LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Summary of the Meetings of the Committee of Management

Friday, 11th January, 1918.

SIR GODFREY BABING, BART., M.P., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Bead and confirmed the minutes of the Building, General Purposes, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered that their recommendations be carried into effect.

Read the reports of the District Inspectors on their visits to the following Stations :— Northern District. — St. Andrews, Grail, Anstruther, Buckhaven, North Berwick, Skateraw, Dunbar, St. Abbs, Eyemouth, Berwick-on-Tweed, and Holy Island No. 2.

Southern District.—Southend-on-Sea, and Worthing.

Eastern District.—Pakefield, Sheringham, Cromer, Kessingland Nos. 1 and 2, South- wold No. 1, Palling Nos. 1 and 2, Skegness, Donna Nook, and Grimsby Dock.

Western District.—Rhyl, Point of Ayr, Llandulas,Llandudno, Porthdillaen, Criccieth, Abersoch, Pwllheli, Aberdovey, and Barmouth.

Irish District.—Ramsey, Peel, Port Erin, Castletown, Port St. Mary, and Douglas.

Presented the reports of the District Organizing Secretaries on their visits to the Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions since the previous meeting:— £. s. d.

CIVIL SERVICE LIFE-BOAT FUND (per W. FORTESQUE BARRATT, Esq. On account of Civil Ser- vice Life-boats) 500 - - COVENT GARDEN LIFE-BOAT FUND 100 - - I. 0. OF ODDFELLOWS (MANCHESTER UNITY) :— Subscription . ... . £50 - - Donations .... 3 13 - 53 13 - JOSEPH COMJNGWORTH, Esq. . . 52 10 - M. H. B 50 - - ARTHUR G. BOBY, Bsq 50 - - M. W 25 - - Miss E. METCALFE 25 - - —To be thanked.

 Paid £6,122 for sundry charges in connexion with the maintenance of the various Life-boat establishments.

Voted £414 2s. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services:— Lives Life-boat. Vessel. saved.

Berwick-on-Tweed 2 Walton-on-Naze . S.S. Peregrine, of London ... 92 Wexford . . ,. Schooner Northern Light, of Wexford 4 Whitby No. 2 . S.S. Venetia, of Glasgow ... 8 The Cromer Life-boat rendered assistance to the s.s. Polcrea, of London.

Also voted £684 8s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view of assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Aldeburgh, Ardrossan, Ballycotton, Brancaster, Brighton, Brixham, Cadgwith, Cemlyn, Grail, Cullercoats, Dunbar, Gorleston No. 1, Holyhead (Steam), Holy Island No. 1, The Lizard, Mablethorpe, Margate No. 1, Mevagissey, Newquay (Corn.), North Sunderland, Padstow No. 2, Palling Nos. 1 and 2, Penlee, Port Isaac, St. Agnes, St. Ives, Sennen Cove, Sheringham, Skegness, and Tynemouth.

Granted £39 18s. 6d. to men for injury in the Life-boat service at Ilfracombe, St. Aunes, and Tramore.

Clacton-on-Sea .

Cromer Margate No. 1 Montrose No. 1 .

Newbiggin. . .

Newhaven .

North Deal . .

North Sunderland Staithes . . .

Teesmouth.

S.S. Iris, of Helsing- borg .... 23 Motor Fishing-boat Admiral Jellicoe, of Yarmouth. Stood by boat.

Barge Ernest Piper, of London ... 3 Barge Harriett, of Faversham . . 2 Barge Vampire, of London. Saved vessel and ... 3 Motor Ketch Pionier, ofOstend ... 6 Motor Fishing-boat Lord Kitchener, of Montrose. Assisted to save vessel and 2 A Steamer ... 11 A Steamer. Stood by vessel.

Barges Scud, Ethel Ada, Corsair, Cam- bria, and Western Belle, (3 from each vessel) . . 15 Fishing-boat Beautiful Star.

Remained in at- tendance.

S.S. Castlerock, of Belfast. Stood by vessel.

S.S. Eros, of London.

Landed 19.

S.S. Eidsiva ... 20 Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution to ex-Coxswain J. GILL, and the Bronze Medal to the Second Coxswain of the New- quay (Corn.) Life-boat, and an additional monetary reward to them and to each of the crew, for a gallant attempt to go to the assistance of the s.s. Osten, of Denmark, on the 17th December. Immediately alter launching, the Life-boat was overpowered by a succession of heavy seas, driven on to the rocks, and dashed to pieces.

