LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Services of the Life-Boats of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution

BUCKIE.—At 9 A.M. on the 7th Aug. last a pilot-boat put off to bring the schooner Sen Aigen, coal laden from Sunderland, into the harbour during a strong gale from the N.W. and a rough sea. The pilot boarded the vessel and the boat proceeded to return to the harbour with one man and a boy in her, but when about fifty yards from the schooner the boom shifted, causing the boat to fill with water and founder immediately. The schooner promptly launched her boat, manned by two men, and picked up the man, but the boy was unfortunately lost. The James Sturm Life-boat put off from Buckie to the rescue, and reached the schooner's boat just in time to save all her occu- pants from perishing, as she was nearing the rocks and both her oars had been broken. MABLETHORPE.—The barge Paragon, of Milton, Faversham, was observed in distress during a fresh E. breeze, squally weather and a moderate sea on the 13th August. She was trying to beat off the lee shore off Trusthorpe pier, but being unable to do so she anchored just clear of the breakers. As she appeared to be dragging her anchors, the Heywood Life- boat was launched at 11 A.M., and at the master's request remained by the vessel for an hour or so until the seas began to break over her, when the master, his wife, and two children were taken into the boat and landed, leaving four of the Life-boat men and the crew of two men on board the barge. At low water they came ashore in the vessel's boat. The barge afterwards became a total wreck.

NEWPORT, PEMBROKESHIRE.—The Life- boat Clevedon was the means of rendering timely service on the occasion of the Regatta held on the 17th August. A strong wind sprung up from the N.N.E., and the sea was somewhat rough, and the barge on which the Regatta Committee were stationed, which was at anchor about three hundred yards from the beach, was placed in a perilous position, inasmuch as there were no oars or sails on board, and although if the cable had been slipped she would probably have drifted on to the sands and the occupants might have been enabled to get ashore, considerable risk would have been incurred, as the tide was rising and the sea was becoming rougher.

Signals were therefore hoisted, and in response the Life-boat was quickly got out, manned and launched, and in a very short time the eight persons on board the barge were taken into the boat and safely landed amidst the ap- plause of the numerous spectators. Some time afterwards the barge sunk at her anchor.

SOUTHEND, ESSEX.—During a strong gale from the S.W. and a rough sea on the 2nd September the brig Avenir, of and for Krageroe, Norway, from London, in ballast, parted both her anchors and drifted on to the Maplin Sands. The No. 1 Life-boat Boys of England and Edwin J. Brett was launched at 2 P.M., proceeded to the vessel and remained by her until the flood tide made on the following day, when, with the assistance of a steam tug, she was got afloat and towed to Gravesend. She had a crew of seven men.

In answer to a telegram stating that a barge was in distress seven miles E. of Wakering Haven, the No. 2 Life-boat Theodore and Herbert was launched at 3 P.M. on the 17th December, during a strong W. breeze and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the Sultan, of Rochester.

She had sprung a leak and was sinking on the Maplin Sands, her crew having taken refuge on board another barge which was close by. The Life-boat remained alongside until the following tide, but her assistance not being required she then returned to her station, arriving there at 2 o'clock on the following morning.

SOUTHEND AND CLACTON-ON-SEA. Signal guns having been fired by the light- ships on the evening of the 10th October, the No. 2 Life-boat Theodore and Herbert put off from Southend and the Albert Edward Life-boat was launched from Clacton at about seven o'clock. They found the schooner Fenus, of Teignmouth, bound from London for the Tyne in ballast, stranded on the Maplin Sands, and remained by her until 6 o'clock on the following morning.

NEW BRIGHTON.—The schooner Carl Rosinius, of Hangesund, bound for Liver- pool in ballast, was seen stranded on Taylor's Bank, and signals were fired by the Crosby Lightvessel, during a W. wind, squally weather and a heavy sea on the 3rd September. At 9 A.M. the Willie and Arthur Life-boat was towed out by a steam tug, and found that the vessel had got off the sand "and had brought up in deep water. Four of the Life-boat men were put on board to assist to get the anchor up, a line was passed to the tag, and the vessel was towed to Liverpool, the Life-boat following astern to steer her, as she had lost her rudder.

REDCAR.—On the morning of the 7th September the sloop Robert, of Hull, which had been anchored for three weeks off Bedcar, engaged in removing portions of the wreck of a steamer, weighed her anchor and made sail, her position having become perilous owing to the increasing wind and sea. While tacking close to the East Bock her mast went by the boardand both anchors were thereupon let go, the vessel lying close to the rocks. The Brothers Life-boat was promptly launched at 6 A.M., and brought safely ashore the sloop's crew, consisting of two men.

