The motor Life- boat John Ryburn performed a very good service in the early hours of the morning of 10th February. Between 1 and 2 o'clock an urgent call came from Sanday for the Life-boat to proceed to a vessel which had stranded on the Holm of Ayre, a small uninhabited island lying off the north side of Sanday. The message stated that one man had been saved, four had been drowned, and four men were still on the wreck. The Life- boat crew were called, and the boat was quickly on her way to the vessel.

It was blowing a strong breeze from S.S.E., with a heavy sea, caused by the recent gales, and the night was cold, thick, and intensely dark. The Life- boat had a long distance to go through narrow, dangerous channels, with rapid tides and treacherous rocks, and no lights to guide the crew in any way.

The brave men, however, never hesitated for a moment, but felt their way, chiefly by the breakers on the shore, and reached the stranded vessel at 5 o'clock.

It was still very dark, and the Coxswain ventured as near as he considered safe to get an idea of the position of the vessel. There was a heavy swell, and considerable difficulty was ex- perienced in saving the boat from damage as the tide was low. The anchor was let go. The boat manoeuvred towards the trawler and a rope was made fast. By this means the Life-boat was held in position until the four men on board were saved. It then trans- pired that the loss of life had been due to the wrecked men trying to leave their vessel in the ship's small boat.

Five men had got into the boat when she broke adrift, and was driven ashore and dashed to pieces on the rocks, the four poor fellows being drowned. The fifth man was saved, but he was in a very critical condition and unable to speak for hours.

On her return journey the Life-boat had the advantage of daylight, and as soon as Stronsay was reached the ship- wrecked men were well cared for.

During this service the Life-boat be- haved splendidly, and the motor with which she is fitted worked without a hitch, giving the greatest satisfaction to the crew. The wrecked vessel was the steam fishing boat Crimond, of Aber- deen, bound for the Shetland Islands for fishing..