DURING December life-boats went out on service 40 times and rescued 60 lives.

PROPELLER FOULED, ANCHOR CHAIN BROKEN Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—At five o'clock on the evening of the 1st of December, 1950, distress signals were seen three miles north of Arklow Harbour. Five minutes later the life-boat Inbhear Mor was launched in a very rough sea with a south-westerly gale blowing. She found the local fishing boat Guiding Light, with a crew of four aboard, drift- ing disabled, her propeller fouled by nets and her anchor chain broken.

With great difficulty they put a tow rope on board the fishing boat, and took her to Arklow, arriving at 6.20.

The owner made a gift to the funds of the Institution.—Rewards, £9 6s.

ASHORE IN A GALE Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 4.40 in the morning, on the 1st of December, 1950, the pier signal station sent a message that the motor tanker Guides- man, of London, was ashore off Scar's Elbow Buoy, near Canvey Island. At 5.25 the life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was launched in a very rough sea with a south-westerly gale blowing. When she reached the Guidesman, she went alongside. The vessel had a heavy list. Then a tug arrived and the life-boat passed a tow rope to the tanker. The tug pulled her clear and towed her up river; and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving' at 3.15 in the afternoon.—- Property Salvage Case. •— Rewards, £5 19*.

SIX ANGLERS ADRIFT Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 6.0 on the night of the 3rd of December, 1950, flares were reported about one mile off shore in Pevensey Bay. At 6.15 the life-boat Beryl Tollemache was launched in a moderate sea with a moderate north-westerly breeze and snow squalls.

She found the fishing vessel Happy Returns, of Newhaven, with a party of six anglers. Her engine had broken down. The life-boat towed her to shore and reached her station again at 7.5.

The Dartford Ramblers Sea Anglers' Association thanked the life-boatmen.— Rewards' £23 5s.

HELPING HOPPERS Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—At 2.0 in the afternoon, on the 3rd of December, 1950, the South Gare coastguard tele- phoned that three tugs towing hoppers were making heavy weather. One tug and hopper were close inshore. The life-boat crew assembled, and as the seas were very heavy at the mouth of the river they launched the life-boat John and Lucy Cordingley at 3.0. There was a gale blowing from the north-west.

She escorted the tugs and hoppers, which each carried a crew of two, to calm water, and then, because of the weather, made for Middlesbrough. She arrived at 6.0 that evening, stayed there for the night and was taken back to her station next afternoon. The owners of the hoppers thanked the life-boat- men.—Rewards, £24 5s.

THE COXSWAIN AS PILOT Cromarty.—At 10.30 in the morning, on the 3rd of December, 1950, the Wick Radio station telephoned that a vessel, off the Cromarty Sutors had asked for help. At 10.45 the life-boat James Macfee was launched. There was a heavy swell with a north-north-west gale blowing. She came up with the motor vessel Kantule, of Panama, a ship of 6,500 tons loaded with timber and carrying a crew of twenty-nine, anchored one mile east of whistle buoy.

Her cargo had shifted, causing her to list heavily, and she was running short of fuel. Furthermore, her master did not know the coast. The life-boat accordingly stood by her until she weighed anchor; then, when she reached calmer water, the coxswain boarded her. He piloted her to a safe anchor- age accompanied by the life-boat, which reached her station again at 8.15 that night.—Rewards, £19 5s.

BACK AND FORTH Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire. — On Sunday, the 3rd of December, 1950, the S.S. Inverpool, of London, a tanker of 600 tons laden with oil fuel, ran on a sandbank on the south side of the River Ribble. At 4.4 in the afternoon the Formby coastguard telephoned that she had wirelessed for help. At 4.30 the life-boat Dunleary left her moorings in a rough sea with a moderate north- westerly breeze blowing and found the tanker half a mile south of the thir- teenth mile light. The tide was ebbing, and she was in no immediate danger; so the coxswain told the master that the life-boat would stand by him on the next tide. The Dunleary then re- turned, reaching her station at 7.0 that night. At 3.30 the following morning, she put out again. The sea had grown less, but there was a heavy swell with breakers on the sandbank. The tanker was founding, but still in no immediate danger. The life-boat stood by her until 7.0 and got back at her station an hour later. On the 5th December the life-boat did not go to the Inver- pool. On the morning of the 6th the tanker's cables parted and she moved two miles to the south-east, fetching up on the Long Bank. There she fired distress rockets; and at 9.15 the life- boat again left her moorings, went alongside her, and took off and landed her crew of eleven. She reached her station again at 11.0. Later on, a motor launch took the men out to their ship and brought them back again that evening. On the 7th the crew went out to her again. The life- boat crew assembled, but were not needed. The Inverpool was refloated by a tug on the 8th.—Rewards: 1st service, £9 19s.; 2nd service, £13 13*.; 8id service, £11 8s.

SHUTTLE SERVICE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—On the 4th of December, 1950, the Belgian trawler Yarmouth, bound for Ostend with white fish and carrying a crew of eleven, ran aground on the Scroby Sands. There she wirelessed for help; and about 8.10 that night the Gorleston coastguard telephoned the life-boat station that she was three and a half miles north-north-east of Great Yarmouth Harbour. At 8.17 the life- boat Louise Stephens was launched in a slight swell with a light westerly breeze blowing. She found the trawler high and dry, went alongside with difficulty, damaging herself slightly, rescued the crew, and landed them at £.15 next morning. At 12.30 in the afternoon of the 5th the life-boat was launched again and took the trawlermen out to their ship; but this time she could not get near her for the seas. Between the 5th and 15th the life-boat made ten trips to the trawler to help in salvage operations which were being made by tugs; but the Yarmouth became a total wreck and attempts to salve her were abandoned.

