JANUARY DURING January life-boats were launched on service 34 times and rescued 31 lives.

ANGLERS IN DISTRESS IN PLYMOUTH SOUND Plymouth, Devon.—At 12.8 early on the morning of the 2nd of January, 1956, the Yealm coastguard reported that flares had been seen in the direc- tion of Picklecombe and stated that a naval M.F.V. had put out. At 1.55 the Queen's harbour-master asked for the life-boat, and at 2.15 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse put out. The sea was rough, a gale was •blowing from the north-north-west, and the tide was flooding. The life- boat found the 30-feet motor boat Edna, of Plymouth, with five anglers on board, at anchor near a reef in Plymouth Sound, between Drake's Island and Mount Edgcumbe. The Edna's propeller shaft had broken, and she was in shallow, rock-infested •water. The life-boat crew gave the men hot soup and towed their boat to Plymouth, arriving at 8.50.—The ang- lers' club made a donation to the funds of the Institution.—Rewards to the crew, £10.

BRONZE MEDAL FOR ACTING COXSWAIN Early on the morning of the 2nd of January, 1956, the motor vessel Citrine, of Glasgow, sank off the Cornish coast. The Lizard life-boat rescued three of her crew from the sea, and the Coverack life-boat rescued four others from the sea, one of whom died later. To rescue the three remaining men of the crew of ten, Acting Cox- swain Reginald Carey of Coverack had to take the life-boat over the Citrine's port quarter. For this service, a full account of which is given on page 234, he was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry.

STEAMER ESCORTED TO RIVER LIFFEY Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—At 3.45 on the morning of the 2nd of January, 1956, a telephone message was received from the Forniby coastguard that the S.S. Kyle Castle, of Liverpool, with a crew of twelve, had a heavy list about twenty miles east-south-east of Bailey lighthouse. At 4.15 the life-boat Dun- leary II put out. There was a rough sea, a moderate north-north-west gale was blowing, and the tide was ebbing.

The life-boat found the steamer being towed by a tug four miles east-south- east of the Kish Bank lightvessel.

Another tug was standing by. At the request of the master of the Kyle Castle the life-boat escorted her to the entrance of the River Liffey. She then returned to her station, arriving at 11.55.—Rewards to the crew, £23: reward to the helper on shore, etc..

£1 11*.

TWO MEN MAROONED ON WRECK RESCUED Stronsay, Orkneys.—At 3.38 on the afternoon of the 7th of January, 1956.

the Kirkwall coastguard rang up to say that two men were marooned on an old wreck close in shore in Inganess Bay. He reported that the coast- guard Life-Saving Apparatus Com- pany were going to the position. At 5.5 the coastguard asked for the life- boat, and at 5.35 the life-boat The John Gellatly Hyndman put out.

There was a rough sea, a moderate northerly gale was blowing, and it was two hours before high water. The life-boat reached the wreck at 7.48, rescued the men, and took them to Kirkwall. She reached her station again at 1.30 early on the 8th.—Re- wards to the crew, £20 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

SEARCH FOR STEAMER AND FISHING BOAT Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the morning of the 8th of January, 1956, anxiety was felt for the safety of the local fishing boat Pilot Me II, as the weather was worsening. The life-boat crew assembled, but at 6.30 the coast- guard rang up to say that a message had been received from Cromer that the S.S. Arthur Wright had wirelessed that her steering gear had carried away off Scarborough Rock. Twenty minutes later the life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest, on tem- porary duty at the station, was launched. There was a rough sea and a north-north-easterly gale. It was low water. The life-boat searched for the steamer. She did not find her, but came up with the Pilot Me II to the east of the position given. She escorted her in and reached her station again at 10.45. The Arthur Wright reached Bridlington Bay without help.

—Rewards to the crew, £12; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12 6s.

COLLECTIVE LETTER OF APPRECIATION On the afternoon of the 8th of January, 1956, the Humber and Bridlington life-boats put out to the help of the motor vessel Stevonia, of Goole. Conditions at sea were such that the Committee of Management decided to address collective letters of appreciation to the coxswains and crews of both boats, in addition to granting extra monetary awards. For a full account of this service see page 235.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO WORKINGTON Workington, Cumberland.—At 10.30 on the morning of the 10th of January, 1956, the Walney Island coastguard rang up to say that the skipper of a fishing boat had come in from sea at Whitehaven and had stated that he had been towing the fishing boat Tranquillity, of Peterhead. The Tran- quillity, which had a crew of three, had broken down and the fishing boat had had to slip her in the bad weather south-west of St. Bees Head. The coastguard asked for the life-boat, and at 10.45 the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX put out. The sea was rough, there was a strong southerly wind, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat made a search and came up with the Tranquillity between six and seven miles south-west of St. Bees Head. She found that the Tranquil- lity had broken a coupling and towed her to Workington, arriving at 4.30.—• Rewards to the crew, £18 10s.; reward to the helper on shore, 17s.

INJURED MAN TAKEN TO MAINLAND Galway Bay.—At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 12th of January, 1956, the local doctor asked if the life- boat would take to the mainland a man who had been seriously injured and needed hospital treatment. As there was no other suitable boat available, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson embarked the patient and left her station at 2.45, with the second cox- swain in charge. There was a slight swell, a northerly breeze was blowing, and the weather was fine. The life- boat took the injured man to Rossaveal and returned to her station, arriving at six o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s. Refunded to the Institution by the Galway County Council.

DOCTOR AND NURSE TAKEN TO SHETLAND ISLAND Aith, Shetlands.-—On the 9th of Jan- uary, 1956, the doctor at Walls asked if the life-boat would take him and a relieving nurse to Foula, because con- tinuous bad weather had isolated the island for nearly a month and at least two people there were seriously ill.

The life-boat honorary secretary com- municated with Foula, but learnt that weather conditions were not suitable for people to go ashore. It was not until the 13th that the weather mod- erated and it was safe to land. At 10.25 that morning the life-boat The Rankin embarked the doctor and nurse, as well as mail and stores, and made for Foula in a rough sea with a squally north-north-west wind blow- ing. She reached the island at 1.45 and landed the doctor, the nurse and the stores. The life-boat waited while the doctor visited his patients, then re-embarked him and made for Aith, arriving at nine o'clock at night.— Rewards to the crew, £26 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s. Refunded in part to the Institution by the Zetland County Council.

