Launches 37. Lives rescued 14.

SEPTEMBER 1ST. - DUNMORE EAST, CO. WATERFORD. During the morning news was received by wireless from the S.S. Irish Willow that she had on board forty-seven survivors from the S.S. Empire Breeze, which had been torpedoed in mid-Atlantic on the 22nd August, and that she proposed to land them at Dunmore East. At 1.30 P.M. the motor life-boat Annie Blanche Smith was launched, with doctors and ambulance men on board. A light S.W. wind was blowing and the sea was smooth. In two trips the life-boat landed the forty-seven men, and after being given food they left for Dublin.

The life-boat returned to her station at 3.45 P.M. The owners of the Empire Breeze made a donation to the Institution. - Rewards, £4 7s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 2ND. - HASTINGS, SUSSEX.

At 9.58 in the morning the coast-guard reported that a parachute had been seen to drop twelve miles to the S.W., and at 10.23 the motor life-boat Cyril and Lilian Bishop was launched. Commander W. Highfield, O.B.E., R.N., honorary secretary of the station, went with her. A moderate S.W.

wind was blowing, with a slight sea. An aeroplane was also searching, and the lifeboat went to a spot where she had dropped a smoke bomb. She found nothing there or at the position first given by the coastguard, but on her way back to the station she picked up a German parachute and the petrol tank of a British aeroplane. A motor boat had also put out, manned by two men, but she found nothing. The life-boat returned to her station at 2.5 in the afternoon.- Rewards, £15 4s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 2ND. - DUN LAOGHAIRE, CO. DUBLIN. At 6.15 P.M. the assistant mechanic reported that a rowing boat had been in difficulties about two miles off the east pier at 5.30 P.M., and although she was now getting closer she would not make the harbour against the S.W. wind and ebbing tide. At 7.10 P.M. the motor life-boat Dunleary II was launched and towed the rowing boat into harbour at 8 P.M. - Rewards, £9 13s.

SEPTEMBER 3RD. - PETERHEAD, ABERDEENSHIRE.

At about 6 A.M. the naval barge 390 was leaving harbour when she stranded across the life-boat slipway. A strong southerly wind was blowing and the sea was rough. As the position of the barge made it impossible to launch the motor life-boat Julia Park Barry of Glasgow, the life-boatmen used the life-boat’s life-saving apparatus from the shore, and by this means rescued the barge’s crew of seventeen.- Rewards, £3 15s.

SEPTEMBER 3RD. - NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX.

At 3 P.M. the naval authorities asked for the life-boat to be launched as lifting craft No. 17 had broken loose from moorings at the mouth of the harbour, where she was being used on salvage work. The sea was rough, with a strong S.W. wind. The motor life-boat Cecil and Lilian Philpott was launched at 3.15 P.M. and got a rope from the lifting craft to a tug, which towed her into harbour, with the life-boat standing by. The life-boat returned to her station at 5 P.M.- Rewards, £5 19s.

SEPTEMBER 5TH. - YOUGHAL, CO. CORK. The honorary secretary heard a shout for help from a man swimming a long way from the shore in heavy breakers, and the motor life-boat Laurana Sarah Blunt was launched at 1.27 P.M. When she reached the swimmer, one of the life-boatmen, George Kay, dived overboard and held the man up until both were taken into the life-boat.

Artificial respiration was applied to the rescued man until he was landed and handed over to the care of a doctor, but he died later.

A letter of appreciation and an additional monetary reward were sent by the Institution to George Kay. - Rewards, £6 7s.

SEPTEMBER 6TH. - BERWICK - ON - TWEED, NORTHUMBERLAND. At 11.41 in the morning the coastguard telephoned that a small pulling boat was in difficulties 2 1/2 miles S.E. from Berwick Pier, and the motor life-boat J. and W. was launched at 11.45. A strong squally wind from the W.N.W. was blowing, with a moderate sea.

