the life-boat....boat service coverin as far possibl ags alel the necessitie of ths britise islesh...

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

OF THE

IRo^al IRattonal ftife^Boat Jnstftution.(ISSUED QUARTERLY.)

VOL. XXIL-No. 252.] 1ST MAY, 1914. [PKICE 3d.

Annual Meeting.THE ninetieth Annual General Meetingof the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION was held in the WhitehallRooms on Wednesday, March 18th, 1914,at 3 P.M. The Right Hon. the Earl ofSelborne, K.G., presided, and amongstthose present were:—The Right Hon.Lord Airedale, the Right Hon. theEarl of Albemarle, K.C.V.O., C.B.,A.D.C.,Sir Godfrey Baring, Bart., M.P.,Mr. Robert Birkbeck, V.P., Mr. HaroldD. Clayton, the Hon. George Colville,Sir William Corry, Bart., Colonel theHon. Charles E. Edgcumbe, ColonelWilliam Elliot, Mr. J. Bevill Portescue,Mr. Harry Hargood, Mr. Horace Wood-burn Kirby, Admiral Sir Arthur W.Moore, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.M.G., Mr.Eugene F. Noel, V.P., Captain RobertPitman, C.M.G., R.N., Captain GeorgeB. Preston, Vice-Admiral R. C. Prothero,M.V.O., C.B., Sir Boverton Redwood,Bart., F.R.S., Colonel the Right Hon.John E. Bernard Seely, D.S.O., M.P.,Rear-Admiral Hector B. Stewart, Mr.P. F. Tower, the Right Hon. Sir FrancisHopwood, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., AdmiralSir F. Inglefield, K.C.B., His Excellencythe Norwegian Minister, P. B. Vogt,M. de Saint Jonaury, French Vice-Consul, Vice-Admiral W. F. S. Mann,Lieut.-General W. Pitcairn Campbell,C.B., Dr. G. R. Parkin, C.M.G., Lieut-Colonel F. E. Stuart, Mr. T. Dyer

Edwardes, Captain E. Holt Wilson,D.S.O., Captain Vincent Nepean,M.V.O., R.N., Colonel Sir H. Perrott,Bart., Mr. George F. Shee, M.A.(Secretary of the Institution), Com-mander Thomas Holmes, R.N. (ChiefInspector of Life-boats), Mr. WilliamSpicer (Assistant Secretary), Com-mander H. F. J. Rowley, R.N. (Deputy-Chief Inspector of Life-boats), Lieut.Hall, R.N., and Captain A. C. Gust.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings,said : My first duty is to present the Reportwhich you all have in your hands. Beforemaking any observations upon it, I am sureyou would wish me to express our greatregret that hoth the Chairman and the Deputy-Chairman of the Institution are preventedby illness from being here this afternoon.In the case of Lord Waldegrave it is a suddenchill, and the doctor absolutely forbade himto come out. In the case of Sir John LambI am afraid that his illness has been of a moreserious nature. You know what a tower ofstrength he has been to this Life-boat move-ment—(hear, hear)—and you would wish, Iam sure, to express to-day your earnest hopefor his complete recovery. (Hear, hear.)

On this occasion you always wish toremember and thank the members of thegoverning body of this great Institution andtheir officers for the work they do during theyear. To those who have given many yearsof work it has been a labour of love, but oflove that has been very prolific in its results.The Institution has also had the advantage ofbeing served by a very competent staff. Withregard to the building of boats. Everythingiu a moment of crisis depends on the. factthat the material with which you provideyour Life-boat crews should be of the veryfirst quality. (Hear, hear.) It is a familiarfeature to students of foreign politics that

VOL. XXII.—No. 252.—LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.

136 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1ST MAY, 1914.

every Government from time to time findsitself confronted with the necessity of renew-ing its implements of war. My friendColonel Seely is only too familiar with thefact I am going to mention. Guns becomeobsolete. That is to say better guns are inexistence or better rifles are in existence thanthe ones with which the army is furnished.It is never possible always and at the sametime to have the very latest pattern of lethalweapon. But it is the desire of all Govern-ments to give their soldiers and also theirseamen the best guns and the best ships forthe purpose of taking life when necessary.It cannot be less important that this Institu-tion should always endeavour to keep thematerial with which it provides its crews upto the very latest and best pattern—(hear,hear)—so that there can be no excuse for theloss of life either of the crews of the ships indistress or of the men who man the Life-boats,arising from the fact that the boats withwhich they have been supplied, and theequipment of those boats, are obsolete ordefective. But that demands a constantand immense expenditure to keep this vastparaphernalia of life-saving all round ourcoasts in a state of the utmost efficiency and,as far as possible, of the latest pattern andequipment. There is an instance in theReport to-day of this necessity. The motorLife-boat has made its appearance as part ofthe fleet of this Institution, and doubtless ithas come to stay. Even those of us whohave no practical knowledge of the sea, caneasily realize the great advantage of the motorboat in certain circumstances. Now, themotor boat implies a costly machine. Italso implies a trained mechanic as part of theLife-boat crew. And the cost, as you willsee in the Report, is not less than 3,0001.Any large multiplication of the motor Life-boats—and multiplication must come in thefuture—will at once run into very highfigures. For what is the fleet composed ofat the present moment? No less than 275vessels of all kinds. And the motor epochonly just commencing.

It is not only the fleet, or the equipmentof the fleet which has to be considered, as Iknow from experience last year. You havenot done with the Navy when you have builta ship. You have not done with the para-phernalia of life-saving when you have boughtLife-boats. There is a Works Departmentconnected with your Institution. You requireboathouses in which to keep your boats. Yourequire slipways on which to launch them;and,indeed, if you will look in the Report, youwill see that in one case at least it has cometo this, that you have to provide houses forthe crew of the Life-boat. You see also inthe Report how the constantly increasingwork of the Institution has made it necessaryto buy additional land in London for yourstores—your dockyard, if I may call it so.

Therefore, anybody who merely thinks ofthe work of this Institution or of its existencein connexion with the provision of a certainnumber of boats—well, his imagination is veryinadequate to the task it has to perform. The

more you look into the equipment, the organ-ization and the maintenance of a work sogreat as this and on so great a scale, the moreyou will be impressed with the vast attendantexpenditure.

Occasionally there is an element of personalexpenditure, too. This Institution cannotallow the widows and orphans of men whoselives are lost in the service of saving life tobe cast penniless into the world. Thereforeprovision has to be made for them. Happilythis is not one of the largest items of ex-penditure. But it is the human side of yourwork which should never be forgotten by thesubscribers and ought-to-be subscribers tothis Institution. But I know it has beenurged that this Institution is the owner ofvast sums of money. Well, the invested sumis very large, though if you look at yourReport you will see that it is much smallerto-day than it was a year ago because, veryproperly and wisely, I venture to think, thevalue of the stocks and shares has beenwritten down to the actual value at whichthey stood on the 31st December last. Buteven so, the sum remaining is a very largeone. Well, but how can a work such as thispossibly be carried on without it ? Fancy, ifthe whole of the life-saving apparatus on ourcoast, the national credit for humanity, wasto depend only on the voluntary offerings of asingle year. There is also the possibility of agreat fall in these voluntary offerings owingto some calamity, such as war, or any otherdisaster. Therefore, I think that the fact ofthese funds having been accumulated isnothing but a proof of the prudent and wisemanagement of this Institution in times past.The interest, of course, is available towardsthe yearly expenditure. What I would liketo impress upon the public is this: that thatinterest is by itself wholly insufficient to meetthe necessary expenses, because the commit-ments are so large and the scale of operationsof this Institution is so large. There mustbe an appeal to the public for subscriptionsand donations; and, indeed, if it had notbeen for the windfall of legacies which cameto the Institution last year, it is not certainthat the Committee would have been able tofulfil all their obligations without drawingupon their reserve fund.

But what is the cost? What is the totalannual cost for which this work is done ?110,0002. a year. A large sum. But is it largein comparison with the field of operations orof the results achieved ? A national Life-boat Service covering as far as possible allthe necessities of the British Isles. Is thatNational Service dearly paid for at the cost of110,0002. a year. Now, fortunately, I am able tooffer you a comparison. In the United Statesof America the Life-boat service is a Stateaffair. It is run by the Government at thepresent time. The number of Life-boats isapproximately the same, and yet the cost inAmerica is very nearly four times as great perannum as that 110,0002. which your Institutionpays every year.

There are ways in which help can be givenother than by donations or subscriptions in

IST MAY, 1914.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 137

money. Mr. Arnold Morley, for instance, haspresented the Institution with the price of amotor boat for St. Mary's, Scilly; Mr. DyerEdwardes has presented another motor boatfor Fraserburgh; whilst Mrs. Lowe, for manyyears resident in Newcastle, is giving a motorboat to be placed at Tynemouth in memoryof her husband.

Now here is an example which might befollowed. There are many people in thiscountry, an ever-increasing number, to whom3,0001. is practically nothing. What a chancethere is here for any man or woman who hasthat ample means at his or her disposal topresent a motor Life-boat to the Institution!Six are now in construction, and six arewanted. There are six opportunities for thephilanthropic.

Boats are wanted for Arklow, Baltimore,Blyth, Teesmouth, Wexford, and Wick ; and Ishould like to put this great chance beforethose who are in a position, to take advantageof it.

We are met to-day under sadly dramaticcircumstances connected with the work ofthis Institution. Last year was one of theworst years for wrecks, and splendid work wasdone by the boats of the Institution. I thinkI am right in saying that last year, happily,there was no loss of life of crews on service.But in this new year only the other day, asyou know, there was a terrible disaster on theWexford coast. The Norwegian schoonerMexico went ashore on one of those rockyislets off the coast. The Eethard Life-boatwith a crew of fourteen men went out to therescue in what, as far as I can gather fromthe accounts in the papers, must have beenabout as bad a gale as ever raged even on thatcoast. The boat was smashed to pieces onthe rocks, nine of the crew were drowned, andfive, most happily, were thrown actually onthe rocks or were just able to scramble on tothem. And these five on the rock were ableto help to rescue the whole of the crew of theMexico, because they were able to make fast aline which was passed from the mast of theMexico to some portion of the rock, and thewhole of the crew of the Mexico passed downthat rope from the schooner to the rock. Sothat even at the moment of disaster to theboat and the sacrifice of the lives of nine oftheir mates, the five survivors were able toaccomplish the purpose for which the Life-boathad set forth. (Cheers.) Nor was that the endof the rescue. It was only the beginning ofit. Very nearly three days elapsed before theother Life-boats from the adjoining stationswere able to take the crew of the Mexicoand the five surviving Life-boatmen fromoff the rock. It was indeed a noble exampleof what the men who man these boats, nomatterwhether they be Irishmen, Englishmen,Scotchmen, or Welshmen, can do, and whatthey will do, when the hour of trial comes.(Cheers.) And, ladies and gentlemen, it hasbeen a happy thought of the Governing Bodyof this Institution to invite to this meetingrepresentatives of your crews. These gentle-men, with whom I hope presently to have thehonour of shaking hands, were all last year

recipients of the Silver Medal of the Institu-tion. Therefore there is no presentation ofthese medals to take place to-day; but I thinkit was a happy thought to bring into contactin this room what I may call the partner-ship of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION. You are the representatives ofthose who find the funds. These gentlemenare the representatives of the men who givelife to the body which you provide. (Cheers.)You provide the body of the Institution;these men provide the life and the soul. Andthose of us wno cannot participate in theactual work of saving life, regard it as apleasure and a privilege to meet here to-daythese representatives of those who do. (Cheers.)

The Report is now presented, and I will askthe Secretary to read the names of thoseproposed to fill the offices of President, Vice-Presidents, Members of the Committee ofManagement, and Auditors.

The SECRETARY read the names, as follows:—

President.

His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G.

Vice-Presidents.

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury,G.O.V.O.

His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, K.G., G.C.V.O.His Grace the Duke of Leeds.His Grace the Duke of Portland, K.G., G.C.V.O.The Most Hon. the Marquis of Ailsa.The Bight Hon. Lord Viscount Olifden.The Right Hon. the Earl of Rosebery, E.G.,

K.T.The Right Hon. the Earl Waldegrave, P.O.The Right Hon. the Earl Brassey, G.C.B.Sir John Cameron Lamb, C.B., C.M.G.Robert Birkbeck, Esq.Eugene F. Noel, Esq.

Treasurer.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby.

