Wick, Caithness-shire. — At about 11.20 P.M. on the 2nd September, 1939, information was received from the coastguard that the trawler Navarre, of Grimsby, was ashore about five miles south of Duncansby Head. A fresh southerly wind was blowing, with a moderately rough sea. The weather was foggy. In the absence of the coxswain, who was ill, and second-coxswain, who was on naval service, a pilot took charge of the motor life-boat City of Edinburgh when she put out at 11.40 P.M. She found the Navarre on the rocks at Skirza Head. Another trawler was attempting to get her off. This was unsuccessful. The weather became worse and the trawler began to break up. Her skipper signalled for help and the life-boat immediately went to her and took off nine of the crew of eleven. As the life-boat drew away, she twice bumped -on sunken [rocks.

The other two members of the crew were rescued from the shore by the Board of Trade's life-saving rocket apparatus.

The life-boat returned to her station at 5.40 A.M.—Rewards, £8 15s..