NOVEMBER 10TH. - GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON, NORFOLK. At 5.20 A.M. the Great Yarmouth coastguard telephoned that rockets had been seen, and later it was learned that the British steamer Winona was aground five miles N.E. 1/2 E. from Gorleston pier. The motor life-boat Louise Stephens was launched at 6.15 A.M.

A strong S.E. wind was blowing, with a heavy sea. The life-boat made a wide search, but found nothing and returned to her station at 11.30 A.M. At 5 P.M. on the same day the flag officer in charge at Great Yarmouth asked, through the coastguard, that the lifeboat might land wounded men from H.M.

Trawler Commander Holbrook, and she left at 5.20 P.M., picking up a doctor and a sickbay attendant at the naval base. It was now pitch dark, and it was only with great difficulty that the life-boat found the trawler in Yarmouth Roads and put the doctor on board. One of the men was so seriously hurt that the doctor wanted to get him ashore at once, and in spite of the heavy seas he was transferred to the life-boat. A wireless message was sent ashore for lights to be switched on, and at 7.45 P.M. the life-boat landed the wounded man and the doctor at the naval base. Here the life-boat was asked to wait for further instructions.

At 8.10 in the evening the life-boat was asked to go out again to the Winona, taking a salvage officer with her. The Winona was reported now to be ashore east of North Denes, but when the salvage officer arrived he said that the latest message was that the Winona had lost both her anchors and was drifting. He asked if the coxswain thought he could find her, and the coxswain said that he would try. The night was very dark, and it was not possible to see more than five yards.

The seas were very heavy. The life-boat went northwards, and after a long search found the steamer in Cockle Gat at about ten at night.

With difficulty the life-boat put the salvage officer on board her, and the coxswain advised him to keep the ship heading S.S.W.

This was done, and after some time the salvage officer came on board the life-boat again, and asked the coxswain to send a wireless message ashore for a light to be shone at frequent intervals. The Winona was now nearing the Scroby Elbow Buoy, and the coxswain advised the salvage officer to keep her heading S.W. The Winona was now in deep water and the moon was rising.It was possible to pick up the land, and the steamer was got into a safe position. As the salvage officer now reported that he was all right, the life-boat returned to harbour and informed Operations of the steamer’s position.

The life-boat then returned to her station and was moored in the river. It was now 12.45 in the morning of November 11th.

The Flag Officer-in-Charge in Great Yarmouth sent his thanks to the life-boat for her services both to the Commander Holbrook and the Winona. - Rewards : first service, £9 5s. 6d. ; second service, £12 6s. 6d. ; third service, £15 11s. 6d..