THE JOURNAL OF THE RNLI

'

Volume XLV Number 461 Autumn 1977

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THELIFEBOAT

Autumn 1977

Contents

Volume XLVNumber 461

Chairman:MAJOR-GENERAL R. H. FARRANT, CB

Director and Secretary:CAPTAIN NIGEL DIXON, RN

Managing Editor:PATRICK HOWARTH

Editor:JOAN DAVIES

Headquarters:Royal National Life-boat Institution,West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH151HZ (Telephone Poole 71133).

London Office:Royal National Life-boat Institution, 21Ebury Street, London SW1W OLD(Telephone 01-730 0031).

Notes of the Quarter, by Patrick Howarth

Inshore Lifeboats

Lifeboat Services

39

41

42

Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Awards .. . . .. . . 48

The Scout: HM The Queen names the new Hartlepool 44' Waveney Lifeboat.. 52

Silver Jubilee Fleet Review .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 54

Island Aruns: naming ceremonies at Port St Mary, Isle of Man, July 21, and

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, July 24

Some Ways of Raising Money

Lifeboat People

Shoreline

Building a Rother Class Lifeboat: Part V—Planking

Letters

Book Reviews

Offshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1977

Inshore Lifeboat Services, March, April and May 1977

56

58

61

62

63

65

67

69

70

COVER PICTURE

After the naming of The Scout by HM TheQueen, Hartlepool coxswain, Robert Maidenand crew members are presented to HerMajesty by Lieut.-Commander Harry Teare,divisional inspector of lifeboats (NE), and toHRH The Duke of Kent by CaptainAlexander Kirk, Hartlepool honorary secre-tary (hidden); (r. to I.) Coxswain Maiden,Crew Members M. Elwine, K. W. Baxter,W. Constantine and R. Latcham and SecondCoxswain/Mechanic D. Wilson. Attending thelifeboat are Crew Members R. McCormack(/.) and D. Howe. With them are CommanderBruce Cairns, Chief of Operations (/.), andMajor-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman ofthe Institution. The photograph was taken byT. M. Carter.

Editorial: All material submitted forconsideration with a view to publicationin the journal should be addressed to theeditor, THE LIFEBOAT, Royal NationalLife-boat Institution, West Quay Road,Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ (TelephonePoole 71133). Photographs intended forreturn should be accompanied by astamped and addressed envelope.

Next issues: The Winter issue of THELIFEBOAT will appear in January andnews items should be sent by the end ofOctober. News Items for the Spring issueshould be sent in by the end of January.

Advertisements: All advertising en-quiries should be addressed to DysonAdvertising Services, PO Box 9, Godal-ming, Surrey (Telephone Godalming(04868) 23675).

Subscription: A year's subscription offour issues costs £1.40, includingpostage, but those who are entitled toreceive THE LIFEBOAT free of charge willcontinue to do so. Overseas subscrip-tions depend on the cost of postage tothe country concerned.

37

engines

ROYAL ALBERT HALLGeneral Manager: Anthony J. Charlton

KENSINGTON, SW7 2AP

Tuesday, 13 December, 19777.30 p.m.

In aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

THE CREATIONHAYDN

JILL GOMEZ sopranoKENNETH BOWEN tenor

PAUL HUDSON bass

St. Bartholomew's Hospital Choral SocietyEnglish Chamber Orchestra

Conducted by Robert Anderson

Tickets: Boxes (per seat) £3 & £2; Stalls £3 & £2;Arena £2 & £1; Balcony £1 & 75p

Gallery (standing) 30p

Priority booking for RNLI supporters from17 October to 11 November.

Applications to: RNLI Concert, St. Bartholomew's Hospital ChoralSociety, Box 16, Nurses' Home, St. Bartholomew's Hospital LondonEC1, with cheque payable to St. Bartholomew's Hospital Choral

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NOTES OFTHE QUARTER

by Patrick Howarth

THE RNLI'S ASSOCIATION with the Queen'sJubilee and with activities of the RoyalFamily during the Jubilee summer werewidespread and colourful. On July 14the Queen named the new Hartlepoollifeboat The Scout. This was the firsttime a reigning sovereign had named alifeboat at her station, although in 1972the Queen named a reserve lifeboat TheRoyal British Legion at a special cere-mony arranged at Henley-on-Thames.

Through Robert Maiden, the nine-

year-old son of the Hartlepool cox-swain, the RNLI made its Jubilee gift tothe Queen during the naming ceremony.This was a photographic record givingsome impression of the wide variety ofengagements which members of theRoyal Family have undertaken in orderto assist the work of the lifeboat servicesince Her Majesty came to the throne.In the inscription the album wasappropriately described as 'a record oftwenty-five years of service and concern'.

Another royal naming ceremony tookplace on July 24 when the Duke ofKent, the RNLI's President, named thenew lifeboat at Yarmouth in the Isleof Wight Joy and John Wade. On page 65a letter appears from a retiring memberof the Committee of Management, MrL. C. H. Cave, in which he describeshow a lifeboat was not available for anaming ceremony as planned becauseshe had been called out on service. TheYarmouth lifeboat nearly had a similarexperience as she had in fact been calledout on three separate occasions on thenight before the naming ceremony, andwas on service for ten hours. The firstcall came at 2115, to a yacht off StCatherines, the second took the lifeboateast to Gurnard Ledge, and the thirdwas to investigate a reported flare offthe Needles. These first services of thenew Arun since she arrived on stationon July 19 left no doubt of theadvantages of the boat's high speed.On the first call it took her just 21minutes to reach the Needles, on thefirst of the ebb, from the time she slippedher moorings; it would probably havetaken the previous lifeboat about 50minutes.

River Thames JubileePageant: Sheerness life-boat Helen Turnbull withHMY Britannia at TowerBridge (below) and (right)embarking the LardMayor of Westminster,for whom she acted asbarge. (Left) A fund-raising cruise up theThames following thePageant took CanadianPacific past WindsorCastle; it was her lastservice before being 'paidoff'. photograph by

courtesy of David Reed

The RNLI's Jubilee tribute to HM The Queenreflects the great support given to the lifeboatservice by various members of the RoyalFamily during Her Majesty's reign.... On arecent visit to the Isle of Scilly, HRH ThePrince of Wales inspected the lifeboat stationat St Mary's. The crew and their wives werepresented to Prince Charles before he wentafloat in the 46' 9" Watson lifeboat Guy andClare Hunter.

photograph by courtesyof Richard Lethbridge

Thames and Spithead ReviewThree lifeboats took part in the

Jubilee Pageant on the River Thameson June 9. They were the new Margatelifeboat Silver Jubilee (Civil Service No.38), the Sheerness lifeboat Helen Turn-bull, which acted as the Lord Mayor ofWestminster's barge, and the lifeboatCanadian Pacific, which was formerlystationed at Selsey. Canadian Pacific,now out of service, later undertook anextensive tour on the River Thames.Raymond Baxter, commenting on thevisit of this boat and an ILB, wrote:

At William Osborne's yard, Littlehampton, on June 18, Mrs Renske Kemplaunched the 37' Rather lifeboat Horace Clarkson, the gift of H. Clarksonand Co., to be stationed at Moelfre. With Mrs Kemp were (I. to r.) Mr andMrs T. Owens, John A tier ton, Deputy Director RNLI, Mrs Alter ton,W. H. Osborne, Charles Kemp and H. L. C. Greig.

When the Mayor of Poole, Councillor J. M. Norman, performedthe opening ceremony of the RNLI depot at Poole on May 27, theInstitution was also entertaining visitors from La Societe Nationalede Sauvetage en Mer. (I. to r.) John Atterton, Admiral Picard-Destelan and (hidden) Madame Denise Merlin from France,Mrs Norman, I. K. D. Andrews, Poole Town Clerk, CaptainNigel Dixon, Director RNLI, Councillor Norman, Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman RNLI, Mrs Farrant andCommander David Wilford, superintendent of depot. GeneralFarrant spoke of the traditional dedication and the fine, justlyearned, reputation enjoyed by the depot staff.

'The impact of the boats and their crewsupon everyone with whom I was in contactcould not have been more favourable. Theyreally were superb and undoubtedly drewtheir presence to the attention of hundredsof thousands—perhaps millions.''

At the Jubilee Review of the Fleet atSpithead on June 28 three lifeboatswere also present, the Clovelly City ofBristol, the new Yarmouth lifeboat andthe present Selsey lifeboat Charles Henry.Many coxswains were aboard, and it isdoubtful whether a more distinguishedgathering of lifeboat coxswains has everoccurred anywhere. Between them thelifeboatmen present had received nofewer than 25 medals for gallantry.

A number of lifeboat crews werepresented to the Queen during herJubilee tour of the United Kingdom.Hoylake lifeboat, Mary Gabriel, andNew Brighton's Atlantic 21 took partin the Review of ships on the Mersey inJune, and, in August, Torbay lifeboat,Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37)acted as an escort to HMY Britannia andthen to the Royal Barge when theQueen visited Torquay. During thesummer lifeboatmen took part in guardsof honour to Her Majesty at such widelyspread places as Norwich, Holyhead,Torquay and Falmouth.

Major-General Ralph Farrant, theRNLI's Chairman, represented the

On May 20, the Queen and the Duke ofEdinburgh visited the RNLI stand at theMusic Hall, Aberdeen, and spoke with(I. to r.) Coxswain Albert Bird, SecondCoxswain Charles Begg and Motor MechanicIan Jack. photograph by courtesy

of Aberdeen Journals

RNLI at the Jubilee Service at St Paul'sCathedral in London and RaymondCory, a member of the Committee ofManagement, represented the RNLI atthe service of thanksgiving at LlandaffCathedral on June 24.

Shipbrokers' GiftA new lifeboat for Moelfre has been

presented by the shipbroking firm, H.Clarkson and Co. She was launchedat a ceremony at William Osborne'sboatyard in Littlehampton on June 18,which was attended by many membersof the firm. The staff of Clarksons, manyof whom work on commission, werefully consulted before the gift was madeand they were overwhelmingly in favourof the project. The launching ceremonywas performed by Renske Kemp, thewife of the longest serving member ofthe staff, Charles Kemp.

Another welcome and encouraginggift from industry was received jointlyfrom Chevron Oil (UK) Limited andChevron Petroleum (UK) Limited at asmall ceremony when a cheque waspresented to Major-General RalphFarrant.

End of the Poplar DepotOne of East London's links with the

lifeboat service will disappear shortlywhen the former storeyard of the RNLIin Poplar is demolished.

The storeyard was formally openedin 1882 with sheds for the stowage oflifeboats and their carriages. Harbourtrials of lifeboats were carried out in theLimehouse Cut canal before the boatswent to their stations. With the develop-ment of the motor lifeboat the need for

new premises became increasingly evi-dent and in 1939 the RNLI opened anew depot in Boreham Wood anddisposed of the Poplar property.

Among the traditions which grew upat Poplar was the Christmas partyorganised by the RNLI's storeyard stafffor poor children in the area. Thisbecame so popular that for the party in1928 children queued up for two-and-a-half hours. Over 150 aged from six toten received tea, toys, sweets and fruit.About 100 dolls which had been dressedby the RNLI staff were given to thelittle girls.

Two men who worked in the RNLIstoreyard in Poplar are still in the full-time service of the RNLI. They are L. A.'Bunny' Austin, who is now chiefpersonnel officer, and Jack Chambers,who is now in charge of all publicitystores at the depot in Poole.

ObituaryAlfred James Schermuly, who died in

July at the age of 77, was the inventorof the Schermuly identification flares.These were 7 million candle-powermarkers used by RAF Bomber Com-mand Pathfinders for target illumina-tion. His company had a long associa-tion with the RNLI, manufacturing line-throwing guns and a variety of flaresand mortars. Since 1973 Schermuly hasformed part of the Wilkinson MatchGroup. Alfred Schermuly was a well-known figure in Walmer and Districtand was president of the Goodwin Sandsand Downs branch of the RNLI from1958 until his death.

Duke of Kent at the Banqueting HouseThe RNLI's President, the Duke of

Kent, has agreed to attend a receptionat the Banqueting House in Whitehallon Monday, November 7, between 6 and8.30 pm in aid of the American/British Lifeboat Appeal. Tickets at £6.50,including refreshments, from RNLI, 21Ebury Street, London, SW1.

40

milestone (/.).' The Duke ofKent meets crew memberswho had themselves builttheir boathouse; they areintroduced by Senior CrewMember Henry Slade.

photograph by courtesyof the Folkestone HeraldFlint (r.): The ILB given bySedgley and WombourneRotary Club is handed overby their president, JohnMoore (r.) to honorarysecretary John Latham.With them (I.) is RichardPensom, assistant DOS(Wales).

Inshore lifeboatsEARLY SUMMER began with several in-shore lifeboat ceremonies. On Saturday,May 14, a number of readers of theBirmingham Evening Mail, together withmembers of Birmingham branchcommittee, travelled to Exmouth, SouthDevon, for the handing over ceremony ofof a new D class ILB. The boat, whichhad been funded by an appeal launchedby the Birmingham Evening Mail lastyear, was handed over by Clem Lewis,assistant editor of the Mail and chieforganiser of the appeal.

Three days later, on May 17, membersof the Sedgley and Wombourne RotaryClub, once again from the Midlands,visited Flint, North Wales, when theirpresident, John Moore, handed over toFlint honorary secretary a D class ILB

for which they had raised the funds.On Tuesday, May 31, HRH The Duke

of Kent, President of the Institution,visited three Kentish lifeboat stations:Dover, Walmer and Littlestone. AtWalmer he attended the dedication ofthe new D class ILB and unveiled aplaque commemorating its gift by theWednesday Club of Deal, the RookBrothers and Aspen Garages. At Little-stone, after the dedication of the Atlantic21 and new boathouse, the Duke un-veiled a plaque thus formally openingthe boathouse which had been builtby the crew members themselves frommaterial either given to them or providedat re^-iced prices by local firms.

Saturday, June 11, was the day forthe naming ceremony of the Atlantic 21

Exmouth: D. R. Allen,Birmingham branch honor-ary treasurer (/.) and ClemLewis, Birmingham Even-ing Mail assistant editor,are taken afloat.photograph by courtesy ofBirmingham Evening MailLytham St Anne's (below,left): Dedication of the ILBfunded by the North WestGreen Shield Stamp appeal.Atlantic 21 Wolverhamp-ton (below, right) is namedby the Mayor.

photograph by courtesyof the Express and Star

Wolverhampton, which will be stationedat Abersoch, North Wales, and forwhich the people of Wolverhamptonhad already raised £21,000 toward the£30,000 needed to cover the cost of theboat and all her equipment. She wasnamed in West Park, Wolverhampton,by the Mayor, Councillor JessieBeddows, thus renewing the town'slinks with lifeboats after 100 years. Itwas in 1866 that the town raised themoney for the lifeboat Wolverhamptonwhich was stationed at Swansea; thenaming ceremony of that boat hadtaken place at Bushbury in the presenceof the mayor of the time.

On to Friday, June 17, for the handingover ceremony and dedication of Mable-thorpe's, Lincolnshire, new ILB andextensions to the boathouse. The Dclass ILB had been provided by theWomen's Motor Racing Associates Clubfollowing a ball at the Dorchester Hotel,London; one is held each year in aid ofa different charity. The extensions to theboathouse had been made by membersof Alford Round Table, who not onlyraised the necessary funds but did thework themselves; all helpers were un-skilled except for one plumbej" and oneelectrician. It took about 1,000 manhours and cost just under £1,800.

Two days later, Sunday, June 19, sawthe dedication service at Lytham StAnne's, Lancashire, of the D class ILBpurchased with the proceeds of theNorth West Green Shield TradingStamps appeal. Four and a half millionstamps were collected, for which ahigher than normal exchange rate wasgiven by the Green Shield company.

41

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South Western Division

Aground on rocksAT 0205 ON SUNDAY, February 13, thehonorary secretary of St Mary's, Islesof Scilly, was requested by St Mary'sCoastguard to launch to the aid of aFrench fishing vessel aground on rocksnear Bishop Rock Lighthouse. Themaroons were fired at 0210 and at 0215.St Mary's lifeboat, the 46' 9" WatsonGuy and Clare Hunter, launched onservice with Coxswain Matthew Leth-bridge in command.

Wind was south west moderate tofresh, force 4 to 5, and there was a veryheavy swell running in from the southwest. Visibility was good but it was adark night. Tide was half ebb runningwestward at about half a knot.

Coxswain Lethbridge headed south,then between the islands of Annet andSt Agnes and then south west again. TheCoastguard now informed the lifeboatthat lights had been seen near GorreganNeck and at 0246, when approachingMelledgan, the lifeboat crew detected thesmell of diesel oil and saw pieces ofpolystyrene floating by. At 0250 para-chute flares were fired, but there was nosign of the casualty anywhere in Gorre-gan Neck.

Coxswain Lethbridge, still guided bythe smell of diesel, then continued ontowards Pednathise Head, the largest ofa number of rocks, many uncharted,which lie south west of the Daisy, and

at about 0300, when further parachuteflares were fired, the casualty was seenamong the rocks to the north ofPednathise Head. There appeared to betwo or three men aboard and CoxswainLethbridge immediately altered coursenorthward heading for the only safepassage between Old Bess, a submergedrock, and Pednathise Head. There wasa very heavy south-west swell runningat about 35 feet and breakers were curl-ing in over Old Bess.

Once through the passage the areaaround Rosevear Ledges was illuminatedwith parachute flares, searchlight andAldis lamp and the casualty was seento be right in on the base of the rocksimmediately east of Pednathise Head.

Coxswain Lethbridge immediatelycame out southwards through the sametricky passage between Old Bess andPednathise Head and then, withouthesitation, turned north, resolving to gostraight in between the even moredifficult gap between the rocks on whichthe bow of the casualty lay and Ped-nathise Head's north-eastern side. Thisneck was little wider than the lifeboat'sown length. The bow of the casualty wasup on the rocks on the lifeboat's star-board hand with her stern submerged.Heavy swells were breaking over andaround both sides of Pednathise Headon the lifeboat's port hand, causingextreme turbulence in the neck wherethe casualty Enfant de Bretagne, lay.

Coxswain Lethbridge found it .almostimpossible to control the lifeboat as sheentered the neck and he was forced togo full ahead in order to avoid beingswept on to the rocks. At this momentthe searchlight failed and only theAldis lamp on the rocks to starboardgave any guide.

Immediately he emerged on the otherside, Coxswain Lethbridge turned toport, around the north of Pednathise

Head, between it and Old Bess again,and ordered the anchor to be madeready for letting go astern. He decidedto go once more into the neck, this timewith an anchor out astern, against whichhe hoped to put his engines ahead andthus retain enough control of the lifeboatto get a line to the men on the rocks.

By now the searchlight had beenrestored, and as the lifeboatmen pre-pared to let the anchor go astern, itsbeam revealed the remains of the bowof the trawler some 25 feet higher up onthe rocks than the last time they hadseen it. There was no longer any sign oflife aboard.

Coxswain Lethbridge decided that itwas now clearly impossible to effect arescue from the sea, and any survivorsleft aboard the wreck would be relativelysafe at that height up the rock. At 0325he radioed for a helicopter to searchthe wreck. There was a lot of wreckagein the water and the lifeboat continuedto search under very difficult seaconditions, often having to go un-comfortably close to one of the manyrocks in the area.

At 0510 the helicopter arrived in thearea and began to search. Communica-tions were difficult as the helicopter'sVHF was faulty, but by relaying messagesvia the Coastguard and CuldroseOperations Room, the pilot was directedto search the rocks where the survivorshad last been seen. However, nonecould be found. The helicopter laterrecovered one body near Gorregan andthe lifeboat recovered a second onesouth of the Rags at 0707. A relief SeaKing had now arrived and the firsthelicopter winched the body from thelifeboat and took both bodies to themainland at about 0730.

The search continued over a wideningarea northward and wreckage waseventually found as far as five miles

42

north of the stranding position. Thehelicopter search was called off soonafter 1000 and the lifeboat was recalledby the honorary secretary at 1050. StMary's lifeboat arrived back at stationat 1110 and was rehoused and ready forservice at 1135.

For this service a second bar to thesilver medal for gallantry was awardedto Coxswain Matthew Lethbridge, BEM.The thanks of the Institution inscribedon vellum were accorded to SecondCoxswain Ernest R. Guy, MotorMechanic William R. Burrow, AssistantMechanic William H. Lethbridge, andCrew Members George W. Symons,Rodney J. Terry and H. Roy Duncan.

