Margate, Kent. At 6.5 on the even- ing of the 13th of November, 1957, an anticipatory message was received from the coastguard reporting a message from the United States Air Force base at Manston that two Thunder Jet air- craft were missing. A further message at 6.28 stated that the aircraft had crashed into the sea between the Wool- pack and the Pudding Pan Sands.

The life-boat North Foreland (Civil Service No. 11) was launched at 6.40 in a very rough sea. There was a strong easterly breeze and an ebbing tide. An extensive search was carried out, in which Southend and Ramsgate life-boats took part together with other search and rescue craft. About mid- day off Birchington the Margate life- boat found a large fuel tank and towed it near the shore, where it was recovered later by the U.S.A.F. The life-boat also found a body belt. Although the search was continued until dusk, no- thing further was discovered, and the life-boat returned to her station, arriv- ing at 3.30 on the afternoon of the 14th of November. A request was later received from the U.S.A.F. authorities for the search to be continued at day- break. The Margate life-boat left har- bour at 6.30 on the morning of the 15th of November and searched an area three miles off shore between Margate and Whitstable without success. At 1.30 the search was called off and the life- boat returned to her station, arriving at five o'clock. Rewards to the crew :first service, £54, second service, £31 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, first service, £6 14s., second service, £5 19s..