The Fergus Ferguson was a RNLI sailing and pulling lifeboat stationed at North Berwick between 1888 and 1902. In that time the crew saved 32 lived in six operational launchings, well over two-thirds of those landed by the station during 1888 and its closure during 1922.

This is an oil painting on canvas, which shows a lifeboat breasting a heavy surf coming round the end of a pier on the right. On the foreshore and pier anxious spectators watch the boat as it presses on to a sailing vessel in trouble.

From the development of purpose built lifeboats in the 1790s to the present day, the danger braved by their crews has drawn the imagination of artists. In attempting to capture this launch of the Fergus Ferguson this anonymous artist celebrates the bravery of North Berwick's volunteers.