South Western Division

French crew savedAT ABOUT 1755 on Thursday, March 31,the Coastguard mobile from Beerarrived at Lyme Regis ILB house andthe Coastguard informed Crew MemberChristopher Greenhill that he wasconcerned about a small yacht which hehad sighted, making heavy weather, offthe mouth of the River Axe and whichhe now believed was heading for LymeRegis.

Chris Greenhill alerted HelmsmanJohn Hodder and two other crewmembers. As John Hodder arrived atthe boathouse the yacht came into viewabout half a mile to the east and wasseen to fire a red flare, so he immediatelytelephoned the honorary secretary ex-plaining that the yacht was in immediatedanger of being driven on to BroadLedge. Knowing the experience of hiscrew the honorary secretary authorisedthe launch although the sea conditionwas greater than anything in which theILB had previously been out during herfour years at Lyme Regis. The wind had

been blowing from the south west fortwo days and a heavy swell was nowaccompanying the near gale force 7south-south-west wind, producingwaves of 15 to 20 feet, which werebreaking over Broad Ledge. The tidewas in the second hour of ebb andrunning at about 0.6 knots with thewind.

The Atlantic 21, with four crew onboard because of the difficult conditions,was launched at 1802. Only one enginecould be started but, because the yachtwas drifting rapidly towards BroadLedge, Helmsman Hodder decided togo out to sea on one engine. Once clearof the harbour he gave the helm toCrew Member Christopher Woodbridgeand went aft to work on the defectiveengine. When the ILB was about halfway to the casualty he discovered afault in the starting cable connectorand managed to short circuit this andget the engine started. He then took overthe helm again.

A few minutes later the ILB closedthe casualty, the French yacht Verseau,which was now in very broken waterover Broad Ledge. She was a 20'bermudan sloop with mainsail partlyhoisted and jib fully up. Her rigging hadparted and she was unable to tack.There were four people aboard, noneof whom appeared able to speakEnglish. One man was aft in the cockpitwith the two women, who appearedexhausted, and another man was on theforedeck secured by a safety line. Nonewore lifejackets.

Helmsman Hodder skilfully took theILB within a few feet of the casualty sothat, on the first attempt, a tow line wassuccessfully passed to the man on theyacht's bow. Ten fathoms of 1" nylonwas used and the ILB crew secured thisto a towing span which they had devisedand which secures on to cleats on eitherquarter, clear of the engines. They

Tenby 46' 9" Watson lifeboat Henry Comber Brown launched on February 27 in gale forcewinds and a very rough sea to bring a man from Caldy Island for compassionate reasons.

photograph by courtesy of R. Thomas

signalled the casualty to take her sailsdown and John Hodder manoeuvred theILB to start a dead slow tow to harbour.With the sea almost abeam to port onthe return journey the yacht was rollingvery heavily but the narrow harbourentrance was safely gained about eightminutes later.

Chris Greenhill had manned the radiothroughout, keeping the Coastguardfully in the picture. As a result of theCoastguard reports the station HMAarranged for a doctor to meet the ILB.The two women were taken to thehospital on arrival, for check-up, andthe ILB crew then helped the two mento secure the yacht alongside a berthin the harbour. The ILB was rehousedand ready for a service at 1830.

For this service the thanks of theInstitution inscribed on vellum have beenaccorded to Helmsman John Hodderand vellum service certificates have beenpresented to Crew Members ChristopherWoodbridge, Christopher Greenhill andGraham Turner.

Eastern Division

ILB in near galeRED FLARES SIGHTED Off WhitStableStreet Buoy were reported to thehonorary secretary of Whitstable ILBstation by Warden Point Coastguard,Isle of Sheppey, at 2342 on Friday,February 25. In view of the bad weatherprevailing—the wind was north easterlynear gale force 7, causing a short, steepsea off the harbour, with poor visibilityand drizzle—the honorary secretarywent immediately to the boathouse todiscuss the feasibility of launching withthe helmsman. After consultation heinformed the Coastguard that he wouldlaunch.

It was just after low water and, tofind enough depth for launching, theAtlantic 21 was driven to a point onecable north west of the harbour entrancebeyond the lee of its walls. As shelaunched, at 2356, tractor, trolley andboat were frequently covered in heavyspray. Once afloat, Helmsman DavidForeman headed north of Street Bankand thence eastward towards the deck-lights of the casualty.

After a very rough passage at reducedspeed, the ILB arrived on scene at 0005and found a 23' MFV lying across thewind, dragging her anchor; her positionhad changed some four cables since theflares had been sighted. Her crew toldthe ILB that they had been on passagefrom Rye to Leigh-on-Sea but had runout of fuel; the anchor was not holdingand they wished to be taken off beforetheir boat was driven on to Street Bank.

During the first attempt to close thecasualty in the heavy, short seas, theMFV yawed and rolled against the ILB,damaging the radio aerial with her aftergantry; Helmsman Foreman openedthe throttle and sheered away before

43

making a second approach from asternto the port side. The ILB was securedbriefly while the three men were helpedaboard. In leaving the casualty thehelmsman had to risk fouling theILB's propellers on two ropes leadingover the MFV'S bow.

The area of Street Bank was a massof white water and, with the boat moresluggish because of the extra weight ofthe survivors, Helmsman Foreman ranwell northward before approachingWhitstable west beach.

Landing was difficult in the veryrough weather; however, with con-siderable help from the two launchersand quick reactions from the tractordriver, the ILB was recovered safely onto her trolley and brought ashore. Thesurvivors were landed at 0035 and theILB was rehoused and ready for serviceat 0100.

For this service the thanks of theInstitution inscribed on vellum wereaccorded to Helmsman David Foremanand vellum service certificates presentedto Crew Members David Holmes andAndrew Kennedy. A letter of apprecia-tion signed by Captain Nigel Dixon,RN, Director, has been sent to thelaunching party, Tractor Driver StuartH. Wilmot and Shore Helpers DonaldA. R. Rigden and Nigel Scammell.

North Eastern Division

Two injured seamenTHE COXSWAIN SUPERINTENDENT ofHumber lifeboat station, Brian Bevan,was informed by Humber Coastguardat 2103 on Friday, October 1, 1976,that the Belgian trawler Marbi washeading for the Humber with twoinjured crewmen on board and hadasked that the lifeboat rendezvous withher to put a doctor aboard. Dr JamesBusfield, the station honorary medical

adviser, had also been informed andCoxswain Bevan told the Coastguardthat he would place his crew on stand-by and launch on the arrival of thedoctor.

It was raining very heavily, there wasflooding on the road between the main-land and Spurn Point and visibility waspoor, so when, after some 30 minutes,Dr Busfield had not arrived, CoxswainBevan went to see if he had had amishap on the road. He found DrBusfield, carrying two bags and walking,about a mile and a half from thestation; his car had skidded on the sandand become bogged down and he hadalready come a quarter of a mile onfoot. Coxswain Bevan took him to thestation.

Although soaked to the skin, DrBusfield insisted on no further delay andHumber's 46' 9" Watson lifeboat Cityof Bradford HI launched at 2223. It was4J hours after low water. The wind wassouth south east force 1 to 2 with heavyrain making visibility poor. The sea wasslight.

The lifeboat had just cleared SpurnPoint when the radar failed. Using hisDecca navigator to check his ownprogress and plot the progress of Marbi,Coxswain Bevan set course to intercepther some 18 miles east by north ofSpurn Point Lighthouse.

The trawler was sighted at 0045.There had been no change in the weatherbut there was now a moderate easterlyswell, so Coxswain Bevan asked Marbito steam east at slow speed to makeboarding easier. Humber lifeboat wentalongside at 0053, Dr Busfield, accom-panied by the lifeboat first aider BillSayers, boarded Marbi, and the tv/omen stayed aboard to treat the casualtiesunder way. Both boats set course forGrimsby.

On arrival at Grimsby at 0350 thelifeboat crew learnt that the two injuredmen had been taken to hospital accom-

panied by both Dr Busfield and BillSayers. Half an hour later HumberCoastguard informed the lifeboat that ared flare had been sighted off Imming-ham and asked that she investigate.Although a thorough search was made,no sign of any casualty was found andthe lifeboat returned to Grimsby torefuel and re-embark Dr Busfield andBill Sayers. She sailed for station at0717, arrived at 0800, and was rehousedat 1230.

In appreciation of his service, aspecial certificate inscribed on vellumhas been presented to Dr James D.Busfield.

North Western Division

Two taken offBEAUMARIS ILB STATION deputy launchingauthority was informed by PenmonCoastguard at 1646 on Saturday,October 23, 1976, that sailing dinghieshad capsized in the vicinity of GallowsPoint and Garth Point, Menai Strait;the crews were in the water clinging tothe boats.

Maroons were fired and the Atlantic21 B515, Blue Peter II, launched at1653.

The wind was from the south, galeforce 8, the sea moderate. The sky wasovercast with squally sleet showers;visibility was moderate to good. It was1| hours before low water and the tidalstream was flowing to the north east atits spring rate of about 1.3 knots.

Blue Peter H, commanded by Helms-man John Askew, made full speed for aposition just south of Gallows Pointwhere two overturned dinghies could beseen being dragged into shallow waterby their crews, who indicated that life-boat assistance was not needed. To thenorth of Gallows Point someone couldbe seen swimming towards the shore

Harwich: When, on July 9, the ex revenue cutter L'Atalanta wentaground on Cork Sands, with six people on board, the water was tooshallow for Harwich's 44' Waveney lifeboat Margaret Graham toapproach. Two crew members ran a tow line down in the inflatabledinghy, and, as L'Atalanta was taking in water, stayed aboard to helpbail while she was being towed to Harwich. These photographs weretaken by L'Atalanta's skipper, Robert Simper: (left) dinghy is hiddenby surf. Mr Simper later wrote to Harwich honorary secretary, thanking

him and the crew and sending a donation to the station. He said, '/have been sailing various boats at sea for 21 years and suppose that Ihave always had it at the back of my mind that the lifeboat servicewould come to my assistance in an emergency. What I was surprisedand pleased about was the amount of help and kindness we receivedfrom the lifeboat crew at Harwich. To receive help like this fornothing does restore one's faith in human nature. . . Again on behalfof my family and myself, thank you to coxswain and crew . . .'

44

away from a capsized dinghy, but anonlooker standing at the water's edgetold the ILB crew that the water wasvery shallow and the swimmer was outof danger.

Having satisfied himself that thepeople reported to have been in thewater were all accounted for, HelmsmanAskew decided to return to station andadvised Penmon Coastguard accord-ingly. The time was 1704. The Coast-guard acknowledged receipt of the radiomessage and told the ILB that redflares had been sighted off Careg OnnenPoint on the north-east side of Angleseysome six or seven miles away. HelmsmanAskew replied that he would investigateand set off at full speed.

When half a mile south of PuffinSound, just east of Penmon Point, roughand confused breaking seas were en-countered and speed was reduced tohalf throttle. Blue Peter II was enteringPuffin Sound at 1713 when the Coast-guard asked her to investigate a yachtsighted 1J miles north of Trwyn-dulighthouse. Course was altered to thenorth and the ILB headed into rougherwater for about five minutes. At 1718 ayacht was sighted a quarter of a mile tothe north west, sailing on the port tackunder reefed main and jib. The yacht,later identified as Tantivy, a 5 tonbermudan rigged cabin cruiser, wasbeing blown over on to her beam ends attimes and appeared to be in difficulty.It was estimated that the wind wasblowing force 7 from the south and thesea was rough and confused.

Blue Peter II made an up-windapproach, closed the stern of Tantivyand enquired if she had fired a flare. Thetwo men on board said that they hadnot made any distress signal, but hadsighted a red flare to the south westclose inshore. John Askew said that hewould return as soon as possible afterinvestigating the flare, as Tantivy's crewwere experiencing great difficulty inhandling the boat in the strong windand confused seas. A situation reportwas passed to the Coastguard alongwith a request for the offshore lifeboatto be placed on standby. Blue Peter IIcontinued south-westwards to CaregOnnen Point.

On closing the land an interceptedradio message between a rescue heli-copter and Coastguard mobile indicatedthat the boat which had fired the flarehad been beached and her crew weresafe. The Coastguard asked the ILB toreturn to Tantivy. The time was now1730. Course was reversed and as BluePeter II headed back to the north easta Wessex helicopter from RAF Valleyarrived overhead and escorted her toTantivy.

The quartering seas made steeringdifficult, and Helmsman Askew laterreported the worst conditions wereexperienced during this part of theservice. On arriving back with Tantivyshe was seen to be lying beam to the seawith sheets flying. The main boom was

Wells-next-the-Sea: 0415 launch. The 37' Oakley reserve lifeboat, Calouste Gulbenkian, ontemporary duty at Wells, was called out in the morning of July 10 after a 999 report of a missingswimmer. Together with Wells ILB and a helicopter, she searched for an hour and a half in freshto strong winds and a moderate sea. No one was found or subsequently reported missing.

photograph by courtesy of Campbell MacCullum

swinging from side to side as sherolled heavily in the rough sea. The crewindicated that they wished to be takenoff and Helmsman Askew told themthat he would attempt an up-windapproach on to the stern of the boatand would take one man off at a time.Blue Peter II was positioned downwindoff the casualty's starboard quarter inpreparation for the approach. Onmaking the approach the helmsmanwas able to lay the ILB alongsideTantivy's port quarter long enough forboth men to be taken off. At 1739 amessage was passed to Penmon Coast-guard that the crew were safe aboardthe ILB and the yacht abandoned.

Course was set to close Tryn Dinmorto obtain a lee before attempting thepassage back through Puffin Sound,and the helicopter remained in attend-ance until Blue Peter II reached quieterwater. The survivors were landed at thelifeboat station at about 1825.

The abandoned yacht was taken intow four days later off Holyhead andfound to be in a good seaworthy state.

For this service the thanks of theInstitution inscribed on vellum havebeen accorded to Helmsman John C.Askew. Vellum service certificates havebeen presented to Crew MembersGareth Parry and Huw G. Williams.

Eastern Division

Waterlogged dinghyBOUND FOR THE WHELKINO GROUNDS,MFV Isabelle Kathleen cleared her moor-ings abreast the lifeboat house at Wellsat about 1120 on Thursday, June 3,1976,and set out to sea. The 36' fishing boatwas commanded by her owner, JohnNudds, a lifeboat crew member, andcrewed by Alfred Smith, another life-

boatman, and Martin Frary, a regularmember of the shore party.

The weather was fine, with a north-north-east force 5 to 6 breeze causing aheavy sea and swell in the area of WellsBar. High water was predicted at thebar for 1010.

When approaching the outer channelbuoys, John Nudds sighted a 12' sailingdinghy in the breaking waters one mileto the east and, while he watched, sawher capsize, bow over stern.

He immediately tried to call WellsCoastguard but could not make contact.Realising there was no chance of ILBassistance, he altered course across thetoe of the eastern sands and came up onthe dinghy, the anchor of which hadfallen out during the capsize, holdingher in position. The breaking seas hadrighted the dinghy and her two mencrew were sitting in the waterloggedboat; both were wearing a wrap-aroundbuoyancy aid and it was later foundthat only one could swim. They hadsailed from Wells to Burnham OveryStaithe on the earlier tide and, beingunsure of the return course, had headedfor the Fairway Buoy in worseningwind and sea conditions.

In a depth of only 10 to 12 feet ofwater, John Nudds manoeuvred thefishing vessel to windward, affording alee, taking great care not to let his boat,which draws 4' 6", fall down wind to thelee shore. A lifebuoy on a line wasthrown to the dinghy and, one at a time,the men were pulled to safety; consider-able skill was necessary to get the meninboard without injury as the fishingboat was rolling and lifting heavily inthe breaking seas. The non-swimmingsurvivor was considerably distressed.

Having taken both men aboard, JohnNudds returned to harbour where theywere landed, at their own request, closeto the lifeboat house. He then, at 1245,

45

returned to sea to continue his day'sfishing.

For this service a framed letter ofthanks signed by Major - GeneralRalph Farrant, Chairman of the Institu-tion, has been presented to John Nudds,and letters of appreciation signed byCaptain Nigel Dixon, RN, Director, toAlfred Smith and Martin Frary.

North Eastern Division

Cabin cruiser on barTHE DEPUTY LAUNCHING AUTHORITY ofBlyth lifeboat station was informed byCoastguard Tyne at 1440 on Sunday,August 29, 1976, that two swimmershad been swept out to sea off Cambois;a girl bather had been picked up by ahelicopter from RAF Boulmer but herfather was still missing. The assemblysignal was made and Blyth ILB launchedand set off at 1444. One minute later themessage was given to Coxswain GeorgeDawson of Newbiggin lifeboat station,who informed the launching authorityand immediately fired the maroons. At1455 Newbiggin's 37' Oakley lifeboatMary Joicey launched on service.

The wind was south easterly force 1to 2 with a slight sea. There was amoderate easterly swell, producing aheavy surf inshore.

Blyth ILB, with Helmsman DavidTilmouth in command, arrived in thearea off Cambois at 1453 and was soonjoined by Mary Joicey. While the ILBmade an extensive search along the surfline inshore, Newbiggin lifeboatsearched offshore. Close communicationbetween both lifeboats was maintained,but the co-ordinated close search waswithout success; no sign of the casualtywas found.

At 1646, while the search was still inprogress, information was received fromCoastguard Tyne mobile that a cabincruiser had been reported capsized offthe mouth of the River Wansbeck andimmediate assistance was requested. Aslifeboat and ILB had been searching nowfor some hour and a half withoutsuccess, this second incident was con-sidered to take priority and both boatsheaded for the river mouth.

Because of her superior speed, BlythILB arrived at the scene before New-biggin lifeboat; she found the cabincruiser, upright, lying to her anchor onthe bar in a most hazardous position,being pounded by heavy surf. HelmsmanTilmouth, realising the precarious posi-tion that the casualty was in, with thedanger of the anchor failing to hold,headed in through the surf to assess thesituation close to. The motion of thecasualty was violent and HelmsmanTilmouth decided not to attempt to takethe crew off at this stage but to await thearrival of Newbiggin lifeboat. One ofthe casualty's crew was seen clinging tothe cabin top, while three others weresheltering in the cabin.

On arrival of the lifeboat, Blyth ILB

closed her and informed CoxswainDawson of the situation. It was decidedthat conditions were such that to try totow the casualty clear would be the mosteffective way of accomplishing therescue, so the ILB took a line from thelifeboat and returned through the surf tothe casualty. Two attempts were madeto transfer the line but without success.

At about 1656, while she was runningin for a third attempt, a large sea brokeover the stern of the ILB, completelyswamping her. The boat cleared herselfof water but the engine had failed andcould not be restarted. The crewmanned the oars, rounded up into thesurf and succeeded in pulling clear of theworst of the breaking water. Meanwhile,Newbiggin lifeboat, seeing what hadhappened, recovered the tow line andheaded into the surf; passing a line to theILB she towed her into calmer water.Once satisfied that the ILB was safe,Coxswain Dawson informed the Coast-guard on shore that he was going toclose the casualty and pass a line.

At the first attempt, approaching bowfirst, Newbiggin lifeboat touched bottomwhen some 30 yards off the casualty. Aheavy swell lifted Mary Joicey andCoxswain Dawson pulled her clear bygoing full astern. Useful local adviceabout banks in the area was passed viathe Coastguard and Coxswain Dawsonmade his second approach, stern first.On this attempt the lifeboat came closeenough to pass a line which was securedaboard the casualty by her own crew.Newbiggin lifeboat, cutting thecasualty's anchor warp, towed her clearof the surf, then, taking Blyth ILB intow as well, headed for Blyth. Lifeboatand tow arrived in harbour withoutincident at 1753. The casualty wassecured and one of the four survivors,found to have suffered an injury to hisleg, was treated by a doctor before beingtaken to hospital.

For this service the thanks of theInstitution inscribed on vellum wereaccorded to Coxswain George Dawsonof Newbiggin lifeboat and Blyth ILBHelmsman David Tilmouth. Vellumcertificates were presented to SecondCoxswain Christopher Main, MotorMechanic Clifford Hancox and CrewMembers John Mounsey, RobertWrigglesworth, David Armstrong andThomas Taylor of Newbiggin, andBlyth ILB Crew Members Dallas Taylor,John Long and Clifford Thompson.

Scotland North Division

Boy adrift

arrived to find that the boy was alreadyabout 400 yards offshore.

The weather was fine and clear, therewas an offshore westerly wind of force2 to 3 with slight sea and long low swell.It was half an hour after low water andthe tide was setting 065° at 0.5 knots.

