Stronsay, and Stromness, Orkneys.— At 10.24 on the night of the 26th of May, 1954, the Kirkwall coastguard telephoned the Stronsay life-boat sta- tion that a man had left St. Catherine's Bay in a motor boat for Kirkwall at five o'clock, but had not arrived. The coastguard made enquiries, but noth- ing more had been heard of the man, and at 11.23 the life-boat Edward Z.

Dresden put to sea. She searched widely in a rough sea and fresh south- south-east breeze, but found nothing and arrived back at Stronsay for fuel at 11.40 on the morning of the 27th.

At 10.35 that morning, the coastguard had asked if the Stromness life-boat J.J.K.S.W. would help in the search, and at 10.50 she was launched. She made a search in company with an aircraft, and at 12.40 the Stronsay life-boat put to sea again. She found the boat's mast and other wreckage near Black Craig, Shapinsay, but no sign of the man was seen. The life- boats continued searching until late that night but without success. In the end they returned to their stations, Stronsay arriving at 10.35 that night and Stromness at 1.43 early on the 28th. The Stronsay life-boat had been at sea for twenty-three hours.

The man lost his life.—Rewards: Stronsay, £40 8s.; Stromness, £26 19,?. 6d..