LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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

PEEL, ISLE OF MAN.—On the morning of the 13th Dec., 1887, a gale, which had been blowing strongly from the S.E., suddenly shifted to the S.W., and two schooners, the Clyde and the Harbinger, of Belfast, coal laden, which were riding at anchor in the roadstead, hoisted signals of distress. The Life-boat John Monk put off to their assistance at about 9 o'clock, and remained by them for some time, as they were in danger of being driven on the rocks, and several of their sails had been carried away during the previous night.

LITTLEHAVEN.—The Friend Life-boat proceeded to the assistance of two schooners, the John Dairies, of Carnarvon, bound from Portmadoc for Bridgewater with a cargo of slates, and the Maggie BrocJclebank, of Barrow, bound from Liver- pool for Swansea with coal-tar pitch, which showed signals of distress as they were riding heavily at their anchors in St.

Bride's Bay during a N.W. wind, stormy weather, and a rough sea, on the evening of the 16th December. The crews, con- sisting altogether of eight men, were taken into the Life-boat and brought safely ashore.

FBASERBURGH.—During a terrific gale from the N.W. and a heavy sea on the 17th December, the ketch Favourite, of Sunderland, was observed at about 10 o'clock in the morning running towards Praserburgh from the Moray Firth with sails spent. The Cosmo and Charles Life- boat was promptly launched, and the Life-boat warp was taken to the end of the breakwater ready to be run out.

While this was being done the schooner Enterprise, of Leven, bound from Sunder- land for Buckie with a cargo of coal, was seen approaching, and as she neared the breakwater the Life-boat ran out the warp to her and the vessel dropped her anchors.

The Life-boat then proceeded to the ketch, took off her crew, consisting of two men, and safely landed them in the harbour, being towed back by the steam tug Granite City. The Life-boat, in tow of the steamer, then went again to the assist- ance of the schooner, and, taking a warp from the tug, dropped down on the vessel and rescued her crew, numbering five men.

RHOSCOLYN, ANGLESEY. — The barque Hjemlos, of and for Grimstadt, from Bel- fast in ballast, was observed about three miles S.W. of Bhoscolyn, apparently un- manageable, during a moderate gale from the N.W. and a heavy sea, on the 18th December. The crew of the Life-boat Ramon Cabrera, were at once summoned the boat was launched at 1.15 P.M., and, j on arriving alongside, two of her crew went on board the vessel and assisted the ship's crew, who were much exhausted, to trim the sails. The vessel, however, being very light, would not work to wind- ward, and the anchor was therefore let go, but would not hold, and at 2.30 P.M. the ship drove ashore on the sand on the N. side of Cymmeran Bay, her crew, number- ing eight men, being landed by the Life- boat through a very heavy surf.

BRIDLINGTON.—At about 11.30 A.M. on the 24th December the s.s. Allerwash, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, landed four men from the B.B. Union, of Flensburg, and reported that the latter vessel was on fire, and had lost her propeller, seven miles from Mamborough Head; also that seven men had been left on board, the Allerwash having been unable to rescue them, be- cause the boats of both vessels had been damaged. The Life-boat William John and Frances was promptly launched, pro- ceeded in tow of the Allerwash to the Union, and having passed a tow-rope between the two steamers, the Union was brought to Bridlington with the seven men on board.

PENMON.—The ketch Eva Lena, of Liverpool, laden with limestone, was seen to run aground on the Dutchman's bank during a moderate breeze from the E.N.E.

on the 28th December. She showed no signal of distress, but hearing that she had no boat with her, the coxswain of the Christopher Brown Life-boat assembled his crew, launched the boat, proceeded to her assistance, and remained by her until she floated and was safely anchored in the cross roads. For about forty minutes the sea was making a clean breach over the ketch.

TENET.—During a strong gale from the S.E. and a heavy sea on the morning of the 1st January, 1888, signals of distress were shown by the ketch Louisa, of Cardiff, bound for Tenby with a cargo of coal, which was lying at anchor in Caldy Koads. The Life-boat Anne Collins was launched at 11.30, and on reaching the vessel the master asked for assistance, as he feared the chains would part, and the ketch would be driven on {he rocks and become a total wreck. Some of the Life- boat men therefore went on board, got the vessel under weigh, and brought her and her crew of three men safely into Tenby harbour.

DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.—A signal of distress having been observed during a S.S.W. gale and a very heavy sea on the 4th January, the Douglas No, 2 Life-boat John Turner Turner was launched at 5 A.M., and found the schooner Daisy, of Chester, bound from Garston for Belfast, coal laden, stranded on the S.W. side of the Conister Hock. With much difficulty the Life-boat succeeded in getting along- side'the vessel, and rescued the crew of four men and a boy, -who were safely landed in the harbour at 6 o'clock. The gale afterwards slightly abated, and the vessel was hauled off the rock, but she sunk in deep water at about 1 P.M.

Signals were fired from the Customs Watch House at 11.30 A.M. on the 28th March, indicating that the services of the Life-boat were required. The crew of the Life-boat John Turner Turner at once assembled, the boat was launched, and in about five minutes from the time of the signals being fired, was on her way to the schooner ?. W. Pearns, of Plymouth, bound from Antwerp for Douglas with about 20 tons of dynamite on board, which was at anchor in a very dangerous position in the bay. A strong gale was blowing at the time from the E.S.E., and the sea was very heavy. As the Life-boat men had but a short distance to row, the vessel was soon reached, and her crew of five men were with very great difficulty taken into the Life-boat and biougat ashore.

PORT ERIN.—The schooner Lyra, of Port St. Mary, Isle of Man, bound from Liverpool for Dublin with a cargo of salt, missed stays, and was driven ashore on the Carrick Kock in Port St. Mary Bay during a terrific gale from the S.W. and a high sea on the 4th January. Almost immediately after the vessel stranded the master was washed overboard and drowned. The Ann and Mary Life-boat was launched at 8.45 A.M., and rescued the crew, consisting of three men, just before the vessel sunk.

HOLYHEAD.—During a dense fog on the 8th January, signals were heard in the direction of the breakwater. Fielden Life-boat was launched at 5.30 A.M.

and found the s.s. Earl Spencer, of Dublin, bound from Greenore for Holyhead, with passengers, a general cargo, and live stock, stranded on the rocks about 300 yards from Soldiers Point. Most of the Point during a whole gale from the N.W.

and a very heavy sea on the morning of the 26th January, and the vessel appearing to be riding heavily, the Life-boat Thomas ffielden put off at 4 o'clock and went to her assistance; she was then burning f passengers had been taken ashore by the life-saving apparatus, and the seven who remained were taken into the Life-boat and brought safely to land.

A vessel's light having been observed in a dangerous position near the breakers in the S.E. part of the bay near Penrhyn flares as signals of distress. The crew of five men were taken into the Life-boat and landed at Holyhead at 6 o'clock.

CAISTER.—Signal guns having been fired by the lightships, the Caister No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden was launched at 3 P.M. on the 10th January during a W. wind and a very thick fog, and sailed to the south part of the Middle Cross Sand, where she found the s.s. Lady Anne, of and for Sunderland, from Bilbao, with a cargo of iron ore, stranded. With the help of the crew of a yawl, which had also put off from Caister, the vessel was got afloat on the 12th January, and was taken into Yarmouth Roads, the Life-boat returning to her station at 12 noon on that day.

The Caister No. 2 Life-boat, the Godsend, put off at 4.35 A.M. on the 4th February, signals of distress having been observed by the watchmen during a strong breeze from the N.W. On reaching the Middle Cross Sand, on which a heavy sea was breaking, the schooner Shearwater, of London, bound from Hull for Dunkirk with a cargo of oilcake, was found in shallow water, the seas breaking over her and her crew shouting for aid. In con- sequence of the tide being low, the Life- boat grounded, and great difficulty and risk Were experienced in getting the five men into her. This, however, was eventually accomplished, and they were safely landed at 11 o'clock. The boat was considerably damaged in rendering the service, and the vessel became a total wreck.

During a strong breeze from the S.S.E., a thick fog, and a heavy sea, on the 15th March, signal guns were heard in the direction of the Middle Cross Sand Light- ship. The Caister No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden was launched at 8.30 A.M., and found the full-rigged ship Andromeda, of Geestemunde, bound from Bremen for New York, in ballasir, stranded on the sand, lying in the full breach of the sea with her mainmast gone and two boats hanging on to a rope at the jibboon end with thirteen men in them. With some difficulty a rope was got to them; they were towed by the Life-boat out of the surf to a buoy, and some of the Life-boat- men were put on board to take care of them.

