DURING March life-boats went out on service 26 times and rescued 4 lives.

REFLOATING A STEAMER Cloughey, Co. Down.— About three o'clock in the morning of the 7th of March, 1950, information was received from the Tara coastguard and a farmer that a vessel was on the rocks near the South Rock Lightvessel. The life-boat Herbert John was then launched at 3.38 in a slight sea with a moderate south- erly breeze and fog. She found the S.S. Elmfield, of Liverpool, hard and fast inshore from the lightvessel. Her master asked the life-boat to go ashore and get into touch with the owners, which request she carried out. Then she stood by the steamer. Shortly before high water, she ran out a kedge anchor for the Elmfield, and when she refloated, piloted her clear of the rocks.

She returned to her station at 2.30 in the afternoon. The owners made a donation to the Institution and a gift to the crew.-—Rewards £42 Is. 6d.

A DAMAGED RUDDER Portrush, Co. Antrim.—About 12.20 in the afternoon, on the llth March, 1950, the coastguard reported that a motor fishing boat appeared to be in diffi- culties in Skerry Roads. At 12.26 he reported that the boat was flashing a light; at 12.30 the life-boat Lady Scott, Civil Service No. 4 was launched. The sea was rough and a moderate breeze was blowing from the west. The life- boat found a local motor fishing boat at the east end of the Skerries with a crew of four. Her rudder was dam- aged. The life-boat therefore towed her to Portrush harbour and reached her station again at 1.35.—Rewards, £8 4,s.

SUFFERING FROM EXPOSURE Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At 2.15 in the afternoon on the llth of March, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a small vessel was showing a distress signal two miles east of Collieston. At 2.30 the life-boat Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow, was launched in a rough sea with a westerly gale and snow. She found the motor fishing boat Ruby, of Collieston, two and a half miles east- south-east of Collieston with one man on board. Her engine had broken down; and the man was suffering from exposure and drenched through baling.

The life-boatmen gave him rum, and the life-boat towed the Ruby to Col- lieston, reaching her station again at 6.30.—Rewards, £14 7s. Od.

ON ESCORT DUTY Whit by, Yorkshire.—About ten o'clock in the morning, on the 13th of March, 1950, the No. 1 life-boat crew assembled as three fishing vessels were approaching the harbour in bad weather. At 10.50 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched in a rough sea with a strong northerly breeze. She first came up with the Success, which was making heavy weather, and escorted her in.

Then she saw the Provider A and accom- panied her to the harbour. Finally she met the Pilot Me II and escorted her in across the bar. She arrived back at her station at 1.16 in the afternoon.

—Rewards, £11 Os. 6d.

A TOW GIVEN Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. — At eleven o'clock on the night of the 13tn of March, 1950, the Hook Tower light- house keeper reported that a boat was making flares two miles south-west of Hook. The flares and S.O.S. signals on the boat's lights were also seen from Dunmore. At 11.10 therefore, the life- boat, Duke of Connaught, on temporary duty at the station, was launched.

The sea was moderate, with a south- westerly breeze. She found the local fishing boat St. Joseph, carrying a crew of three, with her engine broken down; and having towed her to Dunmore East harbour, reached her station again at 11.50.—Rewards, £6.A LIGHTHOUSE-KEEPER DROWNED Donaghadee, Co. Down.—About three in the morning on the 15th of March, 1950, the Orlock Head coastguard tele- phoned that red flares had been seen to the eastward. A quarter of an hour later the life-boat Civil Service No. 5 left her moorings in a choppy sea with a southerly wind blowing. On her way she saw a flare in the direction of Mew Island, and on getting into touch with Copeland Island Lighthouse learned that one of the keepers had met with an accident. The life-boat could not go close in to the lighthouse, so she went back to Donaghadee for a small boat and a relief keeper. On her return it was discovered that the keeper had fallen into an old gas holder and been drowned. The life-boat therefore put the relief keeper on the lighthouse and landed the body at Donaghadee by eight o'clock. The Commissioners of the Irish Lights expressed their thanks.

—Rewards, £16 15s. Od.

DRIFTING IN A NASTY SWELL Dover, Kent.—At 10.35 in the morn- ing of the 15th of March, 1950, the signal station at the eastern arm of Dover Harbour reported a small motor boat drifting about a mile and a half off Dover, with her crew of two waving for help. At 10.50 the life-boat Southern Africa was launched, in a moderate sea with a light southerly wind blowing. She found a small Folkestone fishing vessel rolling badly in a nasty swell, and took her crew aboard. Then, with the broken down boat in tow, she arrived back at her station at 12.5.—Rewards, £7 5s.

SICK MAN LANDED Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—At 2.5 in the afternoon on the 19th of March, 1950, a message was relayed by the Valentia radio station from the Coningbeg Light- vessel. She asked for the life-boat as a man on board the lightvessel was sick, suffering from a perforated duodenal ulcer. Accordingly the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched at 2.15, in a ground swell with a light south- westerly breeze. She took the sick man ashore to a waiting ambulance, and reached her station again at 5.5.

—Rewards, £18 11s.

