LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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George, of Sunderland

On the morn- ing of the 17th of November a vessel was seen burning a light as a signal of distress during a strong gale from S.S.E., and in a heavy sea. The Grocers' life-boat, sta- tioned at Mundesley, was at once got ready, and launched. In, the meantime the master had beached his vessel in the hope of saving himself and crew, but the ship being full of water, she remained fast on the outer bank, out of reach of the rocket apparatus. Owing to the heavy wind and- sea, it was with difficulty the life-boat succeeded in reaching the wreck, and then only in time to save one man, for the vessel broke up within an hour after striking; and the mainmast, to which 6 men were clinging, falling over-board, the poor fellows unhappily lost their lives. The man saved managed to cling to a small plank, and, as he was floating past the life-boat, WILLIAM JUNIPER, one of the boat's crew, leaped overboard with a line and caught him, and both men were then hauled into the life-boat. The vessel proved to be the brig George, of Sunder- land, bound from that port to Rouen with coals. [It may be mentioned that the silver Medal of the Institution was given to JUNIPER for his gallantry and promptitude on this occasion.].