During December, 19-17, life-boats went out on service 44 times and rescued 24 lives.

NO PETROL Hartlepool, Co. Durham. — At nine o'clock on the night of the 2nd of December, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that a small boat was continuously flashing a light about one mile north-north-east of the lighthouse. A small motor fishing boat, the Elmo, was known to have been out since eight that morning. The motor life-boat The Princess Royal, Civil Service No. 7, was launched at 9.25 in a light southwesterly wind with a slight sea, and found the Elmo with no petrol, and her crew of two suffering from cold and exposure. She towed the Elmo home, arriving at eleven o'clock. A letter of thanks and a donation were received from the owner of the fishing boat.— Rewards, £0 4*.

NUMBED WITH COLD Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. — At 4.5 in the afternoon of the 3rd of December, 1947, the coastguard reported that the motor fishing boat Sea Breeze, of Aberayron, was making distress signals about a quarter of a mile off Llanon.

The motor life-boat Frederick Angus was launched at 4.30, in a fresh southeasterly breeze, with a moderate sea, and found the Sea Breeze, with her engine broken down, lying at anchor in a very dangerous position near a stony beach and Cadwgan reef. She passed a tow-line to her, but the two men of her crew were so cold that they could not make it fast, so the life-boat's ' bowman went on board to do it for them, and the life-boat towed the boat into harbour, arriving back at her station at 8.35 that evening.—Rewards, £33 19*.

A DANGEROUS HARBOUR BAR Whitby, Yorkshire.—At about 11.30 in the morning of the 4th of December, 1947, word was received that local fishing cobles and other boats were coming in. The tide was ebbing, a light easterly breeze was blowing and there was a strong swell. As these conditions made the harbour bar dangerous for small boats, the No. 2 pulling and sailing life-boat Robert and Ellen Robson was launched at noon, and was rowed to the harbour entrance. There she met the fishing coble Silver Line and another fishing boat, the Effort, and escorted them into the harbour.

She went out again and stood by the Progress which, with the Fox Glove in tow, reached the harbour without help.

Then she escorted in the cobles Floral Queen and Good Faith and returned to her station at 1.45.—Rewards, £13.

VELLUM FOR BEMBRIDGE COXSWAIN Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—On the 5th of December, 1947, the motor life-boat Jessie Lumb rescued eighteen men from H.M. trawler Erraid, and the coxswain was awarded the Institution's thanks on vellum. See page 133.

BRIDLINGTON AND SCARBOROUGH TO THE HELP OF FISHING BOATS Bridlington, Yorkshire.—At 2.27 in the morning of the 5th of December, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel to the eastward was making S.O.S. signals on her syren. The motor life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield was launched at 3.30 in a moderate southeasterly breeze with a moderate sea, but grounded on a sand bank. She got off at 4.20. When she started her search she met a fishing boat and together they found the steam drifter John Watt, of Fraserburgh, stranded on the rocks on the south side of Flimborough Head. The second coxswarh went aboard the drifter and the Jife-boat laid out an anchor for her and passed a tow rope from her to the fishing boat. .The weather was getting worse, so the lifeboat stood by until the John Watt was refloated at 7.30 that morning. She arrived back at her station at 8 o'clock.

—Property Salvage Case.

Bridlington, Yorkshire. — On her return from the service to the John Watt, the life-boat remained in the harbour and was not returned to her house as the weather was getting worse and there were fishing boats still at sea.' At about 11 o'cldck one was reported in sight and the Tillie Morrison, Sheffield left her moorings. A strong southeasterly gale was now blowing with a very heavy sea. The life-boat met the local fishing vessel Irene and escorted her into harbour. Again she remained there while inquiries were made about a second local fishing vessel, the Brighter Hope. When it was reported that she was not returning, but was running before the gale, and that the Scarborough life-boat was going out to her help the Tillie Morrison, Sheffield, returned to her station and was rehoused at 3.20 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £15.

Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 9.35 in the morning of the 5th of December, 1947, the coastguard reported that four fishing boats were at sea, a strong southsouth- east breeze was blowing, a heavy sea running, and the wind and sea increasing. Some hours later another message said that one of the boats, the Brighter Hope, could be seen making for the harbour. Its entrance was dangerous with the heavy seas, and the motor life-boat Herbert Joy II was launched at 1.15 in the afternoon.

She escorted in the Brighter Hope, put to sea again, found the Mary Joy about one and a half miles north of the Castle and brought her safely into harbour. She waited there to bring in the other boats, as they arrived, but a message came that they had put into Whitby, so she returned to her station, arriving at 2.45 that afternoon.— Rewards, £29 8s.

FORT IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING Margate, Kent.—At 2.33 in the afternoon of the 5th of December, 1947, the coastguard telephoned that the Commander- in-Chief at the Nore had asked that the life-boat should take off the crew of four of the Tongue Sands Fort.

This fort had been built as part of the defence against mine-laying aircraft during the war. A south-south-west gale was blowing, with a rough sea, and it was feared that the fort would collapse.

The motor life-boat The Lord Southborough—Civil Service No. 1, was launched at 2.40. It was only at the third attempt that she was able to get alongside the fort in the heavy seas.

She took off the four men and arrived back at her station at 5.30. The Commander-in-Chief at the Nore sent his thanks.—Rewards, £19 13*.

BRAZILIAN STEAMER ASHORE Dover, Kent.—At 3.45 in the morning of the 7th of December, 1947, information was received from the coastguard at St. Margarets that a vessel was aground in the bay, and the motor life-boat J. B. Proudfoot was launched at 4.20 in a south-easterly breeze with a moderate sea running. She found the S.S. Vitorialoide, of Rio de Janeiro, with a crew of sixty-nine, aground near Leathercoat Point. Tugs had also gone out and succeeded in refloating her. The life-boat stood by until it was certain that the steamer was not making water and then returned to her station which she reached at half-past eight that evening.—Rewards, £12 5*.

FISHING-BOAT BROKEN DOWN Filey, Yorkshire.—At 4.36 in the afternoon of the 10th of December, the motor life-boat The Cuttle went out to search for the local motor fishing coble Edward and Muriel, which was overdue. The sea was calm, with a light south-westerly wind, but there was fog. Off Filey Brigg the life-boat saw a light and found the coble under sail, with her engine broken down.

She towed her into Filey, arriving at 6.20.—Rewards, £16 17s.

