Services of the Life-Boats. Reported to the November, December and January Meetings of the Committee of Management
Reported to the November, December and January Meetings of the Committee of Management.
November Meeting.
Dungeness and Hythe, Kent.—On the 8th October, the barge Shamrock, of London, was in distress and the Dungeness Pulling and Sailing Life- boat rescued the crew of three. The Hythe Motor Life-boat also put out and towed in the Dungeness Life-boat.
—Rewards, Dungeness £35 10s.; Hythe £25 75. (A full account of this service appeared in the November issue of The Lifeboat.) North Sunderland, Northumberland.— The Pulling and Sailing Life-boat Lizzie Porter was launched at 9.30 A.M. on the 10th October, as a very heavy sea had got up, with heavy rain showers and a strong and increas- ing N.E. wind, and the local fishing coble Sea Queen was at sea. The Life-boat came up with the Sea Queen about two and a half miles east of North Sunderland Point, but owing to the very heavy seas it was too dangerous to attempt to make the harbour entrance, and the Life-boat escorted the coble to the Nakker Hole, Benthall, where there is a natural refuge. They arrived off the Hole at 11.40 A.M. and at great personal risk, on account of the rocks and broken water, eight fishermen from Beadnell put off in the fishing boat Golden Horn to render help. Two of them were put on board the Sea Queen and another on board the Life-boat, to act as pilots.
Both fishing vessels then made safety but the Life-boat, which was too big to get in, made Beadnell harbour, which she entered safely at 12.30 P.M.
The Life-boat carriage was taken by hand to Beadnell and the Life-boat taken overland to her Station. 'The Committee of Management awarded an inscribed Barometer to Mr. Thomas S. Hall, of Beadnell, skipper of the boat which launched to help the Life-boat and the coble ; the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum, to him and to his crew, Jack Hall, Ralph Hall, Thomas Douglas, Charles Douglas, Percy Douglas, Robert Douglas and Ralph Dixon ; a letter of appreciation to James Robson, Coxswain of the Life-boat and a letter of thanks to Mr. M. R. Norris, Honorary Secretary, who organised the operations.—Rewards, £45 3*. 9d.
Cromer, Norfolk.—The Motor Life- boat, H. F. Bailey, put out at 11.5 A.M.
on the llth October, in hazy weather with a smooth sea and moderate S.W.
breeze, as the Haisborough Light-vessel had reported a vessel aground op. the Haisborough Sands near the North Middle Buoy. The Life-boat found the Boulogne steam drifter Alexandrine, and learned from another drifter which was standing by that twenty-three of the crew of twenty-eight were on board the Light-vessel. These men were taken off by the Life-boat, which then returned to the Alexandrine, and stood by. About 5 P.M. a Dutch tug arrived, put a tow rope on board, and half an hour later the drifter re-floated.
After placing the twenty-three men on board their vessel again the Life-boat left for home and arrived back at 6.10 P.M.—Rewards, £18 10s.
Cromer, Norfolk.—On the 14th October the Italian steamer Monte Nevoso stranded on the Haisborough Sands. The Cromer Motor Life-boat rescued thirty men.—Rewards, £106 9s.
(A full account of this service appeared in the November issue of The Lifeboat.) Girvan, Ayrshire.—About 1.30 P.M.
on the 14th October, the Coxswain, who was near the harbour, saw a fishing boat making for the entrance.
A moderate N.W. gale was blowing with a heavy swell, and the river Girvan, which runs through the harbour was in spate and flowing strongly.
These conditions made the entry into harbour very dangerous and the Motor Life-boat Lily Glen—Glasgow was launched. She came up with the boat —the Duskie Maid—about half a mile out and escorted her over the bar into safe water. When making the crossing the Life-boat was carried on to the North Pier, but was not damaged.
The fishing boat Restango was also at sea and the Life-boat went out again, met her a mile from shore, and escorted her into safety. The Life-boat returned to her Station at 3 P.M.— Rewards, £5 14s.
Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—On the night of the 15th October, the Coxswain received a message that a boat in Arklow Bay was making signals of distress. A strong N.W. gale was blowing with a choppy sea, and rain showers. The Motor Life-boat John Taylor Cardwell was launched at 10.30 P.M. and found the fishing boat Erin, of Arklow, drifting before the wind, with her sails blown away. She was leaking and unmanageable. The Life- boat went alongside, took off two of her crew of five, put a rope aboard and towed her into harbour. The crew of the Erin were all old men and were completely exhausted. The Life- boat arrived back at her station at 1.30 A.M.—Rewards, £19 Os. 6d.
