JANUARY 15TH. - SOUTHEND - ON - SEA, ESSEX. During the afternoon the Naval Control informed the life-boat coxswain that a barge was burning flares close to the Grain Spit,. Half a gale was blowing from the N.E., with a rough sea. The motor life-boat J. B. Proudfoot, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 4.45 P.M. She found the barge Ferret, of London, with a crew of two, but she did not need help. The life-boat stood by until the Ferret was in a safe position, and returned to her station at 6 P.M. - Rewards, £10 11s. 6d..