LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Services of the Life-Boats. Reported to the February and March Meetings of the Committee of Management

Launches 65. Lives rescued 43.

Februar- eeting.

Rossi "--• „ Co. Wexford.—On the 20th uoer, 1938, the crew of four of the motor schooner M. E.

Johnson, of Dublin, were rescued, and from the 21st to 23rd December, the life-boat rendered salvage services to the vessel: Rewards : Thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum, letters of thanks and monetary awards amounting to £18 2*. 6d., also Property Salvage Case. (A full account ap- peared in the last issue of The Life-boat.) Clacton-on-Sea, and Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At about 4.38 P.M. on the 7th January, 1939, the Clacton coastguard telephoned that a barge off Holland Sluice appeared to be in difficulties.

Soon afterwards they reported that she was burning flares for help, and the Clacton motor life-boat Edward Z.

Dresden was launched at 5 P.M. A moderate south breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea, and the weather was overcast, with fog and rain. The life-boat reached the barge abreast of Frinton. She was the Louise, of Rochester, with two men on board, bound from London to Ipswich with a cargo of cotton seed. She had lost both anchors, her steering-gear had broken down, and she was unmanageable. The Clacton life-boat was unable to get her to a safe anchorage without help, and so signalled for the Walton motor life-boat E.M.E.D., which put out at 6.50 P.M. Between them the life-boats towed the Louise to Harwich. The Walton life-boat returned to her station at 11.40 P.M., and the Clacton boat to hers at 1 A.M.—-Property Salvage Cases.

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—Early in the afternoon of the 9th January, 1939, a man reported that his son and two other men who had gone out in the motor fishing boat Laura to shoot cod lines had not returned when expected.

Strong squalls were blowing from the west, and the sea was choppy. The motor life-boat Civil Service No. 5 put out at 1 P.M. She found the Laura about three miles to the south, and escorted her back to harbour. The motor fishing boat Prospector, of Bally waiter, was then seen. She seemed to be in difficulties and she, too. was escorted in. The life- boat returned to her station at 2.15 P.M.

—Rewards, £6 17s.

Thurso, Caithness-shire. Four seine net fishing boats—Streamlet, Lea Rig, Fisherboy, and Crest—were overtaken by a sudden N.N.W. gale, with a heavy sea, when fishing about eighteen miles west of Thurso on the 9th January, 1939. The motor life-boat H.C.J. was launched at 3.25 P.M., with the second coxswain in charge, and met the boats coming home. Against the heavy sea and strong ebb tide the fishing boats made but slow progress. The life-boat escorted them until they reached Scrabster Harbour at 6.30 P.M.—Re- wards, £11 3*.

Sunderland, Co. Durham.—At about 5.30 P.M. on the llth January, 1939, a message was received from the South Docks that a vessel close to the shore was burning red flares. A N.N.E. gale was blowing, with a heavy sea and snow showers. The motor life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was launched at 6 P.M. and about three miles east of Ryhope came up with the 2,700-ton Greek steamer George J. Goulandris, of Andros. She had then got out of immediate danger, and wanted a pilot to take her into the Wear. The life- boat guided her to the harbour entrance where a pilot was waiting, and returned to her station at 8.30 P.M. Owing to the state of the sea she could not be rehoused until next day.—Rewards, £17 9*. 6d.

Torbay, Devon.—At 6.55 P.M. on the 16th January, 1939, it was reported that the open motor fishing boat Prince, of Torquay, with three men on board,was overdue on a trip from Torquay to Brixham, and that owing to the poor condition of her engine anxiety was felt for her safety. A moderate south- west gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat George Shee was launched at 7.10 P.M., and helped by the searchlight of a sheltering steamer very quickly found the Prince in the middle of Tor Bay. Her crew were morsing a distress signal. The life-boat towed her to the inner harbour at Brixham, and returned to her station at 7.40 P.M. A letter of thanks was received from the skipper—Re- wards, £16 7s.

Angle, Pembrokeshire.—At 3.50 P.M.

on the 17th January, 1939, the St.

