JANUARY DURING January life-boats were launched on service 30 times but rescued no lives.

FIREMEN TAKEN TO BELGIAN TRAWLER Selsey, Sussex. At 8.20 on the morn- ing of 4th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a trawler, later identified as the Belgian trawler Don Bosco, had her engine room on fire, and had asked for the help of the life-boat and of fire-fighting equipment.

The life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched at 8.47 on an ebbing tide. There was a light westerly breeze with a slight sea. The weather was fine. The life-boat, with portable fire-fighting equipment and firemen from Selsey on board, made for the casualty, which was alongside the Owers lightvessel. Shortly after launching, the Chichester fire brigade arrived at Selsey with foam and breath- ing apparatus. A helicopter from Tangmere, which had rescued three of the trawler's crew from a raft, was asked to transport this equipment and three more firemen to the life-boat.

The life-boat came up with the Don Bosco at 9.50 and was advised that the remaining two members of the crew were on board the lightvessel. The traw- ler had dense smoke coming from her with flames licking the wheelhouse, but although it was realized there was no one on board the firemen on board the life-boat tried to extinguish the fire.

This task was taken over by one of the Admiralty fire-fighting tugs which arri- ved on the scene, and when the fire was extinguished the vessel was taken in tow by one of the tugs to Southampton.

The two survivors on board the Owers lightvessel were transferred to the life- boat and taken to Selsey, where they were handed over to the care of the local representative of the Shipwrecked Fish- ermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 12.40.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO LIGHTVESSEL Humber, Yorkshire. At 4.33 on the afternoon of the 7th January, 1963, the Superintendent of Trinity House at Great Yarmouth informed the coxswain superintendent that the master of the Dowsing lightvessel had been injured and needed medical help. The life-boat City of Bradford III was launched at five o'clock with a doctor on board in a strong easterly breeze and a very rough sea. It was one hour after high water.

The life-boat reached the lightvessel at 8.30 and the doctor went aboard her.

After being given first aid the injured man was transferred to the life-boat, which then made for Grimsby, where she landed him at 12.45. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 2.30. The master sent a letter of appre- ciation to the coxswain and made a donation to the funds of the Institution.

GRACE DARLING LIFE-BOAT TAKES FOOD TO LIGHTHOUSE North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 1.50 on the afternoon of the 9th January, 1963, the local representative of Trinity House asked if the life-boat would take supplies to the Longstone lighthouse because the weather had been too bad for the Trinity House boat to put off. The relief was long overdue and the keepers had been living on corned beef and biscuits for some days. At 2.20 the life-boat Grace Darling was launched. There was a moderate east- north-east wind and a moderate sea, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat put provisions on the lighthouse and then returned to her station, arriving at 3.30.

FISHING COBLE TOWED TO HARBOUR Sunderland, Co. Durham. At 5.22 on the afternoon of the 12th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the s.s. Effra had report- ed that she had the local fishing coble Mardi Gras with a crew of three in tow four miles south-east of Sunderland north pier. She asked if the life-boat would take over the tow. At 5.55 the life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was launched in a light easterly breeze, a moderate sea and an ebbing tide. She found the Effra, which had a fouled pro- peller, three miles south-east of Roker pier. She took her in tow to Sunderland, arriving at 7.35.

TUG TAKEN IN TOW TO HARBOUR Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.

At 2.24 on the morning of the 12th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that red flares had been seen about six miles east of Berwick, and at 2.50 the life-boat William and Mary Durham was launched. There was a light north- easterly breeze and a moderate sea, and it was high water. The life-boat made a search in snow showers and found the local tug T.I.D. 66, with a crew of four, had broken down three miles to the east- ward. She had left Berwick the afternoon before, but her engines had failed off St. Abbs Head and she had drifted southwards. She was at anchor. The anchor was weighed by hand-winch, and the life-boat towed the tug to Berwick harbour, reaching her station at 5.50.

PILOT VESSEL AND TANKER IN COLLISION Humber, Yorkshire. At 5.50 on the morning of the 12th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the coxswain super- intendent that the pilot vessel /. H.

Fisher and the tanker Esso Glasgow had been in collision. Later a message was received from the Humber Conservancy Board that the pilot vessel was sinking.

The life-boat City of Bradford III was launched at 6.20 in a light north-westerly breeze and a slight sea. It was an hour before high water. The life-boat made for the position, which was a mile and a half south-west of Chequer float, and came up with the Esso Glasgow. The coxswain was told that the pilot vessel was making for the beach. The life-boat went inshore and found two ship's boats with eleven survivors on board from the /. H. Fisher and three empty life-rafts. The pilots would not leave the boats and the life-boat escorted them to Spurn Point. On the way a pilot was put aboard a Russian vessel by the life-boat. The life-boat reached her station at 7.35, and the ten pilots were taken to the homes of the life-boat crew.

DOCTOR PUT ON BOARD TANKER IN SNOWSTORM Humber, Yorkshire. At five o'clock on the morning of the 16th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the coxswain superintendent that there was a sick man on board a tanker two miles south of the Spurn Point coastguard look-out. There was a strong south-easterly breeze and a very rough sea. It was an hour and a half after low water. The life-boat City of Bradford III was launched at 6.5 with a doctor on board. She made for the position of the tanker in a severe snow storm. When the life-boat reached her, the tanker North King discharged oil to calm the sea, and with great difficulty the doctor boarded the tanker. After he had examined the sick man, the doctor and his patient were taken on board the life-boat, which then returned to her station, arriving at 8.10. The sick man was landed and taken to hospital.

