DURING March, 1948, life-boats went out on service 30 times and rescued 10 lives.

AGROUND IN FOG Troon, Ayrshire.—There was a fog in the morning of the 4th of March, 1948, and at 10.30 a fisherman of Ayr telephoned that a motor fishing boat was ashore off Ayr harbour. At eleven o'clock the motor life-boat Sir David Richmond of Glasgow was launched, in a light southerly breeze, with a smooth sea, and found the motor fishing boat Nan McMarrar, of Campbeltown, on Blackburn Rocks, and leaking. The life-boat could get no nearer to her than one hundred feet, owing to the shallow water, so she made for Ayr and took on board a pump and three firemen.

After waiting for over an hour for the tide to rise she was just able to put them on board the Nan McMarrar.

She then returned ashore, and her crew' had a meal. She got back to the Nan McMarrar and this time was able to make fast alongside. With the help of the fishing boat Lead Me, of Campbeltown, she towed the Nan McMarrar off the rocks and beached her in Ayr harbour. She returned to her station at 7 o'clock in the evening.—Property Salvage Case.

Dungeness, Kent.—There was fog in the morning of the 2nd of March, 1948, and at 8.20 distress signals were heard. At 8.45 the motor life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson was launched in a moderate north-easterly breeze, with a choppy sea, and found the French naval vessel Victorieuse stranded on Newcome Bank. At the captain's request the life-boat stood by, and later she and a local motor boat laid out an anchor. The Victorieuse refloated undamaged and the life-boat .returned to her station at 2.45 that afternoon.— Property Salvage Case.

DRIFTING TOWARDS THE ROCKS Tynemouth, Northumberland. — At 10.50 in the morning of the 14th of March, 1948, the motor life-boat Tynesider was launched, with the honorary secretary, Mr. E. Selby Davidson, on board, to carry out trials with her radiotelephony, and at 12.30 the fishing boat Hannah attracted her attention with S.O.S. blasts on her whistle. A light southerly wind was blowing with a moderate sea. The fishing boat was half a mile east of St. Mary's Island and in danger of being carried on to the rocks. The life-boat found her crew of three very exhausted, rescued them and, with the Hannah in tow, made for South Shields. There she landed the men and arrived back at her station at 1.20 in the afternoon.— Rewards, £12 7*.

A SEARCH BY NIGHT Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. — At 7.30 on the night of the 15th of March, 1948, local pilots reported that the reflection of flares could be seen off Creadon Head and at eight o'clock, with Mr. A. Westcott Pitt, the honorary secretary, on board, the motor life-boat Duke of Connaugkt, on temporary duty at this station, was launched in a moderate south-westerly breeze, with a moderate sea. With the help of her searchlight she found the local fishing boat Maggie, with a crew of two, four miles to the north-east. She had been drifting for four hours with her engine broken down. The life-boat towed her in, arriving back at her station at 9.10.-—Rewards, £5.

UNABLE TO MAKE HARBOUR Newhaven, Sussex.—At 8.10 in the evening of the 17th of March, 1948, information was received from the harbour watch-house that a vessel was burning red flares, south of Newhaven Breakwater, and at 8.25 the motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched. A strong south-westerly wind was blowing, with a rough sea.

The life-boat found the motor vessel Goldeve, of London, a converted barge, loaded with maize and bound for London, four miles south-west of the breakwater. She had a crew of four, and though she was in no immediate danger, she needed help to enter the harbour. The life-boat stood by her until the tide was flowing and then escorted her to the harbour entrance.

There she put a life-boatman on board the Goldeve and he helped to bring her in. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 11.15 that night.—Rewards, £15 6s. 6d.

TO HELP OF THE SICK IN A GALE Aith, Shetland*. — At 6.15 in the evening of the 22nd of March, 1948, a telephone message was received from a doctor that a man was seriously ill on the island of Papa Stour. A northnorth- west gale was blowing with a very heavy sea, and as it was impossible for any other boat to leave the harbour the motor life-boat The Rankin was launched at 9.30 with a doctor on board. The patient was found to be seriously ill, and though the doctor would have liked to move him at once to the mainland, he did not dare expose him to the long sea journey in a gale.

The life-boat brought the doctor back, arriving at her station at 2.30 the following morning. •— Rewards, £14 15s. Repaid to the Institution.

FRENCH FISHING-VESSEL ASHORE Barmouth, Merionethshire.—At 6.30 in the morning of the 25th of March, 1948, information was received from Dyffryn that two men had landed in a dinghy from the French fishing vessel Va-Sans-Peur, of Concarneau, bound for Liverpool, and had asked for the help of the life-boat as their vessel was aground. The motor life-boat Lawrence Ardern, Stockport, was launched at 7.40 in a light easterly breeze, with a slight sea, and found the fishing vessel three miles away on St.

Patrick's Causeway. The second coxswain went on board her and the lifeboat returned ashore, brought out the two Frenchmen and their dinghy, and put them on board the Va-Sans-Peur.

The life-boat stood by until the tide rose and the vessel refloated. The coxswain then set the skipper on his course, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.—Rewards, £21 17*. 6d.

BUMPING ON THE SANDS Margate, Kent. — At 12.14 in the morning of the 29th of March, 1948,.

the coastguard reported red flares one and a half miles to the north-northwest, and at 12.30 the motor life-boat The Lord Southborough—Civil Service No. -1 was launched. A moderate 'south-south-east breeze was blowing with a moderate sea. The life-boat found the tug Beacon, of Gillingham, bound for Grangemouth, aground on the sands four miles to the north-northwest.

She was bumping heavily on the sands, and her crew of four asked to be towed in. The life-boat reached her station again at 2.50.—Rewards, £15 3*.

TWO BOYS DROWNED Margate, Kent.—At 1.10 in the afternoon of the 29th of March, 1948, the coastguard reported that a sailing dinghy, had capsized between one and two miles east of the life-boat station, and the motor life-boat The Lord Southborough—Civil Service No. 1 was launched at 1.25 in a moderate southwesterly breeze with a moderate sea.

