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THE LIFE-BOAT.JOUENAB

OF THE

Batfonal %ffe*Boat Jnstftution,(ISSUED QUABTEBLY.)

VOL. XVII.—No. 193.] IST AUGUST, 1899. PRICE 3d.

THE PK1NCE OF WALES AS PEESIDENT OP THE INSTITUTIONSTRONGLY ADVOCATES THE CAUSE.

IT was only in March last that H.K.H.The PBINOE of WALES very graciouslyaccepted the post of President of theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,in succession to the late lamented DUKEof NORTHUMBERLAND, and at once wefind him taking active measures in thedischarge of his self-imposed duties.Ever ready to help on any cause for thebenefit of his country and people, andmore particularly to advance the interestsof any undertaking or movement withwhich he is officially connected, the Princewas to be found, notwithstanding hisnumerous important engagements, pre-siding at a very influentially and largelyattended dinner at the Hotel Metropoleon the 1st May last, on behalf of theLondon Life-Boat Saturday Fund, ofwhich the DUKE of YORK is the President.We append The Times Report of thespeeches, and feel sure that they will beperused by our readers with the deepestinterest. All workers for the Institution,whether in connection with the Branchesor with the Life-Boat Saturday Auxiliary,will, we are confident, be greatly en-couraged and helped by the earnest wordsand support of the Institution's "RoyalCoxswain," and the gallant coxswainsand crews themselves will feel that inHis Royal Highness they have a realfriend and admirer.

The PBINOE of WALES, in proposingthe toast of " The Queen," said:—MyLords and Gentlemen,—In rising to pro-pose the first toast to-night I feel sure youwill agree with me that it requires nopreface, as I know the feelings of allloyal Englishmen, and the way in whichthey will drink the first toast to-night.(Cheers.) In a short time—I may sayin a very few days—the Queen will reachthe age of 80. (Cheers.) It is a sourceof the greatest pleasure and gratification,not only to myself and to my family, butto all loyal Englishmen, that she shouldhave attained that age in the best ofhealth. (Cheers.) I give you, not onlyto-night the health of her Majesty theQueen, but also that of the Patron ofthe Royal National Life-boat Institution.(Cheers.) His Royal Highness invitedthe company to drink the toast with allthe honours, himself leading the cheers,which were enthusiastically given.

The EAEL of ALBEMABLE proposed,The Health of the Prince and Princess

of Wales and the Other Members of theRoyal Family."

The PBINOE of WALES, in responding,said:—My Lords and Gentlemen, I should,indeed, be fastidious if I did not appre-ciate the more than kind and flatteringwords in which my friend Lord Albemarlehas proposed this toast to you, and thekind manner in which you have receivedit. I appear to-night to yon for the firsttime as President of this old and excellentInstitution. I have always taken the

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494 THE LIFE-BOAT. [!ST AUGUST, 1899.

_

deepest interest in its welfare, and at thedeath of the lamented Duke of North-umberland, who for so many years hadbeen your president, I felt some diffidencein accepting the post after so distinguisheda man. But, in accepting it, I felt itwas one which in every sense of theword was congenial to me. Living as Ido on the East Coast of England, I knowfull well how many are exposed to greatdangers in their voluntary efforts tosave the lives of their fellow-men, whilstrisking their own. (Cheers.) I am gladto think that so many members of myfamily and those who have preceded mehave been connected with this Institution.My granduncle King George IV. was thefirst patron. His brothers, the Dukes ofYork, Clarence, Sussex, and Cambridge,were vice-patrons. I believe the firstfestival dinner that was held was presidedover by the late Duke of York so longago as 1825. I succeeded my lamentedfather as Vice-Patron in 1863 (cheers),and on three different occasions I pre-sided at annual meetings. This occasionis a crowning point as far as I ampersonally concerned, and a great pleasureit has given me to preside this year forthe first time at a dinner at which greatphilanthropical and great efforts ofhumanity are displayed in furthering,perhaps, one of the most importantinstitutions in this country. (Cheers.)I thank yon again for your kind receptionof this toast, and the way in which yonhave received the name of the Princessof Wales and the other members of myfamily. (Cheers.)

The PEINCE of WALES again rose andsaid,—The next toast I have to proposeto you is one that is always well received,and one which I think ought never to beomitted at all great gatherings of English-men—it is that of the sister services,"The Navy and the Army." (Cheers.)This country owes much to both. I amsure the desire of every Englishman is tosee both in a strong state of efficiency,and the taxpayer does not mind puttinghis hand into his pocket when he knowsthat he has a good fleet and that thehonour of the Empire is safe. (Loudcheers.) I do not think it will benecessary for me, even if I had the powerto do so, to give you a long dissertationon the state of Her Majesty's Navy or herArmy. Yon all know what is going on.

You all know the constant changes thattake place. But, though we have con-fidence in those who are at the head ofaffairs, both of the Navy and the Army,and feel sure that the newest improve-ments are made, you must always havethe feeling that in having a strong Navyand a strong Army the motto is " Defence,not defiance." (Cheers.) The Navy,fortunately, has had but little to do asfar as active service is concerned; theArmy has had more. We have hadrecently a campaign in India in whichour troops, in conjunction with the braveIndian troops, have, I think, coveredthemselves with glory and with honour.(Cheers.) We have also had the recentcampaign in the Sudan. Though nomi-nally it was the Egyptian army, we allknow that tnose troops were officered bybrave Englishmen, and that we had alarge force of English troops to assist,under the admirable guidance of theSirdar, Lord Kitchener, who led them tovictory. (Cheers.) The results havebeen great, I may say, for the sake ofChristianity, for the sake of civilisation,and perhaps for the future of our greatEmpire. (Cheers.) These two toasts Ihave great pleasure in coupling, the firstwith the name of my old friend AdmiralSir Leopold McClintock, and the second—the Army—with the name of another oldand valued friend, General Sir GeorgeHigginson. (Cheers.)

Sir L. MCCLINTOCK and Sir G. HIGG-INSON having replied,

The PBINCB of WALES again rose topropose the toast of the evening—" TheLondon Life-boat Saturday Fund." Hesaid:—My Lords and Gentlemen,—It isnow my privilege to propose the principaltoast of the night. In doing so I proposeto allude to the history of the Institution,known possibly to most of you, but per-haps not to all, and I hope that what Inow have to state may not weary you;but I conceive it is incumbent upon mein taking the chair for the first time asyour President to enter perhaps into moredetail than others have done. As youare well aware, the EOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was establishedin 1824, seventy-five years ago, and thefirst President was Lord Liverpool, thenPrime Minister. For many years theInstitution did not thrive. The totalreceipts in 1825 amounted to barely

H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G.,

PRESIDENT

OF THE

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

From Photograph by Messrs. Russell tc Sons, London

H.R.H. The PBINCE of WALES lias always taken a keen interest in the Institutionand in its work. He succeeded his Royal Father the Prince Consort as Vice-Patron in February, 1863, and has presided over the Annual Meetings of theInstitution on three occasions, namely, in 1867, 1884, and 1893. He becamePresident in March, 1899, and presided at a dinner on behalf of the Institutionin connection with the London Life-boat Saturday Fund in May, 1899.

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496 THE LIFE-BOAT. [!ST AUGUST, 1899.

3,4:001., and for the next fifteen years theannual receipts never reached that sum.From 1841 to 1850 no appeal was madeto the public, and the total receipts in1849 were only 354Z. In 1850 a specialeffort was made to improve matters, andthe Queen headed a subscription list with100Z. (Cheers.) The Prince Consortlikewise gave his assistance and support,and this, combined with the untiringenergy of the late Duke of Northumber-land, has tended to make the Institutionevery year more prosperous and useful.(Cheers.)

UCFE-BOAT STATISTICS,

[There are now no less than 295 Life-boats belonging to the Institution on thecoast, and every year hundreds of livesare saved from shipwreck, thanks to theoperations of the Institution. Last yearalone the Committee of Managementgranted rewards for the saving of 756lives, and from 1824, the year in whichthe Institution was started, up to the endof 1898 rewards had been given for thesaving of upwards of 41,000 lives, thisnumber having been increased by thesaving of between 200 and 300 more livesduring the present year. (Cheers.) Thenumber saved during the past 46 yearswas nearly 30,000 by Life-boats and over10,000 by shore boats. (Cheers.) Of the295 Life-boats 254 are self-righting, 36non-self-righting, and five are steamLife-boats.

ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATION.

One of the most important indirectmeasures adopted by the Institution, witha view to diminish the loss of life fromshipwreck on the coast, has been to pro-cure from the Government a system ofelectrical communication between rocklighthouses, light-vessels, &c., and theshore; also between the coastguardstations and signal stations and the post-offices nearest the Life-boat stations wherethere are no coastguard stations. Thisuseful work was commenced in 1893, andsteady progress has been made in it everyyear, and it will, it is hoped, before longbe completed. (Cheers.) The EoyalCommission which was appointed at thesuggestion of the Institution in 1893 satfor four years, during which time theyissued five reports, the fifth and finalreport being issued in the autumn of

1897. The most important recommenda-tions of the Commission have alreadybeen carried ont, but in their last reportthey felt bound to state that they did notfeel justified in recommending the con-nection of more light-vessels and theshore than those they had proposed untilthe ethereal system then under trial hadbeen fully tested. I understand that thosetesfs have been satisfactory, and you haveall doubtless seen in the Press the accountsof the remarkable and successful experi-ments which have recently been carriedout in connection with wireless telegraphy,under the superintendence of SignorMarconi,, the inventor (cheers), whichwould seem to solve the great difficultieswhich have been encountered in theefforts made to complete so important asystem round our coast. (Renewedcheers.) I should mention likewise theuse and importance of the telephonic andtelegraphic connections which have beenestablished by the Institution, and theutility of which each year has beenincreasingly demonstrated, they beingmore and more employed for calling outLife-boats when required, for preventingunnecessary launches, and for warningLife-boat crews to be on the alert torender assistance. (Cheers.)

THB LIFE-BOAT SATURDAY FUND.

