OCTOBER DURING October life - boats were launched on service 50 times and rescued 41 lives.

ESCORT FOR KETCH IN TOW OF TRAWLER Walmer, Kent. At 1.42 early on the morning of the 1st of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that red flares had been seen four to five miles south-east of the look-out.

At two o'clock the life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2) was launched. An east-south-easterly gale was blowing, with a rough sea, and it was high water. At 2.48 a message was intercepted from the trawler Saleta stating that she had taken the auxiliary ketch Terminist of Plymouth, which had fifteen people on board, in tow, as the ketch was making water and her steering gear was broken. The lifeboat met the two vessels and escorted them to Dover harbour. She then returned to her station, arriving at eight o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £16 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 17s.

POLISH FISHING VESSEL AGROUND ON ROCK North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 9.45 on the evening of the 1st of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that the Longstone lighthouse-keeper had reported that a vessel had hove to on or near Knavestone Rock. At ten o'clock the lifeboat Grace Darling was launched in a slight sea. There was a moderate south-easterly wind, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the Polish fishing vessel Szpak aground on the rock. The crew of eighteen were in a state of some distress, and the life-boat stood by until the fishing vessel refloated on the tide. The Szpak was badly damaged and had lost her rudder, and she was taken in tow by a sister vessel.

The life-boat reached her station at 6.30. Rewards to the crew, £20 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 15s.

TWO FISHING VESSELS TAKEN IN TOW Dunbar, East Lothian. At 10.15 on the morning of the 3rd of October, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor fishing vessel Snowdrop of Inverness was disabled off the Bass Rock, six miles east of Dunbar.

The life-boat George and Sarah Strachan put out at 10.30 in a rough sea, with a fresh south-easterly wind blowing and a flood tide. While she was on her way to the position given, the motor fishing vessel Yvonne Risager was seen to be also in difficulties. The coxswain decided to go to the assistance of the Snowdrop first. The life-boat took her in tow and later took the Yvonne Risager in tow also. The tow ropes parted three times, and as the life-boat approached the harbour, to which the entrance is somewhat narrow, the coxswain decided to cast off the Snowdrop.

The life-boat towed the Yvonne Risager into the harbour, and the Snowdrop was taken in tow by another fishing vessel.

The life-boat reached her station at four o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £16 5s.

ESCORT FOR FRENCH FISHING BOAT Plymouth, Devon. At 11.27 on the morning of the 3rd of October, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a fishing boat appeared to have engine trouble two miles westnorth- west of Queener Point. At 11.47 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse put out in a rough sea, with a southerly gale blowing and an ebb tide.

She found the fishing boat Eutarte, of Cherbourg, off Rame Head, proceeding under her own power. She escorted her into the Sound, and after the crew of the French boat had thanked the lifeboat crew she returned to her moorings, arriving at 1.35. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s.

MAN RESCUED FROM YACHT AGROUND Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 11.47 on the morning of the 3rd of October, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the yacht Stella of Whitstable was in difficulties three miles south of Clacton pier. One of her crew had been rescued by a helicopter, but a second man had refused to leave. The life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched in a rough sea, with a fresh southerly wind blowing and an ebb tide. She found the yacht aground on the Gunfleet Bank, with the man clinging to the rigging, and although the water was extremely shallow managed to come alongside. The man fell overboard from the yacht but was quickly recovered by the life-boat crew, who landed him at Clacton. The Stella later sank. Because of the bad weather the life-boat went to moorings at Brightlingsea, and her crew arrived home at six o'clock in the evening.

Rewards to the crew, £16 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 9s.

TOW FOR YACHT SAILING TO NEW ZEALAND St. Mary's, Scilly Isles. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 4th of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a yacht was in difficulties seven miles east of St. Agnes lighthouse. At 10.42 the life-boat Guy and Clare Hunter was launched in a rough sea. There was a moderate south-westerly wind and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat found the yacht Mary Ann of Aberystwyth with two people on board. She had been on passage to New Zealand, but her rudder had broken. The life-boat took her in tow to St. Mary's, arriving at two o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s.

TOW FOR YACHT AGROUND IN ESTUARY Lytham-St Anne's, Lancashire. At 9.55 on the evening of the 4th of October, 1958, the mechanic told the honorary secretary that the owner of the motor yacht Le Cateau of Glasson Dock had rowed ashore to report that his vessel was aground on the south side of the Ribble estuary, half a mile north of Lytham pier. The life-boat White Star, on temporary duty at the station, put out at 10.40 with the yacht's owner on board in a moderate sea. There was a moderate southwesterly wind and a flood tide. The life-boat towed the yacht into deep water, where she was anchored inshore of the navigation barge. The life-boat reached her station at 1.15 in the morning. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 15s.

CREW OF FISHING VESSEL RESCUED FROM ROCKS Stronsay, Orkneys. At 1.15 early on the morning of the 5th of October, 1958, the coastguard at Kirkwall told the honorary secretary that a distress message had been sent from a vessel in the Westray Firth. While the life-boat crew were being assembled further enquiries were made, and the coastguard reported that flares had been seen on the west side of the Island of Westray. At 2.35 the life-boat The John Gellatly Hyndman put out in a moderate sea, with a moderate southwesterly wind blowing and an ebb tide.

She made for the position in heavy rain squalls and found the fishing vessel Tanana of Grimsby stranded on Wart Holm. Her crew of six were ashore on the rocks close by. The coxswain, with the aid of the searchlight, brought the life-boat alongside the rocks, and the six men scrambled aboard her.

They were transferred to the fishing vessel Capella, which was close at hand, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 7.5 The Tanana became a total wreck. Rewards to the crew, £16 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

TOW FOR FISHING VESSEL WITH DAMAGED PROPELLER Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. At 12.15 on the afternoon of the 5th of October, 1958, the coastguard informed the coxswain that a message had been intercepted from the collier Brent Knoll that the fishing vessel Cossack was in difficulty seven miles east-south-east of Haisborough lighthouse.

At 12.40 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched in a rough sea, with a strong south-south-westerly wind blowing and a flood tide. She reached the position and took the Cossack, which had a broken propeller-shaft coupling, in tow, reaching her station at 5.20. Rewards to the crew, £23 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3.

TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITH FOULED PROPELLERS Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 1.3 on the afternoon of the 5th of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a small fishing boat was in difficulties off Hopton Bank. At 1.10 the life-boat Cunard, on temporary duty at the station, put out in a choppy sea.

There was a strong southerly wind and it was high water. The life-boat found the fishing boat Harnser of Yarmouth with her trawl foul of her propellers, and took her in tow to Yarmouth harbour, reaching her station at 4.30.

