the life-boat. · few year bees n mad ine certai quartern s and diligently circulated, mainly...

THE LIFE-BOAT.J O U R N A L

OF TUB

IRo^al Batfonal ttfe^Boat Jnstitutfon,(ISSUED QtrABTEBLY.)

VOL. XYI.—No. 185.] 2ND AUGUST, 1897. PEIOB 3d.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

THE PAELIAMENTABY INQUIRY.

THE MANAGEMENT VINDICATED AND JUSTIFIED.

IN view of the constant serious and un-founded charges against the administrationof the Institution which have for the lastfew years been made in certain quartersand diligently circulated, mainly throughthe medium of the Press, such chargestending to impair and injure the greatnational life-saving work which theInstitution has so actively carried onsiiice 1824, resulting in the saving ofthe lives of upwards of 40,000 ship-wrecked persons, the Committee ofManagement decided last spring to urgethe Government to agree to the earlyappointment of a Select Committee of theHouse of Commons to make a searchinginquiry into the Institution's administra-tion and the adequacy of its organizationfor saving life on our coasts. TheGovernment having been communicatedwith, a motion for the appointment of aSelect Committee was brought before theHouse by Sir ROBERT U. PENKOSE PITZ-GEBALD, Bart., on behalf of the Institution,on the 8th March, and notwithstandingthe motion was on several occasionsblocked by members of the Opposition,

who it would have been imagined wouldhave been the first to support it, it wasfinally agreed to, and the Select Com-mittee having been appointed held itsfirst sitting on the 6th April last. TheSelect Committee subsequently sat to takeevidence twenty-four times, and on eachoccasion for many hours. It examinedwitnesses from all parts of the country,and went most fully, carefully and ex-haustively, into every detail connectedwith the management of the Institutionand the working of its life - savingservice. The Chairman of the SelectCommittee (Mr. C. J. CABLING, Q.C.),presented his Committee's Report to theHouse of Commons op the 15th July,and all friends and supporters of theInstitution will read it with intenserelief and satisfaction. The verdict isclear and unmistakable, entirely vindicat-ing the Institution, which emerges fromthe serious ordeal of a ParliamentaryInquiry with—as the Times has said—" unsullied reputation." The Report how-ever speaks for itself and we thereforeappend it.

VOL. XVI.—No. 185.—LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL. 3 H

BEPOBTFKOM THE

SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONSON THE

KOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

The first four pages of the Report give an historical sketch of theInstitution, and describe its object, composition and management,after which it continues as follows:—

COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE INSTITUTION.

During the last five or six years com-plaints and charges of a very damagingcharacter have been made from certainquarters against the Institution in regardto its general and financial management.Your Committee have examined on oatha large number of witnesses in supportof these allegations, and on behalf of theInstitution. They have also sent a seriesof questions dealing with the subject-matter of the charges to the honorarysecretaries and coxswains of the ROYALNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, toLloyd's Agents, to the coastguard officers,and to receivers of wrecks at all stationsround the coast of Great Britain andIreland. Tour Committee have received846 replies to these questions frompersons to whom the facts must havebeen known and who could have noground for concealing .or misrepresentingthem. It is a source of pleasure to yourCommittee that these answers contain sowide a testimony to the general efficiencyof management and usefulness of theEOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Some of the charges made were personal,absolutely unfounded, and have beenwithdrawn by their author. Your Com-mittee do not think them worthy of any

further notice, nor have they thought itnecessary to consider and correct mereexaggeration or intemperance of languagein the making of charges in themselvessufficiently grave.

Charges of gross and wilful misrepre-sentation with respect to its financeshaving been made against the Institution,your Committee have felt it their dutyto investigate this matter most carefully.They find that prior to 1891 the managersof the Institution published in theirreport an income and expenditure accountand a list of all legacies and subscriptionsreceived during the year, but did notpublish a balance-sheet, nor any statementof the amount of invested capital held bythe Institution. The income derivedfrom the investments was, however, fullyshown in the income and expenditureaccount.

From 1891 onwards a balance-sheetwith full details of the investments hadbeen included in the annual report, inaddition to the information previouslygiven. Until the close of 1895 alllegacies were carried direct to thebalance-sheet and treated as capital;but in the accounts for the year 1896the managers adopted the form ofaccount suggested by the Charity Organi-sation Society for the hospitals receiving

2ND AUGUST, 1897.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 871

grants from the Hospital Saturday andSunday Fund, and included the legaciesin their income and expenditure accountcarrying forward any balance from thataccount from the balance-sheet for invest-ment.

Tour Committee do not feel themselvescalled on to express an opinion as to•which is the best form of account toadopt—accountants of equal eminencehaving given evidence in favour of eachform. Your Committee are, however,satisfied that both the forms of accountadopted since 1891 give full informationas to the financial position of the Insti-tution, its income, expenditure, and in-vested funds, and that there is no groundfor the charges of misrepresentation orconcealment brought against its managers.

Though your Committee are of opinionthat the accounts published previous to1896 are perfectly intelligible to personsfamiliar with financial statements, theyconsider that the managers acted wiselyin adopting in 1896 the form recom-mended by the Charity OrganisationSociety, as being more easily compre-hended by .the general public, whosupport the Institution by their contri-butions.

In particular—taking the more im-portant allegations which it was attemptedbefore them to substantiate as againstthe Institution—it is stated in a magazinearticle that "the published accounts ofthe BOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI-TUTION systematically conceal instead ofdisclosing the fact of the Institutionhaving an income of £38,000 from legacies,in addition to the £60,000 provided bypublic subscriptions and investments."

Your Committee find that this statementis absolutely unfounded. The publishedaccounts and Beport of the BOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION give details, show-ing in each year every penny receivedfrom whatever source. Full particularsof any legacies received are furnished inthe accounts published yearly, and theinvestments of the Institution are alsoclearly set out.

It was further directly stated that theEOYAL NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTIONso discharged this part of their dutiesthat their conduct in this particularamounts to "a policy of concealment."Ever since 1891 the Institution havepublished balance sheets; and every year,before and since that date, they havepublished accounts of income and ex-penditure, assets and liabilities, disclosingthe exact financial condition of the Insti-tution. These accounts, already alludedto, are of such a character that, in theopinion of your Committee, no one ofordinary intelligence could fail to ascer-tain from them the precise position ofthe Institution as regards its income,expenditure, and sources of supply —provided always, the accounts wereexamined with a land fide intention ofunderstanding them.

Your Committee consider, therefore,"that to charge the Institution with adopt-ing " a policy of concealment" is whollyunjustified by the facts.

With regard to legacies left to theInstitution, it was contended beforeyour Committee that certain of thesehad been " mis-appropriated."

This contention was completely dis-proved. In the opinion of your Com-mittee, the Institution has invariablydone its best to carry out the intentionsof testators who have entrusted it withlegacies. In many cases, however,- tes-tators have hampered their bequests -withconditions which have made it impossibleimmediately to give effect to their wishes.Many people are not content to leave acertain sum for the general work of life-saving done by the Institution, but insiston providing a Life-boat to be placed atsome point selected by the testator inadvance, and, perhaps, already sufficientlysupplied.

The Institution would be greatly helpedin its work, and seafaring men more fullyprovided for when in danger, were moneyleft to the managers of the Institution touse in their discretion for the objects pre-scribed in their charter. Thus, while

__

872 THE LIFE-BOAT. [2s0 AUGUST, 1897.

any recommendation to couple the bene-factor's name with the work to be done,or to provide for a particular place, wouldcertainly receive all consideration, thegeneral objects of the Institution wouldnot be hindered by conditions precedentdifficult of immediate fulfilment.

It seems desirable, however, to yourCommittee, that in the future, the Insti-tution should, in its report, show howand when each legacy to which a specificcondition is attached has been employed;so as to give confidence to the public thattheir wishes are complied with.

Charges of extravagance in the admini-stration of their affairs have been madeagainst the Institution. Your Committeehave had full details placed before themof the salaries, and other expensesincurred-by the Institution. Bearing inmind the large amount of detailed work'at the central office, the long distancestravelled by the inspectors who visitevery station four times each year, andthe importance of securing trustworthymen for these posts, your Committee areof opinion that the staff is not excessivein numbers nor too highly paid.

It has also been stated that theremuneration of the men who man theLife-boats, and the provision made for menwho are injured, and the dependents ofmen who lose their lives when on service,is inadequate. After obtaining evidencefrom all parts of the coast, your Com-mittee are satisfied that the remunerationis adequate in ordinary cases, and satis-factory to the men employed; and thatwhen exceptional services have beenrendered, the Institution is always will-ing to recognise them in a substantialmanner.

With regard to the boats provided bythe Institution, it was contended thatthey were unfitted for their work; andit was even alleged that, therefore, theofficials of the Institution " ought to beprosecuted for manslaughter."

This contention your Committee findto be wholly unfounded and preposterous.It is true the service has not been con-

ducted entirely without loss of life bythose engaged in it. Your Committeewould have .been greatly surprised if itbad; seeing that the work must often bedone in conditions of the greatest dangerto all concerned.

In the opinion of your Committee theboats generally are well adapted for thework they have to perform. Your Com-mittee do not feel that they can recommendone type of boat for adoption rather thananother. Nor do they hold it can bedecided as a matter of certainty that,in varying circumstances, either a self-righting or a non-self-righting boat isabsolutely the best. Both types are mostcarefully designed, built, and furnished.Persons fully competent to judge declare,some for one, some for the other, pattern.The practice of the Institution is toconsult the men on the spot—who willhave to man the boat—and to allow themin great measure to decide for themselvesin which kind of boat they will do thisdifficult, and inevitably dangerous, work.Confidence of the crew in their boat isof itself an element of security, and yourCommittee do not advise any change inthis system.

In regard to steam Life-boats—of whichthe Institution already have two, and arebuilding another—it appears to yourCommittee that in certain situations theyhave undeniable advantages. But atmany points on our coasts they could notbe stationed; and at many adapted forthem there are already steam-tugs to beobtained for the taking out of Life-boats tovessels in distress. The facts provedbefore your Committee show that themanagers of the Institution are fullyalive to the value and importance ofsteam Life-boats, and to the conditions oftheir effective employment; and that theyare preparing to place such boats wherenecessary. Your Committee think, there-fore, that this matter may safely be leftto the consideration and judgment of theInstitution.

Charges of want of discipline amongthe crews, of delay or failure in launch-


ing Life-boats, and of refusal on the partof crews to go out to the assistance ofvessels in distress, have been freely made.From the answers to their inquiriesreceived from all parts of the coast, yourCommittee are satisfied that, so far as thegreat majority of Life-boat crews are con-cerned, these charges are entirely ground-less, and that the Life-boat crews are abody of men of whom the country may beproud. In the few instances of want ofdiscipline among the crews, or refusal togo out, reported to your Committee, theyfind that the Institution had inquiredinto the matter at the time, and hadtaken steps to correct it; while the casesof delay or failure in launching Life-boatswere very few,, and were in every casetraced to error in judgment, to •whichany agency is liable.