Also voted an Aneroid Barometer, mounted on a shield and bearing a suitable inscription, to the Hon. Secretary, and directed that a special Letter oi Thanks be sent to the Launching Sub- Committee of the Branch for their efforts on the occasion.

Voted the Silver Third Service Clasp to the Coxswain, and the Bronze Medal to the Second Coxswain of the Clacton-on-Sea Life- boat, also an additional monetary reward to them and to each member of the crew, in recognition of their good work in rescuing the crew of twenty-three hands of the Swedish steamer Iris, wrecked on the Longsand, in a strong Easterly gale, on the 27th-28th December.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution to the Coxswain, and the Bronze Medal to the Second Coxswain of the Walton-on-Naze Life-boat, also an additional monetary reward to them and to each member of the crew, in recognition of their exceptionally good work in rescuing ninety-two persona, many of whom were women and children, from the s.s. Pere- grine, of London, wrecked on the Longsand, in a moderate gale and very heavy sea, on the night of the 28th-29th December.

Voted additional monetary rewards, in recognition of their arduous services, to the crews of the North Deal and Teesmouth Life- boats ; and sent a special Letter of Thanks, in appreciation of his efforts, to the Honorary Secretary of the latter boat.

Voted £3 to four men at Cullercoats for saving, at considerable risk, one of two men whose coble had capsized in the early morning of the 12th November. The salvors were proceeding to sea when they heard cries, and they found the capsized fishing-coble amongst the rocks. One of the crew had already perished, and much difficulty was experienced in getting the other man into the coble.

Voted £6 to three men at Pwllheli for saving, on the 9th October, twenty-one persons from, a ship's life-boat belonging to the s.s.

Memphian, which had been torpedoed the previous day. A moderate West gale was blowing with a rough sea, and the men were in an exhausted condition when picked up.

Whilst the boat was being towed into safety the tow rope broke, and one of the salvors was hurt. Owing to their humane conduct in saving the men, the salvors lost their night's fishing, and the Committee granted them a sum of £10 towards their loss.

Voted £6 to ten men, forming the crew of the yawl Odd Fellows, and the tug Tare, for saving, on the 26th December, five men of the s.s. Ida, of Glasgow, whose boat had capsized in the breakers ofi Gorleston harbour. The yawl was putting to sea at the time of the accident, and at once proceeded in tow of the tug to the assistance of the men. They succeeded in picking up five men, but the Master was unfortunately drowned.

Friday, 8th February, 1918.

Mr. ROBERT BIRKBECK, V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the Building, General Purposes, Wreck and Re- ward, and Special Sub-Committees, and ordered that their recommendations be carried into effect.

Read the reports of the District Inspectors on their visits to the following Stations:— Northern District. — Holy Island, North Sunderland, Boulmer, Alnmouth, Hauxley, Cresswell, Newbiggin, and Cromarty.

Southern District.—Nil.

Eastern District. — Cromer, Yarmouth, Gorleston Nos. 1 and 2, Lowestoft, Pakefield, Caister Nos. 1 and 2, Winterton Nos. 1 and 2, Hasborough, Brancaster, Hunstanton, Kes- singland No. 2, Hornsea, Spurn, Easington, Bridlington, Flamboro Nos. 1 and 2, Filey, Scarborough, Whitby Nos. 1 and 2, Upgang, and Robin Hood's Bay.

Western District.—Holyhead No. 1, and Holyhead No. 2.

Irish District.—Arklow, Courtown, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore, Wexford, Dunmore East, Tramore, and Fenit.

Presented the reports of the District Organizing Secretaries on their visits to the Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions since the previous meeting:— ANONYMOUS. Further on ac. for £. i. d, a New Motor-boat .... 500 - - ANONYMOUS 50 - - F. A. RICHARDS, Esq. (new sub- scription) 50 - - W. S. BEADSTREET, Esq. ... 25 - - Miss B. M. HAMMERTON ... 20 - - —To be thanked.

Paid £5,302 for sundry charges in con- nexion with the maintenance of the various Life-boat establishments.

Voted £244 }3s. 9d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services:— Lives Life-boat. Vessel. saved.

Arbroath . . Fishing - boat Maggie Ann Bruce, of Ar- broath. Rendered assistance.

