Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.

—Late on the night of the 16th November, 1937, the coastguard reported that two barges were dragging their anchors. The weather was bad, and the coxswain kept in touch with the coastguard until they reported, at 3 A.M. on the 17th, that the barges appeared to be holding. Later on the news came that they were dragging again, and at 2.48 P.M., the motorlife-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood put out. An east gale was then blowing, with a very rough sea, and the harbour signals warned vessels not to attempt to enter or leave.

The life-boat went first to the barge Greenhithe, of Rochester, which was anchored just outside the breakers, about one hundred yards N.N.E. from Britannia Pier. She was bound laden from Tilbury to Wells, and carried a crew of three. The life-boat went alongside and the men jumped on board. The skipper said that the crew of the other barge, the Lord Rosebery, of Rochester, bound from Tilbury to Wells, had been at the pumps since 9 A.M. The Lord Rosebery was at anchor about a quarter of a mile N.E.

of Britannia Pier. She had three men on board. The life-boat went to her and found that she was leaking badly, and that her skipper had been unconscious since ten the previous night.

Six life-boatmen jumped on to the barge and, with great difficulty, got the skipper, a very heavy man, into the life-boat. The other two men were then rescued. The skipper was made as comfortable as possible, and the life-boat returned with all speed for Gorleston, signalling on the way for an ambulance to be in readiness at the quayside. The skipper was taken to hospital, where he died. The life-boat returned to her station at 4.30 P.M.

The barge Greenhithe eventually went ashore, and the Lord Rosebery sank at her anchorage. A letter of appreciation was sent to the branch.—Rewards, £10 8s..