At the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, held at St. Martin's Town Hall, Charing Gross Road, on Saturday, the 12th day of March, 1898, His Grace the DUKE OF LEEDS in the Chair, the following Report of the Committee was submitted and adopted:— ANNUAL REPORT. 1898.

THE past year, while it has been one of considerable anxiety to the Committee of Management, has at the same time been one of congratulation, and not only for them but also for every friend to the Life-boat cause. In consequence of the serious and unfounded charges and attacks which had for some time been systematically made and widely circulated against the Management of the Institution, the Life-boats and their crews, and generally against everything connected with the Institution, the Committee felt that it had become absolutely necessary, in view of the existence of the Institution being entirely dependent on the confidence and voluntary aid of the Public, to apply early in the year to the House of Commons to appoint a Select Committee to inquire fully, into the administration of the Institution, and into the adequacy of its organization for laving life on our coasts. The Select Committee was appointed on the 17th March, 1897, and after sitting for four months, and going most carefully and exhaustively into every detail of the organization, they presented their Report to the House of Commons on the 15th of the following July.  The Report, the contents of which have been placed before the Public, entirely vindicated and justified the Institution and altogether cleared the Management of the serious charges made against it. It concluded thus:— "Your Committee cannot conclude their Report without recording their opinion that the thanks of the whole community are due to the Committee of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION for the energy and good management (often in very difficult circumstances) with which they have for so many years successfully carried out the national work of life-saving, and this without reward or payment of any sort. And your Committee regret that it is not in their power to suggest some further protection for charitable institutions against the attacks of irresponsible persons, which attacks may, as in the present case, turn out to be unfounded and untrue." The Press of the country generally expressed in strong and clear terms its concurrence with the finding of the Parliamentary Committee and very numerous congratulatory resolutions and letters have been received by the Committee, not only from all parts of the United Kingdom, but also from the Continent. The Committee would take this opportunity of tendering. to the supporters and friends of the Institution their best and grateful thanks for the hearty support they received from them throughout the recent trying period of investigation and anxiety. There is no doubt that much injury has been done to the cause financially by the circulation of calumnies which have been proved to be so baseltss and nnjnst, and the consequent loss has certainly been considerable, more especially in connection with the Life-boat Saturday Fund. The Committee believe that the love of justice and fair - play which has always characterised the British Public will not allow the Life-boat Service to suffer permanently, but that the people of this great maritime country will generously come forward and compensate the Institution for the loss it has sustained. One gentleman has already con- tributed 1,OOOZ. and doubled his annual subscription, as a special mark of his disapproval of the improper tactics which have been practised against the Institution, and other friends have either increased their annual subscriptions or given special contributions. The Committee would earnestly appeal to all lovers of justice to follow such an excellent example.

Notwithstanding the troubles to which reference has been made, the great life- saving work of the Institution has been steadily continued and earnestly carried on during the past year.

Life-boats.—New sailing or pulling boats, fully equipped and possessing every improvement in construction and gear which has been found to be desirable, and suited to local requirements, have been supplied to 13 Stations, and in each case the local committees, coxswains and crews interested have been fully consulted. The following is a list of the Station's to which these new boats have been sent:— ENGLAND AND WALES.

Broadstairs .

Kessingland No. 2 .

Mevagissey . . .

Newhaven . . .

Poole ....

Rhyl.....

Saltburn . . .

Southwold No. 2 .

Button ....

Walmer ....

Kent.

Suffolk.

Cornwall.

Sussex.

Dorsetshire Flintshire.

Yorkshire.

Suffolk.

Lincolnshire.

Kent.

SCOTLAND.

Fraserburgh Peterhead .

Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeenshire.

ISLE OF MAN.

Peel.

The service at Point of Ayr (Flintshire) has been strengthened by the addition of a second Life-boat at this station, and the Point of Ayr, St. Anne's No. 2, and Hoylake Boats, were altered and improved.

A third steam Life-boat named the Queen, in commemoration of the completion of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's reign, was sent to New Brighton last autumn, the steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland which she replaced being re-transferred to Holyhead. Oil fuel and coal combined may be used in the propulsion of the new boat. Steam Life- boats are being built by the Institution for Padstow (Cornwall) and the neighbourhood of Grimsby. The total cost of the Queen exceeded 5,0002.

