THE Institution was founded at a meeting held in the City of London Tavern on 4th March, 1824, with the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Manners Sutton), in the chair. The twelve resolutions which called the Institution into being and laid down the broad lines on which it should work, are recorded in the Institution's first Annual Report.

So, too, are another nine resolutions, of thanks to the King, the Royal Family, the Archbishop, the Prime Minister, Sir William Hillary, as the Institution's founder, Mr. Thomas Wilson, M.P., who became its first Chairman, and others who had given their help. A short report of the meeting appeared in The Times for 5th March, 1824, and this was quoted in The Lifeboat for June, 1924, and again in the issue for last November, in Major Evan Fyers' article " Some Unpublished Letters of Sir William Hillary, Bt." So far, however, no report has appeared in any publication of the Institution of the speeches which the Archbishop, Mr. Wilberforce, and others made at the meeting. We have now obtained a copy of the Morning Chronicle for 5th March, 1824, in which a much fuller report appears than in The Times, and this report we give below as being the fullest report which, so far as we know, exists of the historic meeting at which the Institution was founded.

We have reproduced the report as it appears in the Morning Chronicle, but it should be pointed out that though the resolutions in this report give the substance correctly, their wording is in only one case the same as the wording in the Institution's official report. In some cases the names have not been correctly caught by the reporter, and the necessary correction is made in a footnote in each case.

Extract from " The Morning Chronicle," London, Friday, March 5th, 1824.

National Institution for the Relief of Persons suffering by Shipwreck.

Yesterday, a Meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen took place at the City of London Tavern, at one o'clock, for the purpose of establishing a National Institution for the preservation of lives in cases of Shipwreck, affording such relief as the necessities of the persons may require, and bestowing reward on those who may exert themselves in saving the lives of their fellow-creatures.

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury took the Chair at a quarter past one o'clock, and was attended by several Noblemen and Gentlemen of distinction, among whom we noticed the Bishop of Chester, the Bishop of London, Mr. Wilberforce, M.P., Mr. Warre, M.P., Mr. Gooch, M.P., Mr. Manning, M.P., Mr. Thomas Wilson, M.P., Sir Charles Flower, Bart., Mr. Alderman Thompson, Mr. Alderman Bridges, the Rev. Dr. Blomfield, and several other distinguished persons ; but the assembly was not very numerous.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

On his Grace taking the Chair, the Secretary, Mr. Thomas Wilson, read the advertisement for calling the Meeting, and the Most Rev. Chairman then rising, adverted in the first place, to the honour conferred on the Society by his Majesty having consented to become the Patron. His Grace then went on to say that the Meeting had heard the advertisement read, and the substance of the Resolutions which would be read, would put them fully in possession of the object for which they were assembled, he should therefore say only a very few words. They were to form a Royal Institution worthy of a great nation, and a nation which was the first maritime power of the world; this might be partly owing to our insular position, but it was chiefly occasioned by the spirit of the people, the source of our national wealth and national power.

Though we might be proud, and justly boast of our maritime pre-eminence, it carried with it, like every pre-eminence, corresponding duties. If it were true, that in consequence of this pre-eminence we visited every part of the tempestuous ocean, leaving no corner unexplored which could afford new objects for science, or new sources of wealth, inviting all people, and men of all languages to communicate with us, and to take part in all our transactions ; if this were true, it must be our duty to provide the best means in our power to secure them against the dangers and sufferings of shipwreck. Not only our own countrymen, but the people of every other nation came on our coast for the purposes of commerce, or some other laudable purpose. We were also bound, under the influence of honourable and charitable feelings, to hold out assistance (in cases of shipwreck) to our bitterest enemies as well as to our best friends. This was the ground on which the Institution was to be established, the details (his Grace said) he would leave to the Secretary to make known to the Meeting. In one word, the purposes of this Institution would be as free and unbounded as charity itself. He moved the first Resolution, namely, " That a National Institution be formed, for the preservation of the lives of those persons who suffer shipwreck on the coast of the United Kingdom." Captain BOWLES, R.N., seconded the Resolution, which was carried unanimously.

