Services of the Life-Boats of the National Life-Boat Institution from the 1st July to the 30th November 1879
NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA, NORTHUMBER- LAND.—On the 1st July a gale from E.S.E. sprang up at about 4 A.M. Seven fishing cobles had left about four hours previously for the fishing-ground, which is about 15 miles from the shore, and considerable anxiety was felt for their safety, a heavy ground sea having set in.
The Life-boat William Hopkinson of Brighouse was launched at 9.30 A.M., before any of the cobles were in sight, and remained in a very heavy sea off the point, for three hours, assisting the boats as they came in one by one until all had got safely ashore.
On the morning of the 23rd Sept- ember a heavy gale sprang up, accompanied by a very rough sea. About 52 of the herring-boats were then out at sea, but several of these landed. Others, how- ever, held on by their nets, hoping that the gale would abate. The storm still continued, and as the boats off Newbiggin were in much danger, the Life-boat was launched and proceeded to their assistance, and remained by them until all, with one exception, were safely landed.
This one boat dragged her anchors and drove on the rocks. In order to launch the Life-boat the women of the place had to lend a hand, on account of so many of the men being away at the time, and they waded up to their middle in order to get the boat well and speedily afloat from its carriage. About an hour afterwards the Life-boat again went out and rescued the crew, consisting of 7 men, from the schooner Union T., which struck on the Out Carr Rocks, north of Newbiggin Point. The master had cut away the foremast, and endeavoured to get the vessel off the rocks; but all efforts to do so failed, and as she began to leak he signalled for the Life-boat.
The vessel, which was on a voyage from Calais to Warkworth Harbour in ballast, became a total wreck.
Porthdinllaen, NORTH WALES. On the 7th July the George Moore Life-boat went out in reply to signals of distress, during a "W.N.W. wind and rough sea, and remained by the schooner Weaver, of Carnarvon, until she was out of danger, | she having stranded near Llanaelhaiarn. On the 20th July, at 7 P.M., the Life- j boat was launched during a very heavy j N.W. gale, in response to signals of dis- tress shown from the schooner Adroit, of Aberystwith, at anchor in Porthdinllaen Bay. At the request of the master, his wife, who was very ill, and a little boy, were taken into the Life-boat, and landed at Porthdinllaen.
On the llth November, at about 5 P.M., the smack Menai Packet, of Carnarvon, | bound from Swansea to Newry, with coal, which was riding at anchor in Porthdinllaen Bay, showed a signal of distress.
As the wind was not blowing very strongly at the time, a shore-boat went off to her and found that she had lost the stock of one anchor, and required the loan of another anchor. The shore-boat then returned ashore to get one; but by the time it had been procured, a strong N.N.W. gale had sprung up, accompanied by a heavy sea.
As it was then unsafe for the shore-boat to venture out alone, the Life-boat George Moore was launched, and took the boat in tow. On getting alongside, the captain requested the boat's crew to re-moor the vessel. Having done this, and the gale increasing, the crew, consisting of 3 men, begged to be brought ashore; they were consequently taken into the Life-boat and landed at Porthdinllaen. The smack, in the course of a few hours, parted her chains and came ashore.
After watching during the night, the coxswain of the Life-boat observed at 8 o'clock on the following morning a signal of distress, displayed from a schooner at anchor in the Bay. The wind was still blowing a heavy gale from N.N.W., and the sea was heavy. The George Moore Life-boat, which had been kept in the water, was at once manned, and again proceeded out and found the schooner Mary Roberts, of Nefyn, had parted one chain, and was riding heavily to the other. The crew, consisting of 5 men,' were afraid that the vessel would strike on the ebb, and therefore wished to be brought ashore. They were accordingly taken- on board the Life-boat and safely landed.
ISLE or ARRAN, N.B.—On the 13th July, at about 11.30 P.M., during a strong N.E. wind and moderate sea, the pilot smack Marion, while cruising between Lamlash and Ailsa Craig, had her jib carried away; she afterwards stranded on the Carlin Rock, off Kildonan. The Life- boat Hope put off to her assistance and brought ashore her crew, consisting of 2 men.
