THE LIFE-BOAT,OR

JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

VOL. V.—No. 47.] JANUARY IST, 1863.PRICE 3D.

With Illustrations.[ISSUED QUARTERLY.

SCHOOLS FOR SAILORS.*THIRD ARTICLE.

IN completion of what I have before said,while advocating the claims of sailors uponpublic aid for special instruction, I will nowonly make a few supplementary remarksupon the subjects that should be taught inSailors' Schools.

Taking for granted the need of the ordi-nary bases of secular knowledge—the three-fis, as they have been whimsically called—I would add another K, which the dis-pensers of the Parliamentary fund are socareful to ignore, or at least to thrust asideto "a more convenient season"—I meanReligious Knowledge. It would be a trite,common-place sort of thing if I pretendedto prove the necessity of what is denied byvery few persons: I will only appeal to theobservation of every one acquainted withsailors as they really are, and will summonthem to confirm my statement, that, on thewhole, sailors are peculiarly open to deepreligious impressions. A great proportionare wild, ungovernable men in their youngerdays, and have not much control over theirpassions in presence of temptation; butthere is frequently a return from, and aban-donment of, vicious courses; and, when asailor has been through much peril of water,the meditative element develops itself withinhis breast, and he very often becomes adevout man. I will go so far as to assertthis; that, taking equal numbers of menfrom the army and from the navy, a greater

* Continued fvom page 167 of the October Number ofthis Journal.

proportion of religiously-minded men willbe found among the latter. I believe con-scientiously myself, that, whoever wishes tomake poor Jack have a happy life of it, willtry to furnish him with a good sound bottomof religious faith and knowledge, whereonto build up all the rest of his mental cargo.

In reading, I do not think that the timeof young sea-faring boys should be taken upwith the study of fine-sounding, long-wordedbooks, such as we find in too many schools.All the " ologies" may be very safelyomitted from his education: his readingshould be plain and useful;—of course, heshould be able to read his Bible well; andI would go so far as this—to recommendthat he should study the best book of prac-tical morality that I know of —• RobinsonCrusoe; that tale of all others the mostlevel to his comprehension, and the bestsuited to his daily life.

Writing should be carried so far, by thetime a boy makes his first trip, that he maybe able to bring on board a good legible billfor his captain whenever he is sent ashorefor purchases, and that he should indite aletter to his parents or friends, which thepostman will not return to the Dead LetterOffice on account of its misdirection. Byand by, when the young seaman thinks ofpassing his examination, he may have im-proved his hand during his winter school-ing, so that he may not be rejected even bya Privy Council examiner. All flourishes(the boast of ancient pedagogues), all orna-mental hands (the aspiration of plumbersand glaziers), all scribbling (such as " cer-tificated masters" often teach), should

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170 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1, 1863.

never be enforced upon the young sailor-lad. He wants the elements of a large, bold,plain hand, which may stand the pitch andtar of the rigging, and be taken ashore andout to sea again, year "after year, withoutdanger of ever getting spoiled or worse forwear.

In arithmetic, as I said in my first letter,I think lads by twelve years of age may beeasily got up to such a point, that the firstwinter they pass in school after their firstvoyage may see them fairly in fractions anddecimals. I would never waste time oversquare root, or cube root, or mensuration,or double rule of three, &c., for lads of thisclass. I would keep steadily in view thefact, that they must be able to work loga-rithms easily and correctly; and I wouldalso give them the power of working pro-blems by simple equations—about the mostsatisfactory piece of calculation a boy evermeets with. "Tait's Arithmetic" is anexcellent book for a boy of this kind;while " Colenso's," is altogether superfluous.Further, however, than this, Jack shouldbe up in Practice. He should be able totake his turn as captain's clerk, if need be.He should, when an able-bodied sailor, beable to see something like daylight throughthe ship's manifest; and, in fact, he oughtto have a tidy knowledge of the mysteriesof £. s. d.

The most difficult part of the question,however, is to define the limits of his geo-metrical knowledge; for he must know agood deal of the principles, or else he willnever be more than a second-hand navi-gator. I am free to confess that I considerEuclid as not suited to him; it is all verywell for students in the Universities, asa fine fossil specimen of pre-Adamitic geo-metry, but it is too abstruse for the rough,seafaring mind; and something more simple,more practical, more of the thumb-and-eye kind, must be substituted in its stead.I wish very much that somebody—nota professed mathematician, and certainlynot a teacher of " mathematics and the useof the globes " — would publish a bookof this kind. Some good practical seaman,some experienced captain in the navy, someable master-shipwright, would be the sort

of person who should attempt the task; andhe would confer a great boon on society byso doing. Above all, we want a short andlucid treatise on spherical geometry, speciallyfor the use of young sailors; and to thismight appropriately be added the score ofastronomical problems which will suffice forthe best sailor afloat.

Whatever is done for sailors and sailor-boys must be made plain and easy. I donot say that it must always be made short;but simple and self-evident it must alwaysbe, or it is good for nothing.

If a good foundation of great geometricaltruths and facts be laid, all the treatises onnavigation come in easily afterwards. Asailor then can easily understand them forhimself; he will know the whys and where-fores; he will appreciate them, and he willget into great-circle sailing, and will bringdown his altitudes, and will work out hislog with intelligence and satisfaction.

We cannot teach this sort of thing to asailor-boy with success until we can put theproper books into his hands; and practicallythis is one of the most serious difficulties inthe way of maritime education.

I limit myself purposely to these simplepoints, afraid of saying more, lest I openthe sluice-gate for some of those terrible" ologies;"—let us get thus far, first of all,and then we ma}' look still further ahead—if the captain wishes.

But, after all, shall we get any public aidfor keeping up schools of this kind ?—thatis the question!

THE CHAPLAIN OF THE 1ROYAL WELSH YACHT CLUB.

ADDITIONAL STATIONS ANDNEW LIFE-BOATS.

BLAKENEY, NORFOLK.—The NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has recently sta-tioned a life-boat at Blakeuey, at the northextremity of Norfolk, at which place a crewof fishermen perished last year in attemptingto rescue a shipwrecked crew. This isone of the smaller class of the self-rightingboats, being 30 feet long and rowing 6 oars,single-banked. Her cost was presented tothe Institution by Miss BRIGHTVVELL, of

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 171

Norwich. The station was completed andthe boat publicly launched on the 6th Oc-tober last, a local Committee of manage-ment having been organized, consisting ofthe clergy and gentry resident in the neigh-bourhood.

TYNEMODTH, NORTHUMBERLAND. — Inconsequence of the erection of the extensivepiers at the mouth of the Tyne, it had be-come requisite to have an additional stationthere, and the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI-TUTION decided to supply the deficiency byplacing a first-class self-righting life-boat atPrior's Haven, on the north shore, where ithad already the site of an old boat-house.The cost of the life-boat was presented tothe Institution by G. J. FES-WICK, Esq., lateof Seaton Burn, Northumberland, and a consi-derable collection made in the neighbour-hood for the erection of a new boat-house,evincing a local interest in the undertaking.The boat selected to be sent was one which,through the late summer, had been exhibitedin the Gardens of the Royal HorticulturalSociety, contiguous to the InternationalExhibition, and which will, no doubt, havebeen seen there by many of our readers.She is a remarkably fine and handsome boat,and contains all the latest improvements thathave been introduced. On her arrival ather station she was publicly exhibited andlaunched, and has elicited the entire appro-bation of her crew. As the neighbouringlife-boats, at North and South Shields, pro-vided and supported by a local life-boatsociety, are on the old north country, or"Greathead" plan, an opportunity will nodoubt ere long be afforded for testing thecomparative qualities of the two descriptionsof boats, as no winter passes by without theoccurrence of wrecks on the Herd Sand andthe shore contiguous to our great coal port.(For a full account of the interesting exhi-bition and reception of this boat, vide page188.)

New life-boats to supersede others whichhave needed to be replaced have also beensent by the Institution to Appledore, inNorth Devon; St. Sampson's, Guernsey;Drogheda, in Ireland; and to Fleetwood, inLancashire.

SERVICES OF LIFE-BOATS BELONG-ING TO THE KOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

FLEETWOOD, LANCASHIRE.—On the 24thJuly, at 8 P.M., a flat was seen to drive intobroken water on the Barnard Wharf Sand,off Fleetwood. The Fleetwood life-boatproceeded at once to her aid ; she proved tobe the William, of Liverpool, coal laden.The sea was breaking quite over her, andthe crew were in a nearly exhausted state.The crew of the life-boat, by working at thepumps, succeeded in keeping the vessel afloatuntil a steam-tug came to their aid, whenthey slipped her cable, were taken in tow,and got her into the harbour.

THORPE, SUFFOLK.—On the 20th Octo-ber at midnight, during a strong gale withheavy sea, the barge Henry Everest, ofRochester, was driven ashore off Thorpe-ness. The Thorpe life-boat was speedilylaunched, and proceeded to her aid, takingoff her crew of 4 men, and landing themin safety. The cost of this boat had beenrecently presented to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION by the town of Ipswich.This was her first service, and her crew re-ported highly of her behaviour on the occa-

DUNGENESS, KENT.—On the night of theI 21st September, the barque Cruz V., ofOporto, with a general cargo, drove ashorenear Dungeness Point. The Dungeness life-boat was speedily launched, and proceededthrough 4 miles, of broken water to her aid,when they found her crew, 14 in number,in an excited state, and about to take to theirlong-boat, which had they done, they would,to a certainty, have all perished. Theywere spon got into the life-boat, whichlanded them in safety. The boat was re-ported to have behaved remarkably weH onthe occasion.

LYTHAM, LANCASHIRE.—On the 26th Oc-tober, the schooner Ceres, of Arbroath, ranashore, in 3 heavy sea, on the SalthouseBank, striking heavily, and sustaining much,damage. The Lytham life-boat proceeded

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172 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JAKUAKY 1,1863.

to the aid of her crew, and remaining byher until the following tide, succeeded ingetting her off the bank and taking her intoa place of safety.

On the 20th October the Lythara life-boatagain rendered a very important service. TheAmerican ship Annie E. Hooper, of Balti-more, U.S., 1,140 tons burden, with a crewof 18 men, anu a cargo of wheat, flour, andtobacco, stranded on the Horse Bank, northof the River Mersey, the wind blowing aheavy gale from the west at the time. Thedisaster being seen from Lytham, 8 or 10miles distant, the life-boat there was quicklylaunched and towed to the neighbourhoodof the wreck by the steamer Loch Lomond.After casting off tow, she was rowed througha very heavy broken sea, which nearly filledher three times, and then with much riskand difficulty succeeded in taking on board13 of the wrecked crew, and the Liverpoolpilot who had taken charge of the ill-fatedship. A heavy blow of the sea havingthen caused the breaking of the rope bywhich she was held to the wreck, she wascarried a short distance from it; and theSouthport life-boat, coining up at the time,took off the 4 remaining men of the wreckedcrew. On landing the 14 rescued men atLytham, the life-boat's crew were loudlycheered by a large number of assembledspectators, the service being considered one ofa very arduous and dangerous character, andvery skilfully performed. The vessel soonbecame a total wreck. The owner of theLoch Lomond, Mr. WILLIAM ALLSUP, notonly declined to receive any remunerationfor his services in towing the life-boat, buthas since given instructions to the mastersof each of his steamers that on all futureoccasions, in the event of their servicesbeing required to assist the life-boats insaving lives, they are to leave any other ser-vice they may be engaged on, in order to co-operate on that humane work.

SODTHPORT.—At daylight on the 20th Oc-tober, the American ship, Annie E. Hooper,was first seen to be ashore on the Horse !Bank, from Southport, distant five miles.The life-boat there was at once launched, jand after much exertion on the part of her

crew, in rowing her through the very heavysea, she arrived at the wreck in time to takeoff the master and 3 of his crew; the other14 having been already taken off by theLytham life-boat. This boat had been onlya few months previously placed on the sta-tion, her cost having been presented to theInstitution by JAMES KNOWLES, Esq., ofEagley Bank, this being her first service.She was reported by the coxswain and crewto have behaved admirably on the occa-sion.

PADSTOW, CORNWALL.-—On the night ofthe 8th November, the sloop Loftus, of Pad-stow, in entering that port, was compelledto anchor in Hell Bay, exposed to a strongwesterly wind and heavy sea. At daylightshe was discovered from the shore with aflag of distress flying. The Padstow life-boat was then launched to her assistance,and rowing to her through a very heavy sea,took off her crew of 4 men, there being nohope of saving the vessel, which shortlyafter was driven ashore from her anchors,and quickly went to pieces. This boat hadbeen named the Albert Edward, by per-mission of the late PRINCE CONSORT, and itwas a not uninteresting coincidence that thisvaluable service was performed on the dayof His Royal Highness the PRINCE OF WALESattaining his majority.

KIRKCUDBRIGHT, SCOTLAND. — On the13th November, the schooner Ellen, of Li-verpool, laden with freestone, on enteringthe River Dee, struck on the bar at itsmouth, in a strong breeze from the S.S.E.Information of the same having been con-veyed to Kirkcudbright, the life-boat at thatplace was soon launched, and in an hourafter reached the vessel, which, with theassistance of her own crew, they succeededin getting again afloat, taking her to Kirk-cudbright : without this assistance, the vesselwould have become a total wreck, and hercrew would have incurred great risk hadthey attempted to laud in their own boat.This was the first service of this boat, whichhad been only a few months on the station,her cost having boon presented to the In-stitution bv K. L., a gentleman resident in

JANUARY 1,18G3.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 173

Manchester. She was reported to have be-haved admirably on the occasion.

BUDEHAVEN, CORNWALL.—On the 14tllNovember, the smack Mary Elizabeth, ofPadstow, was observed to be fast driftingtowards the rocky shore, west of Bude-haven, in a dismasted and unmanageablestate. A high surf was setting into theentrance of Budehaven at the time, but thelife-boat wa? quickly launched, and rowedout through the high breakers, which on thispart of the coast are of a very heavy anddangerous character. After an hour's hardpull, they reached the vessel, and took offher crew of 3 men, landing them through avery high surf in Widemouth Bay, whencethe boat was taken back to her station byland on her transporting-carriage. The un-fortunate smack shortly after was dashedashore on the rocks, and was almost imme-diately in fragments. The life-boat wasreported to have behaved admirably on theoccasion.

PLYMOUTH.—On the 6th December, theDutch galliot, Aremana, having got embayedin Whitesand Bay, near the port of Ply-mouth, let go her anchor, which not holding,she was fast driving towards the shore, whenher dangerous situation having been madeknown to the Government authorities atPlymouth, the Queen's Harbour - Master,Commander J. R. AYLEN, R.N., at once pro-ceeded to her assistance in H. M. Steam-tugConfianoe, taking the life-boat in tow. Onarriving at the vessel, 2\ miles N.W. of theRame Head, the life-boat performed essentialservice by effecting a communication, throughthe surf, with the distressed vessel, whichwas thus enabled to be taken in tow by thesteamer, and conveyed safely into port. Thiswas the first service of this life-boat, thecost of which had been a few months pre-viously presented to the Institution by MissBUEDETT COUTTS.

In numerous other instances the life-boatsof the Institution have proceeded to wreckedvessels since our October report of theirservices, and hare in many cases rendered

TEIGNMOUTH, DEVOX.—On the night of j valuable service in saving, or assisting tothe 18th November, the fishing yawl, John,struck on the bar at the entrance to theriver. One of the 3 men of her crew wassoon after washed overboard and drowned.A coastguard-boat, the crew of which wereon the look-out, and heard the cries of thewrecked men, rowed immediately to thespot, but found the sea too heavy on the barfor them to attempt a rescue; they thereforereturned to the harbour, and, ringing thealarm-bell, the life-boat's crew were quicklyassembled, and the life-boat immediatelylaunched. On arriving at the wreck, theysucceeded in taking off the 2 survivors ofthe wrecked crew; the vessel afterwards be-coming a total wreck. As the night wasvery dark, and the life-boat's crew were allin bed when the alarm was given, they de-served much credit for the promptitude withwhich they got their boat launched, andproceeded to the scene of the disaster ;indeed, had they been but a little later, thewrecked men would have been lost, as theystated they could only have held on to theirwrecked boat for a few minutes longer.

save, the vessels themselves; but not havingbeen directly instrumental in saving the livesof their crews, those services are not hererecorded. An enumeration of them will,however, be found in the tabular statement.(Pages 184 to 187.)

LECTURE ON LIFE-BOATS*4. Richardson's Tubular Life-boat.—The next

coast life-boat to be described is "the tubular."By the model of this boat, which is on the table, itwill be seen that it is altogether different in prin-ciple to any other boat; consisting of two longtubes running parallel to each other a few feetapart, having their ends turned upwards and in-wards, and terminating in points, with an open-work or grating-deck with corresponding thwarts,ail supported above the tubes.

The boat of which this is a model was built in1852 by Messrs. H. and H. T. Richardson, twoAVelsh gentlemen, father and son. They had formany years had a small boat of the same class inuse on a lake in Wales, and, when the DUKE OFNORTHUMBERLAND offered the prize for the bestdesign of a life-boat in 1850, they sent the model,which is now on the table, to compete for it. With

* Delivered by Capt. J. R. WARD, E.N., at tbe RoyalUnited Service Institution, Jan. 17th, 1862.—Continuedfrom page 155 of the 0«tober Number of this Journal.

174 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUABY 1, 1863.

much public spirit they then built at Manchestera full-sized boat, 40 feet long, and rowing 14 oars,and made a coasting voyage in it themselves fromLiverpool to the Thames, putting into most of theintermediate ports.