Committee of Management.The President.The Vice-Presidents.The Treasurer.The Right Hon. the Earl Waldegrave, P.O.,

V.P., Chairman.Sir John Cameron Lamb, C.B., C.M.G., V.P.,

Dep uty-Chairman.The Right Hon. Lord Airedale.The Right Hon. the Earl of Albemarle,

K.C.V.O., C.B., A.D.C.Sir Godfrey Baring, Bart., M.P.Admiral the Right Hoa. Lord Charles W.

De la Poer Beresford, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., M.P.

G 2


Admiral Claude E. Buckle.Charles J. P. Cave, Esq.Kenneth M. Clark, Esq.Harold D. Clayton, Esq.The Hon. Geoige C. Colvilte.Sir William Corry, Bart.The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, G.C.V.O.,

C.B.Colonel the Hon. Charles E. Edgcumbe.Colonel William Elliot.Sir Robert Uniacke Penrose FitzGerald, Bart.John Bevill Fortescue, Esq.Lieut. H. T. Gartside-Tipping, R.N.The Right Hon. Viscount Hambleden.Harry Hargood, Esq.Horace Woodburn Kirby, Esq.Admiral Sir Arthur William Moore, G.C.B.,

G.C.V.O., C.M.G.The Right Hon. Arnold Morley.Admiral of the Fleet Sir Gerard H. U. Noel,

G.C.B., K.C.M.G.Captain Robert Pitman, C.M.G., R.N.Captain George B. Preston.Vice-Admiral Reginald Charles Prothero,

M.V.O., C.B.Sir Bovertou Redwood, Bart., F.R.S.Engineer Rear-Admiral Charles Rudd.Colonel the Right Hon. John E. Bernard

Seely, D.S.O., M.P.Rear-Admiral Hector B."Stewart.The Admiral Commanding Coastguard and

Reserves (Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur M.Farquhar, K.C.B., C.V.O.)

The Deputy Master of the Trinity House(Captain Herbert Acton Blake).

The Hydrographer of the Admiralty (Rear-Admiral H. E. Purey-Cust, C.B.).

J. Herbert Thewlis, Esq.Alfred G. Topham, Esq.Francis Ktzpatrick Tower, Esq.Sir Philip Watts, K.C.B., F.R.S.Sir Richard Henry Williams-Bulkeley, Bart.Sir Allen W. Young, C.V.O., C.B.

Aiiditors.Messrs. Price, Waterhouse & Co.

The CHAIRMAN declared these noblemenand gentlemen elected, and called upon theSecretary to read a brief record of the servicesfor which Silver Medals had been awarded tothe following:—

Captain H. E. Burton, R.E. and CoxswainRobert Smith, Tynemouth; Anthony Nixon,Coxswain, Cambois ; Wm. Stephenson, Cox-swain, Boulmer; Robert Burgon, Coxswain,Berwick-on-Tweed; James Smith, jun., Cox-swain, Port Patrick. The record of servicewas received with loud applause in each case,and the Chairman warmly shook hands withthe six recipients of the Silver Medal.

Colonel the Right Hon. J. E. BEBNABDSEELY, D.S.O., M.P., said : I am privileged tomove this resolution, " That this meeting,fully recognizing the important services ofthe ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTIONin its national work of life-saving, desires torecord its hearty appreciation of the gallantryof the coxswains and crews of the Institu-tion's Life-boats, and gratefully to acknow-ledge the valuable help rendered to the causeby the Local Committees, Honorary Secre-taries, Honorary Treasurers and Ladies'Auxiliaries."

My speech has been made for me by therecord of services of the gallant men withwhom our Chairman has just shaken hands.Nothing could have been a happier thought,I think, than to bring to this meeting six ofthe men who have earned the high awardof the Silver Medal for their services. Ishould like, on behalf of this meeting, tocongratulate them on receiving this highaward, and to convey to them our sincereappreciation of the great example they haveset, not only to the Life-boat Service, but tothe nation at large. (Cheers.)

This great service—the Life-boat Service,to the principal movers of which I now movethis vote of thanks—is happily a unified forcein our national life. It unifies even thenations. We are glad to see here to-daythe Norwegian Minister, one of whose vesselswas the cause of that gallant service to whichthe Chairman so eloquently referred; and Imay perhaps be permitted to voice the opinionof those present, aud of the whole Institution,in telling His Excellency how greatly weappreciate his presence here to-day, and also,especially the interest which Their Majestiesthe King and Queen of Norway have taken inour own Life-boat Service, the unprecedentedhonour they have done us in sending a sub-scription to our funds, and the unprecedentedhonour the Norwegian Parliament has doneus in voting a subscription to our Institution.(Cheers.)

And if this Life-boat Service unifiesnations, it also unifies political parties. Thefact that my friend Lord Selborne is in theChair, and that I do not see eye to eye withhim on all political matters is, perhaps, anindication of that. I have been iri manyLife-boats myself all round the coast, and Ihave observed that they are not confined intheir personnel to one political party. Indeed,I remember one occasion not long before theSouth African War in which a violent politicaldispute took place in the Life-boat, duringwhich, I feel bound to say, I was very nearlythrown overboard. I will not venture to saywhich side I was on on that occasion.(Laughter.)

It unifies us where other questions divideus. There is no question whatever of volun-tary or compulsory service; or, indeed, of aState service. It must be a voluntary ser-vice in so far as the people themselves areconcerned, and the striking figures which theChairman gave us as to the cost in thiscountry and in the United States would, Ithink, make this country hesitate long before

IST MAY, 19H.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 139

it decided to convert our excellent BOYADNATIONAL, LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION into a Stateservice without much more information thanwe have yet got to show that it could bebetter done under the guidance of the State.(Hear, hear.)

And also it unifies—and this is a thornysubject—men and women, now, unhappily,in some respects divided. I saw the Secre-tary of the Institution, Mr. Shee—whoseservices I am sure we all gladly acknowledge—and asked him to give me particulars ofone of the most excellent services rendered,apart from those which he read out, and hedrew my notice to the case of the great wreck—it was great in that the services renderedwere great—when the Cresswell and New-biggin Life-boats were launched with theassistance of the women and saved nineteenlives. Without the help of the women, it isalmost certain that the Cresswell boat couldnot have been launched. They waded almostup to their necks in water in the teeth of atremendous gale. Andit is true to say thatthroughout our Service,in these lonely villageswhere often Life-boatsare stationed, andwhere practically everyable-bodied man isrequired to man theLife-boat, without thehelp of the women theservice could not beperformed. So here wehave a service wheremen and women havegot to work together,and do work togetherwithout any thought ofany kind as to whoshall have the greatershare in the politicalpower of manning theLife-boat. These things fall into their naturalsequence where it is a question of manning aLife-boat; for while the women do what theycan, the men must of necessity man the Life-boat themselves. But we must not forget inthis respect that there was once a lady namedGrace Darling.

Finally—and if I speak briefly I am sureyou will know that it is not because I do notfeel deeply—it unifies men of all religions. Itunifies Catholic and Protestant. I suppose inall the long annals of the BOYAD NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION there has been nomore striking event than the rescue of thewrecked crew of the Mexico, to which ourChairman referred. The decision which hadto be taken by the Pethard Life-boat wasone of life and death to them. It wasclear that unless they could get betweenthe wrecked ship and the reef, their chanceof saving the lives of the men on board washopeless. To do so was well-nigh certaindeath. But there was a chance. Theytook that chance, and nine men perished.But, as the Chairman pictured it, it was thefive survivors who rendered possible the

ultimate rescue of the crew of the wreckedship. I inquired from the Secretary as towhat this gallant crew was composed of, andI found that there were both Catholics andProtestants there. So we see that even inthe presence of death, in face of the greatappeal of humanity, Catholics and Protestantsin Ireland, no less than in England, know howto answer that appeal, and know how to dietogether in its service. (Cheers.)

Dr. G. B. PARKIN, C.M.G.,in seconding theresolution, said: I am afraid that I am notexactly the person who should second thismotion, because I have not myself the samefamiliarity with the saving of life that manyothers might have. But I have had manyopportunities and perhaps exceptional ex-perience in voyaging in a great many parts ofthe world, and the relation of this country tothe sea has been as much impressed upon meas it could be upon anybody else. As one looksround in these congested cities of our manu-

f a c t u r i n g country,one begins to have somedoubts whether thisprocess of changie,which has made Eng-land the workshop ofthe world and hasturned the greatest pro-portion of its industryinto the managementof machinery, turns outas well in producingthat strength of bodyand mind and characterwhich is produced bythe constant strugglewith the stirring forcesof nature. Now I donot think that any-body can look over arecord such as thatwhich you have yearCaptain H. E. Burton, R.E.

after year in the Report of the Life-boat In-stitution, without feeling that here, at anyrate, you have the feeding ground in whichthe type of man is produced who built up thisgreat Empire in the past. (Hear, hear.) Nonation in the world depends upon the sea asmuch as we do. This year fifty-two millionsterling had to be voted merely to supply theNavy that protects the vast commerce of thisgreat Empire in every part of the world.There are about 150,000 men in the Navy,while in the Merchant Service we probablyhave some 250,000 men facing every day therisks of the sea in order to carry the com-merce, supplying this country with the foodand luxuries which come from every part ofthe world, and furnish that wealth which hasbuilt us up the richest and most prosperouscommunity the world has ever seen. Ifthere is any cause that can appeal to theindividual citizen, to the wealthy merchant,to the people who enjoy the luxuries oflife, and to the people who draw from thesea the vast resources which enable themto live in this country as they do, it seems tome that this must be the one thing. It is


the one thing which should receive the veryheartiest and warmest support from all whoconsider what our national position is aridupon what the interests of their lives depend.There is no people in the world who travelby sea as much as the English people. Ihave travelled over almost all the oceans ofthe world and upon almost every steamshipline in the world. And of the people whocrowd these liners 75 per cent, are peoplethat belong either to these islands or to thecountries which are the offspring of theseislands. Therefore the interest is a per-manent interest. It goes on from day today. We have built up the greatest Empirethat the world has ever seen, and for ahundred years, since Trafalgar, we haveheld command of the sea and the safety ofthe sea. The years have seen the growth ofa wonderful race of men who have learnedto master the mysteries of the sea and tocontrol its powers. And the least we can do,who stay here at home and enjoy the fruitsof wealth and prosperity, which are theresults of our sea-borne trade, is to give allthe support we can to those men who areever ready to risk their lives for their fellow-men. We should give our national supportand our individual support to the strong andsturdy and disciplined men who are in theservice all round our stormy coasts, who,when there is danger, draw people out of theperil that they are in. I do hope that thiswork will be extended and expanded. It is agreat national and personal duty. It is theduty of obligation to people who risk their livesin the service of their fellow-men. (Applause.)

Speaking in support of the resolution,His Excellency P. B. VOOT, the NorwegianMinister, said: I am really most thankfulfor the words Colonel Seely addressed totheir Majesties my King and Queen, and theNorwegian Parliament and my compatriots.And I am also most thankful to have beengiven the opportunity of giving expression to-day to the feelings which are prevalent in mycountry towards this splendid Institution andtowards the men who work in its service.Colonel Seely mentioned that a grant hadbeen made by the Norwegian Parliament tothe relatives of the Fethard Life-boatmen,and I should like to add that a similargrant will soon be forwarded which has beencollected by private subscription in Norway.(Applause.) They are small sums, and arenot according to the style of living in London,but they may in a way mark a new departurein the force of international friendship, andfrom that point of view I think we have tolook at it. We are rightly proud of ourcivilization and its great progress, even ifsome of us may find that the materialisticside of it is sometimes too predominant. Butthere are fundamental virtues which liftpeople and nations higher. I venture toclass amongst them, in the first rank, thewill and power of self-sacrifice. The manwho gives his own life willingly to save thatof another, the man who sets small valueon his own life and great value on the life

of another; these are the men to whom weall bow. To them I want to pay a specialhomage, thinking now of that fearful disasteron the Irish coast which caused the loss ofso many lives of gallant and brave men intheir attempt to save my compatriots.

