Lowestoft, Suffolk.—During the early hours of the llth of April, 1956, it was reported that a vessel had run ashore forty yards north of the coastguard station. At 3.30 the life-boat Michael Stephens put out. There was a moder- ate sea, a moderate westerly wind was blowing, and it was low water. The life-boat found the lighter Leeds Saturn, which was empty and had broken adrift from a tug the evening before.

Three beachmen had waded out to her and gone on board, and they signalled to the life-boat. The life-boat anchored, veered down to the lighter and passed a rope to the men. The lighter was in a dangerous position between two groynes on a lee shore. Two members of the life-boat crew also boarded her.

They helped the beachmen make tow ropes fast, and the life-boat then pulled her clear and took her to North Roads, where the tug was waiting.

The life-boat then took off the five men. The tug took the lighter in tow, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 7.45.—Property Salvage Case..