On Sunday the 25th November, intelligence was received that a large foreign barque was riding at her anchors offBeachy Head Lighthouse, in a very dangerous position, with a signal of distress flying.

With as little delay as possible, the crew of the William and Mary Life-boat were mustered, and the Boat, mounted on its transporting carriage, started for Biding Gap, drawn by seven horses. The route taken was through Meads, where three additional horses were procured, and with this extra power, she speedily mounted the hill, and crossed the downs to Birling Gap, a distance altogether of five miles.

There the boat was obliged to be taken off her carriage, as the Gap had to be •widened to admit even of the passage of the boat, and the incline was very sharp.

The lower part of the Gap had been washed away by the sea, but this difficulty was overcome by using some long pieces of timber which were fortunately on the spot. Under the superintendence of the coxswain, the boat was by great exertions got safely down to the beach, and was launched at 1.15. The wind was blowing a gale from the S.S.W., and a tremendous sea was rolling in. At about 2 o'clock, after a very hard struggle against the head sea, the midship oars being double-banked, the vessel was reached; she was then opposite the Gap, about a mile from shore, labouring heavily in the seas with two anchors down, sails torn, and spars carried away. A storm of rain then earns on, and the vessel and Life-boat were hidden from the view of the spectators who lined the cliffs. After a period of suspense, the Life-boat wag seen making for the shore, and in gallant style she took the beach almost close to the spot from whence she had started, and landed the rescued crew of eleven men. The Life-boat had anchored as close as possible to the vessel, and the crew were then hauled into her. The poor fellows, who were in a very exhausted state, one of them having sustained a fracture of the ribs, were taken to the Coastguard Station, where they received every attention from the Chief Officer and the Coastgaardmen. The Life-boat was got up the Gap with considerable difficulty, and arrived back at her station about 7.80. The distressed vessel was the barque New Brunswick, of Brevig, 480 tons, bound from Quebec to West Hartlepool, with a cargo of deals.

Subsequently, on the weather moderating, the ship and cargo were taken safely to Newhaven by the tug and Life-boat from there..