Weymouth, Dorset.—At 10.27 on the morning of the 3rd of December, 1953, the Wyke Regis coastguard rang up to say that the Shambles light-vessel had reported that a vessel passing her was flying a distress signal. At 10.40 the life-boat William and Clara Ryland put to sea. The sea was rough with a strong south-south-east breeze blow- ing. The life-boat found the motor vessel Heemskerk, of Rotterdam, with a crew of eight, three miles south- south-east of Portland. She was leak- ing badly, and her stern was nearly awash. A life-boatman boarded her to pilot her, and the life-boat escorted her to Weymouth harbour, reaching her station again at 12.10.—Rewards,.