Reg Nicholle
Life-boatmen have their reward in the gratitude of those who, by their efforts, are saved from the sea. Rich or poor, of any race or colour, creed or calling, all are equal when danger comes, and in their succour life-boatmen have a true reward. Many are the forms in which this gratitude may be shown.
The Isle of Chausey is a French possession, due south-east of the Channel Islands and equidistant from the Contentin Peninsula and the coast of Brittany. This little island, measuring a mile and a half in length, is inhabited mainly by fisherfolk. There is a Roman Catholic priest whose parish includes this isle. Roman Catholic Fathers have but few possessions, and very little money. Their parishioners help them of their bounty. The good father of Chausey has but poor people in his parish; he is indeed rich in his good works, but poor in worldly goods. He has a boat in which he travels between the French mainland and Chausey, and sometimes he journeys to our shores. He journeyed once to us one late summer evening, but because the light of the Corbiere had been changed, he mistook the Demie de Pas light for the Corbiere, and thus found himself stranded among the many rocks and reefs which are as numerous as the trees of the forest, close to our South-Eastern seaboard.
In the waning light, in worsening weather conditions, with a confused sea, he was seen to be in a most perilous position.
"Elizabeth Rippon", with Second Coxswain F. Grenelle in command went to his aid, and after searching in the darkness along this rock strewn coast, found the good father, and lowed him clear, and then to the harbour of St Helier.
In safe haven the Coxswain asked wonderingly of the good Father why he had not made himself aware of recent changes in the navigational light system, which had been well publicised in the Channel Islands, and in all the northern ports and harbours of France. The good Father smiled benignly and said, 'Look you my son at the name of my boat', and the name of his boat was "Avec Dieu" (With God). 'You see, my son, I go as my boat, with God! The Coxswain asked the good Father if he did not think that the Almighty might expect us to aid ourselves a little by our own efforts and preparedness on land, sea .and in the air. The good Father smilingly turned to all the crew who were gathered around him and said, 'Bless you all, my sons. Thank you for what you have done!
Two days later the 'Avec Dieu' was gone from St Helier. On the stern of 'Elizabeth Rippon' was left a small open box with just eight cigars. This great Christian gentleman, who had but little himself and certainly nothing to give, had found the means somehow to leave just a gift, and then had slipped his moorings, and silently squared away for the Isle of Chausey, leaving behind happy memories.