-—Rewards: 1st service, £40 7s. 6d.; 2nd service, ten trips, Property Salvage Case.

WATCHING THE FISHING FLEETS Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 7th of December, 1950, the small motor coble Enterprize II had not returned from the fishing grounds.

A strong northerly breeze was blowing causing a dangerous swell on the bar; so at 11.23 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched. About fifteen minutes later she found the coble near the Rock Buoy, and passing life- belts to her crew, escorted her into harbour. Then she stood by until the rest of the fishing fleet were safe in port, returning to her station at 3.30.

—Rewards, £14 13s. 6d.

Filey, Yorkshire.—On the afternoon of the 7th of December, 1950, some fishing cobles of Filey were at sea.

Because of the freshening north-westerly wind and mounting seas it was decided to launch the life-boat, and at 1.36 The Cuttle put out with the motor mechanic in charge in the absence of the coxswains, who were both at sea.

She escorted four cobles through the heavy seas off Filey Brig, and then learned from the coastguard that all boats were safe ashore. So she returned to her station, arriving at 2.45.— Rewards, £13 17s.

REFLOATING A STEAMER Ramsgate, Kent. — At 3.54 in the afternoon, on the 10th of December, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that North Foreland Radio reported the steamer Dynamo, of Hull, aground two miles south-south-west of Ramsgate. At 4.8 the life-boat Prudential left her moor- ings in a rough sea with a moderate gale blowing. She found the steamer, laden with cement, hard aground on the Brake Sands, and at the request of the master, stood by. The second cox- swain boarded the Dynamo. A kedge anchor was run out, but the wire was not secured and both were lost. The life-boat grappled for them unsuccess- fully; and then passed across a tow rope. On the flooding tide the Dynamo started to refloat and with the help of her engines and the life-boat she came off the sands. The master then asked the life-boat to escort her to Dover Harbour, which she did, arriving back at her station at 2.45 next morn- ing.—Property Salvage Case. Rewards, 175. 6d.

A DAMAGED OUTBOARD MOTOR Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—At 11.35 on the morning of the llth of December, 1950, a local fishing punt was seen flying an oilskin coat from an oar two miles north-east of Ballycotton Har- bour. Ten minutes later the life-boat Mary Stanford left her moorings in a choppy sea with a strong breeze blowing from the north-west. She found the boat, with a crew of two. Her out- board motor was damaged and she in danger of drifting out to sea. The life- boat took her in tow, brought her into • harbour, and then returned to her station, arriving at 12.45.—Rewards, £7 11*.

BOLLARDS TORN OUT Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — At 7.45 on the night of the 13th of December, 1950, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was burning flares about one and a half miles north-east of the coast- guard station. At 8.0 the life-boat John Russell, on temporary duty at the station was launched. There was a heavy swell with a light south-westerly breeze blowing. She found the motor vessel Marie Leach, of Brighton, three miles to the north-east, broken down, with a crew of four. She had been in tow of a trawler, but the trawler had torn out her bollards. At the request of her skipper the life-boat towed the Marie Leach to harbour, reaching her station again at 10.0 that night.— Property Salvage Case.

BRONZE MEDAL SERVICE AT DUNMORE EAST On the 14th of December, 1950, the Dunmore East life-boat saved the fish- ing boat St. Declan and -rescued her crew of five. The Institution awarded a bar to the bronze medal which he had won in 1941 to Coxswain Patrick Power, the bronze medal to Second-Coxswain Richard Power and a reward of £2, in addition to the reward on the ordinary scale of £l 10,?., to the coxswain, second- coxswain and each of the four members of the crew. Scale rewards, £7 10s.; additional rewards, £12; total rewards, £19 10s. A full account of the service appeared in the Winter, 1950, number of The Life-boat.

NOT TARKA THE OTTER Ramsgate, Kent.—At 3.47 in the afternoon, on the 14th of December, 1950, the coastguard reported that a vessel was making distress signals about three-quarters of a mile east of the coast- guard station. At 3.55 the life-boat Prudential slipped her moorings, in a light north-westerly breeze and smooth sea. She found the local motor yacht Tarka unable to start her engines as her batteries were exhausted. She towed her to moorings in the harbour, and then returned to her station, arriving at 4.35.—Rewards, £8 12s. fld.

AWAITING A TUG Lowestoft, Suffolk.—On the morning of the 17th of December, 1950, the coastguard said that a ship four miles east of Lowestoft was in need of help.

At 5.30 the life-boat Michael Stephens was launched, in a fresh west-north- westerly breeze with a moderate sea and snow squalls. She found the cargo steamer Rocquaine of Guernsey, unable to raise steam because of a boiler defect and needing a tug. At the skipper's request the life-boat stoodby until about 8.30 a tug arrived. Then she returned to her station, arriving at half past nine.—Rewards, £12.

TOWING THE SCONE Bridlington, Yorkshire.—At 9.36 on the morning of the 20th of December, 1950, the coastguard reported a sailing barge showing distress signals in the North Bay. At 10.10 the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield, was launched in a moderate sea with a strong south- south-easterly breeze. She found the barge Scone, of Rochester, being towed by two local boats, which had put out to her aid from the shore. The life- boat escorted all the boats into harbour and returned to her station, arriving at 11.45.—Rewards, £10 12s.

