THE LIFE-BOAT...JUNE, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 671 A Difficul Totw in South-Eas a Galte ON th 20te ohf January , 1954 the , fishing yawl Poseidon, of Rothesay, left North Shields to fish

THE LIFE-BOATThe Journal of the Royal National Life-boat InstitutionVOL. XXXIII JUNE, 1954 No. 368

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET155 Motor Life-boats

1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat

LIVES RESCUEDfrom the foundation of the Life-boat Service in

1824 to 31st March, 1954 - 78,633

Notes of the QuarterTHE first of the major flag days of theyear, that in London, was held on the16th of March. It was a spectacularsuccess. In 1953 a peace-time recordfor London flag days was establishedwhen the practice of holding the flagday in May was given up and flagday was held on the 17th of March.The total then collected was £15,85818s. ad. It happened to be a beautifulspring day. Collectors suffered nohardship and the public could beexpected to be in a beneficent mood.This year there was a bitter windblowing and it was extremely cold.Yet the flag day produced the sum of£15,087 16*. 8d., substantially morethan any figure for peace-time before1953. Before the London flag daywas changed to March the peace-timerecord had been £13,919 9s. Od.

The Institution is deeply gratefulto all those collectors who worked sosplendidly in the conditions. Onelady who had been collecting for hourson Victoria Station said she felt alittle tired and wanted a rest. It waslearned that she was 81 years old.She would not be persuaded to leavethe field, and her rest was a very shortone. Another lady who felt likesuccumbing to the cold heard someonesay that it was colder in the sea andfelt encouraged to continue.

The generosity of the public on this

occasion was a most welcome tributeto the work of the Service, yet collec-tors were still surprised at the lack ofknowledge of the way in which theService is run displayed by many whowere willing to give to it. The beliefthat the State supports the Institutionin some way still seems to be wide-spread, and one member of the public-said he was under the impression thatthe Institution had been wound up.On learning with relief that this wasnot so, he contributed generously.Flag day collectors, in addition to thefine work they do, can help the Insti-tution everywhere by telling the publicthe true facts about the Service.

SALVAGE AND THE LIFE-BOATSERVICE

The records for January andFebruary show that whereas life-boatswere launched on service 80 times andrescued 87 lives, only one claim forproperty salvage was put forward.This may not surprise those who knowthe work of the Institution well, yetthe harmful and false suggestion thatlife-boatmen are continually makingsalvage claims is still occasionallyheard. The Institution exists, ofcourse, solely for the purpose of savinglife at sea. At the same time, ifwithout interfering with its primary

670 THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1954

object, it can also help to save propertyas well, that is clearly to the advantageof ship-owners. The Institution nevermakes salvage claims, but the crewsthemselves, acting on their own behalf,are naturally entitled to make claimsas individuals. That is the law, andthe law does not in this respect makeany distinction between life-boatmenand other persons. The records forJanuary and February show howrelatively seldom life-boatmen do makesalvage claims.

TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNGA COMPETITION for the best essays onthe Life-boat Service has been heldthis year for secondary schoolboys andschoolgirls under the age of sixteen.This is a revival of an old and un-usually popular competition. Thecompetition was first held at the endof the 1914-18 war, when challengeshields were presented by the 7th Dukeof Northumberland, President of theInstitution. These challenge shields,of which there is one for each of ninedistricts, have been competed foragain. There are also individual prizesof a book token to the value of twoguineas for the writer of the best essayin the district, and a book token to thevalue of five guineas for the nationalprize winner. A copy of Storm on theWaters, by Charles Vince, is beingpresented to each of the 35 best essaywriters in each district.

The competition has been held notonly in Great Britain and NorthernIreland but also in Eire, the ChannelIslands and the Isle of Man. Permis-sion for schools to enter has had to besought from the educational authori-ties, and the great majority of theseauthorities have given their sanction.Out of 687 authorities approached654 have agreed that the competition

may be held within their areas. Thisgenerous co-operation is much appre-ciated by the Institution.

The results of the competition willbe announced in a later number ofthe Life-boat.

A NEW PUBLICATION

A NEW type of annual publication onthe Life-boat Service has recentlyappeared. It is replacing, as an experi-ment, the familiar Story of the Life-boat. The book contains accounts ofsome of the most dramatic rescues bylife-boats in the past. These includetwo rescues carried out in 1868 by theAppledorc and Pcnzancc life-boats.The accounts are reproduced from theJournals of the time. One of the re-markable features of the Penzancerescue was that when the life-boat hadto go out a second time it was thoughtadvisable to form a fresh crew. Thiswas done, the crew including the ChiefOfficer of Coastguard and the FrenchVice-Consul. The French Vice-Consulwon the silver medal.

Rescues of more recent years, whichare also reported in full, include theservice to the llopelyn by the Gorlestonand Lowcstoft life-boats in 1922; therescue from the Daunt Rock lighthouseby the Ballycotton life-boat In 1936;the service by the Runswick life-boatin 1934, when Robert Patton gave hislife to save a cripple; and two post-warservices, by the St. Helier life-boatin 1949 and by the Walmer life-boatin 1952. There is too an account ofthe services by the Humber life-boatin the first months of the war.

The book is fully illustrated andcontains a brief history of the Service.It is being sold at one shilling percopy. A Scottish edition of the bookis also being sold at the same price.

Case of Rum Awarded to Holyhead CrewTHE Sugar Manufacturers' Association(of Jamaica) Limited awarded a caseof rum to the life-boat crew whocarried out the longest continuousservice during the winter months of

1953-54. The award was given tothe Holyhead crew for the servicedescribed on page 683. Mr. CledwynHughes, Member of Parliament forAnglesey, made the presentation.

JUNE, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 671

A Difficult Tow in a South-East GaleON the 20th of January, 1954, thefishing yawl Poseidon, of Rothesay,left North Shields to fish off Eyemouth.Early on the morning of the 22nd ofJanuary the crew of four found theycould not start the engines. Theywere then off St. Abb's Head, andthe vessel began to drift northward.She went on drifting all that day andthe next.

Red distress rockets were fired, andon the evening of the 23rd they wereseen by the S.S. Tana, of Leith.

The Usan coastguard learnt fromthe Tana of the distress rockets andrang up the Montrose life-boat stationat 8.48. The coastguard gave theposition of the Poseidon as nine milessouth-east of Scurdyness.

Launched in a GaleAt 9.16 the Montrose life-boat The

Good Hope was launched. The seawas moderate, but a gale was blowingfrom the south-east. The weatherwas very cold.

The life-boat reached the Poseidonat 10.30. The Tana made a lee andthe life-boat took the Poseidon in tow.She began towing her towards Mont-rose, but the tow rope fouled the life-boat's propeller. The life-boat crewcleared the rope, but soon afterwards itparted. The gale increased, the seabecame rougher, and the coxswainfound steering extremely difficult. Hewirelessed for a tug at 1.22 early onthe morning of the 24th and stood bythe Poseidon.

By daylight no tug had appeared,and the wind and flood tide hadbrought the life-boat and the Poseidonwithin a mile and a half of the leeshore. About eight o'clock the life-

boat resumed towing and began tomake for Aberdeen. She sent a warn-ing that she might need help at theentrance to Aberdeen harbour. Atnine o'clock the tow rope parted andat 9.40 it parted once again. Thecoxswain then asked for the help of theAberdeen life-boat. The gale hadincreased, and the sea was now veryrough.

Tow-rope Parts Six TimesThe Aberdeen No. 1 life-boat Hilton

Briggs had been standing by sinceeight o'clock, and at 9.50 she madefor the Montrose life-boat and thePoseidon. She reached them at 11.15when they were off Findon, some sixmiles south of Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen life-boat passed atow rope, but this also broke and wasreconnected. Both boats continuedtowing, but when they were four milessouth of Aberdeen the Montrose life-boat's rope parted for the sixth time.

The Aberdeen life-boat continuedthe tow and brought the Poseidon intoAberdeen harbour at 1.30 in theafternoon. Because of the state ofthe sea at Montrose the Montroselife-boat remained at Aberdeen untilthe 30th of January. The crewreached Montrose at 4.45 on theafternoon of the 24th.

The service was carried out withsuccess in most difficult circumstances,and for this the thanks of the Institu-tion inscribed on vellum were accordedto Coxswain James Paton, of Montrose.Extra monetary rewards were paid toCoxswain Paton, and Motor MechanicC. Mowat, of Montrose. Total re-wards amounted to: Montrose, £79 9s.;Aberdeen, £13 7s. Qd.

Awards for Bravest Deeds of 1953THE Maud Smith award for the bravestact, of life-saving in 1953 has been wonby Coxswain HughNelson,ofDonagha-dee, County Down. The award hasbeen made for the service to thePrincess Victoria on the 31st of Jan-uary, 1953, when the Donaghadeelife-boat rescued 31 survivors.

The award for the bravest deed by aA*

life-boatman in 1953, made in memoryof the late Mrs. G. M. Porter, ofFelixstowe, has been won by WilliamMcConnell, former coxswain of thePortpatrick, Wigtownshire, life-boat.This award has also been made for theservice to the Princess Victoria whenthe Portpatrick life-boat rescued twosurvivors.

THE LIFE-BOAT [JUNE, 1954

Life-boats at Sea for 66 HoursAT twenty-five minutes past midnight•on the 26th January, 1954, a Washing-ton aircraft of R.A.F. Bomber Com-mand, bound for the Azores, wirelessedthat she was in difficulties throughicing and that her crew of seven werebaling out. The position of the air-craft when this message was sent wasabout five miles south of Barrow.

The sea was rough; there was a freshsouth-easterly breeze blowing; andthere were squalls of snow. Thesearch for the aircraft was carriedout by six life-boats and continued inbitter weather until nine o'clock thenext evening. It was unsuccessfuland no trace of the aircraft was found,although later an airman's body wasfound by a trawler and wreckage waswashed ashore.

The total number of hours spentat sea by life-boats was sixtv-six, and

the following table gives an impressionof the work they did and the rewardspaid by the Institution:

FleetwoodPort St. MaryBarrowDouglasLythamBlackpool

Total

Hoursat

sea

1714141137

Retxardspaid by

Institution£ s. d.44 4 034 2 029 10 054 0 011 15 019 17 0

66 £193 8 0

The Commanding Officer of theR.A.F. station at Marham, Norfolk, towhich the aircraft belonged, wrote toexpress "the heartfelt thanks of therelatives and the appreciation of theR.A.F. station."

