THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 143 station life-boats 36 inshore rescue boats 1 70-foot steel life-boat on operational trials 1 44-foot steel life-boat on evaluation trials at Barry Dock LIVES RESCUED 90,420 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 28th February, 1969 Life-boat services round the Coasts DECEMBER No. 1 Life-boat Area Buckie, Banffshire - At 3.35 p.m. on 14th December, 1968, the coastguard told the coxswain that a yacht was in difficulties four to five miles north east of Buckie. The life-boat Laura Moncur slipped her moorings at 3.45 in a south south easterly gale with a moderate sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the yacht Thistle which had engine trouble. There were two men and three children on board. The yacht was taken in tow to Buckie, the life- boat returning to her station at 5.15.

No. 2 Life-boat Area Workington, Cumberland - At mid- night on 2nd December, 1968, the coxswain reported that a fishing boat was overdue. The life-boat Man- chester and Salford XXIX slipped her moorings at 12.20 in a moderate easterly wind with a smooth sea. The tide was ebbing. The fishing boat fired a flare and the life-boat came up with her six miles west of Work- ington. She carried a crew of three.

A net had fouled her propeller. The life-boat took the fishing boat Em- press in tow to Workington and returned to her station at 1.55 a.m.

At 2.20 p.m. on 3rd December, 1968, the coastguard told the honor- ary secretary that the fishing boat Gwen with two men on board, which had sailed from Maryport at noon the previous day bound for Working- ton, had not arrived. At 2.30 p.m.

the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX slipped her moorings. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the Gwen one and a quarter miles south east of Hestan Island.

Her half shaft had broken. The life- boat towed the Gwen to Workington, and returned to her station at 7 o'clock.

No. 3 Life-boat Area Seaham, Co. Durham - At 1.14 p.m.

on 14th December, 1968, it was learnt that the crew of a boat were waving a red flag south of the harbour entrance. At 1.20 the life-boat Will and Fanny Kirby was launched.

There was a strong south easterly breeze with a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the coble Moira with a crew of three one mile south east of the harbour.

Her engine had failed. The life-boat took her in tow to Seaham. Owing to poor weather conditions the life- boat made for moorings at Sunder- land, and returned to her station at 11.45 a.m. on 16th December.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Lowestoft, Suffolk - At 12.38 p.m.

on 20th December, 1968, the coast- guard reported that a sick man aboard the trawler Jamaica required medical attention. The life-boat Fred- erick Edward Crick, with a doctor on board, slipped her moorings at 1.15 in a south westerly gale with a rough sea. It was three hours after highwater. The life-boat came up with the trawler a half mile north of West Holme buoy. The sick man was taken aboard the life-boat and landed at Lowestoft where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital. The life-boat returned to her station at 2 o'clock.

No. 6 Life-boat Area St. Peter Port, Guernsey - At 8.40 p.m. on 12th December, 1968, the signal station told the honorary secretary that a sick crew member aboard the tanker Chanakya Jayanti of Bombay required medical assis- tance. The life-boat Euphrosyne Ken- dal, with a doctor and St. John Ambulance Brigade workers on board, slipped her moorings at 9.2 in a light easterly breeze with a slight sea. The life-boat came up with the tanker four miles south of Guernsey at 9.55. The sick man was taken ashore for hospital treatment, and the life-boat returned to her station at 12.10 a.m. on 13th December.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Fishguard, Pembrokeshire - At 1.5 a.m. on 20th December, 1968, it was learnt that the coaster Eden Fisher had sighted red flares to the west of Strumble Head. At 1.30 the life-boat Howard Marryat was launched.

There was a south south westerly gale with a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the fishing boat Mandala with one man on board at 4 o'clock. He was taken aboard the life-boat and the Mandala taken in tow. At 5.10 the tow line parted and the fishing boat sank. The life-boat returned to her station at 8.40.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire - At 4.55 p.m. on 15th December, 1968, news was received that a boat was in difficulties off Sully island. The life- boat Arthur and Blanche Harris on evaluation trials at the station slipped her moorings at 5.15 in a strong westerly wind with a rough sea. It was two hours after high water. The life-boat came up with a cabin cruiser with four people on board off Lavernock point. The cruiser's en- gine had broken down. The life-boat took her in tow to Barry, and re- turned to her station at 6.15.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire and New Brighton, Cheshire - At 7.44 p.m. on 2nd December, 1968, it was learnt that the shrimp boat Boy David with two men on board was overdue at Southport. After further enquiries had been made the life-boat Mary Stanford, on temporary duty at New Brighton, slipped her moorings at 9.25 in a gentle east south easterly breeze with a slight sea. The tide was flooding. The Lytham-St. Anne's life- boat Sarah Towsend Porritt slipped her moorings at 10.35 and took the IRB in tow to search close to the shoals if necessary. The Sarah Towns- end Porritt came up with the Boy David with engine trouble three miles south of Wall End buoy and took her in tow to Lytham. The IRB and Sarah Townsend Porritt returned to their stations at 3.30 a.m. on 3rd December, 1968, and the Mary Stanford at 4.15 a.m.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Valentia Co. Kerry - At 1.15 a.m. on 22nd December, 1968, Valentia radio station told the honorary secretary that the m.f.v. Sea Flower of Castle- townbere was in distress in the Ardgroon harbour area. Maroonswere fired at 1.20. There was a south westerly gale gusting to storm force.

