point. The figure on the title-page shows its
appearance and the manner in which it is worn. It was designed in 1854,
by Admiral J.R. Ward, the Institution's chief inspector of lifeboats.
Its chief quality is its great buoyancy, which is not only sufficient to
support a man with head and shoulders above water when heavily clothed,
but enables the wearer easily to support another person--the extra
buoyancy being 25 pounds. Besides possessing several great advantages
over other lifebelts, that of Admiral Ward is divided in the middle by a
space, where the waistbelt is fastened. This permits of great freedom
of action, and the whole machine is remarkably flexible. It is also
very strong, forming a species of armour which protects the wearer from
severe blows, and, moreover, helps to keep him warm.

It behoves me now to say a few words about the inventor of lifeboats.
As has been told, our present splendid boat is a combination of all the
good points and improvements made in such boats down to the present
time. But the man who first thought of a lifeboat and invented one; who
fought against apathy and opposition; who completed and launched his ark
of mercy on the sea at Bamborough, in the shape of a little coble, in
the year 1785, and who actually saved many lives therewith, was a London
coachbuilder, LIONEL LUKIN by name.

Assuredly this man deserved the deepest gratitude of the nation, for his
was the first lifeboat ever brought into action, and he inserted the
small end of that wedge which we have been hammering home ever since,
and which has resulted in the formation of one of the grandest, most
thoroughly national and unsectarian of our charitable institutions.

Henry Greathead--a boatbuilder of South Shields--erroneously got the
credit of this invention. Greathead was a noted improver and builder of
lifeboats, and was well and deservedly rewarded for his work; but he was
not the inventor. Lionel Lukin alone can claim that honour.

In regard to the men who man them, enough has been written to prove that
they well deserve to be regarded as the heroes of the coast!

And let me observe in passing that there are also _heroines_ of the
coast, as the following extract from the Journal of the Institution will
show. It appeared in the January number of 1865.

"Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, and a copy of its vote of
thanks on parchment, to Miss Alice R. Le Geyt, in admiration of her
prompt and courag