LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Summary of the Meetings of the Committee

THURSDAY, 8th January, 1891.

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

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the previous meeting.

Also read those of the Finance and Corre- spondence, Building and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees and ordered their recommen- dations to be carried into effect.

Read the report of the Chief Inspector of Life-boats on his recent visit to the Lowestoft Life-boat Station.

Also the reports of the Deputy Chief Inspector of Life-boats on his visits to the Appledore and Wexford Life-boat stations.

Also the reports of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their visits to the following stations:— | Northern District—Holy Island (two boats), I Hauxley, Berwick-on-Tweed and Roker (Sun- derland). | Eastern District—Mablethorpe, Donna Nook, ! Button, Skegness, Chapel, Cromer, Sheringham, I Mundesley, Hasborough, Blakeney, Wells' Hunstanton and Brancaster.

Western District—Appledore (two boats), Ilfracombe, Braunton, Morthoe, Bude, Clovelly, Watchet, Lynmouth and Wesfon-super-Mare.

Irish District—Orme's Head.

Reported the receipt of 1,163Z. 17s. from the CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT FUND, per CHARLES DIBDIN, Esq., Honorary Secretary. This sum comprised 8001. to complete the purchase and endowment of the Douglas new Life-boat, the Civil Service No. 6; 3001. on account of the Civil Service No. 7 Life-boat, and 63!. 17». to cover certain expenses incurred by the Institu- tion during the past year in connection with the Civil Service Life-boats. The total sum thus contributed to the Institution by gentle- men in Her Majesty's Civil Service has been 13,4571. 10s.

Decided that the best thanks of the Institu- tion be conveyed to the contributors—and especially to Mr. DIBDIN—for the valuable assistance which they continue to render to the Life-boat cause.

Also the receipt of the following other special contributions:— £ «. d.

T. P. HEARNE, Esq., of Leadenhall Street, for the Ballycotton new Life-boat T. P. Hearne and its equipment 700 - - Contents of Contribution Box, per B. W. MAY, Esq., Billingsgate Market 17 18 10 Collection in Parish Church of Elvetham, WinchfieM, on Christ- mas Day, per Bev. W. GILL . . 9-4 Teachers and Scholars of Linden Grove, Peckham, Sunday School, per W. E. WATSON, Esq. ... 395 —To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following Legacies:— £ ». d.

The late T. J. BRAHAM, Esq., of South Kensington 900 - - The late ALEXANDER DAVIDSON, Esq., of Hampstead . . 720 - - The late CHARLES POOLEY, Esq., of Gloucester , . 700 - - The late HENRY LUCAS, Esq., of South Kensington (balance) . . 112 10 - The late GEORGE BEER, Esq., of Canterbury 50 - - The late MONTAGU SMITH, Esq., of King Street, Cheapside . . . 10 10 - Voted the thanks of the Committee to the Rev. Chancellor BRISCOB, D.D., of Holyhead, who had resigned the office of Chairman of the Solyhead Branch after 32 years' service.

The Committee also specially recognised the good services rendered during a similar period y Mr. J. H. SMALLRIDGE, as coxswain of the Braunton Life-boat; also those performed by ,he late Mr. THOMAS JENKINSON, the former coxswain of the Filey Life-boat, during the period of nearly 19 years in which he efficiently occupied that post.

Resolved that as no reliable crew can now be obtained to work the Mundesley Life-boat, the station be closed for the present, the Cox- swain being retained at his present salary as caretaker.

Also that the existing Life-boat at St. Mary's, Scilly Islands, be changed to meet the views of the Local Committee, coxswain and crew, as soon as the change can be arranged.

Reported the transmission of new Life-boats to the Aldeburgh, Kingsdowne, Rhosneigir and Tralee Bay stations.

Also that the Ardmore Life-boat had been improved and returned to its station.

Paid 9,9931. 15s. Id. for sundry charges on various Life-boat establishments.

