"The Captain and 7 men were landed at Dover by the Dutch pilot cutter No 5, their vessel the Tar of London had been abandoned in a sinking condition in the North sea. It appears from a statement from the crew that the vessel which was bound from Amsterdam to London with a cargo of tar was caught in a severe gale 2 day ago, in which she had all her sails blown away and her buwarrs and deck generally damaged. This was not the worst part of the disaster. While the gale was raging it was found that one of the tar tanks had burst and the tar was gradually running off the ship and was gradually sinking her stern first by the unequal weight. The ships cabin was filled with the fluid and the provisions on board were spoiled. The mens clothing was also destroyed and the men themselves begrimed with tar. When rescued they were in a pitable condition, 2 of them suffering from bruises and exposure, after being 24 hrs without food or water they signalled to the Dutch pilot cutter, from which a lifeboat was launched, and the men at great personal risk and in the face of a heavy seak, rescued the crew with much difficulty. The crew were received at the Dover Sailors Home and clothed, fed and forwarded to London." Master: Hawkins Date of Loss: A

<1> Kent and Sussex Times, 01-JAN-1887 p8, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6366.