LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Services of the Life-Boats of the National Life-Boat Institution—(continued.)

BALLYCOTTON,CO. COEK.—At about 4.30 P.M. on the 28th January, 1883, the barque Argo, of Sunderland, was sighted off Bally- cotton, making for Cork harbour, close- hauled, the wind then blowing very hard from the S.S.W., with heavy rain. On the wind changing to W.S.W., she had to run for Ballycotton, and anchored in six fathoms. While paying out, the cable snapped at 35 fathoms before the ship came head to wind, and she was driven ashore. The Life-boat Oliver Goldsmith was launched at 8 P.M., in answer to signals of distress; but could not ap- proach the ship nearer than a cable's length, on account of the heavy sea then running, she therefore stood by all night, to render assistance when possible. At 4.30 on the following morning the boat returned to her station, communication having been established with the ship by means of a rocket. The crew however did not avail themselves of this, and the Life-boat therefore again proceeded to the vessel, the weather having moderated, put a pilot on board, and brought ashore the master's orders for tugs, &c. All efforts to get the barque afloat were un- successful, and she ultimately became a total wreck on the beach.

BALLYWALTEB, Co. DOWN. — A mes- senger having brought information at 1.30 P.M. on the 6th February that a vessel was ashore on the north end of the Long Kock, the crew of the Admiral Henry Meynell Life-boat at once assembled, and crowds of the villagers dragged the boat by road to the scene of the wreck, much difficulty being experienced in getting her to the shore, on account of there being two ditches on the way. The boat was at last launched, but notwithstanding the noble exertions of her crew to battle with the fierce gale blowing from the E.S.E., she was driven ashore with great violence, three of her oars being broken. Owing to the strength of the gale and the violence of the surf great difficulty was expe- rienced in saving the boat. After renewed exertions, however, she was again launched at 3 A.M., and succeeded in rescuing the crew of the vessel, consisting of six men, who had been all night in the rigging.

The vessel was the brig Euphemia Ful- lerton, of Londonderry, bound to that port from Maryport with a cargo of coal.

She became a total wreck.

The Kev. J. O'KEILLT BLACKWOOD, the Honorary Secretary of the Ballywalter Branch of the Institution, went out as usual in the Life-boat, taking charge of her, and rendering valuable assistance.

Mr. GEOBGE PEIOE, chief officer of H.M.

Coastguard at Ballywalter, rendered noble service in wading into the surf and assist- ing to get the boat launched, and Mr. J.

B. GLOVEB also rendered valuable aid on the occasion.

The Second Service Clasp of the Insti- tution was awarded to the Eev. J. O'E.

BLAOKWOOD. The Silver Medal to Mr.

AUGUST 1,1883J THE LIFE-BOAT.

187 PRIOR, and the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum to Mr. GLOVER, in acknowledgment of their co-operation.

Extra rewards were also granted to the crew and launchers of the Life-boat.

BRANOASTER, NORFOLK.—At 3 P.M. on the 8th March, a vessel was seen striking on the Flats, and showing signals of dis- tress. The crew of the Lily Bird Life- boat mustered, launched their boat as soon as possible, and proceeded to the vessel, by that time aground on the beach at Titchwell. The breakers being very heavy, and the mainmast going over the side to leeward, the Life-boat's anchor was let go to windward, and the boat veered down towards the -wreck; but from the nature of the ground, the anchor could not hold. The crew, therefore, weighed the anchor, and tried again with a similar result. As it was impossible to go alongside without great risk of staving the boat, they remained as near the vessel as was prudent, until the tide fell and all danger ws over. They then landed at Titchwell, afterwards assisting the crew of the barque to da the same about 9 P.M.

She proved to be the Margaret, of Ohris- tiania, bound from Grimstad to Dover with ice.

CAHOKE, Co. WBXFOBD.—At about 11 o'clock on the morning of the 5th February, during a strong gale of wind from the S., 'and a heavy sea, signals of distress were shown by the Blackwater Lightship. The John Brooke Life boat was launched, pro- ceeded to her, and found that she had on board the crew, consisting of six men, of the brigantine Zephyr, of Bye. Their vessel had struck on the Blackwater Bank at about 8.30 the previous night, and immediately appeared to be breaking-up; the crew therefore launched their boat, and with much difficulty succeeded in getting on board the Lightship. They were taken into the Life-boat and brought safely to shore.