Efforts were then made time after time to rescue three men who were on board the ship, the Life-boat's anchor being shifted again and again but without success, and at high water the sea was so heavy that the boat was compelled to lay off and suspend her endeavours for a time, the seas continually breaking over the ship and boat. A steam tug having arrived during these operations, the two boats were taken to Yarmouth, and the steamer afterwards returned to the ship. Just as night was coming on another effort to save the three men was made, and with the aid of the tug the Life-boat managed to get into position to drop down, let go her anchor, and bare down to the ship. A rope was then got on board, and by great skill and care, each man watching his chance, at a word from the Coxswain, came down into the boat, over which the heavy seas were washing in all directions.

The anchor was then picked up as quickly as possible, and the boat was towed into Yarmouth Harbour. The master of the vessel, who had his face badly cut and had received other injuries, was taken to Yarmouth Hospital, and the Life-boat men were so thoroughly drenched and tired that they remained at Yarmouth during the night, and returned to their station in tow of a steam tug on the following morning.

SALCOMBE.—It having been reported on the morning of the 13th January that a steamer was ashore near the Start, the Life-boat Lesty was launched at 9 A.M., and when about half a mile off the Prawle, met the boats of the steamer Nordstern, of and for Bremen, from Malaga, with a cargo of wine, containing the crew, 12 in number, of that vessel, which had been totally wrecked near Start Point. The men declined to be taken into the Life- boat ; but on nearing the bar, on which a heavy sea was breaking, they asked that a Life-boat man should be put on board each of the boats. Their request was complied with. One of the boats was taken in tow by the Life-boat, and all were safely landed at Salcombe about 11.30.

PORT EYNON.—At 7 P.M. on the 13th January the Daughter's Offering Life-boat was launched during a dense fog and a heavy ground sea, and succeeded in rescu- ing eleven of the crew of the steamer Milan, of Hull, bound from Alexandria for Bristol with a cargo of cotton seed, which had gone ashore at Slades Foot, Overton Cliffs. The remainder of the vessel's crew were saved by the rocket apparatus.

WORTHING.—Signals of distress having been shown on the morning of the 26th January by the brig Albert H. Locke, of Sunderland, bound from Seaham for Ports- month, coal laden, which stranded about half a mile from Worthing, the Life-boat Henry Harris was launched at 6.45, and brought ashore the vessel's crew of six men and four other persons who were on board. A strong W. gale was blowing at the time, accompanied by a heavy sea, and it was feared that the vessel would break up.

ST. ANNE'S.—Signals having been shown, and a three-masted vessel having been observed on the Horse Bank, during a strong gale of wind from the N.W. and a very heavy sea, the Nora, Royds Life- boat was launched at 10.20 A.M. on the 26th January, and rescued ten of the crew of the barque Albert William, of Liver- pool, bound from Talcahuanho for Fleet- wood, with a cargo of grain. Great difficulty was experienced by the Life- boat men in effecting the rescue, as the boat was repeatedly filled by the heavy seas, both on her outward and homeward journeys. The progress of the boat was watched by a large concourse of people, who enthusiastically greeted the Life- boat men on their return to the shore.

NEWBIGGIN.— The fishing-boats pro- ceeded to the fishing-grounds as usual, on the 27th January, and on their return were overtaken by a severe gale which suddenly sprung up from the N., accom- panied by heavy showers of snow and a very rough sea. The Life-boat Robert and Susan put off at 2 P.M. to the aid of the boats, several of which were in.imminent danger of being swamped by the high seas. Fortunately all reached the shore after an arduous struggle, the storm being the most severe that had been experienced there for many years.

A strong gale from the N.E. sprung up on the afternoon of the 14th February, accompanied by snow-showers and a very high sea. Most of the fishing-boats had returned home, but one of them, the Reliance, was overtaken by the storm and was unable to haul in her lines. When about two miles from the shore she was observed to be in a very critical position, unable to make any headway, and the Robert and Susan Life-boat therefore pro- ceeded to her assistance, and brought her safely into the bay. She would in all probability have been swamped, and her crew of four men lost, had not this timely help been rendered to her.

