WELLS, NORFOLK.—The ketch Hopewell, of Lynn, bound for Wells from Hull with corn and cake, arrived in Holkham bay on the afternoon of the 3rd August, just after high water, and was lying there awaiting the next tide when she would proceed to the quay. A heavy gale however sprung up at about ten o'clock at night and the vessel dragged her two anchors, drove on the East bar about 4 A.M., and at once sunk, the master and crew of two men taking to the rigging.

The weather was so thick and the rain so heavy that unfortunately the men were not observed from the shore until about 8 o'clock. The crew of the Life-boat Baltic were summoned, the Boat was launched, and on reaching the Scalp Beacon was taken in tow by the steam tug Marie, which took her to windward of the wreck; the Boat then sailed down to the vessel and with some difficulty succeeded in rescuing the men, who were greatly exhausted, from their perilous position.

.One of the crew of the Life-boat had a narrow escape while assisting to get them from the rigging. He was washed out of the Boat on the windward side and came up on the leeward side, when he was atonce grasped by his companions and pulled on board.

In connection with this service, a gratifying letter, of which the following is a copy, was received by the Honorary Secretary of the Wells Branch of the Institution:— " Wells-next-the-Sea, "llth August, 1900.

"I, K. W. Green, late of the ketch Hopewell, stranded off Wells on the 4th inst., on behalf of myself and crew who were rescued by the Life-boat Baltic, feeling desirous of conveying our heartfelt thanks to the National Life-boat Institution, and more particularly the Wells Branch, beg that you, Sir, will be the medium of conveying the same.

" Had it not been for the promptness in launching and the skilful handling of the boat by Coxswain Crawford and crew, I feel assured the result must have been different.

"Again I thank all concerned in the rescue.

" I am, Sir, " Yours faithfully, (Signed) " E. W. GBEEN." "H. E. LOYNES, Esq., " Bank House, "Wells.".