REFLOATING A TRAWLER Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At 6.30 in the evening of the 12th of December, 1947, the coastguard reported that a vessel was aground off the north end of the promenade, but was not making . signals of distress. A light northwesterly breeze was blowing with a slight swell. The life-boat honorary secretary, who is also the harbour master, put out in a pilot boat and found the steam trawler St. Agnes No. 7. of South Shields, with a crew of eleven on board. He thought it advisable for the motor life-boat to come to her help, and as soon as he returned the John and Charles Kennedy was launched. It was then 7.45 in the evening. The life-boat helped to refloat the trawler and then towed her into harbour, arriving back at her station at 10.56 that night.— Property Salvage Case.

DINGHY IN A ROUGH SEA Ramsgate, Kent.—• At 4.16 in the afternoon of the 14th of December, 1947, the coastguard telephoned a message from the Broadstairs Sailing Club that owing to the wind and tide one of their dinghies could not reach Broadstairs. A light northerly breeze was blowing with a rough sea. A second message said that the dinghy was in difficulties and at 4.36 the motor life-boat Prudential was launched. She found the sailing dinghy Rover, with one man aboard, between Louisa Gap and Dumpton Gap. Her sail had carried away and she was drifting.

The life-boat towed her to the harbour and arrived back at her station at 5.23. A donation was received from the man in the dinghy.—Rewards, £7 13«.

SICK MAN LANDED Salcombe, South Devon;—At 10.20 on the night of the 14th of December, 1947, the Hope Cove coastguard, telephoned that the American steamer Thomas W. Owen, of Wilmington, was waiting ten miles due south of Prawle Point for a boat to land an injured man.

The motor life-boat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse was launched at half-past eleven in a smooth sea with a light north-easterly wind blowing. She took the man on board and as she approached the shore signalled that a doctor and ambulance would be needed. She arrived back at two in the morning.— Rewards, £11 8s.

COBLE BROKEN DOWN Amble, Northumberland.—At 1.50 in the afternoon of the 15th of December, 1947, the coastguard reported a fishing coble burning flares three miles south-east of Hauxley Point. The motor life-boat Frederick and Emma was launched at 2.10 in a light northerly wind with a moderate swell, found the coble True Vine with her engine broken down, and towed her in, arriving back at 2.40.—Rewards, £8.

ENGLISH AND DANISH FISHING BOATS IN DISTRESS Runswick, and Whitby, Yorkshire.—At half-past one in the afternoon of the 17th of December, 1947, information was telephoned from Whitby to Runswick that the fishing boat Gem, belonging to Whitby, was in distress off Saltburn and had asked by wireless for immediate help. The Runswick motor life-boat Robert Patton—The Always Ready was launched at 1.40 in a strong northerly wind with a heavy sea, and found the Gem north of Staithes, leaking badly. The life-boat and another fishing boat escorted the Gem southwards, while her crew baled and pumped to keep her afloat.

The Whitby No. 1 motor life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth had also been launched at 1.40. After going about ten miles she met the other boats and took over the escort from the Runswick life-boat, and the latter put back to her station, which she reached about half-past four. As the boats approaehed Kettleness they saw distress signals from another fishing boat about three miles out and leaving the Gem, with her escorting fishing boat, to go on to Whitby, the life-boat went to her help and found the Danish motor fishing boat Tut at anchor. She was short of fuel. As the weather was getting worse the coxswain advised the skipper to make an effort, with sails, and what little fuel he had, to get into Whitby harbour. Another fishing boat led the way and the lifeboat escorted the Tut into harbour, arriving at five o'clock.—Rewards, Runswick, £19 18*. 6d.; Whitby, £11 17*.

The Humber, Yorkshire.—At about 4.45 in the afternoon of the 17th of December, 1947, the Port War Signal Station telephoned that a vessel, three miles south of Spurn Point, was making distress signals, and the motor life-boat City of Bradford II was launched at 4.48 in a strong northerly breeze with a rough sea. She found the Danish fishing vessel Ebor Jewel, bound for Grimsby with a crew of three. Her engines had broken down and she was in danger of driving ashore. The lifeboat towed her to Grimsby and then returned to her station, arriving at 8.45 in the evening.—Property Salvage Case.

STRANDED STEAMER TOWED IN Appledore, Devon. — At 5.30 in the afternoon of the 19th of December, 1947, the Westward Ho coastguard telephoned that a steamer was firing white rockets half a mile north-west of the Bar Buoy and the motor life-boat Violet Armstrong was launched at 5.45 in a strong north-westerly breeze with a rough sea. She found the S.S. Fawn, of Ramsey, of one hundred and fortytwo tons, laden with grain and bound for London with a crew of six. She had anchored because of trouble with her boiler, but the chain had parted and she had stranded on North Tail.

The life-boat took off her crew, and then stood by. As the tide rose the Fawn refloated. With some difficulty the life-boat put her crew on board again and towed her to Appledore, arriving at 9.30 that night.—Property Salvage Case.

FISHING BOAT TAKEN IN TOW Galway Bay.—At 1.30 in the afternoon of the 20th of December, 1947, in a strong north-westerly breeze, with a rough sea, the motor life-boat K.E.C.F.

was returning from Baltimore to Valentia after overhaul when she came up with the motor fishing boat Adventurer, of Berehaven, flying a distress signal, about two miles south of Dursey Island. Her engine had broken down and she was drifting towards the shore.

She had six men aboard. The life-boat towed her to Dursey Sound and after seeing her moored there about 3 o'clock, resumed her journey.—Rewards, £4.

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 mainland 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.

LANDING INJURED MEN Clovelly, Devon. — At 9.30 in the morning of Christmas Day, 1947, the Hartland Point coastguard reported a wireless message from the S.S. Holdernore, of Hull, that she wanted to land injured men. With a doctor on board the motor life-boat City of Nottingham was launched at five minutes to eleven in a moderate westerly wind with a moderate sea. She found the steamer five miles west of Hartland Point and put the doctor aboard. Two injured men were then lifted into the life-boat and she brought them ashore, where an ambulance was waiting to take them to Barnstaple Infirmary. The life-boat reached her station again at one o'clock, that afternoon.—Rewards, £21 3*. 6d.

. ANOTHER FISHING BOAT BROKEN DOWN Boulmer, Northumberland. — About noon on the 26th of December, 1947. a fishing boat, three miles to the southeast of Boulmer, was seen to hoist a signal of distress and the motor lifeboat Clarissa Langdon was launched at 12.15, in a strong west-north-west wind with a rough sea running. She found the motor seine-net fishing boat Children's Friend, of Seahouses, with a crew of four, and her engine broken down. The life-boat took her in tow and made for Seahouses. The motor fishing boat Kindly Light also helped to tow. They reached Seahouses at three o'clock and the life-boat got back again to her station at six that evening.—Rewards, £20 9s.

