On the evening of the 24th April a telephone message was received from the coast- guard that a barge was anchored off Platters reef with her sprit-sail blown away, and was flying a distress signal.

A motor boat had already put out from Harwich, but as she could not be seen, it was decided to send out the motor life-boat E.M.E.D. She put out at 8.40 A.M. A moderate S.W. gale was blowing, with a rough sea. On reach- ing the barge, the Lady Maud, of Lon- don, she found that the motor boat had got there a few minutes earlier. She stood by until the weather improved, and then the motor boat towed the barge into Harwich harbour. While the life-boat was on her way home a message was flashed from the shore that another barge, off Holland Gap, ap- peared to be anchored in a rather dangerous position. The life-boat went to her, but she did not require any help.

The life-boat returned to her station at 11 A.M.—Rewards, £8 10s. 6d..