Owing to the variations in the amount of sea traffic which have taken place of late years on different parts of the coast, and the substitution, to a considerable extent, of steam vessels for small coasters and other small trading vessels, it has been found necessary by the Institution in several cases to place more powerful Life-boats at some stations and in other instances to close stations altogether. During the past year Life- boats have been withdrawn from Appledore, Bamburgh Castle, Carnsore, Kessingland, Kingsgate and Wexford. On the 3 let December lost there were 296 Life-boats of all classes belonging to the Institution on the coast.

Transporting Carriages.—During the year the Life-boats at 5 Stations were provided with new transporting carriages, and a similar course will be adopted where necessary as soon as circumstances admit.

Tippings Plates.—Four sets of these valuable aids to prompt launching were supplied in 1897 to Stations where it was considered that the arrangements for easy and rapid launching were defective, and they have already proved as successful as elsewhere.

Inspection of Life-boats, &c.—A.

thorough and careful inspection of the Institution's Life-boats and Stations has been periodically carried out during the past year, and a detailed report of each inspection has been submitted to the Committee for their consideration and guidance.

Shipwrecks.—Although the past year cannot be said to have been GO remarkably void of continuous stormy weather as its predecessor, it was not a tempestuous one.

The stormy seasons,except in one instance, were not marked by any great gale which could be considered as unusual, and the launches of the Life-boats on service were fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The heaviest gales of 1897, from a Life-boat point of view, occurred on the 2nd-3rd March and the 28-29th November. In the first case there were 19 Life-boats launched, resulting in the saving of 38 lives and the landing of 10 other persons exposed to danger. In the second case 29 Life-boats were launched on service, with the result that the lives of 108 persons, including two women, were saved. This gale was a very severe one and did much damage to property, more particularly on the east and south-east coasts. During the month of June there were 31 launches of Life-boats on service, resulting in the saving of 85 lives. In no previous June since the establishment of the Institution in 1824 have there been so many Life-boats launched on service or so many lives saved as the result of the launches. During the year the Life-boats were launched on service 381 times and 1,103 times for exercise; besides which the crews were assembled on 62 other occasions when it was thought that their services might be required. The Committee have to record that, notwithstanding the thousands of Life-boat men that were afloat in the Institution's Life-boats either on service or exercise in 1897, not a single man lost his life. In view of the dangerous nature of the work which has to be performed, this is most satisfactory, and a matter for the deepest thankfulness, and the Committee would here quote the following paragraph from the Parliamentary Re- port:— "It is true the service has not been conducted entirely without loss of life by those engaged in it Your Committee would have been greatly surprised if it had; seeing that the work must often be done in conditions of the greatest danger to all concerned." The total number of lives for the saving of which the Institution granted rewards last year was 659. Of these 534 were Number Lives Vessels Wves 1897. of Life- boat pUnoobee. Saved by Life- boats. Saved by Life, boats. Saved by Shore- boats. January 36 26 1 28 February 49 49 1 10 March 60 72 6 10 April . 23 13 3 21 May . 15 11 2 17 June . 31 85 2 Ju)y . 9 — __ 7 Attguirt, 11 22 __ 10 September 20 7 3 2 October . 14 14 2 11 November 51 132 5 2 December 62 103 5 12 Total . . 381 634 30 125 saved by Life-boats and 125 by shore- boats and other means; besides which the Life-boat crews saved 30 vessels.The preceding table (page 27) gives the At the end of the year the Institution details of the services during each month had granted altogether in rewards and of the year. recognitions since its establishment in The total number of lives saved either 1824, 99 Gold Medals and Clasps, 1,161 by Life-boats, shore-boats or other means Silver Medals and Clasps, 275 Binocular for which the Institution has granted Glasses, 15 Telescopes, 14 Aneroid Baro- rewards has been 40,474, the number of meters, 1,577 Votes of Thanks inscribed each year being as follows : — on vellum and framed, 72 Certificates of Service framed, and 179,8357. 