At 11 P.M. on the 26th October the Coastguard reported to the Life-boat Coxswain, George Johnson, that the message S.O.S.

had been received at the Cullercoats —Wireless Telegraph Station from a vessel ashore on the south end of the Smeth- wick Sands. A heavy sea was breaking on the sands and the wind was squally.

With all haste the Life-boat George and Jane Walker was launched and proceeded to the steamer, which proved to be the Eskimo, of Hull, belonging to the Wilson Line. She was bound from Christiania to Hull with a cargo, and carried three passengers It was found that a mine- sweeper had already gone to the steamer's assistance, but she was unable to get near enough to effect communica- tion. The crew and passengers left the steamer in the ship's boats and the latter, who consisted of a woman and two children, had already been placed on board the mine-sweeper for safety before the Life-boat arrived, so only the captain and the officers remained on board. The Life-boat was able to effect communication between the stranded vessel and the mine-sweeper, and the latter refloated the steamer. The women and children were then trans- ferred to the Life-Boat, and as no further assistance was required she returned ashore and landed them. Pre- vious to this she stood by the crew, who were in the ship's boats, until they had got safely on board their vessel again..