The weather was overcast with poor visibility and it was low water. The Rowland Watts life-boat slipped her moorings at 1.35. The life-boat took the shortest route to Ardgroon harbour, about thirty-three miles away, passing close inside Puffin island. At 3.35 the m.f.v. Ard Beam warned that rocks were awash close to the casualty and at 5.15 she re- ported that her lights had disappeared.

At this time the life-boat was about 10 miles away. The life-boat arrived in the distress area at around 6.15 and started the search using para- chute flares. She was assisted by the Ard Beara and at daylight both boats picked up wreckage and life-jackets.

At 2.40 p.m. two bodies were reported to be floating in life-jackets off Ardea Castle. The life-boat went to this position but found nothing. At 6.5 Valentia radio informed the life- boat that the police had found all five bodies washed ashore. At this time the life-boat was in Sneem harbour, where she remained for the night. The life-boat left Sneem harbour at 9 o'clock on 23rd December and secured at Valentia at 12.50 p.m. A letter of thanks, signed by the Secretary of the Institution, Mr. Stirling Whorlow, O.B.E., was sent to the coxswain and crew of the life-boat in recognition of their services on this occasion.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in December were carried out by the following stations: No. 7 Life-boat Area Mudeford, Hampshire - At 8.17 p.m.

on 21st December, 1968, a police patrol car on the harbour side reported hearing cries for help from the direction of Hengistbury head.

The IRB was launched at 8.20 in a light west south westerly breeze and 646 a choppy sea. It was one hour after low water. She found a cabin cruiser —her propeller shaft had sheared— which had gone ashore on Black- berry point island. The crew had been trying to repair this for over two hours and were suffering from expo- sure. The IRB took the crew of two off the cabin cruiser and landed them at the quay. She returned to her station at 8.52.

JANUARY No. 2 Life-boat Area Workington, Cumberland - At 7.35 p.m. on 5th January, 1969, the coast- guard reported that distress flares had been sighted off Workington. The life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX slipped her moorings at 8 o'clock. It was low water. The life- boat came up with the m.f.v. Peel Castle of Fleetwood with a crew of four on the North Bank at 8.15. A mooring line had fouled her propel- ler. The life-boat stood by while efforts were made to clear the obstruction. Eventually the line was severed and the vessel was taken in tow to harbour. The life-boat re- turned to her station at 2.55 a.m.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Cromer, Norfolk - At 9.34 a.m. on 22nd January, 1969, it was reported that the m.f.v. Thistle with a crew of three had broken down a mile and a half north east of the life-boat station. The life-boat Ruby and Arthur Reed was launched at 9.41. It was one and a half hours before high water. The life-boat came up with the fishing vessel at 9.58 and took her in tow to Great Yarmouth, returning to her station at 5 o'clock.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Ramsgate, Kent - At 12.2 p.m. on 17th January, 1969, the east pier watchman told the honorary secre- tary that a small motor boat had broken down in Pegwell bay. The life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 12.11 in a south easterly gale with a rough sea.

The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the motor boat Cetar at 12.22. The Cetar, with a crew of two, was taken in tow to Ramsgate, and the life-boat returned to her station at 12.30.

No. 6 Life-boat Area St. Mary's, Scilly Islands - At 3.30 a.m. on 23rd January, 1969, it was learnt that the French trawler Kru- guen had broken down eight miles west south west of the Bishop Rock lighthouse. The life-boat Guy and Clare Hunter was launched at 3.40.

It was low water. The life-boat came up with the trawler, which carried a crew of six, at 5.36, and took her in tow to St. Mary's, returning to her station at 8 o'clock.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Angle, Pembrokeshire - 31st January, 1969, the coastguard reported that an ex-R.N.L.I. Jife-boat on passage from Newlyn to Rosslare had devel- oped engine trouble and required life-boat assistance. The Richard Vernon and Mary Garforth of Leeds was launched at 4.30 in a west north westerly gale with a rough sea. It was two hours before high water.

