the City of London Tavern, on Thursday, the 12th of February, 1824._
Thomas Wilson, Esq. M.P. was called to the Chair.
Resolved unanimously,
That this Meeting, taking into consideration the frequent loss of human
life by shipwreck, and believing that by the preconcerted exertions of
practical men, and the adoption of practical means, such calamities
might often be averted, are of opinion that a National Institution
should be formed (to be supported by voluntary donations and
subscriptions) for the preservation of life in cases of shipwreck on the
coasts of the united kingdom; for affording such immediate assistance to
the persons rescued, as their necessities may require; for conferring
rewards on those who preserve their fellow-creatures from destruction;
and for granting relief to the destitute families of any who may
unfortunately perish in their attempts to save the lives of others.
Resolved unanimously,
That, with a view to the formation of such an Institution, a general
Meeting of the Nobility, Gentry, Merchants, Traders, and others, be
convened for Wednesday, the 25th instant, at twelve for one o'clock
precisely, or such other day as may be found more convenient.
Resolved unanimously,
That the following be a provisional Committee in the interim, with power
to add to their number.
THOMAS WILSON, Esq. M.P. Chairman.
Henry Baring, Esq. M.P.
Vice-Admiral Lord Amelius Beauclerk, K.C.B.
John Blackburn, Esq.
Henry Blanchard, Esq.
John William Buckle, Esq.
James Cazenove, jun. Esq.
Simon Cock, Esq.
Captain J. W. Deans Dundas, R.N.
David C. Guthrie, Esq.
Samuel Gurney, Esq.
George Hibbert, Esq.
Sir William Hillary, Bart.
Samuel Hoare, Esq.
George Lyall, Esq.
Rev. H. H. Norris.
John Clark Powell, Esq.
Joseph Pulley, Esq.
John Vincent Purrier, Esq.
Christopher Richardson, jun. Esq.
Benjamin Shaw, Esq.
Right Honourable Lord Suffield.
Christopher Tenant, Esq.
Mr. Alderman Thompson, M.P.
William Vaughan, Esq.
Joshua Walker, Esq. M.P.
Joshua Watson, Esq.
Thomas Wilkinson, Esq.
George Frederick Young, Esq.
Resolved unanimously,
That the thanks of this Meeting be given to Sir William Hillary, Bart.
for his exertions in bringing this interesting subject before the
Meeting, and for his assistance in its deliberations.
Mr. Wilson having left the chair,
It was resolved unanimously,
That the best thanks of this Meeting be given to Thomas Wilson, Esq. for
his able conduct in the chair, and for his zeal in the support of the
objects in contemplation.
No. III.
ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTION
FOR
THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE FROM SHIPWRECK.
_LONDON, MARCH 4, 1824._
PATRON--THE KING.
Vice-Patrons.
His Royal Highness the Duke of York.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.
His Royal Highness Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg.
PRESIDENT--The Earl of Liverpool, K.G.
Vice-Presidents.
His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury.
His Grace the Archbishop of York.
His Grace the Duke of St. Alban's.
The Most Noble the Marquis of Lansdowne.
The Most Noble the Marquis of Hertford, K.G. Vice-Admiral of Cornwall,
and of the Coast of Suffolk.
The Most Noble the Marquis of Camden, K.G.
The Right Hon. the Earl Spencer, K.G.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Craven.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Lonsdale, K.G.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby.
The Right Hon. Earl Brownlow.
The Right Hon. Lord Amelius Beauclerk, K.C.B.
The Right Hon. Lord John Russell, M.P.
The Right Hon. Viscount Torrington.
The Right Hon. Viscount Melville, K.T.
The Right Hon. Viscount Exmouth, G.C.B.
The Lord Bishop of London.
The Lord Bishop of Durham.
The Lord Bishop of Chester, now Bath and Wells.
The Lord Bishop of Bristol.
The Right Hon. Lord Suffield.
The Right Hon. Lord Braybrooke.
The Right Hon. Lord Amherst, Governor-General of India.
The Right Hon. Lord Stowell.
The Right Hon. Robert Peel.
The Right Hon. George Canning.
The Right Hon. Frederick John Robinson.
The Right Hon. William Huskisson.
Sir William Hillary, Bart.
Sir Claude Scott, Bart.
Sir Charles Forbes, Bart. M.P.
