THE year prior to the re-organization of this now great Institution marked the lowest state of depression to which " The National Shipwreck Institution," as it was then called, had reached. Its income, derived from subscriptions, donations and dividends, was only 354Z. 17s. 6d., and there were but the following 19 boats in connection with it:— England and Wales.

North Sunderland. Cemlyn.

Boulmer. Hoiyhead.

Bridlington. Rhoscolyn.

Boston Deeps Penmon.

(Skegness). Penrhyn.

Rye. Llanddwyn.

Scilly Islands. Moelfre.

Bideford Life-boats) (Appledore).

Scotland, nil.

Ireland.

Rosslare. Kilmore. Derrynane.

From this nucleus has the fleet grown to its present proportions, viz. 303 Life- boats.

1850, as stated above, was the year in which the re-organization of the In- stitution took place, and from that date its rise has been steady and continual.

In October of that year the Duke of Northumberland offered 'a 100-guinea prize for the best model of a Life-boat, and a further sum of 100 guineas " for building a Life-boat according to the model which may be approved of." These models had to be sent in by February 1st, 1851. It was undoubtedly this action of the Duke's that raised the interest in life-boat work throughout the country, and placed the National Ship- wreck Institution in a prominent position before the public, the Duke of Northum- berland becoming its president in 1851.

No doubt the fact of the models being shown in the Great Exhibition of 1851 also drew the attention and interest of a large number of people to the existence of the Institution.

Mr. Beeching, of Great Yarmouth, Was awarded the prize, and it is interesting to note that his descendants are still build- ing for the Life-boat Institution, and that several of the most powerful boats now on the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts have been built by them.

1851 was a busy year, every effort was made to obtain the best description of Life-boat before building was embarked in and further experiments were made with a boat designed by Mr. Peake, one of the Committee; both this boat and Mr. Beeching's were exhaustively tried before the Committee decided to build, and from these boats has grown the self-righting type of the present day which is a great deal in use on the coast.

In 1852 the Institution was 1852. getting into thorough working order. The first Inspector of Life-boats was appointed (the late Admiral John Boss Ward, in those days Commander Ward), the first number of this Journal was published in March, and in it we find the following information copied from the Northumberland Report on the models submitted, and on the means of saving life on the coast of Great Britain:— " In Scotland, with a seaboard of 1500 miles, there are 8 Life-boats, at St.

Andrews, The Tay, Arbroath, Montrose, Aberdeen, Wick, Ardrossan and Irvine; some of these boats are in tolerable repair, that at Wick quite new, others are quite unserviceable.

"In England and Wales with a sea- board of 2000 miles, there are 75 Life- boats, 45 are stationed on the east coast.

From Berwick to the Tyne there are 7 boats, or one for every 8 miles, 3 at Shields, 15 on the coasts of Durham and Yorkshire, or one for every 10 miles, 4 in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk from Cromer to Southwold, 10 boats, or one for every 5 miles. Boats at Aldborough, Harwich and Broadstairs.

" On the south coast from Dover to the Lands End, a distance of 420 miles, only 7 boats, one inefficient boat at Scilly, the same at St. Ives and Bude, and a little better one at Padstow.

"In the Bristol Channel the North Devon Association maintains 3 in Bideford Bay. There is a new Life-boat at Ilfra- combe and one at Burnham.

"On the south coast of Wales from Cardiff to Fishguard, a distance of 200 miles, there is one Life-boat at Swansea, and that unserviceable. There are 12 boats on the west and north coast of Wales, some in a very defective state, and 9 in good order, at five stations, in the important Port of Liverpool, liberally supported by the Dock Trustees and having permanent boats' crews.

" In the Isle of Man there is not a single Life-boat. The 4 boats established here by Sir William Hillary, Bart. . . . have been allowed to fall into decay and hardly a vestige of them remains.

" In Ireland, with an extent of 1400 miles, there are 8 Life-boats, and these are inefficient." The above quotation truly showed a lamentable state of affairs when one takes into consideration that a large proportion of the boats were unseaworthy.

The coast of Northumberland (mainly due to the Percy family) affords a striking contrast, and the coast between Cromer and Southwold, then as now, shows the activity and interest taken in Life-boat work, there being a Life-boat every 5 miles. Also the Port of Liverpool shines out.

