100 years ago From the pages of THE LIFEBOAT, February 1889 issue SOUTH NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK LIFE-BOAT MEN The Life-boat crews of this district, extending from Palling to Southwold, both inclusive, are formed on a ! different system from any other of the stations of the j ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

The men who man the Life-boats are called Beachi men, are formed into companies for salvage purposes, and are trained in the handling and launching of I ! beach boats from boyhood. These boats are called i yawls and gigs, celebrated for their great speed. Each man, on attaining the age of eighteen, and having ! purchased his full share of the company's property, he j is at once entitled to take his place as one of the Lifeboat crew. Any of the beachmen on the spot are always eager to obtain a belt; every man of the companies i takes an interest in the work, all combining for the occasion, where there is more than one company, when the life-boat is used, but at other times working in opposition, except at Gorleston, where they are worked by one company only.

| The two coxswains are the only permanent members i of the crew.

The method of sharing the money is by an old-established rule, namely, that all money received for service j is put into one fund, and divided according to the number of men, five per cent, of the gross amount being divided among the crew of the boat, in addition to their dole.

Sometimes 120 men have been engaged in this work.

1 1 The share for those who risk their lives is very small, but nothing can exceed the eagerness and enthusiasm of these brave fellows; no storm, however violent, no hour of the night, or season of the year, ever deterred them from launching to the help of ships in distress, and on no part of the coast have more gallant deeds been performed than at the East Coast stations of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Such men are an honour to the nation, and we may well feel proud of them.

Constant practice in going to the assistance of ships on the sands, or requiring the assistance of a pilot in the offing, has brought out their best qualities as boatmen.

The South Norfolk and Suffolk boats are of different type to the self-righting boats, being water ballasted, and the airtanks extending the whole length of the boat, The larger class have two large lugsails; the smaller class are for rowing. They seem to be suitable for the requirements of this coast, having won the confidence of the men by 80 years' hard service.

In conclusion I would urge upon all to subscribe to the funds of the most noble of all Institutions - the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT. No other nation can boast of such a fleet of boats supported by voluntary contributions and manned by volunteers. We as Britons may well feel proud of them F. J. Tansley.