WHITEHAVEN.—On the evening of the 17th September about 5 o'clock, at about half tide, there was a strong southwesterly wind and a heavy sea. The schooner Kate, of Peel, 122 tons register,was coming into Whitehaven Harbour light, for coal. She failed to get close enough round the West Pier, and shot beyond the North Wall, threatening to run ashore on the rocks at Redness Point.

Her anchor was dropped, and she was brought up in just sufficient water to keep her off the bottom and there she tossed helplessly, slowly dragging her anchor, in no immediate danger, but gradually going ashore. After some time the steam-tug Florence went out and endeavoured to obtain communication by line, but without success, as in such a sea she was in danger of being dashed against the schooner. Then a couple of rockets were discharged from the neighbourhood of the Life-boat house, and soon there was a crowd down there cheering lustily as the Life-boat was launched through the surf. It was hard work getting clear of the heavy breakers, but the Life-boat succeeded in passing a line from the vessel to the tug; a cable was then hauled on board and the Life-boat made fast astern. The anchor was slipped, and vessel and Lifeboat were towed into the harbour just as darkness was setting in..