Walton and Frinton, Essex.—Early on the morning of the 6th of May, 1953, the United States steamer Haiti Victory collided with the British Railways passenger steamer Duke of York two miles east-south-east of the Galloper lightvessel. The bows of the Duke of York were torn right off. At 4.33 the Haiti Victory sent a wireless message, and at 4.46 the Walton-on- the-Naze coastguard rang up the life- boat station. The 509 passengers and crew of the Duke of York began to abandon ship, and at 5.2 the coast- guard reported that she needed help.

At 5.30 the life-boat E.M.E.D. left her moorings in a light north-north-west breeze with a swell and mist, and on reaching the wreck immediately helped to free trapped passengers from the wreckage. She took a woman and child on board and transferred them, to a naval vessel. The life-boat then returned to the Duke of York and con- tinued to clear away wreckage until the master asked her to go to the Haiti Victory and fetch two doctors and oxvgen. The life-boat did this, put the doctors aboard the Duke of York, and then took more doctors, orderlies and medical stores to her from a R.A.F. launch. The life-boat then fetched acetylene-burning gear from another steamer and helped in various ways until tugs took the steamer in tow at 12.50. The life- boat stood by during towing opera- tions, making further trips for medical stores and relaying orders from thesteamer to the tugs. She remained with the Haiti Victory until the steamer reached Harwich harbour and then returned to her station, arriving at 1.30 early on the 7th. The Railway Executive, Eastern Region, expressed its thanks and made a donation to the funds of the Institution. Eight per- sons are reported to have lost their lives. The survivors were picked up bv the Haiti Victory and other vessels.

—Rewards, £48 4,v..