George's on Friday when they were set upon by a gang of nine youths.

The men eventually fled in the dinghy after jumping into the water near King's Square, but the gang continued to throw bottles at them.

Police said a 35-year-old man got into a disagreement with one of the suspects at 2 a.m. in King's Square and was punched in the mouth.

Several youths joined in the attack on the man and another who came to his aid with bottles and fists.

After they were forced into the water and swam to a dinghy, the youths continued to throw bottles at the men and the 35-year-old was cut after one smashed on his head.

The men fled the scene in the dinghy and reported the matter to Police at noon that day.

NAVY EMERGENCY HTH Navy emergency A US Navy sailor was rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital yesterday after suffering from suspected appendicitis on-board a submarine.

A pilot boat met the submarine at the deep water mark at the east end of the Island at 8 a.m. and transferred the sailor to Ordnance Island where he was met by an ambulance.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said yesterday that he did not have a name for the sailor, who was in his early 20s. The name of the submarine was not disclosed.

ACE PROGRAMME BUC AWD ED ACE programme The ACE Group of Companies is distributing information about its academic programme, which provides $10,000 for five years to public primary schools.

The insurance and reinsurance company funds programmes in 12 public primary schools, but would like to have all public primary schools covered in the coming year.

The Madeline Joell Nest Egg Fund provides support over five years to promote academic excellence to schools whose business plan meets the fund's criteria.

Schools interested in applying for funding should contact ACE directly or check the website www.acelimited.com..