Whitby, Yorkshire.—About 5 A.M. on the 18th October four of the local fishing boats put to sea. Shortly afterwards the wind veered to the N.N.W. and increased to a strong gale with very heavy seas which made it dangerous to enter the harbour. One of the boats returned immediately, and at 7.15 A.M. two more were seen approaching, so the Motor Life-boat Margaret Harker Smith was launched.
The motor fishing boat Venus came first and was escorted through heavy seas into the harbour. The Life-boat put out again and accompanied the Pilot Me into safety. She then went out again to help the last boat but found that she had run for Scarborough, where she got in safely. The Life- boat arrived back at her Station at 9 A.M.—Rewards, £8 5s. 6d.
Dunbar, Haddingtonshire.—On the 18th October the German steamer Birkenau, of Bremerhaven, while bound in ballast from Antwerp to Methil, was caught in a strong northerly gale, with very heavy seas, and driven on to the rocks at Chapel Point, some miles east of Dunbar. The Motor Life-boat George and Sarah Strachan was launched at 6.15 A.M. The Captain of the Birkenau did not wish to abandon his vessel, and after standing by for some time the Life-boat returned to Dunbar, arriving back at 9.50 A.M. Shortly afterwards one of the steamer's anchor-chains parted and the Life-boat put out again, to find that ten of the crew of fifteen had been landed by the Rocket Apparatus, the remainder staying on board. The Life-boat stood by all day and at half-past five the steamer re-floated. She was taken in tow by a tug and at the request of her captain the Life-boat accompanied both vessels into Leith. The Life-boat arrived back at her Station at 4.15 A.M. on the 19th, having been on service for about twenty-two hours. The master of the Birkenau sent a letter of thanks, and a letter of appreciation was sent by the President of the German Republic.
—Rewards, £27 12s. 7d.
Kirkcudbright.—The Motor Life-boat Morison Watson was launched at mid- day on the 18th October as the owner of the fishing boat Campaina had brought news that his boat, which was riding at anchor in Garlieston Bay, with no one on board, was in danger of being blown out to sea. A gale was blowing from the W.N.W. and the sea was rough. The Life-boat took the Campaina in tow and brought her safely into Garlieston Harbour. This was a property salvage service, but the crew of the Life-boat generously gave their services free as the owner of the fishing boat could not afford to pay.— Expenses, 10s.
Torbay, Devon.—On the night of the 20th October the fishing boat Wenden came in and reported that the motor fishing boat Dorothy was in trouble off Berry Head, with her propeller fouled by nets. Her two occupants had asked for the motor trawler Cygnet to go out and tow them in, but it was found impossible to start the Cygnet's engine, and the Motor Life-boat George Shee was launched at 10.15 P.M. A strong S.W. gale was blowing, with a very rough sea and heavy rain squalls. The Life-boat found the Dorothy at anchor in a very exposed position, unable to make headway against the gale. A line was put on board, and she was towed into Brixham Harbour.—Rewards, £14 7s. 6d.
Galway Bay, Co. Galway.—The Motor Life-boat William Evans was launched at 1 P.M. on the 20th October, on the receipt of an urgent appeal from a nurse on Inishere Island for a doctor.
No other suitable boat was available so the Life-boat took the doctor across, arriving back at her Station at 3.30 P.M.—No expense to the Institution.
Fowey, Cornwall.—On the night of the 21st October the yacht Jess broke away from her moorings and after drifting about the harbour, to the danger of other shipping, drove up against the quay. The Motor Life- boat C.D.E.C. put out and towed her to a safe anchorage.—Property Salvage Case.
Beaumaris, Anglesey.—At 2.5 P.M.
on the 25th October, the Penmon Coastguard reported that a yacht was in difficulties off Penmon and was showing a signal. The Motor Life-boat Frederick Kitchen was launched and found the yacht Anthes at anchor, with two men on board. They did not wish to leave her, and at their request the Life-boat towed her to Bangor which was reached at 4 P.M.
A strong S.W. breeze was blowing with a choppy sea and heavy rain, so the Life-boat was moored for the night and returned to the house next day.— Property Salvage Case.
Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—At 3.30 P.M.
on the 27th October, information was received that a small boat was drifting out to sea about a mile from Garryvoe Strand. In a strong northerly gale, with a heavy sea and rain, the Motor Life-boat Mary Stanford was launched at 3.45 P.M. but found that there was no one on board the boat and that what had been thought to be a man was a large fish-basket in the stern.
In the meantime news had been received that the fishing boat St. Mary with the Coxswain's son and the Life- boat's assistant mechanic on board was overdue, and as the Life-boat was returning she was sent off again. The gale was increasing and darkness was approaching as she put out. Searching along the coast to the westward she found the boat in Ballyandreen Bay and escorted her to harbour. Mr. C.
H. Sloane, a member of the Local Committee, went out with the Life- boat.—Rewards, £9 4s. 9d.
Lowestoft, Suffolk.—During a whole N.N.E. gale, with a very heavy sea and rain, on the afternoon of the 28th October, an object, which looked like a boat, was seen and kept under observation by the Coxswain. Later it was reported that the local motor fishing boat Sonny Boy was missing, and the Motor Life-boat Agnes Cross was launched at 3.2 P.M. She found the missing boat, with her crew of three, four miles S.W. from the South Pier sheltering on the inside part of the Newcombe Sands. She had already shipped a heavy sea and would soon have been swamped. The Life-boat took her in tow and brought her and her crew into harbour.—Rewards, £19 Os. 6d.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—On the even- ing of the 29th October, a telephone message was received from the pierhead that flares could be seen west of the pier. A whole W. gale was blowing with a very heavy sea and rain. The Motor Life-boat Greater London put out at 8.50 P.M. and found the barge New Hope, of Maldon, west of the Low Way Buoy, sinking fast. Her crew of two were rescued and the Life-boat made for home. Signals from the shore were seen which showed that it was thought that more flares were burning further to the S.W., and the Life-boat went in that direction.
She searched but could find no vessel in distress, so once more headed for her Station, which she reached at 10.55 P.M.—Rewards, £18 6s.
Margate, Kent.—The Motor Life- boat Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched at 6.40 A.M. on the 31st October, as information had been received from the Coastguard that a vessel was on the Tongue Sand. She found the s.s. Santa Rita, of Panama, ashore, and, at the request of the Master stood by in case her help was required.
A strong N.W. breeze was blowing and the sea was rough. The Santa Rita refloated at about 8.30 A.M. on the rising tide, and the Life-boat then returned to her Station, arriving back at 10 A.M. Owing to the state of the sea she could not be rehoused until 5.30 P.M.—Rewards, £12 17s. 6d.
Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 1 A.M. on the 1st November, a telephone message was received from the - Coastguard that a fishing vessel was making distress signals N.N.E. of the Look- out, close inshore. A strong W.N.W.
breeze was blowing with a heavy sea.
The Motor Life-boat Agnes Cross was launched, and found the motor drifter Bezaleel, of Kirkwall. She had left harbour for sea; her engines had broken down; she had drifted to the outer bank of the North Beach ; had bumped over the bank, and was drifting towards Ness Point when the Life-boat found her. The Life-boat manoeuvred alongside, and the crew of the Bezaleel were preparing to jump into her, when the engineer managed to start one of her engines, which held her head on to the wind.
The Life-boat then stood by until the main engine was got going again and the drifter had got out to sea. The Life-boat then returned to her Station which she reached at 2.30 A.M.—Re- wards, £33 17*. 6d.
The k' following Life-boats were launched but no services were rendered, for the reasons given : Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—27th September. Went to a stranded, motor vessel, and, at the master's request, summoned a tug.—Rewards, £5 7s. 6 J.
Montrose, Angus.—30th September.
A stearner reported ashore was found to be at a,nchor close inshore.—Re- wards, £12 13s.- Rhyl, Flint.;-—1st October. A fishing boat in distress, but the man on board had already been rescued by a small boat from the shore.—Rewards, £19 13s. 6d. (See also Shore-boat Services, page 22.) Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—8th Octo- ber. A trawler stranded but another vessel was standing by and she re- floated.—Rewards, £11 14s. 9d.
Boulmer, Northumberland.—10th Octo- ber. Four Craster fishing cobles in danger but reached home without help.—Rewards, £9 5s. 6d.
Cromer, Norfolk.—10th October. A steamer stranded on Haisborough Sands, but got off on the rising tide.
—Rewards, £18 10s.
Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—llth October. A trawler stranded but refloated as the tide 'rose.—Rewards, £4 15s.