RHOSNEIGR, ANGLESEY.—On the 20th July, the Life-boat Thomas Lingham proceeded to the assistance of the barque Zephyrus, of Plymouth, which had struck on the rocks at Cymyran, near Rhoscolyn, during a strong S.S.W. wind and heavy sea. The vessel's crew, 14 in number, had placed their luggage in the long-boat, and intended coming ashore in. her, but as this would have been attended with some risk, they were taken on board the Life- boat; their boat was taken in tow, and all were brought safely ashore.
PALLING-BY-THE-SEA, NORFOLK. — On the 13th August, during a fresh wind from the S.E., the British Workman Life- boat, on this Station, was launched to the assistance of the barque Zurich, of North Shields, which had stranded on Hasborongh Sands. The Life-boat remained alongside until the vessel began to break up, when the crew of 15 men, and the master's wife, were taken into the boat and landed at Falling. The barque was on a voyage from North Shields to Spezzia, with a cargo of coal and coke.
RAMSGATE AND DEAL.—On the 25th August, at about 3 A.M., signals were shown from the Gull Light-ship, and the Ramsgate Life-boat Bradford, in tow of the steam-tug Aid, and the Van Kook Life-boat, stationed at Deal, proceeded to the Goodwin Sands. The wind was blowing fresh at the time from the S.W., and a heavy sea was running. On arriving at the Sand, the barque Mia Madre E, of Genoa, was found ashore there, with some London steamers and a Deal boat close at hand. The Life-boats remained by the vessel, their crews assisting to lighten her by discharging some of her cargo of wheat. On the tide flowing, the steamer Aid, which had returned to Ramsgate, again came out, and in conjunction with the other steamers, made repeated attempts to tow the vessel off the Sands. The towing-hawsers frequently broke, but were again made fast to the barque, and every effort was used to save her; it was, how- ever, found hopeless, and, as she was leak- ing badly, and all her pumps had been disabled, it was eventually decided to abandon her. The master and 13 men, with the Italian Vice-Consul, were accordingly taken into the Ramsgate Life-boat, and the mate, 1 seaman, and 4 Deal boat- men into the Deal Life-boat, and all were safely landed. The barque was of 892 tons register, was bound from Baltimore to Hull, and ultimately became a total wreck.
On the llth November, at 3 A.M., signal rockets were fired from the Gull Lightship, and were answered by a rocket from Ramsgate pier-head. The Life-boat Bradford and steam-tug Aid were at once manned, left the harbour at 3.15, and proceeded towards a large flare light on the N.W. part of the Goodwin Sands. On arriving abreast, the Life- boat was slipped and made sail for the light, but took the ground about half a cable's length from the distressed vessel.
The Life-boat men then hailed the crew, and told them they would come alongside directly the tide flowed, and that the steamer would assist to get her off. On the Life-boat floating, she attempted to get alongside, but as the vessel was lying in a swatchway, and the tide was running very strong to S.W., it was some time before she succeeded in getting to her. In the meanwhile a Deal galley rowed alongside.
At about daylight the Life-boat was able to put a man on board. As the tide flowed, the vessel floated and drove in more on the shoal part of the sand; her anchor was then let go, but the chain parted, and although her other anchor was let go, she still continued driving in and striking heavily. The master then seeing the dangerous position of his vessel, hailed the tug to come to his assistance.
The Aid then backed in as near as possible to her, and took her tow-rope on board; the chain was slipped, and she was towed clear of the sand and into Ramsgate, arriving at about 8.30 A.M.
The vessel was leaking very badly, and the pumps were kept constantly going in order to keep her afloat. She was the schooner Albion, of Wells, bound from Llanelly to Wells, with a cargo of coal.
She had a crew of 3 men.
