On the 27th March, 1872, the Dutch schooner Douro was seen in distress in St. Austell Bay, during a heavy southerly gale, and in a rough sea. The Rochdale Life-boat soon went to her assistance; and at the request of the master she remained alongside for upwards of three hours; when, as the gale was still increasing, and there was no chance of taking the vessel into port, while the lives of her crew of 4 men were in imminent danger, they gladly availed themselves of the Life-boat, and were brought safely ashore. The schooner after- wards broke from her moorings, drove on to the Par Sands, and became a total wreck. The Life-boat men were enthusi- astic in their praises of their boat while performing this arduous service.