, Caister, Norfolk.—12th October. A fishing smack was reported to, be ashore, but no trace of her could be found.—Rewards, £32 17s.
Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—12th October.
A boy had drifted out to sea in a small boat but was picked up by a passing steamer.—Rewards, £6 17s. 6d.
Swanage, and Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset.—13th October. Distress rockets had been seen but a thorough search revealed nothing.—Rewards, Swanage, £16 16s.; Poole and Bournemouth, £29 9s. 6d.
Weymouth, Dorset.—13th October.
A small vessel was reported to be drifting but was found to be going on her way without need of help.— Rewards, £6 13s.
Salcombe, Torbay, and Plymouth, Devon.—15th-16th October. A call for an aeroplane in distress was picked up but a prolonged and exten- sive search was unsuccessful. The origin of the call is a mystery and is believed to be a hoax.—Rewards, Salcombe, £23 5s. 6d.; Torbay, £24 18s.; Plymouth, £22 12s. (A full account of these service launches appears on p ge 6 of this issue.) •' Cromer, Norfolk.—18th October. A fishing vessel was reported to be in distress, but nothing could be found.— Rewards, £21 10s.
Clovelly, Devon.—26th October. A boat was seen close inshore in a dangerous position but got away un- aided.—Rewards, £19 14s.
St. Ives, Cornwall.—27th October.
A steamer had dragged her anchors, but declined the services of the Life- boat.—Rewards, £79 8s. 6d.
Torbay, Devon.—28th October. A small boat was overdue but was found to have made land elsewhere.— Rewards, £14 Os. 6d.
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—29th Octo- ber. A yacht had stranded, but her crew reached land without help.— Rewards, £14 13s. 3d.
Dover, Kent.—29th October. A Ger- man aeroplane had come down at sea, but no trace of her could be found.— Rewards, £5 12*. 6d. (A full account of this service launch appears on p. 6, of this issue.) Walton and Frinton, Essex.—29th October. Distress flares reported but nothing could be found. It was prob- ably the aeroplane to which Dover also launched.—Rewards £40 7s. 9d.
(A full account of this launch appears on p. 8, of this issue.) Margate, Kent.—30th October. A steamer had gone on the Long Sand and asked for the help of a tug to get her off.—Rewards, £16 18s. 6d.
Stromness, Orkney.—30th October.
A man was believed to have fallen over the cliffs at Birsay, and the Life-boat helped in the search but nothing was found.—Rewards, £11 5s. 6d.
Padstow and St. Ives, Cornwall.— 30th October. A schooner stranded but her crew got ashore before the Life-boats arrived.—Rewards, Pad- stow, £11 19s. 6d.; St. Ives, £57 Is. 6d.
December Meeting.
Plymouth, Devon.—The Motor Life- boat Robert and Marcella Beck was launched at 9.5 P.M. on the 27th October to the help of the ketch Millom Castle, of Plymouth. A strong W.N.W. gale was blowing, with a very heavy and confused sea, and the Life- boat found the ketch two and a half miles inshore of the Eddystone Light- house, with her engine broken down, all her sails blown away, and her mizzen mast gone. She was water- logged and likely to founder. By the light of his searchlight the Coxswain could see broken spars thrashing about on the lee-side of the wreck, and he was compelled to approach from wind- ward. The bow-fender of the Life- boat was smashed against the wreck as she got alongside her, and other damage was done, but as the two boats touched, the three men of the ketch jumped together into the Life-boat.
The return journey was made against the gale, with great seas sweeping over the Life-boat, and every man hanging on to keep from being washed over- board. The ketch was picked up by a trawler next morning and towed into Plymouth. The Institution awarded its thanks inscribed on vellum and framed to Coxswain James S. Roach.
—Rewards, £11 5s.
Appledore, Devon.—Two men had gone out fishing on the 6th November, in the motor fishing boat Beryl, of Appledore, but had not returned.
At 10.40 P.M. on the 7th, with moder- ate E. breeze blowing and a moderate sea, the Motor Life-boat V.C.S. was launched and searched over the Clovelly fishing grounds but without success.
She then put into Clovelly and learned that a light could be seen in the direction of Hartland Point. She put out again and found the Beryl at Mill Mouth, between Clovelly and Hartland. Her engine had failed and the men had be,en waiting all day for help. They were taken on board the Life-boat and brought into Appledore, with the Beryl in tow.—Rewards, £19 9s. 6d.
