A. severe gale from the S. with, a very heavy sea was experienced on the 13th October. At about 7 P.M. signals of distress were observed in the direction of the Scroby Sand. No steam-tug was available, and, in the opinion of many of those present, any attempt to cross the bar would prove disastrous. The Coxswain of the Life-boat, after consulting two pilots, who volunteered to accompany him, decided to make an attempt at allhazards, and the Life-boat was therefore manned and launched. With the assistance of men on the pier, the boat was tracked to the South pier head, and then proceeded under double-reefed storm-sails.

When, crossing the bar, a heavy sea broke on board, forcing the boat head to wind, but happily, she paid off, and got safely to sea, and found the ketch Ada, of and for Portsmouth, from Seaham, coal-laden, lying at anchor. She had struck twice on the Scroby Sand, and finding that the anchor would not hold, and that the vessel was leaking badly, the master had burned everything available, including blankets steeped in paraffin oil, in order to make known his need of assistance.

The pumps were again sounded, and, finding that the water was still gaining, the crew of four men were taken into the Life-boat, and landed at 3.45 A.M. The weather having moderated, the Life-boat afterwards returned to the vessel and took her into Yarmouth harbour.

The gallant conduct of the coxswain, the two pilots, and the crew of the Lifeboat was most highly praised by all who witnessed the service. When the boat was struck by the heavy sea on the bar, she was for a time rendered invisible to those who were on the pier, and great anxiety was felt for her safety, for had she been driven on the North Sand the very worst was to be feared for the brave men who manned her..