LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Services of the Life-Boats of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution

ARANMOBE, co. DONEGAL—Information reached Aranmore about 9 P.M. on the 2nd August that two fishing boats belonging to the place were in difficulties, and as there was a S.E. gale blowing, with a rough sea, the Life-boat La Totitam was launched and proceeded to their assistance. The boats were taking shelter under the little Island of Arran, and the Life-boat met one of them rounding the north side; about an hour later she fell in with the other one. She then escorted both home, Aranmore being reached shortly after midnight.

PORTHLEVEN, CORNWALL.—In response to a message on the 3rd August stating that a vessel was ashore on the Loe Bar, the Life-boat John Francis White was launched at 8.15 P.M. The Life-boat proceeded to the bar and met the men belonging to the stranded vessel in their own boat rowing towards Porthleven, but in complete ignorance of their position. They were taken into the Life-boat and conveyed to Porthleven. The weather was very thick at the time, and the vessel, which was the Seierskrandsen of Svendborg, was bound for Teignmouth in ballast.

Later in the evening the Coxswain of the Life-boat went with the captain of the vessel to ascertain the exact position, and the captain and crew kept a watch throughout the night.

Next morning at 5 A.M. the Life-boat again put off and, assisted by a tug from Falmouth, the Life-boatmen and crew succeeded in saving the vessel.

POINT OF AYR, FLINTSHIRE.—A small yacht was observed on the West Hoyle Bank soon after midday on the 4th August with a signal flying denoting that they required assistance. The crew were assembled and the Life-boat H. G. Powell launched. There was a moderate W.N.W. breeze with a moderate sea, and when nearing the yacht the Life-boat grounded on the bank. The Life-boatmen succeeded however in floating her and getting a line to the yacht. They found that she was completely at the mercy of the wind and sea, as the occupants, three in number, had lost the boat's anchor and the steering gear had broken. She proved to be the yacht Pern belonging ; to the Tranmeve Sailing CUib, and the Life-boat having taken her in tow conveyed her and the crew into safety at Mostyn.

POOLBEG, co. DUBLIN.—Soon after midday on the 5th August information reached the Coxs-wain of the Life-boat Richard Cresswell that a man was adrift I in the river in a small boat with only I one oar. There was a strong offshore breeze at the time, and the boat was I being quickly driven into danger. With great promptness the Life-boat was launched, and succeeded in picking her up and rescuing the man at the entrance to the river. The rescue was most opportune, as in a very short time the boat would have drifted far out into the bay and owing to her size, would probably have been swamped.

WALTON-ON-THE-NAZE, ESSEX. — At 1.30 A.M. on the 7th August a telephone message was received from the Gunfleet Lighthouse stating that the Kentish Knock Light-vessel was firing signals for a ship in distress. The crew of the Life-boat James Stevens No. 14 were summoned, and within fifteen minutes the boat was on her way to the sands, where, on her arrival at about 4 A.M., she found the steamtrawler Westward Ho ! of Hull, aground.

The vessel was bound from the coast of Spain to Hull with a cargo of soles.

At the request of the master the Lifeboat stood by the trawler for some I hours, and then, as the vessel was still ashore, he employed the crew to float her. All assistance possible was rendered by the Life-boat and crew, and at 11.30 A.M. she floated, As the trawler was able to proceed on her way, the Life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 3.30 P.M.

During this service the wind was blowing strongly from N.N.W., and the sea was rough ; the behaviour of the Life-boat was reported to have been highly satisfactory, and the motor which has recently been fitted in the boat worked without the least trouble.

NEW BRIGHTON, CHESHIRE.—During a moderate S.W. gale with a rough sea on the 7th August, a steam-tug reported at about 9 P.M. that a vessel was ashore on Taylors Bank. The crew of the steam Life-boat Queen were assembled, and the boat proceeded to the position indicated. On arrival she found the schooner Problem of Connah's Quay at anchor in dangerous proximity to the sand, although not actually ashore, and as the sea was heavy the three men on board were rescued. The Life-boat then returned to New Brighton, arriving at 11.30 P.M.

PETERHEAD, ABERDEENSHIRE.— Shortly after midnight on the 8-9th August, the Coxswain was informed by the Coastguard that a fishing-boat was ashore on the rocks behind Keith Inch.

