Rhyl, Flintshire, and Hoylake, Cheshire.— —At 3.2 in the morning of the 7th December, 1948, the Rhyl coastguard telephoned that a flare had been seen six miles north-east by north of the pier, and the motor life-boat The Gordon Warren was launched at 4 o'clock. A strong south-westerly breeze was blow- ing, with a very rough sea. The life- boat searched widely and burned flares.

She saw answering flares, but they soon ceased, and she could find no vessel in need of help. It was learned later that the fishing boat Mac had burned flares and that she had been picked up by a pilot boat at Burbo Tower, south of the river Mersey. Unfortunately a fisherman rang up the Llandudno police and asked that the Llandudno life-boat should go out to help the Rhyl life-boat in her search, and the police thought that the life-boat herself was in dis- tress. They rang up the station and the Llandudno crew assembled at 9.30, but the boat was not launched. Then at 10.39 the honorary secretary at Rhyl asked Hoylake to go out and search, and at 11.15 the motor life-boat Oldham was launched, but a few minutes later a message was received at Hoylake that The Gordon Warren was at Mostyn.

Attempts to recall the Oldham failed.

She made for Rhyl and met The Gordon Warren, which was then returning to her station. The Gordon Warren ar- rived there at 2.20 that afternoon, and the Oldham returned to Hoylake, where she arrived at 4.15.—Rewards, Rhyl, £25 10s.; Hoylake, £33; Llan- dudno, £8 12s. 6d..