ME. WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, M.P.

Mr. WILBERFORCE accounted it a great honour to be called on by his Grace the Most Reverend Chairman to submit a motion to the meeting—a call from him which he (Mr. Wilberforce) was ever ready to answer, as such calls were never made but for the best purposes of Christian charity. The appeal of his Grace had been so powerful, clear and urgent, as to leave him very little to add. Although, from circumstances not difficult to understand, this project had been only slowly brought forward, and the meeting now was not so numerous as many other meetings he had attended on similar occasions; yet he trusted, as the society was only now in its infancy, it was the infancy of a Hercules, and would grow large and powerful to a degree corresponding to the greatness of the design and the affluence of the country. The motives stated by the Most Reverend Chairman were such as men, as Britons, and as Christians, must all approve of ; and he should be unworthy of the regard of mankind, lost to all proper feeling, forgetful of the character of his country, if he could be deaf to a voice, raised to call for aid on an occasion like this to suffering humanity.

The object of an Institution like this seemed so natural to this country—so necessary, indeed, to its welfare, that he was astonished it had not long before this period been established—that it was left to this day, and to his Grace of Canterbury, to establish it, and publicly to recognise it, as justly claiming our warm and undivided support. It was our duty, also, to do away the reproaches which had for many years been cast upon us. He would not go back to very ancient times, and had no occasion to remind the Right Reverend Bishops near him, of the time when the Britons were described as the enemies of every man. It was not long since, with ships were wrecked on our coast, that the crews were more liable to be plundered than to be relieved. In establishing this Institution, we were in some measure paying a debt, and atoning for the crimes of those who had gone before us.

It would tend to diffuse benevolence through the country; and inducing the more affluent districts to contribute to the assistance of those whose misfortunes were more frequent, and the means of relieving it less, would connect the whole country in one bond of benevolence, and was deserving of universal encouragement and support; when it was considered what claims the country had to respect for its benevolence, and how much we were indebted to Providence for the manifold blessings we enjoyed, it could scarcely be-thought that the country would be deserving of its reputation, or we of the continuance of those blessings, if we failed to do everything in our power in a cause like this. As was truly and properly said by his Grace, we had a duty to perform to others, and to ourselves, and we were not at liberty to choose whether we could perform it or not; we were urgently bound, both by duty and justice, to give the Institution the best support in our power. It was a part of this duty to encourage others in the .performance of acts of courage and benevolence and to give them motives for braving dangers.

With this view the Resolution had been drawn up which he held in his hands, and which was " That medallions or pecuniary rewards be given to those who shall rescue the lives of others in cases of shipwreck." To us it might seem t ft no stimulus was wanting to engage in so laudable a work, but let us place ourselves in the situation of those persons who have to expose their lives to peril and hardship, and who may at a moment of danger, though never thinking of themselves, be somewhat slow in risking their lives, if they are to leave behind them their families unprovided for, and who would cheerfully hasten to brave storms and mountain waves when called by the voice of distress, and when conscious that their wives, though widowed, would not be forsaken — and that their children, though fatherless, would not be forsaken orphans. For such it was their duty, the duty of the opulent, to provide ; for they who discharged public duty were public officers, and deserved public rewards.

There was no service more full of dangers, or more deserving of marks of honour, such as medallions, than this.

They were bestowed on all great and deserving occasions, and had, perhaps, contributed to that greatness of character, and that splendour of exertions which distinguished our country.

It was great by its naval, its military, and its civil glories. If we had our Nelson and our Wellington, we had, also, men equally great in the discharge of important civil duties. There was one at the present day, who had stood at the head of the administration of justice, for upwards of twenty years, and who had been so impartial in his decisions, so equitable in his high office, that his conduct had extorted the respect of the country, and, though he might have enemies, not one of them could cast a stain on his name.* When it * Lord Eldon, the Lord Chancellor.

was recollected that the services for which these medallions were to be bestowed, were performed amidst dangers and darkness, with every thing to appal and nothing to encourage, but a sense of duty to God, and a desire to benefit suffering man, it was surely right to encourage them in the performance of those services, by the honours and rewards of a grateful country.

