LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Summary of Meetings of the Committee of Management

Thursday, 21st October, 1926.

SIR GODFREY BARING, Bt., in the Chair.

Elected Brig.-Gen, Noel M. Lake, C.B., an Honorary life-Governor of the Institution.

Reported the resignation from the Com- mittee of Management of Mr. B. A. Glanvill.

Decided to close the Easington Life-boat Station.

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

Anonymous (additional donation) 300 — — White Star Steamers' Charity Account (additional donation) 50 - - W. J. BBADSXBEET, Esq. (ad- ditional donation) , . . . 25 — - Westminster Abbey (collection) 21 18 4 —To ~be, thanked.

Paid £23,344 15s. for sundry charges in connexion -with the construction of Life-boats, life-boat Houses and Slipways, and the maintenance of the various Life-boat estab- lishments.

Voted £77 19*. 2 Z. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services :— Lives Life-boat. Vessel. rescued.

Barry Dock . A bathing accident . 3 (Motor) Blyth (Motor) Open boat Grace Darl- ing, of New Hartley . 5 „ „ . Motor coble Spurt, of Blyth. Saved boat and rescued ... 3 The Humber . Dredger Kite, of New- (Motor) castle 4 Moelfre . . Schooner Loch Buni/a Castle, of Annalong . 3 Portrush (Motor) S.S. HaUam, of New York. Stood by vessel.

Seaham (Motor) Fishing coble Two Brothers, of Seaham.

Saved coble and res- cued 4 Sunderland . Railing cobles Mary (Motor) and Martha of Sun- derland. Saved cobles aad rescued ... 7 Torbay (Motor) S.S. Donaghmore, of Workington. Stood by vessel.

Whitby (Motor) Motor fishing boats Miz- pah, Pilot Me, Be- membrance and Excel- sior, of Whitby. Es- corted boats into harbour.

The Wexford (Motor) Life-boat saved the smack Edith S. Annie, of Wexford, and rescued the crew of three; she also saved the lugger Mow, of Wexford, and her four hands.

The Aberdovey Life-boat saved the ketch Madge, of Chester, and rescued her crew of four; the Gorleston (Motor) Life-boat helped to save the steam trawler Marie Evelyn, of Grimsby, and rescue her crew of six; the Margate No. 2 (Motor) Life-boat helped to save the ketch Buttercup, of Falmouth, and rescue her crew of four; the Palling No. } Life-boat helped to save the steam drifter Erin, of Yarmouth, and rescue her crew of ten.

Also voted £560 13«. 3d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., -with a view to assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Blackpool, Broughty Ferry (Motor), Caister No. 1, Dungeness No. I, Fraserburgh (Motor), Greencastle, Hoylake, Llandudno, Longhope, Lowestoft (Motor), Margate No. 2 (Motor), Newburgh, Newhaven (Motor), Peel, Poole and Bournemouth, Pwllheli, Ramsey, Stromness (Motor), Thurso, Weymouth (Motor), Whitby (Motor), Whitby No. 2, and Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Motor). " Granted £33 8s. to men for injury in the life-boat service at Blackpool and Moelfre.

Voted a compassionate grant of £5 to the widow of RICHARD MORRIS of Aberdovey, who was left in very poor circumstances with two young children. Morris had been Bowman of the Life-boat for sixteen years.

Voted a small compassionate allowance to the widow of THOMAS KEW, of Wells, who is old and in very poor circumstances. Kew was a survivor of the Wells Life-boat disaster of 1880, and distinguished himself on that occasion.

Decided that the Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum and framed, be presented to GEORGE GUTORD, Assistant Motor Mechanic of the Barry Dock Motor Life-boat, in recog- nition of his gallant conduct in jumping into the sea, fully clothed, from the Life-boat and, at great personal risk, rescuing two men who were involved in a bathing accident at Barry Dock, on the 20th July, (An account of this service appeared on page 329 of The Lifeboat for November, 1926.) Voted an additional reward to the crew oi the Newhaven Motor life-boat for a service launch carried out under difficult conditions on the 21st July, when the yacht fidelity was wrecked near Newhaven. (An account of this launch appeared on p. 327 of The Lifeboat for November, 1926.) Voted an additional reward to the crew of the Stromness (Motor) Life-boat in recognition of an arduous service launch on the 9th-10th October; also directed that a letter, express- ing appreciation of the way in which he handled the Life-boat, be addressed to Cox- swain WILLIAM JOHNSTON.

and helpers at Blackpool and Ramsey for service launches on the 26th August and 10th October respectively.