Ann's Head coastguard reported that a French schooner was in distress two miles south of the Head. She was the Eglantine, of Treguier, bound laden from Cardiff for France. A strong south wind was blowing, with a rough sea, and the weather was thick. The motor life-boat Elizabeth Elson put out at 4 P.M. and came up with the Eglan- tine off Thorn Buoy. Her cargo had shifted and her mainsail had been blown away. The life-boat escorted her to a safe anchorage off Milford, and returned to her station at 7 P.M.— Rewards, £11 14*. 3d.

Courdon, Kincardineshire.—At about 3.30 P.M., on the 19th January, 1939, a report was received from Johnshaven that the local fishing boats Isa Simpson and Sunbeam were at sea, and that owing to the bad weather they were making for Gourdon instead of their own harbour. A strong S.E. breeze was blowing, with a heavy surf, and the weather was very thick. The motor life-boat Margaret Dawson was launched at 4 P.M., and met the fishing boats off Gourdon. Their skippers decided, after all, to run for Johnshaven, and the life- boat escorted them there and saw them safely into harbour. She returned to her station at 6 P.M.—Rewards, £24 14s. 9d.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—During the morning of the 19th January, 1939, the fishing fleet put to sea, and by 2 P.M.

all but four boats had returned. At this time a fresh S.E. breeze was blowing, with a strong sea and a dense fog. These conditions made it dan- gerous for the boats to enter the har- bour, and the No. 1 motor life-boat Mary Ann Heptvorth was launched at 2.45 P.M. to help them in. She made three trips in different directions be- fore she had found and escorted them all into harbour. She returned to her station at 5.45 P.M.—Rewards, £11 19s. 9d.

Humber, Yorkshire.—At about 11.30 P.M. on the 20th January, 1939, the life- boat watchman reported a vessel ashore on the Middle Binks. She was the motor vessel Peterborough Trader, of Wisbech, bound for the Humber. A light, variable, breeze was blowing, with a nasty ground sea, and the weather was misty. The motor life-boat City of Bradford II was launched at 11.50 P.M., and found the Peterborough Trader bumping hard on the bottom. She stood by her until she refloated on the rising tide and went on her way. The life-boat then made for her station, arriving at 3.15 A.M.—Permanent paid crew: Rewards, 18s.

Penlee, Cornwall.—Early in the morning of the 21st January, 1939, the Belgian trawler Paul Therese, of Ostend, broke from her moorings in Newlyn Harbour and drifted out to sea. Her crew of six were asleep and uncon- scious of their danger. A south- westerly gale was blowing, with a rough sea, and the weather was thick. The news was received from the coastguard, and the motor life-boat W and S was launched at 4.35 A.M. She found the trawler near the rocks between Pen- zance and St. Michael's Mount and one of the life-boat crew boarded her. He roused her crew and the life-boat towed her out of danger. Her crew then got the engine going and she followed the life-boat clear. She returned to Newlyn Harbour, and the life-boat arrived back at her station at 7.15 A.M.—Property Salvage Case.

Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset.—At about noon on the 22nd January, 1939, information was received through the coastguard that the motor launch Snapper, which was bound from Ham- worthy to Southampton, was in diffi-culties off Boscombe Pier. A S.W.

breeze was blowing with a rough sea.

The new motor life-boat Thomas Kirk Wright put out on her first service at 12.20 P.M. She found that two of the crew of three had left in the dinghy and reached Boscombe Pier. A life- boatman was put aboard the Snapper and she was then towed to Poole by the life-boat which arrived back at her station at 4'.15 P.M.—Rewards, £7 155. 6d.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—At about 2 P.M.

on the 23rd January, 1939, a gale was blowing from the N.N.W. with a heavy sea. The motor fishing boat Pilot Me was at sea and as she did not return the No. 1 motor life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 3.20 P.M.

She found her about a mile and a half to the north and escorted her through the broken water to the harbour. The life-boat took one tremendous sea, which buried her from stem to stern.— Rewards, £8 5s. 6d.

Torbay, Devon. — During a severe N.W. gale on the morning of the 23rd January, 1939, the auxiliary ketch St.

Helens, of London, broke from her moorings in Brixham Outer Harbour and drove ashore on the beach near the life-boat station. A motor trawler got her off the beach, but both vessels went aground on the breakwater. During the evening the life-boat coxswain, who was on the breakwater, was hailed by the eight men on board the St. Helens.

