On the 8th November the Life-boat BeaucJiamp saved, in circumstances of considerable difficulty and danger, the crew of eight men from the lugger Palestine, of Banff, which, while making for Lowestoft from the fishing-grounds, stranded on the Cockle Sand in a strong gale from S.S.W.

and a very heavy sea. At 4 A.M. the watchmen at Caister observed signals of distress in the direction of the Sand, followed by signals from the Cockle Lightvessel.

The Life-boat was launched as soon as possible and proceeding under storm canvas across the Barber Sand, bore away for the Cockle Sand. By this time the flares had disappeared, but the shipwrecked men had hoisted a small lantern on the mast; this light guided the Life-boatmen to the scene of the casualty, and on nearing it the cries of the men shouting for help were distinctly heard. The Life-boat anchored and veered down towards the vessel, intending to pass a rope to her, but the afterpart of the boat touching the ground she became nearly unmanageable, and being struck on the port bow by an enormous sea she was carried directly on to the deck of the wreck* which was sunk on the sand, only the fore part being above the water, and to this portion her crew were clinging, being continually drenched by the heavy seas which washed over them. The Life-boat had her bow smashed and received other injuries; but having been got clear of the wreck, a rope was passed to the men, and the boat approached near enough to rescue them. They were in a thoroughly exhausted condition and the master anda boy had a narrow escape, as in jumping from the vessel they missed the Boat and fell into the water; bnt they were grasped by the Life-boatmen, and safely taken into the Boat. Daring all these operations, mountainous seas continually broke over the Life-boat. The lugger entirely disappeared ten minutes after the men had been taken off, and it is a fortunate circumstance that they took the precaution to hoist the lantern when the flares went out, as this light, although a small one, was the means of directing the Life-boatmen to their assistance, thus avoiding loss of time in searching for them in the intense darkness which prevailed at the time. Having got all on board, the Lifeboat anchored until daylight, when the steam-tug Gleaner was signalled for and towed her to Caister, where the men were safely landed. On reaching the Boat it was found that the collision with the wreck had seriously damaged her, and she was therefore taken to a shipbuilder's yard at Great Yarmouth, where the necessary repairs were executed.

In recognition of their specially good services on this occasion, an extra reward was granted to the crew of the Life-boat by the Committee of Management of the Institution, and the men had the gratification of receiving from those whom they had rescued, a letter, of which the following is a copy:— " Mr. JAMES H. HAYLETT, " Caister-on-Sea, " Coxswain of the Life-boat Beauchamp, " DEAR SIR, — We, the undersigned, being the crew of the Scotch boat Palestine,.

which was wrecked on the Cockle Sand during the night of Tuesday last, gratefully and sincerely tender to you and your brave crew our thanks for the courageous way in which you came to our rescue, and after many dangerous attempts, succeed dd eventually in saving one and all of us from a watery grave.

We further beg to assure you that we shall remember your heroic services as long as we are spared, and would be much obliged if you would give publicity to this, our thanks, in the Yarmouth Independent.

" We are, gratefully yours, (Signed) GEOBQE MAIB, WILLIAM MAIB, " For ourselves and remainder of crew.".