Suggestions have been made that theLife-boats should no longer be manned,as at present, by the fishermen and beach-men of the station, but either by apermanent crew maintained expressly forthe purpose, or by the coastguard. Theexpense of maintaining a permanent crew,as compared with the present system,would be so great as to be in our opinionprohibitory. The objections to employingthe coastguard are overwhelming. Thecoastguard is not sufficient in numbers.The coastguard stations, moreover—beingselected with a view to prohibit smuggling—are often not to be found where a Life-boat is most needed. The coastguardsmenare not necessarily good boatmen, andsome of them have had no training assuch; and in any case they are likely tobe inferior in the local knowledge whichgives to the beachmen and fishermen suchskill in overcoming the difficulties oflocal currents, shoals, and rocks. More-over, the coastguard, being men of thefirst naval reserve, are withdrawn at leastonce a year for naval service.

Your Committee see no ground forrecommending that the Life-boat Serviceshould be taken over by the State, solong as it is maintained as efficiently andsuccessfully as at present by public

benevolence. There would be no savingof expense by the transference of theservice to Government; and, so long asthe crews which man the boats arevolunteer crews, your Committee believethat they would work more successfullyunder the discreet administration of awell-selected local committtee than underthe more rigid discipline of a GovernmentDepartment. Your Committee considerthat there are many advantages in com-mitting the control of this service as now,to a voluntary association of honourablemen—who have in many cases devotedyears of their lives, without pay or re-muneration of any sort, to the cause oflife-saving—relying for funds on thebeneficence of the people of these king-doms, and, for crews to man the boats, onthe unfailing courage and devotion of themaritime population.

The following statement has beenpublicly made: " The men are underpaidby the Institution. They are permitted,however, to make as much profit as theycan at the expense of persons saved."Your Committee report that, in theopinion of competent witnesses, the menare not underpaid; that the chargesagainst the Institution of permitting themen to make a profit at the expense ofpersons saved is a reckless mis-statement,and the inference, that the men can, or do,make a profit at the expense of personssaved, is without any foundation or justifi-cation whatever. It is, moreover, a whollyunwarranted aspersion on a coast popula-tion, of whose devotion and heroism thereis a long and almost unbroken record.

In respect to the salvage of propertyby Life-boat crews, as already explainedunder the heading "Property Salvage,"a considerable amount of correspondencehas passed between the committee ofLloyd's and the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.In the-first instance, the committee ofLloyd's contended " that the crews ofLife-boats should not be permitted to dosalvage service," but they afterwardsmodified their position, and stated that,in their opinion, "it would be for the

874 THE LIFE-BOAT. [2ND AUGUST, 1897.

benefit of all concerned, the boatmen, theInstitution, and the shipping community,if the Life-boat crew continue to dosalvage work, provided they acceptLloyd's form of agreement."

Most serious charges have been publiclymade as to the way in which the privilegeaccorded to the Life-boat crews of using theboats for property salvage has been abused;and these charges have received theauthority of Lloyd's. Your Committeehave inquired into several specific in-stances of exorbitant claims alleged to

I have been made by the crews. Thesecases did not stand the test of cross-examination ; and, in the result, the case,as sought to be made for Lloyd's, waswithdrawn. Your Committee are em-phatically of opinion that the attacksmade upon the Institution in respect ofproperty salvage, have been as unfounded,as they certainly have been mischievous.

Your Committee consider the existingpractice of permitting the crews to maketheir own bargains with the masters orowners of the vessels to be salved, to beopen to objection, and your Committeerecommend that the Institution shouldonly allow their crews to use the Institu-tion boats on condition of the crewsagreeing to such terms, as to remune-ration, and arbitration in case of dispute,as the Institution may prescribe. Theseterms your Committee think the Institu-tion should settle in consultation with theCommittee of Lloyd's and the Board ofTrade.

LIFE-BOAT SATUBDAY FUNDS.

Much evidence was given before yourCommittee as to comments by Mr. CharlesWright Macara, of Manchester, upon theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTIONin regard to their management of theLife-boat Saturday Fund. This Fundhad its origin in a demonstration organisedand collection made under the directionof a committee in 1891. These were verysuccessful; and consequently committees

having in view the same object wereformed in many parts of the UnitedKingdom. These committees have col-lected, by means of demonstrations in thestreets of various towns, and by sub-scriptions and donations, and in otherways, large sums of money, which havebeen remitted to the BOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Street demonstrations are, necessarily,a costly means of collecting money;subject as they are to fluctuating results,owing to good or bad weather; thereforegreat care should be taken to preventtheir expense from becoming excessive.But your Committee are persuaded of thegreat good to be done by familiarising thepeople of inland towns, as well as otherson the coast, with the work done by thisInstitution, and for it by the maritimepopulation.

Your Committee find that the organisa-tion of the Saturday Life-boat Fund isrepresentative of the subscribers to thefund, and gives the subscribers sufficientinfluence on the Committee of Manage-ment of the Institution.

Your Committee are of opinion that thecharges of mismanagement brought againstthe Institution with regard to the Satur-day Life-boat Fund are entirely withoutfoundation.

Your Committee cannot conclude theirreport without recording their opinionthat the thanks of the whole community

are due to the committee of the KOYALNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION for theenergy and good management (often invery difficult circumstances) with which;hey have for so many years successfullycarried out the national work of life-saving,and this without reward or payment of anysort. And your Committee regret that its not in their power to suggest someurther protection for charitable institu-ions against the attacks of irresponsible>ersons, which attacks may, as in the>resent case, turn out to be unfounded,nd untrue.

Ordered by the House of Commons to be Printed, 15th July, 1897.


THE LIFE-BOAT SATUEDAY FUND.

OUB Life-boat Saturday friends have notbeen idle since we issued our last noticeof the Fund. Fresh committees havebeen formed and active measures takenin all directions to secure success anddevelopment in the near future, althoughthe fixtures hitherto made this seasonhave not, for very good reasons, been asnumerous as they were last year. Wecannot but approve and commend thetact and wise discretion which haveactuated the Life-boat Saturday com-mittees, both in London and elsewhere,in not unduly pressing their appeals andinsisting on Life-boat Saturday collec-tions being made during the spring andsummer of this eventful year. In viewof the special " Jubilee " collections andfunds, all with good ends in view, whichhave been promoted in every county andin almost every district and parish in theUnited Kingdom, whereby the resourcesof the entire charitable public have beenheavily drawn upon, we think it wouldhave been indiscreet and have done per-manent injury to the Life-boat Saturdaymovement if any serious efforts had beenmade to push its claims to the detriment

of the various special " commemoration "projects which have been so generallypromoted and somewhat lavishly sup-ported.

Notwithstanding all obstacles, however,Life-boat Saturday was well supported inmany districts of London on the 15thMay last, and very successful demonstra-tions have been held and collectionsmade in various localities, and there isevery reason to believe that when thepresent year has closed and mattershave assumed once more their normalstate, the Metropolis and the otherlarge centres of population throughoutthe country will distinguish themselvesby contributing generously to the Life-boat cause—a cause which is entitled tothe sympathy and help of every man,woman and child inhabiting our "tightlittle island."

A word of encouragement and grati-tude is due to the Life-boat Saturdayworkers. Nothing succeeds like success,and there is every reason to hope thatthe unqualified success of their self-deny-ing efforts in the past will be equalled ifnot surpassed in the -future.

ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND NEW LIFE-BOATS.

POET ST. MART, ISLE OF MAN.—A newLife-boat establishment has been formedhere by the, Institution, some shipwreckswhich had taken place in the locality,having shown the desirability of havinga Life-boat on the spot, in the event offurther casualties taking place here, inlieu of having to send to Port Erin forthe Life-boat on that station. A portionof the very handsome bequest made tothe Institution by the late Mr. JAMESSTEVENS of Birmingham, was utilised inthe formation of this station. The boat,which is named the James Stevens No. 1,is on the self-righting principle, is35 feet long, 8£ feet wide; rows 10oars, double banked, has one sliding

keel and two water - ballast tanks,and is provided with a transportingcarriage.

WINTEBTON (NOBJFOLK).—The Institu-tion has replaced the smaller of thetwo Life-boats at Winterton, stationedthere many years since, by a new boatof the improved Norfolk and Suffolktype, which is 34 feet long by 10 feetwide, is provided with three water-ballast tanks and rows 12 oars, doublebanked; it was built by Messrs. BeechingBrothers, of Great Yarmouth. Like theboat it replaced, it is named the EdwardBirkbeck, after the Chairman of theInstitution.


EHYL (NOBTH WALES).—A new TubularLife-boat has been sent to Rhyl to takethe place of a boat of that design placedthere many years since. The new boat,which is 34 feet long and 8f feet wide, isconstructed of mahogany; she was builtby the Thames Ironworks Company, isfitted to row 12 oars double-banked, andis also provided with mast and sails. Thehull consists of two tubes, 2 feet 9 inchesin diameter amidships, tapering at thebow and stern, where they are unitedby oak chocks. The tubes are con-nected together throughout their lengthby iron stays, and are divided into water-tight compartments. There is also asliding keel or centre-board of teak,stiffened with iron. The tubular systemof Life-boat construction was invented bythe late Mr. HBNBT BICHABDSON, of Bala,in 1830, and in 1851 his son, the lateMr. H. T. EICHABDSON, built a boat onthis principle, with which he sailed roundthe coasts of England with the view ofdemonstrating, as he believed, the supe-riority of that system. For many yearspast boats of this type have been stationedat Ehyl and New Brighton, the one at thefirst-named place bearing the nameCaroline Eichardson, and the other beingknown as the Henry Richardson. Mr. H.T. EIOHAEDSON bequeathed a very hand-some legacy to the Institution in orderthat tabular Life-boats, bearing the namesof his mother and father, might be main-tained on the coast in perpetuity. Thenew Life-boat is provided with a trans-porting carriage, fitted with Tipping'splates on the wheels to facilitate herpassage across the sandy beach at Ehyl,and horse launching poles.

MEVAGISSEY, COBNWALL.—This Life-boat Station has recently been completelyrenovated by the Institution. A newboathouse and slipway have been con-structed on a convenient site at a cost,including removal of rocks, of about2.000Z. The Life-boat, which had sus-tained considerable damage while mooredin the harbour, has been replaced by anew 10-oared boat, 37 feet long, 9j feetwide, and fitted with two drop-keels.The cost of the boat and its equipmenthas been defrayed from a legacy be-queathed to the Institution by the lateMrs. CHISHOLM, of Oldham, for building,furnishing, and maintaining a Life-boat

in memory of her son, after whom theboat is named the James Chiskolm. On.the 12th June the inauguration of thenew Life-boat Station took place, andwas most successfully carried out underthe superintendence of the zealous Hon.Sec. of the Mevagissey Branch, Capt. J.BALL FABBAN, in the' presence of a largenumber of spectators, including severalrelatives and friends of the late Mrs.CHISHOLM. The naming ceremony wasperformed by Miss DOBOTHY CHISHOLMTAYLOR, and afterwards the boat waslaunched down the slip and rowed roundthe harbour. She was twice capsized bymeans of. a crane to show her powers ofself-righting and self-discharge of water.The Life-boat men were subsequentlyentertained at tea, when an address wasdelivered by Capt. N. WILLIAMS, Chair-man of the Local Committee, in which hesaid that the Life-boat service was anoble work, and in it they had some ofthe bravest men in England. (Applause.)He hoped it would be a long time beforethey had occasion to use their boat, butwhen that time came he was sure thecrew would acquit themselves like men.(Applause.) Mr. PETKE HUNEM, amember of the Local Committee, inproposing a vote of thanks to Mr. andMrs. TATLOB, the son-in-law and daughterof the donor, characterised the EOTALNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION as thenoblest charitable Society in the kingdom,and said they had every reason to beproud of their Life-boat Station atMevagissey. He concluded with thefollowing acrostic on the name of theboat:—

" J oin hearts, ye men of Meva bold,And let your thanks to-day be told;May every man his tribute bring,E ngage to make this building ring—S uch hearty cheers as all may sing.

