RABBIT-CATCHERS MAROONED Thurso, Caithness-shire.—Shortly after seven in the evening of the 22nd of December, 1947, information was received from Melness, Sutherlandshire, thirty-five miles to the eastwards, that two men were marooned on the Rabbit Islands, at-the entrance to the Kyle of Tongue, where they had gone to clear rabbit snares. They had left the main- land at ten in the morning in a rowing boat, but had not taken any food with them. When they tried to return in the afternoon a north-westerly gale was blowing, with a very rough sea, and they had to put back to the islands.

It was decided that the motor life-boat H.C.J. should set out in time to reach the Rabbit Islands at daybreak and at four in the morning of the 23rd of December she was launched. Against the gale and in continuous rain it took her longer than had been expected to reach the islands, and it was 11.30 in the morning when she arrived. She embarked the two men, gave them food, and then took them and their boat to Melness. She reached her station again at 3.30 that afternoon.—Rewards, £27 11s..