MARCH 28TH. - NEWBURGH, ABERDEENSHIRE.

At 5.1 A.M. the Belhelvie coastguard reported that a vessel was ashoretwo or three miles north of Belhelvie, near the mouth of the Ythan. A strong E. gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea and snow showers, and it was decided to launch the life-boat in the river and go over the bar.

The pulling and sailing life-boat John and Robert C. Mercer was launched at 6.20 A.M., and after a stiff pull found the S.S. Melrose Abbey, of Hull, a vessel of over 1,900 tons, in ballast, with a crew of 49. She was going north in a convoy when she stranded. The life-boat rescued sixteen, landed them, put off again and rescued thirty-one more. The remaining two men, the captain and first officer, were rescued from the shore by the coastguard life-saving apparatus. As the boat was being brought back to her station by a tractor, the tractor failed, and the crew with very great difficulty brought the boat into the river, where she was secured. The crew did not get home again until 10.30 P.M.

A letter received from the Ministry of Shipping spoke of “ the excellent seamanship displayed under very difficult conditions “.

- Rewards, £54 2s..