She found the dinghy, upturned, one mile to the north-east, and an exhausted man. He said that his two sons were missing. The life-boat took him ashore, and then put out again, with other boats, to search for the two boys, but could not find them. She arrived back at her station at 3.45.—Rewards.

£12 19*. 6d.

A MAN AND TWO WOMEN IN PERIL St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly.—Just before four o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th of March, 1948, the coastguard reported a motor boat that appeared to be in difficulties off Lizard Point, Tresco. The wind was rising. By five o'clock a south-south-east gale was blowing with a rough sea, and at 5.15 the motor life-boat Cunard was launched. She found the fishing boat Peaceful, of Scilly, anchored off Diamond Ledges, Tresco. with a man and two women aboard. .Her engine had broken down. The life-boat put a man 011 board her and towed her to an anchorage. She returned to her station at 0.20 that evening—Rewards, £8 125.

FALMOUTH'S THREE SERVICES IN FIFTEEN HOURS Falmouth, Cornwall.—-At 4.45 in the afternoon of the 29th of March, 1948, the dock police- reported a yacht in difficulties off Castle Head. A southerly gale was blowing, with a heavy sea and she was in danger of being swamped.

At 5.30 the motor life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare was launched and found a fourteen-feet yacht close inshore and making for the harbour.

The life-boat rescued her crew of two, towed the yacht in, and arrived back at her station at 7 o'clock that evening.

—Rewards, £7 8s.

Faltnouth, Cornwall.—At ten o'clock on the same night a vessel in Falmouth Harbour signalled for help by whistle and rocket, and the motor life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare put out. A whole southerly gale was then blowing, with a very heavy sea. She found that the s.s. Dicky, of Liverpool, with a crew of ten aboard, had dragged her anchors and had gone ashore near Kiln Quay. At the request of the master the life-boat returned ashore, arranged for a tug to go out, and went back to the Dicky to warn her to be ready when the tug arrived. Early next morning the tug refloated her, but just before midnight signals of distress were seen from another steamer ashore on Mullonan Point, Falmouth Harbour, and at 12.15 the life-boat went to her help. She was the s.s. Leeds City, of Bideford, bound in ballast from London to Falmouth, and had a crew of about forty on board. The life-boat stood by until two o'clock in the morning. The master then asked for tugs and the life-boat went to fetch them, returned with them and passed their hawsers to the Leeds City. The gale was now very severe, and the tow parted, but the life-boat fixed another tow and stood by until the steamer had been refloated. She accompanied her to the Falmouth Docks and arrived back at her station at ten o'clock in the morning of the 30th of March.—-Property Salvage Cases.

STEAMER UNMANAGEABLE Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 1.5 in the afternoon of the 31st of March, 1948, the coastguard reported that a small steamer in New Harbour had signalled on her whistle for help. The motor life-boat A.E.D. left her moorings at 1.20 in a southerly gale, with a very rough sea. Five minutes later she reached the s.s. Vic 67, of Liverpool, and found her light and unmanageable.

The second coxswain of the life-boat went on board her and two ropes were passed from her to the life-boat. With these ropes to help the steamer to steer, the life-boat and steamer made for the inner harbour, but when they were off Salt Island the ropes had to be cast off, as the steamer was sheering too badly for the life-boat to hold her. The second coxswain remained on board the steamer and, with great difficulty, took her into the inner harbour. The lifeboat got back to her moorings at half past three.—Property Salvage Case.

BRINGING IN SIX FISHING BOATS Arbroath, Angus.-—At three o'clock in the afternoon of the 31st of March, 1948, the coastguard reported that six local fishing boats were approaching harbour. A south-southywest gale was blowing with a very rough sea, making the harbour bar dangerous, and the motor life-boat John and William Mudie was launched at 3.15. She stood by until all the boats had got in safely and returned to her station at 4.15.—Rewards, £11 105. 6d.

ANOTHER FISHING BOAT BROUGHT IN Bridlington, Yorkshire.—On the afternoon of the 31st of March, 1948, the motor life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield, was launched at 5.35, to stand by the local motor fishing boat May Lily, during a south-easterly gale with a very heavy sea. The life-boat found her two miles south of Bridlington, and she made for home accompanied by the life-boat, which spread oil on the sea and escorted her safely into harbour. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 7.35.—Rewards, £9 135.

The following life-boats could find no ship in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: LOST ON THE BAR Ferryside, Carmarthenshire.—At about 1.30 in the afternoon of the 8th of March, 1948, the Tenby coastguard telephoned that a bod'y had been washed ashore at Ferryside that morning, and the motor fishing vessel Mary Anne, of Swansea, bound for Tenby, was reported to be missing with her crew of two. At 1.45 the motor lifeboat William Maynard was launched in a fresh south-westerly breeze with a heavy ground sea. She made an extensive search, but found only the wreckage of the Mary Anne. There was no trace of the second man. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 4.30.—• Rewards, £17 195.

A FALSE ALARM Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — At 7.10 in the evening of the 9th of March, 1948, the Southend coastguard reported a vessel in the Sound of Sanda burning a red light or flare, and the motor lifeboat City of Glasgow was launched at 7.20 in a moderate westerly breeze with a moderate sea. She found the s.s.

Pibroch, of Glasgow, bound from May for the Clyde with a cargo of whisky.

Flames were coming out of her funnel, but they were due to heavy stoking, and she did not need help. The lifeboat made a search, but no other vessel was found to be in need of help and she arrived back at her station at 10.30.—• Rewards, £12 155. 6d.

Selsey, Sussex.—March I4th. — Rewards, £23 125.

Wey mouth, Dorset.1—March 20th.— Rewards, £8.

CANOEIST LOST IN A GALE Mallaig, Inner Hebrides.—The motor life-boat Sir Arthur Rose left her moorings at 6.30 in the evening of the 21st of March, 1948, in a south-west gale with a rough sea, to the help of a canoe.

She found her on the beach. Of the two men who had been in her, one had swum ashore, the other was drowned.

The life-boat reached her station again at 8.5 in the evening.—Rewards, £7.

Dover, Kent.—March 23rd. —Rewards, £7 55.

Walmer, Kent. —March 24th. —Rewards, £17 25.

