During an ex- ceptionally severe northerly gale and very heavy sea on the 8th January signals of distress were observed from the brigantine Walter J. Cummins, of Irvine, which lay off Moelfre weather bound, whilst bound from Wicklow to Garston. The Life-boat Star of Hope was promptly launched and after con- siderable manoeuvring succeeded in rescuing the crew of five hands. Before she could regain her station, further dis- tress signals were seen on the schooner James Williamson, of Lancaster; the Life-boat at once proceeded to her, and found the feur men on board were in danger. They were accordingly taken into the boat, which then made for home arriving without mishap at about 4 P.M.

Earlier in the day the steamer Haw- thorn, which had also been in the bay, got under weigh and stood out to sea, but the captain after proceeding a short way put back again into the bay and anchored. The gale was increasing and, the sea getting worse, the steamer began to drift shorewards. About 5 P.M. she made signals of distress, and in response the crew of the Life-boat were re-as- sembled and the boat again put to sea.

Although the steamer was only about a mile and a quarter away it took the Life-boat nearly an hour to reach her.

They found there were seventeen men on board, and by means of ropes all were successfully rescued and conveyed ashore.