SEVERAL COBLES ESCORTED IN ROUGH SEA Scarborough, Yorkshire. During the early morning of the 16th January, 1963, the easterly wind increased to gale force and anxiety was felt for the safety of six local fishing boats which were still at sea. At 5.55 the life-boat /. G. Graves of Sheffield was, launched in a very rough sea, snow showers and a flooding tide just as two of the cobles entered the harbour. She made a search and found the coble Rosemary two miles north- north-east of Scarborough castle. She escorted her in and then met the Premier five miles to the north-east-by-north.

She escorted her to harbour too and then found the Betty three miles north-east of the castle. The life-boat accompanied the Betty to Scarborough, but by this time conditions had become so bad at the harbour entrance that the life-boat had to spray oil on the sea to make it smoother. The sea was too rough for the sixth coble, the Rachel, to enter, and the life-boat escorted her to Whitby before returning to Scar- borough. She escorted four more fishing boats into Scarborough harbour and finally reached her station at 4.25 in the afternoon.FISHING BOAT ESCORTED OVER BAR Wbitby, Yorkshire. At 9.10 on the morning of the 16th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that the weather was likely to become worse, and that an easterly gale was forecast as imminent. Eight fishing boats were still at sea, and at 10.10 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched. There was a strong breeze blowing from east-by-north, the sea was rough, and the tide was ebbing.

The Scarborough life-boat was at sea escorting fishing boats, and about noon she reached Whitby with one of these boats, the Rachel. The Whitby life-boat escorted them over the harbour bar and then put to sea to warn five local fishing boats of the conditions on the bar. The life-boat lay off the bar for over an hour while the tide made and then returned to her station, arriving at 4.12.

TWO LIFE-BOATS OUT TO DUTCH VESSEL ON FIRE Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, and Caister, Norfolk. At 4.36 on the morning of the 17th January, 1963, the coast- guard informed the honorary secretary at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston that a ship was on fire in Yarmouth roads, and a similar message was passed to the coxswain of the Caister life-boat. The life-boat Elizabeth Elson, on temporary duty at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, was launched at 5.16, and at 5.50 the Caister life-boat Jose Neville put out with a fire pump and six firemen on board. There was a strong easterly breeze and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat reached the position of the ship first. She was the motor vessel Maria W. of Rotterdam and her engine room was on fire. Six men from the Trinity House vessel Mermaid were helping the Dutch vessel's crew of five to fight the fire, using an auxiliary pump from the Mermaid. The Caister life- boat reached the Maria W. at 6.30, and the pump and the six firemen she was carrying were put aboard. The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston life-boat then left to return to harbour for another pump, but before she reached the har- bour a message was passed to her cox- swain at eight o'clock that the fire was under control and the additional pump was not required. The life-boat reached her station at nine o'clock. A tug had been summoned meanwhile. At 9.25 two of the crew of the Caister life-boat were put aboard the Maria W. and the life- boat then took ashore the Dutch vessel's mate and engineer and the six firemen.

The life-boat returned to the Maria W.

with her mate at 12.15 and, when she had been taken in tow by the tug, escorted her into harbour, arriving at four o'clock. The Caister life-boat reached her station at five o'clock.

COBLES ESCORTED AS GALE SPRINGS UP Scarborough, Yorkshire. On the 18th January, 1963, the weather deteriorated rapidly, and as several local fishing boats were at sea the honorary secretary gave permission for the life-boat to be launched. The life-boat J. G. Graves of Sheffield put out at noon in an easterly gale and a rough sea. It was two hours after high water. The life-boat found the fishing boat Rosemary three miles north-east-by-north of the castle and escorted her safely into harbour. The fishing boats Hilda and Betty Sheader were then met off the castle and they too were escorted in. The life-boat made for a position five miles north-north- east of the castle and there met the fishing coble Premier. This boat was also escorted into harbour, and by then conditions had become much worse and the life-boat had to spread oil on the sea. The life-boat finally reached her station at four o'clock.

COXSWAIN'S COBLE ESCORTED INTO HARBOUR Runswick, Yorkshire. At 11.49 on the morning of the 18th January, 1963, three fishing cobles were at sea in deteriorat- ing weather and some concern was felt for their safety when they would enter harbour. At 12.5 the life-boat The Elliott Gill was launched with the bow- man in command, as the coxswain and the second coxswain were at sea in one of the fishing cobles, Bread Winner.

There was a strong easterly breeze and a rough sea. It was two hours before low water. The life-boat found the Bread Winner off Staithes, and when thecoxswain had been transferred to the life-boat to take over command, this fishing coble and a second coble, Coronation Queen, were escorted safely into harbour. As the third coble had already reached harbour, the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 2.25.

ESCORT FOR HOLED DUTCH MOTOR VESSEL Holyhead, Anglesey. At 10.27 on the morning of the 20th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the assistant hono- rary secretary that a Dutch motor vessel was making water rapidly and needed help immediately. Her position was between the North and South Stacks, west of Holyhead. The life-boat St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was launched at 10.37 in a moderate to fresh breeze and a moderate sea. The tide was half ebb.

The life-boat reached the motor vessel Aldebaran of Groningen at eleven o'clock. The vessel had developed a list and the life-boat escorted her into the inner harbour at Holyhead. The life- boat then stood by while the Anglesey fire service put pumps on board the motor vessel and pumped out the water.

