MARCH Launches 87. Lives rescued 109.

MARCH 1ST. - WELLS, NORFOLK. At 12.55 P.M. the coastguard reported a ship’s boat adrift about two miles N.N.W. of their lookout. A moderate easterly wind was blowing, with a moderate sea. The motor life-boat Royal Silver Jubilee 1910-1935, was launched at 1.15 P.M. and found the boat with no one on board. She belonged to the French steamer P.L.M. 25, of Rouen, which had sunk as a result of enemy action. There were two explosions, and twenty minutes later the steamer sank. Four men lost their lives, but the remaining twenty-seven were saved by a British warship. With the boat in tow the life-boat reached her station again at 2.45 P.M. - Rewards, £11 13s. 3d.

MARCH 1 ST. - WALMER, KENT. At 5 P.M. a message was received from Doctor Hall, the port medical officer, that a member of the Norwegian steamer Primo, of Oslo, had fractured his leg. The vessel was about two miles E.S.E. from the life-boat station. A strong N.N.E. wind was blowing and the seas were too heavy for motor boats to put off from the beach. At 5.25 P.M. the motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2) was launched with the doctor on board.

She went to the Primo, took off the injured man and brought him ashore, where he was sent to hospital. She returned to her station at 7.30 P.M. - Rewards, £29 0S. 6d.

MARCH 1 ST. - SHERINGHAM, NORFOLK.

At 3.15 P.M. a ship’s boat was reported by the life-boat motor-mechanic to be adrift a mile from the shore, to the west of Sheringham. The coastguard at Skeldon Hill had also seen the boat, and reported that it was water-logged and that no one alive was on board. It was decided not to launch the life-boat. About half an hour later a second ship’s boat was seen two to three miles out at sea. A fresh easterly wind was blowing, with a heavy swell on shore. At, 4.10 P.M. the motor life-boat Foresters Centenary was launched and found that this boat belonged to the steamer Jevington Court, which had been previously sunk by enemy action. No one was on board, and the life-boat then went to the first boat, which was drifting to the westward, but it had gone ashore at Spallow Gap before itcould be secured. It was later found that this boat belonged to the steamer Clan Morrison, also sunk by enemy action.- Rewards, £22 13s. 3d.

MARCH 2ND. - SHERINGHAM, NORFOLK.

At 1.55 P.M. a small white mast with a flag was seen about six or seven miles E.N.E. of the life - boat station. It was thought to be a raft with people on board.

A light easterly breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth.. At 2.19 P.M. the motor life-boat Foresters Centenary was launched and found that the object was a buoy to which three round metal floats were attached, with a mast about eight feet high and a piece of cloth attached as a flag. After making sure that there was no danger of it exploding the crew took the buoy on board and brought it ashore. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.20 P.M. - Rewards, £19 9s. 6d.

MARCH 2ND. - NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX.

At 5 P.M. the naval authorities reported that the S.S. Domala had been bombed by eriemy aircraft in the Channel, and that the Dutch steamer Jonge Willem was off Newhaven, with survivors on board. An easterly breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth. At 5.25 P.M. the motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched and took off the Jonge Willem fifty-one survivors of the Domala, nine Europeans and 42 Indians. Many were injured and all were suffering from shock.

She landed them, and again went to the steamer and took off three dead bodies, members of the crew who had been killed during the attack. Then the Dutch steamer made a request for the return of clothing, blankets, etc., which had been lent to the survivors, and the lifeboat, which was still lying afloat, took them out to her. She returned to her station at 9.55 P.M. - Rewards, £18 7s. 6d.

MARCH 2ND. - REDCAR, YORKSHIRE.

At 11 A.M. it was reported that H.M. Tug Fairplay II had stranded on the West Salt Scar Rock, near Redcar. At 11.45 A.M. the motor life-boat Louisa Polden was launched.

The weather was calm, with a slight swell.

There was dense fog. Owing to the rocks the life-boat could not get alongside, but she stood by, as the tug had a heavy list, and it was possible that, she might fall over on to her side.

Four of the tug’s crew got into her small boat,, were taken into the life-boat, and then, as they were wet through, were put on board the motor fishing boat Lady Zetland, which took them ashore. Next day, after attempts to tow off the Fairplay II failed, the Lady Zetland in two trips brought ashore eleven more of the Fairplay's crew, and another motor fishing boat, May Queen, brought off the remaining four men and also towed ashore the tug’s small boat full of baggage. The life-boat returned to her station at one in the morning of 3rd March, having been out for 13 hours.

- Rewards : Life-boat £31 10s. 6d. ; shoreboat, £12 17s. 6d.

(See Redcar, “ Services by Shore-boats,” page 144.) MARCH 5TH. - GALWAY BAY. A man was seriously injured in a bad accident on the island of Kilronan, and it was necessary to take him to hospital on the mainland.

All the local boats were out fishing. So at 1.30 P.M., the motor life-boat K.E.C.F. was launched. A light breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth. The life-boat brought the injured man to the mainland and returned to her station at 5.20 P.M. - Expenses paid by Galway Board of Health.

MARCH 5TH. - REDCAR, YORKSHIRE.

