Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—At 11.30 on the morning of the 10th of September, 1952, it was reported by the life-boat bowman that a motor fishing boat was flying a signal of distress one mile west- by-north of Ballycotton Light. At 11.55 the life-boat Mary Stanford was launched in a rough sea, with a strong east-north-easterly breeze blowing. On her way to the reported boat the life- boat spoke another motor fishing boat, the St. Mary, of Dublin, which was to the south-west of Ballycotton Light and disabled by an engine breakdown.

As her need was not as great as that of the boat which had flown the distress signal, and which was drifting towards rocks, the life-boat left the St. Mary and went to the boat which had signalled. She was the Irish Leader, with a crew of two, and her engine also was out of order. The life-boat towed her to the harbour mouth, and then returned to the St. Mary, which had set a sail, so that she did not drift as rapidly as the Irish Leader.

With the St. Mary in tow the life-boat came into harbour, arriving at 1.35 in the afternoon.—Rewards, £6..