Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At 2.50 on the afternoon of the 30th of July, 1955, a man who had just come in from sea in his fishing boat told the life-boat coxswain that he had seen a yacht aground near the West Gunfleet buoy, but that he had been unable to come near her because she was on her beam ends high and dry. Ten minutes later the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched in a slight swell, with a light east-south-east breeze blowing.

It was low water. The life-boat found the yacht Ayesha, with a crew of three, bound for Ostend. The life-boat stood by, and about six o'clock was able to come alongside on the rising tide.

She passed a line aboard to steady the yacht while she refloated, gave the owner a course for Ramsgate, and stood by until the yacht was clear of the sands. She then returned to her station, arriving at eight o'clock.

The owner and his companions ex- pressed their thanks.—Rewards to the crew, £12 13,?.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 2s..