NOVEMBER 18TH. - CLACTON - ON - SEA, ESSEX. At 3.46 P.M. a message was received from the coastguard that a small vessel had been blown up two miles S.S.E. from Clacton Pier. A light W.S.W. breeze was blowing and the sea was smooth. At 4 P.M. the motor life-boat Edward Z. Dresden was launched and found the remains of the small motor vessel Ability, of London. She had struck a mine and had sunk within half a minute.

There was a great deal of wreckage which made the handling of the life-boat difficult.

Of the crew of the Ability, seven in number, three were in a water-logged boat, three on a small raft, and the seventh lying across the parts of two hatches. All were suffering from shock and minor injuries, and the master had had both legs broken. The lifeboat rescued them all and brought them ashore.

Police and ambulance men were waiting and the seven men were taken to Clacton hospital.

The life-boat returned to her station at 5.30 P.M. - Rewards, £11 7s. 3d..