IT is very gratifying to be able to record that H.M. the King of Norway awarded a piece of silver plate to Robert Smith, the Coxswain of the Tynemouth Motor Life-boat Henry Vernon, and conferred Silver Medals and diplomas on the other members of the crew.

Silver Medals and diplomas were also sent for the crew of the private Lifeboat Tom Perry. The rewards given by His Majesty were in recognition of the splendid services rendered to the Norwegian steamer Bessheim, which was wrecked at Tynemouth in a fierce easterly gale on the 18th November, 1916.

The vessel was bound to Norway with a general cargo, and carried seventy-eight passengers and a crew of thirty-three hands, including seven stewardesses. At the time of the rescue a gale was raging, but fortunately all those on board were saved without mishap. Pull particulars of the service were given in the Life-boat Journal for February, 1917.