Blakeney . . S.S. General Havelock, of Newcastle ... 16 ,, . . A steamer .... 14 Cullercoats . Fishing - cobles. Stood •by boats.

Lives Saved.

Life-boat.

Fraserburgh Vessel.

A steamer. Rendered Hauxley North Deal assistance.

A steamer. Rendered assistance.

A tug and 3 barges.

Stood by vessels.

North Sunderland. A steamer ... 14 Robin Hood's Bay S.S. Torquay, of Dart- mouth. Landed 17.

Whitby No. 2 . S.S. Portaferry, of Glasgow .... 8 Ramsgate Life-boat saved fourteen from a tug, and the Spurn Life-boat assisted to save the steam trawler Crystal, of Hull.

Also voted £67012*. 3d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assem- blies of crews, etc., with a view of assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Aldeburgh No. 1, Berwick-on-Tweed, Blyth, Boulmer, Coverack, Cromer, Donaghadee, Donna Nook, Dunbar, Gorleston No. 1, Holy Island No. 1, The Lizard, Lossiemouth, Lowestoft, Lyme Regis, Mevagissey, Newhaven, North Deal, North Deal (Reserve), Palling No. 1, Ramsey, Ramsgate, Runswick, Ryde, Rye Harbour, Southend-on-Sea, Teesmouth, Tynemouth, Walton-on-Naze, Wells, and Winterton No. 1.

Granted £45 15s. 6d. to men for injury in the Life-boat service at Newquay (Corn.) and Ryde.

Voted £6 10s. Wd. to cover the expenses of Motor Fishing-boats at Hauxley and Meva- gissey, which were launched for the purpose of rendering assistance to vessels mined or torpedoed.

Voted additional monetary rewards in recog- nition of their arduous services to the crews of the Blakeney, Cromer, and North Sucder- land Life-boats, and also a special grant to the Motor Mechanic at Fraserburgh, whose presence of mind and prompt action saved the Life-boat from serious damage on the occasion of a launch on the 12th January.

Reported that a letter had been received from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty expressing their appreciation of the gallant rescue of the passengers and crew by the Walton-on-the-Naze Life-boat on the 29th December last; also a letter from the Board of Trade conveying, through the Consul General for Belgium, the thanks of the Belgian passengers who were saved on that occasion.

Voted £6 to six men for putting off from Mevagissey in two Motor Fishing-boats, in a moderate gale and rough sea, and saving nine men in a ship's boat belonging to the s.s. Almond Branch, which had been tor- pedoed on the 27th November last. Twenty- six other men belonging to the crew were picked up by a Patrol-boat before the Motor Fishing-boat arrived on the scene. A moderate N.W. gale was blowing at the time, and the sea was rough.

Directed that a special Letter of Thanks be sent to WILLIAM BRIGGS, Skipper, R.N.R., for putting off and saving one of three persons from a ferry-boat which capsized off Poole, in a rough sea, on the 9th December; also granted a reward of 10s. to a lad named RANDALL, who assisted in the rescue.

Voted £12 10s. to eight men who, at con- siderable risk, succeeded in saving six men from the sailing-ship Figaro, of Dunkirk, which had stranded off Pembrey, in very stormy weather, on the 18th January. The vessel stranded at 6.30 A.M., and the salvors, on hearing of the casualty, at once pro- ceeded to the scene, a distance of a mile.

By wading into the sea they succeeded in effecting communication with the vessel and saved the six men ,'on board. The weather during the night had been very stormy, with S.S.W. wind, and the vessel became a total wreck. After the reward had been forwarded the salvors wrote expressing their thanks for what the Institution had done, but stated that they did not desire to accept any reward.

Friday, 8th March, 1918.

The Rt. Hon. the EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O., Y.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the Building, General Purposes, Wreck and Be- ward, and Special Sub - Committees, and ordered that their recommendations be carried into effect.

The Committee learnt with regret the death of the Rt. Hon. the EARL BRASSET, G.C.B., who had been a Vice-President of the Insti- tution since 1890, and sent a letter of con- dolence to his family.

Accepted the resignation, on account of ill- health, of Commander EDWIIT A. DAT, B.N., temporary District Inspector of Life-boats.

Specially recognized the good services, ex- tending over many years, of the following Honorary Secretaries of Branches of the Institution:— J. H. BURTON, Esq., Beaumaris.

