CRESSWELL, NORTHUMBERLAND. — The Life-boat Ellen and Eliza was launched at 10.50 P.M. on the 6th February, 1899, in keenly frosty weather, while a moderate southerly breeze was blowing, accompanied by a heavy sea and a thick haze, and went to the assistance of the steam-trawler Lapwing, which was observed stranded on the Broad Car Rock. In about a quarter of an hour the vessel was reached and the Life-boat remained by her until 2 A.M., when the tide receded and the crew of eight men were able to walk ashore, carrying their effects with them.

On the 17th October the steam trawler Welsh Prince, of and for North Shields, laden with fish, stranded on the rocks known as Limpet Hills, in foggy weather.

The wind was blowing from the S.E. and there was a heavy surf on at the time.

The Life-boat Ellen and Eliza was launched at 5 A.M., and stood by the vessel until she was got afloat with the assistance of steam-tugs. An extrareward was granted to the Life-boat crew and helpers in consideration of their arduous services on this occasion. Signals of distress were repeatedly fired by the vessel, but it was impossible to launch the Life-boat near her, and therefore horses were sent for, but before they arrived, the crew and launchers had almost exhausted themselves in trying to get the Boat on her carriage along the sands. Every person who assisted was wet to the waist and the crew were eight hours at sea in that condition.

NEWHAVEN.—On the morning of the 8th February the coastguard reported to the coxswain of the Life-boat that a vessel was ashore at Seaford. The crew were at once summoned and the Life-boat Michael Henry was launched at 3.50. A strong gale was blowing from S. at the time. With considerable difficulty, caused by the heavy sea, the Life-boat succeeded in getting alongside t he vessel and took off the master and nine hands. In response to the coxswain's inquiries the master stated there were two other men, the first and second mates, on board. The Life-boat- men shouted for them, but in vain, and the position of the Boat became so critical, as the seas were dashing her against the ship, that she was compelled to leave the vessel and landed the men at Newhaven. Having done so, it was decided to return for the two men, and as the crew of the Life-boat were exhausted by their exertions, the proffered services of the tug Nelson were accepted and the Boat was towed to the scene of the wreck.

No trace of the men however could be found, and the Boat was taken back to her station. It was afterwards ascertained that one of the men had been rescued by the rocket apparatus and that the other had been drowned in an attempt to land him. Both men appear to have been in the cabin, instead of on deck when the others were taken off by the Life-boat, and did not hear the shouting of the men. The vessel was the barque Peruvian, of Fano, Denmark, bound from Esmeralda for Hamburg with a cargo of ivory nuts and logwood.

BERWIOK - ON - TWEED. — The ketch William Knox, of Kirkcaldy, coal laden, from the Tyne for Bonar Bridge, was seen running for the harbour while a fresh breeze was blowing from S.E. on the 9th February. On entering the river she was caught by the strong " fresh " running out, and broaching to, was driven on the Cold Bat, Spittal Point. Signals for assistance being shown, the crew of the Life-boat John and Janet were summoned, and at 6 P.M. the boat was launched and safely landed the vessel's crew of three men.

CAISTER, NORFOLK. — On the 14th February, the look-out observed a large steamer, apparently stranded on the Middle Cross Sand and soon afterwards she showed signals of distress. The Life-boat Beauchamp was launched at 12.30 P.M. and found she was the s.s. Bitssian Prince, of Newcastle, bound from that port for Savannah, in ballast.

She was just inside the Cross Sands, afloat, with a heavy list to port and unmanage- able, her engines being disabled. The services of the Life-boatmen were accepted and with the help of two steam-tugs the vessel was taken to Yarmouth roads and anchored there at about 7 P.M. Red port fires having been observed on the outside part of the Middle Scroby Sand, while a moderate gale was blowing from the N. accompanied by a heavy sea, on the 4th July, the crew of the Life- boat Beauchamp were summoned and at 3.5 A.M. the boat was launched. She sailed to the sand and found the ketch Via, of Ramsgate, bound from the fishing grounds for Lowestoft, stranded amongst broken water. As she was abandoned, it was decided to leave some of the Life- boatmen on board, and that the boat should proceed to the aid of the vessel's crew, who were seen in their boat about a mile distant, but before the Life-boat could reach them, a steam-tug coming out from Yarmouth harbour picked them up. The tug and Life-boat then returned to the ketch, found she had beaten off the sand and took her into the harbour.

