LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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The Ketches Progress, John and Ann, Dolphin, and Martha Jane

FISHGUARD, SOUTH WALES.—On the morning of the 24th March, a whole galeblew from the N.E. with heavy squalls of sleet, and the sea was very heavy. At 9.55 signals of distress were shown by vessel at anchor in the bay, and the crew of the Life-boat Appin were thereupon summoned. Three other vessels subsequently showed signals for assistance.

At 10.5 the Life-boat was launched and proceeded first to the ketch Progress, Aberystwyth, bound from Aberdovey for Dover, with a cargo of slates; then to the ketch John and Ann of Aberystwyth bound from Newport, Mon., for Good wick, coal laden; afterwards, to the smack Martha Jane of Aberystwyth coal laden, from Cardiff for Aberayron; and finally, to the ketch Dolphin of and from Bideford which had discharged her cargo of gravel at Goodwick. From each of these four vessels the master and crew of two men were rescued by the Life-boat, which then ran for the beach at Goodwick, where all were safely landed. The Dolphin and Martha Jane afterwards parted their cables and drove on to the beach; the John and Ann parted her cables about an hour after her crew had been taken off, sunk in deep water, and became a total wreck; and the Progress rode heavily at her anchors, apparently waterlogged, and eventually sunk..