THE LIFE-BOAT, · the life-boat, ob journal of th nationae life-boal institutiont , vol. iv.— no....

THE LIFE-BOAT,OB

JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,

VOL. IV.— No. 35.] JANUARY 2ND, 1860. [PRICEISSUED

IRON SHIPS, AND THE WRECKOF THE ROYAL CHARTER.

How many " monster wrecks" has it beenour painful duty to chronicle during thepast few years! How sad is the reflectionthat their number appears rather to be onthe increase than on the decline! Duringthe present year alone have two great shipsperished on our own coasts, each consign-ing hundreds of human beings to a waterygrave. But the other day it was the nobleclipper ship Pomona, of 1800 tons, a fewhours only out of port, her voyage scarcecommenced, mistaking a light, running onan Irish bank, and drowning no less than385 of the unfortunate beings who hadtrusted in her. To-day it is the passenger-J r osteamer Royal Charter, at the terminationof her long homeward voyage, thrown uponher native shore, and yielding no lessthan 455 of her unhappy inmates to thecold grasp of death, instead of restoring themto the warm embraces of long-expectantrelatives and friends.

A wholesale destruction of life and pro-perty under more melancholy circumstancesit is difficult to conceive.

The Royal Charter had sailed from thedistant colony of Victoria, in Australia, on the26th of August, 1859, with 494 persons onboard, the majority of whom were returningemigrants; these having at last attained theobject of their distant pilgrimage, like theladen bee were once more homeward bound,carrying with them the fruit of their labours,and anticipating, maybe, a long and tranquilenjoyment of the same in " their own, their

native land." But, alas! when apparentlyon the point of realization, these natural buttoo often vain anticipations were scatteredto the winds; and, as in the parable of old,to each the awful mandate went forth," This night thy soul shall be required ofthee!"

This unfortunate ship, on the 25th ofNovember, having hugged too closely theAnglesey coast in search of a pilot, wascaught in the late fearful gale which devas-tated almost the entire coast of Great Bri-tain, and was compelled to anchor; butcarrying away all her anchoring-gear, shedrifted on the rocks, and then quickly brokein halves. Although a line was carried tothe shore by an intrepid and skilful swimmerfrom the ship, named JOSEPH ROIXJERS, aMaltese seaman, but few persons had timeto avail themselves of its aid ere the vesseland all beside were engulfed together.

Two important questions here naturallyarise:—

1st. Was the anchoring-gear, that is tosay, were the anchors and cables of thisship, and are the anchors and cables of ourmerchant-ships in general, of sufficientstrength, in sufficient number, of sufficientweight, and sufficiently in readiness for im-mediate use, to provide, as far as possible,for the safety of the vessels and their occu-pants in cases of emergency ?

2nd. Was this iron ship, and are ouriron ships in general, by their strength ofbuild and scientific construction, calculatedto afford, as far as possible, safety to those onboard them in the event of their coming intocollision with the shore or with other ships?

LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.—VOL. IV.—No. 35.

218 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 2, 1860.

On the occasion of the wreck of thePomona in April last, we took the oppor-tunity to remark on some of the imperfec-tions of our system of lighthouses, the lossof that vessel having been previously occa-sioned by the mistaking one light for an-other. The present case affords an oppor-tunity for some reflections on the two pointsabove alluded to—viz., the presumed ineffi-ciency in too many instances of the anchoririg-gear of our merchant-vessels, and the pre-sumed insufficient strength of our iron ships.

Our remarks will be principally devotedto the second point: on the first we willonly observe, that numberless wrecks areoccasioned every year by vessels draggingtheir anchors, or breaking their cables, andby not having their spare or sheet anchorclear for letting go. It is therefore onlya truism to remark on the importance ofthe anchoring-gear of a ship being carefullyselected and of proportionate strength to theduty devolving on it. The loss of themagnificent steam-ship Prince, off Balaklava,on the coast of the Crimea, with her im-mense, and at that time invaluable cargoof military clothing, the destruction ofwhich occasioned such deplorable sufferingand loss of life to our brave soldiers beforeSebastopol, was a striking case in point.Had her anchors been somewhat heavier,and her cables somewhat larger, she mightpossibly have rode out the gale in safety.The loss of the Royal Charter is anotherstriking illustration; for who can say thatif her third anchor had been clear for lettinggo, which it appears not to have been, (theship not even being fitted with a thirdhawse-hole,) who can say, that if it had beenclear, and let go in proper time, it mightnot have prevented the fearful loss of lifeand of valuable property which took place ?A standard size of anchors and cables pro-portionate to tonnage; a periodical exami-nation and testing of chain-cables, as ispractised in Her Majesty's ships; and anoccasional careftil examination of the anchor-ing-gear of at least every passenger-ship bythe Surveyors of the Board of Trade or oithe Emigration Commissioners—would pro-bably be the means of preventing manywrecks and much loss of life..

On the second head, we need only ad-vert to the number of iron ships which haveseen wrecked, and have quickly broken up—a fact known to all who are conversant withthe records of our maritime losses duringthe past few years, to convince every oneof the importance of careful, diligent, andscientific inquiry, as to whether the presentsystem of constructing iron vessels may notbe greatly improved on. It has now beenpractically as well as theoretically shown,that iron ships, as now built, break up,generally by separating amidships, far soonerthan wooden vessels, occasioning thereby acorresponding increase in loss of lives. Ofthis fact the cases'of the Royal Charterand of the mail-steamer Indian are the twomost recent illustrations.

We have, in former papers, remarked onthe too frequent want of strength and ge-neral unseaworthiness of our merchant-ships,as being in great measure occasioned bythe usual custom of insuring vessels to theirfull value, and sometimes in excess of it, soas to leave the owners little or no pecuniaryinterest in their safety, and inducing themto build ships as cheaply as possible, ratherthan as strongly as possible. We propose,more especially, to quote the present case asthe last instance amongst many of the " in-sufficient strength of iron ships as nowbiult" and, hi the name of humanity, tourge on our Legislature, our Government,our shipowners, our ship-builders, and onour countrymen generally, the great im-portance of the subject, and the necessitythat exists for adopting a stronger modeof constructing iron vessels, and especiallythose which are employed for the convey-ance of large numbers of persons, such asemigrant-ships, troop-ships, and other pas-senger-craft.

It may be replied, Where is the remedy ?If it could be shown that iron vessels mightbe constructed in a stronger and more desir-able manner, surely shipowners would bebut too glad to possess themselves of suchan improved article I We fear that, as statedabove, shipowners are not interested inhaving the best article, but the cheapestarticle. Viewed even in a pecuniary, andnot in a philanthropic point of view, the

JANUARY 2, I860.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 219

subject is one of national importance, foralthough by the system of insurance theindividual may protect himself, yet everyloss of valuable property is as much a lossto the whole community as it would be ifuninsured; the loss is merely transferred toother parties, and divided amongst a greaternumber.

As to the question of a remedy, it can beeasily made plain to the meanest capacity,that the art of iron ship-building has notkept pace with the general scientific acquire-ments of the age, at least so far as strengthand durability are concerned, which pro-perties must always be amongst the chiefdesiderata in all human works.

The great weakness of iron ships appearsto be their tendency to hog, or break theirbacks, or to break altogether asunder in the'midship part: they have insufficient longi-tudinal strength. There is the keel, to besure, corresponding to the backbone of theliving animal, but which nevertheless iscapable of great improvement and strength-ening. There are the ribs and beams, corre-sponding to the ribs of the animal, which inthe latter keep the body sufficiently dis-tended and in shape, to contain the variousvital organs that sustain life, and which havesufficient strength in a great measure toprotect them from being crushed or injured.But the skin, that beautiful, wondrous, seam-less garment which so closely and mar-vellously envelops the animal, yet permits ofevery requisite movement of its limbs andorgans; the strength of which is so greatthat, even in the smaller animals, it can withdifficulty be broken, and which in the larger,such as the elephant, hippopotamus, andrhinoceros, is enormous; without the pro-tection of which the animal frame wouldspeedily fall asunder—Where in the ironship shall we find its counterpart ? Can thethin iron plating with its numerous per-pendicular lines of weakness, occasioned bythe numberless rivetings of the short ironplates, be compared to the animal skin,without one weak spot over its entire sur-face ? It cannot be so. Yet, as far as pos-sible, they should be assimilated, for thesame important use is required of each.

In wooden ships a much nearer ap-

proximation is made to the animal skin,since, owing to the greater length of theplanking, and their narrowness as comparedwith the iron plates, the lines of weaknessoccasioned by the rivets are avoided. Thegreater length of fibre of wood and itsgreater elasticity may also be sources ofadditional strength.

An apt illustration of the strength of askin of planking only, is that of the diagonalsystem in boat-building, on which principlethe larger boats in the Royal Navy are con-structed, as are also the life-boats of theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. Boatsbuilt on this plan are almost without rib-timbers, having only a few short floor tim-bers, their double diagonal planking beingrelied on solely to afford the requisitestrength, and they are known to be thestrongest description of boats.

The well-known shipbuilder, Mr. HALL, ofAberdeen, has successfully applied the sameprinciple to building wooden ships, and theShomberg clipper ship, of 2,600 tons, whichwas unfortunately wrecked on the Australiancoast in 1857, was built on this principle byMr. HALL, and was supposed to be thestrongest wooden ship in our own or anyother merchant navy.

Mr. RALPH TAYLERSON, of Port Glasgow,has now proposed to apply, to a great extent,the same principle to iron ships, and appa-rently with every prospect of success. Asthe comparative shortness of the iron plating,which we suppose is unavoidable, preventsthe application of the principle in preciselythe same manner as in wooden vessels, Mr.TAYLERSON places the frames, correspondingto the timbers or ribs of wooden vessels in adirection diagonal to the keel and sides of theship; each frame, like the planks of the dia-gonal boat, passing from one gunwale acrossthe keel and up to the other gunwale conti-nuously, the iron plating being attachedhorizontally, as now. As the lines of rivet-ing, of the planking, or lines of weaknessbhus run diagonally or obliquely to transversesections of the ship, whilst the cross or deckaeams run parallel to such sections, and areDoited to different frames on the one side towhat they are on the other, a manifest vastincrease of strength to the whole structure

~~ ITa


against transverse fracture is obtained. Mr.TAYLERSON also introduces other improve-ments, especially in the keel, to impartfurther strength. We hope to give in afuture Number the substance of a lecture onhis invention, by Mr. TAYLERSON, recentlydelivered at the hall of the United ServiceInstitution in London, illustrated-by designsfurnished to us by the inventor for thebetter elucidation of his plan.

