Tynemouth, Northumberland. — At 4.25 on the afternoon of the 17th of July, 1950, Lloyds Hailing Station, North Shields, reported that a steamer had informed Cullcrcoats Radio that a small fishing vessel one mile east of Tyne North Pier, was showing distress sig- nals. Two minutes later the coast- guard confirmed this. At 4.47 the life-boat Tynesider was launched in a light westerly breeze with a slight swell.

The steam drifter Animate had the fishing vessel Irene, of South Shields, in tow, but cast off when the life-boat arrived. The life-boat picked up the Irene's crew of two and towed their boat to .South Shields. She then re- turned to her station, arriving at two minutes past six. •—• Rewards, £7 16s..