There was a heavy sea running with a strong N.W. breeze at the time, and the Life-boat George Pickard was promptly launched and proceeded to the wreck in tow of a tug. The stranded vessel proved to be the herring-boat Concord, of St. Combs, carrying a crew of seven hands. One man had already left the vessel and been landed by a boat, and as there was a prospect of the vessel becoming a total wreck, the remaining six were rescued and conveyed to Peterhead.

DUNGENESS, KENT. On the 15th August a youth was left in charge of a small boat called the Mizpah. He pushed off from the shore, but in doing so lost one of the oars, and in the prevailing gale quickly drifted out to sea.

He was seen waving his hat for assistance, and the crew of the No. 1 Lifeboat B.A.O.B. were promptly assembled.

At 4 P.M. the boat was launched and succeeded in picking up the boat in time to save the occupant. A steam cutter then towed the Life-boat and boat back to Dungeness, which was reached at 5.30 P.M.

MARGATE, KENT.—At about 11 A.M.

on the 19th August information was received that two large ketches had stranded on the N.W. part of the Margate sand. The weather at the time being very unsettled with a strong N.N.W. breeze and choppy sea, it was considered advisable to send assistance.

The crew of the No. 2 boat, Civil Service No. 1, were summoned and the boat launched. She reached the two vessels at 1.30 P.M., and found that they were the Norvic and Doric, both of London.

At the request of the Masters the boat stood by them as the wind had veered to north, and the weather had become very bad with heavy thunder-storms.

About three hours later the wind again changed and moderated, and shortly afterwards the two vessels floated on the flowing tide. As no further assistance was required, the boat then returned to her station.

WALTON-ON-NAZE, ESSEX.—At 4.20 A.M. on the 22nd August, a telephone message was received from the Gunfleet Lighthouse stating that a vessel was ashore on the sand. Rockets were fired to assemble the crew, and within thirteen minutes the Life-boat James Stevens No. 14 left her mooring under sail assisted by the motor which had been recently fitted in the boat. On arrival the vessel proved to be the barque Adele of Brevig, bound from that port to London with a cargo of ice. At the request of the captain the Life-boat stood by the vessel, but a few minutes before high water the vessel, with the assistance of a tug, floated and proceeded in tow of the tug to London.

The Life-boat then started for home, but seeing a motor launch that had come out from Frinton at anchor near the sand, the Life-boat made for her. It was found that the motor had broken down, and as there were nine persons on board, and the wind off the shore, the Coxswain took the disabled vessel in tow as far as Frinton. He then returned to Walton, arriving at 11.30 A.M., the motor having worked well during the whole time the boat was at sea.

WALTON - ON - NAZE, ESSEX. — The schooner Mary Ann of Faversham, whilst bound from London to Hull -with a cargo of chalk, on the 26th August stranded on the Gunfleet sand. Information reached Walton by telephone from the Lighthouse at 5.17 A.M., and with very great promptness the motor Life-boat James Stevens No. 14 was despatched to her assistance. On arrival it was low tide, and the vessel was so far on the sand that the Life-boat could not get alongside; three of her crew waded to the schooner, and the Master asked that the Life-boat should remain until high water. In the meanwhile steps were taken to jettison the cargo, the crew of the vessel being assisted by several smacks' crews. Towards high water the Life-boat helped to tow the vessel clear of the sand. It was then found that she was leaking, the Lifeboat therefore assisted her to Harwich, some of the Life-boatmen remaining on board to help at the pumps. The harbour was reached at 3 P.M. and the Life-boat regained her station at 6 P.M.

The weather was fine during the service, and the motor worked well during the whole time.

LLANDUDNO, CARNARVONSHIRE.—The smack Midsummer of Douglas was lying in the bay on the evening of the 2nd September, when the wind changed to N.N.W., increased to a moderate gale, and a heavy sea rose. The smack commenced to drag her anchor, and the Master, who was all alone on board, feared she would go ashore or founder ; he therefore made a signal of distress, and the Life-boat Theodore Price was launched in the short time of seventeen minutes from the time the signal was made. On reaching the vessel the Lifeboat took the Master off and brought him ashore. Both the launch and return of the Life-boat were witnessed by some thousands of visitors, the town being very full, and great satisfaction was expressed at the smart way in which the service was performed.

SCARBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE.—At 12.30 A.M. on the 3rd September the Coxswain of the Life-boat Queensbury was called by the Coastguard, they having received a message from Whitby expressing anxiety for the safety of a Whitby coble, owing to a strong north-easterly gale having suddenly sprung up. The Life-boat was promptly launched and proceeded to sea, shortly afterwards falling in with the coble Prince Lewellen.

