LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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

EEDCAB.—The Life-boat Brothers was launched for exercise at 2.15 P.M. on the 23rd June, 1892, in a moderate gale from the N. by E. and a rough sea, and, while under sail, the coble Wild Hose, of Eedcar, was seen, about two miles to leeward, endeavouring to beat up from Saltburn to Eedcar. As the wind and sea were increasing, the Life-boat proceeded to her, put two men on board, and assisted her crew to reach Eedear in safety.

KIMEBIDGE, DOESET.—A vessel was re- ported ashore on Kimeridge Ledge during a thick fog, a heavy ground sea, and a fresh S.W. wind, on the 26th June. The Life-boat Augustus Arkwright was launched at 9 P.M. and found the stranded vessel was the brigantine Lythemore, of Llanelly, bound from Cardiff for Southampton with a cargo of steam-coal. She was in no immediate danger, but the Life-boat, at the request of the captain, remained by her during the night, and on the following morning laid out an anchor, so as to enable her to be hauled into deep water when the tide served.

EHOSNEIGIB, ANGLESEY.—The smack William, of Carnarvon, bound from Youghal for Garston, timber laden, was observed stranded about a quarter of a mile from the Ehosneigir Life-boat house, during thick weather, a S.S.W. wind, and a rough sea, on the 26th June. The Life-boat Thomas Line/ham put off to her assistance at 11.30 P.M., and, as she was in danger of becoming a total wreck, being surrounded by rocks, brought ashore her crew, numbering three men.

NAIBN.—The fishing-yawl Margaret and Ann was seen in the bay, about five hundred yards east of Nairn harbour, in a critical position, while a gale was blowing from the S.W. and a high sea was running, at about 1 P.M. on the 27th June. She was lying at anchor and was in danger of being swamped or, if the cable snapped, of being driven amongst the salmon fishing nets. The Life-boat Caulfield and Ann was promptly launched and brought the boat and her crew, con- sisting of a man and a boy, who were completely exhausted, safely ashore.

EAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—While a mode- rate gale from the S.S.W. was blowing and in thick weather, the schooner Mary Jane, of and for Eamsey from Whitehaven with a cargo of coal, was seen labouring heavily, having her sails IST FEBBUABY, 1893.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

273 torn and rendered useless, abont four miles E.N.E. of Kamsey on the after- noon of the 2nd July. The Life-boat Mary Isabella put off to her assistance at 5.45, some of the Life-boat men boarded her and, as she was leaking badly, the pumps were kept going for an hour ; but the water continued to gain on them and it ultimately became necessary to abandon the schooner and take to the Life-boat, the vessel's crew of three men being safely landed by the boat at 9.20.

On the 12th August, while a moderate gale was blowing from the S.S.W., with a rough sea, a telegram was received from the coastguard at Port Cranstal, about a mile south of the Point of Ayre, stating that a vessel was ashore there and that the Life-boat was required. The Life- boat Mary Isabella was promptly launched and at 9.37 P.M. was on her way to Port Oranstal; but on arriving there it was found that the vessel had fldated off with the assistance of the coastguards and some local fishermen. In beating back, the Life-boat fell in with the vessel, which was the cutter Royal Fern, of Peel, about half a mile seawards of where she had stranded. She was leaking badly, and her crew of three men were in need of help. Three of the Life-boat men went on board and the Life-boat took the cutter in tow; but very little progress was made, as the gale had freshened considerably. At 1 A.M., as such slow progress was being made and it was feared that some of the Life-boat spars might have been carried away, E. C. KEBB, Esq., the Hon. Secretary of the Institution's Ramsey branch, prevailed on the master and crew of the s.s. Seal, of Glasgow, a small coasting vessel which had just put into Eamsey for shelter, to go out in search of the boat, Mr. KEEE accompany- ing them. The Life-boat and cutter were met about two miles N.E. of the harbour, having travelled only four miles in about three hours. Both were taken in tow, and at 2.30 A.M. reached the harbour, where hundreds of visitors were standing in a drenching rain awaiting the return of the boat.

