At the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION, held at St. Martin's Town. Hall, Charing Cross Road, on Saturday, the 21st day of April, 1894, His GRACE THE DUKE or WESTMINSTER, K.G., in the Chair, the following Report of the Committee was read by the Secretary:— new Steam Life-boat will quite fulfil their favourable anticipations as they believe she will possess many material improvements on the old boat, suggested by experience.

ANNUAL REPORT. 1894.

THE work of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION has been actively and earnestly carried out during the past year, and every effort has been made by the Committee—in the face of very adverse circumstances brought about by the general badness of the times, agricultural distress and trade disputes—to maintain and even increase the efficiency of the service.

Steam Life-boat.—The Committee, after calling for tenders from many of the largest shipbuilding firms in the United Kingdom, entrusted, in June last, the building of a second Steam Life-boat to Messrs. R. & H. GBEBS, of Blackwall.

This boat when completed will be sent to Harwich and will be named the City of Glasgow. The entire cost of construction will be met by funds raised in Glasgow in connection with the Life-boat Saturday demonstrations held there last autumn and to be held during the current year.

The Committee are sanguine that the Competitive Life-boat Trials,—As fore- shadowed in last year's Report, the second part of the series of competitive Life-boat trials was held early in 1893, at Montrose, and included all the various classes of pulling Life-boats. The results have been published in, extenso, and the Committee are satisfied that those trials have, as in the case of those with the sailing Life-boats, not only tended to increase the confidence of the Life-boat crews in their boats, but have been productive of much valuable information which could not have been obtained in any other way, thus fully justifying the cost of the experiments.

Life-boats. — A new station has been opened during the past year at Folkestone, and has been furnished with a fully-equipped Life-boat, thanks to the generosity of a benevolent lady. New stations will also be established when local and other circumstances permit, at:— Barry Glamorganshire.

Greenore .... Co. Louth.

Port Ness .... Island of Lewis.

Selsey Sussex.

During the year, 17 other stations have been supplied with new boats possessing the latest improvements,; the precise class of boat in each case having been deter- mined by the coxswains and crew who would have to man her, a species of local option much appreciated by the men.

The stations to which the new boats were sent were:— ENGLAND AND WALES.

Clovelly ....

Ilfracombe .

Kessingland (No. 1) Littlehaven .

Lowestoft (No. 2) .

Palling (No. 2) . .

Devonshire.

Devonshire.

Suffolk.

Pembrokeshire.

Suffolk.

Norfolk.

Rhyl (No. 1) .

Runswick . . , Eye . . . . , Sennen Cove . .

South-wold (No. 1) Kent.

Flintshire.

Yorkshire.

Sussex.

Cornwall.

Suffolk.

Dorset.

SCOTLAND.

Dunbar Haddingtonshire.

Peterhead .... Aberdeenshire.

St. Andrews. . . . Fifeshire.

IRELAND.

Tramore Waterford.

The Boats at 24 other stations have been improved, and brought, as far as possible, up to date. A similar course will be adopted with others during the current year.

The services of the Buddon Ness Life- boat not being considered any longer necessary, the station has been abolished with the full concurrence of the Local Committee.

At the end of last year the Institution's fleet consisted of 303 Life-boats.

The Committee are prepared to establish and maintain a Life-boat Station on any part of the coasts of the United Kingdom where it can be shown that a Life-boat is really required. It is imperative, how- ever, that there should be a sufficient number of men, fishermen or others, accustomed to the management of boats at sea, to man the Life-boat. I Transporting Carriages. — The Committee have sent 21 new transporting carriages to the coast during the past year, and are having others built with all possible speed for those stations where they are needed.

Tipping's Plates.—These valuable aids to launching the Life-boats expeditiously continue to afford satisfaction wherever they have been tried, and 7 additional sets have been provided.

Inspection of Life-boats, &c.—The whole fleet of Life-boats belonging to the Institution was periodically visited by the District Inspectors in 1893, a fall report of the inspection having in each case been forwarded to the Chief Inspector for submission by the Secretary to the Committee. Special visits to Stations and Branches have also been known where circumstances have rendered them necessary.

