On the night of the 26th-27th November, 1954, the South Goodwin lightvessel broke adrift in a gale and at daylight was found to be lying on her beam ends. The Dover, Ramsgate and Walmer life-boats were all launch- ed, but the sole survivor from the lightvessel was rescued by a helicopter of the United States Air Forces.

For a full account of this service, for which Captain Curtis E. Parkins was awarded the silver medal, see page 5..