9s. &d. in Tear. No. of Lives. Tear. No. of Lives. 1824 124 1862 574 money. 1825 218 1863 714 With the view of still further recogniz- 1826 175 1827 163 1864 698 1865 714 ing long, faithful and good service in the 1828 301 1866 951 Life-boat cause, the Committee in Novem- 1829 463 1867 1,086 ber last decided to introduce on the 1 830 372 1868 862 18H1 287 1869 1,231 1st January, 1898, a system of pensions 1832 310 1870 784 and gratuities under which the men in 1833 449 1834 214 1871 882 1872 739 the permanent service of the Institution, 1835 364 1873 668 namely the coxswains, bowmen and signal- 1836 225 1874 713 men, when retired on account of old age, 1837 272 1875 921 1838 456 1876 600 accident, ill-health or abolition of post, 1839 279 1877 1,048 will receive special allowances as a reward 1840 353 1841 128 1878 616 1879 855 for their services. It is believed that 1842 276 1880 697 the adoption of this course, which has 1843 236 1881 1,121 given general satisfaction, will assist the 1844 193 1882 884 1845 235 1883 955 Institution in its efforts to secure the 1846 134 1884 792 services of the best men for the work, 1847 157 1848 123 1885 555 1886 761 besides being an inducement to the men 1849 209 1887 572 to do their utmost to discharge their 1850 470 1888 800 duties well. The Committee will in 1851 230 1852 773 1889 627 1890 765 addition, as hitherto, continue to com- 1853 678 1891 736 pensate Life-boat men and helpers for 1854 355 1855 406 1892 1,056 1893 598 temporary injuries received in the service, 1856 473 1894 790 and contribute liberally, as has always 1857 374 1895 709 been their practice, to the support of the 1858 427 1859 499 1896 461 1897 659 widows and dependent relatives of any 1860 455 Life-boat man or helper who may lose _ . 1861 424 total 40,474 his life in the Service. Rewards. — The rewards bestowed by the Institution in 1897 for the saving of Aneroids. — The supply by the In- life from shipwreck or for efforts to do so, stitution at a greatly reduced cost of and in recognition of other good services these most useful and reliable instruments rendered to the cause, comprised seven to the Masters and Owners of Fishing- silver medals, nine binocular glasses, one boats and small Coasters still continues. aneroid barometer, nineteen votes of During the past year 99 were furnished thanks inscribed on vellum and framed, to Fishermen, and 27 to Coasters, making nine certificates of service, framed, and a total of 3,879 provided since 1882. 10,2891. is., including grants for personal injuries sustained in the service and Removal of Wrecks. — Under the useful 1,0002. in aid of the disaster fund of the provisions of the Removal of Wrecks Act, Margate surf-boat, which boat, however, 1877, Amendment Act, 1889, which did not belong to the Institution. became lav as the result of the Institution's efforts, several wrecks in non- navigable waters dangerous to the Life- boats and their crews in the discharge of their life-saving duties, were last year removed by the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, always ready to assist the Institution, and by other authorities.

Electrical Communication on the Coast.

—The system of electrical communication on the coast for life-saving purposes which was begun by the Government nearly six years ago, as proposed by the Institution, is not yet completed, but good progress has been made. The Royal Commission, which was appointed in 1892, has completed its work and issued its final Report last autumn.

Local Committees, etc.—The excellent services rendered to the cause by the Local Committees and their Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers, are greatly appreciated by the Committee of Management, who beg to tender them their grateful and most cordial acknowledgment. The loyal support given by the Honorary Officials all over the country throughout the recent trying period of inquiry has been specially helpful.

Several of these gentlemen gave important evidence before the Parliamentary Committee, and scores of others were also prepared to do so had such a course been necessary.

The best thanks of the Committee are also due to the Press for its powerful advocacy; and also to the Coastguard for their valuable co-operation.

Numerous life-saving suggestion?, inventions and patents have been brought under the notice of the Committee during the past year, all of which have received their careful attention, and their thanks are due to those who have submitted them. The Committee are grateful for any suggestion which may lead to in- creased efficiency in the Service.