NEW BBIGHTON.—At 2.30 P.M., on the 19th July, intelligence having been re- ceived that a vessel was showing signals of distress, the No. 2 Life-boat Henry Richardson put off, in tow of the steam-tug Brilliant Star, and found the three-masted schooner Renown ashore at Formby Hole.

The wind was then blowing a heavy gale from the W.N.W., and there was a heavy sea. A tug was taking the vessel in tow when the Life-boat arrived; three of the Life-boat men went on board the schooner to help to get up her anchor and she was then towed to Liverpool, the Life-boat returning to her station, there being no further occasion for her services.

The full-rigged ship Maxwell, 1,800 tons, of Liverpool, left that port on the morning of the 19th July, bound for San Francisco with a cargo of coal. She was towed by the steam-tug Great Western and, on arriving near the North-West light-vessel between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, the weather had become so bad, a very heavy gale blowing from the N.E., and the sea being extremely rough, that it was considered advisable to return to Liverpool as the ship was plunging heavily, her decks were full of water and the tug was unable to control her. In crossing the bar, on which a very heavy sea was running, the Maxwell, unfortu- nately grounded and all efforts of the steamer to tow her off failed. Ultimately the hawser parted and the tug then male for Liverpool to obtain assistance.

In response to signals the crew of the New Brighton Life-boat Henry Richardson promptly assembled, and at 11.40 the Life-boat proceeded for the wreck in tow of the Great Western, and at 1.40 reached the ship, over which the heavy seas were washing, threatening her every moment with total destruction. Considerable difficulty was experienced by the Life- boat men in taking off the twenty-nine persons on board the vessel, so unusually high were the seas; but this was at length safely accomplished, the men were safely landed at New Brighton and were afterwards taken to Liverpool.

Soon after striking the bar the Maxwell was run into by a small schooner which was seriously damaged by the collision.

One of the Liverpool Life-boats, be- longing to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, also put off to the aid of the ship- wrecked men, but was capsized, being struck by heavy seas, and two of her crew were unhappily drowned, another of the men succumbing to his injuries shortly after his admission to the Cottage Hospital at Hoylake.

B 3 274 THE LIFE-BOAT.

[1ST FEBRUARY, 1893.

Owing to the darkness of the night and the fury of the gale, the Liverpool boat was not seen by those on board the New Brighton boat, nor were any cries for assistance heard by them, and they were therefore unaware of the accident which had so unfortunately befallen the Liver- pool men.

PAKEFIELD, SUFFOLK.—A heavy gale sprung up suddenly from the N.E. on the morning of the 20th July, seriously jeopardizing several small fishing-boats belonging to Lowestoft which were fishing about four miles from the land S.E. of Pakefield. Some of the boats showed signals of distress, and at about 5 o'clock the Life-boat Two Sisters Mary and Hannah was launched, proceeded to their assistance and with the help of the steam-tug Despatch, of Lowestoft, saved seven of the boats and their crews, numbering in all sixteen men.

ST. IVES, CORNWALL.—On the morning of the 20th July, the pilot-cutter Mary, of Bristol, was seen riding in a dangerous position, while a strong gale was blowing from the N. accompanied by a heavy sea.

Every movement of those on board the vessel could be seen from the high ground and it was thought that as she had two anchors down she would ride out the gale, but when the tide fell and the water under her was becoming shallow it was feared that she might strike and upset.

The Life-boat Exeter was therefore launched at 8 o'clock, and brought ashore the cutter's crew, consisting of three men and a boy.

CAISTEB, NORFOLK.—At about 1 A.M.

on the 25th July, the side lights of a vessel were observed near the Barber Sand and it appeared that she was in great danger of stranding, and shortly afterwards flares were seen from the sand.

The Caister No. 2 Life-boat Beauchamp at once put off, and found that the vessel which was the ketch William and Sarah Ann, of Goole, bound from Lynn for London and laden with tiles, had struck on the north part of the sand, the heavy seas breaking round and over her. The Life-boat made two attempts to get alongside but was unable to do so, a third attempt, however, proved successful, and some of the persons on board the vessel were taken into the boat for a time. The boat remained by the ketch about four hours when she floated, leaking badly, and was taken into Yarmouth harbour. She had a crew of four men, and a woman and two children were also on board.