At 6.15 A.M. a message was received from the coastguard at Marske that a steamer was firing distress rockets four miles east of Marske. A strong N.E. breeze was blowing, with a heavy sea. At 7.20 A.M. the motor life-boat Louisa Polden was launched, and found the S.S. Cordale at anchor. Her rudder had been damaged and she had been blown towards the shore. Her captain and crew did not wish to leave her, as a tug was expected, and the life-boat stood by until the tug had taken her in tow. She returned to her station at 10.30 A.M. - Rewards, £9 11s. 6d.

MARCH 7TH. - GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON, NORFOLK. At 9.45 P.M.

a message was received from the Gorleston coastguard that the South Knoll Light-vessel had reported a ship on fire two miles N.E.

of the light-vessel. The life-boat crew assembled but the naval authorities advised her to wait, and later informed the station that four vessels had been sent to help and that a fifth was standing by. It was decided however to send out the life-boat, and at 10.52 P.M. the reserve motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary duty at Gorleston, was launched.

A light W.S.W. breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth. The Smith’s Knoll Lightvessel told the life-boat that the Italian steamer Amelia Lauro, of Naples, had been bombed and set on fire, and had last been seen at midnight, two to three miles to the N.E. The life-boat went in this direction, and when about seven miles from the lightvessel found the Italian steamer Titania, of Genoa, at anchor. She went alongside and the second-coxswain went on board and found there survivors from the Amelia Lauro, three of them seriously injured. He was asked to take them ashore. There were no stretchers, and the injured men were lowered into the life-boat in cots, and made as comfortable as possible amidships, wrapped in blankets and covered with the sail. It was a difficult operation in the swell that was running and took over an hour. Several times the lifeboat bumped heavily against the steamer.

The other 26 members of the Amelia Lauro’s crew were then taken on board, and the lifeboat started back at 4 in the morning. On her way she spoke the Cross Sand Light-vessel and asked the master to wireless ashore for an ambulance and conveyances to be ready.

The life-boat arrived at Gorleston at 8 A.M.

An ambulance was waiting. The injured were taken to hospital, and the other rnen to the Sailors’ Home. The life-boat returned to her station at 9.15 A.M. on 8th March.Later the steamer was towed into Yarmouth Roads and part of her crew were put aboard her again. - Rewards, £35 16s. 0d.

MARCH 8TH. - THE HUMBER, YORKSHIRE.

At about 8.30 P.M. it was reported by the Spurn Point Royal Naval Signal Station that a vessel was ashore N.E. of the lighthouse. As it seemed likely that the vessel would become high and dry, as the tide ebbed, the coxswain and members of the crew decided to walk as near to the vessel as possible and investigate. As they approached, distress rockets were fired, and it was found that the vessel ashore was the steam trawler Vindelecia, of Grimsby. The skipper asked for help. The coxswain returned to the station, and reported to the underwriters, who asked that the life-boat should stand-by and give help as required.

A light S.W. breeze was blowing and the sea. was smooth. At 11.15 P.M. the motor life-boat City of Bradford II was launched and stood by the trawler until the tide flowed.

She then took out a kedge for her, and the Vindelecia was refloated at 5.15 A.M. the next day. - Property salvage case.

MARCH 9TH. - RAMSGATE, KENT. At 2.10 P.M. information was received from the naval authorities that a steamer was in need of help to the north of the North Goodwin Light-vessel. A light S.W. wind was blowing, with a slight sea. The motor life-boat Prudential was launched at 2.17 P.M. and found the S.S. Ashley, of Sunderland, with a crew of seventeen bound, with coal, from Sunderland for Southampton. She was ashore on the Goodwin Sands. The life-boat stood by until the following afternoon. She then put back to Ramsgate for fuel and food, returned to the Ashley and continued to stand by. In the early morning of the 11th the steamer broke her back at the fall of the tide and the life-boat rescued her crew of 17 and returned to Ramsgate arriving at 2.40 A.M., thirty-six hours after she had first set out. - Rewards, £46 11s.

MARCH 11TH. - GREAT YARMOUTH A N D G O R L E S T O N , N O R F O L K . A t 10.56 A.M. a message was received from the coastguard that the Italian steamer Amelia Lauro, of Naples, anchored in the roadstead off Britannia Pier, was making distress signals.

The steamer had been attacked by enemy aeroplanes on the 7th March, and set on fire ; her crew had been rescued and the steamer herself had later been towed into Yarmouth Roads and part of her crew put aboard her again. A light S.W. breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth, when, at 11.5 A.M., the reserve motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary duty at Gorleston, was launched. She found that the chief engineer was seriously ill, and brought him ashore, where an ambulance, for which she had signalled, was waiting to take him to hospital. The life-boat returned to her station at 12.15 P.M. - Rewards, £12 19s. 6d.

MARCH 11TH. - MARYPORT, CUMBERLAND.

At 6.10 A.M. a message was received from the coastguard that the Swedish steamer O. A. Brodin, of Stockholm, had gone ashore north of St. Bees. There was dense fog, with a smooth sea. At 10 A.M. the motor life-boat Joseph Braithwaite was launched and found the steamer a mile north of St. Bees.

She was fast by the head, but was on an even keel. A tug was expected. The coxswain of the life-boat went on board the steamer, and found that she had been badly holed.

With the help of the coasting steamer Dromaine the life-boat refloated the O. A.

