LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Ann Jane, Gauntlett, S.S.Ballinbreich Castle and the Millie Bain

HOLYHEAD.—On the 2nd January a wind blowing with hurricane force from W.N.W. prevailed, accompanied by a very heavy sea, and the steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland was called out three times to assist vessels which were danger. At 4.30 P.M. the Life-boat left her moorings, proceeded to the schooner Ann Jane and rescued her crew three men. She was dragging her anchor and afterwards parted her cable and became a total wreck on Penrhosbeach. The boat returned to her moorings at 5.25, and five minutes afterwards was called out to a coal hulk which was reported to be in a sinking condition, and on board which were two of the crew of the ketch Gauntlett, which had drifted from her anchorage on to the rocks at Salt Island. The two men had managed to jump on to the hulk as their vessel passed it. Having landed them, the Life-boat was moored alongside the L. & N.W. Railway Co.'s quay, owing to the violence of the gale, at about 6.15.

At 7.30 the third call was received, signals of distress being shown by the s.s.Ballinbreich Castle and the barquentine Millie Bain. From the former five men were rescued, and from the latter seven men. Both vessels were in the Outer Roads and were dragging their anchors.

These men were safely landed about 9 o'clock, and the Life-boat was then moored in the inner harbour in consequence of the continued severity of the storm, and on the following day returned to her usual moorings..