Voted 1261. 12s. to pay the expenses of the Plymouth, Withernsea, Scarborough, St. Ives, Filey, Kingsdowne and Broadstairs Life-boats in rendering the following services:— Lives saved S.S. Nepaul, of Glasgow. Remained by vessel.

Dandy Wainfleet, of Grimsby .... 6 Scarborough fishing cobles. Rendered assistance.

Schooner Secret, of Penzance .... 4 Filey fishing cobles. Rendered assistance.

Ship Sargany, of Port Glasgow. Re- mained by vessel.

Brigantine Glance, of Whitstable . . 7 The Penzance Life-boat assisted to save the brig Dorothy, of North Shields, and her crew of eight men, and the Ramsgate Life-boat rescued the crew (seven) of the brigantine Glide, of Ramsgate, and six men from the schooner Crocodile, of Guernsey.

Voted also 131Z. 4s. lid. to pay the expenses of the Filey, Pakefield No. 2, Mablethorpe, Palling No. 2, Porthcawl, Broughty Ferry, Tynemouth No. 1, Hope Cove, Margate, Broad- stairs, Walmer and Harwich steam and reserve Life-boats in assembling their crews or putting off to the assistance of vessels which did not ultimately need their services.

Also 31. to six men, for putting off in a coble and bringing ashore the crew of two men from the collier Diamond, of Scarborough, which, was dragging her anchors in a strong gale from the N., and a heavy sea, on the 18th October.

Also SI. to six men, for putting off in a boat and bringing ashore the crew of five men of the schooner St. Germans, which was in danger off Moelfre in a N.N.W. gale and a very heavy sea, on the 7th November.

Also 11. to a man who put off in a boat and rescued five men from the Endeavour, of Bude, which was totally wrecked off Ilfracombe, in a whole gale from the W.N.W. and a heavy sea, on the" 19th December.

THURSDAY, 12th February.

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 Corre- spondence, Building 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 visits to the following stations:— Northern District—Berwick-on-Tweed, Cul- lercoats, Saltburn, Redcar. Middlesbrough, Seaham, Whitburn, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool (three boats), West Hartlepool (two boats), Balcary, Kirkcudbright, Whithorn, Port Patrick, Port Logan, Ayr, Girvan, Ballantrae, Irvine and Troon.

Eastern District — Swanage, Kimeridge, Poole, Southsea, Hayling Island, Worthing, Brighton and Shoreham.

Western District—Aberdovey, Barmouth, Portmadoc, Llanaelhaiarn, Porthdinllaen, Abersoch, Aberystwith and Newquay (Car- diganshire).

Irish District—Workington, Maryport, Sil- loth, Whitehaven, Seascale, Barrow, Fleetwood (two boats), Blackpool, St. Anne's (two boats) and Lytham.

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

«F. M. 0." 100 - - Lieut-Colonel F. DAWSON . . . 100 - - Trustees of the late W. THORNGATE, Esq. (annual subscription) . . 80 - - R. A. B. PRESTON, Esq., in aid of Cornish Life-boats (annual sub- scription) 50 - - St. Michael's, Paddington Life- boat Fund, per Rev. G. F. PEES- COTT.M.A 23 18 3 Collected on board R.M.S. Iberia, Capt. MASSEY, per J.W. MCAFEE, Esq. 10 2 - Offertory at Saul Church, Stone- house, per Rev. R. HALE . . 5 13 4 —To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies:— £ s. d.

The late Mrs. E. M. STANNAH, of Balaam 2,250 - - The late Mrs. CAROLINE WHITE- HEAD, of Gloucester .... 500 -- - The late Dr. MONTAGUE MARTIN MAHONY, of Chelsea (balance) . 463 6 - The late WILLIAM HAIQH, Esq., of Southampton 200 - - The late JOSEPH JENNINGS, Esq., of Bristol 100 - - The late BENJAMIN BEDDELL, Esq., of Hull 90 - - The late Miss E. A. MUNDY, of Beer 45 - - Voted the thanks of the Committee to J. L. C. HAMILTON, Esq., and J. E. HUGHES, Esq., in recognition of their valuable services while holding the office of Honorary Secretary re- spectively of the New Brighton and Porth- dinllaen branches.

