OCTOBER DURING October life-boats were launched on service 56 times and rescued 37 lives.

TWO YACHTS ESCORTED TO MEVAGISSEY Fowey, Cornwall.—At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 1st of October, 1956, the Polruan coastguard tele- phoned that a yacht was ashore at Black Head west of Charlestown. At 2.20 the life-boat Deneys Reitz put out.

The sea was smooth, there was a mod- erate southerly breeze, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat reached the position and found that the fishing vessel Two Brothers had taken the yacht Carrie in tow. The life-boat escorted both vessels into Mevagissey harbour and then returned to her station, arriving at 4.45.—Rewards to the crew, £10 12s. 6d.

FISHING BOAT'S CREW TAKEN OFF St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 7.19 on the evening of the 1st of October, 1956, a telephone message was received that a fishing boat had been seen burning flares west of Point Le Moye. At 7.37 the life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put out. There was a moderate sea, a moderate south-westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the fishing boat God- revy with a crew of two drifting rapidly ashore. The fishing boat's crew were taken aboard the life-boat and given hot soup. The fishing boat was then towed to St. Peter Port, arriving at 10.40.—Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 15s.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO FLEETWOOD TRAWLER Ramsey, Isle of Man.—At 5.45 on the afternoon of the 2nd of October, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the trawler Boston Valiant, outward bound from Fleetwood to the fishing grounds, had asked for a doctor to meet her in Ramsey Bay as the cook had sus- pected appendicitis. As no local boats were able to leave the harbour because of the state of the tide, the life-boat Thomas Corbett was launched with a doctor on board at 6.15. The sea was calm, there was a light westerly breeze, and it was low water. The doctor was put aboard the trawler.

He examined the cook and was then brought ashore, together with the skipper of the Boston Valiant, arriving at 7.20.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 12s.

SICK MAN BROUGHT FROM LIBERIAN VESSEL Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 7.50 on the morning of the 3rd of October, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the Liberian motor vessel Capeton Kostis had a very sick man on board and asked if the the life-boat would land him.

At 8.15 the life-boat Beryl Tollemache was launched. There was a slight swell, a moderate south-westerJy breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the Capeton Kostis seven and a half miles south of Eastbourne. The sick man was transferred to the life-boat and landed at Eastbourne at ten o'clock, where he was taken to hospital.

The owners made a gift to the funds of the Institution.—Rewards to the crew, £10; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 11s.

INJURED MAN TAKEN FROM IRISH LIGHTVESSEL Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford.—At 4.50 on the afternoon of the 3rd of October, 1956, the office of the Irish Lights in Dublin telephoned that there was an injured man on the Coningbeg light- vessel and asked if the life-boat would bring him ashore. At five o'clock the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched. The sea was choppy, there was a strong west - north - westerly breeze, and it was high water. The injured man was transferred to the life-boat and brought ashore, arriving at Kilmore at 7.55.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 16s. Refunded to the Institution by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

TOW TAKEN OVER FROM STEAMER Seaham Harbour, Co. Durham.—At 11.20 on the night of the 4th of Octo- ber, 1956. the coastguard telephoned that the fishing boat Moira, with a crew of two, was overdue from a fish- ing trip east-south-east of Seaham.

At 11.55 the life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest, on temporary duty at the station, was launched.

There was a heavy swell, a fresh north-westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat went to the position but could find no trace of the fishing boat. Later a message was received by radio teJe- phone that the S.S. Brent Knoll had taken the fishing boat in tow. The life-boat went to the position, took over the tow and returned to Seaham with the Moira, arriving at 4.15.— Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £l 16s.

FISHING VESSEL HELD IN FAIRWAY BY HELPERS ON SHORE Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 11.41 on the morning of the 5th of Octeber, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the fishing vessel Galilee with a crew of five had gone aground near the east pier and was in danger of being carried on to the Scaur rocks. Because of the exceptionally low tide it was not pos- sible to launch the no. 1 life-boat at once. In the meantime it was decided to try to shoot a line to the Galilee by Schermuly pistol from another fishing vessel. This was done, and when other lines had been got aboard, the fishing boat was towed into the fairway by helpers on shore and held there until the life-boat arrived. The no. 1 life-boat Mari/ Ann Hep-worth was launched at 12.15 in a moderate sea, with a moderate north-westerly breeze blowing. She took over the tow ropes and brought the Galilee to safety. The life-boat also escorted three other fishing boats to harbour and arrived back at her station at 2.15.

—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £23 is.

FISHING BASKET USED AS SIGNAL Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 9.46 on the morning of the 6th of October, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that a boat anchored three miles south- east of Clacton pier was showing dis- tress signals. At 10.5 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched.

There was a rough sea, a moderate north-westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the fishing vessel Melona, of Colchester, with a crew of two. Her engine had broken down, and the crew had hoisted a fishing basket to the masthead to attract attention. The life-boat towed the boat to Brightlingsea, arriving there at 3.40. Both men expressed their thanks.—Rewards to the crew, £16 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 2s.

TWO RESCUED FROM CAPSIZED DINGHY Barrow, Lancashire.—At 2.20 on the afternoon of the 6th of October, 1956, a resident of Roa Island reported that a sixteen-feet dinghy had capsized in Walney Channel. At 2.30 the life- boat Herbert Leigh was launched. The sea was choppy, there was a moderate north-westerly breeze blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the dinghy and her crew of two, who were up to their shoulders in the sea off Piel Island and were attempting to right their boat. They were taken aboard the life-boat and given rum and dry clothes. With the dinghy in tow, the life-boat brought them to Roa Island, arriving there at 3.20.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO YARMOUTH Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk.—At 12.10 on the afternoon of the 12th of October, 1956, a small fishing boat was seen from the boathouse to be firing distress signals about one mile and a quarter north-east of the life-boat station.

Five minutes later the life-boat Jose Neville was launched. There was a slight swell, a gentle west-south- westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the fishing boat Golden Gift, of Yar- mouth, with her engine broken down.

She had a crew of three. The life- boat took the Golden Gift in tow to Yarmouth harbour and arrived back at her station at three o'clock.— Rewards to the crew, £12; rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 2s.

DINGHY TOWED TO PADSTOW Padstow, Cornwall.—At 8.20 on the evening of the 19th of October, 1956, the Trevose Head coastguard tele- phoned that shouts for help had been heard off Trebetherick Point. At 8.55 the no. 2 life-boat Bassett Green was launched. There was a slight sea, a strong south-westerly breeze was blow- ing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the dinghy Betty, of Padstow, with a young man on board, drifting out to sea. He had broken an oar. A member of the life-boat's crew was put aboard the dinghy, which was half full of water, to help with the baling, and the life-boat towed the Betty to Padstow quay. She then returned to her station, arriving at 10.20.—Rewards to the crew, £9 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 17s. 6d.

