In response to signals of distress the Berwick-on-Tweed Life-boat Matthew Simpson put to sea shortly after 4 A.M.

on the 10th November, to assist a motor-boat which was dragging her anchors. The motor-boat had anchored in Berwick Bay the previous day for the purpose of repairing a slight defect in her engine. A strong northerly gale sprang up during the night, and the vessel commenced to drive into danger.

The Coastguard observed her distress signals and telephoned to the Honorary Secretary, Lieut.-Col. C. L. Fraser, V.D., R.A.M.C. (T.), who at once ordered the Life-boat to be launched. The whole of the regular crew were not available, and Dr. Fraser, a soldier belonging to the King's Own Scottish Borderers, two Coastguard men, and fishermen volun- teered to go afloat under the leadership of James Jamieson, the Second Coxswain.

The boat proceeded in the direction of the flares, and in spite of the darkness succeeded in finding the vessel. When passing under her stern the Life-boat hailed the men on board, and they replied, but neither heard the other on account of the violence of the gale. An attempt was made to keep close to the steamer, but this was found to be impos- sible, and the Life-boat drove to leeward.

Tremendous seas were running, and it was obvious that in the darkness it would j be highly dangerous if not impossible to ! rescue those on board. It was, there- i fore, resolved to stand by until day- ; light, and then make an attempt to I save the men. As soon as day broke j the Life-boat made for the motor-boat, and it was not until two attempts had | been made that she succeeded in effect-ing communication. A line was secured, | but it parted at the critical moment.

1 The boat was again manoeuvred until i she succeeded in getting alongside. The ! crew of six hands were found with their I life-belts already adjusted ready to leave their vessel in case of disaster, and as the Life-boat rose and fell on the tremendous waves the men awaited their | opportunity and jumped into the boat.

| The boat then put into the north-east in | order to secure a good position to make j the harbour, and this operation is ; described as having been one of the I bitterest experiences any man in the boat had ever endured. The cold was intense, the wind cut like a knife, and ] the spendrift was like showers of needles I on the face. By the time the boat j reached the bar the men were well-nigh j exhausted, and to add to their difficult task the ebb tide, with the river in spate, made it impossible for the boat to gain the shelter of the pier. Attempts were made under both sails and oars, and for over an hour the men struggled valiantly to attain the shelter they so badly needed. The boat's position was | critical, for on being swept seawards she frequently went broadside to the breakers, and was almost upset. Seeing their difficulties six men very bravely put off in a boat from Spittal. When they were seen approaching, a desperate effort was made by the Life-boat's crew under double-banked oars to reach the pier, but" this effort would ecjnally have failed had not the Spittal fishermen very gallantly ventured themselves into the broken water. By very skilful seaman- ship they reached the Life-boat, and the line, which they had brought out with them, was attached to the boat. The other end was in the hands of people on the pier, and no time was lost in hauling the boat into safety. When they landed the condition of ( every man was pitiable to see. In the j hurry to get away only one man had | put on oilskins, there were only two ! sou'westers in the boat, some of the ] men's caps were blown away, and every j one was soaked to the skin. To add j to their suffering the motion of the j boat when afloat was so violent that it was not possible for them to use any of the provisions which were carried on i board, and it was fully realized by the crew that if the boat had not been ' of the finest construction she would | have been, split by the terrific blows ; when falling into the troughs of the waves.

The rescued men expressed the greatest gratitude for their timely deliverance, and the captain of the vessel was loud in his praises for the Life-boatmen's great bravery in going out to save them. He considered that it was wonderful, in the absence of all the coast lights, that the Life-boat ever found them; and he further expressed his admiration of the seamanship dis- played when the boat was being taken across the bar.

In recognition of this fine service the Committee awarded the Thanks of the Institution and a Silver Medal to the Acting Coxswain, James Jamieson, and presented the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum to Lieut.-Col. C. L.

Fraser. In addition, they gave each of the other members of the crew an extra monetary grant, and re- warded the Spittal fishermen for their timely and useful help.