The paddle steamer Whippingham, of South- ampton, while on a pleasure trip from Ryde to Bournemouth on the afternoon of the 5th September, was in difficulties through a defect in the paddle wheels and began to leak, when about six miles W.N.W. from the Needles. She had between four and five hundred people on board. A strong south- west breeze was blowing, with a rough sea and heavy rain. The Whippingham anchored and made signals of distress.

The motor life-boat Hearts of Oak was launched at 5.15 P.M., in response to a message from the coastguard, and found that the Whippingham had been taken in tow by the steamer Freshwater, after two other paddle steamers had tried, unsuccessfully, to help her. After towing for a short time the Freshwater passed the tow to the s.s. Duchess of Norfolk, which carried on towards the quieter waters in the Solent. At the request of the captain of the Duchess of Norfolk the life-boat accompanied the vessels until they made Hurst, and then returned to her station at 10.30 P.M.—Rewards, £9 16*. 6d..