LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Services of the Life-Boats of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution

ARBROATH, FORFARSHIRE.—At about 11 P.M. on the 27th May the large fishing-boat Brothers Gem stranded on the rocks about half a mile to the N.E.

of Arbroath Harbour, and cries for help could be heard from the vessel.

The fog was so thick at the time that no vessel could be seen, but the Cox- swain of the Life-boat James Stevens No. 13 considered it prudent to launch the boat to ascertain the cause of the cries for help. The Life-boat proceeded along the coast and found the vessel on the rocks, and rendered assistance in getting her off and towing her into harbour.

SUNDERLAND, DURHAM.—Whilst the motor Life-boat, which has been sent very recently to Sunderland, was out for exercise on the 21st June, the Coxswain observed a small boat about three and a half miles off the port show- ing signals of distress. He immediately ran down J;o her to find that she was a mooring coble with two boys in her in a very exhausted condition. The wind was blowing very strong from the S.W. with a nasty choppy sea, and the coble was half filled with water. The boys had gone out for pleasure and had been blown out off the land. They were taken on board the Life-boat and the Life-boat towed the coble safely into harbour.

GBEENORE, Co. LOUTH.—On 24th June the yacht Volga, of Kingstown, entered Carlingford Lough in a norther- ly gale and experienced considerable difficulty in coming to anchor. She eventually anchored under the Coast- guard station. On the morning of 25th June she dragged her anchor until she brought up off Greenore Pier, where, owing to cross tides, she was in a bad sea all day. At 7.30 P.M. she hoisted a distress signal and the Life-boat Sir Arthur Blackwood was launched. After manoeuvring in a heavy sea the Life- boat got alongside and took off the four persons on board and landed them.

The yacht rode out the gale, and when the weather moderated, was moved to another anchorage.

NEW BRIGHTON, CHESHIRE.—During a westerly gale on the 22nd June, the schooner Tankerton Tower, of Faversham, got into a dangerous position near Formby Point. She was bound at the time from Dublin to Liverpool in ballast, and had five men on board.

Her distress signals were seen by the Crosby Light-vessel and reported. In response the steam Life-boat Queen proceeded to the vessel and offered assistance, but the captain stated that he and" his crew wished to be landed.

The men were then taken on board and the Life-boat returned to New Brighton.

Next day a tug was able to tow the vessel into safety.

PORT PATRICK, WIGTOWNSHIRE.—The Life-boat Civil Service No. 3 was launched at 5 P.M. on the 29th June to the assistance of two fishing-boats which had been overtaken by bad weather during the afternoon. One boat named Mary was picked up about half a mile from the Killantringam Light-house and the two men taken on board. The skipper of the boat I reported that he had had a very hard time and was very glad that the Life- boat came to his assistance.

A search was made for the other boat and it was found that she had already got into shelter and the crew were safe. The Life-boat, therefore, returned to her station, arriving at 8.30 P.M.

HARWICH, ESSEX.—During a heavy S.W. gale on the 25th June the Coast- guard reported by telephone that a vessel was burning flares for assistance off East Lane Point. The No. 1 Life- boat Ann Fawcett proceeded to Shingle Street and found the schooner L'espoir de I'avenir, of Rotterdam, with six men aboard, aground and her rudder gone.

The captain of the schooner gave up charge of the vessel to the Coxswain in • order that he might try and save her.

The boat stood by for two hours whilst efforts were made, the Coxswain then sent to Harwich for the help of a tug.

The tug Garnet succeeded in getting her off, and the Life-boat then took up a position astern in order to act as a rudder. By their united efforts the tug and Life-boat brought the vessel safely into Harwich Harbour. During this service the sea was heavy, and the Life-boatmen were engaged for twelve hours.

MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE.— At 5.45 A.M. on the morning of 23rd Sep- tember the coxswain observed a fishing- boat approaching the harbour in a strong S.S.E. wind with a very heavy sea.

The boat was struck by successive seas and thrown on to the Annat Bank.

The crew of the No. 1 Life-boat, Sarah Jane Turner, were assembled and the boat launched. She proceeded to the fishing-boat and found she was the Golden Lilie, of Wick, bound from that port to Yarmouth. Considerable diffi- culty was experienced in getting near to the vessel owing to the strong sea and current, but communication was eventually effected, and the crew, eight in number, rescued. An attempt was made to take the Life-boat back to her station up the river, but owing to the benumbed and exhausted condition of the rescued men, it was abandoned and the boat beached without delay.

The carriage was then sent for and the boat transported by road to her station.