THE LIFE-BOAT...A XEW book of instruction on firs aidt , First Aid fo Life-boatr Crews, which has been prepare by Dr Geoffred. y Hale, a membe orf th Committee of e Management, ha

THE LIFE-BOATThe Journal of the Royal National Life-boat InstitutionVOL. XXXIV SEPTEMBER, 1956

THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET155 Motor Life-boats

1 Harbour Pulling Life-boat

LIVES RESCUEDfrom the foundation of the Life-boat Service in

1824 to 30th June, 1956 80,141

Notes of the QuarterWHEN the new Arbroath life-boat TheDuke of Montrose reached her stationon the 28th of June, 1956, the Institu-tion had replaced half its fleet oflife-boats since the war ended in 1945.The fleet consists of 175 boats, 156 atstations and 19 in reserve. The Ar-broath life-boat is the eighty-seventhto be built since the end of the war.The cost of building these new life-boats has been approximately£1,750,000.

Thirty-one of the new life-boatshave been of the 35-feet 6-inchesLiverpool type; thirty of the 46-feet,46-feet 9-inches and 47-feet Watsoncabin class; eleven have been of thelargest type, the 51-feet and 52-feetBarnett boats; ten have been of the41-feet and 42-feet Watson cabin class;and five have been 35-feet 6-inchesself-righters.

V.H.F. FITTED INTO LIFE-BOATS

The Institution has decided to instalvery high frequency radio-telephonesinto fifty life-boats in the immediatefuture. When the sets have beeninstalled it will be possible for life-boatcrews to communicate directly withpilots of helicopters and other searchand rescue aircraft. At present com-munications have to pass through the

G.P.O. coast station, coastguard andthe aircraft's base.

After trials carried out over severalmonths the Institution has selected atype of set which is manufactured byBritish Communications Corporation.The sets will operate on a frequencyof 138.78 megacycles, which is beingused by the Royal Naval Air Serviceand the Royal Air Force as a searchand rescue, "scene of action", fre-quency.

The life-boat stations selected forthe installation of the first fifty setsare all within range of existing heli-copter bases. They are the stationshaving boats of the 41-feet or largerclasses extending along a line to thesouth, to the west and then to thenorth from Berwick-on-Tweed to Ap-pledore. Two 35-feet 6-inches life-boats at Flamborough and Skegnesshave also been included, and the setswill be fitted into five reserve boats.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

The services of which accounts aregiven in the present number of TheLife-boat reveal once again the inter-national nature of the Service and theextent to which the crews of shipsregistered overseas are helped by theInstitution's life-boats. During the

282 THE LIFE-BOAT [SEPTEMBER, 1956

three months from April to June 1956life-boats went out 28 times to thehelp of vessels of foreign countries.The countries concerned were theArgentine, Belgium, Costa Rica, Den-mark, France, Germany, Italy, Li-beria, the Netherlands, Norway, Pana-ma and Sweden.

As will be seen from the accountsgiven on pages 292-3, of the first sixservices in the month of May four wereto foreign vessels. The Dungeness andDover life-boats put out to a Nor-wegian ship which had been in acollision on the 3rd of May; the Fenitand Valentia life-boats went out twiceon the 3rd of May to search for thecrew of a French fishing boat, six ofwhom unfortunately lost their lives.The Ramsgate life-boat went out tothe help of a Panamanian tanker

which had been in a collision on the8th of May, and the Eastbourne life-boat stood by a German vessel whichhad gone ashore on the 9th of May.

RECITAL AT THE ALBERT HALL

The famous Polish pianist WitoldMalcuzynski is to give a piano recitalat the Royal Albert Hall on the 12thof November, 1956, the whole pro-ceeds being given to the Institution'sfunds. H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent,President of the Institution, has agreedto be present on this occasion. Therecital is the only one which Mr.Malcuzynski proposes to give in Lon-don during the coming winter season.Tickets (7/6, 10/6, 12/6, £1-1-0} maybe obtained from Life-boat House, theRoyal Albert Hall or the usual agenciesfrom the 1st of October.

New Ways ofTHE Newcastle-on-Tyne branch hasreceived regular contributions througha firm which has made no charge forthe valuation of fur coats but has askedthat a donation should be sent bycheque to the branch.

* # *The Newbiggin-on-Sea Ladies' Life-

boat Guild have been collecting woollengarments not suitable for jumble salesand sending them to Messrs. Handley& Drury of Bradford Road, Dewsbury,who have been paving Is. 4d. perpound to the branch.

* * #Mr. M. Haley of Mablethorpe has

been regularly contributing to theInstitution the takings from an exhibi-tion of coins and relics found on thesea-shore.

* * *The Institution has presented a

photograph of a life-boat to the JohnWhite Junior School at Belfast. Itis to be kept by the form which makesthe largest collection for the Institution

Raising Moneyeach week. For each of the past twoyears pupils have subscribed morethan £40.

* * *A fox-terrier belonging to Mr. John

F. Robertson has retired from collect-ing after four years, during which Mr.Robertson with the help of the dogcollected nearly £250 on Dublin life-boat days. The Dublin committeeare presenting Mr. Robertson with anew fox-terrier puppy to take theother dog's place.

* * *Mrs. E. Birch of Bridlington has

given a tablecloth for use at meetingsof the Bridlington Ladies' Life-boatGuild on which members' names canbe embroidered at a cost of Is. each,the money going to the Guild funds.

* * *Mr. Cyril Richards of Wolverhamp-

ton sent the Institution a cheque for£1 11s. 6d. collected by imposing fineson people who talked shop at a party.

Portrait on the CoverTHE portrait on the cover is of Cox-swain George Tart of Dungeness. Hewas appointed coxswain in July 1947.

Since then Dungeness life-boats havebeen launched on service 97 times andhave rescued 27 lives.

SEPTEMBER, 1956] THE LIFE-BOAT

Life-boats and Helicopters

283

THE committee of Management of theRoyal National Life-boat Institutionbegan to give serious consideration tothe use of helicopters for rescuing lifeat sea in 1948, when trials and demon-strations were carried out. Consider-able progress in the use and design ofhelicopters took place in the nextseven years, and in 1955 a special sub-committee was set up to examine andadvise on the whole question of thedevelopment and potentialities of thehelicopter as an adjunct to the life-boat.

What was RecommendedThis committee recommended that

the best method for promoting thework of rescuing life at sea was todevelop co-operation with the Servicebodies at present operating helicopters;in particular it was important for life-boat crews to have increased liaison withhelicopter crews and for communica-tions between helicopters and life-boatsto be improved. These recommen-dations are all being put into effect.

Helicopter-Life-boat Co-operationHelicopters in the United Kingdom,

which can be used for air-sea rescuework, are operated by the Royal Navyand the Royal Air Force, and in someplaces by the United States Air Forces,and there are now sufficient air stationsequipped with helicopters to givealmost complete coverage of the coast-line. If a life-boat honorary secretaryconsiders that the help of a helicopteror any other aircraft is advisable, heasks the coastguard to request thenecessary help from the appropriateair station. This help is most readilygiven and the existing arrangementswork smoothly.

Co-operation between life-boats andhelicopters has been increasing stead-ily, and there have been several in-stances of successful joint action,particularly in the landing of doctorsand the rescuing of injured men.

The Helicopter's AdvantagesExperience has shown that the heli-

copter can be a most useful adjunct tothe life-boat. It is particularly use-ful where a casualty has to be reachedquickly or is in shallow water on a sandbank or rocks, or in some other posi-

tion inaccessible to a life-boat. Seri-ously wounded people can also bequickly transported by helicoptersdirect to hospitals; helicopters canalso search an area more quickly thana life-boat can.

Helicopters' LimitationsHelicopters, however, like all vessels

or aircraft used for rescuing life at sea,have their shortcomings. As theJoint Parliamentary Secretary to theMinistry of Transport and Civil Avia-tion, Mr. John Profumo, stated in theHouse of Commons on the 14th ofMarch, 1956:

"Helicopters are at present subjectto certain limitations; that is to say,they cannot operate during the hoursof darkness or in bad visibility or whenthe wind force is too strong."

Equally helicopters cannot be usedfor towing vessels in distress in themanner in which life-boats are fre-quently used, and their operationalendurance is restricted to a very fewhours in the air.

The Royal National Life-boat Insti-tution does not operate its own heli-copter service. The cause for which theInstitution exists is that of saving lifeat sea, but it has never attempted tohave a monopoly of methods of rescue.Throughout its history it has encour-aged and welcomed other methods ofrescuing life at sea where they couldbe used with advantage. Life-boatshave co-operated in the past with tugs,with coastal life-saving apparatusteams and with high-speed rescuelaunches. Although helicopters bythemselves cannot supplant the needfor life-boats, they do offer an oppor-tunity for further valuable co-opera-tion in the cause of saving life at sea.

Duplication of EffortNow that Service helicopters are

available for air-sea rescue work itwould be an unnecessary duplicationof effort for the Institution to providean additional helicopter service. Todo so would not only be wasteful ofmoney and material; it would also beunlikely to improve the excellentresults now achieved in the existingmethods of saving life at sea.

284 THE LIFE-BOAT [SEPTEMBER.. 1956

First Aid in Life-BoatsA XEW book of instruction on first aid,First Aid for Life-boat Crews, whichhas been prepared by Dr. GeoffreyHale, a member of the Committee ofManagement, has been issued to alllife-boat stations. The purpose ofthe book is to explain clearly andbriefly the main principles of first aid;to describe the contents of the stan-dard first aid equipment in life-boats;and to indicate what can be done tohelp sick and injured survivors in therestricted space on board a life-boat.

Instructions are given on treatmentfor shock; the effects of cold andexposure and how they can best betreated; treatment for burns, bleedingand fractures; the use of stretchers;the movement of casualties; and arti-ficial respiration.

The standard first aid equipment ina life-boat consists of:

1 tin Adhesive Plaster, 3|- yds. Xi in. "

." 6 Bandages, W.O.W. 2 in. HospitalType.

6 Bandages, W.O.W. 3 in. HospitalType.

5 Bandages, Triangular, Plain.1 pkt. Bicarbonate of Soda, 1 oz.

size.1 pkt. Boric Lint, size 4.1 pkt. Boracic Powder, 1 oz. size.2 tubes Brulidine Ointment, 1 oz.

size.9 Burn Dressings, No. 12 Large.1 pkt. Emergoplast Dressing Strip,

1 yd. X 2i in.1 Eyebath.1 bottle Iodine.1 doz. Safety Pins.1 pair Stainless Steel Scissors, 5 in.9 Sterilised Wound Dressings. No. 9

Large.4 Sterilised Wound Dressings, No. 8

Medium.1 Tourniquet.4 Wool Pads, Large.The booklet describes the purpose

and use of all these items.