Out of the 91 Life-boats enumerated it appears by the annual report of the "National Shipwreck Association" for 1851, and published in 1852, that only 30 were belonging to or in connection with the Institution, very few of which were in good repair. In addition to those enumerated at the beginning of this article, the following appear to have thrown in their lot:— Hauxley. Penzance.

Newbiggin. Sennen Cove.

Cullercoats. Bude Haven.

Aldeburgh. Cardigan.

Woodbridge Haven. Bournemouth.

Worthing.

(Still no boat in Scotland and no increase to the original three in Ireland.) The work in these boats seems, from their proportions, to have been done entirely under oars, six of them being 30 ft. long x 8 ft. beam, and pulling 10 to 12 oars. One of these boats was built by Mr. Beeching, and stationed at New- biggin; another by Mr. Peake (at the expense of the Admiralty), and stationed at Cullercoats; and a third by Mr. Teasdel (one of the competitors for the prize), and placed at Hauxley: these being neigh- bouring stations it was thought a good comparison would be made as to their respective merits. The remainder of thefleet were of various proportions and ages, three (3) having been built in 1825, two of which were in 1852 reported to be in fair repair. 14 boats were single-banked and varied in dimensions from 32 ft. x 6£ ft. to 26 ft. x 6| ft., these latter pro- portions finding favour in Anglesey and Ireland. These boats were designed by the late Mr. George Palmer, M.P.(then Deputy- Chairman of the Institution), of Nazing Park, Essex, also one of the competitors.

Three boats had proportions 24 ft. x 8 ft., and pulled 8 oars double banked, and were built in 1826 from Mr. Plenty's designs (his name also appears among the competitors).

Some of these proportions are rather startling to our present ideas, and it is still more astonishing when one reads of a boat of 29£ ft. X 6 J ft. saving lives from wrecks on the Goodwin Sands! And yet this was done by the Broadstairs boat, which had been designed, built and pre- sented to that town by Messrs. White, of Cowes.

Such was the fleet that the Institution was in possession of in 1852, and the improvement and enlargement of which the Committee spared no pains or avail- able funds to carry out.

It might be of interest to note that it was in 1852 Mr. Richardson in- vented the " tubular " Life-boat, now in use at Rhyl and New Brighton, the original boat having been built by a Mr. Lees, of Manchester, and was navi- gated from Liverpool to Ramsgate.

The Annual Report published 34 lifeboats.in 1853 shows that the list of boats had increased to 34, the stations whose names appear for the first time in the fleet being— Lyme Regis.

Aberdovey.

Douglas (Isle of Man).

Filey.

Sizewell Gap (after- wards known as Thorpness).

but North Sunderland disappears for the present. Of these Lyme Regis * was the * This Life-teat was unfortunately capsized on service in 1854 with the loss of one life, this being the first accident to a self-righting Life-boat.

only new station established by the Institution, the others being handed over to the central management by local associations. Much activity was shown in building new boats, 12 having been sent to the coast since the last report.

The 1854 Report shows the 38 Life-boats fleet in°«»sed *° 38, viz., 'by Dungeness, established by Institution.

Ardrossan (Scotland). „ Newcastle! T , , Skerries /Ireland' Eastbourne, transferred by local authority.

Douglas, however, disappears temporarily.

It will be noticed from the above list that the Institution had at last got a footing in Scotland. Four new boats were built and despatched to their stations, all of a small type.

Shows the list of boats in- 50 Life-boats. creased to 50- The following boats having been transferred from the " Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Benevolent Society," viz.:— Llanelly.

Portmadoc.

Rhyl.

Lytham.

Hornsea.

Newhaven.

Teignmouth.

Tenby.

and at— Southwold.

Dover.

Fishguard.

Berwick-on-T weed.

Whitburn.

Lowestoft.

Pakefield.

The local associations voluntarily joined the Institution.

Alnmouth also is added to the list, but we miss the following four names, viz.:— Worthing, Woodbridge Haven, Skegness and Penrhyn Dhn.

Three new boats were built and sent to the coast, 30 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in., pulling ten oars, double banked.

For the first time the large sailing class of Life-boat finds a place in the Institution's fleet, the recently-acquired stations, Lowestoft, Pakefield and Southwold work- ing boats of the following dimensions respectively, 42 ft. 6 in. X 11 ft. 8 in., 46 ft. X 12 ft. 2 in. and 38 ft. x 10 ft.,and it is noteworthy that very similar boats are now in use on this part of the coast, with the exception that they are now decked and the water ballast confined, an improvement observed to be most necessary at the sailing Life-boat trials in 1892, and highly approved of by the crews.

