The four-masted barque Inverness-shire, when coming up channel on the 19th February, in a strong gale and very heavy sea, hoisted signals for assistance when off Totland Bay.

The Life-boat Robert Fleming was promptly launched and on arrival the master inquired if the Life-boat could take them all aboard if necessity arose ; having been answered in the affirm- ative he asked that the boat should remain with him until tugs came to his assistance. About 4.30 in the afternoon a large tug came and took them in tow, the Life-boat remaining astern. On entering the Needles, three tow-ropes parted one after another, and the vessel was in great danger of going on the " Shingles," but a London tug, which fortunately was near at hand, steamed up and put a tow-rope aboard and took her into safety. The barque, which was over 2,000 tons register, was bound from Iquique to Antwerp, with a cargo of nitrate, and had a crew of thirty on board..