We think the importance of this subjectcannot be overrated; and we implore allbuilders and designers of iron ships, whilstthe loss of the Royal Charter and of theIndian, and the cries of their dying inmates,in imagination, are yet ringing in their ears,carefully to consider Mr. TAYLEESON'S pro-positions, and to adopt them if no bettercan be discovered.

ADDITIONAL LIFE-BOAT STATIONSAND NEW BOATS.

FOWEY, CORNWALL.—A life-boat hasbeen recently stationed by the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION at Polkerris, nearFowey, the cost of the same and of a sub-stantial boat-house being defrayed chiefly byWILLIAM RASHLEIGH, Esq., J. F. DULLER,Esq., and T. J. AGAR EOBARTES, Esq.,M.P., aided by other local contributors.Mr. RASHLEIGH, who from the first hastaken the greatest interest in this Establish-ment, also gave the site of ground for theboat-house and the stone for building thesame. This boat is 30 ft. long, and rowssix oars, single-banked. She will be avail-able for the protection of vessels runningashore in any part of St. Austle Bay, on theeastern extremity of which is the small vil-lage of Polkerris. On the conveyance ofthis boat to her station, from Fowey, byher crew, she was to some extent tested,and her crew formed a high estimate of herqualities. She was then rowed round St.Austle Bay, and exhibited at the small portof Charlegtown in that bay, where she metwith quite an ovation; the crews of thevessels in port all hoisting their colours, intestimony of their gladness to be assuredof the protection of a life-boat in the eventof disaster occurring to them off the port,

LIZARD, CORNWALL.—A life-boat esta-blishment has been formed at the LizardPoint by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI-TUTION, and a 30 ft. single-banked life-boatand a transporting-carriage have been placedthere. The Hon. Mrs. AGAR and T. J.AGAR ROBARTES, Esq., M.P., have con-tributed 269L towards the undertaking. Alife-boat has been much required in thislocality. Until the establishment of thisboat, and that at Fowey, there was no life-boat station between Teignmouth in Devonand Penzance at the western extremity ofCornwall. The Rev. P. VYVYAN ROBINSONhas kindly undertaken the Honorary Secre-taryship and general supervision of the esta-blishment. Some trial has already beenmade of this boat, and her crew have ex-pressed themselves in high terms of hervaluable qualities.

PORTMADOC and BARMODTH, NORTHWALES.—Larger, swifter, and more power-ful life-boats being required at Portmadocand Barmouth, in Cardigan Bay, than thosepreviously stationed there—they having toproceed long distances under sail to vesselsgrounding on the Sarn-Badrig, or cause-way, which extends for many miles acrossthe northern part of Cardigan Bay—theInstitution has had those boats lengthened6 ft., and refitted with new sails. &c., at acost of more than 150?. each. A new boat-house has also been built at Barmouth forthe life-boat there.

RHOSCOLYN, ANGLESEA.—A new life-boat,30 ft., long, and rowing six oars, single-banked, has been placed at Rhoscolyn in lieuof an old boat entirely worn out. A newboat-house has also been built to containher. The crew of this boat, from whatthey observed of her qualities in rowingher from Holyhead to her station, haveexpressed their confidence in her, and theirreadiness to go in her in any sea in whichit will be practicable to get her out.

Life-boats are also in course of building,and will shortly be sent, to St. Andrew's,in Scotland, to Carmarthen Bay and Porth-cawl in South Wales, and to Silloth on thecoast of Cumberland.


THE HEAVY GALES OF OCTOBERAND NOVEMBER LAST.

THE unusually heavy gale, or rather hurri-cane, of the night of the 24tb October last,was unexampled in its work of destruction inour maritime records. During the whole ofthat day not a single casualty, with onetrifling exception, occurred either on theshores or in the seas of the British Isles.When the Royal Charter recommenced hervoyage from Queenstown on the morning ofthat day, every one on board calculated,almost to a certainty, on a safe arrival atLiverpool before the evening closed. In-deed, the ship was opposite Holy head whenthe gale began to freshen up, and the disas-ter which subsequently happened to her andher unfortunate crew and passengers havebecome " household words " in the homes olthese islands. But perhaps it is not so gene-rally known that during that awful night andfollowing day 195 vessels were wrecked113of them being dashed to pieces—with theloss of 684 of our fellow-creatures, includingthose who perished from the Royal Charter.

It is satisfactory to find, on the other side,that, notwithstanding the fearful and terrificcharacter of this now celebrated gale, 190persons were rescued from the wrecks bylife-boats, the rocket apparatus, and othermeans.

Prom the 25th to the 31st October thetotal number of shipwrecks was 248, drown-ing 686 persons, showing that only 2 menperished from the fifty-two wrecks thatoccurred between the 27th and 31st of themonth, and that their crews, amounting to126 men, were safely rescued from theirperilous positions. On the 1st November,however, the gale again was most furious.Thirty-eight vessels were wrecked on thisday, from which 29 persons were lost and73 saved, 31 having been rescued by thelife-boats of the NATIONAL INSTITUTION andthose of other bodies. The shipwrecks thattook place from the 2nd to the 9th of Nov.did not exceed the average rate of losses;,but the summary of the whole work of de-struction from the 25th October to the 9thNovember is distressing in the extreme tocontemplate. It is as follows:—Total ship-

wrecks, 325; total lives lost, 748. It isgratifying, however, to find that on theseoccasions 487 lives were rescued by life-boats, the rocket apparatus, and other means.

The British public cannot fail to appre-ciate the valuable assistance the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, the BOARD OFTRADE, and local bodies, have rendered inthe cause of humanity on these disastrousoccasions; for undoubtedly most of thepersons recorded above as saved weresnatched from death through their timelyaid.

M. SILAS'S INEXTINGUISHABLEMARINE LIGHTS.

A LIGHT of a novel character, which, fromthe circumstance of its being inextinguish-able by water, bids fair to be a valuableacquisition, has been recently introducedand patented by M. Silas, a French gentle-man, who has lately been exhibiting thesame on different occasions, in the Thamesand at the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

M. Silas having invited the attention ofthe NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION tohis lights, the Committee, considering thatan inextinguishable light might often be ofmuch service on board vessels, or in life-boats,on occasions of shipwreck, deputed REAR-ADMIRAL McHARDT, one of their body,and CAPTAIN WARD, R.N., their Inspector,to witness a trial of these lights; in order toascertain how far they might be applicableto the service of the Institution, or mightpromise to be useful as night signals forships. Thinking the subject of much in-terest and importance, we herewith give thereport of the above officers to the Com-mittee ; and desire to call the serious atten-tion of shipowners to these lights as a meansof signalizing to the shore in the event ofshipwreck, when all other lights may havegot extinguished.

Since the subjoined Report was made, aaillustration of the great value of such lightsin some emergencies has occurred. On the5th of November last, at about 4 A.M., theship Canton was driven ashore near Rye.The night being dark and very thick, thevessel could not herself be distinguished.A light was seen for a short time, but, not


being repeated, her position could not beascertained, nor was it known whether shewas in danger or not. At daylight shehad gone to pieces, and all her crew, ex-cepting two, had met with a watery grave.As there were two life-boats stationed withinreach of the spot, had their crewj beenaware of the situation of the ship, the livesof 12 unfortunate men might probably havebeen saved.

Now it may fairly be presumed that atthe time when lights ceased to be visiblefrom the shore, the only available light hadbeen extinguished by the sea on board theill-fated ship. If she had then had stowedin convenient places on her upper deck asupply of M. SILAS'S floating inextinguish-able lights, which self-ignite on coming incontact with water, one of them might havebeen thrown overboard from time to time.These, floating to the shore, to which theywould have been quickly carried by thewaves, and casting their brilliant rays farand near, would have told their own tale,and would have been so many eloquentalthough silent appeals to the sympathy ofthose on shore, who would no doubt havedone their best, at the risk of their ownlives, to succour their fellow-creatures insuch dire need of their aid.

We believe that floating lights, such asabove referred to, would not cost more than5s. or 6s. each : they will burn brightly forabout half an hour, and continue alight fora much longer time; there will, therefore,be no excuse for any ship being unprovidedwith them on the plea of expense.

The following is a copy of the Reportreferred to above, addressed to the Secre-tary of the Institution:—SlB, London, 30tfe WOT., 1859.

WE have the honour to report, for the infor-mation of the Committee, that on the 1st and28th November we witnessed experiments atBlackwall with M. SILAS'S inextinguishable lights.On the first occasion there was a dense fog; onthe second, the night was clear.

Our opinion is as follows:—1. That M. SILAS has satisfactorily shown that

a brilliant light can be produced, which is inex-tinguishable by water, and which will even burnat considerable depths, the flame then ascendingthrough the water, and being emitted at the sur-face in Hidden and irregular bursts or jets.

2. That in the present state of the inventionthe light is not sufficiently steady or enough undercontrol to be generally useful for signal purposes;

and that a large volume of smoke or vapourwhich is generated by it must make it unsuitablefor use in any apartment or confined enclosure.

3. That the application of the invention may,however, be susceptible of great improvement inthe above respects.

4. That the importance, under some circum-stances, of possessing a powerful light, inextin-guishable by water, yet so slightly inflammable aswith difficulty to ignite any other substance, can-not be doubted, and that M. SILAS'S invention istherefore entitled to a full trial, and deserving ofa careful series of experiments.

5. That the most apparent uses to which it is atpresent applicable, are:—1st, As a floating lightto be thrown into the sea from a ship, or boat, orpier, to show the position of drowning persons, orof floating spars, or other objects on the surface.2ndly, As a signal of distress, or for assistance inthe night, when other powerful lights might beunobtainable, or might get extinguished.

6. That whilst admitting the superiority ingeneral of a steady permanent light, which canyet be shown or concealed or extinguished atpleasure, and sufficiently under command to con-fine its light to any required direction; we yetthink that " the inextinguishable light" even inits present rudimentary state, might at times beimportant on occasions of night shipwrecks. "Webeg, therefore, to recommend that the Institutionshould order a small number of the floating lights(No. 1), of two or more sizes, to be placed in someof the life-boats of the Society, and to be sub-mitted to trial on suitable occasions. We are, &c.,

J. B. B. McHARDT, Sear-Admiraland Member of Committee.

3. R. WARD, Captain, R.N., In-spector of Life-boats.

HEROIC CONDUCT.—AWARD OF THEGOLD MEDAL OF THE NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

ON the occasion of the late fearful wreck ofthe steamer Royal Charter, with the loss ofno less than 450 of those on board her,there was one person amongst the few sur-vivors of the catastrophe who has been de-servedly held up to public notice.

