MARCH No. 1 Life-boat Area Wick, Caithness - At 8.52 p.m. on 27th March, 1969, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a trawler had grounded hard and fast on the Louther Skerries. At 9.10 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the trawler James Barrie at 11.10 and stood by the vessel. At 6.30 a.m. on 28th March, with her boiler-room flooded, the trawler rolled heavily to star- board and the order was given to abandon ship. The life-boat closed with the trawler and with the aid of life-rafts the crew of 21 were taken on board and landed at Wick. The life-boat returned to her station at 10.15.

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire - At 3.35 p.m. on 23rd March, 1969, it was learnt that a boy was stranded on a rock off shore at Broadsea, Fraser- burgh. The life-boat Duchess of Kent was launched at 3.40. It was high water. The boy was picked off the rock and landed at Fraserburgh. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.40.

Life-boat 70-002 at Longhope, Ork- ney - At 2.18 p.m. on 22nd March, 1969, while life-boat 70-002 was at Longhope and her crew were pre- paring to go ashore to attend the funeral of the crew of the Longhope life-boat, the coastguard reported to the staff coxswain that the motor fishing vessel Girl Mina, with four men on board, had broken down in the Pentland Firth. The life-boat Grace Paterson Ritchie slipped her moorings at 2.23 in a strong south south easterly breeze with a moderate sea. It was high water. The life-boat came up with the Girl Mina at 4.6 and took her in tow to Stromness.

She returned to Longhope at 9.0 o'clock.

Mallaig, Inverness-shire - At 1.40 a.m. on 19th March, 1969, the honorary secretary learnt that the fishing boat Ocean Starlight was ashore on the rocks at the entrance to Mallaig harbour. The life-boat E. M. M. Gordon Cubbin slipped her moorings at 1.55 in a strong easterly wind with a choppy sea. It was low water. The life-boat dropped an anchor to windward and veered to within a few feet of the fishing boat.

A line was then passed to the fishing boat and the anchor cable was winched in until a strain was taken on the tow rope. Three members of the Ocean Starlight's crew were taken on board the life-boat, the master remaining on board to tend the tow-line. The fishing boat was refloated at 4 o'clock, and as she was in no further danger her crew re- turned aboard. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.15.

Lerwick, Shetland - The life-boat Claude Cecil Staniforth slipped her moorings on 15th March, 1969, to go to the assistance of three Norwegian fishing vessels. A full report of this service, for which each member of the life-boat crew received a framed THE LIFE-BOAT FLEET 138 station life-boats 103 inshore rescue boats 1 70-foot steel life-boat on operational trials 1 40-foot G.R.P. life-boat on evaluation trials at Sheerness LIVES RESCUED 90,694 from the Institution's foundation in 1824 to 31st May, 1969 letter of thanks signed by the Chair- man of the Institution, appears on page 675.

No. 2 Life-boat Area Workington, Cumberland - At 7.20 p.m. on 31st March, 1969, the coast- guard reported that the cabin cruiser Tracy Jane, with one crew member on board, was in difficulties between Parton and Harrington. The life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX slipped her moorings at 7.20 in a moderate north easterly breeze with a rough sea. It was two hours before low water. A later message reported that the cruiser was ashore near Micklam Chimneys. There was not enough water to close with the cruiser and a line was passed from the life-boat with the assistance of the coastguard.

At 8.29 the Tracy Jane was pulled clear and taken in tow to Working- ton. The life-boat returned to her station at 9.35.

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumber- land - At 10.10 a.m. on 22nd March, 1969, news was received that a red flare had been sighted five miles east of Berwick pier. At 10.25 the life-boat William and Mary Durham was launched in a moderate south easterly breeze with a corresponding sea. The tide was ebbing. The life- boat came up with the coble St.

Nicholas carrying a crew of three.

Her engines had broken down and she was drifting towards the shore.

The life-boat took the coble in tow to Burnmouth, and returned to her station at 12.45 p.m.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Swanage, Dorset - At 3.48 p.m. on 29th March, 1969, the coastguardreported that two girls were cut off by the tide below Old Harry rocks.

The life-boat Rosa Wood and Phyllis Lunn, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 4.4. The tide was flooding. The two girls were picked up by the life-boat boarding boat and then taken aboard the life-boat. They were landed at Swan- age, and the life-boat returned to her station at 5.5.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire - At 4.24 a.m. on 16th March, 1969, it was learnt that the motor boat See Wee, with three men on board, on passage from Llandlwyn Island was overdue. The life-boat Cunard, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 5.58. There was a moder- ate east north easterly breeze with a corresponding sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the motor boat two miles west of Belan Fort. Her engine had broken down. The three men were taken aboard the life-boat and the motor boat was taken in tow to Caernarvon.

The life-boat returned to her station at 1.15 p.m. A helicopter also took part in this service.

No. 10 Life-boat Area Donaghadee, Co. Down - On 18th March, 1969, it was reported that four days previously two bird- watchers had been landed on Old Lighthouse island and, due to un- favourable weather conditions, it had not been possible to take them off.

At 3 p.m. the life-boat Sir Samuel Kelly, with a dinghy in tow, slipped her moorings in an easterly gale with a very rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The two men were picked up from the island by dinghy and then transferred to the life-boat. They were landed at Donoghadee, and the life-boat returned to her station at 4.30. A donation was made to the Institution's funds.