The life-boat found that the boat belonged to No. 310 coastal battery, at Spittal. She had six men on board, and had been laying targets for gunnery practice. The life-boat took the six men on board, and with their small boat in tow, returned to Berwick, wheres he arrived at one in the afternoon. - Rewards, £4 4s.

SEPTEMBER 10TH. - GIRVAN, AYRSHIRE, AND PORT PATRICK, WIGTOWNSHIRE.

At 1.10 in the afternoon the coastguard reported to the Girvan lifeboat station that a naval pinnace was flying a distress signal off Ballantrae. The coxswain and second-coxswain were out fishing, and another member of the crew took charge.

There was some delay in launching the lifeboat as the motor-mechanic was engaged five miles away, and at 2.5 the Port Patrick station was asked to launch. The Port Patrick motor life-boat Jeanie Speirs got away at 2.20 P.M. and the Girvan motor lifeboat Lily Glen - Glasgow at 2.45 P.M. A moderate S.W. wind was blowing, with a moderate sea. The Girvan life-boat found the pinnace four miles N. by E. of Ballantrae at 4.30 in the afternoon. She had three men on board, and her engine had broken down.

The life-boat took her in tow and reached Girvan again at 6.45 P.M. Meanwhile the Port Patrick life-boat had been recalled by wireless and reached her station at 4 P.M.- Rewards : Girvan, £9 1s. ; Port Patrick, £3 15s.

SEPTEMBER 12TH. - SENNEN COVE, CORNWALL. At 10.3 P.M. the coastguard reported that an aeroplane had crashed about four miles N.W. of Cape Cornwall, and the motor life-boat The Newbons was launched at 10.45 P.M. The sea was calm, with a light E.N.E. wind. All the life-boat found was burning oil and pieces of the aeroplane, and she returned to Sennen Cove at 12.45 A.M.- Rewards, £13 4s.

SEPTEMBER 14TH. - MOELFRE, ANGLESEY.

During the afternoon a man and a woman in a rowing boat from Benllech were rarried out to sea by the tide and a strong S.W. wind, and the motor life-boat G.W. was launched at 3.30 P.M. She picked up the boat about three miles N.E. of Moelfre Island and towed her in, arriving at 4.40 P.M. A letter of thanks was received from the rescued. - Rewards, £4 13s.

SEPTEMBER 14TH. - RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN. During the afternoon the local motor fishing boat Caribou was reported to be overdue, and at 4.30 P.M. the motor life-boat Lady Harrison was launched. A fresh squally S.W. wind was blowing, with a moderate sea. The life-boat found the Caribou six miles N.E. of Ramsey. She had had trouble with her engine. The life-boat escorted her home, arriving at 7.15 P.M.- Rewards, £12 8s.

SEPTEMBER 15TH. - RHYL, FLINT-SHIRE. During the afternoon it was learned from the coastguard that the local fishing smack Golden Arrow, which had gone out the previous evening with a crew of two, had not been seen since, and after unsuccessful enquiries had been made the motor life-boat The Gordon Warren was launched at 7.10 P.M. A strong W.N.W. wind was blowing, with a rough sea. The life-boat found the Golden Arrow five miles W.N.W. of Rhyl. She had lost her propeller, and her sails had been carried away. The life-boat rescued the two men on board her and returned to her station, arriving at 8.25 P.M.

- Rewards, £10 19s.

SEPTEMBER 15TH. - BUCKIE, BANFFSHIRE.

