JULY 9TH. - WALTON AND FRINTON, AND CLACTON - ON - SEA, ESSEX. While bound from Rochester to Maldon with a load of brick rubble the barge Maria, of Rochester, lost her sprit and was in difficulties about one and a half miles S.W. of the Swin Spit bell buoy. A light S.W. wind was blowing, with a rough sea. The Clacton-on- Sea motor life-boat was launched at 7.39 P.M., but her engine broke down, and at 9.40 P.M.

the Walton and Frinton motor life-boat E.M.E.D. was launched to help her, but when it was learned at Walton that she was making for her station under sail, a wireless message was sent to the E.M.E.D. to go to the barge instead. She reached her at 11.10 P.M.

and stood by her through the night. The barge had two men on board. At about 5 o’clock next morning the life-boat took the barge to Brightlingsea creek, and returned to her station, arriving at 12.42P.M. - Rewards : Walton and Frinton, Property salvage case ; Clacton-on-Sea, £11 2s..