TAKING OUT A DOCTOR Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.— At 9.19 in the morning of the 30th of December, 1947, the Gorleston coastguard telephoned that a vessel one mile east-south-east of the coastguard station had signalled for medical help.

With a doctor on board the motor lifeboat Louise Stephens was launched at 10.4, in a fresh westerly breeze with a moderate sea, and found the S.S.

Yewarch, of Glasgow, with one of her crew ill. The doctor went on board, and after he had treated the man the life-boat brought him back to Gorleston, arriving at 10.45.—Rewards, £8.

PROPELLER FOULED BY NETS Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—At 7 o'clock on the night of the 31st of December, 1947, flares were seen in South Bay, and the motor life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson was launched at 7.20. A strong southerly breeze was blowing with a choppy sea. She found the local motor fishing boat Fly, with her propeller fouled by nets, in tow of the motor fishing boat Pride of Rosslare.

The skipper of the Pride of Rosslare had signalled for help thinking he could not manage his tow, and the life-boat escorted them to the harbour. Another flare was seen and another local motor fishing boat, St. Joseph, which had been searching for the Fly, was found to be in difficulties. The life-boat escorted her into harbour and arrived back at her station at 8.30.—Partly Permanent Paid Crew: Rewards, £2 Us.

The following life-boats went out on service but could find no ships in distress or were not needed: Dungeness, Kent. December 1st.— Rewards: £26.

New Brighton No. 2, Cheshire. December 3rd.—Rewards: £13 5*.

FIVE LIVES LOST Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 4.35 in the morning of the 5th of December, 1947, the Coast Life Saving Service reported a vessel in distress off Ballymoney, Co. Wexford, about ten miles by sea from Arklow, and the motor life-boat Inbhear Mor was launched at 5.20. A moderate south-easterly gale was blowing, with heavy seas.

The life-boat found the vessel to be the motor schooner Isallt, of Dublin, bound for Waterford, but no one was on board. She had struck a sandbank, inside the Glasgoman Bank, and her crew of seven, one of them a woman, had left in the ship's boat, but the boat had capsized and only two men reached the shore alive. The life-boat remained near the schooner until daybreak and then returned to her station, arriving at 10.40.—Rewards, £20 15s.

Angle, Pembrokeshire. December 5th.

—Rewards: £21 Os. Gd.

The Humber, Yorkshire. December 5th.

—Permanent Paid Crew.

Barrow, Lancashire. December 5th.

—Rewards: £19.

Padstow No. 1, Cornwall. December 6th.—Rewards: £11 2s.

The Humber, Yorkshire. December 8th, -Permanent Paid Crew.

The Humber, Yorkshire. December 8th.—Permanent Paid Crew.

The Humber, Yorkshire. December 9th.—Permanent Paid Crew.

Flamborough, Yorkshire. December llth.—Rewards: £27 9,9. 6d.

The Humber, Yorkshire. December llth.—Permanent Paid Crew.

Torbay, Devon. December 20th.— Rewards: £5 16*.

Ramsgate, Kent. December 20th.— Rewards: £15 3s. Gd.

Newhaven, Sussex. December 27th.

—Rewards: £11 10s.

Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire.

December 29th.—Rewards: £30 11s.

Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire. December 30th.—Rewards: £35 19s.

Barmouth, Merionethshire. December 30th.—Rewards: £25 19s.

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. December 30th.—Rewards: £29 8s.

Arklow, Co. Wicklow. December 31st.

—Rewards: £11 4s. Gd.

January During January, 1948, life-boats went out on service 56 times and rescued 91 lives.

Walmer, Kent.—On the fourth of January, 1948, the motor life-boat Charles Dibdin—Civil Service No. 2, rescued 30 lives from the Italian steamer Silvia Onorato. The coxswain was awarded the silver medal for gallantry, the motor mechanic the bronze medal, and each member of the crew the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum.

Rewards, £191 4s. Gd. (See page 127).

ATTEMPT TO REFLOAT A STEAMER Flamborough, Yorkshire.—On the night of the 3rd of January, 1948,- the S.S. Lynn Trader went ashore about one mile south of Flamborough Head while on passage, in ballast, from King's Lynn to Blyth. She carried a crew of nine. She did not signal for help, but about eight o'clock next morning she was reported to the Fla-mborough Head Royal Naval Shore Signal Station by the S.S. Pool Fisher. The signal station notified the life-boat station and at half past eight the motor life-boat Elizabeth and Albina Whitley was launched. A fresh south-westerly wind was blowing and the sea was rough.

The life-boat ran out a kedge anchor with a wire rope and then stood by to wait for high water, when she hoped that, by means of the anchored rope, the Lynn Trader would be able to haul herself off. The attempt failed, and, after arranging to return later, the lifeboat made for her station which she reached at one o'clock in the afternoon.

About seven in the evening the life-boat returned to the steamer, which again tried, but without success, to haul herself off. The life-boat then stood by until' the tide had ebbed. As the steamer's crew were then in no danger, she returned to her station, arriving at about one o'clock in the morning of the 5th of January. Later the Lynn Trader was refloated by a tug.— Property Salvage Case.

ON HAISBOROUGH SANDS Cromer, Norfolk. —At 7.22 in the morning of the 4th of January, 1948, the coastguards telephoned information received from the Haisborough Lightvessel that a vessel 011 the North Middle Haisborough Sands was burning flares, and the Cromer No. 1 motor life-boat Henry Blogg was launched at 7.40. A strong south-south-west wind was blowing, with a moderately rough sea. The life-boat reached the position at 9.45 and there found the steam trawler Balmoral, of Grimsby.. She had been abandoned by her crew. As she was then drifting into deep water five of the life-boat's crew went aboard her, and the life-boat set out in search of the trawler's crew. She found them— eleven men—about three miles away in a small ship's boat, took them on board, and, with the ship's boat in tow, returned to the Balmoral. By this time she had been anchored by the five lifeboatmen.

With the exception of one man, who was ill, her crew went aboard "and, finding her undamaged, made for Grimsby. It was then one o'clock.

The life-boat escorted the steamer as.

far as Haisborough Lightvessel which they reached at half past two, and then returned to Cromer, where she arrived at five o'clock and landed the sick man- - —Property Salvage Case.