STEAMER ESCORTED TO FISHGUARD Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—At 5.10 on the afternoon of the 20th of October, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the S.S. K, Hayward, of Liverpool, was in difficulty fifteen miles south- west of Strumble Head. At 5.45 the life-boat White Star was launched.

There was a rough sea, a moderate westerly gale was blowing, and it was high water. The life-boat made for the position and found the steamer with ten people on board three miles west of Strumble Head. She was making water in her engine room.

The life-boat escorted her to Fish- guard harbour, arriving there at 9.45.

The owners thanked the crew and made a donation to the Institution's funds.—Rewards to crew, £9; rewards to helpers on shore, £2 16s.

YACHT AND CABIN CRUISER TAKEN IN TOW Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 2.45 on the afternoon of the 21st of October, 1956, the St. Anthony coastguard telephoned that the yacht Wanderer, which was towing a cabin cruiser, appeared to be in difficulties off St. Anthony Head.

At 3.15 the life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare put out. There was a gentle south-westerly breeze and a smooth sea, and the tide was flooding-.

When she arrived at the position the life-boat found that the cabin cruiser had struck the rocks and was sinking.

The Wanderer had her propeller fouled.

The life-boat took both boats in tow, but as the cruiser was sinking fast she was beached at St. Mawes, and the Wanderer, with two people on board, was towed to Falmouth. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 5.30.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10,y.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

CABIN CRUISER TOWED TO SHOREHAM Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 5.36 on the afternoon of the 25th of October, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the cabin cruiser Chrisian, with one man on board, needed help about twelve miles north-west by west of Beachy Head. The S.S. "stockforth, which was in the area, was trying to help her. The life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched at six o'clock in a rough sea. There was a fresh west-north-westerly breeze blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat made for the position and found that the Stockforth, which had the Chrisian in tow, had been forced to release her. The life-boat took the man off the cabin cruiser, and the coxswain put two members of his crew on board her and towed her to Shore- ham Harbour, arriving there at 8.5.— Property Salvage Case.

MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO RAMSGATE Ramsgate, Kent.—At six o'clock on the evening of the 25th of October, 1956, a message was received from the east pier that red flares had been seen two miles east of Ramsgate and that the local motor boat Skipjack.

with a crew of three, was overdue. At 6.10 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put out in a slight sea. There was a light west-north-westerly breeze, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the motor boat and found that her engine had broken down. She took her in tow to Rams- gate, arriving at 6.32.—Rewards to the crew, £5; rewards to the helpers on shore, 12s. Qd.

YACHT TOWED TO SALCOMBE Salcombe, Devon.—At 1.50 early on the morning of the 27th of October, 1956, the Hope Cove coastguard tele- phoned that the yacht Orenda, which was between one and two miles west of Prawle Point, had signalled that two men on board were suffering from exposure. At two o'clock the life-boat Samuel and Marie Parkhouse put out to bring the men ashore. There was a smooth sea and a light northerly breeze, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the yacht, and at the request of her crew the life-boat towed her to Salcombe arriving at 4.40. The sick men were transferred to a waiting ambulance.—Rewards to the crew.

£10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 4s.

FISHING BOAT ADVISED NOT TO ENTER HARBOUR Eyemouth, Berwickshire.—At 9.55 on the morning of the 29th of October.

1956. a Burnmouth fisherman tele- phoned the honorary secretary that a small fishing vessel Rose Vallej/. of Burnmouth, was making for Eye- mouth harbour. There was a very rough sea, a northerly gale was blow- ing, and the tide was flooding. As it would have been extremely dangerous for the Rose Valley to enter the harbour it was decided to launch the life-boat at 10.15. The life-boat reached the fishing vessel one mile east of Eye- mouth, and the coxswain advised the skipper to return to Burnmouth. He did so with the life-boat escorting the Rose Valley, and they reached Burn- mouth at 11.45. Because of the very rough sea on the harbour bar the life- boat remained at Burnmouth until the weather abated.—Rewards to crew, £8 12,9. 6d.; rewards to helpers on shore. £5 5s.

FISHING BOAT ESCORTED IN NORTHERLY GALE Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At noon on the 29th of October, 1956, a message was received that the motor keel boat Lead Us. of Whitby, was approaching Whitby harbour in very bad weather.

Later a message was received that because of the weather the Lead Us was making for Scarborough. At 2.25 the life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest was launched. There was a very rough sea, a northerly gale was blowing, and the tide was ebbing.

The life-boat came up with the Lead Us and escorted her safely to harbour, arriving at 3.30.—Rewards to the crew, £6 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 14.9.

TWO MEN RESCUED FROM YACHT Walton and Frinton, Essex. At 2.20 on the afternoon of the 29th of October, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that a message had been received that a small yacht appeared to be in need of help about a mile and a half east of Holland sluice. At thee o'clock the life-boat Edian Courtauld put out.

There was a very rough sea, a fresh northerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat reached the position and found that the yacht Storm, of Ipswich, with a crew of two, had her sails badly torn.

The life-boat went alongside the yacht and transferred the two men. A line was then put aboard, and the yacht was towed towards Harwich harbour.

Before they reached Walton pier a further message was received from the Felixstowe coastguard that a boat with two men on board was being blown out to sea about one mile south- east of Felixstowe Point. The life- boat had by this time arrived at the pierhead, hut high winds and seas prevented hei crew from being' able to land the two rescued men from the yacht. They made the yacht fast to the life-boat moorings, and the life- boat went in search of the boat. Later it was reported that the boat and the men had managed to land safely at Felixstowe beach. The life-boat re- turned to Walton, took the Storm in tow and completed the passage to Harwich. She then returned to her station, arriving back at 9.30. The owner of the Storm made a donation to the funds of the Institution.— Rewards to the crew, £20 15,9.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 It.?.

RESCUED TWO MEN, A BIRD AND A DOG Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 11.1 on the night of the 29th of October, 1956.

the coastguard reported that flares had been seen in the area of Shellness.

At 11.35 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched.

There was a very rough sea. a fresh north-westerly gale was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the sailing barge Colonia, with a crew of two, near the Pollard Spit buoy. The barge had had most of her sails blown away and was mak- ing water. The two men, a budgerigar and a dog were transferred to the life- boat, which returned to her station, arriving at three o'clock. The barge eventually sank.—Rewards to the crew, £16 5,v.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £-t 16.9.

