Would he have been possibly attempting to reach land? Other thing is could the gear have free falled?
Interestingly as he ditched at 100MPH and the figures given are, maybe with the engines problems he didn't have enough pressure to get them down / up?
Stalling speed
Safety speed
Approach
Maximum speed
Flaps & undercarriage up: 104mph. Flaps and undercarriage down: 80mph
170mph
Preliminary 160mph; final 115mph
Variously quoted 330mph
Vne (without external stores) 400mph (with 8x60lb RP) 345mph
Bristol Beaufighter
It does read like he was trying to get back.
http://maltagroupdiving.com/home/div...s/beaufighter/
interesting read on their handling
http://www.mossie.org/stories/Frederick_Lacy_2.htm