Exmouth, Devon. — About two o'clock in the early morning of the 6th of July, 1952, the coastguard telephoned that a motor boat appeared to be aground on the Maer Rocks, but no distress signals were being made and a private motor boat had already put out. The boat in difficulties was a naval launch taking ratings from H.M.S. Battleaxe back to their ship.

With the rising tide she washed off the rocks, and as she was badly holed the men scrambled for the shore as the boat sank. It was soon discovered that two men were missing, and the life-boat Catherine Harriet Eaton was launched at 3.24 in a slight sea with a light east-north-easterly wind blow- ing. She searched in the darkness, and continued until dawn, but without result. The life-boat returned, arriv- ing at 5.50. The commanding officer of H.M.S. Battleaxe sent his thanks.— Rewards, £17 19s. 6d..