MARGATE.—About 4.40 p.m., on the 21st March, a telegram was received from Lloyd's agent at Whitstable stating that a brigantine had stranded on the Red Sand and that her crew were apparently in jeopardy. A strong gale was blowing from N.E. and the sea was rough. The crew of the Life-boat Eliza Harriet were summoned and in ten minutes from the receipt of the telegram the boat was launched and was on her way to the scene of the casualty. On reaching the West Last a vessel was observed about N. by W. and thinking she was the one reported to be in distress the boat made for her, but found she was a brig riding at anchor. As darkness had now set in, the Life-boatmen boarded her to ascertain if her crew could give any information respecting the stranded vessel. They were informed that a sunken vessel had been seen in a S.W.

direction about a mile and a half distant, but no men had been observed either on the vessel or on her masts. Proceeding in the direction indicated, the Life-boat searched until 9.30 when the strong tide rendered it prudent to put into Whitstable for a time. About 4 a.m., having received fresh directions, she again put off, resumed the search, and at daylight found'she was close to the vessel which was sunk between the Red and Middle Sands; her foreyard was just under water and, on running in nearer to her, men were seen in the top. The Lifeboat having sailed to windward of the wreck lowered her foremast and with the help of oars got alongside with her head right under the vessel's foretop, this being the only way of getting the men off, as they were perfectly helpless.

They numbered three men: the survivors of a crew of seven. Having taken the men, one of whom was almost lifeless, on board, the boat was, with some difficulty, got clear of the wreck and at once sailed for Wbitstable. The tide being low when she arrived, a dinghy was procured by means of which the rescued men were landed, and they then received proper attention. At high water the Life-boat left for her station, arriving home about 4.30 p.m. The wrecked vessel was the brigantine Rose, of Whitstable, laden with coal..