Brodin, and the coxswain brought her in under her own power, and anchored her in Whitehaven Roads. The life-boat then brought the captain of the steamer ashore, so that he could communicate with the insurance brokers. She then went to Workington where her crew landed. At 9.45 P.M., when they were returning to the life-boat, and were crossing the harbour bridge, the second coxswain missed his footing in the darkness and fell fifty feet into the River Derwent beneath. Fortunately no bones were broken, but he was bruised and suffered badly from shock. He was taken to his home at Maryport by taxi. The life-boat left Workington and reached her station at 12.30 A.M. the next morning, where the Ladies’ Auxiliary Red Cross kindly provided hot soup and sandwiches for the crew and helpers. - Rewards, £31 17s.

MARCH 13TH. - RUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.

Shortly after 1 A.M. the Kettleness coastguard reported distress signals from a vessel ashore on Kalder Steel. A moderate northerly breeze was blowing, with a slight sea and heavy rain. At 2 A.M. the motor life-boat Robert Patton - The Always Ready was launched, women launchers helping her to get away. She found the Dutch motor vessel Buizerd, of Groningen, with the seas washing over her deck. She was leaking badly. In spite of the darkness and the water, breaking on a rocky shoal, the life-boat rescued the crew of six. She reached her station again at 4 A.M. - Rewards £30 16s.

MARCH 13TH. - SUNDERLAND, DURHAM.

At 4.17 A.M. the coastguard reported that the naval examination vessel was ashore inside the New South Pier, and needed help.

A strong N.E. wind was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat Edward and Isabella Irwin was launched at 5 A.M. She found the vessel and stood by until the crew of eleven had been rescued from the shore by the coastguard life-saving apparatus.

She returned to her station at 9.20 A.M.- Rewards, £11 13s. 3d.

MARCH 13TH. - BLACKPOOL, LANCASHIRE.

At 10.24 A.M. a n R . A . F . t w i n - engine fighter monoplane landed on the sands about 250 yards west of Bispham Slade, and was unable to take off again. At 11.40 A.M.

a message was received from the commanding officer asking for the help of the life-boat and life-boat tractor. The tide had risen and the aeroplane, although remaining afloat, was now nearly submerged. A light S.E. breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth. At11.55 A.M. the motor life-boat Sarah Ann Austin was launched, and found that a rope had been put aboard, and was being held by a number of R.A.F. men. The life-boat coxswain made the rope fast for towing, and the life-boat then towed the aeroplane round some piles into a bay opposite the foot of the promenade hulking, near where the Slade comes down to the shore. The life-boat’s tractor was now hooked on to the towing rope and pulled the aeroplane right up to the face of the hulking. The lifeboat and tractor then returned to their station, arriving at 2 P.M. The rudder of the lifeboat was slightly damaged. - Rewards, £8 13s.

MARCH 1 4 T H . - RUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.

At 7.46 A.M. four Staithes fishing cobles put off to the fishing ground. As the weather was threatening, two of the boats returned, but the other two began fishing.

As the weather got worse the motor life-boat Robert Patton - The Always Ready was launched at 11 A.M. A very strong N.E.

wind was then blowing, with a heavy sea and snow showers. The life-boat arrived off Staithes at about 11.30 A.M. and escorted into harbour the two fishing cobles Minnie and S t a r o f H o p e . She returned to her station at 1.30 P.M. - Rewards, £15 11s.

MARCH 15TH. - ANSTRUTHER, FIFESHIRE.

At about 10.15 A.M. news was received through the coastguard that a fishing boat was on fire to the west of May Island.

A strong westerly breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea. The weather was cold. The motor life-boat Nellie and Charlie was launched at 10.40 A.M., and learned from the naval patrol vessel stationed west of May Island, that she had on board the crew of eight of the motor fishing boat Kate Cowie of Eyemouth.

rescued crew were transferred to the life-boat which landed them at Anstruther at 11.45 A.M. - Rewards, £9 3s. 6d.

MARCH 17TH. - PENLEE, CORNWALL.

At 2.45 P.M. the coastguard reported that the French steamer Louis Marguerite was in need of help ten miles S.W. of Penzance. A strong S.W. wind was blowing, with a rough sea and thick fog. The reserve motor lifeboat B.A.S.P., on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 3.5 P.M. On her way to the help of the Louis Marguerite, she found the S.S. Miervaldis, of Riga, making straight for the rocks near Penzer Point.

She directed the Captain to go full speed astern, and he just managed to clear the rocks. The life-boat then searched for the Louis Marguerite but could not find her. She put into Newlyn at 11.15 P.M., re-fuelled and continued the search until 7.30 next morning, but again found nothing. It was learnt later that the steamer had safely reached a port.

The lifeboat put into Newlyn again and returned to her station on 19th March.- Rewards, £31 1s. 9d.

MARCH 15TH. - DUNGENESS, KENT.

At 8.40 P.M. information was received from the coastguard that a steamer had stranded S.E. of the coastguard station at Jury’s Gap.