The life-boat returned to her station at 11.40. Later, when the motor vessel was in dry dock at Holyhead, it was learnt that she had struck a rock and that this had caused the leak.

WATCHMEN TAKEN OFF SHIPS WHEN HARBOUR IS FROZEN Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. At 9.50 on the morning of the 21st January, 1963, the honorary secretary received a telephone call from the agent of a number of shipping companies, several of whose vessels were laid up off West Mersea, asking for the help of the life-boat to take out provisions. The watchmen on board the vessels had been due for relief the day before, but the agent's motor launch was frozen up in West Mersea, and it was feared that the watchmen's provisions might be running short. As Brightlingsea harbour was frozen and there was no other boat available, it was arranged for the life- boat Sir Godfrey Baring to launch at 3.10 with provisions and two men on board who knew the vessels' positions.

The life-boat put out in an east-north- easterly wind of near gale force and a rough sea. It was one hour after low water and the weather was extremely cold. The life-boat provisioned three vessels and landed twenty-one men and a woman from twenty-one vessels.

Because of the severe weather conditions she then made for Brightlingsea, which she reached at 11.10, and she returned to her station the next morning.

ESCORT AFTER CARGO VESSEL IS REFLOATED Lowestoft, Suffolk. At 1.8 early on the morning of the 22nd January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a cargo vessel had gone aground on Newcombe sands. The coastguard made signals to her by morse lamp to ask if she needed help, but no reply was received, and at 2.28 the life- boat Cunard, on temporary duty at the station, put out in an east-south- easterly breeze and a moderate sea. It was one hour after low water. The life- boat made for the position given, and found the motor vessel Hoocreek of London. She had just refloated and her skipper asked the life-boat to escort her into deeper water. This was done, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 3.52. It was learnt later that the coaster had struck a sandbank because the South Holm buoy had apparently broken adrift.

TOW FOR FISHING BOAT WITH ENGINE TROUBLE Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. At 5.17 on the afternoon of the 23rd January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that red flares had been seen from the Peterhead look-out two and a half miles east-by-north from Peterhead.

The life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow made for the position at 5.36 in a gentle westerly breeze and a slight sea.

It was low water. The life-boat found that the fishing boat Carnation of Peter- head had engine trouble and was drift- ing towards Peterhead. The fishing boat with three men on board was taken in tow to Peterhead by the life-boat, which reached her station at 7.19.

LINE FIRED TO MOTOR VESSEL AGROUND Caister, Norfolk. At eight o'clock on the morning of the 25th January, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a vessel was ashore at Winterton but did not require any help.

Two hours later the superintendent of the company to whom the vessel belonged telephoned the coxswain and asked if the life-boat would launch to lay out an anchor. The coxswain con- sulted the honorary secretary, and at 11.45 the life-boat Jose Neville was launched in a light west-north-westerly breeze and a slight sea. The tide was half ebb. The life-boat found the motor vessel Crescence of Rochester ashore on the beach, and an anchor was laid. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 8.10. The vessel was still ashore on the 27th January, and the superintendent again telephoned the coxswain to say that the tug Foreman of Hull was unable to close the Crescence enough to connect a tow line. He asked if the life-boat could help. She was launched at two o'clock in the afternoon and on reaching the position took a 300-fathom rope from the tug to the Crescence, which was passed aboard by means of the line-throwing gun. The life-boat stood off to await the flood tide and the return of the tug, which was then some distance away. At six o'clock the tow rope was put aboard the tug, but during this operation the tug steamed over the life-boat's anchor and the tow rope had to be cut. The life-boat could do nothing further, and she returned to her station, arriving at seven o'clock.

NIGHT SEARCH FOR DRIFTING CABIN CRUISER Selsey, Sussex. At 7.55 on the evening of the 26th January, 1963, the coast- guard informed the honorary secretary that a message had been received from the Owers lightvessel that a cabin cruiser was drifting north of the light- vessel and had not replied to signals. At 8.10 the rife-boat Canadian Pacific was launched. There was a light north- north-east breeze and a smooth sea, and the tide was half flood. With the help of her searchlight and parachute flares the life-boat searched widely, but she found nothing and returned to her station at 1.10 early on the 27th. It was decided to resume the search at daybreak, and at 6.30 the life-boat put to sea again. The lightvessel had reported seeing the cabin cruiser drifting in a westerly direction, and at 8.10 the life-boat found the Dee Dee with no one on board. The life-boat towed the cabin cruiser to Little- hampton, returning to her station at noon.

The following life-boats went out on service but could find no ships in dis- tress, were not needed, or could do nothing.

St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—January 4th.

St. Mary's, Scilly Islands.—January 5th.

Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.— Jan- uary 7th.

Hartlepool, Co. Durham.—January 15th.

Kirkcudbright.—January 16th.

Padstow, Cornwall.—January 17th Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- folk.—January 17th.

Walmer, Kent.—January 18th.

Walton and Frinton, Essex.—January 26th.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire.—January28th.

Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—January 31st.

FEBRUARY DURING February life-boats were launched on service 29 times and rescued 11 lives.

THREE LIFE-BOATS OUT TO DUTCH VESSEL Port Erin, Port St. Mary, and Douglas, Isle of Man. At 4.15 on the morning of the 5th February, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary of the Port St. Mary life-boat station that a vessel was ashore on the south coast of the Isle of Man. The coxswain of the Port Erin life-boat was also told, and the life-boats R. A. Colby Cubbin No. 2 and Matthew Simpson put out at 4.40 and five o'clock respectively. There was a south-easterly gale and a very rough sea.

