Shortly after 1 AM on the 13th October j a deplorable disaster overtook the St. David's Life-boat, Gam, after she had rescued three men from the ketch j Democrat, of Barnstaple. The Democrat was riding with her two anchors down on the night of the 12th October, when the prevailing moderate N.N.E. gale increased, and the master, fearing that his anchor would drag, made signals for assistance.

The crew of the Life-boat 'were assembled, and in a heavy sea the boat was launched. The night was very dark and it was then blowing a full gale from N.E., with occasional showers.

After two unsuccessful attempts the Life - boat got alongside the vessel, which was in close proximity to a dangerous reef of rocks known as "The Bitches." The three men on board were taken into the Life-boat and orders given to sheer off. Although the crew pulled hard they were unable to straighten the Life-boat's head up against the wind, sea and tide, and she was rapidly swept towards the reef.

Seeing that it was impossible to pull clear the Coxswain made an effort to manoeuvre his boat through a narrow passage, which in the darkness was only discernible by its foam, the sea in the whole of the vicinity being described as " boiling mad." Unfortunately, in attempting to make this passage the Life-boat struck on a rock, and all the men were thrown out, some on to the rock and some into the sea, the Life-boat being washed away and totally wrecked.

Fifteen men, including the crew of the Democrat, succeeded in getting upon the rock, but JOHN STEPHENS, the Coxswain, and two other Life-boatmen were not seen again until their bodies were picked up. On land nothing was known of the accident until about 9 A.M., when one of the men on the rock burnt some oil-skins to attract attention.

SYDNEY MORTIMER, a fisherman, hearing that an accident had happened to the Life-boat, at once called for volunteers to go to their assistance. SAMUEL GUPPY and SAMUEL HUSK, two Coastguardsmen, promptly responded, and the three men put off in a shore-boat in a very heavy sea. When they reached the vicinity of the rock the sea was too rough for them to attempt to approach it, and the men. on the rock were too exhausted by exposure and the hardships they had undergone to allow of an attempt to haul them through the sea from the rock to the boat. Mortimer therefore decided to stand by until the tide had fallen.

Four hours later he took five men off and landed them on Ramsay Island. He then returned and took five more ashore, and was going back a third time when another boat, which had put off at about 3.30 P.M., manned by ELEAZAR JAMES and four other men, rescued the re- maining men. In the meantime those on shore had done all that was possible, and had telegraphed for the Fishguard motor Life-boat, Charterhouse. That boat was promptly manned, and in face of a sea described as running mountains high, proceeded upwards of sixteen miles to the help of their comrades in distress.

Although the Charterhouse was not in time to take any of the men from the rock, her arrival was most opportune, as the boat manned by James and the four other men was frail, and she was in imminent danger of being swamped, and was not under control. A rope was thrown to the boat, and the Life- boat towed her into safety. An hour later the rescued men, who had been landed on Ramsay Isle, were brought to St. David's. Many of the survivors were so exhausted that they were in a state of collapse. Restoratives were administered, and everything possible was done for their comfort.

The deepest sympathy was felt by all for the relatives of the three brave men who had risked and lost their lives to save their fellows. A fund was opened locally for their benefit, and to this the Institution contributed 2251., at the same time passing a vote of deep sympathy.

The gallant conduct of SYDNEY MORTIMER and the two men who accom- panied him met with the highest com- mendation from all, and the Committee of Management awarded votes of thanks inscribed on vellum, together with pecuniary rewards, to each of them, while Mortimer's heroic conduct was especially distinguished by the award of the silver medal of the Institution.

Monetary rewards were also made to the men who went off in the other shore boat, and additional rewards were granted to the crew of the Fishguard Life-boat, .whose splendid work was performed in very severe weather.

It is very gratifying to be able to record that the St. David's Life-boatmen showed their appreciation of Mortimer's gallantry by electing him, in spite of his youth, their Coxswain Superintendent, in place of poor Stephens, who had lost his life in the performance of a noble service nobly rendered.

The cost of the Fishguard Life-boat was presented to the Institution by " Carthusians," past and present, and after the service the Coxswain, J. Howells, received the following tele- gram :—" Well played, sailors ! Boys congratulate you.—Girdleston, Charter- house, Godalming." Mr. WALTER J. VAUGUAN, the Fish- guard Honorary Secretary, also received the following letter from the Rev. Dr. G. H. Rendall, headmaster of Charter- house :—" Please convey to the Life- boatmen, our heartfelt appreciation of the gallantry and seamanship shown in the thrilling experience which they have just passed through. The hour of trial has come early in the boat's career, and we rejoice that the men who are asso- ciated with the name we love have exerted themselves so heroically and so successfully to cover it with new honour.

I trust that there are 110 fatalities or serious injuries to the crew of the ' Charterhouse.' The boys will be in- terested in all they can learn of the doings and welfare of the crew.".