INJURED MAN TAKEN TO MAINLAND Galway Bay, Co. Galway. — At six o'clock on the evening of the 30th of October, 1956, the local doctor tele- phoned the honorary secretary to ask him if the life-boat would take an injured person to the mainland. As the tide would have been unsuitable for the life-boat to land the man at Rossaveal on the mainland earlier, it was decided to assemble the crew at eleven o'clock. The life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out at 11.15.

The weather was calm, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat arrived at Rossaveal and landed the injured man.

She then returned to her station, arriving back at 12.30.—Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s. Refunded to the Insti- tution by the Galway County Council.

INJURED MAN TAKEN FROM STEAMER Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.—At 10.44 on the morning of the 31st of October, 1956, the coast- guard telephoned that the S.S.

Southern Broom was making for Yar- mouth with a badly injured man aboard. He asked if the life-boat would meet the steamer and bring the man ashore. At 1.30 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched, with a doctor on board. The sea was rough, there was a fresh north-easterly gale, and the tide was flooding. The life- boat met the Southern Broom one mile north of the harbour and with great difficulty in the very bad weather the injured man was transferred to the life-boat. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 2.15.—Rewards to the crew, £13 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 5*.

SILVER MEDAL FOR SHERINGHAM On the 31st of October, 1956, the Sheringham, Norfolk, life-boat rescued eighteen survivors from the S.S.

Wimbledon. For this service the silver medal for gallantry was awarded to Coxswain H. E. West and the bronze medal to Motor Mechanic E. C.

Craske. The Wells, Norfolk, life-boat was also called out. For a full account of this service see page 383.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed or could do nothing: Dungeness, Kent.—October 3rd.—Re- wards, £21 8*.

Arranmore, Go. Donegal. — October 4th.—Rewards, £7 14,9.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—October 5th.— Rewards, £31 Qs.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—October 5th.—Rewards, £15 16s.

Torbay, Devon.—October 6th.—Re- wards, £9 195.

Buckie, Banffshire.—October 7th.— Rewards, £13 2s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—October 7th.— Rewards, £20 5s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. — October 8th.—Rewards, £12.

Hartlepool, Co. Durham. — October 10th.—Rewards, £l2 6s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire. — October 10th.—Rewards, £21. 135.

Ilfracombe, Devon.—October llth.— •Rewards, £23 5s.

Ilfracombe, Devon.—October llth.— Rewards, £9 10s.

Ilfracombe, Devon.— October llth.— Rewards, £21 7s.

Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk. — October 12th.—Rewards, £16 Is.

North Sunderland, Northumberland.

—October 16th.—Rewards, £22 13s.

Holy Island, Northumberland.—Octo- ber 16th.—Rewards, £17 5s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—October 16th.— Rewards, £ll 2s.

Workington, Cumberland. — October 16th.—Rewards, £11 4s.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—October 17th.

—Rewards, £11 2s.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—October, 17th.

—Rewards, £29 8s.

Torbay, Devon.—October 20th.—Re- wards, £7 9s.

New Brighton, Cheshire. — October 22nd.—Rewards, £10 Is.

Margate, Kent.—October 23rd.—Re- wards, £12 19s.

Selsey, Sussex.—October 23rd.—Re- wards, £13 11s.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—October 25th.—Rewards, £8 2s.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—October 25th.—Rewards, £13 16s.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—October 26th.—Rewards, £27 7s.

Salcombe, Devon.—October 26th.— Rewards, £11 14s.

Margate, Kent.—October 27th.—Re- wards, £32 6s.

Rhyl, Flintshire.—October 28th.—Re- wards, £16 6s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—October 29th.— Rewards, £38 17s.

Workington, Cumberland. — October 30th.—Rewards, £13.

NOVEMBER DURING November life-boats were launched on service 42 times and rescued 13 lives.

FISHING BOAT ESCORTED IN NORTHERLY GALE Whitby, Yorkshire. — In the early hours of the 2nd of November, 1956, the motor fishing vessel Lend Us, of Whitby, put out to go to the fishing grounds. By midday the weather had deteriorated, and as the fishing boat was due to return to harbour it was decided to launch the life-boat. At one o'clock the no. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepzt'orth was launched. The sea was very rough, there was a moder- ate northerly gale blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat met the Lead Us and escorted her across the harbour bar. She then returned to her station, arriving back at 1.45.—• Rewards to the crew, £9 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

INJURED MAN TAKEN FROM HULL TRAWLER Bridlington, Yorkshire.—On the morn- ing of the 3rd of November, 1956, the owners of the steam trawler Novelli, of Hull, asked if the life-boat would take off an injured man. It was low water, and as no other boat was afloat, the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched at 10.15 with a doctor on board. There was a rough sea, and a moderate northerly gale was blowing. The life-boat came up with the trawler off Bridlington, and the injured man was taken on board. He was landed at the pier, and the life- boat returned to her station, arriving at 11.50.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 12s.

TWO FISHING BOATS ESCORTED Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 3rd of November, 1956, the motor fishing vessels Lead Us and Provider A had put out to the fishing grounds. By the time they were due to return to harbour the weather had deteriorated considerably, and it was decided to launch the life-boat. At 12.22 the no. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched. There was a very heavy sea, a fresh north-north- westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat made for the harbour bar and stood by until the Lead Us and Provider A had reached harbour safely. She then returned to her station, arriving at 1.55.—Rewards to the crew, £11; rewards to the helpers on shore, £l 16s.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO GREEK STEAMER Penlee, Cornwall.—At 9.30 on the morning of the 6th of November, 1956, a doctor telephoned to say that the Greek S.S. Pontoporos, which was south-west of the Scilly Isles, had a seriously injured man on board who required a doctor urgently. He asked if the life-boat would take him out.

At 9.50 the life-boat W and S was launched. There was a slight sea and a light easterly breeze. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat made for Pen- zance, where she took on board the doctor and ambulance men. The steamer was by this time seven miles south-west of the Bishop's Rock light- house. The life-boat coxswain asked the Pontoporos to meet the life-boat five miles south of Wolf Rock light- house. The doctor and ambulance men were put on board and the life- boat accompanied the Pontoporos to Penzance, where the injured man was landed. She then returned to her station, arriving at 2.20.—Rewards to the crew, £14 5,9.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 8,?.