Detailed instructions are given inthe Holger Nielsen method of resusci-tation. In this the body of an appar-ently drowned person is placed in aprone position on the nearest flatsurface, if possible with the headslightly lower than the feet. Thepatient's arms are bent and his handsplaced one over the other under hisforehead. Two or three smart slapswith the flat hand are given betweenthe patient's shoulders to ensure thathis tongue falls forward and to removeany obstruction from the mouth. Themember of the crew applying artificialrespiration kneels on one knee a littlein front of and to the side of thepatient's head. He then places hisother foot with the heel at the side ofthe patient's elbow. He rests hishands on the patient's shoulder-blades, with his thumbs on the spineand fingers pointing to the feet, andwith his arms sloping forward. Hethen begins to rock the patient gentlyforward and backward and after-wards raises the patient's arms slowlyand pulls away gently on the back-ward rock. After this he lowers thepatient's arms to the ground andrepeats the cycle gently and rhythmic-ally until breathing is restored.

A copy of the booklet will be kepton board every life-boat, and insending it to stations the Institutionhas at the same time issued regula-tions whose purpose is to ensure agreater degree of uniformity in the.medical services provided at life-boatstations.

Among the provisions of these regu-lations are the appointment of anhonorary medical adviser at eachstation, who will normally be a doctorliving in the neighbourhood and whomay also be a member of the branchcommittee, and regular efficiency testsof members of life-boat crews in firstaid. These tests will ensure that atleast two members from every crewbecome proficient in the use of firstaid as described in the new booklet.On passing their proficiency tests thesetwo members of the crew will eachreceive an annual proficiency fee.

SEPTEMBER. 1956] THE LIFE-BOAT 285

A Great SeamanTHE life of Sir Henry Oliver, mostappropriately called A Great Seamanand written by Sir William James(H. F. and G. Witherby, 18,9.), is afascinating book, full of anecdotes of anadventurous career, mostly taken fromhis own notes and from letters to abrother. He joined the Navy in 1878in the days of sail, and has been anAdmiral of the Fleet for a longerperiod than any other naval officer.

Two men who recognized his out-standing ability as a seaman were thefirst Lord Fisher and Sir WinstonChurchill—no mean judges. His repu-tation had been acquired by assiduouspractice in the art of seamanship andby intensive study. Sir ArthurBryant has written a foreword, statingthat Sir Henry was one of the greatestnavigators that even the Royal Navyhas produced.

In the course of his career, whichincluded over four years in the Sur-veying Service in different parts of theworld, he founded the Navigation

School, and placed the training ofnavigating officers on a sound footing.He displayed intrepidity, wisdom,resolution and audacity. It was thecombination of Rear-Admiral SirArthur W7ilson and Navigating OfficerSir Henry Oliver which was to becomefamous not only in the British Navy,but throughout the world. His never-to-be-forgotten feat was to take theChannel Squadron from the Irish Sea,in a thick fog, with the constantmenace of submarine attack, to a safeanchorage in the Scilly Islands, whenhe himself was weary from previouswant of sleep.

So it was but natural that afteractive service his heart should haveresponded to the appeal of the RoyalNational Life-boat Institution, towhich the last chapter of the book isdevoted. He was elected a Vice-President after many years as a mem-ber of the Committee of Management.

J. G. C.

Life-boat InnsA NEW inn at Caister, Norfolk, is tobe named "Never Turn Back." Thisname commemorates a disaster andone of the most memorable sayings inthe history of the Life-boat Service.

The disaster occurred on the 13th ofNovember, 1901, when the Caister no.2 life-boat Beauchamp capsized andnine of her crew lost their lives. Theformer second coxswain, James Hay-lett. who was 78 years old, had twosons, a son-in-law and two grandsonsin the boat. He was one of the first tolearn of the disaster and dashed intothe surf. At great personal risk hesucceeded in saving the lives of hisson-in-law, Charles Knights, and hisgrandson, Walter Haylett. For thisservice he was awarded the gold medalof the Institution.

During the inquest on the bodies ofthe nine men who were lost James

Haylett was asked whether he thoughtthe life-boat might have been return-ing to the shore after abandoning themission on which she had gone out.To this Haylett replied in words whichalmost overnight became famous inseveral continents: "Caister life-boat-men never turn back."

The Life-boat Hotel at Cleethorpes,Lincolnshire, has recently been re-decorated by the owners, Ind Coopeand Allsopp Ltd., with nautical fea-tures and with particular emphasis onthe history of the Life-boat Service.There is a coxswain's cabin decoratedwith historical photographs and twobars called the Poop and the Deck-house. The hotel was formally re-opened on the 23rd May, 1956, andthe owners have agreed to make regu-lar collections for the Institution.


A Hundred Years AgoAn extract from The Life-boat October, 18-56

WE believe that a life-belt, for an adultperson of average size, ought to have,at the least, buoyant power equal to20 Ibs., and as much more as canconveniently be obtained.

Having decided on the amount ofbuoyancy, the questions next arise asto the fittest material to be employed,and the best shape to be adopted.The only two descriptions of materialworth notice are the rival ones of corkand of Macintosh cloth inflated withair. Horsehair and dried rushes have !each been employed, but they are |untrustworthy. (

The advantages of cork as a materialfor life-belts are its durability, and itsnon-liability to injury from puncture,fracture, or damp, so that it will bearthe rough usage of ordinary boatwork. By being divided into manynarrow pieces, it can also be mademore flexible and yielding to the bodyof the wearer than an inflated belt.

The only disadvantage of a corkbelt is, that from its greater weight itrequires to be of larger size than an

inflated belt, and as it must alwaysretain its full size, it cannot be stowedaway in a small compass when not inuse. For a life-boatman's belt, how-ever, portability is not of much conse-quence, and the advantages of corkare so great in other respects, that thatmaterial has been selected by theNational Life-boat Institution for thebelts of its life-boats' crews.

These belts are, however, of a newconstruction, designed by the Inspec-tor to the Institution, Commander J.R. Ward, R.N. They have muchgreater buoyancy than any kind ofcork belt previously introduced, andhave other important peculiarities.

About 800 of these belts have beensupplied by the National Life-boatInstitution to the crews of its life-boats and those of others during thelast three years, and they have givenuniversal satisfaction to those whohave used them. A few have alsobeen supplied to some of the vesselschartered by the Emigration Com-missioners.

Service by Arbroath Life-boatTHE following account of a service bythe Arbroath life-boat was receivedtoo late for inclusion in the Junenumber:

About 3.40 on the afternoon of the27th of March, 1956, the coastguardtelephoned that the local fishing boatFamous had gone ashore west of Whit-ing Ness. The life-boat Hori-ard D.put out, with the Northern DistrictInspector on board, in a calm sea.There was a light east-north-easterlybreeze, the tide was half ebb, and it

was foggy. The Famous was foundaground half a mile east of Arbroathharbour. The life-boat was unable tocome alongside the Famous becauseof shallow water, and as the crew wrerein no danger the life-boat returned toher station, arriving back at 1.30. Shereturned at high water early nextmorning and succeeded in towing thefishing boat clear of the rocks. Shereached the harbour again at 5.15 thatmorning. — Rewards to the crew,£12.

Lynmouth LaunchA VIVID account of the famous launchof the Lynmouth life-boat in 1899after she had been transported over

Exmoor is included in Exmoor Wan-derings by E. 11. Delderfield (RaleighPress, Exmouth, 5s.).

SEPTEMBER, 1956] THE LIFE-BOAT 287

Life-boat Christmas Card and CalendarTHE Institution will again have aChristmas card and a pocket calen-dar.

The card will be a reproduction incolour of the picture below. It is aphotograph of the Coverack (Cornwall)life-boat being launched on serviceand is reproduced by courtesy of theSunday Graphic.

l'2s. 6d. for 50 and under 75, 15?. for75 up to 100.

The pocket calendar will have on thefront a photograph of the Bridlingtonlife-boat going out on service. It canbe obtained in dozens. The price is2s. for the first dozen and Is. 6d. foreach additional dozen.

By cvuttesy of]

The card will be of four pages, withthe picture on page one, greetings onpage three and the Institution's creston page four.

The price of tli2 card, with theenvelope, will be 9d. Name andaddress can be printed in, if not fewerthan twenty-five are ordered, at anadded cost of 10,9. for 25 and under 50,

[Sunday Graphic

There will also be a hanging calen-dar, with a picture in colour, a repro-duction of a photograph of the Margatestation taken after a fall of snowearly this year. Because of the highpurchase tax which would have to bepaid on all calendars printed if anywere sold, there will be none forsale.

Ministry Award for Best ServiceMR. HAROLD WATKINSON, Minister ofTransport and Civil Aviation, hasawarded the shield for the best wreckservice of 1955 carried out by coastlife-saving companies to be held bythe companies of Gardenstowii and

Banff jointly. The award is for therescue from the Belgian trawlerBeatrix Fernande on the night of the14th of December, 1955. An accountof this service appeared in the Marchnumber of the Life-boat on page 222.


Services of the Life-boats in April, May and June, 1956

105 Lives Rescued

APRIL

DURING April life-boats were launchedon service 28 times and rescued 18lives.

INJURED MAN TAKEN FROMLIGHTVESSEL

Caister, Norfolk.—At 10.30 on themorning of the 2nd of April, 1956, thelocal Superintendent of Trinity Houserang up to say that a man on theCross Sand lightvessel had been badlyinjured. He asked if the life-boatwould take him ashore, and at 10.40the life-boat Jose Neville was launched.There was a moderate sea and a moder-ate northerly wind, and the tide washalf flood. The life-boat took onboard the man, who was badly cutabout the head, and made for herstation where an ambulance was wait-ing, arriving at 1.20. The man's lifewas saved.—Rewards to the crew,£10 16*.; rewards to the helpers onshore, £6 7*. Refunded to the Insti-tution by Trinity House.

