Launches 90 Lives Rescued 61 During January and February life-boats put out to the rescue ninety times and rescued sixty-one lives, and the Institution gave to its crews and launchers for these services, and for assemblies of crews, rewards amounting to £1,387 10*.

TORPEDO BOAT TAKEN IN TOW Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—On December 30th, 1946, the motor torpedo boat R.M.L. 539, which was in tow of the tug Queensgarth, parted her tow-line during a gale five miles off the Smalls on the Pembrokeshire coast, and at about eight o'clock next morning, January 1st, 1947, the coastguard saw what he thought to be the torpedo boat drifting two miles west-north-west of the Strumble Head. As she was a danger to shipping he asked that the life-boat should tow her to Fishguard. A south-westerly breeze was blowing and there was a swell. The motor life-boat White Star was launched at 9.0 in the morning, took the R.M.L. 539 in tow and moored her in the harbour, arriving back at her station at 1.30 in the afternoon.—-Property Salvage Case.

A YACHT MISSING Sunderland, Co. Durham.—The local motor yawl Vigilant, with a crew of four, had gone out from Sunderland on January 1st, 1947, and on the 4th, as nothing had been heard of her, anxiety was felt for her safety and the motor life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin went out to search for her at 8.15 in the morning. A breeze was blowing from the south-south-east and there was a heavy swell. She found her ten miles east-north-east of the river Tyne, with her petrol exhausted, and towed her to Sunderland, arriving back at her station at 4.30 in the afternoon.— Rewards, £19 7s. 6d.

AEROPLANE CRASHED Lerwick, Shetlands—At 12.9 in the morning of January 3rd, 1947, an aeroplane could be heard flying round the town, and it dropped red flares. A strong southerly breeze was blowing, causing a rough sea, and as it appeared that the aeroplane might come down in I the sea the motor life-boat Lady Jane | and Martha Ryland was launched and went out a short distance in readiness for immediate action. At 2.30 the police reported that the crew of the aeroplane had baled out over Tingwall, and the life-boat was recalled, arriving at 3.0. It was then learned that all the crew were safe, but that the aeroplane had been wrecked. She was a Fortress belonging to the U.S.A. Air Force in Iceland, and had run out of petrol. At 2.35 in the afternoon of the same day the coastguard received a telephone message from Skellister that a small motor boat was at the entrance to Catfirth Voe Nesting, and apparently someone was on board.

The wind had now increased to a-storm, with mountainous seas, and visibility was poor. It was known that the American aeroplane had jettisoned her life-boat, but it was decided to investigate and the life-boat put out again at 3.5. She was recalled when the district officer of coastguard telephoned that the boat was, in fact, the aeroplane's life-boat, but the coxswain of the life-boat made certain that there was no one on board before he returned.

The life-boat got back to her station from what had been an arduous journey at 5.55 p.m.—Rewards, First service, £8 19*.; Second service, £8 15s.

SICK MAN BROUGHT ASHORE Cloughey, Co. Down.—At 1.30 in the afternoon of January 4th, 1947, the South Rock Light-vessel was seen to be firing distress signals. A light north-easterly breeze was blowing and the sea was moderate. The motor life-boat Herbert John was launched at 2.50, found that one of the lightvessel's crew was sick, and brought him ashore, rearriving at 4.30 p.m.— Rewards, £15.

FISHING BOAT MISSING FOR FOUR DAYS Skegness, Lincolnshire.—The fishingsmack Virginia, of Boston, Lincolnshire, with a crew of three, which had gone to sea on January 1st, 1947, had not returned. Aeroplanes searched for her and radar was used, but she could not be found. About 6.30 in the morning of January 5th, the Skegness coastguard reported that he had seen a white flare five miles south-south-east of the pier, and the motor life-boat Anne Allen was launched at 8.20. A fresh south-easterly breeze was blowing with a rough sea. The life-boat found the Virginia with a tanker standing by her, gave food and rum to her crew and towed her to Boston.

She returned to her station at 7.40 that evening.—Property Salvage Case.

GREEK STEAMER AGROUND ON THE NEEDLES Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 7.26 in the morning of January 5th, 1947, the Totland coastguard reported to the life-boat station by telephone that a message had been received from a vessel aground near The Needles Lighthouse.

She was the Greek steamer Varvassi, of Piraeus, of over 3,800, with a'crew of thirty-five, bound from Algiers to Southampton. The wind, from the south-east, was light, but there was a heavy ground swell.

Another message came that the steamer needed help and the motor life-boat S.G.E. was launched at 8.5. She found the steamer one hundred yards W.N.W. of the lighthouse. A tug was on her way, and when she arrived the life-boat left, reaching Yarmouth Harbour at 2.20 in the afternoon. In the meantime a salvage officer had been taken out by boatmen to the Varvassi.

