LYDD, DUNGENESS.—At 2 A.M. on the 18th May, the Russian barque Ilmatar got ashore off Dungeness, during a fresh gale at E.N.E., a heavy sea running. The Lifeboats Lifeboats on this part of the coast are mainly dependent on the coastguardmen for crews; on this occasion the greater part were absent at drill on board the district ship, and it was found impossible to assemble a sufficient number to launch and man the Life-boat David Hulett, stationed at this point. The coastguard, therefore, manned their own four-oared galley, and made for the stranded vessel in her.

The boat, however, was unequal to the service, and before long swamped and capsized, passing over the crew as she drove to leeward. The men, however, supported by their life-belts, regained their waterlogged boat and drove up on the beach again with her. The boat was promptly got ready for service once more, and being conveyed along the beach to the haul-off warp laid down for the Lifeboat, a second attempt, which proved successful, was made, and between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning, the coastguard boat got alongside the stranded vessel. It was thought that there was no immediate danger of the ship breaking up, and it was settled that the master's wife should be brought ashore, she being lowered over the stern by ropes, a work of difficulty and danger to her and all concerned, one of the boat's crew being washed overboard. The master also was got into the boat and both were landed in safety. At 2 P.M., the wind and sea having greatly increased, and the ship showing signs of breaking up, the Life-boat was launched, assistance having by this time been obtained from the surrounding country, and the crew of the Russian vessel, 15 in number, were safely landed by her.