Hoylake, Cheshire.—At 2.30 on the afternoon of the 29th of July, 1956, the police reported that three yachts were in difficulties off West Kirby.

It was then learnt that one of the yachts had sunk and that her crew had been rescued by one of the other yachts. At 2.51 the life-boat Oldham IF was launched. There were heavy breaking seas, a strong north-westerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the yachts Matthew Walker and Portia in the estuary of the River Dee. She rescued five men from the Matthew Walker and two from the Portia. The men told the coxswain that another yacht was in distress and had run for the shelter of Hilbre pool. The life- boat went at once to her help, but the yacht, which had anchored in the pool, parted her cable before the life-boat reached her and went ashore. Her crew scrambled to safety, and the life-boat returned to Hoylake, arriving at six o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £8 8s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 Is..