Rewards to the crew, £14 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 4s.

CREW OF THIRTEEN RESCUED FROM TRAWLER Wick, Caithness-shire, and Longhope, Orkneys. At 11.26 on the night of the 7th of October, 1958, the coastguard at Kirkwall informed the honorary secretary at Longhope that the trawler Ben Meidie of North Shields was ashore on the Pentland Skerries. Four minutes later the message was passed to the honorary secretary at Wick. The Longhope life-boat Thomas McCunn was launched at 11.52, and the Wick lifeboat City of Edinburgh put out at 11.45.

The life-boats found the trawler ashore on Critlay Rock with a forty-five degree list to port. It was decided that the Wick life-boat should first go alongside the port side of the trawler. She did so and rescued the crew of thirteen.

During the rescue operations the second coxswain's foot was injured. The two life-boats then returned to their stations, the Longhope boat arriving at 3.45 and the Wick boat at 3.50. The trawler became a total wreck. Wick : rewards to the crew, £10 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 4s. Longhope : rewards to the crew, £15 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 5s.

CABINET MINISTER BROUGHT TO MAINLAND Galway Bay. On the 8th of October, 1958, the Minister of State for Gaelic Affairs arrived at Kilronan with other officials in the island mail steamer with the intention of visiting the neighbouring islands by motor boat the next day and returning to the mainland to attend an important Cabinet meeting on the 10th of October. Weather deteriorated overnight, and not only was he unable to visit the islands, but there was no boat at Kilronan which could bring him back to the mainland. The lifeboat Mabel Marion Thompson therefore put out at five o'clock in a very rough sea, with a strong westerly wind blowing and an ebb tide. She landed the Minister on the nearest point of the mainland, returning to her station at 8.10 p.m. The Minister made a donation to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 15s.

MOTOR CRUISER TOWED TO JERSEY St. Helier, Jersey. At 6.30 on the evening of the 9th of October, 1958, the honorary secretary received a message from the harbour office that red flares had been seen in St. Ouen Bay. The life-boat Elizabeth Rippon put out at 6.49 in a heavy swell. There were light southerly airs and an ebb tide. The life-boat found the motor cruiser Tanheti II, with two men aboard, a mile and a half north-north-west of Corbiere lighthouse. The coxswain put a man on board, and the motor cruiser, which had broken down with engine trouble, was taken in tow to St. Helier, arriving at 9.25. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

SICK CHILD TAKEN TO ORKNEY HOSPITAL Stronsay, Orkneys. At 3.30 on the afternoon of the llth of October, 1958, the local doctor asked the honorary secretary if the life-boat could be used to convey a child who was seriously ill to Kirkwall hospital. As there was no other boat available, the life-boat The John Gellatly Hyndman put out at four o'clock with the sick child, the child's mother and a nurse on board. There was a moderate sea, a fresh west-southwesterly wind was blowing, and it was low water. The life-boat reached Kirkwall at 6.10, and an ambulance took the child to hospital, where unfortunately the child died within half an hour. The life-boat left Kirkwall at 8.15, bringing back the mother and nurse, and arrived at her station at 10.15. For this service the crew and the helpers would accept no rewards.

CABIN CRUISER TOWED TO IRISH HARBOUR Cloughey, Co. Down. At 4.40 on the afternoon of the 12th of October, 1958, the bowman told the coxswain that a small boat was burning flares near the North Rock. The life-boat Helen Sutton, on temporary duty at the station, was launched in a slight sea. There was a light westerly wind, and it was low water. The life-boat found the cabin cruiser Elmar of Portaferry with her propeller-shaft broken. The Elmar's crew of two had set fire to some old sails soaked in petrol to attract attention.

The life-boat took her in tow to Portavogie harbour and reached her station at 7.50. Rewards to the crew, £12 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 15s.

FISHING VESSEL ESCORTED TO HASTINGS Hastings, Sussex. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 13th of October, 1958, the honorary secretary asked the coastguard for information about three fishing vessels which had gone to the fishing grounds the previous evening, for the weather was deteriorating. He learnt that two of the vessels had returned safely, but that the third, the fishing vessel Breadwinner, was about to leave the fishing grounds for Hastings.

There was a rough sea with a strong south-westerly wind blowing, and at 11.20 the life-boat M.T.C. was launched at high water. She found the Breadwinner and escorted her safely to Hastings, arriving at 1.4. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £19 12s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO PORTRUSH Portrush, Co. Antrim. At 6.43 on the evening of the 14th of October, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a local fishing boat was overdue and the relations of the crew were becoming anxious. At 8.2 the lifeboat Lady Scott (Civil Service No. 4) was launched in a rough sea. There was a west-south-westerly wind of nearly gale force, with rain squalls, and it was high water. The life-boat met the fishing boat Confide, which had a crew of two, a mile and half west of Portrush and escorted her safely to harbour, arriving at 8.55. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY NORWEGIAN STEAMER IN GALE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

At 6.45 on the morning of the 16th of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a message had been intercepted from the S.S. Gudrun of Norway stating that her deck cargo of timber had shifted and she had a heavy list to port. She needed immediate assistance, and her position was given as six miles east of the Smith's Knoll light. At 6.58 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched in a very heavy sea. A strong north-westerly gale was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the Gudrun eleven miles east of the Smith's Knoll light. Fifteen of her crew had been taken off by the Lowestoft drifter Thrifty, leaving the master and two men on board. The life-boat stood by until the Dutch tug Scheldt arrived to take the Gudrun in tow. She then returned to her station, arriving at 11.59. Because of weather conditions she could not be rehoused until two days later.

Rewards to the crew, £44 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 15s.

ESCORT FOR BARGE IN NEAR GALE Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 11.59 on the morning of the 16th of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a barge close to the pier was sending morse signals indicating the need of a life-boat. At 12.15 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was laun- ched in a rough sea. There was a north-westerly wind of near gale force and a flood tide. The coxswain spoke the barge Dingle of London and learnt that another barge, Allan of London, was making heavy weather in the Spitway. She made for the Allan and escorted her to calmer water and then returned to her station, arriving at 1.50.

Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 18s.

MEDALS FOR RESCUE FROM SOVIET TRAWLER In the early hours of the 17th of October, 1958, the Lerwick, Shetland Islands, life-boat rescued the only three survivors of the Soviet trawler Urbe. A full account of this service, for which Coxswain John Sales was awarded the silver medal for gallantry, Mr. Duncan Mouat the bronze medal and the other members of the crew the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum, appears on page 182.

