JANUARY DURING January life-boats were launched on service 28 times and rescued 3 lives.

INJURED MAN TAKEN OFF TRAWLER Scarborough, Yorkshire. At 5.15 on the evening of the 1st of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the trawler Brutus of Hull was making for Scarborough with an injured man on board and needed the help of the life-boat to land him. Her position then was two miles east-south- east of Scarborough. At 6.5 the life- boat /. G. Graves of Sheffield was launched with a doctor on board in a strong northerly wind. There was a rough sea and it was high water. The life-boat met the trawler, put the doctor and a stretcher aboard and stood off until the man was ready to be trans- ferred. With the injured man and the doctor on board the life-boat returned to harbour, arriving at 7.40. An ambulance was waiting to take the man to hospital. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 5s.

FISHING BOAT TOWED TO HARBOUR Walton and Frinton, Essex. At 9.16 on the evening of the 2nd of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary of a message re- ceived from the Cork lightvessel that a flare had been fired from a small boat a quarter of a mile east of the lightvessel.

At 9.35 the life-boat Edian Courtauld put out in a slight sea. There was a light north-westerly wind, and it was two hours after low water. The life- boat found the fishing boat Cliffwind of Harwich at anchor with a net foul of her propeller and towed her into Harwich.

The life-boat reached her station at 1.25.

Rewards to the crew, £14 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 19s.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF IRISH LIGHTVESSEL Kilmore, Co. Wexford. At 8.30 on the evening of the 3rd of January, 1960, the honorary secretary was asked by the Commissioners of Irish Lights if the life-boat could land a sick man from the Coningbeg lightvessel. At 9.5 the life- boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched in a moderate south-westerly wind.

There was a heavy swell, and the tide was ebbing. The man was landed at Kilmore at 12.30 early on the 4th of January and taken to hospital. Re- wards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9. Refunded to the Institution by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

ESCORT FOR COBLES IN GALE Filey, Yorkshire. At 10.50 on the morning of the 13th of January, 1960, it was decided to launch the life-boat The Isa and Penryn Milsted to escort several local fishing cobles to harbour, as a gale was blowing from the east and causing a very rough sea. It was an hour and a half after low water. The life-boat was launched at 11.25 and returned to her station at 4.50, when the fishing fleet had safely entered the harbour. Rewards to the crew, £15 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12 6s.

FIVE FISHING VESSELS ESCORTED TO HARBOUR Whitby, Yorkshire. At 12.30 on the afternoon of the 16th of January, 1960, it was decided to launch the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth to stand by the local fishing fleet, which was returning to harbour in bad weather. At 12.45 the life-boat was launched in a strong north-north-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour after low water.

The life-boat escorted five fishing vessels to harbour and reached her station at 2.15. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

THREE YOUNG MEN RESCUED FROM CLIFFS Swanage, Dorset. At 12.54 early on the morning of the 17th of January, 1960, the police told the honorary secretary that three young men who had been climbing cliffs to the west of Durlston Head were missing. The police had organised a search and the help of the life-boat was requested. At 1.20 the life-boat R.L.P. was launched in a gentle northerly breeze. The sea was slight and the tide was half ebb.

When the life-boat was four hundred yards west of Anvil Point shouts were heard from the base of the cliffs, and on turning the searchlight in the direction of the shouting the coxswain spotted the three young men. A parachute flare was fired to light up the area and indicate to the police that the men had been found. The coxswain then an- chored the life-boat as close to the rocks as possible, and a line was thrown ashore with a life-buoy attached. The three men were hauled aboard, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 2.35. The mothers of two of the rescued men made donations to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 12s.

ESCORT FOR MOTOR VESSEL IN TOW Arktow, Co. Wicklow. At 11.48 on the night of the 19th of January, 1960, the honorary secretary received a message from Valentia radio that the motor vessel Normanby Hall of Chester, which was eight miles east-south-east of ,A rklow, needed help immediately as she had lost her propeller. At 12.14 early i-n the 20th of January the life-boat bhear Mor was launched in a strong orth-easterly wind. There was a rough La, and it was half an hour after low water. At 1.40 the life-boat reached the casualty and found the s.s. Rockabill preparing to take her in tow. The life- boat stood by, and the tow was connec- ted by 2.45. The two vessels escorted by the life-boat then proceeded on a course towards Dublin. At four o'clock the master of the Normanby Hall informed the coxswain that he did not need the life-boat to escort her any longer, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 6.30. Rewards to the crew, £18 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 12s.