Shipwrecks.—The oldest amongst us cannot remember a more remarkable year, from a meteorological point of view, than the year 1893. During nine months out of the twelve, fine, mild, quiet weather predominated all round the coast, only broken by occasional bad weather, to remind the Life-boat crews that they must ever be on the alert. But notwith- standing the unusually fine weather which prevailed generally throughout the year, good service was done by the Life-boats lei MAY, 1894.] ANNUAL REPORT. 571 in saving life. Altogether the Boats were details of the services during each I launched on service 314 times, and for month of the year — drills, which must be carried out whether the weather be fair or foul, 1,053 times ; Number Lives Vessels Lives Saved besides which the Crews were called to- 1893 of Life- Saved boat by Life- Saved by Life- Shore- gether 53 times in readiness for service, Launches, boats. boats. boats. but their assistance was ultimately not January 38 31 5 11 requind. The most memorable gale of February 18 10 3 18 the j«ar lasted almost without a lull from March April . 23 39 22 Si 1 2 11 21 the 17th to the 21st November. The May . 6 — 1 2 principal feature of this gale, which was June .

July . 7 10 6 11 2 1 7 5 of unusual strength, was that its ravages August 10 4 1 10 were not confined to any particular part September October . 13 — 14 8 2 1 of the coast, but devastated generally, November December 119 256 38 26 8 1 20 60 north, south, east and west. During this remarkable storm the Life-boats were Total . . 314 428 27 170 launched no less than 82 times, and saved The total number of lives for the saving 208 lives and seven vessels. Considering of which the Institution has granted re- the perils and risks incurred by the Life- wards since it was founded in 1824, has boat men on this occasion, it is remark- been 37,855, the number for each year able that only two lost their lives, one at being as follows Grimsby by being thrown out of the boat In the So. of Lives lathe No, of Lives before she left the harbour and being killed, Year Saved.

1824 124 Year I860 Saved.

455 apparently by being dashed against the 1825 218 1861 424 pier, and the other at Lydd by the cap- 1826 175 1862 574 sizing of the Life-boat by a tremendous 1827 163 1828 301 1863 1864 714 698 sea. A third Life-boat man perished on 1829 463 1865 714 the 13th December by the capsizing 1830 372 1831 287 1866 1867 951 1,086 during a hurricane of the Dunmore East 1832 310 1868 862 Life-boat, owing to bad steering. It is a 1833 449 1869 1,231 matter for devout thankfulness that only 1834 214 1835 364 1870 1871 784 8K2 these three gallant fellows perished on 1836 225 1872 739 service out of the many thousands of 1837 272 1873 668 Life-boat men who manned the Life- 1838 456 1839 279 1874 1875 713 921 boats in 1893, and the Committee are 1840 353 1876 600 hopeful that the increased efficiency of 1841 128 1842 276 1877 1878 1,048 616 the boats and gear may in a measure 1843 236 1879 855 have tended to this result. 1844 193 1880 697 The Coxswains and Crews of the Life- 1845 235 1846 134 1881 1,121 1882 884 boats have generally throughout the year 1847 157 1883 955 conducted themselves in an exemplary and 1848 123 1849 209 1884 792 1 1885 555 satisfactory manner, and have received 1850 470 1886 7S1 every encouragement from the Committee 1851 230 ; 1887 - 572 to be prompt and efficient in discharging 1852 773 1«RS «78 1888 aw 1889 627 their important duties 1854 355 1890 765 The number of lives for the saving of 1855 406 1891 736 which the Institution granted rewards in J857 374 1892 1,056 1893 598 1893, was 598 ; of these 428 were rescued ( 1858 427 I Total 37.855 by Life-boats, and 170 by Shoreboats, 1859 4" in addition to which 27 vessels were Rewards. — The rewards granted by the saved. The folio wing table shows the Committee in 1893 for the saving of life 

from shipwreck or for meritorious efforts with personal risk to do so, and in recog- nition of other good services rendered the cause, comprised 23 Silver Medals, 4 Second Service Clasps, 15 Binocular Glasses, 1 Aneroid Barometer, 53 Votes of Thanks inscribed on vellum and framed, 7 Certificates of Service framed, and 9.408Z. 18s., including allowances to the relatives of men lost on duty and com- pensation for injuries received in the Service.

