LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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

THE MUMBLES, GLAMORGANSHIRE.— In response to signals of distress from a vessel at anchor on the north-west side of the Hugo Bank, the Life- boat Charlie Medland was launched shortly after 3 P.M. on the 5th January.

They found the brigantine Perseverance dragging her anchors and swept by heavy seas. The captain considered it advisable to leave his vessel, as the crew were in considerable danger; they were therefore landed by the Life-boat.

The vessel was bound from Bordeaux to Swansea with a cargo of pit-props, and after the men had been taken off, she was towed into Swansea by a local tug.

MONTROSE, FOHFAESHIRE. — On the night of the 5th January, it was re- ported to the coxswain of the No. 1 Life-boat Sarah Jane Turner that a fishing yawl with five men on board was in the Bay and had made flares for assistance. As the sea was very heavy, especially on the bar, it was thought that it would not be possible for the vessel to get into harbour, and if she remained outside the crew ran the risk of losing their lives. The Life-boat was launched and proceeded to the assistance of the vessel, which was the Premier, of Montrose, and at about 11 P.M. she reached her and took the men off. The boat then returned toher station, and although she was struck by several seas when crossing the Bar, she got into harbour in safety and landed the men about half-past 2 in the morning.

SPURN, YORKSHIRE. — The steam trawler Agatha, of Grimsby, ran ashore on the beach outside Spurn Point at 9.15 P.M. on the 6th January. A moderate easterly gale was blowing with a heavy sea. The Life-boat at once proceeded to the vessel which was found full of water and the sea break- ing over her. The crew of nine hands were rescued and landed about mid- night. The cause of the disaster was that the vessel had been very close to the " Binks " and the strong ebb tide carried her on to them. After striking, the vessel again came off, but stranded on the beach, HARWICH, ESSEX. — The sprit-sail barge Monarch, of London, whilst bound from London to Yarmouth, got into difficulties when off Harwich on the 6th January, owing to her steering gear getting out of order. In response to her distress signals, which were re- ported by the Coastguard to the Life- boat Coxswain, the No. 1 Life-boat Ann Fawcett, was launched. On reaching the vessel the Life-boatmen were en- gaged to salve her and successfully brought her into the fiarbour. There was a rough sea at the time with a moderate gale blowing.

FILEY, YORKSHIRE.—At 8 A.M. on the 10th January eleven of the fishing cobles belonging to Filey put to sea for the purpose of hauling their lines.

Although there was no wind a heavy north-easterly sea was making and when they were about to return, shortly before noon, it was considered advis- able to send the Life-boat Eollon the Third to their assistance. The boat proceeded to the cobles, and having supplied the fishermen with life-belts she stood by each coble as she came ashore.

CAISTER, NORFOLK.—At 7.20 A.M. on the llth January rockets were observed in the direction of the Cross Sand light- vessel, and while the crew of the Life- boat were being assembled, a message was received by wireless telegraphy stating that a vessel was ashore on the Sands. The No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden was launched, and proceeded to the Sands in tow of a tug. When she reached the vessel, the seas were making a clean breach over her. The Life-boat tried to get alongside, but owing to the heavy seas did not succeed. The boat was then taken by the tug to wind- ward of the vessel, where she anchored and veered down; and whilst doing so she struck heavily on the Sands, the seas drenching everyone to the skin. TheLife- boatmen succeeded in getting a line on board the vessel, and then, by means of a rope, hauled some of the crew through the sea, whilst others jumped into the boat. An hour and a half elapsed before the crew, seven in number, were got safely on board. The Coxswain was then obliged to cut the boat's cable in order to get clear of the wreck, other- wise the Life-boat might have been knocked to pieces. As soon as the boat was clear of the Sands, the tug again picked her up and towed her to Caister.

The vessel was the schooner Falke, of Bremen, bound to Yarmouth at the time.

This service, which reflected great credit upon the Life-boatmen, was carried out in very severe weather, causing the crew considerable suffering owing to exposure.

The Coxswain, in reporting on the case, stated that it was the most difficult service within the experience of the oldest Life-boatman.

MABLETHORPE, LINCOLNSHIRE.—On the llth January a telephone message was received from the Coastguard stating that a vessel was ashore opposite the Saltfleet Coastguard station. A thick fog prevailed at the time, with a moderate breeze and choppy sea. The crew of the Life-boat John Bowson Lingard were assembled and the boat despatched to the assistance of the vessel. She found that she was the ketch ROBCO, of Grimsby, and, at the request of the master, the boat stood by the vessel for some hours. At high water the vessel failed to float, but as it was probable she would succeed at the following high tide, and the services of the Life-boat were not re- quired, she returned to her station, arriving during the afternoon.

CAISTEB, NOBFOLK.—The No. 1 Life- boat Covent Garden was launched at 6 A.M.

during thick weather on the 13th January to the assistance of the S.S. Glenside, of Newcastle, which had stranded on the Barber Sands, opposite the Life-boat station. On reaching the vessel the master declined any help, as he hoped to be able to get the vessel clear at high water. At daybreak four tugs reached the vessel and two of them were employed by the master in the afternoon to tow his vessel off, the Life-boat, in the mean- while, standing by, in case her assistance might be required.