DUBLIN SCHOONER AGROUNDNEAR THE MUMBLES

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—At2.58 on the afternoon of the 4th of April,1956, the coastguard reported that theauxiliary schooner Winder-mere, ofDublin, which had a crew of five, hadgone aground on the Tusker Rock offPorthcawl. At 3.30 the life-boatWilliam Gammon—Manchester andDistrict XXX was launched. The seawas choppy, there was a fresh north-westerly breeze, and the tide was ebb-ing. The life-boat found the schoonerhigh and dry and anchored about onehundred and fifty yards from her. Themaster of the Windermere asked thelife-boat to stand by until a tugarrived from Swansea, so the life-boatremained near her until she refloated at10.45. The Windermere did not appearto be damaged, and the life-boatescorted her into the fairwav, where a

tug was waiting. The tug took her intow at 1.25 early on the 5th, and thelife-boat then returned to her station,arriving at 2.30. The master expressedhis appreciation and made a donationto the funds of the Institution.—Re-wards to the crew, £20 10s.; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £9 4s.

FISHING BOAT APPROACHED FOURTIMES IN ROUGH SEA

Hoylake, Cheshire.—At 7.15 on theevening of the 4th of April, 1956, thepolice rang up the life-boat coxswainto say that flares had been seen from avessel about three miles off shore nearHilbre Island. The coxswain kept thevessel under observation, and whenanother flare had been seen he.firedthe maroons to call out the life-boatcrew. The life-boat Oldham IV wastaken from her house by her tractorat eight o'clock. She was towedacross East Hoyle bank and launchedin Hilbre Swash at 8.35. The sea wasvery rough, there was a strong west-north-west wind, and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat found the fish-ing boat Jenny, of Chester, at anchorwith a crew of two. She had brokendown, but was dragging towards a leeshore. The life-boat approached thefishing boat four times before she wasable to get a line on board, and theJenny then slipped her anchor cableand was towed by the life-boat intomore sheltered water off Caldy. Therethe skipper asked if the life-boatwould tow his boat to Mostyn. Thelife-boat did so and arrived back atHoylake at eight o'clock.—Rewards tothe crew, £20 13s.; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £12 16s.

SKIPPER PUT ABOARD HIS YACHT

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At eleveno'clock on the night of the 4th of April,1956, the Needles coastguard rang upto say that a man had reported that adinghy, in which three people were


coming ashore from the yacht Eriscain Totland Bay, had capsized. Two ofthose on board had reached the shore,but the third one was missing, and at i11.20 the life-boat S.G.E. put out. [The sea was choppy, there was a freshnortherly wind, and it was low water.The life-boat made a search but foundnothing, and the coastguard laterreported that the missing man, whowas the skipper, had reached TotlandBay pier. The life-boat at once wentto the pier, took the skipper on board,and put him back on his yacht. Theweather had by this time deteriorated,so the life-boat towed the yacht toYarmouth, which was reached at 1.20early on the 5th.—Rewards to thecrew, £6; reward to the helper onshore, 12.9.

SIX COBLES ESCORTED IN

Newbiggin, Northumberland. — At10.35 on the morning of the 5th of April,1956, the life-boat coxswain reportedthat the weather had deteriorated andthat six fishing cobles were still at sea.It was decided that the life-boat shouldput out, and at 10.55 the life-boatAnnie Ronald and Isabella Forrest, ontemporary duty at the station, waslaunched. The sea was rough, therewas a strong north-east wind, and itwas high water. The life-boat cameup with one of the cobles about oneand a half miles to the northward andescorted her in. She then put to seaagain and found the other cobles fourmiles to the northward. She escortedthese in as well and reached her stationagain at 1.45.—Rewards to the crew,£8 8,9.; rewards to the helpers on shore,£7 6*.

DUTCH VESSEL TOWED OFF ROCKS

Arranmore, Co. Donegal. — On theevening of the 9th of April, 1956, themotor vessel Whitsun, of Groningen,was discharging a cargo of piles. About6.35 a heavy ground swell developed,and she parted her lines and began to bedriven on to the rocks in the middleof Leabgarrow Strand. The captainasked for the life-boat, and as therewas no other suitable boat available,

the life-boat W. M. Tilson waslaunched with a westerly wind blowing.She managed to put a line on board,which prevented the Whitsun fromgoing on the rocks, and returned to hermoorings at 11.30. At 12.35 early onthe 10th she put to sea again andtowed the vessel to prepared moorings.She finally reached her station at 6.30.—No expense to the Institution.

TWO OF LIFE-BOAT CREW BOARDLIGHTER AGROUND

Lowestoft, Suffolk.—During the earlyhours of the llth of April, 1956, it wasreported that a vessel had run ashoreforty yards north of the coastguardstation. At 3.30 the life-boat MichaelStephens put out. There was a moder-ate sea, a moderate westerly wind wasblowing, and it was low water. Thelife-boat found the lighter Leeds Saturn,which was empty and had brokenadrift from a tug the evening before.Three beachmen had waded out to herand gone on board, and they signalledto the life-boat. The life-boat anchored,veered down to the lighter and passeda rope to the men. The lighter wasin a dangerous position between twogroynes on a lee shore. Two membersof the life-boat crew also boarded her.They helped the beachmen make towropes fast, and the life-boat thenpulled her clear and took her to NorthRoads, where the tug was waiting.The life-boat then took off the fivemen. The tug took the lighter intow, and the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 7.45.—PropertySalvage Case.

YACHT DRIFTING WITH SEASCOUTS ON BOARD

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 1.39 on theafternoon of the 14th of April, 1956,the coastguard rang up to say that ayacht two miles to the southwardappeared to have broken down. Thesails had been lowered, but she had aball at the mast head and was drifting.At 1.55 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baringwas launched in a rough sea. A fresheast-north-east wind was blowing, andit was high water. The life-boat came

290 THE LIFE-BOAT [SKPTK.IIBEK. 1956

up with the Sandling, of Norwich,which was bound from Pinmill toGillingham with five members of theLeander Sea Scouts from Kingston-upon-Thamcs on board. Her enginehad broken down, but the scouts hadbeen able to restart it. The life-boataccompanied them to Brightlingsea.-which they reached at 4.30, helpedthem to berth their yacht, and gavethem dry clothing. The life-boatremained there for the night and wastaken back to her station the nextmorning.—Rewards to the crew,£13 13s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, etc., £10 Is.

GASSED MAN BROUGHT FROM

ARGENTINE TANKER

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 1.4 on theafternoon of the 17th of April, 1956,the Formby coastguard rang up to saythat the tanker General San Martin,of Buenos Aires, had reported thatseveral of her crew had been gassed.They needed oxygen and the help of ja doctor. At 1.25 the life-boat 'Edmund and Mary Robinson, on. tern-porary duty at the station, was !launched. The sea was smooth, there iwas a light north-easterly breeze, and jthe tide was half flood. The life-boattook with her a doctor, police, ambu- jlance men, firemen, oxygen and breath-ing apparatus and came up with thetanker two miles north of the Wyre jlight. She put the men and equip-ment on board, and the doctor decidedthat one of the men who had beenbadly injured must be taken ashore forhospital treatment. The patient was 'embarked in the life-boat, which then jreturned to her station, arriving at •4.20. The man's life was saved.—Rewards to the crew. £10 3s.; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £3 16s.

LOCAL FISHING BOAT CALLS FORHELP

Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 1.5 onthe afternoon of the 17th of April,1956, it was reported by the coxswainthat he had heard the local fishing boatCourage calling for help on her wire-

less. Ten minutes later the life-boatE.C.J.It, was launched in a smoothsea with a gentle breeze blowing. Shecame up with the (.'ourage. which hada crew of three, off Long Nab. Thefishing boat was making a lot of water,but constant pumping enabled her tokeep afloat. The life-boat escortedthe Courage unti l she was beached inthe harbour at 1.45.—Rewards to thecrew. £6; rewards to the helpers onshore, etc.. £11 19.s\

YACHT TOWED TO LERWICK

Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 9.22 on thenight of the 2()th of April. 1956, thecoastguard reported that a small boatwas burning flares. At 9.40 the life-boat J.J.K.S.ir., on temporary dutyat the station, was launched. Therewas a moderate sea with a south-westbreeze. It was two hours after highwater. The life-boat found the motoryacht Loki, of Lerwick. with a crew often, slightly north of Bressay light-house. The yacht's engine had brokendown, and she was drifting on to therocks. The life-boat towed the Lokito Lerwick harbour, where they arrivedat 11.30.—Rewards to the crew, £7.The owner made a donation to theInstitution.

YACHTSMAN TAKEN OFF

STEAMER

Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 8.55 on theevening of the 26th of April, 1956, thecoastguard telephoned to say that theS.S. Emsworth had wirelessed for thehelp of the life-boat. She had pickedup a man from the yacht Finetta, ofSouthampton. The yacht was in dis-tress, and the steamer had her in tow.At 9.10 the life-boat Beryl Tollemachewas launched in a rough sea. Therewas a strong north-easterly breeze, andit was two hours after low water. Thelife-boat found the steamer two milesoff shore south of Beachy Head light-house. She took the man off in veryrough conditions and towed the yachtto Newhaven, arriving back at herstation at 2.20 on the morning of the27th.—Property Salvage Case.


DUTCH MOTOR VESSEL INCOLLISION

Dungeness, Kent.—At 11.58 on themorning of the 28th of April, 1956, theDeal coastguard telephoned to saythat the Dutch motor vessel Borneo,of Groningen, had been in collisionwith the Varne lightship. The life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson waslaunched at 12.30 in a moderateswell. There was a fresh north-easterly breeze, and it was high water.The life-boat found the Borneo eightmiles south-east of the life-boat stationwith her engines broken down. Shestood by until a tug arrived and thenreturned to her station, arriving at4.15.—Rewards to the crew, £12 12,s.;rewards to the helpers on shore, £20 8s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOKIRKCUDBRIGHT

Kirkcudbright.—At 6.40 on the morn-ing of the 20th of April, 1956, thePortpatrick coastguard rang up to saythat the fishing vessel Zyava, of Fleet-wood, had fouled her screw andrequired help between Heston Islandand Abbey Head. The life-boat J. B.Couper of Glasgow was launched at7.12 in a calm sea with a light north-easterly breeze blowing. She foundthe Zyava, with a crew of three, inBarlocco Bay and towed her to Kirk-cudbright, arriving at 1.30.—Rewardsto the crew, £15 I s . ; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £2 4.v.

THURSO BOAT TOWED TO WICK

Wick, Caithness-shire.—At 2.40 on theafternoon of the 29th of April, 1956,the coastguard rang up to say that themotor fishing vessel Hopeful, of Thurso,had broken down twenty-five milessouth of Wick. At three o'clock thelife-boat Citi/ of Edinburgh waslaunched in a smooth sea. There wasa light south-easterly breeze, and itwas high water. The life-boat cameup with the Hopeful, which had a crewof four and was bound from Buckieto Thurso, and took her in tow. Shearrived back at her station at 9.50.—Rewards to the crew, £12 55.

