— During a whole W.S.W. gale and heavy sea on the 27th October a telegram was received from the Clontarf Coastguard, stating that two vessels were showing signals of distress. As both vessels were in dangerous positions, about one mile north of the Dublin bar, the Life- boat John Watson Wakefield was des- patched as quickly as possible. The first vessel, on their arrival, declined any assistance, and the boat at once proceeded to the ketch Adieu Va, with four men on board, which was found to be in shallow water. The crew had all their personal belongings ready, and were waiting to leave their vessel. At the instigation of the Coxswain the crew remained on board and five of the Life-boat crew joined them in order to assist, if possible, in saving the vessel.

Sail was set and, the anchors having been weighed, the men succeeded in getting the vessel under way, and she was taken to Kingstown, where she was left in safety.

The vessel was laden with coal, and was bound from Glasgow to Bordeaux at the time..