H. BIBBELL, Esq., Grail.

T. SYMES, Esq., Littlehampton.

C. A. HAI, Esq., Lossiemouth.

H. J. BRACEY, Esq., Yarmouth.

Read the reports of the District Inspectors on their visits to the following Stations:— Southern District.—Newhaven, Hastings, Eastbourne No. 1, Eastbourne No. 2, Brighton, and Hove.

Eastern District. — Sheringham, Sunder- land, Whitburn, Seaham, Teesmouth, Redcar, Hartlepool No. 2, Hartlepool No. 8, Seaton Carew, Saltburn, Staithes, and Runswick.

Western District. — Newquay (Cardigan), Fishguard, Cardigan, St. David's, Little Haven, Tenby, Angle, Ferryside, The Mumbles, Barry Dock, Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham, and Minehead.

Irish District.—Courtmacsherry, Queens- town, Ballycotton, Youghal, Helvick Head, Wicklow, Skerries, Howth, Newcastle, Donaghadee, Groomsport, Cloughey, Port- rush, and Greencastle.

Presented the reports of the District Organizing Secretaries on their visits to the Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions:— jg_ s jp ANONYMOUS (National War Bonds) 200 - 8 ANONYMOUS, " W." 50 - - ANONYMOUS. Further on account for a new Motor-boat ... 50 — - —To be thanked.

Paid £10,607 for sundry charges in con- nexion with the maintenance of the various Life-boat establishments.

Voted £120 Us. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services I—- Lives Life-boat. Vessel. saved.

Folkestone . Inner Gate Lightship.

Stood by Lightship.

Holyhead A Steamer. Rendered (Steam) assistance.

„ Schooner Baltic, of Liverpool. Landed 4.

„ Schooner Ellwood, of Dublin 4 Port Patrick . S.S. Dolphin, of London.

Rendered assistance.

Redcar ... A vessel. Landed 1 and assisted to save vessel.

Sennen Cove . S.S. Beaumaris, of London .... 18 Southport . . S.S. Chrysopolis,- of Genoa 42 Tynemouth . Tug Hugh Bourne, of South Shields . . 4 Whitby No. 2. S.S. Spurt, of Christiania ... 3 Barmouth Life-boat saved the schooner John Ewing, of Cardigan; the Clovelly Life- boat assisted to save the schooner Emily, of Padstow, and four lives; the Cromer Life- boat assisted to save the motor barge Innisbeg, of Hull, and five lives; the Cullercoats Life- boat saved a steamer; the Dungeness No. 2 Life-boat assisted to save the s.s. Mogador, of Casa Blanca; and the Holyhead Steam Life- boat rendered assistance to the schooner Welsh Belle, of Falmouth.

Also voted £542 17s. 3d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view of assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Abersoch, Aldeburgh No. 1, Brixham, Cardigan, Coverack, Cromer, Folkestone, Hastings, Holy Island No. 1, North Sunderland, Peel, Penlee, Port Logan, Robin Hood's Bay, Bye Harbour, St. David's, Sennen Cove, Skateraw, Southwold No. 1, Teesmouth, Tenby, Tynemouth, and White- haven.

Granted £13 10s. to a man for illness as a result of exposure on service in the Life-boat at Sennen Cove.

Voted £46 8s. 2d. to cover the expenses of Motor Fishing-boats at Dungeness, Exmouth, Gourdon, Hastings, Hauxley, Holy Island, Mevagissey, Padstow, and Whitburn, which were launched for the purpose of rendering assistance to vessels mined or torpedoed.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution to ARTHUR RUDDOCK, Skipper, R.N.R., and the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum, to ALBERT COLLIES and JOHN COULTHARD, Seamen, R.N.R., together with the sum of £5 to each of the men for their gallantry in putting off in a 14-foot dinghy from the steam drifter Heather Bell, in a whole E. gale and very heavy sea, and rescuing the crew of four men of the s.s. Dragon, which had stranded off Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran, on the 16th December. When the salvors reached the vessel the crew had taken to the rigging, and their rescue was only effected with great difficulty. As the sea was too heavy for the dinghy to return to the Heather Bell, she ran for the shore, where the rescued men were landed.

Also directed that a special Letter of Thanks be sent to Lieut. SMITH, R.N.R., who was in charge of the Drifters, for promptly dispatch- ing the steam drifter Heather Bell, and proceeding to the scene of the wreck in her.