Two were her own crew and the other six were from the trawler, and were attempting to salve the St. Helens.

They had no boat in which to land, and no rockets on board with which to attract attention, and their position was dangerous. The motor life-boat George Shee was launched at 8.40 P.M., towed the St. Helens into harbour, and returned to her station at 9.10 P.M.— Property Salvage Case.

Ilfracombe, Devon. — During the afternoon of the 25th January, 1939, anxiety was felt for the safety of the motor fishing boat Rowena, which had been at sea since 6 A.M. and had not returned with the other boats which had put out with her. A N.N.E.

gale was blowing, with a rough and worsening sea. The motor life-boat Rosabella was launched at 4.5 P.M., and found the Rowena about four miles off Combe Martin. She escorted her back to harbour, and returned to her station at 5.15 P.M.—Rewards, £38 2s. 9d.

Wick, Caithness-shire. — During the afternoon of the 25th January, 1939, two local fishing boats were caught at sea by a strong easterly breeze, with a rough sea. They were seen making for harbour and the motor life-boat City of Edinburgh was launched at 3.30 P.M., and escorted them safely in. She re- turned to her station at 4.45 P.M.— Rewards, £5 145- Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 11.16 P.M. on the 24th January, 1939, the coastguard reported a vessel making signals on her siren. The night was misty with a light S.S.E. wind and a moderate swell. Later the coastguard reported that a vessel was off Lancing with all lights extinguished, and at 12.40 A.M. on the 25th January, the motor life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched to investigate. She found the motor vessel Gerco, of Delfzijl, laden with bricks for Denmark.

The captain had lost his bearings and wanted a pilot. The life-boat escorted the vessel to the harbour, where she took a pilot aboard.—Rewards, £15 7*. 6d.

Torbay, Devon.—On the night of the 30th January, 1939, the Berry Head coastguard reported that rockets had been seen about eight miles to the east- ward. A moderate easterly gale was blowing, with a heavy swell. At 8.55 P.M. the motor life-boat George Shee was launched, and found the s.s.

Brilliant, of Glasgow, with a crew of ten on board, bound laden from London to Dublin. Her rudder had carried away and she needed a tug. The life- boat went to fetch one and met one coming out to the steamer. The life- boat stood by and after two hawsers had parted she was asked to help to get the Brilliant in tow. This she did.

A third time the hawser parted, when the Brilliant was only about 300 yards from the shore, but eventually the tug got her safely into Brixham harbour.

The life-boat returned to her station at 2.10 A.M.—Property Salvage Case.The following life-boats were launched, but no services were rendered for the reasons given : Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire.—7th January, 1939. A small boat was swamped. One of her crew of two got ashore unaided. The other could not be found.—Rewards, £11 14s.

Cromer, Norfolk.—8th January, 1939.

The steam trawler Imbrin, of La Rochelle, had stranded on the Hais- borough Sands, but got off without help.—Rewards, £29 6s. 6d.

Sennen Cove, Cornwall.—9th January, 1939. The Seven Stones Light-vessel fired rockets, but it was found that she was signalling for the Trinity House tender.—Rewards, £21 10s.

Youghal, Co. Cork.—10th January, 1939. Distress flares had been re- ported, but a long search revealed no vessel in need of help.—Rewards, £16 5s. 6d.

Boulmer, Northumberland. — 13th January, 1939. The Dutch motor vessel Drittura had burned a red flare, but it was found that she had done this by mistake when signalling for a pilot.—Rewards, £18 15s. 6d.

Dunbar, Haddingtonshire.—14th January, 1939. A small sailing boat bound from Leith to Dunbar was over- due. She took shelter at Cockenzie and the life-boat was recalled by wire- less.—Rewards, £14 11s. 6d.

Peterhead, Aberdeen.—16th January, 1939. A trawler had run ashore on the Scaurs of Cruden, but she was refloated and taken in tow for Aberdeen by another trawler. Unfortunately she had been damaged and on her way to Aberdeen she foundered with the loss of her whole crew.—Rewards, £13 7s.

Lowes toft, Suffolk. — 17th January, 1939. A motor trawler had grounded on the Newcombe Sands, but she re- floated unaided.—Rewards, £27 11s. 6d.