A LIFE-BOATMAN DIES ON SERVICE Walmer, Kent. — At 7.39 in the morning of the 24th of December, 1950, the Deal coastguard reported a message from the Italian motor vessel Santagata that she was aground on the southern part of the Goodwin Sands and in need of help. She was a ship of about 7,000 tons, carrying a crew of thirty- two and bound, laden with phosphate, from Casablanca to Leith. At 7.50 the life-boat Charles Dibdin, Civil Service No. 2 was launched in a moderate easterly breeze and heavy swell. She went alongside the Santagata and put two life-boatmen aboard. They found that the ship had broken her back; it was therefore decided to take off twenty-six, as the master did not yet want to abandon ship. He asked the life-boat to return and stand by to take off the rest of his crew. The life- boat went back to shore and then put off again and rescued the six remaining members of the crew and the two life- boatmen, arriving back at 1.10 in the afternoon. During the service the bowman, J. Rich, collapsed and died.

His body was landed when the life-boat returned with the twenty-six rescued men.—Rewards, £40 1*. 6d.

TUGS IN ACTION, Teesmouth, and Redcar, Yorkshire.— At 5.3 in the morning of the 25th of December, 1950, the South Gare coast- guard telephoned the Teesmouth life- boat station that a ship was believed to be ashore on Saltscar Rocks. At 6.5 the life-boat John and Lucy Cord- ingley was launched. There was a moderate sea with a moderate north- westerly breeze blowing. She went in the direction of Redcar, as rockets had been seen near there; and found the S.S. Domingo de Larrinaga, of Liverpool, on the East Scar Rocks. She was laden with 8,000 tons of iron ore and carried a crew of forty-six. She was so badly damaged, with her engines out of action, that tugs had failed to move her and were just leaving her. Meanwhile, the Redcar life-boat station had been informed by the Redcar coastguard; and at 6.30 the life-boat Louisa Polden put out. She went alongside the Domingo de Larrinaga; and both life- boats stood by her in case the crew wanted to abandon her. As the tide rose the sea got worse, but eventually six tugs pulled her clear. The Redcar life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 4.45 that afternoon. The Teesmouth life-boat escorted the Domingo de Larrinaga, in tow of three tugs, to the River Tees. Here the steamer went aground again at 5.45 on North Gare; and attempts to refloat her in the now ebbing tide failed. The tugs left her; and, as the master said he did not need help, the Teesmouth life-boat went to the pilot jetty and made fast. At 10.30 that night, at low water, she put out again and learned that tugs would be on the scene about midnight. She therefore re- turned to the jetty and stood by until the steamer was refloated and taken in tow at 4.30 the next morning, when she returned to her station, reaching it at 4.45.—Rewards, Tees- mouth, £44 2*.; Redcar, £32 145.

HELP FOR THE DUTCH Sheringham, Norfolk. — Just before nine o'clock on the night of the 31st of December, 1950, a local resident informed the life-boat honorary sec- retary that a ship was making morse signals three-quarters of a mile east- north-east of the life-boat station.

The life-boat signalman signalled to her in morse, and she replied only with the international signal "V" meaning "I require assistance." At 9.26 the life-boat Foresters Centenary was launched in a calm sea with a light south - westerly breeze. When she reached the ship—the Dutch motor vessel Johanna Te Velde, of Delfzyl—- the captain asked his position, as his vessel had broken down and had been drifting for about four hours. Members of the life-boat crew went aboard and marked the position on the chart.

Then, with engine repairs completed, the Johanna Te Velde went on her way, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 10.15.—Rewards, £25 3s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in dis- tress, were not needed or could do nothing: Margate, Kent. — December 1st.— Rewards, £10 12*. 6d.

Kilmore, Co. Wexford. —• December 2nd.—Rewards, £20 1*.

Wick, Caithness-shire.—December 3rd.

—Rewards, £21 Us.

Hastings, Sussex. — December 3rd.— Rewards, £25 9s. 6d.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—December 7th.—Rewards, £8 3s.

Sunderland, Durham.—December 10th —Rewards, £8 4s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—December 10th.—Rewards, £11 5s. 6d.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—December 12th.

—Rewards, £12 15s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—December, 12th.— Rewards. £8 12*. 6d.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—December 18th.—Rewards, £7.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—Decem- ber 14th.—Rewards, £11 7s.

Skegness Lincolnshire. — December 15th.—Rewards, £21 15s.

Cromer, Norfolk.—December 17th.— Rewards, £26 5s.

Sheringham, Norfolk.—December 17th.

—Rewards, £27 9s. 6d.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—December 17th.

—Rewards, £24 17s. 6d.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—December 24th.—Rewards, £16 15s.

Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—Decem- ber 30th.—Rewards, £23 4s.

JANUARY DURING January life-boats went out on service 41 times and rescued 75 lives.

A PATIENT COMES ASHORE Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—At 6.50 on the night of the 1st of January, 1951, the Coast Life-Saving Service reported that the Coningbeg Lightvessel had wire- lessed that she had a sick man on board.

So at 7.3 the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched. There was a heavy swell with a moderate north- easterly breeze blowing. She brought the patient ashore to a waiting doctor and reached her station again at 10.45.

—Rewards, £17 17s.—Refunded by the Irish Lights Commissioners.

AND A COBLE INTO HARBOUR Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the afternoon of the 2nd of January, 1951, the local fishing coble Premier, which had put out that morning, had not returned. As the weather was getting worse, anxiety was felt for her safety.

At 4.15 the life-boat Herbert Joy II was launched in a rough sea with a north- north-east wind blowing. She found the coble four miles north-north-east of Castle Hill, and escorted her into the harbour, reaching her station again at 6.15 that night.—Rewards, £13 12s. 6d.

A DIFFICULT TIDE Gourdon, Kincardineshire. — At two o'clock in the afternoon of the 3rd of January, 1951, Johnshaven sent a message that the local motor fishing boat Isa Simpson was disabled by an engine breakdown off Johnshaven. At 2.10 the life-boat Margaret Dawson was launched in a south-easterly breeze and heavy swell, and found the fishing boat two miles south-south-west of Gourdon. The life-boat took her in tow to Gourdon Harbour, reaching it, not without difficulty owing to the tide and wind, at four o'clock.—Rewards, £16 5s.

