100 Years Ago From the pages of THE LIFEBOAT, August, 1888 Issue.

Brighstone Grange and Brooke, Isle of Wight On the afternoon of the 9th March, the ship Sirenia, of Glasgow, bound from San Francisco for Dunkirk with a cargo of wheat, stranded on Atherfield Ledge during a thick fog. The Life-boat Worcester Cadet, stationed at Brighstone Grange, put off to her assistance at 4.15 and brought ashore the master's wife, three children, a female servant, and an apprentice, landing them at Atherfield at 6.40. It had been arranged with the master that the Life-boat should return to the vessel at low water, and the boat was therefore again launched at one o'clock on the following morning in a very heavy sea, reached the ship, and took in 13 men. The Life-boat men then watched their opportunity, and at an apparently favourable moment cast off; but before they had time to turn and get out the drogue, a huge breaker drove the boat rapidly astern, turned her broadside on, and capsized her. She righted, but, unfortunately, MOSES MUNT, the Coxswain, THOMAS COTTON, Assistant Coxswain, and two of the passengers, were drowned. The boat reached the shore at Atherfield at 2.30, and the survivors landed. At 12 noon the Life-boat again went off to the vessel, three of the men who had been in the boat the first time, and also on the occasion of the capsize, again going out in her, and rescued the remainder of the ship's crew, 13 in number.

The Brooke Life-boat William Slaney Lewis also put off at 11 o'clock, on the night of the 9th March, to the assistance of the vessel on a summons being received from Atherfield, but when close to the ship, the boat was struck by a very heavy breaker, which washed REUBEN COOPER. Assistant Coxswain, and two of the crew, overboard, and COOPER was unhappily lost. In attempting to save him the boat lost her opportunity of reaching the wrecked vessel.

Persistent attempts to get near her were afterwards made until a number of oars were broken by the heavy seas, and the crew had become so exhausted that they were compelled to return to the shore.

A public inquiry followed at which no blame was attached to anyone for the deaths of the three lifeboatmen and two passengers.

The Inspectors attended the inquest, and also represented the Institution at the funeral. The Committee expressed their admiration at the gallantry of the crews of the Life-boats, and their deep sympathy with the relatives of the men who unfortunately perished, and voted 300/. in aid of the local fund for the relief of the bereaved relatives.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution, accompanied by a copy of the vote inscribed on vellum, to WILLIAM COTTON, FRANK SALTER, and DAVID COTTON, who went out in the Brighstone Grange Life-boats on the three occasions.

Also the Second Service Clasp to Mr. JOHN HAYTER, Coxswain of the Brooke Life-boat. The Silver Medal was awarded to him in February, 1886, in recognition of his valuable services during the twenty-six years he had held the office of Coxswain.

Also the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum to Mr.

GEORGE SWEETINOHAM, Chief Officer, and to Mr. WILLIAM BRETT, Chief Boatman in charge of H.M. Coast-guard at Atherfield, in recognition of their valuable services on the occasion.

Also 997. [7s. to pay the expenses of the three launches of the Brighstone Grange Life-boat, including a reward of 21. 10s. each to the crew who manned the boat on the occasion of her capsize.

Also 51/. 7s. to pay the expenses of the Brooke Life-boat launch, including a reward of 21. 10s. to each of the crew.

And 21. 5s. to two Brooke men who were injured while rendering assistance, and were thereby prevented from going in that boat..