690 IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in March were carried out by the following stations: No. 2 Life-boat Area Largs, Ayrshire - At 1.50 p.m. on 16th March, 1969, the police in- formed the honorary secretary that a dinghy with three men on board appeared to be in difficulties about a quarter of a mile off Mackerston.

The IRB was launched ten minutes later in a gale force easterly wind and a rough sea. It was high water.

She found three skin divers in the water, but the dinghy which had capsized had been blown across to Cumbrae. The IRB picked up the survivors and recovered the dinghy, which she towed to Barnfields slip- way. The IRB landed the skin divers and returned to her station, arriving at 3 o'clock.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Shoreham Harbour, Sussex - At 10.55 a.m. on 30th March, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor boat Venture, with three people on board, had broken down about 300 yards south of the harbour. At 11 o'clock the IRB was launched in a fresh west south westerly breeze with a corre- sponding sea. It was one hour after high water. The IRB took the motor boat in tow to harbour and returned to her station at 11.30.

Eastney, Hampshire - At 4.37 p.m. on 5th March, 1969, the coastguard reported that a Royal Naval dinghy had capsized one mile to the west of the R.A.Y.C. signal station. Two men were in the water. The IRB was launched at 4.42 in a fresh to strong east north easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was low water. She found the dinghy which was on passage from Lee-on-Solent to Gosport. The two men, who had been clinging to the dinghy, were taken aboard the IRB and transferred to H.M.S. Hornet at Gosport, where they were landed and taken to hospital by ambulance.

The IRB returned to her station at 6 o'clock. A helicopter, which was alerted, was not required.

Margate, Kent - At 10.45 a.m. on 30th March, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the motor boat Tekhai, with two young people on board, was reported to be in difficulties off the Lido three quarters of a mile east of Margate jetty. The IRB was launched at 10.46 in a fresh west south westerly breeze with a choppy sea. The tide was flooding. The motor boat was taken in tow to harbour, and the IRB returned to her station at 11.15.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire - At 4 p.m. on 30th March, 1969, a caravan camp manager accompanied by a skin diver, who was blue with cold, told the life-boat's assistant motor mechanic that the skin diver had swum ashore from a boat which needed assistance about one and a half miles out in the bay. There were still two people on board. The IRB was launched at 4.20. She found a motor boat with a man and a woman on board. The boat's engine had broken down, so she was towed into Pwllheli harbour, where her crew were landed. The IRB returned to her station at 5.15.

APRIL No. 1 Life-boat Area Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire - At 8.24 p.m. on 19th April, 1969, the coast- guard reported that a fishing boat was in difficulties one and a half miles off Downies village, Porth- lethen. The life-boat Southern Africa, on temporary duty at the station, slipped her moorings at 8.45. The tide was ebbing. At 9.40 the life-boat came up with the Brixham smack Fiona which had engine trouble.

The boat with her crew of two on board was taken in tow to Aberdeen.

The life-boat returned to her station at 10.43.

Life-boat 70-002 at Scapa pier, Orkney -At 11.30 a.m. on 18th April, 1969, a man was seen by a member of the life-boat crew to fall from the end of Scapa pier into the sea. The IRB carried aboard the life-boat was launched at 11.31. The tide was ebbing. The man at first refused to allow himself to be picked up by the IRB. However, 20 minutes later, when the effects of the prolonged immersion had taken toll of his strength, he was taken aboard the IRB and landed at Scapa, where an ambulance and a doctor were waiting to take him to hospital. The IRB returned to the life-boat at noon.

Aith, Shetland - At 9.50 p.m. on 4th April, 1969, the honorary secretary learnt that the fishing boat Kullyak, with a crew of two, was overdue at Burrafirth. The life-boat John and Frances Macfarlane slipped her moor- ings at 10.13 in a moderate south westerly breeze with a rough sea.

The tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the Kullyak at 11.25 half a mile west of the Nean. Her engine had broken down. She was taken in tow to Aith, and the life- boat returned to her station at 12.35 a.m. on 5th April.

No. 3 Life-boat Area Humber, Yorkshire - At 9.20 a.m.

on 13th April, 1969, the coastguard reported that two red flares had been sighted off Donna Nook. The life- boat City of Bradford HI was launched at 9.28 in a fresh north westerly wind with a moderate sea.

It was one hour before low water.

The life-boat found the fishing boat Elaine drifting in broken water oneand a half miles south west of the Haile sand buoy. Her engine had broken down. Before the life-boat closed with the Elaine a helicopter winched two of the crew of six from the fishing boat. A line was made fast and the fishing boat was taken in tow with the remainder of her crew on board to Grimsby and berthed at noon. As the tide was unsuitable for rehousing the life-boat, she remained at Grimsby until 2 p.m., returning to her station at 2.45.

At 11.30 a.m. on 6th April, 1969, the second coxswain reported that a small boat was drifting out to sea towards the Chequers Shoal buoy.

The life-boat City of Bradford III was launched at 11.58 in a fresh north easterly breeze with a rough sea. It was two hours before low water. The life-boat came up with the motor boat Huntress, with four people on board, at 12.13 p.m.

Her engines were working again and the life-boat escorted her back towards the river mouth. At 12.49 the life-boat took the Huntress in tow to Spurn as she was making no headway against the ebb tide. The life-boat returned to her station at 1.54.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Nor- folk - At 1.20 p.m. on 12th April, 1969, the coastguard told the honor- ary secretary that a dinghy with two people on board was in difficulties about half a mile north of the har- bour. The life-boat Khami slipped her moorings at 1.38 in a strong westerly wind with a rough sea. It was shortly after low water. The dinghy was taken in tow to harbour, and the life-boat returned to her station at 1.50.