The Committee also specially recognised the good services rendered by Mr. WILLIAM CALLOW and Mr. THOMAS CARBIS during the long period in which they respectively served as coxswains of the Castletown and Penzance Life-boats.

Reported the transmission to its station of the Ballycotton new Life-boat.

Resolved that the boats at Sunderland (South Pier), Lyme Regis and Moelfre, Anglesey, be replaced by new Life-boats, with the concur- rence of the local committees, coxswains and crews.

Paid 3.007Z. 13s. for sundry charges on various Life-boat establishments.

Voted 861. 10s. 6cZ. to pay the expenses of the Harwich, Holyhead No. 2, Lowestoft No. 2, Port Erin and Ramsey Life-boats in rendering the following services :— Lives saved.

Ketch Days, of Barrow 2 Schooner Pride of the Dee 4 Schooner Isabella, 3 Schooner Maggie BroeTdebank .... 4 Smack Peace, of Lowestoft .... 1 Trawler Lily of the West, of Douglas . 5 Schooner Leona, of Belfast .... 4 The North Deal Life-boat assisted to save the brig Kate, of Guernsey, and nine lives; and the Withernsea Life-boat rendered assist- ance to the s.s. Maja, of Copenhagen.

(Accounts of most of these services are given on pages 629-631.) Voted 294Z. 3s. 4 J. to pay the expenses of the Wexford No. 1, North Deal, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Saltburn, Great Yarmouth, Douglas No. 2, Lowestoft No. 2, Gorleston No. 1, Caister No. 1, Huna, Winterton No. 2, Whitehaven, Workington, Holyhead No. 2, Port Patrick and Maryport Life-boats, in assembling their crews, watching, or putting off in reply to signals of distress, their services, however, not being eventually needed.

The Ramsgate Life-boat had also been called out, but her services were not required.

Voted SI. to twelve men for services rendered on the occasion of the stranding of the fishing- boat Wave, of Whitehaven, at Maryport, Cum- berland, in a strong gale from the S.S.W. to S.W., and a very rough sea, on the 31st January.

The boat's crew of three men were brought safely ashore.

Also 11. to a farm labourer for wading into the surf and rescuing two of the crew of the brig Aurore, of Vannes, which stranded in Woolacombe Bay, Devonshire, in a strong gale on the 19th October, 1889.

Also 21. 2s. to one of the crew of the Orme's Head Life-boat, who was injured while on ser- vice in the Life-boat on the 7th November, and thereby rendered for a short time unfit for work.

THURSDAY, 12th March.

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

Read and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Also read those of the Finance and Corre- spondence, Building and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered their recommen- dations to be carried into effect.

Read the report of the Chief Inspector of Life-boats on his recent visits to the Working- ton and Whitehaven Stations.

Also the report of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their recent visits to the following Stations:— Northern District—Sunderland (South Pier and South Outlet) Roker, Tynemouth (two boats), Thurso, Huna, Ackergill, Dornoch and Embo, Southend and Campheltown.

Eastern District — Littlehampton, Selsey, Bembridge, Atherfield, Brighstone Grange, Brooke and Totland Bay.

Western District—Weymouth, Jersey, Guern- sey, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Lyrne Regis, Teign- mouth, Torquay and Brixham.

Irish District—Southport (two boats), Mary- port and New Brighton (two boats).

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

HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN, Annual Subscription. . 50 0 0 C. CARL ASHLEY, Esq., for the Susan Ashley, new Life-boat for Lyme Regis 700 0 0 Mrs. B. J.NICHOLSON, for the Cemlyn Life-boat B. J. Nicholson . . . 700 0 0 « A Thank Offering" for the Junius new Life-boat for Sunderland South Pier (on account) . . . 500 0 0 Mrs. M. E. de SCHWARTZ, Canea, Isle of Crete, additional . . . 100 0 0 A. H 50- 0 0 Proceeds of Entertainment by Brooke (Norfolk) Village Club, on 3rd March, per JOHN HOLMES, Esq. 15 14 6 Collected in Shipley Congregational Sunday School on 15th February, per S. D. PICKARD, Esq. . . . 2 14 6 —To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies:— £ «. d.

