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

VOL. XXXII DECEMBER, 1949 No. 352

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET156 Motor Life-boats

1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat

LIVES RESCUEDfrom the foundation of the Life-boat Service in

1824 to December 31st, 1949 . . . 76,724

Into the Dragon's MouthIN the afternoon of the 13th of Sept-ember, 1949, the Jersey airport rang upthe St. Helier life-boat station andasked that the life-boat should help inthe search for a French military aero-plane which had come down in the seato the south-east of St. Helier. Justbefore half past three she put out.She was the life-boat Hearts of Oak,from the reserve fleet, doing temporaryduty at the station. Coxswain ThomasKing was in command, and Mr. L. P.Stevens, the honorary secretary of thestation, went as a member of the crew.A fresh westerly wind was blowing,with heavy squalls. There were heavyshowers of rain. The sea was rough.The St. Peter Port, Guernsey, life-boatalso went out.

A Long SearchThe life-boat travelled some twenty

miles south-east of St. Helier. Shesearched a wide area, hampered by therain squalL and by fog, which at timesprevented her from seeing more than400 yards. She searched for six hours,but found nothing. Later it was learntthat the aeroplane had come down inthe area where she was searching, andhad sunk immediately, taking down sixof the crew with her. Three others gotashore on the French island of Chausey.

Shortly after half past nine, when the

life-boat's fuel was getting low, a wire-less message from St. Helier recalled herand she set her course for home. Atmidnight she passed the beacon Demiede Pas. She was then less than twomiles from St. Helier. She had beenout for nearly nine hours. Her crewwere very weary; they had beenknocked about a lot in those heavyseas; but they were expecting, in lessthan half an hour, to be home.

A Yacht in Grave Peril

They had just passed the beaconwhen another wireless message came.A light had been seen near Demie dePas. The life-boat turned about atonce to search for it.

Though her crew did not know ituntil later, the light was on board aSt. Helier yacht, the Maurice Georges.She was a 10-ton cutter with anauxiliary engine, and she had four onboard. She had left St. Malo thatday for St. Helier on her engine. Atdusk, when she was off the Demi dePas beacon, the engine had failed. Sheanchored there, off a lee shore. It wasthe only thing that she could do, butin the heavy seas the cable very soonparted, and before she could get out asecond anchor she was right amongthe rocks. There her second anchor

878 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

held for a little, but it would not holdfor long, and when it failed it would notbe many minutes before the yacht wasbroken into pieces on the rocks. Suchwas her position and her plight when thelife-boat turned about to look for her.

Into The Dragon's MouthIt was not easy to pick up her light,

deep among the rocks, and when at lastthe life-boat saw it, everyone on boardher realised at once into what a terribleplace they were to go. The chartgives some idea of its perils. But onthe chart the rocks are plain to see.On this very dark night nothing couldbe seen, except the light from the yacht.The coxswain could not be certainwhere he was. His knowledge of thecoast went for nothing. The strongwest wind was blowing against thetide, making a very rough sea, and thesea was breaking heavily among therocks, so that from moment to momentthe rocks were changing, some out ofthe water, some awash, some beneathit. The tide was ebbing, and the rockseach moment -became more dangerous.To go among them was to go blindfold,right into the dragon's mouth.

All the Odds Against ThemIt added to the dangers that the

Hearts of Oak, unlike the double-engined Queen Victoria, had one engineand one screw. But the coxswain didnot hesitate. He put men in the bowsof the life-boat with the searchlight towarn him of such rocks as could be seen,and went straight in. He well knewthe risks; and he took them. He wentin faith, trusting to the strong build ofthe life-boat to save him and his crew,if she should hit anything. All theodds were that she would.

As he came near the lights of theyacht, he turned her up to throw a lineon board the yacht, and at that momenta very big sea took hold of the life-boatand washed her right over a ledge ofrock; but the only remark made wasby one of the crew: "That's one of the. . . passed anyhow."

The line was thrown, and was seizedby the men on the yacht. The normalcourse would then have been for thelife-boat to stand in close enough tothe yacht to be able to take the menoff her. But the coxswain decided

that it would be a rather smaller riskto try to tow her out than to venturefurther in. As he passed her a tow-rope, her men made it fast, and cuttheir own cable; the life-boat towedher out. Again all the odds were thatlife-boat, or yacht, or both would runon the rocks, but they both came intothe open sea without touching them.

The rescue had taken only fifteenminutes, but every minute they hadbeen on the edge of destruction. Ifthe life-boat had grounded on a rockin those heavy seas—and all on boardknew it—that would almost certainly-have been the end of her, and her crewwould have been beaten to deathbetween the seas.and the rocks.

Half an hour after midnight the life-boat entered St. Helier. She hadbeen out for nine hours.

When the district inspector went inthe life-boat to the scene of the wreck,it was a flat, calm sea. They lay abouta mile off. The inspector asked thecoxswain to get him a bit closer so thathe might see exa'tly where the life-boat found the yacht. On this lovelyday the coxswain answered: "Oh, no,sir, I wouldn't like to go in there now.We might hit something."

The Rewards

For this most gallant and reso-lute service, carried out against thegravest perils by a crew already wearyfrom a long-and heavy strain, the Insti-tution has made the following awards:

To Coxswain THOMAS J. KING, thegold medal, which is given only for con-spicuous gallantry, with a copy of thevote inscribed on vellum and framed.This is the first gold medal to beawarded since 1944;

To each of the seven members of thecrew, PHILIP BOITELL, acting-secondcoxswain, KENNETH S. GUBBEY,reserve motor mechanic, B. TALBOT,acting assistant mechanic, C. KING, G.STAPLEY, R. J. NICOLLE, life-boatmen,and Mr. J. P. STEVENS, honorary sec--retary of the station, the bronze medal,with a copy of the vote inscribed onvellum and framed;

To the coxswain and crew a specialreward of £5 each, in addition to thereward of £2 15*. on the ordinary scale;ordinary rewards, £18 3s.; additionalrewards, £40; total rewards, £58 3*.

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 879

ST. HELIER SERVICE TO THE MAURICE GEORGES, 13th 14th SEPTEMBER, 1949

Scale: 1J inches to the mile

380 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

A Bronze Medal Service at HolyheadON the night of the 25th of October,1949, a whole northerly gale was blow-ing at Holyhead with violent squalls atforty and fifty miles an hour. The seawas very rough; the night dark withheavy squalls of rain.

A small Liverpool steamer, the May-flower, with a crew of seven, hadanchored off Salt Island Point. Thegale was then blowing from the north-west, but it flew round to the north-east. The Mayflower was riding to asingle anchor and when the windchanged it began to drag. At 1.40in the morning the coastguard rang upthe life-boat station. The Mayflowerhad gone ashore on Salt Island Point.

At five minutes past two the reservelife-boat M.O.Y.E., on temporary dutyat the station, was launched, and in tenminutes she reached the Mayflower andfound her on the rocky spit of SaltIsland with her stern to the gale. Thecoastguard at the look-out turned hissearchlight on the steamer, and in itslight the life-boat moved in to thesteamer. The steamer gave her nolee to shelter in, and with the tideebbing, it was increasingly dangerousso near the rocks, but the coxswaintook the life-boat right alongside her,turning the life-boat so that she lay

head to wind and held her there whileseven of the steamer's crew jumped inher.

The chief engineer of the Mayflowerwas still drawing his fires, and themaster would not leave him. As thetide was falling, and as the coastguardhad rigged a breeches buoy on shore,the life-boat did not wait, but left thesteamer about a quarter to three, andthe master and engineer were rescuedlater by the coastguard.

It was a rescue carried out withgreat skill in a heavy gale, and theInstitution made the following rewards:

To COXSWAIN RICHARD JONES, aclasp to the bronze medal, which hewon in 1943, with a copy of the voteinscribed on vellum and framed;

To MAcDoNALD HADDOW, reservemotor mechanic, who had been in theservice of the Institution only threeand a half months and in charge of theengines of this life-boat only onemonth, the thanks of the Institutioninscribed on vellum;

To the coxswain and each memberof the crew a special reward of onepound in addition to the reward ofone pound on the ordinary scale; ordin-ary rewards: £7 10s.; special rewards,£7; total rewards, £14 10s.

A Brave SchoolgirlA Holiday at Skipsea

LAST summer a fifteen-year-old school-girl was holidaying at Skipsea, nearBridlington. Her home was at Baildonnear Shipley, and she was staying withher parents at Sea Cabin Bungalow,Green Lane, which stood near the sea-shore. They had taken it so that shecould play there with the home-maderaft her father had made for her. Hername was Patricia Ann Huntington.

The 29th of August was a Monday,the start to what she fully expected tobe another week of seaside romping andfun. She had just finished lunch whenher mother, who was at the window,said she could see what appeared to bea yellow dinghy with a small boy onboard, drifting out to sea. Patricia

looked too. Her mother was right.There was a large orange-colouredR.A.F. dinghy containing a slightboyish figure, drifting rapidly towardsFlamborough Head. The youngsterwas trying to paddle shorewards withhis hands, but his craft was too largefor such a small reservoir of strength.The dinghy drifted on. Indeed once,as they watched, the boy fell backexhausted out of sight and it was onlywhen he reappeared to renew hispaddling that they were reassured thathe had not fallen into the sea.

The Raft is Launched

Patricia lost no more time. Shehurried down to the shore, where a manand a youth were already starting to

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 881

launch her improvised raft. It wasbuilt of half a dozen five-gallon oildrums fastened together in two rowsof three by a wooden frame. In themiddle was a wooden seat. The oarswere pieces of plywood attached tobroom handles, and the rowlocks a naildriven into a short post on each sideof the frame. A loop of wire fastenedto each oar fitted over the nails,and completed this Heath Robinsoncraft.

The sea was choppy and running outfast as she clambered on to the raft.With a push from the man, she gotafloat and began to row towards Mam-borough Head, towards the boy in thedinghy. It was a very hot day, and thewind was blowing off shore. As Pat-ricia rowed, she noticed a man swim-ming out towards her, but after a whilehe changed direction, and turning herhead she noticed why. There wasanother small boy, also in a dinghy,about two hundred yards from thebeach, and the swimmer had decidedto take care of him instead. Patriciawas left to her lone rescue.

Boy and Girl

For almost an hour she paddled on.When about a mile out to sea she caughtup with the first boy in his orangedinghy. He was panicky by now butshe calmed him down. Neither childhad a rope, so Patricia persuaded theboy to lean over the side of his dinghyand hold on to her raft.

Meanwhile the little drama had notgone unnoticed. One or two localinhabitants had seen Patricia put outto sea, besides those who had launched

her raft; and one of them telephonedfor help. Skipsea control tower re-layed the message to an R.A.F. rescuelaunch, patrolling off Skipsea firingrange, and it at once began to searchfor the children. After a cmarter of anhour it sighted them, battling bravelyagainst the ebbing tide but making verylittle headway, and took them on board.Wrapped in blankets and revived withhot soup, they seemed little the worsefor their adventure. They were quitecheerful and had not suffered a greatdeal from exposure. The launch tookthem both to Bridlington, where beforelong they were handed over to theirrelieved parents. The whole incidenthad taken about two hours.

Praise and Reward

All accounts joined in praisingPatricia Huntington's bravery andresourcefulness. The Flight Sergeantin command of the R.A.F. launch didnot minimise the dangers she risked.They might have been blown out to, sea,and the dinghy and raft overturned,he reported. The little boy—WilliamEugene Bottom] ey, aged 10, of Huns-worth—-not only acknowledged hercourage and efforts, but struck a finenote of confidence. "If the R.A.F.launch had not come, I feel sure thatin spite of the hard work and the currentshe would have got me back to thebeach," he said.

Perhaps Patricia will say there couldbe no tribute she will prize more; noteven the inscribed wrist watch whichthe Royal National Life-boat Institu-tion has awarded her for her pluckyand hazardous act.

Portrait on the CoverTHE portrait on the cover is of Cox-swain Thomas Henry Hutchinson, ofBridlington. He has been an officerof the life-boat for 30 years, serving asbowman from 1919 to 1925, second

coxswain from 1925 to 1938 and cox-swain from 1938 to 1949, when heretired.

