DECEMBER 13TH. - NEW BRIGHTON, CHESHIRE. At two in the afternoon the Hoylake coastguard reported an aeroplane down in the River Mersey off Gladstone Dock.

The weather was foggy, with a light southeast wind. The sea was smooth. The No. 2 motor life-boat Edmund and Mary Robinson put off at 2.10 and a quarter of an hour later found a Walrus amphibious aeroplane, with only a pilot of Air Transport Auxiliary on board. He had been forced to come down by shortage of fuel. The life-boat towed in the aeroplane and returned to her moorings at 5.5.

From the 14th to the 19th life-boatmen helped with the refuelling of the aeroplane, which was then flown away.

The air authorities expressed appreciation of the life-boat’s services. - Rewards, £9 1s.

Other expenses paid by the Ministry of Aircraft Production..