THURSDAY, 7th October, 1886.

Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bart., M.P., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the pre- vious Meeting. Also read those of the Finance and Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee and ordered their recommenda- tions to be carried into effect.

Read the Report of the Chief Inspector of Life-boats on his recent visit to Swanage.

Also the Reports of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their visits to the following Stations:— Northern District — Newbiggin, Cresswell, Irvine, Port Logan, Port Patrick, Whithorn, Troon, Anstruther, Crail, St. Andrews, Broughty Ferry, Arbroath, and Buddon Ness.

Eastern District -Skegness, Margate, Kings- gate, Broadstairs, Sonthend (two Boats), Kings- downe, Walmer, and Deal.

Western District—Sennen Cove, Penzance, St. Ives, and Hayle.

Irish District—Howth, Poolbeg, Aranmore, Greencastle, Portrush, Groomsport, Ballywalter, Cloughey Bay, Tyrella, Newcastle, Giles Quay, and Blackrock.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions since the last meeting:— £ «. d.

Mrs. MURRAY MILLER, Cheltenham 20 - - Collected on the steam yacht Ceylon, during her recent cruize to the Baltic 10 10 - In Memoriam, M. A. SAYCE, per Miss FLORA SAYCE .... 10 - - —To be severally thanked.

Also that the following legacies had been bequeathed to the Institution:— £ s. d.

Thie late RICHARD WHEATLEY, Esq., of Hopton, Yorkshire (duty free) 100 - - The late Miss S. H. CATOB, of Bournemouth (duty free) . . 25 - - Reported the transmission to their stations of new Life-boats for Newquay (Cardiganshire), St. Ives (Cornwall), and Dornoch (Sutherland- shire).

Read letters from the Honorary Secretaries of the Aberdovey, Newquay, and Doruoch Branches expressing their satisfaction with the new Life- boats recently sent to those Stations.

Decided on the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of Life-boats to form a new Life-boat Station at Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, in lieu of the present station at Pembrey, which it has become necessary to discontinue owing to the constant increase of sand in the locality.

Also to appropriate the new Station to a legacy of 3,500Z. bequeathed to the Institution by the late Mrs. J. S. BARCLAY, of Edmonton, to provide and maintain a Life-boat station; the boat to be named the " David Barclay of Totten- ham." Voted the thanks of the Committee to Admiral WILMSHUBST, C.B., in recognition of his valuable co-operation during the period he occupied the office of Honorary Secretary of the Bembridge Branch of the Institution.

The Committee also specially recognized the good services of Mr. DAVID SULLIVAN on his resigning the post of coxswain of the Bally- cotton Life-boat after twenty-eight years' ser- vice. During that period he had assisted in the Life-boat to save thirty-eight lives.

Paid 4,6312. Is. 9d. for sundry charges on various Life-boat Establishments.

Voted 104Z. 9«. to pay the expenses of the Troon, Holyhead, Lowestoft, Peterhead, Lizard No. 2, and Cadgwith Life-boats in rendering the following services:— Lives saved.

Schooner Mistletoe, of Brixham. Remained by vessel.

Schooner Fairlie & Jane, of Beaumaris . 1 S. S. Erasmus Wilson, of London . . .11 Schooner Resolute, of Lossiemouth ... 5 S. S. Suffolk, of London 45 Voted also 110J. 10s. Gd. to pay the expenses of the Holyhead, Groomsport, Walton-on-the Naze, Huna, Braunton, Appledore No. 1, Margate and Caister No. 2 Life-boats in assembling their crews, or putting off in reply to signals of dis- tress shown by vessels which did not ultimately need the services of the boats.

The Ramsgate Life-boat was also called out on three occasions, but her services were not required.

Voted 3Z. to five men for putting off in a boat and at great risk saving the crew of three men from the schooner Mersey, of Arbroath, which was in distress off Golspie, Dornoch Firth, during a moderate gale from the 8.W. on the 9th September.

