LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Services of the Life-Boats of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution

WALTON-ON-NAZE, ESSEX.—At 9.30 A.M. on the 26th Feb., 1904, a telephone message was received from the Gunfleet Lighthouse stating that a vessel was aground on the sands. The crew and helpers of the Life-boat James Stevens No. 14 were at once summoned, and the Life-boat promptly manned. There was a strong S.S.E. gale blowing, and it was cold and rough with heavy snow squalls. Under all sail the Life-boat proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the schooner Lcif, of Rudkjobing; the master subsequently agreed with the Life-boat men and a tug, which had also come out, to salve his vessel. This they succeeded in doing, and took the vessel into Harwich.

WICK, CAITHNESS-SHIRE. — On the 26th February, while the fishing boat Olive, of Banff, was attempting to put to sea in a moderate S.E. breeze, but rather rough sea, she grounded on a sandbankat the mouth of the harbour, when a huge wave drove her on to the rocks at the back of the North Quay. The coxswain of the Life-boat John Avins, seeing the danger she was in, at once launched the Life-boat and proceeded to her. On arrival the skipper asked that the Life-boat should remain by him in case the efforts then being made to get his boat off should not be suc- cessful. This they did, but with the flowing tide the fishing boat got clear, and in a somewhat damaged state re- turned to the harbour.

WINTERTON, NORFOLK.—In the early morning of the 27th February, during moderate but cold weather, a barque was observed on the Hasboro' Sands.

The No. 2 Life-boat, Margaret, was launched and made for the wreck; on the way a steam-tug picked them up and towed them to the vessel, which proved to be the barque Acteeon, of Drammen, bound for Liverpool with a cargo of timber. On arrival the captain stated he intended to try to get his vessel off without assistance when the tide made, but requested the Life-boat to stand by in case her services should be required. This they did, and the vessel floating off at high water, they returned to Winterton, which was reached at 5 P.M.

During a thick fog on the 5th June, the s.s. Osprey, of London, collided with another steamer and was very seri- ously damaged. The captain, to pre- vent his vessel sinking, decided to beach her, and about 3 P.M. she was observed through the fog making for the shore.

The crew of the No. 1 Life-boat, Edward Birkbeck, were promptly called out, and went to the aid of the sinking steamer.

When they reached her she was ashore, and the engine-room and after compart- ments were full of water. There were thirty-six persons, all told, on board, including several passengers, the steamer being bound from Granton to London with passengers and a general cargo.

In three trips the Life-boat landed all the passengers and the majority of the crew, leaving only the captain and three others on board. The boat then returned and stood by the vessel, and at 2.45, on the morning of the 6th, the remaining four men were taken into the Life-boat, and a quarter of an hour later were landed in safety. The wind during this service was blowing strong from N.E., and there was a heavy swell.

BROADSTAIRS, KENT.—About 6.30A.M.

on the 4th March it was reported that the Lightships on the Goodwin Sands were firing signals. The Life-boat Francis Forbes Barton was launched and pro- ceeded to the sands, where they found the s.s. Margarethe, of Bergen, stranded.

The Life-boat went alongside, but found that the crew had left the vessel and were on board a Dover tug that was standing by her. There was six feet of water in the engine-room, but when the boat reached her she was beginning to swing to her anchor with the tide; the Life-boatmen therefore slipped the cable, took a hawser to the tug, which towed the vessel to Dover, accompanied by the Life-boat.

MARGATE, KENT.—During a strong E.N.E. gale and heavy sea on the 4th March signals were reported about 7.15 P.M. Owing to the exceptionally low tide it was only after great diffi- culty the No. 1 Life-boat Eliza Harriett was launched, and proceeded to the Tongue Lightship ; there it was learnt they were repeating the signals made by the Princess Channel Lightship.

The Life-boat at once made for that vessel, where they were informed signals of distress had been observed to the N.W. Proceeding in that direction, the ketch BotJtie May was found at anchor in dangerous proximity to the sands, with the seas breaking right over her.

With difficulty the Life-boat got along- side ; the master then stated that he had been on the sands, but had knocked over. At his request five of the Life- boatmen were put on board, and about 4 A.M., with their assistance, the anchor was weighed and the vessel got clear of the sandbanks, the Life-boat meanwhile standing by. When the ketch was out of danger the Eliza Harriett returned to her station, leaving the men she had placed on board the ketch to take her into port.

