LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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A Barque

On the morning of the 30th March was reported that a barque was ashore on Cymeran Beach, with all hands in the fore rigging, the vessel having sunk, and her mainmast having been carried away during a heavy S.S.W.

gale. The Ehosneigir Life-boat went to her assistance, but being disabled by the breaking of several rowing crutches, was compelled to return to the shore, one of the boat's crew being also washed overboard by a heavy sea, and rescued with some difficulty. The Holyhead Lifeboat was then launched, and at about 11 o'clock was taken in .tow by the s.s.

George Elliot to the N.W. of the South Stack. Her© the Life-boat was cast off, and proceeded under canvas until about 12.30, when she fell in with the steamtug Challenger, by which she was towed in the direction of the stranded vessel.

Owing, however, to the heavy sea, the tug could not go within a mile of the wreck, and the Life-boat, being obliged to continue her course under oars, made three fruitless attempts to reach the vessel, owing to the broken water and the heavy surf. As the wind was rising, and there was no place to beach the boat, she was obliged to return' to Holyhead.

Other unsuccessful attempts to reach the vessel were subsequently made by the Khosueigir Life-boat, but they failed, and endeavours to rescue the shipwrecked men by means of the rocket apparatus also proved unavailing. As the Ehosneigir men were reported to be exhausted by their exertions, it was suggested that the Holyhead crew should proceed to Khosneigir and try to get to the vessel in that Life-boat. An application was accordingly made to the railway authorities for a special engine, which was at once granted, and the Holyhead crew were thus conveyed to the spot nearest to the wreck. It was now quite dark, and the men had scarcely any knowledge of the position of hidden rocks on that coast, but they nevertheless gallantly took the boat out, succeeded in reaching the wrecked vessel and in Tescrang.the twenty men who were on board.The Silver Medal of the Institution was presented to Mr. THOMAS EOBEBTS, coxwain of the Holy head Life-boat, and, the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum, with an extra pecuniary reward to each of his crew, in consideration of their heroic exertions...