At 5.35 the Totland coastguard re ported that the salvage officer on board the steamer had asked that the life-boat should go out again at 8.0 P.M. The life-boat put out again at 7.20. Wind and sea were increasing; the steamer might break up; and the life-boat was asked to stand by. After cruising round for a time she anchored in Alum Bay in sight of the steamer.

She remained there until about 1.30 next morning. It was then nearly low water, the steamer was no longer in danger, and the life-boat returned to Yarmouth at 2.30 A.M. Four hours later another message came from the coastguard that the crew of the steamer wished to leave her at once, and for the third time the life-boat put out, at 6.25 A.M. Seas were breaking over the steamer. The life-boat went alongside, but several times the lines securing her to the steamer parted before she had taken off the whole crew of thirtyfive men, the salvage officer and a pilot. The life-boat finally returned to her station at 9.20 A.M.—Rewards, First service, £16 5s. 6d.; Second service, £18 1.9.; Third service, £8 15s.

A letter of thanks was also sent to the Coxswain, S. Smith.

SICK MAN ON A LIGHT-VESSEL Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 11.47 in the morning of January 6th, 1947, a message was received through the coastguard from the Trinity House superintendent, that a keeper aboard the Gorton Light-vessel was very ill. The superintendent asked that the life-boat should go out as the Trinity House boat could not leave before 4.0 in the afternoon. A southeasterly gale was blowing, with a very rough sea. The motor life-boat Louise Stephens was launched at 12.2 P.M., and brought the sick man back to Yarmouth at 1.25. The cost of the service was paid by Trinity House.—Rewards, £14 15.5. 6d.

THREE LIFE-BOATS TO A TRAWLER'S HELP Peterhead, and Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and Buckie, Banffshire.—At 3.5 in the afternoon of Jaimavy 6th, 1947, the coastguard telephoned to the Peterhead life-boat that the steam trawler St. Stephen, of Hull, was sixtyfive miles to the north-east of Peterhead, leaking badly with her pumps out of order. A sixty-miles-an-hour gale was blowing from the south-east and the seas were very heavy. They were running up the slipway right into the boathouse when the motor life-boat Julia Park Barnj, of Glasgow, was launched at 3.30. The coxswain brought her skilfully into the open sea, and he had run on an east-north-east course for about eight hours when he was recalled by wireless, as H.M.

Destroyer Ulster was making for the trawler. As Peterhead Bay was too dangerous to enter he was instructed ,to make for the Moray Firth, and arrived at Macduff at 4.30 in the morning of the next day, January 7th.

There he waited until the weather moderated and brought the life-boat back to her station on the 10th.

Meanwhile, at 9.15 in the morning of January 8th, the Fraserburgh life-boat mechanic had picked up a wireless message from the St. Stephen that she needed a doctor and a pilot from Fraserburgh.

No doctor was available, and the motor life-boat John and Charles Kennedy put out at 10.30 in charge of Captain A. Stephen, the joint honorary secretary, as the coxswain was absent from the station. A strong south-east breeze was then blowing, with a rough sea, and the weather got worse later.

The life-boat found the trawler at 11.45 in the morning in Aberdour Bay to the west of Rosehearty, and another trawler, the Cape Cleveland.

One of the St. Stephen's crew was injured. As she could only make four knots and would have to steam through a heavy head sea, it would be impossible to reach Fraserburgh in time for the tide, so the life-boat advised her to make for Macduff and offered to pilot her.

A message to this effect was sent by wireless to Macduff, but an answer came that it was impossible to enter Macduff harbour, so the life-boat carried on to Buckie with the St.

Stephen following her, accompanied by the Cape Cleveland. There they arrived at 5.0 in the afternoon and the life-boat, leaving the St. Stephen outside the harbour, brought the injured man ashore. When it had become known at Buckie that the St. Stephen was making for that port the crew of the Buckie motor life-boat K.B.M. had assembled, and at ten o'clock they and some of the Fraserburgh crew went out in the Fraserburgh life-boat, put a pilot on board the St. Stephen, and escorted her into the harbour at 12.45 next morning.—Rewards, Peterhead, £39 14*.; Fraserburgh.

£30 17s.; Buckie, £4.

TAKING OUT A PILOT Aith, Shetlands.—At 9.30 in the morning of January 10th, 1947, the harbour-master at Lerwick telephoned that Wick Radio had transmitted a 'message from the S.S. Irish Fir, of Dublin, which was storm-bound in St.

Magnus Bay, asking for a pilot. A full south-easterly gale was blowing with a rough sea, and visibility was poor. As no ordinary boat could put to sea in that weather the harbourmaster asked the Aith life-boat to take out a pilot, if one were sent from Lerwick, and The Rank-in left with him at 10.7, put him on board the steamer, and returned at 12.25 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £8 15.s.