THREE MEN RESCUED FROM SINKING DINGHY Falmouth, Cornwall.—At 6.45 on the evening of the 8th of November, 1956, the inspector of police at Truro tele- phoned to say that three men were in a small dinghy at King Harry Ferry in the River Fal. The dinghy was rapidly rilling with water, the men were clutching a navigational buoy, and the weather was very bad. At seven o'clock the life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare put out.

There was a very rough sea, a strong southerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. Twenty minutes later the inspector of police telephoned from a house on the bank of the river to say that the three men were grad- ually becoming exhausted. The life- boat reached the men at 7.45 and her crew lifted them aboard the life-boat.

The men were members of the crew of the motor vessel Charlton Star, which was lying at anchor in the River Fal, and the life-boat transferred them to her. She then returned to her station, arriving at nine o'clock. The men had apparently been trying to board the Charlton Star from the shore, when they had got into difficulties.—Re- wards to the crew, £10 10s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

LOSS OF MEMBER OF ST. DAVID'S CREW On the 8th of November, 1956, the St. David's life-boat was launched to help the French trawler Notre Dame de Fatima, which was in distress three miles south-west of Skokholm light.

The life-boat rescued the trawler's crew of eight, for which service the coxswain, David Lewis, was awarded the bronze medal for gallantry. A member of the crew, leuan Bateman, lost his life. A full account of this service appears on page 384.

NORWEGIAN VESSEL ESCORTED TO ABERDEEN Aberdeen.—At 11.50 on the morning of the 9th of November, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the motor vessel Solskin, of Oslo, needed help sixty miles east of Tod Head. At 12.44 the no. 1 life-boat Hilton Briggs put out. There was a heavy swell and a strong south-easterly breeze. The tide was flooding. The life-boat reached the Solskin and found that she was leaking badly and had a list to port of twenty degrees. The master of the vessel asked for the life-boat to escort her to Aberdeen. As they made for Aberdeen the weather improved, and the motor vessel's pumps were able to deal with the leak. They arrived at Aberdeen at nine o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, etc., £25 11s.; rewards to the helper on shore, 12s.

MOELFRE LIFE-BOAT RESCUES A COW Moelfre, Anglesey.—At eleven o'clock on the morning of the 10th of Novem- ber, 1956, a message was received that a cow had fallen down a cliffside about half a mile north of Bull Bay. Efforts to rescue it had been made by the fire brigade but had failed, and the Royal Air Force station at Valley had been asked if a helicopter could help. The helicopter had no suitable gear to lift the cow, and at the request of an in- spector of the R.S.P.C.A. the life-boat Watkin Williams put out at 11.10.

There was a slight sea, a fresh south- westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat took the cow in tow to Bull Bay harbour, arriving there at 2.35. The owner of the cow thanked the life-boat crew.

—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 15*.

MAN BROUGHT FROM IRISH LIGHTVESSEL Wicklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 3.30 on the afternoon of the 10th of November, Irish Lights, Wexford, asking if the 1956, a request was received from the life-boat would bring ashore a man from the Codling Bank lightvessel whose mother was seriously ill. No other vessel was available, and at 3.55 the life-boat J. W. Archer was launched. There was a heavy swell and a moderate southerly breeze. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat reached the lightvessel, took the man on board and brought him ashore. She arrived back at her station at 6.50.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 4s. Refunded to the Institution by The Commissioners of Irish Lights.

EIGHT COBLES ESCORTED TO HARBOUR Filey, Yorkshire.—At 7.15 on the morning of the 14th of November, 1956, when the weather was deteriorating, the coastguard rang up and asked for the life-boat to escort eight local fishing cobles to harbour. The life-boat Isa and Penryn Milsted was launched at 7.32. There was a rough sea, a fresh north-easterly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat escorted the cobles to harbour and then returned to her station, arriving at 12.34.—Rewards to the crew, £14; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 9s.

COBLES ESCORTED IN NORTHERLY GALE Flamborough, Yorkshire.—At 6.45 on the morning of the 14th of November, 1956, the coxswain received a message from a local fisherman that two fishing cobles were at sea with the weather becoming worse. At 7.35 the life-boat Friendly Forester was launched. There was a rough sea, a northerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat found the two fishing cobles, Silver Line and Britannia, with a crew of three in each boat, one mile north-east of the north landing. She escorted them to harbour and arrived back at her station at 9.20.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £l 3 2s.

TWO COBLES ESCORTED TO SCARBOROUGH Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 1.20 on the afternoon of the 14th of November.

1956, the life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest was launched to escort the motor fishing cobles Betty and Rosemary to harbour in very bad weather. There was a moderate sea, a moderate northerly gale was blowing, and it was low water. The two cobles were found off Scarborough and escort- ed safely to harbour.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, €6 17s.

ESCORT THROUGH HEAVY SEAS ON HARBOUR BAR Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 2.20 on the afternoon of the 14th of November, 1956, the skipper of the fishing boat Provider A reported that there were heavy seas on the harbour bar and that his own vessel had had great difficulty in reaching the harbour. It was decided to launch the life-boat to escort some smaller fishing boats which were returning. The no. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 2.25. The sea was rough, there was a moderate northerly gale blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat stood by the harbour bar until the three fishing vessels Success, Lead Us and Pilot Me were safely across the bar. She then returned to half a mile north of Bull Bay. Efforts to rescue it had been made by the fire brigade but had failed, and the Royal Air Force station at Valley had been asked if a helicopter could help. The helicopter had no suitable gear to lift the cow, and at the request of an in- spector of the R.S.P.C.A. the life-boat Watkin Williams put out at 11.10.

There was a slight sea, a fresh south- westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat took the cow in tow to Bull Bay harbour, arriving there at 2.35. The owner of the cow thanked the life-boat crew.

—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 15*.

MAN BROUGHT FROM IRISH LIGHTVESSEL Wicklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 3.30 on the afternoon of the 10th of November, Irish Lights, Wexford, asking if the 1956, a request was received from the life-boat would bring ashore a man from the Codling Bank lightvessel whose mother was seriously ill. No other vessel was available, and at 3.55 the life-boat J. W. Archer was launched. There was a heavy swell and a moderate southerly breeze. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat reached the lightvessel, took the man on board and brought him ashore. She arrived back at her station at 6.50.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 4s. Refunded to the Institution by The Commissioners of Irish Lights.

EIGHT COBLES ESCORTED TO HARBOUR Filey, Yorkshire.—At 7.15 on the morning of the 14th of November, 1956, when the weather was deteriorating, the coastguard rang up and asked for the life-boat to escort eight local fishing cobles to harbour. The life-boat Isa and Penryn Milsted was launched at 7.32. There was a rough sea, a fresh north-easterly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat escorted the cobles to harbour and then returned to her station, arriving at 12.34.—Rewards to the crew, £14; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 9s.