In 1855 the Institution changed its title, and became, as we now know it, " THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck." ' 50 Life-boats ' 1856 shows no increase to * e immt)er ° *ne Life-boats Tinder the Institution's con- trol, for although Padstow, Gastleton (Isle of Man), and Drogheda appear on the list, St. Mary, Scilly, Rosslare, and Derrynane drop out.

Ten new life-boats were built and sent to the coast, one of which was a new sailing boat for Southwold, 40 ft. by 11 ft. 6 in., the Southwold men, like all their neighbours on the Norfolk and Suffolk coast, much preferring their old type of boat to the one offered them by the Institution.

The list in the 1857 Report 58 Life-boats. is brought up to 58 by the following additions : — Seaton Carew, transferred from local manage- ment.

Walmer, established by the Institution.

Camber „ „ Wicklow „ „ Arklow „ „ Cahore „ „ Youghal, transferred from local management.

Ballycotton, established by the Institution.

Westport „ ,, which shows a large access of strength in Ireland, but unfortunately Ardrossan in Scotland disappears.

Eight new boats were built and sent to their stations since the last report.

30 ft. X 7 ft. 6 in. still the largest type of boat built by the Institution.

1858.

70 Lite-boats, In 1858 the Report shows a considerable increase, for 70 boats are now reported to be under the Institution's control. It is especially a " red-letter year," because the " Norfolk Association," who had the management of all the boats on the Norfolk coast, gave in their allegiance — a matter of the utmost importance and ad- vantage, as it is well known that more Life-boat work was done there than any other part of the coast of Great Britain, and the experience of the men who worked the boats was invaluable.

The boats handed over by the Norfolk Association were:— Winterton Caister, Yarmouth.

Cromer.

Mundesley.

Bacton.

Palling.

In addition to these, Hastings, Brighton, Groomsport, Wexford, and Ardmore make their first appearance. There appears to have been old boats at Hastings and Brighton/ but the three Irish stations are new ones.

Eight new Life - boats were sent to the coast.

A further increase of 10 boats 80 Life boats. brin88 the 59 list UP to 80- and we find that— Lossiemouth (Scotland).

Dundalk.

Rosslare.

Carnsore.

Tranmore.

Dungarvan.

Middlesbrough.

Redcar.

Saltburn.

Exmouth.

Fleet-wood.

Fraserburgh (Scotland).

Wexford and Kilmore disappear for a time.) are the new comers, the majority being new stations. Redcar, however, is one of the conspicuous exceptions, the boat there having been built in 1802, by Greathead, of Shields, and though 57 years old when taken over was in good repair. This boat is still in existence.

Nine new boats were built, and a ten- dency appears for increasing the size of the self-righting boat, for the new boat sent to Cromer is 34 ft. long x 8 ft. 3 in.

beam, pulling 12 oars.

In 1859 the memorable Royal Charter gale took place, the stormy weather lasting from October 25 until November 9. The increased size of the Institution's fleet was the cause of saving many a life which would otherwise have been lost. The list of lives saved in 1859 was 499, with the exception of 1852 and 1853 the largest number up to that date.

In 1860 the list appears in 101 Life-boats. "three figures," 101 being the aggregate number of boats.

North Sunderland Yarmouth.

(reappears). (1 additional to).

Margate. Kingsgate

Brighstone Grange.

Brooke.

Fowey.

Lizard.

Newquay (Cornwall).

St. Ives.

Porthcawl.

Carmarthen Bay.

are the 20 new additions. Scotland ap- pears to be better represented, 5 of the above being in that country. St. Andrew's •was an old station transferred to the Institution, but the other four were newly established.

Twelve new Life-boats were built and sent to replace old ones or to new stations, and we notice that the beam of these boats was slightly reduced from the pro- portions hitherto adopted for double- banked boats, the new boats being 30 ft. X 7 ft., instead of 30 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in.

The past year was marked by a sad acci- dent to the Aldeburgh boat. She was upset whilst trying to render assistance to the brig Unity, of Whitby. Three of the Life- boat crew perished, the remainder regained the boat when she righted. It was bitterly cold weather at the time, with snow on the ground. The boat's proportions wero 32 ft. x 8 ft. 6 in. and 3 ft. 8 in. deep.

