DEC. 8 T H . - RAMSGATE, KENT. At 11.15 A.M. a message was received that an explosion had occurred four miles W.S.W. of the North Goodwin Light-vessel. A fresh breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea.

At 11.30 A.M. the motor life-boat Prudential was launched. She only found wreckage, but minesweepers told her that a few survivors of a steamer, the Merel, of London, had been picked up and landed. The Northern Guardship had also launched a boat to help in the search, and owing to the strength of the wind and tide this boat was in danger of being swept away. The life-boat floated a line down to her, attached to a petrol can. The boat got hold of it, and the life-boat towed her back to the guardship. The life-boat then took in tow an empty ship’s boat from the Merel and another belonging to a vessel sunk the preceding night, and brought them ashore. She then returned to her station at 2.30 P.M. - Rewards, £7 16s. 6d..