JOSEPH RODGEES, one of the crew, aMaltese seaman, soon after the doomed shipstruck on the rocks, volunteered to swimashore with a line fast round his body, witha view to effect a communication betweenthe wreck and the persons assembled on theshore, by the instrumentality of which theunfortunate persons on board the formermight be conveyed to land.

As is generally known, his attempt wascrowned with success, although the sea wasbreaking with frightful violence on therocks; and had the vessel herself been ableto resist the force of the waves, his daringeffort to help his fellows in distress would,without doubt, have been gloriously re-


warded by the safe deliverance of most if notall of those who sailed with him in the ship.

It was, however, decreed otherwise, asthe ship broke up ere more than a fewpersons had been able to avail themselves ofthe means of rescue afforded them by theintrepidjty of the brave man whose act weare recording. Nevertheless, that act is asdeserving of admiration as if it had been themeans of saving all on board. The extremerisk attending its performance may not havestruck every one, yet it would be impossibleto exaggerate it. It is known to everyperson conversant with the effects of abroken sea oh the shore, that even if thatshore be of smooth sand or shingle, theforce of the falling waves is so great,and their retreating force so almost equallydangerous, as to overcome in most cases thepower and skill of the strongest and mostskilful swimmers. How much more is thedanger enhanced when the infuriated surgesdash themselves and all that they bear uponthem, with headlong violence, on the sharpand serrated edges of the adamantine rock!Yet still more must the risk be increasedwhen, all around is darkness ; wheu brokenspars, and .pieces of wreck are interspersedamongst the waves ; and when the tempera-ture of the water is so low as to chill theblood and half quench the vital energies ofthe most vigorous frame. All these sourcesof danger must have presented themselvesto the subject of our notice; yet he heededthem not. True, he was personally inte-rested in reaching the shore, but he couldnot have thought that the probability ofdoing so was increased by his carrying aline from the ship, and he might well, havepaused ere plunging into the deep, to reflectif the chances of his own destruction did notgreatly predominate over those of his reach-ing the shore alive. And no doubt hew6uld have so reflected, and would haveacted on that reflection, had he not yieldedhimself up to that impulse of a feeling andgenerous nature which at such a momentwill absorb every other, and which, banish-ing self from the mind, will think only ofthe object to be effected.

Such was the act of JOSEPH KODGERS, theMaltese seaman of the Royal Charter.

The NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION,in testimony of his heroic conduct, presentedhim with the gold medal of the Society,and the sum of 51., with an accompanyingvote of thanks 'inscribed on vellum, re-cording the nature of the service for whichthe medal was awarded. The same waspresented to -him at a public meeting atLiverpool, presided over by S. R. GRAVES,Esq., Chairman of the local Marine Board.

NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU-TION.

SERVICES OF ITS LIFE-BOATS DURING 1859.

FROM the annexed tabular statement it willbe seen that during the year which has justceased the life-boats of the KOYAL NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION have, at variouspoints of our coasts, been actively calledinto operation on sixty-one different occa-sions. The result has been that they havesaved 218 lives from thirty-nine wrecks,besides assisting five vessels safely intoport. On twenty-nine occasions it happenedthat when the life-boats had put off in replyto signals of distress, the vessels had either gotout of danger, or their crews been rescued byother means. Life-boats' crews also assem-bled several times to give assistance, but werenot required to put off to sea. For these valu-able exertions thetotal sum paid to life-boats'crews was 733/. 18s. 9fl. On these occasions,and on those of quarterly exercise, the life-boats were manned probably by no less than4,000 persons; Nearly all the services tookplace in stormy weather and heavy seas,and often in the dark hour of the night.Such practical proofs as these of thegreat value 'of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, in a maritime countrylike ours, cannot possibly be overrated. Ithas now 2{ine.ty-six life-boat stations underits management.- -On an average, eachstation requires 30Z. a*year to maintain it ina state of thorough efficiency. This goodwork can only.be. perpetuated by permanentendowments and the continued support ofthe public to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT IN-STITUTION.

224

Date of"Wreck.

1859.Jan. 1

"•«!. 30

Feb. 2

7" 0i) °.. 10

18•' 28

Mar. 8. 11

„ 12„ 15

14„ 18

29

April 2

„ 15„ 24

25„ 28

Au". 1„ 23

30

Sept 14„ 16

"fl,,18 (Oct. 24

25

;; 26

» j>31

Nov 1

" 2,, ^^

" A

" 6

" 19

" 2526

Dec 34

„ 5,, 10• R„ 13

1821

' 2„ 30

STATEMENT OF

Site of "Wreck.

LythamNewbiggin Point . . .Rhyl

Teignmouth Bar . . .

Ditto

Doom Bar Sands . . .

FishguardCullercoats . . . . .

Sizewell Bank . . . .

Goodwin Sands . . . .Winterton

Blackwater Bank .

Arklow Bank . . . .

AberdoveyFiley . . . . .

Spittal Point . . . .Rhyl

Ditto ' - .Ditto ' . . • • .Kedcar

Ditto

Tenby Koads . . . .Braunton Sands. . . .Whitburn

Tenby Roads . . . .

Berwick

South Tail . . . . .Salthouse Bank . . . .Size welt Bank . . . .Blackwater Bank . . .

Horse Bank . . . .

Aldborough • . . . .Barmouth

FHE SERVICES OP "

Wind and Weather.

S.W. Gale . . . .S. GaleGaleGaleW.N.W. Heavy Sea .W.S.W. Heavy Gale .Bitto dittoS.S.W. Strong Gale .Ditto dittoDitto dittoW. Gale . . . .S. Blowing StrongN.W. Heavy Gale .S.W. ditto

DittoN.W. Heavy Gale .Strong breeze . . .W. Blowing Hard .N.W. Gale . . .E. Blowing Hard.N.N.W. Heavy Gale.N.E. Heavy Sea . .N.WS.S.W. Rough . .Ditto . .- . . .W.N.WE.S.EE. Stormy . . . .E.S.E. Strong Gale .W.S.WS.S.E.W.N.W. Squally . .W.S.WS. Strong Gale . .N.E. Squally . . .E. by NN. & W. Strong GaleN.N.EE. by N. Heavy GaleE.S.ES.S.E. Gale . . .Terrific Gale .N.E. Stormy . . .N. Very Heavy Gale.S. Heavy GaleDittoDitto . .N.W. Strong Gale .N.W. Strong Gale .S.S.W. Hard Gale .S Heavy GaleW.S.W . .Hurricane . . . .

S.S E" Gale " .S.W. Whole Gale. .Fresh Gales . .N.N.ES.W. Strong . . .

S.E. Heavy Gale . .S E Heavy Sea . .E S E. Blowing HardGaleW.S.W. Gale . . .E.S.E* Heavy Swell .S.S.W. Hazy . . .

Foggy, Heavy Swell .N W Strong Gale' .

S W. Strong Gale ,S.W. Gale . . . .

CHE LIFE-BOATS OF THE ROYAL

Name of Vessel.

Schooner E. D. of Salcombe. . . .Schooner Betsy of Sunderland . .

Schooner Victoria of Ulyerstone .

Schooner Viscaya of Spain . . . .DittoBrig Peri of Teignmouth . . . .Barque Aurora of Newcastle .Ditto

Schooner Clifton of Gloucester .Schooner Frederick William of Ipswich

Schooner Native Lass of Liverpool .

Brig Lord Goiigh of Whitby . . .

Brig Velocity of Sunderland . .DittoSloop Liberal of Wisbeach . . . .Barque Alecto of Fredericks tadt . .Brig Quest of StocktonShip Pomona of New York . . . .

Barque Fairy Queen of Glasgow .Ship Sir Colin Campbell of BelfastBrig Opreisingen of Arendal . . .Schooner Dove of Seaton . . . .Fishing-boatBrig Eagle of Sunderland . . .

Smack Endeavour of Portmadoc .Sloop George and Mary of Hull .Brig Adelphi of ShieldsBrig John of Shields

Schooner Majestic of Dundee . .Schooner Oriental of Lancaster

Schooner Silva of Glasgow . . . .DittoCoble Isabella of Hartlepool . . .Schooner Charles Frazer of Cork .French Schooner La Jeune Mathilde .

Brig North Eske of Sunderland . .Schooner .^nton of Denmark

Brig Policy of Sunderland . . .

Brig New Astley of Aberdeen . .

Ship Troy of Boston, TJ. SBrig Cuba of Whitby

Schooner Cygnet of Cardigan . .Sloop Barbara of Almwch . .Brig Henry Morton of SunderlandShip Somnauth of LiverpoolSloop Sybil of GooleBrigant. Robert and Henry of Dundalk

Ship Britannia of Bath, U.S. . . .

Note.—It frequently happens, as shown above, when life-boats put off in reply to signals of distress,

NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION from 1st Jan. to 20th Dec. 1859. 225

Life-Boat Station.

Rhyl life-boat . . . .

Teignmouth life-boat . . . .

Newbiggin life-boat . . . .

Appledore (Mermaid) life-boat .Ditto (Mermaid and Petrel) . .

Rhyl life-boat * .

Aldborough life-boat . . . .

Fleetwood life-boat . . . .

Bridlington life-boat . . . .

Yarmouth (surf) life-boat . . .

Pakefield life-boat . . .

Bude Haven life-boat , . . .Pakefield life-boat . . .

Yarmouth (surf) life-boat . . .

Pakefield life-boat . ,

Castletown life-boat . . .

Aldborough life-boat . . . .Appledore (Mermaid) life-boat ,

Filey life-boat

Aldborough life-boat . . . .

Nature of Service.

Assisted to bring vessel & crew of 5 men into harbour

Put off to assist, but services not required. . .Ditto ditto . . iDitto ditto . .

Put off to assist, but services not required . .Ditto dittoDitto ditto . . .Ditto dittoDitto ditto . . .Ditto ditto

2 ditto . . . . . . .5 ditto . .Put off to assist, but services not required. . .Ditto ditto . . . ,

Ditto ditto . . . . . . . .Put off to assist, but services not required. . .