Skegness, Lincolnshire - At 3.50 p.m. on 16th April, 1969, the coxswain/mechanic of the life-boat reported that a catamaran which he 692 had been watching throughout the day had broken adrift. The life-boat Charles Fred Grantham was launched at 4.25 in a light north north westerly breeze with a choppy sea. The tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the catamaran Determination, carrying four men, three miles south east of Skegness and took her in tow to Gibraltar point. The life-boat subsequently investigated the re- ported sighting of a red flare. No trace of a casualty was found, and she returned to her station at 7.30. One of the men rescued made a donation to the Institution's funds.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Hastings, Sussex - At 6 p.m. on 13th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that red flares had been reported south east of the life-boat station. At 6.9 the life-boat Fairlight was launched. The tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the cabin cruiser Tango, with two men on board, one and a half miles off Hastings. Her engine had broken down. The cruiser was taken in tow to Rye, and the life-boat returned to her station at 9.29.

Margate, Kent - At 8.33 a.m. on 27th April, 1969, the coastguard stated that a report had been received from the m.v. Australia Star that a yacht was flying distress signals near the Mid Shingles buoy. The life-boat crew were requested to stand by. At 9.2 the life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched.

It was high water. At 10.25 the life- boat came up with the yacht Fame, with two youths on board, just east of her reported position. The yacht's rudder was disabled and she had been at anchor since the previous evening. The yacht was taken in tow to Margate and, as it was low tide, moored alongside the jetty. The life- boat returned to her station at 1.25 p.m.

Life-boat 40-001 at Sheerness, Kent - At 4.10 p.m. on 26th April, 1969, while returning from exercise in a strong south westerly wind with a moderate sea, the life-boat saw a yacht sailing towards Garrison point in a dangerous position close to the shore. She was kept under observa- tion, but despite warnings from the Medway port operation station she struck the sewer outfall. Life-boat 40-001 immediately closed with the yacht Degree which was already awash, and took off the crew of three. The yacht was taken in tow, and her owner, who had sustained a cut hand, was given first aid. She was berthed at the ordnance basin at Sheerness, and the life-boat returned to her station at 5.15.

No. 6 Life-boat Area Sennen Cove, Cornwall - At 6.59 p.m.

on 16th April, 1969, it was learnt that a two-masted schooner yacht had broken down about one mile south of Tol Pedn. The life-boat was requested to stand by. The yacht then resumed her passage, but broke down again close to the Runnelstone buoy. At 7.58 the life-boat Susan Ashley was launched. The life-boat came up with the yacht Mahe, with a crew of two on board, and took her in tow to Newlyn, arriving there at 10.45. Owing to the state of the tide the life-boat remained at Newlyn until 2 a.m., and returned to her station at 4.50 on 17th April.

The Lizard—Cadgwith, Cornwall - At 1.47 p.m. on 16th April, 1969, the coastguard told the honorary secre- tary that a skin diver was in diffi- culties off the Lizard outer rocks and was drifting away from his dinghy.

The life-boat City of Edinburgh, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 2.5. The tide was flooding. The life-boat found the skin diver and took him aboard. Two Royal Navy helicopters were also pre- sent in the area. A local fishing boatrecovered the dinghy. The skin diver was landed at Cadgwith, and the life- boat returned to her station at 3.15.

Coverack, Cornwall - At 9.52 p.m.

on 9th April, 1969, it was learnt that a sailing dinghy on passage from Falmouth to Coverack was overdue.

At 10 o'clock the life-boat William Taylor of Oldham was launched in a light south south westerly breeze with a choppy sea. It was one hour before high water. A flashing light was seen three miles east of the life- boat station and the dinghy, with one man on board, was taken in tow to Coverack. The life-boat returned to her station at 11 o'clock.

Ilfracombe, Devon - At 9.35 a.m. on 6th April, 1969, it was learnt that a ketch on passage from Ilfracombe to Bristol appeared to be in difficulties.

The life-boat Lloyd's II was launched at 10 o'clock in an easterly gale with a very rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the ketch Diddi II, with one man on board, four miles west of Baggy point. Her engine had broken down.

The life-boat took her in tow to Ilfracombe, and returned to her station at 4.43 p.m.

Weymouth, Dorset - At 5.7 a.m. on 6th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small yacht was in difficulties one mile south east of Portland Bill. The life-boat Frank Spiller Locke slipped her moorings at 5.30. There was a fresh north easterly breeze with a corresponding sea. It was low water.

At 6.20 the life-boat came up with the auxiliary yacht Phan Khu of London with five people on board. Her engine had failed and she had a broken rudder. A line was passed and she was taken in tow to Weymouth. The life-boat returned to her station at 9.30.

Plymouth, Devon - At 4.22 p.m. on 6th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a fishing boat, with a crew of five on board, had broken down in Whitsand bay. At 4.40 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse slipped her moorings in a fresh north north easterly wind with a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. The life- boat came up with the fishing boat at 5.25 and a tow line was put on board. The life-boat towed the fishing boat to Mutton Grove at 6.45, and returned to her station at 6.55.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Poole, Dorset - At 1.20 a.m. on 6th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that red flares had been sighted off Stud- land bay. The life-boat Bassett Green slipped her moorings in a fresh to strong north easterly breeze with a rough sea. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the catamaran Karina II, with a crew of two on board, half a mile south of Poole bay. Her engine had broken down and her rudder was damaged. The life-boat took her in tow to Poole, returning to her station at 4 o'clock.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Holyhead, Anglesey - At 5.35 a.m.

on 17th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a sick man aboard the m.f.v. Deeside required hospital treatment. The life- boat St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9) was launched at 6.11. It was shortly after low water. The life-boat came up with the fishing vessel one mile north of the Holyhead breakwater and the sick man was taken aboard. He was landed at Holyhead where an am- bulance was waiting to take him to hospital. The life-boat returned to her station at 7 o'clock.

Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire - On 30th April, 1969, as the life-boat was about to launch on exercise, the coastguard reported that a fishing vessel appeared to be in difficulties three miles north west of Porth- dinllaen point. The life-boat Cunard, on temporary service at the station, was launched at 5.30 p.m. The tide was flooding. She came up with the motor fishing vessel Glengary, with two men on board, at 6 o'clock. Her engine had broken down and her radio telephone was not working. The life-boat took the fishing vessel in tow to Caernarvon, and returned to her station at 11.45.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in April were carried out by the following stations: No. 2 Life-boat Area Brought} Ferry, Angus - At 11.3 a.m.

on 13th April, 1969, the coastguard reported that a dinghy with two boys on board was in difficulties in Invergowrie bay. At 11.8 a.m. the IRB was launched in a strong westerly breeze with a rough sea. It was two hours before high water.

She came up with the dinghy and took the two boys on board. They were landed safely on shore, and the IRB returned to her station at 12.15p.m.

No. 4 Life-boat Area West Mersea, Essex - At 1.50 p.m.

on 5th April, 1969, it was learnt that a small sailing dinghy had capsized off Victoria esplanade. At 1.53 p.m.

the IRB was launched in a strong north easterly breeze with a choppy sea. It was one hour after high tide.

When she came up with the dinghy it was found that a young man had been rescued by a speedboat, but his father was floating unconscious in the water. He was taken aboard the IRB and a member of the crew successfully applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while returning to the shore. On arrival, an ambulance was waiting to take the rescued manLAUNCHES AND LIVES SAVED BY LIFE-BOATS AND IRBs 1st March to 31st May: Launches 470, lives saved 228 to hospital. The IRB returned to her station at 2.10.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 1.56 p.m. on 4th April, 1969, the honorary secretary learnt that a yacht had capsized half a mile east of the pier.

A crew of three were clinging to the yacht. The IRB was launched two minutes later in a fresh north easterly breeze with a moderate sea. The tide was flooding. The yacht, which had been righted, capsized again. The crew were taken on board the IRB, and the yacht was taken in tow by another boat. The tow was later transferred to the IRB, and the yacht was beached safely at Southend. The IRB returned to her station at 2.50.

At about three o'clock on the afternoon of 6th April, 1969, the coastguard reported that a motor boat with two people on board had lost her rudder and was drifting five miles west south west of Southend- on-Sea. At 3.6 the IRB was launched in a strong north easterly wind with a rough sea. It was high water. When she came up with the motor boat the crew were taken on board. They were later landed at Canvey, and the IRB returned to her station at 4.15 p.m.

At 10.30a.m. on 13th April, 1969, a motor dinghy was seen to be in difficulties under the pier. The IRB was launched immediately in a fresh north westerly wind with a rough sea.

It was one hour before high water.

She found that a man aboard the dinghy was holding on to the pier piles in order to prevent the dinghy from drifting out of control. He was accompanied by a small boy who was taken on board the IRB and 696 landed. The IRB then took the dinghy with the man aboard in tow to harbour, and returned to her station at 10.45.

At 11.11 a.m. on 13th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honor- ary secretary that a yacht with two people on board had capsized off Barge pier, Shoeburyness. At 11.14 the IRB was launched in a fresh north westerly wind with a moderate sea. It was high water. At 11.20 the IRB came up with the yacht and took her in tow to the pier, returning to her station at 11.45.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Eastney, Hampshire - At 1.38 p.m.

on 6th April, 1969, the coastguard reported that an outboard dinghy with two people on board had broken down off Hayling ferry pontoon.The IRB was launched at 1.40 in a strong north easterly wind with a rough sea.

The tide was flooding. The IRB reached the dinghy and took her crew on board, and the dinghy was taken in tow. The dinghy and her crew were landed safely at the pontoon, and the IRB returned to her station at 1.55.

Littlehampton, Sussex - At 3.30 p.m.

on 4th April, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a cabin cruiser with two people on board was in difficulties about a quarter of a mile south of Ferring.

The IRB was launched two minutes later in a strong north easterly breeze with a moderate sea. The tide was ebbing. She came up with the cabin cruiser five miles east south east of Littlehampton and took her in tow to harbour. On reaching Littlehampton the tow was transferred to a local fishing boat, and the IRB returned to her station at 5.50.

Selsey, Sussex - At 2.11 p.m. on 6th April, 1969, the coastguard reported that a small dinghy with a man on board was drifting out to sea. The IRB was launched at 2.19 in a fresh north easterly wind with a moderate sea. It was high water. At 2.38 the IRB came up with the dinghy which was partially submerged with her stern under water. The man on board was transferred to the IRB and the dinghy was taken in tow to the marine beach, Selsey. The IRB returned to her station at 3.10.