SICK MAN LANDED Margate, Kent.—At 8.57 on the night of the 6th of January, 1948, the motor life-boat Lord Southborough—Civil Service No. 1, was launched in a strong south-south-west breeze with a rough sea to search for an aeroplane reported in the sea ten miles to the north-northeast.

The life-boat found no trace of her, but on her way back she was signalled by the motor vessel Fluidity, which had a sick man on board. The life-boat brought him and the Fluidity's skipper ashore, arriving back at her station at 3.30 the following morning.—- Rewards, £39 Is. 6d.

WEATHER-BOUND IN TORBAY Torbay, Devon.—During the morning of the 7th of January, 1948, officers of two London steamers, Fulham III and Fulham VI, weather-bound in Torbay while on passage in ballast to Barrv, had come ashore to buy provisions.

The wind got up and at two o'clock it was blowing a gale from the northnorth- west, with a .rough sea. The officers could not get back to their steamers in the ships' boats, and asked for the help of the life-boat, George Shee. She was launched, towed the boats out to the steamers and returned to her station at 3.20.—Rewards, £4 8s.

BARGE SINKING IN THE THAMES Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8 o'clock on the night of the 7th of January, 1948, the coastguard reported that a barge, from which they had rescued a woman, was drifting away from the pier and sinking, and her crew of two could be heard calling for help. At 8.20 the motor life-boat Greater London —Civil Service No. 3 was launched in a fresh westerly gale with a rough sea.

She found the barge Thelma, of Rochester, south of the pier, with her top-mast broken. It was too dangerous for the life-boat to attempt to go alongside in that sea, so the coxswain drove' her bows on to the barge and, with great difficulty hauled in the two men, who were exhausted. The life-boat reached her station again at 9 o'clock, but the pier authorities said that the barge would interfere with berthing arrangements and would damage the pier. They asked if the life-boat would tow her cle,ar, and at 9.10 she again went out, and with great difficulty put three life-boatmen on board the Thelma. Then a tow rope was passed to them and the life-boat towed the barge alongside the pier.

The three men remained on board her and pumped all night to keep her afloat. In the morning they signalled that she was still making water, so the life-boat again left her moorings, and towed the Thelma alongside the unloading jetty, and arrived back at her station at 10.30 in the morning.— Rewards, First Service, £9; Second Service, Property Salvage Case.

TEN LANDED Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 9.10 on the night of the 7th of January, 1948, the coastguard reported that a small vessel off Salt Island had signalled SOS with a torch, and the motor lifeboat A.E.D. was launched at 9.37. A north-north-west gale was blowing with a rough sea. The life-boat found the S.S. Eleth, of Liverpool, ashore on Salt Point and making water. She was bound from Preston to Rosslare, laden with coal, and had a crew of ten. The life-boat took them all off and landed them at Holyhead at 10.10.—Rewards, £5.

PILOT WANTED Ezmouth, Devon.—About 8.15 on the night of the 9th of January, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was burning flares and signalling between two and three miles off Sidmouth, and the motor life-boat Catherine Harriet Eaton was launched at 6.25.

A strong west-north-west breeze was blowing, with a verv rough sea. The life-boat found the" S.S. Martha, of Amsterdam, a collier, bound for Exmouth, but she was not in distress.

All she wanted was a pilot and the second coxswain, who was a qualified pilot, was put aboard. He brought the Martha in and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 9.30.— Rewards, £24 14s.

NO ENGINE, BUT ONE OAR Flamborough, Yorkshire. — At about 4.25 on the afternoon of the 10th of January, 1948, the Royal Naval Shore Signal Station telephoned that a fishing coble appeared to have broken down off Flamborough Head. The motor lifeboat Elizabeth and Albina Whitley was launched at 4.45 in a fresh southeasterly breeze, with a heavy ground swell, and found the local fishing coble Pioneer, with her engine broken down and her crew of three trying to make headway with one oar. She towed them to the North Landing and arrived back at her station at 5.30.—Rewards, £15 145. 6d.

CAUGHT BY SUDDEN GALES Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. — On the morning of the 13th of January, 1948, anxiety was felt for the safety of several local fishing boats at sea, for a gale was getting up, and at 12.15, when it was blowing a strong west-south-west gale, with a very rough sea running, the motor life-boat Jeanie Speirs was launched. She found the fishing boats, Adoration, Ebenezer and Nellie, escorted them to the harbour, and arrived back at her station at 1.30.—Rewards, £7.

Flamborough, Yorkshire.—During the afternoon of the 13th of January, 1948, the wind increased to a westnorth- west gale while several fishing cobles were at sea, and at three o'clock the motor life-boat Elizabeth and Albina Whitley was launched in a very rough sea to escort in the cobles Quest and Prosperity. The Quest was only half a mile away, and she was soon safe in the haven, but the 'Prosperity was three miles north-east of Flamborough Head, and it was half past four before she got home, attended by the life-boat.— Rewards, £15 4s.

TWO LIFE-BOATS AND A STEAMER TO THE RESCUE North Sunderland, and Boulmer, Northumberland.

—At 4.36 in the afternoon of the 17th of January, 1948, the Seahouses coastguard telephoned to North Sunderland that the local fishing yawl Marguerite was off Cullernose Point and the weather was getting worse. The motor life-boat W.R.A.

was launched at 5.22 in a very strong southerly wind, with a rough sea running.

On her way to Cullernose Point her wireless aerial was washed away, but her motor mechanic was still able to keep in touch by wireless with the shore. In this way the life-boat heard that a passing vessel had seen a red flare and had found the Marguerite.

But the vessel could not get near enough and asked for a life-boat's help. It was learned later that the two men who were on board the Marguerite, with their dog, had torn up their shirts and underclothing, dipped them in oil and set them alight. A rope had fouled the yawl's propeller, and she was then half full of water.

Meanwhile, since four in the afternoon, watch had been kept at Boulmer, as a small boat had been seen making heavy weather and it was learned that one of the local fishing boats was at sea.

At five o'clock came a message from North Sunderland that that life-boat was launching and the Boulmer motor mechanic went on duty to keep in touch by wireless with her. Shortly after six o'clock the message was received at Boulmer from the coastguard about the red flare and the steamer, and this message the motor mechanic passed on to the North Sunderland life-boat. Her coxswain replied that he could not see the flares, but could see the lights of the vessel, and asked the Boulmer life-boat to launch. She put to sea at 6.50, but before she arrived the North Sunderland life-boat had been able to get close to the Marguerite, and taken her in tow.