Weymouth, Dorset.—On the closing of the Lyme Regis Life-boat Station the Pulling and Sailing Life-boat Thomas Masterman Hardy was to be returned to London, by rail from Weymouth. She left Lyme Regis for Weymouth at 8 P.M. on the 10th November. At daybreak on the llth she was seen making for Portland Bill from West Bay. A strong E. breeze was blowing with a rough sea, and with the turn of the tide she was unable to get round the Bill. The Motor Life-boat William and Clara Ryland put out at 2 P.M., took the Thomas Masterman Hardy in tow and brought her safely into Weymouth, which was reached at 4.10 P.M.—Rewards, £4 6s.
Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset.—At 9.40 P.M. on the 13th November a telephone message was received from the Coastguard that the s.s. Pitwines was aground, about three quarters of a mile W. of Bar Buoy. The Pulling and Sailing Life-boat Harmar was launched and found the steamer in a dangerous position between the Train- ing Bank and Old Harry. A strong E. wind was blowing with a rough sea.
At the request of the master she stood by, and in the early morning ran out lines to a tug. The Pitwines was eventually refloated, and the Life-boat arrived back at her Station, at 10.30 A.M.
on the 14th.—Property Salvage Case.
Margate, Kent.—The Ramsgate Coast- guard telephoned at 11.30 A.M. on the 14th November that the Tongue Light-vessel had reported a ship's Life-boat drifting by in a westerly direction. The Motor Life-boat Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched, in a moderate S.E.
wind, with a moderate sea, and found the boat, with nobody aboard.
She towed her into Margate harbour.
The boat belonged to the Dutch steamer Rozenburg, and had apparently drifted off when the steamer came into collision with another vessel, fortun- ately without loss of life.—Rewards, £8 13s.
Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—The Cox- swain was informed at 5.50 P.M. on the 15th November that the Barrels Rock Light-vessel had fired a rocket, and the Pulling and Sailing Life-boat John Dunn was launched in a strong S.E. breeze with a rough sea. She found that the mate of the light-vessel was seriously ill. With great difficulty he was lowered into the Life-boat and brought ashore, where he was at once taken to hospital. The Life-boat arrived back at her Station at mid- night.—Rewards, £39 5s. towards which the Irish Lights Commissioners con- tributed £20.
Torbay, Devon.—The Motor Life- boat George Shee was launched at 4.45 A.M. on the 26th November, as a telephone message had been received from the Coastguard that a fishing boat, about two miles south of Combe Point, was burning flares. A strong W. breeze was blowing, with a rough sea and driving rain. The Life-boat found the motor fishing boat Irene, of Brixham, at anchor. She was helpless with her propeller fouled by her nets, and her crew of two were exhausted.
They were taken into the Life-boat and given stimulants, and the Life- boat brought them back to Brixham harbour, with the Irene in tow. She arrived back at her Station at 8.15 A.M.—Rewards, £14 9s. 6d.
Cromer, Norfolk.—The Motor Life- boat H. F. Bailey was launched at 8.15 A.M. on the 28th November as a message had been received from the Coastguard that a barge was in distress some miles north of Cromer. A strong N.N.W. breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea. The barge was found to be the Matilda Upton, of Ipswich, bound from that place to Goole, in ballast. Her topsail had been blown away, and her anchor was dragging.
She carried a crew of three, and two were completely exhausted. Some of the Life-boat crew went aboard and set her sails, and then, with the Life- boat in attendance, made for Yar- mouth, arriving there at 6.30 P.M.
The Life-boat arrived back at her Station at 12.45 A.M. on the 29th, after having been out for nearly seventeen hours.—Property Salvage Case.
The following Life-boats were launched but no services were rendered for the reasons given : Gal way Bay, Co. Galway.—llth Octo- ber. A trawler had grounded in fine weather but did not need help.—No rewards.
Teignmouth, Devon.—5th November.
What were probably fireworks were mistaken for distress signals.—Re- wards, £30 13s. Qd.
Fowey, Cornwall.—6th November. A schooner went ashore, but her crew were rescued by a pilot boat.—Re- wards, £6 13s.
Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—10th No- vember. Unannounced gunnery trials were thought to be signals of distress.
—Rewards, £14 Os. 6d.
Portrush, Co. Antrim.—llth Novem- ber. A motor vessel had engine trouble, but was helped by a steamer.
—Rewards, £14 18s. 6d.
Cromer, Norfolk.—14th November.