Margate, Kent - At 1.5 p.m. on 20th April, 1969, the life-boat coxswain told the honorary secretary that a small speed boat was in difficulties off Nayland rocks. The IRB was launched at 1.7. It was two hours before high water. She came up with the dinghy half a mile west of Mar- gate pier. Her engine had broken down and the single crewman was endeavouring to paddle ashore with his hands. As it was not possible to fix a tow line to the dinghy she was held fast alongside the IRB and drawn slowly to the slipway at Margate harbour. The IRB boat returned to her station at 1.35.

No. 6 Life-boat Area Lyme Regis, Dorset - At 10.30 a.m.

on 20th April, 1969, while the IRB was on exercise, the helmsman saw the crew of a cabin cruiser waving and trying to attract attention. The IRB came up with the cabin cruiser three quarters of a mile south of Lyme Regis. Her engine had broken down. The Presgold, with a crew of two, was taken in tow to Lyme Regis, and the IRB returned to her station at 11.30. A donation was made to the Institution's funds.

Exmouth, Devon - At 11.30 a.m. on 4th April, 1969, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that a small boat with two people on board had capsized outside Pole sands near the Western Way. The IRB was launched at 11.40 in a light south easterly breeze with a corresponding sea. It was three hours after high water. She found the crew clinging to the up- turned boat. They were taken aboard the IRB suffering from exposure and shock. They were landed at Exmouth where an ambulance was waiting to take them to hospital. The IRB returned to her station at 12.30 p.m.

Torbay, Devon - At 6.23 p.m. on 4th April, 1969, it was learnt that a small boat was in difficulties off Goodring- ton sands. The IRB was launched at 6.30 in a strong south easterly breeze with a moderate sea. The tide was flooding. The IRB came up with the speedboat Shakespeare with three people on board. She had lost her propeller. She was taken in tow to Torquay and the tow was later transferred to a local fishing boat.

The IRB returned to her station at 7.20.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Borth, Cardiganshire—At 4.20 p.m.

on 20th April, 1969, a woman advised a member of the IRB crew of her concern at the delay in the return of a dinghy with two men on board. At 4.25 the IRB was launched.

The tide was ebbing. The IRB found the dinghy one mile south west of the station with her engine broken down. The dinghy was taken in tow to Borth, and the IRB returned to her station at 4.45.

Morecambe, Lancashire - At 1.45 p.m. on 6th April, 1969, the IRB was launched on exercise and while she was at sea the crew saw a catamaran which was in difficulties under the promenade wall. There was a strong north easterly wind with a heavy swell. It was one hour after highwater. The IRB went to the help of the catamaran Starkers which was being pounded against the wall. The IRB took her in tow to the yacht club slipway, and returned to her station at 3.30.

Abersoch, Caernarvonshire - At 1.5 p.m. on 5th April, 1969, news was received that a sailing dinghy with three people aboard had capsized one mile east of Abersoch. At 1.9 the IRB was launched in a fresh easterly wind with a choppy sea. It was high water. The IRB came up with the dinghy, picked up the three survivors and towed the dinghy back to shore. She returned to her station at 1.155.

MAY No. 1 Life-boat Area Wick, Caithness - At 10 a.m. on 15th May, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the fishing boat Alphia was in diffi- culties just offshore at the south head of Wick bay. The life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched at 10.10. It was two hours before high water.

The life-boat came up with the fishing boat, with two men on board, whose engine had failed. The life-boat took her in tow to Wick harbour, and returned to her station at 11 o'clock.

No. 4 Life-boat Area Clacton-on-Sea, Essex - At 1.31 p.m' on 26th May, 1969, news was received that a yacht had capsized two miles off shore. At 1.57 the life-boat Valentine Wyndham-Quin was launched in a fresh south westerly breeze and a rough sea. It was low water. The life-boat came up with the yacht, but found she was able to proceed without assistance. The life- boat was then directed by the coast- guard to another yacht reported in difficulties off Frinton, but this was 698 also found to be under control. The life-boat was then diverted to a yacht on Gunfleet sands. She came up with the yacht Malianne at 3.37.

The yacht had lost her sail and her engine had broken down. Two of her crew were taken on board the life- boat, and with the remaining two still on board the yacht was towed to Brightlingsea. Because of the weather conditions the life-boat was moored at Brightlingsea at 6.50. She returned to her station on 28th May.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex - At 8.53 p.m. on 18th May, 1969, the coast- guard reported that a motor boat, on passage between West Mersea and East Shoebury, was overdue. The m.v. City of Capetown reported sighting a boat aground on the Maplin sands. The life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 9.20 in a moderate breeze with a corresponding sea. It was three hours after high water. The life-boat found the motor boat Andante on the Map- lin sands. Her engine had broken down. The four people on board were rescued, and the yacht was taken in tow to Southend-on-Sea.

The life-boat returned to her station at 1.15 a.m.

No. 5 Life-boat Area Life-boat 40-001 at Sheerness, Kent - At 5.35 a.m. on 26th May, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a motor boat was aground off Stoke Saltings, west of the Isle of Grain. At 5.45 the life-boat slipped her moorings in a strong west south westerly wind with a moderate sea. The tide was flooding. The life- boat found that the motor boat We Three had sunk, and that her owner was marooned on the island. The patrol boat Medway Leader, which was standing by, had launched a small dinghy, but due to the thick mud surrounding the island, was unable to reach the man. A member of the life-boat crew then took the dinghy and reached the man, who was in a very distressed condition.

He was persuaded to enter the dinghy and was transferred to the life-boat.