C heer that a lady of our landHas given a boat which can command,I n spite of wind and weather too,S uch sturdy stuff to form her crew.Hurrah for Chisholm, worthy name IO h, let it grace the roll of fame!L et but a cry of danger come speeding o'er

the wave,May Meva's sons still prove to be heroic,

strong, and brave."

Dr. WALKER seconded the resolution,which was carried with acclamation. Inreturning thanks, Mr. TATLOB said that

2ND AUGUST, 1897.] THE LITE-BOAT. 877

residents in inland towns could notalways see what had taken place thatafternoon, but they could read, as theydid, of the noble deeds performed ontheir coasts by men, such as were beforehim, who earned their daily bread fromthe sea. Then the hearts of Englishmenwere stirred, and they felt that they mustdo something to help those who might,perchance, be cast upon the shores ofthis island, and save them, if possible,from a watery grave. (Applause.) Theyin inland places had their part to do,those on the coast had theirs. They onthe coast formed the crews, and if thoseinland could only find the apparatusnecessary he was sure they could lookforward to heroic deeds done by theBOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.(Applause.) If they were to continueas a maritime nation, such deeds as theyread of would be rendered necessary.Vessels must go and come. Englandmust be fed; machinery must be sentaway; the ends of the world becamenearer to them every day, but no onecould command the sea to rise or godown. (Hear, hear.) Storms wouldarise, but when the day came for the boatto be launched, the crew, he was sure,would be quite ready to do their share inthe work of saving the perishing. Hetrusted they would find the boat readyto take her share. (Applause.)

PEEL (ISLE OF MAN).—The new Life-boat stationed some years since at Feelhas been replaced by a new one providedby the KOTAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION. The new boat is 37 feetlong, 9J feet wide, and rows 10 oars,double-banked. She is fitted- with twowater-ballast tanks; also with two sliding

or drop keels and possesses the usualcharacteristics of the boats of the Institu-tion in regard, to self-righting, self-ejectingwater, &o. She is named the MayhewMedwin, and has been provided from alegacy bequeathed to the Institution bythe late Dr. A. G. MEDWIN, of London.

BROADSTAIBS and WALMEB, KENT;BEIXHAM, SOUTH DEVON; FBASEBBURGHand PETBBHEAD, SCOTLAND.—The Insti-tution has also replaced the Life-boats onthese stations by new boats of the self-righting type, to meet the wishes of thecrews.

The cost of the Broadstairs newboat has been defrayed from a legacybequeathed to the Institution by the lateMiss IVT WBBSTEB, of Exeter, to enable itto place and maintain a Life-boat on theKentish Coast, to be named the FrancisForbes Barton.

The Walmer new Life-boat, like itspredecessor, is named the Civil ServiceNo. 4, the first cost and permanentendowment of the Life-boat having beenprovided by the Civil Service Life-boatFund.

The Brixham boat is known as theBetsey Newbon, being one of those whosecost was bequeathed to the Institution bythe late Mr. B. H. NEWBON, of Islington. .

The expense of the Fraserburgh newboat has been defrayed from a legacybequeathed to the Institution by the lateMrs. LEB, of Gunnersbury, near London,to enable it to place a Life-Boat on thecoast to be named the Anna Maria Lee.

The Peterhead new Life-boat, like itspredecessor, is named the George Pickard,the first cost of the Life-boat having beenprovided by the late Mr. ANDBEW PICKABDof Leeds.

THE WRECK REGISTER AND CHART FOR THE 7EAR ENDEDTHE 30xH JUNE, 1896.

THE " Abstracts of the Shipping Casual-ties which have occurred on or near thecoasts of the United Kingdom duringthe year ended 30th June, 1896," haverecently been issued by the Board ofTrade, and are of the deepest interest, notenly to all personally connected with the" sea and its sorrows," but also to thoseoccupied in promoting means to reduce

to a minimum the loss of life and theshipping casualties which annually occuron or near our rockbound shores, theresult of gales, fogs, collisions, accidents,etc. The tables containing the valuableinformation given by the Board of Tradeare particularly clear and intelligible,even to those quite unaccustomed to dipinto the voluminous pages of Government

3 H 3


Blue Books, and the officials who havecompiled them are to be congratulated onthe success of their efforts to place thestatistics before the public in a form easyto be understood by all. The friends andsupporters of the Life-boat cause will, wethink, be particularly interested in thelatest figures which are placed beforethem, inasmuch as they show that, not-withstanding the recovery of trade andthe consequent increase in the tonnagecoming to and going from our coasts, notonly have shipping casualties considerablydecreased, but, which is of much greaterimportance, the resulting loss of life hasbeen reduced by more than one-third.

In the year 1895-6 the total numberof shipping casualties " on or near " ourshores was 4,620, a decrease of 297 ascompared with the preceding year; thetotal number of lives lost as the result ofthe casualties falling from 740 — thenumber of lives lost during the year1894-5—to 458, a large decrease of 282.Owing to the circumstances connectedwith the casualties involving the loss oflife, such as the distance of the vesselsfrom land, collisions, fogs, fonnderings,etc., it is probable that but few of thosewho perished could possibly have beensaved by the various means adopted forthe saving of life from shipwreck.

The 4,620 casualties in question in-cluded every description of casualty oraccident befalling all classes of vessels,namely, collisions, founderings, strand-ings, missing vessels, etc. For conve-nience all may be classified under thefollowing heads: (1) Total loss; (2)serious casualties; (3) minor casualties.Under all these heads a decrease is re-ported. The cases of total loss and seriouscasualty fell from 1,474 to 1,345, a decreaseof 129, and the total of minor casualtiesfell from 3,443 to 3,275, a decrease of 168.It is important to note that of the 4,620casualties only 410 resulted in loss of life.

As is always the case, the collisioncases represent a very large proportionof the total number of casualties. In theyear under consideration they numbered

1,547, a decrease of 141 as compared withthe preceding year. We again observe, aswe have noticed on a previous occasion,that, contrary to what would have beenexpected, collisions occur more frequentlyby day than by night, and are generallybetween steamers and sailing vessels.Collision cases not being taken intoaccount, the casualties involving totalloss fell from 356 to 250, the seriouscasualties from 723 to 722, and theminor casualties from 2,150 to 2,101.

Of the 4,620 casualties, 4,113 befelBritish and Colonial vessels and 507Foreign vessels. The British andColonial total was 306 less than thatof the year before, but the Foreign totalshowed an increase of 9 cases.

The localities of the casualties, exclud-ing collisions, were as follows:—Eastcoast of England, 804, or 95 less thanthe previous year; north coast, 543, or12 less than the year 1894-5; west coastof England and Scotland and east coastof Ireland, 1,175, or 16 less than the pre-ceding year; north coast of Scotland, 116,a falling off of 22; east coast of Scotland,181, a reduction of 1 only; other parts,254, or a decrease of 20; total, 3,073, or156 less than the year before.

The loss of life in the several districtsarising from the casualties, includingcollisions, was as follows:—East coast ofEngland, 103, or 12 more than in theyear 1894-5; south coast of England,45, the same as in the preceding year;west coast of England and Scotland andeast coast of Ireland, 165, a decrease of72 as compared with the previous year;north coast of Scotland, 23, or 6 morethan in 1894-5; east coast of Scotland,12, or 10 less than the year before; otherparts, 110; total, 458.

According to our custom each year, wefurnish a chart of the United Kingdomon which will be found a black dotentered against every spot on which anyimportant shipping casualty occurredduring the year ended the 30th June,1896. The precise position of each of the297 Life-boats of the KOYAL NATIONAL


LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION is also shownon the chart, so that it may be seen at aglance whether, speaking generally, theLife-boats have been judiciously located.

Between 1861 and the 30th June, 1896,5,652 British, Colonial and Foreignvessels were wrecked on or near ourshores, involving the loss of life in eachinstance, the total number of lives thuslost being 24,808. Of the 458 livessacrificed in the year 1895-6, 387 werefrom British and Colonial vessels, and71 from Foreign vessels. On comparingthese figures with those of the precedingyear it will be seen that in the year1895-6 there was a large decrease of 274in the number of lives lost from Britishand Colonial vessels, and a decrease of 8in the lives lost from Foreign vessels.

Of the 458 persons who perished in theyear 1895-6, 74 were lost in founderedvessels, 116 in collisions (the total underthis head the year before being only 51),127 in stranded vessels, or 133 less thanin the preceding year, 44 in missingvessels, a decrease of no less than 227 ascompared with the previous year, and97 in explosions, washed overboard, etc.Of the 458 persons who lost their livesonly 43 were passengers, the remaining415 being officers and members of thecrews of the vessels.

The number of vessels meeting withcasualties on or near the coasts of GreatBritain and Ireland necessarily variesfrom year to year. The fluctuations willperhaps be most readily understood bythe perusal of the following table whichgives the figures for the last 43 years:—1854 (last six months), 458; 1855,1,141; 1856,1,153; 1857, 1,143; 1858,1,170; 1859, 1,416; 1860, 1,379; 1861,1,494; 1862, 1,827; 1863,2,001; 1864,1,741; 1865,2,012; 1866, 2,289; 1867,2,513; 1868,2,131; 1869,2,594; 1870,1,865; 1871, 1,927; 1872, 2,381; 1873(first six months), 1,206 ; 1873-4, 2,191;1874-5, 4,259; 1875-6, 4)554 ; 1876-7,5,017; 1877-8, 4,436; 1878-9, 3,716;1879-80, 3,138 ; 1880-1, 4,297; 1881-2,4,367; 1882-3, 4,363; 1883-4, 4,405;

1884-5,3,764; 1885-6, 3,596; 1886-7,4,224; 1887-8, 4,004; 1888-9, 4,272;1889-90, 4,344; 1890-1, 4,198; 1891-2,4,710; 1892-3, 3,499; 1893-4, 4,951;1894-5, 4,917; 1895-6, 4,620. Total,129,683.

Notwithstanding the much to bedeplored loss of life which has takenplace either on or near our coasts duringthe past generation, amounting in theaggregate to 28,647 lives, it is a matterfor deep thankfulness that in the sameperiod the Life-boats of the KOTALNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and theother means employed and recognised byit, have been instrumental in saving30,004 persons from a watery grave, thenumber of lives rescued thus exceedingthose lost by 1,357. In 1896 the Com-mittee of the Institution granted rewardsfor the saving of 461 lives, in additionto which the Life-boats landed many morepersons who were in positions of peril.

In addition to the good work done bythe Life-boats in the year 1895-6, admir-able service was as usual rendered todistressed crews by the 309 rocketapparatus and other stations of the Boardof Trade worked by the Coast Guard andRocket Brigades. By this means 154lives were saved.

