GIRVAN.—On the forenoon of the 6th February the wind commenced, to blow very strongly with blinding showers of snow. Several fishing-boats returned, but six of them were missing and as it was thought that the snowstorm had prevented their making the harbour, it was resolved to fire signal guns and rockets at intervals to attract the attention of the crews, and the town bell was rung for about three hours. Shortly after the first gun was fired, one of the boats arrived off the harbour and was followed at intervals by others, the men on board reporting very thick and bad weather outside, Later in the afternoon a rumour spread that one of the boats was at anchor in Woodland Bay, about three miles south of the harbour, but nothing definite was known until 9 o'clock, when a fisherman reported that his brother's boat, The Twins, was at anchor in the bay. As she was riding safely it was decided that the Life-boat need not proceed to her then, but thatthe crew should assemble at daybreak in readiness should their services be required.

The gale increased and as there was no probability of the boat reaching the harbour for some considerable time, the Lifeboat Sir Home Popham, was taken on her carriage to Woodland Bay, where she was launched and found the three fishermen in an exhausted condition haying no provisions or water. Two of the Life-boat men boarded the boat, got up the anchor and assisted to take her into the harbour..