At 10 A.M.

on the 25th February the Coastguard at Kilkeel reported that there was a skiff apparently in difficulties and in want of assistance about five miles off.

Within ten minutes of the message being received the Life-boat Sir Arthur Blackwood was launched. When off Kilkeel she obtained the bearings of the boat, and proceeded to search for her. Fortunately, they succeeded in reaching her and found that she was the lugger Golden Hope, of Newry, with six men on board. She was in trouble owing to the heavy sea and wind, the latter in the squalls, blowing with the force of a gale. She was under close-reefed sails, and the Life-boat stood by her whilst beating into Kilkeel. In this they were happily successful, and the crew afterwards expressed their gratitude for the Life- boat's useful services..