Anstruther, Fifeshire.—At 3.10 A.M.

on the 29th August, 1939, the coastguard reported a vessel ashore on May Island. The weather was very thick, with a light easterly breeze and a smooth sea. The motor life-boat Nellie and Charlie was launched at 3.31 A.M.

and found the s.s. Hilda, of Luvia, Finland, ashore on North Ness. The crew of seventeen wished to remain on board, so the life-boat took the mate ashore to communicate with the vessel's brokers. She then returned to the Hilda and stood by. An Admiralty tug failed to refloat the Hilda, but at about 2.30 P.M. she got off under her own power. She was holed and had a list, but the captain said that he needed no help, so the life-boat left and reached her station again at 3.30 P.M.—Rewards, 16 19s..