Put off to assist, but services not required. .

Put off to assist, but services not required.

9 ditto . . .

Was towed to spot, but too late to be of service .Put off to assist, but services not required. . .Ditto dittoDitto ditto

Put off to assist, but services not required . . .Ditto ditto

Put off to assist, but services not required . . .Assisted to bring ship & crew of 7 men into harbour

Put off to assist, but services not required. . .

Ditto ditto . •

Put off. Crew saved by other means . . . .Assisted in bringing vessel and 14 men into harbour

Put off Assisted vessel to get off .

Put off to assist, but services not required .Ditto ditto . . . .

Put off to assist, but services not required. . ,

Expense ofService.

£. s. d.Paid by owners

14 0 08 10 0

12 0 06 10 0

10 10 67 6 06 0 07 7.0

19 12 0

8 '6 08 13 06 10 05 4 0

33 0 08 11 6

13 0 03 10 00 16 01 9 66 0 0

7 io o11 10 07 15 0

13 10 024 15 03 8 04 10 06 17 67 6 64 10 0

11 10 04 12 06 8 0

16 0 0

31 14 611 0 015 13 06 10 0

Paid by owners.2 14 98 0 08 0 0

14 10 014 10 014 10 013 7 04 10 6

24 0 024 0 011 1 010 2 612 12 0

Paid by owners.12 16 0

Paid by owners.6 10 0

11 0 06 0 0

11 0 625 15 015 4 04 15 06 10 0

12 8 013 18 0

Paid by owners.Ditto.

13 18 06 10 0

31 15 018 2 6

that vessels either get out of danger, or their crews are rescued by other means.

226 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 2,1860.

SERVICES OF LIFE-BOATS IN CON-NECTION WITH THE NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

CULLEECOATS, NORTHUMBERLAND. — On

the 29th March, 1859, a pilot coble, with2 men in her, being caught by a strongN. E. wind and heavy sea, was observed tobe in, danger; the Cullercoats life-boat wasquickly launched, and proceeded to her aid,bringing the 2 men safely on shore, andtowing the boat, through a heavy surf, intoCullercoats haven.

WINTERTON, NORFOLK.—At midnight onthe 23rd April, 1859, the Norwegian barqueAlecto ran ashore two miles north of Win-terton; her mainmast was soon hanging overher side, and the seas breaking over her.The Winterton life-boat was quickly drawnto the spot by a large number of men- onher transporting carriage, and succeeded inreaching the vessel, and taking off her crew,9 in number, landing them in safety at Win-terton.

On the night of the 25th October, at9 P.M., the brig Cuba, of Whitby, wasdriven ashore in a heavy gale off Winterton.The life-boat was got ready soon after mid-night, but the night being dark, and the seavery heavy, the boatmen declined to manher until daylight. The, vessel had thenbroken up, and on nearing her fragments,the life-boat's crew succeeded in saving oneman only. The brig having on board thecrew of a schooner with which she had beenin collision, besides her own crew, no lessthan 12 perished on the occasion.

An unfortunate mistrust of the qualitiesof the life-boat by the boatmen—a mistrustwhich has been fostered and encouraged bymany persons quite ignorant of the boat,and of the whole subject of life-boats, is sup-posed to have to some extent influenced themen in their refusal to man the life-boatduring the night. Several of the life-boatsof this Institution, whose valuable serviceswe are now recording, are of the same de-scription, but some of them inferior in size,and character to this boat, which will, how-ever, in deference to the wishes of the men,be exchanged for another, and removed to

some other locality where she may be betterappreciated.

CASTLETOWN, ISLE OF MAN.— On the30th August, 1859, the brig Oprdsingen, ofArendal, ran on the Bonndnis rock, in Cas-tletown Bay. The master and carpenterlanded to procure assistance; but the windand sea increasing rapidly, it was impossibleagain to reach her in ah ordinary boat.The Castletown life-boat was accordinglylaunched at midnight, and, taking off theremainder of the crew, 3 in number, landedthem hi safety at 2 A.M. on the 31st. Thebrig was full of water when the life-boatreached her.

On the 19th November, the barque Ohiodragged her anchors and went ashore in Pool-wash Bay, Isle of Man. A pilot-boat whichhad previously gone off to her was enabled totake off 8 of her crew; but the sea increasingmuch on the tide rising, made it unsafe forany open boat to proceed to the rescue ofthe remainder. The Castletown life-boatwas accordingly launched, and in one hourreached the vessel, and took off the masterand mate and 2 other hands who had beenleft on board, landing them safely at PortSt. Mary, the nearest practicable landing-place. Much credit was given in thelocality to the coxswain and crew of the life-boat for their prompitude on the occasion,

BRIDLINGTON QUAY, YORKSHIRE.—On thenight of the 16th September, 1859, the brigEagle, of Sunderland, anchored in a leakystate off Bridlington Quay, the wind blowinga heavy gale from the eastward. Findingthe water fast gaining on them, the masterwas compelled to slip his cable and run forthe shore. The Bridlington life-boat wasquickly launched, and at 3 A.M. took off thecrew, 6 in number, landing them safely atBridlington Quay. The brig went to piecestwenty minutes after the crew were takenoff.

SOUTHWOLD, SUFFOLK.—On the night ofthe 17th September, 1859, the Prussianbrig iMcinde, of Metnel, ran ashove off Mis-ner Coastguard Station on the Suffolk coast.Intelligence of the same was immediatelyconveyed to Southwold, with the request


that the life-boat would as soon as possiblecome to the aid of her crew. She wasspeedily manned by 15 gallant fellows,launched through a heavy surf, and pro-ceeded under sail to the site of the wreck.The anchor being let go, and the sails takenin, she was then veered down alongside thebrig, through a tremendous surf which wasbreaking quite over the vessel and high upher masts. The life-boat was repeatedlyquite buried in the sea, and the coxswainwas once washed out of her, but finally, atabout midnight, with much difficulty, all onboard, 11 in number, including the captain'swife, were safely taken off and landed on thebeach at Mizner, where the life-boat washauled up until the abatement of the windand sea. One of the brig's crew who hadattempted to swim on shore before the arrivalof the life-boat, was drowned. It was re-ported by the officer of Coastguard, andothers who witnessed it, that nothing couldexceed the behaviour of both the boat andcrew whilst performing this most difficultand dangerous service.

In addition to 2L each which the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION awarded the crew,they were entertained at a dinner given byJ. BIRCH, Esq., and received a purse of201, collected by him amongst his friendsin London, to mark his sense of their nobleconduct on this occasion, he having wit-nessed their launching the boat.

YARMOUTH, NORFOLK.—On the 5th No-vember the schooner Ferona, of Exeter,drove on shore near the entrance of Yar-mouth harbour: the Yarmouth smaller life-boat went to her assistance through a heavysurf, and succeeded in rescuing her crew of5 men, landing them in safety.

ABEKDOVEY, MERIONETHSHIRE.—On the25th October, 1859, the smack Endeavour,of Portmadoc, drove from her anchors inSt. Tudwell's roads, in a N.N.E. gale, andhaying carried all her sails away except herforesail, bore up for the neighbourhood ofAberdovey, where she ran ashore: theAberdovey life-boat was quickly launched,and proceeded to attempt the rescue of hercrew, but after great exertions was compelled

to return; a second crew then took the placeof the first, and succeeded -in taking off thecrew of 4 men. The life-boat which had beenbut a few months on her station, was re-ported to have behaved exceedingly well onthis occasion.

RHYL, NORTH WALES.—On the 26thOctober, 1859, the schooner Orientdtt, ofLancaster, having lost her sails, was drivenashore near Rhyl. The tubular life-boatstationed at that place was quickly launched,and, through a terrific sea, took off the crewof 6 persons, the seas sweeping the vessel'sdecks at the time.

FILEY, YORKSHIRE.'—On the night of the25th October, 1859, the sloop George andMary, of Hull, was driven ashore nearFiley, in a heavy gale from the eastward.On her showing a light as a signal of dis-tress, the Filey life-boat was manned andlaunched, and proceeding to her, took off'her crew of 3 persons, landing them insafety. The sloop shortly after broke up,and at daylight had entirely disappeared.

BERWICK-ON-TWEED.—On the 26th Oc-tober, 1859, the schooner Majestic, of Dun-dee, ran for the harbour of Benvick-on-Tweed, it blowing a heavy gale at thattime from the N.E. She succeeded incrossing the bar, but drove ashore onSpittal Point. The life-boat was speedilylaunched, and proceeded to her, and suc-ceeded in taking off her erew, 5 in number,landing them in safety.

On the 9th November the services of theBerwick life-boat were again called intorequisition. The brig New Astley, of Aber-deen, after crossing the bar of Berwick-on-Tweed in a high sea, let go her anchor,which dragged, and she quickly drifted intothe broken water off Spittal Point. TheBerwick life-boat was immediately launched,and succeeded in taking off her crew, of 6men, and safely landed them. There was avery heavy sea alongside the wreck, and theboat received some damage whilst taking offthe crew. •

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.—On the 26thOctober, 1859, the schooner Lord Douglas,


of Dundee, parted from her anchors in aheavy gale from- the south, and founderedoff the village of Gorton, on the Suffolkcoast. The Lowestoft life-boat proceededunder sail to the spot, and having anchoredto windward of the wrecked vessel, thecrew of which had lashed themselves to therigging, succeeded in saving them, 5 innum%er, drawing them through the waterby lines thrown to them, and landed themsafely at Gorton.

On the same afternoon the Lowestoft life-boat performed another valuable service.Scarcely had she returned from saving thecrew of the Lord Douglas, than anotherschooner, the SUva, of Glasgow, droveashore at Gorton, although lying with threeanchors ahead. The life-boat had split herforesail hi the previous service, but anotherwas borrowed, and she again started on hermission of mercy, which, happily, wascrowned with similar success, and the crewof the wrecked schooner were taken off in thesame manner. Having split her borrowedforesail, the life-boat was compelled to landon Yarmouth beach, where the shipwreckedmen were hospitably received into the Sailors'Home. The life-boat had to be left atYarmouth until the 28th Oct.

On the 1st November the crew of thisvaluable and efficient life-boat had anotheropportunity to distinguish themselves, andto perform one of the most gallant serviceswhich even they have ever effected; and nolife-boat in the kingdom has rendered morefrequent and important services in thishumane work than she has done.