In my country we have a similar Insti-tution, though there is a striking differencein the ways and means. Some twenty yearsago I had the privilege to be one of thedelegates at a meeting which founded aLife - saving Institution in Norway, afterthinking of all that had been done here forgenerations in Great Britain. But we verysoon found that it would be impossible tostart on the same lines. Not only is mycountry a very poor country, but it has atremendous coast-line. And the very shapeof that coast does not lend itself to theestablishment of stations with Life-boats androcket apparatus. We had to begin fromanother side, to start with small sea-goingvessels which could go out in all weatherwhere they could save life; and a great dis-cussion arose whether we should start withsailing or with steam vessels. After a timea decision was come to to build two smallsailing-boats. These boats were to be firstclass in every respect, and the cost was 5001.The first one was built by a Scotchman settledin Norway, and was named after him. It wentup to the farthest north of Norway in 1894.One day soon after its arrival a real hurricanewas blowing on the shore. Messages came thata number of vessels and boats were in danger.Not a single steam boat ventured to leave theharbours, and that tiny craft in the teeth of aterrible gale went out and saved on that dayfrom several ships and boats thirty-six lives.The discussion ceased after that, only sailing-boats being built by the Society, and we havenow got twenty of them. It is not much,and I feel rather ashamed in confessing, byway of comparison, after what has been saidhere to-day, that the whole expenditure ofthe Society during twenty years has been70,OOOZ. Still, they have saved nearly 2,000lives. (Cheers.) The greatest number issaved from small boats and vessels and amuch smaller number from big vessels,although they are also numbered in somehundreds. Before I finish I may perhaps addthat a special service, which would not comewithin the service of Life-boats in thiscountry, is performed by the Captains of ourboats, and it is clearly stated in their in-structions. Whenever necessary the boat hasto go out to fetch the clergyman, the doctor,or midwife, and in this way I think no smallnumber of lives has been saved. (Applause.)

The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution,which was carried unanimously.

Sir GODFREY BARING, Bart., M.P., inmoving a vote of thanks to the Chairman,said: In the most unfortunate absence ofLord Waldegrave owing to indisposition, it ismy high honour and privilege to be allowedto move the last, but by no means the least,resolution upon the Agenda. It would be the


height of impertinence for me to attempt anyeulogy on the speech which Lord Selbornemade. But I hope he will allow me veryrespectfully to say this, that in its longhistory the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION has always been peculiarlyfortunate in its choice of Chairmen at itsAnnual Meetings, but we have never beenmore fortunate than we have to-day inwelcoming Lord Selborne and listening tothe admirable speech he made. It will be anencouragement to all of us on the Committeeand to those who serve the Institution invarious ways to go on with our work, and tomake it even more efficient than it has beenin the past. The Annual Report is a satis-factory account of the work which has beendone during the past year. It is a work notonly of national importance but also, as provedby the presence and speech of the NorwegianMinister, of international importance. Ofthe various matters in the Report one of themost striking and most salient facts is thatthe Institution has been enabled by the workof its crews to rescue over 51,000 lives since itstarted its proceedings in 1824. This figure islarger than the population of a great manytowns, and it is the result of the free andvoluntary work of free men.

I hope I may, on behalf of the Committee,thank Lord Selborne for the kind words heused with regard to our Vice-Chairman, SirJohn Lamb. It is not too much to say thatSir John has given up his whole life of recentyears to the work of the Institution. (Hear,hear). It is only those who have had theprivilege of service with him who know howmuch the Institution owes to his great ability,his genial tact, and wonderful devotion to thework of the Institution at all times and in, allseasons. There could hardly be a greaterdisaster than that we should be deprived ofhis services, and we hope that he will soon beonce more with us and taking part again inour deliberations on the Committee. (Hear,hear.)

Last year was not a year of exceptionalstorm and stress, but the beginning of thisyear has been saddened by that most lament-able disaster on the coast of Wexford. Allsubscribers to the Institution would like toknow the steps which the Committee took inorder, first of all, to rescue the men, and,afterwards, to provide for those who werebereft by the loss of life, and to adequatelyreward the men who went out in the otherboats to the rescue.

Immediately the account of the wreck wasreceived in London on Saturday, 21st Febru-ary, the Committee requested their ChiefInspector of Life-boats to proceed to the sceneof the wreck. He arrived on Sunday after-noon and immediately took in hand thedirection of the rescue work with character-istic courage, skill and judgment. He onlyarrived on Sunday afternoon after a long andtiring journey from London; yet within anhour he was afloat trying to effect arescue. Nothing could be done, and it wasnot until Monday morning that it was possibleto rescue the survivors. It was, of course,

necessary to relieve temporarily the necessitiesof those who had been dependent on the Life-boatmen who had lost their lives, and theCommittee forwarded the sum of 501. for suchimmediate necessities. Then there was votedby the Committee of Management the sum of2,000/. to the Dublin Fund which had beenraised for the relatives of those who had losttheir lives. The Silver Medal of the Institu-tion was granted to the Coxswain of theWexford boat and to two other men who hadtaken a very prominent part in saving thesurvivors on the rock. Extra monetaryrewards were given to the crews of the Dun-more, Kilmore, and Wexford boats and theWexford tug, amounting in all to about 7501.And, further, there were rewards granted on aliberal scale to the five survivors of the Life-boat crew who were brought ashore from offthe rock. The captain of the tug was pre-sented with the thanks of the Institutioninscribed on vellum for his services, extendingover three days and three nights, and, finally,the Committee considered, and I am sure thesubscribers will agree, that the splendid workwhich Captain Holmes did on the scene of thewreck should be adequately recognized byvoting to him a Silver Medal and the thanksof the Institution on vellum. (Applause.)

I have alluded to the grant so promptlymade by the Institution in aid of the de-pendent relatives of the Fethard Life-boat-men. The Committee of Management senttheir contribution to the fund which hadbeen opened by the City of Dublin Branch,feeling that the fund opened and administeredby a representative committee of the capitalof Ireland would be, on the whole, in the bestposition to cope with the duties involved.Subsequently other funds were opened bothin England and in Ireland, and at the presentmoment an attempt is being made to centralizethe funds and prevent, I will not say waste,but a dissipation of power in the organizationand administration of several funds. In thisconnexion an important suggestion has beenmade in the Press to the effect that the In-stitution should take over the various disasterfunds which exist in different parts of thecountry, making itself responsible for theannuities or other payments which have aclaim upon the respective funds. I may state,on behalf of the Committee of Management,that they would be quite willing to considersuch a suggestion if it were put before themby any body of trustees controlling the variousfunds. But it has always been the practiceof the Institution to abstain scrupulouslyfrom interfering with the work of those whoraise funds in connexion with a specialdisaster or to attempt to impose any con-ditions upon them. The Committee ofManagement would, however, welcomn theadoption of any measures which would pre-vent any such overlapping and dissipation ofpower to which I have referred, and whichwould ensure that these funds were system-atically applied for the prompt and adequaterelief of the bereft.

The Committee listened with very greatpleasure to what Lord Selborne said on the


question of the presentation of boats to theInstitution by charitable donors. Six motorboats are needed, and there are no specialfunds to provide them. We hope very shortlyto offer the thanks of the Institution to somecharitable lady or gentleman who is willingto make himself responsible for the cost of amotor Life-boat, and if anybody present willsay that they will give one I shall be mosthappy to sit down. (Laughter.) We are allproud to know that our country is the firstmaritime nation in the world, but if that isso it is our duty to be foremost in the greatand difficult task of saving life at sea. Thatduty is being performed month after month,week after week, by our crews with courage,resolution and splendid self-sacrifice. Helpus to give these gallant men the best boats,the most trustworthy equipment, the mostmodern appliances that science can deviseand that money can buy. Assist the work ofthis Institution by every means at your baud.It is a work of which all may be proud; noblein conception, comprehensive in results, itshould make an irresistible appeal to everycitizen of our great maritime Empire.(Cheers.)

The Hon. GEORGE COLVILLE, in seconding,said : I have very much pleasure in secondingthis resolution. I feel that I cannot addany words to what Sir Godfrey Baring saidwith regard to the feeling of thanks to LordSelborne for coming here to-day. I shouldlike to add a few words on the general topicsin connexion with Life-boats. First of all,people outside the Committee of Managementhave very little idea of the work which SirJohn Lamb has for several years past givento the work of the Institution. (Hear, hear.)I know that he spends hours, often days, ofthe week in its service, and during the lasttwo months we have been deprived of thoseservices, and we have felt it very keenlyindeed.

During the last few days we have noticedthe wind howling around the street corners,and I have no doubt that many of us have ]thought of the havoc and destruction which jmust be going on around the coast, and the |work which our Life-boats have been doing. |

On my way to this meeting this aitemoon Isaw an announcement that two wrecks hadtaken place on the coast of the Isle of Wightlate last night or early this morning. Ourcrews are undaunted by loss of life, and howmuch has been done during the last few dayswas brought to my mind prominently by thefact that I had to sign sixteen cheques thismorning on behalf of the Institution forrewards to the crews of Life-boats forlaunches which have been made during thelast few days. One boat I noticed had beenlaunched on two occasions, the rewardsin this case being about 101. I should alsolike to say that, of course, we, in conjunctionwith other charities, feel very greatly thedifficulties which charities have to encounterin collecting funds. And in this respeot Ishould like to express my regret at someremarks which were made in recent correspon-dence on the Pethard disaster with regard toour funds, which were described as approachingan enormous figure. It is true that our lastbalance sheet showed that our invested fundsamounted to about 925,0001. But it will bewithin the knowledge of many in this roomthat investments of the character in which weare bound by law to invest have suffered fromsevere depreciation during the last two years,and I am sorry to say that instead of beingworth 925,000i., those investments were reallyonly worth some 760,0002. So we felt obliged,in the balance sheet which you have beforeyou to-day, to write down the investmentsto that amount, with the safeguard that theinvestments will be revalued every five yearsin case they should appreciate. We felt thatit would operate badly on our efforts to securefresh subscriptions if our funds -were allowedto remain at a figure which was reallyincorrect.

I have very much pleasure in seconding theresolution.

Sir GODFREY BASING, Bart., M.P., putthe resolution, and it was carried withacclamation.

The Bight Hon. the EARL of SELBORNE,K.G., expressed his thanks, and the meetingterminated.

The Equipment of(Continued.)

IT is now proposed to say a few wordson the stowage and care of the gear,and though the remarks are addressedin the first place to the Coxswains, it ishoped that they will not be altogetherwithout interest to the general reader.

To nothing in the world does theold adage, " A place for everything andeverything in its pJace," apply withgreater force than a Life-boat. The

a Life-boat.

space is so limited, the circumstancesunder which the various stores may berequired are so complex, that any de-parture from the recognized plan ofstowage would lead to confusion,especially on a dark night, when touchrather than sight is the guiding sense.For this reason the plan in the diagramwhich is hung in every Life-boat houseshould be adhered to as closely as


possible and in addition the followinggeneral rules may be laid down for thestowage of a Life-boat's deck :—

1. Every rope made securely fast to athwart by one end, the other end beingkept clear for immediate use.

2. Each rope coiled as much aspossible under a seat so as to be clearof the men's feet.

3. Each rope coiled in a loose coil soas to allow the air to have access to allparts of it; the four left-handed ropes,namely the cable, and the three tannedlines, drogue rope, bow heaving line, andstern heaving line, being coiled left-handed to preserve the lay of therope.

4. All loose gear, such as the masts,sails, boathooks, spare oars, anchor, etc.,should be securely lashed, and for thesame reason it is advisable to secureevery coil of rope with a split yarn whichcan be easily broken when the rope isrequired, but serves to keep the coil inposition should the boat be thrown onher beam ends or capsized, when inex-tricable confusion and additional dangerinvariably result from badly securedgear.

The boat's lantern and the binnaclelamp should be kept trimmed, and evenif they have not been used should beexamined from time to time, as the oilevaporates. Care should be taken onlyto use the special oil supplied, and notcommon paraffin, as the latter will notburn properly in these lamps.

The water barricoe should be emptiedand refilled with clean fresh waterevery few months.

The coloured hand-lights used forsignalling should be kept up to theircomplement, namely, six red, four white,and two green. The knives and axesshould be kept well ground and coatedwith the composition supplied for thepurpose known as "Anti-rust." Thetank pumps should be kept clean andfree from sand, and tried every now andthen to see that they are in workingorder; and the edges of the ballast tankhatches should be well greased to keepthem water-tight.

Last but not least, a word may besaid on the absolute necessity for keep-ing all the equipment of the boatalways in her and in immediatereadiness for service. Nothing what-ever should be left for the momentwhen the alarm is raised that a vesselis on shore or is in danger. The mostcareful Coxswain at such a time has hismind preoccupied, and may not remem-ber to replace anything, or the Coxswainhimself may be ill, or away from home,and his assistant not be aware that thestore in question is out of the boat.