The late H. H. GRAY, Esq., of Man- chester, per Southport Branch . 340 0 0 The late JOHN HODGSON, Esq., of Strensall 200 0 0 The late Miss ANN TAYLOR, of Croydon 100 0 0 The late JOSEPH TITHERIDGE, Esq., of Winchester 100 0 0 The late WALTER HALFORD, Esq., of Cannon Street 50 0 0 The late Miss JANE CLARKE, of Lancaster 50 0 0 The late A. C. WHITE, Esq., of Hoxton 30 0 0 Resolved that a letter of condolence be ad- dressed to the Widow of J. H. WEBB, Esq., who had been Honorary Secretary of the Wisbecb.

Branch of the Institution for three years.

The Committee specially recognised the valu- able services of the following gentlemen as Honorary Secretaries of various Branches of the Institution for many years past:—• JAMES BODDIE, Esq., Port Erroll; G. H. BOND, Esq., M.P., Purbeck Island; Rev. B. JERMYN COOPER, M.A., Robin Hood's Bay; H. M. EMARY, Esq., Eastbourne ; JOHN GUTHRIE, Esq., Crail; Capt. G. E. HODGSON, Cheltenham; A. D. MILNE, Esq., Aberdeen; Bev. L. MOORE, M.A., Sheringham; WILLIAM PAYNE, Esq.,Southsea; JAMES RODNEY, Esq., Plymouth; W. G. SANDFORD, Esq., Cromer; W. J. H. j SHEPHEARD, Esq., Mullion; J. CLIFTON THOMP- ; SON, Esq., Workington; Rev. R. S. TREANOK, | M.A., Deal; and W. H. WILLIAMSON, Esq., I Whitburn. ! Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution and a copy of the Vote inscribed on vellum and ] framed to Mr. BALPH THOMPSON, in acknow-ledgment of his services as Coxswain of the Sunderland No. 1 Life-boat for twenty-six years, in which period the boat saved twenty- three lives.

Bead the Report of the Special Sub-Corn- mittee appointed to inquire into and report on i the question of placing Life-boat stations in [ telegraphic and telephonic communication with j lighthouses. Coast Guard stations, and Lloyd's j signal stations, and as to the advantages, if any, likely to accrue to the Life-boat service should any such system be adopted. j Resolved that the Report be adopted, and that communications be addressed on behalf of j the Institution to the BOARD OF TRADE, the | ADMIRALTY, the POST OFFICE and the COMMITTEE OF LLOYD'S asking their co-operation.

The Chairman, Sir EDWARD BiRKBECK, Bart., M.P., undertook to endeavour to secure a night for bringing the matter as soon as possible before the HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Reported the transmission to their Stations of the new Life-boats for Giles' Quay (Dun- dalk), and Longhope (Orkney Islands).

Paid 4,852Z. 3s. Id. for sundry charges on various Life-boat establishments.

Voted ml. 3s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the Wexford No. 1, Harwich, Portrush, Long- hope, Broughty Ferry, Newburgh and Clacton Life-boats in rendering the following services:— Lives Saved.

Yawl Prinia Donna, of Wexford, assisted to save vessel and 5 Schooner Mercury, of Aberdeen . • . 12 Schooner Ellen Myvanwy, of Beaumaris . 3 S.S. Victoria, of Sunderland .... 22 Fishing boat Catherine, of Broughty Ferry, saved boat and 2 Fishing-boat Marys, of Broughty Ferry, saved boat and 1 A small boat of Aberdeen 1 Schooner /. W. Bebett, of Beaumaris . . 1 Voted also 361Z. 17s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the Bembridge, Greencastle, Holyhead No. 2, ' Cemlyn, Cemaes, Palling No. 2, Aldeburgh, Clacton-on-Sea, Fowey, Walton-on-the-Naze, | Teignmouth, Hornsea, Winterton No. 2, North i Deal, Newhaven, Arbroath and Scarborough i Life-boats, in putting off in reply to signals, their services not being ultimately needed.