IN DIFFICULTIES OFF CULLERCOATS Cullercoats, Northumberland.—-At 4.45 in the afternoon of the 19th of March, 1950, the Tynemouth coast- guard telephoned that two men ap- peared to be in difficulties in a rowing boat two and a half miles to the east- ward. At 4.50 the life-boat West- morland was launched. The sea was choppy with a strong breeze blowing from the south-west. She rescued the men and towed the boat back to her station, arriving at 5.38.—Rewards, £16 5s.

ON RELIEF WORK Valentia, Co. Kerry—On the 24th of March, 1950, the Commissioners of the Irish Lights asked the life-boat to relieve the Skelligs Rocks and Inish- tearaght Rocks Lighthouses as, by arrangement with the Commissioners, she had been made available for emer- gency calls while their S.S. lerne was being repaired. Accordingly, at ten o'clock in the morning the life-boat B.A.S.P. left her moorings and took her boarding boat to get close to the lighthouses. There was a very rough sea with a moderate south-easterly gale blowing. She -relieved Skelligs, but the weather was too bad to relieve Inishtearaght. She therefore returned to her station, arriving at 6.30 that night. At 9.45 in the morning of the 26th, the Inishtearaght Lighthouse wire- lessed that weather conditions were now favourable; so three minutes later the life-boat put out. There was a heavy swell. She had embarked a relief keeper and food, and took the boarding boat once again. The keeper she transferred to the lighthouse, then put the food ashore and brought the other keeper to Valentia, finally reach- ing her station again at 4.15 in the afternoon. The Commissioners of Irish Lights made a donation to the Institution.—Rewards: 1st service, £26 6s. 6d.; 2nd service, £21 5s. 6d.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Swanage, Dorset.—March 5th.—Re- wards, £22 11s.

Weymontb, Dorset.—March 5th.—Re- wards, £22 17s.Donaghadee, Co. Down.—March 6th.

—Rewards, £10 12s.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—March 8th.

—Rewards, £21 3*.

St. Helier, Jersey.—March 8th.—Re- wards, £10 19s. 6d.

Dover, Kent.—March 8th.-—Rewards, £14 10s.

Dover, Kent.—March 16th.—Rewards, £7 5s.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. — March 16th.—Rewards, £19 18s.

Skegness, Lincolnshire.—March 16th.— Rewards, £27 16s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.-—March 19th.

—Rewards, £16 12s.

The Lizard, Cornwall.—March 19th.— Rewards, £37 19s. 6d.

Cloughey, Co. Down.—March 20th.— Rewards, £22 Is. Gd.

Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire..—March 24th.

—Rewards, £7 10s.

Selsey, Sussex.—March 29th.—Re- wards, £12 6s. 6d.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—March 30th.

—Rewards, £8 11s.

APRIL During April life-boats went out on service 54 times and rescued 23 lives.

ESME'S ENGINE Newhaven, Sussex.—At 8.15 in the morning on the 1st of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a small boat was in difficulties and making distress signals in Seaford Bay. Accordingly at 8.38 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched. There was a heavy swell with a strong westerly breeze blowing. She found the fishing vessel Esme, of Shoreham, with a crew of two, two miles south of Seaford Head.

Her engine had broken down. The life-boat towed her to Newhaven Har- bour and reached her station again at 9.50.—Rewards, £7 16s.

A HELPLESS YACHT Yarmouth, Isle-of-Wight. — At 8.20 in the evening of the 1st of April, 1950, a fisherman at Lymington telephoned that a yacht needed help. He said he had already towed her from a position off Christchurch to Lymington Spit buoy, but that she was dragging her anchor. At 8.50 the life-boat S.G.E.

was launched in a rough sea with a moderate west-south-west gale blowing.

She found the auxiliary ketch Fortis, of Portsmouth, off Beaulieu, with her engine broken down, dragging towards Stone Point. Her crew of five could not weigh the anchor. A life- boatman therefore boarded her, and between them they got the anchor up.

The life-boat then towed her to Yar- mouth, arriving at 12.10 the next morning.—Property Salvage Case.

A LIGHTHOUSE-KEEPER IS INJURED Newcastle, Co. Down.—At 12.30 in the afternoon of the 2nd of April, 1950, the Cranfield coastguard telephoned that the Haulbowline lighthouse was flying a flag asking for help; and shortly after a message came that it was sig- nalling for a doctor. The weather was too bad for a shore-boat to put out, so it was decided to launch the life-boat William and Laura. The life-boat was launched at 12.45 and at one o'clock embarked a doctor in the harbour.

Then she made for the lighthouse.

There was a rough sea, with a strong north-westerly gale blowing; and the doctor had to scramble over dangerous rocks to get ashore. There he found that a man in the lighthouse had injured his spine. The tide was too low to get him into the life-boat, so the doctor made him comfortable and re-embarked.

The life-boat took him to Greencastle, where he arranged for an ambulance; and at eight o'clock that evening the life-boat left for the lighthouse again with a relief keeper. The injured man was taken aboard, brought to Green- castle and transferred to the waiting ambulance. The life-boat then re- turned to her station, arriving at 1.40 the next morning. —• Rewards, £29 14s. 6d.

PASSING LIFE-BELTS Whitby, Yorkshire. — At 3.45 in the afternoon on the 2nd of April, 1950, fishermen reported that the fishing coble Jean and Valerie was making very heavy weather about four miles to the south. Accordingly at 4.10 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth waslaunched in a rough sea with a strong northerly breeze blowing. On coming up with the coble, she passed life-belts to her crew of two, and escorted her to harbour. She reached her station again at 5.20.—Rewards, £7 4s.