Awarded the Bronze Medal of the Institu- tion, together with a copy of the Vote inscribed on Vellum and framed, and the sum of £10, to MICHAEL CAMPBELL, an ordinary seaman of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, in recog- nition of his gallant conduct in plunging into the sea, and, at great personal risk, rescuing a man who had been thrown into the water when the boat which he was in capsized near the coble landing, South Shields, on the 8th August. Also granted £2 each to four men who manned a small boat and rescued several other men who were thrown into the sea when the boat capsized. (An account of this rescue appeared on p. 328 oi The Lifeboat for Novem- ber, 1926.) Voted the Thanks of the Institution, in- scribed on Vellum and framed, to ARTHUR GOMEKSAIX, of Castleford, in recognition of his gallant conduct in jumping into the sea fully clothed from the motor boat Britannia and rescuing two of the three occupants of a small boat, which was sunk by that motor boat off Bridlington, on the 18th July. Also sent a Letter of Thanks to R. CRAWFORD, the skipper of the Britannia, who also jumped in the sea to assist in the work of rescue.

Voted £3 to three men for rescuing the three occupants of a small boat which was in diffi- culties off Sunderland, on the 21st August.

The boat was seen adrift about three miles to the S.W., with a strong westerly breeze Wowing and a rough sea, and the salvors put off in the River Wear Commissioners' river motor-launch, picked up the boat and took her in tow to harbour. Considerable risk was run by the salvors, for the launch was without sails, oars or anchor, being only intended for work in the river and not in the open sea.

Voted £6 to six men for rescuing a man and a boy from a fishing boat at Staithes on the 15th September: also allowed 6s. for a lost sou'wester. The fishing boat was seen to be in distress during a W.N.W. gale with a strong sea, by another fishing boat which at once made for the shore to obtain help. Taking on board three extra men she went to the en- dangered boat, and after some time and with considerable risk was able to get alongside, whereupon the man and boy jumped aboard the rescuing boat.

Voted £1 10s. to a man and his son for rescuing two boys at Swanage on the 13th September. The two salvors put out early in the morning to haul their pots. A strong ebb tide was running, and there was a fresh -wind from the N.W. When about half a mile south of Pevril Ledges they heard cries of distress, and after a time found a small boat containing two frightened and exhausted boys.

They took them into their own boat, and taking the boat itself in tow, brought them all into safety. The boys were visitors and had been taking an early morning row.

Voted £1 10*. to three men for rescuing the two occupants of the fishing coble Abstainer, and saving the coble herself at Whitby, on the 13th September. Also granted Is. 6d. to cover fuel consumed. The Abstainer was seen from the shore to be blowing away in a moderate westerly gale, and the motor fishing boat Mizpah put out to her help. Her crew were found to be exhausted, and she was taken in tow and brought into harbour.

Directed that a letter of appreciation be addressed, through the local Press, to all who helped when the fishing smack Maria, of Whitehaven, was wrecked off Harrington on the 20th August, with the loss of two of her crew of three. The Maria was caught in a strong S.S.W. gale with a heavy sea, and losing her sails became unmanageable and drifted helplessly. When off Harrington the crew of three endeavoured to make land in the ship's boat, but she was capsized and two were drowned. The remaining man was rescued by a chain of people. The Maria drove ashore at Harrington and was wrecked.

The Maryport Life- boat was promptly launched when information was received that a vessel was in distress, but in face of the strong southerly gale could not reach the position of the casualty in time to be of service.