William Haldimand, Esq. M.P.
George Hibbert, Esq.
William Manning, Esq. M.P.
The Chairman of the Hon. East India Company.
The Deputy Master of Trinity House.
The Chairman for Lloyd's.
N. M. Rothschild, Esq.
John Smith, Esq. M.P.
Joshua Walker, Esq. M.P.
Joshua Watson, Esq.
Thomas Wilkinson, Esq.
Thomas Wilson, Esq. M.P.
Central Committee.
Thomas Wilson, Esq. M.P. Chairman.
Captain Astley, R.N.
Henry Blanchard, Esq.
Richardson Borradaile, Esq.
Captain William Bowles, R.N.
John William Buckle, Esq.
John Capel, Esq.
David Carruthers, Esq.
James Cazenove, jun. Esq.
Jonathan Chapman, Esq.
G. R. Clarke, Esq.
Simon Cock, Esq.
William Cotton, Esq.
Captain Ed. Henry a'Court, R.N. M.P.
Captain C. C. Dansey, R.A.
John Deacon, Esq.
Captain Joseph Dowson.
Captain Deans Dundas, R.N.
Captain John Foulerton.
Charles Francis, Esq.
James Halford, Esq.
Edward Hurry, Esq.
Captain John Locke, H.C.S.
Edward Hawke Locker, Esq.
George Lyall, Esq.
W. A. Madocks, Esq. M.P.
John Marshall, Esq.
John Petty Muspratt, Esq.
John Clark Powell, Esq.
John D. Powles, Esq.
Joseph Pulley, Esq.
John Vincent Purrier, Esq.
Christoper Richardson, jun. Esq.
Captain R. Saumarez, R.N. K.L.
Thomas Snodgrass, Esq.
Christopher Tennant, Esq.
Mr. Alderman Thompson, M.P.
Mr. Alderman Venables.
John Wild, Esq.
H. S. H. Wollaston, Esq.
George Frederick Young, Esq.
Treasurer.
William Sikes, Esq. 5, Mansion House Street.
Trustees.
Thomas Wilson, Esq. M.P.
James Cazenove, jun. Esq.
John Clark Powell, Esq.
Auditors.
Timothy A. Curtis, Esq.
Henry Sikes, Esq.
Mr. Alderman Thompson, M.P.
Secretary.
Thomas Edwards, Esq.
Office of the Institution, No. 12, Austin Friars, London.
At a Public Meeting of Noblemen, Gentlemen, Merchants, and others, held
at the City of London Tavern, this day,
His Grace the ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY in the Chair,
The following resolutions were passed unanimously:--
I. Upon the motion of his Grace; seconded by Captain Bowles, R.N.--That
an Institution be now formed for the Preservation of Life in cases of
Shipwreck on the Coasts of the United Kingdom, to be supported by
donations and annual subscriptions; and to be called the "National
Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck."
II. Moved by W. Wilberforce, Esq. M.P.; seconded by Captain Deans
Dundas, R.N.--That medallions or pecuniary rewards be given to those who
rescue lives in cases of shipwreck.
III. Moved by the Lord Bishop of London; seconded by Mr. Alderman
Bridges, M.P.--That such immediate assistance be afforded to persons
rescued as their necessities may require.
IV. Moved by the Lord Bishop of Chester; seconded by William Manning,
Esq. M.P.--That relief be supplied to the widows and families of persons
who may unfortunately perish in their attempts to save the lives of
others.
V. Moved by Captain John Foulerton;--seconded by Mr. Alderman
Venables,--That the subjects of all nations be equally objects of the
Institution, as well in war as in peace; that the same rewards be given
for their rescue as for British subjects; and that foreigners saved from
shipwreck, and being in a state of destitution, be placed under the care
of the consuls or other accredited agents of their own nations, or be
forwarded to their respective countries.
VI. Moved by Joshua Walker, Esq. M.P.; seconded by John William Buckle,
Esq.--That medallions be conferred on the authors of such inventions for
the preservation of lives, in cases of shipwreck, as shall be most
effectual for that purpose.
VII. Moved by Matthias Attwood, Esq. M.P.; seconded by Thomas
Wilkinson, Esq.--That the Institution be established in London, and be
conducted by a patron, vice-patrons, a president, vice-presidents,
governors, forty committeemen, a treasurer, three trustees, three
auditors, a secretary, and assistants.