A fresh westerly wind was blowing, with a heavy ground sea. The motor life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson was launched at 9 . 1 2 P . M . and found the Greek steamer Panaghiotis, of Piraeus, ashore. She had a crew of twenty-four aboard, and was bound for Antwerp with a cargo of iron ore. The life-boat coxswain went on board her, and the life-boat stood by until, with the rising tide, she got off under her own power and went on her way. The life-boat returned to her station at 1.30A.M. the following morning. - Rewards, £32 5s. 6d.

MARCH 17TH. - STORNOWAY, ISLAND OF LEWIS. The steam trawler Regnault, of Hull with a crew of twelve and laden with fish, stranded at the entrance to Stornoway Harbour. Repeated attempts to refloat her were unsuccessful. On the morning of the 17th March a moderate southerly. gale was blowing, with a heavy swell and rain squalls, and there was danger of the trawler breaking up At 11.15 A.M. the motor life-boat William and Harriot was launched and brought the master of the trawler ashore.

With another trawler the life-boat went back to the Regnault and got a tow rope fixed between the two trawlers. The second trawler then towed the Regnault into harbour, with the life-boat escorting them. There the Regnault, which was making water badly, was beached. The life-boat returned to her station at 1.5 P.M. - Property salvage case.

MARCH 17TH. - MARGATE, KENT. At 2.58 P.M. a message was received from the Margate coastguard that a vessel was sinking, after an explosion, about two miles S.E. of the Tongue Light-vessel. A moderate southerly breeze was blowing. The sea was smooth. At 3.15 P.M. the motor life-boat The Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched. The weather had become very thick and the coxswain went first to the Tongue Light-vessel for further information.

There was none to give him, and the life-boat began her search. She found wreckage and an empty ship’s boat. She then found the French collier Capitaine Augustin, of Havre, which had been mined, and the minesweeper T.97. which had picked up the collier’s survivors. Among them was the captain, and he asked the life-boat to put him aboard the ship again to get the ship’s papers, but she was too far submerged. The life-boat then returned to the minesweeper and took off twenty-six of the collier’s crew, two of them injured. The captain and mate remained on board the minesweeper to see the last of their own ship, and the life-boat landed the 26 men at Margate and returned to her station at 6 P.M. - Rewards, £14 2s.

MARCH 19TH. - NORTH SUNDERLAND.

NORTHUMBERLAND. The motor lifeboat W.R.A. was launched at 2.20 P.M. as news had come that the engine of the local motor fishing boat Glad Tidings had broken down. A light S.E. breeze was blowing with a heavy swell. The life-boat towed in the Glad Tidings, arriving at 3.35 P.M., and as two other boats were out, she stood by until they were all safely in. - Rewards, £13 MARCH 19TH. - CLOVELLY, AND ILFRACOMBE, DEVON. At 3.10 A.M. a message from the coastguard, Hartland Point, was received at Clovelly that a steamer was on fire six miles north of the point. A whole W.S.W. gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea. At 3.26 A.M. the motor life-boat City of Nottingham was launched and found the S.S. Albionic, of Hull, burning fiercely amidships.

Part of her crew had left in two of the ship’s boats, and the remainder intended to leave later. The life-boat then went to a trawler, City of Aberdeen, which was near by, and asked the captain to search for the ship’s boats while she herself continued to stand by the Albionic. After an hour the fire lessened and the life-boat went to another vessel, the British Intelligence, which had picked up one boat with eight of the Albionic’s crew on board. With great difficulty in the heavy seas the life-boat took them on board.

She then returned to stand by the Albionic.

The City of Aberdeen returned with five of the Albionic’s crew, whom she had picked up, including the captain. The life-boat took them on board, and continued to stand by the Albionic. Those on board her still did not wish to leave and as, in the very heavy seas, the risk of attempting to put the thirteen men in the life-boat on board the Albionic was too great, the lifeboat put them on board the City of Aberdeen which was now in the roads. She returned once more to the Albionic, and stood by for another two hours.

Those on board her still not wishing to leave, the life-boat returned to the City of Aberdeen, took off the thirteen men, and landed them.

She returned to her station at 7.15 P.M.

At 12.14 P.M. news was received at Ilfracombe from the coastguard that a ship’s boat was adrift two miles north of Widmouth Head. The Ilfracombe life-boat station communicated with the Clovelly station, and was told that two boats were adrift, one containing important ship’s papers. They were boats from the Albionic. The motor life-boat Rosabella was launched at 12.45 P.M. and found a drifting boat, waterlogged, two miles north of Hangman’s Hill. It had the ship’s papers on board. The life-boat towed the boat to Ilfracombe, and she returned to her station at 4.35 P.M. An increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was granted to the Clovelly crew. - Rewards : Clovelly, standard rewards to crew, £61 1s. 6d. ; additional rewards to crew, £7 ; total, £68 1s. 6d. : Ilfracombe, £11 4s. 3d.

BRONZE MEDAL SERVICE AT EASTBOURNE MARCH 20TH. - EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX. During the night the London steamer Barnhill, of 5,430 tons, was in the English Channel on her way from Nova Scotia to London.

Two of the life-boatmen volunteered to go on board, and they were taken by the tug close to the steamer, just forward of the bridge deck. Day was just breaking. They jumped, and She was fully loaded with a general cargo and a deck cargo of timber.

She had a crew of over thirty men.

When off Beachy Head, about six miles out in the Channel, she was attacked by German aeroplanes. A bomb struck her amidships and set her on fire.