Police Constable Graham drove toBrora Harbour, to find all the boats highand dry on the low water. However, hedid find Douglas Thomson fitting up his10' inflatable Avon Sports dinghy, whichhad a 1\ hp Mercury outboard engine,and Mr Thomson agreed at once to help.

The two men launched the boat overthe beach and steered north for one mileto the last known position off DalchalmBeach. Finding no sign of boy or dinghy,they headed west away from land andstarted searching. At about three milesfrom land the dinghy was glimpsedoccasionally in the swell running. Shewas closed and the boy helped aboardthe Avon Sports. No attempt was madeto tow the dinghy back and shortly afterthe boy was rescued it was seen to over-turn.

The boy was landed at DalchalmBeach at 1615 and the rescuers returnedto Brora Harbour; they were runningout of petrol as they entered.

For this service framed letters ofthanks signed by Major-General RalphFarrant, Chairman of the Institution,have been presented to Douglas S.Thomson and Police Sergeant RoderickGraham.

North Western Division

MFV Ashore

A HOLIDAYMAKER, with his wife, wassetting up a wind break on DalchalmBeach, Brora, at about 1400 on Wednes-day, July 21,1976, when he looked roundto find that his 11-year-old son, a non-swimmer, had drifted about 100 yardsout to sea in a 4' 6" dinghy. He ran anddialled 999 and at 1435 Police Constable(now Sergeant) Roderick Graham

A MOTOR FISHING VESSEL ashore on thesouth side of the Conwy approachchannel was reported to a deputy launch-ing authority of Conwy inshore lifeboatstation by Penmon Coastguard at 0752on Thursday, April 14. Maroons werefired and at 0810 the ILB launched andset out for Deganwy Point at full speed.

The wind was north west, strong tonear gale, force 6 to 7, causing a short,steep, breaking swell in the harbourentrance. Visibility was good. It was30 minutes before high water and theflood stream almost slack.

On reaching Deganwy Point speedwas reduced because of the swell. Bythis time it was established that the VHPradio was not working properly sinceno contact could be made with Coast-guard station or mobile. The casualtywas sighted aground on the MorfaMussel Bank about 200 yards southsouth west of Perch Light. She waslying with bows south south east andlisting to port; seas were breaking overher starboard quarter. Someone couldbe seen standing on deck.

Helmsman Trevor Jones took the ILBalongside the casualty and secured underthe lee of her port bow; the time wasnow 0815. The boat was on passage fromAmlwch to Conwy and had anchoredin the approach channel because of

46

gearbox trouble; she was withoutpropulsion. Her anchor cable had partedand she had been blown ashore. At therequest of the skipper, the ILB ran a lineashore, securing the boat by a wirehawser to a large rock above high watermark, before taking off the crew andlanding them at the ILB station at 0850.The ILB was rehoused and made readyfor service by 0915,

For this service, letters of appreciationsigned by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN,Director of the Institution, have beensent to Helmsman Trevor Jones andCrew Member F. Smith.

South Eastern Division

Two calls in galeNEWHAVEN LIFEBOAT, the 47' WatsonKathleen Mary, was called out twice onThursday, November 4, 1976. Duringthe early evening HM Coastguard hadbeen watching a yacht coming from thewest, close inshore. As she turned in toNewhaven Harbour she had to headoff to the east to avoid an out-goingcoaster, was driven past the harbourentrance and, just before 1800, she wasseen to be having difficulty tacking backout of Seaford Bay. A fishing vessel,Gay Star, about to enter harbour, wascalled on VHF channel 16 and asked tocheck if the yacht was in trouble; amessage was also passed to Newhavenlifeboat station.

The wind was south westerly, strongto near gale, force 6 to 7, the sea rough;visibility was good. The tide was threehours flood.

Gay Star was unable to get close tothe yacht, because the water was tooshallow, and at 1810 reported that theyacht, Kiki, was within 20 feet of theshore. Newhaven Coastguard mobilewas despatched and the CRE companycalled out.

Kathleen Mary launched at 1816 andreached the casualty to relieve Gay Starat 1823. However, at 1836 a messagecame from the mobile that the yacht wason the beach and her singlehandedskipper safe.

The lifeboat returned to her stationand was rehoused and ready for serviceat 1915.

A few hours later, at 2300, the Coast-guard informed the honorary secretarythat a catamaran appeared to be indifficulties four miles north of GreenwichBuoy. Her forestay had been carriedaway and she was unable to hoist furthersail. She had enough fuel for four hours,after which help would be needed. Shehad two adults and two children onboard. Shipping had been informed andtwo vessels were heading for the casualty.

At 2320, with the weather deteriorat-ing, the Coastguard advised the immedi-ate launch of the lifeboat. Visibility waspoor and the wind had risen to gale force8 to 9, still blowing from the south west.The tide was ebbing and the sea in thevicinity of the casualty was very rough.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston: Relief 44' Waveney lifeboat 44-001 on temporary duty atGorleston returning from service to the Danish vessel Baltic, which had developed a heavy list,on April 8. Seven seamen, picked up by the tug Vanguard, were transferred to 44-001, whichbrought them back to Gorleston before returning to standby Baltic, under tow by the tug Union Iand with two of the tug's crew aboard her.

photograph by courtesy of Eastern Daily Press

Meanwhile, at 2330 MV Kilkenny, one ofthe two vessels which had responded tothe distress call, had closed the casualtyand was standing by pending the arrivalof the lifeboat.

At 2340 Kathleen Mary was launchedand on her way. She arrived alongisdethe casualty, the catamaran Acarus, at0140. Acarus was taken in tow andKilkenny went on her way.

The lifeboat, together with her tow,arrived safely in Newhaven at 0515 onNovember 5, but had to remain on hermoorings until 0630 before there wasenough water to enable her to be re-housed.

South Eastern Division

Holed yachtA YACHT ADRIFT in a strong southerlygale and in very large breaking seas twomiles off the Wittering shore in Brackle-sham Bay and drifting westwards wasreported to the lifeboat authority ofHayling Island ILB station by HM Coast-guard at 1110 on Thursday, October 14,1976. Selsey lifeboat had been launchedand Hayling Island Atlantic 21 wasaskedto stand by.

A later sighting indicated that theyacht was in the region of the 'wrecks'off Chichester Harbour entrance and itwas realised that she would be drivenashore before Selsey lifeboat could reachher. Hayling Island ILB was thereforeasked to launch. This she did at 1117, inpoor visibility and on a flooding tide.

The ILB encountered very large seasover Chichester Bar and at 1140 cameup alongside the yacht Sundew, a 36'bermudan sloop, one mile south south

east of the inshore lifeboat station. Shewas broadside to the seas and beingswamped; her engine was out of action,her sails in shreds and she had a holein her bows.

The ILB successfully manoeuvredalongside and a member of her crewwent aboard, where three men weresheltering in the waterlogged cabin. Aline was passed and secured and, withlarge seas astern, a difficult tow begun.Eventually the yacht was taken to asheltered mooring in Chichester Har-bour, her crew being landed at HaylingIsland Sailing Club at about 1240.The ILB returned to her station at 1305and was rehoused seven minutes laterat 1312.

For this service letters of appreciationsigned by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN,Director of the Institution, were sent toHelmsman Patrick Lamperd, CrewMembers Nicholas Danby and SimonWilson and Swimmer Paul Covell.

South Western Division

Injured seamanA TANKER, La Quinta, approachingSalcombe bound for Liverpool with amember of her crew seriously injuredwas reported to the honorary secretaryof Salcombe lifeboat station by HMCoastguard at 1157 on Saturday, 21May. A rendezvous was arranged andThe Baltic Exchange, Salcombe's 47'Watson lifeboat, under the commandof Second Coxswain, Motor MechanicEdward Hannaford, slipped her moor-ings at 1205. The wind was north north

continued on page 69

47

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGand presentation of awards

ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, TUESDAY, MAY 17

1976: A YEAR OF GREAT ACHIEVEMENT ON SEA AND LAND

A STANDING OVATION for a gold medal-list and his crew at the end of thepresentation of no less than 24 medalsfor gallantry; the report of an increaseof income of some 2-J per cent above theyear's rate of inflation, making possiblethe continuing, with renewed vigour, ofthe policy of fleet modernisation as wellas an improvement in the level of freereserves; the recording of 1,049 peoplerescued from drowning. Thus is thegallantry of lifeboat crews comple-mented by the devotion of fund raisers,and such is the crown of their unitedendeavours. Surely, when lifeboatpeople came together for the annualgeneral meeting and presentation ofawards at the Royal Festival Hall onTuesday, May 17, they had much ofwhich to be proud, much for which to bethankful, and while inflation still gavecause for concern, there was also muchcause for encouragement.

The presentation of a gold medal forconspicuous gallantry is as rare at it ismemorable. When the time came forActing Coxswain Keith Bower to go upon to the platform at the Festival Hall,he was the first man to receive a goldmedal for ten years; only six have beenawarded since the end of the secondworld war, 32 years ago. 'My Lords,Ladies and Gentlemen', announcedMajor-General Ralph Farrant, Chair-man of the Institution, after he hadmade the presentation, '/ have receivedthis message for Acting Coxswain Bowerfrom our President, The Duke of Kent:

'/ have been greatly stirred by theaccount of the magnificent rescue carriedout by the Torbay lifeboat last December.The courage and heroism displayed by youand your crew were in the finest traditionsof the lifeboat service and I send you mywarmest congratulations on the award ofthe Institution's gold medal.'

And, as Keith Bower turned to joinhis crew—his brother, Stephen Bower,William Hunkin, Michael Mills,Nicholas Davies, Richard Brown andJohn Dew—standing quietly by, every-one rose, and that crowded hallreverberated with the warmth of theiracclaim. It was a triumphant momentfew who were there will ever forget.

Following the traditional pattern, theday had begun with the annual generalmeeting of governors in the morning atwhich General Farrant had presentedthe annual report and accounts for1976:

'Good morning and welcome . . . may

I congratulate you on the number whohave come today . . .

'Last year I addressed this meeting asChairman for the first time and I wasable when doing so to report on a year ofoutstanding achievement by the lifeboatservice, but I was obliged to end bysounding a warning. The warning was aconsequence of the fact that the Com-mittee of Management of the RNLI hadcome to the conclusion that we shouldhave to effect a pause in our boatbuilding programme for compellingfinancial reasons. I did stress that thecommittee intended that it should only bea pause and we should revert as soon aspossible to our normal level of boatconstruction. I am glad to be able to say,as an aside, that we are beginning to do so.

'Once again this year I am in theprivileged position of being able toreport on a year of great achievements.The lives of 1,049 people were saved byRNLI lifeboats last year and our crewsnot only maintained the standards ofskill, of seamanship and courage to whichwe have been accustomed, but in anumber of instances can be said to havegone far beyond the call of duty.'

After referring to some of the out-standing services at sea and also to someof the technical achievements madeduring the year, in radar and radioinstallations, in protective clothing, inthe conversion of lifeboats to give thema self-righting capability and in thereduction of noise levels, GeneralFarrant turned to finance:

'I can also report very gratifyingachievements in the financial field, inwhich I know you are all interested, as aresult of which it has been possible tobegin to build up the RNLI's free reservesby transferring £356,000 from revenue.The reasons which explain how this hascome about are fourfold, and three ofthese reasons give grounds for encourage-ment. There was a large increase in theamount the RNLI received from legaciesand special gifts. This is, above all, evi-dence of the strength of the RNLI'sgreatest financial asset, the goodwill itenjoys among the public at large.Secondly, our fund-raising branches andguilds excelled themselves; there was asteady increase in the number of membersenrolled into Shoreline now totalling40,200 and corporate efforts made byoutside bodies to raise funds for theRNLI were quite outstanding.

"The third main cause for the financialimprovement was the level of economiesachieved by the Director and his staff.May I offer one rather remarkablestatistic for your consideration? Thetotal number of lifeboats in the RNLIfleet, offshore and inshore boats at theirstations and those in the relief fleet,amounts to 316. The total number of

full-time staff, including of course theone full-time man, coxswain or mechanicas the case may be, to be found at everyoffshore lifeboat station, was 629. Thisratio of almost exactly two employeesper operational vessel surely speaks foritself. Of what other maritime organisa-tion, commercial or governmental, coulda claim of this kind be made? Not longago a distinguished American soldierdescribed the armed forces of thiscountry as consisting of admirals,generals and bands. I think he waspossibly a bit wide of the mark but atleast, in the RNLI, we can say we haveno bands, and the admirals and generalswe do have are not paid. I can assure youof this from first hand knowledge.'

After the laughter had died down,General Farrant spoke of the fourthreason for the financial improvement—the one which could not be consideredgratifying but which had been forcedupon the Institution. During 1976,although 10 new offshore lifeboats hadbeen launched, orders had been placedfor only three new boats. In the longrun such a number of new boats in ayear would not be enough to maintaina fully effective service.

'This', said General Farrant, 'is aserious fact of which we are well aware.We are therefore looking to new sourcesof income to increase our revenue andenable us to revert to a boat buildingprogramme which will fully meet ourrequirements.'

Mentioning discussions which werebeing held with the General Council ofBritish Shipping, the insurance and oilindustries and the American lifeboatappeal as examples of such new sourcesof income, he continued:

"The RNLI has been hit by inflation ashave all other organisations, and ofcourse private citizens in the country.Our free reserves are still dangerouslylow, amounting to only 13 weeksexpenditure at current levels—that is tosay with the cost of things today and notas they will be tomorrow. All this mustgive us cause for concern, but as I havetried to indicate we also have much causefor encouragement. For this we areindebted to all of you in this room whoare Governors of the Institution and toall those whom you represent in such agenerous and public spirited manner.'

Turning in more detail to the accounts(summarised in the summer issue ofTHE LIFEBOAT) General Farrant drewattention to the fact that assets hadrisen by some £0.8 million in the year,with both property and investments upby some £0.4 million each. Income had

48

risen to £6.25 million, an increase ofsome 2-J per cent above the year's rateof inflation, but inevitably inflation hadtaken a heavy toll in expenditure,which amounted to £5.9 million:

'Operational expenses have risen bysome 20 per cent to reach £3.1 million,with maintenance charges, of course,particularly heavy. The effects of this havebeen offset by the pause in the buildingprogramme and savings in administrationand fund raising in comparison withnational inflationary trends—administra-tion for example has risen by only 4 percent compared with the national inflationrate of 16.5 per cent. Congratulations tothe Director and staff.

'Thus the objective of the transfer toreserves in respect of the year's workingsof £0.35 million, which is what we hopedto achieve in consultation with ourfunding committee, has been achieveddespite the intense pressure on ourresources during the year. We are there-fore, I believe, continuing our policy offleet modernisation with a return to anormal rate of building whilst still main-taining, or improving, the level of freereserves.'

General Farrant concluded by pro-posing that the annual report andaccounts for 1976 be adopted. Theproposition was seconded by MrMaldwin Drummond and carriedunanimously.

Elections followed: of the President,HRH The Duke of Kent; of the Vice-Presidents; of the Treasurer, the Dukeof Northumberland, and DeputyTreasurer, David Acland; and of othermembers of the Committee of Manage-ment. Price Waterhouse were re-appointed as auditors.

Discussion then became more general,and among a number of matters raisedwas the use of an ex-lifeboat for fundraising on the Thames and the namingof inshore lifeboats.

On the subject of whether a copy ofthe annual report and accounts shouldbe sent out to all governors auto-matically, the Chairman recalled that ithad been agreed at the last AGM that,as a matter of economy, they shouldonly be sent to those who asked forthem: it was not just a question ofextra postage but of extra costs forprinting and envelopes as well. It wasalso mentioned that while copies of thebye-laws of the Institution are not sentout to every governor, they are availablefrom headquarters on request.

One questioner asked how muchmoney an area needed to raise before itcould have a lifeboat or ILB station.Admiral Hezlet, Chairman of the Searchand Rescue Committee, explained thatfunds had to be deployed to save themost lives, and the problem of wherelifeboats should be stationed had to bestudied with extreme care; if financialconsiderations were allowed to governplanning there would be a distorteddistribution of lifeboats and they wouldnot necessarily be where they were most

needed; at present several applicationsfor ILBs were being considered.

The Festival Hall was crowded forthe annual presentation of awards in theafternoon, when General Farrantopened proceedings with a look backat 1976:

'Though some may recall a drought,others will recall day after day of cloud-less skies and sumhine. In this countrywe are used, climatically, to paying laterlor our pleasures and, sure enough, thegolden summer of 1976 was followed bymany severe gales in the autumn andearly winter. At times lifeboats of theRNLI were called out in winds of hurri-cane force. Accounts of some of theseservices will be read to you later. One ofthem was so exceptional that it led to theaward of a gold medal.

'World War Two ended in Europe 32years ago; during those 32 years lifeboatsof the RNLI have been called out wellover 43,000 times and have saved morethan 27,600 lives. Of all those services,only six have led to the award of a goldmedal. That is some measure of its rarity.The earlier recipients of the gold medalwere Coxswain Thomas King of Jersey;Coxswain Richard Evans of Moelfre,who won it twice; Coxswain HubertPetit of St Peter Port, Guernsey; and aformer lifeboat inspector, Harold Harvey.Now this distinguished band is joined bySecond Coxswain Keith Bower of Torbay.

'When you hear later this afternoonthe accounts of some of the servicescarried out by our lifeboat crews youmay even wonder how it was that inthose conditions our boats and crewsmanaged to come through with theirlives. The truth is, of course, that thepossibility of a disaster was there. Indeedduring one service last December wecame very near to losing the crew of thePadstow lifeboat due to the force of thesea. The wheelhouse was seriouslydamaged, the coxswain was concussedand temporarily blinded, yet SecondCoxswain Trevor England succeeded inbringing back the boat to her station,where she was made ready for action withremarkable speed.'

The gold medal service at Torbay anda silver medal service at Weymouthhad both been carried out by the newArun class of boat, the prototype ofwhich had been designed by J. A.McLachlan of G. L. Watson and Co.

'When we began the planning anddesign of this new class of lifeboat wewere conscious of the long-standingneed of greater speed. The essence of ourproblem was to combine the additionalspeed with those qualities which aretraditional to the lifeboat, stability andseaworthiness, as well as a self-rightingcapability. I think you will agree that thelatest achievement of these new boatsindicates that we have attained somemeasure of success in solving thisproblem. . . .

'That it has been possible to provideour lifeboat crews with these new Arunsand other lifeboats has, of course, beendue to the efforts of our voluntarysupporters everywhere. In particular I

want to thank all those members of oubranches and guilds for the way in which,year after year, they continue to raisemoney for the lifeboat service, no matterwhat the financial difficulties of thecountry may be. In the political field wehear today much about devolution. Inthe RNLI we have, and have long had,an exemplary form of devolution ofpowers. Our station branches and ourfund-raising branches and guiJds arelargely autonomous, able, willing andauthorised to conduct their own affairs.The Committee of Management is con-cerned with policy and the permanentstaff provide the continuity, professionalskills and guidance which help to supportthe structure. It is, 1 am sure, because ofthis system, and also because of the natureof the cause we serve, that the RNLIenjoys such strength and wide support.'

General Farrant then paid tribute tothe magnificent efforts of other volun-tary associations which had made itpossible for the RNLI to obtain newboats: the Scout Association, the RoundTable and the Manchester Unity ofOddfellows:

"Then, most appropriately, a lifeboatbearing the name Silver Jubilee has beenprovided by the contributions of ourunfailing supporters, the members of theCivil Service and Post Office LifeboatFund . . .

'I am pleased to announce that as partof the Silver Jubilee celebrations a life-boat will be named Duke of Kent inhonour of our President and of our life-boat crews and voluntary workers. Thislifeboat will be stationed at Eastbourne.'

Promises of help to meet the cost ofnew lifeboats had come from theshipping and oil industries, and alsofrom abroad:

'We are very fortunate in the fact thatto mark the mutual goodwill shown atthe time of the celebrations of the bi-centenary of the American Declaration ofIndependence a number of prominentcitizens in the United States cametogether and decided the best way ofexpressing their feelings in a tangibleform would be to provide a new lifeboatfor the RNLI. A committee was thereforeformed including many of the leadingAmericans in this country, and when Ipoint out that on the British side thecommittee includes two former PrimeMinisters, the Chief of Defence Staff,a number of leading industrialists, sev-eral ambassadors or former ambassadorsand a vice-chancellor of a university,you will have some impression of thegoodwill this new project commands.'

In his summing up, General Farrantemphasised that, notwithstanding thesplendid efforts of all the thousands ofpeople to whom he had referred, moremoney was still needed, and that thepause in boat building could only be atemporary one if the voluntary crewsof the Institution were to be providedwith all that they require and deserve:

"This is an indication of the challengewhich we face and shall continue to face.I am confident that with the calibre ofthe people we have working for theRNLI we can meet with success.'