Also 21. to four men for putting off in a boat and rescuing a man from a fishing boat which was in danger near Bridges Reef, off co. Down, Ireland, during: a strong S. gale on the 9th September.

Also II. to two men for rescuing a man and a boy who were clinging to the mast of their fishing boat which had sunk off Enniscrone, co. Sligo, during a moderate breeze from the S. on the 22nd May.

THURSDAY, 4th November.

Colonel FITZROY CLAYTON, V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the previous Meeting. Also those of the Fi- nance and Correspondence and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered their recommendations to be carried into effect.

Read the Report of the Chief Inspector of Lifeboats on his recent visits to the Island of Lewis, Whitclink Bay, Fraserburgh, Pembrey, and Ferryside.

Also the Reports of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their visits to the following Stations :— Northern District—Nairn, Ackergill, Huna, Thurso, Boulmer, Alnmouth, Hauxloy, Bam- burgh Castle, North Sunderland, Buckie, Peter- head, Fraserburgh, and Whitelink Bay.

Eastern District—Dover, Hythe, and Chapel.

Western District—Weston-super-Mare, Burn- ham, Watehet, Padstow, Port Isaac, Bude, Clovelly, Ilfracombe, Morte Bay, Appledore (two Boats), and Braunton.

Irish District—Drogheda(two Boats), Skerries, Balbriggan, Douglas (two Boats), and Port Erin.

Reported the receipt of 500Z. from the Civil Service Life-boat Fund, per Mr. CHARLES DIBDIN, F.R.G.S., Honorary Secretary, to defray the cost of a Life-boat to be named the Civil Service No. 5. The total amount which has been contributed to the Institution by gentlemen in Her Majesty's Civil Service is 9.202J.

Decided that the best thanks of the Com- mittee be given to the contributors for their additional valued gift, and that it be appro- priated to the new Life-boat about to be sent to Maryport.

The Lord Mayor and Sheriff's of London having applied to the Institution for the loan of a Life-boat for exhibition in the Lord Mayor's Show on the 9th November, they undertaking to defray all expenses, it was resolved to lend them the Civil Service No. 5 Life-boat for that day.

Reported also the receipt of the following other special contributions since the last meet- ing:— £ s. d.

The VISCOUNTESS OSSINGTON . . 500 - - Collected on board the s.s. Aorangi, per W. E. PALMEB, Esq. (addi- tional) 13-6 GEORGE WEBSTER, Esq., further on account of his Life-boat fund . 12 10 - Fifty-four Scandinavian seamen, per Miss AGNES HEDENSTBOM, Leman Street Sailors' Home .... 3 3 - —To lie severally thanked. - Also that the late Miss CAKOLINE CABTY, of Wigmore Street, had left a legacy of 101., duty free, to the Institution.

The Committee expressed their regret at the death of Mr. JOHN POLLOCK, who had been the valued Honorary Secretary of the Ayr Branch of the Institution for sixteen years, and decided that their sympathy be conveyed to his family.

Voted the thanks of the Committee to Mr. GEORGE BRIDGES, Mr. J. L. RAE, and the Rev. W. MACMANUS, in recognition of their past valuable services as the Honorary Secretaries, respectively, of the Southampton, Eyemouth, and Bally waiter Branches of the Institution.

The Committee specially recognized the good services of Mr. GEORGE RICHARDSON on his resigning the post of coxswain of the Aln- mouth Life-boat, which he had held for seven- teen years.

Decided, on the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of Life-boats, to form a Life-boat Establishment at Stornoway, Scotland.

Also to replace the present Life-boats at the Scarborough, Staithes, and Whitby No. 2 Stations by new ones, possessing all the latest improvements.

Reported that a Gold Medal had been awarded to the Institution for the Life-boat it had sent to the Liverpool International Exhibition, and a diploma of honour, being, the highest award obtainable, for its display of models at the Edinburgh International Exhibition, Paid 4,337Z. 2s. 9d. for sundry charges on various Life-boat Establishments.

