Flamborough, Yorkshire.—At 6.25 on the evening of the 28th of March, 1957, the coastguard telephoned that an ex- it.A.F. motor launch appeared to be in need of help one and a half miles east-north-east of Flamborough Head but had shown no distress signal. As darkness was falling it was decided to launch the life-boat Friendly Forester at seven o'clock. There was a moderate sea and a light northerly breeze blow- ing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the motor vessel Scarpe, whose engines had broken down. She had a crew of three.

Shortly afterwards the collier Murdoch arrived and offered to tow the Scarpeto London. The life-boat coxswain advised the skipper of the Scarpe that his vessel should be towed by the life- boat to Bridlington. but this offer was declined. The life-boat passed a tow- ing line from the collier to the vessel, and when this had been done the Scarpe's skipper thanked the coxswain for his help and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 8.45.

Fifty-five minutes later the coast- guard telephoned that a message had been received from the collier Murdoch that the Scarpe's bows were splitting and asking for the help of the life- boat. The life-boat Friendly Forester was launched at ten o'clock. The position of the Scarpe was now six miles east-south-east of Flamborough Head. The life-boat coxswain kept contact by radio with the Murdock, and when the lights of the Scarpe had been sighted by the coxswain the Murdock proceeded on her passage.

The coxswain found that during the towing the Scarpe's, winch had been pulled completely out of her deck.

With some difficulty a towing rope was made fast, and the vessel was taken to Bridlington, arriving there at 2.15. The life-boat reached her station at 3.35.—First service: rewards to the crew, £7 10.?.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £16 2s. Second service: rewards to the crew, £14; rewards to the helpers on shore, £15 10s..