‘oPiSREUL PROJECTS. 
Greathead, the following account of 
the Scarborough life-boat. 
The life-boat at Scarborough, 
which was built without the least 
deviation from the model and the 
plan which you sent here at my re- 
quest, has even exceeded the most 
sanguine expectations; and I have 
now received experimental, convic- 
tion of its great ability in cases of 
shipwreck, and of its perfeét safety 
in the most agitated sea. Local pre- 
judices will ever exist against novel 
inventions, however excellent may 
be the principles of their construc- 
tion ; and there were some, at this 
place, who disputed the performance 
of the life-boat, until a circumstance 
lately happened, which brought it 
to the test of experience, and remov- 
ed every shadow of objection, even 
from the most prejudiced minds. 
On Monday the 2d of November, 
we were visited with a most tremen- 
dous storm from the eastward, and 
I scarcely ever remember seeing a 
more mountainous sea. The Au- 
rora, of Newcastle, in appreaching 
the harbour, was driven ashore to 
the southward ; and, as she was in 
the most imminent danger, the life 
boat was immediately launched to 
her assistance. ‘The place where 
the ship Jay, was exposed to the 
whole force of the sea, and she was 
surrounded with broken water, 
_ which dashed over the decks with 
considerable violence. In such a 
perilous situation the life boat ad- 
ventured, and proceeded through 
the breach of the sea, rising on the 
summit of the waves without ship- 
ping any water, except a little from 
the spray. On going upon the lee- 
quarter of the yessel, they were en- 
dangered by the main-boom, which 
_had broken loose, and was ‘driving 
ahout with great force. This com- 
835 
pelled them to go alongside, and 
they instantly took out four of the 
crew ; but the sea which broke over 
the decks, having nearly filled the 
boat with water, they were induced 
to put off for a moment, when see- 
ing three boys, (the remainder of 
the crew) clinging to the rigging, 
and in danger of perishing, they 
immediately returned, and took them 
into the boat, and brought the whole 
to land in safety. By means of the 
life-boat, built from your plan, and 
the exertions of the boatmen, seven 
men and boys were thus saved to 
their country and their friends, and 
preserved from the inevitable de-. 
struction, which otherwise awaited 
them. The boat was not in the 
least affected by the water which 
broke into her when alongside of 
the vessel ; and, indeed, the boat- 
men thought it rendered her more 
steady in the sea. J] must also add, 
that it was the general opinion, that 
no other boat of the common cou- 
struction could have possibly per- 
formed this service; and the fishers 
men, though very adventurous, de- 
clared they would not have made 
the attempt in their own boats. 
We have appointed a crew of 
fishermen to manage the boat, under 
the direction of the committee ; and. 
the men are so much satisfied with 
the performance of the boat, and so 
confident in her salety, that they 
are emboldened to adventure upon 
the most dangerous occasion. 
By other accounts, furnished to 
the society, it appears that the 
Scarborough life-boat, on the 21st 
of November, 1801, was the means 
of saving a sloop belonging to Sun- 
derland, and her crew, consisting of 
three men and boys: also, the Ex- 
periment, of London, her cargo and 
crew, consisting of eight men and 
3H2 boys, 
