Some of the scenes were magnificently grand and of absorbing interest. The waves were as high as mountains. They threw skywards mighty masses of white foam. Here and there a fishing boat, with a rag of sail, ran madly for shelter before the storm. On the top of the East Cliff the new searchlight was ready for experiment, but had not yet been tried.

The officers in charge got it working, and swept it over the surface of the sea. Once or twice its service was most effective. A fishing boat, which was almost under water, rushed into the harbour. Guided by the searchlight, it was able to avoid the danger of crashing into the piers. As each boat reached the safety of the port, there was a shout of joy from the mass of people on the shore. For a moment, each shout seemed to cut through the gale and was then swept away in the rush of the wind.

Before long the searchlight discovered a schooner some distance away. It had all sails set, and was apparently the same ship which had been noticed earlier in the evening. The wind was now blowing to the east, and there was a shudder amongst the watchers on the cliff. They realized that the ship was in terrible danger.

Vocabulary:

Absorbing: Here it means 'taking full attention'
Masses: Large amounts
Foam: Bubbles in a liquid
Rag: Literally a small, old bit of cloth
Shelter: Somewhere safe
Searchlight: A powerful focussed light
Avoid: Miss, not go into
Gale: A strong wind
Schooner: A sailing ship
All sails set: All the sails raised
Shudder: A shiver of fear or disgust