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A Naval Aeroplane (1)

- Selsey, and Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—At 1.13 A.M. on the 20th October, 1939, a message was received from the coastguard, that the Bognor police had reported a naval aeroplane down in the sea off Bognor. A northerly breeze was blowing. The sea was smooth. The motor life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched at 1.55 A.M. and found the aeroplane close to the beach off Felpham. Owing to a failure in her engine the life-boat was unable to reverse. She could not reach the aeroplane and went aground herself on a sandy bottom. The crew of four men on the aeroplane swam ashore.

The Selsey honorary secretary asked for the help of the Shoreham Harbour motor life-boat, the Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn. She was launched at 4.25 A.M.; reached the Selsey life-boat at 7.30 A.M.; found her high and dry; and stood by until high water. She then passed a warp to her and towed her off. The Selsey life-boat arrived back at her station at 6 P.M., and the Shoreham Harbour life-boat at 8.5 P.M.

—Rewards: Selsey, £27 18s. 3d.; Shoreham Harbour, £35 3s..