STANDING BY A TRAWLER Humber, Yorkshire.—At 9.25 on the night of the 6th of January, 1951, the Spurn Point coastguard reported a message from Kilnsea coastguard that a vessel was ashore half a mile north of the coastguard station. The night was very dark, but the weather calm, when at 9.43 the life-boat City ofBrad- •ford II was launched and went out toher. She found she was the steam trawler Siluria, of Grimsby, aground on a sandy beach, but in no immediate danger. So the life-boat stood by until she refloated on the rising tide. The trawler then went on her way to Grimsby, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 2.20 in the morning.—Paid Permanent Crew.

RELIEF FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE St. Mary'a, Isles of Scilly —About 9.0 in the morning, of the 7th of January, 1951, it was learned that a keeper on the Bishop Rock Lighthouse was very ill. There was a relief available. A doctor was called and on getting details by wireless from the lighthouse decided that the n:an should be got ashore without delay. The weather forecast was bad; an open boat was not suit- able. The life-boat Cunard was there- fore launched at 10.45, in a moderate sea with a moderate west-south-west breeze, taking the doctor and the relief keeper. The sick man was safely taken off from the Bishop Rock, and the life-boat arrived back at 1.20.— Launch paid for by Trinity House.

PROVIDING FUEL Cromer, Norfolk.—About 9.30 on the morning of the 9th of January, 1951, the coastguard reported a small vessel, anchored to the north-east of Cromer, which appeared to have engine trouble.

She was showing no distress signals, but was kept under observation; and at 10.0 she anchored east of the pier.

At 10.45 she made a signal which could not be read; and at 11.20 the No. 1 life-boat Henry Blogg was launched in a moderate westerly breeze and mod- erate swell. She found the motor cabin cruiser Dimcyl, of Lowestoft, in need of fuel. The life-boat obtained a supply for her and then returned to her station, arriving at 12.40—Rewards, £10 17*.

ON ESCORT DUTY Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—On the morning of the 10th of January, 1951, the Gourdon fishing fleet was overtaken by a south-south-easterly gale with a very rough sea. As the harbour en- trance was dangerous the life-boat crew were assembled in case any boats should try to go in. Six of them went to Stonehaven; four others were still at sea. So at 1.5 in the afternoon the life- boat Margaret Dawson was launched and escorted them into Gourdon Har- bour. She returned to her station at 2.40.—Rewards, £14 17*. 6d.

ANOTHER DUTCHMAN HELPED Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—At 8.0 on the night of the 10th of January, 1951, a ship was seen to enter Dun- garvan Harbour, ivn in on the wrong side of the sand bar and burn flares.

At 8.40 the life-boat Agnes Cross, on temporary duty at the station, was launched in a south-westerly gale, heavy rain and rough sea. She found the motor ship Vaderland. of Rotterdam, laden with manure. Two life-boatmen were put aboard and they brought her into Dungarvan on the morning tide.

The life-boat arrived back at her station at 10.40.—Rewards, £9 15s. 6d.

SEVEN RESCUED FROM BEACHED STEAMER Fleetwood, Lancashire.—At 7.45 Oft the night of the llth of January, 1951, the Formby coastguard reported that the motor cruiser Thorium, of Liver- pool, laden with 600 tons of limestone, had wirelessed from near the Lune Buoy that she had a dangerous list.

At 8.10 the life-boat Ann Letitia Russell was launched in a very rough sea with a strong west-south-west breeze blow- ing. She found the coaster west of the Fairway Buoy, and accompanied her to the Fleetwood Channel. But the Thorium was sinking; so her skipper beached her on the Lighthouse Bank.

The life-boat then rescued her crew of seven, landed them at Fleetwood harbour and reached her station again at 9.45. The Thorium later drifted across the Channel and capsized; and at the request of the harbour master the life-boat put out again at 12.45 next morning to report on her position.

Nothing was found in the heavy seas and intense darkness; so the life-boat returned to her station by 2.15. The master and owners thanked the life- boatmen.—Rewards, £21 11s.

TO A SAFE ANCHORAGE Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire. — At 12.35 in the early morning, on the llthof January, 1951, the coastguard re- ported that the motor vessel Cornel, of Cardiff, about five miles north-east of Port Nevin, had a heavy list and needed help. At 1.46 the life-boat Charles Henry Ashley was launched in a rough sea with a south-westerly gale blowing.

She found the Cornel two miles north- west of Trevor Point laden with carbide. At the request of her master, the life-boat piloted her to a safe anchorage half a mile south-south-east of the life-boat station and returned to Porthdinllaen, arriving at 3.30.—Re- wards, £10 6s.

THREE BOATS NEED HELP Newhaven, Sussex.—At 1.23 in the afternoon, on the 13th of January, 1951, the Newhaven Radio station re- ported that the Dutch tug Ganges, tow- ing a barge and a steam hopper from Rotterdam to Southampton, had asked for help. At 1.45 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched in a heavy swell with a fresh westerly breeze blowing. She found the three boats eight miles to the south. The barge was in a sinking condition, so the life- boat rescued her crew of two, put them aboard the Ganges and returned to her station, arriving at 3.15. The owners of the barge and hopper made a gift to the life-boatmen.—Rewards, £9 11*.

SICK MAN LANDED Humber, Yorkshire.—At 4.5 in the afternoon, on the 14th of January, 1951, the Mablethorpe coastguard tele- phoned that the Gorleston superintend- ent of Trinity House had asked for the life-boat to land a sick man from the Humber Lightvessel. At 4.30 the life- boat City of Bradford II was launched with the second coxswain in command.