FISHING BOAT TOWED FROM ROCKS Ballycotton, Go. Cork.—At 9.30 on the night of the 15th of January, 1956, a man reported that his two sons had put off from Cork Harbour in the local seven-ton fishing boat St. Mary, but that they had not returned. The men had left at five o'clock in the evening, and they had no sails or lights. At 9.50 a flare was seen about four miles west of the life-boat station, and at two o'clock the life-boat Mary Stanford put out. There was a ground swell, a moderate westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. It was very dark. The life-boat found the St.

Mary one hundred yards from rocks three and a half miles west of Bally- cotton, and passed a rope aboard.

She then towed her to Ballycotton and reached her station again at 12.30 early on the 16th.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; reward to the helper on shore, 14s.

THREE BOATS ESCORTED TO SCARBOROUGH Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the morning of the 18th of January, 1956, the weather worsened while the local fishing boats Betty, Hilda II, and Premier were still at sea, with three men in each boat. At 10.40 the life- boat E.C.J.R. was launched. The sea was rough, there was a strong north- erly wind, and the tide was ebbing.

The life-boat came up with the boats, escorted them to the harbour, and reached her station again at 1.50.— Rewards to the crew, £10; rewards to the helpers on shore, £10 12s.

SIX BOATS ESCORTED TO WHITBY Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 18th of January, 1956, the weather deteriorated while six local fishing boats were still at sea, and it was decided that the no. 1 life-boat should launch to escort them into the harbour. At 10.54 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched in a very rough sea, with a strong north-north- west gale blowing and an ebbing tide.

The life-boat escorted in the fishing boats Faith Star and Galilee and then waited for the four other boats. The Provider A, Success, Lead Us and Pilot Me arrived at intervals during the early afternoon, and they were all escorted into the harbour by the life- boat, which then returned to her station, arriving at 3.30. Rewards to the crew, £14 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 16s.

FIVE FISHERMEN MAROONED ON ISLAND Stornoway, Outer Hebrides. At 5.45 on the morning of the 20th of January, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that the fishing boat Amethyst, of Buckie, which had a crew of nine, had run ashore on Trodday Island at the north end of Skye. Five of her crew had gone ashore and were marooned on the island. At 6.35 the life-boat The James and Margaret Boyd put out.

The sea was rough, there was a fresh south-westerly gale, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat reached Trod- day at 10.45 and with difficulty went alongside a ledge of rocks. Using ropes, the life-boat crew helped the fishermen into the life-boat and then put them aboard the Amethyst. The fishing boat made for Gairloch, es- corted by another fishing boat, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 3.5.—Rewards to the crew, £22 5s.

TRANSFERRED TO LIFE-BO AT IN STRETCHER Lowestoft, Suffolk.—On the morning of the 20th of January, 1956, the Lowestoft berthing master reported that the master of the tanker British Empress, of London, which was lying off the Gorton lightvessel, had asked for the Port Medical Officer, as a member of the tanker's crew had been badly injured. At 10.30 the life-boat Michael Stephens put out, with the medical officer on board, in a choppy sea. There was a strong west-south- west wind and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat put the doctor aboard the tanker, and the injured man, who had fractured his skull, was transferred to the life-boat in a Neil Robertson stretcher. The life-boat then returned to her station, where an ambulance was waiting, arriving at 1.14. The owners of the tanker made a donation to the funds of the Institution, and the master of the tanker expressed his thanks. Rewards to the crew, £10 105.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £l 45.

LIFE-BOAT OUT TWICE TO FISHING BOATS Buckie, Banffshire.—At 9.15 on the night of the 20th of January, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that the local fishing boat Briarbank was tow- ing the fishing boat Katreen to Buckie, but that the weather was becoming worse. Ten minutes later the coast- guard reported that the boats were in difficulties at the entrance to the harbour, and at 9.38 the life-boat Glencoe, Glasgow was launched. The sea was very rough, a strong gale was •blowing from west-north-west, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found that the tow rope had parted and the Katreen had gone on to the rocks north-west of the pier. Her crew of five had been taken aboard the Briarbank. The Briarbank's steering gear had broken down, so the life-boat put a rope aboard with the intention of towing her in. However, that rope parted too. The Briarbank then put out to sea under her own power, and as the life-boat was not needed, she returned to her station, arriving at 11.15. At 11.32 the next morning the coastguard telephoned that the Briar- bank was in Buckie Bay and might be in need of help. The life-boat again put to sea at 12.40. There was a heavy swell, but the wind had dropped slightly and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat escorted the Briarbank into the harbour, arriving at two o'clock. Rewards: first service, re- wards to the crew, £12 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s; second service, rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12*.

EX-COXSWAIN IN BOAT TOWED IN Ramsgate, Kent.—At 10.26 on the night of the 25th of January, 1956, a message was received from the East Pier watchhouse that red flares had been seen off Broadstairs. At 10.30 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put out. The sea was slight, there was a moderate south-west breeze, and it was one hour after high water. The life-boat made a search, and off Broad- stairs she came up with the motor boat Champion, of Ramsgate, with an ex-Ramsgate life-boat coxswain and another man on board. They were returning from the North Goodwin lightvessel, but were in need of help.

The life-boat towed her to Ramsgate, arriving at 11.10.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, 10s.

BOAT ESCORTED TO BRIDLINGTON Bridlington, Yorkshire.—During the morning of the 26th of January, 1956, the weather became worse while the local fishing boat Gloamin N, which had a crew of four, was still at sea.

At 10.10 the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched. The sea was very rough, a gale was blowing from the south-south-east, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the Gloamin N in Bridlington Bay, escorted her to the harbour, and reached her station again at 1.10.

The Flamborough life-boat also made a search during a routine exercise, but •was not needed.-—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 2s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO NEWHAVEN Newhaven, Sussex.—At 5.40 on the evening of the 27th of January, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that a message had been received from the Niton radio station. A ship had re- ported that the fishing boat Silver Shadow, which had a crew of two, had broken down and needed help four and a quarter miles west-south-west of Newhaven pier. At 5.55 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched.