In a half-comic, half-serious account which theypublished of this voyage, under the title of " TheCruise of the Challenger," she was described ashaving encountered extraordinary dangers, anddisplayed marvellous properties. Her designersfurther challenged all the life-boats in the king-dom to compete with her. But, as 1 have statedunder a previous heading, there are almost in-superable difficulties in the way of competitivetrials of life-boats. As it was, I believe thesegentlemen spent considerably more than 1,OOOZ. inthe building and exhibiting of this boat, yet theywere unable to obtain any trial of her in competi-tion with other life-boats.

I should myself much like to see a competitivetrial of the different descriptions of coast life-boats, including this one, in a gale of wind andheavy surf, but such a trial could only be under-taken by the Government. It would have to comeoff at some large port, such as Shields, whereplenty of boatmen acquainted with life-boat workwould be available, and where, from the con-tiguity of life-boat stations, some boats could begot together without much difficulty or other ex-pense than the payment of men for trying them.Still, the tubular at least would have to be ex-pressly built for the trial, and to be sent from adistance; so that I doubt if the whole trial, which,to be conclusive, might have to be more than oncerepeated, could be gone through at a less costthan 1,0001.; and even then there might be greatdifficulty in procuring equally effective crews forall the boats, which would be essential. Again, itwould be necessary, in the event of any livesbeing lost in such a series of trials, to secure apermanent provision for any widows and orphanswho might be left, which could be done by Go-vernment alone.

The tubular life-boat, built by the Messrs.Richardson in 1851, was afterwards sold by themto the Portuguese Government, to be stationedat the city of Oporto, off the port of which thereis a very dangerous bar.

Another somewhat smaller tubular boat was, in1856, built for the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-TION, and stationed at Rhyl, the boatmen at whichplace having applied for such a boat. She has sincethat time saved several wrecked crews, and hasbeen very highly reported on by those who workher. She has necessarily very great stability, andthe advantage of instantaneously discharging allwater that breaks over her. She also tows verysteadily; but that is a quality not often broughtinto requisition.

The obstacles which have stood in the way of afurther trial of these boats have been :—

1. The uncertainty of the boatmen on the coasttaking to a boat so different from an ordinary one.

2. The uncertainty of their durability, and theirliability to damage by collision with the ground,the material of which they are made being tinnediron, which is very easily indented or cut through.

3. Their requiring a very clumsy and heavytransporting carriage.

I have had no opportunity for going afloat inthis boat in any very heavy surf, so can offer nopractical opinion respecting her; but she rowsfaster in a moderate sea than I should have anti-cipated.

Should any further trials be made of this classof boat, it might be worth while to have one madeof wood instead of metal tubing.

5. White's Life-boat.—l'he last description oflife-boat which I have to describe is that of thewell-known yacht-builder Mr. "White, of Cowes.This boat competed for the Northumberland Prizein 1851 as Lamb and White's life-boat. It ismostly in use as a ship's life-boat, chiefly onboard the vessels of some of the large steam-packet companies.* I believe it to be the bestship's life-boat yet adopted; but as a coast life-boat it is not considered to possess sufficient" extra buoyancy," or means for self-discharge ofwater; it has not, therefore, come into generaluse, although it is very fast both as a rowing anda sailing boat. There are only two life-boatstations provided with it, and there are threeothers in the hands of the boatmen on the Kentishcoast, where they are available to save lives aswell as to serve their owner's purposes.

IV.—Modes of Propulsion.Having explained the general properties of life-

boats, as exemplified in those principally in useon the coasts of the United Kingdom, the not un-interesting question arises as to what is the mostadvantageous mode of propelling them—I meanby manual labour; for although for the perform-ance of services at very long distances sails mustbe employed, and in a few localities where boatsare stationed in harbours, steam-vessels may beavailable to to-w them, yet, as, at nine stations out ofevery ten, life-boats have to be launched from anopen, exposed, and generally flat beach through aheavy surf, and have to proceed entirely throughbroken water, the manual labour of their crews isthe only possible mode of propelling them.

It would perhaps have not been worth while tomoot this question at all, but that it happens tobe one of the most favourite notions of inventors,and of even some scientific persons, that a life-boat could be propelled more rapidly by revolvingpaddles or Bcrevss, vfovked by "winches within the

I boat, than by oars.Those who take up this notion too often forget

the mechanical law, that by no possible arrange-ment or application of machinery or leverage canthe power or strength of one individual person, orany other power, be really multiplied. They for-get that, if by leverage or tackle-purchase an in-dividual can be enabled to lift or drag a weight100 times greater than by his unaided strength,he can only move the same through a hundredth

* The Lords of the Admiralty have recently ordered alife-boat on this plan to be provided for every man-of-warstationed on the west coast of Africa.

It is much to be desired that every ship of war should beprovided with a good life-boat. Many valuable lives, bothof officers and men, have been lost for want of boate thatcould be safely lowered in a gale of wind at sea, or takenthrough a surf on the shore or bar of a river with impunity.

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 175

part of the same space in a given time, and thatwhat therefore is apparently gained in power islost in time or speed.

The question then really at issue is, not—Howshall the power of a boat's crew be multiplied ?hut—How can the actual power which they dopossess be most advantageously applied ?

A few minutes' consideration must, I am sure,convince any one that, ancient as is the mode ofpropelling boats by oars, no more beautiful andconvenient instrument than an oar could be de-vised for the purpose.

Undoubtedly, where great velocity as well as jpower can be obtained by extraordinary media- jnical force, such as that of steam, the rotatorymotion of the wheel has great advantages; buteven as applied to the propulsion of large vesselsby the ordinary paddles, or by the oblique bladescommonly termed screws, great loss of power oc-curs when a vessel is subjected to much motion ina heavy sea, so that frequently no headway canbe made; for in a paddle-steamer one paddle willbe frequently revolving in the air and the other betoo deeply immersed, whilst in a screw-vessel theblades will be often partially out of water, andtheir force considerably diverge from a horizontalline.

But a life-boat in a heavy surf is subjected tomotion so much more violent and excessive inamount than a large vessel is liable to in an opensea, that, even if it were possible to work theformer by steam, the loss of power would be sogreat as to stop all progress. What then could themuch more limited power of ten or twelve menavail under the same circumstances, even if theywere accustomed to exert those particular muscleswhich are brought into use in turning a rotatorymachine ?

The advantages of the oar are-Is^ That it is worked with less loss of power

from friction by manual labour than would be anyI'otatory instrument.

2nd. That, in the hands of a skilful rower, it isalways worked at full power; its blade, in obe-dience to the quick eye and steady hand, follow-ing the upheaving or downfalling wave, and, inmeasured time, cleaving its varied surface withthe whole force of the broad chest and musculararm directing it.

3rd. That, being in daily use by the coast boat-men in pursuing their own avocations, they arenot only already skilled in its management, buthave those particular muscles which are requiredto work it already strengthened by use.

In truth, this last reason alone for its preferenceis a sufficient reply to all advocates of the paddleor screw, and, consequently, my usual reply toinventors or others who suggest the employmentof either of the latter is, that, if they can securefor us at each life-boat station a corps of menwhose daily work is that of turning winches orgrindstones, the question may then be open toconsideration.

V.—Equipment.Having settled the principles on which a life-

boat should be constructed, and decided on themode of propelling her, we have now to equip her

for service. In doing so we have, as a first duty,to provide her with everything that can contributeto the safety of those whose lives we jeopardizeby employing them on this dangerous service;secondly, to make her as far as possible inde-pendent of all assistance from wrecked vessels,the crews of which are often in a helpless state,perhaps lashed to the rigging, and unable to throwa rope, or even to get from the wreck to the boatwithout aid.

A life-boat is therefore provided with lines,called life-lines, some festooned round her sides,by the aid of which any one in the water usingthem as stirrups can get into her; others withcorks attached are thrown from within her whenalongside a wreck, and float on the water allaround her. She is also furnished with a corklife-buoy, which, with a line attached, can bethrown or floated to any one in the water whomight be too distant to reach the life-lines of theboat. She has likewise strong but light lines withgrappling-irons attached, one at the bow and an-other at the stern, which, by being thrown intothe rigging or on board a wreck, fasten themselves,so that the boat can be at once held to the wreckwithout the assistance of any one in her. Ananchor and cable; a good lantern for nightwork;a compass; and a drogue or water-bag, which isdragged behind a boat to prevent " broaching-to "when running before a heavy sea, are also neces-sary to a complete equipment; and last, but notleast, is the supply of a good life-belt, or life-jacket as it is sometimes called, to each of theboat's crew.

As the life-belt is an especial hobby of my own,and as the description with which the boats'crews of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION areprovided was designed by myself, I trust I shallnot be tempted to be wearisome to my hearers;but, since I consider the subject to be one of theutmost importance, I shall at some length remarkon it.

One of the causes of the great loss of life whichattended most life-boat accidents in the oldentime, independently of the boats not possessingthe self-righting property, was undoubtedly thattheir crews were not provided with life-belts, or,as in the case of the late "VPhitby life-boat, thatthose they had were of a worthless description.

The cases of accident which I have alreadyquoted under the head of self-righting, are equallyillustrative of the value of good life-belts, for,unless in each case the men had been supportedby their belts, the self-righting property wouldhave been of no service to many of them. For itmast be remembered that the majority of ourcoast boatmen cannot swim, and that even the bestswimmers forfeit their lives, when upset in heavysurfs, through losing their presence of mind.Many cases could be quoted, but none more con-clusive than that of the Southwold boat before re-ferred to, when three gentlemen without beltswere drowned, although one of them was knownto be a good swimmer, whilst 15 men havingon belts, several of whom could not swim,were all saved. And again, that of the Whitbyboat, when one man who had on a good belt, al-

176 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1, 1863.

though unable to swim, was saved, whilst 12 whohad on inferior ones were drowned. How manylives might be saved annually if one of these beltswas provided for the master and each man in ourmerchant ships!

The requisite qualities of a life-boatman's life-belt are—

1. Sufficient extra-buoyancy to support a manheavily clothed, with his head and shouldersabove the water, or to enable him to support an-other person besides himself.

2. Perfect flexibility, so as to readily conformto the shape of the wearer.

3. A division into two zones, an upper andlower, so that between the two it may be securedtightly round the waist; for in no other mannercan it be confined sufficiently close and secureround the body without such pressure over thechest and ribs as to materially affect the free ac- ,tion of the lungs, impede the muscular movement Iof the chest and arms, and thereby diminish thepower of endurance of fatigue, which, in rowing-boats, is a matter of vital importance.

4. Strength, durability, and non-liability to in-jury.

With the help of the different life-belts on thetable, I hope to be able to show that the cork beltdesigned by myself, and which is supplied to allthe life-boats' crews of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION, possesses the first two qualities in agreater degree than any other life-belt, and thethird one exclusively. ( Vide annexed figure.)

1 he belt I hold in my hand is one of this de-scription. Its extra-buoyancy is equal to about25 Ibs. It will support an ordinary man, withhis clothes on, with the shoulders and chest above

the water. The most buoyant of the old de-scriptions of cork belt (Carte's) had extra-buoy-ancy equivalent to about 14 Ibs., but many ofthem not more than 7 or 8 Ibs. The largest sizeof the ordinary inflated belts has buoyancy equalto 20 Ihs. when completely inflated; some notmore than 8 or 10 Ibs.

The defects of all inflated air-belts are, theirliability to puncture, want of strength, want offlexibility if more than half inflated, difficulty ofinflation in very cold weather, and the liability oftheir inflating-valves to get out of order by cor-rosion from the effects of salt water. Some ofthese defects were partially remedied in an in-flated belt designed by myself, in four compart-ments. This belt had extra-buoyancy equal tofrom 30 to 35 Ibs.; so that, if two of its compart-ments were injured, the remaining two wouldsuffice to support one person. But the insuffi-cient strength of all belts of this class, and thedifficulty of inflating them in cold weather, madeit evident that an efficient life-belt was a de-sideratum yet unattained.

Up to that time (1854) there was no cork belthaving sufficient buoyancy, or flexibility, orstrength. The only solid cork belt was composed

! of a single row of either rectangular blocks of' cork sewn up in a cotton jean covering, or padsI of cork-shavings or dust.j In that year, however, it fortunately occurred

to me to attach narrow uncovered ribs of corkto a strong backing or broad belt, each piecebeing separately sewn on by strong twine, in sucha manner that the breaking off of any one piecewould not loosen that next to it, whilst one sur-face only of the corks being attached to the belt,

; afforded perfect flexibility. An examination of' this belt cannot fail to convince any one that

it possesses all the qualities already pointed outto be necessary, and that it has the further ad-vantage of affording great protection to the bodyof the wearer.

Upwards of 3,600 of these belts have now beenissued, nearly half of which are at the life-boatestablishments of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI-TUTION. On the occasions of quarterly exercisein the summer months, the life-boat men notuncommonly jump overboard to test the belts,and they have everywhere great confidence inthem. After the fatal accident to the Whitby

| life-boat, I was at Whitby, and questioned thej only man who was saved, and who was the only\ one who had on one of these belts. I asked himj if he had any difficulty, amongst the heavy surf,i in keeping his feet down and his head well above

the surface. In reply, he stated that after thefirst sea broke over him he found himself soquickly raised above the water again, that,although unable to swim, he entertained nodoubt of his safety, and lost all fear.

There are other descriptions of life-belts onthe table, which will show the different ideas onthe subject that have occurred to different per-sons.

Transporting Carriage.

There is one other very important auxiliary toa life-boat, which has to be noticed, viz., a

JANUARY 1, 1863.J THE LIFE-BOAT. 177

carriage. Every life-boat, except a few of thelargest size, is provided with a carriage, on whichshe is kept in the boat-house ready for imme-diate transportation to the most favourable posi-tion for launching to a wreck. A life-boat isthus made available for a greater extent of coastthan she otherwise would be, and even whenlaunched from abreast of the boat-house can bemuch quicker conveyed to the water's edge than

she could be if not on a carriage. In addition tothis ordinary use, a carriage is of immense ser-vice in launching a, boat from a beach, to thatextent indeed, that one can be readily launchedfrom a carriage through a high surf, when withoutone she could not be got off the beach. An ex-planation of the manner in which this service isperformed will be readily understood.

The life-boat is drawn to the water's edge,

PLATE 111.

where the carriage is turned round so that itsrear end, from which the boat is launched, shallface to seaward. The crew then take their seatsin the boat, each rower in his place with his oarover the side, and the coxswain at the helm orwith the steering-oar in hand. The carriage isthen backed by men or horses or both, sufficientlyfar into the water to ensure the boat being afloatwhen she is run off the carriage; or, if the groundbe very soft, or sufficient help unobtainable, thecarriage is first backed far enough into the waterbefore the crew get into the boat. Self-detachingropes, termed launching ropes, previously hookedto each side of the boat's sternpost, and rovethrough sheaves at the rear end of the carriage,are then led up the beach, and either manned byassistants or have one or more horses attachedto them.

When all is ready, the coxswain, watching afavourable moment, gives the word, and the boat,the keel of which rests on small iron rollers, isrun off rapidly into the water with her bow facingthe surf. The oarsmen then give way, even beforeher stern has left the carriage, and she is at onceunder command, ere the sea has time to throwher back broadside to the shore, which is usuallythe effect of attempting to launch through a surffrom an open beach, without a carriage, unless

a hauling-off warp attached to an anchor be per-manently laid down outside the surf. This latterplan is only available in a few localities wherethere is a comparatively steep beach.

There are different descriptions of life-boatcarriages, but those which are now almost uni-versally provided are on a plan designed by my-self (Plate III.), of which there is also a model onthe table. It has advantages over any othersthat I am acquainted with: a chief peculiaritybeing that by detaching the fore-body, the fore-end of the keelway rests on the ground, forminga gradual incline up which the boat is hauledbow-foremost to replace her on the carriage, in-stead of hauling her up stern-foremost at 'therear end as in other carriages, the former ar-rangement being more convenient and less labo-rious.

A set of portable skidds (Plate IV.), one beingfitted as a turn-table, on which the boat is hauledout of the water, before replacing her on hercarriage,- completes the usual equipment of alife-boat. The boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION, and all belonging to them, are keptin roomy and substantial boat-houses under lockand key, in charge of paid coxswains, under thegeneral superintendence of local honorary com-mittees of residents in the several localities.

H 3

178 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1,1863.

PLATE xv.

The accompanying figures (Plate V.) show thegeneral form, the nature of the fittings, and air-chambers of one of these boats, 33 feet in lengthand 8 feet in breadth. In figs. 1 and 2, the elevationand deck plans, the general exterior form of theboat is shown with the sheer of gunwale, length ofkeel, and rake of stem and stern-posts. Thedotted lines of fig. 1 show the position and dimen-sions of the air-chambers within board, the re-lieving-tubes, and ballast. In fig 2, A representsthe deck, B the rclieving-tubes (6 inches indiameter), c the side air-cases, D the end air-chambers, E ballast, p ventilators to admit ofa free current of air under the water-tight deck,

G ventilator to receive pump. In fig. 3, the ex-terior form of transverse sections, at differentdistances from stem to stern, is shown. Fig. 4represents a midship transverse section, A beingsections of the side air-cases; B the relieving-tubes, of the same depth as the space betweenthe deck and the boat's floor; c, c, c, c, are spacesbeneath the deck, 9 feet in length, placed lon-gitudinally at the midship part of the boat, withsolid chocks of light wood, or cases packed withcork, forming a portion of the ballast; d is aventilator, having a pump fixed in it, by whichany leakage can be pumped out by one of thecrew whilst afloat. The festooned lines in fig. 1

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 179

represent exterior life-lines attached round theentire length of the boat, to which persons inthe water may cling till they can be got into theboat; the two central lines are festooned lowerthan the others, to be used as stirrups, so thata person in the water, by stepping on them, mayclimb into the boat.