DINGHY FOUND AMONG ROCKS

Poole, Dorset.—At 11.40 on the nightof the 29th of April, 1956, the policerang up to say that a sailing dinghywith two young men aboard was over-due from a trip within the harbour.The life-boat Thomas Kirk Wrightwas launched at 12.15 early on the30th in a calm sea. A light north-easterly breeze was blowing and thetide was flooding. The life-boat madea search and with the aid of the search-light found the dinghy among somerocks in the harbour. She took thetwo men on board and towed thedinghy to Sandbanks, where the menwere landed. The life-boat reachedher station again at two o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £5; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £1 16s.

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

Selsey, Sussex. — April 3rd. — Re-wards, £18 25.

Sunderland, Durham.—April 9th.—-Rewards, £14 25.

SIX MEN LOST FROM SWEDISHSTEAMER

Troon, Ayrshire.—At 9.46 on the nightof the 9th of April, 1956, the Port-patrick coastguard reported that theS.S. Akka, of Gothenburg, had wire-lessed that she had gone aground onthe Gantock Rocks, Dunoon, and thatshe was sinking. At 10.10 the life-boat James and Barbara Aitken putout. She made for the position in amoderate sea, with a light west-south-west breeze blowing and a floodingtide. She made a search, in which ahelicopter also took part at dawn, butfound only two masts sticking up outof the water and one boat turned up-side down. No survivors were found,and the life-boat returned to herstation, arriving at 9.30. Of thesteamer's crew of thirty-three, twenty-seven were rescued by other ships, butsix lost their lives.—Rewards to thecrew, £22 5,5.

292 THE LIFE-BOAT [SEPTEMBER , 1956

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—April 9th.—Rewards, £10 18s.

Eastbourne, Sussex. — April 10th. —Rewards, £31 Us.

Humber, Yorkshire.—April 13th.—Paid Permanent Crew.

WaLmer, Kent. — April 14th. — Re-wards, £18 10s.

Dungeness, Kent.—April 14th.—Re-wards, £22 3s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—April 18th.—Rewards, £14 16s.

Torbay, Devon. — April 28th. — Re-wards, £7 12s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — April28th.—Rewards, £14 8s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—April 30th.—Re-wards, £24 12s.

MAY

DURING May life-boats were launchedon service 56 times and rescued 30lives.

NORWEGIAN SHIP IN COLLISIONDungeness, and Dover, Kent.—At 4.13

on the morning of the 3rd of May, 1956,the Lade coastguard telephoned thelife-boat station at Dungeness to saythe motor vessel Hassel, of Bergen,Norway, had been in collision with anunknown vessel about seven milessouth of Folkestone. At 4.35 thelife-boat Charles Cooper Henderson waslaunched in a smooth sea. There wasa light southerly breeze and fog, andit was high water. The life-boatstation at Dover was also told, and at4.50 the life-boat Southern Africa putto sea. Both life-boats came up withthe Hassel, which was sinking at herstern and being towed by the tugsLady Brassey and Duncannon. Theystood by until the vessel was beachedat Seabrook, about a quarter of a milefrom shore. Dungeness life - boatreached her station again at 10.45 andDover at 11.30.—Rewards: Dungeness,rewards to the crew £16 5s.; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £21 15s.; Dover,rewards to the crew, etc., £12 10s.

IRISH LIFE-BOATS SEARCH FORFRENCH FISHING CREW

Fenit, and Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 2.15on the afternoon of the 3rd of May,

1956, the Dingle Civic Guard tele-phoned the Fenit life-boat station tosav that two men were stranded on ahigh ledge of a cliff under the old towerat Ballydavid Head and were shoutingfor help. The life-boat Peter andSarah Blake was launched at 2.35 in amoderate swell. There was a moder-ate westerly breeze and the tide wasebbing. It was learnt later that aFrench fishing boat, the Notre Damedes Victoires, of Lorient, which had acrew of eight, had struck a rock andsunk at the entrance to Smerwickharbour. The life-boat made a searchand found a dinghy with a body in itoff Brandon Head. She picked up thedinghy and then took on board afisherman from Ballydavid to help ina further search. At 8.5 the Fenithonorary secretary rang up the Valen-tia life-boat station and asked if thatlife-boat would search as well, and at8.25 the life-boat A.E.D. put to sea.Both life-boats searched widely, butneither found any survivors and theyreturned to their stations, Fenit .ar-riving at 12.30 early the next morningand Valentia at 4.15.

At eleven o'clock on the 4th theDingle Civic Guard asked if the Fenitlife-boat would renew the search, soat 11.30 the Peter and Sarah Blake putto sea again. The weather had de-teriorated. The sea was now rough,there was thick drizzle, and a strongwind was blowing from the west-south-west. At noon the Fenit hon-orary secretary told the Valentia life-boat station that three of the missingFrenchmen were believed to be on araft, so at 12.10 the A.E.D. also putout. The Peter and Sarah Blakereached Ballydavid at three o'clock,and at the request of the Civic Guardlanded a body. She then searched asfar as Smerwick and Brandon Head,and the A.E.D., acting on a messagefrom the Valentia radio station, foundwreckage of the Notre Dame desVictoires about twenty miles north-north-east of Tearaght Light. A galewas now blowing from west-south-west, and when no hope remained offinding any survivors, the life-boatsreturned to their stations, the Peterand Sarah Blake reaching Fenit at9.15 that evening and the A.E.D.


reaching Valentia at 9.45. One of thefishing boat's crew was rescued bylocal men in a curragh from Bally-david and another was hauled up thecliff. The six other men lost theirlives.—Rewards: Fenit 1st service,rewards to the crew, £21 13s.; rewardsto the helpers on shore etc., £5 19s.;2nd service, rewards to the crew,£19 11s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, 16s. Valentia 1st service, re-wards to the crew, £15 17s.; reward tothe helper on shore, 19s.; 2nd service,rewards to the crew, £16 9s.; rewardto the helper on shore, £1 Is.

MOTOR BOAT TOWED TOHARBOUR

Ilfracombe, North Devon.—At 5.30 onthe afternoon of the 3rd of May, 1956,Lloyds agent at Lynmouth reportedto the coxswain that the small motorboat Jane, of Ilfracombe, was driftingwith the tide off Lynmouth. At 6.50the life-boat Robert and Phemia Brownwas launched in a calm sea. Therewas a slight south-westerly breeze, andit was two hours before low water.The life-boat found the Jane, with acrew of two, three miles east of Fore-land with her engine broken down.She towed her to Ilfracombe harbour,arriving at 10.55.—Rewards to thecrew, £9 2s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, £13 11s.

BODY OF SEAMAN LANDED

FROM TANKER

Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.—At ap-proximately 5.30 on the afternoon ofthe 4th of May, 1956, the coastguardreported that a member of the crewof the tanker San Canto, of London,had been injured. At 6.10 the life-boat Jeanie Speirs put out with adoctor on board. There was a moder-ate sea and a strong southerly breeze,and the tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the San Canto sixmiles north-west of Portpatrick andfound that the man had died. Shebrought the captain of the tanker andthe body of the dead seaman ashore,arriving at 6.50. After the captainhad reported the matter to the police

the life-boat returned the skipper tohis ship and arrived back at hermoorings at 9.6.—Rewards to thecrew, £9 16s.

PANAMANIAN TANKER INCOLLISION

Ramsgate, Kent.—At eight o'clock onthe morning of the 8th of May, 1956,the Deal coastguard telephoned to saythat the Panamanian tanker Georgiahad been in collision with the S.S. St.Helena in fog 23 miles east-by-north ofthe life-boat station. At 8.15 thelife-boat Greater London (Civil ServiceNo. 3), on temporary duty at thestation, put to sea. There was acalm sea and a light west-south-westerly breeze, and the tide was halfflood. The life-boat found the Georgiaholed on her starboard side and theSt. Helena undamaged. She stood byuntil the tanker was able to go on herway and returned to her moorings,arriving back at 5.15.—Rewards tothe crew, £19 18s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY GERMANVESSEL

Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 7.52 on themorning of the 9th of May, 1956, thecoastguard telephoned to say that themotor vessel Julin, of Hamburg, hadgone ashore in fog on Beachy Headledge. At 8.10 the life-boat BerylTollemache was launched. There wasa light south-westerly breeze and amoderate sea, and it was two hoursbefore high water. The life-boat stoodby the Julin until she refloated andthen returned to her station, arrivingat ten o'clock.—Rewards to the crew,£8; rewards to the helpers on shore,£9 9s.

DOCTORS TAKEN TO AILSACRAIG

Girvan, Ayrshire.—About 7.15 on theevening of the llth of May, 1956, thecoastguard rang up to say a messagehad been received from Ailsa Craigthat the wife of one of the workersthere was ill and required immediateattention. Owing to the low state of


the tide it was impossible for theLady Ailsa, the boat which sailsregularly to the island, to go out, sothe life-boat Robert Lindsay waslaunched at 7.35 with two doctorsand a district nurse on board. Therewas a moderate swell and a fresh tostrong breeze. It was half an hourafter low water. The life-boat arrivedat Ailsa Craig at nine o'clock andlanded the two doctors and the nurse.After receiving attention, the patientwas left on the island. The life-boatleft at 10.5 with the doctors and nurseon board and arrived back at herstation at 11.20.—Rewards to thecrew, £8 8s.; reward to the helper onshore, 12s.

HUSBAND TAKEN TO WIFE IN

HOSPITAL

Clovelly, North Devon.—At 10.20 onthe night of the llth of May, 1956, theHartland Point coastguard rang up tosav that Mr. Gade, the resident agenton Lundy Island, was anxious that hisson-in-law should be taken to themainland as soon as possible, as hisdaughter was very ill in a hospital atBarnstaple. At "ll.20 the life-boatWilliam Cantrell Ashley was launched,with the second coxswain in charge,in a moderate sea with a west-north-westerly wind blowing. It was twohours before low water. The life-boatbrought the man and the wife's parentsto Clovelly, arriving at 3.40.—Re-wards to the crew, £12 os.; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £19 16s.

LANDED FROM NORWEGIANFISHING VESSELS

Stronsay, Orkneys.—At 1.15 on theafternoon of the 12th of May, 1956, theKirkwall coastguard reported that aNorwegian fishing vessel was ashoreon Yasa Skerry and that another inattempting to help her had also runaground. The life-boat John Gellatli/Hyndman put out at 1.40 in a roughsea, with a moderate north-westerlygale blowing and a floodingtide. Thelife-boat found the motor fishingvessels Astor and Leidulf, both ofMaarla, each with a crew of seven.

