Three Bronze Medals Awarded.

THERE were heavy seas round the coast whole gale was blowing at the time, and at the end of November, and on the 26th the Motor Life-boat and two tugs put out and 27th of that month ten Life-boats to her help. Both tugs got into diffi- culties were launched. Two of these launches 1 , and one of them, the Richmere, led to gallant and dangerous services, [ went ashore, and was wrecked in the for which Bronze Medals have been j heavy seas. The Life-boat went to her awarded.

On the 27th November, the cross- Channel steamer Dieppe went ashore at the entrance to Newhaven Harbour. A help, anchored and veered down. While she was alongside her the Richmere gave a heavy roll, and smashed the Life-boat's gunwale and hull. TheLife-boat was in the gravest danger, but she was splendidly handled by Coxswain Payne. The four men on board the Kichmere, which sank imme- diately afterwards, were rescued and brought safely ashore; and then, in spite of her severely damaged condition, the Life-boat returned to the Dieppe, and stood by her until she refloated some three hours after she went ashore and was able to enter the harbour under her own steam.

For this skillful and gallant service, Coxswain Payne was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Institution, and his Crew the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum. Extra monetary awards were also given. As a mark of its appreciation the Southern Railway has made a donation of 100 guineas to the Institution, and the following letter of thanks from the Master, engineer, deckhand and fireman of the tug was addressed to the Honorary Secretary, Coxswain and Crew at Newhaven :— " We, the undersigned, being the members of the late s.s. Richmere, desire to convey to you some small portion of our heartfelt thanks for your kindly rescue of us on the morning of Thursday, 27th November, when, but for your prompt assistance, there is little doubt that we should have lost our lives.

Great difficulty is experienced in giving expression to our feelings, but hope you will take the will for the deed, again thanking you." On the same day a gallant rescue was performed on the Yorkshire coast.

week before, the Belgian steamer cesse Clementine had gone ashore off Staithes. Her crew of nineteen were rescued by the Runswick Life-boat, but her Captain had remained on board.

On the 27th November he signalled for help. A gale was blowing with a very heavy sea which was sweeping right over the wreck. The Life-boat was launched with great difficulty, some of the laun- chers going into the sea up to their necks.

When she reached the Princesse Clemen- tine she was several times nearly swept on to the deck of the wreck, but she succeeded in getting alongside. A rope was thrown to the Captain, who, with great difficulty, made Ms way aft and jumped into the Life-boat. In thanking the Crew for their gallantry he said that he would never have jumped, if it had not been that he knew he was risking other lives besides his own. On her way back the Life-boat was completely buried by a tremendous wave.

For this gallant and difficult service the Institution awarded Bronze Medals to Coxswain Tose and Second Coxswain Patton, and extra monetary awards to the rest of the Crew and the helpers.

The Institution has now received from the owners of the steamer, the Belgian Steam Navigation Company of Antwerp, a donation of £30 and a letter, in which the Company say " We cannot express the gratitude •which, we feel for the in- estimable service which your honourable Institution has rendered the Crew and Captain of our steamer."