— At 6.15 P.M. on the 30th April the Life-boat Charles and Susanna Stephens was launched to the assistance of a large steamer ashore on the Goodwin Sands. On arrival at the stranded vessel five Life-boatmen were placed on board the stranded steamer, and the services of the tug and Life-boat were engaged to try and get the vessel clear. A large 30 cwt.

anchor with a wire hawser attached was, with the assistance of the tug, carried out and set up. The Life-boat then stood by the steamer, waiting for the tide to flow, the sea in the mean- while washing right through the stranded vessel. At 10.30 A.M., after several attempts, communication was established between the tug and the vessel, and towing operations com- menced, but with the strong tide and sea the tug swung round and was obliged to slip the tow rope. With great difficulty another rope was got on board, and the tug, after three hours' work, succeeded in getting the vessel clear. The anchors were slipped, and the tug got a rope made fast for- ward, as the vessel's engines were choked with sand and would not work.

Both tug and Life-boat then started with the vessel towards Dover, but shortly afterwards the rope by which the Life-boat was towing astern parted, so the Life-boat sailed back to her station, the five men of the crew being still on board the steamer. The steamer, with the tug in attendance, reached Dover in safety. The weather during this case was very heavy, with a strong N.E. wind blowing, and the services rendered were exceptionally good in circumstances both difficult and dangerous. The vessel saved was a large Greek steamer named the Tsiropinas, bound from Rotterdam to the Black Sea with 6,000 tons of coal..