GAISTEB, NORFOLK.-—At 2.30 A.M. on the 26th January, during a heavy gale from the .8. to S.W., a steam vessel was seen to get on the North Barber Sand.

The crew of the Life-boat were called to- gether, and the No. 1 Life-boat, the Covent Garden, was about to be launched, when & brigantine was observed to go on the south end of the Sand. It -was then agreed to launch the No. 2 Life-boat God- send also, the No. 1 to go to the steamer, and the No. 2 boat to the brigantine. The No. 1 boat, however, was compelled by the shallowness of the water to pass close to the brigantine, and finding that the sea was breaking clean over her, the Life- boatmen fearing she would break up, could not risk passing her, so letting go their anchor, veered down, and -witia gtesvt difficulty took off the crew consisting of six men. This vessel was the Dare, of Sunderland, bound from that port to Caen, with a cargo of coal. The Life-boat then proceeded to the steamer; Tout as she was not in the break of the sea, she declined assistance. The boat then, set sail, beat back to the brigantine, and found the No. 2 Life-boat riding by her.

At flood tide, the vessel knocked off the Sand; some of the Life-boatmen and her own crew then, boarded her, and a steam- tug coming up, the vessel and Life-boat were towed into harbour. The men when taken out of the vessel were in a most exhausted condition, and had not some rum -which was in the Life-boat been given to them, IB all probability some of them would have died in the boat.

. At 5.30 A.M., OB the 14th February, the schooner Don, of Aberdeen, bound to Sunderland with chalk, stranded on the South Barber Sand during a strong S.

wind and a heavy sea. The No. 2 Life- boat promptly went to her assistance, and with the help of a steam-tug, eventually succeeded in getting her afloat. She had a crew of five men.

The s.s. Barnsley, of Grimsby, stranded on the Scroby Sand at 7.30 A.M., on the 1st March, during a N.N.E. wind. A yawl went to her assistance; but during the time she was lying by the vessel, the Life-boatmen, fearing the sea might in- crease with the flood-tide, launched the No. 2 Life-boat, proceeded to the vessel, and remained by her until she came off.

The steamer was bound from Antwerp to Grrimsby with a general cargo, and had a crew of twenty-one persons, and ten pas- sengers on board.

Flares were seen from the Barber Sand at about 1 A.M. on the 5th April, during a N.N.E. wind and a very heavy sea. The No. 2 Life-boat was launched, proceeded in the direction, and found a fishing-vessel on the sand. About this time a flare was 188 THE LIFE-BOAT, 1,1883.

seen from the Cross Sand, and as the Seratby Life-boat was seen approaching the fishing-boat, the Life-boat tacked, and at once sailed to the Cross Sand, and fell in with the brig Spring, of Guernsey, stranded there. She was bound from Shields for St. Male, with a cargo of coal, and had nine men on board, who were taken into the Life-boat, and safely landed at Great Yarmouth. The Teasel became a total wreck.

CEMAES, ANGLESEA. — The Life-boat was launched at 11.15 A.M., on the 13th Maroh,a steamer having been seen to run on the Platters Books in Skerries Sound. She ultimately foundered near the Victoria buoy, and her crew of six men haying taken to their boat, were picked up by the Life-boat and brought to Oemaes. The vessel proved to be the Annie Hope, of Leith, bound from Bide- tord to Northwich with pipe-clay.

EA, ESSEX. — A barque was observed ashore on the west part of the Cfunfleet; Sand, at about 2 P.M. on the 30th March, during a fresh S.W. wind, and with the aid of a telescope it was seen that she was flying signals of distress.

The crew of the Albert Edward Life-boat at once mustered, and the boat was promptly launched and proceeded to the sands. After a hard pull against wind and tide, the Life-boat reached the vessel at about 5.30, and found her to be the Epsilon, of Swansea, bound for that port from Eotterdam, in ballast. Part of the Life-boat's crew went on board to assist to throw overboard some of the ballast, and the Life-boat went back to Clacton to telegraph for a tag and to the owners of the Teasel, after which she returned to the barque, arriving by her at about 11 P.M.

About eighty tons of ballast were thrown out, and at about 2.30 A.M., on the follow- ing day the vessel was towed off and taken to Harwich, reaching there at about 7 A.M.