A fishing boat grounded on the Hais- borough Sands but got off unaided.— Rewards, £36 12s.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.
•—19th November. A 'steam-drifter stranded on the Scroby Sands, but refloated without help. — Rewards, £14 13s.
Torbay, Devon. — 22nd November.
Search was made for a fishing vessel which, meanwhile, got in with the help of another fishing boat.—Rewards, £7 6s. Qd.
St. Ives, Cornwall.—26th November.
A rocket was reported off Godrevy Light, but nothing could be found.
—Rewards, £48 16s. 6d.
Portrush, Co. Antrim.—26th Novem- ber. A fishing boat was in distress, but her crew were rescued by the Innishowen Head pilots. (See page 23.)—Rewards, £18 11s. 6d.
Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—26th No- vember. A trawler went ashore at Islay, but her crew were rescued by the Life-saving Apparatus.—Rewards, £28 15*. 3d.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—27th No- vember. A search of Nore Sands was made in answer to flares, but nothing was found.—Rewards, £18 6s.
Sunderland, Co. Durham.—27th No- vember. A fishing coble was in distress, but reached harbour unaided.
—Rewards, £8 15s. 6d.
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—27th No- vember. A search was made for a small sailing boat. She was found bottom up and the two men on board were already drowned.—Rewards, £11 14s.
Ramsgate, Kent.—29th November. A fishing boat ran ashore, but a motor- boat rescued the crew.—Rewards, £15 9s.
St. Mary's, Scffly— 30th November.
A fishing boat was partially disabled, but was able to go on her way when the wind changed.—Rewards, £15 7s. 6d.
January Meeting.
Cloughey, Co. Down.—On the 26th November the s.s. Ring, of Gothen- burg, with a crew of nineteen, bound from Runcorn to Sweden with a cargo of salt, was caught in a moderate S.W. gale, with a very heavy sea and rain, driven off her course, and forced to seek shelter. She anchored in a most dangerous position near South Rock, in Cloughey Bay. The South Rock Light-vessel fired warning guns, the Coastguard telephoned to the Life-boat Station and the Motor Life-boat William Maynard was launched at 7-P.M. . She found that the steamer had gone in 'among the rocks.
The second-coxswain went aboard, and with great difficulty piloted the Ring to a safer anchorage, although, in the darkness, it was impossible to take her clear of the rocks. Then, at the request of the Captain, the Life-boat stood by all night, and at daybreak on the 27th the steamer was got safely out to sea and went on her way. The Life-boat then returned to her Station, arriving back at 8.40 A.M., but she could not be rehoused for some hours owing to the bad weather. The help given saved the steamer from becoming a total wreck.—Property Salvage Case.
Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 5th December, the motor fishing coble Primrose, of Whitby, was seen to be in difficulties about a mile E.S.E.
from Whitby Rock Buoy, and,the Motor Life-boat Margaret Marker Smith was launched at 11.25 A.M. A strong N.N.W. breeze was blowing. The sea was rough and increasing. The Life- boat found the Primrose at anchor with her engine flooded, and towed her into harbour with her crew of three. There were ten fishing vessels still at sea, so the Life-boat remained afloat and later escorted them all into safety. She arrived back at her station at 2.45 P.M.
—Rewards, £7 6s. 6d.
Scarborough, Yorkshire.—The Motor Life-boat Herbert Joy II was launched at 3.20 P.M. on the 5th December, as a strong N.N.E. gale had sprung up, "bringing a rough sea, and it was known that the local motor fishing coble Eagle was at sea. The Life-boat found the Eagle about four miles north of Scar- borough, and, after passing life-belts to her crew of three, escorted her into har- bour. The Life-boat arrived back at her station at 4.50 P.M.—Rewards.
£19 6s. 6d.
Filey, Yorkshire.—The Pulling and Sailing Life-boat Hollon the Third was launched at 10.30 A.M. on the 6th December, in a moderate N.E. gale with a heavy sea, and escorted into safety four of the local fishing cobles which had been overtaken by the bad weather.—Rewards, £14 19s. 6d.
Conrtmacsberry Harbour, Co. Cork.— At 10.30 P.M. on the 8th December a telephone message was received from the Civic Guard at Kinsale that a vessel was in distress off Garrettstown Strand.
