, of Milford Haven. Barra Island life-boatlanded 6 bodies.

S.S. Larchfield, of Liverpool. Holyhead life-boat gave help.Humber lightvessel. Humber life-boat landed a sick man.Lightvessel tender Roaming, of Arklow. Arklow life-boat landed

4 and gave help.Motor vessel Baalbek, of Oslo, and Great Nore Forts. Southend-

on-Sea life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Northumbrian Coast, of Middlesbrough. Southend-

on-Sea life-boat gave help.Dredger Prittlewell, of London. Southend-on-Sea life-boat gave

help.Rowing boat, of Hastings. Hastings life-boat saved boat and

rescued _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ iA Seaflre aeroplane. Buckle life-boat landed a body.Fishing boat Venture, of Stornoway. Stornoway life-boat escorted

boat.15. 5.5 p.m. Motor fishing boat Vigilant. Teesmouth life-boat saved boat and

rescued _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 216. 10.26p.m. The Newarp lightvessel. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-

boat landed an injured man.20. 2.25 a.m. S.S. Briardene, of Sunderland, and S.S. Roine, of Helsinki.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat gave help and landed 13.Motor vessel Milborne, of Poole. Holyhead life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Spaarnestroom, of Amsterdam, and S.S. Waldemar

Sieg, of Flensburg. Dover life-boat landed 15.Steam trawler Leicester City, of Grimsby. Thurso life-boat

landed 3 bodies.Steam trawler Leicester City, of Grimsby. Stromness life-boat

landed 2 bodies and rescued - - - - - - - - - - - 3Trawler St. Pierre Eglise, of Boulogne. Douglas life-boat gave

help.Steam trawler River Lassie, of Aberdeen. Lerwick life-boat - - 9Rowing boat from motor vessel Deni, of Rotterdam. Court-

macsherry Iife-b0at saved boat a n d rescued — - — _ _ — 3„ 31. 9.40 a.m. Fishing coble Little Lady, of Whitby. Whitby No. 2 life-boat

escorted coble.April 1. 1.50p.m. Cabin cruiser Francis Jf. Dee. Clacton-on-Sea life-boat gave help.

., 4. 9.55 a.m. Yacht Lalla Rookh. Weymouth life-boat escorted yacht.6. 10.30 a.m. H.M.S. Trafalgar. St. Helier life-boat gave help.

,, 6. 2.40p.m. Schooner Susan Vittery, of Cork. Rosslare Harbour life-boatlanded 4.

7. 11.10p.m. S.S. Corrientes, of Glasgow. Dunmore East life-boat landed a sickman.

8. 4.15 p.m. Trawler Ros Ruadh, of Dublin. Valentia life-boat gave help.14. 9.30 a.m. Five fishing cobles. Newbiggin life-boat escorted cobles.14. 2.40p.m. Fishing boat Lead Us, of Whitby. Whitby No. 1 life-boat escorted

boat... 18. 4.15p.m. Steam hopper Moss Bay, of Workington. Workington life-boat

gave help... 18. 5.30 p.m. Yacht Larry. Sennen Cove life-boat saved yacht and rescued - 3.. 24. 9.5 p.m. S.S. Markab N, of Rotterdam. Dover life-boat gave help... 27. 7.40a.m. Fishing cobles Betty, Rosemary, and Rachel, of Scarborough. Scar-

borough life-boat escorted boats.,. 27. 5.35p.m. Fishing boat Siroco, of Boulogne. Walmer life-boat gave help.., 28. 7.30 p.m. Fishing boat Fiona, of St. Helier. St. Helier life-boat saved boat

and rescued - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2May 3. 10.45 a.m. Motor vessel Aridity, of London. Walmer life-boat landed an

injured man.„ 6. 5.30 a.m. S.S. Duke of York, of Harwich. Walton and Frinton life-boat

gave help.

20.20.

22.

22.

24.

27.28.

5.3 a.m.10.55 p.m.

2.10 a.m.

2.35 a.m.

11.25p.m.

8.17p.m.4.40 p.m.


1953May 10.

„ 13.

„ 14.

17.

19.

22.23.