On the 25th November, at about 7.15 A.M., the Ramsgate Life-boat and steamer again proceeded out in reply to signal guns fired from the Gull Light-ship. A large barque was seen to be ashore on the N.E. part of the Goodwin Sands, to which the Life-boat and tug steered, and, on arriving near, the Life-boat was slipped, and sailed towards her. On getting along- side, she was found to be the barque Osprey, of Arendal, bound from that port to Plymouth, with timber. The master at once engaged the services of the Life- boat and tug, and the steamer then backed in, put her tow-rope on board, and commenced towing, the vessel striking very heavily on the sand. After towing for about half an hour, it being then nearly high water, the services of the Ulysses steam-tug were also engaged. After towing for about an hour the vessel was got afloat, assisted by her fore and aft sails, which had been set by the Life-boat crew.
She was then towed round the North Sand Head, and through the Gull stream to an anchorage in the Downs.
SWANSEA.—On the afternoon of the 27th August the coxswain of the Life- boat received a telegram stating that three vessels were ashore between Swansea and Neath. The wind was then blowing a gale from the W.S.W., and the sea was rough. The Wolverhampton Life-boat was promptly launched, and proceeded to the spot. She first reached the schooner Olena, which had stranded, but the master and crew decided to remain by their vessel, as the tide would allow them to walk ashore at low water. The boat then proceeded about half a mile further to leeward, and went alongside the brig Queen of Britain, of Carnarvon, and succeeded in taking off her crew, consisting of 6 men. By that time the third vessel had driven well in shore, and the crew were saved with some assistance from those on the beach. The Coastguard boat was launched from the Mumbles at the same time as the Life- boat, but was compelled to put back as she was unable to contend against the heavy sea running at the time. The gale was very severe, and the Life-boat crew did their work nobly. A large crowd of people assembled on the Swansea Sands to witness the return of the boat, by whom the crew were loudly cheered.
FLEETWOOD.—On the 29th August, at about 5 A.M., it was reported that a vessel was in distress on Bernard's Wharf, a sandbank situated about 21 miles E.N.E. of Fleetwood, and the Life-boat Edward Wasey was accordingly launched. On reaching the spot she found the schooner Elizabeth Ellen Fisher, of Fleetwood, bound j from Ardrossan to Fleetwood with a cargo of pig-iron, had stranded on the sand. It was Loped that the rising tide would float her off again, and the Life-boat therefore remained by her for nearly an hour.
However, the schooner began to fill with water, and her crew, numbering 4 men, were then with some difficulty taken into the Life-boat and landed at Fleetwood.
The wind was very squally from the N.W., and the sea was running heavily.
CADGWITH, CORNWALL.—On the 6th September the Joseph Armstrong Life-boat went out twice and rescued 40 persons from the Cunard steamer Brest, of Glasgow, which, while on a voyage from Havre to Liverpool with a large number of passengers and a general cargo, went ashore between Cadgwith and the Lizard during a fog. Several shore boats also put off to the vessel and rescued the remainder of the passengers; the crew were saved by means of the ship's boats.
CARDIGAN.—On the 9th September the John Stuart Life-boat with some difficulty brought ashore the crew, consisting of 3 men, of the schooner Ellen, of Beaumaris, which had parted her cables during a heavy N.W. gale and tremendous sea near Quay Bach, in Cardigan Bay. The vessel, however, rode out the gale, and on the following morning the crew went on board again.
BLYTH, NORTHUMBERLAND. — On the 23rd September, at about 1 A.M., a southerly gale suddenly sprang up, increasing in violence until about 3 o'clock, when it became very severe. A large fleet of fishing-boats which had gone out during the night to follow the herring fishery, the weather being then very fine, and there being every prospect of a successful night's fishing, were caught by the storm, and at about 4.30 the whole coast was lighted up for two or three miles with signals of distress, and the wives and relatives of the fishermen were in a state of great tribulation. The Life-boat Kalford was promptly launched, and proceeded first to a signal on the Seaton Sea Bock, and found the coble Sons of the Wear, of Sunderland, on the rock. Her crew of 4 men, who were in great danger, were taken into the Life-boat and landed. The Life- boat then again went out, rendered assist- ance to several other boats, and towed one disabled coble, with a crew of 6 men on board, safely into the harbour.