The sea was smooth with a light west- erly breeze blowing. She took the man on board, landed him at Grimsby, where an ambulance was waiting, and arrived back at her station at 9.10 that night. Paid Permanent Crew. Other expenses paid by Trinity House.

WATERLOGGED ENGINES Appledore, Devon.—At 11.5 in the morning, on the 17th of January, 1951, a motor barge was seen burning flares off Crow Point. At 11.15 the life-boat Violet Armstrong was launched in a very rough sea with a north-westerly- gale blowing. She found the barge was the Rowena, of Barnstaple, with a crew of two, anchored with her engines waterlogged. The life-boat towed her to Appledore Harbour, and reached her station again at 12.10 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £9 3s.

THANKS ON VELLUM FOR MALLAIG On the 17th of January, 1951, the Mallaig life-boat rescued the crew of 62 of the motor vessel Tapti of London.

The Institution awarded its thanks inscribed on vellum to Coxswain Ian B. Watt, and to him and each member of the crew a reward of £2 in addition to the reward on the ordinary scale of £5 5s.—Scale rewards, £40 5*., addi- tional rewards, £16, total rewards, £57 7*. 3d. (See page 161.) TRANSPORTING A DOCTOR Fleet wood, Lancashire. — At 9.45 on the night of the 17th of January, 1951, the agents for the Swedish steamer Rita telephoned that this ship was lying off the Wyre Light with a badly injured man on board. They asked the life- boat to take out a doctor. A doctor embarked in the life-boat Ann Letitia Russell, which was launched at 10.80 in a rough sea with a strong south- westerly breeze blowing. The doctor went aboard and decided that the man was too badly hurt to be moved; so the second coxswain boarded the Rita and piloted her to Heysham. Here an ambulance was waiting. The life-boat then took the doctor back to Fleetwood and reached her station again at 12.35 the next morning.—Rewards, £1116s.

SEARCH FOR A MOTOR SHIP Stromness, Orkneys.—At 1.5 in the afternoon, on the 18th of January, 1951, the Kirkwall coastguard tele- phoned that the Wick radio station had reported the motor ship Tatra of Tonsberg, broken down and in distress, twenty-three miles north-west of Mull Head, Papa Westray. She was a vessel of nearly 5,000 tons, with forty- one people on board, and wireless mes- sages indicated she was in tow of an Icelandic trawler. At 1.35 the life-boat J.J.K.S.W. was launched. Reachingthe area about six o'clock, she made a wide search in a very rough sea with a north-westerly gale blowing, found nothing and at 4.45 made for Kirkwall, arriving at 9.15 next morning. After she had refuelled and her crew had had a meal, she resumed the search at 10.41.

This time she found the motor ship.

She was at Helyrholm, with the trawler escorting her. A life-boatman went on board, and piloted her to Kirkwall, accompanied by the trawler and the life-boat. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 6.30 on the night of the 19th.—Rewards, £63 7*.

HEAVY SEA ON THE BAR Girvan, Ayrshire.—At 3.15 in the afternoon, on the 19th of January, 1951, the coxswain saw the local motor fishing boat Grace Stuart approaching the har- bour. There was a heavy sea across the bar with a north-westerly breeze, and it was thought advisable for the life- boat to put out. At 3.30, then, the life-boat Lily Glen—Glasgow left her moorings, stood by the Grace Stuart until she entered harbour, and then returned to her station, arriving at 5.O.—Rewards, £7 8*.

A TOW FOR A VENTURE Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At 7.5 on the night of the 25th of January, 1951, the police sent a message that a fishing boat was reported to have made flares off the Tolsta Head. At 7.30 the life-boat William and Harriet was launched in a rough sea with a fresh southerly gale. She found the motor fishing boat Venture at anchor with a crew of two, south of the Butt of Lewis. Her engine had broken down and she was leaking. The life-boat towed her to Stornoway, and arrived back at her station at 2.30 the next morning.—Property Salvage Case.

ON THE ROCKS Boulmer, Northumberland.—At 4.50 in the morning, on the 26th of January, 1951, the coastguard telephoned that a ship was aground on the north side of the entrance to Boulmer Haven.

She was sounding her siren. At 5.15 the life-boat Clarissa Langdon was launched in a rough sea with a light southerly breeze. She found the motor vessel Van Brakel, of Rotterdam— laden with scrap iron and bound for Grangemouth with a crew of eight— lying in broken water and held firmly by the rocks. The life-boat closed her, but the skipper said he did not want to abandon ship; so the life-boat lay off and stood by for a little. But the tide was ebbing fast, and soon the life-boat could be of no further help; so she returned to her station, arriv- ing at 7.30 that morning.—Rewards, £13 Is.

TWO DOCTORS AND PATIENT LANDED Penlee, Cornwall.—At 6.25 on the night of the 27th of January, 1951, the Penzer Point coastguard telephoned that the commander of the cable- laying ship Ariel, half a mile off Newlyn Pier, was sick. Two doctors were on board. The coastguard asked for them to be taken ashore by the life-boat, as the weather was too bad for a shore- boat to get alongside the Ariel. Ac- cordingly at 6.37 the life-boat W and S was launched in a heavy sea with a strong south-south-east breeze blowing.

She took the two doctors and the patient to Newlyn, where an ambu- lance was waiting, and arrived at 7.30.

The life-boat stayed there until next day.—Rewards, £15 6s. 6d.

ADVICE TO A SKIPPER Margate, Kent.— At 7.49 on the night of the 28th of January, 1951, the coastguard telephoned news from North Foreland Radio that a ship was aground on the east end of Margate Spit Sands. She was the S.S. Warren Field, of Liverpool,, on passage from Newlyn to Rochester with a cargo of granite and carrying a crew of ten.