At 8.53 at night the coastguard reported that the R.A.F. high speed launch 170 was ashore on the rocks under Buckie coastguard station. A strong squally W.N.W. wind was blowing, with a heavy sea. The tide was one hour from low water, and the night was dark but clear. The motor lifeboat K.B.M. was launched at 9.30 P.M. and reached the launch ten minutes later. The life-boatmen could see her by the light of the coastguard’s Aldis lamp from the shore, with the seas breaking over her stern and her crew crowded into the bow. The coastguard life-saving apparatus was on the shore, and was attempting to take off the crew. It had got a line aboard the launch, so the life-boat held off. The apparatus rescued one man by hauling him through the heavy seas and over sharp rocks, at great risk to himself, and the rest of the crew then called for the life-boat to come to their help. The launch was now well up on the rocks, and pounding heavily as each sea came over her. The lifeboat made for her stern, but wind, sea and tide carried her away. She made a second attempt to go alongside, but, as she was getting near the launch, a heavy sea struck her and lifted her towards the rocks. As it receded she crashed heavily on them and one of her crew was thrown overboard by the shock. The coxswain went full speed astern and picked him up. The man was little the worse, but a line which the lifesaving apparatus had fired got round the life-boat’s propeller and the engine stopped.

It was started again and the line was snapped.

The coxswain then took the life-boat to windward of the launch, and this time he anchored and dropped down towards her on his cable. The life-boat again struck heavily on the rocks, and the coxswain took her out into deeper water. He transferred the cable to the stern, and again dropped down on it, this time bow first, and came near enough to the launch to throw his grappling iron to her.

The life-boat was now right over the rocks and as each wave receded she crashed on them, but, in spite of the risk of smashing her up, the coxswain gradually worked her close to the launch, and the nine waiting men jumped aboard. Then, hauling on his cable and working his engine, the coxswain brought the life-boat off the rocks again. The coxswain was standing in water, and he knew that her bottom was holed, but she was still seaworthy, and came safely back to harbour with the rescued men at 10.38. It was then found that her bottom had been badly smashed. The whole boat was flooded except for the engine-room and petrol compartments, and she was kept afloat only by her air cases.

It was a service carried out with great skill and courage, and the Institution awarded its thanks on vellum to COXSWAIN FRANCIS MAIR. It also awarded £1 to the coxswain and each member of the crew, in addition to the ordinary award on the standard scale of £1 5s. - Rewards on the standard scale, £10 6s. ; additional rewards to crew, £8 ; total rewards, £18 6s.

SEPTEMBER 19TH. - CLOUGHEY, CO. DOWN. At 6.40 in the evening the Tara coastguard reported a steamer on the Long Rock, at South Rock, and the motor lifeboat Herbert John was launched at 7.8 P.M.

The coxswain was asked to find out if the steamer wanted a tug, and if there was any possibility of refloating her. An E.S.E.

breeze was blowing, with a moderately rough sea and a heavy swell. At 7.35 the life-boat found the steamer Moelfre Rose, of Liverpool, an 800-ton collier, bound in ballast from Dublin to the Clyde. She then returned to her station, and her coxswain reported that the collier was in a precarious position. Her after part was on the rocks, but her bows were off it for about 15 feet, and he thought there was a risk that she might break her back when the tide left her. He asked that helpers should stand by during the night, in case the collier’s crew wanted to be taken off, and then returned to stand by her until next tide. At high water in the morning the master of the Moelfre Rose, advised by the life-boat coxswain, was able to get her off the rock. Although she was damaged and making water he decided to go on his way.

The collier was surrounded by rocks, but the life-boat piloted her out of danger, and after escorting her for some miles, returned to her station, arriving at 8.30 in the morning.- Rewards, £24 3s.

BRONZE MEDAL SERVICE AT WICK SEPTEMBER 21ST. - WICK, CAITHNESS-SHIRE. At 2.25 in the morning a message came from the coastguard that a vessel was ashore on the rocks inside Duncansby Head and in need of immediate help, and at five minutes past three the motor life-boat City of Edinburgh was launched. It was dead low water.

