During a whole S.W. gale on the 15th March tho steam hopper No. 3, of Liverpool, was observed to be in difficulties, and the Life-boat John and Henrietta was launched and went to her. The hopper had lost her rudder and was drifting perilously near Jordan's Flats ; she there- fore let go her anchors, which prevented her running aground. The master would not leave his vessel, but asked the Life- boat to stand by him. This she did for some hours until the steam dredger Blanche came to the vessel's assistance.

Owing to the very heavy sea communi- cation could not be made between the two vessels and at the request of the captain the Life-boat again gave her aid. After half an hour's battling with the heavy seas she succeeded in picking up a buoy with a line attached, floated from the Blanche, and then obtaining a another line from the vessel in distress, a hawser was soon established between the two. Finding the hopper did not require any further help the Life-boat then returned to Formby..