Life-boat Saturday.—The best thanks of the Institution are due to the Central Committee of the Life-boat Saturday Fund, to the local Life-boat Saturday committees and their officials, to the Ladies' Auxiliaries, and to each and every helper throughout the country who has worked for the cause, either directly or indirectly. The difficulties in the way of developing the Life-boat Saturday movement during the past year have been great, owing, not merely to the unjust charges which had been made against its management, which have been stated by the Parliamentary Committee to be "entirely without foundation," but also owing to the special collections made, and funds raised throughout the country, and especially in London, in connection with the commemoration of Her Majesty's Jubilee. Notwithstanding, however, these serious difficulties the work has been enthusiastically carried on, and it is believed and hoped that the current year will show a general advance all along the line. In 1897 Life-boat Saturday demonstrations were held and collections made in 82 of the principal cities and towns of the United Kingdom, in 17 of which the collections were made for the first time.

Finances.—The total amount received in 1897 in subscriptions, donations, dividends, &c., and including the amount received from the Life-boat Saturday Fund, was 60,0021. 18*. 2 £, a falling off of 14,5852. Is. %d., as compared with the corresponding total of the previous year. Of this sum 6,8892. 5s. 9 2. represents the diminution as compared with 1896 in the receipts from the Saturday Fund, which, together with the other reduced totals, was, it is believed, due to the disgraceful and unfounded charges which had been so widely circulated against the Institution with regard to the Saturday Fund, charges which have now been proved by the Parliamentary Committee to have been " entirely without foundation." The total amount received under the head of legacies amounted to 21,1661. 6s. lid., of- which sum 4,1422.19s. IQd. was for specific purposes.The Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons states that: " In the opinion of our Committee the Institution has invariably done its best to carry out the intentions of testators who have entrusted it with legacies. In many cases, however, testators have hampered their bequest* with conditions which have made it impossible immediately to give effect to their wishes. Many people are not content to leave a certain sum for the general work of life-saving done by the Institution, but insist on providing a Life- boat, to be placed at some point selected by the testator in advance, and perhaps already sufficiently supplied.

"The Institution would be greatly helped in its work, and seafaring men more fully provided for when in danger, were money left to the managers of the Institution to use in their discretion for the objects prescribed in their charter.

Thus, while any recommendation to couple the benefactor's name with the work to be done, or to provide for a particular place, would certainly receive all consideration, the general objects of the Institution would not be hindered by conditions precedent difficult of immediate fulfilment." The total expenditure for the year amounted to 78,6972. 19s. 4d., *nd comprised 26,9882. 17«. 9 2. for building, improving, and repairing Life-boats and Life-boat Carriages, Life-boat Houses and Slipways; 15,872?. 2s. Sd. for Life-belts and other Stows, the Storeyard, Subsidies to non-self-supporting Stations, Branch Payments, and Aneroids for Fishermen and Coasters; 28,3752. 14s. 10 2. for payments to Inspectors, Coxswains, Bowmen, Signal- men ; to Crews, &e., for Services and for Exercising the Life-boats, for Special Rewards and Recognitions for Services, Grants to the Relatives of Men lost on Service, for Injuries, Medals and Vellums.

The balance was expended in Printing, Advertising, Postage, Telegrams and Stationery; on Salaries, Rent, Rates, Taxes, Housekeeper, &c., and Law and other expenses connected with the Parliamentary Inquiry, Leases and Bequests.

Every'item of receipt and expenditure has, as usual, been examined, verified and passed by Mr. LOVELOCK, of the firm of Messrs. LOVELOCK, WHIEPAN, and DICKINSON, 19, Coleman Street, E.G., Chartered Accountants.

The Committee, fully recognizing and gratefully acknowledging the generous support they have received from the public during the last seventy-four years, earnestly appeal for a liberal continuance of financial help. As greater efficiency in the service is obtained year by year, and every effort is made to make it still more effective, an increasing annual expenditure is the necessary result. The good work done by the Institution is generally recognized and commended both at home and abroad, but it cannot be carried on without increasing funds and a reliable and certain income; the Committee of Management would, therefore, urge all who value the work and appreciate its importance to come forward and give them a helping hand.