An illustration of the importanceof this point may be given from anincident which occurred some years ago.A Life-boat was launched to go to apassing ship with a flag of distressflying. At the moment of launching,the Coxswain remembered that he hadleft the " drogue" on shore, and hesent a man to the boat-house to fetchit. Unfortunately a condemned droguewas also in the house, and the manbrought it to the boat instead of thenewer one which had replaced it. TheLife-boat, after following the ship severalmiles along the coast, had to cross thebar of a river, on which a very heavysea was breaking. The drogue, as usual,was thrown out, and when on the worstpart of the bar, a heavy following seabroke over her stern, and at the criticalmoment the drogue burst; whereuponshe broached to, her lee bow was drivenunder water and she upset. The greaternumber of her crew regained her; butthe oars had been mostly swept awayor broken, and they were unable tomanage her; the result being that shewas dashed ashore on the rocks, whereshe sustained so much injury as not tobe worth repair, and four of her crewwere carried out to sea by the tide andperished—solely owing to an importantarticle of the boat's equipment beingleft out of the boat.

It may be added that this story alsoillustrates the great danger of retainingcondemned stores, which should alwaysbe disposed of in the manner prescribedas soon as the new article is received.

G 3


The Fethard Life-boat Disaster.ON Friday, 20th February, 1914, adeplorable calamity overtook the Fet-hard (Co. Wexford) Life-boat, andplunged the lit tie Irish village inmourning for nine of its gallant crew,who gave their lives in the attempt tosave the crew of the Norwegian schoonerMexico. •

The vessel was bound from SouthAmerica to Liverpool, with a cargo jof mahogany logs, and when off thesouth coast of Ireland she lost her ;bearings and drove into Bannow Bay.An attempt was made to put about,but the ship missed stays and wasdriven by the S.S.W. gale and strongtide close to the South Keeragh Island.

A very heavy ground sea was runningand her dangerous position was observed.It was then shortly after 3 P.M., andwithout loss of time the Life-boat HelenBlake put off to her assistance. Beforethe Life-boat reached her, however, thevessel had struck the rocky island, andat once commenced to bump heavily.When the Life-boat was about fifty yardsfrom the wreck, a heavy breaker sud ienlystruck her and filled her up to thethwarts. The anchor was let go, butbefore it could bring her up three orfour following seas struck her andhurled her against the rocks, where shewas smashed to pieces.

Of the fourteen men forming thecrew nine were washed away anddrowned, but the other five menmanaged to scramble on to the island,and, in spite of all they had just gonethrough, they at once set to work toassist eight of the crew of the Mexico,by means of ropes, to leave the wreckand take refuge on the island. Hereall the men were obliged to remain,practically without food and water, until9 A.M. on Monday, 23rd February, whentwo men were saved by the DunmoreEast Life-boat and ten by the WexfordLife-boat and tug. In the meantimeone man of the Mexico had succumbedfrom cold and exposure. When theschooner first struck the island therewere ten men on board, but two at oncetook to the ship's boat and were provi-dentially washed ashore in her.

As soon as news of the disaster reachedi London the Chief Inspector of Life-boats,Commander Thomas Holmes, R.N., wasinstructed to proceed to Fethard. Heleft London on the Saturday night,arriving at th<- scene of the calamityshortly after 3 P.M. on the Sunday.

; Finding that the Dunmore East Life-boatFanny Harriet, which had made an effortto rescue the imperilled men earlier inthe day, was, at the moment, lying in

; the small harbour at Fethard, he atonce went afloat to superintend anotherattempt to rescue the me a, who couldbe seen walking about on the inland.As a result of his presence and examplethe work proceeded with renewed vigour;it was, however, impossible in the heavyground swell to get anywhere near theisland, and the courageous men whomanned the Life-boat were reluctantlycompelled to return ashore. Shortlyafter the disaster occurred the Life-boats stationed at Kilmore and Wexford,in addition to the Dunmore East boat,were called to the scene of the accident.The Kilmore Life-boat Tlte Sisters, afterthree ineffectual attempts to renderassistance on 20th and 21st February,was obliged to return to her station.The Wexford Life-boat James StevensNo. 15 arrived off Fethard in tow of atug about 2 P.M. on the Saturday. Theydid all that was possible on that day,but they also were obliged to put intoWaterford Elver without succouring thecastaway men.

That night was an awful one, and oneof the heaviest gales was blowing thathad been known on the south coast ofIreland for years. As already stated,one poor man, a Portuguese from theMexico, died about dawn from cold andexposure, and he was covered up withsome canvas and sods of earth. Duringthe whole of the time that the survivorswere on the island all they had to eatwas two small tins of preserved meatand a few limpets, as no provisions couldbe got from the schooner. ISfo watercould be found, and the only thing theyhad to drink was a small quantity ofbrandy and about half a pint of wine whichthe Captain of the schooner had managed


to take with him when leaving thevessel. Their sufferings therefore can beimagined, exposed as they were to abiting wind, with no shelter, their con-di^ion was rendered more miserable bythe rain and the spray which constantlydrove over the island.

After the Duirmore East Life-boatreturned on the Sunday evening,the Chief Inspector or Life-boats in-formed the Wexford men, then atWaterford, by telephone that a furtherattempt would be made to save the menat daybreak on the Monday, and askedthem also to proceed to the scene, onthe chance of the weather moderating.

On Monday morning, at 6 o'clock, theDunmore East Life-boat left with theChief Inspector 011 board. She wasmanned by a crew from Dunmore Eastand a Fethard man who was taken outto pilot them as the whole localitywas full of rough boulders and rocks.Although the sea had gone down duringthe night there was still a heavyground swell breaking outside theremains of the Mexico, and it wasnecessary for the boat to cruise allround the island before a spot could befound whence it was possible to approachthe shore. Eventually the boat wasanchored in a fairly good positionabout 100 yards off tho rocks, andcommunication was effected with theshore by means of a stick rocket, firedfrom the boat, with a cod line attached.A strong lino was then hauled ashoreby the men, and a small skiff, whichhad been brought out by the Life-boat,was attached to the line. This boat,although a poor one, was the bestobtainable in Fethard. The skiff wasveei'ed successfully to within about tenyards of the shore when a heavybreaking sea filled her, drove her on tothe rocks, and rendered her useless.The men on shore, however, secured alifebuoy which had been lashed in theskiff, and the men in the Life-boat triedto persuade the shipwrecked men tocome off and be dragged one by onethrough the water to the Life-boat.They were, however, very reluctant toattempt this and only two men weretaken off in the Dunmore East Life-boat by this method.

Meanwhile the Wexford boat and

tug arrived on the scene at about8.15 A.M. She anchored close to theother boat, but in a rather betterposition. She brought with her astrong punt belonging to the tug,which was more suitable for the workthan the skiff which had been taken outfrom Fethard. Two of the crew of theLife-boat, named James Wickham and

| William Duggan, volunteered to workthe punt, and they veered her dv.vn,with a rope attached to her bows, from

| the Wexford Life-boat. Awaiting a" smooth," they got close enough in tothe rocks to get hold of two men anddrag them on board the punt, whichwas then hauled back to the Life-boat ;by this means, in the course of four trips,all the survivors, ten in number, wereconveyed to the Wexford Life-boat.During the second trip the punt wasdriven on to the rocks and a hole stove in

j her. This the men stopped with a loafof bread and some packing, and, un-

! deterred by the accident, they gallantlycontinued the work of rescue. As soon

, as all the men were safely on board theLife-boats the tug took them in tow ;the five Fethard men together with theChief Inspector were landed at Fethard

I and the Dunmore East Life-boat thenrejoined tho tug, which proceeded toWaterford, dropping the Dunmore Eastboat off her station and taking theWexford boat with the seven menbelonging to the Mexico up to Water-ford, where they were well cared for.Both tug and Life-boat remained at

: Waterford for the night and returnedto Wexford next day.

At the inquest held on the bodies ofthe drowned Life - boatmen the juryreturned a verdict that the men " cameto their death by drowning in a gallantattempt to rescue the crew of the

. stranded vessel Mexico," and they ex-pressed their deep sympathy for the

1 relatives and friends of the men lost.As a result of the accident there were

three widows, sixteen orphans, and otheri dependent relatives left and, as soon asthe Committee had received particularsrespecting them, they sent 50Z. to cover

! their immediate necessities, and voted afurther sum of 2,OOOZ. towards the fundwhich had been opened for their reliefin Dublin.


The calamity excited the deepest Isympathy, not only in the UnitedKingdom, but also in Norway, andTheir Majesties King Haakon and jQueen Maud contributed 1,000 kroner \(55Z.) to the Fund, which was raised ifor the benefit of the Life-boatmen'srelatives. In addition, the Storthing,on this occasion, took the unprece-dented step of voting the sum of10,000 kroner (550Z.) towards the reliefof the bereaved.

This act, which gave proof of thesympathy which unites the two mari-time nations, caused the most profoundsatisfaction to the Institution and to allthose whose attention had been drawnto the sad loss of life at Fethard.

The Committee subsequently bestowedthe Silver Medal of the Institution onCommander THOMAS HOLMES, R.N., andpresented him with a special Vote ofThanks engrossed on Vellum. Theyalso awarded the Second Service Claspto EDWAED WICKHAM, Coxswain of theWexford Life-boat, and Silver Medalsto WALTER POWER, Coxswain of the

Dunmore East Life-boat, and to JAMESWICKHAM and WILLIAM DUGGAN, thetwo men who so gallantly put off in the

; small boat for the purpose of savingI the endangered men. They presentedi the Thanks of the Institution on Vellumto the Captain of the tug which towedthe Wexford Life-boat, and also to the

1 five Fethard Life-boatmen for theirprompt and courageous conduct in as-sisting the crew of the Mexico, conduct

I the merit and humanity of which washeightened by the fact that they thern-

| selves had only just been cast ashoreafter the total loss of their Life-boat.

In each case the gifts to the Life-boatmen were accompanied by handsomepecuniary rewards, in addition to theusual service pay ; and the Master andcrew of the Wexford tug were presentedwith a substantial gratuity.

The action of the Honorary Secretaryof the Fethard Branch, and of all otherswho rendered useful and willing serviceon this sad occasion, was also suitablyrecognized by the Committee ofManagement.

Obituary.THE Institution has to deplore a verygreat loss in the death of Miss JANEHAY, the Honorary Secretary of theSt. Abbs Station, which took place onthe 26th January last. Miss Hay wasa remarkable personality, who united astrong love of her fellow-men and anindefatigable activity in doing goodwith gifts of organization and a practi-cal capacity for business which wouldhave been noteworthy in the head of agreat industrial concern.

It is quite impossible, within thenarrow limits of these columns, to refer,even briefly, to the manifold activitieswhich filled the life of this truly noblewoman; but her life was, in manyrespects, so remarkable that we cannotrefrain from noting a few of its salientfeatures, for many of which we areindebted to the Berwickshire Neios.Educated at one of the colleges connectedwith London University, she served onthe Edinburgh School Board and wasone of the founders of the Scottish

Armenian Society, taking a prominentpart in the organization of the greatmeetings of protest against the Armenianmassacres. She threw herself into therelief work after the Graco-TurkishWar, and was instrumental, later on, inestablishing a relief centre, in Kazan, oneof the famine-stricken centres of Russia,in 1899. She was Vice-Chairman ofthe Berwickshire Insurance Committee,and a member of the Executive of the

i East Coast Fishermen's Association.Last, but certainly not least, she was oneof the very few lady Honorary Secre-

i taries of a Life-boat Station Branch inI Great Britain. Her keen interest inseamen and the sea led her to devoteherself with unsparing energy to the

• efficient organization and administra-' tion of the important Life-boat stationat St. Abbs, where her strong andvigorous personality, coupled with acharming frankness and breeziness ofoutlook, won her the respect and affec-tion of all with whom she was brought


in contact. Not satisfied with activitiessuch as we have described, she foundeda school for diving at St. Abbs, and shehad the satisfaction of seeing her workin this direction recognized by theBerwickshire Secondary EducationCommittee, which granted certificatesto those pupils who satisfactorilycompleted the course; and last yearAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Gerard Noel,a member of the Committee of Manage-ment, presented the prizes to the mostsuccessful lads. It may be recalledthat it was Miss Hay who convened apublic meeting at St. Abbs in order topetition the Institution for a Life-boatat St. Abbs, a practical outcome of thedeep sympathy which had been evokedat that little port by the disaster whichbefell the S.S. Alfred Erlandsen on the

17th October, 1907, with the loss ofeighteen lives.

When the Life-boat Station wasfounded, she took a step which wastypical alike of her sound commonsense and of the generosity of herinterest in the Life-boat cause. Sheinsured her life for £200, with theproviso that the Institution shouldreceive the insurance money. TheCommittee of Management have decidedto mark their deep appreciation of MissHay's services, and to commemorateher fruitful and beneficent activity inthe foundation and management of theSt. Abbs Station, by devoting this sumto the ! Life-boat shelter which is nowin course of construction at St. Abbs,where her memory will long be held inaffectionate remembrance.

