ON November 19th, 1947, an easterly gale was blowing at Broadstairs, and about mid-day three boys, on their way home from school, went on the pier to watch the breaking seas. One of them was seen standing by himself on the steps at the head of the pier. A few minutes later a cry was heard and the boy was seen in the water some distance out. A wave had pulled him off the steps and washed • him away. All round the pierhead the seas were very confused, coming from all directions, but the boy was making a brave struggle and could be seen swimming well.

The harbour master and two other men (two of the three were nearly sixty) launched a rowing boat and pulled out, but in those heavy, confused seas their attempt seemed so hopeless, and so dangerous, that others who watched them shouted and waved to them to come back. They had no lifebelts.

They got so close to the boy that the harbour master was actually leaning over to seize his hand when a heavy, and most unlucky, sea struck the boat, carried away one of her oars and drove her back on to the shore.

The three men pushed off again, but this time the boat filled almost at once with water. They could not manage her. They returned to the shore. But they refused to be beaten, and they put out again, this time in a motor boat. This too was driven back on to the shore. They put out yet again and, this time, directed by the people on the pier, found the boy, but it was too late. He had been in the water now for half an hour and he was dead.

The three men were Mr. A. J. Pay, the harbour master of Broadstairs, Mr.

E. J. M. Croom, and Mr. B. C. Wood.

In recognition of their gallantry the Institution has awarded to each of them its thanks inscribed on vellum.

They also received £5 each from a fund in Broadstairs..