EVER since the first pioneers settled in Canterbury, and sailing ships carried their cargo up the Heathcote River to Ferrymead, the ever-changing Sumner Bar has been notorious for its vicious moods and the number of lives and ships it has claimed. As early as 1864 a whaler was stationed at Cave Rock for the use of Pilot Day, and though totally unsuitable,this was used for rescue work.

In 1896 this boat capsized while at practice, and Pilot Day and one other were the only survivors from the crew of five.

Realizing the necessity for something more adequate, the Lyttelton Harbour Board had a life-boat built by J. S.

White of Cowes. This was specifically for use in shallow water and heavy surf, and being unsinkable was, in its day, regarded as the last word in life-boat design.

Voluntary Organization The new craft was christened Rescue.

Pilot Day was appointed her first skipper and a voluntary crew of 15 was formed. Thus in 1898 the Sumner Life-boat Institution was born. It has remained a voluntary organization ever since, its crew members, some of whom have served over 40 years, being of all types and professions, but bound by a love of the sea and a desire to serve their fellow men.

Rescue I, and for the last 30 years, Rescue II, have served their purpose well, for in 62 years they have together saved over 800 lives.

In 1927, when time and frequent battles with the elements had taken their toll of Rescue I, the Institution incurred the responsibility of acquiring a new boat, and the builders of Rescue I were commissioned to build her succes- sor to specifications approved by Earl Jellicoe, who took a great interest in the life-boat during his term as Governor- General of New Zealand.

Radio Added to Equipment The new boat arrived in the Port Brisbane in February 1929, and was christened Rescue II. With a length of 30 feet, 7 feet 6 inches beam, and draw- ing 3 feet, she weighed five tons and had a range of 100 miles at 9 knots, in addition to which she was self-righting and self-emptying. She is still sound and giving good service while a radio has been added to her original equipment.

Rescue II is averaging more calls now than for many years, the reason probably being the greater interest taken in private boating. In the last five years she has assisted 20 people to safety and salvaged small craft to a value of at least £1,000. Possibly her most specta- cular feat was in 1942 when she took off the crew of Kaiwarra which had run aground at Motunau. For this the Institution was awarded a Royal Hum- ane Society Certificate.

Never Failed to Answer A magnificent job of maintenance has been done by the crew over the years, and it says much for their efforts that the boat has never failed to answer a call through unseaworthiness or mechanical failure. The risk to those who man the boat is considerable, and conditions are always most unpleasant in rough seas.

Rescue II is already 10 years past the age when similar craft are renewed in the United Kingdom, but experience has shown that there will be the need of a life-boat in and around Sumner for many years to come. With this fact in mind, the Institution feels that an immediate start should be made to provide the £26,800 necessary for its replacement..