LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Rewards Voted By the Royal National Life-Boat Institution, From the 1st April to the 31st December, 1855

February 25.—The ship Simoon, of Liverpool, during foggy weather, struck on a sunken rock in St. Bride's Bay. Six men went off to her assistance in a shore boat, and after some difficulty, from the thickness of the fog, they succeeded in making out the ship. She had been abandoned by her crew; but who, on hearing a gun fired from the shore, and probably observing the boat making towards them, returned to their ship, which they regained at the same time as the shore boat. The weather having cleared up, the vessel got off, and proceeded in charge of a pilot to Liverpool.—Reward, 61. to the 6 men.

March 15.—The schooner Young Hunter, of Stranraer, ran ashore on the bar at White-horn, North Britain, in a strong S.S.E.

gale. Her crew of 5 men were rescued by a boat manned by 5 persons, at considerable risk, through a heavy surf.—Reward, 51.

March 16.—The schooner Elizabeth was driven on shore, in Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire, during a heavy snow-squall, and the crew, 7 in number, were saved at 5'30 A.M.

by 2 cobles, manned by 9 men.—Reward, 9Z.

March 20.—The brig Thomas and Adah was wrecked on the north end of the Goodwin Sands. The Broadslairs life-boat attempted to go off to rescue her crew, but failed; when the men who had manned the life-boat, 11 in number, transferred themselves to the lugger Fame, in which they succeeded, at 3 A.M. of the 21st, at much risk to themselves, in taking 5 of her crew from her rigging in a deplorable state from cold and exposure, from the effects of which one man had already died.—Reward 221.

March. 21. —The brig Good Hope, of Waterford, ran ashore and was wrecked on Helwick Head, in an E.S.E. gale. A boat, manned by 11 fishermen, and SAMUEL PILL, chief boatman of the coastguard, proceeded, at much risk, through a heavy sea to the aid of her crew, consisting of 5 persons, whom they landed in safety.—Reward, 141.

March 26.—A boat was upset amongst the Calf Islands, County Cork. A boat manned by 5 men was launched from the shore, and reached the spot in time to save the life of one man, who had held on to the keel: one man and one woman were unfortunately drowned before their arrival.—Reward, 21. 10s.

April 14.—The American ship Joseph Van Votsom was wrecked on the Hen and Chickens rocks, Lundy Island, at the entrance of the Bristol Channel. The crew and passengers, 62 in number, had taken to the ship's boats, in which, from the dangerous position they were in, and their crowded state, they would probably all have been lost had they not been discovered at daylight by a small pilot skiff, which with difficulty got them all on board, and conveyed them to Cardiff. Great skill and promptitude were exhibited by the pilot in charge, Mr. BUCK, in stowing away and conveying into port in safety so large a number of persons in a skiff only 30 feet long.—Reward, 21. to Mr. BUCK, and SI. to his crew of 2 men and a boy.

April 16.—A coble was upset off the Black Rocks, near Ballantire, County Donegal, whilst engaged in salmon-fishing.

A boat, manned by 4 men, was quickly launched through a heavy surf, and succeeded in saving 3 men; 2 others were drowned.—Reward, 61. to the crew of 4 men.

April 26.—A boat, with 6 persons aboard, was upset by a heavy sea, on Bantham bar, Devon. They were rescued by two fishermen who were near the spot, and rowed instantly to their aid.—Reward, 11.

April 30.—A ferry-boat with 14 persons and some cattle on board was upset at Aust, entrance of the Severn. Six men were rescued on two trips, by JOHN JONES, who proceeded to their assistance in a small punt. Seven persons were drowned before aid could be given them.—Reward, 21.

May 1.— A boat, deeply laden with seaweed, with a crew of 5 men in her, sank near Innisfree Island. It was blowing fresh at the time, with a spring tide. The cries of the men for help having been heard, two boats, manned by 8 men, put off to their assistance, and succeeded in bringing them on shore.—Reward, 21.

May 10.—The schooner Brothers, of Whitby, lying near the beach to discharge her cargo, was driven on shore and totallywrecked, near Dungeness, in a strong gale from S.W. Her crew of 5 persons, and 4 | beachmen employed on board her, were rescued through a heavy surf by means of a hawser, life-buoy, and life-lines, by JOHN SCOKE, chief boatman of coastguard, and 6 others, at risk to themselves.—-Reward, 31 10*.