REFLOATING A STRANDED STEAMER Caister, Norfolk.—At 12.30 in the afternoon of January llth, 1947, a steamer was seen to have stranded on the Caister Shoal, half a mile east by south of the life-boat station. She made distress signals. The coxswain was away and the motor life-boat Jose Neville was launched at 12.45 P.M. in charge of the second coxswain. The weather was foggy, with a fresh to strong south-westerly wind and a moderate sea. The steamer was the Ewell, of London, a collier, bound from Sunderland to London with 2,000 tons of coal. The life-boat stood by for twelve hours while tugs tried, without success, to refloat the steamer, and came ashore at 1.0 next morning. Six hours later she put out again, this time in charge of the coxswain, but again all efforts to refloat the steamer failed . and the life-boat came ashore at 2.15 in the afternoon. On the following day she made her third trip to the Ewell, leaving at 10.0 in the morning with shipping agents on board, and returned at 4.0. At 11.45 that night, January 13th, the steamer was refloated.— Property Salvage Case.

STEAMER ABANDONED IN HEAVY SEA Barrow, Lancashire.—At 10.35 on the night of January llth, 1947, information was received, through the Hoylake coastguard, from the Morecambe Bay Light-vessel, that a vessel was in distress, and the motor life-boat N.T.

was launched at 11 o'clock, with the second coxswain in command, and the town clerk of Barrow as one of the crew.

A moderate breeze was blowing from the west-south-west, but the sea was heavy. About four miles east of the light-vessel the life-boat found nine men in a ship's boat. They were the crew of the S.S. Firethorn, of London, on passage from Garston to Belfast, and had abandoned their ship when she had developed such a heavy list that it was impossible to feed the furnace. The life-boat took the men on board and arrived back at her station at 3.0 next morning. The Firethorn was eventually picked up by the fishery protection vessel Charles Mclver, and taken to Fleetwood.— Rewards, £12 2s. 6d.

DUTCH VESSEL TOWED THROUGH ROUGH SEA Weymoutb, Dorset.—At 6.10 in the morning of January 12th, 1947, a report was received from St. Albans Head, through the Wyke Regis coastguard, that a vessel was burning distress ilares about six miles to the southsouth- west. A fresh and increasing westerly wind was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat William and Clara Byland was launched at 6.25, and at nine o'clock she found the Dutch motor vessel Elisabeth, of Rotterdam, about three miles southsouth- west of Chapman's Pool. The Elisabeth was bound for Plymouth, laden with timber. She carried a crew of five. Her engine had broken down and she had drifted for a time, but was at, anchor when the life-boat found her.

The life-boat took her in tow and brought her into Weymouth Harbour at 3.45 that afternoon.—Property Salvage Case.

A LIFE-BOAT AS HEARSE Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At 12.15 in the afternoon of January 12th, 1947, the Civic Guard asked that the life-boat should put out to Great Blasket Island and bring back the body of a man.

A strong south-westerly breeze was blowing, with a rough sea, and the weather was too bad for an ordinary boat to put out. The motor life-boat C. and S. was launched at 12.40 in charge of Mr. T. R. Stewart, the honorary secretary of the station, and brought the body from the island, arriving back at her station at 3.0 in the morning of the 13th.—Rewards, £24 14*.

FOOD TO A STARVING ISLAND Aith, Shetlands. — For nearly three weeks the island of Papa Stour had been cut off from the mainland and the islanders were starving. On January llth, 1947, the food executive officer for Shetland asked for the help of the life-boat and this was promised as soon as the weather made it possible.

Stores were delivered to the life-boat station, and, at 2.0 in the afternoon of Sunday, the 12th, the motor life-boat The Rankin put out in a strong and increasing S.W. breeze, with a rough sea. The weather was very cold, with squalls of sleet. Shortly after the lifeboat had left, Dr. Hamilton, of Walls, telephoned that a boat had come from Papa Stour, at great risk, to fetch him as he was urgently needed, but that he could only go if he was assured of getting back. As the weather was worsening and the boat from, the island would not be able to bring hint back, he was told to go in her to the island and return in the life-boat. She delivered the food and brought back the doctor, arriving at 7.10 that evening.— Rewards, £14.

PLEASURE PARTY RESCUED Troon, Ayrshire.—At 6.50 in the evening of January 12th, 1947, the pilot house telephoned that a boat to the north of Lady Isle was making flares.

A strong north-easterly breeze was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat Sir David Richmond of Glasgow, was launched at 7.15 and found the motor fishing boat Enterprise of Troon.

She had been on a pleasure cruise round the island, her engine had broken down, and she had been unable to sail back against the ebb tide. The life-boat took off eight of the party of ten who were on board and towed the Enterprise to the harbour, arriving back at her station at 8.40 P.M.— Rewards, £7.