Lytham St. Annes,' Lancashire.—March 25th.—Rewards, £17 155.

New Brighton No. 2, Cheshire.—March 25th.—Rewards, £9 55.

Wells, Norfolk.—March 26th. —Rewards, £24 55.

Wells, Norfolk."—March 27th. —Rewards, £21 17s.

St. Helier, Jersey.—March 27th.-—Rewards, £5.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—March 29th.—Rewards, £11 Is.

Margate, Kent.—March 30th.—Rewards, £27 05. Qd.

APRIL During April life-boats went out on service 36 times and rescued 31 lives.

STRANDED ON THE BREAKWATER Holyhead, Anglesey.—A minute before midnight on the night of the 31st of March, 1948, the coastguard reported that the s.s. St. Kenneth, of Dublin, anchored off the breakwater, was dragging her anchors and had signalled for help. The motor life-boat A.E.D. was launched at 12.25 in a strong southwesterly gale, with a very rough sea, and found the steamer stranded on the breakwater. The life-boat put a lifeboatman on board to help get her off.

She refloated three hours later and anchored. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.45.—Property Salvage Case.

A SPEED BOAT SUNK Cromer, Norfolk.—On receipt of a message from the coastguard that a vessel was at anchor off Cromer, and wanted to land survivors of a sunken boat, the No. 2 motor life-boat Harriot Dixon was launched at 1.10 in the morning of the 1st of April, 1948, in a south-westerly breeze with a moderate swell. About four miles away in a northeasterly direction she found the s.s.

Dynamo and on board her the crew of the speed boat Day II, which had sunk near the Kentish Knock. The life-boat brought them ashore and returned to her station at 2.15.—Rewards, £14 12s.

UNCONSCIOUS ON AN ISLAND St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At 8.55 on the night of the 2nd of April, 1948, the St. Ann's Head coastguard telephoned that a message had been received from a resident of Wooltack Point, that his brother, Mr. Codd, had left for Skemer Island in his motor boat that afternoon and that a bonfire had been lit on the island and a lamp could be seen being moved to and fvo.

A later message said that S.O.S. signals were being made with the lamp, and at 9.45 the motor life-boat Civil Service No. 6 was launched. A fresh northnorth- west gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The life-boat found that Mr. Codd's daughter had injured her head and was unconscious. The lifeboat took Mr. Codd and two friends on board and .towed the motor boat to Martin's Haven. There the three men landed and got a doctor. The life-boat took him out to Skomer. He treated the patient and restored her to consciousness.

The life-boat brought him to the mainland-again and towed the motor boat with Mr. Codd and the other two men back to Skomer, arriving at 3.45 in the morning. She stayed at the island until 5.30 and arrived back at her station at 6.45 that morning.— Rewards, £18 4s.

SAILS GONE; HALF-FULL OF WATER Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. — At 3.15 in the afternoon of the 2nd of April, 1948, the Duncannon police telephoned that a small boat was in distress, and the motor life-boat Duke of Connaught, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 3.45 in a westnorth- west gale with a choppy sea.

She found an open salmon yawl near the Bar Buoy, Waterford Harbour, half full of water, her sails blown away, and her crew of two exhausted. The lifeboat rescued the men, and brought them and their boat to Ballyhack Harbour.

She arrived back at her station at six o'clock.—Rewards, £6 ISs.

SUICIDE ON A LIGHTSHIP The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—-On the afternoon of the 3rd of April, 1948, a message came from the Scarweather Lightship that a man had committed suicide on board, and as the Trinity House vessel was under repair, the lifeboat, William Gammon—Manchester and District XXX, went out at 3 o'clock, in a strong breeze, with a rough sea running, and brought the body ashore, arriving back at 6.45 that evening.— Rewards, £6 18*.

TAKING OUT THE PILOT Apple dor e, Devon.—At 4.38 in the afternoon of the 4th of April, 1948, the coastguard reported that the s.s. Sea* silver, of Newcastle, bound for Amsterdam, appeared to have her engine broken down, off the Bar Buoy, and needed a pilot. A north-west gale was blowing with a very rough sea. It was too rough for any other boat to put out and the motor life-boat Violet Armstrong was launched at 4.55 with the pilot- She put him on board the Seasilver and then escorted her into harbour, arriving back at her station at 5.45.—Rewards, £78*.

TAKING OUT A DOCTOR IN A GALE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 12.42 in the afternoon of the 4th of April, 1948, the Gorleston coastguard reported that the Dutch motor vessel Evertsen, which was off the harbour, had signalled for a doctor. Six minutes later the motor life-boat Louise Stephens was launched with a doctor. A fresh southerly gale was blowing with a rough sea. After the doctor had attended to the sick man the life-boat brought him ashore, and arrived back at her station at 1.39.—Rewards, £11 8*. 6d.

CUT OFF COLLECTING BIRDS' EGGS Weymouth, Dorset.—At 4.50 ill the afternoon of the 7th of April, 1948, a fisherman of Lulworth Cove came ashore and reported that a yacht and its dinghy appeared to be in difficulties off Whitenose. Ten minutes later the motor life-boat William and Clara Ryland was launched. A freshening south-westerly breeze was blowing with a rough sea. The life-boat found the local yacht Glebe anchored about a mile off shore. She had had a man and a woman on board. They had landed in their dinghy to collect sea birds' eggs on the cliffs, but the dinghy had floated away on the rising tide, leaving them stranded. They were on a narrow strip of beach under sheer cliffs, rising several hundred feet; they could get away neither by land nor sea; the tide was coming in fast; the wind was freshening.

The dinghy was adrift in heavy breakers. The life-boat went as near to it as she could and with her linethrowing gun was able to get a line over it and haul it alongside. At considerable risk, for the dinghy was very small, three life-boatmen got into it and took it through the breakers.

There it was thrown up on the shore.

Again at great risk, the life-boatmen rowed it out through the surf with the rescued man and woman on board.

Several times it was nearly swamped, and always it was in danger of being flung on the rocks. The man and woman were much exhausted, wet • through and chilled, and the coxswain gave them rum. With the yacht and the dinghy in tow the life-boat made for her station, arriving at 8 o'clock. The Institution sent a letter of thanks to the fisherman who had brought the news.