Voted £8 to six men in two cobles for saving, on the 20th February, twenty-four men from two ship's boats belonging to a steamer which had been torpedoed off Flamborough the pre- vious night. The cobles fell in with the ship's boats about 6 A.M. and took them into safety.

One of the boats, which contained fourteen men, had 2 feet of water in her, and the men were in a very bad state.

Friday, 12th April, 1918.

The Rt. Hon. the EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the Building, General Purposes, Wreck and Re- ward and Organization Sub-Committees, and ordered that their recommendations be carried into effect.

Read the reports of the District Inspectors on their visits to the following Stations:— Northern District.—Port Patrick, and Port Logan.

Southern District.—Shoreham, Selsey and Bognor, Littlehampton, Hayling Island, Southsea, Ryde, Brooke, Totland Bay and Bembridge, Porthleven, Coverack, Port- houstock, Cadgwith, and The Lizard.

Eastern District.—Pakefield, Brancaster, Aldeburgh No. 1, and Aldeburgh No. 2.

Western District. — Watchet, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, Clovelly, Appledore No. 1, Apple- dore No. 2, .Bude, Port Isaac, Padstow No. 1, Padstow No. 2, Hayle, St. Mary's, St. Agnes, Sennen Cove, St. Ives, Penlee, Rhyl, Point of Ayr, Llanddulas, Cemlyn, Cemaes, Rhoscolyn, Rhosneigir, Bull Bay, Moelfre, Beaumaris, Criccieth, Porthdinllaen and Abersoch.

Irish District. — Aranmore, Blackrock, Greenore, Clogher Head, Drogheda, Kings- town, Poolbeg, Hoylake, Hilbre Island, New Brighton No. 1, New Brighton No. 2, and Formby.

Presented the reports of the District- Organizing Secretaries on their visits to the Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions:— Mrs. KATE LOWE. Further on £. s. d.

account of Tynemouth Motor Life-boat 1,000 - - ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS FRIENDLY SOCIETY . . . 100 - - Mrs. MACANDBEW .... 50 - - —To be thanked.

Paid £9,152- for sundry charges in connexion with the maintenance of the various Life-boat establishments.

Voted £252 12s. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services:— Lives Life-boat. Vessel. saved.

Appledore No. 1. Schooner Volant, of Belfast . . . . 4 Bannouth . . Sailing Ship John G.

Walters, of Nova Scotia. Stood by vessel and rendered assistance.

Donaghadee . . Ketch Pride of Mourne, of Kilkeel.

Stood by vessel.

Gorleston No. 1 . S.S. Eastward, of Hull 12 The Lizard . . S.S. Corous, of Swan- sea 9 Lyme Regis . . S.S. Gay-Gitano, of Cardiff .... 5 Margate No. 1 . Barge Alice, of Rochester ... 3 Newbiggin . . Fishing cobles. Re- mained in attend- ance.

North Deal . . Barge Nova to, of Harwich ... 2 „ . . Schooner Dracona, of Hull 3 „ (Reserve) Barges Diamond, Counteis, Britannic, Western Belle, and Britisher ... 16 Whitby No. 2 . S.S. Nordstrand, of London .... 23 Appledore No. 1 Life-boat assisted to save the ketch H. F. Bolt, of Appledore; the New- biggin Life-boat assisted to save a vessel; the North 'Deal Life-boat assisted to save the ketch Boy's Friend and four lives; and the Tenby Life-boat assisted to save the motor ketch Annie, of Cardigan.

Also voted £446 2s. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view of assisting persons on vessels in distress: — Aldeburgh No. 1, Appledore No. 2, Blakeney, Caister No. 1, Castletown, Cromarty, Dunbar, Flamborough Not 1, Hastings, Holyhead (Steam), Kings- downe, Margate No. 1, North Deal, Point of Ayr, Porthoustock, Port St. Mary, Ramsey, Ramsgate, Rhyl, St. Peter Port, Seaham, Sheringham, Tynemouth, and Walton-on- Naze.

Granted £75 16s. Sd. tp men for injury in the Life-boat service at Blackpool, Blakeney, Llandudno, Lowestoft, Newquay (Corn.), Southwold, and Tynemouth.

