The steam trawler Dorothea, registered at Thors- haven, Faroe Islands, left Fleetwood for the fishing grounds early in the morning of the 16th January, but stranded on the west end of Walney Island, shortly after 3 A.M. The vessel was then in no immediate danger, but she was kept under observation, and later in the day tugs were ordered to go to her assistance.

Shortly afterwards the vessel began to fill with water and hoisted a distress signal. The Life-boat Thomas Fielden, was promptly despatched to her assist- ance. A strong and squally S.W.

breeze had been blowing and this in- creased to a moderate gale, causing very rough and broken water. A tug towed the Life-boat to windward of the vessel where she anchored and veered down.

Considerable difficulty was experienced by the Life-boat in getting alongside the trawler, and just before doing so a heavy sea washed one of the crew out of the Life-boat, but he was fortunately recovered at once.

Ten men were aboard the trawler and all were successfully rescued, the vessel having every appearance of becoming a total wreck..