At 7.30 P.M. on the 14th March the shore attendant telephoned that a pinnace from a Portuguese ship was ashore west of the pier. When the life-boat's crew arrived at the pier head to man the life-boat they found that the pin- nace was not in danger, but, in the meantime, distress flares had been seen off the Yantlet buoy. A moderate S.W. gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat Greater London (Civil Service No. 3) put out at 8.-10 P.M., and found the barge Clax- field, of Queenborough, in a sinking condition. Her crew of two had taken to the barge's dinghy. They were rescued and taken to Southend, and the life-boat returned to her station at 9.20 P.M.—Rewards, £16 19s..