The statistics to which we have directedattention, while they demonstrate thedangerous nature of the coast-line of theBritish Isles, indicate to all at the sametime the duty of doing everything thatcan be done to avert, or at all events tominimise, the dangers incurred by thosewho visit and leave our shores. Fewappreciate as they should the greatness ofthe debt owed by us to our seafaringpopulation, through whom we obtain mostof the daily necessaries of life. The LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION does not receive fromthe public at large the financial support itmerits. Surely no better proof of thank-fulness to those who "go down to thesea in ships" and risk their lives tosupply our needs and luxuries could beshown than by contributing liberally tothe maintenance of our Life-boat Service.

To accompany the life Boat Journal.

THE YEAR

1895-96.

SH01VIN& AiSO THE PRESENT

LIFE BOAT STATIONSOF THE

ROYAL N A T I O N A L LIFE BOAT I N S T I T U T I O N .

1JR 1 § H §

During the year ert-Aed, the 30*fcJi£nel8$$ tke JVum£er. of Vessellost or damaged on the coasts .and. in die seas of th& TTnitecL JCt

?2y cases of ini-ncT- damage WCLG 46ZO ccrul tk& IMas far as can* be ascertained* W.CLS 3~58,

JGharootP^^

\ 4—-


SERVICES OF THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE ROYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

PENMON.—On the 6th January, 1897,the schooner Volunteer, of Dublin, ladenwith cement and matches, from Londonfor Whitehaven, was observed agroundon the rocks off Penmon, having draggedher anchors. A strong gale was blowingfrom the S.E., accompanied by a roughsea and thick weather. At 11 A.M. theLife-boat Christopher Brown was launched,proceeded under sail to the vessel andrescued her crew, consisting of four men.About an hour after the men had beentaken off, the schooner sunk.

BULL BAY.—Signals of distress wereshown by a vessel lying between the EastMouse and Amlwch port, on the eveningof the 12th January. They were re-peated in quick succession, and the Life-boat Curling was promptly launched, fourminutes only elapsing from the time theorder was given to the time the boat wasafloat, and proceeded to the vessel, whichwas ascertained to be the ship Bralloch, ofGlasgow, with a cargo of grain fromSan Francisco for Liverpool. She hadstranded about two hundred yards EJ3.E.of the East Mouse in the thick weatherwhich then prevailed. At the requestof the master the Life-boat remainedby the vessel until she floated and was

taken in tow by a coasting steamer forHolyhead.

CLACTON.—Two telegrams having beenreceived, one from the coxswain of theSouthend Life-boat and the other fromMaplin Lighthouse, reporting a vessel onthe sands and showing signals of distress,on the 16th January, the Life-boat AlbertEdward was launched at 11 A.M., andfound the vessel was the brigantinePatho, of and for London, coal laden fromHull. The crews of two fishing smackswere assisting her, and at the request ofthe master the Life-boat remained byuntil high water, when, no further helpbeing required, she returned to herstation, arriving at 7.30 on the followingmorning. The wind was blowing half agale from N.E., accompanied by a heavysea, snow and thick weather.

The Albert Edward is one of two Life-boats presented to the Institution by theUnited Grand Lodge of Freemasons ofEngland in commemoration of the safereturn from India of the most WorshipfulGrand Master, H.E.H. the Prince ofWales.

DONNA NOOK, LINCOLNSHIRE. — TheLife-boat Rtehqrd was launched at 4.30A.M., on the 19th January, a telephone


message having been received from Salt-fleet reporting a vessel in distress. Onreaching the spot it was ascertained thata steamer had been ashore, bat had gotoff again, and, the coxswain of the Life-boat having indicated to the captainhis position, he got under weigh, and theLife-boat started for her station. On herway back, the four-masted ship Altair, ofBremen, laden with wheat, from SanFrancisco for Hull, was seen ashore, andthe boat was at once steered in her direc-tion. On reaching her, the captainrequested the Life-boat men to remain byuntil high water. They did so, and afterthrowing part of the cargo overboard, theship was got off with the aid of four steam-tugs, and was towed to the Humber.

Intelligence having been received thata vessel was showing flares on the northside of the Haile Sand in hazy weatheron the 23rd February, the Life-boat waslaunched at 2.45 A.M., and found thesmack Mayfield, of Grimsby, stranded onthe sand. At the request of the masterthe Life-boat remained by the vesseluntil she drove over the sand with theflowing tide.

GBEAT YARMOUTH. — The Life-boatJohn Surch was launched at 10 A.M. onthe 22nd January, and put on board thes.s. Ardle, of Dundee, some men by whoseaid the vessel, which had been strandedon the beach about two months, was gotafloat, and taken to an anchorage inYarmouth Roads, the Life-boat remainingby until this was safely accomplished.A strong gale was blowing from N.N.E.at the time, there was a very heavy sea,and the weather was exceedingly cold,with snow.

ABBBOATH.—While a strong gale wasblowing from E.N.E., with a very heavysea and snow, on the 22nd January,twelve of the fishing yawls were return-ing, but it was feared they would beunable to enter the harbour. The Life-boat William Souter was launched atabout 10.15 A.M., and stood by in readi-ness to render any help that might beneeded. She remained in attendanceuntil 3.30 P.M., by which time all theboats had succeeded in reaching theharbour.

ABBESOOH.—At 1.30 A.M. on the 23rdJanuary the Life - boat Oldham was

launched, signal - rockets having beenfired from the direction of St. TudwelFsIsland. The wind was blowing a mode-rate gale from E.N.E., with snow squallsand very cold weather, and there was arough sea. After a long search thethree-masted schooner Bispham, of Fleet-wood, bound from Charlestown for Bun-corn with china clay, was found strandedon a sandbank, bumping heavily andleaking. Her crew of five men wererescued by the Life-boat and safely landedat 10.30 A.M.

WINTEBTON (NOBFOLK).—During thickand bitterly cold weather on the morningof the 23rd January, the wind blowing astrong gale from E.N.E., with a veryheavy sea and snow squalls, flares wereshown by a vessel which ran agroundabout a mile N. of the village of Winter-ton. The Life-boat Edward Birlcbeck wastaken along the beach until opposite thevessel, and at about 7 o'clock she waslaunched, but was driven back threetimes by the heavy seas. At last how-ever, with the help of the whip of therocket apparatus, which had been madefast to the vessel, the boat succeededin reaching her and, with considerabledifliculty, rescued two of her crew. Twoothers unhappily were washed out of therigging and lost before the Life-boatcould reach them. The wrecked vesselwas the ketch Isabella,, of and for Harwich,from Hartlepool, laden with coal. Tenminutes after leaving her both her mastsfell.

HABWICH. — The schooner SanchoPanza, of Faversham, coal-laden fromSander land for Bamsgate, broke adriftfrom her anchors in a whole gale fromN.E. and a very heavy sea, and strandedon the Fye Sands on the morning of the23rd January. She hoisted a signal ofdistress, and at 9.30 the Life-boat Spring-well proceeded to her assistance andrescued her crew, consisting of six men.The Life-boat also picked up a smack'sboat, with five men on board, who hadattempted to rescue the schooner's crew;the wind and sea however were too muchfor the little boat, and her occupantswere in great danger. The Life-boatreturned to her station at 1 P.M., hercrew having had a very trying time, theweather being intensely cold with blind-

882 THE LIFE-BOAT. [2iro AUGUST, 1897.

ing snow' squalls. The schooner becamea total wreck.

POOLS.—On the 23rd January intelli-gence was received that the steam-launchZulu, of Poole, anchored in Studland Bay,was signalling for assistance, and that ifthe wind freshened she would probablybe driven ashore. At 1.15 P.M. thereserve Life-boat, temporarily placed atPoole in the absence of the station's boat,was launched and brought ashore thetwo men who were on board the vessel.

PORT LOGAN.—A message by telephonewas received from the coastguard atDrummore on the 25th January, re-porting that a vessel was flying a signalof distress. The wind was blowing amoderate to a strong gale, the sea washeavy, and the weather very cold, withsnow showers. At 12.30 P.M. the Life-boat Frederick Allen was launched inScratby Bay, three-and-a-half miles fromDrummore, and reached the vessel, whichproved to be the brigantine Prospect, ofBelfast, coal laden, from Maryport forPortaferry. As she was dragging heranchors, her crew of four men were takeninto the Life-boat and landed at 6 P.M. atDrummore, where the boat was left forthe night, it being impossible then toreturn her to her station, the roads beingblocked with snow. On the followingday the crew and helpers went back forher, and with great difficulty succeededin getting her home.

On the 13th March the Life-boat wasagain called out, a mounted messengerarriving at SAO P.M. and reporting aschooner in danger of running agroundon the rocks. The Life-boat proceededto her assistance and found she was theJessie Say, of Belfast, in ballast fromPortaferry, bound for Maryport. She wasanchored in a very dangerous position,and would inevitably have been carriedon to the rocks if the wind increased, asthere was a strong tide and ground swell,and that would probably have resulted inthe loss of the vessel and her crew of threemen. Accordingly three of the Life-boatmen went on board, pointed out the danger,and assisted to get up her anchors, afterwhich she was towed for two miles into achannel out of danger.

CULLEBOOATS, NOBTHOMBEBLAND.—Thecoble Mary Ellen, of Cullercoats, when

returning to port from the fishing -grounds, was seen to be in difficulties atthe back of the bar, on which a heavysea was breaking, on the 25th January.A strong gale was blowing from N.E. atthe time, and the weather was very cold,with snow. The Life-boat Co-operatorNo. 1, proceeded to the boat's assistance;the crew of three men were taken intothe Life-boat, and the coble was towedinto the harbour.

On the 3rd June an alarm was giventhat there was a vessel ashore on WhitleySands. At 4.20 A.M. the Life-boat waslaunched, proceeded to the vessel througha rough sea, the wind blowing a moderatebreeze from N.E., and rescued her crew ofsix men. The vessel, which was theschooner Luna, bound from Denmark forthe Tyne, went ashore in foggy weather,and was in danger of becoming a totalwreck.

MONTBOSK.—At about half-past sixo'clock on the 27th January all thefishing-boats put out to sea in a moderateN.N.E. breeze. At about eight o'clockthe wind became very strong and squally,with snow showers and a very heavy eea,compelling most of the boats to returnto the harbour without shooting theirlines. These boats got in safely, but theremaining twenty-seven boats which hadshot their lines were on that accountlonger in arriving off the entrance ofthe harbour, and by that time not onlywas a very heavy sea breaking on thebar, but there was also a gully caused bythe ebb tide which rendered it veryunsafe for any of the boats to attempt toenter. The lighthouse keeper at Senrdy-ness telephoned to the coxswain of theLife-boat informing him of this and re-questing him to have the Life-boatlaunched. The No. 1 Life-boat EobertHenderson put off at 9.45, went over thebar and advised the crews of a numberof the boats not to attempt to enter untillow water, after which she remainedinside the bar until 2 o'clock, when allthe boats managed to get safely into theharbour.

