Weymouth, Dorset.—At 9.45 on the night of the 1st of August, 1952, the Wyke Regis coastguard telephoned that the sailing yacht Idler was in difficulties a mile off Burton Brad- stock, and at 10.0 the life-boat William and Clara Ryland left her moorings.

The sea was moderate with a moderate south-westerly breeze. As a R.A.F.

launch had already put out, the life- boat was recalled to her station, arriving at 11.25. At 8.48 the next morning the coastguard reported that the Idler was drifting and flying a distress signal one mile off Langton Herring, and the life-boat left her station again at 9.5. The wind had freshened, causing a rough sea. The life-boat came up with the Idler half a mile off Abbotsbury. She was a cut- ter-rigged boat of four tons and had one man on board. Her propeller was foul and her sails were in disorder.

The life-boat towed her to Weymouth Harbour and reached her station again at 2.45 in the afternoon.—Rewards, 1st service, £5 5s.; 2nd service, £11 7s..