The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-10 00:00:00

THE HASTINGS LIFEBOAT.

-.s-

Daring the high wind and heavy sea which prevailed
on Monday morning last, an attempt was made to give
the new lifeboat h,r first trial ',n this coast. Accordingly,
the Victoria was manned by her coastguard vow, 15 in
numb.2r, with Bingley as coxswain, was drawn upon her
carriage to the slip-way opposite Warrior-square, where it
was decided that the launch should take place. The boat
was followed by some hundreds of spectators, who, having
been disappointed by the unavoidable postponement of the
regatta, were no doubt pleased at the prospect of witnessing
something which might be termed a sight. The sea was
running in with such a tremendous force and the waves were
rising to so great a height, that a scene of an exciting cha-
racter was very naturally expected. The arrangements for
the launch were, it appears, carried out under the superin•
tendence of Captain Gough, R.N., the chief officer in this
district. When the attempt to launch the boat was made
it was about an hour before the time of high water. The
carriage was drawn down the slip-way to the edge of the
water, and at a given signal the boat left the carriage and
glided into the sea in admirable style. Immediately, how-
ever, a heavy sea broke over her, and for the moment the
men were almost hidden from view by the wave and the
dashing spray. They succeeeded, however, in retaining a
firm hold upon the rope by which they were hauling oft;
but no sooner had the first wave passed than a second and
a third of equal force came down upon them. Several of
the men were washed from the hauling-off rope, but suc-
ceeded in regaining their grasp. As soon as they had
passed the heavy seas—through which the boat carried them
admirably—the " lizzard," a rope through which the
hawser passed as the bow of the boat, gave way, and the
boat was immediately broadside and knocked ashore on the
groyne a short distance eastward of the spot where she had
left the carriage. The excitement among the spectators was
intense. The boat, however, did not rest upon the groyne,
but another strong sea came and carried her over, dashing
her broadside against the parade wall. The position was a
most perilous one for the crew, and a number of the by-
standers, fishermen, and others ran into the water to render
assistance. Some of the crew jumped out, and in so doing
were slightly injured, and one man named Greenfield, chief
boatswain at the Priory station, had previously been knocked
down senseless in the boat. Ultimately a rope was thrown
to the parade, and she was drawn up to a high spot on the
beach. A hole was stove in her side, which it is thought was
caused while she was upon the groyne. The damage, how-
ever, is not considered very serious, and the boat will, no
doubt, be repaired in this town. Fortunately no serious in-
juries were sustained by the crew, who certainly had a very
narrow escape, and acted in a very brave and undaunted
manner throughout. Their conduct drew forth great praise
from among the hundreds of spectators who witnessed the
scene. The crew it seems have the greatest confidence in
the boat ; but the trial shows very plainly the difficulty to
be encountered in launching from this part of the coast
during a high and heavy sea. From a harbour or pier the
boat could no doubt be put off in perfect safety ; but it is to
be feared that a launch from our shores during a rough sea
will always be attended with considerable difficulty and
danger,—Sussex Advertiser.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

NEWARK-WEDNESDAY.

A moderate supply of wheat at our market, and prices is
to 2s per qr higner, with a more active demand. Rather
more doing in in malting barley, and ext•eme prices were
made Oats a fair sale at former rates. Beans were quite
as well sold.

White wheat new, 49s to 52s j Barley, grinding.. 30s to 320
Red do. 43s to 48s Oats, old, .. 2Bs to 303
j
Old white 4Bs to 53s New do 24s to 270
Red do. 46s to 49s I Beans.. 39s to 420
Barley, malting.— 36s to 40s 1 Beans, new —s to —0