The s.s. Har- lington, of London, belonging to the P. and O. Company, stranded on the Gunfleet Sands, whilst bound from Middlesbrough to London laden with iron, on the 2nd December. At 2.30 P.M.

the Coastguard reported that the vessel was in need of assistance, and, as a whole gale was blowing from S.S.W. with a very heavy sea, the Motor Lifeboat Albert Edward was promptly dispatched to the vessel's assistance. When the Life-boat got alongside, Coxswain George Grigson offered the Life - boatmen's services for the purpose of lightening the vessel. The offer was accepted, and the work of jettisoning the cargo was commenced. About 100 tons of cargo were thrown overboard, and the Life- boatmen remained in attendance and working on the ship until the morning of the 4th ^ December, when it was decided to return to the shore as the men were short of food. The boat arrived off the pier at about 10 A.M., and owing to the violence of the weather it was some considerable time before she could be moored in safety. The Life- boatmen then landed and proceeded to obtain the very necessary rest and food.

At 7.45 P.M. the boat started again to return to the vessel; when doing so she grounded on the sand, and it was with the greatest difficulty that she got clear and proceeded. When she arrived the food which she was conveying was placed on board, and the boat then stood by until 9 A.M. on the 5th Decem- ber when, on sounding the vessel, it was found that she had five feet of water in her and that it would not be possible to save her. It was, therefore, decided to abandon the steamer, and the crew of fifteen hands were taken into the Life-boat and conveyed ashore, being landed at Clacton at about 11.30 A.M. The vessel became a total wreck.

In addition to the length of time the crew were engaged, this service was rendered extremely arduous owing to the severity of the weather. While the boat was alongside the ship the seas were so powerful that they broke at times half-way up the vessel's foremast.

The service was considered by those competent to judge to be a record one as far as hardship and endurance were concerned.

In view of the splendid work carried out on this occasion by the crew, the Committee of Management decided to award the Silver Medal of the Insti- tution to Coxswain GEOROK GRIGSON and to give him and each of the crew an additional monetary reward..