Hoylake, Cheshire.—At 6.45 on the morning of the 2nd of June, 1956, the honorary secretary's son reported that the yacht Gentle Annie, of West Kirby, was flying distress signals in a danger- ous position off the north end of East Hoyle bank. The life-boat Oldham IV was launched at 7.8 in a heavy, break- ing sea with a strong west-south- westerly breeze blowing and an ebbing tide. When she came up with the Gentle, Annie, which had a crew of two, she found that she had a broken pump shaft and was dragging her anchor in the very rough seas. The life-boat took the yacht in tow to Hilbre Pool and arrived back at her station at 9.30.—Rewards to the crew, £7 4s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 10s..