DECEMBER 6-7TH. - NEW BRIGH-TON, CHESHIRE. Shortly after five in the evening a message was received from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board that the Liverpool steamer Gorsethorn had sent an SOS that she was disabled fifteen miles N.W. by W. of the Bar Light-vessel, and was driving east. As she was thirty miles away from the station, and as there was a very heavy gale blowing with high confused seas, it was decided to send the No. 1 life-boat, William and Kate Johnston. When the call was received the No. 2 life-boat, Edmund and Mary Robinson, was, out on service to the S.S. Governor. She returned to her moorings at 5.30, and a quarter of an hour later, the No. 1 life-boat went out. The coxswain, second-coxswain and one member of the crew who had been out in the No. 2 life-boat went with the No. 1. The other six members of the crew, including the motor-mechanics, were fresh. The night was very dark and the seas were very heavy. One sea swept over the life-boat and nearly washed away two of the crew.

She searched for a long time, and saw a number of vessels, but none appeared to be in distress, and she returned to her station at 1.40 in the morning. At three in the after- noon news came that the Gorsethorn was lying safely at anchor.

At five another message was received that the Gorsethorn was in need of immediate help 14 1/2 miles N.W. by W. of the Bar Lightcould vessel. The No. 2 life-boat was launched at 5.50 P.M., but immediately afterwards came news that the Gorsethorn had been abandoned and her crew rescued by another steamer, and the life-boat was recalled.

In view of the severity of the first service, an increase was made in the ordinary scale reward. The No. 1 life-boat, standard rewards to crews and launchers, £18 4s. 9d.; additional rewards to crew, £9; total rewards, £27 4s. 9d. ; No. 2 life-boat, £15 5s.