NOVEMBER 2lST. - LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.

At 2.45 P.M. the naval base reported that two small fishing boats were in distress just outside the harbour, and at 3.5 the motor life-boat Michael Stephens was launched. A strong S.E. wind was blowing, with a heavy sea. The weather was very thick, with fog and rain. The life-boat found that one boat, the Shield, had been smashed to pieces against the South Pier, and her crew of three men had been rescued from the pier. She then went in search of the other boat Joy, which had a crew of four, found her near the harbour bar, and escorted her into harbour. Shortly afterwards H.M.

Drifter Rowantree, in attempting to enter harbour, stranded on a newly made sandbank about thirty yards outside the entrance, and the life-boat went to her help. She got a wire rope from her, and attempted to pluck her off, but the wire parted. A tug then came out and took the Rowantree in tow, with the life-boat standing by just inside the harbour entrance, but after a few minutes the Rowantree turned completely over. As she did so her crew of 13 got on to her upturned bottom. The life-boat went alongside at once and rescued ten of the men. She was then carried away by the tide, but again got alongside and rescued the remaining five men.

Two of the rescued men were injured. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.45 P.M.- An increase of 10s. in the usual money award was made to each man. Standard ‘rewards to crew, £7 9s. ; additional rewards to crew, £4 10s. ; total rewards, £11 19s..