DECEMBER 7TH. - 13TH. - CROMER, AND GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON, NORFOLK. At two in the morning a message was received at Cromer from the coastguard that a vessel was ashore one and a half miles south of Palling coastguard station. A strong W.N.W. wind was blowing, with squalls, and there was a heavy swell.

The Cromer No. 1 motor life-boat H. F. Bailey was launched at 2.20 and found that the vessel ashore was the steamer Royston, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. The Royston was lying broadside on to the beach, and the life-boat attempted to get alongside ; but she found it impossible to get under the steamer’s lee, and there was too much sea for her to approach from the weather side, so she stood by until daylight. A tug from Yarmouth then arrived. The Royston fired a rocket line across the life-boat, which took it to the tug. The rope was hauled across and made fast, and the tug attempted to tow the Royston off, but was unsuccessful. The life-boat stood by until two in the afternoon and, as it was then felt that she could safely leave the Royston, she made for Gorleston, arriving at 4.45 in the afternoon. On December l0th, 11th, 12th and 13th, further attempts were made to get the Royston afloat, and in these attempts both the Cromer lifeboats took part. On the 10th the No. 2 motor life-boat Harriot Dixon was launched at eight in the morning, and two kedge anchors were laid out. The laying out of the third anchor could not be finished that day, and the life-boat stood by all night. Another attempt to lay out the third anchor was then made, but the wind was now blowing stronglyfrom the N.N.W., with squalls, and it was found impossible. The life-boat then reawarded turned to her station, arriving at eight o’clock on the evening of the 11th, having been out for 36 hours. On the following day the No. 1 motor life-boat was again launched.

She was out from one in the afternoon of that day until 10.30 the following morning, December 13th. This time the third kedge anchor was laid out, and at last, after the life-boat had stood by during the night, the tug succeeded in refloating the Royston at seven on the morning of December 13th.

The life-boat returned to her station at 10.30 that morning, having been out for 11 hours.

On December 7th the message that the Royston was ashore had been sent to Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, as well as to Cromer, and the crew at that station had assembled, but the life-boat had not been launched as Cromer could get to the spot more quickly.

Rewards : Cromer No. 1, first launch, £49 18s. .6d. ; second launch, property salvage case ; Cromer No. 2, property salvage case ; Great Yarmouth and Gorleston. £1 8s.