FISHING BOAT TOWED IN New Brighton, Cheshire.—-At about 4.45 in the afternoon of January 13th, 1947, the Hoylake coastguard reported that a fishing boat had put out from Hoylake and had not returned. A boat, apparently in difficulties, could be seen close to a lee shore off Harrison Drive.

The No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson was launched at 5.25.

A strong north-westerly breeze was blowing and the sea was moderate.

The life-boat found the motor fishing boat Lilian, of Fleetwood, with her engine broken down, making headway under sail up Rock Channel. The lifeboat escorted her to New Brighton, took her in tow, placed her on moorings, and then took on board her crew of two men and returned to her station, arriving at' 7.45 that evening.—Rewards, £9.

LAUNCH BROKEN DOWN IN A HEAVY SEA Lowestoft, Suffolk. — At 4.0 in the afternoon of January 15th, 1947, the coastguard reported that a vessel, believed to be an ex-naval motor launch, was drifting five miles south of the coastguard station. A south-westerly breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea.

The motor life-boat Michael Stephens was launched at 5.10 and found the motor launch, with a crew of fourteen, anchored near the south-east Newcombe buoy. Her engines had dragged her anchor. The life-boat stood by while she repaired them, and at 6.30 piloted her to a navigable channel, returning to her station at 8.0 P.M.—Rewards, £10 17s.

BRINGING A WOMAN WITH CHILD TO HOSPITAL Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 10.21 in the morning of January 18th, 1947, a doctor at Mid Yell telephoned that he had a woman with child on the island of Fetlar who must be brought to hospital at once and there was no suitable boat.

A moderate N.W. breeze was blowing with a choppy sea when the motor life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland was launched at 11.8. She reached Hubie, Fetlar, soon after 2.0 in the afternoon, took the patient on board on a stretcher, accompanied by her husband and a nurse, and reached Lerwick again at 6.0 in the evening.

An ambulance met the life-boat and the patient was taken to Lerwick Hospital. The services of the life-boat saved her life. The cost of the service was paid by the Department of Health for Scotland.—Rewards, £17 145.

FISHING BOAT OUT OF PETROL Lytham-St. Annes, Lancashire.—At 8.0 in the evening of January 19th, 1947, the Lytham police reported that the fishing boat Helen, of Liverpool, with a crew of three aboard, was in need of help. The wind from the eastsouth- east was light, but the sea was rough and there was a thick fog. The motor life-boat Dunleary was launched at 8.35 and found the Helen near the Bar Buoy. She had run out of petrol, and the life-boat towed her to Lytham Pier, arriving at 12.15 next morning.—Rewards, £11 4s.

STANDING BY FOR 22 HOURS Dunbar, Haddingtonshire.—At 12.24 in the afternoon of January 20th, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel had run aground on the Black Rocks one mile south-east of Dunbar in a thick fog. The weather was calm.

The motor life-boat George, and, Sarah Strachan was launched at 12.30 and found the S.S. Skoghaug, of Haugesund, bound for Leith laden with pit-props.

She was damaged below the water-line and making water. The master asked the coxswain to stand by, and the lifeboat did so for twenty-two hours until a salvage vessel arrived. She then returned to the station, arriving at 10.45 A.M. on the 21st.—Rewards, £43 15s.

ANOTHER MATERNITY CASE Tobermory, Argyllshire.—On January 20th, 1947, a doctor telephoned asking for the life-boat to convey to Oban a woman with child, who was dangerously ill. The only hope of saving her life was to get her to Oban immediately, and from there to Glasgow for an operation.

She was the sister-in-law of the life-boat's motor mechanic. The weather was fine, with a south-easterly wind and a moderate sea. The motor life-boat Sir Arthur Rose left for Oban at 3.15 in the afternoon with the patient and two nurses on board, and landed them at Oban at 6.40 in the evening.

She got back to her station at 11.45 that night. The cost of the service was paid by the Argyll County Council.— Rewards, £10 11s.

TAKING A DOCTOR TO A LIGHT-VESSEL Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—On January 21st, 1947, while the Western Light-vessel was being towed to another position, the wire tow-rope parted, one of the light-vessel's crew was seriously injured, and at 3.30 in the afternoon the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board telephoned to the life-boat station asking if the life-boat could take out a doctor. A moderate wind was blowing from the south-east and there was a swell when the motor lifeboat Thomas and Annie Wade Richards was launched at four o'clock with the doctor on board. She found the lightvessel sixteen miles off Great Orme's Head, and after the doctor had attended to the injured man brought him back, arriving at 10.0 that night. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board expressed their thanks and paid the cost of the service.—Rewards, £27 8*.