The fishing-boats also went to their fishing-grounds at 2 A.M. on the 28th March. At 5.30 the wind commenced to blow strongly, and at 7 o'clock it had increased to a gale from the E.S.E., and the sea .was very rough. Nine of the boats returned to the shore at 10.30, and at 11 o'clock the Life-boat Robert and Susan was launched; proceeded about two miles to the assistance of the remain- ing twenty-three boats, and attended them safely to the shore. The Life-boat was out five and a half hours rendering these services. Most of the boats were more or less damaged, having their masts and oars broken, or rudders carried away, and nearly all the fishing-lines had to be abandoned.

NORTH SUNDERLAND and HOLY ISLAND.

—On the morning of the 27th January, five fishermen put off in a coble from North Snnderland, for the purpose of shooting wild ducks on the Fame Islands.

Two of the men landed on the North Wawm Bock, and the three others pulled to the Brownsman Bock, and remained there with the boat. At midday a strong breeze from the N.N.E. sprung up suddenly, and prevented the latter from reaching their companions or returning home, hence they were all compelled to remain on the islands during the whole of the night, the two men on the North Wawm being without the slightest shelter. On the following morning the gale continued without any sign of abatement, and, in response to signals from the islands, the North Snnderland Life-boat Thomas Be- wick was launched at 9.30, and after great exertions against a strong head- wind, succeeded in rescuing the three men on the Brownsman Bock, and also saved their boat. The friends of the men, doubting the possibility of the Life-boat reaching them, telegraphed for the Holy Island Life-boat, and on receipt of the message, the No. 1 Life-boat Grace Dar- ling proceeded to the North Wawm Bock, and took off the two men, who were in a very exhausted condition. The two Life- boats then sailed together for North Sun- derland, where all were safely landed.

The North Snnderland Life-boat also proceeded to the fishing-boat Ayton Castle, of Eyemouth, which had made an unsuc- cessful attempt to reach Berwick, and was lying under the shelter of the Fame House and showing signals of distress.

The boat, with her crew of seven men, who were without food, were brought safely into North Sunderland harbour.

CROMER.'—A vessel was observed on the morning of the 28th January, some distance to the northward of Cromer, labouring very heavily and apparently very deep in the water, with a signal of distress flying. The Benjamin Bond Cdblell Life-boat was launched at 11.15, and found that the signals were shown from the brigantine Jane and Maria, of London, bound from Hartlepool for Green- wich with a cargo of coal. She was in a sinking condition, having sprung a leak; her decks had been swept, and her boat and bulwarks had been carried away by a heavy sea during a tremendous gale on the previous night. She had a crew of seven men, who were brought safely ashore by the Life-boat.

SKEGNESS.—The Herbert Ingram Life- boat was launched at 11.30 A.M., on the 28th January, during a strong breeze from the N., snow-squalls, and a rough sea, in response to signals of distress, and found the brig Starbeam, of and for Boston, from Brevig, with a cargo of ice, stranded on the Doghead Sand-bank. She had run ashore in a snow-squall, and was leaking badly. With the help of the Life-boat men she was got afloat at 3 P.M., and was taken to Boston, the Life-boat accompany- ing her, where she arrived at 7.30 on the following morning. She carried a crew of eight men.

THURSO.—During a very strong gale from the N.E. and a high sea, on the 31st January, signals of distress were shown by the schooner Debonair, of Wick, bound from Castlehill for Newcastle with stone, which was riding in a somewhat dangerous position in Scrabster Roads.

The Life-boat Charley Lloyd was promptly launched at 12 noon; proceeded to the vessel, and brought ashore her crew, con- sisting of five men, safely landing them at 12.55.

NORTH DEAL.—Signals having been fired by the South Sand Head Light- vessel, the crew of the Mary Somervitte Life-boat were summoned on the morning of the 3rd February, and the boat was launched at about 7.10. The weather was thick at the time; the wind was blowing from the W., and there was a strong sea.

On reaching the Sand, the Life-boat men found the barque Loch Ken, of Liverpool, coal-laden from Middlesbrough for Val- paraiso, stranded, and with the help of other boatmen and a steam-tug, the vessel, with fourteen persons on board, was got afloat and was taken into the Downs, the Life-boat returning to her station at about 2.30 P.M.

