LOWESTOFT.—The schooner Swift, of Eye, bound to that port from Seaham with coal, was seen with a flag of distress during a gale from the N.W. and a heavy sea at about 11 A.M. on the 12th December, and the Samuel Plimsoll Life-boat thereupon went to her assistance. She had lost both her anchors and her sails had been blown to ribbons. A Yarmouth tug had tried to take her to a place of safety, but her towrope had parted twice, and the mate—the master being disabled—requested the Life-boat to remain by lier.

The crew of the schooner were too exhausted to work the vessel, some of the Life-boatmen therefore boarded her and rendered assistance. Eventually, with the aid of a steamer, the schooner and the Life-boat were taken into Lowestoft harbour..