The sea being very rough and heavy the boat was taken in tow, and she and her crew of four hands conveyed into safety. At 4.45 A.M. a Scotch fishing craft—the Victoria of Leith—carrying a crew of seven, was observed outside but without sufficient sail set to enable her to make the harbour in safety, the Life-boat therefore proceeded to her and brought them into harbour.

DUNGENESS, KENT. — In the early morning of the 6th September a telephone message was received stating that two steamers had been in collision about four miles to the southward of the Point, and that one was apparently sinking. The crew of the No. 1 Lifeboat R.A.O.B. were at once assembled, and the boat proceeded to the spot, a tug towing them part of the way. They found the s.s. Cambric, of Hull, extensively damaged and the crew in the ship's boats. At the request of the Master, his wife was taken into the Life-boat and several Life-boatmen were put on board to make a hawser fast between the damaged steamer and the tug. The Cambric was then towed with difficulty to Dover, the Life-boat going with her in case any further help might be required.

CAISTER, SUFFOLK.—About an hour before sunset, in misty weather, on the llth September a foreign schooner went ashore on the Barber Sand, and the Cockle Lightship commenced to fire guns. The crew of the No. 2 Life-boat Nancy Lucy were assembled, and the boat proceeded to her. She proved to be the Zwaantje Cornelia, of Groningen, bound from Yarmouth to Hull, in ballast. A kedge anchor had been laid out, but as there was a considerable swell on the sands, the Life-boat stood by the schooner. On the flowing tide the vessel floated, and the Life-boat, being no longer required, returned ashore.

PENZANCE, CORNWALL. — At about 5.30 P.M. on the 27th September the Coastguard reported that a vessel close to the Runnel Stone rocks was flying signals for medical assistance and for a pilot. The weather was rough and threatening, with an E.S.E. gale blowing, and it was considered too rough for any pilots to go off in a gig. The Coxswain of the Life-boat Elizabeth Blanche therefore, after consulting the pilots, sent for a medical man, and with him on board proceeded to search for the vessel. She proved to be the s.s.

Ellesmere, of Manchester, and on the Life-boat proceeding alongside, the Coxswain was asked to put the doctor on board. This was accordingly done, the Life-boat remaining alongside until he was ready, when the boat returned to Penzance.

BALLYCOTTON, Co. CORK.—During a whole S.E. gale on the 1st October, signals of distress were made from the yacht Oyane, of Cork, lying at anchor in the bay. The Life-boat T. P. Hearne was very smartly launched and proceeded to the yacht, which they found in a dangerous position on a lee shore.

The crew were unable to weigh the anchors, and in the heavy sea running there was great probability of the craft being swamped. Three Life-boatmen were put on board, their boat in the meantime standing by, and with this assistance both the yacht and the two men on board were saved.

YARMOUTH, NORFOLK.—The lugger Twilight, of Inverness, when bound on the night of 4th October to Lowestoft for the herring fishing, stranded on the South Scroby Sands. There was a strong N.N.E. breeze with a heavy sea at the time, and their signals of distress were promptly responded to. The crew of the Life-boat John Burch were assembled, and the boat proceeded to the help of the shipwrecked men. Great difficulty was experienced in rescuing the crew of six hands, as the vessel was hove over and the sea swept her. The men were found clinging to the side of their craft, and from this perilous position were taken into the Life-boat. To reach the fishing boat the Life-boat had to go into very shoal water, and when making for shore with the rescued men on board •he struck the sands heavily several times, happily without serious consequences.

Yarmouth was reached shortly J after one o'clock in the morning and the rescued men were landed. The fishing vessel became a total wreck.

RHYL, FLINTSHIRE.—At about 7.30 A.M., on the 7th October, the Life-boat Coxswain, who was on the look-out, observed a yacht near the Middle Patch buoy, about four miles distant, showing signals of distress. He immediately summoned his crew, and the Lifeboat Caroline Richardson was promptly launched. After about two-and-a-half hours' hard pulling in the teeth of a moderate N.N.W. gale and against a strong tide, the Life-boat succeeded in getting to the yacht, and rescued the two men who were on board. The yacht proved to be the Ruby, of Liverpool.

