Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 7.15 on the night of the 12th of February, 1950, Lloyd's signal station reported that the riding light of a barge to the east of the pier was on fire. As this was a signal of distress, the life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 waslaunched at 7.45. The sea was very rough and a strong gale was blowing from the south-south-west. The life- boat found the sailing barge Brian Boru, of London, nearly submerged, a quarter of a mile east of the pier.

She rescued her crew of two, who were suffering from exposure, and took them ashore at 8.10. The barge sank twenty minutes later. At 5.5 the next morn- ing the life-boat again put out to try and refloat her; but although the life- boatmen pumped the barge for three hours they made no headway. The life-boat therefore picked up the barge's anchor and chain and reached her station at 8.10.—Rewards, £30 19s., and Property Salvage Case..