3-077-642 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Wreck of the Irex at the Needles, Isle of Wight: rescue of the crew, 1890. 'Her Majesty the Queen...received the officers and men of the Coast Guard and of the Royal Artillery who aided, with the Totland Bay life-boat and the rocket for casting a rope to the ship, in saving the lives of the crew of the ship Irex...which during the gale in the Channel ran ashore, in Scratchall's Bay...The crew...attempted to launch a boat, but without success, and the master and mate lost their lives...The vessel stuck fast, and the crew took to the rigging, where they had to remain all night...About midday the vessel was seen, and a life-boat left Totland Bay for the wreck in tow of a steamer. But all endeavours to get to the Irex were fruitless, owing to the tremendous sea, and the life-boat returned. Subsequently, with the aid of the rocket apparatus, a line was fixed on board, and a hawser was passed to the wreck. Fifteen men were by these means landed on the cliff before dark on the Sunday evening: and by midnight all but one were got to shore...We are indebted to Colonel Crozier of Westhill, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, for two photographs, and to Mr. W. S. Nicholson, Eastmore, Yarmouth, for a sketch, which have served for the drawing of our Illustration'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.