A north-easterly gale was blowing, with a very high sea and a dangerous cross swell. There was torrential rain which came down without ceasing, and in the darkness and rain the coxswain could see nothing. He had no clear information about the position of the wreck. All that he knew was that she was on the rocks inside Duncansby Head, fifteen miles away, and he made for the Head, steering by compass. When, by the estimated speed of his boat, he thought that he must be off the Head, he sent out a wireless message asking that the lighthouse’s light might be turned on. The answer came back that the light had been on since one in the morning, and that the wreck was on the Ness at Duncansby. The lifeboat’s crew could see nothing of the light until at last, at 5.45, a faint glimmer appeared through the rain, and they realised that all the time they had been right alongside the lighthouse. With that glimmer to guide her the life-boat made for the Ness and reached it as the first streak of daylight appeared. It was just after six in the morning. The life-boatmen could then just make out two vessels ashore, a motor barge right up on the Ness, and a tug astern of her.

As the life-boat drew closer they could see a large group of men on the barge.

The sea was very heavy, and the coxswain was uncertain of the depth of the water, or the condition of the sea bottom, but, without hesitation, he took the life-boat straight in to the barge. Handling her very boldly and skilfully he brought her alongside.

Ropes were thrown ; the life-boat was made fast ; and the 27 men waiting on the barge jumped on board her.

Four men had already got ashore on a raft, but there were still another four on the tug. Again by bold seamanship, the coxswain came alongside the tug, and the four men jumped into the life-boat. The 31 rescued men were all very cold and exhausted, but the life-boatmen revived them with rum, and the life-boat made for Wick, where she arrived just after nine in the morning. She had then been out for six hours.

It was a brave and skilful rescue, and the Institution awarded its bronze medal for gallantry, with a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, to COXSWAIN NEIL STEWART, Junior ; itsthanks on vellum to the motor mechanic, WILLIAM J. MOWATT, and a reward of £1, in addition to the ordinary reward on the standard scale of £1 17s. 6d., to each man. The Institution also sent a lcttcr of thanks to Mr. John S. Duncan, the honorary secretary of the station. Standard rewards, £11 14s. ; additional rewards to crew, £7 ; total rewards, £18 14s.

SEPTEMBER 23RD. - APPLEDORE, DEVON. The French life-boat Jean Charcot, now in the service of the Institution, was on passage from Padstow to Milford Haven, but as a strong westerly wind was blowing, with a rough sea, the life-boat was unable to make Milford that day, and her coxswain decided to put into Appledore for the night. She signalled Appledore, and as very heavy seas were breaking on the bar the Appledore motor life-boat Violet Armstrong went out at 2 P.M., met the Jean Charcot and escorted her over the bar, returning to her station at 4 PMRewards £5 4s.

SEPTEMBER 29TH. - BALTIMORE, CO. CORK. At 8.30 P . M . the owner of the Skibbereen motor fishing boat Safe Return reported that his boat, with a crew of three, was five hours overdue, and the motor lifeboat Shamrock was launched at 9.5 P.M. A N.E. wind was blowing, with a rough sea, and the night was dark, with rain. The life-boat found the fishing boat six miles S.W. of Baltimore harbour. Her engine had failed, and with an auxiliary sail she was trying to make port against a head wind. The life-boat towed her in, arriving at 11.15 P.M. - Rewards, £11 4s.

SEPTEMBER 30TH. - WHITEHILLS, BANFFSHIRE. At 2.35 P.M. the coastguard reported that a small motor cargo vessel one mile N. by E. of Sandend had stopped and was firing coloured rockets. A light southerly wind was blowing, with a moderate sea and heavy rain. The motor life-boat Civil Service No. 4 was launched at 2.55 P.M. and two miles north of Cullen Head she found the motor vessel Benguela, of London. Her engine had broken down, but she had made temporary repairs and was able to go very slowly. The life-boat escorted her several miles on her way to Buckie, and then returned to Whitehills, arriving at 6.10 P.M. - Rewards, £4 15s.

SEPTEMBER 30TH. - MARGATE KENT.

At 5.35 P.M. information was received from the naval authorities that a fishing boat was in distress three miles west of Margate pier, and the motor life-boat The Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched at 5.58 P.M.