LLANDUDNO.—At about 2.40 P.M. on the 7th September, the Life-boat Sisters' Memorial was launched to the assistance of the cutter yacht ffaidee, of Liverpool, which had shown a signal of distress while at anchor in the bay, during a strong breeze from the N.E. and a heavy swell.

On reaching the vessel it was found that she was leaking badly, had lost her rudder and was gradually sinking. The Life-boat brought ashore her punt, the crew of two men having just previously been landed by a shore boat.

CAISTER.—The fishing dandy Vanguard, of Great Yarmouth, returning to her port from the fishing grounds during a strong breeze from the E.N.E. and a heavy sea on the 19th September, went on the Barber Sand ; she got off, but afterwards stranded on the beach about a mile and a half S. of Caister. The No. 2 Life-boat Godsend was launched at 4 A.M., and on reaching the vessel, found one anchor had been laid out by her own boat, which was afterwards filled and lost. As the heavy seas were breaking over the vessel, the services of the Life-boat men were gladly accepted, and after a time she was got afloat and taken into Yarmouth harbour.

She carried a crew of eleven men.

DONNA NOOK.—The Richard Life-boat was launched at 8 A.M. on the 20th Sep- tember, during a N.E. wind, squally weather and a rough sea, to the assistance of the fishing dandy Aurora, of Hull, which had stranded near Donna Nook.

The Life-boat remained by her until the tide fell and left her dry.

CULLERCOATS.—A heavy sea came on at about 7 o'clock on the morning of the 29th September, and as all the fishing- boats had gone out it was considered advisable to launch the Co-Operator No. 1 Life-boat in case any accident should happen to them in crossing the bar, while making for their port. They all however crossed in safety, the Life-boat remaining afloat until all danger was over, and returning to her station at 10 o'clock.

GORLESTON.—In response to signals of distress on the 15th October the Mark Lane Life-boat was launched at about 7.30 P.M., and found they had been shown by the three-masted schooner Queen of the Isles, of Wick, bound from. Tonsberg, Norway to Sunderland, with a cargo of pit props. She had parted her starboard anchor, and when brought up by the port anchor she was close under the bows of a steam ship, and as a collision was feared, she signalled for assistance. The wind was blowing from the N.E., squally with rain and a rough sea. The Life-boat remained by the vessel during the night and she was taken to a safe position on the following day.

The trawler Striver, of Great Yarmouth, was being towed into the harbour by a steam-tug at about 8.45 on the morning of the 25th October, during a N.E. to N.N.E. wind, squally weather, and a heavy sea. When crossing the bar, the tug came into collision with a brig which was in tow of another steamer. This caused her to stop her engines, and the trawler was caught by a heavy sea and dashed against the stern of the tug, having her bow store in. To avoid being stranded on the " Mouse-Trap," the trawler's tow-rope was cast off; she starboarded her helm and wore round, narrowly escaping collision with the South Pier. It was then found that she was sinking, and the crew of six men therefore got into their boat. The Mark Lane Life-boat, which had been promptly launched, proceeded to their assistance and tried to save the vessel; but all efforts failed, and as she was rapidly filling, the coxswain ordered all hands into the Life-boat. Five minutes afterwards the trawler went down bow first.

SKEGNESS.—A signal of distress was displayed in the fore-rigging of the sloop Unity, of Boston, bound from Lynn for Sunderland with a cargo of wheat, on the morning of the 25th October, during a fresh N. breeze with snow-squalls and a heavy sea. The Life-boat Herbert Ingram was launched at 9.30; proceeded to the vessel, which was in a leaky and disabled condition, having lost her main-boom and some of her rigging, and assisted to take her to Boston.

WICKLOW.—The Covent Garden Lifeboat was launched at 7.30 A.M. on the 1st November, and proceeded to the assistance of the schooner Samuel Dixon, of "Wexford, bound from Llanelly for Wexford with a cargo of coal, which had shown a signal of distress in the roadstead during a gale from the S.E. and a very heavy sea. One of the cables had parted, and, as she was dragging her other anchor, the crew of four men were taken into the Life-boat and brought ashore.