When this news was received ashore, the Boulmer life-boat was recalled and arrived back at her station at 8.20.

The North Sunderland life-boat, with the Marguerite in tow, reached her station at 9.20.—Rewards, North Sunderland, £30 4s. 6d.; Boulmer, £12 Is.

BARGE HELPLESS IN A GALE Appledore, Devon.—Shortly after eight on the evening of the 17th of January, 1948, the barge Mary, belonging to Appledore, was seen to be burning flares for help west of Keelstone Rocks, Instow, and the motor life-boat Violet Armstrong was launched at 8.20.

A strong westerly gale was blowing with a very rough sea. She found the barge twenty minutes later and towed her into Appledore at 10.30.—Rewards, £11 Is.

LIFE-BOATMAN OVERBOARD New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 1.35 in the morning of the 18th of January, 1948, the Formby coastguard telephoned that white flares had been seen off C.2 Red Buoy. The life-boat's crew went out in the boarding boat, but as she came alongside the No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson at her moorings, one of the men was washed out of her and fell between the two boats. He was hauled in unconscious, but quickly recovered and carried on. The lifeboat left her moorings at 2.45. A moderate west-north-west gale was blowing and the sea was very rough.

The life-boat found the motor vessel Guloy, of Bergen, anchored off C.I Red Buoy. She wanted a pilot, but it was too rough to put anyone on board her, so the life-boat guided her up the river to the Sloyne, where she anchored. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 8.15 that evening.— Rewards, £17 5s.

FISHING BOAT ON FIRE Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—At 5.30 in the evening of the 18th of January, 1948, the coastguard reported distress signals and at 5.55 the motor life-boat Margaret Dawson was launched. A strong west-south-west breeze was blowing with a choppy sea. The life-boat found the fishing boat Rosa, bound for Montrose, with a crew of six, two and a half miles east-north-east of Inverbervie.

Her engine-room had caught fire but the fire had been got under control and a steamer was standing by her. The life-boat towed her to Gourdon, arriving at 7.30.—Rewards, £26.

PROPELLER LOST Walmer, Kent—During the afternoon of the 19th of January, 1948, a motor fishing vessel was drifting in the Downs, and a passing steamer signalled for help for her. At 3.40 the motor lifeboat Charles Dibdin—Civil Service No. 2 was launched in a light south-westerly breeze, with a slight sea, and found the Motor fishing vessel No. 799, of Fraserburgh, with a crew of three. She had lost her propeller. The life-boat towed her to Ramsgate and arrived back at her station at 6.45 that evening.

—Property Salvage Case.

DRIFTING FOR TWENTY-SIX HOURS Cromarty.—At 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the 22nd of January, 1948, the coastguard telephoned a report from the keeper of the Tarbert Ness Lighthouse that a fishing vessel was making distress signals four miles north of the lighthouse. The motor life-boat James MacFee was launched at 1.20, in a moderate south-easterly breeze with a heavy ground swell. She found the fishing vessel Village Maid with her propeller fouled, eight miles north of Tarbert Ness. She had been drifting for twenty-six hours and her crew of five were cold and hungry. The lifeboat towed them to Portmahomack Harbour and arrived back at her station at 7.45 that night.—Rewards, £11 5*.

MORE ENGINES BROKEN DOWN New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 11.30 on the night of the 25th of January, 1948, the Hoylake coastguard telephoned that a fishing vessel was in distress near C.2 A Buoy, half a mile off the Crosby Lightvessel and at 12.15 the No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson put out. She searched in a strong south-easterly breeze and a choppy sea, and found the fishing vessel Moa at anchor, leaking, with her engine broken down and her main boom carried away. A pilot boat was standing by.

The life-boat rescued the Moo's crew of three, and arrived back at her station at 3 o'clock. The Moa was later towed in by a Mersey Docks and Harbour Board boat. — Rewards, £12 2s. 6d.

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.— At about 10.30 on the night of the 26th of January, 1948, a wireless message was received from the motor vessel Edenvale of Wexford, that her engine had broken down, but that she was in no immediate danger. She gave her position as seventeen miles east-north-east of Tuskar Rock. At 11.15 the motor lifeboat Mabel Marion Thompson was launched in a squally south-easterly breeze and a rough sea, and found the Edenvale twenty-four miles east-northeast of the Tuskar Rock. The S.S.

Nugget, of Glasgow, which had also put out, arrived on the scene at the same time and took the Edenvale in tow.

The tow rope parted three times but the Nugget eventually brought the Edenvale into Dublin, escorted by the life-boat, which then returned to her station, arriving at noon on the 27th.—• Partly Permanent Paid Crew: Rewards, £20 19s.

BRINGING IN A FISHING BOAT Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—At 12.25 in the afternoon of the 27th of January, 1948, the coastguard reported that anxiety was felt for the. safety of a local fishing boat which had not been seen since 9 o'clock that morning. The wind was increasing, and at 12.45 the No. 1 motor life-boat Abdy Beauclerk was launched in a fresh south-easterly breeze, with a slight sea. She found the fishing boat, escorted her to the shore, and arrived back at her station at 2.30.

—Rewards, £39 15s. 6d.

STEAMER DRIFTING The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. —• At 10.40 on the night of the 27th of January, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that the Scarweather Lightship had reported flares fourteen miles to the southward, and at 11.10 the motor life-boat William Gammon—• Manchester and District XXX was launched in a south-easterly breeze and a moderate sea. She found the S.S.

Fawn, of Ramsey, six miles south-southwest of the lightship, drifting with her engines broken down. Another vessel took her in tow and, accompanied by the life-boat, made for Swansea Bay, where the Fawn anchored. The lifeboat then returned to her station, arriving at 3.5 the following morning.—- Rewards, £24 8s.

SHRIMPING BOAT IN DIFFICULTY Margate, Kent.—At about noon on the 28th of January, 1948, local boatmen reported that the shrimping boat.

Sonia, with a crew of three, was two hours overdue. She had put out at three in the morning and was expected back at ten o'clock. The motor lifeboat Lord Southborough, Civil Service No. 1 was launched at half past twelve in a west-south-west breeze with a moderate sea, and found the Sonia about four miles off Birchington, making slowly for Margate. Her engine had broken down and had been started again, but was not working well. As she had no sails, and the wind was off shore, the life-boat escorted her home, arriving at 1.45.—Rewards £10 16s.

ON THE MERSEY REVETMENT New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 5.25 in the afternoon of the 28th of January, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was sounding her whistle for help, and the No. 2 life-boat, Edmund and Mary Robinson, was launched at 5.42.

