SEATON CAREW and HARTLEPOOL, DURHAM.—A terrible disaster, involving the loss of several lives, mostly Lascars, took place on the 31st January at the mouth of the River Tees. The s.s. Clavering, of London, a large vessel of upwards of 3,300 tons, left Middlesboro* at 4.15 A.M., bound for Japan with a general cargo, and shortly after 6 A.M. as she approached the sea she encoun- tered the full force of the fierce northerly gale, and when near the North Gare breakwater she stranded. In a short time she was being swept from stem to stern by heavy seas. On the informa- tion reaching Seaton Carew, the Life- boat Charles Ingleby was transported to a suitable launching place, and after two attempts reached the steamer. Fifteen of the crew were taken aboard the Life-boat and landed without loss of time. The Life-boat immediately started again to reach the vessel, but the tide by this time had begun to flow, and in spite of all their efforts the boat could not get alongside. The crew about this time became exhausted, and the boat was therefore taken up the river and shortly after noon moored in a convenient position to make another attempt to reach the imperilled men on the ebb tide. At about 2 P.M. several pilots came over from West Hartlepool and expressed their readiness to make an attempt to go to the assistance of the men on the wreck. At 3.30 they left in tow of a tug which took them as far as practicable, but it was absolutely impossible for them to do anything against the wind and sea, and after every effort they were reluctantly obliged to return.

About this time a boat put off from the Clavering, but before she could proceed far she was swamped. Some of the men who had been in her were picked up by tugs, two men being drowned. In the meanwhile news of the disaster had reached Hartlepool, and at 2 P.M. it was decided to send the Hartlepool No. 1 Life-boat Ilminster to render what assist- ance they could. By many helpers the boat was dragged on her carriage to the main road where six horses belonging to the Corporation were attached.

Seaton Carew was reached about 5.30 P.M., where after a consultation it was decided to wait until the tide com- menced to ebb before further efforts were made. Between 9 and 10 P.M. both the Charles Ingleby and the llmin- ster left for the ill-fated vessel. For three hours the crew persisted in their struggle to reach the wreck. Twice they got within speaking distance, only to be washed back. The Hartlepool boat then burnt a white light to ascer- tain if anyone was still alive on the vessel, as the seas were washing com- pletely over her. Shouts were heard and a desperate effort was made, but to reach those on board was beyond the power of the Life-boat men. Once more the work of rescue had to be abandoned and the boats returned to moorings shortly before 2 A.M.

Undaunted by the difficulties of their task the brave Life-boatmen, whose courage and endurance was deserving of the highest praise, waited till daylight, and at 8 A.M. both Life-boats again left for the wreck. Fortunately the weather had moderated slightly and this time their exertions were crowned with success. Twenty-four men still sur- vived their terrible ordeal, but all were thoroughly exhausted from cold and exposure. From the time the steamer struck until rescued they had been repeatedly drenched by the breaking seas and exposed to the bitter wind accompanied by a keen frost. With all despatch the unfortunate men were transferred to the Life-boats and conveyed into safety, everything pos- sible being done for their comfort. It was then ascertained that several of the Lascar crew, who were but scantily clad, had succumbed and had been washed off the wreck. The work of the Life-boats was completed about 1 P.M., and during the afternoon the Hartlepool Life-boat was taken back to her station.

During these long and trying services the Honorary Secretaries at both Seaton Carew and Hartlepool were indefatig- able, doing all that was possible, and the Committee of Management at their next meeting following specially thanked them for their exertions. The Silver Medal of the Institution was conferred upon SHEPHERD SOTHERAN, Coxswain Superintendent of the Hartlepool Life- boat, and the Second Service clasp on JOHN FRANKLIN, Coxswain Superinten- dent of the Seaton Carew boat, the latter already holding the Silver Medal, in recognition of their gallant conduct and repeated efforts on this occasion.