Voted rewards amounting to £9 1*. in con- nexion with the services of the motor boat Cygnet, of Brixham, which proceeded to Prawle Head during a dense fog on the 17th August, when a vessel was reported ashore.

The Life-boat was temporarily off service as the engine was being dismantled by the travelling mechanic.

Thursday, 18th November, 1928.

Sir GODFREY BAKING, Bt., in the Chair.

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

H.M. THE KING (donation for Motor Life-boats) 25 - - H.M. THE QUEEN (donation for Motor-Life-boats) . . . 21 - - Miss A. HALL (additional donation) 50 - - ANONYMOUS (additional donation) 50 - - •—To lie thanked.

Paid £12,836 8s. 8d. for sundry charges in connexion with the construction of Life-boats, Life-boat Houses and Slipways, and the maintenance of the various life-boat estab- lishments.

Voted £276 7s. 9d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services :— Lives life-boat. Vessel. rescued.

Bridlington Fishing vessels Clara and Irene., of Brid- lington. Stood by two fishing vessels.

Life-boat.

Brighton .

Clovelly Fenit .

Kley .

Lowestoft (Motor) New Brighton No. 2 (Motor), Birkenhead Porthdinllaen .

(Motor) Port Patrick .

(Motor) (Motor) Scarborough (Motor) Tenby (Motor) Lives Vessel. rescued.

A small rowing boat and the motor fishing boat Little Jack, of Brighton. Salved row- ing boat and rendered assistance to motor boat.

Schooner Emma and Ester, of Chester . . 3 A fishing smack, of Fenit 3 Nine motor fishing cobles of Filey, Stood by cobles.

S.S. Agnes, of Hauge- sund. Stood by vessel.

Cutter .Rita, of liver- pool. Saved vessel and rescued ... 5 S.S. Demeterton, of New- castle. Stood by vessel.

Motor fishing boat Sea- gull, of Port Patrick.

Saved boat and rescued 2 S.S. Falcon, of London.

Landed 14, rendered assistance, and rescued 5 Three fishing cobles, of Scarborough. Stood by cobles.

Fishing coble Venture, of Scarborough . . 3 Eight fishing cobles of Scarborough. Stood by cobles.

Schooner Stjerno, of Mandal .... 7The Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Motor) Life- boat, manned by a volunteer crew who were accompanied by Earl Jellicoe, on October 30th landed Mr. Cbatos, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and his wife, from the destroyer H.M.S.

Westminster. After witnessing the naval display given for the Dominion Premiers, Mr.

and Mrs. Coates were brought to Yarmouth where they were to stay with Lord Jellicoe, but owing to the gale which was blowing the destroyer could neither get alongside the pier nor launch a boat.

The Wexford (Motor) Life-boat rescued one man from the Wexford pilot station which was surrounded by the sea and in danger of being demolished. (An account of this service appears on p. 384 of this issue.) The Ramsgate (Motor) Life-boat helped to save the German schooner Kate Bunne and rescue her crew of six ; and the Margate No. 2 (Motor) Life-boat saved the motor schooner Hawna, of Poole, and rescued her crew of six.

Also voted £303 8s. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Blackpool, Caister, Donaghadee (Motor), Eastbourne (Motor), Ex- mouth, Folkestone, Fowey, Holyhead (Steam),Hythe, Llandudno, Margate No. 2 (Motor), Newhaven (Motor), North Deal, Ramsgate (Motor), Tenby (Motor), and Wexford (Motor).

Granted £18 2s. 6d. to men for injury in the Life-boat service at Cardigan and Flam- borough.

Voted a gratuity of £10 to RICHARD WILLIAMS, Second Coxswain of the Holyhead No. 1 Steam Life-boat, who after forty-five years' connexion with the Life-boat service has been compelled to retire, being incapacitated by ill-health, and is in poor circumstances with several children to support.

Voted a gratuity of £10 to ROBERT ENGLAND, who has now given up Life-boat work after having served as a member of the Padstow Life-boat for seventeen years, and also as Life-boat signalman for many years, latterly without payment.