The coxswain of the Life-boat Beau- champ, while on the watch at 3.30 A.M., on the 16th September, saw the side- lights of a vessel which was apparently stranded on the Barber Sand. About ten minutes afterwards signals of distress were shown; thereupon the Life-boat was launched, and proceeding in the direction in which they had been seen found the dandy William, of Great Yar-mouth, returning home from the fishing ground, stranded on the N. part of the sand. All efforts to get the vessel afloat having failed, the Life-boat attached her tow-rope to her and anchored outside the sand until noon, when the wind, which was blowing from W.N.W., increased, and heavy seas began to break over the fishing-boat. The Life-boat then got her anchor up and went alongside the vessel, this being accomplished by means of the tow-rope, the boat fre- quently grounding, owing to the shallow- ness of the water on the sands, and the seas breaking over the crew. The vessel's crew of ten men were taken into the Life-boat, which again grounded, and had to wait until the tide flowed, when she was able to get off the sands, and make for her station, which was reached at 3 P.M. Just before the Life- boat left her, the vessel turned over and rapidly broke up.

At 7.20 A.M., on the 23rd September, the Life-boat Beauchamp was launched in a strong W.N.W. wind and a heavy sea to a schooner riding at the entrance to the Cockle Gat. The Boat sailed to the Gat, and was then taken in tow by the steam- tug Express. On arriving at the vessel, the schooner Parthenia, of and for Great Yarmouth, from Hartlepool with coal, it was found that she had several feet of water in her hold, having been consider- ably strained by the heavy weather she had experienced. Her crew of six men were thoroughly exhausted, and were about to leave the ship in their own boat.

Some of the Life-boatmen went on board the vessel to pump the water out, while the Express took her in tow and at about four o'clock in the afternoon she was brought into Yarmouth harbour.

On the morning of the 30th September, information by telephone was received stat- ing that the services of the Life-boat were needed by a boat in danger at Winterton Ness. A strong gale was then blowing from S.S.E., accompanied by a very heavy sea. At 9.30 the Life-boat Beauchamp was launched and found the boat Alice, of Great Yarmouth, returning home from fishing, riding at anchor in the broken water. The Life-boat anchored to wind- ward, veered down to her and rescued her crew of three men who were in an ex- hausted condition and BO white from the salt water which had drenched them as to be unrecognizable. The Life-boat then got her anchor up, sailed eastward, and again anchored to await the turn of the tide, when she was able to pick up the fishing- boat and tow her (o her port.

At 8 P.M., on the 9th October, in a S.W. wind and moderate sea, the Life- boat Beauchamp was launched at the request of Lloyd's Agent, and proceeded to the s.s. Achilles, of South Shields, which had stranded on Scroby Elbow.

A large number of men were on board the vessel jettisoning her cargo, and it was considered advisable to have the Life-boat at hand in case her services might be needed. She remained by until the steamer floated and was safely anchored in the roadstead.

On the 8th November the Life-boat Beauchamp saved, in circumstances of con- siderable 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 Light- vessel. 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, intend- ing to pass a rope to her, but the after- part 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 in- juries; 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 and a boy had a narrow escape, as in jumping from the vessel they missed the Boat and fell into the water; but 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 disap- peared ten minutes after the men had been taken off, and it is a fortunate cir- cumstance 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-boat- men to their assistance, thus avoiding loss of time in searching for them in the in- tense darkness which prevailed at the time. Having got all on board, the Life- boat 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 neces- sary 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 gratifi- cation of receiving from those whom they had rescued, a letter, of which the follow- ing 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 Pales- tine,. 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 did 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 Inde- pendent.

" We are, gratefully yours, (Signed) GEORGE MAIR, WILLIAM MAIR, " For ourselves and remainder of crew." GOUHDON, KlNCARDINESHIRE.—The S.S.