The sea was calm, there was a light easterly breeze, and the tide was low.

The life-boat took the fishing boat in tow and returned to the harbour, arriving at eight o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 14s.

TRAWLERS WITH RESCUED CREW ESCORTED IN Aberdeen.—At 11.19 on the morning of the 29th of January, 1956, the coast- guard rang up to say that a message had been received from the Stone- haven radio station that the trawlers York City, of Grimsby, and Junella, of Hull, had picked up the crew of nine of the German motor vessel, Gertrude, which had sunk about 123 miles east- by-south of Peterhead. The trawlers were making for Aberdeen, and at 1.26 on the 30th the coastguard stated that they had been sighted three miles to the east-south-east. As the sea was rough and a strong south-south- west wind was blowing, the no. 1 life- boat Hilton Briggs put out at 1.50 to stand by the trawlers as they entered the harbour. The tide was flooding1.

Using her radio telephone, the life- boat spoke the trawlers and gave them advice on local conditions and the best way of approaching the harbour entrance. She then put pilots aboard and escorted the trawlers to the harbour, reaching her station again at 3.30—Rewards to the crew, £10; re- ward to the helper on shore, £2 6s.

THREE FISHING BOATS ESCORTED THROUGH HEAVY SWELL Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the morning of the 30th of January, 1956, the weather worsened while three fishing cobles were at sea, and at 2.20 the life-boat E.C.J.R, was launched.

There was a very rough sea, a mod- erate south-south-east wind was blow- ing, and the tide was flooding. There was a heavy swell breaking across the harbour entrance, but the life-boat came up with the Pilot Me, Brilliant Star and Progressive, and escorted them all into the harbour, reaching her station again at 4.20.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 11s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Longhope, Orkneys.—January 4th.— Rewards, £19 5s.

Ballycotton Co. Cork.—January 10th.

•—Rewards, £15 Is.

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—January 17th.—Rewards, £10 10s.

Clactan-on-Sea, Essex. — January 19th.—Rewards, £17 5s.

Broughty Ferry, Angus. —• January 19th.—Rewards, £30 18s.

Anstruther, Fifeshire.—January 19th.

—Rewards, £39 17s.

Salcombe, Devon.—January 20th.— Rewards, £19 9s.

Torbay, Devon.—January 20th.—Re- wards, £14 9s.

The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. — January 21st.—Rewards, £26 8s.

Flamborough, Yorkshire. — January 26th.—Rewards, £19 14s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — January 29th.—Rewards, £12.

FEBRUARY DURING February life-boats were launched on service 32 times and rescued 20 lives.

SERVICE ON COLDEST NIGHT FOR NINE YEARS Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.—At two o'clock on the morning of the 1st of February, 1956, a message was re- ceived that the steam trawler Deeside, of Milford Haven, was sending out SOS messages on her wireless ten miles west-south-west of Hook light- house. She stated that her engine room was flooded, and that she was leaking badly, and she asked for the life-boat. At 2.45 the life-boat Annie Blanche Smith was launched. She made for the position in a rough sea.

There was a strong north-east wind, and it was low water. The night was said to be the coldest for nine years.

The life-boat found that a drifter had taken the Deeside in tow. The two vessels made for Dunmore, with the life-boat standing by, but the wind had freshened and made it impossible for the drifter and the trawler to enter the harbour. It was decided that the trawler should be taken up-river and beached, so the life-boat escorted her and the drifter as far as Creadon Head. She then returned to her station, arriving at 7.50.—Rewards to the crew, £11 15s.; reward to the radio operator on shore, 17s.

FISHING BOAT ACCOMPANIED TO HARBOUR North Sunderland, Northumberland.— About 5.30 on the evening of the 2nd of February, 1956, the life-boat assis- tant mechanic rang up to say that the wife of a fisherman had reported that her husband had not returned in his local fishing boat Kindly Light. He had been fishing for crabs about eight miles south-south-east of Seahouses and had been expected home before dark. At 5.52 the life-boat Grace Darling was launched. The sea was rough, there was a westerly breeze, and the tide was flooding. The life- boat came up with the fishing boat, but the three men on board did not need help. They had been delayed because their crab pots had been fouled in the bad weather conditions. The life-boat accompanied the fishing boat to the harbour and reached her station again at seven o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 13s.

SEVEN RESCUED FROM SHIP ON ROCKS Exmouth, Devon.—At 8.50 on the night of the 2nd of February, 1956, a man rang up to say that he could see a vessel close inshore near the Maer Rocks and that she was sounding her siren. The coastguard reported that the vessel was making a distress signal, so at 9.14 the life-boat Maria Noble was launched. There was a very heavy swell and a light east-north-east breeze. The tide was flooding. The life-boat found the M.V. Arrowhead, of Guernsey, with a crew of seven, laden with wheat and bound for St. Malo.

She was hard and fast on the rocks and leaking badly. Her crew had lowered one of their boats and were preparing to abandon ship. The life-boat res- cued the whole crew, took the ship's boat in tow, and made for her station.

The tow rope parted in the heavy weather, and the ship's boat was lost, but the life-boat with the rescued men reached her station at 10.5.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £13 4s.

PRIEST TAKEN TO MAINLAND Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—At 9.30 on the night of the 2nd of February, 1956, a doctor at Bunbeg reported that the priest at Tory Island was ill and asked if the life-boat would take him to the mainland for hospital treatment. The island had been cut off for nine days, and no other boat could reach it. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 3rd the life-boat W. M. Tilson put out in a very rough sea, with a south- easterly gale blowing and rain. The life-boat reached Tory Island at noon, but she could not come close inshore because of the weather. The priest was ferried out in a small boat and transferred to the life-boat, which took him to Burtonport, whence he was taken to Letterkenny District Hospital. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at seven o'clock in the evening. The priest made a donation to the funds of the Institu- tion.—Rewards to the crew, £24 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 1*.

