A few minutes after 8 P.M. on the 29th August the Coastguard on duty reported signals of distress on the West Hoyle Bank, and the Life-boat Hannah Fawsett Bennett was promptly launched. She proceeded to the Bank where she found the sloop Charming Nancy, of Cardigan, in a sinking condition. The Life-boat rescued the two men on board with considerable difficulty as there was a moderate northerly gale blowing at the time and the sea was heavy. Both men were in an exhausted condition when the Life- boat landed them at Hoylake at about midnight.

The Vicar of Hoylake (the Rev.

Francis Sanders, M.A., F.S.A.) was informed of the rescue, and although he was in bed at the time, he got up, proceeded to the Life-boathouse and announced that he would hold a thanks- giving service for the rescue of the men.

The service, which was very simple, was attended by several thousand people who had assembled..