Peterhead.—At 2 o'clock in the morning of the 2nd April Coxswain Cameron received a telephone message from the Coastguards stating that some vessels were firing rockets and burning flares in South Bay for assistance as they were in distress. A strong E.S.E.

gale was blowing with a very heavy sea, and the weather was very cold with snow showers. • The Coxswain pro- ceeded to the Life-boat house, and, on I arrival, found that there were sufficient I men there to man the boat. She was launched, and by this time it had been discovered that two large, j | j j j I ! steamers were ashore in the bay. The boat was manoeuvred until she was in a suitable position to anchor, and was veered down to one of the stranded vessels. Just as she was about to effect communication fey means of a rope the engine suddenly stopped owing to water having got into the motor compartment.

The boat was shipping tremendous seas at the time, and it was quite impossible to open the hatches as the boat was being filled time after time. She commenced to bump' on the rocks, and it became necessary to hoist her masts and sails in order to prevent her being wrecked. By this means she was got clear of the heavy breaking seas, and it was decided to return to harbour under sail in order to put the engine in working order. This was done, and the boat returned once more to the distressed vessels. This was accomplished without any mishap, and the whole of the crew of one of the vessels, twenty-one in number, were landed in safety. The Life-boat then returned to the second vessel, but only five men elected to be landed, the others refusing to leave their vessel.

Next day it was reported by telephone that the remainder of the crew, who were still on board the second vessel, were in danger, and the Life-boat was dispatched to save them. The boat was worked down under the lee of the vessel and took off the men, fifteen in number. She then proceeded ashore through very heavy seas, which continually broke on board. While the Life-boat was being launched on the first occasion she shipped a very heavy sea, and two of the crew were so badly hurt that it was necessary for them to have medical attention. Both the vessels from which the crews were saved were in the Government Service, and were bound at the time to Cromarty Firth with a cargo of coal. In recognition of the skill displayed upon this occasion by the Coxswain and the crew of the Life-boat the Committee of Management awarded the Bronze Medal to Coxswain Cameron, and granted him and each of the crew an additional monetary reward..