Weymouth, Dorset.—At 8.30 P.M. on the 18th August the Wyke coastguard reported a small craft in distress off Ringstead. A moderate breeze was blowing, with a very choppy sea. The motor life-boat William and Clara Ryland was launched at 8.38 P.M., and found the auxiliary yacht Spray, of Gosport, drifting on to a lee shore at Osmington. The Spray had a crew of seven. Her mainsail had carried away and her engine was not strong enough to take her against the sea. She had dropped anchor, but it was dragging.

The life-boat towed her into Weymouth harbour, and returned to her station at 9.30 P.M. As soon as the life-boat had got back, a message was received from the coastguard that flares had been seen about five miles W.S.W. of Wyke, and she set off again at 9.42 P.M.

She found nothing, however, and once more returned to her station at 2.15 A.M. on the 19th.—Rewards, First launch, £8 15s.; second launch, £8 15s..