The wreck of the German barque Hera in Gerrans Bay on the 1st February was unfor- tunately attended by the loss of nineteen lives. The vessel, which was a four- masted barque, of nearly 2,000 tons, was bound from Pisagua with a cargo of nitrate of soda, and, at the time of the disaster, was making for Falmouth for orders.

Fortunately, the Falmouth Life-boat, Bob Neivbon, was able to save five of the men. According to the account which they subsequently gave, the vessel had been unable for three days previously to take any bearings, and they were quite unaware of their posi- tion. A strong south-westerly gale was blowing, with a heavy sea, and the weather was somewhat thick and cloudy, when suddenly the vessel struck the Gull Rock. She foundered very quickly after striking, but some of the men managed to get into one of the ship's boats, which almost immediately cap- sized, throwing them into the water.

Some scrambled back on to the vessel and took to the rigging, others being drowned. Before the vessel foundered the men on board were able to make signals of distress, and these signals were observed by the Coastguard at Portloe, who at once sent a message calling out the Falmouth Life-boat.

She proceeded with all despatch, but although in tow of a tug, owing to heavy seas she could not make rapid headway. When she reached the vicinity of the Gull rock search was made for a vessel in distress, but owing to the darkness and to the fact that the men were lashed to the only spar which remained standing, the Life-boat was unable to locate them. For a time it was thought that it would be necessary for the boat to go ashore to ascertain some further particulars, when a whistle was heard. The boat immediately pulled in the direction of the whistle, and shortly afterwards men's voices were also heard.

The Life-boat at once burnt a hand- light, and the men were able to see an object sticking out of the water with men clinging to it. The boat made for them and succeeded in saving all those who had survived their terrible ordeal. Had it not been for the fortunate circumstance that the boat- swain of the vessel had his whistle in his pocket there would have been, in all probability, a further loss of life. The Life-boatmen then learned that some of the men had been lost as soon as the vessel foundered, while others had suc- ceeded in joining their comrades on the mast; but before succour came to them the majority had perished owing to cold and exhaustion. The men stated that three of their com- panions had clung to the mast until with- in five minutes of the time of arrival of the boat. As soon as the men had been saved, the Life-boat was towed back to Falmouth and all the men, who were in a state of exhaustion, were taken to the Sailors' Home and well cared for.

In connexion with this case, it is very pleasing to be able to record the pluck and courage displayed by the bowman of the Life-boat. Shortly before the Life-boat rescued the men, he had his hand considerably injured, which eventually resulted in his losing the top of one of his fingers, but notwithstanding the very great pain he was suffering, when the Coxswain expressed his willingness to return ashore after rescuing the five men from the spar, the bowman desired him to continue his search along the rocks in case any other survivors might be floating about. He also displayed the same pluck after the boat had returned ashore by refusing to be attended to by the doctor until after the shipwrecked men had been cared for. A week after the wreck, the following letter was re- ceived by the Honorary Secretary from the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners.

" Harbour Commissioners' Office, " Falmouth.

" 7th February, 1914.

" F. A. LELEAN, Esq., " The Secretary, Life-boat Committee, " Falmouth.

" DEAR SIR,—My Commissioners have heard with pleasure of the prompt and valuable services rendered by the crew of the Falmouth Life-boat on the night of Saturday, the 31st ultimo, which resulted in the saving of five of the crew of the German ship Hera, and have requested me to write and tender you on behalf of your Committee their hearty congratulations on the energy and courageous conduct displayed by the members of the crew of the Life-boat whilst rendering such services and which is in accordance with the best traditions of the Life-boat Service.

" Yours truly, (Signed) " W. W. SHARPE, " Clerk." Management granted them In appreciation of the services of the crew, which were of a severe and arduous nature, the Committee of additional reward..