May 27.—The flat John, of Freckleton, drifted from her anchor at the mouth of the Ribble, and was driven on shore on the Horse-bank. The Lytham life-boat, manned by 11 men, proceeded to the assistance of the crew, who, however, remained by their vessel, which they succeeded in getting off on the following tide, when the weather had mederated.—Reward, BL 10s.

Ma}' 29.—A boat laden with seaweed, and with a crew of 2 men and 2 girls, was upset by shipping a sea near Crone Island, County Donegal. One girl was drowned.

The 3 others, after holding on to the boat's keel for an hour, were taken off in an exhausted state by 4 men in another boat, who had seen the accident; and, after throwing over half their own cargo of seaweed, rowed with difficulty to the spot.— Reward, 21 June 9.—A boai was upset when run- | ning under sail for Moelfre Harbour, Anglesey. The accident having been seen from Moelfre, her crew of 4 men were rescued by a boat, manned by 6 fishermen, who proceeded to their aid.—Reward, II. 12s. 6d.

June 17.—A small boat was observed passing the entrance of the Tweed, and running into a dangerous position, where her loss would have been certain. Dr. F, S. CAHILL, of Berwick, persuaded the master of a small steam-tug to go to her rescue, in which he went himself, with 2 other volunteers, in addition to the master, and 2 men forming the crew of the ferry-boat.

The boat was reached just in time to save her and her crew, consisting of one seaman [ and his wife, from destruction. A heavy ' sea was on the bar at the time, and the steamer was thrown on her broadside when running over it on her return. The master and crew of the steamer, and the 2 volunteers who accompanied Dr. CAHILL, received bl. each from a subscription raised on the spot to reward them.—Reward, silver medal to Dr. CAHILL.

June 28.—A small boat, under sail, with 2 men on board, was upset in a squall near St. Alban's Head. The accident was observed by a coastguard man from the shore, who promptly, with the assistance of 2 others, launched a punt, and rescued the 2 men, who retained hold of the boat, neither of them being able to swim.—Reward, I I . 10s.

July 5.—The master of a smack was knocked overboard by her boom, and partly disabled; his cries for assistance having been heard from the shore, 2 men, in a small canvas boat, or curragh, put off to his aid, and succeeded, at considerable risk to themselves, in rescuing him by getting him into their boat.—Reward, 21.

July 5.—Awarded the silver medal of the Institution to Commander KISBEE, R.N., in testimony of his repeated services, at different periods, in rescuing shipwrecked persons on the Norfolk coast.

August 1.—The long-boat of the barque Venus, of Malta, with 7 men on board, was upset by a sea in Cork Bay, when returning to that vessel from Queenstown. Tliey were with difficulty picked up, in an exhausted state, by a coastguard boat, manned by chief boatman JOHN STABKE, and 4 boatmen. A strong gale and heavy sea was running at the time which prevented them from returning to the shore till the next morning,—Reward, 31. to JOHN STAEKE, and 81. to the other 4 men.

August 6.—Four men, employed on the salmon-fishery, at a point about one mile north of Whitburn, Durham, were upset in their boat by a cross sea, as they were returning from floating their nets; One of them tried to cling to the boat, and was drowned. Of the other men, WrujAM RAE alone could swim, and by his exeitions he got his two comrades to a sunken rock, from which the sea washed them off. He then al- lowed them to cling to his dress, and thus swam with them some distance. One of the men, however, fell off exhausted, but ths other, RAE succeeded in bringing to a safe footing in shallow water, where a lady, named ELEANOR GALBRAITH, rushed, at considerable risk, over some rugged and slippery rocks, to their aid. With EAE'S assistance the man was brought on shore, nearly dead from exhaustion. — Reward, Silver Medal to Mrs. GALBRAITH and to WILLIAM RAE.

August 17.—The sloop Ann and Susan was seen to strike on the rocks on the north-east end of the Skerries, Anglesey.

The Cemlyn life-boat, manned by 5 men, four miles distant, immediately proceeded to her assistance, but the crew of the sloop had succeeded in landing on the Skerries in their own boat.—Reward, 21. 10s.

August 24.—The American ship John Bright, was seen to strike on the Mizen Head Banks, County Wicklow, Ireland. A fishing smack, manned by 18 men, proceeded immediately to her assistance, and saved 2 men, who had been upset in a boat alongside the ship in a heavy sea. The ship succeeded in getting off.—Reward, 9/.