Brenda, employed in protecting the line fishing boats, stranded in a thick fog and drizzling showers of rain on the morning of the 18th February and showed signals of distress. The Life-boat Theophilus Sidney Echalaz was launched at 4.38 and stood by the vessel until 10.10, when she returned to the harbour, where she was moored afloat so as to be in readiness should the vessel require further assist- ance. Between five and six o'clock in the evening the wind veered to the N.

and the waves began to rise as the tide made; the mate and second engineer, who had remained on board to watch the vessel, the others having landed in their own boat, therefore rang the ship's bell and shouted to some men on the rocks that they wished to be taken ashore. The Life-boat at once proceeded to the vessel again and brought the two men safely ashore.

PENMON, ANGLESEY.—On the afternoon of the 20th February, while a strong breeze was blowing from the E., accom- panied by a rough sea, the pilots observed a schooner strike on the Causeway rocks.

The crew of the Life-boat Christopher Brown were summoned, and at 3.8 the boat was launched. On hailing the vessel, which proved to be the schooner Devon, of Plymouth, laden with china clay, the master stated that he required a pilot.

The Life-boat put one on board and stood by the vessel, which was striking heavily, about half an hour, when she floated off and was taken safely to Beaumaris, the Life-boat accompanying her.

WORTHING. — The schooner Prince Llewellyn, laden with slate from Port- madoc for Shoreham, stranded about two miles E. of Worthing pier at 2 P.M., on the 20th February, in a strong E.S.E. breeze, a rough sea and thick weather.

No signals of distress were shown, but the vessel was kept under observation, and at 5 P.M., as the wind and sea in- creased and the schooner was rolling heavily and had no prospect of getting afloat, it was decided to launch the Life- boat Henry Harris and proceed to her assistance. The boat remained by the vessel until 9 P.M., and she having been driven dangerously near the pier her crew of five men decided to leave her and were brought safely ashore at 9.45. Pre-vious to their leaving the vessel an attempt was made by the harbour steam- tug to tow her afloat but it was unsuc- cessful.

GROOMSPORT, Co. DOWN.—The Life- boat George Pooley was launched at 5.40 A.M. on the 21st February, while a gale was blowing from E.S.E., and proceeded to the assistance of the schooner Caledonia, which, while on a voyage from Ayr to Wexford, with a cargo of coal, stranded on Briggs reef. As the vessel was filling with water, her crew of five men took to the Life-boat and were safely landed at 6.45.

HOYLAKE, CHESHIRE.—A vessel was observed by the Coastguard to be stranded on the East Hoyle Spit on the morning of the 6th March, and as the weather appeared to be somewhat threatening, and there being a nasty sea on the bank, it was decided to take out the Life-boat Coard William Squarey. At 9.5 the Boat was launched and on reaching the vessel found she was the flat Oulton, of and for Connah's Quay, laden with steel from Liverpool. As the tide had nearly ebbed it was decided to stand by her until it flowed; some of the Life-boat men then boarded her to assist at the pumps as she was leaking badly. Ulti- mately the Life-boat towed her on to the main where she sunk. Her crew of two men were taken into the boat and safely landed at Hoylake.

While a fresh S. breeze was blowing, accompanied by a choppy sea, on the morning of the 12th April, the Coastguard on duty observed a vessel stranded on the East Hoyle Bank. He at once communi- cated with the Coxswain of the- Life-boat Goard William Squarey, and the crew of the boat were summoned. At 7.45 the Life-boat was launched and reached the vessel, which proved to be the flat Luther, of Liverpool, bound from Birkenhead for Mostyn, laden with manganese. The master stated that he was about to signal for the Life-boat when he saw the rockets fired to assemble her crew. Some of the Life-boat men boarded the vessel and helped to pump the water out of her, as she was much strained and leaking badly, and the Boat remained by her until she was fairly under way, and the master stated that he could manage without any further assist- ance.

ST. AGNES', ISLES OF SOILLY.—At 9 P.M., on the 21st March, signals were seen in St. Mary's Sound. In ten minutes the Life-boat James and Caroline was launched and proceeded to the spot, under sail, through a moderate sea, the wind blowing a strong breeze from N.E. The fishing lugger Lydia, of Porthleven, was found anchored near the N. end of Bartholomew Ledge, her foremast having been carried away. The Life-boat men assisted the crew and the fishermen were enabled to proceed to St. Mary's.