I must say a few words now respectingthe Life-boat Saturday Fund, which wasinitiated in 1891. Its object has alwaysbeen to stimulate interest among allclasses in the life-saving work of theInstitution and to obtain increasedfinancial support. From the very begin-ning it met with the warmest approval,and in the course of a few years it wasadopted by nearly all the important townsin the kingdom. (Cheers.) Ladies alsohave rendered most generous assistanceand have given the greatest encouragementto the movement. The money raised bythis fund is applied, as far as possible,towards grants to (a) widows and youngchildren of life-boat men who have losttheir lives in the service, not less than100Z. being allowed for each widow and25Z. for each dependent child; (6) grantsto men injured in the service; (c) pensionsand retiring allowances to coxswains, &c.,of long and meritorious service who havebeen retired on account of old age, illhealth, accident, or abolition of post;

IST AUGUST, 1899.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 497

(d) payments to coxswains and crews forservices rendered, for special rewards, &c.The Institution, which is the oldest Life-boat service in the world, has since itsfoundation always endeavoured, so far asits funds permitted, to help the widowsand orphans of those gallant men formingits crews, who have perished in theireffort s to save the lives of others, andlikewise to assist financially those whomay have met with accidents in theservice. (Cheers.) The great work ofsaving life cannot be carried on withoutthe heroic services of those who man theLife-boats all round our coasts, but atthe same time it must be borne in mindthat all the intrepidity in the worldwould be useless and of no avail were itnot for the means of saving life entrustedto the crews by the Institution. (Cheers.)The Committee of Management are alwayson the alert to examine and, if desirable,to adopt any proposal or invention whichmay either make the Life-boats safer andmore efficient for their important workor lender them better suited for the crewswho man them and for the shipwreckedpeople who have to be rescued by them.The Life-boat crews, therefore, in orderthat they may be in a position to performthose deeds of heroism which have gainedfor them the admiration of the civilizedworld, are entirely dependent on themeans which are placed at their disposalby the Institution for their work.

THE NEED OP PUNDS.

For this purpose and for ensuring theproper and efficient working of themachinery of this great national Institu-tion, the Committee of Management haveto look for the voluntary financial supportof the British public. Hitherto theyhave not appealed in vain, but continuedand increased help is indispensable, andwill, I am sure, be forthcoming. Let memention that from time to time the com-mittee are compelled to lay out a verylarge sum at a single station to improveits efficiency; only last year nearly4,0002. was expended at Margate in thenecessary construction of two slipwaysfor the two new large Life-boats placedthere. Quite apart from the workperformed by the Institution through theinstrumentality of its Life-boats and crewsis the encouragement and incentive togallantry which it gives by offering

rewards to all who risk their own lives insaving, or endeavouring to save, by meansof shore-boats or other means, the livesof those who are in danger of drowningfrom shipwreck on any part of the shoresof the United Kingdom. Many thousandsof pounds have been spent by the Institu-tion in this way, and every year theexpenditure under this heading is con-siderably increased. But the Institutionnot only does its best to save life in thedirections I have mentioned; it likewisedistributes broadcast excellent directionsfor restoring the apparently drowned,and these have constantly proved of theutmost service. I am anxious to drawyour special attention to the fact that thecases of gallantry rewarded by the Insti-tution have been by no means confined tomen. On some parts of our coasts, Iam informed, the fisherwomen and girlshelp to launch the Life-boats and encouragein every way their husbands and brothersto man them. (Loud cheers.) Thereare several gallant British women, ofwhom we may well be proud, now alivewho have been decorated with the silvermedal of the Institution, and youprobably all know that the celebratedGrace Darling was rewarded with thesilver medal for her heroic services.(Renewed cheers.) Each year, as theservice is enlarged and the committee areenabled from experience and by the helpof science to make it more efficient, thecost of conducting it increases, and theInstitution, which, as I have beforestated, is supported entirely by voluntarycontributionc, requires in consequence avery large and permanent income tomaintain and carry on its great work.London, being the largest shipping portin this great maritime country, with anannual inward and outward tonnage ofover 25 millions in 1897, ought to bespecially interested in maintaining theLife-boats in their work of saving liferound our dangerous coasts. (Cheers.)

THE HEROISM OF LIFE-BOAT GBEWS.

Before I sit down I must remind youthat the boats belonging to the Institu-tion are manned entirely by volunteers,and that, as a rule, the crews are formedby the local fishermen. At some stations,however, they are supplemented fromtime to time by coastguard men whenavailable. No words can adequately

498 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1ST AUGUST, 1899.

express the extraordinary gallantry shownby the Life-boat crews in carrying outthe extremely hazardous work which theyhave to undertake in saving life fromvessels in distress or when stranded.(Cheers.) On a dark winter's nightwhen suddenly summoned by a signal tolaunch and man the Life-boat, the work inmost cases is one of the greatest possibledanger, especially in some parts of thecoast where a launching slipway cannotbe arranged, and the boats have to belaunched off the well-known Life-boatcarriage. It is a great matter for con-gratulation that the loss of life to Life-boat crews is but a small one; but whenlives are lost the Institution invariablyprovides for the widows and orphans inthe most liberal way, and supports anylocal fund raised in the event of adisaster. (Cheers.) In proposing thistoast which I know you will receive mostcordially, you will forgive me if I haveperhaps addressed you at too great alength, bat I am anxious now to giveyon "Success to the London Life-boat

Saturday Fund," a branch of the ParentInstitution. In doing so I wish toconnect with it the name of the chairmanof the Committee, Sir Edward Birkbeck,who has for so many years taken such deepinterest in everything that concerns thewell-being and prosperity of this Institu-tion. (Cheers.) I may mention also thenames of the vice-chairman, ColonelFitzroy Clayton, and the Secretary. Imast not leave out the Chief Inspectors,who do their duty to the best of theirability, and who, although they may notencounter the dangers which the marinecrews undergo, are at any rate responsible, |and feel "their responsibility if anythinggoes wrong. I ask you now, gentlemen, todrink the toast of the evening, " Successto the London Life-boat Saturday Fund."(Loud cheers.)

SIB EDWABD BIRKBECK acknowledged thetoast, and subscriptions were afterwardsannounced amounting to upwards of2.420Z. There were also a number ofpromises of subscriptions, of which theamount was not stated.

THE PEINCE OP WALES AND THE LIFE-BOAT SEEVICE.

CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.

In the course of the eloquent speechand earnest appeal which H.B.H. ThePEINCE OF WALES made as President of theBOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,at the London Life-boat Saturday Dinneron 1st May last, he said, " I am anxiousto draw your special attention to thefact that the cases of gallantry, rewardedby the Institution have been by no meansconfined to men. (Cheers.) On someparts of our coasts the fisherwomen andgirls help to launch the Life-boats, andencourage in every way their husbandsand brothers to man them. (Loudcheers.) . . . . You probably all knowthat the celebrated Grace Burling wasrewarded with the silver medal for herheroic services."

At two hours after midnight, and only

four hours after the PBINCE had deliveredhis speech, information was received bythe crew of the Grace Darling Life-boat,which is stationed at Holy Island (North-umberland), that the schooner AnnieStewart had struck on the Snipe rocksand was sinking rapidly. The wind wasnorth-east, the sea moderately rongh, andthe weather thick with rain. All handsat once turned out to launch the Life-boat,which was on her way to the sinkingvessel in fifteen minutes, four of the mostuseful launchers on this occasion beingwomen. In an hour the Life-boat reachedthe distressed vessel and successfully tookoff the endangered crew, numbering fivemen. The Life-boat had not got twentyyards away from the vessel before shesank and became a total wreck.


THE STEAND1NG OF THE STEAMSHIPS "MOHEGAN,""LABEADOB," "STELLA" AND "PARIS."

WITHIN the last twelve months fourremarkable cases of the stranding oflarge steamships have taken place on ourshores, each of such vessels carrying anumerous crew besides a considerablenumber of passengers. Two of thesesteamers in the space of a very shorttime foundered in deep water, one re-mained above water long enough to givethe crew and passengers ample time toleave her in the boats, but the fourth,having run on the main, fortunately heldfast, and her crew and passengers weretherefore at no time in danger.

The four casualties in question werethose befalling the Mohegan, Labrador,Stella and Paris, and it is only in theirrelation to Life-boat work that this articleis interested.

Modern improvements in ships and inthe means for navigating them have to avery great extent reduced the chances ofwell-found and powerful vessels, such asthese in question, being lost on well-knownand well-lighted coasts. But with theenormous traffic for ever crossing andre-crossing the seas which surround ourisland such cases must of course belooked for, although they cannot be con-sidered as among the ordinary circum-stances which call for the establishmentof Life-boat stations; consequently whensuch an appalling disaster as that of theMohegan takes place in the vicinity of aLife-boat station, the resources of themeans adopted by the ROYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION to protect the coastare taxed to an extraordinary degree.

It is perhaps unnecessary to point outthat Life-boats are principally provided todo work in weather too bad and in seastoo high for ordinary boats to encounter,and when the elements are in such acondition, the life-boat man, who aregenerally speaking fishermen or boitman,are on the loDk out, not being enployei

in their several occupations. The strand-ings of these four vessels did not takeplace in Life-boat weather pure andsimple, though disaster may be looked forin any weather, and of course when it isfoggy, as it was when the Stella was lost,there is always risk to shipping.

Of the four disasters mentioned onlyone—viz., that of the Mohegan—actuallycame within the scope of practical Life-boat work. The MoJiegan it will be remem-bered was bound for America, and for somereason, with which we have nothing to do,after passing the Eddystone about 4.15 onthe afternoon of the 14th October last year,shaped a course which took her to theManacles rocks on which she struck about7 P.M., and afterwards foundered withina quarter of a hour. Her crew consistedof 97, she had 53 passengers and 7 cattle-men, making a total of 157 human beingson board. Close to the Manacles, orwithin three-quarters of a mile of theMaen Voces, where the Mohegan was lost,is the Porthoustock Life-boat station.Falmouth is 6 miles off to the N.N.E.,where there is also a Life-boat, and tugsare available, and 6^ miles to S.W. round" Blackhead " is Cadgwith, where anotherpowerful Life-boat is stationed. All threeof these boats are in electrical communi-cation with each other, and should avessel run on to the Manacles andremain fixed there, it is considered thatthese boats would be able to cope withnearly any disaster. Had the unfortunateMohegan remained on the rock on whichshe first struck, although there was anasty sea running, there is not theslightest reason to suppose that the wholeof the 157 paople on board would nothave been rescued. In reviewing how-ever what actually happened one is forcedta a conolinioa of wjnder that so manyas 51 were saved.

Let us consider what took place on

500 TEE LIFE-BOAT. [!ST AUGUST, 1899.

board. Mr. John H. Juddery, quarter-master, in his evidence before the Boardof Trade investigation, stated that about6.30 P.M. he came on deck, but went belowagain and remained there until the vesselstruck. Upon coming on deck again hefound the men were carrying out the ordersgiven by the captain, who was on theflying bridge, to get the boats out; all theofficers (none were saved) were engagedwith the life-boats, and almost immediatelythe lights went out. The vessel had a listof about 45 degrees to port and was alldown by the head. He saw some of thestewards serving out life-belts to thepassengers. The port life-boat got away;the captain was on the bridge cheering onthe men and telling them, to keep cool.The list was gradually increasing, and heheard the captain calling, and on crawlingtowards him he found his orders were toget the women and children into thejigger rigging (the vessel had four polemasts), and then the vessel took the finalplunge—about 15 minutes after striking.He swam to the mizen rigging, the doctorand eleven others were there; the steamerwent down bodily. ... Shortly before thevessel went down Ihe chief officer shookhands with him and said " Good-bye, wehave done all we can, look out for your-self."