The Committee expressed their deep sym- pathy with the relatives of three of the crew of the New Bomney Life-boat, who were un- happily lost while out on service in the boat during the " blizzard " on the 9th March. The sum of 500Z. was granted in aid of the fund which was about to be raised for the relief of the j widows, children, and other persons who were ', dependent for their support on the earnings of the deceased men. Double pay was also granted to the crew of the Life-boat.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, accompanied by a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, to Captain F. WATT, and to Mr. JOHN HOPKINS, coxswain, in recognition of their general gallant services in the Portrush Life- boat, particularly on the occasion of the rescue of the crew of three men from the schooner Ellen Myvanwy, of Beaumaris.

Also 61. to six men for putting off in two boats and rescuing the crew of thirteen men from the fishing-boat Thistle, which had been swamped and capsized off Storooway in a strong S.W. to W.S.W. gale and a very heavy sea, on the 10th February. Also 4Z. 10s. to the crew of nine men of the fishing boat Venor, of Hope- man, who assisted in effecting the rescue.

Also 4Z. to eight fishermen for putting off in a boat and rescuing the crew of five men from the fishing-boat Eliza, which was drifting out to sea, having broken two oars, off Innishowen Head, co. Donegal, in a strong gale from the S.S.W. on the 31st January.

Also 4Z. to five pilots and the crew of three men of the cutter Providence, in acknowledg- ment of their good services in reporting the stranding of the schooner Mercury, of Aberdeen, on the Long Sand on the 3rd March, and thus contributing to the rescue of the vessel's crew of twelve men by the Harwich steam Life- boat.

Also 31. 10s. to seven fishermen for putting off in a coble and rescuing the crew of five men from the schooner Pioneer, of Banff, which had stranded on the South Steel Rocks off Boulmer, Northumberland, in a heavy W. gale on the 11th February.

Also ll. to two men for putting off in a boat and rescuing one of two men from a punt which had been capsized off Strangford, co. Down, on the 9th January. The other occupant of the boat was drowned while attempting to swim to the shore.

SATURDAY, 21st March.

The Annual General Meeting of the Mends and supporters of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION took place this day at Princes' Hall, Piccadilly, The Most Honourable The MARQUIS OF HARTINGTON, M.P., in the Chair.

His Lordship having made some suitable ob- servations on the great and national character of the operations of the Institution, Mr. CHARLES DIBDIN, the Secretary, read the Annual Report, which will be found in the May number of The Life-boat Journal.

The meeting was also addressed by the Right Hon. The EARL WALDEGRAVE; The Right Hon.

W. H. SMITH, M.P., First Lord of the Treasury; The Bight Hon. the Earl of LATHOM, Lord Chamberlain; The Right Hon. The Earl FOR- TESCUE; Sir T. FOWELL BUXTON, Bart.; Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bart., M.P., V.P.; and LA-WRENCE T. CAVE, Esq., V.P.

The officers for the current year were chosen, and various resolutions were moved, seconded, and carried unanimously, pledging the meeting to renewed exertions on behalf of the benevo- lent and national objects of the Institution.

The officers' names and the resolutions will be found in the May number of The Life-boat Journal.

THURSDAY, 9th April.

Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Sat., M.P., V.P., in } the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the previous Meeting.

Also read those of the Finance and Corre- spondence, Building and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered their recommen- dations to be carried into effect.

Elected the Members of the Sub-Committees (L. T. GATE, Esq., Chairman), for the ensuing year.

Read the Report of the Deputy Chief In- spector of Life-boats on his recent visits to Winterton, New Romney, and York.

