Hastings, Sussex.—During the evening of the 1st June, 1938, a whole S.W.

gale sprang up, bringing with it a very heavy sea. Several local fishing boats had been caught at sea, and it was decided to send out the motor life-boat Cyril and Lilian Bishop. Great difficulty was experienced in launching, as the tide was low, and the life-boat had to be dragged over the sand. Sixty-five launchers took part, and most of them had to go well into the sea. The life-boat got away at 9.44 P.M. The second coxswain was in command, as the coxswain was at sea, and the honorary secretary of the station, Commander W. Highfield, O.B.E., R.N., was on board. She made two trips to the westward and escorted in the William and Edwin and the Unity, and then two eastward, and escorted in the -Little Mayflower and the Boy Bob. The skipper of the last boat said that he had not seen any others, and that they had probably run for shelter at Rye or round Dungeness.

The life-boat got back to harbour at 11.45 P.M. News was then received that a boat had broken down half a mile off Winchelsea, and the life-boat immediately put out again. She found nothing, however, and returned to herstation at 2.40 on the morning of the 2nd June. She had then been at sea for five hours in the worst conditions she had ever experienced. In recognition of this good service the Institution sent a letter of appreciation to the branch and a letter of thanks to Commander Highfield. An increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was granted to each member of the crew and to the helpers.—Standard rewards to crew, £11 5s.; additional rewards to crew, £9; total rewards, £60 13s..