Early in the morning of the 12th March, the schooner Clifton, of Glou- cester, ran ashore on the south side of the bar at the entrance to Bideford harbour, the wind blowing hard from the west at the time. At daylight the crew, 6 in number, took to the foremast, which shortly after go- ing by the board, threw them all into the water, when 4 of their number unhappily perished.

On the position of the vessel being seen from the shore, the two life-boats belonging to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION were as soon as possible manned and pro- ceeded to attempt the rescue of the crew; owing, however, to the mountainous sea which was running, to the violence of the gale, and to a cross tide, they were both un- successful, and had to return to the shore, after three hours' exertion, without effecting their object. After recruiting themselves and obtaining some fresh hands, the boats once more started, but were again unsuc- cessful, and had the mortification to see the foremast fall over the side with, as was sup- posed, the loss of all on board. The boats then a second time returned to the shore.

It was now concluded that all hands on board the schooner had perished, but after awhile, with the help of glasses, moving ob- jects were discovered on the bowsprit, and the boats then a third time put off, on this occasion, with better success, the smaller beat of the two reaching the vessel and taking the 2 survivors of the crew off the bowsprit, and conveying them safely to the shore. As a very heavy sea breaks on Bideford Bar, the service was considered to be one of great danger and of unusual difficulty.

During the many hours that the attempts at rescue were being continued, the mem- bers of the local Life-boat Committee and other gentlemen were on the spot, and ac- tively engaged in aiding and in encouraging the life-boats' crews. The boats were re- ported as behaving extremely well, and it was considered by those on the spot that no other description of boat could have more readily reached the vessel.