FREIGHTER'S CREW TAKEN OFF BY HELICOPTER Longhope, Orkneys, and Wick, Caith- ness-shire.—At 4.22 on the morning of the 3rd of February, 1956, the freighter Dovrefjell, of Oslo, a converted tanker, wirelessed that she had gone aground in the Pentland Skerries but was in no immediate danger. She had a crew of forty-one, thirty-one of whom were Italians, and was bound from Newcastle-on-Tyne to Canada in ballast. The Wick radio station re- broadcast the message, and the Kirk- wall coastguard rang up the Longhope life-boat station at 4.34. At 5.15 the life-boat Thomas AlcCunn was launched. At 5.20 the Wick coast- guard informed the Wick life-boat station, and at 5.45 the life-boat City of Edinburgh put out.

The Wick life-boat reached the Dovrefjell first and found her lying on a shelf of rocks on the south side of the Little Skerry. High and confused seas were breaking right over her, and there was a strong southerly wind and ebbing tide. The life-boat anchored and veered down towards the freighter's stern, but the master said that the life-boat would not be able to go alongside. At 8.10 the Long- hope life-boat reached the position, and about nine o'clock two naval heli- copters arrived from Lossiemouth and began lifting the freighter's crew. One of the aircraft flew over the bridge, picked up a man and flew him clear while winching him up. The other helicopter then flew in and picked up another man in the same way. This method was repeated until both heli- copters had taken off thirty-one men and had landed them at John o' Groat's.

The life-boats stood by the whole time, and at 10.37 a helicopter arrived from the R.A.F. station at Leuchars.

The master of the Dovrefjell and nine men decided to remain in their ship, but they later changed their minds and were taken ashore by the R.A.F. helicopter about midday. The life-boats stood by the whole time, and when the last man had left the freighter returned to their stations, Wick arriving at 2.30 and Longhope arriving at three o'clock. The Nor- wegian and Italian Governments ex- pressed their thanks. Rewards: Long- hope, rewards to the crew, £26; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 11s. Wick, rewards to the crew, £23 105.; rewards to the helpers on shore, etc., £1 9s. Gd.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO AMERICAN STEAMER Aberdeen.—On the 9th of February, 1956, the agents for the S.S. Morma- coak, of New York, rang up to say that the vessel's cargo had broken adrift in bad weather and that her chief officer had been badly hurt. The vessel was making for Aberdeen and was due to arrive at 7.30 in the even- ing. The agents asked if the life-boat would take out a doctor as soon as she arrived, and at 7.5 the no. 1 life-boat Hilton Briggs put out. There was a moderate swell and a moderate south- south-east wind. It was low water.

The life-boat embarked a doctor and a pilot and took them to the Mormacoak, which by this time had reached a position off Girdleness. The two men boarded the vessel, and the doctor after treating the chief officer re- embarked in the life-boat, which returned to her station, arriving at 9.5.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helper on shore, etc., 18s.

CHANNEL ISLANDS LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCH St. Peter Port, Guernsey, and St.

Helier, Jersey.—At 4.30 on the morning of the 10th of February, 1956, a wire- less distress message was received at the St. Peter Port signal station from the M.V. Conlea, of London, which had a crew of seven and was bound for St. Malo laden with pitch. The vessel stated that her engine room was flooded and that she was fifteen miles west of La Corbie're. A few seconds later she wirelessed again that her position was serious and that she was making for Jersey very slowly. This information was passed to the St.

Peter Port life-boat station, and at 5.29 the life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put out.

At 4.55 the distress signal had been received at St. Helier from the Niton radio station, and at 5.30 the St.

Helier life-boat Elizabeth Rippon also put to sea. The sea was rough, a gale was blowing from the north-east, and there were squalls of heavy snow. It was high water. Both life-boats made a search, in which an aircraft and other vessels also took part, and the St.

Peter Port life-boat came up with the M.V. Winchester at 7.51. The Conlea had sunk. Of the vessel's crew of seven, six men had been rescued by the Winchester. The Winchester wire- lessed the life-boat that the seventh man, who was the Conled's chief engineer, was in the sea and drifting away. Both life-boats searched for him, but when the St. Peter Port life- boat found him, he was dead. The life-boat picked up his body and took it to St. Peter Port, arriving at eleven o'clock. The St. Helier life-boat reached her station at 10.55.—St. Peter Port: rewards to the crew, £16 55.; reward to the helper on shore, 17s.; St. Helier: rewards to the crew, £16 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

LIFE-BOAT PUTS OUT TWICE TO FRENCH TRAWLER Kllmore, Co. Wexford.—On the morn- ing of the 10th of February, 1956, a man reported that the trawler Marylis, of Lorient, had run on the rocks in Ballyhealy Bay and that her crew of nine needed help. At 10.35 the life- boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched. There was a swell and a light north-easterly breeze, and it was low water. It was very cold, and there were snow showers. The life-boat found the trawler half a mile east of the White Hole and stood by her until after high water. The skipper asked if the life-boat would stand by his ship again on the next high water.

The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 6.15, and at 5.10 on the morning of the llth put to sea again.

She found that even if the weather became worse and the trawlermen had to come ashore they would be able to do so without help. After standing by for about an hour and a half, she therefore returned to her station, arriving at 7.40.—Rewards to the crew, £29 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £20 2s.

DUTCH MOTOR VESSEL TOWED TO HARBOUR Berwick- on- Tweed, Northumberland, and Eyemouth, Berwickshire.—On the morning of the llth of February, 1956, the motor vessel Tonny, of Dordrecht, appeared to be aground off Berwick.

A little later she was seen to move to the south-east and fly distress signals. At 9.10 the Berwick coast- guard informed the Berwick-on- Tweed life-boat station, and at 9.38 the life-boat J. and W. was launched.

There was a moderate sea and a moderate west-north-west wind. It was nearly low water. The life-boat came up with the Tonny, which was laden with phosphate, about three miles south of Berwick pier. She had holed herself in attempting to enter the harbour, was partly flooded and had no power. She was drifting towards rocks, but the life-boat passed a line to her and held her clear. About 11.30 the Tonny appeared to be sink- ing, and the life-boat let her go and rescued four of her crew. The life- boat then stood by while two fishing boats made an attempt to beach the Tonny. The Burnmouth stationmaster had rung up the Eyemouth life-boat station at 10.50, and at 11.2 the life- boat Clara and Emily Harwell was launched. She reached the position at 12.20 and together with the Ber- wick-on-Tweed life-boat and the fish- ing boats took the Tonny in tow.

