Rosslare Harbour (Co. Wexford).

On the 20th October, the schooner Mountblairy, of Plymouth, was driven ashore about five miles from Rosslare Harbour in a whole gale, with a very heavy sea running. She lay surrounded by rocks. The Life-boat sighted the schooner by means of her searchlight, and then, by its light, made her way between the rocks and through the broken water. She was in grave danger herself, but was magnificently handled by the Coxswain, who brought her safely alongside, and in three minutes the five men of the Mountblairy hadjumped aboard her. It was then that the most difficult and dangerous moment came. There was not enough room between the rocks to turn the Lifeboat, but the Coxswain, by using the bow of the wreck itself as a fulcrum, and by skilful manipulation of his engines, succeeded in screwing the Life-boat round, and worked her clear of the rocks.

The journey home was very hazardous.

It was in the teeth of the gale, and against the tide, which was running its hardest. The Life-boat was continually smothered by heavy seas; the spray was so blinding that although the boat was close to buoys and lights, nothing could be seen, and she had to be steered by compass ; the movement of the boat was so violent that all the rescued men were seasick ; and so great was the backwash off Rosslare that the Life-boat's Crew at times were nearly swept out of the cockpit and washed overboard. In spite of these dangers, the Coxswain brought the Life-boat safely to harbour just after midnight.

She had been out for three hours.

This was the finest of seven Life-boat services carried out by the Rosslare Harbour Life-boat within one month, during which time she went out to the help of ten vessels, rescued twentynine lives, and saved five fishing boats from destruction.

Coxswain James Wickham was awarded a Second Service Clasp to the Silver Medal of the Institution which he won in 1914. Mr. W. J. B. Moncas, the Honorary Secretary, was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Institution.

He went out in the Life-boat, and in looking after the shipwrecked crew on the journey home ran a great risk of being washed overboard. Mr. Moncas was presented in 1926 with an inscribed Binocular Glass for shore-boat service in which he had taken part. Each member of the Crew was awarded the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum, and an additional monetary reward.

The awards to Coxswain Wickham and Mr. Moncas were presented to them by His Excellency the Governor- General of the Irish Free State (Mr.

James McNeill), at the Vice-Regal Lodge in Dublin on llth February.There were present at the Ceremony Senator Andrew Jameson (Chairman of the Dublin Branch), Major Arthur Whewell (Chairman of the Special Efforts Committee), Mr. R. N.

Guinness (Honorary Secretary of the Branch), Mr. B. J. Newcombe (Assistant Secretary), Lieut.-Commander J. M.

Upton, R.N.R.(District Inspector of Lifeboats for Ireland), and Mr. Herbert G.

Solomon (District Organising Secretary for Ireland and Wales). In making the presentation,the Governor-General said: " Everybody delights to honour brave men who, at great risk to themselves, undertake the work of life-saving from shipwreck, and it is a great pleasure' to me to decorate personally two heroes of the sea who have shown that grit and determination which everyone connected with the sea seems to possess.

" The name of Wickham of Wexford has been associated with the work of life-saving for generations, and many awards have been made to members of this family for their heroism during the past century, while Mr. Moncas has been associated with Life-boat work at Fenit and Rosslare for twenty-four years.

" Possessing one of the finest Motor Life-boats in the Service and a crew that does not know the meaning of the word ' fear,' Rosslare is equipped for any emergency." The Governor-General then gave the record of the Station during the gales, and concluded: " In presenting these awards, I hope the Coxswain will convey to every member of his Crew my congratulations on their share in this great rescue.".