SEPTEMBER 29TH. - WALMER, KENT.

At 5.59 in the evening the Deal coastguard reported that the S.S. Fort Vermillion, of London, of over 7,000 tons, bound to Middlesbrough from Tangiers, was aground on the Goodwin Sands south of Fork Buoy. A light east-north-east breeze was blowing, and the sea was smooth, but it was foggy. The motor life-boat Langham, on temporary duty at the station, was launched at 6.5 and found the steamer. The coxswain and second coxswain went on board. At the request of the master the life-boat ran out a kedge anchor.

Lloyd’s agent, who was on the steamer, asked the coxswain to take soundings round her and to escort tugs to her as the tide flowed. This she did, but the tugs failed to move her, and the life-boat stood by until 7.30 next morning when she had trouble with her engine. She went back to her station and, when the engine had been put right, she returned to the steamer and stood by. The master eventually told the coxswain that he no longer needed the life-boat’s services and she returned to her station, arriving at 5.20 in the evening of the 30th. - Property salvage case..