Richard Dimbleby's Appeal[On Sunday the 21st of February, J954, the B.B.C. broadcast the followingappeal by Mr. Richard Dimbleby, O.B.E., in the Home Service. It is

reproduced by kind permission of the B.B.C.]

I THINK it may surprise many of youto hear that the Life-boat Services ofGreat Britain, which cover the wholeof our coastline and the whole of thecoastline of Ireland, South as well asNorth, are an entirely voluntary con-cern and not controlled or paid for bythe Government.

I don't think that I need go intoany great detail about the work of theRoyal National Life-boat Institution.If you live anywhere near the coast,you'll know quite a lot about thelife-boats, and if you live far inland,you have only to listen to the broad-cast news, or read a newspaper whengales are blowing, to know how thelittle red and blue life-boats willbattle their way out of their stationsinto the storm the moment that newsis received that any ship is in distresson the high seas.

I am very glad to have among thefive thousand volunteers in the Life-boat Service a number of friends: menlike Fred LTpton, coxswain of one of the

busiest life-boats of all, at Waimer—the life-boat that serves and guardsthe Goodwin Sands. I have been outover the Goodwin Sands with FredUpton in the Walmer life-boat, andI've seen that pit of raging waterwhere the seas seem to come rollingin from every direction at once, andmeet in a confusion of foam and spraystudded with the masts and the funnelsof the ships that have been wreckedthere. Fred knows every yard of thatwater, and he and his crew and theirboat have stood out there for hours cmend to save the crew of some sinkingship in a gale in the middle of a pitchblack night. They have even puttheir life-boat deliberately across thedeck of a wrecked vessel in order topick up members of the crew as thewaves flung them over. That sort ofmanoeuvre—and it is not uncommon—takes something more than superbseamanship, it takes real bravery.

Now I know that there are manypeople who do not want to be


approached even for a cause like thison purely emotional grounds andwould prefer to have some hard factsand figures. Since the Life-boatInstitution was founded more than78,500 men and women have beenrescued, and in return for that wonder-ful figure more than 300 life-boatmenhave been drowned.

Last year our life-boats rescued 351people from drowning. The cost inlife, the lives of life-boatmen, was 14,for life-boats themselves are notimmune to the dangers of weather.The cost in cash was three quartersof a million pounds. Of this total,less than 4 per cent is spent on adminis-tration. The rest goes on the main-tenance of the Service day and nightall round the coast, on the repair oflife-boats and the costly constructionof new and better boats, on rewardsand fees and, sadly, annuities andother payments to the widows and thedependants of life-boatmen.

To this appeal for a really nationalcause I ask you all, wherever you live,to respond. The Life-boat Service isalways on duty. To my knowledge,three boats have been out in the pasttwenty-four hours: from Kirkcud-bright in Scotland to save two fisher-men ; from Teesmouth; and from Tyne-mouth, where the life-boat returned toits station only an hour and tenminutes ago. If you will help us, thenthe next time that a life-boat islaunched on rescue—and it may bewithin a minute or two—you will beable to feel that you are with it inspirit. Will you please send to mewhatever you can afford? Theaddress is quite simple—RichardDimbleby, Life-boat House, 42 Gros-venor Gardens, London, S.W.I.

The response to Mr. Dimbleby's.broadcast appeal amounted to £3.3027s. 5d. Contributions of all sizes camein from 3,943 people of all ages and inall circumstances. One came from awidow with a crippled son, who hadonly her old age pension to live on.One came from a bed-ridden invalidin her 94th year. Several others whosent contributions were over 80.One widow sent her pension for twoweeks and another wrote: "As I am82 years old I do not expect to hearmany more appeals, so make aneffort to help by this donation."One gift came from "two old Africanmissionaries."

Some people sent contributions stat-ing that they knew Walmer or Kirk-cudbright, both of which stations werementioned in the broadcast, and othersin memory of happy holidays spentwhere there were life-boat stations.One contributor was a survivor of alife-boat disaster in the last century;another was the widow of a life-boatbuilder; and another was the sister of awell-known coxswain who recently

i died. One anonymous gift came with.> no address on the letter, which merelyj asked the Institution to "thank a} sailor's wife through the Bristol Even-

ing Post."\ A large gift came from an infant

school in Scotland; another came fromchildren in Worcestershire in a classwhose average age was seven; andamong the many delightful letters

! received was the following:

"DEAR RICHARD DIMBLEBY," I am sorry I can not give much

more than this, but I am only 13 yearsold and I don't get much for my pocketmoney a week.

"I hope you will take this kindly."

Plaque to Bridlington Bowman

A PLAQUE in memory of Robert Red-head, a former bowman of the Brid-lington life-boat, has been placed inthe boathouse. Robert Redhead losthis life when the Bridlington life-boatcapsized off Flamborough on the 19th

of August, 1952. The life-boat hadgone out in an attempt to rescue twogirl bathers.

The plaque was unveiled by LadyHotham, wife of the president of theBridlington branch of the Institution.


The Life-Jjoat Service in IrelandBy Lt.-Col. G. W. Ross, R.M.

Organising Secretary for Ireland

VERY few people who are not associ-ated with the Life-boat Service seemto know that the life-boats on thecoasts of Eire are controlled by theRoyal National Life-boat Institution,and that as far as the Life-boatService is concerned no real distinctionis made between Northern Irelandand the Irish Republic.

There is a long established and splen-did tradition of life-boat servicethroughout Ireland. A station wasestablished at Poolbeg, Co. Dublin, asearly as 1820, and by 1826 six otherstations, those at Arklow, Courtmac-sherry, Dun Laoghaire, Howth, New-castle and Rossglass had been estab-lished. Today there are twenty-twostations in Ireland.

In former times, before the long-range motor life-boats came intoservice, there were many more stations,and twenty-eight, including those atArdmore, Carrickfergus, Drogheda,Fethard, Greystones, Queenstown,Tramore and Westport have now beenclosed. The present twenty-twostations do, in fact, cover the coast linemore fully than the larger number ofstations did in the past.

The Fethard DisasterThere have been many famous

services rendered by Irish life-boats.One of the best known of all tookplace on the Wexford coast in 1914,when the Fethard life-boat capsizedwhen going to the help of the Nor-wegian schooner Mexico. There werefourteen men in the Fethard boat, andof them nine were washed away anddrowned. The remaining five managedto scramble on to an island where theyremained, together with some survi-vors from the Mexico, almost withoutfood and water for nearly three days.One of the Mexico's crew died fromcold and exposure, but all the otherswho had reached the island wereeventually rescued by the DunmoreEast and Wexford life-boats. After

this disaster the Norwegian Parlia-ment took the unprecedented step ofvoting ten thousand crowns towardsthe relief of dependents of thoselife-boatmen who lost their lives.

In more recent years three Irishcoxswains have been awarded thegold medal. In 1936 Patrick Sliney,of Ballycotton, Co. Cork, won themedal for a service which lasted somesixty-three hours and culminated inthe rescue of the crew of the DauntRock lightvessel which had brokenfrom her moorings in a gale. In 1940John Boyle of Arranmore, Co. Donegal,was awarded the gold medal for therescue of eighteen men by breechesbuoy from the wreck of the Dutchsteamer Stol-wijk.

Murphy's Gold MedalIn 1942 the gold medal was awarded

to Patrick Murphy of Newcastle, Co.Down, who took his boat betweenrocks alongside the steamer Browningand realising that he could not repeatthe manosuvre, accepted the risks ofa return passage in a gale with asmany as thirty-nine survivors onboard. Another fine service which isstill fresh in the memory of mostpeople was the rescue of thirty-onesurvivors from the Princess Victoriaby the Donaghadee life-boat.

The tradition of the Life-boat Ser-vice is as strong today in Ireland asever it was, and in 1953 for instance,Irish life-boats rescued fifty-eight lives.There has also been a gratifyingincrease in the last two years in therevenue from Ireland. For manyyears the total remained around£10,000, but in 1953 it reached £16,310.Yet this is still a little less than halfthe cost of maintaining the twenty-two Irish life-boats.

A Welcome ImprovementIn the past the Irish revenue was

derived mainly from quite a smallnumber of long established branches.

JUNE, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT

In the unsettled atmosphere of thewar and post-war years effort wasconcentrated more on consolidatingthe existing organisation than onexpansion. The improvement in thepast two years can probably beattributed in roughly equal shares toconsolidation of established branches;to the opening of new branches and theholding of flag days where hitherto ithad seemed that neither collectorsnor contributors would be forthcoming;

and to the generous public responseevoked by the disaster to the PrincessVictoria.

There is still plenty of scope forexpansion of voluntary work and foran increase in subscriptions from Irishsources. Atfejn other districts, successwill depend on the steady building upof such goodwill towards the Life-boatService and understanding of itspurpose as will win the support of allsections of the community.

Life-boat Call in the Pentland

By Commander Erroll Bruce

[In every number of The Life-boat there appears after an account of all theeffective services in any month the statement: The following life-boatswent out on service, but could find no ship in distress, were not neededor could do nothing. This account, written by a member of the crew of theLonghope, Orkneys, life-boat, gives an impression of what often takes placeon these occasions when no effective service is rendered. It first appearedin the Orcadian and is reproduced by kind permission of the editor.]

"WE are in a bad way ashore nearDunnet Head," signalled the trawlerKoorah to Wick radio, and a fewminutes later the alarm reached theLonghope life-boat.

For me it was a 5 a.m. telephonecall from Coxswain Fred Johnston, aquick heave into warm clothes and afull speed dash along seven miles ofwinding road to Brims. Dry salt onthe windscreen made it hard at first,but spray swept over the car atCrockness and that washed the glass.

As I braked for the sharp turn atAyre causeway, the first of twomaroons exploded with a brilliant fire-ball that spread wide the news. Thecar headlights showed two hurryingfigures in sea boots, and most of thecrew and launchers appeared almosttogether through the darkness. Quickwork by all, as my speed had notdropped below fifty.

Oilskins on, life-belts strapped,engines started; it was all done inseconds. No bother, scarcely a word,everything done smoothly. "Allhands forward," ordered Fred John-ston, still with no flurry. "All together,jump." There were eight of us jump-

A**

ing; five were Johnstons, with DanKirkpatrick and Steve McFadyen; nomean weight, and the boat tipped nosedown with a heavy jolt.

A Devil Black DarknessHand raised by the coxswain and

down the slip she went. Hard overwith the wheel, and steering by com-pass she plunged and soared out ofAith Hope. It was black, not justthat velvety blackness that one feelsis mere lack of light, this was a devilblack darkness that struck the mindas violently as the strong south-easterbit into the cheeks. Not a sign ofland, although cliffs were scarcely ahundred yards away; you could notsee the waves, but you caught theirdrenching punch as they drove overthe boat.