Services of the Life-boats of the Royal NationalLife-Boat Institution.

PL A M BO R O U G H , YORKSHIRE. Atabout 2 o'clock on the morning of the6th January three of the fishing coblesbelonging to Flamborough put out tosea. About three hours later, when theboats were five miles from home, theN.N.W. wind freshened until it wasblowing a strong gale, bringing with ita heavy sea. As it was realized thatthe cobles would be in considerabledanger the No. 1 Life-boat Foresterwas launched to their assistance, andstood by them until they had success-fully weathered the headland and gotinto safety at the South Landing.

PORTHDINLLAEN, CARNARVONSHIRE.The ketch James, of Carnarvon, whilstbound from Port Dinorwic in ballast,anchored in Porthdinllaen Bay on the6th January. A whole N.N.W. galewas blowing with a heavy sea, and asthe vessel was lying in an exposed posi-tion she was kept under observationthroughout the night. Shortly afterdaylight signals of distress were seen,and the Life-boat Barbara Fleming pro-ceeded to the ketch. On reaching herit was found that she was riding heavilyto anchors, and, with some difficulty,the four men on board were rescued.

When the Life-boat returned to shoreit was found that the sea was too roughto enable her to be re-housed ; she was,therefore, left at moorings until theweather moderated.

PWLLHELI, CARNARVONSHIRE.—Dur-ing a strong N.N.W. gale and roughsea on 6th January, signals of distresswere observed from a vessel about eightmiles south-east of St. TudwalPs Light-house. The Life-boat Margaret Platt ofStalybridge was launched at 4.15 P.M.and proceeded to the vessel, whichproved to be the schooner WilliamMartin, of Dublin. The vessel, whichwas partly loaded with grain, wasdragging her anchors. The captain andcrew refused to leave their vessel, anddeclined any assistance to get her underway as she was too close to the Causeway.At the request of the master the Life-boat proceeded to St. Tudwall's Roadsand procured the assistance of a steamtrawler, which proceeded with the Life-boat in tow to the position in whichthe vessel had been left. No trace,however, could be found of the vessel.After cruising about for three hours theLife-boat returned to her station in tow'of the trawler. It. was subsequently


ascertained that the schooner got under ! No. 1 Life-boat Mary Theresa Boileauway when the wind had moderated a were summoned, and the boat launched,little and stood up the bay, where at On reaching the vessel, which proved todaybreak she was observed by the be the s.s. Pomerol, of Havre, Coxswaintrawler and towed into the Roads. Pope at once went on board and asked

the captain if he required any assistance.TVNEMOUTH, SUSDERLAND.—On the ! He replied that no help was required at

9th January the steam trawler Limeicold, the moment, but that he wished theof Grimsby, when outward bound, ran Life-boat to stand by while efforts wereashore on the north side of the " Black ' made to refloat the vessel. The Life-Middens." The motor Life-boat HenryVernon proceeded to her assistance andbrought up alongside the vessel. Shestood by the trawler for some time, butit was not found necessary for the crewto leave their vessel. The master, how-ever, accepted the offer of the Life-boat-men to run out an anchor for the

boat therefore remained in the vicinityuntil the steamer successfullyrefloated. She then came ashore. Atthe time of the accident the vessel wasbound from Brest to Dunkirk.

MARGATE, KENT.—At 10.45 P.M. onthe 10th January it was reported that

purpose of getting the vessel off, and • a sprat boat—the Enchantress, of West-when this work had been carried out gate-on-Sea—had been missing sincethe boat returned to her moorings, i early morning. The weather had beenThe weather at the time was fine, and moderately fine duringa moderate S.S.E. breeze was blowingwith a moderately rough sea.

S T O N E H A V E N , KINCAKDINKSHIHE. —Between 10 and 11 A.M. on the 10thJanuary the ketch Daybreak, of Peter-head, bound for Stonehaveu with acargo of coal, came into Stonehaven

day, butthick, off and on, with a heavy groundsea. At about 10 P.M. the easterlywind freshened and increased to a gale,and as no information could be obtainedfrom the neighbouring places of themissing boat, a watch was put on untilmidnight. At that time as there wasno sign of the missing boat it was

Bay with the intention of making the i decided to launch the No. 1 Life-boatharbour. The wind was blowing \ Eliza Harriet. At 12.15 A.M. the Life-strongly from the south and there was a ; boat proceeded towards the Girdlerheavy sea running. As the ketch neared • Light-vessel, as it was known thatthe entrance she was caught by a heavysea and thrown to the northward andwas unable to get into harbour. Forsome minutes the ketch was in great

the boat had intended to go in thatdirection when she left the previousmorning. When about a mile fromthe jetty the Life-boatmen saw a boat

peril of being wrecked, being only a few which proved to be the one for whichyards from the rocks when she managed : they were searching. She was .making

for the harbour and the Life-boatstood by her until she got into safety,as a heavy sea was running outside.

to wear and make for the open sea. Inthe meanwhile the crew of the Life-boatAlexander Black had been summoned,and the boat was very expeditiously i Two days later the following letter waslaunched. She proceeded to the ketch -. received by the Honorary Secretary ofand stood by her for about an hour, ' -the Margate branch :—till the Daybreak made another and j "13, Harold Road,successful attempt to put into harbour.There is no doubt that the vessel on. thefirst occasion had a very narrow escapefrom being thrown on to the rocks.

DUXGENESS, KENT.—At 10.15 P.M. onthe 10th January, during foggy weather,a message was received stating that a : on the 10th, 1 would like to thank yousteamer was ashore at Dengemarsh. ' for the service rendered, and thoughWithout loss of time the crew of thej the boat did not have to go far before

Westgate-on-Sea, Kent."13th Jan. 1914.

" To the Hon. Sec." ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT

" INSTITUTION." DEAR SIK,—As owner of the boat

which the Coxswain was anxious about


seeing boat I feel grateful for the kindthought that prompted them to do asthey did, as the wind came on with anasty sea.

" Once again thanking you, I remain," Yours truly,

(Signed) " 0. W. CARE."

C L A C T0 X - OX - S K A , ESS K X . At11.30 P.M. on the 10th January theCoastguard reported that he had seen arlare, which lie took to be a signal ofdistress. A careful watch was kept andafter some time a similar signal was !observed through the thick rain ; later,the horizon having cleared somewhat,two more flares were seen in the samedirection. The crew of the Life-boatAlbert Eilicard were therefore summonedand the boat was launched at 1.30 A.M. jThe boat proceeded in the direction inwhich the flares were seen, and onreaching the West Gunfleet Sand foundthe schooner Mary Ann, of Farersham,ashore. 'She was bound, with a cargo,from London to Grimsby, but when theLife-boat reached her she had five feetof water in her hold. The Life-boatremained near the schooner until thetide flowed, when the pumps weremanned : but it was found that thewater was gaining on them, and it wasnecessary to abandon the vessel. Thecrew of six hands, together with theirpersonal belongings, were taken intothe Life-boat, which then returned toClaccon, where she arrived at 7.30 A.M.on the llth January.

WALTON - ox - THE - NAZE, ESSEX.—Thebrigantine Eleanor, of Yarmouth, whilstbound from Seaham to Whitstable witha cargo of coal, was totally wrecked 011the Sunk Sands on the 18th January.The weather was hazy and cold, witha strong E.S.E. wind blowing and arough sea. At 9.15 A.M. the Coast-guard reported that the GunfleetLight-vessel had telephoned that avessel was on the Sands ; the assemblyrockets were at once fired, and theMotor Life-boat James Stevens No. 14proceeded with all haste to the casualty.She reached the vessel at about 11.30A.M., and owing to the vessel havingabout six feet of water in her it was notpossible to do anything to save her.The crew of seven hands, however, were

rescued, and the wreck afterwardsknocked over the Sands into deep water

: and sank. The behaviour of both theLife-boat and motor gave the liveliestsatisfaction.

TLPRACOMBE, DEVONSHIRE. — Shortlybefore 3 A.M. on the 28th January amessage was received from the Coast-guard stating that a steamer wasashore between Bull Point and Morthoe.The Life-boat Co-operator No. 2 was

; very smartly launched, the operationbeing much facilitated by the AcetyleneBeach Light, which lighted up the wayright down to the water's edge. TheLife-boat in tow of the steamer Devoniaproceeded with all haste to the scene

; of the casualty, but shortly beforereaching her they fell in with one ofthe ship's boats, leaking badly and halffull of water, containing the whole ofthe crew of the vessel, seven in number.It is reported that the men were veryglad to be taken into the Life-boat,together with a dog and a cat belongingto the vessel. The vessel proved to bethe steamer Collier, of Bristol, in ballast;she subsequently became a total wreck.

FALMOUTH, CORNWALL.—The wreckof the German barque Hera in GerransBay on the 1st February was unfor-tunately attended by the loss of nineteenlives. The vessel, which was a four-masted barque, of nearly 2,000 tons, wasbound from Pisagua with a cargo of nitrateof soda, and, at the time of the disaster,was making for Falmouth for orders.

Fortunately, the Falmouth Life-boat,Bob Neivbon, was able to save five ofthe men. According to the accountwhich they subsequently gave, thevessel had been unable for three dayspreviously to take any bearings, andthey were quite unaware of their posi-tion. A strong south-westerly gale wasblowing, with a heavy sea, and theweather was somewhat thick and cloudy,when suddenly the vessel struck theGull Rock. She foundered very quicklyafter striking, but some of the menmanaged to get into one of the ship'sboats, which almost immediately cap-sized, throwing them into the water.Some scrambled back on to the vesseland took to the rigging, others being


drowned. Before the vessel founderedthe men on board were able to makesignals of distress, and these signalswere observed by the Coastguard atPortloe, who at once sent a messagecalling out the Falmouth Life-boat.She proceeded with all despatch, butalthough in tow of a tug, owing toheavy seas she could not make rapidheadway. When she reached thevicinity of the Gull rock search wasmade for a vessel in distress, but owingto the darkness and to the fact that themen were lashed to the only spar whichremained standing, the Life-boat wasunable to locate them. For a time itwas thought that it would be necessaryfor the boat to go ashore to ascertainsome further particulars, when a whistlewas heard. The boat immediately pulledin the direction of the whistle, and shortlyafterwards men's voices were also heard.The Life-boat at once burnt a hand-light, and the men were able to see anobject sticking out of the water withmen clinging to it. The boat madefor them and succeeded in saving allthose who had survived their terribleordeal. Had it not been for thefortunate circumstance that the boat-swain of the vessel had his whistle inhis pocket there would have been, in allprobability, a further loss of life. TheLife-boatmen then learned that some ofthe men had been lost as soon as thevessel foundered, while others had suc-ceeded in joining their comrades onthe mast; but before succour cameto them the majority had perishedowing to cold and exhaustion. Themen stated that three of their com-panions had clung to the mast until with-in five minutes of the time of arrival ofthe boat. As soon as the men had beensaved, the Life-boat was towed back toFalmouth and all the men, who were ina state of exhaustion, were taken to theSailors' Home and well cared for.

In connexion with this case, it isvery pleasing to be able to record thepluck and courage displayed by thebowman of the Life-boat. Shortlybefore the Life-boat rescued the men,he had his hand considerably injured,which eventually resulted in his losingthe top of one of his fingers, butnotwithstanding the very great pain

he was suffering, when the Coxswainexpressed his willingness to returnashore after rescuing the five men fromthe spar, the bowman desired him tocontinue his search along the rocks incase any other survivors might befloating about. He also displayed thesame pluck after the boat had returnedashore by refusing to be attended toby the doctor until after the shipwreckedmen had been cared for. A week afterthe wreck, the following letter was re-ceived by the Honorary Secretary fromthe Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.

" Harbour Commissioners' Office," Falmouth.

" 7th February, 1914." F. A. LELEAN, Esq.,

" The Secretary, Life-boat Committee," Falmouth.

" DEAR SIB,—My Commissioners haveheard with pleasure of the prompt andvaluable services rendered by the crewof the Falmouth Life-boat on the nightof Saturday, the 31st ultimo, whichresulted in the saving of five of thecrew of the German ship Hera, andhave requested me to write and tenderyou on behalf of your Committee theirhearty congratulations on the energy andcourageous conduct displayed by themembers of the crew of the Life-boatwhilst rendering such services and whichis in accordance with the best traditionsof the Life-boat Service.

