About 3 A.M. on the 25th November the Mary Hartley life-boat was launched, and pro- ceeded, in tow of a steam-tug, down the river to Buddonness, to. the rescue of the crew of a vessel reported to be in distress.

At daylight the schooner David and John, of Montrose, was seen amongst the broken water, near No. 2, Gaa Buoy, in a dangerous position. The life-boat immediately pulled to her, and with considerable difficulty got alongside, and took off the crew of 4 men, and afterwards landed them in safety. The weather was very stormy. The schooner was left at anchor, but sunk soon after the crew had been taken off. The life-boat be- haved remarkably well in the heavy sea that was running at the time.