Recollections of Sir William Reardon Smith, Bt.Recollections of Sir William Reardon Smith, Bt.

IN the last number of The Lifeboat a history was published of the Appledore Station, which was established in 1825, of its Centenary celebrations, and an account was given of the service to the Austrian barque Pace in December, 1869, when the Life-boat, after rescuing eight of the crew, went out a second time, although she was rudderless and the Coxswain had been injured, and was capsized, fortunately without loss of life.

Sir William Reardon Smith, Bt., the Cardiff shipowner, who was born at Appledore, and was at one time a master mariner, wrote with reference to this history of the station as follows :— " I was interested to read of the celebration of the Appledore, Devon, Centenary. On reading this report, I notice the name of Owen Smith, one [ of the first Appledore Life-boatmen to receive a silver medal in 1829.

The correct name of this man is Owen Nile Reardon Smith, and he was born on H.M.S. Romulus during the battle of the Nile.

" With reference to the report of the Appledore Life-boat and the ser- vices rendered by it in 1869, the writer remembers everything about this as if it occurred yesterday and is certain that the other ship, Leopard, of London, struck nearer Westward Ho ! and the Pace, of Fiume, struck further up the Bay. The Coxes, father and son, were well known to the writer, and the father of Cox was Superin- tendent of the Baptist Sunday School for 40 to 50 years, and was a very fine type of seaman.

" I enclose cheque for £5, further subscription towards the funds of the Royal National Life-boat Institu- tion.".