49

^His speech concluded, General

Farrant then presented the awards forgallantry. Coxswain Robert Allen wasunable to be there to receive his medal.

Crew Members Peter King, ChristopherSmith and John Street, Calshot:bronze medalDuring the evening of January 29,

1976, a report was received that theHamble rescue boat had gone agroundin the marsh area of Ashmore Creekwhile trying to take off an injured manfrom a yacht aground in the same area.At 2220 Calshot lifeboat Ernest Williamand Elizabeth Ellen Hinde set out towingher 16' boarding boat. The wind wasgale force 9 and the air temperature subzero. Using the boarding boat CrewMembers Peter King, Christopher Smithand John Street took off and landed theyachtsman. After a further search theHamble rescue boat was sighted some300 yards from the main channel.Taking it in turns, the three crewmembers dragged the boarding boatthrough the marsh and brought the twosurvivors back to the lifeboat.

Acting Coxswain Charles Begg, Aber-deen: bronze medalAt 1845 on March 12,1976, Aberdeen

lifeboat Ramsey Dyce set out to the helpof MFV Karemma, broken down inAberdeen Bay. The wind was force 7with very heavy seas. Karemma wasdrifting towards the beach and a tughad already been damaged in anunsuccessful attempt to take her in tow.Acting Coxswain Charles Begg had totake the lifeboat alongside throughsteep, rolling seas three times to take offthe casualty's crew of five.

Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittle,Dunmore East: bar to his bronze medal

Medallists of 1976: (I. tor., back row first) JosephJordan, Frank Hendy,Alan Blair, Ronald Hardy,Victor Marsh, GlynRoberts, Stephen Whittle,Thomas Knott, CharlesBegg, Peter King,Christopher Smith, JohnStreet, Richard Robinson,Victor Pitman, WilliamJones, William Hunkin,Michael Mills, John Dew,Keith Bower, StephenBower, Nicholas Davies,Richard Brown.

At 0300 on July 9, 1976, DunmoreEast lifeboat St Patrick set out to thehelp of an 18' open boat wrecked nearFalskirt Rock. The wind was fresh force5, with driving rain and a heavy swellbreaking on the rock. The search andapproach to the casualty were madedifficult by the large number of salmonnets and lobster pots in the area.Coxswain/Mechanic Stephen Whittlebrought the lifeboat into the very narrowand shallow inner channel. A buoy wasthrown to one survivor and he washauled on board the lifeboat before shehad to go rapidly astern from the rockyshore. No sign of the other crew memberwas found in a five-hour search.

Crew Member John Dew, Torbay:bronze medalTorbay lifeboat Princess Alexandra of

Kent launched at 1441 on August 23,1976, to help survivors from a wreckedspeed boat in Forest Cove. A freshbreeze was producing rough seas in thecove where six adults, eight children anda dog were stranded. Crew MemberJohn Dew volunteered to swim ashorewith a line. Pairing one adult with achild in the breeches buoy, swimmingalongside them to the lifeboat and thenreturning to the beach, John Dewbrought off all the survivors in sevenexhausting trips through the surf.

Crew Member Glyn Roberts, Porth-dinllaen: bronze medalAt 2315 on August 31, 1976, Porth-

dinllaen lifeboat Charles Henry Ashleyset out, towing a boarding boat, to goto the help of a boy trapped about 80'up on the cliff at Porth-y-Nant. CrewMember Glyn Roberts was landed. Heclimbed the near vertical cliff andpersuaded the boy to climb down; whenabout 30' from the bottom Glyn

Roberts fell to the beach, but managedto climb back again to bring the boydown safely.

Coxswain Ronald Hardy, Swanage: barto his bronze medal

Second Coxswain/Mechanic VictorMarsh, Swanage: bronze medalAt 1300 on October 14,1976, Swanage

lifeboat /. Reginald Corah launched in astorm force 10 wind and very rough seato take over the tow of the Frenchyacht Campscharles from a Russiantrawler. The two yachtsmen from thecasualty were on board the trawler, soCoxswain Ronald Hardy brought thelifeboat alongside to take them off.When the tow lines were cast off, one ofthem fouled the lifeboat's rudder andstarboard propeller. The rudder wassoon cleared, but both engines had tobe stopped while Second Coxswain/Mechanic Victor Marsh, despite theviolent motion and appalling conditions,tried to clear the propeller. CoxswainHardy decided to close the driftingyacht using the port engine only, a crewmember was transferred and a tow linesecured.

Crew Member Alan Blair, Aberystwyth:bronze medalMFV Western Seas, cover for Aberyst-

wyth ILB while the latter was tempor-arily off service, set off at 1153 onFebruary 22, 1976, to help a motorcruiser capsized in heavy surf near theharbour entrance; Crew Member AlanBlair volunteered to swim on a line toattempt an underwater search to see ifanyone was trapped underneath.

Coxswain/Mechanic Thomas Knott,Lowestoft: bar to his bronze medal

Michael Knott: framed letter of apprecia-tionPilot cutter coxswain, Michael Knott,

was in Lowestoft Bridge Control stationwhen, at 0825 on August 16, 1976, aradio message was heard that theharbour tug Barkis had overturned. Heran to his 16 knot cutter and, with hisfather, Coxswain/Mechanic ThomasKnott as crew, immediately put to sea.Three of the tug's crew were saved.Although Coxswain Knott entered thesea in the attempt, it was not possibleto save a fourth man.

Frank Hendy: bronze medalPassing inside the buoys marking the

rocks off the end of Howth East Pieron the evening of August 28, 1976, a32' yacht grounded heavily. FrankHendy, formerly a Howth lifeboatmotor mechanic, and Tony Brown putout in Howth YC 18' launch. A force 6wind was causing a very heavy andconfused sea on the rocks but FrankHendy took the launch alongside theyacht and Tony Brown boarded her tohoist sail so that she would lay over thusreducing her draught. Both boats werebumping badly, but the launch managedto tow the yacht clear and into harbour.

50

Joseph Jordan: bronze medalOn the evening of September 25,1976,

two duck shooters walked out on ashingle track across Stiffkey Marsh.When fog reduced visibility and theytried to return to the mainland theybecame lost; the tide was rising to theforecast danger level. With water up totheir chests, they signalled with torchand shot gun. Joseph Jordan, a wardenon the nature reserve who knew the areawell, was alerted and felt his way alongthe now submerged path to board an11' dinghy. After a difficult row,taking 25 minutes each way, he broughtthe two men back and led them alongthe submerged path to safety.

Coxswain William Jones, Holyhead:silver medalAt 1329 on September 11, 1976,

Holyhead lifeboat St Cybi (Civil ServiceNo. 9) launched to assist a yacht withher sails blown out and without power23 miles south west of Skerries Light-house. The wind was force 9 to 10 withvery rough seas and heavy rain. Amerchant vessel had already tried to puta line on board and take off the crew offour. As, in winds gusting to force 11,the lifeboat approached, a line streamedfrom the yacht fouled the lifeboat's portpropeller. Coxswain William Jones madean approach on one engine. The crewwere taken off, and the returnpassage begun. Following the report of ared flare, a search close inshore wasmade for about 90 minutes, but nothingwas found, and the lifeboat finallyreached harbour after nine hours instorm force winds.

Coxswain Robert Allen, Whitby: silvermedal

Helmsman Richard Robinson, Whitby:bronze medalAt 0326 on September 30, 1976,

Whitby offshore lifeboat William andMary Durham launched to help MFVAdmiral Van Tromp aground under thecliff. There was a heavy onshore swelland fog reduced visibility making itimpossible to see the build up at sea.The MFV was heeled to port, beingswept by heavy breaking seas. Threeattempts were made by the lifeboat totake off the survivors, without success,and enormous seas breaking over hercaused injuries to two crew members.By daylight two survivors had beenrecovered ashore, two men were missingand one was seen on a rock in danger ofbeing washed away.

In the meantime, Whitby ILB hadbeen launched and was on the scene.Helmsman Richard Robinson droveon to the rock at full speed and theman was hauled on board safely.

Acting Coxswain Victor Pitman, Wey-mouth: silver medalOn October 14, 1976, Weymouth

lifeboat Tony Vandervell launched at1728 in response to a distress call fromthe yacht Latifa, off Portland Bill withsails, mast, main boom and rigging

badly damaged and with fuel runninglow. HMS Ariadne was escorting theyacht, but the frigate was unable tomanoeuvre to take anyone off in theprevailing conditions. The wind wasstorm force 10 increasing to hurricaneforce 12 against a 3 knot tide, and thelifeboat was thrown over almost on toher beam ends several times. Despitethe difficulty and danger, a line wassuccessfully passed at the third attemptand Acting Coxswain Victor Pitmanskilfully manoeuvred to begin the towback to Weymouth. Wave heightsduring this operation were up to 50 feetand at times the yacht disappeared fromview, even though a light was burningat the top of her mast.

Acting Coxswain Keith Bower, Torbay:gold medal

Motor Mechanic Stephen Bower, Assis-tant Mechanic William Hunkin andCrew Members Michael Mills,Nicholas Davies and Richard Brown,Torbay: bronze medal

Crew Member John Dew, Torbay: barto his bronze medalOn December 6, 1976, Torbay life-

boat Edward Bridges (Civil Service No.37) launched at 0115 to help motorvessel Lyrma, six miles off Start Point,listing heavily to starboard with hersteering gear out of action. The windwas force 9 to 10 increasing to force 11and the lifeboat encountered head onseas of up to 40 feet. Attempts to takeoff the survivors by helicopter provedimpossible, so Acting Coxswain KeithBower closed the casualty's starboardquarter. Four survivors were safelytaken off on the first five approaches.As the lifeboat came alongside for thesixth approach Lyrma rolled heavily tostarboard, crushing most of the life-boat's port guardrail and sending thetwo men forward leaping to safety. Thelifeboat was trapped momentarily underLyrnufs gunwales and a ship's boat inits davits swung within a few feet ofActing Coxswain Bower and anothercrew member on the upper deck.However, two more survivors weretaken off and with both engines goingfull astern the lifeboat manoeuvredclear. Another man was taken off on theseventh run in, the captain was takenaboard on the ninth, and the last twomen were picked up from a liferaft.

General Farrant then introduced TheRight Honourable The Earl of Inchcape,Chairman of the Peninsular and OrientalSteam Navigation Company and Presi-dent of the General Council of BritishShipping, and called upon him to movethe Resolution.

'To be asked to be the guest speakerat the Royal National Life-boat Institu-tion's Annual Presentation of Awardsmeeting is a great honour', Lord Inchcapebegan, 'and I am proud to be associatedin this way with a service whose name isrightly famous throughout the worldand where bravery of the service seems

inexhaustible. There can hardly be any-body in the United Kingdom who hasbeen more interested and thrilled withthe history and records of the RNLI thanI have been since a boy, for I have had agreat interest in the RNLI through myfamily connections with Arbroath, ashipping and industrial borough on theeast coast of Scotland, who have had along association with the lifeboat serviceand its dramatic history.'

It was, in fact, Lord Inchcape said,as a result of the wrecks on Bell ofInchcape Rock, as well as all along theAngus and Kincardine coasts, in thetremendous storm of 1799, that thepeople of Arbroath and Montrosejoined forces in 1803 to establish thefirst lifeboat in that area. He recalledthe two major disasters at Arbroath:

'... the first in 1925, when I was a boy,but the second in more recent years whenin October 1953 six of the seven crewwere drowned. And I well rememberwhat a terrible effect this had on thetown where there was hardly a family ofthe so many fishing families who had notlost a relative in this disaster. The tale isstill told of how the sole survivor afterbeing detained for a day or two in thelocal infirmary called on the way homeat the honorary secretary's office to signon for the next crew. That is the traditionof the service . . .

'The traditional resolution which youhave asked me to move is indeed some-thing rather special, coming as it doesyear by year on this great occasion whichis, I suppose, the culmination of yourInstitution's work throughout the year,whether on land or at sea. The terms ofthe resolution are indeed somewhatmoving in their simplicity and yet in theirdeep significance . . .Its twin themes ofservice, whether ashore or afloat, and ofvoluntary effort, are themes which runvery deeply in this country, and long maythey remain so. For they do really count,and we would be a different and a verymuch poorer country in the real sense ofthat word if this resolution were to cease,for some reason or another, to beappropriate.

'Whether we are in the shippingindustry, or whether we are in the lifeboatservices, the element which unites us allis that of the sea. It is a hard master toserve and indeed Conrad referred againand again to what he described as "theimplacable hostility of the sea". To facethat, day after day and year after year,imposes a discipline . . . Certainly it callsup the very highest qualities in a manwhen needs be—and needs must all toooften be, as the record of today's gallantryawards demonstrates all too clearly.

'And this is the common bond betweenthe Merchant Navy and the lifeboatservice. The feats of seamanship and thedevotion, skill and courage in the face ofthe perils of the sea of the one servicecan be matched in the other. So, too,can the needs.'

Lord Inchcape spoke of the shippingindustry's own charitable responsibilitytowards, in their old age, men who haddevoted their lives to sea service, andhe went on to say that people in the

continued on page 64

51

The ScoutHER MAJESTY THE QUEEN NAMES THE NEW

HARTLEPOOL 44' WAVENEY LIFEBOAT

WHFN HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETHnamed Hartlepool's new 44' Waveneylifeboat on Thursday, July 14, it was anhistoric moment for both the RNLI andthe Scout Association; for the RNLIit was the first time a reigning monarchhad ever named a lifeboat at her ownstation, and for the Scout Associationit was the crown of its efforts in itsunique countrywide fund-raising cam-paign, 'Operation Lifeboat'.

The story had begun back in 1974,when, to mark the 150th anniversary ofthe lifeboat service, the Scout Associa-tion set out to fund a new offshore life-boat by raising £100,000, at that time,before the onset of the worst of theinflation, roughly the cost of a Waveney.It was the first time that Scouts through-out Scotland, Wales, Northern Irelandand England had combined on a unitedenterprise such as this. With seeminglyunbounded energy and enthusiasm theyengaged in a great diversity of sponsoredactivity, much of it taking place over oneOctober weekend—and much of it initself performing a service to local com-munities. They not only reached theirtarget, but passed it by more than £1,000.

Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chair-man of the RNLI, when accepting thelifeboat at Hartlepool on behalf of theInstitution, recalled this great andgenerous effort, and recalled, too, theoutsize cheque four young Scouts hadcarried through the Royal Festival Hallat the AGM of 1975 to present to ourPresident, the Duke of Kent.

And now it was 1977, a year dedicatedby the Queen's own wish to youth. TheWaveney lifeboat had been launchedfrom Bideford Shipyard, had completedher trials and had sailed to take up herstation, carrying among her crew on thelast leg of the passage Michael Hegarty,patrol leader of the 55th HartlepoolScout Group and a holder of the ChiefScout award. Now, during her SilverJubilee visit to Hartlepool, Her Majesty,accompanied by HRH The Duke ofEdinburgh, was coming down to Har-bour Terrace to honour the RNLI andthe Scout Association, to both of whichshe is Patron, by performing the namingceremony of the new lifeboat.

A great gathering was waiting at thedockside to greet the royal visitors:coxswain and crew, manning their new

boat, their wives and families, thestation branch officials and supporters,lifeboat people from the immediate areaand representing many inland fund-raising branches and guilds, and noless than 1,500 Scouts, from all parts ofthe country; Guides were there, too,acting as stewards, for Hartlepool's ILBis one of three Atlantic 21s donated tothe lifeboat service by that organisation;and the music was played, appro-priately enough in an area where policeand RNLI co-operation is close, by theCleveland Constabulary Band.

Before the arrival of Her Majesty,the ceremony of handing over andacceptance of the lifeboat from theScout Association to the Institution,and from the Institution into the safekeeping of Hartlepool station, had beencompleted. Welcoming all their guests,James E. Atkinson, chairman of thebranch, recalled the port's long historyof lifesaving and told of the station'spride that once again there was anoffshore as well as an inshore lifeboat atHartlepool.

Presenting the lifeboat to the RNLI,Sir William Gladstone, BT, The Chief

52

in form, was conducted by the ReverendCanon John R. Bullock, Rural Dean ofHartlepool, assisted by the VeryReverend Canon Patrick Lacey, ParishPriest of St Joseph's, Hartlepool, andthe Reverend David Johnson, Presidentof the Hartlepool and District FreeChurch Federal Council.

Now came the time for Her MajestyThe Queen, escorted by General Farrant,to walk forward to the dais and namethe lifeboat The Scout. 'May God blessher and all who sail in her. . . .' Cham-pagne breaking . . . cheers for HerMajesty and for the lifeboat . . . TheScout slips . . . 'On the Crest of theWave' from the band . . .

While the boat was brought alongsidethe quay and before the royal visitorswere invited to inspect The Scout, therewas an opportunity for the Queen and

. -

Scout, spoke of his Association's wishto encourage young people to helpothers by giving service, and of theRNLI as ''the most celebrated exampleof giving service in the country'. Hewent on to make the point that in thesedifficult days, those voluntary associa-tions which are based on service andwhich work within a disciplined frame-work are growing stronger all the time:associations like the Scouts—alreadyin the first six months of this year 19,000new Scouts had been enrolled—and theRNLI. ' Your crews are your spear-head', said Sir William. 'What splendidteams of happy people they are!' Thepresentation of this lifeboat was, heconcluded, one of the proudest momentsin Scout history.

When Captain Alexander Kirk, hono-ary secretary of Hartlepool, acceptedthe new Waveney lifeboat on behalfof the station, he extended an invitationto both Scouts and Guides to keep intouch with the station. To a fanfare bythe trumpeters of the 13th CoventryScout Band he presented a picture ofthe lifeboat to four Scouts.

Up to that time, it must be admitted,the weather had not been all that couldhave been wished: it had been overcastwith a cold north-east wind blowingoff the sea. But, as the royal carapproached, the sun broke through,bright and warm, matching the happi-ness and warmth of the waiting welcome.A fanfare from the Scout trumpeters,the Royal Standard was broken outabove the platform, and HM The Queenand HRH The Duke of Edinburgh wereescorted through a Scout guard ofhonour by General Farrant, who pre-sented Sir William Gladstone and oneScout representing all the Scouts of theUnited Kingdom, Kenneth Anderson, apatrol leader, 14th Seaton Carew Scouts,who holds the Chief Scout's award.

The service of dedication, traditional

A royal inspection: on board with Her Majesty (I. to r.), Lieut.-CommanderHarry Teare, divisional inspector of lifeboats (NE), HRH The Duke of Edinburgh(hidden), Captain Alexander Kirk, Hartlepool honorary secretary, CommanderBruce Cairns, Chief of Operations, Coxswain Robert Maiden and Major-GeneralRalph Farrant, Chairman of the Institution.

the Duke to meet the wives of the crewthen crew members themselves, withCoxswain Robert Maiden at their head.

Back on shore again to meet thechairman of the three local ladies'guilds, Mrs Audrey Woore (Hartlepool,Headland), Mrs Edith Derbyshire(Hartlepool, West) and Mrs MaryMurdy (Seaton Carew), and for thepresentation by Robert Maiden, son ofthe coxswain, of the Institution'sJubilee tribute—a photographic recordcommemorating occasions when mem-bers of the Royal Family have been in-volved with the RNLI during the reignof HM The Queen.

And so it was time for Major-GeneralFarrant and James Atkinson to taketheir leave; time for everyone to wavefarewell to the Queen and the Duke;for the Royal Standard to be struck.

(Above) Four Scouts, one each from Wales, England,Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the framed photo-graph of The Scout which they had received fromCaptain Kirk, and (above right) Robert Maiden, sonof the coxswain, presents to Her Majesty the Institu-tion's Jubilee tribute. With them is Captain NigelDixon, Director of the RNLI.

PHOTOGRAPHS

BY COURTESY

OF THE MAIL,

HARTLEPOOL

(Above) Mrs Pat Whittaker, district organising secretary(NE), presents to Her Majesty Mrs Audrey Woore,chairman, Hartlepool Headland ladies guild and (below)General Farrant presents Sir William Gladstone, TheChief Scout, and a Scout representing all UK Scouts.With them is James Atkinson, chairman, Hartlepool branch.

