About 3.15 P.M. on the 18th March, the yawl | Puffin, of Wexford, with a crew of six hands, grounded on the west side of the bar, when coming into port from the fishing-grounds. The crew of the Life- boat James Stevens No. 15 were at once assembled and the boat proceeded to the assistance of the imperilled men.

There was a S.S.W. gale blowing with a heavy confused sea, and the weather was becoming worse. The Life-boat beat out over the bar, and anchored to windward of the disabled craft with the view of veering down to her, but owing to the awkward position in which the vessel lay when the Life-boat attempted to approach, she took the ground in the hollow of each wave, and in the breaking seas was constantly filled to the gunwale.

For upwards of three hours repeated efforts were made under these trying circumstances, until a favourable oppor- tunity occurred and a line was thrown to the doomed craft. By this means a heavier rope was drawn on board and the Life-boat worked near to the wreck, great skill being displayed by the Coxswain and crew throughout the service. The approach to the wreck was attended with great risk, the main boom swinging to and fro as the vessel rolled in the high and confused sea, it being a constant menace to the gallant Life-boatmen. By this time the fishing-boat was so deep in the water that her deck amidships was awash, and the crew, six in number, had taken refuge in the fore part, where they waited wet through by the breaking seas and perished by the cold. At last a favourable chance came, and the six men, who had been face to face with death had the Life-boat failed them, were safe. No time was lost in making for Wexford, where the shipwrecked men in a pitiable condition were landed.

The Life-boat then returned to her station, the crew being thoroughly ex- hausted from cold and wet. The fishing-boat went to pieces shortly after the men had been saved.

The Committee of Management marked their appreciation of this gallant and excellent service by awarding the silver medal to the Coxswain Superin- tendent, Mr. Edward Wickham, and an additional monetary reward to him and each of the crew..