The Motor Life-boat Sarah Ward and David William Crostxeller was launched in a strong E.S.E. gale with a very heavy sea, and found the auxiliary schooner Elizabeth Drew, of Plymouth, about 600 yards from the rocks, riding to one anchor. All her sails had been blown away and her engines had broken down. The Life-boat stood by for two hours, and then went to windward of the schooner and poured oil on the water, to lessen the effect of the seas while the engines were being repaired.
The Elizabeth Drew then slipped her anchor and made for Courtmacsherry, with the Life-boat in attendance.
When approaching the bar the Life-boat again poured oil on the water, and this enabled the schooner to make harbour safely. But for the help given by the Life-boat the schooner and her crew of four would have been lost.—Rewards, £15 95.
Margate, Kent.—Early on the after- noon of the 7th December the Coast- guard reported that a motor yacht west of the jetty appeared to be in distress.
A strong N.E. breeze was blowing with a heavy sea, and hail showers. The Motor Life-boat Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched at 2.30 P.M., and found the yacht—the Thelma, of Southend—ashore. She had been bound, with three men aboard, from Southend to Ramsgate, but had become unmanageable, and was leaking.
Two Life-boatmen were put aboard her, and then the Life-boat towed her into deep water, and eventually into har- bour. But for the Life-boat's help the yacht and her crew would have been lost. The Life-boat arrived back at her station at 5.30 P.M., but could not be rehoused on account of the heavy seas.—Property Salvage Case.
Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—A request was received from the Officer Com- manding, 4th Fortress Company, Royal Engineers, Gosport, on the 10th Decem- ber, for the help of the Life-boat, as three men were marooned on St. Helen's Fort without food. The Motor Life- boat Langham was launched at 4 P.M.
in bitterly cold weather with a strong E. gale and very heavy sea. Owing to heavy seas it was very difficult to take the men off, but they were got into the Life-boat without mishap. They were landed at Gosport, and then, as it was not possible to rehouse the Life-boat at her Station, she was taken to Cowes, where she remained until the 12th.— Rewards, £27 2s. 4d.
Galway Bay, Co. Galway.— The Motor Life-boat William Evans was launched on the morning of the 12th December, on the receipt of an urgent appeal from Inishere Island for a doctor. No other suitable boat was available so the Life- boat took a doctor across.—No ex- pense to the Institution.
Salcombe, Devon.—On December 13th a telephone message was received from the Hope Cove Coastguard that a vessel was ashore between Prawle Point and Greystones. The Motor Life-boat Alfred and Clara Heath was launched at 4.45 A.M., in a strong N.E. breeze, with a ground swell and dense fog, and eventually found the Spanish steamer Cantabria, of San- tander, ashore in Steeple Cove. She carried a crew of twenty-four, and had been bound with a cargo of iron ore from Santander to Newcastle. She had struck at the foot of a sheer cliff, and her crew, although they managed to scramble on to the rocks, were still in grave danger, as it was impossible to scale the cliffs, and the Life-saving Apparatus could not reach them from above. The Life-boat worked in and made fast to the wreck, and then, with great difficulty, owing to the heavy ground swell, the crew were taken off, two at a time, in a small boat, and put on board the Life-boat. She landed them at Salcombe, and returned to her Station, arriving there at 8.30 A.M.
The Cantabria became a total wreck.— Rewards, £19 7s. Sd.
Ramsey, Isle of Man.—The Motor Life-boat Lady Harrison was launched at 2 A.M. on the 21st December, as information had been received from the Coastguard that the steam trawler Velia, of Fleet wood, had stranded about two miles south of the Point of Ayre.
A strong S.S.E. breeze was blowing with a heavy sea and rain. The crew of the Velia did not wish to leave their ship, and the Life-boat stood by in case her help was needed. Two other vessels came up to help, but attempts to refloat the Velia were unsuccessful.
Later she was driven over the rocks on to a firm beach, and as her crew were no longer in danger, the Life-boat re- turned to her Station, arriving there at 7.30 A.M.—Rewards, £31 14s. 9d.
Boulmer and Holy Island, Northumber- land.—Ort the 22nd December the Grimsby steam trawler Guillemot stranded, and three men of the crew were rescued by the Boulmer Motor Life-boat. The Holy Island No. 1 Motor Life-boat was also launched.
The steam trawler Fezenta, of Grimsby, also stranded, and the Boulmer Life- boat made several trips to the vessels.—Rewards, Bronze Medal to Coxswain Bartholomew Stanton; Boulmer, 21st-22nd, £26 11s. 6d.; Holy Island, 22nd, £25 19s. 6d.; Boulmer, 23rd and 24th, Property Salvage Cases.
