During the evening of the 1st April the life-boat motor mechanic received a telephone message from the police and the coast- guard, reporting that six men were stranded on Burbo Bank. A moderate N.W. breeze was blowing with a rough sea. The No. 2 motor life-boat William and Kate Johnston left her moorings at 9.44 P.M., and after searching for two hours with the aid of her searchlights, found two men drifting in a water- logged small boat. They were taken into the life-boat and told the coxswain that four other men were still missing.

The search continued and eventually a flare was seen in the direction of the north bank. The life-boat found the fishing boat Eagle, of Bootle, with the four men on board. She was leaking, her rudder had been lost, and her sails were torn. The men were taken off and the Eagle was towed back to New Brighton, which was reached at twelve forty-five next morning.—Rewards, £11 5s..