A northerly gale of exceptional severity sprang up with the suddenness—it is reported—of a "clap of thunder," and the Life-boat Queensbury was called out to assist some cobles in distress, but as help reached them from another quarter the Life-boat returned to harbour.

About an hour later another coble was reported to the northward of the harbour, and the Life-boat again put out to render her assistance. Before the Life-boat could reach her a steam trawler coming from the southward proceeded to the coble, which was in great peril, and taking her under his lee brought her towards the pier; the Life- boat then took the coble in tow, the two men being quite exhausted, and brought her into safety. The coble was the John, and belonged to West Hartle- pool..