COBLES ESCORTED IN NORTHERLY GALE Flamborough, Yorkshire.—At 6.45 on the morning of the 14th of November, 1956, the coxswain received a message from a local fisherman that two fishing cobles were at sea with the weather becoming worse. At 7.35 the life-boat Friendly Forester was launched. There was a rough sea, a northerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat found the two fishing cobles, Silver Line and Britannia, with a crew of three in each boat, one mile north-east of the north landing. She escorted them to harbour and arrived back at her station at 9.20.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £l 3 2s.

TWO COBLES ESCORTED TO SCARBOROUGH Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At 1.20 on the afternoon of the 14th of November.

1956, the life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest was launched to escort the motor fishing cobles Betty and Rosemary to harbour in very bad weather. There was a moderate sea, a moderate northerly gale was blowing, and it was low water. The two cobles were found off Scarborough and escort- ed safely to harbour.—Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, €6 17s.

ESCORT THROUGH HEAVY SEAS ON HARBOUR BAR Whitby, Yorkshire.—At 2.20 on the afternoon of the 14th of November, 1956, the skipper of the fishing boat Provider A reported that there were heavy seas on the harbour bar and that his own vessel had had great difficulty in reaching the harbour. It was decided to launch the life-boat to escort some smaller fishing boats which were returning. The no. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 2.25. The sea was rough, there was a moderate northerly gale blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat stood by the harbour bar until the three fishing vessels Success, Lead Us and Pilot Me were safely across the bar. She then returned to her station, arriving at 3.45.—Rewards to the crew, £9 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

LIFE-BOAT OUT TWICE TO VESSEL ON ROCKS Helvick Head, Co. Waterford.—At 8.45 on the evening of the 17th of Novem- ber, 1956, the lighthouse keeper at Ballinacourty telephoned that a vessel was ashore on the rocks to the east of the lighthouse and that flares had been seen. At nine o'clock the life-boat H. F. Bailey put out. There was a smooth sea, a light northerly breeze was blowing, and it was almost low water. The life-boat found the motor vessel Rini, of Cardiff, with a crew of seven, high and dry on the rocks a hundred yards north-east of the light- house. It was decided after consulta- tion with the vessel's mate that the life-boat should return to Helvick Head and then put out again at the next high tide. She reached her station at 11.30 and left again three quarters of an hour later. At the captain's request she stood by the Rini until the vessel had refloated on the rising tide, and when it was found that the Rini had suffered no damage the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 4.15.—Rewards to the crew, £20 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 10s.

TOW FOR MOTOR VESSEL Workington, Cumberland. — At nine o'clock on the morning of the 20th of November, 1956, a message was received from the master of the Nor- wegian vessel Varangbcrg that he had taken the motor vessel Kind Knight, with a crew of four, in tow off Lytham and was towing her to Workington.

The Kind Knight had broken down with engine trouble four miles south- east of Mull of Galway. The Norwegian master asked for the life-boat to meet his vessel off Workington and take over the tow. The life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX put out at 9.5.

There was a strong south-easterly breeze and a smooth sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat took over the tow from the Varangberg and arrived back at her moorings at 10.30.

—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.

COBLES ESCORTED ACROSS HARBOUR BAR Scarborough, Yorkshire. — On the morning of the 22nd of November, 1956.

the fishing cobles Rosemary, Hilda and Premier had put to sea. Shortly before ten o'clock the weather worsened, and as the fishing cobles were due back at the harbour it was decided to launch the life-boat Annie Ronald and Isabella Forrest at ten. There was a heavy swell across the harbour bar, a fresh south-easterly breeze was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. As each coble returned she was escorted safely across the bar and into the harbour. The life-boat remained afloat until 4.30 in the afternoon, by which time the weather had moderated. She then returned to her station and was re- housed by 5.20.—Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 13s.

BODY OF AMERICAN AIRMAN FOUND Walton and Frinton, Essex.—At 5.35 on the evening of the 23rd of November.

1956, the Deal coastguard reported that an aircraft of the United States Air Force had crashed into the sea near the Cork lightvessel and asked for the life-boat to be launched to search for the pilot. At 5.55 the life-boat Edian Courtauld put out. There was a heavy swell and a moderate north-north- easterly breeze. The tide was ebbing.

The coxswain was asked to search an area approximately three miles east of the lightvessel. Aircraft and a sea rescue launch were also searching. At 9.10 the life-boat picked up a message from the S.S. Ringwood, whose position was half a mile west of Rough buoy, saying she had just passed on her port beam a yellow dinghy but had lost sight of it. The life-boat made for the position at once, and both she and the Ringwood saw the dinghy again some fifty yards on the port beams. The life-boat picked up the airman and the dinghy, which was almost filled with water. The airman was huddled up with his head bent forward, and when he was aboard the life-boat it was found that he was dead. The cox- swain asked for a doctor and ambu- lance to be waiting on his return to Felixstowe, which was reached at 10.40.

The body of the airman was handed over to a doctor, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 1.8.

—Rewards to the crew, £23; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 5s.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF SWEDISH VESSEL IN GALE Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—On the morning of the 24th of November, 1956, a message was received from the Swedish motor vessel Kristina Thorden that she had a very sick man on board.

She asked the life-boat to meet her at the Butt of Lewis to take him ashore.

Because of the state of the weather it was suggested that the vessel should make for Stornoway, where a boat could meet her off the Arnish light, but the Kristina Thorden had no charts to guide her further than Tiumpan Head. At 5.50 therefore the life-boat James and Margaret Boyd put out with a doctor on board. There was a rough sea, a fresh west-south-westerly gale was blowing, and it was low water.

The life-boat met the Kristina Thorden at Tiumpan Head, but because of the heavy swell it was impossible to trans- fer the patient. Escorted by the life- boat, the Swedish vessel made for the lee of Arnish light, where the sick man was taken on board the life-boat. He was brought ashore to a waiting ambu- lance, and the life-boat returned to her moorings, arriving at 10.10.— Rewards to the crew, £14 5s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY TWO GERMAN TRAWLERS Dover, Kent.—At 1.58 early on the morning of the 25th of November, 1956, the Sandgate coastguard tele- phoned that a vessel was burning flares one mile east-north-east of the Varne lightvessel. At 2.20 the life- boat Greater London (Civil Service No.