The life-boat returned to her station at 7.30.

Dover, Kent - At 7.40 a.m. on 26th May, 1969, Dover harbour board control tower informed the honorary secretary that a yacht was in diffi- culties two and a half miles south west of Dover. At 7.55 the life-boat Faithful Forester slipped her moor- ings in a west south westerly wind of near gale force. The sea was rough and it was one hour after high water.

The life-boat came up with the yacht Lora, with a crew of four on board, which had collided with an unidenti- fied vessel and was out of control.

The life-boat took her in tow to Dover and returned to her station at 9.30.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex - At 9 p.m. on 25th May, 1969, the coast- guard told the honorary secretary that red flares had been sighted six to eight miles south south west of Shoreham. At 9.7 the life-boat Dorothy and Philip Constant was launched. It was two hours after high water. The life-boat made for the reported position, and after sighting further flares came up with the fishing boat Tarka 11. There was a crew of two on board, and her engine had broken down. The life-boat tookher in tow to Shoreham, and returned to her station at 11.35.

Bembridge, Isle of Wight - At 4.43 p.m. on 1st May, 1969, a local resi- dent told the honorary secretary that a yacht was firing flares about one mile east of the life-boat station. At 4.54 the life-boat Jesse Lumb slipped her moorings in a moderate east north easterly breeze with a corre- sponding sea. It was low water. She came up with the yacht Blue Bell with two people on board. Her engine had broken down and her crew were unable to trim the rigging. The yacht was taken in tow to Bembridge, and the life-boat returned to her station at 5.36.

Ramsgate, Kent - At 4.55 p.m. on 25th May, 1969, the east pier watch- man told the honorary secretary that a sailing dinghy had capsized in Pegwell bay. The life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 5.5 in a fresh east north easterly wind and a moderate sea. The tide was flooding. She came up with the dinghy two miles west south west of Ramsgate. The crew of two, who were clinging to the overturned boat, were taken on board the life-boat, and the dinghy was taken in tow to harbour. The life-boat returned to her station at 5.31.

At 1 a.m. on 17th May, 1969, it was reported that a red flare had been sighted three to four miles from Deal coastguard lookout. The life-boat Michael and Lily Davis slipped her moorings at 1.19. The tide was ebbing. At 1.44 the life-boat came up with the cabin cruiser Secunda, with three people on board, abreast of Dumpton Gap. She was adrift and sinking. The yacht Alda was standing by her. The Secunda was towed to Broadstairs and moored alongside the jetty where the fire brigade pumped her out. The life- boat escorted the yacht Alda back to Ramsgate, and returned to her station at 2.46.

700 No. 6 Life-boat Area Padstow, Cornwall - At 7.12 p.m. on 2nd May, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small boat was firing red flares one mile north of the life-boat station. At 7.45 the life-boat James and Catherine Macfarlane was launched in a moderate south easterly breeze with a corresponding sea. It was high water. The life-boat came up with the yacht Rosemary, with two people on board, south of Gulland rock. Her engine had broken down. She was taken in tow to Padstow. The life-boat returned to her station at 9.15.

Penlee, Cornwall - At 10.40 p.m. on 17th May, 1969, news was received that a yacht had engine failure five miles east of Runnelstone buoy. At 10.50 the life-boat Thomas McGunn, on temporary duty at the station, was launched. It was low water. The life-boat went to the position given and requested the yacht to show a searchlight as there were numerous ships in the area. The searchlight was seen and the life-boat came up with the yacht Silver Thistle, with a crew of three on board, seven miles south west of Tater Due. She was taken in tow to Newlyn, and the life- boat returned to her station at 2.40 a.m.

No. 7 Life-boat Area Tenby, Pembrokeshire - On 21st May, 1969, the reserve life-boat Crawford and Constance Conybeare, on temporary duty at the station, slipped her moorings to go to the help of a boy who had fallen over the cliff at Manorbier. A full account of this service, for which a framed letter of thanks signed by the Chair- man of the Institution was sent to the coxswain and crew, appears on page 672.

IRB LAUNCHES Rescues by IRBs in May were carried out by the following stations: No. 2 Life-boat Area Port St. Mary, Isle of Man - At 1 p.m. on 31st May, 1969, a member of the life-boat crew reported that a sailing singhy was in difficulties one and a half miles east south east of the station. The IRB was launched at 2.30 in a strong north north- westerly wind with a choppy sea.

The tide was ebbing. The dinghy was found waterlogged and drifting with her crew of two in an exhausted con- dition. They were taken aboard the IRB and the dinghy was taken in tow to Port St. Mary. The IRB returned to her station at 3.15.

Queensferry, West Lothian - At 3.40 p.m. on 24th May, 1969, the IRB had just returned from a previous service to a group of capsized dinghies when a sailing dinghy cap- sized. The IRB was immediately launched in a fresh easterly wind and a moderate sea and swell. The tide was flooding. The IRB crew helped the dinghy's crew to right their craft, and then went to the cabin cruiser Q- Vee which was in difficulties near the Port Edgar breakwater. When the IRB arrived on the scene a small boat with an outboard motor was attempting to tow the Q- Vee, which had two people aboard, away from the breakwater. The IRB took the line from the motor boat and towed the cruiser clear. The IRB stood by until the cruiser's engine was started, and then returned to the sailing dinghy, which was being towed by a small dinghy. She escorted these dinghies to North Queensferry. The crew of the IRB then noticed that the Q-Vee had broken down again and was drifting. She towed her to North Queensferry, and after a final search of the area to ensure that no further help was required returned to her station at 5 o'clock.

