LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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The Late George Lyall, Esq.

IT is again our painful duty to record the death of another old and tried friend, and Member of the Committee of Management, of the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, in the person of the late GEORGE LYALL, Esq., ex-M.P. for the City of London. Mr. LYALL, in conjunction with his late esteemed friend Mr. THOMAS WILSON, took an active part in the formation of the Institution in 1824 ; for we find that, at a Public Meeting held for that purpose at the City of London Tavern, on the 4th March of that year—His Grace, the then Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. MANNERS BUTTON) in the chair— Mr. LYALL moved the following Resolution, which was seconded by Mr. THOMAS WILSON, the then M.P. for London— " That the best thanks of this Meeting are due to Sir WILLIAM HILLARY, Bart., for his patriotic efforts in bringing this subject before the public, and for his zealous endeavours to promote the establishment of this Institution." Mr. LYALL, from that period to the time of his death, continued to be a liberal supporter of the Shipwreck Institution, which could always calculate on his kind advocacy in recruiting its resources.

Latterly, however, the infirmities of age and declining health had confined him almost entirely to private life, which unavoidably prevented his taking part in the proceedings of the last Annual Meeting of the Royal National Shipwreck Institution.

He had long occupied a distinguished position in the mercantile world, and was well known as a public man.

Mr. LYALL'S father was an extensive merchant and shipowner in London, and on his death, in 1805, was succeeded in the same career by his eldest son, the subject of our present brief notice. He directed his attention principally to the shipping interests, and was elected Chairman of the Shipowners' Society in the year 1820, an office which he held for several years, and which brought him constantly into communication with the celebrated statesman, Mr. HUSKISSON, the then President of the Board of Trade, and more especially on the subject of the reciprocity treaties, which were at that time negotiated with the Northern States of Europe. In his judgment and mercantile knowledge Mr. HUSKISSON deservedly reposed great confidence.

Mr. LYALL assisted in the establishment of the Guardian Life Assurance Company.

He was also one of the founders of the Indemnity Mutual Marine Assurance Company, of which he held the office of chairman during a period of 28 years. This latter company, on his representations, has contributed on two occasions to the funds of the Shipwreck Institution two hundred guineas. He likewise originated the scheme for building Shoreham .Harbour, and was mainly instrumental in bringing that enterprise to a successful issue, which has proved very beneficial to the shipping interests of that place.

In 1830 Mr. LYALL was a candidate for the Direction of the East India Company, when he was elected by a considerable majority over three other competitors. In 1841 he held the distinguished office of Chairman to the Company, and subsequently for many years was a Director of it.

In 1832, Mr. LYALL was the Conservative candidate for the City of London at the first election after the passing of the Reform Bill, on which occasion he was defeated.

On the death of Alderman WAITHMAN, in 1833, he again came forward, and was opposed by Alderman VENABLES, but succeeded in being returned by a large majority.

While in Parliament Mr. LYALL brought forward and carried the Merchant Seamen's Bill, which proved, at that time, a great boon to the class whose cause he advocated.

The Government of the day, at the head of which was Earl GREY, at first opposed, but afterwards assented to the measure, and Mr. LYALL had the gratification of seeing his meritorious exertions crowned with success.

In the year 1841, at the general election, he was again returned to Parliament, as Member for London.

Mr. LYALL died on the 2nd Sept. last, at the advanced age of seventy-four years.

His unobtrusive habits and diffidence in himself might have appeared almost to unfit him for public life, and the important posts he filled. But his judgment was singularly clear arid sound, and no man had a nicer sense of honour, or was more uniformly actuated by high principle. These qualities, combined with great suavity of manner and gentleness of disposition, attracted unusual confidence; and few men have been more generally respected in the sphere of their influence, or more beloved by those who had the happiness of his friendship.

Thus within the space of one short twelvemonth the Shipwreck Institution has been deprived, in the persons of the late Mr. THOMAS WILSON, Mr. GEORGE PALMER, and Mr. GEORGE LYALL, of three of its oldest and most liberal supporters.