Girvan, Ayrshire. — At 4.40 in the afternoon of the 20th of March, 1949, the Alpha, of Stranraer, a ketch with an auxiliary engine, was seen to be at anchor three miles south of the har- bour. It looked as if her engines had broken down. A signal was made to her, and she asked for help, so, at 5.7, the life-boat Lily Glen—Glasgow left her moorings in a fresh north-westerly breeze, with a heavy sea running. The life-boat found the Alpha about a mile off shore. She had a crew of seven and was bound for Abergele.

Not only had her engine broken down, but her sails were useless. A gale warning had just been received, so the ketch slipped her anchor and the life- boat towed her into harbour, arriving at 7 o'clock that night.—Rewards, £.7 8s..