On the 4th March the morning wascomparatively fine, and all the boatsstarted for the fishing-grounds at about6 o'clock. At about 10, however, a galefrom S.E. suddenly rose accompanied bya heavy sea, compelling them to abandon


their lines and ran for the harbour. Anhour later the sea increased and blindingshowers of snow and sleet came on. Amessage was received from the lighthousekeeper that it was advisable to have theLife-boat Robert Henderson launched.An attempt was made to row her downthe river, but the flood tide and the forceof the wind prevented her from makingany headway. With the assistance ofmen on shore, aided by many womenfrom the village, the boat was trackedsome distance when the steam trawlerRosa arrived and towed her to the bar,where she remained afloat until the wholeof the fleet, consisting of about fifty boatswith about 250 men on board, had gotinto the harbour, which they fortunatelydid without any casualty.

On the 26th March about forty-five ofthe boats were again overtaken by a galeand a very heavy sea, and the lighthousekeeper signalled for the Life-boat. Tenof the boats returned without shootingtheir lines; the others, which had shottheir lines, would evidently incur con-siderable danger in crossing the bar, andaccordingly the Life-boat Robert Hendersonput off and attended each of the boats asthey came in over the bar.

On the 12th May the ketch Acacia, ofLondon, bound from Grimsby for Farofor the fisheries, was seen in the bay,evidently making for the harbour, in amoderate N.N.E. breeze and a rough sea,and a telephone message was receivedfrom the lightkeeper at Scurdyness statingthat she would in all probability run onthe Annat Bank. Soon afterwards it wasseen that she had stranded there, and at11 A.M. the Life-boat Robert Hendersonproceeded to her assistance, and foundher rolling heavily and the seas continu-ally breaking over her. In crossing thebank the Life-boat shipped two heavyseas, one of which dashed her against thevessel's side, and an oar was broken.Some difficulty was experienced in takingoff the crew, consisting of seven men, butthis was at last safely accomplished, andthe Life-boat arrived at her station withthe rescued men at about 12 noon.

POBT EYNON, SOUTH WALES.—On the2nd February, during a thick fog, it wasreported that a steamer's whistle hadbeen heard in the direction of HelwickSands. The Life-boat A Daughter's

Offering was launched at 12.35 P.M., andon reaching the sands found that thes.s. Imbros, of and for Hull, from Kus-teudji, Black Sea, with a cargo of barley,was lying close to the East Helwick buoy.Her engines were disabled and she wasleaking. The Life-boat returned ashore,and a telegram was despatched to Swanseafor two steam-tugs. She then returnedto the vessel and remained by her untilshe drove over the bank into deep waterand anchored. Shortly afterwards thedisabled vessel was taken in tow by acoasting steamer, and was beached at theMumbles in a sinking condition, havingthen eight feet of water in her. TheLife-boat accompanied her as far asOxwich Point and then returned to herstation, which was reached at 5 P.M.

GOBLKSTON.—Signal-guns having beenfired by the light-vessels, the Life-boatMark Lane put off at 6.35 A.M. on the 7thFebruary, in a rough sea and a strongN. by E. breeze, and found the brigantineArgo, of Marstal, bound from Fowey forGranton, laden with china clay, agroundon the Middle Gross Sand, where shebecame a total wreck. Her crew, con-sisting of six men, were rescued by theLife-boat and safely landed at 8.45 A.M.

On the 3rd March flares were seen onthe North Sand and signals were fired bythe light-vessel. The Life-boat MarkLane was launched at 2.35 A.M. in a veryheavy sea, the wind blowing a terrificgale from S.S.W., and found the dandyRainbow, of Lowestoft, aground on theouter edge of the sand, where she hadstruck while returning home from thefishing-grounds. Considerable difficultyand danger were incurred by the Life-boat men in approaching the vessel, owingto the shallowness of the water and theheavy seas which were breaking over thesand, but eventually the rescue of hercrew of five men was accomplished, thefishing-boat becoming a total wreck.Four of the Life-boat's oars were broken,her rudder was damaged, and otherinjuries were received by her in renderingthis service.

On the 29th March the Life-boat MarkLane was again called out, a small lugger,the Emily, of Gorleston, with two menon board, being observed with her mastand sail over the side. It was evidentthat she was not under control, her

884 THE LITE-BOAT. [2ND AUGUST, 1897.

rudder, it was subsequently ascertained,having been carried away. Shortly after-wards the two men on board stood upand waved their hats, and then put up apiece of canvas on an oar as a signal ofdistress. The Life-boat took the boatand her crew safely into the harbour.There can be little doubt that in theabsence of this help the boat would havebeen swamped and her crew would havelost their lives, as a strong gale of windwas blowing from N.N.W. and there wasa heavy sea.

NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA, NOBTHTJMBEB-LAND.—The steam-trawler John Smart, ofShields, on her return journey fromfishing, stranded in Cambois Bay in thickweather early on the morning of the 8thFebruary. In response to her signals ofdistress the Life-boat Robert and Susanwas launched at 3.30, and on arriving atthe vessel found that heavy seas werebreaking over her. She had a crew ofeight men, who were taken into the Life-boat and landed at Newbiggin at 6.45A.M. The Life-boat was damaged ineffecting the rescue, being thrown by abroken sea apparently on the submergedportion of the vessel's deck.

On the 4th March between twenty andthirty fishing cobles belonging to New-biggin, carrying crews of about eightymen and boys, were placed in jeopardyby the sudden springing up of a gale ofwind from S. by E. with a rough sea.The Life-boat Robert and Susan put off at11.30 A.M. and stood by the boats, all ofwhich succeeded in safely reaching theshore.

On the 13th April the coble Try Again,returning from fishing in a strong breezefrom S.E. and a rough sea, was in verygreat danger, and the Life-boat put off toassist her. She was the last boat of thefleet to return, and after the Life-boatreached her she was struck by a breakerand was very nearly swamped; she, how-ever, succeeded in getting safely in, theLife-boat remaining by her until she wasout of danger.

HOLYHBAD, CEMAKS and CEMLYN.—During a dense fog on the 9th Februarya large four-masted steamer, the Angloman,of and for Liverpool, with a general cargoand cattle, stranded on the West Flattersrocks. Fortunately the sea was smooth

at the time and the wind was blowingonly a moderate breeze from the S.W.,but a very strong tide was running andthere was a danger of the vessel slippingoff the rocks, and possibly in that eventshe would have foundered. She firedrockets in rapid succession, and in re-sponse the Holyhead Nos. 1 and 2 Life-boats, Thomas Fielden and JosephWhitworfh, the Cemaes Life-boat, GeorgeEvans, and the Cemlyn Life-boat, B. J.Nicholson, put off to the rescue. Thirty-eight of the crew were taken off thevessel by the Holyhead No. 1 Life-boatand were placed on board a steam-tug;the Holyhead No. 2 Life-boat landedtwenty-one men on the Skerries, returnedto the vessel and landed ten more; theCemaes Life-boat took one of the officerson board, and at the desire of the captainremained by, eventually taking off fourofficers, three of whom were placed onboard a tug, the other being landed atCemaes, and the Cemlyn Life-boat at therequest of the captain remained inattendance until the crew had been takenoff.

HOLYHEAD.—On the 22nd March, asteamer was reported to be on the rocksin the vicinity of the South Stack, andthe Life-boat Thomas Fielden proceeded at3 A.M. to her assistance, in tow of a ste&m-tug. A very thick fog prevailed at thetime, the sea was moderate and the winda strong breeze from S.W. The steamerwas found to be in a very perilous posi-tion, and likely to break in two; in factshe ultimately did so. She was abandonedbut no trace could be found of either thecrew or boats, and the Life-boat thereforereturned to Holyhead, and remainedalongside the slipway, the fog continuingvery thick. At about 6.15 A.M. a tele-graphic mesiage was received, stating thatthe vessel's boats, containing her crew,were off the Stack, and were in need ofassistance. The Life-boat immediatelywent off again, in tow of the tug, andfound the boats cruising about, theiroccupants, who were much fatigued, notknowing which way to proceed. Thetwenty-seven persons on board the boatsw«re taken into the Life-boat and landedat Holyhead, the boats, which were halffull of water, being taken in tow. Thewrecked vessel was the s.e. Editor, of andfor Liverpool from Maceio, Brazil, with


a cargo of cotton seeds, cotton andsugar.

KINGSDOWNE, KENT.—A thick fog wasexperienced here on the 9th February,and when it cleared a little a barquen-tine was discerned riding at anchor in adangerous position close to the S.W. partof the Goodwin Sands. The Life-boatCharles Hargrave was launched at 11 A.M.in a heavy sea, and a strong W.S.W.wind, and found the vessel to be theHoganas, of Hoganas, bound from St.Ubes for Helmstad, with a cargo of salt.She had been on the Brake Sand, butfloated off and steered into fresh danger.At the request of the master, the Life-boat men got the vessel clear of the Good-wins, and proceeded with her to Barns-gate.

WALTON-ON-THE-NAZE.—A message wasreceived from the Gunfleet Lighthouse,on the 18th February, stating that avessel was ashore. A moderate S.W.breeze was then blowing; the sea wassmooth, and the weather thick and cold.At 1.58 P.M. the Life-boat HonourableArtillery Company was launched, pro-ceeded under oars as near as possible tothe vessel, and when there was a sufficientdepth of water, went alongside andremained by her until high tide, whenshe floated. She was the s.s. Paris, of andfrom Hull, bound for London, with a !general cargo. :

On the 24th February, it having beenreported that a vessel was ashore, theLife-boat put off at 8.30 A.M., and pro-ceeded under sails and oars to the LongSand, on the N.E. part of which thebrig Green Olive, of Littlehampton, coal-laden from Sunderland for Shoreham, wasfound to have run aground in a fog. The

captain had engaged the crew of a pilotcutter to jettison part of the cargo inhopes of getting the vessel off, and herequested that the Life-boat might remainby. A steam-tug afterwards arrived, andan effort was made to get the vessel offthe sands, but without success; sheultimately began to settle down by thestern, and the crew of eight men thengot into the Life-boat, and were landedat Walton pier at 5.30 on the followingmorning.

ATHEBFIELD, ISLE or WIGHT.—On the19th February, in a temporary break ofan intensely thick fog, the coxswain ofthe Life-boat saw a large ship strike onAtherfleld ledge. He at once called thecrew together and at about 7 P.M. theLife-boat Catherine Swift was launched.The captain of the vessel, the full-riggedship Alcester, of Liverpool, laden withjute from Calcutta for Hamburg, statedthat he did not need any assistance then,and arranged to signal if he shouldrequire help. The Life-boat, therefore,returned ashore. On the followingmorning the fog had cleared, but therewas an exceptionally heavy ground swell.The ship signalled for the Life-boat, whichat 1.30 P.M. was launched, proceeded toher and in two trips brought ashoretwenty men and their clothes, and otherbelongings, amongst which were twomonkeys, a dog and a cat. The captainand mate declined to leave the vessel.Daring the night the wind increased tohalf a gale with a very heavy sea whichat high water swept over the vessel com-pelling them to take refuge in the rigging.The Life-boat, as soon as practicable, pro-ceeded to their rescue and safely landedthem. The vessel afterwards partedamidships and ultimately fell to pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE MEETINGS OP THE COMMITTEE.

THURSDAY, 14th January, 1897.

Sir EDWABD BIEKBECK, Bart., V.P., inthe Chair.

Bead and confirmed the Minutes of theprevious meeting.