Voted 220J. 18s. 4d!. to pay the expenses of the Whitby No. 2, Whitburn, Ramsey, Porth- leven, Port Isaac, Berwick-on-Tweed, Clovelly, Cullercoats, Queenstown, Fishguard No. 1, Arklow, Courtown, Carmarthen Bay, Padstow, Hayle, and Seaton Carew Life-boats in rendering the following services:— Lives saved, Fishing cobles Lady Morris and Anne Elizabeth, of Whitby. Rendered assist- ance.

Schooner Theodor, of Riga G Schooner Vulcan, of Douglas. Rendered assistance.

Porthleven fishing-boats. Saved eight boats and their crews 16 S.S. Indus, of Dundee 25 Berwick fishing-boats. Remained afloat.

Steamer Valeria, of Cardiff .... 8 Cullercoats fishing cobles. Remained afloat.

Barque Howard A. Turner. Rendered assistance.

Schooner J. W. A., of Aberystwyth . . 4 Fishing-boat Safe Return, of Arklow.

Saved vessel and 2 Fishing-boat Mary Frances, of Arklow.

Saved vessel.

Fishing-boat Glance, of Arklow. Saved vessel and 2 Fishing-boat Green Flag, of Arklow.

Saved vessel and 2 Fishing-boat Jackdaw, of Arklow ... 8 Ship Teviotdale, of Glasgow .... 10 Barque Alliance, of Riisoer 7 Brig Albert Wilhelm, of Earth .... 5 Steam trawler Express, of Scarborough . 7 (Details of these services are furnished on pages 222-225.) Voted also 159Z. 3s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the Scarborough, Gorleston, Huna, Pembrey, Braunton, Donna Nook, Swansea, Littlehamp- ton, Padstow, Port Isaac, Cardigan, Porthcawl, St. Helier's, and Torquay Life-boats, in as- sembling their crews or putting off to the aid of vessels which did not ultimately require assistance.

Also 21. 10s. to five fishermen, for putting off in the gig Colombo and saving five of the crew of the s.s. Indus, of Dundee, the men having taken to their boats on their vessel foundering off Trevose Head, Cornwall, on the 14th October.

Also 1Z. 15s. to the master and crew of the smack Cockatrice, for saving the crew of two men of a boat which had capsized near Paignton Sands, Devonshire, during a strong E. breeze on the 25th October.

Also II. 10». to JAMES FRIEND (late sergeant in H.M. 44th Regiment, now keeper of two disused Martello towers at Bawdsey, who lost a foot and part of a leg in the Crimean War) for putting off in a boat, and, with much difficulty, rescuing a young man who had gone out in a row-boat, had broken one of his oars, and was in a dangerous position, being about six or seven miles froto the shore, near sandbanks, and night coming on, on the 20th September.

Also 11. 10$. to three men, for putting off in a boat and saving three men from a sailing-boat which had capsized off Worthing, during a strong S.E. breeze, on the 23rd October THURSDAY, 2nd December.

Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bart., M.P., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the pre- vious Meeting. Also read those of the Finance and Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered their recommen- dations to be carried into effect.

Read the reports of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their recent visits to the following Stations:— Northern District—Stonehaven, Banff, Los- sicmouth, Port Erroll, Newburgh, Montrose (three Boats), Gourdon, Kirkcudbright, and Whithom.

Southern District—Southsea, Selsey, Little- hampton, Worthing, Shoreham, Brighton, New- haven, Lydd, New Bomney, Eastbourne, Wey- mouth, Bjmmeridge, Swanage, and Poole.

Eastern District—Lowestoft, Pakefleld, Kes- singland (three Boats), Dunwich, Southwold (two Boats), Gorleston (two 'Boats), Harwich, Wai ton-on-the-Naze, Clacton-on-Sea, Aid- borough, Thorpeness, Palling (two boats), Cromer, Mundesley, and Hasborough.

