CLACTON-ON-SEA.—At about 6.80 A.M.

on the 3rd October, 1890, the second coxswain of the Life-boat reported to the coxswain superintendent that a barque had stranded on the S.W. Gunfleet sand, and on looking at the vessel with a telescope it was seen that she was showing signals of distress. The usual soundsignals were fired to summon the crew of the Life-boat Albert Edward; the boat was launched in a rough sea, a strong gale blowing from the W.S.W., and with all possible speed sailed to the scene of the wreck. She went across the Wallet to the Gunfleet West Buoy, experiencing some difficulty in crossing the sands, the tide being low, and then proceeded downthe Swin towards the stranded barque.

Whilst she was making for the wreck, two boats were seen to leave and go in the direction of the Gunfleet Lighthouse, and on coming up with these boats, they were found to contain the vessel's crew of eight men with their baggage. The men and their effects were taken into the Lifeboat, one of the ship's boats was cut adrift, and the other, being a better one, was taken in tow. A signal was then made to the steamer Albatross, of Grimsby, to tow the Life-boat, and the master and crew very kindly did so, taking her as far as the Swin Spitway when she was cast off, after which sail was set and she returned to her station at 12 o'clocknoon. Whilst in tow of the steamer the line of the ship's boat parted, owing to the heavy sea, and the boat was lost.

The wrecked vessel was the Larissa, of Blyth, 315 tons, bound from North Shields for Sheerness with a cargo of coal..