Such, in brief, was what happened onboard, and it can be seen plainly whyso many lives were lost, and also why inthe circumstances so many were saved.In the first place, all was over in a quarterof an hour after striking. It is knownthat the vessel struck a submerged rock,which lipped her side open, carried herway on, and ultimately foundered—closeto another lock—in deep water. The listof 45 degrees which she took preventedthe lowering of the starboard boats andrendered getting about the ship extremelydifficult; added to this, the lights wentout altogether, and the darkness wasintense, which must have hampered themon board, but its effect as legards theLife-boat fiom Poithoustock, engaged intrying to find the vessel, was disastrous.

This combination of circumstances is suf-ficient to show why there was such loss oflife. On the other hand, all the survivorswho were examined at the Inquiry weieagreed as to the splendid manner in whichthe captain, officers, crew, stewards andstewardesses behaved on this terribleoccasion. This fact, and the coolness of

I the passengers, mainly contributed to the| large number of the rescued.

The coxswain of the Poithoustock Life-boat happened to be standing at hisstable door, from which there is a goodview seaward, at a little before 7 P.M.,when he saw a masthead light N.E. Thevessel appeared to be coming stem onto him and about half a mile off; thenshe suddenly altered her course, and thecoxswain, realising that the vessel mustgo on the Manacles, summoned hisLife-boat crew at once and by 7.25the Life-boat was in the water. Evenbefore the Life-boat was afloat the vesselmust have foundered and in all pro-bability the great loss of life hadalready taken place. The lights of thevessel had all gone out. The coxswaintherefore who had seen her at 7 o'clockhad only a general idea of her where-abouts, for there are many rocks shemight have struck on, in fact the placewas very aptly described as " a regularwasp's nest of rocks." To make matterswoise the night was inky dark. As theaction taken by this Life-boat was de-scribed at length in the Life-boat Journalfor February this year, pages 280-282, itis unnecessary to recapitulate in detailthe manner in which she was instrumentalin rescuing forty-four out of the fifty-onepersons saved. The greater number weresaved on the Life-boat's fiist trip, threefrom one of the ship's life-boats, whichwas found capsized, and twenty-four fromanother of the ship's life-boats, which wasin a disabled condition and might at anymoment have drifted on to one of theManacles rocks, in which case her chanceswould have been small, for the sea wasnow breaking over these locks, andalthough the steel ship's life-boats proved

IST AUGUST/1899.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 501

to ba of great strength the proba-bilities are the boats would have beencapsized. It was not until after fallingin with the first ship's life-boat that thecoxswain realised the extent of thadisaster; he then signalled for more help,and the Falmouth, Cadgwith and LizardLife-boats were telephoned for. Even ifthey had been sent for at first, there is littlechance of their presence having been ofmuch avail; the distance they had to comewas so great that it is nearly certain thatthose who lost their lives had perishedbefore these boats could possibly havebeen on the scene.

After landing the people picked upfrom the ship's life-boats, and one or twoothers who were taken out of the water,the Porthoustock Life-boat again went offin search of the wreck and ultimatelyfound her, but it was not until long aftermidnight that the sixteen persons whohad been successful in gaining the riggingand funnel were rescued. It is importantto note that no one had been washed outof the rigging before the arrival of theLife-boat.

The loss of the Mohegan is certainly anillustration of the great difficulties inthe way of rendering assistance from theshore to a vessel out of reach of therocket apparatus, and which founders aquarter of an hour after striking.

The size of the Life-boats at the variousstations is governed by the circumstancesin which they are launched and themanual power available in the neighbour-hood ; and even if there had been a boat

' twice the size of the Porthoustock Life-boat, it is by no means clear that anymore lives could have been saved. Infact, next to the cool behaviour of allthose on board the doomed ship, the mainreason which accounted for so many beingsaved was the fact that the coxswain ofthe Life-boat was actually looking at theship a few minutes before she struck, andtook instant action to get his boat afloat.

The Court which inquired into the lossof the Mohegan made no recommenda-tions affecting the Life-boats or their

management, but before leaving the subjectof this wreck, it is perhaps desirable tonotice some mention mido by the Courtconcerning the steel boats which werecarried by the ship. The Court remarks :"Some questions arose as to the steelboats which were fitted ; the Court desiresto express its opinion as to the strengthand quality of them. The two woodenboats that were on board were brokeninto matchwood, and notwithstanding thatthe steel boats were battered about on therocks, there was a hole in one only ofthem. This proves their efficiency andsuperiority over the wooden boats."

Those who saw these boats can certainlytestify to the marvellous amount ofbattering they received, which certainlyno wooden ship's boats would have stood,and for ship's boats it would withoutdoubt appear that there are some greatadvantages to be obtained by buildingthem of steel. In our Life-boat serviceit has not been found disadvantageous touse wood, as it is easily repaired. TheGerman Lifeboat service however buildnearly all their boats of steel. Those thatare stationed in the Baltic have a greatdeal of ice to contend with, and steelboats have proved very efficient for thisservice.

The next case of stranding which calledforth considerable public interest wasthat of the s.s. Labrador. In this case,fortunately, there was no loss of life, butthe ship was totally lost. The wreck ofthis vessel has no practical relation toLife-boat work, as it took place at a partof the coast where there are no Life-boats,and the accident to the Labrador does notprovide any reason for placing a Life-boatin the neighbourhood. Indeed, if there had.been Life-boats at all the nearest points tothe position of the casualty, not one ofthem, even if she had been a steamer, couldpossibly have got to the vessel until longafter those on board had left in the ship'sown boats and were in safety. TheLabrador was bound from Halifax, N.S.,to Glasgow, and for three days had beenunable to ascertain her position by obser-

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502 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1ST AUGCBT, 1899

vation. She had unfortunately got con-siderably out of her course, and at 6.50 A.M.on the 1st March last ran on the MackenzieBock, which is about 2 miles S.W. ofSkerryvore Lighthouse. The early morninghad been foggy, but by 6 A.M. the weatherhad somewhat cleared, and it was possibleto see some miles.

Quoting from the report of the Boardof Trade investigation, the following iswhat occurred after striking. "Findingthe vessel fast the master ordered all theboats to be got ready, and in an hourand a half all the boats were launchedand the passengers and crew got on board.Had the circumstances been more urgentthere seems little doubt that this timemight have been shortened; but as it wasthe passengers and crew were safely put inthe boats, which had ample accommoda-tion for them, and which were well andsufficiently equipped and provided bothwith gear and provisions. One boatsucceeded in reaching the lighthouse(Skerry vore),though not without difficulty,and the other boats were picked up bythe s.g. Viking, which shortly afterwardscame upon the scene and conveyed theoccupants to Tobermory."

It would have been very much better ifthe one boat had not gone to the light-house, for by doing so a most unnecessaryrisk was run; there is nearly always aswell from the Atlantic in this neighbour-hood, which makes it extremely hazardousto land at Skerryvore, whereas the boatwould have been perfectly safe, as theothers were, if she had kept the sea, andher occupants, who were eventually takenoff the lighthouse by the Northern Light-vessel Hesperus, would have been on themainland some days before they were!At the time of the disaster there were onboard the Labrador ninety-four crew andsixty-four passengers, total one hundredand fifty-eight, or one more than on boardthe ill-fated Mohegan.

The nearest land to Mackenzie Rocks isthe Island of Tiree, thirteen miles off,lona is twenty-seven miles distant, andTobermory about forty-five miles.

The loss of the Stella, close to theCasquets, and all the harrowing incidentsconnected with it, is BO fresh, in. thememory of the public, that it is onlynecessary to refer very briefly to it inthese notes. Here again we have a per-fectly equipped and powerful vessel loston rocks in the immediate neighbourhoodof a lighthouse and on a regular beatentrack, a fact which provides much foodfor reflection and shows that no matterwhat care, precaution and expense arebestowed on the fitting and manning ofvessels, the frailty of the human element,the " personal error," so to speak, assertsitself at intervals, but providentiallyrarely considering the enormous amountof traffic in motion. This vessel had acrew of forty-two all told, and about onehundred and forty-seven passengers. Un-like the Mohegan, the disaster happenedin daylight but in foggy weather, and as inthe case of the Mohegan, the chief reasonwhy so many as eighty-eight of thepassengers and twenty-four of the crewwere saved was because of the excellentorder prevailing on board the vessel whichit must be observed foundered only eightminutes after striking. The vessel wasfitted with two life-boats, two cutters,a dinghy, two Berthon collapsible boats,seven hundred and fifty-four life-belts,thirty-six life-buoys and some deck raftseats. The starboard life-boat, cutterand dinghy were lowered and got awaysafely, so likewise was the port cutter;but the port life-boat, which was loweredto the rail, had not time to clear the ship,as at that moment she slipped off the*rocks and foundered in deep water. Thisboat was capsized, but righted again, andof the fourteen persons who got on thebottom when she capsized, all bnt twomanaged to get into her again when sherighted. The steamer disappeared sorapidly that there was not sufficient timeto open out and lower the Berthon boats,which were capable of containing se^entj-four persons. This wreck also has nopractical bearing on Life-boat work.The nearest station—that of St. Peter's


Port, Guernsey—is seventeen miles fromthe Casquets, and thetides in the neigh-bourhood run as much as five knotsan hour. In these circumstances it isdifficult to conceive what use the St.Peter's Port boat could have been even ifit had been possible to have telegraphedfor her, and it is still more difficult toknow how to provide Life-boat stationswhich could be of any use in such terribleand most exceptional circumstances.

For such disasters as the wrecks of theMohegan, Labrador, and Stella, the meansavailable OH board must be looked to asthe main method for escape, and it ismore to perfecting these than to relyingon outside help that those interested inshipping should turn their attention. TheLabrador had time successfully to makethe best use of her life-saving appliances,but in the case of those other two vessels,the time was too short for the existingmethods to be entirely successful. It isa difficult problem where and how tomake improvements. Periodical drill,keeping the boats swung out when prac-ticable, and having numerous rafts whichwill float away when a ship founders, arethe three things which suggest themselvesto all minds, and are the methods it iabelieved which are finding most favour andpractice ; but there is plenty of scope forimprovement beyond this.