CBBSSWEELjNOBIHBMBBKLASD. — On the 1st January, at aboitt 6 P.M., during a S.

wind and misty weather, the Cresswell fishermen observed signal rockets being sent up. Two of the men ran along the beach and found a steamer on the strand firing rockets and signal guns. The Life-boat, Old Potter, was launched as soon as possible and proceeded to the ! stranded vessel, and at the request of the master, remained alongside in ease her services might be required. Ultimately, with the assistance of the Life-boat's crew, the vessel was got afloat: she proved to be the Congo, of Cardiff, bound from Calcutta to Dundee, with a cargo of jute, tea, &e.

CTOMBCOATS, NOETHIFMBBBI.AHB.—The coxswain of the Palmerston Life-boat was called at 1 o'clock on the morning of the 12th January, and informed that a vessel was ashore on the north side of Tynemouth Sands. The Lifeboat was manned and launched as quickly as pos- sible, and "on approaching the vessel— the s.s. LiMle, of Hamburg, bound from Bergen, Norway, to North Shields, in bal- last, with a crew of twenty-one persons, and eight passengers—it was found that two of her boats had been lowered and swamped immediately. The crews were rescued, by the Life-boat and landed on the beach. She then returned to the steamer, took off fourteen men, and having brought them to land, went back once more and returned with the remainder of those on board. The wind was blow- ing a strong breeze from the 8.E., ac- companied by a very high sea, which filled the Life-boat twice and broke or damaged several of her oars.

FILET, TOBESHIKB.—On the 6th March a fearful gale from the H.E. was ex- perienced. At 2 P.M. signals of distress were shown by the fishing-yawl William Clowes, of Mley, which was at anchor in the bay. As the tide was then close up to the cliffs it was impossible to launch the Life-boat until 8.30, when she was got off, but grounded. A wave then sent her broadside on, very nearly dashing her against the cliff, which would have soon knocked her to pieces, had not a large number of men rushed into the water, got the boat stem on, and after half an hour's hard work, succeeded in floating her. She then safely reached the vessel and brought the crew of six men ashore. Several of the men who ex- tricated the Life-boat from her perilous position incurred the greatest risk, and being at times quite immersed, it was wonderfal that none of them were drowned, and that the boat was not destroyed.

AUGUST 1, 1883.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

189 Three gentlemen, Mr. ALFRED THOBNEY, Mr. GEOBGE MABB, and Mr. JOHN CAM- BRIDGE, rendered valuable assistance on the occasion.

FISHGUARD, PEMBROKESHIRE. — About 2 P.M., on the 23rd January, a smack was observed far out in the bay evidently endeavouring to make for the roadstead.

The wind at the time was blowing a fresh gale from the S.S.E., with heavy squalls, in one of which the smack lost her bow- sprit, jib and foresail, and was otherwise considerably damaged. She was then about three miles S.S.E. of Dinas Head, and being entirely disabled and drifting out, she let go two anchors and hoisted signals of dis- tress. The No. 2 Life-boat, Helen of Fox- ley, immediately went to her assistance, and on reaching her the master requested the coxwain to take entire charge of her, as he and his crew were completely ex- hausted. Some of the Life-boatmen boarded the smack, cleared away the wreckage and having bent a spare jib as a foresail and close reefed the mainsail, took her safely into the harbour. She was the Ina Lass, of Newquay, bound from Swansea to Newquay with a cargo of small coal.

FLEETWOOD.—It was reported that a steamer was ashore on Sunderland Bank, at 6.30 P.M., on the 27th January, during a gale of wind from the N.W. and a heavy sea. The Life-boat, Child of Hale, proceeded as soon as possible to the vessel in tow of the tug Fylde and found the sea making a clean breach over her. The boat stood by her, and at the request of the master, one of the Life-boatmen was put on board the vessel to take her to some port. After coming off the bank she, being light, would not steam against the wind, so she went before it to Glasson Dock, where she arrived safely. On the 29th the weather moderated, and the Life-boatman, who was siill on board, brought the vessel back to Fleetwood. She was the s.s. Eden, 933 tons register, bound from Fleetwood to Cardiff in ballast, and had a crew of 21 men, the captain, his wife and child, and one passenger on board.