In those thirty years he took part inthe rescue of 63 lives.

From a Sailor's WifeTHE Institution has received an anonymous gift of £10 from "a sailor's wife."

382 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

Life-boat Services in September, October and November, 1949

87 Lives RescuedDURING September life-boats went outon service 71 times and rescued 28lives.

IT WAS THE SCHOONER" SUSAN VITTERY "

New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 3.10 inthe afternoon of the 2nd of September,1949, the Formby coastguard reportedthat there appeared to be a three-masted schooner on the revetment,abreast of C.13 buoy River Mersey.Accordingly the No. 1 life-boat, Williamand Kate Johnston, left her mooringsat 3.32.. A strong south-easterly breezewas. blowing, _and the sea was choppy.The life-boat found that the schooner—the Susan Vittery, of Cork—had re-floated and was at anchor. The Crosbylightvessel, on request, wirelessed tothe shore for a tug, and at the master'srequest, the life-boat stood by theSusan Vittery until it took her in towand escorted her to a safe anchorage.The life-boat returned to her stationat 7.55 that evening.—Rewards,£9 195.

THE SKIPPER AND HIS LITTLEDAUGHTER

Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. — At3.55 in the afternoon of the 4th ofSeptember, 1949, some holiday visitorsreported that a boat with a man and asmall girl on board was on the rocks atthe foot of Creadon cliffs. At 4.10 thelife-boat Annie Blanche Smith left hermoorings, with the honorary secretary,(Mr. A. Westcott Pitt) on board andthe life-boat boarding boat in tow. Asouth-easterly breeze was blowing;there was a moderate sea. The life-boat hove-to off shore and the honorarysecretary and two life-boatmen rowedto the foot of the cliffs in the boardingboat. There they rescued a man andhis daughter from their sailing dinghy,which had been damaged and washedashore trying to sail round CreadonHead. The life-boat returned to theharbour with the dinghy in tow,arriving at 6.10 that evening.—Re-wards, £3.

FALLEN OVER THE CLIFFSWeymouth, Dorsetshire.—At 7.15 in the

evening of the 4th of September, 1949,the coastguard reported that a man hadfallen over White Nose cliffs. In fineweather the life-boat John and MaryMeiklam of Gladswood—on temporaryduty at the station—left her mooringsat 7.20 p.m. with a doctor on boardand a small boat in tow. She foundthe man on the rocks, where the doctortreated him. He was then taken intothe life-boat, and transferred to a waitingambulance when the life-boat reachedharbour again at 10.15 p.m. Theinjured man later expressed his thanks.—Rewards, £8 9s.

HARBOUR EXPLOSION

Poole and Bournemouth, Dorsetshire.—At eight o'clock in the evening of the 4thof September, 1949, the South bournecoastguard reported that a small vesselwas on fire near Poole harbour entrance.At 8.5 the life-boat Thomas Kirk Wrightwas launched in a rough sea, with'amoderate east-south-east gale blowing.She found the yacht Audrey, of Poole,which had had an explosion in herengine-room, in tow of a fishing boatand took the owner on board, returningto her station by 9.35. The fishing boatbeached the yacht in Shell Bay.—Rewards, £4 19s.

MAIDEN LAUNCH AT SWANAGESwanage, and Weymouth, Dorsetshire.-—

About nine o'clock on the night of the4th of September, 1949, the Swanagecoastguard telephoned the life-boatstation that red flares had been seenfive miles south-east of Shambles. At9.34 he reported that distress signalscould be seen four miles south of Lul-worth. The new Swanage life-boatR.L.P. was thereupon launched onservice for the first time at 9.53 in a.light south-south-east breeze with aslight sea and thunder squalls. Shespoke the St. Albans Head coastguardand, receiving a new position, alteredcourse to the southward, but foundnothing. Then at five minutes past

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 388

midnight, the Wyke Regis coastguardreported to the Weymouth life-boatauthorities that distress signals werenow reported four and a half milessouth-east by east of Weymouth Pier.Ten minutes later the life-boat Johnand Mary Meiklam of Gladswood, ontemporary duty at the station, left hermoorings and set out on this course.She found the motor yacht Lilida, ofSouthampton, with her engines brokendown and towed her to Weymouthharbour, which she reached at 2.30. Aquarter of an hour later the unsuccessfulSwanage life-boat also arrived. Sheleft for her station at 6.15 and reachedSwanage at 8.45.—Rewards: Swanage,£21 3s.; Weymouth, Property SalvageCase.

BOY'S FALL STOPS ENGINE

New B ight n, Cheshire.—At 8.40 inthe evening of the 5th of September,1949, the c xswain of the Hoylake life-boat telephoned that a fishing boat wassending up flares in Hilbre Swash.Accordingly at 9.5 the No. 1 life-boatWilliam and Kate Johnston left hermoorings. There was a strong south-south-east breeze and a moderate sea.She found the fishing boat Greyhoundwith three men and a boy on board.The boy had fallen on the engine, put-ting it out of action and badly injuringhimself. The life-boat wirelessed foran ambulance to be ready and towedthe boat to New Brighton, where shelanded the boy and took the Greyhoundto an anchorage. She reached herstation again at 12.45 the next morning.—Rewards, £8 11s.

KETCH ON THE SANDS

Ramsgate, Kent. — At 5.48 in theevening of the 6th of September, 1949,the East pier shore attendant tele-phoned that a yacht was on the BrakeSands and the life-boat Mary Scott,on. temporary duty at the station, lefther moorings at 5.51 in fine weather,with a smooth sea. She found theauxiliary ketch Le Cygne, of London,hard aground half a mile south of No. 3Brake Buoy, and stood by her untilthe tide rose sufficiently to put theketch out of danger. She reachedher station again at 7.33.—Rewards,£6 13s. 6d

VOYAGE OF THE MAYFLOWER

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At 9.52on the night of the 7th of September,1949, the coastguard telephoned thatthe motor fishing boat Mayflower, whichhad gone with a crew of five, toSuUskcr Rock for Solan-geese, wasoverdue. A fishery cruiser was look-ing for her, but about 7.40 the nextmorning it was reported to have givenup the search. Accordingly at 8.30the life-boat William and Harriot lefther moorings. There was a moderatenorth-westerly gale with a rough seaand rain. With the help of an aero-plane she searched all day, and re-fuelling at Loch Carloway in the even-ing resumed the search about 9 o'clockthat night until she came up with aNorwegian vessel off the Butt of Lewis.Learning that she had just released theMayflower from tow, the life-boatpicked up the crippled fishing boat andtowed it herself to Skigersta. Shearrived back at her station at 5.30in the morning of the 9th.—Rewards,£36 5s.

YACHT IN TOW

Weymouth, Dorsetshire.—About fiveo'clock in the afternoon of the 8th ofSeptember, 1949, the life-boat Williamand Clara Ryland was returning to herstation after overhaul at Cowes whenshe saw distress signals from the motoryacht Juliette two miles south-west ofSt. Alban's Head. A fresh south-westerly breeze was blowing and therewas a swell. The life-boat found theyacht with her engine broken downand three men on board, and towed herto Weymouth harbour, which shereached at 7 o'clock in the evening.The owner made a gift to the life-boatmen.—Rewards, £3.

A TRIPLE TRAGEDY

Eastbourne, Sussex.—About 11.20 inthe morning of the llth of September,'1949, the police reported that a canoehad capsized oil Falling Sands. Theoccupants, a man and his two smallchildren, had been trying to roundBeachy Head. Ten minutes later thelife-boat Beryl Tollemache was launched,in a moderate easterly breeze with amoderate sea. She found the childrenin the sea one hundred and fifty yards

384 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

off Cow Gap. Two life-boatmenjumped overboard and held them upuntil they could be lifted into the life-boat, where artificial respiration wasapplied; but no trace of the canoe orthe man was found. Eventually, thelife-boat returned to her station, arriv-ing at 12.20 that afternoon, and trans-ferred the children to a waiting ambu-lance. It was learned later, however,that they had died.—Rewards, £18 4s.

A GRATEFUL FATHERBallycotton, Co. Cork.—At 12.50 in

the afternoon of the 12th of September,1949, the chairman of the Youghal life-boat station telephoned that he wasanxious for the safety of his son andanother man who had left Youghal forCork in the yacht Betty, of Cork. Thewind had freshened, and he thoughtthat they might be in difficulties offCapel Island. The life-boat Mary Stan-ford left her moorings at one o'clock ina strong easterly wind, with a heavysea. and found the Betty three and ahalf miles east of Ballycotton Light.She escorted her to Cork harbour andarrived back at her station at 5.30 inthe evening. The chairman of theYoughal station sent his thanks anda gift of money to the life-boatmen.——Rewards, £11 10s.

TWO FISHING BOATS ESCORTEDBridlington, Yorkshire.—At 6.22 in

the evening of the 12th of September,1949, the coastguard telephoned thatthe local fishing vessel Felicity was over-due. At 8 o'clock he reported that shecould be seen broken down two milessouth-east by east of Mappleton. At8.27 the life-boat Tillie Morrison,Sheffield, was launched in a moderateeasterly breeze with a heavy swell.She found the Felicity in tow of thefishing boat Winifred, and at theWinifred's request escorted both vesselsto harbour, arriving back at her stationat 1.20 next morning.—Rewards, £14.-

FRENCH BOATS ESCORTEDRanugate, Kent.—At 11.5 on the

night of the 12th of September, 1949, avessel was reported aground on QuernHead,off the Brake Sands; and at 11.17the life-boat Mary Scott, 011 temporaryduty at the station, left her moorings.

There was a moderate east-north-eastgale, and a rough sea. She found twoFrench fishing vessels with the seasbreaking over them. As they werewashed clear into deeper water, thelife-boat escorted them to' Ramsgateharbour entrance. She then guidedinto harbour four other Boulognefishing vessels which were in dangerof going aground, returning finally at12.20 the next morning.—Rewards,£5 18s.

GOLD MEDAL SERVICE AT ST. HEUER

St. Helier, Jersey.—On the 13th ofSeptember, 1949, the life-boat Hearts ofOak, from the reserve fleet, doing tem-porary duty at the station, put out insearch of an aeroplane, but foundnothing and returned to her station.On her way back she saved the yachtMaurice Georges and her crew of four.—Rewards, the gold medal to the cox-swain, the bronze medal to each of theseven men of the crew and £43 Ss.(For a full account of this service seepage 377).

CREWS REVIVED

Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire.—At 2.30 inthe afternoon of the 13th of September,1949, the life-boat mechanic reportedthat the motor trawler Silver Cloud, ofAbersoch, was towing to Pwllheli theyacht Runag, of Glasgow, which hadgone ashore the previous night in St.Tudwals Roads. The two vessels wereseen to be one and a half miles south-west of the life-boat station but makingno headway. A later report said theywere anchored, but about 3.30 theRunag sailed back to St. TudwalsRoads, and anchored there. As theweather was too bad for a shore-boatto put out, a message from Abersochat 4.35 asked the life-boat to land theRunag's crew of six, who had had nofood for about ten hours. The life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX wastherefore launched at 5 o'clock in achoppy sea, with a fresh easterly breezeblowing, and passed the Silver Cloud,still immobile. The crew of the Runaghad already been taken off. however,so the life boat returned to the SilverCloud, whose rudder, she discovered,had become unshipped by the tow ropewhile she was towing the Runag. Her

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 385

er asked to be taken to Pwllheli,so the life-boat gave her crew of fourfood and rum and took her in tow,reaching harbour at 8.30.—Rewards,£9 17*.

REWARD FOR MISSING BRIGAND

Weymouth, Dorsetshire.—At six o'clockin the evening of the 15th of September,1949, a boat owner reported that hissailing boat Brigand was missing witha man and a woman on board. Thelife-boat William and Clara Rylandwas launched at 6.10 in a slight sea,with a light westerly breeze. TheWyke Regis coastguard wirelessed herthat there was a sailing boat near theShambles Lightvessel; and here thelife-boat found the Brigand drifting andtowed her in, reaching her station againat 7.40.—Rewards, £4 18s.