The four boats towed the vessel to Berwick harbour, and the life-boats then returned to their stations, Berwick- on-Tweed arriving at 1.31 and Eye- mouth at 3.45.—Property Salvage Cases.

vessel, but the hopper sank beneath him and he scrambled to the salvage vessel. The life-boat took the men she had rescued to her station, arriving at3.10.—Rewards to the crew, £7 105.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £l 6s.

SICK WOMAN BROUGHT TO MAINLAND Galway Bay.—At five o'clock on the afternoon of the 15th of February, 1956, the local doctor asked if the life- boat would take a very sick woman to the mainland in order that she could be sent to Galway hospital. At 5.15 the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out. There was a slight swell and a moderate north-westerly breeze.

The tide was half flood. The life-boat embarked the patient, took her to Rossaveal, where an ambulance was waiting, and returned to her station, arriving at ten o'clock. The woman's life was saved.—Rewards to the crew, £13 10s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s. Refunded to the Institu- tion by the Galway County Council.

RESCUE FROM HOPPER IN COLLISION New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 1.40 on the afternoon of the 16th of February, 1956, the Formby coastguard rang up to say that a message had been received from the port radar station that the M.V. Indus had collided with the Dock Board hopper Mersey No. 24 near New Brighton stage. The collision was seen from the life-boat station, and at 1.50 the life-boat Norman B.

Corlett put out. There was a swell and a light north-easterly breeze, and it was high water. The life-boat found the hopper, which had a crew of eleven, impaled on the stem of the Indus, which kept her afloat. She was nine hundred feet north-east of Tower buoy. The Indus then went astern, and the hopper listed to starboard and began to sink. A tug had rescued five of her crew, and the life-boat went to her and rescued five more. The skipper remained on the sinking hop- per and tried to pass a line to a salvage TWO STEAMERS IN COLLISION OFF CROMER Cromer, Norfolk.—At 7.44 on the morning of the 19th of February, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that the S.S. Corchester, of London, had collided with another vessel two miles west of Haisboro' lightvessel, and that the CorcJiester was .sinking. At 7.57 the no. 1 life-boat Henry Blogg was launched. There was a rough sea and a strong north-easterly wind, with squalls of snow. The tide was flood- ing. Two miles west of the lightvessel the life-boat came up with several ships and saw that all that remained of the Corchester above the surface was her stern. Thirteen of her crew of twenty-one had reached the S.S.

Cormull in a ship's boat. The life- boat searched for the eight other members of her crew but found noth- ing. One of the eight had been found by the men in the ship's boat, but he was dead. The Cormull took his body on board and asked the life- boat if she would land it. It was transferred to the life-boat, and as the weather was too bad to allow her to be rehoused at Cromer, the life-boat made for Great Yarmouth, arriving at 1.5. She remained there and was taken back to her station on the morn- ing of the 21st. The owners of the Corchester made a gift to the members of the crew.—Rewards to the crew, £26 18s. 4d.; rewards to the helpers on shore, etc., £22 175.

EMPTY DINGHY TOWED TO HARBOUR Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 8.14 on the morning of the 26th of February, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that the Brighton police had reported that a ten-feet dinghy was adrift one mile south-east of the Brighton Palace pier. At 8.25 the life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched.

The sea was calm, there was a light north-north-east breeze, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found that there was no one aboard the dinghy, but she towed it to Shoreham Harbour, arriving at her station at ten o'clock.

—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 Is.

THREE BOATS ESCORTED TO GIRVAN Girvan, Ayrshire.—About nine o'clock on the night of the 27th of February, 1956, the police reported that the fishing boat Incentive, of Dunure, had sent a radio message that she had lost her rudder and was lying at anchor about two and a half miles north of the harbour. At 9.15 the life-boat Robert Lindsay put out. She made for the position in a rough sea, with a strong southerly breeze blowing and a flood- ing tide. Two other fishing boats had taken the Incentive in tow, and the life-boat escorted all three boats to Girvan, reaching her station again at 10.20.—Rewards to the crew, £7 105.; rewards to the helper on shore, ISs.

TEN MEN PICKED OFF ROCKS BV HELICOPTER Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—About three o'clock on the afternoon of the 29th of February, 1956, the Malin Head radio station reported that the motor vessel Greenhaven, of Newcastle, had wire- lessed that her engine had broken down five and a half miles north of Rathlin O'Birne. The S.S. Galtee was standing by her. A later message said that the Greenhaven was making way at slow speed and that the Galtee was still standing by. H.M.S. Wizard put out from Londonderry, and the Galtee tried to take the Greenhaven in tow.

The weather prevented her from doing so, and at 9.30 the life-boat W. M.

Tilson put out. There was a very rough sea, a moderate westerly gale was blowing, and it was nearly high water.

The life-boat began to search, and the honorary secretary went overland to the south side of Aran in the hope of seeing the Greenhaven. He saw her lights and immediately told the radio station. H.M.S. Wizard found the vessel aground on the south-western side of Roaninish Islands. The life- boat reached her at four o'clock on the morning of the 1st of March. By this time the Wizard was illuminating the wreck with starshell, and an air- craft was dropping flares. The wind had increased to a fresh gale and there was a heavy ground swell and high seas.

The Greenhaven's crew of ten had scrambled to the very rocky shore, but the life-boat could not come close to them because the seas were pound- ing on the rocks. The life-boat stood by with the intention of rescuing the men from the eastern side of the island at dawn, but the Greenhaven's master signalled the Wizard to arrange for a helicopter. At eight o'clock two helicopters arrived from the Royal Naval Air Station at Eglington. The weather had moderated, and they picked up the ten men within twenty minutes. They landed them at Port Noo, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 11.10. The Com- manding Officer of H.M.S. Wizard thanked the life-boat crew, and the Senior Naval Officer, Northern Ireland, expressed his appreciation.—Rewards to the crew, £.32 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, etc., £3 5s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Margate, Kent.—February 2nd.—Re- wards, £20 19s.

Humber, Yorkshire.—February 3rd.

—Rewards, £4. Permanent Paid Crew.

Scarborough, Yorkshire. — February 6th.—Rewards, £16 11s.

