ON 15th April, 1909, a flotilla of three Life-boats, in two of which motor engines had been installed, were despatched by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION from the London Docks en route by sea for Thurso (Caithness) distant 728 miles, and for Stromness and Stronsay in the Orkneys, distani 768 and 808 miles respectively. Com- mander Howard F. J. Rowley, R.N.

the Institution's Inspector of the Northern District, was in command, and he had for his lieutenant and petty officers Mr. Small, the motor surveyor of the Institution, and two motor mechanics, each of the three boats being manned by a crew of five selected fishermen. The boat for Thurso was a sailing boat of the Watson type, a very powerful boat, 40 ft. long by 11 ft. wide; the boat for Stronsay was of the same type, but with a length of 43 ft. and 12 ft. beam, in which was installed a 40 B.H.P. motor; while the Stromness boat was of the self-righting sailing type, 42 ft. by Hi ft., fitted with a 30 B.H.P.

motor. The types of these three boats had been specially selected by the crews who will man them as those in which they felt the most complete confidence.

The little fleet left the London Docks at 8.50 A.M. on the 15th April for Harwich, where the first halt was to be called, a run of 73 miles. The Stromness boat led with the Stronsay boat in tow, the Thurso boat coming last, in tow of the Stronsay boat, and this order was observed throughout the voyage until the Pentland Firth was reached. Har- wich was made at 8 P.M. in fine weather with S.W. light breezes, sails being used.

At Harwich the boats had a cordial reception, not only from the local Life- boat authorities of the Institution, but also from the seafaring people. The next morning at 8.40 another start was made, strong S.W. winds and some sea being experienced; but notwithstanding Gor- [eston was reached at 3.15 P.M., the passage being effected under power and sail at an average speed of 1 knots.

On Saturday, the 17th April, the flotilla proceeded at 4.10 A.M. to Griinsby, but owing to some little trouble with one of the motors two stops had to be made, with the result that the tide in the Humber was missed, so that the full ebb stream had to be faced and Grimsby Dock was not reached until 9.30 P.M., the boats having been at sea 17 hours, and they could not even then be locked in for a considerable time. By the time the berthing was completed all hands had been on duty 24 hours, and every- body was glad of a Sunday's rest.

Grimsby was left betimes (7 A.M.) on the 19th April, the weather being fine and the wind favourable, Scarborough •—a distance of 60 miles—being reached at 4.15 P.M. All along the coast the boats excited much attention and had a cordial reception wherever they put in for the night. A good passage was made on the 20th April between Scar- borough and Hartlepool, but it was a very uncomfortable one owing to the continual drenching of the spray, and one of the motors gave a little trouble.

On Wednesday, the 21st April, they cleared from Hartlepool at 5.30 A.M., and ran into a dense fog with a heavy swell, reaching Tynemouth in 3|- hours.

Here troubles again befel them, as one of the motors refused to work, and three days elapsed before all was right again.

The commander, as they were late in starting, contented himself with a run of 10 miles, which brought them to Blyth. Although the next day (25th April) was Sunday, it was decided, laving regard to the delay that had been experienced, to press on, more especially as the weather was favourable; and the mouth of the Tay was made at 7.30 P.M., Dundee Docks being reached after a run of 111 miles in 18 hours at 11.30 P.M.

lere the Life-boatmen received much dndness from the Dundee HarbourCommissioners. Another start was made at 10 A.M. on the 26th April,but on reach- ing the bar a hard N.E. wind was en- countered, dead in their teeth, making it hopeless to fetch Aberdeen in less than 18 hours, with the Thurso boat in tow. It was therefore decided to return to Dundee and spend the day in over- hauling and cleaning up the boats, and this was done. At 6.30 A.M. on Tues- day, the 27th April, a start was made for Aberdeen, a distance of 60 miles.

The weather having moderated, the journey up the coast was made with masts down. The wind freshened, how- ever, considerably when they arrived within 10 miles of Aberdeen, and in the next couple of miles the full force of the south-going stream was encountered, so that not more than a mile an hour over the ground could be covered. The Aberdeen Harbour tug fortunately at this time bore down on them and most kindly headed the procession, " plucking" the boats up into the harbour. Although the flotilla had caused some excitement all along the coast from London, this was the first tow which had been proffered, and it was much appreciated.

At Aberdeen the flotilla received many courtesies from the Harbour authorities and H.M. Coastguard and the Life-boats were examined with great interest by the public.

Aberdeen was cleared at 8.30 A.M. on Wednesday, and further valuable help in towing was given by the Harbour tug, which accompanied the Life-boats for 10 miles. Fraserburgh (40 miles) was reached at 3 P.M. Another start was made at 5 A.M. the following morn- ing, such an early hour being chosen with a view to crossing the Moray Firth.

Dirty weather soon set in with a strong N.N.E. wind. Putting the canvas on, the boats lay to within three points of their course, but about 8 A.M. the wind drew ahead, and, falling off, the boats were eventually driven away up the Firth and made the land three miles above Helmsdale. Here smoother water was found, but at about 8 P.M. the wind drew to the N.W., increasing in force to a gale, accompanied by blinding squalls of snow and hail. It was not, therefore, until 10.30 P.M. that Wick was reached after a passage of 18|- hours, all hands being thoroughly tired out. On Friday, the 30th April, the boats cleared at 7.30 A.M. for Thurso, a distance of 30 miles. A hard northerly wind was pre- vailing with a dirty sea, but the spirits of all the men were buoyant because they were now nearing their destinations, and little thought was given to the Pentland Firth! Rounding the head at 10.30, the full force of the ebb tide was picked up, and the wind drawing to the N.W., the effects of the " races" were soon felt. Passing to the southward of Stroma, the masts were raised and canvas put on, the tow being kept as before, with the result that, soon after, the flotilla headed into the heaving " race" known as the " Merry Men of Mey." Here the force of the sea was so strong that all three boats became free of their tow and were left to their own individual merits. The spectacle here was simply magnificent, the sea was a veritable churn, but the boats made light of it and came through without a murmur. The Stronsay boat now showed the Stromness boat a clean pair of heels, whilst the Thurso boat, at times showing three parts of her keel, proved what the " Watson " boats can do with plenty of wind and when close hauled. Neither of the Watson boats took any heavy water on board. Thurso was reached at 1 P.M. Here a halt was called for 2 hours, whilst the Thurso boat was handed over to the local Life- boat authorities. The two remaining boats started in company. The wind blew hard from the N.W. accompanied by snow squalls and a heavy sea, and after considerable trouble caused by her motor the Stronsay boat had to return to Thurso, but the other boat pushed bravely forward and reached Stromness at 8 P.M., and very glad the crew wereto be there. The boat which had gone back to Thurso was put partially to rights in due course and reached Strom- ness, thanks to the help of a friendly tow by the s.s. St. Ola, on Saturday, the 1st May, proceeding subsequently to her station at Stronsay. Thus ended a unique voyage of 17 days, the ex- periences of which will prove most useful not only to all on board the three Life-boats, but also to the Institution.

The crews were of opinion that the boats behaved wonderfully, and they stated that they could not have credited Life-boats with such remark- able powers..