AN EXHAUSTED CREW

Newcastle, Co. Down.—At 9.50 onthe night of the 15th of September,1949, the coastguard reported that amotor fishing boat was in distress offBloody Bridge and her crew shoutingfor help. The life-boat William andLaura was launched at 10.10 in amoderate sea, with a north-north-westbreeze, and found the motor fishingboat Margaret, of Annalong, with acrew of two, two miles south of New-castle harbour. She had lost herCpeller three miles south of the har-

ir while bound for Annalong, andhaving no sails, her crew had tried torow her back. She was now at anchor,but making water; and her crew wereexhausted. The life-boat towed themto Newcastle harbour and reached herstation again at 10.45.—Rewards,£18 185. 6d,

A.I. FOR LLOYD'S

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. — At11.30 in the night of the 15th of Septem-ber, 1949, the parents of a fishermanand two boys reported that their sonshad put out in the motor fishing boatVirgin, of Castlebay, but were nowoverdue. The life-boat Lloyd's left hermoorings at five minutes past midnightin a calm sea, with a light northerlybreeze and found the Virgin two milesout with her engine broken down.

The life-boat towed her in and reachedher station again at one o'clock.—Rewards, £5 16s.

YACHT WITH A BROKEN TILLER

New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 2.25 inthe afternoon of the 16th of September,1949, the Formby coastguard tele-phoned that a message had beenreceived from the Llandudno coast-guard that a yacht bound for Liverpoolwas making heavy weather. The No. 1life-boat coxswain and mechanicsassembled. When no further reporthad been received by 4.10, anxiety wasfelt for the yacht's safety, and so thelife-boat William and Kate Johnstonleft her moorings at 4.28 in a ve"ry roughsea with a strong west-north-west wind.She found the yacht Blue Waters, witha crew of two, off the Bar Lightvessel.Her tiller had broken and she wassheering badly. The life-boat tookher in tow, but as she turned 'by theCrosby Lightvessel the owner of theyacht was washed overboard. How-ever, the life-boat cut the tow rope andrescued him. Then a life-boatmanboarded the Blue Waters, which wasagain taken in tow to New Brightonand there moored. The William andKate Johnston arrived back at herstation at 8.2 in the evening.—Rewards,£8 16s.

ON TWO DIFFERENT 'PLANES

Penlee, Cornwall.—About 3.18 in theafternoon of the 19th of September,1949, the Penzer Point coastguard tele-phoned that Culdrose Air Station hadreported a crashed Firefly aeroplane,three miles south of Penzer Point. ASea Otter rescue seaplane had landednear her and could not take off again.The life-boat W. and S. was launched at3.40 in a choppy sea, with a light south-easterly breeze blowing, and stood bythe seaplane as she taxied acrossMounts Bay. Five miles west of TheLizard a R.A.F. rescue launch took herin tow and headed for Helford River.The services of the life-boat weretherefore no longer required. She wasrecalled to her station, arriving at6 o'clock in the evening. The pilotof the Firefly was rescued by a trawler.—Rewards, £10 Is.

886 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

A DRIFTING SAILING YACHT

Tynemoutb, Northumberland.—At 7.12in the evening of the 20th of Sep-tember, 1949, the coastguard telephonedthat a sailing yacht, then two miles tothe south-east, was drifting towardsFrenchman's Point. The life-boatTynesider, the second coxswain incharge, was launched at 7.35 in amoderate sea, with a moderate north-easterly breeze. She found the localsailing yacht Eve, with a crew of two,dragging her anchor two hundred yardsfrom the rocks off the Point, and towedher to harbour, arriving back at herstation at 9.13. The owner expressedhis thanks and made a donation to theInstitution.—Rewards, £10 16s.

THE PLEASURES OF ADVENTURE

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At 7.29 in theevening of the 21st of September, 1949,the coastguard telephoned a messagefrom the Methil police that a boat,drifting three miles off East Wemyss,was making S.O.S. signals on a lamp.The life-boat Nellie and Charlie waslaunched a't eight o'clock, in a slightswell, with a light east-north-eastbreeze blowing. She found the motorpleasure boat Adventure, of Kirkcaldy,with a crew of two, broken down andher engine room flooded, and towed herto Kirkcaldy harbour. She returnedto her station, arriving at 2.45 the nextmorning.—Property Salvage Case.

" SUSAN VITTERY " IN TROUBLEAGAIN

Roulare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—At10.59 on the night of the 21st of Septem-ber, 1949, the life-boat coxswain saw avessel in the Bay firing red flares androckets. At 11.12 the life-boat MabelMarion Thompson left her moorings ina very rough sea, with a north-easterlygale blowing. She found the ninety-years-old motor schooner Susan Vittery,of Cork (bound with coal for Youghal,with a crew of four), anchored a quarterof a mite north-west of Rosslare pierlighthouse. She was rolling badly,making very heavy weather, and leak-ing. Her skipper asked the life-boat toland him and his crew. The MabelMarion Thompson therefore went along-side, and took them off, but wasdamaged slightly in the process. She

returned to her station at 12.15 thenext morning.—Rewards, £3 7s.

FISHING VESSEL IN DISTRESS

Hastings, Sussex. — At 2.50 in theafternoon of the 22nd of September,1949, the coastguard telephoned that alocal fisherman had reported to thepolice that a fishing vessel was makingsignals of distress off St. Leonards Pier.At 3.7 the life-boat Cyril and LilianBishop was launched in a slight seaand with a light south-easterly breezeblowing. She found the local fishingboat Ena half a mile south of St.Leonards Pier with a crew of two onboard and her engine broken down.The life-boat towed her in, arriving backat her station at 3.45.—Rewards,£30 3.9. 6d.

COLLISION BETWEEN STEAMER ANDLIGHTVESSEL

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.—At 4.34 in the morning of the 24th ofSeptember, 1949, the Gorleston coast-guard telephoned that the Cross SandLightvessel, which had a crew of seven,had reported that she had been incollision and was making water fast.The life-boat Louise Stephens waslaunched at 4.45 in a calm sea, with asouth-easterly breeze and heavy rain,and secured alongside at six o'clock.The life-boatmen who went aboardlearnt that the S.S. Cairo City, in towof a tug, had struck her bow. TheLightvessel received directions fromthe local Superintendent of TrinityHouse to prepare to slip anchor;accordingly the life-boat towed herastern until -she eased her mooringchain, and then stood by her untiltugs and the Trinity House vesselWarden took her in tow. Afterwardsthe life-boat accompanied them toYarmouth harbour, reaching her stationagain at 12.30 that afternoon.-—Re-wards, £22 12s. 6d.

A STUBBORN SWEDE

Hartlepool, Durham.—At 10.5 on thenight of the 24th of September, 1949, indense fog, the coastguard telephonedthat he thought the motor vesselFryken, of Kristinehamm, Sweden, wason the rocks near the Heugh lighthouse;and at 10.35 the life-boat The Princess

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 887

Royal, Civil Service No. 7, was launched.A light north-westerly breeze was blow-ing with a moderate sea. The life-boatfound the vessel two hundred yardsnorth of the lighthouse, poundingheavily, and took her in tow, to preventher being washed inshore. But shecould not hold her. The life-boat'ssecond coxswain then boarded her andanother attempt was made, againunsuccessfully. Finally, at the master'srequest, the life-boat returned for a tugand took soundings. She passed atowing wire from the vessel to the tug,which then refloated her and towed herto harbour. Escorted by the life-boat,they arrived at 6.30 the next morning.—Property Salvage Case.

SIX BOYS ADRIFT

Padstow, and St. Ires, Cornwall.—At7.45 in the evening of the 25th of Sept-ember, 1949, the Trevose Head coast-guard telephoned the Padstow life-boatauthorities that a rowing boat with acrew of four was trying to get ashorein Trevone Bay. At 8.30 the No. 1life-boat Milhurn, on temporary dutyat the station, left her moorings. Therowing boat reached Harlyn Bay with-out help, however. At 9 o'clock theSt. Ives coastguard telephoned theSt. Ives life-boat authorities that twosmall boats (one made of canvas andthe other flat-bottomed) with six boysin them, were off Jubilee Point, St.Agnes, and unable to get ashore in theheavy swell. Accordingly, at 9.17 thelife-boat Edgar, George, Orlando andEva Child was launched in a light south-easterly breeze. At 9.25 the Padstowlife-boat was also diverted to thisposition. The St. Ives life-boat rescuedthe six boys, took their boats in towand returned to her station, arrivingat 1.30 the next morning. The Padstowlife-boat got back to her station at4.30. The parents of one of the boysexpressed their thanks to the St. Iveslife-boatmen and made a donation tothe Institution.-—-Rewards: Padstow,£13 2s.; St. Ives, £15 Is.

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS ASHORE

Arbroath, Angus.—At 5.30 in themorning of the 26th of September,1949, the coastguard telephoned that a

fishing boat was ashore off WhitingNess; and at 5.45, the life-boat Johnand William Mudie was launched, ina light westerly breeze with a swell.The coastguard life-saving apparatuscrew also assembled. The life-boatfound the motor fishing boat SilverCloud, of Montrose, with a crew offour, close in shore on rocks one mileeast of Arbroath, and stood by her,but the Silver Cloud was hard and fastand her crew were able to walk ashore.The life-boat therefore returned to herstation, arriving at seven o'clock. Inthe afternoon the fishing boat's crewreboarded their boat and at five o'clockthe life-boat put out again. As itwas nearly high water, she stood bythe fishing boat in case she refloated;and passed a line across. But theSilver Cloud remained fast. The life-boat landed her crew at 6.30, but atlow tide the men got bark aboard theirvessel; and at 5.40 next morning thelife-boat again put out to stand by.Shortly afterwards the Silver Cloud,with her engine broken down, refloated,and the life-boat towed her to harbour,arriving back at her station at 6.20that morning.—Rewards, £20 9s.

COBLES IN DISTRESSFiley, Yorkshire.—As darkness was

gathering on the evening of the 26th ofSeptember, 1949, there was someanxiety felt for the safety of the fishingcoble Mary which, with a crew of three,had been due in at noon. At 7.25 thelife-boat The Cuttle was launched in aslight sea with a light westerly breezeblowing. She came up with the Marybetween two and three miles north-westby north of Filey Brigg and escortedher to the shore, arriving back at herstation at 8.20.—Rewards, £12 2s.

Flam borough, Yorkshire .—As thecoble Ocean Gift was out fishing, anda strong north-east wind was rising,accompanied by a growing sea, thelife-boat Howard D was launched at7.55 on the morning of the 30thSeptember, 1949. The life-boat foundthe coble a mile north-east of Flam-borough- Head, making for the NorthLanding and advised her crew to makefor the smoother waters of the SouthLanding. They agreed, and the life-boat escorted the Ocean Gift to safety,

388 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

returning to her station by half pastnine.—Rewards, £10 15s. 6d.

Wells, Norfolk.—On returning fromfishing at 1.22 in the afternoon of the30th of September, 1949, the life-boatcoxswain announced that two fishingboats were still out. The weather hadworsened and the life-boat Cecil Painewas launched at 1.32 in a rough sea,with a fresh east-north-east breezeblowing. She found the local fishingboats Spero and Blanche off the harbourbar, and escorted them in, arrivingback at her station at 2.15.—Rewards;£13 125.

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

Barmouth, Merionethshire. — Septem-ber 2nd;—Rewards, £10 3s.

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—September 2nd.—Rewards, £9 14s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—September2nd.—Rewards, £5 5s.

Newhaven, Sussex.'—September 3rd.—Rewards, £7 16s.

St. Helier, Jersey.—September 3rd.—Rewards, £6 2s. 6d.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire. — September3rd.—Rewards, £7 Is. 6d.

Penlee, Cornwall.—September 4th.—Rewards, £14 5s.' 6d.

Aith, Shetlands.—September 4th.—Rewards, £33 18s.

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—Septem-ber 4th.—Rewards, £27 18s.

Broughty Ferry, Angus.—September 5th.—Rewards, £14 12s.

Thurso, Caithness-shire. — September8th.—Rewards, £41 14s. 6d.

Rhyl, Flintshire.—September 9th.—Rewards, £5 8s. 6d.

