LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Wilhelmina (1)

RAMSGATE and BROADSTAIRS.—On the morning of the 22nd October the Ramsgate Life-boat Bradford, in tow of the harbour steam-tug Aid, and the Broadstairs Life-boat Samuel Morrison Collins, proceeded to the Goodwin Sands in reply to signals of distress. The ship Wilhelmina, of Hamburg, bound from Hamburg to Iquique with a general cargo, was found ashore on the North Sand Head. The crew of the Ramsgate Life-boat went on board the vessel to assist in getting her off; the sails were stowed, and men were also engaged from other boats to assist to lighten her; after which several ineffectual attempts were made by steam-tugs to float her. At about 5 o'clock on the following morning the wind increased to a fresh gale, the sea began to rise, and preparations were made to leave the vessel if necessary. At 9 o'clock the Broadstairs Life-boat took ashore twenty-two of the men. A large quantity of the cargo, chiefly iron, was thrown overboard during the fore part of the day by those who remained on board; and at 3.30 P.M. two tugs again attached their tow-ropes to her, sail was made on the ship, an anchor which had previously been laid out was hove on, and as the tide flowed the vessel came off, striking heavily, and was towed to Gravesend, where she was safely moored by the salvors at about 3 o'clock on the morning of the 24th..