CULLERCOATS.—The Co-operator No. 1 Life-boat put off at 9 o'clock, on the morning of the 14th February, to the assistance of several fishing-boats which had been overtaken by a high sea. The Life-boat remained near the bar until 2 o'clock, when all the boats had safely crossed it, some of them having narrow escapes, and many shipping a great deal of water.

CLACTON.— Signals from the Swin Middle Light-vessel were observed on the morning of the 17th February, during a N.E. wind and a rough sea. The Albert Edward Life-boat was launched at 3.30; proceeded to the Light-vessel, and found the crew, consisting of nine men, of the brig Ispilen, of Kragero, had taken refuge there, having taken to their boat on their vessel stranding on the Whitaker Spit.

These men were with difficulty taken into the Life-boat, which then proceeded to the stranded vessel; but it was found that she had eight feet of water and sand in her, and would become a total wreck.

She was bound from Christiania for Lowes- toft, with a cargo of ice. The Life-boat then returned to her station, being kindly towed by the s.s. Erasmus Wilson, of London, as far as the N.E. Ghinfleet buoy, and reached Clacton at mid-day.

At 4.30 A.M. on the 21st February the Albert Edward Life-boat was launched, signals having been fired by the Swin Middle, Light-vessel. The morning was bitterly cold; a very strong wind was blowing from the N.E., and the sea was very rough. Flares were afterwards seen, apparently shown by a vessel ashore on the Whitaker or Bnxey Sands, Life-boat burned blue-lights in response, but no further signals being shown, she proceeded to the Light-ship, where the crew were informed that a vessel was in distress bearing S.W. by W. After going some distance and seeing nothing of the vessel, the course was altered for the Maplin Light, where the same information was given. Proceeding again in the direc- tion indicated, the Life-boat men eventu- ally found the schooner Dorothea, of Eiga, bound from Memel for London with oak- staves, and having a crew of four men, just below the West Maplin Buoy; she was full of water, and had lost her rudder.

The Life-boat men weighed the anchor, set some of the sails, and the Life-boat was made fast astern, so as to steer the vessel, but owing to the heavy sea and the ship being waterlogged, the services of a steam-tug had also to be secured.

After some time, the hawsers repeatedly breaking, the vessel was got off the sand and was taken to Gravesend, which was reached at about 5 o'clock in the after- noon. The Life-boat crew went ashore for food, having had but little since leaving home in the morning, after obtaining which they returned to the ship. The Coxswain and two men remained on board to assist in taking the vessel to London. About 1.30 on the following afternoon the Life- boat, with eleven men, under the charge of the assistant Coxswain, started to re- turn to her station, but owing to adverse winds, and being unable to obtain a tow from any vessel proceeding towards the Swin, the crew took refuge on board the tug Victoria until daylight, when they left the tug and were kindly taken in tow by the s.s. Columbia, of London, as far as the N.E. Gunfleet Buoy, the boat reaching Clacton pier at 7.45 P.M., the crew being worn out by exposure and cold.

On the 27th February, at 1.15 P.M., the Albert Edward Life-boat put off to the assistance of the steamer Blonde, of White- haven, bound from Goole for London with a cargo of coal and oil, and carrying a crew of ten men, which had stranded on the Gunfleet Sands, during a N.E. wind and a moderate sea. The Life-boat men, with the help of the crews of two smacks, lightened the vessel by throwing some of the cargo overboard, and when the tide rose, the ship was towed off by the steam- tug Harwich, which took her to London, the Life-boat returning to her station, which she reached at 2 P.M., after an absence of twenty-four hours.

In response to signals, the Albert Edward Life-boat was launched at mid- night on the 25th April, during a strong N.E. wind and a rough sea, and pro- ceeded under double-reefed sails to the Swin Middle Light-vessel, where the crew were informed that there was a vessel on the Barrow Sands. The boat at once went in that direction, and found the barque Flekkefiord, of Flekkefjord, Norway, bound from Christiansand for London with a cargo of timber, and having a crew of twelve men, stranded about a third of a mile S.S.W. of the Middle Barrow Buoy; she was full of water, and her rudder was unshipped.

Preparations were made for getting the vessel afloat, and when the tide rose, the steam-tug Storm Cock attached her hawser, and eventually the barque was got afloat and taken to London, the Life- boat remaining astern so as to steer her as far as the Chapman Light. The Life- boat was taken in tow by the s.s. America on her return, and arrived back at her station at about 7.30 A.M. on the 27th April. The Coxswain and five of the Life-boat men remained on board the barque, to assist to take her to London.

