At the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, held at Willis's Rooms, King Street, St. James's, on Saturday, 23rd day of March, 1889, The Right Honourable JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, P.O., M.P., in the Chair, the following Report of the Committee was read by the Secretary:— EVERY effort has been made during the past year with a view to completing, with all possible speed, the task the Institution set itself two years ago, to provide the Life-boat crews with, boats possessing the latest improvements and the best seagoing qualities, either by building new boats or by altering old ones, whenever it should be found possible to do so. The Committee are glad also to be able to report that there is at last a possibility of their endeavours to obtain a mechanically propelled Life-boat being successful. Early last year a model of such a boat was submitted to the Institution by Messrs. R. and H. GREEN, the well-known shipbuilders at Blackwall, which having passed through various modifications as the result of consultation with the Committee and their professional officers, was accepted by the Institution, and a steam Life-boat, 50 feet long and with 12-feet beam, to be propelled by a turbine wheel worked by an engine developing 170 horse-power, is now being built. It must be borne in mind, however, that even should the experiment prove successful, boats of this description can necessarily only be used at a very limited number of stations.

The Inspector of Life-boats of the Irish District having invented sand-plates for the wheels of the Life-boat carriages, to enable them to pass easily over soft sand, ten sets have been ordered and are now in use. If on further experience they prove as successful as at present reported from the stations where they are placed, the Committee anticipate their use at a considerable number of stations.

Life-loafs.—In 1888, forty-one new Life-boats were built and placed on the coast, while those at seventeen other stations were fitted with water-ballast tanks and furnished with other improvements.

The Life-boat coxswains and crews continue to speak in the highest terms of the new and improved boats, and many most gratifying reports have been received, stating that they have full confidence in their boats, and are at all times prepared, when their services are required, to go anywhere in them.

In the year two new stations were established, and each was supplied with a large sailing Life-boat in compliance with the special request of the coxswains and crews. The new stations in question are:— ENGLAND.

St. Anne's No. 2 . . Lancashire.

Sonthport No. 2 . . Do.

Between the 1st January and the 31st December new boats were also Bent to the following stations :— ENGLAND AND Alnmouth . . .

Berwick-on-T weed . .

Brighton . . . .

Broadstairs . . . .

Brooke .....

Cemlyn .....

Chapel .....

Dover .....

Hauxley .....

Hayling Island. . .

Littlehampton .

Milford New Brighton North Deal .

Porthdiullaen Rhyl Seaton Carew Skegness Sutton Tynemouth .

Wells WALES.

Northumberland.

Do.

Sussex.

Kent.

Isle of Wight.

Anglesey.

Lincolnshire.

Kent.

Northumberland.

Hampshire.

Sussex.

Cornwall.

Pembrokeshire.

Cheshire.

Kent.

Carnarvonshire.

Flintshire.

Durham.

Lincolnshire.

Do.

Northumberland.

Norfolk.

SCOTLAND.

Ackergill . . . .

Anstruiher . . . .

Arbroath. . . . .

Banff . . . . .

Broughty Ferry Buddonness . . . .

Campbeltown .

Eyemouth . . . .

Port Erroll . . . .

Southend (Cantyie) .

Stonehaven . . . .

Caithness-shire.

Fifeshire.

Forfarshire.

Banffshiie.

Forfarshire.

Do.

Argyllshire.

Berwickshire.

Aberdeenshire.

Argyllshire.

Kircardineshire.

IRELAND.

Courtown . . . . Co. Wexford.

Skerries Co. Dublin.

Tyrella Co. Down.

Ramsey, ISLE or MAN.

CHANNEL ISLANDS.

Guernsey.

Jersey.

Steps have also been taken for forming new stations, as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, at:— Holyhead No. 2 . . Anglesey.

Kingstown No. 2 . , Dublin, Pwllheli Carnarvonshire.

The large expenditure which the building of so many boats entailed was in great measure met by liberal gifts specially bestowed for the purpose, and by means of bequests.

The Committee propose during the present year to build at least thirty new boats for their stations, and to bring up many more to the latest requirements, believing that the Public will provide them with the necessary funds to enable them to carry out this all-important work.

