Stromness, Orkneys.—At 11.35 on the night of the 24th of May, 1952, the Kirkwall coastguard telephoned a wireless message from the steam trawler Unitia, of Aberdeen, that she had gone ashore in Rousay Sound and needed help. At 11.45 the life-boat J.J.K.S.W. was launched in a smooth sea, with a light north-westerly breeze blowing. She found the Unitia in Ullis Skerry. The sea was choppy there. As the life-boat could not get alongside her in the shallow water, the coxswain spoke through his loudhailer. The skipper said that his ship was not making' water and his crew of twelve were in no danger, so the life-boat anchored nearby.

Later she was able to*go alongside the Unitia, and, at the request of the skipper tried, but unsuccesfully, to tow her clear. The skipper then asked the life-boat to stand by until the next high water. Two steamers now arrived. They both tried to pull the trawler clear, but their tow ropes parted. The life-boat again went alongside and the coxswain asked the skipper if he and his crew wished to abandon ship, but as they were in no danger and the weather had im- proved, they refused and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at five o'clock in the morning of the 26th.

—Rewards, £48 12s. 6d..