August 25.—The pleasure-boat Sarah was upset about two miles from the Ardglass coastguard station, County Down, Ireland. A coastguard boat, manned by the chief boatman of Ardglass station and 3 men, immediately proceeded to her aid, and saved her crew of 2 men.—Reward, 21.

August 28.—The barque Eegulus struck on the Skerries rocks, Anglesey. The Rev. OWEN L. WILLIAMS proceeded in the Cemlyn life-boat, four miles distant, to her aid, but found that the crew had already landed. There was a fresh breeze and a heavy sea running, and the life-boat was unable to return until the following day.— Reward, the thanks of the Committee to the Rev. O. L. WILLIAMS, and 51. to the 5 men.

September 16.—A pilot galley was upset in a squall near Broadstairs, Kent.

A coastguardman, seeing the accident from the shore, called up 3 of his comrades, and they proceeded in their boat to the assistance of her crew, 3 of whom they succeeded in saving; one man having shortly before been, washed off the boat and drowneiL r-RflT ward, 21.

September 19, 1854.—A boat filled, antf sank during a strong gale of wind and, % heavy sea, near Knock, Limerick. Three, sub-constables observing the catastrophe,, succeeded with much difficulty in obtaining a boat, and in persuading 2 out of 50 men to accompany them to attempt to save the crew.

They succeeded, after much exertion and risk of life, in reaching the sunken boat, and in taking 2 men from her mast-head.—Reward, the silver medal and 21. to each of the three constables, THOMAS TERRETT, PATRICK HEAVEY, and MICHAEL NICHOLSON, and 61. to the two fishermen.

October 2.—The schooner Thor of Leith, was through the drunken state of the master and mate totaliy lost near Lossiemoutb ; having drifted from her anchors she got amongst the breakers, and filled. The master and a boy were the only persons on board, the mate and rest of the crew being on shore. A boat, manned by 5 men, put off to the wreck, but the master declined her services. As the night advanced the tempest increased, and as no boat could HOW approach the wreck, WILLIAM GRUER, coastguard boatman, swam to the vessel with a life-buoy to their rescue. He found that the master had locked himself in his cabin. GRUER instantly broke the door open, and brought him by force on shore.

He 'afterwards assisted in saving the boy.— Reward, silver medal to GRUER. The boat's crew received 51. from the owners.

October 14.-—A boat belonging to the Austrian brig Pridetto, with 4 men on board, was upset in Ringroad, in the Severn, by getting athwart a vessel's cable. A yawl from PiW, manned by 3 men, cruizing near the spot, proceeded to the aid of her crew,, all of whom they succeeded in saving. One of the Austrians was saved by CHARLES CASE, one of the yawl's crew, who jumped overboard, and kept him up until the yawl could be got near enough to take them in.— Reward, 21 to CHARLES CASE, and 10s.

each to the other 2 men; October 15. — The sloop Hopewell, of Aberdovey, was driven on shore on; the Swash Point at the entrance of the Severn, where she sank, and her crew, 3 in number, were rescued from her rigging by a Gloucester boat, manned by 12 men, which was cruizing at the time in Ringroad.—Reward, II.

October 16.—A fishing-boat, manned by 6 men, was upset by a heavy sea, when running for the shore near Culdaff, County Donegal. A boat put off from the shore to their assistance, and succeeded in saving 2 men, 4 of the crew having been washed off the boat and drowned before their arrival on the spot.—Reward, 61. to the crew of 6 men, and II. to the owner of the boat.

October 26.—The brig Ann Catherine, of Sunderland, drove on shore on the Green Grounds, near Swansea, in a S.W. gale.

Her crew of 9 men were rescued by the Beaufort steam-tug. — Reward, thanks of the Committee, inscribed on vellum, and l.

to Capt. ROSSEE, master of the Beaufort, and 21. to his crew of 4 men.

October 26.—The barque Enchantress, of Whitehaven, ran on shore in a S.W. gale and thick weather near Dungeness lighthouse.

The vessel broke up in about an hour after she struck. Every possible exertion was made to save the lives of the crew, but all perished with the exception of the mate, who was saved by the intrepidity of HENRY JORDAN, a coastguard extra boatman, who, rushing into the surf at great risk, caught hold of him.—Reward, 21. to HENRY JORDAN.