53

Silver Jubilee Fleet ReviewHER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

INSPECTS HER SHIPS AND HER

MARITIME PEOPLE

SPITHEAD, TUESDAY, JUNE 28: When herMajesty The Queen, aboard HMYBritannia, reviewed the Fleet as part ofthe celebrations marking her SilverJubilee, three lifeboats of the RoyalNational Life-boat Institution wereproud to take their place in companywith ships of the Royal Navy, ships fromCommonwealth and Foreign Navies,support ships and representatives of theBritish Merchant Fleet and of suchother diverse maritime bodies as HMCoastguard and the Sail TrainingAssociation: some 180 vessels, rangingright down from the aircraft carrierHMS Ark Royal.

The three lifeboats, on station at thewestern end of the Review lines andjust south of the eastern tip of TheBrambles, were the 70' Clyde City ofBristol from Clovelly; the 52' ArunJoy and John Wade, completing hertrials before going on station at Yar-mouth, Isle of Wight; and the 48' 6*Oakley Mark II Charles Henry fromSelsey. Manned with crew membersfrom their home stations and membersof staff, their complements were aug-mented for the traditional 'manningand cheering ship' as Her Majestysailed past by 23 lifeboatmen who hadcome from all over Britain and Irelandto take part, and who between themhold three British Empire Medals andno less than 26 medals for gallantry—•eight silver medals and 18 bronze—-aswell as a number of other, lesser,awards. Never can there have been a

more distinguished band lining the railsof three small boats, waiting to paytheir homage to their Queen.

And never has there been such agathering of lifeboat crew members andsupporters as there was at Calshot, theRNLI base for the event, in the daysleading up to the Review.

Preparations, in which the RNLI hadtaken its part, had of course begunmany months before. Now the time hadcome for the fleet to assemble. ByFriday, June 24, the ships of the RoyalNavy were already anchored on theirstations, with other contingents gradu-ally moving in to take up their positions.It was that Friday afternoon that thethree lifeboats and their crews sailed into Calshot with Lieut. Alan Tate,operational assistant to the Chief ofOperations, as officer in charge of theflotilla, Tom Nutman, DI (Scotland,North) in command of City of Bristol,Captain Roy Harding, trials officer, incommand of Joy and John Wade, andLieut-Commander Michael Woodroffe,DI (South East), in command of CharlesHenry.

The three lifeboats were to be sup-ported afloat by Calshot lifeboat, the40' Keith Nelson Ernest William andElizabeth Ellen Hinde, and by twoAtlantic 21s, for which crews wereprovided by Eastney and LymingtonILB stations. They were to have thesupport ashore of helpers from headoffice and the southern district office.

And, indeed, they were to be backed

The medallists: (I. to r.) Coxswain Derek Scott, BEM, The Mumbles; Coxswain William Jones,Holyhead; Coxswain Griffiths Jones, Porthdinllaen; Coxswain Arthur Liddon, Dover; SecondCoxswain Peter Gibbons, Lowestoft; Former Second Coxswain Francis Taylor, DSM, Wells;Coxswain Jack Leslie, Longhope; Second Coxswain Vic Pitman, Weymouth; HelmsmanWilliam Hawkins, Eastney; Coxswain Ron Hardy, Swanage; Crew Member Alan Blair,Aberystwyth; Second Coxswain/Mechanic Bartley Mullin, Galway Bay; Motor MechanicGeorge Harrison, BEM, Lytham St Anne's; Helmsman Edward Brown (aft), New Brighton;Helmsman William Shearer, Berwick-upon-Tweed; Coxswain George Leith, Lerwick; SecondCoxswainjMechanic Gilbert Chambers, BEM, Portrush; Coxswain John Dare, Plymouth;Coxswain Albert Brown, Workington; Crew Members John Street, Calshot, Jack Barratt,Walton and Frinton, and Peter King and Christopher Smith, Calshot. Coxswain David Kennett,Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, was already embarked in Joy and John'Wade.

up, helped and cared for in a hundredand one ways by the host station.Colonel Philip Keymer, Calshot honor-ary secretary, is also warden of theCalshot Activities Centre, and he madeavailable accommodation and excellentmessing for all members of the RNLIcontingent and also offered them therun of all the Centre's facilities.

Calshot crew room was handed overto become not only the RNLI adminis-trative and information office, but alsoits communications base (the crewmoving temporarily into a caravan).Communications were of first import-ance, not only because of organisationalneeds during the Review, but alsobecause, while taking part in the cere-monial of the day, the lifeboats stillretained their primary responsibilities.The waters of Spithead, The Solent andSouthampton Water could be expectedto be crowded with boats of all sorts andsizes and all search and rescue unitswere ready for action, if need be.Calshot lifeboat was, in fact, to becalled out on the night which followedthe Review, when hundreds of smallboats were making their way home inthe dark after the fireworks display.

Lieut. Ernest Gough, aboard City ofBristol, was in charge of communica-tions and Les Vipond, inspector mobiletraining unit, was on board Joy andJohn Wade. All boats kept continuousradio and visual watch during the day,and the RNLI had its own 'domestic'channel: apart from anything else, theevent provided a first class opportunityfor concentrated practice in all forms ofcommunications afloat.

When the three lifeboats arrived, amember of Calshot crew was there topilot them in to the CEGB dock atCalshot power station, where berthshad kindly been provided, and bring thecrews back to the Centre by road.

Saturday morning started with ageneral briefing, then it was 'all hands'to the dock, to practise dressing overall(the Navy would be performing all suchoperations with its usual quiet precisionand the RNLI must not fall short of therequired perfection) and 'clean ship',with everyone taking a share of washingdown paintwork and polishing brassfittings, before the main activity of theday began.

On both Saturday and Sunday after-noons the whole RNLI contingent, Cityof Bristol, Joy and John Wade, CharlesHenry, Ernest William and ElizabethEllen Hinde and the two Atlantic 21ILBs, set out in line astern on a cruisearound the fleet, showing the flag. Andwhat a splendid progression it was!Each of the offshore boats was allowedto embark 12 passengers, the numbersbeing made up of members of theCommittee of Management, representa-tive fund-raisers from all areas, lifeboatenthusiasts, senior members of staff andone or two more junior members luckyenough to have drawn a place; so theboats, with their passengers and crews,

54

formed a complete microcosm of theInstitution's life. With their dark bluehulls, orange superstructures and dis-tinctive ensigns, and with the attendant,vivacious ILBs, the lifeboats formed acolourful flotilla passing between thelines of grey warships, and they attracteda great deal of friendly attention in theholiday atmosphere of those Juneafternoons when all the world and hiswife were, it seemed, afloat. On Sunday,as close an approach as possible wasmade to Southsea front, in support ofthat town's flag day.

While the lifeboat flotilla was at seaon Sunday afternoon, the medallistswere beginning to muster at Calshot;excitement was building up, and so wasthe pure pleasure of the occasion. The

-t« I•*•. . >»';

8J

meeting of old, perhaps distant, friends;the exchange of news; the opportunityto mull over those all-absorbing topicsraised by lifeboats and the sea; the fun;the laughter.

Monday was the day for the full scalerehearsal of the Review, but without, ofcourse, Britannia. Before then, however,there had to be as much practice as couldbe fitted in both ashore and afloat ofthe drill for 'man and cheer ship'. Onceagain, the RNLI was determined tomatch naval smartness. Alan Tate, incommand, would be giving the necessaryorders over the RNLI's 'domestic'channel, so that all three lifeboats wouldsalute the Queen in unison. Well, thepractice of this unaccustomed drill hadits moments, too. One left-handedlifeboatman found the clockwise circleof the cap which accompanies each cheer

unnatural and, so, hard to remember;before the next practice his pals haddrawn a large arrow and fitted it into theinside of his cap!

That morning, too, there was thepleasure of seeing the Fleet Air ArmFly Past rehearsal, postponed fromSaturday because of bad weather; amost impressive display of helicopters,including, of course, the RNLI's friends,Wessex and Sea Kings, followed by thefixed wing fly past in the formation ofan ER and an anchor; it was sad thatHer Majesty was not to see the latter,but this flight of high speed jets wasmade impossible by the very low cloudwhich had settled in again by lateTuesday afternoon.

All went well on Monday afternoon'srehearsal, and after it was over the Arunand Oakley Mark II returned once again

Calshot base from Coastguard tower: City of Bristol and Joy and John Wade alongside.^^^^H^^^IH^HIIBI^I^HIIIHHU^^HHH

(Above) Three cheers for Her Majesty asBritannia passes Joy and John Wade.

(Left) Charles Henry, City of Bristol andJoy and John Wade cruise through the fleet.photograph by courtesy of Samuel Tanner

to dock, leaving the Clyde on station.At 2200 a wave of light swept over thewater: the Fleet was illuminated. Forthe crew of City of Bristol, out on thewater in the quiet of the night, amongthese magical lights, it was a profoundexperience, and one of their number,Basil Adams, recorded the momentthus:

Quiet on the anchor watch,Naught our thoughts to disturb,We lay at peace amongst the lights,Part of this fairy tale world.

Tomorrow she comes, our Queen so fair,To view her ships and men.All around the shores will soundTo the cheers of scores and ten.

We are doing what others have doneSo many times before,And let's hope will do againBefore the final score.

Back on shore, younger members ofthe party wiled away the early hours ofthe evening trying their hand at archeryor playing tennis and badminton onthe Activities Centre's indoor courts,marked out in the enormous hangarsfirst built in 1918 and in which havesince been housed all types of RAF sea-planes, including the Schneider TrophyHigh Speed Flight. Gradually, as theevening advanced, everyone began togather in the clubroom. And then one ofthe Welsh medallists started, quietly, tosing . . . the 'baton' was passed fromgroup to group until full-hearted songswere raising those lofty hangar roofs!

By 0900 next morning the Arun andOakley Mark II were back at anchor inthe Review lines, and all three lifeboatsdressed overall, lying in company withHM Coastguard's Miranda, with sail

continued on page 57

55

Island ArunsNAMING CEREMONIES AT PORT ST MARY, ISLE OF MAN, JULY 21

AND YARMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGHT, JULY 24

A LIFEBOAT NAMING CEREMONY is always

a happy occasion for a station, itssupporters, and, indeed, the whole localcommunity, but that at Port St Mary,Isle of Man, had a particularly pleasur-able aspect. For while the RNLI hasmany lifeboats named after individualswho have donated them, it is not sousual for the donor to be presentactually to perform the ceremony.Happily, this was the case when MrsAnne Ritchie named The Gough Ritchie,Gough being her maiden name. Thenew lifeboat is of the 54' Arun class, andwill doubtless play a major role insearch and rescue in the Irish Sea.

Mrs Ritchie has been a good friendto the lifeboat service, having previouslydonated James Ball Ritchie, the 37'Oakley lifeboat stationed at Ramsey,where she lives. During the ceremonythe RNLI's chairman, Major-GeneralRalph Farrant, announced that she hasbeen made an honorary life governor ofthe Institution.

A large crowd watched the ceremony

and service of dedication, the curve ofthe harbour road providing an idealvantage point. Among those there to seethe naming were J. A. McLachlan,designer of the original prototype Arunhull, and Stirling Whorlow, formerSecretary of the RNLI. For the specialguests there were excellent tiered seats,normally used for TT races. The newlifeboat is not short of speed herself,and Mrs Ritchie can have been left withlittle doubt of the gratitude of Port StMary station, as symbolised by the giftto her of a glass decanter engraved witha picture of the lifeboat; it was presentedby Helen Quillin, daughter of Coxswain/Mechanic Norman Quillin. Later, acrew member informally gave MrsRitchie a bottle of champagne: 'This isone we didn't break', he explained.

* * *After a boisterous night and wet

start to the day, the sun came out lateon July 24 to give a perfect summerSunday evening for the naming cere-mony by HRH The Duke of Kent,

Port St Mary: Mrs A. A.Ritchie names TheGough Ritchie. Withher (front row, I. to r.)Major - General RalphFarrant, Chairman,RNLI, The Bishop ofSodor and Man, BryanDoughty, chairman,Port St Mary branch,and John Hudson, hon-orary secretary. Theharbour (below) made afine background for the

maun* i >***- * ••?-j\"lk *̂ A _^«' ' ̂ >dL ."* _ "•*•••• - . . „ . Xrf

J^

President of the Institution, of the new52' Arun, Joy and John Wade, the sixthlifeboat to be stationed at Yarmouth,Isle of Wight. It was, as Admiral SirManley Power, chairman of Yarmouthbranch, pointed out in his welcomingspeech, just 51 years and two days sincethe first Yarmouth lifeboat had beennamed by the Duke's uncle, the thenPrince of Wales.

Yarmouth was en fete: flags andbunting chattered in the breeze above aquay crowded with lifeboat supportersand holidaymakers; the harbour itselfwas packed with yachts and motorboatsdressed overall, with fishing boats anddinghies, all fully manned with sailingpeople there to wish the new lifeboatwell. Lymington Atlantic 21 was inattendance (and was to carry out aservice, towing in a yacht, before theceremony had ended); there was merrymusic from the Royal Marine Band tomatch the prevailing mood; and anRNLI flag could even be seen flying inbenediction from the distant Churchtower.

For Yarmouth crew, and for the life-boat herself, moored bow on to thequay, it was indeed proving a memor-able 24 hours. During the previousnight, unexpectedly windy, Joy andJohn Wade had performed her firstservices since coming on station; shehad been called out no fewer than threetimes and had been at sea for ten hours.Three times, the night before hernaming ceremony—'This', said HisRoyal Highness, when congratulatingthe crew, 'certainly constitutes a newrecord for the RNLI.'

The first call, to a yacht with abroken rudder off St Catherine's Point,had come at 2115; 21 minutes after the

Mrs Ritchie, now an honorary life governorof the Institution, is welcomed aboard TheGough Ritchie, the second Isle of Man life-boat she has donated, by Coxswain NormanQuillin.

56

Arun had slipped her moorings, on thefirst of the ebb, she was passing theNeedles. It would have taken a con-ventional lifeboat about 50 minutes.'That is the whole point,'' commentedLeslie W. Noton, the honorary secre-tary, when formally accepting the boaton behalf of the branch. Having towedin the damaged yacht, the lifeboat wascalled eastward to another yacht,aground on Gurnard Ledge (two child-ren were taken off, the adults remainingon board to tend the yacht), and thenwestward again to investigate distressflares sighted off Atherfield Ledge. Thestation was delighted with the boat'sperformance in the rough weather and

with how much service her speed hadmade possible in the time.

Joy and John Wade was, however,back on station, once more shining andbright, when the Duke, together withanother welcome visitor, Admiral of theFleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma,Governor and Lord Lieutenant of theIsle of Wight, and Patron of the Yar-mouth Lifeboat Appeal, arrived on footfrom the Royal Solent Yacht Club,where there had been a brief reception.Unfortunately, HRH The Duchess ofKent was unable to come, but the Dukebrought her good wishes to the station

Yarmouth: After naming Joy and John Wade(above), the Duke of Kent went afloat in thelifeboat and is seen (below) on the flyingbridge with Coxswain David Kennett. (Left)Coxswain Kennett and Second Coxswain/Mechanic Richard Whibley are presented toEarl Mountbatten.

and took back to her its greetings.The new lifeboat had been provided

by the Wade Foundation, the Yarmouth

appeal and a number of generousbequests. John Wade was there himself,with his wife, to hand over the lifeboatto the RNLI on behalf of the Founda-tion, remembering the times he used tocome in to Yarmouth as a yachtsman.Present, too, were Major-General R. A.Pigot, who had launched the Yarmouthappeal, and many representatives of theIsland people and their friends from themainland who had worked so hard topass their target of £50,000 towards thecost of the boat.

Cheers for the Duke, after the serviceof dedication and the naming of Joyand John Wade, reverberated all roundthe harbour; the lifeboat turned threetimes in her own length (and that,indeed, was pretty well all the room shehad in that crowded harbour!) andthen, the Duke and Earl embarking, sheset off for the sparkling Solent torenewed cheers, joyous music struck upby the band and a grand fanfare ofhooters.

Jubilee Review(continuedfrom page 55)

training ships Royalist, Sir WinstonChurchill and Malcolm Miller, withmerchant ships to the south and navalships stretching away into the distanteast. All morning a steady stream wassailing past Calshot as little boats madetheir way to the public anchorages, andeven the Isle of Wight ferries, as theyplied to and fro, were dressed overall.

Calshot lifeboat ferried out to thethree lifeboats first the medallists andthen the members of the Committee ofManagement and senior officials whowere to be aboard. By 1330, when theReview area closed, all was ready.

The time had come. Britannia withHer Majesty The Queen, His RoyalHighness Prince Philip, their childrenand other members of the Royal Familyaboard, preceded by Trinity HouseVessel Patricia, in accordance with long-

standing tradition, was approaching.The lifeboatmen manning the shipraised their caps . . . 'Three cheers forHer Majesty The Queen' . . . the threeensigns were lowered . . . and, as shepassed the lifeboats, the royal yacht'sensign was dipped in reply. Perfect.

When, at the end of the Review, themessage came from the Queen, LordHigh Admiral of the Fleet, to splice-themain brace, it was found that suitableprovision had been made by the seniormembers on board. Mrs GeorginaKeen, embarked in City of Bristol, hadbrought strawberries and cream foreveryone as well, and the crew had soenjoyed having her with them that theygave her the boat's chart of the Reviewarea, signed by every one of them, as amemento.

The time had come to disperse. Backto Calshot. Then, one after another,waving farewell to people and boats asrain settled in for the evening.

There were messages for City ofBristol, Joy and John Wade, and Charles

Henry. From the Lord High Admiral:'// gave me great pleasure to review all

these ships assembled at Spithead todayfor my Silver Jubilee Review and toreceive the salute of the Fleet Air Arm. Iwas deeply impressed by the splendid sightof all the vessels in their lines. The smartappearance of the ships and their com-panies and the precision of the flypast werein the finest traditions of the sea. I sendmy congratulations to all who planned andtook part in the Review. The Duke ofEdinburgh joins me in sending our bestwishes to you all as you disperse.'

From the Commander-in-Chief of theFleet:

' Your presence at our Queen's JubileeReview has very successfully shown thewide spectrum of our country's maritimeinterests. Thank you for helping to makethis such a memorable occasion.'

But perhaps the last word should begiven to the medallists:

'It's been marvellous', said one. 7 hopeI meet all these boys again . . . couldn't wedo this every year ? . . '

57

(Some

MoneyAn evening auction of antiques and

fine art at Bonham's MontpelierGalleries, Knightsbridge, on May 25,organised by the Central LondonCommittee and conducted by NicholasBonham, raised nearly £6,000 forthe lifeboat service. The first lot, A Viewof Windsor Castle, a print signed anddonated by HRH Prince Philip, wasauctioned by the guest of honour,Raymond Baxter. Among other welcomeguests were Coxswain Derek Scott ofThe Mumbles and his wife and, as afitting end to a happy evening, Mrs AnneWall presented them with a pair of life-boat rescue scenes for which she hadjust made a successful bid; they weretwo of a set of six framed originals givenby Mobil Shipping.

As part of its Jubilee celebrations,Ridgeway Middle School, Redditch,held a sponsored walk of 20 laps aroundthe school field to raise money for itsadopted lifeboat, Penlee, and the SilverJubilee Appeal. £670 was raised, of which£400 was sent to Penlee branch.

Knaresborough ladies' guild, by kind permission of their chairman, Mrs Mary Thornton andher husband Tony, held a most successful gymkhana on Sunday, May 8, at Gibbet Farm whichraised £563 for the lifeboat service. The guild's annual Gymkhana, starting six years ago as alittle meeting for children, has snowballed into one of the biggest events of its kind in the area;200 horses and ponies from all over the North of England took part this year.

During London lifeboat week 1977.Fairlop Junior School, Barkingside.Ilford, raised £427.94i; they sold£71.25i worth of souvenirs, collected£9.97 in their lifeboat box and held asponsored swim which made £346.72.

1

George Lamey (third from r.), holder of thebronze medal, who retired as coxswain in1955 after 26 years service at Clovelly, waspresented with a statuette for collecting£3,000 in four years with a collecting box atthe lookout. 'I never ask for a penny. Ijust put on a nice smile and say, "Thank youvery much",' he explained. 'If they put intwo lOp pieces I add "indeed"!' WithMr Lamey (I. to r.) are two of his formercrew members, Second Coxswain (laterCoxswain) Bill Braund and Motor MechanicCharles Shackson, and also Lieut. AndrewYoung, assistant DOS (SW).

Ben Haslett (r.), a Shoreline member andsteward of Guildford Corporation Club,arranged a social evening for the RNLl lastNovember. The resulting cheque for £210 waspresented to Sydney Gillingham (/.), assistantdistrict organising secretary (SE), by CliveDunn. With the sale of souvenirs, the eveningmade more than £300.

