Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 3.30 on the evening of the 27th of November, 1954, during a fresh south-south-west gale, the coastguard telephoned that a message had been received from the North Foreland radio station that the S.S. Olivia, of Mariehamn, Finland, had reported that her master was ill and in need of a doctor. The steamer arrived off Southend about eight o'clock and signalled the life-boat station for a doctor. The coxswain asked the coastguard to signal the Olivia to go to a calmer position near West Nore Buoy, and at 8.10 the life- boat Greater London, Civil Service No.

3 was launched with a doctor on board.

The sea was very rough, and the tide was flooding. The life-boat came up with the Olivia three miles east-south- east of Southend pier and put the doctor on board with difficulty. The doctor treated the master and then re-embarked in the life-boat, which returned to her station, arriving at 11.30.—Rewards, £15 18s..