Swanage, and Weymouth, Dorsetshire.-— About nine o'clock on the night of the 4th of September, 1949, the Swanage coastguard telephoned the life-boat station that red flares had been seen five miles south-east of Shambles. At 9.34 he reported that distress signals could be seen four miles south of Lul- worth. The new Swanage life-boat R.L.P. was thereupon launched on service for the first time at 9.53 in a.

light south-south-east breeze with a slight sea and thunder squalls. She spoke the St. Albans Head coastguard and, receiving a new position, altered course to the southward, but found nothing. Then at five minutes past midnight, the Wyke Regis coastguard reported to the Weymouth life-boat authorities that distress signals were now reported four and a half miles south-east by east of Weymouth Pier.

Ten minutes later the life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings and set out on this course.

She found the motor yacht Lilida, of Southampton, with her engines broken down and towed her to Weymouth harbour, which she reached at 2.30. A quarter of an hour later the unsuccessful Swanage life-boat also arrived. She left for her station at 6.15 and reached Swanage at 8.45.—Rewards: Swanage, £21 3s.; Weymouth, Property Salvage Case..