The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-14 00:00:00

SUFFERINGS OF A LIFEBOAT'S CREW.

The following is a copy of a joint report which has been
sent to the National Lifeboat Institution by the coxswain of
the Ramsgate lifeboat, Northumberland, and the master of
the Harbour Commissioner's steam-tug Aid, detailing their
great sufferings on the night of the Ist instant, during a
heavy storm and frost, in attempting to succour some ship-
wrecked crews on the Goodwin Sands :

" Soon after eight o'clock, on Tuesday night, blowing
a strong gale about E.N.E., and squally with rain, flashes
of guns and rockets were seen in the direction of the
South Sand Head Light-ship. The Aid steam-tug and
Northumberland lifeboat were manned without delay
about 8.30 p.m. We then left the harbour and shaped a
course for the light-ship. About 10 p.m. spoke her, the
gale still increasing, with intense cold, and a very
heavy sea running; they reported to us that a vessel
was on shore on the Goodwin Sands, bearing from the
light-ship E. by N. We then east the lifeboat cable to
her ancb,or, and reefed the sails ready for running alongside.
We afterwards proceeded round the South Sand Head to-
' wards the South Calliper buoy. On arriving between the
buoy and the sand we discovered two distinct wrecks, one
totally dismasted, the other with one mast standing, and
the sea all round covered with wrecks, some pieces of which
(large timber) struck our steamer and just cleared the life-
boat. At this time (11 p.m.) it being quarter flood, the sea
considerably increased, breaking violently over both steam-
tug and lifeboat, their crews suffering severely from cold.
After coming abreast of the wreck, the tide flowing rapidly
at the time, it suddenly disappeared, the steam-tug and
lifeboat keeping as near to both wrecks as the heavy gale
and sea would allow with safety. We found, however, that
we could render no assistance. The mast of the vessel
having gone, the whole of that crew must have been swept
away and perished. On our return from the wrecks, about
1.30 a.m., we again spoke the South Sand Head Light-
ship, and asked them if they had seen any boats or wreck
floating past them ? They replied, yes, several pieces of
wreck only without any of the crew floating on it. We
then stood inside the South Sand Head, at half speed,
but could only discover pieces of wreck, and apparently,
bedding and cabin furniture. About 2 a.m. we shaped
a course back for the harbour, where we arrived abor_:t
3 a.m. all well. On our return the heavy gale and
sea being abeam it constantly broke over both stes:mer and
lifeboat, the crews suffering severely, 'being benumbed with
the intense cold.

"DANIEL READING, MaStPlr, Steam-tug Aid.
" JAMES HOGBEN, Master of Lifeboat."
After the steam-tug and lifeboat were despatched the
Ramsgate harbour master received two telegrams from
Deal, stating that a vevsel er vessels were on shore on the
Goodwin Sands, alarm guns and rockets were being fired
from the South Sand Head Light-ship, no boat could Le
launched from Deal Beach in consequence of the strong gale
and very heavy sea; and they requested him to send the
steam-tug and lifeboat without delay.

He has also since received the following report concerning
one of the vessels that were lost on the Goodwin Sands on
the night in question :—" Hdre.burg Ship, Gutenburg, from
New York to Hamburg, general cargo of cotton, tobacco,
&c., crew twenty-five in }lumber, five of which reached
Dover in the ship's boat; the remainder, with Henry Pear.
son, Deal boatman, lost. Fifteen of the crew of another
vessel picked up by the Gutenburg, previously, at sea, were
also landed at Dover. Cargo drifthig on shore at Kings-
down,"

The following neat sentiment was drank stand-
ing at a private fete among the fust circle coloured elite •f
New York, a few evening 3 since :—" Here's to de ccloed
fair sec, der face needs no paint, dar head no turnery."