October 29.—The Dutch schooner Jantje Meier went' on shore on the Long Sand Head, at the entrance of the Thames. The Margate lugger Eclipse took the crew of 7 persons from the schooner's long-boat, and conveyed them to Margate.—Reward, 91. to the master and 8 men of the Eclipse.

October 30.—The brig Hebe, of Wisbeach, ran on shore, in a sinking state, near Filey, on the Yorkshire coast. It was blowing a heavy gale from the N.E. at the time, with rain and a heavy sea running.

The life-boat belonging to the Filey branch of the National Life-boat Institution was immediately launched and taken to the rescue of her crew, six in number, whom they succeeded in taking safely on board, and landing within a short time afterwards.

—Reward, 11. by owner of vessel.

November 1.—The brig Hartlepool, of Shields, was observed in a sinking state off Bridlington. A smack, manned by 5 men, proceeded to her assistance, and at risk to themselves they succeeded in taking off the crew of 9 persons and the master's wife, whom they conveyed to Hull.—Reward, 10?.

November 2.—The brig Louisa, of Newhaven, was driven on shore in a heavy gale from E.S.E., and wrecked on the Holm Sands, Suffolk. The Lowestoft .life-boat, manned by 19 men, and with Capt. JOACHIM, R.N., on board, proceeded to her, and rescued the crew of 9 men.—Reward, the thanks of the Committee to Capt. JOACHIM, R.N., aud 151 10s. to the life-boat's crew.

November 3.—The Swedish brig Vesta was driven on shore at Orfordness, Suffolk, in a heavy gale from E.S.E. 7 out of 9 of her crew were saved by the very gallant conduct of some persons who rushed through the surf to their aid with lines round' their bodies. Two of the brig's crew were drowned. A boatman of Aldborough, named THOMAS CABLE, who had on several similar occasions distinguished himself by his courage, was unfortunately drowned when attempting to rescue the supercargo of the brig.—Reward, a grant of 20?. to the widow and orphans of THOMAS CABLE; the thanks of the Committee, inscribed on vellum, to NEWSON GARRETT, Esq. ; and '61. 10s. to 7 others for their assistance on the occasion.

November 3.—The ketch Albion, in a heavy gale from E.S.E., was driven on shore and wrecked near the low lighthouse at Orfordness. The crew, 4 in number, were saved by Mr. CARPENTER and Mr.

WETHERAIA, the lighthouse-keepers, who rushed into the surf, at personal risk, with small lines to their rescue.—Reward, the thanks of the Committee, inscribed on vellum, and 10s. to each of the lighthousekeepers.

November 3.—The sloop Charlotte and Mary was driven on shore and wrecked at Thorpeness, near Aldborough, Suffolk. A fishing-boat, manned by 5 men, proceeded to her aid, and succeeded, at great risk, in rescuing 1 boy. Two seamen, 1 woman, and 3 children were drowned. — Reward, III. 5s.

November 3. — Twenty vessels, brigs, schooners, and sloops, were driven on shore in Hollesley Bay, Suffolk, in a heavy gale from E.S.E. Their crews, amounting to 132 persons, were, with the exception of 1 man, who was drowned, got safety on shore through a heavy surf: some were rescued by | lines from the beach, others by a boat manned by pilots and coastguardmen. — Reward, 81. 10s. to 14 of the peasantry who ren- I dered important aid; and the thanks of the | Committee, on vellum, to JOSHUA RODWELL, Esq., and to J. WILLIAMS, Esq., R.N., chief officer of coastguard, and to Mr. JOHN BUNNGARD, chief boatman in charge of coastguard. The pilots and coastguardmen who assisted were rewarded by salvage paid on various vessels assisted by them.

November 3.—It blowing a heavy gale of wind from the E.S.E., the barque Corregio, of Poole, was driven on shore off the town of Aldborough. The life-boat belonging to Aldborough branch of this Institution was immediately launched, and proceeded to her assistance, taking on board her crew of 9 persons, and landing them in safety.—Reward, 121. 13s.

November 7.—The sloop Union, of Portsmouth, was driven on shore and wrecked on the Holm Sand, Suffolk. The crew of 5 men were rescued by the yawl Happy New Year, manned by 16 men, which proceeded to her assistance and took them off, at great risk to themselves in a heavy sea.—Reward, 321..