It was two hours after high water. At 5.15 the coastguard reported that the motor vessel Grietje of Groningen with a crew of eight had been found three miles south of Douglas. When the Douglas life-boat White Star, on tem- porary duty at the station, was launched at 5.50 the other two life-boats were recalled, Port Erin reaching her station at 6.8, and Port St. Mary at 6.35. The Douglas life-boat reached the position of the motor vessel in a blinding snow- storm but was unable to close her because of the rocks, and she therefore stood off. The life-saving apparatus team had also arrived at the position and a line was secured to the vessel, but her crew did not wish to be brought ashore by breeches buoy, preferring to remain on board for the time being. At 7.40 a rubber life-raft was floated ashore from the Grietje with six of her crew in it, and they climbed the cliffs, using rope ladders which had been placed in position by the life-saving apparatus team. Later the captain and chief mate also went ashore in the life-raft. The life-boat, which had been standing by all this time, then returned to her station, arriving at 8.55.

LAUNCH IN WORST BLIZZARD IN LIVING MEMORY Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. On the 5th February, 1963, the worst blizzard in living memory occurred and all road and air transport came to a halt. By the 8th there was an acute shortage of food, and as there was no prospect of the road being opened for several days the life- boat The Jeannie was launched with the second coxswain in command at 6.30 in the morning to go to Stranraer for supplies. She took with her two local officials who had been marooned at Portpatrick and landed them at Stran- raer. The life-boat returned with six passengers for Portpatrick and food, medical supplies and mail, and then took supplies to Killantingan light- house. She finally reached her station at 3.45.

TRAWLER BREAKS FROM MOORINGS IN STRONG GALE Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford. At 1.5 on the afternoon of the 5th February, 1963, Ilfracombe radio station informed the honorary secretary that the principal keeper of the Tuskar Rock lighthouse had seen a trawler fire a flare or a rocket two and a half miles south-east of the lighthouse. At 1.25 the life-boat Doug/ax Hyde left her moorings in a strong south-south-easterly gale and a rough sea. The tide was half flood. After a very rough passage the life-boat reached the trawler Achroite of Mull at 2.45 and found her making little headway because of lack of steam. The trawler asked to be escorted to Rosslare Harbour for shelter. This was done and the trawler and the life-boat reached Rosslare Harbour at four o'clock, when the trawler was moored alongside the quay.

The life-boat reached her moorings at 4.45.

An hour later the life-boat crew had just secured the boarding boat when they noticed that the trawler had broken her mooring cables in the gale and was drifting towards the mail steamer St. David and Rosslare Bay. The crew of the trawler were on board, and it was known that there was no steam power.

The life-boat crew put out in the board- ing boat, but before they reached the life-boat the trawler fouled the stern haul-off wire of the mail steamer and was held. The life-boat crew did not board the life-boat but made for the pier, where they helped to pull the trawler free from the steamer and back to the quay wall. This operation lasted nearly three hours in the storm condi- tions. The boarding boat was finally secured at 8.30. Later the trawler again broke free, this time with no crew on board, and went aground in Rosslare Bay.

THIRD GOLD MEDAL AWARDED SINCE END OF WAR ON the 5th/6th February, 1963, the St. Peter Port life-boat rescued nine people from the Norwegian motor vessel JoJwn Collett. For this service, a full account of which appears on page 450, among other awards made was that of the gold medal to Coxswain Hubert Petit.

COASTER AGROUND NEAR HARBOUR ENTRANCE Amble, Northumberland. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 6th February, 1963, the coxswain told the honorary secretary that a coaster had run aground at the harbour entrance.

The life-boat City of Bradford II, on temporary duty at the station, left her moorings at 9.15 in a rough sea. There was a strong south-easterly breeze blowing, and it was one hour after low water. The life-boat reached the coaster Northgate and helped to take ropes from the ship to the quayside. She reached her moorings at 11.30. The master of the Northgate made a gift to the life-boat crew.

LIFE-BOAT BRINGS EXPECTANT MOTHER TO HOSPITAL Campbeltown, Argyllshire. At 11.30 on the morning of the 8th February, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that as a result of an exceptional blizzard in Kintyre every road was completely blocked, telephones were out of order, and Southend was without electricity. It was learnt that the local doctor had been cut off by the snow and that there were two expectant mothers in need of immediate attention.

The doctor asked if one of the women could be conveyed in the life-boat to Campbeltown maternity hospital. The honorary medical adviser volunteered to go with the life-boat City of Glasgow II, which put out at 12.25 in a light east- south-easterly breeze and a slight sea. It was high water. The life-boat made for Southend, where she was met by a local boat, which took the doctor ashore. The woman was transferred to the life-boat which at 4.48 reached Campbeltown, where an ambulance took the woman to hospital. Two electricians and a post office engineer, who went to restore the electricity supply and repair a fault in the local telephone exchange, also took passage in the life-boat. A message was later sent from the Southend community to the honorary secretary expressing appreciation of the services rendered.