HELICOPTERS RESCUE TUG'S CREW Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 7.35 on the morning of the llth of February, 1956, the motor mechanic heard a distress message on his wireless set from the tug Rumania. The tug said that she was aground on the Long Sand and needed help. At 7.46 the Walton-on-the-Naze coastguard re- ported that the Rumania was on the North Long Sand, and at 8.15 the life-boat Edian Courtauld put out. The sea was very rough, a gale was blowing from the east, and the tide was half flood. There were snow showers. A helicopter took off from Martlesham, and an R.A.F. rescue launch put out from Felixstowe. The life-boat made for the position given, but a later message stated that the Rumania was between two and three miles south of the S.S. Loide-Honduras, of Rio de Janeiro, which had run ashore on the north-east end of the Long Sand the day before.

When the life-boat was about one mile from the Rumania, the helicopter rescued eight of the tug's crew of ten.

At this time a snow storm reduced visibility to fifty feet and blotted out the wreck from the view of the life- boat. A fixed wing aircraft was circ- ling the Rumania at 600 feet, and another helicopter took off and rescued the other two men. At 10.51 the coastguard reported that all the tug- men had been rescued. The life-boat then went to the Loide-Honduras, but the steamer did not need help, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 2.14. The next day the Walton and Frinton life-boat was again called out, as it was thought she might be needed to help refloat the Loide-Honduras, but when she arrived she found that two Dutch tugs already had the steamer in tow.—Rewards for the two services, £55 8s.

Whitehills, Banffshire. — February 13th.—Rewards, £9 5s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. — February 13th.—Rewards, £19 6s.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—February 14th.

—Rewards, £11 2s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—February 20th.—Rewards, £11 5s.

Islay, Inner Hebrides. — February 20th.—Rewards, £11 19s.

Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—Fe b - ruary 22nd.—Rewards, £18 10s.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—February 25th.

—Rewards, £15 Is.

Baltimore, Co. Cork.—February 25th.

—Rewards, £15 5s.

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—February 29th.—Rewards, £14 5s.

MARCH DURING March life-boats were launched on service 33 times and rescued 15 lives.

TWO LIFE-BOATS OUT AFTER VESSEL BREAKS ADRIFT Penlee, and The Lizard, Cornwall.—At 9.40 on the night of the 1st of March, 1956, the St. Just coastguard rang up the Penlee life-boat station to say that the motor vessel Crete Avon, of London, a vessel of 4,100 tons, had been in tow of the tug Cruiser, of Glasgow, but that the tow rope had parted six miles east of Wolf Rock. At ten o'clock the life-boat W. and S. was launched.

She made for the position in a heavy sea, with a west-by-south gale blowing and an ebbing tide. The Crete Avon was drifting eastwards and the tug was making for shelter to recover her hawser. The Porthleven coastguard Life-Saving Apparatus team stood by, and at 11.55 the Lizard life-boat crew- assembled.

At 11.30 the Penlee life-boat reached the Crete Avon, which was then between nine and ten miles west of the Lizard, and went alongside.

The Crete Avon had on board fifteen people, including a woman, but the master said that he needed no help and would wait for the tug. The life- boat remained near her and passed a wireless message to the Crete Avon from Lands End radio station asking if she needed another tug. The master again said he needed no further help, but the life-boat continued to stand by. The ebb tide eventually carried the vessel clear of The Lizard and to seaward, so the Penlee life-boat re- turned to her station, arriving at 2.30 early on the 2nd. The Lizard life- boat crew stood down at 2.25, and at 8.50 it was reported that the Cruiser had taken the Crete Anon in tow again.

About 12.20 in the afternoon, the Lizard coastguard rang up the Lizard life-boat station and said that, the tow rope had parted again and that the vessel was now three miles south-west of the coastguard station. The master still said that he did not need a life- boat, but at 12.57 the coastguard reported that the vessel had drifted close in-shore and that the Life-Saving Apparatus team were assembling. At 1.20 the Lizard life-boat Duke of York was launched in a rough sea with a moderate westerly breeze blowing.

She found the Crete Avon at anchor very close to rocks. The master asked the life-boat to stand by, and she passed wireless messages for the vessel to the Cruiser and to Lands End radio station. The tug managed to take the Crete Avon in tow again at 3.20, and the life-boat stood by until the tug had pulled the Crete Avon clear of the rocks. She then returned to her station, arriving at five o'clock.— Rewards: Penlee, rewards to the crew, £16 3s. 6d.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 9s. 6d. The Lizard, rewards to the crew, £16 9,?.; re-wards to the helpers on shore, £10 11s.

DECK BOY TAKEN FROM NORWEGIAN TANKER Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 11.20 on the morning of the 3rd of March, 1956, the coastguard reported that the tanker Tank Queen, of Oslo, had anchored off Southend in dense fog and needed a doctor. One of her deck boys was thought to have acute appendicitis. At noon the life-boat Greater London II, Civil Service No. 30 was launched, with a doctor and other medical helpers. She made for the tanker in a calm sea, with a light south-westerly breeze blowing, and came up with her one mile east of West Shoebury. She put the doctor aboard at 12.25. At 1.15 the doctor re- embarked in the life-boat with the patient, who was landed at Southend at 1.40. The boy's life was saved.—- Rewards to the crew, £8 15*.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 ISs.

DEAD MAN BROUGHT FROM LIGHTVESSEL The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—At 7.14 on the morning of the 4th of March, 1956, the coastguard reported that a man in the Scarweather lightvessel had collapsed and needed hospital treat- ment. At 7.29 the Superintendent of Trinity House at Swansea asked for the life-boat, but a message was then received that the man had died. The Superintendent asked if the lifeboat would bring the body ashore, and as no other boat was available, the life-boat William Gammon—Manchester and Disttict XXX was launched at 9.35.

The sea was moderate, there was a light south-westerly breeze, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat took the body on board and returned to her station, arriving at 11.55.—Re- wards to the crew, £9; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 12s. Refunded to the Institution by Trinity House.

