About 10 P.M. on the 15th January, the Coast- guard watchman reported that a steamer was blowing her whistle apparently close to the shore. The weather was thick at the time and nothing could be seen, but on the fog lifting a little a steamer was observed stranded two miles to the southward. The Coxswain at once decided to launch the No. 2 Life-boat St. Paul. On arriving on the scene of the casualty the steamship Briton, of Stettin, bound from Calais to Leith with a general cargo, was found in need of assistance. The crew were at once employed to salve the vessel, and the majority of the Life-boatmen were placed on board. It was then seen that to save the vessel additional help would be necessary, and signals to the shore were accordingly made. In response the No. 1 Life-boat Solton was launched and reached the steamer shortly after midnight. Throughout the night the Life-boatmen in conjunction with tugs worked to float the vessel, and at 8 A.M.

on the 16th idem, they were successful, the steamer being taken to Lowestoft.

During the night there was a very rough sea alongside the steamer and the men were exposed to a strong and bitter S.S.W. wind..