JANUARY 9TH. - CROMER, NORFOLK.

At 11.13 A.M. a message was received from the coastguard that a vessel 2 1/2 miles S.E. of No. 85 light-vessel, appeared to be in distress. An easterly breeze was blowing,with a moderate sea. At 11.18 A.M. the motor life-boat H. F. Bailey was launched, and found the S.S. Upminister, which had been bombed and machine-gunned from the air.

Two of her crew had been killed and their bodies were pinned down amongst the wreckage of the bridge. No one was on board. As it seemed possible to salve the steamer, the coxswain decided to send for tugs, and the life-boat remained standing by.

At 5 P.M. a London steamer arrived and offered to tow the Upminister. The life-boat connected the two vessels but the tow-rope soon parted. As the Upminister was in the channel used by shipping, the life-boat’s riding light was put on board her and the life-boat stood by her all night. At 2.30 A.M.

the following morning news reached the lifeboat that a tug had left the Humber, but the decks of the Upminister were now level with the water, and at 11 A.M. she sank.

She was then about five miles W.N.W. of the Haisboro’ Light. The life-boat returned to her. station at 3.30 A.M. She brought with her from the steamer a life-boat collecting box containing a 10s. note and 5s 6d. in silver and copper. - Rewards, £39 13s. 6d.