On the evening of the 22nd April the Coastguard re- ported that a steamer was ashore on the rocks to the west of St. Alban's Head, and making signals of distress; • and a subsequent message from Kim- meridge smggested that the Life-boat should at once be sent, as there was a heavy sea running. The crew of the Life-boat William Erie were at once assembled and the boat launched at 8.14 P.M., but in the prevailing fog, which was very thick, Coxswain Dyke was unable to locate the steamer until 2 A.M. By this time two tugs had arrived from Weymouth, and at the request of the captain the Life-boat stood by the vessel until high-water.

It was then found that there was too much water in the hold of the vessel for the tugs to get her clear, and the captain decided to send the crew to Weymouth in one of the tugs, he and the mate remaining on board. As they were not in danger, the Life-boat re- turned to Swanage, where she arrived at 8 A.M. The vessel was the steamer Envermue, of London..