At 7.30 on the morning of the 5th of November, 1957, the honorary secretary of the New Brighton station, Captain G. Ayre, learnt from the Formby coastguard that the /. B. Kee, a coaster of 211 tons, of Castletown, Tsle of Man, was in difficulties ten miles west of Morecambe Bay lightvessel.

Her cargo of gravel had shifted in a fresh southerly gale, and the Fleetwood life-boat had gone to her help.

The master of the /. B. Kee had later told the coastguard that she no longer needed help and was making for Liverpool Bar lightvessel at a speed of twoand- a-half knots. Captain Ayre alerted the crew of the New Brighton life-boat.

At 8.54 it was learnt that the J. B.

Kee was again in difficulties. She had developed a heavy list to port in high seas off Liverpool Bar. The Liverpool pilot cutter was standing by, but the heavy list of the coaster and the seas which were running made it impossible for her to give any help.

It was decided that the New Brighton life-boat should put out, and her crew had considerable difficulty in boarding her at her moorings. At 9.20 the 52-feet Barnett life-boat Norman B.

Corlett cast off.

Strong Gale Blowing A strong gale was blowing from the south-south-west. The seas were very rough and there were intermittent rain squalls. It was nearly high water, and the tide was turning in Liverpool Bay. On being told that the position of the coaster was now a mile-and-ahalf south of the bar, Coxswain George Stonall decided to take the life-boat through the Rock Channel and over the banks on a direct course.

About 10.15 the life-boat reached the J. B. Kee. The coaster was drifting just west of the entrance to the Queen's Channel in five fathoms of water. She had a list of 45° to port and was unable to steam or to work her boats or anchors. She had a 14-inch beltingrunning round her hull just above the water line, and she was lying beam-on to wind and sea with her head to the north-west.

Port Rails in Water Her port rails were in the water, and she was rolling her bridge deck into the sea and shipping water over all. Her starboard bilge keel was coming out of the water, and this and the wide belting made it extremely hazardous for the life-boat to approach her on the starboard side. Nevertheless Coxswain Stonall decided that her starboard bow offered the best chance of a successful rescue.

Through the loudhailer he told the crew of the coaster to muster forward.

He waited for the right moment and then ran the port bow of the life-boat right alongside the starboard side of the coaster and called to her crew to jump.

The life-boat crew lined the deck and seized the six members of the coaster's crew as they slid down into the boat. No one was injured and Coxswain Stonall brought the life-boat away stern first, avoiding both the coaster's bilge keel and her belting.

The J. B. Kee rolled over and sank shortly afterwards.

The life-boat returned to her station and landed the survivors at New Brighton at 11.45.

Bronze Medal Awarded For this service the bronze medal of the Institution has been awarded to Coxswain Stonall. The thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum have been accorded to Motor Mechanic John Bray, who carried out his duties single-handed because the assistant mechanic was sick.

Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 10s. ; additional rewards to the crew, £16.

Total rewards, £29 15s. Od..