The Honourable Gentleman then took occasion to compliment Captain Manby, who was in the room, as the individual who had first directed the attention of the public to the subject.

From his efforts this new Institution had grown up. It was the blessed effect of benevolence to increase its powers in its progress, till it diffused its blessings, like the sun in its glory and strength, over all the world.

Mr. Wilberforce concluded by complimenting his Grace of Canterbury for coming forward on this as on all other occasions, and trusted that under his auspices, and the auspices of their more august Patrons, the Institution would rapidly extend, and diffuse its benefits over the whole country. He sat down by moving the Resolution.

Captain DUNDAS - seconded the Motion, and it was unanimously carried.

THE BISHOP OF LONDON.

The Bishop of LONDON felt himself honoured by being called on to move a Resolution ; and after the appeal and address they had heard, he had very few words to say. He had, however, great satisfaction in lifting up his voice in favour of ail Institution which was to save the lives of some, and give comfort to the families of others. It was worthy of the country in which it originated, and confers honour on the proposer ; it gives protection to that hardy and adventurous class of men whose occupations are on the great deep, and who are exposed to the perils of the tempest. Such persons were exposed to numerous disasters, and if they were not assisted they must frequently perish. To remedy that was Captain Deaus-Dundas, R.N., in the Institution's report.

the great object of the Institution, and more particularly of the Resolution which he had to propose, namely, " That such immediate assistance be afforded to persons rescued from shipwreck, as their case may require." This assistance would be indiscriminately administered.

The benefits of such an Institution would be felt on all the coasts of the country—habits of rendering assistance, would render foreigners neighbours and friends. He would not trespass longer on their attention. His Lordship sat down by moving the Resolution he had read.

Alderman BRIDGES seconded it in a few words. He was surprised that an institution of this nature had not before been established, and trusted that benevolent hearts and powerful arms would always be found to give effect to their humane project. The motion was put and carried unanimously.

THE BISHOP OF CHESTER.

The Bishop of CHESTER had great pleasure in acceding to a request to propose for the adoption of the Meeting, a Resolution which had for its object to provide for the families of those who perished in endeavouring to save others.

It was this—" That relief be supplied to the widows and families of persons who may perish in their attempts to save the lives of others." Though our mariners, continued the Right Rev.

Prelate, were brave and humane, and had no fears on their own accounts, they must feel for their families ; but if they knew that they were to be provided for, they would go forth undaunted at the calls of humanity, or the calls of their country. They would know, that whatever might befal them, their widows would not be left destitute, and their children would not have to beg their bread. The utility of this Resolution could not be doubted ; he himself indeed had seen occasions when it would have been most valuable. It was his practice, his Lordship said, to spend some part of every summer on the coast of Cheshire, not far from Liverpool, and opposite a dangerous sand bank; he had seen vessels sunk on it, and the crew take refuge in the shrouds, where every wave threatened to wash them away. Their feelings in such a situation would have been indescribable, if they had known that a boat, properly prepared, was ready to come to their rescue.

At present, on the whole coast between Liverpool and Whitehaven, there were no means of saving shipwrecked persons established, and no man could hesitate, under such circumstances, in saying that the present Institution was necessary, and would be useful if established.

It was dictated not only by policy but gratitude to the British navy.

The valour and enterprise of British seamen had placed Great Britain in her present commanding situation, and they surely required and deserved every protection and every kindness from the rest of their countrymen. If the Institution should only save the crew of one vessel, they might all rejoice in their exertions ; but how much more might they then both as men and as Christians be grateful for the power of saving many crews. He had great pleasure, the RigM; Rev. Prelate concluded by saying, in moving the Resolution.

MR. WILLIAM MANNING, M.P.