ANOTHER ENGINE FAILS Sunderland, Durham.—At 9.30 in the morning, on the 3rd of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a motor fishing vessel was flying distress signals one mile to the north east. Accord- ingly at 9.50 the life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was launched, in a moderate sea with a moderate westerly breeze blowing. She found the motor fishing coble Cornucopia, carrying a crew of three, with her engine broken down. Thereupon she towed her to harbour and reached her station again at eleven.—Rewards, £8 9*.

BROKEN DOWN NEAR THE GOODWINS Dover, Kent.—At 12.43 in the morn- ing, on the 6th of April, 1950, the Sandgate coastguard reported that the S.S. Shepperton Ferry had wirelessed that a fishing vessel had broken down two and a quarter miles south-east of the South Goodwin Lightvessel. At one o'clock the life-boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings in a moderate sea with a light south-westerly breeze blowing.

She found the fishing vessel Bread- winner, of Rye, three miles south of the East Goodwin Lightvessel, with a crew of two. She was rolling heavily with her engines broken down, and was making water. The life-boat towed her to Dover Harbour, gave the rescued men hot soup and reached her station again at 6.15.—Rewards, £11 2s.

JENNY AND OUR JIM Dover, Kent.—At 1.30 in the after- noon of the 8th of April, 1950, the life- boat mechanic saw a rowing boat in the outer harbour in need of help.

At 1.40 the life-boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings. The sea was very rough, and there was a moderate south- westerly gale blowing. She found the rowing boat Jenny and rescued the three men on board; then took the boat in tow and landed the men at the dock head. Then the life-boatmen noticed another yacht, Our Jim, also with a crew of three, pounding against the Prince of Wales Pier, so, at the skipper's request, she towed her to Wellington dock. This done, she returned to her station, arriving at four o'clock.— Rewards, £6 185.

YACHT'S DINGHY FULL OF WATER Walton and Frinton, Essex. — About 6.15 in the evening, on the 8th of April, 1950, the Walton coastguard telephoned a message from the Felixstowe coast- guard, that a yacht near the Black Stakes, north-west of the Naze, seemed to be in difficulties. At 6.45 the life- boat E.M.E.D. was launched in a rough sea with a strong south-westerly breeze blowing. She found the motor yacht Diana III, of Richmond, on the edge of the Pye Sands with ten people on board. Her sailing dinghy, which she had in tow, was full of water and had made the yacht almost unsteerable.

The life-boatmen emptied the dinghy, stowed it on the yacht, and, because the wind was increasing, towed the Diana III to the River Twissel and moored her there. The life-boat re- mained in the river for the night, and left at ten next morning. On her way back to her station she saw a pontoon- type landing craft, with a crew of two, being blown seawards, her outboard engine having broken down. The life- boat towed her to Kirby Creek and then made for her station, arriving at noon.

—Rewards: First service, £11 12s.; Second service, £9 15s.

RUM FOR AN EXHAUSTED YOUTH St. Abbs, Berwickshire.—At 1.38 in the afternoon, on the 9th of April, 1950, a message was received that a youth was being blown seawards in a rubber dinghy three-quarters of a mile off Coldingham Sands. Accordingly, at 1.45 the life-boat J. B. Couper, of Glasgow, was launched for the first time on service. The sea was choppy, with a moderate west-south-west gale blow- ing. She rescued the exhausted youth, and the life-boatmen gave him rum.

The J. B. Couper, of Glasgow, reached its station again at 2.25.—Rewards, £6 4s.DINGHY CAPSIZED Dungeness, Kent.—At 4.24 in the afternoon, on the 9th of April, 1950, the Lade coastguard telephoned that a sailing dinghy had capsized half a mile off Littlestone, tipping two people into the sea. At 4.38 the life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson was launched in a choppy sea, with a westerly gale blowing. She found the dinghy five miles north-by-east of the life-boat station. A motor boat had picked up the two people and was standing by.

The life-boat righted the dinghy and towed it to her station, arriving at 5.45.

The motor boat landed the two persons at Littlestone.—Rewards, £21 17s.

ON HER BEAM ENDS Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 3.52 in the afternoon, on the 12th of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that the Customs at Brightlingsea had reported a yacht on her beam ends, and high and dry in Ray Sand Channel. At 4.15 the life-boat Edward Z. Dresden was launched in a choppy sea, with a slight north-westerly breeze. She found the sailing yacht Dirk II, one mile south- west of Buxey Beacon, and stood by her until she refloated. Then she accompanied her clear of the sands, and returned to her station, arriving at 8.30.—Rewards, £12.

SECURING A DRIFTING MINE Islay, Inner Hebrides.—At 4.45 p.m.

on the 12th of April, 1950, the chair- man of the local life-boat station re- ported a mine drifting south through the Sound of Islay directly in the line of shipping using the sound. With night approaching the danger to the shipping was heightened, and there was also the danger of the mine being washed ashore at any of the villages of Bonahaven, Caol Ila, or Port Askaig.

The coxswain, Duncan McNeill, who had previously taken part in securing a mine, was willing to try and secure this one. At 5.10 p.m. the life-boat Man- chester and Salford, on temporary duty at the station, was launched in a moderate sea, with a moderate north- westerly wind blowing. She had the coxswain's own small boat in tow.