At 8.8 the life-boat The Lord South- borough, Civil Service No. 1, was launched in a heavy swell with a fresh north-north-east breeze blowing. She found the steamer with a heavy list to port. There was heavy broken surf round her, but the life-boat went along- side and gave the skipper advice. By using her engines the steamer was then refloated, and got back on her course, piloted by the life-boat, which reached her station again at 1.15 the next morning.—Property Salvage Case.TWO LIFE-BOATS GO OUT Fenit, and Valentia, Co. Kerry. — On the afternoon of the 80th of January, 1951, anxiety was felt for the safety of the crew of seven of the Tralee Harbour Commissioners dredger Samphire.

Nothing had been heard of her since eleven on the morning of the previous day, when she passed the Bull Rock off Dursey Head, on passage from Rush- brooke, Co. Cork to Fenit. Enquiries were made through the Coast Life Saving Service, but without result; so, because of the bad weather forecast, it was decided to make a search. At three o'clock the Fenit life-boat Peter and Sarah Blake was launched in a strong westerly breeze and moderate sea. The Valentia station already knew, by telephone, and the life-boat B.A.S.P. had left five minutes before the Fenit boat. A naval corvette also put out to join in the search. About five, the Valentia life-boat learnt by wireless that the Fenit life-boat had found the Samphire off the Brandon Mountains and would escort her back to Fenit, so she made for her station.

Four miles north-west of Valentia Lighthouse she saw a drifting mine and reported its position by wireless to Valentia radio station. She eventu- ally reached her station again at six in the evening. The Fenit life-boat escorted the Samphire to Fenit, arriving at seven o'clock.—Rewards, Fenit, £11 8s.; Valentia, £10 195.

TWO BREAKDOWNS, TWO REPAIRS Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—At 5.15 in the evening, on the 81 st of January, 1951, a message from the village of Bayble came through the Garrabost Post Office that a fishing boat was in difficulties off Bayble Head. Another fishing boat appeared to be trying to tow her. A little later the fishing boat —the Mizpah, with her engine broken down—made flares; and at 5.50 the life-boat William and Harriet was launched in a heavy sea with a fresh southerly gale. After a search she found the Mizpah entering Broad Bay under her own power, having repaired her en inc. It broke down again, how- ever, and at her skipper's request, the life-boat stood by until further repairs bad been made and she was able to go to a safe anchorage. The life-boat reached her station again at 3.0 next morning.—Rewards, £22 5s.

The following life-boats went out on service but could find no ships in dis- tress, were not needed, or could do nothing.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—January 1st.

—Rewards, £15 15s.

Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—Jan- uary 1st.—Rewards, £30 18s.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—January 2nd.— Rewards, £14 16s.

St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—January 2nd.—Rewards, £12 19s. 6d.

Tees mouth, Yorkshire.—January 5th.

—Rewards, £19 10s.

Redcar, Yorkshire.—January 5th.— Rewards, £15 Is. 6d.

Plymouth, Devon. — January 6th.— Rewards, £10 10s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—January 7th.— Rewards, £12 14s. Qd.

New Brighton, Cheshire. — January llth.—Rewards, £7 12*.

St. Peter Port, -Guernsey. — January llth.—Rewards, £11 3s.

Galway Bay. — January 12th. — Re- wards, £22 17s.

New Brighton, Cheshire. — January 14th.—Rewards, £10 12s.

Skegness, Lincolnshire.—January 22nd.

—Rewards, £13 15s.

Dover, Kent.—January 26th. — Re- wards, £7 5s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — January 28th.—Rewards, £18 5s.

Wick, Caithness-shire.—January 29th.

—Rewards, £5 15s.

FEBRUARY DURING February, life-boats went out on service 84 times but no lives were rescued.

A TOW DECLINED The Lizard, Cornwall.—At 6.10 on the night of the 2nd of February, 1951, a resident reported that a ship was burn- ing green flares two miles west-north- west of Lizard Head. The coastguard signalled the ship by morse, and in reply she asked for the life-boat. At 7.1 the life-boat Duke of York was launched in a fresh southerly breeze and a rough sea, with the second cox- swain in command. She found the motor vessel Kronsberg of Hamburg, homeward bound from Dublin, and disabled by an engine breakdown. A tug was wirelessed for and the life-boat stood by until she arrived. But by this time the wind had veered, and the Kronsberg declined to be taken in tow.

So, as she was in no immediate danger, the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 11.15. Later on, the tug took the Kronsberg in tow.—Rewards, £24 6s.

ON MARGATE SANDS Margate, Kent.—At 4.5 in the morn- ing of the 3rd of February, 1951, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel was showing two red lights about four miles north-north-east of Margate Pier.

At 4.30 he reported that she was aground on Margate Sands. Twenty minutes later the life-boat The Lord Southborough, Civil Service No. 1 was launched in a moderate south-south- westerly breeze with a choppy sea.

She found the motor vessel Ward, of Amsterdam, with a crew of nine, bound for London. The master intended to try to refloat her, so the life-boat stood by, and at six o'clock she refloated on the rising tide and went on her way.

The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 7.10.—Rewards, £15 19*. 6d.

DOCTOR TAKEN OUT Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 9.18 on the morning of the 4th of February, 1951, the Gorleston coast- guard reported that the S.S. Flamma had sent a message asking for a doctor.

At 10.10 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched, with a doctor on board, in a fresh southerly gale and very rough sea. She found the vessel half a mile north of the harbour. The life-boat put the doctor aboard with difficulty and then embarked him again, and the sick man. Then she sent a wireless message for an ambulance, which was waiting when the life-boat returned to her station at 11.18.—-Rewards, £19 8s. Qd.