A east-south-east breeze was blowing, with a choppy sea. The life-boat went to the Burbo Buoy, in the Crosby Channel and there found the R.A.S.C.

tender Sir Herbert Miles. The tender was bringing workmen from Queen's Torts, anti-aircraft fortifications erected during the war, which they were demolishing. She had run on the revetment in a fog, and had a very dangerous list. The life-boat went .alongside and took off twenty-five men, but the captain said that there were nine men in a small boat on the other side •of the revetment. They could not be seen in the darkness. ' The life-boat turned on her searchlight, picked up the boat, and called to the men to row up to their side of the revetment. The life-boat went along the revetment on the other side and hauled the men .across it from the boat with ropes.

Two of them had their legs injured.

The life-boat then put the captain and the crew of nine on board the Mersey Harbour Dock Board vessel Vigilent .and landed the other twenty-four men .at New Brighton at half past seven.— Rewards, £ll. 55.

ANCHORED TO WRECKAGE ALL NIGHT Howth, Co. Dublin.—At 9 o'clock on the night of the 29th of January, 1948, it was reported that the local motor fishing boat Striving, with a crew of four, was overdue. A gale warning had been received, and at 9.20 the motor life-boat R.P.L. was launched.

A moderate south-easterly breeze was then blowing, with a moderate sea.

The life-boat searched but found nothing and arrived back at her station at two o'clock the next morning. At 10.15 information was received that the Striving had been seen seven miles north-east of Howth, and the life-boat again put out at 11 o'clock. A whole west-south-west gale was now blowing, with a very rough sea. The life-boat found that the fishing boat's nets had fouled some wreckage, her engines had broken down, and she had been anchored all night to the wreckage.

The life-boat towed her to Howth and arrived back at her station at four o'clock that afternoon.—Rewards, First Service, £13 4s.; Second Service, £14 19*.

EIGHT FISHING BOATS BROUGHT IN Newbiggin, Northumberland.—At half past ten in the morning of the 30th of January, 1948, the coastguard gave warning of an approaching gale. As several fishing boats were at sea the life-boat's coxswain stood by. At 11.30 he reported that the sea had become dangerous, and at noon the motor lifeboat Augustus and Laura was launched in a heavy south-south-east gale with a rough sea. She found eight local fishing boats one and a half miles from home, escorted them all to safety, and returned to her station at half past three.

—Rewards, £28 Qs. ' YET ANOTHER ENGINE FAILS Filey, Yorkshire. — During the late afternoon of the 30th of January, 1948, anxiety was felt for the safety of the local fishing coble Jean and Barbara, which was overdue, with a crew of three, and at 5.23 the motor life-boat The Cuttle was launched. She searched in a moderate south-westerly breeze and a slight sea and found the coble two miles south of Filey Brigg Buoy.

Her engine had broken down, but she re-started it and made for harbour escorted by the life-boat. They arrived at 6.30 that evening.—Rewards, £11 5s.

THREE FEET OF WATER IN ENGINEROOM Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—On the 30th of January, 1948, the crew of three of the motor barge Arripay, of London, abandoned her in a rowing boat, during a south-westerly gale near the Swin Bell Buoy, with three feet of water in her engine-room. At 5.40 in the afternoon the coastguard reported red flares, and a few minvites later the motor lifeboat Edward Z. Dresden was launched.

Helped by her flares the life-boat found the small boat near the No. 2 Wallet Buoy and rescued the three men. With the men and their boat, she arrived back at Clacton at eight o'clock.—Rewards, £12 10s. Qd.

TOWING IN A FISHING BOAT North Sunderland, Northumberland.—• The weather became very bad about mid-day on the 31st of January, 1948, while the motor fishing boat John Wesley was at the Fame Islands, and the motor life-boat W.R.A. was launched at 1.55 in the afternoon. A strong west-south-west wind was then blowing, with a rough sea. The lifeboat found the fishing boat at 2.15 and towed her home, arriving at four o'clock.—Rewards, £26 17*.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress or were not needed: LIFE-BOAT ASHORE Ramsey, Douglas, and Peel, Isle of Man.

•—Just before half past five in the evening of the 6th of January, 1948, the coastguard informed the Ramsey life-boat station that the motor vessel Teasel was six miles east of the Point of Ayr, with a dangerous list, in a full south-east gale, with a very heavy sea running and heavy rain squalls. At six o'clock the Ramsey life-boat Lady Harrison, was launched. She had to go through very heavy broken water when crossing the Bahama Bank and after running for over an hour reached the position given. There was no sign of the Teasel so the coxswain went round the Point of Ayr. As soon as he had turned the point he saw small flashing lights close inshore, and thinking that they came from a small boat trying to land, he stood in to investigate. The visibility was very poor, the land very low-lying and all on board the life-boat kept a sharp look out, but they did not see the shingle bank until the life-boat was close to it. It was too late to do anything, and she struck and swunground.

Four of the men jumped out of her and straightened her so that she would come off stern first. They jumped aboard again, but as the boat was coming off a big sea caught her and washed the coxswain overboard.

He was quickly seized by the second coxswain and dragged in again, but the engines had stopped and could not be restarted. When the boat wasexamined later a stone was found to be firmly wedged between the propeller shroud and the tunnel, and had to be knocked out with a hammer. When her engines stopped, the life-boat was washed ashore, and the crew could not refloat her as the tide was ebbing. It was then just after eight o'clock. The launching tractor was sent for and hauled her up above high-water mark.

Three days later she was relaunched and returned to her station. There she was found to be undamaged. The mysterious lights which had led the lifeboat inshore were thought to be the lights of rabbit-catchers.

As soon as the district officer df coastguard learned that the life-boat was ashore he telephoned to Douglas and Peel. The Douglas life-boat was launched at 9.17 and carried out a wide search from the north of the Point of Ayr to Ballacash Bank, but saw nothing except a salvage tug which was also searching. She did not return to her station until noon on the following day, having then been at sea for fifteen hours. For another two hours the crew stood by until it was learned that the Peel life-boat had returned.

The Peel life-boat was launched at 9.45, made for the Point of Ayr, and then searched widely to the westward as far as the Irish coast. She found no sign of the Teasel and returned to her station at 1.45 in the afternoon of the following day. She had then been at sea for sixteen hours.

Bodies and wreckage of the Teasel were found later, and it is probable that she capsized, with the loss of all her eight men, shortly aftei she had reported that she had a heavy list.— Rewards, Ramsey, £39 3s*; Douglas, £46 15*.; Peel, £48.