Also read those of the Building, Financeand Correspondence, and Wreck and BewardSub-Committees, and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Read the report of the Chief Inspector ofLife-boats on his recent visits to Liverpool,

New Brighton, Formby and Bhos (ColwynBay).

Also the report of the Deputy Chief-Inspectorof Life-boats on his visits to the Mablethorpe,Button and Bridlington Quay Life-boat stations.

Also the reports of the District Inspectors ofLife-boats on their visits to the following Life-boat stations:

Northern District—Ardrossan, Irvine, Bal-lantrae, Ayr, Girvan, Port Logan, Port Patrick,Whithorn, Balcary, Kirkcudbright, Working-ton, Maryport, Whitehaven, Lossiemouth,


Bnckie, Banff, Newburgh, Port Erroll, Stone-haven, Gonrdon, Johushaven and Montrose(two boats).

Eastern District—Yarmouth, Palling (twoboats), Hasborough, Margate, Broadstairs,Bamsgate, Kingsdowne, North Deal, Walmer,Dover, Folkestone, Dungeness (two boats) andNew Bomney.

Southern District—Brighton.Western District — Penzance, Sennen,

Watchet, Appledore (three boats), Clovelly,Ilfracombe, Morthoe, Burnham and Lynmoutn.

Irish District—Bamsey, Port Erin, Peel,Douglas, Castletown, Dungarvan, Kilmore,Bosslare Harbour, Courtown and Port St.Mary.

Beported the receipt of a contribution of15,412Z. 8s. 80!. from the Central Committee ofthe Life-boat Saturday Fund, making, with thesum of 793Z. 9*. Sd. already paid, a total of16.205Z. 18s. 5d. for the year" 1896, which theyrequested might be allocated in the followingmanner:—

A. The payment of coxswains and crews ofLife-boats for services, special rewards andrecognitions and for exercising Life-boats.

B. Grants to men injured in the service.0. Grants to the relatives of men lost on

service.The Committee gratefully acknowledged the

receipt of this large contribution from theLife-boat Saturday fund, and expressed greatsatisfaction that the collection for 1896 wasconsiderably larger than that for 1895.

Also the receipt from the Civil ServiceLife-boat Fund, per CHARLES DIBDIN, Esq.,Honorary Secretary, of a further contributionof 2.076Z. 7s. Id. to recoup the Institution theamount laid out on the new boat-house andslipway (1,450Z.) recently erected at Douglas(Isle of Man), and all other expenses, under allheads, incurred by the Institution in 1896 inmaintaining the seven Stations at which theseven Life-boats presented and endowed bythe Fund are placed. The total sum thuscontributed to the Institution by gentlemenin Her Majesty's Civil Service had been20.632Z. G<. 2d.

Decided that the best thanks of the Com-mittee be expressed to the contributors, andparticularly to Mr. DIBDIN, for their continuedliberal support.

Also the receipt of the following other specialcontributions since the last meeting:—

£. «. d."T. G. Y." 100 - -Baron FERDINAND JAMES DE ROTH-

SCHILD, M.P 50 - -BERTRAM F. BARTON, Esq. (addi-

tional) 21 - -Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds

(Ashton Unity) 20 - -The Hon. Lady BEAUCHAMP, in aid

of the Beauchamp Life-boat atCaister 20 • -

Teachers and Scholars of LindenGrove Sunday School, Peckham,per Mr. E. A. HUTCHINSON . . 2 6 6

—To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies : —

£. t. d.The late Miss M. A. WHITE, of

Guilford Street, W.C., for aLife-boat to be placed upon theCornish Coast and named theJohn Francis White . . . . 800 - -

The late B. J. WALSH, Esq., of NewBrighton 495 16 8

The late ISRAEL NOAKE, Esq., ofMelcombe Begis 461 8 10-

The late FRANCIS DAVY, Esq., ofTopsham 22 10 -

The late Miss S. B. EVTNS, ofNewton Abbot 8 19 7

Voted the thanks of the Committee to JOHNSINCLAIR, Esq., in recognition of his past kindservices whilst acting as Honorary Secretary ofthe Dunbar Branch.

Also to .Mr. WILLIAM MCMILLAN, HarbourMaster at Troon, for his long and valuableservices to the Troon Branch.

The Committee expressed great regret at thedeath of Mr. JAMES WEBBER, who had for up-wards of thirty years rendered good service to theInstitution as Honorary Secretary of the CoventGarden Life-boat Fund, and it was decided tosend a letter of condolence to his family.

Beported the transmission to their Stations ofthe Blackpool and Port St. Mary new Life-boats.

Decided that the Appledore No. 1 Life-boatstation be closed.

Paid 7,535/. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat establishments.

Voted 3631. 18s. Sd. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:—

Life-foot. Vessel.

Abersoch . Ketch Progreis, of Aber-y stwyth. Landed 3 men.

Johnshaven . Steam trawler Pansy, ofNorth Shields . . .

Lynmouth . Ketch Elizabeth, of New-port. Assisted to savevessel a n d . . . .

„ . Ketch Little Jane, ofPlymouth. Genderedassistance.

Mablethorpe. Brigantine Neptune, ofHelsingborg. Bemainedby vessel.

Margate . . Schooner Eva, of Bun-corn

Penmon . . Schooner Volunteer, ofDublin

Penzance . A man who fell off thequay

Plymouth . Brigantine Elizabeth Jane,of Fowey. Kenderedassistance.

Boker . . S.S. Hawk, of Hull,Rendered assistance.

St. Mary's Barque Sophie, of(Scilly) F r e d e r i c k s t a d t .

Bemained by vessel.Staithes . . Fishing cobles. Stood by

boats.Winchelsea . S.S. Menzaleh, of London.

Bendered assistance.Worthing . Schooner Flora Emily, of

Burghead . . . .


Also 8HI. Os. 6<Z. to defray the expenses oassembling the crews or launching the followingLife-boats with a view of helping the crews ovessels in distress :—Aldeburgh, AppledoreNos. 1 and 2, Broadstairs, Burnham, ClovellyDonna Nook, Dover, Dungeness No. 2Exmouth, Filey, Fraserburgh, Gorleston No. 1Oroomsport, Hayle, Holyhead No. 1, HoylakeMontrose No. 1, New Brighton (Steam Lifeboat), Newburgh, North Deal, PorthdinllaenEobin Hood's Bay, Eye, St. Agnes, St. IvesThorpeness, Tynemouth No. 2, Walmer ancWinterton No. 2.

The Bamsgate Life-boat was also taken out,but her services were not eventually needed.

Voted 61. to four Kamsgate men for puttingoff in a wherry, at risk to themselves and theirboat, and saving the crew of four men of thesmack Alicia, of that port, which strandedoutside the harbour and became a total wreckin a moderate gale from S.E. and a rough sea,on the 4th December last.

Also 31. to a Plymouth police constable andtwo other men for helping, by means of ropes, tosave nineteen of the crew of the s.s. Ariel, ofWest Hartlepool, which was wrecked in Ply-mouth Sound during a strong gale from S., anda heavy sea, on the 8th December.

Also 21. 5*. to six men for putting off in asmall boat from Bull Bay, Anglesey, with theview of helping the schooner Gammershaw, ofBarrow, which was thought to be in distress ina fresh gale from S.W., a moderate sea, andthick weather on the 24th December.

Also 12. 5s. to five men for going out in aharbour boat from St. Peter's Port, Guernsey,and offering assistance to the Ketch LawrenceDesirfe, of Lannion, which was anchored in aperilous position in a strong S.W. wind, and asomewhat rough sea on the 10th December.

Also 41. to a man who was injured whilehelping to launch the Caister No. 2 Life-boatfor service on the 8th November last.

THUBSDAY, llth February, 1897.

Sir EDWABD BIRKBECK, Bart, V.P.,in the Chair.

Bead and confirmed the Minutes of the pre-vious meeting.

Also read those of the Building, Financeand Correspondence, and Wreck and EewardSub-Committees, and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Bead the reports of the District Inspectorsof Life-boats on their recent visits to the follow-ing stations:—

Northern District — Broughty Ferry, Ar-broath, Anstruther, St. Andrew's, Crail, Berwick-on-Tweed, Eyemouth, Dunbar and Boulmer.

Eastern District—Flamborough (two boats),Barmston, Redcar, Saltburn, Seaton Carew,West Hartlepool, Hartlepool (three boats),Whitburn, Seaham, Sunderland (South Pier),Boker and Sunderland (South Outlet).

Southern District—Sboreham, Lyme Eegis,Weymouth, Swanage, Poole and BrighstoneGrange.

Western District — Weston - super - Mare,Llanddulas, New Quay, Cardigan, Swansea,Port Eynon, Tenby and Angle.

Irish District—Port St. Mary.Beported the receipt of the following special

contributions since the last meeting :—£. i. d.

Trustees of the late W. THORNOATE,Esq. (annual subscription) . . 80 - -

Mrs. HENRY L. COHEN . . . . 50 - -Moiety of Collection on board the

Midnight Sun during her lastthree cruises in the Mediterranean 9 8 7

Offertories at St. Alban's, Sunning-hill, per C. D. KEMP-WELCH, Esq. 7 16 5

—To oe severally (hanked.

Also the receipt of a legacy of 5002. be-queathed to the Institution by the late MissMARY AKDREW, of Hale, Cheshire, to providea Life-boat for the English or Welsh coast.

The Committee expressed great regret at thedeath of the Bev. B. B. F. Elrington, M.A.,who had rendered valuable assistance to theInstitution for thirty years—twenty-three yearsas Honorary Secretary of its Brixham Branchand seven years as Honorary Secretary of itsLeamington Branch—and it was decided tosend a letter of condolence to his family.

Voted the thanks of the Committee to Mr.JOHN WILSON, in recognition of his long andvaluable co-operation as Honorary Secretary ofthe Buckie Branch of the Institution, whichoffice he had just resigned.

The Committee specially recognised the longand good services rendered by Mr. THOMASHEBKIB, senior, and Mr. BOBEBT DAVIDSON, ascoxswains of the Dunbar and Sheringham Life-boats, which offices they had just vacated.

Paid 2,7402. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat establishments.

Voted 3542. 4«. 6<Z. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:—

Life-boat.Abersoch .

Arbroath .

Bull Bay . .

Clacton .

iullercoats .

Jonna Nook .

orlestonNo 1

Harwich .

Hontrose No. 1

Sewbiggin .

LivesSaved.

Three-masted SchoonerBispliam, of Fleetwood

Twelve fishing - yawls.Stood by vessels.

Ship Brabloch, of Glas-gow. Bemained byvessel.

Brigantine Patho, of Lon-don. Bemained byvessel.

Coble Mary Ellen, ofCullercoats. Landedthree men and towedboat to harbour.

Ship Altair, of Bremen.Bemaiued by vessel.

Brigantine Argo, of Mar-stal

Schooner iiancho Panza,of Faveraham, and asmack's boat .

Twenty - seven fishing -boats in danger. Stoodby boats.

Steam - trawler JohnSmart, of Shields . .

11

888 THE LITE-BOAT. [2ND AUGUST, 1897.

LivesLife-boat. Vessel. saved.

Poole . . . Steam-launch Zulu, ofPoole. Landed twomen.

