Sunderland, Durham.—At nine o'clock on the night of the 4th of January, 1949, when a light north-easterly wind was blowing, with a slight swell, the Dutch motor vessel Beta was reported by the coastguard to be signalling "not under control." At 12.22 on the morning of the 5th she was still displaying the sig- nals and was now drifting very close to the shore two miles to the north of Sunderland. The life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was launched at 12.50, and found that the vessel's engine had broken down. She stood by, for an hour and a half. The captain then reported that he could repair the engines, «nd the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 3.45. Later the Beta was able to go on to South Shields.—Rewards, £10 17,9. Gd..