SICK MAN FROM LIGHTVESSEL BROUGHT ASHORE The Mumbles, Glamorganshire. At 4.30 on the afternoon of the 10th February, 1963, the honorary secretary received a telephone message from the Superintendent of Trinity House, Swan- sea, asking for a life-boat to take a doctor to the Scarweather lightvessel, where a man was suffering from severe headaches. The life-boat William Gam- mon—Manchester and District XXX, was launched at 4.57 in a strong south- easterly breeze and a rough sea. The tide was flooding. The doctor was put aboard the lightvessel and found the seaman in a poor condition. The seaman was brought ashore, and the life-boat reached her station at 7.20.

ESCORT FOR GERMAN COASTER IN TOW Arklow, Co. Wicklow. At 5.50 on the morning of the 14th February, 1963, the naval base at Haulbowline informed the honorary secretary that the steering gear of the coaster Milos of Bremen had broken down off Mizzen Head and that the vessel needed help. At 7.14 the life- boat Inbhear Mor was launched in a south-easterly gale and a very rough sea.

It was two hours before high water. The life-boat found the Milos in tow of the tanker Irish Holly five miles north-east of Arklow harbour and escorted the two vessels. At 9.30 off Mizzen Head the tow rope parted and the life-boat helped to reconnect the two vessels. When the Milos and Irish Holly had reached calmer water and the wind had modera- ted the life-boat returned to her station, which she reached at 5.45.

ESCORT FOR FIVE COBLES Filey, Yorkshire. At 10.45 on the morning of the 14th February, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that five fishing cobles were at sea in deteriorating weather. The life-boat The Isa & Penryn Milsted was launched at 11.25 in a strong south-by-easterly wind and a moderate sea. It was two hours before low water. The five cobles were well dispersed north-east of Filey Brig, but all were escorted safely ashore.

The life-boat then returned to her sta- tion, arriving at 2.25.

CREW RESCUED FROM FISHING BOAT AGROUND Stromness, Orkneys. At 5.20 on the afternoon of the 16th February, 1963, the ex-coxswain, after returning from lobster fishing, telephoned the present coxswain to report that the local fishing boat Desire, with two men on board, was aground on Clett Skerry off Graemsay.

The coxswain informed the honorary secretary, and at 5.35 the life-boat Archibald and Alexander M. Paterson was launched in a light south-easterly breeze and a smooth sea. The tide was ebbing. The coxswain took a flat- bottomed boat with him. The life-boat reached the fishing boat at 5.50 and after rescuing the crew of two of the Desire returned to her station at 6.30. The Desire was refloated at high water with the help of a local fishing boat.

INJURED WOMAN TAKEN TO MAINLAND Galway Bay, Co. Galway. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 18th February, 1963, the local nurse asked the honorary secretary if the life-boat would take a seriously injured elderly woman to Rossaveel on the mainland, where an ambulance was waiting to convey her to hospital. No other suitable boat was available, and at 11.30 the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out with the patient and the nurse on board. There was an east-south-easterly gale and a choppy sea. The tide was flooding. The two women were landed at Rossaveel, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 3.30.

MAN FROM NORWEGIAN VESSEL OVERBOARD Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. At 4.40 on the afternoon of the 18th February, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a man was reported overboard from the Norwegian motor vessel Livanita of Grimstad two miles west of Breaksea lightvessel. There was a moderate south-easterly breeze with a corresponding sea and snow showers. The life-boat Rachel and Mary Evans was launched at 4.55 on an ebbing tide and made for the position given.

When she came up with the Livanita it was learnt that the man had been picked up. A helicopter then placed a doctor on board, but the man was found to be dead. The life-boat landed the body at Barry and then returned to her station, arriving at seven o'clock.

AIRCRAFT AND LIFE-BOAT SEARCH FOR FISHING BOAT Barrow, Lancashire. At 10.45 on the morning of the 26th February, 1963, the Formby coastguard reported that the fishing boat Signora of Peel had burnt flares twelve miles north-west-by-west of Haverigg Point. The life-boat Herbert Leigh was launched at 11.5 in a strong south-south-east breeze, a rough sea and a flooding tide. At 11.30 a Shackleton aircraft of the R.A.F. reported that the Signora was twenty miles north-west of Walney lighthouse. The aircraft guided the life-boat to the position, where the life-boat found that the Signora's crew of two had been taken off by the motor vessel Lairdsbank. The motor vessel had also taken the Signora in tow, but the tow parted. The life-boat then towed the fishing boat to Workington and returned to Barrow at fifteen minutes after mid- night.

SECOND SERVICE TO NORWEGIAN MOTOR VESSEL Penlee, Cornwall. At 8.15 on the morning of the 27th February, 1963, the port medical officer telephoned to say that the motor vessel Livanita of Grimstad, which had a sick man on board, was approaching Mount's Bay.

He asked if the life-boat would put off to her with a doctor on board, and at eleven o'clock the life-boat Solomon Browne was launched. There was a strong south-easterly wind and a rough sea, and the tide was ebbing. The life- boat embarked a doctor at Newlyn, and put him aboard the Livanita six miles south of Penzance. The patient, a Spaniard suffering from internal bleed- ing, was then transferred to the life- boat, which returned to Newlyn, where an ambulance was waiting, at 1.20. The Barry Dock life-boat had been launched to the same Norwegian motor vessel nine days earlier.

The following life-boats went out on service but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing: Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.—February 4th.

Port St. Mary, Isle of Man.—Feb- ruary 5th.

Port Erin, Isle of Man.—February 5th.

Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.— February 10th.

Dover, Kent.—February llth.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—February llth.

The Lizard-Cadgwith, Cornwall.— February 12th.