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

Shipwrecks.—Although the year 1888 cannot be looked upon as a remarkably stormy one, gales of considerable force | broke over our shores on several occasion/?, particularly during the early and latter j parts of the year, affording ample op-portunities for demonstrating the great ! value of the Life-boat Service and exhibiting the gallantry and devotion of j its crews. In the year the Life-boats ! were launched on service 295 times, 11Y I times ofteuer than in the previous year, | and were the means of saving many lives and a great deal of property. They were also launched 768 times for exercise and inspection, in addition to which Life-boat crews were assembled 49 limes for duty, when happily their services were not, ultimately required.

It is a matter for the deepest regret j that three of the many gallant launches j made by the Institution's Life-boat crews I during the year were attended by fatal consequences.

On the 10th March the Brighstone Grange Life-boat, after having on the previous afternoon brought ashore from the stranded ship Sirenia of Glasgow, the Master's wife, three children, a female servant and an apprentice, was endeavouring to land the remainder of the vessel's crew, thirteen in number, when she was capsized by a huge breaker, the approach of which could not be seen owing to the intense darkness of the night, and both the coxswains and two of the rescued crew were unfortunately drowned.

The Brooke Life-boat launched to the assistance of the same vessel at 11 o'clock on the night of the 9th March, but when close to the ship she was struck by a very heavy sea, washing the assistant coxswain and two of the crew out of her; the assistant coxswain was swept away in the darkness and lost his life. A contribution of 300Z. was made by the Institution to the local fund which was raised for the benefit of the relatives of the three drowned Life-boat men.

The Staithes Life-boat was launched on the evening of the 27th November— in the face of an unusually heavy sea— to render assistance to a distressed fishing coble, and after having been driven back three times, was successful in reaching the coble and taking off her crew of three men. "When returning to shore, however, the Life-boat was struck by a very heavy sea, and being turned on her beam ends and possibly capsized, most of the occupants were thrown out of her. Twelve of the men succeeded in regaining the boat and two reached land by swimming, but unfortunately one of the Life-boat's crew was, to use the words of the verdict at the Coroner's inquest, " killed by being cast on the rocks." The Institution promptly subscribed 250Z. to the fund raised locally for the poor fellow's widow and the two aged relatives dependent on him.

Considering however the extremely dangerous nature of the Life-boat Service, it is a matter for wonder and congratulation that casualties are so rare, and that so few of the Life-boat men are lost when engaged on their errand of mercy. Since the introduction of the self-righting Life-boat in 1852, as many as 70,000 men have been afloat in those boats on Service, and the extraordinarily small proportion of losses compares very favourably with any other service or calling attended with danger.

The services of the Life-boats during each month of the year were as follows:— 1888 January February March Number of Lifeboat Launches.

45 19 46 April . i 4 May . f 10 June . ; 13 July . ! 13 August September October .

November December 8 5 15 89 28 Total . . ! 295 Lives Vessels Saved ' Saved by Life- by Lifeboats.

86 44 131 12 11 boats.

5 5 4 1 2 33 1 8 2 o —16 245 32 626 — —1 3 2 26 Lives Saved by Shoreboats.

8 9 7 13 14 17 9 3 12 —10 72 174 It is with no little pleasure that the Committee acknowledge the gallant services in the saving of life rendered by the coxswains and crews of the Life-boats, whose conspicuous bravery entitles them to universal admiration. The grateful thanks of the Committee are also due to the officers and men of the Coastguard and the Volunteer rocket Brigades, who, according to their wont, continue heartily to co-operate in the good work.

Since the Institution was founded in 1824:, it has granted rewards for the saving of 34,043 lives, as follows:— In the No. of Lives Year Saved.

1824 124 1825 218 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1832 1833 1834 175 163 301 t«3 H72 287 310 449 214 In che So.

Year 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 of Lives Saved.

364 225 272 456 279 353 128 276 236 193 235 The Committee feel that such results are in themselves a sufficient justification for their appeal for support in this cue of the most important undertakings in the cause of humanity, and for the continuance of the unabated confidence of their fellow-countrymen.

Rewards.—The rewards granted by the Institution in 1888 for the saving of life or for meritorious efforts to do so, and in acknowledgment of good services rendered to the cause, comprised 13 Silver Medals, 2 Second Service Clasps, 22 Binocular Glasses, 29 Votes of thanks inscribed on vellum, and 6.166L 9s. in money, including grants to the relatives of Life-boat men who perished while on duty.