The same Life-boat was launched about 11.15 P.M., on the 9th March, inresponse to flares shown in Margate Roads by the steam launch Sterry, of Lowestoft, bound to Penzance with coal, which was found riding to her anchor in about four fathoms of water close to the land, with the seas break- ing right over her. The launch being so small, and the sea so heavy, it was only with great difficulty the Life-boat was taken alongside, three attempts being unsuccessful. As soon as the Life-boat got near enough, the crew of three jumped on board. The Sterry was left riding to her anchor, and the crew were conveyed to Margate, arriving at 2.30 A.M. At daylight next morning1, the launch was found ashore under the cliffs. During this service the wind was blowing a strong gale from N.E.

accompanied by a rough sea. Two hours after the return of the Life-boat another vessel was reported in distress ; the crew were again summoned and the Life-boat launched. They proceeded in the direction of the signals, passing through an exceptionally heavy sea. At times the boat was quite buried, the sea making a clean sweep right over her ; she however cleared herself well and eventually the vessel, which proved to be the ketch Robert Henry, of Rye, was reached. Three attempts were made before they got alongside ; two men were placed on board, when the hawser carried away. With difficulty communication was again established, and five more men boarded her; the cable was then slipped, and after a con- siderable amount of hard work the ketch was rescued from her perilous position.

The Life-boat then returned ashore, Margate being reached at 8 A.M.

STONEHAVEN, KINCAEDINESHIRE. — The Life-boat Alexander Blade was launched on the 5th March, shortly after noon, the fishing fleet, which had put to sea earlier in the day, having been overtaken by a strong gale, causing the sea to rise rapidly, the return of the fishing-boats when cross- ing the bar thus being attended with great danger. All the boats, however, succeeded in getting in without accident, after which the Alexander Slack re- turned ashore.

ROSSLARE HARBOUR, WEXFORD.—The schooner Yarra Yarra, of Skerries, bound from Newport to Wexford with a cargo of coal, was driven ashore near the Rosslare Lighthouse in a strong E.S.E. gale and very rough sea, on the night of the 7th March. Signals of distress were displayed and both the Life-boat and life-saving apparatus re- sponded. Efforts were made by those on shore to get connection with the rocket apparatus, but the vessel was too far out. After considerable diffi- culty the crew of the Life-boat Tom and Jennie succeeded in getting near the stranded vessel, whose crew, owing to the darkness, the fierce gale and the seas dashing over them, were in a position of great peril. Communication was at last effected with the help of a line, and the three hands on board were dragged one by one through the raging sea to the Life-boat in safety. Sail was then made and the Life-boat returned ashore,where the rescued men received every attention. The Yarra Yarra, after the crew had been saved, became a total wreck. On receipt of the news that a vessel was in distress, when the signal for the Life-boat's crew was fired, four gentlemen, Messrs. J. HOWLIN, J. MONKHOUSE, T. THOMPSON, and F. R. WOODLEIGH, kindly volunteered their services, and as promptness was all- important, their offer was accepted ; they were cordially thanked subse- quently by the Committee of Manage- ment for their gallant and useful co- operation.

RUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.—The usual quietude of Runswick, a small fishing village to the north of Whitby, was considerably disturbed in the early hours of the 1st March by the s.s. Atjuthia, of London, stranding on the rocks known locally as the " North Steel," during the prevalence of a thick fog and a heavy sea. In response to her signals of distress the life-saving apparatus proceeded to the scene of the casualty, but was unable to effect any communication, as, in spite of strenuous efforts, they could not get into a posi- tion for the rocket lines to reach the vessel. However, within a quarter of an hour of the first signal being seen the Life-boat Cape of Good Hope was launched, but not without tremendous difficulty in consequence of the heavy breakers, and, once afloat, it was not long before she was alongside the dis- tressed vessel, and proceeded to take part of the crew on board. The rough sea and close proximity of rocks ren- dered this exceedingly dangerous, and on several occasions the Life-boat was nearly thrown on to the steamer. After leaving the ship on the return journey, the Life-boat broached to, being for the moment completely buried; having re- gard to the large number on board the position was somewhat desperate, especially as several oars were broken, but fortunately the crew managed to get her before the sea without further accident, and the twenty rescued men were landed in safety. Undaunted by the arduous nature and danger of their first trip, the sturdy fishermen pre- pared to return without delay to those left on board the Ayuthia. The boat was hauled up on her carriage and another launch successfully effected, but to do this the many willing launchers had to go waist deep into the water.

