MAY 8TH. - LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.

At 8.40 in the morning the naval base telephoned, through the coastguard, that a heavy explosion had occurred where the examination vessel Thistle had last been seen, and the motor life-boat Michael Stephens was launched at 9.10. A fresh N.E. wind was blowing. The sea was choppy and was full of mines. One blew up only 100 yards astern of the life-boat. Fifteen minutes after putting out she found the wreck of the Thistle two cables from the N.E. Newcome Buoy.

She searched among the wreckage for survivors, but she found only one, out of a crew of about fifteen, bleeding and badly injured.

She returned to harbour where she landed the rescued man. At 10.15 she put to sea again to continue the search and spoke to naval vessels which were returning on account of the mines. She searched thoroughly, but could find no more survivors and returned to harbour, where she arrived at noon. - In recognition of the dangerous nature of the service, an increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was made to each member of the crew. Standard rewards to crew and helpers, £311s. ; additional rewards to crew, £6 ; total rewards, £9 11s.