" Yours truly,(Signed) " W. W. SHAEPE,

" Clerk."In appreciation of the services of

the crew, which were of a severeand arduous nature, the Committeeofadditional reward.

Management granted them

ALDEBUEQH, SUFFOLK. — Shortlybefore 6 A.M. on the 2nd February atelephone message was received fromthe Coastguard at Sizewell, stating thata steamer was ashore on Sizewell Bank,and making signals for assistance. TheNo. 2 Lifeboat Edward Z. Dresden waspromptly despatched to her, and onarrival at the Sands found the s.s.Solatia, of Hamburg, ashore. The vessel,one of over 3,000 tons, was bound fromHamburg to London, partly loaded.The captain employed the Life-boatmen

IST MAT, 1914.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 151

to assist him in saving the vessel, andfor this purpose they laid out an anchorwith a wire rope attached. About sixhours later they succeeded in gettingthe vessel afloat, and she proceeded onher voyage to London. The weatherat the time was cold and hazy with amoderate S.S.W. wind blowing, and amoderate sea.

SPURN, YORKSHIRE. —• The steamerBalvenie, of Glasgow, whilst bound fromGrimsby to Grangetnouth with a cargoof pig-iron, stranded on the Inner Binkson the 7th February. When thevessel first stranded the weather wasmoderately fine, but at about 5.45 A.M.the wind freshened and, as the steamerwas in a position of considerable danger,the Life boat proceeded to her andstood by until about 1 P.M., when shesucceeded in getting clear. By thistime a moderate gale was blowing, andthe captain expressed his appreciationof the services performed by the Life-boatmen in standing by the steameruntil she was out of danger. }

BROUGHTY FERRY, FORFARSHIRE.— ;At 9.30 A.M. on the 8th February amessage was received by telephone stat- jing that a vessel was in distress off IBuddonness Lighthouse. A strong galewas blowing at the time with a heavy jsea. The motor Life-boat Maria was atonce launched and proceeded down theriver under sails and motor. When theLife-boat reached the ship she found jthat she had been riding to one anchor,but that it had dragged, whereuponanother anchor had been let go as thevessel was in close proximity to the jSands, and was in great danger, owingto the direction of the gale. Th« Life-boat remained by the vessel until shesucceeded in getting out of danger, andthen returned to her station. The |vessel was the schooner Dalmaris, ofGoole, and was bound from Gooie toNewburgh.

MARGATE, KENT.—At 9.30 A.M. onthe 8th February the Coastguard re- jported that the Girdler Light-vessel wasfiring distress signals, and shortly after-wards a message was received by wire-less telegraphy from a steamer stating

that the Girdler Light-vessel had re-ported to her that a schooner was ashoreon the Sands, and that a steamer wasstanding by. The No. 2 Life-boatCivil Service No. 1 was launched withoutdelay and proceeded to the vessel,which proved to be the schooner Cimbria,of Tromso, bound from Oivita Vecchiato London with a cargo of carbide ofcalcium.

On the Life-boat reaching the vesselthe captain at once employed the crewto try and get her clear of theSands and to man the pumps, as shewas leaking very considerably. TenLife-boatmen were placed on board, andrendered very valuable assistance; theythen ran out an anchor with a steelhawser attached, by which the vessel wassecured in her position. In the mean-time the pumps were kept constantlyworking; and later, when the tide hadrisen, the vessel was hove off the sands,and the steamer, which was in thevicinity, towed her to a safe anchoragefor the night. The Life-boat lay bythe schooner all night, eight of the crewremaining on board the vessel to keepthe pumps working. At 9 A.M. thevessel was towed into the Thames andthe Life-boat returned to her station.When the Life-boat first reached theschooner a whole S.S.W. gale wasblowing with a very rough sea, butafter the vessel had been extricatedfrom her perilous position, the weathermoderated somewhat.

DONAGHADEE, CO. DOWN. At 10A.M.on the llth February a telegram wasreceived stating that a vessel in RedBay, co. Antrim, was flying signals ofdistress. The motor Life-boat Williamand Laura was at once despatchedto her assistance, thirty-two milesdistant. On reaching the vessel, whichproved to be the schooner Kate, ofCastletown, she was found rolling badly,and the crew were unable either to gettheir anchor, or to get ashore intheir own boat on account of the roughsea. The Life-boatmen shortened upthe schooner's cable for the master, butas soon as this was done he changed hismind and would not sail, as the weatherwas getting worse. The crew of theKate then let out all her cable again,


and in a lull they and the master,taking their baggage with them, pro-ceeded ashore and left the vessel to ridethe gale out. As no further assistancewas required from the Life-boat shereturned to her station, where shearrived at 9.30 P.M. At the time theLife-boat was called out a strong S.S. W.breeze was blowing with a moderatesea, but later the wind increased and theweather, as stated above, became worse.

NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX.—The schoonerMaria, of Fowey, whilst bound fromCharlestown to Ghent, with a cargo ofchina clay, attempted to put into New-haven Harbour on the 12th February.A strong southerly gale was blowingwith a heavy sea, and the vessel strandedon the bar at the entrance to theharbour. Information of the casualtywas received at 6.10 A.M. by the Honor-ary Secretary of the Branch, whoordered out the Motor Life-boat SirFitzBoy Clayton. Shortly after the Life- !boat reached the vessel she floated onthe rising tide, and the Life-boat assistedher safely into Newhaven Harbour.

DUNGENESS, KENT.—During a wholesoutherly gale on the 12th Februaryinformation was received that a steamtug was ashore on the Newcombe Bank,and was making signals of distress.The crew of the No. 2 Life-boat ThomasSimcox was assembled without delay,and the boat launched. On gettingalongside the vessel it was seen thatthe sea was breaking right over herand her crew, eleven in number, as soonas possible jumped into the Life-boat,which conveyed them in safety ashore.The vessel was the steam tug Liniers,of Buenos Ayres, and she was bound forthat port when the accident occurred.

LOWESTOFT, NORFOLK. •— CoxswainJohn Swan of the Lowestoft Life-boatKentwell was called out by the beach-men at 4.30 P.M. on the 15th Februaryand informed that a vessel was agroundat the entrance to the harbour. TheLife-boat was launched without loss oftime, but before she reached the vesselthe latter had been knocked by the seaalong the north extension and three ofthe crew had managed to scramble on

to the pier, two others however remain-ing on board. Eventually a rope waspassed from the pier to the vessel andshe was hauled into harbour, the Life-boat remaining alongside until she wasin safety. The vessel was the trawlerWave Crest, of Lowestoft, homewardbound, laden with fish. There was aheavy sea running at the time and astrong breeze blowing from S.W. by W.

Just after returning from this serviceanother smack was seen burning flares,outside the harbour, for assistance.The boat was, therefore, launched againand proceeded to the vessel, which wasthe trawler Comrades, of Lowestoft.On reaching her it was found that shehad gone on the sandbank outside theharbour and was making a lot of water.The Coxswain asked the skipper if thecrew wished to leave the vessel, butthis they declined to do, but at thesame time he asked the Coxswain toremain in close proximity to the vesselas she was leaking badly. The crewhad got all their clothes on deck readyto leave the trawler, and the pumpswere kept constantly at work to keepher afloat. The Life-boat thereforestood by until about 7 P.M. when a tugcame up with another vessel, which wasalso leaking badly. The tug signalledto the Life-boat to go to this vessel'sassistance and, the Life-boatmen findingthat the crew of the Comrades were ableto keep the water under, left theComrades and went to the other vessel,which was the trawler Active, of Lowes-toft. It was found that she also hadbeen ashore and was making a lot ofwater and wanted assistance. Someof the Life-boatmen were put onboard to help the crew to workthe pumps. After a short time, findingthat the water was gaining on her theskipper asked the Coxswain to go intoharbour and get some more pumps andsome more help. The Life-boat accord-ingly returned ashoreand, ha vingshippedtwelve more men and two pumps,returned to the Active and put themon board. With the additional assis-tance the trawler was kept afloat andat about 9 P.M. was towed into harbourby a tug. The Life-boat then returnedto the Comrades to see if she requiredany further assistance, and stood by her


until about 10 P.M., when she also wastowed into safety.

DUNGENESS, KENT.—On the 17thFebruary, shortly before 11 P.M., whilstthe schooner Sarah Ann, of Fowey, wasbound from London to Bridport, witha cargo of cement, she stranded on theNewcombe Bar Her signals for assis-tance were seen by the Coastguard whoreported the matter to the Life-boatauthorities. The No. 2 Life-boat ThomasSimcox was launched and, at the requestof the master of the schooner, stood byin readiness to land the crew if neces-sary. The schooner was making waterbut the master succeeded in refloatingher on the flood tide, and she was takento a safe anchorage in the roadstead.

PALLING, NORFOLK. — Shortly after2 A.M. on the 18th February the ketchLord Aleester, of London, and the ketchSpartan, of Montrose, collided aboutone and a half miles to the E.S.E.of Palling. The No. 2 Life-boat Hearts

I of Oak was promptly despatched inI answer to their signals of distress,and on reaching the scene of thecasualty found the vessels at anchor.The Lord Alcester had lost all herheadgear and the Life-boatmen were

j engaged to take the vessel to Lowes-toft, which they succeeded in doing.The other ketch was also in difficulties,and some of the Life-boatmen wereput on board and, with the assistanceof a tug, the Spartan was taken intosafety.

Summary of the Meetings of the Committee ofManagement.

Thursday, 8th January, 1914.

Sir JOHN CAMERON LAMB, G.B., C.M.G., V.P.,in the Chair.

Bead and confirmed the minutes of theprevioua meeting.

Read the minutes of the Building, Financeand Correspondence, Wreck and Reward,Storeyard, and Motor Sub-Committees, andordered that their recommendations becarried into eSect.

Read the reports of the District Inspectorson their visits to the following Life-boatStations:—

Northern District.—Ballautrae, Ayr, St.Abbs, Skateraw, Dunbar, North Berwick,Eyemouth, Berwick-on-Tweed, North Sun-derland, Newbiggin, Alnmouth, and Boulmer.

Eastern District.—Easington.Southern District.—Rye Harbour and

Worthing.Western District.—Barmouth, Aberdovey,

Aberystwyth, Barry Dock, Perryside, Fish-guard, Llandudno, Rhyl, Llanddulas, andPoint of Ayr.

Irish District.—Helvick Head, DunmoreEast, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore, Wexford,Greenore, Fleetwood, St. Anne's, Lytham,Blackpool, Southport, Newcastle (Co. Down),Cloughey, Greencastle, and Portrush.

Presented the reports of the DistrictOrganizing Secretaries on their visits to thevarious Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions since the previous meeting:—•THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAYLEUR £ s. d.

FUND, towards the cost of a newMotor Life-boat for Kingstown 1180 16 4

CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT FUND(per HARRY FINCHAM, Esq.,I.S.O.):

Repayment of Rewardsgranted to Crews ofCivil Service Life- £ s. d. & s. d.boats during 1913 .265 4 6

Maintenance of CivilService Life - boatsduring 1913 . . . 663 18 9

929 3 3COVENT GARDEN LIFE-BOAT FUND

(per BERT MONBO, Esq.) . . 97 18 -ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

FRIENDLY SOCIETY (annual sub-scription) 50 - -

ANONYMOUS 50 - -LOYAL ORDER OF ANCIENT SHEP-

HERDS (annual subscription) , 20 3 6Miss BARBARA GLOVER. Proceeds

of American Tea. In aid of theCriccieth Branch . . . . 11 15 -

Mr. F. O. BROWN (contents ofContribution Box) . . . . 9 5 -

ST. PETER'S COURT SCHOOL,BHOADSTAIRS. Contributionfrom the Boys 6 9 1 1

ELVETHAM CHURCH. Offertoryon Christmas Day . . . . 3 8 -

—To be thanked.

Reported the receipt of the followinglegacies:—The late Mr. J. H. DAVIS, of

Taunton (additional). . . . 1000 - -The late Mr. JAMES BUCKLEY

RUTHERFORD, of Lingfield . . 500 - -The late Mrs. ELLEN TURNER, of

Tunbridge Wells 200 - -The late Mr. JOSEPH WHALLEY,

of Buxton 45 - -


The late Mrs. ELLEN PBENDEB- £ s. d.GAST, of Youghal 27 - -

The late Mr. JAMES GABDNEB, ofPreston 20 - -Paid 2,367Z. for sundry charges in con-

nexion with various Life-boat establishments.Voted 224Z. 13s. 3d. to pay the expenses of

the following Life-boat services:—Lives

Life-boat. Vessel. saved.Girvan . . . Motor-boatInnistrahull,

of Glasgow. . . . 6Newbiggin. . Fourteen fishing cobles

of Newbiggin. Stoodby cobles.

