IT is with much pleasure that we record that the Netherlands Government have shown their appreciation of the service of the Fishguard Motor Life-boat in saving seven lives from the Dutch motor schooner Hermina, on the 3rd December, 1920, by presenting a Gold Watch to Coxswain Howells and Silver Watches to all the crew. They have also presented a Gold Watch to Mr. William Morgan, of the Board of Trade Life-Saving Apparatus. Each watch bears the following inscription in Dutch :— " Presented by the Netherlands Gov- ernment as a token of high appreciation of the rescue of the crew of the motor schooner Hermina, wrecked on the 4th December, 1920, off Fish- guard Bay." A full account of this very gallant service appeared in The Life-Boat for February, 1921, while the visit of the Fishguard Coxswain and crew to London, to be presented by the Prince of Wales with the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals awarded to them by the Institution, was described in The Life-Boat for May, 1921.

The presentation ceremony of the Gold and Silver Watches took place at Fish- guard on the 3rd December last, the anniversary of the service, and the presentation was made by Captain K. F. Sluys, Naval Attache of the Netherlands Legation, on behalf of his Government. The chair was taken by Sir Evan Jones, Bt., M.P. for Pem- brokeshire, and the Institution was represented by Captain Innes, R.N., Inspector of Life-boats for the Western District. Among others present were the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Mr. M. L. Nicholls and Captain R. Sharp, G.W.R. Marine Superintendent.

In his opening speech, Sir Evan Jones described the enthusiasm at the Annual General Meeting of the Institu- tion when the crew received their Medals from the Prince of Wales, and spoke of the great changes which he himself had seen on the Pembrokeshire coast, and the much greater safety which there now was, owing to the new types of ship and the developments made in the construction of Life-boats.

Lady Jones then presented to the crew the Vellums, containing a copy of the Committee of Management's Vote, which accompany the Medals.

i In presenting the Watches, Captain Sluys made an eloquent speech in English, in the course of which he said:— " Several of the members of this crew, and also Mr. Morgan, are husbands of wives, fathers of children, supporters of families. What are the motives of these men in the performance of their acts of heroism ? Certainly not the craving for material profit. ... It is the call of humanity, and more especially that mysterious call of the brotherhood of the sea, to which these men respond when they go out to risk their lives for the sake of their fellow men at sea who are in peril, regardless of their nation- ality, race or colour. It is the call which strongly appeals to sailors all over the world, but especially to British sailors, so strong that during the war they even saved the lives of enemies whenever it could be done without prejudice to the military situation and sometimes regardless even of that.

Coxswain and members of the Fish- guard Life-boat crew, and Mr. Morgan, the Queen of the Netherlands has sent you watches. Please don't consider these watches as rewards for your deeds of heroism. Such heroism as has been displayed by you cannot be rewarded with a material gift, as there, is no equivalent in money or any material profit for the lives of the men you rescued. . . . Please accept these ; watches as mere humble tokens of the deep gratitude, as emblems of pro- found admiration of the whole Dutch nation for your skill and seamanship, your gallantry and heroism." A vote of thanks to Lady Evans was proposed by Mr. Nicholls, the Honorary Secretary, and seconded by Mr. V. J. G. j Johns, who pointed out that England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland were all represented in the Fishguard crew.

A vote of thanks to the Queen of Holland and the Netherlands Government was proposed by Captain Innes and seconded by Mr. Francis Davies, of the Fishguard Committee, and a vote of thanks to the Institution was proposed by Captain Sharp and seconded by Mr. W. J. Vaughan.

Coxswain Howells replied, and said that he was proud of always having a volunteer crew available, and of being able to choose his own men at all times.