When the mine was found, the coxswain manned his own boat and approached the mine alone. The life-boat stood a quarter of a mile off. He secured to the mine's mooring cable, a rope of 600 fathoms, and the life-boat then towed it to a position south of Port Askaig.

Here a party landed, while the life-boat remained half a mile off shore. Putting a hill between themselves and the mine, the party pulled it ashore and secured it, out of danger to shipping and inhabitants.

The Institution was of opinion that the service reflected great credit on all concerned, especially Coxswain Duncan McNeill, to whom a letter of apprecia- tion was sent.—Rewards, £6 11s.

MOTOR YACHT DRIFTING Clogher Head, Co. Louth.—At 2.30 in the afternoon, on the 16th of April, 1950, the harbourmaster reported that the motor yacht St. Joseph, of Dro- gheda, with a crew of two, had broken down about two miles north of Port Oriel and was drifting seawards. At 2.45, the life-boat Mary Ann Blunt was launched in a rough sea with a moderate south-westerly gale blowing. She found the yacht two miles north-east of Port Oriel. Two life-boatmen boarded her and the life-boat then towed her to Port Oriel, reaching her station again at 4.20.—Rewards, £10 3s.

A PILOT IN THE SEA Swanage, Dorset.—• At 3.28 in the afternoon, on the 16th of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned a message from the Portland radar station that an aeroplane had crashed into the sea.

The pilot had dropped by parachute seven and a half miles south of Durlston Head. At 3.44 the life-boat R.L.P.

was launched in a light south-south- east breeze with a calm sea. She was guided to the pilot, eight miles south- by-west of Durlston Head, by circling aeroplanes; here she rescued him, trans- ferred him to a motor torpedo boat and returned to her station, arriving at 7.30 that evening.—Rewards, £11 7s.

ANCHORED ON EAST BARNARDS BANK Fleet wood, Lancashire.—At 11.45 on the night of the 16th of April, 1950, the county police reported a message received from a returning fishing boat, that flares had been seen in Lune Deepabout four miles west of Wyre Light.

At 12.30 in the morning the life-boat Ann Letitia Russell was launched in a rough sea, with a strong south-westerly breeze blowing. However, she saw nothing and at 5.30 returned to her station to await daylight. At 6.30 the local fishing boat Jane was seen anchored on East Barnards Bank. The life-boat then put out again and towed her to harbour. It was learned later that the flares had been made by the fishing boat Maid of Erin, which had broken down but managed to reach harbour.—Rewards, £18 185.

ANCHORED TO A CRAB POT Salcombe, Devon. — At 9.20 in the morning, on the 17th of April, 1950, the Greystones coastguard reported that a motor fishing boat seemed to be in difficulties three and a half miles west of Bolt Head. At 10.9 the life- boat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse was launched in a rough sea with a fresh south-westerly breeze blowing. She found the local motor fishing boat Atlantic, with one man on board, anchored to a crab pot. Her engine had broken down. The life-boat towed her to harbour and reached her station again at 12.30 that afternoon. The father of the rescued man made a donation to the Institution.—Rewards, £7 10s.

A VELLUM SERVICE Selsey, Sussex.—The Institution's thanks on vellum and a special award of £2 were awarded to Life-boatman W. Arnell for going overboard from the life-boat on the 17th of April to the rescue of one of two men of a capsized fishing boat. Rewards, £14 12*.

(A full account of this service is given on page 50.) TWELVE AGROUND IN A TRAWLER Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At 3.30 in the afternoon, on the 18th of April, 1950, the police reported that a trawler which had just put out had run ashore and was blowing her siren. At 3.50, the life-boat Lloyd's left her moorings in a choppy sea with a strong north- westerly breeze blowing. She found the steam trawler George Hastings, of Milford Haven, with a crew of twelve, near the east-south-east fairway buoy in Castlebay Harbour. The life-boat passed a rope to her, refloated her with the rising tide, and the George Hastings then made for Oban under her own power. The Lloyd's returned to her station, arriving at seven o'clock that evening.—Rewards, £8 Is.

A PASSIVE ROLE Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 5.56 in the morning, on the 19th of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was aground at North Cheek, Robin Hoods Bay. At 6.10 the No. 1 life- boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched.

The sea was moderate with a moderate breeze blowing from the north. She found the S.S. Durhambrook, of London, with a crew of twenty, but as she could not give any help until the evening tide, she returned to her station. At three in the afternoon she put out again, stood by the steamer until she refloated at 6.25. Then, as the Durhambrook still needed no help, she returned to her station, arriving at 8.35 that evening.

—Rewards, £24 14s.

TWO FISHERMEN ADRIFT Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 9.12 in the morning, on the 19th of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a fishing boat was flying a distress signal. Accordingly at 9.15 the life- boat Louise Stephens was launched.

The sea was smooth, with a fresh northerly breeze blowing. She came up with the fishing boat Cadj, of Great Yarmouth, with a crew of two, one and a half miles to the southward. Her engine had broken down; and, at the skipper's request, the life-boat towed her to harbour. She arrived back at her station at 10.8.—Rewards, £8 15s.

