Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 8.34 P.M.

on the 20th March, 1939, the R.N.

Shore Signal Station reported that rockets had been seen at Warden Point, coming from the Nore and Mouse Lightvessels.

The sea was rough, with a strong squally W.N.W. breeze. The motor life-boat Greater London (Civil Service No. 3) was launched at 8.55 P.M., and found the barge British Oak, of Rochester, with a crew of two and laden with sand, about a mile N.E.

of the Mouse Light-vessel. She was in a dangerous position with her mast broken and all gear overboard. With great difficulty the life-boat towed the barge into the fairway, and helped to get her gear aboard. She then put back to her station to report and refuel at about 5 A.M. ; returned to the British Oak, and towed her to a safe anchorage at Sheerness. As she set out for Southend again, she saw signals from Sheerness Pier and found the yacht Don Pat, of Sheerness, with two people on board, in danger of being broken up against the pier. She towed the Don Pat to safety and returned to her station at 12.10 P.M. on the 21st March.

—-Barge British Oak: Property Salvage Case. Yacht Don Pat: Rewards, £9 17s..