VIII. Moved by John Blades, Esq.; seconded by John Marshall, Esq.--That
the committee be denominated the "London Central Committee," and do
continue to act for the first two years; and that after the expiration
of that term, an election of six new members take place at each annual
meeting, in the room of the six who shall be found to have attended the
fewest number of times in the preceding year: and that the vice-patrons,
president, vice-presidents, and treasurer, be also members of the
committee.
IX. Moved by Joseph Pulley, Esq.; seconded by John Atkins, jun.
Esq.--That donations and annual subscriptions be now entered into, and
solicited, for carrying the objects of this Institution into effect.
X. Moved by Captain Manby; seconded by Thomas Shirley Gooch, Esq.
M.P.--That maritime counties or districts, the principal sea ports, and
the inland counties of the united kingdom, and the British isles, be
earnestly invited to form district associations, as branches of this
Institution, for the purpose of promoting donations and subscriptions,
and for assisting to carry its general objects into effect.
XI. Moved by Captain Richard Saumarez, R.N.; seconded by Christopher
Richardson, jun. Esq.--That it be recommended to such district
associations, that their affairs be managed in conformity with the
principles of the London central committee, and that their committees do
consist of a chairman, and such other members as they may deem
expedient.
XII. Moved by Mr. Alderman Bridges, M.P.; seconded by David Carruthers,
Esq.--That the committee be empowered to form rules, regulations, and
by-laws, for the government of the Institution, which are to be
submitted to the next general meeting.
XIII. Moved by Quarles Harris, Esq.; seconded by James Cazenove,
Esq.--That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the
ambassadors, consuls, or other representatives of foreign states,
resident in this country.
XIV. Moved by Sir Charles Flower, Bart.; seconded by William Walcot,
Esq.--That his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury be requested to convey
to the King's most gracious Majesty, the deep and grateful sense which
this Meeting entertains of the distinguished honour which his Majesty
has conferred upon the Institution in becoming its patron.
XV. Moved by Captain Deans Dundas, R.N.; seconded by John Wilson,
Esq.--That the grateful thanks of this Meeting be respectfully offered
to their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of York, Clarence, Sussex, and
Gloucester, and Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg, for their readiness to
become the vice-patrons of the Institution.
XVI. Moved by John William Buckle, Esq.; seconded by John Vincent
Purrier, Esq.--That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Earl of
Liverpool, for his acceptance of the presidency of the Institution.
XVII. Moved by William Cotton, Esq.; seconded by Jonathan Chapman,
Esq.--That the thanks of this Meeting be also given to his Grace the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other noble and distinguished
personages who have accepted the office of vice-presidents of the
Institution.
XVIII. Moved by George Lyall, Esq.; seconded by Thos. Wilson, Esq.
M.P.--That the best thanks of this Meeting are due to Sir William
Hillary, Bart. for his patriotic efforts in bringing this subject before
the public, and for his zealous endeavours to promote the establishment
of the Institution.
XIX. Moved by Thomas Wilkinson, Esq.; seconded by Thomas Maltby,
Esq.--That copies of the resolutions entered into this day be
transmitted to the Admiralty, to the Trinity House, and to Lloyd's; and
that copies of the resolutions be published in several of the provincial
papers.
XX. Moved by John William Buckle, Esq.; seconded by Sir Charles Flower,
Bart.--That the warmest thanks of this Meeting be presented to Thomas
Wilson, Esq. M.P. for his humane, zealous, and persevering exertions in
the establishment of this Institution.
His Grace the Archbishop having left the chair, Thomas Wilson, Esq. was
unanimously called upon to take it.
Moved by Thomas Wilson, Esq. M.P. seconded by Sir Chas. Flower, Bart.
and resolved unanimously,--That the best thanks of this Meeting be given
to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the important service
which he has rendered the Institution, and particularly for his
condescension in taking the chair this day.
(Signed) THOMAS WILSON,
Chairman.
_At a General Court of the Subscribers and Friends to the Royal
National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, held
at the City of London Tavern, on the 10th of March, 1825._
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Chair.
It was moved by George Hibbert, Esq.
Seconded by Thomas Wilson, Esq. M.P.