This life-boat possesses in the highest degreeall the qualities which it is desirable that a life-boat should possess :—

1. Great lateral stability.2. Speed against a heavy sea.3. Facility for launching and for taking the

shore.4. Immediate self-discharge of any water break-

ing into her.5. The important advantage of self-righting if

upset.6. Strength.7. Stowage-room for a number of passengers.

Fig. 2.

Deck Plan.

Fig- 4.

Body Plan.

The carriage consists of a fore and-main body.The latter is formed of a keelway A, A, and ofside or bilgeways B, B, in rear of the main axle,the boat's weight being entirely on the rollers ofthe fceelway. Its leading characteristic is, that,on the withdrawal of the long fore-lock pin c, thefore and main bodies can be detached from eachother. The advantages of this arrangement arethat the weight of the boat when she is launchedfrom the rear end forms an inclined plane byelevating the keelway, yet without lifting the forebody off the ground, whilst to replace her on thecarriage she can be hauled bow foremost up thefore end or longer incline. The bilgeways B, B,are needed at the rear end, that the boat may belaunched in an upright position with her crew onboard; but they are not required at the fore endof the carriage. The boat is hauled off the car-riage and launched into the sea by a rope at eachend of the boat rove through the sheeve D, having

one end hooked to a self-detaching hook at theboat's stern, and the other manned by a few per-sons on the shore, who thus haul the boat andher crew off the carriage and launch them afloatat once with their oars in their hands, by whichmeans head-way may be obtained before thebreakers have time to beat the boat broadsideon to the beach.

VI.—Review of the whole system of Savinff Lives fromShipwreck on the Coasts of the United Kingdom.It now only remains to pass briefly in review

the machinery which has been and is in use onthe coasts of this great maritime country for thepreservation of human lives from shipwreck;that is to say, the machinery expressly providedfor that purpose.

Wrecked persons can be saved from the shore,by two modes. They may be taken off a wreckby a life-boat, or may be drawn to the shore along

180 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANDABY 1, 1863.

a rope conveyed to the wreck by the now well-known rocket and mortar life-saving apparatus. Amodel of the rocket apparatus in use may be seenin the Museum of the United Service Institution.The provision of that apparatus on all those partsof the coast where it is likely to be useful isundertaken by the Board of Trade from the Mer-cantile Marine Fund, and placed under themanagement of the Coast-guard. It is now keptin a most efficient state, the men being periodi-cally practised in its use, and »n average of about300 lives are saved annually through its instru-mentality. It is mostly useful at places where life-boats cannot be stationed. Manby's Mortar andPennett's Bocket apparatus have been in generaluse since the early part of the present century.

The first life-boat was that built in the year1789, by Mr. GREAT-HEAD, at Shields. The utilityof this boat being proved, sue was soon followedby others, the second one being built in the fol-lowing year, at the same port, at the expense ofthe then DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. All theports on the north-east coast, and on the eastcoast of Scotland, soon had their life-boats, whichwere mostly provided and maintained by fundscollected in the shape of a small voluntary tax onshipping entering the several ports. In Lincoln-shire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, associations wereformed which provided the coasts of these countieswith life-boats from funds raised by voluntarycontributions.

In 1824 the NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR THEPRESERVATION OF LIVES FROM SHIPWRECK, nowthe ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, wasestablished in London by influential City mer-chants and other gentlemen, the late THOMASWILSON, Esq., then M.P. for the City of London,and the late Sir WILLIAM HILLARY, Bart., of theIsle of Man, taking a leading part in it; and HisMajesty GEORGE IV. becoming its patron. ThatInstitution granted honorary and pecuniary re-wards for services in saving lives from ship-wrecks, and assisted local bodies in placing life-boats on the coasts. Some of those boats re-mained nominally in connection with it, but theInstitution undertook no superintendence or con-trol of them on the coast. The boats mostly1

built under its direction were small single-bankedboats rowing six oars, similar in principle to theNorfolk and Suffolk sailing life-boats; but havingmore water space within them, and insufficientmeans of relieving themselves of water. Theywere designed by the late GEOKGE PALMER, Esq.,of Nazing Park, for many years an active andzealous member of the committee of the Institu-tion. Some of them, stationed chiefly on theIsland of Anglesea, rendered good service.

As time went on, however, the general interestin the life-boat service seems to have waned.Some of the local associatiocs died a naturaldeath. For want of proper superintendence thelife-boats in too many instances were suffered togo to decay. At places where wrecks were notvery frequent the boats remained for many^months without being put into the water, and inconsequence, when wrecks did happen, the localboatmen felt no confidence in them, and would in

preference go off to wrecks in their own boats-There were often also no funds to pay them fortheir services. In fact the whole system, if thatcould be called a system which had no generalorganization, had broken down, and there were,perhaps, not a dozen really efficient life-boatstations in the United Kingdom. The NationalInstitution was also becoming every year lessknown, and its resources annually diminishing.Meanwhile, the number of wrecks did notdiminish, for the winter's storms raged as ofyore, and the increase of trade almost necessarilybrought with it an increased number of casualtiesamong shipping.

Such was the state of things when in 1849 thefatal accident occurred to the Shield's life-boat,by which twenty brave men lost their lives.

But, as we often witness in this world, on asmall scale as well as a great, it pleased God tobring good out of evil—and the widow's wail andthe orphan's cry wrought that which, perhaps,no less affecting, no less heart-rending a stimulantwould have sufficed to do. The immediate effectof that melancholy incident was the resuscitationof the Society already referred to, now to becomethe truly national Institution which it is this day.I am not now about to relate, in detail, its history.It will suffice to say that in the year followingthat disaster it aroused itself from sleep; itsmanaging committee was invigorated by new,and younger, and some professional blood. TheDUKE or NORTHUMBERLAND accepted the officeof its president; Her Majesty the QUEEN beingalready its patron, and His Royal Highness thelate lamented PRINCE CONSORT one of its vice-patrons. Its present zealous and able Secretary,Mr. LEWIS, was appointed. It commenced thebuilding of that fleet of life-boats which now en-circles our shores, numbering no less than 123,more completely and efficiently equipped than everwere life-boat establishments before ; which havecost nearly 60,000?., and have already saved nearly1,000 lives. It undertook' the immediate superin-tendence of that fleet through the instrumentalityof an honorary local committee at every station,a periodical inspection by an officer of its own,with a system of quarterly and especial reportsfrom its local committees to the central one inLondon. It established a fixed scale of salariesto the coxswains, and of payments to the crewsof its life-boats, both for services to wreckedpersons, and for a quarterly exercise in its boats.Finally, by the tangible, visible effects of itsexertions, it succeeded in enlisting that publicsympathy and support which in this country ishappily so open-handed when shown to be reallyrequired, and which have made it, and now upholdit, as one of the most glorious institutions of outland.

As an officer of the Institution, I am not in aposition to name those of its committee of manage-

I ment who have especially devoted time and labour| gratuitously to this great work. Some of themhave gone to their reward; those who are stillamongst us will feel their chief compensation to| be in the approval of their ovm consciences, and> at the prospect of the good in the performance

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 181

of which it has been their privilege to take apart.

Despite, however, this fleet of 123 life-boats,and of 48 others locally provided and supported;and despite the numerous rocket and mortarstations on our coasts, there remains the melan-choly fact, that an average of 800 lives are lostannually on and around our own shores alone,proclaiming, solemnly though silently, tiat forhumanity's sake, and for the national credit, noexertions should be spared in providing everypossible means for the conveyance of succour tothe shipwrecked from the shore ; and also pro-claiming in still more eloquent if not indignantterms, that some attempt should be made towardsproviding for the greater safety of the seamen inour home and coasting trade, by the adoption ofmeasures both precautionary and remedial onboard our merchant vessels themselves.

THE LIFE-BOAT,Song, and Dttet.

[THE work of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION is indubitably not a, romance,but one of hard practical fact. The Insti-tution has nought to do with " Dreamland,"but its mission is, from our rugged andstorm-beaten shores, to extend a helpinghand to those in peril from the sea.

Of so practical a character is this work,that it may appear incongruous to somethat the voice of music or of song shouldfind utterance through our columns. Nor in-deed have we often opened them to the same,being too much engaged in the " matter-of-fact " to even call in the aid of the " ideal."Yet how powerful an incentive to great,substantial, practical acts, have in all timesbeen the sweet, charmed voices of musicand of song! How often have the mostrugged and ordinarily unimpressible naturesbeen wound up to acts of heroism and self-denial by their all-powerful influence; andhow often has even the heart of the ordina-rily selfish expanded into benevolence underthe genial warmth of their melting strains !

We could not, therefore, if we would,despise the practical result of their prof-fered aid, even if we were to shut our earsto their bewitching sounds, and we there-fore, readily and gratefully, now and then,as in this instance, avail ourselves of theirgenerous help.—ED.]

The following words have been set tomusic, and one object of the Author, by its

publication, is to raise such a sum as willestablish a new life-boat and transporting-carriage on some dangerous part of thecoast.

Another object is to make substantialcontributions to two other institutions con-nected with seafaring men and their fami-lies,—viz., "The Shipwrecked Fishermenand Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society,"and "The Sailors' Orphan Girls' Schooland Home," at Hampstead.

To accomplish these objects great exer-tions must be made in many quarters ; andthe appeal for help through this channelwill, it is hoped, find a kind and generousresponse from those who feel interested insupporting and extending these means forsaving the lives of men—lives valuable totheir country, their kindred, and theirhomes.

Although the first and direct object ofthe ROVAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-TION is to save life, yet another good effectarising from its exertions is, that it fostersthe courage, the daring, and the good feelingof our coast population, by its system ofrewards for effective services in times ofdanger. The bold and hardy men inhabitingour coasts are deserving of all considerationand of all praise for the readiness with whichthey undertake services from which any otherclass of men would shrink.

When skies are all beauty, and storms are re-posing,

The sail of the Homeward just heaving in sight;We gaze with delight on the broad crest of Ocean,

Now soothed into calmness all placid and bright.But see in yon cloud, as it slowly emerges,

Forebodings of evil, of perils, and storms;The scream of the petrel, the roar of the surges,

Are tokens of danger the seaman ne'er scorns.The tempest now raging, with fury and madness,

Bereaving the seaman of power o'er the wave;How gladly he hails, in his moments of sadness,

The Life-boat to save him from Ocean's darkgravel

'Tis sweet to behold, when the billows are sleeping,Some gay-colour'd bark moving gracefully by;

No damp on her deck but the eventide's weeping,No breath in her sails but the summer wind's

sigh.But who would not turn, with a fouder emotion,

To gaze on the Life-boat, though rugged andworn,

Which often hath wafted o'er hills of the Ocean,The lost light of hope to the seaman forlorn ?

182 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1, 1P63.

Oh, grant that of those who in life's sunny slum-bers,

Around us like summer barks idly have play'd,When storms are abroad, we may find in the

number,One friend like the Life-boat to come to our aid!

If these publications afford any gratifica-tion amid the quietness and comfort of home,which it is hoped they will, and at the sametime provide some help for those living onthe dangerous deep, the labours of the authorwill not have been in vain.

We may add that copies may be had at theoffices of the several institutions in London,and at their auxiliary branches throughoutthe United Kingdom.

Price of the Song, Two shillings; the Duet,Three shillings.

LIFE-BOAT SERVICES.THE LIFE-BOAT ILLUSTRATION.

THE accompanying tabular statement clearlyshows the important character of the servicesrendered by the life-boats of the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

It will be seen that during the year (1862)which has just closed, 316 lives have beendirectly rescued by life-boats from a waterygrave—that twenty-one vessels have beensafely brought into port through the instru-mentality of the life-boats—that the life-boatswent off forty-three times, in reply to signalsof distress from ships in danger, but which inthe mean time had either escaped it, or hadhad their crews saved by other means—andthat the life-boat crews had assembled onnine occasions in stormy weather, to be readyfor emergencies expected to arise.

We feel assured that no one can perusethese accounts without experiencing a satis-faction which can better be felt than ex-pressed. Let any one think of the feelingsof these three hundred and sixteen personsthus snatched, during stormy weather, froman apparently inevitable death by the life-boats of the Institution. Although suchservices can only be properly appreciated bythe persons themselves on whom such im-portant benefit has been conferred in theirhour of distress, yet they are always keenlyand gratefully acknowledged by the wivesand children or parents of the men saved,

who would otherwise have become widows,orphans, or childless.

The acknowledgments of the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION are due in an es-pecial manner to those who have contributedto this large amount of human happiness,either directly by manning the life-boats, orindirectly by subscribing towards their esta-blishment.

The accompanying life-boat illustrationshows in a striking manner the perilousnature and the gratifying result of the life-boat service.

It will be observed that rewards, amountingto 7301. Is.-ld., have been voted to the crewsof the Institution's life-boats for their laudableservices, as specified in the annexed statement.

We also refer with great pleasure to theaccompanying account of the services ren-dered by shore-boats, and other means, insaving life from wrecks on our shores duringthe preceding year.

Some of these services have been of thenoblest character; for it should be borne inmind that men engaged during gales of windin this dangerous work undergo greater risk inopen boats than is usually incurred in life-boats, which are well adapted for the im-portant work which they have to perform,and which are fully equipped, including ex-cellent life-belts for their crews.

Although fully acknowledging the valuableservices of the crews of the Society's life-boats, the Committee of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION proportion their rewardsfor saving life from shipwreck according tothe risk incurred ; hence it will be seen thatthe rewards granted to shore-boat crews arefrequently in excess, per man, of those votedby the Committee to the crews of the Insti-tution's life-boats.

These rewards continue most materiallyto stimulate our coast population to make thegreatest exertions to save life from ship-wreck. The men feel now assured that theirservices •will not go unrequited; and also that,in the event of a calamity overtaking them,their widows and orphans will not be for-gotten by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI-TUTION, in conjunction with the benevolentpublic, which is ever ready to succour casesof real distress.

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JANUABY 1,1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 183

One of the earliest and most fundamentalprinciples of the Institution was to fosterand encourage these heroic enterprises, be-cause fishermen's boats are always handy, andare often found available in localities where itwould be impracticable to plant a life-boat.

Accordingly the Society has, since its firstestablishment by its life-boats and its systemof rewards, materially contributed to thesaving of nearly Thirteen thousand ship-wrecked persons.

From the summary at the foot of thetabular statement of the services of life-boatsand shore-boats, it will be seen that Fivehundred and twenty-nine lives have beenrescued during the past year from wreckson our coasts, and that for these joint services9381. 11s. "id. have been granted by the In-stitution, in addition to thirteen silver medals,and fourteen other honorary rewards.

In connection with the rewards of theSociety, it is a very gratifying feature tofind that they are frequently so highly ap-preciated, that meetings are convened topresent them publicly to the gallant men.—An account of such a presentation has justreached us, and we copy the same from alocal newspaper :—

A public meeting was held on the 18th Nov.,at Campbelton, Kantyre, to present a beautifulsilver medal, which had been voted by the NA-TIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION, to JAMES M'MiL-LAN, a mechanic, upwards of seventy years of age,in testimony of his general services in saving lifefrom wrecks, and particularly for his gallant exer-tions in rushing into the surf and rescuing, at theimminent peril of his life, WILLIAM FORDYCE, be-longing to the ship Genova, of London, which waswrecked, during a heavy gale of wind, in Glen-manuilt Bay, Kantyre, N.B., on the 13th Oct. last.The chair was occupied by J. L. STEWART, Esq.,who was supported by some of the principal resi-dents of the district. The chairman said that theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which they re-presented on that occasion, was one of the noblestsocieties to which England had given birth. Itsobject was the saving of human life from the furyof the devouring waves. "Few of us" (conti-nued Mr. STEWART) " are acquainted with the hor-rors of that situation where man, in his weakness,is left to contend with the elements in their fury.May it never be the lot of any of us to know them!Yet it is to be hoped that all of us will be everready, as you were, to risk even our lives to helpshipwrecked mariners, and rescue them from awatery grave. I have much pleasure in coininghere to-day, as President of this branch of theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION ; but the plea-

sure is much increased by the fact that your fatherwho lived upon my father's property and mine,was known as a strong and a brave mam Henever lifted his arm in his own cause; but manya time he has raised it with effect for the help ofothers, and especially for the weak. In words,which I feel justified in using, I may say—

' Although his arm waa strong to smite,'Twas also strong to save/

You, JAMES, his son, have inherited from him thisdisposition to succour the weak and helpless, andto risk your own life for the preservation of others.This is not the first time you have done so. Yousaw this man clinging feebly to a rock, and, havinglost his hold of it, he was certain to have beenswept oif by the returning surge ; and while otherand younger men were standing round, you rushedinto the foaming waves, and by your strong armand noble courage—God helping you, as He favoursthe brave—you brought him safe to land. It is apleasure to meet with a brave man, and to addresshim as I now do you; and it must be no smallsatisfaction to you that he whom you rescued fromdeath was likewise a brave man. Half way acrossthe Atlantic the vessel in which FORDYCE sailed asmate fell in with the Genova, of London, water-logged, and deserted by the captain and crew.With four other men FORDYCE volunteered to takecharge of the Genova, and bring her into port.They encountered severe weather, lost their sailsand tackling; and yet, notwithstanding all thedifficulties he had to contend with, he all but ac-complished his purpose. By this brave act ofyours you have added to the value of your ownlife. A life thus preserved will, I doubt not, beguided by the same principles of self-sacrifice andcourage which have animated yours. JAMES, toyou, who must feel how great a thing it was tosave a brother's life from the dangers and horrorsof that night, I need say nothing more. Take thisparchment, on which the NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION has recorded its high appreciation ofyour acts. Mr. WATSON, Lloyd's agent, will attachthe medal to your breast; and long after your sonsshall have returned from laying you in the grave,your medal will remind them of what you were,and stimulate them and their sons to acts of mercy,courage, and daring."

