MONTBOSE.—On the morning of the 10th October, while the tug Storm King was towing the schooner Petrel, of and for Montrose, from Balta Sound, Shetland, the tow line broke, and the schooner went on the " Leads " rocks. A fresh N.E. wind was blowing at the time accompanied by a heavy ground swell. The tug in backing towards her to procure another towrope was carried too far S. by the wind and tide, and was driven on to the " Stone " rock. The crew of the tug at once launched their small boat and got into her, but it was immediately swamped, and the four men were thrown into the sea; two of them succeeded in getting back to the tug, and endeavoured to save the other two men, but their efforts failed, and the poor fellows were unfortunately drowned. Meanwhile the position of the two vessels had been observed by the light-keeper at Scurdy Ness, who at once went to Ferryden and informed the coxswain of the Life-boat. The crew were immediately summoned, and at about 2.10 a.m. the Mincing Lane Life-boat was launched with much danger, having to pass through a very narrow channel between the rocks on which the sea was breaking, and rescued the two men from the tug, and landed them at Montrose at about 3 o'clock.

The schooner had got afloat, and had put to sea, and as flares were seen in the offing it was presumed that she was in need of assistance. The Life-boat was agnfn manned, put off to the vessel, and remained by her until a steam tug came up, which towed her to Montrose, where she arrived at about 5 o'clock. She carried a crew of five men..