About midday on the 12th May the weather began to look boisterous with a growing sea, and shortly before three of the Spittal cobles had sailed for Goswick Bay. The Honorary Secretary having been apprised of this, he directed the Coxswain of the Life-boat Matthew Simpson to have everything in readiness to launch. At 1.30 P.M., as a rough sea was making on the bar, the Life-boat was despatched. She pro- ceeded to sea, and for an hour could find no trace of the boats. The weather now got very thick and the sea rose fast. The Life-boat anchored inside the bar and awaited events. For another hour nothing was seen of the cobles ; meanwhile the weather got worse, and it was evident their return would be attended by great danger. The first coble appeared at about 3.30 P.M. The Life- boat proceeded to her and supplied the men on board with life-belts. The coble got in without mishap, and the Life-boat then turned to meet the second, which had loomed out of the mist. She also entered after a narrow escape of being swamped. For upwards of another hour the Life-boat waited when the last boat hove in sight. She brought to until she saw a chance, and then ran for the bar, fortunately getting in safely, as a few minutes later it was breaking white everywhere..