AT the beginning of June the twin-screw motor yacht Mite (a converted naval motor launch 110 feet long) was coming up Channel on her way from Malta to London. On the 6th of June, when she was fifteen miles west of Portland Bill, both her engines broke down and her wireless failed. The wind was from the south-south-west. It was blowing freshly. Both wind and sea were increasing. There was every prospect of bad weather. Through the driving rain those on board could just see the land.

Two of the crew volunteered to make for the shore and summon help. They succeeded with great difficulty and at considerable risk.

A Long Slow Tow The coastguard had seen the dinghy driving ashore and had rung up the Weymouth life-boat station. When the men landed the coastguard telephoned the information that they gave him. That was at 1.45 in the afternoon.

Five minutes later the motor life-boat William and Clare Ryland slipped her moorings. At 4.30 she reached the Mite, which was still at anchor. Wind and sea were increasing, but the owner would not abandon the yacht. He asked for a tow. The coxswain was faced with a very difficult decision, in the worsening weather, but he consented, and the long, slow tow started. In order to clear the bad water round Portland Bill, the life-boat had to steer southwards, straight out to sea.

It was 8.30 in the evening when she passed the Bill. It was then blowing a fresh gale from the south-south-west and a heavy sea was running. Oft the Shambles the yacht was sheering wildly. Her steering gear would not work and she was continually broadside on to the seas. Twice the towrope parted and was fixed again.

Tow Parts Again It parted a third time, and this time the coxswain told the owner that he could not continue to tow. The weather was now as bad as it could be, visibility was very poor, and the boats were within two miles of the shore.

The life-boat had then towed for twelve miles. She went alongside the yacht and with some difficulty, in the rise and fall of the seas, rescued the three men. It was safely accomplished, but all the baggage went overboard.

It was not until half an hour after midnight that the life-boat reached Weymouth. She had then been out in very heavy weather for eleven hours and all the crew were exhausted. It had been a long and arduous service.

The yacht was washed ashore later near Lulworth Cove.

COXSWAIN F. J. PALMER showed great determination and skill and the Institution awarded him the bronze medal for gallantry, with a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum.

It also made to him and to each member of the crew a special reward of £2 in addition to the reward on the ordinary scale of £2 11s. each. Ordinary rewards: £19 5s. 6d.; additional rewards, £16; total rewards, £35 5s. 6d..