Voted additional monetary rewards to the crews of the Appledore No. 1, North Deal and North Deal Reserve Life-boats in recognition of arduous services during the past month.

Voted £58 10s. lOd. to cover the expenses of Motor Fishing-boats at Arbroath, Cadgwith, Gourdon, Newquay (Corn.),,Padstow, St Agnes, and Whitby, which were launched for the purpose of rendering assistance to vessels ] mined or torpedoed.

Voted £5 to JAMES HAMMOND and five other men for putting off in a skiff in a heavy off- shore gale from Dalkey, co. Dublin, to the assistance of the fishing-boat Lizzie, and her crew of two hands, which was in danger of being swept out to sea on the 9th February.

The salvors, after nearly two hours' hard work, succeeded in putting two men on board the Lizzie, which was half full of water, and got her into safety.

Voted £2 5s. to 3. DONALDSON and three other men, forming the crew of the fishing-boat 'Children's Friend, for saving two men from a seaplane which, through a breakdown of | machinery, came down off Skateraw, in a | choppy sea, on the 20th February. j Voted £7 10s. to ten men belonging to I H.M. tug H. S. 21, for saving three lives from j the schooner Eliza and Alice, of Grimsby, i which, immediately after the rescue had been | effected, foundered off Deal, in very bad i weather, on the 2nd March. ' Voted £9 to the Master and crew of four j hands of the tug George Jewson, for saving twenty-one lives from the s.s. Geneva, of Leith, which stranded after a collision, and subsequently became a total loss off Gorleston, on the 4th March. The George Jewson, with the help of other tugs, towed the vessel off the beach and anchored her near the S.W.

Scroby Buoy. It was then discovered that the vessel was leaking badly, and for five hours pumping operations were carried out, but the leak increased and the weather became worse.

The boats of the sinking vessel were smashed and useless, so the captain of the tug skilfully manoeuvred his vessel close enough to the Geneva to enable the men on board to jump from one vessel to the other. The work of rescue occupied six hours. Considerable risk was run of losing the tug and her crew.

Friday, 10th May, 1918.

The Rt. Hon. the EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O., V.P., was unanimously elected Chair- man, and Sir GODFREY BABING, Bart., M.P., Deputy Chairman of the Institution, for the ensuing year.

Lord WALDEGRAVE having taken the Chair, the members of the Sub-Committees were elected for the current year.

Reported the death of Mr. EUGENE P. NOEL, a Vioe-President of the Institution since 1914, and a member of the Committee of Manage- ment since 1868. A letter of condolence was sent to his family.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Also read those of the Building, Finance, and Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered that their re- commendations should be carried into effect.

Read the reports of the Acting Deputy Chief Inspector and the District Inspectors on their visits to the following Stations:— Eastern District.—Whitburn, and Sunder- land.

Southern District.—Mevagissey, Falmouth, Polkerris, Plymouth, Yealm River, Looe, Torquay, Teignmouth, Exmouth, Brixham, and Paignton.

Western District. — Newquay (Corn.), Pwllheli, Aberdovey, Barmouth, Fleetwood, Lytham, St. Annes, and Blackpool.

Presented the reports of the District Organizing Secretaries on their visits to the Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions:— &. s. d.

Mrs. I. E. GARDNER .... 100 - - REGINALD S. WIOBAM, Esq. . . 25 - - —To be thanked.

Paid £6,247 for sundry charges in connexion with the maintenance of the various Life- boat establishments.

Voted £174 9s.»9 Z. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services:— Lives Life-boat. Vessel. saved.

Anstruther . S.S. Marsten, of New- castle. Landed 23.

Hastings . . S.S. Brodericfc, oi Lon- don 13 Scarborough . Ketch Scoonieburn, of Methil 4 Sheringham . S.S. Alice Taylor, of Dundee .... 18 Also voted £141 lls. Id. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view of assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Blakeney, Cromer, Donaghadee, Dunbar, Filey, North Deal, Padstow No. 2, Palling No. 1, Salcombe, Seaham, Sennen Cove, Sheringham, Tees- mouth, Wells, and Winterton No. 1.

Granted £2 10s. to a man injured in the Life-boat service at Sheringham.

Voted £41 12s. to cover the expenses of Motor Fishing-boats at Anstruther, Cadgwith, Exmouth, Montrose, St. Ives, which were launched for the purpose of rendering assist- ance to vessels mined or torpedoed.

