music headed the procession, followed by a number of seamen with banners and flags. Then came the boat, manned by its crew, in their cork jackets, holding an oar erect. Following them were the members of the committee, the Borough M.P.s, a reserve crew of coastguards, and nearly a score of carriages. The whole procession moved on from Bo-peep to the Fishmarket, and back to the east end of Carlisle Parade. The number of sightseers was immensely great, the parades and the beach being densely thronged. Previously to the launch, the Mayor (J. Rock, Esq.) and the Rev. T. Vores got on board, and the latter gentleman, after a short prayer, gave an address in which he remarked that he had never before had the pleasure of looking upon so vast a congregation. He was glad that the boat was called the Hastings and St. Leonards Lifeboat, for in such works the two towns should be united. If there was one thing more than another that would unite them in heart it was the blessed work of trying to do good. The Mayor then said he was deputed by the Lifeboat Committee to give the boat the name of our good and gracious queen “Victoria”. [Cheers]. Might she ever be successful in her missions of humanity for which she was destined. He then called for three cheers for the Queen, which was warmly responded to. The boat was then launched successfully, and, after half an hour’s exercise, was run ashore to the boat house at the East Well. In the evening a dinner at the Swan hotel was given to the crew (23 in number) and 14 of the Coastguard volunteers. The Mayor, the Borough Members and the Committee were also present, together with Mr. Shorter and Mr. T. S. Hide (Secretary), Supt. Glenister, Mr. Laing (Borough Surveyor), etc. Instrumental and vocal music varied and enlivened the scene, toasts were given and responded to by the Mayor, the Rev. W. W. Hume, Mr. North, M.P., Mr. Robertson, M.P. and other gentlemen. After the departure of the principal guests the evening’s amusements were prolonged by the remainder of the company, which included Messrs. Laing, Shorter, Glenister, Hide and Brett. Appropriate songs were sung by several of the party, including “The Minute Gun at Sea” and “Man the Lifeboat” by the last named person, with guitar accompaniments to himself and the rest of the singers. This finish to the Easter holiday of 1858, closed with “Auld Lang Sine” in Scotch fashion and the evening was afterwards referred to as an intensely enjoyable one.
An Appropriate Contribution
On the 16th April the following was contributed to the Hastings News by “L. F.” “The Launch of the Lifeboat”: “What pages of human feeling and deepest meaning is contained in these few words! What pictures do they not call up in the reflective mind! Today a gay procession passed along the streets of this ancient Cinque Port to bring the boat home as a bride -