Mr. M'MILLAN returned thanks for the gifts hehad received and the honours that had been donehim, and said—" Although I am now getting anold man, yet if another wreck should occur, I hopeI may still have strength to be of some use to myfellow-creatures."

The medal, which was handed round amongthose present, was very much admired, the por-trait of her Majesty being most perfect on it;and they all expressed their sense of the gratifyingmanner in which the Institution had recognisedMr. M'MiLLAN's exertions.

184

Date ofWreck.

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» 19» 24»» »

Aug 710

„ "Sept 13

, 21„ 31

Oct 1314

» 17» J)

» 19„ 20J» »

>» J>

»» I)

„ 21» '»

„ 22232fi

Nov. 1» 9

STATEMENT OF

Site of Wreck.

Horse Bank, Lytham . .Dundrum Bay . . . .Eastbourne Roads . . .Dundalk Bar . . . .Dundrum Bar . . . .Ditto . . . . .ToughalHowth, Dublin Bay . .Newcastle, Dundrum . .Carmarthen BayTenby . . . .CardiganDitto . .Sizewell Bank . . . .

Near Lytham . . . .Ditto . . . . . .Drogheda Bar . . . .Gaa Sands, Dundee .Langharne River .Teignmouth

Gorton Sands, Lowestoft .

Teignmouth Bar . . .Palling, Norfolk . . .

Kve . . . .Ditto

WhitbyGreat Yarmouth . .

Howth, Dublin Bay . .

WhitburnBrighstone Grange, I.~W. .

Pallin" NorfolkAberdovey Bar . . . .

Barber Sands, Caistor .Padstow

Polkerris, CornwallWhitbnrn

Horse Bank, Lytham . .Penmon, Anglesea.Barnard Sands, FleetwoodSpittal Point Berwick.

Bude HavenRhyl

Dundalk B a y . . . .

Blatchington . . . .Goodwin Sands . . . .Scroby Sands, Yarmouth .Girdler Sands, MargateScroby Sands, Caistor . .Rattray Briggs, N.B. . .Thorpeness, Suffolk. . .Horse Bank, Lytham . .Ditto ,Trunk Hill Bank, SouthportBude HavenBlackpool

Carra Rock, River TayHell Bay, Padstow . . .

THE SERVICES OP

Wind and Weather.

Strong Wind, Hy. SeaS.S.W., Gale . . .Heavy Gale . . .S.E. Gale . . . .Very Strong Wind,S.E.

S.S.W. Stormy . .S., Strong Gale . .S.E. Hurricane .S.W. Heavy Gale .

S.S.W., Very RoughDitto .S.E., Strong Breeze .

W.S.W., Heavy GaleDitto . . . .E.S.E., Strong WindsS.E., Thick . . .S.S.E., Squally . .S.E., Heavy Sea . .E Strong Gale . .E.N.E., Gale . . .N E Heavy Sea .S.S.W., Fresh . . .S.S.W., Heavy Gale .S Strong Winds .S W Strong GaleDitto

N.E., Thick Fog . .E.N.E., Gale . . .S E Strong . . .S.W Fresh . . .E by S. Whole GaleE Strong . . . .S.S.W., Thick . .N N.E Strong WindsN SquallyW.S. W., Stormy . .E N E FreshE.N.E , Strong .N.W., Strong Gale .

S.S.E., Heavy Gale .E Strong . . . .S S W FreshW., Strong Breeze .W.S.W.,Gale. . .W.N.W., Gale . .N Rough . . . .S W Fine . .N.N.E

Moderate Gale .

S W FreshFresh Gale . . .W. to S., Fresh . .S.S.W., Strong . .Hurricane . . . .Heavy Gale .W.N.W., Whole GaleS.W., Strong Gale .W.N.W., Gale . .Ditto . . . .Heavy Gale . . .N.W., Whole Gale .W.N.W., Ditto . .

W Heavy SeaS.W., Heavy Surf '.W., Strong Wind. .

THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE ROYAL

Name of Vessel.

Schooner Chance, of Preston . .Schooner Solferino, of Dublin .Barque Druid, of Sunderland . .Schooner Rook, of Liverpool . .Schooner Bellona, of Red Bay . . .DittoBrigantine Orleans, of Cork . . .Schooner Liberty, of Dublin . . .Sloop Mary Jane, of Newquay . . .Schooner Diana, of Citti . . . .

Brig Pioneer, of Carnarvon . . .

Schooner Princess Alice, of Ipswich .

Schooner Content, of Dundalk .DittoBrig Minerva, of Workington . . .Elizabeth and Hannah, of Newburgh .Schr. Denbighshire Lass, of BeaumarisSmack John, of TeignmouthBrig Sisters of WhitbyBrigantine Matilda, of Stockholm . .

Sloop Elizabeth, of Teignmouth . .Brig Jane, of North Shields . . . .

DittoDitto .Schooner Banff, of Harwich . • . •Steamer Deptford, of Sunderland . .Brig Sarah Bell, of Arundel . . . .

Schooner Tredigar, of Cardiff . .

Barque Cedarine, of Bermuda . .

Smack Merrion Lass, of Aberystwyth .Brig Eliza of Plymouth . . .

Schooner Trio, of Portreath . . . .

Schooner Sylphiden, of ISakskov . .

Brig Commodore, of South Shields . .Smack Frodsham, of Liverpool . .Flat William, of Liverpool . . . .

Schooner Marina, of Padstow . .

Barque Cruz V., of Oporto . . . .Schooner Hope, of Aberystwyth . .

Brig Jeune Albert, of BordeauxUnknown ,Brig Salonica, of Sunderland .Brig Hippocampi, of London . . .Schooner Hannah Booth, of Plymouth .Barque Water Lily, of Sunderland . .Barge Henry Everest, of Rochester .Ship Annie E. Hooper, of Baltimore,U.S.DittoBrig Quasi Rosa, of Genoa . . . .Ship Bencoolen, of Liverpool . .Schooner William Henry, of Liverpool

Schooner James Da veil, of Newcastle .Sloop Loftus, of Padstow . . . .

Note.—It frequently happens, as shown above, that when life-boats put off in reply to signals

NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION from Jan. 4, to 13 Dec. 1862. 185

Life-boat Station.

Tyrella life-boat . . . .

You»hal life-boat . . . .Howth life-boat

Carmarthen Bay life-boat . . .

Aberystwyth life-boat . . . .Southwold life-boat

Buddon-ness life-boat . •. . .Carmarthen Bay life-boat . . .Teignmouth life-boat . . . .

Lowestoft life-boatLosaiemouth life-boat . . . .Teignmouth life-boat . . . .

Walmer life-boat

Caistor life-boatKedcar life-boat . . . . .Whitby life-boat . . . . .Yarmouth surf life-boat. . . .Teignmouth life-boat . . . .Howth life-boatDundalk life-boat

Brighstone Grange life-boat .

Palling life-boat

Yarmouth new life-boat . .

Padstow life-boat . . .

Whitburn life-boat

Fleetwood life-boat . . . .

Arklow life-boat

Rhyl life-boat

Canapbeltown life-boat . . . .

Walmer life-boat . . .

Margate life-boat . . . .

Fraserburgh life-boat . . . .

Southport life-boatBude Haven life-boat . . . .Fleetwood life-boat . .Lytham life-boat.

Buddon-ness life-boat . . . .Padstow life-boat . . . .

Kature of Service.

Put off to assist, but services not required . . .Ditto ditto

Put off to assist, but services not required.Ditto dittoDitto ditto . .

Put off to assist, but services not required.

Put off to'assist, but services not required .Ditto ditto

6 men savedPut off to assist,tbut services not requiredDitto ditto

Put off to assist, but services not required. .

Ditto . . . . . . . . . .DittoPut off to assist, but services not required. .

Put off to assist, but services not required. . .

Put off to assist,«but services not required. . .Ditto ditto .Ditto ditto

Ditto

Put off to assist, but services not required

Put off to assist, but services not required . . .

Put off to assist, but services not required . . .

Put off to assist, but services not required . .Ditto ditto

Put off to assist, but services not required .

Put off to assist, but services not required. . .

Ditto dittoDttto ditto .Ditto ditto . . . . . . . .

Put off and brought vessel into harbour . . .Put off to assist, but services not required . .

Put off to assist, but services not required . . .Put off, but could not render any assistance . .

Ditto ditto

Assisted in getting vessel and 2 men into harbour

Continued.

Expenses ofService.

£. s. d.Paid by Owners.

5 12 626 0 09 0 06 10 06 5 07 12 04 10 06 14 09 17 05 5 0

15 0 06 10 08 10 0

6 '6 07 10 07 11 0

17 0 05 4 02 2 0

45 '0 023 0 05 9 0

11 11 019 11 64 8 03 10 02 10 0

15 0 0Paid by Owners.

10 1 612 14 03 4 04 0 05 0 0

17 il 01 17 03 11 04 10 0

45 'o 01 4 06 0 06 0 0

7 '<5 08 0 0

12 0 04 12 0

12 10 67 5 03 0 08 5 0

12 12 05 0 0

12 5 07 12 61 15 6

15 10 011 0 016 0 0

Paid by Owners.12 6 714 0 06 10 09 0 05 17 02 5 06 12 06 10 0

Paid by Owners.Paid by Owners.

4 8 0

of distress, the vessels either get ou of danger, or their crews are rescued by other means.

186 (Continued.) STATEMENT OP THE SERVICES OF THE LIFE-BOATS OP THE

Date ofWreck.

1863.Nov 13

» «„ I*„ 15» It

„ 18„ 22

Dec. 1

„ 2

;; I„ 10„ 13» »

Site of Wreck.

Kirkcudbright Bar . . .Widmouth, Cornwall .Arklow Bank . . . .

Teignraouth BarPalling. Norfolk . . .Glasgorman Bank, ArklowDittoSizewell Bank, Suffolk . .Abertay Sand, DundeeRame Head, PlymouthBoulder Sands, Rye.Cardigan Bar . . . .Batten Shoal, Plymouth .

Wind and Weather.

N.W., Strong Gale .S.S.E., Heavy BreezeN.N.W., Fresh GaleN., Blowing Strong .N E FoeevStormy, Heavy Sea .Strong Wind . . .S.S.E., Gale . . .DittoGale, Heavy SurfS.S., Strong Gale . .S.W., Heavy Gale .Heavy Surf . . .Heavy Ground Sea .S.W. Heavy Gale

Name of Vessel.

Schooner Ellen, of Liverpool .Smack Mary Elizabeth, of PadstowBrigantine Sarah, of Port Glasgow

Smack John, of Teignmouth . .Schooner Josephine, of Dunkirk . .Ship Eliza Bencke, of Liverpool . .DittoS. Steamer Osprey, of Hartlepool .Schooner Osprey, of Fraserburgh . .Galliot Aremana, of Jaffa . . . .Ship James Browne, of Philadelphia .Sm.Countess of Lisburne of AberystwythNorwegian Brig Emanuel . . . .

SERVICES of SHORE-BOATS, in SAVING LIFE from SHIPWRECK in 1862, for which

Date ofWreck.

1862.Jan. 2

» 19„ 22

',', 23

',', 29„ 30

Feb. 16Mar. 3

;; B» »»,, 7„ 13„ 20

Apr.ll» 12„ 15,, 19

May 3„ 24

JunellJulyl9

;; 25» 30

Oct. 12„ 13,, 17

:: 19

Site of Wreck.

Long Sand, Harwich . . .Middle Sand, East Swin . .Peppercombe, Bucks . . .Tallaghan, Belmullet . . .Templetown, Waterford . .Tramore Bay . . . . .Abersoch, Cardigan Bay . .Rhoscolyn, Anglesey . . .Buncrana, Fort Batbmullet .Spiddal, County Galway . .Douglas, Isle of Man . . .Kingston, Weymouth . . .Black Tail Spit Sand, MargateNewcome Sands, Suffolk .Mixen Reef, Selsey . .Scarborough . . . . .Kentish Knock Sand, MargateBlakeney Sands, Norfolk . .Hasboro' Sands, Norfolk . .Watchet . . . . . . . .Johnshaven, Blenholm, N. B.Fishguard Bay . . . . .Aberystwyth Harbour . . .Findon, N. BArklow BarAskeaton, Kilrush . . . .Cahore, IrelandBurghead, N. BWhitbyLeith Roads, N. BGarnish, CorkClogher Head, Ireland .Glenmanuilt Bay, KantyreWoolsiner Sand, Hayling . .Pakefield GapLong Sand, Harwich . . .Bawdsey, near Woodbridge .

Wind and Weather.

Heavy Gale . . . .Blowing Hard . . .Fine, S.EW. CalmW.S.W. Moderate . .S.S.W. Heavy Gale . .S. Strong Gale . . .Very Heavy SeaW. Ground Swell . .W.S.W. Gale . . .S.E. Gale . . . .W.N.W. Fresh . . .S.W. Gale . . . .S. Strong Breeze . .S.W. Heavy Gale . .W.S.W. Squally. . .N.E. Foggy . . . .E.S.E. Blowing Strong 'E. GaleE. Heavy Gale . . .N. Strong Gale . . .Heavy Gale . . . .S.W. Blowing Strong .S.S.E. Heavy Gale . .S.E. Fresh . . . .S.W. Gale . . . .S.W. Fresh . . . .W. Very Heavy Gale .S.W. Strong Gale . .W . Squally . . . .S.W. Rough . . . .S.S.W. Squall . . .Heavy Gale . . . .S.W. Heavy Gale . .S.S.W. Very BoisterousS.W. Gale, Thick . .Strong Gale, Heavy Sea

Name of Vessel.

Barque Darius, of S. Shields .Brig Virago, of HartlepoolBoat capsizedFerry-boat capsizedAmerican Ship Tiger .Queen of Commerce, of Liverp'Schooner Diligent, of CarnarvonS. Ship Kangaroo . . . .Boat capsizedHooker FlySloop Robert, of Barrow . .Sch. Elizabeth, of Aberdeen .Brigantine Joseph, of GuernseyBrig Adonis, of ColchesterBrigan.Good Intent, of BridportShore boat capsized . . .Brig Raby Castle, of S. ShieldsSloop Emerald, of Hull . .Sloop Jupiter, of Cherbourg .Smack Francis and Tudor .Fishing-boatSmack Lion, of Cardigan . .Smack John James, of ChesterFishing-boatCoal Lighter, of Arklow . .Fishing-boatSchooner FairySch. Thankful, of Sunderland.Lugger Caledonia of BuckhavenSchooner Dove, of Leith . .Fishing-boatFishing-boatShip Genova, of London . .Sloop Cygnet, of Portsmouth .Brig Francis, of Newcastle .Schooner Thrifty, of Goole .Schr. D. Dunbar, of Scarbro'

The following is a List of the Persons to whom the Silver Medal of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has been votedduring the year 1862 :—

ADAMS, THOMAS, Master of the Smack Volunteer, of Harwich.BACON, HENRY, Fisherman, Harwich.DONOVAN, JOHN, Chief Boatman of Coast-guard, Waterford.FARMER, DAVID, Fisherman, Hayling.GOLDRING, WILLIAM, Master of the Smack Ferret, of Hayling,GOUGH, JAMES, Fisherman, Waterford.KING, THOMAS, Master of the Smack Paragon, of Harwich.

LAMBETH, BENJAMIN, Fisherman, Harwich.LAMBERT, JOHN, Fisherman, Harwich.M'MiLLAN, JAMES, Mechanic, Mull of Kantyre.SCARLETT, ROBERT, Fisherman, Harwich.SFRAGGS, JAMES, Fisherman, Hayling.WYATT, GEORGE, Fisherman, Harwich.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, from Jan. 4 to 13 Dec., 1862. 187

Life-boat Station. Nature of Service. E|̂ rvice°f

Carmarthen Bay life-boat . . . 1Kirkcudbright life-boat . . . 5Bade Haven life-boat . . . . ' •Arklow life-boat ILytham life-boat . . . . . 1Teignmouth life-boat . . . . 2Palling life-boat . . . . . (Arklow life-boat . I

Thorpeness life-boat . . . . 1Buddon-ness life-boat . . . . 6Plymouth life-boat . . . . . 6Rye life-boat 1

Plymouth life-boat I

'ut off to assmen and vemen saved

'ut off to assJrought vessmen saved

>ew asscmb'ut off, and r'ut off, and r'ut off, and rmen savedmen and ve

8 men and vmen saved

'ut off to ass

£. s. d.at, but services not required . 5 4 0

. . 9 6 0s t , bu t services no t required . . . 8 0 0

. . . . . . 12 9 0ed . . . 3 16 0

emained all night by vessel . . . 14 1 0

8 10 0ssel saved 5 9 6

B O Ost, but services not required .

Total

5 9 6

. £730 I 1

REWARDS have been GRANTED by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

By what means Rescued.

Smack Volunteer, of Harwich . .Steam-ship Clarence, of London

Wading into the Surf

Wading into the Surf

Pakefield Yawl

Lugger Eclipse, of Margate . . .

Wading into the Surf

Wading into the Surf . . . .

Pakefield Surf-boatSmack Paragon, of Harwich . . .A Hawser from the shore . . . .

GNumber of lives rescued by life-boa

Amount of Rewards to Life-boat creiNumber of lives saved by shore-boatAmount of Rewards to the crew of siHonorary Rewards : — Silver Medals

Votes of Than!Tota

Number oflives saved.

681

1327243644447662855323354314535613

1045

213

Reward.

Honorary.

6 Silver Medals, 6 Vellum Thanks

. [Parchment2 Silver Medals, and 2 Votes on

Silver Medal, and Vote on Parch1

3 Silver Medals, and Votes on Parch'

Silver Medal, and Vote on Parch*

EHERAI. SUMMARY, 1862.ts, in addition to 21 vessels

.. 310V8

s &c . . . . . . . 213lore-boats . . .

