During foggy •weather on the 1st October the s.s.

Argentum, of Newcastle, stranded on the Blakeney West Sands whilst bound from Goole to Faversham with a cargo of coal. Coxswain Long observed the accident and promptly took steps to proceed to the assistance of the vessel.

The boat reached the steamer at about 11 A.M. on Thursday and remained in attendance all day. In the even- ing, the vessel having failed to float at high water, the boat returned ashore conveying the captain to the quay. She then returned to the steamer, and remained in. attendance that night and throughout the whole of Friday. On Saturday also the boat stood by and, the cargo having been jettisoned, the vessel was successfully refloated and taken to Blakeney Har- bour, where she was moored. In connexion with this wreck the Life-boat was afloat from the morning of the 1st October until the night of the 3rd, and the wind varied from N.W. to N.K.

On the two latter days the wind was fresh, causing a heavy swell, and it was necessary for the Life-boat to remain in close attendance in case the crew had to be taken off the steamer. She lay on an island, and the crew could not have got ashore by any other means..