THE Life-boatmen who had been awarded the Gold and Silver Medals of the Institution in recognition of gallant services during 1914 were present at the Annual Meeting on the 21st April, and were introduced to the Chairman. In the case of Thomas Langlands, Coxswain (Gold Medal), Richard Eglon, Second Coxswain, and George Peart, all of Whitby; and of John T. Swan, Coxswain at Lowestoft, the Medals were presented by the Chairman, the Right Hon. WALTER RUNCIMAN, M.P., President of the Board of Trade.

The following is a brief record of the services for which the medals were awarded.

FETHARD.

Commander THOMAS HOLMES, R.N.

EDWARD WICKHAM, Coxswain of the Wexford Life-boat.

JAMES WICKHAM, Wexford.

WILLIAM DUGGAN, Wexford.

WALTER POWER, Coxswain of the Dunmore East Life-boat.

All these men displayed conspicuous gallantry in connexion with the deplorable calamity which overtook the Fethard (County Wexford) Life-boat on the 20th February, 1914. The disaster entailed the loss of nine of the gallant crew, who gave their lives in the attempt to save the crew of the Norwegian schooner, Mexico, which was wrecked in a S.S.W. gale and a very heavy sea.

The Life-boat, Helen Blake, put off at once, but when nearing the wreck a heavy breaker suddenly struck her, and hurled her against the rocks, where she was smashed to pieces.

Of the fourteen men forming, the crew nine were washed away and drowned ; but the other five. men managed to scramble on to the island, andl at once set to work to assist eight of the crew of the Mexico, by means of ropes, to leave the wreck and take refuge on the island. Here all the men were obliged to remain, practically without food and water, from the afternoon of the 20th February until 9 A.M. on the 23rd February, in spite of repeated efforts to save them.

Shortly after the disaster occurred, the Dunmore East Life-boat had been called to the scene of the accident. She did all that was possible on that day, but was obliged to return without succouring the castaway men.

As soon as the news of the disaster reached London, the Chief Inspector of Life-boats, Commander Thomas Holmes, R.N., proceeded to Fethard, and on arrival at once went afloat to superintend.

As & result of his presence and example the work of rescue proceeded with renewed vigour.

At 6 A.M. on the 23rd February, the Dunmore East Life-boat again put off with the Chief Inspector on board.

There was still a heavy ground swell breaking outside the remains of the Mexico, and it was necessary for the boat to cruise all round the island before a spot could be found whence it was possible to approach the shore.

Communication was eventually effected with the shore by means of a stick rocket, and a small skiff, which had been brought out by the Life-boat, was then hauled ashore, but was driven on to the rocks and rendered useless.

Those on shore, however, secured a lifebuoy which had been lashed in the skiff, and two men were dragged through the water to the Life-boat j by this method.

Meanwhile, the Wexford Life-boat and tug arrived on the scene. She brought with her a strong punt, and J. Wickham and Wm. Duggan, two of the crew of the Life-boat, volunteered to work the punt, with a rope attached to her bows, from the Wexford Lifeboat.

By this means, in the course of | four trips, all the survivors, ten in ! number, were conveyed to the Wexford Life-boat. During the second trip the punt was driven on to the rocks and a j hole stove in her. This the men stopped i with a loaf of bread and some packing, ! and then gallantly continued the work J of rescue.

In recognition of the intrepid conduct of all concerned, the Committee of | Management awarded the Silver Medal i of the Institution to Commander THOMAS I HOLMES, R.N., Chief Inspector of Life-boats; WALTER POWER, Coxswain at Dunmore; EDWARD WICKHAM, Coxswain at Wexford; JAMES WICKHAM, and WILLIAM DUGGAN.

WHITBY.

Commander BASIL HALL, R.N.

Captain H. E. BURTON, R.E.

THOMAS LANGLANDS, Coxswain of the Whitby Life-boats.

RICHARD EGLON, Second Coxswain of the Whitby Life-boats.

GEORGE PEART, Whitby.

ROBERT SMITH, Coxswain of the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat.

JAMES S. BROWNLEE, Second Coxswain of the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat.

All these men did splendid work in connexion with the lamentable wreck of the Government hospital ship Rohilla, and their indomitable perseverance and gallantry resulted in eighty-five lives being saved by the Whitby Life-boat and the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat.

The Rohilla was wrecked on Friday, the 30th October, at Whitby, during a terrific E.S.E. gale. Pounded by mountainous waves she quickly broke in half, and many of those on the after part of the ship were washed away at once and perished. The sea was far too heavy for anything to be done from the shore until daybreak, and then the Life-boat John Fielden, under the supervision and leadership of Coxswain Thomas Langlands, was hauled on skids along the rocky scaur to the scene of the wreck. This necessitated getting the boat over a sea-wall eight feet in height, a most formidable task.

In transporting the boat she was stove in in two places. She was, nevertheless, launched and succeeded in reaching the wreck, which lay surrounded by a mass of rocks. Twelve men and five women were saved and brought ashore. The boat was then again launched, and, after a fearful struggle with terrific seas, got to the vessel and saved eighteen more, the heavy seas filling the Life-boat time after time. Unfortunately the damage rendered the boat unfit for further service; so the Upgang Life-boat was sent for. With great difficulty she was transported to the vicinity of the wreck, and by means of ropes she was lowered down the almost precipitous cliffs, and preparations were made for her launch, but nothing could be done in the tremendous seas running. In the meantime the neighbouring Life-boats were summoned, but were unable to assist those still on the wreck. As it was now apparent that only a Motor Life-boat could render effective help, the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat was summoned by telegram. On the afternoon of the 30th October, the gallant crew, under Coxswain Robert Smith and Captain H. E. Burton, R.E., Honorary Superintendent of the Motor Life-boat, started on their perilous journey. To reach Whitby they were obliged to travel a distance of forty-four miles through the night and storm, unaided by any coast lights, which were all extinguished on account of the war.