Campbeltown, Argyllshire.—February 14th.

Howth, Co. Cork.—February 14th.

Portrush, Co. Antrim.—Februaryl4th.

Wells, Norfolk.—February 16th.

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—Feb- ruary 17th.

Filey, Yorkshire.—February 19th.

Angle, Pembrokeshire. — February 25th.

Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.—Feb- ruary 26th.

MARCH DURING March life-boats were launched on service 34 times and rescued 4 lives.

TOW FOR FISHING VESSEL AGROUND Lerwick, Shetlands. At 11.45 on the night of the 3rd March, 1963, the coast- guard informed the assistant honorary secretary that the motor fishing vessel Bountiful was ashore on the east side of Shetland Isle. Shortly afterwards a further message was received from the coastguard that the vessel was ashore at the north end of Bressay outside the harbour. The life-boat Claude Cecil Staniforth put out at 11.54 in a gentle southerly breeze and a moderate sea.

It was low water. Four fishing vessels also left harbour to help, and it was learnt from two of the skippers of the fishing vessels speaking on the radio- telephone that the Bountiful was on the Bass of Beosetter. On reaching the posi- tion the life-boat put a tow line aboard the vessel and towed her into deeper water. The Bountiful had not been damaged, and she made for the fishing grounds at Baltasound. The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 1.26. A monetary gift was received by the coxswain and crew from the vessel's insurers.

LIFE-BOAT AND TUGS TO HELP OF DUTCH VESSEL St. David's, Pembrokeshire. At 4.45 on the morning of the 4th March, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a Dutch vessel was in distress, and though the position of the vessel was not known some red rockets had been seen in St. Bride's Bay. The life-boat Swn-y-Mor (Civil Service No.

6) was launched at 5.15 in a fresh south- easterly breeze and a moderate sea. It was one hour before low water. On reaching Wooltack Point the life-boat sighted the Dutch vessel Finlandia, of Zwolle, on rocks in Musselwick Bay, but conditions prevented her from ap- proaching within fifty yards of the vessel. The tug Dalegarth had also reached the position, and a line was fired from her but it missed its target.

The life-boat crew eventually succeeded in getting a hawser aboard the Fin- landia, and the life-boat towed her clear of the rocks. The Finlandia had been badly holed, and had a severe list to starboard. The tug Angle Gate, which had arrived with pumping gear, pumped water from the Finlandia, and when this had been done the two tugs, accompanied by the life-boat, towed the vessel to Broadhaven beach, where necessary repairs could be carried out.

The life-boat then returned to her sta- tion, arriving at 4.30 in the afternoon.

DANISH VESSEL ESCORTED INTO HARBOUR Fowey, Cornwall. At 5.30 on the after- noon of the 7th March, 1963, Lloyd's agent at Fowey informed the honorary secretary that a vessel had gone ashore north-east of Par harbour while attempt- ing to enter and that she would now try to get off on the morning tide. As a southerly gale was imminent, the life- boat Deneys Reitz put out at one o'clock early on the morning of the 8th March to stand by. There was a strong breeze blowing from the south-west with a very rough sea. The tide was flooding.

The life-boat found the Danish motor vessel Idalith of /Eroskobing, which re- floated under her own power at 4.5.

The life-boat escorted her into Fowey harbour and then returned to her station, arriving at 5.30.

NURSE TAKEN TO MAINLAND IN GALE Islay, Inner Hebrides. At 4.45 on the morning of the 8th March, 1963, the local doctor told the honorary secretary that a patient of his needed an opera- tion urgently. The doctor had asked for an air ambulance but had been told that because of the bad weather none was available for service, and because of the uncertain weather forecast it was not possible to say when one would be able to take the patient to the mainland. The life-boat Francis W. Wotherspoon of Paisley put out at 5.30 in a strong south-easterly gale and a rough sea. It was one hour before low water. The life-boat went to the Portaskaig pier and waited until an ambulance arrived with the patient, who was a nurse. After she had been put aboard, the life-boat made for Oban with another nurse on board accompanying the patient. Both nurses were landed, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 6.55.

DOCTOR TAKEN TO GERMAN MOTOR VESSEL St. Peter Port, Guernsey. At 6.11 on the morning of the 8th March, 1963, the St. Peter Port signal station informed the honorary secretary that the German motor vessel Nova of Stade, which was seven miles south of St. Martin's point, had a sick man on board who needed a doctor. The St. John Ambulance Bri- gade were asked to find a doctor, and at 6.35 the life-boat Lloyd's, on tempor- ary duty at the station, put out with the doctor and ambulance men on board.

There was a strong south-westerly breeze with a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The Nova had made good pro- gress with a following wind and tide and was met about a mile south of the pierheads. The doctor, the ambulance men and a member of the crew, who is a pilot, were put on board. The pilot brought the vessel into port, where the sick man received further medical treatment, before the vessel continued on her way. The life-boat reached her station at 7.30.

SICK CHILD TAKEN FROM ISLAND IN GALE Gahvay Bay. At eleven o'clock on the morning of the 8th March, 1963, the local doctor asked the honorary secre- tary if the life-boat could take a child suffering from appendicitis to Rossaveel for hospital treatment. There was a strong southerly gale with a correspond- ing rough sea, and the weather was stormy. Because of the weather con- ditions no other suitable boat was available. The life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out at noon on a flood tide with the doctor and the child on board. They were both landed at Rossaveel. The return journey of the life-boat took almost two hours against the southerly gale, and she arrived back at her station at 4.15.

