AT 1.30 on the afternoon of the 3rd of July, 1955, the honorary secretary of the Lytham-St. Anne's station, Mr. J.

Kennedy, was told by the Formby coastguard that a yacht was at anchor one mile north of Southport pier.

She was in no immediate danger at the time. The tide was ebbing, and at 2.30 she was reported to be high and dry. Low water was at 5.10. A strong, squally westerly wind was then blowing.

At 5.50 the coastguard reported that conditions gave some cause for alarm. With the rising tide a heavy sea was running in over the banks.

Mr. Kennedy decided that the life- boat should put out, and at 6.26 the Sarah Towns-end Porritt left her moor- ings. A strong breeze was blowing from west by north and there was a moderate sea. There was a cloudy sky, but visibility was good.

In a Dangerous Position Soon after the life-boat had left her moorings the crew could see the yacht, which was the Penboch, but the coxswain had to take the life-boat some way down river in order to clear the training wall before he could enter Pinfold channel.

At 7.50 the life-boat anchored about three-quarters of a mile to the west of the yacht. The Penboch was in a dangerous position on a bank called the Great Brow two miles north of Southport pier, but the coxswain had to wait for the tide to come in further before he could approach her. The Penboch lay over on her port bilge, with her head to the south-east and with two anchors laid out to the west- ward. She had a crew of five.

By nine o'clock the seas were sweep- ing over the Penboch and she was pounding heavily. Her crew had to seek shelter below decks. Coxswain Joseph Parkinson decided to weigh anchor and to try to close the yacht.

He made three attempts, and each time the life-boat grounded heavily and was in danger of being swept up the bank herself.

Mast Carried Away At 9.45 the Penboch's mast was carried away, and soon afterwards the stump was washed out from deck level. One anchor cable had parted and the other anchor was dragging.

It was clear that the vessel was in immediate danger of breaking up.

Coxswain Parkinson knew that he must act at once if the men were to be saved. At this time there was a steep, confused sea. Letting go anchor to windward, he veered down upon the Penboch. The breeches buoy was rigged, but by constant manoeuvring the life-boat was kept close enough for all five members of the yacht's crew to jump aboard in turn. As they did so, both the yacht and the life-boat were pounding heavily and were being washed from end to end by breaking seas.

Brought off Bank By heaving on his anchor cable and using the engines at the same time, Coxswain Parkinson succeeded in bringing the life-boat off the bank.

She returned to her moorings at 11.30 and the five rescued men were taken ashore.

For this service Coxswain Joseph Parkinson was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry.

Extra monetary rewards were made to all the members of the crew. Re- wards to the crew, £36 Us; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 5s..