DEC. 12TH. - CROMER, NORFOLK. At 7.15 A.M. a message was received from the coastguard that a vessel had gone ashore two miles south-east of Mundesley look-out.

A strong easterly breeze was blowing, and there was a heavy ground swell. At 7.30 A.M.

the No. 1 motor life-boat H. F. Bailey was launched and found the S.S. Corbrook, of London. The captain decided to remain on board and await the help of a tug. He asked the life-boat to stand by. A destroyer arrived on the scene, and the life-boat went as near as possible to the steamer, got a rope from her to take to the destroyer, but no connexion could be made. The life-boat continued to stand by, and at high water the captain of the Corbrook tried again to refloat her, but failed. During the night the weather became much finer, and at daybreak the lifeboat again went alongside the steamer and learnt from her that another vessel had been making distress signals about four miles to the north-east. She went to this position and found an empty ship’s life-boat and a sunken wreck. Later she learned that another vessel had struck this wreck, but had gone on her way. The life-boat returned to the Corbrook and remained standing by.

At 3 P.M. on the 13th December, the tug George Jewson arrived. The life-boat got a tow rope from her to the steamer, and another attempt was made to refloat the steamer, but again it failed. As the sea had now become smooth. it was decided that the No. 1 life-boat should return to her station in case her services were needed elsewhere.

She reached Cromer at 1 A.M. on the 14th December. At 6.15 A.M. the No. 2 motorlife-boat Harriot Dixon was launched and stood by the Corbrook. At 8.30 A.M. the Hull tug Prizeman arrived, and further attempts were made by the tugs to refloat the steamer, but failed. The life-boat and tugs continued to stand by, and at the next high tide they were at last successful in refloating the Corbrook.

The life-boat returned to her station, arriving at 2 A.M. on the 15th December.- Property salvage case..