could not see Charlie (Charlie was found later that night). There was speculation as to the cause of the capsize and it was unclear why the lifeboat was in the position where it capsized. It is unlikely that it was making for Rye Harbour, as the boathouse is miles to the west. Also, in these prevailing weather conditions, it was usual for the lifeboat to shelter east of Dungeness or go into Folkestone. A popular view why the lifeboat was in that position was that either John Head or Henry Cutting, or both, had been washed out of the boat and that the lifeboat was looking for them. On the evening of the following day, an inquest was opened at Rye Town Hall, with the Rye Borough Coroner Dr. T. Harrett presiding. The seaworthiness of the lifeboat and competence of the crew were called into question, but it was emphatically stated that the boat and her crew were absolutely efficient. After evidence of identification and eyewitness accounts were given, the inquest was adjourned until the following evening, when accusations were made about the suitability of the lifejackets. They were said to be perished and worn. As a result, they had become waterlogged and would weigh a man down and drown him. In response the RNLI stated that the Kapok No 3 Lifejacket was adopted by the RNLI in 1917 and were delivered to Rye Harbour in September of that year. The lifejackets were tried in a heavy gale on 30 October 1917, and later voted 11 – 6 by the crew as being the most preferred type. The Coroner recorded a verdict of death by accident. In response to the accusations, the RNLI asked the Board of Trade to hold a full enquiry into the disaster. On Tuesday 20 November the funeral was held of fifteen of the crew, buried in a communal grave. Hundreds of mourners from all over the country attended. Members of the Latvian Government were among the dignitaries present, recognising that the men had lost their lives going to the assistance of a Latvian vessel. When Henry Cutting's body was found at Eastbourne 3 months later, it was bought back home and interred with his fellow crew members. John Head's body was never recovered. The Board of Trade Court of Enquiry sat at Rye Town Hall on 19, 20 and 21 December and the following 1,