This tale, reader--if you read it through--will give you some insight
into the condition, value, and vicissitudes of the light-vessels, or
floating lighthouses, which guard the shores of this kingdom, and mark
the dangerous shoals lying off some of our harbours and roadsteads. It
will also convey to you--if you don't skip--a general idea of the life
and adventures of some of the men who have manned these interesting and
curious craft in time past, as well as give you some account of the
sayings and doings of several other personages more or less connected
with our coasts. May you read it with pleasure and profit, and--"may
your shadow never be less."
I gratefully express my acknowledgment and tender my best thanks to the
Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, to whose kindness I am indebted for
having been permitted to spend a week on board the Gull-stream
light-vessel, one of the three floating-lights which mark the Goodwin
Sands; and to Robin Allen, Esquire, Secretary to the Trinity House, who
has kindly furnished me with valuable books, papers, and information. I
have also gratefully to tender my best thanks to Captain Valle, District
Superintendent under the Trinity House at Ramsgate, for the ready and
extremely kind manner in which he afforded me every facility for
visiting the various light-vessels and buoys of his district, and for
observing the nature and duties of the service.
To the master of the Gull, whose "bunk" I occupied while he was on
shore--to Mr John Leggett, the mate, who was in command during the
period of my visit--and to the men of the "Floating-light" I have to
offer my heartfelt thanks for not only receiving me with generous
hospitality, but for treating me with hearty goodwill during my pleasant
sojourn with them in their interesting and peculiar home.
My best thanks, for much useful and thrilling information, are due to
Mr Isaac Jarman, the coxswain, and Mr Fish, the bowman, of the
Ramsgate Lifeboat-men who may be said to carry their lives continually
in their hands, and whose profession it is to go out at the call of duty
and systematically grapple with Death and rob him of his prey. To the
Harbour Master, and Deputy Harbour Master at Ramsgate, I am also
indebted for information and assistance, and to Mr Reading, the master
of the Aid steam-tug, which attends upon, and shares the perils of, the
Lifeboat.