DUTCH MOTOR VESSEL AGROUND ON ROCKS Donaghadee, Co. Down. At 5.45 on the morning of the 18th of October, 1958, the coastguard at Orlock informed the honorary secretary that the motor vessel Clipper of Rotterdam was aground on the Maidens off Larne. At 6.10 the life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly put out in fine weather, with a light westerly wind blowing, a choppy sea and an ebb tide. She found the motor vessel on Straddle Rock, stood by until she refloated and then escorted her to Larne, where a member of her crew, suffering from a head injury, was landed. The life-boat returned to her station at 5.30 in the evening. Rewards to the crew, £32.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF TRAWLER Barra Island, Hebrides. At 10.40 on the night of the 20th of October, 1958, a message was received from the local trawlers' agent that there was a sick man on board the steam trawler Boston Gannet of Fleetwood. The skipper had asked that the man should be landed and given medical attention.

At eleven o'clock the life-boat R. A.

Colby Citbbin No. 3 put out in a calm sea with a gentle south-easterly wind blowing and an ebb tide. She embarked the sick man and landed him at 12.30. After receiving immediate treatment he was sent to hospital at Oban.

Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.

DOCTOR TAKEN OUT TO TRAWLER Stornoway, Hebrides. At 11.15 on the night of the 21st of October, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a trawler bound for Stornoway from the Little Minch had a badly injured man on board who needed immediate medical attention. At 11.45 the life-boat The James and Margaret Boyd put out with the honorary medical adviser on board. There was a choppy sea, with a moderate south-westerly wind blowing and a flood tide. The life-boat met the trawler Tervani of Fleetwood, and the doctor went aboard, but the man was found to be dead.

The life-boat and the trawler then made for Stornoway, arriving at 4.15.

Rewards to the crew, £14 5s.

WRECKAGE OF AIRCRAFT FOUND AT SEA Dungeness, Kent. At 12.30 on the afternoon of the 24th of October, 1958, the coastguard at Lade informed the honorary secretary that wreckage of an aircraft had been seen four miles south of Varne lightvessel. At 12.50 the lifeboat Charles Cooper Henderson, on temporary duty at the station, was launched in a calm sea. There was a light easterly wind and an ebb tide.

An aircraft dropped a smoke flare to indicate the position and the wreckage was recovered and handed over to a Royal Air Force air-sea rescue launch.

A search was carried out for the pilot of the aircraft without success, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at six o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £14 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £21 5s.

ESCORT FOR TRAWLER IN TOW OF RESCUE LAUNCH Plymouth, Devon. At 9.54 on the morning of the 28th of October, 1958, the coastguard at Rame Head informed the honorary secretary that the French trawler Petite Marie-Claude had an engine failure off Looe Bay three and a half miles west-north-west of Plymouth Point. At 10.8 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse put out in a moderate swell. There was a moderate south-easterly wind and a flood tide.

A Royal Air Force air-sea rescue launch from Mount Batten found the trawler south-south-west of Polperro and took her in tow. The life-boat escorted both vessels until they were in Plymouth Sound and returned to her moorings at two o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.

TOW FOR DRIFTING FISHING BOAT Flamborough, Yorkshire. At 3.45 on the afternoon of the 29th of October, 1958, a message was received from a local fisherman that the fishing boat Our Confidence of Bridlington needed help six miles north-east of Flamborough Head. The fisherman had been returning to harbour in his small coble when he had seen the fishing boat drifting, apparently with engine trouble.

At four o'clock the life-boat Friendly Forester was launched in a slight sea with a moderate south-westerly wind blowing and a flood tide. Visibility was poor. The life-boat made for the position, found the fishing boat, which had a crew of four, and towed her to Bridlington, arriving at seven o'clock.

She reached her own station at 8.10.

Rewards to the crew, £12 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12.

MOTOR YACHT TOWED TO HARBOUR Weymouth, Dorset. At 8.40 on the morning of the 31st of October, 1958, the coastguard at Wyke Regis told the honorary secretary that a motor yacht had broken down three miles southwest of Portland and that H.M. frigate Murray had left Portland to give assistance. At 9.5 the life-boat Frank Spiller Locke put out in a slight sea, with a light north-westerly wind blowing and a flood tide. When the lifeboat reached the position she found the frigate standing by the motor yacht Sevona, which had a crew of three.

The life-boat towed the yacht to Weymouth, which was reached at 12.45.

Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing : Salcombe, Devon.—October 1st.— Rewards, £15 9s.

St. Mary's, Sci]]y Isles.—October 1st.

—Rewards, £11 3s.

Margate, Kent.—October 4th.— Rewards, £26 9s.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—October 4th.

—Rewards, £28 12s.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—October 5th.—£14 17s.

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.— October 5th.—Rewards, £9 16s.

FOUR LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCH FOR AIRMAN Blackpool and Lytham-St. Anne's, Lancashire ; Llandudno, Caernarvonshire ; and Rhyl, Flintshire. Between three o'clock and 3.15 on the afternoon of the 9th of October, 1958, the honorary secretaries and coxswains of the life-boat stations at Blackpool, Lytham- St.-Anne's, Llandudno and Rhyl were informed that a Canberra aircraft had crashed into the sea six to eight miles west of Squires Gate airport. The aircraft had been on a test flight with a crew of two. The pilot was picked up by the Fleetwood fishing boat Northlands and was later transferred to H.M.

frigate Oakley. Life-boats from the four stations were launched simultaneously and carried out a search for the other member of the crew in a moderate sea and a moderate southwesterly wind. A Shackleton aircraft, a helicopter and a rescue launch from Holyhead also took part in the search, but nothing was found. The Llandudno life-boat reached her station at 7.10, the Rhyl boat at 7.40, the Blackpool boat at 9.30 and Lytham-St.

Anne's boat at ten o'clock. Rewards to the crew : Blackpool, £15 15s. ; Rhyl, £12 5s. ; Lytham-St. Anne's, £18 15s. ; Llandudno, £7. Rewards to the helpers on shore : Blackpool, £5 15s. ; Rhyl, £6 8s. ; Lytham-St.

Anne's, £3 12s. ; Llandudno, £8 5s.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—October 9th.—Rewards, £10 11s.

Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—October 9th.—Rewards, £15 16s.

Workington, Cumberland.—October 13th.—Rewards, £6 5s.

Fenit, Co. Kerry.—October 15th.— Rewards, £8 4s.

Dungeness, Kent.—October 17th.— Rewards, £26 5s.

Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—October 18th —Rewards, £16 15s.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—October 19th.—Rewards, £12 5s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—October 21st.—Rewards, £11 18s.