When Dunnet Light peeped clear ofBrims Ness to starboard, the boatturned straight for it, with the ebbtide helping and the waves doing allthey could to stop her. The Thursoboat was out too.

Breaking waves snarled and struckin their plenty, but not even a greysmear lightened the darkness; thev


were black demons instead of whitehorses. Up forward, two lights, redand green, each side lit an ironstanchion with its life-line chains.Framed in the gap between was apulsating column of spray, which rosevertically then turned abruptly andhurtled away green-tinted to star-board. An outline of heads sometimesshowed above the fore shelter—SteveMcFadyen and young Robbie John-ston.

Dim Shapes in the Life-boatI ducked below the cockpit shelter

for a heavy one; a dim light gleamedfrom each of four thigh-high sea-boots,firm footed as the water swirled aroundthem; dimmer still were the shapes ofEngineer Bob and Soldier Bob, bothJohnstons, who sat rigid by theirengine controls as though part of thehull itself. Soldier Bob had twosons aboard, Robbie up forward andJimmie in the cockpit; Engineer Bobis brother to coxswain Fred.

Again the radio spoke. " Our Lassie

has taken off the crew," then soonafter, "Longhope life-boat return toyour station."

Slowly the boat turned to starboarduntil Cantick's light beam revolvedahead. The ebb was running evenfaster then.

Darkness no longer clamped downwith sheer annihilation; first, breakingwaves showed us dim smudges, thenslowly the sky differed from the landas dark does from darker. Dawn wascoming.

Too rough to go back to Aith Hope,.we stood in for Cantick Sound. Pastthe lighthouse and in calm water sleetdanced by from astern. So on toLonghope in the growing light with agreen flare burning aloft to signal nocasualties.

Cold ? My hands were hard andnumb. But it would warm the heartof an iceberg to spend a wild night inthe Pentland with such men as theseon life-boat service. Orkney hasreason to be proud of all her life-boat-men.

The Foresters and the Life-boat InstitutionTHAT great friendly society, theAncient Order of Foresters, has for along time been one of the most gener-ous supporters of the Institution.

Foresters' orders are of great anti-quity and their origin cannot now betraced, but the Ancient Order ofForesters, as it is today constituted,was established in 1834, ten years afterthe founding of the Royal NationalLife-boat Institution. Its reconstitu-tion took place after a meeting atRochdale in August, 1934, and someforty years ago the membership ofthe Order had grown to more than1,370,000.

In the past ninety years seven life-boats have been given by this friendlysociety to the Institution.

The first life-boat named Foresterwas stationed at New Quay, Cardigan-shire, in 1864. Eight years later thename of Forester was transferred tothe Tynemouth life-boat. This life-boat remained in commission until

1900. The Tynemouth station wasclosed for a time in 1905 and a newlife-boat which was sent to Flam-borough was given the name Forester.This was one of the best known of theboats given by the Order. She waslaunched on service 78 times andrescued 71 lives before being replacedin 1934.

The second life-boat which was pre-sented by the Order was namedForester^' Pride. She -was on serviceat West Hartkpoo] from 1869 to 1887,when she was replaced by another boatof the same name. This boat waswithdrawn in 1906. The third life-boat given by the Foresters j|as theBroughty Ferry life-boat Samuei Shaw-cross, which served from 1888 to 1910.

Two other life-boats which weregifts of the Order are still in servicetoday. One is the Sheringham life-boat, Foresters' Centenary, which wasgiven to commemorate the centenaryof the Order in 1934. She was sent to


her station in 1936 and has alreadybeen out on service 101 times and hasrescued 52 lives. The other is theFlamborough life-boat, FriendlyForester, which went to her stationlast year. Up to now she has beenlaunched on service four times andhas rescued three lives.

Although only five different nameshave been given to the boats presentedby the Order, the actual number ofthe boats, including two replacements,but omitting the transference of thename Forester, has been seven.Through their services 180 lives havebeen saved.

ObituaryTHE DUKE OF MONTROSE

THE DUKE OF MOXTROSE, who hadbeen associated with the Life-boatService for nearly fifty years and hadbeen Treasurer of the Institution andChairman of the Scottish Life-boatCouncil, died on the 20th of January,1954.

He was first elected to the Com-mittee of Management as Marquess ofGraham, but resigned in 1910 afterthree years of service. In 1924 hewas appointed a vice-president of theInstitution and once again became amember of the Committee of Manage-ment. In 1927 he became the firstChairman of the Scottish Life-boatCouncil, and for the rest of his lifetook an extremely active part in theCouncil's work. In 1946 he broadcastan appeal on behalf of the Institutionand the next year he became theInstitution's Treasurer, in which posthe continued until he had to resignowing to ill health in 1952.

In a personal tribute to the lateDuke of Montrose, Lord Saltoun, whosucceeded him as Chairman of theScottish Life-boat Council, writes:

During the whole of my life it hasseemed to me that there was alwayssome one Scotsman who from his wideand varied acquaintance, as well asby character and experience, fairlyrepresented the spirit of the country asa whole. During the last twentyyears or so I imagine that the lateDuke of Montrose would have beenput forward as the man to fill thisposition by more Scotsmen and frommore varied walks of life than anyother individual.

Of his many different activitieswhich brought him into sympathy

with us all, his work for the Life-boatInstitution was in some ways the mostsignificant, because not only did it givehim contact with people of everyposition in every corner of the country,but the contact was renewed again andagain, so that a real mutual under-standing and sympathy resulted.

I recall, for instance, one occasionwhen he attended a life-boat ball anddelighted everyone by his wholeheartedenjoyment of the entertainment, andby the lateness of the hour at whichhe retired. He insisted on returningthe next year, and I remember receiv-ing from him an account of things andpeople as accurate as if he had spenthis whole life in the place. This wassimply one incident, and one place, butwhen we realise that, like his ancestor,he engaged the hearts of people allover Scotland, the claim made abovewill not seem extravagant.

His service to the Institution andto Scotland in the formation of theScottish Life-boat Council in 1927 hasoften been stated, but it ought to berealised that it was his own constantpresence and guidance which madethe innovation a success and raisedScotland to the position of highestcontributor per head of the populationand kept her there.

His sympathy with those with whomhe disagreed on matters of principleand his understanding of them did notimpair his tenacity of purpose, andoften led to his gaining his point moreeasily than seemed probable. He wasnot readily swayed by facile logic,which, after all, is only as strong asits premises; and his saying "It is notalways a good thing to be too clever"reminds us of the first Duke of

678 THE LIFE-BOAT [JuXE, 1954

Wellington's remark about education:"Education—give them education butremember; if you give education with-out religion you only make so manyclever devils."

All over Scotland, in castle andcottage, he will long be mourned bymen and women who know that theiraffection for him was returned andthat they have lost a gentle friend.

For us in the Life-boat Service wemay take a lesson from his tenacityand his ingenuity in overcoming thehandicap of his deafness. His life mayteach us to do without the leader wehave lost. Each of us must do some-thing to supply a little of his place sothat the Service may suffer no detri-ment.

COXSWAIN RICHARDS OFLYNMOUTH

COXSWAIN GEOEGE STANLEY RICH-ARDS, who died on the 10th ofJanuary, 1954, at the age of 91, wasa well-known personality in Lynmouth,and had been .coxswain of the Lyn-mouth life-boat from 1926 to 1931.For forty years before that he hadbeen second coxswain, and on the12th of January, 1899, he took partin an extraordinary operation wherebythe Lynmouth life-boat Louisa was

taken on her carriage to Porlock. Ithad been impossible to launch thelife-boat at Lynmouth owing to theheavy seas and a west-north-west gale.and the life-boat was therefore carriedover two of the steepest hills in Eng-land, the road rising 1,500 feet in twomiles. Along part of the road thelife-boat was moved on skids, thecarriage being taken through fields,and gates and posts being pulled downwhere the road would otherwise havebeen too narrow for the wheels topass. Twenty-eight helpers as wellas horses took part in this operation,which lasted ten and a half hours.The life-boat crew went for twenty-four hours without food.

COXSWAIN RAWCLIFFE OFFLEETWOOD

COXSWAIX HERBERT RAWCLIFFE, whowas appointed coxswain of the Fleet-wood life-boat on the 1st of January.1954. lost his life in February in anaccident at sea in the course of hisduties as a Trinity House pilot.

He had served as second coxswainfrom the end of 1947 to the end of1953, and before then for seven yearsas bowman. One of the last serviceson which he went out was that des-cribed on page 672.

New Ways of Raising MoneyA VARIATION of the old game of musicalchairs was played at the eleventhbirthday party of the Hornchurch SeaCadets early this year. A pot waspassed round a circle of people. Thepot had to be kept moving but whenthe music stoppe'd the holder had toput in a coin. .The game was organ-ised by Lieutenant B. W. Durrant,R.N.R. (Retd.), and it produced oneguinea for the Institution.

Mr. E. Stacey Marks, a picture andfine art dealer in Eastbourne. Sussex,has printed a catalogue for his clients,and instead of charging for it hasinvited them to put some money inhis life-boat collecting box. In thisway he has raised more than £27 ina year.

Mr. Alexander Gauld. a chemist ofBuckie, Banffshire, is giving the moneyput in the weighing machine in his shopto the Institution.

A master at a famous public schoolsent £1, which had been collectedfrom various members of the schoolwho suffered from "temporary amne-sia." The defaulters had agreed inadvance to this system of penaltiesand had chosen the Institution as thebeneficiary.

The Swinton and Pendlebury branchorganized a lecture on beauty hintsand gave the proceeds from the 2s. 6d.admission fee to the Institution.


Two children in Halifax, Jill andJudy Denham, aged nine and seven,have been making toffee and sellingit to their friends at Is. a quarter,giving the money to the Institution.

Their mother, who is the honorarysecretary of the ball committee of theHalifax Ladies' Life-boat Guild, alsohas to pay her Is. Already morethan £l has been raised in this way.