Mr. MANNING seconded the Resolution, and after complimenting his Grace the Reverend Chairman, said, the meeting he was sure might, if their own funds should not be sufficient, confidently look to the Government for support. Within a short time that Government had sent 58 sets of mortars to various parts of the coast, at an expence of 6000L He was quite sure, however, the Institution would nourish under the Presidency of his Grace. He was happy also to see in the room many of those naval officers, who, after having bravely defended their country by their valour in war, were always ready to promote its honour and happiness, by their benevolence in peace. They were the main stay of that other Institution, the Seamen's Hospital Society, of which he was a Member. Nine-tenths of all shipwrecks were of merchant vessels, and he was quite sure an appeal would not be made in vain to the mercantile classes of this country. It was an act of benevolence, in which other countries would partake. That our country, amongst its numerous claims to approbation, was not forgetful of foreigners, was proved by the fact, that at the very moment he was speaking there was a Committee sitting in another room of the same Tavern, to dispose of annuities in favour of foreigners in distress. He begged leave to second the Resolution, which was unanimously carried.

CAPTAIN JOHN FOULERTON.

Captain PULLER * moved the next Resolution. The skill of British seamen, he said, surpassing that of other nations, they were not so liable to be shipwrecked as those of other nations, and, therefore, the Resolution which he should have the honour to propose would make the benefits of the Institution be more felt by foreigners than by our own sailors. He then moved, " That the Subjects of all Nations be equally the objects of this Institution, as well in War as in Peace : that the same rewards be given for their rescue as for the rescue of British subjects; that Foreigners saved from Shipwreck, and being in a state of destitution, be placed under the care of their respective Consuls, or forwarded to their own country." Alderman VENABLES seconded the Resolution, in a few words, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr. JOSHUA WALKER f moved the next Resolution, which was " That medallions be conferred on the authors of such inventions to save lives in case of shipwreck, as were best adapted to that purpose." Mr. BUCKLE seconded this Resolution, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr. ATWOOD moved that the affairs of this Institution be placed under the management of a President, Vice- President, forty Committee-men, a Treasurer, three Auditors, etc., etc.

Mr. WILKINSON seconded the Resolution, which was unanimously carried.

Mr. BLADES moved the eighth Resolution, that the following Gentlemen, whose names were read, be the Members of the Committee for the next two years ; and that afterwards six be elected at * Captain John Foulerton in the Institution's report.

A Member of Parliament.

every Annual Meeting, in the room of j those six who shall have attended the smallest number of times.

Mr. MARSHALL seconded this Resolution, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr. PULLEY moved the next Resolution, " That Donations and Annual Subscriptions be now entered into and solicited, for carrying the object of this Institution into effect." It was seconded by Mr. Atkins, and carried unanimously. A List of the donations and subscriptions already received was then read.

Captain MANBY was introduced to the notice of the Meeting by the Most Reverend Chairman, and moved, " That the maritime counties and districts, the principal sea ports and inland towns, and the British islands, be earnestly invited to form District Associations, as branches of the Institution, and to promote donations and subscriptions to carry its general object into effect." Mr. GOOCH, M.P., seconded the motion, and recommended that copies of their Resolutions should be sent to the Admiralty, to the Trinity House, and Lloyd's, and inserted in several provincial papers.

A Resolution, purporting that it be recommended to such district associations to have the same form of government as the principal Institution, and to communicate with it, was moved by Captain SOMERS,| seconded by Mr. RICHARDSON, and carried unanimously.

Alderman BRIDGES moved a Resolution, empowering the Committee to draw up rules for the regulation and management of the society.

It was seconded by Mr. CARRUTHERS, a member of Lloyd's, who took occasion to praise the exertions of that body in behalf of shipwrecked seamen.