On the 31st December last the Institution had granted altogether in rewards since its establishment in 1824, 97 Gold Medals and 1 Gold Clasp, 1,120 Silver Medals and Clasps, 231 Binocular Glasses, 15 Telescopes, 6 Aneroid Barometers, 1,447 Votes of Thanks inscribed on vellum and framed, 39 Certificates of Service framed, and 139,632Z. 9s. Id. in money.

Aneroids.-—Numerous applications were received during the past year from Fisher- men and small Coasters for the very re- liable Aneroid Barometers supplied by the Institution at a greatly reduced price.

The total number of these instruments supplied was 110, of these 100 were sold to Fishermen, and 10 to Coasters. The number issued by the Institution since June, 1882, has been 3,349.

.Removal of Wrecks.—Under the provi- sions of the Removal of Wrecks Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1889, promoted and secured by the Institution four years ago, a considerable number of wrecks, dangerous to the Life-boat crews in the discharge of their life-saving work, have been removed by the Trinity-house and other authorities during the past year Each year seems to show more plainly the utility of the measure.

Communication on the Coast.— The important system of electrical communication on the coast for life-saving purposes, commenced by Government in 1892, at the instance of the Life- boat Institution, backed up by the press of the country, was considerably developed last year, and it is hoped that he long-needed and looked-for line of communication will, before another year s over, have been extended to all the more dangerous parts of the British coast.

Steps have already been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the loyal Commission as regards connecting »he rock light-houses and light-vessels with the shore, and it is generally recog- nized that such action has been taken none 100 soon. The Committee trust that the Royal Commission will defer making their final report until fully satisfied that their recommendations have been thoroughly and efficiently carried out and tested.

The Officials of Her Majesty's Post-Office lave done their utmost to make the system as complete as the funds placed at ;heir disposal by the Treasury have permitted, and the Committee take this opportunity of recognizing their important and valuable co-operation.

The late Chief Inspector of Life-boats.

— The Committee deeply regret the great loss the Institution has sustained during the past year by the death of Captain the Honourable HENRY WETLAND CHETWYND, E.N., Chief Inspector of Life-boats, who had for 14 years ably, energetically and enthusiastically discharged his duties with loyal devotion to the Life-boat cause.

Committees, etc. — The Local Committees and their Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers continue to give the most important assistance to the Institution, without which it would be impossible for the Parent Committee to maintain the high degree of efficiency in the service which it has now undoubtedly attained.

The Committee therefore tender their most cordial and grateful thanks to each and all their voluntary officers.

"Life-Boat Saturday," etc.— This important movement, so strongly advocated by H.R.H. the PRINCE or WALES last year, was initiated in Manchester and Salford MAY, 1894.] ANNUAL REPORT.

573 in 1891, and hag, notwithstanding the general depression and exceptionally ad- verse circumstances which have obtained daring the whole of 1893, again been largely developed. No better scheme could possibly have been devised for nationalising the Life-boat service than this. The Committee are deeply sensible of their obligation to those who have all along so generously supported this Institution, in many cases by most munificent gifts, support which it is earnestly hoped will be still continued. At the same time the Institution being of such a national character has in the past been too ranch dependent on the contributions of the generous few, and the numerous Life-boat Saturday demonstrations which hare taken place during the past three years have not only proved the immense popularity of the Life-boat service, but have opened oat a new source of revenue, at least one which had not formerly been taken full advantage of, and as the needs of the Institution are increasing year by year it has been found necessary to appeal to all classes of the community to contribute to its support.