—Rewards, £8 19*.

ENGINE FAILED Runswick, Yorkshire.—At 5.55 in the afternoon of the 7th of April, 1948. a Skinningrove fisherman telephoned that a fishing coble had anchored off Skinningrove with her engine broken down and the motor life-boat Bobert Patton — The Always Ready was launched at 6.25. A very strong westsouth- west breeze was blowing with a rough sea. The life-boat found the motor fishing coble Three Brothers, of Middlesbrough, with a crew of two, two and a half miles from the shore.

The weather was getting worse and the life-boat towed the coble to Staithes.

She arrived back at her station at 8.30.

—Rewards, £17 16*. Qd.

SEVEN FRENCH FISHERMEN RESCUED A b e r y s t w y t h , Cardiganshire.—At about 7 o'clock in the evening of the 7th of April, 1948, a French fishing vessel was seen off Aberystwyth, but was lost to sight and anxiety was felt for her safety. At 9.30 the Borth police were rung up and it was learnt from them that the fishing vessel was then lying about a mile off shore in Borth Bay in heavy breaking seas.

She had made no distress signals, but it was thought advisable that the lifeboat should put out, and at 2.15 on the morning of the 8th the motor lifeboat Frederick Angus was launched.

A strong westerly breeze was blowing with a rough sea. The life-boat found the motor fishing vessel Claude, of Lorient, anchored half a mile northwest of Borth Head. She had a crew of seven but they did not want the life-boat's help. Her coxswain warned the skipper of his dangerous position, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 2.50. The weather became worse during the morning, the wind veered to the westward, and at 10 o'clock the Borth police reported that the Claude was now flying distress signals. The life-boat again put out, at 10.15, and the skipper asked for her help to reach Aberdovey, but the life-boat could not take her in tow in such bad weather. One of the Claude's cables parted and the skipper then decided to abandon ship. The lifeboat rescued the seven men and leaving the Claude on one anchor made for her station, arriving at 12.30.—Rewards.

First Service, £29 18*. 6d.; Second Service, £37 10*.

NINE MEN RESCUED FROM WATERLOGGED BOAT Ramsgate, Kent.—At 2.24 in the morning of the 10th of April, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that the East Goodwin Lightvessel had reported a boat drifting to the north-east, and at •2.40 the motor life-boat Prudential was launched in a light north-westerly breeze, with a slight sea. She found an open boat, fifteen feet long, with nine men on board. They were men from the steam trawler Plough, of Kirkcaldy, which had sunk near the lightvessel after striking submerged wreckage. In getting their boat away they had damaged it and lost its gear.

The boat was waterlogged and drifting over the sands. The life-boat rescued the men and, with the boat in tow, made for her station, arriving at 5.30.— Rewards, £12 17*. 6d.

FISHING BOATS ADRIFT Valentia, Co. Kerry.—At nine in the morning of the 10th of April, 1948, information was received from the Civic Guards that a fishing boat, which had left Cahirciveen the previous afternoon, had not returned. Enquiries were made, but without success, and, at 10 o'clock the motor life-boat City of Bradford I, on temporary duty at the station, put out to search. The honorary secretary, Mr. T. R. Stewart, accompanied the crew. The life-boat spoke a fishing boat, learnt that another boat had been seen heading for Dingle, and altered course. At 11.30 she found the open fishing boat Naom Seaghan, of Cahirciveen, drifting with her engine broken down. She had a crew of four. The life-boat passed biscuits to them, and then towed them to Cahirciveen. She arrived back at her station at two in the afternoon.—Rewards, £8 2*.

Margate, Kent.—At 7.25 in the evening of the 10th April, 1948, information was received from the Broadstairs police through the coastguard that a fishing boat was in difficulties about a mile off Kingsgate. The motor life-boat The Lord Souihborough—-Civil Service No. 1, was launched at half-past seven, in a light easterly wind with a moderate sea, and found the lona, of Margate.

In her were two men and a woman all cold and exhausted. The life-boat took them on board, and, with the lona in tow, reached Margate again at nine o'clock.—Rewards, £10 11*. 6d.

ANOTHER ENGINE BROKEN DOWN Courtmacsherry, Co. Cork.—On the night of the 14th of April, 1948, the Civic Guard telephoned that a boat was in distress in the bay, and at 11 o'clock the motor life-boat Sarah Ward and William David Crosvueller was launched.

She found a motor launch with four men and a woman on board, at Garretstown Strand. Her engine had broken down. A northerly breeze was blowing, and the sea was calm, but she was in a dangerous position. A life-boatman went aboard her and the life-boat towed her in, arriving back at her station at 1.45 the next morning.— Rewards, £8 9*.

SICK OFFICER BROUGHT ASHORE Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — At 10.30 on the night of the 15th of April, 1948.

the coastguard reported that the motor vessel Kingfisher, of London, needed a doctor to attend to her chief officer.

As no other boat was available, the motor life-boat Greater London—Civil Service No. 3 was launched at 11.15 with a doctor on board. A fresh northeasterly breeze was blowing with a choppy sea. The doctor found that the chief officer was seriously ill. He was lowered into the life-boat and she brought him and the doctor ashore, 'arriving back at. 12.5 the next morning.

—Rewards, £7 16*.

PILOTING A DAMAGED STEAMER St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly. — About 11.40 in the morning of the 19th of April, 1948, the coastguard reported that the s.s. Duke of Sparta had wirelessed that she was on the Seven Stones Rocks. A later message said that she was making water and needed a tug.

The motor life-boat Cunard was launched at 11.56 in a light east-northeast breeze with a smooth sea, and found the steamer, bound for London in ballast with a crew of thirty-nine, at anchor south of the North Rock. She took soundings around her, and found a channel. She then put the second coxswain on board the steamer and he piloted her clear of the rocks. Her pumps were able to keep the water down and she made for Falmouth under her own power. Before leaving, the life-boat took mail on board from the Seven Stones Lightvessel and arrived back at her station at 6.30 in the evening.—Property Salvage Case.