Mr. URQUHART explained that Lloyd's would do more if their funds were larger

A GENTLEMAN then presented some Papers to the Most Reverend Chairman, Captain Richard Saumarez, R.N., in the Institution's report. A Member of Parliament.

jWhen the Institution was founded there were thirty-nine Life-boats on the coast. To this work Lloyd's had largely contributed, in May, 1802, by setting aside 2,000 guineas which we understood to say contained documents to prove that there was at Lloyd's a very large surplus revenue, one half of which he had proposed should be devoted to decayed Members of that body, the other half to shipwrecked seamen. His Grace declined receiving them, as foreign to the business on which the Meeting had been called together.

Mr. HERRIES * moved that a Copy of the resolutions be transmitted to the Ambassadors, Consuls, and other Representatives of Foreign States residing in this Country.

Mr. CASENOVE seconded the motion, and, like all the others, it met no opposition.

Sir CHARLES FLOWER, Baronet, moved that his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury be requested to convey to his Majesty the deep and grateful sense which the Meeting entertain of the distinguished honour conferred on them by his Majesty becoming the Patron of the Institution.

Seconded by Mr. WALCOT, and carried unanimously.

The Thanks of the Meeting were then moved and voted to the Dukes of York, Sussex, and Gloucester  for the honour they had conferred on the meeting by becoming the Vice-Patrons of the Institution. The Thanks of the Meeting were also voted to the Earl of Liverpool,! for taking on himself the office of President of the Institution. The Thanks of the Meeting were then cordially bestowed on his Grace the Archbishop of for the construction of Life-boats. During the first few years of the Institution's work I Lloyd's contributed £200 a year. This was increased later to £400, and then to over £700 annually. In 1868, however, Lloyd's ceased to contribute. They started to contribute again in 1910, through the City Branch, and have continued to do so every year since then. Until 1923 the contribution varied between £100 and £280, but in 1924, the Institution's Centenary Year, it was greatly I increased, and since then has averaged over £1,500 a year. Two years before this increase I was made, the Chairman of Lloyd's had accepted an invitation to the position of exofficio Membership of the Committee of Management of the Institution.

* Mr. Harris in the Institution's report.

Brothers of the King. The Prime Minister. Canterbury, and the other Noble Lords who have patronised the Institution.

His GRACE returned thanks for the honour.

Sir WM. HILLARY was then thanked as the Father of the Institution. On this occasion Mr. GOOCH observed, that however great might be Sir W. Hillary's merits, the formation of such a society as the present had been recommended long ago by Captain Manby. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY observed, that this was a very honourable competition, and he had no doubt the thanks of the Meeting would be given to both. The Thanks of the Meeting were also very cordially voted to Mr. T. Wilson, f M.P., for his exertions, as Secretary, who said, in returning thanks, he had only done a small part of his duty, as the Representative of the first commercial city of the world. He was the servant of the public, and felt himself bound, from the first moment his friend, Mr. G.

Hibbert, had mentioned this subject to him, to devote his time and attention to the Institution. His Grace having left the Chair, the Thanks of the Meeting were voted to him for his able conduct as Chairman ; and at half-past three o'clock the Meeting broke up.

Captain Manby was the inventor of a lifesaving apparatus for firing a line from the shore to the wreck. On 10th March, 1825, he received the fifth Gold Medallion awarded by the Institution. It was awarded as " a public testimony of the great utility of his life-saving apparatus." The other four had been awarded to the King, the Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir William Hillary, so that Captain Manby was the second to receive it for actual services towards the rescue of the shipwrecked.

The resolution proposed by Mr. George Lyall, and seconded by Mr. Thomas Wilson, M.P., was "That the best thanks of this meeting are due to Sir William Hillary, Bart., for his patriotic efforts in bringing this subject before the public, and for his zealous endeavours to promote the establishment of the Institution." The Gold Medallion which he received the following year was awarded him " as the Founder, and for his subsequent co-operation and assistance." T[ Mr. Thomas Wilson, Member of Parliament for the City of London, was the cofonnder with Sir William Hillary of the Institution. He became its first Chairman, holding that post for over 28 years until his death in 1852 in his eighty-fifth year.