IN recognition of their service to the American steamship Piave, the Presi- dent of the United States has presented a gold watch to Coxswain. William Adams, and a Gold Medal to each of the fourteen members of the crew of the Charles Dibdin. This service, one of the best of the services of the North Deal Life-boat in recent years, was performed on the 31st January, 1919, and was described in the 1919 Annual Report. The s.s. Piave, of New Jersey, while on a voyage from New York to Rotterdam, went ashore on the Goodwins'on the 29th January, and the Charles Dibdin answered her signals of distress. As all attempts to tow her off were unsuccessful, the Life- boat men were employed to jettison the cargo, and were engaged on this work until the 31st January, when, shortly after dark, the vessel suddenly broke and fell over on her side.

In these circumstances of great difficulty the Life-boat, which was alongside, succeeded in rescuing twenty- nine members of the Piave's crew.

Others got away in the ship's boats and were rescued by tugs — to the Captain and crew of one of which the President has also presented a gold watch and gold medals — while others were rescued by the Ramsgate Life-boat.

The presentation was made by Captain W. R. Sexton, Naval Attache to the United States Embassy, and the ceremony took place in the Town Hall at Deal on the 3rd July, in the presence of Mr. Arthur Matthews, J.P., the Chairman of the Branch, supported by j members of the Committee and a large j audience. In making the presentation • Captain Sexton spoke of the inter- national value of the work of the j Institution done in the waters round i the British Isles, where vessels plied j flying the flags of all the nations of the ', world. After thirty years' service in ; the Navy, he was, he said, not un- acquainted with the perils of the sea, and he knew what a high degree of courage, self-sacrifice, and skill, the work of the Life-boat Service demanded.

He knew also the great comfort that it was to the seafaring man that round the coasts were these brave and willing crews ready to risk their lives to bring him help. Captain Sexton spoke also of the high skill and courage which the North Deal Life-boat men had shown in their service to the Piave, a dangerous and difficult service continued through long hours of cold and hardship..