LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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

HOLYHEAD.—Signals of distress were seen in the outer harbour at 10 P.M. on the 30th September last during stormy weather and a rough sea. The Thomas Fielden Life-boat was launched, proceeded outside Salt Island, and found the brig- antine Wonder, of Swansea, dragging her anchors and nearly ashore. Some of the Life-boat men went on board the vessel, got canvas on her, hove up the starboard anchor, slipped the port one, and ran the vessel into the old harbour, mooring her alongside the quay. She was bound to Newcastle-on-Tyne with a cargo of salt, and carried a crew of six men.

HOLY ISLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND.—The ketch Mary Tweedlie, of Berwick, was seen running before the wind, tinder bare poles, at 3 P.M., on the 6th March, 1883, during a fearful gale of wind from N. to N.E. and a very heavy sea, the whole bar and the sea as far as the eye could reach being one mass of broken water. The No. 1 Life- boat, Grace Darling, was launched, and . was more than three hours in reaching the vessel. The crew pulled bravely until almost exhausted; but every time they seemed to be near enough to throw a line on board, a huge wave washed them about a hundred yards astern. This was repeated ten or twelve times before the Life-boat men were able to get a rope fast to the vessel, after which they took two men into the boat, by means of the life-buoy, in a very exhausted and numbed condition.

One of the crew had received a blow on the head from a falling spar, at about 12 o'clock, and had died soon afterwards.

The same Life-boat saved the fishing- boat Nancy, which had struck on the Bigg while returning to Holy Island during a gale of wind from the N.E. on the 11th September. The seas were beginning to break over her, and she would probably have broken up in a short time, and her crew of five men lost, had it not been for the timely arrival of the Life-boat.

HUNA, CAITHNESS-SHIrE.—During a gale | of wind from the W.S.W., and an exceed- iingly rough sea, on the 20th January, the Life-boat W.M.C. was launched, at 1 A.M., ; to the assistance of the fishing-boat Mar- I garet Ounn, of Wick, which was in a dan-gerous position in the Pentland Firth, ! being close to tremendous breakers. On ! reaching the vessel it was found that her i mast had been broken while she was in the German Ocean and that she was in a sinking condition. Her crew, consist- ing of seven men, were therefore taken into the Life-boat and brought safely ashore.

HUNSTANTON, NORFOLK.—The barquen- tine Vicuna, of Hull, bound from Laurvig, Norway, to Hull, with ice, was observed ashore near Holme Point, at 5.15 P.M. on the 7th March, during a moderate gale of wind from the N.N.E. and a rough sea.

The Licensed Victualler Life-boat was taken to Holme Point, distant three miles and a half, over a heavy road, was launched at 6.30, and succeeded in resetting the vessel's crew consisting of nine men.

KESSINGLAND. — At 4 P.M., on the 7th February, signals of distress were observed. from the fishing smack Pioneer, of Lowes- toft, which had stranded in Pakefield Gat.

The No. 1 Life-boat, the Bolton, was promptly launched and proceeded to the vessel. The tide was flowing at the time and a heavy sea was running. The smack eventually got afloat, and as she was leak- ing she accepted the assistance of the Life-boat, which accompanied her to Lowestoft.

At 6 A.M. on the 10th February signals of distress were observed on the North end of the Barnard Sand. The wind at the time was blowing a strong breeze from the S,W. and the sea was rough. The No. 2 Life-boat, St. Michael's, Paddington, was soon launched through a very heavy surf, and made for the distressed brig, the Marnhull, of Weymouth, bound from London to Middlesborough, with scrap iron. She had sank on the North, end of the Barnard Sand, and her crew of six men had taken refuge in the rigging, from which one of them fell and was un- fortunately killed. After eight attempts the Life-boat succeeded in taking off the five survivors and landed them at Lowes- toft.

