THE third of the services carried out on the 27th of October, 1959, for which medals for gallantry were awarded took place near Fraserburgh harbour. In the temporary absence of Captain R. T.

Duthie the assistant harbour master was acting as honorary secretary. For some time during the morning he had had two local fishing boats under observation, and at 11.20 he gave authority for the life-boat to launch to their assistance.

A whole gale was blowing from the north-north-east, and the weather was overcast with frequent heavy rain squalls. The tide was about half ebb and was setting to the north-north- west, causing a very steep, confused sea, whose height was such that it was actually breaking over the lighthouse at the harbour entrance.

Scratch Crew Formed The coxswain and second coxswain of the life-boat had left for the fishing grounds earlier in the morning, and a scratch crew was formed, with the guidance of Motor Mechanic Frederick Kirkness, under the command of Mr.

Alex. Duthie, a local fisherman. The life-boat The Duchess of Kent, which is one of the 46-feet 9-inches Watson type, after launching stood by in the outer harbour to wait for a lull in the sea.

She finally passed the breakwaters about noon. Tremendous seas were running and conditions were such that two local fishing boats were lost during the day.

When the life-boat was only 150 yards beyond the harbour entrance she was struck by two successive seas, which spun her right round. The boat was not damaged, and Acting Coxswain Duthie continued on his course towards the two fishing boats.

One of the boats was the 33-feet motor yawl Ocean Swell. The other was the 63-feet motor fishing vessel Star of Faith. Both were hove to outside the twenty-fathom line some three miles east-north-east of Kinnard Head. The life-boat stood by until four o'clock.

The trawler Aberdeen Progress, which was lying off Rattray Head, then reported that the seas had subsided a little and that it would now be possible for small boats to enter Peterhead harbour. The Ocean Swell and the Star of Faith, together with the trawler Star of Lochallan, then made for Peterhead escorted by the life-boat.

On Her Beam Ends About 6.30, when she was four miles north-east of Rattray Head, the Ocean Swell shipped a very heavy sea and rolled over on her beam ends to star- I board. She righted herself rapidly and signalled for help. The life-boat, which was following astern, immediately closed her port side. One man was j quickly taken off but the other man j aboard, who was the skipper, had to be helped by two of the life-boat's crew.

Acting Coxswain Duthie did not make the life-boat fast alongside but succeed- ed in keeping her in position by the use of helm and engines, in which he was greatly helped by Motor Mechanic Frederick Kirkness. The Ocean Swell had to be abandoned, and the life-boat, with the two rescued men on board, continued to escort the Star of Faith to Peterhead, which was reached at 8.30.

i For this service Acting Coxswain Alex. Duthie and Motor Mechanic Frederick Kirkness were each awarded the bronze medal for gallantry.

: Medal service certificates are being j issued to the other members of the crew : Acting Second Coxswain J.

Stephen, Bowman J. Strachan, Assistant j Mechanic C. Baillie, members of the crew G. Duthie, B. Strachan and J.

Reid.

Scale rewards to the crew, £22 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

Additional rewards to the crew, £20..