North Berwick Schooner Bosendal, ofHull. Stood by vessel.

North Deal . Schooner Bobert Morris,of Carnarvon. Stoodby vessel.

Port Patrick . S.S. Dunira, of Glasgow 5Eedcar . . . Fishing-boat Lizzie and

Ann, of Redcar . . 3Southend - on - S.S. Mona, of Newcastle.

Sea Stood by vessel.Boat of S.S. Ophir, of

Glasgow. Saved boatand 6

Margate No. 2 Life-boat assisted to save theschooner Silvia, of Beaumaris; and PooleLife-boat saved the barge Emma and John, ofLondon, and her crew of two.

Also voted 2,131. 4s. Gd. to pay the expensesof the following Life-boat launches, assembliesof crews, etc., with the view of assistingpersons on vessels in distress:—Buckhaven,Fleetwood, Helvick Head, Holy Island No. 1,Margate No. 2, Palling No. 2, Port St. Mary,Eye Harbour, Southend-on-Sea, Sunderland(North Dock), Sunderland (Motor), andYoughal.

Voted 151. 12s. Gd. to men injured in theLife-boat service at Blackpool and Selsey.

Voted the Silver Medal and an additionalmonetary reward to JAMES SMITH, Jun., Cox-swain of the Port Patrick Life-boat, also anadditional reward to the other members ofthe crew for their gallant services in rescuingthe crew of five hands of the s.s. Dunira, ofGlasgow. The vessel was totally wrecked offPort Patrick in a very rough sea on the 15thDecember.

Thursday, 12th February, 1914.

The Rt. Hon. the EABL WALDEQBAVE, P.O.,V.P., in the Chair.

Bead and confirmed the minutes of theprevious meeting.

Bead the minutes of the Building, Financeand Correspondence, Wreck and Reward, andOrganization Sub-Committees, and orderedthat their recommendations be carried intoeffect.

Bead the reports, of the District Inspectorson their visits to the following Life-boatStations:—

Northern District.—Montrose (two boats),Johnshaven, Broughty Ferry, Balcary,Kirkcudbright, Maryport, and Whitehaven.

Eastern District.—Skegness, Mablethorpe,Collercoats, Tynemouth, Cambois, Blyth,Sunderland (two boats), Seaham, Whitbum,Bunswick, Staithes, Saltburn, Bedcar, andTeesmouth.

Southern District.—Brighton, Byde, Shore"ham, Atherfield, Littlehampton, HaylingIsland, Southsea, and Southend-on-Sea.

Western District.—St. Ives, Sennen Cove,Penzauce, Penlee, Hayle, Tenby, Angle, LittleHaven, and St. David's.

Irish District.—Arklow, Wicklow, Cahore,Wexford, Bosslare Harbour, Kilmore, HelvickHead, Tramore, and Dunmore East.


Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions since the previous meeting:—Mrs. LOWE, on account of a £ s. d.

Motor Life-boat for Tyne-mouth, to be named HenryFrederick Swan 1000 - -

" ANONYMOUS BEQUEST ". . . 100 - -Mr. W.S.BBADSTBEET (additional) 26 5 -Mr. JOHN T. HEDLEY (annual

subscription) 25 - -Mr. W. H. A. WHABTON . . . 20 - -Mr. G. CECIL WHITAKEB . . 20 - -ADELAIDE LADIES' COLLEGE,

ILFBACOMBE (Balance fromAnnual Entertainment) . . 4 3 3

—To be thanked.

Beported the receipt of the followingj legacies:—| The late Mrs. MABIAN PBNDEK

SMABT, of Tunbridge Wells,i for a Life-boat to be named

Francis Gray Smart . . . 2000 - -The late Mr. GEOBGE JOHN

FENWICK, of Bournemouth . 1000 - -The late Mr. FBEDEBICK

KITCHEN, of Carnarvon. Eight100 Dollar Shares in the Cald-well Land and Lumber Co.(additional) 166 13 4

The late Mr. THOMAS RAMSEY, ofKingston-upon-Hull. For thebenefit of the Yorkshire Coast 120 - -

The late BABONESS E. H. VONBUCH, of Portman Street, W.. 104 12 -

The late Mr. WILLIAM McCuNN,of Largs, Scotland, for themaintenance of the ThomasMcCunn Life - boat at PortLogan (on account) . . . 100 - -

For the benefit of Widowsand other dependent relativesof men who have lost theirlives in connexion with theLife-boat service in Scotland . 50 - -

The late Miss MABY MIDDLETON(per Filey Branch) . . . . 5 - -Decided to close the Killough Station.

IST MAT, 1914.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 155

Paid 5,1652. for sundry charges in con-nexion with the maintenance of the variousLife-boat establishments.

Voted 288Z. 18s. 3d. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:—

livesLife-boat. Vessel. saved.

Clacton-on-Sea Schooner Mary Ann, of(Motor) Paversham . . . 6

Dungeness S.S. Pomerol, of Havre.No. 1 Stood by vessel.

Falmouth . . Barque Hera, of Ham-burg 5

Flamborough Three cobles of Mam-No. 1 borough. Stood by

cobles.Ilfracombe . S.S. Collier, of Bristol . 7Margate No. 1 Fishing - boat Enchan-

tress, of Westgate.Stood by boat.

Porthdinllaen. Ketch James, of Car-narvon 4

Pwllheli . . Schooner William Mar-tin, of Glasgow. Ren-dered assistance.

Spurn . . . S.S. Balvenie, of Glas-gow. Stood by vessel.

Stonehaven . Ketch Daybreak, ofPeterhead. Stood byvessel.

Tynemouth Steamtrawlerii?reewoW,(Motor) of Grimsby. Assisted

vessel.Walton-on-the- Brigantine Eleanor, of

Naze (Motor) Yarmouth . . . . 7Aldeburgh No. 2 Life-boat assisted to save

the S.S. Salatis, of Hamburg.Also voted 3351.19s. lid. to pay the expenses

of the following Life-boat launches, assembliesof crews, etc., with the view of assistingpersons on vessels in distress:—Abersoch,Aranmoie, Barmouth, Blackpool, CaisterNo. 1, Olacton-on-Sea (Motor), Filey, Fleet-wood, Formby, Gorleston No. 1, Hastings,Hayling Island, New Brighton (Steam), NorthBerwick, Shoreham, Winterton No. 2, andYarmouth.

Submitted the name of SIDNEY J. HABBIS,Coxswain of the Gorleston Life-boat, to theBoard of Trade for transmission to theGovernors of the American Cross of Honour,as the first of the Institution's medallists,recommended by the Committee for thisdecoration. The Board of Governors, in 1913,expressed the desire to confer this distinctionbiennially upon a person, selected by theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,who had in their opinion, in the last twoyears, rendered the most heroic service inlife-saving.

Voted the thanks of the Institution, in-scribed on vellum, together with a BinocularGlass, suitably inscribed, and 2/. to CaptainJ. D. SKINHEK, of the schooner S.D.; also21. each to the three men of the crew forputting off in the ship's boat and saving oneof three men belonging to the S.S. Braesideon the 8th January. The Braeside was atanchor off Par Harbour when three menattempted to go ashore in the ship's boat.When about a quarter of a mile from the

harbour the boat was swamped and capsizedin the heavy broken sea. Captain Skinner,whose vessel was in harbour, heard the men'scries for help, put off in the ship's boat andat great risk, saved one of the men, whomthey found clinging to the capsized boat.When this man had been taken into a placeof safety Captain Skinner and his men againreturned to make further search for themissing man, but without result. \

Voted 4:1. to four men for putting off in ashore-boat from Polkerris to the S.S. Braesideon the above date, for the purpose of warningthe captain not to send another party ashore,and to inform him of the fate of his othermen. The captain subsequently stated thatif he had not been warned he would have sentanother boat ashore.

Voted 31. to three men belonging to thefishing smack Godild for putting off in theirskiff and, at some risk, saving three oi sixmen belonging to the schooner Restless, ofSalcombe, on the 27th January, 1914. TheRestless was in collision with another vesselabout three miles east by north from theNore Light-vessel, and commenced to sink.The crew attempted to escape in the ship'sboat, but the boat capsized, throwing the meninto the water. The salvors succeeded insaving three of these men, but the othersunfortunately perished before they reachedthem. There was a moderate north-westwind at the time with a moderately rough sea.

Voted Ul. 10s. to the crew and helpers ofthe Sheringham Private Life - boat HenryBarney Upcher, for saving the crews, eleven innumber, of four fishing-boats, and standingby another boat which was in danger, in astrong N.W. breeze and rough sea, on the5th January.

Voted 2i. to four men for putting off in aboat and saving two children who weredrifting out to sea in an open boat at Pwllhelion the 5th February; it was quite dark at thetime and the sea was rough. Fortunatelythe salvors heard the boys' cries for help, orthey would in all probability have beendrowned.

Voted 4Z. 10s. to six men for putting off in amotor boat and standing by two small fishing-boats which were in considerable danger andunable to return to Thurso Harbour on the31st January. A strong W.S.W. gale wasblowing and moderate risk was incurred bythe salvors, who were engaged for about threehours.

Thursday, 12th March, 1914.The Rt. Hon. the EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O.,

V.P., in the Chair.Read and confirmed the minutes of the

previous meeting.Read the minutes of the Building, Finance

and Correspondence, and Wreck and RewardSub-Committees, also those of the SpecialSub-Committees in connexion with the Fet-hard disaster, the appointment of a Surveyorof Machinery and ordering Life-boats; andordered that their recommendations be carriedinto effect.

156 THE LIFE-BOAT. [IsT MAY, 1914.

Read the reports of the Deputy ChiefInspector on his visits to Port Erroll andSouthend-on-Sea.

Also the reports of the District Inspectorson their visits to the following Life-hoatStations:—

Northern District.—Campheltown, South-end, Machrihanish, Girvan, Irvine, Troon,Ardrossan, Grail, Anstruther, Port Patrick,Holj' Island (two boats), Cresswell, Hauxley,and North Sunderland.

Eastern District.—Robin Hood's Bay, Filey,Scarborough, Kessingland (two boats), South-wold (two boats), and Aldeburgh (two boats).

Southern District.—St. Holier, St. PeterPort, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Clacton-ou-Sea.

Western District. — Ilfracombe, Appledore(two boats), Lynmouth, Weston-super-Mare,Burnham, Watchet, Minehead, Clovelly, PortIsaac, and Newquay (Cornwall).

Irish District. — Courtmacsherry, Queens-town, Killough, Courtown, Skerries, Peel,Port Erin, Ramsey, Castletown, Port St.Mary, and Douglas.


Reported the receipt of the following specialcontributions:—His MAJESTY THE KING (annual £ s. d.

subscription) 21 - -THE CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT

FUND. Repayment of balanceof rewards granted to the crewsof the Civil Service Life-boatsduring 1913 83 16 6

M. H 30 - -Mr. J. TODHUNTEH (annual sub-

scription) 10 10 -CBOOK AND NEIGHBOURHOOD Co-

OPEBATIVE SOCIETY, LTD. . 10 - -Mr. A. SHAKESBY. Collected by

dog " Help" in Filey andScarborough 5 - -

—To be severally thanked.

Reported the receipt of the followinglegacies:—•The late Miss MARY ANNE LAP-

WORTH, of W a r w i c k . . . . 501 - 10The late Mrs. ELIZA FITTON, of

N e w c a s t l e - o n - T y n e . . . . 287 7 4The late Mr. JOHN OLIVER

SURTEES, of Liverpool . . . 180 - -The late Mr. P. W. N. LLOYD,

of Bromley, Kent (additionalinterest) 15 1 4

The late Mr. STEPHEN BELL, ofStockton-on-Tees . . . . 10 - -

Voted the best thanks of the Institution toMr. B. SINCLAIR MACDONALD for his pastvaluable services as Honorary Secretary ofthe Thurso Branch, which office he has justresigned.

Also voted the best thanks of the Institutionto Alderman DAVID WADE, J.P., in recog-nition of his good services at Bradford.

Also specially recognized the good services,extending over many years, of the -followingHonorary Secretaries of Branches of theInstitution : — Mr. W. B. WILLIAMS, BarryDock, Mr. W. W. PETHEBICK, Bude, The Rev.T. HORSFALL, Cresswell, and Mr. M. 0.FBOWDE, Weymouth.

Appointed Mr. ARTHUR EVANS, M.I.A.E.,Surveyor of Machinery.

