At 12.30 P.M. on the 7th October the Coastguard received a telephone mes- sage from the Smalls Lighthouse stating that a schooner had struck a reef close by and was likely to become a total wreck; also that the crew had taken to the ship's boat, but, owing to the sea, it was too dangerous for them to attempt to land at the Lighthouse. The motor Life-boat General Farrell was despatched without delay and reached the "Smalls" at 4.20 P.M., when she rescued the crew of four hands. In the meantime the schooner had floated off and drifted in a north-westerly direction.

The captain and crew of the vessel, which was the schooner Sarah Mac- donald, of Chester, wished to board their vessel again to see if anything could be done to salve her. The Life- boat therefore proceeded to the schooner and the crew were put on board, but they found that she was making so much water that nothing could be done. They therefore abandoned their vessel, and the Life-boat conveyed them ashore.

Unfortunately one of the Life-boat's veering lines fouled her propeller, and, as it could not be cleared, the boat was obliged to return under sail to St.

Brides' Bay, where she arrived at 6 A.M.

Being then in smooth water the crew were able to clear the propeller, and the boat eventually reached her station at 8.30 A.M. on the 8th idem..