13

Pecuniary.

£. *. </.27 0 0

i"o o4 0 0

12 0 05 0 05 0 05 0 01 0 02 0 02 10 06 0 04 10 09 0 06 0 01 0 0

10 0 010 0 03 0 04 0 07 0 0 -7 0 05 0 02 10 02 0 02 0 02 0 09 0 02 0 08 0 01 0 02 0 02 0 06 0 05 0 0

21 0 07 0 0

£208 10 0

£. ». rf.

730"'l 1

208*10 0

is on Vellum and Parchment Iti £938 11 1

188 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUABY I, 1863.

LAUNCH OF A NEW LIFE-BOATAT TYNEMOUTH.

[Abridgedfrom thcPTeiccaetle-on- Tyne Daily Papers.]THE new life-boat, recently presented by GEORGEJOHN FENWICK, Esq., to the port of Tynemouth,was launched there on Friday, the 13th Novem-ber, with an unusual degree of ceremony. Theboat is 33 feet long and 8 feet wide. She wasexhibited during the past summer in the gardensof the Royal Horticultural Society, contiguous tothe International Exhibition, as a specimen of aBritish life-boat thoroughly equipped for service.

The weather being very fine, a large crowdassembled on the North Pier and around thePrior's Haven, which was gaily decorated withflags. The new boat was placed on the stone slip-way fronting the fine new life-boat and rocket-house, recently erected on the spot where a muchsmaller and less commodious one had stood forseveral years. The boat, which is large andhandsome in appearance, was mounted on itscarriage, awaiting the moment when it should belaunched into its native element; whilst on eitherside of it were gathered its crew, a sturdy com-pany of men, clad in the cork-jackets which havebeen found so useful on many a stormy voyage insimilar vessels. A body of the men of the RoyalNaval Reserve were also present; whilst a largenumber of ladies, gentlemen, seamen, fishermen,and others, were interested spectators of thescene. The launching of the boat and the subse-quent experiments with her were under the super-intendence of Captain WARD, R.N., Inspector ofLife-boats of the Institution.

About two o'clock, LORD RAVENSWOHTH, accom-panied by the VENERABLE ARCHDEACON BLANDand WILLIAM ADAMSON, Esq., Honorary Secretaryof the Newcastle and Tynemouth branch of theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, arrived at thespot. The band having played the " NationalAnthem,"

LORD RAVENSWORTH stepped forward and said—Ladies and gentlemen, I have been requested bythose who have undertaken the arrangement ofmatters on this day to address a very few words toyou, though they are scarcely necessary, in ex-planation of our meeting together. The occa-sion on which we are assembled is one upon whichI may offer you my sincere congratulations. Bythe generosity of a gentleman of our own county,this port has to-day been presented with a life-boat which, it is hoped, under the blessing of Pro-vidence, may be instrumental in saving the livesof many who may have the misfortune to be ship-wrecked on this dangerous coast. Gentlemen, Iwish that my place had been occupied to-day by anobleman dear to the hearts of you all—I meanthe DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, Admiral of theBritish Navy, and Lord High Admiral, by inhe-ritance, of the coast of Northumberland. I say 1wish he had been able to honour this meeting withhis presence to-day, both because he would havebeen a more able exponent of the advantages ofthis boat which is before you, and because it is asubject on which he himself has taken the mostleading interest during past years. But, althoughhe is prevented from being present in personamongst you, I can assure you that he is with usin spirit. I well know the interest taken by thatnoble duke in all matters connected with the safetyof the sailor, and the interests of the naval service,whether it be the service of her Majesty the Queenor the service of the commercial marine; and inno respect has he instanced that zeal for the ser-vice with more effect, and with more advantage tothis county, than by the encouragement which he

has given to the establishment of life-boats on thiscoast. But, gentlemen, in the absence of thatnoble duke, you will, perhaps, accept from me aslight explanation of the subject more immediatelyconnected with this day's proceedings. The boat,then, is, as you know, presented to this port by agentleman who, I lament to say, is prevented byillness from attending at this ceremony. He, too,will regard the proceedings of to-day with nocommon interest. To him is accorded the meritof giving, by his liberality, this present to theport; and the name of FENWICK receives in himan addition to the long list of worthies of thatname who are well known in the history ofNorthumberland; and to him will be given theprayers of many a shipwrecked sailor, who, butfor his liberality, might perhaps have lost his lifein the dangers of shipwreck—of many a wife who,but for his assistance and liberality, might havebecome a widow; and of many a child who, butfor the same assistance, might have been an orphanthrough the-different perils and vicissitudes whichenviron your«oast. Therefore, gentlemen, I callupon you to give due honour to the name ofGEORGE JOHN FENWICK, the liberal donor of thisuseful gift to your port; and, so far as humaningenuity can supply some refuge for the ship-wrecked sailor, it is to be hoped that, under theauspices under which this boat is launched, everyprecaution has been taken to effect the desiredresults. We have present among us to-dayCaptain WARD, R.N., the Society's Inspector ofLife-boats, and we have also the advantage ofthe presence of Mr. LEWIS, the Secretary of theNATIONAL LIJE-BOAT INSTITUTION. They areprepared, no doubt, to stand sponsors for theexcellence of this vessel; and we may rest as-sured that, with that intrepidity which distin-guishes the seamen of this country at large, andof this particular district in general, manned asthis boat will be with brave hearts and ablehands, everything that can be done to mitigatethe dangers of shipwreck will be done in the futurecourse and career of this vessel. Now, gentlemen,as we are told that, " Except the Lord build thehouse, vain is the art of the builder to protect it,"so it is requisite and proper that a prayer shouldbe addressed to the Supreme Dispenser of allhuman events, that he may be graciously pleasedto watch over the safety of the crew who shallundertake the management of this vessel; and, inoffering up those prayers, let us humbly hope thatthey may be heard, and that all that can be donein the future, by bravery and zeal in the service,will be done by those who have the conduct of thevessel. I now, therefore, gentlemen, beg to callupon the VENERABLE ARCHDEACON BLAND to offerup a prayer to Almighty God.

ARCHDEACON BLAND then offered up the fol-lowing prayer:—

O God, from whom are the preparations of theheart in man, we thank Thee that Thou hast putinto the heart of Thy servant to build this boat,for preserving the lives of those who may be inperils in the sea. Let Thy blessing be upon him,and this his charitable work. Be with those, webeseech Thee, who shall go forth to succour themwho are in danger and distress; and grant thatthey may not put their trust in their own skill orcourage alone, but in Thee, our Mighty and Mer-ciful Protector. And to all who shall by theirmeans be delivered out of the depths of miseryand the jaws of death, give Thy grace that theymay show forth their thankfulness, not only bywords, but also by their lives, serving Thee in ailholy obedience, that so they may pass safelythrough all spiritual dangers, till they come tothe haven of everlasting rest, through Jesus Christ,our only Lord and Saviour. Amen.

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 189

As soon as the Ven. Archdeacon had concludedhis prayer, Mrs. WILLIAM ADAMSON, of Culler-coats, the lady of the Honorary Secretary of thisBranch of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,stepped forward to the bow of the boat, fromwhence was suspended a bottle of wine. Swingingthis smartly against the side of the noble littlevessel, she broke it, and, as its contents fell uponthe boat, said, " I name this boat the Constance ;may God speed it!" (The name, we may mention,was given to the boat at the particular request ofthe donor, Mr. G. J. FENWICK, that being theChristian name of his esteemed lady.)

As soon as the boat had thus received the nameby which it will for the future be known, and underw-hich it will, we trust, become famous in theannals of the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, two or threescore of willing hands seized the long ropesattached to the carriage, and in a moment thevessel flew down to the water's edge, amid thecheers of the assembled multitude, and the stirringstrains of " Rule Britannia," played by the fineband of the 41st Regiment. After a pause, theboat with her crew on board was launched fromher carriage into her native element, accompaniedby the huzzas of all present.

The moment the Constance got fairly into thewater, she seemed to be as much at home as ifshe had never known a more stable element, andfloated like a swan over the now tranquil watersof the Haven, whilst her crew rapidly propelledher towards the open sea. All the small boats inthe Haven, so well known to summer pleasure-seekers from Newcastle, crowded round their new-born sister, whilst the Percy life-boat from Culler-coats, and the William Wake, a large salvage-boat, belonging to North Shields, were also in at-tendance. The spectators at once proceeded tothe North Pier, from whence they witnessed theevolutions of the Constance. First of all, the menpulled her round the Haven; and then, proceedingto the landing-stage for ROQERSON'S steamers, theydismantled her of her gear, and proper tacklingbeing attached to her, some thirty or forty men,standing upon the landing-stage, succeeded withgreat difficulty in hauling her bottom-up on thewater. The moment the vessel reached that posi-tion, however, it righted itself instantaneously inthe most easy manner, and the water, which en-tered it during the operation of capsizing, wasexpelled again in about thirty seconds. Thisoperation was twice repeated. The crew thenagain took to the oars, in order to try her rowingqualities; and other two boats—the Cullercoatslife-boat, manned by her able and efficient crew,and the Shields salvage-boat—also toek part inthe contest; the Cullercoats, having the strongestcrew, had, from beginning to end, the best of therace, and won with comparative ease. During thetime the boats were pulling the race, one of DEN-NETT'S rockets was fired from the battery cliff overthe Haven and across the North Pier. The rocketHue was quickly secured by the men of the NavalReserve, the cradle was soon got into workingorder, and volunteers were found in profusion,quite willing to make an aerial voyage from thepier to the cliff, over the Haven. One of theNaval Reserve men was the first to attempt thevoyage; embarking on the cradle, he was speedilylanded on the cliff. Another volunteer was foundon the cliff, and he was dragged as speedily to thepier. The life-boat, after being put through vari-ous evolutions, was pulled to the shore, remountedon her carriage, and placed in her house.

As a close to the day's proceedings, about 120of the principal gentry of the district and severalof the mayors of the surrounding towns sat downto an excellent dinner at the Bath Hotel, Tyne-mouth.

After the cloth had been removed,The usual loyal toasts were drunk with great

applause.The healths of the DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND

and of Mr. FENWICK were afterwards proposedwith much eclat.

The Chairman then, in an eloquent and feelingspeech, proposed "Success to the ROYAL NA-TIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION," coupling with itthe name of its Secretary, RICHARD LEWIS, Esq.

The toast having been received with greatapplause,

Mr. LEWIS said:—"My Lord and Gentlemen,—I beg, on behalf of

the Committee, to thank you sincerely for thekind manner with which you have proposed andreceived the toast of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION. I confess that, in an assembly likethis, comprising some of your largest shipownersand merchants, your kind reception of that toasthas not astonished me. The objects of the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION are so truly benevolent andnational in their character, that they cannot failto elicit the admiration of every assembly ofEnglishmen, and of every humane person inevery land. But here, in this renowned locality,the services of the life-boat come home to you;and yet their true significance can only be pro-perly and gratefully appreciated by those seamenwhose lives, in the tempest, have been snatchedfrom the jaws of death by the life-boat. Longmay these noble services be perpetuated amongstyou, and long may the race of hardy seamen,whom no storm alarms, and whom no danger ap-pals, be found ready to man the life-boat in casesof shipwreck on your dangerous bar. Althoughyou are familiar with these noble deeds of daring,I am glad to find, from the splendid demonstrationof to-day, and this large assembly to-night, thatyou continue to take as much interest in theprosperity of this good work as your forefatherstook, who cradled, nursed, and brought to matu-rity, at Shields, the first life-boat ever used. Longmay rivalry in doing acts of mercy continueamongst you; and by whichever life-boat it maybe—whether that of the National Institution or aShields one—so long as human life is saved, thecongratulations of all will be equally sincere. TheNATIONAL INSTITUTION has only come to assist inextending, and not to supersede your good work.In lieu of dwelling on subjects so familiar to you,it has been suggested to me that I might advantage-ously to-night give, as briefly as I possibly can, asketch of the history of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION, its present position, and its prospects.About the year 1823 some dreadful shipwrecksoccurred on our coasts. On the Isle of Man liveda noble-hearted baronet, the late Sir WILLIAMHILLARY. He was not then a rich man. He hadlost his fortune in the West Indies, and in equip-ping some Essex yeomanry, when the first NAPO-LEON was threatening to invade this sea-girt isleof ours. But Sir WILLIAM possessed an activespirit and a vigorous intellect. His thrilling ap-peal on behalf of the shipwrecked sailor fortu-nately reached a benevolent and rich merchant ofthe City of London—the late Mr. THOMAS WILSON—who was then the M P. for that city, and whowas a native of West Hartlepool. Some of themost influential City merchants heartily concurredin Mr. WILSON'S views, that something practicalshould be organized on our shores to render assist-ance to the shipwrecked sailor. Lqrd LIVERPOOL,who was the Prime Minister at the time, helpedMr. WILSON in every way in his power. A largepublic meeting was held at the London Tavern inthe beginning of 1824. Dr. MANNERS SUTTON,who was then ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, mostworthily filled the Chair. He was supported by

190 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUAKY 1, 1863.

the great WILBERFORCE, LORD JOHN RUSSELL, nowEARL RUSSELL, who was then just entering onpublic life, and many other distinguished men ofthat day. GEORGE IV. became the Patron of theSociety, and the Dukes of KENT, SUSSEX, andother members of the Royal Family became itsVice-patrons. As you might have expected, thenoble house of PERCY was foremost in fosteringthe new Institution, the late Duke becoming itsVice-President, and a munificent contributor toits funds. One of the earliest branches of theInstitution was established in Northumberland.Two years, however, had not elapsed before thecountry was overwhelmed in a commercial crisis.Some of the most liberal supporters of the Institu-tion succumbed to it; and the Society never over-came it. It struggled on, however, doing all thegood in its power, with an income of 400Z. or 5007.a year, Mr. WILSON continuing steadfast as itsChairman until the day of his death. A life-boathad been placed on the Isle of Man. Sir WM.HILLARY went off in her several times, and savedmany lives. On one occasion he nearly lost hislife by being thrown out of the boat, when severalof his ribs were broken, and from that accidenthe never recovered. In December, 1849, a fearfulcalamity occurred on Tynemouth bar. Twenty-four gallant men had put off in your life-boat witha view of saving the lives of their fellow-creatures.In the noble effort the life-boat capsized, andtwenty of her crew unhappily perished. I per-fectly recollect the great anxiety of the presentDUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND at the time — hisdeep, earnest desire to prevent, if possible, such acalamity occurring to a life-boat again. He hadseveral interviews with Mr. WILSON and the Com-mittee on the subject. At last his Grace decided tooffer a prize of 105Z. for a life-boat that possessed,in addition to other indispensable qualities, thevery important one of self-righting if capsized.The Duke was very fortunate in securing thevaluable services of two able men in his goodwork—I allude to Admiral WASHINGTON and Mr.JAMES PEAKE, the present master shipwright ofHer Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, who wereassisted by Mr. J. PROWSE, of Woolwich Dockyard.About 280 models and plans were sent in to com-pete for the Northumberland Prize. Thesetwogen-tlemen assiduously devoted themselves for aboutsix months to a most careful examination of themodels. The result was that the prize was givento JAMES BEECHING, of Great Yarmouth: but theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was not entirelysatisfied with his boat, so Mr. PEAKE was calledupon to build such a boat as he could safelyrecommend for adoption by the Institution. Hedid build such a boat—but even that plan hassince been considerably modified by experience.The splendid boat you have launched to-day is oneof the latest boats of the Society, on that plan,and has, in London, elicited the admiration ofthousands of people. In the year 1850 the latemuch-lamented PRINCE CONSORT accepted, on theinvitation of the Committee, the office of Vice-Patron of the Institution; and subsequently inthe same year, the DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLANDbecame its active President, and generations tocome will remember with gratitude his connec-tion with its merciful operations. About the sametime some new members were added to its Com-mittee; and my friend, Capt. WARD, R.N., was ap-pointed the Life-boat Inspector of the Institution.Three or four years afterwards Mr. THOMASCHAPMAN was elected its Deputy-Chairman; andhas most worthily, and greatly to the advantageof the cause of humanity, filled that office eversince. Sir EDWARD PJSBBOTT, Bart., as the Chair-man of its Sub-Committees, has also most zea-lously helped forward the good work. Few bene-

volent societies have a more active and zealouscommittee than the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION ; andits Committee often devote gratuitously, at thisperiod of the. year, at their Meetings, five orsix hours to the important business of the In-stitution. In 1856 the late benevolent Capt.FITZGERALD, of the Royal Navy, left the Life-boat Institution a legacy of 10,000i., without anyconditions whatsoever. The committee at oncedecided unanimously to spend forthwith thewhole of that large sum in building new life-boats. The public, observing that the Institutionwas now earnestly and successfully pushing on itsgreat work, came forward with their support. Nowork of real benevolence will ever be allowed inthis country to languish for want of funds. Thefearful Hartley Colliery calamity in this neigh-bourhood clearly testified that; and the presentLancashire distress excites a universal desire tosuccour it. In 1850 the Institution possessed onlyabout a dozen life-boats; it has now a noble fleetof 123 life-boat establishments, all somewhat likeyour Tynemouth Station. The boats in that yearwere hardly the means of saving a dozen lives;but at the present period they save on an averageabout 300 shipwrecked sailors every year. It re-quires no stretch of the imagination to perceiveat once the large number of persons that are thusspared the great affliction of widowhood and or-phanage. These are great facts, and they comehome with irresistible force to the hearts of thehighest as well as of the lowest amongst us. HerMajesty the Queen sends every year to the Life-boat Institution 50/., the child of an old sailorsends also 5s. towards the same object, and contri-butions are often received at the Institution fromEnglishmen in all parts of the world, and evenfrom foreigners. A kind-hearted lady called atthe Institution some time ago with the cost of alife-boat. She gave no name, and we don't knowher name to this day; and she repeated her muni-ficent gift the second, third, and fourth time.When she gave the cost of the fourth boat, shesaid to me, " If ever I shall have the happiness tohear that one of these boats has been the means ofsaving a single life, 1 shall be amply rewarded."Last winter her wishes were, in a very remarkablemanner, gratified. One of her life-boats is sta-tioned in Dundrum Bay. A fearful wreck occur-red there last January. It had been an awfulnight. With the dawn of the day a poor fellowwas seen lashed to the rigging of a sunken vessel.A shore-boat at once put off to the wreck; but nosooner was it in the surf than it capsized, hercrew of six men having a most narrow escape fortheir lives. The benevolent lady's life-boat putoff, and soon reached the wreck, and took off thepoor man. He was found insensible, but onreaching the land he was soon restored. He wasthe master of the vessel. He stated that his crewof three men had been washed overboard in thecourse of the tempestuous night. The followingcircumstance is another remarkable illustrationof the value of these life-boat services:—Sometwo or three years ago a lady was on a visit, onboard a friend's yacht, on the Irish coast. Afishing-lugger came into collision with the yacht,and capsized it. The lady and her friends wereinstantly thrown into the sea, but she was fortu-nately saved by the very gallant exertions of herfriend, who dived after her, and brought her safelyto land. As a " thank-offering," she gave 300/. tothe NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, to enableit to station am additional life-boat on the Irishcoast. That life-boat was placed at Carnsore, onthe coast of Wexford—a very dangerous point,and a very poor locality. In the course of theensuing winter a fearful wreck occurred off Carn-sore—that of the bark Guyana, of Glasgow. In-