They were in no immediate danger butrequested help at. high water. Thelife-boat therefore put in at Kirkwallbefore returning to the vessels ateight o'clock in the evening. Onreaching them again she found thatthe crew of the Leidulf had landed onthe Skerry. There was a strong tide,and five attempts had to be madebefore the life-boat could be man-oeuvred close enough to the shore forthe crew to be taken on board. Thecoxswain then proceeded, stemmingthe tide. He dropped his anchor andveered down to the bow of the Astor,whose crew by now wished to abandonher. When all the men and theirbelongings were aboard, the life-boatproceeded to Kirkwall, where bothcrews were landed. She then returnedto her station, arriving at 2.30 earlyon the 13th of May. The master ofthe Astor expressed thanks to thecoxswain for the help given to bothcrews.—Rewards to the crew, £2512s.; reward to the helper on shore,12s.

TWO RESCUED FROM DINGHY

Falmouth, Cornwall.—At four o'clockon the afternoon of the 12th of May,1956, the life-boat Craziford and Con-stance Conybeare was returning to hermoorings after she had been beachedfor bottom cleaning, when a dinghywas seen to capsize in the harbour.The life-boat went to the position in amoderate sea with a north-westerlybreeze blowing and rescued the din-ghy's crew of two from the water.She then returned to her station,arriving at 5.30.—Rewards to thecrew, £4.

ESCORTED TO FLEETWOOD

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 9.45 on theevening of the 13th of May, 1956, thepolice reported that several red flareshad been seen in the Wyre Channel,and at ten o'clock the life-boatEdmund and Mary Robinson, ontemporary duty at the station, waslaunched. There was a moderate seaand a moderate west-south-westerlybreeze. It was two hours after low


water. The life-boat came up withthe yacht Progress, with three peopleon board, which was making slowprogress up the channel. She escortedher to moorings and arrived back at herstation at 10.45.—Rewards to thecrew, £7; rewards to the helpers onshore, £2 8s.

TRAWLER ESCORTED TOORKNEYS

Stronsay, Orkneys.—At 9.50 on themorning of the 14th of May. 1956, themaster of the S.S. Earl Tkorpin re-ported to the honorary secretary thata Mayday distress signal had beenbroadcast by Wick radio station. TheKirkwall coastguard confirmed theinformation and stated that the traw-ler Imperia, of Grimsby, with a crew ofeleven, was in difficulties and leakingoff North Ronaldshay. The life-boatJohn Gellatlij Ifijndman was launchedat 10.30 in a rough sea, with a moderatewest-north-westerly gale blowing anda flooding tide. The trawler wasfound off Start Point. She was pro-ceeding southwards escorted by thetrawler Robato. The life-boat tookthe tow over from the Robato andescorted the Imperia to Kirkwall,arriving at 3.20. After the crew hadhad a meal the life-boat returned toher station, finally arriving at Stronsayat 7.10.—Rewards to the crew, £17 9s.

MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO AYR

Troon, Ayrshire.—At 4.50 on theafternoon of the 14th of May, 1956, theKildonan coastguard telephoned thecoxswain to say that the police hadreported that two people in a motorboat had been seen waving andappeared to need help. At five o'clockthe life-boat James and Barbara Aitkenput out in a moderate sea. There wasa light westerly breeze, and the tidewas ebbing. The life-boat came upwith the boat a hundred yards west-north-west of Newtown-on-Avr pro-menade. She was a 32-feet motorboat. She had run out of petrol andhad anchored, and the life-boat towedher to Ayr and then returned to herstation, arriving back at 7.15.—Re-wards to the crew, £8 8s.

CAPSIZED DINGHY TAKEN ONBOARD

Margate, Kent.—At 4.50 on the after-noon of the 18th of May, 1956, thecoastguard telephoned to say that thepolice had reported that a dinghy hadcapsized and that two boys were in thewater half a mile off Minnis Bay. At5.1 the life-boat North Foreland, CivilService No. 11 was launched in arough sea. A fresh north-easterlybreeze was blowing and the tide washalf flood. The life-boat came upwith the sailing dinghy Lady Elizabeth,of Birchington, a quarter of a milewest of Minnis Bay, but the crewcould not see the two boys. The life-boat went close in shore, and thepolice then told the coxswain that theboys had come ashore. The life-boattook the dinghy on board and returnedto her station, arriving at 9.45.—Re\vards to the crew, £11 4s.; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £4 4s.

BOAT TOWED IN AFTER CREWSWIM ASHORE

Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire.—At 5.50 on the afternoon of the 20thof May, 1956, the Portpatrick coast-guard reported that a fishing boatwas in distress off Castle Point, SolwayFirth, and was drifting towards therocks. At 6.15 the life-boat J. B.Couper of Glasgow was launched in aslight sea. A south-westerly breezewas blowing, and the tide was flooding.The life-boat found the fishing boatSummer Rose, of Kippford, agroundin a dangerous position. Her crewof four had managed to swim andwade ashore. The life-boat was ableto get a line aboard the Summer Roseand tow the boat to Kippford. Shethen returned to her station, arrivingat 11.15.—Rewards to the crew, £912s.; rewards to the helpers on shore,£2 16s.

CONVERTED SHIP'S BOAT TOWEDTO AVONMOUTH

Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. — At8.55 on the evening of the 21st of May,1956, the Barry Island coastguard


reported that a dinghy was driftingseaward off Portishead and that thecrew were waving. The life-boat Fijiand Charles was launched at 9.12 in acalm sea. There was a slight south-easterly breeze and the tide wasebbing. While the life-boat wassearching, further messages were re-ceived that the casualty was in facta motor cruiser, which was in sight ofthe Walton Bay signal station. Amessage was sent to the life-boat bywireless giving the correct positionand description of the casualty. At11.20 the life-boat found the StephanieJan, of Bristol, a converted ship'sboat, with a crew of four. Her enginehad broken down and her crew weremaking ineffectual efforts with oarsto stern the tide. The life-boat towedthe Stephanie Jan to Avonmouthdock and then returned to her station,arriving at 6.30.—Rewards to thecrew, £13 4s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, £6 13s.

DINGHY TOWED TO WHITEHAVEN

Workington, Cumberland.—At 10.50on the night of the 21st of May, 1956,the Walney Island coastguard rang upto say that a dinghy had been reportedto be drifting towards Workingtonsouth buoy. The life-boat Man-chester & Salford XXIX put out at11.30 in a calm sea. There was alight north-easterly breeze and thetide was ebbing. The life-boat foundthe dinghy, with four Sea Cadetsaboard, some four miles north-westof Whitehaven. She towed the dinghyto Whitehaven and arrived back ather station at two o'clock early onthe 23rd of May.—Rewards to thecrew, £8 8s.; reward to the helper onshore, 14s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOBALTIMORE

Baltimore, Co. Cork.—On the after-noon of the 23rd of May, 1956, anxietywas felt for the safety of the localftshingboat CarberyLass, which was longoverdue. The life-boat John R. Webb,on temporary duty at the station, waslaunched at 4.45 in a moderate sea,

with a south-westerly breeze blowingand a flooding tide. She came upwith the Carbery Lass, of Skibbereen,which had a crew of six, some sixmiles south-west of Baltimore. Theboat's engine had broken down. Thelife-boat took her in tow and reachedher station at 6.30.—Rewards to thecrew, £6; rewards to the helpers onshore, £3.

MOTOR VESSEL TOWED TOWORKINGTON

Workington, Cumberland.—At mid-night on the 23rd of May, 1956, the dockgate foreman rang up to say that asmall vessel was sending up red flaresopposite the pier-head. The life-boatManchester and Salford XXIX put outat 12.15 early on the 24th in a calmsea. There was a light breeze and thetide was ebbing. The life-boat foundthe M.V. Lapwing, of Workington,with a crew of three, off the entrance toWorkington Channel. Her engine hadbroken down, and the life-boat towedher to Workington, arriving back ather station at 12.50.—Rewards to thecrew, £7; reward to the helper onshore, 12s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY TANKER

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At six o'clockon the morning of the 25th of May,1956, the coastguard reported that avessel was aground on the Middle Sunkand was sending up red flares. At 6.15the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring waslaunched in a slight sea. There was anorth-westerly breeze, and it was lowwater. The life-boat came up withthe tanker C 653 of London, with acrew of ten, between no. 4 and no. 6barrow buoys and stood by her untilshe refloated. The life-boat then re-turned to her station, arriving at 12.15.—Rewards to the crew, £12 13s.;rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 2s.

BOY'S BODY BROUGHT FROM

COVE

St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At 9.55on the night of the 26th of May, 1956,the coastguard reported that a boy had


By courtesy of] [Medley & Bird

CARRIED ASHORE FROM THE GENTLE ANNIE

(see page 303)


By courtesy of] [The Evening Citizen, Glasgow

COXSWAIN DUNCAN NEWLANDS OF CAMPBELTOWN

By courtesy of] [The Evening Citizen, Glass™

CAMPBELTOWN LIFE-BOAT CITY OF GLASGOW II

SF.PTF.MBKW, 19561 THE LIFE-BOAT 299

By courtesy of] [Blackpool Gazette and Herald Ltd

FLEETWOOD LIFE-BOAT ALONGSIDE TANKER(see page 290)

By courtesy of] [Daily Express, London

TANKER GENERAL SAN MARTIN AND FLEETWOOD LIFE-BOAT(see page 290)


By courtesy of] [Evening Ken's, London

DOVER AND DUNGENESS LIFE-BOATS STAND BY HASSEL

(see page 292)

By courtesy of] [Sussex Photo Agency

SHOREHAM LIFE-BOAT BRINGS BACK AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE


By courtesy of] [T. if. Badger

DOUGLAS LIFE-BOAT LANDS SICK MAN FROM TANKER

(see page 310)


[L. A. Lyons

LYTHAM-ST. ANNE'S LIFE-BOAT AT SEA

By courtesy of] [BrhUington Free Press

FLAMBOROUGH LIFE-BOAT RETURNS


THE QUEEN MOTHER AT WALMER

(see page 316)

[Western Morning News

NAMING THE NEW SCILLY ISLES LIFE-BOAT

(see page 31 7)


By coitrtesv of' [75. M Smith, Berwir.k-on-Ttuftd

THE EYEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT AND THE M.V. TONNY

THE AITH LIFE-BOAT THE RANKIN


fallen over a cliff near St. David'sHead. The life-boat Civil Service No.6 was launched at 10.15 in a calm seawith a north-north-easterly breezeblowing and an ebbing tide. She tookher boarding boat with her. Whenshe reached the position lights couldbe seen where a life-saving apparatusteam were working. The second cox-swain and the assistant mechanic tookthe boarding boat inshore, and withthe help of the searchlight made a longbut unsuccessful search along the footof the cliffs. The life-boat returned toher station at 12.30 early on the 27th,and at 5.15 in the morning the RoyalNaval Air Station at Brawdy tele-phoned to say a helicopter had sighteda body lying in a cove near St. David'sHead. The life-boat was launched at5.45 and again took her boarding boat.

o O

There was now a moderate sea and aflooding tide. A north-easterly breezewas blowing. The boarding boat wassent inshore and picked up the bodywhich was transferred to the life-boat.The life-boat arrived back at herstation at 6.45. The body was trans-ferred by ambulance to the mortuaryat Brawdy.—Rewards to the crew,£13 4s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, £5 4s. A donation was madeto the Institution from a collectiontaken at the boy's school.

afternoon of the 27th of May, 1956, thecoastguard telephoned to say that theschooner Lora, of East Mersea, hadhad some of her sails carried away andwas drifting east-by-south of ClactonPier. At 3.2 the life-boat Sir GodfreyBaring was launched in a rough sea.A strong easterly breeze was blowingand the tide was ebbing. The life-boat reached the schooner at 3.20, butthe owner did not require any help,and she escorted her to the shelter ofthe River Colne.