At 2.45 p.m. on 24th May, 1969, the honorary secretary noticed that several sailing dinghies had capsized simultaneously. The IRB was launched at 2.50 in a fresh easterly wind and a moderate sea and swell.

It was low water. She went to dinghy no. 1116 which had capsized and took aboard the two crewmen. From there she went to dinghy no. 1073 and assisted the crew to right her and recover her rudder and tiller.

The IRB then returned to dinghy no. 1169 which had earlier declined assistance. Her crew had been unable to right her, so the IRB took the two men aboard and landed them. It was then noticed that dinghy no. 1073 had again capsized. The IRB went to her, took her two crewmen aboard and also landed them. A man was then sighted in the water to the south of the pier who, it transpired, had been swept away from dinghy no. 593 when she capsized. He was taken aboard the IRB which found and righted the dinghy. The IRB returned to her station at 3.37 and landed the survivor No. 5 Life-boat Area Margate, Kent - At 11.55 a.m. on 26th May, 1969, information was received that a dinghy was in diffi- culties half a mile west of Margate pier. The IRB was launched at 12.2 in a light to moderate westerly breeze and a corresponding sea. The tide was ebbing. The IRB came up with the dinghy which contained two men.

The dinghy's engine had broken down and the men, who were trying to row the boat ashore, were being swept out to sea by weather and tide The IRB took the dinghy in tow to Infirmary bay and returned to her station at 12.35 p.m.

Eastbourne, Sussex - At 4.20 p.m. on 9th May, 1969, it was learnt that a small boat, with three people on board, had broken down east of Langney point, and a speedboat hadalso broken down in Pevensey bay.

The IRB was launched at 4.35 in a fresh westerly wind with a corre- sponding sea. It was one hour before high water. She made for the small boat, which had lost her anchor.

The crew of three, who were anglers, were taken on board and their boat towed to Eastbourne. In the mean- time it was reported that the speed- boat had been repaired and no help was required. The IRB returned to her station at 5.30.

At 8.50 p.m. on 28th May, 1969, the coastguard informed the honor- ary secretary that two boys cut off by the tide had unsuccessfully tried to scale Beachy head. A fireman had descended the cliff with rescue equipment but the boys were too frightened to make use of it. At 9 o'clock the IRB was launched. It was high water. The IRB anchored at the foot of Beachy head and took the boys on board as they were lowered down the cliff. As the IRB returned to Eastbourne and landed the two boys, information was received of another incident in which a woman had fallen over a nearby cliff but, by the time the IRB arrived on the scene, she had been found by other rescue organisations. The IRB re- turned to her station at 10.5.

Shoreham Harbour, Sussex - At 1.28 p.m. on 26th April, 1969, the coast- guard told the life-boat's motor mechanic that several sailing dinghies had capsized at the harbour mouth and another one near the sewer buoy offSouthwick. The IRB was launched at 1.34 in a strong south westerly wind with a corresponding sea. It was low water. She made for the position indicated and took aboard a girl who was attempting to swim ashore. The girl told the crew of the IRB that her crewman could not swim and was clinging to the dinghy.

The IRB took'him aboard and then went to the help of other sailing dinghies which had also capsized.

702 Four more people were rescued before the arrival of the Sussex yacht club rescue boat. Having ascer- tained that all the remaining crews were safe, the IRB returned to her station and landed the six survivors at 2.28.

At 6.46 p.m. on 23rd May, 1969, the coastguard reported that the sailing dinghy Seabird had capsized a quarter of a mile south west of the harbour entrance. At 6.52 the IRB was launched in a fresh east by north wind with a corresponding sea. The tide was ebbing. The IRB found the dinghy with her crew of three clinging to the hull. They were taken on board the IRB and the dinghy was taken in tow to harbour. The IRB returned to her station at 7.18.

Hastings, Sussex - At 6.5 p.m. on 10th May, 1969, news was received that a yacht had capsized one mile south of Bexhill. The IRB was launched at 6.12 in a moderate westerly wind with a corresponding sea. It was one hour before high water. She carried out a search and found the catamaran Minanim with four people clinging to her. The IRB took the four survivors aboard and returned to her station at 8.4 where food, dry clothing and accommoda- tion were provided.

On 25th May, 1969, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that two men had fallen over the cliff 300 yards east of Ecclesbourne Glen.

The IRB was launched at 6.35 p.m.

It was high water. The two men were taken aboard the IRB and landed at Hastings where an ambulance was waiting to take them to hospital. The IRB returned to the area to pick up two of her own crew together with some members of the C.R.E. com- pany who were also present at the scene. These men were landed at Hastings, and the IRB returned to her station at 9.5.

Eastney, Hampshire - At 10.43 a.m.

on 18th May, 1969, the harbour master told the honorary secretary that a sailing dinghy had capsized one mile south south east and was drifting towards No Man's Land fort.

The IRB was launched at 10.46 a.m.

in a light gusting to strong north westerly wind with a moderate sea.

It was three hours after low water.

She found that a yacht had taken the dinghy in tow but the IRB was asked to take over the tow from her. After bailing out the sailing dinghy, an IRB crewman was put aboard to assist the dinghy skipper into the IRB where he collapsed. The dinghy was then towed alongside the IRB to moor- ings. Meantime the coastguard was requested by radio to have an ambu- lance standing by. At 1.15 p.m. the IRB returned to her station.

