Walmer, Kent. At 3.24 on the after- noon of the 14th of December, 1959, the honorary secretary heard a wireless message from the motor vessel Beeding to the coastguard at Deal stating that a fishing boat had broken down close in- shore under the cliffs where the memorial to the Dover Patrol stands.

The life-boat Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No. 32) was launched at 3.40 in a rough sea. A strong west-south- westerly wind was blowing, and it was one hour before low water. On reach- ing the fishing vessel Ellen three of the life-boat's crew jumped aboard her to assist her crew of two, who were exhausted. They had been adrift throughout the night with engine trouble, and the Ellen was very close to the rocks two hundred yards from Leathercote Point. The life-boat took her in tow to Ramsgate harbour and reached her station at 8.15. Rewards to the crew, £18 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £15 15s..