CRAB-BOAT BROKEN DOWN Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 9.50 on the night of the 20th of April, 1948, the local motor fishing boat Provider, which had put out earlier to attend to crab pots, wirelessed for the life-boat.

The No. 2. pulling and sailing life-boat Robert and Ellen Robson was launched at once. A light easterly breeze was blowing, but there was a heavy ground swell. The life-boat found the fishing boat with a governor spring on her engine broken. She escorted her into harbour, arriving back at her station at 11.45.—Rewards, £10 18s.

STRANDED, BUT REFLOATED Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford—At 11.45 in the morning of the 21st of April, 1948, the steamer lerne, of the Irish Lights Commissioners, wirelessed that a vessel was stranded on the east side of the Blackwatcr Bank. The same message was received from the Coast Life-Saving Service at Morris Castle, and at noon the motor life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson was launched in a moderate north-easterly breeze, with a choppy sea. She found the s.s.

Clezebay, of Belfast, bound for Cork laden with coal, hard aground and leaking. Her captain refused to leave her, but four of his crew of eleven had already manned a boat and made for the shore. At the captain's request the life-boat searched for the boat and found her close inshore, but with no one on board. The men had got ashore.

The life-boat returned to the Clewbay and stood by her until high water. As her services were no longer needed she returned to her station, arriving at 10.30 that night.—Rewards, £14 8$.

TOWING IN A MOTOR LAUNCH Cromer, Norfolk. — At 2.33 in the afternoon of the 23rd of April, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel at anchor one mile north by west from Cromer Lookout had hoisted a signal for help, and the No. 1 motor life-boat Henry Blogg was launched at three o'clock, in a light south-east wind with a slight swell. She found the motor launch Sivitha, of Inverness, with a crew of four on board, and her engine broken down. At her owner's request, the life-boat took her in tow. She made for Wells, asking by wireless for the coxswain of the Wells life-boat to stand by at the harbour entrance to pilot her in.

She arrived about 6 o'clock, and in his own motor boat the Wells coxswain guided her and the Switha into the harbour.

The life-boat remained at Wells until 7.35 and reached her station again at 9.30 that night. •— Rewards, £24 16*. 6d.

SWEPT BY TIDE UNDER PIER Weston - super - Mare, Somerset. —• At 4.20 in the afternoon of the 24th of April, 1918, the police reported a sailing boat in difficulties in the bay. She had two boys on board. A westerly breeze was blowing, with a slight sea. The boat had been carried by wind and tide towards Birnbeck Island and the honorary secretary of the life-boat station and the coxswain hurried there. The boat came within hailing distance, but the boys were unable to carry out the instructions which the coxswain shouted to them, and their boat was swept under the pier. They succeeded in making fast to one of its supports, but they were in danger of being swept into the fishing stakes and the tumble of sea on the shingle bank some 300 yards away. No other boat was afloat, and at 5.15 the motor lifeboat Fiji and Charles was launched.

A few minutes later the line which the boys had fastened to the pier had parted, but the life-boat reached her just in time to prevent her from being carried on to the bank of shingle. She took her in tow and beached her in the River Axe at seven that evening. She re- turned to her station next day, arriving there at 11 o'clock in the morning.— Rewards, £11 3s.

FISHING BOAT BROKEN DOWN Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.—• At about 12.45 in the morning of the 27th of April, 1948, it was reported to the coastguard that the local motor fishing boat Largo Bay, which had gone out during the evening of the previous day had not returned, and the motor life-boat J. and W. put out at five minutes to one, in a moderate north-west breeze with a slight sea.

Two miles south of Berwick Pier she found the fishing-boat with her engine broken down. She had four men on board. The life-boat towed her back to Berwick, arriving at half-past two.— Rewards. £7 4s.

The following life-boats could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing: Donaghadee, Co. Down.—April 1st.— Rewards, £10 3s.

Eastbourne, Sussex.—April 2nd.—Rewards, £15 8s.

Dover, Kent.—April 4th.—Rewards, £5 10s.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—April 5th.—Rewards, £11 lls.

Hartlepool, Durham.—-April 5th.— Rewards, £13 16s. 6d.

LIFE-BOAT ON THE ROCKS Whitehills, Banffshire.—At 10.4 on the night of the 8th of April, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that distress signals could be seen to the west of Macduff, and at 10.13 the motor lifeboat, Civil Service No. 4, was launched.

A strong north-westerly breeze was blowing, with a rough sea. At 10.48 the life-boat found the s.s. Lindean, of Leith, which had gone ashore while coming out of Macduff Harbour. Her crew were being taken off by the lifesaving rocket apparatus from the shore, and the district officer of coastguard asked the life-boat to come into the harbour and stand by. This she did until the whole of the Lindean's crew had been rescued. She then returned to Whitehills, which she reached about midnight.

The seas were heavy, and the entrance to the harbour is narrow, but the coxswain did not think the seas heavy enough to make the entry dangerous.

The life-boat was just abreast of the lighthouse at the end of the pier, going at full speed, when a big sea caught her unawares, . breaking over the port quarter. She was carried forward on the crest and would not steer. The sea took her diagonally across the harbour entrance, and she struck the rocks close to a small concrete parapet on the opposite side of the channel to the pier.

For a moment she lay right alongside this parapet and one of the men was able to jump on it with a line. In ten minutes the whole crew of seven were on the parapet, but the seas then caught the life-boat again and carried her over some high rocks into a little gulley where she was almost afloat.

The crew were able to work her up the gulley, and got out fenders and lines to keep her from being carried any.

further on the rocks.

The accident was reported at once to head office, and at 1.45 next morning head office instructed the northern district inspector, who was 160 miles away from Whitehills, to go there. He arrived at eight in the morning. The hull surveyor and the district engineer were also sent. By running out the boat's anchor and getting a wire from the boat to the lighthouse pier, where it was passed through a block and taken back to the winch on the slipway of the life-boathouse, the district inspector was able to haul her off at high water, but he had first to get the help of six men and a compressor, which was demolishing a military strong point in the harbour. This compressor removed about a ton of rock between the lifeboat and the channel. The boat was afloat just after one o'clock in the afternoon.