Although the Life-boat Saturday movement has been eminently successful, the Committee are well aware that this success has not been attained without an immense amount of labour on the part of the promoters in the various cities and towns where it has been established, and they gratefully tender their thanks to those earnest workers in every class of society who have endeavoured with great success to advance this movement; to the Ladies Committees for their self-denying and successful labours; to the clergy and ministers throughout the country who, notwithstanding their many claims, have instituted Life-boat Sunday collections in their various spheres of labour; and to the press for the immense assistance it has rendered to the Life-boat Saturday cause and advocating the claims of the Institution generally. With a view to extending and developing the Life-boat Saturday movement, the importance of which cannot be over-rated, the Committee have taken steps to appoint Organising Secretaries, whose duties it will be, under the guidance of district committees, to promote demonstrations and form new inland branches. Several districts for this purpose have already been arranged, Finances. — The receipts of the Institu- tion during the year 1893, in subscriptions, donations, dividends, etc., amounted to 56,6732. 16s. Id., a decrease of nearly 2,000i. as compared with the previous year. The falling off was however due to a very considerable reduction in the amount received under the head of special gifts, which showed a decrease of 5,000?.

Had it not been for the important help received as the result of the Life-boat Saturday demonstrations, the diminution in the total receipts would have been much more serious. The amount received in special gifts was 1,7092. 12s, 2d. for the following Life-boat pof;ablishments : — £ ». d.

Abersoch — Oldham Fund (ad- ditional) ....... 70 - - Caister (No. 1) — Covent Garden Fund (additional) .... 45 3 - Clovelly — JOHN L. BOQET, Esq. . 100 - - Douglas (No. 2), Kingstown (Ko. 2),Maryport, Port Patrick, Tynemouth, Walmer and Wex- ford — Civil Service Life-boat Fund, per CHARLES DIBDIN, Esq. (additional) ..... 1,137 18 8 Hartlepool (No. 3)— Cyclist Life- boat Fund (additional) ... 70 - - Hunstan ton— Licensed Victuallers' Fund (additional) .... 50 - - Lowestoft (No. 2) — Stock Ex- change Fund (additional) . . 116 10 6 Lyme Regis — 0. CAEB ASHLEY, Esq. (additional) .... 70 - - Whitburn— A LADY (additional) 50 - - The following legacies were also grate- fully received by the Committee during the past year : — £. s. d.

30 - - 5 - - AIKEN, P. P., Esq., Bristol ( AVERT, Mrs. E. H., Plymouth 

£.

,000 406 180 899 AVINS, JOHN, Esq., Moseley . BAKER, Miss M. A., Eyde BEDELL, Miss MARY ANN, Hull .

BENNETT, Miss L. P. H., Florence BLACK, Mrs. ISABELLA, East- bourne 1,000 - - BRIGGS, Major-Gen. WILLOTTGHBY, C.B., Piccadilly 750 - - BROWNE, G. H., Esq., Greenwich 90 - - BRYANT, Mrs. E. J., Pembroke . 30 - - CAHNLEY, HENRY, Esq., M.D., Hull 600 - - CHATTING, EDWD., Esq., Hackney 100 - - CHISHOLM, Mrs. SELINA, Oldham . 1,000 - - CLAKK, J. A., Esq., Paisley . . 505 6 10 CHOKER, Mrs. P. S., Folkestone . 25 - - CURTIS, Mrs. MARY, Worthing (additional) 15 17 6 DALGLISH, JOHN, Esq., Glasgow . 50 - - DEAN, W. H., Esq., Stratford (ad- ditional) - 10 5 DBBWBY, Mrs. ANN E., Carrington 75 8 1 EDGAR, Miss M., Clifton ... 200 - - ELPHINSTONB, Lady WILLIAM, Piccadilly. 509 4 11 GILL, JOHN, Esq., Battersea . . 200 - - GOVAN, JOHN, Esq., Glasgow . 45 - - GRIFFIN, J. N., Esq., East Molesey 100 - - HAWTHORNE, Miss M. A., Uttoxeter 20 - - HIGGIE, Mrs. M. E., Balham . . 500 - - HODGES. Mrs. ELLEN, Shepherd's Bush 630 - - HODGSON, WM. E., Esq., Haxby . 1,000 - - HOWARD, Miss REBECCA, South- ampton 112 10 - HUTCHINSON, Miss ELIZA, Howden 19 19 - [NCE, W. W., Esq., Douglas . , 100 - - Do., do., for Deal, Douglas, Margate and Ramsgate Life- boats 20 - - ISAAC, Miss JANE, Llangollen . 225 - - JENSON, JOHN, Esq., Walton . . 103 18 - JONES, GEORGE, Esq., Cheshunt . 360 - - JONES, Miss MARTHA, Highbury (additional) ...... 37 10 - KIDD, MARTIN, Esq., Holmflrth . 200 - - KNIGHT, J. W. F., Esq., Clevedon 9 - - MILLNS, A. F., Esq., Windsor (additional) 670 - - MILLWARD, W. A., Esq., Chapel- en-le-Frith 187 10 - MELLEBSH,R. E.,Esq., Godalming 1919 - MOCATTA, A. DE MATTOS, Esq., Gloucester Square .... 45 - - !Vr-)ORE, HENRY, Etq., Romford Road 101 1 8 MOESHEAD, Admiral, Plymouth . 45 - - MULLIGAN, T. M., Esq., Demerara (balance) 50 - - XEAVE, W. F., Esq., Cheapside . 20 - - £. s. d.

