DURING the severe storms last December six Life-boat men lost their lives while on service. Five of them were members of the crew of the Life-boat at Rhoscolyn, in Anglesey, and the sixth belonged to the Boat at Johnshaven, in Kincardineshire. Both of the boats were of the self-righting type. They were capsized by exceptionally heavy waves, and righted themselves immediately, but, in spite of the life-lines, it was not possible for all of the men to regain them.

At 9 A.M. on the 3rd December, in a whole gale from N. W., with a very heavy sea, the Rhoscoly n Life-boat was launched to a small steamer, which, although steaming, was unable to make any headway, and was drifting before the gale, three or four miles west of Bhoscolyn Beacon.

She was found afterwards to be the Tirnbo, of Whitby, a steamer of 115 tons, on a voyage, in ballast, from Liverpool to Newport in Monmouthshire.

As the Life-boat left the land the sea was increasing, and it was two hours before she reached the steamer.

Owing to the heavy weather and the vessel's iron-bound fenders, the Lifeboat was unable to get alongside, but she succeeded in making fast astern by a four-inch hawser. This, unfortunately, parted almost at once, and the. Lifeboat was unable to beat up to the Timbo again ; but, as the steamer's anchors were now holding on a good bottom, the Life-boat left her, and,since it was impossible to lay a course for Rhoscolyn, made for Llanddwyn.

She had been running before the gale for about an hour when a huge sea broke over the lee side, and two of the crew, Evan Hughes and Owen Jones, were washed overboard. Four attempts were made to pick them up, but it was found to be impossible, and the Lifeboat again headed for Llanddwyn. She was still two miles away from the shore when a very heavy squall and a tremendous sea threw her on her beam ends to starboard, her sails going right under water. In a few seconds she righted herself, but Coxswain Owen Owens and two members of the crew, William Thomas aud Richard Hughes, failed to regain her, and before the boat could be got under control again all three had disappeared.

It was then about 3.30 P.M.—over six hours since the Life boat had put out— and she was dangerously near the rocks.

She anchored for more than an hour, and then was beached at Llanddwyti, twenty miles from Rhoscolyn, practically undamaged.

The remaining eight men of the crew, of whom one had been severely bruised, were taken care of by the people of Llanddwyn, who consisted of three pilots and their families. Next day all but the injured man were taken home by motor.

! The bodies of the five men who had been drowned were recovered, and i at the inquests which were held the ' evidence showed that the Life-boat andher equipment were in perfect order.

The survivors were unanimous in praising the behaviour of the fioat and the way in which she was handled by the Coxswain and by Edward Hughes, who relieved him from time to. time ; while the master of the Timbo--which was ultimately driven ashore, all of her crew but four being saved—spoke in high praise of the crew of the Life-boat, and said that they did everything that it was possible for men to do. Of the five men who were drowned, Coxswain Owens and Owen Jones left widows but no children, and the Committee of Management decided to give Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Jones the customary pensions awarded to the widows of Coxswains and Life-boat men who lose their lives on Service, plus a bonus of 50 per cent.

on account of the present high cost of living. Additional monetary rewards were also given to the crew..