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The appeal for a new boat for the South Australian lifeboat service encapsulates the history of the service in the state, giving some details of the various boats that had seen service on the coast, of dramatic rescues, and of inadequate funding. Captain C J Clare had drawn attention to the need for a new boat. Clare was the naval commandant for South Australia and previously captain of the South Australian naval vessel HMCS Protector. In this role he had been responsible for the training and regular inspection of the lifeboat crews and the boats. His opinion was respected both by the government and the community.

The article lists the shipwrecks that occurred on the most southerly section of the South Australian coast, and points out that the volume of shipping was increasing, but that since 1890 there had been no loss of life in shipping accidents. Several rescues are detailed. The government was contributing 1200 pounds a year to the lifeboat service which was manned by volunteers. That sum was totally inadequate to provide new or additional boats which were badly required. No new boats had been acquired since the City of Adelaide was donated in 1896 by Robert Barr Smith.

In response in part to the appeal of this article a new lifeboat Undaunted entered the service in 1908 and was placed at Port MacDonnell.

Clare, Chapman James, 1853-1940

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-