Southend-on-Sea, Essex. At 3.20 on the afternoon of the 23rd of May, 1959, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a small yacht had cap- sized west of the pier. At 3.35 the life-boat Greater London II (Civil Service No. 30) was launched in a rough sea, with a strong east-north-easterly wind blowing and an ebb tide. The local motor boat British Angler, which had also gone to give help, took the yacht in tow. The coxswain then saw two other yachts in difficulties farther west of the pier. The crew of two from each yacht were transferred to the life-boat, and the boats were taken in tow to Westch'ffe. The life-boat re-turned to her station at 4.45. Rewards to the crew, £6 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £3 5s..