OLIVER, ALFRED, Esq., Lawrence L*ne, E.C 101 6 8 PALMER, A. D. G., Esq., Chel- tenham ...... 900 - - RICHMOND, WILLIAM, Esq., Wan- stead 18 - - ST. AUBYN, Miss M., Chertsey . 90 - - SALTER, JAMES, Esq., Newport . 90 - - SANDEMAN, A., Esq., Perth . . 500 - - SHUTE, W. R., Esq., Bristol . . 50 - - SPENCER, Miss E. S., Hackney . 100 - - THOMAS, Mrs. F. E., Nunney (ad- ditional) 2 11 8 VOLBBACHT, Madame, Islington . 826 3 8 YOUNG, Mrs. MARY, Sunder- land 45 - - The expenditure for the past year, which was considerably in excess of any previous year since the Institution was founded, was 83,0351. 15s. 9d., so that the Com- mittee expended not only all they received from the ordinary sources of revenue, but also in addition 26,485?. 14s. Sd. of legacy money and other capital. The disburse- ments included 17,517Z. 11s. Id. for the building, improving and repairing of Life-boats; 4.207Z. Is. 3d. for Life- boat Carriages and Tipping's Sand- plates; for Life-boat Houses and Slip- ways (an increasingly costly item), 9,499Z. 10s. Wd.; for Life-boat Stores, Life-belts, Subsidies to non-self-supporting Stations, Branch payments, Aneroids for Fishermen and Coasters, and the Store- yard, 16,2641. 16s. Id.; for carrying out the competitive trials with pulling Life- boats at Montrose, 2,814Z. 10s.; for pay- ments to Inspectors, Coxswains, Bowmen, Signalmen, Crews, etc., for services and for exercising the boats, special rewards and recognitions, medals, vellums, grants for injuries, and to relatives of men lost on service, 24,878Z. 11s. 9d. The balance was expended in printing and publishing the Life-boat Journal, the Annual Report, and Appeals, on salaries, rates, taxes, office, redraining the Institution by order of the Vestry, repairs, housekeeper, adver- tisements, telegrams, postage, stationery, etc. Each item of receipt and expenditure has been carefully examined, verified and passed by Mr. LOVELOCK, of the well known firm of Messrs. LOVELOCK, and DICKINSON, 19, Coleman Street, E.G., Chartered Accountants.

The Committee would conclude their report with an earnest appeal for further help and support. They feel that it would ho a discredit to this the greatest maritime country in the world were the Life- boat Service to lack efficiency for want of funds, and they therefore confidently call on every class of the community, all being equally dependent on our sea-going population, to rally round the Institution which has been the happy and successful means of saving so many thousands of lives from shipwreck.