PEMBROKESHIRE. — Two schooners were at anchor in St. Bride's Bay, "while a gale of wind was blowing from the S. on the 25th January. It was thought advisable to warn the crew of the Life-boat Friend, to be in readiness should their services be required, as the vessels would be in danger if the wind shifted to the W. or KYW.,as it not unfre- quently does on this coast after a S, gale. At about 10 P.M. this occurred, and a watch was kept for any signals that might be shown ; but none were exhibited. At about 10.30 two of the Life-boat men reported that they could see a light Just outside the breakers, on the shore. This proved to be from a boat of one of the v essels carry- ing her anchor-light, the crew trying to find a place where to land. They finally ran through the breakers and succeeded in getting safely ashora On hearing from the captain that he thought the other vessel would soon be ashore, the Life-1»oat erew -were summoned, one mm immediately going to show a light at the store-room at Gold top as a guide ! to the crew of the vessel, should they | also attempt to land. The Life-boat j then put off and met the crew just I as they had taken to their boat. The men having been transferred to the Life- boat, their boat was taken in tow, and all were safely landed at Goldtop. The vessel was the schooner Nanteos, of Aberystwyth, bound from Portmadoc to Southampton, with slates. She had a crew of four men.

LOWESTOFT.—On the evening of the 19th March, at about 8 o'clock, the schooner Fides, of Nyborg, Denmark, bound from Newcastle to Kgueira, with a cargo of coal, while riding in the roads began to drive, and at 9 o'clock, the cox- swain of the Life-boat, seeing that the vessel was drifting on to the shore, mus- tered his crew. The Samuel Plimsoll was launched, proceeded to her assistance, and found she was then in 13 feet of water. The Life-boat dropped her anchor, drifted down to the schooner and pat some of the Life-boatmen on board her.

The boat then took the tow-rope from the steam-tug Rainbow to the vessel, slipped her anchor, and she was towed into the harbour, arriving at 11.30. She struck the ground just as she was taken in tow.

MARYPORT, CUMBERLAND,—At about j 4.30 P.M. on the 26th September a small screw steamer, the Sarington, of Mary- port, was observed to be making for the port. The wind was blowing a strong gale from the W. by S.W., accompanied by a very rough sea, and fears were enter- tained for the vessel's safety as she was j shipping much water. la trying to round the pier she struck $he ground heavily and became unmanageable. The Life-boat Henry NIXSON No, 1 put off to her assist- ance without delay, and with considerable trouble rescued the crew consisting of five men.

MEVASISSEY, CORNWALL,.—On the 1st I September the smack Bacchus, of Nantes, which had been towed from Buthleven to Charlestown in ballast, and had anchored in Charlestown Bay, was in great danger owing to the heavy gale which had sprung up from the S. Information of the fact having reached the Mevagissey Life-boat South Warwickshire was launched as soon as possible, and having come up with the vessel, took off her crew, consisting of three men, who were landed at Porthpean, the Life-boat encountering heavy seas on her way to the 'shore. The smack subsequently be- came a total wreck.

MILFOrD.—The schooner Slaney, of Wexford, bound to Newport, Hon., in ballast, showed a signal of distress during a strong gale on the morning of the 26th September. The Life-boat Katharine put off to the vessel and found that her crew did not wish to leave her,, but preferred to wait until a tug arrived. The Life- boat, however, remained by her about an hour, and the vessel getting nearer and ! nearer to the rocks, and the sea increasing i in force, three of the men were, at their own request, taken into the Life-boat.

The vessel then parted her cable and went on the rocks. The Captain and the mate, who were still on the wreck, were happily got safely to land, through the assistance of men on shore. There was no chance of saving the vessel, which be- came a total wreck, and the Life-boat therefore returned ashore with the three men she had rescued.

MOELFRE, ANGLESEY.—A signal of dis- tress was seen in Moelfre Bay during a ! storm from the S., at about 2 P.M. on the ! 24th January. The Lady Vivian Life- i boat put off, and found that the signal was shown by the smack Frens, of Beau- maris, bound from Cemaes, Anglesey, to Lancaster, with a cargo of oats. Her crew of three men were in the utmost peril, and were on the point of leaving their vessel when the Life-boat arrived and took them safely to land.

