— During a terrific S.E. gale on the 22nd February, the ship Arctic Stream, of Glasgow, was totally wrecked between Cresswell and New- biggin. She was bound at the time from Leith to the Tyne in ballast. The Life-boats Ada Lewis, of Newbiggin, and Martha, of Cresswell, were promptly summoned to the assistance of the men on board. The Newbiggin boat was transported for nearly three miles over a very broken and rough road without horses, willing help being given by sixty men to haul the boat. When launching great danger and difficulty were experienced owing to the rocky nature of the coast and the heavy sea running, but the difficulties were over- come, and this Life-boat reached the vessel a few minutes before the Cress- well boat, which had also launched in a very heavy sea to the leeward of the wreck.

In the launching operations of the Cresswell boat valuable help was given to the Life-boatmen by their wives, sons, and daughters, many of whom were wet to the skin in getting the boat afloat. They had an excep- tionally trying time when dragging the boat to a suitable launching place, as they frequently slipped on the rocks and fell into deep holes between the ledges, which were full of water.

Ultimately the Life-boat got alongside, and the nineteen persons on board including two women and a boy, were rescued, thirteen being brought ashore by the Newbiggin boat and six by the Cresswell boat.

In spite of the rough and cold weather which prevailed, large crowds gathered on the shore to witness the work of rescue, and the Life-boatmen were loudly cheered on their return. The Arctic Stream broke up very quickly and the shore was strewn with wreckage.

In recognition of the good work accomplished on this occasion the Com- mittee of Management presented the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum to the Coxswain of each of the Life-boats, and granted each member of the crews an extra monetary reward, in addition to rewarding the helpers in a suitable manner..