(A full account of this service appears on page 5.) Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—On the morning of the 23rd December, a message was received from the harbour- master at Wexford that a vessel was ashore on Wexford bar. A strong S.W. gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea and rain. The Motor Life- boat K.E.C.F. left her moorings at 10.10 A.M., and found the Dutch motor vessel Oceaan, of Groningen. She stood by until the Oceaan refloated, and then returned to her Station, arriving there at 12.35 P.M.—Permanent Crew, Re- wards, £1 3s. 6d.
Lerwick, Shetland.—On the night of the 23rd December the steam trawler Drumblair, of Aberdeen, bound to Lerwick for repairs, moored at Fish- market, Lerwick. Early next morning a whole S.W. gale sprang up, bringing a rough sea, and the trawler broke adrift and went ashore just west of Cruister Holm. The Coastguard tele- phoned to the Honorary Secretary of the Station, and the Motor Life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland was launched at 6.30 A.M. She went along- side, and at the request of the skipper passed a hawser to another trawler.
The trawler then towed the Drumblair off and into safety, and the Life-boat returned to her Station, arriving there at 8.30 A.M. As usual Mr. G. T. Kay, the Honorary Secretary, accompanied the Life-boat on service.—Property Salvage Case.
Flamborougb, Yorkshire.—During the afternoon of the 31st December two of the local fishing cobles were at sea, and as a moderate S.E. gale was blowing with a rough sea, it was decided to send out the No. 1 Pulling and Sailing Life- boat Forester. She was launched at 2 P.M., and found the cobles about four miles offshore in very bad positions.
Both cobles were escorted into safety and the Life-boat returned to her Station at 5 P.M.—Rewards, £18 11s.
Holy Island, Northumberland.—At 12.30 P.M. on the 2nd January a telephone message was received from the Coastguard that a fishing coble was in distress north of Emmanuel Head.
The No. 1 Motor Life-boat Milbufn was launched and found the May of Holy Island drifting fast to the north, with her engine flooded. A moderate south gale was blowing, with a rough sea and rain. With some difficulty a line was got aboard and the May and her crew of two were towed into harbour, which was reached at 2.30 P.M. But for the help of the Life-boat, the boat and the men would have been lost.—Rewards, £8 14s. 6d.
The following Life-boats were launched, but no services were ren- dered for the reasons given : Newhaveo and Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—30th November. A tug had trouble with her boiler, and needed the help of a tug.—Rewards, Newhaven, £8 15s ; Shoreham, £9.
Kessingland, Suffolk.—5th December.
A vessel grounded on the Barber Sands, but got oil without help.—Rewards, £41 15s.
Cromer, Norfolk.—7th December. A barge stranded at Bacton. Three of the crew were rescued by lines from the shore, and one was drowned.—Rewards, £24 8s. Qd.
Lerwick, Shetland.—7th December. A fishing boat was on fire, but her crew got ashore on Mousa Island and were taken to the mainland by another boat.
—Rewards, £11 5s.
Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.—7th December. A French schooner ran ashore, but got away unaided. The master expressed his thanks for the launch of the Life-boat.—Rewards, £3 Is. 9d.
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—7th Decem- ber.. A steamer stranded between Barrow Deep and Middle Deep, but refloated and went on her way.—Re- wards, £16 105.
Torbay, Devon.—10th December.
Lights were seen at sea, but no vessel was found in distress.—Rewards, £14 9*. 6d.
Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.— llth December. A steamer was re- ported in distress near the Barrel Rock, but nothing was found. Later a steamer with a list was seen near Galley Head, but declined help.— Rewards, £22 165.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.
—13th December. A flare was seen on Gorton Sands, but nothing was found.—Rewards, £28 19s.
Dunbar, Haddingtonshire.—17th De- cember. Flares reported E.S.E. of Inchkeith, but nothing was found.— Rewards, £16 16s. 6d.
New Brighton, Cheshire.—27th Dftcem- ber. A steamer was reported to be ashore in Crosby Channel, but nothing was found.—Rewards, £6 18s.
Weymputh, Dorsetshire.—The Branch has received a donation of £10 10s. Od.
from Dr. J. Gerard-Pearse, owner of the yacht Hope, and the three men who were on board with him when the yacht was rescued by the Weymouth Motor Life-boat on the 8th September last..