MONTROSE.— The smack London, of i Jersey, was in great danger at 1.30 P.M. on the 18th March, having steered too far j north while making for Montrose. The No. 1 Life-boat, Mincing Lane, having been launched, took up a position inside the bar, to show the vessel in which direction to steer. The smack, however, was struck by a heavy sea, and jibed with her head to the N. across the point of the Annat, another sea canted her head again, and she then managed to stand in across the bank towards the Life-boat and even- tually got safely in.

At about 4 A.M. on the 19th March, the Mincing Lane Life-boat was launched to the aid of the smack Orange Blossom, of Jersey, which was making for the har- bour during a strong gale accompanied by snow storms and a very heavy sea.

She was keeping much too far north and was steering to cross the Annat bank.

The Life-boat showed the direction in which she should steer and the vessel was brought safely into port.

On the 20th March, at about 5.30 A.M., the No. 2 Life-boat Roman Governor of Oaer Hun, was launched to the assistance of the brig Eleonore, of Tonsberg, Norway, which was showing signals of distress.

She went ashore about a mile and a half N. of the Life-boat house. On reaching her it was found that she was water- logged and had been unable to clear the land. Her crew, consisting of seven men, were taken into the Life-boat and brought ashore in safety. The brig subsequently became a total wreck.

At daybreak on the 21st April, the pilots on the look - out discovered a schooner stranded on the beach about two miles N. of Montrose. The crew of the No. 1 Life-boat Mincing Lane mustered as quickly as possible, launched the Life- boat, pulled over the bar, on which a heavy sea was breaking, and sighted a small boat about a mile N. The Life- boat made for her and rescued six men who were on board. They proved to be the crew of, the Mary, of Haugesund, Norway, bound from that port for Leith, in ballast. She had parted her anchor and gone ashore. The men had been five hours in their boat, and it is very doubtful whether they could ever have reached land in her, as she was only a small skiff with very little free-board.

The No. 2 Life-boat was also launched, at about 11.30 A.M. on the 8th August, to the assistance of several fishing boats which had been caught in a gale from the S., and were in great danger while making for Montrose. The Life-boat remained about two and a half hours at the harbour mouth, signalling to the boats in which direction to steer, they being strangers to the port. Some of them had narrow escapes of being lost on the Annat Bank.

At 4 P.M. the wind shifted to the W. and blew a very heavy gale, and two strange boats were then seen making for the harbour. One got inside the buoys; the other hoisted a signal half- mast high, and the first boat then ran back, apparently to the assistance of the other. The Life-boat was again launched and went oat with a steam-tug, and both the boats, which were in considerable danger, one having all the tackling of her mast loose, were with much difficulty towed into safety,

MORTE BAY, NQRTH DEVON;—The s.s.

Lynx, of Cardiff, bound from that port to Portreath, with coal, sprang a leak when off Morthoe Point, on the 6th March, and with the view of saving the lives of the crew, the master ran her on Wollecombe Sands. The coxswain of the Grace Wood- Twry Life-boat, on being informed of the occurrence, at once went to Morthoe to ascertain the position of the vessel; but as the weather was moderate it did not appear to be necessary to launch the Life-boat. At 11 A.M. the wind freshened to a strong breeze from the N,, and a heavy swell rose. The leak having been temporarily stopped, the master of the steamer requested that the Life-boat might be launched to stand by her. This was accordingly done; but in trying to get the vessel off (six of the Life-boatmen having gone on board to assist), a warp got foul of the propeller and she had therefore to remain until the next day, her crew of seven men being brought ashore in the Life-boat at 6.30 P.M. The vessel was then leaking very badly, the water having put the fires out before the abandonment took place. At 8,30 P.M. on the following day, at the recjuest of Lloyd's agent and the master, the Life- boat was again launched and made for the stranded vessel. The master now gave up charge to the crew of the boat and the steamer was eventually floated off at 4.30, the Life-boat accompanying her over the bar to Appledore, one of the Life-boat's crew being in charge as pilot.