Weymouth, Dorset.—September llth—Rewards, £5 13s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—September llth.—Rewards, £6 12s. 6d.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—September13th.—Rewards, £18 3s.

Cromer, Norfolk.—September 14th.—Rewards, £34 9s.

Cromer, Norfolk—September 14th.—Rewards, £23 4s.

Falmouth Cornwall.—September 14th.—Rewards, £5 13s.

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides. — Septem-ber 16th.—Rewards, £13 6s.

Rhyl, Flintshire.—September 16th.—Rewards, £5 10s.

St. Helier, Jersey.—September 17th.—Rewards, £10 10s.

Clovelly, Devonshire.—September 19th.—Rewards, £16 16s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—September 20th.—Rewards, £14 19s.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire. — September21st.—Rewards, £9 18s. 6d.

Aberdeen..— September 23rd. — Re-wards, £6 5s.

Aberdeen. — September 24th. — Re-wards, £8 16s.

Peterbead, Aberdeenshire—September24th.—Rewards, £7 19s. 6d.

Dover, Kent.—September 24th.—Re-wards, £11 2s.

Margate, Kent.—September 24th.—Rewards, £15 18s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—Septem-ber 25th.—Rewards, £8 15s.

Tynemouth, Northumberland—Septem-ber 26th.—Rewards, £17 Is.

St. Ives, Cornwall.—September 26th.—Rewards, £15 8s.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—September 26th.—Rewards, £7 4s.

Eyemouth, Berwickshire. — September26th.—Rewards, £17 15s.

St. Abbs, Berwickshire. — September26th.—Rewards, £7 3s.

Selsey, Sussex. — September 28th.—Rewards, £14 17s.

Galway Bay.- September 30th.—Re-wards, £16 Os. 6d.

OCTOBERDuring October, life-boats went out

on service 60 times and rescued 17lives.

A DOG DAY

Dnngeness, Kent. — At 7.45 in theevening of the 2nd of October, 1949, aresident of Lydd telephoned that a

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 389

vessel was ashore one mile west-north-west of Galloways. At eight o'clock thelife-boat Charles Cooper Henderson waslaunched in a smooth sea, with a lightwest-south-west wind blowing. Shefound the motor launch Ocean Hound, ofLondon, an old m >tor torpedo boat, witha crew of two. The skipper asked tobe towed off and the life-boat refloatedthe Ocean Hound, towed her to a safeanchorage, and arrived back at herstation at 10 o'clock.—Property SalvageCase.

TO A SAFE ANCHORAGE

Cromer, Norfolk.—-At 6 o'clock in theevening of the 4th of November, 1949,the coastguard telephoned that hethought a yacht was flying distresssignals two miles east of the coastguardstation, and at 6.25 the No. 1 life-boatHenry Blogg was launched. A lightsouth-south-west breeze was blowingwith a slight swell. The life-boatfound the yacht Marjellen brokendown, with two women and two menon board, took off the women, towedthe yacht to a safe anchorage, andarrived back at her station at eighto'clock that night.—Rewards, £15 17s.

A LESSON IN GEOLOGY

Whitby, Yorkshire. — In the earlyafternoon of the 5th of October, 1949,seventeen geological students fromAberdeen University were cut off bythe tide off Black Nab. Three of themscrambled through deep water andbreakers for help, and reached the shoreabout one o 'clock. At 1.15, the harbourpulling life-boat Robert and Ellen Rob-son was towed to the position by alocal fishing boat. The life-boat gotclose in-shore and found the fourteenremaining students clinging to thecliffs, with two men of the coastguardlife-saving crew who had been lowereddown to them. She took them all onboard, landed them, and arrived backat her station at 3 o'clock. The stu-dents expressed their thanks and madea gift.—Rewards, £30 16s. Qd.

IN TOW TO YARMOUTH

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.—At 4.55 in the afternoon of the 10th ofOctober, 1949, the Gorleston coast-guard telephoned a message from the

Cross Sand lightvessel that a motorfishing vessel had broken tlown abouta mile to the south-south-east. Asteamer was standing by. About 5o'clock the fishing vessel was said tohave got under way, but it was laterreported that flying two flags she wasdrifting, one mile to the east-south-east. The life-boat Louise Stephenswas launched at 5.45 and in a roughsea, with a fresh south-easterly breeze,found the motor fishing vessel Korab II,of Gdynia, Poland, with her enginebroken down and a crew of seven onboard, five miles north-north-east ofthe lightvessel. The life-boat took thefishing vessel in tow, and wirelessed fora tug, which took over the tow, whilethe life-boat escorted them both toYarmouth Roads. She reached herstation again at 11.30 that night.—Property Salvage Case.

LANDING AN INJURED MAN

Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—At 12.30 inthe morning of the llth of October,1949; the Civic Guard reported that aradio message had been picked up bythe Roches Point Lighthouse, statingthat the S.S. Glengariffe had wirelessedthat the Daunt Rock lightvessel, fivemiles south-south-west of Cork, had aninjured man on board.. At one o'clockthe life-boat Mary Stanford waslaunched, with Dr. John Murphy, thelife-boat chairman on board, and madefor the lightvessel in a choppy sea,with a strong south-westerly breezeblowing. She took the injured man toQueenstown, transferred him to a wait-ing ambulance, and arrived back at herstation at eight o'clock.-»-Rewards,£19 2s.

LANDING A SKIPPER

Youghal, Co. Cork.—At 9.30 in themorning of the 12th of October, 1949,a fisherman reported that a vessel wason the rocks at East Point, and at9.35 the life-boat Laurana Sarah Bluntwas launched. In a very strong south-westerly breeze, with a swell, she foundthe Mountain Ash, of Courtown, aconverted latiding craft, with a crewof four. The life-boat ran out an anchorfor her, but as the tide was ebbingcould give no other help, so she tookoff the skipper and landed him at the

890 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

life-boat station by 11 o'clock.—Re-wards, £9 15s.

RUSH JOBHowth, Co. Dublin,—At 2.30 in the

afternoon of the 15th of October, 1949,the life-boat R'.P.L. was launched forexercise in a rough sea, with a freshsouth-westerly wind blowing, andshortly after noticed a fishing boat onemile east of Rush. When the life-boatapproached (about four o'clock) shefound the Myrtle, of Rush, with a crewof four aboard, disabled by an enginebreakdown. At the request of thefishermen the life-boat took the Myrtleto Rush and then returned to herstation, reaching it at 6.15.—Rewards,£12 18s.

MOTOR LAUNCH IN DIFFICULTIESHastings, Sussex. — At 5.36 in the

morning of the 16th of October, 1949,the coastguard reported a motor launchsignalling for help off the harbour wall.At 6.5 the life-boat Cyril and LilianBishop was launched in a moderate sea,with a strong west-south-westerlybreeze blowing. She found the MurielI, of London, with her engine brokendown and towed her, together with hercrew of three, to Rye harbour, reachingher station again at 9.45.—Rewards,£45 8s. 6d.

FISHING VESSEL IN DISTRESSHartlepool, Durham.—At 9.43 on the

morning of the 18th of October,1949, the coastguard reported a smallvessel in distress. Twelve minuteslater the life-boat The Princess Royal—-Civil Service No. 7, was launched. Amoderate gale was blowing from thesouth-south-west and the sea wasrather rough. The life-boat found themotor fishing vessel Saltburn, of Mid-dlesbrough,-carrying a crew of three,one and a half miles north-east ofHeugh lighthouse, disabled by anengine breakdown. She put a ropeaboard the fishing boat, and towed herto Hartlepool, arriving at half pasteleven.—Rewards, £7 12s.

LIFE ON THE OCEAN SWELLWhitehills, Banfisbire, and Peterhead,

Aberdeenshire.—About 3.45 in the after-noon of the 18th of October, 1949, the

Banff coastguard telephoned the White-hills life-boat station that two fishingvessels bound for Peterhead from Wick—the Covesea, towing the Ocean Swell—were making heavy weather, eight milesfrom Banff in a northerly direction.Later on, they were reported to bemaking little headway. Accordingly,the life-boat Thomas Markby waslaunched at 6.10 in a rough sea, with asouth-westerly gale blowing. Shesearched over a wide area but failed tofind the boats and reached her stationagain at midnight.

At 8.55 in the morning on the 19thof October the Peterhead coastguardreported that from the south-east twoboats were waving for help. At 9.5the Peterhead life-boat Julia ParkBarry, of Glasgow was launched andfound the Covesea, with a crew of three,and the Ocean Swell, with a crew of two,pounding together, three miles east-south-east of Peterhead. The Covesea'sengines were broken down. The life-boat towed both boats into the Bayand then took the Ocean Swell intoharbour, a difficult task as the fishingboat's steering gear had failed. Shethen brought in the Covesea, completingher rescue work at half past eleven.—Rewards: Whitehills, £19 15*.; Peter-head—Property Salvage Case.

PROPELLER FOULED BY A NETDunbar, East Lothian.-—At 1.35 on

the afternoon of the 19th of October,1949, the coastguard telephoned amessage from the steam trawler PrincessMary, received through StonehavenRadio, that she had a Dunbar fishingboat in tow. As the trawler was toobig to enter the harbour she requestedthat the life-boat should go out andmeet her. The life-boat George andSarah Strachan was therefore launchedat 1.50 in a rough sea, with a strongsouth-westerly wind blowing. Sixmiles south-east of May Island shefound the motor fishing boat Endeavour,with her propeller fouled by a net.The life-boat escorted the trawler andfishing boat for some distance and thentook the fishing boat in tow, arrivingat Dunbar at 2.45.—Rewards, £7.

ON THE GOODWIN SANDSRamsgate, Kent. — At 6.45 on the

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 391

BLACKPOOL RETURNINGFrom a photograph by Mr, Frank Bowes, of Blackpool

By courtesy of] [Daily Graphic

STRANDED IN THE WESTERN ISLES

The Grimsby trawler Evelyn Rose ashore on Jura. The Islay life-boat took off eight of her crew(See page 404)

392 THE LIFE-BOAT

NAMING CEREMONIES

[DECEMBER, 1949

EASTBOURNEFrom a photograph by Mr. M, J. Hughes, of Bromley, Kent

(See page 409)

NEW QUAY, CARDIGAN

Above the steps is the Archbishop of Wales, with Miss Lucy Silvester, of St. Albans, on hisleft, and behind them Captain Guy Fanshawe, R.N., a vice-president of the Institution, and

Mr. D, B. Rees, honorary secretary of the station(Sec page 408)

DECEMBEK, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 393

By courtesy of]

PORTHDINLLAEN

(See page 409)

[R. I. Jones, AVz'm

By courtesy of] [Belfast Newsletter

PORTRUSH

The Countess of Antrim naming the life-boat(Seepage 410)

394 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

COPIES SOLOEVERY WEEK

By courtesy of] [Central Press Photos

IN THE LORD MAYOR'S PROCESSION

The pulling and sailing life-boat Mary Thereasa Boileau (Dungeness, 1912-39)

(See page 411)

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 395

By courtesy of] [Evening Gazette, Blackpool

SUMMER NIGHT AT BLACKPOOL

The life-boat is at the water's edge

306 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

SUNSET OVER KENT

A photograph taken by Mr. L. H. Shelvey, honorary secretary at Walmer, from the life-boat as shewas returning from the Goodwin Sands

THE WALMER BOATHOUSE

Above the door is a clock in memory of Captain R. Coleman, honorary secretary 1932-41,presented by his widow and erected by his daughter

DECEMBER. 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 397

By courtesy of] [Associated \ewspapers

LIFE-BOATMEN FROM THE ATLANTIC

The Smiths of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, in their home-made cutter

(See page 407)

By co [Smailes Jitnior Rhitddlan

A TRACTOR'S SUMMER BATHE

The drought in 1949 was so severe that the Council at Rhyl would not allow the launching tractorto be washed with fresh water, so her drivers washed her at sea

398 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

THE DUCHESS OF KENT AT THE DEPOT

By courtesy 'of] [Hefts Advertiser

IN THE RIGGING LOFT

By courtesy of] {Herts Advertiser

IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM

(See page 407)

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 399

evening of the 20th of October, 1949,the coastguard reported that the NorthGoodwin Lightvessel had fired guns towarn a vessel approaching the Sands.A few minutes later the vessel wasreported to be aground on the NorthGoodwin Sands, two and a half milessouth-west by south from the light-vessel. The- life-boat Prudential waslaunched at 7.10 in a rough sea, witha moderate west-south-west gale blow-ing and found the S.S. Africa Ocidental,of Lisbon, bound, laden, from Middles-brough to Portugal. The steamer,which was in charge of a North SeaPilot, had an anchor down, but thisceased to hold as the tide rose. Ad-vised by the life-boatmen who boardedher the pilot manoeuvred the steamerinto a position where the anchor couldbe lifted. The Africa Ocidenial wasthen guided clear of sandbanks andeventually taken to a safe anchoragein The Downs. The life-boat reachedher station again ten minutes beforemidnight.—Property Salvage Case.

