Preface [vii-viii]
[vii] In the following pages the writer has endeavoured to give a brief account of the origin and history, as well as of the principles of construction, of the lifeboat. He has also presented the reader with instances illustrative of the services rendered to shipwrecked persons by the brave men who form the crews of the lifeboats, and who are ever ready, by night as well as by day, to risk their lives in the attempt to save those of others. If there be one subject rather than another which should commend itself to the sympathy of the British people, it surely must be the safety of those who carry the commerce of the country on every sea. But notwithstanding the noble exertions of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the roll of disaster yearly grows longer, calling for increased support from the generosity of the public. It is to be hoped that this support will not be withheld, and that the Institution will be enabled to add new boats to its already expensive fleet. The writer begs to acknowledge the assistance he [viii] has received in his task of writing this little work from the Journal of the National Lifeboat Institution, which was kindly lent for that purpose. He hopes that the perusal of these pages may be the humble means of extending the support which that splendid Institution receives from the charity of the public. The expenses it has to meet are annually growing larger owing to the extension of our shipping, and thus there is an increasing necessity for contributions. And surely no better interest can be obtained for money than the satisfaction of reflecting that it has been instrumental in the saving of human life, or in rescuing our fellow-creatures from suffering.
Contents
IntroductionWhat led to the invention of the lifeboat – Great number of wrecks on the British coasts – Lionel Lukin’s boat – Apathy of the public – Wreck of the “Adventure” – Models of lifeboat called for – Woodhave’s principle of self-righting – Greathead’s Boat – Wreck of the “Meanwell” – Greathead’s services recognized – Sir William Hillary – His appeal – Foundation of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – Wreck of the “St. George” – Palmer’s lifeboats 11
Chapter I
The modern lifeboat and its construction – Difference between a lifeboat and ordinary boats – Great buoyancy: how secured – Lateral stability: how secured – Ballast: different kinds – Propulsion of lifeboats – Lifeboat equipment – Method of transporting lifeboats – Launching of lifeboats 26
Chapter II
Rocket apparatus – Its necessity – Details of apparatus – Method of using – Lieutenant Very’s night signals – Experiments to determine comparative merits of mortar and rocket apparatus – American metallic car – Wreck of the “Ayrshire” 41
Chapter III
The lifeboat at work in mid-ocean – Rescue of the crew of a waterlogged barque in the Atlantic by the lifeboat of the Cunard Steamer “Parthia” – Wreck of the “Duke of Sutherland” in Aberdeen harbour 52
Chapter IV
Wreck of the “Indian Chief” – Dreadful sufferings of the survivors – Heroic conduct of lifeboat-men 77
Chapter V
Wreck of the steamer “Stanley” off Tynemouth – Services of the “Constance” lifeboat – Narrative of the Coxswain 112
Chapter VI
Wreck of the whaler “Mazinthien” in Peterhead South Bay – Rescue by the rocket apparatus 124
Chapter VII
Destruction of the passenger steamer “Austria” by fire – Great loss of life – Twenty-three lives saved by steamer’s lifeboat 135
Chapter VIII
A noble rescue – Wreck of the “Devon” on the Brissons, Cape Cornwell – The rocket apparatus at work 144
Chapter IX
Rescue by the rocket apparatus off the Brissons, Cape Cornwell 151
Chapter X
Wreck of the “Killarney” off the coast of Cork – Failure of Manby’s mortar to throw a line to survivors – Terrible sufferings – Ingenious device of Mr. Hull – Manby’s cot utilized – Rescue of the survivors 162
Chapter XI
Increase of shipwrecks on the British coast – Wreck of the “Providentia” on the Goodwin Sands – Terrible scenes 190
Chapter XII
Deal Beach – The Goodwin Sands – Wreck of the “Linda” – A night of horrors – The lifeboat unsuccessful – Awful sufferings of the survivors – lifeboat capsized – Saved at last 210