ESCORT FOR TUG AFTER DREDGER BREAKS ADRIFT Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 3.50 on the afternoon of the 19th of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a vessel in tow of a tug had broken adrift three miles off Maplin Head. At 4.38 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched in a south-westerly wind of nearly gale force and a very rough sea. It was one hour after high water.

An hour and a half after launching the coxswain saw lights to the north-west and later came up with the tug Exchange of Southampton, which was making for shelter. The tug by then had anchored the dredger, which had earlier broken adrift, in shallow water on Maplin Sands. The life-boat escorted the tug to Southend, arriving at 9.30. Re- wards to the crew, £15 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 1 Is.

TOW FOR BOAT AFTER LAUNCH TO COASTER Tynemouth, Northumberland. At 11.8 on the morning of the 20th of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a coaster had broken down and was drifting on to the rocks on which the Longstone light- house stands. A Dutch deep-sea tug was going to her assistance, and the life-boat coxswain, after considering the situation, decided to launch the life- boat Tynesider. She left at 12.26 in a strong north-westerly wind. The sea was very rough, and it was one hour before low water. Visibility was mod- erate. At one o'clock the life-boat mechanic heard on the radio the tug Titan passing a message to the casualty, which was the motor vessel Oakdene of Sunderland, that she was within sight of her. Twenty minutes later the tug had the Oakdene in tow and the life-boat was recalled. The seas were extremely steep, some being about fifteen feet high, and the coxswain decided to stream the drogue for the return passage.

While the drogue was being recovered near the Head Sand buoy in the River Tyne a small rowing boat was seen in difficulties in the heavy swell. The man aboard her was very pleased to accept a tow up river away from the dangerous position he was in, and the life-boat reached her station at 2.35. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 10s.

SICK CHILD TAKEN FROM ISLAND Galway Bay. At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 21st of January, 1960, the local doctor asked if the life-boat could take a six-year-old child with suspected appendicitis to the mainland for hospital treatment. As no other suitable boat was available, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson left her moor- ings at 4.45 and embarked the child.

There was a southerly gale and a rough sea. It was low water and the weather was overcast, with heavy rain and poor visibility. The conditions made enter- ing Rossaveal bay difficult, but the child was landed shortly after seven o'clock, and after refuelling the life- boat reached her moorings at 10.30.

Rewards to the crew, £16 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 17s. Refunded to the Institution by the Galway County Council.

ESCORT FOR LEAKING FISHING VESSEL Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 7.40 on the evening of the 27th of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor fishing vessel Honey Bee of Peterhead was leaking badly and in danger of sinking off Buchan Ness. At 8.5 the life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow was launched in a light south-south-easterly wind. The sea was calm, and it was two hours after low water. The life-boat escorted the fishing vessel, which had a crew of nine, into harbour, arriving at 10.30. Re- wards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 8s.

LIFE-BOAT AND COXSWAIN'S BOAT PROVIDE ESCORT North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 11.50 on the morning of the 28th of January, 1960, the motor mechanic told the honorary secretary that the local fishing boat Kindly Light was overdue from fishing and might be in difficulty.

At 12.5 the life-boat Grace Darling was launched with the bowman in command in an east-north-easterly gale. The sea was very rough, and it was two and a half hours before high water. The coxswain and second coxswain, who were aboard the fishing boat Cluaran, heard the radio messages being sent by the life-boat to Cullercoats radio station, and the Cluaran joined the life-boat in the search for the missing boat. The Kindly Light was found in difficulties in the heavy seas three miles south-east of Seahouses, and the life-boat and the Cluaran escorted her to harbour, arriv- ing at 1.15. Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 8s.

MOTOR BOAT ESCORTED TO HARBOUR Scarborough, Yorkshire. At 4.5 on the afternoon of the 29th of January, 1960, the life-boat /. G. Graves oj Sheffield was launched to the help of the motor boat Sceptre, which was in difficulties in worsening weather con- ditions one mile south of the harbour.

There was a light northerly wind and a moderate sea, but there was considerable ground swell. It was high water. The life-boat escorted the boat into harbour and reached her station at 4.50.

Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £10 4s.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF VESSEL Stornoway, Hebrides. At 10.45 on the night of the 30th of January, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that the Admiralty mooring vessel Moorpout, which intended to call at Stornoway at midnight to land a sick man, needed a pilot. As the weather conditions were too bad for the pilot boat to put out, the life-boat The James and Margaret Boyd was launched at 11.45 in a south-easterly wind of nearly gale force. The sea was rough, and it was two hours after high water. The Moorpout was eventually anchored in Stornoway bay, and the sick man was transferred to the life-boat, which brought him ashore. The life-boat reached her moorings at 1.30. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing : Flamborough, Yorkshire.—January 1st.—Rewards, £36 17s.

Valentia, Co. Kerry,—January 2nd.— Rewards, £44 11s.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—January 7th.— Rewards, £11 8s.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—January 13th.—Rewards, £12.

Newcastle, Co. Down.—January 13th.

—Rewards, £32 6s.

Clogher Head, Co. Louth.—January 14th.—Rewards, £22 4s.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—January 14th.—Rewards, £38 18s.

Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—January 15th.—Rewards, £17 18s.

Wicklow.—January 16th.—Rewards, £14 12s.

Walmer, Kent.—January 18th.—Re- wards, £27 6s.

Walmer, Kent.—January 22nd.—Re- wards, £30 10s.

Dover, Kent.—January 22nd.—Re- wards, £14 5s.

Walmer, Kent.—January 23rd.—Re- wards, £35 3s.

Port Erin, Isle of Man.—January 29th.—Rewards, £16 18s.

FEBRUARY DURING February life-boats were launched on service 36 times and rescued 7 lives.

FIVE COBLES ESCORTED TO HARBOUR Scarborough, Yorkshire. At 11.45 on the morning of the 1st of February, 1960, the life-boat /. G. Graves of Sheffield was launched in a light south- easterly wind and a rough sea, as five local fishing cobles were at sea and the weather was deteriorating. It was an hour and a half before low water. The life-boat stood by and awaited the arrival of the cobles, and the cox- swain then advised their skippers to wait until the flood tide started to make before entering harbour. Each coble was escorted safely into harbour.

Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £7 8s.

MAN TAKEN OFF BEFORE BOAT SINKS Dover, Kent. At 9.36 on the morn- ing of the 2nd of February, 1960, the coastguard told the coxswain that a boat was burning flares off Shakespeare cliff to the west of Dover. At 9.55 the life-boat Southern Africa put out in a moderate south-westerly wind. The sea was rough, and it was one hour after low water. The life-boat found the motor boat Kingfisher of Dover, being towed by another motor boat.

The Kingfisher's propeller was fouled and she was making water. The tow- rope soon parted, and the life-boat went alongside. The man aboard Kingfisher was transferred to the life- boat, which took the motor boat in tow. When she was within a hundred and fifty yards of the shore the King- fisher sank. The life-boat reached her station at 11.20. Rewards to the crew, £10 ; reward to the helper on shore, 5s.

ESCORT FOR THREE FISHING VESSELS Bridlington, Yorkshire. At 11.18 on the morning of the 3rd of February, 1960, the life-boat Tillie Morrison, Sheffield II was launched to stand by three local motor fishing vessels, which were entering harbour in very bad weather. There was a south-south- easterly gale, the sea was very rough, and it was two hours after high water.

The life-boat escorted the Winifred and the Express, which was leaking very badly, safely into harbour, but the third vessel, the Random Harvest missed the tide. The life-boat therefore re- mained afloat in the harbour, and at 4.30 put out to escort the Random Harvest, which was hove to in the bay, safely back. The life-boat reached her station at 5.30. Rewards to the crew, £15 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 10s.

FOUR LIFE-BOATS IN SEARCH FOR AIRCRAFT Dungeness, and Dover, Kent ; Hast- ings and Eastbourne, Sussex. At 5.25 on the afternoon of the 7th of February, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary at Eastbourne that an Auster aircraft was missing on a flight from Lympne airfield and had been seen between Dungeness and Beachy Head. A similar message was passed to the honorary secretaries at Dungeness, Dover and Hastings. The four life-boats were launched to carry out a search of the area, and at 7.10 the Eastbourne life-boat picked up a body five miles south-east of Beachy Head. Artificial respiration was applied immediately, but the man did not recover and his body was landed at Eastbourne at 8.8. As there had been two people on board the aircraft the life-boat returned to the area to con- tinue the search in conjunction with an aircraft, but nothing further was found and the search was abandoned. East- bourne life-boat reached her station at 12.55, Hastings at 10.2, Dover at 10.40 and Dungeness at 9.50. Rewards to the crew : Eastbourne, £20 18s. ; Hastings, £12 5s. ; Dover, £16 10s. ; Dungeness, £18 5s. Rewards to the helpers on shore : Eastbourne, £16 18s.; Hastings, £24 ; Dungeness, £34 Is.

