Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 11.1 on the night of the 29th of October, 1956.

the coastguard reported that flares had been seen in the area of Shellness.

At 11.35 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched.

There was a very rough sea. a fresh north-westerly gale was blowing, and the tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the sailing barge Colonia, with a crew of two, near the Pollard Spit buoy. The barge had had most of her sails blown away and was mak- ing water. The two men, a budgerigar and a dog were transferred to the life- boat, which returned to her station, arriving at three o'clock. The barge eventually sank.—Rewards to the crew, £16 5,v.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £-t 16.9..