Littlehampton, Sussex - At 3.10 p.m.

on 10th May, 1969, the honorary secretary learnt that a sailing dinghy appeared to be in difficulties off the first groyne to the east of the harbour entrance. The IRB was launched at 3.11 in a fresh to strong south westerly wind and a rough short sea.

It was three hours after low water.

She found the dinghy. Her owner, however, informed the crew of the IRB that he could manage to beach his craft and did not require assist- ance. The IRB was about the return to her station when a member of her crew sighted the dinghy Black Knight, which had overturned on the Knob bank, about half a mile to the east of Littlehampton harbour entrance.

When the IRB reached the scene two members of her crew had to go overboard into the surf to help right the dinghy. A line was then secured, and with her owner and his crew on board the Black Knight was towed back to harbour. As the IRB reached her station the coastguard reported that a dinghy had over- turned a mile and a half east south east of the harbour entrance.

The IRB made for the spot but when she arrived it was seen that the dinghy, whose crew were safe, were about to beach her. A larger yacht then hailed the IRB and requested that she take ashore two members of the crew of the sailing dinghy Holy Joe who were suffering from expo- sure. Help was also asked for several capsized dinghies. The IRB finally returned to her station at 4.48 p.m.

No. 6 Life-boat Area St. Ives, Cornwall - At 12.20 p.m. on 10th May, 1969, the IRB was return- ing from an exercise when a member of the crew saw a motor boat dis- playing distress signals about one mile north north east of St. Ives head.

The IRB made for the motor boat Dolphin in a moderate to fresh south south easterly wind and a correspond- ing sea. It was one hour before high water. She found that the Dolphin's: engine was out of action due to a broken gear. The IRB towed the motor boat, which had four men and a boy on board, to St. Ives harbour, returning to her station at 12.45.

St. Agnes, Cornwall - At 6.52 p.m.

on 4th May, 1969, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that two young people had been seen at the foot of the cliffs at Star beach. The tide was still rising and they had attempted to climb the cliff but had not been able to do so. The IRB was launched at 6.55 in a light south westerly breeze with a calm sea. It was four and a half hours after low water. When she reached the position it was found that the beach was covered by the sea. Although a two to three foot ground swell was running the young couple were taken off the rocks at the base of the cliff.

They were landed at St. Agnes, and the IRB returned to her station at 7.5.

No. 7 Life-boat Area The Mumbles, Glamorganshire - At 3.49 p.m. on 27th May, 1969, thecoastguard reported that two men were marooned on a sandbar near Black Pill. At 3.54 the IRB was launched. The tide was flooding. The IRB found the two men, who had been fishing, a mile and a half north of the station. They were taken on board and landed on a nearby beach. The IRB returned to her station at 4.49.

Borth, Cardiganshire - At 6.23 p.m.

on 29th May, 1969, the honorary secretary saw a small pram dinghy being carried by wind and tide towards Ynyslas sandbanks where there was a heavy breaking swell.

The IRB was launched at 6.23 in a moderate south easterly wind and a choppy sea. The tide was flooding.

As the dinghy's engine had broken down a line was secured and the IRB towed her back to the shore.

The IRB returned to her station at 7 o'clock.

No. 8 Life-boat Area Llandudno, Caernarvonshire - At 4.25 p.m. on 7th May, 1969, the coast- guard informed the honorary secre- tary that a trimaran with two adults and two children on board had dragged anchor and had run under the pier. The IRB was launched at 4.30. It was two hours after high water. The trimaran was taken in tow to the beach. At 5 o'clock it was reported that an inflatable dinghy with eight men on board was in difficulty off the lighthouse. The ebb tide was taking the craft out to sea.

Her engine had failed. The IRB took the dinghy in tow to the beach, and returned to her station at 7 o'clock.

At 6.10 p.m. on 24th May, 1969, the honorary secretary received informa- tion that a boy was reported to have fallen over a cliff near the Great Orme lighthouse. The IRB was launched at 6.15. It was high water.

The boy, who was found standing on a rock, had fallen some 70 feet into the sea and was in a bad state. He was taken aboard the IRB and landed at Llandudno where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital.

The IRB returned to her station at 6.45.

Conway, Caernarvonshire - At 11 p.m. on 17th May, 1969, it was reported that flares had been sighted close to the Perch light. The IRB was launched at 11.5 in a strong north westerly wind with a moderate swell.

The tide was flooding. Five minutes later the IRB came up with the sailing cruiser Doudle with two men and a four-year-old boy on board. One of the men was injured and the cruiser was becoming unmanageable through carrying too much sail. A member of the IRB crew was put aboard and helped to bring the cruiser into har- bour with the IRB standing by. On arrival at Conway the injured man was treated by a doctor and taken to hospital. The IRB returned to her station at midnight.

Abersoch, Caernarvonshire - At 4 p.m. on 28th May, 1969, the wife of the owner of the motor cruiser Tu Gay informed the honorary secretary that she had seen the motor cruiser, with her husband and a companion on board, drifting in Abersoch roads.

The IRB was launched at 4.3 p.m.

in a moderate to fresh south easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was four and a half hours after low water. The IRB found the Tu Gay and learnt that her engine had broken down. The IRB towed her to the beach, and her crew were helped ashore. The crew of the IRB then noticed a small speedboat awash and in imminent danger of sinking. The IRB immedi- ately went to her assistance and towed her ashore. She then returned to her station, arriving at 5.5..