port lower plane was continually disintegrating.

'About noon, or perhaps 11.30 a.m., the Flushing steamer passed from E.
to W., but 7 or 8 miles to the Northward, and did not see our signals.

'From then onwards Hartley was continually moving slightly outwards on
the plane to counteract the heel to port, and occasional heavy seas
occurring every five or ten minutes accumulated small damages.

'I therefore endeavoured to empty the main tank by overflowing through
the gravity tank, but the petrol coming back into my face made me more
ill, and after half an hour I could not continue.

'At 2.45 p.m., when I was expecting that a T.B.D. might appear to search
for us, we sighted a small steamer to the N. Westward and making more or
less towards us (some 6 miles distant). Waiting till she was abeam and
only some 2 to 3 miles distant I fired my pistol and also waved. These
signals did not appear to be observed at first, but finally she turned
towards us about 3.15 p.m. and about 3.30 asked us if we wished to be
taken off. This steamer proved to be the s.s. _Orn_ (Captain Rewne). He
manoeuvred and lowered a boat and took us aboard about 4.15 p.m.

'I asked the Captain if he could consider salving the seaplane, being
worth as she was about L2,000, while the engine alone was worth L600 or
L700.

'He promised to try and I went away in the boat again to the seaplane.

'I was not able to board the seaplane myself (going overboard while
assisting one of the crew to do so), but this man got on board the
seaplane successfully and made the necessary lines fast.

'After some difficulty and damage to the seaplane through insufficient
reach of the derrick, she was got on board and the wings folded by 6.0
p.m.; the _Orn_ actually proceeding on her course shortly before this.
No other vessels were sighted during these operations. We were picked
up about 11 miles east from the Galloper Lightship.

'The Captain of the _Orn_ said he could not put back to England on
account of there being no lights, but otherwise would have done so.

'The Captain of the _Orn_ did everything possible for us, supplying us
with hot coffee, food, and wine, and myself with dry clothes.

'We arrived in Dutch waters about 3.10 a.m. and anchored off the
"Hook".'

After attending to the seaplane and taking all possible steps to secure
its release by the Dutch Government, Squadron Commander Seddon was
successful in obtaining the release of himself and his comp