A DRAUGHT FROM BORDEAUX

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 6.10 onthe evening of the 21st of October,1949, news was received from Bor-deaux, three miles north of St. PeterPort, that a yacht, with a cabin cruiserin tow, was in difficulties, being carriedastern by the strongly flowing tide.The life-boat -Queen Victoria waslaunched at 6.27 in a rough sea, with astrong south-westerly breeze blowingand heavy rain. She found the yacht,Ling, abreast of Platte Beacon, butmaking no headway. A life-boatmanthereupon changed places with theskipper of the yacht, while the life-boatitself went to look for the cabin cruiser,Dorella, which the Ling had left atanchor in a dangerous position nearthe Houmet. On finding her, the ownerof the Ling boarded the Dorella witha life-boatman, who made fast a towrope; they could not raise the anchor,however, and so the life-boat towedthe cabin cruiser to a safer positionwith the anchor still down. Mean-while an S.O.S. was seen flashingfrom the Ling. The life-boat there-fore embarked the Dorella's men andmade for the yacht, towing her to deepwater. There she put the skipper

aboard. Nearing harbour, the skip-per slipped the tow rope and enteredalone. At 8.50 the life-boat came into obtain tools, leaving soon after forthe cabin cruiser, who e cable had tobe cut to free her from her anchor.She then towed the Dorella into St.Sampsons Harbour, and arrived backat her station finally at half pastten that night.—Rewards: First trip,£7 185. Qd.; Second trip, PropertySalvage Case.

DANISH SHIP ON ROCKSArranmore, Co. Donegal.—About half

past two in the afternoon of the 23rd ofOctober, 1949, information was receivedthat a vessel in ballast was on the rocksoff Kincasslagh, and the life-boatK.T.J.S. was launched at 2.45 in arough sea, with a north-westerly breezeblowing. She found the S.S. Dunja, ofCopenhagen, with a crew of ten and apilot on board, and her engines brokendown. At the request of the masterthe life-boat towed her to Burtonportharbour, arriving back at her stationat nine o'clock that night.—PropertySalvage Case.

ONE MAN IS LOSTPwllheli, Caernarvonshire.——At 7.30

in the night of the 23rd of October,1949, a resident of Criccieth telephonedthat he could see an unusual light a.mile off Criccieth. The life-boat stationmade further enquiries through thecoastguard who reported that a boathad been seen that afternoon steeringeast from Pwllheli. About 8 o'clockthe Abersoch coastguard reported thata boat could be seen about four milesoff Criccieth and at about 8.30 saidshe was burning a bright light. As shewas in a dangerous position, the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX waslaunched at 9.15 in a choppy sea with amoderate westerly breeze blowing. Shefound the fishing boat Sirdar, of NewQuay, with a crew of two, at anchorone and a half miles south by west ofCriccieth. Her engine had brokendown, she was leaking and nearlywaterlogged, but the two men wouldnot abandon her and asked for a towto Pwllheli. The life-boat sprayed oilon the sea and prepared to take herin tow, but when the Sirdar had raised

400 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER,. 1949

her anchor the wind blew her round,the sea swamped her, and she sankat once. The two men jumped intothe water, clinging to oars. The life-boatmen threw them life-buoys, andrescued one of them but the otherman disappeared and was not found.The life-boat returned to her stationwith the rescued man, arriving at12.45 the next morning.—Rewards,£11 Ss.

BRONZE MEDAL SERVICEAT HOLYHEAD

Holyfaead, Anglesey.—On the 26th ofOctober, 1949, the life-boat rescued thecrew of seven of the Liverpool steamerMayflower.—Rewards, bronze medaland £14 10*. (For a fuU account of theservice, see page 380).

HANGING ON TO HER GEARFlamborough, Yorkshire.—While the

local fishing coble Provider was outfishing on the 25th of October, 1949, asouth-easterly wind, increasing to galeforce, made a very rough sea. Thelife-boat Howard D. was launched ateleven o'clock in the morning andfound the coble, a mile and a half away,hanging on to her gear. After escort-ing the coble to safety, the life-boathad to wait until half past threebefore she, could get ashore.—Rewards,£27 15s. 6d.

ESCORTING COBLESFiley, Yorkshire.—On the morning of

the 25th of October, 1949, while twolocal fishing cobles were out fishing, thesouth-easterly wind increased almost toa gale. The life-boat The Cuttle waslaunched at 11.10 in a heavy swell andfinding the cobles Windsor Lad II andIsabella, escorted them ashore. Thelife-boat arrived back at her station at12.30 that afternoon. •—• Rewards,£13 17*.

SOUTHERN AFRICA TO EMPIRE FABRICDover, Kent.—At 6.40 in the morning

of the 26th of October, 1949, the EasternArm signal station telephoned that avessel was dragging her anchors atEast Cliff, and at 7 o'clock the life-boatSouthern Africa left her moorings. Awhole gale was blowing from the south,

with a very rough sea. She found themotor vessel Archglen, of Fraserburgh,with a crew of five, alongside theEastern Arm in the harbour, laden withcoal. The life-boat anchored, veereddown and fired a line. A heavy ropewas then passed across, but she couldnot tow her clear. The rope wastherefore slipped, and the life-boatmade for the motor vessel Emp'reFabric, of Hull, which had also draggedher anchors close in shore. The life-boat stood by until the vessel reacheddeeper water and then returned to theArchglen, to find that her crew hadbeen got ashore by the coastguard life-saving appliances. The life-boat thenreturned to her station, arriving at12.15 that afternoon.—Rewards,£14 10*.

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

Margate, Kent.—October 2nd.—Re-wards, £19 1*. 6dL

Margate, Kent.—October 2nd.—Re-wards, £14 4*. 6d.

Wells, Norfolk.—October 4th.—Re-wards, £22 8*.

St. Mary'., Isles of Scilly.—October 6th.—Rewards, £12 15*.

Amble, Northumberland.—October 9th.—Rewards, £12.

Humber, Yorkshire.—October 9th.—Paid Permanent Crew.—Rewards, £2.

Humber, Yorkshire.—October 10th.—Paid Permanent Crew.

Cromer, Norfolk. — October ' 10th.—Rewards, £29.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—October12th.—Rewards, £8 15*.

Montrose, Angus. — October 13th.—Rewards, £23 5*.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—October 13th.—Rewards, £12 14*. 6d.

Holy Island, Northumberland. — Oct-ober 18th.—Rewards, £25 4*. 6d.

Humber, Yorkshire.—October 19th.—Paid Permanent Crew. — Rewards,£3 10*.

Kilmore, Co. Wezford.—October 19th—Rewards, £14 2*.

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 401

Kilmore, Co. Werford.—October 20th—Rewards, £26 12*.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire,—Oct-ober 20th.—Rewards, £16 2s.

Broughty Ferry, Angui.—October 21st.—Rewards, £31 6s.

Arbroath, Angus.—October 21st.—Re-wards, £14.

Montrose, Angus. — October 21st. —Rewards, £22 1*.

Gourdon, Kincardineshire. •— October21st.—Rewards, £36 5s.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—October21st.—Rewards, £26 11s.

Barrow, Lancashire.—October 21st.—Rewards, £31 7s. 6d.

Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. — October21st.—Rewards, £15 10s.

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—Oct-ober 21st. — Partly paid permanentcrew.—-Rewards, £12 5s.

Broughty Ferry, Angus.—October 21st.—Rewards, £9 10s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—October 23rd.—Rewards, £11 17s. 6d.

Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.—Oct-ober 24th.—Rewards, £13 6s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—October 24th.—Rewards, £14 15s.

Workington, Cumberland. — October24th.—Rewards, £14.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—October 25th.—Rewards, £24 10s.

Clogher Head, Co. Louth. — October25th.—Rewards, £23 14s.

Newcastle, Co. Down.—^October 25th.—Rewards, £44 7s. 6d.

Howth, Co. Dublin.—October 25th.—Rewards, £25 10s.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—October 25th.—Rewards, £32 19s. 6d.

St. Helier, Jersey.—October 25th.—Rewards, £13 2s. 6d.

Sonthend-on-Sea, Essex.—October 26th.—Rewards, £23 6s.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—October27th.—Rewards, £28 10s.

CUcton-on-Sea, Essex.—October 28th.—Rewards, £39 10s. 6d.

Margate, Kent—October '30th.—Re-wards, £15 3s.

Dover, Kent. — October 30th. — Re-wards, £9.

NOVEMBERDuring November life-boats went out

on service 62 times and rescued 42 lives.

TRAWLER REFLOATEDIslay, Inner Hebrides.—At 3.20 in the

morning of the 1st of November, 1949,the Kilchoman coastguard telephonedthat the steam trawler Red Crusader,of Fleetwood, had radioed that shewas ashore, two miles. north of PortAskaig. The life-boat Charlotte Eliza-beth left her moorings at 3.50 and in amoderate sea, with a light easterlybreeze blowing, found the trawler onthe Jura shore, lying on her side. Thelife-boat took off her crew of twentyand landed them at her station at5.30. About five hours later, at hisown request, she took the skipper andsome of his crew back to the trawler andstood by while they tried to refloat her.Eventually a salvage tug arrived,whereupon the life-boat returned toher station, which she reached at 5o'clock that evening. The trawler wasrefloated by the tug the next afternoon.—Rewards, £21 3s.

EGGS TO EIGGMallaig, Inverness-shire.—In the.morn-

ing of the 4th of October, 1949, it wasdecided to send the life-boat to theislands of Soay and Eigg with pro-visions as, owing to bad weather, theweekly steamer had not called and noother boat was available. The life^boat Sir Arthur Rose left her mooringsat 10 o'clock in a very rough sea, witha southerly gale blowing, took storesand mail to the islands and arrivedback at her station at 5.30 that evening.—Rewards, £18 16s.

SAVED FROM THE BARRosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—At

3.35 in the afternoon on the 4th ofNovember, 1949, a fishing vessel at thenorth end of the bay was seen to beflying a distress signal. The life-boatMabel Marion Thompson was launchedat 3.42 in a rough sea, with a south-westerly gale blowing, and, three miles

402 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

north of Rosslare Pier found the motorfishing boat St. Joseph, of DunmoreEast, with a crew of two and h'er enginebroken down. As she was draggingtowards Wexford Bar the life-boattook her in tow and berthed her alongthe pier at 4.35.—Partly paid permanentcrew.-—Rewards, £5 2s.

A SAIL OF NO AVAIL

Wick, Caithness-shire.—At five o'clockin the afternoon, on the 4th of Novem-ber, 1949, the coastguard reported aflare three miles north-north-east ofWick. Half an hour later the life-boatCity of Edinburgh was launched in arough sea, with a strong south-easterlybreeze blowing, and found the localfishing boat Godetia. She had a crewof five aboard, including the life-boatsecond coxswain. She had been dis-abled by an engine breakdown, andalthough she had a sail, could make noheadway against the tide, and so thelife-boat towed her home, arriving at7.80.—Rewards, £8 13s.

DEATH OF A LIFE-BOATMAN

Margate. Kent.——At 12.55 in theearly morning of the 6th of November,1949, the coastguard telephoned that ayacht at anchor half a mile north-westof the coastguard station was makingheavy weather. There was a roughsea, and a strong north-westerly breezewas blowing, and she was in danger ofdriving ashore. At 1.20 therefore, thelife-boat The Lord Southborough, CivilService No. 1, was launched. Shefound the sailing yacht Bluebird, ofLondon, a quarter of a mile off shore,with one man on board, and stood byher until low water. The weather hadmoderated by then, and the yachtseemed to be in no difficulty, so thelife-boat returned to her station, arriv-ing at 7.45. One of the crew, BenjaminFrost, hurried down to the life-boatstation, but collapsed and died in theboat-house.—(See page 407.)—Re-wards, £22 3s. 6d.