She was built in 1853 from Mr. Peake's designs. This was the second accident entailing loss of life which had occurred to a self-righting boat.

In 1860 the Royal National Life-boat Institution decided to place barometers at certain of their stations where they would be likely to be of service to fishermen.

1861 ne more h08*8 appear on ZlOHfe-b'oats the 1861 list bringing the ' total up to 110:— Orme'a Head.

Southport.

Irvine.

Campbeltown.

Buckie.

Tynemouth.

Whitby.

Thorpeness (1 additional to).

Penarth.

however, takes temporary leave of the list.

At Whitby and Southport there were old and inefficient boats, but new stations were formed by the Institution.

1860-61 had been a very busy building year, no less than 17 new boats having been placed since the last annual report.

293 In this year the Scarborough Life-boat, which had been placed on her station on September 26, met with a terrible accident on November 2nd. Before the eyes of hundreds of spectators on the Spa, the boat was dashed against the Spa wall, and in attempting to land at the south end of the wall the boat was thrown on the crew and people who were assisting, resulting in the death of two of the crew and three gentlemen who were assisting the crew to land.

1862.

131 life-boats.

The Annual Report pub- lished in 1862 shows that the Institution fleet had increased to 121 boats by the following additions:— Scarborough. Kirkcudbright.

Blakeney. Buddonness.

Kingsgate(reappears). Broughty Perry.

Guernsey Howth.

(St. Sampson's). Poolbeg.

Plymouth. Kingstown.

Aberystwith.

One of the Appledore boats is, however, withdrawn, making the net increase 11.

At Scarborough, Aberystwith, Buddon- ness, Broughty Ferry, Howth and Poolbeg, Life-boats had been previously stationed, so their management was transferred to the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- TION; but the remaining places were new stations.

Fifteen new boats were built during 1861-2 and sent to the coast. The new boat sent to Scarborough, to replace the one that was smashed to pieces, was of the following proportions, 33 ft. x 8 ft.

2 in.

Ten years had now elapsed since the Institution began increasing and building its fleet, and the results, namely, an addition of 91 boats, conclusively showed that, not only had the Institution gained the confidence of the public, but that they had worked hard in carrying out their policy of building new boats to replace the many old and inefficient ones, as well as establishing new stations.

The wreck-chart of 1852 showed that there were 135 Life-boats on the coast of Great Britain (many of which as shown in the Northumberland report were un- seaworthy); of these only 30 were under the Institution management. The wreck- chart for 1862 shows there were 179 Life-boats on our coast, 121 of which were controlled by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and now the Institution could lay claim to be National in fact as well as in name.

In 1862, in consequence of the great increase to the fleet, an Assistant In- spector was appointed.

Withernsea, Porthleven, 124 Life-boats. Swansea. New Brighton, find a place in the Annual Re- port published in 1863, but Westport (Ireland) drops out; the list is con- sequently raised to 124. Swansea was transferred from the local management, but the other three stations were estab- lished by the Institution.

Fourteen new Life-boats were built and placed on the coast, that for New Brighton being a tubular one, 42 ft.X 10 ft., other- wise there is not much departure from previous i dimensions, two boats 32 ft. X 8 ft., and one 33 ft.X 8 ft. being the only new proportions.

In 1864 we see the fleet 134 Life-boats. increased by 10 C134). viz-.

by the appearance of the following : — Cl additional to). Porthdinllaen.

Donna Nook. Blackpool.

Sutton. Girvan.

Theddlethorpe. Dunbar.

Pembrey. Greencastle.

The " Lincolnshire Shipwreck Associa- tion," one of the oldest on the coast, this year joined the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION. Three of their stations, viz., Donna Nook, Sutton, Theddlethorpe augment the list. With the exception of j Dunbar, all the others were new stations. | Dunbar was practically a new station, the old boat being worn out and useless, but as a Life-boat station it dates a long way back ; there was a boat there in 1808, and in December, 1810, the Life- boat saved 45 men from H.M.S. Pallas in two trips, and in attempting a third was upset and drowned nearly all.

The 1864 Report says : "the Institution was enabled to send no less than 15 new boats to the coast, and numerous others are in course of construction." Two of the new boats measured 36 ft. X 8 ft., and several 33 ft. x 8 ft., showing a tendency to increase the size.