ST. DAVID'S, PEMBROKESHIRE.—On the 15th October, at about 1 P.M., the Augusta Life-boat was launched, it having been reported that the brigantine Messenger, of Exeter, bound from Teignmouth to Bun- corn with a cargo of clay, had had all her sails blown away on the previous night, and was drifting down towards the north end of Ramsey Sound. The tide was very strong at the time, and a strong N.N.E. breeze was blowing. The brigantine struck on a rock called Wain Garrig, about two miles to the north of Ramsey island.
Three of her crew managed to get on the rock, but the vessel then slid off with the master and two men on board, and drifted down to the west of Ramsey Island. The Life-boat proceeded towards the rook, and after a hard pull against wind and tide, succeeded in taking the men off and landed them at St. Justinian. The Life-boat then proceeded to Ramsey Island, but could not find the vessel. It was subsequently found that she had made for Milford Haven, but foundered when about half- way. The captain and two men landed safely at St. Anne's Head, at the entrance to Milford Haven.
QUEENSTOWN.—Of the 27th October, at about 10.15 A.M., a telegram was received from the Coastguard Station, at Robert's Cove, stating that a yacht was in distress off Cork Head. The Quiver Life-boat was promptly launched, and proceeded, in tow of a steam-tug, through a heavy sea to the vessel, which proved to be the yacht Gilded Age. On reaching her it was found that she had lost her rudder and both anchors, and had been dismasted. Her crew of 3 men were taken into the Life-boat, which also assisted to save the yacht, she being towed into harbour.
WEXFORD.—On November 1st, during a strong gale from E.N.E., signals were observed from a vessel which, had stranded 11 on the Dogger Bank. The Life-boat Civil Service No. 1 was immediately launched, and proceeded to render assistance. On arriving alongside tho vessel, she was found to be the lugger Liberator, of Wexford; she was riding to her anchor, with her rudder carried away, her crew having succeeded in getting her off the bank by means of the anchor and cable. She had a crew of 6 men, and had on board the gunner of the Tuskar Lighthouse, who was being taken ashore in consequence of being ill. He was taken on board the Life-boat and landed at Wexford. The crew refused to leave their vessel, but she shortly afterwards dragged her anchor and went ashore.
SCARBOROUGH.—On the 12th November, at about 8 A.M., signals of distress were seen to be shown by a schooner at anchor in the Bay during a very strong N. gale.
The Life-boat -Lady Leigh was immediately launched and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the Alert, of Scar- borough, which had left that port on the previous day in ballast to proceed to the North for coals. Her crew, consisting of 2 men, were very anxious to be taken off, and with considerable difficulty, as the tide was low, and the waves were very high, they were taken into the Life-boat and brought safely ashore.
After landing these men, the smack Hester, of Ipswich, was seen to be in extreme peril riding amongst the breakers, with a signal of distress flying. The Life-boat at once proceeded to her assistance, and having placed 2 men on board, managed to get two warps from the pier, and attached them to her, by which means she was then hauled into the harbour with assistance from those on the pier.
The Life-boat afterwards went out a third time and proceeded again to the Alert, in tow of a steam-tug. The gale had by that time somewhat abated, and 2 of the Life-boatmen having been put on board, the anchor was slipped, and she was safely towed into harbour.
On the 25th November a heavy gale of wind from E.S.E. sprang up in the morning, causing a very heavy sea. At about 10 o'clock eight Scotch fishing- vessels, on their way from Yarmouth fishing-grounds to Scotland, were seen running for Scarborough, seeking refuge; and as the sea was mostly broken water, and the vessels were open boats containing a large number of men, the Life-boat was launched and proceeded to protect and guide them into the harbour, where they eventually arrived in safety by about 12.30 P.M.