Humber, Yorkshire.—October 24th.

—Paid Permanent Crew.

Portrush, Co. Antrim.—October 28th.

—Rewards, £9 6s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—October 29th.—Rewards, £11 18s.

NOVEMBER DURING November life-boats were launched on service 42 times and rescued 12 lives.

TOW FOR RESERVE LIFE-BOAT Cloughey, Co. Down. At 10.56 on the morning of the 3rd of November, 1958, the life-boat Constance Calverley, which was at sea undergoing machinery trials, received a message by radio-telephone from the reserve life-boat Helen Sutton, which was on passage from Portavogie harbour to Beaumaris. The reserve life-boat had developed engine trouble seven miles south-south-east of South Rock lightvessel. There was a calm sea, a gentle north-west wind was blowing, and it was low water. The Cloughey life-boat made for the position of the reserve life-boat and towed her back to Portavogie harbour, arriving at 2.30.

Rewards to the crew, £19 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £17.

FISHING BOAT ESCORTED OVER HARBOUR BAR North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 12.40 on the afternoon of the 10th of November, 1958, a fishing boat was seen approaching the harbour in a rough sea with a fresh to strong northerly wind blowing and a flood tide. On the bar there was a confused sea and swell, and it was decided to launch the life-boat Grace Darling to escort the local fishing boat into harbour. When this was done the lifeboat returned to her station, arriving at 1.5. Rewards to the crew £7 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 13s.

A DOZEN LAUNCHES TO SAME VESSEL St. Abbs, Berwickshire. At 7.57 on the evening of the 15th of November, 1958, the coxswain received a message that the motor vessel Nyon of Basle was ashore three and a half miles northwest of St. Abbs Head. At 8.15 the life-boat W. Ross Macarthur of Glasgow was launched in calm weather and dense fog. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat went alongside the vessel, and the coxswain was asked to stand by until high water and to await the arrival of a tug. The life-boat stood by throughout the night, and at five o'clock in the morning the tug George Fsent a wireless message that she was two miles off St.

Abbs Head and wanted to be given a course to the casualty. The life-boat went to meet the tug. The second coxswain went aboard her and piloted the tug to the position of the Nyon. The life-boat stood by for a time and then returned to her station, which she reached at 9.30. During the next eleven days the life-boat was launched more than a dozen times and stood by while attempts were made to refloat the Nyon.

She also conveyed the vessel's crew and their personal belongings to St. Abbs.

The Nyon was eventually cut in two by the salvage team, and the stern portion of the vessel was refloated by four tugs and towed to the Tyne. The bow portion was abandoned on the rocks.

Rewards to the crew, £211 5s. ; rewards to the helpers an shore, £45 10s.

MAN BROUGHT TO HOSPITAL IN ORKNEYS Stronsay, Orkneys. At 4.15 on the afternoon of the 16th of November, 1958, the local doctor told the honorary secretary that a man was seriously ill and needed immediate treatment in hospital. As there was no other suitable boat available, the life-boat The John Gellatly Hyndman put out at 5.15 with the patient on board and took him to Kirkwall, arriving at 7.15. The man was taken to hospital, and after the crew had had some food they left at 8.30, arriving back at Stronsay at 10.30.

The crew and helpers did not wish for any rewards to be paid.

TOW FOR BRIXHAM TRAWLER AGROUND Selsey, Sussex. At 9.36 on the morning of the 18th of November.

1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the converted Brixham trawler Forseti of Newhaven was ashore off Selsey Bill. At 10.4 it was confirmed that the position where she was ashore was Borough Head, four miles south-east of Selsey Bill. At 10.15 the life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched in a choppy sea, with a moderate east-south-easterly wind blowing and a flood tide. A helicopter from the Royal Air Force station at Thorney Island located the Forseti, which had a crew of four. Her engine had broken down, and the life-boat took her in tow to Littlehampton, reaching her moorings at 7.45. Rewards to the crew, £24 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 5s.

SINKING LAUNCH TAKEN IN TOW St. Ives, Cornwall. At 10.30 on the morning of the 18th of November, 1958, the coastguard told the coxswain that a motor launch was sinking to the east of St. Ives Bay. Five minutes later the life-boat Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva Child was launched in a heavy ground swell with a moderate easterly wind blowing and poor visibility. It was high water. The life-boat found the motor launch Shaiba full of water and with her engines broken down. She had a crew of four. The life-boat towed her to St. Ives, arriving at two o'clock to find the fire brigade waiting to pump the water out. Property salvage case.

TWO RESCUED AFTER FISHING VESSEL SINKS Kirkcudbright. At 4.45 on the morning of the 19th of November, 1958, a message was received from a resident in Kirkcudbright that cries for heJp had been heard coming from the bay.

At 5.12 the life-boat J. B. Couper of Glasgow was launched in a heavy ground sea. There was a moderate southerly wind with thick fog, and it was high water. The life-boat found the motor fishing vessel Bluebell of Belfast with a crew of two. She had lost her rudder, was leaking badly and had her decks awash. At the skipper's request the life-boat took the fishing vessel in tow, but she sank soon afterwards. Her crew of two were picked up and taken to Kirkcudbright, which was reached at 9.30. At low water the Bluebell dried out and her crew attempted to carry out repairs. The life-boat launched again at two o'clock to stand by when the vessel refloated and give any help she could. Finally the life-boat towed the Bluebell to Kirkcudbright harbour, where she was beached. 1st service : rewards to the crew, £12 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 7s. 2nd service : rewards to the crew, £15 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 11s.

EXPECTANT MOTHER TAKEN TO MAINLAND Galway Bay. At 10.45 on the night of the 19th of November, 1958, the coxswain received a request from the local doctor for the life-boat to take an expectant mother to the mainland. At eleven o'clock the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out with the woman on board in a calm sea. A light south-easterly wind was blowing.

and there were fog patches. As it was low water at Rossaveal pier, the lifeboat went on to Galway and landed the woman. The life-boat arrived back at her station at eight o'clock in the morning.

Rewards to the crew, £22 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, £1.

SICK LAMPLIGHTER TAKEN FROM LIGHTVESSEL Margate, Kent. At 4.9 on the afternoon of the 21st of November, 1958, a request was received from the Chief Superintendent, Trinity House, for the life-boat to land a sick lamplighter from the Tongue lightvessel. The life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched at 4.20 in a very rough sea, with a fresh to strong easterly wind Wowing and a flood tide. The lightvessel, which was windrode, afforded no lee, and because of the sea conditions as the life-boat came alongside, it was extremely difficult to take the man safely aboard.