WEYMOUTH.—On the morning of the 1st November several vessels were re- ported to be driving out of Portland Roads towards the shore, and the crew of the Agnes Harriet Life-boat were sum- moned, and remained in readiness in case their services were needed. At 9 o'clock the brigantiue Maren, of Fanoe, Denmark, bound from Mexico for Hamburg with a cargo of logwood, was observed to be dragging her anchors, and, fearing she would strike the Mixen Rocks or the outer pier of the' harbour, the Life-boat was launched to render assistance if necessary. The vessel drove rapidly past the harbour, and the Life-boat followed her, being filled three times by the heavy seas but quickly freeing herself, and arrived alongside at 10.30. The wind was then blowing with almost hurricane force from the S.S.W.,with heavy rain and hail.

The boat remained until all the cable was paid out, near the vessel, which continued to drive to leeward, and at 11.30 struck in broken water. The Life- boat then dropped down to her twice, but those on board the vessel did not avail themselves of her services. The weather was then moderating, although the sea still ran high. At 1 o'clock the ship appeared safe, resting on the sands with both anchors down, and the Life- boat returned to the harbour. At 2.30 it was evidently unsafe to remain on board any longer, as the sea continued very rough, and the Life-boat again put off with the view of prevailing on the men to leave the vessel. After several attempts the boat succeeded in getting alongside, and the master and crew, seven men all told, then unhesitatingly decided to leave the ship, and with their effects were safely landed by the Life-boat, which reached the harbour, after an hour's hard pulling, at about 5 P.M.

The following is a copy of a letter after- wards received by the Honorary Secretary of the Weymouth Branch of the Institu- tion from the master of the Maren:— " DEAR Sm,—On behalf of myself and crew, who feel much gratified and deeply indebted for the services rendered to us by the Life-boat, especially for their skilfnl manner in coining alongside, also their endurance in stopping ahead of the ship for several hours, in order to be alongside in the moment of need; their care to save our clothes, and kindness towards us, together with the waving and hearty welcome of the crowd of spectators on shore, made an impression upon us which we shall never forget, and therefore beg you, dear Sir, to tender our warmest but poor thanks to the crew of the Life-boat. We remain, dear Sir, " Your most humble servants, for self and crew, "J. SVAKBEB, " Master of the Danish brigantine Maren."

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—One of the worst storms ever experienced on this coast prevailed on the morning of the 1st November, the wind blowing almost a hurricane from the S.S.E., and the sea running mountains high. At 9.30 a signal of distress was shown by a vessel in the bay, and the Life-boat Two Sisters was at once taken out, and proceeded by land to Port Lewaigue, it being considered unwise to attempt to launch her anywhere near the harbour; the sea and wind would have rendered it impossible to propel her to windward. She was successfully launched, and being handled most skilfully by her coxswain and crew, rescued the crew, consisting of three men, from the schooner Kattie Darling, of and for Chester, from Coleraine, and the crew of seven men from the brigantine Prothesa, of Teign- mouth, bound from Runcorn for North Shields with a cargo of rock-salt, both of which vessels were dragging their anchors in the bay. In returning ashore some of the ropes attached to the drogue broke, in consequence of the great strain upon them, and the Life-boat broached to and was filled by an enormous wave; the crew, however, kept cool; the boat, which was under oars and running with the ;ale, soon recovered herself, and was anded by another great wave high up on the steep beach, north of Beachmount, about four miles from the place where she lad been launched.

WALMER.—A telegram was received on ,he morning of the 3rd November, stating that a vessel was ashore in Pegwell Bay.A gale of wind was blowing from the S.S.W., with a heavy sea and squalls of rain. The Life-boat Civil Service No. 4 was launched at 8 o'clock, and proceeded to the stranded vessel, which proved to be the brig 0. Neumann Oaedebehn, of Rostock, bound from America for the Baltic with a cargo of resin. Some Deal boatmen had already boarded her, freed her from the gear of the masts which had been cut away, and pumped her dry, and at the master's request the Life-boat remained by the ship until she was taken into Ramsgate harbour.

SKERRIES.—The ketch Emily Wynne, of and for Wexford from Ayr, with a cargo of coal, which had anchored in Skerries Bay for shelter during a moderate gale from the E.S.E. and a heavy sea, showed signals of distress on the night of the 5th November. The Laura Platt Life- boat was launched at 8:30; proceeded to the vessel, and brought ashore her crew, consisting of four men.

HORNSEA.—On the morning of Tues- day, the 8th November, during a moderate E. gale and a heavy sea, rockets were fired in quick succession by the four- masted ship Earl of Beaconsfield, of Lon- don, bound from Calcutta for Hull with a cargo of wheat and linseed, which had stranded about two miles S. of Aldbrough, nine miles from Hornsea, during a fog on the previous Sunday morning. The Life- boat Ellen and Margaret of Settle was launched at about 6.10, and reached the stranded vessel at about 9.45, after more than three hours' hard rowing, took off twenty-seven men and safely landed them at Aldbrough. The Life-boat returned to her station by road on her carriage, which had been sent to fetch her.

