Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 9.44 on the night of the 17th of December, 1952, the coastguard telephoned that a vessel had been seen to burn flares one mile off Minster, Isle of Sheppey.

At 10.15 the life-boat Greater London.

Civil Service No. 3, was launched in a very rough sea, with a fresh west- north-west gale blowing. She found the motor barge Nellie, of Faversham, driven among piles and blocks of concrete one and a quarter miles off Minster. Seas had swamped her engine. Her crew of two were cling- ing to her wheelhouse, which was being washed by heavy seas, and they jump- ed into the life-boat wet and exhausted.

The life-boat then made for her station, arriving at 1.5 early on the morning of the 18th. The life-boatmen gave the two men dry clothes, hot drinks and biscuits. Donations to the funds of the Institution were received.— Rewards, £12 10s..