A ROCKET TO THE RESCUE St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At 3.30 in the afternoon, on the 23rd of April, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that the police had passed on a message from Strumble Head that a boat was drifting in St. Bride's Bay. At 10.50 that night it was reported that she was the yacht Eligug, of Solva, which had last been seen off Point Castle about eight o'clock. Because of the weather, anxiety was felt for the safety of theowner and his two children, who were in the yacht. So, at 1.5 next morning the life-boat M.O.Y.E., on temporary duty at the station, was launched.

There was a rough sea with a moderate west-north-west gale blowing. With the help of a rocket fired by the coast- guard, she found the Eligug, anchored off the castle, and taking off the children, towed it to Solva harbour.

She reached her station again at 5.15.— Rewards, £10 18s.

TWO MEN IN TROUBLE Falmouth, Cornwall. — About 6.45 in the evening, on the 23rd of April, 1950, the police reported that a man had been found unconscious at St. Just. When he recovered he had told them a com- panion was adrift in the sailing boat Shira. At seven o'clock the life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare was launched, in a rough sea with a strong north-north-west breeze blowing. She found the Shira, with the other man, ashore at St. Just; and going close in, got a line aboard and towed her clear, when a life-boatman boarded her.

Picking up the first man, the life-boat then returned to her station with the Shira in tow, arriving at nine that night.—Rewards, £5 13s.

THREE FISHING BOATS IN DIFFICULTIES Eyemouth, and St. Abbs, Berwickshire.— At 10.7 in the morning, on the 24th of April, 1950, the Eyemouth life-boat authorities received a message from a Burnmouth fisherman that the motor fishing vessel Breadwinner, of Burn- mouth, was in difficulties off Burn- mouth and that two other motor fishing vessels, the Orient and Dolly Graham, also of Burnmouth, were at sea in bad weather. At 10.20 the life- boat Frank and William Oates was launched, but a heavy sea hit her as she entered the water and she grounded.

Finding it impossible to get her away, the honorary secretary telephoned the Eyemouth coastguard; and he informed the St. Abbs life-boat station. Ten minutes later, the life-boat, J. B.

Couper, of Glasgow, was launched.

The sea was rough and there was a fresh north-north-east gale blowing.

Meanwhile, the Breadwinner had man- aged to reach Burnmouth harbour, and the life-boat saw the Dolly Graham running for it, too. She therefore made for the Orient, which was moving slowly, and escorted in both fishing vessels.

She then returned to her station, arriving at 1.5 in the afternoon. The Eyemouth life-boat was refloated at 5.15 that evening and was rehoused at 5.30.—Rewards: Eyemouth, £15 11s.;: St. Abbs, £8 16s. 6d.

THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE JOHN Moelfre, Anglesey.—At 1.45 in the afternoon of the 24th of April, 1950, the Holyhead coastguard telephoned that a trawler in Moelfre Bay was flying a signal asking for a boat to stand by her. At 2.15, therefore, the life-boat G.W. was launched. The sea was very rough with a northerly gale. She came up with the steam trawler Little John, of Milford Haven, with a crew of thir- teen, at anchor east of the life-boat station, and making water through her propeller shaft. At the request of the skipper, the life-boat escorted the Little John to the Menai Straits. She then returned to her station, arriving at 8.15 that evening.—Rewards, £16 5s.

ANOTHER PILOT IN THE SEA Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 4.55 in the afternoon, on the 25th of April, 1950, the Walton coastguard telephoned that a man could be seen waving on what appeared to be a submerged aero- plane between one and two miles south- east of the Naze. At 5.5 the life-boat E.M.E.D. was launched in a slight sea, with a light north-north-east breeze blowing. She found a submerged glider, rescued the pilot and then took it in tow and beached it. The life- boatmen gave the pilot rum and dry clothes, and then returned to their station, arriving at 7.20 that evening.—• Property Salvage Case.

DRIFTING OFF ST. MARTIN'S POINT St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 9.50 on the night of the 27th of April, 1950, lights, believed to be flares, were seen from the signal station. At 10.15 the police confirmed seeing them from St.

Martin's Point. At 10.45 the life-boat Hearts of Oak, on temporary duty at the station, was launched in a moderatesea with a moderate north-westerly breeze blowing. She found the local motor boat, Doreen, with one man on board, drifting one mile east-south-east of St. Martin's Point. She took the man on board. A life-boatman then boarded the Doreen and the life-boat towed her to her station, arriving at 12.10 the next morning.—Rewards, £5 16«.

TEN MEN RESCUED Douglas, Isle of Man.—At 12.30 in the morning, on the 30th of April, 1950, the Ramsey coastguard telephoned that flares had been seen off Onchan Head.

At 12.45 the life-boat Millie Walton was launched in a thick fog with a heavy ground swell and a fresh south-easterly breeze. She found the steam trawler Mary Heeley, of Lowestoft, fast on a submerged rock, with a crew of ten.

She rescued the men and returned to her station arriving at 2.45.—Rewards, £10 2s. .

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in •distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—April 2nd.—• Rewards, £15 13s.

St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly.—April 2nd.

—Rewards, £22 3*.

Ferryside, Carmarthenshire.—April 2nd.

—Rewards, £12 17s.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—April 3rd.

—Rewards, £9 Is.

