DECEMBER 16TH. - MARGATE, KENT.

At 1.15 in the afternoon a number of small invasion barges put into Margate Harbour.

A fresh easterly wind was blowing with a choppy sea. The officer-in-charge reported that one, which had sprung a leak, was sinking, and that another barge had her in tow. He asked for help, and the motor life-boat The Lord Southborough (Civil Service No. 1) was launched at 1.20. Two miles north-east of Margate she found the two barges. With the life-boat was the officer-in-charge, and he boarded the barge which was towing. The life-boat then made fast astern of the sinking barge - L.C. 1237, with a crew of four - to help in steering her ; the vessels made for Margate. At the harbour entrance the lifeboat took over the tow and placed the L.C.

1237 in a position where she could be beached.

It was than 2.15 in the afternoon. - Rewards, £10 13s. 6d..