FISHING BOAT WITH FOULED PROPELLER Stromness, Orkneys.—At 4.27 in the afternoon of January 27th, 1947, a fishing boat was seen making distress signals near the Kirk Rocks in Hoy Sound. The breeze, from the southwest, was light, but there was a heavy ground swell. The motor life-boat J.J.K.S.W. was launched at 4.37, and found the fishing boat Bertha Jane, of Kirkwall, with three men on board.

Her fishing line had fouled her propeller and she had anchored in a dangerous position. The life-boat towed her in, arriving back at her station at 6.15 P.M.

—Rewards, £6 16s.

DRIFTING TOWARDS THE ROCKS Wicklow.—At 4.30 in the afternoon of January 28th, 1947, the lighthouse keeper at Wicklow Head telephoned that a fishing boat was flying distress signals half a mile south-east of the Head. A strong north-easterly breeze was blowing, the sea was rough, and it was snowing heavily. The motor lifeboat Lady Kylsant was launched at 4.45 P.M., and found the Anastatia, of Arklow, with four men on board, half a mile north-east of Wolf Rock, drifting towards it. The life-boat towed her in, arriving back at her station at 7.30 in the evening.—Property Salvage Case.

AMERICAN STEAMER AGROUND Falmouth, Cornwall. — Shortly after 1.0 in the morning of February 1st, 1947, information was received from the coastguard that a steamer in the harbour was showing signals of distress.

A south-east gale was blowing with a rough sea and heavy rain. The motor life-boat Crawford and 'Constance Conybeare was launched at 1.30, and fifteen minutes later found the S.S. Henry Middleton, of New York, ashore at Trefusis Point, Falmouth Harbour.

She was a steamer of over 4,300 tons, bound from Cherbourg for the United States. At the master's request the life-boat took a hawser to the tug Northgate Scot, and about an hour later the tug refloated the steamer. As the steamer had no pilot, the life-boat's second coxswain and bowman went aboard, and, accompanied by the lifeboat she went to the Cross Channel, and there anchored. The life-boat waited some time until it was certain that the steamer was not making any water, and returned to her station, arriving there at 5.30 in the morning.— Property Salvage Case.

MOTOR LAUNCH BROKEN DOWN Selsey, Sussex.—At about 8.40 in the morning of February 6th, 1947, the coastguard reported that two motor' launches were flying signals two miles east-south-east of Selsey Bill Tower and it .was thought that they needed help. A moderate easterly breeze was blowing, with a choppy sea. The motor life-boat Canadian Pacific, was launched at 8.55 and found the motor launch Flying Christine, of Shoreham, with a crew of two. She had broken a fuel pipe. The life-boat towed her to Littlehampton and returned to her station, arriving at 3.30 in the afternoon.

—Rewards, £23 4s. lOd.

BRINGING A SICK MAN ASHORE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 9.25 in the evening of February 7th, 1947, information was received through the coastguard that the motor vessel Jim M., of London, which was anchored about three miles N.E. from Gorleston Pier, needed a doctor for a sick man. A moderate east by south gale was blowing, with a rough sea and a heavy swell. The motor life-boat Louise Stephens, with a doctor, was launched at 9.57 P.M., but it -was only with difficulty that she put him on board the JimM., and she was damaged in doing so. In that heavy sea it was too risky to transfer the sick man to the life-boat so she brought the doctor back, arriving at 11.0 at night. Next morning the weather was still so bad that the Jim M. could not enter harbour to land the sick man, so the life-boat went out at 10.10 with the doctor.

This time she was able to take the sick man on board, and landed him safely at 11.27.—Rewards, First service, £11 8s.; Second sendee, £14 4s. 6d.

ANOTHER COLLIER IN DIFFICULTIES Port Erin, Isle of Man.—At 11.15 in the morning of February 8th, 1947, the life-boat's honorary secretary saw the S.S. Topaz, of Glasgow, run on to the submerged breakwater. She was a collier, bound, laden, from Silloth to Dublin, carrying a crew of twelve.

An easterly gale was blowing with a moderately rough sea. The motor life-boat Matthew Simpson was launched at 11.30 and stood by the Topaz until she refloated. She then put her second coxswain on board to pilot her into the bay, and escorted her in, as she was holed in the forepeak. Later she brought the captain of the steamer ashore to communicate with his owners, and then took him back again, returning to her station at 3.0 P.M.— Rewards, £17 105.

LONDON SHIP IN DISTRESS OFF NORFOLK Wells, Norfolk.—At 7.45 in the evening of February 8th, 1947, the coastguard reported that a ship had been seen, anchored, about two and a half miles north-east of the harbour, and might need the life-boat. Just after midnight she wirelessed for a life-boat to stand by her, and at 12.48 the coastguard reported that she was dragging her anchors. A strong easterly breeze was blowing with a very rough sea. The motor life-boat Cecil Paine was launched at 1.35 and found that the ship was the motor vessel Spirality, of London. She had three anchors down, and the life-boat stood by her until a tug arrived at six o'clock, took her in tow, and made for King's Lynn.