Weymouth, Dorset. — 19th January, 1939. Prolonged blowing of a siren had been heard in the direction of the Shambles Light-vessel, but no vessel in distress was found.—Rewards, £13 2s. 6d.

Blyth, Northumberland. — 19th January, 1939. A local motor fishing boat was overdue, but she got in un- aided, after having been delayed by a fouled propeller.—Rewards £14. 9s. 6d.

Buckie, Banffshire. — 19th January, 1939. A motor boat had gone ashore at Lossiemouth, but her crew were able to scramble over the rocks to safety.— Rewards, £10 6s. 3d!.

Waimer, Kent.—21st January, 1939.

A steamer had been heading for the Goodwin Sands, but changed her course in answer to warning guns from the East Goodwin Light-vessel.—Rewards, £29 Os. 6d.

Torbay, Devon. — 22nd January, 1939. The motor fishing boat Prince had gone ashore, but her crew reached safety unaided. Rewards, £14 18s. 6d.

Six days before she had been rescued by the Torbay life-boat (see page 87.) Kirkcudbright.—22nd January, 1939.

A steamer had been reported blowing her horn apparently for help, but no trace of any vessel in distress could be found.—Rewards, £23 11s. 6d.

Aberdeen.—22nd January, 1939. A small boat had been reported capsized at the mouth of the River Don, but nothing could be found.—Rewards, £6 17s. 6d.

St. Ives, Cornwall.—23rd January, 1939. The motor life-boat put out to an unknown vessel, but capsized with the loss of seven of her crew of eight.— Rewards: Bronze medals and £88 2s.

(A full account of this life-boat dis- aster and particulars of the pensions to the dependent relatives was published in the last issue of The Life-boat.) Padstow, Cornwall. — 23rd January, 1939. In the early morning the No. 1 motor life-boat Princess Mary went out to the help of the mine-layer Medea.

The life-boat was buried by a sea which washed away nearly all the gear on deck and put the lighting system out ofaction. She then signalled the coast- guard, and the coastguard rocket life- saving appliances rescued from the shore three of the four men on board the Medea. Rewards: A letter of appreciation to the coxswain and crew and an increase in the usual money award on the standard scale. Standard rewards to crew (of whom four are full- time employees), £9 85.; additional rewards to crew, £8. Total rewards, £22 10*. 4d. (A full account of this service appeared in the March issue of The Life-boat.) Penlee, Cornwall.—23rd January, 1939. Early in the morning informa- tion was received from the coastguard that the St. Ives life-boat was out.

At 5 A.M. it was reported that signals had been seen off Clodgy Head.

The Sennen life-boat could not get out as the tide was low, and the Padstow life-boat was already out to a ship off Trevose Head. The Penlee motor life-boat W and S, which was in Newlyn Harbour at the time, set out at once, but off Land's End she was recalled by the coastguard. She returned to Newlyn again at 8.45 A.M. An increase in the usual money awards on the standard scale was granted to each member of the crew.—Standard re- wards to crew, £11 8s.; additional rewards to crew, £9; total rewards, £21 15*.

Beaumaris, Anglesey.—23rd January, 1939. A small boat had been reported in distress, but a long search was with- out result.—Rewards, £8 Is.

Selsey, Sussex.—24th January, 1939.

An aircraft had been reported down in the sea, but nothing could be found.— Rewards, £8 18s.

Torbay, Devon.- 26th January, 1939.

A motor barge had signalled for help, but her anchors held and she did not need it.—Rewards, £14 05. 6d.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—6th February, 1939. An aeroplane had been reported down in the sea in flames, but nothing could be found.— Rewards, £7 15s. Qd.

March Meeting.

Walmer, Kent.—At 5.18 A.M. on the 18th January, 1939, a message was received from the Deal coastguard that flares had been seen about six miles south-east from Ramsgate. A strong S.W. breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea and squalls of rain. The motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2) was launched at 5.50 A.M. and found the ketch yacht Leigh Hall, of London, aground on the Goodwin Sands near South West Buoy, and bumping badly. She was bound from Calais for London with a crew of eight. Her engine had broken down, her sails had been blown away, and she was on fire, having been set alight by her distress flares. The Deal motor fishing boat Rose Marie came on the scene, and at the coxswain's request she helped.

