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Saga, the S.S. Gowrie and S.S. St. Clair

Aberdeen, and Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

—At 2.25 on the morning of the 17th of September, 1950, the Gregness coastguard telephoned the Aberdeen life-boat authorities. The motor fish- ing vessel Saga, of Aberdeen, with a crew of three, had wirelessed that she had anchored fifteen miles south-east of Girdle Ness with an engine break- down. She had asked for help. At three o'clock, the No. 1 life-boat Emma Constance was launched, with the second coxswain in command, in a very rough sea with a strong south-south- east gale blowing and heavy rain squalls. But meanwhile the S.S.

Gotvrie had taken the Saga in tow; so the life-boat was recalled to her station.

She reached it at 9.20. About 10.50 the Gowrie, now two and a half miles off Collieston, wirelessed for the Aber- deen life-boat to stand by her because of the weather. The Emma Constance therefore put out again at 11.30. At 11.45 the Peterhead life-boat was informed by the Pcterhead coastguard, and her crew assembled. At 1.35 they heard that the Gowrie's tow rope had parted; so the Julia Park Barry, of Glasgow was launched. This was at 1.50. She came up with the vessels between four and five miles east-south- east of Peterhead. The Saga was adrift, but neither the Gowrie nor the S.S. St. Clair, which was also standing by, could take her in tow. About ten minutes later, the Aberdeen life-boat reached them. The Peterhead life- boat then took the Saga in tow and asked the Aberdeen life-boat to stand by. The Gowrie and St. Clair left the scene. Escorted by the Emma Con- stance, the Peterhead life-boat towed the Saga to Peterhead, reaching it at 5.30 that evening. The Aberdeen life- boat left them at the entrance to Peter- head harbour and returned to her station, arriving at 7.30.—Rewards: Aberdeen, First service, £10 10s.; Second service, £14 4s.; Peterhead, Property Salvage Case..