THREE SEARCHES FOR AN AEROPLANE Cloughey, Co. Down.—At 8.12 in the evening of the 27th of June, 1947, the Tara coastguard reported that an Aerovan aeroplane on a flight to New- townards was believed to have crashed one mile east of Craig Buoy at the entrance to Strangford Lough. The motor life-boat Herbert John was launched at 8.45 in an easterly breeze.

The sea was smooth, but there was a dense fog. She searched, but found nothing, and decided to renew the search the next morning. She returned to moorings at 11.20 and at 5.30 the next morning put out again. It was still foggy. Aeroplanes took part in the search, but again nothing was found and the life-boat arrived back at her station at 11.30. At 12.45 in the after- noon the coastguard reported an aero- plane circling five miles south-east of South Rock Lightship and the life-boat crew assembled. Later it was reported that a ship was alongside some wreck- age below the aeroplane, but the life- boat was not needed and the crew dispersed about 1.30. At 2.50 the coastguard reported that an object had been seen by an aeroplane, two miles east of Ballyquinton Point north of Whistle Buoy, and the life-boat was again launched at 3.20. The fog had now lifted. She found parts of the crashed aeroplane and after taking them on board, made for her station which she reached at 6.40 in the evening. It was later reported that the aeroplane's crew of two had been rescued by a passing steamer which was not fitted with wireless and had been landed at Torbay, Devon.— Rewards: First service, £16; second service, £22 155.; third service, £18.

The owners of the aeroplane, Ulster Aviation, Ltd., sent a donation..