Granted an additional reward to the crew of the Fowey Life-boat in recognition of their efforts to save life in very dangerous and difficult circumstances, from the Danish steamer /. M. Nielson, of Svendborg, on the night of December 12th.

Directed that a Letter of Appreciation be addressed to Capt. OWES EVANS, Honorary- Secretary at Porthdinllaen, who acted as Coxswain when the Life-boat was launched on service on the 5th November.

Thursday, 16th December, 1926.

The Hon. GEORGE COLVILLE, in the Chair.

Passed Votes of Thanks to H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, K.G., President of the Institution, and H.R.H. THE PRINCESS LOUISE, DUCHESS o» ARGYLL, Patron of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, for attending the first Meeting of the General Council of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild at Hampden House on 23rd November, 1926.

Reported the resignation of THE EARL OF HARDWICKE from the Committee of Manage- ment.

Decided that the designation of the London Women's Committee be altered to " Ladies' Life-boat Guild, London Central Committee." Reported the receipt of the following special contributions :— £ s. d.

ANONYMOUS (donation) . . 50 - - ANONYMOUS (donation) . 28 - - Paid £27,596 16s. 8d. for sundry charges in connexion with the construction of Life-boats, Life-boat Houses, and Slipways, and the maintenance of the various Life-boat estab- lishments.

Voted £222 10s. lid. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat services :— Lives Life-boat. Vessel. rescued.

Buckie (Motor) Motor vessel St. Slant, of Glasgow. Rendered assistance.

Lives, rescued.

Life-boat, Gorleston .

(Motor) Newbiggin Vessel.

Steam drifter Chemot- dale, of Berwick.

Stood by vessel.

Rve motor fishing ves- sels, ol Newbiggin.

Stood by fishing Palling No. .

Fishing vessel Adolphine.

Yictorine, of Ostend.

Stood by vessel.

Peterhead No. 2 (Motor) Port Logan Port Patrick .

(Motor) Selsey and Bog- nor (Motor) Weymouth (Motor) 11 Admiralty drifter Le- vanter ....

S.S. Homewood, of Mid- dlesbrough S.S. Home/wood, of Mid- dlesbrough. Rendered assistance.

Ketch Roselyn, of Fe- camp Motor boat Rose Mary, of Weymouth.

The Ramsgate (Motor) Life-boat saved the steam trawler /ttiarfe, of Boulogne, and rescued from shipwreck her crew of sixteen.

Also voted £311 6s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the following Life-boat launches, assemblies of crews, etc., with a view to assisting persons on vessels in distress:—Broughty Perry (Motor), Caister, Clacton on-Sea (Motor), Cromer No. 1 (Motor), Kley, Johnshaven, Kessingland, Kirkcudbright, Palling No. 2, Plymouth (Motor), Rhoscolyn, Scarborough (Motor), Selsey and Bognor (Motor), Sennen Cove (Motor), and Stromness (Motor).

Granted £6 10s. to a man for injury in the lite-boat service at Winterton.

Granted an additional reward to the crew of the Peterhead Motor Life-boat for an arduous service on the 13th October, when eleven of the crew of fifteen of the Admiralty Drifter Levanter were rescued in severe weather.

Granted an additional reward to the crew of the Selsey and Bognor Motor Life-boat for an arduous service on the 20th November, when the crew, eight in number, of the French Ketch Soselyn, were rescued in rough weather.

Voted £1 Is. to two men who took part in the rescue on the 18th November of the two occu- pants of a small dinghy which was in difficulties in the Rock Channel, at New Brighton, and could not stem the tide. A strong S.E. breeze was freshening, and the salvors put off in the motor boarding boat attached to the New Brighton Life-boat Station, and picked up the endangered men and their boat. The rescuing boat was manned by the Coxswain of the Life- boat, her two permanent Motor Mechanics, and another man.

Voted £116s. to seven men, including the Life- boat Coxswain, for putting off from Berwick-on- Tweed on the 9th December to the help of a small fishing boat which was in distress during a strong W.N.W. gale off Cbiswick Beach. The fishing boat managed to reach the shore without help, before the arrival of the rescuers.