Ramsgate, Kent. January 6th.—Rewards : £16 9*. 6d.

Longhope, Orkneys. January 8th.— Rewards: £26 10s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. January 10th.

—Rewardj: £10 6s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire. January 10th.—Rewards: £16 3s. Qd.

Port Ellen, Inner Hebrides. January llth.—Rewards: £16 14s.

Lerwick, Shetlands. January 12th.— Rewards: £14.

Blyth, Northumberland. January 13th.

—Rewards: £4.

Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. January 15th.—Rewards: £9.

Ilfracombe, Devon. January '16th.— Rewards: £26.

Boulmer, Northumberland. January 17th.—Rewards: £12 Is.

Ramsgate, Kent. January 17th.-—Rewards: £8 13s.

Dfracombe, Devon. January 17th.— Rewards: £26 10s.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk. January 19th.—• Rewards, £44 5s. 6d.

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides. January 22nd.—Rewards: £9 18s. Qd.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. January 25th.—Rewards: £10 12s. 6d.

Walmer, Kent. January 25th.—Rewards: £23 7s. 6d.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire. January 27th.—Rewards: £13 Is. 6d.

Portrush, Co. Antrim. January 28th.

—Rewards: £7 2s. 6d.

Scarborough, Yorkshire. January 29th.

—Rewards: £25 3s.

Howth, Co. Dublin. January 29th.— Rewards: £12 14s. 6d.

Plymouth, Devon. January 30th.— Rewards: £12 5s.

New Brighton, Cheshire. January 30th.—Rewards: £8.

Skegness, Lincolnshire. January 31st.

—Rewards: £24 17s. 6d.

February During February life-boats went out on service 34 times and rescued 15 lives.

FIGHTING THEIR WAY HOME Amble, Northumberland.—The motor life-boat Frederick and Emma was launched at half past eleven in the morning of the 2nd of February, 1948, as two fishing cobles were overdue and a moderate west-south-west gale was blowing with a very rough sea. She found one coble, the Boy Arthur, a mile south-east of Coquet Island, and the other, the Ocean Vanguard, two miles to the north-east, fighting their way in against the gale. She escorted them into harbour and got back to her station at 12.45 in the afternoon.-—Rewards, £8.

TAKING FOOD TO A SHIP Ramsey, Isle of Man.—On the morning of the 5th of February, 1948, the Swedish steamer Noreg, of Gothenburg, bound with ore from Spain to Silloth, was at anchor one and a half miles east-north-east of Ramsey. She signalled that she was in urgent' need of stores, and her captain came ashore at daybreak,. A strong south-south-west •wind got up, with a heavy sea and rain, and the boat could not return. A gale warning had been received, and the captain was very anxious to get back to his ship, so at 12.10 in the afternoon the motor life-boat Lady Harrison was launched, took the captain and his stores out to the steamer, and returned to her station again at 1.35.—Rewards, £16 12s.

RETURNING FROM THE WHELK GROUNDS Sheringham, Norfolk. —• During the morning of the 6th of February, 1948, as, the weather was getting bad, anxiety was felt for the safety of three local fishing boats which were returning from the whelk grounds, and just after noon the motor life-boat Foresters Centenary was launched. A strong west-north-west breeze was then blowing, with a rough sea. She found the three fishing boats two miles to the westward, escorted them home, and arrived back at her station at 12.30.— Rewards, £28 3s. 6d.

A FLOODED ENGINE-ROOM Holy Island, Northumberland. - At 11.45 in the morning of the 6th of February, 1948, the coxswain saw that a fishing coble was in danger of driving on to the Megstone Rock, and the motor h'fe-boat Gertrude was launched at 12.20.

A fresh west-north-west gale was blowing, with a rough sea. She found a fishing coble Breadwinner II four and a half miles south-east of Holy Island.

Her engine-room was flooded, but her crew succeeded in getting the engine to start and the life-boat escorted her into harbour, arriving at 1.45.—Rewards, £10 10s.

ENGINE FAILED, SAILS BLOWN AWAY Ramsgate, Kent. — On the 6th of February, 1948, the motor barge Glen- Kood, of Rochester, bound for Newport in the Isle of Wight, got into difficulties off Dumpton Gap. She was seen by the North Goodwin Light-vessel, which sent the information through the coastguard to the life-boat station at one o'clock in the afternoon and ten minutes later the motor life-boat Prudential was launched. A fresh northnorth- westerly gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The life-boat found the barge with her engine broken down and her sails carried away. She was drifting helpless, and was leaking. She had a crew of four. With difficulty the life-boat went alongside, put some of her own crew on board, and towed the barge to Ramsgate, arriving at 3.14 that afternoon.—Rewards, 13s. 6d.— Property Salvage Case.

A CASE OF MEASLES Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 12.20 in the morning of the 7th of February. 1948, the coastguard telephoned that H.M.S. Cygnet, bound from the Arctic to Sheerness, was approaching and wished to land a sick man to be taken to hospital. The motor life-boat Louise Stephens with a doctor aboard was launched at half past twelve in a moderate west-northwest breeze with a slight sea, met the Cygnet one and a half miles out, and brought ashore the sick man, who had measles. She arrived at 2.30.-—Rewards, £13 13,s.

SCOTTISH STEAMER ABANDONED Boulmer, Northumberland. — Shortly after six in the evening of the llth of February, 1948, a vessel stranded on the rocks at Boulmer Head, one mile south-east of the life-boat station, and signalled for help. The motor life-boat Clarissa Langdon was launched at 7.18 in a fresh southerly wind with a choppy sea and strongly ebbing tide. She found the s.s. Archmor, of Fraserburgh, with a crew of eight aboard, bound laden with coal from Amble to Inverness.

She was waterlogged and the life-boat brought her crew ashore, arriving at 8.15 that evening. At the captain's request the life-boat went out again at 2.30 next morning, taking the steamer's crew with her in the hope that the steamer would come off on the early morning tide, but they found the engine-room flooded and decided to abandon her. Bringing their kit with them, they were brought ashore again by the life-boat, arriving at half past five. Rewards (for first service only), £12 Is.

MOTOR LAUNCH BROKEN DOWN Selsey, Sussex.—At 10.40 on the night of the llth of February, 1948, the coastguard reported distress signals between Bognor and Littlehampton, and the motor life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched at 11 o'clock.