The last and most recent of the strandedvessels calling for special notice is thatof the Paris. Strangely enough she ranashore within a few hundred yards of theMohegan, but under very different circum-stances ; insomuch as the Paris strandedon the Lowland point near the Manacles,and remaining fixed, the sea being per-fectly smooth, there was no risk to life.The discipline maintained on board seemsto have been excellent. The vessel wasbound from Cherbourg to New York andtook the ground in the small hours ofSunday morning, the 21st May; so littlecause for alarm for the safety of those onboard was there, that, finding his shipfixed, the captain lowered his gig (so thenewspaper reports say, there being noofficial report to refer to), and proceededround the ship to ascertain her preciseposition. The Porthoustock and Pal-mouth Life-boats were soon in attendance,

but it was at once realised that theirservices as Life-boats were not required,although use was made of them forferrying many of the passengers from theParis to the tugs which conveyed themto Falmouth. Shortly after the shipstranded a rocket line was fired over herby the coastguard, so even if the sea hadbeen too rough for boats to work com-fortably alongside, she was near enoughfor the rocket apparatus to have takenthe people off, if necessary; but as therewere nearly 800 on board this wouldhave been a slow proceeding.

The only reason for mentioning thiswreck is because when a ship of this sizewith such a host of living beings on boardgoes ashore it must create a great amountof public interest, and although everythingso far as her passengers and crew wereconcerned went well, so near an escapefrom the fate of the Mohegan and Stellaconjures up the " what-might-have-been,"and again one is compelled to reflect thatunless the vessel holds on until the Life-boats in the neighbourhood can belaunched and reach her, reliance mnst beplaced on the internal means providedfor saving life.

A steam Life-boat at Falmouth (theonly available place for one in theneighbourhood) could not get to theManacles in less than an hour after beingsummoned, which would be no faster thanthe present Life-boat with a tug. Alarger Life-boat is being built for Port-houstock and there is a large Life-boat atCadgwith; but of what avail is a foot ortwo more in length and a foot more beamwhen you have 800 persons to deal with ?

Look well to the means for summoningthe Life-boat crew so as to avoid anyunnecessary delay in launching; see thatthe telephonic or telegraphic communi-cation is made the most intelligent use ofpossibletosummon,if necessary, the nearestLife-boats; and above all make sure thatthe Life-boat station is in exactly the bestposition, and the most suitable type ofboat provided. These cardinal pointsmust never be lost sight of and areamong the most important measures takenby the KOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATINSTITUTION for efficiently working theLife-boat system.

504 THE LIFE-BOAT. [Isi AUGUST, 1899.

UNITED STATES LIFE-SAVING SERVICE.

THANES to the courtesy of Mr. SUMMEE I.KIMBALI,, the General Superintendent ofthe United States Government Life-SavingService, we are enabled to place before onrreaders a general outline of the operationsof that excellent Service for the yearended the 30th June, 1898. The UnitedStates Service has always looked upon theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTIONas a sort of foster mother, and the Life-boat Service of the Old Country is proudof her quasi child.

At the close of the year ended the30th June, 1898, there were 264 stationsembraced in the life-saving establish-ment, an increase of five as comparedwith the previous year. Of this number,192 were situated on the Atlantic andGulf coasts, 56 on the coasts of the GreatLakes, 15 on the Pacific coast, and 1 at theFalls of the Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky, thewhole Service being divided into 12districts. The periods during which thestationswere manned during the year, suchperiods being termed the " active season,"varied considerably, ranging from 2 and4 or 4\ months to 5^, 8,10 and 12 months.The great majority of the stations are,however, manned for 10 months only,14 only as far as we can ascertain beingopen all the year round. Keepers are onduty, however, at all stations throughoutthe year.

The reports of the several districtofficers show 402 disasters to documentedvessels within the field of life-savingoperations during the year. The numberof persons on board these vessels was3,113, of whom only 12 were lost. Theestimated value of the vessels was5,861,320 dollars, and that of theircargoes 1,307,070 dollars, making thetotal value of the property imperilled7,168,390 dollars. Of this amount6,410,530 dollars was saved, 757,860dollars lost. The number of vessels totallylost was 59, this number being 5 inexcess of the total for the preceding year.There were also 365 casualties to undocu-mented craft, sailing boats, rowing-boats,etc., carrying 874 persons, 10 of whomperished. The total number of disasterswas 767, an increase of 68 as comparedwith the previous year and the largestnumber reported in the history of the

Service, while happily, the loss of lifewas considerably less in proportion to thenumber of disasters than in any previousyear. In addition to the number ofpersons rescued from vessels, 56 wereassisted from such situations as must inmany cases have resulted in loss of lifebut for the prompt and intelligent actionof the crews of the life-saving stations.

In 577 instances vessels were workedoff when stranded, repaired when damaged,and piloted out of dangerous places.Besides the foregoing, assistance of minorimportance was rendered to 324 vesselsand small craft. There were. also 226instances where vessels running intodanger of stranding were warned off bythe signals of the patrols.

The surf-boat was used 812 times,making 1,099 trips. The self-rightingand self-bailing Life-boat was used 114times, making 129 trips. The gasolinelaunch (at the City Point Station) wasused 83 times, making 86 trips. Smallerboats were used 460 times, making 567trips. The river life-skiffs at the Louis-ville station were used 27 times, making29 trips. The breeches buoy was used10 times, making 107 trips. The life*car was used once, making 3 trips. Thewreck gun was employed 15 times, firing37 shots. The heavy stick was used 35times. 451 persons were landed by thesurf-boat; by the Life-boats, 91; by thegasoline launch, 129; by the river life-skiffs, 39; by other station boats, 148;by the breeches buoy, 106; and by the life-car, 9; and 69 persons were rescued byother means: total 1,042, bringing up thetotal number of persons succoured by theService since the introduction of thepresent system in November, 1871, to14,255.

The total cost of maintaining theUnited States Life-Saving Service duringthe year ended the 30th Jane, 1898, wouldseem to have been 1,535,407 dollars(335.494Z.): of this fmm 37,730 dollars(7,7522.) went in the salariesof the officialsat the head office. Daring the yearunder consideration the whole of theLife-Saving Service of the United Stateswas for the first time included in aclassified service under the Civil ServiceRegulations.

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506 THE LIFE-BOAT. [IsT AUGUST, 1899.

SEEVICES OF THE LIFE-BOATS OF THE EOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

SEAHAM, DURHAM.—Towards midnighton the 31st Deo., 1898, signals of distress atsea were observed off this place, and whenthe New Year broke, the Life-boat SJcynnerwas on her way to render help to thevessel which had displayed them. Theweather at the time was thick but calm,

. following a strong S.E. wind which hadprevailed throughout the day, and thesea was rough. The vessel which wasreached at 1 A.M. was the s.s. Niord ofBanders, bound from that port for New-castle, and had stranded about a mileand a half N. of Seaham harbour, theseas washing over her. On nearing herthe Life-boat's anchor was let go, the boatveered alongside and succeeded in savingthe crew of eleven men. An endeavourwas then made to recover the anchor, butit was found that the cable had fouledthe rocks, and it had to be cut so as toensure the safety of the Life-boat, whichwas in danger of being thrown broadsideon. The vessel became a total wreck.

The following gratifying letter appearedin the Newcastle Daily Chronicle of the7th January :—

THE WBECK OF THE "NIOKD."To the Editor of the "Daily Chronicle."

" SIR,—On behalf of my crew, who have nowleft, and myself, I beg to offer my best thanksto the captain and members of the Seaham.Life-boat crew, the captain and members of theSeaham Life Brigade, for their timely assist-ance ; Mr. Kelly, agent for the ShipwreckedMariners' Society; Mr. Smith, harbour-master,and the few people at whose hands I receivedthe best of treatment the night our vessel cameashore. ,lYours &c.,

"F. EASMCSSEN,"Seaham Harbour, " Master s.s. Niord."

5th January, 1899.

HoLTHBAD.—On the 2nd January awind blowing with hurricane force fromW.N.W. prevailed, accompanied by avery heavy sea, and the steam Life-boatDuke of Northumberland was called outthree times to assist vessels which werein danger. At 4.30 P.M. the Life-boatleft her moorings, proceeded to theschooner Ann Jane and rescued her crewof three men. She was dragging heranchor and afterwards parted her cableand became a total wreck on Penrhos

beach. The boat returned to her moor-ings at 5.25, and five minutes afterwardswas called out to a coal hulk which wasreported to be in a sinking condition, andon board which were two of the crew ofthe ketch Gauntlelt, which had driftedfrom her anchorage on to the rocks atSalt Island. The two men had managedto jump on to the hulk as their vesselpassed it. Having landed them, theLife-boat was moored alongside theL. & N.W. Railway Co.'s quay, owing tothe violence of the gale, at about 6.15.At 7.30 the third call was received,signals of distress being shown by thes.s.Ballinbreich Castle and the barquentineMillie Bain. From the former five menwere rescued, and from the latter sevenmen. Both vessels were in the OuterRoads and were dragging their anchors.These men were safely landed about9 o'clock, and the Life-boat was thenmoored in the inner harbour in conse-quence of the continued severity of thestorm, and on the following day returnedto her usual moorings.

NEW BRIGHTON.—The steam Life-boatQueen left her moorings at 6.50 P.M. onthe 2nd January, while a whole gale wasblowing from N.W., with squalls and avery heavy sea, in response to signals ofdistress which had been shown in thedirection of Crosby. The s.s. Voltaic, ofBelfast, bound for Liverpool, was foundon the beach stranded near the No. 8gas-buoy; at the request of the masterthe Life-boat stood by until the vesselfloated at 12.45.

BBMBEIDGB, ISLE OF WIGHT.—A vesselhaving been observed stranded on Bern-bridge Ledge, the Life-boat Queen Victoriawas launched at 8.50 P.M. on the 2ndJanuary and proceeded through a roughsea, the wind blowing a strong gale fromW.N.W., to the scene of the casualty.The vessel was found to be the schoonerRosalie, of Calais, bound from Boulognefor Eochefort with cement. She was fullof water and had every appearance ofbecoming a total wreck. Her crew of fivemen and a boy were taken into the Life-boat and were brought safely to land at11.30.


NEW QUAY, CORNWALL.—On the morn-ing of the 3rd January the coastguardsreported that a three-masted steamer wasat anchor, S.W. of Trevose Lighthouse,flying the Italian ensign half-mast high.The Life-boat Willie Eogers was thereforelaunched at 8.45 and proceeded with allpossible speed to the vessel, which was ina most dangerous position. A moderategale was blowing from W.S.W., there wasa very heavy ground swell, and the weatherwas thick. Two of the Life-boatmenboarded the vessel, which proved to be theVoorwaarts, of Amsterdam, bound fromCardiff for Genoa. She had apparentlybeen disabled by stress of weather, butvery little information could be obtained,as none of those on board could speakEnglish. It appeared that the casualtyhad occurred in a very heavy gale fromN.W. at 3 o'clock on the previous after-noon, and that the master and ten of thecrew had left her, in two boats, and hadnot since been heard of. The ship hadseventeen feet of water in her hold, andit did not seem possible that she couldremain afloat for any length of time. Itwas therefore arranged that the steam-tugDragon which had arrived should standby her until the morning, the Life-boattaking off the remainder of the crew, ninemen, and safely landing them at 7.30 P.M.