The news of the attack reached the Eastbourne life-boat station just before eleven that night, and at 11.15 the motor life-boat Jane Holland was launched. The night was fine, with a fresh breeze from the west. The sea was choppy and there was a heavy swell.

When the life-boat reached the Barnhill at 1.40 next morning, she found that a Dutch vessel had picked up eighteen of her crew who had escaped from her on a raft. They were taken aboard the life-boat, which then went alongside the Barnhill’s quarter. The steamer was burning furiously ; the bridge had been blown forward on to the fore well-deck ; there were frequent explosions. The life-boat took off ten more men, and then, satisfied that she had on board all the survivors of the Barnhill’s crew, she made for home. She arrived at three in the morning. At 4.45 another message came. It was from a tug which was standing by the Barnhill, and it ran : “Send life-boat at once for injured man on forecastle.

Please send doctor with life-boat.” The life-boat put out again at once, taking a doctor with her, and reached the Barnhill for the second time at six o’clock. The steamer had meanwhile drifted north-eastwards and was nearer to the shore. She was abeam to wind and sea and was rolling. The tug Foremost No. 22 was lying near. The flames from the Barnhill were now from 70 to 90 feet high. The fire was spreading fore and aft. There were still frequent and heavy explosions.

ABOARD THE BURNING SHIPfound themselves among a mass of debris, the remains of the deck cargo, flung about by the explosions.

They had to keep as much amidships as possible, owing to the rolling of the steamer, and as they went forward the master of the tug played the hose behind them to check the advancing fire. On the forecastle they found the injured man. He was now scarcely conscious, but he had managed to attract the attention of the tug by shouting and by ringing the forecastle bell.

The life-boat came alongside. The doctor instructed the two life-boatmen what to do with the injured man and they lowered him into the life-boat.

She made at once for Eastbourne, arriving at 7.20 that morning.

She had only been back 40 minutes when she was launched for the third time to help the tug Foremost in fighting the fire. She returned from this third launch. just after midday, thirteen hours after she had first put out.

The Barnhill was ultimately beached in Pevensey Bay.

The injured man was the master of the Barnhill. He had been blown from the bridge to the forecastle and his men had thought that he was lost.

He had a fracture of the collar bone and a double fracture of the arm; five of his ribs were broken ; one rib had pierced the lung ; he had violent concussion.

Less than three months later, on the 11th of June, he was well enough to attend the annual meeting of the Eastbourne Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild and publicly to thank the men who had rescued him.

A fortnight before the master had written from hospital : “ Having reached the stage of nearly convalescent, I wish to get the following off as soon as possible, to show my deep gratitude and gratefulness for being rescued from a burning ship, when suffering from severe injuries on the 21st of March. Looking back on such matters now, it appeared to me at the time an almost impossibility for anyone to approach the deck of the steamer while the whole midships was ablaze and the deck cargo afire.

“ The two life-boatmen, whosoever they may be, certainly showed grit, courage and determination to rescue a British captain from this burning vessel. I would be grateful should those men be decorated and I would be able to look back with pride to that night, as I was also trying to do my duty to King and Country that fateful night.” T H E R E W A R D S The Institution made the following awards : To ALEC FRANCIS HUGGETT and THOMAS ALLCHORN, the two members of the crew who went aboard the burning steamer, bronze medals for gallantry, with copies of the votes inscribed on vellum ; To COXSWAIN MICHAEL HARDY a framed letter of appreciation ; To MR. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, honorary secretary of the station, a letter of appreciation ; To the coxswain and each member of the crew a reward of £4 5s. on the standard scale, for the three launches.

Total rewards, £60 9s. 6d.

The Newhaven and Hastings motor life-boats were also launched.

Rewards : Newhaven, £16 16s. ; Hastings, £45 19s. 6d.

A letter of appreciation and a donation of 100 guineas were received from the owners.

(See-Hastings “Accounts of Services by Life-boats, 1940,” page 134, and Eastbourne “Accounts of Services by Life-boats, 1941,” page 65.) MARCH 20TH. - RAMSGATE, KENT. At 9.10 A.M. the coastguard reported that a vessel had been mined. A S.W. breeze was blowing and the sea was moderate. The motor life-boat Prudential was launched at 9.22 A.M. and found the S.S. Phobos, of Rotterdam, several miles S. by E. of the North Goodwin Light-vessel. Six of her crew had been killed and forty-nine had been rescued by another vessel. The life-boat brought ashore thirty of them and a naval launch nineteen. Tugs took the Phobos in tow in the hope of beaching her. At 2.30 P.M. on the following day it was learned that the Phobos was still afloat and that her crew had returned to her. The weather was moderate, but the life-boat was requested to stand by.

She launched at 2.55 P.M. and remained with the Phobos throughout the night. When tugs arrived in the morning she returned to her station at 8.20 A.M. As the pumps could not control the incoming water, the Phobos made for Thameshaven, with the tugs inattendance. - Rewards ; £7 16s. 6d., and £27 3s. 9d. A donation of £50 was received from the owners of the Phobos.

MARCH 20TH. - WICK, CAITHNESSSHIRE.

The Danish steamers Bothal and Viking had been sunk by torpedo, with the loss of thirty lives. and the survivors were left adrift on rafts. Two of these rafts were seen by an RAF machine about twentyeight miles S.E. of Wick during the evening.