Western District—Lynmouth, Carmarthen Bay, Pembrey, Penarth, Porthcawl, Swansea, Port Eynon, Milford Haven, Tenby, Little- haven, Fishguard (two Boats), and Newport, Pembrokeshire.

Irish District—Peel, Castletown, Ramsey, Southport, New Brighton (two Boats), Lytham, St. Anne's, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Piel, White- haven, Workington, and Maryport.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions since the last meeting:— £ «. d.

Trustees of the late Miss ELIZA SMITHIES, of Tollington Park, for the Tom and Ida Smithies Life- boat for Howth 650 - - A Lady, further on behalf of the endowment of the Whitburn Life- boat 100 - - "H.S." 50 - - INDEPENDENT OBDEB OF ODD FEL- LOWS' (Manchester Unity) annual subscription in aid of the support of their Life-boat 50 - - JOHN J. MOWBRAY, Esq., Dollar . 21 - - "A.M.M.C." 1G 16 - Contents of Contribution Box on board the s.s. Drier, of Glasgow, plying between Morecambe and Londonderry, per Capt. McLARTY 11 2 lu ROBERT BROWN, Esq., of Aracaju, Brazil, per Messrs. KIBKLAND, COPE, & Co 6 5 - —To be severally (hanked.

Also that the following legacy had been bequeathed to the Institution :— £ s. d.

The late Mrs. MARY KEDFERN, of Knutaford, to provide and main- tain a Life-boat, to be called the John and Sarah 1,800 - - Also the transmission to their Stations of the new Life-boats for Greystones, Howth, Lytham, Maryport, Seascale, and Whithorn.

Voted the special thanks of the Committee to the Bev. CHANCELLOR BRISCOE, D.D., in recog- nition of his long and valuable services, extend- ing over twenty-eight years, as the Chairman of the Holyhead Branch of the Institution.

Also to CHARLES H. BELOB, Esq., and ROBERT SINCLAIR, Esq., in acknowledgment of their lung and valuable cooperation as Honorary Secretaries of the Liverpool and New Brighton and Edinburgh Branches of the Institution.

Also to Mr. R. BRADSHAW, in recognition of his kjnd services during the period he occupied the office of Honorary Secretary of the Chapel Branch of the Institution.

Also to Captain WILLIAM COSENS, master of the steam-tug Victoria, of Weymouth, in acknowledgment of his valuable services in collecting contributions on board that vessel on behalf of the Weymouth Branch of the Institu- tion.

Decided to replace the present Life-boat .at Brighton by a new one, possessing all the latest improvements.

Paid 2,14:11. 9s. 5d. for sundry charges on various Life-boat Establishments.

Voted 1361.18s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the Margate, Lydd, Hartlepool No. 2, Thorpeness, Douglas No. 2, Clacton-on-Sea, Fleetwood, Porthdinllaen, Fishguard No. 2, and Gorlestou No. 1 Life-boats, in rendering the following services:— Lives saved.

Steamer Glengoil, of Leith. Bemained by vessel.

Barquentine Scotia, of Ayr. Ditto.

Schooner Peter Brown, of Montrose.

Rendered assistance.

Schooner Lady Ernestine, of Fowey . G Smack Alice, of Dinorwic .... 2 Schooner Ocean Bride, of Guernsey . 9 Sloop Pennington, of Liverpool . . 2 S.S. Llysfaen, of Liverpool. ... 3 Ship Troop, of Liverpool. Landed five men.

Brig European, of Sunderland. Lauded four men.

I The Kessingland No. 3 Life-boat assisted to I save the barge Phillis, of Harwich, and her crew of three men.