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 191

telligence of the wreck having been conveyed tothe life-boat station, the crew of the life-boatwere called up about three o'clock in the morn-ing, and the boat immediately started on hermission of mercy. Owing, however, to the dread-ful state of the roads from heavy rains, and thecircuitous route of many miles that the boat hadto travel, it was nearly nine o'clock before shereached the scene of disaster, notwithstandingthat no less than seven horses were employed todraw her. The life-boat had then to be takenoff her carriage, and lowered down a steep cliffeighty feet in height. This was successfullyaccomplished, and the boat was then launchedthrough a high surf, and proceeded to the wreck.On arriving near the vessel, however, the forceof the wind, tide, and sea was so great that itwas found impossible to reach her; the boatwas therefore anchored for a while to rest the*crew. Another attempt was then made, andthe whole crew, numbering no less than nine-teen, were then safely got into her and con-veyed to the shore, which was reached after morethan five hours' severe exposure and exertion.Several other ladies have also given the Insti-tution the cost of life-boats, which have sincesaved scores of lives ! The town of Ipswich col-lected last year 500Z., and presented the amountto the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. The Society sta-tioned the life-boat, which is called the Ipswich, atThorpe, on the Suffolk coast. During a midnighttempest, about three weeks ago, that very boatwas the means of saving five poor men from aninevitable death. Long; I say, may Mr. FENWICK'Slife-boat at Tynemouth, and those at Shields, beenabled, with the blessing of God, to render simi-lar services to the distressed shipwrecked sailor onyour bar. A gentleman called on me last Satur-day, and said he not only wished to give theInstitution the cost of a life-boat, but permanentlyto endow it, in memory of his mother: he isprobably carrying out the dying wishes of eitherhis father or mother in the matter. Mrs. HART-LEY, of Devonshire, collected 300/., and MissBERTIE CATOR 210/., towards placing two ad-ditional life-boats on the coast. The women ofEngland are more distinguished in the presentage for their acts of charity and useful benevo-lence than they were in any former period of ourhistory, and the shipwrecked sailor has in them asteadfast friend. Such is the character of thework of the great Institution to which you haveso cordially wished success this evening. Sinceits first establishment, it has expended nearly70,OOW. on its life-boat stations; and during thewhole period of its existence it has, directly andindirectly, contributed to the saving of nearly13,000 shipwrecked persons, for rescuing whom ithas paid as rewards 16,000/., in addition to voting800 medals, for distinguished services. Not theleast part of the work of the Institution is itssystem of rewards for saving life from shipwrecks,either by life-boats or shore-boats. The Societyfosters the courage, the daring, and the best feel-ings of our coast population by its system ofrewards for saving life. It has such a fleet of life-boats as the world has never before seen. Eachlife-boat station, like this one at Tynemouth, re-quires about 401. a year to keep it in a state ofefficiency. That amount does not include therewards granted for saving, or attempting to save,life: I am sure you will agree with me, that youwould not like to see a repetition of the pittancethat was granted many years ago to the crew ofthe Holy Island life-boat for rescuing life, namely,Is. 3d. per man, The NATIONAL INSTITUTION has afixed scale of payments for its life-boat crews, andwith that scale the men have hitherto expressedtheir satisfaction. A sum of 10s. is given to each

man of the crew for going off to save life in theday time, and 20s. per man for night duty. Thesepayments are doubled in cases of extraordinaryservices. Wherever a life-boat is stationed, it ismanaged by a local committee, who, like the com-mittee of the parent Institution, readily givetheir services gratuitously. Without the cordialco-operation of our local committees, it wouldhardly be possible for us to carry on the impor-tant work of the Institution on the coast. Fortu-nately we have succeeded in obtaining the cordialco-operation of such committees. Again, theInstitution has been most fortunate in securingthe valuable services of Capt. WARD, R.N., asits inspector of life-boats during the past twelveyears. He is the Admiral of its large life-savingfleet. He has organized every station, and heis thoroughly familiar with the qualities of eachboat. The perpetuity of this humane work,however, depends to a great extent on the sup-port the public at large will continue to extendto it. "There can be no mistake in the workof a life-boat—it is palpable and tangible toall," as Mr. HUGH TAYLOR, of Earsdon, the DUKEOP NORTHUMBERLAND'S respected commissioner,told me last night, and his sentiment is echoed byevery one. The poor men saved, and their fa-milies, testify with gratitude to its great value.About a fortnight ago, Capt. BROWN, a native ofthis locality, and who is in command of some ofthe Royal Naval Brigade, in London, assisted inthe metropolitan life-boat procession of your life-boat. He told me—u I naturally take great in-terest in this boat, for I shall never cease to expressmy gratitude for being saved, many years ago, byone of the Shields life-boats." I hold in my handa long list of the names of the vessels, and of thenumber of their crews, belonging to your ownports, saved during the last two or three yearsby the life-boats of the Institution.* On anaverage 1,000 vessels are wrecked en our coastsevery year; and from these about 3,000 per-sons are rescued by life-boats, the rocket appa-ratus, shore boats, and other means. But it is alamentable fact, nevertheless, that 800 poor crea-tures perish every year from these disasters on ourshores. During the late fearful gales, I feel con-vinced that some scores of poor fellows mighthave been saved had the vessels had on boardthe means of saving life—amongst other valuableauxiliaries, I would particularly recommend goodlife-belts. I beg, in the name of the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, to thank your Lordshipfor the prompt and cordial response you made to theinvitation to assist us so efficiently this day, and soworthily to occupy the Chair on this interestingoccasion. The acknowledgments of the Institu-tion are also most assuredly due to Mr. HUGHTAYLOR, for collecting the large sum of 350/. topay for the beautiful house in which the Tyne-mouth new life-boat and the rocket apparatusare kept. Capt ADAMSON, Mr. JOHN STUAKEH,the Rev. Mr. WHEELER, and other members of thelocal committee have also been indefatigable intheir valuable services on this occasion, and to

* Brig Flying Fish, of Whitby, 5; Brig Frodroma, ofStockton, 11; Brig Eliza, of Mlddlesborough, 7 ; Brig Glou-cester, of South Shields, 1; Brig Lovely NeUy, of Seaham, 6 ;Schooner Prospect, of Berwick, 6; Brig Pallas, of Shields, 3;Barque Niagara, of Shields, 11; Brig Zephyr, of Whitby, 6;Coble Honour, of Cullercoats, 3; Schooner Eliza, of NorthShields, 1; Brig Scotia, of Sunderland, 6; Sloop ThreeBrothers, of Goole, 5; Brig Arm, of Blyih, 8 ; Schooner Fly,of Whitby—Saved vessel and crew, 4; Fishing-boats ofWhitbnrn, 16; Brig Arethusa, of Blyth, 8 ; "Brig Providence,of Shields, 8; Brig May/lower, of Newcastle, 8; Brig RomanEmpress, of Shields, 10 ; Barque Pen-severance, of Scar-borough, 5 ; Barque Vruid, of Sunderland, 9 ; Brig Sisters,of Whitby, 9; Brig Jane, of North Shields, 10; BarqueRobert Watson, of Sunderland, 5 ; Brig Content, of Sunder-land, 5. Total, 188.

192 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUABY 1, 1863.

them the best thanks of the Committee are alsotendered. To Mr. MESSENT, the ahle engineer ofyour magnificent and important pier works, andto Mr. LAWTON, their enterprising contractor, thethanks of the Institution are likewise due, fortheir co-operation in connection with building theboat-house. In conclusion, I beg to thank youvery much for so patiently giving me your atten-tion, while my statements have been placed in ahasty manner before you; and I trust you will, intime to come, ponder over them, and continue todo your part consistently in this great work ofsaving life from shipwreck. (Loud applause.)

BICHARD HODGSON, Esq., M.P., proposed thehealth of the noble Chairman in an eulogisticspeech, and the thanks of the assembly to Mr.LEWIS for his able and eloquent address.

Other toasts followed, and the proceedings werebrought to a close.

SUMMARY OF THE

MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.Thursday, llth Sept., 1862.—Capt. Sir EDWARD

PERROTT, Bart., V.P., in the Chair.Bead and approved the Minutes of the previous

Meeting, and those of the Finance, and Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Bead letter from his Grace the DUKE OF NORTH-UMBERLAND, K.G., President of the Institution,stating that he accepted with grateful feelings theModel presented to him of the life-boat and trans-porting-carriage of the Society, which he shouldpreserve as a memorial of the important benefitwhich the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION hadconferred on the shipwrecked sailor.

Bead and approved the Inspector's Reports ofthe 1st and 9th Sept., on Jus visits to the life-boatsof the Institution on the coast of Scotland, and thenorth-east coast of England, and at Withernsea,Kingsgate, and Margate.

Bead letter from W. WORSHIP, Esq., of GreatYarmouth, of the 13th Sept., forwarding a chequefor 1001., being the amount of a legacy left to theInstitution by the late Mrs. ALICE GEDGE, of GreatYarmouth. The testatrix had also bequeathed theSociety one-third of her residuary estate.— To beacknowledged.

Also from Captain HEAKD, B.N., of H.M.S.Trincomalee, the Hon. Secretary of the WhitburnBranch, of the 29th August, stating that he hadaccompanied the commander of the French war-steamer Cuvier and the French Consul at Sander-land to Whitburn, to inspect the Institution's life-boat stationed there, which they found in a veryefficient state. The boat was taken afloat by someof the men of the Boyal Naval Beserve. TheFrench officers were delighted with tb« conditionof the boat and the efficiency of the life-boat esta-blishment.— To be acknowledged.

Also from Mr. JOHN FRANCE, of Glossop, of the12th August, stating that, at the recent High CourtMeeting of the ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS, he,as a delegate from one of the districts, had sug-gested that a voluntary subscription might bemade each year by all the members of the Orderin aid of the funds of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT

INSTITUTION. The Besolution was unanimouslycarried by the High Court.— To be thanked.

Beported the transmission to their station of theWithernsea life-boat and transporting-carriage,and that a grand demonstration had taken place atWithernsea on the 25th August, on the occasionof the launch of the life-boat, at which it wascomputed about 20,000 persons were present.

Also, that a very satisfactory trial had takenplace with the Plymouth life-boat, which belongsto the Institution, on the occasion of a regattaat that place. Admiral KINGCOME was with thecrew in the boat, and thoroughly tested her self-righting qualities, having voluntarily, with thecrew, been upset in the boat._ Decided to provide a launching-carriage for thePlymouth life-boat.

Beported the receipt of 25Z. from the TopshamMarine Insurance Club, per Messrs. HOLMAN andMr. BESTARICK, which contribution would pro-bably be repeated every year.— To be thanked.

Decided to form a life-boat station at Porth-leven, Cornwall.

Also to build a new life-boat house at Teign-mouth, Devonshire.

Bead letter from Mr. G. F. CAHRINGTON, Hon.Secretary of the Guernsey Branch, of the 14thAugust, stating that the Local Committee werestrongly of opinion that tbek present life-boatshould be replaced by a larger one.

Decided to send a 30-feet single-banked life-boatand a suitable transporting-carriage to Guernseyin lieu of the former boat and carriage.

Paid 612/. 6s. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted 301. 8s. to pay the expenses of the life-boats of the Institution at Berwick, Arklow, andBude Haven, for putting off, with the view of ren-dering assistance to vessels which were in verydangerous positions, during heavy weather, butwhich did not, happily, require the services of thelife-boats.

Also 21. to the crew of a small boat, for puttingoff and rescuing 3 men, whose boat had struck ona rock off Ballysteen, on the coast of Limerick,during a gale of wind, on the 24th May last.

Also 2?. to the crew of the lugger Excelsior, ofLowestoft, for saving the crew of 5 men belongingto the lugger Caledonia, of Buckhaven, which, ina gale of wind and squally weather, had been cap-sized off Whitby on the 19th July last.

Also a reward to the crew of a fishing-boat, forsaving the crew of another boat, which had cap-sized off Garnish, Co. Cork, on the 30th July last.

Thursday, 2nd Oct. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq.,F.B.S., T.P., in the Chair.

Bead and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Appointed Capt. DAVID ROHERTSON, B.N., to bethe Assistant Inspector of Life-boats to the Insti-tution,

Read letter from Count LAVRADIO, the Portu-guese Ambassador, of the 29th September, ex-pressing his satisfaction to learn that 14 men be-longing to the schooner Cruz V., of Oporto, had

JAXUAKY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 193

been rescued by the Dungeness life-boat of theSociety, and adding that he had communicated theservice to his Government.— To be acknowledged.

Also from LEONARD C. WYON, Esq., of the 1stOct., forwarding two Silver Medals, taken fromthe new die of the obverse of the Medal of theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which repre-sented a Portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, andwhicli had been just executed by him.— To be ac-knowledged. *

Reported the transmission of the Howth life-boat and transporting-carriage to their station,and their safe arrival there. Messrs. MALCOLM-SON, in conjunction with A. G. ROBINSON, Esq., hadkindly given a free conveyance to them on boardone of their steamers.— To be thanked,

General Sir GEORGE BOWLES, K.C.B., presentedto the Institution the cost (265/.) of the Howthlife-boat and carriage.— To be thanked.

Reported also that the Blakeney life-boat andtransporting-carriage had been forwarded free totheir destination over the Great Eastern RailwayCompany's line.— To be thanked.

The cost of this boat, which was named TheSrightwell, was also presented to the Institutionby Miss BRIGHTWELL, of Norwich.

Reported also the receipt of legacies to the So-ciety from the late W. LIIFTOIC, Esq., of Salford,10«.; the late Dr. C. T. WEST, of Hull, 90/.; andthe late E. E. VIDAL, Esq., of Brighton, 51.

Read letter from W. BOND, Esq., of Truro, of the23rd Sept., stating that a youth in that town,named THOMAS WOOLCOCK, had assiduously suc-ceeded in raising 2f.6«. 8<f. in aid of the funds of theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.— To be thanked.

Paid 958/. 3s. 6d. for sundry charges on variouslife-boat establishments.

Voted I2/. 12s. to pay the expenses of the Dunge-ness life-boat in going off, during blowing weather,on the night of the 21st Sept., and rescuing, aftermuch difficulty, the crew of 14 men from thePortuguese barque Cruz V., of Oporto, which hadgone on shore off Dungeness. The cost of thisboat was presented to the Institution by the Rev.H. J. HUTCHESSON.

Also 81. 5s. to pay the expenses of the Rhyl(tubular) life-boat, in putting off with.the view ofsaving the crew of the schooner Jameson, of Liver-pool, which had been observed to founder suddenlyin a heavy squall, on the 13th Sept. The schooner'screw immediately took to their own boat, and werefortunately picked up by the Point of Ayr life-boat.

Also 8/. to the crew of a pilot-boat, for goingoff and rescuing, at considerable risk of life, thecrew of 3 men of the schooner Dove, of Leith,which, during a gale of wind, had sunk off New-haven, on the 25th July last.

Thursday, 6th Nov. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq.,F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read and approved the Inspector's Report ofthe 3rd Nov., on his visits to the life-boat stationsof the Institution on the coasts of Sussex and Kent,and at Blakeney, Norfolk.

Read letter from Miss WILSON, of the 3rd Nov.,presenting to the Institution a portrait of herfather, the late THOMAS WILSON, Esq., who wasone of the founders of the Society, and its pre-mier Chairman, as a permanent memorial of theinterest which he took in the Institution whenliving.— To be thanked.

Mr. WILSON died on the 10th ,Oct., 1852, in hiseighty-fifth year, endeared to all who knew him bythe gentleness of his manners, the warmth of hisaffections, and the sterling integrity of his prin-ciples. He was one of the Founders of the ROYALNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and its mnch-

! valued Chairman for twenty-nine years, duringwhich period he attended 457 of its CommitteeMeetings, and assisted in granting rewards forgallant acts in rescuing 7,500 lives from shipwreck.His arduous exertions in furtherance of the wel-fare of the Institution continued unceasing to theclose of his useful career, he having only a fewdays previous to his lamented decease occupied theChair at the Meeting of the General Committee,with his wonted sound judgment and urbanity.