She came up with the casualty at the St. Govan lightvessel at 6.28 and took her in tow. The gale and heavy seas caused the two to part on four occasions, but each time the tow was reconnected, the boats eventually reaching Milford Haven safely at 9.40 The life-boat returned to her station at 12.15 p.m.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Valentia, Co. Kerry - At 3.16 p.m.

on 23rd January, 1969, Valentia radio station informed the honorary secretary that the m.v. Thekla of Haven Ems was disabled two miles north of Dolus head. The life-boat Rowland Watts slipped her moorings at 3.34 in a strong south westerly wind with a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the Thekla at 4.5. She carried a crew of twelve. There was also a pilot and his helper on board. The Thekla was taken in tow to Valentia, and the life- boat returned to her station at 7.20.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in January were carried out by the following stations: No. 7 Life-boat Area Mudeford, Hampshire - At 5.50 p.m.

on 5th January, 1969, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that distress flares had been sighted about half a mile off Hengistbury head. The IRB was launched at 5.53. It was low water. She found the cabin cruiser Samdeel, with two adults and one child on board, close to the groyne.

Her rudder had been damaged and her propeller fouled. The crew were unable to steer and as the IRB could not tow the cabin cruiser she was anchored and her crew taken off.

They were landed at the quay, and the IRB returned to her station at 6.35.FEBRUARY No. 1 Life-boat Area O.N. 70-002 at Kirkwall - On 7th February, 1969, the life-boat Grace Paterson Ritchie saved the trawler Emma Sophie and her crew of four.

A full account of this service will appear in the September issue of THE LIFE-BOAT.

No. 2 Life-boat Area Workington, Cumberland - At 11.34 p.m. on 5th February, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the fishing boaiJanetta, with a crew of two, had broken down six and a half miles north west of Workington. At 11.54 the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX slipped her moorings in a south south westerly wind with a moderate sea. It was two hours before high water.

The life-boat came up with the Janetta at 12.25 a.m. and took her in tow to Workington, returning to her station at 1.30.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Harwich, Essex - At 5.23 p.m. on 3rd February, 1969, the duty pilot in- formed the honorary secretary that a catamaran with two people on board was adrift near Platter's buoy. The life-boat Margaret Graham slipped her moorings at 5.30 in a light north westerly breeze with a slight sea. It was three hours after high water. The Dutch motor ferry stood by the drifting boat until relieved by the m.v. Essex Ferry of Harwich. The catamaran continued to drift and was one mile east of the Cork Spit buoy when the life-boat came up at 5.50. The life-boat got a line on board the catamaran and started to tow. This was made difficult by the unusual construction of the drifting boat coupled with a freshening wind and a choppy sea. The casualty was berthed safely at Harwich, and the life-boat returned to her station at 7.10.

648 No. 5 Life-boat Area Bembridge, Isle of Wight - At 12.32 p.m. on 2nd February, 1969, the coastguard reported that the yacht Alekton, with two people on board, had broken down on the east side of Ryde pier and needed the assistance of the life-boat. At 12.47 the life- boat Jesse Lumb was launched in a moderate north north westerly wind with a corresponding sea. It was one hour after high water. The life-boat came up with the yacht at 1.30 and took her in tow to Bembridge, returning to her station at 2.56.

Walmer, Kent - At 1.20 p.m. on llth February, 1969, news was received that the motor boat Fairway of Deal, with four anglers on board, had broken down threequarters of a mile south east of the life-boat house.

At 1.32 the life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 32) was launched in a fresh southerly wind with a moderate sea. It was two hours before high water. The life-boat came up with the motor boat at 1.52. A member of the life-boat crew was put aboard and the four anglers were transferred to the life-boat. The motor boat was taken in tow to Deal, and the life-boat returned to her station at 2.45.

OCTOBER Margate, Kent - At 2.35 p.m. on 31st October, 1968, a flare was sighted by the honorary secretary and the coxswain about a haJf mile north east of Margate jetty. The life- boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) with her crew already on board was awaiting the signal to launch to participate in a film sequence. She went immediately in a strong south south westerly breeze with a moderate sea. It was shortly before low water. She came up with the tug Brett carrying a crew of two, five minutes later. The tug was taking water rapidly and was already sink- ing fast by the stern. The life-boat put a man on board and took the tug in tow to a sand bank west of Margate pier. While the tow was in progress the coxswain requested the assistance of the fire brigade to pump out the tug. On beaching the tug the life-boat returned to harbour to pick up the firemen and their equipment. They were then trans- ferred to the tug together with a further member of the life-boat crew.

As pumping started the life-boat withdrew to carry out the film schedule close to the tug. At 4.18 the water was pumped clear and the engines restarted. The life-boat then escorted the tug to Ramsgate where she was berthed. The two life-boat- men were picked up and the life-boat left Ramsgate at 8.45, returning to her station at 9.30..