On the 21st October the Life-boat John A. Hay was launched in response to signals of distress from H.M.S. Dryad. A strong S.E. breeze was blowing at the time with a rough sea, and the weather was dark and showery. When the Life- boat reached the vessel it was found that she had been ashore on the Point of Ness, but had got off previous to the arrival of the Life-boat. The com- mander stated that the ship was making water, but that he did not require the Life-boat to stand by. He, however, asked the Coxwain, Robert Greig, to land two men, one of whom was unwell and the other badly injured, as it was desirable that they should be sent to hospital. The men were accordingly taken on board and conveyed to the hospital at Kirk wall.

The commander also took the oppor- tunity of sending fifty-two bags of mails ashore in the Life-boat..