A Hundred Years AgoExtract from The Life-boat Journal for April, 1854

IN the statement of the income andexpenditure of the Institution for theyear ending 31st March, 1854, it willbe seen that £1,831 has been expendedon life-boats, and on objects immed-iately connected with them; and £182on medals and rewards for saving life.The total amount expended has been£2,482; while the income from allsources was £1,885. Thus, notwith-standing that the Committee have tothank the contributors to the Institu-tion for the large amount of supportreceived in the course of the past year,it is yet seen that their expenditureduring the same period has consider-ably exceeded their income, and thatthey have been compelled again totrench on the funded capital of theSociety. This necessity cannot but beregretted, inasmuch as it is evidentthat the permanent prosperity of theShipwreck Institution can only besecured by the possession of a fundedcapital, to which recourse may be hadin seasons of extreme severity. Butextraordinary exertions have been,and will still, for a time, be necessary,

to completely furnish the most danger-ous parts of the coasts of the UnitedKingdom with life-boats, etc.

The Committee have the gratifica-tion to announce that the past yearhas been distinguished by a donationof £100 from Her Majesty the Queen,who, a few months after Her Majesty'saccession to the throne, was graciouslypleased to honour the Institution withthe same patronage that had beenextended to it by Her Majesty's illus-trious predecessors. The Committeehave also to report the munificent con-tribution of £210 from the City ofLondon.

Liberal, however, as has been theassistance which the Institution hasreceived during the past year, theCommittee desire once again to pointout that its annual expenditure has,during the last three years, of necessitymuch exceeded its income; they there-fore, to enable them to continue theirhitherto successful exertions in thecause of humanity with unabatedenergy, confidently appeal for a yetgreater amount of public support.

New Members of the Committee of ManagementBrigadier J. W. G. Gow, O.B.E., D.L.;Commander the Hon. Greville Howard,M.P.; Air Chief Marshal Sir ArthurMurray Longmore, G.C.B. and Com-mander, F. R. H. Swann, R.N.V.R.(Retd.) have accepted co-option to theCommittee of Management of theRoyal National Life-boat Institution.

Brigadier Gow was honorary secre-tary of the Glasgow branch of the In-stitution from 1929 to 1936. Since 1937he has been chairman of the branch.His father, Dr. Leonard Gow, was alsochairman of the Glasgow branch anda vice-president of the Institution.

Commander Howard, a formerMayor of Westminster, has been M.P.for St. Ives, Cornwall, since 1950.

Sir Arthur Longmore was formerlyInspector-General of the Royal AirForce; A.O.C.-in-C., R.A.F. MiddleEast, from 1940 to 1941; and beforethat A.O.C.-in-C., Training Command.He lives in Wentworth, Surrey.

Commander Swann, who lives inKensington, is a member of the Com-mittee of the Royal Cruising Club andof the Council of the Cruising Associa-tion. During the last war he com-manded an aircraft carrier.

680 THE LIFE-BOAT [JuxE, 1954

Penlee AnniversaryTHE 150th anniversary of the foundingof the Penzance and Penlee stationwas celebrated by a dinner held at theQueen's Hotel, Penzance on the 12thof March, 1954. The vellum com-memorating the 150 years serviceof the station was presented byLady Tedder to Coxswain EdwardMadron.

Speakers at the dinner were Marshalof the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder,G.C.B., Commander Greville Howard,M.P., a member of the Committee ofManagement, Mr. A. R. Dickinson,Organising Secretary for the South-West District of England, Mr. A. O.Kernick, honorary treasurer of thePenzance and Penlee branch, Mrs.George Carter, Chairman of the Pen-

zance and Penlee Ladies' Guild, andMr. John Bazeley. The chairman ofthe branch, Mr. Barrie Bennetts,M.B.E., took the chair.

The life-boat was launched withLord and Lady Tedder and Mrs.Howard on board during the afternoon.The B.B.C. broadcast a description ofthe launch on the 19th of March,together with extracts from the speechmade by Coxswain Madron when hereceived the vellum. CoxswainMadron also took part in a televisionprogramme later.

The station was established inPenzance in 1803. Since then life-boats from the station have beenlaunched on service 198 times andhave rescued 396 lives.

Pwllheli Naming CeremonyTHE new Pwllheli life-boat wasnamed Katherine and Virgoe Bucklandat Pwllheli on the 20th of August.Captain R. E. Thomas, chairman of thePwllheli branch, was in the chair.Commander L. F. L. Hill, R.N.R.,district inspector, described the boat.Mrs. N. Keeping, of Milford-on-Sea,sister of the late Commander VirgoeBuckland, presented the boat to theInstitution. Captain Guy D. Fan-shawe, a vice-president and a memberof the Committee of Management,received her and handed her over tothe branch, on whose behalf she wasaccepted by the Mayor of Pwllheli,

Councillor Richard Williams. TheVenerable Henry Williams, Arch-deacon of Merioneth and vicar ofArthog, dedicated the boat. Mrs.R. E. Thomas then named her.

A colourful part of the ceremony wasthe singing of Madam Hughes Jones'sParti-Hell Choir, who were dressed intraditional Welsh costume.

The new life-boat, which is a 35-feet6-inches Liverpool type boat, has beenbuilt out of legacies from the lateCommander Virgoe Buckland, of Hove,and Mr. H. Woodhead, of Manchester,and out of a gift from the BritishServices Charities.

New Year HonoursTwo knighthoods conferred on mem-bers of the Committee of Managementwere among the honours bestowed inthe New Year Honours list.

The li ,t of honours bestowed on thoseassociated with the Life-boat Servicewas:

K.C.V.O.Captain Gerald Curteis, M.V.O.,

R.N., Deputy Master of Trinity Houseand a member of the Committee ofManagement.

K.B.E.Vice-Admiral Archibald Day, C.B.,

C.B.E., D.S.O., Hydrographer of theNavy and a member of the Committeeof Management.

M.B.E.Mr. R. C. Baverstock, formerly

Assistant Secretary and EstablishmentOfficer of the Institution.

Mr. W. B. S. Valentine, HonorarySecretary, Girvan, Ayrshire, sinceDecember, 1927.


Centenary of Sennen Cove Life-boat StationTHE centenary of the life-boat stationat Sennen Cove, which was estab-lished in 1853, was celebrated by adinner held at the Land's End Hotelon the 21st of April 1953. A certifi-cate inscribed on vellum was presentedby Earl Howe, Deputy Chairman ofthe Institution, to Coxswain JohnRoberts.

Telegrams were received on thisoccasion from both Her Majesty theQueen and from H.R.H. the Duchessof Kent, President of the Institution.The Duchess of Kent sent her "warm-est good wishes on this happyoccasion."

Cap ain D. M. Stuart, late Commo-dore of the P. & O. Steam NavigationCo. Ltd. proposed the health of theInstitution, and Earl Howe, in reply,told of the work of the Life-boat Service.

Sir Alan Herbert spoke in reply tothe toast of the guests. The next

Sunday the Sunday Graphic publishedthe following verses by Sir AlanHerbert commemorating the occa-sion:

Sound off, the ships, and all saluting,stand,

Who sail in safety past the End ofLand—

Land's End, where Sea begins to do itsworst—

Last Land for us, for foreigners the first,Here the brave sons of Sennen, volun-

teers,Have succoured seamen for a hundred

years!There have been six life-boats in all

at Sennen Cove. They have beenlaunched on service 153 times and haverescued 188 lives. Five silver andfifteen bronze medals have beenawarded to Sennen Cove life-boatmenfor gallantry.

Royal Humane Society's Award to Scottish CoxswainTHE testimonial on parchment of theRoyal Humane Society has beenawarded to Robert George Brunton,second coxswain of the Dunbar life-boat.

On the 9th of August, 1953, Mr.Brunton climbed down a cliff at

Dunbar and jumped into the sea, fullyclothed, to rescue a schoolboy whohad fallen over the cliffs. He heldup the boy, who was unconscious, untilthey were both rescued by a smallboat which had put out from theharbour.

Stores Supplied Free of ChargeTHE Institution wishes to express itsthanks to the following firms who, inthe past year, have supplied certainstores for life-boats without charge:Biscuit manufacturers:

Huntley and Palmers, Ltd., Read-ing.

W. and R. Jacobs & Co., Dublin.McVitie and Price, Ltd., Harlesden.Peak Frean & Co., Ltd., Bermond-

sey.Chocolate manufacturers:

Cadbury Bros., Ltd., Birmingham.

J. S. Fry & Sons, Ltd,. Bristol.Fry-Cadbury Ltd., Dublin.Rowntree & Co., York.

Packing firm:Packers Supply Co., Ltd., New

Maiden.

Oil firm:Irish Oil and Cake Mills, Ltd.,

Drogheda.

Steel firm:W. T. Flather, Ltd., Sheffield.


Services of the Life-boats in January, February andMarch, 1954

120 Lives RescuedJANUARY

DURING January life-boats werelaunched 48 times and rescued 71lives.

ESCORT FOR FLAMBOROUGH BOATFlamborough, Yorkshire.—During the

afternoon of the 6th of January. 1954,a fishing coble was still at sea inworsening weather, and at two o'clockthe life-boat Friendly Forester waslaunched in a rough sea. with a strongnortherly gale blowing. She cameup with the Provider, which had acrew of four, two miles north-east ofthe life-boat station. The life-boatescorted her to the shore and then,because of the bad weather, made forBridlington, arriving at four o'clock.The life-boat remained there and wastaken back to her station on the 8th.—Rewards, £27 4*.

TWO SCARBOROUGH BOATSESCORTED

Scarborough, Yorkshire.—During theafternoon of the 6th of January, 1954.two local fishing boats were still at seain worsening weather, and at fouro'clock the life-boat E.C.J.K. waslaunched. There was a heavy sea,with a strong wind blowing from thenorth-west. The life-boat came upwith the Betty two miles east of Scar-borough. She escorted her to theharbour then put to sea again andfound the Shirley Williamson threemiles out to sea. She escorted herin as well, and reached her stationagain at 5.45.—Rewards, £11 4s.

PILOT PUT ON BOARD TUGYarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 1.40 on

the afternoon of the 7th of January,1954, the Needles coastguard tele-phoned that the motor vessel BerendN., of Delfzijl, had sent a distressmessage five miles south-east of theNeedles. At 1.54 the life-boat S.G.E.put to sea. The sea was choppy, witha strong north-easterly breeze blowing.The life-boat found the vessel with a

heavy list and her starboard sideawash. A frigate was standing byher. The life-boat wirelessed for atug and pumping gear, and then stoodby the Berend N., which was stillmaking way. The Berend N. beacheda quarter of a mile east of HurstCastle, and a tug arrived. The tugcould not come close enough and thelife-boat transferred a pilot from theBerend N. to her for a conferencewith the tug skipper. She then tookthe pilot back to the vessel andreturned to her station, arriving at5.50. The managers of the Berend N.made a donation to the funds of theInstitution.—Rewards, £10 10s.