BALLY WALTER, IRELAND.—On the 13th November, at about 4 A.M., signals of distress were perceived on Skullmartin Reef. The Life-boat Admiral Henry Meynell was promptly manned and proceeded to the reef, where she found the schooner Lady Land, of Glasgow, which had struck there while under a press of canvas. There was a heavy sea rolling in from N.E., and as the vessel was striking heavily, the crew of 6 men were taken into the Life-boat and brought ashore.
GORLESTON.—On the 13th November signals of distress were seen in a N.E.
direction, and rockets were fired from the St. Nicholas Lightship, in response to which the Life-boat Leicester proceeded out, and found the Violet trawling smack had been in collision with the schooner Evelyn, of Fraserburgh. The wind was blowing hard from N.N.E., with consider- able sea, and the crew of the Violet had abandoned their vessel, thinking she would founder, and had gone on board the Evelyn. The smack had already, on the same night, met with an accident, and was leaking badly. The Life-boat slipped the schooner's chain, and after clearing the two vessels, put the Violet's crew on board their own craft, remained by her until daylight, and then assisted her into the harbour.
On November 14, at about 2.30 A.M., two flares were seen on the Scroby Sand, and rockets were fired from the St.
Nicholas Light. The Leicester Life-boat immediately put off, and on reaching the sand a vessel was discovered sunk, with the crew on the mast and in the rigging.
The Life-boat anchored and veered down until under the mast of the wreck, from which the crew, consisting of 5 men, lowered themselves into the boat. They had been three hours and a half in the rigging, and were much exhausted; in fact, it was feared that one of them would have died, but he happily recovered after reaching the land. On hauling the Life- boat off, after the last man was saved, the cable parted, the boat having been struck by a heavy sea. Fortunately she -was then clear of the wreck; had this happened a few minutes sooner the consequences would probably have been very serious to the Life-boat, and no doubt fatal to any of the men left in the rigging of the wreck. The water was very shallow on the sand, and the sea very heavy, the Life-boat being many times filled with water. The wrecked vessel was the Ann Wilmot, trawling smack, belonging to Lowestoft.
CEMLYN, ANGLESEY.—On the 8th October, the schooner Haleswell, of Bridgwater, went ashore outside the Harry Furlongs Rocks, daring a fog. She was observed at 7 A.M., and a boat came ashore from her with two of her crew to ask for the assistance of the Life-boat. The Good Shepherd Life-boat went out to her aid, and rendered material assistance in carrying out the anchors and tugging at the vessel, and at about 3 o'clock in the after- noon the schooner was got afloat. She was on a voyage from Liverpool to Bridgwater with coal.
CAISTER.—On the 12th November, at about 11.40 A.M., the brig Lavinia, of Guernsey, bound thence to Sunderland, in ballast, was seen to be between the Scroby and Cross Sands with colours flying union downwards. The Covent Garden Life-boat proceeded to her assistance, and found her riding with both anchors down, but one cable had parted; she had three feet of water in her hold, and her ballast had shifted to the lee side. The Life-boatmen dared not board the vessel while at anchor, the sea being too heavy, they therefore shouted to the crew to slip the cable, and boarded her while under weigh.. The brig was taken between the Scroby and Cross Sands, a steam-tug was engaged, and she was towed into Yarmouth Harbour. She had stranded on the Hasborough Sands on the previous night.
On the 28th December, at 4 A.M., large flares were seen in the direction of the Cross Sand. The Life-boat Covent Garden was launched, and proceeded to the Cross Sand, on "which, a very heavy sea -was running, and found a brig ashore on the sand. The boat's anchor was let go, but she could not reach the vessel; the position of the anchor was then shifted, and the crew, consisting of 8 men, were fortunately rescued, the sea breaking over the brig as high as the foretop, and over the boat the whole time. She proved to be the Rival, of Blyth, bound from Gravesend to New- castle in ballast..