At the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, held at Willis's Booms, King Street, St. James's, on Saturday, 26th day of March, 1887, The Right Honourable Lord GEORGE HAMILTON, M.P., First Lord of the Admiralty, in the Chair, the following Report of the Committee was read by the Secretary:— ANNUAL REPORT.

1887.

THE operations of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION were actively carried on daring the past year—a year which caused more than usual anxiety to the Committee; for while on the one hand the general depression in trade and agriculture naturally affected the receipts of the Institution, on the other hand, in consequence of the storms of extraordinary severity during the latter part of the year, which spread desolation round our shores, the resources of the Society were at times unusually strained; but, not- withstanding, the results which were ob- tained in the saving of life more than compensated for all the care, trouble and expense which were bestowed on the work, and cannot but call forth expressions of thankfulness from all friends to the Life- boat cause.

Life-boats.—In the year 1886 as many as twenty new Life-boats were placed on the coast; all of these were furnished with the latest improvements, including water ballast tanks, and were, previously to being passed as ready for service, sub- jected to the established test in order to prove their stability and the efficiency of their self-righting property. Most of these boats were supplied with transport- ing carriages, and reports of the most gratifying description have been received from many of the Stations where they were placed, indicating that the Local Committees, coxswains and crews entirely concur with the Committee in considering them in important particulars superior to the Boats they superseded, the opinion having been formed in many instances on experience which had been obtained in them whilst performing excellent and gallant services in heavy seas.

The Committee are most anxious to adapt the boats to local requirements, and to meet as far as possible the wishes of the crews both as regards the design of the boats and as to their equipment. They fully recognize the fact that self-righting boats are not popular on some parts of the coast, and the desire of the Committee is, as it has always been, to provide boats in which the crews, who so gallantly risk their lives, have the most perfect con- fidence. It will be remembered that the prize of 600Z. and a Gold Medal offered by the International Fisheries Exhibition of London in 1883 for the best Coast Life- boat, was awarded to the Institution.

In addition to the many new Life- boats which were built and placed during the year, those at several stations were repaired and improved, while comparative trials between new and old Boats were satisfactorily carried out at Bude, Dro- gheda, and Seascale.

In the year four new Stations were formed, each of which was provided with a Life-boat as follows:— ENGLAND.

Hampshire.

Cumberland.

Southsea Workington .

SCOTLAND.

Dornoch Firth and Bmbo Sutherland.

IRELAND.

Fethard Co. Wexford.

During the year new Life-boats were also despatched to:— ENGLAND AND WALES.

Aberdovey .

Blyth, No. 1 Bude . .

Ilfraoombe .

Lytham .

Maryport .

Newquay .

Porthoustock Portrmadoc .

St. Ives . .

Sheringham Southport .

Merionethshire.

Northumberland.

Cornwall.

Devonshire.

Lancashire.

Cumberland.

Cardiganshire.

Cornwall.

Carnarvonshire.

Cornwall.

Norfolk.

Lancashire.

SCOTLAND.

Troon Ayrshire.

Whithorn .... Wigtownshire.

Greystone Howth .

IRELAND.

Co. Wicklow.

 Dublin.

It is satisfactory to know that the Institution was in great measure placed in a position to meet the heavy expense entailed by the construction of these Boats by legacies or gifts bequeathed or made for the special purpose.

Within the same period the Duncannon (Wexftra) Station was abolished, and one of the Pakefield Boats was transferred to Lowestoft.

New Stations are also being established at:— ENGLAND.

Burry Port .... Carmarthenshire.

Southport .... Lancashire.

SCOTLAND.

Stornoway .... Island of Lewes.

Boats of the newest type will also be sent with as little delay as possible to:— ENGLAND AND WALES.

Brighton St. Anne's Scarborough Staithes .

Whitby .

Sussex.

. . Lancashire.

. Yorkshire.

. . Do.

Do.

IRELAND.

Dungarvan Portrush Wicklow Co. Waterford.