The vessel was finally anchored in safety in Appledore Pool at 7.30 P.M. The crew of the Life-boat having been exposed so long a time to the violence'of the weather, remained at Appledore during the night, and returned with their boat to Morte Bay against a strong wind at 8 A.M., ar- riving at their station at 2 P.M..

NEWHAVEN.—It was reported at 2.15 P.M. on the 17th February, that a vessel j was ashore at the back of the East pier. The Michael Henry Life-boat immediately went to her rescue, and found she was the ketch Tltemas and John., of Fowey bound from London to Plymouth with cement. She had struck on the bar in | running for the harbour in a sinking con- ! dition, and as she was full of water and ; fast going to pieces, her crew of three | men were taken into the Life-boat and ! brought ashore.

PADSTOW, CORNWALL.—The coxswain of j the Life-boat Albert Edward was informed j at 9,30 P.M. on the 1st February, that a j vessel was showing signals of distress.

The crew of the Life-boat were at once I summoned, and proceeded to the boat- j house, where they observed a vessel j brought up in a dangerous position, about I half a mile from Stepper Point, The ! Life-boat was launched, proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the schooner Mary Joseph-trie, of Padstow, bound from Padstow to Hayle with slate, and brought her crew of three men ashore. The wea- ther afterwards moderated, and the vessel fortunately held to her anchors.

The Padstow new Life-boat, the Arab, was launched at 2 P.M.on the 3rd September to the assistance of the schooner Maria, of Granville, bound for that port from Swan- sea, with a cargo of coal. The schooner had stranded on the Doom Bar, during a strong W. wind and a high sea. The Life-boat brought ashore two men who were on board, three others of the crew having pre- viously landed in their own boat. The vessel afterwards sank and became a total wreck.

PALUNO, NORFOLK.—At 11 o'clock on the morning of the, 21st July, during j squally weather and a heavy eea, a barque ! was observed aground on the Hasborough | Sand. The No. 2 Life-boat, the British j Workman, was launched and proceeded to j the vessel, which proved to be the Khedive, of Hartlepool, bound for Buenos Ayres with & cargo of coal. With the help of i the Life-boat and a yawl the vessel was | got off the sand and taken to Yarmouth 1 Boads. She carried a crew of twelve 1 men.

At 11 A.M. on the 7th August, daring a fresh wind from the N., signals of dis- tress were shown from a vessel on the Hasborough Sands, in reply to which the same Life-beat was promptly launched, and found that the vessel was tie brigantine Mora, of Saleombe, bound from Btmcorn to Shields with a cargo of salt. The Life-boat remained by her until it was seen that she must become a wreek, when the crew of four men, together with two women, were taken into the boat and safely landed at Palling at 6 o'clock on the following morning.

PIEL, LANCASHIRE.—At 6 A.M. on the 4th September the William Eirkett Life- boat was launched in reply to signals, to the assistance of the barque China, of Porsgrund, Norway. The boat was towed by the steam-tug Ajax, and when about two miles, outside of the Hipsford buoy, where the "vessel was ashore, was cast off and dropped down to her, being thus enabled to take off her crew of ten men, The Life-boat then returned to the teg and was towed to Barrow, where the rescued men were landed. The barque had tost her main and mizen masts and became a total wreck.

On the 8th September the schooner John Royle, of Chester, was reported to habe sank on Cartmell Wharf, Morecambe Bay, during a strong W.N.W, gale and a heavy sea. At 11.45 A.M. the William Birkett Life-boat went to her assistance, and found the master, his wife, and two seamen clinging to the rigging, in a very exhausted condition. They were promptly helped into the Life-boat, and landed at Barrow, the harbour tug Ajax again assisting the Life-boat in effecting this rescue.