A hobbies evening was held inFebruary at the home of Mrs J. D. Neal,chairman of the Port of Liverpool ladies'guild and president of Hoylake ladies'guild. Six hobbies were displayed——nautical antiques, embroidery andcollage, N gauge model railways, dollshouses, clocks and bee-keeping.Questions were answered, a wine cupdrunk, and there were raffles and acompetition. With two houses (6 to

Marske Fisherman's Choir, founded simply to give pleasure to others, has made a second LP record in aid of the lifeboat service. The record,from the profits of which it is hoped to fund an inshore lifeboat, is available from A. M. Lloyd, AML Engineers (Teeside) Ltd., Longbeck Estate,Marske-by-the-Sea, Cleveland, price £1.99 including postage and packing. Another idea for Christmas?

58

8 pm and 8.30 to 10.30 pm) each limitedto 100 people, it was a sell-out and £200was raised by an event which gave greatpleasure both to exhibitors and theiraudience.

Among the latest efforts of Coventryladies' guild were an Old Tyme MusicHall and an auction. The music hallraised £200; a master of ceremoniespresided, local professional and amateurartists gave their services, a highproportion of the audience were incostume; it proved a very good evening.On another occasion the sale by auctionof pictures, Victorianaand miscellaneousitems raised £350; a stereo recording ofthe LSO Gala Concert with EdwardHeath and Andre Previn was given byMr Heath—he had signed and dated therecord sleeve.

Third year pupils of BridgewaterSchool, Berkhamstead, were preparing aproject on the sea, and, to help them,Mrs Mary Potter sent them some copiesof THE LIFEBOAT. They decided to supportthe RNLI as it seemed to them 'goodand worthwhile', and raised £43.07 by anumber of events: a disco, tinfoil andnewspaper collections (for which moreproceeds are to come), an egg paintingcompetition, a sponsored walk, anEaster egg raffle and a jumble sale.

Portsdown branch recently arrangedfor M. A. Perry of Ryde, Isle of Wight,to make a model of the new YarmouthArun lifeboat in a bottle to be used as aprize in a draw, Tickets at 5p each weresold for several months and £117 wasraised. When the draw took place atPortcreek lifeboat fair Mrs Tull ofPaulsgrove, Portsmouth, was the winner.

In the ten years since it was formedDringhouses ladies' guild has raisednearly £13,000. The Reverend JohnHorton, husband of the guild secretary,is one of the people who have givenenthusiastic support; he will personallypass the £2,000 mark this year. Eachyear he has taken part in various

On June 22 the NorthWest District of theBoys' Brigade presentedto Blackpool crew acheque for £500 to gotowards Blackpool in-shore lifeboat house.Frederick Burton, hono-rary secretary of thestation, is at right ofpicture, and LeslieFraser, assistant districtorganising secretary(NW), is immediatelybehind the boy present-ing the cheque.

collections arranged at public places inYork, and his figure of £21.22 in 1967steadily rose each year until he achieved£358.59 in 1976. On one occasion hisrate of collection was £15 an hour in aseven-hour stint.

Matthew Drury handingover a cheque for £500on behalf of pupils ofMelbourn Village Col-lege to Pat Elbourn,honorary secretary ofRoyston and Districtbranch, and Brian Fitch,assistant district orga-nising secretary (E).Pupils at MVC haveraised about £1,000 overthe last 3 years andintend to try for a recordamount at this year'sRoyston annual spon-sored walk.

A film was being made in and aroundBristol Cathedral, all shots being takenduring the night. The caretaker in anearby building complained to the filmcompany that they were disturbing hissleep, so they gave him £10 compensa-

At Newquay, Cornwall, Jubilee Carnival members of the ladies'guild wore their new 'uniforms'—red pleated skirts, white polosweaters and gloves, and navy blazers and hats trimmed with red,white and blue ribbon; they were cheered all through the town.Newquay branch and guild raised over £6,000 in 1976.

Kidderminster ladies' guild has held a nearly new sale for the last sevenyears, and this year's shop, open for two weeks, brought in £1,650;the guild officers and five members of the committee are seen on duty.Everything is priced and hung and the windows are always well dressedand attractive.

59

tion. This money he brought round tothe RNLI south-western district office asa donation, explaining that all he wantedwas a good night's sleep!

St James' School, Whitehaven, a smallprimary school of only 180 children,last year raised £275 with a sponsoredspell. It repeated the event this year,raising £325 — a remarkable effort,speaking well both of the children'sspelling and their enthusiasm!

On a beautiful spring evening in Maythe ladies of Goosnargh and Whitting-ham Women's Institute, with MrsMarguerite Dixon as leader, presenteda buffet dinner dance in GoosnarghVillage Hall. A capacity crowd of 120enjoyed a most pleasant occasion andraised a fine £144.60 for the RNLI.

Early in January Porthdinllaen crewmembers gave film shows at a youngFarmers Club meeting, after which acheque for £5 was given to the branch,

(Right) One of 20 lifeboatmodels made by Jeff Morrisand used in a number ofdisplays and fund-raisingevents in the Coventry area.On Sunday, January 30, themodels farmed the focalpoint of a lifeboat serviceat Radford MethodistChurch and on Saturday,February 5, they were ondisplay again during aCircuit Evening at theMethodist Hall, Coventry,the theme of which was 'OurLifeboatmen'.

(Above, left) Mrs Antonia WallaceHeaton, honorary secretary ofKensington branch, with some ofher enthusiastic Royal Navyhelpers at the Ideal Home Exhibi-tion, Olympia, last spring. Duringthe exhibition Navy crews collected£207.98 for the RNLI. Kensing-ton's 1977 lifeboat week raised£2,759.22, a record for the branch.

Comedian Frankie Howerd lookson in amazement at BrauntonRNLI team competing in a Jubileepond bailing competition in Barn-staple staged by Barnstaple RoundTable. Some 14 sponsored teamstook part. Braunton bailed 25 gal-lons in six hours with a thimbleon the end of a stick and raisedover £100 for the RNLI.

Nearly £1,000 has beencollected in just 18 monthsfor Helston branch inCornwall Aero Park bythe RNLI display featur-ing a former Blue PeterILB. In recognition ofthis outstanding contribu-tion, Mrs DorothyWinfrey, president ofHelston branch (standingunder 'Aero') presented aplaque to the operatorsof the park, Lieut.-Commander and MrsDouglas Hale (on her r).

and at a chicken basket evening held aWoodlands Hall, Edern, which realiseda profit of £63.

Orpington and District branch hastaken part in a number of local events.At Oakley School Fete in May £120 wasraised for the RNLI; in June at GreenStreet Green Association Fete £60, and atRAF Biggin Hill Round Table Fete £58.

Earl Spencer kindly allowed North-ampton ladies' guild to hold a wine andcheese evening at Althorpe House andguests were taken on a tour of his price-less portrait gallery. In just two-and-a-half hours £1,100 was raised.

Ventnor and District branch raised£258 for the Yarmouth lifeboat appeallast May with a sponsored tiddlywinksdrive. Many children from youthorganisations and schools in the areatook part, successfully flipping the discsfor 15 lengths or more of the WinterGardens, Ventnor.

At Rhyl a group of children raised £5for lifeboat funds with a sale of old andunwanted toys.

Earlier this year trawlermen ofSkerries and Loughshinny presented abox offish per boat for auction at DublinFish Market in aid of the RNLI. Twentyboxes were donated and £500 raised.

At the Annual Festival of PublicSchool Masonic Lodges at Harrow inMay, the Master of the Old HarrovianLodge, a Shoreline member, invitedthose present to devote their charity tothe RNLI this year; £506 was raisedwhich it was suggested should be puttowards the new Duke of Kent lifeboat.

THE LIFEBOAT is packed upand dispatched by studentsof Poole Adult TrainingCentre (left). Recentlythe Centre donated £30from its amenity fund tothe RNLI and (above)Mrs J. Sykes, deputymanager, presents thecheque to CommanderE. F. Pritchard, RNLIappeals secretary. Withthem is R. J. Erbetta,Manager of the Centre.Another group of friendsof the lifeboat services.

Lifeboat PeopleWe are happy to announce that the

following lifeboat people were awardedthe Queen's Silver Jubilee medals:

Major General Ralph H. Farrant, CB,Chairman, RNLI, L. A. Austin, chiefpersonnel officer, RNLI, A. W. Neal,deputy secretary (operations division),RNLI, S. W. Chambers, assistantappeals secretary (publicity), RNLI,S. J. Roberts, chief printer, RNLI,Coxswain E. A. Moore, Newhavenlifeboat, Coxswain M. F. Leneghan,Newcastle lifeboat, Coxswain D. McKay;Wick lifeboat, Second Coxswain R. H.Cann, Appledore lifeboat, D. Rowlands,head launcher, St David's lifeboat,Coxswain G. C. Davidson, DSM, BEM,Kirkcudbright lifeboat, B. B.J.Bradford,motor mechanic, Exmouth lifeboat,W. T. Hunt, motor mechanic, Rhyllifeboat, Coxswain Mechanic W. Milburn,Sunderland lifeboat, Miss G. M. Howey,honorary secretary, Bishops Stortford,financial branch, R. H. Sanders, shoreattendant, Southend-on-Sea lifeboat,Mrs C. Noyce, chairman, Andoverfinancial branch, Mm /. A. James,honorary secretary, Paignton financialbranch, Mrs G. F. Newman, Hounslowfinancial branch, W. L. Barber, chair-man, honorary secretary and founderof Stockport Auxiliary Crew (a financial

Captain J. B. Leworthy (/.),a member of the Committeeof Management, and Com-mander Peter Gladwin, chiefstaff officer (operations),formed the British dele-gation at the internationallifesaving festival organisedby the Societe Inter-nationale de Sauvetage duLemon at Marges, Switzer-land, from July 1 to 3.

branch), Mm G. M. G. Milburn, pastHarrogate ladies' guild honorary sec-retary and donor of Whitby lifeboat,Mm G. McCarter, honorary secretary,Lurgan financial branch, Mrs D. J.Wilkes, vice-president, Llandudnoladies' guild, Mrs E. Lyon, honorarysecretary, Dundee ladies' guild, J. Rae,Stromness station branch.

In the 1977 Birthday Honours, thefollowing were awarded the BritishEmpire Medal:

Robert Charles Brown: for servicesto the fishing industry in Dorset. RobertBrown was coxswain of Swanage life-boat from 1941 to 1966, second cox-swain from 1934 to 1941 and assistantmotor mechanic from 1928 to 1934. Hewas awarded the bronze medal in 1934.

James Turpin: coxswain, Fowey

lifeboat, since 1959. He was assistantmotor mechanic from 1948 to 1959.

It is with deep regret that we announcethe following deaths:April

Neil Stewart, BEM, coxswain of Wicklifeboat from 1940 to 1970. He wasawarded the bronze medal in 1942.

Jeffrey Wright, coxswain of Fleet-wood lifeboat from 1933 to 1947 andbowman from 1923 to 1933. He wasawarded the silver medal in 1941.June and July

Within a fortnight of each other inlate June and early July, Bev Edge,honorary treasurer, and WilfredUnderwood, honorary secretary, both ofIpswich and District branch; both hadgiven many years of unstinted serviceto the Institution.

Presentations and celebrations go together. . . . When Coxswain Edgar Moore (I.) of Newhaven retired after16 years service, his station presented him with a model of Kathleen Mary made by Mr Osbourne and MrFox of Christchurch. Mrs P. Jacobs (below, left), president of Gourock ladies'1 guild, shows her HonoraryLife Governor's vellum, presented to her at the Royal Festival Hall, to Sir Charles McGrigor, ConvenorScottish Lifeboat Council, Mrs Lyons and Mrs Mclnnes, two guild office bearers, and Mary Lloyd-Jones,organising secretary (Scotland). Sir Peter Compston, chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, presenteda statuette to Lady Tollemache, president ofPetersfield and District branch (third and fourth from left) ata reception attended by Peter sfield Court of Sir William Jolliffe of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

SERVICES AND LIVES SAVED BY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE LIFEBOATSJanuary 1, 1977 to July 31, 1977: Services 1,368; lives saved 531

133 offshore lifeboats

THE STATION FLEET(asat31A7/77)

126 inshore lifeboats operating in the summer49 inshore lifeboats operating in the winter

LIVES RESCUED 102,653

from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to July 31, 1977

61

SectionIT is JUST A YEAR since I took over asmembership secretary, and what aneventful year it has been. Apart fromthe pleasure of making many new friendsamong our members, it has been mostencouraging to receive your numerousletters bringing news of the specialevents that you have been organisingaround the country to swell the funds forRNLB Shoreline. I have told you of oneor two such events already, now here isanother fine effort: J. A. Kent ofWhitstable and a friend undertook totow two water skiers, John Gwynne andBrian Niel, behind two separate boatsfrom Seasalter to Margate and back.John Gwynne achieved the 40 miles non-stop, plus five miles for luck; BrianNiel had covered 30 miles before beingchecked by cramp. Of course theywaited for suitable weather beforemaking the run. Their trip resulted in awelcome cheque for £15 being sent tothe Shoreline office. The picture on thispage shows Mr Kent in his boat,Sundowner, proudly flying the Shorelineflag. Well done, chaps! Thank you.

While we are on the subject of theShoreline appeal, I am pleased toannounce that our target is comingwithin our sights: the figure is standingat about £80,000, a truly magnificenteffort. Well done to all of you.

Another pleasing aspect of the Shore-line appeal is the way in which member-ship is growing, mainly due to the

success our supporters have had inencouraging their families and friendsto join. If we continue as we are going,our numbers should stand in the regionof 45,000 by the end of the year.

* * *On the home front, we have now satis-

factorily completed the changeover fromour old record system to our new 'on-line' computer. We did have someteething troubles in the beginning whichmeant that some of our membersreceived renewal notices although theyhad just paid their subscription. Forthis I must apologise; I can assure youthat the problem has now been sortedout and it should not happen again.One great advantage of the new systemis that membership cards and receiptscan now be sent off within a few days ofsubscriptions being received, thus re-ducing the administrative and postalcharges we have had to pay in the past.

* * *As you are probably aware, because

of inflation, we have had to increaseinsignia prices. We very much regretthat this step has become necessary asit had been a matter of pride that wehad managed to hold the same pricesover four years.

You will see that we have introduced anew tie tack into the range, which willsell at £1.00. This tie tack replaces thecuff links, which are being discontinuedfor the time being because a reasonablequality article can only be obtained at aprohibitive cost.

* * *Now, another welcome innovation:

we are starting a family membership,which means that husband, wife and

children under the age of 18 can nowall join as one for a minimum sub-scription of £5. We hope that becomingpart of Shoreline in this way will helpto stimulate the interest of the youngergeneration, and running in conjunctionwith this new family membership, wewill be starting a small competitionfor our younger members on the historyof the Institution. When the completedpapers are returned to us the childrenwill be given their own badge showingthat they know what the Institution isall about and the type of work it under-takes. I sincerely hope that many of ouryoung members will take part.

* * *May I now, please, ask for your

opinions? People have suggested to me,and I think that it is a good idea, thatwe should run a Shoreline rally eachyear in a different part of the country. Itwould give an opportunity for members,wherever they live, to get to know eachother and so help encourage unitedfriendship. We have our own ideas aboutwhat form such a rally should take, butI would welcome your observations andideas. We are thinking of running thefirst one next year, so, please, now is thetime to put pen to paper.

* * *Thank you all once again for your

continuing interest and support and,as by the time the winter issue appearswe shall be in the new year, may I,together with all the staff of the Shore-line office, wish you and your families avery happy Christmas.—PETER HOLNESS,membership secretary, RNLI, West QuayRoad, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ (Tel.Poole 71133).

Sundowner flying her Shore-line flag.

To: SHORELINE, RNLI, WEST QUAY ROAD, POOLE, DORSET, BH15 1HZ.I should like to be a part of such a worthwhile voluntary cause by becoming a SHORELINE member of the lifeboat service

and joining the Institution as:

A Life Member and Life Governor: minimum donation £60,including journal

A Member and Governor: minimum annual subscription £10,including journal

A Full Member: minimum annual subscription £3,including journal

Family Membership: minimum annual subscription £5,including journal

SHORELINE LIFEBOAT

Total subscription

Below are the variousitems you are entitled towear or fly as a memberof SHORELINE:Members'tie (Terylene) £2.00Lady's brooch £0.50Metal car badge £2.50Tie tack £1.008" hoist flag £1.5012" hoist flag £2.25Dinghy burgee £1.50

Insignia payment

Shoreline Giro number is 294 7056NAME / enclose P.OIchequejcash for £. . .

ADDRESS Date

Signature

62

Building a Rother Class LifeboatPART V: PLANKING

AFTER MANY MONTHS of patient crafts-manship, fitting, shaping and buildingup the many members which make up aboat's frame, RNLB Shoreline, buildingat William Osbornes of Littlehampton,is now being planked. The hull is takingform.

The 37' Rother class lifeboat is of coldmoulded wood construction; whichmeans that, instead of solid timber, herhull is a skin made up of three layers ofthin planks, laid at different angles andbonded together with glue into oneimmensely strong laminate moulded tothe boat's shape.

The first skin is the thickest. Theseplanks are 8 mm agba, about 4" widebefore they are shaped. The planks arelaid diagonally across the longitudinalsand timbers of the boat's frame, bottomaft to top forward, at an angle of 45degrees. Starting amidships, the planksare built out towards bow and stern,each consecutive plank being shaped to

meet the one which preceded it in a snugjoint. A plank is offered up to its partnerand the required shape marked with ascribing tool: one arm of the scribing toolis run down the edge of the plank alreadyfitted, so that its other, parallel, armmarks out the true joint edge line on thenew plank. Convex curves in the boatwill be reflected by convex curves inthe scribed lines; concaves in the boat'sshape by concaves in the line.

The marked plank is then taken downand shaped to the scribed line by handplane. When the joint is fair, the plankis cramped into position and fastenedto the boat's frame with silicon bronzeGripfast nails. Once all the planks of thefirst skin are laid, it will probably benecessary to do a little fairing with theplane in way of the solid wood membersof the frame, particularly the longi-tudinals, to make sure that this first skinis quite smooth, with no high points.

Now for the second skin—a thinner

one, of 6 mm agba, which will be laidstraight fore and aft. A fair line is laidoff about half way up the topsides witha long batten (which will be removedwhen it has done its job) and the initialagba strake is set down on to this batten.Work then continues above and below.While planks of about 4" are used on thetopsides and bottom, 2" planks areused at the turn of the bilge, where thereis the tightest curve. Each strake of thesecond skin is bonded to the first skinwith resorcinol glue and fastened with\" silicon bronze staples.

The third skin, also of 6 mm agba, isonce again laid diagonally, but thistime on the opposite diagonal to thefirst skin: top aft, bottom forward. It isglued in the same way as the second skinand fixed with f" staples.

Now that the three layers have beenbuilt up, the completed skin is finallyfastened through to the solid timberlongitudinals with 12 gauge screws at3" centres. The surface of the hull isthen planed, scraped and rubbed downwith glasspaper and a coat of primerapplied to seal the wood.

(to be continued)

First skin is laid diagonally: a plank which has been offered up andshaped to lie snugly with its neighbour is cramped into position andfastened to the solid timbers of the boat's frame.

The second, fore and aft, skin has been laid, and the first strake of thethird skin is fitted into place. This third skin is laid on the oppositediagonal to the first skin.

RNLI (Trading) Ltd.WHY FACE CROWDED SHOPS in the HighStreets when you can do your Christmasshopping effortlessly from RNLI (Trad-ing) Ltd. and help the lifeboat service atthe same time?

As well as seven designs of Christmascards and our popular Coastal Calendarthere are nine attractive gifts to choosefrom — something to please everymember of the family. The Bright andBreezy talc makes a super stockingfiller for boys and girls up to ten yearsold and is a bargain at 49p. What couldbe nicer for grandparents than one ofour leather photo frames at £1.10 tofill with two favourite family snapshots ?

Many magazines are already givingour Christmas items excellent reviewsso please order quickly before our

stocks are sold out. If you have not yetreceived the illustrated Christmas leafletplease write for a copy as soon aspossible to the Trading Manager,RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset.

The Trading Department sends theseason's greetings to all lifeboat sup-porters.

National LotteryRESPONSE to the first National Lotteryhas been very encouraging; the amountraised will be published in the winteredition of THE LIFEBOAT, together withthe names of the ten lucky prize-winners,who will, of course, have been notifiedimmediately after the draw on Septem-ber 30.

Tickets for the second lottery will be

distributed with the winter journal, butif you would like more than one set thesewill again be available through theappeals secretary at head office onapplication. The legal limit for eachlottery is 160,000 individual tickets andwe would obviously like to be sold out.