Thanks, however, to Captain Burton's intimate knowledge of the Yorkshire coast, their gallant exertions met with the success which they deserved, and at 1 A.M. on Sunday morning, the 1st November, the boat was skilfully brought into Whitby Harbour.

Four hours later, this boat, with Commander Basil Hall, R.N., Inspector of Life-boats for the Southern District, on board, and Richard Eglon, the Whitby Second Coxswain, as pilot, left harbour for the wreck, a supply of oil being taken to subdue the waves.

When near the wreck the oil was discharged and the Life-boat raced at full speed past the stern of the vessel; guided with splendid skill and courage she got under the lee of the wreck, and remained alongside until, with infinite difficulty, while enormous waves swept repeatedly over the wreck, all on board, fifty in number, who had survived the terrible ordeal for so many hours, were safely taken off.

As the Life-boat left on her return journey she was struck broadside on by a great wave that threatened to throw her on her beam ends ; but she manfully withstood the shock, and safely made the harbour amid the cheers of the spectators.

To Coxswain THOMAS LANGLANDS the Institution awarded the Gold Medal of the Institution; to Commander BASIL HALL, R.N.—who was on active service and therefore could not be present at the Annual Meeting—and to Second Coxswain RICHARD EGLON the Silver Medal of the Institution, and to GEORGE PEART, who behaved with conspicuous bravery in repeatedly going into the sea and saving many of those who were washed overboard from the wreck, the Silver Medal of the Institution. To Coxswain EGBERT SMITH of the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat the Gold Medal of the Institution; to Captain H. E. BURTON, R.E., Honorary Superintendent of the Motor Life-boat—who unfortunately could not be present owing to his military duties—the Gold Medal of the Institution; to Second Coxswain JAMES S. BROWNLEE the Silver Medal of the Institution.

LOWESTOFT.

COXSWAIN JOHN T. SWAN.

Early in the morning of the 22nd November, the Life-boat Kentwell rescued the crew of thirteen of H.M.S.

- Spider, engaged in mine - sweeping operations. Heavy seas were breaking over the vessel, and it was necessary for the Life-boat to go into broken water to take the men off.

Later in the day the Life-boat was again called out, to the steam trawler Condor, of Grimsby, which was aground.

This vessel also had been engaged in mine-sweeping operations. The crew of nine hands had taken refuge in the rigging and, owing to the tremendous , seas which were breaking over the vessel, the work of rescue was very hazardous.

Splendid seamanship, however, was displayed by Coxswain Swan in the management of his boat, and he was heartily congratulated by the Captain in charge of the mine-sweepers.

In recognition of the gallantry displayed on this occasion, the Committee of Management bestowed the Silver Medal on Coxswain JOHN SWAN.

[A fuller account of this service will be found on page 19.] CLACTON-ON-SEA.

COXSWAIN GEORGE J. GRIGSON.

The Life-boat was launched to the S.S. Harlington, of London, belonging to the P. and O. Company, which stranded on the Gunfleet Sands on the 2nd December, whilst bound from Middlesbrough to London laden with iron. A whole gale was blowing from S.S.W. with a very I heavy sea, and the Life-boatmen -were engaged to try and save the vessel.

About 100 tons of cargo were jettisoned, and the Life-boat remained in attendance on the ship until the morning of the 4th December, when the men returned to the shore to obtain food.

Owing to the violence of the weather considerable difficulty was experienced in landing.

In the evening the boat started again for the vessel and stood by until 9 A.M. on the 5th December, when all hope of saving the steamer had to be abandoned, j and the crew of fifteen hands were rescued.

The vessel became a total wreck.

In addition to the length of time the j crew were engaged, this service was j rendered extremely arduous owing to i the severity of the weather. While the boat was alongside the ship the seas at times broke halfway up the vessel's foremast. The service was considered by those competent to judge to be a record one for the Clacton men as far as hardship and endurance were concerned.

In view of the splendid work carried out on this occasion by the crew, the Committee of Management decided to award the Silver Medal of the Institution to Coxswain GEORGE GRIGSON.

[A fuller account of this service will be found on page 23.] CRAIL.

COXSWAIN ANDREW CUNNINGHAM.

The Crail and St. Andrews Life-boats | were launched during a severe S.E. gale to a Torpedo-boat Destroyer, which in the darkness ran. ashore on the rocky coast at Kingsbarns, about six miles from St. Andrews, on the 27th December.

The Crail boat was launched at 6 A.M.

when the gale was at its height, and it needed skilful seamanship to prevent the boat from being dashed to pieces on the rocks which surrounded the wreck.

Unfortunately, in spite of all care, the Life-boat was badly holed and, owing to the heavy seas, Coxswain Cunningham and another member of the crew were washed overboard; happily, they were saved by the other members of the crew. With great courage, Coxswain Cunningham, in spite of his exciting adventure, continued the work of rescue.

As soon as the boat reached the vessel twenty of the crew were taken off, and at once conveyed ashore. Although the boat was damaged, the Coxswain at once put off again and, in the course of two more journeys, brought thirtyfour more men into safety.

The St. Andrews Life-boat then arrived upon the scene. This boat took off the remainder of the crew, thirteen in number, and as there was no necessity for any further action on the part of the Grail Life-boat, she was hauled up into safety.

In recognition of this fine service, and the indomitable pluck displayed both by Coxswain CUNNINGHAM and the crew in continuing their task in a damaged boat, the Committee of Management awarded the former the Silver Medal of the Institution.

[A fuller account of this service will be found on page 27.].