About 1 A.M.

on the 9th March the schooner Vixen of Fowey was wrecked on the beach about two and a half miles to the north of Palling. She was laden with burnt ore and was bound from London to the Tyne. The crew consisted of six hands.

When she stranded the wind was blowing a strong gale from N.N.W. and the sea was very heavy. The Coast- guard reported the casualty to the Cox- swain of the Life-boat and with all despatch he assembled the crew and obtained horses. The No. 1 Life-boat 54th West Norfolk Regiment was trans- ported on her carriage along the beach to a suitable launching place, progress at times being delayed by the break- waters. The boat was launched between 4 and 5 A.M., but before she could reach the wreck the mizen mast went by the board. On the boat coming alongside five of the crew were with difficulty rescued, the work in. the darkness being impeded by the fallen mast and wreck- age, and the mainmast threatened to fall every time the vessel rolled.

The master on getting into the Life- boat stated that there was still a man in the rigging, who could not clear himself as he was numbed and incapacitated by the cold and exposure. One of the Life-boat crew, James Pestle, Junior, boarded the wreck together with the master, and at great risk the former climbed the rigging of the totter- ing mast and ultimately, with some assistance from the master, got the man, who was a Russian, down. He and the master were then helped into the Life-boat, but before Pestle could regain her the sea drove the Life-boat away from the wreck. It was a con- siderable time before she could be worked back to the wreck, and during this time Pestle was in great danger of being washed overboard, as the seas made a clean breach over the wreck, and in addition there was considerable risk of the wreck going to pieces. Happily, however, the Life-boat got back and Pestle was rescued. The boat then returned ashore, having performed an excellent service.

The Committee of Management as a special mark of appreciation of the courage and bravery displayed by Pestle conferred on him the silver medal of the Institution and to him and to each member of the crew they granted an additional pecuniary reward.