Walmer, and Ramsgate, Kent.—At 6.45 A.M. on the 27th September, 1939, the Deal coastguard reported a motor barge drifting ashore to the N.E. of their station. A heavy sea was running with a strong easterly wind. At 7.5 A.M., the motor life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 2) was launched.

She found the motor barge Halcyon, of Hull, with a crew of three. She was then gradually drawing away from the shore, and the life-boat escorted her into deep water. The life-boat returned to her station at 8.20 A.M.

Eight minutes later another coastguard message was received that the Halcyon was again drifting ashore. The lifeboat put out a second time at 9 A.M.

Six minutes later the Ramsgate motor life-boat Prudential, also put out in response to a message from the coastguard that the Halcyon was driving ashore a mile north of Sandown Castle.

She found the barge striking the ground, got ropes aboard her, with considerable difficulty; and took her in tow. Shortly afterwards the Walmer life-boat arrived on the scene, but, as her help was not needed, she returned to her station, which she reached at 11.30 A.M. The Ramsgate life-boat, with the barge in tow, reached Ramsgate at 10.57 A.M.

—Rewards: Walmer, first launch, £9 135. 6d., second launch, £9 13s. 6d.; Ramsgate, Property Salvage Case..