This Life-boat also performed important service on the 31st August. On that day a sudden gale from the N.N.W. was severely felt at all the northern stations. At day- light a considerable number of fishing craft were observed to be making for Fraserbnrgh harbour. Strangers to the port may easily make a mistake when running before the gale for the narrow entrance, and in the case of fishing craft the danger is enhanced by the chance of drifting into the worst of the sea near the pier end: the manoeuvres, therefore, of every vessel, as it made its final effort and shot round the pier end into safety and smooth water, were anxiously watched.

The Life-boat and crew were ready for any emergency, but were not called on till 10 A.M., when a smack named the James, which had been obliged to come to an anchor outside, hoisted a signal of distress. The Charlotte was at once brought into requisition, and her crew, forcing her out of the harbour, suc- ceeded in boarding the fishing vessel, and brought her crew of 3 men into harbour in safety. Scarcely had the Life-boat returned with this freight, when a Banffshire fish- ing vessel, the Invincible, being caught by a heavy sea on the broadside as she tried to round the end of the pier or break- water, was capsized, and her crew of 5 men were instantly either struggling in the broken water or clinging to pieces of broken wreck. It may be supposed that the oarsmen of the Life-boat now did their very best. In less than five minutes the Life-boat was in the midst of the struggling fishermen, and was just in time to save the whole of them. The sea was so heavy and broken about this time, that no other kind of craft than a first-class Life-boat could possibly have ventured out of harbour.

The Life-boat, still on the watch, about 1 P.M. discovered a Norwegian fishing vessel outside, with a signal of distress flying, and she once more pushed out to the rescue, and succeeded in saving that crew of 4 men also: this vessel was named the Tippergraph.

After this the Life-boat, as we were told recently on the spot, remained on duty till 8 o'clock at night, watching the entrance of the harbour, and rendering assistance in various ways to fishing ! vessels which, though they had made good I their entrance to the harbour, were not in I very secure berths..