Looking ahead ...Annual General Meeting, 1978,Royal Festival Hall, London, Tues-day, May 16.

Thirteenth International LifeboatConference, The Hague, The Nether-lands, April 22 to 26, 1979.

63

AGM(continued from page 51}

shipping industry could well appreciatethe financial problems of the RNLI andthe hard decisions which it has had toface. The shipping industry knows allabout inflation and the desperatelyserious problems which it creates intrying to maintain and replace merchantfleets. If the struggle were not made, theBritish shipping industry, still among theworld leaders, would steadily declineboth in absolute and in relative terms.That would be a tragedy for thecountry, whether in peace or war.British shipping as an industry has, infact, spent more than £4,000 millionover the last ten years building themodern, technologically advanced andwell-manned fleet it has today.

British shipping had been asked,Lord Inchcape continued, whether, asan industry concerned so directly withthe sea, it could assume some greaterresponsibility towards the RNLI. Along look was being taken at what wasby no means a simple straightforwardproblem and there were several strandsof thinking: the voluntary contributionsalready made to the lifeboat service bymany shipping companies, the aggre-gate of which is quite substantial; thecomparative number of calls on thelifeboat service by pleasure boats, Britishand foreign shipping; and whether, ifany scheme were brought in by statutoryauthority, such as additions to port andlight dues charged in foreign countries,it would strike at the voluntary basis ofthe RNLI—this the shipping industrywas sure would be wrong. Lord Inchcapecontinued:

'However, we as an industry are con-vinced that the work of the RNLI mustcontinue efficiently and well. We areconvinced, too, that the voluntary basison which it is founded must continue.We wish to preserve the voluntary natureof the financial contributions whichBritish shipping makes to the Institutionbecause otherwise we are convinced thatany scheme of a compulsory naturewould be the thin edge of a very largeand unwelcome wedge. We would like,

too, to find some means whereby foreignships using our ports and coasts couldcontribute. We think this would be rightand we think that in the main they wouldwelcome il because they value the servicesof the RNLI as we do.

'All in all, Mr Chairman, we think wehave some ideas and suggestions whichwould be of help to you and which woulddraw together these various strands in ourthinking. We would like, therefore, beforevery long to sit down with you and yourcolleagues, and discuss what might bedone, and how . . . Mr Chairman, MyLords, Ladies and Gentlemen, I havegreat pleasure in moving the resolutionwhich is before you. May I especiallyassociate the General Council of BritishShipping with the tribute it embodies.The resolution is:

'That this meeting, fully recognising theimportant services of the Royal NationalLife-boat Institution in its national workof life-saving, desires to record its heartyappreciation of the gallantry of the cox-swains and crews of the Institution'slifeboats, and its deep obligation to thelocal committees, honorary secretariesand honorary treasurers of all stationbranches; to all other voluntary committeesand supporters and to the honoraryofficers and thousands of voluntary membersof the financial branches and the ladies'lifeboat guilds in the work of raising fundsto maintain the service'

Presentations were then made byGeneral Farrant to those who have beenvoted awards for long and distinguishedhonorary services. Unfortunately MrsCarman, Mr Graham, Mr Morrison,Mrs Platts and Mrs Orr were unable tobe present.

HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR

Mrs A. M. JacobsPresident of Gourock ladies' guild since1951; awarded gold badge in 1964.

BAR TO GOLD BADGE

Mrs R. S. CarmanMember of Llanelli branch since 1962;awarded gold badge in 1960, statuette in1965, letter of thanks in 1974.

Mrs G. MansellPresident of the Bridge Committee,Central London Committee; awardedgold badge in 1960.

GOLD BADGE

Mrs E. L. CoppackHonorary secretary of Connah's Quayand Shotton branch since 1952; awardedsilver badge in 1963.

A. GrahamPresident of New Quay (Dyfed) stationbranch since 1936.

Mrs. B. J. HardingHonorary secretary of Seaton and BeerDistrict branch since 1941; awardedsilver badge in 1969.

N. MacMillanHonorary secretary of Islay stationbranch since 1956.

H. N. Morrison, MBEHonorary secretary and treasurer ofBarra Island station branch since 1946:awarded binoculars in 1957 and baro-meter in 1968.

Mrs S. Q. PlattsHonorary treasurer of Bristol ladies'guild since 1956; awarded silver badge in1967.

Mrs W. M. PonsonbyCommittee member of Bristol ladies'guild since 1937; awarded silver badge in1966.

Mrs L. OrrPresident of Chanonry ladies' guild from1969 to 1976; awarded statuette in 1964.

Mrs J. ReidVice-chairman of Peterhead stationbranch and president of Peterhead ladies'guild (retired 1974); awarded silver badgein 1960 and statuette in 1965.

J. Tyrrell, FRINAHonorary secretary of Arklow stationbranch since 1951; awarded binoculars1960 and barometer 1972.

With the moving of a resolution of ahearty vote of thanks to Lord Inchcapeby Maldwin Drummond, a memberof the Committee of Management, thebusiness of the afternoon was concludedand everyone moved out to the foyerto meet friends, perhaps from a distantpart of the coast or country, and taketea at the end of a good day.

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64

Letters...One family's century

Thank you for your very kind letterregarding my coming resignation fromthe Committee of Management. It issad to think that, after more than 100years, there will be no Cave on the C.of M. I am afraid I have taken a veryback seat in recent years, but I was moreactive in my younger days. I remembermy first lifeboat ceremony when I wasabout eight years old. She was TheCharlie and Adrian which my grand-father had given to the Institution someyears before and named after my fatherand his brother respectively. She was apulling and sailing boat, stationed atHayling Island. I was allowed to take atrip in her and the coxswain showed mehow to light, and I let off, a flare. Whatjoy to a small boy.

But to come to more recent times,there are two events which stick in mymind. The first was when I went toSennen Cove for the naming ceremonyof the then new boat, Susan Ashley.The only trouble was that there was nolifeboat! She had been called out on herfirst service the previous day and owingto gales had been unable to return to herstation. What to do? The crew refusedto take part in any ceremony other thanwith the lifeboat present at Sennen,while it was too late to cancel theprogramme already laid on. In theevent we did what we could without thelifeboat, and a month later, when thetide was right, we all went down toSennen and repeated the whole ceremonybut this time with the lifeboat.

The second event was the naming ofthe Ramsey boat. I had gone up toLiverpool on the night train and fromthere I flew to the Isle of Man. It was alovely morning—not a cloud in the sky—but by the time we got to the landingstrip at the southern end of the islandwe were in a raging thunderstorm and ahowling gale with a deluge of rain. Weflew across a small bay with the landingstrip immediately on the other side.Normally one would have flown lowover the water, but with all the air bumpsand numerous ships' masts below uswe had to keep up a fair height andhope for the best when we reached theshore. Our pilot couldn't make it, andhe flew round again. A second time thesame thing happened. It was than thatI remembered there were two lifeboatsnear at hand, at Port Erin and PortSt Mary, and that if we came down inthe sea one or the other would come toour rescue. Indeed I began to revise thespeech I was to make that afternoon atRamsey. I would tell them, I thought,that I had arrived, not by steamer or

even aeroplane, but by lifeboat. Andwhat an excellent service they provided.Unlike trains and steamers they pub-lished no timetable, with the advantagethat they were available whenever thepublic wanted them. What a goodadvertisement. But at that moment Iheard a voice saying,' You may now undoyour seat belts' Perhaps I was thankfulthat the lifeboat was not needed afterall.—LAURENCE CAVE, Hill House,Bletchingley, Redhill, Surrey.

Mr L. C. H. Cave, who was writing toMajor-General Ralph Farrant, Chairmanof the Committee of Management, hadbeen a member of the committee from1947 to 1977; he was elected a Vice-President of the Institution in 1964 and aLife Vice-President in 1977. Mr Cave'sfather, Captain C. J. P. Cave, served onthe committee from 1905 to 1950, beingelected a Vice-President in 1948, and hisgrandfather, Laurence Trent Cave, servedfrom 1880 to 1899 and was elected aVice-President in 1885. Two of his father'scousins also served on the Committee ofManagement: Sir Stephen Cave from1869 to 1880 (Vice-President 1874) andAdmiralJ. H. Cave, 1894 to 1913 (Vice-President 1909).—THE EDITOR.

Jubilee day outWe, the Wath-upon-Dearne ladies'

lifeboat guild, had one of our twoannual outings in June. On the lovelymorning of June 22 at 7.30 am we setoff for Llandudno and Conwy, alllooking forward to enjoying ourselvesand blissfully unaware of a great treatin store. We arrived in Conwy just aftermidday and having partaken of anexcellent lunch we then wandered by thewater looking at the boats and the bay,and still the sun shone on and on.

Then we heard it, a little buzz hereand there: ''The Queen is passingthrough at 3 pnf.

Oh, the highlight of our lovely day.

Suddenly she was there, graciouslysmiling, we could almost touch her—Prince Philip looking as ever so bronzedand wonderful—then they had gone . . .It was a perfect touch to our day, ourJubilee Day, something we wish in thisspecial year to tell and share with othermembers of this organisation which wein our small way help supplement.

The Wath ladies are a small committeeof six. We work very hard for the RNLIand our trips help to keep together themembers whose support we need. Onthe outgoing journey we have a raffleand another on the return journey home.All this helps towards our yearlycontribution. Our next effort is aChinese Auction in August, followedby a tombola stall at the local agri-cultural show on Bank Holiday Sunday.Wish us well—WATH-UPON-DEARNELADIES' GUILD, Rotherham, South York-shire.

We do indeed.—THE EDITOR.

RNLB Rosa Woodd and Phyllis LunnOn July 3 the Gravesend branch held

its eighth sponsored marathon rowfrom Gravesend to Greenwich and back.Last year's row raised £2,400 for theservice. This year 19 boats rowed the40 miles, the Southend-on-Sea ILB,D. 181, being among several escort boats.

One other escort boat raised con-siderable interest: now named Dowager,she was the former Shoreham Harbourlifeboat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn.She is now owned by T. B. Lawrence,who has had her converted into a verycomfortable yacht. Mr Lawrence is amember of Shoreline and, like myself, amember of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts'Society.

RNLB .Rosa WooddandPhyllis Lunn wasbuilt in 1932 by Groves and Guttridge,Isle of Wight. She was delivered onJanuary 4, 1933. Her cost was £6,133: avast difference to today's prices. Shewas the first of the 41' Watson classlifeboats and she was named at Shore-ham by Prince George on March 15,1933.

While at Shoreham Harbour RosaWoodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched244 times and rescued 143 lives. Whenreplaced, she served in the reserve fleet

continued on page 68

Still doing good work inretirement: Dowager, exRNLB Rosa Woodd andPhyllis Lunn, when actingas one of the escort boatsfor the 1977 Gravesend toGreenwich and back spon-sored row, organised byGravesend branch, towed intwo boats with brokenengines.

65

THE MEN OF THEMUMBLES HEAD

Carl Smith

A Pictorial Story of The Mumbles Life-boatfrom 1832 to the present day.

Available in: Case-bound £3.50Limp-cover £1.95

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REVIEWS• The quality of lifeboat stationhistories seems to improve steadily. Arecent outstanding example is The Menof The Mumbles Head by Carl Smith(J. D. Lewis and Sons, Gower Press,Llandysul, Dyfed, £3.50).

Mr Smith, who is a schoolmaster anda member of the present Mumbles life-boat crew, has a good story to tell. Itgoes back to the year 1832 whenSilvanus Padley, son of the SwanseaHarbour Trust Clerk, together with fivepilots saved a vessel from being smashedagainst Mumbles pier. The formation ofa local committee following the incidentwas the beginning of a lengthy processleading to the establishment of aneffective lifeboat station by the RNLI atThe Mumbles in March 1863.

The people of Wolverhampton haverecently raised the funds for a newinshore lifeboat to be stationed inWales, and it may be of interest thatone of the early Mumbles lifeboats wasalso provided by Wolverhampton. Shewas displayed there publicly and rowedacross a pool before being brought toSwansea free of charge by the GreatWestern Railway.

One of the most famous incidents inthe history of The Mumbles station wasthe disaster in 1883, when four membersof the lifeboat crew were lost and twodaughters of the local lighthouse keepermade valiant efforts to rescue thedrowning men. This gave rise to ClementScott's rollicking poem, The Women ofMumbles Head. Mr Smith reveals anumber of inaccuracies in the poem. Inparticular there seems to be no justifica-tion for Scott's reference to 'three cravenmen who stood by the shore with chatter-ing teeth refusing to stir'. In fact oneof the three, a gunner in the RoyalArtillery named Hutchings, received theRNLI's thanks on vellum.

The terrible disaster in 1947, when thewhole of The Mumbles crew were lostonly six months after carrying out aservice for which the coxswain, WilliamGammon, was awarded the gold medal,is duly described, as are some of theoutstanding services carried out by thecrew under the present coxswain, DerekScott.

Mr Smith has assembled a number offascinating photographs, including oneof a large number of top-hatted Wolver-hampton citizens standing in front of theboat they helped to provide and one of

the same lifeboat at the RNLI's yard inPoplar after she had been involved inthe disaster of 1883.—P.M.

O The National Maritime Museum'sseries of Maritime Monographs andReports is ideal for serious studies of allaspects of shipping lore which mightnot readily find a commercial publisher.They have also the inestimable advan-tage of being produced by people whoknow their ships and the sea, and arenot afraid to include extra-illustrativematerial which, it so happens, themodern offset printing process embraceswith ease.

Ian Merry's The Westcotts and theirTimes (National Maritime Museum,£4.00) is a fascinating and well illus-trated history of a Plymouth ship-owning family, including a wealth ofmaterial covering the wider field ofmerchant sail in the last hundred years.The ports of the south west were thehomes of a number of important fleetsof sailing craft in the barquentine/schooner categories which tradedwidely: salt and general goods to New-foundland and the Canadian maritimes;back with stock fish for the Latincountries; fruit from the Peninsula andthe Azores; sugar from the West Indies;wines from the Mediterranean and theCanaries. These fleets, like that of theWestcotts, usually included otherschooners and ketches for coasting inthe home trade, and barges for riverwork.

The text, besides covering theWestcott family, gives histories for eachof their vessels. It tells of many of thecompany's masters, mates, seamen, withlogs and first-hand accounts of voyages.Among the last is the author's account ofhis voyage in 1930 in the barquentineFrances and Jane. There is also avaluable survey of the mining and otherindustrial activities on the upper Tamar—an area now silent, but with severalsites preserved sensitively to createenclaves of interest for visitors amongbeautiful scenery.

Admirably complementing the textare the varied appendices with repro-ductions of ship plans, press cuttingsand documents one does not often see:ships' registers, crew lists, a builder'scertificate and an apprentice's indenture.These well repay a careful study withtheir wealth of information.—G.E.F.

• The Penguin Book of Sea Stories(£1.10) is edited by Alun Richards andcontains an interestingly varied collec-tion of yarns, including both fact andfiction. No doubt readers will form theirown opinions as to which has the greaterimpact—the carefully devised tale of themaster-storyteller, or the stark andinescapable logic of truth.

Certainly Conrad has a magic touchwith which his crisp words enclose thereader, making him a part of the sceneand events taking place. Yet it would bedifficult to imagine a more vivid accountin precise seaman's terms, or greaterdrama, than that disclosed by the truestory of the wreck of Indian Chief. Thismust surely rank as one of the great epictales of wreck and rescue and one whichestablishes for all time the heroic spiritof lifeboat crews.

In all, the book covers a wide rangeof talented writers and dramatic inci-dents and may clearly be taken in onelarge dose or spread over a period ofcasual reading with equal pleasure, astime and inclination suggest.—E.W.M.

• For a lifeboat, a distress call means'Launch!'; for a helicopter, 'Scramble!'.Working together to save life at sea,surface and air craft can, when occasiondemands, rise to remarkable heights ofachievement. Each, contributing what ispossible in its own element, has a differ-ent approach, different problems, differ-ent skills. The experiences of the oneadd greater depth to the records of theother.

In Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! FrankPearce looks at sea rescue from the view-point of the helicopter crews of theCornish naval air station, HMS Seahawk,Culdrose, who, from 1970 to 1976,rescued 365 people. Reconstructing out-standing operations and talking to air-crews, Frank Pearce has produced avery readable booklet of great interest.One service recorded in detail is that toMerc Enterprise on January 16, 1974;the service for his part in which Cox-swain John Dare of Plymouth wasawarded the bronze medal for gallantry.A Danish coaster sinking, and, battlingthrough hurricane force winds in anattempt to rescue her crew of 19, fiveSea King helicopters, crewed by Britishand German airmen, seven ships—twoDutch, three Russian, one Japanese andone British—and the 52' Barnett Ply-mouth lifeboat. Eleven men were saved.

Photographs taken from a helicoptergive a very good idea of the wrath of thesea, and Mr Pearce's account bringshome just what the air crews were upagainst:

'It was an incredibly difficult task tomaintain the correct length of cable totheir winchman in these enormous rollersand quite impossible to preserve aconsistent height. The aircraft had toliterally fly up and down, matching therise and fall of the sea. As a consequencethere were times when the aircraft had tobe suddenly dropped about 60 feet as the

67

sea fell away into a trough and then risejust as rapidly to clear the crest of thenext wave . . . On one occasion a parti-cularly large roller passed only 10 feetbelow the aircraft and took the winchmandeep under water. From the effect of thispassing wave, the wire was pulled aft at anear horizontal angle and the helicoptertowed backwards by the drag on thewinchman's body. After what seemed aninterminable time, he re-appeared fromthe back of the wave and 30 feetbelow the crest, gasping for breath andstruggling to retain his helmet and bootswhich had been almost wrenched off. Asecond or two later, he was swungviolently forward into the next equallylarge wave to re-emerge with a badly cuteye from the winch hook which had sweptback and smashed into his face.'

And that was not the beginning norby any means the end of their troubles.Nevertheless, the helicopters succeededin winching seven of the survivors tosafety; the other four were rescued byvolunteers from the Russian stern

trawler Leningrad who, with ropesfastened to their waists, dived into theboiling sea. It had been a fine example ofInternational co-operation.

A booklet well worth its price of£1.20 from booksellers, or £1.37, includ-ing postage and packing, from thepublishers, Bantam, Minnie Place,Falmouth, Cornwall.—J.D.

• A new addition to the many books forthe aspiring mariner, Practical Pilotagefor Yachtsmen by Jeremy Howard-Williams (Adlard Coles, £2.50), wouldmake a good nautical highway code.

A pilot is by definition the steersmanand pilotage the ability to handle avessel among others and through thehazards of harbour, channel and anchor-age. Whoever takes tiller or wheel inhand and embarks, even on nothingmore adventurous than an afternoon'sjolly out to the harbour mouth andback, should have an adequate know-

ledge of pilotage. This little book isintended to provide just that. It attemptsno more, navigation is not in its brief,just the necessary information aboutbuoys, rights of way, lights, signals anda little about the weather. To thecognoscenti all pretty elementary stuff,but not to those many thousands whoput to sea in dinghies, runabouts andweekenders, with never a thought ofventuring more than a few miles frommooring or public slip, and to whomnavigation is something for the birdsand the salt-stained types who slipsilently into harbour at the end of abank-holiday weekend, with a littleyellow flag fluttering below the cross-trees. Certainly recommended reading,even if only for the excellent memorycheck on page 58, which taught me moreabout the international signal flags inminutes than I have managed to assimi-late in years of contemplating the posteron the back of the door to the heads.—B.A.

Letters . ..(continued from page 65)

where she had 53 service launches at16 stations and rescued a further 19lives. She was one of the 19 lifeboatsthat went to Dunkirk in 1940.

Getting back to the sponsoredmarathon row, on the way down theRiver Thames, while keeping an eyeon the last few rowing boats, Dowagerwent to the assistance of two otherescort boats which had broken down,taking them in tow as far as GravesendReach. So this fine ex-Royal Nationallifeboat is still doing a good service forthe RNLI even in her retirement.—PETER H. w. BOYD, box secretary,Gravesend branch, 11 Gatwick Road,Gravesend, Kent.

Foreign coinsI am pleased to see that the RNLI is

doing something about the very largeamount of foreign coins coming into thiscountry each year. Even in this area,which is not ideally situated to collectforeign coins, not being near a mainpoint of entry or exit, I manage to makeabout £50 yearly and at the momenthave another £50 or so in actual coin.In the past I have been finding peoplegoing abroad on holiday and sellingthem small change.

