About 6 o'clock on the morning of the 13th October, whilst a strong northerly gale was blowing, a steamer which proved to be the King Ja Ja, of Swansea, bound from Newcastle to Methil, with a cargo of steam rails, was sighted in a perilous position in close proximity to the rocks a few miles west of Cockburnspath.

The Life-boat, Willian Arthur Millward, was promptly launched, but as it was almost low water and the wind and sea were against the boat, the beachmen were compelled to haul her by ropes to the mouth of the new harbour; there a very strong swell was encountered, but the Life-boat behaved splendidly. On reaching the steamer it was found that her machinery had broken down. The Life-boat remained alongside for about four hours, and the machinery in the meantime having been repaired, the steamer was able to proceed to sea again.

The Life-boat therefore returned to her station, arriving shortly before 1 o'clock; but in less than an hour the steamer again sent up signals of distress, having become quite unmanageable. By this time the northerly gale had caused the sea to rise tremendously, and it was doubtful if the Life-boat would be able to again get to sea. No time however was lost in making what proved to be not only a gallant but a successful attempt.

The crew were got together and the boat was again hauled by the beachmen to the harbour mouth. Immediately she got outside she was caught by the sea, huge waves driving her nearer and nearer to the rocky shore, and as she was lifted by each successive breaker, it looked as if both boat and crew would be dashed to pieces; but aided by the sails which had now been set, sea-room was ultimately gained, and the Life- boat made for the imperilled steamer, which by this time was about half-way between May Island and St. Abb's Head.

With such a sea running the rescue of the crew was attended with mnch danger, the Life-boat incurring great risk of being dashed against the helpless vessel. More than an hour was occu- pied in establishing communication and drawing the crew—six in number—by lines through the sea to the Life-boat, and directly this was accomplished the return journey was commenced. Hav- ing both wind and sea to contend with it was nearly three hours later when port was reached, and the excellent seamanship displayed by the Coxswain, Mr. Fairbairn, in crossing the bar, was much admired by the many spectators who awaited the return of the Life-boat.

The rescued men were at once taken in by the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, to whose care they were handed over by Mr. Bertram, the energetic Honorary Secretary at Dunbar, under whose super- intendence the rescue work had been carried out.

The abandoned steamer had in the meantime drifted on to the rocks near Thomtonlooh, •where she lay exposed to the full fury of the elements, and shortly afterwards became a wreck..