The screw-steamer, Shamrock, of Dublin,ran ashore, on the above-named day, on theHolm Sand, during a heavy gale fromthe S.W. The Lowestoft life-boat waslaunched as soon as possible after the situa-tion of the unfortunate vessel was perceived,and proceeded under sail to the spot, whenshe anchored, and the crew of 14 men werewith much difficulty hauled into the life-boat by lines thrown to them. The sea wassaid to be breaking over the mast-heads ofthe steamer, and repeatedly filled the life-boat. The danger of the service was muchincreased by the circumstance that a greatexpanse of shoal water lay close to leeward

of the boat, and if her cable had parted, itwas considered that the destruction ofthe boat and her crew might have fol-lowed.

For this service the life-boat's crew re-ceived double the usual payment, or ILeach; and in testimony of admiration forthis and previous distinguished services inthe life-boat, the following men had, in ad-dition, the silver medal of the Institutionawarded to them,—RICHARD HOOK, cox-swain ; FRANCIS SMITH, RICHARD BUTCHER,ALFRED MEWSE, THOMAS LIFFEN, JAMESBUTCHER, and WILLIAM ROSE.

BRAUNTON, NORTH DEVON.—On the 2ndNovember, at daylight, the brig NorthEsk, of Snnderland, was seen ashore on thenorth tail of Bideford Bar, the wind blowinga hurricane from W.N.W. at the time. Acrew was quickly despatched from Apple-dore to man the life-boat of this Institutionstationed at Braunton; she was thenspeedily launched, and succeeded in takingthe crew of 6 men from the vessel's rig-ging ; the masts shortly after went by theboard, and the vessel became a total wreck.This was considered a very gallant as wellas a very prompt service, the sea being veryheavy and the life-boat being only a smallboat rowing 6 oars. . Her behaviour on theoccasion was reported on in the highestterms.

TENBY.—At daybreak on the 2nd No-vember, the smack Bruce, of Milford, wascompelled to anchor in a dismasted stateabout three miles east of Tenby; the windwas blowing a furious gale from W.S.W. attimes, and the sea was very high. TheTenby life-boat proceeded at once to herassistance, Lieut, the Hon. H. F. BOYLE,R.N., Chief Officer of Coastguard and Ho-norary Secretary to this Institution, going inher. The crew of 3 men were taken off inan exhausted state by the life-boat, andsafely landed at the small harbour of Saun-dershott, four miles distant.

On the 7th November the services of theTenby life-boat were again called into requi-sition. A large brig, at 9 P.M., was ob-served to go ashore in Tenby Bay; the


life-boat, manned with the usual mixed crewof Coastguard-men and fishermen, in chargeof her experienced coxswain, ROBERT PAR-ROTT, at once proceeded to her througha tremendous sea, the wind also blowing agale from the S.W. The vessel being onshore on a rocky reef could only be approachedfrom to windward. The life-boat's anchorwas accordingly let go, with the intentionof being veered down to the wreck, but aheavy roller striking the boat, carried awaythe cable and broke three of her oars.Finding it then impossible to close with thevessel, in consequence of her peculiar posi-tion, and the great sea breaking over her,the life-boat returned to Tenby, and Lieut.BOYLE and his crew proceeded to the spotwith all haste by land with the rocketapparatus, and after three hours' perseveringefforts succeeded in conveying the crewsafely to land. The whole service with thelife-boat and rocket apparatus occupiedseven hours, and reflected much credit onLieut. BOYLE, on ROBERT PARROTT, chiefboatman of Coastguard and coxswain of thelife-boat, and on all the others engaged withthem. Although the life-boat was not themeans of saving the vessel's crew in thisinstance, yet, the whole service being of avery gallant character, and the lives beingafter all saved by the same party whomanned the life-boat, although with othermeans, we have deemed it deserving ofbeing recorded. The silver medal of theInstitution was voted to Lieut. BOYLE, R.N.,and the second-service clasp added to themedal received on a former occasion byROBERT PARROTT, the coxswain of the life-boat, he having several times previouslydistinguished himself by his gallant conductin charge of the Institution's life-boat atTenby.

In addition to the above services, thecrews of other vessels have been since savedby life-boats belonging to the NATIONALLIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, but the particularsof which were not received in time for pub-lication in this Number.

On numerous other occasions duringthe recent storms the life-boats of the

NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION have pro-ceeded to the assistance of vessels in dis-tress, and they have thus in several instancesbeen indirectly the means of saving the livesof their crews, by helping or directing themout of danger, although their crews havenot been taken off them.

SUMMARY OF THE

MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.Thursday, 4th August, 1859. THOMAS CHAPMAN,

Esq., V.P., F.E.S., in the Chair.Bead and approved the Minutes of the previous

Meeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Read letter from WILLIAM RASRLEIGH, Esq., ofMenabilly, of the 18th July, expressing his satis-faction with the decision of this Institution, tostation a life-boat at Polkerries, near Fowey, andstating he would use his best exertions to respondto the liberality of the Society.—To be thanked.

Also from Mr. MONTAGUE GOUE, of 3rd August,forwarding a copy of a letter which had appearedin the Morning Post of the 2nd idem, on the neces-sity of additional life-boats for Scotland.—To bethanked.

Also from Mr. McCosn, Sec, of the Ayr Branch,of the 2nd August, stating the successful trialwhich had been made with the new life-boat andcarriage recently sent to that place by this Insti-tution.

Read and approved the Inspector's report of hisrecent visit to the life-boat stations on the WestCoast of England and in Wales. He stated thatwhen at Padstow, he was informed that a sailorhad been twice wrecked and each time saved bythe life-boats of this Institution. The first was onthe occasion of the wreck of the Barque Reliance,of London, some two or three years ago, during adark, tempestuous night, in the neighbourhood ofthe Goodwin Sands. He was then, with 14 othermen, rescued from an apparently inevitable deathby the Society's life-boat stationed at Walmer.The second time of his being saved was from thewrecked vessel Gonsalve, off Padstow, in March last.

Also from the War Office of 7th July, statingthat Mr. Secretary HERBERT had ordered 200copies of the pamphlet on the Management ofBoats in Heavy Surfs, issued by this Institution,to be distributed amongst all the military libra-ries at home and aboad.

Also from Admiral FANSHAWE, C.B., Com-mander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's fleet in theMediterranean, of 28th June, expressing his satis-faction with the before-mentioned pamphlet, andrequesting that an additional dozen copies mightbe sent to him. He also forwarded a cheque for101. in aid of the funds of the Institution.—Tobe thanked, and ordered a supply of copies of thepamphlet in English and French, to be furnishedto the Admiral.

230 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANUARY 2,1860.

Also from S. ROVLANDSON, Esq., of the College,Durham, Secretary to Lord CROWE'S Trustees, of25th July, stating that they had decided to grant30{. per annum, for the maintenance of the NorthSunderland life-boat establishment. — Decided,that the life-boat be brought into connection withthe NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Reported that the Whitburn new life-boat andcarriage had been forwarded on the 27th July,to their destination, by railway; — the GreatNorthern and North Eastern Railway Companieshaving kindly given them a free conveyance.—Tobe thfcked.

Read letter from JAS. PANTON, Esq., Hon. Sec.of the Cullercoats Branch, stating that a favourabletrial had again been made with the Cullercoats newlife-boat and carriage, on the 21st July. He alsogave some account of the successful exercise ofthe Mortar and Rocket Apparatus on the occa-sion, under the superintendence of Captain HEARD,R.N.—Decided, that Mr. PANTON and CaptainHEARD, R.N., be thanked.

Also from Captain MANGLES, M.P., calling atten-tion to a plan of life-boat invented by Mr.WINTER,of Ripley, Surrey.—To be acknowledged.

Captain SLEIGH, K.T.S., presented to the Insti-tution a copy of his Essay on HydrographicalEngineering, as applicable to floating Sea-Bat-teries, Harbours, &c.—To be acknowledged.

Read letter from R. HITCHINS, Esq., shipowner ofBristol, of 27th July, stating that, although thesewere not times for shipowners to be giving awaymoney, he considered it his duty and privilegeto contribute 31.3s. annually to this Institution.—To be thanked.

Paid 6667. tls. 5d. for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat houses,including 124Z. Os. lOrf. for the Carnsore life-boathouse.

Voted a reward of 6/. 10*. to the crew of theWalmer life-boat for putting off on the 1st August,with the view of rendering assistance to the crewof a vessel which was observed in a dismantledstate on the Goodwin Sands. No person wasfound on the wreck: when the life-boat waslaunched, it was supposed that men were seen inthe rigging.

Also II. 10s. to the crew of the lugger Neptune,of Walmer, for their services to the crew of 4 menof the lugger Bretagne, of Havre, which went onthe Goodwin Sands during hazy weather on 22ndJune last.

Thursday, 1st Sept. Captain Sir EDWARDPERROTT, Bart., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspondence,and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Read letter from Captain HEARD, R.N., of Sun-derland, of the 13th Aug., speaking in high termsof the Whitburn new life-boat.—To be acknow-ledged.

Reported that the late Mrs. ANN THOMSON, ofUnion Place, Blackheath, had left a legacy of100/., 3 per Cent. Annuities, to this Institution,payable after the decease of her sister.

Read letter from the Rev. R. E. EATON, Hon.

Sec. of the Arklow Branch, of the 13th Aug.,stating that the lives of three men had beenrescued with the aid of the gear of the Arklowlife-boat by her coxswain from the lugger MaryAnn, of St. Ives, which stranded on Arklow bar.—To be thanked, and to express approval of thecoxswain's zeal.

Read letter from the Rev. J. ALINGTON, Hon.Sec. of the Lincolnshire Shipwreck Association, ofthe 23rd Aug., requesting to be furnished withvarious particulars relative to the life-boats ofthis Institution, and stating that a new life-boatwas required at Theddlethorpe.—Ordered particu-lars to be furnished to Mr. ALINGTON.

Read letter from the Secretary of the Ship-wrecked Fishermen and Mariner's Society, of the29th Aug., transmitting a copy of a circular letterissued by it to their honorary agents, requestingtheir co-operation in collecting subscriptions tothe Institution.

