Barrow, Lancashire.—At 12.40 early on the morning of the 6th of May, 1954, the Walney Island coastguard telephoned that a "Mayday" distress message had been received from the S.S. Celt, of Glasgow, ten miles south of St. Bees Head. At 11.10 the life- boat Herbert Leigh was launched in a very rough sea with a fresh north- westerly gale blowing. A member of the crew collapsed, and the life-boat returned to her station to land him, and put to sea again at 12.10. At 12.50 she made wireless contact with an Irish cattle boat. This boat had stood by the Celt, which had a break- down in her fuel system, but had lost contact with her. The cattle boat directed the life-boat to a position north-north-west of Selker Buoy, and the life-boat later made wireless con- tact with the Celt and found her near the buoy at 6.45. She escorted her to Lightning Knoll Buoy and waited forthe tide. The coxswain then boarded her and piloted her to Barrow docks.

The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 10.30—Rewards, £20 11*.

The owners made a donation to the funds of the Institution..