A N.N.W. breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea. At 7.45 P.M. the motor life-boat City of Edinburgh was launched, and after midnight picked up two survivors of the Viking's crew of seventeen. A further search resulted in the rescuing of another five men, the only survivors of the crew of twenty of the Bothal. One of them had both legs broken. The men reported that both vessels had been torpedoed without warning. After a further search over a wide area the lifeboat returned at 6.30 A.M. - Rewards, £15 17s MARCH 22ND. - ARKLOW, CO. WICKLOW At about 8.45 A.M. information was received that the Greek steamer Mount Taurus, of Syra, was on the Arklow Bank. Another vessel was standing by her. A moderate southerly breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea, The motor life-boat Inbhear Mor was launched at 10.15 A.M. and found that the Mount Taurus had a crew of twenty-six aboard The vessel standing by was the Irish Lights vessel Alexandra. As the day passed the weather got worse and the lifeboat stood by until the steamer refloated. She returned to her station at 8.10 P.M. - Rewards, £23 4s MARCH 25TH. - NORTH SUNDERLAND NORTHUMBERLAND. At 7.30 P.M. naval authorities at North Shields asked that the life-boat should be sent out to land an injured man from a minesweeper. The wind was light with a slight swell. At 7.42 P.M. the motor life-boat W.R.A. was launched, and found the minesweeper about five miles to the N.N.W She brought ashore the master and one of the crew, both injured. After the master had been given medical attention, the life-boat took him back to his vessel and returned to her station at 12.45 A.M. The other injured man was taken to hospital.

- Rewards, £19 14s.

MARCH 26TH. - GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON, NORFOLK. At 7.17 A.M. a message was received from the Gorleston coastguard that distress signals were being made by a vessel off Caister. A fresh N.E. breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea, At 7.38 A.M. the motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary service at Gorleston, was launched.

When she was north of Yarmouth she found a ship’s raft. but no one was on it. When she got abreast of Caister she saw the motor vessel Ryal with a crew of eleven, including two gunners, ashore on Cockle Shoal but, just before she reached her, the Ryal swung round and refloated The life-boat went alongside, and the captain said that the Ryal’s rudder was badly damaged, his small boat stove in and his life-raft had washed away. On the advice of the life-boat coxswain he allowed the Ryal to drive up through Cockle Gap, and when he was under the lee of Scroby Sand he anchored. The life-boat again went alongside, and after making certain that the Ryal was in no immediate danger, she returned to Britannia Pier and signalled the coastguard to send a tug. She then returned to the Ryal and put some of her own crew on board to help the Ryal’s crew, who were all exhausted, in getting up the anchor. The tug R. Lee Barber now arrived, and after the tug’s hawser had been made fast, Ryal’s anchor was heaved up. This took about two hours, as the motor winch had broken down. The tug then tried to tow her, but could not do it. The Ryal was unmanageable as her rudder was fixed across the stern. The life-boat once more put back to harbour and arranged for another tug to be sent out to help. She returned to the Ryal and stood by until later.

With the help of the two tugs the Ryal was brought into harbour. The life-boat then returned to her station at 2.40 P.M. - Property salvage case.

MARCH 27TH. - WALMER, KENT. The Deal coastguard reported that a collision had occurred near the south-west Goodwin Buoy.

A fresh northerly breeze was blowing with a very heavy swell. At 4.50 A.M. the motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2) was launched, and found the steamer Italo- Balbo, of Genoa, which while at anchor, probably at the Contraband Control Base, had been run down by the Danish steamer Annam of Copenhagen, about two miles east of Leathercoats. A life-boatman was placed on board her and the life-boat stood by.

Although badly damaged above the water line the steamer was in no immediate danger, and the life-boat was able to return to her station, arriving at 8.30 A.M. - Rewards, f36 6s. 9d.

MARCH 30TH. - WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.

At 3.30 A.M. a small vessel was reported to be aground on Whitby Rock, but no distress signals had been made. Fishing boats leaving harbour had gone to her help. A strong northerly wind was blowing, with a moderate sea. At 4.15 A.M. the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched, as it was thought that the fishing boats might not be able to get alongside. She found the Dutch motor vessel Frederik, of Zwartsluis, fast on the rock. Her crew had put out bow anchors to hold her on the rising tide. The life-boat stood by, and at about 7 A.M. the Frederik refloated and was brought into the roadstead for examination. After it was found that the Frederik had not suffered damage, the life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 7.30 A.M. - Rewards, £15 15s. 9d.

MARCH 3 1 ST. - GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON, NORFOLK . A t 10.20 A.M. a message was received from the Gorleston coastguard that the motor yacht Alecia, on naval service, was aground on the Scroby Sand, and that her dinghy, with two men on board, was rapidly drifting away from her. A fresh S.W. breeze was blowing, but the sea was smooth. At 10.40 A.M. the motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood, on temporary service at Gorleston, was launched, and found the Alecia aground, and the dinghy also aground about a quarter of a mile away. The life-boat went towards the dinghy, and when she was in six feet of water, the coxswain let go his anchor ; and drove the life-boat full speed astern until she g rounded on the sands. She was still twenty yards from the dinghy. A line was fired to her by the line-throwing gun, and she was hauled out to the life-boat and the two men taken on board. The life-boat’s engines were then put to full speed ahead, and she refloated. She towed the dinghy to H.M.D. Rose Hilda, which was standing by in the roadstead, and then went towards the yacht. She again anchored, in about seven feet of water, veered down, and again struck the sands heavily She fired a line from her line-throwing gun and by means of it got a hawser from the yacht and made it fast.