A moderate soYith-westevVy breeze was blowing with a swell. The life-boat found a motor launch, of Littlehampton, and her crew of three signalling with a hand torch. She was one and a half miles off shore between Middleton and Littlehampton with her engines broken down. The life-boat towed her to Littlehampton and arrived back at her station at 6 o'clock the next morning.—Rewards, £23 17s. Id.

BROUGHT INTO HARBOUR; SANK Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 8.10 in the morning of the 14th of February, 1948, the coastguard reported that a vessel had gone ashore in a thick fog to the south-east of the South Stack Lighthouse, and at 8.32 the motor life-boat A.E.D. was launched. A moderate, but increasing, breeze was blowing from the south-west; the sea was rough; and there were still patches of fog. The life-boat found the s.s. Spidola, of London, with a crew of thirty-two.

She had got off the rocks, but her bottom had been seriously damaged and she was badly down by the head, with the fore peak and No. 1 hold flooded. Her captain thought she was in imminent danger of foundering, and at his request the second-coxswain went aboard. The steamer then made for Holyhead harbour, escorted by the life-boat, and reached it safely, but forty minutes later she sank. The lifeboat returned to "her station again at 12.48 that afternoon.—Property Salvage Case.

DOCTOR URGENTLY NEEDED Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—At 11.10 in the morning of the 17th of February, 1948, the motor life-boat S.G.E. put out, with a doctor on board, to the s.s.

Coral Sea, of New York, bound in ballast from Southampton to New Orleans, U.S.A., which had signalled that she wanted immediate medical help. A fresh east-south-east wind was blowing, with a choppy sea. At noon the life-boat returned with a sick man on board, and he was sent at once to the Ryde hospital.—Rewards, £7 8*.

ANOTHER CASE OF SICKNESS New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 3.40 in the afternoon of the 21st of February, 1948, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board telephoned that a man, a diver of the Admiralty, working on the dismantling of the Queen's Forts, one and a quarter miles off the Bar Lightship, had been summoned to go to London as his sister was dangerously ill and that the Admiralty asked if the life-boat would bring him ashore. The No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson left her moorings at 4.10 in a fresh east-north-east breeze with a rough sea, brought ashore both this man and a sick carpenter, and arrived back at her station at 8.10 that night.— Rewards, £13 2*. 6s.

WITHOUT ENGINE, SAIL OR OARS Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.— During the afternoon of the 28th of February, 1948, a fishing boat was reported flying distress signals four and a half miles to the westward, and the motor life-boat Annie Blanche Smith was launched at 4.30. A moderate easterly breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea, and there was a thick fog.

The life-boat found the local fishing boat Noamh Seunan with two men on board, her engine broken down, and neither sails nor oars. She took her in tow and arrived back at her station at 5.50.—Rewards, £7.

HARD AGROUND Troon, Ayrshire. — At 4.15 in the morning of the 29th of February, 1948, the Kildonan coastguard asked for the life-boat's help for a vessel ashore one mile east of Pladda, and at five o'clock the motor life-boat Sir David Richmond, of Glasgow, was launched in a light easterly breeze, with a slight sea and fog. She found the motor vessel Spinel, of Glasgow, a coaster of 600 tons loaded with cement, hard aground on rocks at Dippin Point, Arran. She had a crew of eleven. The master requested that the life-boat stand by until high water. A tug then arrived to refloat her, but she was unsuccessful. A second attempt was made by the tug, but although the Spinel worked her engines she remained aground. During the operations, the life-boat put aboard the Marine Superintendent, and later, at the master's request, landed a steward for provisions. The life-boat returned to the Spinel with stores and after they and the steward had been disembarked, left for her station, arriving at 8.40 that night. A donation was received from the owners.—Rewards, £29 165.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress or were not needed:— Walton and Frinton, Essex. February 3rd.—Rewards: £6 18s.

Sennen Cove, Cornwall. February 3rd.

—Rewards: £36 10s.

Cloughey, Co. Down. February 5th.

—Rewards: £27.

LIFE-BOAT AGROUND Aberdeen.—At 8.7 on the night of the 5th of February, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was thought to be ashore two miles south of the Belhelvie coastguard station. At 8.45 he reported that she was sounding her siren continuously, and at 8.50 the No. 1 life-boat, Emma Constance, was launched. A strong southerly breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea.

The life-boat found that the vessel was the steam trawler Northman, of Aberdeen.

As she approached her she ran aground herself. The trawler was close inshore, and her crew of twelve were rescued by the Belhelvie rocket life-saving apparatus, but the life-boat remained fast for over three days. It was not until the 9th that, with the No. 2 life-boat standing by, and the help of a tug, she refloated, and returned to her station, arriving at 2.30 that morning.—Rewards (to the crews of both life-boats).—£164 5s. 6d.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — February 7th, 1948.—Rewards, £13 8s. 6d.

FOOD TO LIGHTHOUSE BY HELICOPTER Penlee, Cornwall. — Owing to the prolonged bad weather at the end of January and the beginning of February, it had been impossible to relieve the keepers of the Wolf Rock Lighthouse, and the relief was so long overdue that they had run very short of food.

Trinity House arranged for a helicopter to fly out to drop food to them on the morning of the 7th February, 1948, and as there was a forty mile an hour wind blowing from the southwest, and the sea was rough, the motor life-boat W and S was launched at 7.35 and went out to the lighthouse to stand by in case of accident. All went well, the helicopter lowered the food to the lighthouse, and flew back, and the lifeboat returned to her station arriving at; noon.—Rewards, £17 16s.

Fowey, Cornwall. — February 7th, 1948.—Rewards, £8 15s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — February 10th, 1948.—Rewards, £22 16s.

Arklow, Co. Wicklow. February 12th.

—Rewards: £13 3s.

Swanage, Dorset. February 12th.— Re wards: £15 18s.

Weymouth, Dorset. February 13th.— Rewards: £12 14s. 6d.

Valentia, Co. Kerry. February 17th.

•—Rewards: £7.

Boulmer, Northumberland. Februarv 18th.—Rewards: £17 12s.

Amble, Northumberland. February 18th.—Rewards: £12.

Lowestoft, Suffolk. February 21st.— Rewards: £8.

New Brighton, No. 1, Cheshire. February 24th.—Rewards, £8 10s.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire. February 26th.

—Rewards: £10 5s. 6d.

Sberingham, Norfolk. February 28th.

—Rewards: £27 5s.

New Brighton, No. 2, Cheshire. February 29th.—Rewards: £9 5s.

Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. February 29th.—Rewards: £20 5s..