Ix the early afternoon of 27th August last a small steamer. Kendy, of Cardiff, got into difficulties off Porthcawl in Glamorganshire, and foundered. The Crew took to the boat, but it capsized, and, with the men clinging to it, drifted towards the shore. There was a moderate wind blowing, and the sea was moderate, but a heavy surf was breaking on the rocks.

The Coast-guard Life-saving Apparatus Company was called out and two rockets were tired, but the men on the boat could not get hold of the line.

The Company then lined the rocks ready to seize the men as they were washed up, and an urgent call was sent for boats, one of which rescued one of the five men.

Meanwhile, at great risk to himself, a visitor to Porthcawl, Mr. W. H. B.

Cotton, of Sandiacre, near Nottingham, plunged off the rocks into the surf, swam out to the upturned boat with, a line and passed it to the Kendy's captain, but the captain, unfortunately, could not keep hold of it. Mr. Cotton then swam back and volunteered to go out a second time, but as the boat was by this time close inshore the Coastguard would not let him take the risk.

As the boat was carried in, with the four men on her, the Life-saving Company seized them before they were flung on the rocks, and passed them back to other helpers, one Coastguard diving off the rocks in order to get one of the men ashore. All four men were rescued, but many of the Company were bruised and had their clothes torn.

Mr. Cotton's action in plunging into such a surf among the rocks was one of great gallantry, and the Institution has awarded him its Bronze Medal..