THE Institution has awarded its Silver Medal to Coxswain George Robinson, of New Brighton, on the Mersey, and its Bronze Medal to each of the eight members of the Crew, for their gallantry in rescuing 23 men of the French steamer Emile Delmas on 24th November last —the finest service of the year.

A very heavy N.N.W. gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea, continuous blinding rain squalls, and gusts at nearly 100 miles an hour. Owing to the gale and shortage of fuel, the steamer anchored and signalled for help. When the Motor Lifeboat reached her, she had the greatest difficulty in getting alongside, as the steamer was j yawing tremendously. In the end she i succeeded, thanks to the splendid skill j with which the Coxswain handled her, and the magnificent courage of her whole Crew. As soon as she got alongside the Frenchmen jumped into the net which the Life-boat carries, stretched amidships, or climbed down a rope-ladder.

The whole crew of 24 men were rescued, but the Life-boat herself had been badly damaged. Then, on her way home, she was struck by a huge sea. It flooded one of the engine rooms, and swept overboard the chief engineer of the steamer and two of the Life-boat's own Crew. After great difficulty and much manoeuvring, the Life-boat succeeded in picking up the two Lifeboatmen, but in spite of repeated efforts, she could not save the engineer, who was swept away and drowned. The Life-boat reached her Station again nearly six hours after she had put out to the rescue.

Particular gallantry was shown by the Motor Mechanic of the Life-boat, Ralph B. Scott. He was ill, waiting for a vacant bed in the hospital and faced with the probability of a serious operation.

In spite of this he answered the call with the rest of the Crew, and during the whole service was in charge of the engines. When he landed he was taken straight to hospital. This is not the first time that Mr. Scott has shown such gallantry and endurance. Before the New Brighton Life-boat went to her Station, in 1923, she made a tour round Great Britain. Mr. Scott broke a bone in his arm, but in spite of this remained in charge of the engines until the end of the trip a month later.

The owners of the Emile Delmas are the Compagnie Delmas Freres et Vieljeux, of La Rochelle. They are already subscribers to the Institution, and in I gratitude for this service they have made a special gift of 10,000 francs to the New Brighton Life-boat Crew..