At about 11:30 A. M. I noticed a steamship coming in from off shore. I said to the crew that it was a war vessel coming but I didn’t know whether it was German or British. At 11:45 the lookout reported to me that the steamer was headed direct for Hen and Chicken Shoal. I immediately ordered the signal “J. D.” hoisted on the pole, which means, “You are standing into danger.” When we supposed the ship saw our signal, he stopped, and laid to for about ten minutes, when he hard a-port and went clear of the shoal. A few minutes later he lowered a boat--we thought to take soundings, for the boat pulled away from the ship and headed direct for the beach. (_From the Second Officer’s statement_) At approximately 11:45 A. M.... I got into the small boat at his command, with four of the crew, and we proceeded toward shore, but were stopped by the pilot cutter _Philadelphia_ who told us that if we attempted to land we would be drowned. The _Philadelphia_ then towed us into smooth water.... (_From Captain Wingate’s statement_) Meanwhile the pilot boat was heading down on the ship, blowing her whistle to warn the ship of her danger. By this time the ship hoisted a signal “K. T. S.,” which means “_Piracy_.” I ordered my boat made ready at once when I saw the “Piracy” signal; five minutes later he started for the ship. At 12:20 I had called Keeper Lynch of the Lewes station telling him what I was going to do, and to meet me off the Point. (_From the statement of Captain John S. Lynch of the Lewes Coast Guard Station_) I and my crew launched our power lifeboat and started for the steamer. Before I could get to the steamer I saw the pilot boat towing in the steamer’s skiff. The pilot boat let go of the skiff right off the Capes, and the occupants of the skiff started to row for shore. I called to them and they stopped. We went alongside, and I told them I would take the man ashore and save them the trouble. So he got into our boat.