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..