PLYMOUTH.—At about 3 A.M. on the 2nd September, during a strong gale from the S. and a heavy sea, the Norwegian barque EKs« entered Plymouth Sound for shelter, and let go both her anchors. One chain parted immediately, and the vessel drove with the second anchor until she went ashore on a reef close under the Hoe where she began to break Tip, The Clemency Life-boat at once went to her assistance, and having dropped anchor to windward, veered down to the wreck. A line was then passed, and the crew of nine men, who had taken shelter in the fore part of the vessel, were hauled through the water into the boat, and taken to Sutton Harbour, where they were landed and housed at the Sailors Home.

POOLE, DORSET.—On the 9th January, at about 2.30 P.M., during a heavy gale from the B.S.E. and a high sea, signals being heard from the sandbanks, the Soys' Own, No. 2, Life-boat was launched, and towed by a steamer to the mouth of the harbour, when it was ascertained that a large brig was lying in Studland Bay with signals of distress flying. The Life- boat made for the vessel, and found her to be the Victor, of Heustadt, Germany, heavily laden with a cargo of coal. She was riding in a very dangerous position, the sea making a clean breach over her, and her figure-head, cutwater and a por- tion of her port bow bulwarks had been knocked away. The crew refused to leave the vessel, and the Life-boat therefore remained by her for about an hour, when the wind moderating she returned to her station. *

PORTHCAWL, SOUTH WALES.—The barque William, Miles, of London, bound from Havre to Swansea in ballast, stranded about half a mile east of Porthcawl, during a W.N.W. wind and a rough sea, at mid- night on the 9th August. She exhibited signals of distress, and the Life-boat Ghafyn Grove was thereupon launched, proceeded to her and brought ashore the master's wife and one man, the others of the crew refusing to leave the vessel.

At about 6 A.M. she was seen to be in imminent danger, and the Life-boat there- fore again went to her and took off the remainder of her crew, ten in number.

The barque ultimately became a total wreck,

PORT ISAAC, CORNWALL,.—Several fish- ing boats proceeded to sea on the morning of the 7th February, the weather being fine and the sea comparatively smooth.

At about 11 A,M., however, a tremendous ground sea arose, almost suddenly, and the boats were in great danger, and could not for several hours venture to enter the har- bour. The Miehwrd and Sarah Life-boat went to their rescue, towed in four of the boats, containing seven men, and accom- panied the others in entering the harbour.

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—On the 6th March, at about 6.80 P.M., the trawler, Emerald Isle, of Whitehaven, which had been beating about in the bay for about three hours, evidently waiting for water, suddenly made for the harbour mouth, and grounded outside in a very heavy surf.

The Life-boat, Two Sisters, was launched with great promptitude, and brought ashore the vessel's crew consisting of four men. One of the Life-boat men was washed overboard during this service, but was fortunately rescued.

A signal of distress was observed from a vessel riding heavily, and dragging her anchors on to a lee-shore, during a stiff breeze from the E.N.E., and a rough sea, at about 6 A.M. on the 27th April. The Life-boat was promptly launched to her aid, and found her to be the flat Flora, of Runcorn, bound from Girvan to Liverpool, with gravel. With the help of the Life- boat the vessel and her crew of three men were brought safely into the harbour at 1 P.M.

RAMSGATE.— Signal guns were heard from the Goodwin Sands at 6 o'clock on the morning of the 20th March. The Brad- ford and Vulcan were at once manned and left the harbour, proceeded to the Sands, and ultimately found the barque Georgia, of Fiume, bound from Hamburg to Balti- more with salt and empty barrels, ashore inside the middle buoy on the S.E. part of the Sand. The crew, thirteen in number, who were in their boat were taken on board the Life-boat which then went alongside the vessel, made sail on her, and with the assistance of the tug tried to get her afloat. The pumps were sounded and it was found that she had seven feet of water in her hold, and as there was no chance of saving her the Life-boat and steamer returned to Ramsgate with the resciied crew, arriving in the harbour at 11.40 A.M.