3), on temporary duty at the station, put out. There was a rough sea, a strong north-westerly breeze was blow- ing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the German drifter Tin, with her engines broken down, in tow of the German trawler Kiel.

She stood bv the vessels until thev were off Dover and then returned to her moorings, arriving at 5.10.— Rewards to the crew, £9.

LIFE-BOAT SERVICE TELEVISED On the afternoon of the 25th of November the Dover, Kent, life-boat, while taking part in a television pro- gramme, took in tow the local motor boat Mayflower. Details of the service are given on page 382.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.

SAND BOAT ESCORTED DOWN RIVER Broughty Ferry, Angus.—At 2.5 on the afternoon of the 26th of November, 1956, a director of the Tay Sand Co., Ltd., telephoned to say that two sand boats were dredging above the Tay Bridge and were now heavily laden.

A severe westerly gale was blowing, and he feared that they might be swamped or driven ashore. He there- fore asked if the life-boat would launch to stand by them and escort them to a more sheltered position. At 2.43 the life-boat Mona was launched. There was a rough sea, and it was low water.

The life-boat spoke the two sand boats Wlsbech and Lintie and also came up with a third sand boat named Kinfauns. She stood by them until the gale had moderated, when the Kinfauns and the Lintie proceeded up river to shelter. The Wisbech, which was not so heavily laden, went down river to Dundee harbour escorted by the life-boat. When the Wisbech had reached Dundee harbour the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 8.15. The company expressed thanks.

—Rewards to the crew, £16 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 13s.

ESCORT FOR STEAMER IN GALE Aberdeen.—At 2.29 on the afternoon of the 26th of November, 1956, the coastguard reported that the Norweg- ian steamer Strindheim, laden with timber, was due to arrive off Aberdeen about eight o'clock in the evening and would want help either to dock or to beach the ship, as she had six feet of water in her main hold and was listing ten degrees to port. Her position was then forty miles cast of Aberdeen. At 4.54 a further message was received from the Strindheim that she was making very little headway in a gale.

She asked for a tug or some other craft to meet her as soon as possible as her situation was becoming serious.

Because of the very heavy and con- fused seas it was decided to send the life-boat, and at 5.45 the no. 1 life-boat Hilton Briggs put out in a strong north-westerly gale and a flooding tide.

She came up with the steamer and escorted her to Aberdeen, arriving at 6.45 the next morning.—Rewards to the crew, £34 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 16s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY LONDON TANKER New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 5.10 on the afternoon of the 29th of November, 1956, the Formby coastguard tele- phoned to say the tanker Burma Emerald, of London, was aground on the revetment wall near the Formby buoy. At 5.20 the life-boat Norman B. Corlett put out. There was a rough sea, a fresh north-north-westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat reached the position at 7.5, and the master of the Bu?ma Emerald, which had fifty people on board, asked the coxswain to stand by. The tanker refloated on the rising tide, and the life-boat returned to her moorings, arriving at 9.15.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 10s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing: Swanage, Dorset.—November 1st.— Rewards, £21 11s.

Aberdeen. — November 3rd. — Re- wards, £13 16s. 3d.

Dungeness, Kent.—November 7th.— Rewards, £23 3s.

HONORARY SECRETARY DROWNED FROM LAUNCH Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—At 12.10 early on the morning of the 8th of November, 1956, a telephone message was received from the Dublin harbour office that a motor launch with three men on board needed help two hundred yards south of Poolbeg lighthouse.

At 1.5 the life-boat Dunleary II put out. There was a very rough sea, a fresh to moderate southerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding.

The life-boat went to the position, and with the help of the searchlight found the launch very close to the rocks.

The coxswain took the life-boat to between ten and twenty yards of the launch, but could not bring her closer because of the rocks. An attempt to float a breeches buoy on a line to the launch failed, and it was decided to use the Schermuly pistol. By this time it was necessary for the life-boat to make a turn to approach a second time, and while she was turning the launch was smashed against the Pool- beg lighthouse wall. A search was carried out for survivors over the area of a triangle formed by Poolbeg light- house wall, the no. 2 buoy and the North Bull lighthouse, but the life-boat found only a life-jacket. The search was abandoned at 3.45, and the life- boat returned to her moorings, arriving at 4.15. It was decided to carry out a further search in daylight. Two and a half hours later the life-boat put out again, and after searching for two hours and finding nothing returned to her moorings at 8.40. One of the men drowned was the harbour master of Dun Laoghaire, Captain R. S. Kearon, O.B.E., who had shortly before been appointed honorary secretary of the life-boat station.—Rewards, £25 11*.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—November 8th.—Rewards, £14 18s.

Clovelly, Devon.—November 10th.— Rewards, £22 4s.

Troon, Ayrshire.—November llth,— Rewards, £7 10s.

Ramsgate, Kent.—November 16th.— Rewards, £8 3s.

Valentia, Co. Kerry.—November 16th.

—Rewards, £11 4s.

Margate, Kent.—November 17th.— Rewards, £18 9s.

Dungeness, Kent.—November 18th.— Rewards, £32 18*.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—November 20th.—Rewards, £11 8s.

The conditions were too bad to allow the sick man to be taken aboard.

The doctor treated him in the light- house, and then he and the second coxswain returned to the life-boat, which reached her station again at 2.15. Later that morning a message was received that the man was no better, and as it seemed unlikely that he could be taken aboard the life-boat because of the weather, it was decided to send a helicopter. The helicopter took off with the doctor and by means of the scoop net the sick man was lifted into it. He was then landed in a field near St. David's, and arrangements were made for him to be taken to hospital. Trinity House expressed their thanks to the Institu- tion.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3.

Refunded to the Institution by Trinity House.

TAKEN OFF MOTOR VESSEL IN GALE Penlee, Cornwall.—At nine o'clock on the morning of the 9th of December, 1956, a message was received from a doctor that a vessel, which was making for Mounts Bay with an injured man on board, had asked for the life-boat to bring him ashore. It was agreed that the life-boat should meet the vessel, which was the M.V. Plarborough, five miles south of Penzance. At noon the life-boat W. and S. was launched. There was a rough sea and a strong south-westerly gale.

The tide was ebbing. Because of the bad weather the Harborough was brought further into the bay than had originally been planned, and the injured man was transferred to the life-boat and landed at Xewlyn. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 5.30. The owners made a gift to the crew.—Rewards to the crew, £18; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 14s. Gd.

FOUR SILLOTH FIREMEN LOST FROM BOAT Workington, Cumberland.—At 7.-10 on the evening of the 10th of December, 1956, a message was received from the Walney coastguard that a small boat, with four Silloth firemen on board, had put out at five o'clock from Grune Point to search for a man in danger on Skinburness Marsh.

