On the evening of the 20th December a heavy W.N.W.

gale suddenly sprang up, overtaking several of the sprat fishing-boats whilst at sea. All the boats managed to reach the shore in safety with the exception of one, and when, at six o'clock, there were no tidings of this boat, consider- able excitement and anxiety prevailed respecting the safety of the men on board. As the sea was very heavy, it was deemed prudent to launch the Life- boat Civil Service No. 4. After search- ing for a considerable time, the Life- boat fell in with the fishing-boat, which was the Lilian, hanging on to a tug, the boat nearly full of water and the crew drenched to the skin. The three men were taken into the Life-boat, and some of the Life-boatmen having baled the boat clear, she was towed back to Walmer..