LOWESTOFT.—The brig Messenger, of Yarmouth, bound from Sunderland for Lowestoft, with coal, showed signals of distress during a strong gale from the N.E. and a heavy sea on the 21st Feb- ruary. The Life-boat Two Sisters Mary and Hannah proceeded to her assistance at 8.30 P.M., and finding that the vessel, which had been lying in the roads all through the gale, had parted her anchor, some of the Life-boat men boarded her and assisted at the pumps. The brig drew too much water to risk an attempt to enter the harbour, the Life-boat and a steam-tug therefore remained by her during the night, and afterwards anchored her in Yarmouth. Roads. She had a crew of seven men.

The Two Sisters Mary and Hannah Life-boat was launched at 12.15 P.M. on the 14th March during a very strong wind from E. by S., and proceeded to the assistance of the smack Olive Branch, of Lowestoft, which had damaged her stern by striking the pier, and was drifting towards the south beach, showing signals of distress. On reaching the vessel it was found that she was leaking. Nine of the crew of the Life-boat boarded her, and, •with the help of a smack which went to her assistance, she was taken to Tar- month. She was manned by a crew of five men.

BRIGHSTONE GRANGE AND BROOKE, ISLE OF WIGHT.—On the afternoon of the 9th March, the ship Sirenia, of Glasgow, bound from San Francisco for Dunkirk with a cargo of wheat, stranded on Atherfield Ledge during a thick fog. The Life-boat Worcester Cadet, stationed at Brighstone Grange, put off to her assistance at 4.15 and brought ashore the master's wife, three children, a female servant, and an apprentice, landing them at Atherfield at 6.30. It had been arranged with the master that the Life-boat should return to the vessel at low water, and the boat was therefore again launched at one o'clock on the following morning in a very heavy sea, reached the ship, and took in 13 men. The Life-boat men then watched their opportunity, and at an apparently favourable moment cast off; but before they had time to turn and get out the drogue, a huge breaker drove the boat rapidly astern, turned her broadside on, and capsized her. She righted, but, unfortunately, MOSES MUNT, the Coxswain, THOMAS COTTON, Assistant Coxswain, and two of the passengers, were drowned. The boat reached the shore at Atherfield at 2.30, and the survivors landed. At 12 noon the Life-boat again went off to the vessel, three of the men who had been in the boat the first time, and also on the occasion of the capsize, again going out in her, and rescued the remainder of the ship's crew, 13 in number.

The Brooke Life-boat William Slaney Lewis also put off at 11 o'clock, on the night of the 9th March, to the assistance of the vessel on a summons being received from Atherfield, but when close to the ship, the boat was struck by a very heavy breaker, which washed KEUBEN COOPER, Assistant Coxswain, and two of the crew, overboard, and COOPER was unhappily lost. In attempting to save him the boat lost her opportunity of reaching the wrecked vessel. Persistent attempts to get near her were afterwards made until a number of oars were broken by the heavy seas, and the crew had become so exhausted that they were compelled to return to the shore.

{Vide pages 624-5 for the Eeportsof the Chief Inspector and District Inspector on their enquiry into the circumstances at- tending these casualties, and for the details of the honorary and pecuniary grants to relatives of the men drowned, to the crew of the Life-boats, and to others who rendered service on the occasion.] ARBKOATH.—On the 25th February the People's Journal No. 2 Life-boat put off and remained by the fishing yawl Jane Smith, of Arbroath, until that vessel had crossed the bar and got safely into port during an E.N.E. wind and a heavy sea.

At about 1 P.M. on the afternoon of the 19th March, the fleet of fishing boats, seventeen in number, which had gone out during the morning, were seen making for the harbour, the tide then being one hour's flood and the sea breaking very heavily on the bar, with a strong breeze from the E. Seeing it would be dangerous to attempt to cross the bar, the Life-boat People's Journal No. 2 was launched and went over it, in order to prevent the boats from attempting to cross until the tide rose sufficiently. The Life-boat was pulled inside the broken water, and remained in attendance until all the boats got safely in at about 5 o'clock. A telegram having been received from Moutrose that a boat was running for Arbroath for shelter, the Life-boat again went out and stood by the boat until she got into the harbour at 5.15.

