THE naming ceremony of the new motor life-boat at Sunderland took place on 13th June. The boat is of the 46 feet Watson cabin type, described on page 192. She has cost £8,000 and has been built out of a legacy from the late Mrs. I. Irwin, of Morpeth, Northumberland. She has replaced one of the earliest and most famous of the Institution's motor life-boats, the Henry Vernon, which was built in 1911, stationed at Tyne- mouth until 1918, and then transferred to Sunderland, where she remained until 1935. She rescued altogether 266 lives and her greatest service was when she travelled 40 miles through the night and the gale, to the help of the hospital ship Rohilla in November, 1914. Sunderland has had a life-boat station since 1825. Since 1865, when it was taken over by the Institution, its life-boats have been launched on service 98 times and have rescued 202 lives.

The Mayor of Sunderland, president of the branch, was in the chair.

Hundreds of people took part in the ceremony, in spite of pouring rain, and the motor life-boats from Tynemouth and Seaham were present. Mr. H. P.

Everett, J.P., late chairman of the Tyne Improvement Commission, presented the life-boat to the branch in the name of the donor and the Institution, and she was received by Alderman Sir Walter Raine, J.P., chairman of the branch.

The Rev. Edgar Jackson, Rural Dean of Wearmouth, and Honorary Canon of Durham, conducted the service of dedication, assisted by the Rev. Stanley Skelt, secretary of the Sunderland Free Church Council.

Lady Marr then named the life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin.

A vote of thanks to Lady Marr was proposed by Mr. George G. H. Welch, and seconded by Mr. W. H. S. Tripp, M.Inst.C.E., honorary secretary of the station, and Lady Marr launched the life-boat..