Ox the night of the 26th-27th of November, 1954, storms were raging all over the country, and at the Lizard most of the telephones were out of action and the village was without lighting. Among those whose telephones could not be used was the honorary secretary of the Lizard lifeboat station, Mr. F. G. Chapman, but the telephone of the vice-chairman of the local committee, Mr. A. J. Grecnsladc.

was fortunately in order. Consequently he was able to receive a call at 6.9 on the morning of the 27th.

A message was passed on to him from the S.S. Casino which, during the night, had sighted a small unidentified vessel sinking 17 miles south-west of the Lizard. The Casino had left the wreck as she was unable to give any help, but she reported that survivors had been seen drifting about. The sinking ship was later identified as the M.V. Carpo, of Rotterdam.

Hurricane Blowing Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Chapman, Coxswain George Mitchell and Motor Mechanic M. W. Stephens went to the life-boat station at once. Launching conditions were abnormally bad. A south-west wind of hurricane force was blowing; a very heavy and dangerous sea was breaking over the slipway and the rocks were near it; it had been an intensely dark night; and Mr.

Chapman decided that the life-boat could not be launched before daylight with a reasonable chance of survival.

It was, therefore, agreed to attempt to launch at daylight and to search for survivors with the help of aircraft.

The life-boat was launched at 8.25 in appalling weather conditions. The wind had slightly eased but was still blowing a full gale; a heavy confused breaking sea was running; and the tide was half ebb.

Search with Aircraft The life-boat Duke of York made for the point where the vessel was believed to have sunk and carried out a search in co-operation with aircraft. Visibility was poor and nothing was found.

The search was finally abandoned, and as it would have been impossible to rehouse the life-boat at her station, she made for Falmouth, which was reached at 4.50 in the afternoon.

The District Inspector who investigated the service fully confirmed the view taken by Mr. Chapman that the life-boat could not have been launched earlier and that any attempt to launch her before daylight would almost certainly have ended in disaster.

For the courage and seamanship which he showed in launching the lifeboat at all and successfully taking her out to sea, Coxswain George E.

Mitchell was accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum.

Scale rewards to the crew and helpers, £39 3s. Sd. Additional rewards to the crew, £16. Total rewards £55 3s. 8d..