The following is a copy of the joint appeal of thetwo Institutions to seamen:—

APPEAL TO SEAMEN.The Committee of Management of the ROYAL

NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION call upon theCommanders and Seamen of the Merchant Navyto lend them a helping hand in placing andmaintaining LIFE-BOATS on every exposed part ofthe Coast of the United Kingdom. A great workhas been done, as will be seen by the List ofBoats already at their Stations; and who betterthan Seamen can appreciate the comfort ofknowing where to run for a Life-boat when on alee-shore, and no port of refuge near? TheCommittee and Honorary Agents of the Ship-wrecked Mariners' Society have full fellowship inthis good work and great interest in its pros-perity ; and the Secretary and Honorary Agentsof that Society will receive the subscriptions ofthose Commanders and Seamen who desire to helpit forward.

RICHARD LEWIS, Secretary of theNational Life-boat Institution.

FRANCIS LEAN, Secretary of theShipwrecked Mariner? Society.

All the Agents of the shipwrecked Mariners'Society will receive contributions for the Life-boat Fund.

Paid 581.10s. 9d. for balance on Tramore house;721.17s. for the Braunton life-boat carriage; and105Z. Is. Id. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted Tl. 6s. 6rf. to pay the expenses of theArklow life-boat for putting off with the view ofrendering assistance to the barque Fairy Queen, ofGlasgow, which went on the Arklow bank duringa dense fog on the 23rd July last.

Also 51. to 2 men and a lad for swimming offand rescuing 2 priests, who with their servantshad been capsized from a boat during a squall ofwind off Roundstone, on the coast of Galway, onthe 3rd Aug. last.

Also 41. to 2 pilots for rendering assistance tothe crews of 8 men of two ships' boats, whichwere in a perilous position off the Holmes in theBristol Channel on the 3rd Aug. last.

JAUUAKT 2, I860.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 231

Thursday, 6th Oct., 1859. THOMAS CHAPMAN,Esq., V.P., F.R.S., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Reported that a public exhibition of the Ex-mouth life-boat had taken place on the 3rd Sept.Lady ROLLE, the munificent donor of the cost ofthe boat, had, accompanied by her friends andother gentlemen, proceeded off in the boat.

Read letter from Rev. R. TYACKE, Hon. Sec. ofthe Fadstow branch, of 19th Sept., stating thatthe French Emperor had presented to each of thecrew of the life-boat a silver medal for saving thecrew of the brig Gonsalvo on the 8th March last.

Read letters from Rear-Admiral the Hon. SirFrederick GREY, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief ofHer Majesty's fleet at the Cape of Good Hope, onthe west coast of Africa, and from Rear-AdmiralSir HENRY HOPE, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief ofthe East India and China fleet of the 26th July and19th Aug., expressing their thanks for copies ofthe pamphlet of the Institution on the manage-ment of boats in heavy surfs and broken water;and their appreciation of its value.

Resolved—That the thanks of the Institution,inscribed on vellum, be given to Admiral PARIS,C.B., for his kindness in translating into Frenchthe said pamphlet. Also, that one of Capt. WARD'Scork life-belts and description be presented to theAdmiral.

Read the acknowledgments of the following am-bassadors for copies of the pamphlet in Englishand French on the management of boats in heavysurfs and broken water:—

France. Austria. Portugal.Russia. United States. Greece.Prussia. Sardinia.

Read letter from Mr. MATTER, Hon. Sec. of theTramore branch, of the 26th Sept., reporting a fa-vourable trial of the Tramore life-boat on that day.

Reported—That Major RICHARDSON and Capt.ANSTREE had forwarded to this Institution, onbehalf of Capt W. B.WHISH, of the Indian army,Jullandher, Mrs. WHISH, and other friends, 41.in aid of its funds.—To be thanked.

Read letter from Capt. CREWE READ and theRev. E. P. NICHOI.I., stating the necessity for alife-boat at Porthcawl on the Glamorganshirecoast, at which place the inspector had, in hisreport of August last, recommended one to bestationed.—Decided that a life-boat station beformed at Porthcawl.

Read letter from Mr. GRAVES, of New York,calling attention to LUDLUM'S patent life-boatfloats.—Decided that the floats were unsuitableand inapplicable to the life-boats of this Institu-tion.

Read letter from Mr. E. JOBLING, of the 30th Sept.,forwarding replies to the life-boat queries, andstating the necessity of a life-boat at Silloth, nearCarlisle, and adding that the undertaking waslikely to receive considerable support.—Decidedthat a life-boat station be formed at Silloth.

Miss BURDETT COUTTS had subsequently munifi-

cently offered to defray the cost of the above-named life-boat and her gear.—To be thanked.

Read letter from H. A. FITZGERALD, Esq., Hon.Sec. of the Dnngarvan branch, of the 28th Sept.,reporting a favourable trial of the Dungarvan life-boat on the 26th idem.

Paid 6481. 5s. 5d. for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boat houses, and life-boat stores; and632/. 18s. to Messrs. FOKRESTT, for various life-boats.

Voted—the thanks of the Institution to Capt.TUDOR, R.U., for putting off, with 15 others, inthe Wick u|w life-boat, and rescuing the crew of 7men of the schooner Huntress, which was strandedduring a gale of wind off Wick, on the 6th Sept. last.

Also 41.10s. to pay the expenses of the Fleet-wood life-boat for putting off with the view ofrendering assistance to the ship Sir Colin Camp-bell, of Belfast, which was in distress, during aheavy gale of wind, off Fleetwood, on the 30thAug. last.

Also III. 10*. to pay the expenses of the Castle-town life-boat for putting off and saving 3 of thecrew of the Norwegian brig Opreisengen, of Aren-dal, which was stranded in Castletown Bay, duringa gale of wind at midnight on the 30th Aug.

Also 41. 12s. to pay the expenses of the Doverlife-boat for putting off, with the view of savingthe crew of the schooner Done, of Seaton, whichwas totally wrecked off Dover during a stronggale of wind on the 14th Sept. last. The vessel'screw had, however, been previously rescued by therocket apparatus.

Also 161. to pay the expenses of the Bridlingtonlife-boat for putting off in a heavy gale of windand rescuing the crew of 6 men of the brig Eagle,of Sunderland, which went on shore near theNorth Pier, Bridlington, on the 17th Sept. last.

Also 61. 8s. to pay the expenses of the Boulmerlife-boat for putting off with the view of renderingassistance to a fishing-coble which was observedto be in distress off that place during squallyweather on the 16th Sept. last.

Voted the Silver Medal to JOHN CRACLE,coxswain of the Southwold life-boat; second-service clasp to B. HERRINGTON ; and 317. 14s. 6d.to pay the expenses of the life-boat in puttingoff and rescuing the crew of 9 men and thecaptain's wife of the Prussian brig Lucinde, ofMemel, which was wrecked, during a strong galeand very heavy sea, off Misner Haven, Suffolk, onthe 17th Sept. last.

Also 61. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Cahorelife-boat, for putting off with the view of render-ing assistance to a vessel that was supposed to bein distress.

Also 51. to a smack's crew of 5 men, for savingthe crew of 7 men of the brig Fame, which wenton the Shipwash Sands, in Harwich, during hazyweather on the 6th Sept. last.

Also 21. 10s. to a boat's crew of 5 men, for put-ting off and rescuing 2 out of 6 persons who werecapsized from their boat off Mevaglssey Harbour,on the evening of the 24th Sept. last.

Read letter from Captain SHAW master of theRoyal Harbour, Ramsgate, of the 7th Sept., statingthe services rendered by the Ramsgate life-boat,


in conjunction with their steam-tug and someluggers, to the brig Quickstep, of London, whichwent on the Goodwin Sands on the 6th and 7thSept. last.—To be acknowledged.

Thursday, 3rd Nov. THOMAS BARING, Esq.,M.P., V.P., in the Chair.

Bead and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committee.

Bead letter from His Grace the PRESIDENT; ofthe 28th Oct., forwarding a communication fromM. MONE, of Havre, relative to his plan of life-boat.—To be acknowledged.

Reported that drawings and specifications ofthe Ayr life-boat house had been furnished by theHon. Architect, and sent to the station.

Bead letters from Lady C. S., of the 17th and21st Oct., stating that she had decided on present-ing to this Institution the sum of 4002., in aid ofthe cost of two life-boats, one of which she wishedto be placed at Porthcawl, on the Welsh coast, andthe other at Port Bush, on the Coast of Antrim.—To be thanked.

Read letter from A. W. JAFFBAY, Esq., ofSt. Mildred's Court, of the 25th Oct., forwardinga cheque for 360/., in aid of the cost of two life-boats to be stationed at St. Andrew's and Thurso,on the Scotch coast.—To be thanked.

Bead letter from Mr. MONTAGUE GORE, of the15th Oct., stating that he was present on the 14thult., at Brighton, during the launch of the life-boat, and that everything passed off there satis-factorily. '

Bead letter from Mr. JOHN GTJKH, of the ChainPier, Brighton, of the 6th Oct., calling attentionto his plan of life-boat.—To be acknowledged.

Read letter from Captain WREFOBD, B.N., ofHastings, of the 7th Oct., calling attention to theservices of ANDREW EKIFER, one of the crew ofthe Institution's life-boat stationed at Hastings, insaving the life of a lad from drowning whilstbathing off that town. Observing the dangerous.position of the lad, ENIFER ran to the life-boathouse, where he obtained one of the cork jackets,with which he rushed into the surf to the rescueof the boy.—To be acknowledged.

Bead letters from Messrs. PARIS and Co., andMessrs. GIBBS, BRIGHT, and Co., of Liverpool,stating their intention to have contribution-boxesplaced in their offices, in aid of the funds of thisInstitution.—To be thanked.

Bead letters from Mrs. CHADWICK and fromE. W. GARLAND, Esq., forwarding 1001. each, inaid of the funds of this Institution.—To bethanked.

Bead letter from Mr. ANDREW A. BANKEN, ofGreenock, of the 29th Oct., forwarding a donationof 51., in aid of the funds of this Society, andstating his intention to assist in the formation ofa Branch of it at Glasgow.—To be thanked.

Bead letter from the Hon. Secretary of theCullercoats Branch, of the 31st Oct., statingthe necessity of a life-boat at Tynemouth, andexpressing a hope that the Institution wouldsupply one.—Decided that a life-boat and car-riage be supplied to Tynemouth on a suitableopportunity.