SICK MAN BROUGHT FROM STEAMER Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire.—At 6.35 on the evening of the 6th of March, 1956, the watchman in the navigation barge which is moored off Lytham rang up to say that he had received a message that the S.S. Monita, of Stockholm, at anchor off Nelson buoy, had a sick man on board. The Preston pilot boat had put off to attend ships entering and leaving the harbour, and it was unlikely that she would be able to bring the patient ashore quickly. At 7.15 the life-boat Sarah Townsend Porritt put out with a doctor. The sea was moderate, there was a moderate south-westerly wind, and the tide was ebbing. The life- boat came up with the pilot boat, which had the sick man and the radio officer from the Monita on board, and embarked both of them. A third man, a stowaway from the Empire Gaelic, who had been transferred to the pilot boat, was also taken into the life-boat, which landed all three at Lytham at nine o'clock. The stow- away was reported to have been anxious to visit his sick mother in Ireland, but had been unable to afford the fare.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s; z-e wards to tlie helpers on shore, £2 ] 2s.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO WESTERN ISLE Galway Bay.—At 6.45 on the evening of the 7th of March, 1956, the local doctor asked if the life-boat would take him to Inishere to attend a maternity case. As no other boat was available, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out, with the assistant mechanic in charge, and the doctor on board. The sea was calm, there was a light south-westerly breeze, and it was low water. The life-boat took the doctor to Inishere and returned to her station, arriving at 11.45. Rewards to the crew, £12 5,9.; reward to the helper on shore, 16s. Refunded to the Institution by the Galway County Council.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO RAMSGATE Ramsgate, Kent.—At 8.24 on the evening of the 9th of March, 1956, the harbour watchman reported that he had seen flares to the southward. A man was missing in the local fishing boat Nyria, and at 8.33 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put out. The sea was slight, there was a light east- south-east breeze, and the tide was half flood. The life-boat came up with the Nyria in Pegwell Bay. She found that her engine had broken down and towed her back to Ramsgate, •arriving at 9.15.—Rewards to the crew, £7 17s. 6d.; rewards to the helpers on shore, 5s.

be in danger if the vessel dragged her anchors. At five o'clock in the after- noon the ship's agents at Teignmouth asked the coxswain if the life-boat would take the five men to the ship.

The life-boat George Shee embarked them and put out at 6.28. The sea was rough, there was a moderate east-south-east wind blowing, and it was high water. The life-boat put the five men aboard their ship and returned to her station, arriving at 7.45.—Rewards to the crew, £9; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 4s.

LOBSTER BOAT'S ENGINE BREAKS DOWN Howth, Dublin.—At three o'clock on the afternoon of the 10th of March, 1956, the Civic Guard at Skerries reported that a lobster boat from Rush was in difficultues about three miles off shore between Rush and Lambay. At 3.30 the life-boat E.P.L.

put out. There was a choppy sea, a fresh southerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life- boat came up with the boat and found that her engine had broken down but her crew of two had been able to make temporary repairs. The life-boat stood by her until she reached Rush and then returned to her station, arriving at 6.30.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helper on shore etc., £1 4s.

FIVE MEN PUT ABOARD DUTCH SHIP Torbay, Devon.—Early on the morning of the 10th of March, 1956, five •members of the crew of the motor vessel Arienoldus G., of Rotterdam, which was anchored one mile south- east of Teignmouth bar, put off in a small boat to land the mate who had been injured and needed hospital treatment. They brought him ashore, but the wind freshened and prevented them from putting off again in their boat. Only an engineer and a boy had been left on board the Arienoldus {?., and it was thought that they might FISHING BOAT TOWED TO STROMNESS Stromness, Orkneys.—At 4.8 on the afternoon of the 10th of March, 1956.

the Kirkwall coastguard rang up to say that he had received a message from the Wick radio station that the fishing boat Amber Queen, which had a crew of three, had broken down about two miles off Inganess, Yesnaby.

At 4.23 the life-boat Archibald and Alexander M. Paterson was launched.

There was a swell and a moderate southerly gale, and the tide was flood- ing. The life-boat reached the Amber Queen at 5.20, towed her to Stromness, and reached her station again at 7.45.

Rewards to the crew, £13 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, etc., £5 Is.

VESSEL ON ROCKS NEAR CAMPBELTOWN Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—At 8.40 on the evening of the 13th of March, 1956, the Southend coastguard rang up to say that the motor vessel Lochinvar, of Glasgow, which had a crew of fifteen, had wirelessed that she had struck the rocks at Sanda. At nine o'clock the life-boat City of Glasgow II put out. There was a swell and a moderate south-south- east breeze, and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat made for the position in a thick haze and found the Lochinvar on Paterson's Rock to the east of Sanda.

The vessel refloated on the tide at 11.3, but she was leaking. The life- boat escorted her as far as Pladda lighthouse, where a tug met her, and then returned to her station, arriving at 3.30 on the 14th.—Rewards to the crew, £20 15s.

SEVENTEEN MEN LOST FROM FRENCH TRAWLER Penlee, Cornwall.—At seven o'clock on the morning of the 14th of March, 1956, the Tol-Pedn-Penwith coast- guard rang up to say that a trawler had been wrecked at Wireless Point, Porthcurno. At 7.15 the life-boat W. and S. was launched. The sea was rough, there was a fresh south-easterly wind, and it was one hour after high water. The life-boat made for the position and found the trawler Vert Prairial, of Dieppe, on her beam ends among rocks. There was no sign of life in her, but several bodies were seen floating in the surf. The life- boat picked up two of them, and the rest were washed ashore and recovered by coastguardsmen. A helicopter and other aircraft joined in a further search lasting an hour, but no survivors were seen, and the life-boat left for her station at 10.30, arriving at 11.15.

All the trawler's crew of seventeen lost their lives.—Rewards to the crew, £16 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 4s. 6rf.

INJURED MAN TAKEN FROM SHIP Fowey, Cornwall.—At 7.33 on the morning of the 16th of March, 1956, the Polruan coastguard rang up to say that the motorship Eminent, of Am- sterdam, had wirelessed that she had broken down about one mile south- east of Fowey and needed a tug.

There had been a gale warning and she was in danger of running ashore.

At 7.53 the life-boat Deneys Keitz put out, with the second coxswain in charge for the first time. The sea was moderate, there was a strong south-westerly wind, and it was high water. The life-boat found that the Eminent had anchored off Pencarrow Head, and she stood by her. The master asked if the life-boat would land an injured man, so she took him on board and put him ashore at Fowey, where a doctor and ambulance were waiting. The life-boat then returned to the ship and stood by her again, but at 9.30 a Dutch tug arrived. The tug took the Eminent in tow and made for Falmouth. The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 10.55.—Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 2s. Qd.