And resolved unanimously,
That the Gold Medallion of the Institution be presented to Sir William
Hillary, Bart., by whom this NATIONAL INSTITUTION was first suggested,
and ably recommended by his publications on the subject.
(Signed) THOMAS WILSON,
Chairman of the Committee.
Having thus shown, by official documents, the great outline of the
Royal National Institution, now happily established for the preservation
of Life from Shipwreck, a brief recapitulation of the important nature
of its objects and its plans, will perhaps be the best conclusion I can
offer to those pages, which have already been received by the public in
a manner so gratifying to my own feelings.
From the most early periods, and in every state of society, shipwreck
has been one of those never ceasing evils which has excited the
commiseration of mankind; but, until recently, appears scarcely ever to
have called forth their humane efforts to mitigate its deplorable
consequences. For centuries our mariners have been left, unassisted, to
endure every peril of the sea, as if shipwreck were a calamity in every
instance utterly beyond all reach of mortal succour, and in every age,
thousands of our fellow-creatures have thus miserably perished, who
unquestionably might have been rescued.
Of late years, various efforts have been made on parts of our coasts for
the preservation of life from impending peril, and some excellent
inventions have been introduced for that purpose; these had however
hitherto been only a means, not a system--local, not national.
But when we reflect on the great waste of human life attendant on these
dreadful catastrophes, and the vital importance to their country of
those who have thus been abandoned to their wretched fate, it cannot
fail to excite our astonishment that amongst all the noble Institutions
of this great empire, which have been patronized by the crown, promoted
by the government, or sustained by the bounty of the people, there never
before has been established, in this the most powerful maritime state of
ancient or of modern days, one general association, or national
Institution for the preservation of Life from Shipwreck.
The humane attention of the British nation has at length been roused to
this important object,--this void in our benevolent establishments has
been supplied, by the formation of the Royal National Institution, under
the immediate patronage of the King.
The objects contemplated by this Institution are, in their nature,
deeply interesting to the cause of humanity--important to the naval and
the commercial interests of the nation, and calculated to extend their
beneficial influence to every age and every country.
It will be seen by the preceding documents that it takes within the
scope of its efforts, the preservation from shipwreck--not only of the
seamen and the subjects of these kingdoms, but those of every nation who
may become exposed to that misfortune on the British shores, equally in
peace and in war. It invites to its aid the humane and the brave, urging
them to the rescue of their fellow-creatures, by supplying them with
every means, that their attempts may be made with all attainable safety
to themselves--conferring honorary and pecuniary rewards for their
generous efforts--rendering every practicable relief to the destitute
widows and families of those who unfortunately may perish in their
attempts to save the lives of others, and for those who happily may be
thus preserved. It purposes to provide them with that food, clothing,
medical aid, and shelter, which their forlorn situation may require--to
enable those who may belong to this country to proceed to their homes,
or to the nearest port where they may obtain future employment. And the
subjects of other powers to return to their native land, or to place
them in safety under the care of the accredited authorities of their own
nation.
This Institution also confers honorary rewards, on the authors of such
inventions as shall be the most effectual, for the preservation of Lives
from Shipwreck.
Such are the leading features of that system, which is presumed to be
the best calculated for calling forth the energies of a great maritime
people--to stimulate those feelings which have but too long remained
dormant, or hitherto have only been partially exerted, and to arouse
our countrymen to the rescue of the best bulwarks of British power from
those direful calamities to which they are perpetually exposed--which
are not the casual misfortunes of a day, once overcome and not liable to
recur, but extending their destructive ravages to every sea and to every
coast--each year sweeping thousands to a watery grave, and certain to
continue their devastating effects to thousands yet unborn; augmented,
in the number of their victims, in proportion as our commerce shall
extend itself over the globe.
To all who revere the naval glory of Britain--to all who duly estimate
the commercial greatness of their country, or who profit by its
success--to all who feel the humanity and the policy of preserving the
brave defenders of the state, and the hardy conductors of that commerce,
from those dangers, to which, in the exercise of their arduous duties,
they are continually exposed--this Institution cannot appeal in vain.
Every class must feel how deeply it is connected with the national
honour, and the maritime interest of their country, that all the means
which the bounty of a wealthy and a liberal people can supply, and all
the efforts which experience and humanity can prompt, should be devoted
to so sacred a cause.