It was then found that her sternpost was broken, about 14 feet of her bottom on either side of the keel torn away, her bilge keels damaged, her rudder split. Her machinery was unhurt.

The repairs would be very costly, and would take a very long time. It was decided that it was not worth while to do them. The boat, built in 1932, was a 35 feet 6 inches boat of the selfrighting type. She has been replaced by another boat of the same type.— Rewards, £19 13s. 6d.

Newhaven, Sussex.—April llth.—Rewards, £15 2*. 6d.

Peel, Isle of Man.—April 16th.—Rewards, £24 12s.

WRECKAGE OF AEROPLANE FOUND Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. — At 11.20 in the morning of the 17th of April, 1948, the Royal Naval Signal Station at Nells Point telephoned that an aeroplane had crashed about one and a half miles south-east of the point.

The motor life-boat Rachel and Mary Evans was launched at 11.40, in a fresh easterly breeze with a choppy sea, and carried out a wide search in which a R.A.F. rescue launch and the Cardiff pilot cutter also took part. All that the life-boat found was clothing and wreckage. With these on board she returned to her station, arriving at 2.10 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £8 9s.

Hastings, Sussex.—April 21st.—Rewards, £34 Is. 9rf.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—April 21st.

—Rewards, £4 18s.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—On the 23rd of April. 1948, the s.s. Albion Star, of London, was anchored off shore.

Her crew had run out of food, while taking the steamer to a yard to be broken up. A south-westerly breeze was blowing with a moderate sea. The owners of the steamer asked if the lifeboat could take out supplies to her, and at noon the motor life-boat William Gammon — Manchester and District XXX, was launched. She put the food on board the steamer and arrived back at her station at 1.30 in the afternoon.

—Rewards, £2 5s., which were paid by the owners.

BUSHES MISTAKEN FOR MEN Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 5.23 in the morning of the 29th of April, 1948, the coastguard reported that a rubber dinghy, believed to have two people on board, could be seen two miles to the north-east. The motor life-boat Michael Stephens was launched at 5.50, in a light north-east breeze with a smooth sea, and found a dinghy in which someone had put two bushes.

She picked it up and returned to her station, arriving at 7.20.—Rewards.

£5 5s.

Newhaven, Sussex.—April 27th.—Rewards, £9 7s. 6d.

MAY During May life-boats went out on service 41 times, and rescued 46 lives.

SEAL-HUNTERS RESCUED Caister, Norfolk.—About 11 o'clock in the morning of the 2nd of May, 1948, four men could be seen standing by a boat on Scroby Sands two and a half miles to the south-east, and at 11.30 the motor life-boat Jose Neville was, launched. A strong north-easterly breeze was blowing with a rough sea and driving rain. She found that the four men, from Great Yarmouth, had been seal hunting. She rescued them and, with their boat in tow, took them to Great Yarmouth. There she landed them at one o'clock in the afternoon, and when the weather had moderated she returned to her station, arriving at 7.30 that evening.—Rewards, £17 15s. 6d.

TWENTY.-FOUR SEA CADETS RESCUED Troon, Ayrshire. — At 6.30 in the evening of the 2nd of May, 1948, the pilot house telephoned that the steam pinnace of the Sea Cadets appeared to have broken down and was drifting towards the Black Rocks. The motor life-boat Sir David Richmond of Glasgow was launched at 7.10, in a fresh northwesterly breeze with a choppy sea. and found the pinnace half a mile off shore with twenty-four officers and cadets on board. The life-boat towed her to the harbour, arriving back at her station at 8.20.—Rewards, £5 16s.

FRENCH TRAWLERS HELPED Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. — At 7.45 in the evening of the 3rd of May, 1948. the Civic Guard reported that a French trawler, the Croix du Sud, had struck a bank and had four feet of water in her hold. She was making for harbour and had asked for the lifeboat.

The motor life-boat Duke of Connaught. on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 8.30, in a strong south-south-east breeze with a rough sea, and found the Croix du Sud off Helvick Head. She had a crew of eight and three Helvick men on board acting as pilots. The life-boat escorted her to Dunmore East and arrived back at her station at 10 o'clock that night.

—Rewards, £5 13*. Od.

Torbay, Devon.—At 9.7 in the evening of the 3rd of May, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel had signalled for help eight miles east-northeast from Berry Head. The motor life-boat Hearts of Oak, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 9.20 in a south-south-west breeze with a moderate swell. About an hour later she found the French motor trawler Janock, of St. Malo, with her engine giving trouble, and escorted her to Brixham Harbour, arriving at 11.40.

The Janock carried out repairs and left on the following morning.—Rewards, £6 0*. 6d.

INJURED MAN FROM A MERSEY FORT New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 12.15 in the afternoon of the 7th of May, 1948, the Admiralty Salvage Officer telephoned that a man on the Queen's Fort, in the river Mersey, had been seriously injured. He asked for the life-boat and a doctor. The No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson was launched at 12.30 with a doctor, in a light north-westerly breeze with a slight sea. She took the injured man on board and landed him where an ambulance was waiting. She arrived back at her station at 5.15.—Rewards, £11 6*.

SINKING IN A CALM SEA Blackpool, Lancashire.—At 11.20 on the night of the 8th of May, 1948, the police telephoned that flares had been seen. At 11.45 what appeared to be oil burning on the water could be seen, and at 12.13 the motor life-boat Sarah Ann Austin was launched in a light south-easterly breeze with a calm sea.

She found the fishing boat Ltuma, of Fleetwood, about one mile south-west of Central pier. She was sinking.

The life-boat rescued her crew of two and towed her to shallow water.

There she was left at anchor and the life-boat arrived back at her station at 1.35 in the morning.—Rewards, £8 8*.

YACHT CAPSIZED Hastings, Sussex.—At 12.28 in the afternoon of the 9th of May, 1948, the Fairlight coastguard reported that a yacht had capsized three miles off Glynde Gap, and the motor life-boat Cyril and Lilian Bishop was launched at 12.43, in a moderate east-north-east breeze with a slight sea.. She found that the crew of a motor boat and the crew of another yacht, the Wendy, had righted the yacht. The motor boat had then taken her in tow, but was unable to make -any headway, so the life-boat took motor boat and yacht in tow and arrived back at her station at 2.33.— Rewards, £37 19s. 6d.

