Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—At six o'clock on the morning of the 25th of May, 1956, the coastguard reported that a vessel was aground on the Middle Sunk and was sending up red flares. At 6.15 the life-boat Sir Godfrey Baring was launched in a slight sea. There was a north-westerly breeze, and it was low water. The life-boat came up with the tanker C 653 of London, with a crew of ten, between no. 4 and no. 6 barrow buoys and stood by her until she refloated. The life-boat then re- turned to her station, arriving at 12.15.

—Rewards to the crew, £12 13s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £5 2s..