Dover, Kent.—April 7th.—Rewards, £5 10s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—April 8th.— Rewards, £15 6s.

Selsey, Sussex.—April 9th.—Rewards, £11 12s.

Rhyl, Flintshire. — April 10th.—Re- wards, £25 13s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—April 10th.

—Rewards, £12 8s.

Longhope, Orkneys.—April 13th.—Re- wards, £8 18s. 6d.

Ramsgate, Kent. — April 13th. — Re- wards, £9 4s. 6d.

Dungeness, Kent..-—April 15th.—Re- wards, £25.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—April 16th.

—Rewards, £7 Is. 6d.

Fowey, Cornwall.—April 18th.—Re- wards, £8 Is.

Amble, Northumberland.—April 20th.

—Rewards, £7 12s.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—April 20th.—• Rewards, £23 19s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—April 22nd.—Re- wards, £5 18s.

Stromness, Orkneys.—April 23rd.—Re- wards, £20 8s.

Rhyl, Flintshire. — April 23rd. — Re- wards, £12 14s.

St. Helier, Jersey.—April 23rd.—Re- wards, £4 17s. 6d.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—April 27th.

—Rewards, £14 8s.

Walmer, Kemt. — April 28th. — Re- wards, £12 11s. 6d.

Lowestoft, Sussex.—April 30th.—Re- wards, £16 14s.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—April 30th.—Re- wards, £36 13s. 6d.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—April 30th.—Rewards, £18 7s. 6d.

MAY DURING May life-boats went out en service 43 times and rescued 31 lives.

S.O.S. FROM A SMACK Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.—At 11.5 on the night of the 4th of May, 1950, the coastguard reported that a flashing light, believed to be a S.O.S. signal, had been seen between four and five miles north-west of the coastguard station.

At 11.59 the life-boat Lady Harrison was launched. The weather was calm.

With the help of her searchlight, she found the fishing smack, Quest, of New Quay, with a crew of two, between three and three and a half miles to the north. She was at anchor and had run short of fuel. Two life-boatmen therefore boarded her and helped weigh the anchor; and the life-boat towed her to the harbour. She reached her station again at 1.25 the next morning.

—Rewards, £13 17s.

THREE MEN AND A BOOM Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 5.20 in the evening, on the 5th of May, 1950, the Cementation Company said that aboat was in danger of drifting out to sea with a large section of the boom off Shoeburyness. It had three of their men aboard, who were engaged in dis- mantling the boom. At 5.40 the life- boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3, was launched in a choppy sea with a fresh northerly breeze blowing. She found the boat two and a half miles off Shoeburyness. It was too large for the men to control, so the life-boat took them off and towed the boat to Southend pier. She reached her station again at 6.35.—-Rewards, £8 11s.

ADRIFT WITHOUT LIGHTS Dover, Kent.—At 9.40 on the night of the 6th of May, 1950, the Sandgate coastguard passed on information from the Seabrook police that a small sailing craft was drifting without lights off Seabrook. At ten o'clock the life-boat Southern Africa was launched in a moderate swell with a light westerly wind blowing. She found the yacht Wendy, of Gillingham, disabled by an engine breakdown only four hundred yards from the shore. At the request of her master, who was alone on board, the life-boat took her in tow for Dover, and when they arrived at hah0 past three in the morning the yacht was berthed in the Wellington Dock.—• Property Salvage Case.

A STEAM TRAWLER AGROUND Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 3.51 in the afternoon, on the 9th of May, 1950, the coastguard reported a vessel off the harbour blowing for help. At four o'clock the life-boat Michael Stephens put out in a thick fog. The sea was heavy with a light northerly wind blowing. A quarter of a mile east of the harbour the life-boat found the local steam trawler Loddon, which had put out half an hour earlier, with a crew of ten. She was aground. At the skipper's request the fife-boat stood by until a tug refloated the trawler, when all three vessels returned to harbour.

They arrived at half past five.— Rewards, £6 Is.

THREE SOLDIERS AFLOAT Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 5.15 in the evening, on the 13th of May, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that three men in a rubber dinghy were drifting sea- wards off Ty-Croes. At 5.25 the life- boat A.E.D. was launched in a calm sea with a light easterly breeze blowing.

She found the dinghy two and a half miles south of Rhoscolyn Beacon, and rescued the three men, who were soldiers from Ty-Croes Camp. Then she returned to her station, arriving at 9.5 that night.—Rewards, £6 18s.

FOUR MEN RESCUED Ramsgale, Kent. — At 6.39 in the evening, on the 14th of May, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a small boat was making heavy weather half a mile off Dumpton Gap. At 6.45 the life- boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty at the station, was launched. A fresh east-north-east breeze was blowing with a rough sea. She found the boat Bev, of Broadstairs, at anchor near the rocks, with four men on board. Soon after the life-boat had rescued the exhausted men she sank. The life- boatmen towed her clear, got the water out of her and lifting her on to the life- boat, returned to harbour. They arrived at 7.35.-—Rewards, £6 13s.