The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 8.30 in the morning.— Rewards, £38 15,?.

COLLIER HELPLESS IN A HEAVY SEA Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 4.50 in the morning of February 10th, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that North Foreland Radio had picked up a call for help from a vessel in the Lowestoft area.

A strong easterly gale was blowing with very heavy seas, and it was bitterly cold, with showers of hail. The motor lifeboat Michael Stephens was launched at 5.40 and found the s.s. Cambrian Coast, of Liverpool, five miles east-south-east from Lowestoft, bound from Newcastle fof London with coal, carrying a crew of eighteen. She was at anchor, rolling heavily, swept by the heavy seas, with a heavy list, her wireless out of order and her engine disabled, but her pumps working. After standing by for a time the life-boat came in at 10.30 in the morning to get a tug, and later the Cambrian Coast was towed into harbour.—Rewards, £8 15s.

DOCTOR TO A SCALDED MAN Donaghadee, Co. Down.—At 2.30 in the afternoon of February 12th, 1947, a firm of shipping agents in Belfast telephoned requesting the help of the lifeboat to take a doctor out to a vessel at anchor in Carrick Roads, Belfast Lough, as they were unable to get a tug. A strong south-east wind was blowing with a heavy sea, and it was snowing. The motor life-boat B.A.S.P., on temporary duty at the station in place of the Civil Service No. 5, was launched at 2.50.

She picked up a doctor at Bangor, took him to the S.S. Sylvqfield, of Newcastle, which had on board a badly scalded man, and brought him back to Bangor. She arrived at her station again at 7.50 that evening. The cost of the service was paid by the owners of the steamer.—Rewards, £14 4s.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED IN Whitby, Yorkshire. — Early in the morning of February 19th, 1947, two fishing boats, the Pilot Me and the Gem, put to sea in moderate weather. Later the sea became heavy, making it very dangerous for boats to enter the harbour, and the motor life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 12.45 in the afternoon, in charge of the second coxswain.

She met the Gem one and a half miles north of Whitby, escorted her into harbour, went out again, found the Pilot Me .two miles off and escorted her in, arriving back at 2.45 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £8 4s.

LAUNCHERS' ORDEAL Hastings, Sussex. — At 5.32 in the evening of February 20th, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that the Bexhill police had reported flares about five miles south of Bexhill. An easterly breeze was blowing with a moderate sea and it was very cold. The motor life-boat Cyril and Lilian Bishop was launched at 7.15. It was low water and the crew and forty launchers had the greatest difficulty in getting her over a sandbank. They were working for half an hour up to their waists in the icy - cold water. The life-boat searched for two hours, but found nothing and returned to her station at 9.24 that evening.—Rewards: An increase in the usual money awards on the standard scale was made to the crew and helpers. Standard rewards, £47. 4s. 6d.; additional rewards, £10 10s.; total rewards, £57 14s. 6d.

ATTEMPTING TO SALVE A DUTCH STEAMER The Humber, and Bridlington, Yorkshire.

—At about 10.30 in the morning of February 21st, 1947, the master of the motor vessel Vrede, of Rotterdam, which had gone ashore four miles north of Withernsea, asked if the life-boat would stand by his vessel while efforts were made by a tug to refloat her. A fresh easterly gale was blowing, with a very rough sea, and it was snowing heavily. The motor life-boat City of Bradford II was launched at 2.35 in the afternoon, but the weather was worsening, and when she reached the Vrede the master of the tug postponed the attempt. The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 11.35 that night. A message came asking if the life-boat would come at eleven next morning. A failure in an engine prevented her going, and instead, at the request of the coastguard, the Bridlington motor life-boat Stanhope Smart went out at 11.30 in the morning. The sea was very rough, and a strong easterly wind was blowing, with snow showers. When the life-boat reached the Vrede at 2.0 in the afternoon, she found the Dutch tug Hudson there.

The life-boat took on board a rope from the tug and then fired a line to the Vrede with her line-throwing gun, by means of which the Vrede hauled the rope on board. She then stood by while the tug attempted to haul the steamer afloat. The life-boat was shipping heavy seas, and ice was forming on the clothing of the lifeboatmen, but she stood by until high water at six o'clock. She then returned to her station but could not be housed owing to the ice on the slipway.

Next morning she put out at seven o'clock, reached the Vrede at 10.0 and again got a connecting tow-rope to her.

She then stood by until 7.0 in the evening, but all efforts to refloat the steamer were unsuccessful and the lifeboat returned to her station, arriving at 10.0 P.M.—The Humber, permanent paid crew; Bridlington, Property Salvage Case.