23.24.25.20.

., 31.,1 une 1.

Time ofLaunching

7.2 p.m.

4.30 p.m.

8.11 p.m.

1.50 a.m.

11.50 a.m.

2.15p.m.

4.0 p.m.8.50 a.m.

2.30p.m.3.1.5 a.m.

11.15 a.m.10.55 p.m.

28. 9.10 a.m.

11.30 a.m.12.40 a.m.

1. 1.2 p.m.

1.1.o

5.

5.

6.

10.

11.15.

15.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.21.

20.

29.

29.1.4.

5.7.8.

9.

9.

2.20 p.m.3.5 p.m.

12.25p.m.9.0 a.m.

11.15 a.m.

2.55p.m.

0.45 a.m.

C.50 p.m.2.0 a.m.

12.20p.m.

2.10p.m.

4.35 p.m.

4.30 p.m.

11.40a.m.

7.45 a.m.3.45 p.m.

3.9 p.m.

6.5 p.m.

10.44 a.m.1.45 p.m.9.10 p.m.

2.42 p.m.2.5 p.m.

11.15 p.m.

6.0 p.m.

10.45 p.m.

Valentia life-boat saved vessel

Dun Laoghaire life-boat saved

Hartlepool life-boat landed

Personsrescued from

shipwreck

Sailing dinghy Zephyr. Plymouth life-boat saved boat andrescued _ _ - _ _ — _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ — 2

Trawler Liberator, of Camaret.and rescued — — _ — — -

Yacht Rainbow, of Dun Laoghaire.yacht and rescued — — — -

S.S. Indian Exporter, of Calcutta.a sick man.

Yacht Speedy, of Deganwy. Fleetwood life-boat saved yachta n d rescued _ - - _ - _ - _ _ _ _ - _ * _ _ 5

S.S. Sabac, of Rijeka, Yugoslavia. Runswick life-boat stood byvessel.

A motor boat, Clogher Head life-boat gave help.S.S. Richmond Queen, of London. Aldeburgh No. 1 life-boat

landed a sick man.Fishing boat Vaila, of Kirkwall. Stronsay life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Andaman, of Gothenburg. Dover life-boat landed 38.Rowing boat Edna, of Benllech. Moelfre life-boat saved boat and GMotor fishing boat Brenjean, of Yarmouth. Barra Island life-

boat stood by boat.Fishing boat May Lily, of Bridlington. Flamborough life-boat

saved boat and rescued - - - - - - - - - - - - 4H.M.S. Cheerful. Cromer No. 2. life-boat landed passengers.Motor boat from H.M.S. Verulam. Llandudno life-boat gave help

and landed 12.Lightship tender Willie Wag, of Arklow. Arklow life-boat escorted

vessel.Yacht Astral, of Abersoch. Douglas life-boat saved yacht.Fishing boats Glad Tidings and Radiant Morn. Amble life-boat

escorted boats.Motor fishing boat, of Lowestoft. Lowestoft life-boat gave help.Five fishing boats, of Whitby. Whitby No. 2 life-boat escorted

boats.Crab boats The Miss Cramer, and Why Worry. Cromer No. 2

life-boat escorted boats.Girl fell over a cliff. Howth life-boat landed the girl

thereby saving her life — — — — — — — — — — — — iTrawler Riviere, of Grimsby. Flamborough life-boat landed 3 and

a body.Motor vessel Norok. Cromer No. 1 life-boat saved vessel and — 10Motor coaster C.648, of London. Whitby No. 1. life-boat stood

by vessel.S.S. Libra, of Panama. Whitby No. 1 life-boat stood by vessel

and landed an injured man.Motor vessel Maraat V, of Rotterdam. Runswick life-boat stood

by vessel.Two sailing dinghies. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, life-boat saved

a dinghy.S.S. Rutgers Victory, of Los Angeles. Longhope life-boat gave

help.Motor vessel Bonnie Lass, of Shoreham. Walton and Frinton

life-boat gave help.Yacht Symphony II. Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, life-boat gave help.Yacht Dottie, of Holland-on-Sea. Clacton-on-Sea life-boat saved