On the following morning the vesselbeing still afloat, the Life-boat again wentout to her, taking back the nine men, andan attempt was made to take the ship toSwansea. On boarding her it was foundthat the water during the night hadincreased by one foot. The men belongingto the vessel, assisted by some of theLife-boatmen, jettisoned about twenty-fivetons of the cargo so as to lighten her,and the tug Dragon and s.s. Oliviasucceeding in towing her to within fifteenmiles of Lundy. At 5 P.M. one of thetow ropes parted, and in getting anotheron board a hole was knocked in the bowof the Voorwaarts ; she became unmanage-able, and in a short time was seen to besettling down. The men on board there-upon signalled to be taken off, and theship was abandoned, the Life-boat beingtowed by the Olivia to Ilfracombe, whereshe arrived at 10.45 P.M. One of theship's boats drove ashore at MawganForth, being literally smashed to pieces'on the rocks, but no trace of any of hercrew could be seen.

FlSHGUAHD, PEMBROKESHIRE. While awhole gale was blowing accompanied bya heavy sea on the night of the 2ndJanuary, signals of distress were shownby the schooner Leander of Carnarvon,laden with meal from Paisley for Glou-cester. Her anchors had fouled inconsequence of a sudden change of windand she was drifting into a dangerousposition. The Life-boat Appin waslaunched at 7.40, proceeded under oarsto the vessel and rescued the crew ofthree men, who were safely landed at thenew pier, Goodwick, at about 8.30.

WHITELINK BAY, ABERDEENSHIRE.—After a fine morning on the 5th January,a sudden and terrific squall was ex-perienced, accompanied by a heavy showerof snow and sleet. Soon afterwards thecoxswain of the Life-boat Three Brothersobserved a fishing-boat in distress offRattray Head, and he at once summonedthe Life-boat's crew. Two other distressedboats were afterwards seen. At 12 noonthe Life-boat was launched, and in abouttwenty minutes overtook the nearest boat,the Good Hope, of Fraserbnrgh, and tenminutes later another boat, the GoodDesign, also of Fraserburgh, was alsoreached. Each of the boats had a crewof three men. Both boats were taken intow, part of their crews being taken intothe Life-boat, which being qnable toreturn to her station owing to the severityand direction of the gale made for Peter-head. She was towed by a steam-tugbelonging to that port the last two and ahalf miles and subsequently back to herstation. The crew of the third fishing-boat failed to observe the Life-boatbearing down on them and ran their boatashore at Eattray Head.

GOURDOK, JOHNSHAVEN, MoNTROSE ANDARBROATH. — A strong gale suddenlysprung up on the east coast of Scotlandon the morning of the 6th January andthe fishing fleets were compelled to returnas quickly as possible to the harbours.As some of the boats would incur con-siderable risk in entering their ports, theLife-boats Theophilus Sidney Echalaz,Meanwett of Glenbervie, Robert Hender-son, and William Souter were launchedand remained in attendance until thefishermen were in safety.

508 THE LIFE-BOAT. [1st AUGUST, 1899.

CASTLETOWN, ISLE OF MAN.—At noonon the 12th January intelligence wasreceived that a vessel had hoisted signalsof distress in Derbyhaven Bay. TheLife-boat Thomas Black was taken onher carriage to Darbyhaven, where shewas launched and was fortunately suc-cessful in saving the crew of three menfrom the ketch John Parry, of and fromBeaumaris, bound for Ayr with a cargoof slates. A whole gale was blowingfrom W.S.W. and the sea was very heavy.In fact, the weather was the worst everexperienced by the Life-boatmen, and inrecognition of their admirable services onthis occasion an extra reward was grantedto them by the Institution.

BBOADSTAIBS.—The Life-boat FrancesForbes Barton was launched at 3 P.M. onthe 12th January in a very rough sea, thewind blowing a whole gale from W.S.W.veering to N.N.W., with rain squalls, asignal of distress being shown by thethree-masted schooner Julia, of Lancaster,laden with slates from Antwerp forExmouth. On reaching the vessel, whichwas five miles S.E.of the North Foreland,the master stated that a steam-tug in

trying to speak him had come intocollision with the schooner, carrying awaythe latter's bowsprit and jib-boom anddamaging the b3ws. He asked that theanchors might be slipped and that theLife-boat might remain by until Bamsgatewas reached. It was evidently impossiblefor the vessel, in her damaged condition,to proceed under sail, and the captain,acting on the advice of the Life-boatmen,secured the services of a steam-tug. Heranchors were slipped, after buoying them,and the vessel was towed, with the Life-boat astern, in the direction of Bamsgate,it being intended to take the harbour atthe tide, but the gale increased and it wasconsidered imprudent to attempt to enterat night; therefore the tug continued totow her throughout the night, in theteeth of the gale, the seas breaking overthe Life-boat the whole of the time, until9.30 in the morning, when the harbourwas safely entered and the schooner madesecura. She had a crew of five persons.The Life-boatmen, who had been exposedfor eighteen hours to the fury of theheaviest gale they had ever experienced,then proceeded on the return journey toher station, arriving there at 10.45 A.M.

ADDITIONAL STATIONS AND NEW LIFE-BOATS.

WICKLOW, IBELAND. -— The Life-boatplaced here some years since havingbecome unfit for further service has beenreplaced by the Institution—a fine newsailing boat of the self-righting typehaving, with the full concurrence of theLocal Committee, coxswains and crew, baenspecially built for the station. She is

40 feet long, and has a beam of 10£ feet,and in addition to masts and sails is fittedto pull 12 oars double banked. The boatwas sailed to her station in April last andencountered very rough weather on hervoyage from the Thames to Wicklow. Itwas most gratifying to learn that herexcellent behaviour under those trying


circumstances gave entire satisfaction tothe navigating crew. Like the boat shesuperseded, the new Life-boat is namedBobert Theophilus Garden, after the lateMr. GABDBN, of Biver Lyons, King'sCounty, Ireland, who in 1866 defrayedthe cost of the complete renovation ofthe Wicklow Life-boat Establishment, inmemory of his affectionate grandchildren,Mary Dorcas and Blanche Jane Champagne,and subsequently bequeathed a legacy tothe Institution for the permanent en-dowment of the Life-boat. This is thethird boat named after him which hasbeen stationed at Wicklow.

KHOSCOLTN, AKGLESET.—A new self-righting Life-boat, 37 feet long and 9| feetwide, pulling 10 oars double banked, hasbeen provided for this station in theplace of one sent there twenty-one yearssince, which was presented to the Institu-tion and permanently endowed by theCountess DE MOBELLA, in memory of herlate husband, RAMON CABEEBA, Field-marshal in the Spanish army, Count DEMOBELLA, Marquis DEL TIE. In accord-ance with the agreement between thebenevolent donor and the Institution, thenew Life-boat bears the same name as herpredecessor, i.e. Samon Cabrera.

THE AITH HOPE LONGHOPE) LIFE-BOAT CEEW. I

To the Coxswain and Crew of the Aith Hope Life-boat Samyntas Stannak, I respectfullydedicate these simple verses for their noble work on the iight of the 31st October. It 98, inconnection with the disabled steamer Manchester City, during a north-west gale in the PentlandFirth.

They are no fancy regimentOf a spick and span brigade,

They wear no brilliant uniformTo march with on parade;

No pipe or drum to cheer them onWeen siccar work to do;

'Tis the music of the tempest songLeads on the Life-boat crew.

For the Life-boat men are sea-dogsOf many a stubborn fight;

They have faced the stormy PentlandIn its majesty and might,

When the roaring race of TornessShowed fight to the nor'-west,

And every green-backed rollerHad a white-flaked foaming crest.

A sickly moon is waningAcross the murky lift,

Watching bleak October'sDying gasp and shrift.

A helpless barque is driftingDown in a stormy lee,

And over all is roaringThe anthem of the sea.

By Hoy's grim rugged headlands,Through breakers, drift, and foam,

Battling with the tempest,The Life-boat struggles on;

And bravely are they striving,For down upon the lee

There are urgent signals flying-There is trouble on t :o sea."

Swirling streams the PentlandAgainst the nor'-weat gale;

The pine-sticks bend and quiverTo the bellowing close-reefed sail;

Down in the briny hollowsWhere the rollers loom like cloads,l

And the norland winds are singingThough the Life-boat's dripping shrouds.

Stand-by there, lads, for boarding,We must keep her on the track

By Stroma's swirling swelkiePast Skerrie, rock and stack;

While the sutf sings on your beaches,.Mighty ocean's glorious hymns,

Eemember, aye remember, lads.That you are men of Brims!

Let us cheer the Aith Hope Life-boatAnd all her noble band;

They have shed a brilliant lustreUpon their native land.

In days when they and I are gone'Twill be a household tale

How the men of Brims crossed Torness raceIn that October gale.,

B. ROBERTSON,Master of the Orkney Mail Steamer, St. Ola.

Daisybank, StromnesB.

510 THE LIFE-BOAT. [IsT AUGUST, 1899.

AN AMERICAN'S GIFT TO ENGLISH LIFE-BOAT MEN.

Mr. P. B. PEMBEBTON, of New York, whowas saved from the wreck of the Mohegan,recently Beat a present of 501. to the crewof the Porthonstock Life-boat, St. Keverne,Cornwall. la thanking him, the crewforwarded their photographs and a pictureof the Life-boat, and in reply they havejust received the following letter:—

"MY GOOD FRIENDS,—

" I have received with very muchpleasure photographs of the Life-boatand of the members of its crew, whichphotographs, appropriately framed, nowadorn the walls of my library. I appreci-ate more than I can say to yon the kindlyfeeling evidenced for my family and forme in your thus remembering us, and Ishall carefully preserve the pictures asmementoes of the melancholy occasionwhen so many lives were lost, and whenthose of my family and myself were savedonly by your bravery and heroism. Tourmanly acts will afford a lesson which Ishall delight to teach my sons, whoselives you saved, and will be an inspirationto your children to like deeds of heroism.If it shall ever be my good fortune tovisit England, I shall surely go amongst

yon at Porthoustock, when I sincerelyhope I may find each member of the life-saving crew in good health and sur-rounded by those comforts which shouldcome to those whose lives are placed soconstantly in jeopardy in the interest oftheir unfortunate brethren. Mrs. Pem-berton desires to join with me in againextending to each of you our sincere goodwishes. « j am> yonr friend

" P. E. PEMBEETON."

