The Lifeboat Part 37

This n.o.ble Inst.i.tution--now named THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSt.i.tUTION--was founded on the 4th of March, 1824. From that date to the present time it has unremittingly carried out the great ends for which it was inst.i.tuted.

Let us glance at these in detail, as given in their publication, _The Lifeboat Journal_.

The objects of the Inst.i.tution are effected--

"_1st_, By the stationing of lifeboats, fully equipped, with all necessary gear and means of security to those who man them, and with transporting carriages on which they can be drawn by land to the neighbourhood of distant wrecks, and by the erection of suitable houses in which the same are kept.

"_2nd_, By the appointment of paid c.o.xswains, who have charge of, and are held responsible for, the good order and efficiency of the boats, and by a quarterly exercise of the crew of each boat.

"_3rd_, By a liberal remuneration of all those who risk their lives in going to the aid of wrecked persons, whether in lifeboats or otherwise; and by the rewarding with the gold or silver medal of the Inst.i.tution such persons as encounter great personal risk in the saving of life.

"_4th_, By the superintendence of an honorary committee of residents in each locality, who, on their part, undertake to collect locally what amount they are able of donations towards the first cost, and of annual contributions towards the permanent expenses of their several establishments."

In order to see how this work is, and has been, carried out, let us look at the results, as stated in the last annual report, that for 1864.

The lifeboats of the Inst.i.tution now number 132, and some of them were the means of saving no fewer than 417 lives during the past year; nearly the whole of them in dangerous circ.u.mstances, amidst high surfs, when no other description of boats could have been launched with safety. They also took into port, or materially a.s.sisted, 17 vessels, which might otherwise have been lost. The number of persons afloat in the boats on occasions of their being launched was 6,000. In other words, our army of coast-heroes amounts, apparently, to that number. But in reality it is much larger, for there are hundreds of willing volunteers all round the coast ready to man lifeboats, if there were lifeboats to man.

Although nearly every man of this 6000 risked his life again and again during the year, not a single life was lost.

Nearly all these boats have been supplied with transporting carriages and boat-houses by the Inst.i.tution. The cost in detail is as follows:--

+===========================+==========+ Lifeboat and her equipments 300 pounds +---------------------------+----------+ Transporting carriage 100 pounds +---------------------------+----------+ Boat-house (average cost) 150 pounds +---------------------------+----------+ Total 550 pounds +===========================+==========+

The sums granted last year for the saving of 714 lives by lifeboats, sh.o.r.e-boats, etcetera, amounted to nearly 1,300 pounds (about 1 pound 16 shillings 6 pence each life!) Fifteen silver medals and twenty-six votes of thanks, inscribed on vellum and parchment, were also awarded for acts of extraordinary gallantry.

The income of the Inst.i.tution in 1863 amounted to 21,100 pounds.

Fifteen new lifeboats were sent to various parts of the coast in that year.

It is interesting to observe in the report the persons by whom donations are sometimes given to the Inst.i.tution. We read of "100 pounds from a sailor's daughter"; and "100 pounds as a thank-offering for preservation at sea, during the storm of 31st October last." Another thank-offering of 20 pounds, "for preservation from imminent danger at sea," appears in the list. "100 pounds from `a friend,' in grat.i.tude to G.o.d for the preservation of his wife for another year"; and "20 pounds from a seaman's daughter, the produce of her needle-work." Among smaller sums we find 1 pound, 6 shillings, 9 pence collected in a Sunday school; 3 pounds, 18 shillings, 8 pence collected in a parish church, as a New Year's offering. Last, and least in one sense, though by no means least in another, 1 shilling, 6 pence in stamps, from a sailor's orphan child!

The prayer naturally springs to one's lips, G.o.d bless that dear orphan child! but it has been already blessed with two of G.o.d's choicest gifts,--a sympathetic heart and an open hand.

Small sums like this are not in any sense to be despised. If the population of London alone--taking it at two millions--were individually to contribute 1 shilling, 6 pence, the sum would amount to 150,000 pounds! Why, if everyone whose eye falls on this page--to descend to smaller numbers--were to give a shilling, it is not improbable that a sum would be raised sufficient to establish two lifeboats! [See Note 1.]

But there are those who, besides being blessed with generous hearts, are fortunate in possessing heavy purses. We find in the same report donations of from two hundred to two thousand pounds, and legacies ranging from ten to a thousand pounds. The largest legacy that seems ever to have been bequeathed to the Inst.i.tution was that of 10,000 pounds, left in 1856 by Captain Hamilton Fitzgerald, R.N., one of the vice-presidents of the Society.

The mere mention of such sums may induce some to imagine that the coffers of the Inst.i.tution are in a very flourishing state. This would indeed be the case if the Society had reached its culminating point--if everything were done that can be done for the preservation of life from shipwreck; but this is by no means the case. It must be borne in mind that the Inst.i.tution is national. The entire coasts of the United Kingdom are its field of operations, and the drain upon its resources is apparently quite equal to its income. Its chief means of support are voluntary contributions.

Since the Society was inst.i.tuted, in 1824, to the present time, it has been the means of saving 13,570 lives!--many, if not most, of these being lives of the utmost consequence to the commerce and defence of the country. During the same period, it has granted 82 gold medals, 736 silver medals, and 17,830 pounds in cash; besides expending 82,550 pounds on boats, carriages, and boat-houses.