ALL NIGHT WATCH Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — On the afternoon of the 4th of February, 1951, the Southend coastguard reported a message received from the naval authorities that the frigate Loch Fada, towing the L.C.T. Stalker, south-east of Sanda, found it difficult to make any headway. Help was being sent.

At 3.17 the life-boat City of Glasgow was launched in a fresh south-south- easterly breeze with a very heavy swell, and just before five o'clock found the ships near Paterson's Reef.

She transferred six sailors from the Loch Fada to the Stalker and then stood by in case of need. By ten o'clock two salvage vessels had arrived; but the weather had become worse and they decided not to risk an attempt to take the Stalker in tow. A naval tug also came up, but went away again.

The life-boat took up a sheltered posi- tion off Sanda and stood by throughout the night, maintaining constant wireless contact. At 7.30 in the morning a tug and a salvage vessel took the Stalker in tow, and the life-boat returned to her station; arriving at 9.30 on the morning of the 5th after being at sea for over eighteen hours. The senior naval officer, Londonderry, expressed his thanks and H.M.S. Loch Fada made a donation to the funds of the Institu- tion.—Rewards, £47 Os. 6d.

ON THE ROCKS NEAR PLYMOUTH Plymouth, Devon.—At 9.20 on the night of the 4th of February, 1951, the King's Harbour Master reported that the motor vessel Drakedene, of Cardiff, with a crew of nine, had dragged her anchors and was on the rocks near Jennycliff. At 9.46 the life-boat Robert and Marcella Beck left her moorings in a fresh south-westerly gale with a rough sea. Mr. A. S. Hicks, M.B.E.

the life-boat honorary secretary, went with the crew. At the master's request the life-boat stood by the Drakedene.

She hoped to get off the rocks on the flood tide. About eleven o'clock two tugs arrived, but they could not approach the Drakedene and about two o'clock she refloated under her own steam. The life-boat then escorted her to a safe berth, and returned to herstation, arriving at 2.55 in the morning.

The master and her crew thanked the life-boatmen.—Rewards, £14 5*.

PILOT WANTED Aith, Shetlands.—About 8.0 on the night of the 4th of February, 1951, the Lerwick harbour-master reported that the M.V. Tanga, of Rotterdam, had wirelessed that she was seeking shelter north-west of Shetland. She asked for a pilot to be sent out to her next morning. At 7.20 therefore the life- boat, The Rankin, was launched with a pilot, and in heavy seas, with a full south-easterly gale blowing, came up with the Tanga one mile north-west of Eshaness Lighthouse. The weather was too bad for the pilot to board her so he guided her from the life-boat until she reached smooth water. Then the life-boat put him on board, and he took the Tanga to an anchorage in Swarback Minn. He re-boarded the life-boat there, and returned with her to her station, arriving at 1.50 that afternoon.

—Rewards, £16 15s. 6d.

FRENCH TRAWLER REFLOATED Galway Bay.—At four o'clock on the morning of the 5th of February, 1951, the Coast Life-Saving Service reported a French trawler on the rocks one and a half miles south-east of Kilronan pier. Another French trawler had called at Kilronan to ask for help. At 4.30 the life-boat K.E.C.F. was launched in a strong north*-westerly breeze and very rough sea. She found that the trawler was the Lieutenant Alphonse Herbez, of Concarneau. She stood by her until ten o'clock, and then returned to Kilronan before low water. After her crew had had a meal they put out again at eleven o'clock; but the trawler's crew would not leave their ship. She was therefore, with great difficulty, connected both to the other trawler and to the life-boat; and their combined efforts refloated her at high water.

The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 5.50 in the after- noon.—Rewards, £36 8s. 6d.

COAL FROM A SANDBANK New Brighton, Cheshire. — At ten o'clock on the morning of the 10th of February, 1951, the son of an old fisherman, formerly a life-boat second coxswain, reported that his father had left New Brighton stage in a small boat at seven that morning to gather coal off the Burbo Bank. He had not returned. At 10.14 the life-boat Nor- man B. Corlett left her moorings in a moderate southerly breeze with a slight sea and thick fog. She searched and found the old man in the Rock Channel, and with his boat in tow, returned to her station, arriving at eleven o'clock.

—Rewards, £6.

LEAKING BADLY Cromarty.—At 10.0 on the morning of the 12th of February, 1951, the coast- guard telephoned that a fishing boat was aground on the West Riff Sand- bank near Rosemarkie. At 10.17 the life-boat John Russell, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings in a rough sea with a moderate south- easterly breeze blowing. She found the fishing vessel Castle Moil, of Broad- ford, with a crew of eight. The fishery cruiser Freya was standing by.

Owing to the shallow water she could not get near, and had tried, without success, to get a tow rope to the Castle Moil. The life-boat at once fired a line across, but at that moment a sea washed the Castle Moil clear.

She was damaged and leaking badly, and at her skipper's request the life-boat escorted her to Inverness.

She then returned to her station, arriving at 3.45 in the afternoon.—• Rewards, £14 5s.

A TOW FOR THE YAWL Aberdeen.—At 6.55 on the night of the 14th of February, 1951, the Greg- ness coastguard reported a small boat burning flares one mile east-north-east of Gregness. Fifteen minutes later the No. 1. life-boat Emma Constance left her moorings in a moderate south- easterly breeze and a slight sea. She found the local fishing yawl Glen, with a crew of two, disabled by an engine breakdown, took her in tow and re- turned to her station, arriving at 8.5.

—Rewards, £6 8*.