BABY BORN IN LIFE-BOAT On the 5th and 7th of February, 1960, the Barra Island, Hebrides, life- boat was launched to take patients to South Uist. On the first occasion a woman gave birth to a child on board the life-boat. These events are re- corded on pages 435-6. Rewards to the crew on the 5th, £20 5s., and on the 7th, £18 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore on the 5th, 19s., and on the 7th, 18s.

TWO LIFE-BOATS ESCORT MOTOR VESSEL Clogher Head, Co. Louth; and Howth, Co. Dublin. At 10.44 on the morning of the 11th of February, 1960, the honorary secretary at Clogher Head received a mes- sage from Valentia radio that the motor vessel Indorita of Liverpool needed help immediately as she had developed a serious machinery defect. Her posi- tion was three miles south-east of Drogheda bar. It was high water when the Clogher Head life-boat George & Caroline Ermen was launched at 11.50 in a north-easterly wind of near gale force and a very rough sea.

When the life-boat reached the Indorita she found her in tow of another vessel, and she began to escort the two vessels towards Dublin. At 7.30 a signal was sent asking for the Howth life-boat R.P.L. to relieve the Clogher Head life-boat. The R.P.L. reached the posi- tion at 9.50 and took over escort duties. Rendezvous was made with a tug at the mouth of the River Liffey, and the tug towed the Indorita into Dublin. The Clogher Head life-boat reached her station at 12.55 and the Howth life-boat at 2.35 early on the 12th of February. Rewards to the crew : Clogher Head, £27 15s. ; Howth, £18 5s. Rewards to the helpers on shore : Clogher Head, £11 13s. ; Howth, £2 6s.

THREE PUT ABOARD MOTOR VESSEL Wicklow. At 4.15 on the afternoon of the llth of February, 1960, the coxswain was informed that a motor vessel which had engine trouble needed a tug. Her position was three miles north-east of Wicklow Head. As no tug was available the life-boat J. W.

Archer was launched. It was low water, with a fresh to strong east-north- easterly blowing and a rough sea. The life-boat reached the motor vessel Stella Mary, and the coxswain put a man aboard her. The life-boat then escorted her to harbour. At the en- trance to the harbour the Stella Mary got into difficulties, and two more men were put on board to help secure her to the east pier. After the Stella Mary had been moored the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 5.35. Pro- perty salvage case.

TWO LIFE-BOATS LAUNCH TO FISHING VESSEL Eyemouth, Berwickshire ; and Ber- wick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. At 11.25 on the night of the 15th of February, 1960, the coastguard in- formed the honorary secretary at Eyemouth that a boat was in distress four miles east of Burnmouth. At 11.35 the life-boat Clara and Emily Harwell was launched in a strong north- north-westerly wind. There was a heavy swell, and it was an hour and a half after low water. The honorary secretary at Berwick-upon-Tweed was also notified, and the life-boat William and Mary Durham was launched at 12.2 early on the 16th of February.

The Eyemouth life-boat found the motor fishing vessel Rachel Douglas of Seahouses escorted her into Burn- mouth harbour, and reached her station at 2.30. The Berwick-upon-Tweed life- boat reached her station at 1.20. Re- wards to the crew : Eyemouth, £12 ; Berwick-upon-Tweed, £8 15s. Re- wards to the helpers on shore : Eye- mouth. £6 12s. : Berwick-upon-Tweed, £1 4s.

THREE FISHING BOATS ESCORTED OVER BAR Whitby, Yorkshire. On the morning of the 16th of February, 1960, one of three local fishing boats which were at sea, the Provider A., wirelessed that she expected to be off the harbour about 2.15 in the afternoon. As the weather was becoming worse the life-boat Mary Ann Hep worth was launched at 2.20 to stand by while the boats returned to harbour. After the boats had crossed the bar safely the life-boat returned to her station at 3.50. Rewards to the crew, £815.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

TOW FOR FISHING BOAT CLOSE TO CLIFF Penlee, Cornwall. At 12.48 on the afternoon of the 18th of February, 1960, the motor mechanic told the honorary secretary that a fishing boat had broken down close to the rocks at Tol-Pedn. At one o'clock the life-boat W. and S. was launched in a moderate to fresh south-south-westerly wind with a rough sea. It was an hour and a half before low water. The life-boat found the fishing boat May of St. Ives, with one man aboard, anchored ten yards from the cliff face. She took her in tow, but the rope parted several times before the fishing boat was brought into Newlyn. The life-boat reached her station at 2.15. Property salvage case.

