JANUARY 26TH. - PORT ST. MARY, ISLE OF MAN. The steam trawler Merisia, of Fleetwood, while on her way to the northern fishing grounds, struck the rocks in Bulgham Bay, north of Laxey, in the Isle of Man.

The time was about 6.30 P.M., and the tide was low-water spring tides. A whole S.E. gale was blowing with a heavy sea. At times there was much fog and the cold was intense. The news reached Ramsey at about 7.15 P.M., but it was found impossible, either the north rough out the night, t o launch the motor life-boat owing to the heavy sea. The Douglas motor life-boat was off service for the overhaul of the engine, and the Port St. Mary motor life-boat Sir Heath Harrison was launched at 9 P.M. Mr. J. Clugston, a retired coasting captain, went with her and was of very great help. The seas were so violent that they broke the bulbs of her searchlight and she was unable to use it.

She could not find the Merisia, and returned to her station at 6 o’clock next morning.

Meanwhile the coastguard life-saving apparatus company had found her. She was hard and fast on the rocks, with steep cliffs to leeward, and all the company’s efforts to reach her crew failed. As the tide rose the Merisia was submerged and all her crew were drowned. The district inspector investigated the matter and found that everything which could be done had been done. It was impossible to launch the Ramsey life-boat, and even had the Port of St. Mary life-boat found the wreck he doubted if she could have done anything. The Institution made an extra award of £2 on the usual money awards on the standard scale to each member of the Port St. Mary crew. - Standard rewards to crew and helpers, £26 2s. 6d. ; additional rewards to crew, £16 ; total rewards to Port St. Mary, £42 2s. 6d. A letter of thanks was sent to Mr. J. Clugston.