Aith, Shetlands.—14th January. During the evening the coastguard at Lerwick telephoned that two rockets had been seen north of the Vee Skerries.

A moderate N.W. gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea and showers of snow. The motor life-boat The Bankin was launched at 8.15 P.M., but finding nothing, returned to her station at 12.30 A.M. to see if more information could be got. She put out again at 1.30 A.M., and made a long search over a wide area, but still was unable to find any trace of a vessel in distress.

She returned to her station at 10.15 A.M. on the 15th, having been out for fourteen hours altogether. An increase in the usual money awards on the standard scale was made to the crew of the life-boat.—Rewards, £23 155. 6d..