The Institution has awarded its bronze medal for gallantry to Coxswain J. Mercer, of Walmer, for taking the life-boat across the Goodwin Sands by night in a rough sea and -rescuing the crew of 13 of a naval launch. At times there was only a foot and a half of water under the life-boat, and old wrecks made the passage dangerous. The life-bost arrived, in the nick of time, for the launch was already half under water, the tide was rising, and in a little while she would have been completely submerged-.