Walton and Frinton, Essex.—About 5.0 on the evening of the llth of August, 1951, a visitor reported to the police that a barge seemed to be in difficulties off Holland Haven. The police informed the coastguard at Clacton, but as the Clacton life-boat was already out on service, the message was passed on to the Walton coast- guard who called out the life-boat E.M.E.D. She left her moorings at 5.25 in a rough sea with a west-south- westerly wind blowing at gale force.

She searched the area-indicated, but could find no trace of the barge.

She then made for her station, but owing to the very bad weather condi- tions the coxswain decided to run into the river for shelter overnight. He moored at 8.30 and the crew returned to Walton for the night. Next morn- ing the crew returned to the life-boat to bring her to the pier moorings. The sea was still rough, but the wind had subsided. It was now blowing fresh from the same direction. While they were on passage they noticed a small yacht in difficulties north of the Cork Sands. She was making heavy weather and had no canvas. The life-boat made for the yacht, and reach ng her at 10.30, found she was the Siglinde with a crew of two on board. Her starboard rigging had carried away.

The coxswain was asked to stand by while temporary repairs were carried out, but eventually they asked him to tow the yacht into Harwich harbour.

He did so successfully and the life-boat returned to her station at 3.30.—Re- wards: 1st service, £15 15s.; 2nd service, £22 Is..