Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.—At 1.27 early on the morning of the 30th of July, 1956, the Senior Naval Officer, Northern Ireland, asked if the life-boat would stand by a motor minesweeper which had hove to in bad weather three miles north-east of the Mull of Galloway. At 1.50 the life-boat Jeanie Speirs put out. The sea was heavy, there was a strong north-westerly gale, and the tide was flooding. The life- boat found the minesweeper M.L.P.

2593 at 5.5 and stood by her until 1.10, when a frigate arrived. The frigate escorted the minesweeper, and the life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 5.50. She had been at sea for over sixteen hours. The Senior Naval Officer expressed his apprecia- tion.—Rewards to the crew, £26 12s..