Nevertheless, it was done without either damaging the life-boat or injuring the man, and he was safely landed at Margate. Owing to the weather conditions, the life-boat remained secured alongside the quay at Margate overnight and returned to her station the following day, when she was rehoused at 11.40 in the morning.

Rewards to the crew, £14; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 19s. Refunded to the Institution by Trinity House.

INJURED MASTER OF LIGHTVESSEL TAKEN OFF Humber, Yorkshire. At 9.10 on the morning of the 24th of November, 1958, the coastguard informed the coxswain superintendent of a request from the Superintendent of Trinity House, Great Yarmouth, for the life-boat to land the master of the Humber lightvessel, who had been injured. At 9.37 the life-boat City of Bradford III was launched at low water in a slight sea with a gentle north-westerly breeze blowing. The weather was overcast with poor visibility.

The master, who had damaged his ribs in a fall, was landed at Grimsby, and the life-boat reached her station at three o'clock. Paid permanent crew.

Additional rewards to the crew, £4.

Refunded to the Institution by Trinity House.

TWO BOYS FOUND CUT OFF BY TIDE Dover, Kent. At 11.40 on the morning of the 29th of November, 1958, the coastguard at Sandgate reported that two boys were cut off by the tide near St. Margarets. At 11.50 the life-boat Southern Africa put out in a moderate sea, towing a small boat.

There was a moderate south-easterly wind and a flood tide. The life-boat searched close inshore and found the two boys on the east side of the South Foreland lighthouse. Members of the crew manned the boat which had been towed, and the two boys were picked up and transferred to the life-boat, which then returned to harbour, arriving at one o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £9.

ESCORT FOR FISHING BOAT TO HARBOUR Flamborough, Yorkshire. At 2.50 on the afternooon of the 30th of November, 1958, the coxswain received a message from the honorary secretary of the Bridlington life-boat station that the fishing boat Seafarer II of Bridlington had broken down twelve miles east of Flamborough Head.

At 3.5 the life-boat Friendly Forester was launched in a heavy swell, with a fresh north-easterly wind blowing and a flood tide. She found the fishing boat with a crew of four. The skipper asked for the life-boat to escort his boat into harbour, as an emergency repair had been carried out to her engine. Both boats reached Bridlington at 7.30. Rewards to the crew, £15 15s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £16 4s.

SEARCH THROUGH NIGHT FOR MISSING PUNT St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 6.35 on the evening of the 30th of November, 1958, the honorary secretary was informed by the signal station of a police report. This was that two men, who had left Lihou Island at four o'clock in a flat-bottomed punt fitted with an outboard engine, were known to have been intending to land in Perelle Bay about a mile and a half away, but that they had not yet arrived. At 7.5 the life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put out. The weather was cloudy, the tide was flooding, and there was a moderate northeasterly breeze. The life-boat carried out a search of the area north of Lihou Island with the help of parachute flares. As the island itself was to be searched by the police about low water, the coxswain decided to anchor and to wait until this search had been completed. There was no trace of the missing men or the boat on the island, but at seven o'clock, soon after it was light, the upturned punt was seen just awash a hundred yards from the lifeboat.

There was no sign of the two men. The life-boat took the punt in tow to St. Peter Port. Rewards to the crew, £32 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, £1 5s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing : Dover, Kent.—November 1 st—Rewards, £10 5s.

Dungeness, Kent.—November 2nd.

—Rewards, £31.

Newhaven, Sussex.—November 3rd.

—Rewards, £12 8s.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

— November 5th. — Rewards, £15 15s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—November 8th.—Rewards, £14 5s.

Moelfre, Anglesey.—November 10th.

—Rewards, £8 17s.

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.—November 13th.—Rewards, £17 8s.

Stornoway, Hebrides.—November 15th.—Rewards, £26 5s.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—November 18th.

—Rewards, £14 17s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—November 20th.—Rewards, £9 7s.

Lerwick, Shetlands.—November 23rd.

—Rewards, £14 5s.

Donaghadee, Co. Down.—November 30th.—Rewards, £10 10s.

Amble, Northumberland.—November 30th.—Rewards. £8 15s.

DECEMBER DURING December life-boats were launched on service 50 times and rescued 16 lives, EIGHTEEN MEN LANDED AFTER COLLISION Dungeness, Kent. At 1.15 on the afternoon of the 3rd of December, 1958, the coastguard at Lade informed the honorary secretary that two vessels had been in collision twelve miles south-south-west of Dungeness. At 1.30 the life-boat Mabel E. Holland was launched in a calm sea. There were light offshore airs and a flood tide, and there was dense fog. The life-boat found the Greek motor vessel King Minos down by the head four miles southsouth- west of Dungeness. Her master informed the coxswain that his vessel was in no immediate danger. The lifeboat searched for the other vessel which had been in the collision, but was unable to find her, and the coxswain decided to return to the King Minos for a radar bearing. As a result the lifeboat found the S.S. Prodromos of Monrovia in tow of a tug. Her crew had been taken off by other vessels, and twelve of the survivors were transferred to the life-boat from the motor vessel Montferland. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at nine o'clock. At 4.30 on the afternoon of the 4th of December the life-boat was launched at the request of Lloyds' agent at Dover to land six of the crew of the S.S. Prodromos, which had grounded two miles south of Rye. They reached Dungeness at 8.30.

1st service : rewards to the crew, £23 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £26. 2nd service : all expenses were paid by Lloyds' agent and a donation was made to the branch funds.

LIFE-BOAT BRINGS AN EXPECTANT MOTHER TO MAINLAND Galway Bay. At 3.30 on the afternoon of 3rd of December, 1958, the honorary secretary received a request from the local doctor for the use of the life-boat to take an expectant mother from Inishere Island to the mainland.

At 3.50 the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson left in fine weather with light northerly airs blowing and a flood tide.

She embarked the woman and took her to the mainland, arriving back at her station at 10.15. Rewards to the crew, £J3 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 18s.

FIRST SERVICE BY OAKLEY TYPE LIFE-BOAT Scarborough, Yorkshire. As the weather grew worse on the morning of the 5th of December, 1958, some anxiety was felt for the local fishing coble Rosemary, which was at sea, and at 10.30 it was decided to launch the life-boat/. G. Graves of Sheffield. There was a rough sea, a fresh north-easterly wind was blowing, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the Rosemary five miles north-east of the castle and escorted her safely into harbour, arriving at 12.50. This was the first occasion on which a life-boat of the Oakley type had been called out on service. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £8 12s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO HARBOUR Whitby, Yorkshire. At 12.29 on the afternoon of the 5th of December, 1958, the coastguard told the honorary secretary and coxswain that the propeller of the motor fishing vessel Whitby Rose had been fouled seven miles northnorth- east of Whitby. At 12.54 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched in a moderate sea, with a fresh north-easterly wind blowing and an ebb tide. The life-boat found the Whitby Rose and took her in tow to harbour. She later stood by while another fishing boat crossed the harbour bar and then returned to her station, arriving at 4.5. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore. £1 16s.