The boat had not been seen since.

The tide at this time had just begun to flood, and it would have been impossible to make for Skinburness until one hour before high water.

Meanwhile the Silloth pilot was asked to come to Workington and go with the life-boat to search. At 11.30 the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX put out. There was a rough sea and a moderate west-south-westerly gale.

The life-boat reached Silloth, where she had to wait again for the tide to make. She left there at 4.40 and began to search Morcambe Bay. On the way she grounded four or five times. She found the upturned boat, but there was 110 sign of her crew.

The life-boat towed the boat back to Workington, arriving there at 8.15 in the evening. The four firemen lost their lives.—Rewards to the crew, £55 5s.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED TO GOURDON Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—Bv ten o'clock on the morning of the 12th of December, 1956, a strong southerly gale had sprung up. The sea was very rough, and as the local fishing fleet was at sea it was decided to launch the life-boat. At 10.20 the life-boat The Edith Clauson-Thue was launched. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat escorted four fishing boats safely to harbour. Two others took shelter in Stonehaven harbour. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at four o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £14; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 6,9.

DREDGER ESCORTED UP MERSEY CHANNEL New Brighton, Cheshire.—At 1.15 on the afternoon of the 12th of December, 1956, the Formby coastguard tele- phoned that the dredger Delta had engine trouble and was in danger of drifting on to the revetment wall a mile and a half north of Q.6 buoy in the Mersey Channel. At 1.35 the life-boat Norman B. Corlett put out.

There was a moderate sea, a strong west-south-westerly breeze was blow- ing-, and the tide was flooding1. The Delta had in the meantime restarted her engines, and when the life-boat met her near C.6 buoy she was pro- ceeding up the channel. The life-boat escorted her to New Brighton and returned to her moorings at 3.10.— Rewards to the crew, £7 10,?.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 6s.

LIFE-BOAT BRINGS CREW ASHORE TO BUY FOOD Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—At 11.30 on the morning of the 13th of December, 1956, the harbour master received a message from the motor vessel Centurity of London, which had anchored in the harbour because of bad weather, that her crew were short of food. At noon the life-boat Douglas Hyde put out, as there was no other suitable boat available.

There was a rough sea, a strong west- south-westerly gale was blowing, and it was high water. The life-boat brought three of the crew of the Centurity ashore to purchase supplies and then returned them to their vessel. She arrived back at her moor- ings at 3.30. Partly paid permanent crew.—Rewards to the crew, £7; reward to the helper on shore, 15*.

AMBULANCE MEN TAKEN OUT IN GALE St. Peter Port, Guernsey.—At 7.20 on the morning of the 14th of December, 1956, the St. John Ambulance Area Commissioner reported that an urgent call had been received from a doctor at Sark informing him of a maternity case requiring immediate surgical at- tention. As a severe gale was blowing the Area Commissioner thought it was not advisable to use the ambulance launch, and at 8.3 the life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put out with four members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade on board. There was a very rough sea, a moderate south-south- westerly gale was blowing and the tide was ebbing. The woman was brought to St. Peter Port, which was reached at 10.10.—Rewards to the crew, £10 10*.; reward to the helper on shore, 14s.

LINE PASSED FROM TUG TO MOTOR VESSEL Walmer, Kent.—At 1.15 on the after- noon of the 14th of December, 1956, the Deal coastguard telephoned that the motor vessel Szcallow needed help in the Downs. At 1.30 the life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2) was launched. There was a rough sea, a strong south-westerly gale was blow- ing, and it was low water. On reaching the position the life-boat found that the Swallow's engine had broken down, and at the request of her master three members of the life- boat crew went aboard. After stand- ing by for a while the life-boat passed a towing line from the tug Lady Brassey to the Swallow, and after the tow was safely under way returned to her station, arriving at 6.30. Property Salvage Case.

MOTOR VESSEL TOWED TO SHEERNESS Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 5.15 on the evening of the 14th of December, 1956, a message was received from the coastguard that flares had been seen near the no. 1 Sea Reach buoy.

At 5.40 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30} was launched.

There was a rough sea, a fresh south- westerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. While on her way the life-boat learnt from the North Foreland radio station that the mote* vessel Raycrest, of London, with a crew of three, was ashore one mile east-north-east of the no. 1 Sea Reach buoy. She came up with the Raycres/t and found the Dutch vessel Admiral Courbet standing by. As the master of the Raycrest did not wish to leave his vessel, the coxswain put two of hi* crew aboard with a tow rope and the vessel was brought to Sheernes where she anchored. The life-boai then returned to her station, arriving at 9.5. Property Salvage Case.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY FISHING VESSEL Eyemouth, Berwickshire.—At 12.5 OB the afternoon of the 15th of December 1956, a message was received thai the motor fishing vessel Rose VaUtf of Burnmouth was three miles east of Burnmouth with a broken fuel pipe and needed help. The life-boat Clara and Emily Harwell, which had just returned from a routine exercise, put out immediately with the District Inspector on board. There was a rough sea, a strong north-north- westerly breeze was blowing, and it was high water. The life-boat found that the Rose Valley, with a crew of three, had contacted another Burn- mouth fishing boat and asked her to tow her back to harbour. The life- boat stood by until the other fishing boat arrived, and when both vessels were on their way she returned to her station, arriving at 1.15.—Rewards to the crew, £6 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 15s.

THIRTEEN RESCUED FROM STEAM TRAWLER Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At 4.50 on the afternoon of the 15th of December, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that the steam trawler Northman of Aber- deen was aground off the Peterhead north breakwater. Ten minutes later the life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow was launched. There was a calm sea, a light south-westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was ebbing.

The life-boat came up with the Northman and found that she was on the rocks near the entrance to the harbour. Her crew of thirteen were rescued, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving back at 6.15.— Rewards to the crew, £7 1 Os.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2.

FRENCH TRAWLERS ESCORTED TO NEWHAVEN Newhaven, Sussex.—At 8.34 on the evening of the 17th of December, 1956, the coastguard telephoned that a trawler had fired a red flare two miles south-south-east of Newhaven.

At 8.45 the life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched. There was a moderate sea and a moderate south- westerly breeze. The tide was flood- ing. On reaching the position the life-boat found the French trawler Durandel, whose engines had broken down, in tow of another French trawler. She escorted them to New- haven, arriving at 9.20.—Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 12s.

