Angle, Pembrokeshire. Early on the morning of the 9th of July, 1960, the coxswain told the honorary secre- tary that he had heard a violent explosion and seen clouds of black smoke coming from the direction of the Esso jetty at Milford Haven. The life-boat Richard Vernon and Mary Gar forth of Leeds was launched at 6.48 in a moderate westerly breeze and a calm sea. It was high water. The explosion had occurred on board the tanker Esso Portsmouth, which was on fire. After searching without success for survivors in the water the life-boat stood by the tanker until the fire was under control. She returned to her station at 12.30. Rewards to the crew, £9 2s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £6 16s..