AT 5.2.3 on the afternoon of the 26th of July, 1954, a man at Aberdovey telephoned the Aberystwyth, Cardi- ganshire, life-boat station to say that a fishing vessel was in difficulties between Towyn and Aberdovey. Immediately afterwards the coastguard confirmed the news. The boat in difficulties was the 40-feet M.F.V. Lindy Lou, which was in tow of an army launch. The life-boat was asked to stand by at the Aberdovey harbour bar.

The life-boat Aguila Wren was launched at 5.50. The sea was rough, a moderate gale was blowing from the south-west, and it was high water.

The launch was a difficult one, and the head launcher, Captain T. Brodi- gan, when on the front of the tractor, injured his hand while slipping the carriage securing chain. He was in great pain, but he carried on until the boat was safely away.

A Rough Passage About seven o'clock, after a rough passage, the life-boat met the two boats between the Fairway and Bar Buoys. The Lindy Lou had brokendown, and the two boats were making heavy weather.

The three men on board the Lindy Lou refused to be taken off, and the crew of the launch, whose fuel was getting low, suggested that the life- boat should take over the tow. The life-boat coxswain decided against this, as the sr as were heavy and break- ing and there were sand banks near by.

Tow-Hawsers Part At 7.10 the two wire tow-hawsers parted. The launch then made for Aberdovey, which she reached before her fuel ran out. The Lindy Lou anchored in three fathoms. Her crew still refused to be taken off and asked the life-boat to stand by for an hour in the hope that conditions would improve.

The conditions became worse. Seas began to sweep over the Lindy Lou and her crew put on life-jackets and prepared to jump. About 7.40 the coxswain closed the Lindy Lou, which was then surging about in confused cross seas on the bar. The three men jumped and all three succeeded at the first attempt. The Lindy Lou was left at anchor, and the life-boat returned to Aberystwvth, which she reached at nine o'clock.

For this service Coxswain Baden Davies was accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum.

A letter of commendation was sent to the head launcher, Captain T.

Brodigan, M.B.E.

Additional monetary rewards of £l were paid to each of the seven members of the crew. Total rewards amounted to £32 18*. The man who first gave the news of the distress made a gift to the life-boatmen..