yacht.S.S. Nedjan, of Sweden. Newbiggin life-boat landed 2 and an

injured man and gave help.Yacht Alanna, of London. Walton and Frinton life-boat gave

help.Six fishing boats. Sheringham life-boat escorted three boats.Injured boy. Torbay life-boat landed injured boy.Fishing boat Gypsy, of South Shields. Tynemouth life-boat

saved boat and rescued _ - - - - _ - _ - _ _ - 8Rubber dinghy. Rhyl life-boat saved dinghy.Yacht Daddy. Clacton-on-Sea life-boat saved yacht and rescued 2S.S. Libra, of Stockholm. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-

boat landed a sick man.Yacht Morning Breeze, of Emsworth. Selsey life-boat saved yacht

and rescued — — _ — — _ — — — — — — _ - _ 3Fishing boat Irish Leader, of Dublin. Ballycotton life-boat gave

help.



195:3 Launcning shipwreck

July 10. 2.39p.m. Amphibian D.U.K.W. Tenby life-boat saved D.U.K.W. andrescued — — — — — — — ~ — — — — — — — — 0

,, 11. 1.15 p.m. Yachts Maid Margaret and Maid Mary. Port St. Mary life-boatgave help.

„ 11. 2.25 p.m. Two sailing dinghies. Aberystwyth life-boat saved boats andrescued _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4

,, 11. 4.23p.m. Yacht Mont Joie II. of Brest. Coverack life-boat escorted vessel.„ 11. 8.40p.m. Yacht Susan Ann, of Fremington. Appledore life-boat gave help.,, 12. 9.20 a.m. Motor cruiser Firefly, of Bridlington. Bridlington life-boat

saved boat and rescued - - - - - - - - - - - - 4,, 13. 11.25 a.m. Sick person. Barra Island life-boat took a sick person to

Lochboisdale.„ 15. 9.0 p.m. Fishing coble Margaret and James, of Scarborough. Filey life-boat

gave help.,, 18. 9.0 a.m. Racing dinghy Wildcat. Exmouth life-boat saved boat and

rescued _ ! " _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2„ 18. 12.30 p.m. Yachts Pandora and Sanderling. AVicklow life-boat saved yachts

and rescued — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 7„ 18. 3.40 p.m. Sailing dinghy, of Bembridge. Bembridge life-boat saved boat.,, 18. 8.15 p.m. Persons marooned on rocks. Dunbar life-boat landed 3 and a dog.„ 19. 4.15 p.m. Sailing yacht. Dover life-boat saved yacht and rescued - - - 2„ 19. 9.36 p.m. Converted ship's boat Thelma, of Fishguard. Fishguard life-boat

saved boat and rescued _ — — — _ — — — — — — - f>„ 20. 8.45 p.m. Yacht Rongorge,, of Mersey. Beaumaris life-boat gave help.„ 22. 8.20p.m. Cabin cruiser Davaar, of Anstruther. Anstruther life-boat rescued 2,, 23. 9.40 p.m. Two persons marooned on a sandbank. Walton and Frinton life-

boat rescued - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,, 24. 8.55p.m. Two persons marooned on Puffin Island. Beaumaris life-boat

rescued - _ ' - _ - - - - - - - - — - - - - 2Motor cruiser Hareth. Dover life-boat saved yacht and rescued - 7Rowing boat. Swanage life-boat saved boat and rescued - - - 2S.S. Ardetta, of Liverpool. Newhaven life-boat landed an injured

man."Pedalo" pleasure float. Ramsgate life-boat saved float and

rescued _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3S.S. Nordeflinge, of Grangemouth. Workington life-boat trans-

ferred provisions.S.S. San Cirilo, of London. Southend-on-Sea life-boat put a

doctor on board.Motor boat Monty, of Tenby. Tenby life-boat gave help.S.S. Nordeflinge, of Grangemouth. Workington life-boat trans-

ferred stores.Sailing yacht Sutta. Southend-on-Sea life-boat stood by yacht.Codling Bank lightvessel. Wicklow life-boat landed a sick man.Motor cruiser Matelot. Dover life-boat gave help.Tug Armina, of Colchester, and a rowing boat. Lowestoft life-boat