COBLE DRIFTING IN NORTHERLYGALE

Flamborough, Yorkshire. — About12.30 on the afternoon of the 13th ofJanuary, 1954, the coxswain feltanxious for the safety of three men inthe local fishing coble Silver Line, whowere fishing east-north-east of Flam-borough Head in bad weather. At12.35 the life-boat Friendly Foresterwas launched in a very rough sea, anortherly gale and heavy rain squalls,and searched for the coble in badvisibility. The coble burnt red flares,and the life-boat found her four mileseast-north-east of the Head, driftingout to sea. Her engine had beenswamped. The life-boat towed herto the shore and reached her stationagain at 2.35.—Rewards, £15.

SICK MAN LANDED FROM STEAMERGreat Yarmouth and Gorleston,

Norfolk.—At 2.50 early on the morningof the 15th of January, 1954, thecoastguard telephoned that the S.S.Sidney, of Hull, was making for Yar-mouth Roads with a man sufferingfrom appendicitis. No other boatwas available to land him, and at 4.35the life-boat Louise Stephens waslaunched, with a doctor on board, in arough sea, with a fresh south-south-west wind blowing. She took the


patient on board and landed him at5.15.—Rewards, £10.

THREE FISHING BOATS ESCORTEDTO ST. ABBS

St. Abbs, Berwickshire.—During themorning of the 15th of January, 1954.fishing boats were at sea in roughweather, and one of them returned tothe harbour and reported that con-ditions at sea were very bad. At 9.50the life-boat W. Ross Macarthur ofGlasgow was launched in a rough sea,with a strong westerly gale blowing.She came up with two fishing boatsthree miles to the south-east, escortedthem in, and then put to sea in a north-easterly direction. She found someEyemouth fishing boats, but as theywere making their way safely toEyemouth, she returned to St. Abbs.She then put out again, escorted inanother boat, and arrived back at herstation at 11.15.—Rewards, £7 15*.

FISHING BOAT FOUND IN GALENorth Sunderland, Northumberland.—

During the morning of the 15th ofJanuary, 1954, the weather worsenedwhile the local fishing boats were atsea, and at ten o'clock the life-boatW.R.A. was launched. The sea wasrough, with a whole gale blowing fromthe west. The life-boat escorted someof the boats to the harbour, but thefishing boat Kindly Light was stillout, and the life-boat put off again.She was guided to the Kindly Light bythe life-boat's second coxswain, whowas at sea in his own boat, escortedher in, and reached her station againat 11.45.—Rewards, £20 7s.

ESCORT TO SEVEN COBLESFiley, Yorkshire.—During the morning

of the 15th of January, 1954, sevenlocal fishing cobles were at sea in verybad weather, and at 10.35 the life-boatThe Isa & Penryn Milsted waslaunched to escort them in. The seawas rough, with a south-westerly galeblowing. Making several trips, thelife-boat escorted all the cobles to theshore and reached her station againat 2.10.—Rewards, £16 14s.

HELP TO WHITBY FISHING BOATSWhitby, Yorkshire.—At 11.16 on the

morning of the 15th of January, 1954,

the coastguard telephoned that a fish-ing boat appeared to be in difficultiesone mile north-west of the harbour.At 11.25 the No. 1 life-boat Mary AnnHepivorth was launched, with an ex-coxswain in charge. The sea wasrough, with a strong west-south-westbreeze blowing. The life-boat cameup with the Whitby Lass two miles tothe north-west, escorted her to theharbour, and then stood by untilother boats had entered harbour. Shethen put to sea again, escorted in theFoxglove, and reached her stationagain at 1.45. The fishing boat firstreported in difficulty reached the shorewithout help.—Rewards, £8 15s. Qd.

CREW RESCUED AS BOAT SINKSScarborough, Yorkshire.—At 11.55 on

the morning of the 15th of January,1954, the coastguard telephoned thata message had been received fromFlamborough that the fishing boatMay Lily, of Scarborough, with a crewof four, was in distress five miles offScarborough Castle. At 12.10 thelife-boat E.C.J.R. was launched in arough sea, with a strong westerly galeblowing. She found the May Lilyfive miles east-south-east of CastleHill. The fishing boat was sinking,but the life-boat rescued the crewand returned to her station, arrivingat two o'clock.—Rewards, £13 3s.

TWENTY-THREE HOURS' SERVICEBY HOLYHEAD

Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 12.36 on theafternoon of the 15th of January, 1954,the coastguard reported that a wirelessmessage had been intercepted from aship, stating that she was driftingon to rocks between South Stack andSkerries. At 1.2 the life-boat St. Cybi,Civil Service No. 9 was launched in avery rough sea, with a strong westerlygale blowing. A tug also put to sea.The coastguard wirelessed that theposition was now given as six mileswest of South Stack, but the life-boatfound nothing there. The tug thenreported that the ship, which was themotor vessel Michel Swenden, ofRotterdam, was six miles south-west-by-south of South Stack, and that anaircraft was circling her. The life-boat made for the position.

At 3.45 the coastguard wirelessed


that a coaster was in difficulties threemiles north-west of South Stack light-house. The life-boat left the tug tofind the Michel Swenden, and searchedfor the coaster. However, the coastercancelled her distress call, so the life-boat again made for the MichelSzt'enden, which was now reported tobe three miles south of South Stack.She eventually found her at 7.30about ten miles south of South Stackbetween one and two miles off shore.The tug was then standing by.

The tug had tried to take the MichelStL-enden in tow, but the ropes hadparted. When the life-boat arrived,the tug returned to Holy head. Thelife-boat stood by the vessel all nightwhile she got clear of her dangerousposition, and at 5.56 on the morningof the 16th of January the vesselwirelessed that she was clear. Thelife-boat escorted her seawards until7.30 and then returned to her station,arriving at 12 noon. She had beenat sea for twenty-three hours. Theskipper expressed his thanks and madea donation to the funds of the Institu-tion.—Rewards, £52 12*.

The Institution sent a letter ofappreciation to the coxswain and crew.

MAN RESCUED FROM BARGE'SRIGGING

Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.—At10.25 on the night of the 15th ofJanuary, 1954, the Formby coast-guard telephoned that the man in theRibble navigation barge Musgrave,moored three quarters of a mile westof Lytham pier, had reported that thebarge was sinking. At 10.50 thelife-boat Sarah Townsend Porritt putto sea, taking her boarding boat withher. The sea was rough, with astrong gale blowing from west-by-north. The life-boat found that thebarge had sunk and that the man wasclinging to her rigging. The life-boatrescued him, and the boarding boattook him ashore, where an ambulancewas waiting. The life-boat arrivedback at her station at 12.15.—Rewards£9 15s.

LONG NIGHT SEARCH FORTRAWLER

Angle, Pembrokeshire.—At 11.48 onthe night of the 15th of January, 1954,

the St. Govan's Head coastguard rangup to say that the steam trawlerLynandi, of Milford Haven, with acrew of twelve, had broken adrift froma tow by another trawler aboutseventeen and three quarter milessouth-west of St. Anns Head. At12.45 the life-boat Elisabeth Elsonwas launched. She searched widelyin a very rough sea, with a westerlygale blowing, but found nothing andreached her station at eight o'clock.She refuelled, and the coastguardreported that the trawler could nowbe seen six miles west of the St. Gcnvanlightvessel. The life-boat put to seaagain, but found that a tug had takenthe trawler in tow. The life-boatescorted both vessels to Milford Havenand reached her station again atfive in the afternoon.—Rewards, £57.

HELP TO LEAKING STEAMERWhitby, Yorkshire.—At 7.58 on the

morning of the 17th of January, 1954,the coastguard reported that the S.S.Durward, of Grangemouth, which hada crew of eleven, was leaking and hada list on the south side of RobinHood's Bay. At 8.2 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Ilepworth was launchedin a calm sea, with a moderate west-south-west breeze blowing. She foundthe steamer at anchor, and the masterasked the life-boat crew to go along-side and help spread a tarpaulin overa split plate. The coxswain thenadvised him to make for Scarborough,and the life-boat escorted her to thatharbour, reaching her station againat 5.15.—Rewards, £25 2s.

THIRTY-FOUR RESCUED FROMTANKER ON FIRE

Ilfracombe, and Appledore, Devon; andMinehead, Somerset.—At 5.24 on theafternoon of the 17th of January, 1954,the Admiralty tanker Wave Victor,which had fifty-five people on board,wirelessed that fire had broken out inher engine-room fuel unit and askedfor help. She gave her position asnine miles north of Bull Point. Fiveminutes later she reported that hercrew were abandoning her. The seawas choppy and a fresh breeze wasblowing from the north-west.

At 5.53 the Ilfracombe coastguardrang up the Ilfracombe life-boatstation, and at 6.17 the life-boat


Robert and Phemia Brown waslaunched. The Westward Ho! coast-guard informed the Appledore life-boatstation at 6.10, and at 6.25 the life-boatViolet Armstrong was launched. At6.10 the Ilfracombe coastguard alsotelephoned the Minehead life-boatstation, and the life-boat B.H.M.H.was launched at 6.35. The Ilfra-combe life-boat readied the tankerfirst, at 7.15, and found that boatsfrom ships near by were rescuing hercrew. The life-boat went alongsideand rescued ten, and then laid offwhile the captain decided if the tankershould be completely abandoned. At8.30 the Appledore life-boat reachedthe scene, and the Ilfracombe life-boatlanded the men rescued, one of whomhad been injured, and reached herstation again at ten o'clock.

In the meantime the Appledorelife-boat had rescued the remainingtwenty-four men, including the cap-tain, and at his request stood by thevessel until fire-fighting tugs arrived.The life-boat wirelessed this news tothe Ilfracombe life-boat, whichremained in readiness ashore. Tugshad the blaze under control by 3.30early on the 18th, and the Appledorelife-boat put the twenty-four menaboard their ship again. A tug towedher to Swansea and the life-boatreturned to her station, arriving at4.30. The Minehead life-boat wasnot needed and arrived back at herstation at 2.45.—Rewards: Ilfracombe,£27 8s. 6d.; Appledore, £23 17s.;Minehead, £23 17s. The Lords Com-missioners of the Admiralty expressedtheir thanks.

