Margate, Kent. — At 12.46 in the afternoon of the 19th of December, 1948, the coastguard telephoned that a motor launch was drifting four miles to the north-east of the lookout, and at 1.23 came another message that she was now flying a distress signal. The motor life-boat Lord Southborough, Civil Service No. 1, was launched at 1.40 in a strong easterly wind, with a rough sea.

She found the motor launch Merry Golden Hind, of Harwich, with a crew of three, near South Tongue Buoy.

Both her engines had broken down, her anchor was dragging, and she was drifting rapidly on to the sands. The life-boat put two men aboard to help her crew, and passed a. tow line to her.

She then began towing the launch towards Ramsgate, but when they were off the North Foreland the line parted.

After much difficulty, for the launch was rolling heavily, a fresh line was secured. This also parted three times, but in the end the life-boat brought the Merry Golden Hind safely into Rams- gate harbour at 8.20 that night. She remained there herself until the next day, and arrived back at Margate at 12.15, in the afternoon.—Property salvage case..