Then her engines were put full speed ahead and the yacht’s full speed astern, and after about twenty minutes the Alecia refloated.

The life-boat escorted her into the roadstead, put on board her the two men rescued from the dinghy, and returned to her station, arriving at 12.25 P.M. - Property salvage case.

MARCH 31ST. - TOBERMORY, ARGYLLSHIRE.

At 10.5 A.M. a message was received from the Island of Coll that a vessel was on the rocks a mile from Arinagour. A strong S.W. wind was blowing, with a moderate sea.

At 10.35 A.M. the motor life-boat Sir Arthur Rose was launched and found the Norwegian steamer Nydalen, of Oslo, with her bows submerged and her stern out of the water.

Her crew of fourteen had taken to the ship’s boats, and were sheltering under the stern.

The life-boat went alongside the two boats and took on board the fourteen men. She returned to her station at 5.20P.M. - Rewards, £9 19s. 6d.

The following life-boats were launched, but no services were rendered for the reasons given : MARCH 1 S T . - FILEY, AND FLAMBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE. Two steamers, one Latvian and the other Norwegian, had been attacked by German aeroplanes.

Nothing could be found of the Latvian steamer, and the Norwegian got into Bridlington Harbour without help. - Rewards : Filey, £21 14s. 6d. ; Flamborough, £16 12s.

MARCH 1ST. - ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK.

An Italian steamer Maria Rose of Genoa, had struck a mine and sunk eighteen miles off Lowestoft. Two of her boats got away from her and both reached shore without help. - Rewards, £22 14s. 6d.

MARCH 4TH. - DUNGENESS, KENT, AND EASTBOURNE, SUSSEX. A steamer was reported to have been torpedoed, but neither life-boat could find anything, and news was received later that other vessels engaged in the search had found her. - Rewards : Dungeness, £32 9s. 6d. ; Eastbourne, £40 15s.

MARCH 5TH. - WALMER, KENT. Two large barges, which had broken away from a tug, were drifting towards the Goodwin Sands. The life-boat went alongside them and made sure that there was no one on board. She could not take them in tow, and as they were getting near a minefield, she abandoned them. - Rewards, £14 12s. 6d.

MARCH 5TH. - THE HUMBER, YORKSHIRE.

A vessel attached to the balloon barrage service had been reported to be in difficulties, but did not need help. - Permanent paid crew. Rewards, 6S. 9d.

MARCH 5TH. - AMBLE, NORTHUMBERLAND.

An explosion had occurred five miles east of Cresswell, and the lights of a ship had disappeared, but the life-boat found nothing. - Rewards, £22 12s.

MARCH 5 T H . - ARRANMORE, CO.

DONEGAL. A vessel had been reported showing flares, but no vessel in distress could be found. - Rewards, £15 15s. 6d.

MARCH 5TH. - RAMSGATE, KENT. A vessel had been reported ashore and burning flares, but evidently had got off and gone on her way as she could not be found - Rewards, £7 16s. 6d.

MARCH 8TH. - FILEY, YORKSHIRE. A flare had been reported but nothing was found. - Rewards, £34 3s.

MARCH 6TH. - RUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.

Information had been received that a vessel was in distress off Whitby and that that life-boat was unable to put out owing to the heavy seas. The Runswick life-boat was launched but could not cross the bar. The vessel was helped by a tug. - Rewards, £15 6s. 6d.

MARCH 6 T H . - SEAHAM, DURHAM.

Enemy aircraft had been reported to he bombing and machine-gunning vessels, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £15 8s. 6d.

MARCH 6TH. - ABERDEEN. The coastguard had reported that a vessel was being bombed and machine-gunned, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £14 11s. 6d.

MARCH 7TH. - SHOREHAM HARBOUR.

SUSSEX. Flares had been reported several miles off Worthing, but no vessel in need of help could be found. - Rewards, £15 7s. 6d.

MARCH 8TH. - SELSEY, SUSSEX. An aeroplane had been reported down in the sea off Chichester Harbour, but only oil was found, and it was presumed that the aeroplane was lost. - Rewards, £17 12s. 6d.

MARCH 9TH. - ST. ABBS, BERWICKSHIRE.

An object, reported to look like adrifting raft, had been reported, but it was found to be a tree trunk. - Rewards, £16 14s. 6d.

MARCH 9TH. - HARTLEPOOL, DURHAM.

A steamer had been in collision a mile east of Heugh Light and had sunk, but the twentythree survivors were picked up from their own boats by another vessel. - Rewards, £14 9s. 6d.

MARCH 11TH. - BOULMER, NORTHUMBERLAND.

Distress signals had been seen five miles east of Newton, but no vessel could be found. - Rewards, £14 3s.