Three of her crew boarded the burning vessel, put out the fire and helped to bale her. The life-boat then got the Leigh Hall clear of the sands and took her in tow for Ramsgate, aided by the Rose Marie. Ramsgate was reached at 10 A.M., and the life-boat got back to her station at 2.30 P.M.

This was a good service carried out in difficult circumstances without damage to the life-boat. The Committee sent a letter to the branch, commending the coxswain and crew, and an increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was granted to each member of the crew. Rewards were also made to the crew of the motor boat.—Standard rewards to the life-boat crew, £12 16s. 6d.; additional rewards to crew, £5; total rewards to crew and launchers, £27 13s. Qd.; to the crew of the Rose Marie, £3 10s; 12s. for fuel used, and 12s. for damage to tow-rope.

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—At 9.55 P.M. on the llth February, 1939, a telephone message was received that the Goningbeg Light-vessel had signalled a passing steamer that she wanted the life-boat to take ashore a man who was dangerously ill. A S.W. wind was blowing, with a rough sea. At. 10.20 P.M." the motor life-boat K.E.C.F. put out. She reached the light-vessel at 2.45 A.M. In the rough sea it was im- possible for the life-boat to go along- side, so the sick man, with one of thelight-vessel's crew, was lowered in one of the light-vessel's boats, and the two men were then taken aboard the life- boat. She landed them at Rosslare Harbour at 7.40 A.M., and the sick man was taken to Wexford by car.—Ex- penses defrayed by the Irish Lights Commissioners.

Weymouth, Dorset.—At 3.20 P.M. on the 12th February, 1939, information was received that two boys in a disabled small rowing boat were being carried out to sea, having broken a rowlock.

The motor life-boat William and Clara Ryland was launched at 3.55 P.M., and found the small rowing boat drifting rapidly on to a rocky lee shore. The two boys were taken on board the life- boat, which returned to her station at 4.40 P.M., with the small boat in tow.— Rewards, £6 13*.

The Humber, Yorkshire. — At 5.30 A.M. on the 14th February,- 1939, the life-boat watchman reported that a vessel had run ashore on the end of Spurn Point. The coxswain imme- diately went to the beach, where he saw the steam trawler Hausa, of Hull, stranded on a steep part of the Point.

Although only a light westerly wind was blowing and the sea was smooth, the trawler would be likely to roll on her beam ends as the tide ebbed. The motor life-boat City of Bradford II was launched at 6.5 A.M., and stood by the trawler until the tide had ebbed and she was safe. The life-boat then re- turned to her station. Meanwhile, a tug had arrived and managed to get a wire aboard the trawler. When the tide flowed there was a possibility of the sea going over the Hausa's bul- warks, so the life-boat put out again and stood by the trawler until she had been refloated. The life-boat returned to her station at 12.45 P.M.—Permanent paid crew; Rewards, 13s. 6d.

Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 11 A.M.

on the 17th February, 1939, the motor boat Sister Pat, belonging to Fleet- wood, with two men on board, was seen by the second coxswain of the life-boat to be making distress signals. She was being driven by the wind and tide across the Pilling Sands opposite to the life- boathouse. A fresh S.W. breeze was blowing, with a choppy sea and rain.

The motor life-boat Frederick H. Pilley was launched at 11.15 A.M. She found the Sister Pat with her engines stopped by lack of fuel, dragging her anchor, and drifting into a dangerous position.

The life-boat towed her into harbour, arriving at 11.55 A.M. The rescued men expressed their thanks, and the angling club of which they were members made a donation to the In- stitution.—Rewards, £8 13s.

Filey, Yorkshire.—At about 10.25 A.M. on the 18th February, 1939, two local fishing cobles were behind Filey Brig, where heavy seas were running.

A W.N.W. fresh wind was blowing, with a moderate to rough sea. At 10.45 A.M.

the pulling and sailing life-boat Thomas Masterman Hardy was launched. She found the fishing coble Isabella and escorted her into safety. The other coble reached safety unaided, and the life-boat returned to her station at 12.15 P.M.—Rewards, £16 2s.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 18th February, 1939, a fresh N.W. wind was blowing, with a very rough sea. It was breaking heavily from the Pier Ends to the Rock Buoy, and anxiety was felt for the safety of nine of the local motor fishing vessels which were just returning. The motor life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 10.15 A.M. She went out to the Rock Buoy and escorted each of the vessels in turn into the harbour.