,, Antrim.

„ Wicklow.

At the end of the year the Institution's fleet comprised 293 Life-boats.

Shipwrecks.—Gales of remarkable force, notably during the months of October and December, devastated the coast in the past year, and brought into bold relief the value of the Life-boat service.

The Life-boats were launched on service, as a rule in reply to signals of distress, on as many as 286 occasions, being 96 times oftener than in the preceding year; and also about 800 times for exercise and inspection. It is with the deepest regret that the Committee have to record that of the many gallant launches made by their brave crews, three were attended by fatal consequences.

On the 7th of January the Whitehaven Life-boat when at anchor in a heavy sea on a night service, was thrown on her beam ends, and, although she righted immediately, one of the crew was un- fortunately swept away in the darkness by the strong tide then running, and drowned. A local subscription was at once raised on behalf of the poor man's widow and three young orphans, which the Institution headed with a contribu- tion of 200Z The two other accidents, which were far more terrible in their results, occurred on the 9th and 10th of December at Southport and St. Anne's, in Lancashire.

The Life-boats of both these places having been launched in response to signals of distress from the same vessel, in a gale of extraordinary force, were both capsized, and twenty-seven of the twenty-nine brave fellows who manned them perished. The crew of the wrecked vessel were rescued by the coxswain and crew of the Lytham Life-boat, who were able to land them safely after five hours' exposure and battling with tremendous seas. A few hours later they again gallantly launched their boat, and went in search of the missing St. Anne's Life-boat. An in- quiry into the cause of the accidents was immediately held by the BOARD OF TRADE in conjunction with the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, the re- port of which has since been published.

This catastrophe, which excited the sym- pathy of the whole country, was the worst that has ever befallen our Life-boat ser- vice. A public subscription was opened for the relief of the sixteen widows and fifty orphans of the gallant men who had so heroically sacrificed their lives in en- deavouring to save others. The Com- mittee, always considering it to be the duty of the Institution to afford prompt and efficient help in cases where life has been lost in the service, at once sub- scribed 2,000?., and funds, including a liberal donation from HBB MAJESTY THE QUEEN, ever ready to sympathise with the sorrows of her subjects, flowed in from all parts of the country and even from the Continent, to the amount altogether of about 30.000Z., the EMPEROR OF GERMANY having contributed very generously.

In consequence of the lamentable oc- currences at Southport and St. Anne's, a special Sub-Committee was appointed early in January last to inquire into the self-righting properties of the boats of the Institution. Although their labours are not concluded, the Sub-Committee have made an ad interim report with many important recommendations, which it is hoped will prove of great and lasting benefit to the Institution.

The Committee have resolved to offer a gold and a silver medal for drawings or models of a mechanically propelled Life-boat best adapted to meet the con- ditions under which Life-boats are called upon to perform their work. Also a gold and a silver medal for models or drawings of a propelling power suitable for the self-righting boats of the Insti- tution.

If, as they trust may prove the case, Life-boats propelled by steam or other motive power are the outcome of this offer, they would be of the utmost im- portance to some of the Stations of the Institution; but it is needless to point out that such a new departure would necessitate a great outlay, for which the Committee are sure they will receive every assistance should the need arise.

The services of the Life-boats during each month of the year were as follows:— 1886. Number of Life- boat Launches. Lives Saved by Life- boats. Vessels Saved by Life- boats. Lives Saved by Shore- boats. January 31 32 2 17 February 12 27 1 27 March. 29 44 4 9 April . 20 39 2 4 Hay . 20 26 3 17 June . 8 18 July . 2 3 1 7 August 7 1 23 September 16 62 3 October . 30 102 12 6 November 34 35 2 11 December 77 231 5 18 Total . . 286 601 33 160 The cordial thanks of the Committee are due to the coxswains and crews of the Life-boats, and to the officers and men of the Coastguard, who are at all times ready to co-operate heartily in efforts to save life; also to the Volunteer Rocket Brigades, which rendered important as- sistance on the same merciful errand.