On the 30th March, at 5.15 A.M., in reply to signals of distress the Life-boat Bradford and steam-tug Vulcan proceeded to the East Goodwin Lightship and found that she had been run into by a schooner, and had one of the vessel's crew on board.

The man was taken into the Life-boat and brought to Ramsgate.

On the 6th April, at 4.30 A.M., during a moderate N.E. wind, signal guns were fired from the Gull Lightship. The Life- boat Bradford proceeded under sail to the North Sand Head and found a barque ashore on the North-east part of the Sand.

The Life-boat let go an anchor, veered close alongside the vessel and advised the master to let go his starboard anchor.

The sea was breaking clean over the ship and the wreck of the fore and main masts which had been cut away was lying alongside. The crew, consisting of ten men, were taken into the Life-boat which then waited to see whether the vessel would float at high water; but finding that there was no chance of her doing so, the boat returned to the harbour, arriving at noon. The wrecked vessel proved to be the Dutch barque Henning, bound from Frederickstadt to Poole, with a cargo of deals and boards.

On the 29th April, at about 1.15 P.M., a smacksman reported that he had seen a barque on the North Sand Head. The Bradford Life-boat left the harbour in tow of the Vulcan, at 1.25, and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the Galera, of Glasgow, from London to Trini- dad with a general cargo. The Life-boat went alongside and her services were ac- cepted by the master, who was the only person on board, the crew being on board a steam-tug. The vessel having several feet of water in her hold, the pumps were set to work, and the tow-ropes of the Vulcan and two other tugs were attached.

The boat was then sent for the crew of the vessel, but they all refused to return, with the exception of the mate, who again went on board. The Champion lugger now arrived alongside, and her crew were engaged to assist in pumping. The tugs towed until 5 P.M. when the barque came off, striking heavily on the Sand. The Vulcan then cast off, and the other two tugs towed the vessel to London; the Life-boat being in attendance, men being kept on board pumping continually until 5 o'clock the following morning, when she arrived in the West India Dock and was moored in a safe berth, having then three feet of water in her.

ST. ANDREW'S.—At about 9 o'clock on the morning of the 2nd February, the schooner Rosebud, of Goole, was seen from St. Andrew's, but the weather becoming thick she was lost sight of. She 'was next observed at about 11 o'clock, when she seemed to be heading for the Eden mouth. The Life-boat Ladies' Own was despatched to her assistance, but before she could reach her the schooner had gone ashore on the North Bank of the Eden, and her crew, consisting of four men, were compelled to take to the rigging from which they were rescued by the Life- boat. The vessel, which was bound from Sunderland to Montrose with a cargo of coal, became a total wreck.

SCARBOROUGH.—At 6.30 P.M., on the 7th February, the fishing smack Young Alice, of Scarborough, was endeavouring to enter the harbour during a S.S.E. wind and a very heavy sea, but not having sufficient canvas set she was driven on the beach. The Lady Leigh Life-boat promptly went to her assistance and brought ashore her crew, consisting of five men.

The fishing smack Wellesley, of Scar- borough, while making for the harbour at dead low-water, during a gale of wind from the S.E. and a heavy sea, at 7.30 P.M., on the 19th March, took the ground out- side the pier and drove on to the beach.

The Life-boat went off to her, took a rope to the pier, remained by her until the water flowed, and then assisted her into the J*Srbour.

SEATON CAREW, Co. DURHAM.—On the llth March, at about 8.30 P.M., during a violent gale from the N.E., accompanied by thick snow-showers and a very heavy sea, signals of distress were exhibited from the Long Scar Books off this place.