EXHAUSTED ANGLERS

Newhaven, Sussex. — At half pasteleven on the morning of the 6th ofNovember, 1949, the life-boat Cecil andLilian Philpott was launched for exer-cise. There was a choppy sea, with an

easterly breeze blowing. As she wasreturning, she noticed a small rowingl)oat half a mile west of NewhavenBreakwater. The crew appeared to bedistressed, and the life-boat closed toinvestigate. She found two men, whohad been angling but were afterwardstoo exhausted to continue their effortsto reach harbour. The life-boat tookthe small boat in tow and brought her,together with the crew, into harbour,reaching there at half past twelve.—•Rewards, £9 11s.

WINSTON CALLED UPON

Newbiggin, and Blyth, Northumberland.—About half past ten in the morning, onthe 9th of November, 1949, it wasdecided to launch the Newbiggin life-boat as several local fishing cobles wereout and" a strong south-south-easterlybreeze was blowing, with short heavyseas. The life-boat Augustus and Lauraput out at 10.50 and stood by the coblesin the Bay. As there were othercobles in the direction of Blyth,Newbiggin asked, through the coast-guard, for the help of the Blyth life-boat Winston Churchill, Civil ServiceNo. 8. She was launched at 11.55,Captain H. Rowe, the Blyth honorarysecretary, going out in her. TheAugustus and Laura escorted six coblesto the shore, helping one which hadbroken its rudder, and reached her sta-tion again at one o'clock that afternoon.The Blyth life-boat found that theboats reported.near Blyth were seinenet fishing vessels, not in need of help,and, when it had been reported thatall the Newbiggin fishing boats werehome, she returned to Blyth, arriv-ing at 1.55.—Rewards, Newbiggin,£13 8s. 6d.; Blyth, £10 9s.

RUNNING FOR HARBOUR

Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—-About noonon the 9th of November, 1949, astrong south-easterly gale arose, andconditions at the harbour entrancebecame so bad that the danger signalwas hoisted. All the fishing boats wereat sea, so the life-boat Margaret Damsonwas launched at 1.5 in case help wereneeded. Several of the fishing boatsran for Stonehaven, but three madeGourdon Harbour, with the life-boat

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 408

standing by. The life-boat reached herstation again at 2.5.—-Rewards,£27 Os. 6d.

ROUGH SEAS AND RAIN SQUALLSBridlington, Yorkshire.—At half pa^t

one in the afternoon on the 9th ofNovember, 1949, the coxswain reportedthat .the local motor fishing vesselMizpah, with a crew of four, had notreturned from the fishing grounds.Weather conditions were worsening andit was decided to send out the life-boat,Tillie Morrison, Sheffield. She left at2.7 in a rough sea with a strong south-erly breeze blowing, and rain squalls,and met the Mizpah in the bay.Spreading oil on the s- as, the life-boatescorted her into harbour, and thenreturned to her station, arriving at3.45.—Rewards, £9 8s.

ANZAC RESCUEShorebam Harbour, Sussex.—At 8.10

on the night of the llth of November,1949, the coastguard telephoned that afishing boat was flashing S.O.S. signals.Fifteen minutes later the life-boat RosaWoodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched.A westerly breeze was blowing, witha moderately heavy sea. Half a mileeast-south-east of the harbour, thelife-boat found the Igcal motor fishingboat Anzac, with a crew of two, dis-abled by an engine breakdown, andtook her in tow, bringing her into har-bour at 9.15.—Rewards, £9 Ss.

MEDAL SERVICE BY ILFRACOMBEAND APPLEDORE

Appledore, Clovelly, and Df racombe, Devon.—On the 13th of November, 1949, allthree life-boats went to the help of theSpanish steamer Monte Gurugu, whichwas foundering at the entrance to theBristol Channel, and rescued 24 lives.—Rewards, silver medal, bronze medaland £186 Us. (A full account will bepublished in the next number of TheLife-boat.)

COBLE BROKEN DOWNFiley, Yorkshire.—About half past

three in the afternoon on the 14th ofNovember, 1949, the coastguard tele-phoned that the life-boat coxswain atFlamborough had reported a fishing

coble, broken down but under sail, amile north-east of the North Landing.As it was thought this might be theFiley coble Mary, which was known tobe at sea, the Filey life-boat The Cuttlewas launched at 3.46. A north-westerly wind was blowing, and the seawas smooth. The life-boat found thatthe coble was indeed the Mary, whichhad broken down at eleven in themorning, and with her in tow reachedher station at six o'clock.—Rewards,£16.

COLLISION IN THE FOG

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 11.20 onthe night of the 15th of November,1949, during a fog, the coastguardreported that two ships had been incollision off Thames Haven. As aresult, four men were adrift in a ship'sboat, others were in the water, and oneof the vessels was reported sinking.At 11.45, therefore, the life boatGreater London, Civil Service No. 3, waslaunched. A light easterly breeze wasblowing and the sea was calm. Shefound the motor vessel Mercurius, ofAmsterdam, at anchor, but holed andlisting. However; as her skipper saidshe was safe, the life-boat went to lookfor the other ship, the motor vesselSedulity, of London, which was reportedto be about a mile west of the Mercurius.While she searched, a wireless messageannounced that the Sedulity and hercrew were safe. Accordingly she gaveup the search; but on her way backheard a motor boat in the fog, andshortly after came up with a boatfrom the Mercurius, in which herskipper and a member of her crewhad been trying to reach the shore.The life-boat took them on board,towed their boat back to the Mercurivsand, at the request of the skipper,landed a man at Southend, reachingher station again at 4.15 the nextmorning.—Rewards, £16 9s.

MORE FISHING BOATS IN DIFFICULTIES

Bridlington, Yorkshire.—About 12.45in the afternoon of the 17th of Nov-ember, 1949, information was receivedthat three local fishing vessels were atsea and that the weather was worsen-ing. The life-boat Tillie Morrison,Sheffield, was launched at 1.12 and, in

404 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

a heavy sea, with a moderate south-south-east gale blowing, stood-by offthe harbour entrance. One of thefishing vessels had reached the harbourunaided, and the life-boat escorted inOur Confidence. Then she sighted theother vessel, the Margaret, put outagain, and escorted her in, reaching herstation again at three o'clock. TheCoastguard Life-saving Appliancescrews manned the North and Southpiers during the service.—Rewards,£11 19*.

SERIOUSLY INJURED AT SEA

Cromer, Norfolk. — At 1.57 in theafternoon of the 19th of November,1949, the coastguard- telephoned thatthe S.S. Suntrap, of London, had sig-nalled that she would arrive off Cromerabout 3.15 and had asked for the life-boat to land a seriously injured man.A light south-south-east breeze wasblowing with a slight sea when theNo. 1 life-boat Henry Blogg, with adoctor on board, was launched at threeo'clock. She came up with the Suntrapthree and a haJf miles to the north-eastand the doctor went aboard. Theman, who had concussion and severehead injuries, was taken into the life-boat, which landed him at her stationat 4.20.—Rewards, £9 12s.

ST. HELIER BRONZE MEDALSt. Helier, Jersey.—On the 19th of

November, 1949, the life-boat rescuedthree from the ketch Hanna, of Poole.Rewards, bronze medal and £24 12*.(A full account of this service will bepublished in the next number of TheLife-boat.)

ANOTHER SKIPPER AND HIS DAUGHTER

Falmouth, Cornwall.—At one o'clockin the afternoon of the 20th of Novem-ber, 1949, the St. Anthony coastguardreported that a sailing boat was makingfor Portscatho. The weather was badand she was in a dangerous position.The life-boat Crawford and ConstanceConybeare was launched therefore. at1.30 and in a rough sea, with a freshsouth-south-we t breeze, found thesailing boat Berlin, of Germany, atanchor off Porthscatho, with a man andhis daughter on board. The boat wasdragging and driving inshore, so the

life-boat rescued the two people andtowed the Berlin itself to Falmouthharbour, arriving at 4 o'clock. TheGermans had intended to sail to SouthAmerica.—Rewards, £9 3*. 6d.

ANCHORING A FRENCH STEAMER

Dover, Kent.—In the morning of the21st of November, 1949, the S.S.Intendant J. Patrizi, of Rouen, whichhad been ashore off Seabrook, wassteaming towards Dover in a veryrough sea with a whole southerly galeblowing and rain. The . coastguardinformed the life-boat authorities at7 o'clock and at 7.30 the life-boatSouthern Africa left her moorings, incharge of the second coxswain. Shefound the steamer five miles to thesouth-west, lying broadside to the seasand in danger of going ashore again.The weather was too bad to put aman on board. The coxswain hailedthe master, advised him to follow thelife-boat, and eventually anchored thesteamer in the Downs. She returnedto her station by 12.50 in the after-noon.—Property Salvage Case.

TRAWLER HARD AND FAST

Islay, Inner Hebrides. — At 6.45 onthe night of the 22nd of November,1949, the Kilchqman coastguard tele-phoned that a resident of Port Askaighad reported a vessel ashore on Jura,about one mile north of Inver. At 6.55the life-beat Charlotte Elizabeth lefther moorings in a moderate sea, witha fresh south-westerly breeze blowingand found the steam trawler EvelynRose, of Grimsby, hard and fast oneand a half miles north of Inver. Shewas laden with fish and bound fromIceland to Fleetwood. The life-boattook off eight of the trawler's crew oftwenty and landed them at PortAskaig. She then returned to thetrawler, stood by her until daylight,and arrived back at her station ateight o'clock on the morning of the23rd.—Rewards, £89 I3s. 7d.

STRANDED DRIFTER

Dover, Kent.-—At 3.15 in the morningof the 23rd of November, 1949, Lloyd'ssignal station reported a vessel strandedon the blockships at the western en-trance to the harbour. At 3.30 the

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 405

life-boat Southern Africa left her moor-ings in a rough sea, with a fresh south-south-west gale blowing. The vessel,the steam drifter Thrifty, of Lowestoft,was being towed clear by a motor boat.The life-boat stood by until the drifteranchored, and as the skipper said shewas not leaking, returned to herstation, arriving at 4.45.—Rewards,£7 5s.

ANOTHER DRIFTER IN DISTRESSLowestoft, Suffolk.—About 10.48 in

the morning of the 27th of November,1949, the coastguard telephoned that adrifter was on the Newcombe Sandbankabout a quarter of a mile to the east;and at 10.50 the life-boat MichaelStephens left her moorings. A moderatenortherly breeze was blowing with aground swell. The life-boat found theherring drifter Ocean Sunbeam, ofYarmouth, with a crew of nine, rollingand bumping heavily. The skipperasked the life-boat to stand by, andwhen she refloated the life-boat guidedher clear. She returned to her stationby 12.15 that afternoon.—Rewards,£9 16*.

THEN A COBLEFiley, Yorkshire.—The local motor

fishing coble Isabella put to sea on themorning of the 28th of November,1949. The weather was bad and, as itbegan to worsen, the life-boat TheCuttle was launched at 11.30. Amoderate northerly breeze was blow-ing, with a rough sea. She found theIsabella behind Filey Brigg, escortedher to harbour, and arrived back ather station at 12.55 that afternoon.—Rewards, £3 17*.

THEN ANOTHER COBLEScarborough, Yorkshire.—At 6.10 in

the evening of the 29th of November,1949, the life-boat coxswain reportedthat the local fishing coble Rosemarywas overdue. The life-boat HerbertJoy II was therefore launched at 6.20in a smooth sea, with a light westerlybreeze blowing. Meanwhile the coast-guard had signalled a passing steamerto keep a look-out for the coble. Thesteamer broadcast a wanting and whilethe life-boat was searching, received amessage from the trawler Ficyon that

she had the coble in tow and wanted avessel to take over. The life-boat wasrecalled by flare and directed to theposition, about three miles south-eastof Scarborough. She took the Rose-mary in tow and returned, arriving ather station at 1.45 the following morn-ing.—Rewards, £24 17*.

