Soutbend-on-Sea, Essex.—During the morning of the 23rd November, 1938, the barge Neepawa, of Rochester, was seen to be in distress a quarter of a mile east of the pier. A whole S.S.W.

gale was blowing, with a very rough sea and squalls of rain. The motor life-boat Greater London (Civil Service No. 3) was launched at 9.45 A.M. She found that the barge had sunk and that her crew of two had got into her small boat. She rescued them and landed them on the pier at 10.10 A.M. At about noon a message came that a fishing boat was in distress off Chapman Sands. The life-boat put out again at 12.10 P.M. and found the fishing boat Audrey, with one man on board exhausted.

She rescued him and towed the Audrey back to the pier. She then learned that the lighter Elmsdale had sunk off Southend, and that the only man on board had launched a small boat. When the life-boat arrived the boat was nearly full of water, and the man was very exhausted. The lifeboat rescued him and returned to the pier at 2 P.M. Owing to the state of wind and sea it was impossible to house or moor the life-boat. At 2.45 P.M. the pier watchman reported that the schooner Westward was dragging her anchor east of the pier. The lifeboat went to her, but found that she had put out another anchor and did not need help. She returned to Southend and was moored at 4 P.M. At 5.20 P.M. the Warden Point lookout telephoned that a motor barge was driving before the gale. The life-boat put out yet again at 5.40 P.M., but although she searched for some hours could find no trace of the barge. She returned to her station at 9.30 P.M. and was rehoused at 10.10 P.M. She had been on almost continuous service for nearly twelve hours. The owner of the Neepawa made a donation to the Institution.—Rewards, first launch, £9 17s.; second launch, £9 12s. 6d; third launch, £20 8s..