Also the reports of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their visits to the following places:— Northern District — Ardrossan, Kildonan Montrose (3 boats), Buddon Ness, Broughty Ferry, Boulmer, Buckie, Banff, Moray Firth and Lossiemouth.

Western District—Plymouth, Yealm River, Hope Cove, Salcombe and Dartmouth.

Irish District—Castletown, Douglas (2 boats), Port Erin, Ramsey, Peel, Giles' Quay, Rhyl, Llanddulas, Orme's Head, Penmon and Cemlyn.

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

Loyal order of Ancient Shepherds (Aston Unity) for the Stromness new Life-boat, the Good Shepherd 700 - - B. H. WKIGHTSON, Esq., in aid of Newcastle, Tynemouth, and Cul- lercoats Branch 100 - - GEORGE RICHMOND, Esq 52 10 - The Hon. ALGERNON TOLLEMACHE . 50 - - S. D. B.S. D 50 - - Proceeds of Concert at Kingston, per W. J. DUDGEON, Ksq. . . . 13 17 1 Contents of Contribution Box on B.M.8. Medway, per H. B. WHlT- MARSH, Esq 13 - - Offertory on H.M S. Boadieea, per Bev. J. M. CLABKSOX, B.N. . . 3 7 10 Contents of Contribution Boxes at Annual Meeting of the Institution 6 15 7 Also the receipt of the following legacies:— £ «. d.

The late ANDREW PICKARD, Esq., of Leeds and Oasett .... 5000 - - The late Mrs. E. A. SYMES, of Bangor 900 - - The late M.saM.M BELL, of Bath 450 - - „ Rev. J. AMPHLETT . . 100 - -• „ Miss S. BUNDOOK, of Ex- mouth IS • - Voted the thanks of the Committee to the Rev. C. E. BROWNE, H. S. LTNE, Esq., and A. KEMPSON, Esq., in recognition of their past valuable services while holding the office re- spectively of Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Hunstanton, Newport and Northampton branches of the Institution.

Reported the transmission to their stations of the Holy Island No. 2 and Kingstown No. 1 new Life-boats.

Paid 3,1441 5s. 2d. for sundry charges on various Life-boat establishments.

Voted 145i. 19«. 9d. to pay the expenses of the St. Agnes, Brixham, Stonehaven, St. Andrews, Palling No. I, Winterton No. 1, North Sunder- land and Chapel Life-boats, in rendering the following services:— Lives saved.

Smack Port/*, of Padstow 2 Trawler Pioneer, of Brixham. Remained by vessel.

Schooner Der Zehnte Jim(,of South Shields 7 Barque Elisabeth, of Tonsberg ... 8 Smack M. K. D., of Great Yarmouth . 6 Ketch Elizabeth, of Goole 3 Barque Ornen, of Frederickstadt ... 11 Schooner Vibelia, of Grimstadt ... 7 The Penzanee Life-boat saved the schooner Joseph Nicholson, of Newcastle, and her crew of five men.

Voted 386Z. 13s. to pay the expenses of the Dungarvan, Weymouth, Hastings, Alde- i burgh, Falmouth, Walton-on-the-Naze, St.

Agnes, Margate, Mablethorpe, Burry Port, I Tynemouth No. 2, Berwick-on-Tweed, Eye- | mouth, Broughty Ferry, North Deal, Walmer, ' Porthoustock, North Sunderland, Lowestoft i No. 2, Gorleston No. 1, Holy head No. 2, Mon- trose No. 2, Bamburgh Castle and Harwich steam and reserve Life-boats, in assembling ! their crews or putting off to the aid of vessels not ultimately needing their help.

Also the sum of 21. to the head launcher of the Penzance Life-boat, in consideration of illness contracted in the Life-boat service.

, Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, a : copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, and II., to Mr. WILLIAM MCALLISTER, for gallantly swimming through a heavy surf and rescuing one of the crew of the Portrush Life-boat, on the 2nd March.

Also 21. to a Coastguard man who assisted in effecting the rescue, having previously helped another man to reach the snore.