She had been compelled to anchor on account of the heavy weather to prevent being driven ashore. The weather being too heavy to attempt to tow the yacht in, she was abandoned. The Life-boat is reported to have behaved splendidly, and when returning ashore both the crew and the rescued men were received with enthusiastic cheers by a large crowd.

TEIGNMOUTH, SOUTH DEVON. — At about 12.30 P.M. on the 10th of October, a schooner was seen driving dangerously near the outer end of Teignmouth bar. A strong S.S.W.

gale had been blowing all night, but it had then moderated somewhat; the seas however were very heavy: Shortly afterwards the vessel anchored, and it was seen that she was quickly dragging into dangerous broken water. She then hoisted a distress signal, and the Teignmouth Life-boat Alfred Staniforth was about to be launched when a telephone message was received stating that the Exmouth Life-boat had already been launched. Repeated and meritorious attempts were made by this boat to get to the schooner, but about an hour later another message was received stating that the Exmouth Life-boat, being to leeward, could not get near the vessel, which by that time had been driven ashore on the outer part of the Pole Sands. The crew of the Teign- mouth Life-boat were immediately reassembled and the Life-boat promptly launched. It was then nearly low water, and the seas on the bar and for a half a mile seaward were very bad; nothing but a smother of broken water was to be seen. There was no hesitation however, and the boat made for it.

The boat behaved splendidly, but at times the sea was so heavy that she was completely enveloped. On one occasion a heavy sea broke right over her, putting her completely out of sight, and every man of the crew was knocked over, and every oar went overboard, the boat being driven towards the harbour. Undaunted, they started afresh, and after strenuous efforts and hard work the task of crossing the bar was accomplished. Once outside the breakers sail was made, and the Alfred Staniforth, .with all speed made for the wreck, a heavy sea being encountered all the way. On nearing the wreck the crew could be seen in the forerigging, as the ship was full of water and every sea was making a clean breach over her. The deck cargo of timber was washing out of the wreck, and the sea for a considerable distance was covered with timber and wreckage, which made the work of rescue both difficult and hazardous. Sails on the Life-boat were taken in, and the anchor let go; with great skill she was then -veered down as near to the vessel as possible. Communication was obtained by ropes, and by this means the crew of eight men were dragged through the breaking seas to the Life-boat. This rescue, so skilfully carried out, was most opportune, as a quarter of an hour after it had been accomplished the three masts went by the board, and all that remained was wreckage. The prevailing weather precluded any attempt being made by the Life-boat to regain her station, and the crew were both wet and tired; she therefore crossed the Exmouth bar, and landed at Exmouth. Here the boat was left until next day, when, the weather having moderated, she was towed home.

The wrecked vessel was the schooner, Tehwija, of Riga, bound at the time of the disaster from Lappvik, in Finland, to Exmouth, with a full cargo.

Happily the whole of the crew were saved, although they unfortunately lost all their belongings. A dog belonging to the captain resisted all attempts at rescue, and had to be left to its fate; but it was eventually washed ashore in the deck house—this portion of the wreck coming ashore intact.

During this service the Honorary Secretary of the Teignmouth branch, Mr, W. J. BURDEN, was on board the Life-boat, and materially assisted in the success of her mission—both by encouraging the men and personally assisting in the management of the boat. During the critical tune when crossing the Teignmouth bar he steered the Life-boat, which enabled the Coxswain and Bowman to assist in double-banking the oars. The Committee of Management, in addition to cordially thanking Mr.

Burden for his gallant and valuable assistance, awarded him and the Coxswain- Superintendent, GEORGE RICE, the Silver Medal of the Institution, accompanied by a framed copy of the vote engrossed on vellum, as a special token of appreciation.

An additional pecuniary reward was also made to each of the Life-boatmen who took part in the rescue, and the whole of the awards were publicly presented at Teignmouth before an enthusiastic audience.

FOLKESTONE, KENT.—About 1.30 P.M.

on the 16th October a fishing boat was observed to be on the Mole Rocks to the eastward of the breakwater ; at the time it was blowing a moderate gale from S.E.

with a rough sea. Without loss of time the crew were assembled and the Lifeboat Leslie was launched. On reaching the craft, which proved to be the lugger Bird of Freedom, of Shoreham, it was found that she had bumped over the rock, but that the anchors which had been let go were dragging. The Life-boatmen assisted the vessel and eventually she was got into harbour in safety.