Resolved—That an application be made to theCrown for a Charter of Incorporation to THEBOYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Paid 5737. 17s. 4d. for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boat carriages, and life-boat stores. Also500/. to Messrs. FORRESTT for various life-boats.

Voted the Gold Medal of the Institution and 5?.to JOSEPH BODGERS, a Maltese seaman, in acknow-ledgment of his heroic conduct in swimmingashore with a line from the steam ship RoyalCharter, whereby many lives were saved, on theoccasion of the unfortunate wreck of that vessel,during a very heavy gale of wind, on the Angleseycoast, on the night of 25th Oct. last. (See p. 222.)

Voted 8/. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Ber-wick life-boat in putting off and rescuing, duringstormy weather, the crew of 5 men of the schoonerMajestic of Dundee, which was wrecked on SpittalPoint on the 26th Oct. last.

Also 15Z. 13s. to pay the expenses of the Fileylife-boat, for putting off and rescuing the crew of3 men of the sloop George and Mary, of Hull,which was wrecked, during a heavy gale of wind,off Filey, on the 25th Oct. last.

Also 8/. to pay the expenses of the Rhyl tubularlife-boat, for putting off and rescuing the crew of6 men of the schooner Oriental, of Lancaster,which was wrecked, during a gale of wind, off theVoryd Telegraph Station, on the 26th Oct. last.

Also 9J. to pay the expenses of the Aberdoveylife-boat, for putting off and rescuing the crew of4 men of the smack Endeavour, of Portmadoc,which was wrecked, during a gale of wind, offAberdovey, on the 24th Oct.

Also 121. to a fishing-boat's crew of 8 men, forrescuing, after four attempts, the crew of 4 menof the schooner Esther Anne, of Ulverstone, whichwas wrecked, during a very heavy gale of wind,near Bedwharf Bay, Anglesey, on the 26th Oct.The schooner's crew were nearly exhausted whenrescued from their perilous position, having beenin the rigging from 3 A.M. until 2 P.M.

Voted a reward of 31. to 3 men for their assist-ance to two persons who were observed to be indangerous position in a boat, off Dover, on the30th Sept. last.

Also 3/. to two boats' crews, for rescuing thecrew of the Swedish schooner Louise, which waswrecked off Stonehaven, during blowing weather,on the 8th Oct. last.

Also 201. to the crew of 10 men of the Margatelugger Queen, for rescuing the crew of 4 men ofthe steamer Mary Ann, of West Hartlepool, whichstruck on the Northern Belle, off Broadstairs, andafterwards went down, during a heavy gale ofwind, on the 25th Oct. The lugger's crew hadbeen engaged in the service from five o'clock inthe afternoon until three o'clock the morning,and had incurred much risk of life in the per-formance of their intrepid and persevering ser-vices.

Thursday, 1st Dec. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq.,V.P^ F.R.S., in the Chair.

Bead and approved the Minutes of the previousMeeting, and those of the Finance, Correspond-ence, and Wreck and Beward Sub-Committee.

JAOTABY 2, I860.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 233

Elected Admiral Sir THOMAS COCHRANE, K.C.B.,and A. W. J AFFRAY, Esq., Vice-Presidents of theROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, inacknowledgment of their very liberal support toits funds.

Admiral M'HARDY, and the Inspector of Life-Boats, forwarded their report on some experiments,made at the request of the Chairman of the Insti-tution and Lord SHELBURNE, on two occasions,with M. SILAS'S inextinguishable marine lights.—To be thanked. (See p. 222.)

Read letter from Mrs. AUGUSTA PAYNE, ofDalston, forwarding a plan of her life-raft.-—Tobe acknowledged.

Resolved—That the thanks of the Institution,inscribed on vellum, be presented to CHAS. CLIP-FORD, Esq., in acknowledgment of his able andindefatigable exertions in inventing, and bringingto a state of perfection, an improved plan forlowering boats at sea, which is now being broughtinto general use, and through the instrumentalityof which a large number of lives have alreadybeen saved from drowning.

Read letter from JOHN PURVIS, Esq., Hon. Sec.of the St. Andrew's Branch, of the llth Nov.,stating that its affairs were progressing satisfac-torily.

Read letter from Mr. DAVID SINCLAIR, Hon.Sec. of the Thurso Branch, of the 16th Nov.,stating that the people of that locality had readilyaccepted the offer to station a life-boat at thattown, and had promised it their support.

Read letter from Messrs. MACFIE and Sons, ofLiverpool, of the 21st Nov., forwarding a contri-bution of 1807. for a life-boat and her gear, to bestationed on the Scotch coast.—To be thanked.

Read letter from Inspecting Commander M'Do-NALD, R.N., of the 19th Nov., stating the neces-sity of a life-boat at Banff'.—Postponed.

Read letters from the Rev. M. MORGAN, ofConway, and Mr. JOHN JONES, of Llandudno, of12th and 19th Nov., stating the necessity of a life-boat at Llandndno.— Postponed.

Read letter from the Rev. J. B. MORGAN, of2nd Nov., stating the necessity of a life-boat atMilford.—Postponed.

Read an application from several boatmen andpilots at Lerwick respecting the necessity of alife-boat for that locality.—Postponed.

Read letter from Captain WASHINGTON, B.N.,of the 17th Nov., stating that the life-boat stationswould be inserted in the Admiralty charts, assuggested by Captain RYDER, R.N., in his letterof 5th Oct. to the Institution.—To be thanked.

Read letter from the Rev. W. WILLIAMS, Hon.Sec. for the Moelfre Branch, of the 17th Nov.,stating that it was impossible for any life-boat,owing to the terrific character of the gale, tohave rendered any assistance on the occasion ofthe wreck of the Royal Charter.

Reported—That a valuable article on the WreckChart had appeared in the Companion to theAlmanac for the current year.

Also, that an admirable paper had been con-tributed by Sir DAVID BKEWSTER to the NorthBritish Review on life-boats and other appli-ances to save life from shipwreck.

The following are extracts from a letter to acontemporary by T. B. POTTER, Esq., brother ofthe late Sir JOHN POTTER, M.P. for Manchester:—

" You argue, with great truth, that this is not asubject affecting merely those who live next thesea-coast, but that all in these islands are deeplyinterested in lessening, as far as possible, the dan-gers attendant on sea voyages. I believe that theNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has done greatgood, and I think it is well worthy the support ofyour numerous readers in the inland districts ofLancashire and in the West Riding of Yorkshire.It has, too, an advantage over any local scheme ofrewards for gallantry displayed in saving life, in-asmuch as the rewards of a national institutionare more highly prized than those any local bodycould give. I hope your appeal will be success-ful, and I shall be glad to subscribe 501.; or, ifthe matter be properly taken up in our districts, Iwill give 100J., provided twenty others will do thesame. There is one point, in addition, I wouldimpress on those who live far from the sea-coast,viz., that in case of invasion by any foreignpower, the men who will risk their own lives tosave their fellow-creatures from a watery graveby shipwreck are the most likely to performdeeds of heroism in defence of our coast. I wouldnot thus have intruded my name upon you, had Inot here witnessed on several perilous occasionsthe gallantry displayed by the crews of the life-boats, "lam, &c.,

(Signed) « THOMAS B. POTTER." Marine Parade, Brighton,

" 13th ffov., 1859."

Decided—That Mr. POTTER be thanked for hisvaluable co-operation.

Captain LOBO, of the Spanish Navy, forwardedsome copies of his translation into Spanish of thepamphlet on the Management of Boats in HeavySurfs and Broken Water.—To be thanked.

Reported—ThatMesers. MA LCOLMSON, of Water-ford, had with their usual kindness conveyed onboard one of their steamers the Skerries new life-boat and carriage to Dublin. Also the Lizardlife-boat and carriage to Falmouth, whence theboat was conveyed on her carriage to her stationon the 8th Nov.—To be thanked.

Also that a free conveyance had, with the sameusual kindness and readiness, been given to theFowey life-boat by the Great Western, Bristoland .Exeter, and South Devon and Cornwall Rail-way Companies. —To be thanked.

Read letter from Rev. G. S. WARD, of Mag-dalen Hall, Oxford, of the 1st Nov., requestingfurther information relative to the method of theInstitution, founded on Dr. Marshall Hall's, forRestoring the Apparently Drowned, as he was de-sirous to make the same known in Oxford and itsneighbourhood. Mr. WARD had had the Instruc-tions printed and circulated there at his ownexpense.—To be thanked, and ordered the in-formation to be furnished.

Read letter from Lieut. PARKES, R.N., MarineSurveyor of the Liverpool Dock Trustees," of the23rd Nov., stating that the Trustees had decidedto have a 32 ft. life-boat built on the plan adopted

234 THE LIFE-BOAT. [JANTJAEY 2, 1860.

by this Institution, and requesting that the Com-mittee would order such a life-boat to be built byMessrs. FOBRESTT on their behalf.—Decided thata life-boat be accordingly ordered of Messrs.FORRESTT.

Read letter from COLLINS BEES, Esq., of theDepartment of Ports and Harbours, Victoria, ofthe 16th Sept., stating that the government ofthat colony had built five life-boats on the planof the life-boats of this Institution, according tothe drawings sent to them. They had also pro-vided three stations, with the mortar and rocketapparatus. One of the life-boats stationed atPortland had been instrumental in saving thecrew and passengers of the steam-ship AdmeUa,which was wrecked on West Cape Rocks, on the6th Aug. last. He requested to be furnished withany additional information on the operations ofthis Institution, and stated that Captain FER-GUSON, Harbour Master of Victoria, had been in-defatigable in his exertions in the good work.—Ordered the information required to be furnished,and to express the gratification of the Committeewith the work that had been commenced in thecolony.

Bead letter from Mr. CROWSON, brewer, ofOakham, Rutland, of the 25th Nov., stating thathe was about to solicit the inhabitants of Rut-land to contribute the cost of a life-boat to thisInstitution, and adding that he hoped that theexample of the smallest county in England wouldbe followed by some of the largest.—To be thanked.

fa.id.660l. 3s. lOd. for the Lizard life-boat house,and for sundry charges on life-boats, life-boatcarriages, &c.

Voted 14J.10«. to pay the expenses of the Pake-field life-boat, for putting off with the view ofrescuing the crew of the schooner Silva, of Glas-gow, which was wrecked on Corton Sands, daringa heavy gale, on the 26th Oct. last.