Reaching the stranded vessel after another desperate struggle, the re- mainder of those on board, numbering sixteen, including the captain's wife, were rescued and taken into safety, the Life-boatmen being thoroughly ex- hausted when they reached the shore the second time. They were enthusiastic in their praises of the behaviour of their Life-boat, and this service, resulting in the saving of 36 lives, is considered locally the finest one ever performed in the neighbourhood. The Committee of Management, in appreciation of the gallantry displayed, made an additional award to the crew of the Life-boat.

GOMESTON, SUFFOLK.—The shrimp- boat Falcon, while homeward bound in a strong N.E. breeze on the 9th March, stranded on the outer bank to the south of the harbour. On information reach- ing Gorleston, the No. 2 Life-boat Leicester was promptly despatched to her help, but just as the boat reached her the sea washed the Falcon on to the mainland. The Leicester then stood by her and laid out an anchor, by which, when the tide rose, she was hove off, after which she was towed into harbour by the Life-boat.

RAMSGATE, KENT. — On the 12th March signals were reported from the Gull Light-vessel and were promptly responded to by the Life-boat Bradford and the Ramsgate harbour tug. On reaching the light-vessel they learned that a vessel was ashore to the north- ward, and also that a boat from her had come alongside a short time pre- viously having six of the crew in her, and that they had left for Deal. The tug and Life-boat then proceeded along the sands, and to the northward found the brigantine Eleanor, of Yarmouth, with only the master on board. Eight of the Life-boatmen were put on board and a rope passed to the tug. By their united efforts the vessel was got clear, and both the vessel and Life-boat were towed back to Ramsgate.

On the night of the 20th March the harbour tug and the Life-boat Bradford were again called out to the assistance of the barque Gwydyr Castle, of Liver- pool, which had stranded on the north end of the Goodwin Sands while bound from Port Pirie to Antwerp with a cargo of silver ore, the weather being moderately fine, but hazy. When the Life-boat went alongside the master asked for immediate help to get his ship off. This was shortly after 11 P.M., and about midnight a hawser was suc- cessfully taken to the tug, which, after trying for an hour, got the vessel afloat.

She then took her to a safe anchorage in the Downs, arriving there at 6 A.M.

Four of the Life-boatmen were left on board, and the tug and Life-boat then proceeded to the assistance of another vessel ashore abreast the East Goodwin Buoy. It was 7.30 A.M. when the Bradford and the tug got near this vessel, but they had to wait till noon before they could get alongside, as there was not sufficient water. On the Life- boatmen boarding the ship, which was the schooner Begulus, of Riga, they found six Deal men there rendering assistance. When the tide had flowed sufficiently for the tug to get near the vessel a rope was taken on board, and by 1.30 P.M. the Megulus was towed off and taken to Ramsgate.

HOLYHEAD, ANGLESEY.—At 4.30A.M.

on the 21st March, during a N.W. wind, signals of distress were observed in the vicinity of the " North Stack," and in response the steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland promptly put off through a rough sea. On arriving at the vessel, which proved to be ! the steamship Clan Grant, of Liver- pool, of more than 2,000 tons, it was { found she had been in collision, and i was in need of a pilot to take her to j Holyhead, where she was eventually beached. j PAKEFIELD, SUFFOLK. — During a i strong wind from E.N.E. and a heavy sea on the 24th March flares were seen from a vessel on the South Newcombe Sands. The Life-boat's crew were sum- moned, and without delay the Life-boat Two Sisters, Mary and Hannah proceeded j to her assistance. On reaching the j sands they found the steam trawler ! Frobisher, of Great Yarmouth, with her rudder broken, riding to a kedge anchor in twelve feet of water, her large anchor j having been lost. A Life-boatman was put on board, and the boat, with the assistance of a tug, which had also come out, succeeded in saving the vessel and her crew of nine hands.

NEW ROAINBY, KENT.- -A telephone message was received from the coast- guard about midnight on the 23rd- 24th March stating that a vessel was making signals of distress off' Littlestone Point. The night was cold and wet, accompanied by a strong N.E. wind and rough sea, but the Life-boat James Stevens No. 11 took the water well and when clear of the breakers bore down on the vessel and pulled up under her lee. Seas were then breaking right over her, and the crew were in a very dangerous position. Directly the Life- boat got alongside all the hands, five in number, jumped on board and the Life- boat made for the shore. Some difficulty was experienced in landing owing to the heavy surf, but ample assistance being available it was accomplished in the schooner safety. The vessel was Antje, of Geestemunde.

MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE. The No. 2 Life-boat, Marianne Atherstone, per- formed an excellent service on the 26th March, resulting in the saving of four lives. About 5 o'clock a steamer was seen approaching the harbour, but as the sea was very heavy on the bar it was not considered safe by some of the pilots to go out to her. Four men how- ever were seen to pull down the river, evidently with the intention of going to the steamer. While crossing the bar the boat was filled by a heavy sea, which washed the men overboard. Within five minutes of the accident the Life-boat was launched, and with all speed made for the spot. They found the boat, which was awash, had drifted about three hundred yards to the south- ward with two of the men clinging to her, who were at once taken into the Life-boat. After this they made for one of the others, who was dinging to the boat's mast, but he held on so tenaciously, as with a death grip, that it was only after considerable difficulty and trouble he was picked up. The last of the four was then found clinging to the boat's oars, and he was also saved by the Life-boat, which then made for Montrose. The rescued men were all in a very exhausted condition and had, when landed, to be medically treated, but happily all recovered.

STAITHES, YORKSHIRE. — The steam trawler Maggie Ross stranded on the rocks at Boulby in hazy weather about 4 A.M. on the 27th March, while bound from Aberdeen to Hull with a cargo of fish. About 7 A.M. three of the crew of the vessel arrived at Staithes in the ship's boat and reported the casualty.

Some cobles were launched, but found there was too much sea for them to reach the trawler; the ship's boat, however, put off again with the inten- tion of returning to the stranded vessel, but was upset in the surf, two of the crew being unfortunately drowned ; the third man was washed ashore alive. The Life-boat Jonathan Stott was promptly launched, and, although unable to save the two men lost from the boat, sue-ceeded in rescuing the remainder of the crew of the trawler, six in number.

On the 19th July the fishing cobles belonging to this place were overtaken while at sea by heavy weather, and their return was attended with great danger. In order to ensure the safety of the fishermen the Life-boat was launched about 7 A.M., and stood by each boat as she came in. Happily, all succeeded in reaching the shore in safety, and shortly before noon the Life-boat returned ashore and was re- housed.

NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX.—On the 29th March the Coxswain of the Life-boat Michael Henry was called at 3.50 A.M. by the harbour watchman, who reported that a vessel was in distress at the mouth of the harbour. The Life-boat was launched and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the ketch Progress, of Brixham, aground on the bar. On the master being asked if he required assistance, he requested the Life-boat to stand by him to see if the vessel would float with the rising tide.

This they did, and when the ketch got clear both she and the Life-boat pro- ceeded to the harbour. The wind was blowing a moderate gale from S.W., with a heavy sea, and the weather was very cold and thick, with rain.

During a thick sea fog on the 14th May a message was received from the Coastguard that a vessel was ashore about half a mile to the west of Beachy Head. The wind was blowing strongly from W.S.W. and the sea was rough.

Without delay the Life-boat Michael Henry was launched and proceeded to the scene of the disaster; on arrival they found the schooner Emma Louise, of Harburg, stranded, whereupon the crew of six hands were promptly taken into the Life-boat, which afterwards safely landed them at Newhaven.

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.—At midnight on the 29th March the trawler Industry, of Lowestoft, while homeward bound, went ashore on the Newcome Sands.

A strong wind was blowing accom- panied by a heavy sea at the time. On.

information reaching Lowestoft the No. 2 Life-boat Stock Exchange pro- ceeded with all despatch to the aid of those on board. The trawler was missed in the first attempt to reach her, but the Life-boat quickly put about, anchored to windward, and veered down to her.

The master and four hands were then successfully rescued, but while taking them off a heavy sea struck the Life- boat, throwing her on to the trawl beam, which seriously damaged the boat, but not sufficiently to prevent her reaching Lowestoft again in safety at 1.40 A.M. on the 30th.

About an hour later the Stock Exchange went out again in tow of a tug to try to save the trawler. Several men were placed on board and manned the pumps, a hawser was then taken to the tug, and later in the day the Industry was towed into Lowestoft.

BERWICK-ON-TWEED, NORTHUMBER- LAND.—A small sailing yacht, the Little Teal, of Berwick, was observed during the afternoon on the 1st April trying to keep in shore, but the westerly wind was too heavy for her to carry any after-sail, and she was driven out. At 4 P.M. the Coastguard telephoned to the Coxswain of the Life-boat, and the Life- boat Matthew Simpson was promptly launched. The yacht was by this time five or six miles off land, in great danger of being swamped owing to the roughness of the sea. On reaching her the Life-boat took her in tow, landing her and her crew of three at 8 P.M.

