At 9.30 A.M. on the 13th December information was received j that a barge was apparently ashore on the Hook Sands, and the No. 2 Life- boat Civil Service No. 1 was launched to her assistance. It was blowing a S. by W. gale, the sea was choppy and the weather thick, with heavy rain squalls. When the Life-boat reached the vessel—which was the barge Eileen, of Grays, bound from London to Folke- stone with timber—it was found that' she was not ashore, but riding in a very dangerous position close to the Sands.

At the request of the Captain the Life- boat stood by the vessel until it was found that her anchors were secure.

She then returned to her station, where she arrived at 1.30 P.M..