AT 4.15 on the afternoon of the 7th of December, 1959, the honorary secre- tary of the Cromarty life-boat station, Mr. James Cameron, learnt from the coastguard that the coaster Servus of Leith needed help nine and a half miles south-by-east of Clythness light- house. The Servus, of 360 gross regis- tered tons, was on passage from Methil to Kirkwall with a cargo of coal.

Her propeller shaft had broken, and she was drifting. Two fishery cruisers and a trawler were standing by her after trying without success to take her in tow.

A near gale was blowing from the south-south-east, the sea was rough, and the weather overcast.

The Cromarty life-boat Lilla Marras, Douglas and Will, which is one of the 46-feet 9-inches Watson boats, put out at 4.45, shortly before high water.

Whole Gale Blowing The position of the coaster was some forty miles from the life-boat station, and while the life-boat was on her way the wind increased until it was blowing a whole gale. The life-boat rolled heavily and shipped water during much of her passage north. At 1.30 in the morning a rocket fired by the fishery cruiser Explorer was seen on the port bow, and ten minutes later the life-boat reached the Servus.

The Servus was then inside the twenty-fathom line about a mile off shore and eight miles west-south-west of Clythness lighthouse. She was lying head to sea with both anchors down and all cable veered. She was yawing violently and ranging on her cables as she dragged towards the shore at a speed of about one knot.

Approached Port Quarter Coxswain Albert Watson brought the life-boat ahead of the coaster and down her port side. He then turned and approached her port quarter. The short poop deck of the coaster was twelve feet above the water line, the life-boat ran in alongside, and five of the coaster's crew jumped aboard her.

As the life-boat struck the coaster her fender was damaged slightly.

No Chance to use Ropes Because the coaster continued to range on her cables the life-boat, found herself forward of the raised poop deck and was in serious danger of being thrown on to the well deck. To prevent this Coxswain Watson had to take the life-boat astern at full speed.

The coaster was pitching violently, and the seas were then between fifteen and twenty feet high.

There was no chance of using secur- ing ropes, and the coxswain decided he must make a second run in. The life-boat closed the coaster's port quarter, and as she rose to the top of a sea the three remaining members of the coaster's crew succeeded in jumping aboard. The rescue lasted some twenty minutes, and at two o'clock the life-boat left the coaster and made for Cromarty, which was reached at 7.47 in the morning.

Silver Medal Awarded For this service the silver medal for gallantry has been awarded to Cox- swain Albert Watson. The bronze medal for gallantry has been awarded to Mechanic John Watson. The thanks of the Institution inscribed on velhim have been accorded to Assistant Mechanic George Morrison.

The other five members of the crew, Second Coxswain Edward Scott, Bow- man J. W. Bathie, and J. Hepburn, J.

Smith and J. Hogg are being issued with medal service certificates.

The owners of the coaster sent a letter of appreciation and made a donation to the Institution's funds.

Scale rewards to the crew, £38 5s.

Additional rewards to the crew, £28..