Swanage, Dorset.—At 4.30 A.M. on the 4th July the coastguard reported that a vessel five miles west of Portland Bill was firing rockets. A strong breeze to moderate gale was blowing from the S.W., with a very heavy sea. The motor life-boat Thomas Markby, which had returned only a few hours beforefrom another service call (which will be reported in a later issue), put out at 5.15 A.M. After a very rough passage she reached the scene and found that the Admiralty tug St. Just had taken in tow the converted life-boat Pau- Amma, which had been in great danger of driving ashore. The Pau-Amma was bound for Yarmouth, and had two people on board. The St. Just passed the tow to the life-boat, which made for Weymouth. Twice the line parted, but eventually the life-boat got the Pau-Amma safely into Weymouth harbour.

After the crew had had some refreshment the life-boat made for home, arriving at 4.20 P.M. She had been absent for over eleven hours. In view of the length and arduous nature of the service a letter of appreciation was sent to the coxswain and crew, and an increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was granted to the coxswain and each member of the crew.—Rewards, £13 6s..