Barrow, Lancashire ; Maryport, Cumberland; Ramsey, and Douglas, Isle of Man, October 19th.—On the 18th October the s.s. Esbo, of Helsingfors, left Preston in ballast for Finland. Bad weather was encountered, and the Esbo got into difficulties. At about 5.30 A.M. on the 19th, when she was near the Selker rocks, off Bootle, she wirelessed SOS. She let go two anchors, but they failed to hold her, and she dragged towards the shore. A south-westerly hurricane was blowing, with a very heavy sea. On shore the gale had brought down the telephone wires and communication was extremely difficult. News was received at Barrow from the coastguard some time after 6 A.M., and the motor lifeboat N.T. set out at 7 A.M. ; she had twenty miles to go and reached the scene at 10.30 A.M. By this time the Esbo had got nearer shore, and on account of the very bad conditions the life-boat was unable to get near her.

She was compelled to return home, and arrived at her station at 1 P.M.'A message had been received at Ramsey, Isle of Man, from the Walney coastguard that as all communications were down they were unable to get into touch with other stations, and they asked for her help. The motor lifeboat Lady Harrison was launched at 8.20 A.M. When she had gone about fourteen miles (she had to cover over thirty) conditions were so bad that it was impossible to go farther. She was continually swept from stem to stern, and nothing could be seen on account of the foam. She made for the lee of the land at Cornah, Isle of Man, and, after waiting for three-quarters of an hour, in the hope that the weather would moderate, set off again. She got about ten miles off, but was again compelled to return on account of the abnormal conditions. She put in to Laxey and was told to make for her station, news having been received that the crew of the Esbo were safe.

She returned to her station at 5.40 P.M.

Information had been received at Maryport at 10.30 A.M., and, after enquiries had been made, the motor life-boat Joseph Braithwaite was launched at 11.35 A.M. She had about thirty miles to travel down the coast.

After a very rough passage, during which the coxswain had to be lashed at the wheel to prevent him being washed overboard, she arrived at 5 P.M., to find that the crew of the Esbo had been rescued. She got back to her station at 12.30 A.M. on the 20th.

The crew of the Douglas life-boat were assembled and stood by all day, but the boat was not launched.

The Esbo had gone ashore at about 12.20 P.M., nearly seven hours after sending out her SOS. The Board of Trade rocket life-saving apparatus got a line on board, but the Esbo launched a boat and six men and three women managed after a very dangerous trip, and with the help of those on land, to get ashore. The remainder of the crew were rescued by the breeches-buoy, the last man coming ashore at 3.40 P.M.

In recognition of their efforts, a framed letter of thanks was awarded to Coxswain Thomas Q. Reay, of Maryport, and an increase in the usual money awards on the standard scale was:made to him and each member of his crew.—Rewards, Maryport, £43 10*.; Barrow, £11 17s.; Ramsey, £19 45. 3d.; Douglas, £6..