Ramsgate, Kent.—At about 12.33 A.M. on the 3rd January, 1938, flares were seen in the bay, and at 12.50 A.M.

the motor life-boat Prudential put out to investigate. A moderate E.N.E.gale was blowing, with a rough sea.

About half a mile S.W. by W. of the pierhead the life-boat found the sailing barge Melissa, of London. She was bound for Ramsgate with a crew of two and a cargo of timber. She had got out of control and was labouring very heavily, swept by heavy seas, and driving quickly towards the shore.

The life-boat went alongside, as it was thought that the men wanted to abandon the barge, and in doing so, came into collision with her and was rather badly damaged. The barge's crew did not want to leave her, however, and so, with some difficulty, three life-boatmen boarded her. A tow-rope was passed and the life-boat tried to tow her away from the shore. Twice the rope parted, but eventually the life-boat managed to get the barge safely into harbour She returned to her station at 2.8 A.M. — Property Salvage Case..