TWENTY-FIVE TAKEN OFF SWEDISHSTEAMER

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At fouro'clock on the morning of the 19th ofJanuary, 1954, the coastguard rangup to say that the S.S. Etna, of Stock-holm, had wirelessed that she hadgone aground on the Skerrinoe Rocksoff the east coast of Scalpay, and thatshe needed help. At 4.30 the life-boatWilliam and Harriot put out in a roughsea, with a moderate south-south-westgale blowing. She found the Etnaanchored, with her well-decks awash.She was down by the bow and waslisting. The life-boat went alongside

and secured to her, and the Etna'screw of twenty-five, including twowomen, were taken on board. Thelife-boat then cast off and made forher station, arriving at 12.15. Thesteamer sank.—Rewards, £15 15s.

DOCTOR BROUGHT TO RHUM INGALE

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—On the 19thof January, 1954, a motor-vessel passeda message to the life-boat stationthrough Portpatrick airport, askingthat a doctor be sent to the island ofRhum. The bad weather had put thenormal means of communication outof action, and, as no other boat wasavailable, the life-boat Sir Arthur Roseput to sea at 5.30 in the evening witha doctor. She took him to Rhum ina heavy sea and south-westerly gale,and arrived back at her station at11.15.—Rewards, £14 5s.

INJURED SEAMAN LANDED ATCAMPBELTOWN

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 6.50on the evening of the 19th of January,1954, the Portpatrick radio stationtelephoned a local doctor that themotor vessel Laidaure, of Stockholm,a vessel of 6,000 tons, was making forCampbeltown with an injured man onboard, and had wirelessed for a doctorto attend to him. It was realised inCampbeltown that the ship was prob-ably too large to enter the loch, so at8.30 the life-boat City of Glasgow IIput to sea, with the doctor on board.The sea was choppy, and a fresh breezewas blowing from the west-north-west. The doctor boarded the Lai-daure and treated the man for loss ofblood. The injured man was thentransferred to the life-boat, whichlanded him at Campbeltown at twoo'clock.—Rewards, £5.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TOHOLY ISLAND

Holy Island, Northumberland.—Abouteight o'clock on the morning of the21st of January, 1954, the life-boatcoxswain reported that there was aheavy swell on the harbour bar, andthat he felt anxious for the safety oftwo fishing boats. He kept watch,and at 10.7 the life-boat Gertrude waslaunched in a moderate sea, with a


light southerly breeze blowing. Sheescorted in the fishing boats Victoryand Sarah Ann and reached herstation again at 11.35.—Rewards, £9.

TWO LIFE-BOATS SEARCH FORAIRMAN

Margate, Kent, and Southend-on-Sea,Essex.—At 1.30 on the afternoon ofthe 21st of January, 1954, the Margatecoastguard told the Margate life-boatstation that No. 19 Group R.A.F. atPlymouth had reported that a Meteoraircraft had crashed off the Isle ofSheppey, and that her crew of two hadbaled out. The life-boat North Fore-land, Civil Service No. XI was launchedat 1.40. The Southend-on-Sea coast-guard also informed the Southend-on-Sea life-boat station, and at 1.45 thelife-boat Greater London, Civil ServiceNo. 3 was also launched. The sea wasmoderate, and a fresh breeze was blow-ing from the east. A helicopter tookpart in the search, saw a parachute inthe sea one and a half miles north ofWhitstable, and told the Margate life-boat by radio telephone. The life-boat made for the position, but a fastlaunch from Sheerness, which had alsojoined the search, rescued a badlyinjured man. The life-boat pickedup the parachute and searched for theother survivor. She picked up somewreckage and continued the search incompany with the Southend-on-Sealife-boat, but they found nothingmore. The Margate life-boat reachedher station again at 9.22 and theSouthend-on-Sea life-boat at eighto'clock.—Rewards: Margate £36 7s. 6d.;Southend-on-Sea, £13 10s.

AWARD FOR MONTROSECOXSWAIN

On the night of the 23rd of January,1954, the Montrose, Angus, and theAberdeen life-boats both went to thehelp of the fishing boat Poseidon, ofRothesay, whose engines had brokendown. A south-easterly gale wasblowing, and there was a heavy sea.After a tow-rope had parted severaltimes, the Poseidon was eventuallybrought into Aberdeen harbour.

The thanks of the Institution in-scribed on vellum were accorded toCoxswain James Paton, of Montrose.

For a full account of this servicesee page 671.

BELGIAN STEAMER HELPED OFFNORTH FORELAND

Ramsgate, Kent.—At 7.47 on the even-ing of the 31st of January, 1954, thecoastguard reported that a messagehad been received by the North Fore-land radio station that the S.S.Antigone, of Antwerp, needed helpten miles east-by-south of NorthForeland. At 8.13 the life-boatMichael and Lily Davis put to sea.The sea was very rough, with a strongbreeze blowing from the east-north-east. The life-boat stood by thevessel until the tug Rumania arrivedto take her in tow. The life-boat thenreturned to her station, arriving at12.55.—Rewards, £17 Os. &d.

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

New Brighton, Cheshire.—January3rd.—Rewards, £12 8s.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—January 5th.—Rewards, £16 15s. 6d.

Teesmouth, Yorkshire. — January6th.—Rewards, €23 18s.

New Brighton, Cheshire. — January6th.—Rewards, £12 18s. 6d.

Hoylake, Cheshire.—January 6th.—Rewards, £18 4s.

Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire.—January7th.—Rewards, £15 4s.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—January13th.—Rewards, £26.

Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—January15th.—Rewards, £30 5s.

Douglas, Isle of Man.—January 15th.—Rewards, £18 14s. 6d.

Dover, Kent. — January 18th. — Re-wards, £8 5s.

Fleetwood, Lancashire. — January19th.—Rewards, £19 9s.

Lowestoft, Suffolk. — January 19th.—Rewards, £10 17s.

Portrush, Co. Antrim.—January 22nd.—Rewards, £21 19s. 6d.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — January24th.—Rewards, £24 16s.

Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—Jan-uary 24th.—Rewards, £14 14s.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. — Jan-uary 24th.—Rewards, £10 Os. 6d.

SIX LIFE-BOATS SEARCH FORAIRCRAFT

On the 26th of January, 1954, six

JUXE, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 687

life-boats, those from Barrow, Fleet-wood, Blackpool and Lytham-St.Annes, Lancashire, and Douglas andPort St. Mary, Isle of Man, searchedunsuccessfully for the crew of aWashington aircraft which hadcrashed into the sea.

For further details of this search seepage 672.

FEBRUARY

DURING February life-boats werelaunched 32 times and rescued 16 lives.

FINNISH SHIP AGROUNDWalton and Frinton, Essex.—At 5.33

on the morning of the 3rd of February,1954, the Walton-on-the-Naze coast-guard telephoned that a vessel hadstopped south-south-east of the coast-guard station and was showing the" Not under command " signal. Watchwas kept on her, and at daybreak asteamship was seen to be aground onthe Gunfleet sands about five and ahalf miles south-south-east of thecoastguard station. At 8.30 the life-boat Edian Courtauld put out in avery rough sea and fresh north-easterly gale. She found the S.S. Hera,of Mariehamn, Finland, at ten o'clock.She stood by her, but half an hourlater the Hera drove three-quarters of amile over the sands, cleared them andreached deep water. The life-boatwas no longer needed and returned toher station, arriving at 1.45.—Rewards£21.

STANDING BY ALL NIGHT INBITTER WEATHER

Aldeburgh Suffolk.—At 8.20 on theevening of the 4th of February, 1954,the coastguard telephoned that avessel had gone ashore two milesnorth of Orfordness. At 8.40 the No.1 life-boat Abdy Beauclerk waslaunched. There was a heavy sea,with a strong north-easterly breezeblowing. The life-boat found theS.S. Kentbrook, of London, with acrew of fourteen, lying in breakers ahundred yards off shore and bumpingheavily. The life-boat and anothervessel stood by in bitterly cold weather,but the life-boat could not close thesteamer because of shallow water.The coastguard took off one man bv

rocket life-saving apparatus, and laterten men walked ashore. At daybreakon the 5th the steamer was seen to behigh and dry, and, as the skipperstated that no attempt would be madeto refloat her, the life-boat returnedto her station, arriving at 8.45.—Rewards, £68 9s. 6d.

STEAMERS COLLIDE IN FOGWeston-super-Mare, Somerset. — At

12.45 on the morning of the 9th ofFebruary, 1954, the Nell's Pointcoastguard reported that the S.S. IvorIsabel, of London, and the S.S. AaseMaersk, of Nyborg, Denmark, hadbeen in collision between Flat Holmand the Weston Buoy, and that theIvor Isabel had asked for a tug. At2.20 the life-boat Fifi and Charles waslaunched in a calm sea. There was amoderate south-easterly breeze blow-ing and dense fog. The life-boatfound the steamers between one and ahalf and two miles south-east of FlatHolm. The Ivor Isabel had beenholed below the water-line and hadanchored. The life-boat stood byboth ships for about five hours untilthe master of the Ivor Isabel said shewas needed no longer. She then re-turned to her station, arriving atnine o'clock.—Rewards, £20 13s.

TWO FISHERMEN TAKEN OFF REEF

Islay, Inner Hebrides.—At 3.15 on theafternoon of the 12th of February,1954, the Kilchomaii coastguard re-ported that the fishing boat CallumCille, of Oban, which had a crew ofthree, had run on a reef off the northshore of Loch Tarbert, Jura, on the9th of February. The owner hadswum ashore and gone to Oban forhelp. He had left the two other menon board, but the weather had deteri-orated and it was thought they mightbe in danger. At 3.40 the life-boatCharlotte Elizabeth put out in a roughsea, with a strong south-south-eastbreeze blowing. She went as close tothe fishing boat as she could. Thelife-boatmen passed a line across,hauled the fishermen through the seainto the life-boat, and gave them rum.The life-boat then took them to PortAskaig, reaching her station again at7.35.—Rewards. £9 18s.


TWO LIFE-BO ATS TO HELP OFLISTING STEAMER

Yarmouth, and Bembridge, Isle ofWight.—At 7.1 on the morning of the13th of February, 1954, the S.S.Ardgantock, of Greenock, wirelessed thatshe was listing badly and was in dangerof foundering twelve miles west-by-south of St. Catherine's Point. At 7.20the Needles coastguard telephoned theYarmouth life-boat station, and at 7.40the life-boat S.G.E. put to sea in aheavy swell, with a fresh south-westerly breeze blowing. She came upwith the steamer at 10.10 and foundthat she had a crew of thirteen andwas bound for Poole with a cargo ofcoal. A tanker was towing her east-wards, and the life-boat stood byuntil 11.50. The weather had thenmoderated, and the life-boat returnedto her station, arriving at two o'cldck.The Foreland coastguard had kept theBembridge life-boat station informed,and at 2.1 telephoned to say theArdgantock and the tanker were nowthree miles south-west of St. Cath-erine's Point and to ask if the Bem-bridge life-boat would escort themround Nab Tower to Cowes. At 2.8the life-boat Jesse Lumb was launchedin a moderate sea, with a moderatesoutherly breeze blowing. She escort-ed the steamer to Cowes Roads andarrived back at her station at 5.30.The master, officers and crew of theArdgantock expressed their thanks.—Rewards: Yarmouth, £16 15s. 6d.;Bembridge, £14 10*.

