ON the 5th of June, 1952, Mrs. Sean O'Kelly, the wife of the President of the Republic of Ireland, named at Wexford the new Rosslare Harbour life-boat, which the committee of management had decided, with the approval of the government of the Republic, should bear the name of Douglas Hyde, its first President from 1938 to 1945.

The Rosslare Harbour station has a long and distinguished history. It was first established at Rosslare Fort in 1838, but of the first twenty years there is no record. From 1859 there were two stations, one at Rosslare Fort and one at Wexford, and from 1896 until 1897 there was a third station at Rosslare Harbour. In 1897 the Rosslare Fort station was closed.

The other two remained until 1921 when Rosslare Harbour was closed leaving Wexford. In 1927 the Wex- ford station was transferred to Ross- lare Harbour. These stations between them have had thirteen life-boats, including the Douglas Hyde. Their splendid record is, 477 launches on service, and 816 lives rescued.

The new boat is of the Watson Cabin type, 46 feet 9 inches long, with two 40 h.p. diesel engines and a deck eabin.

The Naming Ceremony At the naming ceremony on the 5th of June, the Mayor of Wexford presided and the boat was described by Lieutenant Commander W. L. G.

Button, R.D., R.N.R., district in- spector of life-boats. Commodore the Earl Howe, C.B.E., V.R.D., P.C., R.N.V.R., deputy chairman of the Institution, handed the life-boat to the branch. He said that the Life-boat Institution was proud of its Irish boats and crews. He himself had visited almost all the Irish stations and he could say that the Institution had no more gallant crews in these islands. Mr. W. J. B. Moncas, the branch secretary, and a bronze medal- list of the Institution, accepted the life-boat on behalf of the station.

The Bishop of Ferns (the Most Rev.

D. Staunton) dedicated the life-boat, assisted by the Very Rev. J. Butler, Administrator, and the Rev. D. Cleary, C.C., of Kilrane. The singing was led by combined choirs of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and pupils of C.B.S. Mount St. Joseph and of St.

Brigid's National Schools, accompanied by the Loc Garman brass band.

Mrs. O'Kelly's Speech Mrs. O'Kelly then named the life- boat. She said: "The men of Wexford have per- formed many heroic deeds since a life-boat was" first placed here. The people of the county should be proud of these men who go out on the stormy seas to save life. It is an under- taking which glorifies God and honours Ireland, and it is certain that the young people of our time will emulate their ancestors. I, myself, am proud of the Wexford people, and I consider it an honour for them to be given this fine boat so that they may continue their humanitarian work. I pray that God may bless everyone connected with the work carried out by these life-boatmen.

"I am very happy to be here today and I am grateful to the Royal National Life-boat Institution for having asked me to assist at this cere- mony.

THF GREAT SEAMEN OF WEXFORD "Wexford, because of its long coast- line, owes a great deal of its importance to the sea, and the pages of maritime history are dotted with Wexford names — Commodore John Barry, McClure of the North-West Passage, and Admiral Beatty are three of the most famous in recent history. Wex- ford has produced many sailors whose names are not known in history, but who are none the less noteworthy.

We have just been reading, in the Irish Press, the story of the loss of the Cymric during the last war, and that, of her crew of eleven, six, including two officers, were from Wexford.

"The Wexford of today continues in the old tradition. From where we stand we can see the premises of two Wexford ship-owners whose ships did much to provide for the needs of the nation during the last war. The ships of the Irish Shipping Company that carry our flag into many ports of the world have at their head a Wex- ford commodore.

"It is fitting then that Wexford should be equipped to play a leading part in helping the men of the sea.

She has many gallant men willing to assist in rescue work. It would be a pity if their equipment were not of the very best. The generous action of the" Life-boat Institution in presenting this new life-boat today makes it possible for Wexford to add further lustre to a proud record.

"It is interesting to note that par- ticular family names have been for long associated with Wexford life- boats—the Wickhams, Walshes and Duggans. There has been a Wickham connected with the crew for nearly a century. James Wickham holds various medals for bravery in rescue work. Mr. Moncas, who took over this magnificent new boat today, holds the Institution's bronze medal for rescue service. The Rosslare Harbour Life-boat Station has rescued more lives than any other, and has had many awards for gallantry.

SHAKE IN THIS WORK BY GIVING "As a native of Wexford I would like to say, in your name, that we appreciate the magnificent gift of the Life-boat Institution, as indeed does all Ireland. The Life-boat Institution depends entirely on voluntary sub- scriptions for its upkeep. Need I tell those who are anxious about their men at sea that when danger occurs near our coasts Wexfordmen should be trained and equipped and ready to help? We know that they are willing to risk their lives for their fellow-men, and now this boat given to them by the Life-boat Institution will help to make their sacrifice effective. If we want to share in the glory that the life-boatmen bring to our county and our country by their heroic deeds, if we want to show our appreciation, the way to do so is to subscribe to the Life-boat Institution which pro- vides and maintains the life-boats.

IRELAND'S ESTEEM FOR THE LIEE- BOAT SERVICE "I can tell Commodore the Earl Howe, as I name this magnificent craft with the name of a distinguished, beloved and revered President of Ireland, that today's ceremony will bind more firmly to the affection, esteem and gratitude of the people of Wexford and of Ireland, the In- stitution he represents; the Institu- tion with a glorious record of service; the Institution that has evoked hero- ism and gallantry down through the years.

"Now with great pleasure and pride I name this boat Douglas Hyde.

May God bless her and all who sail in her." Lord Howe then presented to Mrs.

O'Kelly a silver life-boat as a memento of the occasion. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. T. D. Sinnott and seconded by the Very Rev.

Chancellor J. E. Hazley, M.A., Rector of Wexford..