Ballycotton, Co. Cork. — At about 5.30 P.M. on the 12th October, 1938, the No. 1 man at the Gyleen coast lifesaving station telephoned that a large steamer was near a very dangerous shoal of rocks and appeared to be trying to get clear. A strong S.W.

breeze was blowing, with a very heavy swell, and there was a very thick fog; visibility was practically nil. At about 6 P.M. anolher report came from Gyleen that the steamer had again approached the rocks, but had then disappeared in the fog. The motor life-boat Mary Stanford was launched at 6.18 P.M. and reached the approximate position about an hour later.

She searched in the bay for about two hours, but found nothing, and the coxswain decided to go to Cork for further information. He steered the life-boat in by listening to the fog signals from Poer Head and Rochespoint lighthouses.

She met the Cork pilot boat, but could get no news, and secured alongside her. At 2.30 A.M. on the 13th the fog lifted slightly, and the lifeboat left for home. Visibility became very bad again, but the coxswain skilfully found his way to Ballycotton, and the life-boat arrived there at 5.45 A.M., to hear that soon after she had set out on the previous evening the steamer Gunhild, of Copenhagen, had steamed slowly into Cork harbour. Attempts had been made to recall the life-boat, but had failed.

A letter of appreciation was sent by the Institution to Coxswain Patrick Sliney, and an increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was granted to him and to each member of the crew—Standard rewards to crew, £13 2s. 6d.; additional rewards to crew, £4. Total rewards, £17 15*..