Port Eynon . s.s. Imlrrot, of Hull. Re-mained by vessel.

Port Logan . Brigantine Prospect, ofBelfast . . . . 4

Winterton No. 1 Ketch Isabella, of Har-wich 2

The Great Yarmouth Life-boat remained bythe stranded s.s. Ardle, of Dundee.

The Committee expressed their thanks toCHARLES E. F. CUNNINGHAME GEAHAM, Esq.,late R.N., Deputy Chief-Inspector of Life-boats,in appreciation of the zeal shown by him on theoccasion of the wreck of the schooner SanchoPanza, when he went out in the HarwichLife-boat and assisted in effecting the rescueof the shipwrecked men. Additional paymentwas awarded to the crew of the boat in recog-nition of their good services on that occasion.

Voted 699Z. 12s. 6d. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boats in assembling thecrews or putting off with the view of succouringthe crews of vessels in distress:—Aldeburgh,Bannston, Brancaster, Brixham, Caister Nos.1 and 2, Donna Nook, Exmouth, Formby,Gorleston No. 1, Grimsby, Hasborough, Horn-sea, Lowestoft No. 1, Montrose No. 1, Mullion,New Brighton (Steam Life-boat), Newburgh,Newhaven, Palling No. 1, Peterhead, Polpear,Port Patrick, Kunswick, Saltburn, Scarborough,Sheringham, Thorpeness, Totland Bay, Wells,Whitbum and Winterton No. 1.

Also 20Z. 5«. to the crew of the private Life-boat Henry Ramey Upcher, of Sheringham, forrescuing the crew of eight men from the brigIspolen, of Kragero, which was run ashore, beingleaky, at Sheringnam, in a N.E. gale and avery heavy sea on the 23rd January.

Also 11. to a man who put off in a boat fromTenby and rescued two of the crew of the fishing-boat Rajah, of Brixham, which stranded outsideTenby Harbour in a moderate gale from S.E.and a very heavy sea on the 6th January.

MONDAY, 1st March, 1897.

Sir EDWARD BIKKBECK, Bart., V.P., inthe Chair.

A special meeting of the General Committeewas held this day to consider an article pub-lished in the February number of the West-minster Review, entitled " Nationalising theLife-boat Service," written by Mr. E. H.BAYLEY, formerly M.P. for North Camberwell.This article seriously indicted the managementof the Institution.

Also a review of this article which appearedin the February number of the Review of Re-views, giving great prominence to the seriouscharges made against the Institution by Mr.BAYLEY.

Resolved, that ~a Select Committee of theHouse of Commons be at once demanded toinquire fully into the administration of the Life-boat service as conducted by the Institution.

THURSDAY, lltii March, 1897.

Sir EDWABD BIEKBECK, Bart., V.P., inthe Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of theprevious meeting.

Also read those of the Building, Financeand Correspondence and Wreck and RewardSub-Committees, and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Read the report of the Chief Inspector ofLife-boats on his recent visits to the Ardrossan,Kildonan, Southend (Cantyre), Oampbeltown,Hornsea and Sunderland (South Outlet)stations.

Also the reports of the District Inspectorsof Life-boats on their visits to the followingstations:—

Northern District—Workington, Tynemouth(two boats), Cullercoats, Blyth (two boats),Kildonan, Ardrossan, Southend (Cantyre) andCampbeltown.

Eastern District—Walton-on-the-Naze, Sher-ingham, Kingsgate, Hythe, Winterton (twoboats) and Hornsea.

Southern District — Winchelsea, Rye,Hastings, Eastbourne, Brooke, Totland Bay,Atherfield and Bembridge.

Western District—Littlehaven, St. Davids,Fishguard (two boats), Burry Port, Ferryside,Porthcawl, Penarth, Abersoch, Porthdinllaen,Llanaelhaiarn and Pwllheli.

Irish District—Skerries, Arklow, Greenore,Giles Quay, Blackrock, Drogheda (two boats),Poolbeg, Wicklow, Balbriggan, Howth andKingstown.

Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions since the last meeting:—

£ ». d.Hearts of Oak Benefit Society,

further on behalf of the Hearts ofOak Life-boat Endowment Fund 1275 - -

Worshipful Company of Leather-sellers 21 - -

Collected from the passengers onthe Oroya, per Captain E. E.LAVINGTON 5 5 -

—To \>e severally (hanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies:—

£. «. d.The late DAVID BBANDON, Esq., of

Berkeley Square . . . . . 500 - -The late Mrs. SAKAH MEADOWS, of

Hereford (on account) . . . . 250 - -

Reported that H.R.H. the Princess HENBYOF BATTENBERG had accepted the office ofPatron of the Isle of Wight Branch of theInstitution.

Deep regret was expressed at the death ofMr. A. P. HEYWOOD-LONSDALE, a Vice-Presidentof the Institution, and for many years a memberof its Committee of management.

Voted the thanks of the Institution toCommander W. M. PENGELLEY, H.M.'s late I.N.,and Major W. E. CABVER, in acknowledgmentof their past valuable services as HonorarySecretaries respectively of the Penarth and

2ND AUGUST, 1897.] THE LIFE-BO AT. 889

Bideford and Appledore Branches of theInstitution, which offices they had just resigned.

The Committee also specially recognised thevaluable services, extending over many years,of the following Honorary Secretaries orTreasurers of its Branches:—Captain EOBEBTBRIGGS, Lancaster; ALLAN LEIGH, Esq., Fet-hard; Major A. MACQUEEN, Southampton;WILLIAM POLLOCK, Esq., Ayr; Mrs. SANDPOBD,of Sandford, Shropshire; M. SIMPSON, Esq.,Lancaster; Mr.J.WILLIAMS,Kessingland; andROYSTON WALKEB, Esq., Halifax.

The Silver Medal of the Institution, a copyof the vote inscribed on vellum, a gratuity of251., and a certificate of service were granted toMr. H. TBEWHELLA, late coxswain of thePenzance Life-boat, in acknowledgment of hislong and gallant services in saving life fromshipwreck.

Paid 3.982Z. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat establishments.

Voted 4SQI. 10s. 6d. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services :—

Life-boat. Vessel. £j™|Appledore No. 2 Ketch John, of Bideford 3Atherfield . Ship Alcester, of Liver-

pool 22Broadstairs . Schooner Nancy, of Goole 4Clovelly . . Smack Telephone, of

Padstow. Saved vesseland 3

Donna Nook . Smack May field, ofGrimsby. Stood by

Fishguard No. 2 Schooner Agricola, ofCardiff 4

Gorleston No. 1 Smack Rainbow, ofLowestoft . . . . 5

Johnshaven . Fishing - boats. Stoodby vessels.

Montrose No. 1 About fifty fishing-boats.Stood by vessels.

Newbiggin . Fishing - cobles. Re-mained by boats.

Peel . . . Smack Orion, of Ramsey 3Penzance . . Barque Lady Gladys.

Landed 17 men.Point of Ayr . Flat Ann Grace, of

Liverpool . . . . 2Southend(Essex) Barge Ada. Bendered

assistance.„ „ Barge Charles Little, of

Rochester . . . . 2Southsea . . Ketch Fox, of Cowes . 2Sunderland S.S. Jacinth, of Dundee. 11

(South Pier)Walton-on-the- Steamer Paris, of Hull.

Naze Stood by vessel.„ „ Brig Green Olive, of

Littlehampton. . . 8Wexford No. 1 Yawl Fairy Queen, of

Wexford. Assisted tosave vessel and . . 4

The Caister No. 2 and Hoylake Life-boatsrespectively remained by the stranded s.s. Varna,of London, and saved the flat Ann Grace, ofLiverpool.

Voted also 808Z. 4s. 9d. to defray the expensesof assembling the crews or launching thefollowing Life-boats with the view of helping

the crews of vessels in distress:—Angle, Bern-bridge, Blyth No. 2, Cardigan, Douglas, Dun-garvan, Giles Quay, Harwich, Hayle, HolyheadNo. 1, Hoylake, Kildonan, Kingsdowne,Mablethorpe, Margate, New Brighton (steamLife-boat), Newquay (Cornwall), North Deal,Padstow, Palling No. 2, Point of Ayr, Porth-cawl, Porthoustock, Sennen Cove, Thorpeness,Walmer, Whithorn, Winterton No. 2, Withern-sea, Great Yarmouth and Youghal.

Also 2?. to a man who was injured while onservice with the Mullion Life-boat on the2nd February.

Also 51. to ten men for rescuing by means oflines ten persons from the Norwegian vesselSap, which stranded at Bum ham in a wholegale from W.N.W. and a heavy sea^ on the3rd March.

SATURDAY, 27th March, 1897.

The Annual General Meeting of the friendsand supporters of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION took place this day at St.Martin's Town Hall, Charing Cross Road, theRt. Hon. G. J. GOSCHEN, M.P., First Lord ofthe Admiralty, in the Chair.

The Chairman having made some suitableobservations on the great and national characterof the operations of the Institution, the AnnualReport (which will be found in the May numberof The Life-boat Journal) was presented to themeeting.

The meeting was also addressed by SirCOUBTENAY BOYLE, K.C.B., Secretary to theBoard of Trade; Captain the Rt. Hon. LordCHABLES W. DE LA POEB BEBESFOBD, R.N.,C.B.; Vice-Admiral E. H. SEYMOUB, C.B.,Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves;Admiral of the Fleet Sir EDMUND COMMEBELL,V.C., G.C.B.; the Rt. Hon. the Earl of GALLO-WAY ; Sir EDWABD BIBKBECK, Bart., V.P.,Chairman of the Institution; and ColonelFITZROY CLAYTON, V.P., Deputy-Chairman ofthe Institution.

The officers for the current year were chosen,and various resolutions were moved, secondedand carried unanimously, pledging the meetingto renewed exertions on behalf of the benevo-lent and national objects of the Institution,and expressing the fullest confidence in themanagement.

The officers' names and the resolutions willbe found in the May number of The Life-boatJournal.

THURSDAY, 8th April, 1897.

Sir EDWARD BIBEBECK, Bart., V.P., inthe Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of theprevious meeting.

Also read those of the Building, Financeand Correspondence and Wreck and RewardSub-Committees, and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Sir EDWABD BIRKBECK, Bart., V.P., wasunanimously re-elected Chairman, and Colonel


FITZEOT CLAYTON, V.P., Deputy-Chairman ofthe Committee of Management of the Institutionfor the ensuing year.

The members of the Sub-Committees (ColonelFiTzEoY CLAYTON, Chairman) were also electedfor the current year. Also the delegates to theCentral Committee of the Life-boat SaturdayFund.

Reported that, as requested by the Com-mittee of the Institution, a Select Committeewas appointed by the House of Commons on the17th March " to inquire into the administrationof the KOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-TION, and into the adequacy of its organisationfor saving life on our coasts." The firstmeeting of the Select Committee to receiveevidence took place on the 6th April.

Read the reports of the District Inspectorsof Life-boats on their recent visits to thefollowing stations:—

Northern District—Girvan, Troon, Ayr, PortPatrick, Port Logan, North Berwick, Cresswelland Blyth.

Eastern District—Sunderland(South Outlet),Yarmouth, Caister (two boats), Gorleston (threeboats), Lowestoft (two boats), Pakefield,Kessinglaud (three boats), Southwold (twoboats), Dunwich, Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.