PALLING, NOBFOLK.—The No. 2 Life- boat Hearts of Oak was called out on the 13th-14th January in response to a telephone message stating that a vessel was on the Haisborough Sands. While the Life-boat was proceeding to the Sands a light was seen from one of the boats belonging to the wrecked vessel, in which the crew had escaped. Just before the Life-boat reached her, the boat arrived at the Haisborough Light-vessel and the men took refuge on board. The Life-boat stood by all night to see if anything could be done in connexion with the wreck at daylight, bub finding her position was hopeless the five ship- wrecked men were landed at Palling.

The vessel was the schooner Gowan, of Banff, bound from Hamburg to Ply- mouth with salt.

SCABBOBOUGH, YoBKSHiBB.—Several of the fishing cobles belonging to Scar- borough were overtaken when at sea by bad weather on the 14th January. All the boats with the exception, of one, which was named the Queensbury, suc- ceeded in getting into safety, but as it was feared that this coble might be lost, the Life-boat, which bears the same name, Queensbury, was sent to her assistance and saved the three men, bringing their boat also into safety.

BOULMBB, NOBTHUMBEELAND. At about 9 P.M. on the 14th January the Coxswain, of the Life-boat Arthur B.

Dawes discovered that a vessel was ashore on the rocks of Boulmer South Steel. The night was very dark, with a thick atmosphere. The boat was launched and proceeded to the wreck, which proved to be the steam trawler Doreen, of Sunderland, homeward bound from the fishing-grounds. A heavy swell was breaking about the wreck, and much difficulty was experienced in getting the Life-boat alongside. Whilst the crew of eight hands were being rescued, one of the shipwrecked men got his leg over the side, and it was unfortunately broken by the Life-boat being dashed against the trawler. As soon as the boat came ashore the man received medical atten- tion, and was sent to the infirmary without loss of time. The rescue was a difficult one, and when being carried out, the boat was somowhat damaged owing to the heavy sea.

FBASEBBUBGH, ABEBDEENSHIBE.—At 9.15 P.M. on the 14th January the Cox- swain of the Life-boat Anna Maria Leesnw lights on Cairnbulge Briggs, about two miles from Fraserburgh. He immedi- ately ordered the launch of the Life-boat and proceeded to the vicinity, where he found the steam trawler, Clio, of Dundee, on the rocks, with a crew of nine men on board. Owing to the condition of the sea and the position of the wreck, it was impossible to approach near enough to effect communication. The boat therefore waited near until the tide ebbed sufficiently to allow her to get inside the reef of rocks. At 1.30 in the morning four of the Life-boat crew took to the water and made their way along the reef to where the wreck lay.

They found that the crew had left the vessel • and were taking shelter on a beacon, which they refused to leave, as one of their number, who had had his ribs broken, was unable to go through the water to the boat. At about this time the rocket apparatus got communi- cation from the shore, and by means of the apparatus commenced to land the men; but when being transferred from the beacon to the shore, another man met with an accident. Later, when the Life-boat was able to reach them, the two injured men were taken into the Life-boat, and conveyed to Fraserburgh,where they were lauded at 4.30 A.M. The remainder of the crew of the trawler had meanwhile been landed by the rocket apparatus.

BERWICK - ON - TWEED, NORTHUMBER- LAND.—On the 15th January, in a strong south-east breeze and rough sea, one fishing coble only ventured to put to sea, and shortly after 9.30 A.M. it was seen that she was in trouble. The Life- boat Matthew Simpson was launched, and, as the coble ran for the harbour, stood by her in case of accident. The i coble was fortunate, and managed ! to get into the harbour without needing j assistance from the Life-boat.

I MARGATE, KENT.—At 3.45 P.M. on j the 15th January information was j received that a schooner was ashore on the West Tongue Sands requiring assistance. The No. I Life-boat Eliza Harriet was launched, and on arriving at the Sands, found the schooner Beussite, of Morlaix, aground, making water fast. The captain engaged the men to try and save the vessel. Seven of the Life-boat's crew were placed on board to man her pumps, and just before high water they succeeded in getting the vessel afloat. The Life-boatmen then attempted to get the vessel to Whit- stable, but they found that, in spite of their efforts, the water was gaining.

They therefore attempted to beach the vessel. She commenced to roll badly, and it was considered advisable to order all hands to leave her. This was done, and about five minutes later the vessel foundered and sank. The Life-boat then proceeded to Whitstable, where she landed the crew of five hands, return- ing to her station at 9 o'clock the next morning.

KUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.—On the night of the 15th January, the steam trawler Golden Sceptre, bound for Hull for repairs, grounded on Kettleness Point at 9.20 P.M. Her distress signals were seen, and the Life-boat Hester Rothschild was despatched to her assistance. The sixteen men on board were rescued, the Life-boat being considerably damaged whilst performing the service. The weather at the tune was thick, with a rough sea running.

