Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 4.43 on the afternoon of the 1st of March, 1953, the coastguard reported that the motor vessel Baalbek, of Oslo, had hit the Great Nore Tower Forts. One of the towers had collapsed, and a number of men from the forts were missing.

The life-boat Greater London, Civil Service No. 3 was launched at 5.10 in a choppy sea with an east-north- easterly breeze blowing and fog. She found the Baalbek wedged in the forts.

One fort was on her foredeck, and she had a list to starboard. A ship's boat was lying alongside, and four men jumped from her to the life-boat and were transferred to a R.A.S.C. launch.

The life-boat then stood by. Three tugs arrived, and the life-boat got a rope aboard the Baalbek from one of them, and when all had got their ropes fixed, the Baalbek was pulled clear. As she moved away, the fort on her foredeck crashed into the sea.

A wireless message from the Baalbek then stated she was going to anchor,and as the services of the life-boat were no longer needed, she made for her station, which she reached at 10.20.

Four men on the forts lost their lives in the accident.—Rewards, £20..