The schooner Advance, of Plymouth, when bound from Hull to Teignmouth with a cargo of coal, was wrecked on the Scroby Sands on the 23rd February. Immediately on receipt of information of the casualty the crew of the No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden were assembled. Owing to the condition of the beach, the launch of the Life-boat was only accomplished with great difficulty, the crew in conse- quence getting very wet. On reaching the Sands, the vessel was found labouring very heavily, but the crew declined to leave her, as they hoped that on the rising tide they would be able to get her clear. Efforts were made by the Life-boatmen to try and save the vessel, but she commenced to fill with water owing to the heavy swell on the Sands, and eventually the bottom was knocked out of the vessel. The five men on board were promptly taken into the Life-boat, which was then towed back to her station, where she arrived at 12.30 P.M. The landed crew were given food and then conveyed to the Sailors' Home at Yarmouth. Next day the following letter was received from the master, expressing his gratitude for the services rendered to him by the Life-boatmen :— " Great Yarmouth, " 23rd February, 1913.

" To the National Life-boat Institution, London.

" DEAR SIR,—I have great pleasure in thanking your Institution for the assistance rendered by the Caister Life- boat Covent Garden in saving my crew and self from the schooner Advance, of Plymouth, whilst stranded on the Scroby Sands this morning, the ship being a total loss.

" Yours very sincerely, (Signed) "T. J. CLEMENS.".