JANUARY 2ND. - SOUTHEND - ON - SEA, ESSEX. At 12.10 in the afternoon the naval control told the coxswain that two ships had been in collision between No. 1 and No. 2 Sea Reach Buoys. There was a thick fog, with a light westerly breeze and a slight sea. The motor life-boat J. B. Proudfoot, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 12.30.

She found first the Liberty ship Fort St. Paul, with her stem badly damaged, but not making water. As the other vessel was reported to be sinking the life-boat set out to search for her. She was the Admiralty vessel Ben My Chree, and the life-boat found her at anchor half a mile west of Chapman Head Lighthouse.

She was badly holed amidships and making a lot of water. The life-boat stood by her for two hours. During that time the water was got under control and two tugs arrived. As the life-boat was no longer needed she returned to her station, arriving at 5.5. - Rewards, £10 10s..