§ave help to the rowing boat.. Beaconsfield, of London. Southend-on-Sea life-boat put a

doctor on board.S.S. Beaconsfield, of London. Southend-on-Sea life-boat landed a

sick man.Yacht Edwdlis. Hastings life-boat saved yacht and rescued - - 2Raft. Arklow life-boat rescued _ - _ - - - _ - - - ;jMotor launch Alwena. Rhyl life-boat saved boat and rescued - - 2Two bathers. Portrush life-boat landed a body.Outboard motor boat. Moelfre life-boat saved" boat and rescued 3Motor boat. Donaghadee life-boat landed 7 persons from the

Copeland Islands.Ketch Totland. St. Ives life-boat gave help.Sailing dinghy. Newhaven life-boat saved dinghy.Fishing boat Aureola, of Buckie. Peterhead life-boat stood by

boat.13. 12.29p.m. S.S. Regency Belle, of Guernsey. Whitby No. 1 life-boat put a pilot

on board.15. 12.45a.m. \nchtLesley. New Brighton life-boat saved yacht and rescued - 416. 6.0 p.m. Humber lightvessel. Humber life-boat landed an injured man.17. 10.39 p.m. S.S. Tricape, of London. Ramsgate life-boat stood by vessel.20. 2.50 a.m. Fishing boat Maud, of Jersey. St. Peter Port life-boat gave help.21. 6.30p.m. Auxiliary ketch Moya. Dungeness life-boat rescued _ _ - - 822. 10.40 a.m. Motor fishing boat Achieve, of Dunbar. Dunbar life-boat gave

help.

26.27.27.

29.

29.

29.

29.29.

29.1.1.1.

2.

3.

4.4.4.6.7.8.

9.9.9.

5.50 p.m.2.25 p.m.7.45 p.m.

1.30p.m.

4.20 p.m.

8.45 p.m.

8.55 p.m.11.0 p.m.

11.10p.m.2.31 p.m.6.44 p.m.

11.50p.m.

8.30 p.m.

2.10p.m.

2.16p.m.6.7 p.m.6.30 p.m.6.3 p.m.9.45 p.m.

12.30 p.m.

5.35 p.m.6.35 p.m.8.35 p.m.




Aug. 23. 3.38 p.m. Barge yacht Dobber, of Bradwell. Clacton-on-Sea life-boat savedyacht and rescued _ — — __ — — — — — — __ 5

,, 23. 4.35p.m. Converted ship's boat Merlyn, of Tynemouth. Boulmer life-boatgave help.

„ 23. 7.0 p.m. Fishing boat Ocean Viking and a barge. Dungeness life-boat gavehelp.

., 24. 1.53p.m. Yacht Coima, of Bosham. Bembridge life-boat saved yacht andrescued _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3

., 24. 8.45 p.m. English and Welsh Grounds lightvessel. Barry Dock life-boatstood by vessel.

„ 25. 8.30p.m. Fishing boat Family's Pride, of Arbroath. Montrose life-boat gavehelp.

,, 26. 12 midnight Sailing boat, of Dungarvan. Helvick Head life-boat saved boatand rescued - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

„ 29. 7.30 p.m. Motor boat Atta Boy, of Margate. Margate life-boat saved boata n d rescued _ - _ - - _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _ 3

,, 29. 9.30 p.m. Yacht Escape, of Upnor. Southend-on-Sea life-boat stood byyacht.

., 30. 1.20 a.m. Yacht Marylda. Bembridge life-boat gave help.

., 30. 3.45 a.m. Yacht Cms, of Colchester. Bembridge life-boat gave help.„ 30. 4.15p.m. Sailing boat and Irish naval gig. Ho-wth life-boat saved boats and

rescued — _ — - — — _ _ _ — — — — — — _ 8,, 30. 4.55 a.m. Yacht Chinta. Bembridge life-boat gave help.„ 30. 6.15p.m. Yacht Colette, of Howth. Howth life-boat gave help.