SICK MAN TAKEN OFF IRISH LIGHTVESSEL Kilmore, Co. Wexford. At 5.35 on the evening of the 21st of February, I960, the office of the Commissioners of Irish Lights informed the honorary secretary that a member of the crew of the Coningbeg lightvessel was suffering from blood poisoning and asked if the life-boat could bring him ashore. At 5.45, three hours after low water, the life-boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched in a light easterly breeze and a slight swell. She took the sick man aboard and landed him at Kilmore quay at 8.57. Rewards to the crew, £12 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9. Refunded to the Institu- tion by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

TRAWLER REFLOATED IN GALE Eyemouth, Berwickshire. At 4.12 on the morning of the 25th of February, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that three red flares had been seen off Fort Castle Head, three miles west of St. Abbs Head. The life-boat Clara and Emily Barwell was launched at 4.45, two hours before low water in a south-easterly gale. There was a heavy swell, and rain squalls made the visibility poor. The life-boat found the trawler Craigievar of Aberdeen aground with a crew of seven. The coxswain decided to wait until daybreak and a flood tide before attempting to refloat her. With the flood tide the trawler pounded severely and her crew with the exception of the master scrambled ashore. Later the life-boat took ropes from two fishing vessels, Day Spring and Boy Peter, to the trawler, which was eventually towed clear of the rocks.

The life-boat escorted her and the towing vessels for a short distance and then returned to her station, arriving at one o'clock. Property salvage case.

BOAT SEEN IN TROUBLE OFF HARBOUR BAR Arbroath, Angus. At one o'clock on the afternoon of the 26th of February, 1960, the fishing boat White Rose, which was returning from the fishing grounds, was seen by the coxswain to be off the harbour bar in a confused sea.

As she was thought to be in a dangerous position the life-boat The Duke of Montrose was launched at 1.20 in a heavy swell. It was half an hour after high water. The life-boat escorted the White Rose into harbour and reached her station at 2.15. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

YACHT TOWED INTO HARBOUR | Ramsgate, Kent. At 2.34 on the afternoon of the 27th of February, 1960, the east pier watchman told the honor- ary secretary that a small yacht was in difficulties three and a half miles off Dumpton Gap. At 2.45 the life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put out in a moderate south-westerly wind and a choppy sea. The tide was half ebb. The life-boat found the yacht Ads, which had a crew of two, with her engine broken down and took her in tow to Ramsgate harbour. The life-boat reached her moorings at 3.45. Re- wards to the crew, £8 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, 10s.

SALVAGE WORKERS TAKEN OFF MOTOR VESSEL North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 5.27 on the morning of the 29th of February, 1960, the coastguard in- formed the honorary secretary that a vessel was ashore on Beadnell Point.

At 5.45 the life-boat Grace Darling was launched one hour after high water in a moderate south-south-easterly wind and a moderate swell. She found the motor vessel Yewg/en of Glasgow and stood by her. Later she ferried twenty salvage workers ashore who had been jettisoning some of the motor vessel's cargo of cement. Five of the crew of the Yewglen walked ashore at low water, and the life-boat reached her station at 5.30 in the evening. Property salvage case.

CREW OF TWO TAKEN OFF FISHING BOAT Stromness, Orkneys. At 8.20 on the evening of the 29th of February, 1960, the coxswain was told that a fishing boat, with two men on board, was overdue from lobster fishing. The honorary secretary was then informed by the coastguard that a flare had been seen between Costa Head and Noup Head. At 8.39 the life-boat Archibald and Alexander M. Paterson was launched in a light south-westerly wind and a smooth sea. The tide was half flood. On reaching the position the life-boat found the fishing yawl Willow- bank with her engine broken down.

Her crew had burnt some of their clothing to attract attention. They were taken on board the life-boat and given refreshment. The Willowbank was taken in tow to a point near Evie pier, where the two men were put into a dinghy, which was moored off the pier, at 12.30. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at four o'clock in the morning. Rewards to the crew, £21 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 6s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing : Dunbar, East Lothian.—February 1 st.

—Rewards, £8 15s.

Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—February 3 rd.

—Rewards, £24 9s.

Longhope, Orkneys.—February 3rd.