SICK MAN FROM LIGHTVESSEL BROUGHT ASHORE Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—At 11.35 on the morning of the 22nd of March, 1956, the Superintendent of Trinity House at Swansea asked if the life- boat would land a sick man from the St. Gowan lightvessel. At 11.50 the life-boat Henry Comber Brown was launched, with the second coxswain in charge. There was a rough sea, a strong south-easterly wind was blow- ing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat took on board the patient, wirelessed for a doctor and ambulance to meet her at Tenby, and landed the man at 4.15. The man's life was saved.—Rewards to the crew, £16; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 13s. Refunded to the Institution by Trinity House.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO WELLS Wells, Norfolk.—At 3.30 on the after- noon of the 22nd of March, 1956, the life-boat second coxswain received a report that the local motor fishing boat Harvester was overdue with a crew of two. At four o'clock the life- boat Cecil Paine was launched with the second coxswain in charge. The sea was rough, a strong wind was blowing from south-by-east, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat made a search and found the Harvester two miles north-west of the harbour. Her engine had broken down, and the life-boat towed her to Wells, which was reached at 5.15.—Rewards to the crew, £8 2,9.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 195.

CREW RESCUED FROM MOTOR BOAT Workington, Cumberland.—At three o'clock on the afternoon of the 25th of March, 1956, there was a telephone call reporting that a boat off Parton was in distress and that one of her crew was waving a white flag. At 3.15 the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX put out. The sea was rough, there was a strong south- easterly wind, and it was one hour before low water. The life-boat found the motor boat Olga, of Whitehaven, with a crew of two, one and a half miles off Parton. The boat had shipped some sea water which had stopped her engine. The life-boat rescued her crew and towed her to Workington, arriving at 5.20.—Re- wards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helper on shore, 14,?.

FISHING BOAT TOWED OFF ROCKS Barra Island, Outer Hebrides.—At 8.45 on the morning of the 28th of March, 1956, the Southend coastguard rang up to say that the fishing boat Virgin, of Castlebay, which had a crew of five, had run ashore on the eastern side of Barra Island. At 9.10 the life-boat Lloyd's put out. The sea was calm, there was an easterly breeze, and the tide was half ebb. The life- boat found the Virgin on Curachan Rock and stood by her until noon.

By then the fishing boat was high and dry, so the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 12.30. At three o'clock the life-boat put out again, pulled the Virgin clear on the rising tide, and towed her to Castlebay.

She reached her station again at seven o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £20 5s.

TRAWLER TOWED OFF ROCKS IN FOG Aberdeen.—At 2.11 early on the morning of the 29th of March, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that he had heard long and short blasts on a siren from a vessel near the harbour or lighthouse. He later stated that the lighthouse keeper could hear men shouting. At 3.30 the no. 1 life-boat Hilton Briggs put out. There was a moderate sea, a light breeze was blow- ing, and it was one hour before high water. The life-boat made a search in dense fog and found that the steam trawler Rennyhill, of Aberdeen, which had a crew of ten, had gone aground on the south side of the south break- water. The life-boat shore Life- Saving Apparatus team at Torry assembled, and the life-boat took the trawler in tow. She pulled her off the rocks and made for Aberdeen. The life-boat found it difficult to tow her, and she stood by her and waited for a tug. A tug arrived a little later, took the Rennyhill in tow, and with the help of the life-boat brought her to the harbour, which was reached at 8.19.—Rewards to the crew, £14 5s.; reward to the helper on shore etc., 18s.; rewards to the Torry Life-Saving team. £4 5s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. — March 1st.—Rewards, £20 2s.

Lytham-St. Anne's.—March 1st.—Re- wards, £12 12s.

Girvan, Ayrshire.—March 2nd.—Re- wards, £9 12s.

Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—March 4th.— Rewards, £16 15s.

Margate, Kent. — March 7th. — Re- wards, £20 9s.

RAMSEY ASSISTANT MECHANIC DROWNED Ramsey, Isle of Man.—On the morning of the 8th of March, 1956, the coast- guard reported that a body had been ?een on the north shore. It was believed to be the body of one of six men who had put off in the rowing boat Albert the night before to return to the trawler Fleetwood Lady, which was in Ramsey Bay. At 8.30 the life-boat Thomas Corbett was launched.

She searched Ramsey Bay in a slight sea with a light south-easterly breeze blowing. She found only bottom boards from the rowing boat and reached her station again at one o'clock. The Albert was later washed ashore half full of water and gravel.

The six men, one of whom was the Ramsey life-boat's assistant mechanic, lost their lives.—Rewards, £22 15s.

The life-boat crew and principal helpers gave their rewards to a relief fund opened by the Ramsey Town Commissioners.

Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.—March 10th.—Rewards, £20 7s.

Lerwick, Shetlands.—March llth.— Rewards, £22 15*.

Port Erin, Isle of Man.—March 12th.

—Rewards, £23 9s.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—March 14th.— Rewards, £40 1*.

PILOT PICKED UP BY HELICOPTER FROM DINGHY St. David's, Pembrokeshire.—At ten o'clock on the morning of the 16th of March, 1956, the coastguard rang up to say that the Royal Naval Air Station at Brawdy had reported that a Sea Balliol aircraft had crashed into the sea two miles north-north-east of St. David's Head. At 10.20 the life- boat Cunard, on temporary duty at the station, was launched. The sea was rough, there was a strong south-south- east breeze, and the tide was ebbing.

The life-boat made for the position, but before she reached it a helicopter picked up one man from the aircraft's dinghy. A Sunderland aircraft and the life-boat searched for the other airman, the pilot, but did not find him.

The life-boat picked up the dinghy and took it to her station, arriving at 1.15.—Rewards to the crew, £9; rewards to the helper on shore, £3 10s.

Troon, Ayrshire.—March 18th.—Re- wards, £6 5s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—March 18th, —Rewards, £12.

Aberdeen.—March 18th.—Rewards, £11 12*.

Moelfre, Anglesey.—March 25th.— Rewards, £13 10s..