At about 5.45 A.M. on the 15th February flares were observed by the Coastguard about five miles E.N.E. of Cromer, and he promptly reported to the Coxswain of the Life-boat Louisa Heartwell. On arriving at the vessel, which proved to be the sprit-sail barge Besurga, of London, bound for Maldon with a cargo of tiles, the Life-boat put four men on board.

The captain stated all his sails had been blown away, and that he required a tug to assist him to-Yarmouth. He also asked the Life-boat to stand by him.

Before doing so the Life-boat proceeded to Cromer and sent a telephone message to Yarmouth for a tug; she then re- turned to the vessel. In the meantime the wind had shifted from S.S.W. to N.W., and with the assistance of the Life-boat's crew the master rigged up what little sail he had left and pro- ceeded. When about half way there a tug picked up both the barge and Life- boat and towed them into Yarmouth, arriving at 3 P.M..