—Rewards, £15 13s.

Stornoway, Hebrides.—February 8th.

—Rewards, £50 5s.

Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—Fe bruary 9th.—Rewards, £25 4s.

Montrose, Angus.—February 9th.— Rewards, £19.

Gourdon, Kincardineshire.—February llth.—Rewards, £17.

Sunderland, Co. Durham.—February 20th.—Rewards, £12 6s.

Troon, Ayrshire.—February 21st.— Rewards, £8 15s.

Selsey, Sussex.—February 24th.— Rewards, £35 13s.

Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—Febru- ary 25th.—Rewards, £16 4s.

Plymouth, Devon.—February 26th.— Rewards, £8 15s.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—Febru- ary 27th.—Rewards, £22 Is.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—February 28th.—Rewards, £15 15s.

MARCH DURING March life-boats were launched on service 32 times and rescued 19 lives.

FISHING BOATS ESCORTED IN NEAR GALE North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 1.55 early on the morning of the 4th of March, 1960, the life-boat Grace Darling was launched at low water to escort nine local fishing boats to harbour in bad weather. There was a north-north-westerly wind of nearly gale force and a very rough sea. After escorting the fishing boats the life-boat reached her station at 4.25. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £9 9s.

ESCORT OVER BAR FOR FOUR FISHING VESSELS Wbitby, Yorkshire. At 11.30 on the morning of the 9th of March, 1960, the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth, after completing an engine trial, went to meet four local fishing vessels, which were returning to harbour in a strong east-south-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was two hours before high water.

The life-boat stood by until the fishing vessels had crossed the harbour bar safely and reached her station at two o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s.

TOW FOR EX-COXSWAIN IN DRIFTING TRAWLER Ilfracombe, Devon. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 9th of March, 1960, the life-boat Robert and Phemia Brown was launched with the district engineer on board for an engine trial in a moderate easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was one hour before high water.

When the boat was off Hangman Point the motor trawler Deo Gratias was seen drifting. The life-boat made for the trawler and found that she had lost her rudder. The Deo Gratias, which was skippered by a former life-boat cox- swain and had two other men on board, was taken in tow to Ilfracombe harbour, which was reached at 4.30. Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12 17s.

ESCORT FOR FAROE ISLAND FISHING VESSEL Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 3.34 on the afternoon of the 9th of March, 1940, the life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow was launched one hour before low water to go to the help of the fishing vessel St. Jacques of Vaag, Faroe Islands, which was in difficulties in heavy weather off Buchan Ness. There was a south-easterly gale and the sea was very rough. The life-boat escorted the fishing vessel into Peterhead harbour and reached her station at 4.50. The owners of the St. Jacques made a donation to the Institution's funds.

Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s.

FISHING VESSEL TAKEN IN TOW Valentia, Co. Kerry. At 7.25 on the evening of the 9th of March, 1960, Valentia radio station informed the honorary secretary that the fishing vessel Ross Corr had broken down in the mouth of Ballinskelligs Bay. At 7.50 the life-boat Peter and Sarah Blake, on temporary duty at the station, put out in a strong south-easterly wind.

There was a moderate sea and the tide was flooding. The life-boat found the fishing vessel, with a crew of five, five miles west of Bolus Head. She took her in tow to Portmagee quay and reached her station at one o'clock in the morning. Rewards to the crew, £15 15s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 17s.

FISHING VESSEL ESCORTED IN GALE Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 10.50 on the evening of the 9th of March, 1960, the life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow was launched at high water to go to the help of the local fishing vessel Anima- tion, which was in difficulties south of Rattray Head. There was a south- easterly gale with a very rough sea. The life-boat escorted the fishing vessel into Peterhead harbour, reaching her station at 12.15 early on the 10th of March.

Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 8s.

NINE FISHING VESSELS ESCORTED TO HARBOUR North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 5.18 on the morning of the 15th of March, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the local fishing fleet were returning to harbour, and as the weather was becoming worse the life-boat Grace Darling was launched at 5.35, two hours after high water. A fresh east-south-easterly wind was blowing, and there was a heavy swell. The life-boat escorted nine fishing vessels to harbour and reached her station at 7.2. Rewards to the crew, £7 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 13s.

ESCORT INTO HARBOUR FOR TWO VESSELS Montrose, Angus. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 15th of March, 1960, conditions at the harbour entrance were very bad. A strong easterly wind was blowing, and the sea was very rough.