Sept. 2. 12.45 a.m. Motor yacht Martinique. Torbay life-boat gave help.„ 2. 9.45 p.m. Ketch Totland. Walton and Frinton life-boat saved yacht and

rescued _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6., 3. 3.19 p.m. Yacht Cloetta, of Burnham. Clacton-on-Sea life-boat gave Yielp.,, 4. 6.5 a.m. Dinghy. Margate life-boat saved boat.„ 4. 9.0 p.m. Motor yacht Lady Gay. Falmouth life-boat saved boat.,, 8. 11.5 p.m. 14-ft. sailing dinghy. St. Mary's life-boat saved boat and rescued 2., 9. 9.25 a.m. Fishing boat Florence Baxter, of Fleetwood. Fleetwood life-boat

gave help.,, 9. 7.30 p.m. Steam trawler Fairway, of Hull. Fleetwood life-boat landed an

injured man.„ 10, 8.30 a.m. Five fishing cobles. Newbiggin life-boat escorted cobles.., 10. 11.10p.m. S.S. Wandle, of London. Southend-on-Sea life-boat put a doctor

on board.„ 11, 10.45 a.m. Mallaig life-boat took a doctor to Rhum.,, 14. 1.30a.m. Motor yacht Emmiman, of Leith. Anstruther life-boat gave help,,, 15. 10.0 a.m. Motor cruiser Winifred Hose, of South Shields. Great Yarmouth

and Gorleston life-boat gave help.., 15. 11.0 a.m. Fishing boat Isabella, of Filey. Filey life-boat escorted boat.„ 15, 12.25 p.m. Fishing boat Why Worry, of Cromer. Cromer No. 2 life-boat

escorted boat.,, 16. 1.40p.m. Punt. Valentia life-boat saved boat and rescued - - - - - 2., 18. 1.25 a.m. Trawler Hassett, of Grimsby. Wick life-boat stood by vessel and

landed a body.,. 18. 12.37p.m. Canoe. Shoreham Harbour life-boat rescued - - - - - - 1,, 20. 4.9 p.m. Sailing boat Joan, of Arklow. Arklow life-boat saved boat and

rescued -- — — — — — — _ — - — — — - — - 3Yacht Tinker, of Upnor. Southend-on-Sea life-boat saved yacht

and rescued _ — _ — _ _ _ _ — — - — — — _ 3Yacht Glance. Baltimore life-boat gave help.Motor yacht Bryter, of Benfleet. Southend-on-Sea life-boat

escorted yacht.S.S. Guildford, of London. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-

boat took out a doctor.Dinghy and a salvage lighter. Bembridge life-boat rescued from

t h e lighter _ _ - - _ _ - - - - - - - _ _ - 2St. Gowan lightvessel. Tenby life-boat rescued - - - - - 7M.V. Wolfsburg, of Hamburg. Torbay life-boat landed an injured

man.,, 22. 10.28 p.m. Trawler Patriot, of Rostock. "Whitby No. 1 life-boat landed a

sick man.,, 25. 9.15 p.m. Yacht Minx. New Brighton life-boat gave help.., 26. 6.5 a.m. Yacht Cerise, of Southampton. Salcombe life-boat gave help.., 27. 1.55 p.m. Fishing coble Helena. Runswick life-boat saved boat and rescued 3

Oct. 2. 3.45 p.m. Sick man on Papa Stour. Aith life-boat took a doctor to PapaStour.

,, 6. 11.10a.m. S.S. Poiyana, of Kristiansand. Stronsay life-boat escorted vessel.

21.

21.21.

21.

21.

21.21.

7.

11

.30 a.m.

.30 a.m.1.35 p.m.

o

8.

9.10,

.30 p.m.

.51 p.m.

.42 p.m.

.45 p.m.


1953

Oct. 7.8.

10.

10.11.

12.13.17.18.

21.23.

Nov.

25.26.26.

29.

31.1.

1.1.

3.4.

4.

8.

10.

.. 15.

., 16.

,, 16.

,. 16.

,. 20.22.

.. 23.

.. 24.

.. 26.

., 27.

Dec. 3.

4.4.4.

6.6.

Time ofLaunching

8.25 p.m.6.55 p.m.6.45 a.m.

