New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 6.4 P.M.

on the 15th January, 1938, the coastguard reported that a small vessel was in distress five miles W.N.W. of Bar Buoy, and that the steamer Millais was standing by. This was confirmed by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and the No. 2 motor life-boat William and Kate Johnston put out at 6.40 P.M. A strong W.N.W. gale was blowing, with a very rough sea. About an hour after the life-boat had got under way the Millais reported by wireless that the other vessel had disappeared during a squall. This message was sent by wireless to the life-boat, and she searched round the Bar Lightvessel and Buoys. She could find no trace of the distressed vessel, and at 9.50 P.M. went to the Formby Lightvessel.

Here it was learned that the vessel was the steamer Jane, of Liverpool, and that she was four miles W.N.W.

of the North-West Buoy and not the Bar Buqy. This new position was about sixteen miles from the Formby Light-vessel. The life-boat continued the search, but at 1.10 A.M. on the 16th the Dock Board reported that the Jane had arrived in dock. A wireless message was sent to the life-boat, and she returned to her station at 4.50 A.M.

after over ten hours at sea in extremely bad conditions. An increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was granted to each member of the crew.—Standard rewards to crew, £13 2s. 6d.; additional rewards to crew, £9 ; total rewards, £26 Is. 6d..