Also the Silver Medal, a copy of the vote on vellum, and II., to Mr. JAMES E. GOURLAY, for taking command of the Boarhills, Fifeshire, private Life-boat, and at great risk rescuing the crew of six men from the schooner Francis, of Drammen, which became a total wreck in St. Andrew's Bay, in a gale from the E. and a very rough sea, on the 5th April; 11. each was also awarded to twelve other men, who formed the crew of the boat on the occasion.

Also the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum, with the sum of 21., to Mr. WILLIAM FITZGERALD, Chief Officer, and 21. each to four | Coastguard men, for putting off in their life whale-boat and at great risk, the boat being capsized in returning' ashore, rescuing the crew  of four men from the ketch Western Belle, of Exeter, which had stranded at Felpham, Sussex, in a strong E. gale and a heavy sea, on the 9th March.

Also 5s. each to ten Coastguard men, who assisted to launch. the boat and rendered help with life-lines.

Also 11 to two men, for putting off in a boat and rescuing a boy and a gill from two boats at Mornington, co. Meath, on the 22od February.

The boy, aged eight years, got into a little flat boat, which went adrift, and his sister, aged thirteen, proceeded in a similar boat his assistance, but there being a strong wind and an ebb tide, she lost all control of the boat, and it capsized. The giil, who fortunately retained hold of the boat, was insensible when rescued, and as the salvors' boat WSB too small to allow them to take her into it, they were obliged to tow her ashore. A reward of 10s. was presented to her, for her bravery in attempt- ing to rescue her brother.

Also 51. to five men, for services rendered to two vessels which had stranded at Dungeness, in a heavy sea, on the 9th March.

THURSDAY, 14th May Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bait., M.P., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the pre- vious meeting.

Also read those of the Finance and Corre- spondence, Building and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered their recommen- dations to be carried into effect.

Bead the reports of the District Inspectors of Life-boats on their recent visits to the follow- ing stations:— Northern District—Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Whitelink Bay, Port Erroll, Newburgh, Gour- don, Stonehaven, Hauxley, Blyth. (two boats), Newbiggin, Anstruther, Grail, St. Andrew's, North Berwick, Eyemouth, Dunbar, Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle and North Sunder- land.

Eastern District — Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Kingsgate, Margate, Southend (two boats), Dover, North Deal, Kingsdo-wne, Hythe, Wal- jner, Eastbourne, Newhaven, Hastings, Win- chelsea, Bye, Lydd, Clacton, Walton-on-the- Naze, Harwich, (two boats), Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.

Western District—Penarth, Porthcawl, Port Eynon, Swansea, Milford, Littlehaven, St.

David's, Fishguard (two boats), Newport (Pem- brokeshire), Cardigan, Ten by, Ferryside, Barry Port, St. Agnes and St. Mary's (Stilly), Pen- zance, Sennen Cove, St. Ives, Porthoustock, Hayle, Polpear, Cadgwith, Mullion Church Cove, Porthleven and Falmouth.

Irish District—Holyhead (two boats), Cem- lyn, Cemaes, Bull Bay, Moelfre, Llanddwyn, Rhoscolyn, Rhosneigir, Tramore, Kilmore, Carnsore, Wexford (two boats), Cahore, Cour- town, Arklow, Wicklow. Greystones, Kingstown (two boats), Poolbeg and Howth.

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

JAMES McLABEs SMITH, Esq., for the TTtora Zelma new Life-boat station at Gorleston.... 1000 - - "D." 100 - - Miss ELIZABETH LAWSOS . . . 100 - - JOHN BENTLEY, Esq 31 10 - Collected by the champion rough- coated St. Bernard, " Grace," per T. DCEBDIN D0TTON, Esq. (nd- ditional) 538 —To be severally thanked.

Also the receipt of the following legacies:— £ s. ~d.