This week I tried out a new angle. Ihave always kept a coin box on mysouvenir stall at Westward Ho! but onlysold the more exotic currencies in it,such as odd Arabic, Indian, Chinese,Malay and African coins—from placeswhere people are not likely to visit. Thesenaturally do not last long as I soon runout. Yesterday I put out low valueEuropean, Commonwealth and UScoins in four boxes (Ip, 2p, 3p and 5p).This turned out to be the most popularpart of the stall and was never empty. I

managed to sell a few old halfpennies,pennies and 12-sided threepenny piecesfor 2p, 3p and 5p respectively; naturallythese were coins in fine condition.

I can thoroughly recommend thisploy to any branch running a stall. Ittakes up very little room and will notblow away (a great boon on the front atWestward Ho!). You will get a goodreturn for low value coins and can stillsend the high value coins to the head-quarters at Poole.—c. c. LOWRY, Captain,RN, chairman, Appledore branchBuckleigh House, Westward Ho!, Devon.

Marine service of the RAFI have just taken up a new appoint-

ment which includes among other thingsthe task of writing the official history ofthe marine service of the Royal AirForce. The history began on April 1,1918, with the formation of the RAF

itself when some 200 marine craft weretaken over from the RNAS. It con-tinued through to the second world warwhen some 4,000 RAF seamen wereeventually deployed in 300 sea-goingcraft. Over 13,000 allied and enemylives were saved by air sea rescueservices of which RAF craft were asubstantial component.

Today albeit a fraction of its originalsize the Marine Branch continues toplay an important role in training andweapon recovery.

With almost 60 years of service toresearch there is a wealth of historywaiting to be written about the men,the rescue launches and the marineorganisation that has served the RAFfor so long. I would be very pleased tohear from any readers who would liketo contribute to the writing of thathistory.—R. j. M. MANSON, MNI, SquadronLeader, RAF, Lacon House, TheobaldsRoad, London WC1X 8R Y.

Daxr Hre cJiX,d" UUf of cW, g

I ux>4J LJfa. b tWJrf you for tUqW tor Mvu: ua OB.

Parties of schoolchildren areregular and welcome visitors toPoole HQ, where they are shownround the museum and some-times visit the depot or see afilm. It is always a pleasure toreceive their letters of thanks:sometimes a 'round robin',sometimes separate letters fromeach child—and sometimesaccompanied by paintings oflifesaving scenes. The letterreproduced here came fromclass 8 of Baden-Powell MiddleSchool, Parkstone, one memberof which is the young son,Bobby, of the coxswain of Poolelifeboat, Frank Ide. Schoolswishing to arrange visits shouldwrite to Charles Collis atheadquarters.

•NOj-Oyv*JS-\

ijic-V

68

Lifeboat Services(from page 47)

east, near gale force 7, the sea moderate;visibility was good.

The honorary medical adviser couldnot embark as he was already at anemergency, but the injured man hadbeen tended by a member of La Quintalscrew who was a trained nurse. He wastaken off by the lifeboat at 1315 andlanded at Salcombe a quarter of anhour later, where an ambulance waswaiting.

After this service Salcombe honorarysecretary received a letter of thanks fromCaptain C. B. Lukehurst, master of LaQuinta, enclosing a donation to thelifeboat service from the ship's crew, theresult of a voluntary collection, and aletter of appreciation from the owners,Buries Markes (Ship Management) Ltd,containing a further donation.

South Eastern Division

Reported missingDOVER STRAIT COASTGUARD informed thehonorary secretary of Dover lifeboatstation at 1915 on Sunday, November 7,1976, that a man had been reportedmissing and assumed overboard fromthe cross-Channel ferry Free EnterpriseVIII; it was requested that the lifeboatshould join other shipping in a search.

In moderate visibility, with a fresh tostrong southerly wind and squalls ofrain and hail, the 44' Waveney lifeboatFaithful Forester under the command ofCoxswain/Mechanic Arthur Liddon setout at 1925 into rough seas. It was thenfour hours before high water.

The search proved fruitless but theCoastguard had mounted a search of theshore-line and at 2130 asked that thelifeboat be diverted to take off some oftheir men who had been cut off by thetide near Langdon Stairs.

Inshore there was a heavy swell andthe lifeboat put in as near as possible toallow Second Coxswain AnthonyHawkins, who volunteered, to paddlein on the inflatable dinghy. When onlya few yards from the shore, breakingsurf capsized the dinghy, flinging both itand Second Coxswain Hawkins ashore.Fortunately no injury was sustained savebruising. The dinghy capsized again andit was decided to abandon this methodof rescuing the two men who, by thistime, were suffering from exposure. Thetwo additional lifejackets which SecondCoxswain Hawkins had taken with himhad been washed out of the dinghy whenshe capsized and so he took off his ownlifejacket and jersey to help the twomen to keep warm.

A line was fired from the lifeboat butthere was nowhere on the cliff where itcould be anchored to enable the breechesbuoy to be used, so it was secured to the

dinghy which was hauled, empty, backto the lifeboat. While she was beingrecovered, Faithful Forester rolledviolently, causing one of the crew to losehis footing; falling forward he injuredhis face on the bucking dinghy.

Meanwhile, ashore, Second CoxswainHawkins had stayed with the two menwhile, above, a cliff rescue team wasmustering. In due course a man waslowered, but because of the large over-hang it was decided not to attempt tore-climb but to await the ebbing tide;because the steps at Langdon could bedangerously slippery it was furtherdecided that the four men would walkto Dover Docks, followed by the life-boat.

A request for warm drinks, clothingand a tarpaulin was met by the policeat 0213 and by 0310 the party wasreported safe. The lifeboat returned toher moorings and was made ready forservice at 0357.

It was later learned that the manreported missing from the ferry had beenfound aboard and a donation was madeto the station branch funds by hisparents.

For this service a letter of apprecia-tion signed by Captain Nigel Dixon, RN,Director of the Institution, was sent toSecond Coxswain Anthony Hawkins.

Services by OffshoreLife-boats, March,April and May, 1977Aldeburgb, SuffolkMay 6 and 29.Arklow, Co. WicklowMay 25.Arranmore, Co. DonegalMarch 25 and April 22.Baltimore, Co. CorkApril 23.Barra Island, Inverness-shireMarch 16, April 6, May 18 and 19.Barrow, CumbriaApril 11.Barry Dock, South GlamorganMarch 6 and May 12.Bembridge, Isle of WightMarch 27, May 20 and 28.Blyth, NorthumberlandMarch 4.Bridlington, HumbersideMarch 13 (twice), 14 and April 27.Calshot, HampshireMarch 13, 26 and 28.Clacton-on-Sea, EssexMay 15.Clogher Head, Co. LouthMay 4 and 6.Cloughey-Portavogie, Co. DownApril 6, 17 and May 26.Clovelly, North DevonMarch 13 and May 24.Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. CorkMay 5.Dover, KentMay 18, 27 and 29.Dungeness, KentMarch 3, 4, 5, April 9, May 14 and 21.Dun Laoghaire, Co. DublinMay 29.

Dunmore East, Co. WaterfordMarch 12 and April 28.Eastbourne, East SussexApril 7.Eyemouth, BerwickshireMarch 5.Fahnouth, CornwallMarch 12 and May 28.Filey, North YorkshireMarch 27 and May 7.Fishguard, DyfedMarch 27 and May 24.Flamborough, HumbersideMarch 13 and 27.Fleetwood, LancashireApril 4 and 24.Fowey, CornwallMarch 6, April 11 and May 21.Galway Bay, Co. GalwayApril 1 and 15.Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, NorfolkMarch 4, April 8, 28, May 20 and 29.Harwich, EssexApril 17 and May 4.Hastings, East SussexMarch 6, 21 and April 6.Holyhead, GwyneddMarch 4.Howth, Co. DublinMarch 17, 21, 27, 31, April 22 and May 21.Hoylake, MerseysideApril 16.Humber, HumbersideMarch 11, 28, 29 (twice), April 12, 17 andMay 10.Ilfracombe, North DevonApril 28.Islay, ArgyllshireApril 15 and May 1.Kilmore, Co. WexfordMarch 22.Kirkwall, OrkneyApril 16.Lerwick, ShetlandMarch 2, April 12 and May 31.The Lizard-Cadgwith, CornwallMay 15 and 30.Llandudno, GwyneddApril 12.Lochinver, SutherlandApril 1.Lowestoft, SuffolkMarch 3.Macduff, BanffshireMarch 7.Mallaig, Inverness-shireApril 18.Margate, KentMarch 16, April 11 and May 29.Newbiggin, NorthumberlandMarch 5 and April 2.Newhaven, East SussexMarch 31, April 14, 25 and May 7.North Sunderland, NorthumberlandMarch 11.Padstow, CornwallMay 7.Poole, DorsetMarch 5, April 26 and May 13.Port Erin, Isle of ManMay 29.Porthdinllaen, GwyneddMarch 9, May 5, 15 and 29.Portpatrick, WigtownshireApril 23, May 7 and 24.Portrush, Co. AntrimMarch 3 and April 17Port St Mary, Isle of ManApril 8.Ramsey, Isle of ManApril 12 and May 5.Ramsgatc, KentMarch 20, April 13 and May 29.

69

Redcar, ClevelandMay 7.Rhyl, ClwydApril 12 and May 27.Rosslare Harbour, Co. WexfordMay 4.St Helier, JerseyMarch 14, 27, April 5, 9, 11 and May 29.St Ives, CornwallMarch 2, 15, 29, April 18, May 2 and 30.St Mary's, Isles of ScillyMarch 31 and May 31.St Peter Port, GuernseyMarch 24, 26, April 7, 9, 16, 23 and 29.Salcombe, South DevonApril 9 and May 21.Scarborough, North YorkshireMarch 27, April 22 and May 7.Selsey, West SussexApril 21, May 10 and 22.Shoreham Harbour, West SussexMarch 13, 28 and 30.Skegness, LincolnshireMay 16.Stornoway, Ross-shireMarch 5 (twice), 25 and April 3.Swanage, DorsetMarch 4, 27, April 3, 12, 13, 22, May 8,16, 19 (twice) and 30.Tenby, DyfedApril 7 and 12.Thurso, CaithnessMay 6.Torbay, South DevonMarch 20, April 18 and May 17.Troon, AyrshireMarch 13 and 20.Tynemouth, Tyne and WearMarch 27, April 2 and 24.Walmer, KentApril 23, 26, May 7 and 29 (twice).Walton and Frinton, EssexApril 9, 19 and May 29.Weymouth, DorsetApril 8, 12 and May 21.Whitby, North YorkshireMarch 17, April 13 and May 14.Wicklow, Co. WicklowMarch 31.Workington, CumbriaMay 15.Yarmouth, Isle of WightMarch 14, April 3, May 19 and 28.On trials at PooleON 1044 April 25 and May 4.

Services by InshoreLife-boats, March,April and May, 1977Aberdeen, AberdeenshireMay 24.Abersoch. GwyneddApril 13, 18 and May 30.Aberystwyth, DyfedMay 5.Arran, ButeshireApril 25 (twice).Atlantic College, South GlamorganMay 29.Bangor, Co. DownApril 12 and 24.Barrow, CumbriaApril 10 and May 18.Beaumaris, GwyneddMarch 27 and April 12.Berwick-upon-Tweed, NorthumberlandMay 24 and 29.Blackpool, LancashireApril 10 (twice) and May 5.

Blyth, NorthumberlandMay 14 and 21.Broughty Ferry, AngusApril 22, May 21 and 22.Bude, CornwallApril 17 and May 14.Burnham-on-Crouch, EssexApril 23 and 30.Burry Port, DyfedMay 11.Clacton-on-Sea, EssexMay 14, 15, 21, 27 and 31Conwy, GwyneddMarch 4 and April 14.Coverack, CornwallMay 30.Criccieth, GwyneddMay 29 (twice).Cullercoats, Tyne and WearMay 29.Eastbourne, East SussexMay 21, 22 and 29.Eastney (B.530), HampshireApril 2, 21, May 2 and 8.Eastney (B.S05), HampshireMay 15 and 22.Eastney (D.184), HampshireMarch 19, April 9, 10 (twice), 14, 23, 27,May 7, 15, 21, 22 (3 times) and 28.Exmouth, South DevonMay 8 and 24.Filey, North YorkshireApril 10.Fleetwood, LancashireApril 10 and 19.Flint, ClwydApril 30, May 1 and 7.Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, NorfolkMarch 4.Happisburgh, NorfolkApril 1.Hartlepool, ClevelandApril 11.Harwich, EssexAprilI 11, May 21 and 31.Hastings, East SussexMay 20 and 29.Hayling Island, HampshireMarch 5, 6, 27, 29, April 30, May 9, 21,22 (3 times), 23, 28 and 29.Helensburgh, DunbartonshireMarch 6, April 6 and 9.Horton and Port Eynon, West GlamorganApril 30.Howth, Co. DublinMay 21, 24 and 27.Kinghorn, FifeMay 10.Kippford, KirkcudbrightshireApril 9 and May 15.Largs, AyrshireMarch 27, April 24 and May 11.Littlehampton, West SussexMarch 6 (twice), 7, 13, 20, April 10, 14,May 8, 15 (twice) and 22 (3 times).Littlestone-on-Sea, KentMarch 3, 5, April 8, May 15 and 19.Llandudno, GwyneddMarch 6 and May 26.Lyme Regis, DorsetMarch 31, April 9 and May 20.Lymington, HampshireApril 4.Lytham-St Anne's, LancashireMarch 13, 29 and May 1.Mablethorpe, LincolnshireMay 19.Margate, KentMarch 16, 20, April 2, 3, 24 and May 15(twice).Minehead, SomersetApril 10.Moelfre, GwyneddApril 10 and May 29.

The Mumbles, West GlamorganApril 17.New Brighton, MerseysideApril 6 and 27.Newquay, CornwallApril 27, 30, May 14, 22, 25 and 31.North Berwick, East LothianMay 21.Oban, ArgyllshireApril 9 and 18.Peel, Isle of ManMarch 20 and 29.Poole, DorsetMarch 5, 13, 19, 27, 31 (twice), April 8,11, 12, 25, May 19 and 22.Port Isaac, CornwallMay 4.Port St Mary, Isle of ManMay 22.Port Talbot, West GlamorganMay 21.Queensferry, West LothianApril 24. May 13 and 30.Ramsgate, KentMay 11, 15, 16 and 30.Redcar, ClevelandMay 7 and 11 (3 times).Rhyl, ClwydMarch 20, May 25 and 27.Rye Harbour, East SussexApril 8, 13, 27, and May 29.St Abbs, BerwickshireApril 8 and May 21.St Bees, CumbriaApril 10 and 28.St Ives, CornwallMay 18 and 30.Selsey, West SussexMarch 29 and May 7.Shoreham Harbour, West SussexMay 14, 16, 22 (twice) and 23.Silloth, CumbriaMarch 7 and May 15.Skegness, LincolnshireMay5.Southend-on-Sea, Essex (D.236)March 19 and April 9 (twice).Southend-on-Sea, Essex (B.527)March 4, 9, 24, 29, April 8, 11, 15, 16, 28,May 3, 7, 15 (twice), 18 and 22.Southwold, SuffolkApril 20 (twice) and May 6.Stranraer, WigtownshireMay 24.Sunderland, Tyne and WearApril 24.Tenby, DyfedApril 1, 10, 11 and May 18.Torbay, South DevonApril 18, May 1, 3, 11, 15 and 21.Tramore, Co. WaterfordApril 22.Treaddur Bay, GwyneddMarch 26, April 9, 10 and May 30.Tynemouth, Tyne and WearMarch 5 and April 24.West Kirby, MerseysideApril 8, May 1, 5, 9 and 14.West Mersea, EssexApril 2, 6, May 4, 20, 21 and 22.Weston-super-Mare, Avon (A.504)March 13, April 16, May 8, 12 and 29.Weston-super-Mare, Avon (D.170)March 13, May 8, 26 and 29 (twice).Whitby, North YorkshireApril 16 (twice).Whitstable, KentMarch 2, 7, April 1, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 30,May 3 and 29 (twice).Withernsea, HumbersideApril 18.Yarmouth, Isle of WightMay 16.

70

PRODUCTS ANDSupport those who support us!

IF VOU EVER WAVETHIS SOET OF TfcOU&LE-

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Telephone: Lowestoft (0502) 63626Manufacturers of Marine Fabricationsand Fittings in Stainless Steel andAluminium - including SS Silencersand Fuel Tanks as supplied to RNLI

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GlanvilFs marine service covers both hull and cargoinsurance as well as their attendant liabilities for shipownersand users of shipping throughout the world.

For more information please phone 01-283 4622 orwrite to Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Limited, 144 LeadenhallStreet, London EC3P 3BJ.

71

Index to AdvertisersBirds Eye Foods . . . . . . .. Inside Back CoverCentral London Committee . . . . . . . . .. 38Evett Sailwear Ltd 72Forest Row Lifeboat Choir 66Functional Clothing . . . . . . .. Inside Front CoverGlanvill Enthoven 71Gomer Press (Lighthouses) . . . . . . . . . 66Gomer Press (The Men of the Mumbles Head) . . . . 66David Jolly (Tiller Master) 64Mermaid Marine Engines Ltd. . . . . . . . . 38Neco Marine Ltd 72R. E. Prior & Co 66Products and Services Guide . . .. . . . . . . 71Readers Union Outside Back CoverV.Webster 72C. P. Wilier Ltd 64R. Wright & Son (Marine Engineers) Ltd 38

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC

When /our organisation holds its next fund raising effort at acarnival, fete, donkey derby, boat show or similar activity youcan make an additional £200 in a few hours by running aTeddy Bears Picnic. No financial risk as all stock is supplied atwholesale price on full sale or return, nothing to pay untilafter the event, then you pay for what you use, return thebalance. Send for full details giving Club/Guild name andstatus to:

V. WEBSTER (DEPT IB)BRINELL WAYHARFREYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATEGREAT YARMOUTHNORFOLK NR3I OLU

Classified AdvertisementsEntries undei ACCOMMODATION areoffered at the special rate of £6.00 for upto 50 words, including address and phonenumber. Additional words at 20p each.Other Classifications are at 20p per word,minimum ten words.All Classifieds are snbject to pre-paymcntand cheque or PO must accompany order.

FUND RAISINGAdvertising pencils, superb ballpens, combs,diaries, each gold stamped Lifeboat name,etc., raise funds, quickly easily. Bran TubToys: samples from Northern Novelties,Bradford BD1 3HE.

TROPHIESRACE SETS—MAINSAILS—DINGHIES—CUPS. W. & E. Astin, 7 Westerly Lane,Shelley, Huddersfield. Kirkburton 2368.

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MINIATURERetirements, Presentations and Trophies.Fully detailed replicas of individual boats,with crews, mounted on realistic sea basesin perspex showcases. Each a tiny gemproviding a truly 'live', unique miniature.Details: Brian H. Williams, Marine ModelArtist, 20 Bridgefield, Farnham, Surrey(02513) 6652.

FINANCEFinance for new and used craft, privateand commercial with re-payments up toten years for suitable propositions. Quickdecisions. GEO. H. GOWER & PART-NERS (Incorporated Mortgage, Financeand Life Assurance Brokers), THE IN-SURANCE ADVICE CENTRE, 41 HIGHSTREET (Bells Lane), TENTERDEN,KENT.

PAINTINGSOriginal Oil Paintings of Lifeboats (anytype) in rough seas on canvas, 30" x 24".Satisfaction or money refunded. Con-tribution to RNLI from each painting.Sample photos: Lee, 9 Esplanade, Wey-mouth, Dorset.

INSURANCEFOR ALL INSURANCE, Phone, Call orWrite J. A. Harrison (Brokers) Ltd,'Security House', 160-161 BromsgroveStreet, Birmingham B5 6NY. Telephone:021-692 1245 (10 lines). For keenest rates,service and security.

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Advice, information or delivery. WriteCaptain Ward, 4 Graydon Avenue,ChicheUei Tel: 0243 84700.

Automatic PilotTo hold a set coursein most conditions

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To: Maritime Book Society. PO Box 6, Newton Abbot, D«von \I would like to join the M A R I T I M E BOOK SOCIETY

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at the special introductory price of only 25p each (plus 60ptotal carriage (and I will pay upon receipt (or any books I chooseIAllow up to 21 days for delivery) If I keep the introductorybooks I will automatically become a member and agree topurchase at least 4 books (in addition to the introductory offer)during a year's membership and may resign thereafter. If I amnot satiified with the introductory books 1 may return thenU'ithin 10 days and owe nothing.

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"Maritlm* Book Society,Brun* HouM.M«wton Abbot.R*g in England No 843946