Reported the receipt of donations of 50/. in aidof the funds of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-TION from Mrs. HENRY KEMBLE, of Grove Hill,and a similar one from S. D.— To be thanked.

Also that the life-boat and transporting-carriagerecently exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Gar-dens had been removed from thence, previous tobeing forwarded to their station. A processionwas formed on the occasion, which paraded someof the principal streets of London. About 50men belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve, withtheir band, under the superintendence of CaptainsMAYNARD, BROWN, and WRIGHT, of that force,accompanied the life-boat, which attracted muchnotice.

Decided, that the Council of the Royal Horti-cultural Society and the above-named officers bethanked.

Read letter from the Hon. C. F. ADAMS, theAmerican minister in London, of the 25th Oct.,stating that he should have much pleasure intransmitting to his Government the account ofthe rescue of the crew of 18 men of the ship AnnieE. Hooper, of Baltimore, U.S., on the 20th Oct.,by the Lytham and Southport life-boats of theInstitution.— To be acknowledged.

Also from Capt. RAWSTORNE, R.N., Harbour-master at Fleetwood, of the 24th Oct., statingthat the Fleetwood life-boat had been towedout in a gale of wind to the assistance of awrecked vessel. On returning, the gale in-creasing to a storm, and a heavy sea running,and there being no one in the life-boat to steerher, the tow-ropt tore out the timber-head ofthe boat, and she went adrift, but was afterwardsrecovered. (Vide Article at p. 197, on TowingLife-boats in Rough Weather.)

Decided, on the recommendation of the LocalCommittee, to replace this life-boat with a largerand more powerful one, to row ten oars, double-banked.

Read letter from the Chairman of the BudeHaven Branch, of the 30th Oct., stating that theship Bencoolen, of Liverpool, had unfortunately

194 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1, 1863.

been wrecked off Bude Haven, on the 21st Oct.,when 26 of her crew were lost, and only 6 savedby drifting ashore on a raft, the life-boat therehaving failed to reach the wreck.

Read also the report of the Assistant Inspectorof Life-boats, of the 3rd Nov., on his visit toBude Haven, to assist in the inquiry as to thelamentable loss of life from the wreck in ques- jtion. He stated that the general impression !in the locality was, that if the life-boat hadbeen manned with an efficient crew, she might,for a brief space of time, have reached thewreck, and have saved at least some of the ship-wrecked crew; but with a sea running heavyenough to throw end over end a raft formedout of spars, some of which were 45 feet long,and considering the very dangerous entranceto this haven, with an awkward reef of rockclose under their lee, it could well be imaginedthere were some grounds for the fears which pa-ralyzed the united action of the life-boat's crew.

Decided that a 33-feet, double-banked life-boatbe placed at an early period at Bude H aven, andthat the boat-house be rebuilt on another site.

Also to name the Newhaven new life-boat The IThomas Chapman, after the Deputy-Chairman of jthe Institution, as a compliment to him for his jlong and valuable services to the life-boat cause jin that capacity.

Reported that the life-boat and transporting-carriage for Drogheda had been forwarded totheir station, and had duly arrived there.

Messrs. MALCOLMSON, and A. G. ROBINSON, Esq.,had kindly taken the life-boat to Dublin, free ofcharge, on board one of their steamers. Thecarriage was taken free by the British and Irish jSteam Navigation Company. From Dublin the jboat and carriage were transmitted free to their jstation by the Dublin and Drogheda Railway |Company.— To lie thanked. !

Reported that two additional life-boats, on theplan of the Institution, had been forwarded to IPortugal for the use of that government. j

Read letter from J. BARNES, Esq., Hon. Secre- ,tary of the Silloth Branch, of the 7th Oct., report- |ing a very favourable exercise they had had with ithe life-boat in a gale of wind and heavy sea. j

Decided to sell 1,000?. from the funded capitalof the Institution, to meet the pressing demandson the Society.

Paid 978?. 3s. for sundry charges on various jlife-boat establishments. :

Voted 151. 10s. to pay the expenses of the :Lytham and Southport life-boats in putting off iduring a fearful gale of wind, and rescuing, {under great difficulties, the crew of 18 men of the jship Annie E. Hooper, of Baltimore, U.S., whichwas totally wrecked on the Horse Bank on the20th Oct. The Lytham life-boat, which hadbeen towed out by the Loch Lomond steamer,was swept away from the wreck after havingtaken off 14 of the crew, the rope by which shewas held to the vessel, having parted j but the ISouthport life-boat coming up at the time, took |off the remainder of the shipwrecked crew. Mr.W. ALLSUP, owner of the Loch Lomond and othersteamers, had given a general order to his captains

that whenever the life-boat needed their services,whatever might be their other engagements, shewas always to have the preference.— To be thanked.

Voted also 14?. to pay the expenses of the " Ip-swich" life-boat of the Society, stationed at Thorpe-ness, in putting off in the night of the 20th Oct., andrescuing 4 men from the barge Henry Everest, ofRochester, which, during a strong gale of wind,had sunk off Thorpeness. It will be rememberedthat the cost of this valuable life-boat was col-lected by the residents of the town of Ipswich,and afterwards presented to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Also 82?. 8«. 7d., to pay the expenses of theTarmouth, Fleetwood, Lytham, Southport, \Vai-mer, Newhaven, Fraserburgh, Campbeltown, andArklow life-boats of the Society, in putting offduring the late fearful gales with the view ofsaving life from vessels which had either signalsof distress flying, or were in perilous positionsbut which ultimately did not require the assist-ance of the life-boats.

Also 21. to a boat's crew for saving, at muchrisk of life, the crew of 6 men belonging to afishing-yawl, which, during a frightful squall, hadbeen capsized off Clogher Head, on the Irishcoast, on the 12th ult.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution, a copy ofits voteon parchment, and 2?. to JAMES MCMILLAN,a mechanic, who is upwards of 70 years of age, forhis general services in saving life, and particularlyfor his intrepid conduct in rushing into the surfto the rescue of WILLIAM FORDYCE, of the shipGenova, of London, which, during a heavy gale ofwind, had been wrecked on the Mull of Kantyre, onthe 13th Oct. Soon after the vessel struck she beganto break up, and the crew betook themselves tovarious portions of the wreck which were floatingabout. Four of them were carried out to sea, butthe fifth, WILLIAM FOHDYCE, who had charge of theship, got upon the poop and was driven in shore,where he kept floating about among the fragmentsof the wreck for nearly five hours. At last, whencarried near the shore by a wave, he made adesperate effort to reach it, but fell short, insidethe cleft of a rock, when MCMILLAN seeing himin danger of being again carried out, rushedinto the sea up to his shoulders, and, at the perilof his life, succeeded in dragging him to theshore very much exhausted.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, acopy of its vote on parchment, and 21. each, toMr. WM. COLORING, JAMES SPBAGGS, and DAVIDFARMER, being the crew of the smack Ferret,in admiration of their noble and perseveringconduct on the 17th Oct., in putting off in theboat of the smack and rescuing, at the greatestrisk of life, the crew of three men of the sloopCygnet, of Portsmouth, which had sunk off theHampshire coast. The three men were seen cling-ing to the rigging of their small vessel on theWoolsiner Sandbank, with the sea dashing overthem. After having encountered the heavy galethen blowing, the vessel had become unmanage-able, and had struck on this dangerous shoal,where in a few minutes she was overwhelmed bythe waves, and began to break up immediately.

jANtJAKY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 195

COLORING and his crew, after making an at-tempt to reach the poor shipwrecked me« inthe smack, put off in their small skiff, only 13feet long, and, after great exertion, and at theutmost peril of their lives, succeeded in rescuingthe three men, who had been exposed to the furyof the wind and sea for five hours. They werelaid in the bottom of the boat, one of them in astate of insensibility, and after encountering theperils of the return passage through a heavy sea,the boat safely reached the smack, and the crewwere brought safely on shore.

Reported the services of the Lytham life-boatin putting off and afterwards beaching in a placeof safety the schooner Ceres, of Arbroath, whichhad struck on Salthouse Bank, Lytham, in aheavy sea, on the 26th Oct. The owners hadvoluntarily given 501. to the life-boat's crew fortheir valuable services.

Also the services of the Caistor life-boat, ingoing off and bringing into port the derelictschooner Hannah Sooth, of Plymouth, which,during a heavy gale of wind, was found aban-doned on the Barber Sands, on the Norfolk coast,on the night of the 19th Oct.

Also the services of the Margate life-boat, inputting off and remaining alongside a brig whichhad struck on the Girdler Sands, during a heavygale of wind, on the night of the 19th Oct. Thepresence of the life-boat encouraged the crew topersevere in their endeavours to save their vessel,which they fortunately succeeded in doing aftersome hours of exertion. Ordered the expense—16/.—of this service to be paid.

Thursday, 4th Dec. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq.,F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence) and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read the following letter from the Hon. C. F.ADAMS, the American minister at the EnglishCourt.

"Legation of the United States,London, Dec. 2nd, 1862.

" SIB,—Some time since I had the honour to ac-knowledge the reception of your note, informingme of the timely assistance rendered to the crew ofthe ship Annie E. Hooper in their hour'of need bythe Lytham and Southport life-boats of your valu-able Institution. I then promised that I wouldtransmit a statement of the facts to the govern-ment of the United States.

" I have now the pleasure to inform you that, intestimony of his sense of the value of the Society'slabours, the President has directed me to present,in his name, to the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATIHSTITUTION, the sum of 100Z. I am likewise in-structed to present, through your Society, 51. tothe coxswain, and '21. to «ach of the crew of theboats which went to the relief of the Annie E.Hooper. To that end I have the honour to enclosea draft on Messrs. BARING BROTHERS and Co., pay-able to your order, for the sum of 13U. sterling.

"I have, &c.," CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

" The Secretary of theNational Life-boat Institution."

The Committee expressed their high apprecia-

tion of the liberality of the PRESIDENT OF THEUNITED STATES OP AMERICA, and decided to re-quest the favour of His Grace the DUKE OF

| NORTHUMBERLAND, President of the Institution,| to acknowledge the communication.j Read and approved the Inspector's Report of

the 1st December, on his visit to the Institution'slife-boat establishments at Tynemouth in Lanca-shire, and in Dublin Bay.

Decided, that new carriages be provided for thelife-boats at Tenby, and at Teignmouth, Devon.

Also that loaded canes, with small lines attachedto them, about 50 yards long, be supplied to thelife-boats of the Institution for the purpose ofassisting to effect communication with wrecks.

Reported that a grand demonstration had takenplace at Tynemouth on the occasion of the launchof the new life-boat, and that LORD RAVENSWOETBhad attended at the launch of the boat, and hadalso occupied the Chair at a public banquet givenon the occasion in the evening.

The Inspector and Secretary of the Parent In-stitution had attended on the occasion.

(For a detailed account of this demonstration,vide p. 188.)

Decided—That the special thanks of the Institu-tion, inscribed on vellum, be presented to HDGHTAYLOR, Esq., of Backworth Hall, in acknowledg-ment of his zealous and philanthropic services incollecting nearly 400/. towards the cost of theTynemouth life-boat house; and to WILLIAMADAMSON, Esq., for his valuable services as theHon. Secretary of the Newcastle, Tynemouth, andCullercoats Branch.

Read letter from Mr. ADAMSON, of the 2ndDecember, giving an account of the admirablemanner in which the new life-boat behaved onher second trial on the previous day in a heavysea. — To be acknowledged.

Also from a gentleman in Dublin, of the 5thNovember, transmitting 1001. on behalf of a lady(A. B.), in aid of the cost of a life-boat, to be sta-tioned, if practicable, on the coast of Kerry.—Tobe thanked.

Also from Miss WASEY, of the 17th Nov., ex-pressing a desire to pay the cost (340?.) of theFleetwood new life-boat and transporting-car-riage,. and requesting that the boat might benamed The Edward Wasey.— To be thanked.

Reported—That the new boat and carriage hadbeen conveyed to their station, free of charge, bythe London and North-Western Railway Com-pany. On their arrival there, the residents gavethem a hearty reception, and the boat was after-wards publicly launched.—To be thanked.

Reported also that the Rev. N. M'GACHEN, ofPortsmouth, and the Rev. WILLIAM JACKSON, ofHeathfield, had been delivering lectures on theoperations of the Institution.— To be thanked.

ADMIRAL WASHINGTON, F.R.S., reported that hehad, on the previous day (Dec. 3rd), witnessed onPlumstead Common some interesting experimentswith M. Delvigne's life-saving gun, in connectionwith Dennett's Rockets. The result was entirelyin favour of the latter, especially when used induplex, the two being lashed together.

Also from a clergyman, near Canterbury, of the

196 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1, 1863.

18th November, forwarding some copies of a Songand Duet, composed by him, and set to music. Theprofits on the sale of the poem are to be dividedbetween the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, theShipwrecked Mariners' Society, and the Sailors' IOrphan Girls' School.—To be thanked. \

Also from W. LEITH BBEMNEK, Esq. of Guild-ford, of the 18th November, forwarding 2/. 2s.,being the amount of profits hitherto realised onthe sale of his poem—"The Pilot of the PentlandFrith," and other pieces.— To be thanked.

Also from the Rev. ARTHUR BROOK, forwardingII. Is. Id. from the alms-box in East RetfordParish Church, in aid of the funds of the Institu-tion.— To te acknowledged.

Also from Sir THOMAS TOBIN, of the 26th Novem-ber, and the Secretary of the Cork Harbour Com-missioners, of the 27th November, stating that theCommissioners had decided on the application ofSir THOMAS to give a donation of 101., and anannual subscription of \0l., in aid of the mainte-nance of the Irish life-boat stations in connectionwith the Institution.— To be thanked.

Also from A. WESTENHOLZ, Esq., the DanishConsul, of the 19th November, forwarding copiesof notices issued by his government to Mariners,showing the stations for the rocket apparatus, &c.,for saving life from shipwreck, on the coast ofNorth Jutland and the Island of Bornholm.— Tobe acknowledged.

Also from W. B. HOPPER, Esq., of Constanti-nople, of the 1st November, forwarding somecopies of his pamphlet explanatory of his proposi-tion for the formation of a Shipwreck Aid Societyat Constantinople. — To be acknowledged.

The Committee expressed their deep regretat the lamented death of Admiral Sir CHARLESSULLIVAN, Bart., who for nearly forty years hadbeen a constant annual subscriber of 51. to the Life-boat Institution. During that long period he hadwitnessed the Institution, by its life-boats and itssystem of rewards, contributing, directly or indi- jrectly, to the saving of nearly 13,000 shipwrecked jpersons on our coasts. {

Approved of an estimate for the erection of anew life-boat house at Porthleven.

Paid 936/. Is. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted U. 8s. to pay the expenses of the Padstowlife-boat, in putting off and rescuing the crew of4 men from the sloop Loftus, of Padstow, which,during a strong wind and heavy sea, had becomeunmanageable, and was afterwards totally wreckedin Hell Bay, near Padstow, on the 9th November.With the special permission of the late PRINCECONSORT, the Padstow life-boat was named theAlbert Edward, after the PRINCE OF WALES, whois also the DUKE OF CORNWALL. By a singularand happy coincidence, the life-boat was thus themeans, under God, of saving four poor creaturesfrom an inevitable death on the very day that thePrince attained his majority.

Also 91. 6s. to pay the expenses of the BudeHaven life-boat, in going off and saving the crewof 3 men from the smack Mary Elizabeth, of Pad-stow, which, in a heavy sea, which breaks withfearful violence from the Atlantic on this coast,

was totally wrecked near Bude on the 14th No-vember. The life-boat and her crew were reportedto have behaved admirably on the occasion.

Also 41. 7s. to pay the expenses of the Kirkcud-bright life-boat, in putting off and bringing safelyinto port the schooner Ellen, of Liverpool, and hercrew of 3 men, which, during heavy weather, hadstruck on Kirkcudbright Bar on the 13th ult. Thevessel was in a very perilous position, and it wasreported, was only saved from destruction by thelife-boat. Captain CANDLISH, of Kirkcudbright,had gone off in the life-boat on this occasion, andhad ably assisted in saving the vessel.— To bethanked.

Also 12Z. 9s. to pay the expenses of the Teigu-mouth life-boat, in going off and rescuing 2 out of3 men belonging to the smack John, of that place,which, daring stormy weather and in a heavy sea,was wrecked on Teignmouth Bar on the night ofthe 18th November.

Reported the services of the Lytham life-boat,in going off and bringing safely into port, thesloop Mart, of Stranraer, which, during foggyweather, had struck on the Salthouse Bank, offLytham, on the night of the 15th November. Thevessel's crew had previously left her in their ownboat. The owner had awarded the life-boat'screw 18/. for their services.

Also, the services of the Buddon-ness, Dundee,life-boat, in putting off and assisting to bring to aport of safety the schooner James Davett, of New-castle, which was found waterlogged and aban-doned off the Carra Rock at the mouth of theRiver Tay, on the 1st November. Salvage hadalso been awarded in this case by the vessel'sowners.

Also the services of the Arklow and Cahorelife-boats, in putting off and rendering assistanceto the ship Eliza Senche, of Liverpool, which,during a gale of wind, had struck on GlasgormanBank, on the Irish coast, on the night of the 1stDecember. The expenses of these servicesamounted to 22J. !«., which the Institution hadpaid. The shipowners also paid a small gratuityto the life-boat crews.

Also the services of the " Ipswich" life-boat sta-tioned at Thorpeness, in putting off and renderingassistance to the steamer Osprey, of Hartlepool,which, during blowing weather, and in a veryrough sea, had struck on Sizewell Bank, on theSuffolk coast, on the night of the 2nd December.The expense of this service was 71., which theInstitution had paid, the crew receiving in additiona small sum from the owners of the steamer.