The late Miss L. A. WARBINGTON, of Torquay 1000 - - The late CHARLES HAWKINS, Esq., of Warwick Street . . . . 650 - - The late Mrs. JANE ENTWISTLE, of Tunbridge Wells 100 - - The late J. D. WYATT, Esq., of Islington 25 - - The late Mrs. F. E. THOMAS, of Nunney (additional) .... 328 Voted the thanks of the Committee to WIMJAM CBAWOKD, Esq., WILMAM WATSOW, Esq., and Mr. E. G. EOBB, in acknowledgment of their valuable services as Honorary Secretary respectively of the Margate, .Banff and Port Patrick branches of the Institution, Also the Silver Medal of the Institution, accompanied by a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum and framed, to Mr. JAMES COLLINS, Coxswain of the Eye Life-boat, in acknowledg- ment of his gallant services in the boat, in assisting to save 4S lives during the past twelve years.

Also the Third Service Clasp to Mr. EGBERT LEGERTON, who had resigned the post of cox- swain of the Clacton-on-Sea Life-boat. He had held the office since the establishment of the station, about thirteen years ago, and assisted to save many lives from shipwreck.

The Committee also suitably recognized the valuable services of Mr. WILLIAM SILES, who had been Coxswain of the Cardigan Life-boat for twenty years, and had resigned on account of old age. The boat had, whilst he held the coxswainship, been launched seventeen times on service, and saved 57 lives.

Reported the transmission to their stations of the tubular Life-boat for Pwllheli, and the new Life-boat for Blakeney, Norfolk.

Also that the alterations and improvements to the Kilmore Life-boat had been completed, and the bout returned to its station.

Resolved that the Southend, Essex, TSo. 1 Life-boat Station, be abolished, and that the boat be returned to London.

The Committee decided to carry out at | Lowestoft, next autumn, a series of competitive trials and tests with sailing Life-boats, and | cordially invited inventors and others to enter I boats for the competitions under certain pre- scribed conditions and regulations.

Paid 4,126Z. 17s. 3d. for sundry charges on various Life-boat establishments.

Voted 121. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Winterton No. 2 Life-boat in remaining by the stranded barque Sirius, of Drammen.

The Margate Life-boat rendered assistance to the steamer European, of Liverpool, and the Ramsgate Life-boat assisted to save the s.s. Kelloe, of London.

Voted also 24:61. 8s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the St. David's, St. Andrew's, Donna Nook, Lowestoft No. 2, Saltburn, Margate, Walton- on-the-Naze, Broadstairs, Walmer, Caister No. 1, Gorleston No. 1, North Deal, Cemlyn, and Harwich Steam and reserve Life-boats, in assembling their crews, watching, or putting off to the assistance of vessels which did not ultimately require their services.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution ac- companied by a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, to Mr. JOHN BOYD and to Mr. DAVID PATTON, for rescuing, at considerable risk, a boy who, while proceeding to a smack lying in Portrush Harbour, co. Antrim, on the 8th May, came in contact with the warp of a vessel, and was thereby thrown out of his boat. BOYD, who was on board a vessel about a hundred yards distant, jumped overboard with his ; clothes and heavy sea-boots on, and reached the boy first. PATTON was on shore, about two hundred yards off, and on witnessing the accident at once ran to the quay, throwing off his coat as he went, jumped into the water, and also swam to the rescue. Both men then supported the boy until all were picked up by a boat from the shore.

j Also 51. to the Chief Boatman-in-Charge and four Coastguard boatmen, for putting off in the life whale-boat at Culdaff, co. Donegal, and, i with considerable difficulty, the boat being swamped in the first attempt to launch it, rescuing the crew of five men from the schooner Westward, of Plymouth, which was in danger in Culdaff Bay, in a strong N.B. gale and a heavy sea, on the 16th March.

Also 21.10a. to five artillerymen, for rescuing three persons from a small sailing-boat which had been capsized by a sudden squall at Mil- ford Haven, in a strong E. breeze and a heavy sea, on the 7th April.

Also SI. to MICHAEL DONNELLY, who was injured while helping to launch the Balbriggan Life-boat for exercise, on the 14th March.