SOUTHWOLD, SUFFOLK.—In response i| to a telephone message at 3.45 P.M. on ! the 17th January, stating that a vessel | was ashore at Sizewell with her crew in the rigging, the No. 1 Life-boat Alfred Gorry was launched. She found the schooner Voorwaarts, of Groningen, on the inner shoal. The crew of four men and a woman, who were on board, were rescued, and the boat returned to her station, arriving at 8 P.M.

RAMSGATE, KENT. — The German steamer Marie Leonhardt, of Hamburg, whilst bound from Scotland to Genoa with a cargo of coal, stranded on the Goodwin Sands, during a strong E.S.E.

gale and a very heavy sea, on the 17th January. Signals of distress were made and in response the Life-boat was sent to her assistance. They found the vessel right on top of the Sands and the seas breaking over her. After three unsuccessful attempts, the Life- boat got alongside, but in doing so was considerably damaged. Ropes were passed to the boat from the steamer and she stood by for some time, but as the vessel was bumping very heavily ' and cracking all over, it was considered desirable to take the crew of twenty hands out of her. This was accom- plished with some difficulty owing to the heavy seas which constantly washed over the vessel and the boat. A cat and a dog were also rescued and taken into safety. As soon as the Life-boat got clear of the steamer and the Sands she was picked up by the harbour tug which towed her into Ramsgate Har- bour, where they arrived about noon.

The German Government subsequently expressed, through their ambassador, their warmest thanks for the assistance rendered by the Life-boat in this case.

OAISTBE, NORFOLK.—Shortly after midnight on the 17th-18th January signals of distress were seen burning in the direction of the South Barber Sands.

As soon as it was possible the No. 1 boat Covent Garden was launched and found the S.S. Altyre, of Aberdeen, riding with two anchors down and dragging towards the shore. The captain asked the Coxswain of the boat to stand by, and, if necessary, take off the crew.

Tugs had already been sent for from Yarmouth, but in consequence of the bad weather and the E.S.E. gale they would not leave port. At 9 A.M. the next morning one tug came out to the vessel, and the Life-boatmen with their assistance succeeded in getting the vessel out of a very dangerous position, in only 2 fathoms of water. She was then towed to Yarmouth. At the time of this service the weather was very cold with heavy snow squalls.

TYNEMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND.—The Life-boat Henry Vernon was despatched at 8.30 A.M. on the 18th January to the assistance of the brigantine Maggie A., of Poole, which was sighted about that time making for the river. A strong gale was blowing with a very heavy sea, and at about 9 A.M. the foundering of the vessel on the bar, or her destruction against the North Pier Head, seemed inevitable. The Life-boat stood by her ready for emergencies. The vessel was superbly handled, and by increasing sail she was able to weather the North Pier and come through the heavy break- ing seas in safety. The sea is reported to have been the heaviest experienced for many years, and the behaviour of the Life-boat, which is fitted with a motor, is spoken of in the highest terms, and she is reported to have been hardly affected by the sea and wind.

MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE.—Shortly before 11 A.M. on the 19th January the steam trawler Tyne Prince, of North Shields, stranded on the Annat Bank and hoisted distress signals. The No. 2 Life-boat Marianne Atherstone was launched and pulled down to where the trawler lay, but, on account of the sea being so heavy, the Life-boat had great difficulty in approaching the vessel, and before the crew could be rescued the boat was thrown by a heavy sea against the trawler and slightly damaged. Com- munication, was effected by means of a rope, and the whole of the crew of the trawler, nine in number, were taken off. The boat then returned to her station, where she arrived at 12.45 P.M.

At 1 P.M., just after the above service had been completed, it was seen that the steamer Lochside was attempting to cross the Bar and had been struck by several heavy seas; two other small steamers—the Tynesider and Holman Sutcliffe—were also observed making for the harbour. It was therefore con- sidered advisable to send the Life-boat out again in case of emergency. The boat proceeded to the bar and stood by as the steamers came in. Fortunately all were successful, but two of them incurred great risk of being thrown on the Annat Sands.

ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK.—At 4.20 A.M.

on the 20th January a telephone message was received from the Coastguard report- ing that a vessel was ashore at Thorpe- ness. The No. 2 Life-boat Edward Dresden was launched and found the s.s. Monkwood, of London, laden with coal from the Tyne, about a hundred yards from the shore. The master of the steamer engaged the Life-boatmen to save the vessel, and, by running out kedge anchors and jettisoning part oi the cargo, they succeeded in refloating the steamer, which was then able to proceed to London.

MARGATE, KENT.—The No. 2 Life- boat Civil Service No. 1 was launched at 1.40 P.M. on the 31st January, in re- sponse to a message received from the Coastguard stating that a large steamer had stranded on the Girdler Sands.

When proceeding to the vessel the Life- boat was picked up by a tug which towed them to the Sands. She there found the s.s. Cheyenne of Newcastle badly ashore. The Coxswain boarded her and asked the Captain if he re- quired any assistance, and in response he stated that he would be glad if the Life-boat would stand by him until the following high water, when attempts would be made to get the vessel clear.

The Life-boat therefore remained but tugs failed to get the vessel off.

The weather in the meanwhile had improved, and as there was no necessity for the Life-boat to remain in attendance she returned ashore. The vessel, which was a large tank steamer, was bound from London to Barry with a cargo of benzine..