Voted 25?. to pay the expenses of the BudeHaven, Carmarthen Bay, Dundalk, Arklow, andPalling life-boats, in going off in reply to signalsof distress from vessels which fortunately suc-ceeded in getting out of their dangerous positionswithout the life-boats' assistance.

Also II. each to 2 coast-guardmen named JOHNFox and JOHN DUNCAN, and 51. to be dividedamongst several other men, for rescuing, by meansof a hawser, the crew of 5 men from the schoonerDuncan Dunbar, which had struck on the CutlerSand, off Bawdsey, on the Suffolk coast, during agale of wind, on the 19th October.

JANUARY 1,1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 197

Also 5A to the crew of the beachmen's salvagelife-boat at Pakefield, for putting off and savingthe crew of 10 men from the brig Francis, of New-castle, which during very boisterous weather, wastotally wrecked off Pakefield on the 17th October.The crew had put off with the view of salvage, butfailing in that, they took off the vessel's crew, andbrought them ashore.

sailing-vessel, without her crew being in her,or at least a sufficient number of men tomanage her, in the event of her breakingadrift, or having to cast off" from the towing-vessel.

2. A life-boat may be towed by eitherone or two tow-ropes. If the former be

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, and j adopted, it is recommended to tow with ato Mr. THOMAS KING, master of the smack

Paragon, of Harwich, and also 3/. each to his crewof 6 men, for fheir long and intrepid exertions,extending over two days, in rescuing, during a galeof wind and thick weather, 4 out of 6 personsfrom the schooner Thrifty, of Goole, which on the19th October last, foundered on the Long Sand.This was one of the most daring and perseveringcases of saving life on record. It appeared thaton the evening in question, the Thrifty took theground on the south-west end of the Long Sand,it then blowing a gale from the S.W. About noon jon the following day (Monday), the smack Paragonhaving sighted the wreck, closed with her andtried to get the crew off, but after two attempts,in both of which the boat failed and was nearlyswamped, the smack was obliged to give it up.She then tried to give assistance by running toseaward of the sand, but in doing so she shipped asea, and was obliged to run for Harwich, whereshe arrived about 10 P.M. On Tuesday, about1 A.M., the crew having got dry clothes and somerefreshment, started again and reached the vesselabout daylight, and about 9 o'clock succeeded in

long scope, from forty to sixty fathoms, thetow-rope being rove through a fair-leader orlizard at the stem-head, and secured to abollard shipped in the trunk or tabernacle ofthe foremast.

If towed with two ropes, one from eachquarter of the towing-steamer, they shouldnot be taken to the stem of the boat, but bemade fast, one to each bow, for which pur-pose some life-boats are fitted with a bollardon each bow. In either case the crewshould be seated well aft in the boat toweight her by the stern, excepting one manforward with a small hatchet by him, readyto cut the tow-rope in a moment if it shouldbecome necessary.

The Liverpool life-boats, which are veryfrequently taken in tow, always use a singletow-rope, and in a heavy sea tow with along rope, sometimes as much as sixty fa-thoms. They are always towed with their

rescuing the shipwrecked crew A third day was I crewg Qn board who ^ well aft tQ wej h(.partly occupied in getting the body of the mate s ' - • - - °poor wife from the wreck. The exertions of thesmacksmen on the occasion were most praise-worthy, and they seriously damaged their boat,the crew of which also incurred much danger intrying to reach the wreck. It is particularlyworthy of notice, that in thus bravely and un-selfishly persevering in their exertions through away. from on as there ' m be

nearly three days, these men lost many chances of , •, , , . . , , , ...making good salvage, several of the smacks be- stead>' and '<:fllar stram on her> and she Wl11

1 tow less wildly, and therefore with less vio-lent jerks and strain on the tow-rope.

Tire Liverpool coxswains, in reply toqueries put to them on the subject by theMarine Surveyor to the Mersey Dock Board,

them at the stern. When towed by apaddle-steamer, they usually sheer off andtow well on the quarter, so as to be out ofthe wash of the paddle-wheels.

3. A life-boat will always be found totow better against a heavy head-sea than

as there will be a more

longing to Harwich and Colchester having receivedmore than 100/. for salvage during this very gaie.

TOWING LIFE-BO ATS IN ROUGHWEATHER.

IN* consequence of more than one of the life-boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT Lvsn-TUTION having upset and broken adrift whenin tow, through being to«red without anyone on board to steer them, the followingInstructions have been prepared and for-

state that, in a long, heavy sea, they considera boat more safe in tow than under sail, butin a short sea with irregular break, as at themeeting of currents or on the edge of banks,the contrary. They also consider it safer totow against a heavy sea than before a run-ning one.

4. The masts, oars, and other gear of alife-boat should be always lashed when intow, but in such a manner that they can bewarded to the life-boat stations in connection

with the Institution, for the guidance of the q^klTreieas7d wL"n"nece'ssar*y.'several local committees and coxswains incharge of the Society's boats:— ;

1. On no account is any life-boat belong- jing to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITCT- !

to be towed, either by a steamer or

198 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 1, 1863.

BOATS' COMPASSES.THE subject of the Mariner's Compass hasfor many years past been considered a mostimportant one, and has had great attentionbestowed on it, especially since the intro-duction of iron as a material for buildingships. Large masses of iron, of necessity,cause local disturbance to the indications ofships' compasses, and, without doubt, manyvessels and a vast number of human liveshave been lost through such disturbance.The subject is so important a one, owingto the magnitude of the interests affected byit, that we hope, in an early Number orNumbers, to give an Article on it by one ofthose scientific men whose attention hasbeen especially devoted to it.

The principles of construction of com-passes for boats are the same as of those forships ; but, on account of the more violentmotion of a boat in a rough sea, it is neces-sary to provide some mode of steadying theface-card to which the needle is attached, inaddition to the ordinary "gimbals" on whichships' compasses are balanced. For suchcompasses in boats and small vessels, sub-jected to the motion of a rough sea, are soperpetually in motion, spinning round andround, as to be then altogether useless. Itis evident, therefore, that they are not appro-priate to life-boats, whose work always liesamongst heavy seas.

To remedy this evil, the late Mr. F.DENT, the eminent chronometer-maker, of61 Strand, London, devised the particulardescription of compass known as " Dent'sFluid Compass," the improvement consist-ing in the card and needle being immersedin a fluid enclosed in a hermetically-closedbowl. This plan was found to answer thepurpose admirably, and these compassesare now in general use in the Royal Navy,and to some extent in the mercantile marine;but their expensive character has preventedtheir being universally so, and they werealso of an inconveniently large size forthe use of boats, more especially in timesof emergency, such as the desertion of aleaky, or stranded, or burning ship, whenall the space available within a boat is oftenrequired for the stowage of passengers andprovisions.

Our object in this Paper is not to enterscientifically into any part of the subject ofeither ships' or boats' compasses, but toleave the same for a future occasion: weonly allude to it to introduce to the noticeof the maritime public an admirable modi-fication of DENT'S Fluid compass and bin-nacle especially designed for and under thesuperintendence of the ROYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

This compass and binnacle is shown inthe accompanying illustration, which willspeak for itself almost without description.

S'r'S FLDID LIFE-BOAT COMPASS.

JANUARY 1, 1863.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 199

The only modification in the compass is thereduction of the size of the card, which isonly three inches in diameter. The binnacle

therefore so portable as to be readilyheld in the hand. What more need westate in its favour in order to convince every

is made of copper, japanned; it is scarcely i one of its manifest advantages, than, that itsmore than 6 inches square, and 8 inches ; cost is only 41. 4s., and that it has beenhigh, yet works on double gimbals; it is i found, in the life-boats of the NATIONALonly 51 Ibs. in weight, yet is provided with ! LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, to answer admi-a lamp and reflector, and with a drawer rably in every respect ?to contain spare wick and matches, being j

THE SHIPPING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THE following is a Return, compiled from Parliamentary Documents, of the number ofships which entered inwards, and cleared outwards, from British ports, during the year1861; that for 1862 not having as yet been published:—

Ships. Tone.The number of British vessels which entered Inwards to all

the ports of the United Kingdom, during the year 1861,was . ^ . 29,907

Representing a Tonnage of . . . . . . 7,721,035The number of Foreign vessels which entered Inwards to all

the ports of the United Kingdom, during the sameperiod, was 25,356

Representing a Tonnage of . . . . . . 5,458,554The number of British vessels which cleared Outwards from

all the ports of the United Kingdom, during the year1861,-was 29,357

Representing a Tonnage of 7,699,497The number of Foreign vessels which cleared Outwards from

all the ports of the United Kingdom, during the sameperiod, w a s . . . . . . . . 26,699

Representing a Tonnage o f . . . . • • 5,716,555

Total . . . 111,319 26,595,641

Thus giving a total of 111,319 vessels, with a tonnage of 26,595,641, which enteredinwards and cleared outwards from the different ports of the United Kingdom, duringthe year 1861. It is hardly possible to realise the enormous commercial transactionsrepresented by such a Tonnage as is here given!

These 111,319 vessels had probably on board a million persons. As we stated on aprevious occasion, 884 lives were lost from 1,494 shipwrecks in the seas and on thecoasts of the United Kingdom, in 1861. But, on the other hand, it is a gratifyingfact that, by means of life-boats, the rocket apparatus, shore and ships' boats, andother appliances, 4,624 persons were happily rescued from these disasters—a mostencouraging fact, and proclaiming, in accents which cannot be mistaken, that the bene-volent exertions which confer such essential benefit on suffering humanity should bepursued with unabated vigour.

Royal National Life-Boat Institution.(Incorporated by Royal Charter.^ '

Patroness—HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QOEEH.President—ADMIRAL His GRACE THE DCKE OF NOKTHDUBERLAHD, K.G., F.R.S.

Chairman—THOMAS BASING, ESQ., M.P., F.R.S., V.P. Deputy-Chairman—TaoajJi CHAPMAN, ESQ., F.R.S., V.P.

APPEAL.THE COHUITTEE OF MANAGEMENT have to state that, since the beginning of the year 1860, the ROYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has expended 32,0001. on various Life-boat Establishments on the Coasts of England, Scotland,and Ireland. Daring the some period the Life-boats of the Institution have been instrumental in rescuing the Crews ofthe following Wrecked Vessels :—

1860.Barque Oberon, of Liverpool 15Brignntine Nancy, of Teignmouth. 9Smack Wonder, of Teignmouih ... 2Brig Scotia, of Sunderland 6

| Sloop Three Brothers, of Goole ...i Sloop Charlotte, of Woodbridge ...

Schooner Ann Mitchell, of Montrose 1Schooner Jane Roper, of Ulverstone 6Brig Pallas, of Shields 3Ship Ann Mitchell, of Glasgow ... 9Smack John Bull, of Yarmouth ... 5Schooner Catherine, of Newry .... 4Barque Xiagara, of Shields 11A Barge of Teignmouth 2Brig George and James, of London 8Brig Zephyr, of Whitby 6Coble Honour, of Cu llercoats 3Schooner Eliza, of North Shields.. 7

Brig Ann, of BlythSloop Hope, of Dublin 3Schooner Druid, of Aberystwyth .. 5Barque Vermont, of Halifax, fr.S. . 16Schooner Win,. Keith, of Carnarvon. 2Brig Flying Fish, of Whitby '. 5

Elizabeth Ann, of Lyme Regis 3Steam Dredge, at Newhaveu 9Sch. Admiral Hood, of Rochester .. 6Sch. Susan and fsabella, of Dundee 5

5 I Schooner Rose, of Lynn 35 Brig Prodroma, of Stockton 11

Brig Eliza, of Middlesborough ....Brigantine Freia, of Kb'nigsberg... 6Brlgantine Diana, of Fredrikshamn 7Brig Gloucester, of South Shields .. 7

210Number of lives saved by shore-boats and other means, for which the Institution has granted rewards iu 1860 .. 245

Brig Lovely ffelly, of Seaham 6 •Brigantine Nugget, of Bideford 5 :

Schooner Prospect, of Berwick 6Sloop Thomas and Jane, of St. Ives 3Fishing-beat of Whitburn 4Brig Arethusa, of Blyth 8 ;Schooner Demi Wyn, of Portmadoc 8 iFlat Cymraes, of Beaumaris 2 .Schooner William, of Morecambe.. 5 !Smack Gipsy, of Newry 4Schooner Margaret Anne, of Preston 4Brig New Draper, of Wnitehaven.. 8 iSchooner William, of Liverpool ... B !Lugger Nimroa, of Castletown .... 3Brig Providence, of Shields 8Brig Mayflower, of Newcastle 8Schooner Village Maid, of Fleetwood 4Barque Guyana, of Glasgow 19Brig Roman Empress, of Shields . .10

1861.ttri& San Spiridione, ofGalaxide .. 2Schooner Foodor cfc* Vouga, of Viana 8French Brig La Jfune Marie Tlttrese 6Barque Perseverance, of Scarborough 5Schooner Elrzabeth, of Bridgewater 4Ship Danube, of Belfast 17Schooner Hortensia, of Hanover ... 4Schooner Oregon, of Stonehaven ... 4Brig St- Michael, of Marans 8Spanish Barque Primera de Torre-

mega—Saved vessel and 1Schooner SurreU, of Penzauce—

Saved vessel and crew 4Barque Frederick, of London 1Brig Anne, of Plymouth—Saved

vessel and crew 8Schooner Betsey, of Peterhead—

Saved vessel and crew 6Barge Peace, of London

Total .Lngger Saucy Lass, of Lowestoft..Smack Adventure, of HarwichPilot cutter Whim, of Lowestoft ...Barque Undaunted, of Aberdeen ..Wrecked boat on Blackwater Bank,

on the Irish CoastSchooner Skylark, of Folkestone..,Brig Lively, of Clay, NorfolkBarque Robert Watson, of SunderlandSch. Auchincruive, of GrangemouthSchooner Friends, of LynnSchooner Eliza Anne, of Dublin ...Brig Content, of SnnderlandSmack Etten Owens, of Cardigan...Schooner Fly, of Whitby—Saved

vessel and crewSchooner Epimachus, of Amsterdam

Number of lives saved by shore-boats and other means, for which the Institution has granted rewards in 1861 .. 136

Schooner Bellona, of Red Bay 1Brig Pioneer, of Carnarvon 1Schooner Princess Alice, of Ipswich 5Brig Minerva, of Workington 4Schooner Elizabeth, and Hannah, of

Newburgh 6Brig Sisters, of Whitby 9Brlgantine Matilda, of Stockholm.. 4Brig Jams, of North Shields 10Schooner Liberty, of Dublin 3Brig Trial, of Poole 7Schooner Sylphiden, of Nakskov—

Saved vessel and crew 7Barque Cedarine, of Bermuda.... 134Smack Frodsham, of Liverpool 2

1862, to the 13th of December.Sloop WiUiam, of Liverpool 5Sloop Elizabeth, of Teignmouth .. 3

. Barque Cruz V., of Oporto 14j Barque Druid, of Sunderland .... 9I Schooner Rook, of Liverpool 3: Smack Merrion Lass, of Aberyst-I wyth—Saved vessel and crew ... 3

Fishing-boats of Whilburn 12Barge Henry Everest, of Rochester. 4Ship Annie E. Hooper, of Baltimore 18Schooner, Cera.of Arbroath—Saved

vessel and crew 5Sloop Lojtus, of Padstow 4Schooner Ellen, of Liverpool—Saved

vessel and crew 3

Total.Smack Mary Elizabeth, of Padstow 3Smack JoJm, of Teignmouth 2Schooner Osprey, of Fraserburgh .. 6Schooner James DaveU, of New-

castle—Saved vessel and crew .. 2Galliot Aremana, of Jaffa—Assisted

to save vessel and crew GShip James Browne, of Philadel-

phia—Assisted to gave vessel andcrew is

Smack Countess of Lisburne, ofAberystwyth , 3

Number of lives saved by shore-boats and other means, for which the Institution has granted rewards in 1862.. 213

SUMMARY OF LIVES SAVED:—

1861 424 I 1862 529

Total .

Total . . . . 1,408

529

1 =

For these Joint numerous services in saving 1,408 lives from shipwreck, the Institution has granted rewards amount-ing to 3.337Z. 17». Id. in addition to 68 Silver Medals.

The number or lives saved by the Life-boats of the Society, and other means, since its formation, is 12,800; for whichservices, 82 Gold Medals, 718 Silver Medals, and 16,4001. in cash, have been paid iu rewards. The Institution has alsoexpended 66,8601. on Life-boats, Life-boat Trausporting-carriages, and Boat-bouses.

The Committee desire to express their grateful sense of the generous support which they have received from theBritish public during the past few years, a support which has enabled them to establish their present magnificent fleet of123 life-boats on the shores of the United Kingdom. Deeply sensible, however, of the great responsibility that rests onthem to maintain their fleet in a thoroughly efficient state, and its crews practised in the management of their boats,which can only be effected by a large and permanent annual income, they earnestly appeal to all classes of their country-men to aid them in upholding and perpetuating so great and truly national a work.

Donations and Annual Subscriptions will be thankfully received by the Bankers of the Institution, Messrs. WILLIS,PEHCIVAL and Co., 76 Lombard Street; Messrs. CODTTS and Co., 59 Strand; Messrs. HEHRIES, FAKQUHAR, and Co.,16 St James's Street, London; by all the Bankers in the United Kingdom; and by the Secretary, RICHARD LEWIS, Esq.,at the Office of the Institution, 14 JOHN STREET, ADELPHI, London,—W.C.

1st January, 1863.

Losros: PRINTED BV WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORP STREET AND ciiAnrea CROSS.