On the 24th March the barquentine Isabella, of Swansea, coal - laden, from Sunderland for Southampton, ran into Yarmouth Eoads for shelter in a severe gale from W.S.W. and a very heavy sea, Her two anchors were let go but both chains parted, and she then signalled for help. Meanwhile her lower topsail, mizen and fore staysail were set, but the two latter were blown clean from the bolt-ropes. The Mark Lane Life-boat was launched, proceeded under close reefed storm sails to the vessel and succeeded in taking off her crew of nine men before she grounded on the sand, and landed them at Gorleston. The Life-boat was considerably damaged in rendering this service, and her crew described the storm as the heaviest they bad ever experienced.

Nothing could be seen beyond fifty yards of the boat owing to the spoon-drift, and the roar of the wind and waves was so deafening that it was with the utmostdifficulty that they could make each other understand what was said or ordered.

In the evening the weather moderated and the Life-boat again went out, taking the master and mate of the Isabelle to try to save the vessel which had driven over the Scroby Sand into the Pikle, and reached her when within a mile and a half S.E. of the South Cross Sand buoy.

A steam-tug, which had been sent for previous to the Life-boat starting, arrived and the schooner was taken in tow, but she was leaking so badly that she had to be abandonee!, and shortly afterwardsfoundered about half a mile from the Gorton Light Vessel..