—His Most Gracious Majesty the King 

ROYAL Highness THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G.

—Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, BART., V.P. Deputy Chairman —Colonel FitzRoy CLAYTON, V.P.

Secretary -CHARLES Dibdin, ESQ., F.R.G.8.

Telegraphic Address: " LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION LONDON." Telephone: No. 2964 ("QERRARO EXCHANGE.") APPEAL.

THE COMMITTEE of MANAGEMENT have to state that during the past year (1902) the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION expended £85,060 on its Life-boat Establishments.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE WOBK OF THE INSTITUTION DURING 1902.

£. s. d.

364 91 Number of Lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to 28 Vessels and Boats saved by them and 51 persons landed from vessels in distress and lightships Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, &c 4 4 7,014 Amount of Rewards granted during the Year . . Honorary Rewards:—Silver Medals 3 Decorations 9 Binocular Glasses 18 Aneroid Barometers 8 Total Votes of Thanks on Vellum ... 20 Certificates of Service .... 11 69 455 £7,01414 4 The number of Lives saved either by the Life-boats of the Society, or by special exertions for which it has granted rewards since its formation, is 43,662. The rewards and recognitions granted by the Institution in the same period comprise 99 Gold Medals and Clasps, 1,202 Silver Medals and Clasps, 66 Decorations, 355 Binocular Glasses, 15 Telescopes, 49 Aneroid Barometers, 1,726 Votes of Thanks, inscribed on vellum and framed, 159 Certificates of Service framed, and £231,107 in money.

The Committee earnestly appeal to the British Public for Funds to enable them to maintain their 288 Life-boats now on the Coast and their Crews in the most perfect state of efficiency. This can only be effected by a large and permanent annual income. The Annual Subscriptions, Donations and Dividends are quite inadequate for the purpose. The Committee are confident that in their endeavour to provide the brave Life-boatmen, who nobly hazard their lives in order that they may save others, with the best possible means for carrying on their great work, they will meet with the entire approval of the people of this the greatest maritime country in the world, and that their appeal will not be made in vain, so that the scope and efficiency of our great Life-saving Service, of which the Nation has always been so proud, may not have to be curtailed.

Annual Subscriptions and Donations are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received by the Secretary, CHARLES DIBDIN, Esq., at the Institution, 14, JOHN STBEET, ADELPHI, London; by the Bankers of the Institution, Messrs. COUTTS and Co., 59, Strand; and by all the other Bankers in the United Kingdom.—2nd February, 1903.