MARCH 25TH. - STORNOWAY, HEBRIDES, CAMPBELTOWN, ARGYLLSHIRE, AND BARRA ISLAND, HEBRIDES. At 6.45 in the morning the coastguard reported to the Stornoway life-boat station that a steamer was ashore three-quarters of a mile south of Glas Island Lighthouse, Scalpay, and needed help. She was the American steamer Park Holland, of Portland, Maine, of over 7,000 tons, laden, and bound with a crew of over 70 for Loch Ewe to join a convoy.

A light southerly wind was blowing and the sea was calm, but there was a dense fog.

After the life-boat crew had been assembled the naval base said it was not the life-boat that was required, but R.A.F. high speed launches, and two rescue launches left Stornoway at seven o’clock. A later message from the coastguard asked the life-boat to go, and the motor life-boat William and Harriot left at 8.30. When the life-boat was about eighteen miles south of Stornoway, at 10.30, she met the Park Holland making for Stornoway, escorted by the two launches.

The launches returned to port and the lifeboat escorted the steamer to a position off Stornoway Harbour. From there she had been directed by the launches to go to Loch Ewe. The life-boat reached her station again at 12.19 that afternoon.

Information about the Park Holland had also been given to the life-boat stations at Campbeltown and Barra Island, but not her correct position. Both life-boats were launched, but failed to find the steamer, which was actually many miles away. - Rewards : Stornoway, E3 16s. ; Campbeltown, £13 14s. 6d. ; Barra Island, £32 9s..