Decided to close the Port Erroll Stationindefinitely.

Paid 5,9902. for sundry charges in connexionwith the maintenance of the various Life-boatestablishments.

Voted 689Z. 10s. id. to pay the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services:—

Liveslife-boat. Vessel. saved.

Broughty Ferry Schooner Dalmaris, of(Motor) Goole. Stood by

Cresswell . . Ship Arctic Stream, ofGlasgow . . . . 6

Donaghadee . . Schooner Kate, of(Motor) Castletown. Ren-

dered assistance.Dungeness No. 2 Steam Tug Liniers, of

Buenos Ayres . . 11Schooner Sarah Ann,

of Fowey. Stood byvessel.

Dunmore East . Pethard Life-boat . 2Hope Cove . . S.S. Jane Rowe, of

Gene. Stood byvessel.

Lowestoft . . Trawler Wave Crest, ofLowestoft. Stoodby vessel.

Trawler Comrades, ofLowestoft. Stoodby vessel.

Newbiggin . . Ship Arctic Stream, ofG l a s g o w . . . . 13

Newhaven . . Schooner Maria, of(Motor) Fowey. Rendered

assistance.Plymouth . . Schooner Erna, of

Bremen . . . . 5Rosslare Harbour Schooners A lice T. and

Perseverance, ofWexford. Landed 8.

Wexford . . . Schooner Memco, ofChristiania . . . 7

Fethard Life-boat . 3Lowestoft Life-boat assisted to save the

trawler Active, of Lowestoft; Margate No. 2Life-boat assisted to save the schooner Cim-bria, of Tromso, and seven; and Palling No. 2Life-boat rendered assistance to the ketchesLord Alcester, of London, and Spartan, ofMontrose.

Also voted 734Z. 4s. 2d. to pay the expensesof the following Life-boat launches, assembliesof crews, etc., with the view of assisting personson vessels in distress : — Aldeburgh No. 1,Appledore No. 1, Aranmore, Barry Dock,Cahore, Caister No. 1, Cloughey, Dunbar,Dungeness No. 1, Falmouth, Fethard, Gorle-ston No. 2, Groomsport, Johnshaven, Kilmore,Kingstown, Lyme Regis, Minehead, Padstow


No. 2, Palling No. 2, Penlee, Piel (Barrow),Ramsey, Saltburn, Sennen Cove, and Winter-ton No. 1.

Voted 11. 10s. to a man injured in the Life-boat service at Aldeburgh.

In connexion with the Fethard Life-boatdisaster on the 20th February, a full accountof which appears on pages 144 to 146, the Com-mittee made the following special awards:—Silver medals and votes of thanks on vellumto Commander THOMAS HOLMES, R.N., ChiefInspector of Life-boats; to WALTER POWER,Coxswain of the Dunmore East Life-boat;to JAMES WIOKHAM and WILLIAM DUGGAN,the two men who put oft in the small boatfrom the Wexford Life-boat for the purpose ofsaving the endangered men. Also the secondservice clasp and vote of thanks to EDWARDWICKHAM, Coxswain of the Wexford Life-boat.

A vote of thanks on vellum and a BinocularGlass to Mr. GEORGE L. BASSETT, HonorarySecretary of the Fethard Branch; a vote ofthanks on vellum and 101. to Captain BUSKERof the tug Wexford; a vote of thanks on vellumand 31. to each of the five survivors of theFethard Life-boat crew; an aneroid and aletter of thanks to D. PALMER, who tookconsiderable trouble to procure the rocketswith which communication was effected withthe island; also letters of thanks to theHonorary Secretaries of the Dunmore Eastand Wexford Branches for their useful co-operation on this sad occasion.

The Committee also made extra monetaryrewards to the crews of the Dunmore East,Kilmore, and Wexford Life-boats, and amonetary grant to each member of the crewof the Wexford tug. To the fund raised bythe Dublin Branch for the relief of thedependent relatives of the Life - boatmendrowned the Committee voted the sum of2000Z., and sent a further sum of 501. to theBranch to provide for their immediatenecessities.

Voted the thanks of the Institution in-scribed on vellum, together with an additionalmonetary reward, to WATSON BKOWN, Cox-swain of the Newbiggin Life-boat, and toWILLIAM BBOWN, Coxswain of the CresswellLife-boat, also an additional monetary rewardto each of the crew of both boats for theirmeritorious services on the 22nd February,in saving the crew of nineteen hands of theship Arctic Stream, of Glasgow.

Also voted an additional monetary rewardto the crew of the Lyme Regis Life-boat fora long and meritorious service on the 15thFebruary.

Voted the thanks of the Institution in-scribed on vellum, together with a sum of 21.each, to JOHN SHORT, WILLIAM GARDNER, andCHARLES SMART, for putting off in a boat andsaving, at considerable risk, the master of thesteamer Miown, which foundered in a veryheavy sea, off Shoreham, on the night of the12th February. The Miown foundered very

| suddenly while it was dark, and the captainand engineer took refuge in the rigging, butthe remainder of the crew, seven in number,were unfortunately lost. During the nightthe engineer was swept away and drowned.

I At daybreak the steamer's masthead, witha man clinging to it, was observed, andthe salvors at once put off in a small boat,being exposed to the dangers of a heavy seawhile rescuing the sole survivor of the wreck.

Voted 21. to four men for assisting the cobleGeorge and Albert and her crew of four hands,off Whitby, on the 2nd March. The coblewas disabled in a strong off-shore breeze, owingto her rudder having been damaged, and itwas necessary for the salvors to tow her intoharbour. They incurred slight risk in doing so.

Voted 21. 5s. to three men for putting offin a boat in Gourtmacsherry Harbour and

: rescuing four men who were on a sandbank,; which was becoming submerged by the floodtide. The men had gone off in a boat and

j landed on the bank for the purpose of fishing,and while there their boat broke adrift. Sevenmen landed on the bank, but three swamashore. Of the remainder only one, namedJOHN MADEN, could swim, and he stopped withhis comrades to render assistance. The Com-mittee rewarded Maden's meritorious conductby presenting him with 10s.

Wednesday, 18th March, 1914.; The Annual General Meeting of the| Governors and friends of the ROYAL NATIONALI LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was held this day atthe Whitehall Rooms, Hotel Metropole, S.W.,the Rt. Hon. the EARL OF SELBOHNE, K.G.,in the Chair.

The Chairman having alluded to the greatand national character of the operations ofthe Institution, the Annual Report (which ispublished in May) was presented to themeeting.

The meeting was also addressed by Col. theRt. Hon. JOHN E. BERNARD SEELY, D.S.O.,

j M.P., Dr. GEOEGE R. PARKIN, C.M.G., theNorwegian Minister (M. PAUL B. VOGT), SirGODFREY BARING, Bart., M.P., and the Hon.GEORGE COLVILLE.

The officers for the current year werechosen, and a resolution was moved, secondedand carried unanimously, placing on recordthe meeting's hearty appreciation of the Cox-swains and crews of the Institution's Life-boats, and gratefully acknowledging thevaluable help rendered to the cause by theLocal Committees, Honorary Secretaries,Honorary Treasurers, and Ladies' Auxiliaries.

Recipients of medals during the year 1913attended the meeting and were presented tothe Chairman.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closedthe proceedings.

The officers' names and the resolutions willbe found on pages 137-8.

NOTICE.The next number of the LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL will be published on the 1st August.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.(Supported solely by Voluntary Contributions.)

ITS WORK.J I 'HE Institution is constantly occupied in building, equipping and

maintaining; Life-boats, transporting carriages, boathouses and slip-ways, wherever required on the Coasts of the United Kingdom: in payingLife-boat coxswains, crews and helpers, for services rendered, includingexercises: and in awarding them medals, vellums, etc., for conspicuousbravery: in awarding medals, certificates or grants of money to those who,at the risk of their own lives, save, or endeavour to save, by means ofshore boats or otherwise, life from shipwreck on the Coasts of the UnitedKingdom: in granting pecuniary compensation to men injured on service:in granting pecuniary compensation to the Widows and other dependentrelatives of Life-boatmen who lose their lives on service, not less than£100 being allowed for each Widow and £25 for each dependent child: andin granting pensions or retiring allowances to Life-boat coxswains, bow-men and signalmen of long service and good character.

To the Secretary,ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,

22, CHARING CROSS ROAD, LONDON. W.C.

1 heartily approve of the objects of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT

INSTITUTION and desire to support them.

Please enrol my name as a Subscriber (Donor) to the Funds of the Institution.

I enclose value £ s. d. as a

contribution to the Funds (which I hope to continue from year to year).Governor—Annual Subscription £1 is. - , %Life Governor— Donation of £10 IDS. JVuj77e

Subscribers oj ids. and upwards are A l tentitled to the "Life-Boat Journal," Full AddreSSissued Quarterly.

Subscriptions of smaller amounts arevery thankfully received. ;

* Please state full title for printing.

FORM OF BEQUEST.For those who wish permanently to benefit what mnst necessarily be a permanent Work of Humanity.

I gioe and bequeath to the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION forthe Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, London, Incorporated by Royal Charter, th: sum of£ for the use of the said Institution, and I declare that the said Legacy shall be paidfree from Legacy Duty, and that the receipt of the Treasurer of the said Institution shall be asufficient discharge for the same.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.SUPPORTED SOLELY BT VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.

it>le flfcajestB tbe "Ring,patrons ] tjcr jflBajestB tbe <aueen.

(t>et flfcajeetg (Slucen Slejan&ta.pre«foent—HIS GRACE THE DUKE Or NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G.Chairman— H)epurgsCbalrman—

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL WALDEBRAVE, P.C., V.P. SIR JOHN CAMERON LAMB, C.B., C.M.G., V.P.Secretary—GEORGE F. SHKE, ESQ., M.A.

Telegraphic Address: K(M^^fl Telephone:

"LIFE-BOAT RUSE N°- 2964

INSTITUTION ("GERRARDLONDON." EXOHANQE.")

APPEAL.THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT beg to state that during the year (1913) the ROYAL

TiOHAli LiFB-BoAT INSTITUTION expended £83,000 on its Life-boat Establishments,GENERAL SUMMABY OF THB WOBK OF THE INSTITUTION DUBINQ 1913.

Number of Lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to 40 £ s. d.Vessels and Boats saved by them and 208 persons landedfrom vessels in distress and lightships 455

Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, etc 119Amount of Rewards granted during the Year .. 7,904 - -Honorary Rewards:—Silver Medals 9

Binocular Glasses 11Aneroid Barometers 6Votes of Thanks on Vellum .. . 17Certificates of Service . . . . 11

Total 54 574 £7,904 - -

The number of Lives saved either by the Life-boats of the Institution or by special exertionsfor which it has granted rewards since its formation in 1824 (to 31st Dec., 1913), is 51,414. Therewards and recognitions granted by the Institution in the same period comprise 102 GoldMedals and Clasps, 1,297 Silver Medals and Clasps, 469 Binocular Glasses, 15 Telescopes,114 Aneroid Barometers, 2,085 Votes of Thanks inscribed on vellum and framed,257 Certificates of Service framed, and £350,546 in money, including pensions to Life-boatcrews, &c.

The Committee of Management of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION earnestlyappeal to the British Public for Funds to enable them to maintain their 274 Life-boats nowon the Coast and their Crews in the most perfect state of efficiency. This can only be effectedby a large and permanent annual income.

The work of the Life-boat should appeal to all, whether they reside inland or on the coast.There are probably few inhabitants of the United Kingdom who have not friends or relativeswho at one time or another " go down to the sea in ships," and no British men or women canbe indifferent to a work which is of peculiar interest to the people of the greatest maritimecountry in the world.

We cannot all take a personal part in the noble act of life-saving, but we can all at leastcontribute to help those who make this splendid work part and parcel of their normal duty,and to assist the women and children who may be left without support through the heroicself-sacrifice of husband, father or brother.

The Committee are confident that, in their endeavour to provide the brave Life-boatmen,who nobly hazard their lives in order that they may save others, with the best possible meansfor carrying on their great work, they will meet with the generous support of the public, sothat they may maintain in its full scope and efficiency our great Life-saving Service, ofwhich the Nation has always been so proud.

Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfullyreceived by the Secretary, at the Institution, 22, CHASING: CKOSS ROAD, London, W.C.; byMessrs. COUTTB AND Co., 440, Strand, London, W.C.; and by all the other Bankers in theUnited Kingdom.—May, 1914.

the life-boat....boat service coverin as far possibl ags alel the necessitie of ths britise islesh...

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