Barra Island, and Islay, Hebrides. At 12.45 early on the morning of the 2nd of May, 1959, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary of the Barra Island life-boat station that the motor vessel Rusken of Oslo, on passage from Liverpool to Norway, was aground on Oigh Sgeir rock six miles south-east of Canna Island. She was leaking and needed help. At 1.20 the life-boat R. A.

Colby Cubbin No. 3 put out in a slight sea. There was a gentle south-westerly wind and a flood tide. When the life- boat reached the position the Rusken had refloated, and her master informed the coxswain that he was returning to Greenock and asked for an escort. The life-boat escorted the motor vessel as far as the Sound of Mull.

At 11.50 the coastguard informed the honorary secretary of the Islay life-boat station of the position of the Rusken and asked if the Islay life-boat could escort her through the Sound of Islay.

Arrangements were made for a rendez- vous off the Dubh-Artach lighthouse, and at 12.40 the Islay life-boat Charlotte Elizabeth left her moorings. By this time the sea was rough, and a northerly wind of near gale force was blowing.

In the meantime the Barra Island life- boat had returned to her station, which she reached at eight o'clock in the evening. The Islay life-boat met the Rusken north of the Dubh-Artach lighthouse at 7.10, and the coxswain decided to escort her to the north end of the Sound of Islay rather than make the passage around the Orsay lighthouse.

The life-boat and the motor vessel arrived off Rudha Mhail at 12.40 early on the 3rd of May, and the coxswain boarded the Rusken and piloted her through the Sound of Islay. The life- boat was refuelled at her station on the passage south, and off McArthur's Head the master of the Rusken told the coxswain that he could continue the passage to Greenock unaccompanied.

The coxswain therefore reboarded the life-boat, which returned to her station, arriving at 4.10. Rewards to the crew : Barra Island, £31 17s. ; Islay, £25 3s.

Rewards to the helpers on shore: Barra Island, 12s. ; Islay, £2 14s..