EXHAUSTED CREW RESCUED Wicklow. — On the evening of the 17th of May, 1950, the local fishing boat C. S. Parnell, with a crew of four, left for the fishing ground five miles south of Wicklow. The weather grew bad, a fresh north-easterly wind causing a rough sea. The coxswain kept a look- out from one o'clock in the morning and when, two hours later the boat was still out, it was decided to launch the life-boat. Accordingly at half past three the Lady Kylsant put out to search. At 4.20 she found the boat two miles south of Wicklow Head, and making no progress. The crew, very exhausted, were taken into the life-boat, which with the fishing boat in tow arrived in harbour at 5.30.—Rewards, £8 5s. 6d.

TO A KEEPER'S HELP Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—At four o'clock in the afternoon on the 18th of May, 1950, the Inspector of the Irish Lights telephoned to ask the life-boat to go to the Coningbeg Lightvessel andbring ashore a lightkeeper whose father was dying. Accordingly, at half past four the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched, in a smooth sea with a light south-easterly wind blowing.

She got back again with the keeper at 7.30 in the evening.—-Rewards, £14 16s.

Repaid by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

WAVE OF THE CREST Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At half past eight in the evening, on the 19th of May, 1950, a telephone call from Port Skerra reported a fishing boat flying distress signals. At 8.45 the life-boat H.C.J. was launched in a rough sea with a strong north-easterly breeze blowing.

She found the fishing boat Crest, of Thurso, with a crew of four aboard, disabled by an engine breakdown, and took her in tow to Scrabster Harbour.

They arrived at 1.45 next morning.—• Rewards, £16 18s. 6d.

MULTIPLE INJURIES Ramsgate, Kent. — At 3.20 in the afternoon on the 20th of May, 1950, the coastguard telephoned to say that a small yacht was in distress in Pegwell Bay. The two men on board were waving an oar with a flag attached.

At 3.28 the life-boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings in a moderate sea with a south-westerly breeze blowing. She found the auxiliary yacht Marie, dis- abled with engine failure and a smashed rudder. Two life-boatmen were put aboard and the Marie, together with her crew, was brought into Ramsgate harbour at 3.55.—Rewards, £6 12s. Qd.

TAKING OUT A RELIEF KEEPER Holyhead, Anglesey. —• On the after- noon of the 20th of May, 1950, it was learned through the Trinity House Depot that a boat was needed to fetch a sick man from the Skerries lighthouse.

The Trinity House vessel was not available, and so at 4.30 the life-boat A.E.D. left her moorings, with a relief keeper on board. There was a ground swell and a north-easterly breeze.

Keepers were exchanged and the life- boat returned to Holyhead at 6.25.— Rewards, £4 15s. Repaid to the Institution by the Trinity House.

CREW REPAIR ENGINE Ramsgate, Kent. — At 9.5 on the night of the 23rd of May, 1950, the coastguard telephoned a message re- received from Sandwich that a fishing boat was drifting on a lee shore a mile north of Guildford Hotel. Five minutes later, the life-boat Mary Scott, on temporary duty at the station, put out in a moderate north-easterly breeze with a rough sea. She found the local motor fishing boat Mary Ann, whose crew of four were repairing an engine break-down. Consequently the life-boat was soon able to escort her home, and reached Ramsgate harbour at 9.55.—Rewards, £6 13s.

A COLLISION IN THE FOG Dungeness, Kent.—In the early morn- ing of the 26th of May, 1950, in a thick fog, the S.S. Cabo Espartel, of Seville, bound for Valentia with a cargo of ammonia, collided with the S.S. Felspar, of Glasgow. About 3.49, just before she sank, the Cabo Espartel made a S.O.S. signal on her siren. She was then about two and a half miles east of Dungeness, where her crew of thirty- seven were picked up by the S.S.

Fulham, of London. At 4.10 Lloyd's signal station reported the S.O.S.

message to the life-boat authorities, and twenty minutes later the life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson was launched.

The sea was calm with a light northerly breeze blowing. She came up with the Fulham three miles east-by-south of Dungeness, and taking off the Spanish crew, landed them at her station at 6.10.

At the same time, she towed in two ships boats. Meanwhile, the pilot vessel Penleigh, which had been stand- ing by the Felspar, wirelessed for help.

The steamer had been badly holed and needed a tug. The life-boat therefore put out again at 6.30, and finding the Felspar in tow of a tug five miles to the eastward, helped to steer her.

She remained in attendance until the steamer reached Sandwich Bay and then returned to her station, arriving at 5.35 in the evening.-—-Rewards: 1st service, £21 17s.; 2nd service, Property Salvage Case.

ESCORTING YACHTS Newhaven, Sussex. — At five in the afternoon, on the 27th of May, 1950,the coastguard telephoned a Brighton police report that a yacht was in dis- tress one mile off Saltdean. At 5.12 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched. The sea was rough, with a strong west-south-west breeze blowing. She escorted three yachts to Newhaven harbour, and reached her station again at 6.20 that evening.

However, at 6.45 several other yachts could be seen to the westward; so the life-boat again put out at 6.50 and stood by the harbour entrance. Here she escorted in two yachts. A third yacht, the Moneta, on rounding the breakwater, had her mainsail ripped to shreds and drifted out of control.

The life-boat therefore towed her and her crew of eight to the harbour and arrived back at her station at 7.30.— Rewards: 1st service, £7 16s.; 2nd service, £9 7s.

ANCHORS DRAGGING KUmore, Co., Wexford —At 6.25 in the evening, on the 27th of May, 1950, the motor fishing boat Catherine, of Dunmore East, with a crew of two was seen flying distress signals three miles east-south-east of the piers. At 6.42 the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched. The sea was rough, with a strong westerly breeze blowing.