BODLMKH.—A boat, containing four men, being observed off Boulmer during a strong W.N.W. wind and a high sea on the 4th March, the Life-boat Robin Hood of Nottingham put off to her assistance at 7 A.M., and brought ashore the boat and the occupants, who were in an exhausted condition and benumbed by wet and cold.

They were the crew of the schooner Marshall, of Wick, bound from Thurso for the Tyne with flagstones, which was wrecked on the Longstone Eock, Fame Islands.

LIZABD.—The Life-boat Edmund and Fanny, stationed at Folpear, was launched at midnight on the 10th of March, during a moderate gale from the S.S.E. and a heavy ground swell, and rescued the crew of seventeen men from the barque Lady Du/erin, of Plymouth, bound from New- port for Monte Video with railway iron, which stranded on the Beach Head, near Polpear, and became a total wreck.

Several of the shipwrecked men had been injured by being thrown down by the heavy seas which constantly broke over the vessel, and the men were up to their knees in water on the main deck at the time they were taken into the Life-boat, the ship having apparently broken its back. The Life-boat received some damage by being dashed against the wreck.

SCARBOROUGH.—The dandy Vivid, of Scarborough, bound from West Hartlepool for Woodbridge with coal, being caught by a gale from the E.S.E. and a very heavy sea off Plamborough Head, on the llth March, returned to Scarborough and at- tempted to take the harbour before there was sufficient water, the master being afraid to put her round to wait in con- sequence of the very heavy sea. She caught the ground outside, and was driven on to the beach about 250 yards from the entrance of the harbour. The Life-boat Qwenslury was launched at 11 A.M., and brought safely ashore the crew of three men. She afterwards conveyed the pier hawser to the vessel to save her, but this was found to be of no avail.

MONTROSE.—A heavy storm was ex- perienced on the llth March, the wind blowing a whole gale from the E.S.E., accompanied by a very heavy sea, snow, and sleet. At 11.35 A.M., the No 1 Life-boat Augusta, was launched,"and was towed by the steam-tug Rapid nearly as far as the bar, where she remained in readiness to render assistance if required to three vessels, the smacks Triumph, Aquilon, and Honour, of Jersey, which were running for the harbour. The Life- boat men signalled to the vessels the direction in which they should steer, and they all got safely into port. The Life- boat afterwards anchored inside the Breach to await the arrival of a schooner and a steamer. These vessels, however, did not make for Montrose, but proceeded south.

The Montrose No. 1 Life-boat Augusta was launched at 2 P.M. on the 19th March, during an E. wind and a sea which was breaking heavily on the bar, so as to be in readiness to render assistance to two small fishing boats, of Ferryden, which had gone out in the morning. One of the boats, the Squirrel, with four men on board, returned, and her crew were taken into the Life-boat and their vessel brought into safety; but the crew of the other boat would not risk entering Montrose, and therefore proceeded to Aibioath.

PLYMOUTH.—A report having been re- ceived, on the llth March, that a vessel was dragging her anchors in Batten Bay and required assistance, the Life-boat Escape put off at 8.15 A.M., during a gale from the "W. and a high sea, and found the Norwegian barque Souvenir, laden with maize, from Buenos Ayres, very near the shore and occasionally striking. Her main mast was soon afterwards cut away, and, in falling, carried the mizen mast with it, and as the vessel seemed to be in great danger, the Life-boat remained by her until 9.30, when, at the request of the master, the mate was brought ashore to obtain the services of steam-tugs to tow the ship off. The Life-boat was taken back to her station by the steam-tug Deer- hound, arriving at 10.30 A.M.

BEMBRIDGE.—On the evening of the llth March, notice was given that a dis- abled brig was rounding Culver Cliff with a signal of distress flying. The crew of the Queen Victoria Life-boat were called together, and the vessel was soon seen driving towards the Nab Light-vessel under half a fore top sail, her main and fore masts, headgear, and sails having been blown away. Guns and rockets were fired by the Lightship, and at 7 o'clock the Life-boat was launched, and proceeded to the brig, which had brought up two miles from the Nab. She was a Nor- wegian vessel, named Olivia, coal laden, from Hull to Brazil, and had been disabled off Portland. At the master's request, the Life-boat remained by the brig until 3 A.M., when the Government tug Camel arrived and towed the vessel into Ports- mouth Harbour..