At 5.21, when the life-boat wasreturning to her station, the coast-guard rang up to say that a small boatwas in difficulties off Holland-on-Sea.The life-boat went to the positionand found the motor fishing vesselII.H. 100, of Harwich, with her enginebroken down. Three of the fourpeople on her boarded the life-boat,and two members of the life-boat crewtransferred to the fishing bessel. Thelife-boat then towed the vessel toHarwich, arriving there at 8.30. Be-cause weather conditions would havemade rehousing at Clacton difficultthe life-boat remained at Harwich forthe night and reached her stationagain at 7.30 the next morning.—Rewards to the crew, £26 8s.; rewardsto the helpers on shore, £9 14.?.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TOHASTINGS

Hastings, Sussex.—At 8.27 on themorning of the 27th of May, 1956, theFairlight coastguard telephoned to saya fishing boat with three men on boardwas drifting out to sea off St. Leonards.At 8.50 the life-boat M.T.C. waslaunched in a slight sea. There was agentle north-easterly breeze, and itwas low water. The life-boat cameup with the fishing boat one milesouth-west of St. Leonards. She tow-ed her to Hastings harbour and arrivedback at her station at 10.45.—Rewardsto the crew, £8 8s.; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £36 9s.

CALL WHEN RETURNING FROMSERVICE

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 2.50 on the

TWO LIFE-BOATS HELP TOREFLOAT STEAMER

Port Erin, and Port St. Mary, Isle ofMan.—About 5.35 on the afternoon ofthe 27th of May, 1956, a man informedthe coxswain that he had seen fromCradder Head a steamer aground onthe Calf of Man. At 5.55 the life-boatMatthew Simpson was launched in acalm sea. A light north-easterlybreeze was blowing, the tide wasebbing, and there were fog banks.The life-boat found the S.S. Crestville,of Liverpool, with twelve people onboard, aground on a boulder beach.Her stern was still afloat, but she wasunable to pull herself off on the ebbtide. She was in no immediate danger,and the life-boat stood by. At 9.15the Port St. Mary life-boat Civil Ser-vice No. 5 put out and half an hourlater she too reached the position.


Both life-boats helped to refloat the iCrestville on a flooding tide. Theythen returned to their stations, PortErin arriving back at 12.5 early onthe 28th and Port St. Mary at 12.15.—Rewards: Port Erin. Property Sal-vage Case; first information money,10s. Port St. Mary, rewards to thecrew, £9 16,s


North Foreland radio station that themotor vessel Prins Bernhard, of Gro-ningen, had been in collision five milessouth of Folkestone and had asked forhelp. The life-boat Southern Africaput out at 12.15 early on the 31st ina moderate sea, with a gentle easterlybreeze blowing, thick fog and a flood-ing tide. She found the Prins Bern-hard and went alongside and took offthe master's wife and son. Meanwhilethe Dungeness life-boat Charles CooperHenderson had also launched, but onhearing on the radio-telephone that theDover life-boat was alongside thecasualty she returned to her station.The Southern Africa stood by thePrins Bernhard while she slowly re-turned to Dover. When they reachedDover harbour the master's wife andson were put back on the vessel, andthe life-boat returned to her moorings,arriving at 4.20.—Rewards to thecrew, £12 16s.; reward to the helper onshore, 5s.

LIBERIAN STEAMER IN COLLISION

Ramsgate, Kent.—At 1.31 on theafternoon of the 31st of May, 1956, theDeal coastguard reported that theLiberian steamer Centaurus had beenin collision with an unknown tankersome eighteen miles east-by-southfrom Ramsgate. The life-boat GreaterLondon, Civil Service No. 3, on tem-porary duty at the station, waslaunched in a smooth sea, with a lightnorth-north-easterly breeze blowing,thick fog and a flooding tide. Withthe help of Foreness radar station theCentaurus was found, and at therequest of the captain the life-boatstood by until the steamer was takenin tow by the French tug Jean Bart.The life-boat returned to her station,arriving at 10.20. The Centaurusproceeded to Flushing under tow ofthe French tug Jean Bart.—Rewardsto the crew, £19 Is.; reward to thehelper on shore. 17,?.

INJURED MAN LANDED FROMTRAWLER

Humber, Yorkshire.—At 10.14 on thenight of the 31st of May, 1956, theSpurn Point coastguard reported that

the Norwegian trawler Havkvern hadsent a message that she would be offSpurn lightvessel about three o'clockthe next morning and that she wantedto land an injured man. The life-boatCity of Bradford III was launched attwo o'clock in a calm sea, with agentle westerly breeze blowing and anebbing tide. She came up with theHavkvern at 2.40, embarked the injuredman and returned to Spurn, arrivingat 6.5. Paid Permanent Crew. Ad-ditional rewards to the crew, £2 14s.

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

Eastbourne, Sussex.—May 5th.—Re-wards, £.33 4s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — May7th.—Rewards, £17 11s.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—May 7th.—Rewards, £9 5s.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—Mav10th.—Rewards, £14 8s.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. — Mayllth.—Rewards, £17.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—May 12th.—Rewards, £10 5s.

Filey, Yorkshire.—May 13th.—Re-wards, £28 15s.

Penlee, Cornwall.—May 16th.—Re-wards, £26 15s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—May 19th.—Rewards, £11 6s.

Dover, Kent.—May 20th.—Rewards,£4 9s.

Walmer, Kent.—May 20th.—Rewards,£16 7s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—May 21st.—Rewards, £11 17s.

Padstow, Cornwall.—May 25th.—Re-wards, £6 4s.

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—May 27th.—Rewards, £7.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—May 28th.—Re-wards, £13 5s.

Margate, Kent. — May 28th. — Re-wards, £17 12s.

308 THE LIFE-BOAT «. 1956

Padstow, Cornwall.—May 28th.—Re-wards, £6.

Valentia, Co. Kerry. — May 30th. —Rewards, £14 12s.

Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—May 31st.—Rewards, £14 5s.

Dungeness, Kent.—3Iay 31st.—Re-wards, £24 25.

JUNE

DURING June life-boats were launchedon service 62 times and rescued 5?Jives.

MOTOR LAUNCH TOWED TODONAGHADEE

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At 9.15 on thenight of the 1st of June, 1956. theOrlock coastguard rang up to say thata motor boat was in distress in Don-aghadee Sound. Thelife-boatK.E.C.F.,on temporary duty at the station,put out at 9.25 in a moderate sea,-with a moderate southerly breezeblowing and an ebbing tide. Shecame up with the motor launch Seal,which had broken down with fourpeople on board and was drifting. Thelife-boat towed her into Donaghadeeharbour, arriving back at her stationat 9.50.—Rewards to the crew, £7.

UNCONSCIOUS MAN RESCUEDFROM SEA

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 2.55 on themorning of the 2nd of June, 1956, thecounty police rang up to say that theyacht Cistus with a crew of four hadstruck an unlighted buoy in the WyreChannel and had sunk. The life-boatEdmund and Mary Robinson, on tem-porary duty at the station, waslaunched at 3.15 in a smooth sea. Astrong west-south-westerly breeze wasblowing and the tide was flooding.Two of the crew of the Cistus hadmanaged to swim ashore, and thethird was rescued by a ship's boatwhich was helping in the search. Thisboat became swamped and was towedto safety together with another rescueboat whose engine had broken down.

The fourth member of the crew wasfound by the life-boat about twomiles up the river. He was uncon-scious but was being supported by hislife-jacket. He was given first aidand taken ashore, where he wasrushed to the hospital. The life-boatarrived back at her station at 4.45.—Rewards to the crew, £7; rewards tothe helpers on shore, £2 10s.

YACHT TOWED FROM DANGEROUSPOSITION

Hoylake, Cheshire.—At 6.45 on themorning of the 2nd of June, 1956, thehonorary secretary's son reported thatthe yacht Gentle Annie, of West Kirby,was flying distress signals in a danger-ous position off the north end of EastHoyle bank. The life-boat Oldham IVwas launched at 7.8 in a heavy, break-ing sea with a strong west-south-westerly breeze blowing and an ebbingtide. When she came up with theGentle, Annie, which had a crew of two,she found that she had a broken pumpshaft and was dragging her anchor inthe very rough seas. The life-boattook the yacht in tow to Hilbre Pooland arrived back at her station at9.30.—Rewards to the crew, £7 4s.;rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 10s.

FRENCH TRAWLER TOWED TOVALENTIA

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 11.55 on themorning of the 3rd of June, 1956, amessage was received from Valentiaradio station that the French trawlerGuillaume Anne Marie with a crew oftwelve had engine trouble six milessouth-east of Skelligs and needed help.The life-boat A.E.D. put out at highwater in a calm sea with a moderatesouth-westerly breeze blowing. Afteran extensive search the life-boat foundthe Guillaume Anne Marie, and by

j this time the weather had worsened.There was a very rough sea and amoderate westerly gale, and visibilitywas very bad. The trawler haddrifted a considerable distance andwas in danger of being blown ashore.The life-boat and another Frenchtrawler passed ropes to the Guillaume


Anne Marie and towed her to Yalentia,arriving there at 9.30 at night.—Re-wards to the crew, £21 13.9.; reward tothe helper on shore, £l Is.

