St. Helier, Jersey.—About nine o'clock on the evening of the 28th of Septem- ber, 1954, it was reported that the harbour motor boat Duchess of Normandy, which had ten people on board, including a party of workmen, was over- due on a return trip from the Minquiers reef. Anxiety was felt for her safety.

It was thought that the men might have landed on the reef, but a steamer later reported that no sign of them could be seen on Maitresse Island, the main island of Minquiers. At 10.10 the life- boat Elizabeth Rippon put out in a heavy sea, with a strong north-north-west breeze blowing. She searched widely, but found nothing, and returned to her station at 3.30 on the morning of the 29th for food, with the intention of putting to sea again at daybreak. She resumed the search at five o'clock and found the men on Maitresse Island.

She took them on board, left their boat moored at the reef and landed them at St. Helier at 1.12.—Rewards, £28 18*. 6d..