Also 14*. 10*. to pay the expenses of Lowestoftlife-boat which had approached the above wreckat the same time. The schooner's ciew of 4hands were taken on board by it and afterwardssafely landed.

Also 14?. 10*. to pay the expenses of the Lowes-toft life-boat, for putting off and rescuing thecrew of 5 men of the schooner Lord Douglas, ofDundee, which was wrecked off Corton Beach,during a heavy gale of wind, on the 26th Oct.—While returning to the shore with the wreckedcrew on board, the violence of the gale had splittile boat's foresail, which compelled the crew torun on Corton Beach, where the rescued menwere safely placed. After having procuredanother sail, and partly changed the boat's crew,she again proceeded off to the rescue of the crewof the schooner Silva, as detailed above.

Also 242. to pay the expenses of the Pakefieldlife-boat for putting off with the view of ren-dering assistance to the French schooner LaJeune Mathilde, of Caen, which was wreckednear the Lowestoft South Pier Head, during aheavy gale, on the night of the 31st Oct.; butowing to the shallowness of the water, the life-boat was unable to get near the vessel, and

being in danger of having their boat destroyedby the heavy seas, the crew were compelled torun into the harbour for safety. The crew wereafterwards saved by a boat, as detailed below.

Also 12/. to 6 men of the Pakefield life-boat'screw for putting off in a punt and rescuing thecrew of 5 men of the French schooner La JeuneMathilde, of Caen, which was stranded near theLowestoft South Pier Head, on the night of the31st Oct. last.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution toR. HOOK, FRANCIS SMITH, JAMES BUTCHER, RICH-ARD BOTCHER, WILLIAM ROSE, ALFRED MEWSE,and THOMAS LIFFEN, for their general gallantservices in the Lowestoft life-boat in saving lifefrom shipwrecks, and particularly for putting offin that boat, and rescuing, during a heavy galeof wind, the crew of 14 men of the steamer Sham-rock, of Dublin, which was totally wrecked on thesouth end of the Holm Sands, on the 1st Nov. last.Also 247. to pay the expenses of the boat on thatoccasion.

Also III. 1*. to pay the expenses of the Tenbylife-boat which had put off, manned by Lieut, theHon. R. F. BOYLE, R.N.. and a crew of 12 men, andrescued the crew of 3 men of the smack Bruce, ofMilford, which was wrecked during a heavy galeof wind near Tenby, on the 1st Nov. last.

Also the Silver Medal to Lieut, the Hon. R,. F.BOYLE, R.N.; the second-service clasp to ROBERTPABROTT, coxswain; and 12/. 16*. to pay the ex-penses of the Tenby life-boat for putting off tothe assistance of the brig Policy, of Sunderland,which was wrecked during a heavy gale withsqualls of hail on the Monkstone Rocks, nearTenby, on the night of the 6th Nov. last. "Whilein the act of saving the shipwrecked crew, thecable of the life-boat parted, which compelled herto return to the shore. The men were afterwardssaved by the crew of the life-boat by means of therocket apparatus.

Also 111. 0*. 6rf. to pay the expenses of the Win-terton life-boat in putting off aad rescuing 1 manfrom the brig Cuba, of Whitby, which was totallywrecked opposite Winterton Light, at midnight,on the 25th inst.

Also 102. 2s. 6d. to pay the expenses of theBraunton life-boat for putting off and rescuingthe crew of 6 men of the brig North Eske, of Sun-derland, which was •wrecked during a hurricaneon Braunton Sands on the 2nd Nov. last.

Also 122; 12*. to pay the expenses of the Whit-burn new life-boat, for 'putting off with the viewof rescuing the crew of 5 men of the schoonerAnton, of Denmark, which was stranded on therocks off Whitburn on the 2nd Nov. The vessel'screw had previously been, taken off by the Whit-burn old life-boat, which also belonged to thisInstitution.

Also the thanks of the Institution to the Rev. O.LL. WILLIAMS, and 61. to pay the expenses of theBarmouth life-boat in putting off and renderingimportant assistance to the American ship Troy,cotton laden, which had grounded daring hazyweather on Sarn Badrig causeway. The life-boat'screw had also received salvage for this service.


Also 121. to pay the expenses of the Institution'slife-boat, at Castletown, for putting off during agale of wind and rescuing 4 of the crew of thebarque Ohio, of Liverpool, which was wrecked inCastletown Bay on the night of the 19th Nov.last.

Also 51. to a number of men for assisting, bymeans of eliff-laders, in saving the crew, consistingof 3 men, of the schooner Diligence, of Whitby,which was wrecked off that place on the 29thOct. last. Also 21. to a boat's crew of 4 men forputting off with the view of saving the crew ofthe said vessel.

Voted the Silver Medal and 11. to PETER SMITH,chief boatman of the Lydd Coastguard station,and 52. to his crew of 5 men, for saving the masterand some of the crew of the Norwegian brig Caro-line, which wag wrecked during a heavy gale ofwind, off Lydd, on the 25th Oat. last.

Also the Silver Medal and 32. to CHARLESMITCHELL, and 152. to two boats' crews, for put-ting off, at great risk, on three occasions, andrescuing the crew of 4 men of the stoop Susy,of New Quay, which, during a very heavy galeof wind, was wrecked off Port Isaac on the 25thOctober last. MITCHELL displayed on these occa-sions undaunted courage and perseverance.

Also the Silver Medal to JAMES THOMAS, andthe thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum,to f. REUDI.E, F. WHEELER, and H. WHEEJDER, inacknowledgment of their highly meritorious ser-vices in assisting with others to rescue, by wadinginto the surf, the crew of 6 men of the schoonerLelia, of London, which was wrecked, during agale of wind, on Rocken End, Isle of Wight, onthe 1st Nov. last. They had in addition receiveda local reward. THOMAS particularly distin-guished himself on the occasion by his gallantry.

Also 82. to a boat's crew of 4 pilots, forrescuing,at some risk of life, the crew of 3 men of thesmack Peace, of Brixham, which, during a heavygale of wind, was wrecked off Lundy Island on thenight of the 1st Nov. last.

Reported—The services of the Institution's newsurf life-boat at Yarmouth, in putting off andsaving the brig John, of Shields, and her crewof 7 men, which was in distress off Yarmouth onthe 25th Oct. last. Also that the same life-boathad put off, during a gale of wind, and rescued thecrew of 5 men of the schooner Ferona, of Exeter,which was wrecked off the Monument on the 5thNov. last. The owners had paid the life-boat'screw for both services.

Voted a reward of 62. to a boat's crew of 6 men,for rescuing the crew of the schooner Fame, ofMaldon, which came into collision off Caistor, nearYarmouth, on the 8th Nov. last.

Also 62. to a boat's crew of 6 men, for puttingoff in a boat, and rescuing the masters of theschooner Elizabeth, of Rochester, and the brigParagon, of Stockton, which were wrecked duringa gale of wind on Yarmouth Beach on the 25thOct. last. The crews of the vessels bod previouslylanded in their own boats.

Also 22. to a boat's crew, for going off andsaving a man, whose boat had sunk off Fowey onthe 16th Nov. last.

Also 22. to 2 men for wading into the surf to theassistance of the crew of 6 men of the schoonerKingston, of Cork, which was wrecked underPenarth Head on the 25th Oct. last.

Also 18/. to a Bacton yawl's crew of 18 men, forputting off and rescuing 4 out of 5 of the crew ofa fishing-smack which was wrecked off Bacton onthe 27th Nov. last. The poor men had been inthe rigging without food or drink 60 hours, beforethey were rescued from the mast of a sunkenvessel, to which they had been clinging for morethan sixty hours. For three nights and two daysthey held on this uncertain support—about eightfeet above the raging sea—without food and almostwithout clothing. One of the men took off hisshirt and held it out as a signal of distress till itwas blown from his feeble grasp. The vesselstruck upon the Harborongh Sand on Fridayevening, at nine p.m. and they were not rescuedtill ten o'clock on Monday morning—a case ofmost remarkable endurance. It was but a smallvessel, a smack with four hands; the fourth, aboy, climbed the mast with the others and heldon till the Saturday, when he became exhausted,and relaxing his hold, slipped down into the sea.One of the men went down after him, seized himand dragged him up the mast again, but there wasnothing to which to lash him, and no crosstrees orspars on which to rest, so that during the night,when almost' senseless with cold and fatigue, thepoor boy slipped down again, and was lost in thedarkness. On Sunday they were tantalised withthe hope of immediate succour. A vessel sawtheir signals and heard their cries, and sent a boatto their relief, but, after buffeting with the windand tide, they had the mortification to gee hergive up the attempt and return to the vessel.Then it was that black despair took possession ofthem, and they gave themselves up for lost; butclinging to their frail support for an hour or twolonger, they heard a gun fire. This gave themfresh courage, for they took it to be a signal, as infact it was, that their cade was known, and anattempt would be made to save them. The vesselstood in and communicated with the shore, and aboat put off to search for them; but they weresuch a speck on the ocean, that, night coming on,they could not be seen, and the boat returned toshore. For the third night, therefore, they hadstill to cling on, expecting every moment that themast would go over and' bury them in the deep.On the Monday morning the Bacton boat madeanother attempt, fell in with them at ten o'clock,and landed them at Palling, more dead than alive,whence, as soon as they could be moved, theywere brought to the Yarmouth Sailors' Home, theirswollen limbs, benumbed frames, and ghastlycountenances testifying to the Bufferings they hadundergone. At this Home the poor men remainedseveral weeks, receiving every attention from theofficers of the establishment.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTIONPatroness—HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

President— VICE-ADMIRAL His GRACE THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., F.R.S.

Chairman— THOMAS BARING, ESQ., M.P., V.P. Chairman of Lloyd's.

Dep.-Chairman—THOMAS CHAPMAN, ESQ., F.R.S., V.P. Chairman of Lloyd's Registerof British and Foreign Shipping Society.

APPEAL.THE Committee of this Institution earnestly appeal to the Public for assistance to aid them to meetthe heavy and increasing demands on its limited funds.

The Society has, at the present time, Ninety-six Life-boat Establishments in connection with it,and others are in course of formation at the Isle of Wight, North Berwick, and other places.

The following are extracts from the General Rules of Management of the Life-boat Stations:—" Each Life-boat to have a Coxswain Superintendent, with a fixed Salary of 8;. a-year." The Life-boat to be regularly taken afloat for exercise once every quarter, fully manned and

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