The Seaton Carew Life-boat was at once launched, and proceeded in the direction indicated, but no trace of any wreck could be found. HENRY HOOD, the cox- swain of the Life-boat, and one of the crew named JOHN FRANKLIN, then deter- mined to land on the reef and make a thorough search for it, as it was impos- sible to take the Life-boat among the rocks in the darkness. With much diffi- culty and danger, the sea breaking heavily over them, and the coxswain on one occa- sion being washed off the rocks, they at last discovered the wreck, and being after- wards joined by another of the Life-boat men, MATTHEW FRANKLIN, they, after many ineffectual attempts, succeeded in throwing the heaving line over the stern.

Just as this was accomplished, Hood heard a voice, and seeing some dark object in the surf, he rushed into the sea, and, with the aid of his companions, rescued a mail, who proved to be the mate of the vessel, in a most exhausted condition. They then hailed the wreck, and the remaining four men, by means of the communicating line, were got on to the rocks. The rescuers and the rescued now made for the Life-boat; after a perilous journey across the rocks, which were being swept by the sea, they at last reached it, and pulled for the shore, which was made in safety about half an hour after midnight. The wrecked vessel was the schooner Atlas, of Drammen, bound thence to Sunderland. She broke up very soon after the crew had been rescued.

Her Majesty the Queen subsequently conferred the decoration of the Albert Medal of the Second Class on HENRY HOOD, in recognition of his most gallant conduct on this occasion, and the Institu- tion also awarded its Silver Medal to him, and to the two FRANKLINS.

SELSEY.—The barque Tranmere, of Liver- pool, bound from Hull to Cardiff in ballast, brought up off Selsey Bill, during a gale of wind from the 8. and in a very heavy sea, at about noon on the 2nd September.

A fisherman's galley went out to her, but could not get alongside owing to the heavy sea. At 5 P.M. a signal of distress was shown from the barque, and the Life-boat Four Sisters was thereupon launched, and on reaching her she was found to be strik- ing heavily, and the crew were anxious to be taken ashore, fearing that as she was already leaking and had lost part of her keel she would go to pieces. The men, thirteen in number, were accordingly taken into the Life-boat, and landed at Wallend, the very strong wind preventing the boat returning to her station until the follow- ing morning.

SENNEN COVE, LAND'S END.—The smack Spring, of Guernsey, bound from Swansea to Dinan, with coal, was observed to be showing a signal of distress, at 1.30 P.M., on the 8th January. The Life-boat Denzil and Maria Onslow at once went to her assistance and found that she had been run into by a schooner, carrying away her jibboom and part of her stem and causing her to leak very badly. The chief officer of Coast Guard, who had gone out in the Life-boat, and two of the Life-boa£ men got on board the smack and, having anchored her safely, brought her crew of three men ashore in the Life-boat.

SIDMOUTH, DEVONSHIRE.—At about 8 P.M., on the 29th July, the schooner Hope, of Ryde, bound from Middlesborough Sidmouth with a cargo of iron and coal, which was lying less than a mile from the beach with two anchors down, parted her port cable. A fresh wind from the S.W, was blowing at the time and the weather was gloomy. The master did not consider it prudent to depend on the re- maining cable, and he therefore showed signals of distress, in response to which the Simington Life-boat went to his assist- ance and brought ashore the crew of four men. On the following morning, the wind baring shifted, and the sea being much smoother, the men returned to their vessel and recovered the anchor.

SKEGNESS, LINCOLNSHIRE. — On the morning of the 80th September, a vessel was seen with signals of distress about 5 miles 13. of Skegness. The crew of the Herbert Ingram Life-boat were at once summoned, and the Life-boat having been launched made for the vessel, which was found to be the sloop Good Intent, of King's Lynn, bound to that port from Seaham with coal. She had lost her main boom and her sails had been blown away.

At the Master's request the Life-boat accompanied the sloop to Lynn Roads. She had two men on board.