BODY FOUND AFTER SEARCH WITH HELICOPTER Weymouth, Dorset. At 12.55 on the afternoon of the 10th March, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that a man and a girl were stranded on some rocks below the cliffs at Lulworth Cove. The life-boat Frank Spiller Locke put out at 1.5 in a strong west-south-westerly breeze and a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. A helicopter also took off. The police reported later that the two people were in the water and a search was carried out, in the course of which the helicopter sighted a body floating in the sea. This was recovered by the life-boat, which was in radio contact with the helicopter.

The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 4.55.

YACHT TOWED TO HARBOUR Ramsgate, Kent. At 7.40 on the morn- ing of the 13th March, 1963, the cox- swain informed the honorary secretary that a yacht was aground on the harbour bar and in need of help. The weather was fine with light airs and a smooth sea. It was low water. The life-boat Michael and Lily Davis put out at 7.50 and came up with the yacht Doric II. She stood by until the yacht refloated at 9.3 and then took her in tow to Ramsgate harbour. The life-boat reached her station at 1.30.

CREW MEMBER INJURED ON BOARD YACHT Plymouth, Devon. At 9.27 on the evening of the 13th March, 1963, the honorary secretary was informed that a small white yacht with two men on board was on the breakwater 200 to 300 yards east of the fort. The life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse put out at 9.41 in a south-south-westerly wind of near gale force and a heavy swell. It was two hours after high water.

On reaching the position the life-boat found that the yacht had been washed over the breakwater into the Sound.

The Queen's Harbour Master's launch picked up one man who was clinging to the yacht's rudder while the life-boat picked up a lifebuoy about a hundred yards away. Two of the life-boat's crew then boarded the yacht, a converted ship's boat named Luisa, to see if any- one could be found. While on board one of the crew cut his hand severely, and the life-boat took him ashore im- mediately, where an ambulance was waiting. He was taken to hospital, where five stitches were inserted in his hand.

The life-boat had meanwhile put out again to search for the missing man.

Two of the crew were landed on the breakwater to search the extreme end but no one was found. During the ser- vice searchlights from H.M.S. Tartar at Breakwater Fort helped, with the life- boat's own searchlight, to light up the area. Eventually the search was aban- doned, and the life-boat towed the Luisa into Millbay Docks, where she was berthed. The life-boat finally reached her station at 3.5.

SICK MAN FROM LIGHTVESSEL LANDED Kilmore, Co. Wexford. At 7.50 on the morning of the 15th March, 1963, the local agent for the Irish Lights office in- formed the honorary secretary that one of the crew of the Barrels lightvessel was suffering from a heart complaint.

There was a gentle south-westerly breeze with a heavy swell. The life- boat Ann Isabella Pyemont was launched at 8.20 on a flooding tide. She reached the lightvessel at 9.33, and the sick man was taken on board. The life-boat returned to her station at 11.20, and the patient was landed.

SICK MAN TAKEN FROM ISLAND Islay, Inner Hebrides. At 11.50 on the morning of the 18th March, 1963, the medical officer for the Isle of Colonsay informed the honorary secretary that he had a patient suffering from a gastric perforation requiring immediate hos- pital treatment. The doctor had been in touch with the R.A.F. station at Leuchars to ask for a helicopter, but because of adverse weather conditions the helicopter could not operate. At 12.14 the life-boat Francis W. Wother- spoon of Paisley, put out in a north- westerly gale and a choppy sea. It was an hour and a half before low water.

The life-boat went to the Isle of Colon- say and embarked the sick man. He was conveyed to Port Askaig, where an ambulance was waiting to take him to Islay airport, and thence by aircraft to a Glasgow hospital. The life-boat reached her station at 3.45.

MAN TAKEN ON BOARD AND DINGHY TOWED IN Hastings, Sussex. At 3.58 on the afternoon of the 22nd March, 1963, the coastguard informed the motor mechanic, in the absence of the honor- ary secretary, that the Bexhill police had reported a dinghy apparently in distress half a mile off East Parade, Bexhill.

There was a near gale from the north- north-east with a choppy sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat M.T.C. was launched at 4.11 and made for the posi- tion given. She came up with the dinghy Jenny at 4.55 and found another dinghy, which had gone to the Jenny's help, alongside her. The one man in the Jenny was taken on board the life-boat. The life-boat escorted the second dinghy safely ashore, and then returned to her station, with the survivor on board and his dinghy in tow, arriving at 6.10.

YACHT TOWED IN WITH GALE IMMINENT Exmouth, Devon. At 11.30 on the night of the 25th March, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary sec- retary that he had an auxiliary yacht under observation whose engine had broken down off Sidmouth beach. The owner intended sailing westwards along the coast. At 1.45 in the morning the district officer of H.M. Coastguard asked for the life-boat to be launched to this boat as a south-west gale was forecast for the area. The fife-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott, on temporary duty at the station, put out at 2.25 in a fresh southerly breeze with a rough sea.

It was low water. Soon after leaving harbour the coxswain was informed that a strong gale was imminent. The life-boat came up with the yacht Sgumain at 3.30 and informed the owner about the gale warning. The owner agreed that the life-boat should tow the yacht to Exmouth, where she arrived at 6.15.