SILVER AND GOLD ALSO, ANDEVEN NOTES.

Saturday.—Life-boat Saturday — splendidinstitution—come now, you other chaps, forkout your subscriptions; Pee unfortunately leftmy parse at home (not that there's anything init). Bat come, chuck 'em a copper—silver orgold will do.When the roaring gale and the seething sea

Nigh cause the sailor's hopes end,The seaman's foremost thought will be

To fling them a helping rope's eud—The landsmen, too, would ease their plight,

In him it's surely proper(Who has no skill in knot or bight)

To fling them the helpful copper.From Fun.

SUMMAET OF THE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.

THURSDAY, 12th January, 1899.

Sir EDWARD BIBKBECK, Bart., V.P.,in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of theprevious meeting.

Reported the much lamented death on the2nd instant of His Grace ALGEBNON GBOBOEPERCY, Sixth DUKE OF NOBTHUMBERLAND, K.G.,who had been President of the Institution forthe long period of thirty-three years, and whohad always taken a deep interest in itsprogress and development.

Decided that a vote of sincere sympathy andcondolence with his son, HENBY GEOBQE PEBCY,Seventh DUKE OF NOBTHUMBEBLAND, be placedon the minutes, and a copy, engrossed onvellum, and bearing the corporate seal of theInstitution, forwarded to His Grace. Thefollowing is a copy of the vote:—

"That this Committee in recording thelamented decease of their President, His GraceALGEBNON GEOBGE PEBCY, DUKE OF NOBTH-UMBEBLAND, K.G., respectfully tender theirsincere sympathy and condolence to his Son,

their colleague, HENBY GEOBGE PERCY, SeventhDUES OF NOBTHUMBEBLAND, and desire to placeon their Minutes an acknowledgment of thegratitude which the Life-boat cause owes totheir late President, who for the long period ofthirty-three years had cordially and continuallyco-operated with them in carrying out the greatphilanthropic objects of the ROYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

" By order of the Committee." EDWABD BIKKBECK, Chairman." FiTzRor CLAYTON, Deputy-Chairman.

"Sealed with the Corporate Seal of theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION this12th day of January, 1899.

" CHABLES DIBDIN, Secretary."

The following is a copy of the DUKE orNOBTHUMBEKLAND'S acknowledgment of thisvote of condolence :—

"Aln wick Castle," 18th January, 1899.

" Dear Sir EDWARD BIBKBECK,"Allow me to convey through you my

best thanks to the Committee of Managementof the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION


for their extremely kind vote of condolence onthe sad loss we have sustained.

" The late DUKE or NORTHUMBERLAND'Sinterest in the work" of the Institution was everkeen, and although for some time past age andinfirmity prevented his taking the active parthe had formerly assumed in the managementof its affairs, his sense of the importance of theobjects which our Committee have in view, andhis pride in being President of so noble aSociety remained unimpaired.

"Pray allow me to add my own cordialacknowledgments for the sympathy extendedto me by my colleagues.

" I am, dear Sir Edward," Yours truly,

(Signed) " NORTHUMBERLAND."

>' Sir EDWABD BIRKBECK, Bart."

Read the minutes of the Building, Financeand Correspondence and Wreck and RewardSab-Committees and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Read the report of the Chief Inspector ofLife-boats on his recent visits to Cowes,Bridlington Quay and Flamborough.

Also the report of the Deputy Chief Inspectorof Life-boats on his visits to the Dungarvanand Queenstown Life-boat Stations.

Also the reports of the District Inspectors ofLife-boats on their visits to the followingStations:—

Northern District.—Eyemouth, Berwick-on-Tweed, Balcary, Kirkcudbright, Whithorn,Port Patrick, Port Logan, Anstruther andNorth Berwick.

Eastern District.—Scarborough, Robin Hood'sBay, Staithes, Eunswick, Upgang, Whitby(two boats), Hornsea, Withernsea, Donna Nook,Mablethorpe, Sutton, Skegnesa, Brancaster,Hunstanton, Palling (two boats), Hasborough,Blakeney, Wells, Cromer and Sheringham.

Southern District.—Southsea, Littlehampton,Shoreham, Worthing, Eastbourne, Ryde, Ather-field, Brigbtstone Grange, Brooke, Totland Bayand Bembridge.

Western District. — P e n a r t h , Burnham,Watchet, Weston-super-Mare, Ilfracombe, Lyn-mouth, Clovelly, Appledore (two boats), Morthoeand Padstow.

Irish District.—Cloughey, Bally water, Green-castle, Portrush, Culdaff, Carrickfergus,Tyrella, Duugarvan, Queenstown (two boats),Ballycotton, Youghal, Courtmacsherry, Fenit,Tramore, Dunmore East, Kilmore, Wexford,llwslare Harbour, Courtown, Cahore, Arklow,Wicklow, Barrow, Piel, Ramsey and Hoylake.

Reported the receipt of a contribution of15,3021. 8s. id. from the Central Conmittee ofthe Life-boat Saturday Fund, as the nettproceeds of " Life-boat Saturday 1898."

Decided that the best thanks of the Com-mittee be tendered to the Central Committee ofthe Life-boat Saturday Fund for their con-tinued valuable co-operation.

Also the receipt from the Civil Service Life-boat Fund, per CHARLES DIBDIN, Esq., HonorarySecretary, of a further sum of 2.048J. Us. lid.to recoup the Institution all the expensesincurred in 1898 in maintaining the seven

Stations at which the seven Life-boatspresented and endowed by the fund are placed.The total sun thus contributed to the Insti-tution by gentleman in Her Majesty's CivilService has been 23,3331. 5s. 6d.

Decided that the best thanks of the Com-mittee be conveyed to the subscribers to thefund for their continued very liberal assistance.

Also the receipt of the following otherspecial contributions since the last meeting :—

£. »._d.Stewards of the Covent Garden Life-

boat Fund, towards the cost of thenew Covent Garden Life-boat forCaister 566 17 6

Trustees of the residuary estate ofthe late Miss Gannou, towardsthe maintenance of the Life-boatsat Thorpe and Aldeburgh, per theRev. C. DU G. MAKEPEACE, M.A. 200 - -

W. H. LTALL, Esq., (Member of theCommittee of Management of theInstitution) 100 - -

Independent Order of Oddfellows(Manchester Unity) Annual Sub-scription, 501. Ditto, Donation,1H. Hs 61 U ~

Licensed Victuallers Life-boat Fundper A. L. ANNETT,Esq.(additional) 50 - -

Mrs. A. HIOKMAN MORGAN (addi-tional) 50 - -

Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds(Ashton Unity) (additional) . . 20 - -

Sheriff of London Charity FootballFund, per H. L. JACKSON, Esq. . • 10 - -

—To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies:—

£ e. d.The late Miss M. A. LEICESTER, of

Bishop's Road, Paddington . . 3,311 3 2The late Miss BESSIE GALOTDO, of

Bath 100 - -

Voted the thanks of the Institution to WYND-HAM CREMBR, Esq., J.P., H. P. TODD, Esq., andMr. SAMUEL BROOK, in recognition of their longand valuable services as Honorary Secretariesrespectively of the Sheringham, Thorpe andLooe Branches of the Institution, which officesthey had just resigned.

Paid 8,777Z. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat establishments.

Voted 621Z. 2s. 8d. to pay the expenses of thofollowing Life-boat services:—

Life-boat.

Aranmore

(Vessel. Livessaved.

Luggers St. Paul, St.Mitnan and St. Malaiss 20

„ . Lugger St. Malaise. Ren-dered assistance.

Ajbroath . . Fishing-boats. Remainedin attendance.

Bembridge . Schooner Roialieof CalaisGampbeltown, Schooner Finlaggon, of

Campbeltown .„ -. Schooner Rlio-la, of

Portrush . . . .

512 THE LIFE BOAT. [Isi AUGUST, 1899.

Life-boat.Campbeltown. Boat of Ketch Oimara,

of Campbeltown . . 1„ . Schooner James Shearer,

of Campbeltown. Ben-dered assistance.

Cairickfergns Brigantine Huntress, ofBelfast 4

„ . Brigantine C. X. Bey-nolds, of Belfast . . 5

Clcvelly . -. Three-masted schoonerBeaper, of Truro.Rendered assistance.

Cullercoats . Coble W. E. Gladstone, ofCullercoats. Stood byboat.

Duugeness, \ Schooner MeerenU. As-No. 1 . ./ gisted to save vessel.

Filey . . . Fishing-boats. Remaimdj in attendance.

Fishguard, \ Schooners Leandtr andNo. 2 . . / Thomas, of Carnarvon. 9

Holyhead Schooner Ann Jane . . 3(Steam Life-boat.)

Ketch Gauntlett . . . 2„ S.S. Balliribreich Castle . 5„ Barqnentine Millie Bain 7

New Brighton S.S. Voltaic, of Belfust.(Steam Life-boat.) Stood by vessel.

New Quay, \ S.S. Voorwaarts, of Am-Cornwall / sterdam . . . .

Porthleven . SbipAnlonin,of Dunkirk.Eendertd assistance.

Ramsey . . Schooner Twin Sisters,ofDrummore . .

„ . . Schooner Btturn, ofGreenock . . . .

„ . . Schooner Annie Warren,of Aberdovey .

Eobin Hocd's "I S.S. Nad Odd, of Eger-Bay. . ./ sund. Landed 11.

Scarborough . Yawl Fire Brothers, ofScarborough

Seabam . . S.S. Niord, of Randers . 11Swansea . . £ team-tug Faxon, of

Falmouth . . . .Whitelink Bay Fishing-boats Good Hope

and Good Design, ofFraserburgh. Savedboats and . . . .

The Dungeness No. 1 Life-boat also renderedassistance to the ship Glenard, of Port Glasgow

Voted also 8682. 18*. 3d. to pay for launcheswatching, or assemblies of the crews of thefollowing Life-boats, •with the view of assistingvessels in distress:—Arbroath, Ayr, BarmouthBlakeney, Broadstairs, Bude, Bull Bay, Burry-port, Clovelly, Droghtda No. 1, DunbarDnngeness No. 1, Fishguard No. 2, Girvan,Harwich (sleam Life-boat), Holybead (steamand sailing Life-boats), Hoylake, Irvine, Little-hampton, Mullion, Newbiggin, Padstow, Poiniof Ayr, Port Eynon, Port Patrick, EhylRosslare Harbour, St. Agnes and St. Mary's(Scilly Isles), St. Ives, Selsey, StornowayStromness, Troon, Tynemouth No. 2, Walton-on-the-Naze, Whithorn and Worthing.