Since the Institution was founded in 1824, it has granted rewards for the saving of 32,671 lives, as follows:— In the No. of Lives Year Saved. In the No. of Lives Year Saved. Clasps, 94 Binocular Glasses, 15 Tele- 1824 124 1857 374 scopes, and 93,5002. in money. 1825 218 1858 427 1826 175 1859 499 Safety Fishing-boat. — In consequence of 1827 163 1828 301 1860 455 1861 424 the strong representations which had 1829 463 1862 574 been made to the Institution the Com- 1830 372 1863 714 mittee decided to build a Safety Fishing- 1881 287 1832 310 1864 698 1865 714 boat of twenty tons burden, for use on 1833 449 1866 921 the West Coast of Ireland, the object being 1834 214 1835 3f4 1867 1,086 1868 862 to induce the fishermen of those parts to 1836 225 1869 1,231 adopt boats of this special character and so 1837 272 1870 784 diminish the loss of life which annually 1838 456 1871 882 results from the use of undecked boats. 1839 279 1872 739 1840 353 1873 668 The new boat is now ready for service. 1841 128 1874 713 The -course which the Institution 1842 276 1875 921 1843 236 1876 600 adopted in this instance was a continua- 1844 193 1877 1,048 tion of the policy it inaugurated in 1865, 1845 235 1846 184 1878 616 1879. 855 when several Safety Fishing-boats de- 1847 157 1880 697 signed by the Institution were sent to 1848 123 1881 1,121 Scotland, with the highly satisfactory re- 1849 2()9 1850 470 1882 884 1883 955 sult that the type of boat then introduced I8o1 230 1884 792 is at the present time largely employed on 1852 773 1885 555 the East coast by the Scotch fishermen, 1853 678 1886 761 1854 355 and the annual loss of life has been, as 1855 406 Total 32,671 the natural consequence, very considerably 1856 473 reduced. No stronger appeal for the support of Aneroid Barometers. — The demand for the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- TION could well be put before the public than the publication of such a splendid record as this, which points to work al- Aneroids during the past year was, as might have been expected, not quite so great as in previous years, but at the same time the sale of these valuable in- ready done as a guarantee for the future. struments was considerable, 122 having Rewards. — In 1886 the rewards granted been purchased by fishermen, and 58 by by the Committee for the saving of life coasters, making tip the total number from shipwreck, or for endeavouring to do so, and in recognition of services disposed of by the Institution since June, 1882, to 2,418. connected with the Life-boat cause, com- Local Committees. — During the year the prised 13 Silver Medals, one Second Service Committee continued to receive invalu- Clasp, 32 Binocular Glasses, 35 Votes able assistance from the Local Committees, of thanks inscribed on vellum, and their Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers. 6,6302. 4s. lid. in cash, including grants Too much cannot be said of the important to the widows and orphans of Life-boat help given by these officers, whose ser- men drowned on duty. All the cases vices it would be impossible to overrate. were, as usual, thoroughly investigated by the Committee, who were assisted in their The Committee have also gratefully to inquiries by the local Honorary Secretaries, acknowledge the important aid rendered Officers of the Coastguard and Customs, the Institution by the Press of the and others in responsible positions. country, which uniformly gives publicity The Institution has granted in rewards to matters of interest relating to the since its establishment in 1824, 97 Gold Life-boat service, and frequently appeals Medals, 987 Silver Medals or Silver on its behalf for funds to carry on its work. They also take this opportunity of tendering their acknowledgments to the many Inventors and others who during the past year were good enough to bring £. «. d.

BURGES, Mr. ALFRED, executors of the late, of Blackheath ... 100 - - Ceylon, steam yacht, collected during her cruizes to the Baltic, Norway &c .... 19 5 9 which they thought might be utilized for the purposes of the Institution. All the suggestions made were most carefully considered, and those which were thought suitable adopted.