Each in his respective sphere is earnestly solicited to bear a
part--the great and the affluent, and those residing in the interior of
the kingdom, by their influence and their contributions--the active and
the zealous, by their energetic efforts--those on the coasts, by the
more hazardous exertions of enterprise and bravery--and all, according
to their power and their stations, to promote the success, and to
recompense the endeavours of those who voluntarily encounter the
greatest perils, for the rescue of the unhappy mariner, of every nation,
who may be in danger of shipwreck on our coasts.
The accomplishment of so many and such important objects, on a scale
commensurate with the frequency and the extent of the misfortunes they
are intended to alleviate, requires the combined efforts of numerous
public bodies and zealous individuals--preconcerted arrangements on
every dangerous coast, and considerable pecuniary resources.
Under these convictions, I presume most earnestly to recommend, that
public meetings should be held in those maritime counties and great sea
ports of the united kingdom which have not yet come forward in this
cause, for the formation of district or local associations on all our
coasts, regulated in their internal concerns by their own committees, as
departments of, and in direct communication with, the parent
Institution, having an union of funds, of object and of effort, for the
most extended adoption of every means which the magnitude of the evil to
be averted imperatively demands at our hands.
Nor are those whose residence is the most remote from the scenes of
these disasters, less interested in the universal establishment of this
system.--Where is to be found that family, of any station, even in the
very interior of the kingdom, which has not some near and dear
connexions, some valued relatives or friends, who, from their
professions or their pursuits, may become exposed to the hazard of
shipwreck, and who may be thus preserved, through the very means to
which their bounty may contribute? Themselves distant from the scene of
danger, they may, without effort or toil, become instrumental in the
rescue of those they most value in life--equally then are they called on
to take measures for the collection of funds in the midland counties as
on the coasts, in order to give increased resources to the Institution,
for the most effectual prosecution of its plans.
As this great national measure shall continue to establish itself in the
public mind, the adoption of more extended and systematic plans will
naturally impress themselves on our consideration.
From an almost universal want of foresight in our seamen, and a
carelessness in providing against future dangers, naturally arising
from the reckless bravery of their character, they would turn with
contempt from any proposition that each should always take with him to
sea, some one of those simple but practicable means by which his rescue
from shipwreck might be greatly facilitated. In like manner the owners
or masters of vessels, some from an ill timed parsimony, but far more,
from thoughtlessness or prejudice, neglect to provide their vessels with
any of the apparatus which would, in many instances, insure the safety
of the passengers and crews.
What is thus the duty of every one, will, amongst such a numerous class
of individuals, be either entirely neglected or imperfectly executed,
and a continued sacrifice of life be the certain consequence.
Our seamen constitute one of the most valuable properties of the state.
The preservation of the life of the subject is one of the most
imperative duties of an enlightened government--it has therefore become
indispensably requisite, in this great maritime nation, that these
evils, arising from causes which no unity of opinion or of action, in
the parties most interested, can ever be expected to remove, should as
far as possible be obviated by legislative enactment--and that vessels
should not, after a given period, be permitted to clear out at the
ports from which they are to sail, until, according to their tonnage,
the number of their passengers and crews, and the nature of the voyage
on which they are bound, it shall have been ascertained that they have
been provided by the owners, and according to established regulations,
with those means of safety which shall be required.
These should consist of the most simple and effectual apparatus for
establishing a communication in case of wreck, between the vessel and
the shore--materials for the construction of rafts--lifebuoys--cork
jackets, or other buoyant means of safety to individuals; boats in a
reasonable proportion to the numbers on board, to some of which the
properties of life boats might immediately and easily be given--with
other measures which the great importance of the object demands, on a
scale consistent with that economy which should ever attend compulsatory
regulations.
The extent and nature of these precautionary measures require mature
consideration, and would best be ascertained by a committee of
experienced and scientific officers and individuals selected from the
navy, the Trinity House, Lloyd's, the Ship-owners' Society, and other
departments connected with maritime affairs, on whose reports, and after
minute and deliberate investigation, perhaps an enactment could alone be
founded to produce the much desired effect.--It is only by reducing
into a system those measures which are now left to chance, or to the
forethought or the caprice of thousands, that such effectual precautions
can be taken, as will insure that at all times the danger may be
promptly met by adequate means of rescue.