DECEMBER 7TH. - SHOREHAM HARBOUR, SUSSEX. At 1 A.M. the coast-guard reported a message from the coastwatching post at Goring that it had seen red flares at sea about a mile away. A fresh S.W. wind was blowing, with a moderate sea.

There was doubt whether or not a rescue launch would be sent and, after consultation with the naval authorities, the motor lifeboat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched at 2.20 A.M. She found that a rescue motor launch from Littlehampton had, in fact, gone out and had found that an R.A.F. aeroplane had come down in the sea.

She had rescued three of the aeroplane’s crew. The other two had been lost. The life-boat attempted to tow in a Carley float, but it broke adrift. She brought in some gear from the aeroplane, and returned to her station at 6.30 A.M. - Rewards, £16 2s. 6d.