St. David's, and Fishguard, Pembroke' shire.—At about 2.30 in the afternoon of February 21st, 1947, the coastguard reported that the S.S. Empire Dolphin, of Glasgow, a tanker of 7,000 tons, with six men on board, was drifting out of control two miles north-east of St. David's Head. A fresh breeze was blowing from east-north-east, with a moderate sea, and it was bitterly cold.

The motor life-boat Civil Service No. 6 was launched at 2.50 and found the tanker with the motor vessel Gartwood standing by. The tanker had been in tow of a tug, but the tug had had to leave her owing to trouble with her boiler. The life-boat helped to fix a tow between the tanker and the motor vessel and the latter started to tow towards Milford Haven, with the lifeboat standing by, but the tow-rope parted and the life-boat then took off the tanker's six men and arrived at her station at midnight. The Fishguard motor life-boat White Star also put out twice but was not wanted and finally arrived back at her station at 9.0 in the morning of the 22nd. The Empire Dolphin was later towed to Swansea.—Rewards, St. David's £21; Fishguard, £11 125. and £25 4*.

BOY TRAPPED ON A CLIFF Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.—At 9.5 in the evening of February 22nd, 1947, the police telephoned" that a boy was stranded on the cliff-face north of Aberystwyth and that the National Fire Service had failed to find him.

The weather was fine with a smooth sea and light north-easterly wind.

The motor life-boat Frederick Angus was launched at 9.45. Mr. George Williams, the honorary secretary of the station, was on board her. She took a powerful spot-light, and had a small boat, with a crew of three, in tow, for getting ashore under the cliff.

In response to the spot-light, flickering sparks were seen from the cliff, but no reply was made to the shouts of the crew. Taking the spot-light, the small boat worked close inshore and her crew were then able to speak to the boy, who said that he was on a narrow ledge, and afraid to move. Two men then landed from the small boat with the spot-light, and one of them attempted to climb the cliff, but from the shore the spot-light was not so effective, so the life-boat put back and returned with an acetylene gas flare, and with Mr. Bowker and Mr. J.

Andrews, of the St. John's Ambulance.

The gas flare was transferred to the small boat. By its light the boy could be clearly seen and it was possible to direct him down the cliff and along a sheep-track to a place where men of the National Fire Service met him, and from there by a path to the promenade. When it was known that he was safe the men ashore were, with some difficulty, taken into the small boat, and with her in tow the life-boat made for her station, 'which she reached at 11.30 that night.—Rewards, £24 9*.

DUTCH SHIP TOWED IN Amble, Northumberland.—At noon on February 24th, 1947, the coastguard reported that a vessel was flying distress signals eight miles south-east of Coquet Island. A fresh north-westerly breeze was blowing with a moderate sea. The motor life-boat Frederick and Emma was launched at 12.35 and found the motor vessel Van Gelder, of Rotterdam, with her engine broken down. She was a ship of 420 tons with a crew of seven, and was bound for Aberdeen laden with bricks. The lifeboat towed her to Blyth, and arrived back at her station at 9.30 that night.

—Property Salvage Case.

IRISH AND GREEK SHIPS ASHORE IN A BLIZZARD Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 7.20 in the morning of February 26th, 1947, the Southend coastguard telephoned that the motor vessel Royal Ulsterman, of Belfast, was aground on Arran. She was on her usual run from Belfast to Glasgow with passengers, and had gone ashore in a blizzard. A strong breeze •was blowing from east-north-east, the sta was very rough and visibility was poor when the motor life-boat City of Glasgow was launched at 7.51. She went round the north end of Arran. Ov her way she received wireless messages from the Royal Ulsterman that another steamer and two tugs were standing by her and that she was between Brodick and Lamlash. There the life-boat found her, about 12.45 in the afternoon. The tugs could neither get near the Royal Ulsterman in the shallow water nor launch boats in the heavy seas, so the life-boat carried ropes between them, and eventually the Royal Ulsterman was refloated and able to go on her way. After an elevenhours' service in very trying conditions the life-boat reached her station again at 6.0 that evening.—Property Salvage Case.

Cullercoats, and Tynemoutb, Northumberland.

—On the same morning, February 26th, 1947, the Greek steamer Zephyros, of Argostoli, a vessel of 4,000 tons, bound, in ballast, from Rouen to the Tyne, was driven ashore during a blizzard at Brown's Point, Cullercoats. The news was passed to Cullercoats by the Blyth coastguard at 7.20, and twenty minutes later the motor life-boat Westmorland was launched in a strong south-easterly gale, with very rough seas and thick snow. Mr. J. J. Ingledew, the honorary secretary of the station, went with her. The steamer was among dangerous rocks, the tide was falling, and the lifeboat could not get alongside. She returned to her station at nine o'clock.

At low tide the steamer's crew of thirty-five were able to walk ashore.