Voted 151. 18s. grant, and medical expensesincurred, to one of the crew of the AldtburglLife-boat who was injured while on service ancthereby incapacitated for work for some weeks

TITCBSPAY, 9th February, 1899.

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

Eead and confirmed the Minutes of theirevioua meeting.

The Chairman read a letter from SirFRANCIS KKOLLYS, intimating that H.E.H. thePEINCE OF WALES, K.G., had consented to behe President of the Institution in successionlo the late DTJKE OF NOBTHDMBEKLAND, E.G.This announcement was received with thegreatest satisfaction and unanimously approved.

The Chairman fuither stated that His EoyalHigl'.neEB bad announced his itttevition ofpresiding at a dinner to be held in London,probably in May, on behalf of the London Life-Boat Saturday Fund, of which H.E.H. IheDCEE OF VOEK is President.

Read the Minutes of the Building, Financeand Correspondence, and Wreck and KewardSub-Committees, and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Also read the Minutes of the last meetingof the Central Committee of the Life-boatSaturday Fund, and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Eead the Reports of the District Inspectorsof Life-boats on their recent visits to thefollowing Life-boat Stations:—

Northern District.—Workington, Maryport,Whitehaven, Ayr, Girvan, Ballantrae, Troon,Irvine, AidiOEsan and'Kildonan.

Eastern District. — Pakefield, Sunderland(two boats), Eoker, Whitbum, Seaham, Hartle-pool (three boats), Seaton Carew, WestHartlepool, Saltburn and Eedcar.

Southern District.— Falmontb, Porthleven,Cadgwith, Church Cove, Polpear, Porthoustock,Mullion, Plymouth and Fowey.

Western District.—Swansea, Port Eynon,Ferryside, Buvry Port, Fisbguard (two boats),St. David's, Porthcawl and Penarth.

Irish District.- Poit St. Mary, Port Erin,Cusfletown, Douglas, Peel, Hilbre Island,Hoylake, Formby, New Brighton (two boats),Soutbport(two boats) and Fleetwood.

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

£. ». d."F. H.," for general fund, 750Z.

Ditto, for rewards to the crewsand losses to their families byaccident, in such proportions asthe Committee may think best,2501 1000 - -

From Life-boat Fund of the YoungMen's Friendly Society, per J.W.POWELL, Esq., Church House,Dean's Yaid, S.W 50 13 1

W. iKGHAJiWHiTAKEB, Esq. (annualsubscription) 25 - -

Contributions frnm' St. Michael's,Paddington, per the Bev. G. F.PBESCOTT, M.A 11 14 -

Collected on board the S..Y.Argonaut, per CONNOP F. S.PEKOWNB, Esq 8 1 10

Collected in Rochester Cathedral,per the Very Rev. the Dean . 3 12 10

—To be severally thanked.


Voted the thanks of the Committee to MajorKINUSLEY O. FOSTER, J.P., GEORGE S.MANCELLE, Esq., and Mr. JAMBS McIsrosH inrecognition of their past valuable services asHonorary Secretaries respectively of theKeigateand Redhill, Southend and Nairn branches ofthe Institution, which offices they had justresigned.

Paid 3,328Z. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat establishments.

Voted 2901. 12s. to pay the expenses of theundermentioned Life-boat services :—

Life-boat.

Aberaoch .

Broadstairs

Vessel.

Lass,

Castletown

Clacton

» •

DungenessNo. 1 .

Gtourdon .

Hayle . .

Johnshaven

KingstownNo. 2 .

Lynmouth

Margate No. 1

MontroseNo. 1

Newbiggin .

Ramsey . .

Southend(Essex).

Southsea .

Schooner Eirionof Portmadoc .

Schooner Julia, ofLancaster. Assisted tosave vessel and

Ketch John I'arry, ofBeaumaris . . . .

Schooner Robert Ander-son, of Bur^head .

Ship Hawkzdale, ofLiverpool . . . .

S.S. Elaine, of Liverpool.Stood by vessel.

Fishing-boats. Stood byboats.

Schooner Miss Beck, ofCarnarvon . . . .


Barque Lwh Fergus, ofLiverpool . . . .

Ship Forrest Hatt, ofLiverpool. Assisted tosave vessel and

Ship Hawlts&ale, ofLiverpool . . . .


Two cobles. Pilotedboats.

Schooner Twin Sisters, ofDrummore. Landed 3.

Barge Wliitwell. Savedvessel a n d . . . .

Ketch Queen of the Fleet,of Portsmouth. As-sisted to save vessel and

Livesared.

18

17

15

The Margate No. 2 and Walton-on-the-NazeLife-boats rendered assistance to the S.S. AmiralAube, of Havre.

Voted also 5231. 9». 6d. to pay for launches,watching, or assemblies of the crews of thefollowing Life-boats with the view of helpingthose on board vessels in distress:—Angle,Dover, Dunbar, Dungarvan, Formby, Harwich(steam life-boat), Hayle, Hoylake, Kingstown,Margate No. 1, New Brighton (steam life-boat),New Eomney, Palling No. 2, Penarth, Peter-head, Plymouth, Port Eynon, Porthcawl,Porthdinllaen, Pwllheli, Ehoscolyn, St. Ivesand Weymouth.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution,with a copy of the vote inscribed on vellumand framed, to Mr. JAKES THOMAS, coxswain ofthe Fishguard Life-boats, in recognition of hisgeneral gallant services in saving life fromshipwreck.

Also extra rewards to the crews of theClacton, Margate, Port Eynon and PorthcawlLife-boats for especially good services.

Also 51. to five men for putting off in a boatand rescuing the crew of seven men from thefishing-boat, Mary Anderson, of BroughtyFerry, which had stranded off Arbroath, For-farshire, in a strong S.W. gale and a rough seaon the night of the 4th January.

Also 31. 15s. to five men for putting off in aboat and saving two of the crew of a fishing-boat of Port Sallon, which had been capsizedoff Innishowen Head, co. Donegal, in a stronggale and a heavy sea on the 23rd Novemberlast.

Also letters of thanks to Ship's CorporalJAMES AXON, of H.M.S. Northampton, and Mr.GEORGE NiGHrnraALE, for putting off in a boatand rescuing three men whose boat had beencapsized off Walmer in a moderate N.breeze, a smooth sea and thick weather, onthe 5th January.

Also H. Ws. to nine men for putting off in ayawl to the assistance of the schooner Lottie,of Padstow, in B. Ballyholme Bay in a wholegale from W.N.W. and a very heavy sea on the12th January. Those on board the vessel,however, did not require any assistance.

10». was alsj granted to the owner of theboat used on the occasion.

Also 16s. to four men for rescuing the crewof three men from a fishing-boat which wasswamped while attempting to land at Sizewell,Suffolk, in a heavy surf, on the 18th January.

THURSDAY, 9th March, 1899.Sir EDWABD BIRKBBCK, Bart., V.P., in

the Chair.Head and confirmed the Miuutes of the

previous meeting.Bead the Minutes of the Building, Finance

and Correspondence, and Wreck and RewardSub-Committees and ordered that their recom-mendations be carried into effect.

Read the report of the Chief Inspector ofLife-boats on his recent visit to Coweg.

Also the reports of the Deputy ChiefInspector of Life-boats on his visits to Methil,Buckhaven, Oban, Tobermorey, Tiree, Coll,lona and Bunessan.

Also the reports of the District Inspectors ofLife-boats on their visit to the followingStations:—

Northern District.—Campbeltown, Southend,Anstruther, Crail, St. Andrew's, Arbroath andGirvan.

Eastern District.—Dnngenes* (two boats),New Romney, Folkestone, Margate (two boats),Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Hythe, Dover, Kings-downe, Walmer and Deal.

Southern District.—Brighton, Winchelsea,Rye, Hastings and Ryde.

Western District—New Quay (Cardigan-shire), Cardigan, Tenby, Littlehaven andAngle.

Irish District—Blackpool, St. Anne's (twoboats), Lytham, Tramore, Howth, Poolbeg andKingatown (two boats).

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

514 THE LIFE-BOAT. [Isi 1899.

£. e. d.Colonel B. P. DAVIS, J.P., per

Walton-on-Naze Branch . . . 105 - -ELEANOB E. WADE 50 - -CHABIES DENNY, Esq 2o - -Worshipful Company of Leather-

sellers 21 - -—To oe severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies :—£. s. d.

The late Miss ELIZABETH HANKEY,of Chester, per Liverpool Branch 338 8 9

The late JOHN SAY CLABKE, Esq., M.D.,of Byde 300 - -

The late HUGH LLOYD JONES, Esq.,of Brougbton, Chester . . . . 270 - -

The late W. J. ADAMS, Esq., of Lee 90 - -The late Miss E. A. HODGSON, of

Tideuham, Gloucester . . . 10 - -The late HENBY HENDEBOUBCK, Esq.,

of Canonbury Park, N. . . . 5 5 -

Voted the thanks of the Institution toE. L. LLOYD, Esq., and M. 0. PRESTON, Esq.,in acknowledgment of their past valuableservices as Honorary Secretaries, respectively,of the Newton Abbot and Lyme Eegis Branchesof the Institution, which offices they had justresigned.

The Committee also specially recognised thevaluable services, extending over many years,of the following Honorary Secretaries ofBranches — Captain HERBEBT, B.N., J.P.,Salcombe and Hope Cove; H. APPLETON, Esq.,Lizard; the Eev. A. E. HOCKLEY, Lynmouth ;W. J. VATJOHAN, Esq., Fishguard; WILLIAMMcDouGALL. Esq., Eyemouth; JOHN McMcLLAN,Esq., Cloughey; BENJAMIN HEAPE, Esq., J.P.,Bochdale; and CHABLES E. LIEBBEIOH, Esq.,Bradford.

Eeported the transmission of a new steamLife-boat to the Padstow (Cornwall) Station,and of a new Life-boat to the Eboscolyn(Anglesey) Station.

Paid 4,1411. for sundry charges on variousLife-boat Establishments.

Voted 2681. Us. dd, to defray the expenses ofthe following Life-boat services :—

Me-boat. Vessel. JjJ^Berwick-on- 1 Ketch William Knox, of

Tweed / Kirkcaldy. Landed 8.Boulmer . . SS.Cattersby, of Middles-

brough 12Caister No. 2 S.S. Russian Prince, of

Newcastle. Benderedassistance.

Cresswell . . Steam-trawler Lapwing.Stood by vessel.

