The westerly gale on the 18th February was one of the fiercest experienced at Stornoway for a long period, and the squalls at times attained hurricane force.

About 4.45 P.M. information was re- ceived that a fishing lugger, the Magni- ficent, of Buckie, which, owing to stress of weather, was compelled to anchor in a very dangerous position in Branahine Bay, was making distress signals. The crew of the Life-boat Sarah Pilkington were summoned, and although in going to the vessel they would be exposed to the full fury of the gale and a very heavy sea, they started undaunted on their errand of mercy. They found the fishing boat anchored in close proximity to a reef of rocks over which the sea was breaking fiercely. The wind just then veered to N.W. in a heavy squall, rendering the vessel's position safer, and the crew re- fused to leave her : but the Life-boat remained with the lugger until she got under way, which the change of wind enabled her to do. The vessel and Life-boat in company then made for Stornoway Harbour, which was reached after the boat had been out on service for seven hours. The Life-boat is re^ ported to have behaved excellently..