10.55 a.m.3.55 a.m.

11. 7.0 p.m.

1.0 p.m.6.25 p.m.

10.50p.m.2.13 a.m.

18. 5.55 p.m.

9.45 a.m.12 noon

25. 12.5 a.m.

3.17 p.m.3.40 p.m.4.50 p.m.

7.10 a.m.

12.55 p.m.

9.45 a.m.2.30 p.m.

4.4 p.m.4.50p.m.

6.3 p.m.3.45 p.m.

4.0 p.m.

1.30 a.m.

9.55 a.m.

10.15 a.m.4.53 a.m.

5.32 a.m.

5.45 a.m.

3.15 a.m.12.40 p.m.11.45 a.m.0.30 p.m.

12.50 a.m.

1.10 p.m.

10.40 a.m.

9.9 p.m.10.5 p.m.12.50 p.m.

3.10 a.m.2.25 p.m.

8.30 a.m.

Personsrescued from

shipwreck

Yacht Freda, of Hamble. Poole life-boat saved yacht and rescued 4R.A.F. launch. Southend-on-Sea life-boat escorted vessel.Trawlers Petite Micheline and Vers le Distin, of France.

Arklow life-boat gave help.Bull Fort. Humber life-boat landed an injured man.Motor fishing boat Welfare, of Dunbar. Dunbar life-boat saved

boat and rescued — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 2Sick man on Barra Island. Barra Island life-boat took sick man

to South Uist.Fishing boat Ros Corr, of Dublin. Valentia life-boat gave help.16-ft. motor boat. Salcombe life-boat gave help.Motor launch Dixie, of Paignton. Torbay life-boat gave help.Motor vessel Vitesse, of Delfzijl. New Brighton life-boat stood by

vessel.Fishing boat Maggie Deas, of Hartlepool. Hartlepool life-boat

gave help.S.S. Nestos, of Piraeus. Humber life-boat gave help.Sick man. Galway Bay life-boat took a sick man to the mainland

a n d saved _ — _ _ _ _ — — _ _ — _ _ — _ iFishing boat Royal Exchange, of Lerwick. Aith life-boat saved

boat and rescued — — — — — — — — — — — — — 3Tanker Alva Bay, of London. Mumbles life-boat took out a doctor.Rowing boat, of Brighton. Shoreham Harbour life-boat rescued - 2Fishing boat Trustful III, of Aberdeen. Aberdeen No. 1 life-

boat saved boat and rescued _ _ — — — — __ — _ 4Motor barge Will Everard, of London. Skegness life-boat stood

by vessel.Barra Island life-boat landed a sick man from Barrahead light-

house.Yacht Grania, of Portsmouth. Dungeness life-boat gave help.Fishing boat Premier, of Scarborough. Scarborough life-boat

escorted boat.Three rowing boats. Mumbles life-boat saved boats and rescued 4Fishing vessel Minnie, of Maryport. Workington life-boat saved

boat and rescued — — — — -- — — — — — — -— 4Motor vessel Summity, of London. Fowey life-boat gave help.Open boat Defiant, of Peterhead. Peterhead life-boat saved boat

a n d rescued _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ - _ _ _ 5S.S. Parkwood, of Middlesbrough. Walton and Frinton life-boatgave help.Steam trawler Sea Hunter, of Milford. Stornoway life-boat gave

help.26-ft. sailing cutter, of Littlehampton. Reserve life-boat Thomas

Markby undergoing survey at Littlehampton saved yacht andrescued _ — _ — _ _ _ _ _ — _ _ — _ _ — 3

Skelligs Rocks lighthouse. Valentia life-boat landed a sick man.S.S. Vittoria Claudia, of Genoa, and S.S. Perou, of Havre.

Dungeness life-boat landed 3 bodies.S.S. Vittoria Claudia, of Genoa, and S.S. Perou, of Havre.

Hastings life-boat picked up 1 body.S.S. Vittoria Claudia, of Genoa, and S.S. Perou, of Havre.

