LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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The S.S. Collingdoc

JULY 13TH. - SOUTHEND - ON - SEA, ESSEX. Just after 6 in the morning the Royal Naval Shore Signal Station telephoned to the life-boat coxswain that a ship had been mined about half a mile S.S.W. of Southend pier, and the motor life-boat Greater London (Civil Service No. 3) was launched at 6.27 A.M. A light easterly wind was blowing and the sea was smooth. The life-boat found the S.S. Collingdoc, of Newcastle, of about 1,500 tons, light, with a crew of twenty-four. She was sinking, and the life-boat remained alongside her while she was being towed to shallow water. She then rescued seventeen of the crew, landed them at Southend pier, returned to the Collingdoc and rescued the captain and second officer, leaving the chief officer aboard. She returned to her station at 8.45 A.M. and stood by in case she should be wanted. - Rewards, £4 13s.