TOW FOR BOAT WITH ENGINE BREAKDOWN Fleetwood, Lancashire. At 4.55 on the afternoon of the 7th of December, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that an angler, while fishing from the beach at Rossall Point, had seen a light being flashed from an open motor boat. The lifeboat Ann Letitia Russell was launched at 5.10 in a rough sea. There was a gentle, south-westerly wind and a flood tide. The life-boat found the motor boat, which had six men on board, in broken water three quarters of a mile south of King Scar buoy. She was in a dangerous position, her engines had broken down, and she was dragging her anchor. The life-boat succeeded with some difficulty in towing her through shallow water to Fleetwood, which was reached at 7.10. The rescued men sent a letter of appreciation and a donation to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 12s.

CREWS OF TWO FISHING BOATS LANDED Bridlington, and Flamborough, Yorkshire.

At 5.20 on the evening of the 7th of December, 1958, the coastguard at Flamborough passed on to the honorary secretaries of the life-boat stations at Bridlington and Flamborough a report from the Humber radio station. This was that the Dutch coaster Diennal had picked up the crew of four of a fishing boat which had broken down with engine trouble five miles south of Flamborough Head.

The crew of the Bridlington life-boat were alerted while further information was sought from Humber radio station, and the Flamborough honorary secretary was told that this had been done.

Half an hour later the coastguard told the Flamborough honorary secretary that the coaster Pass of Ballater had rescued the crew of four of another fishing boat four miles east of Flamborough Head. The engines of this boat had also broken down.

At 6.15 the Flamborough life-boat Friendly Forester was launched, and as Humber radio station was unable to make contact with the Diennal, the Bridlington life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was also launched at seven o'clock to go to the position where the first fishing boat had been reported in trouble. There was a moderate swell with a moderate south-westerly wind blowing and poor visibility. The tide was ebbing. The Flamborough lifeboat reached the Dutch coaster, which was towing the fishing boat Edith, and took the Edith's crew of four on board.

The coxswain put two of his crew aboard the Edith and took her in tow.

He then made for the last reported position of the Pass of Ballater.

The Bridlington life-boat also made for the Pass of -Ballater, whose position was given as five miles north of Flamborough Head. Two rockets were fired from the Pass of Ballater, the second of which was seen by the crew of the Flamborough life-boat, which reached the coaster eight miles from Flamborough Head. The crew of the second fishing boat, the Margaret Ann, were on board the coaster, and they were transferred to the Flamborough life-boat.

The life-boat took the fishing boat in tow after two of the life-boat crew had been put aboard her. The eight fishermen from the two boats were landed at Flamborough, and after mooring the boats the Flamborough life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 1.45 early in the morning of 8th of December.

The Bridlington life-boat reached her station at eleven o'clock on the night of the 7th of December. Rewards to the crew : Bridlington, £10 10s. ; Flamborough, £17 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore : Bridlington, £5 ; Flamborough, £15 8s.

TOW FOR BOAT FOUND NEAR ROCKS Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 1.10 on the afternoon of the 9th of December, 1958, a message was received that a small motor boat was being driven ashore west of Portmagee. At 1.30 the lifeboat Rowland Watts put out in a rough sea. There was a north-westerly wind of near gale force and a flood tide. The life-boat found the motor boat Spray of Tralee with a crew of two. Her anchor and trawl had been put out to keep her off the rocks. A line was passed to her, and the life-boat took her in tow to Valentia, arriving at 3.50. Rewards to the crew, £8 13s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 13s.

EMPTY BARGE FOUND DRIFTING Swanage, Dorset. At 10.27 on the morning of the 10th of December, 1958, the coastguard passed on to the honorary secretary a report from a Dakota aircraft that a large barge had been seen adrift ten miles south-southeast of Anvil Point. At 10.34 the lifeboat R.L.P. was launched with the second coxswain in command. There was a heavy swell, with a fresh westerly wind blowing and an ebb tide. The life-boat found the barge No. C.679 fifteen miles south-south-east of Anvil Point. As there was nobody aboard her, the coxswain transferred two of his crew to the barge and took her in tow.

The towing line soon parted, and H.M.S. Squirrel, a fishery protection vessel, sent a radio message asking if she could help the life-boat. The coxswain accepted the offer, and the lifeboat stood by until the Squirrel arrived to take the barge in tow. The captain of the Squirrel then informed the coxswain that the life-boat's services were no longer needed, and she returned to her station, arriving at 4.10. The barge was eventually taken to Poole harbour.

Rewards to the crew, £ 16 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY FISHING VESSEL Stromness, Orkneys. At ten o'clock on the night of the 10th of December, 1958, the motor mechanic told the honorary secretary that there was a boat ashore in Hoy Sound. Ten minutes later the life-boat Archibald and Alexander M. Paterson was launched in a smooth sea, with a gentle easterly wind blowing and a flood tide. The life-boat reached the position and found the motor fishing vessel Snowflake near Point of Ness. She stood by until low water, and as the vessel was in no immediate danger, the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 11.25. At seven o'clock the next morning the lifeboat returned to the fishing vessel and stood by until she refloated at high water. The life-boat finally reached her station at 9.30. Rewards to the crew, £14 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 11s.

TRAWLER TOWED TO HARBOUR AFTER TOW ROPE PARTS Dover, Kent. At 2.15 on the afternoon of the 12th of December, 1958, a message was received from the eastern arm signal station that the trawler Gratitude, which was towing another trawler, the Forseti, to Ramsgate, had broken down with engine trouble off South Foreland. The life-boat Southern Africa put out at 2.35 in a very rough sea. There was a southerly gale with heavy rain squalls and an ebb tide. The life-boat found that the Gratitude had been taken in tow by the tug Dominant of Dover, but the Forseti had parted from her tow and was lying broadside to the seas which were breaking over her.

The life-boat went alongside her to take off her crew, but they declined to leave, and the trawler was taken in tow to Ramsgate harbour, at the entrance of which there was only seven feet of water.

The tow line parted three times before the trawler was safely berthed. The life-boat reached her moorings at 8.15.

Rewards to the crew, £20 15s.

