DECEMBER 27TH. - SOUTHEND - ON - SEA, ESSEX. At 3 P.M. a message was received from the coastguard that a ship was sinking near the boom defence, and at 3.25 P.M. the motor life-boat Greater London (Civil Service No. 3) was launched. A light S.W. wind was blowing and the sea was smooth. The lifeboat found the steamer Kinnaird Head, of Liverpool, sunk and lying on her side. She had been attacked by German aeroplanes and there were only two survivors of her crew. They had been picked up by a naval vessel. At the same time the motor vessel Araby, also of Liverpool, had been attacked.

The life-boat went to this steamer and found that she had broken in two and that the crew were alongside in a naval pinnace. Tugs which had come out to help could not get alongside owing to the strong tide, but after much manoeuvring the life-boat succeeded in doing it and took off twenty survivors. All were injured and the life-boatmen dressed the injuries of as many as they could. The life-boat landed them at Southend and returned to her station at 5.30 P .M. - Rewards, £9 18s.