Southern District—Yealm River, Plymouth,Salcnmbe, Hope Cove, Teignmouth, Exmouth,Brixham, Torquay, Sidmouth, St. Heliers,St. Peter's Port and Ryde.

Western District — Barmouth, Aberdovey,Aberystwyth, Criccieth, New Quay (Cornwall),Padstow and Bull Bay.

Irish District—Wexford (two boats), Kilmore,Rosslare Harbour, Carnsore, Cahore, Courtown,Fethard, Tramore, Dungarvan, Dunmore East,Ballycotton, Youghal, Queenstown (two boats),Courtmacsherry and Fenit.

Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions since the last meeting:—

£. s. d.Her Most Gracious Majesty THE

QUEEN (annual subscription) .Miss JANE ISABELLA FLEMING, to

provide a Life-boat to be namedthe Barbara Fleming, and placedon the coast of England or Walesl050

"C. R. S.," per ALEXANDER PECK-OVEE, Esq., LL.D., Lord-Lieuten-ant of Cambridge, through Wis-beach Branch

R. A. B. PKESTON, Esq., annual sub-scription in aid of Cornish Life-boats

50 - -

100 - -

50 - -—To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies:—

£. «. d.The late Lady WHITWOBTH, per

Manchester Branch . . . .2000 - -The late G. E. WILLIAMS, Esq., of

Tunbridge Wells 500 - -The late W. HUMPHEEY OWEN, Esq.,

of Plas Penrhyn 200 - -The late Miss E. VEALE, of Stoke

Damerell 90 - -The late Miss M. A. VEALE, of Stoke

Damerell 90 - -

Voted the thanks of the Committee to H. M.EMABY, Esq., HECTOR SCTHEBLAND, Esq., andMr. J. WILLIAMS in recognition of their longand valuable services as Honorary Secretariesrespectively of the Eastbourne, Wick andAckergill, and Kessingland Branches of theInstitution, which offices they had just resigned.

Deep regret was expressed at the decease ofthe Rev. Canon SBYMOUB, M.A., and P. J.MESSENT, Esq., who had for many years renderedthe Institution valuable co-operation as HonorarySecretaries of the Newcastle (Dundrum) andTynemouth Branches of the Institution, andit was decided that letters of condolence besent to their families.

Decided that a new steam Life-boat be builtand stationed at Padstow, Cornwall, as earlyas practicable.

Reported the transmission to their stationsof the Broadstairs, Peterhead and Walmer newLife-boats.

Paid 4,7792. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat Establishments.

Voted 431?. 0«. 9d. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:—

Life-boat.

Arklow

Ayr . . .

Burnham .

Cresswell . .

Dungarvan .

Formby

Girvan

Gorleston No. 1

Gourdon .

Helbre Island

HolyheadNo. 1

Irvine . . .Johnshaven .

Johushaven .

Lowestoft No. 1

Montrose No. 1

Port Logan .

Ramsey

Swanage .Walmer

Vessel. Livessaved.

Schooner-Egress, of Wex-ford

Barque Seech Holm, ofSunderland. . .

Barque Nornen. Landed10 men.

Barque Vaaren, of Tve-destrand . . . .

Schooner Maria McMillan,of Dungarvan .

Schooner Waterlily, ofLiverpool, and BrigConcurrent, of Christi-ania. Stood by vessels.

Fishing-boats. Attendedboats.

Lugger Emily, of Gorle-ston. Saved vessel and

Fishing-boats. Stood byboats.

Flat Swift. Stood byvessel.

Boats of s.s. Editor, ofLiverpool. Landed27 men.

S.S. Texa, of Glasgow .Brig Terra Nova, of

Tonsberg. Savedvessel.

Four fishing-boats. Re-mained by boats.

Lugger Faith, of Lowe-stoft. Saved vessel and

Thirty-five fishing-boats.Stood by vessels.

Schooner Jessie Bae, ofBelfast. Saved vesseland

Brigantine Uto, of Lille-sand. Landed 6 men.

A Coastguard punt .Barqueutine Omen, of

Gothenburg. Renderedassistance.

2un AUGUST, 1897.1 THE LIFE-BOAT. 891

LivesLife-boat. Vessel. saved.

Wexford No. 1 Yawl Arctic, of Wexford.Remained by vessel.

Whitby No. 2 Fishing-cobles Mary Aliceand Tranquil, ofWhitby. Assistedboats.

Voted also 3811. 5i. 3d. to defray the expensesof the undermentioned Life-boats in assemblingtheir crews or putting off to the aid of thecrews of vessels in distress: Banff, CaisterNo. 2, Cemaes, Oemlyn, Gorleston No. 1,Hayling Island, Kessingland No. 2, MontroseNo. 1, Newbiggin, Plymouth, Forth Rhuffydd,RhoBOolyn, Kosslare Harbour, Seaham, St.Anne's, Stonehaven, Swansea, Wioklow, GreatYarmouth and Youghal.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution, acopy of the vote inscribed on vellum andframed, and the sum of 31. to JAMES FLETT, oneof the crew of the fishing-boat Betsy Hughes,of Pittenweem, for gallantly saving a boy whohad been struck by the sail and knocked over-board from the fishing-boat John and Agnes, ofSt. Monanoe, when between Anstruther andPittenweem, in a strong N.E. breeze, a heavy

sea, and a hard frost, on the 6th February.On observing the accident, James Flett divestedhimself of some of his clothing, plunged over-board, swam to the boy, who was then un-conscious, rescued him and took him to the

Also 51. 10«. to eleven men for rescuing thecrew of seven men from the brig Mary Stowe,of Whitby, which was leaking badly off Corton,in a moderate W.S.W. gale and a heavy sea, onthe 3rd March.

Also 51. to ten men for putting off in thelocal surf boat at Gourdon, Kincardineshire,and rescuing the crew of five men from thefishing-boat Mary and Ann, which was totallywrecked in a strong S.E. gale and a very heavysea on the 26th March.

Also 32. to four men for putting off in a boatand rescuing the crew of three men from thesmack Alarm, of Belfast, which stranded onCopeland Island, Co. Down, in a moderate S.W.gale and a very rough sea, on the 18th February.

Also 21. 10s. to .five men who rescued thecrew consisting of five men from the schoonerResearch, of Dundalk, which had stranded atGiles Quay, in a strong W. gale and a heavysea, on the 20th February.

A LIFE-BOAT STOEY.

A dozen of hearts ! and a dozen of hands!And the courage of death 1—'tis a York-

shire boast;It was all they asked one November noon,

When a hurricane blew on the Whitby coast.For a cry came over the wailing sands,

And spread through the village, and sweptthrough the street,

There'll be widows to-morrow, and fatherlessbairns,

For exposed to the storm is the fishermen'sfleet.

There was not a minute to dream or to think,It was "Who's for the Life-boat?" and

"Who's for the shore?"Just a kissing of lips of the lasses they loved,

Just a sigh, and a cheer, and a grasp ofthe oar,

For the men out at sea were exposed to thestorm,

But were not forgotten by " pals " on the land;Whilst there's life there is hope, whilst there's

strength there's a rope,The heart of a friend, and the grasp of a

hand.

Just picture the scene, O my brothers in town,With your petty annoyance, and impotent

strife,In the midst of our city it is Worship of Self—

On the fishermen's coast it is Rescue andLife!

But the morning breaks, and the storm ispast,

And over the village, and into the street,The sun is shedding its wintry rays

On the scene where they fought for thefishermen's fleet;

And the sea is calm, and the sand is still,Where they manned the boat and went to

death.What's that?—out there in the steamer's

wake—Here, give us your glass 1 then they held

their breath;And a beam of light shot out of the sky,

And a cheer roared out of the Yorkshirethroats,

As they saw their life-boat making home,With the rescued crews from the fisher-

men's boats.

" Never say die " is the motto of menWho fight to conquer, and mean to win,

But it's well worth living to earn the tearsThat wept them out and that cheered

them in.So the tale is told. But there's something

more,That can never be done by praise or pen.

We must think of the sea when the tempestsroar,

And give of our gold to the Life-boatmen.

N O T I C E .The next number of the LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL will be published

on the 1st November,

EOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,SUPPOBTED gOLXLT BY VOLUNTABT OOSTEIBDTIONS.

tara — ftradotwHis BOTAL HIGHNESS THX PXIKCX or WALES, K.G.HXB BOTAL HIOHHXSS THX PBHTOBSS or WALKS.H.B.H. THB DOKK OF SAXX-COBCRO AKD SOTHA, DUKE OT EDIHBDBGH, K.O.CAPTAIN His BOTAL HISHHEBS THX DUKE or YOBK, B.N., K.G.

J)rtBibtnt—His dxAOB THX DUKX ov NOBTHDHBEBULKD, K.G.

Ijsinnan—SIB EDWABD BIBKBXCK, BABT , V.P. J|«j)«rj-«^KinnBn—Colonel Frrz-BoT CLATTOH, V J.

Sttrrfarp^CHAMM Dixbnr, Ego,, F.B.S£.

APPEAL.THB OOMMTTTEB OF MAHAOBMBHT have to state that during the past year (1896) the

BOTAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT IxranrunoH expended £71,476 on its 298 Life-boat Establishments.

GBNEBAL SUKMABY OF THB WORK OF THB INSTITUTION DURTNO 1896.

£ >. d.Nnmber of Lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to80 Vessels saved by them 313

Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, &e. 149Amount of Bewards granted during the YearHonorary Rewards:—Gold Medal 1

Silver Medals 5Binocular Glasses 9Aneroid Barometers 4Votes of Thanks on V e l l u m . . . 39Certificates of Service . . . . 5

Total . . 63

10,003 7 4

461 £10,603 7 4

The number of Lives saved either by the Life-boats of the Society, or by special exertionsfor which it has granted rewards since its formation, is 40,182. The rewards and recognitionsgranted by the Institution in the same period comprised 99 Gold Medals and Clasps, 1,161Silver Medals and Clasps, 271 Binocular Glasses, 16 Telescopes, 14 Aneroid Barometers, 1,567Votes of Thanks, inscribed on vellum and framed, 66 Certificates of Service framed, and £174,693in money.

The Committee earnestly appeal to the British Public for Funds to enable them to maintaintheir 297 Life-boats now on the Coast and their Crews in the most perfect state of efficiency.This can only be effected by a large and permanent annual income. The Annual Subscriptions,Donations and Dividends are quite inadequate for the purpose. The Committee are confidentthat in their endeavour to provide the brave Life-boat men, who nobly hazard their lives inorder that they may save others, with the best possible means for carrying on their great work,they will meet with the entire approval of the people of this the greatest maritime country hithe world, and that their appeal will not be made in vain, so that the scope and efficiency ofour great Life-saving Service, of which the Nation has always been so proud, may not haveto be curtailed.

Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully receivedby the Secretary,OHAELEB DIBDIN, Esq., at the Institution, 11 JOHN STBEBT, AT>aT,pm) London;by the Bankers of the Institution, Messrs. CODTTS and Co., 59 Strand; and by all the otherBankers in the United Kingdom.—2nd August, 1897.

the life-boat. · few year bees n mad ine certai quartern s and diligently circulated, mainly...

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