SEVENTEEN FISHING BOATS ESCORTED North Sunderland, and Holy Island, Northumberland. — At 10.10 on the morning of the 15th of February, 1951, several local fishing boats were seen in difficulties making for North Sun- derland harbour in a heavy swell and a light easterly breeze. At 10.40, the North Sunderland life-boat W.R.A.

was launched. She escorted seven boats to harbour and accompanied two others to the shelter of the Farne Islands. A tenth boat was missing, but at 2.80 in the afternoon the life- boat found her and escorted her to harbour. She then made for the Farne Islands. Here she took charge of the two boats sheltering there; but the seas at North Sunderland harbour entrance were now very heavy so she escorted them to Holy Island. At 2.58 the Holy Island life-boat Gertrude was launched to meet the W.R.A. and the two fishing boats, and escorted them all into Holy Island Harbour.

She reached her station again at five o'clock that evening. The North Sun- derland life-boat remained at Holy Island until the morning of the 17th and arrived back at her station at 12 noon.—Rewards, North Sunderland, £60 3*. 6d.; Holy Island, £12 2s. 6d.

Holy Island, Northumberland. — At 11.10 in the morning of the 15th of February, 1951, the coastguard reported that three local fishing boats were having difficulty entering harbour be- cause of the heavy swell on the bar.

Fifteen minutes later the life-boat Gertrude was launched in a moderate north-easterly breeze and escorted the three boats into harbour. She returned to her station at 11.50.—Rewards, £10 10*.

Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the afternoon of the 15th of February, 1951, two keel boats which had reached har- bour reported to the life-boat coxswain that four open fishing cobles were at sea in bad weather. At 2.25 the life-boat E.C.J.R. was launched in a very heavy sea with a fresh east-north-east breeze blowing. She came up with the four cobles off the Castle Fort and escorted each of them to harbour, reaching her station again at 4.0.—Rewards, £13 15s.

SICK MAN LANDED Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—At 4.20 on the morning of the 16th of February, 1951, the coastguard tele- phoned that the S.S. Jetblack, of Lon- don, anchored a quarter of a mile from harbour, had signalled. She had a man sick and asked for a doctor. At 5.5 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched with a doctor, in a moderate sea with a fresh southerly breeze.

When she had put him, aboard, he decided to bring the patient (the second engineer) ashore, so the life-boat wire- lessed for an ambulance to meet her.

Then she landed the sick man and the master, who informed his owners what had happened. Afterwards, the life- boat took the master back to his vessel, and reached her station again at 7.0.

—Rewards, £19 4s.

IN PERIL OFF FLAMBOROUGH HEAD Bridlington, Yorkshire.—On the after- noon of the 16th of February, 1951, the local motor fishing vessel Dainty Lady was at sea. A fresh south-south- easterly breeze was blowing and there was a very heavy swell. At 1.5 the Dainty Lady wirelessed that she was approaching Flamborough Head, in bad weather. It was decided to send out the life-boat. Accordingly, at 1.27 the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield was launched, escorted the Dainty Lady into harbour and returned to her station arriving at two o'clock.—Rewards, £11 8s.

A SUCCESSFUL FIRST SERVICE Newbiggin, Northumberland.—On the 19th of February, 1951, several local fishing cobles were at sea in bad weather.

By 1.30 in the afternoon the weather had got worse. Three cobles were still out and it was thought advisable for the life-boat to launch. At 1.45, then, the life-boat Richard Ashley was launched on service for the first time, with the second coxswain in command.

A full west-south-westerly gale was blowing and there was a heavy sea; but the life-boat escorted the cobles to safety and returned to her station, arriving at four o'clock.—Rewards, £13 4*.

A ROUGH SEA OFF WICK Thurso, Caithness-shire.—At noon on the 24th of February, 1951, the second coxswain reported that the motorfishing vessel Ringdove, of Wick, was overdue. People were anxious for the safety of her crew of five. At 12.25 the life-boat H. C, J. was launched, in a rough sea with a fresh northerly breeze blowing. She found the Ring- dove five miles north-west of Holborn Head, and escorted her to Scrabster Harbour, arriving back at her station at 2.25.—Rewards, £12 17s.

BEACHED Hastings, Sussex.—At 1.35 on the afternoon of the 26th of February, 1951, the Fairlight coastguard reported that a fishing boat was flying a signal.

She appeared to have broken down two miles south-east of the coastguard station. At 2.0 the life-boat M.T.C.

was launched, in a moderate sea with a moderate west-south-west breeze blowing. She found the motor fishing boat Favourite, of Rye, with a crew of two, two and a half miles east of Hastings Harbour. She towed her to the beach, and arrived back at her station at 3.35.—Rewards, £20 7s. 6d.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing: Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—February 4th.

—Rewards, £40 16*. 2d.

Southend -on- Sea, Essex. — February 4th.—Rewards, £20 155.

Margate, Kent. —• February 4th. — Rewards, £19 15s.

Margate, Kent, — February 5th. — Rewards, £27 Os. 6d.

Longhope, Orkneys.—February 6th.

—Rewards, £17 12s.

Southend -on - Sea, Essex. — February 8th.—Rewards, £10 6*.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—February llth.—Rewards, £11 15s.

Scarborough, Yorkshire. — February 14th.—Rewards, £17 s. Gd.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—February 16th.—Rewards, £21 3*.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — February 19th.—Rewards, £18 15s.

Clovelly, Devon.—February 24th.— Rewards, £23 8s.

Appledore, Devon. — February 25th.

—Rewards, £19 3s.

Padstow, Cornwall.—February 25th.

—Rewards, £10.

Redcar, Yorkshire.—February 27th.

—Rewards, £16 10s.

Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.—Febru- ary 27th.—Rewards, £8 2s..