Considering, then, the magnitude and unavoidable costliness of the operations of this Inst.i.tution, it is evident that a large annual income is indispensable, if it is to continue its n.o.ble career efficiently.

Closely allied to this is another society which merits brief notice here. It is the "Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society." Originally this Society, which was inst.i.tuted in 1839, maintained lifeboats on various parts of the coast. It eventually, however, made these over to the Lifeboat Inst.i.tution, and confined itself to its own special and truly philanthropic work, which is--

To board, lodge, and convey to their homes, all dest.i.tute, shipwrecked persons, to whatever country they may belong, through the instrumentality of its agents. To afford temporary a.s.sistance to the widows, parents, and children of all mariners and fishermen who may have been drowned, and who were members of the Society; and to give a gratuity to mariners and fishermen, who are members, for the loss or damage of their clothes or boats. Membership is obtained by an annual subscription of three shillings.

a.s.suredly every mariner and fisherman in the kingdom ought to be a member of this Society, for it is pre-eminently useful, and no one can tell when he may require its a.s.sistance.

The Lifeboat Inst.i.tution and the Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners'

Society are distinct bodies, but they do their benevolent work in harmonious concert. The one saves life, or tries to save it; the other cherishes the life so saved, or comforts and affords timely aid to broken-hearted mourners for the dead.

Both Inst.i.tutions are national blessings, and as such have the strongest possible claim on the sympathies of the nation.

Note 1. In case any reader should sympathise with us, and desire to act on the above hint, we subjoin the following address, to which money may be sent: The Secretary of the Royal National Lifeboat Inst.i.tution, 22 Charing Cross Road, London, W.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

A MEETING--A DEATH, AND A DISCOVERY.

Resuming our story, we remind the reader that we left off just as the Ramsgate lifeboat had gained a glorious victory over a great storm.

Availing ourselves of an author's privilege, we now change the scene to the parlour of Mrs Foster's temporary lodgings at Ramsgate, whither the worthy lady had gone for change of air, in company with her son Guy, her daughter-in-law Lucy, her little grandson Charlie, and her adopted daughter Amy Russell.

Bax is standing there alone. He looks like his former self in regard to costume, for the only man approaching his own size, who could lend him a suit of dry clothing, happened to be a boatman, so he is clad in the familiar rough coat with huge b.u.t.tons, the wide pantaloons, and the sou'-wester of former days. His countenance is changed, however; it is pale and troubled.

On the way up from the harbour Guy had told him that he was married, and was surprised when Bax, instead of expressing a desire to be introduced to his wife, made some wild proposal about going and looking after the people who had been saved! He was pleased, however, when Bax suddenly congratulated him with great warmth, and thereafter said, with much firmness, that he would go up to the house and see her. On this occasion, also, Bax had told his friend that all the produce of his labour since he went away now lay buried in the Goodwin Sands.

Bax was ruminating on these things when the door opened, and Guy entered, leading Lucy by the hand.

"Miss Burton!" exclaimed Bax, springing forward.

"My _wife_," said Guy, with a puzzled look.

"Bax!" exclaimed Lucy, grasping his hand warmly and kissing it; "surely you knew that I was married to Guy?"

Bax did not reply. His chest heaved, his lips were tightly compressed, and his nostrils dilated, as he gazed alternately at Guy and Lucy. At last he spoke in deep, almost inaudible tones:

"Miss Russell--is she still--"

"My sister is still with us. I have told her you are come. She will be here directly," said Guy.

As he spoke the door opened, and Mrs Foster entered, with Amy leaning on her arm. The latter was very pale, and trembled slightly. On seeing Bax the blood rushed to her temples, and then fled back to her heart.

She sank on a chair. The sailor was at her side in a moment; he caught her as she was in the act of falling, and going down on one knee, supported her head on his shoulder.

"Bring water, she has fainted," he cried. "Dear Miss Russell!--dearest Amy!--oh my beloved girl, look up."

Stunned and terrified though poor Mrs Foster was, as she rushed about the room in search of water and scent-bottles, she was taken aback somewhat by the warmth of these expressions, which Bax, in the strength of his feelings, and the excitement of the moment, uttered quite unconsciously. Guy was utterly confounded, for the truth now for the first time flashed upon him, and when he beheld his friend tenderly press his lips on the fair forehead of the still insensible Amy, it became clear beyond a doubt. Lucy was also amazed, for although she was aware of Amy's love for Bax, she had never dreamed that it was returned.

Suddenly Guy's pent-up surprise and excitement broke forth. Seizing Mrs Foster by the shoulders, he stared into her face, and said, "Mother, I have been an a.s.s! an absolute donkey!--and a blind one, too.

Oh!--ha! come along, I'll explain myself. Lucy, I shall require your a.s.sistance."

Without more ado Guy led his mother and Lucy forcibly out of the room, and Bax and Amy were left alone.

Again we change the scene. The Sandhills lying to the north of Deal are before us, and the shadows of night are beginning to deepen over the bleak expanse of downs. A fortnight has pa.s.sed away.