MAN OF EIGHTY RESCUED Weymouth, Dorset.—At 9.30 in the morning of the 14th of May, 1948, the police reported that at seven the previous evening a man eighty years old had put oiit alone in the motor boat Mallard to fish, and had not been heard of since. The life-beat crew stood ready.

At 11.25 a message came from the Shambles Lightship that a motor boat was two miles south of it, and five minutes later the motor life-boat William and Clara Ryland left in a light north-easterly wind with a slight sea. About 1.30 in the afternoon she found the boat with her engine broken down. The old man was tired and hungry but otherwise all right. She rescued him, took the boat in tow and arrived back at her station at 2.50 that afternoon.—Rewards, £8 Is.

ELEVEN PEOPLE IN BROKEN-DOWN BOAT Clovelly, Devon.—At 11.20 on the night of the 15th cf May, 1948, the Rev.

H. C. A. S. Muller, of Appledore. landed in a small boat from the motor pleasure boat Kingsley, of Barnstaple, and reported that the boat's engine had broken down and that she had anchored two and a half miles to the north.

There were eleven persons aboard. He asked for the help of the life-boat and_ at 11.35 the motor life-boat City of Nottingham was launched in a moderate east-south-east breeze with a moderate sea. She put two life-boatmen on board the Kingsley and towed her to Clovelly, arriving at 12.35 the next morning.—• Rewards, £16 11s.

LIGHTHOUSE ON FIRE Fleetwood, Lancashire. —During the afternoon of Whit Sunday, the 16th of May, 1948, a yacht could he seen on Black Scar Bank apparently in difficulties.

She made no distress signals, but at 5.15 in the evening, the coastguard reported that a yacht was missing from Lancaster. At 7.55 the Hoylake coastguard asked for a search to be made, and at 8.7 the motor life-boat Ann Letitia Russell was launched. A moderate easterly breeze was blowing, with a choppy sea. Shortly after the life-boat put out the coastguard learnt that the yacht had reached safety and rockets were fired to recall the lifeboat.

On her way back the crew saw flames coming from the top of the Wyre Lighthouse, which was of wood, and the life-boat made for it at once. Three members of the crew climbed up with fire extinguishers and axes and joined the three lighthouse keepers in trying to put out the flames, but it was useless.

The lighthouse was ablaze. The lifeboat took oft the three keepers, who would have lost their lives but for her help. She arrived ashore just before ten o'clock. The lighthouse was burnt out. The dock, harbour and dredging master at Fleetwood sent his thanks to the coxswain of the life-boat, and to the three men of the crew who attempted to put out the fire "for their fearless and magnificent efforts." They went on, the letter said, "until the position was absolutely hopeless.

In fact they had carried on almost too long, and only left the lighthouse just in time."—Rewards, £15.

THROUGH FOG AT TOP SEED Wicklow.—At 5.50 in the afternoon of the 8th of May, 1948, the lightkeeper at Wicklow Head reported that a boy had fallen from the nearby cliffs into the sea, and the motor life-boat Lady Kylsant was launched at 5.59. A light easterly breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth, but there was a dense fog. In spite of this the life-boat made for the cliffs at top speed. She found the boy's body in ten feet of water and the crew tried artificial respiration, but when they got back a doctor found that the boy's neck had been broken by the fall. The life-boat returned to her station, at 6.35— Rewards, £10 11*. 6d.

TOWING IN A STEAMER Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At11.10 in the early morning of the 16th of May, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that signal lights had been seen about seven miles north-west of Kinnaird Head, and the motor life-boat John and Charles Kennedy was launched at 1.30. The sea was calm with a light southerlv wind.

The life-boat found the S.S. Rota, of Dundee, with her engine broken down, and her crew trying to repair it. She took the steamer in tow, reaching harbour at about 6.30 that evening.—• Property Salvage Case.

LAUNCH DRIVEN ASHORE Ramsgate, Kent. — At 1.10 in the afternoon -of the 16th of May, 1948, information was received that a vessel was on the Brake Sands and at 1.28 the motor life-boat Prudential left her moorings. A moderate north-easterly gale was blowing, with a rough sea.

The life-boat found a motor launch, No.

490, hard aground off Quern Head with no one aboard. She had been in tow of a tug, but the tow lines had parted and the tug had taken off her crew.

With the help of a motor boat, the lifeboat refloated the launch and towed her to the harbour, arriving back at her station at 3.30.—Rewards, 13*. 6d.—• Property Salvage Case.

A SEARCH IN DENSE FOG Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—At 5.43 in the afternoon of the 18th of May, 1948, the coastguard reported that an aeroplane had crashed into the sea twenty miles east of Kinnaird, and the motor life-boat John and Charles Kennedy was launched at 5.53. A light south-easterly breeze was blowing and the sea was calm, but there was a dense fog. The life-boat made an extensive search. She found no trace of the aeroplane, a Seafire, and returned to her station at 12.45 the next morning.

The fog was still thick and the crew stood by until mid-day in readiness to resume their search if visibility improved.

At 6.30 that evening, the 19th, a wireless message was received that the Aberdeen trawler Viking Star had recovered the pilot's body and that she was asking for the life-boat. The John and Charles Kennedy again put out, in a light southerly breeze with a calm sea, met the trawler at the harbour entrance and took the airman's body on board She arrived back at her station at 7.50.—Rewards, First Service, £22 Is 6d.; Second Service, £4 19s.

HEAVY SEAS AT WHITBY HARBOUR Whitby, Yorkshire.—The local fishing boat Success, which had been out fishing all night, enquired by wireless at nine in the morning of the 20th cf May, 1948, what the condition was at the "harbour mouth. She was told that if she came in she would need an escort. She replied that she would be off Whitby about eleven o'clock. At ten o'clock the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Ilepivorih was launched. A strong north-northwest breeze was then blowing with a heavy sea. The life-boat met the Success two miles north of Whitby Rock Buoy, escorted her through the rough sea at the harbour mouth, and returned to her station at 11.20.—Rewards, £6 9s.