It was clear that the motor fishing vessels Angus Rose and Rose Mary would have difficulty in entering, and the life-boat The Good Hope was launched at 10.20. Both vessels were safely escorted into harbour on the flood tide, and the life-boat reached her station at 12.55. The owner of the Angus Rose made a donation to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £10 10s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 16s.

TOW FOR BOAT SENT TO RELIEVE LIGHTHOUSE Arranmore, Co. Donegal. At 1.15 on the afternoon of the 15th of March, 1960, a message was received from Tory Island lighthouse that the relief boat Fair Isle, which had left Bunbeg at 8.30, had not arrived. The life-boat W. M. Tilson put out at 2.30. It was low water and the weather was fine, with a light northerly breeze blowing.

After searching from Tory Island to Inishbofin Island, the life-boat eventu- ally found the Fair Isle about one mile off Bloody Foreland with her engine broken down. She took her in tow to Bunbeg, arriving at eight o'clock. The haze which had persisted throughout the service thickened into fog, and the coxswain decided to remain at Bunbeg overnight. The life-boat left next morning at ten o'clock and reached her station at two o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £32 ; reward to the helper on shore, £1.

TWO LIFE-BOATS PUT OUT TO MOTOR VESSEL Plymouth, Devon ; and Fowey, Corn- wall. At 4.42 on the afternoon of the 18th of March, 1960, the signal station at Longroom informed the honorary secretary of the Plymouth life-boat station of a report received from the pilot cutter. This stated that the motor vessel Gazelle of London, which was off Drays tone buoy, needed a tug. At 5.1 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse put out in a strong south- easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was an hour and a half after low water. The pilot cutter later reported that she could find no trace of the casualty off Draystone and that she would look for her towards the mouth of the Yealm river to the east. The life-boat cox- swain set a course south and west of Rame Head, as he thought the Gazelle might have mistaken her position. A message was then received that the Gazelle was under way on one engine and was making four knots towards St.

Austell Bay. The Fowey life-boat Deneys Reitz, which was on a routine exercise, was informed of what had happened and made for the Gazelle.

She took her in tow about seven miles east of Pencarrow Head. The Gazelle's starboard engine had stopped and her port engine was overheating. As they approached Fowey light the tow rope parted, and the Gazelle entered harbour on one engine guided by a parachute- flare fired from the life-boat. Fowey life-boat reached her station at 8.55, and Plymouth life-boat at 6.44. Re- wards to the crew : Plymouth, £7 10s. ; Fowey, £12 5s.

DOCTOR TAKEN OUT TO DUTCH TANKER Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- folk. At 10.58 on the morning of the 24th of March, 1960, Lloyd's agent at Great Yarmouth informed the honorary secretary that there was a sick man aboard the Dutch tanker Mare Novum, which was proceeding towards Yar- mouth Roads. The master had asked for a life-boat to meet him with a doctor. The life-boat Louise Stephens, with a doctor on board, was launched at low water at 1.2. There was a fresh easterly wind with a heavy swell. The doctor boarded the tanker and found the patient lying in the engine room with severe internal injuries. He decided the man was in too bad a state to be landed by life-boat. The tanker entered the harbour, where the patient was taken by ambulance to hospital.

The life-boat reached her station at 1.31.

Rewards to the crew, £10 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s.

SECOND SERVICE ON SAME DAY Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- folk. At 2.34 on the afternoon of the 24th of March, 1960, the district superintendent of Trinity House at Great Yarmouth informed the honorary secretary that the Trinity House vessel Triton was unable to enter harbour to land a sick man from the Smith's Knoll lightvessel, and he asked for the services of the life-boat. At 2.42 the life-boat Louise Stephens, which had returned from a service a little more than an hour before, was launched in a fresh easterly wind. There was a heavy swell, and it was two hours after low water. The life-boat met the Triton in Yarmouth Roads, embarked the sick man, and landed him at 3.25. The life- boat reached her station at 3.50. Re- wards to the crew, £10 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 11s.

DOCTOR PUT ABOARD TRAWLER Aith, Shetlands. At 12.54 on the afternoon of the 25th of March, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a member of the crew of the trawler Ben Bhrackie of Aberdeen, which was then twenty-five miles north of Vee Skerries, had been seriously injured. At 1.48 the life-boat The Rankin put out, with a doctor on board, in a fresh south-easterly wind and a rough sea. It was one hour after low water. A rendezvous was made to the west of the island of Papa Stour, where the doctor boarded the trawler.