HIRED BOAT FOUND IN TIDE RACE Port Erin, Isle of Man. At 4.20 on theafternoonofthe26thMarch, 1963, the honorary secretary was informed by the coxswain that a boat had been hired out to two students on condition that they stayed inside the breakwater. After a time the boat owner, finding they were not in the bay, had gone to look for them. He went to the adjoining head- land, but could not see them. When the boat became overdue it was decided to launch the life-boat, and at 4.29 the life-boat Matthew Simpson put out in a light south-south-westerly breeze and a slight sea. It was two hours before low water. The missing dinghy was found under sail on the north side of the Calf of Man and taken in tow by the life- boat. The life-boat was finally rehoused at 5.40. When the dinghy was exam- ined it was found to have a broken rudder pintle, and it would have been impossible for the students to return to Port Erin without help as they were in a tide race.

MOTHER REPORTS SONS MISSING IN BOAT Torbay, Devon. At 11.50 on the night of the 26th March, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the mother of two young men had reported that they had not returned home after leaving Brixham at six o'clock for Dartmouth in the motor launch Karen. At 12.25 the life-boat Princess Alexandra of Kent left her moorings in a light south-west-by- westerly breeze and a choppy sea. It was an hour and a half before low water.

The life-boat carried out a search along the coast towards Dartmouth, and off Scabbacombe beach a flashing light was seen close inshore near the rocks. The life-boat approached the position and found the Karen with her engine broken down and the two young men on board.

The boat was taken in tow to Brixham harbour, where the mother of the two men was waiting with a car to take them home to Kingswear. The life-boat reached her station at 1.55. The mother sent a letter of appreciation and a dona- tion to the Institution's funds.

U.S. AND SPANISH VESSELS IN COLLISION Hastings, Sussex. At 8.30 on the evening of the 27th March, 1963, a local resident informed the honorary secre- tary that he had seen a red flare south- east of Hastings. The life-boat M.T.C.

was launched at 8.45 in a gentle south- westerly breeze and a slight sea. It was one hour after low water. Soon after the life-boat was launched information was received from the coastguard that the s.s. Mormaclake of New York and another vessel had been in collision nine and a half miles south-east-by-east of Hastings. At 9.27 the coastguard re- ported that the American vessel did not require any help but that the other vessel, the motor vessel Conquistador, of Seville, needed a tug. The life-boat reached the position at 10.20 and stood by. The bow of the Conquistador was almost severed. The coxswain was unable to get the Spanish crew to under- stand his messages. When the French tug Hardi arrived eleven Spaniards who had boarded the Mormaclake earlier were transferred by the life-boat to the tug, which then took the Conquistador in tow with sixteen men still on board. No further help was needed and the life- boat returned to her station, arriving at 2.15.

COBLE TAKEN IN TOW TO HARBOUR Filey, Yorkshire. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 29th March, 1963, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that ten local fishing cobles were at sea in deteriorating weather.

Only four regular life-boat crew mem- bers were ashore, but a full crew were soon assembled, and at 9.20 the life- boat The Isa & Penryn Milsted was launched with the bowman in command.

There was a moderate to fresh south- easterly breeze and a rough sea. The tide was half ebb. Seven cobles were found and escorted safely into harbour.

The eighth had broken down and had to be taken in tow. While this was being done a message was received that another coble had made for Scar- borough and that the tenth was being escorted by the Scarborough life-boat.

The Filey life-boat reached her station at 2.45.

TOW TAKEN OVER FROM COBLE Scarborough, Yorkshire. At 9.35 on the morning of the 29th March, 1963, the coxswain received a message from the Filey fishermen that the Scarborough keelboat Hyperion had reported by radio-telephone that the fishing coble Hilda II of Scarborough was firing flares two miles east-by-north of Scar- borough. The life-boat /. G. Graves of Sheffield was launched at 9.40 in a strong south-easterly breeze and a rough sea. The tide was half ebb. The life-boat found the Hilda in tow of the coble Premier. The Hilda II had a broken shaft. The Premier's engine was also faulty, so the life-boat took over the tow to the harbour. The life-boat then returned to escort the Premier and three more cobles into harbour and reached her station at 2.20.

SICK MAN BROUGHT TO MAINLAND Galway Bay. At 11.45 on the night of the 31st March, 1963, a report was received from the local doctor that a man was gravely ill and should be taken immediately to hospital. As no local boats were available, the life-boat Mabel Marion Thompson put out at 12.40 in a light south-westerly breeze and a calm sea. It was almost low water. The sick man was embarked together with the doctor and taken to the mainland, but because it was low water he could not be landed at Rossaveel and was taken to Galway. The life-boat then returned to her station, arriving at 8.30.

The following life-boats went out on service, but could find no ships in distress, were not needed, or could do nothing: Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.—March 2nd.

Swanage, Dorset.—March 3rd.

Droughty Ferry, Angus.—March 5th.

St. Helier, Jersey.—March 8th.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.—March 9th.

Dungeness, Kent.—March 13th.

Dover, Kent.—March 13th.

Stronsay, Orkneys.—March 14th.

Weymouth, Dorset.—March 16th.

Falmouth, Cornwall.—March 16th.

Courtmacsherry Harbour, Co. Cork.

—March 17th.

Portrush, Co. Antrim.—March 20th.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—March 22nd.

Rhyl, Flintshire.—March 24th.

Senncn Cove, Cornwall.—March 31st.

*Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—November 28th.

*Mallaig, Inverness-shire.—December 21st.

* The accounts of these services were received too late for inclusion in the March 1963 number of the Life-Boat..