WEXFORD, IRELAND. — On the 2nd April the lightship's tender steamship Belle, of Wexford, stranded during a strong S.S.W. gale on the bar at the mouth of the river, and the Life-boat James Stevens No. 15 was despatched with promptness to her assistance. The sea was heavy and broken, continually washing right over the Life-boat. On getting alongside, the Belle, over which the sea was also breaking, was found to have eight feet of water in her, her fires were extinguished, and her machinery disabled. The crew of four men and five lightship men, nine in all, were taken into the Life-boat, which then returned and landed them at Wexford Quay, some in a very exhausted state. Very shortly after the return of the Life boat the steamer went to pieces.

Three days later the James Stevens No. 15 was again called out, and rescued the crew of seven men of the smack Annie, of Wexford. In answer to her signals of distress, the Life-boat pro- ceded at 7.30 P.M. and found the smack near the bar at anchor; her mast had been carried away, and she was in con- siderable danger of her cable parting.

All the men were taken on board the Life-boat, which then took them to "VVexford Quay. During this service a moderate W.S.W. gale was blowing, but after the men were landed it got very much worse; it was therefore decided to keep the Life-boat at Wcxford that night. She returned to her station next day when the weather had moderated.

HOYLAKE, CHESHIRE.—A party of four Liverpool yachtsmen were rescued from a dangerous position on the 3rd April. They set out the night before in the yacht Shrimp, but had not proceeded far when they encoun- tered a severe westerly gale, accom- panied by violent showers of hail and a heavy sea. They lost their punt, and the yacht when in the Rock channel got into difficulties. In response to their signals of distress, the Life-boat Coard William Squarey was launched to them and succeeded in rescuing the four imperilled yachtsmen, landing them at Hoylake at 10.30 A.M, PORTHLEVEN, CORNWALL.—The Life- boat John Francis White rendered very valuable assistance to the steam launch Sterry, of Lowestoft, on Easter Sunday morning, the 3rd April. There was a strong wind blowing from the west, and the vessel was unable to steam against the strong wind and sea. She had been at anchor about twenty hours, and her position was most dangerous; in addition to this the crew were without provisions and in an exhausted condi- tion. The launch was taken in tow by the Life-boat and during the afternoon placed in a position of safety. The wind afterwards increased in force, and but for the help of the Life-boat she would probably have foundered. This was the same vessel from which the crew were rescued by Life-boat on the 9th March. the Margate

PETERHEAD, ABERDEENSHIRE. — During the night of the 5th April the wind, which had been blowing strongly from the north-west, increased to a whole gale, the sea becoming extremely rough, and about 10.30 A.M. on the following morning information was re- ceived that one of the steam trawlers, which had been sheltering in the Bay, had stranded about two miles to the south of Peterhead. The Life-boat George Pickard was promptly launched and proceeded under sail to the dis- tressed vessel. On getting alongside the trawler, which proved to be the Ben Venue, of Aberdeen, she was found to be full of water and in great danger of sliding off the rocks and sinking. The crew of nine men were therefore taken into the Life-boat, which was towed back to Peterhead by another trawler which had also come to assist the men on board the Ben Venue. Very shortly after the rescue the stranded trawler sank.

PORT LOGAN, WIGTOWNSHIRE.—In- formation was received at 5.15 P.M. on the 10th April that a vessel was show- ing distress signals in Luce Bay. The Life-boat Frederick Allen was as quickly as possible transported on her carriage to the most convenient launching place at Tirally Bay, upwards of two miles distant, and launched without delay.

On reaching the vessel she was found to be in a dangerous position on a lee shore, she was also leaking and had lost one anchor. The master refused to leave his vessel, but asked the Life-boat to stand by him, which did so for about two hours ; he then requested the crew to return ashore and telegraph for a tug and return with an answer. As no tug arrived an agreement was made for the Life-boat to take the vessel to a more windward anchorage. This opera- tion occupied several hours, and it was 11 A.M. on the 12th April before the Life-boat arrived at her house again.

The vessel was the barquentine Jessy, of Drogheda, bound from Drogheda to Ayr with a cargo of limestone.

