UPGANG AND WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.— During the afternoon of the 15th Feb- ruary the northerly wind freshened, bringing up a heavy sea, and at about 3.30 P.M. a telephone message from Runswick reported that a small vessel was driving southward in need of assis- tance. About 4.15 P.M. a ship was seen off Kettleness and recognised as the ketch Gem of the Ocean, belonging to Whitby, which had left Hartlepool earlier in the day with a cargo of coal.

The ketch was evidently in difficulties and making for the land. The crew of the TJpgang Life-boat Upgang were assembled, proceeded to the boathouse and launched the Life-boat at Lector Hole, signalling to the vessel to make for that place. The vessel attempted to do so, but drove ashore in the breakers to the south of Lector rocks. The Life- boat made for her and attempted to get on her lee side, but the men on the ketch fastened the rope thrown them " f orrard" and the sea and current swept the boat round her stem on to the sea side. Here, however, although washed by the breakers, they managed to secure one of the men, but before they could get the other the boat was driven away and thrown heavily against the vessel, her rudder and several oars being broken. Before the boat could be got under control she washed ashore. The crew were undaunted, and the launchers and onlookers at once rushed into the surf to again push her off, some of the men going in up to their necks. At length the boat floated, and another attempt was made to reach the vessel, but it proved fruitless. In the mean- while the Whitby crew had been assembled and the No. 1 Lifeboat Robert and Mary Ellis taken on her carriage to the beach. When it was seen that the Upgang boat had not succeeded in getting the remaining man on board, the boat was launched.

Approaching the wreck from the shore side they succeeded in rescuing the man. The vessel was not more than 400 yards from the shore, broadside on, and she fell to pieces a few minutes after the Whitby Life-boat got clear.

Both the boats then made for the beach and were hauled up into safety for the night. The service was admitted by all to have been a splendid one, and the pluck displayed was much extolled in the press. The Committee of Manage- ment bestowed the thanks of the Insti- tution inscribed on vellum and framed on R. P. ROBINSON and THOMAS LANG- LANDS, coxswains-superintendent of the Upgang and Whitby Life-boats respec- tively in addition to monetary rewards.

These awards were subsequently pre- sented publicly to the two men by the Archbishop of York..