On the 7th October, at about 1 A.M., a steamer, which proved to be the s.s. Idle- wild, of Sunderland, coal-laden from the Tyne for London, appeared to have run aground on the north part of the Barber Sand. The coxswain of the Life-boat Beauchamp was called and, after an inspection through the glass it was evident that the steamer was really stranded. The Life-boat was then launched and sailed to the vessel in a strong S.W. breeze, encountering a very heavy cross sea. On nearing the sand, the boat's anchor was let go, and she wore down to the ship. The services of the life-boat men were engaged to assist to get the vessel afloat and in about three hours this was accomplished; she was taken into the Cockle Gat and then resumed her voyage. She had a crew of fifteen persons.

On the llth November, while a moderate breeze was blowing from the E., some Scotch fishing-boats and a smack were seen to run aground on the Barber Sand, on which a heavy sea was breaking. The Life-boat Beauchamp put off at 6 P.M., sailed to the sand, and found that the Scotch boats were just getting clear. In making for the smack the Life-boat fell in with another Scotch boat which was making straight for the sand. The master was informed of his danger and was advised as to the course he should take. The Life-boat afterwards let go her anchor, wore down to the smack, and, at the master's request, remained alongside until about 1 A.M. when the vessel floated.

On the 13th November the brig Eugenie, of Brevig, bound for Great Yarmouth with a cargo of ice, stranded on the North Scroby Sand in a very heavy sea and a strong breeze from the S.S.W. The Life-boat Beauchamp went to her assist- ance and, with the help of a steam-tng, got her afloat and took her into Yarmouth harbour.

BHANCASTER, NORFOLK.—At daybreak on the 10th August, while a moderate IST FEBRUARY, 1893.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

275 N.E. breeze was blowing, with considerable ground swell, the s.s. Mogador, of London, was seen about nine miles north of Bran- caster. She showed no signal; but as her position was evidently critical, the crew Of the Life-boat Lily Bird were summoned and eventually it was decided to launch the boat and proceed to the steamer. Soon after the boat had put off the vessel made signals for assistance.

When the boat reached her she was afloat, the tide having risen; but she had been aground on the sands, and was still in great difficulties. At the request of the master, the coxswain of the Life-boat took charge of the ship, the Life-boat being taken in tow, took her into deep water, and left her in charge of a Lynn pilot.

On the morning of the 14th October the coxswain was informed by the Chief Officer of Coastguard that a message had been received by telephone from Thorn- ham, stating that the services of the Life- boat were required by a vessel in distress off Holme Point. The wind was blowing from the N.E., the weather was stormy and a heavy sea was running. The Life- boat Lily Bird was launched at 10.15, and proceeded under canvas to the vessel, which was stranded about three hundred yards from the beach at Holme Point.

She was the schooner Rensche, of and from Papenburg for Lynn, laden with oil cake. The Life-boat's anchor was let go, the boat veered close to the vessel, and took off her crew consisting of five men.

The wind and the heavy sea rendered it impossible for the boat to return to her station; and she therefore made for Hunstanton, where all were landed at 1 P.M., the boat being taken back to Brancaster by road.

LITTLEHAMPTON.— The Life-boat James, Mercer and Elizabeth was launched at 10 P.M. on the 14th August, in a rough sea and a moderate to fresh gale of wind from the S., it having been reported that a vessel was making signals of distress.

The vessel, which was the yawl Surf, belonging to Littlehampton, with the owner and one man on board, was found about a mile south of the coastguard station. Two of the Life-boat men boarded the yacht and brought her safely into harbour, the owner of the vessel coming ashore in the Life-boat.

BULL BAY, ANGLESEY.—A small sailing boat, north of the Middle Mouse and drifting to sea, was seen by the coast- guard, on the afternoon of the 26th August signalling for assistance. A message was at once sent to the Life-boat Station, and at 4.10 the Life-boat Curling was launched, reached the boat, on board of which were three lads, who being totally ignorant regarding the management of a boat had lost all confidence on being suddenly carried out to sea. A moderate gale of wind was blowing from the W.S.W., the sea was rough, the boats' sails were damaged and the craft was half full of water. The boat and her three occupants were brought safely ashore by the Life- boat..