Weymouth, Dorset. — At 5.15 on the afternoon of the 6th of May, 1951, the life-boat mechanic saw the auxiliary ketch Fortis, of Portsmouth, in a dan- gerous position off Weymouth. The honorary secretary, Mr. Kenneth H.

Mooring Aldridge, S.B.St.J., then went out to her; but her crew of two declined help. Later on the Fortis was seen in difficulties on Weymouth beach; so the honorary secretary went out again.

He found her bumping heavily. This time her crew asked for the life-boat, so he returned and accompanied the life-boat William and Clara Ryland when she was launched at 7.0. The sea was very rough with a strong north- easterly breeze blowing. The life-boat refloated the ketch, towed her to Wey- mouth Quay, and arrived back at the station at 8.25.—Property Salvage Case..