STEAM TRAWLER ESCORTED INGALE

Stromness, Orkneys.—At 2.10 on theafternoon of the 13th of February,1954, the Kirkwall coastguard rangup to say that the steam trawlerBempton, of Aberdeen, had run ashorebetween Wason's Buoy and Scapa,and at 2.27 the life-boat J.J.K.S.W.was launched. There was a moderatesea, with a gale blowing from thesouth-east. The life-boat found thetrawler in tow of a tug. The tughad refloated the trawler, and thelife-boat escorted them to Scapa andreached her station again at 7.45.—Rewards, £20 5*.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TOEYEMOUTH

Eyemouth, Berwickshire. — At oneo'clock on the afternoon of the 19thof February, 1954, fishermen at Burn-mouth reported that the motor fishingboats Braw Lads and Misty Isle weremaking for Burnmouth in bad weather.At 1.12 the life-boat Clara and EmilyHarwell was launched. She escortedthe boats to harbour in a very roughsea, with a strong south-easterlybreeze blowing, and reached her stationagain at 2.10.—Rewards, £9 10s.

ESCORT FOR BOAT FROM HARBOURBAR

Amble, Northumberland.—At 1.55 onthe afternoon of the 19th of February,1954, the coastguard rang up to saythat the local fishing boat MargaretAnna was still at sea in bad weather.At 3.15 the life-boat J. W. Archer waslaunched in a very rough sea, with afresh easterly breeze blowing. Shewaited for the Margaret Anna at theharbour bar and escorted her into theharbour, reaching her station again at5.45.—Rewards, £8 15s.

SICK MAN LANDED FROM STEAMERWhitby, Yorkshire.—At 7.5 on the

evening of the 19th of February, 1954,the coastguard rang up to say thatthe S.S. City of York had reportedthat she wished to land a sick man atWhitby and had stated that she wouldbe off the harbour at eight o'clock.There was a moderate swell, a lightsoutherly breeze and thick fog. At7.42 the No. 1 life-boat Mary AnnHepworth was launched, with a doctoron board. She came up with thesteamer half a mile north-west ofWhitby Rock Buoy, took the sick manon board and landed him in the har-bour, reaching her station again at 9.5.—Rewards, £9 4*.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOKIRKCUDBRIGHT

Kirkcudbright.—At 5.30 on the even-ing of the 20th of February, 1954, theRoss Island lighthouse keeper reportedthat a motor boat was drifting on theebb tide. The coxswain had also seenher, and at 6.15 the life-boat J. B.Couper of Glasgow was launched in aslight sea, with a light south-by-east


breeze blowing. She found that themotor boat had broken down off theharbour bar, and that her crew of twowere burning flares. They had beenlobster fishing. The life-boat rescuedthem and towed their boat to theharbour, reaching her station again ateleven o'clock.—Rewards, £15 13*.

BODY FOUND NEAR ROCKS

Tynemouth, Northumberland.—At 3.5on the afternoon of the 21st of Feb-ruary, 1954, the coastguard reportedthat a man was in the sea in French-man Bay, about one and three-quartermiles south of the Tyne. At 4.14 thelife-boat Tynesider was launched in aheavy ground swell, with a freshsouth-easterly breeze blowing. Shefound the man twenty yards from therocks. The life-boatmen hauled himon board with difficulty and appliedartificial respiration. He did notrecover. The life-boat took his bodyto South Shields and reached herstation again at 6.45.—Rewards,£12 7*.

FRENCH AND NORWEGIAN SHIPSCOLLIDE IN FOG

Dover, and Dungeness, Kent.—At 10.58on the morning of the 22nd of Feb-ruary, 1954, the S. ndgate coastguardrang up the Dover life-boat station tosay the motor vessel Margrethe Bakke,of Haugesund, Norway, had collidedwith a French ship five and a halfmiles south of Folkestone. She wastrving to beach herself. At 11.20 thelife-boat Southern Africa put out in acalm sea. There was a light south-westerly breeze and thick fog. Thelife-boat found the Margrethe Bakkefour miles south of Dover towing twoof her boats, which had on boardthirty-one passengers and crew. At10.54 the Lade coastguard had inform-ed the Dungeness life-boat station, andat 11.25 the life-boat Charles CooperHenderson was launched. The Doverlife-boat's second coxswain and bow-man boarded the Margrethe Bakke togive her master advice, and at hisrequest the life-boat wirelessed for apilot. The second coxswain mean-while piloted her to a safe anchoragehalf a mile east of the eastern harbourarm at Dover. A tug arrived, andthe life-boat took two men from her to

the Margrethe Bakke and then put thethirty-one people aboard their shipagain. A pilot was sent out fromDover in a motor boat, and he berthedthe vessel alongside the eastern arm.The life-boat stood by during thisoperation and arrived back at herstation at 9.50 that night. TheDungeness life-boat was not needed,and she was recalled to Dungeness,arriving at 2.20 in the afternoon.—Rewards: Dungeness, £27 14s.; Dover,Property Salvage Case.

TRAWLER'S CREW RESCUED OFFKERRY

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 6.10 on themorning of the 28th of February, 1954,the Valentia radio station reportedthat the trawler River Spey, of MilfordHaven, which had a crew of twelve,was leaking badly and needed helpfifteen miles south-west of TearaghtLight. At 6.40 the life-boat A.E.D.put out in a rough sea and in a freshnorth-easterly gale. She found thetrawler at 8.45 and escorted her to theharbour. The coxswain then boardedher to pilot her to the beach. Thelife-boat helped to beach her, rescuedher crew, and returned to her station,arriving at 2.30. The skipper ex-pressed his thanks.—Rewards, £16 12s.

SICK MAN LANDED FROM IRISHLIGHTVESSEL

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—Onthe 28th of February, 1954, the Com-missioners of Irish Lights asked if thelife-boat would land a sick man fromthe Blackwater lightvessel. The Com-missioners had no boat available, andat 4.15 in the afternoon the life-boatDouglas Hyde put to sea. The seawas rough with a fresh breeze blowingfrom the north-north-west. The life-boat took the man ashore and reachedher station again at 8.25.—Rewards,£12 8s. Refunded to the Institutionby the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

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

Filey, Yorkshire.—February 1st.—Rewards, £18 12s.

Flamborough, Yorkshire.—February1st.—Rewards, £24 10s.


Donaghadee, Co. Down. — February3rd.—Rewards. £6.

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—About 11.30on the night of the 5th of February,1954. the Formby coastguard rang up tosay that a woman at Knott End hadreported that she had seen red flaresbetween Fleetwood and Barrow. At1.15 on the 6th the life-boat Ann LctitiaHussell was launched. She searched ina smooth sea, with a moderate easterlybreeze blowing, but found nothing.There was little doubt that what hadseemed to be burning of flares was infact the glow from an ironworks, andthe life-boat was recalled to her station,arriving at seven o'clock.—Rewards,£17 5.9.

Portrush, Co. Antrim.—February 8th.—Rewards, £8 4s.

Thurso, Caithness-shire. — Februaryllth.—Rewards, £12 Is. 6d.

Longhope, Orkneys.—February llth.—Rewards, £13 4s. 6d.

Salcombe, Devon.—February 13th.—Rewards, £10 17s.

Newhaven, Sussex.—February 13th.—Rewards, £9 11s.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—February 18th.—Rewards, £17 Is.

Newcastle, Co. Down.—February 19th.—Rewards, £16.

Walmer, Kent. — February 19th. —Rewards, £15 5s.

Teesmouth, Yorkshire. — February21st.—Rewards, £10 7*.

Port St. Mary, Isle of Man.—February22nd.—Rewards, £29 2s. 6d.

Douglas, Isle of Man.—February 22nd.—Rewards, £29 4s.

Ramsey, Isle of Man.—February 22nd.—Rewards, £37 12s. 6d.

MARCH

DURING March life-boats werelaunched 47 times and rescued 33lives.

CREW TAKEN OFF LEAKINGTANKER

Plymouth, Devon.—At 9.52 on thenight of the 2nd of March, 1954, theRame Head coastguard rang up tosay that the Fowey life-boat motormechanic had intercepted a wirelessmessage from the tanker ^tonality, ofLondon. This stated that the Aton-ality was anchored in Plymouth Sound,

but was dragging ashore and neededhelp. At 10.7 the life-boat ThomasForehead and Mary Bovine put out ina rough sea, with a moderate south-westerly gale blowing. She found thetanker aground in Jennycliff'e Bay.Her tanks were leaking and she wassurrounded by petrol, but the life-boatwent alongside her and took off elevenmembers of her crew. The masterand chief engineer decided to remainon board, and the life-boat landed theothers. She later took out two ofthem and put them aboard their shipagain. The weather moderated, andabout midnight a tug refloated thetanker and anchored her. The life-boat put aboard the remainder of hercrew and reached her station againat 1.40 early on the morning of the3rd.—Rewards, £13 10s.

WRECKED DINGHY FOUND NEARCLIFF

Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 2.30 earlyon the morning of the 3rd of March,1954, the Fire Brigade reported thatfiremen at Rosemullion Head werehauling two men up a cliff. The menhad been in a fourteen-feet dinghy withanother man, but the dinghy had beenwrecked. The third man had beeninjured and had been left in the dinghyand the firemen asked for the life-boat.At three o'clock the life-boat Crawfordand Constance Conybeare put out in arough sea with a fresh west-north-westbreeze blowing. By the help of hersearchlight the injured man was founddead. The life-boat's services werethen no longer needed, and shereturned to her station, arriving at5.30.—Rewards, £8 15s.

ESCORT FOR BOAT WITH NETSFOULED

Dunbar, East Lothian.—At 1.10 on theafternoon of the 3rd of March, 1954,the coastguard telephoned that thefishing boat Primrose, which had acrew of four, was two hours overdue.At 1.20 the life-boat George and SarahStrachan was launched in a rough sea,with a strong south-easterly windblowing. She found the Primrosetwo miles to the south-east. Her netshad been fouled, and the life-boatescorted her to harbour, arriving at2.10.—Rewards, £7.