She found the Catherine at anchor with her engine broken down, having dragged her anchors a mile. Two life- boatmen boarded her to help weigh them, and the life-boat then towed her to Kilmore. She reached her station again at 8.5.—Rewards. £11 5s.

LOST RUDDER Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 9.55 on the night of the 27th of May, 1950, a message came from the Warden Point Look-out that a sailing yacht was in distress two miles off Shoeburyness.

At 10.28 the life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3, was launched in a very rough sea with a westerly gale blowing. She found the yacht Pinta, of Gillingham, a quarter of a mile north of West Shoebury Buoy. She had lost her rudder, shipped a lot of water, and her crew of two were exhausted.

After they had been rescued, two life- boatmen were put aboard the Pinta, which was then baled out and taken in tow. They reached Southend at 11,5.-—Property Salvage Case.

AN INTERRUPTED CRUISE Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 11.39 on the night of the 27th of May, 1950, the Walton-on-the-Naze coastguard telephoned that the Sunk Lightvesset had reported what it thought to be a flare about two miles south-south-east of the lightvessel. At 12.3 next morn- ing the life-boat E.M.E.D. was launched in a moderate sea with a moderate westerly breeze blowing. The light-ves- sel, reporting that a S.O.S. signal was being made, wirelessed the position as three to three and a half miles to her east. Here the life-boat found the local auxiliary yacht Mary Ellen. She was on a cruise to Holland, with a crew of four, but had gone aground, and lost some rigging and her mast. The life- boatmen cleared the mast, towed her in, and reached their station again, at ten. The owner thanked the life- boatmen.—Property Salvage Case.

LEADING A DANCE Great Yarmouth and Goriest on, Norfolk.

—At 12.39 in the afternoon, on the 28th of May, 1950, the Gorleston coast- guard telephoned that the Smith's Knoll Lightvessel had reported a yacht burning flares half a mile astern of the lightvessel. At 12.44 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched. The sea was rough with a fresh north-north- west breeze blowing; but the sailing yacht Tango, whose sails had blown away, managed to reach the lightvessel.

Here she tied up; and her exhausted crew of four were taken aboard. Two life-boatmen then boarded the yacht, and her crew were transferred to the Louise Stephens; which, with the yacht in tow, returned to harbour. She arrived at 7.45 that evening.—Rewards, £20 10*.

TANKER AGROUND St. Ives, Cornwall.—At 7.40 in the morning on the 31st of May, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a tanker had been reported aground at Porth- meaor beach. At 8.3 the life-boat Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva Child was launched, in a slight swell. She found the motor vessel Sand Runner,•of Goole, in no immediate danger, but as the tide was ebbing fast, the master asked her to put out again on the flood tide. Accordingly she returned to her station at nine and left again at 2.40 in the afternoon to stand by the Sand Runner. She passed a tow rope from her to a fishing vessel, with whose help she managed to refloat the tanker.

The life-boat reached her station again at 5.30 that evening. — Rewards, £15 18*. 6d.

VIGOROUS EXERCISE Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—At 5.30 in the evening, on the 31st of May, 1950, in calm weather, the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched for exercise with the honorary secretary, Mr. C. M.

Clifford Gibbons, and the district engineer on board. She was about two miles south-west of Kilmore when she saw a small outboard motor boat in difficulties, near the race at the south end of Great Saltee Island. She turned out to be a fourteen-feet flat- bottomed boat, with a crew of two, whose engine had broken down. As she was in a very dangerous position, the life-boat towed her clear, and after assuring the men that she would tow them in later, resumed her exercise.

On her way home she took the boat in tow again and reached the harbour at 8.15.—Rewards, £12 12s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Walmer, Kent.—May 1st.—Rewards, £16 8s.

Cloughey, Co. Down. — May 3rd.— Rewards, £27 2*.

Dover, Kent.— May 7th. —Rewards, £17 6s.

Dungeness, Kent.—May 7th.—Rewards, £49.

Hastings, Sussex.—May 7th.—Rewards, £48 12s.

Skegness, Lincolnshire. — May 9th.— Rewards, £17 12s.

Lerwick, Shetlands.—May llth.—Re- wards, £5 5*.

Plymouth, Devon.—May 12th.—Re- wards, £12 5s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—May 13th.—Rewards, £6 13s.

Dungeness, Kent. —• May 13th. — Re- wards, £21 2s.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—May 14th.—Rewards, £10 10s.

Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.—May 15th.—Rewards, £16 Is.

Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.—May 15th.

—Rewards, £6 15s.

Port Erin, Isle of Man.—May 17th.— Rewards, £14 8s. 6d.

Islay, Inner Hebrides.—May 19th.—Re- wards, £30 13s. 'Sd.

Salcombe, Devon.—May 22nd.—Ho- wards, £13 6s.

Cloughey, Co. Down.—May 25th.—Re- wards, £25 3s.

Donagbadee, Co. Down.—May 27th.— Rewards, £21 8s.

Walmer, Kent.—May 29th.—Rewards, £19 Is.

Wells, Norfolk.—May 30th.—Rewards.

£16 4s.

Dover, Kent.—May 31st.—Rewards, £11 2s..