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 pre- vented her going, and instead, at the request of the coastguard, the Brid- lington 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 life- boatmen, but she stood by until high water at six o'clock. She then re- turned 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 life- boat returned to her station, arriving at 10.0 P.M.—The Humber, permanent paid crew; Bridlington, Property Sal- vage Case..