FLEETWOOD, LANCASHIRE.—At about 3.45 P.M. on the 16th February it was reported that a vessel was ashore on Shell Wharf. The wind was then blowing a fresh gale from the W. and a very heavy cross sea was running. The Life-boat Child of Hale proceeded in tow of the steam tug Belief to the vessel, and found she was the barque Venus, of Helsingborg, Sweden, bound to Fleetwood with a cargo of sawn fir-deals. The master's wife, a little boy, a female servant, and nine of the crew were taken into the Life-boat, but the captain and mate refused to leave the vessel. The Life-boat remained alongside for a considerable time and then returned ashore.

On the following morning the Life-boat, in tow of the tug Relief, returned to the vessel, taking back the crew to try again to get her into the harbour, but all attempts then to do so failed, and the Life-boat came back to the shore, leaving the crew on board and landing the captain, who was much exhausted.

On the succeeding morning the Lifeboat and tug once more went out, and their perseverance was rewarded by the vessel being eventually brought to a safe anchorage..