DECEMBER 25TH. - HARTLEPOOL, DURHAM. At 6.50 P.M. on Christmas Day information was received, through the coastguard, that distress signals had been seen, and the life-boat crew were assembled. At 7.35 P.M. the naval authorities reported that an Admiralty tug was being sent out and asked that the life-boat should go also, and the motor lifeboat The Princess Royal (Civil Service No. 7) was launched at 8 P.M. A moderate N.N.W. wind was blowing and the sea was rough. Three miles N. of Heugh the life-boat found the S.S. Charles Parsons, of London, with a crew of twenty on board.

She had been bombed by a German aeroplane, was making water and was not under control. One of her crew had had his legs broken and he was transferred to the lifeboat.

She then sent a wireless message to the local naval wireless station asking for a doctor and ambulance to be in readiness, and, at the captain’s request,, she also asked for two tugs to help the steamer into port.

She landed the injured man at 9.40 P.M. and returned to the Charles Parsons. She stood by her until the tugs towed her into Hartlepool at 1.30 next morning. - Rewards, £15 11s..