FIRST AID FOR STROMAWick, Caithness-shire.—At 8.15 in the

night of the 29th of November, 1949, aCanisbay doctor asked for the use of thelife-boat to take him to Stroma Islandto attend an injured man, as the weatherwas too bad for a shore-boat to takehim. A strong north-westerly breezewas blowing, with a rough sea. Thedoctor embarked in the life-boat Cityof Edinburgh at nine o'clock, andlanded on Stroma at 10.45. He at-tended the man, who had brokena leg, and two hours later re-boardedthe life-boat, which took him back toWick, arriving at three o'clock thenext morning. In gratitude the peopleof Stroma held a dance and whist drivewhich raised £4 10*. for the Institution.—Rewards, £16 16*. 6d.

COBLE'S ENGINE FLOODEDTeesmouth, Y o r k s h i r e . — At two

o'clock in the afternoon of the 30th ofNovember, 1949, the life-boat J. W.Archer was launched for exercise in arough sea, with a south-westerly breezeblowing. Two miles east of South Gareshe came up with the fishing cobleMildred. The coble was making heavyweather, but the crew of three saidthey were all right. The life-boattherefore made for her station. As thewind was increasing, however, shereturned to the coble, which she founddriving to leeward with a flooded-outengine. She towed her in and arrivedback at her station at 4 o'clock.—Rewards, £8 15*. 6d.

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

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—November3rd.—Rewards, £16 17*. 6d.

Selsey, Sussex. — November 3rd. —Rewards, £25 19*.

406 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire.—November4th.—Rewards, £21 3s.

Douglas, Isle of Man.—November 4th.—Rewards, £15 15s.

Barrow, Lancashire.—November 4th.—Rewards, £11.

Dungeness, Kent.—November 4th.—Rewards, £33 3s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—November 5th.—Rewards, £8 12s. 6d.

Walmer, Kent. November 5th.-—Rewards, £19 10s.

Longhope, Orkneys.—November 6th.—Rewards, £17 2s. 6d.

Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset. —November 7th.—Rewards, £10 Os. 6d.

Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—November 8th.—Rewards, £29 8s. 6d.

Howth, Co. Dublin.—November 9th.—Rewards, £19 7s.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—November 9th.—Rewards, £24 12s. 6d.

Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.—Nov-ember 9th.—Rewards, £17 15s.

Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—Nov-ember 10th.—Rewards, £6 8s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—November12th.—Rewards, £12 10s.

Newhaven, Sussex.—November 12th.—Rewards, £21 17s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—November 12th.—Rewards, £9 8s. Gd.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—November 13th.—Rewards, £9 4s.

Wick, Caithness-shire.—November 13th,—Rewards, £16 7s.

Buckie, Banffshire.—November 13th.—Rewards, £20.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—November15th.—Rewards, £9 4s. 6d.

Dover, Kent.—November 16th.—Re-wards, £12 10s.

Portrush, Co. Antrim.—November 18th.—Rewards, £10 Os. 6d.

Swanage, Dorset.—November 19th.-—•Rewards, £12 6s.

Blackpool, Lancashire.—November 20th.—Rewards, £36 4s. 6d.

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—November 21st.—Rewards, £26 3s.

Barrow, Lancashire.—November 21st.—Rewards, £25.

Newhaven, Sussex. — November 21st.—Rewards, £17 10s.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—November 22nd.—Rewards, £10 10s.

St. Helier, Jersey.—November 22nd.—Rewards, £6 8s.

Dunbar, East Lothian.—November 25th.—Rewards, £7.

Walmer, Kent.—November 29th.—Re-wards, £15 18s.

Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.—Nov-ember 30th.—Rewards, £19 15s.

French Medals for CromerIN a whole gale on the 8th of July, 1948,the Cromer life-boat rescued the crewof sixteen men of the French collierFrancois Tinier, of Dunkirk. For thisrescue the French Government haveawarded Coxswain H. T. Davies, theFrench Maritime Cross and Diploma,and each of the other eleven membersof the crew the life-saving medal. Thecross and medals were presented atCromer on the 13th of September, 1949,by Capitaine de Corvette de la Loged'Ausson, commanding officer of Ailette,of the French Navy, accompanied byhis first lieut. nant, the French consularagent at Lowestoft, and one of his crew.

Captain E. O. Indor, D.S.O., R.N.,chairman of the Cromer branch, pre-

sided at the ceremony and the Rev.Arthur Buxton welcomed the visitors,whom he had previously entertained tolunch. Commander H. L. Wheeler,R.N., district inspector of life-boats,described the rescue, and Capitaine de laCorvette de la Loge d'Ausson then pre-sented the medals. A vote of thanksto him and the French Government wasproposed by Major E. P. Hansell,honorary secretary of the station, andwas seconded by Coxswain H. T.Davies. The Marseillaise and theNational Anthem were sung and thelife-boat was launched, with the Frenchvisitors on board. The ceremony wasbroadcast by the B.B.C. on the HomeService and Foreign Service.

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 407

Margate Life-boatman's Death

IN the early hours of Sunday, the 6th ofNovember, 1949 (see page 402) theMargate life-boat was called out onservice and one of the crew, BenjaminFrost, cycled down to the boathouse atthe end of the pier. As soon as he gotinto the boat he had a heart attack.He was lifted out, and was found to bealready dead. He was only forty-oneyears old. He was unmarried, and the

only relative dependent upon him washis mother. His father had died atsea. His mother is a patient in a hos-pital, blind, bed-ridden, and needingconstant care. She is looked afterunder the National Health Scheme,but her son spent IS/— a week incomforts for her. This allowance of15/- will now be provided by theInstitution.

Two Life-boatmen Cross the Atlantic

IN March, 1949, two former members ofthe life-boat's crew at Yarmouth, Isleof Wight, Stanley Smith, aged thirty,and Colin Smith, aged twenty-nine,sons of Coxswain S. T. Smith, went toCanada. There, at Dartmouth, NovaScotia, they built a yacht, choosing thetimber, building her and fitting her outentirely with their own hands. She was20 feet long and had a beam of 6 feet 6inches. They named her Nova E.tpero.

So sure were they of their crafts-manship and skill that they decided to

sail her home across the Atlantic.With their stores on board she hadbarely fourteen inches free-board.They set out from Dartmouth, NovaScotia, on the 6th of July, and madetheir first port of call, Dartmouth,Devon, forty-three days later! Therethey were given a great reception.They set out again a few days later andon the 30th of August, a beautifulsummer day, they sailed their littleyacht, under mainsail and jib, intoYarmouth harbour.

The Duchess of Kent at the Depot

THE Duchess of Kent, President of theInstitution, visited the Institution'sdepot at Boreham Wood on the 9th ofNovember. She was received by SirGodfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of thecommittee of management, ColonelA. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A.,the Secretary of the Institution, Com-mander P. E. Vaux, D.S.C., R.N., chiefinspector of life-boats, CommanderJ. M. Upton, R.D., R.N.R., superin-tendent of the depot, and Mr. A. W.Stephens, the depot foreman.

The Duchess visited every depart-ment: the publicity store, the paint-shop, the rigging loft, the carpenter'sshop, the return store, the heavy store,

the light store, the despatch depart-ment, the examination department, themachine shop, the canteen, the officesof the clerical staff, and the cottageswhere the foreman, chief storesmanand shop-foreman live. In each depart-ment the principal members of the staffwere presented to her, and she was pre-sented with a bell-rope made in therigging loft and a pair of brass candle-sticks made in the machine shop.

After the inspection the Duchess tooktea with Sir Godfrey Baring and theofficials of the Institution, and saw thelife-boat Mary Theresa Boileau whichhad just returned from the Lord Mayor'sProcession.

408 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

Naming CeremoniesEIGHT new motor life-boats were namedduring the summer of 1949, two on theEnglish coast, at Swanage and East-bourne, three on the Welsh coast, atNew Quay (Cardigan), Barmouth, andPorthdinllaen, two in Northern Ireland,at Portrush and Newcastle (Co. Down),and one in the Isle of Man, at Ramsey.

Swanage

The new boat has been built out ofa legacy from the late Mrs. Alice Pugh,of Kensington, London. She is a41-feet Watson cabin boat and is theseventh life-boat to be stationed atSwanage. The naming ceremony tookplace on the 18th of June. Dr. G. W. S.de Jersey, chairman of the branch, pre-sided, and Captain G. R. Cousins,D.S.C., R.N., district inspector of life-boats, described the life-boat. Dr. A.McCall, on behalf of the donor, pre-sented her to the Institution and SirGodfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of theCommittee of Management, receivedher and- handed her over to Swanage,on whose behalf she was accepted byDr. de Jersey.

The Archdeacon of Dorset (the Vener-able L. Addison, M.A.), assisted by theRev. M. de Burgh Scott and the Rev.Stanley Smith, dedicated the life-boat,and Lady Baring named her R.L.P.

A vote of thanks was proposed byCouncillor F. Holmes, J.P., chairmanof the Swanage Urban District Council,and seconded by Mr. A. R. Dickinson,district organising secretary, and thelife-boat was launched.

New Quay, Cardigan

The new boat is a gift to the Institu-tion from the citizens of St. Albans, whoin 1945 raised a-special fund to cele-brate the silver jubilee of the St.Albans branch. She is a 35 feet 6 inchesLiverpool boat, and is the fifth to bestationed at New Quay. Dr. RogerGriffiths, chairman of the branch, pre-sided, and Commander E. W. Middleton,V.R.D., R.N.V.R., the district inspectorof life-boats described the boat. Mr.J. F. Bushell, a former Mayor of St.Albans, presented her to the Institu-

tion, and Captain Guy D. Fanshawe,R.N., a vice-president of the Institu-tion, accepted her and handed her toNew Quay, on whose behalf she wasreceived by Mr. Alastair Graham,president of the branch.

The Archbishop of Wales (the MostRev. D. L. Prosser, D.D.) dedicatedthe life-boat, assisted by the Rev. D. A.Thomas, M.A., rectof of New Quay andthe Rev. Victor Thomas, B.A. Thesinging was led by the New QuayUnited Choir. Miss Lucy Silvester,deputy-chairman and late honorarysecretary of the St. Albans branch, thennamed the life-boat St. Albans and theboat was launched

A vote of thanks was proposed byCouncillor E. Price, chairman of theNew Quay Urban District Council, andseconded by Mr. D. E. Thomas, amember of the committee of the branch,and Captain Fanshawe replied.

Barmouth

The new life boat has been builtout of a legacy from the late Mr.Patrick Charles Peek, of BranksomePark, Dorsetshire. She is a 35 feet6 inches Liverpool boat and is theseventh to be stationed at Barmouth.The naming ceremony took place onthe 6th of July. Colonel C. J. LloydCarson, C.B.E., D.L., president of thebranch presided, and Commander E. W.Middleton, V.R.D., R.N.V.R., districtinspector of life-boats, described theboat. Commodore R. G. Clayton,D.S.C., R.D., R.N.R., a member of thecommittee of management of theInstitution, handed over the life-boatto the branch and she was accepted byMr. R. Llewellyn Owen, its chairman.

The Archdeacon of Merioneth (theVenerable David Jenkins) dedicatedthe life-boat, assisted by the Rev.W. H. Wallis Thomas, M.A., and theRev. E. Afonwy Williams. The sing-ing was led by the St. John's ChurchChoir. Mrs. H. M. Richards, of Caer-ynwch, then named the life-boat. TheChieftain.

Commodore Clayton made presenta-tions on behalf of the Institution: ToMrs. J. R. Heath, honorary secretary

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 409

of the Barmouth Ladies' Life-boat Guild,the vellum recording her appointmentas an honorary life-governor of theInstitution; to Captain G. B. Piggott,D.L., J.P., honorary secretary of thestation, inscribed binoculars; to Cox-swain John E. Morris, a coxswain'scertificate of service, and to EvanJones, John Jones, Griffith Griffiths andOwen T. Morris, life-boatmen's certifi-cates of service, on their retirementfrom the crew.