The life-boat's crew remained in readiness, and when tugs arrived to try and tow the steamer off the life-boat went out again at about 2.0 in the afternoon to help. The Greek crew also returned to their ship. The attempt to refloat her failed and with twenty of the Greeks on board, the life-boat came back at six o'clock. On the following day others of the Greek crew wanted to come ashore again, but no small boat could make the journey.

The life-boat herself was launched for the third time at 1.30 that afternoon, and after a further unsuccessful attempt by tugs to get the steamer afloat, she returned at 4.30 bringing ashore two of the steamer's crew.

The Tynemouth motor life-boat Henry Frederick Swan was also launched, but as the tide was ebbing and the steamer in no immediate danger, she returned to her station.— Rewards, Cullercoats, First service, £28 2s. Gd.; Second sendee, Property Salvage Case; Third service, £25 15s.; Tynemouth, £13 16s.

LIFE-BOATS USED BECAUSE ROADS WERE BLOCKED Lerwick, Shetlands.—Just after 10.0 in the morning of February 27th, 1947, when all roads were completely blocked by snow, information was received from the Gilbert Bain Hospital that a girl of twelve at Vidlin had to be taken to Lerwick for an immediate operation.

Would the life-boat take her by sea? At 10.40 the motor life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland was launched.

She reached Vidlin at 1.15 P.M., and took the girl on board with her mother and another relative. An easterly gale was blowing, with heavy snow showers, and the temperature was below zero.

The life-boat arrived at Lerwick at 3.55 in the afternoon, and the girl was taken to the hospital.—Rewards, £14.

Lerwick, Shetlands.—At midnight of February 27th, 1947, a doctor telephoned that he was needed for an urgent maternity case at Quarff, and snow prevented him going by road. He asked for the life-boat's help. The motor life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland was launched at 1.35 A.M. with the doctor and a nurse on board. It was very cold. The breeze from the south-east was moderate, but the sea was rough, and the life-boat arrived at Quarff to find that it was too heavy for people on shore to launch a small boat to land the doctor and nurse, so she had to bring them back, reaching Lerwick again just before 4.0 in the morning.

—Rewards, £8 19s.

FISHING BOATS IN A SNOWSTORM Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 5.30 in the morning of February 28th, 1947, three motor fishing boats put to sea in moderate weather. By ten o'clock a strong easterly wind was blowing, with snow showers, the sea was breaking heavily across the harbour entrance, making it dangerous, and the motor lifeboat Mary Ann Hepri'orth was launched.

She met the Provider one and a half miles to the north and escorted her in.

About an hour later she put out again, this time in a snowstorm, found the Galilee near the Rock Buoy, and escorted her in. She waited then for news of the third boat, the Pilot Me, and when she learnt that she was coming home went out for the third time, met her two and a half miles north of Whitby, and came into harbour with her at 3.0 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £13 13s. 6d.

ANOTHER FISHING BOAT IN DANGER Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 3.3 in the afternoon of February 28th, 1947, a report was received that a fishing boat was lying about a quarter of a mile east of Castle Hill, in a dangerous position.

A strong breeze was blowing from the north-east, with a heavy sea breaking across the bay and harbour entrance.

It was dead low water, and the boat was waiting for the rising tide in order to come in. The motor life-boat Herbert Joy II was launched at 4.10, and found the boat to be the Floreat, with a crew of five. She escorted her into harbour, arriving at 5.20.—Rewards, £27 19*.

The following life-boats were launched, but could find no vessel in distress, or were not needed. The figures in brackets are the rewards paid: Fraserburgh (£14 18*. 6d.); Portrush (£8 4*.); Tynemouth (£15 8*. 6d.); Tobermory (£7 18s. 6d.); Helvick Head (£10 0,9. 6rf.); Padstow (£5 17*.); Donaghadee (£7 8s.); Clacton-on-Sea (£24 I3s.6d.) ;Fenit (£26 15s.); Holyhead (£24 13,9. 6d.); Fenit (£26 15s.); Holyhead (£1310s.); Weston-super-Mare (£17 10s.); Dungeness (£39 7s.); Margate (£49 2s.); New Brighton (£7 15s.),- The Humber (permanent paid crew); Selsey (£28 17s.); Troon (£10 19s.); Stornoway (£5 8s.); Margate (£40 14s.); Salcombe (£9 12s.); The Humber (permanent paid crew); The Humber (permanent paid crew); Fowey (£10 10s.); Torbay (£7 16s.); Skegness (£19 2s.); Great Yarmouth and Gorleston (£17 Os. 6d.); The Humber (permanent paid crew); Wicklow (£16 Os. 6d.); Skegness (£23 12s.); Ramsgate (£5 13s.); Filey (£14 2s. 6d.); Sunderland (£31 10s.); Montrose (£10 12s.); Kilmore(£341s.6d) Eighteen crews assembled, but found it unnecessary to launch. (Rewards, £61 Is. 6d.)..