Finances. — The subscriptions, donations, dividends, etc., for the year amounted to 43,044Z. 13s. 4d., including 9,1162. 9s. 9d.

received in special gifts for the following Life-boat Establishments : — „ , "Co VENT GARDEN" Life -boat Fund (additional) .... 74 9 - DRAPERS, WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OP (annual subscription) . . 52 10 - HEWITT, the Misses, Lytham (an- nual donation) 100 - - LEGH, Colonel CORNWALL, Christ- mas offerings in Private Chapel 14 14 3 MAXWELL, Master PATRICK S. E., Trebovir Eoad, South Kensing- ton, to provide the sliding keel for the Weston-super-Mare Life- boat .... 25 - - Ayr — T. K. HARDIE, Esq. . . 700 - - Barmouth — Mrs. FRANCIS G. SMART 227 - - Clficton-on-Sea — Trustees of the late Miss A. M. BEDFORD . . 998 15 - NORE YACHT CLUB .... 24 15 8 NUTTALL, THOMAS, Esq., South- port (additional) .... 300 - - Orient, s.s., collected by Capt. Douglas — Employees of the Post Office . 140 14 9 OSSINGTON, the VISCOUNTESS . . 500 - - PRESTON, K. A. B., Esq., Annual Greystones — Mrs. E. F. BBOWNE Subscription in aid cf Cornish Life-boats 50 - - Howth — Trustees of the late Miss ELIZA SMITHIES 650 - - ST. PAUL'S, CLERKENWELL, Chil- dren of, per the Eev. STYLEMAN Co-operative Board .... 650 - - Isle of Whithorn — Late Captain HENRY LEIGHTON, per Miss AGNES LEIGHTON .... 700 - - Maryport — Civil Service Fund . 500 - - Newquay, Cardiganshire — Mr and Mrs. FRANCIS G. SMART . . 700 - - Porthoustoek — "A. F. H." . . 1,000 -' - SCANDINAVIAN SEAMEN, fifty-four, per Miss AGNES HEDENSTROM, Leman Street Sailors' Home . 33- SOCIETY for the Discharge and Belief of Persons imprisoned for Small Debts (additional) . 75 - - "STANLEY" Fund, for Life-boat purposes at Tynemouth, per St. Anne's— C. M. ROYDS, Esq. . 700 - - JOSEPH SPENCE, Esq., J.P., Chairman 200 - - Miss A. M. BEDFORD . . . 500 - - Southport No. 1 — Anonymous . 650 — - Whitburn— A Lady (additional) . 100" - - The Committee were also afforded the pleasure of acknowledging the following special contributions during the past Jear:- £ s. d. TRINITY HOUSE, Elder Brethren of the (additional) .... 52 10 - WALLACE, Sir RICHARD, Bart., K.C.B. (annual subscription) . 25 - - WEST LONDON DISTRICT SCHOOLS, Ashford, Staines, Offertory at Thanksgiving Service on New Year's Day, per the Kev. H. J. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN (annual Assistance, H.M.S., Canteen of, per Lieut. CHARTER, R.N. . . . 22- ceived by the Institution during 1886, BERNERS DRAMATIC CLUB, pro- ceeds of Entertainment ... 10 - - Brier, s.s., of Glasgow, plying be- tween Morecambe and London- derry, contribution box, per Capt McLARTY 11 2 10 and materially assisted the Committee in adding to the usefulness of the Life-boat service : — £. s. d.

BARCLAY, Mrs. J. S., Edmonton .3,500 - - BERRY, Miss MARIA, Rochdale . 200 - - BROWN, BOISERT, Esq., of Aracaju, Brazil 65- BLAIR, Sirs. AGNES, Blairmore, Argyllshire 630 - - £. s. d.