SWANAGE, DORSET.—Baring a heavy gale from the S.S.E. on the 1st September, the yacht Thalia, which was riding in Swanage Bay, was seen to be rapidly driv- ing towards some dangerous rocks on the north side. The crew of the Charlotte Mary Life-boat were promptly mustered, and at about 8.30 P.M. the boat was launched and proceeded to the yacht, which by this time had been again brought up, and found her crew preparing a signal of distress. The Life-boat accordingly let go her anchor, and went alongside; she was then hauled off again, and lay at her anchors during the night with a line j attached to the vessel, in readiness to render assistance if the cable parted.

At daylight the crew of five men were taken into the Life-boat, and brought on land.

THURSO, N.B.—During a severe gale of wind from the N. and a heavy sea, on the night of the 5th March, the schooner Hephzibah, bound from Carnarvon to New- castle, with slates, and the smack Annie, of Port Dinorwic, bound for Wick, showed flare-up lights. The Life-boat went out at 11 o'clock and brought ashore the crews, consisting of five men from the Hephzibah and three men from the Annie.

At 4 o'clock on the following morning the Life-boat again went out in reply to dis- tress signals, and brought ashore six men from the Bella, of Wick; three men from the William and Martha,; and four men from the governor Lodi, of Inverness.

On the afternoon of the 6th March, at about 5 o'clock, a schooner was observed coming from the W. and making for Serabster Roads. As the sea was very heavy, and the wind was blowing strongly from the N., fears were entertained that she would drive ashore. The Life-boat Charley Lloyd therefore put off and found her to be the Enigma, of Port St. Mary, Isle of Man, bound from Runcorn to Ar- broath with a cargo of salt. She brought up far out in the roadstead, and her crew, consisting of five men, were landed by the Life-boat.

TYRELLA, Co. DOWN. — On the 14th August the Memorial Life-boat, ia reply to a signal shown from the ship Henry, of St. John, N.B., during a S. wind and a heavy sea, was launched, and at the master's request brought ashore five fishermen who had boarded the vessel and had lost their own boat through the heavy sea. The Life-boat afterwards re- mained by the ship, at the captain's request, for two days and one night, until the wind changed aad she was enabled to proceed on her voyage.

WEXFORD,—At 1 P.M., on the 9th May, while a strong wind was blowing in squalis from the N.E. accompanied by a heavy sea, signals of distress were shown from the fishing yawl Favourite, of Wexford, which had stranded on the South side of the bar, while running for the harbour.

The Life - boat Civil Service, No, 1, manned by her usual crew of Customs officers and pilots, the coxswain also being an officer of Customs, was immediately launched, and proceeded to render assist- ance. Oa arriving alongside, it was found that the vessel was leaking badly and tho sea beating heavily over her. The crew, consisting of six nien, were, with much difficulty, taken on board the Life-boat and landed at Kosslare, The vessel be- came a total wreck twenty minutes after- wards.

WHITBY.—At noon on the 20th April, daring calm weather and a heavy sea, three fishing cobles and » Hartlepool pilot coble, the latter with only one man on board, were observed making for Whitby Harbour. It was considered unsafe for them to enter on account of the heavy seas breaking on the bar, and the No. 1 Life-boat Robert and Mary Silts was there- fore launched and supplied the crews of the cobles with cork jackets. The fishing boats then succeeded in entering the har- bour; but the pilot coble refused the assistance of the Life-boat and proceeded South under canvas.

WORTHING.— On the 10th February, at about 5.50 P.M., the schooner Teresa,, I of Weymoata, bound from Guernsey to I London, with granite, was observed driv- ing on shore. A strong gale of wind from ! the S. was blowing and the sea was heavy.

The crew of the Life-boat Henry Harris I were immediately summoned, and as it was j evident that the vessel could not possibly i keep off the lee shore, it was decided to use I the Life-boat. Horses had been sent for,; I but before they arrived the crew and i assistants ran the boat and carriage 400 j yards over the sands. The vessel was ! soon reached, and the crew, numbering four men, saved. The schooner drove j ashore about half a mile East of Worth- ing pier and became a total wreck.