Swanage, Dorset. At 10.27 on the morning of the 10th of December, 1958, the coastguard passed on to the honorary secretary a report from a Dakota aircraft that a large barge had been seen adrift ten miles south-south- east of Anvil Point. At 10.34 the life- boat R.L.P. was launched with the second coxswain in command. There was a heavy swell, with a fresh westerly wind blowing and an ebb tide. The life-boat found the barge No. C.679 fifteen miles south-south-east of Anvil Point. As there was nobody aboard her, the coxswain transferred two of his crew to the barge and took her in tow.

The towing line soon parted, and H.M.S. Squirrel, a fishery protection vessel, sent a radio message asking if she could help the life-boat. The cox- swain accepted the offer, and the life-boat stood by until the Squirrel arrived to take the barge in tow. The captain of the Squirrel then informed the cox- swain that the life-boat's services were no longer needed, and she returned to her station, arriving at 4.10. The barge was eventually taken to Poole harbour.

Rewards to the crew, £ 16 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 8s..