On five occasions it was necessary for the life-boat to use her drogue from the Rock Buoy to the harbour. After escorting the Endeavour, Progress, Easter Morn, Prosperity, Venus, Gallilee, Provider, Success and Pilot Me to safety the life-boat returned to her station at 2 P.M.—Rewards, £8 5,9. Qd.

Lerwick, Shetland.—At 10.45 A.M. on the 22nd February, 1939, a message was received from a trawler agent and the coastguard that the trawler Jean Edmonds, of Aberdeen, had broken down with boiler trouble, and had asked for the life-boat. The trawler was reported, but incorrectly, to be thirty-five miles E.S.E. of Bard Head,Bressay. A whole S.S.E. gale was blowing, with a heavy sea, when, at 11.5 A.M., the motor life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland was launched. She found the Jean Edmonds in tow of another trawler, between Mousa Island and Helliness, and close to a lee shore.

Had the tow-rope parted the Jean Edmonds would have been in a very dangerous position. The life-boat es- corted the two vessels into Lerwick Harbour and returned to her moorings at 5.40 P.M.—Rewards, £9 19*. Qd.

Newhaven, Sussex.—At 12.30 P.M. on Sunday, the 26th February, 1939, the coastguard reported that a small boat was in distress about half a mile south- east of Newhaven. A light W.S.W.

wind was blowing and the sea was choppy. The motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched at 12.40 P.M., and found the motor boat Pam, of Newhaven, with a party of four anglers on board. Her engine had broken down. The life-boat took her in tow and brought her into harbour at 1.15 P.M.—Rewards, £6 5s.

Thurso, Caithness-shire. — On the afternoon of the 27th February, 1939, the life-boat coxswain, returning from fishing, picked up the motor fishing boat Janet, of Thurso, with her engine broken down, about nine miles north-west of the Ruff of Brims. A strong W.S.W.

breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea and snow showers. The coxswain took the Janet in tow, but after about an hour the tow-rope parted. As no more ropes were available the coxswain went to Scrabster and called out the life-boat crew. At 4.10 P.M. the motor life-boat H.C.J. was launched, picked up the Janet three miles north of Holborn Head, and towed her to Scrabster Harbour, which was reached at 5.45 P.M.—Rewards, £11 3s.

The following life-boats were launched, but no sendees were rendered for the reasons given: Clogher Head, Co. Louth. — 23rd January, 1939. A fishing boat was reported in danger on Drogheda Bar, but she went ashore at Nanny River and her crew were able to land unaided.

—Rewards, £28 Is. 6d.

The Humber, Yorkshire.—8th Feb- ruary, 1939. The- Greek steamer Katina Bulgaris, of Andros, had collided with the American steamer Meanticut and sank, but the Meanticut rescued her crew.—Permanent paid crew: Rewards, £l Os. 3d.

The Humber, Yorkshire. — 9th Feb- ruary, 1939. The German steamer Gluckauf, of Rostock, had struck the submerged wreck of the Katina Bul- garis, which had sunk the day before, but her crew were saved by the Nor- wegian steamer Nayland.—Permanent paid crew: Rewards, 18s.

Dover, Kent.—16th February. An aeroplane had been reported to have dived into the sea, but it had come down to within a few feet of the sea and had then flown away.—Partly per- manent paid crew: Rewards, £l 18s.

Longhope, Orkney.—16th February, 1939. A steam trawler was in distress, but was taken in tow by another trawler.—Rewards, £9 Is.

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.—18th Feb- ruary, 1939. A rocket had been re- ported off the Isle of Skye, but later it was thought to have been a meteor, as no vessel in need of help could be found.—Rewards, £8 17s. 9d.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—26th Feb- ruary, 1939. An aeroplane had come down in the sea, but the pilot was saved by a motor boat.—Rewards, £10 Is. 6d.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—28th February, 1939. A steamer was reported to be aground, but she was found to be at anchor close to the Scroby Sands.—-Rewards, £21 6s.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—28th February, 1939. A flare had been reported, but nothing could be found.—Rewards, £11 5s..