Voted £4 to four men at St. lves (Corn.) for putting off on the 7th January in a Fishing-boat, in a very heavy N.E. gale and heavy sea, to the assistance of a boat, with seven men in her, belonging to H.M. salvage tug Epic. The salvors succeeded in towing the boat, which was being driven rapidly to the rocks, into safety, thereby saving the men's lives.

Voted £6 15s. to seven men for saving a man from a salmon-coble which capsized off Whitehills, near Banff, on the 23rd March.

Nothing was known of the accident until the coble grounded with a man clinging to her.

Two men had been 'drowned, and a fourth man was found clinging to some outlying rocks in great peril. Two of the salvors jumped into the water with a rope, swam to the rock, and supported the endangered man until further help arrived, when he was safely landed. A Motor Fishing-boat at Banff proceeded to the scene of the disaster, but did not arrive until after the survivors had been rescued.

Voted £1 10s. to two men for putting off from Whithorn in a small fishing-boat and piloting in two-ship's boats containing forty- seven men on the 28th March. The boats belonged to the s.s. Inkosi, of Aberdeen, which had been torpedoed, and the action of the salvors was very useful, as the men in the boats were unacquainted with the coast.

Voted £2 to four men for putting off in a boat from Robin Hood's Bay and rescuing five of the crew of the motor fishing-boat Botha on the 28th March. The Botha sank and the crew took to their punt, from which they were picked up by the salvors.

Voted 15s. to two men for putting off from Cullercoats in a small boat, on the 6th April, and saving two men from a seaplane which had fallen into the sea. When the salvors reached the seaplane they found the two occupants in the water up to their waists, and they brought them into safety.

Voted £1 to two men for putting off from Lowestoft in a motor-boat, on the 13th April, and saving four men from a small boat belonging to the fishing-smack Ruth, of Lowestoft. The men when picked up were in a state of exhaustion, having been adrift for several hours.

Directed that special Letters of Thanks be sent to three officers, and voted £5 5s. to seven N.G.O.'s and privates of the 14th South Lanes. Regiment, for their services in assist- ing to save the crew of the ketch Mountaineer, of Kirkwall, which stranded one and a half miles from Wintertou on the 14th April. A strong gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea on the beach, and the weather was very cold and thick. Second Coxswain HAYLETT, of Winterton, went into the water up to his armpits and was able to establish communi- cation with the vessel by means of a rope, and, with the assistance of the men above referred to, the crew of six hands were rescued from the wrecked vessel.

Friday, 24th May, 1918.

The Rt. Hon. the EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O., V.P., in the Chair.

Special meeting, at which it was reported that the President, His Grace the DUKE or NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., died on the 14th May, 1918. He had been President of the Institution since 1911. Passed the following Vote of Condolence:— " That this Committee, in recording the lamented decease of their President, His Grace HENRY GEORGE PEROT, DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., tender their sin- cere sympathy and condolence to his son, Alan Ian Percy, 8th Duke of Northumber- land, and desire to place on their Minutes an acknowledgment of the services rendered to the Life-boat cause by their late President, who held that office since 1911, and who thus maintained the long-standing connexion be- tween the Dukes of Northumberland and the national and philanthropic objects of THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, a connexion dating back to the earliest days of ;he Life-boat Service, and, so far as the Insti- ration itself is concerned, to the year 1852, when the 4th Duke of Northumberland was its President." Also reported the death of Admiral of the Fleet Sir GERARD H. U. NOEL, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., who had been a member of the Committee of Management since 1908, and passed a Vote of Condolence with his family.

Friday, 7th June, 1918.

The Rt. Hon. the EARL WALDEGRAVE, P.O., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and confirmed the minutes of the two previous meetings.

Also read and confirmed the minutes of the Building, General Purposes, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees, and ordered that their recommendations be carried into effect.

Read the reports of the Acting Deputy Chief Inspector and the District Inspectors on their visits to the following Stations:— Northern District.—Whitehaven, Maryport, Piel (Barrow), Southport, Ramsey, Port Erin, Port St. Mary, Castletown, Douglas, and Peel.

Eastern District.—Walton-on-the-Naze, and Clacton-on-Sea.

Southern District.—Bye Harbour, Dunge- ness Nos. 1 and 2, New Romney, Eastbourne Nos. 1 and 2, Salcombe, Hope Cove, Southampton, and Weymouth.

