MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE.—Nine of the large fishing-boats went out to the line fishery grounds, about ninety miles distant from the land, on the morning of the 8th May. On the following evening the wind, which was blowing from E.N.E., increased to a moderate gale, causing a very heavy sea, and, as it was expected that the boats would be compelled to return to the harbour for safety, a good look out was kept for them. About halfan- honr after midnight the coxswain of the Life-boat received a telephone message from the coastguard station at Usan, stating that flares were seen in the offing and that they had evidently been shown by the boats. He was also informed that one of them had arrived in the harbour and that her crew reported there was a heavy sea on the bar and that it was advisable that the Life-boat should proceed there to help the other boats. At about 1 A.M.

the reserve Life-boat, temporarily placed on this station, was launched and saw the four boats which were the last to come in safely across the bar; they were the Camelia, Magdalene, Mon Ami and Annie Mearns. The crew of the Eoae decided not to incur the risk of crossing the bar and made for Arbroath, where they arrived safely, and the boat Pilgrim kept at sea until about 11 A.M., when the weather moderated and she was able to enter the harbour. The Life-boat remained afloat until 9 A.M..