ANOTHER SICK MAN LANDED Great Yarmouth and Corleston, Norfolk.

At 9.40 in the morning of the 20th of May, 1948, the S.S. Foreland., of Blyth, anchored off Great Yarmouth and signalled for a doctor. At 9.57 the motor life-boat Louise Stephens was launched, in a fresh northerly breeze and a moderate sea, with a doctor on board. She brought the sick man ashore at 10.44.—Rewards, £10 11s.

WHITBY HARBOUR BAR AGAIN Whitby, Yorkshire.—About eight in the evening of the 20th of May, 1948, the local motor fishing vessel Galilee— which was out fishing and had intended staying at sea throughout the night—wirelessed that she would be returning to harbour. Reply was made that it would not be possible for her to enter before eleven o'clock owing to the state of tide and the rough sea. A moderate north-east breeze was blowing, the sea was rough and visibility was very bad. When the Galilee was sighted, a rocket was fired to keep her off until the No. 1 motor life-boat Mary Ann Hep-worth put out. The life-boat was launched at 10.40, met the Galilee at the Rock Buoy, and escorted her into harbour, returning to her station at midnight.—Rewards, £6 17s.

YACHT COLLIDES WITH PIER Ramsgate, Kent.—On the morning of the 21st of May, 1948, a fresh northeasterly breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea. At 10.30 the sailing yacht Esperanza, with a crew of two, went to sea. The weather got worse, and as the yacht attempted to enter the harbour she hit the west pier and carried away her fore-stay, bowsprit and leeboard.

The motor life-boat Prudential put out at 11.35, and towed the Esperanza into harbour. She arrived back at her station at noon.—Rewards, £6 12s. 6d.

A BUSY AFTERNOON Ramsgate, Kent.—At 2.12 in the afternoon of the 23rd of May, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a yacht, with two persons on board, had capsized off Dumpton Gap, and four minutes later the motor life-boat Prudential left her moorings. A moderate southsouth- west gale was blowing, with a rough sea. Before the life-boat reached the yacht a Broadstairs motor boat had gone to her help and rescued the two persons. On her way back the life-boat saw two open boats in difficulties in Pegwell Bay, and altered course. The life-boat's second coxswain, who was out in his own fishing boat, also went to their help. The life-boat rescued the crew of four of one of the two boats, the Dora, and took her in tow. The secondcoxswain rescued the crew of the other boat and took her in tow. Then the life-boat, and the secpnd coxswain in his boat, made for harbour. Before they arrived they saw three motor yachts running for shelter, so the lifeboat put about and escorted them in.

She arrived back at her station at 4.15.

—Rewards, £8 5s. 6d.

ADRIFT FOR TWENTY HOURS Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 2.55 in the afternoon of the 26th of May, 1948, the Strumble Head coastguard telephoned that a small vessel appeared to be in distress six miles to the westward.

Five minutes later he saw her flying distress signals, and at 3.30 the motor life-boat White Star was launched.

A moderate north-north-east gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The lifeboat found pinnace No. 1349 at anchor.

She was bound from Plymouth to Portmadoc, with a crew of four, for fitting out, but her rudder had been disabled and she had been drifting for nearly twenty hours. Her skipper had left her in a punt, but he had nearly capsized, and had been helped ashore by the coastguard. Two life-boatmen went on board the pinnace and the lifeboat towed her to Fishguard, arriving back at her station at 8.30 that evening.

—Property Salvage Case'.

YACHT TOWED IN Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—At 5.29 in the evening of the 30th of May, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a sailing yacht was burning a red flare three miles to the east-south-east, and the No. 1 motor life-boat Abdy Beauclerk was launched at 5.40 in a moderate southerly breeze with a slight sea.

She found the sailing yacht Emery, of Brightlingsea, with a crew of three.

The yacht had lost her dinghy in a squall, and in the rising sea and wind she had become unmanageable. The life-boat towed her to Lowestoft and arrived back at her station at 12.37 the next morning.—Rewards, £49 Is. 6d.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Cromarly.—May 1st.—Rewards, £5 5s.

Wey mouth, Dorset.—May 3rd.—Rewards, £11 7s. • Buckle, BanffshJre.—May 4th.—Rewards, £5 13s.

Torbay, Devon.—May 4th. Rewards, £9 12s. dd.

Port Ellen, Inner Hebrides.—May 5th.

•—Rewards, £15 6s.

Howth, Co. Dublin.-—May 5th.—Rewards; £6.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeensbire. — Mav 7th.—Rewards, £6 9s.

Cromer, Norfolk. —May 9th. —Rewards, £22 12s.

Salcombe, Devon.—May 10th.—Re- ' wards, £8 19s.

Dover, Kent.—May 12th.—Rewards, £9. 14s.

Sunderland, Durham.—May 13th.— Rewards, £8 15s. 6d.

Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— May 15th.—Rewards, £7 2s. 6d.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—May 16th.— Rewards, £22 3s.

Troon, Ayrshire. — May 16th. — Rewards, £5 15s.

TWO BOYS DROWNED Tees mouth, and Redcar, Yorkshire.— At 6.40 in the evening of the 23rd of May, 1948, the South Gare coastguard reported both to Teesmouth and Redcar that a rowing boat, with three boys on board, was in difficulties near broken water about half-way between Teesmouth and Redcar. The Teesmouth motor life-boat J. W. Archer was launched at 7.10 and the Redcar motor life-boat Louise Polden at 7.40. The north-easterly breeze was light, but there was a heavy swell. Before the life-boats reached the boat, the Rose of England, she had drifted into the heavy breakers and capsized. One of the three boys scrambled ashore. The life-boats searched for the other two, but could not find them, and returnee1 to their stations, Teesmouth arriving a nine o'clock and Redcar at 9.25.— Rewards. Teesmouth, £11 13s.; Redcar, £8 17s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—May 24th, 1948.—Rewards, £5 18s. 6d.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. — Mav 27th, 1948.—Rewards, £24 16s.

Hoylake, Cheshire.—May 31st, 1948.

—Rewards, £14 16s..