MARCH 11TH. - SALCOMBE, AND TORBAY, DEVON. A steamer had sunk after being in collision, twenty miles south by east of Berry Head, but the survivors were rescued by another vessel. - Rewards : Salcombe, £15 9s. ; Torbay, £13 1s.

MARCH 11TH. - RAMSGATE, KENT. The Greek steamer Niritos, of Ithaca, had struck a mine E.N.E. of the North Goodwin Lightvessel, but her crew were rescued by another steamer. - Rewards, £8 15s. 6d.

MARCH 14TH. - ST. ABS, BERWICKSHIRE.

Rockets had been reported, but nothing could be found. - R e w a r d s , £16 14s. 6d.

MA R C H 1 6 T H . - B A R R Y D O C K , GLAMORGANSHIRE, AND MINEHEAD, SOMERSET. The Yugo-Slav steamer Slava, of Susak, had been torpedoed five and a half miles N.E. of Foreland Point, near Lynmouth, but the survivors were picked up by another vessel. - Rewards : Barry Dock, £6 8s. 6d. ; Minehead, £14 2s. 3d.

MARCH 17TH. - PORT ST. MARY, AND DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. A steamer had stranded, near Fort Island, Isle of Man, but the crew were rescued from the shore by the coastguard life-saving apparatus. - Rewards : Port St. Mary, £25 8s. 9d. ; Douglas, £15 2s. 6d.

MARCH 18TH. - AITH, SHETLANDS.

News had been received through Wick Radio that the Italian steamer Verbania was in distress, seven miles N.E. of Foula, but the life-boat, which was out for fifteen hours, could find nothing. - Rewards, £21 2s.

MARCH 18TH. - NORTH SUNDERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND. An explosion had been heard at sea, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £13.

MARCH 18TH. - GOURDON, KINCARDINESHIRE.

Shortly after seven in the morning the body of a man was found among the rocks near Gourdon. There was a fog, and when it lifted a trawler could be seen.

The life-boat put out to her but found no survivors. The whole crew of six must have been lost. - Rewards, £15 8s. 6d.

MARCH 18TH. - RAMSGATE, KENT. The Italian steamer Tina Primo sank after MARCH 28TH. - EXMOUTH, DEVON.

Flares had been reported, but nothing could be found, and it was thought that they had come from aeroplanes which were manoeuvring at the time. - Rewards, £27 13s.

striking a mine, but other vessels, which were nearby, took off the crew. - Rewards, £11 14s. 9d.

MARCH 20TH. - NORTH SUNDERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND. A fishing boat’s engine had broken down, but the crew were able to repair it. - Rewards, £8 19s. 6d.

MARCH 23RD. - MONTROSE, ANGUS.

A drifter had gone aground near Johnshaven, but she refloated and was able to go on her way. - Rewards, £16 2s. 3d.

MARCH 23RD. - GOURDON, KINCARDINESHIRE.

An S.O.S. had been received from about six miles off Tod Head, and it is believed that a destroyer and a trawler had been in collision, but nothing could be found.

- Rewards, £38 10s. 3d.

MARCH 2 3RD. - DOVER, KENT. An R.A.F. Hawker Hurricane aeroplane had been reported down in the sea about five miles off Dover, but nothing could be found.

- Rewards, £14 2s. 6d.

MARCH 24TH. - SHOREHAM HARBOUR, SUSSEX. Flares had been reported south of Brighton but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £15 7s. 6d.

MARCH 25TH. - HOLY ISLAND , NORTHUMBERLAND. A vessel had been reported signalling to the E.S.E., but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £15 7s. 6d.

MARCH 27TH. - CROMER, NORFOLK.

An aeroplane had been reported down in the sea, and parachute flares were seen, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £34 12s.

MARCH 28TH. - BEAUMARIS, ANGLESEY.

Flashes had been reported, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £19 18s. 6d.

MARCH 2 8TH. - WELLS, NORFOLK.

Flares had been reported and the Dutch motor vessel Wilhelmina was found, apparently disabled, but the captain denied making distress signals. - Rewards, £16 17s. 6d.

MARCH 29TH. - BRIDLINGTON, YORKSHIRE.

A steamer was reported to have been attacked by enemy aircraft, fifteen miles S.E. of Flamborough Head, but nothing was found. - Rewards, £21 7s. 6d.

MARCH 29TH. - CRESSWELL, NORTHUMBERLAND.

An aeroplane, believed to be a German Heinkel bomber, had come down into the sea three-quarters of a mile east of the life-boat station, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £37 8s. 6d.

MARCH 29TH. - SCARBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE.

The coastguard reported that aconvoy was being bombed by enemy aircraft several miles off, but no vessels were found in need of help. - Rewards, £39 10s. 6d.

MARCH 30TH. - HASTINGS, SUSSEX.

A fishing boat. had been reported missing, but the life-boat could not find her. Later, wreckage was found. The boat must have been lost with both the men on board.- Rewards, £36 13s. 2d.

MARCH 30TH. - ILFRACOMBE, DEVON.

Lights had been reported, but as they were thought to come from a naval vessel, and not to be distress signals, the life-boat was recalled. - Rewards. £20 18s.

MARCH 31ST. - SKEGNESS, LINCOLNSHIRE.

A barrage balloon had been reported down in the sea, but it was picked up by a trawler. - Rewards, £10 1s. 6d.