The Annual Report for 1865, 144Lifo.t ats. S"18 allndinS to the great loss the Institution has sustained by the death of their President, Admiral the Duke of Northum- berland. A great ' loss indeed for, as appears at the beginning of this article, it was no doubt to him was due the greatest part of the credit for the success and advancement of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Ten additional stations now appear, bringing the fleet up to 144.

Holy Island. Hayling Island.

Sunderland. Poole.

North Deal. Piel (Barrow).

Kingsdowne. Maryport.

Worthing(reappears).Valentia.

Of these, Worthing, Holy Island and Sunderland were taken over from local management, and the others were new establishments.

Many of the above stations have proved of great value, but North Deal especially has justified its existence.

34 new boats were built and stationed since the last year's Report. The first really powerful sailing self-righting boat appears, namely, the boat built for North Deal; she was 40 ft.X 10 ft., and for 20 years afterwards was continually at work, and most highly thought of by the Deal boatmen.

1866 shows a great increase i no T -5 ».'„.« 162 Life-boats.

in the fleet the list is , . . ; , „., . ..

brought up to 162 by the appearance of 18 new stations, viz. : — Ilfracombe._ Whitehaven.

Port Logan.

Peterhead.

Arbroath.

Anstruther.

Ballywalter.

Balbriggan.

Courtown.

Queenstown.

Tynemouth (1 additional to).,l Runswick.

Upgang.

Hasborough.

Southwold (1 additional to).J Ramsgate.

Shoreham.

Brixham.

Hayle.

One of the Whitby boats, however, drops out of the list. Of the above, Shoreham, Ilfracombe, Whitehaven and Arbroath were originally under local management, the Arbroath station being a very old one and possessing a Life-boat built in 1803.

Ramsgate, although under the Board of Trade, now takes its place among the fleet, the Institution having provided a new 40 ft. X10 ft. 4 in. Life-boat to replace the boat built by Mr. Beeching in 1852, which had done splendid service, but was at last worn out; the dimensions were 36 ft. X 9 ft. 6 in., and until the last year (1865) when the large 40 ft. x 10 ft. boat was built for North Deal, was unquestion- ably the most powerful self-righting boat on the coast.

As many as 37 new Life-boats were built in 1865-6, which seems to have been a very active year for the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

In 1865 the French sister service "La Societe Centrale de Sauvetage des Naufrages " was founded, with the gallant Admiral Eigault de Genouilly as President.

1866 was a terrible year for shipwreck, the most notable loss being that of the steamship London and 220 lives.

The list of lives saved by boats of the Institution shows a great increase, namely, 921, the previous " record " being 773 in 1852.

A further increase of 11 173 Life-boats brings the fleet UP to 173 in 1867, viz.:— ton and Douglas (Isle of Man) there had many years previously been Life-boats, but they were practically new stations, as there had been no boat in use at either station for a considerable time.

Twenty-seven new boats were built, the new one for Broadstairs being 36 ft. x 9 ft. 2 in.

1869 sees the Institution 200 Life-boats. complete its second century, the fleet now numbering 200.

The last nine years having seen 100 new stations (or in some instances additional boats to old stations) added to the list of posts under the management of the Institution. Those added in 1868-69 were— Cleethorpes.

Wells.

Kimeridge.

Weymouth.

Lynmouth.

Llanelly.

St. David's.

Abersoch.

Ramsey (I. of Man).

Whithorn.

Southend Kintyre).

Montrose (2 boats).

Duncannon.

Mullion.

Bumham.

West Brighton (1 additional to).

Stromness.

Courtmacsherry.

Sheringham.

Gorleston.

Chichester Harbour.

Chapman's Pool (Isle of Purbeck).

Looe.

Falmouth.

All of these were new stations, except Sheringham, where there was a private Life-boat, and Burnham, where the boat previously under the charge of the Harbour Board, had been allowed to fall into decay.

This was again a very prolific building year, 33 new boats having been sent to the coast. There seems to have been a tendency to give the self-righting boats more beam, as we find several of 33 ft. X 8 ft. 6 in., one of 36 ft. x 9 ft. 6 in. (for Redcar), and one of 36 ft. x 9 ft.

The list of lives saved during the year 1867 even tops that of the previous year, the total being 1086.

1868 In 1868 we find the list of 186 life-boats, the fleet raised to 186.

Broadstairs.

