PAINTING LIFE-BOATS.

General Rules.

1. IT will be desirable, that in or about the month of May in each year, or as soon as fine summer weather shall have fairly set in, and the exercise for the current quarter have been performed, the Life-Boats should undergo their periodical examination, painting, and refit.

When it is intended to apply to the Institution for payment of the cost for the same, estimates should be forwarded to the Inspector of Life-Boats at the Institution before the work is performed, and in every instance it will be desirable, that when completed to the satisfaction of the Local Committee, their Secretary should report the same to the Inspector, in order that the General Committee may be informed when all the Boats in connexion with the Institution have been painted and refitted in readiness for the work of the ensuing winter.

2. The exterior of the Life-Boats to be painted annually. If a boat has been mach used during the preceding twelve months, she should have two coats of paint; if but little used, one will suffice ; but it should be very carefully performed, and well worked into the seams, more especially in those boats which are clench built 3. The interior of the boats to be painted once in two years: on those occasions the side air-boxes (where detached) should be taken out of the boat and separately painted, not being replaced until the paint on them has become dry and hardened.

The deck should however be payed over with black varnish every year, and the side air-boxes be then taken out, carefully examined, and not replaced until the deck is perfectly dry.

4. If the boat continues tight, never use a caulking-iron except to the keel seam, and that only once in three years (unless teaky).

It should then be used with great care and judgment. In fact paint should supply the place of caulking, unless under peculiar circumstances.

The cost of painting the Life-Boats of the Institution in London is, for a 30-ft. boat, 11. Is. each coat, and for a 27-ft. boat, 18s.

each coat, externally, and the same sums internally, including the decks and air-boxes, or 21. 2s. for one entire coat to a 30-ft. boat, and 1L 16s. for the same to a 27-ft. boat.

These accounts, as an average, may be some criterion as to price.

; LIFE-BOAT GEAR.

1. Anchor and.Cable; Anchor for a 30-ft. boat, not less than 75 Ibs. weight; Cable 60 fathoms of 3j-inch rope. The Anchor and Cable to be secured to the deck of the boat amidships.

2. A grapnel 25 Ibs. weight, for letting go from the stern, to prevent the boat ranging ahead when at a wreck.

3. A spring for the Cable in case of need. A boat's Painter.

,4. A Norman, -with forelock, to ship in the step of the boat a mast when in tow, or riding at anchor.

5. A set of short fir Oars complete,'with lanyards; and a spare Oar for each two the boat pulls.

6. A set of rope Grummets and iron Thole Fins * (with forelocks), and with half the number of each, spare.

7. Two steering sweep Oars; two Boat-hooks, with lanyards.

8. A hand Grapnel, with Heaving Line (of 2-inch Manilla rope).

9. A sharp Axe secured under the main thwart; and a small sharp hatchet at each end of the Boat.

10. One Life-Buoy with line attached (of 1-inch Manilla) ; Short knotted Life-lines to hang over the side at each thwart.

11. Boat Binnacle and Compass (where necessary) ; Lamp (kept trimmed); Oil-can; Matches (to be kept dry).

12. Spy-glass (where necessary); Lantern; Fisherman's White Light, or Port-Fire.

13. Hand Rockets for throwing a line on board a Wreck (when thought necessary).

14. Boat's Hand Lead and Line for Sounding in case of fog.

15. Hammer, Nails, Chisel, Marlinespike, Grease, Oakum, Sheet-lead, &c.

16. A Cork Life-Belt for each of the Crew.

17. A Breaker of Fresh Water, and Biggin (where necessary).

18. A Boat's Carriage, Luff-tackle, Handspikes, &c. (where necessary).

19. A Chest for Small Stores in the Boat-house.

20. Masts, Sails, Gear, and Rudder (when required).

The Coxswain-Superintendent is to keep a List of the Stores, which should be examined every quarter by the Local Committee, in order to their being repaired, or replaced with new if in the least degree doubtful.

Form of Return of Wreck and Services of Life- Boat at .

1. Name of Vessel, and where belonging to? 2. Name ot Master, and of Owners ? 3. Big, tonnage, No. of Crew ? 4. Where from ? Where bound to ? 5. What Cargo ? or in Ballast ? 6. Wind and Weather ? 7. Time of day ? State of Tide ? 8. Exact spot where Wrecked ? 9. Number of Lives Saved? 10. Number of Lives Lost ? 11. Supposed cause of Wreck ? 12. Was it a total Wreck, or Stranded, or Sunk ? 13. Time«f Launching Life-Boat? 14. Time of reaching Wreck? 15. Tine of returning Ashore ? 16. Dili the Boat behave well? 17. Was any damage done to the Boat ? Extent ef Repairs required ? 18. Number and Names of men employed, and number of times they have been off in the Life-Boat to a Wreck; noting any special case of individual exertion ? 19. Amount, if any, of Reward received, locally or from elsewhere ? 20. Amount, if any, of Salvage? 21. Remarks, &c.

(Signed) Dated,_ Coxswain-Superintendent,_ (Certified) Secretary