[janwhin]

An interesting letter in the Newcastle Courant of 21 September 1877 from the "Sons of Neptune" of Tynemouth:
"True Heroism -Sir, We are sure it will be very gratifying to Dr Currie of Amble and the noble band of volunteers who assisted him to reach Coquet Island on Christmas Morning, to hear that Mrs Ainger has now recovered from her serious and very painful illness, and been sent home to her husband and little ones at Tynemouth Lights, where they have been removed through the kindness of the Trinity Brethren; and as we have never seen the facts of the case mentioned, they may not prove uninteresting to many of your readers. On Christmas Eve last, the light-keepers on Coquet Island were observed signalling to those on shore, but from the severity of the storm then raging, and darkness coming in, it was impossible to make them out. All through that dreadful night they continued doing so by burning tar barrels and other lights, and it was only as daylight was approaching that James Armstrong and his fearless crew manned the lifeboat, "Algernon", and went out in the greatest danger and difficulty to ascertain their wants. By this time the coastguard had read from the signals that medical aid was urgently required, when Mr Swan, chief officer, at once repaired to the residence of Dr Currie, and informed him of it. On returning to the harbour, a hurried consultation with his men and pilots was held, as to the safest way of sending the doctor off. Mr Gray kindly offered the use of the steamer, but it was considered by all to be too small to live in such a sea, only fortunately a larger one, belonging to Shields, called the "Venus" was lying, the captain of which sung out, "That if there was need at the other end we Shields folks know of no danger", a noble offer which was quickly taken advantage of, and after getting steam up, and the doctor on board, she steamed out of the harbour. The feelings of the spectators may be better felt than described, as she disappeared several times out of sight, amongst the mountainous breakers at the harbour entrance, but very quickly was seen bearing south towards the lifeboat, to put the doctor on board, after which she returned to the harbour, amidst the cheers of the on-lookers. By this time Dr Currie had reached the Island, and on arriving at the house, found that Mrs Ainger, light-keeper's wife, had again become a mother the night before, but was this morning a raving maniac. After kindly giving directions as to proper treatment, he returned by the lifeboat to the beach, amongst the surf, on the sands, below Hauxley Fishery. Too much praise cannot be awarded the lifeboatmen, steamer's crew, and others for their gallant services on this occasion; but to the worthy Doctor, who no doubt will personally feel amply rewarded by the return of his patient to health, is most certainly entitled to something more tangible than the mere thanks of the community as a mark of esteem for the noble self-sacrifice in risking his life in this manner to save that of another, for who can but picture the sigh of relief those poor people would experience on the arrival of their kind and sympathetic surgeon, who had no answer to their calls all through the long night but the roaring of the merciless storm? To Mr Dand of Hauxley Hall, sincere thanks are also due for sending horses to launch the boat on this and subsequent occasions as the doctor required, and we only repeat what is already well known on the north-east coast, that no waif from the sea calls at his door, either in the daytime or dark, but leaves it substantially relieved by him in his usually unostentatious way. We are also of opinion that not only the said doctor but others connected with this event are duly entitled to the medal of the Humane Society for this Christian and truly heroic action. This hint we think sufficient to set into action a local committee at Amble, to see that true heroism has its reward."