Shortly before midnight on the 13-14th February a messenger reported that a vessel was ashore opposite Ardross Castle, half a mile east of Elie. It was blowing a S.S.W. gale with a heavy sea running.

The crew of the Life-boat James and Mary Walker were at once summoned and assembled without delay. Con- siderable difficulty was experienced in launching the Life-boat, as the tide was low and a heavy wind blowing home into the harbour mouth. On the first attempt the Life-boat was washed behind "the West Pier and was in danger of being damaged on the rocks.

One of the crew gallantly swam ashore with a line, and this being attached to a rope, the boat was hauled back to the harbour. Using their oars, the crew then pulled the boat out, after which sail was set for the steamer. It was about 1 A.M. when the boat finally left Anstruther, and at about 3 o'clock they found the steamer Ansgar, of Copen- hagen, a vessel of 1,365 tons, hard on the rocks.

It appeared the vessel left London early on Saturday morning for Methil, loaded with coal, and went ashore about 10.30 on Sunday night. The night was intensely dark and the Coxswain of the Life-boat was obliged to use considerable care and judgment to get alongside.

Once there the whole of the crew, eighteen in number, were quickly rescued and conveyed to Anstruther. The steamer was likely to become a total wreck as her stern was under water when the Life-boat reached her..