Since the establishment of the Institution in 1824, the Committee have gran ted in rewards, 97 Gold Medals, 1,015 Silver Medals and Silver Clasps, 161 Binocular Glasses, 15 Telescopes, and 102/J26Z. in money.

Aneroids.—During the year numerous applications were received for the Aneroid Barometers supplied by the Institution at a cheap rate to fishermen and small coasters, 86 being sold to fishermen, and 55 to coasters. The total number of these valuable instruments disposed of by the Society since June, 1882, has been 2,713.

Local Committees. — The Committee cannot sufficiently thank the Local Committees and their Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers, for the valuable aid they have received at their hands during the year gone by. Without the unflagging assistance rendered the Institution by its Staff of Honorary Officers, it would be simply impossible to carry on the Service.

Not less thankful are the Committee to the Public Press, which with unfailing generosity continues its support by ever and anon calling attention to the importance of the work done, and appealing for that aid without which the Institution, as a "Voluntary Society, must necessarily cease to exist.

Finances.—The subscriptions, donations, dividends, etc., amounted in the year to 50,8131. 10s. lid., and included 12,715?.

5s. lid. specially given for the following Life-boat Establishments:— £. ». d.

Anstruther—the late Mrs. ATHERTOS HOWARD 700 - - Blyth No. 2, and Littlehampton —Mrs. STOKER 1,000 - - Brighton — " Sunlight" Competition, per Messrs. LEVER BROS, (balance) 500 - - Broughty Ferry—Ancient Order of Foresters 700 - - Cumpbeltown—HEATH HARR ON, Esq 500 - - Douglas No. 2—Civil Service Life-boat Fund, per CHARLES DIBDIN, Est{ BOO - - Hartlepool No. 3—Cyclists' Lifeboat Fund, per HEKBY STUBJIRY, Esq. (gfcoi)U year's endowment) 70 - - Hasborough—Huddersfiold Lifeboat Fund 700 - - Holyhead No. 2 — Residuary Li-gatees of the late Sir JOSEPH WHIT WORTH, Bart 1,700 - - Holy Island No. 2—Trustees of the late Miss A. M. BEDFORD . 270 16 - Hunstanton—Licensed Victuallers' Life-boat Fund Balance) . _ OO - - Kimeridge—F. C. ARKWRIGHT, Ksq,, J.P., and Friends. . . C75 - - £. d.

Lydd, Dungeness—Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Life-boat Fund (additional) . WJ 17 6 Mevagissey—Anonymous. . . 700 - - Porthdinllaen—" George Moore " Memorial Fund 371 16 5 Ramsey—A Friend, per Mr. and Mrs. RORBERT 1,000 - - Ramsgate — Town of Bradford per Alderman F. PBIESTJIAN (balance) 150 - - Rhyl No, 2—Mrs. MARTIN . . 700 - - Southport No. 2—The Misses MACRAE (additional) . . . 300 - - Stonehaven —Mrs. ALEXANDER BLACK 700 - - Torquay—A Lady at Manchester 1,000 - - Tyrella — Mrs. CAMERON (additional) H 16 - Whitburn—A Lady (additional). 50 - - During the year the following legacies were received, and were of the greatest importance in enabling the Committee to materially improve the Service: — £. s. d.

ALLEN, T. W., Esq., Whitway .1,000 - - BAKER, Miss HARBIET, FairfU-ld, Belbroughton 100 - - BALL, Miss ANN, Ball's Pond .1,555 7 11 BAKB, Mrs. JANET, Keuley . . 1,000 - - BARWELL, Misa M. A., Birmingham 50 - - BEECH, C. M., Esq., Eaton Place 200 - - BOSKOK, RANDKLL, Esq., New Cross 1,083 1 5 BoYS,THOHAS,Esq.,Hove (balance) 3 5 4 CAPE, Mrs. BARBARA, Cudogan Square 500 - - CLAaoETT, Mrs. CABOLINE, St.

John's Wood (additional) . . 51 19 11 DASENT, JOHN B., Esq., Paddington 27 - - DEAN, W. H., Esq., Stratford (additional) 71 8 6 EBSWOKTHI, THOMAS, Ktq., Barnstaple 10 - - EVANS, Mrs. M. H. D., Englefield Green 350 - - FABNSWOETH, Mrs. ELIZA, Nottingham . 45 - - FORSTEB.MissMABY, Twickenham 45 - - GORDON, Mrs. Cosmo, Fyvie . . 300 - - GOTOEBD, Miss CHARLOTTE, Milford, Surrey 3,562 11 1 GOTOBED, Miss EMM A, Do. . . 2,715 5 10 GOULD, Lieut.-Col. H. O., South Street, W. 50 - - HAMLBY,MissjANEM.,Sydenham 90 - - HAMPSON, Mrs. ANN, Bolton . . 500 - - HAEHISON, Mrs. B., Eaton Terrace.