As the patient was too ill to be trans- ferred, the doctor remained on board, and the trawler proceeded to Scalloway, where the injured seaman was taken by ambulance to hospital. The life-boat reached her station at 6.25. Rewards to the crew, £14 5s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s.

ESCORT FOR FRENCH TRAWLER IN TOW Peel, Isle of Man. At 1.10 early on the morning of the 26th of March, 1960, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a French trawler was ashore on Peel Island. At 1.40 the life- boat Helena Harris—Manchester and District XXXI was launched in a light east-north-easterly breeze. There was a slight swell and the tide was half ebb.

The life-boat found the trawler La Fee des Ondes of Lorient ashore at Glen Maye with her wheelhouse awash. The French fishery protection cruiser Le Hardi was standing by. Six of the trawler's crew of eight landed from a small boat and were taken to Peel by the Peel life-saving apparatus company.

The trawler was refloated by the life- boat and then taken in tow by the protection cruiser. After escorting both vessels into Peel the life-boat took the six men to the trawler. She then returned to her station, arriving at nine o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £19 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £21 10s.

MOTOR BOAT TOWED TO HARBOUR Dover, Kent. At 2.10 on the after- noon of the 27th of March, 1960, a message was received from the eastern arm of the harbour that the small motor boat Gladena of Dover had broken down with engine trouble half a mile south-east of Dover. The life-boat Southern Africa put out at 2.25, when the tide was half ebb, in a fresh north- north-easterly wind and a moderate sea.

She took the motor boat, which had a crew of four, in tow, and reached her station at 3.10. Rewards to the crew, £10 5s.

MOTOR VESSEL REFLOATED AFTER GOING AGROUND Swanage, Dorset. At 10.1 on the night of the 29th of March, 1960, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that the motor vessel Magrix of Hull was ashore near St. Aldhelm's Head but was in no immediate danger. At 10.19 the life-boat R.L.P. was launched at high water in a gentle east-north- easterly wind and a smooth sea.

During the search two parachute flares were used to help in locating the vessel, which was ashore in Chapman's Pool one mile north-north-west of St. Ald- helm's Head. Her bows were well out of the water, and as nothing useful could be done until the next flood tide the life-boat anchored. H.M.S. Chichester and a minesweeper approached and offered assistance, the minesweeper being guided into the area by a para- chute flare from the life-boat. The Magrix's skipper informed both vessels that a tug had been summoned, and at three o'clock in the morning the tug Tyne of Rotterdam arrived from South- ampton. The towing gear was passed aboard with the help of the life-boat and the Magrix was refloated. When no further help was needed the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at nine o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £29 15s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £4 8s.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing : North Sunderland, Northumberland.— March 1st.—Rewards, £23 10s.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire.— March 2nd.—Rewards, £10 14s.

Beaumaris, Anglesey.—March 3rd.— Rewards, £17.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumber- land.—March 4th.—Rewards, £17 16s.

Weymouth, Dorset.—March 5th.— Rewards, £8 15s.

Dunbar, East Lothian.—March 6th.— Rewards, £14 5s.

GalwayBay.—March 7th.—Rewards, £17 2s.

Fenit, Co. Kerry.—March 8th.— Rewards, £31 7s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—March 8th.—Rewards, £12 12s.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—March llth.—Rewards, £12 12s.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—March 15th.—Rewards, £39 2s.

Appledore, Devon.—March 15th.— Rewards, £11 18s.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—March 24th.—Rewards, £15 Is.

New Brighton, Cheshire.—March 25th.—Rewards, £8 16s.

Torbay, Devon.—March 30th.—Re- wards, £8 18s.

The following account of a service by the Helvick Head, Co. Waterford, life- boat on the 17th of December, 1959, was received too late for inclusion in the March, 1960, number of the Life- boat.

At 5.30 in the evening the coxswain told the honorary secretary that a member of the crew aboard a German trawler anchored in Dungarvan Bay needed a doctor. As no other local boat was considered suitable because of the severe weather conditions, the life- boat H. F. Bailey put out at 6.15 with a doctor on board. A south-westerly gale was blowing, the sea was very rough, and there were heavy rain squalls. It was high water. After examining the man, who had an abscess on his face, the doctor decided that he should be removed to hospital. The life-boat brought the patient and doctor ashore and reached her station at 7.45.

The owners made a donation to the Institution's funds. Rewards to the crew, £8 15s. ; reward to the helper on shore, 12s..