NEWBIGGIN.—The fishing-boats went to the fishing-ground as usual about 4 o'clock on the morning of the 22nd November, but they had scarcely shot their lines when a strong gale sprung up suddenly from the E.N.E., which necessitated leav- ing their lines and making for home with all speed. As the gale was rapidly increas- ing, the Life-boat Robert and Susan was launched at 8.30, and piloted the boats, about thirty in number, safely into port.

SUNDERLAND.—At about 10 A.M. on the 22nd November, the fishing-boats Dotherel, British Defiance, Star in the East, and Hannah, were observed in distress about three miles S.E. of Sunderland during a strong E.S.E. wind and a rough sea. The Life-boat Caroline Clagett put off to their assistance, and remained by them until they were towed into the harbour by a steam tug.

FILEY.—The Hollon the Second Life- boat was launched at 10 A.M. on the 22nd November to the assistance of the fishing fleet, which had been overtaken by a sudden gale from the E.S.E. The Life-boat men distributed life-belts to several of the crews, and accompanied the last boats to the shore.

BALCARY, KIRKCUDBRIGHT.—The barque Forest Queen, of Belfast, bound from Dublin for Norway in ballast, was re- ported to be in distress about five miles distant from the Life-boat station, and in danger of being driven on the sand- banks during a W. wind, stormy weather, and a heavy sea, on the 25th November.

The David Hay Life-boat was launched at noon, remained for some time by the vessel, which had stranded on the middle of Barnhoury Banks, and ultimately brought safely ashore her crew, consist- ing of twelve men.

PALLING and WINTERTON.—Guns hav- ing been fired by the North Hasborough Lightship on the 26th November, during a strong W.S.W. wind and a heavy sea, the Palling No. 2 Life-boat British Workman and the Winterton No. 2 Life-boat Husband put off and found the s.s. Falcon, of and from Sunderland, bound for Italy with a cargo of iron, stranded on the middle part of Hasborough Sand. The Life-boats remained by the vessel and assisted to get her afloat and take her- into Yarmouth Roads, returning to their stations on the morning of the 29th November.

WALTON-ON-THE-NAZE. — On the 2nd December the Life-boat Honourable Artill- ery Company was launched and proceeded to the Kentish Knock, where the s.s. Capri, of Liverpool, was found stranded.

The Life-boat men rendered assistance in trying to get the ship afloat, continuing their efforts until the 5th December, butall endeavours failed, and it became necessary to abandon the vessel. Twenty- two of her crew were then taken off by the Life-boat and safely landed at Har- wich.

KILDONAN, ISLE or ARRAN.—The barque Falco, of Stockholm, was observed to go ashore in a dangerous position on the Carline rocks during a N.W. gale and a heavy sea, with snow showers, on the 7th December. The Life-boat Emily Dewar was launched at 4.30 P.M., proceeded to the vessel, and found that she had been run ashore, as she had sprung a leak.

Seven of the crew were brought safely to land in the Life-boat.

HOLYHEAD.—The three-masted brigan- tine Emerald, of Liverpool, was seen flying a signal of distress during a strong 8. gale and a rough sea on the morning of the 13th December. The Life-boat Thomas' Fielden was launched to the assistance of the vessel, which was apparently ashore near Clipera Point, but before she reached her she had slipped her anchor, and had run to lee- ward in the bay. A steam tug got a line on board her, and part of the Life-boat's crew assisted in hauling the hawser on board; two of the Life-boatmen remained to assist in mooring the vessel. The Life-boat then proceeded to the schooner Ann, of Liverpool, which was showing a signal of distress outside the end of the breakwater, and brought the vessel, with her crew of four men, safely into the old harbour.

FISHGUARD.—The schooner Resolute, of Aberystwyth, bound from Abersocb. for Bristol with a cargo of lead ore, showed a signal of distress while at anchor in the bay, during a fresh gale from the S., on the morning of the 13th December. The Fishguard No. 2 Life-boat Appin was launched at 9 o'clock and sailed to the vessel, and on arriving alongside the master stated that he and his crew of three men wished to leave the ship, as she had lost some of her head-sails, and they could not take her into the harbour. They were, therefore, taken into the Life-boat and brought ashore in safety.