"Wreck on the Long Sand - Gallant rescue by the Ramsgate lifeboat.- The master of the fishing smack FORGET-ME-NOT having reported to the Ramsgate Harbour authorities that while running home he had observed a large ship ashore on the Longsand, the tug VULCAN with the lifeboat BRADFORD in tow left the Royal Harbour at 12.15pm Wednesday to render assistance if possible. There was a strong easterly gale blowing and the sea which was running very high, broke in v olume over the boats as they left the harbour on their mission of mercy and the lifeboat was frequently hidden from view of the hundreds who witnessed her departure. In consequence of heavy wind and sea the tug was retarded in her progress and did not arrive at Longsand until considerably after nightfall. They spoke to the Knack lightship and proceeded along the NE edge of the sands which they reached about 7pm but owing to the darkness the whereabouts of the stranded vessel could not be discovered and the tug and lifeboat having shown 3 or 4 signals hoping to get an answer decided to lie by until daybreak, the crew of the latter remained in their boats and been greatly exposed until daybreak by the severe weather. When the day broke on Thursday, a large ship was sighted on the NE of the sands with one mast standing. The Bradford was at once let go by the tug and bore down on the stranded vessel which proved to be the INDIAN CHIEF, Captain Fraser. The crew numbered 28 all told, with a Hartlepool pilot but of those only 12 remained to be saved by the BRADFORD, one of whom Howard Primrose Fraser, the 2nd mate, brother of the captain, died from exhaustion after he got into the boat. The men had taken refuge in the rigging and comprised besides the deceased, 9 seamen, the chief officer and the pilot. The Captain, having lashed himself to a fallen mast, died of exhaustion. The rescue was accomplished shortly after 10 o'clock and the lifeboat proceeded on her return journey in the company of the tug VULCAN arriving in Ramsgate harbour about 2.30 Thursday having been absent for 26 hours from daybreak on Thursday morning. The vicinity of the pier was thronged with persons anxiously awaiting the return of the BRADFORD and at 2.00 directly after the tug was sighted the spectators numbered upwards of 2000 who cheered heartily as the shipwrecked men were landed. They were at once conducted to the sailors home, some having to be supported and one of the unfortunate crew, a young man named Charles Swanson who has his collar bone broken, is now lying in the seamans infirmary. The rescue is considered one of the most gallant ever performed around ths part of the coast and the crews concerned deserve some recognition from the Board of Trade for their valiant services." The Standard is quoted in this report as follows: "The daring deed of the Ramsgate lifeboat crew is of course just the kind of service the public expect from them and they like most brave men will not expect to be congratulated on having done their duty but is is worthwhile for all that to draw attention to the incident. It not only shows how fearlessly lifeboat crews do their perilous work but how worthy of liberal support is the National Lifeboat Institution, who's efforts so materially mitigate the hazards of seafaring life along the coastline of these Islands. A reward of 10 is offered for the recovery of the body of Captain M.N. Fraser aged 36; a similar reward is also offered for the body of Edward Baron aged 16, midshipmen on board the INDIAN CHIEF. Both bodies were last seen lashed to a fallen mast near one another." (1) The master of the Ramsgate harbour steamer VULCAN and the Coxwain of the lifeboat BRADFORD have furnished to the Board of Trade and the National Lifeboat Institution the following particulars of the services rendered by the steamer and lifeboat to a portion of the crew of the ship INDIAN CHIEF wrecked on Longsand. "At noon on Wednesday George Denne master of the FORGET ME NOT, fishery vessel arrived here and reported that as he passed Kentish Knock light vessel at 9.00am signal guns were being fired from her. He steered as close to her as possible and learned that a large ship was ashore on Longsand bearing about NE by E. He looked in that direction and saw a large vessel and at once proceeded to Ramsgate to report the wreck. It was then blowing a fresh gale from the ENE. The harbour steamer VULCAN and the lifeboat BRADFORD were immediately dispatched in the direc

<1> Kent Coast Times 1866-1896, 13-JAN-1881, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6365.

<2> Kent Coast Times 1866-1896, 17-MAR-1881 p3, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6365.

<3> Kent Coast Times 1866-1896, 20-JAN-1881 p2, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6365.

<4> Kent Coast Times 1866-1896, 24-FEB-1881 p3, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6365.

<5> Kent Coast Times 1866-1896, 03-MAR-1881 p2, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6365.