HARTLEPOOL.—While a gale of wind was blowing from the N. with a high seaon the 16th May, the brig Rudolf, of Trelleborg, laden, with mining timber, for Hartlepool, was seen driving ashore towards Seaton beach. The No. 2 Lifeboat, Charles Ingleby, was launched at 3.30 A.M., and was towed across the bay by the North Eastern Railway Company's steam-tug Iron. When within threequarters of a mile of the wreck the boat was cast adrift so as to run before the sea into shallow water, row along the beach and then out under the lee of the vessel.

On reaching her, the crew were seen on the deck eagerly awaiting the arrival of the boat, which experienced considerable difficulty in getting alongside owing to the floating spars, the main mast having been cut away. At length a hold was obtained with the grapnels fore and aft, and when the Life-boat touched the ship's side two children were handed over. The boat then sheered off a little, and on again, getting alongside the master's wife was taken on board, and afterwards the master and crew jumped into the boat as opportunities offered. It was impossible to get the grapnels clear and they were therefore cut away, and the boat with eleven rescued persons left the vessel. With the help of the saved crew the oars were double banked, with much difficulty the boat steered clear of the Longscarr rocks which were close under her lee, pulled to the steam-tug and was towed safely into Hartlepool at 4.45 A.M. Just as the boat left her, the vessel's foremast fell over and she began to break up, so that in the absence of the Life-boat those on board would probably have met with a watery grave, as several rockets which had been fired failed to reach the ship..