MAYDAY MESSAGE INTERCEPTED

ON RETURN

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 5.8 on theafternoon of the 3rd of June, 1956, thecoastguard telephoned to say a smallboat with two people on board was indifficulties near the Brooklandsgroyne, Jay wick. The life-boat SirGodfrey Baring was launched at 5.16in a moderate sea. There was agentle south-westerly breeze, and thetide was flooding. When she reachedthe position the life-boat found thatthe boat was well in shore and break-ing up. As the two people weresafely ashore the life-boat returned tostation. On her way back she inter-cepted a Mayday message from theyacht Flumm 2, stating two boys werein difficulties with a capsized 16-feetsailing dinghy in the River Blackwateroff Mersea Point. One of the boyshad been rescued by the owner of theyacht, but they were having difficultyin rescuing the second boy as the yachtwas nearly aground. The life-boatreached the position, which wasmarked with a yellow life-jacketattached to a sinker, at six o'clock. Along search was made in conjunctionwith helicopters and an Air-Sea Rescuelaunch for the other boy, but withoutsuccess. The rescued boy was takenin the Flumm 2 to Brightlingsea, wherehe was transferred to a waiting ambu-lance. The life-boat recovered thesailing dinghy and took her to Bright-lingsea, arriving there at nine o'clock.Because of the weather the life-boatcould not be rehoused until 1.30 onthe afternoon of the 5th of June.—Rewards to the crew, etc., £34 6s. 4d.;rewards to the helpers on shore etc.,£9.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY YACHTIN ROUGH SEA

Falmouth, Cornwall.—At ten o'clockon the night of the 3rd of June, 1956,

the Polruan coastguard reported thata sailing boat moored off Portscathoseemed to be dragging her anchor. Asthe weather conditions were bad thelife-boat Cunard, on temporary dutyat the station, put out at high waterat 10.25. The sea was rough, andthere was a strong south-westerlybreeze. The life-boat came up withthe sailing boat Ranwara, of London,but her crew did not want any help.The life-boat, however, stood by theyacht until the weather improved andthen returned to her station, arrivingat 1.45 early on the 4th of June.—Rewards to the crew, £9 16s.; rewardto the helper on shore, 12,?.

FISHING VESSEL FOUNDABANDONED

Whltehills, Banffshlre.—At 4.55 on theafternoon of the 5th of June, 1956,the life-boat's second coxswain report-ed that he had seen a fishing vesselsome three miles from Whitebillsapparently out of control and driftingto the shore but showing no distresssignals. The life-boat St. Andrew,Civil Service No. 10 was launched atsix o'clock in a rough sea with a freshnorth-westerly breeze blowing and aflooding tide. The local fishing boatFoxglove also put out about the sametime, and both vessels came up withthe Golden Eagle, of Wick, about halfa mile from the shore. The life-boatand the Foxglove each put two men onboard, but although the engine wasrunning there was no sign of the crew.The Foxglove towed the Golden Eagleto Whitehills escorted by the life-boat,which arrived back at her station at7.30.—Rewards to the crew, £7:rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 2s.

YACHT TOWED TO BEAUMARIS

Beaumaris, Anglesey.—At 11.40 on themorning of the 5th of June, 1956, itwas reported that the crew of two ofthe yacht Cestrian Maid, of Liverpool,were signalling for help off GallowsPoint. The life-boat Field Marshaland Mrs. Smuts, which had put out tothe same vessel the dav before, was


launched in a rough sea, with a moder-ate south-south-westerly gale blowingand a flooding tide. The CestrianMaid was in danger of being swept onto Beaumaris pier by the rough sea,and the life-boat towed her to a safeanchorage. The life-boat arrived backat her station at 3.30 but because ofthe weather could not be rehouseduntil the 7th of June. The ownermade a donation to the Institution'sfunds.—Rewards to the crew, £11 lls.;rewards to the helpers on shore, £3.

SICK MAN TAKEN FROMLIGHTVESSEL

Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—At 12.5 on the .afternoon of the 5th of June, 1956, thecoastguard reported that a man onthe St. Gowaii lightvessel was ill andneeded a doctor. A quarter of anhour later the Superintendent ofTrinity House at Swansea asked forthe life-boat to take a doctor out.The life-boat Henry Comber Brown waslaunched at 12.55 with a doctor onboard. The sea was calm; there wasa moderate south-westerly breeze anda flooding tide. The life-boat put thedoctor aboard the lightvessel. Thesick man was then transferred to thelife-boat, which returned to her station,where an ambulance was waiting,arriving at 5.15.—Rewards to thecrew, £11 4s.; rewards to the helperson shore, £6 8s. Refunded to theInstitution bv Trinity House.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF TANKER

Douglas, Isle of Man.—On the 5th ofJune, 1956. the harbour master wasinformed by the local agent of thetanker Pass of Balmaha, of London,that a member of her crew had had aseizure and was unconscious. Theharbour master asked if the life-boatwould launch to bring the man ashore,as it was impossible because of theweather to send any other smallvessel. At 1.30 in the afternoon thelife-boat R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 1 putout for the first time on service, witha doctor on board. There was a heavyswell, a fresh westerly breeze was

blowing, and the tide was ebbing.The sick man was taken off the tankerand bought into the harbour, wherethe life-boat arrived at 3.30. He wassent immediately to hospital, but hedied eight days later.—Rewards tothe crew, £8; rewards to the helperson shore, £3 5s.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO ISLAND

Stromness, Orkneys.—At 3.40 on theafternoon of the 5th of June, 1956, adoctor rang up to say he had attemptedto visit a patient at Graemsay by fish-ing boat, but because of the rough seathe vessel had had to return to Strom-ness. As it was thought the patientwould have to be brought to the main-land for hospital treatment, and as anexercise of the life-boat was due, itwas decided to combine the missions.The life-boat Archibald and AlexanderM. Paterson was launched at 3.50,with the doctor on board, in a moder-ate but choppy sea with a freshwesterly gale blowing and a floodingtide. The doctor was landed atGraemsay while the life-boat proceededon exercise. The life-boat then re-turned to Graemsay, but it was foundthat the patient was too ill to under-take the passage in the prevailing con-ditions. The life-boat returned withthe doctor, arriving back at her stationat 6.50.—Rewards to the crew, £8 8s.;rewards to the helpers on shore,£1 16s.

RESCUE BY COAST LIFE-SAVINGSERVICE

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 11.40 on thenight of the 6th of June, 1956, theDingle Coast Life-saving Service tele-phoned that the fishing boat CarraigDoun, of Dublin, had engine troubleone mile west of Ventry harbour andwas being driven ashore. Anothertrawler, Elsie Mable, was standing byto give the position to the life-boat.At 12.12 the life-boat A.E.D. put outin a very rough sea. A fresh westerlygale was blowing, and the tide wasflooding. The life-boat reached theposition at 1.32. There were severalother fishing boats in the area but


contact could not be made by wireless.The life-boat approached time andagain to within fifty yards of therocks, and using the searchlight, thecoxswain made every effort to sightsurvivors or to locate the CarraigDoun, but without success. The fish-ing boat had used up all her flares,and it was clear that even if she hadnot been abandoned she would havebeen unable to indicate her position.There was now a west-south-westerlygale and heavy rain, and at timesvisibility was down to 100 yards. Seaswere breaking over the life-boat. At5.32 the coxswain saw one survivorclinging to the rocks. He was unableto manoeuvre the life-boat close in toeffect a rescue, and it would have beenunwise to use the breeches buoy. Hetherefore wirelessed the honorary sec-retary, asking for the information tobe passed to the Coast Life-savingService at Dingle. This was done, andthe Life-saving Service rescued theman. All the fishing boats had bythis time returned to harbour, and thelife-boat went to Dingle to find outhow many men had been on board theCarraig Doun. When it was knowntwo men were missing, the life-boatput out again with a local fishermanon board and carried out a furthersearch, but she could find nothing.She then returned to her station,arriving back at 3.15 in the afternoon.—Rewards to the crew, £27 19.?.;rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 7,v.

FISHING VESSEL TOWED TOSCRABSTER

Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At 10.30 onthe morning of the 7th of June, 1956, areport was received that a fishingvessel had broken down off Crosskirk,near Brimness. At 10.50 the life-boatDunnet Head, Civil Service No. 31 waslaunched in a moderate sea, with amoderate south-south-easterly windblowing and an ebbing tide. Shefound the motor fishing vessel Falcon,of Buckle, leaking badly. She trans-ferred three of her crew of four, herskipper remaining on board, and towedher to Scrabster, arriving back at 1.50.—Property Salvage Case.

ESCORT FOR A LOBSTER BOAT

Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—At 7.20on the evening of 7th of June. 1956,it was reported that two people hadgone out in the afternoon in theirmotor boat to look at their lobsterpots and had not returned. The life-boat H. F. Bailey put out at 7.30 in avery rough sea. There was a north-westerly gale blowing. She searchedalong the cliffs to the west of HelvickHead and eventually found the smallmotor boat in a small inlet shelteringfrom the wind. The life-boat escortedthe boat back to harbour, arriving backat her station at about 8.20. Theowners thanked the crew.—Rewardsto the crew, £7; rewards to the helperson shore £2 8,9.

TWO STEAM LIGHTERS ESCORTED

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 1.5 onthe afternoon of the 7th of June. 1956,the Sonthend coastguard reported thata steam lighter had fired three orangeflares off Uguadale Point in Kil-brannan Sound. The life-boat City ofGlasgow II put out at 1.21 in a calmsea with a light north-easterly breezeblowing and an ebbing tide. As sheapproached the lighter, which was theCuban, of Glasgow, with a crew ofthree, she saw that another vessel wasgoing alongside. The Cuban's enginehad broken down and the other vessel,which was the steam lighter Scalight,began to tow her to Campbeltown.Because of the heavy southerly swellthe life-boat escorted both vessels toCampbeltown, arriving back at herstation at 2,45.—Rewards to the crew,£7; reward to the helper on shore, 13s.