Dover life-boat saved a boat.S.S. Albano, of Hull. Teesmouth life-boat stood by vessel.Motor boat Bella, of Lowestoft. Lowestoft life-boat gave help.Fishing boats, of Arbroath. Arbroath life-boat stood by vessels.Fishing boat St. Michael, of Arklow. Arklow life-boat saved boat

and rescued _-- — — _ — — — — — — — — - 4S.S. ^larsu:orth, of London. Great Yarmouth and Gorleston

life-boat landed 3.Fishing boats, of Bridlington. Bridlington life-boat escorted

vessels.Motor vessel Heemskerk, of Rotterdam. Weymouth life-boat

gave help.Fishing boat Pride of Leinster. Arklow life-boat gave help.Auxiliary schooner M. E. Johnson. Arklow lite-boat rescued - — 4Venezuelan destroyer Nueva Esparta. Barrow life-boat landed a

sick man.Dinghy from yacht Rosemary V. Torbay life-boat gave help.Fishing boat Edward, of Newcastle-cm-Tyne. Tynemouth life-boat

saved boat and rescued — - - - - — - - - — - - 5S.S.Grano, of Stockholm. Runswick life-boat gave help.




Dec. 8. 6.10 p.m. Trawler Thomas L. Devlin, of Granton. Anstruther life-boat gavehelp.

„ 11. 10.48 p.m. Motor vessel Meligunis, of Italy. Portrush life-boat gave help.,, 13. 3.0 p.m. Fishing boat Mavis, of Blyth. Blyth life-boat escorted vessel.,, 13. 3.40p.m. Three rowing boats. Llandudno life-boats escorted boats.., 14. 10.10 p.m. S.S. Dimitris, of Andros, Greece. Redcar life-boat rescued — — 22,, 15. 3.30 a.m. Motor vessel Brockley Combe, of Bristol. St. Helier life-boat

rescued — — _ _ - - — - — - — - — — - — — 11„ 19. 6.10 a.m. Trawler A'otre Dame de la Mer, of Boulogne. Margate life-boat

saved vessel and rescued _ _ _ _ - _ _ - _ — - 7., 24. 6.55 p.m. Motor vessel Alf Everard, of London. Southend-on-Sea life-boat

landed 7.,, 26. 7.48p.m. Motor boat Mionne. St. Peter Port life-boat gave help and landed

3.,, 29. 11.55 a.m. S.S. Grace Hill, of Belfast. Donaghadee life-boat gave help.„ 29. 1.20p.m. Sick man on Inishere. Gahvay Bay life-boat took a doctor to

Inishere.,, 31. 11.47 a.m. Sick woman on Bardsey Island. Porthdinllaen life-boat brought

a sick woman from Bardsev.

SUMMARY OF THE YEAR'S WORK

Lives rescued b y life-boats _ _ _ _ _ - _ - - 3 5 1Lives rescued in other ways for whose rescue the Institu-

tion gave rewards - - - - - - - - - - - - 95

Total of lives rescued - - - - 446Persons landed from vessels on which they might have

been in danger - - - - - - - - - - - - - 163Boats and vessels which life-boats saved - - - - - - 72Boats and vessels which life-boats stood by, escorted to

safety, o r helped _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 0 4Total number of launches, including those in which for

various reasons no services were rendered - - - 598

Portrait on the Cover

THE portrait on the cover is of RichardWalsh, the coxswain of the RosslareHarbour life-boat. Richard Walsh hasbeen coxswain since December 1946.From August 1941 to December 1946

he was second coxswain, and beforethat, bowman.

The photograph is by the SundayPress (Dublin) by whose kind per-mission it is reproduced.

Notice

All contributions for the Institution should be sent either to the honorary secretaryof the local branch or guild, or to Colonel A. D. Burnett Broicn, O.B.E., M.C., T.D.,M.A., the Secretary, Royal National Life-boat Institution, 42 Grosvenor Gardens.London, S.W.I.

All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should beaddressed to the Secretary. Letters intended for publication should be addressed tothe Editor of THE LIFE-BOAT.

The next number of THE LIFE-BOAT will be published in JUNE, 1954.

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THE LIFE-BOAT...The Anstruther life-boa wat s launch-ed first Thi. wass a 10.4t o3n the 26th. A is...

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