ALDEBUBGH, SUFFOLK.—In response to signals from the Cork Light-ship the Life-boat Aldeburgh was launched at 6.18 P.M. on the 22nd March, in a strong N.N.W. wind and heavy sea. Shortly after she had left, a telephone message arrived reporting that the Sank Light-vessel was firing signals; thereupon the Shipwash Light-vessel was requested by telephone to inform the Life-boat as she passed to that effect. On speaking the Shipwash, the Coxswain was informed that the last signal was from the N.E. Long Sand or Kentish Knock, and the boat at once pro- ceeded in the direction of the Long Sand, but falling in with the Harwich Steam Life-boat ascertained that a schooner was totally wrecked on the N.E. part of the Long Sand and that there were no persons on board. The Aldeburgh then headed for the Long Sand Light-vessel and finding that the schooner's crew had taken refuge there, went alongside, took off the five men and returned with them to Aldeburgh, which was reached at 4 o'clock the following morning. The wrecked vessel was the Rosa Alba, of Goole, bound from Southampton for Walton-on-the-Naze, laden with timber.

HILBRE ISLAND, CHESHIRE.—At about 5 P.M. on the 7th April, while a whole gale was blowing from N.W., accompanied by a very heavy sea and cold and squally weather, the Coxswain of the Life-boat who was working on the island, saw a flat driven on to the West Hoyle Bank and as she was very low in the water and the weather very bad, he decided to take out the Life-boat Admiral Briggs to her assistance. He at once summoned the crew and on reaching the vessel found she was the William, of Liverpool, ladenwith, limestone, and was leaking badly.

Some of the Life-boat men boarded her, pumped the water out of her, set her Fails and as the tide was making managed to get her off; she then proceeded up the Dee to Mostyn. The master of the yessel was very grateful for the help rendered by the Life-boat men; without their assistance it is unlikely that he would have weathered the gale.

On receipt of a message on the morning of the 1st July, stating that a yacht was aground on the West Hoyle Bank, the Life-boat Admiral Briggs was launched at 11.45, and on reaching the vessel found she was the Speedwell, cutter-rigged, of Liverpool. At the master's request the Life-boat stood by her until she got off the bank on which she had been driven by a heavy squall. A W.N.W. breeze was blowing, the sea was choppy, the weather was thick, and rain was fall- ing during the time this service was rendered.

On the 6th September the fishing boat Sarah Ann, of Hoylake, returning from the fishing grounds, ran aground on the West Hoyle Bank. As the weather was threatening, it was decided to take out the Life-boat Admiral Briggs, and at 7.35 P.M. the Boat proceeded to the vessel, which was found to be leaking badly, put some men on board to assist the crew of four and took her into the pool at Hilbre Island.

A lamentable accident occurred in con- nection with this service. After the launch of the Life-boat an attempt was being made to haul up the trolley which con- veys the Boat along the slipway. While the operations were in progress, Edward Lilley, Boatman H.M. Coastguard, sta- tioned at Hoylake, was struck on the head by one of the handles of the winch, causing a compound fracture of the skull.

Two medical men. were in attendance as soon as possible, but the injuries proved fatal in about four hours.

The Committee of Management ex- pressed their deep sympathy with Mr. Lilley's widow, and granted the sum of £150 towards the fund raised locally for her relief.

ILFRACOMBE.—At 6 A.M. on the 8th April the Coxswain of the Life-boat Co-operator No. 2 was informed that a ketch was about six or seven miles distant in a disabled condition. He at once fired the signal to summon the crew and in six minutes the Life-boat was afloat and on her way to the vessel. She proceeded through tremendous seas, a heavy gale blowing from W.N.W., and on reaching the ketch found she was the Olive and Mary, trawler, of Brixham. She had only a jib set, her other sails having been blown to ribbons. When about forty miles W. of Lundy Island, she had en- countered fearful seas, her main boom was carried away, her bulwarks were smashed, her compass destroyed, her boat was washed away, and for a time she was thrown on her beam ends. The Life-boat took her in tow, but in about half an hour the tow-rope parted. A stouter warp was then attached, and by means of this she was got into safety at 9 A.M. It being then low water, the Life-boat stood by her until about 5 P.M., when the tide had risen sufficiently to enable her to be taken into the harbour.

Her crew of four men were completely exhausted.