I (Particulars of these services will be found on pages 223-226.) j Voted also 3047. 15s. 6 /. to pay the expenses | of the Rye, Winchelsea, Aldborough, Deal, | Walmer, Kingsdowne, Harwich, Douglas No. 1, i Newport (Pembrokeshire), Berwick-on-Tweed, ! Fishguard No. 2, Cemaes, Cemlyn, Hornsea, j Poolbeg, Southwold No. 1, Hytne, Newquay I (Cardiganshire), Gorleston No. 1, Caister No. 2, Liltlehaven, and Gourdon Life-boats, in as- sembling their crews or putting off, in reply to signals of distress, on occasions when their help j was not ultimately needed.

' Voted 51. to the crew of the Eyemouth Lifo- | boat, for launching the boat with the view of assisting the wrecked s.s. Janet Duncan, of Dundee. The men found, however, that they were better able to render assistance from the shore, by means of heaving lines, &c., and thus helped to rescue three of the shipwrecked crew.

Also 31. to six men for saving the fishing- boat Silver Spray and her crew of three men, which was in danger of sinking in Llandudno Bay during a moderate S. gale, on the 3rd November.

Also 21. to four men, for putting off in two boats and rescuing five of seven persons from, a boat which had gone foul of a dredger's chains, and capsized and sunk off Pleetwood, on the 2nd August.

Also 21. to four men, for putting off in a boat, at considerable risk, and saving three men whose boat had been filled by a heavy sea while they were getting their fishing nets in; one of their oars broke, and the boat was helplessly drifting out to sea in Bhos Bay, Carnarvonshire, during a moderate S. gale on the 3rd November.

Also II. 10s. to two lads, for putting off in a boat and rescuing, at some risk, two of three boys whose boat had drifted out to sea and capsized off Holywood, co. Down, during rough weather on the 21st July.

Also 11. to two men who, while returning ashore from fishing, at 9.30 A.M. on the 3rd November, observed another boat capsized by a squall. They immediately proceeded to her assistance, and rescued the boat's crew, con- sisting of two men.

MONDAY, 20th December.

Special Meeting.

Sir EDWABD BIBKBECK, Bart., M.P., V.P., in the Chair.

It was resolved:— "That this Committee desires to take the earliest opportunity of placing on record its high appreciation of the past services of the crews of the Southport and St. Anne's Life- boats, and its deep and heartfelt sympathy with the widows and families of the brave and noble men who lost their lives in the gallant and heroic attempt to rescue the crew of the barque Mexico, on the night of the 9th December." Head the report of the District Inspectors of Life-boats, who visited those Stations to inquire into the circumstances attending the lamentable accidents to the Life-boats, as described on pages 213-215.

Voted 2,OOOZ. in aid of the fund being raised for the relief of the widows and families of the twenty-seven Life-boatmen who unhappily lost their lives.

Also 163Z. 14«. Sd. to pay the expenses of the launches of the two boats, the wives or other relatives receiving the payment due to the deceased Life-boatmen, and to defray the funeral and other expenses connected with the gad event.

Also 51. each to the two survivors of the Southport crew.

Also 53Z. 9s. to pay the expenses of the Ly tham Life-boat in rescuing the crew of the Mexico, and of the Lytham and Blackpool Life-boats in subsequently putting off in search of the South- port and St. Anne's Life-boats, extra payment being granted to the Life-boatmen in recognition of their highly laudable conduct.

Also 10Z. to Mr. ROBERT BICKERSTAFFE, cox- swain of the Blackpool Life-boat, in considera- tion of injuries he sustained through being washed out of the Life-boat, and 21. We. in payment of his medical and other expenses.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution, and a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, to Mr. THOMAS CLARKSON, coxswain of the Lytham Life-boat, in recognition of his gallant services on this and on previous occasions.

Resolved that new and improved water- ballast Life-boats be sent to Southport and St.

Anne's, in the place of the existing boats : also that a large sailing self-righting boat, 40 feet long and 10 feet wide, fitted with a sliding keel, be stationed at Southport as a second Life-boat, to be kept moored afloat at the end of the pier.

The Committee expressed their great satis- faction at the result of the Board of Trade inquiry, held locally, into the circumstances attending these casualties (vide page 213).