SW .........

HARVEY, H. M, Esq., Hexworthy HERING, Miss H. S., Keigate (in the name of her late Brother, WILLIAM HEKIXG, Esq.) . 

HOWDEN, M ss CUBISTINA, Haddington .......

JOHNSTON, J. B., Esq., Kedhills .

KiKKro,Mrs. ASKIB, St.Leonaids LAING, Misa EMMA, Kensington .

LIDDELL, H. T., Esq., Winchester LOVE, ALEXANDER, Esq., Dublin.

MAINGAY,MIS. MARTHA, Worthing MANSFIELD, Mrs. A. B., Bournemouth (balance) .....

MILLNS, A. F., Esq , Windsor (additional) ......

Monies, Mrs. JANE W., Erith .

MoKBig. J. G., Esq., Birkenhead.

NOBTHWICK, TLe RigUt Hon. Lord PERKINS, Commander H. A., K.N., Torquay .......

PUEDIB, JOHN, Esq., Thornton Heath ........

SAMELSON, Dr. A., Manchester .

SAUNDERs,Miss JANE,NottingHill SEMON, CHABLKS S. J., Esq., Broughton ......

SKYNNER, W. H., Esq., Cavendish Place, W .......

SMITH, WILLIAM, Esq., Lotigbborough Road, S.E .....

STILES, Miss MABTT, Liverpool Road, N ........

TAIT, Mrs., Milrig .....

THOMAS, Mrs. F. E., Nunney (additional) ......

TOWKE, RICHARD, Esq., Ormonde Terrace, N.W. (balance) . .

TCDOH, Mrs. E. H., Cheltenham .

TURNER, G., Esq., Horton . . .

VICARY, Miss E. H., Warminster WALLACE, H. P. C., Esq., Busbie WALKER, Commander H. C., K.N., High Stokesby .....

WINTON, Mrs. JOHN, Aberdeen .

£. «. d.

19 19 - 1,000 - - 100 - - 100 - - 13 10 - 450 - - 180 - - 1,000 - - 63916 9 1,000 - - 4 - - 75 - - 700 - - 1,800 - - 100 - - 91 3 5 100 - - 100 - - 1,000 - - 250 - - 1 , 000 - - 3,93913 9 90 - - 500 - - 499 14 - 18 1 3 450 - - 1,000 - - . 250 - - 600 - - 6,319 6 2 50 - - 10 - - The total expenditure for 1888 was 64,8482. 9s. 2A Of this sum 26,4341 4s. 3o!.

was laid out on building and improving Life-boats, on transporting carriages, Life-boat houses and slipways, and architects' charges. 21,526£. 18s. 5d. on Life-boat stores, Life-belts, Subsidies to outlying Stations, Branch payments, Aneroids for Fishermen and Coasters, the Store-yard, the Inspectors' Department, Experiments, &c.; 11,554?. 10s. Id.

on Life-boat Coxswains, Signalmen, and Crews for going out on service, and for Life-boat drills, on special rewards and recognition of services, and on grants to the Relatives of Life-boat men lost on service, medals, &c. j The remainder was spent on printing I and publishing the Life-boat Journal, the .

Annual Report and Appeals, on salaries, | rent and office repairs, rates, taxes, light-ing, housekeeper, advertising, postage, stationery, &c. Each item of receipt and expenditure has, as usual, been examined, verified and passed by Mr. LOVELOCK of; the firm of Messrs. LOVELOCK, WHIMIN and DICKINSON, 19 Coleman Street, E.C., Chartered Accountants.

The Committee feeling strongly tie vast importance of the cause they plead, the necessity for which needs no demonstration, appeal with earnest confidence to all who have the welfare of their fellow creatures and their country at heart, to assist them by open-handed generosity and unstinted liberality in maintaining the Life-boat Service in thorough, efficiency, so that it may continue to fulfil its high function even more effectually, if that be possible, than it has hitherto done.