THREE new Motor Life-boats which left the building yard at Cowes for their Stations during the gales—the 40-feet Watson Life-boats for Port Patrick (Wigtownshire), Troon (Ayrshire) and Moelfre (Anglesey)—were subjected to as severe a test as any Life-boats have had on such passages.

The Port Patrick and Troon boats left Cowes on 23rd November, and reached Port Patrick on 3rd December, the Troon boat going on to her Station the next day. The worst of the weather was experienced on the run from Brixham to Plymouth on 25th Novem- ber, when the boats were running straight into a south-westerly gale with a very heavy sea.

As the leading boat met each wave it appeared to those in the following boat that she was going to turn completely over on herself, standing at times almost on end, so that the whole of the deck could be seen, and even the inside of the funnel. Then, as she reached the crest of the wave, she disappeared completely. So it went on all the way to Plymouth.

The splendid way in which the boats stood this severe test is shown more clearly by the figures of the passage than by anything else. The total distance of 626 miles was covered in 96| hours. That gives an average speed for the passage of 6| knots. In fair weather the maximum speed of the boats is between 7| and 7J knots ! Both Crews were given a magnificent reception at Port Patrick, where the pier-head was crowded to welcome them, and they were entertained to supper and a concert by the Branch and the ladies of Port Patrick. Next day the Troon boat was no less cor- dially welcomed when she arrived at her own Station.

The Moelfre boat left Cowes on 7th January and reached her Station on 18th January. Two extracts from the District 'Inspector's Report show gra- phically the weather she encountered and her behaviour in face of it. Off The Lizard she found a terrific sea running.

" Boat labouring heavily and ship- ping water over both sides, frequently filling herself from gunwale to gunwale, engines being constantly worked to meet the seas. She fell off one sea with a crash that would have stove any ordin- ary boat's bottom in, but engines did not check for a single instant and ran perfectly throughout." On the crossing from Padstow to Fishguard she had a similar experience.

" We again experienced terrific seas, boat being constantly full of water.

We took one very heavy sea over port quarter and sides and almost imme- diately, and before she could clear her- self, two more over the stern and star- board quarter. Standing beside the compass, the water reached over the top of my thigh boots and completely filled the shelter, being well above the engine hatch. On all occasions boat freed herself quickly." Again the figures of the passage show the splendid behaviour of the boat.

The total distance was 490 miles, and it was covered in 72J hours. That is to say, the passage was done at an average speed of just over 7 knots. In fair weather the boat's maximum speed is just over 7J knots..