THE LATE DUKE OF MONTROSE,K.T., C.B., C.V.O., V.R.D., R.N.V.R.

Treasurer of the Institution, 1947-1952, Chairman of the Scottish Life-boat Councilfrom its foundation in 1927 until 1953, and the Council's Honorary President until his

death in January 1954


By courtesy of] \S,unday Pictorial

THE GREENOCK STEAMER ARDGANTOCK, LISTING BADLY

(see page 683)

THE YARMOUTH LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY THE ARDGANTOCK AT NIGHT

JUNE, 1954]

By courtesy of]

THE LIFE-BOAT 693

[Sunday Pictorial

ISLE OF WIGHT LIFE-BOATMEN WHO HELPED THE ARDGANTOCK

(see page 638)

By courtesy of] [I. II'. County PressTHE YOUNGEST LIFE-BOAT COXSWAIN

Coxswain Bert Baker, of Bembridge, hands over to his successor, Geoffrey Wade, the youngestcoxswain in the Service


By courtesy of} [Fox PhotosTHREE MEDALLISTS FROM TENBY

The coxswain, motor mechanic and bowman visit London to receive medals(see page 705)

By courtesy of] [Sport and GeneralSILVER MEDALLIST

H.R.H. the Princess Royal presents the silver medal for gallantry to Coxswain Thomas Richards,of Tenby

(see page 705)


By courtesy ofA NORTHERN IRISH LIFE-BOAT

The William and Lama, of Newcastle, Co. Down(see page 674)

[F. A. Maitland

SURVIVOR OF THE FETHARD DISASTERJohn McNamara, who spent three days without food while stranded on a rock in February, 1914

(see page 674)


By courtesy nf] [Aberdeen Journals

THE LONGHOPE, ORKNEYS, LIFE-BOAT ON SERVICE

(see page 675)

DUTCH MOTOR VESSEL BEREND N. AGROUND

see page 682)


By courtesy ofHENRY GREATHEAD'S ORIGINAL

This model was displayed at the ceremony marking Penlee's 150th anniversary

(see page 680)

LAUNCHING THE PENLEE LIFE-BOAT(see page 680)

[Negus, Ltd.


THE FRIENDLY FORESTERA gift to the Institution from the Ancient Order of Foresters

(see page 676)

By courtesy of] [Clifford C. AshtonTHE SENNEN COVE LIFE-BOAT IS LAUNCHED

(see page 681)


TWO WHITBY FISHING BOATSESCORTED

Whltby, Yorkshire.—During the morn-ing of the 4th of March, 1954, theweather worsened while the localfishing fleet was at sea. All the boatsreturned to the harbour before theharbour bar became dangerous, exceptthe Lead Us and Faith Star. At 1.46in the afternoon the No. 1 life-boatMary Ann Hepzeorth was launched ina rough sea, with a strong north-north-west breeze blowing. She escorted inthe two boats and arrived back at herstation at 2.40.—Rewards, £9 2s. 6d.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY NORWEGIANSTEAMER

Sunderland, Durham. — About twoo'clock early on the morning of the5th of March, 1954, the coastguardtelephoned that the S.S. Bruse, ofOslo, had broken down at the entranceto the harbour and was drifting dan-gerously near the South Pier and theWhite Shell Rocks. At 2.30 the life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin waslaunched in a rough sea with a strongnorth-north-west breeze blowing. Shestood by until the steamer had repairedher engines and entered harbour.The life-boat then returned to herstation, arriving at 5.20.—Rewards,£11 Os. 6d.

STEAMER ASHORE ON SHOEBURYSANDS

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 6.26 onthe morning of the 7th of March, 1954,the coastguard reported a vessel ashoreon the Middle Shoebury Sands, butthere were no distress signals. Theweather deteriorated during the morn-ing, and at 10.12 the owners of a tugwhich had put out asked if the life-boat would help, as the tug could notcome close to the vessel. At 10.58 thelife-boat Greater London, Civil ServiceNo. 3 was launched in a very choppysea, with a fresh south-westerly breezeblowing. She found the S.S. CapeClear, of Glasgow, with a crew oftwenty-three, one mile north-east ofMiddle Shoebury Buoy. The life-boatpassed a rope to her from the tug,stood by until she refloated at highwater, and then returned to her station,arriving at 2.26.—Property SalvageCase.

SOUTHEND LIFE-BOAT TAKES OUTA DOCTOR

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.6 onthe evening of the 9th of March, 1954,the coastguard reported that the motorvessel Kenrix, of Hull, had wirelessedthat she had a sick man on board andneeded a doctor. At 8.40 the life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No.3 was launched, with a doctor onboard, in a calm sea, with a lighteasterly breeze blowing. She cameup with the Kenrix a mile east ofChapman Head. She put the doctoron board, waited while he treated theman, and then took him back toSouthend, arriving at 9.53.—Rewards,£9 15s.

WOMAN AND HER DOG RESCUEDBY DINGHY

Dover, Kent.—At 11.48 on the nightof the 9th of March, 1954, the Sandgatecoastguard telephoned that a womanhad scrambled down a cliff near St.Margaret's Bay. She had gone downto comfort her dog, which had fallenover, and was cut off by the tide. At12.6 on the 10th the life-boat SouthernAfrica put to sea, taking a dinghywith her. The sea was calm, and therewas a light south-easterly breeze. Thelife-boat found the woman and herdog at the Bigfall, west of St. Mar-garet's Bay. The coastguards at thecliff top lit a flare to show the position.The life-boat motor mechanic andanother life-boatman landed, usingthe dinghy. They carried the injureddog and helped the woman to thedinghy, which transferred them to thelife-boat. A wireless message wassent for a vet, who was waiting atDover when the life-boat arrived at3.10. The dog died. The womanbecame a subscriber to the funds of theInstitution and made gifts to the motormechanic and life-boatman.—Rewards£13 15s.

CREW OF EIGHTEEN RESCUED INFOG

Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 12.44 early onthe morning of the 10th of March, 1954,the coastguard telephoned that theS.S. Guildford, of London, had beenin collision three miles north of Whitby.He later gave the position as threemiles east of Whitby. At 1.18 the


No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepieorthwas launched in a calm sea. Therewas a light south-easterly breeze anddense fog. The life-boat found thatthe steamer was a vessel of 1,871 tons,laden with coal and carrying a crewof eighteen. Her engine-room wasleaking, and she wirelessed for a tug.The life-boat stood by her and, at therequest of the master, made fastalongside her. She later took hermate on board and laid off the vesselso that the mate could inspect thedamage done to his ship. She puthim on board again and remainedwith the Guildford until about oneo'clock in the afternoon. The eighteenmen then abandoned her, and thelife-boat rescued them. She thenattempted to beach the Guildford, butwithout success. The Guildford sankone mile south-east of South Garelight, and the life-boat took the crewto Middlesbrough, reaching her stationagain at 8.45. Rewards, £48 4s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO WYRELIGHT

Barrow, Lancashire.—At 6.5 on theevening of the llth of March, 1954,the Fleetwood life-boat coxswain rangup to say that the fishing boat Zuava,of Fleetwood, had broken down twomiles north-north-west of LightningKnoll Buoy. At 6.35 the life-boatHerbert Leigh was launched in a choppysea, with a light east-south-east breezeblowing. She found the Zuava, whichhad a crew of two, four miles north-north-west of Lightning Knoll. TheZuava had lost her propeller, and thelife-boat towed her as far as the WyreLight. Here another fishing vesseltook over the tow and made for Fleet-wood. The life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 11.3.—Rewards,£16 2s. 6d.

TRAWLER TOWED TO VALENTIAValentia, Co. Kerry.—At 4.40 on the

afternoon of the 12th of March, 1954,the Valentia radio station reportedthat the motor trawler Ross Corr, ofDublin, which had a crew of five, hadbroken down four miles south-eastof Blasket Island. At five o'clock thelife-boat A.E.D. put out. The seawas moderate with a fresh south-easterly breeze blowing. The life-

boat towed the Ross Corr to Valentiaharbour and reached her station againat 7.15.—Rewards, £9 7*.

LIFE-BOAT PUTS OUT TWICE TOTANKER

Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 6.29 on theevening of the 12th of March, 1954, thecoastguard rang up to say that thetanker Adroity, of London, had run onthe sands about two miles south-east-by-east of the coastguard station. At7.20 the life-boat Michael Stephensput out. The sea was calm, with anorth-easterly breeze blowing. Thelife-boat remained with the tanker forhalf an hour. The captain then saidthat he would not need help unless theweather became worse, and the life-boat returned to her station, arrivingat 8.55. The wind blew strongly,causing a rough sea, and the captainwirelessed a distress call about 12.50early on the 13th. He reported hisship was bumping badly. The coast-guard asked for the life-boat, and shewas launched again at 1.10. TheAdroity cleared the sands, and thelife-boat stood by her until she reacheddeep water. Another vessel escortedher on her way, and the life-boatreturned to her station, arriving at2.30.—Rewards, 1st service, £8 16s.;2nd service, £9 13s.

SALVAGE VESSEL TOWED TOSHEERNESS

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7.5 onthe evening of the 13th of March, 1954,the Sheerness police reported that thesalvage vessel Juniper, of London,was driving towards the cliffs atMinster, Isle of Sheppey. At 7.30the life-boat Greater London, CivilService No. 3 was launched. The seawas very rough, and a strong windwas blowing from the north-east. Thelife-boat found that the Juniper hadrun ashore and was being pounded bythe sea, but as the master said thathe and his crew of three did not needhelp, the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 10.5. At 6.58 onthe evening of the 14th the owner ofthe vessel reported that she was stillashore, with her engine room floodedand her rudder out of action. Tugscould not come near her. The menwere still on board, and the sea was


still rough and the wind strong. Thelife-boat was launched again at 7.30.She found the Juniper broadside tothe cliff and in a dangerous position,passed a line to her, and towed her toSheerness, reaching her station againat 11.15.—Rewards: 1st service,£1115s.; 2nd service, Property SalvageCase.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO DOVERDover, Kent.—At 10.45 on the night

of the 18th of March, 1954

Documents

THE LIFE-BOAT...JUNE, 1954] THE LIFE-BOAT 671 A Difficul Totw in South-Eas a Galte ON th 20te ohf January , 1954 the , fishing yawl Poseidon, of Rothesay, left North Shields to fish