Bembridge.

Cadgwith.

Milford.

Llanddulaa.

Douglas.

Stonehaven.

Holy Island (1 additional to).

Blyth (2 boats).

Hunstanton.

Caister (1 additional to).

Kessingland.

Blyth and Broadstairs were taken over from the local management. At Hunstan- All new stations with the exception of Montrose, which was transferred to the Institution by the local management.

Both "Wells and Ramsey (Isle of Man) had been Life-boat stations, but in each case the Life-boat had been allowed to fall into an unserviceable state.

Eighteen new Life-boats were built in 1868-69.

1869 was another remarkable year for wrecks, the published list of lives saved was 1,231, which number has up to now (1895) never been surpassed.

In this year (1869) the Committee decided to relinquish the assistance given them by the Board of Trade. This action was taken in consequence of the improved financial state through the increase of subscriptions, donations, and legacies, it being considered, under the circumstances, that money raised from taxation should not be used. The funds hitherto afforded by the Board of Trade had been drawn from the "Mercantile Marine Fund." In 1854, when the Merchant Shipping Act was passed, the Board of Trade being anxious to assist the Institution in its work, came to an agreement with it whereby, under certain conditions, the Board undertook to repay from the "Mercantile Marine Fund" sums ex- pended in payment of coxswain's salaries and rewards to the crews of the Life-boats for going out in them, either on service or exercise.

Twenty Life - boats were added to the list since the 1870.

220 Life-boats.

last Report.

Portloe.

Porthoustock.

Port Isaac.

Clovelly.

Solva.

Fishguard (1 additional to).

Ballantrae.

Troon.

Ardrossan (reappears).

Kildonan.

West Hartlepool (2 boats).

Whitby (1 additional to).

Gorton.

Lowestoft (1 additional to).

Kessingland (1 additional to).

Aldemey.

Sidmouth.

Saloombe.

Mevagissey.

West Hartlepool was taken over from the management of the North-Eastern Railway, and Ardrossan from the local management there, bat the remaining stations were all established by the Institution.

Twenty-one new boats were built.

The terrible loss of H.M.S. Captain occurred in 1870, but otherwise it was not a remarkable year for wrecks.

The Institution signal code for the use of Life-boats was introduced in 1870, but has undergone some slight alteration since.

The fleet now (1871) num- 228 Life-boats. bers 228'the fo S being the additions:— Sunderland Pakefield (2 additional to). (1 additional to).

Seaham. Morte Bay.

Chapel. Drogheda Palling (1 additional to).

(1 additional to).

The Sunderland boats were taken over from local management. Fourteen new Life-boats were built and sent to the coast; a fine sailing self-righting boat was sent to Aldeburgh, 40 ft. x 10 ft. 5 in., which did 20 years' good service before she was ultimately condemned.

In August, 1871, there appeared in the Life-boat Journal an article headed " Steam Life-boats." It seems that as far back as that people we're saying, " Why not have steam Life-boats," and no doubt those who had no experience in Life-boat work probably thought then, as now, that nothing could be easier. The article in question carefully considers the subject, but sums up dead against them, and concludes by saying, " Impressed with the importance and apparent im- mobility of the difficulties which we fore- see, and have here endeavoured to pourtray, we do not feel able to expect that steam Life-boats will ever come into general use." Nineteen years afterwards the first steam Life-boat was placed on the coast, and now there are two, but we seem as far off as ever from these coming into " general use." 1872. Five additional boats bring 233 Life-boats, the list in 1872 up to 233.

Sunderland Rhosneigir.

(1 additional to). Grey stones.

Flamborough (2 boats).

New stations with the exception of Sunderland; 18 new boats were sent to the coast. A large sailing Life-boat on the Norfolk and Suffolk plan was sent to Pakefield 46ft. x 12ft. 2 in., which boat is still at that station.

It is now 20 years since the Institution's actual labour began, and, as we have already pointed out, during the first 10 years the fleet was increased by 91 boats; the second 10 years shows still more activity, the fleet having been raised from 121 to 233, or by the addition of 112 boats. In 1862 the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION managed 121 Life- boats out of a total of 179, which were shown by the wreck-chart to be stationed on the coast. On consulting the wreck- chart for 1872, we now find that there are 261 Life-boats on the coast of Great Britain, and that out of that number 233 are connected with the Institution.

(To be continued.).