FEBRUARY 15TH. - THURSO, CAITHNESS- SHIRE. At 4.5 in the afternoon the Wick coastguard reported that the S.S.

Empire Conleith, of London, bound with coal for Iceland, had broken down three miles north of Dunnet Head and was in need of help. Ten minutes later the motor life-boat H.C.J. was launched. A westerly gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The life-boat found that the steamer did not need her help.

What she wanted was a tug. The tug arrived and took her in tow, intending to make for Lyness, but she got into difficulties near Swona. Her master consulted the lifeboat coxswain, who advised him to go to Sinclair’s Bay and anchor there. He did not know the way, so the lift-boat guided him and brought the tug and the steamer, which only just managed to keep clear of the Skerries, safely to anchorage in Sinclair’s Bay at 11.5 that night. She got back to her station at 2.40 next morning. - Rewards, £21 8s. 6d..