Qourdon . . Fishery-cruiser Brenda,of Leith. Stood byvessel and rescued . 2

Groomsport . Schooner Caledonia . . 5Newhaven. . Barque Peruvian, of

Fano 10Penmon . . Schooner Devon, of Ply-

mouth. Bend, assist.Southend-on- ) SchoonerBj7/oto,of Inver-

Sea > ness. Landed 4 from| Mouse light-vessel. i

Worthing . . SchoonerPrinceLlewellyn 5 '

Voted also 368Z. 9». Id. to pay for launches,watching or assemblies of crews of the followingLife-boats with the view of assisting those onboard vessels in distress:—Aldebxugb, Angle,Broadstairs, Brooke, Dnnbar, Hythe, Johns-haven, Newbiggin, Penzance, Plymouth, Selsey,Sennen Cove, Southsoa, Thorpeness, TotlandBay, Weeton-super-Mare, Weymouth, White-link Bay, Gitat Yarmouth, and Youghal.

Produced the report of the Board of Tradeinquiry into the circumstances attending thecasualty to the crew of the brigantine Freya, ofTonsberp, on the 20th October last. When somemiles off Montrose the crew abandoned the vessel,which had lost her sails, and was leaking badly,in a strong S.B. gale and a very heavy sea, andattempted to reach the shore in their boat,which was capsized by the breakers, involvingthe loss of her whole crew with the exception ofone man wljo had a lifebuoy and was washedashore.

It having been alleged by some personsjthatthe crews of the Montrose Life-boats, whichwere launched, had not done all that mighthave been expected of them, the Committee ofthe Institution requested the Board of Trade tohold a formal investigation into the circum-stances attending the casualty, and the actionof the Life-boats on the occasion. The inquiry,which occupied six days, waa held at Montrose,and the finding of the Court entirely exoneratedthe Life-boats' crews from blame.

The Committee decided to express, throughthe local branch, their satisfaction at the resultof the enquiry, and their appreciation of theefforts of the Life-boat men who had keenly feltthe accusation, amounting to cowardice, whichtiad been made against them.

Beported the resignation, on account of oldage, of three members of tbe Clacton-on-SeaLife-boat crew, M. NICHOLLS, B. OSBOBNE,and G. GRKISON, Sen., who had respectivelybeen in the Life-boat on service, on 10), 99 and€8 occasions.

Voted tbe second service clasp to NICHOILSand OSBORNE, who had received silver medalsfor long service in January, 1894, and the silvermedal to GBIGSON, accompanied by a framedcopy of the vote inscribed on vellum.

Voted an aueroidbatometer bearing a suitableinscription, accompanied by the thanks of theInstitution inscribed on vellum and framed, toMr. THOMAS AMBROSE, master of the bargeBriton, and the thanks of the Institution,framed and on vellum, to Mr. EDOAB Drais,mate, for gallantly putting off in their boat andrescuing the master of the barge Either, ofErith, who was clinging to the mast, his vesselhaving sunk in Sea Beach, Eiver Thames, in agale from E.S.E., and a rough sea, on the nightof the 14th October.

Also ll. 5s. to four working-men for assistingthree of the crew of the barque Loch Fergus,of Liverpool, who were attempting to reachthe shore in the vessel's boat, which, however,was capsized in making for the beach inKilliney Bay, Co. Dublin, on the 6th February.

Also thanks to the master of tbe tug FlyingSprite for services rendered to the Kingt-townLife-boat, which rescued the other members oftbe barque's crew.


Also II. 10«. to three men for bringing ashdrepart of the crew of the B.S. Boilin Glen, at thesame time piloting one of the ship's boats intosafety, the vessel having stranded off Lendal-foot, Ayrshire, in a whole gale from S., and ayery heavy sea, on the 10th February.

Also II. 5s. to the crew of a R.N.R. boatfor rescuing an old fisherman whoso boat hadstranded off Carnarvon in a strong S.W. by S.gale, and a very choppy sea, on the 11 th February.

Also 1Z. 2«. Gd. to three men for putting offin a boat and saving a fisherman in distress offWorkington, in a rough sea, on the 21stFebruary. The man's boat, which was full ofwater, was towed ashore by the salvors.

Also 1Z., with a letter commending the skillwith which he managed his boat, to Mr.DAS LOVERING, of Ilfracombe, who rescuedfive men from the gig Lily, which had beencapsized about 2} miles N. of Ilfracombe pier inhalf a gale of-wind from the S., and a heavy sea,on the 22nd February.

Also 10«. to two men for rescuing two othermen from a boat off Lackbeg, Co. Donegal, insqually weather, and a rough sea, on the15th January. The boat becoming submerged,two of her occupants swam to the shore;another was drowned, and the two men whowere rescued were clinging to the boat, whichhad risen to the surface again when relieved ofthe other men's weight.

SATURDAY, 18th March, 1899.The Annual General Meeting of the

Governors and friends of the Royal NationalLife-boat Institution took place this day atSt. Martin's Town Hall, Charing Cross Road,The Bight Hon. the EARL OF DERBY, K.G.,G.C.B., in the Chair.

The Chairman having made some suitableobservations on the great and nationalcharacter of the operations of the Institution,the annual report (which will be found in theMay number of The Life-loat Journal) waspresented to the meeting.

The meeting was also addressed by theHon. W. F. D. SMITH, M.P., Lord STANLEY,M.P., Sir LEWIS MclvER, Bart, M.P., Admiralthe Bight Hon. Sir JOHN DALRYMPLE-HAY,Bart., K.C.B., AUGUSTUS HELDER, Esq., M.P.,Sir EDWARD BIRKBBCK, Bart., V.P., Chairmanof the Institution, and Colonel FiizRoYCLAYTON, V.P., Deputy Chairman of theInstitution.

The officers for the current year werechosen, and various resolutions were moved,seconded, and carried unanimously, pledgingthe meeting to renewed exertions on behalf ofthe benevolent and national objects of theInstitution, and expressing the fullest con-fidence in the management.

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

Wednesday, 29th March, 1899.A special meeting of the General Committee

was held this day, Sir EDWABD BIRKBECK, Bart.,V.P., in the Chair.

Reported the lamented death on the 18thMarch of Mr. HUGH LINDSAY ANTBOBUS (seniorpartner in the firm of Messrs. Coutts & Co.,Bankers to the Institution), who had been theTreasurer of the Institution for 21 years.

Decided that a letter of condolence be sentto Mrs. ANTBOBUS on the occasion of her sadbereavement.

Also that a special meeting of the Governorsof the Institution be convened for Thursday,the 13th April, for the purpose of electing aTreasurer in succession to the late Mr.ANTBOBUS.

THE STOEM-WAKRIOE.Harkt Harkl 'tis the boom of a distant gun,

And the stoutest heart doth quail,For there's death maybe in the raging sea

To him who would dare the gale.But the wind may shriek till it crack each

cheek,And the sea prove a watery grave,

There are brave lads to-night who willchallenge its might

In the thought of a life to save.

Kef rain:Bend to the oar with a sturdy will,

Heedless of wind, or foam.God speed the boat! keep her safely afloat,

Bring the storm-warrior home.

'Tis a battle grim for a human limb—To wage, 'mid the tempest's gloom;

In the landsman's breast is a fear confessed—They go, but to meet their doom!

And the surf runs high on the dread lee shore,Where the wreck shows o'er the main;

But the sight is a charm, giving strength toeach arm,

And they pull to the old refrain.Refrain: Bend to the oar, etc.

Gallant storm-warrior, facing the danger,Risking thy life for the one in despair;

Wrestling with Death for the storm-tossedand helpless,

What shall reward for thy courage so rare ?Tho' the brave deeds of the past be forgotten—

Lost in the future thine errands of love;They are inscribed to thy credit for ever

By the Great Judge in the Log-Book above.ABTHUB PHILIP COXFOBD.

(All rights reserved).

NOTICE.The next number of the LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL will be published on the 1st November, 1899.

EOTAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,SCI'FOBTBD SOLELY BT VOLUHTABY OOHTBIBOnOHS.

JJaiton — £tr gtost •iBtioal

H Hra ROYAL Hiamrass THX Pxnroi o» WALBS, K.U.HER KOYAL HIGHNESS THX ParaoKss or WALKS.H.E.H. THI DDXB or SAXX-COBOBO ABB QOTHA, Dun or EnmraeH, K.8.CAPTAUT His BOIAL HIOHSBS THI Dim or Tout, K.N., K.G.

t — His ROYAL HIQHKKSS THB PBDHJK OF WALKS, K.G.Chairman— Sia EDWAKD BIRKBEOK, BART., V;P. ^ Btputg-tStjatrman— Colonel FrraRor CLATTOS, V.P.

Secrriarj— CHABLES DIBDCJ, ESQ., F.R.G.S.

mtyrapMc Addreu :

' LIFE-BOAT'.INSTITUTION

LONDON."

Tdephont!

No. 2964• ( "GERRARDEXCHANGE.")

APPEAL.TH« CoMMrrraE of MANAOBMBarr have to state that during the past year (1898) the

BOYAI NATIONAL LOT-BOAT Insrmrnoif expended £67,719 on its 29S Life-boat Establishments.

OlHEBAIi SUMMABT O» THB WOBK OF THE INSTITUTION DuBINO 1898.

N amber of Lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to 22Vessels saved by them and 137 persons landed fromvessels in distress and lightships .

Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, fto.Amount of Rewards granted during the Tear . . . .Honorary Bewards:—Silver Medals and Clasps . .

Binocular GlassesAneroid BarometersVotes of Thanks on Vellum. . .Certificates of Service . . . .

Total

£ «. d.

68274

1265

28

10,141 7 -

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The number of Lives saved either by the Life-boats of the Society, or by special exertionsfor which it has granted rewards since its formation, is 41,528. The rewards and recognitionsgranted by the Institution in the same period comprised 98 Gold Medals and Clasps, 1,178Silver Medals and Clasps, 288 Binocular Glasses, 15 Telescopes, 20 Aneroid Barometers 1,621Votes of Thanks, inscribed on vellum and framed, 108 Certificates of Service framed, and£194,313 in money.

The Committee earnestly appeal to the British Public for Funds to enable them to maintaintheir 295 Life-boats now on the Coast and their Crews in the most perfect state of efficiency.This can only be effected by a large and permanent annual ineome. The Annual Subscriptions,Donations and Dividends are quite inadequate for the purpose. The Committee are confidentthat in their endeavour to provide the brave Life-boat men, who nobly hazard their lives inorder that they may save others, with the best possible means for carrying on their great work,they will meet with the entire approval of the people of this the greatest maritime country inthe world, and that their appeal will not be made in vain, so that the scope and efficiency ofour great Life-saving Service, of which the Nation has always been so proud, may not haveto be curtailed.

Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully receivedby the Secretary, CHARLES DIBDOT, Esq., at the Institution, 14 JOHN STBEKT, ADKLPHL, London;by the Bankers of the Institution, Messrs. COUTTS and Co., 59 Strand; and by all the otherBankers in the United Kingdom.—Id August, 1899.

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