TOW FOR COBLE WITH ENGINE TROUBLE Kirkcudbright. At 4.20 on the afternoon of the 14th of December, 1958, the honorary secretary was informed that a local fisherman was in difficulties in a fishing coble off Borness Head. At five o'clock the life-boat J. B. Couper of Glasgow was launched in a calm sea, with a moderate north-easterly wind blowing and an ebb tide. The life-boat found the coble, which had engine trouble, and took her in tow to harbour.

The life-boat reached her station at 7.30. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 7s.

YACHT'S CREW LANDED FROM LIGHTVESSEL New Brighton, Cheshire. At 12.J5 on the afternoon of the 15th of December, 1958, the marine surveyor of the Mersey Harbour and Docks Board told the honorary secretary that the crew of two of the yacht Nomad had spent the night on the Bar lightvessel. The yacht had left Conway in North Wales for Lytham at three o'clock the previous morning and had been adrift in fog when she was picked up by the Bar pilot boat and secured alongside the lightvessel. The yacht's crew consisted of a young man and a woman, and they now asked for a tow. At 12.30 the lifeboat Norman B. Corlett put out in a moderate sea. There was a gentle easterly wind and a flood tide. Visibility was very poor. The young couple were taken on board the life-boat, and the yacht was towed to Alfred dock and later moored in Wallasey dock.

The life-boat reached her moorings at 6.30. Rewards to the crew, £19 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 14s.

CREW FORCED TO ABANDON A BELGIAN TRAWLER St. David's, Pembrokeshire. At 11.45 on the night of the 16th of December, 1958, the coastguard passed on to the honorary secretary a message from Ilfracombe radio station that the trawler Suzanne Adrianne of Ostend was sinking near the Smalls lightvessel. The lifeboat Swn-y-Mor (Civil Service No. 6} was launched at 12.10. There was a moderate sea, a moderate east-southeasterly wind was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The distress message sent out by the trawler was also answered by the tanker Silver Sand and the British Railways steamer Great Western, both vessels making immediately for the position given. At one o'clock H.M.

minesweeper Mileon left Pembroke dock to go to the help of the Belgian trawler. About half an hour later the trawlersent a radio message stating that a fire had been lit on her fore-deck to guide the rescue vessels, and at two o'clock a further message stated that the vessel could stay afloat for only about a quarter of an hour. By this time the life-boat and the Silver Sand were within sight of the trawler, and at 2.30 her skipper announced that he and his crew of five were abandoning ship as the decks were awash. With the aid of flares dropped by aircraft the Silver Sand found a small water-logged dinghy with the trawler's crew aboard. One by one the Belgian fishermen were hauled ori board the tanker, and after being given food and drink they were transferred to the St. David's life-boat, which reached her station at 6.15. On her arrival the honorary medical adviser examined the knee of the trawler's skipper which he had injured when being taken aboard the tanker. The survivors were later transported to Haverfordwest, from where they were taken by rail to the Belgian Consulate at Swansea. The Belgian Ambassador sent a letter of thanks. Rewards to the crew, £16 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 12s.

EXPECTANT MOTHER BROUGHT FROM ISLAND IN GALE Galway Bay. At three o'clock on the afternoon of the 18th of December, 1958, the local doctor asked the acting honorary secretary if the life-boat would take an expectant mother from Inishmaine Island to the mainland. There was an easterly gale at the time with very rough sea conditions. The lifeboat Mabel Marlon Thompson left her moorings at 3.20. She embarked the woman at Inishmaine with great difficulty and brought her and the doctor to Rossaveal pier, where the patient was taken by car to Galway. The life-boat reached her moorings at 11.59. Rewards to the crew, £19 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore. £1.

INJURED MAN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL Bembridge, Isle of Wight. At 11.5 on the night of the 18th of December, 1958, the port medical officer of Cowes informed the honorary secretary that an injured seaman on board the S.S.

Durban Castle required hospital treatment and asked if the life-boat would meet the steamer and convey the man to Ryde pier. At 12.25 the life-boat Jesse Lumb was launched in a moderate sea, with a moderate south-southwesterly wind blowing and a flood tide.

The life-boat met the steamer off Spithead, took the injured man on board and landed him at Ryde pier, where he was taken to hospital by ambulance. The life-boat reached her station at three o'clock. The master of the steamer expressed his thanks.

Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 5s.

ESCORT FOR LEAKING FISHING VESSEL Buckle, Banffshire. At 8.50 on the morning of the 19th of December, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor fishing vessel Spinaway of Lossiemouth was asking for assistance as she was leaking. At 9.5 the life-boat Glencoe, Glasgow was launched in a heavy swell with a strong east-south-easterly wind blowing and an ebb tide. The life-boat found the Spinaway four miles northwest- by-west of Buckle with another fishing vessel standing by her. The life-boat escorted her to Buckie. arriving at 10.31. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; reward to the helper on shore, 17s.

ESCORT FOR TRAWLER WITH INJURED MEN ABOARD St. Ives, Cornwall. At two o'clock on the morning of the 20th of December, 1958, the coastguard informed the coxswain that a trawler was in distress forty miles north-north-west of St. Ives Head. The life-boat Edgar, George, Orlando and Eva Child was launched at 2.35 in a very rough sea. There was a south-south-westerly wind of near gale force and an ebb tide. At 3.46 a message was received that the German vessel Helga Schroeder was standing by the trawler Autumn Sun of Yarmouth twenty-seven miles north-north-west of St. Ives Head. The life-boat arrived alongside the trawler, which had shipped a great deal of water, but the trawler's crew did not wish to abandon her. At the skipper's request the life-boat escorted the trawler to the shelter of St. Ives. Because more than one member of the trawler's crew was injured, the life-boat sent a radio message asking for a doctor and an ambulance to be in attendance at the quayside. The fire brigade also awaited the berthing of the trawler to pump out the water. The life-boat finally reached her station at 12.38. Rewards to the crew, £18 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12 13s.

LIFE-BOAT TAKES OFF INJURED MAN IN HEAVY SWELL Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk. At 6.45 on the evening of the 20th of December, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that there was a badly injured man aboard the S.S. Cardiff Brook of London. A doctor had been taken out to her by a pilot boat, but the life-boat was urgently needed to bring the man ashore. At 6.55 the life-boat Louise Stephens was launched in a heavy swell.

There was a strong southerly wind and an ebb tide. The life-boat went alongside the steamer, and after great difficulty because of the swell the man was safely lowered into the life-boat on a stretcher. He was landed at 7.22 and taken to hospital. Rewards to the crew, £13 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 12s. 6d.WOMAN WITH INJURED HIP TAKEN FROM ISLAND Aith, Shetlands. At 1.35 on the afternoon of the 23rd of December, 1958, a doctor told the honorary secretary that a woman on the Island of Foula had fallen and broken her hip and needed hospital treatment immediately.