A vote of thanks was proposed byCouncillor M. G. Roberts, chairman ofthe Barmouth Urban District Counciland seconded by Mrs. J. R. Heath.

EastbourneThe new boat is a gift to the Institu-

tion from Sir Lyonel and Lady Tolle-mache, in memory of their daughter,Beryl Tollemache. She is a 41-feetBeach life-boat, built with a cabin,and is the ninth to be stationed atEastbourne. The naming ceremonytook place on the 14th of July. TheMayor of Eastbourne presided and the.boat was described by Captain G. R.Cousins, D.S.C., R.N., district inspectorof life-boats. Sir Lyonel Tollemache,who is now ninety-six years old, wasunfortunately prevented by ill-healthfrom being present, and in his absencehis son, Colonel H. T. Tollemache, pre-sented the boat to the Institution.Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman ofthe committee of management of theInstitution, accepted the life-boat andhanded her over to Eastbourne, onwhose behalf she was accepted by Mr.Ernest Armstrong, chairman of thebranch and a member of the com-mittee of management of the Institu-tion.

The Right Rev. Walter Julius Carey,D.D., dedicated the life-boat, assistedby the Rev. L. E. Meredith, M.A.,vicar of Eastbourne and the Rev. G. T.Bellhouse, M.A., B.D., of the East-bourne Presbyterian Church. Thesinging was led by the Eastbourne andDistrict Philharmonic Society. LadyTollemache then named the life-boatBeryl Tollemache, and the life-boat waslaunched.

A vote of thanks was proposed byMr. Charles Taylor, D.L., Member ofParliament for Eastbourne, andseconded by Mr. B. G. H. Brown,

F.I.A., honorary secretary of thestation. Lady Baring then unveileda plaque which recorded that the electricclock on the boat-house had beenplaced there as a memorial to twoformer presidents of the EastbourneLadies' Life-boat Guild, Mrs. EdithAstley Roberts and Mrs. A. MusprattWilliams.

Ramsey, Isle of Man

The new life-boat has been providedout of gifts to the Institution fromthe Thomas Corbett Charity. She isa 35 feet 6 inches Liverpool boat andis the ninth life-boat to be stationedat Ramsey. The naming ceremonytook place on the 14th of July. TheRev. H. W. Young, chairman of thebranch, presided, and CommanderE. W. Middleton, V.R.D., R.N.V.R.,district inspector of life-boats, describedthe boat. Mr. Laurence C. H. Cave, amember of the committee of manage-ment of the Institution, handed thelife-boat over to Ramsey, on whosebehalf she wasTeceived by the Lieuten-ant Governor of the Isle of Man, whois also president of the Ramsey branch(Air Vice-Marshal Sir Geoffrey Bromet,K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O.).

The Bishop of Sodor and Man (theRight Rev. J. R. Strickland Taylor,D.D.) dedicated the life-boat, assistedby the Rev. Gordon Sayle, M.A., theRev. J. Daintree, and the Rev. ,J.Murray. The singing was led by theRamsey Ladies' Cushag Choir and theRamsey Male Voice Choir, 'accom-panied by the Ramsey Town Band.Lady Bromet then named the life-boatThomas Corbett, and the life-boat waslaunched.

A vote of thanks was proposed byMr. F. L. Cottier, J.P., chairman of theRamsey Town Commissioners, andseconded by Mr. A. S. Kelly, J.P.,M.H.K., T.C.

Porthdinllaen

The new boat has been built out of alegacy from the late Mr. Charles CarrAshley, of Mentone, France, who leftmoney to provide and endow fivelife-boats. She is a 46-feet 9-inchesWatson cabin life-boat and is the sixthlife-boat to be stationed at Porth-dinllaen. The naming ceremony took

410 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

place on the 12th of August. CaptainR. E. Thomas, president of the branch,presided, and Commander E. W.Middleton, V.R.D., R.N.V.R., the dis-trict inspector of life-boats, describedthe boat. Commander H. F. P.Grenfell, D.S.C., R.N., a m-mber ofthe committee of management of theInstitution, handed her over to thebranch, on whose behalf she wasaccepted by Colonel W. H. Wynne-Finch, M.C., Lord Lieutenant of Caer-narvonshire.

The Rev. John Owen, M.A., dedicatedthe life-boat, assisted by the Rev.William Thomas, B.A., B.D.. vicar ofNevin, .and the Rev. T. Nefyn Williamsled the singing. Lady Carey Evans,president of the South CaernarvonshireLadies' Life-boat Guild, then namedher Charles Henry Ashley.

Commander Grenfell presented toMr. J. E. Roberts, honorary secretaryof the station, the inscribed binocularsawarded to him by the Institution,and a vote of thanks was proposed byMrs. William Ellis, vice-president ofthe South Caernarvonshire Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and seconded by Mrs. E.Robyns-Owen, B.A., honorary sec-'retary of the Guild.

Portrush

The new boat is a gift from the CivilService Life-boat Fund, by which ithas not only been provided, but en-dowed, and will be maintained. She isthe seventh life-boat to be stationed atPortrush. The naming ceremony tookplace on the 17th of August, and Mr.R. A. Chalmers, president of the branch,presided. Sir William Scott, O.B.E.,presented the life-boat to the Institu-tion on behalf of the Civil ServiceLife-boat Fund, Colonel RichardTrenam, O.B.E., M.C., organising sec-retary for Ireland, accepted her onbehalf of the Institution and handed

her over to the branch, on whose behalfshe was accepted by its honorary sec-retary, Mr. W. R. Knox, M.M., J.P.,Co.C. and Lieut.-Commander W. L. G.Button, R.D., R.N.R., district inspectorof life-boats, described her.

The Rev. J. S. Pyper, B.A., D.D.,dedicated the life-boat, assisted bythe Rev. J.' T. Moffett-Blair, B.A.,the Rev. D. B. E. Perrin, M.A., andthe Rev. T. H. Holloway. The singingwas accompanied by the band of the1st King's Dragoon Guards. TheCountess of Antrim then named thelife-boat Lady Scott (Civil Service No. 4).

Votes of thanks were proposed byMr. T. L. Bamford, J.P., and CaptainE. L. Hamilton, and seconded by Mr.G. W. T. McCann and Mr. J. Fisher,honorary treasurer of the branch.

Newcastle, Co. Down

The new life-boat has been, built outof a legacy from the late Miss AnneWinsloe Clarke Hall, of Bournemouth.She is a 35-feet 6-inches Liverpool boatand is the tenth to be stationed at New-castle. The naming ceremony tookplace on the 27th of August, and Dr.Robert Magill, president of the branch,presided. Colonel Richard Trenam,O.B.E., M.C., organising secretary forIreland, handed over the life-boat tothe branch, on whose behalf she wasaccepted by its honorary secretary,Mr. J. Fergus McCartan and Lieut.-Commander W. L. G. Dutton, R.D.,R.N.R., district inspector of life-boats,described her.

The Rev. W. Armstrong Jones, M.A.,dedicated the life-boat and Mr. GeraldAnnesley named her William andLaura.

A vote of thanks was proposed byMr. William Stevenson Corry, J.P.,chairman of the Newcastle UrbanDistrict Council, and seconded by Mr.William Gilmore, J.P.

Days of MagicEACH year for the past three years,the Magical Societies throughout thecountry have held a national dayof magic as near to All Halloweenas possible and have presented the

sums made to a national charity.In 1948 the 'charity chosen wasthe Life-boat Service. It has re-ceived from the Magical Societies£1,408.

DECEMBER, 1949] THE LIFE-BOAT 411

Linen in PublicA naval Lieutenant-Commander sta-tioned at Portsmouth recently receivedhis clean laundry with one pair of socksmissing. He reported the matter, andgot back this reply from the Laundry.

16th November, 1949.DEAR SIR,

Re your inquiry regarding a pair ofsocks, we regret to inform you thatthey have been accidentally boiled,therefore, in order to settle this matteramicably will you please let us knowwhat you claim as reasonable compensa-tion. ...

To this, the Naval Officer repliedtwo days later:

Accidents will happen, even to socks

—I should have been very annoyed ifmy socks had been "fried " or "roasted "or "braised"—give a bob to the Life-boat Institution.

Action was then taken.

25th November, 1949.DEAR SIR,

We would like to thank you for yourletter of November 18th, and we appre-ciated the spirit in which you, took thismatter.

We have taken you at your word, andenclose herewith a receipt for 5 bob wesent to The Royal National Life-boatInstitution.

We beg to remain, Sir,The Laundry.

Life-boat in The Lord Mayor's ProcessionTHE Lord Mayor's Procession this yearwas a pageant of "Transport Throughthe Ages." It began with an Arabwater carrier and ancient Britons, aman and woman travelling on foot. Itended with British Overseas and Euro-pean Airways. At the end of thesection "Water Transport" came theInstitution's pulling and sailing life-boat Mary Theresa Boileau, (whichserved at Dungeness from 1912 to

1939), with a skeleton crew on board.The procession moved in pouring rainand all the Press recorded that theonly happy people in it were the life-boat's crew, looking very comfortablein their heavy oilskins.

It was not possible, owing to itssize, to have a modern motor life-boat.This is the first time since 1923, that alife-boat has taken part in the Proces-sion.

The Gardens of Sheffield ParkFOR many years before the war thefamous gardens of Sheffield Park, inSussex, were opened to the publicand the entrance money given tocharity.

In 1949, for the first time since the war,they were again opened, for five weeksin the spring for the flowering shrubs,

and for seven weeks in the autumnfor the leaf colours, and the ownerof Sheffield Park, Captain A. GranvilleSoames, O.B.E., who was for a numberof years a member of the committee ofmanagement of the Institution verykindly gave the proceeds to the Life-boat Service.

A Christmas GiftJUST before Christmas a packet wasbrought to the Institution by an officialof the Post Office, who wished to becertain that it was intended for theInstitution. It had the Oxford post-mark and was addressed "To life-boatHeadquarters." Inside was a paper

bag with "Happy Christmas from anold lady and Bright New Year"written on it, and fifty one-poundnotes.

The Oxford Mail very kindly pub-lished a paragraph thanking the anony-mous giver.

412 THE LIFE-BOAT [DECEMBER, 1949

Lord Runciman and Sir Lionel HalseyTHE Institution lost last year twovery distinguished members of the com-mittee of management, the ViscountRunciman and Admiral Sir LionelHalsey, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E.,C.B.

Lord Runciman, who died on the14th of November, at the age of 79,became a member of the committeein 1916, and in 1932 he was appointeda vice-president. Towards the end ofhis life he took little part in the workof the Institution, but in his early years

he was an active and valued member ofthe committee of management andits sub-committees.

Sir Lionel Halsey, who died on the26th of October at the age of 77, wasComptroller to the Prince of Waleswhen the Prince was President of theInstitution. He became a member ofthe committee of management in 1921and in 1936 he was appointed a vice-president. For fifteen years he waspresident of the St. Albans branch, andtook an active interest in its work.

Coxswain John Boyle, of ArranmoreONE of the most distinguished of Irishcoxswains, John Boyle, of Arranmore,died on the 5th of September, 1949, atthe age of 57. He served as an officerof the life-boat for 23 years, as bow-man from 1926 to 1928, and thenas coxswain until his death, 21 yearslater.

He was one of the seven coxswainswho won the gold medal for conspicuousgallantry during the war of 1939 to

1945 when, on the 7th of December,1940, he rescued 18 of the crew of theDutch steamer Stolwijk, of Rotterdam,one of a convoy of ships from Americawhich had come through three days of arising north-westerly gale and wasmaking for the passage between Scot-land and Ulster (at that stage of thewar the only remaining entrance toBritish ports) in a hurricane of windand snow.

Life-boats Given by Corporate Bodies: A CorrectionIN the October issue of The Life-boatwas an article with this heading, andamong the corporate bodies mentionedwas Lloyd's, donor of a life-boat whichbears its name.

It .should have been said thatLloyd's not only gave this life-boat,but, by their annual contribution,maintain her and contribute to areplacement fund.

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

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

All enquiries about the work of the Institution or about this journal should b>addressed to the Secretary.

The next number ofTnK LIFE-BOAT will be published in April, 1950.