KINGSDOWN, KENT.—At 9.20 A.M. on the 13th April signals were fired by the South Sands Head Light-vessel in- dicating that a vessel was in distress on the Goodwin Sands. The crew of the Life-boat Charles Hargrave were quickly mustered and the boat proceeded to the sands, where they found the barque Baldur, of Trondhjem. It was blowing hard from S.W., with a rough sea, which made it difficult for the Life-boat to get alongside ; on doing so, the Life- boatmen were engaged to try to save the vessel. Men were placed on board, who jettisoned the cargo, and at high water that night she was towed clear and proceeded to London, eight of the life-boatmen going in her, to work the pumps. The Life-boat returned to her station, which was reached at 5 A.M. on the 14th idem.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.—On the even- ing of the 15th April one of the most exciting scenes ever remembered was witnessed at Whitby. The fishing fleet had left port early in the morning, the weather then being generally favourable.

During the afternoon a heavy swell began to get up, and the sea on the bar made very quickly. Before 5 P.M.

several of the fishing boats returned, but experienced great difficulty and risk, and as the remainder of the boats would be later in reaching the harbour and the weather became worse every minute, the crew of the Life-boat Robert and Mary Ellis was mustered under the Coxswain of the Upgang Life-boat, her own Coxswain being at sea. Shortly afterwards the coble Lady Morris hove in sight. The Life-boat at once pro- ceeded alongside and warned the skipper about the state of the bar, and then escorted her for the harbour, but just as the coble was crossing the bar a heavy cross sea struck her, capsizing her, and throwing her three occupants into the sea. The Life-boat promptly made for the spot, but the set of tide washed the men close to the West Pier, and the Life-boat had great difficulty in saving them. Owing to the strong easterly sea continually breaking over the Life-boat and setting her danger- ously towards the West Pier, there was considerable risk of crushing the drown- ing men between the boat and the pier, or of smashing the boat to pieces. Life- buoys were thrown the men from the pier, but they were too exhausted and knocked about to help themselves.

Eventually, however, the Life-boatmen succeeded in picking them up and took them safely ashore. The Life-boat then again proceeded to sea and convoyed three more cobles safely over the bar; she then made a third journey and escorted another coble in. For the fourth time she put out, and having taken a man from one of the cobles, convoyed two more into safety and landed her passenger.

By this time the state of the weather rendered it quite unsafe for any more cobles to attempt to return ; the Life- boat therefore for the fifth and last time, again put to sea and warned the remaining boats to make for Runs- wick, which they did. During these services the crew had most arduous work and great difficulties to contend with.

At times the seas dashed right over the boat, completely filling her, but every time she freed herself well and the work was successfully accomplished without damage to the Life-boat.

Three of the fishing cobles belonging to Whitby were overtaken by severe weather on the 10th June, and as their return to port could only be accom- plished with great risk, the No. 1 Life- boat, Robert and Mary Ellis, was launched about 10 A.M., and escorted them into harbour. The wind was blowing moderately from the N.E. at the time, but the sea on the bar was very rough and broken.

FISHGUAHD, PEMBROKESHIRE. — The Life-boat Appin rendered valuable assist- ance to the smack George Evans, of Cardigan, on the 18th April. About 3 P.M. a vessel was reported by the Coastguard showing signals of distress, and the Life-boat proceeded to her as quickly as possible. On getting along- side the master asked the coxswain to assist in getting his vessel clear, she having gone ashore in a dangerous position. This was agreed to. Some of the Life-boatmen were put on board, and eventually the smack was towed off and taken to Fishguard Bay.

TOTLAND BAY, ISLE OF WIGHT.—The schooner The Saint, of Padstow, while bound from Par, Cornwall, to Gravelines, with a cargo of china clay, stranded on the Warden Ledge in the early morning of the 2nd May. On receipt of inform- ation from the Coastguard that a vessel was in distress, the Life-boat Robert Fleming was launched and pro- ceeded to her. On reaching the wreck, o ' six persons, including the master's wife, were taken into the Life-boat, which landed them in safety, but the master and mate remained on board, as they hoped to save her; later in the day, however, they had to abandon her, and she became a total wreck. During this service a gale was blowing from S.W., the sea was very rough, and a strong tide running, and in rescuing the six people the Life-boat was considerably damaged.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—About 3.50 P.M. on the 14th May the Coxswain's attention was drawn to a small boat which was apparently in distress about a mile from the shore. With promptness the crew of the No. 1 Life-boat were summoned, and the Marie Lane proceeded to the assist- ance of the three occupants of the boat.

Before the Life-boat reached them they succeeded in getting to the St. Nicholas Light-vessel, where they took refuge. On the arrival of the Mark Lane they were taken on board and landed in safety at Gorleston. The wind at the time was blowing strongly from the west and the boat was in an absolutely helpless condition, as both oars were broken.