CASTER, EDGAB F., Esq., Earls- wood . 181 10 4 CATOB, Miss S. H., Bournemouth 25 - - DEAN, W. H., Esq., Stratford (ad- ditional) .... . . 30 14 2 DUNVILLE, Mrs. A. G., Prince's Gate . 1,007 9 EMSLET, THOMAS, Esq., Burley-in- Wharfedale . . ... 250 - - FABKANT, H. A. M., Esq., Bays- water (additional) .... 1248 GAUNTLETT, SAMUEL, Esq., Med- way Manor, Wilts .... 25 - - GIBSON, JOHN, Esq., Leamington. 9 - - GOLDSMITH, WILLIAM, Esq., Par- liament Street . . . 300 - - HATES, WILLIAM, Esq., New Wandsworth 186 11 2 Hopps,W.G.,Esq.,Finchley Foad 675 - - LAWRENCE, Miss A. E., Amersham 10 - - LAWTON, Miss NAOMI, Stalybridge 22» 12 1 LEOSABD, Miss MABY, St. John's Wood .... .30 LUCAS, Miss F. M., Clifton . . 100 - - MANSEL, Capt. WILLIAM, K.N., Hammersmith 50 - - MILLNS, A. F., Esq., Windsor .2,000 - - MUNNOCH, ALEXANDER, Esq., Crinzett 897 19 5 NAYLOB, Mrs. A., Leeds ... 264 11 1 POCOOE, Mrs. L. L., Cheltenham . 411 13 11 PUKT, GEOBQE, Esq., Peckham . 206, 7 2 KICHABDSON, Miss F. J., South Norwood 50 - - ROOKE, Miss M. S., Keswick . .1,000 - - Eoss, THOMAS, Esq., Lincoln . . 47 5 - EUTHEBPOBD, WiLLiAM,Esq., Edin- burgh . . 251 11 2 TAIT, Mrs. MABY, York Terrace . 720 - - THOMAS, Mrs. F. E., Nunney (ad- ditional) 14 11 8 THOMSON, GEORGE M., Esq., Glas- gow 180 - - TONKIN, WILLIAM JAMES, Esq., Glandore 402 4 10 WHEATLEY, RiCHARD.Esq.,Hopton 100 - - WORSLEY, JOHN, Esq., Clifton . 19 19 - WRIGHT.D.J., Esq., Kentish Town 90 - - The total expenditure last yearamounted to 47,066?. 2s. 2d. Of this sum 14,429?.

7s. 9d. was expended on Life-boats, Trans- porting Carriages, Life-boat Houses and Slipways; 15,315?. 5s. 2 d. on Life-boat Stores, Life-belts, Subsidies to outlying Stations, Branch payments, Aneroids for Fishermen and Coasters, the Store- yard, the Inspectors' Department, &c. ; 11,916?. Os. 2rf. on Life-boat Coxswains and Crews for going out on service, and for Life-boat drills, on special rewards and recognitions for services, and on grants to the Widows and Orphans of Life-boat men lost on service, medals, &c.

Under the head of miscellaneous pay- ments are charged the printing and publishing of the Life-boat Journal, the Annual Report and Appeals, salaries, architect's charges, rent, repairs to offices, rates, taxes, stationery, postage, &c. All the accounts have been examined in detail, certified, and passed by Mr. LOVELOCK, of the firm of Messrs. LOVELOCK & WHISFIN, 19 Coleman Street, E.G., chartered ac- countants.

The Committee have decided, with the sanction of HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN, the Patroness of the Institution, to place on the coast and maintain in perpetuity a Life-boat to be named the " Queen Victoria." Increased help is more particularly needed at the present time, owing to the decision recently arrived at by the Com- mittee, after many weeks' careful inquiry and deliberation, to remove from the coast with as little delay as possible, all self- righting Life-boats which will not pass far more severe tests than were formerly considered necessary, and which are not provided with such of the latest im- provements as they deem to be of the greatest importance. The cost of this work will be very great, but the Com- mittee are confident that in carrying it out they will not only meet with the full approval of the British Public, but will be supplied with the funds they so urgently solicit and require for the purpose.