IT is now six years since the first experiments were made with Motor Caterpillar Tractors for launching Lifeboats off flat beaches. Tractors have been placed at a number of Stations, and although the type used has not been suitable for launching off shingle 01 very soft mud its success on sandy beaches has established the tractor as an essential part of the Service. When, therefore, the first of a new type—which it is hoped will be capable of launching Life-boats off all kinds of flat beach— was completed this summer, it was decided to do what is done in the case of all Life-boats, and inaugurate its work for the rescue of life from shipwreck by a dedication service and naming ceremony.

This ceremony took place, on 10th June, at Slough, at the works of the Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company, the designers and builders of the Tractor, on the Slough Trading Estate, H.R.H.

the Princess Victoria performed the naming ceremony, giving the Tractor her own name; the Bishop Suffragan of Buckingham, the Rt. Rev. Philip H.

Eliott, D.D., conducted the dedication service; and Sir Godfrey Bating, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management, presided. Some 3,000 people were present. Among them were many children, the schools having been given a half-holiday. Girl Guides formed a guard of honour, Boy Scouts and members of the Boys' Brigade gave their help, music was provided by the Band of the Licensed Victuallers' School, and the singing was led by a voluntary Choir. The main roads and many of the buildings on the Slough Trading Estate were decorated.

Among those present were the Mayor and Mayoress of Windsor (Sir William, and Lady Carter), the Dean of Windsor, the Military Attache to the American Embassy, and Miss M. A. Gaskill, Honorary Secretary of the Slough and Windsor Branch, Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution, Captain Howard F. J.

Eowley, C.B.E., R.N., Chief Inspector of Life-boats, Commander Stopford C.

Douglas, R.N., Deputy-Chief Inspector, Mr. Henry Nyberg and Mr. C. F.

Cleaver, directors of the Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company, and Sir William Jones and Lieut.-Col. P. H. Johnson of Roadless Traction, Ltd.

When Princess Victoria had taken her place on the platform, Miss Geraldine Rowley presented her with a bouquet.

The factory doors then swung open and the Tractor appeared with a Life-boat, and.drew up facing the platform. The Life-boat was dressed rainbow fasWon and manned by Life-boatmen from Boulmer, Hoylake and Southend-on- Sea, Coxswain Stephenson, of Boulmer, being in charge.

A Description of the Tractor.

The Bishop of Buckingham then conducted a short religious service.

Following this Captain Rowley gave a description of the Tractor. It consists of a Four-Wheel Drive Chassis with Roadless Tracks on the rear axle, and a long single-axle trailer, also mounted on Roadless Tracks, which carries the Life-boat. The Tractor has a 60-h.p.

engine, with six changes of gear, four ahead and two astern, and is capable of a speed of from one to twelve miles an hour. The engine has been, made •waterproof by having the magneto and carburettor enclosed in water-tight covers and the sparking plugs protected.

The total weight of Tractor and trailer is 11J tons.

On a hard surface the Tractor exerts a pressure of about 20 Ibs. per square inch, but as soon as it sinks a little this pressure is decreased to 8 Ibs., which is less than that of a man's foot.

The old design of Life-boat carriage, with a wheel some 6 feet in diameter and a girdle of plates round it, exerts a pressure, when the wheels are standing in the centre of these plates, of 21 Ibs.

per square inch. When, however, the wheels are in the joints between two plates the pressure is greatly increased and the wheels sink unduly. With the track on the new type of carriage the pressure per square inch is only 14 Ibs. on ail soft surfaces.

The launching process is very simple.

The Tractor draws the Life-boat to the water's edge and turning round leaves her with her bow facing seawards. It then goes into reverse and pushes the boat into the water until the trailer's tracks are just submerged. There is a winding-drum on tie Tractor, worked by its engine, and by this means the boat is hauled ofi the trailer into the sea.

When this description of the Tractor had been given, Princess Victoria broke a bottle of champagne over the radiator and named the Tractor " Princess Victoria." After Sir Godfrey Baring had proposed, and Mi. Shee had seconded, a vote of thanks, the Tractor carried out some evolutions. Then the Life-boat Crew, standing with tossed oars, gave the Princess three cheers.

The Life-boat's Journey to the Coast.

Very early on the following morning (Saturday) the Tractor and Life-boat left Slough for New Romney, in Kent, where the trials were to be held on the very heavy beach of shingle. The Tractor went by train, as its tracks, being intended for work over soft ground, -would be needlessly damaged on. a long road journey. A Four Wheel Drive Lorry took the boat in tow, and as the total weight of boat, carriage and lorry was 14 tons, the length over 52 feet and the width of the wheel base 11 feet 6 inches, the journey had its interesting and at times exciting moments for the officer in charge.

A route was followed which had been carefully chosen to minimize the risks from heavy traffic, sharp corners and bridges, and the police gave most willing and courteous help. The good nature and ready help of motorists also deserve to be mentioned. Many of them were compelled to drive their cars into the ditches and even into the fields, and sometimes there was a stream of waiting cars a hundred yards long.

There was but one exception to this courtesy—the owner of a Rolls-Royce— who was very indignant that a Lifeboat should have been allowed on the roads during the week-end. One wonders if he would object to being rescued from shipwreck " during the week-end." En route the Life-boat was tested, not in a gale of wind but against the parapet of a bridge, where there was only an inch or two to spare. The Life-boat won easily, but it is only fair to add that the bridge was, in the military phrase, " part worn." Also a bystander did his best to exonerate the boat by asserting that the disappearance of the parapet was due to a Ford car which had just crossed.

The Life-boat reached New Bomney on the Sunday afternoon. Testa were held during the next three days and showed that some alterations to the Tractor would have to be made.

When these have been completed the trials will be continued at difierent Stations..