As the weather was bad it was decided to send the life-boat to bring her to Aith. The doctor reached the life-boat station at 2.35, and five minutes later the life-boat The Rankin left her moorings with the doctor on board. There was a moderate southerly wind with a heavy swell and an ebb tide. The life-boat reached Foula at 6.5 and the doctor was put ashore by boat. It was then learnt that it would not be easy to take the woman aboard a small boat, and the life-boat came alongside the small pier, where the patient and doctor embarked. The lifeboat reached Aith at 12.20, and the injured woman was transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital.

Rewards to the crew, £24 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

LIFE-BOAT STANDS BY TILL VESSEL REFLOATS Redcar, Yorkshire. At one o'clock early on the morning of the 27th of December, 1958, the coxswain told the honorary secretary that he had been informed at his home by a passer-by that a vessel was aground off Redcar.

The honorary secretary asked the coastguard for further information and was told that the vessel was aground half a mile north of the look-out and that two small boats had left Redcar to give assistance. At 1.40 the life-boat City of Leeds was launched in a calm sea, with a light breeze blowing and a flood tide. She found the coaster Ceresio on the West Scar rocks. The coxswain asked her master if he needed any help, but as the two small boats had run out a kedge anchor no further help was required. The coxswain decided to stand by until the vessel refloated at 3.50 and then escorted her to the mouth of the Tees. The life-boat reached her station at 7.30. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 15s.

SICK MAN TAKEN FROM NORWEGIAN TANKER Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 6.2 on the morning of the 28th of December, 1958, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a sick man on board the tanker Lonn of Bergen needed medical attention immediately.

The life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30} was launched in calm weather at 7.10 with a doctor on board.

The tide was ebbing. The life-boat met the tanker east of the pier and went alongside to put the doctor aboard.

At the doctor's request the sick man was taken ashore. The life-boat reached her station at 8.15. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 5s.

FISHING BOAT FOUND WITH ENGINE FLOODED Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At seven o'clock on the evening of the 29th of December, 1958, the coxswain saw an object burning near the pier. The lifeboat Douglas Hyde put out at 7.15 in a rough sea, with a strong westerly wind blowing and a flood tide. She found the fishing boat Mary of Rosslare Harbour half full of water and with her engine flooded. Her crew of three had burnt a coat to attract attention. The life-boat took her in tow to the harbour, arriving at 8.15. Partly paid permanent crew. Rewards to the crew, £5 ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

DUTCH VESSEL FOUND WITH HER J GUNWALE AWASH Margate, Kent. At 12.57 on the afternoon of the 31st of December, 1958, the coastguard passed on to the honorary secretary a message received through the North Foreland radio station that the General Post Office cable ship Ariel had received a signal by morse lamp from the Dutch motor vessel Janny of Appingedam. This stated that the Janny needed the help of a life-boat immediately. The Janny was bound for London with a cargo of lead ingots, which had shifted, and her position when she sent her distress signal had been five miles east-northeast of Margate. When the life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched at 1.15, there was a southwesterly wind of fresh to gale force.

The sea was rough, the sky was overcast, and continuous heavy rain made visibility poor. The tide was flooding.

The life-boat found the motor vessel with her port gunwale awash and seas breaking on her hatch covers. Her master informed the coxswain that he would try to make the shelter of Margate Roads, and the life-boat escorted her. When they were off Margate the wind veered to the northwest and moderated. The crew of the Janny immediately went below and shifted the cargo to reduce the list, and after about an hour the master told the coxswain that he no longer needed the life-boat to stand by. She returned to harbour, arriving at 3.50. Rewards to the crew, £23 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 4s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing : Dover, Kent.—December 2nd.—Rewards, £10 15s.

Torbay, Devon.—December 2nd.— Rewards, £7 9s.

Dover, Kent.—December 4th.—Rewards, £14 5s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—December 4th.

—Rewards, £8 15s.

Kilmore, Co. Wexford.—December 9th.—Rewards, £19 6s.

Ramsey, Isle of Man.—December 10th.—Rewards, £20 6s.

Buckle, Banffshire.—December 14th.

—Rewards, £9 7s.

LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER HELPS CREW TO SCRAMBLE ASHORE Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. At 12.50 early on the morning of the 18th of December, 1958, the motor mechanic was informed by the owner of a local fishing boat that he had received a message that the trawler Sparkling Wave of Kilmore Quay had run aground half a mile north of Hook Tower lighthouse.

The trawler was leaking badly and required help immediately. The lifeboat Annie Blanche Smith was launched at 1.10, towing the boarding boat.

There was a heavy swell, a fresh northwesterly wind was blowing, and it was high water. The life-boat reached the position and anchored a quarter of a mile off shore. Three of her crew pulled into the shore with the boarding boat, but because of broken water they were unable to come close enough to rescue the trawler's crew of seven, who were also members of the crew of the Kilmore Quay life-boat. At 2.15 a radio message was received that the trawlermen had scrambled ashore with the help of the keeper of the lighthouse.

A signal was flashed to recall the boarding boat to the life-boat, which then returned to Dunmore East, arriving at 3.10. The Institution sent a letter to the lighthouse keeper thanking him for his assistance. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 13s.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—December 19th.—Rewards, £28 3s.

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.— December 19th.—Rewards, £7 15s.

Arklow, Co. Wicklow.—December 20th.—Rewards, £20 7s.

Bridlington, Yorkshire.—December 21st—Rewards, £17 10s.

Baltimore, Co. Cork. — December 21st.—Rewards, £14 13s.

Newbiggin, Northumberland.—December 22nd.—Rewards, £25 Is.

Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—December 22nd.—Rewards, £24 16s.

Boulmer, Northumberland.—December 22nd.—Rewards, £27 14s.

Amble, Northumberland.—December 22nd.—Rewards, £22 5s.

Tynemouth, Northumberland.—December 22nd.—Rewards, £24 11s.

Sunderland, Co. Durham.—December 22nd.—Rewards, £26 3s. 6d.

Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—December 23rd.—Rewards, £32 11s.

Sunderland, Co. Durham.—December 23rd.—Rewards, £28 3s. 6d.

Beaumaris, Anglesey. — December 23rd.—Rewards, £19s. 3d.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—December 28th.—Rewards, £12 5s.

Wick, Caithness-shire. — December 30th.—Rewards, £8 14s..