WHITBY COBLE ESCORTED TOSCARBOROUGH

Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morningof the 8th of June, 1956, the weatherwas deteriorating. The local fishingfleet was at sea, and the position ofone boat gave some cause for anxiety,so it was decided to launch the no. 1life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth at 5.20in a very rough sea. A fresh north-north-westerly gale was blowing andthe tide was ebbing. The life-boat


came up with the motor fishing cobleEnterprize, of Whitby, which was mak-ing no headway in the bad weather.Her engine had been stopped by aheavy sea, but it was restarted, andthe life-boat escorted the coble toScarborough, arriving there at 8.36.The life-boat returned to Whitby thenext day, arriving there at 6.5 in theevening.—Rewards to the crew, £223s.; rewards to the helpers on shore,etc.. £10 9*. 8d.

FOUR FISHING BOATS ESCORTEDTO HARBOUR

Scarborough, Yorkshire. — At 6.10 onthe morning of the 8th of June, 1956, thecoxswain reported that four local fish-ing boats were returning to the harbourin a heavy sea. A west-north-westerlygale was blowing, and the tide wasebbing. The life-boat E.C.J.R. waslaunched at 7.40. She escorted thevessels to harbour and reached herstation again at 8.25.—Rewards to thecrew, £6 5s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, £11 ~s.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TOSHERINGHAM

Sherlngham, Norfolk.—On the morn-ing of the 8th of June, 1956, the localfishing boats were at sea and theweather was deteriorating. At 10.10the life-boat Foresters Centenary waslaunched in a rough sea, with a strongnortherly wind blowing and a floodingtide. The life-boat escorted in severalfishing boats, the crews of two beinghanded life-belts. She reached herstation again at 12.15.—Rewards tothe crew, £10 16s.; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £13 6s.

TWO MEN LANDED FROM YACHT

Hoylake, Cheshire.—At eleven o'clockon the night of the 8th of June, 1956,a report was received by the coxswainthat two men in a motor yachtanchored in Hoylake were showinglights and calling for help. At 11.32the life-boat Oldham IV was launchedat high water in a rough sea. There

was a strong north-easterly breeze.The life-boat found the motor yachtBarracuda half full of water. Shetook the two men on board and landedthem, arriving back at her station at11.50.—Rewards to the crew, £5;rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 8s.

CONVERTED LIFE-BOAT TOWEDTO ROSSLARE

Rosslare, Co. Wexford.—At two o'clockon the afternoon of the 10th of June,1956, the Carne Coast Life-SavingService rang up to say that the fishingboat Tern was out of control nearSplough Rock and was drifting sea-wards. The life-boat Douglas Hydewas launched at 2.15 in a smooth sea,with a light east-south-easterly breezeblowing and an ebbing tide. When shecame up with the Tern about six milesnorth-east of Carnsore, she found thatshe had engine trouble. The Tern,which is an ex-R.N.L.I, life-boat andwhich had a crew of two, was towed toCarne harbour. The life-boat arrivedback at her station at 5.50. Partlypaid permanent crew.—Rewards tothe crew, £4 16s.; reward to the helperon shore, 14s.

YACHT TOWED TO HARBOUR INGALE

Bridlington, Yorkshire.—On the after-noon of the 10th of June, 1956, thehonorary secretary saw a yacht indistress three miles south of the life-boat station. At 3.48 the life-boatTillie Morrison, Sheffield II waslaunched in a very rough sea. Astrong northerly gale was blowing andthe tide was flooding. The life-boatfound the yacht Lassiette, of Bridling-ton, with her sail torn and her anchorfouled. She had a crew of three.After great difficulty her anchor wasweighed, and she was towed to harbour,arriving at 5.55. Because of thestate of the tide the life-boat could notbe rehoused until 9.25. The ownermade a donation to the funds of theInstitution.—Rewards to the crew,£8 14s.; rewards to the helpers onshore, £9 7s.


MOTOR LAUNCH TOWED TOCOURTMAGSHERRY

Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.—On the 10th of June, 1956, a reportwas received that a motor launch wasin difficulties in Courtmacsherry Bay.At 10.10 the life-boat Sarah Ward andWilliam David Croszceller put out in acalm sea. There was a moderatebreeze, and the tide was ebbing. Thelife-boat found the launch with sixpeople on board off GarrestownStrand, about 500 yards from therocks, and towed her to the harbour,arriving there at 12.15.—Rewards tothe crew, £8 8,?.; rewards to thehelpers on shore, £2 6s.

LONGSHORE BOAT TOWED TO

LOWESTOFT

Lowestoft, Suffolk.—On the morningof the 12th of June, 1956, the coast-guard reported that the local long-shore boat Eva May, with one man on.board, had left harbour at nine o'clockthe morning before, but had not re-turned, and anxiety was felt for hersafety. Two local boats had searchedduring the night but had foundnothing. At six o'clock the life-boatGreater London (Civil Service No. 3),on temporary duty at the station,put out in a slight sea, with a moderatenortherly breeze blowing and an ebb-ing tide. A message was receivedthat the cargo vessel Cardiffbrook hadsighted the Eva May with her enginebroken down eight miles south ofLowestoft. The life-boat went to theposition and towed the Eva May toLowestoft, arriving there at 8.55. Theowner and skipper thanked the crew.—Rewards to the crew, £10 16s.;reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

LOBSTER BOAT TOWED TOKILRONAN

Galway Bay, Co. Galway.—At 1.40 onthe afternoon of the 15th of June, 1956,the coxswain reported that a locallobster boat Carraig Airz was flyinga distress signal off the Aran coast.The life-boat Mabel Marion Thompsonwas launched at two o'clock in a calmsea with a light south-south-westerlybreeze and an ebbing tide. She came

up with the boat, which had a crew oftwo, two miles north-west of StrawIsland. The lobster boat's enginehad broken down, and the life-boattowed her to Kilronan pier, arrivingback at her station at 3.15.—Rewardsto the crew, £7; reward to the helperon shore, 12s.

NINE MEN TAKEN FROM SHIP'SBOAT

Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—In theearly hours of the 16th of June, 1956,the lighthouse keeper telephoned thatrockets were being fired two milesfrom the harbour. At 2.30 the life-boat Annie Blanche Smith put out ina very rough sea. There was a strongsouth-south-easterly gale, the tide wasebbing, and visibility was very bad.The life-boat came up with the steamtrawler Merchant Vanguard in LoftusHall Bay in Waterford harbour.Lights were seen on the trawler, butthere were no signs of her crew, andthe ship's boat was missing. A longsearch was made and the boat wasfound half full of water with nine menon board. They were taken aboardthe life-boat and given rum and hotsoup on the passage back to Dunmore,which was reached at 5.5.

An hour and a half later the life-boat put to sea again. She had onboard four of the crew of the trawler,whom she took to a sister trawlerwhich had arrived at the scene of thegrounding. The men wanted to tryto save some of their personal clothing,money and other possessions, and thelife-boat stood by while they tried todo so. She arrived back at 8.30 andat 10.15 put out again with theremainder of the crew, who also triedto salvage their possessions. Shestood by once more, but the salvageattempt failed, and she returned toher station, arriving back at 12.30.—•Rewards to the crew, £19 13s.;reward to the helper on shore, 13s.

YACHT TOWED TO ROSSLAREHARBOUR

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—Attwo o'clock on the afternoon of the


16th of June, 1956, a message wasreceived from Valentia radio that theDutch motor vessel Stientje Mensingahad picked up the small yacht Juliaten miles north-east of Tuskar Rock.She had seen no survivors and wassearching the area. Fifteen minuteslater a further message was receivedthat the survivors of the Julia hadbeen picked up by the Dutch motorvessel Lindesingel. It was later re-ported that the Lindesingel was pro-ceeding to Newport and that theStientje Mensinga was making forWaterford with the Julia in tow. At9.30 at night the Tusker Rock light-house reported that the tow hadbroken away seven miles north-east ofRosslare Harbour. There were thenfive members of the crew of the Dutchvessel on board the yacht, who werebaling out water. The life-boatDouglas Hyde put out at 9.40 in arough sea. There was a strong north-westerly wind and the tide was ebbing.On reaching the position the life-boattook the Julia in tow at the requestof the captain of the Dutch vessel.She brought the yacht to RosslareHarbour, arriving there at 12.30.—Partly paid permanent crew.—Re-wards to the crew, £4 4s.; reward tothe helper on shore, 15s.

YACHT TOWED TO NEWHAVEN

Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 3.15 on theafternoon of the 16th of June, 1956,the police informed the coxswain thata yacht was firing flares in NormansBay. The life-boat Beryl Tollemachewas launched at 3.23 in a rough seawith a moderate southerly gale blow-ing and a flooding tide. She found themotor cruiser Fair Maiden, of New-haven, unmanageable on a lee shore.She took off her crew of three, putsome members of the life-boat crewaboard, and towed the vessel to New-haven. The life-boat arrived back ather station at 8.45.—Property SalvageCase.

MAN FOUND CLINGING TO BUOY

Swanage, Dorset.—At 4.9 on the after-noon of the 16th of June, 1956, the

coastguard telephoned to say that thepolice had stated that a man hadreported seeing a rowing boat withthree occupants appear to capsize bythe second buoy off Ocean Bay cafd.No detailed information was given butat 5.16 the coastguard reported thata man was clinging to a boat byBallard Head. The life-boat R.L.P.was launched at 5.30 in poor visibilityand a very choppy sea, with a moder-ate south-south-westerly gale blowingand rain squalls. The life-boat m?,defor the position and found a youngman clinging to the Sailing Club buoy.He was unconscious and was onlytaken aboard the life-boat with diffi-culty. The life-boat signalled for adoctor and ambulance and returnedto her station. After landing theman the life-boat returned to the sceneof the incident and searched a widearea for the other two occupants ofthe rowing boat without success. Thelife-boat returned to her station at9.30.—Rewards to the crew, £9 16s.;rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s.

COXSWAIN'S BOAT AND LIFE-BOATBOTH PUT OUT

Dover, Kent.—At 9.25 on the eveningof the 16th of June, 1956, the Sand-gate coastguard passed on a messagefrom the Lloyds signal station thatthe yacht Pandora, of Ghent, Belgium,had struck a breakwater, and that oneof her crew of two was in the sea. Thelife-boat coxswain at once sent his ownmotor boat, the King John II, andthe life-boat Southern Africa put outat 9.45. The sea was rough, therewas a strong southerly wind, and thetide was ebbing. The King John IIpicked the man up and towed theyacht into the harbour. The life-boatstood by until the Pandora was safelymoored and then returned to herstation, arriving at 10.30.—Rewardsto the crew, etc., £4 5s.

MOTOR MECHANIC GIVES FIRST

Documents

THE LIFE-BOAT...A XEW book of instruction on firs aidt , First Aid fo Life-boatr Crews, which has been prepare by Dr Geoffred. y Hale, a membe orf th Committee of e Management, ha