Irish District.—Arklow, Courtown, Kilmore, Rosslare Harbour, Wexford, Dunmore East, Tramore, and Kilmore.

Presented the Reports of the District Organizing Secretaries on their visits to the Branches in their respective areas.

Reported the death of Mr. J. W. ALEXANDER, on the 20th May, who had been honorary Secretary of the Newcastle (Co. Down) Branch since May

Reported that Major AUSTIN GRAHAM, who had been Honorary Secretary of the Saltburn- on-Sea Branch since June, 1913, was " killed on service " in May.

Reported the receipt of the following special contributions:— £. s. d.

Mrs. KATE LOWE. Balance of the cost of the .Motor Life-boat Henry Frederick Swan, stationed at Tynemouth . . 1,901 - - —To be thanked.

Paid £6,276 for sundry charges in connexion with the maintenance of the -various Life-boat establishments.

Voted £113 15s. 9d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services:— Lives Life-hoat. Vessel. saved.

Aldeburgh No. 2 An aeroplane. As- sisted to save aero- plane and ... 1 Crail.... S.S. Windy, of New- castle 20 Hartlepool No.3 A vessel. Attempted to save vessel.

Newbiggin . . A vessel. Stood by vessel.

Newquay, Corn. S.S. War Grange, of London. Stood by Palling No. 1 Smack Magnolia, of Lowestoft. Stood by 3 Walton-on-Naze A vessel. Saved vessel and Also voted £167 7s. 8d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view of assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Courtmac- sherry, Eastbourne No. 2, New Romney, Padstow No. 1, Port Erin, Port Logan, Port Patrick, St. David's, Scarborough, and Winter- ton No. 1.

Granted £7 to men for injury in the Life- boat service at Gorleston and Torquay.

Voted £70 Is. id. to cover the expenses of Motor Fishing-boats at Exmouth, Montrose, Newquay (Corn.), Padstow, Port Erin, Port Isaac, Portrush, Ramsey, Stonehaven, and Wells, which were launched for the purpose of rendering assistance to vessels mined or torpedoed.

Voted £1 to two men for saving a man from a hydroplane which came down near Hornsea, on the 20th March. The salvors put off in a coble, and were able to bring the man and the hydroplane to the shore.

Voted 15s. to two men at Hornsea for bringing back a boat which had been used for life-saving, and which had been left by the salvors some distance from its station, on the 26th March.

Voted £1 2s. 6d. to three men for rescuing the pilot and observer of an aeroplane which had fallen into the sea, on the 15th May. On the accident being observed the salvors promptly launched a small boat, rowing against a strong ebb tide, and in twenty-two minutes from the time the machine fell they rescued the two men, who were swimming about, the aeroplane having sunk.

Voted £3 15s. to six men for putting off from Robin Hood's Bay and rescuing nineteen men from a ship's boat belonging to the s.s. Naparina, of Karlshamn, which had been torpedoed, on the 10th May. The salvors launched two shore boats in response to signals of distress, and, on reaching the ship's boat, which was in danger of going on the rocks in the darkness, they took the crew on board and safely landed them. A moderate breeze was blowing with a moderate sea.

Voted 15s. to two men at Swanage for putting off iu a boat, on the 26th May, to render assistance to the crew of an unknown vessel which had been torpedoed and sunk.

The survivors, however, landed in the ship's boats.

Voted £2 to E. FAIR (a deaf and dumb fisherman) and his son, aged 16, for their services on the 20th April. The boat was caught in an oft-shore squall near Hastings, and the two men were getting exhausted, when they saw another small boat with three soldiers in her. This boat was being swept out to sea, and the men in her were quite exhausted. The salvors, not- withstanding their own condition and the risk involved, proceeded to them, and succeeded in towing the boat to Bexhill, where the men were landed.

Voted £2 10s. to five men at Trevose Head for rendering assistance to a ship's boat, con- taining six men, belonging to the s.s. Mefjord, of Bergen, on the 23rd May. The boat was seen approaching the headland, and the salvors, by means of flags, directed it to the only safe landing-place. They then went down the cliff, and assisted the shipwrecked men, who were more or less exhausted with wet and cold, out of the boat and up the steep cliff, and, later, they were successful in salving the boat.

NOTICE.

The next number of the LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL will be published in the 1st August, 1919.