A slight S.S.W. wind was blowing and the sea was calm. The life-boat found the Providence, of Margate, with her engine broken down, and towed her into harbour, arriving at 6.50 P.M. - Rewards, £4 7s. 6d.

The following life-boats were launched, but no services were rendered for the reasons given :

SEPTEMBER 3RD. - PEEL, ISLE OF MAN.

A fishing boat had been disabled by nets fouling her propeller, but another fishing boat towed her into harbour. - Rewards, £8 7s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 5TH. - TOBERMORY, ARGYLLSHIRE. An aeroplane had been reported down off the Island of Tiree, but the life-boat only found the airman’s boot.- Rewards, £6 13s.

SEPTEMBER 6TH. - BUCKIE, BANFFSHIRE.

A red flare had been reported, but nothing was found. - Rewards, £9 1s.

SEPTEMBER 4TH. - MARGATE, KENT.

A British airman had baled out, but he was rescued by an R.A.F. launch. - Rewards, £4 7s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 10TH. - DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. It was reported that an aeroplane had come down in the sea and that a man had been heard shouting, but nothing was found. - Rewards, £8 2s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 10TH. - KILMORE, CO. WEXFORD. Rockets had been reported, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £21 5s.

SEPTEMBER 11TH. - CLACTON - ON - SEA, ESSEX. A Wellington aeroplane had been reported down in the sea, but nothing was found. - Rewards, £9 18s.

SEPTEMBER 14TH. - TROON, AYRSHIRE.

Red flares had been reported, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £9 1s.

SEPTEMBER 15TH. - ILFRACOMBE, DEVON. A small, unknown vessel had been reported derelict or drifting, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £8 8s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 17TH. - ARKLOW, CO. WICKLOW. Red lights had been reported, but nothing could be found. - Rewards, £10.

SEPTEMBER 21ST. APPLEDORE, DEVON. An aeroplane was reported to have crashed eight miles north of Hartland Point, and at four in the afternoon the motor life-boat Violet Armstrong was launched. A squally N.W. by W. wind was blowing, with a rough sea, and visibility was poor. The life-boat searched, but found nothing, and at 5.25 she was recalled by wireless by the naval officer in charge. As darkness would soon come, and the weather was bad, the coxswain decided to shelter in Lundy Roads for the night. It was not possible for the crew to land, and they remained on board the lifeboat, without food. The life-boat did not get back to her station until four in the afternoon of the following day, 24 hours after setting out. An increase in the usual money reward on the standard scale was made toeach member of the crew. - Standard rewards to crew and helpers, £17 4s. ; additional rewards to crew, £7 ; total rewards, £24 4s.

SEPTEMBER 22ND. - WALTON AND FRINTON, ESSEX. Naval motor boats had been reported in need of help, but with the help of a tug, and escorted by a motor launch, they reached Harwich. - Rewards, £4 3s.

SEPTEMBER 24TH. - ILFRACOMBE, DEVON. An aeroplane had been reported down in the sea, but nothing was found.- Rewards, £21 7s. 6d.

SEPTEMBER 25TH. - BLYTH, NORTHUMBERLAND.

A barge had broken away from a tug, but the life-boat found that there was no one on board her. - Rewards, £9 13s.

SEPTEMBER 26TH. - SKEGNESS, LINCOLNSHIRE.

An aeroplane had dropped into the sea in flames, but it was learned later that the airmen had been rescued and the life-boat was recalled. - Rewards, £6 17s.

SEPTEMBER 26TH. - ST. IVES, CORNWALL.

An aeroplane had been reported down in the sea, but nothing was found.- Rewards, £14 2s.

SEPTEMBER 27TH. - BARMOUTH, MERIONETHSHIRE.

An American aeroplane had come down in the sea, but the pilot swam ashore. - Rewards, £10 1s. 6d.