SICK MAN BROUGHT FROM IRISH LIGHTHOUSE Galway Bay, Co. Galway.—At 1.30 on the afternoon of the 19th of De- cember, 1956, a telephone message was received from the Irish Lights Office asking if the life-boat would land a sick man from Slyne Head lighthouse. At 2.15 the life-boat Ma- bel Marion Thompson put out. There was a heavy swell, a light south- westerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The sick man was transferred to the life-boat and landed at Rossaveal, where a doctor was waiting. The life-boat then re- turned to her moorings, arriving at 5.15 the next morning.—Rewards to the crew, £34 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 6s.

LOSS OF MEMBER OF EXMOUTH CREW On the 25th of December, 1956, the Exmouth and Torbay life-boats put out to the Dutch motor vessel Minerva. In the course of the service William Carder, a member of the Exmouth crew, was washed overboard and lost his life. For a full account of this service see page 387.

LIFE-BOAT PUTS OUT FOUR TIMES TO TANKER Kirkcudbright.—At nine o'clock on the morning of the 28th of December, 1956, a local resident informed the life-boat station that the tanker B.P.

Marketer was in trouble in very bad weather in Dhoon Bay. At 9.52 the life-boat J. B. Couper of Glasgow was launched. There was a very rough sea, a whole south-easterly gale was blowing, and the tide was ebbing.

The life-boat went to the position and stood by the tanker until she was aground. When the master told the coxswain that he would not need the life-boat any longer she returned to her station, arriving at noon. She remained at moorings, and at 7.20 in the evening she put out at the request of the tanker's master to stand by during high water as the weather was still bad. The tanker remained aground and the life-boat returned to her moorings at 11.25.

The next morning she put out again at 8.15. A tug had now reached the tanker, and both the tug and the life-boat tried to refloat her. They failed, and the life-boat returned once more to her moorings. Later that evening the life-boat put out for the fourth time to stand by and pass towing lines between the vessels.

The tanker eventually refloated, and the life-boat reached her station at 4.59. The Shell-Mex and British Pe- troleum companies expressed their appreciation and made a contribution to the funds of the Institution and a gift to the crew.—Rewards to the crew, £46 10 .; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12 2.9.

RESCUE FROM SWEDISH MOTOR VESSEL Lerwick, Shetlands.—At 11.24 on the morning of the 28th of December, 1956, the coastguard telephoned to say the motor vessel Samba, of Gothenburg1, which had been drifting with engine trouble 122 miles south- east of Lerwick since the afternoon of the 26th of December, was now approaching the Shetland coast.

Several trawlers were standing by but were unable to take her in tow.

At 11.50 the life-boat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland put out. There were very high seas, a whole south-east gale was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The position of the Samba at 12.56 was thirteen miles south-by- east of Bard Head, and she was drifting north-west at four knots. The life- boat made for the position indicated, which was later amended to two miles south-east of Bard Head. She came up with the Samba off Mousa and rescued five of her crew of eleven, the other six men having been taken off previously by a Dutch tug. The life- boat then returned to her station, arriving at 5.30. The Samba be- came a total wreck.—Rewards to the crew, £18 55. The owners made a con- tribution to the funds of the Institution.

INJURED MAN TAKEN OFF TRAWLER Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—At 12.30 on the afternoon of the 30th of December, 1956, the harbour master reported that the trawler Equerry, of Grimsby, which was in Peterhead Bay on her way to the fishing grounds, had an injured man on board. At 12.50 the life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow put out. There was a rough sea, a south-easterly gale was blowing, and it was high water. The life-boat came up with the Equerry, and the injured man was transferred.

The life-boat arrived back at her station at five o'clock.—Rewards to the crew, £5; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8,9.

DUTCH VESSEL ON FIRE IN GALE Weymouth, Dorset.—At 3.15 on the afternoon of the 30th of December, 1956, the Wyke Regis coastguard telephoned that the Dutch vessel Pegasus, of Groningen, was on fire 25 miles south-west of Portland Bill and that her deck cargo was exploding.

At 3.30 the life-boat William and Clara Ryland put out. There was a very rough sea, a strong south-westerly gale was blowing, and there were heavy rain squalls. The tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the Pegasus, which had a crew of eight, eight miles south-west of Port- land Bill. A Shackleton aircraft had dropped flares to indicate to the coxswain the position of the vessel, and contact was kept with the aircraft by use of the life-boat's V.H.F. radio- telephone. The life-boat escorted the Pegasus to calmer waters off Portland harbour, where the Pegasus anchored.

The life-boat returned to her moorings at 8.20. The master of the Dutch vessel thanked the crew.—Rewards to the crew, £14 5s.; reward to the helper on shore, 12,9.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in dis- tress, were not needed or could do nothing: Humber, Yorkshire.—December 1st.

—Paid permanent crew.

Fleetwood, Lancashire. — December 1st.—Rewards, £18.

Barrow, Lancashire.—December 1st.

—Rewards, £13 Is.

Dover, Kent.—December 5th.—Re- wards, £8.

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.—Decem- ber 5th.—Rewards, £10 11s.

Arranmore, Co. Donegal.—December 6th.—Rewards, £16 Is.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight—December 10th.—Rewards, £25 10*.

Anstruther, Fifeshire. — December 13th.—Rewards, £29 14s.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—December 14th.—Rewards, £16 18s.

Selsey, Sussex.—December 15th.— Rewards, £16 12s.

Selsey, Sussex.—December 18th.— Rewards, £19 3s.

St. Ives, Cornwall.—December 21st.

—Rewards, £15 7s.

Hastings, Sussex.—December 22nd.— Rewards, £35 11s.

North Sunderland, Northumberland.— December 23rd.—Rewards, £18 19s.

Boulmer, Northumberland.—Decem- ber 23rd.—Rewards, £24 16s.

Holy Island, Northumberland. — De- cember 23rd.—Rewards, £16 10s.

Troon, Ayrshire.—December 24th.— Rewards, £14 5s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—December 26th.—Rewards, £10 Is.

Longhope, Orkneys.—December 26th.

—Rewards, £24 16s.

Skegness, Lincolnshire. — December 27th.—Rewards, £18 5s.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. — Decem- ber 29th.—Rewards, £22 18s.

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire.—December 29th.—Rewards, £18 17s.

Newburgh, Aberdeenshire.—Decem- ber 29th.—Rewards, £23 2s.

Scarborough, Yorkshire.—December 29th.—Rewards, £19 15s.

Selsey, Sussex.—December 30th.— Rewards, £27 9s.

Islay, Hebrides.—December 30th.— Rewards, £31 19s..