BERWICK - on - TWEED, NORTHUMBERLAND.

—On Sunday morning the 1st June, while a north-easterly gale was raging, accompanied by a heavy sea, the coastguard look-out man observed a barque, about six miles off, flying signals of distress. On this being reported to the Honorary Secretary, he at once went to the boathouse, assembled the crew, and at 9.30 A.M.

launched the John and Janet Life-boat.

A steam-tug, which was also proceeding to the assistance of the vessel, took the Life-boat in tow. On reaching her, she was found to be the barque Demelra, of Christiania, in tow of a steamer, bound from Middlesbrough to Shetland with a cargo of salt. The assistance of the Life-boat and tug was declined, so after remaining a short time they started to return to Berwick-on-Tweed. They had not proceeded far however before they were recalled by the barque hoisting further signals of distress. On their return they found the crew were quite exhausted and wanted assistance to man the pumps. Every man in the Life-boat volunteered, although it meant running great risk to board the vessel in such a sea. Indeed, the boat only escaped being capsized by a hair's-breadth, a near approach to the vessel being attended by the greatest danger. Soon after 11 A.M., by skilful management, three men were successfully put on board. In doing so, the Life-boat was somewhat damaged.

The men found 9 feet of water in the hold, and for some hours worked incessantly at the pumps, single-handed, the crew of the Demetra being compelled to rest. About 4 P.M. the rope between the vessel and the Life-boat parted, and Lt was only after hard work that communication was once more restored.

This had only just been effected when the masts commenced to go by the board, and the crew reported that the ship was sinking. The wreckage of the spars flying in all directions made the deck unsafe, so the crew decided to abandon their vessel, and asked to be taken into the Life-boat. It being unsafe for the Life-boat to go alongside the vessel, on account of the heavy sea running, communication was obtained by means of a line rove through a "tail" block, and the work of rescue commenced. The Life-boat men on the sinking vessel displayed great coolness and skill during this difficult and dangerous operation, and it was chiefly due to their efforts that it was accomplished without fatality. Having seen all the crew off, they were the last to leave the ship.

By this time Berwick was so far away that it was out of the question to return there, and in view of the hard work and exposure experienced, the Coxswain deemed it desirable to make the shore as soon as possible. After pulling a distance of eight miles, with the rescued men on board, the boat arrived in safety at Eyemouth about 8.30 P.M., and the Life-boat having been made secure, was left there for the night.

It being Sunday, most of the crew had run down to the boat dressed in their best clothes, some even going without any breakfast. By the time they landed again in the evening they were all, owing to the roughness of the sea, both wet through and exhausted.

The Honorary Secretary took immediate steps to procure food for them, after which they were driven back to Berwickon- Tweed, reaching home about midnight.

Next day they went over to Eyemouth, and brought the John and Janet back to her station.

An additional grant was made by the Committee of Management to the Coxswain and crew on account of their arduous work, and they specially recognized the services of the three men who boarded the vessel. A special letter of thanks was also ordered to be sent to the energetic Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Dr. C. L. ERASER, who also went out in the Life-boat on this occasion and shared the fatigues and dangers of the Life-boat men during their efforts to save the vessel..