GOBLESTON, SUFFOLK.—On the 5th May, at 11 P.M., the fishing smack Falcon, of Great Yarmouth, grounded on the North Sand close fo the entrance of the harbour, during an E.N.E. wind and a very strong sea. She exhibited flares, and signals were shown by the St. Nicholas lightship. The Leicester Life-boat went to the smack's assistance, and after four attempts suc- ceeded, with great difficulty, in reaching her and bringing ashore her crew, consist- ing of seven men. The Life-boat subse- quently returned to her, laid out an anchor with 80 fathoms of cable, put nine men on board, got her off, and brought her into harbour.

GRIMSBS-.—On the 6th March, at 2.30 P.M., the schooner Mary Goad, of Port Isaac, Cornwall, bound from Antwerp to Middlesbrough, was observed flying a signal of distress in the main rigging. She was riding in the Humber about half-a- mile N.N.W. of the Bull Buoy. The Life- boat Manchester Unity was launched and proceeded to her assistance. With some difficulty, three of the crew of the Life- boat boarded the vessel and found the captain and crew 'of four men in an ex- hausted condition. A steam-tug at this juncture endeavoured to tow the schooner up the river but failed to do so in conse- quence of the tow-rope parting. Three more of the Life-boatmen then boarded the vessel, got two tow-ropes out to the tug, and set the reefed stay and boom fore sails, these being the only two available sails. The schooner was thus got under weigh and taken to Grimsby Docks.

HABWICH.—-At noon on the 7th Feb., in answer to a telegram, the Springwtll Life-boat was manned and put off to the rescue of the crew of a vessel ashore on the Shipwash Sand. A strong S.S.E. wind was blowing at the time, and the sea was heavy on the Sands. The tug Harwich picked the boat up outside the harbour and towed her to the Sands, where the coxwain first spoke a large screw steamer, the Sea, of Aberdeen, and found that she had been lying by the wreck and that the master had made several unsuccessful attempts to rescue the crew who were still on the wreck. The tug then towed the Life-boat to windward so that she could set her sails and reach the wreck.

On arriving alongside the vessel, which was found to be the barque Loreley, of Memel, bound from Memel to London, with a cargo of timber, the Life-boat anchored, threw her grappling-rope to her, 190 THE LIFE BOAT.

[AUGUST 1, 1883.

and, with much difficulty and danger owing to floating wreckage, rescued her crew, consisting of eleven men, by means of the rope. The tug then la-ought the Life-boat back to the harbour, arriving there at about 6 P.M. The vessel was a total wreck, her foremast and mainmast having been carried away, she had lostj her boats, and her crew were in an €& hausted condition having been in the rig- ging some hours.

HOLYHEAD.—Signals of distress were seen in the bay during a whole gale of wind from the 8.S.W., at 9.30 P.M. on the 23rd January. The Thomas Fielden Life- boat proceeded out, and found that the brig Lewis, of Carnarvon, had dragged her anchor and had come into collision with the three-masted schooner Nellie, of Bridg- water, which was lying at anchor. The Life-boat remained by the vessels until a steamer arrived and got them clear.

The barque Brothers, of Yarmouth, N.S., anchored in shallow water off Penrhyn Point during a whole gale from the N.W.

and a very heavy sea, on the 26th January.

As she had parted one anchor and was dragging the other the Life-boat went to her assistance. The Life-boat rinding two steam-tugs near the vessel made their hawsers fast to the barque, and she was taken safely into the old harbour. She had a crew of twelve men.

Signals of distress were reported to have been seen in Church Bay, at about 11.15 P.M., on the llth February. The Life-boat therefore proceeded to the spot and found the brig J.B.8., of London, at anchor close to the rocks. After con- sulting with the coxwain, the master de- cided, if possible, to bring the vessel into harbour. About ten of the Life-boat's crew accordingly went on board the brif and tried to heave up her anchors but failing in the attempt, the starboard ' chain parting, some of them returned to the boat leaving four of their Dumber on the vessel. Her sails were then set, her port anchor slipped, and she stood out to the westward, it being hoped that the tempest would moderate. The gale, however, increased, and about 4 A.M. the brig shipped a heavy sea which completely swept her decks, half filled her cabin and strained her considerably. Ultimately she was obliged to run for Barrow-in-3?urness as she was leaking badly, the pumps having to be kept going all the time and all hands being nearly exhausted. The vessel was on a voyage from Liverpool to Port Natal with a cargo of coal, and carried a crew of eight men, two of whom were and unable to leave their berths, 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 Life- boat 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 steam- tug 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 Ehos- neigir 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 ac- cordingly 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.

AUGUST 1, 1883.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

191 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...