Walmer, Kent.—About five o'clock on the afternoon of the 10th of January, 1953, shipping agents in Dover tele- phoned that a steamer was asking for help five miles east of the East Good- win lightvessel. At 5.15 the life-boat Charles Dibdin, Civil Service No 2, was launched. There was a light breeze with a calm sea and dense fog.

The life-boat found the Costa Rican tanker Aster. She had been badly holed in a collision with the French steamer Fauzon, but did not require help. Her skipper said that the Fauzon, which was one and a half miles north of the Aster, needed help, and the life-boat made for her and stood by until a tug arrived from Flushing.

The tug took her in tow, and the life- boat returned to her station, arriving at four o'clock the next morning.— Rewards, £40 17*. 6rf..